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Why this APEC meeting is drawing so much attention

10:00, October 30, 2025 By Global Times editorial ( Global Times

Illustration: Xia Qing/GT

The Asia-Pacific family is once again embracing an important moment. From Friday to Saturday, leaders and representatives of 21 economies in the region will gather in Gyeongju, South Korea, for the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting under the theme "Building a Sustainable Tomorrow." President Xi Jinping will deliver an important speech and hold bilateral meetings with leaders of relevant countries. This will also mark President Xi's first overseas visit after the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty, rising protectionism and accelerated technological transformation, how should we write "Asia-Pacific's tomorrow"? "Chinese wisdom" and "Chinese solutions" have become one of the focal points of attention at this APEC meeting.

At the 30th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, President Xi proposed working together to create the next "golden 30 years" of Asia-Pacific development. The recently adopted Recommendations of the CPC Central Committee for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development are highly aligned with the Asia-Pacific region's development demand for the next three decades. The proposals - including actively expanding voluntary opening-up, promoting innovative growth in trade, broadening two-way investment cooperation and advancing high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative - will open up broader space for cooperation between China and other Asia-Pacific economies.

Today, the Asia-Pacific region accounts for one-third of the world's population, over 60 percent of the global economy, and nearly half of global trade. This achievement would not have been possible without the opportunities brought to the Asia-Pacific region by economic globalization. History and practice have repeatedly demonstrated that openness and cooperation, as well as integrated development, are the key factors behind the "Asia-Pacific miracle." As the region's highest-level, broadest-scope and most influential economic cooperation mechanism, APEC has continually advanced regional trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. These efforts have propelled sustained development, prosperity and connectivity across the region, solidifying its position as the world's most dynamic area economically and primary growth engine.

APEC's broader significance lies in its transformation of the world's most expansive ocean into a "sea of cooperation" and "ocean of connectivity." Today, the world stands at a new crossroads. Geopolitical rifts are tearing apart the integrity of industrial chains, while discordant voices advocating "decoupling and breaking chains" and "small yard, high fence" ring out incessantly. The Asia-Pacific region now faces common challenges that transcend national borders. No unilateral approach or formation of exclusive blocs can effectively resolve these issues. APEC's enduring relevance rests in reaffirming a fundamental truth: The prosperity of the Asia-Pacific is rooted in cooperation, not confrontation. What we need is not an "Indo-Pacific Strategy" that creates divisions and stirs up confrontation, but an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future that embraces all members. The spirit of openness and inclusiveness embodied by APEC represents the optimal solution to our shared challenges and the right choice for drawing the largest possible "circle of common ground."

At present, China is at a critical juncture in advancing Chinese modernization, and the high-quality development and high-level opening-up pursued by Chinese modernization will create unprecedented opportunities for the region. The transition of a super-sized market of over 1.4 billion people toward higher-quality, greener and smarter development will provide APEC members with sustained, stable and expanding market demand. China's innovative practices in new energy, artificial intelligence and the digital economy will also offer powerful technological impetus for industrial transformation and upgrading across the Asia-Pacific. A stable, prosperous and open China stands as the most reliable stabilizer for the regional economy.

More importantly, APEC's vitality lies in its commitment to genuine multilateralism. As a staunch supporter and active promoter of Asia-Pacific regional cooperation, China's vision of a community with a shared future for humanity aligns closely with APEC's spirit of openness, inclusiveness, cooperation and mutual benefit. China's four major global initiatives provide key public goods and practical pathways for fully realizing the Putrajaya Vision 2040 goal of building an "open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community." The practice of Chinese modernization, together with the implementation of these global initiatives, will continue to bring stability and certainty to the region. China has consistently advocated for inclusive economic globalization and remains a proactive force committed to common prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

China is set to host APEC in 2026, marking the third time it assumes this role. This not only represents the high recognition by Asia-Pacific economies of China's development achievements and cooperative sincerity, but also signifies greater responsibility and commitment.

As Asia-Pacific economies join hands to forge a shared path to development, a new "golden 30 years" is gradually unfolding. The high-level opening-up China will advance during its 15th Five-Year Plan period resonates strongly with APEC's vision of "building a sustainable tomorrow." In this era of both challenges and opportunities, may the Asia-Pacific family, with wisdom and courage, work together to build a more prosperous and sustainable future.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - The UN Security Council on Thursday condemned the assault by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El Fasher and its devastating impact on the civilian population
Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen and a person holding a Palestinian flag.  Instagram - @yobencohen (left) and Unsplash - Omer Faruk Yldz (right)

Ben & Jerrys co-founder Ben Cohen is creating a special sorbet to call for peace in Palestine after the ice cream brand's parent company wouldn't allow it.

Cohen announced his plan to sell a watermelon-flavored ice cream in an Instagram video on Tuesday, Oct. 28. The flavor is inspired by the fruit that's a symbol of solidarity because its colors match the Palestinian flag.

In his video, Cohen called his new sorbet "something that's actually pretty important."

"The scale of suffering of the Palestinian people over the last two years has been unimaginable," he said. "The ceasefire is a welcome relief, but there's much more work to do to rebuild. Palestinians are still living under occupation, still recovering from years of suffering, especially Palestinian children. They deserve dignity, safety, and the same rights that every human being should have."

Cohen said Ben & Jerry's previously tried to create a flavor to show its support for Palestine, but was blocked by Unilever, the British conglomerate that owns the ice cream brand.

"Just like when Ben and Jerry's tried to stop selling ice cream in the occupied territories, they were blocked again by their parent company, so I'm doing what they couldn't," Cohen said.

The video follows co-founder Jerry Greenfield's resignation in September after he accused Unilever of silencing the long-standing activism of Ben & Jerry's. Cohen has called for Unilever to "free" Ben & Jerry's and was arrested in May for interrupting a Senate hearing on US military funding to Israel.

Cohen asked fans to help him design the sorbet's flavor, packaging, and name.

"Revolutions are creative," he said. "Let's see some of that creativity."

Cohen and Greenfield, both 74, founded Ben & Jerrys in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978. The Long Island natives expanded with their first franchised location in nearby Shelburne, VT, in 1981.

Ben & Jerry's ice cream is sold in more than 40 countries.
US-POLITICS-SHOOTING-KIRK (Photo by MELISSA MAJCHRZAK/AFP via Getty Images)

A Rhode Island high school is restricting parents from accessing the curriculum of a teacher who openly mocked Charlie Kirks assassination by requiring an exorbitant fee.

A social studies teacher at Barrington Public Schools (BPS) was placed on leave in September after posting a video saying he had no sympathy for the Turning Point USA founder after he was killed. Now, a concerned parent tried to request information on what was taught in the teachers classroom only to be met with a fee of over $117,000, according to the Goldwater Institute.

It should never cost $117,000 to see the curriculum materials of a single social studies teacher in a public school because those materials are already paid for by the taxpayer, Nicole Solas, the mother who requested the records, said in a statement. Barrington Public School Districts exorbitant fee weaponizes Rhode Islands Access to Public Records Act to block access to public information about what students are being taught instead of simply handing over the materials free of charge.

In Rhode Island, agencies may issue a reasonable charge for retrieving documents, which cannot exceed $15 per hour. BPS estimated the requested documents would take 7,735.5 hours to recover  almost an entire year  bringing the total cost to $117,130.50.

BPS did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundations request for comment.

Charlie Kirk, founder and executive director of Turning Point USA, speaks during a Turning Point PAC town hall at Dream City Church on June 06, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

This is a man who hated the LGBTQ community, who hated womens rights, who hated democracy, who thought that he was a big man cause he went to college campuses and debated youth college students and thought he proved how tough he was with his words that he studied ahead of time, the teacher said in a now-deleted TikTok video. What a piece of garbage. This is what happens.

Goldwater Institute sent a letter to district officials asking them to reconsider the fee it said appears inflated by a series of unrealistic assumptions and may therefore violate public records laws. (RELATED: Student-Run Show At Bidens Alma Mater Under Fire For Special Thanks To Charlie Kirks Killer)

These are straightforward records that should be easy to produce, but rather than being transparent with the public, the district is hiding this information behind a prohibitive fee estimate, the institute said.

BPS apparently claimed the task would require scanning 157 courses taught by the teacher over 15 years and spread across three different systems.

Kirk was known for starting dialogue with leftist students on college campuses to discuss controversial topics and find common ground. He was shot and killed during a campus speaking event at Utah Valley University in September.

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.
New York, US (PANA) - The UN Secretary-General has strongly condemned the killing of civilians, including children, in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza overnight into Wednesday, calling for all parties to uphold their commitments to the fragile ceasefire
Asia Pacific (APAC) remains the most attacked regionStatista found that it accounts for roughly one-third of all global cyberattacksin part due to rapid digital transformation, a complex geopolitical climate, and a diverse regulatory landscape. As IDC predicts regional security spending to grow at a 10.5% CAGR, reaching US$12 billion by 2027, partners are aware that theres a big opportunity.

The question is whether they can fully take advantage of it.

Many partners face familiar roadblocks: a shortage of cybersecurity talent, an overload of fragmented tools, and a lack of deep technical or regulatory expertise. For smaller partners, these challenges can limit their ability to capitalise on the growing demand for cyber resilience. For larger ones, scaling consistently across regions and verticals can be equally difficult.

OpenText Cybersecurity recognises these realities. As a channel-first route-to-market organisation, it builds its entire go-to-market model around empowering partners and arming them with the capabilities, enablement, and credibility they need to become trusted advisors to their customers.

Our mission is simple, Steve Stavridis, Regional Vice President of APAC, OpenText Cybersecurity said. We are dedicated to empowering our partners with the capabilities and confidence to establish robust, resilient cybersecurity practices. In doing so, we enable them to safeguard their customers, protect the integrity of the business ecosystem, and mitigate the risk of breaches that could compromise reputations or disrupt operations.

First steps towards building expertise

For a partner to be seen as a trusted pathway through the cybersecurity minefield, it starts with being able to articulate the risks. Not just in terms of the breaches themselves, but also the increasingly tight regulations and what is required to stay in compliance.

Right across APAC, businesses are being required to support a broad suite of regulations in almost every market they operate, including Australias Cybersecurity Act 2024 and Essential Eight framework, Indias DPDP Act, Malaysias upcoming Cybersecurity Bill, and Singapores Cybersecurity Act.

These set new benchmarks for data governance and incident reporting, with unique local nuances and imperatives. As businesses look to regional markets for growth, they need partners that can help them establish a robust cybersecurity strategy that can keep them compliant across the diverse region.

However, compliance cant just be a box-ticking exercise, because the threats are real and complex. Recent incidents have shown that even the worlds largest companies are not immune.

The Google data breach, where the cybercrime group ShinyHunterswhich has been linked to a series of ransomware attacks against big names such as Allianz, Disney, and Qantas accessed its Salesforce database, is a reminder that vulnerabilities extend beyond internal systems to third-party SaaS applications. Island Hopping Attacks are an example of a new breed of cyber threats targeting third-party apps, exploiting trusted integrations to gain deeper network access.

Attackers are honing in on vulnerable third parties or SaaS platforms that organisations depend on. Its no longer enough to protect your own perimeter; you must secure your customers IT ecosystem and supply chain, anywhere where their data can reside, Stavridis said.

Businesses must understand that when they move data into SaaS environments, they remain responsible for that datas security, Stavridis urged. The wake-up call is that ownership doesnt transfer with the subscription. Visibility and control still matter.

Testing and assessment services to proactively discover vulnerabilities

Actually, achieving cyber resilience starts with understanding where vulnerabilities exist before attackers do. OpenText Cybersecuritys Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Assessment services are designed precisely to help a partner deliver this to their customers.

These services allow partners to:

Identify and assess weaknesses across networks, applications, and endpoints

Simulate real-world attacks to test system resilience

Provide actionable remediation recommendations tailored to each customers unique environment

Because OpenText Cybersecurity understands that no two infrastructures are the same, partners can tailor these assessments to a customers risk profile, industry, and compliance obligationsadding measurable value to their managed services and reinforcing their role as trusted security advisors.

Beyond testing and assessment, OpenText Cybersecuritys portfolio spans the entire threat lifecycle, from prevention and protection to detection, response, and recovery. Key offerings include:

By integrating these solutions, partners can help customers build a robust, scalable cyber resilience framework: one that reduces vulnerabilities, closes security gaps, and keeps businesses compliant and operational.

Why Channel-First matters

Because OpenText Cybersecuritys goal is to truly support its partners and help them build stronger practices, unlock new markets, and deliver end-to-end protection to their customers, it operates exclusively through the channel. This channel-first philosophy means its success is directly tied to partner success.

Through the OpenText Partner Program, partners gain access to:

Not-for-resale (NFR) software for testing and demonstration.

Online certifications and enablement programs to upskill technical teams.

Sales and marketing toolkits that make it easier to position cybersecurity solutions effectively.

This ecosystem approach enables partners to deliver more strategic, higher-margin services while enhancing their credibility in front of customers.

Our goal is to remove barriers for partners, Stavridis stated. We provide the tools, enablement, and end-to-end solutions that help them move up the value chainfrom selling point products to delivering integrated cybersecurity strategies.

With cybersecurity, headlines drive fear, and with every new regulation and every breach headline, customer anxiety grows. What allays those fears is expertise. Partners that can translate this complexity into clear, actionable resilience strategies will be the ones that will stand out and win business.

Learn about OpenText Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Assessment services or reach out to explore ways OpenText Cybersecurity can support your security offerings.
Mobile computing managed services provider, Mobilise IT has inked a partnership deal with enterprise mobility vendor Samsung SDS to launch and deploy Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) infrastructure across Australia and New Zealand.

This collaboration marks a pivotal moment for organisations with uncompromising mobile security requirements, particularly those relying on Samsung and Apple devices, by offering a fully integrated, locally managed on-premise solution backed by Common Criteria certification.

Designed for government and private sector enterprises where data protection is non-negotiable, this solution delivers end-to-end control over mobile environments.

As part of the deal, Mobilise IT will provide a comprehensive suite of services including: fit-for-purpose consulting and architecture, infrastructure deployment and solution implementation, 24/7 support and lifecycle maintenance.

Samsung SDS Asia Pacific president Gum Ki Ho flew in to Australia to sign the agreement among other commitments stating the partnership underscores its commitment to empowering government and enterprises in Australia with the highest standards of mobile security.

This ensures they have the tools and support needed to confidently protect data and operations in an increasingly complex digital landscape, he added.
Funding for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is at risk amid the ongoing government shutdown, forcing House Republicans to introduce a new bill to address the issue and keep the program operational.

WIC is a federal nutrition program that is responsible for providing food, education, and counseling to at-risk children under five years old and pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding individuals.

WIC Funding at Risk Amid Government Shutdown

On Oct. 21, the National WIC Association (NWA), which is a non-profit organization that advocates for WIC recipients, said that millions of families are at risk of losing their benefits on Nov. 1 if there is no additional funding for the program due to the government shutdown.

In a statement, the president and CEO of NWA, Georgia Machell, said that WIC is a "lifeline for nearly 7 million pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and young children." She noted that even short-term financial disruption to the program's provisions can have significant long-term negative impacts on families, according to USA Today.

The United States Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for overseeing the WIC program, put the blame for the situation on Democratic lawmakers. This is a similar claim that other Republicans are making, where they argue that their left-hand counterparts are responsible for the shutdown.

The statement noted that Democrats are continuing to vote to prolong the government shutdown, which blocks the funding for mothers and babies who rely on the WIC program. It added that the USDA will utilize tariff revenue to provide funding for the foreseeable future.

Bill To Fund WIC Program

Republican. Rep. Rob Bresnahan said they are grateful that the current administration advanced funds through the end of October for the WIC program. He noted that the objective is not to have innocent women, infants, and children suffer because of legislators not being able to pass a budget, the Western Slope Now reported.

The new bill, known as the Keep WIC Working Act, would fund the WIC program during the ongoing government shutdown. This will continue until President Donald Trump signs either a stopgap bill to fund the government or Congress appropriates funds to the USDA.

The legislation comes after the Trump administration transferred $300 million in tariff revenue to WIC in October to prevent a lapse for the program. However, the NWA issued a warning last week, saying that the money was "rapidly depleting, and numerous states are projected to exhaust their resources for WIC benefits as early as next month, as per The Hill.
by Dario Salvi

The Jordanian scholar spoke to AsiaNews about the critical issues that have emerged after the "easier" step of getting the living hostages back to Israel. In fact, Hamas refuses to surrender its weapons, and the establishment of an international force to monitor the truce is stalled. Overcoming the pattern of regional conflicts and tensions is needed to create a future of peace on a cultural, as well as economic basis.

Milan (AsiaNews)  The recent tensions in Gaza, with gunfights followed by heavy attacks by the Israeli army, are normal because "we have passed the easiest phase, that of the return of the hostages alive; now the current problem is how to get to phase 2, especially the issue related to the disarmament of Hamas, this according to Prof Amer Al Sabaileh.

The expert in geopolitics, Middle Eastern affairs, international security, and peace process policy in crisis areas is a contributor to several newspapers, including The Jordan Times. He spoke to AsiaNews about the latest developments in Gaza.

In his view, Hamas has shown "little sign that it intends to disarm; on the contrary, it has created a tricky situation in terms of internal security and the return of the bodies of dead hostages."

In doing so, "it has exploited this transition between the first and second phases" in US President Donald Trump's peace plan to impose its presence as a preeminent force in the Palestinian scene.

The pressure exerted by Washington allowed the hostages to come home alive, but, he warns, we have a serious problem for the second part, which will never be resolved politically until Hamas agrees to disarmament of its own accord.

The issue of Hamass weapons, linked to the recent wave of violence in Gaza with its additional death toll  more than a hundred, according to sources in Gaza, many of them civilians, including children  remains central to the future.

A survey by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR), conducted between 22 and 25 October, with approximately 1,200 Palestinians, 760 in the West Bank and 440 in Gaza, shows that a large majority (about 70 per cent) are opposed to disarmament.

There is one substantial and significant difference: the opposition is stronger in the Occupied Territories, where it reaches 80 per cent, while in the Gaza Strip, where the population is under Hamas control, a smaller majority (55 per cent) opposes it.

Also noteworthy is Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's decision to appoint Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh as acting president in case of vacancy.

Speaking about the fragile truce in Gaza and the diplomatic activism of the United States and Gulf states in recent weeks, the Jordanian scholar noted the pressure exerted by Qatar, especially after the [Israeli] attack, which caused Hamas to move differently."

"The issue of the living hostages was the easiest," Amer Al Sabaileh explained; "now the most challenging aspect is convincing [Hamas] leaders to disarm or leave Gaza.

This won't happen easily, so the Israelis will remain on the ground, operating (as they have in recent days), according to their security needs, like in Lebanon, where they claim for themselves the right to carry out operations, attacks, and targeted eliminations.

Hamas's disarmament is also accompanied by the issue of the international force to be deployed in Gaza, whose composition and timing remain vague, as well as a point of tension with Israel, which has vetoed the offer by several countries, starting with Turkey.

In this regard, the expert said that "we are not yet in a peacekeeping phase, but rather an attempt at 'peace-enforcing,' but it is not excluded, as Trump has already said, that he might authorise Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to finish the job.

We are at a stage where we face two scenarios: Israel intervening militarily when it feels the need, and the emergence of Palestinian militias fighting against Hamas themselves. This is a critical moment, and the lack of peace-enforcing will create ever greater internal confusion."

Regarding the countries that could be part of this force, Al Sabaileh believes that all the nations that have a peace pact with Israel could be part of it," although the Jewish state wants "neither Turkey nor Qatar" due to a "lack of trust.

In this sense, it is premature to consider a force along the lines of UNIFIL in Lebanon, because today the primary objective is to ensure the conflict does not erupt again while tolerating low-intensity clashes or the activity of militias fighting among themselves.

The issue of greater involvement of other countries in the crisis has not been solved. This is another of Trump's objectives, as he looks to countries "with a Muslim majority, even non-Arab, like Indonesia, which is the largest Sunni-majority nation, or Azerbaijan for Shias.

This could touch the Abraham Accords, in which the Gulf States continue to play a key role. "Normalisation could also be important for reconstruction, future trade and economic relations, and geographical cooperation, he said.

One example is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), which runs right through the Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, which, unlike the United Arab Emirates (UAE), does not yet have a peace process with Israel.

For this reason, this could still be important not only to end the war and break away from a pattern of regional conflicts and tensions, but also to create a future of peace on a cultural, as well as economic basis."

To achieve this goal, or create the conditions for it to happen, the scholar supports the position lately expressed on several occasions by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, according to whom new leaders are needed on both sides.

We are about to enter a new phase," Sabaileh says, "in which we need new rhetoric, a new narrative, new visions, and above all, new mindsets and new leaders.

So far, many have simply wasted time and failed to impose peace, which cannot be merely a theoretical concept, but must be established through hard work, and through great effort.

Many have lacked the courage and now belong to a phase that has ended. In their place, "new faces must emerge; otherwise, we will not be able to take steps toward developing regional relations and usher in a new phase that puts an end to the notions of militias, weapons, and war.
by Sumon Corraya

A group of Christian community leaders met with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) - widely favoured with the exclusion of the Awami League - calling for inclusive and fair lists. Secretary Alamgir reassures them about a non-sectarian country and reforms to protect minorities. Civil society calls for reserved seats for indigenous communities and gender parity. The European Union pledges 4 million for a transparent democratic process.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - As Bangladesh prepares for national elections scheduled for early 2026, civil society leaders and minority groups are urging political parties to ensure that the polls are inclusive, fair and credible internationally.

Among them, Christian leaders recently met with Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) - the party of Khaleda Zia and Tariqeu Rahman, widely favoured - with the exclusion from the polls of former Prime Minister Sheickh Hasina's Awami League - to urge representation and recognition of their community's demands.

The meeting, held at the BNP presidential office in Gulshan on 13 October, was attended by representatives of the Bangladesh Christian Forum. Fakhrul reiterated the BNP's commitment to building a Bangladesh without divisions, stating: We all believe that Bangladesh is a non-sectarian country and we want to cultivate and strengthen this ideal as a nation.

Christian leaders expressed their desire to see candidates from their community included on the BNP's electoral lists and their issues reflected in the party's manifesto. They stressed that without political representation, their voices remain unheard in the national decision-making process.

This call for inclusivity was reiterated on 27 October in Dhaka during a roundtable discussion entitled Inclusive and Fair National Parliamentary Elections: Civil Society Expectations of Political Parties, organised by ActionAid Bangladesh's Sushil project and Prothom Alo, with the support of the European Union. The event brought together leaders from various political parties, civil society organisations and minority groups.

Sanjeeb Drong, a Catholic and secretary general of the Bangladesh Indigenous Forum, highlighted the structural barriers faced by indigenous communities. It is not possible for any indigenous person to win elections for numerical reasons, he said, arguing for the need to reserve seats in parliament. He therefore urged parties to commit to indigenous community rights, employment, land ownership and cultural diversity in their election manifestos.

Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the BNP Standing Committee, speaking at the roundtable, acknowledged the limitations of the past and promised broader reforms if the BNP returns to power. We will welcome various proposals from people of all classes and professions, he said.

He also emphasised the need for judicial independence, media freedom and voter empowerment: The role of voters will be primary, while law enforcement will be secondary. He also assured that the BNP will strive to ensure the representation of ethnic groups, tribes, religions and castes in the formation of parliament and will consider making secondary education free based on financial capacity.

Nayeb Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, a member of the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party, who was also present at the round table, stressed the importance of political parties and the government's television commitments to ensuring fair elections.

He warned that if the elections are not conducted fairly, they should be cancelled and rescheduled. Taher lamented the lack of fair voting over the past fifty years, attributing the country's stagnation to this.

All parties must abide by the electoral code of conduct, he said, adding that the sincerity of political parties and the impartiality of the administration are crucial for credible elections.

Akhtar Hossain of the National Citizens' Party (NCP) emphasised the need for peaceful transitions of power and criticised the failure to respect direct elections for female candidates. We have discussed this at length, but the system has hindered the process, he said, reiterating the NCP's commitment to women's empowerment.

Educator Rasheda K. Chowdhury also warned that without political will, women will continue to be marginalised. Money and muscle have always pushed women to the sidelines in elections, she said.

The European Union, which has allocated 3.5 million to support credible elections in Bangladesh, reiterated its support for civil society engagement and voter education. As the elections approach, Bangladesh's Christian community and other marginalised groups are stepping up their demands for representation, transparency and reform, in the hope that their voices can shape the nation's future.
by Santosh Digal

The Anti-Pogo Act of 2025 is now in force, repealing the provisions of the previous law on gambling taxation. The government wants to prioritise the protection of life and general welfare, as well as supporting human dignity. Prison sentences and progressive fines are envisaged. The Church has also long called for an all-out fight against the scourge of gambling.

Manila (AsiaNews) - Philippine leaders continue their all-out fight against illegal gambling, a social and economic scourge that has long been targeted by the local Church: on 23 October, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the so-called Anti-Pogo Act of 2025 (Republic Act 12312), which bans the much-discussed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo), authorised centres for offshore online gambling aimed at foreign customers.

This law repeals and reverses the content of a previous Law on the Taxation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (Republic Act 11590), which imposed taxes on both offshore gaming licences and service providers operating in the territory.

Specifically, the new law states that the State recognises that the maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty and property, and the promotion of general welfare are fundamental to the meaningful enjoyment of democracy.

It also values the dignity of every person equally and guarantees full respect for human rights. The Philippine Senate approved the law on 9 June 2025, followed by the House of Representatives, which gave the green light two days later, on 11 June.

In November 2024, Marcos issued Executive Order No. 74, imposing an immediate ban on offshore and internet gambling, citing the risks posed by POGO operations in the Philippines. The document published by the president emphasised that the state has a fundamental duty to safeguard national security, maintain public order, uphold the rule of law, protect the safety of its citizens and ensure the integrity of the nation's social fabric.

During his State of the Nation Address on 22 July 2024, Marcos himself confirmed the all-out fight against POGOs following reports of crimes, human trafficking and torture linked to the centres.

Hence the hope that the new law will resolve many of the issues that remain unresolved. Specifically, first-time offenders face six to eight years in prison and a fine of between 300,000 and 15 million Philippine pesos (up to approximately 150,000).

Second-time offenders face eight years and one day to 10 years in prison and a fine of between 15 and 30 million Philippine pesos. A third offence carries a sentence of 10 years and 1 day to 12 years in prison and a fine of between 30 and 50 million Philippine pesos.

The most severe penalty for the offence will be imposed if the perpetrator is a public official or employee. If the perpetrator is a foreigner, they will be repatriated immediately after serving their sentence and will never be allowed to return to the Philippines.

Senators Win Gatchalian and Risa Hontiveros are the authors of the bill. After signing the bill, Senator Hontiveros, chair of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, expressed her satisfaction.

"Sincere thanks to the government agencies and whistleblowers who have been our partners in the in-depth investigation of Pogos. I am also very grateful, she added, to my fellow Pogo-buster, Senator Win Gatchalian, for leading the process of this bill.

Leila M. de Lima, a member of the House of Representatives and human rights activist, also welcomed the approval of the Anti-Pogo Law 2025". The government, she explained, should ensure the removal of all remaining Pogos in the country, including those that continue to operate in other forms but which remain illegal centres. We must ensure, she concluded, the strict enforcement of this law so that it cannot be circumvented by those with selfish interests, especially in future administrations.

In the past, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) had expressed concern about the widespread presence of Pogos and other gambling-related activities in the archipelago, as they cause serious harm to people and have social and emotional costs, especially for poor and vulnerable communities.

In June and July, the bishops published a pastoral letter, read in all churches across the country, concerning Pogos and government-promoted online gambling activities. Although these are now banned, other legal and state-approved gambling activities continue. One of the most critical voices on the subject is that of Cardinal Pablo Virgilio S. David, president of the Bishops' Conference and bishop of Caloocan.
by Sarah Bernstein*

Sarah Bernstein, executive director of the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue in Jerusalem, spoke at the Vatican. For her, Nostra Aetate, promulgated by the Second Vatican Council 60 years ago, teaches that dialogue must address the burning realities people may seek to avoid. Attacks by Jewish extremists on Christians and Muslims and their places of worship betray the very foundation of being Jewish. Leo XIV said, The Church cannot tolerate anti-Semitism.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  During this morning's general audience marking the 60th anniversary of the declaration Nostra Aetate, Pope Leo XIV placed particular emphasis on the relationship between the Church and the Jewish people, which reached a crucial turning point in the Second Vatican Council document.

In his address, the pontiff said that the Church does not tolerate anti-Semitism and fights against it, on the basis of the Gospel itself. These words are particularly relevant in the context of the misunderstandings that have arisen over the past two years over the tragic war in Gaza.

Dr. Sarah Bernstein, executive director of the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue in Jerusalem, spoke yesterday evening during the official commemoration of the conciliar document in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, specifically addressing the relevance of the direction Nostra Aetate has given to relations between Christians and Jews, even at this challenging time.

In her address, she shared her personal experience as an Israeli Jew in dialogue with Christians. The full text of her speech is below.

Shalom, Salaam, good evening.

It was my first day at university. I walked into my room and immediately saw a crucifix my roommate had hung on the wall. I was horrified. Here I was, a 19-year-old Jewish girl, and I had to sleep in a room with a crucifix?

I considered changing rooms. I called my mother, who said, Youll be fine. And so I took a deep breath and got to know Caroline, a devout Catholic. Our friendship overcame my fears.

Dialogue begins with relationship, but I've seen that the connections that survived times of crisis are those built on honest conversations, however hard. The work is to address our most sensitive and instinctive reactions, like the threat I felt when I saw that crucifix.

Nostra Aetate was a brave, revolutionary call to struggle with deeply held negative beliefs about other faiths. As a Jew, I am profoundly grateful for it.

The interreligious challenges sometimes seem overwhelming, but Nostra Aetate taught us that dialogue must work through the burning realities of our day, even if we might prefer to avoid them. In Israel-Palestine, that means we must address our national differences, as well as religious.

Nostra Aetate emphasised the Jewish background of Jesus, Mary, and the apostles. For many Palestinian Christians today, the Jew is the Israeli soldier who stops and searches them at a checkpoint.

Context is everything.

Since October 7th, despair has been an ever-present temptation. I have felt profound sorrow for those killed and taken hostage, anguish over the devastation in Gaza, and shame over the moral blindness within my society.

I am immensely troubled by the rise in extremist Jewish attacks on Christians and Muslims and their religious sites.

They betray the foundations of who we are as Jews. They are wrong. I am also dismayed about the global rise of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. The task of Nostra Aetate is not yet complete.

At the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue, our Jewish, Christian, and Muslim team brings Israelis and Palestinians together to listen, learn, and heal.

Even during this terrible war, our "Healing Hatred" methodology, rooted in tools of spiritual counselling, has helped us sustain dialogue when in so many places in the world it has broken down.

In the spirit of Nostra Aetate, we face up to the deeply held beliefs that divide us.

Each training, whether for religious leaders or educators, each workshop where adults or children are taught to respect rather than hate, each expression of empathy: these practical acts change our reality.

As one participant said, You can Google Christmas, but you cant Google making befriends with your enemy."

The Palestinian intellectual Edward Said taught: Where cruelty and injustice are concerned, hopelessness is submission."

To give up would be to collude with the darkness. We must resist despair; we must insist on hope as a moral imperative.

Hope is not only a feeling. It is a series of actions, a conscious daily decision to continue working for change, even when the odds seem impossible. For me, an Israeli Jew in 2025, that is the lesson of Nostra Aetate.

* executive director of the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue in Jerusalem
by Andrea Ferrario

Informal employment is exploding in North Korea because of a drop in orders from China and lower wages. Tensions are also rising among the workers Kim supplies to China, fuelled by ever-increasing deductions from their wages to ensure revenue for the North Korean regime. Meanwhile, Russia has become North Koreas new El Dorado, at a cost of extensive linguistic and cultural isolation for workers.

Milan (AsiaNews)  When it comes to North Korean workers, the conversation typically oscillates between two equally distorted extremes: complete indifference vs helpless cogs.

The reality that emerges from available information is different, more layered and tragic precisely because it is riddled with real tensions and forms of resistance that challenge the caricature of automatic passivity.

Work at home

Within North Korea, official employment has long since ceased to guarantee subsistence.

State salaries hover around four to six dollars a month, while the price of rice has doubled since 2020, reaching nearly 6,000 North Korean won per kilo (equal to about 30-40 US cents).

Wages have become an administrative fiction. Survival depends on informal work and ad hoc jobs.

Over the past two years, precariousness has been exacerbated by the collapse of subcontracting orders from China.

Automation in Chinese factories making embroidery, wigs, and false eyelashes, North Koreas traditional exports, has eliminated one of the main sources of income for North Korean families.

In their place, casual work has exploded, including odd jobs in construction and seasonal employment in agriculture, often paid in kind rather than money.

The socialist rhetoric of state-assigned labour coexists with a reality of daily expedients to find food and fuel.

Meanwhile, the regime has responded to the economic crisis by boosting ideological control on the workplace. All workers must participate in weekly sessions to study party directives.

Activity and campaigns for major projects, formally voluntary, are in fact mandatory, and those who fail to participate risk losing food rations, when available.

In several provinces, especially in the northeast, the government tried to impose overtime to make up for production shortfalls.

In Hyesan, the order was rescinded after informal protests broke out and work performance declined, a sign of growing tensions between the regime's objectives and the capabilities of a worn-out population.

Work in North Korea is no longer a tool for redistribution, if it ever was. It is a means of social control that runs up against an increasingly insecure material reality, with the system showing cracks.

The Chinese case

This pattern of converging pressures partly explains what's happening across the border. For decades, sending workers to China provided North Korea with an economic and political lifeline, but over the past two years, the mechanism has started to break down on both sides.

In October 2024, some 4,000 North Korean workers were repatriated from the Chinese city of Dandong in a single month; although the flow of workers continued, it was at a reduced rate in the months that followed.

Chinese authorities have primarily targeted small factories with fewer than 200 employees, active in clothing and electronics assembly.

At the same time, large-scale deportations for minor administrative infractions have multiplied, amid disciplinary rigidity bordering on slavery; for example, unauthorised leave or possession of items to be sent home are sufficient grounds for deportation.

For the workers who remain, conditions have deteriorated quickly. Shifts can reach up to 13 hours without paid overtime, and in some factories, the only bonus consists of additional rations.

The most serious issue, however, remains wages. Initial promises of 2,000 yuan per month turned out to be payments ranging between 300 and 700 yuan. The remainder is withheld by North Korean officials who manage the accounts into which salaries are paid, net of the "quotas" in currency earmarked for the state.

These quotas can reach up to 70 per cent of income and, as of 10 March 2025, were doubled by decree by Pyongyang. In mid-March 2025, accumulated discontent erupted at a fish processing plant in Dalian.

North Korean workers received a rare five-day leave, likely seen by officials as sufficient concession to ease tensions, but when they asked for access to their savings, they were flatly refused.

The dispute quickly escalated. The intervention of local citizens averted further damage, and managers then distributed minimal sums while enforcing silence.

This is not an isolated incident. Already in January 2024, in the Chinese city of Jilin, North Korean workers exasperated by unpaid wages attacked a supervisor, who died of his injuries.

Today, China represents the paradox of a place of opportunity that morphed into a cage.

Chinese authorities actively collaborate in the disciplinary control of North Korean workers, while Chinese factories are actively automating production, eliminating the very subcontracting orders that have been for years the raison d'etre of the entire system.

Workers thus find themselves trapped between two mechanisms of power that converge to make them redundant, with increasingly bleak prospects.

Russia as a new front

While China closes employment channels and intensifies repatriations, Russia is opening up, offering new opportunities to North Korean workers. Between 2024 and early 2025, thousands of workers travelled to the Russian Federation, to work primarily in construction and Siberian logging.

Their number remains uncertain, ranging from a few thousands to tens of thousands depending on the source.

Regarding wages, South Korean studies estimate average gross compensation of about US$ 800 per month, although only a fraction of this actually reaches workers.

The mechanism for circumventing UN sanctions prohibiting the "export" of North Korean workers is well tested, consisting of student visas or formal cover-ups that mask actual employment contracts.

Some journalistic investigations report placements even in large Russian distribution and logistics companies, a sign that the scope of employment is expanding.

Pyongyang has also begun negotiations to send healthcare workers, as part of a broader partnership that includes the construction of a hospital and medical training programmes.

In Russia, as in China, the North Korean government has imposed a significant increase in the foreign currency quota that workers must pay to the state on a monthly basis. In Sakhalin, for example, the amount required of each worker has doubled, from 62,000 to approximately 124,000 roubles.

Since Russian companies pay their total wages directly to Pyongyang's representatives, the doubling of the quota translates into a drastic reduction in the amount of money actually available for workers.

To maintain the level of remittances sent home, many are forced to work longer hours or take on additional assignments, with their savings dwindling under increasingly harsh material conditions.

The model of exploitation reproduces the one already operating in China, but in a more isolated environment and less subject to international scrutiny, thanks to the political cover provided by the strategic partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang.

Russia represents the North Korean regime's new El Dorado. For workers, it simply means the reproduction of the system of exploitation in a different environment, with the same constraints and pressures, compounded by greater geographical distance and linguistic and cultural isolation.

The North Korean labour system is based on an increasingly precarious balance between currency extraction, ideological control, and workers' capacity for resistance.

The conflicts in Dalian and Jilin demonstrate that even in a totalitarian regime, there is room for protest. In these acts of resistance, we glimpse a desire for autonomy that shatters the image of workers as passive automatons.
Today's headlines: A further 700 Indonesian children poisoned by Prabowo's free meal; Singapore and Vietnam sign agreement on rice exports on the sidelines of APEC; New report links the deaths of 1.7 million Indians in 2022 to air pollution; Al-Sharaaa in Riyadh says Syria has attracted billion in foreign investment.

CHINA - UNITED STATES

The last time was in June 2019 in Osaka, for the G20. Trump and Xi Jumping met again for 100 minutes in South Korea, in Busan. In the last stop of Trump's Asian tour, he described the face-to-face meeting as a great success. He announced a reduction in tariffs on China from 20% to 10%, with a new rate of 47%. Beijing has reportedly agreed to export rare earth elements and to start buying American soybeans. The export of Nvidia chips was discussed. However, there is no news of a final agreement on TikTok. Trump said he will visit China in April and that Xi will come to the United States sometime after that.

INDONESIA

Indonesian authorities are investigating cases of food poisoning that affected nearly 700 children in Yogyakarta province this week. This occurred after students consumed meals prepared as part of President Prabowo's important free school meal programme. The programme, launched in January, was one of his main election promises, but according to data from the local non-governmental organisation JPPI, around 15,000 children fell ill.

SINGAPORE - VIETNAM

On Thursday 30 October, Singapore and Vietnam signed an agreement providing for Vietnam's support for the unhindered export of an agreed quantity of rice to Singapore. The memorandum of cooperation on rice trade was signed on the sidelines of APEC. The memorandum of cooperation lays a solid foundation for promoting stable and sustainable rice trade. This will help strengthen bilateral food security by avoiding unnecessary trade restrictions.

INDIA

According to the latest report published by the scientific journal Lancet, the deaths of more than 1.7 million Indians in 2022 can be attributed to air pollution. Published yesterday, the ninth edition of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, in collaboration with the WHO, also highlighted that in 2024, Indians recorded a record number of hours of exposure to heatwaves.

SYRIA - SAUDI ARABIA

Syria has attracted foreign investment totalling around billion so far this year, President Al-Sharaa told the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh. During a session with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he added that Syrian laws had been amended to allow foreign investors to transfer funds. We want to rebuild Syria, Al-Sharaa said, adding that the world can benefit from it as a trade corridor.

KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakhstan's National Security Committee said it had foiled a terrorist attack in Almaty, the country's largest city, in which several foreign nationals were involved. Five of them have been arrested and investigations are ongoing. Eight Kazakh citizens are also under arrest for terrorist propaganda, and since the beginning of the year, a total of 89 people have been charged with such crimes, including six foreigners.

RUSSIA - VIETNAM

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Overchuk has announced that Russia and Vietnam will jointly build a new railway line crossing China and Mongolia to expand the potential of the various North-South Corridor routes throughout South and Central Asia and strengthen the already very friendly bilateral relations between Moscow and Hanoi.
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30 October 2025 15:26 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The Baku Military Court continued hearings on October 30 in the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, Azernews reports.

During the session, a video recording was reviewed at the request of defendant Davit Ishkhanyan. The footage, posted on YouTube on August 28, 2020, shows Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan awarding servicemen in Sardarabad following the Tovuz battles of 2020. Also present at the event was Arayik Harutyunyan, one of the accused in the current trial. Pashinyan stated in his speech that those honored were active participants in the July clashes.

Public Prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev questioned Arayik Harutyunyan about the purpose of his participation in the ceremony. For what purpose and in what capacity were you invited to that event? On June 19, 2020, a joint Security Council meeting of the Republic of Armenia and the so-called organization was held. What was the reason for your attendance there? You previously stated that the July battles had nothing to do with the so-called regime  then why was this meeting necessary, and what issues were discussed? the prosecutor asked.

In response, Harutyunyan said that representatives of the so-called regime were regularly invited to official events in Armenia, adding that the meeting focused on Armenias security, army preparedness, and potential war scenarios.

The ongoing trial concerns Armenian citizens charged with committing war crimes, acts of terrorism, genocide, the planning and execution of aggressive warfare, and other grave offenses resulting from Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan.
30 October 2025 20:14 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently met with Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia in Ottawa, during which a number of politically charged issues were discussed. Interestingly, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans recent criticism of the clergy contained a rare moment of logic - his question as to why the Church is more preoccupied with politics than with spiritual and moral matters. This argument has now moved beyond rhetoric, sparking serious internal divisions within Armenia itself.

In practice, it has become almost customary for Armenian clerics to act as parallel politicians, discussing every issue, whether or not they understand it, and attempting to govern alongside the government.

It is therefore hardly surprising that during Catholicos Aram Is recent meeting with the Canadian PM, topics entirely outside the Churchs mandate were raised, including calls for the illegal return of Armenians who voluntarily left Garabagh to the territory of Azerbaijan, appeals for the release of Armenian citizens convicted of war crimes, crimes against humanity committed in Garabagh, and several other irrelevant political matters.

It is no coincidence that this narrative is being revived and being mentioned again and again, at a moment when Azerbaijan and Armenia are moving closer toward signing a long-awaited peace agreement. Similar topics have surfaced in other diplomatic contexts, including during the Washington Talks in August and a bilateral exchange between the Speakers of Parliament of both countries in Switzerland last week on the sidelines of the UN session. Yet, Azerbaijan has made it clear that these matters are not, and will not be, part of the negotiation agenda.

The deliberate use of the term Artsakh in such discussions exposes the fundamental illegality and political manipulation behind this rhetoric. It is not an internationally recognized toponym, nor acknowledged by any state or international organization. Instead, it is a propagandistic term used to challenge Azerbaijans sovereignty and perpetuate the illusion that a so-called independent entity ever existed within its internationally recognized borders.

Such rhetoric is not merely inaccurate, it is destabilizing. It undermines the fragile progress achieved since the 2020 and 2023 post-war processes, emboldening those in Yerevan and among the diaspora who remain intent on preserving outdated revanchist ideas. Each renewed call for the release of prisoners or the return to Artsakh fuels divisions and delays reconciliation between the two nations that have endured decades of conflict and displacement.

In the Apostolic Churchs view, peace is seen not as a moral duty, but rather as a lack of moral courage. This shift in ethical perspective, where forgiveness equates to surrender, is being tactically utilized by Armenias opposition, which understands that religious leaders can influence people in ways that political speeches cannot. As elections draw near, sermons and places of worship have transformed into venues for political mobilization, uniting the public around an antiquated notion of Armenias national destiny.

The truth stands far from the narrative pushed by lobbyists. The so-called prisoners of war are not political detainees or civilians, they are individuals charged under Azerbaijani and international law for grave crimes, including terrorism, murder, torture, and participation in illegal armed formations. Among them is Ruben Vardanyan, a Russian-born billionaire who briefly presented himself as a state minister within the now-defunct separatist regime established on Azerbaijani territory. He is currently being tried at the Baku Military Court for financing terrorism, illegal border crossing, and collaboration with foreign intelligence services.

These are not politically motivated prosecutions but legitimate legal proceedings supported by substantial evidence. Demands for their release disregard Azerbaijans judicial sovereignty, trivialize war crimes, and insult the memory of victims who suffered during Armenias nearly three-decade occupation of Garabagh. Labeling these prosecutions as oppression distorts history and masks accountability under the guise of human rights advocacy.

Canadas continued engagement in such rhetoric reflects a broader pattern in Ottawas foreign policy toward the region. During the 44-day Patriotic War, Canada notably adopted a pro-Armenian stance, halting the export of key technological components used in Turkiyes Bayraktar UAVs. At various times, anti-Azerbaijani resolutions and initiatives have been tabled in the Canadian Parliament, and Canada has supported the European Unions controversial observation mission along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

Mark Carneys decision to raise the topics of Artsakh and Armenian prisoners during his meeting with the Catholicos thus appears less a matter of religious dialogue and more a calculated political signal. It comes even as the Armenian leadership itself has declared the issue of returning Armenians from Garabagh as closed.

Notably, several years ago, a motion was introduced in the Canadian Senate to recognize the so-called Nagorno-Garabagh Republic  a proposal that was ultimately rejected. Yet, the reemergence of similar talking points in Ottawa today suggests that certain political circles remain unwilling to accept the new geopolitical realities of the South Caucasus. Regardless, this is unacceptable. While retelling past events might not be merely right, it remains important to remember these facts.

Canada cannot claim to support peace while echoing narratives that undermine it. If Ottawa truly seeks to contribute constructively to stability in the region, it's far more prudent to engage with official diplomatic channels to grasp the complexities involved and not through symbolic gestures or one-sided rhetoric that disregard international law and Azerbaijans sovereignty. The South Caucasus is turning a new page. Any forces that obstruct this, whether consciously or subconsciously, stand against the future of the entire region. Azerbaijan has chosen peace and development.
30 October 2025 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijans foremost national priority today is the comprehensive development of its ancient and historic lands - the territories of Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur - and ensuring that their rightful inhabitants, who were forced to leave more than three decades ago, can finally return to their ancestral homes. This mission lies at the heart of the countrys Great Return program, which represents both a national revival and a long-awaited restoration of justice.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs recent visit to Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur underscores the countrys determined post-conflict reconstruction efforts, highlighting the successful implementation of this ambitious state program. Launched immediately after Azerbaijan regained territorial control following the 2020 Patriotic War, the Great Return initiative aims to restore cities and villages, ensure the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and create sustainable social, economic, and cultural infrastructure across the liberated territories. Five years after the liberation of Jabrayil, Fuzuli, and Zangilan districts, the program is demonstrably transforming the region into a thriving hub of residential, industrial, and cultural development.

On October 28, President Aliyev participated in the opening of the first phase of Horovlu village in Jabrayil district. Originally occupied by Armenia in 1993, Horovlu was liberated on October 4, 2020. Spanning 248 hectares, the village now features 334 individual houses, modern utilities including water, electricity, gas, solar panels, and high-speed internet, as well as Garabagh carpet-patterned facades. The first phase of the project also includes a 624-seat school, a 220-seat nursery-kindergarten, a medical center, a sports-health complex, and a two-story administrative building equipped with a GIS-based village management system.

President Aliyev personally handed over keys to new residents, noting the historic significance of their return:

"Dear natives of Horovlu, I greet you from the bottom of my heart. Today is a very significant, unforgettable, and historic day in the history of Horovlu village. The residents are returning to their native land. I sincerely congratulate you on this occasion. May you live happily here!"

This symbolic return represents not only a physical restoration but also a profound socio-political statement: Azerbaijan is consolidating its post-war gains while fostering sustainable development and social cohesion in previously occupied territories. The reconstruction of Horovlu demonstrates meticulous urban planning, blending historical preservation - such as restored kahrizes and retained pre-occupation buildings - with modern amenities and energy solutions, including solar panels.

The President also laid the foundation for Jabrayil City Mosque, signaling a commitment to cultural and spiritual restoration alongside infrastructural development. Covering over 1,530 square meters, the mosque will accommodate 615 worshippers and include communal facilities, representing the revival of Jabrayils religious heritage, largely destroyed during the occupation.

Urban reconstruction continued with the foundation stones for the second and third residential complexes in Jabrayil city. With a total of 1,361 modern apartments across 48 buildings, these complexes demonstrate a strategic approach to residential planning, ensuring modern living conditions while accommodating the influx of returning IDPs. The citys infrastructure is being complemented by energy projects, including the Shams and Ufug solar power plants, which will generate 206 million kWh annually and contribute to Azerbaijans green energy strategy. President Aliyev highlighted the significance of this development:

"This region has excellent agricultural potential, and solar energy generated here will supply the entire area. The capacity of existing and planned solar and hydroelectric stations in Jabrayil and Zangezur districts will reach approximately 400 megawatts  enough for a large city."

In the Zangilan district, the Great Return program continues with the opening of Mammadbayli village and the second phase of Aghali village. Mammadbayli, covering 51.6 hectares, now offers 188 individual houses fully equipped with modern utilities, while the surrounding infrastructure - including schools, kindergartens, and health centersis designed to provide a self-sufficient community framework. President Aliyev emphasized the programs long-term vision:

"You lived under difficult conditions for many years. The life of an IDP is very difficult. But those days are now in the past. For almost five years now, Azerbaijan has restored its territorial integrity. Extensive construction work is underway in all the liberated lands, including the Zangilan district. Let me repeat that we started the first Great Return program from the Zangilan district."

Analytically, the visit highlights a multi-dimensional approach to post-conflict recovery. Azerbaijan is not merely rebuilding infrastructure but actively reconstructing the social fabric by creating employment opportunities, modern educational facilities, and energy independence. The integration of solar power plants alongside agricultural and industrial development reflects a forward-looking economic strategy, aiming to transform Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur into sustainable, self-reliant regions.

The broader geopolitical significance is also notable. By establishing critical infrastructure, residential zones, and transport corridors - including the emerging Zangezur Corridor - Azerbaijan is consolidating control over liberated territories while reinforcing regional trade and connectivity. President Aliyevs rhetoric underscores both a symbolic and practical assertion of sovereignty:

"Armenians vandalized and destroyed our ancestral lands, but we are the people who build and create. We have driven the enemy out of our lands. Now we are the ones building and creating in our native land, creating conditions, constructing buildings, mosques, and restoring historical monuments. In other words, we, the owners of these lands, have returned and will live here forever."

In conclusion, the October 28 visit exemplifies the tangible outcomes of Azerbaijans Great Return program. Through a combination of residential development, infrastructural modernization, cultural restoration, and energy projects, the country is demonstrating a systematic, strategic approach to post-conflict reconstruction. Beyond physical rebuilding, these efforts signal a comprehensive reintegration of liberated territories into Azerbaijans socio-economic and cultural landscape, fostering resilience, prosperity, and national unity.
30 October 2025 17:44 (UTC+04:00)

by Qaiser Nawab

As leaders convene in Gyeongju, South Korea, for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, the forum carries a renewed sense of purpose. The setting evokes echoes of the Malaysia round of negotiations  where dialogue, pragmatism, and regional unity prevailed over confrontation. Today, with the global order in flux, the underlying message from Gyeongju is once again clear: engagement, not estrangement, must guide the Asia-Pacific forward.

The gathering comes at a time of heightened strategic competition between the United States and China, the worlds two largest economies, whose uneasy coexistence continues to shape the global economic and security architecture. Yet amid tension, both sides recognise the need to keep communication channels open. With President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump expected to meet on the sidelines of the summit, Gyeongju may mark a rare opportunity to recalibrate relations that remain strained but indispensable to regional stability.

The 2025 APEC Summit takes place against a backdrop of slowing global growth, supply chain disruptions, and intensifying technological rivalry. The post-pandemic recovery has proven uneven, with trade protectionism and economic nationalism gaining traction across several economies. Meanwhile, competition in advanced technologies, from semiconductors to artificial intelligence, has deepened the divide between major powers, threatening to fragment the global innovation ecosystem.

At the centre of this tension lies the ongoing economic contest between Beijing and Washington. The United States, under the Trump administration, continues to pursue policies that seek to curb Chinas access to critical technologies, while advocating for fair trade mechanisms designed to reduce dependency on Chinese manufacturing. China, in response, has intensified efforts toward self-reliance in key industries while expanding partnerships across Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America under its Global Governance and Global Development Initiatives.

Yet despite these divergences, neither side can afford complete disengagement. The sheer scale of interdependence  from trade volumes to supply chain integration  ensures that cooperation remains a strategic necessity. APEC thus serves as one of the few remaining multilateral platforms where dialogue between the two powers continues under the umbrella of shared regional interests.

Washingtons China First economic approach, focused on reshoring industries and restricting Chinese access to advanced technologies, continues to challenge the principles of open regional trade. Yet there is growing recognition, even within U.S. policy circles, that a zero-sum approach may prove unsustainable.

Chinas diplomatic tone at this years summit underscores a broader strategic message: the world is shifting toward multipolarity, and global governance must evolve accordingly. Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reiterated that economic issues should not be weaponised or politicised, warning against attempts to divide the world into competing blocs.

Beijings approach seeks to present an alternative to confrontation  one grounded in mutual respect, sovereign equality, and collective progress. Through frameworks like the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) and the Global Development Initiative (GDI), China advocates for reforming international institutions to reflect the realities of the 21st century. These initiatives stress fairness in trade, inclusivity in growth, and technological cooperation rather than isolation.

This vision finds quiet support among many developing economies in the region that view APEC as a platform for shared advancement rather than rivalry. The spirit of partnership that once defined Asias economic rise now demands renewal.

The APEC summit thus offers a moment for strategic recalibration. The Xi-Trump meeting could inject much-needed confidence into global markets. For the Asia-Pacific region, the mere act of dialogue between the two largest economies serves as reassurance that diplomacy still holds sway over division.

Beyond the U.S.-China dynamic, the broader APEC agenda this year seeks to anchor the region in resilience and shared prosperity. South Korea, as host, has framed the theme Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper to capture the spirit of collective progress. Key discussions are expected on strengthening regional supply chains, bridging digital divides, and advancing green economic transitions.

If APEC 2025 can rekindle that cooperative spirit  even modestly  it will stand as a reminder that engagement remains the regions greatest asset.

----

Qaiser Nawab is Chairman of the Belt and Road Initiative for Sustainable Development (BRISD), an international platform focused on fostering cooperation and innovation across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

The views and opinions expressed by guest columnists in their articles may differ from those of the editorial board and do not necessarily reflect its views.
30 October 2025 12:02 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Cooperation prospects between Azerbaijan and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) were discussed during a meeting between Azerbaijans Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, and William Tompson, Head of the Eurasia Division at the OECD Global Relations and Cooperation Directorate, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Economy.

During the meeting, it was noted that Azerbaijan actively cooperates with the OECD within the framework of the Eastern Europe and South Caucasus Initiative, which is part of the OECD Eurasia Competitiveness Programme. The sides highlighted successful partnership in areas such as economic diversification, enhancing competitiveness, digitalisation, improving the investment climate, and supporting the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The importance of strengthening ties between the OECD and Eurasian countries for the regions economic and social development was underlined.

The meeting also reviewed future cooperation opportunities in investment, finance, trade, entrepreneurship, and transport. The sides exchanged views on potential areas for comprehensive collaboration and discussed preparations for the OECD Eurasia Week to be held in 2026.
30 October 2025 16:25 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) has held a meeting focused on enhancing the infrastructure of the countrys capital markets, Azernews reports, citing the CBA.

Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank Ali Ahmadov met with the heads of the Azerbaijan Capital Markets Association, the Baku Stock Exchange, the National Depository Center, and several investment companies.

The discussions covered third-quarter trends in the capital markets, key factors influencing sectoral development, and measures to reinforce market infrastructure.

Participants also exchanged views on strategic goals for the next stage, including steps to boost the financial stability of investment companies and deepen financial intermediation in Azerbaijans capital markets.
30 October 2025 15:48 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A solo exhibition, "Fire, Water, and Kisses" by Azerbaijani artist Ramina Saadatkhan, opened on October 29 at the Nine Senses Art Center, Azernews reports.

The exhibition opened as part of the project "Fly to Baku. Art Weekend. Sense the Future NOW," to be held on October 31-November 2.

The main theme of the exhibition is water, which serves as a symbolic element of the Art Weekend festival aimed at fostering meaningful dialogue with the international art community.

Ramina Saadatkhan's new series "Fire, Water, and Kisses" is a poetic attempt to touch the primal elementsthose elemental forces that cleanse the soul and bring one closer to understanding the language of the body.

Through the elements of "Fire, Water, and Kisses," the artist explores the dialogue between body and spirit, between the elements and emotions, inviting the audience into a world of contrasts where harmony emerges from eternal movement.

Saadatkhan shared with Azertag that the idea for the new series was inspired by the theme of water, proposed by the organizers of the art festival. However, the artist decided to expand the concept by juxtaposing fire with water and introducing a third symbol, kisses, as a metaphor for the fusion of opposites.

The artist added that the exhibition represents another stage in her creative experiments and personal self-discovery.

"I try to delve deeper into my inner self. Through painting, I better understand why I live and where I should go next. For me, it's a kind of meditation. A day spent without painting feels like a day not lived at all," she said.

Speaking about the audience's reactions, Saadatkhan outlined that each painting leaves space for personal feelings and interpretations:

"I would like the viewer to feel my inner world. Everyone sees the paintings in their own waysometimes they notice things that I myself hadnt realized. They find hidden meanings, and this helps me reveal myself more and more."

In an interview with journalists, Natalia Zhukova, the director of Nine Senses Art Center, pointed out that this exhibition is a continuation of a project, the first part of which was previously presented at the Sea Breeze resort.

"This is the natural development of the "Uomo Natura" exhibition. Its about the natural, wild essence that lives within every person, especially within women. A woman is the source, the beginning of everything, and that beginning holds immense power. In her works, Ramina expresses her inner fears, desires, and expectationsa reflection of the female subconscious turned outward," she noted.

According to her, the project is about self-acceptance and developing an inner harmony with ones own nature.

Speaking about the artist, Zhukova emphasized that Saadatkhan holds a special place in contemporary Azerbaijani art.

"Ramina is one of my favorite artists. She is unique, yet speaks the universal language of art. Her work carries the soul of Azerbaijan, and at the same time, she is an artist of international caliber. She has her own style, her own inner strength," the director of the art center stressed.

Ramina Saadatkhan is a graduate of the A. Azimov Art School and the Azerbaijan State Academy of Fine Arts. Her work blends painting, collage, and pop art with elements of abstract expressionism.

The first part of her exhibition, titled "Uomo Natura", is currently on display at the art center's branch at the Sea Breeze resort. In 2022, her piece "Energy of Chaos" was presented at the Azerbaijani Pavilion at the 59th Venice Biennale, marking an important milestone in her international artistic career.

The exhibition "Fire, Water, and Kisses" is part of the large-scale Art Weekend program, which will take place in Baku from October 31 to November 2.

The project, dedicated to contemporary art, music, and creative dialogue, is organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the IDEA Public Union, with support from the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry.

The author and initiator of the project is Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Founder and Head of the IDEA Public Union.
30 October 2025 12:23 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has praised efforts to normalize relations with Azerbaijan and urged the Armenian public to support the ongoing peace process, Azernews reports, citing Armenian media.

We have peace, and that is the reality. This is a historic change not only in our bilateral relations with Azerbaijan but also for the region as a whole, Pashinyan said during his address at the Paris Peace Forum.

Expressing confidence in public support, the prime minister noted, I am confident that the people of the Republic of Armenia will support what we have achieved so far. I do not doubt that Armenian citizens will back the peace agenda and the peace process.

Pashinyan also highlighted that the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, including the opening of borders and the establishment of diplomatic ties, is now only a matter of time. There are currently no significant obstacles to this, he said, adding that he expects both countries to become normal neighbours with full political and economic cooperation in due course.

The ongoing peace efforts between Baku and Yerevan gained momentum following a landmark trilateral summit in Washington, D.C., on August 8, 2025, hosted by US President Donald J. Trump. During the summit, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took significant steps toward normalizing relations and enhancing regional cooperation.

The summit concluded with the signing of a joint declaration affirming respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity while rejecting the use of force. A draft peace agreement titled Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia was also initialled by both countries foreign ministers, marking a milestone in the decades-long conflict.

One of the key outcomes of the Washington summit was the agreement to establish the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), also known as the Zangazur Corridor, which will connect mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory, fostering trade and regional integration.
30 October 2025 23:55 (UTC+04:00)

By Nur Banu Aras

Turkiye has formally signed an agreement to purchase Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, a deal long anticipated by Ankara. The signing ceremony took place yesterday, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer putting their signatures on the collaboration agreement regarding the Eurofighter program. The event followed a private bilateral meeting and a working lunch with delegations at the Presidential Complex before moving to the formal signing ceremony.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Starmer, President Erdogan noted that the signatures were finalized during inter-delegation discussions. We have just signed the declaration of cooperation with Prime Minister Starmer here today. I see this memorandum as a new emblem of our strategic relations as close allies, Erdogan said. He also expressed gratitude for the UKs efforts through the Eurofighter Consortium, saying, I thank Prime Minister Starmer and his team for their work throughout the process. I also extend my appreciation to the leaders of other consortium member countries for their constructive approach. I believe this collaboration with the UK will open doors to joint projects in our defense industry.

Erdogan highlighted that todays discussions focused on trade and defense relations. As you know, the United Kingdom is one of our largest trade and investment partners. We are determined to raise our trade volume first to $30 billion, and then to $40 billion. Our institutions are taking various measures, including updating the free trade agreement. We are also exploring opportunities for joint investments in third countries. We aim to establish new partnerships in energy and the defense industry. Moreover, we are pleased that many UK citizens consider Turkiye their second home. To leverage this potential, we have also begun negotiations on signing a bilateral cooperation framework document. I believe these steps will rapidly elevate our relations and strategic partnership to a much higher level.

President Erdogan further noted that he and Starmer had the opportunity to review developments in Gaza. Regarding the UKs recognition of the State of Palestine, Erdogan said, We regard this decision as a courageous step toward a two-state solution. Considering the approaching winter, it is crucial that humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza. I believe we will take steps together with the UK in this regard. We all have responsibilities to maintain the ceasefire in Gaza and prevent violations. In this context, the current government in Israel must be restrained.

The leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine, with Erdogan stressing the need to resolve the ongoing conflict, now entering its fourth year, with a just peace. On Syria, he emphasized that lasting stability depends on supporting the Syrian government and preventing internal and external actors from destabilizing the country.

During the conference, Prime Minister Starmer remarked, Though our countries are at opposite ends of Europe, we now work together far more closely than before. Starmer confirmed that the UK will supply Turkiye with 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets, with the option for additional purchases in the future. This will deepen NATO security and enhance bilateral defense industry cooperation, he said. Starmer also noted their joint efforts for peace in the Middle East, adding, I want to underline the role you have played. The first phase of the Gaza peace plan is taking shape. We are now moving to implement this agreement as quickly as possible and strive to bring the region to a much better position.
30 October 2025 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

On October 30, 2025, Azerbaijans Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, met with his Uzbek counterpart, Bakhtiyor Saidov, during an official visit to Samarkand, Azernews reports.

According to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Bayramov extended his congratulations to Uzbekistan on hosting the main conference of UNESCO for the first time, commending the countrys growing role in international cultural diplomacy.

During the meeting, the ministers expressed satisfaction with the dynamic development of AzerbaijanUzbekistan relations, which have reached the level of a strategic alliance. Both sides reaffirmed their determination to further strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between the two nations.

The discussions focused on expanding cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, transportation, energy, culture, education, and humanitarian initiatives. The ministers reviewed ongoing joint projects and highlighted the importance of enhancing connectivity and mutual investment opportunities.

Bayramov and Saidov also emphasized the significance of continued coordination and mutual support within international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization of Turkic States, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The ministers agreed that closer collaboration between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan would contribute to peace, stability, and sustainable development across their regions. They also exchanged views on regional developments and other issues of mutual interest.

The meeting in Samarkand once again underscored the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties uniting the two Turkic nations and their shared commitment to a prosperous and secure future.
30 October 2025 10:42 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

On October 29, an official reception dedicated to the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkiye was held at the Gulustan Palace in Baku. Azernews reports that the event was organized by the Embassy of Turkiye in Azerbaijan.

The ceremony began with the national anthems of both Turkiye and Azerbaijan. The guests included members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Baku, military attaches, government officials, parliamentarians, public figures, and media representatives.

In his opening remarks, Turkiyes Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Birol Akgun, highlighted that the modern Republic of Turkiye was founded in 1923 following a national struggle led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk against imperial powers that sought to occupy Anatolia after World War I. Today we proudly celebrate the 102nd anniversary of our Republic, the ambassador said.

He emphasized that Turkiyes foreign policy has always been guided by Ataturks timeless principle  Peace at home, peace in the world. Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ambassador Akgun noted, Turkiye has become a principled and influential global actor, maintaining strong partnerships within the Western world while actively contributing to a more just and multipolar international system.

Akgun also underlined Turkiyes vital role in the Islamic world and its growing cooperation with Turkic nations through the Organization of Turkic States. The Turkic world is our common cultural family, he said, stressing that this unity aims not at confrontation, but at promoting development, solidarity, and shared prosperity. Strengthening the Middle Corridor serves the interests of the entire world, he added.

Following the ambassadors remarks, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahib Gafarova delivered a speech in which she paid tribute to Ataturks legacy, emphasizing that his republican, secular, and democratic ideals remain the cornerstone of Turkiyes continued success.

She noted that under President Erdogans leadership, Turkiye has become one of the most powerful and respected nations in the world, playing a leading role in shaping the contours of the emerging international order. Turkiyes independent and multi-vector foreign policy stands as a model of responsibility, principle, and foresight, Gafarova said.

The Speaker also praised Turkiyes growing influence in promoting peace and dialogue from the Middle East to Eastern Europe. Turkiyes diplomacy embodies wisdom and flexibility  its voice is the sound of peace, stability, and justice, she said.

Highlighting Turkiyes impressive progress in defense, science, technology, and the economy, Gafarova added: The unifying creative energy of the Turkish people has led to remarkable achievements. Turkiye today holds a dignified place among the worlds largest economies and serves as a central hub for energy, transport, and logistics connecting continents.

She concluded by noting that Turkiye remains a nation confident in its future  faithful to its national values, open to innovation, and committed to building and defending peace and prosperity.
30 October 2025 10:32 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, founder and head of the IDEA Public Union Leyla Aliyeva has visited the Gafarov family, participants of the "Young Beekeeper" project, who live in Gabala's Mikhligovag village, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, a sincere conversation took place with the family members, and Leyla Aliyeva took a close interest in their experience gained within the project and their future plans. The family members expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the implementation of this initiative as well as for Leyla Aliyeva's personal visit.

For information, young beekeeper Lala Gafarova produced 40 kilograms of honey last year and 100 kilograms this year. She also took part in the Honey Festival held in Kalbajar last month at the initiative of Leyla Aliyeva, where she presented her products to customers as a participant of the "Young Beekeeper" project.

Since 2021, the "Young Beekeeper" project has been implemented on the initiative of the IDEA Public Union in partnership with the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation, the State Employment Agency, and the ABAD public legal.

The main goal of the project is to increase the interest of young families in the regions in beekeeping, to support their employment, and to promote ecologically sustainable small family businesses.
30 October 2025 12:40 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Kazakhstan plans to integrate several of Azerbaijans successful digital solutions into its national legislative framework, according to Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration Aizhan Bizhanova, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the Eurasian Franchise Forum in Baku, Bijanova emphasized the importance of digital cooperation and innovation in strengthening economic competitiveness. IT, artificial intelligence, the development of digital platforms  this is what strengthens competitiveness today. During my working trip, I got acquainted with very interesting digital products that we will definitely implement in our national legislation. We see great prospects in combining digital solutions with franchising models that make trade more accessible, transparent, and fast, she said.

The Kazakh official also noted that Azerbaijan remains Kazakhstans key partner in the Caspian region. Trade and economic cooperation between our countries demonstrates stable positive dynamics every year. For eight months of this year, the value of mutual trade between our countries amounted to about 350 million US dollars.

"As you know, the heads of state have set an ambitious task to increase this trade turnover and bring it to one billion. I think that these tasks are completely possible for us," she added

As regards Azerbaijan's experience in digitalisation, over the past decade, the country has made digital transformation a central pillar of its national development agenda, viewing technology not merely as a tool of convenience but as a strategic driver of efficiency, transparency, and innovation in governance.

The foundation for this transformation was laid through the State Programme on the Expansion of Digital Payments (20182020) and later reinforced by the Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development strategy, which places the creation of a competitive, innovative and inclusive economy at the heart of public policy.
30 October 2025 14:24 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The United States has invited Azerbaijan to participate in the planned Stability Force to be deployed in Gaza, Azernews reports, citing AnewZ sources.

According to the report, Azerbaijan has not yet made a final decision on the matter.

However, Bakus position remains consistent; any participation must be based on a UN Security Council resolution that ensures international legitimacy and defines a clear mandate for the mission.

Earlier, Politico reported that several countries, including Azerbaijan, Indonesia, and Pakistan, were considered as potential contributors to the proposed international stability force for Gaza.
30 October 2025 15:25 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed the relevant decree.

The head of the Balaken district executive authority, Islam Rzayev, has been dismissed from his post, Azernews reports.

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30 October 2025 16:51 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Azerbaijan has discussed the application of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions with Chinas Huawei Enterprise Business Group, Azernews reports, citing the Minister of Digital Development and Transport.

During a meeting with Hao Zhichen, President of Huawei Enterprise Business Group for the Middle East and Central Asia, the sides discussed Azerbaijans national AI strategy, the establishment of infrastructure for AI deployment, and the introduction of Huaweis international solutions in this field.

The discussions also covered the potential use of AI technologies in e-government platforms and the implementation of the Smart City concept based on Huaweis experience. Both parties emphasized cooperation in developing human capital and advancing joint initiatives to promote innovation and digital transformation in Azerbaijan.

In 2024, Huawei recorded revenues exceeding USD 100 billion, marking a return to solid growth after several challenging years. This rebound was driven primarily by strong domestic demand in China, where the company has leveraged national policies promoting indigenous innovation and digital sovereignty. According to its annual report, net profits surged by more than 150% compared with 2022, underpinned by robust sales in consumer electronics, cloud computing, and smart vehicles.

Huawei has positioned itself at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) development, not only as a hardware innovator but as a comprehensive ecosystem builder driving Chinas national AI agenda. Despite facing geopolitical constraints, the companys investment in AI has accelerated, spanning semiconductors, cloud computing, smart devices, and autonomous systems, all aligned with Beijings vision of digital self-reliance.

Meanwhile, Huaweis enterprise and carrier businesses continue to perform strongly. Its 5G and cloud solutions have been adopted by hundreds of cities and enterprises across China and beyond, providing critical infrastructure for smart manufacturing, logistics, and public services. The firms Huawei Cloud division, now one of Asias largest, has been expanding rapidly in regions such as the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa.
2025 Global Business Education Deans' Forum & Expo Opens in Shanghai

SHANGHAI, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 24 the Fudan University School of Management (Fudan SoM) marked a milestone in its 40th Anniversary Celebration Week with the launch of the 2025 Global Business Education Deans' Forum & Expo, held at the theater in Building C on the School's Zhengli Campus.

2025 Global Business Education Deans' Forum & Expo Opens in Shanghai

China's business education has achieved remarkable progress in international collaboration, research innovation, and talent development, while also facing challenges amid an increasingly complex global landscape. As the centerpiece of Fudan SoM's anniversary celebration, the Global Business Education Expo was designed to address the evolving priorities of business education in China and to shape dialogue on its global future. The event brought together deans and representatives from nearly 50 leading business schools and international business education organizations across five continentsincluding the MIT Sloan School of Management, Yale School of Management, and London Business Schoolto reflect on achievements in global engagement, discuss emerging challenges, and identify new opportunities for collaboration.

The opening ceremony also featured a dynamic interactive session titled "Youth Leading Change: Global Young Voices on the Future of Business." Young Chinese and international representatives from Fudan SoM posed thoughtful, candid questions that reflected the creativity and aspirations of a new generation of business leaders.

Held on the same day, the Global Business Education Deans' Forum focused on the theme "Pioneering Change in Global Business Education." The forum brought together education leaders from around the world to share perspectives and foster collaboration, reflecting Fudan SoM's commitment to open exchange and global partnership.

In his opening remarks, Lu Xiongwen, Dean of Fudan SoM, noted that China's rapid technological transformation is driving profound change in business education. He emphasized the importance of bridging theory and practice to address real-world challengesan imperative shared by business schools worldwide.

During the keynote session, Gary Dushnitsky, Deputy Dean of London Business School, and Lily Bi, President and CEO of The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), delivered keynote addresses titled "The Future of Business Education: A View from a Leading Global Business School" and "Sailing Through Uncertainty: Embracing a Global Future in Business Education", respectively.

The roundtable forum, themed "Pioneering for Change through Globalization," brought together leading academics and deans for an in-depth discussion. Participants included Lu Xiongwen, Dean of Fudan SoM; Leon Laulusa, Executive President and Dean of ESCP Business School; Lynnette Purda, Interim Dean of Queen's University Smith School of Business; Karen Spens, President of BI Norwegian Business School; Dominique V. Turpin, President (European) of China Europe International Business School (CEIBS); and Zhou Lin, Dean of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Business School. The conversation explored key issues facing business education todayfrom addressing global challenges and innovating curriculum design to expanding international partnerships.

At the two parallel sessions, Deans and senior leadership from leading business schools and international business education organizationsincluding AACSB, Bocconi University, DEC, DePaul University, ESSEC, FGV, HEC Paris, Hitotsubashi ICS, HKU, Luiss University, SMU, UBC, UQ Business School, UNSW Business School, Taiwan University College of Management, Yale SOMengaged in in-depth discussions. The sessions centered on the themes "AI Empowering Business Education: Curriculum Innovation and Global Collaboration" and "Innovation in Global Business Education: Sustainable Development and Cross-Cultural Collaboration." Participants shared perspectives on how artificial intelligence is reshaping educational paradigms, advancing sustainable practices, and strengthening cross-cultural collaboration, offering a comprehensive look at emerging trends and diverse explorations in global business education.

Commemorating its 40th anniversary of reestablishment, Fudan SoM's celebration drew global attention as both a forum for envisioning the future of business education and a moment to honor its own legacy. Embodying the spirit of "Inspiration, Truth-Seeking, Innovation, and Leading Change," it continues to shine brightly today while reaffirming the founding vision and mission that have guided Fudan SoM over the past four decades.

SOURCE Fudan University School of Management
30 October 2025 21:23 (UTC+04:00)

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that Turkiye will manufacture eight Altay main battle tanks each month, marking a major milestone in the nations drive toward defense industry self-sufficiency. The first batch of Altay tanks has been delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) under the Altay Tank Project, developed to meet the armys main battle tank needs through domestic capabilities.

At the inauguration ceremony of the BMC Ankara Tank and Next-Generation Armored Vehicles Production Facility and the delivery of the first Altay tanks, three units officially entered the TSK inventory.

Speaking at the ceremony, Erdogan stated: We are taking firm steps toward the goal of a fully independent Turkiye in the defense industry. With the inauguration of the BMC Ankara Tank and Next-Generation Armored Vehicles Production Facility, we are integrating another major technological hub into our defense ecosystem. Spanning 840,000 square meters, this vast complex will employ over 1,500 qualified personnel and house R&D centers, testing areas, armor laboratories, and training tracks. From robotic welding systems to advanced sensor technologies, from simulation infrastructure to data analytics, this facility will serve as a comprehensive technology base.

Highlighting the plants capacity, Erdogan added: In our 63,000-square-meter closed production area, we will manufacture eight Altay tanks and ten Altug armored vehicles, known as the fortresses of the battlefield, every month. As with our other defense products, our goal for the Altay tank is to achieve complete independence in critical materials. Despite embargoes, we have come this far, and with the same determination, we will successfully manage the next phase as well. The obstacles before us may slow us down, perhaps delay us a little, but they will never prevent us from reaching our destination. We will either find a way or make one.

The president also touched on the changing global landscape, saying: A new geopolitical equation is taking shape. The international system is not only changing form but also direction. As we have witnessed repeatedly in recent history  from Bosnia in the 1990s to Syria over the past 14 years, and most recently in Gaza, where 70,000 innocent lives were lost  neither international institutions nor international law can provide people with genuine security anymore. We are constantly reminded that in todays world, being right is not enough; you must also be strong to protect your rights.

Erdogan underscored that strength and deterrence are essential for national dignity: If you want to live honorably in todays world, you must be strong in every field. Otherwise, in this new order  a table of wolves  no one will pity you. Turkiye was among the first nations to recognize the asymmetric rise in risks and threats. From day one, we analyzed, prepared, and, so to speak, studied our lesson well. Through steps taken over the last 23 years, particularly in defense, diplomacy, and security, we have made Turkiye a nation that can no longer be ignored.

Providing technical details about the Altay tank, Erdogan noted: The Altay tank has successfully passed all stages with 1.5 million hours of engineering, 35,000 kilometers of testing, and 3,700 live-fire rounds. It has proven its excellence in firepower, endurance, and mobility. Alongside the Altay, we will also deliver the Leopard 2A4 modernization project next year. With strong interest from friendly and allied nations, the Altay will significantly enhance the global visibility and influence of Turkiyes defense industry. This marks the beginning of a new era in tank technology.

The president underlined Turkiyes transformation into a country that produces its own weapons: In the past, we couldnt even produce 20 percent of our defense needs; now we have reached 80 percent. In UAV and UCAV technology, we are among the worlds top three nations. Currently, we rank as the 11th-largest defense exporter globally. In 2024, we achieved 65 percent of the global drone export market, meaning that out of every 100 drones sold worldwide, 65 were Turkish-made, exported to 180 countries. Despite unfair practices, double standards, and embargoes in the past, we managed to make up for lost time. We achieved this despite the oppositions obstructionist efforts and those incapable of overcoming their own complexes. In just 23 years, we have built a defense ecosystem that the world now watches  some with admiration, others with concern.

President Erdogan arrived at the ceremony in a specially produced Togg limousine. At the end of the event, domestically produced military vehicles, including the Altay and Altug, paraded before the president and attending officials, showcasing Turkiyes growing defense capabilities.
30 October 2025 22:50 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Turkiye has achieved a historic milestone in exports, reaching a total of $390 billion, Minister of Trade Omer Bolat announced in a written statement.

Turkiye is no longer just a producer, but a trade and export power that delivers its production to the world, Bolat declared.

The minister emphasized that the Turkish economy now boasts a broad and value-added export portfolio ranging from automotive and white goods to defense and software industries. He pointed out that the number of exporting companies has risen to 180,396, highlighting the countrys expanding global trade presence.

In the early years of our Republic, exports were made to only 24 countries and covered 30 product chapters. Today, exports have spread to 224 countries and customs territories across 12,806 different products, Bolat stated.

He added that as of October 29, 2025, Turkiyes goods exports reached $270 billion, setting a new all-time record. Together with services, total exports have reached $390 billion, surpassing annual targets and marking the highest level in the nations history.

Between 1980 and 2000, Turkiyes share in world goods exports averaged 0.38%. This figure rose to 0.55% in 2002 and further climbed to 1.07% by 2024, the highest in the Republics history. This great success is the most concrete indicator that Turkiye, stepping into the second century of its Republic with a strong export vision, has solidified its position on the global stage with its production capacity and competitive economy, Bolat said.

He underscored that in 2024, Turkiye achieved exports exceeding $1 billion to 53 countries, reaching record highs in 60 markets. Thirty-one provinces recorded annual exports surpassing $1 billion, while the number of product chapters exceeding this figure also rose to 53, marking another turning point.

Bolat recalled that in 1973, it took an entire year to export $1 billion worth of goods. By 1987, this amount was achieved in a month, and since 2013, in a single day. Today, our daily exports sometimes reach $2 billion, he added.

Despite challenges in the global trade environment, Turkiye has maintained its economic resilience, achieving record export levels in many markets. Exports to the EU-27 countries rose from $11.3 billion in 1996 to $115.1 billion annually as of September 2025, thanks to the momentum gained from the Customs Union.

Turkiyes share in total EU-27 imports increased from 2.2% in 2002 to 4.0% in 2024, the highest level ever recorded. Today, Turkiye is a reliable, stable, and strong trade partner preferred by developed countries, Bolat remarked.

The share of industrial products in total exports, which was 21.2% in 1969, rose to 94.2% in 2024. Similarly, the share of machinery and transport equipment increased from 0.2% in 1969 to 30.1% in 2024. This transformation, Bolat said, is a clear reflection of Turkiyes evolution from an agriculture-based economy to one driven by high-tech manufacturing and industrial exports.

Turkiyes success in foreign trade has also translated into economic growth. Between 1980 and 2002, while the world economy grew by 3.1%, Turkiyes economy expanded by 3.9%, outperforming the global average. From 2003 to 2024, Turkiyes growth rate exceeded the world average by 1.9 percentage points, strengthening its position among the worlds major economies.

By 2024, Turkiye ranked 17th globally in nominal GDP, up from 21st in 2002, and 12th in purchasing power parity, up from 16th. During 20022024, Turkiyes GDP grew by 216% in real terms, and in dollar terms, increased nearly fivefoldfrom $238.7 billion in 2002 to $1.358 trillion in 2024. Per capita income rose from $3,616 to $15,325.

Bolat noted that between 2020 and 2024, Turkiye achieved an average annual growth rate of 5.4%, becoming the second fastest-growing economy among OECD countries.
30 October 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

A new era of sustainable architecture has arrived in New York City with the completion of the high-tech skyscraper at 270 Park Avenue, designed by the renowned British architectural firm Foster + Partners. Soaring to a height of 423 meters, the tower stands as one of the tallest new buildings in the United States and a striking addition to the Manhattan skyline, Azernews reports.

Now serving as the global headquarters of JPMorgan Chase, the skyscraper ranks 35th in the world, 6th among New Yorks tallest buildings, and 8th nationwide. Despite its immense size, the building was designed to fit into one of Manhattans most densely built-up areas, replacing the former tower that once stood on the same site.

Supported by massive steel columns, the new 60-story structure rises gracefully above the street, creating an open public plaza below. Its elegant glass facade, shimmering with reflections of the city, sets it apart from the countless rectangular towers nearby and gives Park Avenue a fresh, futuristic look.

Inside, the tower accommodates 10,000 employees and welcomes thousands of visitors daily. It features eight spacious retail zones, modern office areas, and flexible venues for conferences, public gatherings, and major corporate events. The upper floors host the banks executive offices and reception rooms, offering panoramic views of the city that never sleeps.

While no ultra-tall skyscraper can be completely green, 270 Park Avenue represents a major step forward in sustainable urban design. It proudly holds a LEED Platinum certification, the highest environmental standard in building performance. Remarkably, 97% of materials from the demolished structure were recycled or reused, minimizing construction waste.

This is New Yorks largest fully electric, zero-emissions tower, meaning that its daily operations produce no direct carbon emissions. Advanced systems  including triple-glazed windows, automated lighting that adjusts to natural daylight, and rainwater collection and reuse technologies  significantly reduce energy and water consumption.

Adding to its innovation, the tower integrates smart building management systems powered by artificial intelligence, optimizing temperature, lighting, and energy efficiency in real time. Even the rooftop is designed with a green terrace, providing natural insulation and a relaxing space with breathtaking views for employees.

With its blend of sustainability, technology, and bold design, 270 Park Avenue is not just a new corporate headquarters  its a symbol of how the next generation of skyscrapers can reshape cities for a cleaner, smarter future.
30 October 2025 11:41 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping concluded a high-profile meeting in Busan, South Korea, aimed at resolving key disputes in the ongoing trade war and setting the stage for a broader dialogue between the worlds two largest economies, Azernews reports.

According to reports, the talks covered a wide range of issues, including tariff reductions, soybean purchases, rare earth exports, and fentanyl production. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Trump described the meeting as great, emphasizing that many important issues had been agreed upon.

As part of the preliminary understanding, Trump announced that the United States would reduce tariffs on Chinese imports by 10 percent, while China would resume large-scale purchases of American soybeans  a move Beijing had halted in May in response to US tariffs. He also revealed that China agreed to lift restrictions on the flow of rare earth elements, a critical component in global manufacturing and technology supply chains.

The rare earth issue is completely resolved and it applies to the whole world  There is no more obstruction from China, Trump said, calling the outcome a major breakthrough.

The two leaders also discussed Russias ongoing war against Ukraine, with Trump noting that both sides agreed to work together on the issue, though he added that sometimes you have to let them fight.

Before the meeting, Trump had announced that he instructed the Pentagon to lift the moratorium on US nuclear weapons testing, stating that Washington needed to keep up with other nuclear powers. He said the United States had more nuclear weapons than any other country, ranking Russia second and China a distant third, but predicted that the gap would narrow within five years.

Chinese officials have not yet released an official statement regarding the discussions. The meeting, which lasted about two hours, marked the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and Xi since 2019, and was held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Trump concluded his Asian tour  which also included visits to South Korea, Japan, and several Southeast Asian nations  by highlighting what he called significant progress in trade cooperation and regional economic ties.

US officials later confirmed that, under the new framework agreed with China, plans to impose a 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods would be suspended, while export restrictions on rare earth elements would be delayed, signaling a cautious but notable thaw in US-China economic relations.
30 October 2025 19:21 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Global investments in artificial intelligence (AI) continue to grow at an unprecedented pace. Spending is projected to reach $1.48 trillion in 2025, marking an increase of nearly 50% compared to the previous year. Analysts predict that by 2026, global AI investment will surpass $2 trillion, and by 2029, it could reach $3.3 trillion, making AI one of the fastest-growing technologies in recent decades, Azernews reports.

Experts note that AI is moving beyond startups and short-term hype, becoming an integral part of the global economy  much like electricity or the Internet once were. Governments and private companies are rapidly expanding data centers, acquiring advanced computing chips, and developing cloud infrastructure to enhance their digital capabilities. In this emerging landscape, global influence is increasingly determined not by territory or natural resources, but by computing power.

At the same time, public concerns persist over the potential for massive job displacement. However, labor market data tells a more nuanced story. Since mid-2023, the unemployment rate in the U.S. has risen slightly  by 0.8 percentage points in industries with low automation and by 0.7 percentage points in highly digitized sectors. Economists argue that these shifts are largely due to broader economic conditions rather than automation itself: as growth slows, companies often cut costs, disproportionately affecting workers in less efficient industries.

History shows that technological innovations do not destroy the labor market but transform it. Just as machines replaced manual labor and computers simplified document management, AI is now taking over routine tasks, allowing humans to focus on analysis, creativity, and strategic decision-making. Analysts emphasize that adaptation and continuous learning are becoming essential skills in this rapidly evolving environment.

Economists estimate that AI could boost global productivity growth by around 0.3 percentage points annually over the next decade, potentially generating several thousand dollars of additional income per person.

Experts identify several possible paths for AI development: Technological acceleration, where AI continues to drive rapid industrial and economic growth; A world of abundance, in which machines produce most goods, reducing human labor needs; Challenges of control, raising ethical and societal concerns.

Human-AI collaboration, where AI complements human capabilities  a scenario that is already beginning to take shape in many industries.

As AI increasingly integrates into daily life and business, societies face both opportunities and challenges. The key question is not whether AI will change the world, but how humanity adapts to harness its potential responsibly.
CAIRO, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In recent years, Haier Group has proactively contributed to the sustainable development of developing countries, demonstrating the responsibility and commitment of a multinational enterprise. Haier Biomedical, a subsidiary of Haier Group, has launched the Solar Public Health Project in Ethiopia, which has effectively promoted local public health system development. Meanwhile, by enabling intelligent manufacturing upgrades in developing countries, Haier has driven growth in local industrial chains. Practices in multiple international industrial cooperation projects show that Haier has become a benchmark for common development and for promoting the continuous progress of developing countries.

Global Answer Sheet for Technological Inclusiveness: Haier Builds a Sustainable Ecosystem in Developing Countries

Deepening Intelligent Layout to Jointly Build a New Ecosystem for Green Development

In Ethiopia, insufficient electricity supply and weak health infrastructure have severely compromised the safety of vaccine storage and transportation. Haier Biomedical innovatively applies zero-carbon solar direct-drive cold storage technology in its vaccine refrigerators. Even during a power outage at 43C, the equipment can maintain a constant temperature of 8C for up to 120 hours, well above the 72-hour standard specified by the World Health Organization, significantly improving the safety of vaccine storage.

To date, Haier has delivered over 10,000 solar-powered vaccine refrigerators to Ethiopia and built 16 vaccine cold storage facilities. It has also provided green public health solutions such as IoT blood refrigerators, covering more than 100 health stations across the country. This has not only addressed the country's immunization challenges but also strengthened the capacity of the local public health system, making it a model for health cooperation under the "Belt and Road Initiative".

Consolidating Digital Infrastructure and Sharing the Benefits of Digital Development

In addition to green practices in the field of public health, Haier has actively expanded its presence in countries such as Egypt and Thailand to build intelligent, green, and high-end industrial ecosystems across BRICS markets through local manufacturing. Through localization, Haier precisely meets local user needs, and drives intelligent upgrades across the local home-appliance industry chain, while its products reach neighboring countries, covering vast markets in Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

In Egypt, Haier has invested USD 160 million to construct the Haier Egypt Eco-Park integrating intelligence, digitalization, and flexibility, achieving full-scenario intelligent manufacturing through digital twin technology. In Thailand, Haier has built Southeast Asia's first 5G-connected factory, the Chonburi Air Conditioner Industrial Park, setting a benchmark for Thailand 4.0 digital transformation. In Indonesia, Haier has upgraded its Bekasi factory into a multi-category manufacturing base, planning to introduce PV energy and create a model for overseas manufacturing bases in Southeast Asia.

Haier's trinity strategy of "localized R&D, localized manufacturing and localized marketing" has effectively advanced the intelligent and green development of developing countries. Through its Human-Unit Integration model, Haier empowers employees with greater autonomy and decision-making power, fully unleashing employee innovation potential. Additionally, Haier has built a flexible supply chain system to dynamically optimize global supply chain layout, achieving optimal supply chain efficiency. It has achieved a leap from single-product trade to the export of advanced technologies such as digital twin, 5G, and the Internet of Things, and further, to the joint construction of industrial ecosystems, building a truly sustainable development ecosystem.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2809328/Image.jpg
Raucous Oregon Coast View in Lincoln City or Depoe Bay Spotlighted in May

Published 5/02/24 at 6:15 a.m.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff





(Lincoln City, Oregon)  Few things are as monumental as a lodging with a view on the Oregon coast. Snagging an oceanfront or the top of a cliff along these shores can be quite a score, and if you're also getting an outdoor hot tub in the mix it's a sweet  very sweet - deal. So fire. (Above: Ebb Tide in Depoe Bay)

As May starts ramping up towards the busy season, prices are going up too. Yet a few deals can still be found, though most end a week prior to Memorial Day Weekend. Among those with wowing oceanfront spots and a few deals include Lincoln City and Depoe Bay. Keystone Vacation Rentals has the good stuff in both towns, and it's hosting a few specials during the month, running until May 16. There's around $20 off per night, depending on the home. It's already taken off the list price when you book.

Oceanfront Vista is one of the rentals part of the special for May, and it's part of a condo complex in Lincoln City. You are definitely right above it all and not far from the NW 15th St. access and its wild little tidepools. When storms arrive, this also means an eyeful as those rocks create more of a barrier for the crazed wave action than simple sands. You get a bigger wallop.

However, this time of year it's prime territory for watching whales.

The place sleeps four and features two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and there's even elevator access - providing more accessibility. You'll find a large living room, a master suite, and then there's that incredible balcony with the private hot tub. You get good doses of ocean air here as well as sights and sounds.

Bedroom windows also look out onto the surf and all its moods. There's a big TV in one of them.

A fully-stocked gourmet kitchen is at your fingertips at the Oceanfront Vista, plus you have access to the heated pool and game room at the Pacific Winds condo. (503) 443-1414. Keystone Vacation Rentals





Dancing Dolphins is another central Oregon coast gem under the spotlight, and the Lincoln City charmer also hosts four and has two bedrooms. There's a balcony as well, and that features a hot tub out in those ocean breezes.

In dramatic Depoe Bay, there's hardly a dull moment. There's enough basalt shelf here that even if it's not raging surf it's close to that.

Right up against all this raucousness are two of Keystone Vacation Rentals' prime properties under this special, including the Ebb Tide condo unit and the decidedly old school vacation rental known as Snuggle Inn (which is actually two units in one).





At Ebb Tide, it's a condo that's oceanfront floor level  you're literally in front of all that crazed surf goodness. It's a luxury and thoroughly modern 2-bedroom spot that takes four people. You open the door and there's a small stretch of lawn between you and the rocky black shapes the jut out into the Pacific, daring the ocean to smack it. It's a sizable rental, with a large living room looking out onto this watery world.

Also see the May specials at Old Oregon Coast Vibe in Full 'Swing' at Lincoln City Beach Cabin

A gas fireplace lets you dig into these sights with lots of atmosphere, and it's exquisitely furnished with marble tabletops and an enormous comfy couch. Ebb Tide comes with a huge HD TV, Blu Ray DVD player, a lot of puzzles and books, and then the kitchen looks out onto the expansive view as well. There's the jetted bath in the bathroom and the second bedroom has a queen bed. You also get access to the clubhouse, which has a pool, fitness center and 19-seat theater room. (503) 443-1414. Keystone Vacation Rentals





Also a part of this is the unique Snuggle Inn, a clever moniker for a Depoe Bay lodging that goes well beyond that cutesy title with its vibrant amenities and soaring qualities. Snuggle Inn comes in a somewhat older-looking package with its exterior, a kind of old-school Oregon coast vibe with a touch of '70s historic. Yet inside  where there's Snuggle Inn Second Floor and Snuggle Inn Top Floor, it's thoroughly modern and gleaming..See Snuggle Inn Top Floor - See Snuggle Inn Bottom Floor

(503) 443-1414. Keystone Vacation Rentals

Hotels in Depoe Bay - Where to eat - Depoe Bay Maps and Virtual Tours







MORE PHOTOS BELOW













More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

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Coastal Spotlight



Andre' GW Hagestedt is editor, owner and primary photographer / videographer of Oregon Coast Beach Connection, an online publication that sees over 1 million pageviews per month. He is also author of several books about the coast.

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Has the City of Washington, NC been managed by their elected local government, and their bureaucrats, in a fiscally responsible manner to better serve the people who pay their ever advancing property taxes?

0% Yes, rising property taxes are a necessity to maintain a progressive city.100% No, excessive funding of a poorly managed government can become a shell game of corruption.0% I am afraid to say.
Argentina's libertarian right President Javier Milei got a boost from voters when his Liberty Advances Party handily won the country's mid-term parliamentary election over the center-left opposition. Milei campaigned for the presidency revving up a chainsaw to emphasize what he planned to do with Argentina's bloated national government and he has followed through with massive cuts to the government structure and to government regulation. A fierce opponent of the globalist agenda, President Milei showed up at the WEF meeting in Davos to denounce their globalist policies and promote his own small-government agenda.

Now, the voters of Argentina in the mid term parliamentary election have given him their vote of approval as his Liberty Advances Party handily won the election over the center-left Peronist opposition. Liberty Advances won 40.69% of the vote and 64 of the 127 seats up for election. The Peronist coalition was second with 33.64% and 46 seats. Small regional parties won 10 seats and a far left Trotskyite party 3 seats.

This victory will allow President Milei to continue draining the Argentine swamp and to stand up against globalism on the international stage.

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news-corner/milei-midterm-landslide-victory-trump-orban/

https://thehill.com/opinion/international/5575437-in-argentina-a-win-for-economic-democracy-a-loss-for-peronist-kleptocracy/
Delivering on its 1.5 C-aligned global carbon commitment, Grosvenor has achieved a 31% reduction in direct property emissions since 2021, including a 42% overall reduction in its North American property business.





At the same time, Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) scores for Grosvenor's North American property business were in line or above averages in key categories in its fourth consecutive year reporting.

VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Grosvenor has published the first Sustainability Report covering its global businesses, providing an account of progress made across its diverse international activities against its top priorities: mitigating and adapting to climate change, restoring nature and biodiversity, and making a positive impact on people.

Grosvenor Brentwood Block in Metro Vancouver, Canada

With a view of advancing sustainability efforts and having positive social impact as both doing the right thing, and as a business opportunity, Grosvenor reports delivering meaningful change toward its ambitious global commitments, through activities and accomplishments including:

A 31% reduction in direct property emissions achieved since 2021 in line with Grosvenor's science-based 1.5C carbon commitment. In North America, the firm contributed strongly to the global average with a 42% overall reduction of property emissions since 2021, reflecting both portfolio changes and focused reduction efforts.





At Brentwood Block in Metro Vancouver, Canada, Grosvenor will deliver thousands of much needed new homes while exceeding the region's sustainability requirements with all-electric energy-efficient design and transit-oriented, pedestrian focus.





53,000 hectares of natural capital baselined, using cutting-edge techniques such as 3D laser scanning and environmental DNA to inform a 25-year nature recovery plan.





Backing innovative businesses helping to reduce the carbon intensity of the food system, including AgriWebb, which helps farmers cut livestock emissions with real-time data, and TemperPack, which replaces polystyrene with sustainable packaging for food and pharma.





Leading a multi-million-pound transformation of London's Grosvenor Square to boost urban biodiversity through the introduction of 70,000 plants, 44 new trees and 80,000 bulbs.





Hosting over 140 community events reaching 12,000+ people, fostering connection, wellbeing, and local resilience.





Continuing to support those who need it most through international philanthropic initiatives and through Grosvenor Hart Homes, whose newly developed affordable housing and support services model is already having a positive impact on vulnerable children, young people and families

The company's North American property business also shared steady scores from a leading independent sustainability group, underscoring Grosvenor's ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The firm scored in line or above averages in both key categories from the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB), which tracks ESG progress across more than 2,300 submissions. In the Standing Investment category, the company reported higher annual scores moving from 76 in 2024 to 81 in 2025 while the firm's Development category held steady at 89 points again this year.

This year's GRESB scores report 100% rating on the Social metric and 90% on the Governance metric. Across its portfolio, Grosvenor's 2024 reductions in North America are equivalent to the energy needed to power 102 homes for a year; emissions equivalent to running 71 passenger vehicles for a year (average use); water savings equivalent to 5 Olympic pools; and Waste diverted equivalent to 114 truckloads.

Reflecting the strategic importance of Grosvenor's sustainability ambitions, Tor Burrows, Group Sustainability Director and Executive Director of Sustainability, GPUK, has been promoted to Chief Sustainability Officer for the Group, a newly created role reporting into Executive Trustee, Mark Preston.

Commenting on the report's publication, Ms. Burrows said: "At a time when political momentum around sustainability is stalling, I am proud to share Grosvenor's first global Sustainability Report, a clear reflection of our unwavering commitment to pursuing a more sustainable future. Across our international organization, we are more determined than ever to tackle the environmental and social challenges of our time, driving real impact and unlocking new opportunities by cutting carbon, restoring nature and improving lives."

Mark Preston, Executive Trustee, commented: "With the support of the Grosvenor family and the breadth of our international organization, we are uniquely positioned to deliver meaningful change  not just within Grosvenor, but across the systems in which we operate. From cutting carbon and restoring nature to improving people's lives through housing and community support, our progress is driven by a culture of innovation, collaboration and a deep sense of responsibility. While we are proud of what we have achieved, we recognize the challenge ahead is vast. That is why we remain ambitious, focused and committed to sharing what we learn  to pursue a more sustainable future for generations to come."

Read the report here.

About Grosvenor

LinkedIn Instagram Website Report

Grosvenor has operated a diversified real estate business in North America since 1952. We focus on vibrant urban locations, making a positive difference to local neighborhoods and communities. As of December 31, 2024, we had assets under management of US$3.5bn/C$5.0bn, including 60 high-quality properties, and is executing on a US$4.5bn/C$6.4bn development pipeline across its active markets. Consistent with the firm's farsighted approach to ownership and development, we value long-term partnerships; across our nine active capital partners, the average relationship is 18 years.

For more information, please contact:

Canada: Cori Howard Communications

[email protected]

+1 778-987-1345

USA: Great Ink Communications

[email protected]

Tom Nolan, Eric Waters

+1 212-741-2977

SOURCE Grosvenor
revealed | Government paid 4.3 million for Soldier Fs defence in Bloody Sunday murder trial

Veteran Soldier F not guilty of murders on Bloody Sunday

Allison Morris Wed 29 Oct 2025 at 22:02

The Government has paid 4.3 million in legal fees for the defence of Soldier F, the Parachute Regiment member who stood trial accused of murdering two people on Bloody Sunday.
A tourist was dragged to the ground and kicked as he and a friend were subjected to a suspected race-hate attack in Belfast city centre, a court heard today.
A Romanian teenager who allegedly took part in an indiscriminate and opportunistic sexual assault on a schoolgirl in Ballymena must remain in custody, a High Court judge ruled today.

The 15-year-old boy was refused bail on a charge of attempting to rape the girl after she was dragged into a garage in the Co Antrim town.
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson reportedly in talks to move into separate homes

Prince Andrew is facing a private prosecution over allegations of sexual assault, corruption and misconduct in public office arising from the Virginia Giuffre scandal.

Campaign group Republic says it is taking the unprecedented step of instructing a law firm to investigate and, if appropriate, commence court proceedings against the disgraced royal.

The Metropolitan Police previously said it was looking into claims Andrew passed Ms Giuffres date of birth and social security number to his taxpayer-funded bodyguard in 2011 and asked him to dig up dirt on her.

Andrew has attempted to draw a line under years of controversy following his links to US paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The prince vehemently denies claims Ms Giuffre was forced to have sex with him three times after being trafficked by Epstein when she was aged 17.

He gave up his Duke of York title and other honours ahead of the publication of Giuffres posthumous memoirs.

Ms Giuffres brother and sister-in-law, Sky and Amanda Roberts, have called on the Independent Office for Police Conduct watchdog to review Scotland Yards decision not to continue its investigations into her allegations against King Charless brother.

Republic alleges there is a powerful, principled argument for justice to be done for the victims of sexual abuse, and for those who corrupt public office to be held accountable.

Graham Smith, chief executive of the campaign group, said: If not us, then who?

Its a devastating indictment on the UKs criminal justice system, police and politicians - not to mention the King and heir - that we must resort to a private prosecution.

It should be a cause for concern that so many people believe - rightly in my view - that the royals are not treated equally in law. Equality in law is a basic tenet of democracy.

I firmly believe there is strong enough evidence to justify a serious investigation. The authorities and politicians appear to want to look the other way, while minimising the accusations made against Andrew.

The truth must prevail and justice must be seen to be done.

Andrews accuser is said to have received up to 12 million in 2022 to settle her civil sexual assault case, despite the prince claiming never to have met her.

More recently, Andrews living arrangements have cause furore over his peppercorn rent at Royal Lodge, the 30-room mansion where he has lived for more than two decades.

He and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson have agreed to leave the property in exchange for two separate residences, according to reports.

The BBC revealed that Andrew hosted Epstein, now convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell and Harvey Weinstein at Royal Lodge ahead of his daughter Princess Beatrices masked ball 18th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle in 2006.

On Monday, the King was heckled during an engagement in the Midlands.

Charles was a few metres away from a man in the crowd who asked a string of questions including How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein? during the visit to Lichfield Cathedral.

(C) Evening Standard
DUP leader Gavin Robinson has backed the decision of his party colleague and Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan to visit Israel.

Mr Givan travelled with a group of unionist MLAs after an invitation by the government of Israel for an official visit as part of a delegation of representatives from Northern Ireland.

During the trip Mr Givan visited a school in Jerusalem.

The Department of Education said he afterwards asked that it be highlighted on its social media channels.

Teachers unions have expressed concerns, with the Northern Ireland Teachers Council claiming the departments promotion of the school visit is an overtly political and divisive act and urging the post be deleted.

Rival politicians have questioned whether it was appropriate to visit Israel at time when the country is facing international criticism for the conduct of its military offensive in Gaza.

On Wednesday, SDLP leader of the opposition Matthew OToole said they will use all means at Stormont to demand answers from the minister.

He said he has written to the head of the Civil Service and the permanent secretary at the Department of Education to establish what role the civil service played in the trip and whether the Northern Ireland Civil Service Code of Ethics has been compromised.

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll has said he intends to submit a motion of no confidence in Mr Givan at the Assembly.

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Mr Robinson rejected any suggestion that Mr Givans visit was a mistake.

No, hes every entitlement to go to Israel, he told BBC Radio Ulsters Nolan Show.

And hes there with colleagues. He received an invitation, like many others did, and he chose to go. Im pleased we have a party delegation there. There have been a number of visits that they have found incredibly interesting, educational. They are benefiting from it.

Asked about Israels actions in Gaza, Mr Robinson responded: Israel, as a country, for decades has been under the cosh of terrorists who want to see its extinction.

One thousand 200 people were slaughtered on October 7 two years ago and Israel has responded.

Now we have peace in the Middle East and my colleagues travelled whenever peace was agreed and hostages were returned, but we will engage internationally, and our colleagues are there, and I think it is the right thing for them to do.
MLA urges Executive to press Home Office after major leap in past seven years

An MLA has called on the Executive to raise the increasing number of immigration raids with the Home Office after a report found more had been carried out in Belfast since 2018 than in any other part of the UK.
An examination of every aspect of migration policy is taking place, Irelands premier has said, as his government colleague was accused of being Nigel Farage-like.

Tanaiste Simon Harris, Irelands Foreign Affairs Minister, said migration was too high in Ireland and that the country did not have a system to deal with such large numbers.

Our migration numbers are too high and I think that is really an issue that needs to be considered in a very serious way by government, he said at Government Buildings on Wednesday.

This prompted opposition TD Gary Gannon to suggest of Mr Harris maybe hes going down the (Reform UK party leader) Nigel Farage route.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan is looking at every aspect of migration policy.

He said about 3,500 asylum applications were submitted in Ireland before the pandemic, which had risen to 13,500 in 2023, and 18,500 in 2024.

He said it appeared there would be 12,000 asylum applications by the end of 2025, which represented a drop of 40% on last year.

He said 70% of asylum applications are refused at the first stage of appeal and that the appeals process needs to be quicker.

He added that a strong relationship with the UK was needed as the vast majority it seems to me are coming over the border.

These are issues we can discuss with the British Government in terms of returns and so on.

Asked about the suggestion of using deportation hubs, whereby failed asylum applicants would be sent outside the EU, he said: These are issues we will examine, were not ruling anything out.

He added: The people know procedures are strict here, theyre firm, theyre fair. And then also, theres been far more deportations this year, and deportation orders signed in the last nine months, all of which is having an impact.

I think the message has gone out, if you dont qualify, and if you know youre not going to qualify, dont bother coming.

Aontu leader and Meath West TD Peadar Toibin said Mr Harris statement represented a significant U-turn from Fine Gael.

He said he supported the process of offering asylum to those fleeing war but described the asylum process in Ireland as a chaotic system.

He said figures released to his party indicate there are 18,074 people waiting at the first application stage and 15,041 people appealing against the result.

Asked about the suggestion that Mr Harris was similar to Mr Farage, Finance Minister and Fine Gael TD Paschal Donohoe said: We make the case for openness, we make the case for our membership of the European Union. We make the case for international engagement.

That is the anti-Farage argument.

In order to maintain consent for all of that, we need to ensure that the rules we have are properly followed and well executed, and the Government is working and finding all the ways we can to do that.
Yvette Cooper said the situation in Gaza was desperate without the humanitarian assistance needed (Charles McQuillan/PA)

Yvette Cooper will visit the Middle East this week to step up calls for the flow of aid into Gaza amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The UK on Thursday pledged 4 million to help a UN body clear land mines in the enclave which officials say are currently blocking the safe passage of humanitarian assistance.

The Foreign Secretary warned the desperate situation in the territory could not be alleviated without clearing munitions and making progress on the pathway for lasting peace.

The funding for United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is aimed at removing 7,500 tonnes of unexploded munitions currently blocking the safe passage of aid into the strip, the Foreign Office said.

Ms Cooper visited the Halo project in Wilton, Wiltshire, on Thursday to meet British deminers working in Gaza ahead of her trip to the region, which will take place at the end of the week.

She said: The situation in Gaza is desperate without the vital humanitarian support they need.

We must do everything we can to flood Gaza with aid. Today I am announcing 4 million for the United Nations Mine Action Service in Gaza, funding that will help clear the explosives and rubble as part of the UKs effort to ensure aid can be delivered safely.

We will not be able to get relief at the scale so desperately needed in Gaza without clearing munitions and making progress on the pathway for lasting peace.

The Foreign Office said the passage of aid was a vital component of the truce brokered by US President Donald Trump and would help the transition from the ceasefire to phase two of the peace plan.

UNMAS chief of design, operational support and oversight Richard Boulter said the service was pulling out all the stops to tackle the threat of unexploded ordnance and that the UKs support was an essential boost.

The Foreign Office said Ms Cooper would continue her drive for aid access, support for the UN and humanitarian NGOs, and action on reconstruction on a visit to the region at the end of the week.
Far-right legislator Geert Wilders, second left, casts his vote at a polling station during general elections in The Hague, Netherland (Peter Dejong/AP)

An exit poll published immediately after voting ended in the Netherlandss general election suggested the result is too close to call, with the centre-left D66 narrowly ahead of the far-right party of Geert Wilders.

The poll on Wednesday showed that D66 would win 27 seats, a rise of 18 compared to the 2023 election.

Mr Wilderss Party for Freedom would lose 12 seats to finish at 25 seats, according to the poll published by national broadcaster NOS.

A man casts his ballot at the Kromhout shipyard museum, which is operating as a polling station, during general elections in Amsterdam (Peter Dejong/AP)

If confirmed, the result would be a momentous win for D66 and could lead to a shift in government back to the centre for the Netherlands after a far-right government led by Mr Wilderss party after the last election.

D66 has been in existence for 59 years and if the exit poll is right this would be the biggest victory in the history of D66, legislator Jan Paternotte told national broadcaster NOS.

If the win is confirmed, D66 will be in the driving seat to lead negotiations to form a new coalition and leader Rob Jetten could become the Netherlandss first openly gay prime minister.

Pollster Ipsos says that the exit poll was conducted at 65 polling stations and around 80,000 voters, using a method that in past Dutch elections has produced estimates very close to the final results.

A later update of the exit poll reflecting the last votes remained unchanged.

Party for Freedom easily won the last election in 2023, taking 37 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives.

But it has lost support since forming and then bringing down a four-party coalition that was notorious for in-fighting and which did not manage to agree on a tough package of measures to rein in migration to the Netherlands.

In a tweet, Mr Wilders said we had hoped for another result, but added: We are more combative than ever and still the second and perhaps the biggest party in the Netherlands.

Unlike all the other parties, Mr Wilders did not organise an election night party.

Rob Jetten, leader of the centre-left D66 party, right, poses for a photo as he leaves a polling station in The Hague (Patrick Post/AP)

The right-wing Peoples Party for Freedom and Democracy was third in the exit poll on 23 seats, one seat less than it won in 2023.

The centre-left combination of Green Left and the Labour Party lost five seats to end on 20.

The Christian Democrats were big winners, gaining 14 seats to end on 19, according to the poll.

The campaign echoed issues that resonate across Europe, focusing on how to rein in migration and tackle chronic shortages of affordable housing.

But in a country where coalition governments are the norm, it was unclear if parties would want to work with Mr Wilders again, even if his party had done well.

Mainstream parties have already ruled that out, arguing that his decision to torpedo the outgoing four-party coalition in June in a dispute over migration underscored that he is an untrustworthy partner.

 Migration has divided the Netherlands

The vote came against a backdrop of deep polarisation in the nation of 18 million, violence at a recent anti-immigration rally in The Hague and protests against new asylum-seeker centres.

Olga van der Brandt, 32, said she thought voters would turn their backs on parties that made up the last right-wing government led by Mr Wilders.

Students prepare to vote at a polling station during the Dutch elections in Delft (Molly Quell/AP)

Her hope was that this time there will be a more progressive party who can take the lead.

Christian Democrats leader Henri Bontenbal agreed that a fundamental shift in Dutch politics was at stake.

What we have seen in the last two years is a political landscape with right-wing populism, and the question is, is it possible to beat populism by decent politics, he said.

In-fighting between parties in the last coalition led to criticism that the Netherlands, long a prominent voice within the European Union, was sometimes seen as not fully engaging with the continent as it had done under long-time leader Mark Rutte, who is now Natos secretary-general.

The Dutch system of proportional representation all but guarantees that no single party can win a majority.

Negotiations will likely begin on Thursday into the makeup of the next governing coalition.
SANTA ANA, Calif., Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Razavi Law Group, a leading Orange County personal injury law firm specializing in accident claims and injury litigation, proudly continued its ongoing support for women lawyers and women in the legal profession as a second-year sponsor of the Orange County Women Lawyers Association's (OCWLA) annual gala. This year's gala was especially remarkable as it marked the 50th year of OCWLA and the celebration of the OCWLA Golden Legacy Gala 2025.

CEO and Attorney Ali Razavi and Supervising Attorney Veronica Buckels attending the OCWLA Golden Legacy Gala.

In addition to co-sponsoring this year's aptly named "Golden Legacy" gala, Razavi Law Group donated an additional $1,000 to OCWLA to help advance OCWLA's mission of promoting and supporting women in law, especially here in Orange County.

The annual gathering brought together attorneys, judges, and community leaders from across Orange County to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women advocates and to inspire continued progress in the legal community.

"At Razavi Law Group, we believe in supporting organizations that elevate and strengthen the legal profession," said Ali Razavi, CEO of Razavi Law Group and experienced personal injury attorney. "As advocates for injury victims and client rights, OCWLA's work aligns with our core values of leadership, inclusion, advocacy, and community service. We're honored to contribute to its mission and ongoing community involvement."

The personal injury lawyers at Razavi Law Group are committed to not only providing exceptional legal representation for accident and injury victims but also supporting initiatives that advance justice and equality in the legal profession.

Our team extends its gratitude to the Orange County Women Lawyers Association (OCWLA) for hosting another inspiring event and looks forward to continuing its partnership in the coming years.

About Razavi Law Group Razavi Law Group is a trusted Orange County personal injury law firm dedicated to helping injury victims secure the compensation and justice they deserve. The firm handles a wide range of personal injury cases including car accidents, workplace injuries, slip and fall accidents, and catastrophic injury claims throughout Southern California.

SOURCE Razavi Law Group
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 12F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 12F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
BENNINGTON  A series of high-profile cases are making their way through the Bennington County legal system with scheduled jury picks early next week and trials set to follow.

Several of the cases have been covered by the Banner over the previous months, including a Pownal man who is charged with numerous sex assaults against a toddler, two cases of financial exploitation of protected individuals, an alleged arson, and the case of an individual accused of violating his conditions of release 200 different times.

Joseph Pallas, 28, is currently charged with one count of arson in the first degree for allegedly setting his home on fire in Stamford. The residence at 536 Mill Road was vacant and for sale when a fire broke out in the morning hours of December 27, 2023. According to a police affidavit, Pallas claimed that a heat lamp attached to a floor joist was the cause of the fire that severely damaged the home. An investigation later revealed that Pallas had been at the structure earlier that morning to allegedly turn off water lines and breakers because of freezing conditions, and that there was probable cause to believe that Pallas intentionally set the fire.

Pallas is facing a possible 10-year prison sentence if found guilty.

Latasha Burdick of Bennington is charged with unlawful restraint, domestic assault, and cruelty to a child after an investigation revealed that Burdick allegedly picked her child up by the hair and dragged her into her home in Shaftsbury as the child cried and screamed after arguing with the childs father earlier that day.

Burdick faces a possible eight years behind bars if found guilty. She is also facing several pending charges, including petty larceny, false information to a law enforcement officer, fraud, narcotics possession, and reckless endangerment.

Vincent Wilson, 36, is facing 20 counts of violating his conditions of release stemming, according to a police affidavit, from an incident of aggravated assault in September. Wilson allegedly tried to contact the victim 20 different times in violation of his conditions of release. Wilson reportedly pushed the victim down a staircase. The assault was allegedly caught on surveillance video.

Wilson faces a possible 15 years on the aggravated assault, and an additional 12 years on the violations, if found guilty.

Harley Lane, 42, is charged with violating his conditions of release 200 times after an alleged domestic assault in January. Lane is charged with aggravated domestic assault, interference with emergency services, and narcotics possession, as well as 200 violations of conditions from the domestic assault incident.

Lane faces a possible 17 years on the assault charges and an additional 100 years on the violations, if found guilty.

Willard Buell, 65, is charged with four counts of sexual assault with serious injury and an obstruction of justice charge. According to a police affidavit, Buell sexually attacked the victim several times when drinking, then allegedly threatened to shoot her if she told the police.

Buell faces 10 years in jail on each of the sex assault charges and an additional five years on the obstruction charge.

Levi Varno, 32, is charged with felony sexual assault involving a minor. He is charged with four counts, including four counts of aggravated and repeated sexual assault of a child.

According to the affidavit, Manchester Police were notified of a possible sexual assault in Manchester by the father of the victim. According to victim statements, the sexual abuse started years before when the victim was living at the Dufresne Trailer Park in Manchester. The repeated assaults were frequent and in many geographic locations.

The victim in the case was 4-years-old when the alleged abuse began. Varno faces a possible life sentence in the case.

Varno recently pleaded guilty in another sex assault case, this one involving a 14-year-old female who was residing in his home, and who later became pregnant with his child. Varno is scheduled for a contested sentencing hearing in January.

All of the above cases are set for jury picks on November 4. Many of the cases will come to trial soon after, unless a last-minute deal is reached with prosecutors to avoid trial.

All charges and any information in an affidavit are merely accusations. Until defendants are found otherwise at trial, all are considered innocent until proven guilty.
MILL RIVER  When the sale of Limestone Farm became a matter of record last week, county and area dairymen and others were not sure whether to offer the former owners congratulations or condolences.
PITTSFIELD  The rehabilitated home at 17 S. Church St. had its first open house Tuesday, and an interested and qualified family could move in paying less than $2,000 a month for the four-bedroom, two-bath home.

The project is the latest effort by Westside Legends, a nonprofit with a mission of improving the quality of life on Pittsfields West Side. Among the groups goals is more affordable housing and increasing home ownership.

Part of the citys aging housing stock, the South Church Street home and its renovation provides hope for old and historic properties and families looking for starter homes.

Westside Legends also is renovating another house at 34 Daniels Ave. That home will come to market soon, according to the organization.

The renovations are part of their larger mission to "bring value and beauty to our neighborhood," said Marvin Purry, co-executive director and treasurer for the organization.

The nonprofit partnered with Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity to advertise the home and vet applicants.

The soft yellow house sits just off Center Street, with trees and a yard that make it feel like it could be in the Pittsfield suburbs, not in the city.

The two-story home is designated as a four-bedroom home, but more rooms could be converted into bedrooms, and it has two bathrooms. The basement is unfinished, and the house features a wraparound porch. It has all new appliances.

Homes in Pittsfield on average are selling for about $350,000. The South Church Street homes sale price: $265,000. Although specifics about a mortgage cannot be determined yet, West Side estimates the home shouldn't cost more than $2,000 a month.

Westside Legends started the restoration in 2023, buying the home for $115,000, Purry said.

The organization didn't start as a home rehabilitation program, Purry said, but with a block party at the new Riverway Park.

Soon the organization was hosting larger events and commissioning murals.

Restoring homes and making them affordable fits into their larger mission, Purry said. "We want to bring value and beauty to our neighborhood."

"As much as it is we're rehabbing these homes and selling these homes ... [we're] creating equity," Purry said. "Not just for the owner, but with the value of the home. The value of the [home] goes up, the values in the homes around it go up."

"You're creating equity for the whole neighborhood," he said.

Westside Legends received American Rescue Plan Act funding from the city for both the South Church Street and Daniels Avenue houses. The two projects required a combined $320,000 worth of renovations, Purry said.

To buy the house, an applicant has to go through a vetting process by Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity.

An applicant starts with a pre-screen questionnaire, said Chris Lapatin, the organization's homebuyer services team manager.

"If they pass the pre-screen, then there's a pretty elaborate application process where we're collecting lots of documentation, no different than, you know, if you were going to apply for a mortgage," Lapatin said.

This process is to both ensure there is a true need for the applicant to be in the home and that the applicant would be able to afford the home.

There are some stipulations that come with getting the house, said Erin O'Brien, the organization's communications manager.

"We ask them to enter the program where they go through our financial education program," O'Brien said.

This is in an effort to better prepare the buyers for homeownership, she said.

The project proves there are alternative ways to combat the citys housing crisis, Purry said.

"[We're] trying to create opportunities that are beautifying the neighborhood, to increase values in the neighborhood," Purry said.

More information about West Sides housing work is available at westsidelegends.org/homeownership.
NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P Global Inc. (NYSE: SPGI) will host an Investor Day on November 13, 2025 in New York City.

Martina Cheung, President and Chief Executive Officer, will be joined by Eric Aboaf, Chief Financial Officer, and other senior leaders. They expect to discuss S&P Global's strategy, with specific focus on go-to-market initiatives and technology, and provide an update on financial targets.

In-person attendance at the event will be by invitation, and a live webcast will be made available to the public.

Access Details for Webcast: Investor Day will begin streaming live on November 13 at 1:00 p.m. ET and is expected to conclude at 4:00 p.m. ET. The video webcast will be available, live and in replay for one-year, at https://investor.spglobal.com/investor-presentations.

Discussions may include forward-looking information. The presenters' slides will be posted to the Company's Investor Relations website at the start of the presentations. Additional information presented during Investor Day may be made available on the Company's Investor Relations website at http://investor.spglobal.com.

About S&P Global

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) provides essential intelligence. We enable governments, businesses and individuals with the right data, expertise and connected technology so that they can make decisions with conviction. From helping our customers assess new investments to guiding them through sustainability and energy transition across supply chains, we unlock new opportunities, solve challenges and accelerate progress for the world.

We are widely sought after by many of the world's leading organizations to provide credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets. With every one of our offerings, we help the world's leading organizations plan for tomorrow, today.

Investor Relations: http://investor.spglobal.com

Contact:

Investor Relations:

Mark Grant

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasurer

Tel: +1 (347) 640-1521

[email protected]

Media:

Christina Twomey

Chief Communications Officer

Tel: +1 (410) 382-3316

[email protected]

SOURCE S&P Global
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LENOX  When a group of decades-long friends set out to raise $25,000 for an endowment in memory of their friend Susan Lockwood, they acknowledged they faced a daunting task.

They formed the Richmond Girls Committee to honor Lockwood, and eight months of persistent fundraising later, theyve raised nearly $27,000.

Lockwood, 66, disappeared hiking on Lenox Mountain in October 2023. Her remains were found in February 2024. The circumstances of her death remain undetermined.

A bench with Lockwoods name has been installed at Yokun Seat on Lenox Mountain. The rest of the funds raised will go toward an endowment for Mass Audubons Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.

The funds will provide reliable income for the nonprofit and help pay for trail remediation, educational programs and offering access to nature for all ages, said Cara Vermeulen, associate director of development at Mass Audubon.

Peg Malumphy, committee member, said she and her fellow committee members have been friends for 60 years.

So, in terms of the fundraising, Its really hard to say no to a bunch of 'old ladies,' she said.

SOLEMN CELEBRATION

Sunday afternoon, the committee held a celebration in honor of Lockwood and the installation of the bench. About 30 people, along with others on Zoom, attended, including friends, donors and Lockwoods husband, Dan Davison, and their son, Silas.

Im just overwhelmed with relief and pure joy that we could get friends and family together and celebrate that, Malumphy said.

The fundraising friends include Malumphy, Sally Chavarry, Terrill Ploss, Becky Sherer, Robin Ratcliff, Melanie Masdea-Dignum and Mary Talbot.

Mass Audubons Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary establishes a named endowment with a gift of $25,000 or more.

The site for the bench was confirmed in mid-August, the committee hit its $25,000 goal on Labor Day, and the bench was installed last Thursday, Malumphy said. A plaque reads In Celebration of Susan Daniels Lockwood.

Clearly, the best view, Vermeulen said of the benchs location on the sanctuarys 1,400 acres.

I grew up with the ethic of community, and its great that its still alive and well in Berkshire County, Malumphy said.

FEW ANSWERS

Lockwood's abandoned car was found on Reservoir Road atop Lenox Mountain on Oct. 30, 2023. Lockwood was a retired nurse and avid hiker, her trip to the mountain that day proving to be her last.

After Lockwood went missing, what became the Girls Committee gathered at the base of the mountain with a bottle of champagne to toast the universe and her spirit.

Teams searched for months, unable to find a trace. The search resumed on Feb. 9, 2024, after a hikers dog, who was sniffing a trail, found a hiking boot with "evidence of human remains inside," according to a spokesman for the Berkshire District Attorney's Office.

On Feb. 12, a trooper and his K-9 partner searched an area near the bottom of a cliff between Reservoir Road and Tanglewood and found clothing, personal items and Lockwood's remains, which were identified two days later.

Investigators did not suspect foul play, but one year later, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Lockwood's cause of death remains undetermined.

A CELEBRATION

Sunday, people shared stories of Lockwood, who went by Sue. They shed tears, laughed, read poems and sang. Lockwood was described as passionate and caring. One person said that she was my rock.

Masdea-Dignum said when Lockwood committed to something, she gave everything she had. Lockwoods son Silas also spoke, telling a funny story about going to the grocery store with her.

He said that he used to dread going to the store with his mother because a quick trip would turn into an hour and a half with her talking to people. He said that he is now grateful for that and for the impact she had on others.

Malumphy said the committee has grown close this year and helped each other through family deaths and had positive moments like the birth of grandchildren and marriages.

This is something that weve had since we were little 6-year-olds running around and playing on the playground in Richmond, she said.

Lockwood was a humble person, Malumphy said, adding that she would probably be annoyed initially about the celebration. However, over time, Malumphy said, Lockwood would be thrilled because of how they appreciate her spirit.

If she were here, shed be having the time of her life, Malumphy said.
Alice was a wonderful human being, said Jim Youngerman, the exhibit's curator and an old friend. She was very free and open and fun and lyrical. Those traits, he said, shone through her art.
A few historical events mark revolutionary change across culture, politics, religion, and more. These moments may seem minor at the time, but we understand their importance with hindsight.

As Christians, we celebrate the most famous and important of such moments. The life of Christ happened in relative obscurity in a remote area of the vast Roman Empire, yet our whole historical calendar hinges upon the life of the Son of God, a division between AD and BC.

Luthers 95 Theses is another such event. A small-town monk marched up to the castle church in Wittenberg and nailed his 95 theses to the door on October 31, 1517, now called Reformation Day. A little-known monk in a little town began a firestorm of debate, revolution, and change we still feel today.

Read the 95 theses in full here.

What Was the State of the Catholic Church and Culture before Luthers 95 Theses?

Martin Luther and his 95 Theses didnt occur in a vacuum. The culture and context of Luthers time led the way to this event. Several church and cultural events contributed to him nailing the paper to a church door.

First, the Catholic Church had immense authority over religious and secular matters. The papacy held significant power, and the Church played a central role in almost every aspect of daily life. This mix of politics and power led to abuse when the Church allowed the sale of indulgences and simony (buying and selling church positions). Clergy corruption also became common, leading the faithful to protest many times.

Despite the abuse and corruption, the common culture was extremely pious and devoted to God. Like Luther, their frustration with the Church largely stemmed from their desire to live righteous and true lives.

The Catholic Church still used Latin as the only version of Scripture, which kept the Word of God from those who desired to learn more about God and be faithful to him. Latin was a fairly dead language even then, so this kept the Bible from the common people and kept power within the educated and clergy.

At the same time, the Renaissance had ushered in a renewed interest in humanism, classical learning, and intellectual pursuits. Within this intellectual climate characterized by a thirst for knowledge and critical thinking, a more democratic idea of education and human rights provided fertile ground for questioning authorities and traditions. People began to feel the freedom to challenge the wayward interpretations and corruption of the Catholic Church.

What Bible Debates about Salvation Inspired the 95 Theses?

At the heart of Luthers grievances were theological debates about salvation, which had been subjects of contention within the Catholic Church. Luthers study of the Scripture centered around these important ideas.

A key component was the Bibles primacy and ultimate authority. By separating common people from reading Scripture (since they couldnt read Latin or have access to copies of Scripture), church leaders could establish theology and practice without showing scriptural foundations for their ideas. By championing sola scriptura (Scripture alone), Luther argued the Word of God, as revealed in the Bible, should guide Christian doctrine and practice.

Therefore, salvation was by faith alone. The Catholic Church upheld that faith and good works were necessary for salvation. However, Luthers study of Scripture, particularly Romans 1:17 and Galatians 2:16, led him to assert justification by faith alone. He believed salvation was a gift of Gods grace received through faith in Jesus Christ rather than human effort or merit.

A salvation based on works and human effort could never be assured or secure, and Luther was troubled by the prevailing uncertainty and anxiety regarding salvation. The Catholic Church taught that individuals could never be sure of their salvation and that additional acts of penance might be necessary (and controlled by church leaders). Luther, however, found assurance in the biblical teachings on Gods grace and promises, and faith in Christ was our only confidence to experience peace with God, leading to another important element from Luther, sola Christus, Christ alone.

What Bible Debates about Purgatory Inspired the 95 Theses?

Since salvation could be questioned due to a lack of good works within the Catholic Church and was never fully assured, the Church developed a doctrine about a place between Heaven and Hell.

Some people werent bad enough to go to Hell but not good enough to get to Heaven. So they went to this other place called Purgatory, where they could do further penance and achieve more purification or forgiveness before Heaven. People on Earth could pay for loved ones to leave Purgatory and get to Heaven. These were called indulgences.

Martin Luthers 95 theses took issue with this on several points.

Back to his declaration of sola scriptura, Luther found insufficient evidence for the existence of Purgatory and the specific details the Church had manufactured. The traditional idea of Purgatory was based on 2 Maccabees 12:45, included in the Catholic canon but not in the Protestant Bible. Even so, Luther argued there wasnt clear scriptural support and lacked a biblical foundation.

Sola Christus (Christ alone) comes from the clear biblical teachings that salvation was by Christ alone, and the sacrifice of Christ on the cross was sufficient for forgiving sins. He argued the concept of Purgatory undermined the sufficiency of Christs redemptive work. If Christs sacrifice fully atoned for sins, there was no need for additional purification in Purgatory.

Finally, the Catholic Church determined who was in Purgatory and how much it cost to get people out. Leaders abused the concept of Purgatory for financial gain. The sale of indulgences, which claimed to reduce the time a soul spent in Purgatory, generated exploitation and corruption. Based on Scripture alone, faith alone, and Christ alone, Luther saw this practice as contrary to the message of the Gospel and a distortion of the biblical understanding of salvation.

What Bible Debates about Church Governance Inspired the 95 Theses?

Martin Luthers 95 theses primarily focused on salvation and indulgences. He also tackled the underlying debates about leadership and governance in the Church.

The New Testament teaches the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9), challenging the exclusive authority and privileges granted to the clergy. Luther argued all believers, not only ordained clergy, had access to God and to interpret Scripture.

The 95 theses raised concerns about the authority and conduct of the papacy. Luther questioned the excessive power wielded by the pope and criticized the corruption that had infiltrated the highest levels of the Church. Luther argued the pope didnt possess absolute authority over matters of faith. Even the pope was subject to the teachings of Scripture.

Luthers study of the Bible also led him to question the authority of church councils ability to establish doctrine contrary to biblical teachings. He challenged the Church to return to the teachings of the early apostles and the early church as recorded in the Bible.

What would be the basis of accountability and reform if not the Bible? The Catholic Church had posited their decisions and teachings equal to or above the Bible, which was the perfect ground for bad doctrine, corruption, and lax moral conduct within the clergy. The Bible would be the foundation for the necessary reform and accountability of corrupt priests and leaders.

What Was the Impact of the 95 Theses on Church History?

The impact of Luthers 95 theses wasnt immediately seen. Over time, Luthers challenge to church authority led to a broader questioning of the Churchs power structures and paved the way for reforms.

These 95 theses quickly gained attention and were widely circulated throughout Europe due to the advent of the printing press. Luthers ideas were rooted in biblical teachings and undermined clear corruption and greed in the Church. The theses resonated with many people dissatisfied with the practices and corruption of the Catholic Church. The dissemination of these ideas sparked a religious movement we now call the Reformation.

The Catholic Church didnt readily change, and Luthers bold stand against it inspired others to question traditional doctrines and practices. The 95 theses catalyzed the formation of various Protestant movements, each with its theological emphases and practices. Prominent figures such as John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Knox played significant roles in shaping the Protestant landscape.

As part of the Reformation, Luther translated the Bible into German, which allowed people to read the Bible directly and took power from religious elites. Again, the printing press facilitated this revolution and the spread of Scripture. Other translations followed. The Church literally fought to keep this from happening, killing and doing all they could to keep these translations from happening. The divisions between Catholics and Protestants led to wars, persecution, and the formation of religiously divided territories.

The impact of the 95 theses extends to modern Christianity. Protestant denominations, such as Lutheranism, Calvinism, and Anglicanism, emerged and continue to shape todays religious landscape. Other later evangelical groups took the lead from Luther and Protestants to search the Bible and break away from religious structures they disagreed with.

The 95 theses were initially intended as a call for academic debate, but they sparked a transformational movement that reshaped the course of the church and Western history. Church corruption and abuse needed to be challenged, and Luthers call initiated an important return to the truths of Christ alone, Scripture alone, and faith alone.

Not every aspect was good, however. While many Catholic Church leaders had made abusive and wrong choices, the resulting wars, persecution (even of Catholics by Protestants and Evangelicals over time), and the plethora of Christian divisions and denominations (often taking issue with minor or unclear biblical topics) have also done damage to the Gospel.

What Lessons Can We Learn Today Based on Luthers 95 Theses?

Martin Luthers 95 theses still impact modern Christianity. Here are a few key lessons from the Reformation for us.

1. Importance of Personal Conviction

Luthers actions demonstrate the power of an individual standing up for what they believe is right. He challenged abuse from the Catholic Church, even in the face of strong opposition. We are reminded that individuals can effect change when they stand by their convictions.

2. Questioning and Critical Thinking Under the Authority of Scripture

Luthers 95 theses encouraged examination and debate for us as a community to seek the truth based on the authority of the Bible, even if we question established norms.

3. Access to Scripture and Personal Faith

To properly question and examine faith according to the authority of Scripture, we must have personal access to the Bible. Luthers emphasis on translating the Bible and the priesthood of all believers places more personal responsibility on the individual to develop a more personal faith.

4. Unity amidst Diversity

The Reformation began a revolution of thought and biblical exploration, leading to great theological truths and violence. The resulting diversity within Christianity reminds us of the value of essentials while allowing for different expressions of faith and theological perspectives. If not, we will be guilty of the same corruption Luther courageously challenged. In the middle of such exploration and diverse thought, a quote came a generation after Luther from a German Lutheran in 1626, Peter Meiderlin (although some scholars attribute the same quote to Marco Antonio de Dominus in 1624): In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity.

Let us keep the centrality of Christ, faith, grace, and Scripture in our lives. Let us humbly explore those eternal truths and stand in our convictions. Let us keep the unity of the faith in love for our brothers and sisters.

Photo Credit: Getty Images/ Kharoll Mendoza

Britt Mooney lives and tells great stories. As an author of fiction and non-fiction, he is passionate about teaching ministries and nonprofits the power of storytelling to inspire and spread truth. Mooney has a podcast called Kingdom Over Coffee and is a published author of We Were Reborn for This: The Jesus Model for Living Heaven on Earth as well as Say Yes: How God-Sized Dreams Take Flight.
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Events held across China to mark Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration

Xinhua) 10:30, October 30, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Various events have been held to mark the restoration of Taiwan to China in 1945 since the country designated Oct. 25 as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration.

On the very day 80 years ago, a historic ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in the city of Taipei. From then on, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands returned to China's sovereign jurisdiction.

On Oct. 25, a high-level meeting commemorating the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, which was joined by representatives of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao compatriots as well as overseas Chinese.

The commemorative meeting was held one day after the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress designated Oct. 25 as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration.

"As a Chinese born and raised in Taiwan, I feel deeply moved to attend the commemorative meeting," said Wu Jung-yuan, chairman of the Taiwan-based Labor Party, while delivering his remarks at the meeting.

Wu called for joint efforts to achieve the mission of reunification across the Taiwan Strait on the remarkable journey toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

On the same day, an exhibition showcasing the Taiwan people's resistance efforts against Japanese aggression opened at the Museum of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression in Beijing.

Featuring 387 old photographs and 453 historic items, the exhibition is reminiscent of Taiwan compatriots' endeavor to preserve national integrity during their arduous fights against Japanese aggressors.

The launch of the exhibition on the first state-designated Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration is to remember history and pay tribute to fallen heroes, said Li Zhidong, deputy curator of the museum. "Compatriots on both sides of the Strait share a close bond and will jointly create a brighter future."

Other regions across the mainland also held a variety of events to mark the special day.

At the Shanghai History Museum, an exhibition was held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China, featuring historical materials highlighting the resistance of Taiwan compatriots against Japanese occupation.

In Shantou, south China's Guangdong Province, Taiwan compatriots paid visits to a local memorial hall for the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, drawing inspiration from wartime relics and stories of resistance by overseas Chinese.

In Yong'an, east China's Fujian Province, 80 runners from both sides of the Taiwan Strait gathered to form the number "80" and sang "Descendants of the Dragon" in unison, mirroring a simultaneous event in Taiwan's Yilan.

Chiu Ching-ling was among the mainland-based Taiwan compatriots who paid tribute on the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration. He traveled from Shanghai to Huai'an in Jiangsu Province to visit a memorial park dedicated to a heroic company of the New Fourth Army, an anti-Japanese force led by the Communist Party of China.

Chiu noted that since the Democratic Progressive Party came to power, content related to Taiwan's restoration has been downplayed. He said the establishment of the commemoration day can help more young people in Taiwan remember and promote the shared history of resistance across the Strait, while further strengthening Taiwan compatriots' sense of identity and patriotic enthusiasm.

In Taipei, on the morning of Oct. 25, Taiwan's Reunification Alliance Party, Labor Party and other organizations kicked off an event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China. In the afternoon, another commemoration event was held at the Taipei Zhongshan Hall, where the ceremony to accept Japan's surrender was held eight decades ago.

In Taichung, a commemorative concert was held to honor the older generations in Taiwan who steadfastly resisted Japanese colonial rule.

Events marking the commemoration day attracted widespread attention from the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao.

Ko Chung Kit, vice chairman of the Y. Elites Association based in Hong Kong, said the establishment of the commemoration day is meant to ensure that this glorious history is deeply engraved in the hearts of every Chinese, adding that the reunification of the Chinese nation is the prevailing trend and the shared aspiration of the people.

"The establishment of the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity," said Lao Ngai Leong, head of the Macao branch of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
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Dublin firefighter Terence Crosbie has been sentenced to between seven and nine years in jail after being 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 ended in a mistrial.

Crosbie had flown to Boston from Ireland on the same day, March 15th last year, and he was scheduled to leave the following Tuesday, March 18th.

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Following the sentencing verdict on Thursday, Crosbies attorneys told Court TV that their clients wife and family stand behind him and believe he is innocent.

They also intend to appeal the verdict after todays sentencing.

At the sentencing hearing, the victim told the court it has been a struggle to heal and detailed the anxiety she has suffered since the rape.

Crosbie also spoke, thanking the court for how his case was handled and asking the judge to consider that he is the sole provider for his wife and two children in Dublin.

After a short break, the judge sentenced Crosbie to seven to nine years in prison with credit for the 593 days he had been incarcerated.

Daniel Reilly who delivered closing arguments for the defense last week 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.

Ireland Woman who faked her own death in 'deliberate scheme' to avoid court trial is jailed Read more

She pointed out that Mr Crosbie exploited a colleague with whom he shared a room, Liam OBrien, as well as O'Brien's oblivion after drinking to take advantage of the victim.

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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 had been caught.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
Over 4 million seized by gardai and the Criminal Assets Bureau has been made available for community projects.

The Community Asset fund will allocate 42 community projects between 20,000 and 150,000 each to implement a project on themes including community safety and rehabilitation for people who have served time in prison.

There are six nationwide projects, with 12 projects in Dublin, four in Cork, and the remainder in several other counties including Donegal, Kerry, Limerick and Waterford.

Fianna Fail spokesperson for Dublin, Senator Mary Fitzpatrick, is a founding director of Cabra for Youth, based in Dublin. Speaking on Newstalk, she said the organisation has received a grant of 50,000 to "drive a peer-led program that will help young people to address issues in the community and increase community safety".

The Community Safety Fund began in 2022 and has since funded 127 community projects.

When the project launched, former Minister for Justice and current Minister for Education and Youth told the Irish Times: "By putting this money back into the community, we can show that there is a direct link between the activities of law enforcement and improving community safety.
A motorist whose car was written off following a collision with a deer is calling on local authorities for more signage in an area where there have been several similar incidents.

Jacob Kotze believes that if he had been driving at speed, the deer, which hit the bonnet of the car, would have been thrown through the windscreen and into him.

The collision occurred last March, but Mr Kotze has now backed the call of a motorcyclist who narrowly escaped death after colliding with a deer on the same stretch of road in recent weeks.

Cathal Finegan doesn't know how he survived the collision which occurred on the main R147 Navan to Dunshaughlin Road in Co. Meath.

The 49-year-old engineer from Navan had to brake hard when the deer bounded out in front of him but walked away relatively unscathed, apart from neck and back pain. He is calling on Meath County Council to erect more signage along that stretch of road to warn motorists of the risks of deer crossing.

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The call is now being backed by Mr Kotze, whose accident happened at 4.30am, on his way to work in Dublin's National Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire.

Mr Kotze said that he drives there every morning, and was driving less than the speed limit of 80km/h.

"It was dark, and it was only at the last minute that I saw two deer in front of me. I clipped one, but the other was directly in front of me and landed up on the bonnet," he said.

"I got out of the car and walked up 50 metres, where I saw eyes blinking at the side of the road, and there was the deer. I thought I might have broken her legs, and my first thought when the gardai arrived was to get a vet.

"I didn't go near her in case I scared her, but later I saw her walk up and go through a gap in the hedge. She must have been hurt though."

It was only when Mr Kotze looked at his dash cam footage later that he saw there were about a dozen more deer in his side camera.

"If I was driving a few seconds later, I would've hit the whole pack.. I believe deer are most active in the early morning.

Mr Kotze's car was written off, but he "thankfully" only suffered from shock.

A native of South Africa, Mr Kotze also worked in Australia and knows the dangers in both countries of accidents caused by crossing antelopes and kangaroos.

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"There are no signs that I can see near Dunshaughlin at all. Deer go to Drogheda for the mating season and they go direct routes. Since my accident, I'm aware of at least three other collisions on this route due to deer.

Ireland Woman dies in Co Down collision Read more

"I worked as a driving instructor and I know that any car that is speeding and hits a deer, the driver is dead. No question."

"I work with people now who have life-changing injuries, some from car accidents. Is Meath County Council going to wait until someone dies or is badly injured after hitting a deer in order to put up a few signs that might make motorists slow down and be a bit more vigilant on that stretch of road?

In a statement, Meath County Council said it "will analyse collision data at this location. Any additional measures that may be required will be based off the findings of this data."

The Garda press office says it does not provide statistics for "such specific locations" and would "also not be able to provide a breakdown of collisions involving animals".
A woman who faked her own death in a deliberate scheme to avoid a Circuit Criminal Court trial has been jailed for three years.

Amy McAuley (35) had been due to stand trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in January 2023 on theft and attempted deception charges, after she used altered documents to take out a 10,000 loan from KBC Bank in 2018 and later unsuccessfully attempted to obtain a second 5,000 loan.

However, the trial did not go ahead as McAuley, while pretending to be a sister, had earlier contacted gardai and told them she had passed away.

Death notices

McAuley with addresses in Connagh, Fethard-on-Sea, Co. Wexford and Navan Road, Dublin 7 also submitted a false death notification form to Wexford County Council in January 2023 with death certificates later issued using English and Irish spellings of her name.

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Gardai became aware in mid-2023 that McAuley was alive and began an investigation.

They discovered three death notices for McAuley on RIP.ie. One stated McAuley had died in France while a second was added by a fictitious undertaker she had created.

McAuley told gardai when interviewed that she knew she was in trouble again, could not face coming to court and did not want to leave her young child.

She also stole over 55,000 from an employer in 2015 - 6500 of which was repaid - and over 3,000 worth of mobile phones from Three Ireland in 2021.

During the investigation, it came to light that McAuley had also told her employer in 2023 that she had died.

While a claim for the company's death in service benefit was pending, McAuley, again pretending to be a sister, contacted the company claiming that money was required for surgery for the defendant's young child.

The company then made a goodwill payment of 9,000.

The court heard that McAuley acted alone and there is no evidence that she had been living a lavish lifestyle.

Planned deception

Imposing the sentence on Thursday, Judge Orla Crowe said this was not opportunistic or spontaneous offending, but a deliberately planned deception involving significant breaches of trust.

The judge said some of McAuley's offending was at the boundaries of what could almost be deemed acceptable behaviour. She said that McAuley faking her death to avoid a court case was a deliberate scheme to pervert the course of justice.

Judge Crowe noted McAuley's offending took place over a protracted period of time, was intentional and required substantial planning.

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She said the amount of money involved and McAuley's previous convictions were also aggravating factors. The court was told the majority of the money stolen has not been repaid.

The judge noted the mitigating factors, including McAuley's guilty pleas, expressions of remorse, family support and medical and mental health difficulties.

She imposed a global sentence of four years and suspended the final 12 months on strict conditions for four years.

The judge directed McAuley to place herself under the supervision of the Probation Services for 12 months post-release.

Judge Crowe also asked that all of McAuley's medical reports be made available to the prison governor.

McAuley has a young child who has health issues, and McAuley has medical and mental health difficulties, including schizo-affective disorder. She is also pregnant with her second child.

Rebecca Smith BL, defending, told the court earlier this month that the probation report was positive, and handed in further medical reports and updated letters from McAuley, her husband and family members.

She said McAuley was living a crazy, chaotic existence, which has now stabilised.

Ms Smith submitted to the court that her client will have no real prospect of future employment, suggesting that money could be deducted from social welfare payments.

McAuley pleaded guilty to one count of the use of a false instrument through submitting a false death notification form to Wexford County Council on January 19th 2023.

She also pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice on January 23, 2023 and to a count of forgery of a medical report on November 23, 2022, both at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court at the Criminal Courts of Justice, Parkgate Street.

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McAuley also pleaded to a second count of using a false instrument, a medical certificate, at Pearse Street Garda Station on May 28th 2021 and attempted deception in 2018.

She further entered guilty pleas to five counts of theft and one of possession of the proceeds of crime on separate dates between November 2015 and May 2023.

Previous convictions

McAuley has four previous convictions for theft and deception offences. She received a sentence of two years, suspended for 10 years in November 2015 for the theft of just under 111,000 from a former employer.

She repaid 30,000 on the day of sentence but the balance is outstanding, the court has previously heard.

The court previously heard that McAuley obtained a 10,000 personal loan from KBC Bank in 2018 using altered documents she had taken from her then employer.

That same year, McAuley made a second unsuccessful application to the same bank for a 5,000 loan using altered identification documents.

After her arrest in May 2019, McAuley made admissions, apologised and accepted she had not repaid any of the 10,000 loan. She was charged and sent forward for trial before the Circuit Criminal Court.

Gardai contacted McAuley in May 2021 to interview her as part of a separate investigation into the theft of nine mobile phones, worth 3,199, from Three Ireland in July 2020.

McAuley told gardai in late May 2021 that she was unwell and provided a medical report stating she was unfit for interview, which was later found to be a forgery.

In December 2021, gardai were contacted by McAuley, claiming to be a sister, who said the defendant was in treatment and would contact them afterwards.

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The following May, McAuley, now claiming to be a sister called 'Winnie', told gardai that the defendant had passed away.

False death notification

McAuley submitted a false death notification form to Wexford County Council on January 19th 2023 with death certificates later issued in McAuley's name and her name in Irish.

She had been due to stand trial in January 2023 on the theft and fraud offences relating to the 2018 incidents, but this did not go ahead as it was believed she was dead.

McAuley, pretending to be 'Winnie, rang gardai in May 2023 to get an email address to send a death certificate to and gave her telephone number.

Later, a female solicitor contacted gardai and provided the same number. McAuley made both of these calls, the court heard.

A death certificate was later emailed to gardai by a firm of solicitors, unaware of McAuley's deception. During their investigation, gardai discovered three death notices for McAuley on RIP.ie.

The first stated that McAuley had died in France, and was removed after her mother told the site the defendant was not dead.

A second notice was uploaded to the site on January 4th 2023, by a fictional undertaker, created by McAuley. This notice stated that McAuley had died on December 26th 2022 and included details of a funeral and cremation.

Gardai confirmed no records existed that these had taken place. A third death notice appeared in McAuley's Irish name, saying she had died in Belfast.

Gardai obtained two death certificates for McAuley from the general registry in June 2023, one of which used her Irish name.

Doctors confirmed they had not signed the death notification forms, which had been used to obtain these death certificates.

The court heard that gardai became aware that McAuley was alive and carried out a search of her home in Co. Wexford on June 24th 2023.

She was living there with her husband, who was unaware of her activities, and her young child.

A booklet of death notification forms were found during the search along with banking information and identification for 'Winnie'.

McAuley admitted ordering the nine phones from Three Ireland in 2020 and sending a false medical certificate to gardai in 2021.

She also confirmed that a mobile phone number used during these incidents was hers.

In January 2023, a Northern Irish company, which McAuley had been working for remotely, was told she had died the previous month.

The company contacted the next of kin listed on McAuley's employee record by email. McAuley  pretending to be her father - replied, confirming her death.

While a claim for the company's death-in-service benefit of 96,000 was pending, 'Winnie' contacted them in May 2023.

'Winnie' said she needed money from the death-in-service benefit upfront to cover surgery costs for McAuley's young child.

Goodwill payment

The company made a goodwill payment of 9,000 on May 15th 2023, into McAuley's AIB account. This has not been repaid, the court was told.

The court also heard that McAuley was working as an assistant accountant in 2015 when a colleague saw a media report about her conviction.

When asked about this, McAuley confirmed it was her and immediately resigned.

An internal investigation identified that McAuley had given her account details to some clients when her then-employer introduced a new electronic payments system. Clients believed they were making payments to the company.

One affected client made electronic transfers of approximately 49,100 to her account, to pay invoices owed to McAuley's employer.

This money has never been repaid to her then-employer, the court was told.

A Tipperary co-op also paid around 6,500 to McAuley's account. She later repaid 6,550 to her then employer.

McAuley stole nine mobile phones, worth 3,199, from Three Ireland in July 2020, ordered online using were ordered online using false documents.

When interviewed, McAuley said she used the money from the theft of the phones to cover rent and medication.

The court also heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions appealed the sentence imposed on McAuley in 2015 on the grounds of undue leniency.

Ireland Judge grants access to man to see children fathered by ex-partner Read more

The Court of Appeal declined to change it, instead giving McAuley seven-and-a-half years to repay the money, but no further payments were made.

It was accepted when gardai arrived to search her home in June 2023, she told them she knew why they were there and that her husband was not involved.

It was further accepted that McAuley acted alone, and there were no indications she had been living a lavish lifestyle.

Letters of apology, medical reports and other documents were handed to the court.
US President Donald Trump described his face-to-face with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday as a roaring success, saying he would cut tariffs on China, while Beijing had agreed to allow the export of rare earth elements and start buying American soybeans.

The president told reporters aboard Air Force One that the US would lower tariffs implemented earlier this year as punishment on China for its selling of chemicals used to make fentanyl from 20% to 10%.

That brings the total combined tariff rate on China down from 57% to 47%

Mr Trump said: I guess on the scale from zero to 10, with ten being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12. I think it was a 12.

Mr Trump said that he would go to China in April and Mr Xi would go to the US some time after that.

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The president said they also discussed the export of more advanced computer chips to China, saying that Nvidia would be in talks with Chinese officials.

Mr Trump said he could sign a trade deal with China pretty soon.

I guess on the scale from zero to 10, with ten being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12. I think it was a 12 US President Donald Trump

Mr Xi said Washington and Beijing would work to finalise their agreements to provide peace of mind to both countries and the rest of the world, according to a report on the meeting distributed by state media.

Both sides should take the long-term perspective into account, focusing on the benefits of co-operation rather than falling into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation, he said.

Despite Mr Trumps optimism after a meeting with Mr Xi in South Korea, there continues to be the potential for major tensions between the worlds two largest economies.

Both nations are seeking dominant places in manufacturing, developing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and shaping world affairs like Russias war in Ukraine.

Mr Trumps aggressive use of tariffs since returning to the White House for a second term, combined with Chinas retaliatory limits on exports of rare earth elements, gave the meeting newfound urgency.

There is a mutual recognition that neither side wants to risk blowing up the world economy in ways that could jeopardise their own countrys fortunes.

When they were seated at the start of the meeting, Mr Xi read prepared remarks that stressed a willingness to work together despite differences.

It is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then Chinese President Xi Jinping

Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other, he said through a translator. It is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then.

There was a slight difference in translation as Chinas Xinhua News Agency reported Mr Xi as telling Mr Trump that having some differences is inevitable.

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The leaders met in Busan, South Korea, a port city about 47 miles south from Gyeongju, the main venue for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit.

In the days leading up to the meeting, US officials signalled that Mr Trump did not intend to make good on a recent threat to impose an additional 100% import tax on Chinese goods, and China showed signs it was willing to relax its export controls on rare earths and also buy soybeans from America.

Officials from both countries met earlier this week in Kuala Lumpur to lay the groundwork for their leaders.

Afterwards, Chinas top trade negotiator, Li Chenggang, said they had reached a preliminary consensus, a statement affirmed by US treasury secretary Scott Bessent, who said there was a very successful framework.

Shortly before the meeting on Thursday, Mr Trump posted on Truth Social that the meeting would be the G2, a recognition of America and Chinas status as the worlds biggest economies.



President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands before their meeting in Busan, South Korea (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

The Group of Seven and Group of 20 are other forums of industrialised nations.

But while those summits often happen at luxury spaces, this meeting took place in humbler surroundings.

Mr Trump and Mr Xi met in a small grey building with a blue roof on a military base adjacent to Busans international airport.

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The anticipated detente has given investors and businesses caught between the two nations a sense of relief.

The US stock market has climbed on the hopes of a trade framework coming out of the meeting.

Mr Trump has outward confidence that the grounds for a deal are in place, but previous negotiations with China this year in Geneva, Switzerland and London had a start-stop quality to them.

The initial promise of progress has repeatedly given way to both countries seeking a better position against the other.

The US and China have each shown they believe they have levers to pressure the other, and the past year has demonstrated that tentative steps forward can be short-lived.

For Trump, that pressure comes from tariffs.

China had faced new tariffs this year totalling 30%, of which 20% were tied to its role in fentanyl production.

But the tariff rates have been volatile. In April, he announced plans to raise the rate on Chinese goods to 145%, only to abandon those plans as markets recoiled.

Then, on October 10, Mr Trump threatened a 100% import tax because of Chinas rare earth restrictions.

That figure, including past tariffs, would now be 47% effective immediately, Mr Trump told reporters on Thursday.

Mr Xi has his own chokehold on the world economy because China is the top producer and processor of the rare earth minerals needed to make fighter jets, robots, electric vehicles and other high-tech products.

China had tightened export restrictions on October 9, repeating a cycle in which each nation jockeys for an edge only to back down after more trade talks.

What might also matter is what happens directly after their talks.

Mr Trump plans to return to Washington, while Mr Xi plans to stay on in South Korea to meet regional leaders during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which officially begins on Friday.
Israels military said on Thursday that Palestinian militants handed over two coffins containing the remains of dead hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza.

Militants had previously returned the remains of 15 hostages since the start of the ceasefire, with 13 more still to be recovered.

The latest handover is an indication that the fragile ceasefire agreement is moving forward despite Israeli strikes on Gaza overnight.

Officials in southern Gaza said on Thursday that at least 40 people had been injured in the strikes, after Israel declared the ceasefire was back in place on Wednesday morning.

Mohammad Saar, head of the nursing department at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, said it received 40 people wounded in overnight strikes on Khan Younis.

The Israeli army confirmed it conducted strikes on terrorist infrastructure that posed a threat to the troops in Khan Younis.

The area in southern Gaza is under the control of the Israeli military.

The ceasefire, which began on October 10, is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and the Hamas militant group.
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BusinessThe economyBusiness investment Kevin Rudd reveals Sydneys trump card to lure global investors Matt Wade October 30, 2025  4:43pm 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 51 View all comments

Renowned Labor policy wonks  former prime minister Kevin Rudd and NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey  have taken centre stage at an elite gathering of international investors and local business leaders to promote Sydney as a global financial hub. Australias ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd and NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey at the Citi A50 Sydney Investment Summit. Photo: Janie Barrett Rudd, now Australias ambassador to the United States, and Mookhey had a fireside chat at the high-powered Citi A50 Sydney Investment Summit at the Sydney Opera House on Thursday. It follows a comparable super summit hosted by Rudd in the US this year that aimed to boost US-Australia investment. The pair agreed Australia could do much more on the international stage to leverage its vast pool of superannuation savings which now totals more than $4.5 trillion. The story of Australian super is not well known, said Mookhey.

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Rudd said Australian super funds already invest about half a trillion dollars in the US and that is projected to rise to $1.5 trillion by 2035. He argued this could form a whole new pillar to the Australia-US relationship. Related Article Foreign relations Sorry, China: Albanese and Rudd work up new tech deal for Trump The bottom line is this financial services relationship is large and getting larger, Rudd said. So how do we therefore, together as federal government and state governments ... leverage the scale of that relationship to Australias greater advantage, Rudd said. Mookhey said Sydneys highly educated population, sophisticated financial sector, world-class universities, stable political system and strong public institutions underpinned its credentials as a global financial centre and investment destination. The citys strong links to Asia, including through its large diaspora communities, was another important advantage. Weve got a very good story to tell, said Mookhey.

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Rudd has been in the spotlight after copping a light-hearted scolding from US President Donald Trump during a visit to the White House with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this month. Trump was asked about criticisms of him made by Rudd before becoming Australias ambassador to the US. The president addressed Rudd, who was in the room, saying, I dont like you either, and I probably never will, causing laughter among those in the meeting. But Rudd also played a key role in a $13 billion critical minerals deal signed at the Trump-Albanese talks. Rudd told the Sydney summit that growing co-operation on critical minerals was another pillar strengthening Australia-US relations. He had the reputation for being a public policy wonk during his political career, and Mookhey has forged a similar style over a decade in NSW politics.

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Political leadership Mind the gap: Our relationship with the US is in two parts Sean Kelly Columnist NSW Premier Chris Minns launched the summit and announced a first round of expressions of interest to the states new Investment Delivery Authority had received 48 major investment proposals worth $136 billion. The submissions included 23 projects for data centres and technology valued at $72 billion, 22 projects in renewable energy and energy security valued at $63 billion and three projects for hotels valued at $860 million. Minns claimed the billions in potential deals received by the authority was a sign of confidence in the NSW economy. But he acknowledged planning system in NSW had been too cumbersome. The authority aims to accelerate the delivery of large-scale commercial projects. We want to fast-track investment in Australias largest state, Minns said.

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Minns also lavished praise on Rudd saying he was doing an amazing job as Australias representative in the US. Hes pulled off an incredible deal, dealing with one of the most complicated administrations Australia has to deal with, he said. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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Exclusive PoliticsFederalIsraeli-Palestinian conflict Hamas court bid to overturn its Australian terror listing Matthew Knott October 31, 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

Hamas, the militant Palestinian group that launched the October 7 attacks on Israel, has urged the Australian government to remove its listing as a terror organisation in court documents filed as it embarked upon a ceasefire agreement with the Netanyahu government. Hamas argued in Federal Court filings lodged this month that the terror listing has breached international law, impeded ceasefire negotiations, exposed its negotiators to assassination and provided legal cover for Israeli attacks that have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza. Hamas request to intervene in the case came five days after a ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump came into effect. Bloomberg The nations peak Jewish body said it was outraged by the bid for Hamas to be delisted, arguing the court documents make for extraordinary reading and they reveal something chilling about our country. The documents were filed as part of a court case brought by Indigenous activist and radio host Robbie Thorpe, who argues the Hamas terror designation limits freedom of political communication in Australia by chilling discussion of Palestinian strategies to resist Israeli occupation.

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The Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attacks killed an estimated 1200 people in Israel and triggered a ferocious response from Israel that was labelled a genocide by a United Nations independent commission of inquiry. Related Article Updated

Israeli-Palestinian conflict Gaza ceasefire is back on, Israel says, after new strikes kill more than 100 Hamas has claimed responsibility for many high-profile terror attacks in Israel, but its listing was contested because of its nature as a political party and governing authority as well as a militant organisation. In an October 15 filing, Hamas said the proscription of the entirety of the group, including its political and governing wing, had led to the relatives of Hamas members and the Palestinian people in Gaza more broadly to be regarded as terrorists or terror supporters. Hamas request to intervene was five days after a ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump came into effect.

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The ongoing proscription purports to declare as unlawful the armed struggle of the Palestinian people for liberation from unlawful occupation of the Occupied Palestinian Territories, contrary to international law, Hamas said in the document. Describing itself as part of a national army of the Palestinian people, Hamas said it had been deprived of the opportunity to provide evidence of how the terror listing undermines Palestinian sovereignty and self-determination. Thorpe, the uncle of independent senator Lidia Thorpe, said that Western nations designation of Hamas as a terror group had been used by Israel to justify its fierce conduct in Gaza. The government should take them off the list, he said. Australia is not in a position to judge what terrorism is.

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Aboriginal elder Uncle Robbie Thorpe argues that Hamas should not be listed as a terror group in Australia. Justin McManus The Commonwealth is contesting the court case. The Hamas request for an interlocutory application, lodged by Thorpes lawyer Daniel Taylor, was refused by the court. Taylor said that the application was provided to him by Hamass political bureau, which is based in Doha, Qatar. Taylor said there was a lot of propaganda about Hamas activities on October 7, 2023, and that it was unfair for Australia to brand one side of the Hamas-Israel war as a terror group.

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He said Hamas intends to file a subsequent application to the Federal Court and to lodge a formal request with the government to be removed from the terror register. The Morrison government listed the entirety of Hamas as a terror organisation in 2022 with Labors support, joining the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and other nations. Previously, only its armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, was designated as a terror group in Australia. The terror listing prohibits Australians from providing financial support to Hamas, joining the organisation or recruiting for it. Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said: Since October 7, we have seen public expressions of support for Hamas as an organisation and specific support for its invasion of Israel and the horrors that accompanied it. Now we can see that even as a ceasefire and peace plan was being implemented, and the full terror of their crimes both against Israelis and the people of Gaza was becoming apparent, there were Australians doing Hamass bidding.

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Ryvchin continued: The fact that any Australians would put their names to a document aimed at lifting Hamass terror status and asserting its so-called rights should shock and alarm all of us. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who is responsible for administering the terror list, said in a July letter that he was satisfied Hamas continued to meet the legislative threshold for being designated a terrorist organisation. Specifically, I am satisfied that Hamas continues to directly or indirectly engage in, preparing, planning, assisting in or fostering the doing of a terrorist act and that Hamas continues to advocate for the doing of terrorist acts, Burke wrote to Taylor. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said he was alarmed that Australians would support the removal of Hamas from the terror register. Sitthixay Ditthavong Examples of this conduct include that on 7 October 2023, Hamas-led militants conducted a series of co-ordinated terrorist attacks on Israel where a significant number of individuals were killed, including an Australian. In addition, a significant number of individuals were injured or taken hostage ...

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A spokesman for Burke declined to add to his submissions to the court. Robbie Thorpe argued on radio in October 2024 that Hamas and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah  also a listed terror group in Australia  are exercising a moral and legal duty of armed resistance to genocide and that the terror designation is unconstitutional. Related Article Exclusive

Israeli-Palestinian conflict Australian peacekeepers in Gaza would be Hamas targets, Liberal senator warns Lidia Thorpe, who has labelled Israels conduct in Gaza as a genocide, was contacted for comment. She is not a party to the case. Israel denies that its conduct in the war in Gaza  which killed more than 71,000 people according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry  has constituted a genocide.

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The 2022 listing of Hamas as a terror organisation had bipartisan support but was vigorously debated at the time because the group has both political and military wings. Ben Saul, an international law expert at the University of Sydney and a special rapporteur for the United Nations, described the original move to designate Hamas as a terror group broad and excessive. Saul argued the move meant that anyone who works for the Hamas government in Gaza  including street sweepers, teachers and nurses  could be considered as terrorists under Australian law and could criminalise Australians providing support to Palestinian friends and family. That sends a very strong deterrent message not to get involved in supporting ordinary people in Palestine, he said. The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network opposed the terrorist designation as targeted bigotry that would undermine the peace process. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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PoliticsFederalPolitical leadership Opinion What Barnaby Joyce really wants from One Nation James Massola Chief political commentator October 31, 2025  4:00am

October 31, 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 392 View all comments

If there was any remaining doubt that Australias two main centre-right parties are in a world of pain after their electoral thrashing in May, this week dispelled it. As one seasoned Liberal observed: Weve got Barnaby [Joyce] talking about Barnaby, Sarah Henderson talking about the governor-general standing down as chair of Equality Australia ... Jane [Hume] talking about the nuclear prohibition, [Andrew] Hastie and Barnaby talking about potential rorts by pregnant women, and Sussan [Ley] talking about Joy Division. Its total chaos. Illustration Simon Letch Leys call for Anthony Albanese to apologise for wearing a Joy Division T-shirt because of its alleged antisemitic connotations, which echoed Sky News After Dark talking points, may have sounded ridiculous but it has caused Coalition MPs to question the opposition leaders judgment. That is a problem for Ley, but the bigger issue confronting the federal Coalition parties is Joyce and his on-again, off-again flirtation with One Nation. Two weeks ago, I warned that Joyce risked political irrelevance if he went ahead with his plan to join Pauline Hansons party. That warning stands.

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Joyce, just 58, has absolutely no intention of sliding into political irrelevance  but more on that in a moment. Related Article Analysis

Political leadership Joy Division attack is Sussan Leys knights-and-dames moment Over the past two decades, a series of parties have emerged claiming to be truly conservative, that they represent real Australians, that they are the true heirs of the Menzies conservative tradition (never mind that Menzies chose the name Liberal Party). Some of the more misguided examples have included Cory Bernardis Australian Conservatives, Clive Palmers various clown-show parties and Fraser Annings Conservative National Party. In all that time, the only third conservative party that has managed to stick around (and it has had a couple of low moments) is One Nation. (Pauline Hansons name was formally removed as part of the partys name just this week.) One Nation is riding high, with the past two Resolve Political Monitors revealing a record high 12 percentage point primary vote. Discontent over the cost of living, immigration, power prices and the direction of the Coalition under Ley are all contributing to One Nations surge in support.

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At the same time, for months there have been private, preliminary discussions among conservatives in and outside the parliament about the formation of a new party that could be the third force in conservative politics. The successes of populist right leaders overseas, from Donald Trump to Nigel Farage to Giorgia Meloni, has not gone unnoticed among conservatives here. Australia has never had a proper MAGA-style movement but some MPs believe it will arrive soon. Nothing has been agreed and nothing has been set in stone. Significant hurdles remain. Related Article Exclusive

Political leadership Barnaby Joyce to make decision on One Nation next year A new party would need roughly $40 million in the bank to get started, according to a conservative familiar with these preliminary discussions, and at least a couple of high-net-worth individuals backing it, too. Tony Abbotts plea at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Brisbane last month for people to give the Coalition one last chance and for a reformed Liberal Party, rather than a Farage-style reform party  at least for now  was certainly noticed. Some of the discussion has centred on the conservative campaign outfit Advance Australia, which played a critical role in defeating the Voice to Parliament proposal and lobbies on issues such as opposition to net zero. It amplifies the voices of younger conservative MPs such as Andrew Hastie and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (who once worked for Advance).

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Advance Australia recently passed 500,000 supporters on its email list. It raised funds on the back of an email drive after being called before a parliamentary inquiry into disinformation. Its committed monthly donors jumped from 2500 to 3500 in the past two months and its income stream hit $1.5 million a year. Another 40,000 donors have given money at least once and its social media reach is huge. In just the past four weeks, across all platforms, it had 25.68 million views and 1.57 million interactions with followers. Related Article Abortion Hastie, Joyce ignite late-term abortion fight over paid leave for stillbirth law Could Advance provide the funds and the front for a new right-wing party? The groups executive director, Matt Sheahan, said Advances supporters urged it to form a party after the May federal election. However, we have no plans to do this as we want to put our grassroots members first, rather than the views of elected officials, Sheahan said. We are committed to campaigning on freedom, security and prosperity and achieving a government that will put Australians first. That brings us back to Joyce and why he (might) join One Nation, a move revealed by my colleagues Mike Foley and Paul Sakkal before Joyce or Hanson were ready to break cover. Joyce tells this column: I have seen One Nation broaden its remit as it has grown. Very few have founded a party that prevailed over decades rather than flare out over a couple of terms.

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Pauline Hanson has done this and, self-evidently, it is only because she has a constituency that One Nation survives and it is foolish to dismiss this, or worse, disparage that constituency. The motivation to win back teal seats or the amorphous sensible centre has in recent times led to policy that leaves others feeling disenfranchised. One Nation has capitalised on this. Democracy needs all spectrums covered and Australia is fortunate that we have the freedom and culture to offer this. Joyce and Hanson are friends and have similar views on issues such as net zero. But Hanson, at 71, was furious at reports suggesting Joyce was about to shove her aside and take over immediately. Still, Hanson knows she cant be in politics forever. In Joyce, she may have the perfect successor to keep her political movement alive after she retires. For Joyce, the attraction is obvious. He has served in the Senate before and knows his way around the red chamber, Senate estimates and the like. He is being ostracised by many (though not all) of his Nationals colleagues, despite his status as a former leader.

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And unlike Advance, which has no party branches, office holders or state divisions, with One Nation Joyce would inherit a ready-made party infrastructure, state divisions and a political force with huge name recognition and a healthy primary vote. Related Article Opinion

Liberal Party No Liberal leader can survive a fire on the right, but arsonists surround Ley Peter Hartcher Political and international editor If Joyce was to lead One Nation one day, he would be able to professionalise the party, smooth off some of its rougher edges and would presumably try to grow One Nation into a permanent force on the right in the Senate, much like the Greens on the left. He would have far more influence as a balance-of-power leader in the Senate than he has had twiddling his thumbs on the backbench. Nationals MPs fear that a Joyce-led One Nation could lead to lower house seats being lost in three-cornered contests with Labor and One Nation. Does Barnaby Joyce have the charisma to give One Nation a MAGA-style makeover and grow its support? Almost certainly. And that would add yet another problem to Sussan Leys long and growing list. James Massola is chief political commentator.
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Updated WorldEuropeRoyal family King Charles strips Andrew of prince title David Crowe Updated October 31, 2025  11:30am ,first published October 31, 2025  5:17am 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 357 View all comments

London: King Charles has launched a formal process to cancel the titles and honours of Prince Andrew and will evict him from his Royal Lodge residence in a dramatic sanction over his long friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The new measures go further than the princes decision two weeks ago to give up the use of his titles, clearing the way for an official process that will remove his titles, including his position as Duke of York. King Charles has moved to strip his younger brother Andrew of his titles and honours. AP Buckingham Palace announced the new steps in a statement on Thursday night in London (6am Friday, AEDT), and said they included a formal notice to Andrew to give up his lease on Royal Lodge. It is understood that Andrew will move to accommodation on the royal Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, which would be funded privately by the King.

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Royal family No title, no royal status  but a house on the Kings estate. What now for Andrew? Andrews lease on the 30-room Royal Lodge, near Windsor Castle, had been a source of growing controversy because the agreement ran until 2078 and only required him to pay a peppercorn rent. Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, the palace said. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.

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Their majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse. In response, the family of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, the woman who accused Andrew of sexual assault and died by suicide earlier this year, described her as an ordinary American girl who had brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage. Virginia Roberts Giuffre, our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to her and to countless other survivors, her brother Skye Roberts and sister-in-law Amanda said in a statement reported by the BBC. Today, she declares victory.

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Virginia Giuffre, with a photo of herself as a teen, was one of the most high-profile victims of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Getty The removal of the title of prince is almost unprecedented for the British royal family. In 1917, an Act of Parliament was used to strip the title of Prince Ernest Augustus, a distant relative of King George V, for siding with Germany during the First World War. Related Article Analysis

Royal family Andrew believed the worst was over ... the King had other ideas And although Prince Harry renounced his royal role in 2020 and moved to California, he remains a prince and the Duke of Sussex. Despite losing his titles, Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne after William, Prince of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince Archie of Sussex, and Princess Lilibet of Sussex.

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According to the BBC, the British government was consulted on the decision and made it clear that it supported the move. Appearing on the BBCs Question Time program, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said it sent a very powerful message to the victims of grooming and sex offences. Andrew has denied and continues to deny all the allegations made against him. Immediate effect The change in Andrews name, removing his titles as prince or duke, takes immediate effect.

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The moves will not require action by parliament because the King is using his own powers to change the honours and titles that are traditionally conferred by the monarch. Andrew will formally lose the titles of Prince, Duke of York, Earl of Inverness, Baron Killyleagh and will not be referred to as His Royal Highness. Loading The honours cancelled are his Order of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order. It does not involve any change for his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who will retain their Her Royal Highness titles as set out in letters patent from 1917. These established that only the child of a monarch, the child of the sons of a monarch, and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the heir to the throne, could be called prince or princess.

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Related Article Royal family The downfall of a prince: How Andrews scandals turned darker over the decades The changes will be made through a series of royal warrants issued by the King to the Lord Chancellor, who will remove the Dukedom of York from the Peerage Roll and take similar actions with the titles of Inverness and Killyleagh. This is seen as a better way to accomplish the objective rather than through an Act of Parliament, as was used in the case of Prince Ernest Augustus. While the King decided on the measures, they were completed without an objection from his brother. Andrew is expected to move to a property on the Sandringham estate, but there is no provision for additional accommodation for his former wife, Sarah, who has lived with him at Royal Lodge since 2008 and also relinquished her titles.

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The accommodation for Andrew will be funded by the King out of the royal familys income, with no clarity about how much this will cost. It will be up to Andrew to find any other source of income to provide for his new life on the fringes of the royal family. Epstein links Jeffrey Epstein was initially charged with sexual offences in 2006, but negotiated a plea deal with prosecutors that led to most of the charges being dropped. He was found guilty of soliciting a minor for prostitution and spent time in prison and under house arrest before he emerged in 2010.

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Andrews connection to Epstein surfaced in the media the following year, and a photo began to circulate showing the prince with his arm around 17-year-old Roberts Giuffre in Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwells London apartment in 2001. Related Article Epstein fallout Photo reveals Prince Andrew hosted Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weinstein at Royal Lodge In 2014, Andrew was named in US court papers in which Roberts Giuffre alleged she was trafficked to Andrew at least three times by Epstein and paid $US15000 to have sex with him. Five years later, Roberts Giuffre appeared on US television to speak out, alongside other Epstein victims. Andrew then made a disastrous appearance on BBC Newsnight in November 2019, in which he denied ever meeting Roberts Giuffre, and stated he had had no contact with Epstein since December 2010. Days after the Newsnight interview, Buckingham Palace announced that Andrew would step back from public life for the foreseeable future.

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Epstein, meanwhile, had been arrested on federal sex-trafficking charges in July 2019 and was found dead in his New York prison cell one month later. Prince Andrew with Virginia Roberts Giuffre (centre) in 2001 and Epsteins then personal assistant Ghislaine Maxwell. Roberts Giuffre lodged a civil claim for sexual assault in August 2021, and a US judge rejected Andrews attempt to have the case thrown out. Andrew settled out of court in February 2022, months before it was due to go to trial. The payment to Giuffre was reportedly worth millions of pounds. Andrews claims he had severed ties with Epstein in 2010 were undermined when emails surfaced this year showing messages to Epstein from February 2011 in which he wrote: it would seem we are in this together and Keep in close touch and well play some more soon!!!! Andrew acknowledged the damage to the royal family in a statement on October 17, saying he would stop using his titles, including the Duke of York.

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Analysis WorldEuropeRoyal family No title, no royal status  but a house on the Kings estate. What now for Andrew? David Crowe Updated October 31, 2025  8:31am ,first published October 31, 2025  7:44am 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

London: In a historic decision with immediate effect, Prince Andrew has suddenly become Andrew Mountbatten Windsor  a private citizen with no dukedom and no royal status. Not since the abdication crisis of 1936 has the royal family confronted a drama such as this. The abdication of Edward VIII was a major test of the government and the royal family  and it altered the line of succession. The crisis over Andrew does not change the succession, but it is a deeper scandal. Edward VIII gave up the crown to marry Wallis Simpson, a divorced American. Andrew has been expelled from high honours over his personal behaviour, including the claims of sexual assault made by Virginia Roberts Giuffre. In the statement stripping the prince of his title, the Palace said Andrew continues to deny the allegations against him. Prince Andrew Alamy Stock Photo How long has it taken to act against Andrew?

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Andrew has lost status in the past over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. He lost his title as a trade envoy in 2011 when a photograph emerged of him with Giuffre, taken a decade earlier. He stepped back from royal duties in 2019 after Epstein died in prison. He gave up the use of his title as Duke of York, and other titles, on October 17, ahead of the publication of Giuffres posthumous memoir. The most recent move did not quell calls for tougher action against him. Why now? Related Article Updated

Royal family King Charles strips Andrew of prince title Giuffres memoir was published on October 21 and set out in detail her claim that Andrew sexually assaulted her when she was 17 and working for Epstein. This was only one factor heightening pressure on Andrew. Emails emerged in recent weeks showing that he maintained his friendship with Epstein well into 2011, after he said he ended their friendship because of Epsteins conviction for child sex offences. There was growing criticism of Andrews housing arrangements when his lease was revealed last week, showing he paid only a peppercorn rent for a home at Windsor with 30 rooms. Why didnt the King act earlier?

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The changes for Andrew on October 17 were voluntary: he said he would give up the use of his titles. Public opinion appears to have swayed the royal family. However, another factor is also at work. It has taken time for the King to consider the legal measures needed to make these changes. It also required consultation with other members of the royal family. What does Prince William think? The changes are proceeding with support from Prince William, who has been consulted. There is no statement from the Prince of Wales. What does Andrew say? There is no statement from Andrew. The final decision has been made by the King without any objection from his brother.

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What titles will Andrew lose? He will lose his title as prince as well as his titles as Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh. He will not be known as His Royal Highness. He will lose the Order of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order. Loading What happens to Sarah Ferguson? Andrews former wife, Sarah, kept her title as Duchess of York after their divorce, under longstanding arrangements. She gave up the use of this title in the changes made on October 17. The new moves will remove the dukedom, confirming she cannot use the title. There is no arrangement for her accommodation once Andrew moves out of Royal Lodge, where she has been staying.

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What happens to his daughters? There is no change for Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. They retain their titles as princesses under letters patent issued more than a century ago that said the daughters of the son of a monarch are called princesses. Each of them will continue to be referred to as Her Royal Highness. Where will Andrew live? Andrew has been given formal notice to surrender his lease over Royal Lodge, the large home at Windsor where his lease was due to run until 2078. No date is set for his departure. He is expected to move to a home at Sandringham, another country estate.

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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor The stuff of which revolutions are made: why King Charles should evict his brother Jacqueline Maley Columnist and senior journalist Will Andrew be compensated? Probably. The terms of the lease required him to pay only a peppercorn rent for almost 50 years to come, so he will have a legal claim against the Crown Estate, which owns the lodge. Who will pay for Andrews new home? The funding will come from the Kings private reserves. The arrangement seeks to avoid taxpayers having to foot the bill for the new home in Sandringham.

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Will Andrew have to get a job? The royal family will have to make a provision for Andrew, and this will be a private decision for the King rather than a matter for the government allocating taxpayer funds. Andrew will now be a private citizen, as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His career will be a matter for him. Loading Does the King believe Andrew is guilty of sexual assault? There is no statement on the central question: did Andrew commit sexual assault against Giuffre, as she claimed in a civil lawsuit that was settled out of court in 2022. There have been clear signals from Buckingham Palace that many believe Andrew made serious lapses of judgment.

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Related Article Residential property Where could Prince Andrew live if he leaves Royal Lodge? Can this be done without a vote in parliament? The last time a dukedom was revoked, in 1917, it was done under an act of parliament. This time, however, Buckingham Palace believes the changes can be made using royal warrants issued by the King. This means there is no need for a vote in parliament  and therefore no debate that might embarrass the royal family. Was the government consulted? Yes. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was consulted on the changes, as were other government authorities.

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The Columbia, South Carolina, resident is a first-generation college student.

Dashon Pinckney ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- Dashon Pinckney knows what it means to be out front.

Before arriving as a first-year student at South Carolina State University this fall, Pinckney served as drum major of the Eau Claire High School Marching Band in Columbia, South Carolina, leading his peers to excellence with discipline, creativity, and unity.

Now, he is transferring those skills to his role as a newly inducted Clyburn Scholar in SC States Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College.

A first-generation college student and servant leader, Dashon embodies the values of resilience, scholarship, and service that define the Clyburn Honors legacy, said Dr. William H. Whitaker Jr., the Honors Colleges dean. In choosing South Carolina State University and the Clyburn Honors College, Dashon sought more than a degree  he sought legacy, belonging, and purpose.

With sights set on psychology or an education-related field, Pinckney is ready to fulfill that legacy.

SCSU is where I see possibility and empowerment, Pinckney said. Its where leaders who look like me have built paths for others to follow.

In high school, Pinckney maintained Honor Roll status all four years, earned a 1250 SAT score. As a peer leader, he mentored underclassmen in academics, wellness, and leadership, fostering a culture of encouragement and accountability among his classmates.

He dedicated over 450 hours to serving others through initiatives such as the Military Families Support Program, Families Helping Families, and neighborhood outreach efforts.

His volunteerism reflects compassion and empathy, particularly for children and families navigating hardship or deployment, Whitaker said.

Pinckneys leadership extends beyond the classroom and the marching field. He views leadership as lifting others up with you, a philosophy evident in every project and role he has embraced. His commitment to excellence earned him multiple Leadership Awards from Eau Claire High School and recognition for his contributions to the bands regional and state-level achievements.

With aspirations to continue serving through education and community engagement, Pinckney represents the next generation of Bulldog Scholars, Whitaker said, He us disciplined, compassionate, and determined to create meaningful change for South Carolina and beyond.

About the Clyburn Scholars Program

The Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College at South Carolina State University proudly celebrates the continued generosity of the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Endowed Honors College Scholarship Fund, an enduring endowment honoring Congressman James E. Clyburn and the late Dr. Emily England Clyburn.

Established to support high-achieving students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a passion for community engagement, the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Endowed Honors College Scholarship Fund has become a cornerstone of the Honors Colleges mission to elevate student success and expand opportunity for South Carolinas most promising young scholars.

The Honors College is forever grateful to the Clyburn family for choosing to invest in the lives of some of our best and brightest students here at South Carolina State University, Whitaker said. These financial gifts are noble and profoundly impactful, ensuring that our scholars can focus on academic excellence without the barriers of financial hardship.

We accept these gifts with humility and a renewed commitment to the ideals of leadership, service, and scholarship that the Clyburn name represents, Whitaker said. This scholarship does more than ease financial burdens. It inspires our scholars to lead lives of purpose and to give back to the communities that shaped them.

For more information about SC States Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College, contact Dr. William Whitaker, the Honors Colleges dean, at wwhitak3@scsu.edu or 803-533-3710, or Dr. Windy A. Mack Stephenson, the Honors Colleges executive director, at wmack3@scsu.edu or 803-516-4610.
A 22-YEAR-OLD Latvian man who was observed discarding a bag of cannabis and was found with quantities of drugs in a vehicle has received a suspended sentence at Carlow District Court. Mr Kristers Butovskis, whose last address in Ireland was 52 Browneshill Rise, Browneshill Road, Carlow, appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy charged with possession of controlled drugs and possession of controlled drugs for unlawful sale or supply, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act.

The court heard that on 8 May 2025 at 4.15pm, Detective Garda John Moulton observed a male walking suspiciously from a known suspects car. He proceeded to discard a bag containing cannabis.

The vehicle was then searched and in the front passenger seat 15 bags of cannabis and one bag of cocaine were found. The suspect was arrested at the scene. The cannabis was valued at 400, and the cocaine at 70.

In a separate incident on 5 March 2025 at 9.20pm, Garda Shane Ryan searched the accused and found a small amount of cannabis valued at 50 in his possession.

The court was told that Mr Butovskis had six previous convictions, all for road traffic offences, with the most recent dating to April of this year.

A solicitor for the defendant said that the accused had since returned to Latvia.

He said his client had been mixing with the wrong people and was not a drug addict, nor did he have a drug problem.

Judge Carthy convicted the defendant of possession of cocaine for sale and supply, sentencing him to nine months in jail, suspended for 12 months. She said that in respect of all other matters, she would convict and take all charges into consideration.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
October 30, 2025: Sixteen years ago the U.S. Navy decided that it could not replace the current 9,70o-ton Burke class destroyers with the new 15,600 -ton Zumwalt class design. What the Zumwalts lacked was a main gun that worked.

In 2013 the new 155mm Long Range Land Attack Projectile/ LRLAP GPS guided shell performed as expected and was fired out to 83 kilometers. It was only two years earlier, after six years of development, that the first successful test firing of the 155mm AGS took place. The navy wanted to replace existing 127mm guns on some warships with the AGS, if only because the 127mm gun has a much shorter range of 24 kilometers and uses only unguided ammo.

Designed for use on the new DDG 1000 Zumwalt destroyers, the AGS fires GPS guided shells up to 190 kilometers. Testing revealed that the shells worked at only about half the planned range. GPS guidance enables the shells to land inside a 50 meter circle. The AGS shells carry 11 kg of explosives. The AGS uses a water cooled barrel so it can fire ten rounds a minute for extended periods. Each AGS was accompanied by 335 rounds of ammo, which was loaded and fired automatically. The AGS shell was originally supposed to enter service in 2015. That has now been delayed indefinitely.

In early 2016 the navy revealed that the cost per shell had escalated to nearly half a million dollars, which was about ten times what the cost was supposed to be. By the end of 2016 the cost per shell was up to $800,000 and rising. Exactly why the costs had gone so far over budget had to do with the inability to make an ambitious AGS shell design work. This sort of thing is quite common in the peacetime military. This is especially true when the item in question depends on new technologies that have no track record of success and efforts to make them work end up as expensive failures.

Meanwhile, Chinese weapons designers have apparently solved the AGS problem with a novel new electromagnetic railgun cannon that can launch shells at speeds of over 8,000 kilometers an hour. Thats nearly 1,400 meters a second. The novel new barrel was designed to handle the high temperatures and pressure on the barrel without losing any precision, shell speed and range. The new railgun barrel incorporates a system to bleed off pressure in excess of what the rail gun needs to safely launch one 60 kg shell after another. These shells currently travel as far as 400 kilometers in about six minutes and arrive moving at speeds of nearly 5,000 kilometers an hour. Current anti-missile systems cannot handle incoming objects moving at those speeds, especially at such a small target.

For this to work, ships must be capable of producing enormous quantities of electrical energy on a continual basis. The conventional propulsion systems for generating that much electricity would require large quantities of fuel. The most obvious solution to that is only using the new electromagnetic cannon on nuclear-powered ships. The only such ships have been built by Russia and the United States. Germany, Japan and France have built and operated a few such ships, and could build large warships. While China has not done this, most of the worlds commercial shipping is built in China. China is also the largest builder of military warships for its own growing navy and exports.

So while Chinese shipbuilders are working out the design of nuclear-powered surface warships armed with electromagnetic cannon, other nations have an opportunity to reverse engineer the Chinese design. If all this takes place, we wont know if the new Chinese rail gun is a reality, or another innovation that initially looked good but never survived the development stresses to become a stable, mass produced product.
After kicking off 2025 with new funding and renewed energy, the Northern Animation Network (NAN)  a collaboration between four animation festivals in Denmark, Norway, Lithuania, and Sweden  is set to conclude a record year, with each festival welcoming more guests and professionals than ever before.

As Fredrikstad Animation Festival (FAF), the biggest animation festival in Norway, wrapped its 29th edition, Cartoon Brew spoke with Denmark-based Sandra Brunkow Simonsen, head of program at Viborg Animation Festival (VAF), about NANs latest project: a new YouTube channel dedicated to animation in the northern part of Europe, featuring exclusive interviews with renowned short- and feature-film directors throughout the Nordic-Baltic region.

This series of video portraits will be released online at the beginning of 2026, said Simonsen. We have conducted a flurry of interviews at the partnering festivals throughout the fall. The long-time collaboration among our festivals has already manifested this year through the first-ever joint submissions initiative, and we are very excited about this next step.

For those not familiar with the regional festivals, FAF, VAF, REX Animation Festival (Sweden), and BLON Animation and Games Festival (Lithuania) all take place close together on the calendar, making fall an especially busy season for animation in the region. The Network arose after years of discussion. In 2025, NAN received a Creative Europe Media grant of 300,000 to support increased collaboration and growth, along with funding from the Nordisk Film & TV Fond, which is backing the new channel.

The Northern Animation Channel  unveiling its first interviews in early 2026  will spotlight talent from across the region, with a few names already teased by Simonsen. Oscar-nominated director and artist Sara Gunnarsdottir (My Year of Dicks) will appear, as will Norwegian short-film director and poetry filmmaker Kristian Pedersen. FAF feature-film laureate and Annecy-nominated filmmaker Karla Nor Holmback will delve into the making of her animated feature Rosa and the Stone Troll, while Lithuanian filmmaker Ignas Meilunas will discuss the stop-motion techniques behind his award-winning work. Stop-motion featuring porcelain puppets is also central to Anu-Laura Tuttelbergs practice; her 2024 short On Weary Wings Go By premiered at Locarno and earned multiple recognitions this year.

Looking ahead to later in 2026, the series will continue with in-depth interviews with Titina director Kajsa Nss, directors Endre Skandfer and Nathan Jurevicius, and more to come.

Simonsen emphasized that the series will not solely focus on promoting new works: These are conversations that can be enjoyed in five years as well  approximately 20 minutes long and focused on the artists general approach and creative process.

These productions are showcasing the art of animation and the cultural heritage that influences the region, she added, echoing the enthusiasm shared by the other festival directors at FAF. The mission is to highlight not only the finished films or games, but also invite people to understand the process, craft, and imagination behind them.

The series will also feature some international guests. Earlier this year, Cartoon Saloon co-founder and Oscar-nominated director Tomm Moore attended VAF and delivered an in-depth talk about his career  a glimpse of what NAN aims to provide, driven by dedicated teams and ambitious programming.

Last year at FAF, Pixar veteran Bill Wise gave a candid presentation on the challenges behind Dreams Productions  the kind of session organizers say is uniquely possible at a regional festival. This year, audiences were treated to two masterclasses: one from Little Amelie co-director Liane-Cho Han and another from indie sensation Nikita Diakur, whose session proved particularly cathartic for attendees.

Appearing at FAFs opening ceremony, Nordisk Film & TV Fund CEO Liselott Forsman underlined the importance of collaboration in the Nordic animation industry, from festivals to production companies. Every time I come together with people from animation, I feel so much energy and power from this community, she said. People working in this industry have a strong will to share, collaborate, and find ways to help each other. Its inspiring, and we are happy to help them structure such initiatives and create long-lasting support.

As part of its industry support, the Nordisk Film & TV Fund is also backing the Nordic producers association Nordic Animation as part of its Year of Animation, which kicked off in March at Cartoon Movie, where Nordic creators, producers, and distributors were heavily represented in pitching sessions. The joint initiative between producers in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland aims to build bridges and foster co-production across the region and beyond.

Animation in the Nordic-Baltic region  which shone on the international stage in 2025, culminating in an Oscar win for Flow  is poised for even brighter days ahead. Expect a blizzard of shorts, series, and features in the coming years, ready to win the hearts of festivalgoers, cinephiles, and animation fans worldwide.

The Northern Animation Channel will be available here in the new year: YouTube.com/@Northern-Animation
This was a record-breaking year for Ukrainian attacks on the Russian internet. There were nearly 1,500 shutdowns in July alone. Unlike earlier internet attacks, the recent Ukrainian campaign disrupted the internet in entire regions and sometimes shut it down for days, rather than just hours. Eventually Russia decided to add its own internet disruptions to prevent Russian civilians from learning just how badly their fathers, sons, and brothers were doing in Ukraine. These disruptions dont prevent friends and families from eventually finding out what happened to someone they knew was fighting in Ukraine. The delays lessened the impact of bad news. The state-controlled or supervised media reported good news right away and delayed, diminished, or hid the extent of bad news.

These attacks were an extension of the electronic warfare that was underway inside Ukraine. Attacks against Russia began right after the February 2022 invasion with efforts to disrupt Russian communications near the Ukrainian border. This was meant to interrupt Russian resupply efforts and the ability of Russian commanders to keep track of and communicate with their troops. During the first months of the war, Ukrainian forces did not need to disrupt Russian communications because Russian military radios often didnt work at all and instead used their cell phones, which the Ukrainians happily intercepted. It wasnt until the end of 2022 that Russia was able to provide its troops with minimally useful battlefield communications. By 2023 Russian troops had reliable battlefield communications most of the time. At that point most soldiers on both sides were stationary, facing each other over a front line that eventually grew to over a thousand kilometers long.

Another Ukrainian advantage is the SpaceX Starlink satellite network overhead. Ukrainian forces have the Starlink ground terminals, which consist of a small satellite dish, controller, and battery. Each of these can be carried in a soldier's backpack and set up anywhere within minutes. Russian troops, or at least headquarters units, could access Russian space satellite networks. At the start of the war these had deteriorated over the last decade to a level of barely and unreliably functioning. As the war went on, Russia improved its space satellite support for the troops.

Currently Russian troops and commanders receive images of the current deployment of Ukrainian and Russian forces in Ukraine. The Americans provide the Ukrainian forces with similar and often superior support. Russian troops have also been accumulating black market Starlink equipment. SpaceX, the company that built and operates the Starlink satellite network, tries to identify the Starlink ground terminals used by Russian troops and disrupt their operation.

Meanwhile the internet disruption efforts by both sides continued. The Ukrainians have been more successful so far. Last year Ukraine carried out a surprise electronic attack on Russian internet access. This was accomplished by using the largest DDoS distributed denial of service attack ever. The attack disrupted all major Russian internet systems, including financial institutions, government networks, and internet-based communications. This included messaging apps and social networks.

Earlier in 2024 the Ukrainian Blackjack internet hackers group, working in cooperation with the Ukrainian Security Service and the Defense Intelligence organization, carried out an extensive online attack on Russian networks in late 2023. This effort downloaded data on construction plans for more than 500 military bases in Russia and occupied Ukraine and erased the original Russian data files. This essential data was gone for good until there was time for it to be reconstructed. Also obtained was data on the plans and operations for Russian military headquarters at hundreds of bases. The facilities were located throughout Russia and included air-defense installations and arsenals where weapons are assembled and stored. Blackjack also stole massive amounts of data on Russian military plans and proposals as well as after-action reports on completed projects and operations. Again, all the original files were erased. The damage was restricted to assets useful to the Russian military.

The Russians have had some success with their own internet hacks. For example, Russian hackers obtained access to surveillance cameras in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. This enabled precise selection of targets for missile attacks. Both sides hackers also carry out operations in the combat zone. For example, Ukrainian hackers hacked into the encrypted video feed from Russian FPV (First Person View) drones, providing the Ukrainians with real-time information on where Russian troops are. FPV involves the drone operator wearing a device on their face that enables them to see what the camera on the drone sees and operate the drone using that information for surveillance to fly a drone carrying explosives into its target. The operator then takes control of another armed drone and does the same again and again. Skilled FPV drone operators are outside the combat zone and can freely move around if it is suspected that the enemy is tracking and targeting FPV drone operators. Both sides use this technology. The Russian victories used similar technology.
Fifteen years after its opening, the Hart Gallery is celebrating its anniversary with a public celebration in its historic Main Street storefront on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 6-8 p.m. Guests can enjoy food, drinks and an evening of creativity and connection as Chattanooga honors 15 years of "art with heart."Officials said, "2010 may seem like the distant past for some. It was the year Apple launched the first iPad and Instagram came online. But it seems like yesterday to Ellen Heavilon."It was the year she was inspired to take on her largest endeavor yet  founding Hart Gallery on Chattanoogas Southside.When Ms.Heavilon came across Homes, a piece of public artwork created by Frances McDonald, Julie Clark and Mark Making, she was deeply moved."The sculptural pillar, covered in mosaic tiles, was built piece-by-piece by people experiencing homelessness in Chattanooga, each tile reflecting their vision of what home meant to them. The stories embedded in the artwork and the beauty of its collective form sparked her desire to create a new kind of homeone for Chattanoogas underserved artists. That vision became the Hart Gallery."I realized there was a lot of talent in a community that was hidden to a lot of people, and I wanted to give them a chance to express themselves, said Ms. Heavilon.At the event, Hart Gallery will return to the artwork that inspired its founding. Birthday party guests will recreate Homes by building a new collaborative obelisk. Each participant will decorate a tile that expresses what the gallery means to themthrough words or drawings. The contributions will then be joined together into a sculpture that embodies "shared reflection, belonging and home."Since its founding, Hart Gallery has become a program of nonprofit Signal Centers and expanded to serve around 100 artists per year. This includes those living with mental and physical disabilities, experiencing homelessness, fleeing abusive situations and many other vulnerable populations. They are mentored by successful community artists, provided art therapy and have the opportunity to create and sell artwork for their benefit.The low-vision painting class is the highlight of my week, said Hart Gallery Artist Vicki Henson, when sharing what the space has meant to her. This is where my heart comes back to. This is my family.Hart Gallerys programming has also grown over the years. From regular First Friday events to art classes and camps, there are many opportunities to engage and support the organization. Wednesday through Sunday each week, the public can peruse the gallery in search of unique, locally made treasures. And this holiday season, Hart Gallery will release the fourth official ornament of the City of Chattanooga in partnership with Mayor Kellys office. The merriment will continue with the Spiked Cafe during MainX24.
Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area will celebrate the grand opening of its newest store and donation center in Fort Oglethorpe. The celebration will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6, followed by the official store opening at 9 a.m. The new location, at 1873 Battlefield Pkwy. in the Battlefield Centre shopping center next to Planet Fitness, will include a Goodwill store and a Donation Xpress Center.The existing Goodwill store and donation center located at 516 Battlefield Pkwy., near Big Lots in Fort Oglethorpe, will also remain open.After the opening of the second Fort Oglethorpe store, the local nonprofit will operate 16 stores and three Goodwill Opportunity Centers in the region. Their three Goodwill Opportunity Centers, two in Chattanooga and one in Dalton, provide career search and employment-readiness assistance at no charge to the community.The local non-profit invites the public to join them for the grand opening event, which will include a ribbon-cutting, an appearance by Goodwills Smiling G mascot and giveaways and door prizes throughout the day, as supplies last.The stores hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Goodwill accepts donations during regular store hours.Were proud to expand our presence in Fort Oglethorpe and deepen our commitment to the community, said Gena Weldon, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area. Those who shop and donate join us in our mission to help people overcome barriers to employment, divert millions of pounds of items from local landfills, equip people with training to prepare for the future of work and make a real impact in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.
by Austin Bay October 29, 2025

The human "degrees of separation" theory contends any two people link through a chain of social connections, and most of us are no more than six individual links apart.

Twenty-first-century hybrid warfare is a vile and corrupted version of this theory of human relationship networks.

The sneaky war-waging state uses one or more degrees of separation from its proxy militias and terrorist killers to create what the spy world calls "plausible deniability." Plausible deniability means it's very hard to publicly tie the sneaky war-wager to its proxies and terrorists, at least at the mass media level of information.

I used the word "publicly" rather than "directly" because ultra-top-secret digital and human intelligence can often conclusively connect the bad guys to their proxies. However, if your State Department releases the specifics to media, then your intelligence agency likely loses the information source -- meaning the bad guys find and destroy bugs or capture and kill your human James Bond spy.

A dirty business. Iran got away with waging proxy war until its proxy Hamas started the Oct. 7, 2023, rape atrocity and hostage war. That ugly war ultimately collapsed Iran's Degrees of Separation strategy -- and cost Iran its nuclear weapons.

Which takes us to the Trump administration's expanding confrontation with Venezuela and what we may eventually call the Trump Correlative to the Monroe Doctrine.

President Donald Trump consistently suggests that shipping drugs like fentanyl into the U.S. is an act of war directed at the American people. China might agree. China suffered the outrage of the Opium War waged by Great Britain. Opium savaged imperial China.

According to the Trump administration, using U.S. military assets to destroy cartel speedboats smuggling drugs toward or into the U.S. is justifiable since the Opium War proves smuggling drugs is a form of hybrid warfare that promotes social and economic disintegration.

Fentanyl is one of the biggest weapons in the current drug war arsenal. Which nation is the largest maker of fentanyl and fentanyl precursor chemicals?

Communist China.

China, however, is several degrees of separation from Venezuela -- two oceans and three or four shipping container transfers.

Or at least it was until the Trump administration said, "No more."

President James Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine in 1823. Once upon a time, it was a seminal U.S. foreign policy proclamation. Washington wouldn't meddle in European internal politics or interfere with existing Western Hemisphere colonies. However, the Western Hemisphere was now closed to further colonization.

France's 1861 foray into Mexico failed on its own. A century later, however, Russia-backed Fidel Castro seized Cuba. Ultimately, the Soviet Union (Russian empire under communism) built a submarine base in Cuba.

A very Un-Monroe Doctrine encroachment, that sub base.

In the 1980s, a reliable rumor said the USSR and the Ortega clan discussed building airbases for MiG fighter bombers in Nicaragua.

Enter Trump the disrupter. In an Oct. 27 Washington Times Online essay, Robert C. O'Brien argued that "China has been encroaching on the Western Hemisphere for decades."

But China's encroaching days are over. O'Brien added: "Reportedly, the (Trump) administration's proposed National Defense Strategy will emphasize protecting the Western Hemisphere from outside influences."

On Oct. 27 at least three U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers flew within 20 miles of Venezuelan airspace. The strategic bombers were participating in a "pressure campaign" directed at Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's Chavista socialist-cartel criminal regime. The socialist, cartel and criminal descriptions are all applicable. Chavista? Maduro's predecessor, Hugo Chavez, started the socialist, cartel and criminal mess.

Drugs aren't the only beef Trump has with the Chavistas. During the regime's reign of corruption and terror, over 4 million Venezuelans have fled the country. As noted in last week's column, Venezuela was once South America's wealthiest nation, at least in terms of per capita income. Not anymore.

Five days ago, the U.S. Navy announced that the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford will join the fleet cruising the Caribbean Sea. U.S. Southern Command is an economy of force theater -- a sector the Pentagon thinks it can patrol with minimal assets.

Assigning a nuclear carrier to SOUTHCOM is most unusual.

A nuclear super carrier is an offensive weapon the Pentagon would use to defend Taiwan or attack China.

Which takes us back to degrees of separation. Perhaps Maduro will conclude being a Beijing asset isn't a good idea.
The School of Nursing at Southern Adventist University recently gained an exciting new addition: the Miller Hall Nursing Simulation Center. After outgrowing three simulation rooms in AdventHealth Hall, the nursing program found a perfect solution through the renovation of the building next door. Opened during the Fall 2025 semester, a grand opening ceremony for the new center was held on Friday, October 24, celebrating the milestone.





The new simulation center features many valuable spaces for nursing students, including a spacious second-floor classroom that seats approximately 70 students.The stage in the room is the designated obstetric simulation lab, housing a birthing bed for the OB simulator manikin and an infant warmer for the newborn simulator manikin. On the same floor, an apartment-style room offers a realistic setting for community health and psychiatric-mental health nurses to practice aiding patients at home. The final feature on this floor is a study space named the Bonnie Hunt Student Lounge in honor of the beloved late Professor Hunt and her 45 years of service to the School of Nursing.





The lower floor of Miller Hall is divided into six smaller labs equipped for adult acute care, pediatric care, critical care, and emergency services. Simulations in these rooms are run by an instructor in the control room on the same floor. Down the hallway are two spacious conference rooms where students can observe the simulations and debrief after the scenario is over.





The new high-tech features provide crucial opportunities for students to develop skills and gain hands-on experience in nursing. Before the new center opened, simulation opportunities were more limited, so this expands access to hands-on learning across all nursing programs.





With the new space, all of our students will have more opportunities to practice, says School of Nursing professor Cindy Johnson, who is excited about the expansion and looking forward to creating those opportunities in her classes.





Roisbel Hernandez, senior nursing major, shares her professors enthusiasm for the simulation center. Im thrilled to see this project because it shows how much the School of Nursing is invested in making our transition into the nursing field as smooth as possible, she says.





Nursing labs are key in preparing students for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a standardized test that all registered nurses must pass in order to become licensed. Southerns most recent statistics cite a 92% percent first-time pass rate for the universitys associate program and an impressive 100% pass rate for the bachelors program.





Additional hands-on labs will help a lot as Im preparing for graduation and the NCLEX, says Eliyah Sprenkle, senior nursing major. I tend to be a visual learner, so its easier for me to understand the procedure if I can do it myself or watch it up close.





The NCLEX is very focused on critical-thinking skills, so many of the questions are scenario-based, Johnson adds. Simulations allow a safe space for students to work on clinical application and judgment.





The Miller Hall Nursing Simulation Center renovation has been funded entirely by donations. We are deeply grateful to everyone involved in this much-needed expansionfrom generous donors to committed employeesevery single person who has helped support the creation of our new educational space, says Holly Gadd, dean of the School of Nursing.





To fully cover all associated project costs and establish a program endowment, an additional $600,000 remains to be raised.
Middle Valley Church of God, at 1703 Thrasher Pike in Hixson, Tennessee, announces that Craig Paul will be preaching on Sunday, in the 10:30 a.m. service. The purpose of the sermon is to lead all believers to know that God is interested in you and your life, paying attention to you. His purpose is to get us to the Father and redemption. All are welcome to participate.





Each Sunday at 5:30 p.m. the church conducts a prayer meeting, which is open to all who wish to participate and is designed to encourage prayer.Information on various methods of prayer will be shared with participants. The goal of this prayer meeting is to encourage believers to seek God through prayer. All are welcome to participate.





Each Wednesday at 7 p.m., an interactive, interesting, and informative Bible study will be held in the church auditorium. Kelly Selby is currently leading this Bible study. All are welcome to participate. The goal of this Bible study is to encourage believers to study the Bible and discuss with others, making the Scripture their guide.





Middle Valley Church of God is a community focused church with various ministries in the Middle Valley area and in Cusuna, Honduras. The community is welcome to join in times of worship and community service. MVCOG has been ministering in the Middle Valley Community since 1946 from the same location. If you have questions, please contact the church office at 423 843-1539. All are welcome.





Please note that MVCOG will make public announcements about dangerous road conditions and cancellations. Postings about cancellations will be made on the church Facebook page. Please look there for information.
The Chattanooga Police Department has arrested a suspect in connection with a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Oct. 8, in the 2300 block of Kirby Avenue.





The suspect, Demetrius Carter, 23, was located by CPD's Fugitive Unit. CPD's Homicide Unit has charged Carter with attempted first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is in custody at the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center.
Trick or treat! Many of us who never have doorbells rung or doors knocked on in the evening will experience just that on Oct. 31, which has turned into the secular holiday we know as Halloween.

When we hear Halloween, we might conjure up all manner of images. Little kids dressed up like Mickey or Minnie Mouse, Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol or PJ Masks characters. Or the traditional costumes of scary creatures like ghosts, goblins, witches  or even well-known politicians. All canvassing neighborhoods crying out, Trick or treat! and expecting to have bags theyre carrying filled with candy and other treats.

People have a variety of perspectives on this annual practice, but rarely do we associate it with a revered religious tradition. Before the day was co-opted by candy manufacturers and costume makers, it was observed as All Hallows Eve, the night before All Saints Day. The word hallow means holy or sanctified, so All Hallows Eve translates to the evening of all saints.

In some Christian denominations, the term saint is reserved for a very elite group of people. This would include the apostles, some martyrs, and individuals who are reputed to have participated in some form of miracle. However, the biblical definition of the word isnt nearly as narrow.

We find an Old Testament reference in the prophetic book of Daniel, which foretells events of the last days before the return of the promised Messiah. It says, until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom (Daniel 7: 22).

The New Testament provides a number of references that make clear that when the Bible speaks of saints, its not referring to those that commonly come to mind: Saint Peter, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Christopher, Saint Nicholas, and others. The word saint simply means those who are set apart, made holy as a result of being born again in Jesus Christ, and being conformed into His image day by day.

In Acts 9:32, for example, we read that As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. These were living, breathing men and women who were devoted followers of Christ. Several verses later, in a brief account of God using Peter to raise a woman named Tabitha from the dead, it says, [Peter] gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and the widows, he presented her alive (Acts 9:41).

The apostle Paul addresses one of his New Testament epistles To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints (Romans 1:7). Later in the same letter, concerning a woman named Phoebe, he writes, I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me (Romans 16:2). In effect, the apostle introduces one saint to a group of saints in another city.

Writing to believers in the city of Corinth, Paul cites one of the responsibilities the saints  Gods set apart ones  will have: Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? (1 Corinthians 6:2). Seems like those the Lord has set apart as His children one day will serve as His Supreme Court.

In another letter to the Corinthians Paul exhorts believers to be actively involved in acts of generosity. He says, There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. For I know your eagerness to help. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God (2 Corinthians 9:1,12).

To Christ followers in ancient Ephesus, Paul repeatedly refers to saints  Gods people. He opens by greeting the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:1). Then he expresses his fervent desire that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:17-18).

Then he explains the reason God has given spiritual gifts to all who are called by His name: to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).

I dont know about you, but I think this is so cool  to be called one of Gods saints  not on the basis of some liturgical bodys deliberations and decision, but simply because the Lord has chosen each of us as His followers, His people, His holy ones.

So this Halloween, while passing out candy and treats to children disguised in festive attire, try to reflect that youre doing so on All Hallows Eve, as one of Gods saints.

* * *



Robert J. Tamasy is a veteran journalist, former newspaper editor, and magazine editor. Bob has written, co-authored and edited more than 20 books. These include Marketplace Ambassadors; Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Todays Workplace; Tufting Legacies, The Heart of Mentoring, and Pursuing Life With a Shepherds Heart. He writes and edits a weekly business meditation, Monday Manna, which is translated into nearly 20 languages and distributed via email around the world by CBMC International. The address for Bob's blog is www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com. His email address is btamasy@comcast.net.
Southern Adventist University welcomes prestigious veteran and alum Jeffrey Kuhlman, MD, to share Transforming Presidential Healthcare and his remarkable journey from the universitys administrative Wright Hall to the West Wing of the White House. Free and open to the community, the student convocation event is set for Thursday, November 13, at 11 a.m. in Iles P.E. Center on campus.





Kuhlman is distinguished as the longest-tenured physician, providing presidential support from 1997 to 2013.He held positions as director of the medical unit for George W. Bush and physician to the president for Barack Obama. Author of three books and a popular speaker, Kuhlmans insights include planning for assassination attempts, chem-bio attacks, fitness evaluations, and hot topics when caring for the country's commander-in-chief.





Graduating from Southern in 1983, Kuhlman completed his doctorate at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California four years later. A U.S. Navy captain, he served at Hawaiis Pearl Harbor as well as Naval Forces Europe in London, later earning his Master of Public Health and doing a post-doctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins in Maryland. Kuhlmans currently serves as senior vice president and chief quality and safety officer for AdventHealth in Florida.
Luther Masingill woke up Chattanooga for nearly 75 years on the same radio station, WDEF.

While in school, Luther pumped Chattanooga Lookouts owner Joe Engels gas. Mr. Engel was opening a radio station and gave the teenager his first job that lasted a lifetime.

The University of Tennessee, Chattanooga and Chattanooga Public Library have developed a website, Chattanooga Digital Collection; Thousands of pictures have been posted.

The website has whats believed to be Luther Masingills last in depth interview with Marlene Payne. The oral conversation documents the life of the Chattanooga broadcasting ICON inducted in both the National and Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame.

The legendary broadcaster talks about his time in the service and even shares a Buddy Houts story, his best friend in radio and later the Chattanooga News Free Press.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Luther Masingill died October 20, 2014, four years after this interview. He was 92.

Here is the transcript of the interview by Marlene Payne:

Im going to be talking to Luther Masingill. The date is October 27, 2010.

[Luther Masingill] How do you do? and Im glad to be here today on this date. In fact at my age, Im glad to be anywhere, you know? Eighty-eight years of age and my next birthday Ill be eighty-nine. Thought Id throw that in. Okay, and your question is what?

[Marlene Payne] Well, wed like to talk about your memories of Chattanooga. We can go in whatever direction youd like and talk about what it was like to work in Chattanooga or live here. [Masingill clears his throat] or in the community.

[Luther Masingill] Well, lets start with work. As a young man I worked in a service station after school. [Clears throat] Excuse me. After high school, after junior high. In high school I worked in a service station near my home in Avondale, the community of Avondale, which is not too far from where were doing this in Glenwood now. And uh, I earned a little extra money as most young people will do, you know, during that time. Was waiting on-pumping gas, wiping windshields, and that sort of thing. And um, just a young man and I--I [inaudible]

[Marlene Payne] What did you get paid?

[Luther Masingill] They paid us a dollar and a half a day. A dollar and fifty cents per day.

[Marlene Payne] For eight hours?

[Luther Masingill] Yes maam. A long eight hours. Thats the way it was back in those days but we didnt mind. Once in a while theyd give us a Coca-Cola or something, or a Nehi Grape out of the coke box, you know, and when we got hot and tired and so forth. Worked for a fellow by the name of Bill Penny, Penny Tire and Service Station out in Avondale, and the community is about the same. It hasnt changed too much. Same houses are there. A lot of them have been improved over the years. Thank goodness. And uh, the service station is no longer there. Theres another one. The same service station that he had that I worked for is gone, is torn down and so forth. Then they built another very modern type of station there with a lot of things inside, you know, what would you call them? Well, just a Favorite Market sort of place. Little bit of everything.

[Marlene Payne] Where did most of the people who lived in Avondale work?

[Luther Masingill] They worked for the city. They worked for the rail road. They worked in the grocery stores that were there and there werent many back in those days. Theres a Edwards Grocery Store not too far from this service station where I worked, Edwards. And uh, they worked thereits called a clerk or delivery back in those days, they delivered groceries. You order over the phone or something and they would deliver the groceries right to your home.

[Marlene Payne] Whether you were at home or not.

[Luther Masingill] Well, yeah a lot of times they had to leave it. And theyd be safe, really. Back in those days you didnt have to worry about somebody stealing something off your porch or back porch or something.

[Marlene Payne] Where did your father work?

[Luther Masingill] My father was what they called a drummer. You probably dont know what a drummer is.

[Marlene Payne] A salesman.

[Luther Masingill] Youre smarter than I thought. I mean, no. Youre smart. Thats correct. A drummer is a salesman. And uh, he worked for this wholesale house. Hed go around, get in his car every day and go around and, uh, take orders. Chewing gum, um, lets see, what else did he sell? Chewing gum, candy, cigarettes, cigars, stuff like that, you know?

[Marlene Payne] Did he work for a Chattanooga company?

[Luther Masingill] Yes, a Chattanooga company. It was the Robinson Wholesale House. No longer in existence, but it was a fairly big outfit and um,

[Marlene Payne] Where were they?

[Luther Masingill] They were on, they were across from the courthouse on Georgia Avenue. And the Robinson, um, apartment house is still there. Yeah, youre familiar with that, you know as much about that as I do just about.

[Marlene Payne] So, what did you do after your kid job? What was your first grown-up job?

[Luther Masingill] Well while in that kid job, I kept waiting on a customer called Joe Engel. Joe Engel was the owner of the Chattanooga Lookouts and lived up on the lake and he took this route to and from work at the ball park and he'd stop and get gas and Id wipe his windshield. One day I, I had read in the morning paper that um, he was going to open a station, a radio station. And I was interested in radio at the time. And the youngthe people in the radio stationwe had the communication system between one building and another building, a building where the tires were, was entirely separate from the part where you added up how much gas they got and everything. And um, Ihe said, Yeah, Im, in fact Im having interviews tonight. Come on down. He said, You want a job? and I said, Well, yeah, yeah. I could, I could answer the phone. A lot of request programs were popular then. This is how I got into radio. And he says um, Well come on down. Were going to have a future manager there and everything and well interview you. And I said, Okay, Ill see you tonight. I did. I went down and when I went in there, in his office, he said, Okay now take this in there and read it. And I said, No, Mr. Engel. You dont understand. I want the job of answering the phone as on a request program. Very popular then. And he said Well, I think we already have somebody for that. Here, take this in there and read it. And were going to listen in this office here and youre going to be in another room. And I said okay. So I read it. He came in. He said Well, he sounded pretty good. He said, How would you like to become our Announcer, our Cub, or Apprentice Announcer? I said, Yeah, I can do that. I believe Id like to give it a try." He said, Okay. Report Monday morning or whatever it was. I said, I cant report Monday morning. I got to go to school. So he said, Well come in after school. Well thats what I did and thats the way my radio career started.

[Marlene Payne] How old were you?

[Luther Masingill] Sevensixteen or seventeen years old.

[Marlene Payne] Do you remember the first thing that you reported on, on the air for them?

[Luther Masingill] On the air? It was a Kays commercial, Kays Jewelry Company commercial. Yes, I remember it. And you couldand I remember paying a dollar down and a dollar a week, you could buy a ring, you know, or a watch, or a bracelet or something.

[Marlene Payne] So the first thing was a commercial. And I understand that Mr. Engel was quite a colorful character.

[Luther Masingill] He was, yes, and very generous to people and organizations. [Marlene Payne] Was he good to work for?

[Luther Masingill] He was. Yes, oh, yes, good, good, excellent to work for. Just aI remember when my dad died, he took me aside and said, Is there anything I can do, Luther? Id be happy to help with the funeral expenses or anything. And I said, No, Mr. Engel I appreciate it.

[Marlene Payne] How long did you have that job?

[Luther Masingill] Oh goodness, Honey. Not until I went into the Service, which was a couple of years. And uh, was drafted into the service, and um I thought Id joke about it with my friends. I fought and I fought and I still had to go into the war. And I served in Australia and New Guinea and the Philippines and the Admiralty Islands and I took a radio course. Thats another area where I was lucky, a radio course, and uh, the uhthats just was I wanted to get into. I just wondered when I went down to sign up. Well I was drafted really and they took me in, I just wondered if there was anything like that I could get a hold of, and there was. Right at the time they were recruiting, uh, young men who could take and learn code. Code, you know, international code. And I said yeah. So I took the course and passed it. I was able to type, which helped me in the course. Some of the other boys in the outfit were in this organization that day, who were drafted that day along with me and we were all in one room with a hundred and fifty typewriters and I was about the only one who knew how to operate a typewriter. They werent electric, they were just manual typewriters. Royal I believe. And uh, the, the test. He gave us a test. The test was over and he said, all right, hed look through all the papers. All of you leave except Lusingill. You stay, Luther. Okay. So I did and he said All right, none of those people that left this room, none of them could type. None of them could really grasp this, I dont think. So thats the reason I dismissed them. I believe you could get it, and you can type and we need a typist and we need people who can understand code and learn it. So Im going to make you a clerk in the Quartermaster Corps. And I said, Well, wait a minute. Id like to be a radio operator. And about that time a fellow came out of the back of the barracks back there and said he recognized me because I worked in the same building as he did. The Volunteer Building. He said, Luther what are they trying to do to you? And I said, they want to make me a clerk in the Quartermaster. And he said, Well what do you want to do? and I said, Id like to get in the Signal Corps and they told me I could learn code pretty easy. I had a test the other day. And he said, All right, let me have those papers. He grabbed em, went in there and I heard [thumps fist on table] stamped on it. He saidhe came back out and he said, Youre now in the Signal Corps and youll leave tomorrow morning for Camp Crowder, Missouri. And from then on I am in radio and code, taking messages. Uh, we were attached to the Thirteenth Air Force in the Philippine Islands. We had to take their messages and everything. Is thisare we getting totaking too much time now on?

[Marlene Payne] No, were fine. Okay, you can move onto the next thing if you want to. Thats fine.

[Luther Masingill] Well, tell me what else during that period youd like to learn about.

[Marlene Payne] Oh, well anything you want to tell me really.

[Luther Masingill] Well thateverybody always asks, How did you get into radio? You know, thats the story. He was responsible for my getting into radio, Mr. Engel was. And as I said he was just one of the kindest men, you know, to work for.

[Marlene Payne] And then the Army kind of helped out.

[Luther Masingill] Yeah. And then you learn more when you get in the Army.

[Marlene Payne] When did you come back to Chattanooga?

[Luther Masingill] Three years later I came back after serving in the Army. Came back and secured a job. They were waiting for me to work again for that radiohis radio station, WDEF, on the fourth floor of the Volunteer Building downtown. He said, Do you want a job? and I said, Yeah, Im just back out of the Army. He said, Okay, you got it. Start Monday morning.

[Marlene Payne] And then wheredid you live in Glenwood neighborhood?

[Luther Masingill] Not then. I lived in Avondale at the time on Bradt, B-R-A-D-T Street, which is right behind thewhat was then the Avondale Baptist Church.

[Marlene Payne] And how did you end up in Glenwood? How did you choose Glenwood?

[Luther Masingill] I got married. We tried the firstwe started looking for a house, and we found this one. And uh, we knew the people and knew about the house. In fact he had a contractor, he had a friend of his build it. The house is behind, uh, this building right here where were speaking. And um, we, we talked about it and bought it. Made him an offer and he accepted it. He wanted to get something smaller I think, or larger, I've forgotten which one was the case, but uh, we purchased it and financed it, you know and um, it was aboutI've forgotten, about sixteen hundred dollars I think at the time. And we bought it and started making payments on it.

[Marlene Payne] Do you have children, Mr. Masingill?

[Luther Masingill] Two children.

[Marlene Payne] Did you raise them here?

[Luther Masingill] Yes, in that house back there. Both of them were raised back there in that house behind this building where were recording this. Uh, Joanie and Jeffrey. Jeffrey is here in Chattanooga, not married. Jeffreys single and works for the Food Lion people and also works for a company who do inventorying work. Just inventorying. Thats all they do. They go into it with a crew of people and they go into it with machines

and they count everything in the store. He does that plus he works for Food Lion Supermarkets. [Marlene Payne] What was it like raising a family in Chattanooga in those years?

[Luther Masingill] It was pretty, pretty neat. You learna lot of people know you because youre on the radio. And then in 1954, um, the 54 deal came first. It was athats when weI joined Channel 12 Television. They signed on in 1954 on a Sunday afternoon and they asked me if I wanted to work, if I could work both the stationthe television station and the radio station. And they were like, Yeah, we can work out something like that, and thats what we did. Jeffrey and Joanie always got tickled about Christmas time when they were very young, I would always have to work on Christmas day. The days I did work on Christmas day I would ask them to wait. Mary, my wife, would ask them to wait until I came home before they opened their presents and it just killed them. They couldnt hardly wait to get to their gifts, you know.

[Marlene Payne] Oh, sure, sure. And did they go to school in the neighborhood?

[Luther Masingill] Yes, they went to [stutters] both attended. Joanie went to GPS [Girls Preparatory School], youre familiar with that one and Jeffrey went to McCallie. And Joanie went to the University of Tennessee and Jeffrey never did get to the University, but he took some special training and he got a good education. I was justwe always were hoping he would go to college, but it just was not his cup of tea.

[Marlene Payne] Not his thing. Has, how has the radio and television business changed?

[Luther Masingill] Oh Honey, its just amazing how that has changed. We started out with wire[?] with disks to record on with a needle, you know. And from there it went toin the service we went to wire recorders on a little reel of wire and then by the time the servicethe war was over and we got out, they started taping on a, uh, paper, coated paper tape on the reel and then from that to plastic-coated tape on a reel. Then from that they went to a different material, which made better quality and that eventually led into color photography, you know. And the voice thing, the voice got so good. The voice, years ago if you were going to do a remote broadcast, you had to take oodles of equipment with you and a truck to go out to a company to broadcast there. But not too recently, a few years ago, they developed this little device, which is a cell phone and you can punch up a little number here and they can hear me saytalk to them all the way at the station regardless of where they are, even out of town and that saved all that equipment and time and material and men putting together a broadcast from a place other than the studio. These were just amazing; they still are.

[Marlene Payne] What about the content of radio? How do you see thats changed over the years?

[Luther Masingill] Honey, I, when we first started there was Bing Crosby and Perry Como and, you know, people like that. Then that changed. The Rock and Roll Age came along. We didnt play Rock and Roll. We continued with our, uh, what do you call it, Adult Contemporary music. And uh, it did change, Honey, it did and not all of it was to my liking. I wasnt real crazy about the way it went and we finally ended up jumping way ahead and jumped up to what we call a Soft Rock format. They determined through a lot of analysis and so forth that, umm, the age group we were appealing to at the time were dying off. So in radio and TV--radio especially--you had, youd better kind of adjust your music patterns to, to the audience that you were trying to appeal to. So thats what they were doing and they did that and we changed our format, which I never have been really happy with it. They just called it Soft Rock, but we got a good audience on it, with it, and our ratings are good and were grateful for that.

[Marlene Payne] What about the changes in Chattanooga? How did you feel about--

[Luther Masingill] I worried about when industry left like everybody else. Industry kept leaving, going to other countries, going to, especially other countries. In some cases going to other states, but mainly other countries. And we had some big companies here that made manufactured parts for automobiles. And Wheland Company and Combustion Engineering Company and just a lot of them, and they ended up in China and some other countries, Mexico.

[Marlene Payne] Were you concerned about the environmental issues of the day?

[Luther Masingill] We worried about that. We were in an area where your car was just coated with a rust, [coughs] little specks of rust because of the particles, the metal particles, that came from these two factories--Combustion and Wheland. And you dontyou'd have to have your car painted every two or three years if you kept the car. That wasnt good for your lungs either, but on a foggy day, that stuff would settle on your car and youd go to work in the morning with a nice shiny car and you come home and it would be covered with this, which if you didnt wash it off right away it would eat down into your paint, but that was one of the industries that we were famous for and just hired hundreds and hundreds of people working there in those plants and we lost that to foreign powers, you know.

[Marlene Payne] And of course we lostand we know that when the factories were lost there was, you know, an unpleasant period there. But then Im sure you were aware of Chattanooga Venture and Vision 2000. How did you feel about those movements?

[Luther Masingill] Oh, all of em. It tickled me when anything positiveIm a positive person and I love positive things and I get bored around people who are always complaining about something, about "we not going the way that we should" and Hey, we should be doing-- And I was just impressed with all the forward movements that we had including those. [clears throat] And I dont know, I justthe part that was a disappointing was a continuous Bye-bye the industrys gone, bye-bye. You know. And, but, wethere are other things that came in thatand Jack Lupton is a fellow I want to mention and what he had to do with the downtown area and the whole thing that he practically with his money built that whole area down there and it was justhes gone now. He died a short time ago andgo ahead. You were saying

[Marlene Payne] Did you participate in any of the meetings about the downtown revival session?

[Luther Masingill] Some, very few. I didnt have the time with the schedule I had. I didnt have the time. But I always requested of them that they send us notification of their meetings and the general things to discuss and I would put that on the air, which would create a little more interest in, you know, in the organization itself.

[Marlene Payne] So the radio and TV station contributed in that way.

[Luther Masingill] Right, right.

[Marlene Payne] Which is important.

[Luther Masingill] We were trying to help them too.

[Marlene Payne] Yeah, people need to know. Is there anything else youd like to talk about?

[Luther Masingill] Honey, Im going to leave it up to you. Its good to see you. I dont ever remember meeting you. Did I ever meet you before?

[Marlene Payne] No, you didnt. This is the first. So thats nice.

[Luther Masingill] Im lucky. [Laughter]

[Marlene Payne] Im lucky too, but thank you.

[Luther Masingill] But this iswhat youre doing is good and if I can add to it, if youd like to get into another phase of it, why let me know and Id be glad to come in and sit in with another session.

[Marlene Payne] Okay wonderful, we very well may do that. This will be an ongoing kind of project.

[Luther Masingill] Cause Honey, with eighty-eight years old I can remember so many things, but it just takes some time, a little nudge.

[Marlene Payne] Prodding? I know how that is.

[Luther Masingill] If you dont--well I remember that it was--oh, Ill tell you one other. People always, You did? I was able to see Lindbergh. I was here, lived in Avondale and he landed at a place called Mars Field, which is over on Amnicola Highway, was. And I went over. Didnt get to actually shake hands with him or anything, but I saw him get in a car and leave, and he left his plane there at the field and with a guard. And we all had the chance to look at it and actually get up innot in where they fly, but in the one door that you get in. And we got in and sat down in the Spirit of Saint Louis.

[Marlene Payne] Wonderful. Well do you know why he was here?

[Luther Masingill] Did what?

[Marlene Payne] Why was he here?

[Luther Masingill] Hejust, Honey, he wasnt as famous as he is now as he was when hethe Lindbergh kidnapping and all that. But he had some meeting with some officials of the city he wanted to talkand it had to do with an airport. So he met whoever the mayor was at the time. I dont remember who it was and they had their meeting downtown, and he came back out, got on his plane and took off.

[Marlene Payne] I wonder if thats the current airport.

[Luther Masingill] No, no. The current airport isI got to tell you another quick story about the airport. Have you got enough time on it?

[Marlene Payne] Sure.

[Luther Masingill] Im comingleaving the Rivoli Theater one night in East Chattanooga. I went to a movie during the summer and I had to walk home, of course, bout a mile, mile and a half. I stayed until eleven oclock. I stayed until the last showing was over cause I wanted to get my moneys worth. Cost me a dime. [laughs] And Im walking downI walked out in the middle of the street, so nobody grabbed me on the caron the side and I heard hmmm [hums] a humming sound, you know, and I happened to turn and look back and there was a beam of light, strong blueish-like light from a, from a, uh, flood light beaming down. And he wasnt going the way I was, he crossed my path and was heading toward the airport and at first he scared the villy wookie[?] out of me because I didnt know what it was, then I realized it was a Dirigible, its a balloon and hes heading fortrying to find the airport. He turned that light on looking for somebody tooh gee. [Laughter]

[Marlene Payne] Well

[Luther Masingill] I thought youd be interested in that.

[Marlene Payne] Oh, thats fun. Did funny things happen very often?

[Luther Masingill] Oh yes, Honey. Especially in myin this crazy business. Things are always happening that justI used to work with a guy. He was so funny. Hes dead now. His name is Buddy Houts, always practical joking, you know. And I cant think of anything right this second, but he was always pulling some kind of practical joke on me or on somebody. Well let me tell you this one. Hetheres a woman that alwaysthat people used tothey dont do it much anymoreThey bring these cakes that they made, ladies, real nice ladies. And theyd bring it and leave it at the station for all the staff to eat, and the engineers and the announcers and so forth. And this one woman brought in one one day and left it and we thanked her and so forth, and the guys started coming Yeah cake, oh yeah, Can I have a piece? Oh, yeah she came by and wanted all of you to try some. They start cutting off a piece and getting a napkin and theyre eating and so forth and Who brought this in, Buddy? And he said, Mrs. Jones, I think was her name. Shes a patient up here at Pine Breeze Sanitarium. And, what do you call it, TB?

[Marlene Payne] TB Asylum?

[Luther Masingill] TB Sanitarum.

[Marlene Payne] Sanitarium.

[Luther Masingill] He said, The only thing Whats that? They keep eating. She has TB and she wont wear her mask and she coughs a lot. They say she coughs fifteen times while shes making a cake. And they startand that was one of Buddys jokes and she wasnt the one with TB [Laughter] but he was always doing something like that.

[Marlene Payne] Do people still do things like that?

[Luther Masingill] Oh yeah, in that business, Honey, its just a routine to pull jokes. [Marlene Payne] But do they still make cakes?

[Luther Masingill] They dont do it like they used to. Theyll send you something at Christmas time if youve done something for them.

[Marlene Payne] Why do you think they did it?

[Luther Masingill] Honey, I dont know. They justthe radio was new and TV was new to a lot of them and I think they just wanted to do it. It made them feel good to do it and to make us feel good with a cake.

[Marlene Payne] And they felt like they knew you.

[Luther Masingill] Thats right. A little closer.

[Marlene Payne] Thats veryit must have been a very interesting profession too.

[Luther Masingill] Yeah, you had peopleI have people today who walk up to me in a supermarket or in a shopping center, Youre Luther. Yes. You dont remember me, but twenty-eight years ago, is it twenty-eight or twenty-nine, Honey, twenty-nine okay, twenty-nine years ago you helped find my german shepherd.

[Marlene Payne] Oh, my goodness.

[Luther Masingill] They remembered all that time. I said, Did you ever get another one? No, we got out of the dog business when that oneit was actually run over. They never did find it.

[Marlene Payne] Oh dear. Oh geez. It is a profession that took you close to people.

[Luther Masingill] You make some notes of things that youd like me to include the next time, or any of your friends who know me and know my background and so forth. Im active in my church. I love my church.

[Marlene Payne] You do a talk show, dont you?

[Luther Masingill] What?

[Marlene Payne] Dont you do a talk show?

[Luther Masingill] No--

[Marlene Payne] You dont do talk radio?

[Luther Masingill] No, and not here. No maam. I do what they call a community calendar. I do, on radio and TV an announcement, a series of announcements, sent in by people who want something--a lost dog or a lost cat, a festival coming up, a church activity, a school activity, and I try to get them on the air at least once.

[Marlene Payne] What do you think the biggest thing you ever talked about on the radio?

[Luther Masingill] I guess Pearl Harbor. I was on duty when Pearl Harbor occurred. And at the time I was just a young boy. I was still in high school. And it didnt hit me, it didnt hit me quite like it should have. The first bulletin-- your bulletin at that time came in on a machine that would ring a bell. DING DING DING DING DING DING DING and it would just keep ringing until youand on a real big news story it would keep ringing until you came back and tore off that piece of paper that showed what the message was. And that Sunday afternoon, it started ringing and I went up and got the message, brought it up and sat down, on the Island, the Japanese have attacked and bombed the Island, the pier, the waterfront aton the island of Oahu. I said, Well back in those days there was a lot of that stuff going on. The attack of one nation on another by ship or something, mainly by ship. And I didntit didnt hit me right. The next bulletin ten minutes later on one ship was completely sunk, was sinking. You know, and they started describing some of it. Then I knew Oh crap, were inand Im just at the age I have to go into the service."

[Marlene Payne] Is that your first thought, is "Im going to have to fight?"

[Luther Masingill] No, I really didnt think about it at that time, I was still young, still in school, you know? And it didnt come til later.

[Marlene Payne] What did you think?

[Luther Masingill] I thought--I didnt think in terms of war. I dont know. Well get even with them or welloh shoot it was such a war. Goodness gracious.

[Marlene Payne] Is that when you were drafted?

[Luther Masingill] Yes, shortly after that. Had one woman--

[Marlene Payne] You were very young.

[Luther Masingill] Yeah, I had a woman with a draft board. She called me one day. She said, Can you come down here, Luther. And I said yeah. And she knew about my dad dying and she said but they still take you into the service even though your dad was gone and left you and your mama, you know, to take care of whatever children were left. There were two children, my sister and my younger brother. And she said Would you like to stay out here and doyoure due to go into the service. You know that dont you? I saidshe said, Youre in our next draft list next month. I said, Well what do you have in mind? She said, I can take this, move it over here. [Laughs] I never will forget that, I thought, What in heavens name am I getting into here? And she said, You wont have to come in for another year because of your daddy and your responsibilities. I said, Honey, I appreciate that and I want to take you up on that I think, but let me talk to mama and see what she thinks. And we talked it over and decided to go ahead and go in and get it over with, you know. So thats what we did.

[Marlene Payne] And thats when you ended up in Australia.

[Luther Masingill] Yeah, Australia for a couple of weeks and then New Guinea and the Philippine Islands and the Admiralty Islands.

[Marlene Payne] And the whole time was in the Signal Corp, right?

[Luther Masingill] In the Signal Corp, yeah, attached to the Thirteenth Air Force. We did allwe did most of their communications. [Marlene Payne] Was there anybody else from Chattanooga with you?

[Luther Masingill] I ran into two or three. The first person killed in the Service with me overseas was a Chattanoogan and his name was Engel, by the way, my bosss name. And he waswe had a raid, an air raid over the island where we got off the ship and started digging foxholes and a group of planes came over, firing straight down and dropping bombs and he was killed. He was shot. He didnt have anything over his, over his foxhole. No cover, no protection of coconut tree stumps or anything, you know. And a shot got him and killed him instantly and I wrote Mr. Engel later and I said, I told him it was a gentleman by the name of Engel killed. He said, Well he wasnt no relative of mine. He said because he didnt have any relatives who were that age to go into the Service.

[Marlene Payne] What was the reaction do you think of people, of most people in Chattanooga when thatafter Pearl Harbor?

[Luther Masingill] Honey, they were indignant. They were fighting mad, cussing. Those sonsmy daddy said, SOBs. [laughs] Gee whiz, I used to get so tickled at him. It was SOBs, [laughs] oh, lordy. Just, and he just keep on, you know. And I said, Daddy, you shouldnt be saying those words. Mama was jumpin on him about it too. But [laughs] oh, he was great.

[Marlene Payne] So people were outraged.

[Luther Masingill] Oh yes, honey, they were so mad, you know. And you talk about going into the Service, man youd have a line lined up a block long. Men who were joining up going into the Service. [Marlene Payne] Is this right after Pearl Harbor?

[Luther Masingill] To fight for the country.

[Marlene Payne] And then as the war went on, how do you think they felt about things?

[Luther Masingill] The same way. It wasnt any different. We saw what Hitler was doing and anybody with any common sense at all knew if somebody didnt do something, and we were the only ones with the power to stop him, with the industrial power and so forth, that he would win out and we would be speaking German over here, you know. And the Japanese would have us by the toes too.

[Marlene Payne] And was the community aware at the time do you think that Chattanooga was doing so much to make ammunitions and parts and things?

[Luther Masingill] We werent I dont think we realized how deep into industry we were. That showed up the fact that we were. And took on more immediately with the help of the government and financing it and enlarging the factories that we had we took on more things and made more things for the, for the Army and for the Navy and for the Marine Corps.

[Marlene Payne] And then you came back home. What kind of Chattanooga did you come back home to?

[Luther Masingill] Well it didnt change that quickly. I wasI came home right after the war was over, but things were still just about the same, but then a shorta couple of years, a year or two after that, maybe, maybe longer is when it started changing. The industry started moving from here, from Chattanooga, to China, Mexico, places like that.

[Marlene Payne] Youve seen a lot.

[Luther Masingill] Yes, maam. Eighty-eight years of it. I [laughs] SOBs [laughter] you see?

[Marlene Payne] Is that the happy note we want to end this on?

[Luther Masingill] My daddy saying that and mama sayin, Daddy, dont say that. Thats not nice. He said, Well they not nice to bomb us and all that.

[Marlene Payne] Well I bet he wasnt the only one saying that.

[Luther Masingill] Yeah, meanwhile the rest of us today say it.

[Marlene Payne] Yeah.

[Luther Masingill] But if you think of some other things that youd like to hear about--

[Marlene Payne] And we well might do that. Thank you for that.

[Luther Masingill] You might make a note of it.

[Marlene Payne] Okay. Wonderful.
Peggy Forgey Rinks, 85, of Harrison, Tennessee, entered into the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ, peacefully in her home on October 28, 2025.

She was born on Dec. 5, 1939, to the late Ross and Bertha Forgey, and she was one of 11 children. She grew up in a tight knit large family where love and laughter were plenty. She graduated from Tyner High School in 1958, and later she attended Baptist University of Florida.

She was the cherished wife of Dr. Jack Rinks for 67 years. Together they had three children, Christy, Timmy, and Keri. Peggy served the Lord as a pastors wife for over 50 years. Whether teaching Sunday school, preparing meals for loved ones, or offering a listening ear, she ministered with humility and joy. Her hands were never idle, her prayers never ceasing, and her heart always open. Over their years of ministry they served in churches in Cookville, Tn., Jetmore, Ks., Graceville, Fl., Donalville, Ga., Flintville, Tn., Tompkinsville, Ky., and Anderson, SC.

After retiring from ministry they returned home to Harrison, where Peggy loved and enjoyed being back with her family on Forgey Circle. Peggy was a member of Bayside Baptist Church.

Peggy lit up a room when she walked in. She brought joy and lightheartedness to every situation. Peggy lived her life as a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. Her grandchildren knew her as Nanny. Her home was a sanctuary of warmth, laughter, and faith, a place where generations gathered, and the love of Christ was always present. Her greatest joy was making her house a home where all were welcomed. She added humor and fun to all family gatherings. To know was to love her was so true of her.

Peggy loved shopping, especially at TJMaxx. She loved the family beach trip each year, where she enjoyed time with family and the homemade ice cream shoppe. This was a family tradition since the 1970s.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Jack J. Rinks; daughter, Christy Orrison and her husband, Buck Orrison; daughter, Keri McBride and her husband, Brad McBride; grandchildren, Brittni Orrison, Zach Orrison, Maddie Rhodes and her husband, Josh Rhodes, Maclaine McBride, and Ben McBride; great-grandchildren, Clara Rhodes & Jack Rhodes.

She leaves behind a family deeply blessed by her presence and profoundly shaped by her example.

We invite family and friends to join us as we remember her life.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 36 p.m. at New Bethel Baptist Church, 8740 Harrison Bay Road, Harrison. A visitation will also be held on Sunday, Nov. 2, from 12:302 p.m. at the church. A service will follow at 2 p.m. with Pastor Jack Rinks, Dr. Stephen Granger and Pastor Paul Forgey officiating.

Peggy will be laid to rest in Chattanooga National Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.

Share your memories and express condolences at www. turnerfamilyfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by Turner Funeral Home, Highway 58 Chapel, 423 622-3171.
Roxie "Jerri" Jerolene Gilbreath Hilliard, 91, a cherished individual whose warmth and dedication touched the lives of many.

Born on July 27, 1934, in Ringgold, Jerri's journey through life was one marked by love, service, and adventure. She went home to be with her Savior Jesus Christ on October 29, 2025, in Chattanooga, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and community involvement.

Jerri was the beloved wife of the late Clarence "C.D." Hilliard Jr., with whom she shared a beautiful marriage of 66 years. Together, they built a family and a life filled with joy and exploration. She was the devoted daughter of the late William Arthur and Ruth Ann Ross Gilbreath. She is survived by her children, Amy Hilliard and Lan (Ann) Hilliard, as well as her cherished grandchildren, Erica Mayforth, Stephanie (Christopher) Monteleone, and Adam (Jessica) Hilliard, and her adored great-grandchildren, Brynlee Thomas, Evie Hilliard, Madelyn Monteleone, Paisley Hilliard and Jack Monteleone and sister, Wilma Ramey.



Jerri's passion for helping others was evident in her professional life. After graduating from West Armuchee High School in 1951, she pursued her calling in the medical field, graduating from the Baroness Erlanger School of Nursing in 1955. As a registered nurse at the Association of Internal Medicine and Parkridge Hospital, Jerri's care and expertise impacted countless lives, providing comfort and healing to those in her care.



Her commitment to her community extended beyond her professional duties. Jerri was a former member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church for 54 years, where she was very active, contributing to various programs and initiatives, and later became a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in 2018. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life, guiding her actions and inspiring those around her.



Jerri and her late husband, C.D., shared a passion for travel, exploring all 50 states and 63 foreign countries. Their adventures brought them not only a wealth of experiences but also a deep appreciation for the diverse tapestry of the world's cultures and landscapes.



As we remember Roxie "Jerri" Jerolene Gilbreath Hilliard, we reflect on a life lived with purpose and joy. Her unwavering kindness, her nurturing presence, and her adventurous spirit will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Jerri's story is one of love, service, and the enduring bonds of family, and her memory will continue to inspire and guide us. Today, we honor a remarkable woman whose life's work and passions have left an indelible mark on her community and the world.



Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Bill Massey officiating. Interment will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.



Visit the online obituary www.heritagechattanooga.com to post tributes and share memories.



Arrangements by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel.
Jetta Faye Gilbert, nee Bush, 75, of Cleveland, Ohio, passed away on October 22, 2025 in Mayfield, Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

Born on May 5, 1950 in Chattanooga, Jetta a.k.a Jet, grew from an accomplished student at Riverside High School, class of 1968, into an extraordinary woman whose resourcefulness, warmth, and intellect enriched every life she touched.



Jetta began her professional journey as a telephone operator at Bell South in Chattanooga, demonstrating a strong work ethic that would define her career. In 1979 she married Herman Gilbert. They had their first daughter one year afterwards. In 1982, they embarked on bold new chapters, first in New Jersey where Jetta was a manager of a jewelry store in Philadelphia with her husband, then in Cleveland, expanding their family and their future. While in Cleveland, Jetta and Herman grew their family with two more daughters, and she had a brief career in photography, which turned into a lifelong hobby. In 1989, Jetta joined Cleveland Clinic, with nearly thirty years of impeccable service as a paging operator, and then a billing analyst before retiring in 2012. After retiring, Jetta began a hobby in ceramics, creating and painting artwork.



Family always stood at the center of Jettas world. She and Herman raised three wonderful daughters and Jettas unwavering support as a mother, whether attending school concerts and dance recitals, taking her daughters on frequent trips to the library, caring for her children through illnesses, teaching family recipes and guiding cooking sessions, or modeling a healthy lifestyle, gave them the confidence and tools to grow and flourish into sophisticated, strong, and intelligent women. Her home was a haven of mouth-watering aromas: savory dinners, perfectly seasoned Southern and international staples, and desserts that everyone in the family loved. She and Herman took their daughters on numerous family road trips, which included visiting family in Chattanooga, and various places in the U.S., instilling an adventurous spirit in their children. Jettas camera was never far from reach, capturing landscapes and laughter alike; her photographs, like her ceramics, remain joyful artifacts of a creative spirit.



Jetta is preceded in death by her parents, Billie Anne Darby Bush and Robert Homer Bush Jr.; her daughter, Naana Afia Gilbert, her sister, Barbara Joy (Robert) Farris; and her brother, Robert Homer Bush III.

She leaves behind her devoted husband of forty-six years, Herman T. Gilbert; brother, William (Doris) Bush; sister, Mable Marie (Clifton) Willingham; sister-in-law, Gwyndon Bush, two daughters; Tabia (DeJuan) Gilbert; Ugoma Akama (Russell) Smoke, who will forever carry her lessons and love; her grandson, Sequoyah Nkosi Smoke whom she loved dearly, and a host of extended family members and friends who will continue to feel the light of her influence.



In accordance with her wishes, Jetta will be cremated and will be interred in the National Cemetery in Chattanooga. A celebration of Jettas life will be arranged at a later date, with details to be shared with loved ones.

The family invites those wishing to honor her memory to cook a favorite family recipe, embark on a spontaneous road trip, or simply pick up a camera to capture a beautiful moment, each a fitting tribute to a life lived with energy, generosity, and boundless curiosity.




Physicists at Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg have developed a new class of materials: so-called multiferroic liquids. These materials combine ferromagnetic and ferroelectric properties in a liquid state for the first time - a behavior that was previously only known in solid crystals.

Multiferroic materials have two special properties: they are ferromagnetic, i.e. they can be magnetized and retain their magnetization even without an external magnetic field. And they are ferroelectric, which means they can store electrical charge, similar to a tiny, permanently polarized capacitor.

While this double effect in solids is due to ordered crystal structures, it is hardly feasible in liquids due to their disordered molecular structure.

The team led by Dr. Hajnalka Nadasi and Prof. Alexey Eremin from the Department of Nonlinear Phenomena has produced hybrid materials consisting of ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals and ferrimagnetic nanoplatelets made of barium hexaferrite as part of a project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). By precisely coordinating the composition, a stable liquid was created in which electrical and magnetic order occur simultaneously at room temperature.

"It was long considered almost impossible for stable magnetic and electrical states to form simultaneously in a liquid system," says Dr. Nadasi.

The novel liquids react particularly sensitively to external magnetic and electric fields. This opens up possibilities for sensors, actuators - i.e. materials that react to stimuli and move - as well as for electro- and magneto-optical applications.

"Because liquid crystal-based systems require very little energy, they could contribute to more energy-efficient materials and components in the future," Dr. Nadasi continues.
An outage involving Microsoft's Azure has significantly impacted many of the company's products and services, as well as others that rely on the cloud platform.

Azure Outage Takes Down 365, Xbox, 'Minecraft'

Engadget reported that Microsoft's Azure cloud platform faced an outage as a surge of reports online and via DownDetector reported about the problem. Microsoft later confirmed on Azure's status page that the outage started around the same time as the reports popped up.

Users reported seeing long and unending load times for the Xbox Game Pass service when the outage occurred, and many were left withlimited access to it. Additionally, users who use the Microsoft 365 platform were also left without access to various enterprise and productivity apps under the service.

Some user reports claimed that various airline websites were also down, believing it to be connected to the Azure outage. Moreover, one of the biggest games in the world under Azure's service, "Minecraft," also experienced the brunt of the outage, with gamers claiming server connection issues on DownDetector.

Microsoft Says Azure Is Now in Recovery

Microsoft's latest update on Azure's status page claimed that its systems have been in recovery, with customers set to experience its initial signs.

The company has yet to reveal the reason behind Azure's recent outage, but the good thing is that the platform and its affected service are now back online.

Microsoft Azure Operations

Microsoft Azure is one of the largest cloud computing platforms in the world, which serves as a host to multiple websites and platform clients and has mostly powered Microsoft's services. However, an outage to the service proved to be a massive hassle for users globally, with one of its infamous issues taking place in 2023, which lasted for 10.5 hours because of a typo bug in its snapshot deletion job.

Last year, Microsoft's massive expansion into AI also brought a significant feature for Azure, which centers on a facial recognition technology that uses machine learning, but it has been a controversial one in the industry. The United States Police has been banned from using Azure's AI facial recognition tech by Microsoft despite its advanced capabilities, following criticisms from the public.

Microsoft's Azure cloud service is known for its multiple uses and availability to clients and continues to be one of the top cloud computing platforms present in the industry alongside the likes of Amazon's AWS.

That said, an outage like the most recent one for Azure significantly impacts many services under it, but the good thing is that Microsoft is quick to acknowledge the issue and fix its problems.
Volunteer Ollie Taylor fills bags with food at the Coconut Grove Crisis Food Pantry, which offers fresh food and meals free of charge on a weekly basis to residents on Aug. 26 in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.  The University of Virginia is on the verge of striking a deal with the Donald Trump administration that would resolve multiple federal investigations focused on its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies and admissions practices.

The negotiations, led by UVA interim president Paul G. Mahoney, could mark the first time a major public university reaches such an agreement with the federal government under the so-called "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education." Under the terms under discussion, UVA would avoid paying a financial penalty or entering formal monitoring, unlike recent deals reached by private institutions.

UVA has faced scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which in recent months warned the school it could lose millions in federal funding if it did not take corrective action related to alleged violations in hiring, admissions and antisemitism.

In March 2025 the university's governing board voted to dissolve its DEI office, a move seen as aligning with federal expectations. In June, President James E. Ryan announced his resignation amid pressure from the administration.

Mahoney told the board in September that federal investigators had closed two of the university's admissions-related investigations after reviewing the documentation provided by UVA.

Why This Matters

The emerging deal highlights a shifting dynamic in U.S. higher education: where once elite universities were free to negotiate with the federal government, they now face a direct test of compliance and autonomy. Critics warn the move may set a precedent extending to public institutions nationwide.

UVA's handling of DEI, admissions policies and federal investigations has turned it into a litmus test for how far the administration is willing to tie federal funding to institutional policies. The outcome could reshape the nature of federal-university relationships, particularly around academic freedom, institutional governance and research direction.

As universities review their options in the coming weeks, the question looms: will federal funding continue on a purely merit-based model, or will compliance with policy norms become a prerequisite?
Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano. | Photo credit: Facebook/ Senator Doug Mastriano

A Pennsylvania state senator plans to file a resolution condemning the worldwide persecution of Christians, asserting that in many instances it rises to religious genocide.

Sen. Doug MastrianoRepublican nominee for Pennsylvania governor in 2022announced the initiative in recent memo, citing Open Doors estimate that more than 380 million Christians face threats ranging from imprisonment and forced conversion to mob violence and systematic suppression of worship.

Labeling Christians the most-targeted faith community globally, Mastriano said, This persecution takes many forms  imprisonment, forced conversion, mob violence, and systematic suppression of worship. Yet the goal is the same everywhere: to silence the Gospel and erase its followers.

In the near future, I will introduce a resolution condemning  in the most unequivocal terms  the worldwide persecution of Christians, he wrote.

What we are witnessing today is not mere intolerance or unrest. It is a human rights catastrophe  and, in many nations, a coordinated campaign of religious genocide.

Pointing to Pakistan, the resolution argues that blasphemy laws are wielded as weapons of terror, often sparking false accusations that inflame mobs and lead to lynchings, arson, and community devastation.

Mastrianos memo adds that young Christian girls in Pakistan are routinely kidnapped, raped, forced into marriage, and coerced to convert, with advocates for justice facing threats or death.

Turning to China, the resolution contends authorities have launched open war on faith itself, demolishing churches, removing crosses, imprisoning pastors, and using AI surveillance to track attendance, while house church networks are infiltrated and children are barred from services as believers are told to replace images of Christ with portraits of Xi Jinping.

It further depicts Haiti as gripped by lawlessness, with gangs burning, looting, and occupying churches and kidnapping clergy at gunpoint for ransom or murderciting a raid on a Christian orphanage in Port-au-Prince where children and staff were abducted.

The resolution identifies Nigeria as the epicenter of violence, with thousands of Christians killed annually by groups like Boko Haram and Fulani militiasmore than in all other countries combined, according to Open Doors.

Behind every statistic lies a life  a mother shielding her children from a mob, a pastor preaching forgiveness as his church burns, a child clutching a Bible while fleeing through smoke and rubble, Mastriano added.

Aiming to reaffirm Pennsylvanias solidarity with persecuted believers and its commitment to religious liberty, the measure formally urges President Donald Trump, the secretary of state, and Congress to act to defend freedom of faith worldwide.

Proposed steps include formally recognizing the persecution of Christians as a grave human rights crisis and, in many cases, as genocide under international law, and imposing targeted sanctions and other penalties against regimes hostile to Christianity.
Home News AIs growth is exponential: What are the implications for humans and the Church?

SEOUL, South Korea  AI is changing the world as we know it, and the Church has a responsibility to be ahead of the curve, says Christian technologist Nick Kim.

Kim, who has spent over 20 years working in the technology sector, including time at Google and YouTube, says AI is unlike anything else ever invented because while these make our lives easier, they dont really challenge what it means to be human.

AI is fundamentally different from any other invention because it is taking our most prized asset, our intelligence, and we are now outsourcing it to a machine, he said.

What is more, that machine can create more intelligence, meaning AIs growth is exponential. Kim says this growth will only accelerate, with huge implications not only for society but for the Church.

Literally all aspects of society will evolve and grow at an accelerated pace, from business, to education, to the way that we relate to each other, to ministry, to the Great Commission, he said.

All these aspects will benefit from the boom in intelligence that well have from these machines.

So this is a prime opportunity for the Church to then not be backfooted but really lead the charge in this area and leverage this technology for the Kingdom of God and something good.

Kim was one of the panelists in a special session on AI at the World Evangelical Alliances general assembly taking place this week.

Delegates at the assembly heard about some of the challenges that AI is presenting to the whole of society. These include problems with fake images, academic dishonesty, inaccurate information, a lack of transparency, the impact on jobs and the environment, and the fact that AI cannot distinguish between right and wrong in the way that humans can.

Quintin McGrath, a researcher on the link between AI and faith, spoke of a human identity crisis in which the principle of the image of God is being replaced and challenged by AI, while transhumanism  the belief that the human condition can be transformed by AI and other technologies  is undermining the Gospel.

He noted that attitudes toward this new technology vary considerably, even among Christians, some of whom are positive and others extremely suspicious.

It ranges all the way from embracing the opportunities through to total resistance. Its portrayed as a tool of the enemy in some cases, and in other cases, its a gift of God for us at this particular time. This is the tension we can see in the Church right now, he said.

He believes that part of the role for the Church is to help build a trust framework for AI aimed at aligning it with biblical principles and sound theology, and increasing accountability.

The core question is: does our AI system enhance our desire to love God and love our neighbors? he said.

Does our AI system strengthen or weaken our relationships with God and others?  Does it serve real human needs? Are we thinking about the benefit for everyone? Are we treating everyone equally?

With AI already shaking work and jobs, McGrath said there was a need for Christian leaders to be increasingly proactive in providing pastoral care to those affected.

Also on the panel was philosopher and professor Chris Watkins, who said that, irrespective of personal feelings around AI, church leaders needed to care about it because of its impact on people.

People are affected and in the future will be increasingly affected by AI, whether we personally are users of AI or not, and whether we personally are enthusiastic about AI or not, he said.

It is inevitable that people who are very close to us in our families, congregations and communities will have their lives changed by AI, and that should matter to us as people who believe in a God who died for people.

Professor Watkins challenged Christians to consider the bigger picture and the human impact on both users and developers.

What I would urge us all to do as we use AI is to look behind the screen and what AI presents to us; look at the infrastructure thats necessary to present to us the prompt that flickers on our screen," he said.

Who is involved in making that possible, and who is hidden from our view? What people are involved in this huge global enterprise of AI that are off the stage?

This article was originally published at Christian Today
Home News 'Providentially hindered': American pastor stranded in Jamaica amid 15-day water-only fast

An American pastor stranded in Jamaica by Hurricane Melissa is currently in the middle of a 15-day fast and is encouraging others to fast in prayer for those impacted by the storm that has left hundreds of thousands without power and dozens dead across the Caribbean.

Pastor Bill Devlin  a veteran of the Vietnam War and Purple Heart recipient who serves as the outreach pastor for Infinity Bible Church in Bronx, New York, and runs the ministries REDEEM! and Widows and Orphans  first arrived in Jamaica on Oct. 23 to deliver a speech at a pro-life Christian conference and officiated a wedding for "a brother in Jesus that has traveled the world" with him on Sunday.

After the wedding, Devlin learned that the airports were closed and flights were canceled in anticipation of Hurricane Melissa.

"I was providentially hindered here for a reason," Devlin insisted. "I'm just waiting on God to direct my steps at this point."

Melissa made landfall as a Category 5 storm in Jamaica on Tuesday and, as of Thursday morning, is now a Category 2 storm moving away from the Bahamas toward Bermuda. At least 30 people have been killed across Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, with about two dozen killed by an overflowing river in Haiti. The storm caused widespread power outages, road blockages and communications issues.

While Devlin "knew that the hurricane was coming," he stressed that he did not know when or how much damage the storm would inflict on the island nation.

"When I came down here last Thursday, I started a water-only fast and prayer time," he recalled. "So I'm going into day eight with this water-only fast, and I've been alerting people around the world and all my 21 nations that I go to and to pray and fast for Jamaica."

Devlin is staying in Kingston, which did not bear the brunt of the storm. Aside from "low water pressure" and a loss of electricity, the capital of Jamaica escaped Melissa relatively unscathed. Devlin plans on heading to hard-hit western Jamaica in the near future, where he lamented that people "have lost everything."

"The big organizations like Samaritan's Purse and others, which are on their way here, and their volunteers and directors, they'll be doing the heavy lift, but we'll be here to assist in any way that we can. I've worked with Samaritan's Purse in other countries, and they really do the best job, although there's been a cavalcade of help that's coming in as soon as the airport from the European Union, from the International Committee of the Red Cross, from the World Food Program, from World Chefs," he stated.

Devlin vowed that Widows and Orphans as well as REDEEM! will "do what we can to help them either through a cash donation or through getting boots on the ground."

Devlin is continuing his water-only fast for a total of 15 days, meaning that he has just over a week remaining. At the time of his interview on Wednesday, Devlin was on his seventh day of the water-only fast. He encouraged those able to do so to have one meal per day or join him in his water-only fast.

"We just need to appeal to Heaven," he said. "God has called me to a life of fasting and prayer. ... In the midst of these natural disasters, whether they're hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes, I normally call people to prayer wherever they occur."

Devlin said he hopes the Western Church will return to "a life of fasting and prayer."

"We know that Jesus in the Gospel said when he sent out his disciples and gave them authority to cast out demons and heal the sick, they came back and said, 'Jesus, we failed.' And Jesus said, in two of the four Gospels, 'Well, these things don't come about except by prayer and fasting., So if Jesus taught on that, I think we ought to be doing it. We ought to be replicating fasting."

"I say prayer is knocking on the door of Heaven, but fasting is banging on the door of Heaven," he added. "I've got a few colleagues that are joining with me in these long-term water-only fasts for, in this situation, for Jamaica because there's been so much devastation. ... People have lost their homes, businesses, their cars, and we in the West need to be praying for them and fasting for them."
Home News Episcopal Church omits membership total in annual report; baptisms fell considerably in the past decade

The Episcopal Church continued to see declines in baptisms and the number of parishes in 2024, but did not release an overall membership tally when unveiling its annual figures this month.

The Episcopal Church released its 2024 Parochial Report last week, its annual and most continuous gathering of data, of which more than 94% of congregations submitted information.

In contrast to past years, the 2024 report did not include a total count of overall membership, which in 2023 was approximately 1.547 million and around 1.96 million in 2010.

According to a statement from The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs, this year's report reflected "responses to new and revised questions that were compiled by former members of the House of Deputies Committee on the State of the Church and approved by the Executive Council in October 2023 and January 2024."

"The committee experimented with new ways to ask about and count total churchwide membership, and the data collected revealed confusion in how churches understood and reported this topline number," explained the Public Affairs Office. "The presiding officers are collaborating to devise a process that provides clearer data on total membership in future years."

The report stated that there were 19,624 baptisms of children and adults in 2024, a considerable decline from 2014, when the denomination reported over 28,000 total baptisms. Meanwhile, the 6,707 parishes and missions in 2024 were a slight decline from the parochial report last year, which reported 6,754 parishes and missions in 2023.

A slight increase in worship attendance was reported, with over 413,000 attending services in 2024, compared to under 411,000 in 2023 and around 373,000 in 2022. The 2024 data collection "allowed for first-time consistent reporting of online worship engagement and weekday attendance," according to the Office of Public Affairs statement.

Nevertheless, the 413,000 statistic is far below the approximately 600,000 reported a decade ago, which in turn was a drop from the approximately 623,000 reported for 2013.

According to the report, the median age for a member of the denomination is 60, with around 95% of Episcopal Church members being white.

As with most religious groups in the United States, the Episcopal Church has experienced a considerable decline in membership over the past several decades.

In 2010, the denomination reported that the number of active baptized members had dropped below 2 million.

In its most recent report, the denomination stated that "for the first time in the last decade," its total expenses in 2024 exceeded its total income.

While multiple factors have been at work in this general decline, the denomination's progressive theological direction has alienated some members.

For example, in 2003, when the Episcopal Church consecrated the Rev. Gene Robinson as its first openly gay bishop, scores of congregations voted to leave in protest.

In 2020, Kristine Stache, then interim president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America-affiliated Wartburg Theological Seminary, gave a presentation before the denomination's Executive Council in which she concluded that, at the current rate of decline, according to Stache, the denomination will have no Sunday attendance in 30 years and no baptized members in 47 years.

"It depicts a church that appears to be dying," said Stache, as quoted by Episcopal News Service, with the seminary official labeling the statistics "very sobering."

Last November, the Rev. Sean Rowe was installed as the new presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church, succeeding the Rev. Michael Curry, who became the first black leader of the denomination in 2015.

During the installation service, Rowe preached that Episcopal dioceses and congregations cannot "go it alone," but instead "must acknowledge our mutual interdependence, our need to do ministry together, to share what we have and to sustain one another."

"In this badly hurting world, we need to become one church," Rowe said. "We're not a collection of dioceses and institutions, a collection of the ways of doing things. We are one church, one church in Jesus Christ."
Home News First Baptist Dallas named 'best church' in Dallas-Fort Worth metro area

Nearly 18 months after a fire tore through its historic sanctuary, First Baptist Dallas has been named the best church in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Pastored by Robert Jeffress, First Baptist Dallas announced this week that it has received the Gold Award from readers of The Dallas Morning News, who voted to recognize the church located in downtown Dallas for 157 years and now occupying six city blocks.

Jeffress, who has served as senior pastor since 2007, is known worldwide for his daily radio and television program, "Pathway to Victory," which is heard on thousands of stations and has been named the most-watched program on the Trinity Broadcasting Network for over five years. The church's Sunday morning service is also streamed on Fox Nation every Sunday morning.

With over 16,000 members in what is described as a "multi-generational church community," First Dallas offers three Sunday morning services, along with "discipleship opportunities" in both English and Spanish for all ages.

"We are humbled by this recognition and give God alone the glory for any and every good thing He is doing at First Baptist Church in Dallas," Jeffress told The Christian Post.

In addition to this year's Gold Award, First Dallas was previously honored with the Silver Award in 2024 and has been recognized among the Top Places to Work since 2021, including ranking No. 2 among midsize organizations in 2024.

The recognition is a welcome development for First Dallas, an influential Southern Baptist megachurch with connections to President Donald Trump and prominent Christian leaders. The congregation is still rebuilding its historic sanctuary after a four-alarm fire caused significant damage and a roof collapse in July 2024.

Jeffress said Trump sent him a note after he was informed that the church was engulfed in flames.

Trump, who previously spoke at the church on Dec. 19, 2021, sent Jeffress a note and "offered his help to do anything he could," Jeffress added.

When asked if he thought the church was attacked because someone was angered by his vocal support for Trump, Jeffress responded that he did not believe there was any connection.

"I don't believe my support for President Trump has anything to do with this fire," he maintained.

"This historic sanctuary that burned to the ground was the site that presidents visited when they came to Dallas. Woodrow Wilson, Gerald Ford, President George H. W. Bush were all worshipers in that sanctuary," Jeffress told CBS affiliate KTVT about the 134-year-old church building.

Originating in the basement, the blaze destroyed the historic worship space but miraculously spared the original pulpit. While arson was ruled out, investigators said in September 2024 the cause of the fire would "remain undetermined."

After the fire, First Baptist Dallas launched its most significant fundraising effort ever, Mission 18, to bring its new vision to life by raising $95 million to support both the new sanctuary and other church ministries.
Home News Frankie Muniz credits K-LOVE with helping him get back to church

Frankie Muniz revealed that K-LOVE inspired him to start attending church again, providing another example of the former child star using his platform to share his Christian faith.

In an exchange posted on the TikTok account "Chat Us Up" last week, the former child actor was asked about his recent social media post proclaiming how "proud to say I live for Jesus Christ."

"It's something that's new into my life," he responded, mentioning how it started by discovering the popular Christian music radio station.

"I found it on accident," Muniz explained. "I was driving across the country, and everything that could possibly go wrong was going wrong, and I was like almost in tears, and the only station that would play was K-LOVE."

The cross-country trip took place about six years ago, he said. Two songs that played back-to-back on this particular occasion that had an impact on him: "Cover the Earth" by Kari Jobe and "Overwhelmed" by Big Daddy Weave.

"I was somewhere in New Mexico at the time," he noted. "It was like the perfect moment, and I haven't turned off that radio station since."

After the experience, he said he "started  going to church every Sunday" and became "involved" with his faith.

He highlighted some of his favorite Christian artists and songs.

"I love anything Brandon Lake," Muniz said, also pointing to Phil Wickham and the song "Breakdown" by Andrew Ripp.

"I love it all just because it makes me feel good," he said. "I'm a high-stress person. I've got all this stuff going on."

"Even though I had a lot of good in my life, I felt like I was still like in a very anxious place, and it just puts me in the right, I think, frame of mind that I want to be in," he continued. "If that little bit of listening to the music could have that effect on me and then bring me down a different path and make my life better, like, I hope other people find that."

Muniz, now 39, catapulted to fame in the early 2000s by starring as the titular character in the coming-of-age sitcom "Malcolm in the Middle" and landing leading roles in the comedy films "Big Fat Liar" and "Agent Cody Banks." He has taken a step back from acting as an adult and embraced his passion for professional race car driving.

Muniz's social media post last month is not the first time he has talked about his faith publicly.

In an Instagram post published in January, Muniz shared footage of himself listening to the worship song "Build my Life" by Pat Barrett, followed by video of himself getting pulled over by a police car.

"Hilarious contrast of feeling good praising God, to being pissed off in the matter of minutes," Muniz wrote. "All part of His plan so you have to trust the good and the bad."
Home News More than rational: John Piper explains how he chooses a sermon topic

Renowned pastor, theologian and author John Piper recently discussed how he decides what to preach about, especially for standalone events like speaking at a prison.

In an episode of the Ask Pastor John podcast, posted online on Monday, Piper, a Baptist preacher and chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis, addressed a question that many listeners had asked over the years.

Piper began by noting that his basis for crafting a sermon was built on the will of God, defined as including a spiritually discerned application of the mind of Christ to a particular situation.

Its not just rational; its more than rational, Piper, who pastored at Bethlehem Baptist Church for 33 years, explained. It may really matter for spiritual reasons what shirt you wear today (not usually, but it might), and it may matter, for all things considered, where you park your bike today. Theres a thousand things that might go into that decision that would make one decision better than another.

Piper cited Colossians 1:9, which reads in part, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Theres no command in the Bible to tell me what text to choose or what illustrations to use or what to emphasize or what tone to have, Piper said. None of that was in the Bible.

Instead, Piper cited wisdom and experience, noting that wisdom, as I try to experience it and apply biblical truth, is shot through with the subjective influences of my heart, not just the mind figuring out how to apply a text.

It would be presumptuous of me to say that I make my choices in such situations simply because I am wise.  Too much of the process is simply out of my control, he added.

As an example of this, Piper recounted a time he preached at a Minnesota-based prison before around 120 inmates, with his preparations being made the morning before the afternoon service.

In choosing the Bible passage and what to focus on, Piper said that hugely subjective inclinations mingled with rational thought and sheer practicality figured into the spiritual dynamics of the moment.

While his crafting of the message came over the course of a few hours before he headed off to the prison, Piper explained that there was also an all-important preparatory factor.

For days, I had been praying, pleading, pleading with the Lord to guide me, show me, show me what Scripture and what approach would be most effective for salvation, he said.

What would be most effective for strengthening faith? And I am very, very thankful that I think He answered that prayer.
Home News Newsom mentions Bible to blast GOP over shutdown SNAP benefits: 'Intentional cruelty'

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom appealed to the Bible earlier this week to rebuke the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress, whom he accused of illegally withholding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Speaking during a Tuesday press conference about food stamps in Sacramento, Newsom announced California would be joining more than 20 states suing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for suspending SNAP benefits in November as the shutdown is poised to extend into its second month.

Last week, Newsom's office announced that he would be mobilizing the California National Guard to food banks and fast-tracking up to $80 million in state funds to help support the more than 5.5 million Californians who rely on food stamps.

During one point in the press conference, where he was joined by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Johnson, Newsom claimed both the Old and New Testaments suggest the Trump administration is behaving in a way that is "incredibly cruel."

Newsom: The New Testament and Old Testament have one dominant thing in commonMatthew, Isaiah, Luke, Proverbs, go down the listits about food, about serving those who are hungry. Its not a suggestion; its core and essential to what it means to align with Gods will.



I say pic.twitter.com/FnVIumBYiR  Acyn (@Acyn) October 28, 2025

Citing his stint as a student at the Jesuit Santa Clara University under Fr. Richard T. Coz, Newsom rattled off a list of books in the Bible that he claimed are focused primarily on food.

"If there was anything I remember about my four years with Father Coz, is that the New Testament, Old Testament have one thing dominantly in common  in Matthew, Isaiah, Luke, Proverbs, go down the list  it's around food. It's about serving those that are hungry," he said.

"It's not a suggestion in the Old [and] the New Testament; it's core and central to what it is to align to God's will, period full stop," said Newsom, who then appeared to mock the outspoken Christianity of some Republicans on Capitol Hill while accusing them of hypocrisy.

"I say that because these guys need to stop the B.S. in Washington, D.C., as they're sitting there in their prayer breakfasts," he said. "Maybe they got an edited version of Donald Trump's Bible, and they edited all of that out. Enough of this. Cruelty is the policy, that's what this is about. It's intentional cruelty."

The White House pushed back against Newsom's religious rhetoric, claiming he repeatedly manipulates faith to serve his own political purposes.

"It's preposterous that Newsom, who shuttered churches during COVID and recently derided the power of prayer, is now attempting to manipulate religion to fit his own political agenda," White House deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson said, according to Fox News.

"President Trump wants the government open  the Democrats' insistence on keeping it shut down is hurting the American people, but they could prevent these harms by simply reopening the government. Instead of distorting religion for political means, Newsom should urge his fellow Democrats to reopen the government."

Newsom has quoted the Bible before to make his political points. He drew backlash in 2023 when his gubernatorial campaign erected billboards in abortion-restricting states. Some versions of the billboards invited women to California for the procedure while quoting Mark 12:31, where Jesus says, "Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these."
Home News 'Sick fascination': Online antisemitism is the 'new pornography,' author warns

WASHINGTON  Online antisemitism is "the new pornography," author Mary Eberstadt warned at a 60th anniversary celebration of "Nostra Aetate," where Catholic and Jewish leaders reflected on the declaration's lasting impact on interfaith reconciliation and the need to confront Jew hatred.

On Tuesday, The Philos Project and the Saint John Paul II National Shrine organized an event marking the Second Vatican Council's "Nostra Aetate" declaration, promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1965 and serves as a "Declaration on the Relation of the Church to non-christian religions."

The declaration condemned antisemitism, repudiating the charge of collective Jewish guilt for the death of Christ, and it affirmed the spiritual connection between Christianity and Judaism, as well as God's enduring covenant with the Jewish people.

Eberstadt, author of Primal Screams: How the Sexual Revolution Created Identity Politics and senior research fellow at the Faith and Reason Institute, addressed the impact of the Hamas-led terrorist attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. She stated that the attack, followed by Israel launching military operations in Gaza, has "unleashed antisemitic warfare in critical corners of the West," including on college campuses and on social media.

"Antisemitic trolling attracts attention for the same reason that car accidents attract rubbernecking, because of sick fascination," the author said about online antisemitism during the panel, "My Brother's Keeper: Christians and the New Antisemitism."

"It's not a good look for anyone, but especially for Catholics," she continued. "To those young Catholics who are building the church of tomorrow, look away."

The author, who holds the Panula Chair in Christian Culture at the Catholic Information Center, didn't mention names, but she warned of influencers who "wave the Christian flag and cynically exploit Jew hatred to increase their followers."

One of these commentators broadcasts conspiratorial messages by trying to portray it as investigative journalism, according to Eberstadt, while another "liquidates his intellectual capital to build a Jew-hating base." Eberstadt also warned that there are influencers who exploit the phrase "Christ is King" by using it as "a perverted shorthand for antisemitism."

The writer suggested a new way for Christians to think about online antisemitism, comparing it to pornography, which she described as "another villain that slithers around the internet." In the case of online pornography, Eberstadt asserted that society has experienced a "moral turnaround" on the issue.

"That turnaround is important," the Christian author stated. "Not long ago, there was a libertarian near-consensus about pornography, insisting that it was harmless. Even most Christians didn't speak up against the stuff because they didn't want to be treated like religious freaks."

As more and more people started to see how online pornography can harm relationships, men and children, Eberstadt explained, the "laissez-faire consensus" began to collapse.

"And today, tradition-minded Christians, above all other groups, are leaders of a counterculture that understands the dangers of pornography and fights to keep themselves and their loved ones away from it," Eberstadt stated.

"Online antisemitism is the new pornography," she asserted. "It is moral pornography, and pornography it is. Because, like pornography, internet antisemitism is mostly engaged in secretly."

"It delivers illicit thrills to degraded users, and its consumption embarrasses users when it comes to light, as is seen whenever people are exposed in public for viewing Jew hatred," Eberstadt stated.

The author and essayist called on Christians "who were in the forefront of understanding that pornography causes harm [to] be in the forefront of opposing the moral pornography of antisemitism."

Drawing on historical Catholic leaders such as Fulton J. Sheen, Cardinal John O'Connor and Pope John Paul II, Eberstadt emphasized that antisemitism is not only a violation of Church teaching but an affront to Christianity itself.

"To hate the Jews is to hate the Christians," she said. "To hate your Jewish brother is to hate your Catholic self."

Another speaker at the event, Yael Freimann, a Jewish woman and organizational culture expert, described "Nostra Aetate" as "a monumental shift from suspicion to solidarity."

Freimann spoke during a panel discussion titled "Why Should I Care About Jewish-Catholic Relations?" moderated by Phillip Dolitsky, a strategic advisor at The Philos Project. The panel also featured Philos Catholic Director Simone Rizkallah, journalist Kathryn Wolf, Rabbi Joshua Stanton and Family Institute of Connecticut Action president, Peter Wolfgang.

"This was seismic," Freimann said about "Nostra Aetate" during the panel discussion. "It planted the seeds because  you've got to operationalize it in order for it to be successful. And, you know, cultural transformation doesn't happen by decree."

"It's the slow work of human relationships," Freimann explained. "And it happens with the stories that we tell each other about change, and it happens when curiosity replaces assumption."

Freimann reflected on how her family experienced that transformation firsthand, recalling her grandparents' decision years ago to send her mother to a Jesuit school.

When Freimann's mother, the only Jewish student at that Catholic school in Mexico, arrived on the first day, her classmates teased her by asking where her horns were, referencing an antisemitic myth. The Jewish speaker highlighted her mother's experience as an example of the "power of century-old myths" and how "they stick."

"But then something simple and transformative happened," Freimann said. "They got to know her, and these are still some of her closest friends today. Curiosity replaced that caricature, and the relationship replaced fear. And that's cultural change at its most human level."

She also recounted how a Catholic priest saved her grandfather's life during the Holocaust by helping him hide in a forest in Belgium.

"This priest not only protected his life, he protected his identity. He made sure that my grandfather continued practicing his Hebrew prayers, continued learning Hebrew, and knew who he was," Freimann said.

"He always reminded him, 'You are Jewish, don't forget who you are,'" she recalled. "That takes profound courage and profound respect."
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.  New College of Florida is poised to become the first U.S. institution to formally sign onto the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, a federal initiative under the Donald Trump administration that offers preferential access to funding in exchange for universities agreeing to certain policy conditions.

According to reporting, the compact invites participating institutions to commit to policies such as freezing tuition increases, limiting international undergraduate enrollment, and ensuring what the administration describes as "intellectual diversity" on campus. In return, universities could gain priority treatment for federal grants and other funding mechanisms.

New College, a small public liberal-arts institution that recently underwent significant leadership and governance changes under Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, has said it "happily" anticipates being first to sign. The college's administration stated that many of the compact's terms already align with its recent policy shifts.

Why This Move Matters

If New College signs the compact, it would be the first public institution to do so, potentially setting a precedent for other colleges and universities. Many institutions nationwide have either delayed responding or expressly rejected the deal, citing concerns over institutional autonomy and federal influence in higher education.

University leaders and higher-education analysts say the outcome may reshape how federal funding interacts with institutional governance and policy. Some critics argue the compact could blur the boundary between academic freedom and conditions tied to government dollars.

What Comes Next

New College's governing board is expected to finalize its commitment in the coming weeks. The national higher-education sector will watch closely to see how other colleges respond to the compact and whether the administration follows through on funding incentives.
Home News Finnish MP Paivi Rasanen says prosecution of her faith provides bigger platform for the Gospel

BERLIN  A politician in Finland who previously oversaw police as minister of interior recently told a conference in Berlin how officers later opposed her faith while interrogating her on hate speech charges for supporting biblical marriage.

After serving as Finlands Minister of Interior, Member of Parliament Paivi Rasanen found herself undergoing various interrogations starting in 2019 as she faced hate speech charges, she said in a public interview with Cissie Graham Lynch, granddaughter of late evangelist Billy Graham, at the European Congress on Evangelism in Berlin, Germany, in late May.

I have to tell you that each time I was interrogated in the police station, the police asked me to [consider] the possibility of giving up and renouncing what I believe, Rasanen told Graham Lynch in front of the audience at the Berlin Congress.

Pressure from the police included giving Rasanen two weeks to delete her social media posts on the biblical understanding of sexual relationships; she refused.

Praying for direction on how to respond, she received a very clear vision that, as a public political figure in the country, now it is my time to speak against the Lutheran churchs position, she said.

Rasanen took a photograph of Romans 1:24-27 on the Apostle Pauls statements about the practice of homosexuality being an outcome of sinful desires. She updated her Twitter account with the photo from her Bible and used it to ask Lutheran leaders how their decision accorded with Scripture.

Someone filed a criminal complaint about the social media post, and police began investigating. The issue quickly became public since Rasanen was a well-known MP, and unnamed opponents filed further criminal complaints about her writing, including a previously published pamphlet about Genesis.

And then there were police interrogations, and the prosecutor general ordered the police to continue the investigations even though the police didnt find any crime from my booklet, Rasanen said. And I have been in court, in the Helsinki District Court and Court of Appeal, and I won there. I got acquittals.

Though three judges from two courts found no crime in any of her writings, the prosecutor general appealed to the Supreme Court of Finland, which ruled on April 19 to allow a third trial.

And now Im waiting for the decision [of the] Supreme Court, she said.

The two previous trials at Helsinki District Court and the Court of Appeal found Rasanen, a grandmother of 11, not guilty of the hate speech charges. She was criminally charged for sharing her Christian views on marriage and sexual ethics in a tweet on Twitter (now X) in 2019.

She was also charged in relation to a 2004 pamphlet for her church she wrote about the Book of Genesis, stating, male and female He created them.

The prosecutor has not appealed a third charge based on her appearance on a radio show, making her Court of Appeal acquittal on that charge final, legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom International stated in April. Only the two remaining charges are subject to this latest appeal.

The legal battles have given Rasanen ample opportunities to share her faith. Initial police interrogation involved 13 hours of questioning that involved officers asking her to take them through the Bible and share her interpretations, she said.

One police officer asked very theological questions, she said.

He asked, What is the message of these verses? And what is the message of the chapter of Romans? And what is the message of the book of Romans? she said. I asked the police, Do you really want to hear it?

Rasanen took the opportunity to share the Gospel with the policeman.

Im grateful, because he was a very nice policeman, and we had very good conversations, she said. We had the Bible, and we started from Genesis and went through the Bible.

Rasanen added that her ongoing court battles have drawn wider coverage in Finnish media  with Bible verses from Romans, the problem of sin and the Gospel becoming topics of discussion on TV and radio programs.

There have been dark moments, but what has given me a lot of joy is that this resistance has opened up such opportunities to tell about the Gospel  for example, in courtrooms, in the police station, in live broadcasts from the courthouse and in press conferences, Rasanen said. And I have been so encouraged from many messages that I have got from many, especially young people who have told me that when they were listening, for example, to me speaking on the radio and telling about this story and also telling the invitation to follow Jesus, they prayed after this, and then they became Christians.

Graham Lynch thanked Rasanen for standing firm for Gods word.

Watching you over these last few years, theres no doubt that God has chosen you to fight this fight for all of us, for free speech and religious liberty here in Europe, Graham Lynch said.

Rasanen said Christians are living in a time when they must defend freedom of speech and freedom of faith.

They are not self-evident anymore, even though we have these freedoms in our constitutions, Rasanen said. But, we can see that, for example, the hate crime laws in Finland are used against Christians.

As a result, legislators and others must defend freedom of speech, she said.

But also, I want to encourage all Christians that now is the time to use these rights, because the more we are silent, the more restricted and narrower becomes the space to use these rights, she said.

The largest threat is self-censorship regarding biblical norms of marriage and gender, she said.

And thats why when we have these contradictory, painful issues of today about the value of life or marriage or gender, she said. I think now it is time to teach what is a man and woman, and what the Bible teaches about this, to the confused generation that we have today.

Rasanen encouraged Berlin Congress delegates facing any future persecution to remember that God is so good.

He is so abundant in His goodness that He will give you a hundred times more joy and blessing than possible suffering in these ordeals. And I want to encourage everyone also to be bold in teaching the Bible about these painful topical issues, she said. It is especially important for young people that they can trust fully to the Bible, to the message of the Bible, because it is the way that they can also trust in Jesus, who is the salvation, who is the only way to Heaven.

This article was originally published at Christian Daily International
Home News Rick Warren: Im not a health and wealth teacher; I give to be a blessing, not get a blessing' In the economy of God, radical generosity will not go unrewarded

SEOUL, South Korea  World-renowned pastor and prolific church planter Rick Warren says if Christians worldwide are going to complete the Great Commission by the 2,000th anniversary of the Church, it's going to take radical giving, collaboration and a plan.

Speaking to delegates at the World Evangelical Alliance's 14th General Assembly and members of SaRang Church on Wednesday night, Warren stressed that the window of opportunity is short, with only eight years left to complete the task.

To experience rapid growth of the Church and fulfill the Great Commission, Warren said there are three options to model. The first is the model of Jesus, which he addressed in his sermon on Monday night, listing five things Christian leaders must do to win the world for Christ. The other two models are the first church in Acts and the model of Apostle Paul.

Highlighting 10 ways Christians can emulate the first-century church and its exponential growth to finish the task, Warren noted that the fastest period of growth for Christianity was the first 330 years of the Church. "We went from 120 people in the upper room to, by [the year] 360 A.D., half of the Roman Empire had been saved  30 million out of 60 million people."

Looking at Acts 1 and 2, Warren listed the 10 action steps churches can implement today: pray for God's power; translate God's Word in every language; celebrate the diversity of believers; train every believer to preach the Good News; teach believers to do the Word of God; model love to the world; return to using homes for worship and Bible study; use worship as a joyful witness to non-believers; share resources and make financial sacrifices.

Warren shared his own process of modest living and sacrificial giving, noting that despite the monumental success of his books, The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church  the former being among the top bestselling books in the last 100 years that grossed hundreds of millions of dollars  he and his wife decided from their first year of marriage to live out radical giving, in both financially challenging and prosperous times.

"My wife and I got married 50 years ago, and we decided that every year of our marriage we would increase our giving by some amount," he said, explaining that during "years where we had medical bills and the cupboard was bare and things were tight, we would still raise [our giving] maybe a quarter of a percent."

"Why did I do that? Every time I give, it breaks the grip of materialism in my life."

"Let me be very clear: I'm not a health and wealth teacher. I do not give in order to get. I give to be a blessing, not get a blessing. But in the economy of God, radical generosity will not go unrewarded," he said.

"Every time I give, it makes me more like Jesus. Every time I give, my heart grows bigger."

For the last 25 years, Warren said he and his wife, Kay, have lived on 9% of their income and give away 91% year after year. They've also set up three foundations. One serves people suffering from mental illness, another helps people with AIDS and other illnesses, and, lastly, Finishing the Task was established to help churches that want to do their part in completing the Great Commission.

Earlier this week, Warren lamented that some churches are not Great Commission churches, having given up on finishing the task long ago. But other churches, like SaRang, are working at speed to plant new churches worldwide.

He celebrated SaRang for its commitment to planting 500 churches in Europe, of which over 200 have already been planted. Yet he offered a challenge to members by asking them to increase their goal: "What would you be willing to sell so we could plant 1,000? What would you be willing to give up, as the Christians did in the New Testament, to help your church finish the task?"

Warren's own church, Saddleback, which he founded in 1980 and led for over 40 years in California, is renowned for successfully planting a church in 197 countries.

Among the ways Saddleback models the first-century church is its focus on prayer.

"The problem is today, our churches are known for preaching, not for praying," he lamented, adding that when believers start placing the same emphasis and importance on prayer as the first church in Acts, "then we will have the power like they had."

Pointing to Acts 2:42, Warren stressed that they "devoted themselves to prayer."

Another action Christians must collaborate on, he said, is translating the Bible in every language.

"Millions of people in the world still don't have a Bible in their language," he said. "There are still a couple of thousand languages in the world that don't have a Bible. If we're going to complete the Great Commission, we have to have God's Word in everybody's language. No one should have to learn a new language in order to hear the words, 'Jesus loves you.'"

Of the 850 delegates in attendance at the WEA's 14th general assembly, held on Oct. 27-31 and representing 124 countries, 36% came from Asia and 21% from Africa, with additional representation from Europe (12%), North America (17%), Latin America (5%), the South Pacific (3%), the Middle East and North Africa (3%), Central Asia (1.5%), and the Caribbean (1.5%).

The event features speeches by global church leaders, including world-renowned evangelist Stephen Tong, and panel discussions on numerous topics, including reconciliation, religious freedom, persecution, abortion, Artificial Intelligence, church growth, and the importance of disability ministries that are saving the lives of people often overlooked and underserved.
Home News Tucker Carlson calls Christian Zionism brain virus, heresy during interview with avowed antisemite Fuentes

Former Fox News host and analyst Tucker Carlson continued his descent into rank antisemitism on Tuesday, publishing an interview with far-right podcaster Nick Fuentes, who has engaged in open holocaust denial and praised Hitler in the past.

Despite former disagreements between them, Carlson and Fuentes bonded over their shared suspicion of these Jews, as well as their distaste for Christian Zionism and its supporters among the Republican Party.

The self-identified lapsed Episcopalian Carlson lauded Fuentes for his criticism of Israel and U.S. support for it, because its insane and it hurts us. We get nothing out of it. I completely agree with you there.

He went on to blast Christian Zionists who he said were seized by this brain virus, listing figures like Mike Huckabee, Ted Cruz, John Bolton, George W. Bush and Carl Rove.

Christian Zionists  like what is that?  I dislike them more than anybody, you know, because its Christian heresy and Im offended by that as a Christian, Carlson declared in the interview.

If you wake up in the morning and decide that your Christian faith means you have to support whatever the Israeli government does, that's not Christianity  that's something else.

Huckabee responded to clip from the interview, writing on X that he Wasnt aware that Tucker despises me. I do get that a lot from people not familiar with the Bible or history. Somehow I will survive the animosity.

Senator Cruz commented, Its remarkable, and sad, watching Tucker turn into Nick Fuentes. Cruz had defended U.S. support for Israel in a notably hostile interview with Carlson earlier this year.

The interview with Fuentes drew strong criticism from several popular Republican voices.

Conservative author Dinesh DSouza wrote, I debated Nick Fuentes because the two of us strongly disagree. We are not on the same side. Tucker did a friendly, almost devotional interview with Nick because the two of them are on the same side.

Orthodox Christian author Rod Dreher, who said he had considered Carlson a friend, wrote on his Substack blog that this was a bright red line that I was hoping Tucker would not cross. But cross it he did.  Total softball interview, entirely sympathetic. Shockingly so.

Tucker asked nothing about Fuentess past statements praising Hitler, or any number of horrific things that have come out of that kids mouth, (e.g., We will make Jews die in the holy war.).

Carlson has, by this squishy-soft interview, introduced Fuentes into the right-wing mainstream. It is legit freaky that we have reached this point in American life. It is, in fact, Weimar America time, Dreher concluded.

Author Eric Metaxas argued, What's really going on is that we are seeing Satan trying to push Christian faith out of the MAGA movement. Those who love Jesus love the Jews. Read my Bonhoeffer book on that. Let's pray Tucker repents of this grievous misstep.

Despite Fuentes well-known admiration for Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, Carlson cautiously pushed back against his type of overt Jew-hatred, claiming he is not that interested in the Jews, but I am very interested in the foreign policy question.

The second youre like, Well, actually, its the Jews, first of all, its against my Christian faith. Like, I just dont believe that, and I never will. Period, he said.

Carlson explained that his aversion to Christian Zionism began around 2003, when he became pissed at the neocons [Neoconservatives] allegedly driving U.S. foreign policy by instigating the Iraq War.

Fuentes explained that in his opinion, neoconservatism arises from Jewish leftists who are mugged by reality when they saw the surprise attack during the Yom Kippur War.

As far as the Jews are concerned, you cannot actually divorce Israel and the neocons and all those things that you talk about from Jewishness: ethnicity, religion, identity, Fuentes told Carlson.

Among his opponents on the right, Fuentes sees Jewishness as the common denominator, he said.

Theyre a stateless people. Theyre unassimilable. They resist assimilation for thousands of years. And I think thats a good thing. And now they have this territory in Israel. Theres a deep religious affection for the state. Its bound up in their identity.

If you are a Jewish person in America, its sort of rational self-interest, politically, to say, I am a minority. I am a religious, ethnic minority. This is not really my home. My ancestral home is in Israel,' Fuentes said.

Despite being a major force on the (online) right wing and having once dined with the president, Fuentes and his groyper movement have notably turned against the MAGA movement and President Donald Trump.

In the interview, Fuentes attacked fellow antisemite and GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, whom Carlson praised in this interview, as well as the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent.

He alleged they had betrayed the core ideals of the America First movement, which he claims to uphold.

In the past, Fuentes also criticized Vice President JD Vance as the end state of Trumpism, a complete fabrication who was created in a lab by Peter Thiel, and said he will urge his supporters to either stay home or vote for a protest candidate if Vance runs on the Republican presidential ticket in 2028.

This had caused Carlson to attack Fuentes, suggesting he was a federal agent running a psyop against conservatives and calling him a weird little gay kid in his basement.

However, Tuesdays interview apparently served to settle the dispute between the two, with Carlson nudging the once-radioactive Fuentes further into the conservative mainstream.

Im sorry I called you gay, by the way, but Im always, I think Im just too old or something. Im like, Why [isnt] anyone married?, Carlson said.

Author Rod Dreher concluded, The fact that Tucker Carlson, the most influential right-wing media figure in America, went from dismissing Fuentes early this year as a gay twerp in a Chicago basement, to having him on his show and blessing him with a soft interview, is a sign of the times. And not a good one.

This article was originally published by All Israel News.
Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica, Israeli Airstrikes In Gaza, Roblox Discord Lawsuit Over Teen Suicide

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:39 06:39

Top headlines for Thursday, October 30, 2025

In todays episode, we cover the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa as it moves from Jamaica toward Haiti, leaving more than two dozen dead. We break down the latest Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and the escalating regional tensions. Plus, we look at a New Jersey teachers union event spotlighting the history of drag in education, and a new lawsuit targeting Roblox and Discord over the tragic suicide of a 13-year-old girl.

00:11 Melissa leaves 25 dead in Haiti; Cuba, Bahamas brace for impact

01:04Israel carries out strikes in Gaza following ceasefire breach

01:52 Lindsey Whitesides home detention divides Mississippi town

02:41 New Jersey teachers union slated to host program promoting drag

03:31 Top UK university slaps 'sexual violence' content note on Bible

04:21 Roblox, Discord sued after 13-year-old girl dies by suicide

05:09 Justin Bieber says Jesus is 'the king of my heart'
Home Opinion October 31: The day that could change the world all over again

The date October 31 makes most people think of pumpkins, costumes and candy. But long before Halloween became a cultural staple, that date marked an event that redirected the course of civilization. On October 31, 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther nailed a document known as the 95 Theses to a church door in Wittenberg.

At the time, Luthers act was small and localized. It was a callout of religious abuses, a challenge to debate such, and it sparked what historians call the Protestant Reformation. The movement that followed would upend churches throughout Europe and the world, and immeasurably influence education, government, economics, not to mention the lives and souls of countless individuals.

Other Reformers, along with Luther, would cause reflective leaders to deeply ponder ideas of human freedom and fuel the pursuit of a never-before-tried experiment: Self-government. Few moments in history have had such sweeping and lasting consequences.

Five centuries later, its worth asking: what was it about that rediscovery of faith that so profoundly changed the world  and could it still have something to say to us today?

In the early 1500s, Europes most powerful institution  the Roman Catholic Church  was deeply entangled in politics and wealth. Parishioners, ensnared in superstition and fear, were often taught that salvation could be earned through payments, rituals or moral effort.

The spiritual and cultural juggernaut brought about by Luther was a result of his own spiritual searching. Not of rebellion, but in reading through the Bible, Luther was struck by the words of both Habakkuk and the Apostle Paul: The just shall live by faith. It was a revelation that Gods favor wasnt bought or bargained for  it was a gift received by faith.

That simple truth lit a fire. Luther began writing, teaching and translating Scripture into the language of everyday people. Soon, others across Europe  like John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, Menno Simons and William Tyndale  joined the movement. They called for a return to the essentials: faith, grace and a personal relationship with God.

How the Reformation shaped the modern world

The Reformations ripple effects extended far beyond theology. Putting Scripture and education in the hands of the public encouraged literacy and critical thinking. The printing press, still a new invention at the time, spread ideas faster than ever before, creating what some historians call the first information revolution.

The Reformation also helped shape ideas about individual conscience and moral responsibility  concepts that became cornerstones of modern democracy and human rights. When people believed that every soul stood directly accountable before God, it became harder to justify tyranny or blind obedience to authority.

Work itself took on new meaning. The Reformers taught that all honest labor  whether by farmer, artist or ruler  had dignity and purpose. This Protestant work ethic would later influence the development of modern economies.

In short, a movement born from a monks crisis of faith ended up redefining the Western world.

Our modern worlds search for meaning

For all our progress, the modern West is dangerously adrift. We have more freedom, technology and information than any generation in history  yet anxiety, loneliness and despair are truly pandemic. Society is prosperous at levels previous generations could not fathom  but millions are uncertain about what all the striving is for.

Our time resembles the age before the Reformation: material wealth alongside spiritual emptiness, information without wisdom and power without peace. We look within for meaning and come up empty-handed.

Thats why the legacy of October 31, 1517, still matters. The Reformation was about rediscovering Gods grace  the admission that human effort alone cannot mend whats broken in us or our world. Whether one identifies as religious or not, that message carries a timeless insight: we are creatures who long for forgiveness, for purpose, for something beyond ourselves.

The need for Reformation 2.0

Todays challenges  polarization, cynicism, moral confusion  cant be solved by technology or politics alone. These are, after all, spiritual problems. The Reformation reminds us that true renewal begins not in governments or institutions but in the human heart.

Luthers courage was not rooted in rebellion for its own sake but in a set of convictions: That truth matters, and that our lives (and the world) change when people rediscover it. Luthers words before the emperor still echo five centuries later: Here I stand. I can do no other.

This October 31, perhaps amid Halloween noise, lets pause to remember the day when one mans encounter with grace helped pull Europe out of darkness. The Reformation gave the world literacy, liberty, and conscience. October 31 began a time of hope rooted in something higher than ourselves.

Five hundred years ago, the rediscovery of faith changed history. In an anxious, divided world, it can do so again.
Home Opinion Texas doctor forfeits medical license, flees over gender transition to minors

The nationwide trend to protect minors from gender transition procedures has entered a new phase. After 27 states enacted protections for minors against gender transition procedures (Legislation Phase), and the Supreme Court decisively ruled they had a right to do so (Litigation Phase), came the much more difficult task of carrying out the laws (Enforcement Phase).



The Enforcement Phase has now gone live, after a Texas doctor accused of providing gender transition procedures to 21 minors in violation of state law surrendered her medical license, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) announced Friday.

In October 2024, the Texas Attorney Generals office sued Dallas pediatrician Dr. May Lau, who also worked as an associate professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, alleging that she illegally provided cross-sex hormones to 21 minor patients for the direct purpose of transitioning the childs biological sex, it stated in a press release. The doctor allegedly used false diagnoses and billing codes to mask these unlawful prescriptions.

In one case, the complaint alleged that Lau had inserted a puberty blocker device into a 15-year-old and billed the patients insurance using a code that indicated the patient had an endocrine disorder, rather than gender dysphoria. The lawsuit sought $1 million in civil penalties and other costs.

The allegations echo the recent testimony of two whistleblowers at Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston, Eithan Haim and Vanessa Sivadge, who said the hospital continued to provide gender transition hormones to minors after the legislature made it illegal to do so and concealed the malpractice by falsifying medical records and insurance codes.

As the case progressed, Paxton entered into a Rule 11 agreement with Lau, according to which she agreed not to practice medicine on patients while the case continued. If Lau lost the case, she stood to lose her medical license.

Faced with these penalties, Lau chose to relocate to Oregon, leaving her job at Southwestern Medical Center. This month, she asked the Texas Medical Board to cancel her license  an uncommon decision for physicians relocating to another state  which the board did. The surrendering of her medical license permanently bars Lau from experimenting on children in Texas in the future, said the attorney generals press release.

Dr. Lau decided to move her medical practice to Oregon and saw no reason to continue to maintain her Texas license, rationalized Craig Smyser, her attorney. Dr. Lau continues to deny the Texas Attorney Generals politically- and ideologically-driven allegations.

Lau further claims that the court has no jurisdiction over her, and contends that the court where the AG filed the case  the county where AG Paxton has a residence and where Dr. Lau did not practice medicine  is a legally invalid venue for the case.

Despite Laus relocation to Oregon and surrender of her medical license, Paxton plans to press forward with the case against her. Doctors who permanently hurt kids by giving them experimental drugs are nothing more than disturbed left-wing activists who have no business being in the medical field, he declared. My case against her for breaking the law will continue, and we will not relent in holding anyone who tries to transition kids accountable.

In the past year, the Texas attorney generals office also filed lawsuits against two other doctors, alleging that they illegally provided gender transition procedures to minors. The case against El Paso endocrinologist Hector Granados was dropped due to evidence that he stopped providing gender transition procedures to minors when the law took effect. The case against Dallas pediatrician Brett Cooper is scheduled to go to trial in May 2026; Cooper entered a separate Rule 11 agreement that prevents him from practicing medicine on patients while the case proceeds.

The variety in these circumstances shows the complexity of enforcing laws protecting minors from gender transition procedures. Out of three lawsuits brought, one doctor had actually stopped providing gender transition procedures to minors, one left the state, and only one stayed to fight it out. It remains to be seen whether Texas can enforce even a monetary judgment against a doctor who relocates to a state like Oregon that shields doctors from transgender malpractice suits. As far as evidence goes, investigators cannot simply screen for treatments tied to gender dysphoria diagnoses, since a central contention is that doctors are falsifying insurance records to escape detection.

Although these factors do complicate the enforcement of laws protecting minors from gender transition procedures, Texas has proven that enforcement is not impossible. Were grateful for the Texas Attorney Generals leadership in protecting kids from these harmful treatments and procedures, said Texas Values policy director Jonathan Covey. No one is above the law, and it is horrific to hurt little children in order to advance radical gender ideology and play political games.

Laus surrender of her Texas medical license shows that laws protecting minors from gender procedures can have and are having a real effect.

Originally published at The Washington Stand.
The Asia-Pacific should resist protectionism, renew commitment to openness

Xinhua) 10:32, October 30, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- With global economic growth encountering headwinds amid rising protectionism, the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in South Korea arrives at a critical time.

The world is watching whether the Asia-Pacific -- the most dynamic and interconnected region on the planet -- can once again demonstrate its resolve to choose opening-up and cooperation over isolation and division.

The Asia-Pacific has been a crucial driver of global growth in recent decades. Home to one-third of the world's population and nearly half of global trade, the region is defined by economic diversity and shared aspirations for development.

As the world grapples with mounting uncertainties and rising protectionist tendencies, the Asia-Pacific inevitably feels the impact. Trade barriers are stacking up, geopolitical rivalries are deepening, and the multilateral trading system is under increasing strain.

Yet amid these challenges, the region's enduring commitment to openness, partnership and dialogue stands out as a stabilizing force. It reminds the world that cooperation, not confrontation, remains the most compelling path toward shared prosperity.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the world's largest free trade arrangement that groups 15 Asia-Pacific economies, also stands as a landmark achievement in support of multilateralism. Most recently, China and ASEAN signed the Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol, further strengthening the region's globally oriented network of free trade zones.

The Asia-Pacific's success has been built not merely on economic vitality but also on a collective belief in integration and mutual benefit.

From the manufacturing hubs of East Asia to the emerging digital economies of Southeast Asia, regional integration has created unprecedented prosperity. The success story was built on openness: open markets, open dialogue, as well as open exchange of goods, capital and ideas.

This win-win model has lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, transformed developing economies into global innovators, and deepened trust through collaboration. To retreat from that foundation now would risk undermining not only regional stability but also global recovery.

Attempts to de-couple -- whether in trade, technology, or finance -- ignore the deep economic interdependence that defines today's Asia-Pacific. Supply chains crisscross borders, production networks span industries, and innovation thrives on cross-border collaboration.

Seeking to sever these linkages is as wrong as it is destructive. Those protectionist attempts would only weaken efficiency, raise costs, and suffocate innovation. Moreover, decoupling runs counter to the very spirit of partnership that has guided Asia-Pacific development for decades.

The region has repeatedly shown that cooperation and openness deliver shared prosperity. The APEC forum should continue to serve as an inclusive platform for advancing free and fair trade, digital cooperation and sustainable development.

China, steadfast in its commitment to true multilateralism and open regionalism, will continue to champion the charge toward a more inclusive Asia-Pacific. Beijing's proposals like the Belt and Road Initiative have deepened connectivity across Asia and beyond, building infrastructure, facilitating logistics, and strengthening people-to-people exchanges. From ports in Southeast Asia to railways in Central Asia, these projects are reshaping regional development and fostering greater interdependence.

The lessons of history are clear: when economies build walls, they invite stagnation and mistrust; when they build bridges, they can give birth to shared opportunity.

The Asia-Pacific's strength lies in its economic diversity and interconnectedness. By rejecting protectionism and resisting decoupling, the region can reaffirm its leadership in promoting free trade, innovation and shared development. In doing so, it not only safeguards its own future but also offers the world a model of how cooperation can prevail over confrontation and isolation.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Harvard University has instructed its volunteer alumni interviewers to exclude any mention of an applicant's race, ethnicity, national origin, or religious affiliation from written interview reports this admissions cycle. The university clarified that any report containing such information will be disregarded, according to a recording and a new alumni-interviewer handbook obtained by The Harvard Crimson.

The guidance was delivered during training sessions held this autumn. Admissions officials advised interviewers that references to languages spoken at home, countries of origin, or named affinity groups could result in the evaluation being removed from an applicant's file. In some cases, this could even lead to the assignment of a second interviewer to ensure compliance.

A Response to Legal and Federal Developments

Harvard's move comes in the wake of the US Supreme Court's 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which effectively banned race-conscious admissions practices at the university. This decision has prompted many elite institutions to reassess their admissions procedures amid increased federal oversight.

The policy change is framed by Harvard officials as a compliance measure. An associate director of admissions, who led one of the training sessions, explained that the new guidance aims to ensure the university can demonstrate it is not considering protected characteristicssuch as race or religionwhen evaluating applicants.

Impact on Class Composition and Diversity Data

The new policy coincides with recent figures on Harvard's incoming class, the Class of 2029, which comprises 1,675 students. Of these, 11.5% self-identified as Black or African American, 11% as Hispanic or Latino, and 41% as Asian American. Notably, 8% of applicants declined to report their race or ethnicity.

Harvard's published admissions statistics now reflect a change in reporting methodology, counting percentages based on students who self-reported their race. These figures follow a decline in Black and Hispanic representation at several highly selective colleges over the past two years, following the Supreme Court decision. Analyses by major news outlets and research groups have shown that the proportion of Black students at institutions previously considering race in admissions has fallen between fall 2023 and fall 2024.

Wider Federal Push and Policy Shifts

Harvard's policy shift must be viewed within a broader federal campaign aimed at restricting the use of race and related factors in university admissions. In spring 2025, the White House and federal agencies moved to withhold or pause billions of dollars in research funding to several universities amid disputes over allegations of antisemitism and concerns about compliance with civil rights laws.

More recently, the Department of Education has issued directives requiring colleges to provide data demonstrating they do not use race as a factor in admissions. These guidelines also warn that essays or geographic-based recruitment efforts could be considered unlawful proxies for race. Officials have signalled their willingness to investigate and potentially sanction institutions suspected of non-compliance.

Concerns from Critics and Legal Experts

Critics argue that preventing interviewers from capturing contextual information about applicants' backgroundssuch as involvement in community or religious organisations, or the country of originrisks erasing critical details that explain an applicant's achievements and challenges. Such information can be vital in understanding an applicant's story and the barriers they have overcome.

Legal experts have noted that there is no explicit judicial precedent forbidding the consideration of contextual life experiences related to race or origin, especially when such information explains achievements or obstacles faced.

What Lies Ahead

Harvard's immediate implementation of these new alumni interview guidelines will be tested over this admissions cycle, as thousands of volunteer interviews take place during early decision and regular rounds. Meanwhile, ongoing federal oversight, litigation, and changing reporting practices across the higher education sector suggest that the composition of incoming classes and the evaluation processes will remain highly contested.

Research institutions and independent analyses continue to monitor application, admission, and enrolment patterns across different racial and ethnic groups. These findings will be crucial in assessing the long-term impact of the Supreme Court ruling and the federal government's enforcement strategies on higher education diversity.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
According to the World Economic Forum, 45% of cyber leaders are concerned about disruption to their companies operations, while 71% of small businesses felt they could not adequately secure their operations.

Why is this the case? Most organizations are still playing risk whack-a-mole  a never-ending game you cant win. With so much information available  from core infrastructure, vulnerability management, web applications, cloud, and now AI systems  many organizations are finding it hard to get an accurate enterprise-wide overview of their business risk. Without this, knowing what to prioritize is harder still.

Understanding risk in context

Do you know which assets are the most essential to your business, how much risk youre exposed to, what your business is willing to accept, and whats an acceptable threshold? Once you understand this, you can calculate the potential monetary impact and likelihood any issue could be exploited.

Calculating Value at Risk is a cyber risk quantification exercise that describes how much the business stands to lose from an IT security issue. Framing these potential incidents in terms of business impact  specifically in terms of dollars and cents  simplifies the decision process around how to prioritize risk reduction actions through mitigations or patching, or transferring the risk with cyber insurance.

Building a Risk Operations Center (ROC)

While the concept is simple, so many companies still struggle practically with cyber risk quantification. This is where a Risk Operations Center (ROC) comes in. The ROC acts as the central nervous system for an organizations risk management program, enabling proactive security measures and improved decision-making. It provides a single point of control where data from asset inventories across the enterprise, alerts, and third-party sources can be analyzed using a combination of threat intelligence and business context. Based on this, you get a simple, real-time view of the risks that your organization faces, how likely those risks are to turn into breaches, and the costs they represent. This data simplifies risk triage and makes it more understandable for the business leadership team.

A ROC helps you measure, communicate, and eliminate your cyber risk more effectively:

Measure: Understand where your crown jewel assets lie, what your risk exposure is, and what you stand to lose should an attack happen

Understand where your crown jewel assets lie, what your risk exposure is, and what you stand to lose should an attack happen Communicate: Explain cyber risk to your C-suite and board in the language of business  dollars and cents

Explain cyber risk to your C-suite and board in the language of business  dollars and cents Eliminate: Prioritize actions to reduce risk through patching, mitigations, or transferring that risk to cyber insurers

Using a ROC approach around Value at Risk involves collaborating with your finance and compliance peers to understand and align on the impact that those risks represent, so you can explain them effectively to your board. And it makes clear what steps you can take to reduce those risks, as well as any investment is needed. By focusing on monetary impact, you can speak the language of business around cyber risk and reduce potential disruption to your operations.

Find out how Qualys can help mitigate risk in your organization by clicking here.
AWS CEO Matt Garman this week announced that Amazon is significantly expanding its cloud infrastructure investments in the Asia-Pacific region with plans to invest more than US$40 billion in 14 APEC economies by 2028.

The strategy aims in large part to support the large-scale deployment of AI agents at companies throughout the region.

AWS CEO Matt Garman emphasized in his keynote speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit held this week in Gyeongju, South Korea, that AI agents are the core of next-generation innovation that will fundamentally change the way businesses operate.
A national mental health charity has called on the chancellor Rachel Reeves to introduce a 20m central implementation fund for the Civil Society Covenant in her upcoming budget.

In an open letter, Mental Health Matters wrote that the fund would formalise local civil society agreements between government departments, integrated care boards, and local authorities.

The fund would also support the commissioning of pilots and ensure that every department publishes annual civil society impact statements, which the charity said would embed sector collaboration in fiscal planning.

Sonia McGough, director for strategy and performance at Mental Health Matters, said: The Civil Society Covenant is a fantastic starting point as a framework for government engagement with the charity sector.

The government should now back this commitment up with the funding needed to make it a universal standard across all layers of government.

In the same letter, seen by Civil Society, the charity called for a separate 100m community cohesion fund to help bring communities together and reduce loneliness and isolation across England.

The proposed five-year fund would be an expansion of the current 1.7m Common Ground Award and would be designed to empower charities and other voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCSFSE) organisations to deliver larger programmes with grants of up to 250,000 per year for those working alongside local authorities or the NHS.

Mental Health Matters said that the current Common Ground Award, which provides grants of up to 10,000, is usually only enough to fund one-off pilots or a single year of activity, whereas the new proposed fund would enable organisations to plan for the longer term and deliver more services with lasting impact.

Charities delivering services in disused NHS buildings

Also in the letter, Mental Health Matters called for a 30m investment fund to embed VCFSE services within NHS estates.

The charity urged Reeves to establish a fund to refurbish disused NHS spaces, including in hospitals and GP surgeries, which it said would expand community cohesion; tackle loneliness and social isolation, and strengthen established partnerships between the public and third sectors.

It added that utilising disused NHS buildings would help to reduce some charities reliance on temporary prefab structures and would offer a source of sustainable community spaces for service delivery.

Jane Hughes, Mental Health Matters chief executive, said: There are over 800,000 square metres of unused or underutilised space within the NHS estate, which we believe is costing the taxpayer over 375m.

The charity sector is ready to deliver services in these spaces. We often hear that people dont know what support is available in their community, and that services need to be more joined up.

We believe this proposal would help make services like ours more visible, accessible and better integrated with the NHS.

The plan would also see local VCFSE partners co-design facilities to meet community needs.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
The three largest U.S. opioid distributors must face a $2.5 billion lawsuit alleging they helped fuel a public health crisis in parts of West Virginia, after their victory at a trial was thrown out by a federal appeals court.

The 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals reversed a 2022 ruling that found McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Corp., now called Cencora Inc., werent legally responsible for the addiction and overdose epidemic in the southwestern region of the state. The case turns on whether the companies created a so-called public nuisance in Cabell County, West Virginia, and its largest city, Huntington, where about 27% of the population lives below the poverty line.

We hold that under West Virginia common law, the conditions resulting from the over-distribution of opioids can constitute a public nuisance, a three-judge panel said in Tuesdays decision.

Across the U.S., the highly-addictive drugs were blamed for more than 500,000 deaths over two decades. States, cities and investors filed more than 4,000 lawsuits seeking to recoup monies spent battling the opioid epidemic and generated more than $50 billion in recoveries.

West Virginia was among the hardest-hit states in the opioid epidemic, with the overdose death rate for Cabell County being more than five times the national average during the period covered by the suit, according to researchers. West Virginia opted out of a settlement with the distributors in 2021, arguing it didnt provide for their local governments still battling the scourge.

West Virginia recorded 770 overdose deaths statewide in the 12 months ending in April, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats a 39% decline from April 2024.

The panel overruled US District Judge David Faber, who concluded three years ago that the local governments didnt prove the distributors neglected to put in place effective controls to prevent opioids from being diverted to illegal uses.

A spokesperson for Cencora said the company is disappointed by the decision and is considering next steps, including potentially seeking further appellate review of the 4th Circuits decision.

Cencora continues to believe Judge Faber correctly concluded AmerisourceBergen substantially complied with its obligations under the Controlled Substance Act, the spokesperson said. Distributors of pharmaceutical products are asked to walk a legal and ethical tightrope between providing access to necessary medications and acting to prevent diversion of controlled substances.

Cardinal Health declined to comment. McKesson couldnt immediately be reached for comment.

We are looking forward to returning to the federal court to once again seek justice for those communities devastated by the opioid epidemic, said Paul Farrell, one of the lawyers leading the opioid litigation for the West Virginia communities.

The local governments sought $2.5 billion to try to remedy the situation, claiming the distributors delivered more than 127 million painkillers to pharmacies in the county between 2006 and 2014.

West Virginia is considered ground zero for the opioid epidemic in the US, Senior Circuit Judge Barbara Milano Keenan wrote for the panel.

The appeals court found that the trial judge didnt properly assess whether the distributors actions caused numerous orders placed by pharmacies to evade being flagged as suspicious.'

The panel also found that Faber erred in concluding that state law didnt allow him to order the companies to pay for the harm caused by a public nuisance.

How can widespread harm to the general public be abated without some cost incurred or money spent? according to the opinion.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
Southern California Edison said on Wednesday it would pay several million dollars each to families who lost loved ones in the January wildfires that scorched 14,000 acres in greater Los Angeles and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.

The utility, owned by Edison International, said eligible individuals and businesses can now submit claims to receive payments and resolutions that include loss of life and property related to the Eaton Fire through its Wildlife Recovery Compensation Program.

The Eaton fire ripped through southern California in January 2025, killing 19 people and destroying more than 9,400 single-family homes and other buildings.

Related: The LA Fires Destroyed 11,000 Homes. Less Than 10% Have Permits to Rebuild

Putting a figure on the loss of life proved to be one of the most challenging aspects to the program, Edison International CEO Pedro Pizarro told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Thats a very challenging one because we know that life is precious, Pizarro said.

SCE said the death claims will include payments for pain and suffering, economic losses and a direct claim premium of $5 million per decedent.

Related: Edison to Open LA Fire Compensation Applications by Thanksgiving

After getting input from the community, SCE expanded payment eligibility to properties damaged by ash and smoke, Pizarro said. Initially, there were about 12,000 properties eligible, but nearly 6,000 were added to that number, he said.

Another major change to the compensation program was a 50% increase in payments for each child affected by a destroyed home. Residents whose primary home was destroyed will receive $115,000 per adult and $75,000 per child.

Through the utilitys voluntary program, eligible residents will receive a settlement offer within 90 days of making a claim. Payments will be made within 30 days after all the conditions in the settlement agreement are satisfied.

There has been no official ruling on the cause of the fire. But SCE has acknowledged that circumstantial evidence suggests that one of the utilitys idled high-voltage transmission lines could have ignited the Eaton blaze amid winds that topped 100 mph in early January.

SCE has $1 billion of customer-funded self-insurance coverage available for Eaton-related claims. Losses in excess of that amount would be reimbursed through Californias Wildlife Insurance Fund, which has an estimated $22 billion.

SCE consulted with Kenneth Feinberg, who oversaw payments from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, and his colleague Camille Biros, on the design of the companys wildfire fund.

Biros said the goal of the program is to get money to families as quickly as possible without additional imposition and problems.

Theyre already going through enough, Biros said in a telephone interview. With this program we reasonably get the money to a family that may be very much in need.

(Reporting By McLaughlin; Editing by Nick Zieminski)
by Kyle Munkittrick

During covid, amid the maelstrom that was American healthcare, a miracle happened. State medical boards suspended their cross-state licensure restrictions.

No special legislation required, no political capital spent. Overnight, every state declared they would recognize medical licenses from any other state. One day you needed 50 licenses to practice nationwidean expensive, tedious, slow process. The next day, you needed only the license you already had. The nations entire health system stayed this way for nearly two years.

As a patient, this was an incredible boon. If you had a primary care doctor you liked in New York and moved to Vermont, Texas, or anywhere in the US, you could keep seeing them over Zoom.

Moving did not mean losing your doctor. You could keep seeing someone you knew and trusted, even across state lines. Telehealth boomed. Whole new ways to deliver and build healthcare businesses emerged.

And then, at the end of the pandemic, all that freedom was quietly destroyed. Why? Because State Medical Boards dont trust each other.

Pointlessly Expensive, Tedious, and Slow

To practice medicine in a state, you need to be licensed by the states medical board. This seems reasonable. Prudent even! Clinical care is risky, theres huge information asymmetry, and we cant just let anyone practice medicine. Fair enough. But lets be clear about whats being asked.

Lets say Dr. Jane lives in Texas and wants to care for a patient in Idaho. To start, Dr. Jane is board-certified. That means she took a nationally recognized test in her discipline, such as internal medicine. Next, Dr. Jane gets her license in Texas. To do this, she pays a fee, usually around one to two thousand dollars, fills out a bunch of paperwork, then waits a few months while the medical board double checks everything  she is who she says she is, shes in good standing, and so on. Now Dr. Jane is licensed to practice medicine in Texas. Hooray!

Dr. Jane has been the PCP for her patient, Bob, for over a decade. During covid, Bob moves to Idaho to take care of his aging parents. Because the cross-state restrictions were lifted Dr. Jane just keep treating Bob over Zoom. During covid, Dr. Jane needed only two things: her national board certification and her Texas state license. During covid, Idahos medical board trusts that Texas board knows what its doing.

But in 2023, the state-based restrictions came back. Suddenly, for reasons unspecified by the board, Idaho no longer trusts Texas. Jane had a choice: drop Bob as a patient, or get a second state license for Idaho. Dr. Jane spends another few thousand dollars, fills out hours of forms (all on paper, all mailed), and waits a few months.

Now ask yourself, what value did that Idaho state license add?

Jane wasnt forced to memorize Idaho laws, so shes no more informed on how to practice medicine there. The national board certification proving Dr. Jane was a competent clinician didnt change. Texas had already confirmed all her informationthat shed gone to medical school, that she passed the boards.

What did Bob get from Dr. Jane paying a few extra thousand dollars, filling out paperwork, and waiting months to treat him in Idaho?

He got nothing. Which is the value state-based license restrictions add.

This becomes more absurd as you add states. Another patient moves to Oklahoma, a third to Vermont, a fourth to Florida. Suddenly keeping a few patients has cost Dr. Jane over $10,000, a week of paperwork, and months of waiting to do something she did instantly and for free three years ago. And for what? Do we really think Idaho has higher standards than Texas? Or that Florida cant trust the boards of Texas, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Vermont?

But here is the real question: If state medical boards have so little faith in one others abilities, should we really be placing so much faith in them?

One License to Rule Them All

Contrast this with your drivers license. You get tested and register once in your state of residence. If you move, you update it within a reasonable time frame (usually a year). You can use your license everywherenot just to drive, but as an ID for travel, to rent a car, to get into bars. Its tempting to say Well driving isnt healthcare. Sure, but your drivers license lets you pilot a 3-ton SUV at 80 miles per hour. It lets you buy restricted substances. It lets you get through the highest security scrutiny most Americans face. A drivers license isnt trivial!

Now, some part of your brain is tingling, saying this cant be true. It doesnt work that way. There is a good reason medical licenses are distinct. I bet its the law! Healthcare laws are complex.

Youre not wrong, but consider two things. First, driving introduces the same legal nightmare: if you crash in Montana with a New York license hitting a driver with a Texas license, what happens? Which laws apply? Good newsweve figured this out. Its a daily occurrence and our legal system hasnt imploded.

But second, and far more important: clinicians are already licensed in multiple states. The legal system already knows how to manage the most byzantine permutation of clinical state law combinations. Were not talking about if providers should be allowed to practice across state lines. They are! They do it all the time. Medical malpractice already handles these situations. The question is not can we figure out how to allow clinical practice across state lines? We know the answer. Yes. We already have. Youre soaking in it.

The difference is that State Medical boards have gone back to charging fees and requiring paperwork to do so.

The State Medical Board Monopoly

Every state has its own medical board that approves who can practice medicine within its borders. And not just who can practice, but who can touch the healthcare system. Every healthcare business, provider, and payer needs agonizingly slow, bespoke approval in each state. Its why theres a Blue Cross of [Insert Your State Here] rather than just Blue Cross. Its why there are no national radiology chains. Its why billion-dollar startups like Hims and Teladoc must very carefully confirm where you claim you arethey must pair you with a clinician licensed in your state.

This isnt happening in a vacuum. Think of everyone you know who gets medical advice on TikTok or from a podcaster. Every one of us can get medical advice from AIdesigned in California, running on servers in Virginiawith no licensing requirements whatsoever.

If youre a doctor and want to be licensed in all 50 states, it will cost over $200,000 in fees, plus weeks of work, plus tens of thousands every couple years to maintain. By the way, this would still be basically true with the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which agrees to streamline the processing from months to days. Dont worry, they still collect a ~$500-$1000 fee per state, so its only ~$25,000  $50,000 to practice everywhere.

State medical boards will counter by saying theyre responsible for overseeing care. They maintain safety. They punish out-of-line doctors. They uphold high standards. In making these arguments, theyre subtly making two claims, one bolder one stranger.

The bolder claim: Clinicians are the only group we should trust to self-regulate. Medical boards are run primarily by doctors, regulating other doctors, with minimal external oversight. Economists call this regulatory capture. We typically balk at letting industries regulate themselves. Yet healthcare is so very special that it works with physicians and physicians only? Seems convenient if youre a physician!

The results are what youd expect. Physicians in Ohio are disciplined 11 times as often as physicians in neighboring Indiana. Its not because Ohio doctors are worseits because the boards perform differently. 70% of physicians with documented sexual misconduct arent disciplined by medical boards at all. Research shows that the principle determinant of board vigilance was the degree to which boards were not dominated by physicians.

The stranger claim is very strange indeed because in addition to arguing that clinicians are the only people who can be trusted to self-regulate, state medical boards are also insisting they do not trust any other state medical boards, so they must re-verify that work. Every state medical board must implicitly believe that every other state medical board is incompetent, or else they wouldnt re-do their work.

This claim is all the weirder once you know that the IMLC exists. 40 state medical boards admit they should be able to approve a license in a few days (because they trust each other), but also they still need to collect a fee? For what, exactly?

Again: What value are cross-state fees and paperwork creating for patients? Im not asking for the abolition of medical boards. We need licensing institutions! The background checks are important. But why do clinicians need a license in every state?

They dont. And we have a nationwide two-year experiment to prove it.

The Experiment We Already Ran

During COVID, we suspended all state-by-state licensing requirements. States issued executive orders eliminating cross-state licensure requirements for telehealth. The federal Public Health Emergency let Medicare beneficiaries see any provider licensed in any state. Millions of patients received care across state lines from doctors theyd never met in person, in states where those doctors werent licensed. Healthcare scaled across state lines overnight.

And nothing bad happened.

No spike in malpractice claims. No patient safety crisis. No emergency legislation to fix dangerous interstate care. The medical boardsnormally vigilant defenders of their gatekeeping authoritywere silent. If state-by-state licensing mattered for patient safety, we would have seen problems during the waiver period, or loud advocacy for reimposing restrictions after. We saw neither.

Instead, when the PHE ended in 2023, the waivers quietly expired. The barriers went back up. The monopolies resumed.

There are really three options as to why this happened:

State medical boards are craven, rent-seeking cartels. State medical boards need licensure to have jurisdiction. State medical boards believe they cannot trust one another.

No medical board would cop to option one. If its two, they could just do it by fiat (if you have a license else where, you have one here), there is no need for a compact or to collect a fee. If its three, and they dont trust each other, should we really be trusting any them to govern themselves?

What Would Healthcare Look Like If State Medical Boards Trusted Each Other?

If you want healthcare costs to go down and quality to go up, make every clinician compete with the best clinicians in the USnot just the handful in their city. Everyone worries about a race to the bottom, but do we really think letting Mayo Clinic, Stanford, and Kaiser compete nationally would make healthcare worse and more expensive overall? Thats a bet worth taking.

Patients pay more for worse access because every metro area is a protected local monopoly. You can only get clinicians who are (1) near you and (2) have time for you. If the best endocrinologist in the country happens to practice in your city, great. If not, too badshe cant see you without spending months and thousands of dollars getting licensed in your state, or you spending thousands to fly to her for every appointment.

The specialist is allowed to care for you. State medical boards have no problem with you flying to see a clinician. They arent worried about quality of care then. State-based license restrictions just make care harder to get and much more expensive. Theyre effectively a ban on true telemedicine.

We already know how to make American healthcare better. We did it for two years. It cost nothing, required no legislation, and unleashed whole new ways of caring for people. We only just were beginning to see what was possible.

But lets be realistic: state medical boards will not voluntarily surrender their monopoly. They had years to make the COVID waivers permanent. They chose not to.

This needs federal action. Medicare and Medicaid could require cross-state license recognition as a condition of reimbursementthe same leverage used to desegregate hospitals in the 1960s. Congress could use its interstate commerce authority to mandate license portability, just as it does for drivers licenses.

Look at who benefits: every major health tech company (Oscar, Hims, Amazon One Medical), every health system trying to expand, every employer trying to offer better benefits, every insurance company trying to reduce costs, and every patient whos ever wanted healthcare on their iPhone.

Thats a powerful coalition. These companies already spend millions navigating state-by-state licensing. They have the resources and incentive to lobby for change. They need to treat this as a top priority, not a cost of doing business (or worse, a regulatory moat). If youre a healthcare newsletter writer, an abundance liberal, or a patient, this is something that we can all help fix, and we can fix it for free.

When the state medical boards reply with claims of safety or jurisdiction, just remember the questions every patient should ask every state medical board: If you dont trust each other, why should we trust you? If you do trust each other, why do you charge someone who is already certified and licensed thousands of dollars and require a mountain of paperwork to practice in your state?

No matter your political faction, theres no reason to support these barriers. If youre a Medicare for All liberal, you should want better, cheaper, easier access regardless of who pays. If youre a pro-DOGE conservative, you should be excited about cutting rent-seeking regulation. If youre a clinician, you get more freedom. If youre a patient, you get better, more convenient, and faster care. And if you work for a state medical board, come with us into the future.

Set healthcare in America free.

Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now.
Hurricane Melissa marched northeast toward Bermuda on Thursday after the record-setting storm left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean, ripping roofs of buildings and causing widespread power outages.

Melissa was 685 miles (1,102 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda as of 5 a.m. New York Time and is expected to continue to speed up as it tracks 100 miles northwest of the territory as a Category 2 hurricane, according to the US National Hurricane Center said. It will weaken dramatically as it enters cooler waters in the North Atlantic near Newfoundland on Friday, US forecasters said.

The storm is predicted to be downgraded to a tropical cyclone which is close enough to still bring hurricane-force winds, said AccuWeather meteorologist Alex DaSilva.

Heavy rain could fall on Bermuda, according to forecasters, who urged people on the island to rush to prepare for the storm. Flooding is expected to continue Thursday in Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Melissa cut a devastating path as it moved through the Caribbean, where it shredded homes and buildings, and flooded streets in Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba, unleashing torrents of wind, rain and debris that trapped residents, stranded tourists and left at least 33 people dead.

It may be days or a week or more before we have a more complete picture of the scale of destruction, said AccuWeather meteorologist Jon Porter.

The storm made landfall on Tuesday near New Hope, Jamaica, as a Category 5 storm packing 185 mile (298 kilometer) per hour winds  the strongest storm ever to hit the island.

Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage, but economic losses are already estimated to be at least $8 billion, said Chuck Watson, a disaster modeler at Enki Research.

Much of the economic toll is likely concentrated in Jamaica due to widespread flooding, he said, with current estimates expecting around $7.7 billion in losses  more than one-third of the islands gross domestic product.

Recovery efforts in Jamaica have been stymied by flooded roads and a total communication blackout in some areas, Richard Thompson, acting director general of Jamaicas Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, told the Nationwide News Network radio station.

The response has also been slowed by floodwaters, which have inundated hospitals, police stations and emergency service buildings, the AP reported.

The storm glanced the Bahamas and moved through the region early Thursday morning, according to the Disaster Risk Management Authority in the Bahamas. Violent wind, flooding and power outages were reported across the island chain, according to the Nassau Guardian.

Flooding in the Bahamas was expected to subside on Thursday, according to US forecasters. Hurricane warnings for central and southeastern islands were canceled, and tropical storm warnings were lifted Thursday for Turks and Caicos.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
PARMA, Ohio

Fraud: Oxford Drive

On Oct. 6, an Oxford Drive resident called police about identity theft.

An arriving officer talked to the caller, who reported that their identity had been used by an unknown person to rent an apartment in Texas.

The suspicious tenant was then evicted for nonpayment, which resulted in a collection account on the victims credit report for more than $4,000.

There are no suspects. Police are investigating.

Drug abuse: Snow Road

On Oct. 6, police were dispatched to a Snow Road address regarding a disturbance.

An arriving officer learned that a Parma man, who had warrants, had threatened to cause physical harm to a woman at the residence.

He was arrested and held for transport.

Police also found suspected felony drugs. The suspect was also cited for drug abuse.

Suspended license: Ridge Road

On Oct. 7, police conducted a traffic stop on a GMC SUV traveling on Ridge Road due to the license plate showing that the owner had a suspended license.

While talking to the driver, the officer found suspected felony drugs.

The driver was cited for drug possession.

Drug abuse: Brookpark Road

Police located suspected felony drugs during an Oct. 6 traffic stop of a Chevrolet HHR after the driver failed to stop before a sidewalk prior to exiting the driveway of a Brookpark Road gas station.

The Cleveland driver and two Cleveland passengers were arrested for drug abuse.

The driver was also cited for the traffic violation.

Theft from auto: Brookdale Avenue

On Oct. 8, a Brookdale Avenue resident called police after discovering that someone had entered their unlocked Mazda, which was parked in the driveway.

Several tools were stolen from inside the vehicle.

There are no suspects. Police are investigating.

Drug abuse: Broadview Road

On Oct. 9, police observed a Hyundai Santa Fe with an expired license plate traveling on Broadview Road.

While talking to the driver, the officer located suspected felony drugs.

The driver was cited for drug abuse.

Get police blotters by email every weekday for free with our new Police Blotter newsletter. Sign up at cleveland.com/newsletters

Read more from the Parma Sun Post.
In Mentor, Ray Kirchner and Scott Marn vie for an at-large city council seat amid Marn's conduct controversies and differing visions for city finances. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) AP

MENTOR, Ohio  Two longtime Mentor City Council members  Ray Kirchner and Scott Marn  are competing Nov. 4 for an at-large seat, a race shaped by competing visions for city finances and lingering controversy over Marns conduct.

Kirchner, who has served on council since 2001 and previously chaired the citys planning commission, said he is seeking another term to continue improving public safety, infrastructure and economic development.

(My) experience has given me the knowledge and relationships needed to get things done, and the perspective to collaborate effectively with my colleagues, regardless of political affiliations, he said in a statement. Our work impacts every resident, and Ive always believed that good governance should rise above partisanship.

He said his top priority remains public safety and ensuring that first responders have the best equipment, training and support. He pointed to a proposed $12 million fire station in the works to replace older facilities in order to offer better training.

We are fortunate to have exceptional fire and police departments, and I remain committed to keeping them prepared for any emergency, he said.

Kirchner also called for restoring civility and accountability in city government, saying recent controversies have damaged public trust.

Those controversies center on Marn. According to a Mentor police report cited by Cleveland.com/Plain Dealer news partner WKYC, Marns wife told officers he used a racial slur during a September 2024 altercation outside a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant.

WKYC reported in February that five council members introduced a resolution condemning Marns behavior as gross misconduct and a violation of his oath of office. Marn argued that he did not do anything wrong and said he would not resign, saying he met with the local NAACP and agreed to attend implicit-bias training.

Separately, Marn and all members of Mentor City Council  including Kirchner  are named in a federal lawsuit filed by Clerk of Council Julie Schiavoni last year, who works directly with council members.

The lawsuit, filed Dec. 2 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, remains pending. Schiavoni accuses Marn of sexually harassing female employees and claims city officials silently condoned his behavior by failing to take corrective action.

Marn has denied wrongdoing in both cases. In a written statement to cleveland.com, he called the lawsuit frivolous and said he remains focused on his campaign platform, The Marn Plan.

His campaign calls for using part of Mentors $80 million reserve fund to eliminate the citys annual $2.2 million fire levy, and cover residents $1.8 million share of garbage-collection costs.

Continue to run the city like a business by increasing revenues in the form of job growth, decreasing costs and being proactive as possible to stay ahead the curve, Marn said in a statement when asked about his council priorities .

He also pointed to accomplishments such as the Mentor Rocks concert series, amphitheater construction, and the citys dog park and recreation center, along with economic-development work, that he said has helped retain or create more than 1,000 local jobs.

The people of Mentor know exactly who I am and exactly where I stand on the issues that matter, Marn said. " ... I will continue to stand up for what is right as it relates to myself, my family, and the residents of Mentor. I have always done this in the past and will continue to do this in the future."

The at-large council seat carries a four-year term beginning Jan. 2, according to the Lake County Board of Elections.

This story has been corrected to accurately reflect Kirchners length in office.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A brewing controversy over the future of the historic Shaker Lakes has intensified as residents take formal action to challenge the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer Districts plan to drain the beloved landmarks.

And as the Today in Ohio podcast revealed during its Wednesday episode, even among the hosts, opinions are divided on whether the sewer districts plan is a necessary step toward flood control  or an environmental overreach that threatens a cherished piece of local history.

Three residents have sent letters to Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights officials warning that any work on the lakes without proper permits would violate federal and state laws. They claim the sewer district hasnt completed required environmental reviews, obtained Clean Water Act authorization, or secured state water quality certification before moving forward with plans to remove dams and restore the natural stream.

The sewer district maintains its following all proper protocols, saying it has applied for all applicable federal and state permits, including the U.S. Army Corps and the national historic preservation work, and wont begin construction without them. But as the podcast discussion made clear, this battle isnt just bureaucratic  its personal.

Ive said in the past, probably controversially, that I see where the sewer district is coming from here, because theyre in the business of sewer and stormwater management, and theyre not here to create and maintain recreational lakes and green spaces. Thats not their mission, or at least thats not their primary function, said Today in Ohio co-host Leila Atassi.

While Atassi empathized with the districts focus on flood control, co-host Lisa Garvin took a firmer stance in support of the project. I think the people need to give it up. I grew up in Shaker Heights. I spent a lot of time around the Shaker Lakes. They need to give this up. I mean, like you said, theres no political agenda, Leila, for the sewer district. Theyre trying to mitigate flooding... theyre trying to head off a bad situation.

Not everyone, however, sees it as a zero-sum debate. Laura Johnston argued that compromise might still be possible, especially given how close the competing cost estimates are.

Its not a huge difference in the amount of money. $55 million to rebuild the dam, removing it is $45 million. So I feel like theres got to be some give here, she said. Maybe a nonprofit could help raise that money... It doesnt seem that far apart. They all want whats good for the environment. They just want it in different ways. I dont feel like this has to be one way or the other and completely disappointing. I think they should be talking about negotiation.

The podcast underscored just how deeply the Shaker Lakes are tied to local identity. For generations, residents have valued them not only for recreation and beauty but as a symbol of community heritage. Some have proposed keeping a smaller water feature as a compromise rather than draining the lakes entirely.

Still, the sewer district insists the plan is forward-looking, designed to prevent catastrophic flooding as climate change fuels more intense storms. The agency argues that restoring Doan Brooks natural flow is the most sustainable long-term solution.

Listen to the discussion here.

Listen to full Today in Ohio episodes where Chris Quinn hosts our daily half-hour news podcast, with Editorial Board member Lisa Garvin, Impact Editor Leila Atassi and Content Director Laura Johnston.
The Giant Eagle Foundation recently committed $1 million to food bank partners across five states to support families struggling with food insecurity. Ryan Cohick, cleveland.com

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania  The Giant Eagle Foundation is committing $1 million to food bank partners across the grocers five-state footprint, a timely boost as regional food banks face record demand, the company said in a news release.

The donation will support hunger-relief organizations throughout Giant Eagles operating areas in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Maryland. It comes as the company addresses food insecurity in the communities it serves.

According to the release, the new $1 million pledge builds on Giant Eagles ongoing efforts to provide meals and support to families in need. The company donates fresh food weekly to its partner food banks, the equivalent of 20 million meals each year, and encourages customer generosity through its in-store register donation campaigns. Those efforts raise millions more annually.

We are grateful for the steadfast leadership our food bank partners continue to demonstrate amid these extraordinary challenges, Giant Eagle President and CEO Bill Artman said. Through the Giant Eagle Foundations $1 million commitment, we join countless others across our communities stepping up in big and small ways to support our neighbors in need.

The companys current register donation campaign runs through Wednesday, Dec. 24 at more than 200 Giant Eagle and Market District supermarkets. Customers can donate specific amounts or round up their purchases to the nearest dollar. Every contribution directly benefits the local food bank serving the community where the donation is made.
President Donald Trump, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, second left, hold their summit talk at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP

BANGKOK (AP)  U.S. President Donald Trump said he had an amazing meeting Thursday with Chinas top leader Xi Jinping that produced very important decisions. The first official Chinese comments on the meeting were less specific and suggested any trade deal is not done.

Trump met with Xi on the sidelines of Pacific Rim summit gatherings in South Korea, where the two leaders agreed to dial back some of their trade measures and work together to resolve others.

The one hour and 40 minute meetings agenda appears not to have touched on some perennial problems such as tensions over the self-governed island of Taiwan.

But Trump said China had agreed to buy large quantities of American farm products and to ensure steady supplies of rare earths elements used in many industries. Here are some of the key takeaways from the meeting, based on comments by Trump and U.S. and Chinese officials:

Rolling back tariffs

Trump told reporters while heading home on Air Force One that he had agreed to cut his 20% tariff increase, imposed over Chinas role in producing fentanyl and chemicals used to make it, to 10%. China confirmed that will take average tariffs on Chinese goods to 47%, down from 57%.

The two sides agreed to continue to work on cracking down on illicit flows of the drug into the U.S.

Other tariff increases remain in place, but for now, the two sides have extended a truce on even steeper tariff increases that began in May when Trump and Xi agreed to allow time to work on a framework for resolving trade tensions.

Sales of computer chips to China

Trump said he discussed U.S. sales of computer chips to China. Trump and former President Joe Biden had imposed restrictions on access to the most advanced chips such as those used for artificial intelligence.

China will speak with Silicon Valley chipmaker Nvidia about purchasing their computer chips, he said.

That wont include its next-generation Blackwell AI chip, he said, but a lot of the chips.

We make great chips, Trump told reporters on Air Force One. Nvidias the leader.

U.S. soybeans and other farm exports

Trump said the Chinese side has committed to buying a tremendous amount of American soybeans, sorghum and other farm products.

The Chinese side did not provide any details. Beijing took aim at U.S. agricultural exports soon after Trump began announcing hikes on tariffs after he returned to the White House in January. Cutbacks in Chinese purchases of soybeans, beef and other products have hit U.S. farmers hard.

Farmers should immediately go out and buy more land and larger tractors, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. I would like to thank President Xi for this!

There were no specific details on purchase agreements.

No TikTok deal yet

Beijing said it will work with the Trump administration to resolve issues related to TikToks ownership.

China will work with the U.S. to properly resolve issues related to TikTok, Chinas Commerce Ministry said after Xis meeting with Trump.

It gave no details on any progress toward ending uncertainty about the fate of the popular video-sharing platform in the U.S. The Trump administration had been signaling that it may have finally reached a deal with Beijing to keep TikTok running there.

Rare earths, port fees and U.S energy sales

Trump told reporters that China had agreed not to tighten restrictions on exports of rare earths and the technology and equipment used to process them. Trump earlier had threatened a 100% import tax because of Chinas rare earth restrictions.

That roadblock is gone now, he said. He said Beijing had agreed not to implement for a year its recently announced controls that had raised concerns over access to the critical minerals used in many industries, including electric vehicles and aircraft.

China and the U.S. likewise said they would not impose higher port fees on each others vessels.

In his post on Truth Social, Trump said China had agreed to begin purchasing oil and gas from Alaska, adding that officials would be meeting to see if such an Energy Deal can be worked out.

Chinas take on the meeting

Xi noted that negotiating teams from both countries had reached a consensus, a likely reference to talks held in Malaysia last weekend, according to a report on the meeting distributed by state media.

The Chinese leader said the teams should complete follow-up work as soon as possible to deliver tangible results that will provide peace of mind to China, the U.S. and the rest of the world.

The recent twists and turns in the relationship offer lessons for the U.S. and China, Xi said. The U.S. and China should have positive interactions on the global stage that demonstrate their responsibility as major powers to achieve positive results for their countries and the world, he said.

Both sides should take the long-term perspective into account, focusing on the benefits of cooperation rather than falling into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation, he said, according to the report.

Stressing that dialogue is better than confrontation, Xi listed a range of issues where China and the U.S. could work together, including combating illegal immigration and telecom fraud, anti-money laundering efforts, artificial intelligence and handling infectious diseases.

___

AP writers Josh Boak, Chris Megerian, Mark Schiefelbein and other AP journalists contributed.
The U.S. State Department has raised Jamaicas travel advisory to Level 3 due to Hurricane Melissa, ongoing crime and limited medical services, urging travelers to reconsider trips. Ricardo Makyn/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. State Department on Tuesday raised its travel advisory for Jamaica to Level 3: Reconsider Travel, citing crime, health risks and a natural disaster following Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on the island on Monday.

The advisory is authorizing non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave Jamaica. The U.S. Embassy in Kingston has temporarily reduced staffing and may limit routine services for citizens. Travelers are advised to confirm transportation and lodging availability before leaving and to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for updates.

Hurricane Melissa caused widespread damage across the island, prompting officials to add a natural disaster risk indicator to the advisory. Residents and visitors are urged to monitor weather reports and to follow instructions from local authorities.

The advisory also highlights high crime rates in certain areas of Jamaica. While violent crime has decreased since 2024, armed robberies, sexual assaults and slow law-enforcement responses remain concerns. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid high-risk areas such as parts of Kingston, Montego Bay and Spanish Town.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, medical services may be limited in rural areas, and travelers should bring sufficient prescription medication. Private hospitals may require upfront payment and may lack specialized care. Evacuation by air ambulance to the U.S. can cost $30,000 to $50,000.

The State Department is also advising travelers to avoid public buses, traveling at night and refraining from carrying firearms or ammunition.
by Ken MacVey

When promoting her new book in September, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett stated in an interview as quoted in Politico : I think the Constitution is alive and well. She went on  I dont know what a constitutional crisis would look like. I think that our country remains committed to the rule of law. I think we have functioning courts.

Contrast that with what conservative icon, one time Supreme Court justice contender, and retired federal appellate court Judge J. Michael Luttig wrote for Constitution Day  less than two weeks after Justice Barretts interview  about Trumps current presidential term: He has ruled as if he were a king who is above the law, when in America there are no kings, the law is king and no man is above the law. He has corrupted our democracy and asserted control over our elections in violation of our Constitution. He has refused to faithfully execute the laws, and he has waged war on our Constitution, our Rule of Law, and our Federal Courts . . . . He has sought absolute power, unchecked and unbalanced by other branches of our government, by the several states, by the free press, or by us. He has enthralled our Supreme Court, spellbinding it into submission to him and his will rather than to the Constitution and its will, and our Supreme Court has favored him with its affirmation and its acquiescence in his lawlessness.

The Dred Scott Decision: What a Constitutional Crisis Can Look Like

The Supreme Court started its new term in October, which may prove to be one of the most consequential in its history in what it does or doesnt do in protecting democracy and the rule of law. If Justice Barrett would like to know what a constitutional crisis can look like all she has to do is go back in time to another consequential Supreme Court term. In 1857 the Supreme Court helped to set the stage for a constitutional crisis with its infamous decision, Dred Scott v. Sanford, authored by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney.

Dred Scott was a slave whose owners took him from Missouri to US territory where slavery was banned. Afterwards as a resident of New York, Scott brought a lawsuit in federal court claiming his status as a slave terminated by entering jurisdictions where slavery was prohibited. Taney teed up the case this way: The question is simply this: Can a negro whose ancestors were imported into this country, and sold as slaves, become a member of the political community formed and brought into existence by the Constitution of the United States, and as such become entitled to all of the rights, and privileges, and immunities, guaranteed by that instrument to the citizen?

The answer was no. Taney and the Court found that when the Constitution was ratified slaves were considered a subordinate and inferior class of beings, who had been subjugated to the dominant race, and whether emancipated or not, yet remained subject to their authority. The Court concluded that those whose ancestors were imported and sold as slaves could never be considered citizens under the Constitution and therefore had no right to sue in federal court. It found that the right of property in a slave is distinctly and is expressly affirmed in the Constitution and thus any Congressional ban of slavery in US territory was void because it would result in an unconstitutional taking of the slave owners property without due process and just compensation. Even though it was legally unnecessary to resolve the case, the Supreme Court went out of its way to declare the Missouri Compromise passed by Congress that banned slavery in portions of US territory was unconstitutional.

The implications were startling. It meant that slaves were considered property as a matter of federal law. It meant that Congress was limited legally in barring slavery in US territory. It meant that instead of being regionally contained slavery could expand. It potentially meant that free states could be required to allow slavery if slaves were brought within their boundaries. It meant that Black people descended from slaves could never be citizens under the Constitution even if emancipated and could not sue in federal courts.

The decision became a key focus of the Lincoln-Douglas debates in1858 when Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas ran for the Senate in Illinois. Lincoln attacked the Dred Scott decision, Douglas defended it. Lincoln lost the Senate race but the prominence of the debates launched Lincoln s Republican Party presidential nomination in 1860. As the Republican Party presidential candidate, Lincoln opposed the expansion of slavery in the US. Upon Lincolns election as president, states in the South began to secede from the union. The American Civil War began.

Thats what a constitutional crisis can look like.

The Dred Scott Decision: A Paradigm of Originalism Gone Disastrously Wrong

The Dred Scott decision is universally labeled by historians, constitutional scholars, and Supreme Court justices (including Justice Scalia) as the Supreme Courts worst decision ever and is widely thought to have helped ignite the Civil War. What is particularly noteworthy about the Dred Scott decision but generally ignored is its purported methodology of constitutional interpretation.

The cover story for the October 2025 issue of The Atlantic is How Originalism Killed the Constitution, written by historian Jill Lepore. The cover in bold lettering states: This is the story of how partisans of the legal philosophy known as originalism have undermined the process of constitutional evolution envisioned by the Founders. The Constitution is not a living document, originalists say. In the words of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, it is dead, dead, dead. And the only people who can be trusted to interpret its meaning, they argue, are the originalists themselves.

The article describes in detail the rise of the originalists who now dominate the current Supreme Court. The term originalism is relatively new, going back to 1980. In her article, Lepore quotes Justice Scalia summarizing originalism this way: The theory of originalism treats a constitution like a statute, and gives it the meaning that its words were understood to bear at the time they were promulgated. Scalia is also quoted as saying When I find itthe original meaning of the ConstitutionI am handcuffed. Lepore reports that despite the fact that Scalia claimed the task of determining constitutional meaning was better suited for historians than lawyers Scalia in practice favored his take on history over those presented by historians in briefs submitted to the Supreme Court.

Although the term originalism is new, its purported methodology is not. Lepore does not discuss the Dred Scott decision in her article but it is worth quoting what Taney said in the Dred Scott decision and see how it compares with Scalias assertions on how to properly interpret the Constitution. Taney said: No one, we presume, supposes that any change in public opinion or feeling, in relation to this unfortunate race, in the civilized nations of Europe or in this country, should induce the court to give to the words of the Constitution a more liberal construction in their favor than they were intended to bear when the instrument was framed and adopted. . .. [I]t must be construed now as it was understood at the time of its adoption . . .. [I]t speaks not only in the same words, but the same meaning and the same intent with which it spoke when it came from the hands of the framers, and was voted on and adopted by the people of the United States.

Deleting the reference to race, Scalia could have written these words.

Taney then purported to go into a historical review on what was understood at the time of the ratification of the Constitution. He claimed this review demonstrated Black people descended from slaves were never considered to be citizens under the Constitution nor were they ever considered to be covered by the all men are created equal proclamation in the Declaration of Independence. The two dissenters in the Dred Scott decision disputed this, noting, for example, that at the time of ratification of the Constitution in a number of states emancipated Black people were considered citizens of the state and had the right to vote. Lincoln in his debates with Douglas powerfully rebutted claims that the Declaration of Independences proclamation of equality was never meant to include Black people.

Ultimately Taneys originalism that asserted the Declaration of Independences endorsement of equality really meant an endorsement of inequality and that the Constitutions commitment to rights and liberty really meant no rights and no liberty for a whole class of persons was quite literally a bloody disaster.

The Contemporary Supreme Court and Its Off and On Originalism

This takes us to the contemporary Supreme Court, where the majority on the Court now claims adherence to originalism. Will such adherence protect us from a constitutional crisis? Or will its purported methodology once again help set the stage for a constitutional crisis?

One problem is that invocation of originalism can be an off and on proposition. Going back to Bush v. Gore in which the Supreme Court in the 2000 presidential election overturned the Florida Supreme Courts decision on how Floridian votes were to be counted, originalists Justices Scalia and Thomas joined the per curiam (unsigned) majority opinion. By that opinion the Court guaranteed Republican George W. Bushs election as president. The opinion was based on a first of its kind equal protection theory, a theory that legal commentators on both the right and left found to be a stretch and irreconcilable with Scalias and Thomas previous rejections of the vast majority of equal protection claims upheld by the Supreme Court. The theory was so unique the Courts decision specifically said the decision was confined to its particular facts, another way of saying it should not be considered precedent. Justice Stevens, appointed by a Republican president, concluded his dissent this way: Although we may never know with complete certainty the identity of the winner of this years Presidential election, the identity of the loser is perfectly clear. It is the Nations confidence in the judge as an impartial guardian of the rule of law.

The decision can hardly be considered an exemplar of originalism. There was no attempt to demonstrate that the original meaning of the equal protection clause in the 14th Amendment dictated how a state should count or not count chads. When confronted with criticism from both conservative and liberal circles that the Courts decision was poorly reasoned and result oriented, Scalias response was, to quote him, get over it.

In 2008 the originalist Scalia returned and invoked his vision in District of Columbia v. Heller, a 5 to 4 decision. In the majority opinion written by Scalia, the Supreme Court elevated the Second Amendments right to bear arms to an individual right to self-defense unconnected with militia service despite the Second Amendments textual reference to a well regulated militia. This decision and its progeny in setting the constitutional limits on gun regulations require reviewing what could be regulated when the Second Amendment was adopted in the late 1700s.

Scalias originalist vision lived on after his death. In Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization the Supreme Court in 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade, ruling on originalist grounds that there is no constitutional right to abortion.

Lets see how this originalist vision has worked in practice with respect to Donald Trump.

The Supreme Court in 2024 had two major cases addressing allegations of Trumps illegal misbehavior. In Trump v. Anderson the Supreme Court addressed Colorado Supreme Courts decision that the insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment barred Trump from being on the 2024 Colorado presidential ballot because of his role in the January 6 attack on the capitol . The US Supreme Court unanimously rejected the Colorado ruling. But it went beyond that, it went into an issue not before it and held that the insurrection clause could only disbar someone from federal office by formal Congressional action. Justices Sotomayer, Kagan, Jackson and Barrett expressed their concerns about this going too far.

Laurence Tribe, perhaps the nations most preeminent expert on Constitutional law, together with Judge Luttig, condemned the decision as  a stunning disfigurement and ahistorical misinterpretation of the plain text and original meaning of the 14th Amendments insurrection clause. Constitutional law scholars, William Baude and Michael Stokes Paulsen, both respected conservative oriented originalists, in a University of Pennsylvania Law Review treatise sized article did an in-depth historical and legal review of the insurrection clause. That review led them to conclude on originalist grounds that the clause automatically disqualified Trump from federal office because of his attempted overthrow of the 2020 election.

Shortly after that decision, the Supreme Court in Trump v. United States overturned the District of Columbia Court of Appeals decision which had rejected Trumps broad claim of immunity for criminal charges relating to his role in disrupting the 2020 electoral college vote certification process in Congress. It was before the DC Circuit Court of Appeals when Trumps lawyer suggested that a president could be immune from criminal prosecution even if a president directed Seal Team Six to assassinate political rivals.

To the shock of constitutional lawyers and scholars, the Supreme Court in an opinion written by Chief Justice Roberts held that a president was absolutely immune from criminal liability for exercising core constitutional presidential powers and otherwise was presumed immune for all other official conduct. This notion of presidential immunity is nowhere stated in the Constitution nor supported by any historical evidence dating to when the Constitution was ratified. The Courts decision itself admitted historical evidence on the issue of presidential immunity was fragmentary. The decision made no attempt to ascertain what the original meaning of the Constitution was when ratified. Nor did the decision comport with common sense. As Justice Sotomayer pointed out in her dissent, the Courts decision did not even attempt to put to rest the Seal Team Six scenario or rule out the possibility a president could take a bribe without fear of criminal prosecution.

In March 2025 President Trump gave a speech before Congress in joint session. After the speech, President Trump mingled with the audience, which included Chief Justice Roberts. Trump went out of his way to shake Roberts hand and say thank you twice and will never forget. The video of this encounter went viral. When criticized for this display, Trump immediately denied his expression of gratitude had anything to do with the Courts decisions.

Trumps Grab for Unprecedented Presidential Power

Whether rightfully or not, Trump in his second term may have taken these Supreme Court decisions giving him a green light in exercising unprecedented presidential power. He has canceled funding appropriated by Congress. He has threatened FCC licensed media with loss of their licenses because of program content. He has launched massive raids by masked federal agents who, based on racial and ethnic profiling, have physically seized people in public without warrants. He has fired Democratic governing members of the Federal Trade Commission, National Labor Relations Board, and the Federal Reserve contrary to statute. He has publicly and successfully demanded the Department of Justice prosecute his perceived political enemies. He has imposed massive tariffs on countries around the globe without Congressional approval despite the fact the Constitution gives the power and responsibility of setting tariffs only to Congress. He has sent military and national guard troops into Democratic based states and cities. By executive order he seeks to erase from the 14th Amendment birth right citizenship. He even seeks to pay himself $230,000,000 of taxpayer money in compensation for federal prosecution concerning his January 6 conduct and allegations that as ex-president he illegally took and held on to classified documents. This is just a sample.

Several lower federal courts at the district and appellate levels have risen to the occasion and issued restraining orders and injunctions against the Trump administration only to have several of them stayed or vacated by the Supreme Court in its shadow docket that rules on emergency applications without oral argument and full briefing. Some of these shadow docket rulings are accompanied by short opinions that according to Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh are precedent that lower courts must follow. One shadow docket action was accompanied by an opinion by Justice Kavanaugh explaining in effect why certain kinds of ethnic and racial profiling by ICE agents in stopping and arresting people may be permissible, thereby reportedly setting off a wave of what some commentators call Kavanaugh raids.

The Supreme Courts March toward a Unitary Executive and a Possible Constitutional Crisis

In addition to promoting a Taney style originalism, Scalia promoted the idea of the unitary executive. The unitary executive theory is that all executive power is vested in the president and therefore a president has full authority to order and fire federal officials and to commander federal resources and power. Justice Scalia articulated support for a unitary executive in his 1988 dissent when the Supreme Court upheld the power of Congress to create the office of an independent special counsel and prosecutor. The theory purports to be originalist and textualist based. Constitutional scholar Peter M. Shane has disputed such originalist spins in his law review article The Originalist Myth of the Unitary Executive and other writings. Shane has noted that the text of the Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and other historical documentation concurrent with the ratification of the Constitution contradicts the unitary executive theory. Shane is hardly alone among constitutional lawyers and scholars in this assessment.

The unitary executive theory, not necessarily by name but by substance, is now before the Supreme Court. Challenges to Trumps firing of a FTC commissioner and attempted firing of a Federal Reserve governor will be argued this term. Justice Kavanaugh has already suggested in one of his shadow docket opinions that a 90-year-old Supreme Court precedent upholding Congressional limits on the power of a president to fire a Congressionally confirmed federal official likely will be overturned. Trump himself has expressed his view that Article II of the Constitution that vests executive power in a president gives him the power to do whatever he wants.

The Supreme Court also has on its docket for oral argument in November a Federal Circuit decision that held Trumps unilateral tariffs imposition on most countries around the globe exceeded his legal authority. Trump has announced he might appear in person in court during oral argument before the Court, which no sitting president has ever done.

The Seventh and Ninth Circuit US Courts of Appeals in October have made conflicting rulings on Trumps legal power to send the National Guard to cities. The Seventh Circuit upheld a district courts decision that Trump does not have that power in directing troops to Chicago. The Ninth Circuit in a 2 to 1 decision held that Trump must be given full deference in his decision to send troops to Portland, Oregona unitary executive theory on steroids. This conflict one way or the other will percolate to the Supreme Court.

If the Supreme Court ultimately legitimates Trumps unprecedented grab for presidential power, it is highly likely it will do so by claiming that the original meaning of the Constitution mandates a unitary executive. To hand over the keys of the kingdom to a would be king under the guise of originalism would be the opposite of what the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were designed or intended to allow, let alone require, under any fair reading of their wording and history. Indeed this would mean, to borrow from Justice Scalia, that the Constitution is truly dead, dead, dead.

Judge Luttig, who has been a friend of Chief Justice Roberts for four decades, has publicly and vocally expressed his disapproval of Roberts and the Supreme Court for being what he calls enthralled by Donald Trump. With the current Supreme Court term, we may get to find out whether the Supreme Court will remain enthralled with Trump, whether Chief Justice Roberts will prove to be the next Chief Justice Taney, and whether Justice Barrett will get to know what a constitutional crisis looks like.
Ghanas Energy Minister John Abdulai Jinapor has indicated that the African nation is looking to export more oil and petroleum products to India in exchange for renewable energy cooperation.

Ghana is among Africas top oil producers, with proven oil reserves of about 1.1 billion barrels and gas reserves of 2.1 trillion cubic feet. The Minister said Ghana aims to achieve 10% renewable energy by 2030 and can reach that goal with support from countries like India through bilateral commodity exchange agreements.

Speaking to CNBC-TV18 on the sidelines of the 8th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi, Jinapor highlighted that with 60% of the worlds solar potential, Africa is strengthening its collaboration with India to benefit from clean energy and inclusive growth.

Also Read: NTPC Green Energy Q2 net profit up over 2-fold to 88 crore; revenue surges 22%

He added that Indian companies established in Ghana are already manufacturing transformers and meters, creating jobs and adding value locally.

A deeper strategic partnership with India, he noted, will enhance cost efficiency and accelerate Ghanas green energy transition.
Solar equipment manufacturer Solex Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Germanys ISC Konstanz for research and development and technology collaboration in solar cell manufacturing.Chetan Shah, Chairman and Managing Director of Solex Energy, described the companys rear-contact solar module as a more efficient technology, with the entire front surface available to absorb sunlight.He explained that the module can generate power in low light conditions, high temperatures, snow-clad as well as coastal areas-enabling performance in the Himalayan mountains and the rainy regions of the Northeast.Highlighting the sharp growth in Indias manufacturing capacity from 6 GW in 2019 to 120 GW now, Shah said that for every 1,000 W available per square metre of sunlight, solar energy can now generate 250 W per square metre.He termed the new offering an export opportunity for Europe and the US, where sunlight is limited. Shah noted that global markets increasingly trust Indian solar equipment makers despite rising competition, with deployment accelerating and demand growing for storage-backed solar power to ensure round-the-clock supply to data centres.He added that higher module efficiency has reduced the land required per MW of solar capacity from 7 acres in 2010 to 2.5 acres now.By 2030, Solex Energy aims to reach a valuation of 1 lakh crore, secure $1.5 billion in investments, and establish 10 GW each of solar module and solar cell manufacturing capacity.
Indian travellers visiting Malaysia will soon be able to make payments directly to local merchants using their preferred Unified Payments Interface (UPI) apps, with settlements made instantly in Malaysian ringgit.The development follows a partnership between Razorpays Malaysian subsidiary Curlec and NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the overseas arm of Indias National Payments Corporation of India.The agreement was formalised during the Global Fintech Fest 2025.The initiative aims to enable seamless, real-time cross-border transactions for Indian visitors, allowing them to pay digitally without relying on cash or international cards. Malaysian merchants, meanwhile, will be able to receive payments in local currency via Razorpay Curlecs platform.According to tourism data, over one million Indians visited Malaysia in 2024, spending more than 110 billiona 71.7% increase from the previous year. The growing travel volume between the two countries highlights the potential for smoother payment solutions and reduced foreign exchange costs.UPI, Indias flagship real-time payment system, processed around 20 billion transactions in September 2025, underscoring its scale and reliability.Extending this infrastructure abroad is expected to strengthen financial connectivity between India and Malaysia while expanding the global acceptance of Indias digital payment technologies.Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NIPL, said the expansion would allow Indian travellers to pay with the same convenience they enjoy at home, while Malaysian merchants gain access to a trusted and widely used payment network.Kevin Lee, CEO of Razorpay Curlec, added that enabling UPI payments would simplify spending for travellers and support Malaysian businesses in adapting to the digital economy.Once operational, Razorpay Curlec is set to become one of the first payment service providers in Malaysia to offer UPI acceptance, marking another step in Indias efforts to globalise its digital payment ecosystem.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday, October 30, instructed the Department of Defence to resume testing the nations nuclear weapons on an equal basis. Taking to the social media platform Truth Social, he said that the nuclear weapons testing is in response to testing programs by other countries.The order comes just before Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. He added that this process will begin immediately.According to Trump, the US has more nuclear weapons than any other country, with Russia coming in second and China coming in a distant third.The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within five years, he wrote in his post.The US hasn't conducted nuclear testing since 1992, which took place at an underground facility in Nevada, the BBC reported. But the moratorium is ending now due to a directive from President Trump, following Russia's recent test of a nuclear-powered missile with reportedly unlimited range.Acknowledging the tremendous destructive power of nuclear weapons, Trump stated that he had no choice but to update and renovate the US arsenal.Because of other countries' testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, he added. His post came shortly before Xi arrived in South Korea for their first face-to-face meeting since 2019. The post surfaced when he was aboard a Marine One chopper on his way to meet Xi at Gimhae International Airport.The US conducted a live nuclear weapons test on September 23, 1992, when then-President George HW Bush imposed a unilateral testing moratorium.Later in 1996, then-President Bill Clinton signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.According to the Los Alamos National Laboratory, which helped build the world's first atomic bomb, this was the country's 1,054th nuclear weapons test. The Nevada Test Site is still operated by the US government.
Bangladeshs interim government chief Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday (October 29) said he feared forces from home and abroad to thwart planned general elections over debarring deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League from contesting.Many forces from inside and outside the country will work to spoil the election. Many powerful forces, not minor ones, will attempt to thwart it. Sudden attacks may come, Yunuss press secretary Shafiqul Alam quoted him as saying at a high-level meeting on election preparedness.Chief Adviser Yunus, he said, told the meeting that the election will be challenging as various types of propaganda will be carried out in a planned manner from inside and outside the country.Yunus said AI-generated images and videos would also circulate online and on social media platforms, stressing immediate action to prevent the spread of such content.We must overcome them (obstacles), 85-year-old Yunus was quoted as saying.His comments coincided with Hasinas interview with foreign news agencies and the UK-based The Independent newspaper on the same day.This was Hasinas her first such interactions with mainstream media since August 5 last year, when a violent student-led protest toppled her government.Since her ouster, 78-year-old Hasina has been staying in India while most of the leaders of her party and government were in jail or on the run at home and abroad.Three days after her ouster, Yunus flew in from Paris to take charge of the interim government saying the students were his appointer.The Yunus administration subsequently disbanded the Awami League activities under an executive order citing national security threats charging Hasina and several of party leaders under trial in Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal in absentia.The Election Commission suspended the Awami League's registration, disqualifying the party from contesting polls while in her interviews on Wednesday Hasina said "millions of party supporters will boycott election".Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of former premier Khaleda Zia is seen as the frontrunner in Awami Leagues absence.Several Awami League supporters in recent months have staged sudden or flash street marches in the capital to make visible their presence.Police in the past several months have arrested several hundred activists of the banned party for staging the marches. On Wednesday (Oct 29), five of its junior leaders were arrested overnight on charges of bringing out sudden processions in different parts of the capital.Despite her stay overseas and ongoing trial in absentia, Hasina in her interviews insisted that she remained committed to restoring democracy in the country.Only free, fair, and inclusive elections can heal the country, she told the Independent newspaper of the UK while in other interviews she said the next government must have electoral legitimacy.Millions of people support the Awami League, so as things stand, they will not vote. You cannot disenfranchise millions of people if you want a political system that works, she said, rejecting any government formed without her partys participation in the voting.
Israels intense bombardment of the Gaza Strip this week marked the most serious challenge yet for a fragile, US-brokered ceasefire.Over 100 Palestinians were killed, including dozens of civilians, according to Gaza health officials. One Israeli soldier was killed in an attack that helped prompt the fierce Israeli strikes.But by early Wednesday (October 29), the ceasefire had been restored almost as quickly as it had unravelled. President Donald Trump defended Israels actions but also made it clear that the US expects the broader ceasefire, which began October 10, to hold.The chain of events underscored the fragility of the truce between Israel and Hamas after two years of war, but also showed how intent the US is on keeping it going.Trump has staked his personal reputation on the success of this deal and poured diplomatic and military resources into making sure it succeeds.Trump himself flew to the region to usher in the agreement, visiting Israel and then meeting with key Arab and other international leaders in Egypt.Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and two senior advisers  White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner  have all visited Israel in recent days in a sign of the high priority the US places on the deal. The US is also leading a new international effort meant to coordinate aid shipments into Gaza and to strengthen the agreement.Speaking to reporters on Wednesday (October 29), Trump defended Israels actions, saying it should hit back when its troops come under attack. Yet he also signalled that he will keep Israel in check, saying he is confident the ceasefire will stick.Vance also tried to play down the violence, saying Tuesday (October 28) that the ceasefire is holding. Thats doesnt mean there arent going to be little skirmishes here and there, he said.The Israeli military has a long history of tough responses to enemy attacks, and Tuesday nights air strikes were no exception. Israel said it struck dozens of Hamas militants and military sites. Palestinian health officials said that scores of women and children, including a 1-year-old, were killed in the attacks.Israels five wars against Hamas, along with recent conflicts with Lebanons Hezbollah militant group and Hamas, have all been characterised by lopsided death tolls with large numbers of civilian deaths.During the 12-day war between Israel and Iran earlier this year, for instance, Iran said over 1,000 Iranians were killed. Israels government said around 30 Israelis lost their lives in Iranian missile attacks.Israel says it complies with international law and only strikes only military targets, while accusing its enemies of using civilians as human shields. But human rights groups have repeatedly accused Israel of using disproportionate force.Since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, Israel has said the Islamic militant group is responsible for all violence emanating from the territory.That still appears to be the case, even when Hamas denies involvement, as it did in Tuesdays (October 28) shooting of the Israeli soldier in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.Increasing the likelihood of further fighting, Netanyahu also faces intense pressure from hardliners to issue a punishing response to any perceived violation of the truce.With Israeli critics and media accusing Netanyahu of caving to American pressure, the Israeli leader also has been eager to assert his independence. Vance and other Israeli officials have rejected suggestions that they are controlling Israeli actions.After it announced the restoration of the ceasefire, the Israeli military said on Wednesday (October 29), it carried out another air strike in northern Gaza, targeting what it called a site where weapons were being stored for an imminent attack. Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City said it received two bodies from the strike.Trump has presented a 20-point plan for the ceasefire, beginning with the exchange of hostages, both dead and alive, for living and deceased Palestinian prisoners.The details of the next phase of the deal  disarming Hamas, installing a new government in Gaza and deploying an international security force  are yet to be hammered out.For now, the sides remain stuck in phase one. One of the triggers of Tuesdays (October 28), violence was Hamas failure to return the remains of a dead hostage, as it had promised.Instead, it returned some body parts belonging to a hostage whose remains had been recovered by Israel in late 2023. Israeli officials also accused Hamas of staging the discovery of hostage remains on Monday (October 27), sharing a 14-minute, edited video from a military drone in Gaza.With mistrust running deep, and the remains of 13 dead hostages still in Gaza, the potential for additional bursts of violence appears to remain high.
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In a time as bleak as ours, with cruelty and stupidity competing for cultural dominance, a good old fashion jewel heist has done wonders to raise spirits for everyone but the French. In a historic theft at the worlds most famous museum, $102 million worth of jewels were taken by a group in broad daylight.

Breaking into the museum in broad daylight, the thieves dressed as maintenance workers and climbed in via a ladder up the side of the building. Real Oceans 11 type shit. Unfortunately, two of the suspected thieves were apprehended recently, putting a rather somber end on what ultimately felt like an uplifting Robin Hood-esque tale.

But, even with the dour news of the arrests, theres still plenty of humor to find in the situation, courtesy of Josh Johnsons latest YouTube comedy special, released on Tuesday. Totaling at just under 45 minutes, the set is dedicated to the art of crime, particularly the art of heists like the one that took place at the Louvre.

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Johnson starts with an enthralling 10 minutes on the double robbery that occurred at a trap house and a stash house. (For those who dont know what those are, dont worry, Johnson gives a breakdown.) Then he dives into the larger idea of our fascination with criminals writ large and why the Louvre itself is such a globally recognized cultural powerhouse.

His description of the Louvre alone is worth tuning in for: People go there, and then they act like theyve been changed by art. And you ask them what they saw, they cant name anything or anybody.

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As someone guilty of this exact thing, yeah, thats what going to the Louvre is like.

Next, Johnson details the set-up of this mind-boggling heist: There were these robbers that broke in, and they broke in dressed as construction workers, right? They had actually rented this like powerlifting vehicle that had a ladder that would bring them up to the next level where they could cut in cuz they brought tools to cut in through the window and enter that way. They didnt want to just come through the front. And it made sense that they were dressed as construction workers as the Louvre is under construction permanently. Why is Europe never finished?

In the rest of the set, Johnson uses his slow, analytical approach to tear apart the story from every angle  the security guards, the biggest threats museums normally face (children), the number of replicas generally on display (a lot) and the whole European museums are the first thieves aspect of it all.

I only wish Johnson had done this set after we found out the thieves are allegedly Algerian. But hey, theres always next weeks show.
The manager at Chicagos infamous Laugh Factory has been charged with assaulting a border patrol agent following a confrontation with law enforcement last Friday. CBS reports that Nathan Griffin was arrested after confronting Border Patrol in Chicago outside of the comedy club.

In videos of the incident posted by Block Club Chicago, Griffin can be seen being tackled by multiple agents as hes arrested, while other people at the scene can be heard yelling that Griffin didnt do anything.

According to multiple reports, Griffin has been charged with one count of forcibly assaulting, impeding and interfering with a federal officer.

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Since his arrest, a few GoFundMe and other fundraising accounts have been posted to support his legal defense and release.

Griffin reportedly joined a crowd of people when federal agents pulled up outside of the building and attempted to detain a man. In the ensuing confrontation, one agent reportedly suffered a small gouge and scrapes on his right leg" when Griffin tried to shut a door.

While Griffins arrest and charges are a gross overreaction from the federal government, his actual actions show what will become increasingly necessary in the months to come as President Trumps orders to escalate the deportation machine only get more severe. The reality that Chicago is experiencing, one where federal agents are abducting and disappearing community members with impunity, is something that cant be defeated by weak-limbed jokes from a Saturday Night Live cold open.

In the inevitable worsening of our governments behavior, even the sharp elbows from South Park wont be enough to stave off whats coming for us. Nor will the canceled talk show hosts be a strong enough symbol to prevent ICE and the National Guard from being deployed to our neighborhoods.

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The thing that comedy will need to do is what Griffin did  at great personal risk to himself and his livelihood  and directly confront the people who are perpetrating these actions.

It might not include a punchline, but itll be more important than any joke.
President Donald Trump claimed that Texas congresswoman Jasmine Crockett could never beat him in a battle of wits. Jimmy Kimmel is giving him a chance to prove it, and the President should take it  just think of the ratings!

Earlier this week, after passing a cognitive test designed to screen him for dementia, President Trump bragged to reporters about his results and challenged multiple prominent Democrats to undergo the same name the zoo animal exam that he allegedly aced. Trump appeared to be under the impression that the test administered by doctors at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was intended to measure his IQ, but context clues and basic logical abilities led observers to deduce that the 79-year-old president was actually referring to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a common exam given to the elderly that measures cognitive decline and detects early signs of dementia or Alzheimers.

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When Trump called out Crockett and her fellow congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, claiming that they couldnt possibly meet his score in the aptitude test, Kimmel graciously offered to give his old foe the opportunity to best both women with a head-to-head examination on national television. Then, last night, Crockett appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to announce that she will gladly take the Presidential Mental Fitness Test, so long as the Commander-in-Chief himself is ready to put his crayons where his mouth is.

He cant seem to find himself in the Oval Office to make sure that he can end this shutdown, but he does have time to troll me, so, listen, if hes down, Im down, Crockett said of how Trump publicly challenged her to beat his high score of four colors and twelve shapes on the very hard dementia test.

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Kimmel then asked his surprise guest, Do you notice any kind of a pattern when it comes to people he frequently refers to as low-IQ people?

They tend to be women, and they tend to be women of color, Crockett answered, referring to the fact that she, Ocasio-Cortez and Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar are all Trumps favorite targets for these kind of outrageous public challenges.

Okay, so you are smart! Kimmel joked of Crocketts response.

The host then challenged Crockett to answer one of the questions that Trump tackled during the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, responding with feigned elation when Crockett could correctly identify a picture of an elephant. Crockett similarly aced another curveball on Trumps touted aptitude test, easily remembering a string of five simple words.

Crockett wholeheartedly accepted Trumps challenge to compare scores on the brain degeneration exam, noting that she would be happy to hold the Kimmel-produced, nationally televised event in the smoldering hole that used to be the East Wing of the White House. That setting, however, might pose a challenge to Kimmels efforts to get the president on board  cardinal directions arent covered by the dementia test.
It seems that Trey Parker and Matt Stone didnt listen to Brooke Shields

Anybody planning to go to Trey Parker and Matt Stones giant pink Mexican novelty restaurant this Halloween is sure to encounter a spooky sight: a picket line full of underpaid workers.

Weve mentioned before that performers at the newly-unionized Casa Bonita recently took issue with managements plan to eliminate characters like Black Bart, Captain Isabella, Amazon Ani and the Sheriff (not to mention Manbearpig) during the Halloween season, thus screwing over the workers behind those roles.

Actors Equity Association, the union that represents the performers, argued that randomly scrapping employees hours was an illegal and retaliatory tactic, conveniently occurring during the unions very first Casa Bonita contract negotiation. They also filed an Unfair Labor Practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board.

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Actors Equity Association President Brooke Shields even posted a video of herself online in which she personally appealed to Matt and Trey, and urged them to do the right thing and seriously consider the requests of the workers who are still not making a living wage.

As Denver's 9NEWS pointed out, some Casa Bonita performers make $21 per hour, while the living wage calculator puts living in Denver at over $30 per hour.

Last week, the unions national council authorized a strike for Casa Bonita workers should it become essential, and this week, the Casa Bonita United Instagram account announced that the Colorado restaurants performers are officially on strike.

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Casa Bonita management failed to deliver responses in contract bargaining that would move unionized workers towards a fair contract and a resolution to their outstanding Unfair Labor Practices charge, the statement reads.

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Casa management came to the table today offering an additional 11 cents over their last unfair wage offer, and very little for future layoff protections, lead negotiator Andrea Hoeschen was quoted as saying. Despite that insult, the negotiating team responded with major compromises to try to get a deal. And then Casa Bonita walked away from the table without responding.

We know they can pay the wages were asking for because they already pay basically the same wages to the servers and bartenders, Hoeschen continued. Their insistence on paying DOLLARS an hour less to the performers reflects a choice and a philosophy to devalue performers.

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Since the strike is coinciding with Halloween and planned Casa BOOnita events, Casa Bonita United is encouraging supporters to join them on the picket line in costume on October 31st. Those who cant attend in person but still want to support the striking workers can always sign Casa Bonita Uniteds letter demanding fair wages and more adequate safety measures for staff.

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If people do join the striking workers in costume, giant inflatable Cartman outfits seem to be a popular choice for protesters these days.
Xi and Trump to meet in Busan, first face-to-face talks since 2019

(People's Daily App) 09:24, October 30, 2025

As agreed between China and the United States, President Xi Jinping will meet with President Donald Trump in Busan, the Republic of Korea, on Thursday to exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. This will mark their first face-to-face meeting since their last encounter in Osaka, Japan back in 2019. Head-of-state diplomacy has played an irreplaceable strategic role in guiding China-US relations. Over the past few months, under the guidance of the important consensus between the two presidents, the economic and trade teams of the two countries have held five rounds of talks and reached positive consensus. China is ready to work with the US to ensure this meeting delivers positive results, provides new guidance, and injects fresh momentum into the steady growth of China-US relations.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
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If you're a blondie, you know hotel shampoos can wreak havoc on your hair.

But Kayla Jade has discovered a must-have bathroom essential from Priceline that's working wonders on her luscious blonde locks - and it's on sale for just $12.50.

Australian haircare brand Hairification, best known for its 'holy grail' hair growth shampoo and conditioner, has launched its new blonde range - and it's already turning heads, and it's easy to see why.

Kayla, famously known as 'Blue Eyed Kayla Jade' on TikTok and Instagram, said during her holiday abroad, she had no choice but to resort to hotel shampoos.

Hotel shampoos often contain harsh ingredients like sulfates because they're formulated for all hair types - a problem for blonde locks, which are more sensitive.

'Half-way through my trip, I had to start using hotel shampoo - and it literally f**ked my hair. My hair felt dry, brassy, lifeless,' Kayla said.

But the moment she landed back in Sydney, she began reusing the blonde-specific range by Hairification - noticing her hair 'finally looked itself again'.

'As soon as I re-started using Hairification's Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner, the brassy colour was out, my hair feels silky silky again, and it actually smells so god-damn good - which is rare in blonding products,' she said.

Shoppers have discovered a must-have bathroom essential from Priceline that's working wonders on her luscious blonde locks - and it's on sale for just $12.50. Pictured of the amazing hair transformation after using Hairification's Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner

Hairification H24 Complex Repair Blonde Shampoo A violet toned shampoo that's fortified with bond-fusing polypeptides. Hairification's peptide-infused shampoo neutralises brassiness and restores brilliance. Designed to repair structural damage caused by bleaching, colouring, and heat styling, these potent ingredients fuse and strengthen weakened strands, leaving hair up to 312 per cent stronger. Shop

The blonde bombshell is famous for her 'story time' videos and and saucy content, but many of her 2.2 million (mostly female) followers are just as interested in her beauty routine.

She doesn't gatekeep, regularly letting fans in on her favourite beauty buys and treatments during her popular GRWM videos. And more often than not, it isn't long before those products are a sell-out.

The Kayla Jade effect has hit again, with the TikTok and OnlyFans star sending sales of a shampoo and conditioner skyrocketing.

The H24 Complex Repair range from Hairification is an affordable saviour for blondes, promising to revive both natural and colour-treated hair, without the salon price-tag.

Normally $25 per bottle, it's now on sale at Priceline for half price.

On her Instagram and TikTok platforms, Kayla has also posted her blow-out tutorial showing her fans exactly how she styles her beautiful blonde hair.

'You guys asked for this blow-out hair tut - so after a shower, let your hair dry a bit, then I use an AirWrap (or any one of them) and I change direction: one side going this way, one side that way,' she explained.

Kayla added: 'My hair is finally looking itself again after my trip, I was so glad to get back and start using Hairification again.'

Hairification H24 Complex Repair Blonde Conditioner A tone-correcting conditioner that helps lock in hydration, improving elasticity and reducing breakage, so blonde hair looks glossy, soft and healthy. The conditioner seals the cuticle and gives strands a silky, frizz-free feel. Shop

And with so many followers eager to replicate her trademark blonde bombshell style, the products are flying off the shelves at Priceline Pharmacies across the country.

The violet-toned, peptide-infused shampoo neutralises brassiness and restores brilliance, while the conditioner smooths, strengthens and deeply hydrates parched locks.

The duo's powerhouse salon-grade formula contains bond-building polypeptides.

Designed to repair structural damage caused by bleaching, colouring, and heat styling, these potent ingredients fuse and strengthen weakened strands, leaving hair up to 312 per cent stronger.

The formula helps lock in hydration, improving elasticity and reducing breakage, so blonde hair looks glossy, soft and healthy. The conditioner seals the cuticle and gives strands a silky, frizz-free feel.

Fans are also raving about the luxurious santal scent that elevates every wash.

The brand's signature scent was praised by Kayla in a previous video: 'This smells so good, my friends cannot stop smelling my head I know it's good when the men around me notice it.'

Back in March, the influencer shared with followers that she'd been loving the brand's popular hair growth range after experiencing some hair loss.

Kayla Jade told her fans that she'd been using the hair growth serum as well as the shampoo and conditioner and was loving the results.

Customer's results after eight weeks of using Hairification's best-selling Pure Grow range

Just this week, Jordan was named 2025 Melbourne Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Beauty & Wellness, recognised for building one of Australia's fastest-scaling beauty businesses and for challenging global giants with home-grown innovation

'It's hard to find growth shampoos that are extension-safe, but this one is,' she noted.

Founded in 2023 by Melbourne entrepreneur Jordan Mylius, Hairification launched with just six products on Coles shelves - and within two years grew into a $20 million business.

The brand is now stocked in more than 3,500 locations across Australia, including Coles, Woolworths and Priceline Pharmacy, and has expanded internationally to the UK, Ireland, and soon the UAE and South Africa.

Two years after launching, Hairification is one of Australia's fastest-growing haircare brands thanks to its salon-quality formulations and supermarket-shelf price tag.

Just this week, Jordan was named 2025 Melbourne Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Beauty & Wellness, recognised for building one of Australia's fastest-scaling beauty businesses and for challenging global giants with home-grown innovation.

'We wanted to create efficacious, science-backed formulas that dont cost a fortune,' Jordan said.

'People are smarter now - they want results, not hype.'

The brand has carved out a loyal following on social media, where its products regularly go viral thanks to rave reviews from influencers and real customers alike.

Its hero products include the Pure Grow collection, featuring the cult Growth Intensifying Serum that fans credit with tackling thinning and promoting stronger, fuller strands.

After going viral, this latest launch from Hairification is set to be just as popular - particularly after Kayla Jade's endorsement.

To shop the new Hairification range, click here.
For years, I worked in an industry filled with too many men constantly complaining about their wives 'never being up for it.'

Working brutal breakfast radio hours, I'd see them stumble in grumpy, disheveled, and (how do I put this politely?) clearly unfamiliar with the concept of mouthwash. Frankly, no wonder their wives had lost interest.

But personal hygiene wasn't the only thing these guys were missing.

For all their bellyaching, I never once heard them talk about making any effort to woo or impress their 'under-sexed' spouses.

Because the female operating system is more complex than the male's and mental stimulation is as important as the rest.

Men can pop a blue pill and be ready to go before we've even taken our mascara off. We actually do need to be in the mood.

So, hallelujah ladies, science has stepped up to the plate with a pill-shaped pharmaceutical assist.

Finally, we have a pill of our own, and unlike Viagra - which increases blood flow to the penis - it works on the true headquarters of female desire: the brain.

The female operating system is more complex than the male's and mental stimulation is as important as the rest

So, hallelujah ladies, science has stepped up to the plate with a pill-shaped pharmaceutical assist

Meet Addyi, the so-called 'female Viagra,' a little pink pill, FDA approved and currently being fast-tracked through a review process that could see it made available to women of all ages.

It boosts dopamine and norepinephrine (the brain's 'let's do this' chemicals), while lowering serotonin, which can suppress desire. Essentially it flicks the switch that helps women feel like having sex again.

And that distinction is crucial.

Because, as I say, while male arousal is largely mechanical, female arousal is psychological. We are affected by stress, hormones, body image, relationships, the state of the laundry pile and whether someone remembered to put out the trash.

For decades, women's lower libido has been pathologized or brushed off. 'You're just tired... It's your hormones.'

The unspoken message was that female desire is fickle or optional  that all we need to do, if we're not feeling it, is to somehow buck up.

Meanwhile, entire industries have thrived off men's insatiable pursuit of harder, longer, better bedroom antics.

Set in that context, Addyi isn't just a pill: it's a statement. It's society finally acknowledging that women's sexual needs are real, complex and worthy of scientific attention.

And it's about bloody time!

When I attended a sold-out orgasm camp earlier this year in the Californian desert, I met women from all walks of life  lawyers, nurses, mothers, widows  all on the same mission: to rediscover their own desire.

They weren't there to please anyone else. They were there because they missed wanting sex.

When I attended a sold-out orgasm camp earlier this year in the Californian desert, I met women from all walks of life all on the same mission: to rediscover their own desire

Some were trying tantra, others breathwork or libido-boosting supplements, and one woman swore by microdosing chocolate mushrooms.

But underneath it all was the same yearning to feel connected to their bodies again.

So, imagine how liberating it would be to have a scientific solution join the party.

Not a supplement, not a chakra chant  a medically tested, pink pill that says: 'Hey, you're not broken. You just need a little brain chemistry nudge.'

Addyi isn't an instant aphrodisiac. You don't pop it and start ripping your clothes off.

It's taken daily and works gradually over time. And it's not without controversy. Some critics argue that it medicalizes female desire, others say it's Big Pharma cashing in on the feminist movement  but do we really care if it works?

Even with imperfections, it is progress.

Because, come on, if men are allowed pharmaceutical help to 'get it up,' why shouldn't women have help to get it back?

This isn't about competing with men. It's about equality in the bedroom. It's about recognizing that women deserve to feel sexually alive too, without being labelled hormonal, hysterical or high maintenance.

The pink pill isn't a miracle cure, but it is a cultural symbol. One that says women's pleasure is no longer taboo or secondary.

And as someone who's spent years hearing men whinge about their wives 'never being in the mood,' I can't help but smile at the poetic justice of it all.

Because now, when they reach for their little blue helper, we can reach for a pill of our own.
A frenzied knife attack on three people in a quiet suburban street in Uxbridge, resulting in the death of one victim and another sustaining life-threatening injuries, has horrified Britain.

The dead man, Wayne Broadhurst, a popular 49-year old local council worker, was walking his dog when the knifeman struck. The second man is now stable in hospital. A 14-year-old boy was also stabbed, but fortunately his injuries are less serious.

We could also throw in the cold blooded murder of a restaurant owner in a Lloyds Bank branch in Derby, and the notorious runaway Ethiopian illegal migrant convicted of the sexual assault of a 14-year old girl in Essex and incredibly paid 500 to board a deportation plane back home.

All of these horrible crimes were ripped from the headlines over the past few days, merely the latest in a burgeoning catalogue of murders, rapes and sexual assaults committed  allegedly or otherwise  by asylum seekers and illegal immigrants.

The man arrested and charged for the Uxbridge attack is a 22-year old Afghan, who arrived in the back of a lorry five years ago and was subsequently granted asylum.

The others came more recently and arguably have no right to be here.

Taken in no particular order, the violent criminal, Haybe Cabdiraxmaan Nur, who plunged a knife into the chest of restaurateur Gurvinder Singh Johal, a father of three, was a Somalian national known to police in four other European countries before he entered the UK.

In Italy, he was given a one-year suspended sentence in May 2023 for robbery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Wayne Broadhurst, a popular 49-year old local council worker, was stabbed to death yesterday. A 22-year old Afghan asylum seeker has been charged over the murder

His asylum application had been rejected and last December he was arrested, but never charged, for violence and public order offences.

Yet for inexplicable reasons, he hadn't been deported.

Nur has made no secret of his intention to kill, but although Derby police were alerted on the fatal day, they arrived too late to stop him. They have now referred themselves to the independent complaints authority. So that's all right then.

One man who was finally kicked out yesterday was Hadush Kebatu, the Ethiopian migrant jailed after sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Epping, just eight days after arriving in Britain, and then released early because of a bureaucratic cock-up.

But even this simple task descended into farce when Kebatu threatened to disrupt his flight to Ethopia. Despite being accompanied by five immigration officers, it was decided the only way to persuade him to leave was to bung him 500 from the poor box. Who said crime doesn't pay?

Hadush Kebatu, the Ethiopian migrant jailed after sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Epping, just eight days after arriving in Britain on a small boat

If he threatened to turn violent, they should have strapped him into a straitjacket, stuck a ball gag in his mouth to stop him biting anyone, and chained him to his seat. But that would probably have violated his yuman rites, so was obviously a non-starter. However, had it not been for the embarrassing publicity surrounding his release, and he'd served his full sentence, he would probably have been allowed to stay here indefinitely.

A recent investigation by the Sun newspaper discovered that in the first six months of this year alone 339 cases brought before magistrates  including sexual assault, GBH, ABH, and possession of knives and firearms  all involved foreign nationals living in asylum hotels.

This figure is thought to be an underestimate since the Home Office says it doesn't know how many crimes are committed by migrants and the police refuse to release details of nationality and asylum status.

Migration Watch, an impeccably-reliable organisation, has been recording criminal acts perpetrated by asylum seekers over several years. These include the murder of a seven-year old girl in Bolton by a female asylum seeker; a triple stabbing in a park in Reading by a Libyan granted leave to remain despite a string of convictions; and a Somalian double rapist allowed to stay because a judge ruled that to send him home would imperil his Mental Elf.

Haybe Cabdiraxmaan Nur, a Somalian asylum seeker, was jailed for life yesterday for the murder of Gurvinder Johal in May this year

There's not room to detail all the abuses of the system here. But this list also extends to one of the London Bridge terrorists, the asylum fraudster who blew himself up outside a hospital in Liverpool, and the illegal Moroccan migrant who stabbed a man to death in Hartlepool.

Almost daily, fresh abuses come to light and the courts continue to indulge just about anyone who arrives here with a sob story, most of which can never be verified so they're always given the benefit of the doubt. Since Labour took office, 50,000 migrants have entered Britain illegally after crossing the Channel on small boats. The vast majority are young men of fighting age with no means of formal identification, many of them pretending to be children.

Only last week we learned that a judge had accepted one man's claim to be 16, even though he had balding grey hair and a well-developed muscular physique. You couldn't, etc.

Yet what else should we expect when ministers show no particular inclination to tackle the problem. Surkeir's first act was to scrap the Tories', admittedly imperfect, Rwanda deterrent.

And at the height of this summer's hotel protests, three judges sitting in the Court of Appeal, including a Left-wing alumnus of Cherie Blair's Matrix Chambers, agreed with the Home Office that our duty to illegals and our obligation to comply with international laws meant the yuman rites of migrants were paramount over those of British citizens.

When Nigel Farage attempted to introduce a bill in the Commons yesterday withdrawing Britain from the pernicious European rights court, which is at the heart of the problem, the government benches were deserted and he was heckled pathetically by the Lib Dems and the Greens.

As far as most of the political class are concerned, the interests of the British people are irrelevant compared to their own self-important virtue-signalling obligation to illegal immigrants, however dangerous, about whom we often know nothing. Which is how we end up giving board and lodgings to violent criminals who commit the most heinous crimes in our green and pleasant.

Yes, as the far-Left asylum apologists insist on pointing out, we have plenty of home-grown killers and rapists of our own. But that's no excuse for importing even more from overseas.

The Home Office has been forced to admit reluctantly that up to 23 per cent of those convicted of sex crimes in England and Wales are foreign nationals. Where are they going to live when they are released?

The government says that 900 small boat arrivals will be billetted in former army barracks. Believe that when it happens. And hotels will be closed with asylum seekers dispersed to HMOs  houses in multiple occupation.

As I remarked when that scheme was announced: In other words, to a residential street near you. One minute you'll be sitting in Mon Repose in Acacia Avenue, the next you'll find yourself living next door to a dozen young men from goodness-knows-where crammed into what used to be a three-bed semi. I bet you're feeling safer already.

We can only hope that this week will prove to be a tipping point. But I wouldn't hold your breath.

Politicians will wring their hands, the public are outraged, yet nothing much will happen.

Until we are free of the ECHR, and there is a wholesale clear-out of our politically-motivated asylum judges, the small boat illegal migrants will keep on coming and the courts will keep on granting them indefinite leave to remain. Meanwhile, the safety of the British people will continue to come a distant second to the 'rights' of immigrant stowaways such as the crazed Somali killer Haybe Cabdiraxmaan Nur.

And the death toll and number of crimes committed by asylum seekers who shouldn't even be here will go on climbing inexorably.
In April 2022, Rachel Reeves, then Labour shadow chancellor, called on her opposite number Rishi Sunak to resign. At the time she was seeking to cement her credentials as a serious potential steward of the economy.

She knew Sunak was battling to manage one of the greatest financial crises in British history, as he fought to stabilise the nations books in the wake of the pandemic.

But Reeves was unequivocal: Sunak had to go.

His crime? Not personal financial impropriety or gross fiscal mismanagement  but the fact hed arrived for a meeting with Boris Johnson a few minutes early, totally unaware the then Prime Ministers wife was throwing a surprise birthday party for her husband and briefly taken possession of a plate holding a slice of cake.

In response, the Metropolitan Police opted to issue a penalty notice. It cannot be one rule for Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, and another for everyone else, Reeves declared. Those at the top making the rules, broke the rules.

But then yesterday it emerged another Chancellor had broken the rules  and the law.

Rachel Reeves herself.

As this paper revealed, since September 2024 she has been receiving a healthy 3,200 a month or so in rent for her four-bedroom Southwark house. But because of Southwark Council regulations, renters need to obtain a 900 selective licence to let their properties. And Reeves had not obtained one.

Rachel Reeves has come under fire after it was revealed she broke the law over renting rules

The Chancellor has been receiving a healthy 3,200 a month for leasing this four-bedroom house in Southwark, London since last year



On this occasion, though, the attitude of her and Keir Starmer to flagrant ministerial lawbreaking is remarkably different.

On being caught bang to rights, Reeves hurriedly applied for a licence, then contacted the Prime Minister. He, in turn, briefly consulted his ethics adviser, Laurie Magnus. And then declared the matter closed.

That was until yesterday afternoon, when a No 10 spokesman dramatically announced new information has come to light.

At which point Magnus  having moved with unseemly haste to exonerate the Chancellor  moved with equal alacrity to unexonerate her. A new investigation was under way, Downing Street said.

Then, within the hour, Downing Street was back. The new evidence completely exonerated her as well, No 10 sources briefed.

So why, to quote Reeves own phrase, is it one rule for her and another rule for everyone else?

Or, more specifically, one rule for her and another rule for her political opponents?

Reeves had only breached the law unwittingly, according to her allies, because the rental had been managed by a letting agency and it had made an error over the regulations without informing her. The agency subsequently supported her story.

But when Sunak was fined, he too had been totally ignorant of the planned party, wandering in entirely by chance.

Yet Reeves still demanded his head. Could it be that the potential penalty for Reeves offence is trivial by comparison to the one imposed on Sunak?

Again, it doesnt appear so. Sunaks fine was a few hundred pounds. The maximum penalty for Reeves wrongdoing is an unlimited fine on prosecution, or a civil penalty of up to 30,000.

Its a criminal offence. Perhaps Reeves intends to argue the law she broke was trivial when set against the rules put in place to protect the nation from Covid. But the selective licensing regime is an important piece of legislation.

According to Reeves own government, its designed to ensure greater security of tenure, and safer, higher-quality homes for renters.

Whats more, Reeves was fully aware of its significance. We know this because in October she tweeted her support for Leeds Council when it introduced such a scheme to cover her constituency. Everyone deserves a safe and secure home. I look forward to continuing to work with the local community to improve conditions for renters, she said.

No. The real reason is Sir Keir and his colleagues believe the rules are for the little people. Or their big political enemies. Or just about anyone who doesnt share a dinner, or Cabinet table, with them.

Reeves and her rental. Rayner and her stamp duty. The anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq and her corruption scandal.

The pattern is wearily familiar. And underpinned by a sense of entitlement that is truly breathtaking. Abiding by the regulations the rest of the British people have to abide by? Thats optional.

Actually, its not that theyre seen as optional. Its that ministers dont even seem to feel the need to bother to be properly across the regulations at all.

In both the Reeves and Rayner cases, the excuses have been identical. They didnt realise the breaches were taking place because they had outsourced responsibility to professional third parties who somehow failed to ensure their clients complied with their own laws.

How does Keir Starmer not get it? As he waves away more illegality with a dismissive nothing to see here, how has he managed to forget how frequently and self-righteously he berated Boris Johnson for exactly the same casual disregard for public probity?

Let me jog his memory. In January 2022, Sir Keir unveiled what he called his contract with Britain: The very first clause in that contract, is a binding commitment about decency and standards in public life.

Of course, these standards already exist. They are known as the Nolan Principles  selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership. So my solemn promise to you will always be to run a government that honours these principles.

We can now all see how the Prime Minister intends to honour those principles  by brushing more misconduct by one of his most senior ministers under the carpet without even bothering to conduct a proper investigation.

The issue with the Reeves saga is the same issue weve seen with all the other Labour scandals.

Its not the scale or nature of the offence, but the way Starmer dismisses breaches of the rules and law by his own ministers, having spent years castigating the Tories for similar offences.

Three years ago, Rachel Reeves said there couldnt be one rule for those who make the rules and another rule for everyone else. Keir Starmer clearly thinks there can.
More than 37.5 million pints of creamer are consumed in America each day, but health experts are sounding the alarm over the coffee additive.

Coffee creamer was initially intended as a convenient, shelf-stable substitute for milk or cream that could be added to coffee, and now, it has exploded into a rainbow of seasonal flavors with sales surging to more than $5 billion a year.

While many consumers see it as a tasty and harmless addition to their coffee, doctors warn that these creamers are considered ultra-processed beverages and are packed full of synthetic ingredients, which could have negative health impacts.

Common synthetic ingredients in coffee creamers include artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium, as well as emulsifiers and thickeners like carrageenan, mono and diglycerides.

Many liquid and powdered creamers also contain hydrogenated oils (trans fats), high-fructose corn syrup, and other additives to improve texture and shelf life.

And, the sweetened coffee toppings typically contain 5g to 10g of sugar per tablespoon, while traditional dairy products like half-and-half have about 1g per tablespoon.

More than 37.5 million pints of coffee creamer is consumed in America each day but health experts are sounding the alarm about the synthetic milk substitute (stock photo)

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Harvard Medical School professor Dr David Sinclair told the Daily Mail that the cocktail of thickening agents, emulsifiers and stabilizers in coffee creamers may cause gut-barrier disruption and microbiome changes which could contribute to colon cancer development.

Meanwhile, the sugar and fructose in some flavored creamers can cause consumers to exceed the daily limits recommended by doctors, impacting blood glucose levels and promoting type 2 diabetes.

Some offerings also include hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oils or high-saturated-fat dairy ingredients which can increase the levels of LDL cholesterol when consumed daily. This in turn can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Instead of synthetic coffee creamers, Dr Sinclair says he prefers to use nut-based milks like almond milk and walnut milk that have no added sugar.

Dr Raj Dasgupta, an internal medicine specialist, told the Daily Mail that he agrees with Dr Sinclair's sentiments when it comes to coffee creamers, which he said are more similar to 'sweetened, processed desserts than milk'.

He revealed: 'I've seen patients who used flavored creamers daily and felt tired, bloated, or had stomach issues. Once they switched to simple milk or homemade creamers, their energy and digestion noticeably improved.'

The Daily Mail visited a popular grocery store in New York and used the Yuka app to rate a variety of coffee creamers for sale.

The app allows you to scan the barcode of any food or cosmetic product and you'll get a score out of 100 based on how many chemicals and additives it's packed with and, in the case of food, its nutritional value.

Daily Mail reached out to all of the coffee creamer brands for comment but did not receive responses ahead of publication.

Out of the 10 coffee creamers we tested, only one was deemed 'good', while five got a 'poor' rating and four were branded 'bad'.

Coffee creamer was initially intended as a convenient, shelf-stable substitute for milk or cream and now it has exploded into a rainbow of seasonal flavors with sales surging to more than $5 billion (stock photo)

The worst-faring coffee creamer was the Dunkin' Pumpkin Munchkin Coffee Creamer, which scored just seven out of 100. Yuka says it has dipotassium phosphate (a stabilizer) and carrageenan (a texturizing agent), which are both classified as 'high risk' ingredients.

Dipotassium phosphate is considered high risk because it is a synthetic phosphate salt that can contribute to excessive phosphate intake. When consumed in large amounts through processed foods, the phosphate can disturb the body's calcium and phosphorus balance, which may stress the kidneys, weaken bones, and increase cardiovascular risk.

Carrageenan is viewed as high risk because, although it is derived from red seaweed, some studies suggest it can irritate the digestive tract and promote inflammation, particularly in people with gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.

A related compound, degraded carrageenan (poligeenan), has also shown inflammatory and potentially carcinogenic effects in animal studies.

For this reason, certain organic and clean-label standards prohibit carrageenan, even though regulatory agencies still allow its use in food.

Meanwhile, the Dunkin' Pumpkin Munchkin Coffee Creamer has 6g of sugar per tablespoon, which is around a quarter of the daily limit for women.

International Delight's French Vanilla Coffee Creamer also got a 'bad' rating, with just eight points out of 100.

Starbucks' Non-Dairy sugar Cookie Latte Creamer was deemed 'bad' by the Yuka app with a 22 out of 100 score

It was flagged for containing 5g of sugar per tablespoon and a number of additives, including dipotassium phosphate, carrageenan, and mono- and diglycerides. Yuka revealed that it has sodium stearoyl lactylate, which is commonly used as a texturizing agent in baked goods.

The app notes that a recent in vitro study showed that sodium lactylates have the capacity to alter gut microbiota composition. This microbial imbalance can lead to increased intestinal permeability, often called 'leaky gut,' which allows bacterial fragments and toxins to enter the bloodstream.

Coffee Mate's Standard French Vanilla flavor didn't fare much better, earning 21 out of 100. Along with containing similar additives to the sugar-free version, it has 5g of sugar per tablespoon.

Despite looking like a healthier option with its almond and oat milk base, Starbucks' Non-Dairy Sugar Cookie Latte Creamer was also deemed 'bad' by Yuka, with a 22 out of 100 score.

Along with containing 5g of sugar per tablespoon and two additives (guar gum and sodium bicarbonate as texturizing agents) it also has 1g of fat, which Yuka said was 'a bit too fatty'.

This is because its fat content is slightly higher than typical for a plant-based or non-dairy creamer, not because 1 gram of fat is objectively a lot.

Chobani's Cookie Dough Coffee Creamer scored 31 out of 100 for containing 5g of sugar per serving and 1g of saturated fat. However, the Daily Mail noted that the creamer has an impressive ingredient list with just six items - milk, cream, cane sugar, Dutch cocoa, natural flavors, and sea salt - none of which are artificial.

Califia Farms Vanilla Oat Creamer was another option that appeared to be a healthier choice because it is plant-based, dairy-free, and marketed as a 'natural' alternative to traditional creamers.

However, Yuka still gave it a 'poor' rating of 45 out of 100, noting that it was 'a bit too sweet,' with 3 grams of sugar per serving and two concerning additives: calcium carbonate (a fortifying agent) and guar gum (a thickener and stabilizer).

In this case, the 3 grams of sugar are mostly added sugar, not naturally occurring. Yuka's app does not differentiate between added and natural sugars in its analysis, but the score is influenced by total sugar content and the presence of added sugars.

Silk's Oatmilk Vanilla Creamer received a 48 out of 100 'poor' rating, with its main downfall being its sugar content of 4g per serving.

Coffee Mate's Sugar-Free French Vanilla Coffee Creamer earned the same 48 out of 100 score. Yuka called it out for containing five 'high risk' additives - dipotassium phosphate, carrageenan, mono- and diglycerides, acesulfame K, and sucralose - but gave it credit for having just 10 calories per tablespoon, with no saturated fats or sugar.

Nut Pods' Almond and Coconut Creamer scored just one point higher, with 49 out of 100. Yuka said the addition of the stabilizer dipotassium phosphate is 'high risk' and 'could be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and breast cancer.'

Chobani's Cookie Dough Coffee Creamer got a 31 out of 100 for containing 5g of sugar per serving and 1g of saturated fat. However, Daily Mail noted that the creamer has an impressive ingredient list, in terms that contains no additives

Only one of the ten coffee creamers the Daily Mail tested received a 'good' rating. Laird's Superfood's Coconut Creamer with Functional Mushrooms scored 51 out of 100.

The app praised it for being low calorie (20 calories per tablespoon), having no sodium, and being low in saturated fats and sugar.

New York-based personal trainer Natalie Alex said she is not surprised by the findings.

She told this website: 'Honestly, most coffee creamers aren't as harmless as they seem. They're ultra-processed and often full of hydrogenated oils, corn syrup, artificial flavors, and thickeners like carrageenan - none of which are good for your heart or digestion.

'Even the 'sugar-free' ones usually have sweeteners that mess with your gut microbiome. Because of the sugar and caffeine combo, they can also become a bit addictive.

'You start craving that specific sweet, creamy taste. It's much better to use something simple like a splash of organic cream, unsweetened plant milk, or even coconut oil or cinnamon for flavor.'
A severely anorexic young woman was prescribed blockbuster weight loss jab Wegovy by one of the UK's biggest online pharmacies, despite weighing less than six stone.

Catlin, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, was diagnosed with the eating disorder and serious mental health condition over a decade ago, when she was still a teenager.

Since then she has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and after her last hospital visit her mother, Debbie, was devastatingly informed that her daughter was at risk of sudden deathas a result of malnutrition and related mental health problems.

Now she weighs less than 38kg.

Currently according to NHS guidelines, patients should only be prescribed weight loss injections like Wegovy if they have significant health problems due to their weight and have a BMI of 35 or higher, meaning they are considered obese.

But Catlin was able to access a monthly subscription of the fat jab Wegovy from the online pharmacy Numan by uploading an AI generated image to prove that she met the criteria, in a move that could have killed her.

Now her mother is calling for stricter regulations across the healthcare sector, including face-to-face checks on all prescriptions to help raise awareness and protect the lives of thousands of vulnerable people in her daughter's position.

Speaking to LBC, she said learning of her daughter's dangerous drug use, which was facilitated by inadequate safeguarding procedures, made her feel 'powerless'.

Catlin was able to access the weight loss jab via an online pharmacy after submitting AI generated photos of herself

'The first thing I do every morning is go into my daughter's room to see if she is still alivethat is how I begin every single day,' she said.

'I have to regularly check her room for things like laxatives. Hidden in one of her drawers were two boxes of Wegovy.

'One was empty... one of them still had needles in it.'

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in blockbuster jabs like Wegovy and Ozempicworks by tricking the brain into thinking it's full, quietening food nosies, and helping people lose weight as a result.

Some users have reported losing over 25kg on the jabs.

Debbie continued: 'You just feel so desperate. I carry on in agony every day with worries about her. And then when you're fighting things beyond her own illness and beyond the walls of your own home... you feel so powerless.

'As a mother, when you see things like that, your heart just collapses because you're fighting so much.'

When Debbie discovered her daughter was using the jabs, and saw they had been provided by Numanwho claims on its website to 'keep a close eye' on patients' progressshe contacted the chemist's customer service team to cancel the prescription.

At least 1.25million people in the UK are thought to be living with an eating disorder. Anorexia nervosa (often called anorexia) is an eating disorder and serious mental health condition

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But despite her best efforts and concerns about Catlin's life, she was informed that this would not be possible due to data protection.

It was only when LBC contacted the pharmaceutical company on her behalf that a decision was made to cancel her subscription.

LBC reports that, upon learning about Catlin's situation, Numan has promised to implement more thorough training to help staff successfully identify when to escalate safeguarding concerns.

Debbie added: 'I feel frightened that my daughter could die if she gets hold of any morebut really, she could die and thousands of other people's children could die.

'You do get moments as a mum when you let those thoughts become really dark.

'I have replayed conversations in my head where I go through my speech for her funeral and I know the last line of that would be: "I'm so sorry we couldn't save you."'

In response, Numanwhich is projected to make 170m in revenue this yearhas said patients will now have to submit photos in real time when applying for weight loss jabs.

In response to Catlin's heartbreaking story, Sokratis Papafloratos, CEO of Numan issued a statement: 'I have been in private contact with the family to apologise unreservedly for the distress caused.

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'I have also reassured them we have taken the necessary action to ensure their daughter never receives weight loss medication from us again.

'We are expanding our safeguarding leadership team, improving verification rigour through a combination of live-photo, video consultation and gaining NHS record access.

'Patient safety is our number one priority.'

The company has also pledged to increase the proportion of patients who will have to be verified through a video call, following the General Pharmaceutical Council's crackdown on weight loss jab restrictions .

At least 1.25million people in the UK are thought to be living with an eating disorder, predicts BEAT, the UK's eating disorder charity.

'People with eating disorders like anorexia often feel compelled to lose weight however they can, and so these kinds of drugs are incredibly attractive for people who are in the grip of this really serious illness, Tom Quinn, founder of BEAT told LBC.

'We need someone to be face to face, to actually check whether the person's BMI, for example, is what they say it is.

'But actually even that isn't sufficient because people may be struggling with an eating disorder without yet having lost weight.

Ms McGonigal's three daughters said the 53-year-old (left) had become 'desperate' to lose weight after a long-term relationship ended, and a beautician had offered weight loss injections for 20 each (Pictured: Ms McGonigal with her three daughters)

'That's why we think, as well as a face to face consultations, there needs be proper mental health screening in place to check that someone doesn't have a serious eating disorder.'

The call to action comes following the devastating death of a mother-of-three who was illegally administered a dose of semaglutide bought on the black market in May.

Ms McGonigal, from Salford in Greater Manchester, had tried to get the jab on the NHS but was deemed ineligible so she took matters into her own hands, purchasing the jab from a beautician who took her into a back room where she was injected with a syringe.

Just days after her last injection she began experiencing stomach pains and breathing difficulties.

She was admitted to hospital and died two days later.

If youre worried about your own or someone elses health, you can contact Beat, the UKs eating disorder charity, 365 days a year on 0808 801 0677 or at beateatingdisorders.org.uk
A glamorous WWE star who was mistaken for an escort by a luxury hotel chain has lashed out after having a promised free stay rescinded.

Chelsea Green, 34, made headlines last year when she claimed she was removed from The Plaza in New York by security who believed that she was a sex worker.

After the inaugural WWE Women's United States Champion blasted the establishment on social media, she received a personal apology from the general manager of Fairmont Hotels and was offered a complimentary two night stay.

However, Green claimed last week that Fairmount Hotels had rescinded the offer.

'Fairmont Hotels offered me a two night stay anywhere... after calling me an escort lol. Now they're taking it back,' she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

She then shared an email that she received from an assistant at The Plaza, which is part of Fairmont Hotels, in which they explained that Green had indeed been offered a free stay, but that it was for their Vancouver location and that it had expired.

'Regrettably, we are unable to change the location of the certificate as this was honored by our sister Fairmont, Pacific Rim in Vancouver, and it is non-transferable,' they wrote.

'In addition, I regret to inform you that the validity of this certificate has since expired as it is valid within 12 months of issued date.'

WWE star Chelsea Green, who was mistaken for an escort by a luxury hotel chain last year, has lashed out after having a promised free stay at the hotel rescinded

Furious at their response, Green wrote on X, 'You can't make this s**t up.'

The Canadian star then said that she didn't want to accept a free hotel stay in her hometown of Vancouver.

'They booked it for my hometown hotel lol even though they told me it was for anywhere in the world. Who wants to stay at a hotel when they could stay at home?' she replied to a fan on X.

Poking fun at the situation, Green then shared a GIF of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman and wrote, 'Your girl just wants her free stay at a @FairmontHotels for being called a hooker is that too much to ask!?'

The Daily Mail has contacted Fairmont Hotels for comment.

During the original incident, Green was in New York to film WWE's Raw at the Barclays Center and was planning to meet a friend for a drink at The Plaza Hotel.

The pair intended to dine at the Fifth Avenue hotel's Champagne Bar before heading to Broadway for a show - just four days before Wrestlemania.

However, their plans were ruined by hotel staff who forced the wrestling champion out of the five-star establishment due to her attire.

Green, 34, made headlines last year when she claimed she was removed from The Plaza in New York by security who believed that she was a sex worker

Green was offered a stay at a Vancouver location, but it expired after 12 months

Poking fun at the situation, Green shared a Pretty Woman GIF and wrote, 'Your girl just wants her free stay at a @FairmontHotels for being called a hooker is that too much to ask!?'

Green, who is married to former WWE wrestler Matt Cardona, claimed she was denied entry to the iconic Manhattan hotspot as staff believed she was there for more than a drink.

They reportedly accused her of being an escort due to her outfit - a blue denim skirt, white off-the-shoulder top, black blazer and brown knee-high boots.

'Man one night youre wrestling at Barclays Center, having the time of your life and the next youre being kicked out of @FairmontHotels and accused of being an escort because of your outfit,' she posted to X alongside a spiral-eyes emoji and a photo of her outfit from the night in question.

'Life is funny! Maybe next year I wont celebrate Wrestlemania weekend at The Plaza Hotel LOL' she added.

The incident occurred at 5.45pm when Green and her friend were told they would have to leave the premises as they were not guests at the hotel, according to TMZ.

A guest, who saw the events unfold, invited them for a drink, allowing them to bypass security and enter the bar.

'Get back here. We aren't playing your games. We know what you're doing here,' furious staffers then allegedly shouted.

Security reportedly accused Green of being an escort due to her outfit - a blue denim skirt, white off-the-shoulder top, black blazer and brown knee-high boots

The former Women's Tag Team Champion admitted she was left 'p***ed' and 'embarrassed' over the encounter before returning to the lobby to try to speak to a manager.

However, as she attempted to make her way through the foyer, Green claimed she was chased down by three security guards, who told her to leave.

She said she was finally able to speak to a manager but staffers stood next to them and laughed throughout the conversation.

Green got her start in wrestling on the independent circuit before joining Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2016.

She became the Knockouts Champion at the company before leaving for stints in NXT and Ring of Honor wrestling.

Green became the WWE Women's Tag Team Champion in 2023, and the following year she won a tournament to crown the inaugural Women's United States Champion.
Once upon a time, booze was my great joy. From the ages of 13 to 43, it was the thing I prioritised above all else: friends, family (damn it, it was how I dealt with family), the lot. Drinking was how I defined myself.

Alcohol was cool, fun, feminist; a blast. I loved red wine, Dirty Martinis, Negronis... and liquor appeared to love me. I was smitten by the people and the paraphernalia, the venues and the venery; the look, scent, sound, touch and taste of the thing. I relished the nihilism with which it knocked the world off its axis so that only the next glass mattered; the way it suppressed emotion and released it; and the giddy oblivion it brought.

I loved others on drink, too, but, mostly, I loved myself: bolder, brighter, and thus actively happier  or that was the theory. Not later that night, when 4am paranoia kicked in. Not the morning after, brain blown, horrified at what Id said and done. Not overall, what with my existence trapped in one small, staggering circle in which nothing was ever confronted, or changed.

But, then, after three riotous decades, I did  finally  change. This autumn, Im 11 years sober aged 54. When I tell people this, they immediately demand the easy answer: an overnight transformation, some ecstatically happy ending, as promised by so many drink-free influencers.

You must feel fantastic! they shriek. I dont. Im still me, after all, only without the preferred prop  turned hamperer  of my adult existence. But, thats fine. I sleep better, while my mood tends to be at some happy-ish medium rather than veering between euphoric highs and desolate lows.

Rather than being a functional alcoholic, I have enjoyed a functional 11-year relationship  the timing no coincidence.

I finally acquired a mortgage, a home, a beloved hound to get up for. Theres been no pink cloud (the Alcoholics Anonymous term for a phase of early abstinence characterised by elation), no sudden rush of energy in which I Marie Kondo my entire existence into better order. However, Im no longer inflicting misery on myself and others, and that is everything.

Those contemplating prolonging Sober October may not want to hear that Ive never stopped missing booze. (Sorry about that.) One simply learns to appreciate having a healthier, more fulfilling, altogether better life more.

After three riotous decades, I did  finally  change. This autumn, Im 11 years sober aged 54

Being an alcoholic doesnt necessarily mean drinking at breakfast, or at lunch, or before 6pm. You qualify as having an alcohol problem if its a destructive force in your life

My own epiphany came after I found myself on a bender that started at 11am and ended with me asleep at 11pm in a friends bath. When I add that the bender in question was a christening, the issue will begin to be clear. I was heartbroken, blackly unhappy, the heftiest I had ever been, unable to be around others without being a bottle in, and entirely unable to sleep.

And so, on September 15, 2014, I dragged myself onto the wagon. People tried to persuade me that I wasnt an alcoholic because I was functional, outwardly flourishing even. Still, I know that addiction was destroying my any hope of happiness.

Ive learnt that being an alcoholic doesnt necessarily mean drinking at breakfast, or at lunch, or before 6pm. It may not mean a bottle of vodka a night, or not being able to take a couple of days, even weeks, off. Its less about what you drink than how you do it.

You qualify as having an alcohol problem if its a destructive force in your life.

And from my UDIs (A&E-speak for unidentified drinking injuries), such as bruises, toppling into roadworks and bloodying both knees  or sliding down the steps to my basement and having to have my arm X-rayed  to the armour I wore in my love life, this was the status it held.

Christmas morning that year marked 100 days off the mothers ruin. Everyone encouraged me to celebrate with a glass of fizz. Everyone apart from another drunk, who cautioned: Do you want a glass? Two glasses even? He was right  I wanted a bottle, more  so none has carried on being the better option.

More than a decade on, not drinking is simply my real  occasionally dragging, but, finally, stable  life.

Sobriety may be less taboo than it was back then. But, that doesnt mean its better understood. So here are 11 things Ive learned during 11 years teetotal...

1. Sobrietys not as hard as you think

The hard thing was what I had been doing: drinking myself wretched, or striving to moderate and failing. Some of us are all or nothing types, meaning nothing is going to be the better solution; better and genuinely easier.

Easier than standing  sprawling  in our own way. Easier than being a bad parent, useless adult, or absent, destructive partner. Easier than wasting energy endeavouring to escape from things, only to return to the same, stuck place.

True, there may be withdrawal symptoms, such as nightmares, insomnia, moodiness and a flu-like feeling. And fair-weather friends may try to undermine your resolve, but you wont shed real ones. Those who care about you, will support you  and may even ask for help themselves. While the alcohol substitutes are better than ever, whether thats faux fizz, or one of the many excellent zero-alcohol beers. (Although, not Becks Blue  thats awful. Try BrewDog.)

2. Impose a trial separation

'More than a decade on, not drinking is simply my real  occasionally dragging, but, finally, stable  life,' says Hannah Betts

My abstinence began with no alcohol for 12 weeks because I couldnt sleep. I didnt yet know this would mean for ever, and might have found this impossible if I had.

As 90 days approached, it was obvious that this had transformed not merely my insomnia, but my entire existence.

Remember, booze is our cultures great social, emotional and mental health prop. At first, youre likely to be hit by a flood of emotions, insights and challenges. Treat yourself as the invalid you are and indulge in what the young refer to as self care. Ive always despised the coloured-pen brigade, but came to consider journalling essential. Go on walks, have massages, read novels, take baths, sleep. Do whatever you need to do  just dont drink.

3. AA is brilliant  but not for everyone

AA's religious elements may pose a problem for people looking to join the support group

For those of us who dont do God, Alcoholics Anonymous may present issues, as a higher power is key to its 12 steps. (Step 1 is to admit to being powerless over alcohol; step 2 that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity; step 3 to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God.) However, AAs 90 years of wisdom is for all. Its very catchphrases are salutary. I will always love: Its not a drinking disease, its a thinking disease. But, it could be: Progress, not perfection, Play the tape forward, or One day at a time.

I didnt attend any meetings in the flesh, but I did have a virtual AA group: Recovered Cast (recoveredcast.com). Based in Detroit, its run by Mark, a former drinker who broadcasts from his late sons bedroom, a young man who lost his life to addiction.

I needed it because some group aspect is key to learn that youre not special, just another drunk, and the drunks before you have learned stuff. For 8 a year you gain access to its invaluable 1,300-plus episode back catalogue.

I also read and relished the late Caroline Knapps memoir, Drinking: A Love Story. App-wise, Try Dry (alcoholchange.org) is Alcohol Changes free, time-out of drinking tracker, with tips (the money-saved tally delights many).

4. Sobriety will make you look younger

Not drinking makes you look young in two respects.

In the first case, young people are more sober curious, less interested in being perma-plastered.

In 2022, 26 per cent of 16-24-year-olds reported not drinking in the previous 12 months. Thus youll find you have more in common with younger generations than your own.

But, youll also drop years off your looks. Newly sober, I shed a mortifying stone and a half during the first seven weeks. Within days, people started going wild about how amazing I looked. I lost my booze face: skin hollowed and shrunken about the eyes, yet bloated and overblown overall. Abstinence made me healthier more generally.

Not only was I not destroying my liver, one eats a lot less rubbish when one isnt forever soaking up a hangover. Eleven years on, Im told I look up to 20 years younger than my 54 years. Generous, but Id certainly look older still doing it.

5. Find other forms of pleasure

Going without alcohol leaves a gap. A large part of this will involve how you register pleasure and relaxation. Have fun working out what joys you most cherish. Eat chocolate, binge Netflix, get into fitness, fetishise your skincare, knit, pick up litter, visit art galleries, bake cakes.

Later, I replaced a destructive love of liquor with a positive passion for my dog Pimlico: meaning I also now boast some sort of outdoor, daylight existence and community. (Much as I longed for a whippet, I could not have been responsible for her in hammered mode.)

Youll be saving money so splurge it in other areas. I indulge myself with lapsang souchong, mangos and supermarket roses.

What I spent on red wine goes on good soap and great scent. When I need a tonic, I will make supper while listening to an ancient history podcast. These are the bricks on which my happiness is built. Discover yours.

6. Youre going to have to feel the feelings

A lot of us used alcohol for escapism, emotional, not least. Without this mode of avoidance, were going to have to feel the feelings. This means early sobriety can be like dreaming: stuff will come up, not all of it real.

I found this an intense, isolating time of painful self-evaluation, stripped of my usual defence mechanisms for avoiding vulnerability with my family, with men, in life as a whole. HALT is a brilliant AA acronym. When you crave a drink, ask yourself: Am I hungry, angry, lonely, or tired?  or some unwinning combination of all four  and address these things rather than taking temporary solace in the bottle.

At 54, I add a second H for hormonal to become HHALT. As you build time teetotal, you will begin to learn your triggers, and whether these tend to occur alone, or in public.

For some, solo winter nights are the challenge, for others, friend-filled, summer afternoons. Mine centred around rebellion  a screw this attitude being how I dealt with not only misery, but boredom.

I still have to watch it so I dont rebel from abstinence itself.

7. Socialising is actually better sober

Awkward Brits imagine that we drink to be less socially anxious: the sauce making us brighter, braver, bravado-filled.

Actually, I am far ballsier without it. Now I dont have to be scared of myself, Im not scared of anything. Plus I listen, ask questions, remember what Im told. I may not dance on tables any more, but continue to boast the loudest laugh in any room.

Launched into Christmas parties 90 days dry, I would consume a small bar of dark chocolate to give myself the same sugar high drink was providing for everyone else. Weddings can prove interminable: take time out, no one will notice. Should funeral attendance feel compulsory, at least skip the wake.

Remember, a French exit  vanishing without saying goodbye  is the perfect strategy when everyones hammered.

8. Interesting people will still be interesting

More interesting, in fact, because youll be paying attention; ditto interesting things.

However, bores and tedious situations youll have to drop. Thats fine  you should have been saying no in the first place, rather than self-medicating your way through.

The most boring individuals will be those who feel threatened that your abstinence is a judgment on their own consumption. Typically, this will involve some puce-faced dipsomaniac informing you hes never had a problem before passing out in his soup.

But, it can also make people mean, aggressive and cattily undermining. Some people found it fun to throw the term alcoholic around before I was ready to as a way of mortifying me socially. Screw em. This is their problem, not yours.

9. Your sex life may suffer  then improve

Ultimately, intercourse will be hotter and altogether better, but for a while this may be a work in progress

The beginning of our erotic lives traditionally coincides with the beginning of our drinking careers.

The result: sober sex means losing ones virginity all over again, with just as little prowess.

I was 90 days on the wagon when I met my partner, forced to turn the lights off merely to kiss him a month later.

To get into my body, I needed to be out of my head, meaning it took a long time for sex to feel like sex again. If you have a regular partner, it helps to be honest.

In place of the customary social lubricant, one may need sexual lubricant. Ultimately, intercourse will be hotter and altogether better, but for a while this may be a work in progress. Dont panic. Your mojo will return. Although, frankly, at times, sober sex can still feel weird after all these years. But, then having to be oblivious to engage in the act was pretty weird too.

10. Youre new at sobriety for a few years

Boozehounds will consider you new at not drinking for the first 12 months.

Personally, the learning curve was steep until year five. Forget that, Im still learning.

Obstacles will constantly crop up: sober holidays can feel unexpectedly taxing. Family meet-ups are lethal; the AA have an axiom: Your family knows how to push your buttons because theyre the ones that put them there.

But, its also just a case of events, dear girl, events, to misquote Harold Macmillan. In my first 18 months dry, there was my mothers fatal cancer, my father drinking himself to death, almost losing my baby nephew. All I wanted to do was lose myself in the bottle to escape these horrors; get smashed and blot it all out. However, I stayed present for them, for myself. I didnt go absent and this was everything.

And I would have given 30 years carousing for one sober nights watch over my mothers bed.

11. You may miss booze  and thats OK

AA teaches that you work the steps, then you cease to crave. I miss alcohol all the time. It was my passion for 30 years, right from my early teens when it was the pure pleasure that was also social armour. (I looked older, had older friends, while drinking wasnt taboo in my liberal family.)

I loved drinking, but Ive had to learn to love other things more: my sanity, my self-respect, my quality of life  and the happiness of those around me.

AA talks about God moments, where one encounters a situation that powerfully enforces your decision to quit. Its possible for the godless to have these. Only this weekend, my friends were getting plastered around me raucous, rowdy, having a whale of the time. Next morning, one of them came to me, teary and shaking, to tell me how desperate she feels, for which her drinking is an inadequate mask.

She knows  as I did 11 years ago  that its time to call a halt; a halt to the self-hatred, festering misery and the shame. As Sober October dims into memory and the festive season looms, ask yourself: is it time for you too?
A cancer specialist has highlighted the key physical signs that could be early indicators of the disease - urging people to pay attention to their bodies.

Dr Leigh Erin Connealy, Medical Director of California's Center for New Medicine, named the five symptoms she most commonly see in her practice.

'Common ways patients find cancer in their body is with a lump [or] a bump,' she explained in a video shared to her social media accounts.

She added that persistent difficulty swallowing, unexplained pain in the back, and abdominal swelling are also all warning signs 'pay attention' to.

Dr Connealy, author of The Cancer Revolution, shared further advice on recognising early symptoms, explaining that staying aware of subtle changes is often the best path to early diagnosis.

'I would say that in the majority of patients I see, they were the ones who found their cancer first,' she wrote in the caption.

'We know our bodies better than anyone else does. It's important to tune in and listen - symptoms are never random; they're messages.

'Long before an official diagnosis, the body is often communicating that something is off.'

Dr Leigh Erin Connealy shared the advice about early cancer symptoms in a video posted to her @connealymd social media channels, urging people to pay attention to their bodies

Beyond the five main physical warning signs, Dr Connealy recommends watching for other red flags, such as unexplained weight loss, lasting fatigue, changes in appetite, or pain that refuses to go away.

If you notice these symptoms, especially alongside unusual lumps or bumps, she advises taking them seriously.

'These are all forms of feedback - signals that something in our internal environment needs attention,' she explained.

'The body isn't betraying us, but asking for support, nourishment, and change so that healing can begin.'

So what should you do if something 'doesn't feel right'? Dr Connealy suggests a four-step approach.

Firstly, start taking notes. 'Track changes - when they started, what makes them better or worse.'

Then, book an appointment to have your symptoms checked by a doctor.

'Get things evaluated early. Don't wait for reassurance from someone else if your intuition is nudging you.'

Dr Connealy's next piece of advice is what she calls 'support your terrain'.

Early cancer warning signs highlighted by the doctor included lumps and bumps, difficulty swallowing, unexplained back pain and abdominal swelling. (Picture: stock image)

Dr Leigh Erin Connealy, Medical Director of California's Center for New Medicine, recently named the five symptoms that could be an early indicator of cancer

'Focus on rest, sunlight, nutrient-dense food, and lowering stress to give your body better resilience while you seek answers,' she advised. 'A lot can be resolved by following the laws of nature.'

Finally, the cancer specialist recommended continuously staying in tune with your body and noting any 'messages' it's trying to tell you via signs and symptoms.

'Stay curious, not fearful. The earlier we respond to the body's messages, the easier it is to restore balance,' she said.

'Your body is intelligent - every symptom is part of a feedback loop guiding you back toward balance.'

This advice echoes recent recommendations from vascular surgeon Dr Rema Malik, based in Houston, Texas.

Dr Malik recently revealed the 'one piece of wisdom that could save you from years of chronic pain or a future medical emergency'.

And it all revolves around the subtle signals or 'whispers' your body is sending out or giving off that may signify a bigger problem.

'Your body is a brilliant communicator. It doesn't go from perfectly healthy to a crisis overnight. First, it whispers,' she explained.

Vascular surgeon Dr Rema Malik (left), recently revealed the 'one piece of wisdom that could save you from years of chronic pain or a future medical emergency', sharing it in a recent Instagram post (right)

Subtle signs to look out for

Dr Malik, who specialises in blood vessel conditions, provided examples of the types of subtle signs the bodies give, which are often ignored 'for months'.

'That new, persistent ache in your legs at the end of the day,' the doctor suggested as an example. 'The swelling in your ankles that leaves marks from your socks.'

Another surprising sign the expert highlighted was a 'predictable cramp' that strikes when you walk a certain distance.

Dr Malik explained that many of us are likely to entirely ignore or find short-term solutions for these kinds of issues, when in fact we should be taking action and investigating any underlying health issues that may be developing.

'We ignore these whispers because they're quiet and inconvenient. We wait for the scream,' she explained.

The 'scream' the doctor is referring to is a major health episode - and she insists that waiting for this moment before taking action can have 'devastating consequences'.

'The scream is the non-healing wound, the debilitating pain, the blood clot, the heart attack, or the stroke,' Dr Malik said.

For those aged over 40, the doctor emphasised the need to train yourself not to simply ignore persistent, pesky health signs but to start noticing and investigating them further with your doctor.

'Learning to listen to these whispers is a critical life skill, especially after age 40, when the body's warning signals for vascular disease become more common and far more urgent,' Dr Malik stressed.

'The greatest act of self-care is to take your own body's messages seriously.'
Melania Trump has been attacked online after decorating the White House for Halloween.

The First Lady covered the front of the White House with dozens of pumpkins, which some felt was in poor taste due to the fact that millions of Americans are about to lose access to food benefits next month amid the government shutdown.

In a notice posted to the US Department of Agriculture's website on Sunday, the government blamed Democrats for not voting to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

However, the Trump administration reportedly declined to tap into approximately $5billion in contingency funds to cover SNAP costs amidst the second longest shutdown in US history.

Given the current political climate, Melania's move to shower the White House in fresh pumpkins sparked outrage online, with many taking to X (formerly Twitter) to slam the First Lady.

'Awesome, too bad millions will have no food soon,' commented one.

'Instead of decorating with food, how about using it to give nutrition to the needy?' asked another.

'Are you going to give out those pumpkins to the people who are about to go hungry from losing their SNAP benefits or you're going to tell them to go eat cake?' asked a third.

Melania Trump has been attacked online after decorating the White House in dozens of fresh pumpkins for Halloween

Some felt Melania's decorating was in poor taste due to the fact that millions of Americans are about to lose access to food benefits next month amid the government shutdown

In a statement to Daily Mail, a rep for the White House blamed Democrats for the government shutdown.

'The Democrats shut down the government and SNAP benefits. Were not going to allow them to steal the joy of Halloween for children too,' shared Davis Ingle, WH Spokesman.

'President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are excited to host Halloween at the White House and carry on this special tradition for American families and guests to enjoy.'

President Trump and First Lady Melania will also be hosting Halloween at the White House for thousands of children and families with The International Fresh Produce Association.

As part of the festivities, IFPA is providing 7,500 apples from Washington and New York states to participants, along with thousands of colorful mums and pumpkins.

After the event, IFPA will donate Frey Farms pumpkins to the DC Central Kitchen.

Melania's decision to forge ahead with decorating this season also raised some eyebrows due to her past comments about White House decor.

The former model was secretly recorded in 2018 complaining about decorating the White House for Christmas after being criticized over husband President Trump's brutal immigration policies, which included separating families at the border.

'Im working my a** off on the Christmas stuff, that you know, who gives a f**k about the Christmas stuff and decorations? But I need to do it, right? she whined in the audio.

'OK, and then I do it and I say that Im working on Christmas and planning for the Christmas and they said, "Oh, what about the children that they were separated?" Give me a f***ing break. Where they were saying anything when Obama did that?'

People slammed the First Lady online and encouraged her to give the pumpkins to the needy

It comes as some conservative commentators have outright called for food benefits like SNAP to be permanently axed.

The Daily Wire's Matt Walsh posted on social media, 'EBT should just be abolished outright. 95 percent of the people on the program could easily feed themselves. They just dont feel like making the effort.'

He added, 'The other 5 percent can rely on charities, soup kitchens, food drives, churches, etc. The program is a disaster. Get rid of it.'

Another SNAP critic added, 'Why the hell are we giving food stamps to 40 million people? Does anyone work anymore?'

'40 f***ing million people, all eating, none of them paying for it. Absolute insanity,' said a third.

'When you give the government power to feed you, you give them the power to starve you. That's why socialism or communism never works. Ever,' posted another.

However, many others have supported benefits like SNAP and argued that they should remain in place.

'My faith teaches me that food is lifegiving and meant to be shared. From the miracle of fishes and loaves to the Last Supper, we are called to feed and care for each other,' posted Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

'The Trump administration prohibiting SNAP benefits is wrong. We should be fighting hunger, not causing it,' he added.

Another said, 'Cutting off EBT during the holidays is heartless & telling people just get a job behind these food stamps is crazy. AIN'T NOBODY HIRING. People been getting LAID OFF by the THOUSANDS. Yall are evil.'

'If youve never had to survive on food stamps you dont understand whats about to happen to many families next month,' agreed a third.

Around 42 million Americans rely on SNAP, which provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery shopping.

'These are, for the most part, working individuals who still are living paycheck to paycheck,' Gina Plata-Nino, interim director for nonprofit SNAP at the Food Research & Action Center, told CBS News.

The federal government entered into shutdown on October 1 when lawmakers failed to pass new funding bills.
Michelle, 61, has shared her response to the critics and how she handled them

The mom-of-two faced scrutiny for baring her arms during Barack's presidency

Michelle Obama has responded to the backlash she used to receive for her outfits during her time in the White House, blasting the criticism as 'pure hypocrisy.'

The 61-year-old former first lady faced scrutiny for her wardrobe choices during her husband Barack Obama's two terms as the 44th president from 2009 to 2017.

During that time, Michelle caused a stir for wearing sleeveless dresses and tops that flaunted her famously toned arms.

Finally addressing the furor over her fashion choices and how she handled it, Michelle said to People this week: 'I took it for what it was, pure hypocrisy.

'I could pull up pictures of Jackie O in a second and see this fashion icon in sleeveless dresses as first lady.

'So, at a point you're like, "Oh, this is politics. If you can't beat them, make everybody scared of them."'

She continued: 'That was the motto. If it wasn't the clothes, it was "that terrorist fist bump." It was every word that we said. It was my husband's tan suit.'

Michelle's style picks were written about and dissected while her husband was in office.

Michelle Obama has responded to the backlash over her White House fashion choices

The former first lady caused stir for wearing sleeveless dresses and tops that flaunted her famously toned arms (pictured in 2009)

In 2009, for example, while her Barack gave a speech to Congress, she sat in the audience in purple sleeveless dress.

'Oh my god. The First Lady has bare arms in Congress, in February, at night!' Cindi Leive, then the editor of Glamour magazine, told the New York Times at the time.

Shortly after, Chicago Tribune style reporter Wendy Donahue predicted that Michelle would make bare arms her 'signature statement.'

'In many ways it's the perfect accessory for the times. They cost nothing except maybe a gym membership or a couple of 15-pound [weights] that you can use in your home,' she said.

'Those toned arms that are the envy of every woman, not just 45-year-old women, but 25-year-old women don't have arms that toned.'

In the same interview, Michelle revealed how Barack tried to politely call out his daughters' revealing clothing while he was president, although she shut him down.

The couple's two daughters, Malia, now 27, and Sasha, now 24, were just eight and 10 when they were thrust into the limelight and parents Barack and Michelle had to make sure they were dressed appropriately for public outings.

However, when they were away from the limelight, Malia and Sasha were allowed to make their own fashion choices  which sometimes sparked a reaction from Barack.

'I took it for what it was, pure hypocrisy,' Michelle said in response to critics over her outfits

Michelle's wardrobe choices were scrutinized during her husband Barack Obama's two terms

Lifting the lid, Michelle said: 'So we had a deal - 'You work with [my stylist] Meredith [Koop] when dressing for public events.'

'What's 'in' for a 13-year-old is not acceptable walking down the staircase of Air Force One.

'It was like, 'When you're with us, you're like me, you're on a job. And so your choices can't lead, but you can be a part of the process.'

'Meredith worked with them and she had those [fashion] fights. But in their own world it was all them.'

Michelle then revealed her husband sometimes had a hard time with his daughter's outfits.

'Barack would be like, 'Those shorts seem really short.' And I was like, 'Don't say anything. Let them cook,'' she added.
She later went on to admit to partaking in it herself

One Influencer brought to light the newest attribute Gen Z has decided to cancel

Gen Z have long insisted that there are ways to spot a millennial based on their clothing choices, how they text and now - according to a new viral video, the way they pose in photos.

While some Y2K styles may have made a comeback in recent years, Gen Z spares no mercy in making fun of millennial-loved trends that that feel are now out.

First it was the skinny jeans, then it was the side partings and now it seems Gen Z have found yet another reason to roll their eyes in ridicule at millennials - their pout.

Back in the 2000s and 2010s, the photo pose had everyone in a chokehold - no post was complete without its presence, mostly equipped with a lingering peace sign.

Coined by the likes of Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, Ariana Grande and Blake Lively, it was indeed the zeitgeist of the 2000s, part of a lineage of facial trends that are timestamps for generations gone by.

Now, the humble pout or what some call the 'millennial smile' - a slightly duckish, lips thrust forward, wide-eyed precisely calibrated pose immortalized in 2010 selfies across Instagram and Facebook - has been officially 'canceled' according to a new video.

'Millennials, gather around, because I just found out that we are being [made] fun of for something called the "millennial smile,"' Jasmine, a lifestyle influencer, from Texas, announced to her Instagram platform of over 555,000 viewers.

Jasmine shared the sad news for millennials: the reluctancy to bare a toothy grin has been condoned as antiquated and 'uncool' by the younger generation.

Gen Z has urged millennials to 'put the peace signs down.' Tyra Banks is seen making the signature pose that Gen Z have now dubbed as 'uncool'

The humble pout or what some call the 'millennial smile' has been officially 'canceled' according to a new video. Ariana Grande is seen showing off her smirk in September

'I know Ive done [it] before,' admitted Jasmine of the faux pas. 'Damn, the Gen Zs are really clocking me.'

Jasmine's declaration went viral and sparked a debate between viewers.

'They hate us 'cause they aint us,' joked one offended millennial.

'Id rather have the millennial smile instead of the Gen Z stare,' quipped a separate social media user.

This refers to the rise of a pose adopted by Gen Z - an open mouthed deadpan stare and in lieu of the peace sign, a casual lean.

The pose, adopted by celebs such as Lily Rose Depp, aims to achieve the aesthetic some label 'Bratty IT Girl' with an ennui arising from the look screaming both nonchalance and effortlessness.

'We are smizing like Tyra Banks told us to lol,' another argued, crediting the veteran supermodel as founding the pose.

Banks famously instructed millennials how to smile with only their eyes on her 2000s reality series Americas Next Top Model.

Some millennials responded by slamming the Gen Z stare, adopted by celebs such as Lily Rose Depp, which aims to achieve the aesthetic some label 'Bratty IT Girl'

Another miffed user wrote: 'Is there anything we can do in peace? These kids clocking us for things we did before they were even born.'

It comes months after a report from the Wall Street Journal declared that leggings are officially 'dead.'

The fashion staple, which has been worn for years everywhere from the gym to the grocery store, has now been replaced by loose-fitting sweatpants.

A report titled 'The Death of Leggings' by retail analyst group EDITED revealed that sales of leggings made up almost 47 percent of all athleisure bottoms in 2022.

This year, however, that number plunged to 38.7 percent, marking a significant decline.

Growth has also slowed for Lululemon, whose famous yoga pants earned the company billions - and were even featured in The Museum of Modern Art's 2017 exhibition of the most influential fashion items.

With leggings supposedly out, the new trend, according to Gen Z, is to wear baggy workout pants with a tight top.

In some cases, a baggy T-shirt is also paired with the loose pants for a totally oversized look, a la Billie Eilish.

However, as trends change and Gen Zs throne is naturally usurped by the upcoming youth dictators of fashion - Gen Alpha - Gen Z will soon receive their own comeuppance.
The 41-year-old comedian appeared on the sketch show for 11 seasons

McKinnon voiced her main regret from her time on Saturday Night Live

Kate McKinnon has revealed the one 'terrible mistake' she made during her tenure on Saturday Night Live which 'ruined her life.'

The 41-year-old comedian appeared on the beloved show for 11 seasons between 2012 and 2022.

Sitting down with fellow SNL alum Amy Poehler on Tuesday's episode of her Good Hang podcast, McKinnon voiced her main regret from her time on the program.

She admitted that reading critics reviews of her SNL performances had a serious impact on her.

'I have made the terrible mistake of reading stuff on the internet, which I truly wish I could go back and have never looked at the internet because that haunts me,' she said.

'There are phrases that I have read that were not even that mean, not unfounded, like things with a kernel of truth, thoughtful critiques that I agreed with that have ruined my life.'

Despite leaving the cast of SNL in 2022, McKinnon returned one year later as host. She also starred in the blockbuster Barbie film that same year.

Elsewhere on the podcast episode, Poehler, 54, heaped praise on McKinnon's SNL talent.

Kate McKinnon shared the 'terrible mistake' she made during her tenure on Saturday Night Live

The Barbie actress appeared on the sketch show for 11 seasons between 2012 and 2022

'There are people on that show that I felt were naturals,' she said. 'Now whether or not they felt natural is their own personal story.

'But you, Maya Rudolph, Dana Carvey, Will Ferrell, people who just kind of came onto the show, fit right in and became like instant captains.

'I always felt that from you, just this calm confidence when you were performing.

'And it's interesting to know that inside you were not feeling that way. What did you do when you were not feeling like you did well?'

McKinnon then confessed to enduring 'plenty of desperate failures' that still 'haunt her even now.'

'There were plenty of desperate failures that haunt me even now,' she said. 'A lot of failures.

'Sometimes I'll still think of something that didn't work or that I just couldn't get there in time with the writing or the performing and it still stings and I still feel shame.'

McKinnon's candor comes one month after she opened up about her rare condition called geographic tongue - which is characterized by smooth, red patches on the tongue that resemble a map.

McKinnon reflected on her SNL appearance with fellow alum Amy Poehler

'I truly wish I could go back and have never looked at the internet,' McKinnon shared

While it's not life threatening, she admitted the condition is 'gross' while opening up about how she found out she had it.

'I took a photo of my tongue and sent it to an actor friend of mine,' McKinnon told People.

'We both have the same medical condition. It's called geographic tongue,' she continued.

'Your tongue sheds in patches and looks like an atlas, hence the name "geographic tongue."'

However, McKinnon hasn't let her condition get in her way of having a good time, as she admitted she and her friend 'brag' about their tongue's appearance.

According to Mayo Clinic, geographic tongue is an inflammatory but harmless condition affecting the surface of the tongue, which look like a map - hence its name.

The tongue is usually covered with tiny, pinkish-white bumps called papillae, which are actually fine, hair-like structures.

The condition only affects approximately three percent of people worldwide, although The Cleveland Clinic notes the number may be higher in reality, as many people don't seek medical help.
She insisted that she celebrates 'every founder' in the beauty industry

Hailey Bieber has insisted that she celebrates 'every founder' in the beauty industry following rumors of a recent reignited rift between her and Rare Beauty founder, Selena Gomez.

Bieber, 28, who is the founder of cult-favorite skincare brand Rhode Skin, made the remarks on Wednesday night, while accepting the award for Beauty Innovator of the year at the Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards in New York City.

It comes just months after E.l.f. Cosmetics acquired Bieber's Rhode Skin for $1 billion dollars in May.

The WSJ Innovator Awards are meant to recognize 'groundbreaking talents' across multiple industries, including fashion, art and cuisine.

Previous recipients have included Apple CEO Tim Cook, fashion designer Marc Jacobs and actress Angelina Jolie.

'I'm incredibly humbled to be recognized as a beauty innovator, an honor that has only been given to one other person: The iconic Pat McGrath,' Bieber began her speech, according to People.

'Making the decision to believe wholeheartedly in your ideas and dreams and launch a brand takes an immense amount of guts,' she continued.

The CCO of Rhode then shared that she 'applauded' and 'celebrated' everyone in her industry, and every founder in general.

Hailey Bieber has insisted that she celebrates 'every founder' in the beauty industry following rumors of a recent reignited rift between her and Rare Beauty founder, Selena Gomez

Her message comes just a few days after some fans thought that the star had shaded Selena Gomez in an interview with WSJ Magazine

'I applaud anyone and everyone who takes that leap of faith. I'm so grateful to be part of the beauty world, a world that has embraced me, and a world that I deeply cherish,' Bieber said.

'I celebrate every and each founder who is on the journey alongside me, and I look forward to continuing to show the world that there is no limit to our impact, influence and innovation. Thank you,' she concluded.

Her message comes just a few days after some fans thought that the star had shaded Gomez in an interview with WSJ Magazine.

Bieber was asked how she feels when the Rhode Beauty founder's company is compared to Gomez's Rare Beauty brand.

In response, Bieber said she 'doesn't feel competitive with people she's not inspired by' and called the constant comparisons 'annoying.'

Sources connected to Bieber later told TMZ that Bieber was talking about the other brands sold at Sephora, not Gomez's Rare Beauty.

The source told the outlet that she was not saying anything in response to Gomez.

Gomez later responded on Instagram, writing, 'She can say whatever she wants. Doesn't affect my life whatsoever. It's just about relevance not intelligence. Be kind. All brands inspire me.'

Bieber made the remarks on Wednesday night, while accepting the award for Beauty Innovator of the year at the Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards in New York City

Bieber is married to husband Justin Bieber and the couple are parents to son Jack, one - but he previously dated Gomez (seen earlier this month) on-and-off from 2010 through 2018

Gomez and Bieber have repeatedly denied being in a feud. She's seen in May

'There is room for everyone. And hopefully we can all stop.'

Bieber is married to husband Justin Bieber and the couple are parents to son Jack, one - but he previously dated Gomez on-and-off from 2010 through 2018.

Gomez and Bieber have repeatedly denied being in a feud.

At last night's Innovator awards, Bieber bared her shoulders in the strapless leather top, which was belted over a matching pencil skirt that was selected by stylist Dani Michelle.

The star wore dark pantyhose with a pair of white pointy-toed slingback pumps despite the old fashion rule about never wearing white after Labor Day.

Bieber accessorized her motorcycle jacket-inspired attire with $13,200 Tiffany 'Victoria' pearl-and-diamond earrings as well as the brand's 'Victoria' mixed cluster diamond bracelet.
The nonprofit organization behind the recent No Kings protests have called for Spotify users to cancel their accounts in response to the platform airing ICE recruitment ads.

The Indivisible Guide, which describes itself as a 'grassroots movement with a mission to elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda,' has urged every listener and artist to revoke their subscriptions.

Additionally, they have implored community action via peaceful public protest outside the company's offices, on top of pressuring artists, podcasters and labels to denounce the commercials and oppose the platform's complicity.

'Spotify is running ads recruiting agents for ICE, the federal agency charged with mass deportation and surveillance of immigrant communities,' they said.

'These ads target vulnerable populations, promise signing bonuses, and normalize fear and intimidation in our neighborhoods.

'Spotify claims these ads comply with their policy, but the truth is streaming hate is not neutral. It's a choice.'

Ending their statement, they added: 'We refuse to fund it. We refuse to ignore it.'

Spotify customers first reported hearing Immigration and Customs Enforcement recruitment ads earlier this month.

The nonprofit organization behind the recent No Kings protests have called for a Spotify boycott (stock image)

Protestors gather for No Kings march in Los Angeles, California, on October 18

It comes after the Department of Homeland Security confirmed in August that it would launch an ad campaign via social media and streaming services to target young people, former law enforcement and veterans.

Spotify users reported receiving the ads in between music that encourage them to 'join the mission to protect America' and 'fulfill your mission' by applying to become an ICE agent.

Many social media users have already declared they are boycotting the music streaming platform over the matter.

Commenting on the business's community support page, one said: 'I deleted my account immediately after finding out they support fascism.'

Another wrote: 'Turns out it is time to cancel Spotify. I have been a member since the beginning but hearing that they are allowing ICE recruitment ads on their platform means they will never see a dime from me until this is rectified.'

Similarly, a third added: 'Too bad I'm going to have to cancel premium because Spotify is recruiting ICE agents.'

A spokesperson for Spotify said the commercials are 'part of a broad campaign the US government is running across television, streaming, and online channels.'

They added that the ads do not violate Spotify's advertising policies, but that users can mark an ad with a thumbs up or down to manage preferences.

Spotify users first reported hearing ICE recruitment commercials earlier this month (stock image)

No Kings protests swept the globe earlier this month with huge demonstrations across Washington D.C., New York City, London and more.

Hollywood stars including Pedro Pascal, 50, John Cusack, 59, Jamie Lee Curtis, 66, and Glenn Close, 78, were among the famous faces spotted in the crowds.

The No Kings protests began in June, coinciding with Trump's 79th birthday and a military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the US Army.

Since then, the protests have continued, with organizers claiming that seven million people marched in the October 18 event in all 50 states.

Demonstrators coalesced around the idea that Trump is an authoritarian dictator, citing his crackdown on migrants, attacks on the media and prosecution of political opponents.
Melania Trump celebrated the holidays in style on Thursday while hosting Halloween at the White House with President Donald Trump.

The First Lady, 55, looked stunning in a brown trench coat dress that was perfectly suited for the fall season.

To add some Halloween flair to the ensemble, the coat featured an orange leather stripe that was hard to miss.

The former model's chic look was a far cry from the campy panda bear costume that Jill Biden wore to last year's Halloween celebration.

The previous year, Biden dressed as the 'First Cat' by donning cat ears and furry sleeves on her dress.

To further personalize this year's White House Halloween, President Trump had a McDonald's pop-up drive-thru for guests to take orders from.

Melania and President Trump teamed up with The International Fresh Produce Association to host Halloween this year.

As part of the festivities, IFPA is providing 7,500 apples from Washington and New York states to participants, along with thousands of colorful mums and pumpkins.

Melania Trump celebrated the holidays in style on Thursday while hosting Halloween at the White House with President Donald Trump

Melania's chic look was a far cry from the campy panda bear costume that Jill Biden wore to last year's Halloween celebration

After the event, IFPA will donate all the Frey Farms pumpkins to the DC Central Kitchen.

'Halloween at the White House is a wonderful opportunity to share the magic of fresh, nutritious produce and florals with families from across the nation,' said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns.

'Whether it's a crunchy apple, festive pumpkins or bright florals in seasonal colors, fresh products have a special way of connecting people to the moment and to one another.'

Meanwhile, Frey Farms CEO Sarah Frey said her company was 'proud to continue working with the White House to celebrate Americas harvest and the farmers who make it possible.'

She continued, 'Our pumpkins represent the strength of American agriculture and the importance of healthy, homegrown food. We are honored to support this tradition and to contribute to local food assistance through DC Central Kitchen.'

This year's Halloween celebration comes as millions of Americans are about to lose access to food benefits next month amid the government shutdown.

In a notice posted to the US Department of Agriculture's website on Sunday, the government blamed Democrats for not voting to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

'Bottom line, the well has run dry,' read the announcement. 'At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 1. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats.

The First Lady, 55, looked stunning in a brown trench coat dress that was perfectly suited for the fall season

Melania and President Trump teamed up with The International Fresh Produce Association to host Halloween this year

To further personalize this year's White House Halloween, President Trump had a McDonald's pop-up drive-thru for guests to take orders from

The former model smiled adoringly at the children as they enjoyed Halloween on the lawn

This year's Halloween celebration comes as millions of Americans are about to lose access to food benefits next month amid the government shutdown

'They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.'

However, the Trump administration reportedly declined to tap into approximately $5billion in contingency funds to cover SNAP costs amidst the second longest shutdown in US history.

In a previous statement to Daily Mail, a rep for the White House doubled down on blaming Democrats for the government shutdown.

'The Democrats shut down the government and SNAP benefits. Were not going to allow them to steal the joy of Halloween for children too,' shared Davis Ingle, WH Spokesman.

'President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are excited to host Halloween at the White House and carry on this special tradition for American families and guests to enjoy.'

It comes as some conservative commentators have outright called for food benefits like SNAP to be permanently axed.

The Daily Wire's Matt Walsh posted on social media, 'EBT should just be abolished outright. 95 percent of the people on the program could easily feed themselves. They just dont feel like making the effort.'

He added, 'The other 5 percent can rely on charities, soup kitchens, food drives, churches, etc. The program is a disaster. Get rid of it.'

Another SNAP critic added, 'Why the hell are we giving food stamps to 40 million people? Does anyone work anymore?'

However, many others have supported benefits like SNAP and argued that they should remain in place.

'My faith teaches me that food is lifegiving and meant to be shared. From the miracle of fishes and loaves to the Last Supper, we are called to feed and care for each other,' posted Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

'The Trump administration prohibiting SNAP benefits is wrong. We should be fighting hunger, not causing it,' he added.
It comes after Gomez appeared at Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit

The actress and singer has come under fire over her recent comments

Selena Gomez has been slammed by one of her alleged models for making 'degrading' comments about them in a recent keynote speech.

Only Murders in the Building actress Gomez, 33, recently told audiences that her billion-dollar brand Rare Beauty does not 'use real models' for its beauty campaigns.

Speaking to Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington D.C. last week, she said: 'I want the conversation to change. If anything, we will double down on what we mean.

'We don't use models. We use people who I have felt they can be your best friend. I want something real.'

While Gomez's comments appeared well-intentioned, her remarks left one model, who claimed to the US Sun that she had worked for the A-lister's brand since 2024, particularly upset.

Speaking to the publication, the model, who asked to remain anonymous, claimed she cried at the comments.

'I was already having a bad day and was feeling really sensitive and emotional,' she said.

She continued: 'I was feeling nervous about some career stuff, and then I saw that video of her saying I'm not even a real model.

Selena Gomez has been blasted by one of her alleged models for making 'degrading' comments

The actress recently told audiences that her Rare Beauty brand does not 'use real models'

'It hit me at the worst time because now I'm like "What am I even doing?"

'I thought this would be a big break for me, and to be told by the founder of the company that I look up to that I am not "real" at my job?

'It's degrading and embarrassing. The number of family and friends who sent me that clip after was mortifying.'

The model further claimed to the publication that she has never met Gomez and does not want to in the future.

She added: 'I hope in the future she chooses her words more wisely and remembers how much influence she has.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Gomez for comment. Because the model was not identified by US Sun, the Daily Mail could not verify if she worked for Gomez.

Gomez founded Rare Beauty in 2019 before launching it in North America in 2020.

In 2022, Bloomberg reported the company sold around $70 million in just the blush category alone.

Gomez founded Rare Beauty in 2019 before launching it in North America in 2020

Rare Beauty boldly states that it is breaking down unrealistic standards of perfection. 

'Being rare is about being comfortable with yourself,' Gomez said on her brand's website.

'I've stopped trying to be perfect. I just want to be me.'

One percent of Rare Beauty's annual sales go directly to the Rare Impact Fund to expand mental health services in underserved communities.

'Mental health advocacy and furthering the Rare Impact Fund's mission has become my life's work and I couldn't do this without the support of those around me,' Gomez said in a statement ahead of the second annual Rare Impact Fund benefit in Los Angeles last October.
Family life is a whirlwind: full of laughter, little surprises and plenty of to-do lists. Whether its keeping everyone cosy on a lazy Sunday, fuelling busy mornings with something delicious, or even finding clever ways to learn and grow together, the right brands make all the difference.

That's why Checklist has rounded up five brilliant names that are winning hearts (and saving time) for families across the UK. From snug onesies to refreshing juices, from smart science to savvy study help, these picks promise to bring a smile to parents and kids alike.

A DNA testing service families can trust

When it comes to answers that matter most, That DNA Company delivers clarity, care and confidence in equal measure. This trusted UK-based laboratory offers confidential, accurate and timely DNA testing for families seeking reassurance about relationships, from paternity and grandparentage to siblingship and even twin tests.

Designed entirely for personal use, the service couldnt be simpler: a discreet kit arrives by post, complete with easy-to-follow instructions for self-sampling via a gentle cheek swab. Each kit is tracked both ways, ensuring peace of mind from start to finish.

Unlike competitors who send samples abroad, That DNA Company proudly keeps everything in the UK  meaning faster turnaround times and attentive local customer support. Clients can choose next working day or two-day results from sample receipt at its Durham lab, all at the best prices on the market. Friendly, knowledgeable staff guide every step - never pushy, always professional.

The info: Click here to order today.

Small group tutoring, with more than 40 years of experience

When exam season looms, thousands of families turn to Justin Craig Education - the UK's leading name in GCSE and A Level tuition and revision courses.

With more than 40 years of experience and a pioneering approach to small-group learning, Justin Craig offers students the best of both worlds: expert teachers and a friendly, focused environment. Each class has no more than eight students - usually fewer than five - meaning every child gets the individual attention they need to thrive.

Courses run all year round, from October Half Term to summer school, both online and in person, giving families total flexibility. Every tutor is a qualified teacher, with over 90 per cent still working in mainstream education, ensuring top-tier, up-to-date guidance. It's no wonder 96 per cent of students in 2023 said the courses boosted their confidence and exam readiness.*

As The Good Schools Guide puts it, Justin Craig is 'the go-to national tutor company' for exam success.

The info: Click here to learn more.

*From survey data from 2024/25, 96% of students felt that our courses had a positive impact on their learning and their preparation for exams.

The on-the-go essential every family needs

When life gets a little messy - and let's face it, it always does - Stergene Stain Removing Wipes are the family hero you didn't know you needed.

Whether it's juice on a school jumper, ice cream on the car seat, or grass stains after a park adventure, these clever wipes handle it all - no water, no stress, no evidence left behind. Specially formulated to lift stains from clothes, upholstery and even carpets, they're gentle on fabrics yet impressively tough on marks.

Perfect for holidays, days out, or those inevitable on-the-go spills, they're biodegradable, vegan-friendly, and made with the same trusted care Stergene is known for. Pop a pack in your car, cupboard or travel bag and you're covered for every little mishap.

From a brand loved for its gentle yet effective fabric care, these wipes make it easy to keep your family (and your fabrics) looking fresh, wherever life takes you.

The info: Click here to get your wipes on Amazon.

Contains Methylchloroisothiazolinone / Methylisothiazolinone and Benzisothiazolinone. May cause an allergic reaction. If an allergic reaction occurs, stop use immediately. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist. Not for personal use. Keep out of the reach of children and pets. Avoid prolonged contact with painted wood. Please refer to the manufacturer's instructions for all clothing, carpets and upholstery before using this product. Do not use on silks, chenille or leather fabrics.

A perfect choice for kids' lunch boxes

Radnor Hills, one of the UK's favourite soft drinks manufacturers, is bringing a splash of Disney magic to lunchtime with its brand-new collaboration inspired by Disney's Lilo & Stitch.

To celebrate the live-action reimagining of the beloved 2002 classic, Radnor Fruits has launched three delicious, character-inspired flavours - Apple, Forest Fruits and Orange - each wrapped in colourful packaging featuring the cheeky Stitch himself.

Perfect for little adventurers, these School Approved 200ml Tetra Pak drinks are made with 50 per cent Radnor Hills spring water and 50 per cent real fruit juice  and contain no added sugar. Parents will love that they tick all the right boxes: they're CQUIN and HFSS compliant, allergen-free and made to meet school food standards across the UK.

Plus, the clever pull-tab design means no plastic straws in sight - just pure, fruity fun that's planet-friendly too.

The info: Click here to order now and get lunchbox ready.

Level up your cosy with a hooded blanket

There's cosy - and then there's Snuggz cosy. These branded hooded blankets have become a family favourite for good reason: they turn everyday downtime into something delightfully snug and a little bit playful.

The Snuggz Lite Collection is made for the moments in between - soft, breathable fleece that's light enough for all seasons but still wraps you in that just-right warmth. Perfect for after-school lounging, lazy Sunday mornings or winding down before bed, it's comfort without the fuss.

When only the full experience will do, the Original Collection steps up. Think thicker, ultra-soft fleece that feels like a warm hug on movie nights or chilly evenings. Oversized, plush and practical, each Snuggz features a roomy hood, a deep kangaroo pocket and a relaxed fit that suits both kids and adults.

With bold, cheerful designs and machine-washable ease, Snuggz turns family comfort into a bright, feel-good ritual you'll reach for time and again.

The info: Click here to shop the Hooded Blanket collection.

Product colours and styles are subject to availability. Please check size guide before purchasing. Machine washable according to care label instructions. Suitable for outdoor and leisure use. Not designed as safety or protective equipment.

If you've enjoyed reading this article and are interested in more inspiration on everything from education and culture to business and family life, why not follow Checklist on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or sign up for the newsletter? Checklist is dedicated to providing the best free online competitions too - discover amazing new services and products when you visit the website today.
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

You may have nailed your winter coat choice, teamed it with the perfect knitwear and even invested in the ultimate pair of leg-lengthening jeans, but it will all be for naught if you dont get the footwear right.

Yes, if theres one thing guaranteed to ruin an otherwise perfect outfit, its bad boots.

But theres no need to panic about a long and tedious search for the right boot at the right price  Ive done the work for you.

Winter boot season is in full swing and, whether youre after something for work, the weekend or walking the dog, theres never been more choice. So Ive helped to narrow down your search with this selection of the very best, and most comfortable, boots worth stepping out in.

What are the trends? Riding boots are having a moment  seen everywhere from Celine to Khaite and, thankfully, the High Street, too. Massimo Duttis real leather riding boots are a must.

Western also remains strong this season; yes, cowboy boots wont be going anywhere for a while, in my view.

But the lug soles which have dominated in previous years are now taking a back seat in favour of slighter silhouettes such as refined kitten heels and sleek, fitted sock boots.

And lets talk practicalities. Need a wider calf fit? DuoBoots has you covered, with measurements starting at 30cm and going all the way up to 50cm  a godsend for anyone who has struggled to zip up a knee-high.

Finding stylish boots in larger sizes can be tricky, but Penelope Chilvers has a fantastic range. The Princess of Waless favourite brand offers a great selection of styles in sizes up to nine.

If youre on a budget, there are loads of options, including Primarks black biker boots for just 20. At 31.99, Deichmanns trendy cow-print ankle boots are where fashion meets function without breaking the bank.

Best of all, New Looks brown suede kitten-heel boots could pass for Totemes 860 pair and will give you a similar designer look for just 59.99.

Tall and trendy

Riding in mocha

Suede and simple

Cowboy red

Wild heels

Chelsea cow chic

Tan suede shoes

Biker buckles

Sock style

Black beauties

Classy knee-high

Leopard kitten

Elegant boho

Western wiles

Wider ways

Americana ankle
CBS News has killed off a team focused on race and culture as part of sweeping layoffs across the network.

The Race and Culture Unit, founded in July 2020, had been tasked with ensuring 'all stories have the proper context, tone and intention' before publishing, according to CBS parent company Paramount.

The Daily Mail confirmed the unit was entirely eliminated along with several other positions across CBS News.

The Race and Culture Unit received attention late last year following a fiery exchange between pro-Palestinian writer Ta-Nehsi Coates and CBS Mornings host Tony Dokoupil, who was accused of being unnecessarily critical of Coates.

Dokoupil had to run his questions by the team beforehand, Puck reported at the time.

His 'tone of voice, phrasing, and body language' were criticized by the unit in an all-hands meeting attended by Dokoupil and CBS News' standards and practices team.

In an editorial call the following week, since-resigned executives Wendy McMahon and Adrienne Roark reportedly said the interview violated CBS News' standards.

The Race and Culture Unit's former head, Executive Producer Alvin Patrick, remains on-staff, a person familiar with the matter told The Wrap.

Agraphic for CBS Village, a section of the CBS News website run by its Race and Culture Unit

The Race and Culture Unit's former head, Alvin Patrick, reportedly remains on-staff

He previously oversaw CBS Village, a portion of CBS's website that feature 'diverse' stories curated by the unit.

The webpage was still intact as Thursday morning, with its latest article published on October 27.

After its rollout in August 2020, Patrick sat down with Paramount for its Eye On Q&A to outline his vision for the unit.

'The Race and Culture Unit will serve as both an incubator and a facilitator,' he explained.

'So that means that on a daily basis, we are serving, just like CBS Standards and Practices, as an extra pair of fresh eyes on stories that may need guidance on context, tone and intention for every show and platform in the division.

'I'm looking at scripts and screeners, and pointing out the different things that we should pay attention to, so that we're not stereotyping, so that we're giving the proper context, so that the audience is walking away with an informed and truthful understanding of a particular subject.'

Paramount announced a plan this week to axe more than 2,000 staff across the organization, following its multibillion-dollar merger with Skydance in July

The layoffs included an initial round of cuts on Wednesday that will impact 1,000 staffers across various departments, while another 1,000 are soon to follow.

The Race and Culture Unit received attention late last year following a fiery exchange (pictured) between pro-Palestinian writer Ta-Nehsi Coates and CBS Mornings host Tony Dokoupil

The cuts came just weeks into new Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss's CBS News tenure

Paramount chairman David Ellison hired Weiss this months after taking the reigns of CBS News parent company Paramount over the summer. He said the layoffs were 'addressing redundancies that have emerged across the organization' in a note to staff

At CBS News, nearly 100 positions are reportedly being eliminated.

The entire team overseeing CBS Saturday Morning - including anchors Michelle Miller, Dana Jacobson and Executive Producer Brian Applegate - were among those let go.

The streaming editions of both CBS Evening News and CBS Mornings are both being killed off.

New CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss reportedly acknowledged the cuts on the network's morning editorial call Wednesday, calling it a 'enormously difficult day.'

Paramount chairman David Ellison discussed layoffs in a note to staff Wednesday morning.

'In some areas, we are addressing redundancies that have emerged across the organization,' he wrote.

'In others, we are phasing out roles that are no longer aligned with our evolving priorities and the new structure designed to strengthen our focus on growth.'

CBS Morning Plus was anchored by Tony Dokoupil and Adriana Diaz, while CBS Evening News Plus was manned by John Dickerson, who resigned from the network after 16 years on Monday.

Internally, Dokoupil is a top candidate to replace the Dickerson on CBS Evening News, Status reported. Dickerson and Maurice Dubois took over for longtime anchor Norah O'Donnell in January but were plagued by poor ratings.

The Daily Mail contacted CBS News for comment.
A beloved radio host listened to by Philadelphia residents for nearly 50 years has died at the age of 70.

Pierre Robert was found dead inside his home on Wednesday at the age of 70. The cause of his death has not been released. No foul play is suspected.

Rockstar Jon Bon Jovi, who is a friend of Robert, said he died in his sleep.

'Today we lost a great friend. Someone who truly LOVED music. All types of music. Someone who loved musicians. Not just famous ones, or chart toppers. He admired local artists and tomorrow's rising stars,' Bon Jovi wrote in an Instagram tribute.

Robert's popular show, which followed all things rock 'n' roll, aired on WMMR Monday to Friday from 10.30am to 2pm.

'We all have heavy hearts today,' Caroline Beasley, the CEO of WMMR's parent company Beasley Media Group, said in a statement.

'Pierre's unwavering love for music and his deep connection with listeners made him one of radio's most enduring and beloved voices. He will be greatly missed.'

Robert posted a photo of himself on October 26, which showed him reading a book in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square with a cup of coffee.

'Pretty close to perfection!' he wrote in his final post.

Pierre Robert was found dead inside his home on Wednesday at the age of 70. The cause of his death has not been released. No foul play is suspected. Musician and friend, Jon Bon Jovi, (pictured together) said Robert died in his sleep

Robert posted a photo of himself on October 26, which showed him reading a book in Rittenhouse Square with a cup of coffee

Robert, who was born William Pierre Robert, started his radio career on San Francisco's KSAN station.

He eventually jumped to the East Coast, where he joined WMMR in 1981 and stayed for 44 years until his death.

He was best-known for opening his show with: 'Greetings, citizens.'

Rocker Bon Jovi honored the radio DJ in a tribute post, remembering him as a 'loyal friend.'

'This man was as curious as he was clever, he was a real musicologist. He knew your influence and your influences

'He didn't care if you were the fad or the fashion of the moment. He just cared. And that mattered.

'The station was lucky to have him on the air. We were all lucky to have him as a guide to his musical galaxy. And I was lucky to have him as a friend. Thank you, Pierre.'

Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison, whose show aired before Robert's on the station, also wrote a tribute to the DJ, saying the news 'breaks our hearts.'

Robert, who was born William Pierre Robert, started his radio career on San Francisco's KSAN station. He eventually jumped to the East Coast, where he joined WMMR in 1981 and stayed for 44 years until his death

He was most well-known for opening his show with: 'Greetings, citizens'

Robert's show followed all things rock 'n' roll, and Bon Jovi honored the radio DJ in a tribute post. 'Today we lost a great friend,' the musician (pictured together) wrote

'We all have heavy hearts today,' Beasley Media Group CEO Caroline Beasley said in a statement. Beasley was the parent company to WMMR

'Pierre's voice has been woven into the fabric of Philadelphia for more than 40 years. WMMR was his pulpit, and he preached the gospel of rock n' roll, and gave us all common ground to dance on,' they wrote in a group statement.

'In good times, his optimism was infectious, and on tough days, his words offered familiar comfort to every Good Citizen.'

WMMR has not announced what will replace Robert's show.
Democratic strategist Karen Finney demanded a GOP pollster stop interrupting during a heated blame game on CNN over the ongoing government shutdown.

On Wednesday, CNNs Laura Coates welcomed network analyst Karen Finney, GOP pollster Frank Luntz and GOP analyst Brad Todd to the latest night edition of Laura Coates Live.

The guests zeroed in on the government shutdowns fourth week and the growing crisis that would leave millions of Americans without food aid in just 48 hours.

But a fiery finger-pointing match exploded between Luntz and Finney after they watched Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thunes blistering speech on the Senate floor.

Luntz kept cutting the CNN analyst off for calling Thunes speech a 'performance,' before Finney finally fired back: 'Dont you dare accuse me of lying!'

On Wednesday, Thune ripped into Democrats and pinned them as the reason nearly 42 million citizens may go hungry as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are set to dry up this week.

Just last month, he tore into Democrats for wrecking lives across America, saying the Senate had voted 13 times to reopen the government - a deal the left flat-out rejected.

However, critics have slammed the Trump administration for blocking billions in approved emergency funding that could have kept SNAP alive during the shutdown under the Department of Agricultures contingency plan.

Democratic strategist Karen Finney snapped at a GOP pollster Frank Luntz to stop interrupting her during a fiery blame game on CNN over the ongoing government shutdown (pictured)

On Wednesday, CNNs Laura Coates (pictured) welcomed network analyst Karen Finney, GOP pollster Frank Luntz and GOP analyst Brad Todd to the latest night edition of Laura Coates Live

The guests zeroed in on the government shutdowns fourth week and the looming crisis: millions of Americans set to lose food aid in just 48 hours (pictured: sign at a retailer reading We Accept SNAP)

During Wednesdays CNN segment, Coates opened by calling it 'unbelievable' that the shutdown is nearing its 30th day.

Coates shifted to Thunes speech, noting its ratcheting up pressure on Democrats - pressure they saw coming - over SNAP benefits set to expire for the very first time.

She then played her guests a clip of Thunes speech, putting the spotlight on the senate leader's strongest words.

'SNAP residents shouldn't go without food. People should be getting paid in this country. And we've tried to do that 13 times,' Thune said.

'You voted no 13 times. This isn't a political game,' he added.

'These are real people's lives that we're talking about. And you all just figured out, 29 days in, that, oh, there might be some consequences.'

The moment the clip ended, Finney addressed the table: 'Its a beautiful performance, right?'

Luntz quickly fired back, stressing it wasnt a performance. But Finney immediately rebutted, standing firm on her remark.

On Wednesday, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune (pictured) ripped into Democrats and pinned them as the reason nearly 42 million citizens may go hungry as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are set to dry up this week

Critics have slammed the Trump administration for blocking billions in approved emergency funding that could have kept SNAP alive during the shutdown under the Department of Agricultures contingency plan

Coates played her guests a clip of Thunes speech, putting the spotlight on the senate leader's strongest words (pictured)

'It's not a performance. I know him,' the GOP pollster argued.

Finney shot again at Luntz, reminding him he wasnt the one speaking - she was. What followed was a bitter back-and-forth over who actually had the floor.

Luntz wouldnt let up, insisting she 'tell the truth,' until Finney finally told him to stop and let her finish.

'Then tell the truth,' Luntz replied.

Coates tried to break the finger-pointing war, telling both guests she wanted to hear from each of them individually.

But seconds later, Finney lost her cool: 'Dont you dare accuse me of lying!' she demanded.

'John Thune. I know John Thune. He was not in performance,' Luntz insisted, before Coates once again stepped in, telling Finney to finish her response before handing it back to the pollster.

When Finney was finally given the floor, she reiterated her beliefs yet again: 'I felt like that was a performance.'

The moment the clip ended, Finney addressed the table: 'Its a beautiful performance, right?' Luntz quickly fired back, stressing it wasnt a performance (both pictured)

After a bitter back-and-forth, Finney (pictured) lost her cool: 'Dont you dare accuse me of lying!' she demanded the GOP pollster

When Finney was finally given the floor after Luntz repeatedly interrupted her, she reiterated her beliefs yet again: 'I felt like that was a performance' (both pictured)

'What I was going to say is right after that, the Republicans blocked a measure that would have - that was put forward by Democrats that would have said, lets go ahead and put some money into SNAP,' Finney said.

But one of the other things that I think Democrats are so enraged about is how about the resistance package that took $200 billion - million dollars away from SNAP benefits?' she asked.

'I mean, Republicans are upset because now, their voters are about to have consequences.'

SNAP, the program that loads monthly funds onto a debit card for recipients to buy groceries, is set to expire on November 1.

The average monthly SNAP benefit is $187 per person. However, without a vote to end the government shutdown, that stipend won't be dispensed.

Another government aid program at risk as soon as next week is WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. It provides food assistance specifically for pregnant women, new mothers and young children.

The Trump administration has already rerouted $300 million in proceeds from tariff revenue to provide additional funding to keep the program afloat after previously allocated funds were scheduled to run out earlier in October.

Amid the political dysfunction in Washington DC that may lead to the longest government shutdown in history, some governors - particularly in red states - have decided to step up and provide food benefits.

The average monthly SNAP benefit is $187 per person. However, without a vote to end the government shutdown, that stipend won't be dispensed (pictured: bins of donated food amid SNAP halt)

Some governors, particularly in red states, have decided to step up and provide food benefits (pictured: National Guard packs food amid SNAP halt)

New York Governor Kathy Hochul (pictured) said shes fast-tracking $30 million in emergency food aid and has made moves to stock up food banks across the state

Governors of Virginia, Vermont and Louisiana have 'pledged to backfill food aid for recipients even while the shutdown stalls the federal program, though state-level details havent been announced.'

California Governor Gavin Newsom and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, both Democrats, have made moves to stock up food banks across their states.

Hochul said shes fast-tracking $30 million in emergency food aid, while Newsom is releasing $80 million and deploying the National Guard to help run food banks - though some locations have turned down the troops assistance.

The Trump Administration has noted that states that choose to spend money on their food programs will not be reimbursed for their actions.
Firebrand Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is set to appear on The View next week as the talk show has faced mounting criticism for its liberal leanings.

Co-host Whoopi Goldberg broke the news during Thursday's show, months after a study from Media Research Center's NewsBusters confirmed the program featured almost no right-wing guests this year.

'I'm happy to say that shes going to be here on Tuesday,' Goldberg said of the Georgia congresswoman, during a debate about the ongoing government shutdown.

'I don't know how many things we agree on, but I know the one thing that she and I and all of us at this table agree on is [the shutdown] should not be affecting the American people.'

Greene's appearance is slated for November 4, the hosts said, which is Election Day in a number of states.

The announcement comes after the hosts addressed their lack of Republican guests on air on October 14.

Joy Behar said conservatives 'don't want to come' on the show due to her and other panelists' views.

'They're scared of us,' she said, before quoting Greene herself.

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is set to appear on The View November 4, which is Election Day in a number of states

Greene, 51, has recently received praise from progressive figures ranging from Bernie Sanders to Jimmy Kimmel following her attacks on the GOP

'Its like Marjorie Taylor Greene says, that she finds the Republican men afraid of powerful women.'

Greene, 51, has recently received praise from progressive figures ranging from Bernie Sanders to Jimmy Kimmel.

The compliments follow Greene's recent attacks on her own party.

The 51-year-old conservative has criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson's decision to keep the House out of session as Democrats continue to try to negotiate with them an extension of expiring enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies

Greene's name came up twice during The View's conversation Thursday before she was announced as a guest.

Earlier in the month, co-host Ana Navarro brought up Greene potentially appearing after Goldberg called the congresswoman 'the surprising voice of reason' during the shutdown.

The show has been known for regularly criticizing the Trump administration and the president's policies, offering mostly kind words for Democrats.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr recently mentioned the show while pondering a potential probe into ABC's broadcast license.

Behar said conservatives 'don't want to come' on The View due to its progressive views

The show is regularly filled with criticisms of the Trump administration, offering mostly kind words for Democrats. Pictured, former President Joe Biden on the program in May

Carr did the same last month while threatening ABC with a federal investigation over comments from Kimmel, who was then suspended for several days.

In May, top brass at ABC News and parent company Disney asked the show's panelists to dial back their constant complaining about Trump.

The White House also suggested that The View 'is the next to be pulled off air,' after Behar remarked that Trump was 'jealous' of former President Barack Obama.

The study from Newsbusters was published the following month.

Guests this year have included President Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Congressional Democrat Jasmine Crockett, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former President Bill Clinton, and Democratic senators Sanders, Chuck Schumer, and Elissa Slotkin.

The Daily Mail contacted ABC for comment.
Katie Miller completely lost her cool and seemingly threatened the US citizenship of a left-wing commentator during a fiery debate on Piers Morgan Uncensored this week.

The conservative podcaster, 34, who is the wife of United States homeland security advisor Stephen Miller, was debating progressive pundit Cenk Uygur and political analyst Omar Baddar about Zohran Mamdani when things went off the rails.

'Why is it that every time someone wants to criticize Mamdani it immediately comes back to the Jews and the anti-Israel movement, instead of actually talking about his viewpoints?' Miller asked.

Uygur fired back, 'Nobody said Jews! You just said it. You always do that. We say Israel, you say Jews. We say, "Israel is a government, please don't make it about Jewish Americans," and you come back with, "You have to make it about Jewish Americans!"'

Furious with his response, Miller snapped and started repeatedly asking, "Is Israel a Jewish state? Is Israel a Jewish state? Yes or no?'

'What's wrong with you?' barked Uygur. 'So, Saudi Arabia is a Muslim state. You can criticize it all day long! There's no special protections [inaudible] for anyone who calls themselves a Jewish state or a Muslim state.'

Miller then accused Uygur of using 'coded language' to 'attack American Jews'.

Cutting Miller off mid-rant, Uygur insisted that he wanted 'Israel to be safe' before accusing Miller of 'totally lying'.

Katie Miller had an on-air meltdown over antisemitism while arguing with progressive pundit Cenk Uygur on Piers Morgan Uncensored this week

'That's very normal for a Miller to be completely and utterly lying,' he added.

Growing increasingly agitated, Miller took things further by claiming that she was the victim of 'racist attacks' from Uygur before threatening to quit the segment altogether.

'I'm really sick and tired of this racist bigoted rhetoric that comes from people like you against my husband, against my family and my children,' she said.

'I am raising Jewish children in this country,' she screeched, before Uygur cut her off and said, 'Who brought your children into this? What a weirdo!'

Miller, seemingly at her wit's end, then turned to Morgan and said, 'Piers, I'm gonna be done with this if you're going to allow racist and bigoted attacks against one of your commentators...'

Morgan tried to respond, only for Miller to cut him off and shout, 'He inserted a line that said, "the Miller's lie". Is that not coded language for therefore we are Jewish?'

She continued, 'Come on, Piers! Where are you? Where are you standing on this?'

Morgan tried to calm her, only for Miller to once again accuse not just Uygur, but also Baddar, of 'antisemitic attacks'.

Political analyst Omar Baddar accused Miller of 'snowflake behaviour' after she claimed that the panelists were being racist towards her

Taking things even further, Miller appeared to threaten Istanbul-born Uygur's US citizenship.

'You better check your citizenship application and hope everything was [inaudible] and correct,' she said.

At this point, Baddar spoke up to put an end to her 'ridiculous' rant.

'I have to jump in here,' he said. 'Somebody criticizing you personally is not an antisemitic attack. If somebody says that you are lying, that is not an attack on Jews, that is an attack on you.'

He added, 'And just stop hiding behind identity. This is all the snowflake behaviour that the right is supposedly criticizing the left for that you're simply repeating here.'

The segment drew a mixed response, with some siding with Miller while others accused her of 'karen' behaviour.

'I never agree with @cenkuygur much, but I do agree with that statement he made. Like I always say, criticizing a government is ok and shouldn't be antisemitic at all,' commented one.

'I like Steven Miller but he shouldnt allow his triggered wife to go on Piers or any other show,' wrote a second.

'If you cant handle opposing views, maybe live TV isnt for you,' a third wrote.

'This is so embarrassing to watch. What the hell is wrong with this Karen snowflake Katie Miller?' asked another.

'I like Steven Miller but he shouldnt allow his triggered wife to go on Piers or any other show,' one viewer wrote on social media

Defending Miller, one fan wrote, 'It's becoming pretty obvious that @piersmorgan is simply clueless about what antisemitism is.'

Another wrote, 'The fact you still invite antisemites on your show is really sad.'

Miller, who has a political background, has recently forged a new career as a podcaster and political pundit.

The mother-of-three, who has been married to Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen since 2020, launched her self-titled podcast in August with Vice President JD Vance as her first guest.

Announcing the project, Miller said, 'For years, I've seen that there isn't a place for conservative women to gather online, and so I wanted to create that space.'

Miller previously served as a spokesperson for the Department of Government Efficiency under Elon Musk before departing to start her podcast.
A bitter takeover battle has erupted in the fat jab market after Danish drug giant Novo Nordisk gatecrashed a takeover deal by its US rival Pfizer.

Novo muscled in with a 6.8billion offer for American weight-loss drug group Metsera, outbidding Pfizer, which had struck a 5.5billion deal last month.

That prompted a furious response from Pfizer, which accused the Danish firm of reckless behaviour and threatened legal action.

Novos dramatic move marks a stark change in strategy for the company, the maker of drugs including Ozempic and Wegovy, which has traditionally shied away from dealmaking.

It said a takeover of Metsera was in line with plans to develop innovative and differentiated medicines and treating millions more people living with obesity and diabetes.

Pfizer accused Novo of using its dominant market position to suppress competition in violation of law by taking over an emerging US challenger.

Fat jab row: Ozempic and Wegovy-maker Novo Nordisk has gatecrashed a takeover deal by its US rival Pfizer

The proposal is illusory and cannot qualify as a superior proposal under Pfizers agreement with Metsera, and Pfizer is prepared to pursue all legal avenues to enforce its rights under its agreement, it said.

But Metseras bosses said the Danish groups proposal was superior and Pfizer now had four days to come up with a better offer.

Metsera, based in New York, is developing four weight-loss medications including a monthly jab and pill. Its shares soared 22 per cent on Wall Street while Novo fell 3.6 per cent. Pfizer shares closed flat.

The Danish firms swoop comes as it tries to regain momentum in the fat jab market after its shares have fallen nearly 50 per cent this year.

The move is an aggressive turn under its new boss Maziar Mike Doustdar, who took over in August after his predecessor Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen was asked to step down by investors following mounting concerns about performance.

Doustdar, whose first role at Novo Nordisk was working a summer job in its mailroom, has announced thousands of job cuts and this month struck a 4billion deal to buy San Francisco drug firm Akero Therapeutics, which is developing a drug that could treat a liver condition known as MASH, a common complication of obesity.

Despite being the first company to market a fat jab, Novo is under intense pressure from US competitors who have steadily eaten away at its market share and profits.

Yesterday, pharma giant Eli Lilly, maker of rival weight-loss drug Mounjaro, upgraded its sales forecasts as it pulled ahead in the fiercely competitive market.

Paul Major, a portfolio manager at Bellevue Asset Management, said Metseras once-monthly obesity drug candidate was a point of differentiation that Novo did not have and could help it better compete with Lilly.

Markus Manns, a portfolio manager at mutual fund and Novo shareholder Union Investment, said: The deal would certainly help Novo improve its market position in obesity, assuming the products can be developed successfully.

But he added that it could also raise competition concerns and prompt a counter-offer from Pfizer.
Analysis of BPs largest oil and gas discovery in decades has revealed that it could be even bigger than it first thought.

The UK-listed oil giant has hailed the Bumerangue site off the coast of Brazil as the most significant find in 25 years.

It said earlier this year that it had discovered a 500m column of hydrocarbons  oil and gas. Yesterday, it confirmed this was nearly twice as big, at 1,000m.

That does not necessarily mean the volume of oil and gas extracted will be greater but adds to the firms optimism about the site.

Gordon Birrell, the companys executive vice-president for production and operations, said: We are pleased about what we have seen and our confidence in the potential of this field has increased.

BP said testing was continuing with well activities expected to begin in early 2027 subject to regulatory approval.

Black gold: BP hailed the Bumerangue oil and gas site off the coast of Brazil as the most significant find in 25 years

It came as it announced yesterday that it had signed an agreement to explore for oil and gas off the coast of Gabon in central Africa.

BPs shares rose 1.4 per cent, or 6.3p, to 447.85p.

Elsewhere, rival Shell reported third-quarter profits of 4.1billion and said it would buy back shares worth 2.7billion. Its shares added 0.3 per cent, or 7.5p, to 2883p.
UK-listed components manufacturer TT Electronics yesterday agreed to a 287millio takeover by Swiss rival Cicor  after last year snubbing an approach led by Nat Rothschild.

The deal is another blow to the City which has seen a flurry of foreign takeovers depleting the ranks of the stock market. But it is being resisted by investment firm DBay Advisors, TTs biggest shareholder with a 16.5 per cent stake.

It said it was happy with the progress the business is making and would not back the deal.

TT was last year targeted by Rothschilds firm Volex  but rejected a 249million offer. Yesterday, it said it had reached an agreement with Cicor at a higher value.

The companies said the offer was at a 64 per cent premium to TTs share price on Wednesday. The stock rose 60.1 per cent, or 57p, to 151.8p yesterday.

TT Electronics shareholders are expected to vote on the deal in December.

Chairman Warren Tucker said its insufficient scale held back growth and profitability while making it more vulnerable to global economic risks.
Shawbrook shares soared in early trading on Thursday after the challenger bank made its London Stock Exchange debut.

The bank kicked off the biggest London Stock Exchange initial public offering (IPO) of 2025 with a listing price of 370p, in the middle of the marketed range, as it targeted a valuation of just shy of 2billion.

Shawbrook shares were up 6.3 per cent at 393.43p by mid-morning.

It marks the largest UK-only IPO of 2025, but it trails Fermi America's Nasdaq-LSE dual listing in early October that saw the AI power firm raise $680million and amass a market capitalisation of around $12.5billion.

Trading on Thursday involved so-called conditional dealings, with unconditional dealing set for 4 November.

The small business lender will also sell 348million worth of shares, representing around 18.1 per cent of the group's issued share capital, to private equity backers BC Partners and Pollen Street Capital

On the market: The Shawbrook IPO is the biggest UK debut of 2025 so far

Boss Marcelino Castrillo said: 'The strong support we have received from investors across the UK, Europe and the US, reflects the strength of Shawbrook's proposition and the business we have built.

'We are proud to be listing in London - our home market - a milestone that positions us well for the opportunities ahead.

'We have built scale across diverse, attractive markets and, following significant investment under private ownership, are well placed to keep growing as we support UK businesses and households.'

The lender has been hoping to raise 50million from the IPO, which was delayed by market turmoil earlier in the year.

Castrillo said Shawbrook will continue to invest in its 'platform and people, deepen our presence in chosen markets and expand selectively where we see attractive demand'.

He added: 'Our priorities are clear: keep supporting our customers and deliver sustainable, profitable growth and long-term value for all stakeholders.'

The debut comes amid a flurry of other IPO announcements in a boost for the City after a prolonged drought of new listings in recent years.

Beauty Tech Group  whose products are favoured by the likes of Kim Kardashian and Serena Williams  and US data centre giant Fermi made their London debuts recently.

Tinned tuna firm Princes, whose brands include Branston baked beans and Napolina olive oil, has also said it plans an IPO.

And speculation is mounting that digital bank Revolut is considering a dual listing in London and New York.

In efforts to promote activity, the Financial Conduct Authority is reportedly in early stage talks to shorten the amount of time it takes for companies to launch initial public offerings
Virgin Trains is set to launch international services through the Channel Tunnel, bringing an end to Eurostar's more than 30-year monopoly of the route.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) on Thursday granted access to Sir Richard Branson's company to use Eurostar's Temple Mills depot in East London for maintaining and storing its trains.

Access to the depot is a crucial requirement for an operator to launch Channel Tunnel services competing with Eurostar.

Temple Mills, which houses and maintains Eurostar's fleet of cross-border trains, is the only train depot that can be accessed from the High Speed 1 line that runs between London and the tunnel.

Eurostar has held a monopoly on train services through the tunnel since it opened in 1994. It had argued there was no space for another operator at the depot along with its own growth plans.

With approval from the regulator, Virgin Trains is planning to launch competing services in 2030.

However, Virgin will need to gain additional regulatory approvals from the ORR for track access and safety, and enter into an a commercial agreement with Eurostar as the operator of Temple Mills.

Virgin Trains is set to begin service through the Channel Tunnel to compete with Eurostar from 2030 after being given the green light by the regulator

Sir Richard Branson said: 'The ORR's decision is the right one for consumers. It's time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route.

'Virgin is no stranger to delivering award-winning rail services, and just as we have successfully challenged incumbents in air, cruise and rail, we're ready to do it again.

'We're going to shake-up the cross-Channel route for good and give consumers the choice they deserve.'

Eurostar currently runs trains from London's St Pancras station to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.

Three other companies - Spanish group Evolyn, start up Gemini Trains and state-owned Trenitalia - had applied to the regulator to use the Temple Mills depot but were rejected.

The ORR said: 'Virgin Trains' plans were more financially and operationally robust than those of other applicants, and it provided clear evidence of investor backing and an agreement in principle to deliver the necessary and appropriate rolling stock.'

Martin Jones, the regulator's deputy director for access and international, said: 'With this decision we are backing customer choice and competition in international rail, unlocking up to 700million in private sector investment and stimulating growth.

'While there is still some way to go before the first new services can run, we stand ready to work with Virgin Trains as their plans develop.'

Will ticket prices fall?

Those travelling between London and mainland Europe by train may see lower prices for tickets with the arrival of Virgin Trains. Competition generally helps lower prices for consumers by forcing operators compete for customers.

In July, rail minister Lord Hendy wrote to the ORR said the arrival of competition would encourage 'greater differentiation in service provision' and promote 'competitive prices'.

In response to today's decision, he said it will 'give passengers greater choice, better value and improve connectivity for millions'.

He added: 'Depot capacity should not be a barrier to greater competition and growth.

'We are therefore exploring plans to establish new depot capacity in the UK, supported by private investment, to meet the needs of the market and will set out further plans in due course.'

Virgin Group has not operated trains in the UK since Virgin Trains' contract for the West Coast Main Line (WCML) expired in December 2019.

In July, the ORR rejected the company's application to run open access services on the WCML, serving cities such as London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.
The family of an 81-year-old grandmother facing deportation from Australia say the move could be fatal - warning she won't survive alone in South Africa.

Erika Power, along with her husband and their four children, live in Rochedale South, about 20km south of Brisbane.

Ms Power's 81-year-old mother Elizabeth, who is originally from South Africa, has also lived with the family for the past 17 years.

In that time, she has been like a second mother to her four grandchildren and has developed a special bond with them as she watched them grow up.

The 81-year-old has also patiently waited 17 years for her permanent residency visa to be processed and approved.

Ms Power told Daily Mail she and her husband had been appointed her mother's Assurer of Support, a legal agreement in which an individual provides financial support to a migrant instead of the government.

Those assurers need to meet income requirements and pay a term deposit or bank guarantee - with the latter typically ranging between $5,000 to $14,000.

But, after Ms Power's husband lost his job the family can no longer spare the $5,000 required by the tribunal court as a bond by October 31.

Elizabeth, who is originally from South Africa, has been living with her daughter for the past 17 years, could be deported from Australia if her family can't raise $5,000

Elizabeth, 81, is pictured with her four grandchildren in Logan, Queensland

If the bond is not paid, Ms Power was told her mother will be given 14 days to leave Australia for good.

She said the situation had put a strain on the family, as her children face losing their grandmother, whom they affectionately call 'Ouma'.

'It's just a very stressful situation. There's been a lot of tears because none of us, especially the kids, want to lose her,' she said.

'My mother has also been in tears because she doesn't know where to go. The problem is she has nobody in South Africa.

'My father passed away. My sister passed away. I'm the only living relative.'

Ms Power said if her mother was forced to move back to South Africa she wouldn't be able to survive on her own.

'She doesn't even have enough income herself to rent a place on her own,' she said.

'She doesn't even drive. She would not be able to travel from her accommodation, which she can't afford, to the shops.

Ms Power (pictured with her mother) said the family are in tears as her mother might be forced back to South Africa with no family, no support and nowhere to live

'There are no taxis or public buses. How does she get food?

'And we can't afford to pay her accommodation on the other side of the world, as well as accommodation for our own family in Australia.

'We just don't have that kind of money.'

Ms Power added that her application for a bank loan had been unsuccessful.

She said her husband was trying to sell some items online and was working as an Uber driver to try and save enough money for the bond.

But their efforts were 'just not enough' to raise $5,000 in such a short period of time.

In a last-ditch effort, the family have started a GoFundMe, which at the time of writing has raised $3,981 of the $5,000 goal.

Ms Power said she has been overwhelmed with the generosity from Australians, claiming the support has moved them to tears.

'I've been really, really so amazed people's generosity trying to help her because they understand that she's nowhere to go,' she said.

'Every time I tell my mum that another person gave $10 or whatever, she's in tears. She says "oh my gosh, these people are helping me".'
The city that never sleeps is lying wide awake in fear.

According to a startling poll, many residents of the Big Apple believe their home is about to spiral into a dystopian nightmare of crime and violence, boarded-up storefronts and antisemitic hate if Zohran Mamdani becomes mayor.

Mamdani, the 34-year-old self-described democratic socialist, is set to storm to victory in the election on November 4, the poll by JL Partners for the Daily Mail revealed.

He has a 15-point lead over his nearest rival, former New York state governor Andrew Cuomo.

The poll showed that many New Yorkers who do not support Mamdani are convinced he is going to 'destroy' America's biggest metropolis and crater its economy, sending shockwaves across the rest of the country.

They think it could mark a return to the urban decay of the 1980s when the city was blighted by poverty, rampant crime, crumbling infrastructure and abandoned buildings.

Even among Mamdani's own supporters more think he will make antisemitism in New York worse, rather than better.

Asked for one word to describe what the Big Apple would be like after four years of his left-wing policies, the most common response from non-Mamdani voters was 'disaster.'

They also said a Mamdani-run New York would be 'chaos,' 'hell,' 'broken,' and a 's***hole.'

Zohran Mamdani (center) with Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a campaign rally at Forest Hills Stadium in the Queens, New York, on Monday

Many New Yorkers fear crime will spiral if Mamdani takes over City Hall

Among voters who have made up their minds, Mamdani was on 46 percent support, according to the poll.

Cuomo, running as an independent, was on 31 percent, Republican Curtis Sliwa on 22 percent, and the rest was shared among minor candidates.

Among voters aged under 30, Mamdani has a massive 35-point lead over Cuomo.

Among Democrats, Mamdani has 54 percent support and Cuomo, who previously governed the state of New York as a Democrat, has 26 percent.

The poll found New Yorkers expect a wide array of the city's problems to get worse under a 'Mayor Mamdani,' including crime, antisemitism and the economy.

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Many New Yorkers fear Mamdani will mean a return to the crime and decay of the 1980s

It found 47 percent believe levels of crime and violence will get worse, with only 32 percent saying the city would be safer under Mamdani.

That follows a series of high-profile recent crimes on the subway.

In December, Debrina Kawam, 57, a homeless woman, was set on fire and burned to death. Footage showed her being engulfed in flames on a train near Coney Island.

Last year, there were ten murders in the subway system and felony assaults were up 55 percent since 2019. People were pushed on to the tracks at least 25 times in 2024.

On the issue of crime there was a stark split among New Yorkers based on age.

For voters under 30, 49 percent said they believed safety would improve under Mamdani, with 32 percent saying it would not.

But among over-65s only 26 percent thought the city would be safer under Mamdani and 50 percent said it would not.

Meanwhile, the poll found 43 percent of New Yorkers expect the number of businesses in the city to decrease under Mamdani, with stores going under and potential entrepreneurs forced to head elsewhere.

Only 23 percent thought the number of businesses would rise under the democratic socialist.

The poll showed 39 percent expected the risk of terrorism to increase under Mamdani, with only 18 percent thinking it will lessen.

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And 45 percent thought the problem of antisemitic views in the city would get worse, with only 21 percent thinking it would improve.

Even Democrats thought Mamdani would have a negative impact on antisemitism, with 29 percent saying he would make it better and 32 percent worse.

It comes amid an alarming surge in antisemitic incidents nationwide.

According to the Anti-Defamation League's annual audit, there were 9,354 incidents of antisemitic assault, harassment and vandalism across the US in 2024.

That was a 900 percent increase over the past ten years and the highest level recorded since the organization began tracking data in 1979.

Earlier this month, Mamdani faced a backlash after posting a picture of himself on social media with Imam Siraj Wahhaj, a Brooklyn-based Muslim cleric.

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Many New Yorkers could abandon the city if Mamdani becomes mayor

Wahhaj was named by federal prosecutors as an unindicted potential co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, a precursor to the 9/11 attacks. He was never charged with any crimes and denied involvement in the attack.

The poll revealed only one issue where New Yorkers thought Mamdani would improve the current situation.

It showed that 39 percent think housing would become more affordable under Mamdani, with 32 percent believing it would be less so.

Democrats backed him to reduce housing costs by 52 percent to 19 percent.

The poll also revealed a stark split among Democrat voters in New York, with many opposed to Mamdani.

It showed 33 percent of Democrats believe crime will rise, 29 percent think there will be less businesses, and 25 percent said the risk of terrorism will increase.

The poll was conducted between October 23 and 26 among 500 registered voters and had a margin of error of 4.4 percent.

Sliwa has resisted pressure to drop out to help Cuomo, suggesting if anyone was to stand down it should be Cuomo instead.

Cuomo is deeply unpopular with Republicans so Sliwa withdrawing may not greatly assist him.

Earlier this month, Sliwa vowed he would only leave the race if 'a Mack truck hits me and I get turned into a speed bump, and they cant recover me in the I.C.U. Thats the only way.'

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Mamdani, here exiting the stage at a rally, is being helped by a split in the opposition

Andre Cuomo is trailing Mamdani by 15 points in a Daily Mail poll

Pollster James Johnson of J.L. Partners said: 'Mamdani is on course for a win - aided and abetted by his chief rivals.

'Mamdani is set to win the mayoralty on less than 50 percent of the vote largely due to a split opposition. Andrew Cuomo is an unpopular candidate that only one in three Republicans are getting behind.

'And Curtis Sliwa is a Republican in a city that is 70 percent Democrat. The result is that the two men are holding the gates of City Hall wide open for Zohran Mamdani.'

Mamdani, who is running to be New York's first Muslim mayor, was born in Uganda and moved to New York aged seven. His father is an academic and his mother a filmmaker. As a child he went to a private school in Manhattan where fees are now $66,000 a year.

Mamdani, who went to a private school that costs $66,000 a year, is courting is courting working-class voters

Republican Curtis Sliwa is refusing to drop out of the race to help Andrew Cuomo

Despite his ultra-privileged upbringing Mamdani is successfully appealing to working-class voters and young adults who find New York increasingly unaffordable to live in, with promises that he will bring their costs down.

His platform of policies includes a freeze on rent hikes, free bus services, fully-funded day care for under-5s, city-owned grocery stores, and turbocharging the minimum wage ultimately to $30 an hour.

He wants to fund those policies, which will cost billions of dollars, by raising taxes on the rich and companies.

There would be a 2 percent increase on New Yorkers earning over $1 million a year, and the top corporate tax rate would rise from 7.25 percent to 11.5 percent.

Critics say that will lead to a surge of firms and high-earning individuals leaving New York, which will in turn decimate the city's tax revenue and Mamdani unable to pay for his policies.

New York City voters believe crime will get worse under a Mayor Mamdani

A rise in crime is one of the biggest fears for those opposed to Mamdani

In the 1980s New York suffered from blight and violence

John Kane, a professor of political science at New York University, said Mamdani's virulent opposition to President Donald Trump has also had a strong symbolic appeal for a Democratic base in New York which 'feels almost entirely powerless in the present moment.'

Daniel Schlozman, a political science professor at Johns Hopkins University, said: 'Mamdani is evidence that the American left still has some juice in it in 2025.'

But he said America's biggest city does not reflect the United States overall and Mamdani being elected would be a 'very different matter' from Democrats succeeding nationally in midterm elections in 2026, or winning the presidency in 2028.

The poll was conducted amid a recent backlash against Mamdani over comments he made about 9/11.

In an emotional speech outside a mosque last week Mamdani, who would be the first Muslim mayor of New York, emotionally described how his 'aunt' had stopped rising the subway in the wake of the terrorist atrocity because she did not feel safe wearing a hijab.

President Donald Trump called Mamdani a 'communist'

Vice President J.D. Vance responded on X: 'According to Zohran the real victim of 9/11 was his auntie who got some (allegedly) bad looks.'

It then transpired that Mamdani had not been talking about an aunt, but his father's cousin.

Several days later, after the media tracked down his only living aunt, he clarified: 'I was speaking about Zehra fuhi, my fathers cousin, who passed away a few years ago.'

Fuhi stands for paternal aunt in Urdu and Hindi.

Relatives of 9/11 victims slammed him over the incident.

Terry Strada, who lost her husband Tom, 41, when the World Trade Center collapsed, told the Daily Mail: 'I find what he (Mamdani) had to say completely insulting to all of the people that suffered a horrible loss that day.

'To compare an aunt being uncomfortable on the subway to all of these families that were murdered was just very insensitive.'

President Donald Trump has branded Mamdani a 'communist' and threatened to cut off federal funding to the city if he is elected.

But the president is reportedly resigned to Mamdani winning, with it seemingly tooo late for Cuomo or Sliwa to catch up.
He's the Double Bay local accused of playing out a police fantasy - but this alleged 'fake cop' has skeletons lurking in his closet that go beyond his reported stash of counterfeit badges.

When I questioned Jaime Charles Farrelly, 50, in Double Bay this week about the haul of replica weapons, drugs, and police gear allegedly discovered in his nearby unit - and whether it could be all part of some kinky fantasy - he kept his head down, smirking at our confrontation.

Most men in his position would have made a run for it. But, drenched from the downpour, he soon realised I'm not one to let go once I've caught the scent of a juicy story.

I asked if the alleged find could be just an elaborate Halloween costume given the time of year - but he refused to speak to me about it.

His sister, Amber Farrelly, 49, however, had no such reservations.

In an explosive interview, Amber detailed a family feud with her brother, regarding the custody of her 20-year-old daughter.

Jaime Farrelly stepped out in Double Bay sporting a fake MAGA hat

He was seen taking a serious phone call outside the famed InterContinental Hotel in Double Bay

'I didn't even know I was pregnant until I was eight months along,' Amber told me. 'Doctors thought I had cancer - I had just weeks to prepare for motherhood.'

Amber says her mother took custody of her daughter and that's when her relationship with her brother became strained.

Sporting a fake MAGA hat, Farrelly shrugged off my questions about his sister's claims, simply replying: 'I can't comment on my sister.'

He spent the morning with his mother Pam and niece, grabbing breakfast at a local cafe, before heading to The InterContinental Hotel - where INXS frontman Michael Hutchence was famously found dead.

When asked what he was doing there and whether he was there to use the free Wi-Fi, he shrugged it off, saying 'I live just locally.'

Last week, the 50-year-old was frogmarched from his Double Bay apartment after police allegedly uncovered an extraordinary stash: fake AFP, NSW Police and Victorian Police badges, replica CIA and FBI ID cards, 11 gel blasters, tactical vests, an LED flashlight, three model grenades - and 14 grams of cocaine.

Amber shared her story with Woman's Day in 2005 after finding out she was pregnant weeks before giving birth

Amber told me she was eight months pregnant with her daughter before she even realised

Sporting a fake MAGA hat, Farrelly shrugged off questions about his sister's claims, simply replying: 'I can't comment on my sister'

Jaime and his niece braved the rain on Wednesday ahead of his court appearance on Thursday

Also allegedly seized were steroids, a fake Secret Service badge and piles of counterfeit paraphernalia.

The alleged find reportedly came after a member of the public handed in a fake AFP ID card with a bag of cocaine tucked behind it at Bondi Police Station.

Investigators soon arrived at Farrelly's door.

Police say the charges - which include impersonating a federal officer and drug supply - are 'extremely concerning'.

On Thursday at the Downing Centre Local Court (currently sitting at the JMT building), Farrelly appeared in a black shirt and a suit that looked more bargain bin than bespoke.

The matter was swiftly pushed to November 13.

Corporate regulators

Prior to his arrest, Farrelly was on the radar of corporate regulators.

In early 2023, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission banned him from managing companies after four of his Canberra-based property developments went belly-up, owing more than $9 million, including $3 million to the ATO.

The ban coincidentally ended one day before his dramatic arrest.

Allegedly recovered were four replica firearms, 11 high-end gel blasters, three model grenades, steroids, and 14 grams of cocaine

Fake t-shirts, hats, four replica firearms, 11 high-quality gel blasters, an LED flashlight and three model grenades, 14g of cocaine and steroids were also allegedly found

Farrelly's fall from grace has been spectacular.

The Cooma-born ex-architect once ran a booming property group in Canberra, 3 Property Group, selling off-the-plan townhouses marketed as 'smart homes' with high energy ratings and luxury features.

But by 2021, the dream turned sour. Buyers accused 3 Property Group of ripping up their contracts using the controversial 'sunset clause' loophole, forcing them out of the market. Even the ACT's Attorney-General slammed the company's actions as 'unconscionable'.

After the scandal, Farrelly quietly fled Canberra for Sydney's glittering east.

Jaime was frogmarched from his Double Bay apartment and slapped with a string of alarming - and bizarre - charges

These days, he lives in an Art Deco block on New South Head Road, with sweeping views over Double Bay and Redleaf Beach. Not that it belongs to him - no title records are in his name.

Weeks before his arrest, he posted a smug video of the harbour from his balcony with the caption: 'Come on summer cruising at 27 degrees - alright, alright, alright.'

But while he was enjoying the sun, his social media activity was raising eyebrows.

On Threads, he was still advertising a Canberra townhouse project through Elly Property Group, spruiking 'the lovely Molongo Valley [sic]'. That same project - 'Debut' - had already left buyers high and dry when their contracts were axed years earlier.

He also used Threads to leave a string of bizarre messages under a young woman's photos: 'Hi Sella, did you lose a Harry Potter journal in Double Bay?'

She never replied.

Another eyebrow-raising - not to mention embarrassing and cringeworthy - post from Farrelly's now-cancelled Instagram read: 'Good sex. No stress. No boo. No ex. Small circle. Big checks.'

Back in 2017, he shared a post reading, 'Good lawyers know the law, great lawyers know the judge'.

In 2017, he posted, 'Good lawyers know the law, great lawyers know the judge'

Now out on bail, the disgraced developer turned alleged 'fake cop' must report daily to Bondi Police Station and surrender his passport.

His once-polished image has unravelled - and his sister's claims have only deepened the intrigue surrounding his chaotic private life.

'I told him I'm never going to his funeral - I'd throw rocks on his coffin,' Amber said.

Whatever Farrelly's alleged interest in police badges was about, one thing's certain: the man who once dreamed of building Canberra's skyline is now the talk of Sydney's glittering east for all the wrong reasons.
As the granddaughter of the 'mad' King George III, Queen Victoria had much to worry about when it came to her own mental health.

So when she began suffering from extreme post-natal depression and nightmarish visions just days after the birth of her eldest son, it seemed prudent to call the doctor.

And as a BBC Radio 4 documentary reveals, that is exactly what Prince Albert - the monarch's beloved husband - did.

Dr Robert Ferguson's diary gives an unprecedented insight into the disastrous state of Victoria's mental health immediately after the arrival of the future King Edward VII in November 1841.

The medic recounted how the monarch had suffered from 'illusions of the eye and ear', including seeing people's faces 'turned into worms' and hearing voices uttering words that were 'always the same and always German'.

His diary languished in private hands until it was bought by the Royal College of Physicians in 2009. But, since then, only a handful of experts have studied it.

Now, speaking on Queen Victoria's Nightmares, which aired yesterday, scholars have expressed their amazement at the revelations contained in the two-volume trove.

Dr Fern Riddell, who recently revealed stunning evidence suggesting Victoria may have had a love child with her servant John Brown, says of the diary: 'It's incredible, what it tells us is that Victoria was suffering severely with these hallucinations.

As the granddaughter of the 'mad' King George III, Queen Victoria had much to worry about when it came to her own mental health

A page from the diary of Dr Robert Ferguson, Queen Victoria's obstetrician, describing the birth of her eldest daughter in 1840. The doctor was present at the birth of all nine of Queen Victoria's children

'She is hearing things, she is seeing things, and there are visions that terrify her.

Dr Matthew Sweet, the presenter of the new programme, adds: 'Isn't this extraordinary? There is not a document like this in the whole of the corpus.

'We have here an insight into the mental world of the monarch, into their auditory and visual hallucinations.'

Polish historian Mariusz Misztal, an expert at the National University in Krakow, was one of the first academics to properly study Dr Ferguson's diary.

He too was stunned by what he read.

'Until the diaries of Robert Ferguson, historians knew there was some gossip, some talk about mental problems of Queen Victoria,' he says.

'This is the only now proof that Queen Victoria had really strong mental problems.'

He added: 'There was always this fear within the Royal Family that mental diseases may be inherited.

'And especially Prince Albert. Why? Well because he himself noted that, well indeed, there is something not right in the Queen's behaviour.'

Dr Ferguson wrote his diary - which originally had locks fitted to its volumes - despite a Palace rule that royal employees should not do so.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert pictured together just nine months before his death

Queen Victoria with her eldest son Prince Albert Edward, the future King. The pair had a difficult relationship

But Dr Ferguson was not a full-time member of the Royal Household, meaning he may have felt the rule did not apply to him.

Having been appointed physician-accoucheur (effectively an obstetrician) to Victoria in 1840, he was present at the birth of all nine of her children.

The madness of King George III George III, who reigned from 1760 until 1820, was beset by several bouts of delusions and hallucinations in later life. Eventually, his madness became permanent and his estranged son, George IV, ruled as regent for the final nine years of his life. He would often cradle cushions and pillows in the belief they were his dead children. And on one occasion he tried to climb the 50ft pagoda at Kew Palace. In attempting to treat him, his doctors fixed leeches to his temples, put him in a strait jacket and plunged him into ice baths. The monarch's insanity went on to be dramatised by Alan Bennett in his play The Madness of George III, which was turned into a 1994 film starring Nigel Hawthorne and Helen Mirren. Advertisement

Her first child, Princess Victoria, arrived in November 1840. Prince Albert Edward was born almost exactly a year later.

Days after the birth, a gravely concerned Albert called for Dr Ferguson.

The monarch was, Dr Riddell says in the programme, suffering from 'horrific' post-natal depression.

It prompted fears that her grandfather's insanity could have been passed down to her.

Dr Riddell adds: 'What is further compounded by this is the idea that Victoria might have inherited any form of madness from her grandfather George III.

'That is something that Albert is very, very aware of. He is terrified that Victoria might become mad, that she might then pass this lunacy onto her children.'

Dr Ferguson recorded the Queen's horrifying symptoms.

He wrote: 'I was sent for to the Palace and was ushered up to the room of Baron Stockmar [the Queen's trusted aide], who at once opened up the reason for my being thus elected from among my colleagues to see Her Majesty.

'He told me that of late she had been gloomy and desponding, that there were illusions both of the eye and the ear.

'By the one sense she was deceived into the belief that she saw spots on people's faces, which turned into worms, and that coffins floated before her, while with the other she heard words, always the same and always German.'

Dr Riddell said the passage demonstrates that Victoria was 'suffering severely' with hallucinations.

'She is hearing things, she is seeing things, and there are visions that terrify her,' the historian added.

Psychoanalyst Susie Orbach, who once treated Princess Diana, believes Victoria's symptoms were linked to a feeling of inadequacy.

She tells the programme: 'We are seeing her as a very vulnerable and disturbed young woman, who wasn't confident, particularly not around labour when she was in confinement, when she had to bring forth something from her body.

Having been appointed physician-accoucheur (effectively an obstetrician) to Queen Victoria in 1840, Dr Robert Ferguson was present at the birth of all nine of the monarch's children

Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert with their children in 1846

'And she didn't feel that she was a substantial enough person. That's the taste I get of it.'

Fellow expert Dr Caroline Horton, who researches sleep and dreams at Lincoln Bishop University, believes Victoria was wracked by nightmares rather than experiencing visions while awake.

She tells Dr Sweet: 'I don't think there is evidence that she is seeing hallucinations in the waking state.

'We don't know, we are very far removed from what actually happened.

'I think she was more disturbed by her dreams and just by the visceral and emotional nature of these visions.'

The term psychotic refers to someone who has lost touch with reality, often meaning they hear or see things that are not really there.

Dr Horton added: 'We are psychotic really when we dream.

'As long as those hallucinations, those visions, those moments of being out of control occur when we are asleep, and then when we wake that they stop, typically once individuals start believing things that are not there and start seeing things, they do normally recognise that they are not real when those hallucinations, those psychosies, start.'

Dr Ferguson believed Victoria's symptoms could be down to something she had eaten. He told how she was 'much comforted' when he expressed his view to her.

The doctor also recounted that Victoria and Albert had expressed their own view on what her visions might have been caused by.

Nearly a decade earlier, she had been greatly distressed by a book that recounted the story of the entrails of a princess being kept in a jar that then breaks, causing a 'sudden and intolerable' stench.

Edward VII was born Prince Albert Edward in November 1841, almost exactly a year after his older sister

Dr Riddell concludes: 'There's a real grotesquery to it. And I think for Victoria, knowing that her body is something that is not her own, it is the property of the court, to read that this is how her body might be abused after death would have been incredibly traumatic.

'Reading these two things together, I see it in a way that I hadn't seen before, that it is all a fear of control, of loss of control, of the fact that she is the bodily property of Albert, she is the bodily property of her court and she has no control over it, and her mind is reacting.'

But Victoria's childhood may also have had a heavy bearing on her fragile mental state.

After the death of her father, Prince Edward, when she was a baby, Victoria had grown up under the strictures of what was known as the Kensington System.

On the orders of her mother, the Duchess of Kent, she was kept away from other children and almost never left alone.

Her mother's 'boyfriend' - as he is described by Dr Sweet - was the nefarious Joseph Conroy, who also exercised control over the young princess.

He had plotted to have Victoria declared an 'idiot' - then a precise medical term for someone not fit to live independently - so that her mother could rule as regent.

Dr Ferguson would go on to record this traumatic childhood.

Albert and Victoria in 1854 - the couple married in 1840. Albert's death in 1861 left Victoria bereft

On December 8, 1841, he told in his diary how another of Victoria's doctors, Sir James Clark, had recounted to him the 'ambition' of the 'foolish, bad man' Conroy.

'I can scarcely credit such wickedness and folly', he said.

Though she would eliminate Conroy's influence when she became Queen, Victoria's childhood trauma had a lasting impact.

She is known to have hated being pregnant, despite having had seven more children after the births of her eldest daughter and Edward.

And she was particularly revolted by breastfeeding.

As Edward grew up, relations with his mother became ever more fraught.

Just as the Queen had been strictly controlled by her own mother, she obsessively kept checks on her eldest son and her other children.

As for Albert, his fears that Victoria might have inherited the madness suffered by George III never went away.

He would be left terrified by her outbursts of fury during rows. But despite the tempestuous nature of their marriage, the couple were deeply in love.

After Albert died suddenly aged just 42 in 1861, probably from typhoid, Victoria was bereft.

She famously wore black for the rest of her life and made only a handful of public appearances as a widow.

The public almost became aware of Dr Ferguson's diary a little over a century ago, when his son approached major publisher John Murray.

But, aware that Victoria's eldest son was still on the throne and many of her other children were also alive and well, the decision was taken not to bring it to light.

Murray wrote to Dr Ferguson's son in 1908: 'My dear Ferguson, of the interest of this diary there can be no doubt, but it is by no means easy to suggest the best way of dealing with it. Here are some of the difficulties.

'There are several passages and those amongst the most interesting which it would be undesirable to publish now at any rate, as being too private, or as referring to persons whose near relations are still living.'
A soon-to-be father was killed by a single punch outside of a bar in Arizona just weeks before his wife was due to give birth.

Thomas John Pizzitola suffered a traumatic brain injury during an altercation near Pattie's First Avenue Lounge in Scottsdale at around 2am on October 11.

Police arrested five suspects on October 22, including Drew Meneses, who faces a second-degree murder charge after he allegedly threw the fatal sucker punch.

Authorities arrived following a call for medical assistance and found the 29-year-old unconscious on the sidewalk.

He was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

His pregnant wife Krisan noticed about 3.30am that his location had changed on his phone settings from the bar to the emergency room, prompting her to 'drop everything and rush down there in [her] pajamas.'

Pizzitola and his two friends had been kicked out of the bar for being too rowdy, according to court records cited by Fox 10.

While outside, one of Pizzitola's friends bumped into a woman, which started an argument with the group of five.

The tragic moment was captured on video and was shown in court by prosecutors.

Thomas John Pizzitola was killed by a single punch outside of a bar in Arizona just weeks before his wife, Krisan, was due to give birth

Drew Meneses, who faces a second-degree murder charge after he allegedly was behind Pizzitola and threw the fatal sucker punch

'All he ever wanted to be was the best father ever and the best husband. But he wasn't finished,' said Krisan

'During that cellphone video, what you can see is victim #1 standing with his arms to his side, and you can see the defendant walk up behind him and essentially sucker punch him in the head,' Prosecutor Angela Andrews said.

The 24-year-old, who is held on a $1million bond, told the court: 'It was a bad night. It was not supposed to happen like that at all, and there was no malicious intent for that at all.'

The other suspects include Julius Husser, 27, Krista Molina, 27, Tony Becker, 26, and Mark Whitford, 23, who each face varying degrees of assault charges.

A GoFundMe was launched on behalf of the Pizzitola family to support his widowed wife ahead of the arrival of their son.

The crowdfunding campaign has raised nearly $80,000 so far and donors have been asked to share the fundraiser as well.

'I'm trying so hard not to be so angry at this situation and try to be the strong woman that he thinks that I am. All he ever wanted to be was the best father ever and the best husband. But he wasn't finished,' Krisan told Fox 10.

Krisan went on to share the last message she would get from her husband, revealing: 'I texted him that I had gotten home, and he texted me back and said that he wished that I was there, but that he was so proud of me for staying home and taking care of our baby boy, and that he loved me.'

Krista Molina, 27, was one of the five suspects arrested in connection to Pizzitola's death

Julius Husser, 27, accused of aggravated assault and assault

Pizzitola was an organ donor who helped to save five lives in his death, his family revealed.

He has been remembered as a good person and 'pure light' lost to a 'senseless act of violence.'

His mother Gina wrote in a moving tribute that Pizzitola's death had 'changed [her] world forever.'

'My beautiful son, TJ, was taken from us by a senseless act of violence, something no parent should ever have to experience,' she wrote.

'There are no words big enough to describe the pain, the heartbreak, or the emptiness that now lives in my heart.

'TJ was pure light. He was joy, laughter, kindness, and compassion wrapped into one incredible soul. Everyone who met him loved him, truly loved him. He had this way of making you feel seen, valued, and cared for. To know TJ was to feel God's love shining through him.

'He leaves behind his beautiful wife, Krisan, and their unborn baby boy. My heart breaks knowing that his son will never get to feel TJ's hugs or hear his laugh in person, but I promise, I will help Krisan raise that little boy to know exactly who his dad was.

'He will grow up hearing the stories, the laughter, the love, and the light that his father brought into this world. He will be a perfect little reflection of TJ, his 'mini me.''

Tony Becker, 26, is accused of aggravated assault and assault

Mark Whitford, 23, is accused of aggravated assault

Gina said while she will 'never understand why this happened', she had put her faith in God to be with her 'in the middle of this heartbreak.'

'I pray He uses TJ's story to awaken love and peace in this world to remind people to slow down, show grace, and cherish life,' she wrote.

'Even in death, TJ gave the ultimate gift. He saved five lives through organ donation; his heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and pancreas are now giving others a second chance. That's who my son was selfless, generous, and full of life until the very end.'
The ex-wife of one of the DC snipers, John Allen Muhammad, has revealed his last words to her before he embarked on one of the most terrifying killings sprees in US history.

Dr Mildred Muhammad, who had three children with John, said she was emotionally and psychologically abused by him over the course of their 12-year marriage. The torment, she said, went on long after the couple split in 1999.

She changed her phone number to avoid his stalking, but he still managed to show up at her house.

'He said to me, "You have become my enemy, and as my enemy, I will kill you,"' she told Fox News Digital ahead of a new Investigation Discovery true-crime documentary, 'Hunted by My Husband.'

The documentary explores authorities' belief that John was going to eventually kill his wife and make her death look as though it was part of the random murders he was committing.

John, an expert rifle marksman, and accomplice Lee Boyd Malvo shot and killed 10 people in the Washington, DC area over a three-week terror campaign in October 2002. Three others were wounded.

The duo fired at people through a hole they cut in the trunk of their blue 1990 Chevrolet Caprice, concealing the origin of the shots and allowing them to escape the crime scenes immediately.

Over the course of their investigation, which revealed John's role in the attacks, authorities theorized he would soon kill Mildred to gain custody of his three children.

Dr Mildred Muhammad said her ex-husband, John Allen Muhammad, told her he was going to kill her before committing the DC sniper attacks in October 2002

John Allen Muhammad (pictured in curt on November 13, 2002) and then-17-year-old Lee Boyd Malvo killed 10 people during a three-week rampage throughout Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia

A view of the hole cut into the trunk of the 1990 Chevy Caprice allegedly used in the 2002 sniper shootings

Mildred met John in 1985 while he was in the US Army and stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. They later married in 1988.

She said that after he served in Operation Desert Storm in 1990, he was never the same. He was left with a shoulder injury and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

'He would just sit in the corner, rocking back and forth,' she told Fox. 'He no longer wanted to have conversations. Even if I tried to engage, he felt threatened. He was full of rage  but it was a different rage.'

'John was quiet. He was trained in psychological warfare, so he would do things that made me question everything I did. I would look at him and say, "Why are you angry?" He would respond, "Why are you saying Im angry?" Then he went to the mirror, wiped his hand across his face  and whatever emotion was there was gone.'

John would punish her for acting independently by not talking to her for days and hiding her belongings.

Mildred eventually learned to stay quiet as he destroyed her self esteem and ability to stand up for herself.

'I tried to reach out for help, but I didnt have physical scars,' she said. 'I tried to go to my place of religion, and all youre talking about is that Im supposed to honor my husband. But how do I honor a man who emotionally hurts me?'

After John had multiple affairs, Mildred filed for divorce in 1999, only deepening the conflict between the two of them.

Mildred is pictured with two of children on September 13, 2008, a year before their father would be executed

Malvo (pictured in court on October 22, 2003) was given six consecutive life sentences on November 8, 2006, and remains locked up at Kenn Mountain Correctional Center in Virginia

After John threatened to kill her, she went into hiding from her ex-husband. A judge then granted a lifetime restraining order, which did not apply to her three children.

'Even though it was for life, visitation was still required every other weekend. We were preparing for court to decide on custody. Thats when he took them,' she said.

In 2000, John kidnapped the kids and took them to the Caribbean island of Antigua for 18 months.

While there, John met Malvo, the Jamaican teenager with whom he developed a father-son bond. Authorities believe he manipulated the 17-year-old to commit the shootings.

Mildred was reunited with her children in 2001 during an emergency custody hearing in Tacoma, Washington. She then moved her family to the Washington, DC area, where John would soon follow.

In 2002, as the shootings in DC were still going on, investigators knocked on her door and informed her that her ex-husband was going to be named as the shooter.

'They asked, "Do you think he would do something like that?" I looked up and said, "Yes,"' she recalled.

One of the investigators asked Mildred if she knew she was John's target, explaining that two men were shot at places near her residence.

She and her children were taken to a hotel. The day after she was informed of John's involvement, he was caught.

John was convicted on six counts of first degree murder and was executed by lethal injection on November 10, 2009.

Malvo, now 40, was given six consecutive life sentences on November 8, 2006, and remains locked up at Kenn Mountain Correctional Center in Virginia.
An activist once dubbed the 'anti-Greta Thunberg' has fled Europe and applied for political asylum in the United States, claiming years of harassment, surveillance, and death threats have left her fearing she'll be murdered if she ever returns.

Naomi Seibt, 25, from Germany, shot to fame in 2019 after her YouTube videos challenging climate change alarmism went viral, sparking comparisons to Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg.

Her views on illegal mass immigration and her pro-life stance on abortion rights have also gained traction online. Seibt has also been accused of heaping praise on an alleged white nationalist and criticised for her support of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party.

Due to her opinions, Seibt claims she was followed in the street, called a 'Nazi' and 'racist,' targeted by Antifa extremists, and even placed under illegal surveillance by German police.

Following the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk in September and the attempt on U.S. President Donald Trump's life last year, Seibt believes outspoken conservatives are being hunted by people who have been radicalised with far-left ideologies.

Explaining that she believes her death would serve to silence her and deter others from speaking out, in an exclusive interview with Daily Mail from Washington, D.C., she says: 'If I went to Europe, it would be extremely useful to kill me. And I do believe there is a chance that would occur. That's why I'm here. I'm not at the same level of danger here.'

According to her, even Elon Musk, with who she has struck up a friendship after he agreed with her views online, has privately told her he would never travel to Europe as he fears for his life.

She claims: 'Elon Musk himself would not go to Europe. He refuses to go, especially to Germany. He has said that very clearly to me personally. He was invited to a big event in Austria, and I asked him if he would go.

'He made it clear that they underestimated the threat level of going to Europe, so he wouldn't do it.'

Asked to clarify the threats he believed he'd face on the continent, she says: 'Assassination. That's very clearly what he was referring to.'

Naomi Seibt, from Germany claims she fled to Germany after receiving death threats by Antifa for sharing her views on issues like illegal mass migration and climate change

She claims Elon Musk, who spoke at an AfD rally in January, has privately vowed not to travel to Europe as he fears he may be 'assassinated'

Although Seibt and Musk have interacted publicly on social media, Daily Mail has not seen evidence of private communications where Musk expressed these concerns.

Speaking about being targeted by far-left extremists, she adds: 'They have been trained to see us as monsters. If you put me in a room with someone who's from Antifa, I would encourage them to have a conversation with me, and they would most likely shut it down. Because they see me, and they see a Nazi.

'If you train someone to believe that somebody else is the monster, you basically train them like soldiers. The second they see me, and associate me with all the emotions that I've been accumulating in them, they want to destroy me, whatever it takes.'

'They tell themselves they are against Nazis, but the irony is that they are the ones who want to restrict free speech - that's what Hitler wanted to do.'

She says her security concerns were validated when she claims, police dismissed her fears after she started receiving death threats. She says: 'I have become a very big target, obviously, of Antifa, so I receive death threats, sometimes even still in my emails.

'I went to the police on multiple occasions and they told me, as long as no harm has been done to me, as long as I've not been raped or killed, there's nothing they can do.'

Seibt claims that the 'harassment' began shortly after she was labelled the Anti-Greta Thunberg. 'I had a certain impact in Germany because I was the very first, young, blonde, girly voice for a more right-wing movement, and I became known as the anti-Greta Thunberg', she says.

'I just became more involved in this whole community of scientists who were sceptical of climate change. And so I made this video where I just asked these kinds of questions. And that went viral.

'Then I was asked to participate in the Climate Sceptic Conference in Germany, and then I became known in the media as the Anti-Greta Thunberg.

'And this is when I started being harassed even more by Antifa and by the media because they were deliberately trying to frame me in a narrative that I was some far-right chick, and the poster girl for the right.'

Before long, the threats had taken a sinister turn, she claims. 'And that's when the Antifa death threats started happening, because everything that I had online was just very public, everything was disclosed,' she states.

'And I got super scared, because I have a little sister, and I have a single mom, and so we're all girls, essentially. We didn't have anyone to protect us.'

Seibt has shared views that have led some to brand her a 'Nazi' and a racist - yet she denies she's either of those

She was referred to many in the German media as the 'Anti-Greta Thunberg', a label she says has led to online attacks

She recalls being recognised at a climate change protest and confronted by men she believes were linked to Antifa.

'They were these big, buff guys, and they were slowly walking towards me,' she notes. 'They backed me against a tree. And then eventually the police noticed it, and they came.

'In the end, I was the one who ended up being pulled away as the police said I was provoking the group. I was shocked - I hadn't said a word to them. But the police said they knew I was the one causing trouble because they knew who I was.'

The incident, she explains, left her shaken and humiliated. 'They treated me as though I was the threat,' she asserts.

'My mere existence was threatening to these big Antifa guys.' That's when I asked myself if the police would ever be there for me in these types of dangerous situations.'

Online, she says the abuse only escalated. After an interview, which she claims she was 'pressured' into, aired on national television in 2019, Seibt says the comments section was filled with vicious personal insults as she was portrayed as a ' dangerous Nazi girl.'

She explains: 'Obviously, in Germany, that's the one allegation that you don't want to have put on you. I never identified with any of these beliefs.

'After the interview, I got increasingly more death threats. At that time, I was so underweight, and I had terrible inflammation in my face as I was ill. I got many hate comments afterwards, with some going as far as calling me a crack w****.

'And that's why I was even more scared of these death threats, because I knew I was way too frail. So, if somebody attacks me, it's over.'

Seibt notes that her family also became targets - her address became public because as per German law, anyone who runs a professional website or monetised YouTube channel must list an address.

She says this made her vulnerable, and people began to stalk her. The most disturbing messages, she claims, were aimed at her little sister after she gave a speech in parliament questioning the PCR tests used during the pandemic.

She explains: 'I got death threats online and people were commenting about my little sister, and then someone at some point, threatened that they would want to rape my sister. That was the most shocking thing for me.

'There was nothing I could do. She is just a normal teenager who never deserved to be dragged into this. I wanted to protect her at all costs.'

Seibt claims she became increasingly concerned when her little sister became the target of rape threats

Seibt insists she became increasingly convinced that authorities were not only failing to protect her, but actively monitoring her.

'I found out this year that last year I was, some of my phone calls had been intercepted by the federal German police because they were looking for someone,' she claims.

'Then I filed an official request to the German intelligence community to see how much information they had retained about me, because you can do that in Germany.

'And then they have to, at the very least, give you some vague estimation of what they have on you. I just received an email two months ago, saying that they are still assembling all the information because it's a lot.'

Daily Mail has not seen evidence of the alleged interception. German police have not responded to requests for comment.

Seibt claims the hatred was not only confined to left-wing extremists. She recalls a time when she was severely ill and had to be rushed to the hospital.

Describing an 'uncomfortable incident, she says: 'Some of the nurses knew who I was, and they were talking behind my back, and that was the most uncomfortable position to be in.

'I had a doctor come up to me two days after I was in the hospital, and he said to me, "You are going to die anyway."'

Seibt says the frequency of the attacks led her to flee to the US in September last year. Although she was planning on visiting for just a month, she ended up extending her stay and decided to file for asylum last month.

'I made the honestly difficult decision to apply for asylum,' she states. 'If I just wanted to stay in America, I could have easily applied for something like a journalism visa. Applying for asylum has made my personal life more difficult.

'I cannot leave the country, which means I can't see my family. There's a very, very good chance that I'm not going to see my grandma anymore as she's quite old. But I feel like it had to be done because I need this official protection from the US government.

'Otherwise, I'm worried that at some point they will try to blackmail me by harming my family in Germany, and I just want to be completely disassociated from that, and have the official protection from the American government.

'This will allow me to continue to speak freely and expose more information about what I know to be true about the German government.'

Seibt speaking at an American conservative event in 2020. She applied for political asylum last year and believes she is safer in the Unites States

When she declared her intention to vote for the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) on X, she was stunned when the platform's owner, Elon Musk, reached out and showed his support and also backed the party.

In May this year, Germany's domestic spy agency designated the AfD as a 'right-wing extremist party', a move that Seibt condemns.

'The AFD obviously is the strongest opposition party at this point. They are now at 27 per cent voter support. It makes them the most popular party in Germany, and they are at risk of being banned currently.'

She also said supporters and people linked to the AfD have been put under constant surveillance, a claim that has not been substantiated by Daily Mail.

Seibt says she was targeted with more death threats after her public interactions with Musk. Seibt remarks that the Tesla founder, named the richest man in the world, warned her never to return to Europe, as it was unsafe.

'As soon as I detach myself from America, I will no longer have any protection,' she says. I addressed this with Elon personally at some point in messages, and he agreed that it would be too dangerous to go to Europe, and I should definitely not do that.'

Believing that Europe is no longer a place where opinions could be shared freely, she welcomes reports that Donald Trump is considering granting asylum to Europeans who have been targeted online for their opinions.

Trump and his administration, including Musk, who held an appointment until May this year, have regularly hit out at what they note is a restriction on free speech.

'That came very out of the blue, and I obviously support it,' Seibt says.

'This probably has to do a lot with the work that Vice President J.D. Vance has already done, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who have openly spoken about the threat to free speech, or the threat from within, as J.D. Vance called it. It's where citizens are being arrested for memes and communications online.'

'In my personal opinion, I honestly think that this is a reason to claim that you are being persecuted by the government.'

After her public interactions with Musk were picked up by the media, Seibt says she was called the 'Elon Whisperer' and received further threats

Donald Trump is said to be considering plans to offer political asylum to Europeans who have been targeted for their views

Although freedom of speech in Germany is guaranteed in Article 5 of the Basic Law, which is the German constitution, there are limits. It is a crime to insult others in the country. Spreading and demeaning others is also prohibited.

This means that Germany has tighter laws governing what a person can say. Seibt alleges that authorities go to great lengths to enforce this.

She declares: 'The problem is you can stretch the definition so much that even if any average citizen posts something like a poop emoji next to a politician, they could be fined, sometimes up to thousands of Euros. Sometimes, people have their homes raided.'

Earlier this year, cops launched a nationwide operation against online hate speech and incitement. It was reported that the crackdown was targeting individuals who insulted politicians and incited hostility towards a particular group.

One conservative lawmaker said at the time: 'Digital arsonists should not be able to hide behind their cellphones or computers.'

But Seibt has condemned the move, saying: 'In one day, they raided around 170 homes. Without a trial, they confiscate these people's phones, and they don't get them back. They also don't get a chance to defend themselves in court.

'To me, that screams tyranny, because you cannot even criticise your politicians, or you have to fear that it will be counted as a form of defamation, or damaging their reputation, which is what this law applies to.

'If you're gonna say that you have free speech in the country, then this needs to be eliminated.'

But observers in favour of the law say it is necessary as far-right ideology is linked to the 40 per cent rise in politically motivated crimes in the country. Last year, they soared to 84,172 - almost half of them were motivated by far-right talking points, according to figures.

Some have said Seibt's public opinions go beyond the limits of what is acceptable.

When challenged about the risk of generalisation, she insists: 'If you take a look at the crime statistics in Germany, every single time, these immigrants that we have imported are vastly overrepresented, and the worst country of origin for this is Afghanistan.

'Putting your own country first is not a negative thing, and it is not racist. I think it's crucial - that's what we elect the government for - to protect us. Our women are being raped at such a disproportionately high rate.

'Many of the immigrants, I'm sure, are super nice. But is there a reason why we should risk it all instead of figuring out what the original problem is in the first place?

'Of course, it's not everyone, but you have a duty to protect your own people first, because we are sacrificing, especially our women and children.'

The activist claims there is a lack of patriotism in Europe and insists governments must put their citizens first

At the root of the problem, she believes, is a lack of patriotism across Europe. With flags being taken down in Germany and Europe, she believes the wrong message is being sent.

'Being patriots at the very end of everything should be the core value. I don't see that in Germany and Europe. If we had both the left and right being patriots above all, then I think we could communicate with each other way more.

'In America, you're not gonna find, like, reasonable Democrats who would burn the American flag. Actually, if you go to a Democratic political event, you will still see the American flag everywhere. They just interpret the American flag differently.'

Despite what some believe are controversial opinions, Seibt insists she's neither a racist nor a Nazi and says she welcomes opposing views.

She explains: 'The best thing we can do is to keep having conversations about these topics.

'And if we allow these free conversations online and in real life, and we have more discussion forums in that way, we would have a better chance of finding more commonalities than anything else.'

While her critics argue that she fuels division, her supporters see her as a symbol of free speech in Europe. Seibt, however, maintains she is unfairly vilified.
CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins surprised conservatives as she stepped in to correct a false claim put forward by Democrat Jasmine Crockett live on the air.

The CNN White House correspondent interrupted her interview with the Texas Rep. as Crockett slammed Donald Trump's renovations of the East Wing ballroom.

Crockett told the host that Trump's team had claimed his glitzy new golden ballroom was his 'top priority,' even as the government shutdown stretched into its fifth week.

She continued: 'The president has time to do everything but what he has to focus on - in fact, we heard the press secretary say that his main priority is the ballroom.'

As Crockett described the East Wing renovation as 'the ballroom that no one asked for', Collins stepped in to tell the Texas Democrat she had taken the remark badly out of context.

'The context of the comment from Karoline Leavitt, she was asked if the president was working on any other renovations when it came to the White House,' Collins said.

'(Leavitt) was saying his focus was the ballroom,' Collins added, explaining that the ballroom was only the president's 'top priority' when it came to renovations he was planning - not the primary focus of his entire administration.

CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins surprised conservatives as she stepped in to correct a false claim put forward by Democrat Jasmine Crockett live on the air

The live correction from Collins stunned many conservatives on social media, with one responding to a clip of the moment: 'Can't get better than this. CNN fact checking.'

Another joked: 'So that's why it's so damn cold out, hell did freeze over!!!!'

'Even CNN couldnt ignore that one, you know its bad when theyre the ones calling out the spin.'

Crockett is far from alone in her condemnations of Trump's renovations of the East Wing, with her fellow Democrat Eric Swalwell calling on all 2028 presidential hopefuls to 'tear down' the ballroom if elected.

The ballroom is said to cost upwards of $250 million and has been funded by private donors, with images of the White House under construction sparking fury among Trump's opponents last week.

Swalwell shared an image of the construction as he wrote: 'Don't even think of seeking the Democratic nomination for president unless you pledge to take a wrecking ball to the Trump Ballroom on DAY ONE.'

Alternatively, he said nominees could consider renaming it to the 'Barack Obama Ballroom' after reports emerged last week that Trump plans to name the space 'The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom.'

'A Trump monument to corruption will not stand,' Swalwell added.

Trump's ballroom is said to cost upwards of $250 million and has been funded by private donors, with images of the White House under construction sparking fury among Trump's opponents last week

Crockett is far from alone in her condemnations of Trump's renovations of the East Wing, with her fellow Democrat Eric Swalwell calling on all 2028 presidential hopefuls to 'tear down' the ballroom if elected

And Crockett's admission in her CNN interview that she has 'no idea' when the government shutdown will end comes as Republican insiders told the Daily Mail they expect it could become the longest in history.

The funding debacle stems from Senate Democrats' opposition to a Republican-authored government funding bill that lacks provisions for Obamacare funding.

Currently in its 29th day at the time of writing, the shutdown is poised to soon become the longest period in American history during which the federal government has not been fully operational.

Trump set the current record during his first term for a shutdown that lasted 35 days, between December 2018 and January 2019. The dispute then was over billions in border wall funding, which Democrats objected to and never ultimately included in the funding package.

If the government is not funded before next Wednesday, November 5, the ongoing funding gap will surpass that first term feat.

'My current bet on the office whiteboard is November 6,' one GOP aide told the Daily Mail. 'I know a lot of offices are having internal bets on how long it goes on.'

'I pray to God this won't go down as the longest shutdown in history, but I really don't see an off ramp,' another senior Senate aide told the Daily Mail. 'Unless something really shakes the Democrats, I'd say this could go as far as Christmas.'
A gruesome claim that a teenage murder victim's body was minced up into takeaway kebabs has undermined attempts to catch her killer for years, a new compelling Daily Mail podcast has found.

Charlene Downes, 14, vanished without a trace from her home town of Blackpool more than two decades ago.

Police believe she was killed by men who had been grooming and sexually abusing her in the Lancashire seaside resort.

But, despite a 100,000 police reward for information leading to the conviction of her killer, no-one has ever been brought to justice.

Now, ahead of Saturday's 22nd anniversary of her disappearance, a new eight-part Daily Mail podcast, hosted by actress and campaigner Nicola Thorp, reveals testimony that has debunked the kebab theory once and for all.

Charlene Downes, 14, vanished without a trace from her home town of Blackpool more than two decades ago

Charlene: Somebody Knows Something is available now wherever you get your podcasts

The 'evidence' for how Charlene's body was disposed 'does not exist' and is 'not true', the senior investigating officer admits in an exclusive interview with the series, scheduled for release today.

Nicola, who appeared on Coronation Street as Nicola Rubinstein, secret daughter of soap villain Pat Phelan, was born at the same time as Charlene, and raised less than a mile away from her Blackpool home.

She says that not only is the 'Kebab girl' story a 'false and damaging narrative', but it has also been a dangerous distraction from the task of finding her murderer.

As part of her landmark investigation, Charlene: Somebody Knows Something, Nicola has interviewed key figures in the long-running case - including one of the original suspects, plus the schoolgirl's friends and family.

She has also spoken to witnesses whose voices have been ignored or unheard for decades, revealing potentially crucial new leads.

Nicola hopes these will finally help Charlene's friends and family get answers and fulfil their long-running campaign for justice.

Charlene - described as a 'bubbly, cheeky teenager with an infectious smile' - was last seen on the evening of November 1, 2003, by her mother, Karen, who was handing out leaflets for an Indian restaurant in the town.

Charlene promised her mother she wouldn't be home late, but never returned, and two days later Mrs Downes reported her missing.

Initially, the family say, police did not take the missing persons' report seriously.

However, that changed when officers uncovered evidence linking Charlene to a network of grooming gangs.

It later emerged that up to 60 schoolgirls as young as 11 were being offered food, alcohol and cigarettes in return for sexual favours by workers at seedy takeaways.

Jordanian kebab shop owner Iyad Albattikhi and landlord Mohammed Raveshi - originally from Iran - became the prime suspects in Charlene's murder, but no physical evidence linked them to the crime.

Ahead of the 22nd anniversary of Charlene's disappearance, a new Daily Mail podcast, hosted by campaigner Nicola Thorp (pictured), reveals testimony that debunks the kebab theory

Nicola (pictured), who appeared on Coronation Street as Nicola Rubinstein, was born at the same time as Charlene, and raised less than a mile away from her Blackpool home

Instead detectives were authorised to secretly bug Mr Raveshi's house and car, recording hours of conversations between the two men.

Mr Albattikhi, then 29, was eventually charged with Charlene's murder, while 50-year-old Mr Raveshi was accused of helping to dispose of the body.

Prosecutors sensationally alleged they killed her and got rid of her remains using a mincing machine, before putting it into takeaway kebabs.

The men's trial at Preston Crown Court, in 2007, focused on painstakingly compiled transcripts of their conversations, including an apparent discussion about killing Charlene.

But the recordings of their conversations, in heavily-accented voices, were difficult to make-out and some were barely audible over the sound of a nearby television.

Jurors failed to reach a verdict on either man, and after a retrial also collapsed over what the police watchdog branded 'a catalogue of errors,' they were both awarded 250,000 in compensation.

The podcast discusses how the police's claim that one of the men was recorded saying: 'why did you kill her', has been disputed by different expert forensic audiologists, who fail to even agree on who is saying what in the recordings.

Speaking to the podcast, Detective Superintendent Gareth Willis is unequivocal.

'The evidence around the covert material that was relied upon in court has been fatally undermined and is not accurate, is not truthful,' the senior investigating officer tells Nicola.

'So we all acknowledge that that evidence does not exist.

'It's been reviewed independently, and what was documented as being fact is, in fact, not true.'

Nicola says: 'If my investigation for this podcast achieves anything, I hope it brings an end to this false and damaging narrative.

'Not just because it's a lie, but because a missing 14-year-old girl, a victim of child sexual abuse, deserves more than being reduced to a piece of meat in a headline.'

The first two episodes of Charlene: Somebody Knows Something are available right now wherever you get your podcasts - or get the whole series immediately at www.thecrimedesk.com.
America's new ambassador in Greece is planning a splashy headline-grabbing debut that has some diplomats questioning whether a lavish party sends the right message to America's adversaries.

Kimberly Guilfoyle, Donald Trump Jr.'s ex-fiance, will kick off her diplomatic tenure with a nightclub party Sunday hosted by Greek pop idol Konstantinos Argiros, according to leaked plans obtained by the Daily Mail.

She'll be jetting there by hitching a ride with billionaire and Vivid Seats co-founder Eric Vassilatos.

The event at Kentro Athinon, a downtown Athens dance club where fans traditionally throw flowers at performers, has raised concerns among those helping with her transition from MAGA starlet to the sage diplomat.

'We look like the banana republic right now,' a source familiar with the weekend plans told the Daily Mail. 'You know Russia and China are looking at us like fools.'

The Nov. 2 event, scheduled for 9 p.m., asks attendees to RSVP to the U.S. Embassy in Athens.

The trio  who have been spotted partying together in London and Miami stoking speculation about their increasingly visible relationship  are evidently planning a whirlwind of glamorous events, from VIP parties at a club to sunsoaked yacht trips in the Aegean on Vassilatos's yacht.

Guilfoyle's friendship with Argiros first made headlines at a London charity gala for The Hellenic Initiative on Oct. 9, where she was pulled on stage to dance with the performer during his set.

Daily Mail exclusively obtained the invitation to the event at Kentro Athinon, a downtown Athens dance club where fans traditionally throw flowers at performers

The trio  who have been spotted partying together in London and Miami stoking speculation about their increasingly visible relationship  are evidently planning a whirlwind of glamorous events, from VIP parties at a club to sunsoaked yacht trips in the Aegean on Vassilatos's yacht

Guilfoyle's friendship with Argiros first made headlines at a London charity gala for The Hellenic Initiative on Oct. 9, where she was pulled on stage to dance with the performer during his set

Greece, a sunsoaked vacation destination steeped in ancient history and democracy, situated across the Ionian Sea from Italy and hundreds of miles from the Vatican, was seen as a compromise

She'll be jetting to Athens by hitching a ride with billionaire and Vivid Seats co-founder Eric Vassilatos (left of Guilfoyle)

Kimberly Guilfoyle, the glamorous exfiance to the president's son and firebrand MAGA loyalist, initially lobbied to be the ambassador to the Vatican before settling for her comfy post in Greece, four sources familiar with the matter exclusively tell the Daily Mail

Jefferson House, US Ambassador's Residence in Athens, Greece

The Daily Mail has reached out to Guilfoyle and the State Department for comment. They did not immediately respond.

People close to Guilfoyle helping with her ambassadorial transition have privately expressed concern that her high-profile socializing with a CEO and Greek entertainer could undermine her credibility in the role.

Another source tells Daily Mail influential GreekAmericans are trying to play as 'gatekeepers'  attempting to get close to the new ambassador.

'They are trying to wiggle their way into her world since she is coming in fresh and naive with this level of status. Plus, she has an in with the president,' a source close to Guilfoyle told Daily Mail.

Greece's new ambassador is scheduled to officially begin her duties next Tuesday after arriving in Athens  when she will present her diplomatic credentials to Greek President Konstantinos Tasoulas.

Her debut engagement as ambassador is slated for November 67, when she will host a reception at the Zappeion in conjunction with the Transatlantic Energy Cooperation Forum. Among the reportedly expected attendees are US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Greece's Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou.

Guilfoyle, the firebrand MAGA loyalist, initially lobbied to be the ambassador to the Vatican before settling for her comfy post in Greece, four sources familiar with the matter exclusively tell the Daily Mail.

Trump shut down the idea of the Vatican immediately, with one source describing it as 'a nonstarter.'

Greece, a sunsoaked vacation destination steeped in ancient history and democracy, situated across from Italy and hundreds of miles from the Vatican,was seen as a compromise.

America's new ambassador in Greece is planning a splashy headline-grabbing debut that has some diplomats questioning whether a lavish party sends the right message to America's adversaries

'There was no way they were going to give her the Vatican. It wouldn't be a fit, for many reasons. She must have known that,' one diplomatic source close to the conversation told the Daily Mail

'She is better off in Athens, not Rome  but it's still a plum assignment,' one former administration official noted

Guilfoyle was not on the transition team's final shortlist for Greece before Gor 'worked quickly' to insert her name as an alternative

The event at Kentro Athinon, a downtown Athens dance club where fans traditionally throw flowers at performers, has raised concerns among those helping with her transition from MAGA starlet to the sage diplomat

Sources close to the president say Sergio Gor, former director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office and a close ally of Guilfoyle and Donald Trump Jr., pushed her for a diplomatic post.

Guilfoyle was not on the transition team's final shortlist for Greece before Gor inserted her name as an alternative.

A diplomatic source told the Daily Mail, 'It came out of left field. There was no way they were going to give her the Vatican. It wouldn't be a fit, for many reasons.'

Guilfoyle's public persona and background would likely have raised eyebrows among Vatican officials, making the appointment unconventional and controversial in such a sensitive setting.

Guilfoyle said she never pursued the Vatican and is 'very excited to be the first female ambassador to Greece.'
Jeff Bezos's ex-wife MacKenzie Scott has donated more than a whopping $300 million over the course of just one month to universities and higher education scholarship organizations.

The 55-year-old divorcee seems to be focusing her efforts on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as nonprofit organizations that promote higher education access and affordability for students of color.

'Votes are not the only way to show what we'd like to see more of in our societies,' Scott wrote on her website, Yield Giving, amid the news of her latest philanthropy.

'There are many ways to influence how we move through the world and where we land,' she said.

Scott's efforts apparently began in mid-October, when she gave Morgan State University, a Maryland-based HBCU, a $63 million unrestricted gift - its largest ever.

The university announced the funds on October 15, noting that it was Scott's second major contribution to the school in less than five years.

In 2020, she had donated $40 million to the institution - which is the third largest HBCU in the nation.

Jeff Bezos 's ex-wife MacKenzie Scott has donated more than a whopping $300 million over the course of just one month to universities and higher education scholarship organizations

University officials said they would use the money to 'further strengthen Morgan's endowment, enhance support for student success and to advance initiatives that enhance Morgan's role as an anchor institution in Baltimore and a Public Impact Very High Research University.'

'MacKenzie Scott's renewed investment in Morgan is a resounding testament to the work we've done to drive transformation, not only within our campus, but throughout the communities we serve,' President David Wilson said.

'To receive one historic gift from Ms Scott was an incredible honor; to receive two speaks volumes about the confidence she and her team have in our institutions, stewardship, leadership and trajectory,' he added.

'This is more than philanthropy - it's a partnership in progress.'

But Scott also donated $38 million to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore one week later, representing the largest single gift in the school's history.

She had previously given $20 million to the institution five years ago.

'This gift is a resounding vote of confidence in UMES and in the strategic direction President [Heidi] Anderson has said,' University System of Maryland Chancellor Jay A. Perman said.

'MacKenzie Scott's generosity will deepen the university's capacity to serve students, strengthen communities across the Eastern Shore and expand UMES's national impact as a high-value, high-quality HBCU.'

Scott's efforts apparently began in mid-October, when she gave Morgan State University (pictured), a Maryland-based HBCU, a $63 million unrestricted gift - its largest ever

She also donated $38 million to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (pictured) one week later, representing the largest single gift in the school's history

In a message to the UMES community, Anderson said the school will take suggestions on how to use the newfound money.

The letter notes, however, that a 'significant portion' would go toward strengthening the school's endowment, Maryland Matters reports.

Some other uses for the money at the school of nearly 3,000 students would go toward scholarships, academic research and the creation of internships, apprenticeships and jobs.

David Balcom, the vice president for university relations, added that the funding could also be used toward the implementation of the school's new school of veterinary medicine, which is slated to begin in the fall of 2027.

'We're still charting how best to use the funds, but literally hundreds of students will be supported by these funds over time,' he said.

Scott's more recent donations include a $38 million gift to Alabama State University, an HBCU in Montgomery.

University president Quinton Ross said the donation 'marks a defining moment' in the 158-year history of the school, as its largest-ever gift.

'Ms Scott's generosity reaffirms Alabama State University's reputation as a catalyst for excellence and innovation in higher education,' he said.

'This is truly a pivotal moment in ASU's history.'

Scott's more recent donations include a $38 million gift to Alabama State University, an HBCU in Montgomery (pictured)

Scott further gave away $42 million this week to Alcorn State University in Mississippi after previously giving the school a $25 million gift in 2020, according to HBCU Gameday.

'Receiving another record transformational gift within five years is both a powerful affirmation of Alcorn's impact and a charge to all Alcornites to help accelerate our work for student success, campus sustainability and enrollment growth,' Dr Marcus D Ward, senior vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the ASU Foundation.

Like Morgan, university leaders will collaborate with the ASU Foundation to strategically allocate the money across initiatives that strengthen the school's infrastructure, enhance academic programs and expand access.

'This gift opens a new chapter for Alcorn State,' said Dr Tracy M Cook, the university president. 'We will use every dollar to support students, strengthen the university and serve Mississippi and the nation for generations to come.'

In addition to the millions Scott has given individual schools, the philanthropist gave $70 million to the United Negro College Fund in September, which will be invested in the UNCF Pooled Endowment Fund - designed to strengthen the long-term financial health of its 37 member institutions.

The donation brings the organization closer to its goal of raising $370 million specifically for the endowment.

Scott also made a $10 million unrestricted donation to the George M. Pullman Educational Fund this month, as well as a $42 million gift to 10,000 Degrees, a California-based nonprofit.

Scott, 55, is estimated to have a net worth of more than $33 billion, most of which came as part of her divorce settlement in 2019, when she received a four percent stake in Amazon

Those funds would be used to help the organization expand its support for low-income students, the group announced.

'We are deeply grateful for Ms Scott's confidence and investment in our mission and proven college success model,' President and CEO Kim Mazzuca said.

'This extraordinary gift is not only a bold affirmation of the power of education, but it is a vital investment in our communities at a time when it's needed most.'

Finally, the Native Forward Scholars Fund, the largest direct provider of college scholarships for Native American students, announced a $50 million gift from Scott this fall, marking her second major gift to the fund.

Her most recent donation is the largest private donation to date to a Native American organization, and comes as Native Forward is seeing a 35 percent increase in scholarship applications, according to Forbes.

'This unrestricted gift allows us to meet Native students where they are, respond to their most pressing needs and ensure they not only enroll, but thrive and graduate,' said Angelique Albert, CEO of Native Forward Scholars Fund.

Scott is estimated to have a net worth of more than $33 billion, most of which came as part of her divorce settlement in 2019, when she received a four percent stake in Amazon.

She has since signed the Giving Pledge, vowing to give away at least half of her fortune over the course of her lifetime.
The United States has remained the country of choice for mega-rich billionaires and will remain the 'ultra wealth' powerhouse nation for years to come, according to newly released data.

A study conducted by Altrata, a wealth intelligence firm based in New York, concluded that the US is home to 38 percent of the world's ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) population, more than the combined share of the top 10 countries.

Altrata's annual World Ultra Wealth Report was released last month and analyzes an exclusive group of individuals with a net worth of at least $30 million.

The study found that the US's dominance doesn't appear to be slowing anytime soon, concluding that ultra-wealthy individuals surged by 21 percent last year and continued to increase in 2025, even outpacing China.

Altrata noted that, even though the US experienced market volatility due to the Trump administration's isolationist trade policy, ultra-rich individuals continued to increase their wealth.

The study concluded that this was due to corporate earnings, tax cuts for the wealthy, and government deregulation of US businesses.

The US accumulated a massive wealth portfolio of $22.3 trillion among 192,470 of the world's richest people.

According to the study, America will 'remain the largest ultra wealth region by far' over the next five years at least.

New data has revealed that the US houses 38 percent of the world's ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) population, more than the combined share of the top 10 countries (Pictured: Elon Musk, the world's richest man)

Ultra-wealthy individuals surged by 21 percent last year in the US and continues to rise, outpacing China (Pictured: Mark Zuckerberg, the third richest person in the world)

The top five richest people in the world all live in the US, including Musk, Larry Ellison, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos (pictured), and Larry Page

In that time, the forecast global ultra wealthy population will likely total 676,970 people, with skyrocketing riches expected in Asia and India.

Within the US, Florida, Utah and Texas are expected to experience 'the fastest growth in UHNW numbers,' the study revealed.

Globally, China ranked second, but still trailed significantly behind the US with only $5.9 trillion among 54,020 individuals.

Altrata found that China underperformed in both 2024 and the first half of 2025 due to trade conflicts with the US and tighter export restrictions, resulting in the weakest growth among the top six countries.

The study found that, even though Asian countries were affected by US tariff-induced trade volatility, ultra-wealthy individuals remained resilient, in part due to the tech-heavy markets of South Korea and Taiwan.

The following countries in the top 10 were: Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, France, Italy, and India.

Other countries are still struggling to compete with US-based billionaires, with the top five richest people in the world still American.

Elon Musk is the wealthiest person in the world with a whopping net worth of $500 billion, followed by Larry Ellison, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Larry Page, according to Forbes.

The world's wealthiest non-American is Frenchman Bernard Arnault, with a net worth of $186.1 billion, per Forbes.

Arnault is the Chairman and CEO of fashion house LVMH, which includes powerhouse brands such as Louis Vuitton, Sephora, and Tiffany & Co.

Zhang Yiming is the richest person in China, with a net worth of $69.3 billion, and ranks 28th on the Forbes list of the world's wealthiest people.

Altrata also noted that ultra-wealthy individuals tend to come from the banking and finance sectors, but patterns are shifting.

Technology is becoming a primary industry focus due to rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and evolving media platforms, especially among the younger generation.
The sheriff's deputy who shot and killed Sonya Massey, a black mother who called the police for help, has been convicted of second-degree murder.

Sean Grayson, 31, was found guilty on Wednesday in the fatal shooting Massey in an Illinois court after he fired his gun while she was unarmed in her Springfield home on July 6, 2024.

The conviction followed a week-long trial where members of a jury heard the gruesome and tragic events that led to Massey's death, including the horrific body camera footage depicting the shooting.

The footage shows Grayson arriving at Massey's home with his partner, Dawson Farley, after responding to a 911 call reporting a suspected intruder.

The deputies searched Massey's yard and didn't find anyone hiding. They then entered her home.

The conversation became heated when an officer asked Massey to remove a pot of water from her stove.

Massey obliged and told the officer, 'I rebuke you in the name of Jesus,' which prompted Grayson to draw his weapon.

Massey was heard pleading with the officers, telling them, 'Don't hurt me,' and 'Please God.'

Sonya Massey (pictured), 36, was shot and killed by a police officer on July 6, 2024, in her own home after she called 911 for help

Sean Grayson (pictured), 31, has now been convicted by a jury for second-degree murder in Massey's death

She was then heard telling the officer, 'Okay, I'm sorry,' before he shot her three times, with one gunshot to her head.

Farley attempted to help Massey by providing her medical aid. He testified that Grayson discouraged his help, but Farley did it anyway.

'She done. You can go get it, but thats a head shot. Theres nothing you can do, man,' Grayson was heard telling Farley in the footage.

Farley told the court that he didn't believe Massey was a threat.

Anthony Mayfield, a former department official, said he watched the body camera footage with the sheriff, and the room fell silent.

'You could hear a pin drop. I think everyone was shocked,' Mayfield said.

Grayson's defense team argued that he was concerned Massey would throw the hot water on him, which was why he fired his weapon.

'In this situation, unfortunately, I matched the threat level,' he testified.

Grayson testified that he thought Massey was going to throw the water at him, which prompted him to fire his weapon

Massey's attorneys and family expressed disappointment that Grayson wasn't convicted of the more serious charge of first-degree murder

The jury watched horrifying footage of Massey getting shot in the head after Grayson asked her to move a pot of hot water on the stove

Grayson said that he had an old taser and thought it would malfunction if he used it instead of his gun.

In the weeks leading up to her death, Massey had struggled with her mental health. Her mother called 911 a day before she was murdered, expressing concern that Massey was having a mental breakdown, according to 911 recordings obtained by the Washington Post.

Massey's mother told the dispatcher that she was worried police would harm her daughter, and the dispatcher assured her that officers 'just do their job,' and that 'there's nothing to be fearful of.'

After Massey's death, information about Grayson's problematic record came to light, revealing that he had been convicted twice of driving under the influence, had been discharged from the US Army for misconduct, and had been flagged multiple times for impulsive decision-making and filing inaccurate reports from other departments.

Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell resigned amid backlash over hiring Grayson, who was later fired from the force after his indictment.

Massey's mom, Donna, said after the conviction 'Anybody who watched the video and thinks that it was partly Sonyas fault is inhumane' (Pictured: Donna Massey at a protest on July 12, 2024)

Massey's death prompted nationwide outrage against racial profiling in the criminal justice system.

After Grayson's conviction, her family expressed disappointment and anger that he wasn't found guilty of the more serious charge of first-degree murder.

Massey's cousin, Sontae Massey, said she was 'fueled by rage,' that Grayson was only convicted of second-degree murder, according to the Associated Press.

'You get an officer that says hes going to shoot you in the face, and then he shoots you in the face, and you only get second-degree? The justice system did exactly what its designed to do today. Its not meant for us.'

James Wilburn, Massey's father, added, 'Theres a difference in this country when you have my skin color and Graysons skin color. We need serious justice, not a miscarriage of justice.'

'Anybody who watched the video and thinks that it was partly Sonyas fault is inhumane,' Massey's mother, Donna Massey, said.

'And for them not to give him life, and Sonya got life  and death  I cant wait until he goes to hell.'

Massey's death prompted nationwide outrage and protests calling for police reform (Pictured: Protesters on the streets of Chicago on July 27, 2024)

Attorneys for the family, notorious civil rights advocate Ben Crump, and Antonio Romanucci said that even though they believed Grayson was deserving of a first-degree conviction, the verdict was 'still a measure of justice.'

'Accountability has begun, and we now hope the court will impose a meaningful sentence that reflects the severity of these crimes and the life that was lost.

'We will continue to fight for Sonyas family and for reforms that protect everyone from unlawful use of force.'

The statement added that the family extended gratitude to Sangamon County State's Attorney John C. Milhiser and his office for handling the case with professionalism, transparency, and compassion.

A statement from the family's attorneys said the conviction is a step towards accountability (Pictured: Donna Massey outside of the courthouse on October 29, 2025)

Massey's death prompted a new law in Illinois requiring departments to request personnel files for newly hired deputies (Pictured: Donna Massey holding the bill on August 12, 2025)

'Prosecuting a police officer is never easy but this team did it with courage and integrity,' they concluded.

Massey's case led to the passage of the Sonya Massey Law in Illinois, which prompted police reforms, including a requirement that departments must request personnel files from previous employers when hiring a new deputy.

The measure will take effect in the new year. A civil suit also awarded the Massey family $10 million.

Grayson's attorney, Daniel Fultz, declined to comment to reporters after the conviction, as did the state's attorney's office.

Grayson's sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 29. The punishment for second-degree murder is up to 20 years in prison or probation.
A Fox Weather crew reporting on Hurricane Melissa from Jamaica had to duck for cover and avoid shattered glass as the storm battered their filming location.

The reporters were forced to scramble from the top floor down to the ground floor as the windows cracked and gave way under sustained pressure from the Category 5 hurricane-force winds.

They had been covering the worsening weather from a rental home in Saint Ann's Parish when the hurricane tore through the region on Tuesday afternoon.

'That used to be a balcony,' FOX Weather correspondent Robert Ray noted as he pointed to a now collapsed pile of rubble on the ground floor.

'The entire porch and all the sliding doors blown out.'

He added that the room was 'literally unraveling' as he spoke to the camera.

'I want you to just listen to the hiss and the roar that comes through here. It is beyond scary, beyond frightening,' he said.

'And I just hope that aid can come in.'

Shards of glass from shattered glass sliding doors which had been torn from their hinges were strewn across the floor in the carnage

They had been reporting on the hurricane from a rental home in Saint Ann's Parish when the hurricane tore through the region on Tuesday afternoon

Fox Weather reporter Robert Ray (pictured) was with a crew in Jamaica to cover the hurricane

At the time of filming, Ray said the wild weather had already dragged on for hours and there was no end in sight.

A member of the security team had earlier ushered them down to the ground floor, shouting 'move fast, let's go.'

'Don't go that way, there's glass. Go, go... glass, glass,' another said.

Shards of glass from shattered glass sliding doors which had been torn from their hinges were strewn across the floor in the carnage.

Later in the evening, a second video captured under darkness showed winds still billowing through the home, which was still standing after the worst of the hurricane tore through but was overcome by debris.

Ray praised his two-member security team, who are Jamaican locals and offered support to the crew while also fearing for the safety of their families and homes.

He revealed that once it was safe to leave the home, the crew intended to travel 50 miles to Montego Bay, the town where one of his security guards lives.

'I just want you to understand the explosion of glass and furniture and walls in here,' he said.

At the time of filming, Ray said the wild weather had already dragged on for hours and there was no end in sight

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm about 1pm on Tuesday, with winds reaching 185 mph

'We have to manouver through the water.'

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm about 1pm on Tuesday, with winds reaching 185 mph.

Dozens have been left dead across Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba, while more than 70 percent of Jamaicans are without power as of Wednesday.

The Fox crew was using a Starlink device to share footage and pictures of the carnage.

A landslide blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz in Jamaica's St. Elizabeth parish, where the streets were reduced to mud pits.

Residents swept water from homes as they tried to salvage belongings. Wind ripped off part of the roof at a high school that serves as a public shelter.

'Recovery will take time, but the government is fully mobilized,' Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in a statement.

'Relief supplies are being prepared, and we are doing everything possible to restore normalcy quickly.'

The reporters were forced to scramble from the top floor down to the ground floor as the windows cracked and gave way under sustained pressure from the Category 5 hurricane-force winds

At least 23 people have died across Haiti and 13 are missing, Haiti's Civil Protection Agency said in a statement, revising the death toll downward.

Twenty of those reported dead and 10 of the missing are from the southern coastal town of Petit-Goave, where flooding collapsed dozens of homes.

In Cuba, officials reported collapsed houses, blocked mountain roads and roofs blown off buildings Wednesday, with the heaviest destruction concentrated in the southwest and northwest.

Authorities said about 735,000 people remained in shelters.

The United States is sending rescue and response teams to assist in recovery efforts in the Caribbean, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X.

He said government officials were coordinating with leadership in Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.

By Wednesday afternoon, Melissa had top sustained winds of 100 mph (155 kph) and was moving toward the Bahamas.

Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, said the storm began affecting the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday.

Authorities in the Bahamas were evacuating dozens of people from the archipelago's southeast corner ahead of Melissa's arrival.

'The storm is growing in size,' Brennan said, noting that tropical storm force winds now extend almost 200 miles (320 kilometers) from the center.

Melissa's center is forecast to move through southeastern Bahamas later Wednesday, generating up to 7 feet (2 meters) of storm surge in the area. By late Thursday, Melissa is expected to pass just west of Bermuda.
Delta passengers who paid a premium for first-class services are losing out on some of the perks as airport chaos continues nationwide amid the ongoing government shutdown.

The airline normally offers expedited security lanes for Delta One passengers traveling internationally, in which trained airline employees assist Transportation Security Administration agents at the airline's special checkpoints in an effort to speed up the process.

Delta's website says the perk makes air travel 'feel effortless from the moment you arrive.'

But a spokesperson for the airline has now confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that its exclusive expedited security lanes for Delta One passengers are temporarily closed at New York's John F Kennedy International Airport and at the Los Angeles International Airport.

'We're working with our TSA partners in these locations to have customers screened through other checkpoints,' the spokesperson said.

The TSA is already strained, however, as absenteeism tends to increase during government shutdowns - when they, and air traffic controllers, are forced to work without pay.

Delta now says it has arranged for a limited number of meals to be provided to the security agents as the shutdown enters its 29th consecutive day.

First-class Delta passengers cannot use the expedited security lanes at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport or at Los Angeles International Airport

The announcement comes as travel chaos continues amid the ongoing government shutdown

Other airlines, though, are continuing to offer their concierge services, with both American Airlines and United Airlines saying their expedited security for passengers who pay extra have not been affected by the shutdown.

United said its Premier Access priority security lanes, which are available at 60 airports around the world - including LAX and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport - are still available.

Those lanes are offered to a larger number of passengers than Delta's program, including those in the United MileagePlus program, travelers in business and first class, certain credit card holders and those who purchase the Premier Access benefit.

It is unclear, though, if the programs will be pulled if the shutdown were to continue even longer.

A spokesperson for the TSA told the Journal 'the vast majority of TSA's nationwide operations remain minimally impacted by the government shutdown,' but noted that 'occasional delays at some security checkpoints are to be expected.'

Flight disruptions will also increase, after air traffic controllers missed their first full paycheck on Tuesday, the Trump administration has warned.

Delays had already soared to 8,600 on Sunday, with around 44 percent attributed to ATC staffing issues  compared to the usual 5 percent.

The scandal continued on Monday as nearly 7,000 flights were delayed  well above the 5,000-flight average.

Delta offers expedited security lanes for Delta One passengers traveling internationally, in which trained airline employees assist Transportation Security Administration agents at the airline's special checkpoints in an effort to speed up the process

The government shutdown has put a strain on Transportation Security Administration agents

The FAA cited staffing shortages and imposed ground delay programs affecting Newark, Austin Airport and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas.

Flights in the Southeast were delayed earlier because of significant staffing shortages at the Atlanta Terminal Radar Approach Control.

The mounting delays and cancellations are fueling public frustration and intensifying scrutiny of the shutdown's impact, raising pressure on lawmakers to resolve the standoff.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was in Cleveland meeting with controllers on Monday, while the National Air Traffic Controllers Association union held events at numerous airports on Tuesday to highlight the first missed paycheck.

During an appearance on the Fox News program 'Sunday Morning Futures,' Duffy said more controllers were calling in sick as money worries compound the stress of an already challenging job.

'You can see the stress,' he said. 'These are people that oftentimes live paycheck to paycheck.'

'Just yesterday, ... we had 22 staffing triggers,' Duffy announced.

'That's one of the highest that we have seen in the system since the shutdown began. And that's a sign that the controllers are wearing thin,' he said.

The Trump administration has warned that the situation at America's airports may worsen, after air traffic controllers missed their first full paycheck on Tuesday

Transport Secretary Sean Duffy (pictured) told Fox News : 'I'm seeing the stress come for the controllers'

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also said last week that ATC workers are 'forced' to take on second jobs like 'driving for Uber' in order to 'make ends meet'.

'With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching, we are nearing the busiest travel period of the entire year, when millions of Americans will go to airports to spend time with their loved ones,' Leavitt said on Thursday.

'If the Democrats continue to keep the government closed we fear there will be significant flight delays, disruptions and cancellations in major airports across the country this holiday season.'

The FAA already about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels and many had been working mandatory overtime and six-day workweeks even before the shutdown.

A spokesman for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association told the Journal the union has 'consistently warned that the controller staffing shortages leaves the system vulnerable, and the recent events underscore the urgent need to accelerate hiring and training.'

.
Ghost ships laden with drugs have been spotted sailing closer to Australian shores, with one expert warning the country is not prepared to deal with them.

There have been at least three sightings over the last few months of unmanned 'narco subs', semi or fully-submersible vessels which cartels use to send large amounts of drugs across oceans.

One craft, which was about 25m long, was first seen by a local politician drifting off Ramos Island on July 28.

A second was found drifting in the turquoise waters off the Solomon Islands in early August at a coral atoll about 400km north of Isabel Island.

A third, 17m long vessel, was found in the Malaita province earlier this month and photographed by local business Graceland Architects.

'Another find pulled ashore at our village beachfront in Fourau in Northeast Malaita,' a post on social media said.

'The narco subs are merging into the Pacific Ocean and into our Islands. Not a good sight for our younger generation.'

It is understood the submersibles, which usually ferry cocaine along the coasts of South and Central America towards the United States, could have been using a route via the Solomon Islands to reach Australia, which lies less than 2,000km away.

Since August, there have been at least three sightings of unmanned 'narco subs' in the Solomon Islands, which lie less than 2,000km away from Australia

'These are low-profile, hard-to-find, hard-to-stop vessels,' Strategic Analysis Australia founder Michael Shoebridge told news.com.au on Tuesday.

'They can go about 10 knots, so it can take about a month to go from South America to Australia  and you can carry tonnes of drugs in them.

He argued Australia's border and defence force should work with Pacific partners to 'disrupt and arrest drug smugglers'.

'The problem of very profitable drug routes coming from South America to Australia via the South Pacific is something that should be a higher priority than it is, and our navy is not well-equipped to surveil and disrupt these narco subs,' he said.

This was echoed by Jose Sousa-Santos, head of the Pacific Regional Security Hub at Canterbury University, who said the boats are proof cartels are active in the region.

'(Those discoveries) definitely show a new trend being used by trans-criminal syndicates in South America and Mexico, to traffic drugs to Australia and New Zealand, the "cash cows" in the region,' he told RNZ.

'There are choke points - we see movement between Tonga and French Polynesia, Samoa and the wider Pacific, Fiji and the Solomon Islands, PNG and Australia, which we need to patrol more effectively.'

The issue is not entirely surprising, with a similar craft appearing north of Isabel Island in August last year, the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project reported.

The ghost ships are semi or fully-submersible vessels which drug cartels use to send large amounts of their illicit products across oceans

Some of the 'narco ships' drifting through the Pacific may be heading for Australia, experts say

Physician-turned-businessman Dr Reginald Aipa found the abandoned boat, which was missing starter motors, steering connections, and a battery.

An Ecuadorian voter ID card was found on board, suggesting a possible link to South America.

Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science head Jerome Aucan said long, low vessels 'can absolutely cross oceans'.

'There is definitely a pathway for an object to drift from the coast of South America all the way to Malaita,' he said.

'But it might just as easily have crossed under its own power ... (The fuel tank) could contain thousands and thousands of litres of fuel.'

He warned that, if abandoned near Fiji or Vanuatu, currents could have pulled the submersibles toward Australia before looping it north into the Solomon Islands.

While the issue appears to be more uncharted territory for Australian authorities, it has dominated headlines in the United States.

The US military has been combating 'narco-terrorists' who use boats to carry drugs from the Pacific to American shores (pictured, a narco-sub at Ghoveo village in Isabel Province)

Earlier this week, Donald Trump ordered three strikes against four boats accused of carrying drugs in the Pacific ocean, killing 14 'narco-terrorists'.

The announcement was made by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who noted one 'narco-terrorist' survivor was captured by Mexican search and rescue.

Hegseth said Mexico 'assumed responsibility for coordinating the rescue' but did not clarify if the survivor would be handed over to the US.

Footage of the strikes on the drug boats was posted to social media, where one vessel visibly filled with large numbers of parcels suddenly explodes while moving in the water.

Other footage shows two stationary drug boats with at least two people seen moving along them before a US bomb engulfs the vessels in flame.

The total number of strikes on drug boats since early September 13 has risen to 13, with approximately 57 'narco-terrorists' killed.
Laura Loomer criticized Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy over his refusal to back an Elon Musk ally to head NASA in the newest split within the MAGA movement.

The 32-year-old Donald Trump ally has been pushing for Jared Isaacman to be nominated for NASA administrator after he was pulled from consideration earlier this year during the feud between Musk and Trump.

Duffy is currently doing the job on an interim basis and has been trying to stay in charge of it, potentially even making the space agency DOT's responsibility, Politico reported.

Allies of Isaacman - including Montana Senator Tim Sheehy and Texas Senator Ted Cruz - have been pushing to bring the billionaire entrepreneur, pilot, and commercial astronaut back to the table.

Loomer expressed her frustration with Duffy - who Musk referred to recently as 'Sean Dummy' over refusal to nominate his friend - and believes that without him the US will 'lose the space race to China.'

'But, you know, that's what happens when you have a reality TV star and you make him the Department of Transportation secretary.'

Duffy initially rose to fame during the 1990s as a star on the Boston season of MTV's The Real World, before launching a political career that led him to a decade-long stint in Congress.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Department of Transportation for comment.

Laura Loomer (pictured) criticized Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy over his refusal to confirm an Elon Musk ally as head of NASA in the newest split within the MAGA movement

Loomer expressed her frustration with Duffy (pictured) - who Musk referred to recently as 'Sean Dummy' over refusal to nominate his friend - and believes that without him the US will 'lose the space race to China'

NASA confirmed that Duffy has suggested making NASA administrator a part of the Department of Transportation but not with him running it.

'Sean said that NASA might benefit from being part of the Cabinet, maybe even within the Department of Transportation, but he's never said he wants to keep the job himself,' a spokesperson said.

The White House has only said that 'discussions about who will take the job are ongoing, and the president has yet to make a decision.'

Isaacman, 42, had his nomination pulled in June after a 'thorough review' of his 'prior associations,' Trump said.

He had been a close collaborator with Musk ever since buying his first chartered flight on Musk's SpaceX company in 2021.

It was been heavily speculated that Sergio Gor, an official in the White House Presidential Personnel Office, pushed Isaacman out the door over disputes with Musk and failure to consult him and other personnel officials on some decisions.

Speaking to the All-In Podcast following his exit, Isaacman said that he still supports President Trump but suggests the speculation is correct.

'I mean, people can draw their own conclusions but I think the directions people are going in seems to check out to me,' Isaacman said.

The 32-year-old Donald Trump ally has been pushing for Jared Isaacman (pictured) to be nominated for NASA administrator

Isaacman had been a close collaborator with Musk ever since buying his first chartered flight on Musk's SpaceX company in 2021

He even suggested that it wasn't personal between him and Trump, saying 'one person decided to make a move' to oust him.

Isaacman also believes the nomination was withdrawn to coincide with his friend Musk parting ways with the administration.

'I had a pretty good idea, I don't think the timing was much of a coincidence. Obviously, there was more than one departure that was covered on that day,' he said.

Isaacman blamed 'some people' with 'axes to grind' against either him or Musk, saying he was a 'good, visible target.'

He described someone, presumably Gor, as 'an influential advisor coming in and saying: 'Here's the facts and I think we gotta' kill this guy.''

'I want to be overwhelmingly clear: I don't fault the president,' Isaacman added.

The president maintains he backflipped on billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman's appointment after learning of his past donations to the Democrats.

But MAGA loyalists suspect Trump may have been set up to make the call by insiders who have it out for Elon Musk and are looking to hurt him by punishing his friend.

Loomer questioned whether Isaacman was being retaliated against for his friendship with Musk when Trump pulled

Loomer wrote at the time: 'There is reason to believe that Isaacman may be facing retaliation because of his friendship with Elon Musk.

'If so, this would suggest there is a coordinated hit job on Isaacman in an effort to damage ties between President Trump and Elon Musk before the 2026 midterms.

'Is President Trump aware of the ulterior motives by some individuals in the administration who have an interest in seeing Isaacman's nomination pulled?'

The New York Times reported that Trump reportedly knew about Isaacman's donations from the moment he chose to nominate him to run NASA.

Isaacman told All-In that he disclosed over the years he had donated to prominent Democrats, including in the past two campaign cycles.

Musk has also donated to Democrats in the past, before going on to become the single largest benefactor to the MAGA movement during the last campaign in his push to see Trump return to the White House.

Isaacman was selected by Trump at the height of his bromance with Musk, who has a long and storied connection with the fellow billionaire.

It is understood that Musk lobbied for Isaacman's appointment and that Trump deferred to the SpaceX founder for the final decision.

At the time, Trump described Isaacman as 'an accomplished business leader, philanthropist, pilot and astronaut.'

He had been approved by a Senate committee and was headed to a confirmation vote this week when Trump suddenly pulled his nomination. The president gave Musk a heads up on Friday - his last day at the White House - that he intended to do so.

It is understood that some of Trump's allies had been pressing him about Isaacman's donations to the Democrats in recent days, prompting Trump to renege on his offer.

Loomer said despite his liberal ties, Isaacman was an ideal candidate to lead NASA, with 'unmatched credentials.'

'Isaacman was on track to get over 70 Senate votes. So why the sudden reversal and talks to pull his nomination?' she asked.

'Because the Deep State doesn't want President Trump to have allies like this in his administration.'

White House assistant press secretary Liz Huston pushed back against any suggestion that the decision was not Trump's.

'The Administrator of NASA will help lead humanity into space and execute President Trump's bold mission of planting the American flag on the planet Mars,' she said.

'It's essential that the next leader of NASA is in complete alignment with President Trump's America First agenda and a replacement will be announced directly by President Trump soon.'
Barbarians At The Gate is the classic 1989 book about the hostile takeover of RJR Nabisco that became a metaphor for a powerful established entity facing an aggressive force from outside.

Now staff at CBS News, the once mighty TV network that became just another tediously woke liberal echo-chamber, are facing their own, even more terrifying version: Conservatives At The Gate.

And the bloodletting has already begun.

Swingeing job cuts are underway, with CBS's formidable new Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss telling staff this week that an 'enormously difficult' period lies ahead.

On Wednesday, two CBS anchors  Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson, both of whom helmed the Saturday morning show  were reportedly among the first to go, along with their executive producer.

On Thursday, Variety reported that Gayle King  the face of CBS's morning show for more than a decade  is expected to depart as an anchor next year.

It's just the beginning.

Around 100 people at CBS News are expected to lose their jobs in coming days, with a further 2,000 across Paramount, its parent company.

Weiss  personally appointed by David Ellison, Paramount's billionaire new owner  was indeed brought in as a disruptor.

The former New York Times columnist who gave up the day job to strike out and launch her own independent title, The Free Press, with a total focus on responsible and fair journalism, has been in her new post less than month.

The impact has been nothing short of seismic.

Swingeing job cuts are underway, with the network's formidable new Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss telling staff this week that an 'enormously difficult' period lies ahead

Around 100 people at CBS News are expected to lose their jobs in coming days, with a further 2,000 across Paramount, its parent company

In truth, CBS  founded in 1927 and once home to such journalistic titans as Walter Cronkite  has been suffering for some time.

With the advent of Covid and under the staunchly liberal Biden administration, left-wing journalists were given carte blanche to use their platform to advance a myopic political agenda at odds with the majority of ordinary Americans.

The result was an exodus of viewers and the near-destruction of a once-venerable institution.

There is perhaps no one in America better qualified than Weiss, 41, to right the ship  and not least because she has embraced her own ideological transformation.

'I'm the first to admit that I was a sufferer of what conservatives at the time would have called TDS, Trump Derangement Syndrome,' Weiss said earlier this year, revealing that she had wept the first time Donald Trump was elected in 2016.

Now, she says, the 'overzealous, out-of-touch, hysterical reaction' to the president on the left is 'extraordinarily authoritarian and totalitarian in its impulses.'

That message has stuck fear into CBS's Midtown Manhattan headquarters  where, it seems, many have refused to take the memo.

One CBS insider told the Daily Mail that 'everyone is nervous.' Another said staff are 'running scared.'

'I'd say that she's definitely going to make her mark,' a third source said. 'She's in charge, and we know it. We are being flooded in memos. She's watching every aspect of what we do, critiquing where she thinks we are being more biased. There is mandatory training to make sure we're objective, but it's really just telling us how to make sure to tell the conservative side of stuff.'

Following Wednesday's news of job cuts, that third source texted the Daily Mail: 'Are you hiring?'

Perhaps no greater endorsement of Weiss came this month in the form of whining Guardian column, breathlessly headlined: 'Bari Weiss is a weird and worrisome choice as top editor for CBS News.'

David Ellison isn't worried.

Following the buyout of Paramount by Ellison's media production company Skydance in an $8 billion deal this August, the son of Larry Ellison  the software entrepreneur and second-richest man in the world  turned his attention to Weiss's Free Press.

Following the buyout of Paramount by Ellison's media production company Skydance in an $8 billion deal this August, the son of Larry Ellison  the software entrepreneur and second-richest man in the world  turned his attention to Weiss's Free Press

On Wednesday, two CBS anchors  Michelle Miller (left) and Dana Jacobson (right), both of whom helmed the Saturday morning show  were reportedly among the first to go, along with their executive producer

After dramatically quitting The New York Times in 2020  at the height of the George Floyd protests  and publishing an open essay criticizing the 'hostile work environment' at a paper beset by liberal 'tribalism,' Weiss decided to launch her own news website despite difficulties being felt across the media industry.

Her mission statement was simple: The Free Press, she said, would be 'built on the ideals that once were the bedrock of great American journalism: honesty, doggedness, and fierce independence.

'We publish investigative stories and provocative commentary about the world as it actually is  with the quality once expected from the legacy press, but the fearlessness of the new.'

To call it a runaway success would be a profound understatement.

What started as a Substack run out of Weiss's Los Angeles kitchen morphed into a powerhouse newsroom with more than 1.5 million paying subscribers, 50 employees and offices on both coasts  all in less than three years.

Earlier this month, Ellison bought the site for a reported $150 million in cash and Paramount stock.

Weiss remains in charge of the site while also taking on her new role at CBS.

Writing in a letter to all CBS staff on her first day, Weiss reiterated those principles of 'factual' and 'fair' reporting once again.

'Journalism that embraces a wide spectrum of views and voices,' she wrote.

Her appointment has been welcomed by the White House and the president himself.

In July, Paramount paid a $16 million settlement to Trump after he sued over a pre-election interview with Kamala Harris on CBS's flagship show 60 Minutes, which he said had been selectively edited.

On Thursday, Variety reported that Gayle King is expected to depart as an anchor next year

There is perhaps no one in America better qualified than Weiss, 41, to right the ship  and not least because she has embraced her own ideological transformation

Cut forward to October 14, Weiss's seventh day at the office, and the network's new boss had a simple question for a room full of 60 Minutes producers.

Why, she is reported to have asked, does the country think you are biased?

Her question is said to have been met with 'stunned awkwardness.'

A few days prior, on October 9, she had told staff to be 'more aggressive' in booking guests, pointing out that she had personally texted Hillary Clinton to invite her to discuss the Israel-Hamas ceasefire on TV.

She had also secured interviews with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu  Weiss is Jewish and a self-proclaimed Zionist  and Trump's Gaza team, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

She's reportedly been in talks with major conservative news hosts and commentators  among them Fox News anchor Bret Baier and CNN's Scott Jennings  looking to make fresh hires.

'I love to win,' she is said to have told a group of senior producers.

'Everyone is stepping it up at work and in the meetings she is in,' one senior writer who has worked at CBS for 15 years told the Daily Mail. 'The news division is freaking out.'

'Everyone is waiting for the shoe to drop,' said a 60 Minutes producer. 'We know there will be more change, but we don't know what it'll be.'

If Bari Weiss has proved anything, it's that we won't have to wait long to find out.
An aide to embattled Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has been arrested for drug trafficking after he allegedly sent eight kilograms of cocaine to his state office.

LaMar Cook, 45, was taken into custody during a traffic stop Tuesday night, just one day after investigators searched his office in Springfield as part of an ongoing investigation, MassLive reports.

It began on October 10, when authorities seized two suspicious packages containing 13 kilograms - or nearly 29 pounds - of cocaine at Hotel UMass in Amherst, where Cook served as director for nearly seven years.

On Saturday, Massachusetts State Police intercepted the eight kilograms - or nearly 18 pounds at the state building in Springfield.

A trooper then posed as a deliver worker to hand over the parcel to Cook, whom police say was at the building waiting for the drugs.

He is now facing charges of cocaine trafficking, as well as charges for carrying a gun and ammunition without a license and driving without a license.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges in Springfield District Court on Wednesday, when Judge William Rota ordered he be held at Hampden County Jai pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for Friday.

The judge also set a $25,000 bond in connection with the gun charge.

LaMar Cook, 45, a former aide to Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, was taken into custody on Tuesday night after he allegedly sent eight kilograms of cocaine to his state office

A spokeswoman for the Massachusetts governor said he was 'fired immediately'

'You'll be our guest for a few days, but you'll have a full and complete hearing on Friday,' Rota told Cook.

But outside of the courthouse, Cook's lawyer, Kedar Ismail, told reporters he is 'looking forward to clearing [Cook's] name.'

In the meantime, Cook has lost his position in the Massachusetts state government, with a spokeswoman for Healey's office saying his conduct was 'unacceptable and represents a major breach of the public trust.'

She added that Cook, who was serving as deputy director of the governor's Western Massachusetts office, was 'fired immediately' upon his arrest.

'The criminal investigation is ongoing and our administration will work with law enforcement to assist them in their work,' spokeswoman Karissa Hand said.

Cook was appointed to serve under Healey in 2023, when the governor praised him and Kristen Elechko, the director of the Springfield office, as 'two proven leaders with deep ties to Western Mass.

'They know the communities, they know the businesses, they know the needs and opportunities of the region,' Healey said at the time, according to the Boston Globe.

Cook had made a name for himself in the Springfield community by serving on the Springfield Community Preservation Committee and as the cofounder of the Back to School Brighter Initiative, which provides children in the city with free haircuts, backpacks and school supplies.

He also ran for Springfield City council and the local school board.

Cook was previously arrested in 2001, and is facing civil suits over his debts

During his time with the governor's office, Cook made $115,668, state records show.

He had previously worked in the hospitality industry, at several Springfield-area hotels, according to his LinkedIn.

But Cook has had some legal troubles in the past.

In 2001, he was one of several residents arrested in connection with a gunfire incident that occurred near the city's Mason Square neighborhood, MassLive reports.

He reportedly was part of a group that rolled up in a car with handguns, shooting at another group of people standing on a front porch at around 1am.

Several rounds were fired, but only one man was hit.

Cook and two others were then charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, discharging a handgun within 500 feet of a dwelling and unlicensed possession of a firearm.

The outcome of that case remains unclear.

Years later, though, Cook apparently started to have financial issues, with a debt collector filing a suit against him in 2014, according to the Globe.

Ten years later, Cook was again sued over $5,600 owed on a Capital One card, and in 2025, a debt collection company sued him in small claims court, saying he owed more than $2,400 on a Macy's credit card.

The 2024 case was dismissed, but the other two are still pending.

The arrest comes as Healey faces a tough re-election

Cook's most recent run-in with the law has now drawn fire from Healey's Republican challengers as she faces a tough re-election.

She has been walking a political tightrope since Donald Trump, 78, came to power in January, as she hit out at Trump's tariffs and deportations, and blamed his policies for the 'tremendous amount of chaos, uncertainty and unpredictability' seen in Massachusetts and beyond.

An internal poll paid for by her Republican opponent, Mike Kennealy, 57, found that Healey is in an 'extremely vulnerable position.'

Some 45.5 percent of voters hold a favorable opinion of the Democrat politician - but the same number dislike her as a leader, per the Opinion Diagnostics survey seen by DailyMail.com.

The study of more than 800 likely Massachusetts voters from February 11-12 found that 33 percent hold a 'very' unfavorable opinion of Healey, who has served as governor since January 2023.

'After a first-year honeymoon, Healey has faced unrelenting challenges over the past sixteen months on issues such as immigration, affordability, energy, transparency, and housing,' the pollsters said.

'As a result, Healey enters the 2026 election cycle in an extremely vulnerable position.'

Kennealy, who previously served as the Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, has now called Cook's arrest a 'disgrace for our state.

'There's something fundamentally rotten in this administration,' he admonished.

Former Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority executive Brian Shortsleeve, another Republican gubernatorial candidate, also said the arrest is 'not bad luck, it's bad leadership.

'It tells us everything we need to know about how [Healey] runs her administration.'
Hurrying towards a boy waiting to meet her beside the railway station exit, the girl in the faded denims and designer jacket looks like any other Swedish teenager going out on a date.

Examine the CCTV images of Olivia Hasselrot closely, however, and her behaviour is furtive. Strangely, she is also carrying a petrol canister.

As police later discovered, the plastic bag in her other hand contained a sheet of polystyrene. Broken into chunks, it dissolves in petrol to form a gloopy batter which burns with intensity. It also sticks to human skin, causing terrible pain and injury, like napalm, the flammable gel that the American military used against the Vietcong.

Quite clearly, then, 17-year-old Olivia wasnt meeting her boyfriend at the train station in Strangnas, a small town 55 miles west of Stockholm.

According to prosecutors, ruthless Swedish gang bosses had hired her to play a crucial role in a firebombing campaign that saw seven of their rivals lairs burned down on a night when the countrys simmering drug war exploded.

In a cynical new tactic that will chill the hearts of every middle-class Swedish parent, this artless Gen Z teen was recruited to buy and mix the firebomb ingredients because she was a Green Girl.

That is the new Swedish term for a girl whose youthful femininity and lack of a police record makes her far less likely to attract police suspicion than a boy from the hood.

And if she is of Swedish ethnicity like Olivia, a classic Scandinavian beauty who lived with her mother in a pleasant Stockholm suburb, then so much the better. In court, prosecutors failed to prove she made bombs for the infamous night of terror, but she was convicted of making one used in a carbon-copy attack by the same crime gang the previous night.

The intended targets were members of a Turkish family, but Google Maps directed the assigned arsonist to the wrong house, which he set ablaze while the elderly residents, Ingemar and Christina Wikander, were sleeping.

Olivia Hasselrot (pictured) was allegedly hired by ruthless Swedish gang bosses to play a crucial role in a firebombing campaign that saw seven of their rivals lairs burned down

Mr Wikander, 75, tells me he and his wife would surely have burned to death had he not woken up to use the bathroom and seen an explosion light up the night sky.

The next day, Olivia went to school as normal. If she felt any remorse, the couple say she didnt show it in court, where she claimed ADHD made her less aware of the consequences of her actions.

It remains unclear how the gang recruited her, but prosecutor Lisa dos Santos surmises that she did their dirty work simply to earn a few krona for a manicure and some new clothes.

With extraordinary leniency, however, judges sent her to a juvenile centre for just 12 months, and she was recently released. But then, as one lawyer involved in the case remarks dryly: This is Sweden.

Even in politically correct Swedish circles, no one is afraid any more to speak truthfully about the nations pernicious gang subculture.

It is an accepted fact that its notorious criminal networks are a by-product of a failed migration policy that saw hundreds of thousands of Middle Eastern and African asylum seekers, who were admitted without adequate planning for their integration.

The gangs that have made once-benign Sweden Europes murder capital are controlled by incomers and their descendants, and the soldiers who deliver the drugs and attack rivals are marginalised young males operating from grim out-of-town estates.

Or they were. A revealing report on the role of girls and women in Swedens organised gangs, published last week by its National Council for Crime Prevention, shows how the gender balance is shifting.

Hurrying towards a boy waiting to meet her beside the railway station exit, Olivia Hasslerot (pictured) looks like any other Swedish teenager going out on a date

While gangs remain male-dominated, the study says females now play an essential role in the criminal activities and are in demand because they are more difficult to detect by law enforcement.

Not only are they used to transport, pack and store drugs, they are also considered an asset when it comes to perpetrating fraud and lethal violence.

The ink was barely dry on this alarming report when its veracity was horrifically proved.

On Tuesday, a woman aged 33 was arrested for murder, after allegedly shooting a boy of 18, in what police believe to have been a gangland execution in Sodertalje (the suburban city where Olivia lived).

Not long ago, it would have been unthinkable for a woman to carry out such a hit. As anti-gang policework becomes more effective, however, lawyer Evin Cetin (the author of acclaimed books on the underworld) says crime bosses are increasingly turning to them to keep their operations running smoothly.

I have good connections with police in the municipalities, and they say they are finding more girls from middle-class Swedish families involved with the gangs, Cetin told me.

The gangs need new tactics, and one strategy is to try to recruit Svenska barn [ethnic Swedish children] with blonde hair and blue eyes.

A lot of these [seemingly sweet, innocent] Green Girls use drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis themselves, so they are the perfect target.

Natalie Klockars (pictured) has written a book about her chastening experiences as a former drug dealer, and now works with social services to keep vulnerable girls on the straight and narrow

She recounts the story of a 15-year-old drug dealer being pressurised by his boss to maintain the profits while keeping the business under the polices radar.

The boys solution was to wipe the debts of a blonde girl customer and give her a 50 per cent discount on future purchases in return for delivering weapons and drugs for him. He called her his Perfect Angel.

Increasingly, however, gangs lure girls via social media, Cetin says. She shows me screenshots of some adverts which, disturbingly, she claims to have found openly on Instagram.

Urgent: need a klivare [slang for a willing assassin] to go to Vaxjo [a city in Southern Sweden] 100,000 krona [8,500] reads one of these sinister ads.

Another offers good pay to a Goish, the gangs word for a girl prepared to flaunt her charms to tempt gangsters out of hiding, so enemies can beat, torture or murder them. As the recent report says, the use of female honey-trappers is increasing.

Young Swedes also offer their services to the mobs with shockingly candid posts such as this: Seeking job, no killing and not at night, Stockholm.

If all this alarms Swedish parents, the latest crime statistics suggest they have reason to be concerned. Last year, 280 Swedish girls aged between 15 and 17 were charged with serious violent assaults, including eight murders.

A direct comparison with Britain is unavailable. But the population of England and Wales is almost six times greater than Swedens, yet we recorded just five murders by females under the age of 24.

Sweden is rightly renowned for its culture and civility. Yet the casual cruelty of some girls who carried out these attacks threatens that reputation.

Stockholm prosecutor Ida Ardell points to the callousness of a 15-year-old girl hired to take retribution against a boy who fell foul of a gang. She was able to choose the type of mission she wanted, in other words to aim at the guys door or his head, says Ms Ardell. She chose the head.

Pictured: A teenager armed with an AK-47 spraying bullets into the home of a terrified mother and her young child in a Stockholm suburb in 2023

Seeking to explain her bravado, the prosecutor says: Girls have to show that theyre even more determined and tougher [than boys] to get the job.

In the event, the aspiring hit-girl did not pull the trigger. However, she stalked the victim on a scooter and stood by as an accomplice shot the boy  who somehow survived  in the head, chest and legs. In another example of misplaced judicial munificence, as many will see it, she was sent to a juvenile institution for two years and six months.

Had she been a few months younger, she could not have been charged at all. In England, the age of criminal responsibility starts at ten. In Sweden it begins at 15, but there are calls to make it lower.

Meeting professionals who work with Gen Z Swedes, their fears that the country is witnessing a sea-change in moral standards are palpable.

Lawyer Ms dos Santos, who prosecuted Olivia for the firebombing, related yet another story: that of a girl who lent her mobile phone to a gangster. He used it to download the encrypted messaging service Signal, via which he tricked a man into a meeting and dispatched him with a bullet to the head.

Arrested for facilitating the hit, the girl was so blase she posted a video of herself holding up her charge sheet. Look, she giggled proudly to friends. Im accused of helping to commit a murder.

Police inspector Josefine Ristmagi, a youth crime specialist in Stockholm, is seeing a marked increase in gratuitous female aggression. We find films online now where girls in a conflict form a group and humiliate the other girl by stripping her clothes off, making her kiss their shoes, or beating her up and showing pictures of her bloodied face, she says.

Many of these girls are from good families, and still they choose to be criminals.

Its about status. They see social media posts and rap videos where the women have lots of money and expensive watches and clothes, so they want it, too.

The Nordic nation, once considered a haven of low crime and safety, has been gripped by extreme gang violence in recent years

They think its cool to have this criminal lifestyle and show others they are in gangs. You ask them what they want when theyre older and its just to make money. They dont want a job.

They want money to get their nails and lashes done, and buy expensive face cream, and they can earn between 200 and 500 just for transporting a weapon, or booking an apartment for a gang guy on a business trip from Gothenburg to Stockholm.

The policewoman baulks, though, when I suggest these girls should face tougher punishment. Theyre children, she says, and need help rather than prison.

Though Green Girls is the new buzz-phrase among Swedish criminologists and its authorities, in the gangland hoods it has been around for quite a while.

The prototype was Natalie Klockars, 28, the daughter of a fearsome Syrian who inveigled his way into Sweden in the late 1990s and rose to become the second-ranking boss in a drugs-trafficking syndicate.

He once came home with the severed hand of a man who crossed him, Klockars tells me. When she naively asked him whether he had ever murdered anyone, her father laughed: You mean, how many?

Klockars says her mother was addicted to amphetamines, and by 19 she, too, was hooked, on cannabis. Her life was going nowhere, but then someone suggested she should sell drugs herself, as she knew so much about them.

Back then, no Swedish drug syndicates were run by women. Calling her business Green Girl, however, she attracted well-heeled clients with her feminine charm and clean police record and soon had 3,000 outwardly respectable Stockholmers on her books.

It brought her a lavish lifestyle. There were luxury cars, a swanky apartment and she showered her boyfriends with exotic holidays, fancy clothes and jewellery. I was a Sugar Mama, she laughs.

But there is a cautionary end to this dystopian fairy tale; one she wants to share with todays Green Girls who aspire to her old lifestyle.

By 2019, successful police operations had stemmed the flow of drugs into Sweden, and, with the market in crisis, dealers turned viciously against one another.

When Klockars refused to pay what she calls a 12,000 blackmail demand from young male rivals, she was abducted, marched to the woods and forced to watch a close friend being tortured and put through a mock execution.

At the time she was two months pregnant, and  vowing that her baby would not be brought up in the same world  she promptly sold her business.

She has since written a book about her chastening experiences, and she works with social services to keep vulnerable girls on the straight and narrow.

Though not yet 30, she thinks of herself as old school and says that among the male gangsters she mixed with there was honour and respect for women.

For the new generation that no longer exists. So she is saving hard, and in five years, when her daughter is ten, she aims to leave Sweden. I dont want my girl to grow up here and be like me, she says.

A glamorous young Eastern European woman, who is with Klockars when we meet, but does not dare to be identified, agrees with her sentiments.

In her old life, she admits, she was a Goish. Using her cute looks, she would persuade cowering fugitives to unlock their doors, whereupon she brandished her mobile so the big boss could menace them via FaceTime.

After being held in jail for over a year for alleged complicity with her boyfriend, she says she has escaped him and she, too, claims to be starting afresh.

If we were in the same situation today as we were a few years ago, Natalie would be dead and I would be raped for not showing loyalty, she says. For girls in gangs today, its scary.

Times have changed, and to Swedish teens it may seem easier to earn shopping money by hiding a gun in their handbags than shovelling mounds of snow from a neighbours driveway, as their parents did.

From the stories Ive heard this week, its clear that Swedens new female role models are light years removed from wholesome Scandic stereotypes such as Abbas Agnetha and Anni-Frid.

They come draped in designer gear, flashing weapons and wads of banknotes.

But any girl bedazzled by the faux-glamorous image of these pitiless molls truly is green.
A heroic cop who died while trying to save motorists on a California highway had been a victim of a rapist Hollywood producer.

La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, 25, was one of seven women who came forward with claims that David Pearce raped them following his arrest for the 2021 murders of model Christy Giles, 24, and her friend, Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola, 26.

Craven was only identified as 'Jane Doe No. 5' at Pearce's trial, but prosecutors announced the late police officer was one of the victims following Pearce's sentencing on Wednesday, the New York Post reports.

They had said Pearce, 42, assaulted Craven when she was unconscious in 2020 - a crime for which the disgraced producer will now serve six years behind bars.

Judge Eleanor Hunter also sentenced him to seven years in prison for the other rapes he was accused of committing, and the maximum sentence of 25 years to life for each murder.

'Youre the worst kind of criminal, Mr Pearce,' Hunter told Pearce, adding that he thought he was a hotshot who had 'the whole LA vibe thing going on' with his 'duck lips' and 'slicked back hair.'

'Youre charming, youre smart, youre a manipulator, and youre extremely goal-driven.

'You fit the role  Not once have I seen a genuine issuance of some sort of remorse. No sense of compassion for Hilda and Christie or anyone else,' Hunter added.

La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven, 25, was one of seven women who came forward with claims that producer David Pearce raped them

Pearce was sentenced Wednesday to six years behind bars for the rape - as well as life sentences for the murders of model Christy Giles, 24, and her friend, Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola, 26

During Pearce's trial, prosecutors laid out how Pearce piled Cabrales-Arzola and Giles with fatal cocktail drugs on November 13, 2021 at his Beverly Hills home after meeting at a warehouse party a few hours earlier.

The girls were then callously dumped and left for dead outside different hospitals in Los Angeles by two masked men.

Cabrales-Arzola, a Mexican native who's been remembered as a 'big dreamer', was revived by hospital staff but a lack of oxygen had left her brain dead.

Her mother and sister rushed to her bedside from abroad where she remained in a coma for nearly two weeks.

She died on November 24, just five days before her 27th birthday. Giles was already dead when she was dropped off at the hospital.

At the trial, it was revealed that Pearce told a friend dead girls cant talk which prosecutors said indicated he wanted the girls to perish so they couldnt report him to police.

He was ultimately found guilty in February for killing the two women as well as a series of brutal sex abuses and rapes on the seven Jane Does, whom prosecutors said he targeted between 2007 and 2021.

Prosecutors laid out how Pearce plied Cabrales-Arzola (right) and Giles (left) with fatal cocktail drugs on November 13, 2021 before dumping their bodies at separate hospitals

He allegedly recruited his actor friend Brandt Osborn, 42, to help him dispose of the bodies

Prosecutors said Pearce also recruited his actor friend Brandt Osborn, 42, to help him dispose of the bodies.

The NCIS actor then failed to call 911 and waited hours to take the two women to the hospital, prosecutors said.

But the jury failed to reach a verdict on whether Osborn, who pleaded not guilty, should be convicted on two counts of being an accessory after the fact.

The jury heard how the two men waited 11 hours before they dumped the women's lifeless bodies outside two different hospitals and fled.

As doctors tried in vain to resuscitate the women, the two men ate a meal at El Pollo Loco.

Cabrales-Arzolas sister, Fernanda Cabrales-Arzola, 28, previously told the Daily Mail Pearce should have been behind bars 'years ago.'

It was revealed at the trial that Pearce told a friend dead girls cant talk which prosecutors said indicated he wanted the girls to perish so they couldnt report him to police

At the sentencing on Wednesday, Judge Eleanor Hunter called Pearce 'the worst kind of criminal'

The Los Angeles Times reported that the LAPD presented rape allegations against Pearce at least three times between 2007 and 2020, each with twisted similarities to his murder case.

'The criminal justice system failed. First, the women who came forward, then those who followed, and ultimately, my sister and Christy,' she told the Daily Mail.

'They paid the highest possible price for a failure that never should have happened. Had the system acted when it should have, he never would have crossed paths with them.'

She is, however, relieved that Pearce is finally behind bars for his role in her sister's gruesome death.

We are relieved that its finally acknowledged what weve known for all these years that what happened was no accident,' Fernanda said.

They were murdered and that weve known from day one.

Were finally happy that that came true and the jury saw that as well and now Pearce will be in jail forever.'

Craven was tragically killed while responding to a rollover crash on October 20

She was attempting to get a statement when another vehicle struck her and the overturned car, killing both her and the driver

But Craven never got to see justice served in her case, as she tragically died the night of October 20.

She had been returning from the San Diego Central Jail at around 10.20pm, when she came across a rollover crash involving two vehicles on Interstate 8.

Craven then got out of her patrol vehicle, radioed for help and began to aid those involved in the collision - which authorities said began when a driver in the eastbound lanes lost control of his vehicle and overturned, before being struck by another car.

While Craven was taking the report of the initial accident, she was struck by another oncoming vehicle that also hit the overturned car, killing both Craven and the driver inside, California Highway Patrol officers said.

They noted that officers on the scene performed lifesaving measures on Craven, but she was pronounced dead before she could be taken to a hospital.

'Officer Craven's actions in her final moments exemplified her unwavering dedication to service and the safety of others - a reflection of how she lived every day,' the La Mesa Police Department wrote on Instagram following her untimely death.

'Officer Craven was known for her tenacity, courage and compassion - qualities that inspired her peers and strengthened her community.'

She had joined the force in the patrol unit in February 2024, and was apparently undeterred by her assault, as she went through the police academy twice to achieve her dream of becoming an officer.

'It has always been my passion to serve others, and there has never been a doubt in my mind being a law enforcement officer is what I was meant to do,' Craven wrote in a note as she was applying to join the La Mesa police force, Chief Ray Sweeney said.

'That's who Lauren was and that's how she served and how she will be remembered,' he explained.
Donald Trump wrote that he's won another war after Bill Gates admitted climate change 'will not lead to humanitys demise.'

The president, who has long been a skeptic of government programs attempting to solve the issue and even declared it a hoax, declared victory on Truth Social Wednesday night.

He wrote: 'I (WE!) just won the War on the Climate Change Hoax. Bill Gates has finally admitted that he was completely WRONG on the issue. It took courage to do so, and for that we are all grateful. MAGA!!!'

It comes after Gates downplayed global warming's effect on humanity and called out those who continually preach climate alarmism, arguing they should instead focus more on health and poverty issues.

The Microsoft co-founder has spent a large amount of his estimated $122 billion net worth raising the alarm on climate change. He previously warned that it is already affecting lives and threatening long-term consequences for families and future generations.

However, Gates has now signaled a shift, arguing that the United Nations's 'doomsday outlook' focuses too heavily on short-term emission targets instead of looking at how to improve overall life right now.

The 70-year-old billionaire is calling for more focus and spending on vaccines to fight deadly diseases across the world, including malaria.

'Although climate change will hurt poor people more than anyone else, for the vast majority of them, it will not be the only or even the biggest threat to their lives and welfare,' Gates wrote in an open letter ahead of the upcoming UN COP30 climate summit in Brazil.

Donald Trump wrote that he's won another war after Bill Gates admitted climate change 'will not lead to humanitys demise'

Gates downplayed global warming's effect on humanity and called out those who continually preach climate alarmism, arguing they should instead focus more on health and poverty issues

'The biggest problems are poverty and disease, just as they always have been.

'To be clear: Climate change is a very important problem. It needs to be solved, along with other problems like malaria and malnutrition. Every tenth of a degree of heating that we prevent is hugely beneficial because a stable climate makes it easier to improve peoples lives.'

According to his letter, the world has already made significant progress on climate change.

'People will be able to live and thrive in most places on Earth for the foreseeable future,' he wrote.

'Emissions projections have gone down, and with the right policies and investments, innovation will allow us to drive emissions down much further.'

While continued investment in breakthroughs is essential to reach net-zero emissions, Gates warned that health and development funding cannot be sacrificed in the process.

The co-founder argued that the attention should shift from temperature targets to improving human lives, making human welfare the central pillar of climate strategies.

'Our chief goal should be to prevent suffering, particularly for those in the toughest conditions who live in the worlds poorest countries,' he wrote.

The president, who has long been a skeptic of government programs attempting to solve the issue and even declared it a hoax, declared victory on Truth Social Wednesday night

Gates acknowledged that some climate advocates might now call him a 'hypocrite'.

According to the Financial Times, he also later said: 'If you said to me, ''Hey, what about 0.1 degrees versus malaria eradication?'' Ill let the temperature go up 0.1 degrees to get rid of malaria. People dont understand the suffering that exists today.'

Michael Oppenheimer, a Princeton University professor of geosciences and international affairs, argued that Gates was framing a misleading narrative 'usually propagated by climate skeptics.'

'Despite his efforts to make clear that he takes climate change seriously, his words are bound to be misused by those who would like nothing more than to destroy efforts to deal with climate change,' he told The New York Times via email.

Johannes Ackva, climate work leader at Founders Pledge, disagreed with Oppenheimer and told the outlet: 'He [Gates] saw the U.S.A.I.D. situation as more pressing, and something where he could be more effective.'

Mondays memo comes just a week before global leaders are set to gather in Belem, Brazil, for this years COP30.

'Its not too late to adopt a different view and adjust our strategies for dealing with climate change,' Gates wrote.

'COP30 is an excellent place to begin, especially because the summit's Brazilian leadership is putting climate adaption and human development high on the agenda,' he added.

The 70-year-old billionaire is calling for more focus and spending on vaccines to fight deadly diseases across the world, including malaria (pictured: Gates and his daughter, Phoebe, at TIME 100 gala in 2022)

Gates has spent the past 20 years studying climate change, collaborating with scientists and innovators.

Just four years ago, Gates released his book titled How to Avoid a Climate Disaster, outlining technological strategies to combat climate change based on years of research and collaboration.

In 2015, the billionaire launched Breakthrough Energy, a venture that invests in promising clean energy startups and later added a climate policy group in Washington to advocate for emissions reduction strategies.

So far, Gates has backed over 150 clean energy companies, many of which have grown into major industry players.

Then, in March, Breakthrough Energy announced significant cuts, including axing its climate policy group. Two months later, Gates revealed plans to gradually wind down the Gates Foundation.

His foundation has poured billions into the cause, including a $1.4 billion pledge to help farmers in developing countries adapt to the climate.

Nevertheless, Gates continues to invest in clean energy start-ups through groups such as the Breakthrough Energy Catalyst program and the Breakthrough Energy Ventures. He also continues to fund nuclear energy.

According to Gates, 'temperature is not the best way to measure our progress on climate.'
Keir Starmer opened the door to breaking his manifesto pledge yesterday as he refused to rule out hiking income tax, national insurance or VAT in the Budget.

During Prime Minister's Questions yesterday, Sir Keir failed to repeat his mantra that the promise made to voters at last year's election still 'stands'.

In worrying developments for millions of workers, he also refused to rule out extending the freeze on the personal tax allowance threshold, which drags more earners into paying income tax.

Today  the anniversary of last year's Budget  Tory leader Kemi Badenoch will say Rachel Reeves must be sacked if she raises tax this autumn.

After her 40billion tax grab Budget a year ago, the Chancellor promised she would not be 'coming back with more borrowing or more taxes'.

But there is mounting speculation, fuelled by the Prime Minister yesterday, that she is actively considering an income tax rise next month to plug a black hole of 20-30billion, thanks to rising borrowing costs and U-turns on policies such as welfare reform.

Last night it was reported that the Chancellor could raise income tax by 2p.

There are also fears that Ms Reeves could target pensions, property and landlords to raise money  with a mansion tax among the ideas being mooted.

Keir Starmer opened the door to breaking his manifesto pledge yesterday as he refused to rule out hiking income tax, national insurance or VAT in the Budget

After her 40billion tax grab Budget a year ago, the Chancellor promised she would not be 'coming back with more borrowing or more taxes'

Your browser does not support iframes.

Mrs Badenoch will say: 'Nobody voted for high taxes and out-of-control spending, but that's what they're getting from this weak Prime Minister.

'The British public deserve a government with the backbone and the plan to deliver a stronger economy. If Rachel Reeves breaks her promise and puts up tax, she must get the axe.'

Labour's general election manifesto contained a promise that the party would not raise national insurance, income tax or VAT.

In recent weeks, the Prime Minister has refused to repeat the pledge, but has claimed the manifesto 'stands'.

However, yesterday, he dodged questions on whether he still stood by that commitment.

Asked by Mrs Badenoch what had 'changed in the past four months', Sir Keir said no Prime Minister or Chancellor would ever set out their plans in advance.

He then pointed to figures from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), which has delivered a worse-than-expected cut to the UK's productivity outlook.

A report in The Financial Times this week revealed the OBR is expected to deliver an even bigger cut of 0.3 percentage points at the Budget on November 26.

Mrs Badenoch will say: 'Nobody voted for high taxes and out-of-control spending, but that's what they're getting from this weak Prime Minister'

The Prime Minister also evaded a question on whether he could guarantee there would be no extension to the freeze on the personal allowance threshold.

Sir Keir's press secretary later declined to say the Labour manifesto still 'stands' on not raising VAT, income tax or national insurance  and blamed the productivity figures on Brexit.

It came as polling by More in Common found a majority of Britons (55 per cent) believe it would be unfair to blame economic issues on Brexit, compared with a third (32 per cent) who thought that it is fair to do so.

And 52 per cent think it is unreasonable for the Chancellor to continuously blame incoming tax rises on Brexit, compared with 26 per cent who think this is reasonable.

Businesses are also anxious about tax hikes as they continue to feel the pain from the last Budget.

Figures from accountants S&W showed 66 per cent of firms have cut staff or plan to do so after the Chancellor's 25billion employer national insurance raid.

Meanwhile, former Bank of England rate-setter Michael Saunders warned the Chancellor must address long-term challenges facing the economy.

Mr Saunders, now at consultancy Oxford Economics, backed an increase in income tax but also called for billions to be slashed from health and welfare spending  but doubted such measures would be taken.

'There seems to be little urgency to address longer-term challenges,' he said. 'It seems politically easier to try and muddle through and hope something turns up.'
A suspected pickpocket who targeted a tube commuter came unstuck - when he struck in front of a champion martial artist.

Ivan Skoko, 29, used his expertise in Brazilian jiu-jitsu to wrestle the man to the ground at busy Borough Station, South London, on Tuesday.

The 6ft3 black belt says the suspect was waiting on the platform for a victim before grabbing at a young womans device as she boarded a tube carriage at around 7pm.

But quick thinking Ivan seized the man, in his 20s, by his hoodie, threw him to the ground and placed him in an arm lock within seconds.

Ivan told the Daily Mail: I heard a very loud scream, everyone turned around and my first thought was what can I do to help.

The woman had just boarded the train. The doors were about to close and the thief reached inside and began pulling her phone away.

She held on very tight and shouted he is trying to rob me. I grabbed him and took him down with a foot sweep. I didnt even hesitate.

I held him on the ground and asked some people to get the train staff, which they did.

Ivan Skoko (pictured), 29, used his expertise in Brazilian jiu-jitsu to wrestle the man to the ground at busy Borough Station, South London, on Tuesday

Quick thinking Ivan seized the man, in his 20s, by his hoodie, threw him to the ground and placed him in an arm lock within seconds

Footage shows the 15 stone fighter restraining the suspected thief before he was arrested by a police officer by the stairs of the platform

I warned him, dont reach for your weapon. Im a professional and you will get hurt. He decided not to resist.

Footage shows the 15 stone fighter restraining the suspected thief before he was arrested by a police officer by the stairs of the platform.

A rusty claw hammer was discovered in his waistband along with two smart phones.

Croatian-born Ivan, who lives in South London, was on his way to teach a self defence class at around 7pm when he sprang into action.

He said: I could feel something in his pocket, I assumed it was a blade, so I kept him arm very close.

Luckily the woman got to hold on to her phone. She left the scene on the train.

Theft is a big problem today. I see robberies every single day and I am so angry people arent taking any action.

I gave my details to the cops. Hopefully the guy gets convicted. Im looking forward to seeing the CCTV of what happened.

A hammer can be seen in the thief's back pocket as he is apprehended by police officers in the station

The rusty claw hammer was discovered in his waistband along with two smart phones

Ivan, who runs Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes at Fight City Gym in Elephant and Castle, South London, says he is now looking to speak with the victim.

He added: I deal with black belts in fights that Ive ended in under two minutes. So people who dont train I can take them in seconds.

I fight every day for three to four hours so tackling someone with probably no background was easy money. A little warm-up.

I reacted to help a vulnerable person, it was a woman in this situation. I would do it for anyone in need of help.

Ive dealt with bullies before but this is the first time Ive stopped a thief.

I felt it was my duty to the community. I knew what to do, it was all legal and I am first aid trained too.

This year alone Ivan has won the British Open 2025, NAGA London II 2025 and IBJJF London Fall Open 2025 in black belt adult division.

It comes after the latest Office for National Statistics figures showed almost 81,000 robberies were recorded in England and Wales in the 12 months until June.

And in London, 33,752 cases were reported. The startling figure is slightly down on 35,169 last year, figures show.

Earlier this month the Metropolitan Police announced it had broken up a major criminal network suspected of smuggling 40,000 stolen phones from the UK to China.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: Officers were called to Borough Underground station at around 7.30pm yesterday (28 October) following reports of an attempted theft.

Officers attended and a man was arrested on suspicion of theft, possession of an offensive weapon, and handling stolen goods.

Enquiries are ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 661 of 28 October.
Gina Rinehart has reminded school leavers that going to university doesn't always guarantee success ahead of their end-of-year exams.

The mining billionaire drew inspiration from US conservative commentator Charlie Kirk as she shared her insights with Australia's Year 12 students.

'For many people, university will not be a suitable pathway, you can be very well read like Charlie Kirk was and not attend university,' she told the West Australian.

'Many Australians too didn't attend uni, including the great ones like Sir Sidney Kidman, James Nicholas of Cobb & Co, and my dad, Lang Hancock.

'Even Australia's great writer Henry Lawson and great poet Banjo Paterson didn't go to university. And our former Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove went to Duntroon  not a university.'

Rinehart stressed that leadership and integrity matter more than following trends or popular opinion, urging the next generation to 'work hard and seek the truth'.

'Our country, perhaps now more than ever, needs young people who will become great leaders and who deal in facts, common sense and rationale, as opposed to ideology or cults not based on facts, common sense or rational,' she continued.

'Base your life on common sense, truth and your convictions, even if they may be unpopular with some.'

Gina Rinehart (pictured) has reminded school leavers that going to university doesn't always guarantee success ahead of their end-of-year exams

Rinehart drew inspiration from US conservative commentator Charlie Kirk as she shared her insights with Year 12 students (pictured, students take their HSC exams in NSW)

Rinehart has long questioned the necessity of university as the sole pathway to success, arguing that formal education often fails to prepare students for real-world challenges.

In recent years, she has criticised what she sees as ideological influence in schools and universities, claiming the curriculum prioritises 'woke causes' and climate activism over practical knowledge.

As a vocal supporter of US President Donald Trump, Rinehart has consistently championed conservative reforms, calling for Australia to cut government spending, reduce bureaucracy, and strengthen energy security through coal and gas.

She has also urged the nation to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, dismissing renewable energy subsidies as ideological overreach.

Her advice for school leavers follows the recent decline of domestic enrolments in Australian universities.

Student enrolments declined by 2.4 per cent in 2022 and continued to fall in 2023, reaching their lowest level since 2017.
Sydneysiders will be banned from cooking on certain gas barbecues in a move that has sparked outrage.

City of Sydney formally endorsed a ban on gas connections at a meeting on Monday, with 60 out of 84 submissions supporting the proposal for all new homes and businesses to go electric.

And now the ban will include outdoor gas appliances, like water heaters and barbecues that are connected to gas from the house. It will not include barbecues that are connected to a potable gas bottle.

2GB host Ben Fordham hit out at Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore on the back of news last week that pubgoers in her city could not stand up and have a drink outside a bar.

'It's Clover's world order,' Fordham said.

'No standing up and drinking outside a pub unless you're standing at a cocktail table, and no having an outdoor cook-up with your mates in the backyard unless you're using an electric barbecue.'

Adam Stratton, from Tender Gourmet Butchery in Hornsby, said the traditional Aussie backyard barbecue was in danger.

He described the ban as 'ridiculous', saying electric barbecues took ages to heat up to an appropriate temperature and struggled to cook a thick steak.

Aussies in the City of Sydney will not be able to use certain gas barbecues outside under new council rules

'Cook a butterfly leg of lamb or some ribs on it (electric barbecue), you've got no chance,' he said.

'You just don't get that caramelisation. This would be ridiculous.

'Electric barbecues are rubbish. It's like cooking on a fry pan. You want to have a barbecue to smokeand the steak and sausages get flared up.'

While gas has been marketed as a 'cleaner' fossil fuel, natural gas is mostly methane, which traps much more heat than carbon dioxide.

Frequent leaks at every stage of production mean its climate impact is greater than previously believed, making reduced gas use vital to meeting emissions targets.

Council claimed the ban on gas would reduce emissions and improve affordability, but critics say it will increase the risk of blackouts, delay the building sector and make household bills more expensive.

The changes in Sydney will take effect on January 1, 2027.

A council spokesman said the city was 'committed to having net zero emissions in our area by 2035'.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore has led the anti-gas charge

'Reducing fossil fuels is a key part of this,' he said.

'Until this happens, we're looking at other ways we can electrify residential homes and reduce new gas connections within the City of Sydney.'

Moore said the decision would help residents save money and cited research linking gas stoves to 12 per cent of childhood asthma cases in Australia.

'Relying on gas is bad for the planet, bad for our finances and bad for our health,' she claimed.

'More energy-efficient buildings which meet future energy standards and avoid expensive retrofitting is an obvious next step.'

Doctors for the Environment Australia chairman Shaun Watson said Moore's anti-gas approach would have a positive effect on her voters.

'Gas used in the home also releases nitrogen dioxide, benzene and formaldehyde, which are known to trigger childhood asthma and are linked to cancers,' he said.

'City of Sydney has just placed itself on the right side of history in the transition towards renewables and electrification, which will help the environment and improve people's health,' he said.

Meanwhile, Premier Chris Minns said he would scrap Covid-era rules forcing pubgoers to sit down when having a drink outside a bar.

Minns told Moore's council to 'take a breath and let people have a bit of fun'.

'It's ridiculous that in cities all over the world, from London to Paris, people can enjoy a drink while standing outside a bar or a pub, but in Sydney, the City of Sydney think they can decide who sits and stands while having a drink,' Minns said.

'This is a simple change that would add life and atmosphere to the city while helping small venues thrive.'
Two women have been arrested and charged after sending sexually explicit photos of a man to his new lover.

Kristina Taylor, 36, and her friend, 'super mom' Tara Johnson, 36, were arrested on Monday evening in Lakeland, Florida, for allegedly digitally distributing the images, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Taylor is accused of sending explicit images of her ex-boyfriend to Johnson, then the executive director of non-profit Hope House.

Johnson allegedly forwarded those pictures, as well as a video of the man with Taylor, onto the man's new girlfriend after connecting with her on Facebook.

She allegedly told the woman she was concerned about his 'character.'

The sheriff's office was notified of the alleged incident on October 16 when a report was made accusing Taylor of distributing X-rated content of her ex-boyfriend without his consent.

The identities of both the alleged victim and his new partner have not been made public.

'Sharing intimate and personal images of someone without their permission can cause harm to the reputation of the victim,' Sheriff Grady Judd said after the arrests.

Kristina Taylor, 36, was arrested on Monday for allegedly sending photos of her ex-boyfriend to her friend without his permission

Tara Johnson, 36, was also arrested for allegedly sending the sexually explicit images to the man's new girlfriend

'And the motivation to do something like this to someone is typically out of spite, anger, or jealousy. It serves no purpose other than to humiliate or intimidate.'

Taylor told detectives that she is a partner in an insurance business, while Johnson shared that she was the executive director of Hope House.

Hope House provides resources and a home for new and expectant mothers to stay during their pregnancies and the first few months after giving birth.

The house was also featured in the hit 1991 film, My Girl, starring Macaulay Culkin and Anna Chlumsky.

Following the news of Johnson's arrest, Hope House shared that Taylor had decided to step down from her position with the company.

'We want to share an important update regarding Hope House leadership. After years of exceptional service, our Executive Director Tara Johnson has chosen to step down to focus on personal matters,' the statement read.

'We wholeheartedly thank her for her invaluable contributions to our mission of supporting and equipping first-time mothers and their babies.

'Together, we will forge ahead, dedicated to serving every mom, every baby, every day. Thank you for your ongoing support and your prayers for Hope House.'

Johnson told police that she works as the executive director of Hope House, a nonprofit organization that provides housing and resources to new and expectant mothers

Taylor told police that she is a partner at an insurance company. Her social media profile lists her employment at Goosehead Insurance

Johnson previously shared on Instagram that she was inspired to enter the field after her unplanned pregnancy at 23.

She announced her role at Hope House in 2023, writing on social media: 'I genuinely feel my whole life has lead to this so stepping into this role is an honor I dont take lightly.

'Im ready to finish this house, complete the most incredible programming, and serve these moms with everything I have.'

Johnson's bio says that she's a 'Habitual iPhone Breaker, Super mom, Executive Director @hope_house_fl.'

According to Taylor's Facebook account, she is a partner at Goosehead Insurance and previously worked at Wells Fargo.

Taylor and Johnson were booked into the Polk County jail on Tuesday and were released a day later on a $1,000 bond, according to jail records.

Hope House was also featured in the film, My Girl. It now serves as a maternity home for new and expectant mothers in Bartow, Florida

Hope House announced on Wednesday evening that Johnson would be stepping down from her position as executive director

They face charges of sexually cyberharassing in the first offence.

Sending explicit images without the subject's consent became illegal in Florida a decade ago and is punishable by up to one year in jail, one year of probation, or a fine of $1,000.

Neither Taylor nor Johnson has entered a plea for the charges against them. The Daily Mail has attempted to contact them for comment.
Thousands of police and military personnel will be drafted into Rio de Janeiro ahead of Prince William's visit.

There are fears 'violence could erupt' after at least 132 people were killed during Rio police's deadliest ever operation against criminal gangs.

The Prince of Wales, 43, is travelling to the capital next week to present his environmental Earthshot prize, an award that hands 1million out for environmental innovations.

But after the 'unprecedented bloodshed' - which saw 2,500 police and soldiers on Tuesday storming the favelas of Penha and Complexo de Alemao - security is being beefed up.

A source told the Daily Mirror: 'After the unprecedented bloodshed during fierce intergang fighting, the government has drafted in thousands more officers and the military.

'All eyes will be on Rio while William is there, and there is genuine concern that violence will erupt again while he is in Brazil.'

Felipe Curi, Rio state police secretary, told a news conference that bodies of additional suspects were found in a wooded area where he said they had worn camouflage while battling with security forces.

He said local residents had removed clothing and equipment from the bodies, in what would be investigated as evidence tampering.

'These individuals were in the woods, equipped with camouflage clothing, vests and weapons. Now many of them appeared wearing underwear or shorts, with no equipment, as if they had come through a portal and changed clothes,' Curi said.

Earlier on Wednesday, in the neighborhood of Penha, residents had surrounded many of the bodies - collected in trucks and displayed in a main square - and shouted 'massacre' and 'justice' before forensic authorities arrived to retrieve the remains.

'They can take them to jail, why kill them like this? Lots of them were alive and calling for help,' resident Elisangela Silva Santos, 50, said during the gathering in Penha. 'Yes they're traffickers, but they're human.'

A woman weeps over a mass of bodies piled up in the Penha Complex, in the northern part of Brazil's Rio de Janeiro, a day after the deadliest police operation in the city's history, on October 29, 2025

A police officer holds his gun up next to residents on a barricade during the Operacao Contencao (Operation Containment) at the Vila Cruzeiro favela, in the Penha complex, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on October 28, 2025

Prince William, 43, is travelling Rio de Janeiro next week to present his environmental Earthshot prize, an award that hands 1million out for environmental innovations

The tally of suspects arrested stood at 113 - up from 81 cited previously, Curi said. The state government said some 90 rifles and more than a ton of drugs were seized.

Police and soldiers had launched the raid in helicopters, armored vehicles and on foot, targeting the Red Command gang. They drew gunfire and other retaliation from gang members, sparking scenes of chaos across the city on Tuesday.

Schools in the affected areas shuttered, a local university canceled classes, and roads were blocked with buses used as barricades.

Many shops remained closed Wednesday morning in Penha, where local activist Raull Santiago said he was part of a team that found about 15 bodies before dawn.

'We saw executed people: shot in the back, shots to the head, stab wounds, people tied up. This level of brutality, the hatred that is spread - there's no other way to describe it except as a massacre,' Santiago said.

Rio state Gov. Claudio Castro said on Tuesday that Rio was at war against 'narco-terrorism,' a term that echoed the Trump administration in its campaign against drug smuggling in Latin America.

On Wednesday, Castro called the operation a 'success,' apart from the deaths of the four police officers.

Rio's state government said that the suspects who had been killed had resisted police.

Rio has been the scene of lethal police raids for decades. In March 2005, some 29 people were killed in Rio's Baixada Fluminense region, while in May 2021, 28 were killed in the Jacarezinho favela.

But the scale and lethality of Tuesday's operation are unprecedented. Non-governmental organizations and the U.N. human rights body quickly raised concerns over the high number of reported fatalities and called for investigations.

'We fully understand the challenges of having to deal with violent and well-organized groups such as Red Command,' said U.N. Human Rights Spokesperson Marta Hurtado said.

Residents recover around dozens of bodies in the woods of the Penha Complex, in the northern part of Brazil's Rio de Janeiro, one day after the deadliest police operation in the city's history, on October 29, 2025

People watch as members of the military police bring bodies of dead people to a hospital, on the day of a police operation against drug trafficking at the favela do Penha, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil October 28, 2025

A suspect is escorted by police officers after being arrested during the Operacao Contencao (Operation Containment) at the Vila Cruzeiro favela, in the Penha complex, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on October 28, 2025

But Brazil must 'break this cycle of extreme brutality and ensure that law enforcement operations comply with international standards regarding the use of force,' she said, adding that the body was calling for full-fledged policing reform.

The operation's stated objectives were capturing leaders and limiting the territorial expansion of the Red Command gang, which has increased its control over favelas in recent years.

Gang members allegedly targeted police with at least one drone. Rio de Janeiro's state government shared a video on X of what appeared to show a drone firing a projectile from the sky.

Gov. Castro, from the conservative opposition Liberal Party, said Tuesday that Rio was 'alone in this war.' He said the federal government should be providing more support to combat crime - in a swipe at the administration of leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

His comments were challenged by the Justice Ministry, which said it had responded to requests from Rio's state government to deploy national forces in the state, renewing their presence 11 times.

Gleisi Hoffmann, the Lula administration's liaison with the parliament, agreed that more coordinated action was needed but pointed to a recent crackdown on money laundering as an example of the federal government's action on organized crime.

Lula's chief of staff, Rui Costa, requested an emergency meeting Wednesday in Rio with local authorities and Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski.

Criminal gangs have expanded their presence across Brazil in recent years, including in the Amazon rainforest.

Police officers guard alleged criminals arrested during the Operacao Contencao (Operation Containment) at the Vila Cruzeiro favela, in the Penha complex, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on October 28, 2025

People look at dead bodies on a street in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 29 2025

Protesters display a banner reading in Portuguese 'Claudio Castro Murderer,' referring to Rio de Janeiro state Governor Claudio Castro, a day after a deadly police raid targeting the Comando Vermelho gang in the Complexo da Penha favela of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 202

Roberto Uchoa, from the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety think-tank, said that criminal gangs have strengthened despite these kinds of operations, suggesting that they are inefficient.

'Killing more than 100 people like this won't help decrease the Red Command's expansion. The dead will soon be replaced,' Uchoa said.

Filipe dos Anjos, secretary general of favela rights' organization FAFERJ, echoed the sentiment.

'In about thirty days, organized crime will already be reorganized in the territory, doing what it always does: selling drugs, stealing cargo, collecting payments and fees,' he said.

'In terms of concrete results for the population, for society, this kind of operation achieves practically nothing,' he added.
A mother from Darwin was found dead in her hotel room in Thailand after consuming 'a large amount of alcohol' and having sex with a German man.

Karla Drescher, a 47-year-old digital creator and operations manager from Darwin, was on 'the trip of a lifetime' when she died sometime on Monday.

Ms Drescher had been staying at the Sawasdee Village Resort in Phuket, where she rented the Baray Villa, according to her final Facebook posts.

Karon police confirmed to the Phuket News the New Zealand national was found unresponsive in her hotel room about 2.45pm.

Lieutenant Phirawat Yodtor said Ms Drescher was lying on her bed and there were no signs of a struggle or evidence of any injury.

Prescription medications including antidepressants were located in the room, along with three open cans of alcoholic drinks and two cocktail glasses.

Police questioned a 49-year-old German man who said he and Ms Drescher had been drinking at a bar in Kata before making their way back to the hotel about 1am.

'She had consumed a large amount of alcohol,' the German man told police.

Karla Drescher (above) was found dead in her hotel room in Thailand after consuming 'a large amount of alcohol' and having sex with a German man

Ms Drescher, a digital creator and operations manager from Darwin, was on 'the trip of a lifetime' when she died sometime on Monday

'We had another drink in the room... sex and went to sleep. Around noon I I woke up when cleaning staff knocked on the door.

'When I went to wake her, she wasn't breathing.'

The German man called hotel staff, who attempted CPR but could not revive Ms Drescher. Police were informed and a doctor pronounced Ms Drescher deceased.

The German man tested negative for drugs and nothing suspicious was observed during a physical examination of him.

Police said CCTV and room entry records confirmed the man's account and staff at the bar where he and Ms Drescher had been drinking had observed no unusual incidents.

The Phuket News has reported a preliminary forensic examination suggested a combination of prescribed medication and alcohol might have led to respiratory failure.

Police believe Ms Drescher had been dead for eight to 10 hours before her body was found, putting her estimated time of death between 6.30am and 8.30am.

Ms Drescher's body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination to determine her cause of death.

Prescription medications including antidepressants were located in Ms Drescher's room, along with three open cans of alcoholic drinks and two cocktail glasses

Ms Drescher recorded her Thai adventures on Facebook, including meeting two elephants saved from a life of work to live in a sanctuary

Her son Travis Deveraux has launched a GoFundMe appeal to bring his mother's body home.

Mr Deveraux told news.com.au he had become concerned for his mother's welfare when he did not receive a return text message from her.

'Sadly the way I found out was very wrong,' Mr Deveraux said.

'[I received] no contact from police or anyone [I was] worried about her as she messages me everyday [but] she didnt reply for 2 days so I called her hotel where she was staying and they said "have the police not contacted you? Sadly she has passed".'

Mr Deveraux said his mother was his mother was his best friend and she was 'healthy and not unwell in any way'.

'There is more to what happened than police are revealing,' he said.

Sawasdee Village room division manager Arpornpan Ruyan told the Daily Mail: 'We will not be providing any information regarding Ms. Karla Anne Drescher to non-family members.'

Mr Deveraux, who also lives in the Northern Territory, launched his GoFundMe appeal on Wednesday.

Ms Drescher had been staying at the Sawasdee Village Resort (above) in Phuket, where she rented the Baray Villa, according to her final Facebook posts

'Hello everyone, sadly my mum has passed away while on holiday in Thailand on 27/10/25 and I need help to cover the cost to get her home and for the celebration of her life for all youse to join,' he wrote.

'Appreciate any donations and all your guys support, you are awesome people.'

The appeal had raised $21,485 of its $30,000 target by Thursday afternoon.

The day Ms Drescher left Darwin a friend wrote on her Facebook page: 'Trip of a lifetime! I hope you're ready for an adventure!'

Another friend commented: 'Have great time you are looking beautiful as usual see you soon.'

New Zealand-born Ms Drescher recorded her adventures on Facebook for the next 12 days, with her last update posted two days before she died.

On October 25 she shared a video taken while she enjoyed a herbal detox spa at the Sawasdee Village Resort.

Four days earlier Ms Drescher updated her cover photograph with a bikini picture and uploaded a video of herself on a boat.

Ms Drescher's son Travis Deveraux has launched a GoFundMe appeal to bring his mother's body home. Mother and son are pictured

The previous day she described realising a years-long dream to visit Maya Bay on the island of Ko Phi Phi Le where the 2000 adventure drama The Beach was filmed.

'Has been on my bucket list, it did not disappoint,' Ms Drescher wrote.

On October 18, Ms Drescher posted pictures of herself with two elephants and a video of her washing one of the animals.

'Meet Linda and Pearl,' she began that post. 'They have been rescued from a life of work and cruelty and now reside at a sanctuary that rehabilitates them to eventually release them back into the wild.'

The previous day Ms Drescher shared a video of her getting out of bed, stretching, then donning a bikini to head to one of the resort's three pools.

Sawasdee Village's website describes the $288-a-night Baray Villa as offering 'two storeys of ethereal opulence'.

'With an indoor dip pool, outdoor private pool and sundeck leading to the main canal pool - it is a heavenly hideaway for all,' the website boasts.

A community Facebook page for Howard Springs, 25km south-east of Darwin, promoted Mr Deveraux's GoFundMe appeal.

'Some people will know her beautiful smile and living life with her son,' one member wrote.

'Let's dig deep and please bring our beloved friend and mother Karla Anne Drescher back home to her son Travis Deveraux .

'A beautiful life taken away while on holidays overseas. Please share far and wide. Our love is with Travis and family right now.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Sawasdee Village Resort, the Royal Thai Police and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.
A 10-year-old boy suffered severe burns after being hit by a ball of flames while toasting marshmallows over a restaurant's fire pit.

The child was cooking the sweet treat with his sister at Monterey Jack's in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, when a 16-year-old waitress poured liquid fuel over the structure.

A doctor told the boy's parents that had he not been wearing glasses he would likely have been blinded after the incident in November 2018.

The youngster received specialist treatment for the severe burns for the three years that followed the accident, Airdrie Sheriff Court was told.

Prosecutor Kristina Kelly also relayed to the court how the youngster had to stay out of direct sunlight whilst also being left with scarring on his cheek and eyebrow.

After, the 10-year-old developed anxiety with his parents told he had 'borderline post-traumatic stress disorder,' she added.

His 14-year-old sister as well as the waitress suffered minor burns, however only the waitress required further hospital treatment.

The court was told how the restaurant had only been open for two weeks when the waitress attempted to relight the firepit after it had gone out.

A metal fuel burner surrounded by stones had been installed 'to give the effect of a campfire, in keeping with the Wild West theme of the restaurant'.

A boy, 10, suffered severe burns after being hit a by a fireball while toasting marshmallows at a Monterey Jack's in Airdrie, Scotland

A 16-year-old waitress ha d poured liquid over the firepit (pictured) while the boy and his sister, 14, toasted marshmallows in a bid to relight it

Ms Kelly told the court: 'She got a bottle of liquid fuel, told the children to stand back and poured this on the fire pit.

'Residual flames caused the fuel to ignite and a burst of flames went across the restaurant.

'The boy's mother heard a loud bang and rushed to the area where she saw her son crouched in a ball.

'She patted his clothing to put out the flames and saw he had burns to his face, ear, eyebrow and eyelashes.'

The company has since admitted two charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Ms Kelly said lighting the fire should have been a job for a manager and that under 18s should not have been tasked with it.

She added it was clear that 'staff training was lacking' and employees were 'not made aware of the dangers'.

Monterey Jack's has multiple restaurants in Scotland, but the Airdrie branch was shuttered in 2022.

Gary Marshall, who described himself as a shareholder and investor, said the firm accepted responsibility and expressed 'sincere regret'.

'General risk assessments did exist but were clearly not sufficient in relation to the fuel burner. Training and supervision for under-18s was inadequate,' he said.

'Immediately after this incident all fire pits in our premises were removed to ensure there would be no recurrence of this.'

Sheriff Joseph Hughes said it appeared such a fuel burner was 'inherently dangerous in a public setting'.

Sentencing is scheduled to take place in December of this year.
The search for missing four-year-old boy Gus Lamont will resume, with police preparing to drain a dam.

South Australia Police released a statement on Thursday, revealing officers would search the family's homestead, Oak Park Station  about 40km south of Yunta  on Friday.

'The draining of the dam will enable a comprehensive visual search to be completed, particularly areas with underwater vegetation,' it read.

'The renewed search of the dam is being undertaken to rule out the possibility Gus may have drowned.

'This follows extensive ground and air searches of the area surrounding the homestead since Gus disappeared.'

The dam is about 600m from the homestead and is about 4.5m deep.

It was previously searched by police divers in the initial days of the search for Gus.

Australian Defence Force personnel have also been called in to help.

The search for missing four-year-old boy Gus Lamont will be resumed, with cops preparing to drain a dam

A search party at the property on October 17

The little boy was last seen outside his grandparents' house on September 27 at about 5pm.

He was under the care of his grandmother Shannon Murray while his mother Jessica and grandparent Josie tended to their herd of sheep 10km away.

Police stressed that to date investigations had not uncovered 'any evidence of foul play'.

'The family of Gus have continued to co-operate fully with police and are being supported by a victim contact officer,' an SA Police spokesman said.

'Further searches of the property will be considered in the future as Task Force Horizon investigations continue.'

There have been a number of theories as to where Gus may have gone.

An expert in human physiology from Flinders University offered an alarming theory that the search area may not have been big enough.

'Over a three-day period we're looking at potentially three to eight kilometres,' Nina Siversten told 7NEWS.

Police search for Gus at the family's homestead

SA Police, the Australian Army and SES crews searching for Gus at Oak Park Station on October 17

The initial search radius was originally 2km surrounding the homestead. The second effort extended to an extra 2.5km to 3km further into the scrub.

'If the child could access some sort of moisture or dew or moist leaves, that could increase survival somewhat beyond the three days,' Ms Siversten said.

'I think that fear would be an absolute factor and that would impact on the ability to move, but also on finding shelter.'

Earlier this week, the Indigenous tracker who joined the search for Gus expressed quiet confidence that the child will eventually be found.

Ronald Boland, a Port Augustabased Aboriginal tracker, told Daily Mail he remained certain the boy would be located.

'That little boy deserves respect to go about it on all the right roads,' he said.

'Police will find him, they will. They do what they do best, I do what I do best. One day I will tell the story (about Gus).'
Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to begin their first nuclear tests since 1992 - just moments before the president's pivotal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump told the Department of War to begin testing nukes 'immediately' and explained the military flex was necessary to combat Russia and China from closing the gap in the arms race.

'The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country,' he began.

'This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice!'

He added about the arms race: 'Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.'

Trump then revealed his mission to increase testing nukes in order to compete with the other world powers.

'Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,' he declared. 'That process will begin immediately.'

The US military already regularly tests its missiles that are capable of delivering a nuclear warhead, but it has not detonated the weapons since 1992 because of a test ban.

Shortly after his post, Trump was seen shaking hands with Xi in Busan, South Korea prior to a landmark meeting between the two world leaders.

Donald Trump announced that the US Department of War will ramp up nuclear testing immediately to combat Russia and China from getting even in the arms race

Workers prepare the B61-13, a nuclear 'gravity bomb' 24 times more powerful than the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan in 1945

Following the handshake that marked their first meeting in six years, Xi acknowledged their 'frictions' as Trump joked about his counterpart being a 'tough negotiator.'

Their face-to-face comes after Trump kicked off a trade war with China after reentering office this year.

But Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he slashed 10 percent from China's tariff bill because he believes their leader will work to stymie the flow of deadly drugs to the US.

'On fentanyl we agreed that he was going to work very hard to stop the flow,' Trump insisted on the plane ride home. 'I think you're going to see some real action taken.'

He said the tariff reduction is 'effective immediately.'

'I believe he's going to work very hard to stop the death that's coming in.'

Xi had a powerful negotiating hand at Thursday's meeting because China produces 80 to 90 percent of the world's rare earth minerals, which are essential for the US tech industry.

'We have a deal,' said Trump as he specifically called out an agreement in that deal to 'settle' the rare earth mineral issue, claiming: 'There's no roadblock at all on rare earth.'

Just last month, Trump took to Truth Social to publicly chastise the Chinese leader, linking him to Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while criticizing Beijing for conspiring 'against the United States of America.'

President Donald Trump (pictured left) and China's President Xi Jinping pose for photos as they arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base, located next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan

Trump's cabinet met with several of their Chinese counterparts

After their meeting, the two emerged from the room appearing cordial. They exchanged some words, shook hands and Trump leaned in for a final message to his Chinese counterpart before parting ways.

After Trump's Moscow outreach with Putin fell apart and new US oiltrade sanctions tightened the screws on Russia, Trump has turned his attention to Beijing, seeking to leverage the failed Russian dialogue into pressure on Xi, who has quietly backed Putin's war in Ukraine.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Pentagon for comment.

The move comes after Putin said on Sunday that Russia had successfully tested its 'unstoppable' nuclear-powered cruise missile. Moscow says the weapon, called the 'Flying Chernobyl,' can pierce any defense shield, and has 'unlimited range'.

Asked on Air Force One about the test of the missile, dubbed the SSC-X-9 Skyfall by NATO, Trump said the United States did not need its nukes to fly so far as it had a nuclear submarine off the coast of Russia.

'They know we have a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their shores, so I mean, [our missile] doesn't have to go 8,000 miles,' Trump told reporters, according to an audio file posted by the White House.

The president made the announcement on Truth Social just hours before his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping

The US has not conducted a real-world test of a nuclear bomb since 1992

'I don't think it's an appropriate thing for Putin to be saying, either, by the way: You ought to get the war ended, the war that should have taken one week is now in... its fourth year, that's what you ought to do instead of testing missiles.'

In response to Trump on Monday, the Kremlin defiantly said that Russia would be guided by its own national interests.

'Despite all our openness to establishing a dialogue with the United States, Russia, first of all, and the president of Russia, is guided by our own national interests,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

'That's how it was, that's how it is, and that's how it's going to be.'

The Kremlin said Russia was ensuring its own security by developing new weapons.

'There is nothing here that can and should strain relations between Moscow and Washington,' Peskov said.

Trump has repeatedly spoken of moving US submarines to Russia's coast after remarks by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on the risk of war between the nuclear-armed adversaries.

It is rare for either side to discuss in public the location of nuclear-armed submarines.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi in 2024

Speaking about the Russian missile test, Trump said: 'We test missiles all the time.'

'They're not playing games with us and we're not playing games with them either,' he added.

On Sunday, the Russian president announced the 'successful' secret test flight on October 21 of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile.

Dressed in military uniform, Putin spoke of the weapon during a late-night visit to a war command post, where he was briefed on the Ukrainian frontline by Russias top general, Valery Gerasimov, 70.

As he made his remarks, Russian missiles pounded residential blocks in Kyiv, in a barbaric attack, killing at least three sleeping civilians and injuring nearly 30 others, including seven children.

Defying Trumps latest calls for peace, Putin also revealed details of nuclear war drills carried out by his forces over the past week.

'The modernity of our.nuclear deterrent forces, is at the highest level,' he boasted.

'Well, it would probably be no exaggeration to say that it is at a higher level than all nuclear states.'

Chinese President Xi Jinping disembarks from a government plane upon arrival at Gimhae

He revealed new tests on a missile intended to fly for days at a time and able to counter all current Western defenSes.

The US has not conducted a real-world test of a nuclear bomb since 1992.

After decades of declining nuclear stockpiles, the nuclear agency sees a real possibility that more countries around the world - including India, Pakistan, and North Korea - are preparing to enter a nuclear arms race.

As of 2023, the US Department of Energy reports that America has 3,748 nuclear warheads.

However, the nonpartisan Arms Control Association estimated that the number was significantly higher, putting the total at 5,225 as of January 2025.

Currently, progress on a treaty banning the testing of nuclear weapons has stalled, and there is already evidence that world powers are moving ahead with nuclear rearmament.

Most of America's plutonium has been sitting around for decades, leading to fears that the radioactive decay will damage the unused weapons.

Plutonium has five 'common' isotopes which have different rates of decay, ranging from just 87 years to over 24,000 years, according to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Donald Trump struck a deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their first face-to-face meeting in six years.

The two convened in Busan, South Korea on Thursday amid a raging trade war kicked off by Trump earlier this year that saw Chinese imports to the US reach 57 percent.

But Trump told reporters on Air Force One after the historic sit-down that he slashed 10 percent from China's tariff bill because he believes their leader will work to stymie the flow of deadly drugs to the US.

'On fentanyl we agreed that he was going to work very hard to stop the flow,' Trump insisted on the plane ride home. 'I think you're going to see some real action taken.'

He said the tariff reduction is 'effective immediately.'

'I believe he's going to work very hard to stop the death that's coming in.'

Xi acknowledged ahead of the closed-door meeting the 'frictions' between the two countries, as Trump joked to reporters about his counterpart being a 'tough negotiator.'

Their handshake Thursday morning marked the first in-person contact between the leaders of the world's two largest economies after Trump kicked off a trade war with China just days after reentering office when he levied an additional 10 percent tariff on imports.

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met face-to-face for the first time in six years on Thursday, October 30, 2025 during a meeting in Busan

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One after departing South Korea that he reduced tariffs by 10% after Xi agreed to 'work very hard to stop the flow' of fentanyl into the US

'We have a deal,' said Trump as he specifically called out an agreement in that deal to 'settle' the rare earth mineral issue, claiming: 'There's no roadblock at all on rare earth.'

Xi had a powerful negotiating hand at Thursday's meeting because China produces 80 to 90 percent of the world's rare earth minerals, which are essential for the US tech industry.

Trump said that he agreed to visit China in April, and that Xi would come to the US for a visit to either Palm Beach or Washington, DC at a later date.

'On a scale from zero to 10, with 10 being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12,' the president lauded as he wrapped a weeklong trip through Asia.

The meeting, which lasted for less than two hours, was high-stakes for both nations, and the two appeared to be on their best behavior levying compliments  but they were also cautious.

'Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye-to-eye with each other and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions every now and then,' Xi said as they sat down for negotiations at an air base in Busan, South Korea.

And Trump insisted: 'We've already agreed to a lot of things and we'll agree to some more right now.'

Trump needs a political win on the foreign stage after his peace deal between Israel and Hamas began to fall apart and talks for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia hit a standstill this month.

The president blasted off a social media post just moments before his consequential meeting with Xi announcing his direction for the Department of War to begin nuclear weapon testing 'immediately.' He specifically called out needing to meet the level of testing made by Russia and China.

'Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye-to-eye with each other and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions every now and then,' Xi said as he sat down for negotiations with Trump in Busan

And while Trump relies on flattery to build relationships with adversarial world leaders, he also had a quick quip for Xi right after they shook hands.

'I think he's a very tough negotiator. That's not good,' he chuckled.

Trump added: 'We'll have a great understanding. We have a good relationship.'

Meanwhile, Xi called their relationship 'warm.'

'Since your reelection we have spoken on the phone three times, exchanged several letters and stayed in close contact,' he said, according to a live translation of his short remarks.

'You and I, at the helm of U.S.-China relations, should stay the right course,' Xi insisted.

After and hour-and-40-minute meeting, the two world leaders and their delegations emerged from the building in Busan, shook hands and Trump leaned in to say something to Xi before they parted ways.

The two did not make any public remarks after their bilateral sit-down.

The president has been highly critical of Xi in his second term and went to his social media site Truth Social to link the Chinese leader to Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean autocrat Kim Jong Un.

But Xi arrived at the meeting with a powerful negotiating hand given China produces 80 to 90 percent of the world's rare earth minerals, which are essential for America's high-tech industry.

Trump and Xi made short remarks at the table with their teams at the Gimhae Air Base in South Korea on October 30, 2025

After the nearly two-hour meeting Trump and Xi exchanged some words out of earshot before going their separate ways

The US has now discovered Beijing can survive without its farmers' soybeans since they can import from South America instead, Trump realizes that his country cannot thrive technology-wise without the rare earths from China.

Trump and Xi agreed to meet on the Gimhae South Korean Air Base sitting at the edge of the Gimhae International Airport.

Among Trump's team attending the high-stakes meeting in Busan are Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller and Trade Advisor Jamieson Greer.

The president jetted off last week for a weeklong trip through Asia  starting in Malaysia, then to Japan and finishing off in South Korea with his Xi meeting.
Anthony Albanese abruptly walked out of a press conference after being questioned about his dinner with President Donald Trump at the APEC summit in South Korea - moments after taking a Trump-style swipe at the Australian press pack.

The Prime Minister sat directly beside the US President, while South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who hosted the event, was on his other side.

Albanese has since been dubbed Trumps right-hand man, after the President said he did 'a fantastic job' in securing a $13 billion critical minerals deal.

The Prime Minister was quizzed about his prime seat beside Trump by reporters at a press conference in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Thursday.

'Can I clarify when you received that invite, and were you aware, going into the event, that youd be seated at the right-hand side of the US President?' a reporter asked.

'Yes, I was. Thank you!' Albanese replied curtly, before abruptly ending the press conference.

Earlier, the leader bristled at questions about whether he would attend the COP Leaders Summit in Brazil next week, with one journalist suggesting his absence could undermine Australias bid to host the climate talks next year.

'Im sometimes amused by the contradictory messages from the Australian media,' Mr Albanese said, taking a Trump-style swipe at the media.

Anthony Albanese (pictured) took a swipe Australian media's 'contradictory messages'

Anthony Albanese (pictured) dined with President Donald Trump during the APEC summit on Wednesday

'They say I should travel more internationally - and when I do, they say I should travel less. So, look, we'll work out our itinerary.'

He confirmed Australia would be represented at the Brazil summit but stopped short of saying he would personally attend.

'Our parliament is sitting next week, this is the first full sitting week I've missed in almost 30 years,' he said.

'We take COP very seriously and are advocating to host it at the end of next year. We're still working through those issues.'

It comes after Australia's Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd spoke publicly for the first time about a tense moment between himself and Trump during Albanese's high-stakes White House meeting.

The awkward exchange unfolded when Trump unexpectedly singled out Rudd, referencing past criticisms the former Australian Prime Minister had made about him after being questioned by Sky News' journalist Andrew Clennell.

'Did an ambassador say something bad? Where is he? Is he still working for you?' Trump asked pointedly, prompting Albanese to gesture across the table toward Rudd.

Rudd calmly responded, 'Before I took this position, Mr President,' to which Trump retorted, 'I don't like you either, and I probably never will.'

Anthony Albanese met with Donald Trump last week for a formal summit in Washington DC

The president didn't let the matter drop, later adding a few days later: 'When they say bad about me, I don't forget'.

Despite the tension, Rudd remained composed when asked about the incident during a surprise appearance in Canberra.

'What I would say is that I'm from America and I'm here to help, and my name is Kevin,' he told reporters, striking a diplomatic tone.

Rudd refused to be drawn into further political drama when pressed by reporters.

'The Prime Minister had an excellent meeting with the President of the United States,' he continued.

In 2020, Rudd stated on social media that he considered Trump the 'most destructive' president in US history, among other negative public comments.

Rudd deleted those comments in November 2024 after Trump's re-election, explaining it was 'out of respect' for the office of the president.
Satellite images captured on Wednesday showed the extraordinary damage across Jamaica in the wake of historic Hurricane Melissa.

The mammoth storm left a trail of destruction throughout the Caribbean, starting in Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon before tearing through Cuba and wreaking havoc on Haiti.

By Wednesday night, Melissa had battered the southeast of the Bahamas and is gearing up to pass by Bermuda on Thursday.

The death toll reached 25 in Haiti on Wednesday night, with at least eight bodies also recovered in Jamaica as first responders continue to hunt for survivors in hard-to-reach areas.

Entire towns have been leveled by the 185mph winds and flash flooding, with the widespread losses captured by satellite images showing buildings which were standing on Tuesday morning completely destroyed just hours later.

One set of before and after images from Black River, St Elizabeth, showed the near unrecognizable coastline and landscape after the hurricane tore through.

The parish was one of the worst hit regions and reduced to a mud pit after a landslide blocked the main roads in and out.

Roofs were torn entirely from homes in the area while other buildings, including the town's courthouse, library and churches were reduced to rubble.

One set of before and after images from Black River, St Elizabeth, showed the near unrecognizable coastline and landscape after the hurricane tore through

The parish of Black River, St Elizabeth (pictured) was one of the worst hit regions and reduced to a mud pit after a landslide blocked the main roads in and out

Roofs in Black River (pictured) were torn entirely from homes in the area while other buildings, including the town's courthouse, library and churches were reduced to rubble

'The conditions here are devastating. "Catastrophic" is a mild term based on what we are observing here,' Richard Solomon, the mayor of Black River, said on Wednesday.

'The hospital is totally devastated. When I say we are immobile, police units are down, all the units at the EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) are down because they would have been covered with water throughout the hurricane.

'So at this point in time were unable to do any rescuing. Were unable to respond. We are trying to let everybody know that the situation here is devastating.

'We need all the help that we can and conditions are going to deteriorate as the day progresses because persons are feeling it already.'

Solomon estimated 16 feet of storm surge ripped through the town in the aftermath of the storm, engulfing both the hospital and the fire station and destroying the emergency supplies they had prepared ahead of time.

The town was home to as many as 8,000 people, who are now facing the devastating task of having to rebuild.

Local Amiri Bradley told The New York Times 'only places that have four concrete walls are still standing, and usually their roofs are gone.'

Prime Minister Andrew Holness conducted an aerial tour of Black River and said the town 'has literally been totally destroyed.'

Satellite pictures also captured the sheer devastation of Barnett River, along Montego Bay

Montego Bay (pictured) was decimated by Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday

'The conditions here are devastating. ''Catastrophic'' is a mild term based on what we are observing here,' Richard Solomon, the mayor of Black River, said on Wednesday

One tragic story to emerge from the town centered around a local who walked 15 miles to the police station to report that their loved one had died in the storm.

The entire island has been declared a 'disaster area' following the tragedy, and authorities are not yet prepared to provide updated numbers on potential casualties.

Melissa hit Jamaica as a Category 5 storm and had downgraded to a 'strong' Category 3 by the time it reached Cuba. While it never made landfall in Haiti, the outer rings of the hurricane brought intense rain and winds, which caused flash flooding.

As it now passed through the Bahamas, the storm has been downgraded to a Category 2.

Residents in the Bahamas and nearby Turks and Caicos hunkered down, while some 895 miles (1,440 km) north-east Bermudans prepared for hurricane conditions forecast from Thursday.

U.S. forecaster AccuWeather said Melissa was the Caribbean's third-most intense recorded hurricane, as well as its slowest-moving, which made it particularly destructive.

Dennis Zulu, the United Nations resident coordinator in Jamaica, said 'what we're seeing in preliminary assessments is a country that's been devastated to levels never seen before.'

In Cuba, at least 241 communities remain isolated and without communications hours after the storm passed through the Santiago province, with as many as 140,000 residents directly impacted.

The fishing village of White House, Jamaica (pictured) also suffered extensive damage, as seen in these before and after satellite photos

The entire island has been declared a 'disaster area' following the tragedy, and authorities are not yet prepared to provide updated numbers on potential casualties

A farmer rescues a dog and some belongings from his flooded house after Hurricane Melissa passed through the town of San Miguel de Parada in Cuba

Haiti was devastated by the storm, with at least 25 declared dead as of Wednesday evening

Ahead of Melissa making landfall in Cuba, as many as 735,000 residents were evacuated from their homes in the path of the storm.

The United States is sending rescue and response teams to assist in recovery efforts in the Caribbean, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X.

Two insiders told NBC that there was a delay in sending aid due to the government shutdown and President Trump's dismantling of the USAID department, alongside Elon Musk.

'You need a flexibility of an agency that can get out there as fast as possible, give people cash to go out and do stuff that has not happened yet,' the former official said.

'And that's the sad part.'

The insider said that with so many staff furloughed, the department missed the safe window to fly staff out ahead of the storm and had to instead wait until it had passed.
Sunrise host Nat Barr has shared her take on a restaurant's controversial policy that bans children from standing up while dining with their family.

Laguna Blu Bar & Dining in Port Stephens sparked fierce debate earlier this week when its sign stating kids must be 'seated at all times' was shared on social media.

'We appreciate well behaved children, and require them to remain seated at all times,' the sign reads, before thanking customers for their understanding.

The mother who took the photo, Brie Rockliffe, jokingly captioned it: 'Breakfast with a side of unrealistic expectations'.

Some Aussies didn't see the problem, with one person writing, 'If you can't keep your children seated don't take them out'.

Another said: 'I genuinely don't see how this is an unrealistic expectation?'

Ms Rockliffe replied: 'For all children to be well behaved and seated at all times? You don't see how that may not always be a realistic expectation?'

On Thursday, Barr shared her view on the restaurant's rule while speaking with Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas and Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli.

Nat Barr debated the restaurant's rule while speaking with Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas and Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli on Sunrise on Thursday morning

The sign was exposed on TikTik, and sparked a mixed reaction from Aussies

'It feels like they have had some incidents (of kids running under waiters' feet). If you are the waiters and you have kids around your feet and (you're) carrying hot or heavy stuff or glasses, you might support the sign,' she said.

Zempilas felt the sign was a little 'extreme'.

'Look, there is always a balance,' he said.

'Kids need to be under control to a degree when they are at restaurants and formal settings, but also the restaurant owners need to understand there is a certain tolerance that needs to be made.

'Kids can't all sit still throughout an entire meal. The sign is a tiny bit extreme.'

Natoli felt it was unrealistic to expect young children to be seated at all times when out with their family.

'I think they might have just said 'as long as you can' or 'as much as you can' or 'please try'. I think it is the fact 'at all times'. We cannot do that at all times,' she said.

'Kids need to move around to go to the bathroom or whatever. Nobody wants kids climbing all over the tables or the chairs or running about, and nobody, not even the other customers, want kids dancing in the aisle.

The dining hot spot said safety to staff and customers was the main reason for the rule

'It is safety. It is about comfort in the restaurant and being sensible.'

In response to the outrage, Laguna Blu Bar & Dining shared a statement explaining there was a simple explanation for the rule.

'We absolutely welcome families and children at Laguna Blu Bar & Dining. The small notice in our restaurant is just a gentle reminder for safety,' it said.

'Our outdoor area is made of smooth concrete and marble near the resort's infinity pool, which can get slippery when wet.

'With kids running around, this can become a real hazard, both for them and our staff carrying hot food and drinks.

'The sign is simply about keeping everyone safe and comfortable.'

Ms Rockliffe agreed it was dangerous for kids to be running about while waiters are carrying hot food and beverages but had issues with the wording of the statement.

She told Daily Mail: 'I just want to make it clear that my point wasn't against the restaurant itself. I completely understand and agree with the logic behind wanting kids to stay safe and respectful at the table.'

'I just felt the wording of the sign came across a little harsh or unwelcoming, and that's what sparked the reaction online. I think most parents understand the need for boundaries, but it's the tone that can make families feel judged.'
The death of an eight-month-old baby is being treated as suspicious by police.

Emergency services were called to a home on Winpara Way in Baldivis, south of Perth's CBD, about 10.15am on Thursday.

Western Australia Police said a deceased eight-month-old infant was located upon arrival in a statement released on Thursday.

'Detectives have been deployed to the scene, and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the child's death are being undertaken,' police said.

'The death is being treated as suspicious.'

Police said one woman is assisting police with their inquiries and there is no risk to the community.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police on 131 444, or report information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at www.crimestopperswa.com.au

Emergency services were called to Winpara Way in Baldivis, south of Perth 's CBD, about 10.15am on Thursday
The head monk of a Buddhist temple has been found guilty of sexually abusing children aged as young as four.

Naotunne Vijitha, 70, faced a four-week County Court trial in Melbourne after he pleaded not guilty to 19 historical child sexual offences.

He was accused of abusing six girls aged between four and 12 inside his living Buddhist temple quarters, a prayer room and at Sunday school.

Prosecutors claimed Vijitha's abuse started after he moved to Melbourne from overseas to become head monk of the Dhamma Sarana Buddhist temple at Springvale in 1994.

The abuse continued after the temple moved to Keysborough in 2000.

The victims, who are now adults, all gave evidence to the jury in their trial, as did their relatives and friends.

Vijitha's barrister Nick Papas KC told the jury to set aside emotion and remember the allegations were from 25 or 30 years ago, so they must question their reliability and accuracy.

"Some of the events are so improbable as to stretch any grounds of credulity," he said.

Naotunne Vijitha has been found guilty of 17 historical child sexual abuse offences

Jurors retired to commence their deliberations on October 23 and returned on Thursday with a guilty verdict to 17 of the 19 charges.

He was acquitted on a single charge of indecent act with a child aged under 16, while the jury will continue deliberating on a separate indecent act offence.

Judge Pardeep Tiwana advised the jurors he would accept a majority verdict, instead of a unanimous one, on the remaining charge.

The jury will continue their deliberations on Friday morning.
Locals living in King Charles' model town have blasted The Duchy of Cornwall as 'arrogant' in a row over cherry trees.

Homeowners on the edge of Poundbury in Dorset, paid a premium for their 'uninterrupted countryside views' of Thomas Hardy's Wessex.

However, they were left 'furious' when they discovered the Duchy and their developers had plans to put in a 'curtain' of trees that would obscure their vistas and block out the light from their homes.

Residents claim the Duchy has added further insult by putting in a retrospective planning application to change the species of tree after they were already planted.

The new controversial bird cherry trees, planted on one side of the road, can grow up to 82ft tall and 26ft wide.

Locals have also claimed the Duchy ignores any attempts at communication and just ploughs on with what they want at the expense of the people living there.

Ian Hacker, who claims a tree has been planted too close to his home, said he has made multiple requests for the landscaping details from the Duchy office but has been 'repeatedly ignored'.

He said: 'The tree in front of our house was not put in the position indicated on the plan and marked with a red circle.

'The tree is also only just 4.2metre from our property thus invalidates our insurance.

Pictured: The trees which have already been planted in Poundbury, Dorset

Left to right: Residents, Christina and Donald Brett, Julie Burt, Josephine and Andrew Cook and Paul Baker

An aerial view of Poundbury which is King Charles's model town

'We oppose the current position of the tree on the south of road in front of our property.

'It is not where the original plan indicates. We have not been told any details of revised planning. We would like the tree moved so that it is greater than 5metre from our property.'

Andrew Cook, a retired business advisor, has also objected, claiming the plans are inaccurate with what has been planted.

He said: 'As a result, residents do not know if Peninsula Way continues to be unadoptable by Highways.

'If so, this means ultimately residents may be penalised through increased management fees whilst already paying rates for road and verge maintenance, indemnity insurance, and compensation claims.'

Mr Cook argued the bird cherry trees should be removed and replaced with silver birches so the same trees are on both sides of the road.

He added: 'The Duchy and their developers put in a retrospective application on the day they planted the trees. It demonstrates the sheer arrogance of the Duchy.

'They didn't communicate with us, they were just completely intransigent and ignoring us.

'Their tree planting imperative talked about a curtain of trees but they didn't plant a curtain, at the moment there are quite big gaps between the trees, but we are worried they could come back and plant a lot more trees in the gaps.

King Charles is seen meeting residents on a visit to Poundbury

Pictured: The controversial trees that have already been planted in Poundbury

'And we are left in limbo because we are not sure if it's going to stay that way.

'It's so frustrating, the Duchy are so difficult, there is no common sense. I've never dealt with anybody like the Duchy before and I was a business advisor.

'They say they consult with residents and talk to the community but at best I think that's being economical with the truth.

'If they want to do something they just carry on without any communication and they act like they don't have to do anything they don't want to do.'

Poundbury is King Charles' vision of an utopian idyll where private and affordable housing mix with boutique shops, places of work and services like the local school and medical centre within walking distance.

Building work began on the Duchy of Cornwall land near Dorchester in 1993 and it is due for completion in 2028.

Now that he is king, the Duchy of Cornwall - the royal family's private fund - has passed to Prince William, but Poundbury was very much the king's project.

The picturesque views from the homes in Poundbury where residents have blasted the Duchy of Cornwall

Paul Baker, who works in financial services, said he has three large trees clustered directly in front of his home, two moved from their original position.

He said: 'This planning application is seriously detrimental to my property. There appears to be no reason for the developer or the Duchy to move these two trees.

'I have checked with Dorset Highways, and they have confirmed that there is no reason these two trees needed to be moved from the original planting plan positions.

'These three trees clustered together on the new planting plan seem well beyond any measure of reasonability when considering the house is a small semi-detached house with single aspect windows which will be entirely blocked by these trees.

'Plus, in time the property will be totally concealed top to bottom by the three trees.'

A spokesperson for the Duchy said: 'Following approval and as part of ongoing work with the Dorset Council Highways department, a retrospective minor amendment to the planning consent was submitted and the trees were established within the 2024/2025 planting season.

'The bird cherry trees were selected as appropriate for the location to meet Highway department requirements and species resilience.'

They said they had responded to residents' most recent communication.
The grandmother of missing boy Gus Lamont has waved a pump-action shotgun at a Daily Mail reporter who enquired about the ongoing search for her grandson.

Senior reporter Jonica Bray arrived at the remote property near Yunta, on the sweeping Outback plains of South Australia, on Thursday to ask the family if they wanted to share their story.

Ms Bray had offered her condolences to Gus's other grandmother Shannon Murray, who declined to comment, and was leaving the property when the weapon was pulled on her.

As the reporter walked back to her vehicle, Josie Murray appeared from the far side of the house clutching the firearm in one hand and a bullet case in the other.

'Who are you?' she demanded, brandishing the weapon.

Josie's wife Shannon explained she had the situation under control, however, when Ms Bray appropriately identified herself, Josie appeared to become enraged and waved the gun around.

'Get out! You are trespassing, get out, get out,' she yelled. 'Are you deaf? Get out!'

Ms Bray replied that she 'was leaving' already.

'Shut your face and get out,' Josie yelled back. Both the reporter and the photographer who accompanied her then left the property.

The grandmother of missing boy Gus Lamont waved a pump-action shotgun at a Daily Mail reporter when she arrived to ask about the search for her grandson

Josie Murray is pictured holding the pump-action shotgun

Police will resume the search at the farm in the remote South Australian Outback on Friday

The altercation happened hours before South Australia Police announced the search for Gus would resume for a third time on Friday.

Despite two previous major search operations involving SAPOL, Air Pol, the ADF and SES, the four-year-old has not been found.

Monday marked one month since he vanished from his grandparents' remote Oak Park sheep station, about 43km south of Yunta.

The only trace of Gus has been a footprint in the red dirt, believed to match the boots he was wearing when he disappeared about 5.30pm while playing in a sandpile under his grandmother's care.

In Friday's search, officers will once again focus on the family's homestead and are preparing to drain the dam, which has already been searched by police dive teams.

'The draining of the dam will enable a comprehensive visual search to be completed, particularly areas with underwater vegetation,' a statement from police read.

'The renewed search of the dam is being undertaken to rule out the possibility Gus may have drowned.

'This follows extensive ground and air searches of the area surrounding the homestead since Gus disappeared.'

Monday marked a month since four-year-old Gus vanished from his grandparents' remote Oak Park sheep station, about 43km south of Yunta

He was last seen playing in a makeshift sandpit on the homestead

Officers will once again focus the search on the family's homestead and are preparing to drain the dam

The dam is about 600metres from the homestead and roughly 4.5metres deep.

Australian Defence Force personnel have also been called in to help.

Two hours away from the Murray's station, Gus's father Joshua Lamont had been living in and renovating a home in Belalie North.

Since Gus went missing, the house appears to have been deserted, with talk of a deepening rift between him and the rest of the Murray family.

'Josh has been banned from the homestead,' one friend told Daily Mail. 'There is a lot of emotions, and things have been said that can't be taken back.'

Mr Lamont's concerned mates have begun doing quiet welfare checks at his house, worried about his mental state.

'We don't know where he is and are worried we are going to find him dead out there,' the friend said.

'He's angry and heartbroken, he will never recover until he knows what happened.'

Unlike the Murrays, those who know Mr Lamont describe him as outspoken and fiery, and not the type to stay silent.

'Things like this can affect people in different ways but Josh speaks his mind and always has,' they said.

Josh Lamont is pictured after his son vanished without a trace

The half-finished house where Mr Lamont had been living sits eerily still

Mr Lamont appears to have abandoned the house he was renovating for his young family

'He is always falling out with people for running his mouth off, so that is what we do not get.'

Mr Lamont, who never lived permanently on the Murray's family farm, was renovating his property for the family to move into before Gus started school.

'I don't think he will ever return now,' the friend said. 'What's the point, you know? All those plans they had together.

'He wants answers, he needs them, or how can he move on?'

It is understood Mr Lamont only found out his child was missing when police woke him up at his Belalie North home, hours after Gus had vanished.

A source said he 'clashed' with Josie and wasn't happy with his children being raised on the station.

The whereabouts of Gus's mother, Jessica Murray, is not clear with locals saying neither she nor her one-year-old son Ronnie have been seen in the area since the devastating events unfolded.

Friends describe Jess as a quiet and highly intelligent woman.

Jessica Murray has been described as quiet and shy

'She actually skipped her final year of high school to go to university,' said one.

'Academically, she's very smart and a high achiever, but she's really shy and hardly talks.'

South Australia Police said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding Gus's disappearance and that they believe the boy had wandered off. Daily Mail does not suggest otherwise.

Grandmother Shannon discovered Gus was gone when she went to call him inside for dinner about 5.30pm. The family reported him missing three hours later.

Shannon was inside the homestead looking after Gus' one-year-old brother Ronnie when the little boy vanished.

It has been reported that Gus's mum Jessica was with Josie looking for lost sheep about 10km from the homestead when Gus disappeared.

A close friend of Shannon and Josie's suggested Gus could have simply wandered off to look for his mum.

'It is very easy to get lost on a station that size,' said the friend.

'Shannon grew up out there and she almost got lost a few years ago.

'Her and Josie were out on motorbikes sorting out the sheep one afternoon and they got separated for a while. She had to turn off her bike to listen out for Josie's to find her way back.

'He's a happy little boy, happy to do his own thing. But when you address him, he gets shy and hides,' they said.
Hurricane Melissa has wreaked devastation across Jamaica, decimating homes and infrastructure and leaving thousands of tourists stranded.

The strongest storm to strike the Caribbean island in modern history, the hurricane sustained winds that peaked at 185 miles (nearly 300 kilometers) per hour while drenching the nation with torrential rain.

Apocalyptic new images show hollowed-out buildings, trees torn over and entire towns leveled by the ferocious top-level storm that unleashed flash flooding and mudslides.

Three-quarters of the island nation had no electricity overnight while many parts of Jamaica's western side are submerged under water.

The category five storm destroyed up to 90 per cent of roofs in the southwest coastal community of Black River, said Prime Minister Andrew Holness, where scores of hospitals, libraries and police stations have been obliterated.

The mammoth hurricane left a trail of destruction throughout the Caribbean, starting in Jamaica on Tuesday afternoon before tearing through Cuba with 150 mph winds and wreaking havoc on Haiti.

By Wednesday night, Melissa had battered the southeast of the Bahamas and is gearing up to pass by Bermuda on Thursday.

At least five people are confirmed to have died in the St Elizabeth area on the southwest coast of Jamaica, while the death toll reached 25 in Haiti on Wednesday night.

An aerial view of destroyed buildings following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica on October 29, 2025

This screen grab from an aerial video shows damaged buildings and structures in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, on October 29, 2025, after Hurricane Melissa tore through the island

Electrical poles are down as a man bikes through the destroyed neighborood of North Street following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, Jamaica on October 29, 2025

In the north coast parish of St. Ann, almost all residents are without power - and many of them woke up without a roof over their heads after Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica, downing trees, utility poles and anything in its path.

Fisherman George 'Larry' Brown of the community of Priory said the morning was quiet on the day of the storm.

'Just a little rain', the 68-year-old recalled.

But by 5.00pm (2200 GMT) on Tuesday, the rain and wind gusts grew heavy and soon, he said, his roof peeled away.

'I just heard a sound, and it just started to tear off,' Brown recalled.

He described Melissa as the worst he's ever experienced.

'Gilbert is no match to this,' Brown said, referring to the 1988 hurricane used by many Jamaicans as a benchmark for devastation.

In fact, Hurricane Melissa tied the 1935 record for the most intense storm ever to make landfall, according to an AFP analysis of meteorological data - on par with the Labor Day Hurricane that devastated the Florida Keys 90 years ago.

A drone view shows streets covered with mud, after Hurricane Melissa passed the Catherine Hall community in Montego Bay, Jamaica, October 29, 2025

A drone view shows streets covered with mud, after Hurricane Melissa passed the Catherine Hall community in Montego Bay, Jamaica, October 29, 2025

Drone view of damaged houses after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, in Lacovia, Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, October 29, 2025

Drone view of damaged houses after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, in Lacovia, Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, October 29, 2025

Brown's neighbor Kayan Davis, a mother of three who said her roof lifted off sometime after 11.00pm (0400 GMT), said she has been left temporarily homeless.

'I have nowhere to sleep... I am going to have to contact the authorities,' Davis said.

Marvin Thomas, another resident of Priory, suffered the same fate when a tree fell on his home around 8.00pm (0100 GMT).

'The tree dropped... and the housetop started to demolish,' he said. 'I had to run out and go to a friend's home.'

Thomas, a 40 year-old janitorial services worker, said the challenge of finding money to begin picking up the pieces is daunting.

'You know money is not at one place, I have to go out there to hunt now, to try to rebuild up myself.'

There were similar stories in the neighboring parish of Trelawny.

'What we had was high rising of water and then it started to take the membrane off my roof and it damaged my fence as well,' Sandra Scott, a security supervisor, said of her home in the community of Salt Marsh.

A drone view shows people surveying flood damage, after Hurricane Melissa passed the Catherine Hall community in Montego Bay, Jamaica, October 29, 2025

Brown's neighbor Kayan Davis, a mother of three who said her roof lifted off sometime after 11.00pm (0400 GMT), said she has been left temporarily homeless

Drone view of damaged houses after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, in Lacovia, Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, October 29, 2025

'We had to use sandbags and sheets to prevent the water from coming in,' she explained.

The hurricane also brought extensive damage to infrastructure across Trelawny, including William Knibb High School, the alma mater of legendary Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt, according to parish police chief Velonique Campbell.

Campbell and a team of 30 officers were seen with machetes and chainsaws clearing blocked roadways across the parish.

'We noticed that quite a few trees have been displaced in the main road and we wanted to ensure that the main road is kept clear as there will be aid and other supplies coming in,' she said.

South of St. Ann, in the town of Bog Walk, bar owner Maureen Samuels breathed a sigh of relief after a large tree fell just inches away from her establishment.

'I came here this morning and saw what happened, thanks be to God the bar wasn't damaged,' she said.

Others from the community weren't as lucky, she said, noting that the nearby Rio Cobre overflowed and damaged some properties, including her friend's hog farm.

'We have been affected badly,' she said.

Hurricane Melissa has wreaked devastation across Jamaica, decimating homes and infrastructure and leaving thousands of tourists stranded

The strongest storm to strike the Caribbean island in modern history, the hurricane sustained winds that peaked at 185 miles (nearly 300 kilometers) per hour while drenching the nation with torrential rain

Apocalyptic new images show hollowed-out buildings, trees torn over and entire towns leveled by the ferocious top-level storm that unleashed flash flooding and mudslides

People across the northern Caribbean were digging out from the destruction of Hurricane Melissa on Thursday as deaths from the catastrophic storm climbed.

The rumble of large machinery, whine of chainsaws and chopping of machetes echoed throughout southeast Jamaica as government workers and residents began clearing roads in a push to reach isolated communities that sustained a direct hit from one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record.

Stunned residents wandered about, some staring at their roofless homes and waterlogged belongings strewn around them.

'I don't have a house now,' said a distressed Sylvester Guthrie, a resident of Lacovia in the southern parish of St. Elizabeth, as he held onto his bicycle, the only possession of value left after the storm.

'I have land in another location that I can build back but I am going to need help,' the sanitation worker pleaded.

Emergency relief flights began landing at Jamaica's main international airport, which reopened late Wednesday, as crews distributed water, food and other basic supplies.

'The devastation is enormous,' Jamaican Transportation Minister Daryl Vaz said.

Some Jamaicans wondered where they would live.

Drone view of damaged houses after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, in Lacovia, Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, October 29, 2025

An aerial view of the destroyed Black River Market following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica on October 29, 2025

In southwestern Jamaica, the parish of St. Elizabeth was left 'underwater,' an official said, with more than 500,000 residents without power, and Black River - the capital -was left unrecognisable.

'The reports that we have had so far would include damage to hospitals, significant damage to residential property, housing and commercial property as well, and damage to our road infrastructure,' Prime Minister Holness said on CNN after the storm had passed.

'Black River is what you would describe as ground zero,' he added. 'The people are still coming to grips with the destruction.'

'I am now homeless, but I have to be hopeful because I have life,' said Sheryl Smith, who lost the roof of her home.

Authorities said they have found at least four bodies in southwest Jamaica.

More than 25,000 people remained crowded into shelters across the western half of Jamaica, with 77 per cent of the island without power.

Melissa also unleashed catastrophic flooding in Haiti, where at least 25 people were reported killed and 18 others missing, mostly in the country's southern region.

Steven Guadard, who lives in Petit-Goave, said Melissa killed his entire family.

'I had four children at home: a 1-month-old baby, a 7-year-old, an 8-year-old and another who was about to turn 4,' he said.

Haiti's Civil Protection Agency said Hurricane Melissa killed at least 20 people in Petit-Goave, including 10 children. It also damaged more than 160 homes and destroyed 80 others.

One set of before and after images from Black River, St Elizabeth, showed the near unrecognisable coastline and landscape after the hurricane tore through

Hurricane Melissa bore down on the Bahamas October 29 after cutting a path of destruction through the Caribbean, leaving 30 people dead or missing in Haiti and parts of Jamaica and Cuba in ruins

Somewhat weakened but still threatening, Melissa will bring damaging winds and flooding rains to the Bahamas Wednesday before moving on to Bermuda late Thursday, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC)

Authorities said they have found at least four bodies in southwest Jamaica

Officials warned that 152 disabled people in Haiti's southern region required emergency food assistance. More than 11,600 people remained sheltered in Haiti because of the storm.

Meanwhile, in Cuba, people began to clear blocked roads and highways with heavy equipment and even enlisted the help of the military, which rescued people trapped in isolated communities and at risk from landslides.

No fatalities were reported after the Civil Defense evacuated more than 735,000 people across eastern Cuba. They slowly were starting to return home.

'We are cleaning the streets, clearing the way,' said Yaima Almenares, a physical education teacher from the city of Santiago, as she and other neighbors swept branches and debris from sidewalks and avenues, cutting down fallen tree trunks and removing accumulated trash.

In the more rural areas outside the city of Santiago de Cuba, water remained accumulated in vulnerable homes on Wednesday night as residents returned from their shelters to save beds, mattresses, chairs, tables and fans they had elevated ahead of the storm.

A televised Civil Defense meeting chaired by President Miguel Diaz-Canel did not provide an official estimate of the damage. However, officials from the affected provinces - Santiago, Granma, Holguin, Guantanamo, and Las Tunas - reported losses of roofs, power lines, fiber optic telecommunications cables, cut roads, isolated communities and losses of banana, cassava and coffee plantations.

Officials said the rains were beneficial for the reservoirs and for easing a severe drought in eastern Cuba.

Many communities were still without electricity, internet and telephone service due to downed transformers and power lines.

When Melissa came ashore in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with top winds of 185 mph (295 kph) on Tuesday, it tied strength records for Atlantic hurricanes making landfall, both in wind speed and barometric pressure. It was still a Category 3 hurricane when it made landfall again in eastern Cuba early Wednesday.

Hurricane Melissa ripped up trees and knocked out power after making landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025 as one of the most powerful hurricanes on record, inundating the island nation with rains that threaten flash floods and landslides

A hurricane warning remained in effect early Thursday for the southeastern and central Bahamas and for Bermuda.

Hurricane conditions were expected to continue through the morning in the southeastern Bahamas, where dozens of people were evacuated.

Melissa was a Category 2 storm with top sustained winds near 100 mph (155 kph) early Thursday and was moving north-northeast at 21 mph (33 kph) according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The hurricane was centered about 145 miles (235 kilometers) northeast of the central Bahamas and about 755 miles (1,215 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda.

Melissa was forecast to pass near or to the west of Bermuda late Thursday and may strengthen further before weakening Friday.
Almost 100,000 fighting-age men have fled Ukraine in the last two months after President Volodymyr Zelensky relaxed the rules to allow young men to leave the country.

Poland's border guard said 99,000 Ukrainian men aged 18 to 22 have crossed the border since August.

The new rules mean men between the ages of 18 and 22 are no longer barred from leaving Ukraine.

Previously, men between 18 and 60 had been obliged to stay by law since the onset of the war.

The martial law was introduced to ensure the army had enough manpower to defend the country against Russia's onslaught.

The migration wave to Poland is a huge jump from the 45,300 who entered Poland in the half a year before August.

Many continue to Germany, piling pressure on Friedrich Merz, the chancellor, to slash support for refugees.

Kyiv guards its official death toll, but estimates by US officials range from 60,000 to 100,000 troops killed

The conscription age in Ukraine is now 25 to 60 years old, having been reduced from 27 last year

The previous policy included men who are exempt from conscription due to medical conditions, disabilities and being the primary caregiver for a vulnerable family member.

The draft age is currently 25 to 60 years old, having been reduced from 27 in April 2024.

Kyiv guards its official death toll, but estimates made by US officials range from 60,000 to 100,000 troops killed since 2022.

Ukraine is scrambling to replace its troops as the war rages through its third year.

For perspective, the entire British army has 70,000 personnel.

The new policy was introduced partly to discourage families from sending their teenage boys abroad before their 18th birthday.

Kyiv hopes that by granting youngsters more freedom, they will return and volunteer to fight for their country later on in the war effort.

However, young Ukrainian men are fleeing to Europe at a time when tensions surrounding migration are high.

Families had been sending their teenage boys overseas before their 18th birthday, when they would be barred from leaving Ukraine

Germany, known for its relaxed immigration rules, is under pressure to crack down on the rising number of Ukrainians.

The number of Ukrainian men aged 18 to 22 arriving each week jumped from 19 to more than 1,000 by the middle of September.

By October, it had grown to between 1,400 and 1,800 per week, BR24, a Bavarian news outlet, reported.

The far right has called for Berlin to suspend aid payments to Ukrainian refugees and halt military support for Zelensky.

Jurgen Hardt, the right-wing CDU partys foreign affairs foreign policy chief, told Politico: 'We have no interest in young Ukrainian men spending their time in Germany instead of defending their country. Ukraine makes its own decisions, but the recent change in the law has led to a trend of emigration that we must address.'
Rachel Reeves could be forced to hand back tens of thousands of pounds to tenants after renting out her family home without a licence - with Tories calling for her to be prosecuted.

The Chancellor is struggling to contain a furious backlash over the blunder uncovered by the Daily Mail, despite Keir Starmer desperately trying to prop her up.

Ms Reeves failed to obtain a landlord licence when she placed the property in Dulwich, south London, on the rental market last year as she moved into 11 Downing Street.

Southwark Council has vowed to crack down on unlicensed letting, with its website advising tenants that they can get money back.

It appears that could be up to 38,000 in the case of Ms Reeves - who has enthusiastically backed similar landlord licences in her own Leeds constituency.

But despite previous cases going to court, Sir Keir insisted the matter is closed within hours of the news breaking.

He said further investigation is 'not necessary' after receiving an apology from Ms Reeves and consulting his independent ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus.

Downing Street declined to say whether she had broken the ministerial code during a bad-tempered briefing with political journalists today, but denied there had been a 'stitch-up' to avoid panicking the markets.

Ms Reeves was ruthlessly mocked for the blunder in an AI-generated video branding her a 'rent queen' this morning - reminiscent of memes about Angela Rayner's failure to pay stamp duty.

The Chancellor - who is less than a month from delivering a Budget that could seal the fate of the Labour government - suggested that the letting agent had not advised her of the need for a licence.

In a round of broadcast interviews, shadow chancellor Mel Stride warned that Ms Reeves' position is 'untenable'.

Rachel Reeves failed to obtain a rental licence when she placed her family home in Dulwich (pictured) on the rental market last year as she moved with her family into Number 11 Downing Street

Ms Reeves was ruthlessly mocked for the failure in an AI-generated video branding her a 'rent queen' this morning

The Chancellor put her four-bedroom detached house on the market for 3,200 a month last year, and her register of interests states she has received rental income since September 2024

As recently as this month Ms Reeves was posting on X backing letting licences in her own Leeds constituency

Southwark Council has vowed to crack down on unlicensed letting, with its website advising tenants that they can get money back

Ms Reeves put her four-bedroom detached house on the market for 3,200 a month last year, and her register of interests states she has received rental income since September 2024.

Southwark Council, the local authority, requires that private landlords in certain areas  including the one where her house is located  obtain a 'selective' licence to rent out their property.

But last night she admitted that she was unaware of the licensing requirement and, following inquiries by the Daily Mail, applied for the licence.

After the story was broken on this website, a spokesman for Ms Reeves said: 'Since becoming Chancellor Rachel Reeves has rented out her family home through a lettings agency.

'She had not been made aware of the licensing requirement, but as soon as it was brought to her attention she took immediate action and has applied for the licence.

'This was an inadvertent mistake and in the spirit of transparency she has made the Prime Minister, the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards aware.'

The yield on 10-year gilts - a key element of government borrowing - nudged upwards this morning in an indication of jitters on markets.

The quick response by Downing Street looked to be partly an effort to dampen concerns about Ms Reeves' fate.

As recently as last week the Chancellor was posting on X backing letting licences in her own Leeds constituency.

'I welcome Leeds City Council's decision to expand their selective landlord licencing policy to include the Armley area,' she wrote on October 20.

'While many private landlords operate in the right way, we know that lots of private tenants in Armley face problems with poorly maintained housing.

'This scheme means private landlords in the area will be required by law to obtain a licence for any residential property they are seeking to let and must meet certain standards to ensure the property is safe and in a decent state of repair.'

Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride told Sky News Sir Keir was attempting to 'put this whole thing to bed with a quick exchange of letters'.

'This was a prime minister who, when he came into office on the steps of Downing Street, talked about restoring the dignity and integrity of government  and if he's to stand by his word, then I think he should be concluding her position is untenable,' Sir Mel said.

He added: 'It seems to me, not at all unreasonable to simply ask that there's a proper investigation to have a look at all the aspects of this matter.'

The yield on 10-year gilts - a key element of government borrowing - nudged upwards this morning in an indication of jitters on markets

Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said: 'Labour-run Southwark Council boasts of 'cracking down on' and having a 'zero tolerance approach to rogue landlords' and have prosecuted landlords for renting unlicensed properties.

'Rachel Reeves has made thousands from renting without following the licensing laws. Southwark Council must now take action on Rachel Reeves and prosecute her.'

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the revelations were 'very serious'.

'If the Chancellor, who has spent months floating punishing tax hikes on family homes, has at the same time seemingly been profiting from illegally renting out her house, that would make her position extremely tenuous,' she said,

'The Prime Minister must launch a full investigation. He once said 'lawmakers can't be lawbreakers'.

'If, as it appears, the Chancellor has broken the law, then he will have to show he has the backbone to act.'

Touring broadcast studios, policing minister Sarah Jones was asked if Ms Reeves should resign.

'No, she shouldn't,' she told Times Radio.

'She after the election, of course, moved into 11 Downing Street, as chancellors do. She has a family home in Southwark that she rented out through a letting agency. Now, Southwark Council has what's called a selective licensing scheme.

'Some boroughs have them, some don't  The Chancellor wasn't aware that she had to apply for this selective licence. As soon as she became aware, she rectified the situation.

'She applied for that licence, and she told the Prime Minister, and she told the independent adviser on standards.'

It is understood Ms Reeves used an external lettings agency to rent out the house, and she did not receive any advice that a rental licence was required.

She took immediate action following the Daily Mail's inquiries, and an application for the licence was submitted yesterday.

Southwark Council, like many other local authorities, requires that private landlords in certain areas obtain a 'selective' licence.

This has applied to most private residential properties rented to single families or unrelated tenants in the borough since November 2023.

There are few exemptions to requiring this type of licence  including if the property already has an HMO (house in multiple occupation) licence, is used as a holiday let or for religious purposes, or if the owner also resides in the property as their main home.

It is not thought that any of these apply to Ms Reeves.

Southwark Council said the licences were brought in to 'improve safety, security and quality for people living in private rented homes'.

They cost 900 and landlords must submit documents proving their property is fit for purpose, including gas, electrical and fire safety certificates, floor plans and tenancy agreements.

Failing to obtain a licence when required is a criminal offence and can be punishable with an unlimited fine on prosecution, a fine of 30,000 as an alternative to prosecution, or the landlord could be ordered to pay back up to 12 months' rent.

Experts say the added red tape, alongside other requirements to be brought in under the Renters' Rights Bill, is forcing some smaller landlords out of the sector.

The inside of the property is pictured. Failing to obtain a licence when required is a criminal offence

Local estate agents said many landlords were not aware they needed a licence, particularly if they had been renting out properties before it became a requirement.

But some raised questions over how Ms Reeves could not have known, given that it appears she began renting out her property after the changes were brought in.

Southwark Council says it 'employs resources to find unlicensed properties and may apply an enhanced application fee to cover the additional costs incurred in having to find the unlicensed property'.

Landlords have already lashed out at the Chancellor after she raised stamp duty on buy-to-let homes from 3 per cent to 5 per cent in her first Budget.
A maternity hospital massacre in Sudan has left 460 people dead just days after a 48-hour killing spree saw more than 2,000 civilians executed by paramilitary rebels.

The World Health Organisation said the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher, the city's last remaining hospital, was on Sunday 'attacked for the fourth time in a month, killing one nurse and injuring three other health workers'.

Two days later, 'six health workers, four doctors, a nurse and a pharmacist, were abducted' and 'more than 460 patients and their companions were reportedly shot and killed in the hospital,' by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, the organisation said.

Footage purportedly capturing the aftermath of the hospital massacre showed bodies scattered across the floor among debris and broken equipment.

'I was performing surgery in the hospital when heavy shelling occurred. A mortar hit the hospital. I was so worried because the woman's wounds were open, and everyone was running around me,' Dr Suhiba, a gynaecologist, told UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency.

The northeast African nation was plunged into a deadly conflict in mid-April 2023, when long-simmering tensions about the future of the country between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the head of the paramilitary rebel group erupted.

Following the most recent incident, allies of the army, the Joint Forces, said on Tuesday that the RSF 'committed heinous crimes against innocent civilians, where more than 2,000 unarmed citizens were executed and killed on October 26 and 27, most of them women, children and the elderly'.

The World Health Organisation said the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher, the city's last remaining hospital, was on Sunday 'attacked for the fourth time in a month, killing one nurse and injuring three other health workers'

Footage purportedly showing the aftermath of the massacre captured bodies scattered across the floor amid debris

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The total death toll could not immediately be confirmed, but shocking satellite images taken after the fall of El Fasher showed evidence of the mass killings.

Body-sized objects were seen in satellite images clustered around vehicles and nearby an RSF sand berm built around the city. There were reports of civilians being gunned down as they attempted to break out and flee the bloodshed.

Analysis by the Yale School of Public Health Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL), which has been tracking the siege using open source images and satellite imagery, found clusters of objects 'consistent with the size of human bodies' and 'reddish ground discolouration' thought to be either blood or disturbed soil.

A video released by local activists and authenticated by AFP on Tuesday showed a fighter known for executing civilians in RSF-controlled areas shooting a group of unarmed civilians sitting on the ground at point-blank range.

Another video purportedly showed a child soldier murdering a grown man in cold blood, while one other clip showed RSF fighters executing civilians just moments after pretending to release them.

A report published on Monday said the actions of the RSF 'may be consistent with war crimes and crimes against humanity and may rise to the level of genocide'.

Mohammad Hamdan Daglo, the head of the RSF has vowed the country would be unified by 'peace or through war'.

The capture of El-Fasher, the last army holdout in the vast western region of Darfur, comes after more than 18 months of brutal siege, sparking fears of a return to the ethnically targeted atrocities of 20 years ago.

UN chief Antonio Guterres called for an immediate end to military escalation in Sudan on Thursday after reports of the maternity hospital atrocity.

Guterres said in a statement he was 'gravely concerned by the recent military escalation' in El-Fasher, calling for 'an immediate end to the siege & hostilities'.

International powers have struggled for months to mediate an end to the fighting between the paramilitaries and the regular army, raging since April 2023.

Daglo's paramilitaries now control most of western Sudan, Africa's third-largest country, while the regular army under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan dominates the north, east and centre.

Satellite images have revealed the tragic aftermath of a 48-hour massacre in Sudan which saw over 2,000 civilians executed by paramilitary rebels

Bodies and blood: The sand around the western city of El Fasher is now stained red with pools of blood so thick they can be seen from space

While the army regained full control over the capital Khartoum in March, the RSF has set up a parallel administration in the southwestern city of Nyala.

Analysts warn that the country is now de facto partitioned and may prove very hard to piece back together.

Daglo said in a speech Wednesday that he was 'sorry for the inhabitants of El-Fasher for the disaster that has befallen them' and that civilians were off limits.

The RSF - descended from Janjaweed militias that attacked non-Arab communities in Darfur two decades ago - has again been accused of carrying out ethnic genocide against civilians, with graphic videos circulating on social media.

Sudanese Arabs are the dominant ethnic group in the country, but the majority in Darfur are from non-Arab communities such as the Fur people.

The seizing of El-Fasher has left the RSF in control of a third of Sudan, with fighting now concentrated in the central Kordofan region.

On Tuesday, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported five Sudanese volunteers killed and three missing in Bara, a city in Kordofan captured by the RSF last week.

More than 33,000 people have fled El-Fasher since Sunday for the town of Tawila, about 40 miles to the west, which has already welcomed more than 650,000 displaced people.

AFP images from Tawila showed displaced people, some of them with bandages, carrying their belongings and setting up temporary shelters.

Around 177,000 people remain in El-Fasher, which had a population of more than one million before the war.

Access routes to El-Fasher and satellite-based communications in the city remain cut off - though not for the RSF, which controls the Starlink network there.

Sudan's war has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced millions and triggered the world's largest displacement and hunger crisis.

Fighting exploded in the capital Khartoum but rapidly spread, where it is now estimated that at least 150,000 people have been killed, including many civilians.

RSF fighters holding weapons and celebrating in the streets of El-Fasher in Sudan's Darfur

Screen grab shows a gunman pointing his weapon at unarmed civilians

The civil war has forced more than 14 million people to flee their homes and left some families eating grass in a desperate attempt to survive as famine swept parts of the country.

An investigation by Amnesty International suggests that RSF rebels have waged a calculated campaign of sexual violence against defenceless civilians, using rape, murder and torture to terrorise, demoralise and subjugate the population living in areas they seized.

The army, which has been fighting the RSF for two-and-a-half years, has also been accused of war crimes.

The so-called Quad group - comprising the United States, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia - held talks over several months towards securing a truce.

But those talks have reached an impasse, an official close to the negotiations said, with 'continued obstructionism' from the army-aligned government.

While diplomats have preached peace, outside powers, including Quad members, have been accused of interfering in the conflict.
A five-year-old girl has sadly died after being hit by a car while riding a scooter outside a school in Sydney's north-west.

Emergency services were called to Clower Avenue in Rouse Hill following reports a pedestrian had been hit by a car shortly before 4pm on Thursday.

Officers were told the five-year-old girl had been riding a scooter on the footpath before she was hit by a ute. The incident unfolded near to Rouse Hill Public School.

Paramedics treated the girl at the scene before she was rushed to Westmead Children's Hospital in critical condition.

A five-year-old girl was hospitalised in critical condition after being hit by a ute in Rouse Hill on Thursday afternoon. Police are pictured at the scene

Emergency services were called to scene shortly before 4pm on Thursday

Police have established a crime scene at the site as investigations continue

The driver of the ute, a 43-year-old man, was taken to Westmead Hospital for mandatory testing.

A crime scene has been established and police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Both the ute and the scooter have been seized for forensic examination.

Anyone with information or dash cam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Gordon Ramsay's restaurant empire has axed nearly 200 jobs after recording a loss of 13.2 million over last year.

The celebrity chef, 58, has been hit with a financial blow after being forced to slash staff numbers from Gordon Ramsay Restaurants 1,344 to 1,168 between 2023 and 2024.

It is the highest number of roles cut by Ramsey, who first rose to fame in 1999 after appearing on Boiling Point, since the pandemic when staff figures plummeted by 292.

Most of the roles cut in 2024 by the Hell's Kitchen chef were in the restaurants themselves, and comes shortly after he confirmed he would be axing front-of-house staff in his casual dining venues due to rising costs.

Ramsay, who has a net worth of an estimated 167,250,500, previously told the Evening Standard: 'The generation now don't want to talk and order.'

Elsewhere, the business blamed a 'persistently challenging and macroeconomic environment' boiling its poor economic outlook down to rising energy and wage costs.

Increased to minimum wages as well as National Insurance rates ushered in by Chancellor Rachel Reeves budget in 2024 are also believed to have pilled further pressure on the hospitality sector as a whole, industry experts say.

Gordon Ramsay's restaurant empire has cut nearly 200 jobs after recording a loss of 13.2 million last year (Pictured: Ramsay at his Lucky Cat venue in 22 Bishopsgate)

Last year saw Ramsay cut the highest number of roles since the pandemic, when staff numbers fell by 292

The vast majority of the roles lost in 2024 were in the restaurants themselves (Pictured: Gordon Ramsay Street Burger restaurant in Kensington, which has since closed)

UKHospitality estimated the last Budget brought 3.4 billion of extra costs to hospitality venues including restaurants, with around 70 percent said plans to cut roles as a knock-on effect.

But it's not just in Ramsay's high street chains that are paying the price, as the outlook for his fine dining outlets is also grim.

At his Michelin-starred restaurant, Petrus, diners are paying an extra 35 compared to 2023 for Christmas dinner - taking the total to an eye-watering 325 per person.

Harrods has also cut ties with the chef's restaurant chains, while his Gordon Ramsay Burger chain, which boasts 85 wagyu beef burgers on the menu, is set to close its doors on Jan 11.

And although Ramsay's restaurant group say revenues rise from 95.6m to 133.9m in 2024, it was not enough to prevent massive losses.

Yet despite the bleak outlook for his firm on British shores, the chef is planning to launch in Spain, Saudi Arabia and India, with a branch expected to open in Riyadh later this year.

And the 58-year-old already has international venues in countries such as South Korea, Thailand and China, and has also partnered to provide luxury catering for Formula 1.

Elsewhere in the capital city, where he shares a 7.5million pad in south-west London with his wife Tana, Ramsay also plans to open a new Bread Street Kitchen & Bar in Bishopsgate during the first half of 2026.

And although the recent figures may not be the brightest of financial figures for the famously furious chef, Ramsay's restaurants make up just one aspect of his business portfolio.

His television production company behind shows including Gordon's Food Stars and Next Level Chef, made a 7.1 million profit last year from revenues of 60.6 million.

Andy Wenlock, chief executive of Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, said: 'As an ambitious business, we will continue expanding our popular brands across the UK and globally, in particular via the franchise market in the USA for our quick service brands  Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips, Street Pizza, and Street Burger.

'While the economic backdrop features some uncertainty and challenge, we are unafraid to be entrepreneurial.'

As of May 2025, the renowned chef owns properties across west London, Cornwall as well as Los Angeles, amounting to a staggering 16.5million property portfolio.

He and his wife Tana share six children, Megan, 27, twins Jack and Holly, 25, Tilly, 23, and also to Oscar, six and baby Jesse, one - and have also struck up an unlikely friendship with the Beckham clan which has spanned over two decades.

However, it hasn't been all sunshine and holidays with David and Victoria for the Ramsay's as in September their Los Angeles home was targeted by pranksters for the second time in five months, resulting in another visit from armed police.

Ramsay had previously fallen prey to a swatting scam in April, with LAPD officers responding to erroneous claims that a gunman had opened fire in the grounds of his sprawling Bel Air home.

A 911 call was placed at 8.00am on September 23 from an individual claiming Ramsay had shot his brother and nephew and was armed with a Revolver.

The unnamed caller also claimed the 58-year-old - whose younger brother Ronnie has battled drug addiction - was under the influence of heroin and refusing to leave the property.

Officers were dispatched to the scene and soon discovered it was another swatting scam after speaking with the celebrity chef's personal assistant, TMZ report.

It's understood that Ramsay was overseas at the time was unaware of the fiasco unfolding outside his residence.
A British tourist has been found dead on a small Belize island just a day after checking into his hotel.

The 52-year-old man had travelled on Monday to Caye Caulker for a dream holiday, but just a day after checking into the Casa Vista Hotel, he was found dead with injuries.

According to local reports, several neighbours in the accommodation 'heard a thud' on the ground near the hotel and rushed to check on the holidaymaker.

Upon being discovered unconscious, he was taken to the Caye Caulker Health Center, but tragically he succumbed to his injuries later on in the evening.

Local police have now launched a probe into his death and the mysterious circumstances surrounding it.

Officer Stacy Smith said in a statement: 'On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, police officers attached to the Caye Caulker formation visited the Caye Caulker Health Clinic as a consequence of a report made off an unconscious male person therein.

'(He) succumbed to injuries that were observed on his body later on that evening.

'What we have been able to ascertain so far is that several persons were in the area when they would have heard a sound.

The 52-year-old man had travelled on Monday to Caye Caulker for a dream holiday, but just a day after checking into the Casa Vista Hotel, he was found dead with injuries (file image of Caye Caulker)

'And upon making inquiry, they wouldve observed (him) on the ground and he was subsequently rushed to the clinic for treatment'.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Foreign Office for comment.

It comes after a British man was found dead off the coast of Malta on Tuesday, just two days after his 11-year-old son drowned while the pair were swimming during a family holiday.

The 37-year-old's body was discovered following an extensive search operation involving Maltese police, the armed forces and local rescue teams.

His son had been pulled from the water earlier in the week after getting into difficulty while swimming at Ramla Bay.

The mother of the boy was on the beach with her two other younger children when her son drowned and her husband went missing on Monday.
Fears are mounting that Rachel Reeves will deal another hammer blow to the economy by piling on taxes at the Budget.

The Chancellor could effectively torch the Labour manifesto as analysts warn that she needs to fill a black hole in the public finances of up to 50billion.

Keir Starmer pointedly refused to rule out increases to income tax, national insurance and VAT at PMQs yesterday.

He dodged questions on whether the freeze on the personal tax allowance threshold could be extended - which would put rocket boosters on an income tax raid by dragging workers deeper into the system.

One proposal put to the Treasury has been a 2p increase in income tax, which could be combined with a 2p cut in employee NICs.

That would fulfil Ms Reeves' pledges of hitting the 'wealthy' due to the ceiling on NICs, as well as punishing pensioners who do are not subject to the social levy.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves could effectively torch the Labour manifesto as analysts warn that she needs to fill a black hole in the public finances of up to 50billion

One proposal put to the Treasury has been a 2p increase in income tax, which could be combined with a 2p cut in employee NICs

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It would be the first increase in the main rate of income tax since 1975.

However, the estimated 6billion raised would almost certainly not be enough to balance the books, reeling from rising borrowing costs and U-turns on policies such as welfare reform.

Ms Reeves' woes have been deepened by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) watchdog signalling it intends to downgrade long-term productivity forecasts. The rumoured 0.3 percentage point reduction could inflict a 20billion deterioration in the Treasury's position by the end of the decade.

The government confirmed overnight that the Timms review into Personal Independence Payment will not report until next Autumn - meaning no chance of reforms to cut costs before then.

Pensions, property and landlords could also be in the firing line to raise money  with a 'mansion tax' among the ideas being mooted.

Treasury insiders say the Chancellor appears to be leaning away from 'radical' changes, such as replacing council tax or stamp duty. Instead there are likely to be tweaks at the edges to help raise the huge sums required.

The OBR delivers its final 'pre-measures' forecasts to the Treasury tomorrow. It will not start costing any of the government's proposals until November 10, meaning decisions are still some way off.

At a Tory rally in central London this morning, Kemi Badenoch raised alarm about the impact on the economy. 'If you want more of something you don't tax it,' she said.

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Mrs Badenoch added of Ms Reeves: 'If she cannot get a grip on controlling spending then you sack her.'

During PMQs yesterday, Sir Keir failed to repeat his mantra that the promise made to voters at last year's election still 'stands'.

After her 41billion tax grab Budget a year ago, the Chancellor promised she would not be 'coming back with more borrowing or more taxes'.

That was the biggest tax-raising Budget on record, according to the OBR database of costings.

Anything on that scale next month would mean she has announced more tax rises than Gordon Brown did during a decade in No11.
An inmate has been charged with murder after a convicted killer had his head smashed with a weight in a prison gym.

John Mansfield, who was jailed for life in 2007 for the drug-fuelled murder of his neighbour Ann Alfanso, died following the attack at around 4pm on April 13 this year.

Prison sources previously told the Mail he had been struck on the head with a weight in the fitness centre at HMP Whitemoor, near March in Cambridgeshire.

A post-mortem conducted at Addenbrooke's Hospital he died of a head injury.

Mansfield, described by a judge as a 'violent and very dangerous man', had been detained within the high-security prison's close supervision centre (CSC).

Prison watchdog the HMIP describes CSCs as the 'deepest form of custody in the country' reserved for the 'most dangerous' criminals.

Following an investigation by Cambridgeshire Constabulary Nathaniel Reece, 44, formerly of Islington in London, has been charged with Mansfield's murder.

He will appear via video link at Cambridge Magistrates' Court on November 20 and remains in custody.

Convicted murderer John Mansfield died in April this year after his head was allegedly smashed with a gym weight

Nathaniel Reece (pictured), formerly of Islington in London, has been charged with murdering Mansfield on April 13

Mansfield was an inmate of Whitemoor Prison in Cambridgeshire (pictured)

Mansfield was convicted of murdering Ann Alfonso, his neighbour, whom he stabbed to death in 2006

Mansfield was locked up after stabbing his neighbour dozens of times in a frenzied attack at her home in Whalley Range, Manchester in 2006.

Pathologists found she had been stabbed about 20 times in the head and neck alone, and suffered 97 wounds, bruises and cuts in all during the savage assault.

The killer, who was 63, admitted the attack. Police believe he attacked Ms Alfanso for nothing more than a 'pocketful of change'.

He was known to his neighbour, and had even done shopping for her in the past - but already had scores of convictions to his name before the attack. She was ultimately discovered by her carer.

Mansfield was jailed for life with a minimum term of 30 years - but four years into his sentence at Manchester's Strangeways Prison he attacked a fellow inmate with a chair leg.

And in 2014, he slashed convicted rapist John Orme seven times with a broken plate at HMP Full Sutton near York, in a row over a cooking pot.

He had told the sex attacker 'I have a present for you' before severing his artery. He was given a second life sentence for the attack and told he was now unlikely to be released from prison at all.

Judge Jeremy Richardson told him 11 years ago: 'I have no doubt you are a very dangerous criminal who regards violence as the norm, who has no hesitation but to kill when necessary.

'You killed an old lady. Now you have convictions for two violent offences in prison.

'I have every reason to believe it will never be safe to release you. You are a violent and very dangerous man who poses a considerable threat to the public.'
S. Korean president calls for advancing multilateral cooperation within APEC

Xinhua) 10:51, October 30, 2025

GYEONGJU, South Korea, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday called for efforts to advance multilateral cooperation within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) at a time when protectionism and inward-looking policies are fueling uncertainty across the global economy.

At a time when protectionism and policies focused on national interests are resurging, talk of cooperation, mutual growth and inclusive development may sound hollow, Lee said at the opening ceremony of the APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea.

"Paradoxically, APEC's role as a platform for solidarity will shine brighter in times of crisis like these," he stressed.

Lee said that as the APEC chair for 2025, South Korea aims to lead the path of multilateral cooperation to confront the crises, stressing the need to reinforce supply-chain cooperation and restore trust in the Asia-Pacific region.

He urged deeper collaboration on innovation, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence.

The president also pledged stronger support for younger generations across the region.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Labour has released more than 38,000 criminals from jail early under its soft justice programme.

New figures from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) show 38,042 offenders were let out of prison under the scheme between its launch in September 2024 and the end of June.

The Government introduced extra sentence discounts for the majority of criminals which allow them to be released after serving just 40 per cent of a sentence handed down by a court.

It led to distasteful scenes of lags popping champagne corks outside prison gates in September last year, as some vowed to be life-long Labour voters as a result of being freed early.

The number of prisoners being freed under the scheme is increasing.

June saw 4,358 offenders let out early under the programme, known as 'SDS40', the highest monthly number since October last year when there was an initial surge of backdated releases.

On the first day of Labour's scheme in September 2024, lags released early were seen celebrating outside jails. Pictured: A man celebrates as he is released from HMP Wandsworth

Since the scheme began more than 38,000 prisoners have been freed early by Labour, with monthly numbers on the rise. Pictured: Shabana Mahmood visits HMP Millsike near York earlier this year when she was Justice Secretary

More than 1,000 serious criminals who were sentenced to more than a decade in jail have now been released early by Labour.

The MoJ data showed 346 of those freed so far had been handed sentences of 14 years or more, while 710 had been ordered to serve between 10 and 14 years.

Under Labour's scheme, a criminal given 14 years by a court will serve just five and a half years.

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Those jailed for sex crimes, terrorism and serious violent crimes carrying more than four years in jail are excluded from the early release terms.

But violent offenders sentenced to less than four years can be freed early, including killers convicted of manslaughter.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: 'Under this Government crime pays.

'Already 38,000 offenders have been released early - and soon tens of thousands will avoid prison altogether.

'Criminals will be licking their lips, free to offend and wreck our communities all over again.'

A previous scheme introduced by the former Tory government  letting inmates out up to 70 days early  led to 13,325 offenders being freed over 11 months, less than one third of the rate being let out by Labour.

Shabana Mahmood introduced the programme in September last year when she was Justice Secretary to free up space in the overcrowded jails.

Some freed inmates committed new offences within hours.

A former prisoner celebrates his early release with friends who picked him up in a Lamborghini

Ms Mahmood then drew up new soft-justice measures that could allow even greater sentence discounts, while tens of thousands of other criminals would dodge jail altogether.

For the first time it can be revealed that more than 1,000 convicts sentenced to ten years or more have already been let out, despite the seriousness of their offending and the severity of their punishment. Pictured: HMP Wandsworth

Under the Sentencing Bill, currently going through Parliament, courts will no longer impose jail terms of less than 12 months other than in 'exceptional circumstances'.

Criminals convicted of serious violence or sex offences would be freed after half their term, rather than the current three-quarters point.

Most other offenders could be released after serving just a third of their sentence.

Justice Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood at Labour party conference in Liverpool in September

Ms Mahmood has since been moved to the Home Office where she is responsible for ensuring police are catching criminals, who are then let out of jail by her former department.

The early release scheme is now overseen by Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy.
A British man has been found dead on a Caribbean island with multiple gunshot wounds.

Kernelle O'Flaherty, 26, was holidaying in St Lucia when he was fatally gunned down in Garrand, Babonneau late on Tuesday evening.

Police responded to reports after a body was found on a road at around 10.50pm.

Apparent gunshot wounds were discovered on O'Flaherty, according to a statement from the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF).

He was later pronounced dead at the scene by emergency teams.

O'Flaherty, who had been living in Anguilla, is believed to have been on a trip to Saint Lucia at the time of the alleged attack.

He is originally from London. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding O'Flaherty's death.

A police source said: 'We are urging anyone with information to contact the major crimes unit.

'We would like to know who he was visiting and why was he in the area. We have very little information about the victim.

Kenrelle O'Flaherty, 26, was holidaying in St Lucia when he was fatally gunned down in Garrand, Babonneau late on Tuesday evening (stock image of a beach in Saint Lucia)

'All we know is that he was British and visiting from an island nearby. We need to get to the bottom of this immediately.'

A second shooting also occurred just days earlier, according to local media.

On Sunday, a minibus driver was shot during an alleged robbery attempt in Morne Du Don around 9pm.

The victim remains in a critical condition in hospital.

It comes after earlier this year a British baby boy died in a tragic accident during a family holiday to St Lucia.

Seven-month-old Tommy Taylor-Mclean fell off of a bed on the first day of the trip, East London Coroner's Court has heard.

The tot, from Upminster, Havering, was tragically pronounced dead in a hospital on the island on April 2.

An inquest was opened in Walthamstow on Wednesday, April 9, after his body was repatriated to the UK.

Senior coroner Graeme Irvine said he would ask the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to help obtain key evidence gathered by the authorities in St Lucia.

He told the court: 'I will be very clear. Coroners in England and Wales have legal powers to require evidence from persons and organisations. Regrettably, those powers cease at the borders of England and Wales.

'I have to rely on diplomatic channels to get evidence from foreign jurisdictions.'
Double child killer Colin Pitchfork has lost his bid for freedom after the Parole Board opted to deny his release.

The Board also confirmed it had decided not to recommended Pitchfork, now 65, for open conditions.

Pitchfork was jailed for life with a minimum term of 30 years in 1988, later reduced to 28 years, for raping and strangling 15-year-olds Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth.

Pitchfork, then 27, became the first man to be convicted in the UK using DNA profiling evidence.

But the bakery worker almost got away with the crimes after evading a blood-testing dragnet by persuading a colleague to pose as him.

The murderer was released in 2021 but recalled to prison just weeks later after making multiple approaches to teenage girls.

The Parole Board ruled in December 2023 that Pitchfork should remain behind bars. But the following February his bid to have that decision overturned was granted.

A 'complete re-hearing' was eventually scheduled after Pitchfork argued he had not been given a fair hearing, complaining that comments from his prison offender manager were not taken into account.

Colin Pitchfork pictured on the streets of Bristol after being let out of prison on day release

Lynda Mann was murdered as she took a shortcut home from babysitting in Narborough, Leicestershire, in November 1983

Dawn Ashworth was killed after Pitchfork parked his motorbike and followed her on to a footpath at nearby Enderby

Philip Musson, the uncle of Dawn Ashworth, said he had also been informed by a vicitm liaison officer that the Parole Board had opted to keep Pitchfork inside.

Mr Musson, from Newark, Nottinghamshire, said: 'I'm satisified and relieved at this news because I don't want anybody else to fall victim to Pitchfork.

'The Parole Board must have decided that he posed too great a risk to the general public to be released.'

The parole body's rules stipulate both the prisoner and the Justice Secretary have 21 days to appeal against a ruling on the grounds it is irrational, procedurally unfair, or that there has been an error of law.

Lynda was murdered as she took a shortcut home from babysitting in Narborough, Leicestershire, in November 1983.

Pitchfork saw her pass by and left his baby son asleep in a car to chase Lynda, before raping her and dumping her body. He then drove home and put his son to bed.

Dawn was killed in Enderby, a mile away, in July 1986 after Pitchfork parked his motorbike and followed her on to a footpath.

She was raped and strangled and the pathologist who examined her body described it as a 'brutal sexual assault'.

He was eventually caught after an unprecedented mass screening of 5,000 men using pioneering 'DNA profiling' technology.

At the time of Pitchfork's conviction the then Lord Chief Justice, Lord Lane, said: 'From the point of view of the safety of the public I doubt if he should ever be released.'

Parole papers showed Pitchfork was later suspected of trying to cheat lie detector tests in 2021. The documents said it was believed he was 'seeking to undermine the testing process by controlling his breathing'.

Pitchfork was initially released from prison in September 2021, but was back behind bars two months later after breaching his licence conditions when he approached a lone woman while litter-picking.

Pitchfork's police mugshot - he became the first murderer convicted using DNA evidence

Surveillance revealed he had sidled up to young women - in their later teens and early 20s - on 'multiple' occasions. He approached them 'for no reason' during walks from his bail hostel, sources told the Mail at the time. He was sent back to jail for breaching the terms of his release on licence.

In June 2023 the Parole Board found the decision to recall Pitchfork to prison was flawed and said his detention was no longer necessary for public safety.

But this ruling was blocked by then-justice secretary Alex Chalk as he called for the decision to release Pitchfork to be reviewed.

Pitchfork lost a fresh bid for freedom that December, before successfully challenging the decision to keep him behind bars.

During the December hearing the Parole Board was told that prior to Pitchfork's arrest in 1987 he held 'deviant fantasies', felt entitled to sex where and when he wanted, and enjoyed sexual violence against women.

The board's decision to deny his release was because of a lack of information about Pitchfork's current attitudes towards sex and 'protracted and inconsistent explanations from the killer as to why he was recalled to prison'.

The latest parole hearing was delayed after Pitchfork sought a judicial review over 'ongoing fresh allegations' about his behaviour in prison and the extent of new material in the case that he has been permitted to see.

The Parole Board has previously said that Pitchfork had changed his name by deed poll a number of times since his conviction due to an apparent 'desire to protect his identity given the public reaction to his offences and his potential release'.

Pitchfork was just 22 at the time of the first murder, and married with two sons. He grew up in rural Leicestershire and lived in Littlethorpe, Leicestershire, less than a mile from Narborough.

South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa, who has campigned to keep Pitchfork behind bars, today welcomed the Parole Board's decision to deny the 'brutal' killer's release.

Mr Costa said: 'This news will bring some reassurance to the families of Lynda and Dawn and to the wider public.

'At 65 years old, he still has decades of life ahead of him and the capacity to pose a real risk to the public, that is why I welcome the Parole Board's decision today.

'Their job is to assess risk, and it is obvious to me that the world is a far more dangerous place if Pitchfork is released.'

The Tory MP added: 'Colin Pitchfork will still be able to apply for reconsideration which he has done already, and under the current rules, he can do so repeatedly and at no cost.

'I have consistently made the case to ministers, under both Conservative and Labour government, that the Parole Board's reconsideration mechanism needs reform.

'The rules have allowed Pitchfork repeated and endless applications, this must change. This now lies in the hands of the current Labour government, and I will continue fighting to ensure victims' families are not put through this ordeal time and again.'

The Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board refused the release of Colin Pitchfork following an oral hearing. The panel also refused to recommend a move to open prison.

'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

'Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.

'Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing.

'It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.'
The coat of arms of Henry VIII's most trusted adviser has been discovered nearly 500 years after his death.

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the son of a butcher, rose to become the Tudor monarch's Lord Chancellor in the 1520s.

But he suffered a spectacular fall from grace when he was unable to negotiate an annulment of Henry's marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

He was stripped of his government titles and charged with treason by the King, but died of natural causes in 1530 before a trial.

For nearly 200 years, the Wolsey coat of arms has been hiding in plain sight, hanging in Gwysaney Hall, the North Wales home of the Davies-Cooke family.

It had been presumed that the 23ins by 23ins artifact was a replica produced early in Queen Victoria's reign.

The coat of arms was part of a collection of relics which sold at auction in Berkshire for a combined 17,000 last year.

The vendor took a punt on it as they suspected it might be older than thought.

The coat of arms of Henry VIII's most trusted adviser has been discovered nearly 500 years after his death

Wolsey was depicted by Jonathan Pryce in the BBC's adaptation of Hilary Mantel's novel Wolf Hall and its sequels

They commissioned scientific analysis, which included analysing tree ring sequences, and now believe it was made in 1525.

Historians are hailing the find as 'one of the most exciting Tudor discoveries in a generation'.

Wolsey's coat of arms was granted to him by the College of Arms on August 4, 1525.

It was the high point of the cardinal's career as Lord High Chancellor of England.

The Tudor rose, which is front and centre of the shield, symbolised his loyalty to King Henry VIII.

The red cappello romano (clerical hat) and tassels denoted his rank of cardinal, bestowed on him by Pope Leo X in 1515.

The two Cornish choughs, sometimes called 'beckets', were a nod to Wolsey's namesake, the great English martyr and saint, murdered Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket.

The leopards' faces were taken from the de la Pole Earls and the Dukes of Suffolk, a reference to Wolsey's birthplace of Ipswich, Suffolk.

For nearly 200 years, the Wolsey coat of arms has been hiding in plain sight, hanging in Gwysaney Hall, the North Wales home of the Davies-Cooke family

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the son of a butcher, rose to become the Tudor monarch's Lord Chancellor in the 1520s

Gwysaney Hall (pictured) is the North Wales home of the Davies-Cooke family

The coat of arms has been authenticated by Tudor historian Dr Elizabeth Goldring, who has labelled it an 'exceptional survival'.

It will go on display at West End art gallery Simon Dickinson Ltd before being sold for a fixed price of 250,000 - 15 times what it went for at auction 12 months ago.

A Simon Dickinson spokesperson said: 'For at least 200 years the coat-of-arms have been Gwynsaney Hall in the North Wales home of the Davies-Cooke family.

'Until recent research at Dickinson, they were thought to have been made in Queen Victoria's reign as a historical anachronism.'

According to the National Archives, a Wolsey coat of arms hung in Thomas Cromwell's London mansion at Austin Friars in 1527.

But it had been replaced long before 1540 as Wolsey fell out of favour.

The auctioneers say most Wolsey relics would have been destroyed at that time, adding to the importance of its discovery.

Milo Dickinson, managing director of Simon Dickinson, added: 'This discovery adds to our knowledge of Tudor history.

'It has been extremely rewarding to use a mixture of art historical instinct, scientific analysis, and documentary research to uncover its backstory.

'What was seen as a Victorian anachronism, is now revealed to be an original carving from the 1520s, once likely gracing the walls of one of the great Tudor mansions in the capital.'

The coat of arms goes on sale in the gallery next month.
An Australian father has spoken out after his son was sexually abused by another child at daycare when the two were left unsupervised.

Matthew, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, recalled the day his four-year-old son returned home from childcare with no underwear and blood in his shorts.

'You have so many emotions, anger and sadness and failure,' he told ABC's 7.30.

The broadcaster looked at thousands of industry documents as part of a months-long investigation into abuse in the childcare sector and claimed child-on-child abuse was shockingly prevalent and likely underreported.

In Matthew's case, he and his wife rushed their boy to hospital where doctors confirmed he had suffered a two-centimetre anal tear from being penetrated.

The childcare centre confirmed to the family that another four-year-old boy had assaulted their son.

'We had to pull our kids out immediately because they weren't safe. We send our kids to a childcare centre and you take this gamble and you make this assumption that they're going to be safe and they're going to be okay,' Matthew said.

The family has been unsuccessfully trying to get further answers from the centre for months as to why the children had been left alone.

Devastated father Matthew (pictured) recalled the day he found out his four-year-old son had been abused by another student at child care

Matthew said child-on-child abuse is an 'unspoken horror' plaguing the child care sector

Matthew said the business should have had policies in place that would prevent such an incident form happening and that they had 'dropped the ball'.

'You've got to ask yourself what else is happening?'

Matthew said he attempted to warn other parents at the childcare centre that the business hadn't taken his concerns seriously, and then police visited his home.

The family's doorbell camera captured the conversation between Matthew and the police officers.

In it, an unidentified officer appeared to downplay the seriousness of the incident.

'We have viewed it now and I'm not going to make you guys sound like you're over the top - I know that you're concerned and it's your son - but this is very normal.'

Matthew replied: 'Having my son with a two-centimetre anal tear is normal?'

Recalling the conversation, Matthew said to 'have everything just swept under the rug and the police come in and tell you its normal... there's failures everywhere'.

An ABC investigation has found paperwork detailing more than one hundred instances of child-on-child sexual abuse, the majority occurring at profit-making centres (stock)

Matthew is one of several parents ABC spoke to as part of its inquiries into the often-overlooked problem.

More than 100 childcare centres have reported 118 incidents of 'harmful' child-on-child sexual abuse, NSW regulatory documents reportedly show.

The vast majority of reported cases occurred in centres run by for-profit providers, often involving an element of under-supervision.

Among the worrying incidents reported was a young boy who had sexually assaulted a young girl at knife-point.

There have been calls for major reforms and tighter regulations in the childcare sector across the states and territories after recent highly-publicised cases of abuse.

A NSW parliamentary inquiry is investigating the state's childcare businesses after an earlier ABC investigation exposed widespread safety breaches.

While the Victorian government has released its own 'rapid review' in August after more than 70 charges of child abuse were laid against former Melbourne childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown in July.

The federal government has since given itself broader powers to pull funding from providers who breach quality and safety standards.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said the measure was designed to 'raise standards' rather than 'shut down centres'.

However, many experts have called for more proactive measures to protect against wrongdoing before it occurs.
Rachel Reeves is considering using her Budget next month to scrap the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas, it has emerged.

The Chancellor is said to be mulling the move as she and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer scramble to boost Britain's sluggish economy.

The Energy Profits Levy was introduced in 2022 when firms enjoyed skyrocketing profits following a surge in energy prices after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

At her Budget last year, Ms Reeves extended the levy until at least 2030 and increased the rate by 3 per cent.

But, according to the Financial Times, the Chancellor is considering using her next Budget on 26 November to perform a U-turn and end the windfall tax in March 2029.

The newspaper reported that Ms Reeves is seeking assurances from oil and gas companies that the move would result in new investment and jobs.

Treasury efforts to encourage greater investment in North Sea oil and gas will be seen as another blow to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and his Net Zero agenda.

Sir Keir recently distanced himself from Mr Miliband - who is aiming to decarbonise the UK's electricity grid by 2030 - by saying he wanted to 'double down' on fossil fuel extraction.

Rachel Reeves is considering using her Budget next month to scrap the windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas, it has emerged

Treasury efforts to encourage greater investment in North Sea oil and gas will be seen as another blow to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and his Net Zero agenda

The PM said last week: 'Oil and gas will be part of the mix for many, many years to come.

'I want to double down on that. But also alongside it, we need to take the opportunity for renewables which is a fantastic opportunity for Scotland.'

It came after US President Donald Trump last month urged the PM to ramp up North Sea oil and gas production and 'drill, baby, drill'.

Labour has vowed not to appove new oil and gas licences in the North Sea as part of Mr Miliband's Net Zero push, but also pledged not to revoke existing licences.

Industry body Offshore Energies UK has argued that ending the windfall tax sooner could unlock 40billion of new investment and claimed the current tax regime is costing 1,000 jobs a month.

David Whitehouse, chief executive of Offshore Energies UK, said: 'This is a crucial moment for securing the future of the North Sea and the UK's energy system.

'Decisions made in the coming weeks will determine whether we keep investment and jobs here or lose them overseas.

'The windfall tax is costing jobs and investment and reducing the tax revenues that support families, communities and vital services across the UK.'

A Treasury spokesperson said: 'We do not comment on speculation around changes to tax ahead of the Budget.'
A grieving mother has spoken of her devastation and fury after her only daughter was killed in a paddleboarding tragedy led by an 'arrogant' instructor.

Teresa Hall's daughter Morgan Rogers, 24, was killed alongside Nicola Wheatley, 40, Andrea Powell, 41, and Paul O'Dwyer, 42 when all four were dragged under the water at a weir on the River Cleddau in Pembrokeshire in October 2021.

Speaking for the first time on the fourth anniversary of the tragedy she said: 'Anger doesn't even come close to how I feel. I am in torture... no parent should have to bury their child [because of] something that was so unnecessary.'

The group had been taking part in a stand-up paddleboarding tour organised by Nerys Lloyd, 39, a former police officer and owner of Salty Dog Co Ltd.

She has since been jailed for 10 years and six months after being convicted of gross negligence manslaughter over their deaths.

Morgan, Nicola and Paul all died at the scene, while Andrea was resuscitated but succumbed to her injuries six days later.

Ms Hall told the BBC how the police arrived at her home to tell her they believed her only daughter was among the dead.

She later had to identify Morgan's body: 'I just remember going over to her and shaking her, trying to wake her up this couldn't have happened, how could this have happened?'

Adding that she still goes over the last conversation they had, wishing she had just told her not to go.

For widower Darren Wheatley, from Swansea, the tragedy also tore apart his family.

Speaking for the first time on the fourth anniversary of the tragedy Teresa said: 'Anger doesn't even come close to how I feel'

Health worker Nicola Wheatley (left) and her co-instructor Paul O'Dwyer (right) died in the tragedy

Morgan Rogers (left), 24, and Andrea Powell (right) also drowned in the flooded weir

His wife, Nicola, a dental hygienist and devoted mother of two, had joined the group as part of what she thought would be a fun weekend adventure.

Speaking to the BBC on the fourth anniversary of the disaster, he described the moment that changed his life forever.

He and his family had spent a frantic morning at Withybush Hospital, desperately waiting for news, before he was asked to identify Nicola's body while their seven-year-old son, Oscar, waited nearby with relatives.

'I won't forget the look on his face,' he said, 'She's destroyed my family life, she's destroyed my children's family life their mother will never come back.'

Only weeks earlier, he and Nicola's mother had bought her a paddleboard for her 40th birthday.

On the morning of the tragedy, despite warning Nicola that the weather looked 'atrocious' she was confident that the instructors had said it was safe.

Lloyd, who was leading the paddleboarding group that day, had reassured participants the conditions were safe  despite the Met Office and local authorities issuing weather warnings.

According to the official investigation, her decision to press ahead with the tour was 'reckless' and 'wholly avoidable.'

Lloyd and co-instructor Paul O'Dwyer inspected the river before leading the group onto the water.

Ignoring the danger, Lloyd instructed those nearby to follow her over the weir and 'keep to the centre' of the river.

The treacherous waters at the foot of the weir which claimed the lives of four people in the UK's worst paddleboarding tragedy in October 2021 - pictured the day after the tragedy

Former police officer Nerys Lloyd, 39, was today jailed for 10 years and six months

Kneeling on her board, she descended the fish pass in the middle of the weir and was swept downriver.

Others followed, but the powerful current dragged Andrea, Nicola and Morgan into what investigators called a 'hydraulic jump' - a violent, spinning flow that trapped them beneath the surface 'like a washing machine.'

From the back of the group, Paul O'Dwyer realised something was wrong. He went ashore and, in a desperate bid to help, leapt into the river to reach the women.

Moments later, he too was swept over the weir and killed. Passers-by raised the alarm at 9:02am, throwing lifebuoys into the water in vain attempts to help as emergency services raced to the scene.

Rescue teams, including the coastguard, police, fire crews, and the RNLI, worked frantically to save the group.

Andrea Powell was pulled from the water alive but died six days later from her injuries.

The bodies of Nicola and Morgan were recovered by fellow paddleboarders, while Paul's body was found downstream later that morning by a coastguard helicopter.

The MAIB concluded that the tragedy was entirely preventable, citing a 'catalogue of errors' in Lloyd's decision-making and her disregard for safety protocols.

During her trial, the judge condemned her 'abysmal' approach to health and safety and accused her of showing 'arrogance and complacency' in the face of clear danger.
A young father who was fatally crushed by a burial vault at the Texas funeral home where he worked left a voicemail for his wife before he died.

Angel Anthony Rojas, 24, died after he was pinned under concrete from the waist down at the Restland Funeral Home in Dallas on October 20.

Before he succumbed to his severe injuries, Rojas phoned his wife one final time to say goodbye.

The funeral home worker used his cellphone to call for help before reaching out to his wife and leaving a voicemail.

'Scared. He told me he wanted to go home,' his widow, Natalie Rojas, told WLBT. 'He told me he loved me and he wanted to go home.'

Rojas was pinned under the vault for 45 minutes before firefighters could free him.

A burial vault is an outer layer that lines the casket and protects it from the elements and maintenance equipment.

They can be made of bronze, copper, stainless steel, and plastics, and can weigh over 2,000lbs.

Angel Anthony Rojas, 24, died at the Restland Funeral Home in Dallas on October 20

Rojas's funeral is attended by friends and family after he was crushed to death by a burial vault

A spokesman for Dallas Fire-Rescue said responders were able to lift the vault off Rojas using spreaders and airbags.

Rojas was taken to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, where he later died, according to the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office public records.

'My husband was a smart worker. My husband knew the risk of a small error. My husband knew the precautions to everything he was doing,' his widow told WLBT.

'I don't know what happened, but whatever did happen, he never should have been there alone.'

Natalie has accused funeral home of gross negligence.

'There's no way on earth this man should have been operating that machinery alone,' attorney Matthew Graham said.

'He shouldn't had been working alone. He shouldn't had been moving things of that weight alone.

In a statement, the Restland Funeral Home said it was 'saddened by the loss of our longstanding valued employee.'

The funeral home worker made one call for help on his phone before he tried his wife, but it went to voicemail

Rojas's sister looks over her brother's grave

A GoFundMe described Rojas as a 'loving, caring, and God-fearing family man who adored his wife and their three-year-old son'

'You got what you wanted lil bro to ride in the back of your truck this was our last ride together,' his sister wrote on Facebook

'We are cooperating with the authorities to determine the cause.'

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating Rojas's death, WLBT reported.

Police said that the young father's death was the result of an 'unfortunate accident' and no foul play or criminal activity was suspected.

Rojas worked at funeral home to provide for his wife and his son, Angel Noel, who turns four next month.

'He was a hardworking father. Angel was amazing all around,' Natalie Rojas told WLBT.

His mother, Nancy Cordova, wrote on Facebook: 'I'm so broken [I] lost my only son. I don't feel, I'm so numb. I miss you Angel everywhere I look reminds me of you, God give me strength. [I] can't do this, help me please. [I] miss your pretty face.'

Rojas's sister shared a tribute to her brother on Instagram that read: 'My heart hurts so much. It can't be true. I just wanna wake up from this horrible dream.'

'I'm so numbed I lost my brother today. You're never promised tomorrow. It's crazy,' she added in a Facebook post.

'I'm in shocked. He lost his life at work thinking he was gonna come home to his family. I am so broken right now. Why did you have to call him home so early father he had his whole life. He was only 24.'

A GoFundMe described Rojas as a 'loving, caring, and God-fearing family man who adored his wife and their three-year-old son.'

'He worked hard every day to provide for us and took pride in being a machine operator - a job he did with dedication and strength, even though it ultimately claimed his life,' the fundraiser said.

'My husband made sure we never went without. He always said we were a team - and we truly were. Every day, we faced life together, hand in hand.'
Keir Starmer is once again battling allegations of sleaze within his own ranks after his Chancellor failed to obtain a required landlord licence before renting out her London home.

Rachel Reeves put her family's four-bedroom detached home in Dulwich on the rental market for 3,200 a month when she moved into 11 Downing Street last year.

However, Southwark Council requires private landlords to secure a 'selective licence' before letting out their property - something she had not done.

Last night she admitted that she was unaware of the licensing requirement and, following inquiries by the Daily Mail, applied for the licence.

Despite the mounting criticism, Sir Keir Starmer has dismissed calls for a deeper probe, insisting the matter is 'closed' as Reeves has apologised.

Rather embarrassingly her admission comes just weeks after she enthusiastically backed landlord licensing and local Labour politicians pledged to crack down on rule-breakers.

The Conservatives have seized on the controversy and called for Reeves's to be sacked, claiming her position has become 'untenable'.

In our last poll, Mail readers were asked: 'Should Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson be sent to prison, as the former Duke of York's biographer claims?'

Out of more than 21,000 votes, 70 percent said 'yes' and 30 percent said 'no'.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (DMass.) faced pushback from Bostons Logan Airport after claiming that runway operations had come to a standstill due to the government shutdown.

Pressley, a leading member of 'The Squad' group of far-left reps, took to X to blame Republicans for the ongoing shutdown, and alleged that it was hampering the daily operations of Logan Airport.

'Delays, cancellations, & long lines,' the Massachusetts congresswoman wrote on Wednesday.

'The GOP shutdown is impacting our airports and leaving air traffic controllers & TSA agents without pay, including at Boston Logan. Republicans need to reopen the government, pay federal workers, keep our airports running & skies safe.'

Although it is true that air traffic controllers at Logan were not paid on Tuesday because of the shutdown, Massachusetts transportation officials said the airport's operations were unaffected.

Jennifer Mehigan, a spokeswoman for Massport, the port authority that manages the airport, said in a statement that officials 'havent seen any impacts at Logan.'

'We will put out messaging on our social accounts notifying the public if we see any changes,' Mehigan told the Boston Herald.

The outlet cited flight data that showed there has not been any significant increase to travel delays since the shutdown began on October 1.

Democrat Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley was shot down by Logan Airport in Boston after she tried to claim its runways ground to a halt because of the government shutdown

Pressley took to X to blame Republicans for disrupting the airport, which led Logan Airport officials to release a statement responding: 'We havent seen any impacts at Logan'

The statement from Massport that rejected Pressley's claim comes weeks after the Massachusetts port authority also criticized the Trump administration for its handling of the shutdown.

As the shutdown began, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem created a video to be played at airports around the nation that blamed Democrats for the shutdown.

Massport said in response that it would refuse to play the video, and an official said it did not receive any requests to display the clip and had 'no video screens at our TSA checkpoints.'

Several other airports also refused to play the video, including Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas which said it rejected the 'political messaging.'

Pressley's embarrassing correction from the Massachusetts port authority follows another X tirade from the Democrat that captured headlines earlier this month, as she posted a controversial message about Indigenous Peoples' Day, also known as Columbus Day.

Despite Pressley's insistence, flight data showed there has not been any significant increase to travel delays since the shutdown began on October 1

'We are all on stolen land. And while Republicans try to whitewash American history, we acknowledge our country's role in inflicting trauma on our Indigenous neighbors,' the Boston congresswoman wrote on X.

She added: 'We'll keep celebrating their contributions, centering Native voices in our policymaking, & building a more just, equitable future.'

Pressley quickly faced calls to give up her $1.1 million Martha's Vineyard mansion.

'You should consider giving back your stolen land then - starting with your $1.1 million house on Martha's Vineyard,' wrote right-wing commentator Greg Price.

'So when are you giving your new $1.1 million Martha's Vineyard summer home back to the Wampanoag?' added Gerry Callahan, a conservative pundit.

Pressley, who often speaks about inequality and the rights of the poor, and her husband Conan Harris purchased the three-bedroom house on Martha's Vineyard in 2023, as reported by the New York Post.

Pressley and Harris, who spent ten years in prison for drug trafficking, also own a two-unit rental property in Mattapan, a low-income area in south Boston, which earned them between $50,000 and $100,000 in 2024.

The Democrat owns four rental properties in Massachusetts, which earned her as much as $350,000 in profit in 2024, according to her annual financial disclosure cited by the Post.

It's a significant profit increase for Pressley, who in 2020 declared a rental income of just $15,000.

Despite her lucrative career as a landlord, the congresswoman has campaigned for taxpayer-funded rent relief.
A female judge was allegedly caught on camera with her pants down while drunkenly urinating in a bush on an Arizona street.

Kristyne Schaaf-Olson, 42, was with her husband when she was approached by police in Prescott earlier this month, with an officer's body camera footage capturing the wild ordeal.

Schaaf-Olson was seen scrambling out from the bush and climbing onto a sidewalk bench bench on the sidewalk as the office approached.

'What are you doing? This is disgusting,' the officer is heard asking.

A police report obtained by AZ Family said that several witnesses flagged cops down and that Schaaf-Olson 'appeared to have lost her balance' and 'fell over in a bush' on October 4 at around 1.30am.

Schaaf-Olson told the officer she was waiting for an Uber, and was heard and slurring her words while giving the officer her name.

'Okay, this is unacceptable,' the officer said.

Her husband, Jason, then approached and tried to pull his wife away.

Judge Kristyne Schaaf-Olson was caught on police body camera footage scrambling out from a bush and climbing onto a sidewalk bench after allegedly urinating on the street

Schaaf-Olson, 42, was with her husband when she was approached by Prescott police in Arizona

The officer asked if he would wait by a cab, to which Jason responded: 'Nope. Come on.'

He is shown holding out his hand to his wife, urging her to get up from the bench.

The officer told the husband to back off while he investigated.

'I just saw her puking and urinating, exposing herself,' the cop said.

Jason again refused, replying: 'Nope, that wasn't her.'

Despite another warning from the officer to move away, Jason continued to hold his hand out to Schaaf-Olson and asked her to leave with him.

The officer gave one final warning to her husband before he was handcuffed.

'You can't do this,' Jason is heard saying.

Schaaf-Olson handed in her resignation two days after the incident on October 6

The former judge was cited and informed she would need to appear in court, while her husband was booked into the Yavapai County Jail

'I'm going to [expletive] throw you on the ground if you resist,' the officer responded. 'I gave you several chances, and you don't want to listen.'

Officers then brought Jason to the ground.

'Why didn't you listen bro?' another officer is heard saying. 'You weren't and then you want to resist. So you can go to jail.'

The initial officer then explained that he had only intended to issue Schaaf-Olson a citation.

'Do you understand that this was unnecessary? That she was just going to get a ticket?' he is heard asking.

'When an officer is giving you an order, you need to comply and not interfere with the investigation.'

Jason still continued to deny the allegations against his wife.

'She has her pants completely down. I'm watching her right there, she's peeing everywhere,' the first officer told his fellow cop. 'A bunch of people see, I see.'

Schaaf-Olson told the officer she was waiting for an Uber at the time

Schaaf-Olson was appointed to the role of Judge Pro Tempore of the Yavapai County Superior court in October 2023

The officer added that Schaaf-Olson was so inebriated that she 'can't even spell her own name.'

The former judge was cited and informed she would need to appear in court 'in about a month,' while her husband was booked into the Yavapai County Jail.

Days later, Schaaf-Olson handed in her resignation as Judge Pro Tempore of the Yavapai County Superior Court.

'My resignation comes after careful consideration of current physical, medical, and family circumstances,' she said in a statement.

'The Yavapai community deserves and has judges who are steadfast in their commitment to serving Yavapai County, considering current events in my life, I believe it would be difficult to honor this commitment. I have therefore decided to resign. It has been a pleasure serving the Yavapai community.'

According to the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct, Schaaf-Olson self- reported her citation.

'The Commission opened an investigation based on the self-report, and the matter remains pending and confidential under Commission Rule 9,' the Commission said in a statement to Fox 10.

Yavapai County Superior Court told the outlet that her last day on the bench would be October 31, and that the former judge 'accepted full responsibility.'

Schaaf-Olson was appointed to the role of in October 2023, according to the Yavapai Superior Court.

She is due for a pre-trial conference on December 16.

Her husband, who was cited for resisting arrest, interfering with a crime scene investigation and obstruction of government operations, is set for a pre-trial conference on November 18.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Schaaf-Olson for comment.
The city of Waterbury received a $30.6 million payment from the similarly named town of Watertown, resolving a yearslong dispute over unpaid water and sewer fees by the latter.

Waterbury Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski made the announcement on Wednesday.

'This final payment closes a lengthy and complex legal matter that has spanned several years,' said Pernerewski. 'The outcome ensures that Waterbury's ratepayers are made whole and that the City's financial interests are protected.'

The disagreement over rates by the Connecticut cities, which are located only about 7 miles away from one another, first went to court in 2023.

The eventual ruling stated that Watertown owed Waterbury $18.8 million. Watertown appealed and lost once again in Connecticut Appellate Court in June.

In the two years that had passed since the initial judgment, additional principal and interest accrued, making the amount owed over $34 million.

The appellate court said Waterbury set 'just and equitable' rates for Watertown's use of its use of their water and sewer system.

The court further accused Watertown of consciously underpaying for these services. Watertown said it should pay a lower, wholesale rate, an argument the court rejected.

This week's $30.6 million payment comes after Watertown sent Waterbury multiple payments totaling $5.5 million between mid-August and mid-October, according to Pernerewski.

Watertown, Connecticut, (pictured) has paid the neighboring town of Waterbury $30.6 million to resolve a dispute over water and sewer services

Waterbury (pictured) won a judgment against the similarly-named town in 2023. Watertown was originally ordered to pay $18 million. After the principal and the interest accrued over a two-year-long appeal, the total amount owed swelled to $34 million

Waterbury Mayor Paul K. Pernerewski celebrated the payment as a win for his constitutents

Back in June, Pernerewski praised the appellate court for ruling in Waterbury's favor and the city's lawyers for arguing the case.

'This is a tremendous win for Waterbury and its taxpayers,' he said in a statement at the time.

'It affirms our right to set fair and reasonable rates for the services we provide, ensuring that our residents are not left to subsidize the obligations of others. I want to extend my deepest thanks to Corporation Counsel Angela Juliani and particularly Attorneys Joe Mengacci, Dan Foster, and Kevin Daly, who handled the trial and the appeal.

'Their dedication and expertise led to a successful outcome in this case. This decision not only validates our position, it protects the financial interests of our city and its residents for years to come.'
A retired California businessman grieving the loss of his late wife was cheered by a kind text from a young female stranger - then it ended up ruining his life.

Larry Sorenson, 71, is still dealing with the loss of his beloved wife of 35 years Rhonda, who died last December after a battle with cancer.

The couple had only just finished building out their dream $1 million Brentwood home when Rhonda passed, leaving him bereft.

Yet Larry, who owned his own roofing company, believed his misfortune had taken a turn when a person, known only as Tina, texted him out of the blue in July.

'Hi Caitlin, I'm back from my trip to Napa Valley. Can you drop off my dog by tomorrow afternoon?', the text read.

Larry responded that they had the wrong person but before long he found himself constantly going back and forth with Tina, who said she was 'excited' by their texts.

He confided in Tina that he was recently widowed, she told him that she invested in real estate, wineries and crypto, which intrigued him.

After their messaging moved to encrypted service WhatsApp, the two exchanged pictures, he told ABC7: 'To me, she is a good-looking young lady. And then she explained her whole beginning of her life.

'Being adopted because she was abandoned by her mother as a child in Hong Kong. And you start feeling like, a little I guess you want to comfort her a little bit.

'And so it just kept growing and growing to where you started really having feelings for this person, really caring feelings.'

Larry lost his late wife Rhonda, seen here at Crater Lake in Oregon, in December 2024 after a battle with cancer

He believed his misfortune had taken a turn when a person, known only as Tina, texted him out of the blue in July. The texter claiming to be Tina sent him this photo and said it was her

They started texting every day, he told the outlet, and he would wake up and message her 'Good morning sweetheart'.

As the contact between the two ramped up, she encouraged him to start working out and the two emotionally bonded, he added.

In one text he said: 'We have a lot to learn about each other and I am excited... how can this stuff happen?'

She replied: 'Sometimes the right people find each other through the smallest cracks in time... you made me believe I can find true friends on the internet.'

After losing Rhonda, he thought he had fallen back into love. He told the outlet: 'Losing her was tough. It was tough. I cried every day. It was real love, I lost that.'

'So, after 35 years, here I am in a 3,000 square-foot home alone. You go to bed at night, there's nobody there. You wake up in the morning, nobody's there.'

The texts had spurred something on inside him, adding: 'I got emotionally excited about it. I really did.

'That first initial part of falling in love with someone is always so exciting. And she started showing emotions and caring about me and about what I did and who I was. It was very very uplifting.'

As their relationship ramped up, so did their future plans. The two discussed traveling the world while Tina spoke of her lavish lifestyle.

Larry confessed to ABC7 that the constant messaging had got him 'emotionally excited'

After months of talking, Larry believed the two would spend the rest of their lives together

Unbeknownst to him, there was no Tina. The whole thing was a sham to raid his savings

He was hooked right in telling her: 'You are so interesting, intelligent, caring, beautiful inside and out and I couldn't help falling in love with you Tina.'

Larry confessed to the outlet that he was sure he would have a life with the woman, who suggested she could make him rich.

'She was telling me how she had traded $30 million in her crypto account, she showed where she had traded $3 million and got $1 million', he said.

Unbeknownst to him, the whole thing was a scam to wipe his bank accounts.

After three months of incessant messaging, Tina began directing him to wire money from his bank into online crypto exchanges.

At first it was small amounts, then he tapped his $1 million IRA account, cleaning out his whole retirement plan.

His $1 million investment looked to have grown to $2.4 million, with Tina demanding he up the ante and pull whatever money he could from friends and family.

Larry contacted the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission but nobody could help him

After losing out on his $1 million retirement plan, Larry could have to give up his house to pay taxes after he pulled his IRA

Larry added: 'She wanted me to get money out of my house, money from my kids, anywhere I could get it. Friends, relatives, to try to get me up to $3 million.'

Banks turned him down for loans and credit lines, so he resorted to asking his daughter Megan for 'a couple hundred thousand dollars'.

Megan immediately twigged something wasn't right, and quickly tried to pull the $1 million from his online account - but it was all gone.

As well as losing his retirement, he may also have to pay the IRS some $400,000 in taxes after pulling cash from his IRA account.

It means he will likely have to sell the dream home that him and his late wife had built together.

He added: 'My wife has been a part of it and I feel her here, so I didn't want to sell it. What I've done has completely, completely flipped my life upside-down.

'I end up with no house. I'm 71, 72 years old and can't live in California.'

In a last-ditch attempt he contacted the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission but neither could help him.

To this day, he still wakes up to Tina messaging him. In his last message he said: 'It's not a good morning.'
The top boss of MGM resorts has admitted Las Vegas has become a rip-off and even declared 'shame on us' as he derided his own hotels' extortionate prices that have driven tourists way.

MGM President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle revealed during an earnings call Wednesday that his resorts have 'price-corrected' after being rocked by a summer of public scandal.

The company was met with heavy criticism after a guest at its four-star ARIA hotel revealed they were charged $26 for a single bottle of water.

A Daily Mail reporter also revealed the company's flagship Bellagio Hotel was charging guests an extra $25 just to eat room service off plates.

MGM's parking fees, restaurant and cafe menu prices, and the hefty resort fees guest are charged on top of their nightly room rate, have also come under fire.

'Shame on us,' Hornbuckle told the investor meeting, according to a transcript of the call reviewed by the Daily Mail.

Highlighting the 'infamous bottle of water' and how a Starbucks coffee at three-star Excalibur costs $12, the CEO admitted the firm had not been considerate to the needs of its clientele.

'We should have been more sensitive to the overall experience at a place like Excalibur to those customers,' he said.

'You can't have a $29 room and a $12 coffee.'

He added that MGM has made changes to its prices and believes the company has demonstrated that 'we understand value, we understand Las Vegas, and we'll always be that.'

MGM President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle (pictured in 2023) admitted during an earnings call Wednesday that Las Vegas has become a rip-off and warned that hotels needs to be 'more sensitive' to the guest experience

MGM recorded a drop of earnings across its Las Vegas properties over the past year. The company earned $731 million in September 2024, but only $601 million this year. Pictured is MGM's five-star Bellagio Hotel & Casino

Tourism across Las Vegas has been on a decline for most of the year, as guests complain of getting fleeced left and right.

Earlier this week, rival hotel group Caesars revealed it had 90,000 rooms sit empty through the summer season in Vegas as tourists stayed away.

MGM conducted a thorough review of what prices customers are willing to pay and made adjustments. Ninety percent of then are already in effect, it is claimed.

MGM guests will still pay resort fees, parking and other fee-based charges, but Hornbuckle said the prices have been changed. He did not offer any specifics.

Las Vegas has seen a 7.8 percent dip in the number of tourists between January and August of this year when compared to the same period last year.

MGM was not immune to the decline, with the company recording a drop of earnings across its properties over the past year.

The company's Sin City properties earned $731 million in September 2024, but only $601 million this year.

Hornbuckle admitted on the earnings call that the 'summer was rough' for MGM, but claimed it 'sequentially got better.'

'I will say the same about October. Knock on wood, we may even beat October of last year,' he predicted.

MGM is not the only Las Vegas company accused of price gouging. Visitors have complained of spending $74 for two drinks at the Las Vegas Sphere, while others alleged one glass of a restaurant's house wine set them back $30.

Sin City's rising prices have led to a parallel rise in the average income of its visitors.

Rising prices in Las Vegas have led to a 7.8 percent dip in tourism between January and August of this year when compared to the same period last year

Last year, 64 percent of Las Vegas tourists had an income of at least $100,000, up significantly from 48 percent in 2023 and a dramatic spike from 28 percent in 2019, according to a report from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Meanwhile, Nevada and Las Vegas locals are struggling under the economic impact of slipping tourism.

Some have even had to sell plasma to make ends meet while spending months looking for work in a city that lost 4,300 jobs month-over-month in August.

In August, Nevada also had the fourth worst unemployment rate in the country among metropolitan areas with less than one million people, at 5.6 percent.

The state lost 6,000 private sector jobs between July and August, primarily in the construction and food and beverage industries, which are two of the state's biggest economic engines after gaming.

Between the economic squeeze locals are facing and Las Vegas's ever-increasing sticker shock, it is no wonder the city's residents are avoiding the Strip.
Immigration staff at Heathrow Airport are recruiting a hairdresser to offer a trim to illegal migrants who are waiting to be kicked out of the country.

The position, which pays 31,500-a-year, has been advertised by Mitie, which has a 290million contract to run the Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre.

The job requires the hairdresser to work 40 hours a week at the airport, offering the service to those about to be deported from the UK.

The job advert requested a candidate who would be able to 'deliver a range of hairdressing and barbering styles' which included 'braiding and dying'.

And it said the successful applicant would 'provide a hair-cutting and barbering service to residents which reflects the cultural needs of the population'.

Applicants have also been told they must maintain a positive and friendly environment for clients to feel 'welcomed and respected'.

It comes after the centre previously advertised for a hospitality and floristry tutor, painting and decorating tutor and gym manager at the male-only facility.

Salaries for the full-time roles were for more than 30,000 a year - with the gym manager role being advertised for 38,873.66 per annum.

Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre, where migrants stay shortly before they are deported from the UK

The adverts were pulled in August after they caused an outcry as Home Office Minister Seema Malhorta said the department had asked for the roles to be scrapped as they 'don't believe all these roles are necessary'.

Two immigration centres, Harmondsworth and Colnbrook, are near Heathrow to allow easy transfers to planes.

Harmondsworth can house up to 658 people and Colnbrook 300 - migrants, including asylum seekers can be housed there while their immigration status is resolved.

Asked about the hairdressing job advert, a Home Office spokesperson said: 'We do not directly fund these roles.'

A Home Office source said that there is a legal requirement on the government to allow detained people to have their hair cut on a regular basis.

A spokesperson for Mitie said: 'This role is part of our contractual obligations and is standard practice in secure environments. We continue to work closely with the Home Office to ensure services provide value for money.'

It comes after a migrant sex offender who was wrongly released from prison was handed 500 in taxpayers' money to leave Britain.

Footage captured from Heathrow Airport showed the moment Hadush Kebatu, 38, was escorted on to a plane to Ethiopia last night.

He was mistakenly freed from HMP Chelmsford on Friday morning after serving just one month of his year-long sentence for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old schoolgirl.

Immigration staff at Heathrow Airport are recruiting a hairdresser to offer a trim to illegal migrants

Kebatu was given a 'discretionary' payment of 500 by the Home Office, it is understood.

The money was handed over because of the threats by Kebatu to 'disrupt' the removals flight, sources said.

It is understood that even though his original trial heard it was his 'firm wish' to return to Ethiopia, his compliance with immigration officials deteriorated on Tuesday.

He threatened to launch a legal challenge against his removal and even said he was considering lodging a new asylum claim with the Home Office.

After indicating he would go quietly in exchange for the cash, Kebatu was forcibly deported from Britain by a team of five security escorts.

Kebatu should have been transferred to a deportation centre last week, but clueless prison officers repeatedly told him to leave and get on a train to London instead.

The Ethiopian national, who arrived in the UK on a small boat, was arrested in north London on Sunday morning after a two-day manhunt.

He was pictured being detained by four officers inside Finsbury Park, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer vowing he 'will be deported'.

The Home Office confirmed Kebatu was removed on a flight to Ethiopia on Tuesday night and arrived on Wednesday.
A diaper-wearing monkey threw a Texas Halloween store into chaos after breaking free from its owner and swinging from the ceiling beams.

On Monday, last-minute shoppers at a Spirit Halloween store in Plano were stunned to find a real-life monkey climbing poles, swinging from spooky animatronic wires and crawling across the ceiling for more than 30 minutes.

'This was animal kingdom live,' Arlene Pinkston, who was picking out Halloween goodies with her daughters, told 5 NBCDFW News.

'It'll definitely be one that I won't forget anytime soon.'

A tiny, tempting treat eventually lured the monkey in, prompting it to ultimately surrender. Its owner then swiftly took back control.

The mischievous little animal left everyone unharmed and posed no threat to shoppers in the end.

Like countless others, Pinkston visited the Halloween store which was loaded with creepy decorations, costumes and animatronics ready to spook at the push of a button.

But one of her daughters spotted something a little too real - a live animal, completely unhooked and roaming free.

A diaper-wearing monkey unleashed chaos in a Texas Halloween store after escaping its owner and running wild in a panicked frenzy (pictured)

Last-minute shoppers at a Spirit Halloween store in Plano (pictured) were left speechless on Monday as a real-life monkey climbed poles, swung from spooky animatronic wires and crawled across the ceiling for more than 30 minutes

Arlene Pinkston (pictured), who was picking out Halloween goodies with her daughters, videotaped the bizarre incident which she described as 'animal kingdom live'

Jimmy Harris, a store employee, explained that the jungle animal (pictured) may have panicked when met with a moving prop and therefore, immediately bolted from its owner in sheer terror

'My daughter looked up and said, "What in the world? Is that a real monkey?"' Pinkston told the outlet.

'I looked up and said, "Well, it's got a diaper on so I guess it is real,"' she added with a laugh.

How the monkey escaped remains a mystery, but Jimmy Harris, a store employee, believes the creature was rattled by the eerie Halloween setup.

The jungle animal apparently panicked when met with a moving prop, Harris explained, and immediately bolted from its owner in sheer terror.

'It was entertaining. A lot of people just stood and watched it for like 30 minutes,' the staffer told the outlet.

'The whole time, they were like, 'Monkey!" and we had kids trying to catch it,' he added.

Pinkston and her daughters stared in disbelief, and knowing no one would believe them, she grabbed a phone to capture the monkey madness on video.

As kids darted around the store trying to catch the speedy little zoo animal and shoppers scrambled to grab it off shelves and rafters, pandemonium erupted everywhere.

As kids darted around the store trying to catch the speedy little zoo animal and shoppers scrambled to grab it off shelves and rafters (pictured), pandemonium erupted everywhere

The monkey continued to dodge capture (pictured), prompting the Plano Police Department to rush to the store

When authorities showed up, they 'observed the monkey swinging from the rafters wearing a diaper' (pictured)

Police said the owner frantically offered a cookie, and thankfully, the little monkey took the bait

Pinkston, who now had the video, wanted out - especially after the monkey brushed her leg in its wild frenzy.

'It had jumped down on the floor and ran past my leg,' Pinkston said. 'At that point, I was like, OK, I've had enough.'

The mayhem didnt end when she left. The monkey continued to dodge capture, prompting the Plano Police Department to rush to the Halloween-themed store.

When authorities showed up, they 'observed the monkey swinging from the rafters wearing a diaper,' according to NBCDFW.

Police said the owner frantically offered a cookie, and thankfully, the little monkey took the bait.

Seconds later, the unidentified owner was reunited with his energetic pet.

Lisa Barr, Spirit Halloweens VP of Marketing, thanked the first responders for handling the bizarre situation and noted just how out-of-the-ordinary the day had been.

'Our team responded quickly and contacted local authorities, who arrived promptly on the scene,' Barr wrote in a statement to NBC.

The mischievous little animal (pictured on pole) left everyone unharmed and ultimately posed no threat to shoppers in the end

Just two days ago, a truck crash on an interstate unleashed a troop of monkeys into the countryside of Mississippi (pictured)

The sheriffs office warned that the monkeys (pictured) carried hepatitis C, herpes and COVID. Tulane University was set to retrieve the ones that didnt escape

Experts from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries teamed up with authorities to take out the escaped monkeys (pictured). By afternoon, the sheriffs office reported all but one had been shot and killed

'In a rather unexpected turn, the monkey was safely coaxed with a cookie,' she added. 'The monkey was tagged with identification, and returned to its owner without incident.'

'Were grateful to our staff and local responders for handling the situation swiftly and safely. While this is certainly not a typical day at Spirit Halloween, were glad it ended on a positive note.'

Just two days ago, a truck crash on an interstate unleashed a troop of monkeys into the countryside of Mississippi, turning a normal afternoon into a real-life Sci-Fi thriller - perfect timing for Halloween.

However the primates, meant for scientific research at Tulane Universitys National Biomedical Research Center, never made it to their destination.

The sheriffs office warned that the monkeys carried hepatitis C, herpes and COVID. Tulane University was set to retrieve the ones that didnt escape on Wednesday.

Experts from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries teamed up with authorities to take out the escaped monkeys. By afternoon, the sheriffs office reported all but one had been shot and killed.

The escaped primates were identified as Rhesus monkeys - the globes most adaptable nonhuman species, able to thrive in nearly any environment.

One social media user even pointed out the striking similarities between the monkey escape and the film Outbreak, a 1995 thriller that follows a team of doctors who attempt to contain a virus after a monkey was smuggled into the US from Africa.
Moscow has stressed that its recent weapons tests were 'not nuclear' after Donald Trump announced the US would begin testing its own nukes.

The Kremlin said its testing of nuclear-powered nuclear-capable weapons - the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone - did not constitute a direct test of an atomic weapon.

Both countries observe a de facto moratorium on testing nuclear warheads, though Russia regularly runs military drills involving systems that are capable of carrying such weapons.

'Regarding the tests of Poseidon and Burevestnik, we hope that the information was conveyed correctly to President Trump,' Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said during a daily briefing.

'This cannot in any way be interpreted as a nuclear test,' he added.

Trump said Thursday he was ordering the US tests as a response to actions by other states.

'Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,' he said Thursday in a social media post.

But it was not immediately clear if Trump was referring to testing nuclear warheads - something the United States last did in 1992 - or testing weapons systems capable of carrying atomic warheads.

Trump said Thursday he was ordering the US tests as a response to actions by other states

In 2023, strategic experts warned that the Poseidon torpedo would have the potential to devastate a coastal city, cause radioactive floods, and result in millions of deaths

The Kremlin said its testing of nuclear-powered nuclear-capable weapons - the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone - did not constitute a direct test of an atomic weapon

The Kremlin implied Thursday that it would also test nuclear warheads if Trump ordered a live test of an atomic weapon.

'If someone departs from the moratorium, Russia will act accordingly,' Peskov said.

Putin yesterday boasted that Russia had successfully tested its nuclear-capable underwater 'Poseidon' drone which the country previously claimed could bring mass destruction to the West by sparking 'radioactive tsunamis'.

In televised remarks while visiting a military hospital for Russian soldiers today, Putin said: 'Yesterday, another test was conducted for another prospective system - the unmanned underwater device 'Poseidon,' also equipped with a nuclear power unit.'

The Russian leader said there was 'no way to intercept' the drone torpedo, which, according to Putin, can travel at a speed higher than conventional submarines and reach any continent in the world.

Putin said no country could match Poseidon's speed and diving depth, adding, 'it is unlikely that anything similar will appear in the near future.'

The device can operate at a depth of more than one kilometre and travel at speeds of up to 70 knots while remaining undetectable, according to a source in the Russian military-industrial complex quoted by state news agency TASS.

In 2023, strategic experts warned that the Poseidon torpedo would have the potential to devastate a coastal city, cause radioactive floods, and result in millions of deaths.

The Poseidon test came after Putin oversaw a test of another nuclear-capable cruise missile, which he said had an 'unlimited range'.

Trump responded by urging Putin to focus instead on ending the war in Ukraine.

Putin said on Sunday that Russia had successfully tested its 'unstoppable' nuclear-powered cruise missile, known as the 'Flying Chernobyl', with an 8,700-mile test flight.

Moscow said the weapon can pierce any defence shield, and has 'unlimited range'.

Asked on Air Force One about the test of the missile, dubbed the SSC-X-9 Skyfall by NATO, Trump said the United States did not need its nukes to fly so far as it had a nuclear submarine off the coast of Russia.

Putin said no country could match Poseidon's speed and diving depth, adding, 'it is unlikely that anything similar will appear in the near future'

Putin revealed a 'successful' secret flight on October 21 of the Burevestnik doomsday winged rocket, dubbed the 'Flying Chernobyl', which has an 'unlimited range'

'They know we have a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their shores, so I mean, [our missile] doesn't have to go 8,000 miles,' Trump told reporters, according to an audio file posted by the White House.

'I don't think it's an appropriate thing for Putin to be saying, either, by the way: You ought to get the war ended, the war that should have taken one week is now in... its fourth year, that's what you ought to do instead of testing missiles.'

In response to Trump on Monday, the Kremlin defiantly said that Russia would be guided by its own national interests.

'Despite all our openness to establishing a dialogue with the United States, Russia, first of all, and the president of Russia, is guided by our own national interests,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

'That's how it was, that's how it is, and that's how it's going to be.'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said if the United States started testing nuclear weapons again, Russia would follow suit.

In 1996, the two countries signed - but have not ratified - the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which bans all atomic test blasts, whether for military or civilian purposes.

Announcing the recent tests, Putin boasted that Russia's new nuclear-powered devices could reach any continent in the world and were impervious to defences.

Russia and the United States hold 90 percent of the world's nuclear arsenal, or about 11,000 warheads, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
A Texas city has ripped down a 'Defund the Wall' border mural after Governor Greg Abbott threatened to strip more than $1 billion in road funding.

On Monday, officials in Laredo voted to tear down a painted mural along the southern US-Mexico border, making it the latest American city to scrub political artwork from its roadways after pressure from President Donald Trump's administration.

Stretching across the pavement outside the citys federal courthouse, the massive mural screamed 'Defund the Wall' in bold yellow letters, with 'Fund Our Future' splashed beside it.

Weeks after Gov. Abbott threatened to yank $1.6 billion in road funding, city crews moved in on Tuesday evening to erase the artwork for good, according to Associated Press.

'Texans expect their taxpayer dollars to be used wisely, not advance political agendas on Texas roadways,' Abbott said in a previous statement.

Trump jetted to the Texas border to pitch his $5.7 billion wall plan back in 2019, arriving as federal teams began surveying the land for construction set to begin within the month.

But landowners, environmental groups and locals pushed back hard against the new 215-mile wall plan - many even lawyering up to stop it.

In 2020, amid lawsuits and protests, the 'Defund the Wall' mural made it to the streets thanks to private funding. By 2021, federal officials had canned all Laredo wall contracts, stopping the project dead in its tracks.

Officials in Laredo, Texas, voted on Monday to tear down a 'Defund the Wall' mural (pictured) painted along the southern US-Mexico border outside the citys federal courthouse

The move came after Texas Governor Greg Abbott (pictured) threatened to yank $1.6 billion in road funding if the city did not comply

Laredo is the latest American city to scrub political artwork from its roadways after pressure from President Donald Trump's administration

US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy then hit every governor with a letter in July, warning that intersections and crosswalks must stay distraction-free under a new 'nationwide roadway initiative.'

'Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork,' Duffy reiterated in a statement.

On October 8, Gov. Abbott fired off an order to TxDOT: check every city and county in Texas and make sure theyre following all federal and state rules.

'To keep Texans moving safely and free from distraction, we must maintain a safe and consistent transportation network across Texas,' Abbott said in a statement.

'Any city that refuses to comply with the federal road standards will face consequences including the withholding or denial of state and federal road funding and suspension of agreements with TxDOT.'

Under the guidelines, any non-standard markings, signs, or signals that dont directly control traffic are 'strictly prohibited' - symbols, flags or messages pushing social, political or ideological agendas included.

During a City Council session earlier this month, Houston Mayor John Whitmire blasted Abbotts directive, though he acknowledged the citys chances of winning a legal fight were slim.

Abbie Kamin, a Houston City Council member, added that tearing it down would send the wrong signal to people exercising their constitutional rights, according to AP.

In 2020, amid lawsuits and protests against the border wall, the 'Defund the Wall' mural (pictured) made it to the streets thanks to private funding

Trump jetted to the Texas border to pitch his $5.7 billion wall plan back in 2019 (pictured), arriving as federal teams began surveying the land for construction

US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy (pictured) hit every governor with a letter in July, warning that intersections and crosswalks must stay distraction-free under a new 'nationwide roadway initiative'

'If we do not find ways as a city to take a stand, whats next?' she said. 'When something is erased like this that means so much to so many, there is a real toll on the community.'

The fight only hit a tipping point on Monday when Laredos City Council, amid tense debate, gave the green light to take down the mural.

Laredo Mayor Victor Trevino said the funding threat - over $1 billion on the line - forced his hand, and he didnt want the community to suffer the consequences.

'Were not going to devastate our community for what is considered one particular vantage point on our public roads, even if this speech may be popular or well received,' he said.

But Elsa Hull, who has long opposed the wall, told the council the states order was nothing more than 'bullies threatening our city.'

'This mural enabled the people to unite and stand against injustice and allowed us to keep our land, our homes and our river from being taken away from us,' Hull told Laredo officials.

'This is part of our history,' she added. 'Dont erase our voices completely.'

The Laredo mural is the latest casualty in a string of removals and bans under Trump-era pressure to defund the arts and reshape history.

In August, the Smithsonian (pictured) came under fire as the president ordered a full review to purge 'divisive' or 'ideologically driven' language

Under Gov. Abbotts orders, a rainbow crosswalk in Montrose - a historic LGBTQ+ neighborhood - was also removed this month (pictured)

Also in August, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis allegedly ordered the state's Department of Transportation to paint over a rainbow sidewalk in Orlando (pictured before and after) - the site of the Pulse nightclub where 49 individuals were killed during a shooting in 2017

Under Gov. Abbotts orders, a rainbow crosswalk in Montrose - a historic LGBTQ+ neighborhood - was also removed this month, according to AXIOS Houston.

Federal funding cuts under Trump have hit the nations cultural backbone, from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to national museums, with grant payments to arts groups now on hold due to a government shutdown.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, crucial for independent news and education in rural America, is now facing systematic dismantling, according to TIME.

Trump seized the chairmanship of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, clearing out its bipartisan board along the way.

In August, the Smithsonian came under fire as the president ordered a full review to purge 'divisive' or 'ideologically driven' language, citing his 'Restore Truth and Sanity to American History' directive.

The shocking move appeared to be tied to a White House initiative aimed at making Smithsonian exhibits, materials and operations reflect the presidents version of American history.

Trump himself has stated that museums across the nation focus too much on 'how bad slavery was.'

Also in August, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis allegedly ordered the state's Department of Transportation to paint over a LGBTQ rainbow sidewalk in Orlando.

The sidewalk was located next to the site of the Pulse nightclub, where 49 'mostly LGBTQ' individuals were killed during a shooting in 2016.
A missing Oregon teenager who vanished two months ago is feared to have headed for Las Vegas as her mother makes a desperate plea for her daughter to come home.

Abigail Prewitt, 17, was last seen on September 1 in Eagle Point in southwest Oregon, according to an update Wednesday from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

It is believed that she may have traveled to Sin City, the center noted.

Her mother, Kathryn Prewitt, told officials with the center that there has been no communication from her daughter since her disappearance, which 'is very out of character for her,' the update stated.

'Abby, we miss you and love you so much. Please let us know if you are okay. You are an amazing person, and we hope that you realize that soon,' her mother said.

It appears this isn't the first time Abigail has gone missing.

On September 5, her mother wrote on Facebook: 'Abby is missing again. She left from Fish Lake on Monday. She was telling people she wanted to get to Medford but also think she could be in Klamath, Chiloquin, Las Vegas.'

A month earlier, the teen's older sister shared a post alerting friends and family that her sister had gone missing.

Abigail Prewitt, 17, was last seen on September 1 in Eagle Point and is believed to have traveled to Las Vegas

Her mother, Kathryn, told officials that there has been no communication from her daughter since her disappearance

On August 18, her mother said that Abigail had returned home.

'Thank the Lord that we have our sweet daughter back with us!' she wrote at the time.

Her mother has posted several updates, including pictures of her daughter with and without false eyelashes and noting that Prewitt may have dyed her hair.

Prewitt is described as standing 5-foot-6, weighing 120 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair with auburn highlights.

Her mother's emotional pleas have continued as the days have stretched into weeks.

'My precious daughter, I love you so very much,' she wrote in one post.

'Abby, please let us know you are ok. We love you and are so worried about you. Nothing will ever change that,' she said in another.

Back in June, her mother shared how proud she was that her daughter graduated high school early.

Prewitt is described as standing 5-foot-6, weighing 120 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair with auburn highlights

Back in June, her mother shared how proud she was that her daughter graduated high school early

Her mother has posted several updates, including pictures of her daughter with and without false eyelashes and noting that Prewitt may have dyed her hair

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is urging anyone with information on Prewitt's whereabouts to contact the organization

'It's truly amazing to think that this milestone is now part of your remarkable journey,' she wrote.

'Abby's unwavering dedication has yielded outstanding results. She continues to uplift us daily with her incredible spirit. This graduation is a shining testament to her unshakeable strength and determination.'

'We are eternally proud of you, Abigail!!' she added.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is urging anyone with information on Prewitt's whereabouts to contact the organization at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or the Jackson County Sheriff's Office in Oregon at 541-774-6800.
Karine Jean-Pierre's book tour has garnered a slew of negative attention, and now the New York Times has joined the bandwagon of critics.

Joe Biden's former White House secretary dropped her book 'Independent - A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines' on October 21, giving the world a glimpse into her time beyond the briefing room and why she left the Democratic Party.

But a recent and disastrous book tour Q&A with the New Yorker immediately drew criticism toward Jean-Pierre, who, in her new work, revealed she became an independent in June.

During the interview, published Monday, journalist Isaac Chotiner stopped Jean-Pierre for clarification several times for her rambling, word-salad responses that failed to explain why she believed Democrats 'betrayed' the former president.

And now, the New York Times, a left-leaning outlet, has taken a sharp jab at the first black and openly gay White House press secretary for her jumbled and confusing responses.

The outlet published an article on Wednesday, titled 'Karine Jean-Pierre and a Book Tour Most Authors Would Not Dream Of,' bashing her for being 'erratic and defensive rather than a forceful champion of her old boss.'

The article even went as far as to critique her in reference to her former role, seemingly implying she was not good at her job, and it's showing more than ever right now.

'White House press secretaries are supposed to know how to talk to the press. But that has not been evident this week for Karine Jean-Pierre, whose publicity tour for Independent, her book about her time behind the briefing room lectern of the Biden White House, has gone viral, and not in a good way,' New York Times journalist Elisabeth Bumiller wrote.

Karine Jean-Pierre's book tour has sparked major criticism against the former White House press secretary (pictured October 20)

The New York Times even published an article on Wednesday, giving a blistering rundown of her book and her book tour

The outlet almost immediately turned toward Jean-Pierre's interview with Chotiner, stating that Republicans 'termed it embarrassing and incoherent' and also left many 'perplexed.'

When questioned why Biden left the 2024 presidential race, she described it as a 'very layered' situation before giving a lengthy answer.

'Theres more to this than just that period of time. This is very layered, right? Theres a period of time that I questioned what was happening and how do we treat our own, how do we treat people who are decent people?

'And then you also have to think about how Im thinking about this as a Black woman who is part of the L.G.B.T.Q. community, and living in this time where I also dont think Democrats right now, Democrats leadership, is protecting vulnerable people in the way that it should,' she told Chotiner.

The journalist then replied: 'Sorry, Im not trying to be dense. Im a little unclear about what this has to do with Democratic leaders and many Democrats in the country thinking that Joe Biden was going to lose to Donald Trump.'

The New York Times then highlighted a part of her book when Jean-Pierre said it was an 'insult' to Kamala Harris that people didn't want her to be the Democratic presidential nominee. She also wrote that 'the truth was, I never really believed Harris could win.'

When asked about those seemingly contradicting statements by Chotiner, Jean-Pierre told him: 'But two things could be true, right? The thing I say the second time actually proves the thing that I said the first time, right?'

The article also mentioned how during her time in the White House Jean-Pierre 'often shared the podium with John F. Kirby', a retired Navy admiral who formally worked at the State Department and Pentagon.

New York Times journalist Elisabeth Bumiller (pictured) wrote the scathing article about Jean-Pierre

During an interview with New Yorker journalist Isaac Chotiner Jean-Pierre (pictured with Biden in October 2024) gave rambling, word-salad responses that failed to explain why she believed Democrats 'betrayed' the former president

He joined Biden's press secretary at the podium frequently after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, per the New York Times.

'Mr. Kirby was far more comfortable and better versed in foreign affairs than Ms. Jean-Pierre, who resented the intrusion,' the outlet said.

The journalist went on to back that up with what she said in her new book.

'In her book, she writes that an unnamed White House official  widely considered to be Anita Dunn  tried to push her aside, and that she wanted an unnamed man who had experience in war-torn regions  presumably Mr. Kirby  to go on a trip to Israel in her place.'

When approached by the New York Times for comment, Jean-Pierre's publicists said she was not available for an interview, but went on to issue a statement on her behalf.

'The focus of my book, Independent, is to start a conversation about how we move forward as a country, how we preserve our democracy and fix a broken system that if not attended to will lead us into what some are already calling an authoritarian regime,' it read.

Chotiner told the outlet he would not speak on the substance of the interview he did with her, but did give insight into their overall interaction.

'It wasnt a tense interview to conduct. And she seemed very nice,' Chotiner said.

In her book, which hit shelves on October 21, Jean-Pierre revealed she became an Independent in June

During her chat with Chotiner, Jean-Pierre made references to black women 10 times and her LGBTQ status twice.

She claimed that both Biden and Harris suffered prejudice from voters and within their own parties, saying 'I wish you could walk in my body and live my life' when pressed about her thoughts on Harris' chance to become president.

Elsewhere in the interview, Jean-Pierre panned her former party for what she described as poor treatment of 'decent' and 'vulnerable people.'

'And then you also have to think about how I'm thinking about this as a Black woman who is part of the LGBTQ community, and living in this time where I also don't think Democrats right now, Democrats' leadership, is protecting vulnerable people in the way that it should,' she said.

At another point in the exchange, Jean-Pierre wildly claimed that the subtitle of her book, 'A Look Inside a Broken White House,' had actually been a reference to the Trump administration rather than Biden's.

When asked to confirm that she had 'no concern' that Biden could serve a second term, Jean-Pierre maintained that she never witnessed anything from him that would make her think otherwise.

'But you watched TV like the rest of us, right?' Chotiner asked.

The New York Times article also mentioned how during her time in the White House Jean-Pierre 'often shared the podium with John F. Kirby (pictured in April 2024).' The outlet said he was 'far more comfortable and better versed in foreign affairs' than her

Jean-Pierre acknowledged the president 'was aging,' but said he was still 'engaged, on top of policy, [and] challenging his staff.'

She spoke similarly of Biden's declining health in an interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings last week.

King, who appeared skeptical of Jean-Pierre stating she didn't see the former president's decline, told her: 'You even write, Karine, that you were on the plane with him going to the debate, and you didnt see anything.'

King was referring to Biden's mangled debate with Donald Trump in June 2024 that happened just before he withdrew from the race and passed the baton to Harris.

Jean-Pierre then told King she didn't see Biden on the flight, adding: 'With age comes what happens when you get older.

'I never saw anyone who wasnt there. I saw someone who was always engaged.'
A leading lawyer has accused the chief prosecutor of bungling the China spying case and suggested a trial should have gone ahead.

Lord Carlile of Berriew, a long-serving KC and the government's former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said there was 'ample' evidence for a prosecution.

In a letter to Parliament's Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy - which is holding an inquiry into the collapsed case - the crossbench peer said Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), made an 'incorrect decision'.

Christopher Cash, a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry, a teacher, were accused of spying for Beijing.

They were charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in April last year under the Official Secrets Act 1911.

But the case collapsed last month after the CPS, which is led by Mr Parkinson, said it did not have the evidence to secure a conviction. Both men deny wrongdoing.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has maintained, because the last Tory government didn't designate China as a threat to national security, his Labour administration could not provide evidence to that effect.

In his letter, published by the committee, Lord Carlile disputed the decisions taken by Mr Parkinson and said 'major mistakes' had 'damaged confidence' in the CPS.

Lord Carlile said Stephen Parkinson (pictured), the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), made an 'incorrect decision'

Christopher Cash (right), a former parliamentary researcher, and Christopher Berry (left), a teacher, were accused of spying for Beijing. Both men deny wrongdoing

Lord Carlile claimed Mr Parkinson had 'failed to assess the evidence correctly' and, in any case, should have charged Mr Cash and Mr Berry with attempting to commit espionage if he was still in doubt.

He wrote: 'The DPP made an incorrect decision in relation to the law as it affected the case.

'The available evidence was ample for a prosecution and clearly passed the CPS Code test, namely (1) was there a reasonable prospect of conviction? and (2) was it in the public interest to prosecute?

'The DPP's decision was founded on consideration of part (1) of the test, and in my view was inexplicable. He answered 'No', whereas he should have said 'Yes'.

'He failed to assess the evidence correctly, or to appreciate that whether or not China at the time of the acts complained of represented a threat to the UK's national security is plainly a question of fact for the jury.'

Lord Carlile added: 'If he had doubts as to 1 above, the DPP could and should have charged an alternative count of attempting to commit espionage.

'There was ample evidence of the alleged perpetrators taking numerous steps with the intention to spy within the meaning of the legislation, even if the relationship between the UK and China would have meant that actual spying would not have taken place.

'That would constitute a serious offence of attempt. The above were major mistakes and have damaged confidence in the Crown Prosecution Service.'

Appearing in front of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy on Monday, Mr Parkinson insisted the failure of the case was not 'a question of blame'.

He added: 'The responsibility of prosecutors is to place cases before the court on the basis of sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.

'And ultimately, the issue in this case is that we were not able to provide the evidence to sustain the case in respect of one essential element, which was the element that China was an enemy, as was required by the statute.'

Asked whether he ever had 'the feeling that the Government wanted this case to fail', Mr Parkinson said: 'Nothing reached me.'

The DPP told peers and MPs no 'reasonable jury' could have been properly directed to conclude China was a threat to the UK's national security.

Lawyers for the defence could have made a submission there was 'no case to answer' if 'any element of the offence is not satisfied', Mr Parkinson told the committee.

A judge could have stopped the case in those circumstances, he added.
A recruitment boss died in a fire at a hotel spa when he became trapped following an explosion on the first day of his group holiday to Morocco, a coroner has ruled.

Anthony Barnes, 48, was staying at the Jaal Riad resort, a five-star hotel and spa in Marrakech, when the building he was in became filled with thick, acrid smoke.

The director and co-owner of recruitment company, The One Group, had arrived at the resort on March 22, 2023 for a three-night stay with colleagues, the inquest record states.

At 3pm that afternoon, Mr Barnes had booked to have a massage in the hotel spa and left his colleagues by the pool.

But around an hour later, his co-workers saw a number of staff running towards the spa building and observed some smoke coming from its domed roof.

Caroline Jones, Area Coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: 'They then noticed a man on the roof, appearing to be unscrewing panels to allow the smoke to escape.

'Unable to locate Anthony outside, his colleagues walked around the spa building to a rear entrance where thick smoke was billowing from a door.

'Subsequent investigations conducted by local police in the aftermath revealed that staff working in the spa had heard the sound of a small explosion followed by an outbreak of flames, and had summoned further employees to assist in trying to extinguish the fire but all had quickly become affected by the thick smoke and poor visibility.'

Anthony Barnes, 48, was staying at the Jaal Riad resort, a five-star hotel and spa in Marrakech, when the building he was in became filled with thick, acrid smoke

The director and co-owner of recruitment company, The One Group, arrived at the resort on March 22, 2023 for a three-night stay with colleagues

Mr Barnes died at the Jaal Riad Resort in Marrakech (pictured)

After around 20 minutes, emergency services arrived and fire crews attempted to enter the building but 'struggled to gain access and did not seem to have adequate breathing equipment', Ms Jones added.

At around 5.30pm, a stretcher was carried from the spa building and colleagues identified Mr Barnes who did not seem to be moving.

According to inquest records, he was declared dead later that day.

Ms Jones added there was no indication that the fire was started deliberately.

Mr Barnes was found to have died from smoke inhalation, contributed to an underlying and seemingly undiagnosed coronary artery disease.

The coroner concluded that Mr Barnes, of Maxey in Peterborough, died of an accident.
Victoria has made history by passing Australia's first treaty with Indigenous people, prompting celebration in parliament and steep warnings from critics.

The statewide Treaty Bill passed the upper house just after 8.45pm on Thursday, prompting cheers, tears and the unfurling of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags in the public gallery.

The landmark bill will establish the nation's first formal treaty in a state context.

It creates a powerful body, Gellung Warl, with oversight over government departments and agencies and embeds Indigenous truth-telling into schools.

It also mandates consultation on policies for Indigenous people and introduces a naming authority for geographical features.

Supporters say the treaty marks a historic turning point for Indigenous Victorians.

As chief executive of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Dr Jill Gallagher put it: 'Treaty is not just about recognition - it's about justice, healing and truth-telling.'

The expectation is it will deliver improved outcomes in justice, health, education and cultural recognition. However, the legislation has also drawn steep criticism.

Celebrations erupted after the bill cleared parliament on Thursday night

The landmark bill will establish the nation's first formal treaty with Indigenous Australians

Critics argued the bill would undermine parliamentary sovereignty, establish a parallel governance system and give special rights to some Victorians based on race.

Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) research fellow Margaret Chambers warned the treaty would 'permanently divide Victorians' and establish a 'two-tiered system of government'.

Some raised concerns about public support for the initiative.

A survey commissioned for the IPA found only 37 per cent of Victorians supported a treaty between the Victorian government and local Aboriginal groups.

About 42 per cent of 1,810 respondents opposed the idea while 21 per cent were unsure.

Asked to choose between supporting or opposing the treaty, 52 per cent were opposed while 48 per cent were supportive.

The support was roughly in line with the 54 per cent of Victorians who voted 'No' in the Voice to Parliament referendum in 2023, which critics say should have stopped the statewide treaty in its tracks.

But government ministers argue the referendum result is irrelevant to the state-level Treaty.

Premier Jacinta Allan (pictured) celebrated the bill's passage through parliament, saying: 'This is how we build a fairer, stronger Victoria for everyone.'

Senior minister Lizzie Blandthorn said the referendum had 'no bearing on treaty' which the government had taken to two elections.

In the parliamentary debate, the opposition voice was loud: the leader of the upper house opposition described the celebrations as 'outrageous'.

'The shocking, arrogant behaviour observed in the Chamber just now was outrageous,' Liberal MP David Davis said.

'It's a clear sign that this is set to become a major problem for Victoria.

'It will cost Victorians a bomb, and block government as well as projects around the state.

'We all are aware of the huge Victorian state debt and Labor's massive taxes, now this new Indigenous superstructure will bring the state to a standstill.'

The Opposition has pledged to repeal the legislation underpinning the treaty within 100 days of winning government.

Opposition Aboriginal Affairs spokesperson Melina Bath said the Coalition would instead introduce a new department, First Nations Victoria, and an advisory body.

Opposition Aboriginal Affairs spokesperson Melina Bath (above) said the Opposition would repeal the treaty within its first 100 days of government

'Not only do we oppose Treaty that's passing the lower house today - we will repeal that within the first 100 days,' Ms Bath said.

'We don't believe Treaty is the best way to close the gap and deliver better outcomes for Indigenous communities.'

Supporters argue those criticisms overlook the Treaty's potential to allow Indigenous communities genuine decision-making power.

Premier Jacinta Allan said the Treaty would give Aboriginal people the ability to have a say on the policies affecting their communities.

'This is how we build a fairer, stronger Victoria for everyone,' she said.
A sharp divide at the top of America's national security apparatus is bursting into public view as the FBI has told Congress it 'strongly' opposed a plan that would hand the nation's counterintelligence reins to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

The bureau reportedly warned lawmakers against expanding the authority of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, a letter obtained by the New York Times showed.

Gabbard's office would gain sweeping new power under the proposal that was shot down by Congress - highlighting growing unease and division across federal agencies.

Gabbard's team reportedly planned to promote the changes putting them in another letter. In its note, the FBI challenged claims from Gabbard's office that the broader intelligence community was unified in backing a plan that would place her office at the forefront of counterintelligence operations.

The letter from the FBI added to the growing evidence of strain reported between Gabbard and leaders at other intelligence agencies, particularly FBI Director Kash Patel.

The FBI letter, though unsigned, was confirmed by administration officials to have Patel's backing before being sent. It pushes back on several counterintelligence roles that Gabbard would assume, employing phrases such as 'vigorously disagrees with' and 'strong objection.'

The letter warns that one of the proposed changes would 'cause serious and long-lasting damage to the US national security.'

In a joint statement to Daily Mail, a spokesperson from Gabbard's office emphasized that they were working together, saying, 'The ODNI and the FBI are united in working with Congress to strengthen our nation's counterintelligence efforts to best protect the safety, security, and freedom of the American people.'

An intelligence community official also tells Daily Mail that the FBI's letter is a 'preemptive response' to an ODNI process document. 'It was drafted as a part of interagency coordination. Deliberative process documents are not final products. Any time there is a disagreement in opinion across the intelligence community, ODNI denotes the discrepancy in final products and accounts for it in all materials before it reaches Congress or others in the Administration.'

According to officials familiar with the matter, the House proposal would effectively place all counterintelligence operations across the nation's intelligence agencies under Gabbard's control.

A sharp divide at the top of America's national security apparatus is bursting into public view as the FBI has told Congress it 'strongly' opposed a plan that would hand the nation's counterintelligence reins to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence

The bureau reportedly warned lawmakers against expanding the authority of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, a letter obtained by the New York Times showed

In a joint statement to Daily Mail, a spokesperson from Gabbard's office emphasized that they were working together, saying, 'The ODNI and the FBI are united in working with Congress to strengthen our nation's counterintelligence efforts to best protect the safety, security, and freedom of the American people'

Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the senior Democrat on the Intelligence Committee and a longtime critic of Gabbard, called the plan to broaden her office's authority 'misguided.'

Since taking office, Gabbard has disbanded several major units under her supervision, including the teams focused on election security and the National Intelligence University.

Daily Mail reached out to both Gabbard and Patel's offices for comment.

The FBI did not immediately respond.

Joe Kent, a staunch Gabbard ally and head of the National Counterterrorism Center, ignited alarm within the FBI originally when he launched a probe into the death of activist Charlie Kirk.

Kent even went so far as to delve into the bureaus own files, sources say, looking into whether Kirk's alleged killer received help from a foreign power.

Patel shut down the entire investigation involving Gabbard's closest advisor, believing that the counter terror chief was overstepping by interfering with an ongoing FBI investigation.

The Times spoke with supporters of Kent who claim he was doing his job by chasing down any leads to ensure no foreign groups were involved in Kirk's death.

After Patel discovered Kent had gone through FBI case material related to the Kirk killing, a tense White House meeting was held to discuss the matter.

A round table meeting between Patel, Kent, Gabbard, Vice President JD Vance, White House chief of staff Susie Wilies, and senior DOJ officials was held at the White House.

Kent told administration officials that he was granted access to FBI files by a low ranking agency official.

Trump administration officials were worried that Kent's probe into foreign interference could provide ammunition to Robinson's defense lawyers, who could then argue more than one suspect was involved in Kirk's murder.
Vice President JD Vance has revealed a deeply personal faith divide with his wife Usha and his tender plea for her to convert to Christianity.

The second lady is Hindu and did not grow up in a religious household, according to her husband. Vance, on the other hand, is a devout Catholic who plans to raise his three children in a Christian household.

'Now, most Sundays Usha will come with me to church,' Vance told a MAGA audience at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi on Wednesday.

'Yes, my wife did not grow up Christian. I think it's fair to say that she grew up in a Hindu family but not a particularly religious family in either direction,' he said.

The vice president then revealed he has told Usha that he would like her to 'believe in the Christian Gospel.' It is the first time Vance has publicly revealed that he wishes for Usha to convert to Christianity.

'As I've told her, and I've said publicly, and I'll say now in front of 10,000 of my closest friends,' Vance continued. 'Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in by church?

'Yeah, I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian Gospel, and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way.'

He added, 'But if she doesn't, then God says everybody has free will, and so that doesn't cause a problem for me.'

Vice President JD Vance (L) sits with his wife Usha Vance prior to a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony for Charlie Kirk in the Rose Garden of the White House on October 14

US Vice President JD Vance, his wife Usha Vance and their children attend the Army 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington, DC on June 14

JD Vance revealed that he hopes his wife converts to Christianity in the future

The vice president converted to Catholicism in 2019, a few years before launching his political career.

Vance revealed that he considered himself an agnostic atheist when he met his future wife.

'In fact, when I met my wifeI would consider myself an agnostic or an atheist, and that's what I think she would have considered herself as well.'

Vance revealed that his 8-year-old son has already received his first Communion last year.

'Our two oldest kids ... go to a Christian school. Our 8-year-old did his first Communion about a year ago. That's the way that we have come to our arrangement.'

According to Vance, Usha has a close relationship with the priest who baptized the vice president.

'Usha's closer to the priest who baptized me than maybe I am. They talk about this stuff,' he concluded. 'My attitude is, you figure this stuff out as a family, and you trust in God to have a plan.'

The couple met while they were both attending Yale Law School and married in 2014 in dual Christian and Hindu ceremonies.

The couple have agreed to raise their children as Christians

Usha grew up in a non-religious Hindu household

Usha claims she encouraged her husband to rediscover his Christian roots

Usha has publicly stated that she encouraged her husband to reconnect with his Christian roots during their marriage.

Vance was at the University of Mississippi to support his late friend Charlie Kirk's Turning Point organization.

The vice president and his wife Usha flew to Utah to meet Charlie's wife Erika Kirk following the assassination on September 10. They flew his coffin on Air Force Two back to his home in Arizona.

Vance and Usha both attended the arena funeral days later at the State Farm Arena in Phoenix, attended by more than 90,000 people.
An Afghan man who fatally stabbed two people after unleashing a deadly knife rampage on a group of toddlers in Germany has been placed into psychiatric care.

The stabbings nine months ago in a park in the western city of Aschaffenburg killed a two-year-old boy and a 41-year-old man who tried to protect the children, and left three others wounded.

The man, identified as Enamullah O. in line with German privacy laws, was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and the hearing was a special legal procedure rather than a criminal trial, as he was deemed not criminally responsible due to his mental condition.

A court spokesperson confirmed on Thursday that a judge had ruled that he be taken into psychiatric care.

Prosecutors had been seeking to have him permanently confined to a psychiatric facility.

They previously said there was no indication the suspect acted out of extremist or terrorist motivation.

The suspect, who was arrested near the scene of the stabbing, appeared in court earlier this month.

Facing the court in handcuffs and foot shackles, he appeared groggy and subdued, wearing an open white shirt with a dark jacket.

The suspect in the killing, named by German authorities as Enamullah O. arrives in court for the start of his trial today

He stabbed little Yannis to death while attacking a group of toddlers

Five toddlers from a kindergarten class were in a public park, accompanied by two teachers, when the assailant attacked them with a kitchen knife.

He also injured a two-year-old Syrian girl, one of the teachers as well as a 72-year-old man who had also tried to protect the children.

Defence lawyer Juergen Vongries told the court earlier this month that O. was experiencing fits of delusion and had only vague memories of voices he heard at the time of the crime.

His client had expressed regret, but could offer no explanation for why he attacked the children.

A few minutes before the attack, he had allegedly watched a YouTube video with the Turkish title 'Motivating Combat Music', prosecutor Juergen Buntschuh said while reading the indictment.

The two-year-old boy was stabbed five times, and the man slain by the attacker was stabbed four times, he said.

Buntschuh said the attacker's delusions and severe mental impairment meant he was not able to fully recognise the horrific nature of his actions.

Not long after the attack, German media reported that the authorities had tried and failed in 2023 to deport the man to Bulgaria - the first EU country he had arrived in.

The murders rocked Germany and sparked heated debates about immigration

In August 2024, he allegedly threatened a fellow resident at an accommodation for asylum seekers in the nearby town of Alzenau with a butcher's knife and caused her minor injuries.

The attack, which took place on January 22, happened a month before Germany's federal election in February and contributed to a decision by now-Chancellor Friedrich Merz to introduce stricter migration policies and tighten border controls.

It was one of a string of violent attacks which raised concerns over migration and fuelled support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is topping some opinion polls.
The Department of Homeland Security has shredded a local NBC station's report on the ICE arrest of an illegal migrant in California.

NBC Bay Area reported that a 42-year-old a migrant from Mexico was arrested as he left for work in San Jose on Saturday morning.

The migrant's family shared Ring camera footage with the station showing officers, including one wearing an ICE badge, approaching his truck and yelling for him to get out.

'It was about 7 or 8 people, at least three with no uniform at all. They didn't identify themselves or anything,' his wife, who concealed her face and only identified herself as Idalia, told the station.

'They keep pushing and pulling and I was like, well, I'm not going to let you take him if you don't show me any paper.'

DHS confirmed the arrest, identifying the migrant as Gerardo Rojas-Leyva, but ripped the NBC report for failing to included his violent criminal history.

'Why is @NBCBayArea peddling a hoax for a PEDOPHILE?' the department said on social media.

'Here are the FACTS: @ICEgov arrested Gerardo Rojas-Leyva, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, with a rap sheet including lewd and lascivious acts with a child, battery of a spouse, domestic battery, and providing compensation for prostitution.

Gerardo Rojas-Leyva, 42, an illegal migrant from Mexico, was arrested as he left for work in San Jose on Saturday

'This pedophile illegally re-entered the U.S. after a previous removala felonyat an unknown date and time.

'President Trump and [Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem] are removing criminal illegal alien predators from our communities and putting the safety of Americans FIRST.'

DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin also said on X: 'Of course @NBCNews refuses to tell the American public that this illegal alien from Mexico has a rap sheet.'

In a statement to the Daily Mail, McLaughlin reiterated: 'Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the US.'

She also told Fox News that Rojas-Leyva did not provide his ID and resisted arrest.

'Rojas-Leyva's criminal history includes lewd and lascivious acts with child of 14-15 years old, battery of a spouse, inflicting corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant, and proving compensation for prostitution,' she said.

Idalia, who told the NBC affiliate that she is an American citizen, claimed that one agent used a taser on her husband and a woman who was not in uniform hit her 22-year-old daughter with baton.

The Ring footage also showed Idalia being pushed away by officers, while the couple's son was heard on cell phone video telling officers, 'Don't touch my mom.'

The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, has blasted a local NBC station's report on his arrest for not including his criminal history

Idalia claimed she contacted the Mexican Consulate about Rojas-Leyva's arrest and reported her daughters alleged injuries to the San Jose police.

As of Thursday morning, ICE records show that Rojas-Leyva was in custody at the Mesa Verde Detention Center.

The Daily Mail contacted the Mexican Consulate, the San Jose Police Department and NBC for comment.
A Canadian senior has been living in his car for months after being evicted from his home.

David Turner, 76, was kicked out of his house in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, after his debts mounted and he fell behind on rent.

He lives, eats and sleeps alone in his KIA SUV, where he stores bags of clothes, dining utensils and personal belongings.

The elderly man, who says he is a grandfather, has since been homeless for more than a year.

The worst part, Turner said, is the loneliness.

'That hurts,' he told CTV News. 'Being alone all of the time.'

He has lived in his car through harsh winters and spent time in emergency shelters, describing it as a 'very depressing' experience.

While hopping between shelters, he says he nearly missed a surprise Christmas package his family in Halifax had sent him.

David Turner, 76, has been living, eating and sleeping in his car for more than two months

Turner, of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, also experienced homelessness in 2024

Turner's voice cracked as he recalled the gift: 'There was mail there from my two grandchildren in Halifax.

'There was a Tim's card and pictures of my grandkids and that brought tears to my eyes.'

He added: 'It was supposed to be Christmas, but I got it and I called it my birthday present.'

Turner blamed rising living expenses in Canada for his heartbreaking situation.

The 76-year-old said: 'The cost of everything is just crazy.

'Seniors are struggling because of the cost of living, the cost of rent [and] the lack of affordable housing.'

Prince Edward Island authorities admitted in a report last year that the area is grappling with an aging population and higher demand for senior living facilities and age-friendly housing options.

Turner said the rising cost of living in Canada was to blame for his situation

The housing strategy report added that the area's housing supply was 'no longer keeping up' with its population growth, which led all Canadian provinces and territories over the last five years.

Turner said he has a pension but that it does not go far enough to cover rent.

He added that he could not live in senior housing options because his pension was 'over the cutoff limit.'

Last year, Turner initially took refuge at the Bedford MacDonald House, a 10-bed men's shelter operated by the Salvation Army that offers 21-day stays.

He 'timed out' his stay two days before Christmas and moved to the Park Street Emergency Shelter, which he found 'unnerving.'

'People have reported that things have been stolen from their possessions,' he said of the shelter.

The Prince Edward Island man received 'fantastic help' from a woman 'a little younger than me' at the local outreach center, he said last year.

Prince Edward Island authorities said the area's aging population demanded senior housing options

Turner said Canada was in a housing 'crisis'

Turner also participated in the Salvation Army breakfast program Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, which he called 'tremendous.'

However, he said Canada was living in a housing 'crisis' with a 'desperate' apartment crunch.

Turner intends to look for a new home soon, although he added that other crucial payments might need to come first.

He said: 'I'm working as quickly and best I can to get rid of my debt.

'I have my other bills, my medications, my car expenses.'
A Florida appeals court has reversed its decision after Maya Kowalski was awarded a $208 million payout over hospital blunders that resulted in her mom's suicide.

Maya Kowalski - whose story is the subject of Netflix documentary 'Take Care of Maya'- won the case in 2023 after a jury ruled Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital was liable for her mom's death.

Maya, 19, was just 10 years old when she was removed by the state after doctors accused her parents of faking symptoms for her rare condition - complex regional pain syndrome.

After three months of separation, her mother Beata, died by suicide. Jurors originally ruled in Maya's favor, finding that the hospital had falsely imprisoned her and held them liable for Beata's death.

Lawyers for St Petersburg hospital filed an appeal in 2024, arguing the damages were excessive and Maya's testimony created an emotional bias on the jury.

Floridas Second District Court of Appeal reversed the decision on Wednesday and found that the hospital acted in good faith in its participation with child protection activities.

'Nothing in the record suggests that JHACH's participation in implementing the dependency court orders, as it was required to do, was not done in good faith,' the court document stated.

The nearly 50-page document found the original verdict wrongly denied the hospital legal immunity under child protection laws.

Maya Kowalski, now 19, was just 10, when she was removed by the state after doctors accused her parents of faking symptoms for her rare condition

(L to R) Maya Kowalski; Jack Kowalski; Beata Kowalski; and Kyle Kowalski in Take Care of Maya

Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital at 501 Sixth Ave. S in St Petersburg, Florida

They added the trial court misapplied the Chapter 39 immunity- which protects institutions who report suspected child abuse out of good faith- and that the hospital should have been protected under that civil liability law.

'JHACH's actions were authorized or required by chapter 39, and there is no evidence that its participation was not in good faith,' court records stated.

A final agreement found the Circuit Judge should have granted the hospital a new trial- adding the few remaining claims make this case eligible for a retrial.

JHACH's attorney Ethen Shapiro said Wednesday's decision means the full $213 million verdict is no longer valid.

'This opinion sends a clear and vital message to mandatory reporters in Florida and across the country that their duty to report suspicions of child abuse and, critically, their good faith participation in child protection activities remain protected,' he said in a statement to the Daily Mail.

He added the law always prioritized protecting children and they look forward 'to vigorously defending our doctors, nurses, and staff in a fair trial.'

The Kowalski's family attorney released a statement about their disappointed with the decision.

'Judge Smiths concurring opinion emphasized Johns Hopkins outrageous actions towards Maya, and the next jury will see things just like the first one did,' Nick Whitney with Childers Law wrote.

Maya and her mother Beata, Beata died by suicide shortly after seeing Maya once in 87 days of separation

Maya suffered from mystery symptoms such as lesions, asthma attacks and lower-limb muscle contractions at nine-years-old

The Kowalskis were awarded $261 million in damages after a Florida jury found the hospital had falsely imprisoned Maya and contributed to her mother's death

Maya Kowalski hugs her attorney Nick Whitney after a jury awarded her family more than $200 million

'Johns Hopkins was "in charge of caring for and treating Maya. Instead, they exploited their position with full knowledge that Maya, a ten-year-old child, would not be able to endure such outrageous conduct."'

Maya was diagnosed with the rare neurological condition CRPS in 2016 and was recommended ketamine infusion treatments for the pain.

The treatment noticeably helped but severe abdominal pain sent her to the ER at JHACH in St Petersburg.

Her mother requested the ketamine treatment, but doctors refused. When she insisted it was doctor-recommended and demanded it, Maya was removed from her parents custody.

Beata was then accused of having Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSbP) - a mental health condition where the affected falsely acts like someone within their care is sick.

Maya was confined to her hospital bed for almost three months and saw her family once during the separation.

Beata died by suicide two days after the visit, believing that 'removing herself' was the only way to get her daughter better care.

A Florida jury found the hospital had falsely imprisoned Maya and contributed to her mother's death - the Kowalskis were originally awarded $261 million in damages.
A controversial pastor, whose wife once set fire to the home he shared with his mistress, has died at the age of 83.

Henry J. Lyons died on October 27 in Tampa, Florida. His cause of death has not been released.

He led the National Baptist Convention from 1994 to 1998 and was known for his impassioned speeches.

'His unwavering commitment to the church and community will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude,' the church said in a statement.

But his time as a church leader was not without scandal. Lyons spent five years in prison for stealing money and had an extra-marital affair.

His misdeeds caught up with him in 1997, when he and his mistress took a lavish trip to Nigeria, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

He had recently purchased a $700,000 home in Tierra Verde, Florida. On the deed, he listed himself as a single man and included his employee Bernice V. Edwards' name on it.

His wife, Deborah, quickly suspected he was having an affair after finding the deed in his briefcase. While he enjoyed Nigeria, she set multiple fires inside his home, causing $30,000 worth of damage.

Henry J. Lyons died on October 27 in Tampa. His cause of death has not been released. He was 83

Lyons (pictured with his granddaughter) led the National Baptist Convention from 1994 to 1998 and was a riveting pastor who was known for his impassioned speeches

Deborah was charged with arson and burglary and sentenced to five years probation.

It was also discovered that Lyons had an illegitimate child and had been involved with other women, The Independent reported at the time.

But it wasn't the only trouble Lyons would find himself in as the church discovered he was siphoning money.

When he was appointed president of the church, he opened the Baptist Builder Fund account. It was later discovered Lyons, Edwards, and a businesswoman named Brenda Harris were using the account to fund lavish purchases.

He bought a home in St. Petersburg, a Mercedes car, and jewelry, according to the report.

In 1998, the three faced a 61-count federal indictment for tax evasion, money laundering and bank fraud.

Lyons pled guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison.

In 2004, he returned to preaching at a Tampa church after failing to regain presidency at the National Baptist Convention and the Florida General Baptist Convention.

His wife, Deborah, (pictured together) quickly suspected he was having an affair after finding the housing deed in his briefcase listing another woman on it and him as a single man. She set multiple fires in his house while he was in Nigeria

But it wasn't the only trouble Lyons would find himself in as the church found out he was siphoning money. He was sentenced to four years in prison

His family remembers him as 'one of the baddest preachers in the 90s,' who played an 'influential role in the Baptist Church (pictured: Lyons and his daughter)

After eight years of preaching at the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, the establishment filed for bankruptcy.

It was later discovered by the Tampa Bay Times that Lyons had shifted money from the church's accounts to secret accounts he controlled.

His family remembers him as 'one of the baddest preachers in the 90s,' who played an 'influential role in the Baptist Church. 'Baddest' is a slang term with positive connotations.

'He's the reason why I would only attend 'old school Baptist' churches as an adult,' his granddaughter, Tee Jay Elle, wrote on Facebook.

'He was a BAD man, but to Tyler and I, he was 'granddad,' and he loved us so much. I find comfort & peace in knowing that he's resting and gratitude for the time spent together.'

His daughter, Treva Lyons Kelly, wrote: 'I'm still trying [to] wake up from a bad nightmare.

'My daddy was many things to many people - pastor, husband, father, grandfather, mentor, philanthropist, trailblazer, giant, and servant leader and activist in his community. He taught me to stand strong in my faith and always stand forever's right and for equality not only for myself and my children, but for everyone.

'I love you and miss you, daddy.'
The Trump administration has been accused of targeting the black middle-class amid the government shutdown.

Black people account for 19 percent of the federal workforce, compared to 13 percent of the overall US labor force, and many of the suburbs around Washington, DC, are among the wealthiest black communities in the country.

The government shutdown entered its 30th day on Wednesday and the impasse between Republicans and Democrats has left hundreds of thousands of employees furloughed or laid off work.

A brewing backlash blames Donald Trump for the crisis, with some going as far as to accuse the president of deliberately hurting the black middle-class, and in particular women.

When asked about the accusation by the Daily Mail, the White House responded, 'How are we targeting them with the government shutdown? We want the government open.'

Comedian Clark Larew Jones posted on Threads that as a 'black millennial kid, nothing in my family was more coveted than a 'good government job.'

That sparked a slew of replies, with one user claiming 'they're trying to take the middle class away from blacks so we can revert back to menial labor.'

Another said, 'this is why the DC area has one of the wealthiest and successful black cohorts in the country, it is because of good government jobs.'

People listen as Everett Kelley, President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Union, during a "Save the Civil Service" rally outside the U.S. Capitol on February 11, 2025 in Washington, DC

President Everett Kelley speaks during the Hands Off! day of action against the Trump administration and Elon Musk on April 05, 2025 in Washington, DC

Dapper Dan Midas (DDm), a Baltimore-based rapper, songwriter, and media personality, started his own thread claiming that there has been an 'alarming' rise in black unemployment since Trump took office.

Midas added: '300,000 black women have lost their jobs since January.'

Democratic Representative Ayanna Pressley has raised concern about the same issue on Capitol Hill, writing a letter to Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

'What I'm calling on the Fed to do is collect the data, to analyze the data and to come up with a plan. 300,000 black women have been pushed out of the labor force in the public and private sector  and that is a crisis,' Pressley said last month.

Black women make up 12 percent of the federal workforce, almost double their share of the overall labor force.

Between February and June, 318,000 black women lost their jobs, according to Forbes, which cited the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The reason for the massive employment change is due to a combination of factors, not limited to Trump's policies.

While it is true that federal layoffs by Elon Musk's DOGE and the dismantling of DEI programs impacted black women's jobs, they were also affected by the expiration of pandemic-era supports, which coincided with Trump's first term, including childcare subsidies.

Comedian Clark Larew Jones posted on Threads that as a 'black millennial kid, nothing in my family was more coveted than a 'good government job.' One response said 'this is why the DC area has one of the wealthiest and successful black cohorts in the country, it is because of good government jobs.'

Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., holds a news conference to highlight how mass federal workforce layoffs and anti-DEI policies by President Donald Trump impact black women and the economy, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025

The Trump administration has been accused of targeting the black middle class amid the government shutdown

Brittney Cooper, a race and gender professor at Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick, posted on Threads: 'You can't bounce 300,000 black women out of stable jobs without it having a seismic effect on overall black economic stability.'

In total, the federal government workforce is 3 million people, not including another 1.3 million military personnel.

Black women are overrepresented in the government workforce, meaning that the demographic is particularly sensitive to shocks in the federal labor market.

Brittney Cooper, a race and gender professor at Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick, posted on Threads: 'You can't bounce 300,000 black women out of stable jobs without it having a seismic effect on overall black economic stability.'

In February, a report by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) noted that the federal hiring freeze implemented by the administration was a threat to 'a long-standing pathway towards stable, middle-class employment for Black Americans as 19 percent of the federal workforce is Black compared to 13 percent of the overall workforce.'

NCRC's report also notes that the legacy of federal hiring and retention practices can be seen in helping build the black middle class in the Washington, DC suburbs, particularly in Prince George's (PG) County, Maryland, just across the river from the nation's capital.

PG County 'has consistently been among the wealthiest Black communities in the country,' per the NCRC's report.

Another article posted by the Center for American Progress (CAC) in August notes that 'black employees made up as much as one-third or more of the staff at agencies such as the Department of Education, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development,' while calling the Trump administration's federal workforce purge an 'unprecedented assault.'

The shutdown stems from a partisan dispute over health care subsidies for the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, which serve approximately 24 million Americans who don't have employer-based insurance or public coverage like Medicaid.

Democrats fear that any budget agreement could be undone through rescissions, a rarely-used presidential power that Trump revived earlier this year to codify spending cuts recommended by the Department of Government Efficiency.

The Senate has held repeated votes on a House-passed continuing resolution, with most Democrats voting against it and Republicans supporting it. But the Senate needs 60 votes to break the stalemate and has not been able to achieve that number.

Meanwhile, the Republican-led House has remained in recess throughout the entire shutdown and has not held any votes, though Speaker Mike Johnson said the chamber was on 24-hour notice to return if needed.

The AFGE, the largest union that represents federal workers, split with the Democrats earlier this week in an attempt to get them to end the shutdown by agreeing to the Republican funding proposals. However, Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin told CNN Monday that he was 'not seeing any change in position at this time.'

The president is currently overseas on a diplomatic trip to Asia, further complicating negotiations as the crisis drags on at home.
The troubled son of chef Marco Pierre White has been jailed after causing almost 60,000 worth of damage during a burglary and shoplifting spree to fund his drug habit.

Marco Pierre White Jr, 30, broke into the La Piccola deli in Chelsea, London, and grabbed a laptop, tablet, iPod and the till tray on June 12 this year.

Three days later the former Celebrity Big Brother star smashed his way into Venusrox, a store on All Saints Road, Notting Hill, and stole two natural rock crystal formations.

His spree continued when he caused 44,000 worth of damage by destroying crystals and committing theft at Dale Rogers' Ammonite on Pimlico Road on June 19.

The shop is described as 'London's home of rare fossils, decorative minerals and exquisite crystals'.

White took two green fluorite crystal lamp towers and caused significant damage to four mounted crystals and the front door.

He smashed his way in through the front door and was seen entering on three separate occasions before cycling away.

The theft from Dale Rogers Ammonite was described as 'devastating, both personally and to the business'.

White made a habit of targeting small stores with high-value items in the middle of the night, travelling to and from each store on a Lime bike.

Marco Pierre White Jr (pictured) has been jailed for a 60,000 burglary and shoplifting spree to fund his drug habit

He is the son of Marco Pierre White, the youngest ever cook to attain three Michelin stars

The court heard he has a 'long-standing drug addiction' and was on two suspended sentences for the majority of his thieving spree.

White has 30 previous convictions for 69 offences. The spree began on April 1, when an alarm was triggered at Clayton's Kitchens, Bath.

The next day broken glass and blood was found, but no items were stolen.

The following day, police received a call at 4.30am relating to Mercy in Action, a charity shop in Bath.

White was later seen wearing clothing an eyewitness had seen him in, with more than 500 stolen from the charity stop.

He initially denied this offence and said he borrowed the clothing but later pleaded guilty.

On June 18, White walked into Waterstones, Chiswick, west London and stole 493 of Jellycat toys and fled on a Lime bike.

He carried out another theft that day when he walked into Aesop Store on Westbourne Grove at about 1.30pm after arriving on bike.

White began placing boxes in his bag and when approached by a shop assistant, he told her: 'Don't come near me or I'll hurt you.'

He stole 1,331 of items from there and again fled on a Lime bike.

His criminal spree came to an end on June 21, when he broke into Presents on Barnes High Street, using a brick to enter the store.

He stole 1,500 of Jellycats and hailed an Uber.

Marco Jr, the son of chef Marco Pierre White, broke into an Italian Deli store in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea, called La Piccola, stealing a laptop, a tablet, an iPod and a till tray on June 12

The theft from Dale Rogers Ammonite (pictured) was described as 'devastating, both personally and to the business'

The driver alerted police though and after deploying a dog unit, they found White with the stolen toys.

White had left DNA at almost every scene he had been at in the form of blood from breaking in through glass.

Bearded White, with long-braided hair, appeared at Isleworth Crown Court via video-link from HMP Wandsworth, wearing a red t-shirt.

But he did not return to the video-room after Judge Edward Connell retired to consider his sentence.

Judge Connell described White's spree as a 'campaign of dishonesty' and spoke of his 'wilful' and 'persistent' non-compliance when on suspended sentences.

He said: 'All of the offences are aggravated by the defendant's appalling record for dishonesty and the fact that he was subject to one or for the most part two suspended sentences.

'In my view, he is quite aptly described as a prolific offender.

'He has a poor record on court orders, committing offences while subject to suspended sentence orders.

'The defendant is in breach of two suspended sentence orders, the first was imposed on 29 November 2024 for burglaries, for which he received a 10-week suspended sentence for 18 months.'

White earlier admitted four counts of burglary, criminal damage and a series of theft charges.

He was jailed for a total of three years and 10 months.
Two French police officers have been arrested for allegedly raping a young woman while she was in custody at a court, a prosecutor said on Thursday.

The woman who accused the two officers said the alleged assault took place overnight Tuesday to Wednesday in Bobigny, a town north of Paris, prosecutor Eric Mathais said.

Earlier Wednesday, the woman had been brought before the Bobigny's public prosecutor office for 'acts of parental neglect', he added.

The woman is 26, while the two accused officers - who 'have not been police officers for long' - are 23 and 35, according to a source close to the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Mathais declined to give further details because the investigation is ongoing.

France's internal police investigation service, the IGPN, is looking into the case.

France has been rocked by a series of high-profile rape cases in recent months that has sparked a debate about consent.

Two French police officers have been arrested for allegedly raping a young woman while she was in custody at a court, a prosecutor said on Thursday (stock image of the courthouse of Bobigny, a northeastern Paris suburb)

Its parliament on Wednesday adopted a bill defining rape as any non-consensual sexual act, a vote hailed by supporters as a move from 'a culture of rape to a culture of consent'.

It comes after the harrowing 2024 trial of Dominique Pelicot, Gisele Pelicot's husband and the man branded the Monster of Avignon.

He was jailed for 20 years for drugging, raping and arranging for dozens of men to assault his wife over nearly a decade.

Gisele returned to court in France earlier this month to face one of her rapists as he appealed his conviction.

The 72-year-old, whose story shocked the world, was surrounded by police, her lawyers and her son Florian as she arrived at the courthouse in Nimes.

The only rapist left challenging his conviction for abusing Gisele is claiming he was 'trapped' by her husband.

Last year, 44-year-old Husamettin Dogan was sentenced to nine years in prison for raping Gisele after her husband, Dominique, invited him via an online chatroom to abuse her while she was unconscious.

While Gisele was accompanied by relatives as she made her way into the court, her daughter, Caroline Darian, did not attend. The pair have not spoken since the first trial, when Darian accused her mother of turning the tragedy into a 'spectacle.'
A Colorado woman allegedly stabbed an Uber driver in the neck and left his body in the desert because she was feeling 'cooped up' and wanted to go for a 'joy ride,' police say.

Khayla Dawson, 27, is accused of murdering driver Jeremy Campbell, 38, on October 26 after calling his Uber to her apartment in El Paso County, Colorado late that night.

According to police, Dawson was identified as Campbell's final client through ride share data, and she initially told police that he took her to visit a friend before changing her story to say she wanted to go for a ride.

She told investigators that she fell asleep in the back of the car, and woke up in a fright when Campbell reached back and tried to sexually assault her, according to a police affidavit.

Cops said she admitted to stabbing Campbell in the neck with a knife because of the alleged move from the driver, but investigators found that she had taken a knife from her kitchen when she called the Uber.

Dawson said she left Campbell in a remote stretch and took his car back to her apartment complex, where it was discovered filled with blood the next morning.

A search warrant on Dawson's apartment then found Campbell's car keys hidden in her laundry room, a wallet with his ID and credit cards hidden in her kitchen, and a single knife missing from her kitchen butcher block.

After Dawson was charged with murder, KRDO reported that she was a former college athlete with dreams of competing in the Olympics, and had attempted to earn a spot on the US Olympic shotput team in June 2024.

Khayla Dawson, 27, allegedly stabbed an Uber driver in the neck and left his body in the desert because she was feeling 'cooped up' and wanted to go for a 'joy ride,' police say

Dawson called Uber driver Jeremy Campbell, 38, on October 26, before allegedly stabbing him in the neck and leaving his body in a remote stretch in El Paso County, Colorado

According to the police affidavit, Dawson was picked up by Campbell at 11:45pm from her apartment complex.

The Uber driver's family reported him missing at around 3:45am after they said they failed to get in contact with him for several hours.

At around 5am, Campbell's father told cops that he was able to find his son's location after being contacted by Campbell's out-of-state girlfriend, who could see his phone on a Snapchat map.

The location showed the car was in Dawson's apartment complex parking lot, and his car was found by cops around half an hour later.

Police said the car was discovered with 'a significant amount of blood' both inside and outside the vehicle, but the driver's body was not inside.

His blood-spattered phone was also discovered by a resident in the apartment complex stairwell, which had a number of missed calls from Campbell's family.

By 9am, investigators were able to obtain driver data from Uber through an emergency request, and Uber showed that Dawson was the last client, according to the affidavit.

Uber data showed that Dawson cancelled her ride with Campbell at around 3am, when she claimed that she was sexually assaulted by the driver, which she claimed led her to stab him in self-defense.

The driver data also showed that Dawson's phone went dark soon after she had been picked up and did not track any further data until she was back home around 3am, indicating that she likely turned it off during the trip.

Dawson was a former college athlete with dreams of competing in the Olympics, and had attempted to earn a spot on the US Olympic shotput team in June 2024 (pictured during the trials)

Investigators seen searching the area where Campbell's body was found the morning after picking Dawson up in his Uber

Campbell's body was found in a remote stretch near an intersection at around 11am on Monday, and a knife that matched the one missing from Dawson's kitchen knife block was discovered near the body, cops said.

Data from Campbell's phone showed him driving to an area near to where his body was found, but instead of turning left on his intended route, his car accelerated through a barbed wire fence and into the middle of a field.

The car remained there for around an hour-and-a-half until 1:45am, before it turned around and headed back to Dawson's apartment, the affidavit said.

Following the search of her apartment, Dawson was initially taken to hospital for evaluation before being charged with first-degree murder, aggravated robbery, motor vehicle theft, and tampering with physical evidence.

According to the affidavit, investigators doubted Dawson's allegations of sexual assault and self-defense, and said they believe Dawson ordered the Uber with the intent to kill Campbell.

Investigators cited the alleged fact that she took a knife with her for the trip and turned her phone off as indications of 'pre-planning an act of violent nature.'

Dawson was initially held without bond, and is next due in court on November 6.
British travellers are being warned they can only use e-gates at major German airports if they first register with police.

The Germany embassy in the UK issued the advice amid claims that Britons are being 'treated worse' than travellers from 'any other Western country'.

The concerns have been raised despite Sir Keir Starmer boasting earlier this year that his Brexit 'reset' deal with the EU would make travelling to Europe easier.

The Prime Minister also signed a 'landmark' bilateral treaty with Germany in July, which the Government claimed would allow UK travellers to Germany to use e-gates.

Former Tory MP Greg Hands highlighted the situation facing British citizens in Germany as he travelled through Munich Airport this week.

He noted how travellers from many countries can all currently use e-gates under the airport's 'EasyPass' scheme without prior registration.

This includes citizens from EU countries as well as those from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Travellers from Australia, Brazil, Israel, Japan, Canada, Singapore, and the UAE are also able to use e-gates in Munich without prior registration.

But UK citizens are not entitled to use the same scheme and must use an alternative 'EASYPass-RTP' scheme, which requires them to first register with the federal police.

British travellers are being warned they can only use e-gates at major German airports if they first register at a police office

Former Tory MP Greg Hands highlighted the situation facing British citizens in Germany as he travelled through Munich Airport this week

The Germany embassy in the UK replied to one of Mr Hands' posts on X/Twitter

In a series of posts on X/Twitter, Mr Hands wrote: 'The UK Government pledged in July that British travellers to Germany will start to use the e-gates from August.

'But here at Munich airport, it seems almost everyone can use the e-gates EXCEPT the Brits - e.g. Brazil, Chile, Taiwan, Australia, Korea, USA, Japan.'

He added: 'Now I am told by the German side that Brits can use the e-gates, but only if we first report to and register at one of these 8 police stations.

'Whilst meanwhile, American, Israeli, Chilean and Brazilian businesspeople and travellers sail through.'

The ex-trade minister continued: 'We are treated worse than any other Western country. Yet Germany wants to do youth mobility & school visits deals with us?'

Mr Hands claimed that 'something has gone seriously wrong in UK-German relations' as he vowed to take up the issue with both British and German ministers.

'I travel to Germany a lot and currently I have to factor in on each business trip an extra half hour to get through immigration. Munich is the worst,' he posted.

In reply to one of Mr Hands' posts, the Germany embassy in the UK wrote: 'British passport holders can use eGates at major German airports if they have registered for the EasyPASS Registered Traveller Programme (RTP) at a service office of the Federal Police.'

Mr Hands later revealed he had been in direct contact with Germany's interior minister Alexander Dobrindt, adding: 'He is on the case!'

Travellers wanting to register for the EasyPASS-RTP scheme are advised they can only do so 'in the service offices of the federal police' at EasyPass locations at Germany's main airports.

This can 'generally be done without an appointment during opening hours', the official advice adds.

A Government spokesperson said: 'We are working hard with our European counterparts to roll out eGates access for British nationals, as soon as technically feasible.'

After he signed his Brexit 'reset' deal with the EU in May this year, Sir Keir told the House of Commons it 'helps British holiday makers because they will be able to use e-gates when they travel to Europe, ending those huge queues to passport control'.

The PM went on to sign a new treaty with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in July.

The Government claimed that 'millions of UK travellers to Germany will be able to use e-gates in the future' thanks to the bilateral agreement.

The Cabinet Office said that Germany would 'roll out the first phase of e-gates access for UK travellers by the end of August, starting with frequent travellers such as Brits with family in Germany or who travel regularly for business'.

The department added that 'access for all UK nationals will be possible once Germany has completed technical updates to its entry systems as it introduces the new EU's Entry/Exit System'.

Nick Thomas-Symonds, the EU relations minister, said in July: 'eGates can make the slog of travelling through an airport that bit easier, which is why I have been working with the EU and member states to get more airports opened up to Brits abroad.

'With 30billion of services trade between the UK and the EU, this agreement isn't just good for holidaymakers, it's good for British businesses too.

'Making traveling easier between Europe's biggest economies, to get deals done and boost growth.'
Prices of fish and chips takeaways are soaring amid Britain's cost of living cash squeeze, leading industry figures are warning.

A shortage of cod is among the factors being blamed for the rising fees being charged for what is among the UK's most beloved staple dishes.

Sanctions on Russian fishing companies Norebo and Murman Seafood following that country's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine are also seen to have pushed up charges for supplies, retailers say.

The volume of seafood coming into Britain is also affected by the Barents Sea quota, a legal limit on how much cod can be caught each year and determined by Norway and Russia.

Up to 40 per cent of all cod and haddock sold in British's 10,500 fish and chip takeaways was caught by Russian trawlers.

The UK announced in 2022 it was imposing a 35 per cent tariff on Russian fishing firms' supplies, while the US banned all Russian seafood imports.

Mehmet Cafer, owner of a takeaway store called Jack The Chipper in Greenwich, south London, described how wholesale costs had leapt by 5 per kilogram.

He said: 'Last month we had to increase our prices by 1 and unfortunately lots of customers complained.

Prices of fish and chips takeaways are soaring amid Britain's cost of living cash squeeze, leading industry figures are warning (stock picture)

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'We haven't looked at other fish as cod and haddock are the traditional fish used. Quality wise, we don't want to use frozen fish.'

And the National Federation of Fish Friers' president Andrew Crook highlighted worrying supply issues following the sanctions on those two Russian businesses, Metro reported.

He also said the amount of cod allowed to be caught in the Barents Sea, between Russia and Norway, had slumped from an annual 1million tonnes to 340,000.

The NFFF has previously warned that Energy Secretary Ed Miliband's drive towards making the UK Net Zero by 2030 could kill off the country's fish and chip shops.

The body said a third of fish and chip shops represented by them could go out of business amid record price rises for fish, batter, fat, wrapping paper and energy.

A typical portion of fish and chips rose to nearly 10 last year, marking a 52 per cent rise in prices since 2019 when the average was 6.48.

Mr Crook insisted gas was the 'most effective way to fry' and described full electrification of appliances as 'not feasible or affordable'.

He urged the Government to 'take care to not further undermine' fish and chip businesses that are often 'at the heart' of local communities.

Andrew Crook, head of the National Federation of Fish Fryers, has told of rising prices

Mr Crook has now warned of worse to come, saying: 'We have major supply issues for cod which has affected haddock prices too.

'There is also some panic buying of headed and gutted fish by European processors as they have banned trade with two big Russian companies.

'Hopefully that will settle down as they too seek alternative sources.'

Meanwhile, the Marine Conservation Society's Brooke Schlipf warned how a 'decline' in cod could have 'knock-on effects throughout the food chain' - with plenty of 'marine life that depend on it as a food source'.

She added: 'The current shortage of cod stocks in UK seas is a clear warning: We urgently need to improve management to protect these stocks.

'One simple way people can help is by swapping cod for a more sustainable whitefish option, such as hake.'

The Daily Mail revealed earlier this year how fish and chip shops were hiking their prices - with the Labour Government's increase in National Insurance contributions which are paid to staff was among the elements pinpointed by business owners.

Brad-Lee Navruz, who runs the Nippy Chippy in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, said he 'feels bad' for customers shocked by new prices, but explained the rising cost of ingredients left him with little alternative.

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He is now charging 15 for a large cod and chips and 12.50 for a regular portion - a significant jump from the previous price of 10.30.

Nearby shop owner Josefina Fernandes, who runs the Big Fish in Stroud, offers a large cod and chips for 12.

Mrs Fernandes, 76, said: 'It's hurting. The prices we have to pay our suppliers now for fish, potatoes and all the other ingredients - in addition to ever-increasing energy costs and everything else - leaves us with very little profit.

'We were forced to put our prices up slightly in February this year. We put the price of large cod and small chips up from 11 to 12, but that gets nowhere near to covering the extra we are having to pay now.

'We're absorbing most of the increases ourselves and that hits our profits hard.

'But if we passed on the the whole of the increases to our customers, we'd be out of business. They have choice so we have to try and be as competitive as we can.

'It is tough in this business now. I'm grateful to our customers for being loyal and still coming in and spending their money here.'

Chancellor Rachel Reeves' hike to employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) was announced last October.

The rate of employer NICs rose from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent amid Treasury attempts to raise about 25billion a year.

The Chancellor also cut the threshold at which firms become liable to pay NICs on an employees' earnings.

Liberal Democrats' analysis found, on average, an employee would be worse off by roughly 2,900 by 2030.

It also indicated workers were set to experience a hit of nearly 470 in the next year on average.

The analysis revealed that of the 25.7billion hit to firms from Ms Reeves' 'jobs tax' in 2029-2030, about 19.5billion would get passed on to workers.
A 68-year-old Delaware man is in critical condition after being struck by the wing mirror of an oncoming car as he crossed the street.

The crash happened Monday around 7.23pm in Seaford - a city of about 8,000 people two hours from Wilmington - when a gray Lincoln Navigator hit the walker near West Stein Highway and Porter Street.

The car initially slowed down after colliding with the man before continuing.

The Seaford Police Department told the Daily Mail the pedestrian hit by the wing mirror remained in critical condition Wednesday afternoon.

His identity was being withheld unless his condition turned fatal, the force said.

The driver of the car was being 'tracked down,' police added.

The incident remained under investigation as a hit-and-run for a 'serious injury' accident.

A 68-year-old man is in critical condition after being hit by the wing mirror of a car (File photo of a Lincoln Navigator)

The crash happened Monday near the Pizza King restaurant in Seaford, Delaware

Police said they need to identify the driver who fled the scene and that the car is likely missing a side mirror.

Delaware law states that the driver in a crash needs to 'immediately stop' their vehicle and make 'reasonable efforts' to check whether anyone else involved in the collision had been injured or killed.

Leaving the scene of a crash that causes injury is a misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison, while a hit-and-run resulting in death is a felony leading to at least one year in prison.

Police said they were still gathering eyewitness accounts, as well as looking for any cameras that captured the crash or the roadway.

Jaylen Taylor, who lives in Seaford, saw the aftermath of the crash.

'[What] just happened,' he asked on social media on October 27.

'Somebody was laid out in the road.'

The Seaford Police Department told the Daily Mail the hit-and-run was being investigated

There was still no information on who exactly caused the crash, police said (File photo of a Lincoln Navigator side mirror)

There was still 'no finalized information' on the exact cause of the crash or who precisely was at fault, police stressed.

A dispatch call said the collision happened in front of the Pizza King restaurant.

The victim was initially taken to Nanticoke Hospital and later flown to Christiana Hospital.

There were 27,660 traffic crashes in Delaware last year, according to state police, with a collision happening every 19 minutes.

The accidents caused 132 total deaths and killed 34 pedestrians.
It's time to drag the broomstick out of the cupboard and don the pointy hat. Halloween is upon us.

But when trick-or-treat has run its course and pumpkin lanterns start to rot, not every witch will be retreating to her lair.

Because, for a growing number of women, witchcraft isnt just a costume, its a calling. Witches have gone global  and viral. The business of black magic is booming.

The hashtag WitchesOfInstagram has more than ten million hits. WitchTok on TikTok boasts more than nine million posts. Search Facebook, and youll find the witches of the web there, too, offering spells for everything from securing a dream job to summoning a horde of demons.

All at a price, of course  ranging from a couple of pounds to 12,000 plus VAT.

On Etsy, an online marketplace best known for homeware and vintage items, nearly 36,000 sellers offer services ranging from karmic rituals to digital divinations, and goods such as apothecary kits and even voodoo dolls.

The number of those identifying as Pagan or Wiccan (a modern form of paganism associated with witches), or as a practitioner of witchcraft, has shot up from 69,600 in 2011 to more than 87,000 in the 2021 census.

In July this year, a YouGov poll found that one in five Britons believe that witches with magic powers exist. No wonder the commercial sector has seen its chance.

A quick glance at Etsy shows witches selling Halloween Spell Cards for 4 and Samhain Ancestral Spell Kits for 9 (Samhain being the ancient Celtic festival celebrated by witches on October 31).

A souring spell from the Etsy account Greys Witch Emporium, which costs 15.60

One web witch is even offering to recite Halloween spells at Stonehenge for a mere 240.

Each bit of magic is supposedly tailored to the buyer, with such things as whispered incantations and herbs gathered by moonlight thrown into the mix.

Just hand over your name, date of birth  and the long number from your credit card  then sit back and wait for the witch to concoct your ritual. You can expect to receive a photograph, video or some other form of evidence that the spell has been performed.

Cyber-sorcery is now said to be worth more than $2.3billion (1.7billion) in America - and is fast-growing in the UK, too.

So, to test out this phenomenon, I purchased a Karma and Revenge ritual from Etsy for just 10. I typed in my name, date of birth and the full details of my childhood nemesis  plus the reason I wanted justice.

My hex was very tame: I only wanted proportional karma. And my witch was confident that, after 24 hours, payback would be directed towards the person in question.

I waited and waited  and Im still waiting. But if the first rule of spells is that you have to believe, as the online magicians insist, then perhaps this is where Im falling down.

As Lavender Grey, 41, who runs the Etsy account Greys Witch Emporium, explained to the Daily Mail: There is a degree of giving people hope. I have to believe they will trust in my work. They are the people making it happen. Im paving the way. Theyre walking down it.

Lilly Statham, a self-taught witch from Derby, runs the Instagram account Mystic Primrose

Grey first opened her Etsy shop in 2019 from her home in Knowlton, Dorset, though shed been steeped in magic from an early age, hailing from a family of witches and psychics  she went to her first coven (a witches' meeting) at 14.

Her Witch Emporium boasts 2,500 effusive reviews of wares ranging from a general 15 souring spell to bring discord and misfortune to those who have wronged you to a customised spell for 120, meaning you can ask for specifics.

I ask what they are looking for and the details, she explains. Its often for love  either to fix a relationship or to sour one and separate people.

She then films herself conducting her spells to send as proof to the buyer. Some can take up to eight hours to perform.

I actually do my spells, she explains. There are lots of people out there who dont... With anything to do with witchcraft, there are people who arent genuine  and those seeking us out are sometimes fragile or vulnerable and their trust has been exploited.

Lilly Statham, a self-taught witch from Derby, is another who has started selling spells.

After obtaining a masters degree in zoology, she started to run the Instagram account Mystic Primrose, which has 1.2 million followers. On it, she promotes spell jars, tarot readings and altar tools. She has noticed a surge in interest.

My Instagram DMs (messages) are absolutely flooded, she says. I try to get back to as many people as possible, but sometimes its difficult.

Lillys jars, which sell for around 22.50, contain herbs and spices that have had incantations performed over them.

Shes a modern witch, so works solo, explaining: Ive never been in a coven. There are no covens (groups of witches) around Derby  so its just me.

Lilly, whose book Manifest Like A Witch is due out next year, teaches others how to cast their own spells, covering the likes of how to get them to think of you and ways to protect your finances.

While views of witches have changed for the better since the historical persecutions  which reached a peak in the 16th and 17th centuries  some modern spells-for-sale have taken a dark turn.

In September, just days before the MAGA influencer, Charlie Kirk, was shot dead at Utah Valley University, a hex  or malign spell  had been placed on him by Etsy witches.

In an article headlined We Paid Some Etsy Witches to Curse Charlie Kirk, published two days before the killing, the feminist website Jezebel said: If the far-right misogynist with a bad haircut wants to villainise independent women, Jezebel is more than happy to be the hag of his nightmares. So they hired witches to curse him.

One of the witches in question, Priestess Lilin, has since told the Daily Mail that the hex was not intended to physically harm Kirk and that she did not celebrate the loss of life.

The assassination sparked a 600 per cent increase in Google searches for Etsy witch.

This dark magic includes horrible and violent promises; for example, one spell claims to induce severe mental disorder', adding that it will 'unleash schizophrenia, bipolar madness, curse of anguish [and] enemy destruction'. This costs 419.39 and also comes with 'two free spiritual readings'.

Another claims it will summon help from a horde of 5,000 demons for 132, or forge a pact with 72 Luciferian demons for 2,000.

In an article headlined We Paid Some Etsy Witches to Curse Charlie Kirk, published two days before the killing, the feminist website Jezebel said: If the far-right misogynist with a bad haircut wants to villainise independent women, Jezebel is more than happy to be the hag of his nightmares. So they hired witches to curse him

For the record, the pact has 165 reviews, many of them with five stars and exclamations such as: Already seeing results!

On its page of rules, Etsy formally prohibits metaphysical services, including items that advertise a metaphysical outcome such as attracting wealth, love or assistance with legal or relationship situations.

The platform stipulates that items must include a tangible good. But what are rules when it comes to dark spells  or a quick buck?

Megan Archer, who teaches witchcraft to her 403,000 followers on Instagram and is the author of the forthcoming book Instant Witch: The Beginners Guide, is wary of this baneful magic.

There are all sorts of crazy myths associated with witches, she explains. People [realising] were not eating babies and not worshipping Satan or sacrificing anything to the devil... has really helped the rise of witchcraft.

She continues: Sometimes its dark, dont get me wrong. But most of the time, youre not hurting anyone and, if you are, they probably deserve it.

Witchcraft is really on the up. I think thats because people are just turning to alternative belief systems.

Leila Sadeghee is an Eclectic witch (meaning she combines different elements of witchcraft), a spiritual teacher, a facilitator for spiritual awakening, an energy weaver, a priestess in the Avalonian lineage (based on the Arthurian mythos) and a wizard.

As witchcraft continues to grow in popularity, the priestess explains, it indicates to me that there are more people who are seeking that kind of wisdom... Young people recognise that theyre going to need spiritual strength in order to cope with life.

The witch has survived the stake and the stereotype. Now she is wielding the power of the algorithm and five-star reviews  a formidable presence on any night of the year.
A group of armed men dressed as police officers have raided a gold laboratory in Southern France.

The dramatic heist comes nearly two weeks after the Louvre in Paris was targeted by robbers.

The crooks, who were reportedly carrying assault rifles and explosives, targeted the Pourquery laboratory in Lyon, which deals with precious metals, on Thursday.

The break-in took place at around 2pm, with eyewitnesses describing how the armed robbers, who wore fake police armbands, smashed the windows of the lab before entering.

Footage shared on social media shows the alleged criminals, who are wearing police uniforms, using a ladder to get over the laboratory's fence, before they are seen loading a small white van and fleeing the scene.

A witness can be heard in the video calling emergency services.

'Hello, theres a big emergency, were in an office at Parc de l'Artillerie. Theres some kind of robbery going on. We heard a loud bang, and people are now robbing the laboratory. Theyve got kalashnikovs, theyve got weapons', the witness says.

Police said five suspects have been arrested and that the stolen goods have been recovered.

Footage shared on social media shows the alleged criminals, who are wearing police officers, using a ladder to get over the laboratory's fence

The crooks, who were reportedly carrying assault rifles, targeted the Pourquery laboratory in Lyon, which deals with precious metals, on Thursday afternoon

Five employees sustained minor injuries, according to French newspaper Le Parisien.

The violent robbery comes after five more people were arrested on Thursday in connection to the Louvre jewel heist.

The late-night operations in Paris and nearby Seine-Saint-Denis lift the total arrested to seven.

Prosecutor Laure Beccuau told RTL that one detainee is suspected of belonging to the brazen quartet that burst into the Apollo Gallery in broad daylight on October 19; others held 'may be able to inform us about how the events unfolded.'

Despite the arrests, the loot - a trove of around $102 million - is yet to be uncovered.

Stolen goods include a diamond-and-emerald necklace Napoleon gave to Empress Marie-Louise as a wedding gift, jewels tied to 19th-century Queens Marie-Amelie and Hortense, and Empress Eugenies pearl-and-diamond tiara.

Only one relic has surfaced so far  Eugenies crown, damaged but salvageable, dropped in the escape.

This is a breaking story, more to follow.
A 44-year-old gymgoer has been busted after he allegedly disguised himself to secretly record women inside the changing room showers.

Tshikundi Taty, 44, was arrested on Wednesday after Maryland police located him in a Planet fitness women's locker room in White Oak, dressed as a female.

Investigators said the suspect disguised himself with a long black wig, black-out shades, and a mask, before unsuspectingly entering the women's bathroom to commit the crime.

Taty would then ditch his get-up in an attempt to conceal his identity, before fleeing the scene, investigators alleged.

The 44-year-old faces two Peeping Tom charges along with two other counts of Visual Surveillance with Prurient Intent.

Earlier this month Montgomery County police responded to call from a woman at One Life Fitness Club in Germantown about an unknown suspect recording her in the shower.

Taty was arrested and taken into custody and faces four misdemeanor charges, according to Maryland arrest records.

Tshikundi Taty, 44, was arrested on Wednesday after Maryland police located him in a Planet fitness women's locker room , dressed as a female

Planet Fitness in White Oak Maryland, where Taty was located by police after a thorough investigation

Taty was held without bond overnight and will have a bond hearing on Thursday. His court appearance is scheduled for December 15.

'We are concerned there may be additional victims that have not come forward yet, and we are thankful to the two victims who did speak with us,' Montgomery County Police told the Daily Mail.

'Our investigation will continue to focus on determining why he spent so much time hidden in these locker rooms, what he was doing there during that time, and to determine if there are any other victims.'

This comes after a similar incident in Virginia, when a transgender registered sex offender was accused of exposing his genitals to multiple women and children in public female locker rooms.

Richard Cox, 58, who identifies as a woman but is male, was arrested in December for allegedly spying on women while naked in the female changing rooms at Arlington's premium aquatic center.

Cox is facing multiple charges including indecent exposure, sex offender loitering near schools, and indecent liberties with children.

One witness claimed she and her five-year-old daughter saw Cox standing naked in a shower stall with the curtain open, touching himself, after swim class.

Investigators said the alleged perp disguised himself with a long black wig, black-out shades, and a mask

One Life Fitness Club in Germantown, earlier this month Montgomery County police responded to call from a woman about an unknown suspect recording her in the shower

Other accounts included mothers with their young daughters seeing the 58-year-old naked and exposed in the public female locker rooms.

An Arlington detective also testified she found child pornography along with childrens gymnastics and swim schedules on Cox's phone.

The perp appeared in court on Wednesday is facing nearly 30 criminal counts in Arlington County.

His trial will start in early February, 7News reported.
A 70-year-old man has died after the helicopter he was flying in plummeted into a field near Doncaster on Thursday morning.

Police, fire and ambulance crews rushed to a field near Ings Road in Bentley on the northern edge of the South Yorkshire city after the vehicle - registration G-CFNF - fell to the ground shortly after 10am.

It had taken off from Gamston Retford Airport just minutes before it crashed into the field, coming to a rest on its side - the rotor nowhere to be seen.

Police say the man was treated for 'serious injuries' by medics but was pronounced dead at the scene. His family is being supported by officers.

The pilot, a 41-year-old man, and two other passengers - a 58-year-old woman and a 10-year-old boy - received minor injuries.

South Yorkshire Police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) have launched a joint investigation and are appealing for anyone with footage to come forward.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Matt Bolger, said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly died in this tragic incident.

'We and our emergency services colleagues remain at the scene and we have launched a full joint investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident in parallel with our partners at the AAIB.

'As part of our investigation, we'd ask for anyone with information to get in touch. If you were in the area at the time and saw the events unfold, please contact us.

'We are particularly keen to hear from those with footage of the helicopter leading up to the crash.'

The helicopter landed on its side in a field near an industrial estate in Bentley shortly after 10am

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FlightRadar24 data shows the helicopter switched on its transponder shortly after takeoff from Gamston Retford Airport at 10am.

It appeared to then fly over Doncaster before it disappears from radar in the vicinity of Ings Road at around 10.08am. The first emergency call came in six minutes later.

Other data shows it made a 33 minute flight six days before the crash.

Dozens of emergency workers were on scene, according to eyewitnesses.

The Daily Mail understands the helicopter, a 17-year-old Robinson R44 Raven II, is owned by Kuki Helicopters, a flight school based at Gamston.

Kuki declined to comment when approached this afternoon. The firm says on social media that it has a '100 per cent safety record'.

The R44 Raven II is capable of seating four people, including the pilot.

An eyewitness, who lives near the crash site, told Yorkshire Live: 'It's just missed our house. We live on the very end house of the street next to the train tracks.

'I spoke to a few of my neighbours. I don't think anyone actually saw it come down but at first we all thought it was a train crash because we saw all of the emergency services firing past.'

A 70-year-old man has died in the crash, police have confirmed. Three others on board, including a 10-year-old boy, suffered minor injuries

Police blocked off Ings Road, in Bentley on the northern edge of Doncaster, following the tragedy

Gamston Airport confirmed to the Daily Mail that the aircraft took off from its apron.

A spokesperson said: 'We can confirm an aircraft based here operated by an onsite tenant has been involved in an incident. We've no further information at this time.'

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, the MP for Doncaster North, said: 'Devastating news that a man has died following a helicopter crash in Bentley this morning.

'My thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim of this terrible incident.

'My office are in touch with the relevant authorities including South Yorkshire Police, and I know the whole of Doncaster will be united in having the victim in their thoughts today.'

The Daily Mail has contacted South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for more information.

The AAIB said in a statement: 'The AAIB has been made aware of an accident near Doncaster and has deployed a team to commence an investigation.'

Marketing materials describe the Robinson R44 Raven II as being 'renowned for its versatility' with 'responsive handling' that requires 'minimal physical effort to operate'.

A spokesperson for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said: 'The AAIB has been made aware of an accident near Doncaster and has deployed a team to commence an investigation.'
A Polish woman who has claimed to be Madeleine McCann broke down in court as she accused the girls mother of hiding things from a police investigation.

Julia Wandelt, 24, was in tears while telling Leicester Crown Court, 'I didn't do anything wrong' as she was giving evidence.

Wandelt, from Lubin in south-west Poland, is accused of peddling the myth that she is Madeleine while stalking Kate McCann and her husband Gerry by sending emails, making phone calls, leaving voicemails and turning up at their address.

The court heard it is 'blindingly obvious' that Wandelt, who previously told jurors she was '50/50' about whether she was Madeleine, is not the missing girl.

As she dabbed her face with a tissue, she told the court she should not be in the witness box and accused Ms McCann of hiding information.

On Thursday, during her fourth day of giving evidence, Wandelt said: 'If my memories are wrong, why did Kate McCann hide more contact she had with me when I explained my memories? She didn't tell it in court.

'If I'm wrong, why did she hide the fact most of the voicemails were about my memories?

'If I'm wrong, why did she hide this part? Why did she hide this or some information that is relevant.'

Julia Wandelt, 24, was in tears while telling Leicester Crown Court, 'I didn't do anything wrong' as she was giving evidence

she told the court she should not be in the witness box and accused Kate McCann (pictured with her husband Gerry McCann) of hiding information

Asked if she was suggesting Mrs McCann withheld information from the jury or the investigation by prosecutor Michael Duck KC, she replied: 'Both.'

Mr Duck also asked Wandelt: 'There is no scientific evidence to connect you to the McCanns, is there?'

Wandelt was visibly and audibly emotional as she told the court: 'Actually, I don't care anymore.

'If people here say I'm not, you know what, I'm OK with it. I'm just exhausted with it.

'I want to know who I am. If I'm not, I'm not. It's fine. I'm exhausted.

'I do believe I'm her. I do remember them but I'm exhausted, I'm completely exhausted with all of this.

'If that is the conclusion, then I am willing to say I agree with this. But I am exhausted.'

The jury previously heard that Wandelt claims to have memories of her abduction and of living with the McCann family.

Mr Duck asked: 'Do you understand your advances were unwanted?'

Wandelt responded: 'No, because at the end of the day, this is a person looking for their child, so I didn't assume this contact was not wanted.'

The prosecutor continued: 'You were being ignored, weren't you?'

Wandelt replied: 'Yes I was, by a person looking for their child.'

Asked why she thought they did not respond, Wandelt said: 'Maybe they were not allowed to.

'I just could not believe, and still cannot believe, the parents of a missing child don't want to follow a lead.'

Wandelt added: 'But I wasted three-and-a-half years of my life working out who I am.

'I think I'm in the wrong place. I should not be in the witness box today.'

She said she thought the reason the McCanns did not respond to her was because they had been 'threatened'.

With a tissue in her hand, Wandelt broke down in tears and said: 'Why am I standing here? I didn't do anything wrong.'

Asked if she still entertains the belief that Mr McCann could be her father, Wandelt replied: 'It's neither no nor yes.'

The court heard it is 'blindingly obvious' that Wandelt, who previously told jurors she was '50/50' about whether she was Madeleine, is not the missing girl

LISTEN: The Trial of the 'McCann Stalkers'. Listen to the latest on this Daily Mail podcast

Mr Duck said it was 'blindingly obvious' that Wandelt's DNA profile does not match Madeleine's.

The prosecutor asked: 'Assuming the profile is Madeleine's, do you accept that by simply looking at it, it has nothing to do with you?'

Wandelt said: 'Assuming that this belongs to Madeleine, then yes.'

The court heard Wandelt sent a message to Mrs McCann saying 'you are corrupted' and 'you never wanted to find Madeleine, it's so sad'.

Speaking about why she sent this, Wandelt said: 'I was very sad and emotional.

'I just said a few more things I probably shouldn't have said because it's not my belief.

'That's how I felt being ignored by everyone.

'I don't believe she's corrupt. It was difficult for me.

'I regret saying this part. I was emotional, it was too much for me to deal with.

'It's a human thing to react this way after being pushed away for about two years.'

Wandelt said that Karen Spragg, who is also accused of stalking the McCanns, had been 'verbally' aggressive towards Mrs McCann when they visited her home in December last year, adding: 'Sorry Karen'.

Asked if Spragg had been aggressive, Wandelt said: 'I don't want her to have any problems.

'She did, verbally, because of the emotions. She was as frustrated as me.'

The court heard Wandelt had told Spragg not to shout at Mrs McCann during their interaction with her.

Mr Duck asked: 'You thought it was intimidating for somebody in Mrs McCann's situation, didn't you?'

Wandelt replied: 'Yes.'

Asked about money offered to her by a friend called Steven Dempster for a DNA test, Wandelt said she wanted to use it to take legal action in a family court.

She said: 'That's why I came to the UK. To then have this DNA profile officially compared to the crime scene DNA and then go to court, to family court, and take legal action.'

Wandelt and her co-defendant, Spragg, 61, of Caerau Court Road in Caerau, Cardiff, both deny one count of stalking.

The court heard Spragg would not be giving evidence as part of her defence.

Judge Mrs Justice Cutts asked her barrister, Simon Russell Flint KC, if he had raised with her the fact the trial had now reached the stage where she may give evidence.

When he confirmed he had, she responded: "If she closes not to do so, the jury may be entitled to draw such inferences as appear proper."

The trial continues.
A homeless man has been jailed for life after he bludgeoned a 'trusting and generous' mother-of-four to death just two days after she invited him into her home.

Apapale Adoum, 39, was jailed for 21 years after he pleaded guilty to murder at The Old Bailey

Victoria Adams was found dead at her flat in Hammersmith, west London, on February 9.

Police were called to the flat on Coulter Road after receiving reports of a man attempting to break in.

Ms Adams was found face down in a bedroom with a black bun bag over her head which was covered by a pillow.

The 37-year-old had suffered at least 10 separate injuries to the back and side of the head from being struck with a mallet.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Ms Adams's aunt Cathy Adams said: 'Vicky was very trusting, generous to a fault, caring and fun-loving.

'Vicky tried to repay the kindness she had been shown by others and she paid for this with her life.

Victoria Adams, 37, was found dead at her flat in Hammersmith, west London , on February 9

'She was a woman in her prime who had her whole life in front of her.

'We remember Vicky's love of the colour pink which Vicky would wear at every opportunity.'

She said the family felt 'an awful sense of sadness' that her last moments were spent with her killer.

Younger sister Sophie Luff said: 'The day I found out she was gone I was in complete shock.

'A few hours later I learned she hadn't just died, she had been murdered in her own home by a man she barely knew, a man she was only trying to help.

'The hardest part is knowing she left behind four beautiful children. It breaks my heart to knew they will grow up without her. She didn't deserve this, no-one does.'

She added her older sibling was still young with 'so much' to give, but her life had been taken away by 'one man's selfish actions'.

The court heard Adoum had met mother-of-four Ms Adams on February 6 at a homeless shelter.

She had invited him to stay with her but later wrote a note to ask him to leave.

Adoum had previously battered a woman with a hammer breaking her jaw and clavicle and was jailed for 12 months.

He also has convictions for assaulting prison staff, the Old Bailey heard.

Jailing Adoum for life with a minimum term of 21 years, Judge Nigel Lickley, KC, said: 'You murdered her in her own home because she asked you to move out.

'You used a hammer to inflict severe head injury striking her several times.

'You had been homeless and it is reasonable to conclude Victoria thought you might provide her with some security given recent events.

'She was being kind and generous - yet she was in fact taking you into her home, a person she did not know.

'You chose to locate and use the hammer and afterwards washed it and put it back into your bag.

'You betrayed the kindness and good nature of Victoria Adams after she took you into her home.

'You armed yourself with a hammer and carried out a brutal attack in her own home.

'The extent of the violence used was gratuitous.'

The judge said the sentence was increased due to Adoum's previous convictions for violence, particularly violence against women.

Prosecutor John Price KC said the defendant had a history of violence and was carrying two knives and screwdrivers when he was arrested at the scene.

He told the court: 'It is the prosecution case Ms Adams allowed this defendant to stay at her home on February 7 as he had nowhere to live and thought he would offer her some protection from local drug dealers who were threatening her at the time.

Apapale Adoum, 39, pleaded guilty to murder and appeared at the Old Bailey on Thursday

'She came to regret it, probably because he is by nature violently unpredictable and she may well have become frightened of him.

'On afternoon of February 9 - two days after they met - he attacked and killed her because she asked him to move out of her home.'

Police had found Ms Adams's body after a neighbour became concerned at Adoum's repeated attempts to get back into her flat through a communal door.

Mr Price said the man who lived in the flat below Ms Adams returned home just after 6pm on 9 February and became aware of Adoum trying to get back into the building.

The neighbour refused to let him in and called the police when Adoum was still there at 10pm trying to force entry with a piece of wood.

Police officers spoke to Adoum who said he had been staying at the flat for a few days.

Mr Price said: 'PC Smith was let into the building. He found the body of Ms Adams in the bedroom. She was lying face down on the bed. She was fully clothed. She was still wearing her trainers.

'The duvet and pillows had been stacked up to cover her head.

'PC Smith tried to rouse her by shaking her leg but to no avail. He then removed the duvet and pillows to find a black bin bag covering her head and could now see a large amount of blood.

'He removed the black bag and discovered she had several substantial injuries to the back of her head, of a kind inconsistent with life. He knew she was dead.

'He returned to Adoum who was with PC Kelly by the main door and asked him for how long he had been staying at the address.

'He stayed for two days. PC Smith asked who the female was who lived in the flat and the defendant said "Vicky" and added that he had last spoken to her at 2pm. This was later proved to be a lie.'

On being arrested, Adoum asked officers: 'Am I going to get the rest of my stuff from upstairs?'

Police later pieced together what happened using CCTV footage, financial reports, traffic cameras and data from digital devices.

The defendant's fingerprint was found on the black bin bag covering the victim's face and a mallet was found in Adoum's suitcase with traces of Ms Adams's blood on it.

Mr Price said bloodstaining in the kitchen sink suggested he had tried to clean the murder weapon.

It was said on his behalf that drug user Adoum had attacked Ms Adams in a 'blind rage' and the prospect of becoming homeless again was a significant factor.

Mr Price said: 'The circumstances suggest the hammer belonged to Adoum, and was kept in and taken from his suitcase, before being used, cleaned and then returned.'

The post-mortem found ten separate impact sites to the back and side of the head 'causing partial destruction of the skull at the back of the head and a massive brain injury'.

Mr Price said: 'In the opinion of Dr Chapman, the blows must have been delivered with severe force.

'There were no defensive injuries. It is a reasonable inference from this evidence that Ms Adams was incapacitated before she could offer any defence and yet the assault continued.'

After admitting murder Adoum submitted a note to the court saying that Ms Adams had stolen money from him just before he killed her.

He later dropped this allegation.

The court heard Adoum had a history of violence against women. In 2018 he broke a woman's jaw and gave her a black eye, and in 2024 he attacked two female prison officers, punching one of them in the face, knocking her out.

In an outburst in the dock, Adoum denied being a woman beater, saying: 'I'm just violent. That's my problem. I'm a bad man for that, don't make me out to be a coward.'

Judge Nigel Lickley KC paused the sentencing hearing and sent the defendant out of the dock to calm down.

Stephen Akinsanya, defending, said: 'Prior to the attack she said he would need to leave the address and against that backdrop of him having spent seven months sleeping rough he exploded.

'The prospect of being homeless again was a significant factor.'

He said Adoum carried a hammer and screwdrivers to break into abandoned premises for shelter and knives for self defence.

He said Adoum had been abused a child.

Adoum was convicted for breaching the restraining order given when he broke a woman's jaw in 2018.

In 2019 he violently attacked a prison officer and later committed a knifepoint robbery.

Imprisoned again, he assaulted eight prison officers during his sentence.
Israel said its security forces in the Gaza Strip had received from the Red Cross the remains of two hostages returned by Hamas on Thursday as part of a ceasefire deal.

Hamas's armed wing the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades had earlier announced it would return two bodies on Thursday afternoon.

Not including the latest two, militants have so far given back the remains of 15 of the 28 deceased hostages that Hamas had agreed to return as part of the US-brokered truce deal with Israel.

'Israel has received, through the Red Cross, the bodies of two hostages that were handed over to IDF and Shin Bet forces inside the Gaza Strip,' a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu's office said.

It added that the remains would be transferred to a forensic medical centre for identification.

Israel launched a wave of strikes on Gaza overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday after an attack that left an Israeli soldier dead in the south of the Palestinian territory.

The IDF launched a new wave of overnight strikes on Gaza from Tuesday to Wednesday

Israel said on Wednesday that it had begun 'renewed enforcement of the ceasefire'

Gaza's civil defence agency - which operates as a rescue force under Hamas authority - said the strikes killed more than 100 people, including dozens of children, in the worst night of bombing since the truce went into effect on October 10.

By Wednesday morning, Israel said it had begun 'renewed enforcement of the ceasefire', and both US President Donald Trump and regional mediator Qatar said they expected it to hold.

Hamas has said its fighters had 'no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah' and reaffirmed its commitment to the truce.

It also delayed handing over what it said were the remains of a deceased hostage, adding that any 'escalation will hinder the search, excavation and recovery of the bodies'.

The militant group drew outrage in Israel on Monday after it returned the partial remains of a previously recovered captive, which Israel said was a breach of the truce.

Hamas had said the remains were the 16th body it had agreed to return, but Israeli forensic examination determined they were in fact partial remains of a hostage whose body had already been brought back to Israel around two years ago, according to the prime minister's office.

Militants took 251 people hostage during Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the war in Gaza.

After the start of this month's ceasefire, the group returned the 20 surviving captives still in its custody and began the process of returning the 28 bodies of deceased hostages.

Israel accuses Hamas of reneging on the deal by not returning them fast enough, but the Palestinian group says it will take time to locate remains buried in Gaza's ruins.
Rachel Reeves tonight backtracked in her 'illegal letting' row after she admitted she was told she needed a licence before renting out her family home.

In a second letter to the Prime Minister in the space of 24 hours, the Chancellor wrote to 'update' Sir Keir Starmer over the blunder that has plunged her into jeopardy.

She said the letting agency and her husband had found correspondence from July last year in which they discussed the need for a rental licence.

'The letting agent said to my husband that a Selective Licence would be required and agreed that the agency would apply for the licence on our behalf,' Ms Reeves wrote.

But this contradicted the previous letter she sent Sir Keir on the matter on Wednesday night, in which she stated: 'We were not aware that a licence was necessary.'

Ms Reeves' admission will likely increase demands for the PM's independent ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, to launch an investigation into the row - including over whether she breached ministerial rules.

In her letter on Thursday night, the Chancellor told Sir Keir she had shared emails between her husband and the agency with Sir Laurie and was 'happy to answer any further questions required'.

There was further confusion after the letting agency involved in Ms Reeves's rental arrangements for her family home in Dulwich, south London, attempted to shoulder blame for the 'oversight'.

It said a staff member had offered to apply for a licence on behalf of Ms Reeves and her husband, but then 'suddenly resigned' before the tenancy began.

But the firm added they 'do not normally apply for licences on behalf of our clients; the onus is on them to apply'.

Rachel Reeves tonight backtracked in her 'illegal letting' row after she admitted she was told she needed a licence before renting out her family home

The Chancellor said the letting agency and her husband, Nicholas Joicey, had found correspondence from July last year in which they discussed the need for a rental licence

In a second letter to the Prime Minister in the space of 24 hours, the Chancellor wrote to 'update' Sir Keir Starmer over the blunder that has plunged her into jeopardy

Ms Reeves failed to obtain a landlord licence when she placed her family home on the rental market last year as she moved into 11 Downing Street on becoming Chancellor.

Her husband, Nicholas Joicey, is a senior official at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who is currently on a one-year secondment at the Blavatnik School Of Government in Oxford.

The Conservatives on Thursday night published a list of five questions they said remained unanswered over the row.

A party spokesperson said: 'Last night Rachel Reeves said 'she had not been made aware of the licensing requirement'.

'Today, we find out that Reeves was alerted to the need for a licence in writing by the estate agents.

'Having been caught out, the Chancellor is now trying to make the estate agents take the blame, but Reeves never followed up with them to ensure that the licence had been applied for, or checked if the licence had been granted.

'Regardless, under the law, Reeves and her husband are responsible for ensuring the licence is granted.

'With more information coming to light every few hours, the Prime Minister needs to grow a backbone and start a proper investigation.'

The Chancellor is struggling to contain a furious backlash over the blunder uncovered by the Daily Mail, despite the PM desperately trying to prop her up.

In her letter to Sir Keir on Thursday evening, Ms Reeves wrote: 'The letting agency and my husband have found correspondence confirming that on 17 July 2024 the letting agent said to my husband that a Selective Licence would be required and agreed that the agency would apply for the licence on our behalf.

'They have also confirmed today they did not take the application forward, in part due to a member of staff leaving the organisation. Nevertheless, as I said yesterday, I accept it was our responsibility to secure the licence.

'I also take responsibility for not finding this information yesterday and bringing it to your attention. As I said to you today, I am sorry about this matter and accept full responsibility for it.'

It came after Gareth Martin, owner of lettings agency Harvey & Wheeler, said his firm had apologised to Ms Reeves and her husband for an 'oversight' that led to a failure to obtain a licence.

He said: 'We alert all our clients to the need for a licence. In an effort to be helpful our previous property manager offered to apply for a licence on these clients' behalf, as shown in the correspondence.

'That property manager suddenly resigned on the Friday before the tenancy began on the following Monday.

'Unfortunately, the lack of application was not picked up by us as we do not normally apply for licences on behalf of our clients; the onus is on them to apply. We have apologised to the owners for this oversight.

'At the time the tenancy began, all the relevant certificates were in place and if the licence had been applied for, we have no doubt it would have been granted.

'Our clients would have been under the impression that a licence had been applied for. Although it is not our responsibility to apply, we did offer to help with this.

'We deeply regret the issue caused to our clients as they would have been under the impression that a licence had been applied for.'

Emails from July last year revealed Ms Reeves and her husband were aware they required a licence to rent out their family home

In her initial letter to the PM on Wednesday night, Ms Reeves said she and her husband 'were not aware that a licence was necessary'

Earlier, Downing Street had revealed that 'new information' had come to light following a review of Mr Joicey's emails.

A No10 spokesman said: 'This has now been passed to the Prime Minister and his independent adviser. It would be inappropriate to comment further.'

Downing Street added that, despite the row, Sir Keir continued to have 'full confidence' in Ms Reeves and guaranteed she will deliver the Budget on November 26.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'This whole thing stinks. The PM needs to stop trying to cover this up, order a full investigation and, if Reeves has broken the law, grow a backbone and sack her!'

It followed claims the Chancellor could be forced to hand back tens of thousands of pounds to tenants after renting out her family home without a rental licence.

Southwark Council has vowed to crack down on unlicensed letting, with its website advising tenants that they can get money back.

It appeared that could be up to 38,000 in the case of Ms Reeves - who has enthusiastically backed similar landlord licences in her own Leeds constituency.

Yet Southwark Council indicated the Chancellor is unlikely to be fined as it suggested enforcement action is reserved for landlords who ignore warning letters about not having a licence.

Despite previous cases going to court, Sir Keir had initially insisted the matter was closed within hours of the news breaking on Wednesday night.

The PM on said further investigation was 'not necessary' after receiving an apology from Ms Reeves and consulting his ethics adviser, Sir Laurie.

But, on Thursday afternoon, Downing Street dramatically reopened the prospect of Sir Laurie launching a formal probe into Ms Reeves' rental arrangements when revealing the 'new information' was being looked at.

The Chancellor failed to obtain a rental licence when she placed her family home in Dulwich (pictured) on the rental market last year as she moved with her family into 11 Downing Street

As recently as this month, Ms Reeves was posting on X in support of letting licences in her own Leeds constituency

Southwark Council has vowed to crack down on unlicensed letting, with its website advising tenants that they can get money back

A spokesman for Southwark Council said: 'Southwark Council requires private landlords to acquire a selective licence in order to rent out their homes if they live in specific areas.

'This is in order to protect tenants and ensure landlords are complying with housing requirements, providing safe, well-maintained homes.

'Selective licences are acquired by sending applications to the council, which we then assess and approve subject to conditions.

'When we become aware of an unlicensed property, we issue a warning letter advising the landlord that they have 21 days to apply for a licence  enforcement action such as fines are reserved for those who do not apply within that time or where a property is found to be in an unsafe condition.

'We cannot comment on individual cases.'

Downing Street declined to say whether Ms Reeves had broken the ministerial code during a bad-tempered briefing with political journalists this morning, but denied there had been a 'stitch-up' to avoid panicking the markets.

The Chancellor was ruthlessly mocked for the blunder in an AI-generated video branding her a 'rent queen' this morning - reminiscent of memes about former deputy PM Angela Rayner's failure to pay stamp duty.

Ms Reeves - who is less than a month from delivering a Budget that could seal the fate of the Labour Government - suggested that the letting agent had not advised her of the need for a licence.

In a round of broadcast interviews, Tory shadow chancellor Mel Stride warned that Ms Reeves's position is 'untenable'.

The Chancellor put her four-bedroom detached house on the market for 3,200 a month last year, and her register of interests states she has received rental income since September 2024.

Southwark Council, the local authority, requires that private landlords in certain areas  including the one where her house is located  obtain a 'selective' licence to rent out their property.

But last night she admitted that she was unaware of the licensing requirement and, following inquiries by the Daily Mail, applied for the licence.

After the story was broken on this website, a spokesman for Ms Reeves said: 'Since becoming Chancellor Rachel Reeves has rented out her family home through a lettings agency.

'She had not been made aware of the licensing requirement, but as soon as it was brought to her attention she took immediate action and has applied for the licence.

'This was an inadvertent mistake and in the spirit of transparency she has made the Prime Minister, the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards aware.'

The yield on 10-year gilts - a key element of government borrowing - nudged upwards this morning in an indication of jitters on markets.

The quick response by Downing Street looked to be partly an effort to dampen concerns about Ms Reeves' fate.

Ms Reeves was ruthlessly mocked for the failure in an AI-generated video branding her a 'rent queen' this morning

The yield on 10-year gilts - a key element of government borrowing - nudged upwards this morning in an indication of jitters on markets

As recently as last week the Chancellor was posting on X in support of letting licences in her own Leeds constituency.

'I welcome Leeds City Council's decision to expand their selective landlord licencing policy to include the Armley area,' she wrote on October 20.

'While many private landlords operate in the right way, we know that lots of private tenants in Armley face problems with poorly maintained housing.

'This scheme means private landlords in the area will be required by law to obtain a licence for any residential property they are seeking to let and must meet certain standards to ensure the property is safe and in a decent state of repair.'

Shadow chancellor Sir Mel Stride told Sky News that Sir Keir was attempting to 'put this whole thing to bed with a quick exchange of letters'.

'This was a Prime Minister who, when he came into office on the steps of Downing Street, talked about restoring the dignity and integrity of government  and if he's to stand by his word, then I think he should be concluding her position is untenable,' Sir Mel said.

He added: 'It seems to me, not at all unreasonable to simply ask that there's a proper investigation to have a look at all the aspects of this matter.'

Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said: 'Labour-run Southwark Council boasts of 'cracking down on' and having a 'zero tolerance approach to rogue landlords' and have prosecuted landlords for renting unlicensed properties.

'Rachel Reeves has made thousands from renting without following the licensing laws. Southwark Council must now take action on Rachel Reeves and prosecute her.'

Mrs Badenoch said the revelations were 'very serious'.

'If the Chancellor, who has spent months floating punishing tax hikes on family homes, has at the same time seemingly been profiting from illegally renting out her house, that would make her position extremely tenuous,' she said.

'The Prime Minister must launch a full investigation. He once said 'lawmakers can't be lawbreakers'.

'If, as it appears, the Chancellor has broken the law, then he will have to show he has the backbone to act.'

Touring broadcast studios, policing minister Sarah Jones was asked if Ms Reeves should resign.

'No, she shouldn't,' she told Times Radio.

'She after the election, of course, moved into 11 Downing Street, as chancellors do. She has a family home in Southwark that she rented out through a letting agency. Now, Southwark Council has what's called a selective licensing scheme.

'Some boroughs have them, some don't  The Chancellor wasn't aware that she had to apply for this selective licence. As soon as she became aware, she rectified the situation.

'She applied for that licence, and she told the Prime Minister, and she told the independent adviser on standards.'

It is understood Ms Reeves used an external lettings agency to rent out the house, and she did not receive any advice that a rental licence was required.

She took immediate action following the Daily Mail's inquiries, and an application for the licence was submitted yesterday.

Southwark Council, like many other local authorities, requires that private landlords in certain areas obtain a 'selective' licence.

This has applied to most private residential properties rented to single families or unrelated tenants in the borough since November 2023.

There are few exemptions to requiring this type of licence  including if the property already has an HMO (house in multiple occupation) licence, is used as a holiday let or for religious purposes, or if the owner also resides in the property as their main home.

It is not thought that any of these apply to Ms Reeves.

The inside of the property is pictured. Failing to obtain a licence when required is a criminal offence

Southwark Council said the licences were brought in to 'improve safety, security and quality for people living in private rented homes'.

They cost 900 and landlords must submit documents proving their property is fit for purpose, including gas, electrical and fire safety certificates, floor plans and tenancy agreements.

Failing to obtain a licence when required is a criminal offence and can be punishable with an unlimited fine on prosecution, a fine of 30,000 as an alternative to prosecution, or the landlord could be ordered to pay back up to 12 months' rent.

Experts say the added red tape, alongside other requirements to be brought in under the Renters' Rights Bill, is forcing some smaller landlords out of the sector.

Local estate agents said many landlords were not aware they needed a licence, particularly if they had been renting out properties before it became a requirement.

But some raised questions over how Ms Reeves could not have known, given that it appears she began renting out her property after the changes were brought in.

Southwark Council says it 'employs resources to find unlicensed properties and may apply an enhanced application fee to cover the additional costs incurred in having to find the unlicensed property'.

Landlords have already lashed out at the Chancellor after she raised stamp duty on buy-to-let homes from 3 per cent to 5 per cent in her first Budget.
Five people have been arrested following the death of Robert De Niro's grandson, who fatally overdosed on recreational drugs two years ago.

Grant McIver, Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barreto, John Nicolas and Roy Nicolas have been charged with allegedly supplying the pills that killed three teenagers in 2023.

The legendary actor's grandson, Leandro, died at the age of 19 in New York City on July 2, 2023. A white powdery substance was found on a plate near his body.

The teenager's lifeless body was found sitting in a chair inside a $950,000, one-bedroom apartment in the Cipriani Club Residences on Wall Street in Manhattan.

The five suspects are accused of running a New York drug ring, supplying thousands of counterfeit prescription pills to teens and young adults, according to the indictment seen by the Daily Mail.

Three of the alleged dealers were known around the Big Apple by the nicknames 'Dizzy,' 'Tea,' and 'John John.'

Sources told the New York Post that one of the three teenagers they are accused of supplying deadly drugs to was Leandro, called 'victim 3' in the court papers. The age, location, and date of death for 'victim 3' matches Leandro's.

Another of the teenagers, referred to as 'victim 1' in the indictment, was Akira Stein, 19, the daughter of Blondie guitarist Chris Stein, according to the New York Post.

The legendary actor's grandson, Leandro, died at the age of 19 in New York City. A white powdery substance was found on a plate near his body. (Pictured: De Niro and Leandro)

The legendary actor's grandson, Leandro, died at the age of 19 in New York City on July 2, 2023. A white powdery substance was found on a plate near his body. The above photograph from the indictment released this week is an evidence photograph from victim 3's file

De Niro's grandson Leandro died in 2023 (pictured with his mother Drena and grandfather)

Leandro De Niro Rodriguez was the only son of De Niro's adopted daughter Drena, 51, and artist Carlos Rodriguez.

Robert De Niro paid tribute at the time of Leandro's death, writing: 'I'm deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo. We're greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone.'

The indictment obtained by the Daily Mail states that 'victim 3' purchased drugs from an unnamed female distributor, known as 'CC-1' in court papers, who had sourced the pills from Epperson and Barreto.

'CC-1' sold 'a mix of fentanyl pills and Xanax' to 'victim 3' in the week leading up to his death, according to the court document.

She 'knew the pills she was providing to victim 3 were strong and warned (him) to be careful when taking the pills,' the indictment reads.

During their transaction on June 30, the dealer even told 'victim 3' 'I don't want to kill you'.

'Do u rly need them...' she wrote, per the indictment, adding: 'Ion wanna kill you (sic)'.

'Victim 3' replied: 'Huh? Elaborate.'

'What's confusing abt that?' the dealer asked, and 'victim 3' said: 'Sorry I b mad paranoid', adding 'I misinterpreted this'.

The dealer warned him, ' I j(ust) don't like serving them cuz they not script (prescription).'

De Niro paid tribute at the time of Leandro's death. 'I'm deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo. We're greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone', he wrote

Leandro De Niro Rodriguez was the son of De Niro's adopted daughter Drena, 51

Leandro was the only son of De Niro's adopted daughter Drena , 51. They are pictured together

Nonetheless, 'victim 3' purchased three fentanyl pills and two Xanax the next day for $105, and requested that they be delivered by car service.

They arranged for a car to drop the pills off close to 'CC-1's home in Midtown Manhattan. She placed the drugs in a United States Postal Service envelope, and delivered them to 'victim 3''s friend's apartment in downtown.

The pills were delivered shortly after 9.15pm that day. A few hours later, at 1.50am on July 2, the female distributor texted 'victim 3' asking: 'u good?'

He never replied. Later that morning, he was found dead inside his friend's apartment, the indictment states.

Meanwhile, 'victim 1', who the New York Post identified as Akira Stein, 19, the daughter of Blondie guitarist Chris Stein, died on May 30, 2023.

She took drugs from John Nicolas and Roy Nicolas, and she overdosed on them twice before the fatal third ingestion, according to the indictment.

The court document states that 'victim 1' was found unconscious on the bathroom floor of her family's apartment in downtown Manhattan.

Separate from the five arrests today, an alleged dealer known as the 'Percocet Princess,' 20-year-old Sophia Haley Marks, was charged with selling the drugs to De Niro Rodriguez.

De Niro's young grandson lived alone in the upscale sixth-floor apartment where he died. He had been renting the unit for less than a year. The apartment is located in the same stone building as Cipriani, a luxury venue for events.

Separately, an alleged dealer known as the 'Percocet Princess,' 20-year-old Sophia Haley Marks (pictured in a court sketch), was charged with selling the drugs to De Niro Rodriguez

The teenager's lifeless body was found sitting in a chair inside a $950,000, one-bedroom apartment in the Cipriani Club Residences on Wall Street in downtown Manhattan

The building's concierge told the Daily Mail at the time that Leandro as a friendly young man, whod always say hello when he came and went.

Id see him every now and then, and hed always say hi, the concierge said. He just was friendly, kept to himself.

I didnt know who he was until I read the story, he said. Its a tragedy. I was just talking to my coworker that said my daughter just turned 20. You see his (Leandros) picture, he was a baby.

Leandro's death was ruled an accident, and the New York City medical examiner's office determined the cause as toxic effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine and cocaine.
A fish and chips van has been accused of insulting the dead after parking in front of a Falklands War memorial.

The Cod Fellas catering truck set up shop on Tuesday in front of the monument in Portsmouth, Hampshire, commemorating those who died in the 1982 conflict.

The ten-week war between the UK and Argentina over the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, saw Britain keep the dependent territories.

But some 128 British personnel, airmen and civilians lost their lives in the battle, from across the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the Merchant Navy.

And locals to the plaques, bench, wreaths and flag in Portsmouth honouring the casualties of the South Atlantic conflict were furious to see the van blocking it.

Richard Turpin, from the historic naval city, said he was 'deeply offended' by the 'act of gross disrespect' and 'moral failure', just weeks ahead of Remembrance Day.

As a friend of a man who died in the war, the resident added the 'stench of commercial cooking' had 'polluted' the place of remembrance.

He said: 'This memorial honours the men who fought and died for this country, defending freedom and democracy in the harshest conditions imaginable.

The Cod Fellas catering truck set up shop on Tuesday (pictured) in front of the monument in Portsmouth, Hampshire, commemorating those who died in the 1982 conflict

'Among those remembered is the father of one of my closest friends Sgt. A.P. Evans.

'He was a man among the others listed who never came home, to his son, wife, and family, whose name is engraved there as a lasting testament to his courage and sacrifice.

'To find a fish and chip van parked directly in front of this sacred wall, blocking the names of the fallen and filling the air with the smell of frying oil, is utterly disgraceful.

'The fumes, noise and stench of commercial cooking polluting a place of remembrance is beyond comprehension.

'It's an act of gross disrespect, not only to the memory of those who died, but to their families, comrades and everyone who still comes here to pay their respects.'

Mr Turpin continued: 'This memorial is not a marketplace, photo backdrop or a convenient spot for a food business.

'It's hallowed ground, a place of solemn reflection where people come to remember the brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to this nation.

'Allowing a takeaway van to trade there shows a complete lack of respect, judgment and moral awareness.

'This is not a minor oversight. It's a moral failure that has deeply offended veterans, families and citizens alike. The fallen deserve far better than this.'

Portsmouth City Council leader Steve Pitt explained the traders were only operating for a few hours - but did so without local authority permission.

The Liberal Democrat representative said they were catering a private wedding at the nearby Square Tower, a Grade I-listed fortification which is now an events space.

He said: 'It won't happen again. It had no permission from Portsmouth City Council to be there.

'It was genuinely a mix-up. The council would never have allowed it.

'It was completely inappropriate, and measures will be put in place to make sure it doesn't happen again.'

The councillor said it is important everyone respects the sanctity of war memorials, especially during the period of remembrance.

'We'll make sure any future communications about locations are more explicit than they have been, stating that that location is not appropriate,' he added.

Locals to the plaques, bench, wreaths and flag (pictured) in Portsmouth honouring the casualties of the South Atlantic conflict were furious to see the van blocking it

'It's unfortunate and something no one wanted to happen but mistakes do happen and the event organisers are taking steps to make sure it doesn't happen again.'

The Cod Fellas van had travelled more than 100 miles from Northamptonshire to serve guests at the wedding.

Business owner Mr Singh, who declined to give his first name, said it was the first time they had been to Portsmouth.

Square Tower employees told them to park there, he claimed, adding they would have moved had they been told to.

'When we arrived we were told to park in front of the pier doors,' he explained.

'If we were there, we would have blocked the entire passage to the pier. We parked up, I rang the organisers, and they said we were fine where we were.

'I totally understand why people are upset. If we were told to move the van, we would have moved it.'

Square Tower management has since issued an apology to veterans and residents.

They said in a statement: 'We would like to sincerely apologise for the incident in which a catering van was temporarily parked in front of the Falklands Memorial during a private wedding event at The Square Tower.

'The Square Tower management - Steve Hender, Julia Hender and William Owen - take full personal responsibility for this mistake and fully understand the upset and offence it has caused, particularly within the Falklands and wider veteran community.

'We give our absolute assurance that this will never be allowed to happen again and we have reviewed our event procedures to ensure it cannot reoccur.

'As a gesture of respect and by way of amends, we are making a donation to a veterans charity in recognition of the importance of the memorial and those it honours.'
President Donald Trump appeared to tap into his former comedic reality TV star self in the midst of his latest international trip.

Aboard Air Force One over Asia, Trump joked about the sudden burst of turbulence that his plane went through, poking fun of the way the liberal media would spin the incident.

'These are rough winds in Asia - I must tell you - this is a rough flight,' Trump told reporters.

'They're gonna watch Trump and say, "He didn't look too good, he's got the shakes,"' the president added.

Most respondents to the clip on X of the president's remark seemed to appreciate his sense of humor.

'How can you hate this man when hes so funny,' wrote X user @_AHariharan.

Another user posting under the name Harris Richard wrote, 'one of the few things everyone should like about Trump is that he talks like a normal human and likes to make people laugh.

'Trump runs circles around them all even in rough skies,' noted Roseanne Ragosta.

Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One as U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, left, listens, shortly after taking off from Busan, South Korea, en route to Joint Base Andrews, on Thursday

Of course, others still took the chance to land jabs at the president.

X user @JimJones69_ wrote, 'hes an insane fascist, who is literally evil, but I sort of get how stupid people watch something like this and like him. He is such a next level con man. He actually comes off as someone affable and normal.'

Another user, most likely a liberal given their usage of a BlueSky handle as their X username - @pystcat.bsky.social - added 'Grandpa has a lot more than the shakes. The way he babbles incoherentlythats cognitive issues.'

Trump's joke is characteristically well timed, as earlier this month, he underwent a routine annual check-up at Walter Reed Medical Center - his second of the year.

Earlier on his trip to Asia, the president confirmed that he had been given an MRI scan during the latest hospital visit.

It comes after he was seen by physicians for an annual check-up at the start of April.

A memo from the White House physician at the time noted the president to be exhibiting 'excellent cognitive and physical health.'

It was revealed earlier this year that the 79-year-old president is suffering from chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a common condition in older people that increases the risk of blood clots.

Trump gestures as he disembarks Air Force One, following his Asia trip, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on Thursday

Trump walks down the stairs of Air Force One as he returns from Asia on Thursday

Trump's hands have been photographed in the Oval Office, either with bruises or makeup obviously covering the purple marks.

Photographs have also emerged of the president's ankles that appeared to be swollen, something that is unsurprising given his CVI diagnosis.

The condition often leads to poor blood flow and fluid buildup when the veins in the legs, particularly in the ankles, do not function properly.

Yet, Trump doesn't appear to be concerned about his health or intent on slowing down his manic routines any time soon.

At a speech given to Navy sailors at the beginning of October, Trump boasted that his former White House Doctor, Ronny Jackson, who was also on the White House medical team during the Bush and Obama years, frequently praised his health.
Maryland State Senator Dalya Attar has been indicted after allegedly filming two of her rivals in bed together in an attempt to silence them.

The bombshell indictment, filed on October 23, alleged that Attar, 35, planted tracking and recording devices to catch her two critics in the act.

Attar then threatened to release the footage of the two 'in bed' unless they met her demands not to speak out against her publicly, prosecutors said.

She is facing eight federal charges of extortion and conspiracy related to the alleged plot, which prosecutors said occurred in the run-up to the 2020 and 2022 elections.

The target of her scheme was allegedly a political consultant whom Attar filmed in bed with a married man.

The Democrat state senator has held office since 2019, and was the first Orthodox Jewish woman to serve on the Maryland State Senate when she was selected to fill a vacant seat in January.

What's more, she has been recognized as the highest ranking Orthodox Jewish woman in US history, and is currently in a hotly contested re-election campaign to retain her senate seat.

Court records first reported by the Baltimore Sun showed that Attar is in federal custody, along with her brother Joseph Attar and another man named as Kalman Finkelstein, a city police officer.

Maryland State Senator Dalya Attar has been indicted after allegedly filming two of her rivals in bed together in an attempt to silence them

Attar, seen with Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff, has been recognized as the highest ranking Orthodox Jewish woman in US history

According to the indictment, Attar, her brother and Finkelstein worked with four unnamed co-conspirators to carry out the clandestine scheme.

Attar had worked with the political consultant, who was identified as a dual US and Israeli citizen, during her 2018 election, but the two parted ways soon after due to some form of disagreement.

Their spat led Attar to fear that the consultant was 'looking to screw me', she allegedly said, and she was concerned about flyers being released to the Jewish community about her voting record.

The state legislator also wanted to use the blackmail to disrupt the consultant's daughter's 'shidduchim', a marriage matchmaking ceremony in the Orthodox Jewish community, prosecutors said.

In a WhatsApp voice message sent in 2020, Attar allegedly said: 'I just want her [the consultant] to be non-issue in my mind and in reality that won't happen as long as she is relevant or doesn't have anything worry about.'

According to prosecutors, the plot began in January 2020 when the consultant stayed in an apartment that belonged to Finkelstein's family, and the cop and Attar's brother broke into the unit while she was away.

Attar, pictured with Oprah, allegedly targeted a consultant she had worked with on a previous election that she had a falling out with, and was concerned the consultant would distribute flyers on her voting record to the Jewish community

Attar, seen with her two children, is facing eight federal charges of extortion and conspiracy related to the alleged plot

The two men allegedly installed cameras disguised as smoke detectors inside, and planted a tracking device on the consultant's car.

Five days later, Joseph messaged a WhatsApp group of the conspirators when a man entered the apartment, saying: 'We have a visitor...', per the indictment.

Attar then allegedly had her brother Joseph threaten the consultant and the married man in March 2021 with the release of the video unless the consultant would 'leave Dalya alone.'

Attar allegedly said that blackmail could be 'the perfect way to scare' the consultant out of distributing flyers about her voting record.

In November 2021, Attar allegedly sent a message to her brother and one of the unnamed co-conspirators, saying that 'if that video really exists, it'll be really helpful now.'

It is unclear if the video was ever released.

On December 6, 2021, the indictment alleges that Joseph Attar contacted the married man to 'discuss an opportunity.' Dalya Attar filed for re-election in the House of Delegates that same day.

Joseph Attar then told the man he had 'hours' of footage of him in bed with the consultant, and ordered him to make the consultant 'stay out' of the election.

If he didn't, Joseph allegedly threatened to 'share this video with everybody you know, everyone she knows, every Rabbi in town, your kids, your wife, her daughters.'

Attar is facing eight federal charges of extortion and conspiracy related to the alleged plot, which prosecutors said occurred in the run-up to the 2020 and 2022 elections

The married man allegedly told the consultant about the videos, and responded in a text to Attar's brother: 'I already told her. I did what you asked. There's nothing else I can do... You have everything you asked for. Put it to bed. Leave me the hell alone.'

The Baltimore Banner reported that Finkelstein's police powers were suspended in 2022, and he has been placed on administrative duty.

State Sen. Dalya Attar said in a statement: 'I ran for public office because of my strong belief in serving my community that I love, and I would never do anything to knowingly jeopardize my constituents' trust in me.

'The case centers on the allegations of my former disgruntled employee. We have yet to see any tangible evidence to support the claim that I knew of any illegal actions taken on my behalf.

'I look forward to sharing my side of the story, and believe the truth will be the arbiter of justice. In the meantime, I will continue to serve my community with humility and honor, and look forward to being as transparent as possible.'

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson's office said in a statement following news of Attar's indictment: 'This is the first we have been made aware of state Senator Dayla Attar's arrest and we don't have any additional information to provide at this time.

'The Senate of Maryland holds its members to the highest ethical standards as we serve our constituents, and we will continue to do so as we learn more about the alleged facts in the indictment.'
A massive rally of ultra-Orthodox Jewish Israelis protesting against military conscription today turned violent as the crowd threw bottles at a female reporter and a teenage boy fell to his death.

A packed crowd of an estimated 200,000 people, mostly men, clogged the roads around the Route 1 highway leading into Jerusalem today.

Photos showed many had climbed atop roofs of buildings, a gas station and onto cranes.

Video footage showed the agitated crowd stalking a female reporter from Israeli news outlet V1 who was covering the event before chucking glass bottles at her.

Crowds of men set fire to pieces of tarpaulin as hundreds of police officers cordoned off several roads across the city.

Demonstrators packed onto the tops of buildings, petrol stations, bridges and balconies above a sea of fellow protesters, some of whom held signs declaring: 'Better to go to prison than to the army.'

A helicopter flew overhead as people gathered to take part in collective prayers.

The Israeli ambulance service said a 15-year-old fell to his death and police said they had opened an investigation into the incident.

Revolting scenes in Jerusalem as Haredi youth protesting in favor of draft-dodging throw bottles at a reporter. pic.twitter.com/WYt6dwL9M5  Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) October 30, 2025

Video footage showed the agitated crowd stalking a female reporter from Israeli news outlet V1 who was covering the event before chucking glass bottles at her

People react as Israeli mounted police disperse ultra-Orthodox Jewish men during a protest against conscription into Israel's military in Jerusalem on October 30, 2025

Israeli police officers disperse ultra-Orthodox Jewish men blocking a road during a protest against plans to require them to serve in the Israeli military, in Jerusalem on October 30, 2025

The debate over mandatory military service, and those who are exempt from it, has long caused tensions within Israel's deeply divided society and has placed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under increasing political strain over the past year.

Ultra-Orthodox seminary students have long been exempt from mandatory military service.

Under a ruling established at the time of Israel's creation in 1948, when the ultra-Orthodox were a small community, men who devote themselves full-time to the study of sacred Jewish texts are given a de facto pass from army service.

This exemption has come under mounting pressure since the start of the war in Gaza, as the military struggles to fill its ranks.

In June 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the state must draft ultra-Orthodox men, declaring their exemption had expired.

A parliamentary committee is now discussing a bill expected to end the exemptions and encourage young ultra-Orthodox men who are not studying full-time to enlist.

Many Israelis fume at what they see as an unfair burden carried by the mainstream who serve.

That frustration only intensified during wars over the past two years that exacted the highest Israeli military death toll in decades as fighting stretched from the Gaza Strip to Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iran.

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man stands in front of a police water cannon during a protest against plans to require ultra-Orthodox men to serve in the Israeli military, in Jerusalem on October 30, 2025

Police use a water cannon to disperse ultra-Orthodox Jewish men blocking a road during a protest against plans to require them to serve in the Israeli military, in Jerusalem on October 30, 2025.

This has added fuel to an already explosive debate over a new conscription bill that lies at the centre of a crisis rattling Netanyahu's coalition, which took power in late 2022 for a four-year term.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish leaders say full-time devotion to the study of holy scriptures is sacrosanct and fear their young men will drift away from religious life if they are drafted into the military.

'Right now, people who refuse to go to the army are taken to military prison,' said Shmuel Orbach, a protester.

'It's not so bad. But we are a Jewish country. You cannot fight against Judaism in a Jewish country, it does not work.'

But last year the Supreme Court ordered an end to the exemption. Parliament has been struggling to draft a new conscription bill, which has so far failed to meet both the ultra-Orthodox demands and those of a stretched military.

Two long-time loyal political allies, ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ), quit Netanyahu's coalition government in July in a dispute over the new military draft legislation.

Their exit left Netanyahu with an increasingly splintered coalition whose far-right members are unhappy about Israel's ceasefire deal with Gaza's dominant Palestinian militant group Hamas, brokered by the United States.

The door has been left open for the ultra-Orthodox parties to rejoin the coalition should the dispute be resolved.

The debate over mandatory military service, and those who are exempt from it, has long caused tensions within Israel's deeply divided society

Ultra-Orthodox Jews make up 14 per cent of Israel's Jewish population, or about 1.3 million people

But reaching an accommodation acceptable to ultra-Orthodox political leaders may alienate many other Israelis as the country heads into an election year, and risks being shot down by the Supreme Court.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews make up 14 per cent of Israel's Jewish population, or about 1.3 million people, and roughly 66,000 men of military age currently benefit from the exemption.

According to an army report presented to parliament in September, there has been a sharp increase in the number of ultra-Orthodox Jews enlisting, but the numbers still remain low, at a few hundred over the past two years.

Surveys over the past two years have consistently predicted Netanyahu's coalition would lose the next ballot.
Gazans coming to study in Britain will now be allowed to bring their families with them following a shift in government policy.

A cohort of Palestinian students took up fully funded places at UK universities in September under special arrangements agreed by the Home Office to bring them across safely.

But some said they would not be able to take up the scholarships because it would mean leaving their children behind in war torn Gaza.

They were prohibited from bringing dependents by existing student visa policies introduced by the previous Conservative government and Labour had insisted it had no plans to lift the ban.

But the government has now said it will support the evacuation of dependants on a case-by-case basis.

Gazans coming to study in Britain will now be allowed to bring their families with them following a shift in government policy

They will need to apply for partners and children to get a student dependant visa, and meet immigration requirements, which include being able to cover living costs of up to 6,120 outside London or 7,605 in London.

There is no cap on the number of children claimed as dependants but the students will need to prove they can financially support them.

Manar al-Houbi previously said it was 'impossible' for her to take up her PhD place at the University of Glasgow as it meant she would have to leave her husband and three young children behind in Gaza.

But she is 'deeply relieved' by the change in policy and told the BBC she hopes to be evacuated with her family 'very soon'.

A Government spokesman said: Students coming from Gaza to the UK have suffered an appalling ordeal after two years of conflict.

That is why we are supporting the evacuation of dependants of students on scholarships who are eligible to study here under the immigration rules on a case-by-case basis.

It comes as the UK has pledged 4million to fund vital demining efforts in Gaza in a bid to increase the amount of aid entering Palestine

At least 75 Gazan students have arrived in the UK since the Government began supporting the evacuations, according to the BBC.

Two years of war has devastated Gaza as Israels bombing campaign and ground invasion has resulted in the deaths of more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Almost the entire population of 2.1 million people in the enclave were forced to move and the UN said most homes have been damaged or destroyed in the fighting.

Israels offensive began following Hamass terrorist attack on October 7, 2023 which saw 1,200 people killed and 251 others taken hostage.

A US-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Gaza was signed earlier this month, and the truce came into effect on October 10.

However, Israel has carried out a wave of strikes this week in retaliation for what it says are Hamas violations of the ceasefire deal, which the militant group denies.

It comes as Britain has pledged 4million to fund vital demining efforts in Gaza in a bid to increase the amount of aid entering Palestine.

The funding for the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) will help clear 7,500 tonnes of unexploded land mines and cluster bombs in the war-torn enclave as well as rubble.

The situation in Gaza is desperate without the vital humanitarian support they need, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said last night.

We must do everything we can to flood Gaza with aid.

I am announcing 4million for the United Nations Mine Action Service in Gaza, funding that will help clear the explosives and rubble as part of the UKs effort to ensure aid can be delivered safely.

We will not be able to get relief at the scale so desperately needed in Gaza without clearing munitions and making progress on the pathway for lasting peace.

Richard Boulter, chief of design, operational support and oversight at UNMAS, said: UNMAS is pulling out all the stops to surge explosive ordnance response and risk education in Gaza to address the threat of unexploded ordnance that threatens the lives of the Palestinian who are striving to find food and return to their homes.

UNMAS is working closely with UN and its humanitarian partners labouring to deliver critical aid, and to clean up to start rebuilding communities and neighbourhoods.

The generous support from the United Kingdom is an essential boost to this effort.

Ms Cooper will look at the work British deminers are delivering in Gaza during a visit to the Wilton office of landmine-clearing charity HALO.
There are ill-considered life choices and then there is volunteering to get on the wrong side of a Scottish feminist.

Yet that is what Police Scotland has done in the case of Susan Smith, whose plight was raised twice at First Ministers Questions.

Smith, from feminist group For Women Scotland, took the Scottish Government to the Supreme Court to prove that the legal definition of woman is biological female. You might have heard about it.

Now Police Scotland has accused her of vandalising a rainbow-coloured umbrella. They say she can either take a recorded warning or be charged with damaging the multi-hued raindrop repeller at a rally in Edinburgh last month.

The force has confirmed it is investigating a complaint of an umbrella being damaged but has not taken a final decision on how to proceed. No harm to Ian Rankin but Im not sure this latest Rebus is his best writing.

Smith was protesting outside the gender Death Star (legal name: the Scottish Parliament) on September 4 when a counter-protestor with the now infamous brolly set up a sound system and began playing loud music, presumably to drown out all those quarrelsome women.

This is where the Tories Tess White picked up the case with John Swinney. She drew attention to the fact that, if Smith refuses to go along with this charade, she faces being banned from the Scottish Parliament. Which seems a touch, whats the word, mad.

Of course there might be reasonable grounds to ban certain people from Holyrood  129 names come to mind  but forbidding one of the principal critics of parliaments legislation from entering parliament doesnt sound like the actions of a healthy democratic regime.

Police Scotland has accused Susan Smith of vandalising a rainbow-coloured umbrella

Susan Smith, from feminist group For Women Scotland, took the Scottish Government to the Supreme Court to prove that the legal definition of woman is biological female

Smith and her comrades have had to endure years of derision from the Scottish establishment, all because they know a man who calls himself a woman is still a man.

These are perfectly normal middle-class women with impressive CVs, well-established expertise, and diverse viewpoints, and yet theyve been treated like the Waitrose wing of ISIS.

White suggested the proposed charges were essentially lawfare, telling the First Minister: To many people this looks like a threat to free speech and an attempt to silence criticism, silence women, and intimidate this particular organisation.

With a knowing glare, she added: Whos protecting who, First Minister?

The Nationalist benches grumbled while Whites Tory colleagues egged her on. White has emerged as one of the more effective questioners of SNP ministers, having honed her method in no small part on this very issue.

She belongs to that most noble cause of kicking up a fuss when her opponents desperately want to keep a low profile.

For his part, Swinney pivoted to the old standard: cant comment on a live police matter. The very fact there is a live police matter is why the First Minister ought to comment.

The impression of a police force steeped in gender ideology going after a feminist dissident on what appear to be trumped up charges could do untold damage to public confidence in policing.

Whites colleague Rachael Hamilton attempted to raise the matter directly with the Presiding Officer but got the brush off. You cant ask questions in here, this is First Ministers Questions!

Ross Greer popped up in an open-neck shirt, looking like a trendy pastor about to assure us that Jesus would have supported peak-hour congestion charging.

This isnt Thought for the Day, matey. Button that collar and get a tie around your neck.

He gave the chamber his thoughts on wealth and the proper approach to taxing it, which amounted to Rich People Bad, Full Communism Now.

Elsewhere, Swinney parried more soft-touch justice accusations from the Tories Russell Findlay, who again pressed the horrific case of Claire Inglis, and Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who revealed a backlog of 10,000 outstanding arrest warrants.

Swinney insisted crime was at historic lows, just to reassure members of the public watching at home. The use of the plural was a bit optimistic. There was a half-decent Kojak on the other side. If his captain had asked him to investigate a hate crime against an umbrella, hed have choked on his lollipop.
Andrew will no longer be known as a prince and is to leave Royal Lodge, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

In a bombshell statement released on Thursday night, Buckingham Palace said he will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor - with immediate effect.

It comes as the palace said the 'censures are deemed necessary' amid the ongoing scandal over Jeffrey Epstein, whom Andrew lied about cutting ties with.

'His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew,' the statement said.

'Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence.

'Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation.

'These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.

'Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.'

In the wake of the announcement, a number of cars have also been seen going through the gate to Windsor's Great Park on Bishopsgate Road, near to Royal Lodge.

Read more on Andrew's humiliation...

What now for Fergie?

How King Charles will remove his brother Andrew's title

Virginia Giuffre's family speaks out as Andrew is stripped of his title

A. N. WILSON: Andrew's greed and sleaze threatened to bring down our monarchy

Andrew will no longer be known as a prince and is to leave Royal Lodge, it has been confirmed

Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Andrew's former home

Security stand at the gates of the Royal Lodge following tonight's announcement

It is understood the King Charles III is in the process of sending royal warrants to the Lord Chancellor to remove his brother's titles and honours. Andrew is said to have not objected.

Although the former duke has been stripped of all his remaining titles those of his daughters, Princess Beatrice, 37, and Princess Eugenie, 35, will remain.

Amid the controversy it was previously understood that His Majesty Charles was very keen to 'protect' his nieces who remain Her Royal Highnesses as granddaughters of Queen Elizabeth.

'He wouldn't have wanted to sign off on anything that would impact them,' a source told the Daily Mail.

It is understood Prince William and the Royal Family fully support the King's leadership on the recent move.

Andrew's recent departure from the Royal Lodge, where he paid 'peppercorn rent' over 20 years', comes amid an ongoing row over the residence since his dukedom title was stripped earlier this month.

However as of today, it is understood Andrew has been served notice to surrender the lease at the 30-bedroom mansion and will move out of the residence as soon as practically possible.

The younger brother of the King will be moved to a property on the Sandringham estate but the specifics regarding the relocation are unknown.

Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will make her own living arrangements after moving out of the royal grounds of Windsor Castle.

The move was said to have been entirely down to the King and his advisers, without pressure from the government. The monarch is pictured in Australia earlier this month

It is understood Sarah Ferguson, seen with Andrew at Royal Ascot in 2019, will make her own living arrangements

The move was entirely down to the King and his advisers, without pressure from the government or other family members, such as Prince William, sources told the Daily Mail.

'The process has been under way for some while but there was a need to get it right in the face of some very big challenges,' an insider said.

Notice was not served on Prince Andrew to move. It was his lease, so it was up to the former Duke of York to serve notice himself, suggesting that he is not fighting the process.

The former duke has lived at the Grade II-listed mansion on the grounds of Windsor Castle for over two decades with Fergie, despite their divorce in 1996.

It comes as His Majesty had made it clear he would not hesitate to take 'further action' if his younger brother continued to cling on to his dukedom and other honours after he lied about cutting ties with paedophile financier Epstein, the Daily Mail previously revealed.

And despite the tsunami of growing evidence mounting against him, the 65-year-old was understood to still be 'digging his heels in' with a 'startling lack of contrition', in a situation the King deemed 'intolerable', sources previously said.

Last week, the row over the Royal Lodge continued to grow amid damning revelations in a posthumous memoir from Andrew's sex abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre, who took her own life this year, aged 41.

Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice was released in this month, with the manuscript having been completed before she died.

The explosive book revolves around her years spent as a sex slave to Epstein and his British madam Ghislaine Maxwell.

Extracts published by The Guardian show Ms Giuffre, who said she was trafficked by Epstein three times for sex with Andrew, called the ex-duke 'entitled' and viewing sex as his 'birthright'.

Andrew is seen on the Windsor Estate on September 27 this year

Andrew pictured with Jeffrey Epstein in New York's Central Park in 2011

Amid the controversy, His Majesty, King Charles III, was very keen to 'protect' Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who remain Her Royal Highnesses

Andrew, Virginia Giuffre and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell in a photo reportedly taken in 2001, when Giuffre was 17 years old

Antimonarchy group Republic says it intends to investigate allegations that the former Duke of York sexually assaulted Giuffre (pictured)

Within the 400-page autobiography, she also alleged the ex-duke said 'thank you' in a 'clipped British accent' after their alleged first encounter when she was 17.

She also recalled how Ghislaine Maxwell praised her following the encounter, saying, 'You did well, the prince had fun'.

Andrew denied having sex with Ms Giuffre, but forked out millions in an out of court settlement in February 2022.

The Royal Family had been prepared for the further scandal the book would likely cause, knowing it was to be published this month.

In the wake of the Giuffre scandal, Andrew is facing a private prosecution over allegations of sexual assault, corruption and misconduct in public office.

Earlier on Thursday, antimonarchy campaign group Republic said it has instructed lawyers to investigate the prince and, if appropriate, press ahead with legal proceedings.

The Daily Mail understands the allegations it is focusing on relate to allegations he sexually assaulted Giuffre, that he asked a royal protection officer to look into her background and impropriety when he served as an official UK trade envoy.

But Republic said it is mounting its own bid to take him to court because the legal and political response to the claims has been 'weak and inadequate' to date.

It said it has made a 'powerful, principled argument for justice to be done for the victims of sexual abuse, and for those who corrupt public office to be held accountable'.

Andrew stands next to Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, as they leave Westminster Cathedral at the Duchess of Kent's funeral

Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah (pictured) are now understood to be moving out of the Royal Lodge

'If not us, then who?' asked Graham Smith, CEO of the antimonarchy group.

'It's a devastating indictment on the UK's criminal justice system, police and politicians  not to mention the king and heir  that we must resort to a private prosecution.

'It should be a cause for concern that so many people believe  rightly in my view  that the royals are not treated equally in law. Equality in law is a basic tenet of democracy.

'I firmly believe there is strong enough evidence to justify a serious investigation. The authorities and politicians appear to want to look the other way, while minimising the accusations made against Andrew.

'The truth must prevail and justice must be seen to be done.'

A private prosecution brought by Republic would not involve a statutory prosecutor such as Crown Prosecution Service, which brings cases on behalf of the Crown.

They are commonly brought by organisations such as the RSPCA, but can be brought by private individuals.

In some cases, a party wishing to bring a private prosecution may have to seek the consent of the Government's top legal adviser the Attorney General, or the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is the head of the CPS.

The CPS also has the right to take on a private prosecution - and even to bring it to an end if it considers the prosecution to be brought maliciously.

Earlier this evening Ms Guiffre's family spoke out after the former duke was stripped of his remaining titles.

Sarah and Andrew on their wedding day at Westminster Abbey on July 23, 1986

The York family: Beatrice, Sarah, Andrew and Eugenie pictured at a gathering

Her brother Skye and sister-in-law Amanda said: 'Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family, brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage.

'Virginia Roberts Giuffre, our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to her and to countless other survivors like her.

'Today, she declares victory.

'We, her family, along with her survivor sisters, continue Virginia's battle and will not rest until the same accountability applies to all of the abusers and abettors connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.'

It is understood earlier this month the Metropolitan Police was 'actively' looking into the claims Andrew had asked his personal protection officer to investigate Ms Giuffre, and that he was interviewed by detectives at home last week.

A bombshell email published by the Mail on Sunday earlier this month also revealed how Andrew asked his taxpayerfunded protection officer to dig into her past, two months after the infamous photo of him with Giuffre and Maxwell came to light.

In an extraordinary message to Ed Perkins, Queen Elizabeth's deputy press secretary, he wrote: 'It would also seem she has a criminal record in the States. I have given her DoB [date of birth] and social security number for investigation with XXX, the on duty ppo [personal protection officer].'

It comes as scandalous correspondence from Andrew to Epstein emerged, with the former duke telling the paedophile 'we are in this together' a day after the infamous picture of the royal with his alleged then-teenage sex victim Ms Giuffre was released.

He said he was 'concerned' about the impact this newspaper's revelations would have on his friend but reassured the vile billionaire they would 'rise above' press scrutiny.

The correspondence was sent to Epstein 12 weeks after Andrew had supposedly ceased all contact with the convicted sex offender.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Email exchanges Between Prince Andrew, Ed Perkins and Jeffrey Epstein

The leaked email provides definitive proof the Prince lied in his car-crash interview with BBC's Newsnight when he claimed he 'never had any contact' with the disgraced financier after the pair were famously pictured walking together in New York's Central Park in December 2010.

Democratic Congressman Suhas Subramanyam, who has previously called for Prince Andrew to testify before a US Congressional committee about his links to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to 'clear his name', has again urged Andrew to give evidence.

In a statement, he said: 'It's clear that Prince Andrew has information about Epstein's crimes and he must do more than just give up titles or hide from the public spotlight.

'He owes it to the victims to share everything he knows about Epstein's criminal operation and come before the Oversight Committee.

'Regardless, we will continue to pursue the files and all the evidence, no matter how rich and powerful the perpetrators involved.'

In another world exclusive the Mail on Sunday also exposed a bombshell email revealing how Fergie cynically lied when she publicly disowned the vile billionaire.

It was just weeks after her public statement that she wrote him a gushing private message, describing disgraced Epstein as a 'steadfast, generous and supreme friend'  confessing she only distanced herself from him to save her own reputation.

Now, the former Duchess of York will now be known as plain Sarah Ferguson.

Following the revelation, Sarah was dropped by seven charities after 'humbly apologising' to Epstein after disavowing him amid his conviction for child sexual abuse offences.

The bombshell leaked email shows Sarah wrote to the convicted sex offender to 'humbly apologise' in 2011 just weeks after telling the press she had cut all ties with him.

In an earlier interview that year, she described her involvement with Epstein, who had served time for soliciting prostitution from a minor, as a 'gigantic error of judgment'.

The organisations who have since cut ties with the duchess include the Teenage Cancer Trust, which she had backed since 1990, the British Heart Foundation, children's hospice charity Julia's House and Prevent Breast Cancer.

A spokesman for Sarah previously said the email was sent to counter an aggressive threat Epstein had made to sue her for defamation.

Members of antimonarchy group Republic stood outside Andrew's home  Royal Lodge at Great Windsor Park  last week to demand greater transparency

Andrew attends a military air display event on November 25, 2010 with Abu Dhabi's ruler Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

The series of scandalous emails piled on the pressure for the Royal Family to severe ties with the ex-Yorks, with internal talks beginning after Prince William was left 'seething' by his uncle's behaviour at the Duchess of Kent's funeral last month

Andrew was pictured sidling up to the Prince and Princess of Wales, which the heir to the throne saw as him being distracted from the ceremony.

No 10 has also reportedly been pressuring the royals to deal with the scandal, which has run on for years and saw Andrew step back from public life in 2019.

The intervention from Downing Street came after the prince was entangled in the ongoing Chinese spying row.

And only further embarrassment descended after it was revealed Andrew met with the 'spymaster' at the heart of the collapsed China spy case at least three times.

The under-fire royal, already mired in controversy over his friendship with another alleged Beijing spy, forged links with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) mandarin Cai Qi, with the pair posing as they celebrated 'jointly building a golden era in China-UK relations'.

Prosecutors now believe Cai was presiding over a massive intelligence-gathering operation to steal British secrets, overseeing the alleged activities of parliamentary researcher Christopher Cash and China-based English teacher Christopher Berry.

Both men have denied any wrongdoing and the case against them collapsed on the eve of trial last month after the Government refused to label China an 'enemy'.

After Andrew and his ex-wife agreed to relinquish their titles, with Buckingham Palace releasing a statement on the Prince's behalf.

It marked the first time it had spoken for him since his car crash Newsnight interview in 2019.

Andrew alongside his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson at the funeral of the Duchess of Kent on September 16, 2025

Sarah Ferguson attends the traditional Easter Sunday Mattins Service at St George's Chapel on Easter Sunday earlier this year. Epstein claimed he bankrolled Fergie for 15 years

The statement read: 'In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.

'I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.

'With His Majesty's agreement, we feel I must now go a step further.

'I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.'

Elsewhere, politicians form across the aisle supported King Charles' decision to strip Andrew of all of his titles and Royal Lodge residence.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said His Majesty is 'absolutely right' to do so, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch remarked how the decision must have been 'very difficult' for the King.

'It's clear that Andrew's position had become totally untenable, having disgraced his office and embarrassed the country,' Sir Davey said.

'This is an important step towards rebuilding trust in our institutions and drawing a line under this whole sorry saga.'

The Lib Democrats had urged the Government to make time for a debate on Andrew's Royal Lodge lease in Parliament.

Meanwhile Ms Badenoch said it must have been 'very difficult' for the King to take the steps against his sibling.

However, she maintained it was right for the public not to tolerate sexual abuse allegations.

Andrew is set to leave his home at Royal Lodge (pictured) with his exwife, the former Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson is said to be responsible for making her own arrangements

Speaking on an LBC Radio phone-in, she said: 'I've been following this story more about a family. It's a very sad state of affairs.

'I think that the King has clearly felt that this is the right decision for the royal family. It must have been a very difficult thing for him to have done. I mean, having to do that to your own brother.

'But the standards and expectations in society now are very high. People expect to see the very highest levels of integrity.

'And I'm afraid the whole Jeffrey Epstein saga and everyone it has touched, from Prince Andrew to Peter Mandelson, has just shown that the public has no truck whatsoever with any kind of sexual abuse, sexual offences, especially of minors. And I think that that's quite right.'

The leader of the Scottish National Party in Westminster, Stephen Flynn, said on X: 'The right decision and an important moment for the victims of Epstein.

'I hope all those who were elected to Parliament and chose to defend inaction rather than speak out now regret the choice they made.'

The SNP had put forward a motion to create a new law to formally strip Andrew of his dukedom.
A Utah man allegedly flung six puppies out of a car window while driving down a highway because he thought 'it would be easier to get rid of them.'

Memphis Lor, 25, was arrested on seven counts of torturing a companion animal after witnesses said they found a number of abused puppies on US-89 in Davis County, Utah, on October 22.

According to the Davis County Sheriff's Office, Lor was driving at highway speeds when he allegedly threw six puppies out of his window.

Two of the puppies, aged just three-weeks-old, died and another was seriously injured, and two were not injured. Another of the puppies has not been found.

Lor also allegedly left the mother of the puppies on the side of the highway, and the mother was found by witnesses and was severely malnourished, reports ABC4.

The sheriff's office said that witnesses called 911 saying they had seen the puppies scattered across the road, and some stopped to help law enforcement save the dogs.

Lor was identified by law enforcement after a neighbor of the suspect told investigators they knew he owned the mother of the puppies.

The 25-year-old, who has been arrested but not formally charges, reportedly admitted to throwing the puppies when interrogated by deputies.

Utah man Memphis Lor, 25, allegedly flung six puppies out of a car window while driving down a highway because he thought 'it would be easier to get rid of them.' One of the rescued puppies is pictured

Witnesses said they found a number of abused puppies on US-89 in Davis County, Utah, (pictured) on October 22 after Lor allegedly threw the puppies out of his car window

When questioned by authorities, Lor allegedly admitted to driving around 65mph when he dropped the puppies out of the window, but said he kept one with him.

Lor denied that he abused the mother of the puppies or that she was malnourished, the sheriff's office said.

The suspect allegedly said that he threw the puppies onto the highway because he thought 'it would be easier to get rid of them' that way.

He also told deputies that he believed it would be an 'easier death' for the puppies.

Lor added that the mother had more puppies, but three had died from the cold.

In a press release following Lor's arrest, the Davis County Sheriffs Office said: 'Thanks to the diligent work of the staff at Animal Care of Davis County, the mother and the surviving puppies are receiving medical care and are doing well.'

Lor was booked into the Davis County Jail, but was released under the condition that he appears in court and doesn't commit any further crimes.

Anyone with information on the lost puppy that was not located is urged to contact the Davis County Dispatch Center at 801-451-4150.
SNP ministers have been accused of cooking the books to give the impression that Scotlands NHS is doing better than Englands.

The SNP has published materials this week claiming that NHS waiting lists have fallen by 7.3 per cent in Scotland but are up in England.

But the figures do not provide an accurate like-for-like comparison of performance and ignore that long waits of two years or more are on the rise in Scotland and are 74 times higher than England.

The official data shows that the total number of people waiting more than 104 weeks in Scotland for an inpatient or outpatient appointment was 12,456 last month, compared to only 168 waiting more than two years for treatment in England despite its much larger population.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane said: This looks like a classic case of the SNP cooking the books.

Instead of tackling the permanent crisis in the health service on their watch, the nationalists are too busy prioritising fiddling the figures to try and pretend everything is rosy in Scotlands NHS.

Suffering patients and overwhelmed staff wont fall for these smoke and mirror antics. Instead of pushing inaccurate social media posts, John Swinney should adopt our bold plans to cut bureaucracy and prioritise getting resources to the frontline.

Online materials published by the SNP following the release of the latest official data on NHS waiting times this week said: Our plan is working  NHS waiting times are coming down in Scotland.

Conservative MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane

Health Secretary Neil Gray

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie

It then included a graphic which said NHS waiting times were up in England under Labour, down 7.3 per cent in Scotland under the SNP.

No explanation was provided for the data but it referred to a 7.3 per cent reduction in the number of outpatient waits of more than one year in Scotland in September 2025 compared to the previous month, which fell from 60,864 to 56,439.

Latest figures for England show 191,493 waited more than a year in August 2025, which was a reduction of 155 on the previous month.

Health Secretary Neil Gray also hailed the reduction in waits of more than a year following the release of the latest figures on Tuesday.

But the Public Health Scotland data also showed that the number of people waiting more than two years for a new outpatient appointment soared by a further two per cent in the most recent month, from 6,488 at the end of August to 6,663 at the end of last month  and is an astonishing 78.6 per cent higher than the same time last year.

There was also a 42 per cent increase in the number of people having to wait more than three years, from 436 at the end of August to a record high of 619 at the end of September.

The total number of people waiting for treatment for more than two years in England was 168 in August, which is the most recent available month.

It was confirmed by the SNP that its claim that waiting lists are up in England related to the total waiting list for all routine treatments in England, which increased from 7.36 million in May to 7.41 million in August, and not to a comparable figure on longer waits.

SNP MSP Clare Haughey

Scottish Labour health spokesman Jackie Baillie said: The SNP must think Scots are buttoned up the back.

Thousands of people are stuck in A&E for hours on end, yet delusional SNP ministers try to airbrush the statistics to make themselves look better.

The Scottish public wont be taken for fools by this arrogant, disinterested, and tired government, which has absolutely no answers for getting a grip on waiting times.

The SNP can cherry-pick stats all they want, but patients know the reality  the size of waiting lists in Scotland means the NHS is not there when Scots need it.

'The SNP would prefer to fiddle the figures and promote misleading graphics on social media rather than talk about their record because it is absolutely dismal.

SNP MSP Clare Haughey said: John Swinney promised to bring down waiting lists, and that's exactly what this SNP Government is delivering with waiting times coming down for the fourth month in a row.

The SNP delivered record sums for Scotland's NHS in this year's budget and we are seeing the results with record numbers of appointments and procedures, waiting lists coming down and NHS staff numbers on the rise.

'Just this week we announced over half a billion pounds of funding for general practice in Scotland following the announcement that we will launch walk-in GP clinics.

While the Labour Party continually attacks Scotland's NHS, the SNP is getting on with the job of ensuring that people across Scotland get the treatment they need when they need it.
He's been the steady voice guiding Scots through elections, referendums and royal farewells.

But now John MacKay is preparing to bid his own goodbyes to the nations TV screen.

The veteran STV News at Six presenter, known to viewers across the country for his trademark Im John MacKay phrase, will leave the broadcaster next spring after 31 years on air.

Incredibly he was initially urged to seek his fortunes outwith the airwaves with the words: Youve no got a voice for broadcasting son, so maybe forget it.

That happened when he was a young work-experience student at Radio Clyde.Undeterred, he turned his attention to print journalism, a passion that had begun years earlier during his paperboy days when, in the most literal way, he delivered the news to peoples homes.

He spent a brief spell working in newspapers before joining BBC Radio Scotland as a trainee in late 1987, months before one of the biggest stories of the decade  the Piper Alpha disaster  erupted in the North Sea, claiming 167 lives.

The experience, he said, confirmed his instinct that storytelling was his true calling.

The 64-year-old anchor  who has interviewed everyone from Donald Trump to Dolly Parton and Sir Billy Connolly  said he plans to devote his time to writing and film projects, including a sequel to his critically acclaimed movie The Road Dance.

Anchorman John MacKay with fellow newsreader Kelly-Ann Woodward

John with Sir Andy Murray

MacKay joined STV in 1994 as a reporter on Scotland Today before being promoted to co-presenter alongside Shereen Nanjiani in 1998.

Over the years he has covered other historic moments, including the creation of the Scottish parliament, the independence referendum, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the death of the Queen.

He announced the news of the Lockerbie bombing on radio and covered the Dunblane school shooting.

MacKay, who was born in Glasgow but spent his summers on the Isle of Lewis at his grandparents house, said: It has been a privilege to bring Scotlands most popular news programme into so many homes for so long.

'Scotland has changed dramatically over the last three decades and I am proud to have been part of the STV News teams reporting on that transformation.

I know I leave STV News in the capable hands of my colleagues to deliver the news programme our viewers value so much.

A celebrated author of six published books, MacKay confirmed he has written the script for a Road Dance sequel and is in talks over a TV adaptation of another of his novels.

He once said his ambition had always to become writer rather than the voice  and face  of television news.

STVs managing director of audience, Bobby Hain, said: John is one of Scotlands best loved and well-known presenters and were incredibly proud that hes been part of our channel for over 30 years.

He is an exceptional presenter and journalist, with an outstanding professionalism and commitment to delivering high quality news for viewers throughout his career.

The announcement of his departure comes amid a massive cost-cutting drive at STV.

It emerged last month up to one in ten jobs were under threat as STV plans to save 2.5million.

The savage move amid a drop in advertising revenue has been branded a kneejerk reaction by politicians on both sides of the Border.

Earlier this week, STV bosses were forced to defend the plans in front of MPs at the Scottish Affairs Committee.
An Aussie mum has issued an urgent warning about the hidden dangers of ultraviolet rays after her newborn suffered second-degree burns on a grey, rainy day.

Courtney Goddard experienced every parent's worst nightmare after a fun family day out with her 10-week-old daughter Lucy at Perth's Kelmscott Agricultural Show.

The family spent most of the day in the shade and as it was an overcast and rainy day, sun protection was the last thing on their mind.

But just hours later, Lucy was rushed to Perth Children's Hospital's burns unit with second-degree sunburn from reflective UV, which bounces off surrounding surfaces.

Harrowing photos show the infant's red face covered in blisters and peeling skin.

'Hearing your baby scream through the emergency department is screams you're not going to forget,' Ms Goddard told 7News.

On the rainy day that Lucy suffered sunburn, the UV level was nine.

'The weather doesn't mean anything for the UV levels. (That's) something we learnt the hard way,' the young mum said.

Courtney Goddard spoke out about the traumatising ordeal to warn other parents

Ten-week-old Lucy suffered second degree sunburn on an overcast and rainy day

Luckily, Lucy's skin is healing well and is not expected to scar. Up to 20 babies are referred to Perth Children's Hospital with serious sunburn every year.

'The UV rays are reflecting off the surrounding environment, so the grass [and] the trees,' clinical nurse consultant Tania McWilliams said.

'Just because they're in the shade doesn't mean they are safe.'

It's recommended that children under the age of 12 months are not exposed to direct sunlight when UV levels are three and above, according to the Cancer Council.

'Exposure to UV radiation during the first 15 years of life greatly increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life,' the website states.

Parents are advised not to use sunscreen on babies under six months due to their hypersensitive skin.

Instead, outdoor activities should be planned early in the morning or late in the afternoon and babies should be covered with loose-fitting clothing and hats.

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, where two in three people will be diagnosed in their lifetime.
The backlash against the Home Office plot to house hundreds of asylum seekers at a Scots military barracks saw furious locals launch a flag protest.

But their attempt to make a point with both the Scottish and British colours outside Cameron Barracks, Inverness, was thwarted by council officials who quickly took them down.

A Highland Council spokesman said: We have a zero-tolerance approach to any unauthorised attachments to our lighting columns be it signs, stickers, banners or anything else.

Any flags on our lighting columns will be removed.

Taxpayers face a bill of more than 1million to revamp the barracks, with the extraordinary price tag set to cover cleaning and redecorating the 12 buildings ahead of the expected arrival of 300 men from early December.

Locals are furious at the lack of consultation around the move, and one petition against the proposals has now gathered more than 7,500 signatures.

It says: We firmly oppose the Governments plan to house asylum seekers in Cameron Barracks or anywhere in the Highlands.

This decision has been made without consulting local residents and ignores the risks and impracticalities of placing hundreds of people in facilities not designed for residential use.

Plans to house hundreds of migrants at Cameron Barracks, Inverness, have caused uproar

Two flags, which were put up outside Cameron Barracks, were removed by the council

Cameron Barracks is not designed for residential use, and placing people there creates safety hazards for both asylum seekers and local residents.

We do not want the Highlands turned into a temporary solution for the governments national asylum backlog.

Decisions of this scale should not be imposed on communities without consultation, planning, or respect for local needs.

The UK Government announced on Monday that it was to move away from the so called migrant hotels and house around 900 asylum seekers at two military barracks, one in Scotland and the other in England.

Highland Council, which is to discuss the plans at a meeting next week, was only informed on Monday.

Independent convener Bill Lobban, council leader and SNP councillor Raymond Bremner and opposition leader and Lib Dem councillor Alasdair Christie have raised concerns.

In a joint statement, they said: 'Our main concern is the impact this proposal will have on community cohesion given the scale of the proposals as they currently stand.'

Meanwhile Fergus Ewing, independent MSP for Inverness and Nairn, said the local authority could take the Home Office to court.
A magician has been accused of leaving a charity out of pocket after carrying out his own disappearing act from a Scots village festival.

Dean Spruce left 100 children upset after failing to show up, and furious organisers of the Aberdour Festival, in Fife, who can't contact him said he's turned into 'Harry Houdini'.

Mr Spruce  who was hired to do two shows at the event  is said to have taken his full 300 payment in advance.

Organisers had to give refunds to scores of tearful children and faced further losses after hiring the local primary school as the venue.

Committee member Emma Strachan said: He was hired to do a kids magic show and then a bubble show  but he turned into Harry Houdini and completely disappeared instead.

He left us in the lurch by emailing on the morning of the show to say he wasnt coming and now he is refusing to answer our calls or letters to get our money back.

She said Mr Spruce approached the committee in April to say he had been reading about the Aberdour Festival and was available to perform.

We dont often pay up front, but we did on this occasion and gave him the 300 fee we agreed for the two one-hour shows, Ms Strachan added.

Magician Dean Spruce, who has been accused of leaving a charity out of pocket

We spent another 200 hiring Aberdour Primary School and the event was sold out. Then, at 8.44am, we got an email saying Sorry, I wont make today.

'He said he had asked another magician to cover for him and said that he was great. Well, he must have had an invisibility cloak because there was no sign of anyone else.

She messaged Mr Spruce back to say that no-one else had turned up and organisers faced the prospect of queues of disappointed children.

Ms Strachan added: It wasnt as if we could just pull another magician out of a hat.

Dean went into radio silence and claimed he was in a blackspot with no signal. We had to explain to all these disappointed children that the magician hadnt turned up and we had to refund everybody.

We contacted him a week later for our refund but he then claimed he had been stuck in a hurricane.

Ms Strachan claimed the organisers had tried numerous times since the August festival to track down Mr Spruce.

This has left us with a bad taste in our mouths, she said. On his website, Mr Spruce says he has been a magician for over 20 years.

His biography states: I feel that I am the luckiest person alive as my job is to entertain people. I am based in north-east Scotland in a small fishing town called Banff.

The father of two, who operates under the banner Divine Magic, also performs shows with his partner Victoria as Scotlands only male and female magic act.

He failed to respond to a request for comment.
An Afghan asylum seeker who raped a vulnerable teenager in a brutal attack in a Scottish park after claiming he would be her boyfriend is facing jail.

Rapualla Ahmadze was caught on CCTV walking the streets of Elgin, in Moray, in the early hours of the morning before approaching his victim, who was sitting on a bench.

The teenager, then aged 17, told police that the stranger, who was bearded and spoke with a foreign accent, stopped in front of her and asked whether she had a boyfriend.

She said that when she replied that she did not, he told me that he was my boyfriend now.

The victim said she was struggling with mental health issues at the time and sometimes went for a walk at night and listened to her music.

Ahmadze pulled her up off the bench and started walking her towards a play park with one arm around her waist.

She said: When we were walking towards the park I kept thinking I need to get away. I tried to pull away from him three times. When I did this the man pulled me more towards him.

The teenager said she was scared she would make him mad if she continued to try to get away.

Rapist Rapualla Ahmadze was found guilty at Edinburgh High Court

Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin

She was taken to a tunnel and pushed to the ground and sexually assaulted. The victim was then walked towards bushes where Ahmadze raped her.

The teen said she kept saying no to him but added: The man completely ignored me when I was saying this.

He then forced her to carry out a sexual act on him.

The victim said she got away only when she spotted another man walking along a path and claimed she had to go, raising her voice to get his attention and going over to him for help.

John Donald, 28, told the High Court in Edinburgh that when the victim approached him, her hands and arms were shaking.

I felt a sense of scaredness. The size difference between the male and female was noticeable. The female was little and the male was bigger, he said. The female came up to me. At this point she was physically shaking and immediately asked for help.

She was crying by this time. She was really struggling to catch her breath. It was like she was hyperventilating.

She told me she needed help and asked me to walk her somewhere.

The victim called a friend and told them shed been raped and Mr Donald then suggested she go to hospital.

She went to Dr Grays Hospital in Elgin and spoke to staff who alerted police.

Ahmadze, also known as Rafiullah Ahmadzai, denied the rape on August 4, last year having followed the victim.

The 21-year-old claimed that sex was consensual, the victim was happy and instigated what occurred.

He told the court through an interpreter: When we went to the bushes I wanted to leave but she wanted to have sex with me and then we have sex.

Ahmadze claimed that he was out in the early hours of the morning because he was hungry and looking for a pizza restaurant.

During his evidence to the court, he claimed he was born in 2007 and was currently aged 18.

In an interview with police last year, he said he did not remember his date of birth but claimed that at the time of the incident he was 17. Immigration authorities provided a date of birth as January 2004.

Ahmadze was unanimously found guilty to raping the teenager and also convicted of threatening behaviour on two occasions between March 1 and April 30, last year at a house in Dufftown, Moray, when he acted aggressively and demanded money and the provision of a new shower.

He was staying at a hotel in Elgin at one stage but was later rehoused.

After the verdicts, trial judge Thomas Welsh KC told him: Custody is inevitable in your case.

Ahmadze was placed on the sex offenders register and remanded in custody while a background report and risk assessment are prepared on him ahead of sentencing next month.
Virginia Giuffre's family have spoken out as Andrew is stripped of his remaining title as prince and forced out of Royal Lodge.

The royal's accuser, 41, who took her own life earlier this year, has alleged she was trafficked by paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein three times for sex with the ex-Duke, 65, as a teenager.

Pressure for action within the Royal Family has mounted in recent weeks over Andrew's ongoing entanglement in the scandal - his involvement in which he has always vehemently denied.

Matters came to a head tonight as Buckingham Palace made a bombshell announcement he will now be known only as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor - with immediate effect.

The King's younger brother is also set to move out of his Grade II-listed, 30-room mansion in the grounds of Windsor Castle into 'alternative private accommodation'.

The family of his accuser have now released a statement reacting to the Palace's announcement.

Her brother Skye and sister-in-law Amanda said: 'Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family, brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage.

'Virginia Roberts Giuffre, our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to her and to countless other survivors like her. Today, she declares victory.

The royal's accuser (pictured, with a photo of herself as a teenager), 41, who took her own life earlier this year, has alleged she was trafficked by paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein three times for sex with the ex-Duke, 65, as a teenager

The royal's accuser, 41, who took her own life earlier this year, has alleged she was trafficked by paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein three times for sex with the ex-Duke, 65, as a teenager. Pictured: L-R Andrew, with a teenage Ms Giuffre, and Jeffrey Epstein's convicted sex trafficking associate and ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell

Her family's intervention comes as Buckingham Palace made a bombshell announcement tonight that Andrew (pictured in 2022) will now be known only as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor - with immediate effect

'We, her family, along with her survivor sisters, continue Virginia's battle and will not rest until the same accountability applies to all of the abusers and abettors connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.'

Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for Virginia Giuffre during her civil sex assault case against Prince Andrew, said the King stripping Andrew's titles was a 'tipping point'.

She said: 'The voice of Virginia Giuffre has changed history. Her bravery, determination and resilient spirit has led to this defining moment.

'As we account for the tipping point significance of the King stripping the title "Prince" from his brother Andrew, it should be a lesson for all to listen, hear and believe survivors of abuse.'

Amy Wallace, who ghostwrote Ms Giuffre's posthumous memoir Nobody's Girl, released this month, told BBC's Newsnight: 'I'm so proud of her.

'I just wish that she was here to see this historic moment. History has just been made by Virginia Roberts-Giuffre.

'Rich people have been allowed to treat poor people as their playthings and not pay any consequences for it.

'And apparently that time is over and I am so grateful to the King and I gather to others in Buckingham Palace who agree...

'To have somebody in power, somebody as respected as the King, say, I believe you. That's historic. It's a credit to Virginia.'

The Royal Family's latest announcement comes after weeks of excruciating headlines about the King's younger brother.

These included damning revelations in Ms Giuffre's posthumous memoir.

Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice was released earlier this month, with the manuscript finished before she died.

The explosive book revolves around her years spent as a sex slave to Jeffrey Epstein, who took his own life in jail in 2019, aged 66, awaiting trial without the chance of bail on sex trafficking charges.

His British ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, 63, is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking after helping recruit and groom underage victims for him.

Extracts show Ms Giuffre calls the ex-Duke 'entitled' and viewing sex as his 'birthright'.

Within the 400-page autobiography, she also claims Andrew said 'thank you' in a 'clipped British accent' after their alleged first encounter when she was 17.

She also recalls how Maxwell heaped praise on her after the encounter, saying, 'You did well, the Prince had fun'.

Prince Andrew denied having sex with Ms Giuffre, but forked out millions in an out of court settlement in February 2022.

The Royal Family had been prepared for the further scandal the book would likely cause, knowing it was to be published this month.

But a kind of tipping point came when scandalous emails from Andrew to Epstein were uncovered by the Mail on Sunday in a world exclusive last week - causing fears more are yet to emerge.

In the astonishing message, the Prince told the paedophile 'we are in this together' a day after the MoS released the infamous picture of the Prince with his alleged then-teenage sex victim Ms Giuffre.

It came after damning revelations in Ms Giuffre's posthumous memoir Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice (pictured), which was released earlier this month

It also follows The Mail on Sunday's exclusive investigation revealing an email from Andrew to Epstein provides definitive proof the ex-prince lied in his car-crash interview with BBC's Newsnight (pictured) about having cut contact with the paedophile financier

He said he was 'concerned' about the impact this newspaper's revelations would have on his friend but reassured the vile billionaire they would 'rise above' press scrutiny.

It was sent to Epstein 12 weeks after Andrew had supposedly ceased all contact with the convicted sex offender.

The leaked email provides definitive proof the ex-prince lied in his car-crash interview with BBC's Newsnight when he claimed he 'never had any contact' with Epstein after the pair were famously pictured walking together in New York's Central Park in December 2010.

Writing to Epstein on February 28, 2011  the day after the MoS published the now infamous picture of him with a teenage Virginia Giuffre that led to his downfall  Andrew said: 'I'm just as concerned for you! Don't worry about me!

'It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it.

'Otherwise keep in close touch and we'll play some more soon!!!!'

Andrew signed off with: 'A, HRH The Duke of York, KG'.

KG refers to Duke's 'Knight of the Garter'  a prestigious position he has held since 2006 and which he retained until it was removed on Friday.

The hugely embarrassing email heaped further pressure on the Royal Family to sever all ties with the disgraced ex-Yorks and raised fresh questions about their future at Royal Lodge.

The Mail on Sunday also revealed days later Andrew embroiled the Metropolitan Police and one of the late Queen Elizabeth II's most senior aides in a campaign to smear his teenage sex accuser.

Another bombshell email obtained by this newspaper exposed how he asked his taxpayer-funded Met bodyguard to investigate Ms Giuffre, passing him her date of birth and confidential social security number.

Astonishingly, the royal then told Ed Perkins, the late Queen's deputy press secretary, that he had asked one of his personal protection officers  part of the Met's elite SO14 Royalty Protection Group  to dig up information about Ms Giuffre.

He emailed Mr Perkins hours before this newspaper first published the infamous picture of the duke with 17-year-old Ms Giuffre, which would ultimately bring about his downfall.

'It would also seem she has a criminal record in the [United] States,' he wrote. 'I have given her DoB [date of birth] and social security number for investigation with XXX, the on duty ppo [personal protection officer].'

It is not suggested the officer complied with the prince's request, while Ms Giuffre's family has since said she did not have a criminal record.

Her relatives said our revelations 'expose the lengths to which those implicated try to discredit and defame survivors'.

'The truth will surface and there will be no shadows in which they can hide,' they added.

A spokesperson for the Met told the MoS they were 'actively looking into the claims made', with the force's Specialist Crime Command in charge of the investigation.

It raised the prospect that Andrew could become the first royal to be caught up in a criminal probe in more than 20 years.

Ms Giuffre took her own life on April 25 this year at her $1.3million farmhouse in the Neergabby area near Perth, Australia.

She lived there alone, after separating from her Australian husband Robert Giuffre earlier this year, who she alleged subjected her to domestic abuse.

He lived in the family home in Perth with their three children at the time of her death.

Her family said at the time: 'Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking.

'She was the light that lifted so many survivors. In the end, the toll of abuse is so heavy that it became unbearable for Virginia to handle its weight.'

This is a breaking story - further updates to follow.
A pensioner with a heart defect told to go to hospital immediately, was left waiting on an ambulance for 21 hours before languishing in the back of one for nearly 12 hours before he was finally seen.

William McLaughlin, 75, was warned he needed urgent care by doctors after a blood test uncovered he had high potassium levels  a condition which can have serious consequences.

But the Lanarkshire OAP said despite calling 999 as instructed he was left waiting 21 hours for an ambulance and when he finally got to University Hospital Wishaw he languished in the back of one for 11-and-a-half hours.

Left furious by the ordeal which he said could have seen him die several times over, he warned Scotlands NHS crisis could end up with disastrous consequences for patients.

Turning his ire on the Scottish Government and senior NHS managers, Mr McLaughlin, who has a number of disabilites, yesterday said: 'Neil Gray [Health Secretary] should resign forthwith and let somebody else in that can do the job because this isnt working.

People are suffering and somebody is going to die  it is only a matter of time before somebody dies because of this.

Despite his fury at those running the NHS he praised the staff who looked after him  including the paramedics who cared for him at the back of their vehicle.

Dr Sandesh Gulhane, the Scottish Conservatives health spokesman, said: Its outrageous. This kind of intolerable experience has sadly become a regular occurrence because of the SNPs chronic mismanagement of Scotlands NHS.

William McLaughlin, 75, said he was left in the back of an ambulance for nearly half a day

University Hospital Wishaw in Lanarkshire

Mr McLaughlin was discharged from hospital yesterday, with medics to conduct further tests at a later date.

But he said this weeks ordeal was his latest experience of a health service teetering on the brink. He added: I am not criticising the ambulance crews, the nurses or the doctors. They are doing a stellar job in very difficult circumstances which is not of their making.

I am criticising the politicians and the senior management who are responsible for NHS Scotland. They treat all of us with utter disdain and people suffer as a result.

We are now beyond meltdown and have descended into utter chaos. The system is no longer fit for purpose.

Mr McLaughlin added: It is an absolute mess, I could have died several times over. The shambles that is going on has to be exposed, I know Im not the only one experiencing it.

Stephen Peebles, NHS Lanarkshires Interim Director of Acute Services, said: We understand how distressing this must have been and we extend our sincere apologies to Mr McLaughlin and his family.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: We are supporting the Scottish Ambulance Service and boards to cut waits and ensure patients receive treatment as soon as possible.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokesman said: We would like to apologise for the delay in responding to Mr McLaughlin and for any distress caused.

'While we are limited in what we can say due to patient confidentiality, we can confirm there was an extended delay in transporting Mr McLaughlin to hospital.

During this delay, our clinicians remained in contact with Mr McLaughlin to support him and ensure his condition hadnt worsened.

'When a time is appropriate, we would ask the patient or his family to contact our patient experience team so we can look into this case further.
Rachel Reeves faced humiliation last night after she backtracked over her illegal letting blunder.

There were growing calls for the Chancellor to be sacked following an extraordinary day of contradictory statements.

The Daily Mail exclusively revealed on Wednesday night that since entering Downing Street the Chancellor had been letting her family home without a licence. Ms Reeves had claimed that she and her husband, Nicholas Joicey, were unaware that they needed to secure a 'selective' rental licence.

But emails released by No 10 last night revealed extensive conversations between Mr Joicey and their letting agent in which they were informed of the need for a licence. Ms Reeves conceded in a letter to the Prime Minister yesterday that she accepted it was her responsibility to secure the licence.

She said: 'Today the letting agency and my husband have found correspondence confirming that on 17th July, 2024, the letting agent said to my husband that a Selective Licence would be required and agreed that the agency would apply for the licence on our behalf.

'They have also confirmed today they did not take the application forward, in part due to a member of staff leaving.

'Nevertheless, as I said yesterday, I accept it was our responsibility to secure the licence. I also take responsibility for not finding this information yesterday and bringing it to your attention.'

Her contradictory claims led to fresh calls for ethics chief Sir Laurie Magnus to investigate.

Rachel Reeves, pictured with husband Nicholas Joicey, was on the ropes with calls for her to be sacked following an extraordinary day of contradictory statements

The Daily Mail exclusively revealed on Wednesday night that the Chancellor had been renting out her family home (pictured) without a licence since entering Downing Street

Meanwhile, the letting agency involved in Ms Reeves' rental arrangements for her family home in Dulwich, south London, attempted to shoulder blame for the 'oversight'.

The Mail sets the agenda The Daily Mail has led the way on exposing Labours rank hypocrisy with a series of top scoops this week. Last weekend Mail on Sunday readers were the first to learn that Rachel Reeves is plotting to hit homeowners with a mansion tax costing thousands of pounds a year at next months Budget. And then yesterday the Daily Mail exposed how the Chancellor has broken the law by letting her family home in south London without a licence since she entered Downing Street. Both stories have led the news agenda and left rival publications in the Daily Mails wake as they have rushed to catch up. Meanwhile Ms Reeves has been left reeling, just weeks out from her Budget on November 26, which could see her become the first Chancellor to raise the basic rate of income tax since the 1970s. Advertisement

Harvey & Wheeler said the property manager responsible for applying for the licence on her behalf had 'suddenly resigned' before the tenancy began.

But the firm added that they 'do not normally apply for licences on behalf of our clients; the onus is on them to apply'. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said last night that it was still Ms Reeves' 'duty' to 'make sure that something has been followed'.

And she told the Daily Mail: 'In Opposition, Keir Starmer was always first out of the blocks calling for Conservatives to be sacked. Now he's ignoring the evidence that Rachel Reeves broke the law, because his flagging Government can't handle a third resignation in as many months.

'As always with Labour, it's one rule for them, and another for the rest of us. This weak Prime Minister needs to stop the cover-up, order a proper investigation into Reeves, and have the backbone to accept that if it shows she's broken the law, she has to go.'

Last night, Sir Laurie, the PM's independent adviser on ministerial standards, said it was 'regrettable' that Ms Reeves had not obtained the licence.

He concluded that the Chancellor had committed an 'unfortunate but inadvertent error' but found 'no evidence of bad faith'.

He said Ms Reeves' husband 'did not recall' the exchange regarding the licence when the couple initially assured him they had not been aware of the need for one.

In a letter to the Chancellor, Sir Keir Starmer last night made a pointed comment about her assurance on Wednesday night that she was unaware of the need for a licence.

Reeves is pictured smiling as she leaves Downing Street on Thursday

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said that it was still Ms Reeves' 'duty' to 'make sure that something has been followed'

He wrote: 'It would clearly have been better if you and your husband had conducted a full trawl through all email correspondence with the estate agency before writing to me yesterday.'

But he said he regarded the case as an 'inadvertent failure' and said he saw no need for further action.

Last night, No 10 said Sir Keir retains 'full confidence' in Ms Reeves, and said she would deliver the Budget on November 26.

When the Daily Mail broke the story, Sir Laurie had said her failure to secure the correct licence did not warrant further investigation. But No 10 refused to say what evidence Ms Reeves had provided to Sir Laurie to back up her claim that she had not been made aware of the licensing requirement.

Downing Street also repeatedly refused to say whether the Chancellor's actions were in breach of the Ministerial Code.

Ms Reeves failed to obtain a landlord licence when she put her property on the rental market last year as she moved into 11 Downing Street. The four-bedroom detached house was listed for rent at 3,200 a month, and her register of interests states she has received rental income since September 2024.

Southwark Council, the local authority, requires that private landlords in certain areas  including the one where Ms Reeves' house is located  obtain a 'selective' licence to let their property. But the Chancellor failed to do so  and hastily applied for a licence after the Daily Mail's inquiries.

Ms Reeves said it was an 'inadvertent mistake', and she apologised to the Prime Minister for the error.

Earlier yesterday a spokesman for the Prime Minister said: 'She's explained it was inadvertent mistake and as soon as it was brought to her attention, she took immediate action and applied for the licence... the Ministerial Code makes clear that in certain circumstances, in consultation with the independent adviser, an apology is a sufficient resolution.'

Asked whether the Prime Minister, a former director of public prosecutions, believed that ignorance of the law was a defence, the No 10 spokesman indicated he did not.

Pictured: An article from the Mail on Sunday on October 26

Pictured: An article published by the Daily Mail on October 30

In a second letter to the Prime Minister in the space of 24 hours, the Chancellor wrote to 'update' Sir Keir Starmer over the blunder that has plunged her into jeopardy

But he rejected suggestions that the Chancellor had got away 'scot-free' after a 'stitch-up' between Sir Laurie and the Prime Minister.

Southwark Council requires private landlords in certain areas to obtain a 'selective' licence. This has applied to most private residential properties rented to single families or unrelated tenants in the borough since November 2023.

It costs 900 and landlords must submit documents proving their property is fit for purpose, such as gas and electrical certificates.

Failing to obtain a licence is a criminal offence and can be punishable with an unlimited fine on prosecution, a fine of 30,000 as an alternative to prosecution, or the landlord could be ordered to pay back up to 12 months' rent.
Joanna Cherrys inside account of a pivital period in Scottish and UK politics will be published next year, it has been announced.

The former Nationalist MP, who became a pariah among many in the SNP for daring to speak out for womens rights, has previously told how her memoir would help clear Alex Salmonds name.

Ms Cherry has claimed the late First Minister, who she was a close ally of until his death last year, was victim of a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

During her time in politics, the former Edinburgh South West MP became one of Nicola Sturgeons fiercest critics and blamed the one-time First Minister for the SNPs disastrous 2024 election results.

Ms Cherry said she was excited to be telling my story of a tumultuous decade in Scottish and British politics.

The Kings Counsel added: I believe the time is right to share my perspective on what happened during this extraordinary period.Icon Publishing, who has acquired rights to her book, said: 'Her explosive memoir details everything from the party's rejection of popular leader Alex Salmond to the scandals that engulfed Nicola Sturgeon.'

Joanna Cherry's memoir will be published next year, it has been announced

Joanna Cherry was a close ally of former First Minister Alex Salmond

Nicola Sturgeon and Joanna Cherry on the campaign trail in November 2019

Joanna Cherry speaks outside the Scottish Parliament against controversial plans to allow gender self-identification

The memoir, Keeping the Dream Alive: An Insiders Account of a Tumultuous Decade in Scottish Politics, is already available to preorder online and will be out in April next year.

Connor Stait, senior commissioning editor for Icon, said: Joanna Cherry has been one of the most recognisable figures in politics for more than a decade  not only in Scotland, but across the entire United Kingdom.

Ive long admired her no nonsense, straight-talking approach and am thrilled to be publishing one of the most insightful political memoirs of recent years.
Several passengers have been injured on a JetBlue flight from Mexico to New Jersey after the plane suffered a control issue, the airline has said.

JetBlue Flight 1230 - an Airbus 320 - departed Cancun International Airport in Mexico and was headed to New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport when its crew reported a flight control issue, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The plane then landed at around 2.19pm ET in Tampa, Florida.

JetBlue said the plane experienced a drop in altitude and the 'flight was met by medical personnel who evaluated customers and crew members, and those needing additional care were transported to a local hospital.'

The airline did not immediately say how many people were injured, or detail the extent of the injuries.

But the pilot told air traffic controllers that at least three passengers were injured, including one with 'maybe a laceration in the head.'

Flight data shows the plane took off, reached an altitude of 35,000 feet, which it maintained for about half an hour before it descended at Tampa International Airport.

The plane was removed from service for inspection, and the airline said it will conduct a full investigation to determine the cause.

JetBlue Flight 1230 - an Airbus 320 - departed Cancun International Airport in Mexico and was headed to New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport when it landed around 2:19 p.m. ET at Tampa, Florida . The FAA is investigating. (Pictured: A JetBlue plane)

Several passengers have been injured on a JetBlue flight from Mexico to New Jersey after the plane suffered a control issue, the airline has said. The flight path is shown above

The flight is now expected to depart from Tampa at 2.35am, arriving at Newark shortly after 5am, Mexican journalist Jose Luis Morales reports.

'The safety of our customers and crewmembers is always our first priority, and we will work to support those involved,' JetBlue said.

The incident comes just one week after another JetBlue plane made a U-turn mid-flight after a 'non-compliant' passenger was reportedly being 'verbally abusive'.

Video from the flight, which was en route to Las Vegas from Boston on October 20, shows two Massachusetts State Troopers escorting a male passenger, with a backpack and a suitcase, off the plane.

The troopers said they were notified at 10pm that JetBlue Flight 777 was returning to the gate because of the disruptive passenger.

But those who were onboard the plane have since come to the defense of the removed passenger, with one witness calling the entire incident 'ridiculous.'

The altercation was allegedly caused because of a miscommunication over a seat, the witness said.

'I was on this flight and so were many others, and we could all tell you that the passenger was not being verbally abusive at all,' they wrote.

'The flight attendant was on a power trip and this was a total overreach of power. The person in question was buckled up never raise his voice, never swore was not drunk - he was sober.

'This was such an inconvenience for so many people. Everyone just jumps to conclusion based on nothing in the comment section,' they added.

The witness also told the Daily Mail the passenger was 'compliant' and 'had done nothing'.

Video from another JetBlue flight obtained by the Daily Mail shows two Massachusetts State Troopers escorting a male passenger off the plane

The flight from Boston to Las Vegas departed around 8pm on October 20, but had to make a U-turn after a 'non-compliant' passenger was reportedly being 'verbally abusive'

Another witness who claimed to be sitting one row away from the removed passenger said the flight attendant was 'on a straight power trip.'

'The passenger who was removed, never raised his voice, never even unbuckled his seatbelt following take off,' they wrote on Facebook.

They claimed the flight attendant got mad when he found out the interaction was recorded and the passenger threatened to report him to JetBlue corporate.

'I along with many other passengers on this flight will be filing complaints with JetBlue in regards to the action of this crew member.'

Police did not release the passenger's identity, but said a 37-year-old male from Louisville, Kentucky is being summonsed to appear for interference with a flight crew.

Earlier this month, a female passenger onboard a JetBlue flight also tried to open the emergency door when she heard a common airplane noise she thought was a sign the plane was malfunctioning.

The passenger was filmed pacing the aisle of the JetBlue aircraft as it prepared to take off, pleading with flight attendants to 'stop the plane'.

She said she was on the phone with her boyfriend, whom she claimed was a pilot, and that the sound was 'not normal'.

Alarmed fellow passengers appeared to block her from getting to the emergency exit, and one claimed she 'tried to open the door' before the video started.

The sound she was unnerved by is the well-known 'barking dog' noise of the Airbus A320 power transfer unit.

The PTU automatically balances hydraulic pressure between the plane's systems, usually during the takeoff and landing process.

A woman was so freaked out by a common airplane noise she thought was a malfunction and tried to open the emergency door, other passengers claimed

The woman believed the noise meant the plane was 'broken,' meaning she was likely unfamiliar with the A320 aircraft as Boeing planes don't make the sound.

Flight attendants confronted with woman and were eventually able to reassure her that the plane was functioning normally.

Once the situation was resolved, the plane took off and is said to have completed its journey without incident.
Gayle King is expected to be the next major departure from CBS News, as the anchor is set to leave the network's morning show as major changes under Bari Weiss continue.

The 70-year-old, who has hosted CBS Mornings under various titles since 2012, will leave the show next year, with her contract set to end in May, Variety reports.

King may not be purged from the network entirely, as they may give her a new contract to produce specials for the network, similar to what happened to ex-CBS Evening News anchor Norah O'Donnell.

'There have been no discussions with Gayle about her contract that runs through May 2026. Shes a truly valued part of CBS and we look forward to engaging with her about the future,' the network told the magazine in a statement.

CBS Mornings is currently a distant third place among the major networks, having averaged just 1.8million viewers in the week ending October 20.

In that same period, Good Morning America led the way with 2.71million viewers on ABC, while The Today Show trailed close behind at 2.69million.

However, King has brought prestige to the network and valuable ties with Oprah Winfrey via the pair's decades-long friendship.

Massive job cuts are already underway at the network and company, however, with the network's formidable new Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss telling staff this week that an 'enormously difficult' period lies ahead.

Gayle King is expected to be the next major departure from CBS News, as the anchor is set to leave the network's morning show as major changes under Bari Weiss continue

The 70-year-old, who has hosted CBS Mornings under various titles since 2012, will leave the show next year, with her contract set to end in May

The network also killed off a team focused on race and culture as part of sweeping layoffs across the network.

The Race and Culture Unit, founded in July 2020, had been tasked with ensuring 'all stories have the proper context, tone and intention' before publishing, according to CBS parent company Paramount.

The Daily Mail confirmed the unit was entirely eliminated along with several other positions across CBS News.

At CBS News, nearly 100 positions are reportedly being eliminated, with a further 2,000 across Paramount, its parent company.

The entire team overseeing CBS Saturday Morning - including anchors Michelle Miller, Dana Jacobson and Executive Producer Brian Applegate - were among those let go.

The streaming editions of both CBS Evening News and CBS Mornings are both being killed off.

New CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss reportedly acknowledged the cuts on the network's morning editorial call Wednesday, calling it a 'enormously difficult day.'

Paramount chairman David Ellison discussed layoffs in a note to staff Wednesday morning.

Massive job cuts are already underway, with the network's formidable new Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss telling staff this week that an 'enormously difficult' period lies ahead

King may not be purged from the network entirely, as they may give her a new contract to produce specials for the network

'In some areas, we are addressing redundancies that have emerged across the organization,' he wrote.

'In others, we are phasing out roles that are no longer aligned with our evolving priorities and the new structure designed to strengthen our focus on growth.'

CBS Morning Plus was anchored by Tony Dokoupil and Adriana Diaz, while CBS Evening News Plus was manned by John Dickerson, who resigned from the network after 16 years on Monday.

Internally, Dokoupil is a top candidate to replace the Dickerson on CBS Evening News, Status reported. Dickerson and Maurice Dubois took over for longtime anchor Norah O'Donnell in January but were plagued by poor ratings.

Weiss  personally appointed by David Ellison, Paramount's billionaire new owner  was indeed brought in as a disruptor.

The former New York Times columnist who gave up the day job to strike out and launch her own independent title, The Free Press, with a total focus on responsible and fair journalism, has been in her new post less than month.

The impact has been nothing short of seismic.

In truth, CBS  founded in 1927 and once home to such journalistic titans as Walter Cronkite  has been suffering for some time.

Paramount chairman David Ellison hired Weiss this months after taking the reigns of CBS News parent company Paramount over the summer. He said the layoffs were 'addressing redundancies that have emerged across the organization' in a note to staff

With the advent of Covid and under the staunchly liberal Biden administration, left-wing journalists were given carte blanche to use their platform to advance a myopic political agenda at odds with the majority of ordinary Americans.

The result was an exodus of viewers and the near-destruction of a once-venerable institution, now warped into a liberal echo-chamber.

There is perhaps no one in America better qualified than Weiss, 41, to right the ship  and not least because she has embraced her own ideological transformation.

'I'm the first to admit that I was a sufferer of what conservatives at the time would have called TDS, Trump Derangement Syndrome,' Weiss said earlier this year, revealing that she had wept the first time Donald Trump was elected in 2016.

Now, she says, the 'overzealous, out-of-touch, hysterical reaction' to the president on the left is 'extraordinarily authoritarian and totalitarian in its impulses.'

That message has stuck fear into CBS's Midtown Manhattan headquarters  where, it seems, many have refused to take the memo.

One CBS insider told the Daily Mail that 'everyone is nervous.' Another said staff are 'running scared.'

'I'd say that she's definitely going to make her mark,' a third source said. 'She's in charge, and we know it. We are being flooded in memos. She's watching every aspect of what we do, critiquing where she thinks we are being more biased. There is mandatory training to make sure we're objective, but it's really just telling us how to make sure to tell the conservative side of stuff.'

Following Wednesday's news of job cuts, that third source texted the Daily Mail: 'Are you hiring?'

Perhaps no greater endorsement of Weiss came this month in the form of whining Guardian column, breathlessly headlined: 'Bari Weiss is a weird and worrisome choice as top editor for CBS News.'

David Ellison isn't worried.

Following the buyout of Paramount by Ellison's media production company Skydance in an $8 billion deal this August, the son of Larry Ellison  the software entrepreneur and second-richest man in the world  turned his attention to Weiss's Free Press.
Donald Trump brought Halloween joy to children by handing out candy at the White House and rehashing a party trick from 2019 by patting a child's head with a bar of chocolate.

The President arrived back at the White House Thursday evening from a whirlwind trip to Asia in time to celebrate spooky season with his wife Melania.

Around 6pm ET the Trumps emerged from the White Houses southern entrance to Michael Jacksons Thriller being played by a military string ensemble.

The duo delighted children who lined up in costumes to meet them.

Trump revived one of his favorite trick-or-treat games from his 2019 Halloween party by bopping a child dressed as a marshmallow on the head with a chocolate bar, before placing it atop his costume for the child to collect.

Instead, the child walked away trying to balance the candy bar on top of his head, exactly where Trump had placed it.

The President went viral during his first term in 2019 for playing the same game with a child dressed in a Despicable Me costume.

'This is a strong granddad move,' one supporter said on Thursday as Trump's trick went viral again.

Donald Trump has brought Halloween joy to children by handing out candy at the White House, rehashing a party trick from 2019 by patting a child's head with a bar of chocolate

Trump revived one of his favorite trick-or-treat games from his 2019 Halloween party by bopping a child on the head with a chocolate bar, before placing it atop his costume for the child to collect

The duo delighted children who lined up decked out in costumes to meet with them

Melania shared her own sweet moment with a little girl who appeared scared to approach, stooping down and opening her arms to bring the child closer.

She placed her hand on the little girl's cheek and rubbed her shoulder reassuringly as Trump watched on.

Separately, the President high-fived a boy that appeared to be dressed as him. They both were wearing blue suits with red ties and red MAGA hats.

A little girl accompanying the Trump-dressed boy appeared to be dressed as the first lady. She had a white coat similar ton ones fancied by Melania.

The First Lady was seen bending over and appeared to compliment the duo on their look. Then Trump told the kids to turn around and pose for a photo.

Dozens of carved jack-o-lanterns filled with lights decorated the mansions sprawling staircases along with fall foliage, pumpkins and other autumn staples.

The exterior of the home was decorated in faux falling autumn leaves and Melania wore a beige and orange trench coat to celebrate the holiday.

For over an hour the President, freshly back from a five-day trip to Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, dutifully handed out chocolate bars to children in costumes ranging from astronauts to McDonalds workers.

Two children greeted the President dressed in McDonald's drive-thru costumes

A small child grins while dressed as a dinosaur passing the President and First Lady

After standing outside of the White House handing out candy for well over an hour, Trump later told the press that he was not done for the day, despite his long schedule

The President's top staffers and their families were first in line to receive treats from the Trumps.

Top advisor and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, his wife Katie, and their three children were some of the first to get their chocolates.

Miller's son, dressed as a ghost, appeared blissfully unaware that he was in line to meet the President and First Lady, repeatedly attempting to slip past them as his father reached to pull him back into the queue.

Soon after followed White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, her husband, and their young child dressed as a pumpkin.

Music played as the procession of children and their guardians made their way to the President and First Lady.

The theme songs from Game of Thrones, Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean were featured during the event, along with some classical renditions.

After standing outside of the White House handing out candy for well over an hour, Trump later told the Press that he was not done for the day.

Over the blaring music, the President indicated to reporters that he was about to attend a virtual town hall with some state attorney generals.

A source familiar with the matter later confirmed that Trump, despite spending much of the last 30 hours awake in Asia before the US, has another event at 7pm local time.
Convicted murderer Bryan Kohberger is receiving 'financial compensation' despite insisting he can't afford to pay the families of his victims, prosecutors say.

The 30-year-old former criminology PhD student is serving life in prison for the murders of four Idaho college students, 21-year-olds Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen and 20-year-olds Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

Kohberger broke into an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho, in the early hours of November 13, 2022, and stabbed the four University of Idaho students to death.

As part of his plea deal, Kohberger agreed that the prosecution could seek restitution for the families to cover funeral expenses and other expenses paid to them through the Idaho Crime Victim Compensation Fund.

However, in court documents filed earlier in October, the murderer refused to pay them additional damages, insisting he 'has no ability' to provide restitution because he is behind bars.

State prosecutors responded to Kohberger's request on Friday, arguing that the killer can afford to pay the families because he has been receiving money from his family and even strangers.

'In this case there is a history of this Defendant receiving financial compensation from family and third parties,' the prosecution said.

'Additionally, this case has and will continue to attract world-wide attention which could result in the Defendant prospectively receiving monies subject to interception by the state treasurer.'

Prosecutors say Bryan Kohberger is receiving 'financial compensation' behind bars despite him claiming he can't afford to pay his victims' families

Prosecutors also included a sealed exhibit - meaning it is unavailable for the public - that allegedly provides evidence of Kohberger's income.

At his sentencing, Judge Steven Hippler ordered Kohberger to pay restitution of $251,227.50 in criminal fines and fees to the state, $20,000 civil judgments to each of the families, and $28,956.88 to reimburse the families for funeral expenses and other expenses through the Idaho Crime Victim Compensation Fund.

On September 22, the state filed a motion seeking an additional $20,409.32 for Goncalves's parents, Kristi and Steve Goncalves, and $6,920.32 for Mogen's mother, Karen Laramie.

Kohberger's defense team argued he should not have to pay the extra money requested by prosecutors on behalf of the families of Mogen and Goncalves because they received money from the public through GoFundMe campaigns.

The defense also argued Kohberger has no way to pay because he is in prison.

'The additional funds sought do not qualify as an economic loss under Idaho Code 19-5304 because Steve and Kristi Goncalves and Karen Laramie received extensive funds through multiple GoFundMe campaigns that specifically asked for and covered the expenses sought,' the filing stated.

'Mr. Kohberger has no ability now or in the future to pay restitution because he is serving four consecutive life sentences plus 10 years.'

GoFundMe campaigns were set up for the two families to help them attend court hearings and Kohberger's trial, which was had been scheduled to begin in August.

Kohberger's defense team claimed he shouldn't have to pay the families of victims Kaylee Goncalves (right) and Madison Mogen (left)

Kohberger is serving life in prison for the murders of 21-year-olds Kaylee Goncalves (center left) and Madison Mogen (top left) and 20-year-olds Xana Kernodle (center right) and Ethan Chapin (top right)

Kohberger argued he shouldn't have to pay Karen Laramie (with husband Scott left) and Kristi and Steve Goncalves (right) because they received money from GoFundMe campaigns

The trial initially had to be moved across the state from Latah County, where the murders took place, to Boise, Ada County, at the defense's request.

This meant the families would have had to travel much farther and would have needed accommodation for what was expected to be a three-month trial.

Kohberger ultimately struck a plea deal that meant the trial would not go ahead.

In the defenses court filing, Kohbergers attorneys pointed to several GoFundMe campaigns for Goncalvess and Mogens families including one for both families that had raised $73,493.

Another campaign to help Mogens family travel to Boise for hearings, including the sentencing, raised $48,815, while one designed to help the Goncalves family attend court raised $85,583.

After Kohberger pleaded guilty, sparing him from the death penalty, the Goncalves family took to their Facebook page to announce plans to return funds to those who had donated to help them attend the trial.

Yet, the defense claims that 'given the specific funds sought and obtained for expenses to travel to Boise, the request should be denied because neither family suffered an economic loss for that which the State seeks reimbursement.

'Both families did indicate a desire to refund any donations after the case resolved after sentencing, but whether they were able to accomplish this or donors requested funds returned is not included in the States motion,' the filing argued.

The defense wrote that Kohberger is waiving his right to appear at a future hearing on the matter. No date has been set for a hearing.
As a Royal newbie thrust into the pomp and ceremony of the Monarchy, a young Kate Middleton would often look towards the late Queen for support.

Over time, the pair developed what the Daily Mail's Richard Kay described as a 'grandmotherly' bond  with Kate once calling Her late Majesty 'a gentle guide'.

As Kate transitioned from Prince William's university sweetheart to the Princess of Wales and future Queen Consort, her relationship with the late Queen blossomed even further.

Speaking in the Channel 5 documentary Kate and The Queen: A Special Relationship, Mr Kay, the Daily Mail's Senior Editor-at-Large, explained how the late Queen gradually 'grew to trust Kate'.

He added: 'I don't think she really trusted anyone on first impression, we're all performing the same show, the show is supporting the Queen.

'But with Kate and the Queen it grew deeper than that, there was a real grandmotherly affection between the two.'

Ingrid Seward, royal expert and editor of Majesty magazine, echoed his comments, saying: 'I think the Queen saw her strength and saw that she is a caring person who had this amazing affiliation to duty.

'I think Kate would have really appreciated the kindness and attention the Queen had given to her, and she knows better than anyone how busy the Queen is. She put time aside to make Kate feel appreciated.'

Over time, the late Queen and Kate developed what the Daily Mail's Richard Kay previously described as a 'grandmotherly' bond  with Kate once likening Her Majesty to 'a gentle guide'

Kate is believed to have formed a stronger bond with the late Monarch after her three children  Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis  were born, and made a great effort to involve Her late Majesty in the children's lives.

Their relationship reportedly went from strength to strength after William and Kate chose to base themselves at Kensington Palace, which is within walking distance of Buckingham Palace.

The pair were even said to often catch up over afternoon tea.

But more than anything, it seemed to be the late Queen's ability to connect with Kate that was most valued by her as she transitioned from a commoner to a princess.

'You would expect a lot of grandeur and a lot of fuss, but actually what really resonates with me is her love for the simple things. And I think that's a special quality to have,' the Princess of Wales previously said.

Here, The Daily Mail looks back at the ten most touching moments shared between Kate and her grandmother-in-law.

1. A heartwarming kiss goodbye!

When the Royal Family publicly reunited for the first time since the pandemic at Windsor Castle, all eyes were on the Firm to see how they would interact after such a tumultuous nine months.

After a whistle-stop Christmas tour of the UK, Kate and Prince William met with the late Queen, alongside Charles, Camilla, Prince Edward, Sophie Wessex and the Princess Royal.

As the evening came to a close and the Queen began to walk up towards the castle, William could be heard gently calling out to the Monarch: 'Bye Gran'.

Then, in a loving show of their close bond, Kate curtseys, before appearing to blow a kiss to her beloved grandmother-in-law as she bids her farewell.

When the Royal Family publicly reunited for the first time since the pandemic Kate curtseyed, before appearing to blow a kiss to the late Queen

2. Just the two of us  their first joint engagement outside of Palace walls in seven years

In 2019, Kate and the late Queen, then aged 92, made their first joint engagement as a duo in years  visiting King's College London to reopen the Grade II-listed Bush House.

The pair looked incredibly comfortable in each other's company and even shared a blue blanket in the back of the car as they arrived.

In keeping with tradition, despite being in the closest position to exit the car first, Kate allowed the Queen to do so.

Etiquette expert William Hanson previously told the Daily Mail how throughout the highly anticipated engagement, Kate had 'followed the royal book, as usual, to the letter'.

He added: 'It's interesting to see that Kate wore a more muted mid-grey dress, that at times blended in to the surroundings, allowing the Queen to stand out and take the main focus.'

In 2019, Kate and the late Queen, then aged 92, made their first joint engagement as a duo in years  visiting King's College London to reopen Grade II-listed Bush House.

The pair looked incredibly comfortable in each other's company and even shared a blue blanket in the back of the car as they arrived.

3. Unable to contain their laughter during a Diamond Jubilee visit

During a children's sporting event held in Nottingham in 2012 as part of a nationwide tour to celebrate the late Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Kate shared a moment of incredible laughter with the Monarch.

Her Majesty is seen holding both of her arms out in response to something that has just unfolded, while Kate looks on with a beaming smile as she laughs.

Behind the scenes, William had been standing on the field in front of his grandmother and wife, intending to fire the starting pistol for the race.

However, he quickly became mobbed by the excited crowd, with William giving a bewildered look to the late Queen who then proceeded to burst into laughter and hold out her hands in resignation.

During a children's sporting event held in Nottingham in 2012 as part of a tour to celebrate the late Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Kate shared a moment of incredible laughter with the Monarch

Behind the scenes, William had been standing on the field in front of his grandmother and wife, intending to fire the starting pistol for the race before the late Queen burst out laughing

4. A heartfelt homemade Christmas present

After agreeing to spend Christmas with the late Queen at Sandringham with William and his family for the first time in 2011, Kate was confronted with one incredible challenge: What does one buy the Queen for Christmas?

Like many newlyweds, Kate had the challenge of choosing gifts for her new in-laws, including the late Monarch.

And so, the princess settled on a thoughtful present inspired by her own grandparents.

Kate decided to use her grandmother's chutney recipe and make the Queen a homemade jar.

And the late Monarch seemed to greatly appreciate the gift, as Kate revealed that just the next day it was on her dining table.

Recalling the moment, Kate herself said: 'I can remember being at Sandringham for the first time at Christmas, and I was worried what to give the Queen as her Christmas present. I was thinking: "Gosh, what should I give her?"

'I thought: "I'll make her something", which could have gone horribly wrong, but I decided to make my granny's recipe for chutney. I noticed the next day that it was on the table. Such a simple gesture went such a long way for me.'

In a clear indication of their blossoming friendship as Kate became solidified into the Firm, the two were pictured sharing a loving embrace as they arrived at the Christmas Day service at Sandringham.

In an indication of their friendship as Kate became solidified into the Firm, the two were pictured sharing a loving embrace as they arrived at the Christmas Day service at Sandringham

5. A private wedding dress viewing

Just months after marrying William, Kate's 250,000 Alexander McQueen wedding dress by Sarah Burton went on display as part of a private exhibition at Buckingham Palace.

The ivory dress, with a satin bodice, lace sleeves and slight padding at the hips, had been hand-stitched by the world's best seamstresses at the Royal School of Needlework, using Carrickmacross craftsmanship.

And in a true showing of the budding relationship developing between the reigning Monarch took a tour alongside the princess.

Relieved at the sight of a happy marriage, the Queen was said to be 'practically skipping' on the day of Kate and William's wedding, according to royal biographer Andrew Morton.

'She had a sense that the future of the Royal Family, her family, was now secure. The monarchy was once again held in admiration and affection by the masses', he said.

When Kate's 250,000 Alexander McQueen wedding dress went on display as part of a private exhibition at Buckingham Palace, the reigning Monarch took a tour alongside the princess

Relieved at the sight of a happy marriage, the Queen was said to be 'practically skipping' on the day of Kate and William's wedding, according to royal biographer Andrew Morton

6. Three generations of women!

When Kate and William announced to the world they had welcomed a girl, Princess Charlotte, to the Royal Family, nobody could have been more pleased than the late Queen.

Indeed, Kate was believed to have forged an even closer bond with the late Monarch after welcoming all three of her children, though the Monarch was described as being 'really thrilled' at the prospect of a new young princess joining the Firm.

Speaking in the Queen at 90 documentary in 2016, Kate said: 'It's very special us having a new little girl to the family. Very lucky that George has got a little sister.

'The Queen, she was really thrilled that it was a little girl and I think as soon as we came back here to Kensington [Palace] she was one of our first visitors here.

'I think she's very fond of Charlotte, always watching what she's up to. George is only two and a half and calls her 'gan-gan'.' She always leaves a little gift or something in their room when we go and stay and that just shows, I think, her love for her family.'

When Kate and William announced to the world they had welcomed a girl, Princess Charlotte, to the Royal Family, nobody could have been more pleased than the late Queen

Speaking in the Queen at 90 documentary in 2016, Kate said: 'The Queen, she was really thrilled that it was a little girl and I think as soon as we came back here to Kensington [Palace] she was one of our first visitors here. I think she's very fond of Charlotte'

7. A joint visit that helped Kate 'pick up a few more tips'

In March 2012, Kate embarked on a solo visit without her newlywed husband, visiting Leicester alongside the late Queen to begin their tour of the UK as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Speaking in 2016, Kate described the engagement as 'the most memorable', adding that she had been 'rather apprehensive' about being without her husband.

Reflecting on the role the late Queen played during that poignant engagement, the Princess added: 'She was very supportive.

'The fact she took the time to make sure that I was happy and looked after for that particular occasion, which probably in everything that she's doing is a very small element, which just shows how caring she is, really.'

Royal correspondent India McTaggart said: 'Catherine has said the Queen was very supportive of her as she was undertaking her first engagements without William. I think she influenced her by showing her by example.'

In 2012, Kate embarked on a solo appearance, visiting Leicester alongside the late Queen to begin their tour of the UK as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Reflecting on the role the late Queen played, Kate described her as 'very supportive'

8. An impeccably alike dress sense between the royal women

When the late couturier Sir Norman Hartnell remarked that 'the Queen and Queen Mother do not want to be trend-setters,' he summed up the Monarch's attitude towards fashion.

'That's left to other people with less important work to do,' he added. 'Their clothes have to have a non-sensational elegance.'

It is a lesson that Kate has championed: when she appeared on the cover of Vogue in June 2016 for her first-ever fashion shoot, she shunned designer dresses for country casuals.

The late Queen was frugal: she had been brought up in wartime and came from a generation that learned to make do and mend.

She famously had to collect ration coupons for her wedding dress and often recycled her wardrobe. She used to pass on her hand-me-downs to senior staff.

Kate also swaps clothes and accessories with her sister Pippa, such as the Katherine Hooker coat she wore to launch the RNLI lifeboat in Anglesey in 2011  Pippa was seen in it later that year at the wedding of Benjamin and Georgina Fitzherbert.

The Princess of Wales has also followed Her Majesty's guidance when it comes to choice of colour, often selecting block colours across the clothing 'rainbow'.

Kate has often championed the late Queen's attitude towards fashion, while also following Her Majesty's guidance when it comes to choice of colour

9.Loving jewellery tributes

Since the late Queen's death in September 2022, Kate has strived to keep the beloved Monarch's memory alive by often wearing jewellery pieces previously belonging to the late Monarch.

At last year's National Service of Remembrance, she chose the Bahrain pearl drop earrings, which were worn by the late Monarch in her first royal command portrait by Dorothy Wilding in 1952 and remained a staple throughout her reign.

And while attending Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021, the princess was the perfect picture of dignified grace, wearing Her Majesty's jewels.

Paying a touching tribute to the late Monarch, she wore the Queen's pearl choker, from Her Majesty's personal collection, at the service in Windsor.

Likewise, during King Charles's Coronation in May 2023, Kate wore the George VI diamond festoon necklace for the first time in the official portrait of the event.

A gift from her beloved father, George VI, the late Queen wore the showstopping necklace, featuring three strands of graduated stones, throughout her reign.

The royal mother-of-three wore a pearl necklace and matching earrings that once belonged to Her Majesty as she remembered the late Duchess of Kent during her funeral service in September.

Keeping the late Monarch's memory alive  at last year's National Service of Remembrance, she chose the Bahrain pearl drop earrings, which were worn by the late Monarch in her first royal command portrait by Dorothy Wilding in 1952 and remained a staple throughout her reign

While attending Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021, the princess was the perfect picture of dignified grace, wearing Her Majesty's jewels

10. Beaming smiles as Kate looks towards the late Queen as a beacon of guidance

Throughout the Queen's long-standing reign, Kate was often seen beaming at her, seemingly in awe her impeccable work ethic and duty.

As the longest-reigning monarch in British history, it seems unsurprising that Kate would seek to soak up as much knowledge and expertise from the woman who knew more about royal life and protocol than anyone else.

Indeed, according to royal expert Victoria Murphy, Kate always described the late Queen as an essential source of 'gentle guidance'.

She added: 'Right from the beginning, Kate had a lot more in common personality wise with Elizabeth.

'They have something about them which has that inner poise and the capacity to lead and command respect.'

Throughout the Queen's long-standing reign, Kate was often seen beaming at her, seemingly in awe her impeccable work ethic and duty

Royal biographer Katie Nicholl described the pair as having a 'good relationship' that included 'mentoring and the Queen being able to pass on her advice, her values and her guidance'

Indicating their unique bond, royal correspondent Katie Nicholl, author of The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth's Legacy and the Future of the Crown  said that the late Queen offered momentous amounts of support for the princess and acted as a source of assistance even before she was married into the Firm.

Speaking to Ok! the expert said Her Majesty 'made her private office and ladies-in-waiting' available to Kate ahead of the Royal Wedding so she could familarise herself with the inner-workings of royal life.

The author said: '[This meant Kate] could go and talk to them first-hand about what it was like to do royal engagements and how one should behave.

'And she took up that offer and made sure she benefitted from that experience.

'They did have a good relationship. Part of that relationship was mentoring and the Queen being able to pass on her advice, her values and her guidance.'
Earl Spencer has revealed that the eulogy he first drafted for Princess Diana's funeral was 'very different' to the speech he delivered at Westminster Abbey in which he made a number of swipes at the Royal Family.

Charles, 61, the younger brother of the late princess, said his original tribute to Diana, who died in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, at the age of 36, was 'a very traditional eulogy' - which he quickly realised rang hollow.

While his first version detailed his sister's achievements, it didn't leave a lasting impression of 'who she was', Earl Spencer told Gyles Brandreth on the Rosebud podcast.

The morning after writing his first draft, he realised that rather than speaking about his sister, he would need to give her a voice.

He explained: 'On the Tuesday night, I jotted a few things down, [a] very traditional eulogy, almost, you know, "She was very good at this as a child" and all that, and then I thought, "Well, this is ridiculous, that's not who she was".

'And then overnight, I must have been chuntering away and I realised that my job, actually, wasn't to do that but it was almost to speak for her.'

Charles continued: 'And I knew Id been left at that stage  it had no legal standing  but I knew shed left me as guardian of her sons,' referring to his nephews Prince William and Prince Harry, who were 15 and 12, respectively, when their mother died.

'Obviously, the other parent being alive, that meant nothing, but it meant something to me,' he added. 'That sort of duty, I think. And then I wrote it in an hour and a half and, yeah, that was it, really.'

Charles Spencer and his older sister, Princess Diana, pictured in November 1985

Described by host Gyles as 'the famous tribute', Charles's speech on Saturday, September 6, 1997, remembered Diana as 'the very essence of compassion, of duty, of style, of beauty.'

Addressing his late sister in his eulogy, he said: '...on behalf of your mother and sisters, I pledge that we, your blood family, will do all we can to continue the imaginative way in which you were steering these two exceptional young men so that their souls are not simply immersed by duty and tradition but can sing openly as you planned.

'We fully respect the heritage into which they have both been born and will always respect and encourage them in their royal role but we, like you, recognise the need for them to experience as many different aspects of life as possible to arm them spiritually and emotionally for the years ahead.

'I know you would have expected nothing less from us.'

The late Queen and other senior royals refused to applaud after the Earl delivered his speech, even though Diana's sons, William and Harry, did.

In the 2017 ITV documentary, Diana: The Day Britain Cried, which revealed for the the first time the inside story behind the day the royal was laid to rest, one of Her late Majesty's most senior courtiers opened up about the thinly-veiled attack made by her brother on the Royal Family.

One member of the congregation also described the 'peculiar and unusual' moment the applause and cheers that greeted his controversial eulogy outside Westminster Abbey rippled through the congregation, which had been listening in stunned silence.

It is not clear whether the princess's sons, who were 15 and 12 when she died and clearly beset by grief, understood the full extent of what their uncle was saying.

Charles (pictured) revealed that he scrapped his original eulogy for Princess Diana on the Rosebud podcast with Gyles Brandreth

But the awkwardness of the moment was encapsulated by Martin Neary, the Abbey's musical director, who said: 'I felt a great sympathy for what she had suffered but at the same time I was shocked by some of things which were said.

'The princes actually applauded at the end, although the senior members of the Royal Family did not.'

Sir Malcom Ross, one of the late Queen's right-hand men who was responsible for the funeral arrangement, added: 'It grated to me on the day because I thought he was actually having a little bit of a go at the Royal Family.

'It was my mistake to leave the doors of the Abbey open. What that meant was that when Lord Spencer made his remarks the audience outside applauded, which, in fact, started the audience inside applauding.'

He added, rather unconvincingly: 'Fine. I don't think anybody took offence.'

Elsewhere, in the same Rosebud episode, Charles also opened up about how he becomes 'fundamentally unhappy' on the anniversary of Diana's death every year.

He politely explained that the unhappiness is exacerbated by strangers' insistence on telling him where they were when his sister died.

Charles 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.

Described by host Gyles as 'the famous tribute', Charles's speech on Saturday, September 6, 1997, remembered Diana as 'the very essence of compassion, of duty, of style, of beauty.' Pictured, the Earl making his address

'Im sure thats helpful to them, its not entirely helpful to everyone else.'

He gave an example of an American woman who had told him that she grew up with Diana in South Dakota.

Charles recalled that the woman had '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'. He added: 'You just have to smile, it doesnt matter.'

Charles equally told how he and his seven children took flowers to Diana's grave at the familys Althorp estate, where she grew up, to mark the anniversary of her death.

'I try and be really busy on August 31 because its just terribly sad, really,' he told Gyles.

Reflecting on Diana's 'extraordinary' legacy, he explained that he understood how much his sister still means to people.

'Its different things to different people, particularly to women of a similar age,' he said. 'They really invested their lives in hers.

'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.'
Prince Edward paid the market rate for his Surrey mansion in contrast to brother Prince Andrew's 'peppercorn rent' for Royal Lodge in Windsor, it has been revealed.

Edward, now titled as the Duke of Edinburgh, lives at Bagshot Park and has been paying a 'market value' for the property, records show.

The information has emerged amid revelations also about how Andrew hosted late paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Harvey Weinstein at Royal Lodge in 2006.

Edward, who became Duke of Edinburgh after his father Prince Philips death in April 2021, moved into his Surrey property in March 1998.

He initially leased the home for five decades for 50,000 a year, though that rose to an annual sum of 90,000, while he paid 1.36million to renovate the estate.

The Crown Estate handed over another 3million for refurbishments.

Meanwhile, there have been new claims that Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have been living separate lives under one roof at Royal Lodge as it is a 'lucrative' and 'mutually advantageous' arrangement for the disgraced former couple.

The former Duke and Duchess of York have been able to 'live at a certain level' while riding out multiple scandals from the comfort of their 30-room Grade II listed mansion, where they have lived since 2008 despite divorcing in 1996.

Prince Edward (right) is seen here with siblings Prince Andrew (right), Princess Anne (centre right) and the Duchess of Edinburgh in the Scottish capital in September 2022

Edward, now titled as the Duke of Edinburgh, lives at Bagshot Park (pictured) and has been paying a 'market value' for the property, records show

But it is understood they are now willing to go their separate ways if they are forced out of their Windsor Estate home amid fresh scrutiny over their links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Pressure has also mounted on King Charles to take action after Andrew's leasehold agreement revealed he paid 1million to secure a 75-year lease in 2003 - and has since paid only 'one peppercorn' in rent per year, 'if demanded'.

On Monday, it was said the prince has finally agreed to leave Royal Lodge but has demanded he and Fergie are given two separate royal homes in exchange.

Andrew is said to have requested Harry and Meghan's former home, Frogmore Cottage, while Fergie is eyeing up nearby Adelaide Cottage ahead of the Prince and Princess of Wales's departure next month.

It also emerged last night how Andrew hosted Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Harvey Weinstein at Royal Lodge in 2006.

And the Daily Mail revealed how Fergie has been dumped from ITV's Loose Women and This Morning - weeks after being dropped by a series of charities.

Last week, The Mail on Sunday told how Andrew tried to involve the Metropolitan Police and one of Queen Elizabeth's most senior aides in a campaign to smear Virginia Giuffre, who had accused him of assaulting her as a teenager.

An email exposed how Andrew asked his taxpayer-funded police bodyguard to investigate the 'lying' young woman.

The prince passed on details of her date of birth and social security number, presumably given to him by Epstein.

The now Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are pictured here in Stafford in November 2020

The former Duke of York goes for a horse ride on the Windsor estate in December last year

Prince Andrew has lived at lavish 30-room property Royal Lodge in Windsor since 2003

He also claimed Virginia, who took her own life earlier this year, had criminal convictions, a claim which has not been backed up by any evidence or confirmed by police and has been strongly denied by her family.

An earlier email expose proved that Andrew lied to Buckingham Palace and the British public when he claimed he had cut off all contact with his close friend in December 2010, following Epstein's release from prison on child-sex charges.

Twelve weeks later, he emailed the sex offender financier to say they were 'in this together' and sickeningly expressed his wish to 'play some more soon'.

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.

Prince Andrew has denied Ms Giuffre's claims about him.

Claims emerged this week that 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 Times reported the 2003 redacted version, compared with the full lease released this week, which read '"Rent" means' rather than '"Rent" means one peppercorn (if demanded)', and also 'To pay the Rent' rather than 'To pay the Rent if demanded'.

The first and last pages of Andrew's lease for Royal Lodge, released by the Crown Estate

A document shows the compensation payable to Prince Andrew on surrender of the lease

The newspaper said the decision not to reveal such details was legal.

But the move raises questions as to why how much Andrew was paying was seemingly hidden from the public.

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.

The King has long been said to have tried to encourage his younger brother, who lives in the home with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, to move out, but Andrew signed a watertight 75-year lease on the property in 2003.

His leasehold agreement revealed he paid 1million 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 7.5million 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.
King Charles last night held a private party at Windsor Castle to celebrate the Duke of Kent's birthday.

The gathering for the Duke, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, was attended by a number of senior royals on Wednesday evening, according to the Court Circular.

The monarch and his wife Queen Camilla were joined by Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

However, the Prince and Princess of Wales were not in attendance because they are taking a break from their royal duties to spend time with their children during the youngsters' October half-term break.

The Duke, whose full title is Prince Edward , Duke of Kent, turned 90 on October 9, just over a month after he lost his beloved wife, Katharine, Duchess of Kent. The couple were married for 64 years.

The Duke and the late queen were said to have enjoyed a close relationship , which Charles, 76, has sought to continue.

Of the previous monarch, Edward once said: 'I always felt I wanted to support her. That's by far the most important thing in life.'

The Duke of Kent's siblings, Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy, were also in attendance, along with Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

King Charles and Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, who turned 90 on October 9, are both second cousins and first cousins once removed. Pictured together in May

The Duke of Kent is pictured with the King and Queen at Royal Ascot in 2023

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was also unable to join the celebrations due to a prior engagement in London.

William and Kate are no doubt using the time to prepare for their imminent move to their 'forever home' in Forest Lodge, which is reportedly due to take place early next month - around the same time that the future King will travel to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil for the Earthshot Prize Awards.

The Waleses do, however, share a close relationship with the Duke of Kent and were among those supporting him at his late wife's funeral at Westminster Cathedral on September 16.

Understandably emotional as he laid his wife of 64 years to rest, the Duke fought back tears while accompanied by other members of the Royal Family.

Having arrived at the cathedral with a walking stick, the grieving widower held onto his daughter, Lady Helen Taylor.

Edward was joined by the couple's three children - George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, Lady Helen Taylor and Lord Nicholas Taylor - as well as their 10 grandchildren.

The Duchess died 'peacefully' at Kensington Palace on September 4, surrounded by her loved ones after a period of ill health.

Prince Edward and the Duchess first crossed paths in 1956 when he was stationed at Catterick Garrisons near her family home.

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, attends his late wife's funeral at Westminster Cathedral on September 16

Five years later in March 1961, the couple announced their engagement and tied the knot in June.

At their wedding, Katharine wore the Kent Diamond and Pearl Fringe Tiara and a dress designed by John Cavanagh.

Although the Duke and Duchess of Kent could have married at Westminster Abbey, Katharine was adamant that she wanted to have the ceremony in her home county - and reportedly referred to herself as a 'Yorkshire lass'.

The bride and groom settled on York Minister, which, at that time, had not hosted a royal wedding for more than 600 years.

Katharine was the first woman without a title to marry into the Royal Family for more than a century.

The Duke faced fresh anguish last month as it was revealed his son had split from his wife of 19 years.

The Daily Mail understands that Paola has separated from Lord Nicholas Windsor, younger son of the Duke and Duchess of Kent.

Lord Nicholas, 55, a godson of the King, made history when he and Paola Frankopan, 56, a member of the Croatian and Italian nobility, were married in 2006.

It was the first Roman Catholic wedding of a member of the Royal Family since the reign of Queen Mary I in the 16th century and also the first to be held in Vatican City State.

'It's very sad, but the couple have been separated for some time,' a friend of the family told this newspaper at the time.

'They no longer attend family events together. Both are very conservative and dislike divorce, so apparently they will never actually get divorced.'
King Charles on Thursday night stripped his brother Andrew of his formal royal titles, Buckingham Palace confirmed.

Amid the growing resentment towards Andrew over his alleged involvement with Jeffrey Epstein, the dead New York financier paedophile, he will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said: 'His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.

'Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence.

'Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.

'Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.'

But many questions remain as to exactly what this 'formal process' looks like, and what it means for the King's brother.

So, what exactly is Andrew being stripped of?

For starters, his four formal titles: Prince, the Duke of York, the Earl of Inverness, and Baron Killyleagh.

Andrew (pictured) will no longer be known as a prince and is to leave Royal Lodge, Buckingham Palace has confirmed

Security stand at the gates of the Royal Lodge following the announcement

Andrew is also having his style, the proper way of greeting him as a royal, taken from him. No longer is it required to address him as 'His Royal Highness'.

And the disgraced ex-prince will also have his membership of the Order of the Garter and Victorian Order, the latter of which he was a Knight Grand Cross.

Though Andrew previously agreed to stop using his formal titles, King Charles is sending Royal Warrants to the Lord Chancellor, currently former foreign secretary David Lammy, to ensure they are entirely removed.

This will ensure that Andrew can no longer use the titles in an official capacity.

The Daily Mail understands that King Charles chose not to abolish the Dukedom of York with an Act of Parliament as it would take up too much time.

As for his new name, while there will be no change to his birth certificate, 'Andrew Mountbatten Windsor' will be what the ex-prince is known as from now on.

While the whole process has been initiated by His Majesty, Andrew is understood not to have objected to it.

His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princes Eugenie, will still retain their titles. They both remain Her Royal Highnesses as granddaughters of Queen Elizabeth.

A source told the Mail: '[King Charles] wouldn't have wanted to sign off on anything that would impact them'.





Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Andrew's former home

It is understood Prince William and the Royal Family fully support the King's leadership on the recent move.

Andrew's recent departure from the Royal Lodge, where he paid 'peppercorn rent' for over 20 years', comes amid an ongoing row over the residence since his dukedom title was stripped earlier this month.

However as of today, it is understood Andrew has been served to surrender the lease at the 30-broom mansion and will move out of the residence as soon as practically possible.

The younger brother of the King will be moved to a property on the Sandringham estate, however the specifics regarding the move are unknown.

Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will make her own living arrangements after moving out of the royal grounds of Windsor Castle, it is understood.

The move was entirely down to the King and his advisors, without pressure from the government or other family members, such as Prince William, sources told the Mail.

'The process has been underway for some while but there was a need to get it right in the face of some very big challenges,' an insider said.

Notice was not served on Andrew to move, it was his lease, so the former duke's decision to serve notice himself, suggesting that he is not fighting the process.

Amid the controversy, His Majesty, King Charles III, was very keen to 'protect' Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, who remain Her Royal Highnesses

King Charles III on October 16 during a visit to the High Commission of Australia in London

Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew attending the Royal Ascot in 2019

Andrew has lived at the Grade II-listed mansion on the grounds of Windsor Castle for over two decades with Fergie, despite their divorce in 1996.

His Majesty made it clear he would not hesitate to take 'further action' if his younger brother continued to cling on to his dukedom and other honours after he lied about cutting ties with Jeffrey Epstein, The Daily Mail revealed.

And despite the tsunami of growing evidence mounting against him, the 65-year-old was understood to still be 'digging his heels in' with a 'startling lack of contrition', in a situation the King deemed 'intolerable', sources previously said.

Last week, the row over the Royal Lodge continued to grow amid damning revelations in a posthumous memoir from Andrew's sex abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre, who took her own life this year, aged 41.

Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice was released in this month, with the manuscript having been completed before she died.

The explosive book revolves around her years spent as a sex slave to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and his British madam Ghislaine Maxwell.

Extracts published by The Guardian show Ms Giuffre, who said she was trafficked by Epstein three times for sex with Andrew, called the ex-Duke 'entitled' and viewing sex as his 'birthright'.
Buried deep underground, shielded by tons of limestone, America's so-called shadow libraries were built to save civilization.

At the Lenexa Federal Records Center in Kansas - a Cold War-era vault carved into a limestone mine - masked archivists work in a sub-zero chamber nicknamed the Ice Cube, handling fragile reels of celluloid film that could one day reboot the nation.

These nuclear-proof archives are stored in the shadow libraries, many of which were built in the early 1950s to ensure that even if cities were vaporized, America's knowledge, laws, culture and collective memory would endure.

'They thought they could resurrect the US after a nuclear war,' David Brett Spencer, associate librarian at Penn State University, told the Daily Mail.

'Some planners believed that if we selected the right records to save, the government could probably continue without serious interruption.'

Built in secrecy and reinforced with steel and stone, the libraries were intended to withstand nuclear hits and protect the blueprints of civilization.

Some sit beneath the plains of Kansas or under mountains in Pennsylvania, while others are hidden inside old mines in Kentucky. They all hide the memories of the US, just waiting for the day when the world above might need to start again.

And these underground archives are still active today, serving as a capsule of everything from historical documents to the digital infrastructure that powers the modern web.

Pictured: A stack in the Federal Records Center in Lenexa, Kansas

'Companies and government agencies created entirely new ways of producing and organizing information geared towards preserving it during an apocalypse,' Spencer explained. 'They created whole new classification systems to meet the need for quick retrieval of information in a shattered landscape.'

The effort began in the aftermath of World War II, as fears of Nazi and later Soviet attacks drove librarians and government planners underground.

Spencer said the idea originated in Britain during the Blitz, when records were stored in stone vaults to protect them from German bombs.

'As the Cold War unfolded,' he told the Daily Mail, 'these efforts to protect information continued and expanded as the US confronted the threat of a Soviet nuclear strike that could travel over oceans within hours or minutes, and inflict damage on a much greater scale than anything the Axis powers could wield.'

In 1955, during one Cold War episode known as Operation Teapot, librarians and military officers actually tested how books and microfilm would survive a nuclear blast.

Officials built an entire fake suburb in Nevada called Doom Town, complete with mannequins, houses and bookshelves, and then detonated bombs nearby.

It was meant 'to help the US Army plan to operate during and after a nuclear war,' Spencer said.

'The operation also included some tests to determine the effects of nuclear explosions on America's civilian infrastructure and population.'

Spencer told the Daily Mail he discovered that officers from the American Library Association were on hand to witness the blasts.

Pictured: The underground Iron Mountain data center, located in a former limestone mine, stores 200 acres of physical data for many clients including the federal government

Pictured: Preparing for an atomic blast in Doom Town - which was used to test how library materials would fare in a nuclear explosion

The National Archives later studied the effects of those explosions on paper, microfilm and photographs, then commissioned new protections for the nation's most valuable records.

Officials purchased a 55-ton super vault from Mosler Corporation after the tests in 1952 and installed it beneath the gallery, displaying the US Constitution and other founding documents.

They even established a direct line to the Pentagon for early warning of an attack, so the nation's most sacred records could be lowered underground at a moment's notice.

At the vault's dedication ceremony, President Harry Truman declared the structure would keep America's treasures 'as safe from destruction as anything that the wit of modern man can devise.'

Over the following decades, shadow libraries multiplied. Dozens of secret repositories appeared across the country, some equipped with their own power stations, water reservoirs and fire brigades.

Others expanded into commercial ventures. 'In some cases,' Spencer said, 'they preserved materials at government-owned sites, and in other cases they contracted with companies like Iron Mountain.'

The tests at Doom Town aimed to see the real-world effects of atomic weapons on American families

Pictured: Inside the Iron Mountain storage facility

By the 1980s, the practice had spread far beyond government agencies. Wrigley stored its gum recipes in underground vaults, and Pizza Hut kept its franchise records in a mine.

'Third-party companies like Iron Mountain and Underground Vaults and Storage developed more informational services,' Spencer told the Daily Mail.

'In addition to protecting documents and artifacts from war, they came to offer document shredding, digitization, curation of films, network security and even fiber networks.'

Spencer said that 'sadly' some planners may have had a war gamer's mentality, willing to count the losses of millions of lives as part of the price of winning World War III - as long as they could help the libraries survive.

Other planners, he added, may have hopped that the facilities would help assure Americans that nuclear war was survivable - and be more willing to accept a defense policy based on nuclear arms.

'They thought as long as you saved 'how-to' information, handbooks, blueprints, operational manuals, then survivors could reboot the US in the aftermath.'

Pictured: The Lenexa Federal Records Center in Kansas

Pictured: Vehicles exiting the Iron Mountain data storage facility

Today, many of those Cold War vaults are still thriving, but have been modernized for the digital age. The low humidity and constant temperatures of the caves make them ideal for storing hard drives and servers in addition to film and paper.

'Most of the web's content is now backed up in shadow libraries,' Spencer told the Daily Mail. 'They would play the key role in getting the world back online if something wiped out the internet.'

Now, what began as a desperate Cold War contingency has evolved into the backbone of the information age.
Residents in Nevada have been scared after hearing thunderous and disturbing sounds echoing through the canyons around Lake Mead.

Dozens of reports have flooded in to local police near the Redstone Picnic Area, a popular spot for camping.

This area sits in the desert of Nevada, just a short 30-mile drive from Las Vegas and next to the iconic Hoover Dam.

However, the peace was broken by rumbling booms that sounded like a giant metal door groaning in the distance.

They boomed throughout the day last Tuesday, with videos capturing the noises being shared online.

Many viewers had speculated the sounds were caused by fracking, the process of injecting high pressure liquid into the ground to extract oil or gas, but the local gas company told the Daily Mail they were not carrying out any work at that time.

One woman posting the incident on social media said the sounds woke her up and scared her enough to call for help.

'I just called 911 and they said they'd gotten over 50 calls about it,' the witness posted on TikTok.

Witnesses in Nevada recorded disturbing noises that were similar to construction equipment in the Lake Mead area this month, but the source could not be found

Witnesses couldn't find the exact source of the echoing booms, but continued to suspect that it was coming from somewhere in the nearby valley, possibly tied to the Kern River gas pipeline that runs through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

One local on Instagram who tried to find the source claimed the answer was the sound of gas being released from the pipeline, like a massive pressure valve letting off steam.

In a statement, the Kern River Gas Transmission Company confirmed to the Daily Mail that they did not release any gas from its pipelines on the dates in question.

According to the company, a request was filed for an 'on- and off-system balancing' on the Kern River Line on October 29, but this also appears unrelated to the sounds heard more than a week earlier.

This isn't the first time eerie sounds have been heard echoing through the region, with some claiming they've heard the wailing voices of ghosts along the Colorado River and unexplained footsteps coming from Hoover Dam.

Some on social media claimed the noise was being caused by secret projects drilling underneath the Nevada desert.

'The noise was so powerful it rattled windows and shook the wildlife for miles,' one person on Instagram said.

'The fact that it's in rhythm, and in intervals, makes me believe it's man-made. Sounds like a big jackhammer or something,' another Instagram user commented.

Lake Mead (Pictured) has become notorious for unusual and unexplained noises since the lake began to hit record-low water levels in recent years

Before this month's disturbing sounds, there had been a string of reports over the years from campers and boaters around Lake Mead who heard strange rumbles and groans in the area.

This has been especially true since the early 2010s, when the water level at Lake Mead started dropping.

In 2022, as the lake hit record-low levels, visitors claimed to have heard loud metallic clangs and deep hums coming from the newly exposed shorelines.

Experts have mostly dismissed the noises as wind echoing through canyons, small earthquakes shaking rocks, or vibrations from the Hoover Dam and nearby construction sites.

However, some conspiracy theorists online have claimed that all the sounds rattling through this area are likely tied to classified government projects, with the mysterious Area 51 sitting just over 100 miles away.

The infamous base has been tied to extraterrestrial lore for decades, with UFO researchers and conspiracy theorists claiming that secret government experiments have been conducted at Area 51 since the 1950s.

Area 51 sits on the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) and is less than 140 miles from the site of the new noises recorded at the Redstone Picnic Area.

'It's the construction of the underground city they are building [to] prepare for what's coming to Earth,' one person on TikTok alleged.
Hundreds of thousands of people were left unable to access critical services last night, as Microsoft Azure unexpectedly crashed.

The massive outage came just nine days after an Amazon Web Services outage brought 'half the internet' to a standstill.

Now, experts have revealed the alarming reality of the internet blackout.

Microsoft and Amazon are the world's two largest providers of 'cloud computing'.

The vast majority of internet services  including apps, social media platforms, and websites  rely on these companies to process their data.

Together, Amazon and Microsoft's vast data centres, known as 'hyperscalers', host over 60 per cent of the world's cloud services.

So when there is a problem, almost everyone around the world feels the impact.

'We're seeing what "putting all your eggs in one basket" looks like on a global scale,' warned Colette Mason, AI consultant at Clever Clogs AI.

Hundreds of thousands of people were left unable to access critical services last night, as Microsoft Azure unexpectedly crashed. The massive outage came just nine days after an Amazon Web Services outage brought 'half the internet' to a standstill. Now, experts have revealed the alarming reality of the internet blackout

When services like Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services go down, they cause massive issues because of how companies structure 'cloud computing'.

Cloud computing is essentially where companies or individuals rent out IT infrastructure from one of the tech giants.

Instead of paying the massive costs of building and operating their own servers, it's usually cheaper for companies to pay for data to be processed for them.

However, this means massive parts of the internet rely on a few centralised 'nodes' where the world's data is processed.

'We have become reliant on the big three or four cloud providers because of cost and simplicity,' Patrick Burgess, of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, told Daily Mail.

'They make it affordable to provide new services at a scale that it would be difficult to replicate as individual organisations.'

Experts say that the total dominance of Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud is now creating serious risks.

Dr Saqib Kakvi, of Royal Holloway University, told Daily Mail: 'The majority  around 60 per cent  of companies will be relying on a near triopoly of Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud.

Microsoft Azure is the cloud computing service which provides servers and hosts data processing for thousands of companies, including Starbucks, Xbox, Kroger, and Costco

Experts say these issues stem from the fact that the world's cloud computing services are concentrated in the massive data centres operated by Amazon, Microsoft, and Google. Pictured: Amazon Web Services' data centre in Ashburn, Virginia

Why is the world at risk of internet blackouts? Google, Microsoft, and Amazon collectively host about 6070 per cent of the world's cloud processing. This means all the data that companies use goes through servers controlled by these three companies. When something goes wrong, thousands of companies which rely on these cloud services can be affected. So many services can be affected that it creates a 'ripple' effect, taking down web services that don't even use cloud processing. If there were a simultaneous outage from multiple providers, the results could be a global internet blackout. Advertisement

'This means that we are putting all our eggs in one of three baskets.

'Although these companies are leaders in cloud technology, they are not infallible.

'As we have seen twice in the past 10 days, if even a single provider has an issue in part of its infrastructure, then hundreds or even thousands of services become unavailable, affecting millions of customers worldwide.'

Yesterday, starting from around 15:30 GMT, an outage affecting Microsoft Azure triggered over 105,000 reports of disruption on Down Detector.

The problems affected Microsoft services like Microsoft 365, Outlook, Xbox Live, and Copilot.

However, since so many companies use Microsoft Azure's cloud processing, the disruption rapidly spread to companies like Costco, Starbucks, and data tools like Blackbaud.

According to Microsoft, the issue arose due to what the company called 'an inadvertent configuration change' in Azure's Front Door content delivery network.

Just nine days earlier, Amazon Web Services went down in an outage that affected more than 2,000 companies and millions of internet users around the world.

Microsoft's outage comes just nine days after Amazon Web Services experienced another major outage that caused disruption for millions of users

According to Amazon, the enormous disruption was triggered by a 'malfunction' at one of its data centres in Northern Virginia.

While giants like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure are generally more reliable than smaller firms, experts say these outages highlight the problems of being overreliant on just a few companies.

The results of just one firm going down were massive, but if multiple providers experienced issues at the same time, the results could be far worse.

Dr Kavi says: 'Large numbers of websites and apps would be unusable, and this could include critical services such as banking, transport and logistics.

'Dependencies between these could lead to downtimes of days rather than hours, as with the recent outages.'

In fact, these three providers are now so thoroughly embedded in the structure of the internet that people can be affected even if they don't rely on cloud computing services.

Professor James Davenport, a computer scientist from the University of Bath, explained to the Daily Mail: 'Companies buy in services from other companies and, very often, those don't disclose the source of the reliability they have.'

Since the internet is so reliant on a handful of individual firms, this domino effect means small failures have widespread, and often unexpected impacts.

Experts say that the massive dependence of Amazon and Microsoft means that small errors can cause major disruption to multiple services. During the Amazon Web Services outage, this included GOV.UK

Collectively, Amazon and Microsoft host around 60 per cent of the world's cloud processing. This makes the global internet extremely vulnerable to blackouts when errors occur

For example, the Amazon Web Service outage led to problems with electric locks, beds, and even ovens that relied on software connected to the cloud.

Dr Jongkil Jeong, of the University of Melbourne, told Daily Mail that these outages 'highlighted a fundamental vulnerability in how cloud computing is currently structured.'

'This high reliance means that a problem at one vendor can paralyse a massive portion of the internet,' he added.

What makes this problem so difficult to resolve is that the massive power of these few companies means they are able to control the market.

While the tech giants secured their dominant position by offering companies an unbeatable deal, there are now concerns that these companies are stifling competition.

Dr Jeong points out that these services impose 'vendor lockin' by making it prohibitively difficult, expensive, and complex to change providers.

For example, Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure often charge 'data egress costs'  fees for moving your data out of their platform to a new service.

This means that competitors find themselves locked out of the market and unable to compete with the bigger players.

Since Amazon Web Services is used by so many different services and pieces of software, even companies that don't pay for cloud processing can be taken down during an outage

To make matters worse, experts say that these firms' near monopoly encourages them to 'run hot'  meaning they don't use any more resources than they need to.

In July, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said its investigations into the UK cloud services market showed it was 'not working well'.

The regulator recommended using its powers to designate Amazon and Microsoft as having 'strategic market status'  allowing it to demand changes to boost competition.

Nicky Stewart, Senior Advisor to the Open Cloud Coalition, told Daily Mail: 'This dependence stifles competition and innovation while creating a fragile system where one provider's issue can quickly become everyone's problem.

'The market is highly anticompetitive and very difficult for challenger cloud providers to even have a voice, let alone get an opportunity, leaving companies with few realistic alternatives.

'Europe's cloud sector urgently needs bold regulatory action to break this dependence and restore real competition.'

An Amazon Web Services spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'For nearly 20 years, AWS has maintained a track record for reliability that surpasses other major cloud providers, and customers choose AWS because we provide the most innovative, secure, and scalable services.'

Microsoft declined to provide a comment in response.
Hurricane Melissa  the most powerful storm in Jamaica's history  was made four times more likely by climate change, according to a study.

The catastrophic category 5 hurricane struck the island on Tuesday, bringing sustained winds that peaked at 185mph, flash floods and landslides.

It has left a trail of destruction through the Caribbean, with dozens confirmed dead and homes obliterated.

Now, experts have warned that our overreliance on oil, gas and coal increased both the likelihood and intensity of the storm.

Looking ahead, hurricanes like this will only get worse unless global warming is urgently curbed, they added.

'Manmade climate change clearly made Hurricane Melissa stronger and more destructive,' Professor Ralf Toumi, director of the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, said.

'These storms will become even more devastating in the future if we continue overheating the planet by burning fossil fuels.

'Jamaica had plenty of time and experience to prepare for this storm, but there are limits to how countries can prepare and adapt. Adaption to climate change is vital but it is not a sufficient response to global warming.'

This chart shows how the hurricane's wind speed has been affected by climate change, with the orange line representing speeds during today's climate compared to the blue line which marks the preindustrial era before global warming

An aerial view of destroyed buildings following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica on October 29, 2025

Electrical poles are down as a man bikes through the destroyed neighborood of North Street following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, Jamaica on October 29, 2025

Professor Toumi's team used the Imperial College Storm Model for their study. This collates a database of millions of simulated tropical cyclone tracks, allowing scientists to determine the likelihood of a given storm's wind speed impacting any location in the world.

They found that climate change boosted Melissa's wind speed by seven per cent  the equilavent of 11mph.

In a cooler world without climate change, a Melissatype hurricane would have made landfall once every 8,000 years, they said.

But in today's climate, with 1.3C warming, it has become four times more likely  with such an event now expected once every 1,700 years.

The researchers estimate that in a world with 2C of warming, wind speeds would be even higher and the damages would be greater.

Preliminary analysis by Enki Research put the direct damage to physical assets in Jamaica at $7.7 billion  or about 37 per cent of the country's GDP.

The researchers estimate that in a world without climate change, a weaker hurricane would have been about 12 per cent less damaging.

Jamaica now faces an enormous relief effort to help the roughly 400,000 people reportedly affected, in a country where more than twothirds of its population live within 5km (3.1 miles) of the sea.

Melissa is one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. A US Air Force Reserve crew from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the 'Hurricane Hunters,' flew through the eye of the storm on October 27, 2025 as Melissa was over the Caribbean

Melissa struck Jamaica earlier this week, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Researchers say the storm was made four times more likely by climate change.

An aerial view of the destroyed Black River Market following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica on October 29, 2025

Recent climate-related disasters Texas floods (July 2025)

Western European heatwaves (June 2025)

India and Pakistan heatwave (April 2025)

Argentina floods (March 2025)

Japan and South Korea wildfires (March 2025)

Cyclone Zeila (February 2025)

California wildfires (January 2025)

Storm Eowyn (January 2024) Advertisement

Jamaican hospitals have been pushed to the brink by floodwaters and there is an urgent need for basic supplies. Hundreds and thousands of residents are without power and basic telecommunications.

Before it made landfall, the hurricane underwent extreme and rapid intensification from Saturday 25 October, with wind speeds rising by 70mph in just 24 hours.

This intensification is at the extremes of what has ever been observed.

When it hit Jamaica several days later, it lashed the island with as much as 76cm of rainfall and winds reaching 185mph.

The neighbouring islands of Haiti and the Dominican Republic had already been hit by the storm, where it destroyed crops, drove food shortages and caused flooding.

Coauthor Dr Emily Theokritoff, a research associate in climate damage attribution, said: 'What we show in this study is only a direct and partial snapshot of the total costs inflicted by Hurricane Melissa over time and across several Caribbean countries.

'Nevertheless, it illustrates how climate injustice unfolds: small island developing states bear very little responsibility for the climate crisis yet endure some of its worst impacts.

'As we approach COP30, this is a stark reminder of both the economic logic of reducing emissions now and the moral imperative to rapidly scale up international finance for loss and damage and adaptation in the most vulnerable countries.'

Commenting on the storm Professor Peter Thorne, director of the Irish Climate Analysis an Research Units group, said: 'Climate change, expressed through the recordbreaking warm ocean temperatures that Melissa has been traversing has, inevitably, had an impact on the storm.

'Without such deep warm waters, the storm would have caused cool waters to upwell and effectively throttled itself.

'The record warm ocean temperatures also mean more water has evaporated from the oceans leading to even heavier precipitation.'

However, he added that there is 'also a healthy dose of weather in the mix', with conditions fueling the storm.
Your medicine cabinet likely doesn't contain eye of newt or tongue of dog.

But classic witch's potion ingredients really do have a part to play in modernday medicine, experts have revealed.

Eerie plants such as belladonna, mandrake and mugwort are steeped in myth and folklore.

They have long been linked to spells and sorcery, appearing in books across the ages from classical texts to Harry Potter.

Ahead of Halloween, Dipa Kamdar, a senior lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at Kingston University, has revealed how these cauldron classics can actually help cure common ailments.

'Behind their spooky reputations lies a fascinating pharmacological history, and in some cases, ongoing medical relevance,' she wrote on The Conversation.

'As we stir our cauldrons this Halloween, it is worth remembering that the real magic of belladonna, mandrake and mugwort lies not in superstition, but in science.'

So, would you give them a try?

Witch potion ingredients really do have a part to play in modernday medicine, experts have revealed. Pictured: The 1993 hit film Hocus Pocus

Belladonna (pictured) is a highly toxic plant with dark berries  but it also has some uses in modernday medicine

Belladonna

Also known as deadly nightshade, belladonna has a long history of being both a poison and a medicine.

It is a highly toxic plant, also known as murderer's berries, sorcerer's berries and even devil's berries as ingesting even a few can be fatal.

The plant's power comes from compounds that block the action of acetylcholine, a key chemical that sends messages between nerve cells responsible for key bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing and digestion.

But these compounds  atropine and scopolamine  also are useful in clinical practice.

'Modern medicine uses atropine to dilate pupils during eye exams, treat bradycardia (slow heart rate), and act as an antidote for poisoning caused by certain pesticides and chemical warfare agents,' Mrs Kamdar said.

'Scopolamine is prescribed for motion sickness and postoperative nausea.'

However, safety concerns persist, she warned, adding that 'multiple healthcare agencies have issued warnings about homeopathic products containing belladonna'.

Most people will know of the mandrake from the Harry Potter franchise (pictured). It is another toxic plant, featuring humanshaped roots

The witch's potion ingredients you can try in real life Belladonna - Compounds can be used to dilate pupils during eye exams, treat bradycardia (slow heart rate), and act as an antidote for poisoning caused by certain pesticides and chemical warfare agents Mandrake - Hallucinogenic and anaesthetic properties Mugwort - Antioxidant and antibacterial properties Advertisement

Mandrake

The mandrake is a toxic plant, featuring forked, humanshaped roots and bellshaped flowers.

While it is mentioned in ancient Greek texts and the Bible, it is likely best known for its appearance in Harry Potter.

Folklore warned that pulling a mandrake from the ground would unleash a deadly scream  a myth so profound it made its way into the popular wizarding series.

Meanwhile in witchcraft, mandrake was thought to be a key ingredient in flying ointments, love potions and in amulets for fertility and protection.

'Historically, it was used as an anaesthetic, sedative and fertility aid,' Mrs Kamdar wrote.

'Like belladonna, mandrake contains tropane alkaloids such as atropine and scopolamine, which have psychoactive properties.'

A study, carried out in 2022, documented 88 traditional medicinal uses for mandrake, ranging from pain relief and sedation to skin and digestive disorders.

Mugwort used to be used to ward off evil spirits, but is also useful in making essential oils and in traditional Chinese medicine

Mugwort

Mugwort is an aromatic herb native to Europe and Asia that is often linked to both magic and healing.

'Traditionally, it was used to enhance dreams and ward off evil spirits,' Mrs Kamdar said.

'In 2015, a Nobel prize was awarded for the discovery of artemisinin, and antimalarial compound derived from annual mugwort.'

The plant is regularly used as part of traditional Chinese medicine, particularly in a therapy called moxibustion which involves burning the herb near acupuncture point to stimulate healing.

The parts of mugwort that grow above ground are also used to make essential oils known for their antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

'The myths surrounding these plants may sound like a fantasy, but the truth is just as captivating,' Mrs Kandar concluded.

'Not witchcraft, but chemistry  complex compounds that have influenced both ancient healing and modern medicine.'
Kim Kardashian made the baffling admission this week that she believes the 1969 moon landings were an elaborate hoax.

Explaining why she had bought into the conspiracy theory, the reality TV star said: 'There's no gravity on the moon  why is the flag blowing?

'The shoes that they have in the museum that they wore on the moon [have] a different [foot]print than the photos. Why are there no stars?'

Unfortunately for Kim, there are three key pieces of evidence that prove NASA's Apollo 11 mission was real.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, scientists say we simply have to look at the scientific equipment astronauts left behind, the 380 kilograms of rock they brought back, and the 8,400 publicly available photos they took while they were there.

Dr Greg Brown, astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told the Daily Mail: 'From the Second World War onwards, rocket technology existed that was at least theoretically capable of getting to the Moon.

'But the technology to fake it did not.

'As strange as it sounds, the easiest way to fake the Moon landings would have been to film them on location.'

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian made the baffling admission that she believes the 1969 moon landing was faked

In the 50 years since humans first stepped on the moon, there has never been a convincing piece of evidence to show how it could have been faked. Meanwhile, there are three key pieces of evidence that prove it was real

1. Equipment on the moon

When the Apollo 11 mission landed on the moon in 1969, the astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did not leave the lunar surface as they found it.

Every NASA mission to the lunar surface has left behind a trail of abandoned landers, rovers and various pieces of scientific equipment.

Although these are difficult to see from Earth, more recent missions have confirmed that they are still there.

In 2011, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mapped the moon in the highest resolution ever, creating hundreds of terabytes of images.

The orbiter has photographed three Apollo landing sites  Apollo 12, 14, and 17  with an unprecedented level of accuracy.

In the photos of the Apollo 12 landing site, you can even see the astronauts' footprints, which have been perfectly preserved in the windless lunar surface for decades.

Dr Brown says: 'This imagery has been independently verified by institutions across the world, and not just by NASA and the USA.

In 2011, the NASA Lunar Orbiter flew over the moon and mapped out several landing sites in unprecedented detail. Here, you can see the Apollo 12 landing site, including the descent stage of the lunar lander

This image shows the Apollo 17 astronauts' footsteps on the lunar surface, reaching between the Challenger Descent Stage and the ALSEP Equipment. These have not been eroded in decades because the moon has no atmosphere

Proof the moon landings happened 1. The lunar laser ranging retroreflector array Apollo 11 astronauts left a reflective device on the moon.

Scientists today still bounce lasers off this to work out how far away the moon is. 2. Lunar rocks NASA has brought back 382 kilograms of lunar rock and debris.

These samples have been independently studied in labs around the world that have verified their origin. 3. Lack of objection Even in the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union never objected to the validity of the moon landings, despite having a motive to do so. Advertisement

If that wasn't convincing enough, you could look at the data from the pieces of scientific equipment astronauts installed.

Apollo 11, 12, 14, 15, and 16 all installed lunar seismometers to measure how impacts from asteroids travelled through the lunar rock.

This data was key in developing our understanding of the moon's composition and formation.

But, most importantly, Apollo 11 installed a piece of equipment called the lunar laser ranging retroreflector array, which is essentially a large mirror.

'These are still used today to determine the precise distance to the Moon by bouncing laser light off of them and timing the beam's return,' says Dr Brown.

'It is these measurements that revealed that the Moon is moving very slowly away from the Earth at around the rate your fingernails grow!'

2. Lunar rocks

Besides leaving things behind, NASA astronauts also took plenty of souvenirs home with them when they returned from the moon.

Across all the Apollo missions, NASA has brought back 382 kilograms of lunar rock and debris that have been independently analysed in labs all around the world

In total, across all the Apollo missions, NASA has brought back 382 kilograms of lunar rock and debris.

These rocks have been distributed to laboratories all around the world for analysis, including to labs in Russia and China, which would have loved to prove the landings were a hoax.

Dr Brown says: 'That analysis has shown that the moon's composition, while similar to the Earth in some ways, has some key differences.'

The lunar rocks contain a different combination of minerals and isotopes from those found on Earth, proving their extraterrestrial origins.

Scientists are also able to compare these samples to socalled lunar meteorites, pieces of rock that have fallen to Earth after being dislodged from the moon.

Today, these samples can even be compared to lunar rocks collected by China's Chang'e5 and Chang'e6 missions.

At no point in the five decades these rocks have been available for study has anyone found evidence that they didn't come from the moon.

Additionally, the lunar samples brought back by NASA form the basis of our scientific knowledge about the moon.

The fact that the moon has similar, but slightly different, rocks to Earth suggests that they might have a common origin.

These lunar rocks contain minerals that are similar to those found on Earth, but are slightly different in their chemical composition. This supports the theory that the moon was once a part of the Earth that broke off billions of years ago

'This has lent support to the theory that the Moon likely formed from a collision between the early Earth and a Marssized object while the Earth was still mostly molten,' says Dr Brown.

3. It would have been nearly impossible to fake

Perhaps one of the strongest pieces of evidence that the moon landings really happened is just how hard they would have been to fake.

Dr Brown says: 'In a world of AI imagery and special effects, it is sometimes easy to forget that up until very recently, producing convincing footage of people in space was just not possible.'

There are over 8,000 photos, thousands of hours of video footage, and endless recordings of airtoground conversations taken during the moon landing that are all available to the public.

However, at no point has anyone found serious proof of tampering or that the photos were not taken on the lunar surface.

'On top of that, the Space Race was just that, a competition between the USA and the USSR,' says Dr Brown.

'While the USSR managed many of the firsts, they have never disputed that ultimately the USA landed on the Moon first, a remarkable agreement considering the politics of the time.'

There are over 8,000 photos, thousands of hours of video footage, and endless recordings of airtoground conversations taken during the moon landing that are all available to the public. However, no one has ever found evidence of a fake

At the same time, each of the missions was carefully tracked by observers from multiple nations using radio signals and no foul play was detected.

In fact, tracking the moon missions was so easy that a group of students at Kettering Grammar School successfully monitored Soviet and US missions using only basic radio equipment.

The Apollo missions themselves required a vast number of people to be involved, ranging from scientists to janitors and security guards.

At the very low end, this means tens of thousands of people were in on the conspiracy, and yet no credible evidence of fakery has ever emerged.

Likewise, none of the supposed arguments that the landings were fake, including those shared by Kim Kardashian, hold up to any scrutiny.

For example, Kim complains that you cannot see the stars in photos of the lunar landing.

However, rather than being an enormous blunder in an otherwise flawless conspiracy, this is simply a feature of how cameras work.

'Cameras work broadly like our own eyes, capable of seeing bright things and faint things but not equally well at the same time,' says Dr Brown.

Even during the height of the Cold War, Russia could find no reason to doubt the validity of the Apollo 11 mission (pictured).

On the Moon during daytime, the surface is experiencing light just as bright as a sunny day on Earth, even though the sky looks black because there is no atmosphere.

That means a camera cannot take clear pictures that show both the brightly lit astronauts and the faint stars.

Dr Brown says: 'If you want to try a test for yourself, go out at night, stand in a bright light and try and get your camera to take a clear image of you while also showing the stars in the background.

'While not completely impossible, it's very tough to do without a lot of work.'
President Donald Trump's order for the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing has scientists fearing the world is closer than ever to a global catastrophe.

Months before Trump's decision on Wednsday, experts gave a stark warning that if this day came, saying that the US may end up triggering a 'global chain reaction' which leads to World War III.

Geologist Sulgiye Park of the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit advocacy group, said: 'It's like striking a match in a roomful of dynamite.'

Nuclear weapons tests mean blowing up atomic bombs, usually underground, to check if they're still working right.

The US has not engaged in testing nuclear weapons since 1992, when then-President George Bush imposed a moratorium on the testing that was later extended through the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which 187 nations have signed.

Scientists have warned that restarting this program after more than three decades could lead to more nations abandoning the treaty and conducting their own nuclear experiments in retaliation.

Park predicted that this could make non-nuclear nations panic and build their own bombs, tearing up arms control deals.

Moreover, underground blasts can crack the earth and let radiation escape, with one former nuclear safety official saying inexperienced countries could mess up their tests and spread harmful fallout across populated areas.

President Donald Trump made the nuclear testing announcement on Truth Social just hours before his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping

A recent report estimated that there are still over 12,000 nuclear warheads in the world, controlled by nine different countries

Trump told the Department of War on Wednesday to begin testing nukes 'immediately' and explained the military flex was necessary to combat Russia and China from closing the gap in the arms race.

Jill Hruby, the administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration during the Biden Administration, called a new US nuclear test 'a very bad idea.'

'What we've been saying consistently now for decades is there's no scientific reason that we need to test,' Hruby told ScienceNews.

The former Biden official added that US nuclear scientists have the benefit of experience when it comes to knowing everything there is to know about safely detonating a nuclear bomb.

However, she warned, 'other countries might not be as knowledgeable,' and this will only add to the risk of a radioactive leak if more nations follow America's lead in restarting weapons testing.

The US conducted over 1,000 of these in Nevada alone from the 1940s to 1992, and other nations like Russia carried out roughly 1,000 more worldwide during that time.

However, the US never ratified the CTBT in the 1990s, meaning America agreed to no longer test nuclear weapons, but Congress voted no on signing it into law, citing concerns that other nations may break the agreement in the future.

Now, a separate deal between the US and Russia to limit how many large nuclear missiles and bombs each side can have, called New START, is set to expire in 2026.

Nuclear warheads can be launched from positions on land, by bombers in the air, and submarines at sea (Stock Image)

A worker prepares the B61-13, a nuclear 'gravity bomb' 24 times more powerful than the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan in 1945

The US has already accused both Russia and China of expanding and updating their nuclear facilities, adding that Russia has been violating agreements that prohibit weapons experiments that create a nuclear chain reaction.

'Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis,' Trump declared. 'That process will begin immediately.'

Both the US and Russia have warned of the possibility of a nuclear war breaking out amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

With the end of the New START treaty in sight, the White House had already been positioning the US for a return to nuclear experimentation.

Even before Trump took office, officials revealed that a secret US nuclear weapons facility near Las Vegas was gearing up to restart underground weapons tests.

Known as the Principal Underground Laboratory for Subcritical Experimentation (PULSE), Hruby revealed in January that the site was scheduled to go back into use later in 2025.

Since then, the US military accelerated the timeline for the new B61-13, a nuclear 'gravity bomb,' which wasn't slated to go into production for the Air Force until 2026.

The new weapon, which is 24 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945, went into production in April.

A month later, the Trump Administration fast-tracked the reopening of a Utah mine that will ramp up production of the nation's stockpile of nuclear weapons.

The US Department of the Interior announced it sped up the environmental review of the Velvet-Wood uranium mine to just 14 days.

The owners of Velvet-Wood, Anfield Energy, believe that there is 4.6 million pounds of uranium oxide and 47.1 million pounds of vanadium capable of being produced, based on a preliminary economic assessment.

In terms of what this could mean for the US military, that much uranium could power the reactors of approximately 85 nuclear submarines and produce over 1,000 nuclear bombs.
A Biden-era plan to kill nearly 500,000 owls is moving forward despite widespread criticism from officials who say it is unnecessary and unlikely to succeed.

The initiative will see trained hunters unleashed in California, Oregon and Washington to take out Barred Owls because they are 'better hunters' and are outcompeting the native Spotted Owl. The former originates from eastern North America.

These hunters would broadcast Barred Owl territorial calls to attract the birds and shoot on sight, but in areas where firearm use is inadvisable, the protocol would be to capture and euthanize the creature.

Republican Senator John Kennedy blasted parts of the US government for targeting so many birds unnecessarily, calling it, in his words, 'the dumbest thing possible that won't work.'

'The Department of Interior says it wants to kill over 10 percent of the Barred owl population because the Barred owl is a better hunter than the Spotted owl and they want to tip the scales of nature in favor of the spotted owl,' said Kennedy.

'Even though the Spotted Owl is not on the endangered species list, my resolution, which will be voted on tomorrow, will stop this nonsense.'

The strategy to save one species has also sparked outrage among 75 groups, which claimed such actions could disrupt the wildlife and cause 'mistaken-identity kills.'

To block the owl-culling plan, Congress must pass a joint resolution signed by President Trump, which would bar the agency from issuing a similar rule without explicit approval.

Republican Senator John Kennedy blasted parts of the US government for targeting so many birds unnecessarily, calling it, in his words, 'the dumbest thing possible that won't work'

Kennedy spoke on the Senate floor, standing between images of the Spotted and Barred Owls, along with a shot of the Looney Tunes character Elmer Fudd.

'There are 19 species or kinds of owls in the United States. Did you know that? 19. I want to talk about two of them. The spotted owl and the barred owl. Both of them are God's creatures,' he said.

'The federal government, which can't even deliver the mail when it has the address right there on the front, and more specifically, the Department of the Interior, has promulgated a rule, and this rule says that unless Congress stops them, they're going to hire hunters right here to kill 453,000 barred owls.

'There are only four million in the United States, but the Department of Interior wants to kill 453,000 male Barred Owls, daddy barred owls, and baby barred owls because the Department of Interior thinks that the Barred Owl is a better hunter than the spotted owl.'

The two owls look very similar, with both having rounded heads, brown and white-colored bodies, and black eyes and are only distinguished by their slight size difference and the colors of their beaks.

Spotted owls measure about 1.5 feet in length and have a wingspan of up to four feet, while barred owls are bigger, standing about two feet tall with a wingspan of up to four feet.

Barred owls started migrating to the forests of Washington, Oregon and Northern California from their native region in the northeastern US in the early 1900s due to climate change and deforestation.

In 1990, the spotted owl was added to the Endangered Species Act because of habitat loss. Now, the migration of the barred owl over the past century has allegedly worsened the situation.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed culling 500,000 Barred Owls that are encroaching on spotted owls' territory

Organizations led by Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy penned a letter to Interior Secretary Deborah Haaland on Monday, accusing her of a 'reckless' plan to shoot down 500,000 barred owls over the next 30 years.

Issues first arose in the late 1980s and 1990s when environmentalists fought loggers who were trying to harvest timber in the Northwest forests - the conflict became known as the Timber Wars.

During this time, the Spotted Owl, which lived in the old trees, started dwindling and leading to protections for the bird and its habitat.

Last week, Politico's E&E News reported that Kennedy said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum asked him to stand down from his effort to stop the owl-killing plan. The legislator told the outlet he would charge ahead anyway.

'I don't think the federal government ought to be telling God, nature, whatever you believe in, in this one can exist, this one can't,' Kennedy told E&E.

'The barred owl is not the first species that has ever moved its territory, and it won't be the last.'

The plan was due to Barred Owls out competing Spotted Owls (pictured)

Travis Joseph, president and chief executive of the American Forest Resource Council, told the outlet: 'It's strange that a Republican in the south is taking on the owl issue, specifically, when its consequences will impact western Oregon managed by the Bureau of Land Management timber sales.

'It will lead to lower revenues for counties, it will impact jobs and it will put them on a trajectory towards extinction.'

The American Forest Resource Council, a trade association representing mills, loggers, lumber buyers and other stakeholders in the region, is on board with the cull, as avoiding it would slow down timber harvesting in western Oregon managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Travis Joseph, president and chief executive of the organization, said that scrapping the plan would slow timber harvesting across about 2.6 million acres of western

Oregon forest managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), whose resource plans depend on the barred owl cull moving forward.

'It's strange that a Republican in the south is taking on the owl issue, specifically, when its consequences will impact western Oregon BLM timber sales,' Joseph said in an interview.

'It will lead to lower revenues for counties, it will impact jobs and it will put them on a trajectory towards extinction.'
Thousands of flights are being delayed across the US due to staffing shortages amid the government shutdown.

Orlando International (MCO), Washington Reagan National (DCA) and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) have all implemented Ground Delay Programs, limiting the number of arriving flights per hour.

At Orlando, the program is expected to last from Thursday evening through Friday morning, with maximum delays reaching up to six and a half hours for some flights.

Washington National has reduced arrivals to 26 per hour, with maximum delays around five hours, while Dallas/Fort Worth is allowing 72 arrivals per hour, with average delays just over 20 minutes.

The disruptions hit hours after major airports along the East Coast suffered similar disruptions due to storms rolling in, unleashing winds and intense rain.

Vice President JD Vance warned Thursday that holiday air travel could become a 'disaster' if the shutdown is not resolved.

'What happens when the security lines are not an hour long, but they're four hours long? What happens when pilots start not showing up for work because they're so focused on paying the bills, they can't fly the plane safely? That's going to lead to massive delays,' he said.

Vance added that federal workers missing paychecks could fail to show up for work, further straining airport operations.

This is a developing story... More updates to come.

Thousands of flights are being delayed across the US due to staffing shortages amid the government shutdown (stock)

The shutdown, now in its 30th day, has already prompted the FAA to issue temporary ground stops due to staffing shortages, including a recent pause at a Southern California air traffic facility.

Airlines and travelers are urged to prepare for disruptions and check flight schedules in advance.

Officials warn that without congressional action to reopen the government, delays are likely to worsen as more federal workers and aviation personnel are unable to report to duty.

Republicans, including Vance, are calling on Senate Democrats to join in passing a clean continuing resolution to end the shutdown.

Thursday's delays affect all flights from the contiguous US and selected Canadian airports. Airlines are working to manage schedules, but passengers should expect significant disruptions.

The FAA said that the programs are necessary to prevent congestion at airports that cannot handle the normal flow of arrivals due to insufficient staffing.

The government shutdown means that 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers aren't being paid, causing huge increases in sick days and absences.

ATC workers and TSA agents are considered essential, required to work despite not receiving paychecks. During shutdowns, absenteeism rises as many struggle to afford gas and childcare.

Vice President JD Vance warned Thursday that holiday air travel could become a 'disaster' if the shutdown is not resolved

Pleading with Congress to end the shutdown, National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) President Nick Daniels called the lack of pay a dangerous distraction to staff.

'Every day that this shutdown drags on, the system becomes less safe,' he warned during a press conference.

Fully-qualified air traffic controllers' starting salaries range from $60,000 to $130,000, according to FlyingMag. Salaries max out at around $175,000, but air traffic controllers can earn more by working overtime.

Jack Criss, an air traffic controller who has had to work DoorDash delivery shifts on top of his job to get by, has described the strain the shutdown has placed on him and his colleagues.

'It is hard enough just going to work,' Criss told CBS. 'Now, when you add not getting paid, that's when you just like multiply the level of pressure. And you know, air traffic is a safety-sensitive position. The margin of error is zero.'

Speaking to the New York Post earlier this month, another air traffic controller said: 'The financial anxiety doesn't just hurt morale; it directly affects safety.

'When someone responsible for thousands of lives a day is worrying about whether they can pay rent or feed their kids, focus suffers.

'Sometimes that small moment where your mind is elsewhere can have serious impacts.'
In our regular series, household names revisit the favourite holiday destinations of their youth. This week, actor Steven Berkoff returns to Brighton...

Ill never forget my first trip to Brighton as a child of eight in the summer of 1945, just a few months after the country had celebrated VE Day.

My tailor father, mother, older sister and I travelled down from our home in Luton, and for the first time I excitedly saw this great sheet of blue water stretched out in front of me.

Unlike Londons East End, where I was born, Brighton suffered comparatively little bombing, and had the feel of a fun-time seaside resort  everyone wanted to enjoy themselves after the sacrifices of the war years.

We stayed in a little B&B in a Victorian terraced street leading to the sea.

One of my abiding memories is of the whole street smelling of breakfast  bacon, eggs and toast  when you opened the window in the morning.

It was quite wonderful.

Every day I would spend hours swimming in the sea or the magnificent open air pool, Black Rock, down by the seafront. Miraculously I avoided getting sunburnt too.

Actor Steven Berkoff returns to Brighton, where he recalls first holidaying as a child, a few months after the country had celebrated VE Day

Steven Berkoff is an English actor, author, playwright and director. He is best known on screen for his portrayal of villanous characters, such as General Orlov in the James Bond film Octopussy

Steven recalls how he and his mother would always take a stroll along the seafront and head for Palace Pier, which remains in operation today

Later in the day, after a simple afternoon tea  kippers or beans on toast  at our B&B, Mum and I would take a stroll along the seafront and head for Palace Pier (Dad returned to work after a week but we stayed on), which was always an adventure.

Fairground-style amusements lined the famous pier  my favourite featured cut-out horses, which moved a few inches if you threw a ball into a hole, netting you a silly little prize.

The sun seemed to shine for the entire fortnight, and ever since Ive associated Brighton with fun times and blue skies.

As a young actor in my 20s, I struggled to find work at times.

One day, feeling a bit down in the dumps, I said to my lady friend of the time: Lets go to Brighton!

So we jumped on the train at Victoria, caught the train down and as soon as I saw the sea my spirits lifted.

In my acting heyday, when I was making big Hollywood films like Octopussy, Beverly Hills Cop and Rambo First Blood Part II, I was just too busy working to find time to visit the seaside resort.

But a few years ago I returned to Brighton with my partner Clara, fell in love with it all over again and ended up buying a holiday flat by the sea.

'A few years ago I returned to Brighton with my partner Clara, fell in love with it all over again and ended up buying a holiday flat by the sea', says Steven

Yes, todays Brighton is a bit tatty here and there, and my beloved Black Rock pool is now just a ruin, but the resort has never lost its charm and still has the Royal Pavilion and the Lanes, with all their little antique shops.

When I pop down with Clara for a few days I love to have breakfast or afternoon tea at my favourite cafe, the heavenly Marmalade, and then take a walk by the sea.

Every now and then Ill even take a ride on the Volks miniature railway line, which dates back to the 1880s.

When I do, I get just the same thrill as I did as an eight-year-old all those years ago.

As told to York Membery.
What do you look for when choosing which Christmas markets to visit when the festive season draws in?

Are you on the hunt for the prettiest twinkling lights? Searching for the best mulled wine? Or perhaps the best budget locations for stocking up on Christmas gifts?

If you're looking for an alternative market to visit in Europe, there are plenty of options across the continent.

Some are a real bargain - one town even has hotel rooms for 35 and mulled wine for an impressively cheap 86p.

Here are some of the best Christmas market destinations for your festive travels...

Wroclaw, Poland

With direct return UK flights less than 47 and the cheapest accommodation price being 47, this underrated Polish destination makes for an easy getaway.

Christmas market entry is free - and is well worth the money. Its very reasonably priced, with a mulled wine costing only 15 PLN (3.08), and is known for its pretty stalls, handmade crafts and delicious food.

The Christmas market in Wroclaw, Poland is one of the best in Europe if you're looking for excellent value for money

The total trip cost (based on the cheapest options for two nights) here is just 123.

Laura Evans-Fisk, head of digital and engagement at eurochange, says: 'Our research shows the Christmas market in Wroclaw, Poland is one of the best in Europe if you're looking for excellent value for money and a truly authentic experience.'

Innsbruck, Austria

Austria's a popular destination at this time of year, and Innsbruck is no exception.

With chalets offering delicious regional food, fairy lights decorating the medieval alleys and Christmas carols galore, it's the perfect choice this time of year.

The total trip cost (based on the cheapest options for two nights) for two people would be around 196 - and entry to the Christmas market is free.

Sibiu, Romania

Laura explains: 'Sibiu in Romania is a close second when it comes to the cheapest Christmas markets in Europe. Here, you can get a mulled wine for just 86p!'

Sibiu is Romanias most popular Christmas market destination, and locals love this Transalvanian winter celebration

Sibiu is Romanias most popular Christmas market destination, and locals love this Transylvanian winter celebration, known as The Fair In Sibiu, which takes place from November 14, 2025 to January 4, 2026.

It's extremely cheap, too. A cup of mulled wine will cost between five and 10 leu - just 86p.

Tallinn, Estonia

Estonia is an up-and-coming destination with fairytale appeal.

The star attraction? The market Christmas tree, which has been set up every year in the Town Hall Square since 1441, making it the first ever Christmas tree to be put on display in Europe.

This city is also cheap to visit, with warming festive tipples from as little as 1-2 (90p-1.80) and an average trip cost of 141.

Zagreb, Croata

Next up on the list is Zagreb - more often cited for summer holidays.

If you're looking for an alternative market to visit in Europe, there are plenty of options across the continent

But it's particularly special during the festive season, with an epic Christmas market and a rich programme of music and art exhibitions, plus an impressive ice-skating rink in King Tromislav Square.

The total trip cost (based on the cheapest options for two nights) for two people is around 163, making it a well-priced getaway at this time of year.

Strasbourg, France

Finally, this city brings a blend of two cultures both known for making the Christmas period magical - French and German.

It's a bit pricier than some alternatives, with a total trip cost for two people around 258, but is still a reasonably priced getaway given the time of year.

Known to the French as the capital of Christmas, Strasbourgs Christkindelsmarik is Frances oldest Christmas market, and has been running for four centuries.

Here, you can taste Alsatian delicacies such as Bredele (traditional Christmas biscuits) and Berawecka, a traditional Christmas fruit cake.
The UK's 'best theme park' has finally revealed the opening date for its much-anticipated Viking attraction after announcing plans earlier this year.

Paultons Park, which sits on 65 acres on the New Forest's edge in Hampshire, announced in May that it would open a brand new 12million themed world, Valgard - Realm of the Vikings, in 2026.

Now, the park, already a hit with younger children thanks to Peppa Pig World, has revealed the development is set to open on May 16, 2026.

The latest developments at the park will see it likely rival some of the nation's biggest theme parks - including Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park - for visitors next summer.

Viking-themed Valgard is Paultons' biggest investment in a new themed area to date and is aimed at teens and older children.

The biggest crowd-pleaser at Valgard is likely to be Drakon, a high-octane thrill ride with a vertical lift hill and two twists that take riders upside down.

There will also be Raven, which is the parks Gerstlauer Bobsled ride reimagined.

Elsewhere, there's also set to be a Vild Swing, which will whirl those brave enough to ride it 12 metres in the air - and one of the park's most famous rides, Cobra, is also set for a makeover.

Viking-themed Valgard is Paultons' biggest investment in a new themed area to date and is aimed at teens and older children

Paultons Park, which sits on 65 acres on the New Forest's edge in Hampshire, announced in May that it would open a brand new 12million themed world, Valgard - Realm of the Vikings, in 2026

Cobra will be transformed into a bobsled adventure named Raven, with plans afoot to create a playground aimed at younger children in the village too.

After exploring the attractions, visitors can head to the Feasting Hall, a themed canteen with 'hearty dishes to satisfy even the fiercest appetite'.

Valgard: Realm of the Vikings will be located next to the existing Lost Kingdom area.

James Mancey, deputy managing director at Paultons Park, previously said: 'Valgard promises an immersive, atmospheric, and action-packed experience for families and has been specifically designed to grow with our fans.

'The introduction of inversions and a vertical lift hill on Drakon certainly up the adrenaline levels at Paultons Park, but staying true to our roots, we haven't forgotten about the little ones and there is something for all of the family in our new Viking village.'

It has been a year of big news for Paultons Park, which was named the best theme park in the UK earlier this year, scooping up 10 awards recently.

It has also been crowned the UKs best value theme park with has the shortest queue times in the country.

In March, the park submitted plans to build a new holiday village which would feature between 85 and 95 lodges, parking and its own entrance.

This year saw the launch of Ghostly Manor, a 3.5million ghoulish interactive gameplay ride

Riders board four-seater carriages and get their own Phantom Phaser on new-for-this-year ride, Ghostly Manor

The year also saw the park cut the ribbon on Ghostly Manor, a 3.5million ghoulish interactive gameplay ride.

Valgard - Realm of the Vikings is one of many Viking-themed attractions in the UK.

JORVIK Viking Centre in York offers an immersive experience on the site of a major Viking excavation

Drayton Manor's Vikings area includes family-friendly rides like the Jormungandr rollercoaster and the Thor Disk'O Coaster, all themed around Norse mythology.

In Camden Market, London, there are plans for an immersive experience that uses VR, holograms, and interactive exhibits to teach about Viking history, based on a similar successful museum in Norway.
A flight was delayed by more than four hours after cabin crew reportedly started arguing on board.

The incident happened on a United Airlines Airbus A320 set to depart from Des Moines International Airport in Iowa to Chicago O'Hare on Monday, October 27.

Flight UA-2138 was supposed to set off at 11.26am but things soon took a turn inside the cabin, PYOK reports.

According to the publication, two flight attendants were embroiled in an argument that caused the delay.

Flight departure records apparently state that 'crew availability' was the issue.

It reads: 'Disagreement on 2 of the FAs. IFDM pulling all crew and will need to recrew flight.'

'FAs' refers to flight attendants, while 'IFDM' means the inflight duty manager.

This suggests the manager had to step in and decided to replace the team of crew members.

The incident happened on a United Airlines Airbus A320 set to depart from Des Moines International Airport in Iowa to Chicago O'Hare on Monday, October 27 (stock)

In the end, passengers were asked to disembark from the plane at 12.10pm.

After working to resolve the issue, Flight Radar shows the flight eventually departed at 3.24pm, four hours after its scheduled time. It arrived in Chicago O'Hare at 5.09pm - four hours and 12 minutes late.

United Airlines declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail.

United Airlines dealt with an issue on another flight recently, too, which saw the plane have to return to its origin airport. The plane was forced to land because of a fire risk when a 'laptop fell into the cargo hold'.

The incident involved United Airlines flight UA126 which was travelling from Washington Dulles to Rome Fiumicino on October 15. Less than an hour into the flight, the pilots flagged an issue to air traffic control.

They explained how a passenger had dropped their laptop down the side of the fuselage, into the cargo hold, and was not reachable, One Mile At A Time reports.

Due to it disappearing and concerns of electronics causing fires on flights, the pilots decided to return back to Washington.

The particular spot where the tech had fallen was also not covered by the fire suppression system.

According to the publication, two flight attendants were embroiled in an argument that caused the delay (stock)

Just two hours and 13 minutes after the plane departed, it returned to the hub and set back off three hours later.

It landed at its final destination, Rome, at 5.26pm, some four hours later than the original arrive time.

A United Airlines spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'On October 15, United flight 126 safely returned to Dulles International Airport as a precaution to retrieve a customers laptop that had fallen behind a cabin wall panel and through a small gap leading to the cargo hold.

'Maintenance crews retrieved the laptop, inspected the aircraft and the flight later departed for Rome.'
A cruise ship worker has revealed the only country in the world that he would never work in.

Jerzy Rzepka has worked on luxury ships for years but there's one destination that left a 'particular impression'.

For Jerzy, he found the culture shock in Saudi Arabia to be too much.

The cruise worker was based on the Aroya ship which sailed the Saudi ArabiaJordanEgypt route.

He told Need To Know: 'The culture and religion of this country are completely different from what I'm used to.'

Jerzy recalled how he had to go through 'special training' for how to interact with passengers and many had 'two or three wives'.

He was treated respectfully but ultimately doesn't feel he would like to return.

'I turned down an offer to return to the ship,' Jerzy revealed.

Jerzy Rzepka has worked on luxury ships for years but there's one destination that left a 'particular impression'

For Jerzy, he found the culture shock in Saudi Arabia to be too much

The Middle Eastern country opened up to international tourists in 2019 in what was described as a 'historic moment' by Tourism Minister Ahmad al-Khateeb, as per the BBC.

The move meant citizens of 49 countries could obtain instant tourist e-visas.

Before then, visas were only available for business people, pilgrims and expatriate workers.

Saudi Arabia's prime minister Mohammad bin Salman announced Saudi Vision 2030 - an economic diversification project that aims to transform the country.

The country plans to increase domestic and international tourist numbers to 100million by 2030.

TikTok traveller Inayah Sadiq (@inayahtravels) previously lived in Saudi Arabia for 15 years before moving back to the UK and told the Daily Mail about her experience.

She said: 'Saudi Arabia is an incredibly safe country, and I would encourage people not to believe everything they see in the media. Saudi people are some of the most hospitable and welcoming you'll ever meet.

'I highly recommend it as a holiday destination. Like many Gulf countries, street violence and crimes like muggings are extremely rare, and police presence is strong in major cities.

Jerzy recalled how he had to go through 'special training' for how to interact with passengers and many had 'two or three wives'

He was treated respectfully but ultimately doesn't feel he would like to return. 'I turned down an offer to return to the ship,' Jerzy revealed

'I'd recommend visiting with an open mind, learning about the culture and etiquette beforehand, and embracing the experience.'

Inayah explained that there are quite a few misconceptions about Saudi Arabia.

She revealed that although 'it's true that you can't drink alcohol, it doesn't diminish the experience' of visiting.

The travel pro added that women don't need to wear a hijab when they visit.

She explained: 'Modesty is encouraged but women don't need to cover their hair or wear an abaya [a full-length garment] anymore.'
Day trips and short getaways are a popular travel option for those with limited time or funds.

From weekend holidays to overnight stays, the abundance of cheap flights to destinations across Europe has made this increasingly simple.

Now, a British couple has shared their 'extreme' day trip - where they spent just seven hours in sunny Benidorm in Alicante, before jetting straight back to the UK.

Ryan and Jade, who share their adventures on their TikTok account @Live_TheDash, recently visited the Spanish destination for a speedy stay.

But it did come at a cost - the total price of the trip was 248 per person, around 280.

They wrote: 'Extreme day trip with Ryanair to Benidorm Spain. Is it worth it?

'What is an extreme day trip? Its where you catch an early morning flight to a new destination and return home the same day!'

In the video, the pair start by showing their early wake up. With an 8am flight, the couple are seen at the airport at 6am.

British couple has shared their 'extreme' day trip - where they spent just seven hours in sunny Benidorm in Alicante

They also sampled what they called 'Spain's cheapest pint' - at just 1.50 (1.30), it's a real bargain

'If anyone tries to tell you Spain isn't a day trip from the UK, send them this video immediately. We found really cheap return flights leaving this morning and flying home late tonight.'

Jade said: 'First up is the Benidorm view point, the perfect way to start our extreme day trip.'

Ryan added: 'We followed this up with a 45-minute wait for the national dish.'

They enjoyed a paella, before attempting - and failing - to hire a mobility scooter, designed for people aged 55 and up.

They also sampled what they called 'Spain's cheapest pint' - at just 1.50 (1.30), it's a real bargain.

Ryan explained that, 'right now, it is drizzling at home,' while they are in Spain watching a 'questionable' tribute act.

They then headed back to the airport - and Jade showed on her phone timer that they spent seven hours and 13 minutes on their day trip.

Some viewers were impressed by their feat, with many singing their praises. One wrote: 'Watching your video just makes me want to go to the Ryanair website and buy a plane ticket to Spain.'

Ryan explains that, 'Right now, it is drizzling at home,' while they are in Spain

Others, however, were not quite as optimistic - especially given the cost of the trip.

One wrote: 'Thats very expensive, you could go to an all-inclusive for few days for that price.'

Another said: 'That's not cheap at all!!!'

Meanwhile, a third chimed in: '496 in total for you two plus buying food/drink etc to go to Benidorm for a few hours. Hows that worth it?'
A major airline has launched its first direct route from the UK to Thailand's largest island.

Virgin Atlantic is set to jet off from London Heathrow to Phuket from October 18, 2026.

The new route will operate three times a week on a Boeing 787-9 and packages including the flight are available to book from today (October 30).

It will travel straight to Phuket seasonally over the winter, which is one of Thailand's most popular holiday spots.

A typical journey from London to Phuket typically involves a stop and can be around 12 hours on average, according to Skyscanner.

TUI does offer a direct route from Manchester and London Gatwick, but this is only from November to April.

Phuket is a popular spot for its stunning beaches and crystal clear waters.

Tourists can explore the twisting streets of old Phuket town and tuck in to a range of local cuisine.

Virgin Atlantic is set to jet off from London Heathrow to Phuket from October 18, 2026

Prices for Virgin Atlantic package holidays to the destination start from 999 per person.

Meanwhile, tickets for the flight will be available to book from November 26, 2025.

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer, Virgin Atlantic, commented: 'We're thrilled to introduce our new direct service to Phuket, giving our customers a flavour of one of Southeast Asia's most captivating destinations.

'As well as making the trip more convenient, they can enjoy exploring Thailand's unique heritage, natural beauty and delicious cuisine.

'We can't wait for our customers to experience our trademark hospitality on their next unforgettable journey.'

Earlier this year, Virgin Atlantic announced it would be launching another new flying option - in the form of a taxi.

Virgin Atlantic has teamed up with Joby Aviation in a partnership that aims to offer 'seamless, zero-emission, short-range journeys across the UK'.

The futuristic electric air taxis are designed to carry a pilot and up to four passengers, and can hit impressive speeds of up to 200mph.

It will travel straight to Phuket seasonally over the winter, which is one of Thailand's most popular holiday spots

This means that the journey between Heathrow and Canary Wharf - which currently takes around 80 minutes by taxi - could be slashed to just eight minutes.

Initially, Virgin Atlantic and Joby will be offering journeys from hubs at London's Heathrow Airport and Manchester Airport, with a flight from Manchester Airport to Leeds expected to take just 15 minutes.

This same journey, in a car, currently takes around one hour and four minutes.

However, over time, this network could be extended to cities and communities throughout the UK.

A 'London Hub' network map shows how customers will be able to hail rides from London and its airports to Birmingham, Norwich, Portsmouth, Brighton, Canterbury, Cambridge, Oxford, and Reading.
Holidaymakers have been warned that 12-a-day car hire deals could be too good to be true.

Tourists jetting off for a winter break might be tempted by bargain vehicle rentals.

Prices from as little as 12 per day, or 87 a week in Faro, have been found by a new survey.

However, travellers could get caught out by additional charges that can mean the final price is more than four times the original quote.

The research by iCarhireinsurance.com looked at the cost of hiring a medium car in six popular winter locations.

It covered Faro, Larnaca, Tenerife, Barcelona, Nice and Milan, and retrieved quotes for a week in November from six major rental companies - Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt.

The average cost to rent a car for the week came to 109 in Faro, which proved to be the cheapest location. Europcar offered the best deal of 87 for seven days.

Meanwhile, in Larnaca, holidaymakers can rent a car for an average of 163, with Enterprise charging 131 for a week in the popular spot.

Holidaymakers have been warned that 12-a-day car hire deals could be too good to be true (stock)

Tenerife came to 161 on average, while the most expensive destination was Milan where tourists could be charged around 299 for a week.

Analysis of all the locations showed the general average worked out to be 193.

Rental extras ramp up the prices however, with excess protection coming to around 232 on top of the original quote, a sat nav costing 86, and an extra driver costing 74.

What's more, a child seat costs around 72 and, in total, the final bill could be up to a whopping 657.

The research revealed that a booking with Enterprise between November 15 and 22, 2025 in Faro was originally quoted at 92.

But this then came to 415 after extras, including Excess Waiver Protection (140), an extra driver (55), sat nav (67) and a childs car seat (61), were accounted for.

The Daily Mail approached Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt for comment.

Ben Wooltorton from iCarhireinsurance.com shared his tips for helping to avoid the extra fees.

Travellers could get caught out by additional charges that can mean the final price is more than four times the original quote (stock)

He said: 'As the nights draw in, many people are heading abroad to soak up some winter rays in southern Europe.

'November can be a great time to find excellent value on car hire.

'But travellers should still compare deals carefully and be aware of costly extras at the rental desk.

'Simple steps like bringing your own child seat or sat nav and buying car hire excess reimbursement insurance in advance from a specialist provider can make your winter-sun getaway both smoother and more affordable.'
Married At First Sight UK viewers have criticised April for 'leading Leo on' after she revealed she's lost attraction to him.

During Wednesday evening's episode of the hit Channel 4 show, April Holmes, 31, discussed her relationship with Leo Stanley, also 31, with the other girls at the dinner party.

When asked how she was feeling about Leo following the recent partner swap, April candidly admitted the attraction is 'fading', explaining that the experience highlighted her relationship isn't giving her what she needs.

She continued: 'There's a lot missing for me, yeah, I'm just not feeling it girls, you know what I mean?'

During wife swap/partner swap week, April and her husband Leo temporarily swapped with Ashley Dommett and his wife Grace Law.

Following her admission, viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticise April for leading Leo on.

Married At First Sight UK viewers have criticised April for 'leading Leo on' after she revealed she's lost attraction to him

During Wednesday evening's episode of the hit Channel 4 show, April Holmes, 31, discussed her relationship with Leo Stanley, also 31, with the other girls at the dinner party (Leo and April pictured)

One viewer wrote: 'You mean the lust is gone, April'; 'April so wants rid of Leo'; 'You are leading him on April. You just don't like being exposed.'

While another fumed: 'You ARE the bad guy april! YOU ARE LEADING LEO ON.'

It comes after viewers branded Grace Law a red flag as her relationship with Ashley Dommett continued on its toxic path during Tuesday night's episode.

35-year-old operations director Ashley is matched with 31-year-old midwife Grace, but things haven't been smooth sailing since their honeymoon.

The pair have clashed on their morals and values, and on Monday's episode, the pair spoke to the show's experts about their problems after teetering on the edge of quitting the show.

However, on Tuesday's instalment, ahead of the couple swap exercise, they had yet another huge argument.

When Grace brought up the issues they had touched on previously with the experts, an exasperated Ashley said: 'Do we need to keep going back through it? I've taken on board what you've said. I don't really want to argue about it again.'

Grace revealed that she felt 'unsettled' after Ashley made a comment that left her feeling uncomfortable.

When asked how she was feeling about Leo following the recent partner swap, April candidly admitted the attraction is 'fading', explaining that the experience highlighted her relationship isn't giving her what she needs

Following her admission, viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticise April for leading Leo on

It comes after viewers branded Grace Law a red flag as her relationship with Ashley Dommett continued on its toxic path during Tuesday night's episode

35-year-old operations director Ashley is matched with 31-year-old midwife Grace but things haven't been smooth sailing since their honeymoon

She said: 'It's more of the same jokes. I don't like it...'

A confused Ashley then responded: 'It was a compliment. Do you ever step back and think, 'Maybe, I've got that wrong?'

'I feel like I am really, really working hard at changing how I say things, but the only thing I've asked you to change is to see me for who I am.'

Grace then butted in to say: 'I can't do this. We're just going round the houses as we always do.'

Ashley later told the cameras: 'This girl is never going to see me for who I am, and if you never see me for who I am, what am I doing here?'

As he left for the couple swap, he then told her: 'I'm upset because I feel like I've done everything I possibly can to change your mind on the way you see me. I've just had a realisation that I don't think it's going to change.'

An emotional Grace then said to the camera: 'He doesn't take accountability We clearly need some time apart because I am getting sick of it now.'

After the heated rows, many reacted on X saying: 'God this is red flag behaviour.',

'Ashley needs to run asap.',
Kourtney Kardashian threatened to escalate tensions with her sister Kim when she filmed a promo with Julia Fox on the latest episode of The Kardashians.

The 46-year-old reality star also appeared to shade her former partner Scott Disick when she lectured Julia about waiting to find a man who would stick around to raise children with her.

On the second episode of the new seventh season, Kourtney asked Julia, 35, to shoot an ad for her wellness brand Lemme.

Although Julia has made headlines with her modeling and roles in acclaimed films including Uncut Gems, she reached a new level of fame for her short-lived romance with Kim's ex-husband Kanye West beginning in December 2021.

Julia followed in the mold of Kanye's ex by showing off outfits that he had picked out for her, much like his future wife Bianca Censori, but the relationship fizzled out in February 2022.

Kourtney  who also feuded with her sister Khloe during the episode  was seen catching up with the actress while she lounged in a bathtub and was nude above a layer of bubbles.

Kourtney Kardashian threatened to escalate tensions with her sister Kim when she filmed a promo with Julia Fox on the latest episode of The Kardashians

Julia appeared seemingly in the nude for much of her scene, which she shot in a bathtub with only bubbles protecting her modesty

The 46-year-old reality star also appeared to shade her former partner Scott Disick when she lectured Julia about waiting to find a man who would stick around to raise children with her; Scott and Kourtney pictured in 2015

While they chatted, Kourtney seemed to shade her former partner Scott Disick  with whom she shares her three oldest children  following his admission in last week's episode that he was considering departing LA for New York City.

When Kourtney arrived on set, she carried her and her husband Travis Barker's 23-month-old son Rocky, though the little boy's face was blurred out in keeping with their habit of censoring his face on social media.

Despite the awkwardness of their bathtub chat, Julia couldn't help but gush about Kourtney's influence on her thanks to her years sharing her family dynamics on television.

'I learned how to mother from watching you be a mother,' the No Sudden Move actress  who shares her four-year-old son Valentino with her ex-husband Peter Artemiev  admitted.

Julia then said that she wanted to have another child, though she was feeling apprehensive about it.

Kourtney, in a seeming jab at her ex Scott, urged Julia to hold off on another baby until she was with a partner she was certain would be there for the long haul.

Although she didn't mention her ex by name, the advice seemed colored by Kourtney's failed relationship with Scott, 42.

The exes had dated going back to 2006, and Scott was a fixture on Keeping Up With The Kardashians going back to its premiere episode in 2007.

Fox dated Kim's ex Kanye West from December 2021 to February 2022; pictured together in January 2022 in Paris

'I learned how to mother from watching you be a mother,' Julia confessed. She also admitted that she wanted to have another child, though she was feeling apprehensive about it

Kourtney, in a seeming jab at her ex Scott, urged Julia to hold off on another baby until she was with a partner she was certain would be there for the long haul

Kourtney didn't mention Scott, but her advice seemed colored by their failed relationship

But after almost tying the knot later that year, the couple split for the first of multiple times in 2008, though they later reconciled and welcomed their first son Mason in 2009.

Kourtney and Scott again split in 2010 over his anger issues and drinking, but they were able to reunite shortly afterward after engaging in couple's therapy.

After Scott again considered proposing to Kourtney in 2011, they welcomed their daughter Penelope the following year, and their final child, their son Reign, was born in late 2014.

The couple split again, for good, in 2015, though they would tease possible reunions in the following years. Scott also had a stint in rehab that year.

The two managed to have a solid co-parenting relationship in subsequent years, though their connection appeared to be irrevocably strained after Kourtney began dating her future husband Travis.

Scott has appeared on The Kardashians far less than he appeared on Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and many of his appearances have been shaded by his awkward relationship with his ex.

Kourtney also joined up with her stepdaughter Alabama Barker to film a promo for her Twitch channel.

Ironically, Kourtney channeled her mom Kris by complaining about how inefficient and behind schedule the film crew was.

She and her ex considered marriage, but they broke up multiple times throughout their relationship and never decided to tie the knot, despite welcoming three children together

Scott and Kourtney split in 2015. They had a solid co-parenting relationship in subsequent years, though their connection appeared to be irrevocably strained after Kourtney began dating her future husband Travis Barker; Scott is pictured with Khloe earlier this year

Kourtney later got dolled up in pink satin for part of the ad shoot

She and Julia joined forces to shoot TikToks after filming was complete

Kourtney also joined up with her stepdaughter Alabama Barker to film a promo for her Twitch channel

Ironically, Kourtney channeled her mom Kris by complaining about how inefficient and behind schedule the film crew was

Once the shot was finally set up, she appeared to film just a single take before leaving.

She chastised Alabama, who was lying facedown on her bed under the covers, before pouring a pitcher of water on her to wake her up, which elicited a shocked scream.

Between her shoots, Kourtney checked in with Khloe, who was taking a cooking class at home with a private chef and her BFF Malika Haqq.

Khloe was clearly annoyed at Kourtney after her older sister told her about parenting advice she had read recently urging that children not watch TV or use electronics with screens within an hour of going to bed.

She also urged Khloe to make sure her kids didn't have TVs in their bedrooms  even though Khloe said Kourtney's children have TVs in their bedrooms.

Khloe unloaded on Malika about being annoyed by her sister after Kourtney criticized a group chat she was in for being too negative and judgmental, before she removed herself from it.

Khloe went on to say that Kourtney is unhappy in her life and is projecting onto her.

She sounded defiant as she said she was happy and living 'a great life.'

In the scene, she chastised Alabama, who was lying facedown on her bed under the covers, before pouring a pitcher of water on her to wake her up, which elicited a shocked scream

Khloe had a conflict with Kourtney elsewhere in the episode after Kourtney lectured her about limiting screen time for her children and taking TVs out of their bedrooms

Khloe was already annoyed because Kourtney had accused her of being too negative and left a group chat because of her criticisms of others

She sounded defiant as she said she was happy and living 'a great life,' adding, 'You can suck my big fat d***'

'You can suck my big fat d***,' Khloe said in confessional, addressing Kourtney.

Elsewhere in the episode, Kim was left blushing after her mother Kris embarrassed her in front of one of her work friends.

Kim's work pal happened to be her All's Fair costar Glenn Close, who plays one of the leads alongside Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash and Teyana Taylor.

Kris, 69, dropped by the Ryan Murphy show's set to check in on her daughter when she let slip that Kim, 45, had never seen one of Glenn's most iconic films  right in front of the eight-time Oscar nominee.

Kris' visit wasn't totally out of the blue, as she is technically a co-executive producer on the Hulu legal drama, which was co-created by Ryan Murphy, Jon Robin Baitz and Joe Baken.

Kim was surrounded by her A-list costars on set as she prepared to shoot a short back-and-forth with Sarah.

Kris was obviously loving being in close proximity to such impressive actresses, but it was Glenn who particularly drew her attention, as she had been watching the acclaimed star's work for decades.

Kris admitted that one of her favorite films was the 1987 erotic thriller Fatal Attraction, in which Glenn played a woman who obsessively stalks her one-time lover (Michael Douglas) after he ends their affair.

Meanwhile, Kourtney's sister Kim Kardashian was left blushing after her mother Kris Jenner embarrassed her in front of one of her work friends

Kim's work pal happened to be her All's Fair costar Glenn Close, who plays one of the leads alongside Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash and Teyana Taylor; Close is pictured with Michael Douglas in Fatal Attraction

On the second episode of the new seventh season, Kris, 69, dropped by the Ryan Murphy show's set to check in on her daughter when she let slip that Kim, 45, had never seen one of Glenn's most iconic films  right in front of the eight-time Oscar nominee

The momager boasted to Glenn that she had seen the blockbuster 'six times' in theaters, but Kim looked notably uncomfortable when her mother asked if she had seen Fatal Attraction while Glenn looked on.

Kris was shocked when Kim sheepishly admitted she hadn't seen the film.

'Dont put me on the spot like that,' an embarrassed Kim said quietly to her mother.

But Kim's mortification turned out to be a boon for her mother, who got another chance to hang out with one of her acting idols.

After Niecy, who was standing nearby, heard that Kim had never seen Fatal Attraction, she and Kris banded together to suggest that the throw a viewing party to fill in Kim's blindspot while inviting her costars.

Earlier, Kim managed to astound even her notorious taskmaster mother when she revealed it would take around nine hours to shoot a single scene that day.

'I don't know how you're doing it,' a stunned Kris replied when she visited her daughter, who was dressed in a robe, as she relaxed in her trailer before the start of shooting.

On top of her hours of constant filming, Kim added that she would have to find time to study for her next law school exam in just two weeks, and then she would have to take the bar exam three months after that.

Kris admitted that one of her favorite films was the 1987 erotic thriller Fatal Attraction, in which Glenn played a woman who obsessively stalks her one-time lover (Michael Douglas) after he ends their affair

Kris was shocked when Kim sheepishly admitted she hadn't seen the film. 'Dont put me on the spot like that,' an embarrassed Kim said quietly to her mother

After Niecy, who was standing nearby, heard that Kim had never seen Fatal Attraction, she and Kris banded together to suggest that the throw a viewing party to fill in Kim's blindspot while inviting her costars; Glenn Close and Michael Douglas in a still from Fatal Attraction

'All I do is study,' she said morosely to her concerned-looking mother.

Kim also revealed her connection with her new work friend Sarah Paulson, who is a regular on Ryan Murphy projects.

Ironically, Sarah was made up with a black wig to look just like Kim.

Kim admitted that she and Sarah crack each other up on set, which she demonstrated when they couldn't shoot a simple greeting without breaking out into laughter.

Niecy, who watched from the sidelines, said that 'once they get the giggles, all bets are off.'

Kim admitted in her confessional interview that she developed a habit of sharing conspiracy theories she had discovered with Sarah.

While chatting with Kris, she said she had lately become convinced that the 1969 moon landing was fake.

She said that interviews in which astronaut Buzz Aldrin allegedly said the landing 'didn't happen' had convinced her.

Kris was shocked when Kim said it would take nine hours to film the day's scene, and she still had to study for her law school exam in two weeks after that

Kim also revealed her connection with her new work friend Sarah Paulson, who is a regular on Ryan Murphy projects. Ironically, Sarah was made up with a black wig to look just like Kim

Kim admitted that she and Sarah crack each other up on set, which she demonstrated when they couldn't shoot a simple greeting without breaking out into laughter

Kim admitted in her confessional interview that she developed a habit of sharing conspiracy theories she had discovered with Sara

While chatting with Kris, Kim said she had lately become convinced that the 1969 moon landing was fake after falling victim to widely debunked videos

However, the video she was referring to was a widely debunked clip that edited Aldrin's words to make it sound as if he said the moon landing was fake, though in the full video he does speak about going to the moon.

Earlier in the episode, Kris invited all of her daughters  daughters Kourtney, Kim, Khloe and Kendall and Kylie Jenner, as well as her rarely glimpsed son Rob Kardashian  to have a final dinner at the home they had grown up in as she prepared to sell it.

But Kris interrupted the dinner with a speech to reveal that there was one more special person who was missing  her ex-spouse Caitlyn Jenner.

Kris revealed that she had called up Caitlyn, who had humorously replied that she had just been eating dinner and watching Fox News that evening when Kris called.

All the children looked shocked to see Caitlyn strut through the front entrance with her arms raised.

After everyone settled down to dinner with their guest, Kris launched into an emotional speech about selling the house.

But when she referenced a new buyer, multiple people perked up, and Kim interrupted to ask if someone had already bought the house.

She and her siblings were in for a shock when Caitlyn spoke up to reveal that she was the person who put in the offer on the house.

Earlier in the episode, Kris invited all of her daughters  daughters Kourtney, Kim, Khloe and Kendall and Kylie Jenner, as well as her rarely glimpsed son Rob Kardashian  to have a final dinner at the home they had grown up in as she prepared to sell it

Kris mentioned that one important person was missing  her ex Caitlyn Jenner, who burst through the door then with her arms outstretched

Kris' kids were surprised when she mentioned an unnamed buyer for the house in an emotional farewell speech

She and her siblings were in for a shock when Caitlyn spoke up to reveal that she was the person who put in the offer on the house

The Olympic gold medallist boasted that she would be able to keep the home in the family now.

But almost as soon as Caitlyn spoke up, she admitted that everything she had just said was part of a prank.

'Just Kidding,' she said nonchalantly.

'Guys, I couldnt afford this house if you paid me,' she clarified, suggesting that her finances weren't what they used to be. 'I'm not in that market anymore.'

Despite the quick reversal, nobody seemed too upset by Caitlyn's joke, even her ex Kris.

In confessional interviews, Caitlyn's daughters Kendall and Kylie both praised Kris for inviting her to say goodbye to the house with them, with Kylie calling it 'a great first step.'

'Thank you for coming. It means the world to the girls,' Kris later told her ex in a rare conversation with just the two of them.

Khloe later took her mother aside to tell her how proud she was of Kris for inviting her ex, especially considering how much it meant to Kendall and Kylie.

But almost as soon as Caitlyn spoke up, she admitted that everything she had just said was part of a prank. 'Just Kidding,' she said nonchalantly

'Guys, I couldnt afford this house if you paid me,' she clarified, suggesting that her finances weren't what they used to be. 'I'm not in that market anymore'

'Thank you for coming. It means the world to the girls,' Kris later told her ex in a rare conversation with just the two of them

Khloe later took her mother aside to tell her how proud she was of Kris for inviting her ex, especially considering how much it meant to Kendall and Kylie. Kris said it just 'felt like the right thing to do'

Kylie and Kendall both said they were happy to see their parent

The whole family posed together for a group photo

The scene ended with Kendall and Kylie sharing a tearful hug on the grand staircase for the last time

'They finally moved out!' Kris joked with maniacal laughter once she was the last person remaining in the house

Kris replied that it just 'felt like the right thing to do.'

In her confessional interview, Kendall admitted she gets frustrated with Caitlyn at times because they have completely different views,' but she said she doesn't want the legendary athlete to get sad or 'lonely.'

Although Caitlyn appeared to have the strongest relationship with her biological daughters, her stepdaughter Kim revealed that she sees and talks to Caitlyn all the time.

She even admitted that her former stepparent helped shape who she is today.

The rest of the family's dinner was taking up by scandalous confessions, including Kylie admission that she used to smoke weed with her friends in the back yard, which got a raised eyebrow from her mother.

Kendall admitted in a confessional that she was jealous of her younger sister, as she hadn't tried marijuana at the time.

But after she joined her sister and her pals for a toke, she managed to get over the jealousy.

Khloe also scandalized her family when she said she had had sex in a few of the rooms,' including with her ex-husband Lamar Odom.

The evening ended with a tearful hug between Kendall and Kylie on the entrance's grand staircase before they stepped out the front doors for the last time.

'They finally moved out!' Kris joked with maniacal laughter once she was the last person remaining in the house.
The salaries of two of the biggest stars of The Golden Bachelor have been leaked.

Unsurprisingly, it's host Sam Armytage who is reportedly raking in the biggest pile of cash.

According to Pedestrian TV, producers paid the former Sunrise star a whopping $125,000 for two days of filming a week on the dating show.

And to sweeten the deal, Sam, who jumped ship from Seven to Nine in 2021, had a large styling team behind her.

'They treated her like a movie star. Every outfit, every lighting set-up, it was all about making Sam shine,' the insider told the publication.

As for the Golden Bachelor Barry 'Bear' Myrden, the hunky star pocketed a much less impressive $75,000 for ten weeks of work.

The salaries of two of the biggest stars of The Golden Bachelor have been leaked. According to Pedestrian TV, producers paid Samantha Armytage a whopping $125,000 for two days of filming a week on the dating show

As for the Golden Bachelor Barry 'Bear' Myrden, the hunky star pocketed a much less impressive $75,000 for ten weeks of work

But according to a source from The Golden Bachelor set, the silver fox was caught bragging to one of his ladies that he was making $100,000 to appear on the show.

The insider said he later retracted the claim after the crew learned of the 'white lie'.

'I think he was a little embarrassed when he inflated the number,' the insider said.

'He didnt need the money. He just wanted to prove to his [sons] and himself that hes still got some game left.'

Meanwhile, Abbie Chatfield ruffled feathers on The Golden Bachelor this week as she interrogated Bear about his intentions with her mother Laura Neal.

Viewers weighed in on the awkward moment the controversial influencer went head-to-head with Bear, speculating that Abbie's comments may have influenced Bear's decision to eliminate her mother from the competition

During the confrontation, influencer Abbie expressed relief that Bear was Canadian and not American, before asking the 61-year-old: 'Have you gone on a date with [my mother] yet?'

When Bear said he hadn't, Abbie shot back: 'Why haven't you gone on a date with her yet?'

To sweeten Sam's deal, the host had a large styling team behind her that treated her 'like a star'

'Still lots of time...' he sheepishly replied.

But there seemingly wasn't enough time for Laura, who later on failed to score a rose at the elimination ceremony.

Posting to social media after the cringeworthy exchange, one viewer commented: 'Sigh...think he chose then and there!'

Another branded the conversation as 'the final nail in the coffin' for Laura.

'I'd vote off a Chatfield too,' someone else wrote.

'[Abbie] being her daughter wouldnt have helped AT ALL,' another agreed.

'Her comment on Americans was not very smart either, she has no idea of Bear's feelings on the subject,' someone added.

Outspoken Abbie is no stranger to controversy, known for her staunch views about feminism and politics, her public feuds with other media personalities and her tendency to challenge traditional social norms.

'God help him if his political views clash with Abbie, that relationship would soon be over,' one viewer commented at the time.

'I'm sure his sons would love to sit at the Christmas table with Abbie... sarcasm people!' another added.

'Abbie is the way she is for a reason, I would be looking at her mother as the cause and steering well clear,' yet another commented.

The Golden Bachelor continues 7pm on Sunday on Channel 9 and 9Now.
EastEnders fans fumed 'have the writers forgotten?!' as they called out a baffling blunder at The Prince Albert bar on Tuesday's episode of the BBC soap.

Oscar Branning (Pierre Joseph Counihan-Moullier) was seen looking a little worse for wear while drinking at the boozer earlier this week.

The teen is infatuated with newbie Jasmine Fisher (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness), but is worried about her after being in hospital - and thinks she's not telling him something.

After sharing his concerns with his sister Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa), she told him that the way he was acting was making Jasmine not interested in her.

The fruit and veg stall holder was seen knocking back the shots while his love interest Jasmine was behind the bar - and manager of The Prince Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) wasn't bothered by it.

Many viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to point out that Oscar isn't actually old enough to legally drink.

EastEnders fans fumed 'have the writers forgotten?!' as they called out a baffling blunder at The Prince Albert bar on Tuesday's episode of the BBC soap - but did YOU spot it?

Oscar Branning (Pierre Joseph Counihan-Moullier) was seen looking a little worse for wear while drinking at the boozer earlier this week

After sharing his concerns with his sister Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa), she told him that the way he was acting was making Jasmine not interested in her

'Oscar is underage - why is he being allowed to drink in the bar? #EastEnders.'

'Are we forgetting Oscar is 17? Why is he always in the bar.'

And it's not the first time that they've spotted the blunder because they said back in September: 'Have the writers forgotten that Oscar is supposed to be only 17 #EastEnders.'

The legal age to drink in the UK is 18 - and Oscar doesn't celebrate his milestone birthday until December 13.

According to Gov.uk, 'you can be stopped, fined or arrested by police if youre under 18 and drinking alcohol in public.'

During Oscar and Jasmine's chat at the bar, she encouraged him to take another rum shot 'like a man'.

'Is that my forfeit, yeah? Any time I ask you anything personal, you're just going to pour me another one?' he asked.

Instead of replying with words, Jasmine gave him a kiss on the cheek and asked him what cocktail he would like next.

The legal age to drink in the UK is 18 - and Oscar doesn't celebrate his milestone birthday until December 13

One fan pointed out: 'Oscar is underage - why is he being allowed to drink in the bar?'

Later on he told her: 'I see what you did there. Jasmine, I'm only asking because I care.'

She replied: 'Okay. Down in one, I'll show you my bra strap.'

Oscar folded his arms and she told him that he was a light weight and missed his chance.

At the end of her shift she teased him by nearly giving him a kiss and then got in trouble with her manager Elaine - who wanted her bank details and address to pay her.

A suspicious Elaine asked Oscar if he had her address and he said no, and that it was 'super, super casual'.

Elaine asked him: 'Do you think we should find out?'

'Absolutely, definitely, 100%,' Oscar told her.

The pair shook hands and Oscar kissed Elaine's hand to secure the deal.

It comes after EastEnders star Micah Balfour has been axed from the soap with his final scenes already filmed.

The actor, 47, who plays Junior Knight, the estranged son of the former Queen Vic landlord George (Colin Salmon) has reportedly not had his contract renewed with his final scenes airing over the next two months.

Micah joined the soap in May 2024, with his steamy affair with his father George's ex wife Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) dominating his time on the square.

The pair's shocking affair was dramatically exposed on Christmas Day last year in explosive scenes, which saw Cindy's fiance Ian Beale and the rest of the family learn the news.

Now sources have told The Sun: 'Bosses decided not to renew Micah's contract and he filmed his final scenes last month.

'Obviously Micah was gutted but he understands how it all works. His final scenes will air before Christmas. The door is being left open.'

The BBC confirmed to The Daily Mail that Micah 'will be leaving later this year,' adding 'we wish him all the best for the future.'

EastEnders airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
Welcome to The Group Chat with Lucy Manly, where Australia's most trusted society insider shares the hottest gossip BEFORE it makes the news.

Flown the coop

Rumours are swirling that Roger Zraika, the soon-to-be ex-husband of chicken heiress Jessica Ingham, has wasted no time moving on after his separation.

A week after I exclusively revealed that Jess and Roger - who share a two-year-old son - had quietly split after four years of marriage, a well-placed source told me the property tycoon had a new romantic interest.

Who is the lucky lady?

Well, I can tell you she is a prominent Sydney woman with a familiar surname - but she is not keen for her relationship with Roger to become public knowledge. At least, not yet.

Rumours are swirling that Roger Zraika, soon-to-be ex-husband of Jess Ingham, has wasted no time moving on after his separation (The former couple is seen together in happier times)

She went so far as to engage a lawyer to protect her reputation after enquiries were made about her relationship status.

We felt it was quite the overreaction. What's defamatory in suggesting that two otherwise unattached people are enjoying one another's company?

But that's just us!

Whispers of a rift between Jess and Roger began swirling after the mother-of-two didn't post about her husband on Father's Day.

Two sources later confirmed to the Daily Mail that the pair had 'amicably separated'.

Jess has since wiped almost all traces of her ex from social media.

Love is in the air

The Hywood family rarely do things by halves - not in business, and certainly not when it comes to weddings.

Media scion Tom Hywood, son of former Fairfax CEO Greg Hywood and acclaimed journalist Kate Legge, tied the knot with Colombian beauty Jenny Matiz (the newlyweds are pictured)

Media scion Tom Hywood - son of former Fairfax CEO Greg Hywood and award-winning journalist Kate Legge - tied the knot with Colombian beauty Jenny Matiz in a glamorous ceremony at Raes on Wategos, Byron Bay last week.

'It was such a beautiful wedding,' one guest confided.

The 33-year-old Melbourne Grammar old boy - who shares a son with his ex-fiancee, Melbourne psychotherapist Elizabeth Anile - previously attracted attention for a first-person piece he wrote for a Nine masthead in 2020 after testing positive for Covid upon his return from Hong Kong.

His call for calm during the early days of the pandemic drew both praise and criticism at the time.

Tom's parents, who separated after nearly three decades of marriage, remain two of the most recognisable names in Australian media.

The bride opted for a 'business at the front, party at the back' style gown

Tom and Jenny Matiz said 'I do' at Raes on Wategos in Byron Bay last week

Greg, famed for his no-nonsense style and love of fast cars, is no stranger to headlines. Who could forget his $140,000 blue Maserati bought at the height of Fairfax's job cuts?

Or that awkward moment in 2021 when he sheepishly admitted (to me) to using Tinder 'on and off for years'?

Tom's mother, meanwhile, famously released a memoir in 2023 reflecting on love, betrayal and the breakdown of her marriage - widely understood to be inspired by her ex-husband's infidelity.

A promotional event for Legge's memoir included this striking line: 'Discovering that betrayal has been a recurring pattern in [Hywood's] family going back generations, she wonders: is unfaithfulness a predisposition or a learned behaviour?'

We have every faith in young Tom that he'll break the generational curse.

Greg Hywood (left, with then-Nine CEO Hugh Marks in July 2018) sheepishly admitted to using Tinder 'on and off for years' when I discovered his dating app profile back in 2020

Vanessa's soft launch

After last year's driving debacle - in which she was arrested after crashing her SUV in Bellevue Hill and refusing a breath test - you'd think Vanessa Jacobs Fennell might steer clear of the spotlight.

Instead, it seems she's leaning into it with a Gen Z-coded 'soft launch'.

The Sydney socialite recently set group chats aflutter after surfacing in Hong Kong with two male companions, one conspicuously emoji-faced.

For the uninitiated, that's 20-something shorthand for: he's my new boyfriend, but you don't get to know who he is yet.

Earlier this year, Jacobs Fennell was romantically linked to prominent Melbourne businessman Nathan Sable. The duo were said to be joined at the hip - until just before Valentine's Day, when things suddenly cooled.

The mother-of-two stepped out at charity gala Soiree by the Sea last Friday

The Sydney socialite recently set group chats aflutter after surfacing in Hong Kong with two male companions, one conspicuously emoji-faced. A new boyfriend, perhaps?

Before Sable, she was married to private equity banker - and legendary eastern suburbs tomcat - Tom Fennell, who, as fate would have it, lives spitting distance from the Bellevue Hill crash site where she was arrested in March.

That unfortunate episode ended with her pleading guilty to four charges - among them, refusing a breath test.

In August, Waverley Local Court handed down a $1,300 fine and a six-month licence suspension.

Outside court, Jacobs Fennell said she was 'profoundly remorseful and regretful' but added, 'Every human being should be allowed to make a mistake.'

And finally... guess who, don't sue

Whispers are swirling through Sydney's east about a certain party prince whose wild lifestyle has finally caught up with him.

The golden boy, once known for his swagger and legendary late-night antics, is now ageing in fast-forward.

He has been hospitalised six times this year alone - each time after overdoing it on his poison of choice: so-called 'liquid ecstasy', or GHB.

He may still strut around the Emerald City like he's invincible, but even his inner circle is starting to worry.

Friends are whispering that he's becoming a liability - and privately fear it's only a matter of time before the notorious night owl crashes for good.
It was a meeting between an unlikely pair: Hollywood's golden boy and an infamous predator.

In June 2013, Robert Redford agreed to meet Jeffrey Epstein - by then a convicted pedophile financier whose name had become synonymous with scandal, power and abuse.

Newly unearthed documents from Epstein's private calendars seen by the Daily Mail reveal the pair planned to meet in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a place that held deep meaning for them both.

For Epstein, it was home to his sprawling Zorro Ranch, one of the several homes he used to lure and abuse teenage girls.

For Redford, the state - which he had described as having a 'soul' - was once his second home and a filming location for his 1969 western classic, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid.

The calendars show the two had agreed to a date and location, but there is no record of what the men discussed or whether the encounter actually took place.

Newly released files reveal disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein (left) and late actor Robert Redford (right) made plans to meet in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2013

Representatives for Redford did not return the Daily Mail's multiple requests for comment.

What was known, however, is that Epstein had taken a keen interest in Hollywood, and the prospect of meeting Redford - who died aged 89 on September 16 - would have been alluring.

An entry in Epstein's calendar dated Saturday April 27, 2013, reads: 'Reminder: Robert Redford and Richardson.'

'Richardson' appears to refer to Bill Richardson, the former governor of New Mexico, who was close friends with Epstein and was named by his accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre as one of the men she was trafficked to. Richardson died aged 75 in 2023.

An email from Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff dated May 30, 2013, reads: '2013 June. REMINDER BOB REDFORD IS ASKING IF YOU COULD HAVE LUNCH WITH HIM EARLY JUNE in Santa Fe.

'YOU SAID YES BUT ALSO SUGGESTED ANYTIME IN AUG'

'REMINDER: IF YOU ARE IN FL (Florida) ANYTIME IN JULY YOU MUST RE-REGISTER AT THE FL STOCKADE.'

Redford (pictured), whose most memorable films include the 1969 western, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, at one point lived in New Mexico, where some scenes of the movie were filmed

Epstein had a sprawling estate in Stanley, New Mexico, just outside Santa Fe, known as Zorro Ranch (pictured), which he used to lure and abuse girls

The three-level main house spanned 30,000 square feet complete with four bedrooms, a living room, library (pictured) and gourmet kitchen

One of the four bedrooms inside the sprawling mansion at Epstein's ranch

The message was referring to the prison where Epstein served his 15-month sentence for soliciting sex from minors - the sentence length was part of a sweetheart plea deal he scored in 2008.

As per the terms of his release, he was registered as a sex offender and had to notify various authorities whenever he was in the area.

By the time of the apparent meeting with Redford, then 76, Epstein's proclivities had been extensively reported, raising deep questions over the actor's judgment.

It is possible that Redford, who went on to direct various independent films later in his career, might have looked at Epstein's wealth as a potential lifeline for his movies - but his motives remain a mystery.

During the 2010s, Epstein used his money to try to rehabilitate his public image, pouring millions into elite universities like Harvard and MIT.

He was a prolific donor to Democratic causes, including giving tens of thousands of dollars for Bill and Hillary Clinton's campaigns.

An interior shot of the main house on Zorro Ranch

The plans show that Epstein's master bedroom takes up most of the space on the first floor, where there were also two relatively tiny en-suite bedrooms and a fourth 'staff bedroom'

But after his arrest and death by suicide in 2019, those donations became radioactive, and his ties to the Clintons became toxic for them.

Working with Redford would have also allowed Epstein, who was just four years out of his 15-month sentence, to try to rehabilitate his reputation.

Epstein's calendar entries have been released by the House Oversight Committee after they were subpoenaed from his estate.

At the time of the meeting, Redford was about to release the now-critically acclaimed 2013 one-man movie, All is Lost. The film, which is about a sailor's struggle when his boat hits a wayward shipping container in the Indian Ocean, won him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor.

Redford, who founded the Sundance Film Festival in 1974 to champion independent filmmakers, often spoke about how hard it was to secure funding to make the movies he wanted.

He told Variety in 2013 that it took him four years to secure financing for The Company You Keep, a movie about former members of the left wing 1960s terrorist group Weather Underground.

Former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson (pictured) was also set to be at the meeting. He was named by Epstein accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre as one of the men Epstein trafficked her to. Richardson died in 2023

Redford, pictured with co-star Barbra Streisand after receiving an honorary Oscar in 2002, died on September 16

Due to the modest budget, all of the locations had to be shot in Vancouver - even though the film takes place in upstate New York, Manhattan and Maine.

In another interview from the time, Redford said Hollywood was 'not the same as it was when I first entered the business.'

'It felt to me like it was starting to narrow down and centralize itself around what would make money,' he said.

'I just felt the films that I liked might get thrown away, so I committed to doing whatever I could to give a chance to those kinds of voices that would continue to make those films.'
He's ceased using his peerages and accepted the removal of his banner from St Georges Chapel, Windsor, thereby acknowledging that his membership of the Order of the Garter is irrevocably at an end.

But whereas others in the same excruciating position would scuttle away, desperate to do almost anything which would put them out of public sight, thats not Prince Andrews style.

Indeed, Im told that the more his status shrivels, the more intently hes determined to cling on at Royal Lodge  his home since 2004.

His only identity comes from his status, a highly informed source tells me, before adding that what remains of that status is conferred  in Andrews eyes, at least  by his retention of the Grade II-listed house, the most splendid of whose 30 rooms is its immense 48 ft by 30 ft gothic saloon.

There are, adds my informant, only two ways to persuade Andrew that his time at the lodge is over: the stick or the carrot.

Andrew's desire to ensure his daughters don't become royal outcasts like himself may prove decisive in whether he gives up Royal Lodge. Pictured: Princess Eugenie, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice

The latter may, on the face of it, seem the one that Andrew would gobble up. Money, muses the royal insider, who stresses that Andrews iron clad lease means that he cannot be dislodged with a click of his older brothers monarchical fingers.

Youll need to pay him to go away and pay him not to talk.

The alternative  the stick  must, if necessary, be used ruthlessly.

Pressure on his children. Hes always been transparent about his ambitions for his daughters, reflects the insider, adding that it must be made plain that Beatrice and Eugenies fate lies in Andrews hands.

In words that might not seem out of place in The Godfather, the insider suggests the following formula: If you want to make sure your daughters are OK and are invited to Sandringham, and that they remain princesses, then youd better [go] quietly.

The insider adds: Clearly, its upsetting, the stuff that has been coming out about their father.

Time for Andrew to decide that enough is enough  for their sake, if not his?

Youd think Steve Coogan wouldve learnt his lesson by now.

The actor and two production companies agreed this week to pay substantial damages to university academic Richard Taylor for portraying him as smug, unduly dismissive and patronising in their film The Lost King.

A bit of friendly advice  perhaps he should stop putting King in the titles of his films, reflects Howard Raymond who, in 2012, secured his own High Court victory over Coogan, pictured below, after he made a film about his father Paul, founder of Londons first strip club.

Steve Coogan as Paul Raymond, the so-called King of Soho, in the 2013 film The Look of Love

At the last minute, they switched [its title] to The King Of Soho, recalls Howard, whod registered that title for his own biopic.

I went down to Cannes on the Monday, got a date for the High Court Friday. They had to pay huge costs.

A kings ransom, in fact.

Oasis fans may have forked out a small fortune to see the Gallagher brothers reunite on tour over the summer  but I hear one diehard superfan has gone even further.

An anonymous buyer has paid a staggering 75,600 for Noel Gallaghers complete set of handwritten lyrics from every Oasis album.

The haul went under the hammer at Londons Propstore Music Memorabilia Auction. Now, thats one expensive Wonderwall.

300 years on, Wren is back at St Pauls  thanks to Frances!

Royal sculptor Frances Segelman bringing Sir Christopher Wren back to life at St Paul's Cathedral

In a scene worthy of the Halloween season, Sir Christopher Wren was, in a sense, brought back to life beneath the magnificent dome of his greatest architectural triumph  St Pauls Cathedral.

Royal sculptor Frances Segelman undertook the eerie yet fascinating task of sculpting a clay bust of Wren using his death mask, which dates back to 1723, as her reference. Lady Petchey, 76, widow of philanthropist Sir Jack Petchey, tells me: Its very strange having to imagine his living face from a death mask.

During what she described as a hauntingly atmospheric evening, Lady Petchey says she even tried to communicate with the late architect in order to capture his spirit and personality in the sculpture.

After recovering from leukaemia, Harry Potter star Timothy Spall decided to mark the moment with a splash of luxury  an electric blue Rolls-Royce, the kind of model that can fetch up to half a million pounds.

But the 68-year-old now laughs at the purchase, admitting the car drew the wrong kind of attention. I looked like some terrible, poncy drug dealer, he says. The Rolls didnt stay long, as he reveals: That ones gone  I got it out of my system. Then I bought another one and got that out of my system too.

Heartache for Kate as beloved brand closing

Kate wearing a red and white gingham skirt suit worth 1,200 designed by Eponine London in 2016

It's the fashion label that the Princess of Wales helped catapult to fame in 2016 when she stepped out in a striking red and white gingham skirt suit worth 1,200.

But that royal endorsement hasnt been enough to save Eponine London, which has gone bust after 15 years in business.

I can disclose the bespoke label, loved for its bold colours and vintage-inspired silhouettes, is shutting up shop for good. Founder Jet Shenkman, who once said she would be forever grateful to the Princess, 43, for shining a spotlight on her work, says: It has been the most wonderful journey, full of highs that I could never have dreamed of, but the time has come for us to close our doors in pursuit of pastures new.

She adds: We will close the studio doors for the last time at the end of the year.
Former Bachelor winner Alex Nation has split from her fiance Carson Jory after five years together.

Alex, 35, confirmed the split to the Daily Mail on Wednesday, admitting the couple have recently 'faced some challenges'.

'Carson and I have recently faced some challenges in our relationship,' she said.

'We've been doing our best to navigate [them] privately while keeping focus on our young children, their well-being and the beautiful life that we have created together for them.

'Protecting them from matters like being in the media is deeply important to both of us.

'We understand that being in the public eye can sometimes make privacy difficult, but we're doing our best to approach this chapter (and the very real callings that many couples face) with care, respect and sensitivity.'

Former Bachelor winner Alex Nation has split from her fiance Carson Jory (both pictured) after five years together

Alex confirmed the split to the Daily Mail on Wednesday, admitting the couple have recently 'faced some challenges'

The couple pictured in happier times

Alex and tradesman Carson got engaged in September 2021, one month after welcoming their son Maxwell.

They had announced their relationship in December 2020, weeks before revealing they were expecting their first child.

In 2023, they welcomed their second child, a daughter named Pearl.

Fans of The Bachelor will remember Alex as the winner of the fourth season, but her romance with rope-access technician Richie Strahan didn't last.

They quietly broke up in 2017, the year after they filmed the show.

On Bachelor In Paradise in 2019, Alex revealed the shock reason behind the pair's separation.

While on the Fiji-based dating show, she and Richie candidly discussed the circumstances of their break-up two years earlier.

Alex implied their relationship ended after she had an abortion and Richie wasn't there to support her because they were living in different states.

Alex confirmed the split to Daily Mail, saying the couple have recently faced 'challenges'

Fans of The Bachelor will remember Alex as the winner of the fourth season, but her romance with Richie Strahan (left) didn't last. She later dated Maegan Luxa (right) but they split

She later had a guest role on Drunk History Australia, but has vowed to never appear on a dating show again.

Alex later came out as pansexual and revealed she was dating a woman, Maegan Luxa, from her local Melbourne footy team.

They got engaged in December 2017, but split the following April.

Before her rise to fame, Alex became pregnant as a teenager to her then-boyfriend Joel Porter, to whom she was later briefly married. Her eldest son, Elijah, is now 15.
Don Lemon is facing fierce backlash after making a shocking comment about Megyn Kelly's appearance.

In his new podcast Clip Farmers, the former CNN anchor, 59, and his co-hosts were discussing the appearance of 'MAGA women' when Lemon said she 'looks trans' and 'chopped', which is slang for ugly.

'Looks clockable,' he added, meaning he thinks Kelly is not convincing as a woman and would be easy to identify as transgender.

Lemon went on to say that Kelly was 'too skinny' and called her out for wearing 'a lot of hair pieces and makeup.'

His co-hosts quickly ended the segment, with one awkwardly replying, 'Let's end on that note.' The clip has racked up millions of views on social media.

Critics swiftly condemned Lemon for what many called a hypocritical jab as they pointed out he has repeatedly spoken out against transphobia.

Don Lemon is facing fierce backlash after making a shocking comment about Megyn Kelly 's appearance

'For a man who praises trans people, #DonLemon sure feels comfortable using 'trans' as an insult,' one user wrote on X.

'The Left is using 'trans' as an insult now?' asked another, while a third added, 'Hypocrisy at its finest. When it's convenient, principles fly out the window.'

Others asked: 'What happened to supporting trans?'

Despite his remark, Lemon has long presented himself as a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights.

The openly gay journalist, who came out publicly in 2011, delivered an impassioned speech at the 2023 Son Awards, where he condemned what he called a wave of anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ legislation being introduced across the US.

'Nearly half of those bills target our transgender and nonbinary siblings,' Lemon said at the time.

He took aim at the banning of books that promoted gay marriage and other LGBT issues by Republican lawmakers.

'These book bans are rooted in anti-Blackness and transphobia and queerphobia,' said Lemon.

He also defended transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney during the Bud Light boycott controversy, asking live on CNN, 'So what if someone who is transgender drinks Bud Light? How does that affect you?'

Now, the same man once praised for championing inclusivity is being accused of undermining his own message.

While appearing on the Clip Farmers podcast, the former CNN anchor, 59, outrageously told listeners that the conservative commentator 'looks trans'

The controversy comes just over a year after Lemon's dramatic exit from CNN, where he was fired in 2023 following multiple allegations of misogynistic behavior and on-air clashes with female colleagues.

Neither Lemon nor Kelly has publicly commented on his latest remarks.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Kelly's representatives.

Earlier this month, Lemon took another swipe at Kelly as he told her to 'get the f**k out of here' for her comments about his husband Tim Malone.

In September, Kelly had criticized the former CNN host for blaming recent political violence on white men as she had pointed out that his own spouse is white.

After her statement, he doubled down on his claim as he insisted: 'The greatest threat of political violence in America today is white men radicalized to the right.'

During a discussion about 'MAGA ladies,' the journalist stunned his co-hosts by declaring she appears 'clockable,' a slang term used to describe when a transgender person is perceived as not 'passing' for their gender identity.

Critics swiftly condemned Lemon for what many called a hypocritical jab as they pointed out he has repeatedly spoken out against transphobia

Lemon also brought up how Kelly was fired from NBC in 2019 for comments about blackface.

She went on to start her own media company and is now a fierce critic of legacy news.

Her show ranks consistently as one of the top three-rated news commentary podcasts in the country.

Lemon's Don Lemon Show, meanwhile, has been met with popularity since its rollout last year as well.

Earlier this month, Lemon took another swipe at Kelly as he told her to 'get the f**k out of here' for her comments about his husband Tim Malone; seen in October 2025

He was fired from CNN in early 2023 weeks after making a controversial remark about then GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, then aged 51.

He told co-anchors Poppy Harlow and Kaitlan Collins: 'Nikki Haley isn't in her prime. Sorry, when a woman is in their prime in 20s and 30s and maybe 40s.'

'Are you talking about prime for, like, childbearing? Or are you talking about prime for being president?' Harlow, 40, pushed back - leading Lemon to respond: 'Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just saying what the facts are.'

He doubled-down: 'Google it. Everybody at home, when is a woman in her prime? It says 20s, 30s and 40s.'

Lemon, 59, tied the knot with husband Malone, 40, a few months later at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City.

Kelly and Brunt wed in 2008.
Pregnant Bachelor star Marjorie Griffiths has avoided more jail time after supplying large quantities of cocaine and MDMA.

Griffiths was arrested months after her stint on season 10 of The Bachelor ended and was charged with supplying commercial quantities of drugs to undercover cops.

A smug-looking Griffiths, 28, covered her baby bump as she strutted out of the NSW District Court after a stern dressing-down from the judge.

Dressed in black and sporting plumped lips, Griffiths gave photographers the finger while a male friend gyrated in front of the cameras and poured water over their lenses.

The fallen reality TV contestant delivered more than 1kg of cocaine to an undercover operative in a deal worth $US240,000, according to court documents.

When the officer asked how much was in the bag she handed over, she said she wasn't sure and that she didn't do such things often.

But that didn't stop her from delivering a second bag, this time containing 1kg of the party drug MDMA, to a public park, where it was later collected by undercover cops.

The drug drops qualify as large commercial amounts, but NSW District Court Judge Craig Smith took into account the fact that Griffiths thought she was moving a lesser quantity of illicit drugs.

In another handover in 2023, the ex-Bachelor star delivered a bundle of cash worth more than $116,000, which was the proceeds of a crime.

'She was directed to make the relevant drop after receiving instructions consistent with her role as described in relation to (the drug supply charges),' Judge Smith said.

Marjorie Griffiths acted for a group who arranged drug deals on an encrypted platform

Marjorie Griffiths was told she'd return to jail if she reoffends, or indulges in alcohol or drugs

Griffiths gives the finger to the media

A male friend gyrated in front of the cameras and poured water over their lenses as they strutted out of the court

But her albeit unwitting assistance to police ended when she was arrested and failed to hand over the passwords to her devices, falsely claiming she didn't remember them.

Griffiths pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying more than a commercial quantity of drugs, recklessly dealing with proceeds of a crime and failing to comply with a digital order access direction.

Judge Smith determined Griffiths acted as 'a runner or a driver' for a group of people who arranged the drug deals on an encrypted platform.

'I accept this is a serious example of the offence of commercial drug supply, notwithstanding her role,' he said.

Griffiths, who is now pregnant, told a psychologist she knew her actions were 'severely wrong' but she did it for the money and to continue her drug abuse.

She has since been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder as a result of her exposure to emotional and physical abuse, Judge Smith noted.

He accounted for her remorse and abstinence from drugs and alcohol when deciding she should serve her three-year jail sentence in the community, reporting regularly to a corrections officer.

She is also banned from using any internet-capable device and may possess only one mobile phone.

Given the 55 days Griffiths has already spent in jail, her sentence will expire in September 2026.

Judge Smith warned her not to commit further crimes or indulge in alcohol or drugs, telling the disgraced TV star 'it's almost inevitable you'll go back in full time'.

The organised crime squad arrested Griffiths (above) in her pyjamas at her home

Just two years ago, Griffiths was riding high on newfound fame as one of the contestants vying for the attention of The Bachelor

Just two years ago, Griffiths was riding high on newfound fame as one of the contestants vying for the attention of The Bachelor's hunky Thomas Malucelli, a restaurant manager from Tuscany, Italy.

Described as a 'blonde beauty' who would 'get pulses racing in the mansion,' Griffiths famously told another contestant she looked like 'a squashed toilet roll.'

She lasted 12 weeks on the show before becoming the fourth wannabe bride Malucelli sent home.

Detectives have identified a 37-year-old man in Vietnam as the alleged mastermind of the syndicate.
Gabriel Loidi & Chen Manchun: A musical exchange across cultures and time

11:03, October 30, 2025 By Claire Ding, Yu Ying ( People's Daily Online

Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a city full of musical heritage. It is here that we met Gabriel Loidi, a composer, pianist, and professor of chamber music at the Higher School of Music of the Basque Country, alongside Chen Manchun, pianist and professor at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China.

Their friendship began in 1998, when Loidi first met Chen, who had arrived in Madrid on a scholarship to study piano for a year with him. Loidi vividly recalled his first impression watching Chen play, saying "I thought this is not a student. She's already a professional pianist."

Gabriel Loidi and Chen Manchun (Photo/Patrick Shead-Simmonds)

Chen, too, remembered their first meeting clearly. Worried about the language barrier, she brought a small translation device with her to Spain. But by the end of her first class, she realized they had a shared language  music. She explained that while she spoke no Spanish and only a little English, they understood each other through music.

Over the course of that year, Loidi and Chen worked closely together. "Like two friends, we worked through pieces, and I called her attention to things that I found relevant in the music," Loidi said. At the time, he was working on the last B Flat Sonata of Schubert and would often ask Chen for her thoughts. For Chen, this piece became a cornerstone of her musical career technically and intellectually. She likens the piece to an old friend, one she has shared her life with for 27 years.

For Loidi, music is a universal language  one that transcends words and expresses the most profound aspects of the human experience. Music is subjective, limited, and deeply truthful, he explained. Teaching music is about connecting with the person behind the instrument and cultivating their awareness to music. He went on to say how each person is unique and in the case of Chen, he was very aware that she understood music from the heart.

Chen was profoundly shaped by Loidi's teaching philosophy. She values mutual respect between teacher and student, which she believes was key to their meaningful relationship. She explained that there is no such thing as a bad teacher or student, rather it's just a question of compatibility. "It's like a key and a lock. Both can be good, but if they don't match, the door won't open." She also emphasized the importance of recognizing and nurturing each student's individual talents, a lesson she learned from Loidi and now passes on to her own students.

For Loidi, music is about intrinsic values, such as truth, beauty, and empathy, rather than instrumental concerns. He warned that the wrong motivations can lead to deep frustration. Music education, he believes, is not just about technical mastery, but about developing the ability to perceive and feel.

Chen echoed this view: "In a materialistic world full of distractions, classical music gives us space for stillness and self-reflection. Its meaning lies in the details, in every note, every chord. It demands full attention and immersion."

Loidi is currently composing a piano concerto dedicated to his teacher, Edith Vogel, who was born in Vienna in 1912 and taught him the technique of legato, as well as instilled in him a deep respect for musical tradition. Loidi said that Vogel believed the heart of music education lies in passing it on. He hopes that when the concerto is completed, Chen will perform it in China. Chen looks forward to the opportunity, seeing it as a meaningful collaboration that will reflect Loidi's musical spirit and their shared commitment to music.

The story of Loidi and Chen is not only a powerful testament to cross-cultural connection through music between China and Spain, but also across the world. Loidi expressed it best, saying that with music, you don't need words. Working with someone from a different country or a different culture becomes effortless. There are no limits to what musicians can create together.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
Bella Hadid's boyfriend Adan Banuelos gave a rare glimpse at their romance as he shared a sweet tribute to the supermodel in celebration of her 29th birthday.

On Tuesday, the 36-year-old Mexican-American rodeo star shared a series of throwback photos them together and shared a glimpse at their low-key lives in Texas.

Hadid, who opened up about walking in Victoria's Secret catwalk show amid concerns about her health, turned 29-year-old three weeks ago on October 9th.

'October's become a special month,' Banuelos wrote in the caption of his birthday tribute to Hadid. 'It's the month God sent you.'

The cowboy continued: 'Even with all the chaos and ugliness, He gave us something pure and beautiful.

'Love you, baby. I'll keep reminding you every day just how much,' he concluded his belated birthday tribute.

Bella Hadid 's boyfriend Adan Banuelos gave a rare glimpse at their romance as he shared a sweet tribute to the supermodel in celebration of her 29th birthday

He posted several photos of the couple packing on the PDA while in public settings on Instagram on Tuesday

In the comments section, Hadid responded with teary-eyed emojis and colorful hearts. 'Baby I love you, thank you my bub,' she wrote. 'This is the sweetest...ever.'

He shared a series of photos of them enjoying horseback riding dates and sometimes even on the same one together with Hadid wrapping her arms around him.

The pair put on a loved-up display in the hunky cowboy's snapshots. In one photo, Banuelos was seen kissing her hand while their fingers were intertwined.

Another was a blurry photo of him smiling as she threw up her middle fingers at an unseen photographer.

There were also several throwback photos of them packing on the PDA while in public settings. In one snapshot, she sat in his lap and the pair appeared to be sharing a kiss.

He also included a photo of them after riding on a helicopter together, with the bombshell strutting in the long grass in leather pants and a low-cut, corset-style top.

Another picture was a selfie showing him kissing the top of her head while she smiled, wrapping her arm around his during a car ride.

In the comments section, Hadid responded with teary-eyed emojis and colorful hearts. 'Baby I love you, thank you my bub,' she wrote. 'This is the sweetest...ever'

The pair put on a loved-up display in his snapshots. In one photo, Banuelos was seen kissing her hand while their fingers were intertwined

Hadid, who opened up about walking in Victoria's Secret catwalk show amid concerns about her health, turned 29-year-old three weeks ago on October 9th

Another was a blurry photo of him smiling as she threw up her middle fingers at an unseen photographer

He also included a photo of them taking a sweet selfie while making a pit stop at the state line during what appeared to be a road trip during one of their many romantic getaways together.

Another photograph showed the avid equestrians wading across a river while horseback riding.

One photo in an arena showed the pair reaching over from each of their own individual horses to hold hands.

Another photo showed the duo riding her horse through a parking lot and with their hands holding each other's.

One photo also showed the star hugging a friend at an outdoor event while the sun was setting in the background.

His post comes just days after Hadid shared her own birthday post, showing off her birthday cake and an array of gift bags she received on her birthday.

She captioned the snaps: 'Birthday week Flying straight from this kind of Love into the VS show two years in a row . Makes me feel so grateful for my Texas family and loved ones

'Thankful to God for these moments. you make me feel so so loved even when were showing. Lucky Girl  29.'

He also included a photo of them after riding on a helicopter together, with the bombshell strutting in the long grass in leather pants and a low-cut, corset-style top

Another picture was a selfie showing him kissing the top of her head while she smiled, wrapping her arm around his during a car ride

He also included a photo of them taking a sweet selfie while making a pit stop at the state line during what appeared to be a road trip during one of their many romantic getaways together

Another photograph showed the avid equestrians wading across a river while horseback riding

Hadid and Banuelos began dating in late 2023, shortly after she relocated to Texas, a move she described as both a romantic and personal reset.

'After ten years of modeling, I realized I was putting so much energy and love and effort into something that, in the long run, wasn't necessarily giving it back to me,' she told Allure in 2024.

'If I don't feel good, I take time for myself for the first time now, I'm not putting on a fake face.'

'Now when anybody sees me in pictures and they say I look happy, I genuinely am,' she added. 'My bad days now were my old good days.'

Following her huge return to work, the model has addressed the 'dissy' concerns sparked following her runway walk.

After the show, she seemingly addressed concerns as she wrote in a now-deleted post per The Hollywood Reporter: 'Ok were not going to pretend these wings weren't 50 pounds but HOW BEAUTIFUL.'

One photo in an arena showed the pair reaching over from each of their own individual horses to hold hands

Another photo showed the duo riding her horse through a parking lot and with their hands holding each other's

One photo also showed the star hugging a friend at an outdoor event while the sun was setting in the background

Fans said she looked faint while walking the runway, as she seemingly struggled to stay steady while strutting in the massive wings.

'You can tell in her face. She looks a little stiff here,' one fan said. 'And look how she's trying to play with her shoulders trying to keep those d**n wings on. She's still killing it though.'

The incident occurred as the Vogue cover girl was dressed in an ethereal all-white and silver look, which featured a fitted corset top and pleated skirt.

Bella has been open about her decade-long fight with chronic Lyme disease, which causes other neurological symptoms including headaches, brain fog, sensitivity to light and noise, inflammation and numbness.

She has also been candid about her mental health, sharing that she suffers from depression and anxiety.
Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little have made more than a few fans queasy with their latest challenge video.

The Hit Network stars took to social media this week to show off their skills at slurping desserts.

A clip showed the pair standing in front of two plates containing a creme caramel each.

The duo then leant in to devour their desserts, with Tommy inhaling his confection in one fell swoop.

The tempting morsel proved too much for Carrie, who spat hers out before a large portion plopped onto the table.

After erupting into a fit of laughter, Carrie was given another chance to consume her dessert with the radio star protesting: 'You're just going to push my face into it. I don't want it off the table.'

Carrie Bickmore and Tommy Little have made more than a few fans queasy with their latest challenge video (both pictured)

After unsuccessfully attempting to eat what remained on her plate, Carrie then grabbed the portion of the dessert on the table, placing it back on the plate.

Without batting an eyelid, Tommy swooped in and gobbled up Carrie's dessert.

'You're such a slug,' she declared. 'It's so gross.'

Fans were quick to comment on the humorous clip, with one jumping in with: 'I've seen this a few times now and this is the only one where I audibly laughed out loud at.

'The fact Tommy just ate the other one still has me giggling.'

'Tommy looks like a lizard,' another offered while a third added a cheeky: 'Tommy!!! How many date offers did you get after that?'

Amid all the crying laughing face emojis, one eagle-eyed fan pointed out quite an interesting detail.

'Carrie wearing a wedding band?' they commented.

One eagle-eyed fan spotted a subtle sparkler adorning the ring finger on Carrie's left hand

A clip showed the pair standing in front of two plates containing a creme caramel each

The clip clearly shows the ring finger on Carrie's left hand adorned with a subtle sparkler.

The appearance of a ring on Carrie's finger comes as quite a surprise with the blonde beauty reportedly being single since her 2023 split with ex husband Chris Walker.

However, rumours of a romance with Tommy have long plagued Carrie and the couple most recently reignited hopes of a relationship after enjoying an idyllic getaway together in September.

She was also recently linked to Bachelorette star Lee Elliott, after his separation from wife Georgia Love.

It comes after Carrie was left red-faced after meeting hero Mariah Carey.

She took to Instagram on Tuesday to share an image from her backstage meet and greet with Mariah Carey, who has been touring Australia as part of the Fridayz Live festival lineup.

However, the Aussie media personality appeared awkward in the snap, with the Obsessed hitmaker turning away from her as the picture was taken.

'Awwks but I couldnt love it more,' Carrie captioned the post, gushing over her brush with the mega pop star.

Fans were quick to comment on the humorous clip, with one jumping in with: 'I've seen this a few times now and this is the only one where I audibly laughed out loud at'

Rumours of a romance with Tommy have long plagued Carrie

Many fans suggested in the comments section that the unusual photo was down to Mariah showing off her 'good side'.

'She was posing with her good side! So lucky!' one person guessed.

Another added: 'She didnt snub you, you just chose to stand on the wrong side haha.'

Others were quick to point out that Mariah looked like a wax figure in the uncomfortable snap.

'Looks like "Madame Tussauds," another proposed, with one person suggesting: 'Wax museum?'
Denzel Washington channeled his tough guy persona from movies like Training Day and The Equalizer during an uncomfortable encounter in public with an aggressive autograph seeker.

In a clip uploaded online, Washington, 70, was seen trading harsh words with a man affiliated with the GTVReality Channel who approached him while he was seated in a vehicle in New York City in August, hoping to get items signed.

After Washington apparently turned the autograph seeker's request down, he was met with taunts referencing his past battle with alcoholism - as the two-time Oscar winner was told by the autograph seeker that it's 'better when you're drinking.'

The A-list actor didn't take the barb lightly, calling the autograph seeker 'disrespectful' and stating hadn't consumed alcohol in 15 years, which the autograph seeker said was a 'good lie.'

At that point, the autograph seeker tried to reverse course with the hostility and curry favor with the A-list actor by telling him what a big fan he was of his 1992 collaboration with Spike Lee, Malcolm X. The change of tone seemed to resonate with the two-time Oscar winner, who asked the autographed seeker if he believes in God.

Daily Mail has reached out to reps for Washington for further comment on the story.

Denzel Washington, 70, channeled his tough guy persona from movies like Training Day and The Equalizer during an uncomfortable encounter in public with an aggressive autograph seeker. Pictured May 19, 2025 in Cannes, France

The autograph seeker said that he didn't mean any harm, that he just gets autographs, and again asked Washington to sign an item for him, telling him 'it takes two seconds to help' out by signing an item.

The Mount Vernon, New York-born actor didn't sign anything, but did invite the autograph seeker in closer to his vehicle, where he showed him an image on his phone, asking him what he thought it was.

The autograph seeker said he thought the picture was of God, at which point the A-list actor asked him, 'Who do you think took the picture?'

Washington then shared an anecdote about the photo, and sternly warned the autograph seeker, 'Listen to me: You can play games with me ... [but] be careful with you talk to me about God.'

Washington has made no secret of his faith: He was baptized late last year; and famously told Will Smith (after he hit Chris Rock) at the 2022 Oscars, 'At your highest moment, be careful - thats when the devil comes for you.'

In the comment section in which the clip originated from, many Instagram users appeared to take Washington's side in the conflict.

'Looks like you provoked someone and got disrespectful throwing the drinking comment out because you didnt get what you wanted,' said one user. 'Cant judge a man just because he doesnt deliver what you request.

'People have lives and not everyone is in the mood to live on your terms on your requests.'

The Mount Vernon, New York-born actor pictured in August in Brooklyn

The Academy Award-winning actor chastised a photographer at Cannes last May

In the comment section in which the clip originated from, many Instagram users appeared to take Washington's side in the conflict

Another user said Washington picked up on a bad vibe the autograph seeker was giving off.

'Denzel read your energy and that s*** was off,' the user said, adding of the multiple autograph requests: 'No one obligated to give you s*** in this world.'

Another user echoed a similar sentiment, saying, 'He dont owe nobody nothing. When you buy a ticket to go see a movie or rent a movie thats what you get. You dont own Denzel Washington.'

Other users took issue with the autographed seeker's conduct in the brief clip.

'What did you say to him for him to respond get away from me? We need the whole video,' said one user.

Another remarked: 'Why did you accuse him of drinking after he told you it had been 15 years? Youre asking him for something.'

One user said that the exchange had a cinematic field to it with Washington's presence and strong words: 'Bro created a whole movie scene right here!!'
Michelle Keegan is reportedly being eyed up for her first Hollywood film role following the success of the Netflix series Fool Me Once.

The former Coronation Street star, 38, could bag the role in the film adaptation of Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben's new novel.

The pair have teamed up to write the new crime thriller Gone Before Goodbye and as Michelle has worked with Harlan before on his Fool Me Once adaption Reese is reportedly keen to get her back on board.

Speaking at the launch of Reese and Harlan's new novel at the London Literature Festival last Friday a source revealed: 'Harlan has been singing Michelle's praises to Reese and she was keen to meet her.

'They got on really well and it was clear Reese was really taken with Michelle. The plan is to turn the book into a film and Michelle is their first choice to take on the role of the lead character, Maggie McCabe.'

Maggie is a combat surgeon, a role Michelle has experience in after she played army medic Georgie Lane in the BBC series Our Girl.

Michelle Keegan is reportedly set to hit Hollywood as A-list star Reese Witherspoon is eyeing her up for a lead role in her book adaptation (pictured at Reese's book launch on Friday)

The former Coronation Street star, 38, could bag the role in the film adaptation of Reese and Harlan Coben's new novel following the success of Netflix's Fool Me Once (pictured)

The source told The Sun: 'It's early days but Harlan and Reese think Michelle is tailor-made for this role and would love her to come on board when the time is right.'

The Daily Mail have contacted Michelle and Reese's representatives for comment.

Taking to Instagram Michelle also shared her love for the Hollywood actress as she shared a sweet snap with both Reese and Harlan.

She penned: 'When two genuises collide.. Gone Before Goodbye is made! (I can confirm Reese Witherspoon is everything youd imagined her to be, what a woman)'.

Reese then replied: 'So wonderful to meet you .. finally!'

Michelle starred as Maya Stern in Fool Me Once, alongside Joanna Lumley in the series adaptation of Harlan's novel, which quickly shot to the top of Netflix charts worldwide.

Harlan has previously gushed over the star's talent and has previously said he would be keen to work with Michelle again.

Her character's demise in Fool Me Once left Harlan 'kicking himself' and seeking a plot, no matter how far-fetched, that could see her reprise her role in the second instalment.

Taking to Instagram Michelle also shared her love for the Hollywood actress as she shared a sweet snap with both Reese and Harlan

Michelle shared a sweet snap of the pair laughing together before taking to the comments to gush over the star

Reese and Harlan have teamed up to write the new crime thriller Gone Before Goodbye

A source close to Michelle previously told the Daily Mail: 'Michelle and Harlan really bonded during the Fool Me Once filming and he thinks she's amazing. He believes Michelle is a big part of the show's stratospheric success.

'They were having a real heart to heart at the National Television Awards recently and Harlan was saying that he was absolutely gutted that he killed off her character and that he'd do anything to bring her back from the dead so that they can have a much-longed for sequel.'

Rumours of Hollywood surrounded Michelle after the success of Fool Me Once in 2024, and the star confirmed she would consider re-locating if the perfect role came along.

In an interview with The Guardian she said: 'I went to America when Mark was out there. Didn't like it. But let's see. If a job comes up I guess?...

'I've never thought beyond what I'm doing right at that moment. And I think that's how I live now as well. I don't think in terms of goals. I live in the moment.'
The longtime girlfriend of Gloria Estefan's daughter has been arrested for domestic violence after allegedly getting into a fight over a cellphone.

According to an arrest affidavit from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Department that was obtained by the Daily Mail, Emily Estefan's partner Gemeny Hernandez was arrested on Tuesday and charged with two counts of felony strong-arm robbery and one count of misdemeanor battery.

Although Estefan wasn't mentioned by name in the report, it states that Hernandez and her alleged victim were 'domestic partners for approximately 8 years and reside together.'

According to the website for their podcast In Our Own World, Estefan and Hernandez have been dating since 2016, and last year they noted on Instagram that they were close to celebrating eight years together.

The Daily Mail has yet to receive a response after contacting representatives for Gloria and Emily Estefan and Gemeny Hernandez.

According to the arrest affidavit, the unnamed victim said via a sworn statement that Hernandez 'forcefully took her cellphone from her hand and struck the victim' with it.

The longtime girlfriend of Gloria Estefan's daughter has been arrested for domestic violence after allegedly getting into a fight over a cellphone; (LR) Emilio Estefan, Gloria Estefan, Emily Estefan and Gemeny Hernandez seen in Madrid, Spain, on October 7

According to an arrest affidavit from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Department obtained by the Daily Mail, Emily Estefan's partner Gemeny Hernandez was arrested on Tuesday and charged with two counts of felony strong-arm robbery and one count of misdemeanor battery; Hernandez is pictured in her mugshot from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office

Although Estefan wasn't mentioned by name in the report, it states that Hernandez and her alleged victim were 'domestic partners for approximately 8 years and reside together'; pictured together in June 2023 in NYC

The victim said the two began to 'struggle' over the phone, and she was able to take it back from Hernandez and put it in her pants pocket.

She claimed that Hernandez then reached into her pocket and 'forcefully [took] the cellphone' from her.

Amid the physical confrontation, the two allegedly 'fell onto the floor as the struggle for the cellphone continued.'

The victim then said she was able to again get control of the cellphone, which she hid under her body.

Once Hernandez had stepped away from her, she called 911 for help.

According to the affidavit, which was first reported on by TMZ, Hernandez's alleged victim 'sustained minor injuries, including a bruise to her left eye and 'scratches on the right side of her neck.'

In a formal interview with police, Hernandez denied taking the cellphone from Estefan, but she 'admitted to her involvement in the physical altercation.'

Hernandez was then taken to the Miami-Dade Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, and she has since paid a $500 bond for release.

Hernandez (L) allegedly grabbed a cellphone from Estefan (R), leading the two to struggle over it; pictured in Madrid on October 7

According to the affidavit, Estefan sustained minor injuries, including a bruise to her left eye and 'scratches on the right side of her neck'; pictured October 7 in Madrid

In a formal interview with police, Hernandez denied taking the cellphone from Estefan, but she 'admitted to her involvement in the physical altercation'; pictured in March 2024 in Austin, Texas

The two have appeared together on red carpets as recently as earlier this month. However, Estefan and Hernandez haven't released an episode of their podcast since April; seen in October 2024 in Miami, Florida

In addition to being regular fixtures on each other's Instagram accounts, Estefan and Hernandez put on a unified front on the red carpet as recently as earlier this month.

The two were joined by Emily's mother Gloria, 68, and her father Emilio, 72, on October 7 in Madrid, Spain, to celebrate Vanity Fair Spain's Person of the Year award for Gloria.

The couple, who kissed on the red carpet at the celebration, previously attended an event together for the Con Cora Foundation in February, and they were pictured multiple times together on the red carpet in 2024.

Despite their recent appearances, Estefan and Hernandez haven't released an episode of their podcast  which they began in 2022  since April of this year.

In 2022, Gloria admitted on CNN that, though she supported her daughter coming out as gay, she had been hesitant to tell her mother before her death in 2017 at 88.

'In the Latin community, a lot of these subjects aren't touched, they're taboo,' Gloria said. 'People see, but they don't want to talk about it, they don't want to see it.'
Floyd Roger Myers Jr - who was known for portraying a young Will Smith on the hit series The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air - has passed away at the age of 42 on Wednesday.

The late star's mother Renee Trice confirmed the heartbreaking news to TMZ while also revealing the cause of death.

She told the outlet that her son Floyd died in the early hours of Wednesday after suffering from a heart attack inside his Maryland home.

However it was not his first - with his mother also telling TMZ that he suffered three prior heart attacks leading up to his death over the past three years.

Renee added that she had just spoken to her son the night before his sudden passing.

Floyd's first credited acting role was a young Will Smith in a 1992 episode of The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, according to his official IMDB page.

Floyd Roger Myers Jr - who was known for portraying a young Will Smith on the hit series The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air - has passed away at the age of 42 on Wednesday

Floyd's first credited acting role was a young Will Smith in a 1992 episode of The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, according to his official IMDB page

He then went on to play Marlon Jackson that same year in two episodes of The Jacksons: An American Dream.

Later in 2000, he also made an appearance as a student in an episode of the series Young Americans.

Floyd's professional acting career seemingly came to a pause after 2000 - however he had kept busy and was one of the co-founders of the Fellaship Mens Group, per his Instagram bio.

Fellaship was launched 'to address the often-overlooked emotional and mental health challenges that men face, Fellaship creates safe, judgment-free spaces for men to be seen, heard, and supported,' according to the official website.

The late star would often post about the program and its events to his main Instagram page.

Floyd had also been the owner of an air duct and dryer vent cleaning company called Dr Duct.

According to his social media account, he also appeared to have been a father of four - and had shared photos of himself with his children over the years.

Back in 2023, Floyd shared an image of himself cheerfully posing with his family and penned in the caption, 'A lot has changed yet so much has remained the same!!! Family Over Everything!! -MyersGang.'

Floyd seen above playing a young Will Smith on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air in an episode titled Will Gets Committed

He then went on to play Marlon Jackson that same year in two episodes of The Jacksons: An American Dream; seen second to left as Marlon Jackson in 1992

According to his social media account, he also appeared to have been a father of four - and had shared photos of himself with his children over the years

Floyd was also candid about his health battles and revealed in 2023 that he had been in a coma.

While uploading a photo of himself in a hospital bed, the star had written in the caption: 'Just a week ago i was in a coma fighting for my life!!

'The way my GOD work though. I'm beyond blessed and grateful to be alive !!' he added.

Fans jumped over to X to mourn the loss upon learning of Floyd's passing on Wednesday.

One penned, 'That's sad news so young felt like life still had chapters left for him,' and another typed, '42 is far too young... sending love to his family and fans.'

Fans jumped over to X to mourn the loss upon learning of Floyd's passing on Wednesday

'First things first RIP younger Will,' a fan wrote, referencing to his role in The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air.

An X user added, 'So young Rest in peace legend,' and one shared, 'May his soul rest in peace.'

'That's heartbreaking to hear. Only 42 years old is far too soon. Sending sincere condolences to his family and to all the fans who grew up watching his work,' another commented.

One penned, 'I'm devastated. What happened?' and another said, 'Gone too soon. Rest in peace, Floyd Roger Myers Jr.'
The Block's disastrous Daylesford auction left them empty-handed.

And now Han and Can could end up waiting well into the New Year before their luxe House 2 finds a buyer.

Blockheads Emma and Ben are facing the same situation after House 1 was also passed in during the renovation show's abysmal finale on Sunday.

The issue for the two teams is Daylesford's sluggish market, where properties can sit unloved on sales listings for up to four months.

According to PropTrack, it typically takes 139 days before a home in the tiny rural getaway is sold.

Meanwhile, real estate agents based in the district told the Herald Sun that it has taken up to nine months for some owners to find a buyer.

The Block's disastrous Daylesford auction left Han and Can empty-handed. And now the couple could end up waiting well into the New Year before their luxe home finds a buyer. (Pictured: Han and Can)

The issue for the unsold properties is Daylesford's sluggish market, where homes can sit unloved on sales listings for up to four months. (Pictured: Han and Can's home)

Agents confirmed that they are looking to offload the two Block pads at the reserve price Nine set for each: $3.1million.

So far, Emma and Ben have received a lot of interest from 'mum and dad' buyers, according to the publication.

But the agent in charge of the sale confirmed that none of the offers were at $3million, after the house was listed for $3million to $3.3million.

Han and Can's home is on the market with the same price guide.

It comes after the real estate agent who handled Han and Can's dismal auction has weighed in on The Block's shock finale.

No bids were made on the couple's sprawling four-bedroom, three-bathroom home.

Auctioneer David Holmes believes the figure was too high for the town, where the median house price is $800,000.

The three properties that succeeded in finding buyers all had underwhelming sales, as Emma and Ben watched in horror as their pad was passed.

Blockheads Emma and Ben are facing the same situation after their home was also passed in during the renovation show's finale on Sunday. (Pictured)

Real estate agents based in the district told the Herald Sun that it has taken up to nine months for some owners to find a buyer. Pictured: Emma and Ben's home

Holmes, who has been involved with 10,000 auctions, told realestate.com that another challenge for The Block 2025 was the location.

Daylesford, 114 km from Melbourne, has a population of 3,000, and high-priced auctions are unknown in an area dominated by 'mum and dad' buyers.

'I really feel as though the supply-and-demand scenario wasn't looked at as efficiently or as accurately as it should have been,' he said.

'You are looking at five properties that they're asking essentially $3million to $3.5million in a market where $2.7million is a really high price for a very stunning architectural home.'

He added that for those prices, buyers could find a similar luxury pad in Byron Bay or the Yarra Valley.

Holmes said that the couple have hopes of finding an investor who wants to open an Airbnb in an area.

WA couple Britt and Taz took out the top sale of during The Block finale.

The couple offloaded their stylish home for an impressive $3.41 million, and scored the $100,000 bonus prize, netting them a profit of $520,000.
Bindi Irwin was notably absent as her brother Robert Irwin scored his highest marks on Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday night.

The wildlife warrior, who moved to Los Angeles to support her brother, has been cheering from the sidelines every week.

However, she failed to attend this week's Halloween-themed performance, marking a first since Robert took to the DWTS stage.

Now, the 27-year-old has revealed the sad reason she couldn't attend Rob's big night.

'Chandler, Grace and I all got a bug, and Ive completely lost my voice now' she captioned an Instagram post of the sweet family.

'So we will be cheering (quietly) from our living room for Robert and Witney on @dancingwiththestars.'

Bindi Irwin (pictured) was notably absent as her brother Robert Irwin scored his highest marks on Dancing With The Stars on Tuesday night

The wildlife warrior, who moved to Los Angeles to support her brother, has been cheering from the sidelines every week. (Pictured: Witney Carson and Robert Irwin)

Bindi went on to gush about her brother's skills on the dancefloor and how proud she was of his progress on the show.

Robert shocked fans with his physical appearance on Dancing With The Stars as he performed a Halloween-themed dance that left both judges and audiences in awe.

The 21-year-old celebrity conservationist took to the stage with dance partner Witney Carson to a haunting rendition of the classic song Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).

Robert looked dashing in a gothic-inspired costume as he portrayed a conductor who brings his partner back to life during a terrifying night out.

At one point, Robert's face was soaked with fake blood and he appeared equally gruesome and terrifying as he performed his electrifying dance for the crowd.

The performance earned near-perfect scores from the judges, as Robert was awarded a total of 38 out of 40  his highest score this season.

One of the judges described their routine as 'powerful and magnetic,' as they gushed over the breathtaking performance.

'Chandler, Grace and I all got a bug and Ive completely lost my voice now' she captioned an Instagram post of the sweet family (Pictured: Chandler Powell, Bindi Irwin and Grace Powell)

Robert shocked fans with his physical appearance on Dancing With The Stars as he performed a Halloween-themed dance that left both judges and audiences in awe

At one point, Robert's face was soaked with fake blood and he appeared equally gruesome and terrifying as he performed his electrifying dance for the crowd

Impressed viewers took to social media to praise Robert's captivating - and ghoulish - performance.

'Imagine turning the channel and seeing Australia's sweetheart Robert Irwin covered in blood with no context,' one person wrote.

'Omg THE BLOOD WHAT,' a second added.

'Crikey that was good!' a third chimed in.

Robert is one of Australia's most eligible bachelors.

His sister Bindi won Dancing With The Stars US in 2015.
Brad Pitt is moving forward in the ongoing legal case with ex-wife Angelina Jolie over their French winery Chateau Miraval.

Attorneys for the Fight Club actor, 61, entered a court filing in Los Angeles County Superior Court Monday asking for records of private conversations the Maleficent actress, 50, had over the sale of her share of the property.

Jolie has past said that attorney-client privilege played a role in her ongoing refusal to turn over the messages, People reported after reviewing the court filing.

Jolie 'is abusing the privilege to bury critical documents that go to the heart of the case,' attorneys for the Oscar winning actor argued in the court filing, asking for 22 documents in all.

Daily Mail has reached out to reps for both parties for further comment on the story.

Pitt's legal team said that Jolie's legal logic was not sound as to why she is refusing to turn over the communications.

Brad Pitt, 61, is moving forward in the ongoing legal case with ex-wife Angelina Jolie, 50, over their French winery Chateau Miraval. The Oscar winning actor was pictured in NYC in June

'It is Jolie's burden to prove that non-attorney communications are privileged, not Pitt's burden to disprove this,' Pitt's legal team said in the court filing, according to People.

Paul Murphy, Jolies counsel told the Daily Mail: 'Mr. Pitts reply brief does not address our arguments and continues to rely on conjecture and speculation  all for the purpose of invading her privileged communications with her lawyers.

'This once again confirms that this lawsuit is the manifestation of Mr. Pitts years-long effort to harass and control Angelina. We look forward to the upcoming hearing.

Jolie entered a court filing earlier this month stating her displeasure with how things have turned out involving the French winery.

Jolie said that upon the 2016 split, she left Pitt 'control (and full residency) of our family homes in Los Angeles and at Miraval, without compensation, which I hoped would make him calmer in his dealings with me after a difficult and traumatic period

'To this day, the children and I have never again set foot on the property, given its connection to the painful events leading to the divorce.'

The former couple are parents to six children: Maddox, 24, Pax, 21, Zahara, 20, Shiloh, 19, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 17.

They split up in 2016 following a 12-year relationship and two-year marriage, with their divorce finalized eight years later in December 2024 amid a number of legal battles.

As Daily Mail previously reported, the former A-list duo is officially headed to trial next year  and both sides are bracing for a lengthy fight.

The warring exes will soon come face to face in court after a judge tossed Jolies attempt to dismiss Pitts lawsuit over Chateau Miraval, the sprawling French estate where they tied the knot in 2014. The property, known for its award-winning rose, has become ground zero in the stars' years-long legal war.

Since their 2016 split, the two stars have been fighting in court over their French winery, Chateau Miraval (seen) that they once owned together

The Moneyball leading man and Red Hot Chili Peppers rocker Flea attended a World Series game Tuesday in Los Angeles

Last year Jolie tried to shut down Pitts claims that she sold her stake in the estate behind his back  despite what he says was a verbal agreement to hold onto their 50-50 split. After her motion was denied, the case is moving full speed ahead.

Pitt expects the jury trial to last about 15 days, while Jolie believes it will take over two weeks, according to court documents obtained by UsWeekly.

The trial date hasnt been locked in yet, and several key motions are still on the table.

Pitt called the case 'complex,' citing international parties and multiple cross-claims involved in the tangled dispute, per the court documents.

A source close to the actor told DailyMail.com: 'This is a straightforward business dispute, but unfortunately, the other side has consistently introduced personal elements which have exposed the weaknesses in their case and complicated and lengthened the proceedings.'

Pitt filed the $67 million lawsuit against Jolie in 2022, less than a year after the shares were sold, setting off a protracted court battle between the exes.
Under siege Loose Women host Kaye Adams has revealed she can't sleep after experiencing 'the s****iest weeks ever', amid a probe into her conduct.

Kaye, who earns around 155,000 a year, was dramatically removed from her position at BBC Scotland earlier this month after junior staff members accused her of bullying them under the broadcaster's Call It Out scheme.

The presenter, 62, who allegedly shouted and screamed at her colleagues, previously described the scandal as 'the most distressing weeks of my professional life'.

During the latest episode of How To Be 60, the podcast she co-hosts with Karen MacKenzie who is currently undergoing chemotherapy, Kaye issued an update on her current state.

She explained: 'I have to warn you if you're here for the laughs you might be disappointed because we have both had the s****iest weeks ever, albeit for very different reasons.'

Asked how she was feeling, she replied sarcastically: 'oh, I'm great!'

Under siege Loose Women host Kaye Adams has revealed she can't sleep after experiencing 'the s****iest weeks ever', amid a probe into her conduct (pictured last week)

Kaye continued: 'Errrrm, I mean obviously you know I can't say anything about the situation, but having said that, I don't want people to think that I'm trying to kid on nothing's happening.

'I know that people will be aware of stuff that they've read which is... I can't even describe it, it just feels like layers of my skin have been torn off to be honest.

'But you know I just have to go with it and hopefully there will be a sort of sensible resolution at the end of things.

'That's all that you can really hope for in life. I certainly never saw this one coming. But you've just got to deal with it, haven't you.'

Making light of the difficulties she and Karen are facing, Kaye jokingly added: 'I mean, I was thinking at least I've done you the favour of cheering you up by all the pictures in the newspaper of me looking like a wreck in that godawful Parka.'

Kaye, who lives with her long-term partner Ian Campbell, continued: 'I tell you what I'm finding hard is not sleeping cos I love my sleep and I'm not sleeping so well.

'I tell you something - this is gallows humour - because I'm not getting up at 6am like I used to, it's Ian's alarm that goes off first.

'I don't usually hear Ian's alarm because I am up and out and away. Do you know what Ian's alarm is? Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life!'

Kaye, who earns around 155,000 a year, was dramatically removed from her position at BBC Scotland earlier this month after junior staff members accused her of bullying them

Kaye previously spoke to The Mail on Sunday about the bullying allegations, stating: 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 added that 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.

The Mail on Sunday revealed last week that BBC chiefs are quizzing staff about the presenters conduct over a number of years as part of their ongoing probe.

Staff who currently work with Kaye 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.

The Mail on Sunday also revealed 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 Kaye, BBCs new Head of Radio Victoria Easton Riley and other members of staff.

Kaye 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 said it believed 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.

During the latest episode of How To Be 60, the podcast she co-hosts with Karen MacKenzie (right) who is currently undergoing chemotherapy, Kaye issued an update

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.

A BBC Scotland spokesperson said: 'We would not comment on any individual case. If any complaints or concerns are raised, we have robust internal processes in place to manage these.'
Rosemary Shrager has revealed she has been 'badly' scammed twice as she took to Instagram to address her social media absence on Wednesday.

The British chef, 74, admitted she has gone through 'a bit of a challenging time' and has been feeling very 'vulnerable' amid the recent scam.

While she didn't go into detail of what happened, Rosemary emotionally admitted: 'I'm so sorry I have been so quiet lately, I've had a bit of a challenging time. I've been scammed quite badly.

'I'm not going to detail just now, but it's all a bit of a pressure and in fact twice I've been scammed and I was feeling very sort of vulnerable, it has not been a nice thing.

'So, I haven't been able to share very much because I have been so upset, genuinely upset. It's really affected me worse than I ever thought it would because I felt so awful that I was succumbed to this sort of thing and it just has not been nice.'

'Anyway, I am feeling a lot better, so I am now moving on and I have gotten used to it now but everybody out there, you have got to be so careful', Rosemary added.

Rosemary Shrager, 74, has revealed she has been 'badly' scammed twice as she took to Instagram to address her social media absence on Wednesday

The British chef admitted she has gone through 'a bit of a challenging time' and has been feeling very 'vulnerable' amid the recent scam

'But really without going into much detail I just wanted to say I've been quite quiet and it's been challenging and I'm really sorry.'

She wrote in the caption: 'I wanted to film a little update video to let you all know why I have been less active on my social media, and to also share a bit of my experience.

'Being scammed can happen to anyone. And I hope that maybe this message will be a reminder that you can never be too careful.'

Zoe Ball, who has previously been scammed, share her support in the comments section: 'sending you so much love Rosemary '

Zoe has previously warned fans after her experience of scammers. Rochelle Humes and Rylan Clark have also been victims of fraudsters.

Last year, Zoe warned fans of a scam where fraudsters used AI pictures of her face to con people out of thousands of pounds.

Zoe shared that scammers are creating fake headlines and articles that she has invested money into a financial scheme which has gained a lot of money.

But in reality, the fake account is actually made to lure people into investing money in a fraudulent crypto investment website, which is then stolen by the con artists.

Zoe Ball, who has previously been scammed, share her support in the comments section: 'sending you so much love Rosemary '

Last year, Zoe warned fans of a scam where fraudsters used AI pictures of her face to con people out of thousands of pounds

Rochelle Humes and Rylan Clark previously revealed they are also victims (pictured on This Morning on Wednesday)

Speaking to hosts Helen Skelton and Gethin Jones, Zoe said: 'Basically I'm not really on Facebook but lots of my listeners have drawn me to the attention of this story.

'There are some kind of posts going up on these Facebooks luring people in with these headlines, something about Zoe Ball shame.

'A lot of people are calling it Apex AI I think and it's making out that I've invested some money into this financial scheme and done quite well from it.

'And then it's encouraging people who follow me to do the same. I've had so many people getting in touch asking if it's a real thing.

'Many of whom have actually given their details across and then they've had phone calls and follow ups. I am absolutely nothing to do with this, it is a complete scam and I'm really quite concerned about people being conned out of their money.'

Speaking to journalist Camilla Tominey, Rochelle and Rylan also previously confirmed on This Morning that they have also been victims of AI fraud on many occasions.

Camilla said: 'Both of you could have their head superimposed onto anything.'

Rochelle responded: 'Oh oh, that's happened several times.'

Rylan added: 'We can see on Facebook pictures of me or Roch or Emma Willis in handcuffs with the police saying "she knew it would catch up with her" and it's like a fake story. Like when did I get arrested?'

Camilla added: 'This needs to be regulated.'
Bridgerton star Genevieve Chenneour joined Lady Sabrina Percy and Henry Holland at Crafted by True's Evening of Craftsmanship, hosted at Drake's in Mayfair on Wednesday.

The actress, 27, paired her black lace top with a pair of loose-fitting black leather trousers at the event where guests drank whisky-based cocktails and tucked into oysters and Petrossian caviar.

To complete her ensemble, Genevieve wore a brown, long-sleeved faux fur coat and slicked her brunette locks back into a bun.

Meanwhile, Lady Sabrina, who is a relative of the 12th Duke of Northumberland, kept a low profile as she arrived in a black trench coat and a Longines cap.

She completed her autumn look with a pair of blue jeans, black heeled boots and toted around her belongings in a black leather bag.

Bridgerton star Genevieve Chenneour, 27, stunned in a black lace top as she joined Lady Sabrina Percy and Henry Holland at Crafted which was hosted at Drake's in Mayfair on Wednesday

Lady Sabrina, who is a relative of the 12th Duke of Northumberland, kept a low profile as she arrived in a black trench coat and a Longines cap

Ceramics artist Henry looked trendy in a black jumper, which featured a unique chain detailing around the waist.

He paired his garment over a casual blue shirt, black trousers and a pair of Maison Margiela Tabi boots.

Henry accessorised his look with a myriad of bead bracelets, two gold rings, gold hoop earrings and aviator spectacles.

Genevieve's outing comes after she was targeted by a mobile phone snatcher at a west London cafe in February.

She bravely fought off prolific Algerian thief Zacariah Boulares, 18, at Joe & The Juice on Kensington High Street, in which she 'blacked out' and a second man threatened to stab her.

Zacariah was locked up for 22 months in July for three counts of theft and common assault in a daylight attack on February 8 that left the actress concussed.

Scotland Yard officers also investigated a 19-year-old man but took no further action against him, the BBC reported.

The former Olympic swimmer has since left London and moved back in with her mother as she no longer feels safe in the capital.

Ceramics artist Henry looked trendy in a black jumper, which featured a unique chain detailing around the waist

Genevieve's outing comes after she was targeted by a mobile phone snatcher at a west London cafe in February

The actress (pictured in Bridgerton) fought off thief Zacariah Boulares, 18, at Joe & The Juice on Kensington High Street, in which she 'blacked out' and a second man threatened to stab her

In August, she revealed that the psychological trauma had been long-lasting, with her unable to leave the house.

'And then if I did leave the house, I wanted to be with someone. But I felt like a burden. That's a really dark downward spiral that you can find yourself in,' she told the BBC.

She also changed her daily routine, avoided using public transport, and stayed in hotels when working in London.

She is now 'exploring therapy options'.
Professor Green has emotionally opened up about co-parenting his young son following his split from fiancee Karima McAdams.

The English rapper, 41, parted ways with Karima in 2023 but they have continued to amicably co-parent their four-year-old son Slimane.

However, taking to social media, Green - whose real name is Stephen Paul Manderson - discussed missing out on bedtime and birthdays as a result of his split from Karima.

He explained: 'Co-parenting really sucks. It sucks for the child, first and foremost he doesn't get mum and dad in the same bed, he doesn't get a cuddle from mum and dad at the same time.

'Question marks over special occasions, can't be the same birthday twice. Sucks for mum, sucks for dad. It's the bits of incidental parenting you get to do around, parts of life going into your social contract, your job, whatever social life you might have.

'Obviously that comes secondary, but it all requires time and getting home after work, being able to give your kid a kiss on the head while they sleep, knowing that in too fewer hours that you'll be woken by their hand or their foot.'

Professor Green has emotionally opened up about co-parenting his young son following his split from fiancee Karima McAdams

The English rapper, 41, parted ways with Karima in 2023 but they have been continuing to amicably co-parent their four-year-old son Slimane

He continued: 'Even if you only get to see them before you briefly shoot back out to work, those bits are not there, you can't echo good night once you've said it. Once the phone is put down, goodnight is goodnight. It's not a good night, it's not a great night.

'You don't get to cuddle, you don't get to kiss, you don't get to play fight - it ain't right.'

Professor Green and Karima were first linked in July 2019, with the star proposing seven months after they welcomed Slimane.

Karima, who is half Moroccan and half Irish, is best known for starring in the spy series Deep State alongside Game Of Thrones actor Joe Dempsie.

Professor Green revealed earlier this month how he and Millie Mackintosh are back in touch almost a decade after their split.

The ex-couple married in 2013 but divorced just three years later.

In a candid interview, the Read All About It hitmaker he doesn't hold any 'resentment' towards Millie.

He told Jamie Laing's Great Company podcast how he and Millie both 'trauma bonded' together over their previously undiagnosed ADHD.

Professor Green and Karima were first linked in July 2019, with the star proposing seven months after they welcomed Slimane

Professor Green revealed earlier this month how he and Millie Mackintosh are back in touch almost a decade after their split

He told Jamie Laing's Great Company podcast how he and Millie both 'trauma bonded' together over their previously undiagnosed ADHD (pictured in 2014)

He explained: 'If there wasn't that pressure, we may have never got married. It very nearly didn't happen.

'I remember having a conversation with my two best mates, Lewis and Phoenix. "Am I getting cold feet? What's going on here?" And one of them said yes. One of them said, No. I won't put him in it, because it's not their responsibility.

'I made my own decision. We made our decision, and we didn't get married for the wrong reasons. We loved each other.

'It was probably an element of trauma bonding. And it takes a lot to get to a place of going, "I had a significant part in that, 50 per cent at least, because there were two of us in the situation, and it didn't work out."

'But hopefully we can both go forward and find happiness and belonging.'

He also called his ex-wife 'beautiful' as he added: 'There's no resentment in me. She is gorgeous. We were not good for each other at that time.'

Millie and Green finalised their divorce in May 2016, the same week that Millie chose to go public with Hugo Taylor, her former Made In Chelsea co-star boyfriend.
Lucy Watson showcased her jaw-dropping figure in a daring cut-out swimsuit as she enjoyed an idyllic 1,000 per night Maldives getaway on Thursday.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 34, looked sensational in the khaki one shoulder one-piece as she posed for a sizzling Instagram snap in her luxurious beach villa.

Styling her long brunette tresses loose, Lucy covered her face with her phone as she posed in the huge bathroom modelling the 38 swimwear from 4th & Reckless.

The TV personality revealed she was staying at the lavish five-star Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort with her husband James Dunmore and their 20-month-old son Willoughby.

In a second post, Lucy revealed that her little boy 'was a trooper' during the 12-hour flight to the Maldives resort and is now enjoying the stunning destination.

The Renue founder also gushed that the 'vegan food options have been incredible' as she shared a glimpse of her evening meal.

Lucy Watson showcased her jaw-dropping figure in a daring cut-out swimsuit as she enjoyed an idyllic 1,000 per night Maldives getaway on Thursday

The TV personality revealed she was staying at the lavish five-star Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort with her husband James Dunmore and their 20-month-old son Willoughby

Lucy met husband James on Made In Chelsea in 2015 before tying the knot six years later in a stunning Greek ceremony and later welcomed their son in February 2024.

Earlier this year, Lucy showed off her amazing figure in a brown lingerie set as she posed for a sizzling Instagram snap.

The MIC legend looked incredible in the plunging 35 bralette and matching high-rise 20 briefs from her own brand Renue.

Styling her long brunette tresses in a neat low bun, Lucy showed off her pout as she posed for the mirror selfie.

It comes after Lucy opened up about her struggle to conceive her son Willoughby during an appearance on the Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast earlier this year.

Speaking to host Giovanna Fletcher, Lucy revealed she was 'definitely surprised' by how long it took her to fall pregnant.

She admitted: 'I found out that, on average, it takes a couple a year to get pregnant. And there was me thinking, "Two or three months, it will happen." When you're trying, every month feels like a year.

'You can have friends around you who got pregnant on their first try, and then you might have friends around you who are going through fertility issues.

In a second post, Lucy revealed that her little boy 'was a trooper' during the 12-hour flight to the Maldives resort and is now enjoying the stunning destination

The Renue founder also gushed that the 'vegan food options have been incredible' as she shared a glimpse of her evening meal

Earlier this year, Lucy showed off her amazing figure in a brown lingerie set as she posed for a sizzling Instagram snap

She recalled: 'My friends and I are very open with everything. I was probably one of the last ones to start trying.

'So a lot of my friends had already had their first or even their second. 50 per cent of my friends had it really easy, and then 50 per cent really struggled.

Lucy continued: 'You never go into something thinking negatively, and thinking, "this is going to be really hard for me", but I did go into it open-minded and knowing that it could go any way.

'I think that's why I was very proactive with testing and getting everything checked after six months of trying. I was like, "I just want to check everything is okay because if its not, it could be years."'

The reality star then went on to describe her fertility tests as 'invasive' and 'not enjoyable'.

She added: 'I think it was every appointment I'd go into, there would be something negative that would be told to me, about me.

'It was a very anxiety-inducing time. A lot of tears, a lot of feeling sorry for myself and thinking, "Why me?". In retrospect, I actually had a really good journey, but you dont know what your journey is going to be like when you're in it.'

The influencer announced in September 2023 that she was pregnant with their first child as she posed with her husband James during their holiday in Mykonos.

It comes after Lucy opened up about her struggle to conceive her son Willoughby, whom she shares with husband James

She showed off her blossoming baby bump in the snap and told how the former co-star couple were expecting their 'little miracle' after a three-year battle to conceive.

Lucy announced to her followers that she had welcomed her first child in February, though she chose at the time not to reveal her son's name.

She took to Instagram to share a sweet black-and-white snap of herself cradling the newborn, as her husband James planted a tender kiss on her forehead.

Lucy captioned the heartwarming post: 'Hes here [heart emoji] 2/3/24'

Her followers and friends were quick to send their congratulations, with her sister Tiffany writing: 'My beautiful nephew love him so much'
Lily Allen will play her first tour in seven years following the release of her explosive new album West End Girl.

The record has drawn attention for her explicit and brutally honest lyrics about the breakdown of her four year marriage to David Harbour, which ended last December after she accused the actor of of having multiple affairs.

In her most talked about track, titled Madeline, she appears to directly address David's infidelity with the mystery woman, who she gives the fictional moniker.

Now it's been announced Lily will perform the single as well as her other hits during her brand new theatre tour next year.

The 40-year-old will tour the UK in March, with her first shows kicking off in Glasgow before moving to Liverpool, Newcastle, Bristol and Cardiff.

It will culminate at the London Pallidum, with Lily performing at the renowned venue for two nights.

Lily Allen will play her first tour in seven years following the release of her controversial new album West End Girl

She will tour the UK in March, with her first shows kicking off in Glasgow before moving to Liverpool, Newcastle, Bristol and Cardiff before bringing her tour to an end in London

Tickets for the shows will go on sale on Friday, November 7 at 10am.

The Not Fair hitmaker last went on tour in 2018 with her album No Shame.

She has made only a handful of live performances since then, such as a guest appearance with Olivia Rodrigo in 2022 and this year's Glastonbury as she put an animated display at Worthy Farm.

In Lily's song Madeline, she sings: 'How long has it been going on? Is it just sex or is there emotion?/ He told me it would stay in hotel rooms, never be out in the open.

'Why would I trust anything that comes out of his mouth?/I'm not convinced that he didn't f**k you in our house'.

The chorus reads: 'We had an arrangement/ Be discrete and don't be blatant. There had to be payment/ It had to be with strangers/ But you're not a stranger, Madeline'.

The Mail On Sunday exclusively revealed Madeline's real identity and spoke to the woman at the centre of the storm at her home in the US.

Lily's split from David led her to check into a 8,000-a-week trauma treatment centre at the time to focus on her mental health.

In her most talked about track, titled Madeline, she appears to directly address David Harbour's infidelity with the mystery woman, who she gives the fictional moniker (pictured in 2023)

Lily Allen's West End Girl tracklist 1. West End Girl 2. Ruminating 3. Sleepwalking 4. Tennis 5. Madeline 6. Relapse 7. Pussy Palace 8. 4chan Stan 9. Nonmonogamummy by Lily Allen & Specialist Moss 10. Just Enough 11. Dallas Major 12. Beg for Me 13. Let You W/In 14. Fruityloop Advertisement

And she admitted that she has used her music as a way to work through the dark feelings she was having and to 'lay my truth on the table'.

The mother-of-two said: 'Nobody knew what was going on in my life. So I got into the studio, cried for two hours and then said, "Lets make some music".'

Meanwhile, Lily recently dropped a huge hint she had mended her relationship with her ex-husband as she insisted she doesn't want 'revenge' on him in a new interview.

During a chat with Interview magazine, Lily claimed she now feels 'differently' about their marriage breakdown, after first penning the record last December.

When asked whether the new album is a 'revenge tour', Lily said: 'It isn't. I mean, I wrote this record in 10 days in December and I feel very differently about the whole situation now. We all go through breakups and it's always f***ing brutal.

'But I don't think it's that often that you feel inclined to write about it while you're in it.'

She added: 'That's what's fun about this record; it's viscerally like going through the motions. At the time, I was really trying to process things and that's great in terms of the album, but I don't feel confused or angry now. I don't need revenge.

The Not Fair hitmaker last went on tour in 2018 with her album No Shame (pictured in December 2018 in Glasgow)

'It's not a cruel album. I don't feel like I'm being mean. It was just the feelings I was processing at the time.'

Last week it was revealed how Lily gave out raunchy sex toys to her celebrity pals at a launch party for her album.

The hitmaker gifted those on the guest list a sex toy which doubled up as a USB stick to play her new tracks.

The party took place at Spanish restaurant Decimo, which saw Lily dazzle in a Marc Jacobs minidress as she was joined by 45 diners including friends and family.
Supanova Comic Con & Gaming has addressed the fan backlash after Kyle Sandilands was booked to appear at their upcoming Brisbane convention.

The KIIS FM shock jock was earlier this week announced as a special guest at the Brisbane convention next month, alongside his co-stars of his upcoming movie Zombie Plane.

However, news of Kyle's appearance quickly ruffled the feathers of some convention-goers, who are not fans of the outspoken radio star.

Supanova took to social media on Thursday to address the controversy: 'We apologise for any confusion surrounding our upcoming Brisbane event.

'To clarify, Kyle Sandilands is scheduled to attend exclusively as part of the Zombie Plane cast and creative team, participating in the group panel hosted by Radioactive Pictures.

'He has never been announced or contracted to appear as a Supa-Star guest offering paid Photo-Ops or Autographs.

Supanova Comic Con & Gaming has addressed the fan backlash after Kyle Sandilands (pictured) was booked to appear at their upcoming Brisbane convention

'We recognise that Kyle can be a polarising media personality, and respect that everyone will have their own response to this announcement,' they said. Pictured: Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson

'We recognise that Kyle can be a polarising media personality, and respect that everyone will have their own response to this announcement.'

They added their primary goal was to promote Kyle's upcoming Gold Coast-filmed movie, which co-stars Sophie Monk, Chuck Norris and Vanilla Ice.

'We also hope this will not detract from your support of the talented cast and crew of Zombie Plane who have poured their hearts into creating the film,' they wrote.

'And that you'll accept our apology for bumbling Mr. Sandilands' promotion and our delayed response.'

On Thursday, the radio star dismissed the backlash on The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

'Why are people terrified of me going to Brisbane? What sort of lunatic fringe is up there?' Kyle asked.

Other Zombie Plane cast members booked to appear at the event include Sophie Monk, Beverly Hills 90210 star Brian Austin Green and Wolf Creek's John Jarratt.

Earlier this month, Kyle told his co-star Jackie 'O' Henderson that he was paid a 'pathetic amount' for his work on the movie.

The KIIS FM shock jock was earlier this week announced as a special guest at the Brisbane convention next month, alongside his co-stars of his upcoming movie Zombie Plane

However, news of Kyle's appearance quickly ruffled the feathers of some convention-goers, who are not fans of the outspoken radio star. Supanova took to social media on Thursday to address the controversy

'When asked how much that 'pathetic amount' was, Kyle replied, 'I don't know, like five grand or something like that.'

The radio sensation, who has reportedly signed a $200 million contract for his top-rated breakfast show, explained he dropped much more on travelling to the set and hiring his own private boat.

Kyle said he was happy to do so because it meant spending time with his co-star, American rapper and actor Ice-T.

He admitted that he wanted to appear alongside the iconic rapper so much that he was willing to work at a loss.

'I think it cost me about 15 grand because I travel my own way, stay in my own accommodation,' he said.

'And I had to get a separate boat to sit on. How much does that cost me? But I didn't care. I did it because I wanted to work opposite Ice-T.'

Zombie Plane will be released in Australian cinemas on Thursday, November 13.
Oasis tickets are being resold in Australia for just 20 ahead of their upcoming tour dates suggesting the hype over the reunited band may be dying out.

The Gallagher brothers returned with a bang in the UK, with entry to their sought-after concerts deemed the hottest ticket in town when they played across major cities.

Tickets were resold at inflated prices reaching 7,000 particularly for high-demand shows like the ones at Wembley Stadium.

However, it seems the same cannot be said Down Under, where plenty of tickets are available to buy on official and unofficial resale sites ahead of tomorrow's gig.

Nosebleed seats are available for as little as 20 on Viagogo, while top tickets in the front general admission section are a very reasonable 163 each.

The available tickets may come as a surprise as the tour sold out its initial dates in Melbourne and Sydney, necessitating the addition of a new show in Melbourne.

Oasis tickets are being resold in Australia for just 20 ahead of their upcoming tour dates suggesting the hype over the reunited band may be dying out

The Gallagher brothers returned with a bang in the UK, with entry to their sought-after concerts deemed the hottest ticket in town when they played across major cities

The demand for tickets was so high that pre-sale queues reportedly stretched into the hundreds of thousands, causing Ticketmaster to sell-out and cancel thousands of bot-bought tickets.

Their albums have historically performed well in Australia, with both (What's The Story) Morning Glory? and Be Here Now reaching the top spot on local charts.

The band's popularity is supported by a large UK ex-pat community and a general appreciation for their music.

The Wonderwall fan favourites will play the first of their Australian gigs at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, on October 31, November 1 and 4.

They will then head to Sydney for shows at the Accor Stadium on November 7 and 8.

It will be the first time the band has toured the country since 2005.

The band has a huge following in Australia, with two of their albums reaching number one on the ARIA chart and their hit song Wonderwall hitting the top spot in 1996.

Last year, the band announced they were reuniting for the first time since 2009 after Noel and Liam finally put their differences aside following a feud.

Nosebleed seats are available for as little as 20 on Viagogo, while top tickets in the front general admission section are a very reasonable 163 each

The news prompted a ticket-buying frenzy across the UK, as die-hard fans fought to score a spot to see their favourite band.

Many devastated Oasis fans were left empty-handed when the hotly-anticipated 17-date UK reunion tour sold out in a matter of hours in an online fiasco.

Around 14 million fans faced eight-hour queues in a bid to get their hands on the highly-sought-after tickets to see the rock band live, with many still missing out.

While other lucky fans managed to nab tickets, many were forced to splash out huge amounts on them after dynamic pricing saw costs soar to almost double within mere hours.

After working through countless fights since they shot to stardom in the 1990s, fans were left devastated when a dressing room feud in Paris tore the band apart in 2009.

Noel insisted he would never work with Liam again and described him as 'a fork in a world of soup', kicking off their years-long feud.

In the 14 years that have followed, a feud and bitter fighting has ensued with the brothers trading insults back and forth in interviews and social media.

Despite their differences, sources claimed in PJ Harrison's book In The Fall And Rise Of Oasis that the brothers 'still really love each other'.
Lottie Moss sent temperatures soaring on Wednesday, as she flaunted her racy back tattoo in a slew of sizzling snaps from her lavish trip to Crete last month.

The model, 27, took to her Instagram Stories to reveal her post-holiday blues, alongside two photos showcasing her enviable figure in a daring backless dress.

Under the caption: 'I miss the sun :(', she posed looking out onto the idyllic ocean in a cream long-sleeved dress, completely open at the back.

Lottie then proceeded to sweep her long blonde beachy waves to the side and pull her dress down even lower to reveal yet more skin, and an inking on her lower back.

The design features a heart with wavy lines curving around it and ending in a neat bow underneath, inked right at the base of her tailbone.

The half-sister of Kate Moss, got the tattoo in September 2022, proudly showing off her 'tramp stamp' on Instagram.

Lottie Moss sent temperatures soaring on Wednesday, as she flaunted her racy back tattoo in a slew of sizzling snaps from her lavish trip to Crete last month

The model, 27, took to her Instagram Stories to reveal her post-holiday blues, alongside two photos showcasing her enviable figure in a daring backless dress

Lottie posed for a racy black and white snap of her bottom, wearing only a vest and a skimpy thong and gave her followers an up-close look at her new body-art, writing: 'I got the cutest tramp stamp ever'.

She has a wide array of tattoos, including a Hello Kitty inking, a rose, three birds flying on her underboob and the cheeky words 'not yours' written on her bottom.

Just a few months after getting her lower back inking, the former OnlyFans star famously woke up with the word 'Lover' inked below her eye in Bali in December 2022 after a drunken night out.

She later defended the face tattoo, explaining that it was her way of expressing herself following years of 'being so controlled' and that it represented the fact that she is now 'free'.

She first debuted it on her TikTok and fiercely defended the ink, saying the 'the world would learn to love it' and that she didn't care if people hated it.

In another video captioned: 'When people say they don't like my new face tattoo', she mouthed along to audio that said: 'I don't care, I really don't give a f**k, I really don't.'

Despite admitting it was a spontaneous decision, she said the word 'lover' symbolised the time she had spent reconnecting with herself and growing to love the person she is.

But last year, Lottie finally began the process of getting the inking removed by laser, after breaking down in tears and admitting the reason she got the face tat and joined OnlyFans page was due to the struggles she faced in the modelling industry.

The half-sister of Kate Moss debuted the 'tramp stamp' in 2022 with a racy black and white snap of her bottom, wearing only a skimpy thong to give fans an up-close look at her new ink

She has a wide array of tattoos, including a Hello Kitty inking, a rose, three birds flying on her underboob and the cheeky words 'not yours' written on her bottom

In a candid TikTok video, she confessed she got her 'lover' tattoo to 'rebel so hard away from an industry that made her sad all the time'.

Sources told Daily Mail that she'd told pals that in retrospect the tattoo signifies a negative time in her life and she hoped getting the inking erased would mark the beginning of a fresh chapter.

It comes after Lottie recently revealed a glimpse into her dating profile as she admitted, 'chaos follows me wherever I go'.

She took to Instagram last month to reveal she was returning to dating apps in the hopes of finding a husband - but first she needed to give her profile an overhaul.

Partnering with Hinge to promote the app, Lottie admitted her current prompts were 'cringey' and gave off 'Charli XCX 365 party girl' energy.

She explained she wanted to switch up her profile to reflect her new 'wholesome, classy' vibe and new taste in men, but confessed that she is 'still crazy'.

She wrote: 'Hey guys, so I'm having a massive dating disaster. I need to go back on Hinge and change my old prompts because they are so cringey and outdated - and also my taste in men has changed so much, thank god.

'So I'm going to really expose myself and show you guys my Hinge profile, ahh!'

Displaying the first prompt, she said: 'So we are starting off so not so strong with "I get along with people who are funny and not toxic".

Just a few months after getting her lower back inking, the former OnlyFans star famously woke up with the word 'Lover' inked below her eye in Bali in December 2022 after a drunken night out

But last year, Lottie finally began the process of getting the inking removed by laser, after breaking down in tears and admitting the reason she got the face tat and joined OnlyFans page was due to the struggles she faced in the modelling industry

'I don't think that this is giving off the best vibe for me and it's funny because when I wrote this I actually only went for toxic men, so... riddle me that one.

'Maybe it's that I'm manifesting with the word toxic so let's remove the word toxic and jiggle this up.

'So for my first prompt I have changed it. It is "I get along best with people who are motivated, kind, funny and here for a good time".

'I think this is much better. It's much more chill. It doesn't give away too much and it doesn't give toxic energy.'

Moving on to the next, Lottie said: 'This is my second prompt, "Dating me is like a rollercoaster - fun but also hectic lol".

'Again not giving off the best vibes but I do believe at the time I was telling the truth, like I was definitely hectic at the time.

'Now I'm just a cutesy, lovely girly. Do you know what I mean? That's me now. So I think we need to change this up and give more of a wholesome vibe.'

Revealing the new prompt she'd come up with, she explained: 'So for this one obviously I am still quite a hectic person, chaos follows me wherever I go unfortunately, but I want to ease people in. I don't want it to be too ahhhh in your face.

She took to Instagram last month to reveal she was returning to dating apps in the hopes of finding a husband - but first she needed to give her profile an overhaul

'So I've said "Dating is me like having the time of your life and you never know quite what you're going to get". Because that's not giving away that I'm still crazy.'

For her final prompt, her previous answer read: 'The best way to ask me out is by "Don't be a d**k",' alongside a photo of herself crouched on the dance floor.

Voicing her dislike for the old answer, Lottie reflected: 'Again I was dating d**ks so I really think I was just manifesting the worst with this profile. So that definitely needs to be changed.

'And also this picture is giving Charli XCX 365 party girl and that's not me anymore guys, that's not me anymore. So let's change it up.'

She swapped it out for: 'The best way to ask me out is by taking me out for dinner and planning something special you know I would like'.

Explaining the switch, she insisted: 'I'm a classy girl now and I no longer deal with the bare minimum - and then also I have changed this picture because this gives; she travels, she wear classy long dresses, he's not giving 365 party girl in this.'
Australian and New Zealand radio presenter and media leader Kim Blair died on Tuesday aged 54, just five months after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of colon cancer.

Blair, who was most recently Business Director at TVNZ, built a three-decade-long career spanning radio, television and digital media.

Across his celebrated career, he earned admiration across both sides of the Tasman for his warmth, wit and leadership.

In Australia, his broadcasting journey began in Western Australia, where he worked as an announcer and copywriter for 6AM Radiowest in the late '90s.

He later spent seven years with RG Capital Radio before joining Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), taking on roles in Sydney, Brisbane, Newcastle and Gosford.

Before joining TVNZ, Blair spent nearly ten years in senior management roles with MediaWorks radio, shaping the sound of several of New Zealand's leading stations.

Australian and New Zealand radio presenter and media leader Kim Blair (pictured) died on Tuesday aged 54, just five months after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of colon cancer

Blair's passion for content and connection shone through every chapter of his career.

He won an ACRA during his stint as Program Director at KOFM / NXFM Newcastle, from 2008 to 2010.

His final years in Australia saw him serving as Assistant Content Director and announcer at Triple M Brisbane, where he was beloved by his colleagues.

Friends and colleagues from across the industry have paid heartfelt tribute to the much-loved media veteran.

Radio executive Rod Maldon said the pair's shared roots in WA and early days at Radio West helped them forge an 'immediate bond'.

'Humble, funny, extraordinarily talented and so very missed,' Maldon said.

'Best of all, I got to experience that legendary sense of humour.'

Meanwhile, former SCA colleague Andrew Very remembered Blair as 'one of the funniest, dry-witted blokes you could ever meet.'

Blair, who was most recently Business Director at TVNZ, built a three-decade-long career spanning radio, television and digital media

Across his celebrated career, Blair earned admiration across both sides of the Tasman for his warmth, wit and leadership

'His voice seemed made for radio - instantly recognisable and warm, Very said.

'From regional WA to capital city markets, and later as a content director and general manager, he gave everything to the craft he adored.

'Even in his final days, that passion never dimmed.'

Veteran broadcaster Drew Chapman, who worked alongside Blair at Mix FM on the Sunshine Coast, and later at Triple M Brisbane and Sydney, said he was like 'the big brother I never had.'

'He deeply cared about everyone in his life and had the most wicked sense of humour both on and off the air,' Chapman said.

'The world has lost one of the most incredible humans this week.'

In 2022, Blair was a finalist in the New Zealand Radio Awards, in recognition of his services to the industry.

Blair is survived by his wife Mary, their son Tom, and his mother and brother.
Kim Kardashian has revealed why her momager Kris Jenner is anxious about her next career move.

Speaking in an interview on Thursday, the reality TV star, 45, who is promoting her latest project, Disney+ series All's Fair, shared her hopes of becoming a lawyer.

After sitting her exam she told KISS how she felt about receiving her results this month.

Kim said: 'Im a nervous wreck, so Im not going to plan anything. Ill either be planning to party or planning to get back to work.'

Revealing who is the most anxious about her results, she said: 'Probably my mom.

'They know how hard I worked, all the hours I put into this I think they would just be deeply disappointed in the results if I didnt pass.'

Kim Kardashian has revealed why her momager Kris Jenner is anxious about her next career move

Speaking in an interview on Thursday, the reality TV star, 45, shared her hopes of becoming a lawyer and admitted her mum Kris would be 'deeply disappointed' if she didn't pass her exam

Kim continued: 'It wouldnt be for lack of knowledge; it would just be for s*** test-taking skills. Thats what would be more frustrating, I think.

'If I didnt know it, you can go back and you can study harder  I know it. I know everything about the law and Im so confident about that, so were just going to have to see.'

Her All's Fair co-star Niecy Nash-Betts added of Kim's knowledge: 'Its very impressive

'To know that were sitting around there, saying words we dont even know  this is a mea culpa, this is a mens rea  to know that somebody sitting at the table who really knows  its like, you go girl!

Elsewhere, Kim visited the Graham Norton show this week, where she revealed, 'I took the bar exam in July. I get the results a few days after our [All's Fair] premiere.

'So in two weeks. So everyone please pray for me. I worked really hard.'

As she awaits the results of the bar exam, she could be days away from fulfilling her longtime dream to be a legal professional.

The reality television star-turned-mogul estimated, 'Maybe in 10 years, I think Ill give up being Kim K and be a trial lawyer. Thats what I really want.'

Kim said: 'Im a nervous wreck, so Im not going to plan anything. Ill either be planning to party or planning to get back to work'

Kim has spent six years working on a law apprenticeship  the unconventional path that allowed her to bypass law school and passed the 'baby bar' on her fourth try in December 2021

Days ago the actress flew to London to promote her Disney+ series All's Fair alongside co-star Sarah Paulson.

Kim has spent six years working on a law apprenticeship  the unconventional path that allowed her to bypass law school  before officially wrapping the program on May 21, 2025.

She passed the 'baby bar' on her fourth try in December 2021, clearing the first major hurdle on her way to becoming a licensed attorney.

Later she faced the notoriously brutal California bar, considered the hardest in the nation, with one of the lowest pass rates.

Kim took the two-day exam in July, answering 200 multiple-choice questions, five essay prompts, and one 90-minute performance test, according to TMZ.

She will find out the results on November 7, just two days before they're made public on November 9 at 6pm PT.

The SKIMS founder is following in her late father Robert Kardashian's footsteps in her pursuit of becoming a lawyer.

Her dad was a revered defense attorney, most notably for O.J. Simpson during his 1995 murder trial. Robert died in July 2003 from esophageal cancer at age 59.

All's Fair follows a team of high-powered female attorneys who leave their firm to start their own company as Allura vows to destroy her younger husband who married her for money.

Big name guest stars including Brooke Shields, Elizabeth Berkley, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Judith Light appear in the series as the attorneys' client.
Richard E Grant cemented his fashion darling status as he posed for a new H&M campaign alongside fellow luvvy Joanna Lumley.

The actor, 68, who has earned his style stripes with recent high fashion catwalks, made his latest appearance in the high street advert.

Richard's look was compared to his iconic titular Withnail and I character, who was known for his dishevelled look - but Richard has now made it chic.

The British star wore a layered look, including double denim with a tweed jacket over the top and an oversized trench jacket.

Richard, who posed beside a corgi, added a pair of chunky boots to his look with a huge quilted bag which he wore slung over his shoulder.

Fans couldn't help but compare the outfit to Withnail, with many sharing their thoughts in the comments section of the post.

Richard E Grant cemented his fashion darling status as he posed for a new H&M campaign alongside fellow luvvy Joanna Lumley

Richard's look was compared to his iconic titular Withnail and I character, who was known for his dishevelled look - but Richard has now made it chic

They said: 'Withnail returns!'; 'Giving Withnail vibes'; 'It's giving Withnail chic'; 'A nod to Withnail?'; 'A formidable new partner for Withnail & I round 2'.

Richard's character Withnail is the chaotic, charismatic, and tragically funny lead in Withnail and I (1987), the cult British black comedy.

Withnail drags his more grounded friend 'I' on a disastrous holiday 'by mistake' to the country house of his eccentric uncle Monty.

Beside him in the shoot, Joanna, 79, looked incredible in a complementary look, sporting a statement denim skirt with a striped blouse and statement jewelry.

Richard has delighted fans with a couple of runway appearances for top brands in recent years.

In September, Richard wore a leather apron to walk the Miu Miu catwalk with the likes of Kylie Jenner and Emma Watson all watching from the FROW.

He commanded attention in the number worn over a shirt and pullover and a colourful neckerchief for Paris Fashion Week.

The showcase of the Spring 2026 ready to wear collection saw models wearing geometric prints, florals and various embellished aprons.

Fans couldn't help but compare the outfit to Withnail, with many sharing their thoughts in the comments section of the post

Richard wore a leather apron to walk the Miu Miu catwalk on Monday with the likes of Kylie Jenner and Emma Watson all watching from the FROW in September

The high fashion moment came eight months after he walked the Burberry catwalk alongside Downton Abbey 's Elizabeth McGovern and Lesley Manville

The day before, Richard shared a video of himself in a cab in Paris.

He wrote: 'Solo in Paris hearing Frank Sinatra in my head. Love how that short journey on Eurostar takes you from one culture so instantly into another.'

The high fashion moment came eight months after he walked the Burberry catwalk alongside Downton Abbey's Elizabeth McGovern and Lesley Manville.

He sported a khaki green wool coat tied with a belt - as well as a pair of corduroy trousers and carried a yellow tartan umbrella.

For autumn/winter 2025, Burberrys designer Daniel Lee said he had been inspired by classic British film and television themes, country house interiors, and Londoners who leave the city for a weekend away.

Richard took to Instagram at the time and wrote: 'At 67, I reckon Im the oldest male model to walk the @burberry runway! alongside Leslie Manville, @therealjasonisaacs & @elizabeth.mcgov.

'Was in Altmans PRET A PORTER in 1994 with @naomi who quipped I never thought wed ever be on the same runway, Richard! All thanks to @burberry_daniel.lee the Creative Director.

Richard previously revealed during an interview with the Telegraph that he stays catwalk ready by running every morning.

He said: 'I run a couple of miles in Richmond Park every morning, shower...'

Richard the reveals he staves off old age with one top tip, saying: 'Since being introduced to Charlotte Tilbury's Magic Cream, slather myself from top to toe in the hope that I can stave off looking like an old leather handbag for as long as possible!'
Katherine Ryan has opened up about how she rekindled her relationship with childhood sweetheart Bobby Kootstra and how the first time they slept together after reuniting went 'horribly wrong'.

The couple, who married in 2019, have been together since 2018, but have known each other since they were children as they grew up together in Canada.

They began seeing each other when Katherine, who was based in Britain, went back to Canada to film an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

Speaking on Davina McCall's Begin Again podcast, she said: 'We hadn't spoken. We still hadn't spoken. I just watched his Instagram stories a few times.

'And for some reason, I knew that if I posted on my Instagram that I was going out in Toronto that evening with my sister, that he would come. I just knew he would.'

'And I just posted, "Oh, I'm going to this place with my sister tonight. Anyone have any recommendations?" And he turned up in the pub. We had a one night stand that went horribly wrong.'

Katherine Ryan has opened up about how she rekindled her relationship with Bobby Kootstra and how the first time they slept together after reuniting went 'horribly wrong'

The couple, who married in 2019, have been together since 2018, but have known each other since they were children as they grew up together in Canada

'Oh no. Why?' Davina asked.

'Cause now we have all these kids,' Katherine added. 'I just thought it would be funny to s**g him. And it was funny.'

The comedian told how she became pregnant 'very quickly' and they got married just a few months later, adding that she had 'really good chemistry' with him.

Katherine also noted that Bobby texted her the next day after they slept together and told her he wanted to have kids and get married.

The couple are parents to Fred, four, Fenna, two, and newborn daughter Holland who they welcomed earlier this month.

Katherine is also mother to daughter Violet, 16, from a previous relationship.

Elsewhere during the interview, Katherine told of her future plans to go on Ozempic and get a face lift.

The star, who insisted she has never gone under the knife before, explained she wants to be the 'most glam' version of herself for her fans.

Katherine joked they 'had a one night stand that went horribly wrong' because now they have three children together

Elsewhere during the interview, Katherine told of her future plans to go on Ozempic and get a face lift

'I want to go on Ozempic if that's what it takes next year. I want to have a face lift,' she said.

'People are doing that younger and younger and there's nothing I can do about my nose. A lot of people think I've had a nose job. I haven't. I wouldn't choose it.

'I don't think I can have a lip lift because my nose is so like, Dr. Suess. But I don't want to do that for men. I'm happy to joke about like, Katherine Ryan's had all this plastic surgery but I actually haven't had any plastic surgery on my face.

'I even haven't had Botox and fillers for a long time because I've been so pregnant.

'But because of pregnancy my face has been big and then small and then big and then smalll so I will do something about it and when I do, I'll tell everyone about it.

'Do I hate my face every day? I walk past shop windows and think, Oh God, I'm a monster. No.

'But I'm an entertainer and I think if people are going to come and see me on tour, they deserve the best, most glamorous of me version because it's part of showbiz.'
Nadia Bartel led the glamorous arrivals at the opening of her third Henne Boutique on Thursday night.

The former WAG-turned-fashion-designer had her trim pins on show as she fronted the Armadale, Melbourne launch of her clothing store.

Nadia opted for a micro mini satin skirt paired with a semi-sheer, long-sleeved top that hugged her figure nicely.

She added a pair of towering black heels with a pointed design that ensured her toned legs were on display.

Nadia chose a warm makeup look with a chestnut lipstick and wore her caramel locks down in waves.

The influencer kept her accessories minimal, adding a chunky designer watch in mixed metals.

Nadia Bartel (pictured) led the glamorous arrivals at the opening of her third Henne Boutique on Thursday night

The former WAG-turned-fashion-designer had her trim pins on show as she fronted the Armadale, Melbourne launch of her clothing store

Nadia opted for a micro mini satin skirt paired with a semi-sheer, long-sleeved top that sat close to her figure

Also turning heads was Nadia's good friend Rebecca Judd, who likewise chose white for the night.

Bec opted for a fitted, sleeveless column dress that put her trim and toned physique on display.

The dress included off-the-shoulder draping, and she paired it with lattice flats in a cream tone.

The WAG carried a large, quilted Chanel bag in cream and went for a peachy makeup look with a pink-nude lipstick.

Pip Edwards kept things casually cool in a brown ensemble featuring a tank top and striped trousers.

The P.E Nation founder added a pair of strappy, designer heels in tones of gold and black.

She carried a pale green slouch purse over her arm, as well as holding a pale blue overshirt.

Pip went for a glowing makeup look with a pink-nude lipstick and wore her blonde hair down in choppy layers.

Also turning heads was Nadia's good friend Rebecca Judd (pictured), who likewise chose white for the night

Bec opted for a fitted, sleeveless column dress that put her trim and toned physique on display

The dress included draping off the shoulders, and she paired it with lattice flats in a cream tone

Pip Edwards (pictured) kept things casually cool in a brown ensemble which included a tank top and striped trousers

The P.E Nation carried a pale green slouch purse over her arm, as well as carrying a pale blue overshirt

Lindy Klim made it a mum-and-daughter date night with her model daughter, Stella Klim.

Lindy looked chic in a denim shirt worn open to flash her toned stomach, matched with unusual jeans that had two separate waistbands in dark blue and a lighter blue.

The Balinese princess added to the look with a pair of avant-garde brown fur heels and a gold choker.

Stella, meanwhile, showcased her model good looks in a sheer pale blue top with ruching at the waist and jeans.

Flashing a glimpse of skin in the sleeveless number, she added to her ensemble with pointed leather heels and a studded beige purse.

Brooke Warne kept things simple and trendy in a loose black blouse and white trousers worn with sneakers.

Anna Heinrich was chic in a brown column dress with a plunging neckline and thigh-high split.

Rebecca Harding was sleek in a pale brown halterneck top worn with loose-fit beige trousers paired with a deep chocolate belt.

Lindy Klim made it a mum-and-daughter date night with her model daughter, Stella Klim. Both pictured

Lindy looked chic in a denim shirt worn open to flash her toned stomach, matched with unusual jeans that had two separate waistbands in dark blue, and a lighter blue

The Balinese princess added to the look with a pair of avant-garde brown fur heels and a gold choker

Stella, meanwhile, showcased her model good looks in a sheer pale blue top with ruching at the waist and jeans. Flashing a glimpse of skin in the sleeveless number, she added to her ensemble with pointed leather heels and a studded beige purse

Henne has gone from strength to strength since Nadia launched the brand with her sister Michelle Ring and friend Laura Broque five years ago in 2019.

Nadia opened a Henne store in Paddington in June last year, exactly two years after opening the brand's first shop in Melbourne in 2022.

However, the Sydney store has had mixed reviews from shoppers, with some taking to social media to voice their displeasure over the long wait times at the boutique.

Speaking to Daily Mail last year, the fashionista said that she sympathised with the disgruntled shoppers.

'It was really hard seeing that,' Nadia said.

'I imagine how frustrating that would be. That's not what you want your customers to experience.'

Nadia added that the long wait times were just teething problems that she was looking to have ironed out as soon as possible.

'I think we just didn't anticipate how busy the store would be,' she said.

Brooke Warne (pictured) kept things simple and trendy in a loose black blouse and white trousers worn with sneakers

Rebecca Harding (pictured) was sleek in a pale brown halterneck top wore with loose-fit beige trousers along with a deep chocolate belt

Anna Heinrich (pictured) was chic in a brown column dress with a plunging neckline and thigh high split

She had earlier arrived wearing a brown leather jacket and carrying a black clutch purse

'It's growing pains really so we're really trying to work through what we can do to make it better.'

Nadia added that the plan for Henne was to focus on the Australian market for the foreseeable future, admitting there were many exciting ideas in the pipeline.

'We're focusing on stores around Australia, she said.

'It's just been so nice to look at our market here and grow it more and look at different ways to connect with our customers as well.

'We love what we're doing, but I feel like we've got so many more ideas, so the next two or three years are going to be really exciting for us.'
Ross Kemp announced the sad death of his dad on Thursday as he paid tribute ahead of his funeral.

The EastEnders star, 61, uploaded a photo of his lookalike dad, John, on the beach, as he said goodbye to his 'hero and role model.'

In the update to Instagram, Ross wrote: 'John Kemp 1937 - 2025. Served his country, served his community served his family. My hero. Love you always Dad.'

In a separate post, the actor shared a black and white image of John serving in the army.

He captioned it: 'Burying my Dad, tomorrow. My hero, my role model and a great dancer!'

Earlier this year, Ross broke down in tears as he unearthed a family secret that he spent his whole life questioning on an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

Ross Kemp announced the sad death of his dad on Thursday as he paid tribute ahead of his funeral

The EastEnders star, 61, uploaded a photo of John on the beach, as he said goodbye to his 'hero and role model'

The instalment saw the star - who is arguably best known for playing Grant Mitchell in EastEnders - find out about his family history.

During his time on the show Ross was on a mission to find out about his mum's side, including his great-grandad, who was known in the clan as Pop, who had 10 other siblings and lived in a pub in Portsmouth as a youngster.

Ross recalled a moment that his mum had told him that her dad had turned up at the door wearing a US uniform, and everyone assumed that he had been shipwrecked in the southern China sea, but the soap star found out exactly what had happened to him.

The voice over explained: 'On 11 July 1943 Pops troop ship the Duchess of York and her convoy were over 300 miles off the Portuguese coast when three German air force planes took off from France and headed towards them.'

Ross met up with historian Sarah Louise Miller and she told him that the ship was hit twice, her engines were put out of order and she ended up catching fire.

As Louise explained what had happened, Ross became very emotional and wiped a tear from his face and she said although they were off the ship, they still weren't safe.

Ross told Louise: 'Sorry I'm getting emotional.'

'It would have been a very scary situation,' she told him.

In the update to Instagram, Ross wrote: 'John Kemp 1937 - 2025. Served his country, served his community served his family. My hero. Love you always Dad'

Ross' parents John and Jean pictured

The actor bares a striking resemblance to his father (John and jean pictured in the 1970s)

Earlier this year, Ross broke down in tears as he unearthed a family secret that he spent his whole life questioning on an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

As his voice cracked, Ross asked: 'But he survived, yeah?' Louise replied: 'He did survive.'

The voice over explained: '89 lives were lost from the Duchess of York that night.

'And the next day, her destroyed hulk was sunk to the bottom of the sea. Now in one of the escort vessels who rescued him... Pop was still a target.

'He and the other survivors had little choice but to risk a 700-mile sea voyage to Casablanca, the largest nearby port under Allied control.'

After finding out the truth, Ross said: 'I know it sounds like I'm smiling about the was shipwrecked, but I was questioning if that actually ever happened!'

He added: 'It's very odd. I make lots of documentaries around the whole about a lot of stuff but when it's about you or your family, it has a very different impact.

'It really does. Oh Pop, what a life he had.'

Speaking to the camera Ross said: 'It's such a complex feeling to think about somebody who I was told about all my life by my grandmother, and by my mother, had been this kind of interesting, traveler and there are similarities that I'm drawing from understanding him that I see in myself.

'His life was all about him doing what he warned to do most of the time. So I'm finding out basically from my great grandfather, a lot about me.'
Netflix fans clashed online after the final trailer for Stranger Things Season 5 dropped on Thursday.

The new clip gives a tense glimpse of Hawkins, Indiana, where the beloved characters are now trapped under a military lockdown, struggling to contain the chaos the monster Vecna unleashed at the end of season 4.

Set in the fall of 1987, more than a year after the previous seasons events, the fifth and final season finds Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) in hiding and training for Vecnas inevitable return, as it teases with Will Byers (noah Schnapp) coming face to face with the creature.

While the action-packed clip features the fan-favorite characters, some viewers felt the long wait may have dulled the excitement.

After all, the first episode premiered back in July 2016.

The trailer quickly sparked debate on social media, with fans divided and many criticizing the long gap between seasons and how much older the kids now look.

Netflix fans clashed online after the final trailer for Stranger Things Season 5 dropped on Thursday

Set in the fall of 1987, more than a year after the previous seasons events, the fifth and final season teases with Will Byers (noah Schnapp) coming face to face with Vecna

The new clip gives a tense glimpse of Hawkins, Indiana , where the beloved characters are now trapped under a military lockdown, struggling to contain the chaos the monster Vecna unleashed at the end of season 4

'It's been going on for so long it's no longer Stranger Things, now it's just Normal Things, one fan wrote, while another added, 'They are all grown ups now.

One put it simply: 'Ngl not really feeling this trailer, hopefully the show is better but that trailer didnt inspire too much confidence for me.

Another chimed in, 'Have a feeling it wont be that good.

Yet another piled on: 'Honestly, I dont even care about the trailers anymore. Just release the episodes already. Havent we waited long enough?

Others, however, remained excited for the final chapter.

'Wow. Looks really good. Going to be a rollercoaster ride for sure. Here for it, one fan wrote.

The trailer may have divided opinion, but its clear that anticipation for Hawkins final showdown is still sky-high.

Eleven is in 'training mode' and in a 'warrior state,' focused on protecting her friends, who she considers her chosen family, Brown said of her character in a statement..

While the action-packed clip features the fan-favorite characters, some viewers felt the long wait may have dulled the excitement.... after all, the first episode premiered back in July 2016.

Eleven is in 'training mode' and in a 'warrior state,' focused on protecting her friends, who she considers her chosen family, Brown said of her character in a statement

Series co-creator Ross Duffer told Netflix, 'I think what's unique about this season is that it starts a little bit in chaos because our heroes ultimately lost at the end of Season 4'

The trailer quickly sparked debate on social media, with fans divided and many criticizing the long gap between seasons and how much older the kids now look

Gaten Matarazzo described his character Dustin as struggling to 'keep all the pieces together' while dealing with Hawkins military lockdown and the fallout from Vecnas return.

Caleb McLaughlin noted that the stakes remain high, explaining that 'we haven't defeated Vecna and the problem is still there,' leaving the characters on edge as they try to keep hope alive.

Noah Schnapp said Wills return to Hawkins shows 'the effects of him being back in that realm,' with the group hitting the ground running this season.

Sadie Sink revealed that Max is still recovering from her near-death experience in Season 4, though theres 'still a small glimmer of hope' for the character.

Finn Wolfhard described Mike as stepping back into 'leadership mode,' helping plan missions and staying focused on finding Vecna.

Series co-creator Ross Duffer told Netflix, 'I think what's unique about this season is that it starts a little bit in chaos because our heroes ultimately lost at the end of Season 4.

'We usually set up their normal life and how theyre going about school, and then we introduce the supernatural element. But in this case, this season is sprinting from the start.'

His brother and co-creator Matt Duffer added, [The gang is] not experiencing normal life. Nothing in Hawkins is normal anymore.

David Harbour was notably absent in many of the scenes of the final trailer released ahead of the sci-fi series' return to screen next month, which will conclude the show for good

David, 50, made just TWO appearances across the three-minute long teaser

On lockdown, he explained, Their movement is restricted, and there are Big Brother cameras everywhere. So not only are they active  their everyday, normal lives are anything but.

Executive producer Shawn Levy said, The action is next level, the visual effects are next level, but I'm also happy to say that the emotional center remains the same.

'And part of the magic of this show is that even as we evolve, even as the storytelling becomes more epic, it's always anchored in these characters that we love.

The cast of Stranger Things 5 also includes Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers), David Harbour (Jim Hopper), Natalia Dyer (Nancy Wheeler), Charlie Heaton (Jonathan Byers), Joe Keery (Steve Harrington), Maya Hawke (Robin Buckley), and Linda Hamilton (Dr. Kay).

Stranger Things 5 premieres with the first four episodes on November 26, followed by three more on Christmas, with the finale airing on New Years Eve.
Eva Mendes made a rare public appearance on Thursday, only her second in seven months, as she stepped out in London, where she and husband Ryan Gosling have been settling into their new posh, high-end neighborhood.

The Mail on Sunday recently revealed the stunning actress, 51, and her Barbie star partner, 44, relocated from the US, buying a home in the affluent north London area of Hampstead with their daughters Esmeralda, 11, and Amada Lee, nine.

Gosling is in London filming the upcoming Star Wars movie Starfighter, but its also believed the family moved to escape the 'unstable' political landscape in the US.

Whatever the reason, Mendes, who was last seen in September and earlier in March for her birthday, appeared in high spirits as she ran errands, flashing her signature megawatt smile in a casual ensemble.

She layered a jacket, vest, and another jacket over leggings and knee-high boots, looking effortlessly chic  a far cry from her red carpet days, which came to an end when she retired from acting around the time their first daughter was born in 2014.

Her outing comes just days after Gosling turned heads while picking up their daughters from school in Hampstead, leaving local moms swooning.

Eva Mendes made a rare public appearance on Thursday, only her second in seven months, as she stepped out in London, where she and husband Ryan Gosling have been settling into their new posh, high-end neighborhood

Mendes, who was last seen in September and earlier in March for her birthday, appeared in high spirits as she ran errands, flashing her signature megawatt smile in a casual ensemble

A Hampstead local said at the time: '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.'

Another local revealed 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!'

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.

Gosling's Barbie co-star America Ferrera has reportedly also 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.

Eva and Ryan first met in August 2011 after they both signed on to star in crime drama The Place Beyond The Pines.

She layered a jacket, vest, and another jacket over leggings and knee-high boots, looking effortlessly chic  a far cry from her red carpet days

The Mail on Sunday recently revealed the stunning actress, 51, and her Barbie star partner, 44, relocated from the US, buying a home in the affluent north London area of Hampstead with their daughters Esmeralda, 11, and Amada Lee, nine

Gosling is in London filming the upcoming Star Wars movie Starfighter, but its also believed the family moved to escape the unstable political landscape in the US

They played love interests Romina Gutierrez and Luke Glanton, a motorcycle stunt rider who supports his family, which includes their young son, through a life of crime.

Their onscreen romance soon translated into real life and they started dating during the shooting of the movie.

Ryan later admitted that it was while playing at having a pretend family with Eva in the film, that he first realized he wanted to start a family of his own with the actress.

Opening up to GQ in 2023, he said: 'I wasn't thinking about kids before I met her, but after I met Eva, I realized that I just didn't want to have kids without her.

'There were moments on The Place Beyond The Pines where we were pretending to be a family, and I didn't really want it to be pretend anymore.'

The couple went public with their relationship when they were spotted putting on a loved-up display together at Disneyland, going on to make their red carpet debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2012.

Eva stepped away from acting in 2014 when the pair welcomed their first child, going on to focus on other business ventures, including fashion and homeware collaborations and writing her new children's book, Desi, Mami, and the Never-Ending Worries.

In September, she admitted she has no plans to return to the silver screen any time soon, after reaching a 'career high' by working alongside her husband.

Last year Gosling and the family lived in Notting Hill while he filmed Project Hail Mary

Eva and Ryan first met in August 2011 after they both signed on to star in crime drama The Place Beyond The Pines

Her outing comes just days after Gosling turned heads while picking up their daughters from school in Hampstead, leaving local moms swooning; (pictured 2013)

During an interview with Good Morning America, she explained: 'I don't know [when I'll return]. If there's interesting roles. I left at a time where... it was ten years ago... I kind of felt like I did it, you know?'

The move across the pond comes as Mendes recently opened up about embracing her sexiness at 50 and her approach to cosmetic treatments.

Speaking to The Times in October, she said: 'I'm not afraid to try things that are safe, because most of these little treatments, let's say, are reversible.'

Seemingly hinting she has experimented with Botox and other temporary treatments, she added: 'If you get Botox, it goes away if you don't like it. There have been times where I've regretted something and then you just wait it out.'

Mendes has previously declared herself 'all for' cosmetic surgery after critics accused her of denying ever having work done.
Busted cancelled a Radio 1 event on Thursday as member James Bourne continues to battle a mystery illness.

James, 42, was forced to pull out of the Busted vs McFly tour in September, just a day before it kicked off in Birmingham, with his bandmates describing him as 'really f***ing sick'.

And now a message on Busted's official Instagram page reads of an upcoming event in Bradford: 'We are sorry to say that we will no longer be performing at Radio 1's Anthems Live in Bradford on November 15.

'James' health is our priority and having discussed as a band we agree it wouldn't feel right to do this without him.

'We love Radio 1 and thank them very much for their understanding.

'We look forward to being back performing as a full band when the time is right.'

Busted cancelled a Radio 1 event on Thursday as member James Bourne continues to battle a mystery illness

A message on Busted's Instagram page reads of an upcoming event in Bradford: 'We are sorry to say that we will no longer be performing at Radio 1's Anthems Live in Bradford on November 15'

As they appeared on stage for their first show of the tour last month, Matt Willis said: 'Okay, you may have noticed our best friend is not here tonight.

'James Bourne is really f***ing sick and we love him and we miss him.

'This is the first show we've ever played without him and it's really. But we're going do the best we can. Health is wealth.'

James announced in a statement that he had to quit the tour due to health reasons.

He wrote on Instagram: 'The VS tour kicks off tomorrow night in Birmingham and as excited as l've been all year for this tour to begin.'

'I'm really sorry to say that over the last 8 days it has become clear that I am not in good enough health to play these shows :-(

'There's a lot of information I still don't have about my condition but my bandmates, management and I are unanimous in deciding that I should focus on the medical stuff for now.

'I really hope I can be in a position to come back further down the line. It's still going to be an amazing show and I will miss being there! See you all as soon as possible.'

James, 42, was forced to pull out of the Busted vs McFly tour in September, just a day before it kicked off in Birmingham, with his bandmates describing him as 'really f***ing sick'

As they appeared on stage for their first show of the tour last month, Matt Willis said: 'Okay, you may have noticed our best friend is not here tonight. James Bourne is really f***ing sick'

Busted and McFly have reunited for an incredible head-to-head joint tour throughout September, October and November.

Busted's James, Charlie and Matt, said at the time of the announcement: 'The whole tour is to find out who's a better band. Fans can decide.

'They can come and support their band and they might change their mind. It's going to be a fight to the death.'

Matt continued: 'It has been a long time coming, this tour. Fans have wanted this. There's a massive crossover in the fanbases but secretly I think everyone likes Busted more.'

Meanwhile McFly is made up of Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Harry Judd and Dougie Poynter.

Charlie, who had hits including Crashed The Wedding and You Said No with Busted, explained: '[McBusted] was a different thing. This is very much, we're doing it as two different bands.

James (pictured) announced in a statement that he had to quit the tour due to mystery health reasons

'The way we've set up the show is different to a normal show. It's not a co-headline tour and there are going to be some surprises along the way which people genuinely won't have seen before.'

McFly achieved 18 consecutive UK top 20 singles, seven of which peaked at number one in the UK Singles Chart. They also won the 2005 Brit Award for Best British Pop Act.

Meanwhile, Busted from Southend-on-Sea, enjoyed four UK number one singles, won two Brit Awards, and sold over five million records worldwide.

In 2013, the two bands combined to become a six-piece pop-punk supergroup called McBusted, albeit without lead vocalist and guitarist Charlie, who wanted to focus on his rock band Fightstar and a solo career.
Sisters were doing it for themselves on Thursday evening as the annual Glamour Women Of The Year ceremony got underway in London.

On a night dedicated to the power of sisterhood it was all about the ladies as Hollywood star Rachel Zegler joined a host of stars at 180 The Strand to celebrate the female connection across generations and continents.

The American actress, 24, who captivated audiences with her lead role in the West End production of Evita this summer, wowed in a chic suit inspired shimmering dress.

The red and white plaid patterned number featured a sequined tie and white see-through long-sleeved shirt.

The star completed the look with a simple pair of black strappy heels and silver dangly diamond earrings.

Meanwhile Vick Hope looked sensational as she made her return to work with her first glam red carpet event since giving birth to her son in July.

Rachel Zegler wowed in a shimmering power suit inspired dress as she led the stars at the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards on Thursday evening

Vick Hope looked sensational as she made her return to work with her first glam red carpet event since giving birth to her son in July

The BBC Radio DJ appeared in great spirits as she beamed on the carpet in the stunning strapless pink satin gown.

Leigh-Anne Pinnock showcased her incredible figure in a stylish co-ord as she flashed her toned abs in a cropped long-sleeved top and long skirt.

It was a night for the shimmer, as Strictly star Amber Davies also opted for a sparkly silver number.

The former Love Island star looked sensational in the floor length halter neck dress which featured a scooped neck line.

Opting for a completely contrasting look Ashley Roberts seemed to dress for scary season in a black crocodile leather dress.

The former Pussycat Doll showcased her svelte figure in the fitted garment which she paired with matching leather gloves.

Oti Mabuse also sparkled in a sequined strapless gown as she joined the stars for the celebratory evening.

Love Island star Amber Gill flashed plenty of side boob in a risque black halter neck which she paired with black trousers.

Leigh-Anne Pinnock showcased her incredible figure in a stylish co-ord

The red and white plaid patterned dress featured a sequined tie and white see-through long-sleeved shirt

The BBC Radio DJ appeared in great spirits as she beamed on the carpet in the stunning strapless pink satin gown

Tyla went braless as she left little to the imagination in a cropped grey jacket adorned with shiny feather like embellishments

The singer paired the jacket with a pair of mesh striped black trousers as she posed for snaps

Opting for a completely contrasting look Ashley Roberts seemed to dress for scary season in a black crocodile leather dress

Vick accessorised with a pair of dangling diamond earrings and matching necklace

The former Pussycat Doll showcased her svelte figure in the fitted garment which she paired with matching leather gloves

Love Island star Amber Gill flashed plenty of side boob in a risque black halter neck which she paired with black trousers

Alex Scott wowed in a silver sequined gown and dramatic white silk coat

Tyla went braless as she left little to the imagination in a cropped grey jacket adorned with shiny feather like embellishments.

The singer paired the jacket with a pair of mesh striped black trousers as she posed for snaps.

Frankie Bridge ensured all eyes were on her in a bright moss green long-sleeved number which featured a one-sided cape detailing and ruched skirt.

Lottie Moss also embraced a corporate inspired look in a button up black corset top and matching skirt.

Since 1999, Glamour has celebrated its initiative to honour extraordinary and inspirational women from a variety of fields.

Past winners have included Pamela Anderson, Kim Cattrall, Naomi Campbell and Victoria Beckham.

However, this year, in a special Women of the Year feature, the UK edition has chosen nine transgender activists.

The former Love Island star looked sensational in the floor length halter neck dress which featured a scooped neck line

The star completed the look with a simple pair of black strappy heels and silver dangly diamond earrings

Vick is hosting the illustrious awards ceremony in central London

The star went braless in the sparkly tasseled top which was also backless

The Little Mix star released new solo music as well as an update on her next tour earlier this month

Sugababes Mutya Buena, Siobhan Donaghy and Keisha Buchanan posed up a storm together

Frankie Bridge ensured all eyes were on her in a bright moss green long-sleeved number which featured a one-sided cape detailing and ruched skirt

Munroe Bergdorf showed off her ample cleavage in a gold sparkly dress

Munya put on a leggy display in a ruched baby pink halter neck

Mimi Webb opted for a plunging red ruched dress

Her top appeared to be too big for her as the floaty sleeves hung loose

Joyce Cisse kept it bright with a sweet butter yellow strapless dress adorned with black ribbon

Lottie showcased her amble cleavage in the corset top

Vick dazzled as she posed for snaps in the spotlight

The bandmates opted for an array of little black dresses

Lioness goalkeeper Hannah Hampton opted for a sophisticated black dress

Bee Beardsworth went braless in a mesh dress patterned with green paintwork

Frankie added a statement black clutch bag

Lydia Millen opted for a glamorous black fishtail gown as she arrived for the glitzy event

Samantha Barry opted for a gold reflective fish scale inspired strapless dress, while Kemi Alemoru wowed in a simple white strapless floor length gown

Model Charli Howard opted for a black dress with dramatic pleated skirt

Actress and singer Asha Banks looked stylish in a layered red dress and black boots

Zoe Hodgson, Jade Cunningham and Olivia Milne posed for a stunning picture together

Leigh-Anne accessorised with a pair of dramatic silver earrings

Model and activist Nyome Nicholas-Williams showcased her tattoos in a simple black square-necked gown

Varada Sethu dazzled in a gold shimmery dress with yellow feather edging

Irish actress and model Niamh McCormack opted for a smart charcoal shirt and white skirt

The honourees include a mix of relatively unknown models, actors and musicians, with the most famous face being Munroe Bergdorf - a controversial activist who once branded 'all white people racist' and said that the Suffragettes were 'white supremacists'.

Last year's winners included Bridgerton star Simone Ashley, The Little Mermaid actor Chloe Bailey, and Hollywood royalty Pamela Anderson.

As trans rights face an increasing threat in the UK, the magazine wishes to celebrate the community's most ground-breaking voices.

Caroline Hooley, Commercial Lead at Glamour, said: 'We're so proud to be partnering with Simple, Tinder, and Parfums de Marly for this year's Women of the Year celebration.

'Each brand brings something unique to the event  from celebrating sisterhood, confidence and self-expression to creating unforgettable moments of connection.

'Their support helps us honour incredible women in a way that feels both empowering and inspiring.'
Vick Hope addressed the graphic post-labour placenta snap shared after she gave birth to her first child this summer as she hosted the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards on Thursday night.

The Radio 1 star welcomed her baby boy Micah with husband Calvin Harris, with the DJ sharing the happy news at the time with a series of Instagram images.

He included a graphic photograph of Vick's placenta in his post, which was later turned into pills by drying and grinding the organ into a powder that's then placed into capsules.

This practice, called placentophagy, is believed by some to offer postpartum benefit.

And returning to the spotlight for her first job and big red carpet since becoming a mum she made reference to image and said she was 'bricking it' being on stage.

She said on stage: 'It was posted by my husband but placentas are amazing. I am keen to celebrate motherhood after what my vagina has done - it's f***ing majestic.

Vick Hope addressed the graphic post-labour placenta snap shared after she gave birth to her first child this summer as she hosted the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards on Thursday night

The Radio 1 star welcomed her baby boy Micah with husband Calvin Harris , with the DJ sharing the happy news at the time with a series of Instagram images

Vick hosted the awards which were held at 180 Studios in London

'And now you've all seen my placenta too!'

She added that she was 'bricking it' ahead of her first major job back since giving birth and admitted she hadn't slept for 13 weeks and has been covered in 'bright yellow s**t.'

Vick then pleaded with the audience to 'be gentle with her' as they cheered her return amid her maternity leave.

She looked incredible on the night in a light pink strapless dress and wore her dark tresses slicked back.

He included a graphic photograph of Vick's placenta, which was later turned into pills, in his post

Her husband Calvin shared the image of her placenta back in summer when she gave birth.

Some people believe eating the placenta can prevent postpartum depression, ease bleeding after delivery, promote a healthy hormone balance in the body, improve mood, energy and milk supply and provide important nutrients, such as iron. But there's no evidence that eating the placenta has health benefits.

In a follow up post Vick then included a look at some placenta artwork hanging in the family home.

The artwork is created by imprinting the placenta onto a piece of paper or canvas after birth.

Alongside his series of photos, Calvin announced the birth and wrote: '20th of July our boy arrived. Micah is here! My wife is a superhero and I am in complete awe of her primal wisdom!

'Just so grateful. We love you so much Micah.'

The couple were congratulated by fans and friends in the comments section, including fellow DJ Oliver Heldens who queried the placenta pills.

He wrote: 'Wow, congratulations to all 3 of you! Are those pills made of placenta? (Brb, I gotta ask ChatGPT some questions I want to know more.)'

Returning to the spotlight for her first job and big red carpet since becoming a mum she made reference to image

She said on stage: 'It was posted by my husband but placentas are amazing. I am keen to celebrate motherhood after what my vagina has done - it's f***ing majestic'

She looked incredible on the night in a light pink strapless dress and wore her dark tresses slicked back

Vick spoke confidently on stage as she took on the job amid her maternity leave

Vick went on maternity leave from her BBC Radio 1 show in May and jetted out to her and Calvin's home in Ibiza shortly afterwards to give birth

Vick went on maternity leave from her BBC Radio 1 show in May and jetted out to her and Calvin's home in Ibiza shortly afterwards to give birth.

The celebrities were out in full force for the annual Glamour Women of the Year Awards on Thursday.

Taking place at 180 The Strand, this year's theme is sisterhood - celebrating connection across generations and continents.

Since 1999, Glamour has celebrated its initiative to honour 'extraordinary and inspirational' women from a variety of fields.

Past winners have included Pamela Anderson, Kim Cattrall, Naomi Campbell and Victoria Beckham.

However, this year, in a special Women of the Year feature, the UK edition has chosen nine transgender activists.

The honourees include a mix of relatively unknown models, actors and musicians, with the most famous face being Munroe Bergdorf - a controversial activist who once branded 'all white people racist' and said that the Suffragettes were 'white supremacists'.

Last year's winners included Bridgerton star Simone Ashley, The Little Mermaid actor Chloe Bailey, and Hollywood royalty Pamela Anderson.

She added that she was 'bricking it' ahead of her first major job back since giving birth and admitted she hadn't slept for 13 weeks and has been covered in 'bright yellow s**t'

As trans rights face an increasing threat in the UK, the magazine wishes to celebrate the community's most ground-breaking voices.

Caroline Hooley, Commercial Lead at Glamour, said: 'We're so proud to be partnering with Simple, Tinder, and Parfums de Marly for this year's Women of the Year celebration.

'Each brand brings something unique to the event  from celebrating sisterhood, confidence and self-expression to creating unforgettable moments of connection.

'Their support helps us honour incredible women in a way that feels both empowering and inspiring.'
Family Matters star Darius McCrary has been seen in his mug shot.

The 49-year-old actor looked exhausted in the image shared by the Oakland County Jail on Thursday.

At the time McCrary was arrested, he was trying to get into Mexico from the U.S., authorities said.

His request for bail was turned down in his initial court appearance in mid October in Southern California.

McCrary, who played the role of Eddie Winslow on the ABC sitcom from 1989 to 1998, has been in a San Diego-area jail after he was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents on October 5.

A judge ruled that the Walnut, California-born actor remained a flight risk in the ongoing case, in which he was taken into custody in connection with a felony warrant issued in Michigan.

The Monogamy actor at first said he wanted to represent himself and go without the services of a court-appointed lawyer, but the judge appointed a public defender to work on his behalf.

Family Matters star Darius McCrary has been seen in his mug shot. The actor looked exhausted in the image shared by the Oakland Sheriff's Office on Thursday

McCrary walked the red carpet at the Emmys in September 2024 in LA

Daily Mail has reached out to reps for McCrary for further comment on the story.

Authorities are planning to extradite McCrary back to Michigan, where the warrant for his arrest was initially issued over a missed court date over unpaid child support dues.

There have been conflicting accounts early on of why The Young and the Restless alum was in the area in the first place.

Prosecutors in the case said McCrary's agent claimed that he had been in Tijuana to scout potential real estate purchases, according to ABC 10 News.

The public defender in the case said that McCrary had been in the area to work on a charitable endeavor involving houses being built.

A representative for the actor told People that McCrary should not be considered a flight risk because he doesn't have any connections to the Tijuana area.

The rep said that McCrary accidentally found himself in a separate country because of a 'a mix-up [about] where to meet his partner for the Esperanza program,' the aforementioned charity involving houses.

The rep said that McCrary intends to battle the case in Michigan, where he's slated to appear in court on November 14.

McCrary has dealt with legal issues in the past tied to his acrimonious split from ex-wife Tammy Brawner.

McCrary played the role of Eddie Winslow on the ABC sitcom from 1989-1998. Pictured in an early episode with Jo Marie Payton; the late Rosetta Lenoire; and Reginald VelJohnson

His ex-wife Tammy Brawner, an actress/producer who once played for the Harlem Globetrotters, was pictured at a Toys for Tots event in December 2015 in Valley Glen, California

The former couple filed for divorce in 2017 and finalized it in 2019, with McCrary being ordered by the court to pay a monthly amount of $1,366 in child support, court documents reviewed by People revealed.

The court ordered Brawner, an actress/producer who once played for the Harlem Globetrotters, to receive full legal and physical custody of their daughter Zoe, who was three-years-old at the time of the ruling, according to the outlet.

The court subsequently ordered McCrary to go to programs for alcohol/drug abuse and batterers' intervention over the next year, People reported after reviewing documents.

McCrary was given supervised visitation with his daughter for six hours every Sunday for the first 10 visits, at which time the conditions would be re-examined by the court, the outlet reported citing legal documents.
A beloved fast-food institution has served its final meal after nearly a century in business.

Kaspers Hot Dogs - famous for its chili dogs and old-school charm - has closed its last two locations, on Oaklands MacArthur Boulevard and in Concord, both in the Bay Area.

The 95-year-old chain, a family-run staple for generations, had become a symbol of local pride and nostalgia.

Teresa Belfanti, the owner's daughter, confirmed the closures, which have marked the end of an era for her family and the community.

Belfanti's father, Harold Koojoolian, owned the Oakland chain that closed on October 15.

He and his wife, Bonnie Koojoolian, were in their 80s and planned to sell the building and retire. But then Bonnie suddenly died earlier this year.

'It's bittersweet, but it's hard without my mom here,' Belfanti told SFGATE. 'That's been a challenge, so I think the timing is right.'

The building was sold to Oakland Trybe, a nonprofit that works with young adults and families in the area, according to Belfanti  who says the new owners plan to keep it as a food business with a similar menu.

Kasper's Hot Dogs shut its final two locations (Oakland's MacArthur Boulevard and the Concord) last week

The 95yearold chain was an iconic family-run business that served up a healthy dose of nostalgia along with its hot dogs

'It's the end of an era for us, but he's very comfortable with who's taking it over,' Belfanti said of her father. 'They will be good stewards of the business and they'll be good neighbors, having been part of that Dimond District community for a long time.'

Behind all the hot dogs, Kasper's had a unique and rich history.

Harold's uncle, Kasper Koojoolian, first sold hot dogs in Chicago in the 1920s after fleeing the Armenian genocide.

Kasper moved to Oakland in search of better weather and opened his first Bay Area hot dog stand at the corner of Fruitvale Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard in 1930.

The business took off with the help of Kasper's brothers and cousins. At its height, the hot dog chain boasted at least a dozen locations.

After Kasper and his brothers died in the 1940s, their wives and children continued to run the restaurants.

The original location relocated to MacArthur Boulevard due to highway construction in 1962, and operated there until it closed last week.

When customers stepped into Kasper's, with its orange and white-striped walls, diner stools, and a retro menu of hot dogs, chili and 'orange fizz' - an old-school whipped drink, it felt like they were walking back in time.

Harold Koojoolian was the owner of Kaspers Hot Dogs

Harold's uncle, Kasper Koojoolian, first sold hot dogs in Chicago in the 1920s after fleeing the Armenian genocide

The original Kasper's location relocated to MacArthur Boulevard due to highway construction in 1962

Belfanti lived just steps away from the restaurant when she was a child and remembers her mom taking her and her brother there for lunch.

'They used to have a hot chocolate machine and then they also had a milkshake machine, so on a good day you'd get a hot chocolate with a little serving of vanilla ice cream on top,' she recalled. 'That was special.'

'It was a heck of a run,' Belfanti said of the closure of the remaining three Kasper's stores. 'A very long run, but it's time to hand it off to somebody else who can take the next step.'

People in Oakland still craving that retro hot dog experience will have to head to Caspers - a hot dog joint owned by one of Kasper's very own family members which continues to serve in Oakland, Hayward, Pleasant Hill, Richmond and Dublin.

This is just the latest in a slew of closures targeting historic establishments.

After 135 years in business, one of Washington's most iconic pharmacy chains has shut its doors for good, closing its final three locations last weekend after weeks of inventory blowouts.

The collapse follows a wave of struggles across the sector, with giants such as Rite Aid filing for bankruptcy and Walgreens and CVS also shuttering hundreds of stores as customer habits shift and financial pressures mount.

The latest casualty is Bartell Drugs, a Seattlebased chain once beloved for its local identity and community focus. Founded in 1890, it was acquired by Rite Aid in 2020, when it had 67 stores.

When customers stepped into Kasper's, with its orange and whitestriped walls, diner stools, and a retro menu of hot dogs, chili and 'orange fizz' - an old school whipped drink, it felt like they were walking back in time

People in Oakland still craving that retro hot dog experience will have to head to Caspers  a hotdog joint owned by one of Kasper's very own family members

Other longstanding American chains have been forced to shutter many locations, but are clinging onto their final few stores.

Iconic 169-year-old US retailer Orvis announced plans to close 36 stores nationwide, part of a major reboot aimed at returning to the fly fishing and outdoor roots that built the brand.

Founded in 1856, the Manchester, VA, Orvis calls itself the oldest mail-order retailer in the United States, predating Sears, LL Bean and even the Pony Express's heyday.

But it ditched its famous catalog last year and now it is closing stores as it tries to save money amid rising costs caused by tariffs.

Macy's is in the process of shuttering 150 underperforming stores, including 66 stores this year.

Party City and Big Lots have shut all their locations over the past 18 months as consumers increasingly shop online.
Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen says parent company Unilever blocked plans for a new flavor showing 'solidarity with Palestine.'

Cohen, who launched the ice cream brand in 1978 with Jerry Greenfield, says bosses vetoed the idea despite its message of 'permanent peace.'

He's now releasing it himself  a watermelon sorbet under his activist label Ben's Best, nodding to the colors of the Palestinian flag.

'Here I am making something that's actually pretty important,' Cohen said while mashing watermelons in a video.

'The scale of suffering of the Palestinian people over the last two years has been unimaginable.'

Unilever, which has owned Ben & Jerry's since 2000, confirmed it had blocked the idea, saying through a spokesperson it 'wasn't the right time' for such a flavor.

Cohen accused the company of 'corporate butt kissing' to Donald Trump and called the decision a 'corporate attack on free speech,' the Guardian reported.

His announcement marks the latest chapter in a long-running feud with Unilever, which last year ousted Ben & Jerry's CEO and threatened to cut funding to the founders' foundation.

Ben Cohen, one of the co-founders of Ben & Jerry's, sold the company to Unilever in 2000 - but his social activism has remained an important part of the ice cream company in the past 25 years

The ice cream maker has been struggling with Unilever, the corporate parent company, for the past year

Ben & Jerry's, known for flavors tied to progressive causes, has frequently clashed with its corporate parent.

The ice cream brand backed the Black Lives Matter movement, spoke out against President Donald Trump and protested for gay marriage rights.

In 2021, Ben & Jerry's stopped selling its products in Israeli-occupied territories, prompting Unilever to sell its Israeli operation to a local licensee.

In March, the corporation fired Ben & Jerry's woke CEO.

A month later, Unilever threatened to withdraw funding from the founders' foundation, which donates to a range of charities and social justice organizations.

Then, this September, Jerry Greenfield, the other co-founder, decided to walk away from the company amid frustrations with management.

Unilever, PR reps for Ben & Jerry's, and Cohen didn't immediately respond to the Daily Mail's requests for comment.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on Wednesday slammed the interim Governments plan to implement the July Charter, aimed at institutionalising reforms in the wake of last years protests that ousted Sheikh Hasinas Awami League Government, describing the move as deception. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the party was astonished to find that its dissenting notes were missing from the final report published by the National Consensus Commission on Wednesday. He called the move a deception with both the people and political parties.

Alamgir demanded immediate reinstatement of BNPs dissenting views into the Charter, warning that ignoring them would undermine the spirit of national unity. The July Charter was intended to reflect the aspirations of agitators during the violent street protests, dubbed as July Uprising, which led to Hasinas ouster in August last year. The document contains over 80 reform proposals for different sectors. The interim Government led by Muhammad Yunus later disbanded the Awami Leagues activities under anti-terrorism laws, while the Election Commission suspended its registration.
My name is Naomi Seibt,

I am the 1st German applying for asylum under President Trump due to political persecution.

As a free speech advocate and supporter of the AfD party, I am the target of

 intelligence surveillance

 state media defamation

 ANTIFA threats

Thanks to @elonmusk, I received a voice on  and was able to help make the AfD party internationally popular.

The German government is supporting left-wing violence, covering up MIGRANT CRlMES and silencing dissidents with mass house raids.

The tax-funded propaganda media monopolize the narrative and defame the Trump administration  even Charlie Kirk  constantly.

As a representative for Germanys leading alternative media outlet

@Deu_Kurier

, I vow to expose the TRUTH.

Only the AfD can save Germany.

Thank you for your attention.
Recruiting students has grown harder in recent years, but Dalhousie meets the moment with some clear advantages: its unique size, expansive programs, an exceptional Nova Scotia setting, and  as a new recruitment campaign promises  a degree with limitless potential.

Dalhousie stands out in Atlantic Canada as the regions largest university, with a vast selection of academic pathways. But Dal is also the most close-knit of Canadas U15 group of research-intensive universities nationally, offering possibilities for a far more personalized student experience than many of its peers.

For individuals seeking the best of both worlds, Dal delivers just the ticket, says Keri Irwin, senior director of marketing and digital at Dalhousie.

Dalhousie is big enough to offer a world of choice, yet small enough that students can be known by name by their professors, which created the genesis for a new concept that Dal is just right for students in so many ways, says Irwin.

Shown right: One of Dal's new recruitment ads.

Irwins crew worked closely with Dalhousies in-house Creative Studio, recruitment colleagues, and student focus groups to bring this message to life in the new campaign launched this fall, which includes updated viewbooks and a series of ads and video centred around how Dal lives up to this promise.

Dals location on Canadas East Coast shines front and centre in the campaign as does the universitys commitment to providing a vibrant student life experience and pathways beyond undergraduate programs.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;nbsp;

While people have been choosing Dal for these reasons for years, the new campaign leans into the universitys unique strengths and brings them into sharper focus, says Irwin.

Opening doors wide



Thousands of prospective students and their supporters will get to take an even closer look this Saturday (Nov. 1) as the university opens its campuses and buildings for Open House in Halifax. More than 3,500 people have registered so far, up 500 from last year.

Open House serves as Dals marquee recruitment event, creating an immersive glimpse into the Dal experience with campus tours, program overviews, and other engaging activities.

The day-long event, organized with the help of the universitys many Faculties and supporting offices, builds on the work the university has been doing with recruiters across Nova Scotia, Canada, and across the globe in recent weeks focused on the academic year starting in September 2026.

No matter who you are, where youre from or what kind of university experience you want, you can likely find it at Dalhousie.

Were acutely aware of the concerns that todays students have in considering university, says Paul Williams, who led the development of the campaigns creative strategy as managing director of Dals Creative Studio. The intent of the campaign is to demonstrate that, no matter who you are, where youre from or what kind of university experience you want, you can likely find it at Dalhousie.

Creative Studio is part of Dals broader Student Recruitment and Marketing (SRM) team, which has dedicated team members working with Faculties and other support offices on channeling the same spirit into their own specific recruitment efforts.



Volunteers welcome attendees at the 2024 Dalhousie Open House.

Personalized for students



Alongside refreshed marketing, Dal has also made improvements to strategic enrolment management as it seeks to offer students a more personalized experience.

Jeff Myers, acting assistant vice president enrolment and university registrar, says Dal has gotten more intentional and strategic with policies that define the student experience. For example, personal display parchments allow students to request versions of their degree in other languages. And a new degree audit system arms students with critical feedback as they navigate their academic pathways.

"We have exciting things planned for the coming year, too, like improvements to course scheduling and access to enrollment and academic services and supports," says Myers.

Another one of Dal's new ads.

Applying to Dal has gotten easier in recent years thanks to a new online portal that allows for even faster processing of applications, reduced service times, better communications, and more clarity for students navigating the journey to university.

As Dalhousie embarks on its ambitious new campaign, collaboration will be more important than ever, say Ann MacDonald, senior director of student recruitment and undergraduate admissions.

Everyone plays an important role in creating a welcoming environment for students.

It takes the collaborative involvement of teams across the Dal community to bring this all together, says MacDonald. Everyone plays an important role in creating a welcoming environment for students.

Know someone interested in Dal? Encourage them to attend Open House this Saturday or the Virtual Open House on Nov. 15). Additional information can be found at www.dal.ca/future-students
As the sun sets, attendees of the Enchanted Skies Star Party, located just a short drive east of the VLA, start unpacking their telescopes for a night of stargazing, which sometimes lasts until dawn.

Starting October 14 and running six days, regional astronomers in the Magdalena Astronomical Society collaborated to host the 32nd annual Enchanted Skies Star Party (ESSP), an educational event that drew over 130 enthusiasts from across the country.

An unexpected feature at this years ESSP was the participation of internationally recognized astronomer Dr. Marc Buie from Southwest Research Institute. Dr. Buie was among the leading members of the team conducting the recent New Horizons flyby mission to Pluto and later to the remarkable newly discovered, very distant double-asteroid object named Arrokoth. Buie was drawn to attend this years ESSP because it was organized to feature occultation science, a specialty of great interest to him, and a field that can engage backyard scientists in serious astronomical discovery.

This year was the second in which ESSP enjoyed using the Montosa Ranch campground located only eight miles away from the center of the VLA radio telescope.

The location featured very dark skies that are a principal attraction for the participants. The site also has a comfortable chapel building used as a lecture hall. The combination of amenities at the Montosa campground is the most ideal setting that the long-running ESSP event has ever enjoyed. The lecture hall, particularly, allowed an expanded program of distinguished speakers including both professional and amateur astronomers to share on a wide range of topics. Dr. David Levy, the co-discoverer of the famous Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 that crashed into Jupiter in 1994  drawing world-wide attention in the process  was among the keynote speakers. Participants were grateful that staff from the VLA turned off lights that normally illuminate the Arrays central area. This accommodation made the environment at Montosa Ranch even better.

Occultation science involves the alignment of celestial objects in the sky, similar to eclipses of the Sun and Moon. Of particular interest at ESSP was the situation of faint asteroids in our solar system being able to pass in front of much more distant stars, thus briefly making the starlight disappear. Recent major improvements in our knowledge of the positions of stars and asteroids make predicting such events much easier than ever before. The motivation in watching such events is that considerable information can be learned about asteroids, such as their size, shape, and even that they sometimes have their own small moons. This research can be done as simply as by using small telescopes and video cameras set up in ones backyard.

William Hennessy sets up his 20-inch DAB telescope on the first day of the Enchanted Skies Star Party. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVE SCHAEFER

It can, of course, become much more elaborate. Dr. Larry Wasserman of Lowell Observatory described how seeing the most interesting occultation events can involve traveling to far corners of the world. Drs. David and Joan Dunham, featured speakers at ESSP, are founders of the long-established International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA) that now has an endowment of over $1,000,000. After sharing the stage with Dr. Buie in presentations meant to encourage more participation in occultation observations, the Dunhams hosted a more specialized and technical workshop on the subject in Magdalena on the Monday following ESSP. Video conference technology allowed nearly half of the workshop participants to be virtual.

Like previous years, many other presentations offered information about how to photograph the sky, a topic of great interest to typical star party participants.

Among speakers were nationally recognized expert Dan Llewellyn returning from Georgia; Dr. Robert Q. Fugate, retired as the founding director of the U.S. Air Force Starfire Optical Range in Albuquerque; and retired software engineer Lee Maisel, a new resident who, like many others, has moved here to live under local dark skies. Larry McHenry traveled from Pennsylvania to speak about famed American astronomer Edward E. Barnard, a pioneer of early astrophotography. Dr. Richard Fienberg, another new New Mexico resident who is retired as editor of Sky & Telescope magazine and press officer of the American Astronomical Society, shared an overview of infrared astronomy.

The Enchanted Skies Star Party is commemorated in a signpost monument on the southeast corner of Socorros Plaza. This years participants were especially pleased to see the return of Jon Spargo and Dave Finley, both retired from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. They, with considerable involvement from the whole Socorro community, were the founders of ESSP in 1994. Returning this year, they reviewed the early days of the event that included participation by New Mexicos Moon-walking Apollo astronaut, Dr. Harrison Schmitt. Spargo and Finley were very pleased to see the events continuing momentum and its attention to preserving local dark skies, as exemplified by Dr. Albert Grauers presentation, he being a driving force in the creation of Catron Countys Cosmic Campground as a certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary. With an increasing number of people coming to New Mexico specifically to pursue astronomy, often relocating here in retirement to do so, local dark skies represent a valuable economic driver that is not being ignored. Local real estate agents are very aware of the phenomenon and specifically left schedules open during ESSP to facilitate showing homes to participants while the event was running.
Several community members voiced strong support for the districts staff and programs in response to recent criticisms posted on the local email group called the MagE Board.

Shannon Munyo, a third-grade teacher, was represented by colleague Carrie Sant, who read her statement:

Let me take a moment to give credit where credit is due. 59% of last years third graders were proficient in the English language arts, said Munyos statement, Id also like to note that is the highest proficiency the third graders have ever had in the last 20 years of required state assessment.

Other speakers, including teachers and parents, said the school had a welcoming environment, dedicated staff and clean facilities.

Nobodys perfect, and theres a lot of things that arent perfect, but theres no other place that I would rather send my kids right now, Eric Kern said during public comment.

Following public comments, Kimberly Ortiz, the new Superintendent who started her tenure that day said she agreed with the comments.

Everything theyve said. I can second, its amazing, amazing teachers, amazing staff, amazing facilities. Ortiz said.

In other business, Christopher Backstrom, Middle/High School Principal, said SCOPE would be coming to give a presentation about vaping and drugs for the upcoming Red Ribbon Week.

Board Member Rachel Montoya asked about the new vape detectors.

I keep getting a lot of vapes. I mean, in the last three years, Ive probably collected over 50. So, it does help, but kids are kids. Theyll find ways around it, Backstrom said.

Ad

In action items, the board adopted Policy G-6140 regarding job abandonment. However, proposed updates to leave policies were tabled for further review and budget analysis.

Board members raised questions about financial items, including a $18,451.74 licensing expense and the districts vehicle inventory.

These items, along with concerns about a high water bill, were tabled for follow-up at the next meeting.

An executive session was held to discuss legal matters, with no action taken.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 17.
In preparation for the pause of SNAP benefits on November 1, EDC is compiling a list of resources in Socorro and Catron counties to help alleviate food insecurity in the coming days.

The best way for people to support food bank programs and pantries in New Mexico is via cash and food donations to local food pantry programs, said George Mercer, community resource specialist for Roadrummer Food Bank. Cash donations can be particularly helpful to supplement food donation if, for example, a local pantry receives a lot of pasta but no sauce.

According to the Roadrunner Food Bank, Catron County has the highest percentage for child hunger, and Socorro County has the fourth highest percentage for overall hunger.

Online resources for assistance or to volunteer/donate:

Roadrunner Food Bank: https://www.rrfb.org/find-help/find-food/

Meals on Wheels NM: https://mow-nm.org/

Find Help database: www.findhelp.org

Lasagna Love food delivery: https://lasagnalove.org

Homestyle Direct food delivery: https://www.homestyledirect.com/

Moms Meals food delivery: https://www.momsmeals.com/

Non-Metro NM Area Agency on Aging: https://www.nonmetroaaa.com/services

Socorro County

Socorro

Where: Damien Ocampo - State Farm Insurance Agent at 830 N California St. Ste B, Socorro, NM

When: Beginning in November during business hours, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. No sign Up or documentation required.

What: Will have non-perishable foods available.

Ad

Where: Midwest Community Action Program at 904 Spring St.

When: Every Wednesday from 8 a.m.-11 a.m., 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Socorro Storehouse (http://www.socorrostorehouse.org/) at 519 S. Hwy 85, Socorro, NM

When: Every very Thursday from noon - 2pm.

What: They serve anyone who qualifies for SNAP/FDPIR/WIC/CSFP-Senior Food Box Program (no photo ID required), and SH Emergency program (photo ID required).

Where: New Mexico Tech Food Pantry (https://www.nmt.edu/studentaffairs/foodpantry.php) at Fidel Center, 3rd Floor, Room 326

When: Every Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-6pm, and Wednesdays and Fridays from 12-2pm, 3-5pm.

What: Serves NMT students experiencing temporary food insecurity.

Where: Puerto Seguro Safe Harbor (https://www.psisafeharbor.org/), 519 Old US Hwy 85

When: They offer homemade meals every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11 AM, as well as emergency food and clothing

Where: Banana Box of Datil (https://www.instagram.com/banana_box_of_datil/) will be at the Socorro Plaza under the big blue tent.

When: 10am-4pm, Monday, 11/3/25

What: The Banana Box of Datil is a mobile discount grocery store. For the month of November, they will offer 10% off your total when you present a New Mexico SNAP-EBT or WIC card.

They sell non-perishable food at 50% off big-box-store prices. Their products are liquidated from stores like Safeway and Albertsons for damaged packaging, past best by dates, or simply overstock.

They guarantee all of their products and take cash, PayPal App, Cash App, and Venmo App.

Magdalena/Alamo

Where: Magdalena Samaritan Center Thrift Store and Food Pantry (https://www.facebook.com/magdalenasamaritancenter/) at 102 S. St.

When: Monday & Thursday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. -12 p.m.

Rodeo Grounds, 102 S. Main St

When: Distributes food from Roadrunner Foodbank every fourth Friday of the month from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Where: Alamo Food Runner Distribution at the Alamo Wellness Center, 29 Hwy 169

When: Distributes food from Roadrunner Foodbank every third Tuesday of the month from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Veguita

Where: La Promesa Elementary School at 898 Hwy 304

When: Distributes food from Roadrunner Foodbank every second Wednesday of the month at 1:30 p.m.

What: Only available to households of students attending the school.

Catron County

Glenwood

Where: Glenwood Presbyterian Church at 5106 US Rt 180

When: Distributes food from Roadrunner Foodbank every second Tuesday of the month from 1-3pm,

Where: Santo Nino Food Pantry at HC61 Box 430, Glenwood

When: Distributes food from Roadrunner Foodbank every fourth wednesday of every month 5-7pm, fourth thurs 8-11am,

Quemado

Where: Quemado Food Pantry on Hwy 60

When: Distributes food from Roadrunner Foodbank the second Friday of every month from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Luna

Where: Luna Community Center at 31 Luna Valley Road, Hwy 180

When: Distributes food from Roadrunner Foodbank every second Wednesday of the month from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Datil

Where: Datil Food Pantry at 7389 Hwy 12

When: Distributes food from Roadrunner Foodbank every second Friday of the month from 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

EDITOR'S NOTE:This article will be updated as new information comes in
The T-shirt worn by Independent Councillor Gary Donnelly at a Derry City and Strabane District Council meeting is being investigated by the PSNI under the Terrorism Act 2000.

Cllr Donnelly received a letter from the forces Public Order Enquiry Team (POET) last week stating it had grounds to suspect he may have committed an offence contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 on July 23, 2025, whilst in attendance at a Derry City and Strabane District Council meeting.

The letter gave the grounds for suspicion of this offence contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 as Cllr Donnelly having been identified wearing a Palestine Action t-shirt during this meeting which was also livestreamed via YouTube.

Letter to Independent Councillor Gary Donnelly from PSNI about the T-shirt he wore to a meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council.

Police also have grounds to suspect that you may have committed an offence under Section 12 (1a) of the Terrorism Act 2000 in that you expressed an opinion or belief that is supportive of a proscribed organisation, in this case Palestine Action, and that in doing so were reckless as to whether a person would be encouraged to support the organisation, added the letter.

Speaking to The Derry News, Cllr Donnelly described the letter as an attempt to intimidate and criminalise people who are activists against the genocide that has played out in Palestine, particularly in Gaza.

I have my own views on the so-called democratic process here but those who espouse the democratic process and champion it need to acknowledge this as state interference.

Cllr Donnelly said he was not going to engage with the PSNI in relation to the letter.

Letter to Independent Councillor Gary Donnelly from PSNI about the T-shirt he wore to a meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council.

This attempted criminalisation is government policy. We are ruled by the British Government here and we see its actions in England where 81-year-olds, 90-year-olds, and disabled people are being arrested under the Terrorism Act, he added.

It is an attempt to basically intimidate people because the Governments have been found wanting, even with the International Criminal Court and its definition of genocide.

Governments are still arming and they are still financing Israel. Even in Stormont they are still funding firms that are supplying parts for F35s [stealth fighter aircraft] and it is left to ordinary activists on the ground to expose genocide.

This is a very serious attempt to bully and intimidate them off the streets. For me, this is nothing new, but for those who champion the so-called democratic process it is direct interference.

This was a Council meeting and there was nobody in the Council meeting who objected. A recording of the meeting is still online. I am unclear of the nature of the investigation because the letter mentions wearing a T-shirt and expressing an opinion. I dont know if the opinion was something I said or if it is the fact I wore the T-Shirt, said Cllr Donnelly, who added no issues were expressed during the Council meeting about his T-shirt.

There were no issues from the public of which I am aware but I wont be engaging, said Cllr Donnelly.

This isnt the first time. I have been on bail for a significant period of time for activism in a shop in town where we removed Israeli goods. That only concluded recently but during that significant period of time, six to eight months, I was on bail with conditions that I wasnt allowed to go near Home Bargains, he added.

Effectively what is happening is the State is rallying around and protecting the interests of Zionism and it will target whoever they see as exposing that.

The intention of this letter is probably to stifle discussion [in Council] because they are going to several different angles in this.

They are going to people who are protesting on the street. They are going to people who would maybe say something at a public rally. They are charging people who may have been carrying a placard and now they have taken it into the political arena where councillors, who have a mandate and are debating it in an open and transparent way which is streamed live and is all minuted, are being attacked. Thats what states do.
China discloses new space mission tasks, highlighting mice experiment

Xinhua) 15:25, October 30, 2025

JIUQUAN, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Shenzhou-21 crew will bring 4 mice to the country's space station for scientific study, a highlight among a variety of new science and application projects to be carried out during their six-month stay in orbit, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said on Thursday.

This will be the first time China conducts a scientific experiment involving rodent mammals in space, CMSA spokesperson Zhang Jingbo said at a press conference held one day prior to the launch of the Shenzhou-21 mission.

The mice, two males and two females, will be raised in orbit, and the study will focus on examining the effects of space conditions, such as microgravity and enclosed space, on the behavior of these animals, Zhang said.

Subsequently, the mice will return to Earth via a spaceship, and further scientific research will be carried out to explore the stress response and adaptive changes of multiple tissues and organs of mice in the space environment, Zhang added.

The four mice were chosen after more than 60 days of rigorous training in physical fitness and cognitive ability. They will be part of scientific experiments in space for five to seven days, helping to close a gap in small mammal research aboard China's Tiangong space station.

Previous animal experiments conducted on the Chinese space lab involved zebra fish and fruit flies.

The Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 11:44 p.m. Friday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. Taikonauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang will carry out the Shenzhou-21 mission.

The 27 new in-orbit experiments awaiting the trio cover areas including space life sciences and biotechnology, space medicine, space materials science, microgravity fluid physics and combustion, and new space technologies.

The CMSA also outlined planned in-orbit studies on the relationship between the origin of genetic codes and chirality, lithium-ion batteries for space applications, and intelligent computing platforms.

Notably, crew member Zhang Hongzhang, a payload specialist, is a researcher in the field of new energy and new materials at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

During the Shenzhou-21 mission, his ideas from the ground are expected to bear fruit in the orbital lab, as the experiments he designed will be conducted on the space station.

He will be responsible for conducting experimental procedures, performing observations, acquiring data, and carrying out data processing and analysis.

"I feel truly honored that the experiment project I have contributed to will be conducted in space," the scientist-turned-taikonaut told media.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
The UK Government has spent 4.3million so far on the defence of a former paratrooper accused of two murders during the events of Bloody Sunday.

The veteran, known as Soldier F for legal reasons, was found not guilty of two murders and five attempted murders in Derry in 1972 following a judge-led trial at Belfast Crown Court.

Thirteen people were killed when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on crowds following a civil rights demonstration in the city.

Judge Patrick Lynch said the evidence presented against the veteran fell well short of what was required for conviction.

The UK Government has confirmed it has spent 4.3 million so far, adding the sum may rise marginally once the final bills are received.

The British Government has revealed following questions I asked that they have paid 4.3m in legal fees and support for Soldier F since 2019. For comparison, the victims of the people he killed have had to fund their own challenges.  Colum Eastwood (@columeastwood) October 29, 2025

Minister for Veterans and People Alistair Cairns revealed the figure following a Parliamentary Question asked by SDLP MP for Foyle Colum Eastwood.

Mr Eastwood described it as a double injustice for the families of those killed during Bloody Sunday

The government may have left these victims to fight on their own but the people of Derry never will. Were proud of them and well keep fighting their corner, he said in a post on the social media network X.

Solicitor Ciaran Shiels, of Madden and Finucane  who supports some of the Bloody Sunday families, slammed an obscene amount of public money.

In his response to the PQ, Mr Cairns said the Ministry of Defence is committed to supporting veterans and their families.

He said the 4.3 million includes legal fees from when Soldier F was initially charged in March 2019, and costs associated with a judicial review taken against a decision by Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service (PPS) previously to stop the proceedings.

As part of this, Soldier F has received legal and welfare support throughout his legal proceedings at public expense, he said.

The legal fees associated with these proceedings (including associated judicial reviews) amount to 4.3 million, which may rise marginally once final bills are received.

These costs cover the period from when Soldier F was initially charged in March 2019. This includes costs associated with the Judicial Review leading to the PPS recommencing proceedings in 2022.

Legal representation has been provided by the same experienced legal team since the Saville Inquiry, supplemented by leading solicitors and barristers, including Kings Counsel, based in Northern Ireland.

He added: Other costs associated with the support of Soldier F, such as pastoral care, arrangement and payment of travel and accommodation, etc, are met from a central budget and involve the time of various employees for which a specific cost cannot be calculated.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson has backed the decision of his party colleague and Stormont Education Minister Paul Givan to visit Israel.

Mr Givan travelled with a group of unionist MLAs after an invitation by the government of Israel for an official visit as part of a delegation of representatives from Northern Ireland.

During the trip Mr Givan visited a school in Jerusalem.

The Department of Education said he afterwards asked that it be highlighted on its social media channels.

Teachers unions have expressed concerns, with the Northern Ireland Teachers Council claiming the departments promotion of the school visit is an overtly political and divisive act and urging the post be deleted.

Rival politicians have questioned whether it was appropriate to visit Israel at time when the country is facing international criticism for the conduct of its military offensive in Gaza.

On Wednesday, SDLP leader of the opposition Matthew OToole said they will use all means at Stormont to demand answers from the minister.

He said he has written to the head of the Civil Service and the permanent secretary at the Department of Education to establish what role the civil service played in the trip and whether the Northern Ireland Civil Service Code of Ethics has been compromised.

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll has said he intends to submit a motion of no confidence in Mr Givan at the Assembly.

Education Minister @paulgivan visited Ofek School in the Jerusalem District today to learn more about Israels innovative approaches to gifted education and inclusive learning. The Minister engaged in discussions with Principal Racheli Yitzhak, along with representatives of the pic.twitter.com/VhVThJjMg0  Education NI (@Education_NI) October 27, 2025

Mr Robinson rejected any suggestion that Mr Givans visit was a mistake.

No, hes every entitlement to go to Israel, he told BBC Radio Ulsters Nolan Show.

And hes there with colleagues. He received an invitation, like many others did, and he chose to go. Im pleased we have a party delegation there. There have been a number of visits that they have found incredibly interesting, educational. They are benefiting from it.

Asked about Israels actions in Gaza, Mr Robinson responded: Israel, as a country, for decades has been under the cosh of terrorists who want to see its extinction.

One thousand 200 people were slaughtered on October 7 two years ago and Israel has responded.

Now we have peace in the Middle East and my colleagues travelled whenever peace was agreed and hostages were returned, but we will engage internationally, and our colleagues are there, and I think it is the right thing for them to do.
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Asian Power Devices Officially Launches New Vietnam Factory, Setting a New Global Production Milestone

Taiwanese power solutions leader Asian Power Devices Inc. (hereafter "APD") officially inaugurated its new factory on October 29 at Thang Long Industrial Park in Phu Tho Province, Northern Vietnam. The event brought together APD's international clients and supply chain partners to witness this significant milestone in the company's global expansion. APD's Vietnam factory specializes in the production of power supply units, with mass production having commenced in September 2024 and full-scale capacity expansion planned for 2025.

Global Presence -Diversified Manufacturing Base

Since its founding in 1994, APD has been dedicated to the R&D and manufacturing of power systems and renewable energy products, serving as a long-term strategic partner for leading global networking and medical technology companies. Amid geopolitical uncertainties, evolving tariff policies, and supply chain risk mitigation strategies, global supply chains are undergoing rapid restructuring. Customers increasingly prioritize stable, flexible, and reliable supply sources.

To meet these growing demands and ensure supply chain stability, APD is actively expanding its global production footprint. The launch of the Vietnam factory complements the company's Shenzhen and Taipei facilities, creating a comprehensive manufacturing network while enabling flexible capacity allocation to address diverse international market needs.

Smart Manufacturing -Strengthening Competitive Advantage

APD's Vietnam facility spans 12,000 square meters within Thang Long Industrial Park, the industrial hub of northern Vietnam. Strategically situated near Noi Bai International Airport and major ports, the factory facilitates seamless regional supply chain integration and rapid access to global markets.

Since entering mass production in 2024, the facility has implemented Industry 4.0 smart manufacturing technologies. Highly automated AI-driven systems and high-speed SMT production lines enhance efficiency while strengthening product testing and reliability control. Through advanced production lines and rigorous quality management, APD consistently delivers high-quality power products that meet international standards. With production capacity steadily increasing, annual output is projected to reach 25 million power modules by the end of 2026.Looking ahead, APD will continue investing in smart manufacturing processes and line upgrades while deepening collaboration with local supply chains to provide customers with more competitive lead times, superior quality, and cost-effective solutions.

Ongoing Commitment, Moving Toward New Milestones

As global demand for networking and medical power solutions continues to grow, the launch of APD's Vietnam factory significantly boosts the group's overall production capacity. Rax Chuang, General Manager of APD's Power Systems Business, stated: The establishment of our Vietnam factory represents not only a key milestone in APD's global production expansion but also a clear demonstration of our ongoing commitment to meeting market and customer needs. We are confident that our enhanced manufacturing capabilities and flexible supply chain configuration will help our customers secure a competitive edge in the global market. Moving forward, APD will continue to uphold our spirit of "Innovative Quality, Unwavering Commitment' and collaborate closely with our global supply chain partners and customers to create the next phase of growth together."

For more information about APD, please visit.

Highly Automated Production Lines at APD Vietnam Factory. Credit:APD
Hanwha Semitech and Hanmi Semiconductor escalate HBM equipment patent dispute

Korean media have confirmed that Hanwha Semitech, previously sued by Hanmi Semiconductor for patent infringement, has now filed a counter-lawsuit against Hanmi, accusing Hanmi's HBM TC Bonder core technology of infringing its patents.

Hanwha Semitech has appointed Kim & Chang Law Firm as its legal representative. Because the case is ongoing, it is difficult to disclose specific details. However, the company has stated that the action is intended to protect core semiconductor equipment technology and to address illegal behavior. The technology is reportedly related to HBM3E TCBs.

Hanmi Semiconductor has issued a statement describing the lawsuit as baseless and a case of malicious preemptive litigation. It claimed that Hanwha Semitech's counteraction amounted to shameless false accusations.

Both Hanmi Semiconductor and Hanwha Semitech share SK Hynix as their major client, which currently dominates the HBM market. The dispute between Hanmi and Hanwha dates back to December 2024, when Hanmi first sued Hanwha. Hanwha's counterattack has only escalated the conflict between the two parties.

The outcome of the lawsuit will impact South Korea's HBM back-end equipment supply chain and the business performance of both Hanmi Semiconductor and Hanwha Semitech. If South Korean courts recognize Hanwha Semitech's patents, it could prohibit the manufacture and sale of equipment using the related patented technology. However, even if patent infringement is confirmed, the enforcement of such a manufacturing and sales ban would take effect after the ruling, and equipment already delivered would likely remain unaffected. However, the litigation could take several years to conclude, making it currently difficult to predict a clear winner.

Article edited by Jack Wu
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Met Eireann has issued weather warnings to a further two counties as very strong winds and torrential rain are expected on Thursday.

Counties Cork, Kerry, Wexford, and Waterford were issued Yellow Warnings on Tuesday, now Galway and Mayo have been added as localised flooding could be a possibility in some areas.

READ NEXT: Investigation underway following discovery of woman's body in Meath

The warnings are in place from approximately 12pm on Thursday until 8pm Thursday evening.

Carlow Weatherman Alan O'Reilly has said it will be a "very wet and windy day for many."

Rainfall warning added for Galway and Mayo also for tomorrow Thursday. A very wet and windy day for many. pic.twitter.com/HT33yaMcYL  Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) October 29, 2025

Wednesday

Breezy with sunny spells and scattered showers. The showers, some of which may be heavy and with a chance of hail, will extend eastwards through the day before easing off towards evening. Cool with highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees, with moderate to fresh and gusty westerly winds, stronger near northern coasts.

Some showers for northern areas tonight but otherwise dry and calm. A cold night with some mist and local frost. Lowest temperatures of 1 to 4 degrees. Outbreaks of rain and drizzle and freshening southeast wind will arrive into Munster towards morning.

READ NEXT: 'Do you realise how dangerous that is?' - Gardai catch distracted driver outside busy school

Thursday

Cold starting out across northern and eastern areas on Thursday. Wet and windy weather will quickly extend from the southwest with spells of heavy rain through the day, leading to localised flooding. Some thundery falls with hail and isolated thunderstorms will occur too, especially for southwest areas later. Southeast winds will be fresh to strong and gusty with gales in coastal areas. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees.

Rather windy with fresh to strong southerly winds and gales for western and northern coasts on Thursday night. A band of rain will clear northeastwards early on with clear spells and scattered heavy showers following. Lowest temperatures of 7 to 11 degrees.

Friday (Halloween/Oiche Shamhna)

A breezy day with wet weather affecting southern and eastern counties early on, clearing into the Irish Sea around midday. Sunny spells and scattered showers will follow during the afternoon. Generally dry for the early evening, though rain will begin to feed into southern areas. Highest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in mostly fresh southerly winds.

Some uncertainty but current indications suggest spells of wet weather will affect the country with the chance of hail and lightning on Friday night. Misty in places too. Lowest temperatures of 4 to 7 degrees, in light to moderate south to southwest winds.

READ NEXT: Young man seriously attacked after asking group of youths to 'be quiet' on bus

Saturday

Breezy with some sunny spells and scattered showers, heaviest for Atlantic counties. Cool with highest temperatures of 9 to 12 degrees, in fresh southwest winds. Mostly dry and clear overnight except for some showers closer to the Atlantic seaboard.

Sunday

Breezy with further showers closer to the Atlantic, while starting drier and brighter elsewhere. During the afternoon, more general rain will likely extend from the west. Highest temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees, in rather brisk southwest winds.
Retired lecturer Tom Torley, originally from Newry, County Down, has published a new novel, The Tracks We Leave, that reimagines historical events through the lens of those displaced, defiant, and determined to survive.

Set in the shadow of the Irish Famine in 1847, the novel follows two young men who flee the devastation of Louth's Cooley peninsula after an act of resistance, embarking on a perilous journey to America. There, their path crosses with the legendary Apache warrior Victorio and his sister Lozen, whose defiant struggle against colonial forces becomes a mirror to the Irish experience of displacement and resistance.

This novel explores the hidden histories that connect people across continents, says Tom Torley. Whether in the famine fields of Ireland or the borderlands of the Americas Southwest, ordinary people have always resisted oppression  and that spirit of survival links us across time and place.

A former college lecturer in Literature, Tom has spent a career promoting writing as a tool for liberation and self-determination. His academic work has helped reshape Eurocentric literary curricula, and his lifelong love of the Irish countryside, particularly the Cooley peninsula, where his family has lived for five generations, deeply informs his writing.

Read Next: Adventure Lights is back at Skypark Carlingford bringing loads of family fun

Born into a family rooted in the sea, the docks, and working-class politics of Newry, he brings a unique perspective to historical fiction  one that champions the voices too often left out of official narratives.

The Tracks We Leave is now available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle format.
Third-year Nursing and Event & Hospitality Management students at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) have raised almost 4,000 for cancer charities through their annual fundraising events.

Third-year General Nursing students raised an impressive 2,804.40 for the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre in Drogheda. Their contribution will help the Centre to continue providing essential services to cancer patients and their families during the most challenging times of their lives.

The students organised a bake sale, raffle, and a range of fun activities, with generous prizes donated by local businesses across Louth and Meath. Ann Everitt-Reynolds, General Nursing Programme Director, expressed her gratitude, saying:

"We are delighted to support the Gary Kelly Cancer Centre and the fantastic work that they do. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the generous businesses whose support made our raffle possible. A special thank you to the DkIT community, families, and friends whose enthusiasm and generosity made this fundraiser a resounding success. Your continued collaboration means the world to us."

Read also: Louth County Council announces series of road closures

Year 3 Event and Hospitality Management students, under the guidance of tutor Maria Roddy-Freyne, continued their long-standing tradition of supporting the Irish Cancer Societys Breast Cancer Campaign, raising a fantastic 925 through a Big Pink Coffee Morning. The event featured a raffle, awareness activities promoting breast checks, and lots of community spirit.

Maria, a breast cancer survivor who has led these initiatives since 2014, reflected on the ongoing success: Our students really enjoyed the event, which not only raised vital funds for breast cancer awareness but also strengthened teamwork and allowed them to apply what theyve learned in their course.

"Breast cancer is a cause close to many of our hearts  with nearly 3,600 women and around 30 men diagnosed in Ireland each year, early detection and awareness are crucial. Every euro raised supports research and provides essential services nationwide. Im incredibly proud of what they achieved.

Since the initiative began, DkIT students, staff, and local businesses have raised over 17,000 for the Irish Cancer Society.

Event & Hospitality Management student Jessica Commins added: We had such an amazing time at our fundraising event! Seeing everything come together after all the planning was so rewarding.

"Everyone really got into the spirit of the day, and hearing how much we raised at the end was the perfect way to wrap it up. Huge thanks to everyone who donated or came along to support  we couldnt have done it without you.
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Photos: Jenny Callanan Photography

Network Ireland Louth hosted a very inspiring event on Authenticity in Business, in the Marcy hotel with Sharon Farrell, founder of Face Credit, as the guest speaker.

Sharon, who also generously sponsored multiple awards at Network Ireland Louths regional ceremony earlier this year, travelled from Kildare to share her personal and professional insights on the theme of authenticity in business. In a heartfelt and engaging session, she explored how the lessons learned in her personal life have shaped the way she leads and grows her business, emphasising that true success stems from alignment between who we are and what we do. Sharon's business values are what has made her team and business so incredibly successful.

The event drew a strong turnout from local businesswomen and entrepreneurs, with representation from Louth LEO and AIB in attendance. The atmosphere in the room was electric, with lively discussion, a powerful Q&A session, and numerous lightbulb and breakthrough moments among attendees. As with every Network Ireland Louth event, the evening wasnt just about inspiration  it was about action. New members and guests connected, shared ideas, sourced solutions, and offered tangible support to one another, demonstrating the powerful spirit of collaboration that defines the Network Ireland Louth community.

Speaking after the event, Nicola Connolly Byrne, President of Network Ireland Louth, said: Sharons story really struck a chord with everyone in the room. Her honesty, humour, and openness reminded us that authenticity is a strength, not a risk  and that when women show up as their true selves, everything shifts. The connections, conversations, and growth that came from the event truly embody what Network Ireland Louth is all about.

Network Ireland is a progressive, dynamic organisation supporting the professional and personal development of women. With over 1,200 members and a strong nationwide presence, the group holds regular events, workshops, and networking opportunities that promote empowerment and leadership for women in business. They are always open to new members joining, who can avail of all the supports and benefits available. It doesnt matter if someone is an established businesswoman or just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey. To join Network Ireland, go to: www.networkireland.ie and become a member.

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
A Louth based residential centre for adults with disabilities has received a glowing report from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), achieving full compliance across all 16 areas inspected.

The inspection, carried out on July 16, 2025, reviewed High Lane, a four-bedroom bungalow operated by St John of God Community Services CLG. The centre, located in a rural part of County Louth, is home to four adult male residents who are supported by a team of nurses, social care workers and healthcare assistants on a 24-hour basis.

Inspectors described the home as warm and relaxed, with residents appearing happy, comfortable, and at ease with staff. The report noted that residents, many of whom communicate non-verbally, were treated with respect and supported to engage in community activities and day trips tailored to their needs.

HIQA inspectors found that the centre had made significant improvements since its previous inspection in 2024. In particular, they highlighted stronger governance and management structures, enhanced documentation, and more opportunities for residents to take part in meaningful activities.

All 16 regulations assessed, including staffing, governance, health care, communication, and fire safety, were rated compliant, meaning the centre met all statutory requirements under the Health Act 2007.

Inspectors praised the professionalism and commitment of the staff team, noting that training records were up to date and that performance appraisals were regularly carried out. Training covered a wide range of areas, including safeguarding, fire safety, infection control, first aid, epilepsy care, and a human rights-based approach.

The report found that residents personal plans and health care needs were assessed and regularly reviewed, with support plans guiding staff to provide consistent, person-centred care. The centre also demonstrated strong oversight of residents finances.

High Lane was described as clean and well-maintained, with ongoing plans for minor repair work. Fire safety systems, including regular drills and staff training, were also found to be effective. Inspectors verified that all residents had personal evacuation plans and that staff were familiar with emergency procedures.

While residents primarily communicate through non-verbal means, inspectors observed positive interactions throughout the day. Staff were praised for their sensitivity and ability to interpret residents gestures, facial expressions, and preferences.

Read Next: Dundalk IT students raise almost 4,000 for cancer charities

In one example, a resident who had recently moved into the home in June 2025 had been supported through a detailed transition plan, with family involvement and preparation visits helping ensure a smooth move.

In conclusion, HIQA stated that the centre provides a good service that meets residents needsand commended the provider for responding effectively to previous recommendations. The inspection found that governance systems were robust, quality audits were carried out monthly, and any identified issues were addressed promptly.
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Belfast-born European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Rosemary Coogan will be in Louth on Sunday, 9th November to take part in Baking in Space and share her story of becoming an astronaut, her day-to-day work at the ESA Astronaut Centre and her participation in future space missions. Baking in Space is part of Science Week 2025 which is marking its 30th anniversary this year.

Dr Coogan will be sharing her experiences and inspiring story with families and space enthusiasts in An Tain Arts Centre in Dundalk at 3pm Sunday, 9th November. A family-friendly free event, Baking in Space is an interactive, fun event exploring how astronauts prepare food and protect their health in deep space and brings audiences on an adventure where baking collides with space exploration. Baking in Space is presented by Town Scientist and space explorer Dr Niamh Shaw, aerospace engineer and Great British Bake Off finalist Andrew Smyth, and special guest Dr Lisa McNamee, space medicine specialist.

Dr Rosemary Coogan was one of 17 candidates chosen from over 22,000 applicants to join the ESAs Astronaut Class of 2022. Having completed her training, it is anticipated that Dr Coogan will be sent on a space mission by 2030. This year, the ESA is marking its 50th anniversary, and the upcoming ESA Ministerial Meeting at the end of November will set out Europes future space funding and programmes for the coming years.

Read Next: Over 250K from proceeds of crime allocated to projects in Louth

The event is free but booking is required: https://www.antain.ie/event/baking-in-space/.

Baking in Space will also take place in Dublin at 3pm Saturday, 8th November in the F2 Centre, Rialto, Dublin (Dr Coogan will not be in attendance at this event), and is free to book via ScienceWeek.ie.

Town Scientist programme of events announced for Science Week 2025

A host of other Town Scientist events will take place over the course of Science Week as part of Louth Science Festival. Town Scientist is dedicated to bringing science into everyday family life and is supported by Research Ireland.

The events include:

Whales of the Arctic: Monday, 10th November at 6.30pm in Louth County Library, Dundalk

What can a drone photo tell us about a whale? Join PhD researcher Sean OCallaghan as he reveals how aerial photoidentification is transforming what we know about one of the oceans most mysterious giants  the sperm whale. Based at ATU Galway, Seans trailblazing work uses drones to identify and measure individual whales, offering new ways to understand and protect them. Registration required here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/whales-of-the-arctic-tracking-giants-from-the-sky-tickets-1902282641589?aff=oddtdtcreatorv

Live from Australia  Cave Diving: Schools Webinar at 5.30pm Wednesday, 12th November

What lies beneath the Earths surface? How do caves form, and what can they tell us about water, climate, and our changing planet? Australian explorer Josh Richards will bring school pupils deep underground to explore real limestone caves in Australia and Southeast Asia. Josh is a trained scientist, Marine veteran, and experienced cave diver who has discovered new cave passages and surveyed hidden underwater tunnels, many never seen before by humans. Registration via https://events.zoom.us/ev/Arr6aubsSxb8F_I0Dan55QAGsv_5_G48uo59wEO5A4DmldmH4jJw~AhWOawqttiVTYTIbO4_zODag0cP0tEQpx1nCne4ecZreMteGw4wCownXjA.

Live from Antarctica: Online Webinar for Families Thursday, 13th November at 4.30pm.Whats it like to live in a place where the sun never sets, the ground is made of ice, and emperor penguins wander past your window? Jac Madsen, an engineer, dive instructor and adventure-seeker will join families live from Antarctica to share her daily life  from fixing wind turbines to watching penguin chicks hatch. There will be a chance for viewers to ask her anything theyve ever wanted to know about Antarctica  the cold, the wildlife, the work, the isolation, and what its like to live where everything is white in every direction. Registration via https://events.zoom.us/ev/AtgtkEktNXa0-phQIq_DGvBxCAPt7ndrmjrgvSi8WtTlGwVqVc_d~AvEJ_jhvHSyyFpyBkTLG3BzBDjVo2DK0A8tnHn3u7gHF6Y8-3MWmMX-Suw.

Dublin Zoo Family Workshop: Dundalk County Library Friday, 14th November at 4.30pm

Dublin Zoo comes to Louth! Led by a Dublin Zoo conservation educator, families will take part in experiments and activities that explore the wonderful ways wildlife has adapted to thrive in habitats from the dusty savanna to the forest floor. Registration via https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/dublin-zoo-conservation-station-workshop-for-families-tickets-1922317997879?aff=ebdsoporgprofile.

Dundalk Careers Night: Thursday, 6th November at 6.30pm in Louth County Library.

Are you a parent wondering how best to support your teen in choosing the right college course or career path? Or a student curious about what a real job in science, engineering or tech actually looks like? Join Dr. Niamh Shaw, Mary-Ellen Kelledy (DKIT & Overhaul), and recent STEM graduates working across Louths thriving industry and research sectors for an informative, family-friendly event that lifts the lid on careers in STEM. Hear real stories, ask honest questions, and explore the many routes into exciting science and tech roles.

Find out more about Niamh Shaw and Town Scientist here: https://niamhshaw.ie/
Executive summary

A digital euro will ensure that people enjoy the benefits of cash also in the digital era. In doing so, it will enhance the resilience of Europes payment landscape, lower costs for merchants, and create a platform for private companies to innovate, scale up and compete.

Piero Cipollone, ECB Executive Board member

The Eurosystems digital euro project aims to adapt central bank money to the digital age, addressing the current challenges of the European payments ecosystem. As payment habits evolve, the use of cash declines and digital transactions become the norm, the need for a public digital means of payment  complementary to cash  has become increasingly urgent. As digital cash, the digital euro is designed to complement physical cash, ensuring that everyone in the euro area can keep using a public, trusted and universally accepted means of payment now and in the future. Therefore, it will preserve freedom of choice and Europes monetary sovereignty across the euro area. In addition, it will foster innovation in payments and help make European payments competitive, resilient and inclusive.

In 2021 the Eurosystem embarked on the investigation phase (2021-23), which focused mainly on the design of the digital euro. In November 2023 the Eurosystem decided to launch a two-year preparation phase to lay the groundwork for the potential issuance of a digital euro. The main objectives of this phase included providing a draft digital euro scheme rulebook, selecting potential providers for the digital euro platform and infrastructure, learning through experimentation and user research, conducting more in-depth technical analyses, and interacting with stakeholders to ensure a digital euro would meet the highest standards of quality, security, privacy and usability. All these objectives have been achieved.

One important area of work in the preparation phase was the further development of the draft digital euro scheme rulebook. The rulebook provides a single set of rules, standards and procedures for the provision of basic digital euro payments services for payment service providers (PSPs) participating in the scheme. It draws as far as possible on existing industry standards and market practices. While the rulebook will ensure a standardised digital euro payment experience across the euro area, it distinguishes between provisions that are mandatory for all scheme participants and provisions that are only optional, illustrative and intended to further support participating PSPs in their implementation efforts. Through this approach, the rulebook standardises requirements and limits them to what is necessary, while providing the basis for the development of further innovative services and supporting interoperability. At the time of closing this report, a new and comprehensive draft version of the rulebook had been shared and commented on by the digital euro schemes Rulebook Development Group (RDG) and its constituents. This new draft version covers the functional requirements (such as requirements for the digital euro services related to access, liquidity and transaction management) and non-functional requirements (such as requirements for availability, latency and maintenance). The draft also covers requirements for minimum user experience, dispute management and the application of the digital euro brand, along with detailed implementation specifications. While the draft rulebook will cover all basic digital euro services for the use cases considered, a roll-out plan for the digital euros functionality will need to be developed to inform and facilitate its implementation by scheme participants.[1] The process that led to the current draft began in the investigation phase, supported by the RDG.[2] It has been collaborative and iterative, and brings together representatives of consumers, merchants, PSPs and third-party service providers from across the European retail payments market, as well as observers from the Eurosystem national central banks (NCBs) and EU institutions.

The selection of providers for the digital euro service platform (DESP) was another key milestone achieved. The sourcing process covered both externally procured and internally sourced components. Externally, the European Central Bank (ECB) launched tenders for five components of the DESP; core settlement and issuance components were sourced within the Eurosystem. Five external providers were selected, and they all signed framework agreements.[3] These do not entail financial commitments at this stage; any development or operational work will be initiated through subsequent specific agreements.

In parallel, the ECB launched an innovation platform[4] to explore how the digital euro could support innovation in payments and address new market needs. Structured into two workstreams  pioneers and visionaries  the initiative involved around 70 market participants, including banks, fintechs, merchants and PSPs. The pioneers tested features such as conditional payments[5] in a simulated environment, while the visionaries proposed forward-looking new ways to integrate the digital euro into Europes financial ecosystem. The work demonstrated that market participants see strong innovative potential in the digital euro, in terms of both technical capabilities and its role in improving financial inclusion, while enabling market participants to develop new business opportunities.

Ensuring accessibility and inclusion has been a guiding principle in the design of the digital euro. In designing the digital euro app, a particular focus was placed on accessibility to ensure the app would be usable by everyone, including people with physical disabilities, low digital skills or learning impairments. The design is informed by user research and feedback from civil society organisations, confirming the importance of multiple onboarding options and payment flows that feel familiar and reassuring. These efforts aim to make the digital euro usable and relatable for everyone  particularly vulnerable groups  and will continue to evolve in the next phase to ensure no one is left behind.

On the technical front, the ECB advanced its analysis to ensure the digital euro remains operational and resilient in a wide range of scenarios, including in emergencies such as power or network outages. Key areas of work included the design of the offline functionality  a crucial innovation allowing payments to be made even when internet connectivity is lost, thus making the European payment landscape even more resilient and providing a cash-like level of privacy. These efforts are aimed at supporting the resilience, usability and inclusiveness of the digital euro and ensuring continuity of payments in critical situations.

To ensure the digital euros design is inclusive and meets the needs of European citizens and merchants, the ECB conducted user research throughout the preparation phase, focusing on payment preferences and behaviours. The ECB commissioned both quantitative and qualitative research to gather insights from a broad spectrum of potential users across the euro area. The ECB engaged small merchants and vulnerable consumers through focus groups and interviews. [6] When considering the adoption of a new payment method, vulnerable consumers emphasised the importance of a universally accepted solution with simple, intuitive design and access to in-person support. They also expressed a preference for new payment methods to be distributed by trusted banks and/or public bodies and showed greater willingness to try them if offered by a European provider. Small merchants supported the value proposition of the digital euro and emphasised the importance of increased bargaining power to negotiate lower transaction fees and of seamless integration with their existing systems. The backing of the digital euro by the ECB was also viewed as a further positive factor and perceived as a guarantee of strong payment security, which could increase consumer trust and potential adoption. The Eurosystem also conducted a survey among a large and representative panel of EU citizens to explore payment attitudes and preferences and explore the usability aspects of the digital euro. A majority of respondents (66%) showed interest in trying the digital euro  which is broadly consistent with findings from other surveys conducted by the ECB and NCBs.

Stakeholder engagement was a cornerstone of advancing technical work on the design of the digital euro in the preparation phase. The ECB further intensified its outreach to banks and non-bank PSPs, merchants and consumers through technical sessions, workshops and bilateral meetings at expert and strategic level. Special attention was given to how the digital euro would fit into the existing European payments ecosystem, with dedicated Euro Retail Payments Board (ERPB) technical sessions to assess value drivers across the themes of competition, synergies and business model. The outcome of this work[7] showed there was consensus among market stakeholders across several topics, while on other topics there were diverging views. Key benefits identified by the ECB and all stakeholders included the following: (i) the digital euro would enhance competitiveness in the European payment landscape by strengthening the negotiating position of European PSPs and merchants; (ii) by making use of open digital euro standards, European PSPs and account-to-account (A2A) schemes can voluntarily integrate the digital euro into their payment solutions and/ or co-badge it on physical cards; (iii) the digital euro would establish a common acceptance layer for A2A payments, facilitating seamless transactions across point-of-sale (POS) and e-commerce platforms for European players; and (iv) a staggered roll-out approach could be considered for the introduction of the digital euro, striking an optimal balance between market relevance, the Eurosystems policy objectives, and technical and implementation costs. A phased roll-out of functionalities would thus enable both costs and resources to be spread over time, while focusing on essential use cases first, ensuring broad adoption and resilience.

The ECB also continued regularly engaging with EU institutions throughout the preparation phase, providing technical input to support the legislative process and keeping the Eurogroup and the European Parliament informed on project developments. This phase has been underpinned by ongoing legislative efforts at European level, with EU leaders emphasising the strategic importance of a digital euro and calling both at their March[8] and October[9] 2025 meetings for swift progress on its adoption to meet the evolving needs of citizens and businesses. In their meeting on 19 September 2025, finance ministers in the Eurogroup agreed on the governance framework around the issuance of the digital euro and on the process of setting a holding limit.[10] This further facilitates the legislative progress in the Council. In parallel, the ECB responded to co-legislators requests that emerged during the legislative negotiations with two technical analyses: one assessing the potential financial stability effects of a range of hypothetical digital euro holding limits[11], and another evaluating investment costs for the banking sector[12]. The first analysis confirmed that using the digital euro for day-to-day payments would not harm financial stability and that  given the different hypothetical holding limits of up to 3,000 per person that the co-legislators asked to be tested  the impact of the digital euro would not harm financial stability within the euro area, even under a highly unlikely and extremely conservative crisis scenario. The second analysis found that investment costs for the banking sector could range between 4 billion and 5.8 billion. This would be broadly in line with the estimates given by the European Commission in its draft Regulation impact assessment in 2023 and would be comparable to cost estimates for initiatives such as the Payment Services Directive (PSD2). Public information and engagement activities were stepped up, with ECB representatives participating in numerous public events and seminars to promote awareness and dialogue around the digital euros benefits and design.

On 23 October 2025, European leaders called for accelerated progress on the development of a digital euro. On 29 October 2025, the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the Eurosystem will continue its preparations and move to the next phase of the digital euro project. In this phase, the Eurosystem will build the necessary technical capacity ahead of a possible decision to issue, while maintaining flexibility and alignment with the legislative process.

The ECB aims to be ready for a potential first issuance of the digital euro during 2029. This is based on the working assumption that European co-legislators will adopt the Regulation on the establishment of the digital euro in the course of 2026. A pilot exercise and initial transactions could take place earlier, potentially starting as soon as mid-2027, to prepare for a potential issuance.

To deliver on this shared ambition, the Eurosystem will focus on three main workstreams: advancing technical readiness, deepening market engagement and supporting the legislative process. This will include starting to develop the digital euros technical foundations and validating core functionalities by means of piloting; working closely with PSPs, merchants and consumer representatives to progressively test and prepare for a first issuance; and maintaining close engagement with EU co-legislators, institutions and authorities on the digital euro project to continue to provide technical input throughout the legislative process.

The Eurosystems continued preparation for a digital euro will follow a flexible implementation approach, ensuring alignment with the legislative process. This approach responds to calls from euro area leaders for the Eurosystem to be ready for potential issuance as soon as possible, while also recognising that the legislation has not yet been adopted. Work will be structured in modules to allow gradual scaling and limited financial commitments. The final cost of a digital euro  both for its development and operation  will depend on its final design, components and related services that need to be developed. Total development costs, comprising both externally and internally developed components, are estimated at around 1.3 billion until the first issuance, which is currently expected during 2029.Subsequent annual operating costs are projected to be approximately 320 million per year from 2029.

The ECB Governing Councils possible decision on whether to issue a digital euro, and on what date, will only be taken once the legislative act is adopted. The ECB will continue to follow the legislative debate closely and implement any appropriate adjustments to the development of the digital euro that may result from legislative deliberations. The Eurosystem aims to ensure that, when the time comes, the digital euro can be made available as a secure, inclusive and innovative complement to cash across the euro area.

1 Introduction

The digital euro project is a strategic initiative by the Eurosystem to safeguard the role of central bank money in a rapidly digitalising economy. As payment habits evolve and digital transactions become the norm, the need for a public digital means of payment  complementary to cash  has become increasingly urgent. As a digital form of cash, the digital euro is designed to preserve peoples freedom of choice in how to pay, thereby enhancing financial inclusion and reinforcing Europes monetary sovereignty across the euro area.

Europes payments landscape remains fragmented, with many countries relying heavily on non-European providers for digital transactions. Nearly two-thirds of euro area card-based transactions are processed by non-European companies, while 13 euro area countries depend entirely on international card schemes or mobile solutions for in-store payments. These private solutions may not always be accessible to everyone or guaranteed to function in all circumstances, such as in times of crisis.

Table 1 Market leadership and relevant domestic payment options across euro area countries Notes: World icon stands for international, non-European solutions. European flag stands for European solution. P2P refers to alias-based P2P payments which are not available everywhere. The table does not explicitly highlight the P2G channel that would also be served by the digital euro; however, it is encompassed within the e-commerce or POS channels. A relevant domestic option is defined as solutions holding an estimated market share exceeding 10% within the respective use case, though other domestic options may also be technically present.

Source: ECB elaboration based on ECB SPACE report; Euromonitor; Global Payments Report (FIS Worldpay); Key players in the EU payments landscape (The Payments Association EU); Roland Berger. Last edit: 11/11/2025.

In addition, there is no European electronic payment option that covers the entire euro area. Current European digital payment solutions, such as cards issued by European payment schemes, mainly cater to national markets and specific use cases. The lack of European payment solutions available on a European scale and the difficulty faced by European PSPs in keeping pace with technological advances mean that Europe is not competitive within its own market.

At the same time, the use of cash continues to decline[13]: in 2024, cash accounted for only 24% of day-to-day payments, and the share of companies not accepting cash has tripled to 12% over the past three years. Over the period from 2019 to 2024, the value of goods purchased in e-commerce doubled, from 18% to 36%.[14] These trends, which are likely to continue owing to the digitalisation of the economy in line with what has been observed in many advanced economies, expose Europes payment infrastructure to external risks and limit its strategic autonomy.

The digital euro is designed to address these challenges by providing a public, pan-European digital payment solution that covers all use cases and allows people to pay everywhere in Europe, while being resilient, inclusive and future-proof. The digital euro is designed to complement physical cash. It would offer a digital form of cash backed by the ECB that is universally accepted and free to use, and could be used for person-to-person and retail transactions in both physical and digital environments. Consequently, it would preserve freedom of choice for all individuals and businesses in the euro area, support competition and innovation in the payments market and strengthen the strategic autonomy of the European financial system.

The digital euro is being designed to ensure payments remain possible under all circumstances, with inclusion as its guiding principle. From accessible design features to local support, we are working to ensure that everyone  regardless of income, digital skills or accessibility needs  can benefit from secure and easy-to-use digital payments.

In 2021, the Eurosystem embarked on the investigation phase (2021-2023) in which it developed a high-level product design and the related functional and non-functional user requirements for a digital euro[15]. To lay the foundations for the potential future issuance of a digital euro, the Eurosystem then launched a two-year preparation phase on 1 November 2023. This aimed to achieve the following.

Provide a draft scheme rulebook to define the standards, procedures, and governance model for digital euro payments.

to define the standards, procedures, and governance model for digital euro payments. Select potential providers for the digital euro platform and infrastructure.

for the digital euro platform and infrastructure. Conduct experimentation and user research to validate design choices and assess usability.

to validate design choices and assess usability. Dive deeper into technical aspects, including further research into offline functionality, accessibility and inclusion, holding limit calibration, and system architecture.

In this phase the Eurosystem has also carried out more in-depth technical analysis on key design features. Engaging with various stakeholders  such as EU policymakers, market participants and civil society  helped in defining rules and safeguards to make a digital euro work in real life for everyone: people, merchants and PSPs.

Collaboration with stakeholders was central throughout, reinforcing the projects commitment to inclusivity, usability and transparency. EU institutions and policymakers play a critical role in shaping the legal and regulatory framework that would underpin the digital euro, and their work will continue to be vital in the next phase of the project. The legislative process is currently progressing in parallel with the technical preparations. The ECB provided technical input to support both the Council and the Parliament during this process. European heads of state or government have been calling for swift progress on the legislation,[16] and the Danish Presidency of the Council aims to find agreement on a general approach by the end of its term, in December 2025. The ECB is cooperating closely with the Commission as well. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, highlighted in her 2025 State of the Union address that a digital euro will make it easier for companies and consumers alike.[17]

This report provides an overview of the work carried out in the preparation phase between November 2023 and October 2025. It consolidates the key deliverables and outcomes of this phase and outlines the next steps. The ECB Governing Councils possible decision on whether to issue a digital euro, and on what date, will only be taken once the Regulation on the establishment of the digital euro[18] has been adopted.

2 Development of a draft digital euro scheme rulebook

A key focus during the two-year preparation phase of the digital euro project was the further development of the draft digital euro scheme rulebook. The rulebook aims to define a single set of rules, standards and procedures for the provision of digital euro payments throughout the euro area. It would ensure that PSPs deliver consistent basic digital euro services, enabling a uniform user experience regardless of the country or PSP involved. The rulebook would thus provide the basis for the development of further innovative services, supporting interoperability.

The rulebook is being developed in a collaborative and iterative process with the support of the digital euro schemes Rulebook Development Group (RDG). The RDG includes representatives from consumers, merchants, banks and non-bank PSPs, as well as third-party service providers from the European retail payments market, alongside observers from Eurosystem NCBs and EU institutions. Regular updates on the work of the RDG were published in January 2024, September 2024, April 2025 and October 2025.

Figure 1 Developing the digital euro rulebook  Milestones

In January 2024, a first interim draft of the rulebook, which included core chapters on the scope, key actors, functional and operational model, and technical requirements of the digital euro scheme, was produced with the support of the RDG. This version subsequently underwent an interim review, completed in April 2024, during which RDG members and their constituencies submitted around 2,000 unique comments. These were assessed and followed up with draft updates, clarifications or further technical work.

In parallel, several dedicated RDG workstreams were launched to develop and expand on specific areas such as minimum user experience standards, certification and approval frameworks, risk management, and implementation specifications. These workstreams, composed of around 50 market participants from over 30 organisations across the euro area, have since delivered proposals on topics including user journeys, fraud and operational risk mitigation, and implementation specifications covering the technical interactions between end users, PSPs and the DESP. The ECB also hosted expert sessions to inform the rulebooks technical specifications and ensure robust end-user interactions. These included sessions covering issues such as latency and dispute management as well as PSPs liquidity management.

In June 2025, a revised interim draft of the digital euro scheme rulebook was delivered to the RDG and its constituencies. This version reflected the extensive market feedback that was offered during the previous review process in 2024. Additionally, it covered new key areas such as requirements to establish minimum user experience standards, rules providing guidance on the consistent roll-out and application of the digital euro brand, and detailed implementation specifications to eventually support PSPs in the technical implementation of the digital euro. Other areas incorporated into the rulebook included the dispute management framework[19], the onboarding process for scheme participants and, in the same connection, the testing and certification framework for devices and applications used in digital euro transactions, such as payment terminals, ATMs and mobile applications. These various provisions of the draft rulebook are aimed at ensuring a standardised digital euro payment experience across the euro area. At the same time, the rulebook distinguishes between provisions that are mandatory for all scheme participants and provisions that are only optional, illustrative and intended to support participating PSPs in their implementation efforts. Through this approach, the rulebook standardises requirements and limits them to what is necessary, while providing the basis for the development of further innovative services and supporting interoperability.

The delivery of the draft digital euro scheme rulebook in June 2025 marked the beginning of a four-month market consultation with market participants, which was finalised at the end of October 2025. RDG members gathered feedback from their constituents, including consumers, merchants, credit institutions, different types of payment institutions, corporate treasurers and third-party providers. To support this process, the ECB hosted an information session with over 250 selected market experts. These activities were aimed at promoting a shared understanding of the draft rulebook and allowing all relevant actors to provide meaningful input.

Looking ahead, assessing and reviewing the draft rulebook in the light of the feedback from RDG members and their constituents will be essential for its further development. At the same time, additional areas and implementation specifications will be elaborated, in particular those that are dependent on the selection of service providers. With the support of the RDG and the RDG workstreams, work continues on further developing relevant areas of the rulebook, including the technical implementation of specifications for payment initiation methods, the annex on risk matters, further specification of the adherence framework, certification and testing processes, and iteratively expanding the minimum user experience requirements for all basic digital euro services. While the draft rulebook will cover all basic digital euro services for the use cases considered, a roll-out plan for the digital euros functionality will need to be developed to inform and facilitate its implementation by scheme participants. The draft rulebook is being designed with sufficient flexibility so that discussions on the digital euro can be taken into consideration.

3 Selection of service providers and sourcing activities

One key objective of the preparation phase was to select providers for digital euro components and related services. This work focused on both external procurement and internal Eurosystem sourcing to ensure operational readiness for the next project phase. The Eurosystem has been following rigorous procurement processes to guarantee transparency, fairness and the best value for money.

As part of the external procurement process, the ECB launched five public tender procedures covering:

the alias lookup component, which would facilitate payment transactions by users and intermediaries using simple aliases instead of long account numbers; the risk and fraud management component, which would provide additional support for intermediaries in identifying fraudulent transactions; the app and software development kit (SDK) components, consisting of a digital euro app and an SDK to support intermediaries in the provision of digital euro services through their own mobile apps and online interfaces; the offline solution component, including engineering and development services to provide an offline bearer payment instrument; the secure exchange of payment information component, which supports the conversion of transactional information (e.g. the amount of a transaction) and/or sensitive information (e.g. the payment instrument used) into a secure form at the request of an intermediary.

With the publication of the contract notices on 2 October 2025, the Eurosystem completed the selection of providers for each of the five components. Framework agreements were signed with the top two ranked tenderers in each procedure to ensure contingency. The framework agreements were signed with the following providers.

Alias lookup: (1) Sapient GmbH & Tremend Software Consulting S.R.L, (2) equensWorldline SE Germany

Risk and fraud management: (1) Feedzai S.A., (2) Capgemini Deutschland GmbH

App and SDK: (1) Almaviva SpA & Fabrick SpA, (2) Sapient GmbH & Tremend Software Consulting S.R.L

Offline solution: (1) Giesecke+Devrient advance52 GmbH & Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology GmbH, (2) equensWorldline SE Germany

Secure exchange of payment information: (1) Senacor FCS GmbH, (2) equensWorldline SE Germany

All providers are EU nationals controlled by EU nationals[20], which helps ensure the European autonomy of the digital euro. These contracts do not entail financial commitments at this stage, as any development or operational work will be subject to a specific agreement following the ECB procurement decision. For components sourced from external providers, service requests will initially be directed to the first-ranked provider; the second-ranked provider will be approached only if required.

In parallel with the procurement of external components, the ECB conducted a call for offer among all Eurosystem NCBs to deliver core components such as clearing and settlement and issuance. As a result, a group of six NCBs (Banca dItalia, Banco de Espana, Banque de France, Deutsche Bundesbank, Lietuvos Bankas and Oesterreichische Nationalbank) was selected by the Governing Council on 23 July 2025[21] as the provider for the core components.

The final cost of a digital euro  for both its development and operation  will depend on its final design, components and related services that need to be developed. The total development costs, comprising both externally[22] and internally developed components, are estimated at around 1.3 billion until the first issuance, which is currently expected during 2029. Subsequent annual operating costs are projected to be approximately 320 million per year from 2029. The Eurosystem would not charge or benefit from any digital euro transaction fees. Instead, it would bear the costs of the establishment of the digital euro scheme and infrastructure, just as it does for the production and issuance of euro banknotes  which, like the digital euro, are a public good. As with banknotes, these costs would be covered by seigniorage  the income the ECB earns from issuing money  even if digital euro holdings were small compared with banknotes in circulation.

To complement these efforts, and in preparation of the next project phase, the ECB published a call for applications for digital euro network service provider connectivity. This procedure covers the provision of connectivity services between the distributed components of external actors (mostly PSPs and NCBs) and the DESP, as well as between DESP components hosted in different sites/data centres belonging to the different providers. Like the other sourcing activities, this procurement includes safeguards to ensure the European autonomy of the digital euro.

4 Learning through experimentation

Experimentation was one of the core pillars of the digital euro preparation phase. It plays a central role in refining both the technical design and the user experience of the digital euro based on real-world needs, ensuring the digital euro meets the requirements of consumers, merchants and the market and is adapted to emerging innovations.

4.1 Innovation platform

Building on the findings of the investigation phase, the ECB launched its experimentation activities to shape the long-term vision for the digital euro and to engage with the market on innovative use cases. In October 2024, the ECB hosted a workshop on the future of business-to-business (B2B) payments, which attracted over 150 applications from industry and payment experts. Six speakers from sectors including retail, banking, academia and travel were selected to present their perspectives on B2B payment challenges and opportunities. This workshop complemented the ECBs broader experimentation efforts by identifying potential new use cases beyond the current retail focus. Also in October 2024, the ECB issued a call for expressions of interest[23] to join its innovation platform, which received over 100 applications. From these, around 70 market participants  including banks, fintechs, merchants and non-bank PSPs  were selected to explore technical and conceptual aspects of the digital euro.

The innovation platform was structured into two workstreams: pioneers and visionaries. Between February and May 2025, the pioneers focused on hands-on technical testing of conditional payments in a simulated digital euro environment. Participants tested functionalities such as reservation of funds, waterfall mechanisms and various payment flows (P2P, P2B and B2P refunds), confirming that the current design could support conditional payments while preserving privacy and scalability. In parallel, the visionaries explored scenarios focusing on how the digital euro could support and foster innovation within the broader financial ecosystem. Proposals covered a wide variety of sectors such as mobility, financial inclusion and e-commerce. This dual-track approach encouraged collaboration with market participants and helped identify both practical implementation challenges and forward-looking opportunities.

Figure 2 Innovation platform workstreams

The outcomes of the innovation platform highlighted:

the robust market demand and the digital euros potential in fostering innovation, with a wide range of participants exploring and testing new functionalities;

the importance of harmonised standards and a flexible architecture to support future regulatory and technological developments.

Both workstreams underscored the digital euros potential to reduce the fragmentation of the payment ecosystem, unlock new business models for market participants and support pan-European interoperability. A detailed summary of the outcomes is available in the innovation platform outcome report, published on 26 September 2025. The ECB will use the findings to inform future digital euro developments.

Figure 3 Two-layer set-up to enable conditional payments

5 Technical work on the design of the digital euro

The preparation phase included targeted technical work on the design features of a potential digital euro. The work focused on key design areas such as offline functionality, accessibility and inclusion, holding limit calibration methodology, and system architecture. The analysis was informed by user research, expert input and collaboration with market participants. It aimed to explore practical implementation aspects and support the refinement of technical specifications. These efforts have helped ensure that the digital euro is being developed with a framework that supports resilience, usability and inclusiveness across the euro area.

5.1 Offline functionality

The offline functionality of the digital euro is being developed to enhance the accessibility and resilience of digital payments, supporting a broad spectrum of payment scenarios. It would allow users to make payments between two devices close to each other without an internet connection  for example, in areas with limited coverage, during power outages and in emergency situations. Payments would be settled directly between two devices (such as mobile phones or smart cards) by the near-instantaneous transfer of cryptographically secure tokens. The transfer would not involve any online system  a key innovation that does not yet exist in the market  and tokens would remain securely on the device. The approach taken preserves user privacy, as transaction details (e.g. what goods were bought, where and from whom) remain on the devices and are not shared with PSPs or the Eurosystem during (or after) the payment process.

Technical work has focused on enabling offline payments via card or phone through secure environments[24] (such as embedded secure elements[25] and eSIMs[26]). The ECB has explored deployment options with device manufacturers and service providers, focusing on how to enable easy and seamless user onboarding. Metrics and associated standards have been analysed to determine which secure element form factors are most likely to gain widespread adoption in consumers mobile devices in the future. The focus is centred on three primary options: embedded secure elements (eSEs), integrated secure elements (tamper-resistant secure enclaves, excluding Trusted Execution Environments) and embedded SIMs (eSIMs). Each of these form factors has the potential to deliver the robust security needed to meet the demanding requirements of the offline digital euro.[27]

The eSE, physically added to a device, offers a tamper-resistant environment for storing sensitive data and executing critical operations.

Similarly, integrated secure elements, which function as tamper-resistant enclaves within the device's hardware, can provide an isolated environment to safeguard sensitive assets and execute payment logic, possibly at a better cost for the device provider.

Lastly, eSIMs not only enable seamless connectivity but also integrate strong security mechanisms, making them a versatile choice for securing payment transactions and data.

Among these options, eSIMs are expected to gain the most traction in consumer devices thanks to their increasing adoption across a wide range of smartphones and wearables. Their ability to combine connectivity and advanced security in a compact, software-updatable form factor positions them as a leading candidate for future offline digital euro implementations. However, eSIMs must be supported by appropriate standards to ensure that offline wallets and their associated funds remain independent of the consumers currently selected mobile network operator subscription. All three technologies remain viable pathways to achieving the high security standards required to protect sensitive information and critical payment operations for the offline digital euro. In addition to analysing secure element availability, design challenges have been addressed such as supporting multiple front-end applications from PSPs, while ensuring offline funds remain accessible and correctly linked to the distributing PSP. Alternative form factors, such as battery-powered smart cards and bridge devices, are also being researched to see if and how they could facilitate inclusive access for users without smartphones.

Analytical findings on offline functionality have been regularly shared with European co-legislators and market stakeholders, including through technical seminars and ERPB sessions (see also Section 6. Engagement with external stakeholders).

5.2 Technical architecture

As part of the broader technical analysis, the Eurosystem explored how the online digital euro could be supported by a resilient and privacy-preserving system architecture. A key focus was to ensure that the architecture could protect user data, maintain continuity in adverse scenarios and support reliable performance across the euro area. Strong cyber resilience is enabled by the establishment of state-of-the-art cybersecurity controls addressing organisational and technical areas. Special focus is placed on the areas of secure development practices, cryptographic agile implementation in response to new developments in the cryptographic domain, such as quantum computing, reduction of the attack surface, regular planned testing against simulated cyberattacks and the inclusion of strong governance structures. The design of the cybersecurity controls builds on existing proven Eurosystem practices for other market infrastructures and industry best practices.

From a privacy standpoint, the digital euro is being designed as an ecosystem with minimised data and segregated information, and with distributed and segregated processing across the individual DESP components, in which end-user identities are not visible to the Eurosystem. The digital euro end user is onboarded through a PSP which is required to adhere to existing regulations on anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) procedures, ensuring that only the necessary personal data are captured, in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)[28]. The PSP will then send these transactions to the DESP for settlement using pseudonymous identifiers, ensuring that the ECB will not be able to connect any transaction with a private individual. Such privacy safeguards reinforce the Eurosystems commitment to data protection and minimisation and build on earlier design principles from a technical standpoint. The offline solution for the digital euro is designed to uphold even stricter privacy standards than the online solution, which already offers an unparalleled level of data protection. Offline payments provide enhanced user anonymity and ensure that sensitive payment information (i) remains on the device in a secure element, and (ii) is inaccessible to both the Eurosystem and PSPs.

To ensure continued functionality in adverse conditions such as digital disruptions, the architecture would include safeguards for emergency scenarios. For example, if under extreme circumstances a PSP were to lose access to the mapping[29] between its users and their respective holdings  owing to a cyberattack or technical failure  upon user request, and by providing proof of identity and passkey, a new PSP could re-establish users access to their holdings, without the Eurosystem knowing their identities. This would ensure that users could reclaim their funds securely and highlights the value of a public digital payment infrastructure in supporting financial resilience.

To ensure uninterrupted service, the Eurosystem would operate a central ledger in a multi-region set-up, hosted across three different regions, each equipped with multiple servers in different locations. This approach goes beyond standard redundancy models and is designed to maintain continuity even if data centres in a whole region of Europe become unavailable. In the event of a regional disaster, payments could be automatically rerouted to other regions, ensuring uninterrupted operations. As holding a digital euro would mean holding a direct liability of the central bank  as is the case with banknotes today  the Eurosystem would need to be able to correctly record (and hence also to verify) all settlements of its own liabilities. Therefore, the decision has been taken to have a centralised ledger. Unlike systems which rely on technical tools, such as resource-intensive consensus algorithms to establish trust among unknown parties, there is no need for such a set-up and the Eurosystem will leverage geographical distribution of the digital euro operations in an efficient way. Nevertheless, the technical architecture of the digital euro builds on key design principles from distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) to enhance resilience and efficiency, and to improve the systems overall performance and reliability. This relates mainly to the geographical distribution across multiple independent sites, the decentralised execution of settlement transactions, the atomicity and immutability of transactions, and the use of a sophisticated distributed consensus mechanism. Additionally, the digital euro would benefit from state-of-the-art technologies such as sophisticated AI models with responsible frameworks. These technologies would ensure (i) explainability of the generated output to manage risk and detect fraud based on pseudonymised transaction data only, thus providing an additional layer of end-user protection to the anti-fraud measures pursued by the PSP, (ii) highly scalable distributed systems to enable the lowest possible latency, (iii) real-time processing, and (iv) advanced cryptographic protocols to ensure top-tier security and trust, and to safeguard against future threats.

To ensure cost-efficient implementation and seamless integration with existing systems, the digital euro is designed to make use of market standards for interaction between PSPs and the DESP, while employing state-of-the-art technology. Specifically, we have chosen to use a synchronous REST interface for the connection between PSPs and the back-end infrastructure. Developed with the involvement of representatives from the financial industry, it builds on standards familiar from the implementation of the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2), with existing payment infrastructures. The REST interface enables low-latency transactions, speeds up innovation and supports the seamless settlement of transactions via balance-based data interfaces already known to PSPs, which facilitates compliance checks while allowing PSPs to maintain and further enhance smooth and intuitive user experiences. These design choices reflect a careful balance between innovation and stability, ensuring that the digital euro is both future-proof and grounded in a proven, reliable infrastructure.

Figure 4 Preliminary architecture overview

The envisaged design incorporates advanced capabilities, including a state-of-the-art funds reservation functionality[30] which supports a diverse range of innovative features,[31] including conditional payments.[32] A clearly separated settlement layer in the back-end infrastructure, provided by the Eurosystem, and a conditionality layer, provided by market participants, would ensure a secure environment that preserves the privacy of end users and the integrity of the payment process, while also allowing the flexibility for external monitoring that can trigger conditions. In practice, conditional payments would allow end users to initiate payments by temporarily reserving the specified amount in their account. While the reserved amount reduces the user's available balance, the funds are not transferred immediately. Thereby, sufficient funds remain available to complete the payment when required, enhancing reliability and efficiency in transaction processing.

In addition, specific conditions governing the release of reserved funds could be set out within a dedicated conditionality layer developed by market participants[33]. Once the applicable condition is verified, such as the confirmation of a train arrival, the reserved amount is transferred to the recipient. If the condition is not met, for instance should the train not arrive or should it arrive only with significant delay, the reservation is cancelled or allowed to expire, and the funds are returned to the payers available balance for future use.

Recent work by the Eurosystem, conducted in close collaboration with market participants, has confirmed that the current design of the digital euro can effectively support conditional payments. Market participants underscored the significant potential of these features to enable advanced services and drive further innovation.

5.3 Accessibility and inclusion

The digital euro would be legal tender. Therefore, ensuring that it is accessible to all citizens and is highly usable  regardless of age, ability, or digital literacy  was a guiding principle throughout the preparation phase. The ECB has taken a comprehensive approach to inclusion, combining technical design considerations with extensive user research. An overarching accessibility strategy has been designed to underpin the development of the digital euro app. The digital euro app would comply with the European Accessibility Act.[34] Moreover, in addition to the development of a physically accessible design, a specific focus would be placed on cognitive accessibility to ensure everyone can use the digital euro app and can quickly learn how to use it.

User research (see also Section 6.1 User research) has reinforced the importance of inclusive and user-friendly design. Focus groups with vulnerable consumers highlighted the need for multiple onboarding options, including in-person support at local branches, and payment flows which resemble familiar experiences. Participants emphasised the value of reassurance, simplicity and control over personal finances, particularly for those less confident with digital tools.

In parallel, the ECB has engaged with civil society organisations (see also Section 6.5 Engaging with the public) and consumer advocacy groups to gather feedback on how the digital euro can promote financial inclusion. These dialogues will inform both the technical design and the Eurosystems outreach strategy, ensuring that the digital euro is not only highly usable but also understandable and relatable to all segments of society.

In September 2025, the ECB hosted a workshop with the NCB expert group on digital financial inclusion, which brings together experts from 12 NCBs. The group reviewed best practices for implementing the public approach and discussed priorities for the next phase, including defining clear use cases for inclusion, refining the value proposition and usability of the digital euro app  especially its offline mode  and exploring features such as guided tutorials and support tools for users. The workshop also emphasised the importance of communications that help people understand how to use the digital euro, with a focus on empowering those who support vulnerable groups, such as associations and public institutions. These insights will inform the next phase of work on inclusion and accessibility.

Work on accessibility and inclusion will continue in the next phase, with further developments on the app interface, the process that users would follow to start using digital euro services (onboarding flows) and the support mechanisms to help users in case of issues or need. These efforts aim to ensure that the digital euro is a truly European means of payment  one that leaves no one behind.

5.4 Holding limit calibration

The Eurosystem is fully committed to ensuring that the introduction of the digital euro is consistent with a resilient financial environment that allows its monetary policy to be transmitted effectively. Individuals digital euro holdings would not be remunerated and would be subject to holding limits, as provided for in the Commissions legislative proposal. These holding limits are intended not to prevent the digital euro from being a store of value altogether but rather to moderate its use in this capacity, and therefore preserve the role of banks in ensuring the efficient provision of credit to the real economy.[35]

The development of the methodology for calibrating an appropriate holding limit for the digital euro has therefore been a central focus throughout the preparation phase. The approach to calibration seeks to ensure that the introduction of the digital euro aligns with a seamless payment experience for users, while ensuring that a resilient financial environment is maintained and allowing for continued effective monetary policy implementation and transmission, in accordance with Article 15(1) of the draft Regulation (Figure 5).[36]

Figure 5 Framework for the calibration of the digital euro holding limit based on the objectives set out in Article 15.1 of the draft Regulation on the establishment of the digital euro Source: ECB elaboration.

During this phase, the ECB made significant progress in developing the methodology for calibrating the digital euro holding limit. Together with experts from NCBs and national competent authorities (NCAs), the ECB worked to develop a methodology for the calibration of the digital euro holding limit and engaged with market stakeholders throughout to consider a wide range of feedback.[37] Input received was directly incorporated into the methodology. The testing drew on data on retail deposits collected in collaboration with European banking supervision, as well as results from ECB research on user behaviour with respect to holding digital euro. The methodology considers the increasing digitalisation of money and payments[38], combined with a granular assessment of digital euro user preferences and bank deposit outflows.

In the context of the preparation of the methodology, the ECB commissioned a survey on user behaviour to shed light on users attitudes towards holding digital euro. This was carried out among a diverse and representative sample of EU citizens aged 18 and older, aiming to examine their payment attitudes and preferences[39]. A majority of respondents (66%) showed interest in trying the digital euro.[40] This information  which is broadly consistent with findings from other surveys run by the ECB and NCBs[41]  can be used to gain a better understanding of the expected take-up rate in normal times (the business-as-usual scenario). The survey was also used to shed light on preferences for pre-funding versus activating and using the reverse waterfall feature. Around two-thirds of respondents would prefer to pre-fund or use a combination of both options to fund their account.[42] In addition, a large majority of respondents (75%) stated that monthly expenses are an important benchmark for referencing their digital euro holdings[43], and more important than income, bank account balances or cash holdings.

In response to a formal request from co-legislators, the ECB prepared a technical analysis estimating the potential financial stability effects of different hypothetical digital euro holding limits in a range identified in the request, namely from 500 to 3,000 per individual.[44] This technical analysis involved assessing potential digital euro demand and its consequences for deposit outflows and banks balance sheets under two scenarios: (i) a business-as-usual scenario, expected to prevail; and (ii) a highly unlikely and extremely conservative flight-to-safety scenario, which has never occurred in the 25 years since the first issuance of the euro.[45] This analysis should be read solely as a technical response to the specific request from the co-legislators[46] (see also Section 6.3 Engaging with co-legislators), and not as the outcome of the ECBs full methodological process nor as the ECBs position on an appropriate level for holding limits.

The findings of the technical analysis confirmed that using the digital euro for day-to-day payments would not harm financial stability. Considering that the gradual decline in the use of banknotes for payments due to digitalisation corresponds with an increased use of deposit-based instruments, the analysis showed that no aggregate bank deposit outflows would be recorded. Even under a highly unlikely and extremely conservative scenario, given different hypothetical holding limits in the range from 500 to 3,000 per person, the impact of potential digital euro demand on banks deposit outflows would be manageable, and there would be no significant impact on financial stability.[47]

Overall, the analysis confirmed that holding limits can effectively restrict deposit outflows from the banking sector, safeguarding financial stability and supporting the effective formulation and implementation of monetary policy. This analysis and the numerical results presented should be read solely as a technical response to the specific request from the co-legislators, and not as the outcome of the ECBs full methodological process nor as the ECBs position on an appropriate level for holding limits. The estimates outlined in this analysis are illustrative and reflect an initial and partial application of the methodology being developed by the ECB, rather than an exhaustive assessment. The complete methodology encompasses three pillars (Figure 5) with additional aspects that extend beyond the scope of this analysis. Moreover, the hypothetical holding limits assessed in this analysis are based on the co-legislators specific requests to test a defined range. Consequently, the results presented should not, under any circumstances, be interpreted as representing the official final position of the ECB on the appropriate level of holding limits.

6 Engagement with external stakeholders

Throughout the preparation phase, the ECB maintained structured and continuous engagement with a broad range of external stakeholders, including market participants, EU policymakers, other central banks, civil society organisations, consumer advocacy groups and the public. By engaging with a broad range of stakeholders and conducting extensive user research, the ECB has gathered valuable feedback in shaping the design of the digital euro, ensuring that it meets stakeholders needs while also fostering transparency and trust in the project. The engagement activities included technical sessions, bilateral meetings, workshops and public-facing events.

6.1 User research

To ensure the digital euro meets the needs of citizens and merchants across the euro area, the ECB conducted user research throughout the preparation phase. This work focused on understanding peoples payment preferences and behaviours to inform the design and value proposition of the digital euro. From autumn 2024 onwards, the ECB commissioned a series of quantitative and qualitative studies in all euro area countries. These activities were aimed at identifying the challenges and needs of diverse user groups in relation to payment methods and learning how a digital euro could respond to their preferences, with particular attention to vulnerable consumers[48] and small merchants[49].

In one research stream, when considering the adoption of a new payment method, vulnerable consumers highlighted the need for a universally accepted solution with an inclusive and intuitive design, as well as in-person support at local branches. Moreover, they frequently valued offline access, especially among those who personally experienced a lack of internet connectivity during travel, in rural areas or in emergency scenarios. Most vulnerable consumers expressed a preference for any new payment method to be introduced by a trusted and established bank and/or public body and indicated that they would be more likely to adopt a new payment method if it were offered by a European provider.

In another research stream, small merchants highlighted low costs, seamless integration in the existing checkout process and consumer preference as very important factors to consider in the adoption of new payment methods. Small merchants were introduced to the digital euro and were cautiously optimistic overall about its value proposition. They particularly favoured offline functionality, instant settlement and its potential to serve as a tool for negotiating better terms with their payment service providers, possibly reducing fees. The digital euros backing by the ECB was also spontaneously mentioned as an additional supporting factor. It was perceived as a guarantee of strong security for payments, which could increase consumer trust and potential adoption.

Vulnerable consumers and small merchants both stressed the need for a simple, reliable, and secure payment experience. Overall, the insights gained from user research will inform the ongoing design of the digital euro and how the Eurosystem can best engage with different user groups. A detailed summary of the findings is available in the Digital euro user research report, published on 30 October 2025.

6.2 Engaging with the market

During the preparation phase, the ECB actively engaged with a broad range of market stakeholders, including banks and non-bank PSPs, merchants and consumers. This engagement featured high-level meetings with merchants, attended by President Christine Lagarde and Executive Board member Piero Cipollone, as well as a technical workshop addressing merchant and consumer-specific topics. Meetings between ECB Board members and the leadership of banks and non-bank PSPs took place throughout the phase, alongside ongoing technical exchanges at expert level and meetings with consumer organisations at senior management level.

The ECB has engaged continuously with the Euro Retail Payments Board (ERPB) since the start of the investigation phase to ensure that the digital euro reflects the needs and expectations of key market stakeholders. By leveraging the expertise of all actors involved in the digital euro ecosystem, both on the supply side (such as merchants and PSPs) and on the demand side (for instance consumers), and by gathering valuable input from consumer associations, the ECB can design a digital euro that addresses the needs and preferences of its stakeholders. To this end, the ECB organised technical sessions and workshops with ERPB associations, providing a structured forum for dialogue with representatives of consumers, merchants and PSPs. These engagements covered a range of topics, including acceptance standards[50] and the calibration of the holding limit[51]. The ECB also used these sessions to present updates on experimentation activities and to gather feedback on how the digital euro could be integrated into the broader European payments landscape. A dedicated stream of ERPB technical sessions was organised to discuss market views on the digital euros fit in the payment ecosystem.

6.2.1 Fit in the payment ecosystem

The digital euro aims to foster innovation and competitiveness within the European retail payments market. This objective makes the digital euros fit in the payment ecosystem a key topic for policymakers and market stakeholders alike.

Between November 2024 and April 2025, dedicated ERPB technical sessions involving PSPs, merchants and consumers were conducted around three key thematic pillars: competition, synergies and business model. Across these sessions, 29 suggested value drivers were discussed.[52] Participants written feedback was published on the ECBs website, and an outcome session was conducted for each theme.

Figure 6 Engagement with market stakeholders on fit of the digital euro in the payment ecosystem Notes: 1) Competition and Synergies outcome sessions were held on the same day.

2) Merchants and Consumers sessions were held on the same day.

The outcomes were consolidated in the Fit of the digital euro in the payment ecosystem report, which summarises the overall engagement, identifies potential benefits, and recommends areas for further public-private technical collaboration to maximise benefits and mitigate risks. These areas may lie fully in the remit of either the Eurosystem or the co-legislators, to which the Eurosystem will continue to provide its technical input[53].

Amongst others, several key benefits were identified by the ECB and all stakeholders. While merchants and consumers generally perceive significant advantages, provided certain requirements are met, the banking sector raised more questions regarding the benefits.

Enhancing competition: The digital euro presents an opportunity to enhance competitiveness in the European payment landscape by strengthening the negotiating position of European PSPs and merchants.

The digital euro presents an opportunity to enhance competitiveness in the European payment landscape by strengthening the negotiating position of European PSPs and merchants. Maximising synergies: By making use of open digital euro standards, European PSPs and account-to-account (A2A) schemes can voluntarily integrate the digital euro into their payment solutions (e.g. digital wallets, app) and/or co-badge it on physical cards, mitigating the risk of disintermediation for domestic and regional card schemes. In the voluntary co-branding scenario, the private sector schemes could be the preferred brand wherever they are accepted, and digital euro would be the fall-back solution wherever the private sector scheme is not (yet) accepted. This could provide a low-cost alternative to interoperability initiatives between domestic/regional solutions and the digital euro. It could also reduce the dependency on international card schemes, essentially requiring them only for non-EU payments and/or as premium products.

By making use of open digital euro standards, European PSPs and account-to-account (A2A) schemes can voluntarily integrate the digital euro into their payment solutions (e.g. digital wallets, app) and/or co-badge it on physical cards, mitigating the risk of disintermediation for domestic and regional card schemes. In the voluntary co-branding scenario, the private sector schemes could be the preferred brand wherever they are accepted, and digital euro would be the fall-back solution wherever the private sector scheme is not (yet) accepted. This could provide a low-cost alternative to interoperability initiatives between domestic/regional solutions and the digital euro. It could also reduce the dependency on international card schemes, essentially requiring them only for non-EU payments and/or as premium products. Creating a common acceptance layer: The digital euro would establish a common acceptance layer for A2A payments, facilitating seamless transactions across point-of-sale (POS) and e-commerce platforms for European players. This integration would enable European payment solutions to expand their reach across the euro area without the need for proprietary acceptance networks. For example, the common acceptance layer would allow consumers to access near-field communication (NFC) transactions without requiring merchants to change or upgrade their terminals. This would ensure better acceptance of private sector A2A schemes.

The digital euro would establish a common acceptance layer for A2A payments, facilitating seamless transactions across point-of-sale (POS) and e-commerce platforms for European players. This integration would enable European payment solutions to expand their reach across the euro area without the need for proprietary acceptance networks. For example, the common acceptance layer would allow consumers to access near-field communication (NFC) transactions without requiring merchants to change or upgrade their terminals. This would ensure better acceptance of private sector A2A schemes. Developing a staggered roll-out approach: A staggered roll-out approach could be considered for the introduction of the digital euro. This approach would feature a well-defined sequence and combination of use cases  such as P2P payments, physical stores and e-commerce, to address the diverse needs of end users and bridge market gaps across euro area countries. This approach aims to strike an optimal balance between market relevance, the Eurosystems policy objectives, and technical and implementation costs. Therefore, a phased roll-out of functionalities would enable both costs and resources to be spread over time, while focusing on essential use cases first, ensuring broad adoption and resilience. Finally, establishing a joint roadmap for the digital euro, alongside the continued development of current or emerging (pan-)European solutions, would offer the most cost-efficient path forward for all market stakeholders.

A staggered roll-out approach could be considered for the introduction of the digital euro. This approach would feature a well-defined sequence and combination of use cases  such as P2P payments, physical stores and e-commerce, to address the diverse needs of end users and bridge market gaps across euro area countries. This approach aims to strike an optimal balance between market relevance, the Eurosystems policy objectives, and technical and implementation costs. Therefore, a phased roll-out of functionalities would enable both costs and resources to be spread over time, while focusing on essential use cases first, ensuring broad adoption and resilience. Finally, establishing a joint roadmap for the digital euro, alongside the continued development of current or emerging (pan-)European solutions, would offer the most cost-efficient path forward for all market stakeholders. Enabling digital euro as a service: Facilitating a make-or-buy decision, or digital euro as a service is crucial to mutualising investment and maintenance cost for PSPs, especially for smaller ones. While some banking groups in certain countries already have shared IT services in jointly owned providers, many other banks still rely on either local or regional bank-owned or independent service providers or processors (often those used for cards).

Lastly, the recommended areas for further collaboration include: (i) detailing how European schemes and the digital euro propositions will coexist and, where possible, make use of existing infrastructure and processes; (ii) launching collaborative work to ensure that the potential issuance of the digital euro is as cost-efficient as possible; and (iii) further exploring fraud risk management and offline functionality.

6.3 Engaging with co-legislators

Throughout this project phase, the ECB has provided technical input to the co-legislators as they advanced in their discussions concerning the draft Regulation on the establishment of the digital euro. In this light, the ECB welcomes the ambition of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) to reach a Council agreement on the Single Currency Package[54]by the end of 2025 within the Danish Council Presidency. This ambition has received broad support from the EU finance ministers, as expressed during the ECOFIN meeting on 8 July 2025.[55] Such high-level political backing underscores the shared commitment across Member States to advance the legislative process and ensure the timely adoption of the digital euro, in line with Europes strategic priorities.

On 19 September 2025, finance ministers in the Eurogroup agreed on the governance framework around the issuance of the digital euro and the process of setting a holding limit. The President of the Eurogroup explained: The agreement [] signals the collective determination that we have to advance this important project. Ensuring a digital future for our currency is essential for the euro.[56] The political agreement reached among ministers facilitates further legislative process in the Council.

The ECB also maintains its support to the legislative debate in the Council at the technical level. Together with the Commission, the ECB is an observer at meetings of the Council Working Party (CWP), which discusses the digital euro legislative proposal, providing expert technical input, in accordance with the Opinion adopted by the Governing Council. Since the start of the digital euro preparation phase, the ECB has participated in 19 CWP meetings and provided four technical seminars as well as multiple presentations. Below are examples of input recently provided to the CWP.

Resilience (May 2025): The ECB provided a technical analysis of the role of the digital euro in improving the resilience of euro area payments, for instance by improving the usability of the offline digital euro in situations where no connectivity would be possible for a prolonged period.

(May 2025): The ECB provided a technical analysis of the role of the digital euro in improving the resilience of euro area payments, for instance by improving the usability of the offline digital euro in situations where no connectivity would be possible for a prolonged period. Fraud prevention and detection for online digital euro (June 2025): The ECB explained the functions of the fraud detection and prevention mechanism for online digital euro payments that the ECB may operate according to the draft Regulation. The mechanism provides necessary support for PSPs to tackle fraud, while adhering to the highest privacy and data protection standards.

(June 2025): The ECB explained the functions of the fraud detection and prevention mechanism for online digital euro payments that the ECB may operate according to the draft Regulation. The mechanism provides necessary support for PSPs to tackle fraud, while adhering to the highest privacy and data protection standards. Access to mobile devices (June 2025): The ECB gave an update on the technical security requirements for making offline digital euro available on mobile devices, and the implications this might have in the light of Article 33 of the draft Regulation.

The ECB gave an update on the technical security requirements for making offline digital euro available on mobile devices, and the implications this might have in the light of Article 33 of the draft Regulation. Update on the work of the Rulebook Development Group (RDG) (June 2025): The ECB presented the progress achieved by the RDG based on the update published on 9 April 2025 (see also Section 2. Development of a draft digital euro scheme rulebook).

The ECB has engaged in discussions within EU forums regarding the strategic significance of the digital euro, which was also acknowledged by the euro area heads of state or government. In parallel, the ECB also provided regular updates on the digital euro project to the euro area finance ministers at the Eurogroup.

The ECB has updated the European Parliament regarding the developments in the project throughout the preparation phase. Executive Board member Piero Cipollone took part in five public exchanges of views on the digital euro at the European Parliaments Committee of Economic and Monetary Affairs.[57] The ECB also provided technical input to the rapporteur and shadow rapporteurs on the file, both in bilateral contacts with MEPs and, at the invitation of the rapporteur, in sessions that were open to all MEPs of the negotiating team and covered the following topics.

Financial stability-related aspects of the digital euro and the holding limits provided for in the draft Regulation on the establishment of the digital euro (July 2025).

Infrastructure, technology used for the digital euro, its innovation potential, the impact on competition in the payments market, interoperability and the costs of digital euro (July 2025).

The mandatory acceptance and distribution of the digital euro, as well as the compensation of digital euro (September 2025).

The data privacy framework for the digital euro and its contribution to the resilience of the European payments landscape (September 2025).

The offline functionality of the digital euro (September 2025).

The ECB provided technical input to co-legislators upon their request, including a view on recent assessments of digital euro investment costs for the euro area banking sector[58], and a technical analysis on the impacts of alternative digital euro holding limits[59], based on its work on a methodology for determining the limits.

On costs, the ECBs assessment estimates that the euro area banking sector would need to invest 4 billion to 5.8 billion in total or 1 billion to 1.44 billion annually over four years (i.e. 3.4% of significant banks annual IT upgrade budgets and around 0.7% of the euro area banking universes net income of approximately 197 billion in 2023). This range is consistent with the estimates given in the 2023 European Commission impact assessment.[60] It is comparable to the costs for initiatives such as PSD2 and below the level of investments for SEPA harmonisation. The difference reflects the ECBs use of synergies and cost mutualisation, corrections to design and legislative assumptions, and a more realistic and efficient implementation model. The impact assessment was conducted using banking sector studies as a foundational base. On 17 July 2025, the ECB presented the ongoing work on the development of the methodology for calibrating the digital euro holding limits in a dedicated technical seminar on financial stability and the digital euro holding limits, organised by the European Parliament rapporteur for the draft Regulation on the establishment of the digital euro. Following this seminar, the ECB received a formal request from the co-legislators for technical data on the potential financial stability effects of alternative digital euro holding limits asking to quantify the potential impact of each limit on certain key indicators.[61] In response, the ECB produced a technical analysis estimating these impacts across the specified hypothetical limits (see also Section 5.4 Holding limit calibration).

6.4 Engaging with the academic community

The ECB has stepped up its engagement with the academic community to foster dialogue on the digital euro with those studying its potential economic, legal and technological implications. The ECB has maintained a structured dialogue with universities, research institutes and policy think tanks. It has done so by means of bilateral engagements, participation in conferences, targeted workshops at universities and dedicated research initiatives in which scholars have been invited to present their research and contribute valuable insights to the design process of the digital euro.

To further strengthen this dialogue, a call for proposals[62] on topics related to central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), digital assets, payment systems and digital capital markets was issued. Selected contributions were presented and discussed at a conference in Milan on 25 and 26 September, organised together with the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), Review of Finance and Bocconi University. The conference included a speech by Executive Board member Piero Cipollone on research and innovation. Through these efforts, the ECB aims to continue promoting transparency and informing debates within the wider research community.

6.5 Engaging with the public

Public communication activities have been a cornerstone of the digital euro preparation phase, aimed at raising awareness, addressing misinformation and building trust among European citizens and stakeholders. These efforts have focused on delivering clear, accessible, accurate and consistent information across the Eurosystem, highlighting the digital euros role in preserving freedom of choice, enhancing financial inclusion and strengthening Europes strategic autonomy. By leveraging a range of communication activities through various channels, the ECB has worked to engage diverse audiences and address their needs.

The ECB has maintained a robust public presence through high-profile speaking engagements and events. Executive Board Member Piero Cipollone and other senior ECB representatives have participated in over 60 public events each year, explaining how the digital euro complements cash, boosts innovation and strengthens resilience.

In addition to these high-level engagements, the ECB has organised online seminars targeted at specific audiences. Civil society organisations representing consumers, minorities and vulnerable groups participated in three seminars to discuss how the digital euro could improve usability, ensure access to offline payments and enhance privacy.[63] In September 2024, the ECB engaged with over 1,000 market participants in a focus session to address questions related to the design of the digital euro and its impact on the payments market. Broader outreach efforts included participation in public events such as Europe Day and Europa Open Air 2025, where the ECB engaged directly with citizens.

Digital platforms  such as the ECB website and social media  have played a vital role in disseminating updates and insights. Communications have been crafted to be clear, factual and relatable, fostering understanding across diverse audiences. The ECB actively engages with media outlets to address inaccuracies in reporting on the digital euro, ensuring that the information shared is both factual and accurate. The ECB has ensured transparency throughout the preparation phase by regularly publishing key documents and progress reports, keeping stakeholders and the public informed about the digital euros development and next steps.

7 Way forward

On 23 October 2025, European leaders called for accelerated progress on the development of a digital euro. On 29 October 2025, the Governing Council of the ECB decided that the Eurosystem will continue its preparations and move to the next phase of the digital euro project. In this phase, the Eurosystem will build the necessary technical capacity ahead of a possible decision to issue, while maintaining flexibility and alignment with the legislative process.

With the next phase of the digital euro project, the ECB aims to be ready for a potential first issuance of the digital euro during 2029. This is based on a working assumption that the European co-legislators will adopt the Regulation on the establishment of the digital euro in the course of 2026. A pilot exercise and initial transactions could take place earlier, potentially starting as soon as mid-2027, to prepare for a potential issuance.

To deliver on this shared ambition, the Eurosystem will focus on three main workstreams.

Advancing technical readiness. The Eurosystem will start to develop the digital euros technical foundations, including initial system set-up and validation of core functionalities by means of piloting activities. Deepening market engagement. The Eurosystem will work closely with PSPs, merchants and consumer representatives to progressively test and prepare together for a possible first issuance. This will include finalising the digital euro rulebook to keep it in line with the further legislative developments, conducting further user research, exploring innovation opportunities and carrying out technical testing and piloting with market participants. Regular exchanges with a wide range of market stakeholders will continue to ensure that the digital euro meets the needs of people, merchants and banks across Europe. Supporting the legislative process. The Eurosystem remains committed to continue supporting the democratic debate and will continue to maintain close engagement with EU co-legislators, European institutions and authorities on the digital euro project. This will include continue supporting co-legislators with technical input until the adoption of the Regulation on the establishment of the digital euro and assisting the European Commission thereafter in preparing related implementing and delegated acts to ensure regulatory clarity ahead of any potential issuance of the digital euro. The Eurosystem will also provide technical input to EU authorities on the calibration of the appropriate digital euro holding limit as well as modelling and data gathering for the digital euro compensation model in due course, in line with the processes and procedures that will be defined in the legislation.

Looking ahead, the Eurosystems preparation for a digital euro will follow a flexible and modular approach. This approach responds to calls from euro area leaders for the Eurosystem to be ready for potential issuance as soon as possible, while also recognising that the legislation has not yet been adopted. This approach allows gradual scaling and limited financial commitments while ensuring continued alignment with the legislative process. A possible decision by the Governing Council of the ECB on whether to issue a digital euro, and on what date, would only be considered after the legislative act is adopted.

The effective issuance date and the ECB Governing Councils possible decision on whether to issue a digital euro remain subject to decision-making by EU co-legislators. The ECB will continue to closely follow the legislative debate and implement any appropriate adjustments to the development of the digital euro that may result from legislative deliberations, ensuring compliance with the legal framework in force at the time of possible issuance. The technical and legislative processes must therefore advance in parallel: the Eurosystem prepares the technical groundwork, while co-legislators lead the legislative process. Both processes are essential to ensure that, if and when the time comes, the digital euro can be made widely available as an additional option to pay digitally, complementing cash across the euro area.

Errata

Estonia was updated on 11 November 2025 providing a relevant domestic option and EU solution in P2P and E-commerce.

Disclaimer: Latvia was updated on 18 November, providing a relevant domestic option and European leadership for P2P as well as a relevant domestic option for E-commerce.

Date of change: 4 December 2025.

Location Original sentence New sentence Table 1 Table 1 Table 1 Notes: World icon stands for international, non-European solutions. European flag stands for European solution. P2P refers to alias-based P2P payments which are not available everywhere. The table does not explicitly highlight the P2G channel that would also be served by the digital euro; however, it is encompassed within the e-commerce or POS channels. A relevant domestic option is defined as a solution holding an estimated market share exceeding 10% within the respective use case, though other domestic options may also be technically present. In some countries, inter-bank solutions based on proxy and instant payments for P2P and e-commerce are recognised. However, since these solutions are not offered as distinct, branded stand-alone services, they have not been included. Sources: ECB elaboration based on ECB SPACE report; Euromonitor; Global Payments Report (FIS Worldpay); Key players in the EU payments landscape (The Payments Association EU); Roland Berger. Notes: World icon stands for international, non-European solutions. European flag stands for European solution. P2P refers to alias-based P2P payments which are not available everywhere. The table does not explicitly highlight the P2G channel that would also be served by the digital euro; however, it is encompassed within the e-commerce or POS channels. A relevant domestic option is defined as solutions holding an estimated market share exceeding 10% within the respective use case, though other domestic options may also be technically present. Source: ECB elaboration based on ECB SPACE report; Euromonitor; Global Payments Report (FIS Worldpay); Key players in the EU payments landscape (The Payments Association EU); Roland Berger. Last edit: 11/11/2025.
Northside residents have again called on Cork City Council to secure the site of a former convent, orphanage and Magdalene laundry which has been on the derelict sites register since 2019 and which has suffered multiple fires.

The former Good Shepherd site atSundays Well has been described as a tragedy waiting to happen by the chairman of the Blarney Street and Surrounding Areas Community Association.

Local residents say two open access points to the 19-acre site are making it a magnet for anti-social activity, specifically a broken metal gate at the top of Buxton Hill, and a broken fence down off of Convent Avenue. The derelict building is now in a state of extreme disrepair and one local said he was worried that It will take a death before the matter is taken seriously.

In April, members of Cork City Fire Brigade attending a blaze at the former laundry had what was described by second officer Victor Shine as a near miss when an overhead section of flooring holding two cast-iron baths collapsed in the blaze.

If anyone had been under it, they were dead, Mr Shine told The Echo.

Tom Coleman, chairman of the Blarney Street and Surrounding Areas Community Association, said anti-social behaviour on the derelict site had been a long-running issue in the area.

We had multiple fires on the site, the entire site is extremely dangerous, and with access to it so easy, there would have to be a serious concern that this has the potential to be a tragedy waiting to happen,

he said.

Fianna Fail councillor Tony Fitzgerald said he had asked Cork City Council to urgently contact the owners of the site, and he was calling on the owners to secure it.

The site is currently owned by Drogheda-based Moneda Developments, and plans for what would be Corks largest ever student accommodation development, a 957-bed, eight building, multi-storey campus on the site, are currently on hold following several objections.

An Coimisiun Pleanala has received four appeals against the decision this summer by Cork City Council to grant planning for 274 student apartments on the former convent site.

The proposed development by Bellmount Good Shepherd Limited  which is owned by developer brothers Padraig and Seamus Kelleher  would consist of eight student accommodation apartment blocks, ranging in height from three to five storeys.

A separate, three-storey, mixed-use building is also proposed, with ground-floor shops and upper-floor student accommodation, while the existing gate lodge would be converted to a cafe and to a co-working space.

The Good Shepherd convent was established in 1870 and operated until 1977.

The convent also served as a Magdalene laundry, an orphanage, and an industrial school, with thousands of women and children incarcerated there over the years. Burial records show that at least 188 women died there.

Some 110 nuns are buried in a graveyard on the eastern side of the site, which is also the final resting place of Ellen Organ, a four-year-old who has been venerated as Little Nellie of Holy God since her death in the orphanage in 1908.

High up in an almost inaccessible corner on the western end of the former convent site, in an area beyond the proposed development, a vandalised stone cross bears the names of 30 women.

They were imprisoned in the Magdalene laundry and are believed to be buried in a mass grave. However, three of the women named on the headstone are also listed as being buried at St Josephs Cemetery.

The Echo has asked Bellmount Developments and Cork City Council for comment, but has been unsuccessful in contacting Moneda Developments.
Its been about 200 million years since dinosaurs were last seen in Ireland, but people in Cork will soon be able to see their skeletons for the very first time.

The only known Irish dinosaurs were a megalosaurus, a three-metre tall, eight-metre long, two-legged meat-eater that weighed up to 3,000kg, and a scelidosaurus, a four-metre long, four-legged, armoured herbivore.

Bones from both of these dinosaurs were discovered in the 1980s by the late Roger Byrne, a schoolteacher and fossil collector, on a beach in Co Antrim.

A new exhibition will allow the public to view casts of these dinosaurs for the first time in Ireland.

The Domain of the Dinosaurs will run in University College Corks Glucksman Gallery from Sunday November 18 until April 12 next year, and will feature more than 250 real fossil specimens from land, sea and air.

It will take a team of twelve people a week to assemble, with specialists flying in from three countries to build the dinosaur skeletons.

The centrepiece of the exhibition will be skeleton casts of Megalosaurus and Scelidosaurus, the only known dinosaurs from the island of Ireland.

Bones from both these dinosaurs were discovered in the 1980s by the late Roger Byrne, a schoolteacher and fossil collector, on a beach in Co Antrim.

Both these finds will be on display at The Domain of the Dinosaurs, as will skeletal casts of these creatures. Scelidosaurus was an armored herbivore, while Megalosaurus was a two-legged predator. This exhibition marks the first time the public can view casts of these dinosaurs in Ireland.

Maria McNamara, UCC professor of Palaeontology, said the exhibition was a celebration of life in Ireland as it was during the time of the dinosaurs.

That ancient Ireland would be unrecognisable to us today  ecosystems on land and in the ocean were dominated by reptiles, with many unfamiliar plants and animals, she said.

Visitors to the exhibition can see the real fossil evidence of those extinct creatures, including fossil footprints, trees, insects, giant flying reptiles called pterosaurs, and lots of marine animals including giant predators such as the ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs.

Theres even fossilised dinosaur eggs and poo.

Prof Fiona Kearney, director of the Glucksman Gallery, said: The artists bring a creative lens to the pioneering scientific research happening in our university and provide an imaginative response to the fascinating fossils that are on display. The exhibition opens on Sunday November 16 and will run until April 12, 2026.

The full programme of events will be advertised on the Glucksman Gallery website at www.glucksman.org/events.
A Cork man who was reported missing since the weekend has been found.

Gardai in Macroom sought the publics assistance in tracing the whereabouts of a young man who was reported missing from his Co Cork home since last Saturday.

Hassan Alsane (22) had been missing from his home in Tureenglanahee, Ballydesmond, Co. Cork, since Saturday October 25.

Hassan was described as being approximately 5 foot 10 inches in height, with a strong build, dark brown hair (buzz cut) and dark brown eyes.

Hassan is believed to have access to a 10G-reg Seat Cordoba car.

Gardai and his family were concerned for his well-being.

Anyone with any information on Hassans whereabouts was asked to contact Macroom Garda Station on (026) 20590, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Two status yellow weather warnings have been issued for Cork today by Met Eireann, with Cork City Council saying localised flooding may occur.

A status yellow rain warning for Cork and Kerry comes into effect at 11am and is valid until 8pm this evening. Met Eireann have warned of spells of heavy rain, with possible impacts including localised flooding, difficult travel conditions and poor visibility.

A status yellow wind warning has also been issued for Cork, Kerry, Waterford and Wexford due to very strong and gusty southerly winds with gales on coasts.

It also comes into effect at 11am, and will be in place until 11pm tonight, with the potential for difficult travel conditions, wave overtopping and some fallen trees.

Cork City Council advised that due to these weather warnings localised flooding may occur, travel conditions for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists will be difficult, and debris may be on roads.

A council spokesperson said: We will continue to monitor the situation with crews on the ground and on stand-by should they be needed.

Weather Warning



Met Eireann has issued a status yellow Rain & Wind warning for Cork.



Valid: 11:00 Thursday 30/10/2025 to 20:00 Thursday 30/10/2025.



Due to these warnings:

Localised flooding may occur

Travel conditions for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists will be pic.twitter.com/ROXV2dKIXU  Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) October 30, 2025

A marine warning is also in place as of 5am this morning, a status yellow gale warning for all coasts of Ireland and on the Irish Sea until midnight tonight, as the national forecaster warned that southeasterly winds veering southerly will reach gale force eight at times.

Tomorrow is set to be a little drier in Cork, with rain predicted from 9am to 2pm then again from 8pm and overnight. At 6am Saturday, the rain is set to stop, with the rest of the weekend currently predicted to be dry.
The first ever Cork Against Racism Carnival takes place this Saturday, to celebrate the diverse communities living in Cork.

Following on from the weekly Cork Palestine Solidarity march, the Cork Against Racism Carnival will feature music and dance from Romanian, Indian and Mexican groups, as well as speakers from across some of Corks ethnic communities.

Among those attending the event will be the Lord Mayor of Cork Fergal Dennehy.

Cork Labour Party senator Laura Harmon said the Cork Against Racism Carnival is an ideal chance to show why everyone benefits from having Cork as an inclusive place to live.

We have to lead the fight against racism ensure Cork is a safe harbour for all.

Ive been honoured to convene a diverse group in the city for the past two months. This event is one of our actions to tackle racism in Cork and celebrate all communities living here.

The event begins at 2.30pm on Saturday, November 1 on Grand Parade.
Well-known hotelier Niall Rochford set off from UCC this week for a walk which will see him traverse five counties to honour his late wife.

On Tuesday the managing director of Ashford Castle met supporters at UCC's Honan Chapel to start the 250km walk to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.

Mr Rochfords Cork-born wife Stella died of the disease in her 50s, just eight weeks after diagnosis.

To raise awareness, he will retrace her lifes journey, which started in Cork where she was born and studied and ended in Cong, Co Mayo where Mr Rochford is manager of Ashford Castle, where they raised their family and where Stella is now laid to rest.

Pancreatic cancer claims the lives of five in every six people diagnosed in Ireland each year. In February this year, Mr Rochford co-founded a new charity, Pancreatic Cancer Ireland to raise awareness and funds.

Starting at 10am each morning, Niall will walk in Stellas footsteps, and he has already received video messages of support from celebrities Dermot Kennedy and Katie Taylor.

The Cork portion will see him travel from UCC to Mourneabbey, Doneraile and Charleville. He will also visit Limerick, Clare and Galway before ending his trip on Saturday November 8, in Mayo.
Cork Airport has celebrated their three millionth passenger this year, two months ahead of last year.

The milestone passenger, Hannah Davison, was travelling in the company of her children Joshua and Emily and arrived from London Gatwick on Ryanair flight FR7722 which touched down shortly after 12:30.

Travelling to Cork to visit her family, Hannah was met on arrival by airport management and presented with a luxury hamper and a bottle of champagne from Cork Airport Duty Free to celebrate the significant milestone.

With 14% passenger traffic growth in the year-to-date, the three millionth passenger milestone was surpassed nearly two months earlier than in 2024.

2025 will officially be the busiest year in Cork Airports 64-year history, with passenger numbers expected to beat all previous records and the airport on course to be Irelands fastest-growing airport for a second year running.

Kenny Jacobs, daa CEO, said: When Cork Airport celebrated its three millionth passenger of 2024 in December of last year, I said that Cork Airport will experience an even better year in 2025.

That prediction has certainly come to fruition with passenger numbers crossing the three million mark almost two months earlier than last year! Roy ODriscoll, Cork Airports deputy managing director said: Its a momentous milestone for all at Cork Airport, who day-in and day-out, go to great lengths to ensure that each of our passengers has an enjoyable airport experience  whether that be arriving or departing.

Were keenly aware of the airports importance in providing vital connectivity to the region and over the next number of years, all our passengers will see the many improvements we are making to the airport as part of our 200 million capital development plan.

In the year-to-date, there was significant growth in passenger traffic across some key markets with a 13% increase in passengers travelling to and from the UK, a 51% increase in passengers travelling to and from and Germany, a 34% increase in passengers travelling to and from Spain; and a 21% increase in passengers travelling to and from Switzerland.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has rejected criticism from Fianna Fail backbenchers that he is a top-down leader, and he has said comments likening him to French king Louis XIV are hurtful.

Denying that he had put pressure on parliamentary party members to select Jim Gavin as the Fianna Fail presidential candidate, Mr Martin said it was not his way to tell people what to do.

Politics isnt like that in the modern era, its never been my style, I engage with people, he said.

Ive canvassed every constituency with the TDs of the parliamentary party and with senators, Ive knocked on doors up and down the country, I go down and meet people in their constituencies, Im not a top-down person, I reject that assertion.

Speaking on RTE Radio 1s Today with Claire Byrne on Thursday morning, Mr Martin, who has led Fianna Fail for 14 years, said he did not think Cork East TD James OConnor should have likened him to Louis XIV, the Sun King whose 72-year reign was the longest of any monarch.

I dont think it reflects Micheal Martin, I dont think it reflects me as a person, the Taoiseach said.

Those kind of hurtful comments are unacceptable in my view.

"Im not that kind of person, Ive always engaged, and Im a phone call away from any TD or senator, always have been.

He said that since he had taken over the leadership in 2011, when the party was on its knees, he had worked with TDs and senators.

Mr Martin has come under increasing pressure since the partys disastrous presidential election, which saw Mr Gavin withdraw from the campaign but remain on the ballot, eventually receiving 7% of the vote.

A number of TDs are believed to be considering a motion of no confidence in Mr Martins leadership.

The Taoiseach conceded that in hindsight Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher might have made a stronger presidential candidate than Mr Gavin, but he would have preferred if Mr Kelleher had come forward sooner.

Remember, no one had come forward prior to about late August from within the parliamentary party, he said.

I would have preferred if he had rung me to say Im interested, and that did not happen.

He declined to confirm whether it had been his deputy leader, public expenditure minister Jack Chambers, who had initially suggested Mr Gavin as a candidate.

No one gets it right all the time, Ive accepted responsibility for this, Mr Martin said.

On the possibility of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern running, Mr Martin said such a campaign would have brought up issues raised in the Mahon tribunal.

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and then Minister for Education Micheal Martin in Government buildings in September 1999.

We know the nature of presidential campaigns, and I dont know why he would have brought that upon himself, Mr Martin said, adding that he hadnt detected any groundswell of support for Mr Ahern.

Asked about his partys current standing at 17% in opinion polls, Mr Martin said that in 140 opinion polls prior to last Novembers general election, Fianna Fail had languished in third place.

Fianna Fail emerged the largest party after the last general election, he said.
The year 1885 was a very important time in the lives of two men who never met for another quarter of a century.

They were Edward Joseph Hanna and Richard Ryan - one born to Irish parents in America and the other born in County Cork.

For 25-year-old Hanna, born in Rochester, New York, to Irish parents, 1885 was the year of his ordination to the priesthood. For 17 years, until 1912, he was Theology Professor at St Bernards Seminary.

Elected as Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco by Pope Pius X, he was appointed Bishop in 1914 when Bishop Patrick William Riordan died. Bishop Riordans father Matthew was from Kinsale and his mother from Stradbally in Laois.

Getting back to 1885, it was on July 25 of that year that Richard Ryan was born in the familys thatched farmhouse at Ballinakilla, Bartlemy. His parents were Richard and Bridget (OConnell).

Ten days after his birth, Daniel Ryan, Richards grandfather, died in the same house. Daniel was 85, born in the year 1800 - he was present in the family haggard on December 18, 1834, when his own brother Richard was one of the nine men shot dead in what became known as The Massacre of Gortroe, the bloodiest and most tragic conflict in the Tithe War.

Young Richard was one of a family of six. He was born just four decades after the Great Famine of the 1840s, so between tales of the woeful killings outside the family home and the memory of death and hunger, he grew up with a profound sense of right and justice.

Richard attended the local National School in Monannig which was about three miles across the fields. In his class was a girl named Maggie Farrell. They were the same age and classmates used to tease her, saying she was Richards girlfriend!

Richard went on the be a priest and in 1915 Maggie married Richards brother, Patrick (Pad) Ryan!

After attending St Colmans College, Fermoy, Richard studied for the priesthood in the seminary in Thurles and was ordained there in 1910. His father died in 1902.

Like so many other young priests at the time, and for decades after, Fr Ryan was ordained for overseas duties. He sailed from Ireland to America to take up his priestly duties in Petalooma, San Francisco.

He was assistant pastor in the Church of the Visitacion in 1912 when a local baker, Louis Hildebrand, made defamatory accusations against Fr Ryan. A court case was initiated but Hildebrand made a public written apology admitting what he had said was completely false.

Later, the young priest served in Cazadero. In the early 1920s he travelled home to Ireland. A newspaper reported thus:

Priest is Touring In His Native Land; Cazadero, April 23 - Rev Richard Ryan, former pastor of the Russian River parish, has reached Rathcormac, Ireland, after touring Europe , according to word received yesterday. He will remain for several months in his native land, and upon his return will be assigned to a pastorate in San Francisco.

It may well have been on his return trip to the U.S that Fr Ryan smuggled despatches across the world for Eamon de Valera. He got a local shoemaker to create a false bottom in his shoe and therein the precious messages were hidden.

After a term in Guerneville parish, the priest born in 1885 was summoned before Archbishop Hanna, who was ordained in that same year.

Hanna gave Fr Ryan the task of forming a Catholic Parish Community for the 125 families in the Sunset District of San Francisco. He accepted the challenge and Fr Ryan devoted the rest of his life to a ministry of religion and education in an area that was quickly expanding.

He decided on a name for his new patch, The Holy Name of Jesus Parish. There was no ecclesiastical building of any sort so he rented a premises  a community hall at Kirkham Street and 45th Avenue.

On Monday October 26, 1925 -100 ago last Sunday - Fr Ryan celebrated the first Mass in the Holy Name parish. Twelve months later, a custom-built church was erected at 38th Avenue. His mother died in 1935 at the age of 90.

Fr Ryan was a man of vision and determination. As he saw his parish population grow rapidly, further building and expansion took place on an ongoing basis. In 1938, a new church was started and opened for Mass in 1941.

Two of Fr Ryans sisters were nuns (Sister St Richard and Sr Catherina) and he placed great value on the role of Religious Sisters in Catholic education.

Along with eight Mercy Sisters, he founded the Holy Name School which, within a decade, had 900 pupils. An illustration of the parish growth is the fact that during World War II, more than 500 men from the Holy Name served in the U.S army.

Despite the problems of travel during the war, Fr Ryan made regular trips home to Ireland. Soon after it ended, in July, 1946, he was in St Marys Cathedral in Kilkenny for the ordination to the priesthood of his nephew Richard Colbert and assisted his nephew celebrating his first Mass in Dungourney.

Back in the Holy Name Parish, Fr Ryan realised that as the populace was growing, an even bigger Church was needed as well as further schools. In the post-war years money was scarce but Fr Ryan was a great organiser and delegator and gathered very good people around him to help with his work.

By the early 1950s, the expansion plans were drawn up and in early 1954 a huge fund-raising campaign was started with the hope of a new church being built in a few years.

Fr Ryan visited Ireland again in 1954 and 1955. He bought a washing machine for his niece Nora Hoskins in Bluebell, Bartlemy  though the ESB and running water were not yet in the house.

His grand nephew recalls seeing Fr Ryan smoking a large, aromatic cigar - a rarity in rural Ireland in the 1950s! On his departure, he left the unfinished cigar on an ashtray, still glowing - one of the boys took a few pulls and thought twas heavenly!

His last visit home to Bartlemy was in July, 1955. On his return to San Francisco he devoted huge effort and time to the fundraising effort in the parish. Then, in January, 1956, he got seriously ill. He carried on as best he could but died on November 5.

Eight years later, the magnificent new Holy Name Church was opened. Truly from little acorns are mighty oaks grown and Fr Richard Ryans 1925 request from Archbishop Hanna to go forth and create a parish has indeed become a reality.

Last Saturday night, the Holy Name Parish community came together for a Gala Dinner. The next morning, the Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco, followed in the footsteps of Fr Richard Ryan by celebrating Mass exactly a century after the story began.

He said: In 2025, we look forward to a renewed spirit of faith and fellowship. With dedication and a shared commitment to our parish community, Holy Name of Jesus continues to grow, welcoming both longtime parishioners and new families.

As we embark on the next century of Catholic Faith, we remain steadfast in living the Holy Name of Jesus in the heart of the Sunset.

Ah yes indeed, its a long, long way from Bartlemy to San Francisco.
Ottoline Spearman

A Dublin woman has launched a fundraising campaign to help Jamaica recover from Hurricane Melissa.

Orlagh Kilbride, 45, from Dublin, has lived with her husband Neil OHanlon and their sons Max, 16, and Blake, 12, in Jamaica for nearly a decade.

The family, based in Kingston, described themselves as counting their blessings after their home escaped major damage during Hurricane Melissa, though they remain deeply concerned for those who lost almost everything.

The fundraiser aims to help communities in the south and northwest of Jamaica that have been devastated by the storm, where homes were flattened and tens of thousands left without power.

Funds will be distributed among local charities, including the Jamaican Red Cross, Food for the Poor, and The Breds Foundation, to provide food, clean water and essential supplies for rebuilding.

So far, the appeal has raised over 390 of its 7,500 target.

You can read the campaign and donate here.
Declan Brennan

A truck driver who drove a lorry which had 2.8 million worth of cocaine hidden under a legitimate cargo of Lego toys has been jailed for five years.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Offaly man Noel Smullen (58) had a lower level of involvement in the drug importation operation than his co-accused, Killian McNay.

McNay (40) of Ardilaun Green, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath was sentenced to seven and a half years earlier this month.

Smullen of Silverdale, Clara, Co Offaly pleaded guilty to the unlawful importation of cocaine with a market value over 13,000 at Dublin Port on September 22nd, 2024.

Detective Garda Kylie Byrne told Brian Storan BL, prosecuting, that on that date, customs officers at the port became suspicious about an articulated truck driven by Smullen. Having passed an initial scan by a handheld device, officials decided to do an x-ray of the truck.

This scan revealed a metal compartment concealed in the floor of the flat-bed trailer designed to prevent detection. This contained 40 kilos of cocaine contained in wrapped blocks.

The court heard that McNay had provided the adapted vehicle to Smullen, but that both men were involved with packing the drugs.

Smullen has nine previous convictions, including burglary and handling stolen property in 2018, possession of stolen property in 2017 and an assault in 2009.

Aisling Ginger-Quinn BL, defending, said her client was under severe financial stress at the time and was receiving letters from the bank threatening repossession of his home.

She said the father of four has worked most of his life as a haulier both nationally and internationally.

She said he had previously worked for the co-accused and this man had contacted him on Facebook after a number of years out of contact, offering him well-paid work.

Counsel said Smullen assumed this was legitimate work, but when he became aware it involved the importation of drugs he decided to take the risk. He was promised he would receive 20,000, but he never got any reward.

Judge Martina Baxter said she had to take into consideration the amount of drugs involved and said that cocaine has had a corrosive effect on society.

She said this was a sophisticated operation which was planned thoroughly. This planning included Smullen carrying out a dry run from the continent into Dublin Port earlier in the month with the adapted truck.

Judge Baxter noted the mitigating factors of Smullen's co-operation with investigators, his early pleas of guilty and his lack of other convictions for drug dealing.

She said she accepted as genuine his expressions of remorse and his apologies.

She imposed a custodial sentence of six and a half years, suspending the last 18 months for two years on condition that he keep the peace and engage with the Probation Service.

She backdated the sentence to start on September 22nd, 2024, when Smullen went into custody.
Eimear Dodd

A man who sexually abused his eight-year-old cousin while he was a teenager over a decade ago has been jailed for four years.

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to five counts of oral rape at an address in Sligo during the summer of 2012, when he was 15.

He has no previous convictions and cannot be named to protect the victim's right to anonymity.

Evidence was heard during a sentence hearing earlier this week that the man's offending came to light in 2020 after the then 16-year-old girl told her mother what had happened.

In a victim impact statement read to the court by Fionnuala O'Sullivan SC, prosecuting, the injured party said she trusted the man as someone I looked up to and idolised.

All kids idolise people older than them, she said, later adding, whatever they said is gospel. Why would they lie?.

Later in the statement, the young woman said she thought she was to blame for what happened.

I was a child, but shouldnt I have known better? I trusted him. Children have trust hardwired into them.

She said she thought disclosing the abuse would ruin family relationships, so she tried to keep it to herself, but it became too much.

She said she initially didn't want to go to gardai as she didn't want to ruin his life. But, she did because children trust too easily, and she wanted to protect others.

I admit I'm paranoid, but that seems reasonable. I trusted a relative not to hurt me, she said.

What he did to me took all my trust away. How could someone look at someone so young, so tiny and see a meal waiting to be devoured, she said.

On Thursday, Mr Justice Paul McDermott expressed the court's hope that the girl would be able to put any thoughts that you are to blame for any of this out of your head.

He noted she was a young, innocent child at the time and the blame lies squarely and only in one place with her cousin.

That is where it should be put by her and everyone else unequivocally.

The judge said the injured party is clearly a very articulate young woman who has a very significant future ahead of her.

Whatever she does in future, she should not allow it to be defined by his wrongdoing, he said. The judge noted these were repeated serious offences, which involved a degree of grooming and exploitation.

He exploited her regard for him in the most horrible way, the judge said, noting the disparity in their ages and that the man breached the trust of the girl and her family.

She looked up to him and was, as he knew, amenable to doing what he asked because of that.

Mr Justice McDermott said he would set a nine-year sentence for an adult, which he reduced to reflect that the defendant was 15 at the time of his offending.

The judge noted a psychological report suggests that impulsivity, immaturity and inappropriate viewing of pornographic material were factors in the man's offending.

He noted the man's intention to leave the state upon his release from custody means he cannot be placed under the supervision of the Probation Service post-release and as such, a part-suspended sentence was not an option that the court could consider.

The judge backdated the sentence when the man went into custody.

The court previously heard evidence that the girl told specialist gardai that her 15-year-old cousin stayed with her family over the summer of 2012.

She said they came across a porn site online one day and described other occasions when the boy would put pornographic material on a laptop, which she used to watch cartoons.

She said the boy started to talk to her about sex, blowjobs and contraception, before saying it would be easier if he showed her.

She said he got her to perform oral sex on him in her bedroom. He asked her repeatedly to allow him to do this as they were friends, and it would make him happy.

The girl said she didn't know anything was wrong, thought it was a game and didn't want to stop being his friend.

The girl said she realised it wasn't right. The boy stopped for several days, before resuming the abuse.

The court heard the girl told another cousin, who was about her age, what was happening at the time. This girl confirmed that the injured party said something about the boy making her take off her clothes and watch porn, but said she didn't understand.

In her victim impact statement, the injured party described hating her body, taking boiling hot showers and scrubbing at her skin.

The complainant said she has had panic attacks, including while walking past a man in college who looked similar to the defendant. She added that she is worried she will never be able to have children as she fears she wont be able to protect them.

She said she didn't expect small changes such as having to eat her favourite chocolate warm and soft, instead of cold. She said she is terrified of intimacy, enclosed spaces and has difficulty sleeping.

As part of the investigation, gardai contacted the man, who was then living in the UK. He voluntarily returned to Ireland in September 2024 and has been in custody since then.

Conor Devally SC, defending, outlined that his client's family moved abroad when he was a small child.

The investigating garda agreed with Mr Devally that there was a difficulty in the man's family in 2012 and it was decided he would spend the summer with relatives in Ireland.

It was accepted that there were no other issues while the man stayed in Ireland that summer, and the offending was not repeated when he visited again the following year.

A psychological report outlines that the man had a difficult upbringing, which it was submitted left him less mature than others his age.

Counsel said his client is ashamed and remorseful for his actions and a letter of apology was handed to the court. The defendant plans to leave Ireland once his sentence is completed, and Mr Devally said his client wants the injured party's family to know he will not be encountered here at the end of his time in custody.

The man has a good work history in the UK and Spain. He is in a long-term relationship and hopes to marry his partner in the future.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
Im breathing a sigh of relief that the month is nearly over. I always find the change of seasons a challenge and the world seems to turn topsy-turvy on me in October each year.

The funny thing is, the month is usually more than half over before I remember why I feel sluggish and sometimes even scared, and then I remember that its just October and it too will pass.

I know it sounds a bit dramatic to say that I feel scared but its a genuine thing. Every surface is slippery and slimy, we transition the clothes we wear and we are moving into winter mode. I find the in-between bit tricky. I often get caught off guard with a few slips and trips and I feel like I am always on the back foot.

A recent close call for a fall happened when I was collecting Ricky from our neighbour Frances, a house he gets off the school bus at and has great fun with a house full of kids. He has a jam sandwich that is somehow way more tasty than in our house and he begs for more time when I arrive at the door. One day, as I stepped over the threshold my stick went to slip and by some super-human feat, Frances caught me under the arm and saved me, even though she had a young child on her other hip. She will forevermore be known as SuperFran, though shes been that in my world for many years already, always there with a helping hand, time for a natter and a great friend to have in my corner.

I should have slowed down that day after a near miss and taken a different speed for October but instead I drove on. I dont really know how to do things any other way. Ive had a few more incidents which have led to me needing to hunker down a bit. When it came to voting, I asked Dad for help and it made things infinitely easier. I visited my cousins in Tipperary and I thought I could walk safely into the house my grandparents lived in, one Ive been walking into my whole life. But when I was standing on the slimy footpath, I didnt trust my feet and I asked Aine to get my wheelchair for me as I didnt feel safe.

As I felt those words come out of me, I was both sad and proud. I felt sad that I just couldnt walk in the door, but proud that I asked for help before I fell and hurt myself. Once I was inside the door and in my wheelchair, it didnt matter anymore, and Aine had reacted as if I had asked her for the most normal thing in the world.

Similarly with Dad, when I thanked him for helping me to vote he half laughed and shot back his signature not a bother, girl. As I was driving to Tipperary, I thought about all the times hes helped that I never even thought to acknowledge, but for him its just the most natural thing to do. I thought the same about my cousins Aine and Aoife. Theyve never known the world without me in it and when I was planning the visit and told Aoife I might need the wheelchair in the house over voice note, she replied remarking that the chair was a given, not a bother.

It appears Im the only one bothered and theres a lovely lesson in that for me.

I have great people around me and its OK to ask for help, especially when it feels hard to do. Thats when it counts the most.
(REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah) A worshipper arrives to attend Sunday prayers in Baraka Parish church at Hajj Yusuf, on the outskirts of Khartoum, February 10, 2013. Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir said he wanted to adopt a '100 percent' Islamic constitution. The government said its new constitution would guarantee religious freedom, but many Christians were wary due to a crackdown. Picture taken February 10, 2013.

The World Council of Churches has added its voice to UN agencies expressing grave concern over reports from El Fasher, in Sudan, following the recent capture of the city by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

WCC general secretary Rev. Jerry Pillay released a statement after reports emerged from El Fasher in North Darfur about the new development in the war that has been waged for more than two years.

"Accounts given by people who have escaped from the latest violence, as well as other reports, indicate ethnically-motivated mass killings, other war crimes and crimes against humanity, and widespread destruction in the city," said Pillay.

"Drone strikes, artillery shelling, and attacks on civilian areasincluding mosques, displacement camps, and sheltersare widely reported, and represent a devastating escalation of human suffering in the region."

The Sudan conflict, which began on April 15, 2023, is a civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and shows no signs of abating.

Among other atrocities was an attack on a mosque in El Fasher's Al-Daraja neighborhood, where displaced persons from the Abu Shouk camp had sought refuge.

"Such acts are morally indefensible and constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and human rights," said Pillay. "We appeal for the preservation and protection of lives and communities in the region."

Pillay expressed solidarity with the people, churches, and religious communities of Sudan who continue to endure unimaginable hardship amid conflict, displacement, and hunger.

"We urge the international community, the African Union, and regional organizations to intensify diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to end the violence, protect civilians, and ensure adequate humanitarian assistance to all those displaced and otherwise affected by the violence," said Pillay.

The fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF that began in 2023 has killed more than 20,000 people and displaced 14 million, according to the UN and local authorities.

Research from US universities, however, estimates the death toll at around 130,000, according to All Africa Global News.

Speaking at a UN Press Conference earlier in the week, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said, "It is an extremely precarious situation, and the risk of further large-scale, ethnically motivated violations and atrocities is mounting by the day."

She said that the Human Rights Office has received reports of the summary execution of civilians trying to flee, and of people no longer participating in hostilities.

Most of the more than 50 million people in Sudan are Sunni Muslims, but there is a small Christian minority.
Donald Trump and Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, have agreed to a one-year pause on the punitive Trump-instated tariffs that are at the heart of the ongoing trade war between the two superpowers. Among the issues discussed when the two leaders met face-to-face in the South Korean city of Busan were Chinas chokehold on rare earth metals and the export restrictions on NVIDIAs AI chips.

Trump had previously made some characteristically explosive threats that he would impose new 100 percent tariffs on imports from China as a retaliation to Xis tightening grip on rare earths, the processing of which is almost entirely controlled by China. These materials are essential for manufacturing everything from smartphones and EVs to military equipment. As part of the (for now) temporary truce, China reportedly agreed to pause the new measures for the next 12 months in exchange for Trump lowering Chinese tariffs by 10 percent.

According to The New York Times, Trump said he had discussed semiconductors during his talks with Xi, and did not rule out the possibility of allowing NVIDIA to sell AI chips to China. The American company was allowed to resume selling its H20 chips in China in July after an initial ban earlier in the year, only for Beijing to reportedly respond by instructing its largest tech companies not to do business until a national security review had been completed. The leaders did not discuss the possible availability of Blackwell chips  NVIDIAs most advanced AI chip to date that is currently in development and possibly a motivating factor in Chinas apparent indifference to the H20 architecture  at their meeting in South Korea.

There was also no resolution on TikTok and its future in the US. The last we heard, the Trump administration claimed to be close to agreement that would see the US gain majority ownership of the Chinese-owned social media giant where it was operating on home soil, but nothing has been finalized at the time of writing.
Proton, the company behind Proton VPN and other encrypted apps like Proton Mail and Proton Drive, just launched a new web page called the Data Breach Observatory that aims to make accurate cybercrime data more widely accessible. The Observatory is intended to be a continually updated report that records any data leak detected on the dark web, with information sourced from the underground data marketplaces themselves.

The reason for the Observatory, according to Proton, is that too many studies of cyberattacks depend on organizations reporting when they've been hacked. A company might not make a data breach public for fear of backlash from customers, regulators or stockholders. Although it's impossible to tell how many breaches aren't reported, Proton believes it's a significant portion.

Compounding the transparency problem, most stolen data is advertised and traded on dark web markets that are hard to trace without specialized knowledge, like how diamond thieves don't tend to fence their loot at above-board jewelry stores. In other words, while most people know that personal information is frequently stolen and leaked, it's very difficult to know how much data is getting stolen, how often breaches occur and who's buying and selling the goods.

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Proton's solution is to monitor the dark web itself, watching locations where data thieves go to advertise stolen information. By keeping an eye on these exchanges, Proton believes the Data Breach Observatory will be able to warn victims as early as possible, including before the targets themselves are aware of the leak. Making breach reports available in one place is also meant to educate the public about the actual size and scope of cybercrime, while making it harder for companies to keep quiet about getting hacked.
A number of US government agencies are backing a potential move by the Commerce Department to ban TP-Link routers, according to The Washington Post . Multiple sources familiar with internal deliberations spoke with the publication on the condition of anonymity, including a former senior Defense Department official.

A months-long interagency process involving the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice and Defense took place this summer to consider the sweeping move. Investigations into the company stemming from national security concerns have been taking place since at least last year.

At the heart of the potential ban is a concern that TP-Link retains ties to China, despite splitting from Chinese corporation TP-Link Technologies to become a standalone entity in 2022. A spokesperson for TP-Link denied any Chinese ties, saying "any adverse action against TP-Link would have no impact on China, but would harm an American company."

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US officials told The Washington Post they are concerned because under Chinese law, TP-Link must comply with Chinese intelligence agency requests and may even be pressured to push malicious software updates to its devices. US-based TP-Link Systems said the company is not subject to the direction of the PRC intel apparatus.

TP-Link routers are among the most popular in the United States, with the company claiming 36 percent of US market share. Earlier this year however, former American cybersecurity official Rob Joyce testified before Congress that TP-Links market share was roughly 60 percent, thanks in part to selling its equipment below cost in order to drive out competition.
The creators of "It: Welcome to Derry" have revealed how they executed the pilot episode's shocking twist ending that left most of the show's young characters dead in a movie theater massacre.

The brutal scene was designed to send an unmistakable message to viewers that no one is safe in the world of Pennywise the Clown.

Director Andy Muschietti and producer Barbara Muschietti, who helmed the two recent "It" films, explained that the strategy behind the shocking ending was intentional and carefully planned. Muschietti said that the goal was to create an event that would instill in audiences the sense that "nothing is safe in this world." The episode introduces a group of young characters who appear to be the new version of the Losers Club, only to have most of them brutally killed by the end of the first hour.

The twist came as a product of collaboration between the Muschiettis and showrunners Jason Fuchs and Brad Caleb Kane. Fuchs, who wrote the pilot episode, revealed that the massacre was developed after the original script had been sent to HBO executives. When the creative team pitched the full series, Andy stood up theatrically as Fuchs described the scene where all the kids except Lilly and Ronnie would be killed. He then pulled down paper covering a wall of headshots to reveal an entirely different group of child actors who would become the show's actual protagonists.

Barbara compared the shocking moment to the infamous Red Wedding from HBO's "Game of Thrones," calling it "our Red Wedding." She explained that the team wanted to bring subversion to the story and avoid falling into predictable patterns, especially since they were maintaining the same tone and style as the films. The producers initially believed they would have to fight the network to keep such a brutal ending, but HBO executives were supportive and even cheered the decision.

The pilot episode opens with the disappearance of Matty Clements, who is killed by a demonic winged baby creature after being picked up by a possessed family. Four months later, his classmates Teddy, Phil, Susie, Lilly, and Ronnie investigate his disappearance. The episode builds toward what seems like a familiar "It" narrative, with these children appearing to be the story's main protagonists. However, in the climactic theater scene, the same mutant baby that killed Matty emerges from the movie screen showing "The Music Man" and brutally kills Phil, Teddy, and Susie, leaving only Ronnie and Lilly as survivors.

Fuchs recalled seeing the HBO executives' shocked faces during the pitch and feeling confident that if they could replicate that reaction with audiences at home, they would have a satisfying ending to the first episode.

Andy added that the twist also served to subvert viewer expectations after completing two films, preventing audiences from becoming too comfortable with the story's patterns. The director emphasized that the intention was to trick audiences into thinking these were the new Losers Club members before pulling the rug out from under them.

"It: Welcome to Derry" premiered on HBO and HBO Max on October 26, 2025, and serves as a prequel to the 2017 "It" film and its sequel. Set in 1962, the series explores Pennywise's origins and the history of Derry, Maine, with Bill Skarsgard reprising his role as the demonic clown. The first season consists of eight episodes that will air weekly through December 14.
American actress and musician Alana Haim is in talks to join Aubrey Plaza in the upcoming biopic "The Heidi Fleiss Story," which chronicles the life of the notorious Hollywood madam.

The dark comedy marks the feature directorial debut of Leah Rachel, who created the Netflix supernatural horror series "Chambers."

Set in 1993 Los Angeles, the film follows Heidi Fleiss as she faces arrest for operating what authorities called the world's largest high-end prostitution ring. Plaza stars as Fleiss, while Haim is set to portray Jacolyn, an aspiring writer who becomes determined to document the Hollywood madam's story. The narrative depicts Fleiss navigating the chaotic days following her arrest, attempting to leverage connections and manipulate various contacts to have her case dismissed.

Rachel co-wrote the screenplay with Travis Jackson and Rachel Sennott, the actress and comedian known for co-writing and starring in the satirical teen comedy "Bottoms." Jessamine Burgum and Kara Durrett are producing for Pinky Promise, the independent production company behind "The Last Showgirl" and "Bird." Plaza is also producing through her company, Evil Hag Productions.

Filming is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles early next year. The project represents Plaza's first time portraying a real-life person, a challenge she expressed excitement about in recent interviews. Plaza previously said that she considers Fleiss "the ultimate badass icon" and believes "she deserves the royal treatment."

Heidi Fleiss was arrested on June 9, 1993, on charges including pandering and narcotics possession. Her subsequent trial became a media sensation, with intense speculation about her client list, which reportedly included numerous Hollywood celebrities and powerful figures. Actor Charlie Sheen testified at her trial that he had spent $53,000 annually on services from Fleiss's prostitution ring. Fleiss was ultimately convicted on three pandering counts and received a three-year prison sentence, though that conviction was later overturned. She was subsequently convicted on federal tax evasion and money laundering charges, serving 20 months in prison.

Haim gained widespread recognition for her breakout role in Paul Thomas Anderson's "Licorice Pizza," her feature film debut, which earned her nominations from the Golden Globes, BAFTA Awards, and Critics' Choice Awards. She recently appeared in Anderson's "One Battle After Another" and is set to star alongside Robert Pattinson and Zendaya in Kristoffer Borgli's "The Drama." Beyond acting, Haim has received four Grammy nominations as part of the acclaimed pop-rock group Haim, which she formed with her sisters Este and Danielle.

Plaza has established herself as both an actress and producer, receiving Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her performance in the second season of "The White Lotus." She previously starred in and produced "Emily the Criminal" through Evil Hag Productions, which is currently being adapted for television by Legendary Television.
Disgraced royal Prince Andrew is leaving his longtime home at Royal Lodge, marking the end of an era for the Duke of York as the palace prepares to make what insiders describe as a "major announcement" about his future.

According to royal sources who spoke to Page Six, both Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson have agreed to vacate the 30-room mansion in Windsor Great Park  a property Andrew has occupied rent-free for over two decades.

"Andrew realizes he has to leave," one palace insider said. "The hounds are at bay  and the hounds are quite powerful these days."

The move comes amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew's relationship with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and resurfaced claims from Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, whose posthumous memoir details her alleged encounters with the prince.

Just weeks ago, Andrew agreed to stop using his Duke of York title, and Ferguson was stripped of her "Duchess of York" style, which she had continued to use publicly.

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment, but royal observers say the decision to remove Andrew from Royal Lodge  his home since 2003  reflects a growing determination by King Charles III and Prince William to distance the monarchy from scandal.

Prince Andrews shame continues as royal sources say big news is coming soon about his and Sarah Fergusons living arrangement https://t.co/edokzjZysW pic.twitter.com/5JxYowI3lz  Page Six (@PageSix) October 29, 2025

Prince Andrew Allegedly Misused Royal Privileges

Sources also revealed that earlier plans to move Andrew into Frogmore Cottage, once home to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, were scrapped, leaving uncertainty about where he and Ferguson will live next.

Adding to the turmoil, royal biographer Andrew Lownie told TalkTV that there is "a good chance" both Andrew and Ferguson could face prison as investigations surrounding Epstein continue, DailyMail reported.

"The authorities will want to pursue some of these cases," Lownie said. "If charges are brought, there's a real possibility that both he and Sarah Ferguson may end up behind bars."

Lownie also accused the royal couple of abusing their positions for personal gain, claiming Andrew once brought a mistress on official trips funded by taxpayers and suggesting Ferguson benefited financially from Epstein's support for years.

He argued that the palace's reluctance to act sooner has only made the situation worse. "This problem should've been dealt with years ago," he said. "The palace only have themselves to blame."

Andrew's fall from grace has been swift. Once considered Queen Elizabeth II's favorite son, he has lost his royal duties, military honors, and reputation.

Despite paying Giuffre a multi-million-dollar settlement in 2022  while denying wrongdoing  public anger over his conduct remains intense.
Kanye West and his wife, Bianca Censori, are said to be plotting the start of a new enterprise which will go against the beauty and fashion empire of Kim Kardashian.

The couple, according to sources from Radar Online, are the masterminds behind what the insiders define as a "mirror image" of Kardashian's SKIMS and SKKN brands, with the anonymous one referring to it as a "revenge play" way.

It is reported that the couple is working on the project behind the scenes and that they will reveal a big news about it in December.

The rapper, who changed his name to Ye, not long ago, hinted this new venture indirectly by creating a brand-new online platform, igniting rumors regarding his upcoming fashion and lifestyle initiatives.

According to one insider, West sees the project as a way to outdo his ex-wife. "This goes way beyond fashion," the source said. "Kanye sees this as his revenge play. He's determined to outdo Kim on every front."

The source added that Censori's brand "is being crafted to mirror hers on purpose" and is meant to compete directly with everything Kardashian has built.

Kardashian, 45, reportedly feels blindsided by her ex-husband's plans.

A source close to the reality star told the outlet she is "furious" and believes West "is pulling all the strings here."

The insider added, "He's been hinting for months that he's planning to reclaim his crown and make Bianca the next superstar. Kim feels like he's taking everything she worked for and weaponizing it against her."

Kim Kardashian loves copying Yes wife Bianca Censori pic.twitter.com/vLOOCJDKXm  Yeezyrih (@Yeeezyrih) May 2, 2025

Bianca's Image Mirrors SKIMS Branding

Industry observers have noted similarities between Censori's public image and the early aesthetic of Kardashian's SKIMS campaigns.

According to a fashion insider, the way Bianca lately has been posting pictures on her social media, in which she is mostly seen in barely-there, tight body outfits, looks to be totally deliberate of her.

The source clarified that West has pretty much branded himself by provoking people, and this step should be seen as just one of the many ways he is using to get noticed and dominate the conversation.

Kardashian is said to be taking the move seriously, reportedly holding "emergency strategy meetings" with her team. Friends told the outlet she feels "on edge" as West continues shaping Censori's image.

Another insider claimed West has been "molding Bianca into a replica of Kim for a while," from her clothing choices to her public demeanor.

Tension Between the Exes

Kardashian and West got married in 2014 and ended their marriage in 2022. The couple is the parents of four children: North, 12, Saint, 9, Chicago, 7, and Psalm, 6. While Kardashian described their relationship as "healthy," she also said to host Alex Cooper on the Call Her Daddy podcast that the "final straw" for their marriage was the feeling of being "emotionally and financially unsafe."

While Kardashian continues to expand her businesses, insiders say she's keeping a close eye on West's next move.

A Hollywood business source told Radar that while Kim's brand remains "practically unshakable," she is aware that "Kanye can be unpredictable."

Censori, meanwhile, sees the partnership as her opportunity for greater fame. "This is her shot at real fame," a source said.
2

Javier Izquierdo, miembro de la Ejecutiva del PSOE, deja todos sus cargos en plena crisis por las denuncias de acoso
The fall hunting season and crop harvest are in full swing here in Ohio. Hunting is one of the biggest hobbies for many, while farming is a way of life for many others.

White tailed deer and turkey are the most sought-after game in the United States. Adding wildlife plantings to an area not only increases your chances of harvesting game but is a great conservation tool for the soil as well.

Lets face it, wildlife is everywhere, some more or less in certain areas, but regardless, they can do some serious crop damage. I talk to many farmers throughout the year, and I will frequently ask them how the crops look, how the crops finished out or what yield was produced. Normally, wildlife damage is brought up in the conversation that follows.

Most of them mention the overall white-tailed deer population is high in our area. Many of our fields are relatively small in size in east central Ohio, so they can be damaged a lot more easily compared to larger fields of central and western Ohio.

Whether it is on land you own or have permission on from a local farmer, you can work together to maintain a balance of productive cash crops and wildlife populations. The wildlife will be there regardless, so adding a food source for wildlife will not attract more but can reduce pressure on the cash crop.

These wildlife seedings can be annual, perennial or habitat-related. I have even heard of some farmers doing a small sacrifice field of soybeans to reduce pressure on the main fields. Some farmers are converting cropland to hay because it is just not worth it anymore.

If you have land of your own, you can do pretty much anything you want since you control the land. Maybe you own land, but you are not a farmer and an outdoor enthusiast instead. Find a nearby farmer to lease your crop or hay fields to as they may be glad to add some acres to reach their goals of grain and forage production.

If you do not own land, work with a farmer to add cover to their crop fields after harvest. Many of these situations will consist of annual plantings, but you could use a fallow or unused area for a perennial planting.

Planting wildlife food plots can be as expensive or inexpensive as you would like. You can try to work out a deal with a producer and split the cost, as it can become a win-win situation for both.

Most farmers apply lime and fertilizer to their crop fields in the first place. This opens another situation where you can offer to offset those costs in exchange for hunting permission or adding wildlife plantings.

A mix of different species for a wildlife seeding will be better as each one plays a different role for the soil and nutrients and can attract wildlife at different times of the year. For example, brassicas and oats will winterkill, while winter wheat and rye will keep the soil covered and in place all winter long. The latter may be a better option for providing a green food source for wildlife all winter and to help a farmer control soil erosion in the hills of eastern and southeastern Ohio.

Most farmland is accompanied by surrounding forest land. Here you can create wildlife habitat by doing some timber stand improvement or TSI. Many forest owners have forestry management plans and practices that need to be put in place to fulfill that management goal.

Offer to hinge cut some of the less desirable trees for wildlife cover or girdle some invasive species to allow native species to flourish.

Helping a forest landowner may grant you hunting permission all while improving habitat for the wildlife you are pursuing and increasing crop yields for the farmer next door.

You can be out enjoying a favorite pastime while reducing wildlife numbers that can be wreaking havoc on a farmers crops.

Not all situations may work out, but, all in all, farmers and hunters working together can both accomplish many goals on the same piece of property.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw has warned that the governments proposed reforms to inheritance tax could turn into a tax on tragic and unplanned deaths, as he gave evidence to the House of Lords on the potential impact on family farms.

Bradshaw appeared before the Finance Bill Sub-Committee this week. He was joined by Jeremy Moody of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) and Judicaelle Hammond of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

The hearing forms part of an inquiry into how proposed changes to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) will affect farming and rural businesses.

The NFU has already submitted written evidence to the committee, warning that the reforms  dubbed the family farm tax  could have severe and unfair consequences for farming families. The committees findings will help inform parliamentary debate when the Finance Bill is introduced later this year.

When asked by Labour peer Lord Liddle, who chairs the sub-committee, about the immediate challenge facing family farms, Bradshaw said the proposals posed a widespread and immediate threat to the viability of many farm businesses.

He explained that most family farms do not have the cash reserves to pay large IHT bills and would likely need to sell land or assets. But selling would be impossible until probate is completed  a process that can take six months to two years  leaving families unable to pay on time or borrow against the estate.

The human impact of this goes way beyond the economics, Bradshaw told Peers. This is something not being considered by the government, which is so sad.

Bradshaw added that the NFUs concern was not only financial, but deeply personal. The situation we could find ourselves in now is that this ends up being a tax on tragic deaths, he said.

The first period will be the elderly and then after that its going to be those who either havent planned or completely unplanned deaths, which may well be younger Now is that a logical tax planning scenario?

When asked by Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Bowles of Berkhamsted whether farmers were prepared for the changes, Bradshaw and other panellists agreed that while awareness of the proposals was high, preparedness was low.

They said their organisations had been limited in offering advice, as neither the government nor HMRC had provided enough detail about how the reforms would be implemented in practice.

Bradshaw also criticised the forestalling clause, which applies the new APR and BPR rules to asset transfers made after 30 October 2024  the date the government announced the policy  and before the start date of 5 April 2026. He said this clause was absolutely unforgivable, as it could penalise families who suffer a death within that period.

For more than three decades, farmers have been relying on tax advice that told them to hold on to agricultural assets until they die, he said, adding that the new clause would make that approach unworkable.

Peers also questioned why the Treasurys estimates of how many farms would be affected differ so widely from those presented by the NFU and industry experts.

Bradshaw said the government had misunderstood the structure of agricultural estates claiming APR, meaning genuine family farms could be unfairly caught by the reforms.

He cited a report by CenTax (Centre for the Analysis of Taxation), which suggested that if APR were restricted to estates with more than 60% agricultural or business property, the policy could still target wealthy investors while protecting real farm businesses.

Bradshaw warned that the changes risk restricting investment in food production by making farmland less attractive to family farms while leaving investors largely unaffected.

He said that under the new system, an effective 20% inheritance tax rate on agricultural assets would still appeal to investors but make succession planning impossible for farmers.

CAAV adviser Jeremy Moody agreed, saying the governments proposals hurt those it has been designed to protect and protect those it is designed to hurt.

Bradshaw urged peers and MPs to consider the human impact behind the policy debate, noting that it would leave bereaved families facing financial pressures at the worst possible time. This is not just about balance sheets, he said. Its about the lives and futures of the people who produce our food.

The committees report is expected later this year and will help shape parliamentary debate on the Finance Bill as it progresses through both Houses.
Farmers are set to play a central role in one of the UKs most ambitious nature recovery projects, as Sir David Attenborough lends his support to a 30 million appeal to buy and restore the historic Rothbury Estate in Northumberland.

Now in his hundredth year, the renowned naturalist is backing the Wildlife Trusts Rothbury Appeal, urging public support to help raise the remaining funds needed within the next 12 months.

More than 8 million has already been pledged, with donations ranging from 5 to 5 million. At 9,500 acres, the estate  roughly the size of Athens  is the largest tract of land to be offered for sale in England in decades.

It lies in the uplands of Northumberland, an area shaped by generations of farmers, and is seen as a unique opportunity to demonstrate how farming, conservation, tourism and education can work hand in hand.

Sir David described the estate as a huge, heart-shaped expanse of moorland, rivers, forest and upland in Northumberland that urgently needs protection.

People know and love the Simonside Hills that rise here, he said. They walk the ridges and listen for the calls of the curlew They watch for red squirrels and admire the views as they scramble among the crags.

He praised the Wildlife Trusts plans to work alongside local farmers and rural communities to breathe new life into its precious wildlife habitats, calling on the public to help us make this vision a reality.

The Rothbury Estate lies at the heart of a 40-mile nature corridor stretching from the north-east coast of England to the Scottish border, making it a vital landscape for both farming and biodiversity.

Its restoration could benefit species such as curlew, pine marten, beaver and golden eagle, while supporting sustainable agriculture and boosting rural livelihoods.

Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said Sir Davids backing had come at a critical moment. Were extremely grateful to Sir David for championing the Rothbury Appeal at such a vital time for nature recovery in the UK, he said.

This opportunity is extraordinary, but so is the threat. If The Wildlife Trusts fail to acquire the Rothbury Estate in its entirety by autumn 2026, it is likely it will be broken up into separate landholdings, with many planted with non-native conifers for commercial forestry.

The appeal has also been boosted by a 250,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which will help fund early research into the estates wildlife, heritage and land management potential.

The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust have one year left to raise the full 30 million to secure the estate in its entirety.

If successful, the project will bring farmers and conservationists together in what could become a blueprint for large-scale, farmer-led nature recovery across the UK.
NFU Scotland has called on the UK government to deliver a budget that backs farmers, urging ministers to prioritise fair taxation, fresh investment and long-term sustainability for agriculture in next months autumn budget.

In a formal submission to Treasury, the union set out eight key policy asks which it says are vital to support food production, environmental delivery and economic resilience across farming and crofting communities.

NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon said that the sector continues to deliver high-quality food while supporting jobs, helping to tackle climate change and enhancing biodiversity, but warned that farm businesses were under intense strain.

We need a budget that backs farmers, he said. This submission is about practical, fair and future-focused solutions.

Among the measures put forward are a call for a fairer approach to inheritance tax reform to avoid the break-up of family farms, and an increase to the Annual Investment Allowance to drive on-farm innovation and resilience.

NFU Scotland is also urging the Treasury to introduce enhanced capital allowances for low-carbon infrastructure, such as farm buildings, to support the transition to net zero.

Other recommendations include reversing recent National Insurance changes that threaten rural employment and maintaining reduced duty on red diesel, which remains critical for farm operations.

The union also wants the government to reverse the reclassification of double cab pick-ups, arguing that they are an essential tool for rural businesses and farm transport.

In addition to these measures, the submission calls for a delay to the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which is due to affect agricultural imports and exports, and for improvements to the governments Making Tax Digital system to better reflect the realities of farm accounting and seasonal incomes.

Connon said the proposals were designed to deliver more than short-term fixes, stressing that the right fiscal decisions could help secure lasting progress for the industry.

The measures weve proposed would help secure long-term productivity, investment and opportunity for Scotlands farmers and for the rural economy as a whole, he said.

The autumn budget will be announced on Wednesday 26 November, setting out the chancellors plans for public spending and taxation.

NFU Scotland confirmed that its submission has been shared with both the Treasury and the Scotland Office, saying the UK government now has a chance to set a budget that delivers for farmers and crofters  not adds to their challenges.
Farmers are being urged to take extra precautions to protect livestock this fireworks season, as new polling by the RSPCA suggests more than six million households in England and Wales plan to set off fireworks in the coming weeks.

Cattle and sheep startled by sudden explosions often bolt in panic, risking injury on fences, farm machinery  or even running onto roads. Poultry are also vulnerable, with frightened hens crowding together, and some being smothered in the panic.

RSPCA Assured, the farm assurance scheme run by the RSPCA, is offering practical advice to help farmers reduce stress and prevent accidents as Bonfire Night approaches.

Every year, farmed animals are frightened by fireworks  despite it being illegal to light fireworks near fields and barns where livestock are kept, said Charlotte Thomas, regional assessment manager at RSPCA Assured. We are offering advice to farmers and the public to help reduce the fear and stress fireworks cause.

She added that both the RSPCA and RSPCA Assured are asking people to be Kind Sparks by considering the impact of fireworks on animals and choosing organised displays over home events.

We know 66% of animal owners say that backyard firework displays are a major concern, she said, adding that unpredictability around when and where fireworks are set off highlights the levels of anxiety and worry so many owners have.

RSPCA Assured is encouraging farmers to take several practical steps to protect livestock from distress. They recommend talking to neighbours and the local community to make them aware of livestock nearby and the risks fireworks pose.

Fences and enclosures should be checked and reinforced in case animals panic and try to escape. Playing low, soothing music can help to mask the sound of fireworks, especially if animals are gradually introduced to background noise in the days leading up to Bonfire Night.

Farmers are also advised to monitor their animals closely during displays, staying nearby to spot any signs of distress or injury. Where possible, an experienced and familiar stockperson should stay with the animals while fireworks are going off. Once the noise has stopped, fields and paddocks should be checked for firework debris that could cause harm.

The RSPCA continues to call for tighter firework legislation to protect animals and rural communities. Its proposals include reducing the maximum permitted noise level from 120dB to 90dB, restricting sales to licensed outlets, and introducing firework-free zones near livestock, wildlife habitats, and sensitive rural areas.

Thomas added: We want people to speak to their neighbours about any planned celebrations and preferably attend organised public events instead. We hope this will help reduce the impact on all animals.
British farmers are set to receive new backing to help them adopt nature-friendly farming methods, as Waitrose commits 1 million to expand its regenerative agriculture programme.

The retailer has joined forces with the Soil Association Exchange and Regenified as part of its Farming for Nature initiative  a long-term plan to help 2,000 UK farmers adopt practices that restore soil health, protect biodiversity and build resilience against climate change.

The initiative is central to Waitroses goal for all its UK farms to be using regenerative methods by 2030, and to reach net zero across those farms by 2035.

Andrew Hoad, director of Leckford and Farming for Nature at Waitrose, said the partnerships would help deliver measurable progress on environmental outcomes.

We are delighted to bring both Soil Association Exchange and Regenified into our Farming for Nature programme, he said. Their expertise will be vital in developing our approach, providing monitoring, measuring impact and demonstrating progress.

He added that the companys commitment reflected a belief that producing high-quality food and caring for the environment go hand in hand.

Through its collaboration with the Soil Association Exchange  a farm measurement platform backed by the Soil Association  Waitrose will run a four-year programme with early-adopting farms representing key supply chains.

The partnership will track performance on soil health, biodiversity, water, carbon, animal welfare and social impact, creating evidence of how farming practices affect the environment.

Joseph Gridley, CEO of the Soil Association Exchange, said farmers wanted to act but needed clear evidence, trusted advice, and fair reward.

He added: Through this partnership, Waitrose is helping farmers turn robust data into practical changes on the ground, backed by the advice and support they need. Its a powerful step towards a food system that is both climate-resilient and profitable for farmers.

In a separate move, Waitrose has announced a partnership with Regenified, a global leader in regenerative agriculture verification. The retailer will fund access to the Regenified certification framework for 100 farms across livestock, dairy, fresh produce and horticulture supply chains.

The scheme will enable producers to track improvements in soil health, water management and biodiversity, offering independent verification for farms that are making progress towards regenerative goals.

Salar Shemirani, co-founder and CEO of Regenified, said: We are honoured to join Waitrose and the Soil Association Exchange in this forward-thinking programme. T

"Their commitment to giving farmers the tools, data and independent verification they need to build resilient, nature-friendly businesses is a testament to the foresight of Waitrose and its suppliers.

Participation in the certification is voluntary, but Waitroses backing makes it the first UK supermarket to independently certify regenerative farming at scale.

Farming leaders have cautiously welcomed the supermarkets investment but warned that regenerative transitions must be economically viable.

The NFU has previously warned that many smaller farms face considerable financial risk when adopting new practices without clear, long-term market support.

Industry observers say the success of the Waitrose scheme will depend on how far the retailers suppliers are rewarded for the environmental benefits they deliver.

Waitroses own Leckford Estate  the only UK supermarket-owned farm  will work with both new partners. The Hampshire estate, which has been using regenerative practices since 2020, became the first UK farm to achieve Regenified certification for its orchard and vineyards.

Hoad said the partnerships signalled a step-change in how the retailer supports its network of suppliers: We are leading the way in backing British farmers, protecting nature, meeting climate goals, and building a sustainable and resilient food system from the ground up.

Progress reports on the programmes impact are expected in 2026, with farmers and industry groups watching closely to see whether it can provide a scalable model for regenerative farming across the UK.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is currently busy with the filming of his upcoming project Love & War. While details about the plot and cast have been kept under the wraps, the three leads were announced, alongside the release date. The movie will star Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. It is scheduled to be released on March 20, 2026.





Latest developments state that Bhansali has wrapped up the Mumbai schedule of the shooting. The filmmaker and his team had reportedly recreated 1970s Italy right in the heart of Mumbai for the films first leg of shooting. As for the next leg, Bhansali is heading to Italy for the grand climax of the film.



According to a source close to the project, Sanjay Leela Bhansali recreated 1970s Italy right here in Mumbai for Love & War. Around ten days of filming were completed before Diwali, and the final 20-day schedule, featuring the films grand climax, is expected to take place by December 2025 in Italy. The team is eyeing an Eid 2026 release.



This ambitious period romance marks Bhansalis return to the big screen after Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), which earned widespread acclaim for its craftsmanship and storytelling. In 2024, Bhansali released Heeramandi on OTT, which starred Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sonakshi Sinha, Fardeen Khan and more in leading roles.







Ranbir Kapoor is also gearing up to release the grand project Ramayana, while Alia Bhatt will star in ALPHA, opposite Sharvari. Apart from Love & War Vicky Kaushal hasn't announced any other projects yet. However, Katrina Kaif and him have recently announced their pregnancy. Fans have lauded the sudden announcement, while blessing the couple. Further details about their pregnancy and upcoming plans haven't been revealed yet.



Also Read: Pictures: Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt Step Out for Love & Wars Meeting at SLBs Office


Shah Rukh Khan, the King Khan of Bollywood, recently held one of his popular, impromptu #AskSRK sessions on the social media platform X, giving fans a chance to interact directly with him. As always, the session was filled with his signature wit, charm, and humorous answers, much to the delight of his massive following. The interaction quickly trended, proving once again that the superstars social media presence is just as engaging as his on-screen roles.

One question, however, stood out and quickly became a talking point, as it touched upon a beloved annual tradition. With his birthday on November 2 approaching, a fan directly asked the star about his plans to continue his iconic yearly ritual. The fan asked, "Sir is baar Mannat pe fans ko greet karne aaoge?" This question refers to the much-anticipated moment when SRK steps out onto the balcony of Mannat to wave and acknowledge the sea of fans gathered below.





Of course but may have to wear a hard hat!!! https://t.co/31bOcyxAsn  Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) October 30, 2025

Every year, thousands of well-wishers and fans travel from across the country, and even the world, to stand outside his home, hoping to catch a glimpse of the superstar on his special day. It is an event that has become synonymous with the actor's birthday celebrations, with the streets outside Mannat turning into a festive zone every November 2.

Never one to disappoint, especially when it comes to a humorous response, Shah Rukh Khan confirmed he would be continuing the tradition, but not without adding a funny disclaimer. He replied to the fan with a short, witty line that instantly went viral: "Of course but may have to wear a hard hat!!" The hilarious response confirmed that hell be in Mumbai to greet his fans after reports of him celebrating his 60th birthday in Alibaug went viral earlier today. The actors clever response was to hint at the ongoing construction at Mannat.

For decades, the Mannat greeting has been a symbol of the unique bond Shah Rukh Khan shares with his fans. The sight of SRK standing on his balcony, arms stretched out wide in his famous pose, remains an iconic image of his superstardom.

On the work front, Shah Rukh was last seen in his son Aryan Khans series Ba***ds of Bollywood, and will be seen next in the upcoming movie, King, directed by Siddharth Anand and starring his daughter Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Deepika Padukone in key roles.





Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan Talks About Prioritising Time With Kids Over Everything Else




Vijay Antonys milestone 25th project Shakthi Thirumagan opened in cinemas on September 19 and began streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar on October 24. Soon after the online release, the film found itself at the centre of controversy when an X user named Subash Sundar alleged that the storyline was stolen. His post claimed that the script had originally been submitted to Dream Warrior Pictures in 2022 and that the director had taken it without credit.



The claim quickly went viral as several media platforms picked up the story. Social media users began accusing director Arun Prabu of copying someone elses idea. As the noise grew louder, Prabu decided to clarify his position publicly through an extensive statement on his official X handle.



Arun Prabu Shares His Side and Proof of Origin



In his detailed post, the filmmaker wrote that he had first chosen to ignore the comments, thinking they were just another online rumour. But once major outlets began publishing the allegation, he felt it was time to set the record straight.



He stated, After years of effort, such false accusations are deeply painful. I thought this was simply a troll and ignored it at first, but as media houses began reporting and people started calling for clarification, I realised I must explain the truth.



Along with his note, he shared a screenshot of an email from October 2014 that he says shows evidence of the scripts existence at that time. He explained that the story was originally titled Parashakthi and featured a character named Kittu, a Secretariat broker raised by a Periyarist wall painter named Subbaiya. The plot followed a young man who grows up questioning the social order, facing a powerful adversary beyond his reach.



According to Prabu, this concept was first created in 2014 and later refined to reflect the evolving political environment. After years of development, he finally brought it to the screen in 2025. He dismissed the accusations as false and part of a deliberate attempt to mislead.



He further claimed that he possesses several pieces of proof including emails, registered script copies, and early drafts shared with producers and actors. Many colleagues and industry friends, he added, can confirm that he narrated the story years before 2022. Prabu also said that if there is a need for further evidence, he will present it before the proper legal authority.



Ending his statement, the director wrote, Making a film is already a long and exhausting journey. Facing conspiracies like this after years of hard work is heartbreaking. I want the public and media to know the truth and to stop spreading baseless claims. I neither need nor want to use someone elses story.





About the Film and Its Release



Shakthi Thirumagan was produced by Vijay Antony under his own banner, Vijay Antony Film Corporation. The movie features Trupthi Ravindra, Krish Hassan, Vagai Chandrasekhar, and Cell Murugan in key supporting roles. Vijay Antony also composed the films music.



Before its release, the political drama attracted attention for its bold theme that combines emotional storytelling with commentary on power and corruption. The films arrival on streaming platforms has expanded its reach, sparking discussions about its story and social message.



The plagiarism controversy, however, briefly overshadowed the films success. With Arun Prabus detailed clarification now public, the filmmaker hopes the focus will return to the movie and the years of creative effort behind it.







Also Read: Line Lagi Thi Shah Rukh Khan Ke Liye: Anurag Kashyap On Shah Rukh Khans Craze In Berlin


Marks a pivotal step for advanced nuclear in the U.S., reinforcing energy security and accelerating clean, dispatchable power generation

Program to power AI and industrial growth with reliable, low-carbon baseload while supporting American jobs and communities

NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR), the industry-leading provider of proprietary and innovative advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology, today congratulated its exclusive global strategic partner, ENTRA1 Energy, on being positioned to receive up to $25 billion in investment capital under the newly signed $550 billion U.S.-Japan Framework Agreement.

The bilateral framework agreement, announced by the White House following a meeting between President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo this week, will mobilize up to $550 billion in public- and private-sector investment to expand critical energy infrastructure and strengthen supply chains.

As part of this initiative, ENTRA1 Energy will develop a fleet of power plants utilizing baseload energy sources. The program will serve fast-growing energy demand from AI data centers, manufacturing and national defense, while creating thousands of high-quality American jobs and reinforcing U.S. energy independence.

"We are proud to support ENTRA1 Energy as they take part in this historic agreement between the United States and Japan," said John Hopkins, President and Chief Executive Officer of NuScale Power. "This collaboration underscores the central role of advanced nuclear in powering our economy, strengthening alliances and providing the reliable energy needed for AI, manufacturing and critical infrastructure."

The announcement follows ENTRA1's recently announced landmark agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to develop up to 6 gigawatts of new clean baseload power using NuScale's SMR technology. Together, these initiatives highlight the growing role of advanced nuclear in supporting U.S. reindustrialization, energy security and decarbonization.

Hopkins added: "The U.S.-Japan framework validates the model we've built with ENTRA1-pairing proven, NRC-approved SMR technology with world-class development and asset management expertise. Together, we are accelerating the deployment of clean, baseload power at a scale and speed the world urgently needs."

For additional information, please see the White House announcement: whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/10/28

About NuScale Power

Founded in 2007, NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) is the industry-leading provider of proprietary and innovative advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology, with a mission to help power the global energy transition by delivering safe, scalable, and reliable carbon-free energy. The NuScale Power Module, the company's groundbreaking SMR technology, is a small, safe, pressurized water reactor that can each generate 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe) or 250 megawatts thermal (gross), and can be scaled to meet customer needs through an array of flexible configurations up to 924 MWe (12 modules) of output.

As the first and only SMR to have its designs certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NuScale is well-positioned to serve diverse customers across the world by supplying nuclear energy for electrical generation, data centers, district heating, desalination, commercial-scale hydrogen production, and other process heat applications.

NuScale and ENTRA1 Energy have a global strategic partnership, and ENTRA1 Energy is NuScale's exclusive global strategic partner for commercializing and developing NuScale SMRs. ENTRA1 Energy is the one-stop-shop and single hub for the deployment, financing, investment, development, execution, and/or management of ENTRA1 Energy Plants with NuScale SMRs inside.

To learn more, visit NuScale Power's website or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Xand YouTube

About ENTRA1 Energy

ENTRA1 Energy is an American independent global energy production platform dedicated to increasing energy security by providing safe, reliable, baseload energy. ENTRA1 Energy is led by an executive team of energy, infrastructure, and finance sector veterans drawing on significant experience in the investment, development, and execution of critical infrastructure projects globally. ENTRA1 Energy is focused on producing and selling power by commercializing and deploying American nuclear and natural gas technologies in its power infrastructure assets.

ENTRA1 Energy is NuScale's exclusive global strategic partner, and the two companies have an existing 50/50 joint venture company ENTRA1 NuScale LLC. ENTRA1 Energy holds the global exclusive rights to the commercialization, distribution, and deployment of NuScale's products and services. ENTRA1 Energy is the one-stop-shop and single hub for the deployment, financing, investment, development, execution, and/or management of ENTRA1 Energy Plants with NuScale SMRs inside.

Forward Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements (including without limitation statements containing words such as "will," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "plans" or other similar expressions). These forward-looking statements include statements relating to the commercialization of our SMR technology.

Actual results may differ materially as a result of a number of factors, including, among other things, the Company's liquidity and ability to raise capital; the Company's ability to receive new contract awards; the potential for cost overruns, project delays or other problems arising from project execution activities; our ability to obtain required regulatory approvals; and other risks and uncertainties that may be outside our control. Caution must be exercised in relying on these and other forward-looking statements. Due to known and unknown risks, the Company's results may differ materially from its expectations and projections.

Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in the Company's public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the general economic conditions and other risks, uncertainties and factors set forth in the section entitled "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Summary of Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in subsequent filings with the SEC. The referenced SEC filings are available either publicly or upon request from NuScale's Investor Relations Department at ir@nuscalepower.com. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation other than as required by law to update the forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251029556145/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Chuck Goodnight, Vice President, Business Development, NuScale Power

media@nuscalepower.com

Investor Contact

Rodney McMahan, Senior Director, Investor Relations, NuScale Power

ir@nuscalepower.com
GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Phase 1 of the 138th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) was held from October 15 to 19, which coincides meaningfully with World Food Day, commemorated globally on October 16. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which reinforces the global call for unity, innovation, and sustainable development in agriculture. Echoing these themes, the Canton Fair's Agricultural Machinery section features exhibitors presenting technologies that enhance efficiency, safety, adaptability, and sustainability across diverse terrains and farming environments.

A long-time Canton Fair exhibitor, known for its product innovation, displayed its latest electric and fuel-powered utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), designed for use in farms, mines, and rugged environments where standard vehicles cannot operate. The company's Deputy General Manager of the Overseas Business Division emphasized that safety is a top priority in the development of its heavy-duty vehicles. Recognizing the critical role of human operators, the company is deeply committed to safeguarding drivers. This dedication is evident in every stage of the design and engineering process, which is guided by the highest safety standards.

With a strong foothold in Southeast Asia, the company views the Canton Fair as a strategic gateway for expanding into Europe, Africa, and other global markets. The Deputy General Manager praised the fair as a highly professional and effective platform for connecting with qualified international buyers.

An exhibitor from Shandong, recognized for its strong competitiveness in plant protection machinery, showcased its latest innovations in agricultural equipment, including lithium-powered lawn mowers, chainsaws, and a newly developed blower designed for forest firefighting, an area increasingly important to agricultural and forestry safety management.

With approximately 70% of core components manufactured in-house, the company has enhanced both quality control and product efficiency. Its recent investment in a new production facility in Thailand further supports expanding demand in the Southeast Asian market while reinforcing the brand's commitment to localized manufacturing and global service capacity.

By spotlighting technological innovation and sustainable practices, the Canton Fair reaffirms its role as a catalyst for global agricultural progress: bridging industries and inspiring collaborative solutions for a more sustainable and resilient future.

To register the 138th Canton Fair, please click https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-138th-canton-fair-highlights-agricultural-tech-and-global-cooperation-amid-world-food-day-milestone-302598261.html
DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, today announced that its staked SOL token, bbSOL, is now supported for institutional custody by Anchorage Digital, home to the first federally chartered crypto bank in the United States.

This collaboration marks a significant step in positioning bbSOL as an institutional-grade liquid staking token (LST) within the Solana ecosystem, offering regulated entities a trusted pathway to participate in on-chain yield generation.

bbSOL, Bybit's exchange-backed staked SOL asset, enables users and institutions to access Solana staking rewards while maintaining liquidity and flexibility. With Anchorage Digital Bank's secure custody solution, bbSOL holders can now enjoy bank-grade security and compliance under U.S. federal oversight-building confidence among funds, asset managers, and enterprises seeking exposure to Solana DeFi.

"Anchorage Digital's integration represents a major leap in bbSOL's evolution as an institutional-ready product," said Emily Bao, Head of Spot at Bybit and Founder of Byreal. "By combining liquidity with regulatory assurance, we're offering institutions a compliant and transparent entry point into Solana's DeFi landscape-anchored in the stability and integrity of Bybit."

"We're thrilled to unlock additional opportunities for institutions to participate in the Solana ecosystem through liquid staking, backed by Anchorage Digital's security," said Nathan McCauley, CEO and Co-Founder, Anchorage Digital.

Through Anchorage Digital's infrastructure, bbSOL now bridges exchange-grade performance with institutional-grade protection. The partnership underscores Bybit's commitment to shaping a secure, compliant, and yield-efficient gateway to decentralized finance for the next wave of institutional participants.

Bybit / CryptoArk

About Bybit

Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bybits-bbsol-gains-institutional-custody-support-from-anchorage-digital-reinforcing-its-institutional-grade-standing-302599130.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / October 29, 2025 / Linear Minerals Corp. (CSE:LINE)(OTCQB:LINMF)(WKN:A2J C89) ("Linear" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from our initial exploration work at the Lac Coulombe Property in Quebec, Canada. Assays revealed copper values ranging from less than 0.5 parts per million (ppm) to 211,000 ppm (21.10% Cu), along with anomalous gold and silver values (see Table 2 for details).

Highlights:

Copper (Cu) Results: Samples returned values between 0.5 ppm to 211,000 ppm (21.10% Cu). The highest copper values were from the Toupin Showing (see Figure 2 for location of the many historical showings on the Property), where six samples returned values between 4.6% to 21.10% Cu. The Mount Louise Showing had one sample at 0.8% Cu, while one sample (1157406) from the Lac Coulombe Showing returned 0.21% Cu.

Gold (Au) Results: Anomalous gold values were associated with high copper samples at the Toupin Showing. A sample from Lac Coulombe Showing assayed at 1.518 ppm Au, with another sample from the same area returning 0.114 ppm Au. Gold values overall ranged from <0.001 ppm to 1.518 ppm.

Silver (Ag) Results: Silver values ranged from 0.01 ppm to 48.2 ppm, with the highest values from the Toupin Showing (48.2 ppm). One sample from the Lac Coulombe Showing returned 9.53 ppm Ag.

Nickel (Ni) Results: Nickel values ranged from 1.8 ppm to 1,730 ppm. A single sample from the historical Laurier Juteau Ni Showing recorded 1,730 ppm Ni.

The Company is also pleased to share the news that it has received ATI (Impact causing Exploration Work) permit for the Property to carry out trenching and drilling work in the high-grade surface sampling areas.

The Company plans to conduct follow-up exploration to further assess both the high-grade copper showings and the hydrogen potential of the Lac Coulombe Property.

Sample Preparation and Analysis

The Company conducted a field program that included prospecting, geological mapping, and sampling. The objective was to locate historical showings and validate sampling results from previous operators. A total of 29 grab and channel-cut samples, including two field duplicates, were collected. Samples were bagged and tagged following best practices before being sent to AGAT Laboratories in Val-d'Or, QC, for sample preparation and analysis. AGAT conducted Gold by Fire Assay, 4-acid digestion - Metals Package, and overlimit package analyses (see Table below for details). AGAT is an independent, accredited laboratory with ISO certification for certain tests.

Table 1: Sample preparation and analysis package (AGAT)

Sample Type Package Name Rock (202-052) Fire Assay - Trace Au, ICP-OES finish (30g charge) (ppm) Rock (201-071) 4 Acid Digest - Metals Package, ICP-OES/ICP-MS finish (CGY) Rock (201-470) (Over Limit) 4 Acid Digest - Metals Package, ICP-OES and/or ICP-MS finish (CGY) Rock (200-) Sample Login Weight Rock Sieving - % Passing (Crushing) Rock Sieving - % Passing (Pulverizing)

Afzaal Pirzada, P.Geo., Geological Consultant of the Company, and a "Qualified Person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

About the Lac Coulombe Property

The Company has option to hold 100% interest in the Lac Coulombe property located 100km to the south of Quebec City in Quebec. Excellent infrastructure support, good road access and historical successful results make it a worthy exploration target. There are several historical copper, gold, and nickel showings on the Property where previous operators carried exploration work of ground prospecting, sampling and drilling.

On behalf of the board of directors.

"Gurminder Sangha"

CEO, Director

For further information, please contact the Company at: info@linearminerals.com

Forward Looking Statements

When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements and information in this news release include, amongst others, the Company's plans regarding the Arrangement and exploration plans. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs; shareholder, court and regulatory approvals; and general development, market and industry conditions.

The Company undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of its securities or its financial or operating results (as applicable). The Company cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors.

Table 2: Sample assays highlights

Table 2: Samples Description

Sr. No Sample Number Sample Coordinates

UTM / Elevation M Descriptions 1 1157401 19 T 0307996 / 5079566 /278 m Schist; Amphibolite, green, fine grained to massive, thin bedded, rusty, trace pyrite 2 1157402 19 T 0307930 / 5079551 /281 m White siliceous rock, fine grained, rusty, 2 % pyrite in dissemination and veinlets (< 0.1mm), 3 1157403 19 T 0307922 / 5079568 /285 m White siliceous rock (angular boulder 8x7 inch); massive fine-grained pyrite, rusty, massive pyrite (3.5x4.5 inch) 4 1157404 19 T 0307912 / 5079537 /289 m White siliceous rock, angular boulder, fine grained, rusty, massive pyrite 5 1157405 19 T 0307786 / 5079472 /283 m Metasediment; greenish, rusty, trace pyrite 6 1157406 19 T 0307524 / 5078988 /319 m Dionne Showing: Amphibolite; dark greenish grey, massive, abundant hornblende, minor feldspar, semi massive pyrite, sample taken from a blast pit, metal detector beeps over 20-30m area, sample location is at a maple syrup farm 7 1157407 19 T 0309016 / 5083989 /--- m Moreau Showing: Boulder; angular, rusty, siliceous, fine grained, chloritized, 1 % fine grained pyrite 8 1157408 19 T 0310447 / 5084617 /284 m Frasier Showing: Quartz vein (5 inx5in) in a float, sample taken from a 100m long x1.5m wide trench 9 1157409 19 T 0310447 / 5084602 /281 m Sample taken from a rusty quartz vein (3inx5in) in a boulder (6 inx24in) 10 1157410 19 T 0310447 / 5084602 /281 m Sample taken from a rusty quartz vein (3inx5in) in a boulder (6 inx24in) Duplicate

11 1157411 19 T 0310052 / 5084799 /313 m 10-11-inch-wide rusty quartz vein in green chloritic schist 12 1157412 19 T 0309867 / 5084969 /319 m 2 to 5 cm wide rusty quartz vein in green chloritic schist, parallel to bedding 13 1157413 19 T 0309174 / 5084128 /295 m Gabbro; dark grey, predominantly dark pyroxene with some feldspar, silicified, magnetic 14 1157414 19 T 0307793 / 5079650 /362 m Subcrop: greenish metamorphic rock (amphibolite?), rusty, trace chalcopyrite 15 1157415 19 T 0307912 / 5079534 /374 m Siliceous rock, white to light bluish grey, fine grained, rusty, vesicles at the margins, 3-4 % pyrite 16 1157416 19 T 0307918 / 5079527 /377 m 6-inch-wide rusty quartz vein in green metamorphic country rock. 17 1157417 19 T 0307854 / 5079478 /383 m Siliceous rock, bluish grey, fine grained, rusty, 3-4 % pyrite, trace chalcopyrite 18 1157418 19 T 0307845 / 5079474 /385 m Siliceous rock; white, fine grained, very rusty, upto 2 % pyrite 19 1157419 19 T 0307268 / 5078171 /415 m Green schist; very rusty, 2 % pyrite 20 1157420 19 T 0307268 / 5078171 /415 m Green schist; very rusty, 2 % pyrite Duplicate 21 1157421 19 T 0305966 / 5081442 /464 m Rusty boulder (12x14 inch); greenish, highly chloritized, 2 % chalcopyrite, 20-25 % pyrrhotite, rock is very hard and magnetic, comes from the blast, lying at the foot of the outcrop with other boulders. 22 1157422 19 T 0305475 / 5079820 /339 m 1.5 to 1.8 m wide rusty zone in an outcrop, comprising mostly of qtz veins and high concentration of quartz in dark grey, massive, green looking chloritized rock. This is a 3 ft wide window. The mineralization is non uniform. Only upper 1 foot looks both vertically and horizontally mineralized. The samples contains 30-40 % chalcopyrite, and malachite staining The country rock is green schist dipping 70-80 deg SSE. 23 1157423 19 T 0305475 / 5079816 /335 m Green schistose rock, REE sample. 24 1157424 19 T 0305474 / 5079821 /339 m Trench 1: Rock boulder from blasting comprising quartz and the wall rock, 30-40% chalcopyrite, malachite staining and 0.5-1 % native copper 25 1157425 19 T 0305476 / 5079821 /339 m Boulder from blasting in the trench, 35-40% semi massive chalcopyrite, 0.5-1 % native copper, pervasive malachite staining 26 1157426 19 T 0305477 / 5079829 /339 m Boulder from blasting, with quartz, country rock, and 30-40% semi massive chalcopyrite, 0.5-1 % native copper, rare malachite staining 27 1157427 19 T 0305478 / 5079839 /339 m Boulder from blasting comprising quartz with country rock and 60-70 % semi massive chalcopyrite, 0.5-1 % native copper, rare malachite staining 28 1157428 19 T 0305470 / 5079787 /385 m Trench 2: Rock boulder from blasting; dark grey, fine grained, med bedded, chloritized and serpentinized, less than 1 cm to 7 cm wide quartz veins, 1-2 % to locally up to 10 % chalcopyrite with common malachite staining 29 1157429 19 T 0305461 / 5079812 /321 m Channel Sample: Network of quartz veins in dark grey, fine grained, chloritic rock, 1-2 % chalcopyrite with patchy distribution, 1.1 m long channel cut across for sampling, top 30 cm trace to 1 % chalcopyrite, 30cm to 1.1m, 3-4% chalcopyrite with malachite staining

SOURCE: Linear Minerals Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/oil-gas-and-energy/linear-minerals-assayed-21.10-percent-copper-in-surface-samples-at-the-lac-coulo-1093450
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 29, 2025) - Surface Metals Inc. (CSE: SUR) (OTCQB: SURMF) (the "Company", or "Surface Metals") is pleased to announce that it has retained the services of IDR Marketing, Inc. to provide public relations strategies, brand awareness, financial and digital marketing services to the Company.

The marketing awareness services provided by IDR will be aimed at maintaining and building the profile of Surface Metals through traditional press initiatives, advertising directives and social media strategies.

IDR is a leading marketing firm and ad agency located in Long Beach, California specializing in the marketing of small and microcap companies.

Under the terms of the agreement, as the financial marketing agency of record to the Company, IDR will be paid upwards of US one hundred eighty five thousand dollars in cash for its services for a six-month term. IDR Marketing, Inc., including its principals, does not own any of the Company's securities.

About IDR

IDR Marketing Inc. is an independent ad agency providing full-scale integrated marketing and advertising services. Clients trust IDR for brand strategy and awareness, digital marketing, social media and advertising, newswire distribution, article marketing, financial journalism, public relations and more.

IDR specializes in direct response marketing, delivering results to clients through its multichannel approach. While the Agency primarily specializes in financial services, it provides results-oriented online and traditional offline campaigns across all sectors and industries. Visit https://idrmarketing.com to learn more.

About Surface Metals Inc.

Surface Metals Inc. (CSE: SUR) (OTCQB: SURMF) is a North American mineral exploration company focused on advancing a diversified portfolio of gold and lithium projects in Nevada, USA, and Manitoba, Canada. The Company's Cimarron Gold Project is located in Nye County, Nevada, in a historically productive gold district. It's Clayton Valley Lithium Brine Project hosts an inferred resource of approximately 302,900 tonnes LCE adjacent to Albemarle's Silver Peak Mine. Surface Metals also holds additional lithium assets in Fish Lake Valley, Nevada, and through a joint venture with Snow Lake Energy in southeastern Manitoba.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Neither the CSE nor its regulations service providers accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release contains certain statements which may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272510

SOURCE: Surface Metals Inc.
- Campaign video and manual that embody the brand philosophy now available

NEW YORK and LONDON, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CTR, a leading automotive parts brand, has officially launched its global campaign "CTR THE CORE Manual," encapsulating the brand's philosophy and technical expertise. The campaign was designed to transparently introduce CTR's safety-centered technological innovation accumulated over 70 years and to communicate the brand's essential values in a more accessible way.

Under the message "Safety at the Core of CTR," the company highlights its brand image, safety-assured design, and technological differentiation. The company emphasized that the campaign goes beyond simple promotion-it is an effort to build customer trust by showcasing its technology, testing, and people.

Additionally, "CTR THE CORE Manual" is structured around easily understandable keywords centered on the brand's core value of "safety," rather than being a typical guide or catalog. The brand value is conveyed through five keywords: - CORE Safety, which protects every drive and moment; - CORE Innovation, born from a deep safety philosophy; - CORE Practical, which helps with easy and accurate parts selection; - CORE Reassurance, the true peace of mind that genuine parts provide; and - CORE Fit, precise and reliable design.

The campaign, designed to more easily communicate the value of "safety" that CTR has built over its long history, will roll out across various channels, including a brand story video, a brand manual reflecting CTR's safety philosophy, newsletters, and offline events. The manual contains practical information ranging from product development and verification processes to differentiation from counterfeit products and proper usage instructions, and is provided as a PDF file. Notably, the video draws attention by being produced with only subtitles and music-no narration-so that anyone can easily understand it regardless of language.

(Campaign video: https://youtu.be/ojl_txhC_jw?si=RzTjTpV_bcaIaZam)

Furthermore, an interactive customer quiz event is also available. Participants who take "The CO:RE Quiz of CTR" based on the manual content on the campaign website can receive various prizes through a drawing. The event is open to anyone worldwide and runs until December 11, 2025.

(Quiz event: https://aftermarket.ctr.co.kr/gb)

For more details about the campaign and how to participate, visit CTR's official website.

CTR Campaign Page: https://www.ctr.co.kr/core_manual

CTR Aftermarket Campaign Page: https://aftermarket.ctr.co.kr/gb

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ctr-launches-global-campaign-ctr-the-core-manual-showcasing-brand-philosophy-and-technical-excellence-302599185.html
Vancouver, British Columbia and Pelly Crossing, Yukon--(Newsfile Corp. - October 29, 2025) - Venerable Ventures Ltd. (TSXV: SCMI) (doing business as "Selkirk Copper Mines") ("Selkirk Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of its acquisition of a 100% interest in the Minto copper-gold-silver mine ("Project") located in the Yukon (the "Transaction"). The Transaction was completed by a three-cornered amalgamation under the statutory provisions of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The Company incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary, 1560706 B.C. Ltd., which amalgamated with 1561250 B.C. Ltd. ("SelkirkSubco"), the Selkirk First Nation affiliate which owns 843093 Yukon Inc., the entity that owns the Project ("TargetCo"). SelkirkSubco was a wholly owned subsidiary of 843094 Yukon Inc. ("SelkirkCo"), which is in turn wholly owned by the Selkirk First Nation.

M. Colin Joudrie, President & CEO, commented: "Finalizing the acquisition of the former Minto copper-gold-silver mine and launching Selkirk Copper Mines, with the Selkirk First Nation as a controlling shareholder and partner in development, is a significant milestone. I would like to recognize and thank the Selkirk First Nation for their leadership and commitment to pursuing an environmentally sustainable and responsible restart of copper-gold-silver mining at the former Minto site. Successful completion of $44.5 million sub-receipt offerings set the company up well to proceed with our plans to complete a 50,000 meter drill program, Trade-Off Studies and Feasibility Study, updated mine plans, and updated permitting at the former Minto copper-gold-silver mine in support of a potential restart decision in early 2027."

The Transaction

Due to the labour dispute between the British Columbia General Employees' Union and the government of British Columbia, BC Registries, the government body responsible for registrations of businesses, was temporarily closed (the "Job Action") and following the end of the Job Action has not yet returned to normal operation. Further to the Company's news releases dated August 26, 2025 and October 1, 2025, as a result of the Job Action, the parties amended the structure of the amalgamation to enable it to be completed notwithstanding effects of the Job Action.

As consideration for the Transaction, the Company issued to SelkirkCo 27,409,374 common shares of the Company at a deemed value of $0.56 per share and warrants to purchase 1,562,500 common shares of the Company at an exercise price of $0.56 per share, exercisable until October 29, 2028. The securities issued for the purchase price will be subject to a hold period until March 1, 2026, as well as any applicable escrow restrictions pursuant the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV").

Resumption of Trading

Following the Transaction, the Company's common shares, which were previously halted, are expected to resume trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") under the new ticker symbol "SCMI" on November 4, 2025.

Name Change

As a result of the Job Action, the Company will be unable to legally change its name from "Venerable Ventures Ltd." to "Selkirk Copper Mines Inc." (the "Name Change") at this time. The Company anticipates completing the Name Change on the cessation of the effects of the Job Action on the BC Registries. In the meantime, the Company will use the name "Venerable Ventures Ltd." doing business as "Selkirk Copper Mines".

The Company will issue a further news release upon completion of the Name Change.

Financing

In connection with the Transaction, the Company and 1546139 B.C. Ltd., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of SelkirkCo ("FinCo") completed financings pursuant to which a total of 79,266,853 subscription receipts and 1,785,715 common shares (the "Concurrent Shares") were issued for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $44.5 million. Each subscription receipt has been converted into one common share in the Company. See the news releases of the Company dated July 22, 2025 and October 1, 2025 for additional details of the financings. On October 21, 2025, the Company and SelkirkCo entered into a share purchase agreement pursuant to which FinCo, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, was transferred to SelkirkCo resulting in FinCo becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of SelkirkCo.

As part of the financings, the Company accepted a subscription for the Concurrent Shares that was put into escrow pending completion of the Transaction, which Concurrent Shares have now been issued and the subscription proceeds have been released to the Company. The Concurrent Shares are subject to a hold period until March 1, 2026.

In connection with the completion of the Transaction, the subscription receipt agent released the agents' fee in connection with the financings in the amount of $2,007,570, and the Company issued 3,168,140 broker warrants of the Company (the "Broker Warrants") with each Broker Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.56 per Common Share until 24 months after the satisfaction of the escrow release conditions.

Board Reconstitution

In connection with closing of the Transaction, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has been reconstituted to consist of M. Colin Joudrie, Robert McLeod, Ryan Weymark, Alexander Morrison, Stephen Mills, and Greg Fekete. Detailed biographies of each of these persons, and information on the officers of the Company, can be found in the Company's Filing Statement dated October 29, 2025 which is available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca (the "Filing Statement").

Escrow

An aggregate of 38,180,518 common shares (which includes the common shares issued to SelkirkCo) and all options held by principals of the Company have been placed into a value security escrow agreement and are subject to the TSXV value security 18-month staged release schedule, which is set out in more detail in the Company's Filing Statement.

Options

In addition, the Company has granted an aggregate of 8,825,000 stock options to directors, officers, consultants and employees of the Company. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.56 per share for a period of ten years from the date of grant. The grant of options is subject to the terms of the Company's stock option plan, a copy of which is available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

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 accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

Early Warning Disclosure

Immediately prior to closing of the Transaction, SelkirkCo did not hold any shares of the Company. The common shares acquired by SelkirkCo, including the issuance of shares upon conversion of subscription receipts pursuant to the financings completed in connection with the Transaction, represent approximately 22.25% of the outstanding shares of the Company on closing of the Transaction. SelkirkCo holds warrants to purchase 1,562,500 common shares of the Company which represent approximately 23.20% of the outstanding shares of the Company on a partially diluted basis on closing of the Transaction. The securities were acquired for investment purposes. SelkirkCo may in the future acquire or dispose of securities of the Company, through the market, privately or otherwise, as circumstances or market conditions warrant.

In connection with the completion of the Transaction, the holdings of Robert McLeod and Ryan Weymark, through Weymark Consulting Ltd., were diluted to below 10% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares. Following completion of the Transaction, Mr. McLeod holds 2,600,000 common shares, representing approximately 2.06% of the issued and outstanding common shares, compared to approximately 14.51% prior to the Transaction. Mr. Weymark, through Weymark Consulting Ltd., an entity owned and controlled by Mr. Weymark, holds an aggregate of 2,100,000 common shares, representing approximately 1.66% of the issued and outstanding common shares, compared to approximately 12.00% prior to the Transaction.

Each of the foregoing parties has filed or will file an Early Warning Report under National Instrument 62-103, available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Selkirk First Nation

Selkirk First Nation is centered in Pelly Crossing, a community in central Yukon, 280km north of Whitehorse. They are a self-governing First Nation, having signed its Final and Self-Government Agreements in 1997. Selkirk owns 4,740 square kilometers of Settlement Land, including 2,408 square kilometers where Selkirk owns both the surface and subsurface. Selkirk First Nation is one of three self-governing Northern Tutchone First Nations in the Yukon. The Selkirk First Nation, indirectly, holds a controlling equity stake in Selkirk Copper.

About Selkirk Copper

Selkirk Copper is a well-financed, newly formed company with a controlling interest held by the Selkirk First Nation, that, in partnership with the Selkirk First Nation, is completing a thorough exploration drilling campaign and a restart and redevelopment plan for the former Minto copper-gold-silver mine based on best-in-class environmentally sustainable mining, development and reclamation practice. Selkirk Copper controls 26,850 hectares of prospective mineral claims located in the Minto-Carmacks copper belt as well as significant open-pit and underground infrastructure, a 4,100 tonne per day processing plant, 400-person camp, water treatment facilities, numerous ancillary buildings, and mobile equipment centered on the former Minto copper-gold-silver mine. Selkirk Copper's mineral tenure, operation infrastructure, access roads and powerline, is located on or adjacent to Lands of the Selkirk First Nation much of which is surrounded by prospective Selkirk First Nation Category A Lands.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Selkirk Copper Mines

M. Colin Joudrie

President and Chief Executive Officer

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Except for the statements of historical fact, this news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words, or variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. The forward- looking statements and information in this news release include information relating to: the name change, the business plans and objectives of the Company. Such forward-looking information is based on the Company's expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release.

By their nature, forward-looking statement involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual result, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the potential inability of the Company to continue as a going concern, risks associated with potential governmental and/or regulatory action with respect to the Company's operations, the potential inability of the Company to implement its business plan going forward, and failure to achieve the proposed benefits of the Transaction, Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company and are based on information currently available to the Company. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made assumptions about the Company's ability to execute on its business plans. The Company has also assumed that no significant events will occur outside the Company's normal course of business. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272519

SOURCE: Venerable Ventures Ltd.
KUALA LUMPUR, MY / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / LPC Group Berhad ("LPC" or the "Company"), together with its subsidiaries ("LPC Group" or the "Group"), an established construction group specializing in infrastructure and building works based in Melaka, Malaysia, was successfully listed today on the LEAP Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad ("Bursa Securities") by way of introduction. The shares opened at RM0.40 per share, representing a 300.00%premium over its Listing Reference Price of RM0.10, signaling investor confidence in the Group's established track record and strategic growth plans.

From L-R: Ms. Kelly Neng, Director of Eco Asia Capital Advisory Sdn Bhd; Mr. Woon Soon Fai, Head of Corporate Finance of Eco Asia Capital Advisory Sdn Bhd; Mr. Kelvin Khoo, Managing Director of Eco Asia Capital Advisory Sdn Bhd; Mr. Ching Tai Kuen, Director of LPC Group Berhad; Mr. Liem Seng Leong, Director of LPC Group Berhad; Ms. Ching Poh Poh, Chief Operating Officer of LPC Group Berhad; Mr. Tye Khai Choong, Chief Financial Officer of LPC Group Berhad

LPC is listed under the stock name "LPCGRP" and stock code "03065"

Incorporated in 1987, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Lai Pau Construction Sdn. Bhd., is a CIDB Grade G7 main contractor qualified to undertake projects of unlimited contract value in Malaysia. Over the years, LPC Group has completed more than 400 projects with a cumulative contract value exceeding RM900.0 million, comprising residential, commercial and industrial buildings as well as infrastructure works, primarily within Melaka. Its established track record of timely delivery and quality workmanship has earned the trust of both developers and subcontracting partners in the region.

As at 31 August 2025, the Group's unbilled order book stood at RM42.6 million, providing earnings visibility for the coming financial year. Moving forward, LPC intends to expand its geographical footprint beyond Melaka, targeting Johor and the Klang Valley; the two regions expected to benefit from ongoing infrastructure investments and robust private development activities.

As LPC's listing was carried out by way of introduction, no new shares were issued or allotted in conjunction with the listing. Nevertheless, LPC successfully raised RM3.8 million from pre-listing investors through a private placement at RM0.10 per share prior to the listing. The proceeds are earmarked primarily for working capital to support project execution and to cover listing-related expenses.

Mr. Ching Tai Kuen, Director of LPC Group Berhad, said, "Our listing on Bursa Securities marks a pivotal chapter in LPC's growth story. Over the past decade, we have built a strong foundation through consistent project delivery, operational discipline, and close collaboration with our clients and partners. This milestone enhances our credibility and opens new opportunities to strengthen our presence in Malaysia's growing construction landscape. As we expand into new regions and adopt more modern construction technologies, we remain committed to delivering sustainable value to our shareholders and stakeholders."

Mr. Kelvin Khoo, Managing Director of Eco Asia Capital Advisory Sdn. Bhd. commented: "LPC has demonstrated strong fundamentals and sound project execution capabilities, supported by a proven track record of over 38 years in the construction industry. With its planned expansion beyond Melaka into high-growth regions like Johor and the Klang Valley, the Group in well-positioned to capitalise on emerging opportunities within Malaysia's construction sector. The successful listing on the LEAP Market reflects the confidence of sophisticated investors in LPC's business model, leadership, and long-term growth strategy."

The construction industry continues to serve as a key pillar of Malaysia's economic growth, driven by continued government investment in infrastructure, expansion in residential construction, and increased private and foreign investment, amongst others. LPC aims to capitalize on these opportunities by leveraging its expertise, track record, and efficient project management capabilities to deliver quality construction solutions for developers and commercial clients alike.

The listing provides LPC with an enhanced corporate platform to strengthen its brand visibility, attract strategic partners, and position the Group for future growth opportunities within Malaysia's evolving construction sector.

Eco Asia Capital Advisory Sdn. Bhd.is the Approved Adviser and Continuing Adviser for LPC Group Berhad's listing on the LEAP Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad.

###

ABOUT LPC GROUP BERHAD

LPC Group Berhad ("LPC" or the "Group"), through its wholly-owned subsidiary Lai Pau Construction Sdn. Bhd., is an established infrastructure and building construction specialist with a proven track record of over 38 years in Malaysia's construction industry. Incorporated in 1987 and registered as a CIDB Grade G7 main contractor, the Group undertakes projects of unlimited contract value across residential, commercial and industrial buildings as well as infrastructure segments. To date, LPC has completed over 400 projects with a cumulative contract value exceeding RM900 million, earning a strong reputation for quality workmanship, timely delivery, and professional reliability. Building on its solid foundation in Melaka, LPC is planning to expand its footprint into Johor and the Klang Valley to capture growth opportunities driven by Malaysia's ongoing infrastructure development and private sector investments.

Issued By: Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of LPC Group Berhad

For more information, please contact:

Jazzmin Wan

Email: j.wan@swanconsultancy.biz

Xinyi Ching

Email: x.ching@swanconsultancy.biz

SOURCE: LPC Group Berhad

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/real-estate/lpc-group-berhad-lists-on-the-leap-market-with-300-premium-opening-1093483
KUALA LUMPUR, MY / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / Superior Property Development Sdn. Bhd. (" SPD " or "the Company "), an up and rising sustainable and high-quality homes developer, has achieved another significant milestone this month, being recognised as one of Malaysia's distinguished developers at the 12th PropertyGuru Asia Awards Malaysia in partnership with iProperty.

Caption (L-R): Mr. Chong Lim Jiunn, Vice President of Superior Property Development Sdn. Bhd.; Mr. Chang Han How, Vice President of Superior Property Development Sdn. Bhd.; Mr. Terry Lim Teck Lee, Chief Operating Officer of Superior Property Development Sdn. Bhd.; ?Representative from PropertyGuru

PropertyGuru Asia Awards 2025 celebrated excellence across 73 categories, highlighting the best in design, innovation, and sustainability within Malaysia's property industry. SPD proudly stood among an elite line-up of developers, marking the Company's first national-level recognition since its establishment in 2022.

SPD also celebrated the spirit of community at Mid-Autumn Festival "????-?????? (Building a Better Future)"event organised by SPD earlier this month, more than 300 guests gathered to commemorate the official first launch of Superior Residences @ Taman Mekar Emas. Superior Residences @ Taman Mekar Emas spans 14.75 acres of freehold land in Ayer Hitam, this development features 168 thoughtfully designed units, ranging from single-storey terrace homes to spacious double-storey residences and affordable RMMJ units. With a projected CCC in Q2 2026, the project exemplifies SPD's commitment to quality, innovation, and community-centric living, setting a new benchmark for residential excellence in the region.

Mr. Terry Lim Teck Lee, Chief Operating Officer of Superior Property Development Sdn. Bhd. , commented, "This recent achievement at the prestigious PropertyGuru Asia Awards reflects our continuous dedication to delivering high-quality developments that enhance communities and improve lives. SPD was established on July 2022, as a progressive developer guided by our brand promise, 'Building a Better Future', we remain committed to shaping sustainable, innovative, and people-centric living environments that resonate with modern Malaysian lifestyles. We've evolved from a trusted main contractor to a dynamic development company. With a foundation built on integrity, humility, solidarity, and innovation, we're reshaping the landscape of construction and development. Committed to creating vibrant communities and sustainable environments, SPD is paving the way for a brighter future."

The property outlook in Malaysia remains constructive, supported by strategic allocations under the 2026 Budget totalling RM419.2 billion through the Madani Economy framework. These initiatives are expected to stimulate sustained economic expansion, enhance infrastructure connectivity, and strengthen talent development, all contributing to a resilient and healthy real estate market. Additionally, measures such as the doubling of the Housing Credit Guarantee Scheme and extended stamp duty relief for homes priced up to RM500,000 are set to encourage home ownership, particularly among first-time buyers. Meanwhile, ongoing demand for industrial and residential developments in key growth corridors including Klang Valley, Johor, Penang, and Kedah continues to reflect strong investment confidence.

Building on the momentum, SPD is set to further expand its footprint with several upcoming projects in Johor. Among them is Taman Indah Jaya in Ayer Hitam , featuring a mix of double-storey terrace, semi-detached homes designed for family living and affordable Rumah Mampu Biaya Johor ("RMBJ") units. Meanwhile, the Company is preparing to launch its first high-rise serviced apartment development in Gelang Patah, marking its entry into urban lifestyle projects that integrate convenience, innovation, and architectural elegance. As part of the master plan, SPD will develop a commercial hub adjacent to the serviced apartment, creating a well-rounded, integrated community that combines residential living, commercial vibrancy, and lifestyle convenience, enhancing both liveability and future growth potential for residents and the surrounding area.

As the Company continues to grow, SPD remains steadfast in delivering on its brand vision of Building a Better Future, fostering developments that not only elevate living standards but also contribute positively to Johor's evolving urban landscape.



###

ABOUT SUPERIOR PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT SDN. BHD.

Superior Property Development Sdn. Bhd. ("SPD") is an innovative Johor-based property developer that has evolved from its origins as a trusted construction contractor into a forward-thinking developer recognised for quality, sustainability, and community-centric design. Established in 2022, SPD has quickly built a strong presence in the southern region through landmark projects such as Superior Residences @ Taman Mekar Emas in Ayer Hitam, one of the area's largest residential developments, alongside upcoming projects including Taman Indah Jaya and a high-rise serviced apartment development in Gelang Patah. Guided by its brand promise of "Building a Better Future", SPD continues to redefine modern Malaysian living through developments that blend innovation, craftsmanship, and long-term value creation for homeowners and communities alike.

For more information, visit https://superiorpropertydevelopment.com.my/

Issued By: Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of Superior Property Development Sdn. Bhd.

For more information, please contact:

Jazzmin Wan

Email: j.wan@swanconsultancy.biz

Xinyi Ching

Email: x.ching@swanconsultancy.biz

SOURCE: Superior Property Development

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/real-estate/superior-property-development-recognised-at-propertyguru-asia-awards-malaysia-2025-1093481
GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecuador, the world's leading banana exporter, has consolidated its position as Russia's main supplier of the fruit, supported by steady growth and a commercial relationship built over decades.

By July 2025, Ecuador's banana exports to Russia had reached $447 million, up 19% from the same period last year. The country is expected to close the year with further growth, reaffirming Russia as the top destination for Ecuadorian bananas, accounting for 19% of total exports.

Jose Antonio Hidalgo, executive director of the Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador ( AEBE ), told EFE that Ecuadorian bananas stand out for their longer shelf life, superior quality and fewer fumigation cycles, making them a reliable and competitive product compared to other origins.

"Ecuador continues to strengthen its presence in Russia through a trade relationship built on trust and mutual cooperation," Hidalgo said during "Banana Time 2025," Ecuador's flagship banana industry convention and the largest of its kind in Latin America.

One of the main topics at the event was the prevention and control of the Fusarium R4T fungus, which has already affected plantations in Colombia, Peru and Venezuela.

Hidalgo said Ecuador remains on high alert following a suspected case yet to be confirmed, emphasizing that the country has maintained strict surveillance and biosecurity measures for more than two decades.

Ecuador has implemented comprehensive protocols, including over 100,000 producer training sessions, ongoing field inspections, and early-detection systems using drones and satellite analysis.

These measures aim to protect roughly 310,000 hectares of banana and plantain crops. Experts at "Banana Time 2025" agreed that the key to the industry's resilience lies in biosecurity training, scientific research and cooperation among the public sector, industry associations and academia.

Contact information:

Ana Rivera

Head of Communications, AEBE

+593 992260781

arivera@aebe.com.ec

Asociacion de Exportadores de Banano del Ecuador (AEBE) represents more than 70% of banana exports from the world's leading banana exporter (Ecuador), promoting the competitiveness and sustainability of the banana industry. The mission is to promote the competitiveness, development, and sustainability of the Ecuadorian banana export value chain globally, and to defend the interests of its members and supporters.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/aebe---ecuador-strengthens-position-as-russias-top-banana-supplier-302598664.html
Avolta AG / Key word(s): 9 Month figures

Avolta 9M 2025 delivers another set of strong results with record EFCF and deleverages to 1.9x



30-Oct-2025 / 06:30 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





AD HOC ANNOUNCEMENT PURSUANT TO ART. 53 LR Avolta maintains a strong performance with 9M 2025 +5.4% organic growth, 10.2% CORE EBITDA margin and CHF 503m EFCF. October organic growth +6.0% underpins the company's confidence in achieving its outlook. 9M 2025 HIGHLIGHTS Strong financial performance Turnover reported CHF 10,609m, CORE CHF 10,407m

CORE revenue growth +5.8% CER 1 , organic growth +5.4%

, organic growth +5.4% CORE EBITDA CHF 1,065m, margin 10.2%, +30bps YoY

EFCF record of CHF 503m, EFCF conversion of 47.2% Shareholder value creation consistent with shareholder value led capital allocation policy Leverage 1.9x - reaching target leverage band of 1.5-2.0x

Share buyback of 3.2m shares/CHF 129m of the up to CHF 200m program2 Medium-term targets confirmed Expected October organic growth of +6.0% reflects encouraging inflection in North America, and increases confidence for the full year 9M 2025 KEY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Turnover reached CHF 10,609m with CORE turnover of CHF 10,407m, +5.8% CER and +5.4% on an organic basis. In Q3, CORE turnover grew +3.8% CER and +4.8% organic. For October 2025, the group expects to generate organic growth of +6.0% YoY, with some good signs in North America.



CORE EBITDA came in at CHF 1,065m with an EBITDA margin of 10.2%, +30 bps YoY. For Q3, the EBITDA margin was 11.9%, up +37bps YoY, despite continued slower sales growth in North America and thanks to cost and productivity improvements.



EFCF amounted to CHF 503m (+13.0% YoY), with Q3 EFCF totalling CHF 287m, +23.7% YoY and comfortably ahead of expectations.



Avolta achieved these strong YoY results, despite significant FX headwinds affecting reported results.



The group's financial net debt decreased to CHF 2,445 million as at end-September 2025, implying a leverage (net debt/CORE EBITDA) of 1.9x, despite the purchase of shares totalling CHF 129m under its 2025 share buyback program during the nine-month period (amount increasing to CHF167m as at the 28th of October). In October, Avolta extended the maturity of its revolving credit facility (RCF) by one year to 2030.



Q3 2025 KEY OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS



Avolta continued its global growth and geographical diversification in Q3, securing new contracts and entering new markets. This includes the entry into Japan through a new F&B concession at Kansai International Airport, a key milestone in Asia-Pacific growth. In North America, Avolta secured long-term retail and dining contracts at major airports including Atlanta, San Jose, Dallas Fort Worth, and San Antonio, enhancing presence in important travel hubs. Additionally, as announced yesterday, Avolta won the long-term duty-free contract at JFK International Airport's Terminal 8, marking the eighth significant contract win at the airport over the past year.



In Q3, the company marked one-year of its global loyalty program, Club Avolta, now counting more than 15 million members, and launched several partnerships, all with the target of providing additional advantages to customers and increasing the potential of data. Over time this increased access to data is expected to boost Avolta's financial performance.



Avolta's focus on people, innovation, and sustainability was reflected through the highest industry recognition of the 2025 Frontier Awards, receiving multiple honors including Future of Retail award, as well as Best Specialty Concept, People & Planet award, Influential Woman in Travel Retail award and Team of the Year award.



Xavier Rossinyol, CEO of Avolta: "9M revenues are in line with expectations. As a seasonal business, our Q3 revenues were affected by a strong basis of comparison, specifically in Europe and Argentina. As we entered Q4 we saw an acceleration of organic growth to +6.0% YoY in October, and positive growth in North America.



Furthermore, the increase in the 9M EBITDA margin (+30bps to 10.2%) reflects an active approach to cost and productivity, while the record EFCF performance and continued deleveraging demonstrates our financial discipline and highlights our ability to achieve our targets despite ongoing global volatility. Overall, this underscores the power of our agile business model and our deep customer connections. We continue our commitment to our capital allocation policy, growing the business, deleveraging, and delivering strong returns to shareholders." OUTLOOK



Avolta confirms its organic growth target of 5%-7% p.a. and is committed to delivering +20-40bps of CORE EBITDA margin improvement and +100-150bps EFCF conversion p.a.. At current exchange rates, 2025 currency translation is expected to be -3%.

9M 2025 KEY FINANCIAL TABLES CORE GROWTH COMPONENTS 9M 2025 vs 9M 2024 Q3 2025 vs Q3 2024 Like for Like +4.0% +2.7% Net new concessions +1.4% +2.1% Organic Growth +5.4% +4.8% M&A and Others3 +0.5% -1.0% Growth (CER)4 +5.8% +3.8% FX Impact -3.5% -4.7% Reported Growth +2.3% -0.9%

REGIONAL PERFORMANCE 9M 2025 CORE Turnover (CHFm) Q3 2025 Q3 2024 Growth

vs 2024 FX Impact

vs 2024 Organic Growth

vs 2024 Europe, Middle East and Africa 2,186 2,156 +1.4% -2.1% +6.9% North America 1,022 1,109 -7.8% -5.2% -0.1% Latin America 389 392 -0.8% -4.6% +6.2% Asia Pacific 197 143 +37.8% -5.5% +6.1% Avolta Group5 3,794 3,830 -0.9% -3.5% +4.8% CORE Turnover (CHFm) 9M 2025 9M 2024 Growth

vs 2024 FX Impact

vs 2024 Organic Growth

vs 2024 Europe, Middle East and Africa 5,524 5,268 +4.9% -2.1% +8.3% North America 3,068 3,242 -5.4% -5.2% -0.2% Latin America 1,190 1,159 +2.7% -4.6% +7.4% Asia Pacific 625 425 +47.1% -5.5% +5.4% Avolta Group5 10,407 10,172 +2.3% -3.5% +5.4%

IFRS/CORE TURNOVER RECONCILIATION Q3 2025 (CHFm) Turnover IFRS Fuel Sales Adjustments Turnover CORE Europe, Middle East and Africa 2,267 -81 2,186 North America 1,022 1,022 Latin America 389 389 Asia Pacific 197 197 Avolta Group 3,875 -81 3,794 9M 2025 (CHFm) Turnover IFRS Fuel Sales Adjustments Turnover CORE Europe, Middle East and Africa 5,726 -202 5,524 North America 3,068 3,068 Latin America 1,190 1,190 Asia Pacific 625 625 Avolta Group 10,609 -202 10,407

1CER Constant Exchange Rate

2CHF 129m is cash outflow related to the share buyback, transactional amount totaled CHF 132m as per the share buyback report on IR Website

3Includes selective restructuring and exits

4CER Constant Exchange Rate

5Including Distribution Centers with CHF 30m for Q3 2024, and CHF 78m for 9M 2024 For further information:



CONTACT

Rebecca McClellan Cathy Jongens Global Head

Investor Relations Director Corporate

Communications Phone: +44 7543 800 405 Phone: +31 6 28 19 88 28 rebecca.mcclellan@avolta.net cathy.jongens@avolta.net

End of Inside Information
Regulatory News:

Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Article 53 of the SIX Exchange Regulation Listing Rules

UBS Group AG and UBS AG (NYSE:UBS) (SWX:UBSN), acting through its Stamford branch (each an "Offeror" and together the "Offerors") announce today that they are commencing seven concurrent and separate offers (each, an "Offer" and collectively, the "Offers") to purchase outstanding notes of the series listed in the table below (collectively, the "Notes") upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the offer to purchase dated October 30, 2025 (the "Offer to Purchase") and the accompanying notice of guaranteed delivery (the "Notice of Guaranteed Delivery" and, together with the Offer to Purchase, the "Tender Offer Documents"). References herein to "UBS" are references to UBS Group AG together with its consolidated subsidiaries (including UBS AG). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this announcement have the meanings given in the Offer to Purchase. The following table sets forth the Notes and the key economic terms of the Offers:

Acceptance Priority Level(1) Title of Security CUSIP/ISIN Issuer First Par Call Date(2) Maturity Date Principal Amount Outstanding

(millions Reference Security(3) Fixed Spread

(basis points)(3) Bloomberg Reference Page 1 7.500% Senior Notes due 2028 22550L2M2 US22550L2M24 UBS AG(4) N/A February 15, 2028 $2,500 3.50% UST due 10/15/28 20 bps FIT1 2 5.000% Senior Notes due 2027 22550L2K6 US22550L2K67 UBS AG(4) N/A July 9, 2027 $1,192.45 3.50% UST due 10/31/27 10 bps FIT1 3 9.016% Fixed Rate/Floating Rate Senior Callable Notes due 2033 144A: 225401BB3 US225401BB38 Reg S: H3698DDW1 USH3698DDW14 UBS Group AG(5) November 15, 2032 November 15, 2033 $2,000 4.25% UST due 08/15/35 40 bps FIT1 4 6.537% Fixed Rate/Floating Rate Senior Callable Notes due 2033 144A: 225401AZ1 US225401AZ15; Reg S: H3698DDS0 USH3698DDS02 UBS Group AG(5) August 12, 2032 August 12, 2033 $3,000 4.25% UST due 08/15/35 40 bps FIT1 5 7.750% Fixed Rate Reset Senior Callable Notes due 2029 Reg S ISIN: CH1214797172 UBS Group AG(5) March 1, 2028 March 1, 2029 3,000 0.50% DBR due 02/15/28 65 bps FIT GE1-3 6 6.442% Fixed Rate/Floating Rate Senior Callable Notes due 2028 144A: 225401AV0 US225401AV01; Reg S: H3698DDN1 USH3698DDN15 UBS Group AG(5) August 11, 2027 August 11, 2028 $1,750 3.75% UST due 08/15/27 50 bps FIT4 7 4.282% Senior Notes due 2028 144A: 225401AC2 US225401AC20; Reg S: H3698DAR5 USH3698DAR55 UBS Group AG(5) January 9, 2027 January 9, 2028 $2,250 4.00% UST due 01/15/27 30 bps FIT4

(1) Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of the Offers described in the Offer to Purchase, if the Maximum Purchase Condition is not satisfied with respect to every series of Notes, the relevant Offeror will accept Notes for purchase in the order of their respective acceptance priority level specified in the table above (each, an "Acceptance Priority Level," with 1 being the highest Acceptance Priority Level and 7 being the lowest Acceptance Priority Level). It is possible that a series of Notes with a particular Acceptance Priority Level will not be accepted for purchase even if one or more series with a higher or lower Acceptance Priority Level are accepted for purchase. (2) For each series of Notes in respect of which a par call date is indicated, the calculation of the applicable Total Consideration (as defined below) will be performed to the par call date. For each series of Notes in respect of which a par call date is not indicated, the calculation of the applicable Total Consideration will be performed to the maturity date. See Annex A to the Offer to Purchase for an overview of the calculation of the Total Consideration with respect to the Notes. (3) The total consideration for each series of Notes (such consideration, the "Total Consideration") payable per each $1,000 or 1,000 principal amount of such series of Notes validly tendered for purchase will be based on the fixed spread specified in the table above for such series of Notes, plus the yield of the reference security specified in the table above for that series as quoted on the Bloomberg reference page specified in the table above as of 10:00 a.m. (Eastern time) on November 5, 2025, unless extended with respect to the applicable Offer. The Total Consideration does not include the applicable Accrued Coupon Payment, which will be payable in cash in addition to the applicable Total Consideration. (4) Originally issued by Credit Suisse AG, acting through its New York branch. On May 31, 2024, Credit Suisse AG merged into UBS AG and, by operation of law, UBS AG assumed Credit Suisse AG's obligations as issuer under the terms and conditions applicable to this series of Notes. Effective June 12, 2024, UBS AG designated its Stamford branch (in place of its New York branch) as the branch through which UBS AG acts as issuer of this series of Notes. (5) Originally issued by Credit Suisse Group AG. On June 12, 2023, Credit Suisse Group AG merged into UBS Group AG and, by operation of law, UBS Group AG assumed Credit Suisse Group AG's obligations as issuer under the terms and conditions applicable to this series of Notes.

The Offers are made as part of UBS's proactive management of its funding and total loss-absorbing capacity, among other factors, to optimize interest expense. Independently of the Offers, UBS intends to continue issuing senior unsecured liabilities in all major currency markets and such issuances may or may not run concurrently with the Offers and may or may not follow in the near future.

The Offers are scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on November 5, 2025, unless extended or earlier terminated (such date and time with respect to an Offer, as the same may be extended with respect to such Offer, the "Expiration Date"). Notes tendered for purchase may be validly withdrawn at any time at or prior to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on November 5, 2025, unless extended or earlier terminated (such date and time with respect to an Offer, as the same may be extended with respect to such Offer, the "Withdrawal Date"), but not thereafter, unless extended by the applicable Offeror as described in the Offer to Purchase. Each Offer is independent of the other Offers, and the applicable Offeror may terminate or modify its Offers without terminating or modifying any other Offer. The deadline for Holders who, at or prior to the Expiration Date, deliver a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and all other required documentation to the applicable Tender Agent (or comply with the applicable Clearing System's procedures applicable to guaranteed delivery), to validly tender Notes using the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures is expected to be 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on November 7, 2025, unless extended with respect to any Offer (the "Guaranteed Delivery Date"). The deadlines set by any intermediary and the applicable Clearing System for the submission and withdrawal of tender instructions may be earlier than the relevant deadlines specified above.

The Initial Settlement Date for an Offer of any Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Expiration Date (and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Withdrawal Date), and accepted for purchase by the applicable Offeror, will be promptly after the Expiration Date. The Initial Settlement Date is expected to be the second business day after the Expiration Date (expected to be November 7, 2025), unless extended with respect to any Offer.

The Guaranteed Delivery Settlement Date for an Offer of any Notes validly tendered after the Expiration Date and at or prior to the Guaranteed Delivery Date pursuant to the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures, and accepted for purchase by the applicable Offeror, will be promptly after the Guaranteed Delivery Date. The Guaranteed Delivery Settlement Date is expected to be the first business day after the Guaranteed Delivery Date (expected to be November 10, 2025), with respect to each Offer (as the same may be extended with respect to such Offer).

In addition to the applicable Total Consideration, Holders whose Notes are accepted for purchase will receive a cash payment equal to the accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes from and including the immediately preceding interest payment date for such Notes to, but excluding, the Initial Settlement Date. The Accrued Coupon Payment in respect of Notes accepted for purchase will be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Notes. For the avoidance of doubt, interest will cease to accrue on the Initial Settlement Date for all Notes accepted in the Offers and Holders whose Notes are tendered pursuant to the Guaranteed Delivery Procedures and are accepted for purchase will not receive payment in respect of any interest for the period from and including the Initial Settlement Date.

The applicable Offeror's obligation to complete an Offer with respect to a particular series of Notes validly tendered is conditioned on the satisfaction of conditions described in the Offer to Purchase, including that the aggregate Total Consideration (converted into U.S. Dollars as described under "Conditions to the Offers and Acceptance Priority" in the Offer to Purchase), excluding the Accrued Coupon Payment, payable for Notes purchased in the Offers (the "Aggregate Purchase Consideration") not exceed $4,000,000,000 (the "Maximum Purchase Consideration"), and the Maximum Purchase Consideration being sufficient to pay the Total Consideration, excluding the Accrued Coupon Payment, for all validly tendered Notes of such series (after accounting for all validly tendered Notes of all series that have a higher Acceptance Priority Level) (the "Maximum Purchase Condition"). The Offers are not conditioned on the tender of a minimum principal amount of Notes, and the Offers are not subject to a financing condition.

If the Maximum Purchase Condition is not satisfied with respect to each series of Notes, the Offerors will accept Notes for purchase in the order of their respective Acceptance Priority Level.

The Offerors reserve the right, but are under no obligation, to (x) waive the Maximum Purchase Condition with respect to one or more Offers and accept all Notes of the series sought in such Offer, and of any series of Notes sought in Offers with a higher Acceptance Priority Level, validly tendered and not validly withdrawn, or (y) skip any Offer for Notes that would have caused the Maximum Purchase Consideration to be exceeded and purchase all Notes of a given series in an Offer having a lower Acceptance Priority Level so long as the Offerors are able to purchase the full amount of validly tendered and not validly withdrawn Notes in such Offer without exceeding the Maximum Purchase Consideration.

It is possible that an Offer with a particular Acceptance Priority Level will result in the Maximum Purchase Consideration being exceeded and therefore the series of Notes sought in such Offer will not be accepted for purchase even if one or more series of Notes with a higher or lower Acceptance Priority Level are accepted for purchase. None of the Offers is conditioned on the consummation of any of the other Offers.

The Offerors reserve the right, but are under no obligation, to increase the Maximum Purchase Consideration or waive the Maximum Purchase Condition, in their sole discretion subject to applicable law, with or without extending the Withdrawal Date. No assurance can be given that the Offerors will increase the Maximum Purchase Consideration or waive the Maximum Purchase Condition. If Holders tender more Notes in the Offers than they expect to be accepted for purchase based on the Maximum Purchase Consideration and the Offerors subsequently accept more of such Notes tendered than such Holders expected as a result of an increase in the Maximum Purchase Consideration, such Holders may not be able to withdraw any of their previously tendered Notes. Accordingly, Holders should not tender any Notes that they do not wish to be accepted for purchase. If a given series of Notes is accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offers, all Notes of that series that are validly tendered will be accepted for purchase. No series of Notes will be subject to proration pursuant to the Offers.

A complete description of the terms and conditions of the Offers is set out in the Offer to Purchase. Before making a decision with respect to the Offers, Holders should carefully consider all of the information in the Offer to Purchase.

The Offerors have retained UBS Investment Bank, as Dealer Manager for the Offers. D.F. King Co., Inc. is the Information Agent for the Offers and Tender Agent for the USD Offers. UBS AG is the Tender Agent for the EUR Offer. Questions regarding the terms of the Offers may be directed to UBS Investment Bank at (833) 690-0971 (toll-free), (212) 882-5723 (collect) or +44 20 7568 1121 and by email at americas-lm@ubs.com or ol-liabilitymanagement-eu@ubs.com. Any questions regarding procedures for tendering Notes or requests for additional copies of the Offer to Purchase and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery should be directed to D.F. King Co., Inc. by telephone at (646) 989-1649 (for banks and brokers only) and (800) 829-6551 (for all others toll-free) or +44 (0)20 7920 9700 and by email at UBS@dfking.com. Copies of the Offer to Purchase and the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery are available at https://clients.dfkingltd.com/UBS/.

Holders are advised to check with any bank, securities broker or other intermediary through which they hold Notes as to when such intermediary would need to receive instructions from a beneficial owner in order for that beneficial owner to be able to participate in, or withdraw their instruction to participate in, an Offer before the deadlines specified in the Offer to Purchase. The deadlines set by any such intermediary and the applicable Clearing System for the submission and withdrawal of tender instructions may be earlier than the relevant deadlines specified above.

Disclaimer

This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes or any other securities. The Offers are made only by and pursuant to the terms of the Offer to Purchase and only to such persons and in such jurisdictions as is permitted under applicable law. The information in this press release is qualified by reference to the Offer to Purchase. None of UBS, the Dealer Managers, any fiscal agent, any paying agent or any trustee, as applicable, the Tender Agents or the Information Agent or their respective directors, employees and affiliates makes any recommendation whatsoever regarding the Offers, or any recommendation as to whether Holders should tender their Notes for purchase pursuant to the Offers.

In making a decision regarding the Offers, Holders must rely on their own examination of the Offerors and the terms of the Offers, including the merits and risks involved. Holders should not consider any information in the Offer to Purchase to be legal, business or tax advice. Holders should consult their own counsel, accountant and other advisors as to legal, tax, business, financial and related aspects of an acceptance of the Offers. This release may contain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of applicable securities laws. While these forward-looking statements represent UBS's judgments and future expectations concerning the development of UBS, a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors could cause actual developments and results to differ materially from UBS's expectations. For a discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may affect UBS please refer to the "Risk Factors" and other sections of UBS Group AG's and UBS AG's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, quarterly reports and other information furnished to or filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 6-K. UBS is not under any obligation to (and expressly disclaims any obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251029790170/en/

Contacts:

UBS Group AG and UBS AG



Investor contact

Switzerland: +41-44-234 41 00

Americas: +1 212 882 57 34



Media contact

Switzerland: +41-44-234 85 00

UK: +44-207-567 47 14

Americas: +1-212-882 58 58

APAC: +852-297-1 82 00



www.ubs.com/media
u-blox AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

Changes in u-blox's Executive Committee



30-Oct-2025 / 07:18 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





The Board of Directors and CEO Stephan Zizala have mutually agreed that he will step down from his position as CEO at the end of 2025 to pursue a new professional opportunity.

Camila Japur, Chief Financial Officer, and Andreas Thiel, Head of Business Units and co-founder of u-blox, will jointly assume the roles of co-CEOs, leading the company with clearly defined responsibilities. As part of the ongoing acquisition process by Advent International, the firm intends to appoint Stephan Zizala as member of the future Board of Directors of u-blox.

The Board of Directors extends its sincere gratitude to Stephan Zizala for his dedication and the successful transformation of the company. During his tenure, u-blox has consistently and successfully focused on its market-leading and profitable core business. The long-term growth and profitability outlook remain highly attractive.

The Board wishes the new management team all the best in leading u-blox into its next phase of success.

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations Rafael Duarte Phone: +41 43 547 0693 rafael.duarte@u-blox.com

u-blox (SIX:UBXN) is a global leader in automotive, industrial, and consumer markets, driving innovation through our cutting-edge positioning and short-range communication technologies. We are the pioneers behind high-precision technologies, providing smart and reliable solutions that enable people, vehicles, and machines to determine their precise position and communicate wirelessly. With headquarters in Thalwil, Switzerland, and offices across Europe, Asia, and the USA, we are making a global impact.

www.u-blox.com

Join us on social media - X , Facebook , YouTube , LinkedIn and Instagram .

Disclaimer

This release contains certain forward looking statements. Such forward looking statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the u blox Group to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These include risks related to the success of and demand for the Group's products, the potential for the Group's products to become obsolete, the Group's ability to defend its intellectual property, the Group's ability to develop and commercialize new products in a timely manner, the dynamic and competitive environment in which the Group operates, the regulatory environment, changes in currency exchange rates, the Group's ability to generate revenues and profitability, and the Group's ability to realize its expansion projects in a timely manner. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this report. u blox is providing the information in this release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward looking statements contained in it as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
OSLO, Norway, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aker Horizons ASA (OSE: "AKH" or the "Company"), today announces the key financials for the third quarter of 2025.

The merger encompassing all business activities of the Aker Horizons group between its subsidiary, Aker Horizons Holding AS ("AKHH"), and Aker HoldCo AS (previously AKH HoldCo AS) a fully owned subsidiary of Aker Capital AS, (the "Merger") was completed 11 September 2025 and the AKH shareholders have received the agreed Merger compensation in the form of Aker ASA shares and cash.

In the third quarter of 2025, AKH has been focusing on completion of the Merger and assessing the company's future strategic options following the Merger. Operating expenses were NOK 7 million, net financial expenses NOK 27 million and the net loss was NOK 34 million in the third quarter of 2025. The Company had net cash (after current liabilities) of NOK 20 million at quarter end as well as a convertible loan of approximately NOK 1.6 billion with maturity date 5 February 2026 with a corresponding receivable from Aker HoldCo.

The Board of Directors continues the work to define the future strategy for AKH. The Company currently has no operational activities or investment capacity, and only limited financial resources to support ongoing operations. Any future business activity is likely to require a substantial injection of equity capital. Should the strategic review determine that such activity and funding is not feasible, liquidation may emerge as the only viable alternative. As stated in the H1 2025 report published 15 July, there is significant uncertainty related to the Company's future strategy and consequently, risk in respect of the continued listing of its shares. The Board of Directors will revert to the market when the future strategy is defined.

Media and Investors:

Mats Ektvedt

Mobile: +47 41 42 33 28

E-mail: mats.ektvedt@corporatecommunications.no

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/aker-horizons/r/aker-horizons-asa--q3-key-financials,c4258722

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/20659/4258722/3752559.pdf AKH ASA - Q3 2025 key financials

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/aker-horizons-asa-q3-key-financials-302599443.html
FDA authorization and Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval followed by QP release for expanded access treatment of one patient in the US

Treatment scheduled in November 2025 at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Ongoing review of early access dossier by French agency ANSM

Technology transfer to new manufacturing partner on track to produce new batches for 2026 milestones

Regulatory News:

GenSight Biologics (Euronext: SIGHT, ISIN: FR0013183985, PEA-PME eligible), a biopharma company focused on developing and commercializing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders, today announced that the Company's gene therapy GS010/LUMEVOQ has been granted regulatory authorizations for an Individual Patient Expanded Access in the United States. The authorizations mark the first set of regulatory green lights for the candidate product since the Company's withdrawal of its European marketing authorization application in 2023.

FDA authorization was granted for expanded access treatment of one eligible patient, based on an application by a physician at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (UPMC) to the agency. The required approval of the school's Institutional Review Board (IRB) was also granted. The patient is scheduled to be treated in November 2025.

GS010/LUMEVOQ is in Phase III of its clinical development as a treatment for the rare blinding disease Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) caused by a mutated ND4 mitochondrial gene and has not received marketing authorization in any country.

Company Maintains Strategic Focus on Manufacturing and Clinical Development

"We are very pleased to be able to provide GS010/LUMEVOQ for the individual patient expanded access treatment at UPMC," said Laurence Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer of GenSight Biologics. "At this time, the company's highest priority is on ensuring adequate supply for the study already under discussion with the ANSM and to support our discussions about an Early Access Program in France. These programs represent essential steps towards our ultimate goal of maximizing patient access to GS010/LUMEVOQ, given the high unmet need of those impacted by LHON.

The Company is currently completing the technology transfer to its new manufacturing partner, Catalent, which is expected to be finalized by year-end 2025. The transition will enable the production of new batches in 2026 to address the full scope of projected clinical and early access needs.

GenSight Biologics is preparing for the launch in H2 2026 of the pivotal Phase III study RECOVER for GS010/LUMEVOQ, while engaging with the French medicines agency ANSM regarding a dose-ranging study the agency requested in connection with an Early Access Program (AAC) in France. The study protocol submitted in August 2025, is under review with well-defined regulatory timelines.

In parallel, the Company is pursuing opportunities to out-license GS010 in markets outside the USA and Europe, while exploring paid Early Access Programs worldwide.

About Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON)

LHON is a rare, maternally inherited mitochondrial genetic disease, characterized by the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells, which results in precipitous and usually irreversible vision loss and typically leads to legal blindness. The ND4 mitochondrial mutation is the most common of the mutations that cause LHON and is associated with the worst prognosis among the leading mutations.

About GenSight Biologics

GenSight Biologics S.A. is a clinical-stage biopharma company focused on developing and commercializing innovative gene therapies for retinal neurodegenerative diseases and central nervous system disorders. GenSight Biologics' pipeline leverages two core technology platforms, the Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence (MTS) and optogenetics, to help preserve or restore vision in patients suffering from blinding retinal diseases. GenSight Biologics' lead product candidate, GS010 (lenadogene nolparvovec) is in Phase III in Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare mitochondrial disease that leads to irreversible blindness in teens and young adults. GS010 is currently in clinical development, has not to date been granted marketing authorization in France or any other jurisdiction, and is therefore not available commercially. Using its gene therapy-based approach, GenSight Biologics' product candidates are designed to be administered in a single treatment to each eye by intravitreal injection to offer patients a sustainable functional visual recovery.

About GS010/LUMEVOQ (lenadogene nolparvovec)

GS010/LUMEVOQ (lenadogene nolparvovec) targets Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) by leveraging a mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS) proprietary technology platform, arising from research conducted at the Institut de la Vision in Paris, which, when associated with the gene of interest, allows the platform to specifically address defects inside the mitochondria using an AAV vector (Adeno-Associated Virus). The gene of interest is transferred into the cell to be expressed and produces the functional protein, which is then shuttled to the mitochondria through specific nucleotidic sequences in order to restore the missing or deficient mitochondrial function. GS010/LUMEVOQ (lenadogene nolparvovec) is in Phase III of its clinical development. It has not been granted marketing authorization in any country and is not available commercially.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251029196714/en/

Contacts:

GenSight Biologics

Chief Financial Officer

Jan Eryk Umiastowski

jeumiastowski@gensight-biologics.com
EQS-Ad-hoc: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited / Key word(s): Forecast

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited: Notice of the Revised Forecast of Consolidated Financials for FY2025 (IFRS)



30-Oct-2025 / 07:43 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





News Release Notice of the Revised Forecast of Consolidated Financials for FY2025 (IFRS) OSAKA, Japan, October 30, 2025 - Takeda (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) today announced the revised forecast of the full year consolidated financials for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026 (FY2025), as below. Takeda's fiscal year 2025 first half results are consistent with our expectations for core business progress in this year of transition to a new phase focusing on new product launches. Our updated full-year outlook reflects impairment charges associated with strategic pipeline decisions taken in Q2, as well as transactional FX. Revised Forecast for Full Year Consolidated Financials for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2026 (millions JPY) Revenue Operating

profit Profit before

income taxes Net profit attributable

to owners of

the Company Basic earnings

per share Original Forecast (A)* 4,530,000 475,000 307,000 228,000 144.81 JPY Revised Forecast (B) 4,500,000 400,000 243,000 153,000 97.14 JPY Discrepancy (B-A) (30,000) (75,000) (64,000) (75,000) ? Change % (0.7)% (15.8)% (20.8)% (32.9)% ?

* Announced on May 8, 2025. (millions JPY) Core revenue Core

operating

profit Core EPS Original Forecast (A)* 4,530,000 1,140,000 485 JPY Revised Forecast (B) 4,500,000 1,130,000 479 JPY Discrepancy (B-A) (30,000) (10,000) ? Change % (0.7)% (0.9)% ?

* Announced on May 8, 2025. (Note) For the definition of Core financial measures, please refer to the "Definition and Explanation of Non-IFRS Measures and U.S. Dollar Convenience Translations" in the Financial Appendix attached to the Earnings Report. Reasons for Revision Takeda expects FY2025 revenue to be JPY 4,500.0 billion, a decrease of JPY 30.0 billion, or 0.7%, from the original forecast, mainly reflecting a revised forecast for ENTYVIO and a steeper than anticipated decline in VYVANSE sales in the U.S. due to generic erosion. These factors are partially offset by favorable overall changes in the assumptions of foreign exchange rates. The Core Revenue forecast has been revised in the same way as the Revenue forecast. Operating Profit is expected to decrease by JPY 75.0 billion, or 15.8%, from the original forecast to JPY 400.0 billion, primarily due to an unfavorable product mix as a result of lower revenue from high margin products, headwinds from transactional foreign exchange rates for certain products, and an increased forecast of impairment losses on intangible assets associated with products. These factors are expected to be partially offset by additional cost savings within R&D, including from pipeline prioritization and the enterprise-wide efficiency program, with such savings anticipated to broadly materialize as reductions in operating expenses. Core Operating Profit is expected to be JPY 1,130.0 billion, a decrease of JPY 10.0 billion, or 0.9%. Net Profit for the Year (attributable to owners of the Company) is expected to be JPY 153.0 billion, a decrease of JPY 75.0 billion, or 32.9%, from the original forecast. Profit Before Tax is expected to decrease by JPY 64.0 billion, or 20.8%, to JPY 243.0 billion, primarily due to the decrease in Operating Profit, while net finance expenses are expected to decrease by JPY 11.0 billion, or 6.6%, to JPY 156.0 billion. While Profit Before Tax is expected to decrease, the tax expense is anticipated to remain at a similar level to the original forecast due to an increase of non-deductible expenses mainly from impairments as well as derecognition of deferred tax assets, resulting in an assumed effective tax rate of approximately 37%. Reported EPS is expected to be JPY 97.14, a decrease of JPY 47.66, or 32.9%, and Core EPS is expected to be JPY 479, a decrease of JPY 6, or 1.2%. Management Guidance for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2026 Takeda uses change in Core Revenue, Core Operating Profit and Core EPS at Constant Exchange Rate (CER) basis as its Management Guidance. The full year management guidance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026 (FY2025) has been revised from the management guidance announced on May 8, 2025. CER % Change Original Management Guidance

(May 8, 2025) Revised Management Guidance

(October 30, 2025) Core revenue Broadly Flat Broadly Flat Core operating profit Broadly Flat Low-single-digit % decline Core EPS Broadly Flat Low-single-digit % decline

About Takeda Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit www.takeda.com . Contacts Investor Relations

Christopher O'Reilly

christopher.oreilly@takeda.com

+81 (0) 90-6481-3412 Media Relations

Brendan Jennings

brendan.jennings@takeda.com

+81 (0) 80-2705-8259

(Outside Japan business hours)

Media_relations@takeda.com

Important Notice For the purposes of this notice, "press release" means this document, any oral presentation, any question and answer session and any written or oral material discussed or distributed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited ("Takeda") regarding this press release. This press release (including any oral briefing and any question-and-answer in connection with it) is not intended to, and does not constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. No shares or other securities are being offered to the public by means of this press release. No offering of securities shall be made in the United States except pursuant to registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. This press release is being given (together with any further information which may be provided to the recipient) on the condition that it is for use by the recipient for information purposes only (and not for the evaluation of any investment, acquisition, disposal or any other transaction). Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws. The companies in which Takeda directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release, "Takeda" is sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Takeda and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. The product names appearing in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by Takeda, or their respective owners. Forward-Looking Statements This press release and any materials distributed in connection with this press release may contain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions regarding Takeda's future business, future position and results of operations, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for Takeda. Without limitation, forward-looking statements often include words such as "targets", "plans", "believes", "hopes", "continues", "expects", "aims", "intends", "ensures", "will", "may", "should", "would", "could", "anticipates", "estimates", "projects", "forecasts", "outlook" or similar expressions or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements: the economic circumstances surrounding Takeda's global business, including general economic conditions in Japan and the United States and with respect to international trade relations; competitive pressures and developments; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including tax, tariff and other trade-related rules; challenges inherent in new product development, including uncertainty of clinical success and decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; uncertainty of commercial success for new and existing products; manufacturing difficulties or delays; fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates; claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates; the impact of health crises, like the novel coronavirus pandemic; the success of our environmental sustainability efforts, in enabling us to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions or meet our other environmental goals; the extent to which our efforts to increase efficiency, productivity or cost-savings, such as the integration of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, in our business or other initiatives to restructure our operations will lead to the expected benefits; and other factors identified in Takeda's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and Takeda's other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available on Takeda's website at: https://www.takeda.com/investors/sec-filings-and-security-reports/ or at www.sec.gov .Takeda does not undertake to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. Past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results or statements of Takeda in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast, guarantee or projection of Takeda's future results. Financial Information and Non-IFRS Measures Takeda's financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). This press release and materials distributed in connection with this press release include certain financial measures not presented in accordance with IFRS, such as Core Revenue, Core Operating Profit, Core Net Profit for the year attributable to owners of the Company, Core EPS, Constant Exchange Rate ("CER") change, Net Debt, Adjusted Net Debt, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow. Takeda's management evaluates results and makes operating and investment decisions using both IFRS and non-IFRS measures included in this press release. These non-IFRS measures exclude certain income, cost and cash flow items which are included in, or are calculated differently from, the most closely comparable measures presented in accordance with IFRS. Takeda's non-IFRS measures are not prepared in accordance with IFRS and such non-IFRS measures should be considered a supplement to, and not a substitute for, measures prepared in accordance with IFRS (which we sometimes refer to as "reported" measures). Investors are encouraged to review the definitions and reconciliations of non-IFRS measures to their most directly comparable IFRS measures, which are in the Financial Appendix appearing at the end of our FY2025 H1 investor presentation (available at www.takeda.com/investors ). ###



End of Inside Information



30-Oct-2025 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

View original content: EQS News
The licensed small molecule program aims to address significant unmet needs forautoimmune diseases.

Programadds toBoehringer's pipeline and its commitment to deliver breakthrough therapies for patients with inflammatory diseases.

Ingelheim, Germany, and Tokyo, Japan,[October 30, 2025]- Boehringer Ingelheim and Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. (Kyowa Kirin, TSE:4151, President and COO: Abdul Mullick) today announced that Boehringer Ingelheim has licensed a pre-clinical program from Kyowa Kirin to develop a potential first-in-class, small molecule for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases represent a substantial and growing global health challenge, affecting approximately one in ten people and imposing a significant burden on patients and healthcare systems. Despite progress in therapeutic innovation, there remains a high need for more effective and long-lasting treatment options. As a recognized leader in autoimmune disease research and development, Boehringer Ingelheim advances new approaches that target the root causes of autoimmune conditions, with the goal of delivering highly targeted new therapies.

"Our commitment to delivering life changing therapies for patients with autoimmune diseases is unwavering. We are pleased to add a potential first in class program to our growing pipeline," said Carine Boustany, US Innovation Unit Site Head and Global Head of Immunology and Respiratory Diseases at Boehringer Ingelheim. "This agreement constitutes an important step toward delivering breakthrough treatments for patients ."

Takeyoshi Yamashita, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Kyowa Kirin, commented, "This compound, discovered through Kyowa Kirin's deep expertise in innovative technology and disease biology, holds tremendous potential. Leveraging Boehringer Ingelheim's renowned expertise in inflammatory diseases, we are confident that this innovation will be developed efficiently and delivered to the patients who need it most."

Under the terms of the agreement Boehringer Ingelheim will receive exclusive worldwide rights from Kyowa Kirin to develop this small molecule program. Kyowa Kirin is eligible to receive up to  640 million, including an upfront payment, success-based development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, in addition to royalties on possible sales.

Boehringer Ingelheim

Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry's top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com. -

Kyowa Kirin

Kyowa Kirin aims to discover and deliver novel medicines and treatments with life-changing value. As a Japan-based Global Specialty Pharmaceutical Company, Kyowa Kirin has invested in drug discovery and biotechnology innovation for more than 70 years and is currently working to engineer the next generation of antibodies and cell and gene therapies with the potential to help patients with high unmet medical needs, such as bone & mineral, intractable hematological /hemato-oncological diseases and rare diseases. A shared commitment to Kyowa Kirin's values, to sustainable growth, and to making people smile unites Kyowa Kirin across the globe. You can learn more about the business of Kyowa Kirin at www.kyowakirin.com.

Intended Audiences Notice

This press release is issued from our Corporate Headquarters in Ingelheim, Germany and is intended to provide information about our global business. Please be aware that information relating to the approval status and labels of approved products may vary from country to country, and a country-specific press release on this topic may have been issued in the countries where we do business.

Media Contacts?

Boehringer Ingelheim:?



Dr. Reinhard Malin

Boehringer Ingelheim Corporate Center GmbH?

Innovation Unit/Bio Comms, Corp. Affairs?

Media + PR?

press@boehringer-ingelheim.com?



Kyowa Kirin:

Nobuyuki Manita

Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. Corporate Communications

Media: media@kyowakirin.com

Investors: ir@kyowakirin.com

Attachment
(Oslo, Norway, 30 October 2025) - Statkraft's results in the third quarter of 2025 decreased despite higher production. The results were impacted by low prices in Northern Norway, reduced contribution from Markets, and negative hedging effects. Statkraft signed agreements to sell assets for around NOK 13.5 billion in the third quarter, executing on the refocused strategy and freeing up capital for continued growth.

Power generation in the third quarter 2025 was 15.8 TWh (13.3 TWh), and generation was record-high at 52.7 TWh in the first nine months of 2025 (47.1 TWh).

Net operating revenues in the quarter were NOK 8.0 billion (NOK 9.8 billion). Underlying EBITDA was NOK 3.1 billion (NOK 4.9 billion).

Net financial items were NOK 0.6 billion (NOK -3.4 billion), including net currency gains of NOK 1.1 billion (NOK-2.6 billion) while profit before tax was NOK 0.9 billion (NOK 1.5 billion). Net profit was NOK -0.7 billion (NOK -0.2 billion).

In the quarter, Statkraft made significant progress on its announced plans to decrease complexity and reduce costs.

Statkraft signed agreements to divest the district heating business, transmission lines in Peru, as well as renewable energy assets and development activities in Canada, Croatia, India, Nepal, and the Netherlands for a total enterprise value of NOK 13.5 billion in the quarter. Year to date the enterprise value for signed agreements is NOK 15.5 billion. As a result of these divestments, around 330 employees will leave Statkraft to new owners by the end of 2025.

In Norway, Statkraft submitted the license application for a third unit in the Alta hydropower plant, made the final investment decision for a refurbishment of the Mar hydropower plant and Hyttfossen dam, and announced plans for wind power development in Asnes municipality.

Statkraft also made an investment decision for the Cardonal BESS 2 battery project (20 MW) in Chile.

After the quarter Statkraft decided to build the Lupi solar farm (182 MWp) in Peru with an expected investment of NOK 1.5 billion.

"I am pleased with the solid progress we have made in executing our sharpened strategy in the third quarter. We have sold a portfolio of businesses, our skilled teams will have new owners, and the divestments contribute to reduce complexity and cost and free up capital for further profitable growth in prioritised technologies and markets going forward," says Statkraft President and CEO, Birgitte Ringstad Vartdal.

Executing refocused strategy

In the quarter, Statkraft agreed to sell the district heating business, as well as transmission lines in Peru, and renewable energy assets and development activities in Canada, Croatia, India, Nepal, and the Netherlands. In line with the refocused strategy launched in June, Statkraft is reducing the number of countries and technologies, including offshore wind, green hydrogen and biofuels, and is seeking new owners to the EV charging company Mer.

Based on market developments and business models, Statkraft is planning for a long-term investment capacity of NOK 16-20 billion per year.

In the coming years, Statkraft will continue to grow in market operations and will keep investing in solar, wind, battery storage, and grid services in Europe and South America, where there are significant investment opportunities also near term. A substantial share of the investments will gradually also be allocated to hydropower refurbishments and capacity upgrades in Norway and new onshore wind power developments in Norway and Sweden.

Prices, market development, and generation

"Statkraft had high power generation in the third quarter and solid underlying results in Nordics, even though most of the increased power generation was in Northern Norway (NO4) where prices were very low. Results were impacted by negative hedging effects due to rising forward prices and lower contribution from Markets. Our market activities experienced a lower activity level in the quarter compared to a very strong quarter last year. The results will vary over time, driven by changes in volatility and market conditions," says Vartdal.

The average system price in the Nordic region was 36 EUR/MWh, up 16.2 EUR/MWh from the third quarter of 2024 and 9.6 EUR/MWh higher than second quarter of 2025. The average base price in the German market (EEX) was 82.8 EUR/MWh in the period, up 6.7 EUR/MWh from the third quarter of 2024 and up 13 EUR/MWh from the second quarter of 2025.

Statkraft's generation was 15.8 TWh in the third quarter of 2025, 2.5 TWh higher than the same quarter in 2024. The increase in hydropower generation was mainly due to much higher generation in the northern part of Norway and full operation of the solar farm Khidrat in India from June 2025. Total wind power generation was 2.3 TWh in the quarter (2.5 TWh), while hydropower generation was 12.8 TWh (10.0 TWh).

Financial development

Underlying EBITDA was NOK 3.1 billion in the third quarter (NOK 4.9 billion), driven by increased power generation and better realised power prices, but with negative hedging effects in Nordics and Europe, and reduced contribution from Markets. Nordics was the main contributor to the results with an underlying EBITDA of NOK 3.0 billion (NOK 2.8 billion). The increase was due to higher power generation, particularly in the Northern price areas of Norway, despite very low area prices.

Markets delivered an underlying EBITDA of NOK 20 million in the quarter (NOK 1.4 billion), as the contribution from both trading and origination was lower. The third quarter of 2024 was very strong for Markets, and the market activity level has been lower this year. Historically, our market activities have delivered strong results, and it is as expected that this business segment will vary over time.

Europe had an underlying EBITDA of NOK -345 million (NOK -25 million) impacted by hedging losses, while the contribution from International was NOK 0.6 billion (NOK 0.6 billion), on par with last year.

Profit before tax was impacted by a strengthening of the NOK in the quarter, offset by impairments and negative unrealised value changes from embedded EUR derivatives, resulting in a profit before tax of NOK 0.9 billion (NOK 1.5 billion). Considering the income tax expense of NOK 1.6 billion, mainly driven by resource rent tax on hydropower generation in Norway, the net loss for the quarter amounted to NOK 714 million (NOK 225 million).

For further information, please contact:

Debt Capital Markets:

Vice President Stephan Skaane, tel: +47 905 13 652, e-mail: stephan.skaane@statkraft.com

Senior Financial Advisor Arild Ratikainen, tel: +47 971 74 132, e-mail: arild.ratikainen@statkraft.com

Media:

Corporate Media Relations Lead Lars Magnus Gunther, tel: +47 912 41 636, e-mail: lars.gunther@statkraft.com

VP External Communications Torbjrn Steen, tel: +47 911 66 888, e-mail: torbjorn.steen@statkraft.com

or www.statkraft.com

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

About Statkraft

Statkraft is a leading company in hydropower internationally and Europe's largest generator of renewable energy. The Group produces hydropower, wind power, solar power, gas-fired power and supplies district heating. Statkraft is a global company in energy market operations. Statkraft has around 7,000 employees in more than 20 countries.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

Attachments
Hyundai Motor holds groundbreaking ceremony for its new hydrogen fuel cell production facility in Ulsan, Korea

With an investment of KRW 930 billion, the facility-set for completion in 2027-will mass-produce 30,000 fuel cell units annually, along with PEM electrolyzers

 Improved fuel cell technology, with enhanced durability and cost competitiveness, is expected to support Hyundai Motor's goal of achieving global market leadership

 Developing PEM electrolyzers as a cornerstone for green hydrogen production while leveraging fuel cell expertise for domestic manufacturing

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Company today held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new hydrogen fuel cell production plant in Ulsan, South Korea, marking a major step in its efforts to position the country as a global leader in the energy transition.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Jaehoon Chang, Vice Chair of Hyundai Motor Group; Minister Sungwhan Kim of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment; Vice Minister Shinhak Moon of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources; and several National Assembly members. Their presence alongside Ulsan Mayor Doo-gyeom Kim and other local officials highlighted the importance of hydrogen as a national strategic industry and the strength of public-private collaboration.

International hydrogen industry leaders also attended, including Ivana Jemelkova, CEO of the Hydrogen Council - a global CEO-led initiative that brings together leading companies with a united vision and ambition for hydrogen to accelerate the clean energy transition. Jemelkova was visiting Korea for the 2025 APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju.

"This plant embodies Hyundai Motor Group's strategic commitment to advancing the hydrogen society transition," Vice Chair Chang said in his opening remarks. "It will serve as a critical foundation for securing national economic growth momentum and establishing Korea's leadership in the global hydrogen industry."

The new facility will occupy 43,000 square meters on the site of a former internal combustion engine transmission plant - a symbolic shift that underscores Hyundai Motor's pivot toward future mobility.

Scheduled for completion in 2027, the plant will integrate chemical processing and assembly operations with annual production capacity of 30,000 fuel cell units. The facility will operate under Hyundai Motor Group's hydrogen brand and business platform HTWO brand, which symbolizes 'Hydrogen for Humanity.'

The plant represents an investment of KRW 930 billion and will produce next-generation hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers for various mobility applications including passenger vehicles, commercial trucks and buses, construction equipment and marine vessels.

Advancing Core Technologies

The facility aims to position Hyundai Motor at the forefront of global hydrogen technology through two key products:

Next-generation hydrogen fuel cell: Hyundai Motor targets enhancing both power output and durability compared to current models while achieving price competitiveness to lead the global market.





Hyundai Motor targets enhancing both power output and durability compared to current models while achieving price competitiveness to lead the global market. PEM electrolyzers: The plant will produce high-efficiency polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzers as first production in Korea.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2809162/Photo__Hyundai_Motor_Hydrogen_Fuel_Cell_Production_Facility_in_Korea.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hyundai-motor-breaks-ground-on-hydrogen-fuel-cell-production-facility-in-korea-302599514.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / BioNxt Solutions Inc. ("BioNxt" or the "Company") (CSE:BNXT)(OTCQB:BNXTF)(FSE:BXT), a bioscience innovator specializing in advanced drug delivery systems, is pleased to announce that the Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) has issued a "Readiness to Grant" notification for the Company's comprehensive patent application for sublingual delivery of anticancer drugs for the treatment of autoimmune neurodegenerative diseases. This patent family provides numerous proprietary product development and commercialization opportunities, including BioNxt's lead product, BNT23001, a sublingual thin-film formulation of Cladribine for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).

The EAPO is expected to grant the formal patent to BioNxt upon payment of a publication fee which the Company will provide to the EAPO this week. The EAPO covers Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. These countries are the members of the Eurasian Patent Convention (EAPC), which provides a single, harmonized patent application process and regulator for the region. The EAPO grants Eurasian patents that are valid in all eight member states with a combined population of over 200,000,000.

"Solidifying patent protection is a critical part of our commercialization strategy," said Hugh Rogers, CEO of BioNxt. "The timing is excellent as the Company is days away from commencing a two-week-long large-mass animal bioequivalence study to determine dosing parameters for our upcoming human bioequivalence study. The coming months are expected to be very exciting for BioNxt as multiple clinical programs advance and our intellectual property portfolio gains international recognition and protection."

The patent nationalization process is underway in key global markets, including the European Union, Canada, Australia, Eurasia, New Zealand, and Japan, as well as a Track One priority filing in the United States. Both the European Patent Office and the Eurasian Patent Office have issued favorable communications including the formal acceptance of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability.

About BioNxt Solutions Inc.

BioNxt Solutions Inc. is a bioscience innovator focused on next-generation drug delivery technologies, diagnostic screening systems, and active pharmaceutical ingredient development. The Company's proprietary platforms-Sublingual (Thin-Film), Transdermal (Skin Patch), and Oral (Enteric-Coated Tablets)-target key therapeutic areas, including autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, and longevity.

With research and development operations in North America and Europe, BioNxt is advancing regulatory approvals and commercialization e?orts, primarily focused on European markets. BioNxt is committed to improving healthcare by delivering precise, patient-centric solutions that enhance treatment outcomes worldwide.

BioNxt is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange: BNXT, OTC Markets: BNXTF and trades in Germany under WKN: A3D1K3. To learn more about BioNxt, please visit www.bionxt.com.

Investor Relations & Media Contact

Hugh Rogers, Co-Founder, CEO and Director

Email: investor.relations@bionxt.com

Phone: +1 778.598.2698

Web: www.bionxt.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bionxt-solutions

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bionxt

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the development, testing, regulatory approval, and commercialization of BioNxt's sublingual drug products, as well as projected milestones, anticipated partnerships, and potential market opportunities. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to significant risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, many of which are beyond BioNxt's control. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, delays in regulatory approvals, negative outcomes from clinical trials, changes in market demand, fluctuations in funding availability, or disruptions in supply chains. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, as actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. BioNxt undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected include changes in market demand, regulatory developments, delays in clinical trials, fluctuations in financing availability, supply chain disruptions, and unforeseen competitive pressures.

SOURCE: BioNxt Solutions Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/bionxt-reports-%22readiness-to-grant%22-patent-notification-from-the-eura-1093456
Regulatory News:

TotalEnergies SE (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE):

The Board of Directors, meeting on October 29, 2025 under the chairmanship of Mr. Patrick Pouyanne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, decided the distribution of a third interim dividend of 0.85/share for fiscal year 2025, an increase of 7.6% compared to the three interim dividends paid for fiscal year 2024 and identical to the final dividend for fiscal year 2024 and to the first and second interim dividends for fiscal year 2025. This increase is in line with the shareholder return policy for the year 2025 as announced by the Board of Directors in February 2025.

This interim dividend will be detached and paid exclusively in cash, according to the following timetable:

Euronext NYSE1 Ex-dividend date March 31, 2026 March 31, 2026 Payment in cash2 April 2, 2026 April 23, 2026

Progress of the project to transform ADRs into ordinary shares

The Board of Directors approved, during its meeting held on September 24, 2025, the project to convert American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) into ordinary shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

The Company has launched today the termination of the deposit agreement between TotalEnergies, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the depositary), and the ADR holders governing the ADR program. ADR holders will shortly receive a notice from the depositary. Upon termination of the deposit agreement, each outstanding ADR will be cancelled and an ordinary share listed on the NYSE will be delivered. The conversion of the ADRs into ordinary shares listed on the NYSE is expected to become effective from December 8, 2025.

This operation will have no impact on holders of ordinary shares listed on Euronext Paris, which will remain the introductory market for TotalEnergies shares.

Furthermore, the second interim dividend of 0.85 /share for fiscal year 2025, decided by the Board of Directors during its meeting held on July 23, 2025, with an ex-dividend date of December 31, 2025, will be paid in cash in USD3 for the ordinary shares listed on the NYSE on January 23, 2026 (on the same date as previously announced for the ADRs).

About TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies is a global integrated energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas, biogas and low-carbon hydrogen, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to provide as many people as possible with energy that is more reliable, more affordable and more sustainable. Active in about 120 countries, TotalEnergies places sustainability at the heart of its strategy, its projects and its operations.

@TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies

1 Dates applicable for ordinary shares to be listed on the NYSE, subject to the completion of the conversion of ADRs into ordinary shares prior to the ex-dividend date of March 31, 2026, or for ADRs in the event that the conversion of ADRs into ordinary shares has not been completed by that date. 2 In the event that the conversion of ADRs into ordinary shares is completed before March 31, 2026, the dividend will be paid in U.S. dollars for the shares to be listed on the NYSE. The applicable EUR/USD exchange rate will be the WM/Refinitiv Intra-Day spot rate published at 2:00 p.m. (Paris time) on April 16, 2026. The amount of the interim dividend in USD will be made available on the TotalEnergies website (https://totalenergies.com/fr/actionnaires/action-et-dividende/dividende). To ensure orderly dividend payment across both markets, a transfer freeze period between the two markets will be in effect from March 30, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. (New-York time) until the opening of the Euronext market on April 2, 2026 3 Subject to the completion of the conversion of ADRs into ordinary shares prior to the ex-dividend date of December 31, 2025. The applicable EUR/USD exchange rate will be the WM/Refinitiv Intra-Day spot rate published by Refinitiv at 2:00 p.m. (Paris time) on January 15, 2026. The amount of the interim dividend in USD will be made available on the TotalEnergies website (https://totalenergies.com/fr/actionnaires/action-et-dividende/dividende). To ensure an orderly dividend payment across both markets, the transfer of shares between the two markets will be frozen from December 30, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. (New-York time) until the opening of the Euronext market on January 5, 2026. The same ex-dividend and payment dates would apply to ADRs in the event that the conversion into ordinary shares has not been completed by that date.

Disclaimer:

The terms "TotalEnergies", "TotalEnergies company" and "Company" in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" may also be used to refer to these entities or their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate and independent legal entities.

This document contains forward-looking statements (including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995), notably with respect to (i) expectations regarding returns to stockholders, including with respect to future dividends, (ii) the contemplated conversion of the ADRs into ordinary shares, including the termination of the ADR program in connection therewith, (iii) the contemplated listing of TotalEnergies' ordinary shares on the NYSE, (iv) the contemplated structure to support the trading of TotalEnergies ordinary shares on the NYSE, and (v) the anticipated payment of dividends to owners of ordinary shares registered on the U.S. register in U.S. dollars and the timetable relating to such dividends. These forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of the future or conditional tense or forward-looking words such as "will", "should", "could", "would", "may", "likely", "might", "envisions", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "considers", "plans", "expects", "thinks", "targets", "commits", "aims" or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements included in this document are based on economic data, estimates and assumptions prepared in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment and considered to be reasonable by TotalEnergies as of the date of this document.

These forward-looking statements are not historical data and should not be interpreted as assurances that the perspectives, objectives, or goals announced will be achieved. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future, and may evolve or be modified with a significant difference between the actual results and those initially estimated, due to the uncertainties notably related to the economic, financial, competitive and regulatory environment, or due to the occurrence of risk factors, such as, notably, the risk factors described from time to time in the Company's regulatory filings, including its Universal Registration Document filed with the French Autorite des Marches Financiers, its Annual Report on Form 20 F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and its other reports filed or furnished with the SEC.

The initial and continued listing of ordinary shares on the NYSE, as well as the contemplated structure to support such listing, remain at the discretion of TotalEnergies' management, subject to compliance with applicable law and the rules in force on the NYSE, and the implementation and maintenance of the contemplated structure to support such listing. Such contemplated listing and contemplated structure rely on, and may be impacted by changes in, among other things, (i) the final confirmation by the NYSE of the Company's technical application to list its ordinary shares, and (ii) the establishment and maintenance of the contemplated structure to support the listing of ordinary shares on the NYSE, including (a) the eligibility of the ordinary shares for clearance and holding in the DTC system, and (b) the continued involvement of certain other intermediaries, including but not limited to a U.S. transfer agent and a French registered intermediary (intermediaire inscrit), as well the continued ability of the Company to benefit from the provisions of French law applicable to registered intermediaries. The failure of any such intermediaries may prevent the listing from being implemented as contemplated, or at all, or may impact the eligibility of the ordinary shares for continued deposit and continued listing on the NYSE.

Future interim or final annual dividends payments beyond the interim dividend payable on April 2, 2026 (or April 23, 2026 for holders on the U.S. register) have not yet, respectively, been decided by the Board of Directors or approved by shareholders at a General Meeting. Management's expectations with respect to such future dividends are "forward-looking statements" and are non-binding. The Board of Directors retains full discretion to decide to distribute an interim dividend and to set the amount and date of the distribution and decide on the dividend to be submitted for approval by shareholders at a General Meeting, based on a number of factors, including TotalEnergies' financial results, balance sheet strength, cash and liquidity requirements, future prospects, commodity prices, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. Moreover, the payment of dividends to owners of the ordinary shares held on the U.S. register in U.S. dollars and the timetable for such payments will depend on, among other things, the ability to pay such dividend in U.S. dollars in compliance with applicable law and securities exchange rules in effect, the maintenance of the structure necessary to distribute such dividends in U.S. dollars, including through French and U.S. paying agents or other intermediaries, the timely processing of distributions through such structure, and declaration of an ex-dividend date by each of the relevant exchanges that corresponds to the expectations of the Company.

Readers are cautioned not to consider forward-looking statements as accurate, but as an expression of the Company's views only as of the date this document is published. TotalEnergies SE and its subsidiaries have no obligation, make no commitment and expressly disclaim any responsibility to investors or any stakeholder to update or revise, particularly as a result of new information or future events, any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in the Form 20-F of TotalEnergies SE, File N 1-10888, available from us at 2, place Jean Millier Arche Nord Coupole/Regnault 92078 Paris-La Defense Cedex, France, or at the Company website totalenergies.com. You can also obtain this form from the SEC by calling 1-800-SEC-0330 or on the SEC's website sec.gov. U.S. Investors are reminded that we are a French Societas Europaea and therefore the rights of our shareholders under French law, including to participate in shareholder meetings, to propose resolutions at shareholder meetings, voting rights and rights to dividends, and the responsibilities of members of our Board differ from the rights and obligations of shareholders in companies governed by the laws of U.S. jurisdictions. Societe Generale will act in France as registered intermediary (intermediaire inscrit) for the account of the owners of the Company's ordinary shares registered on the U.S. register in accordance with Articles L. 228.1 et seq. of the French commercial code, and such provisions may result in differences in the exercise of shareholder rights compared to the expectations of U.S. investors. In the performance of its duties, our Board is required by French law to consider the interests of the Company, its shareholders, its employees, and other stakeholders, in all cases with due consideration to the principles of reasonableness and fairness. It is possible that some of these parties could have interests that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as a shareholder.

This communication does not constitute or form part of, and should not be construed as constituting or forming part of, any offer to sell or issue, any invitation to make an investment in, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for, securities of TotalEnergies.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030507648/en/

Contacts:

TotalEnergies

Relations Media: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l presse@totalenergies.com l @TotalEnergiesPR

Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l ir@totalenergies.com
The partnership marks the UAE chapter of Canon's wider EMEA coral restoration initiative, combining imaging innovation with hands-on conservation to protect marine ecosystems

DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the successful EMEA launch of World Unseen 2.0, an initiative dedicated to unveiling the hidden beauty and urgency of ocean conservation, the campaign has made its regional debut in the Middle East, starting in the United Arab Emirates. This milestone marks the next chapter in World Unseen's mission to bring people closer to the ocean's unseen stories, through technology, art, and partnerships that drive tangible impact.

Building on the recent partnership with Nature Seychelles and Coral Spawning International to establish the first coral breeding facility in the Western Indian Ocean, World Unseen 2.0 has joined forces with Freestyle Divers, one of the UAE's leading marine conservation and diving education organizations, on Project REEFrame, to inspire local engagement and amplify regional action for ocean protection.

Through this collaboration, World Unseen 2.0 brings interactive experiences, educational outreach, and storytelling initiatives to the UAE, connecting residents, divers, and youth to the fragile ecosystems that thrive just below the surface. The project highlights how climate change, coral bleaching, and pollution are reshaping the marine world, while showcasing local conservation efforts led by Freestyle Divers' community and research teams.

The UAE launch featured exclusive underwater imagery, educational activations, and interactive installations designed to make the unseen world beneath the waves visible to all. The initiative also aims to support regional conservation efforts by connecting the Canon EMEA World Unseen network with local organizations and divers passionate about marine preservation.

A Multi-Dimensional Partnership for Reef Restoration

Guided by Canon's global philosophy of Kyosei - living and working together for the common good - this campaign is rooted in purpose-led collaboration with local organizations driving real environmental change. To support the initiative, Canon will provide direct sponsorship for coral restoration infrastructure, supply imaging technology for scientific monitoring and documentation, support innovation in autonomous reef monitoring systems, and facilitate community engagement through scientific training and educational initiatives.

Venkatasubramanian (Subbu) Hariharan, Managing Director of Canon Middle East & Turkiye, said, "Coral reefs are vital to coastal protection, fisheries, biodiversity, and the blue economy of the UAE. By providing the tools to accurately measure, monitor, and document reef restoration at a scale, we enable more effective conservation strategies and contribute to a more sustainable future for these critical ecosystems."

Project REEFrame is a science-based community programme focused on protecting, extending, and creating new coral reefs through Whole Site Restoration, an approach that integrates coral reefs with seagrass, oysters, mussels, and mangroves to rebuild complete coastal ecosystems. Operating on a 40,000 m site in Dibba, Al Fujairah, in partnership with UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and under a renewable environmental permit from the Fujairah Environment Authority, the project aims to create permanent new habitats while training communities in marine conservation.

Direct Conservation Impact

Canon will sponsor coral nursery tables and reef infrastructure, supporting the propagation of thousands of coral fragments and their outplanting onto permanent reef structures. The partnership includes funding for monthly maintenance, scientific monitoring, and impact reporting over two years.

Imaging Technology for Science

Canon will provide PowerShot G7 X Mark III and EOS R8 cameras with underwater housing and lighting systems to capture critical photographic data on coral growth, health, and biodiversity recruitment. This imagery enables scientific analysis of coral size, volume, and survival rates-essential metrics for measuring restoration success. To complete the imaging workflow from capture to output, Canon will also supply printers enabling the project to create high-quality exhibitions that showcase the remarkable underwater images captured during restoration efforts and share the story of reef recovery with broader audiences.

Community Education and Engagement

Canon employees and the broader community will have opportunities to participate in conservation activities, including scientific diving courses, coral analyst training, and volunteer dives. The partnership also includes underwater photography and videography workshops through a Canon Academy initiative, empowering participants to document and share the story of reef restoration.

Darryl Owen, Co-owner of Freestyle Divers, said, "Project REEFrame relies on accurate visual documentation to measure our impact and advance our scientific understanding. Canon's imaging technology will prove fundamental to our monitoring processes, from tracking individual coral growth to developing autonomous systems that will allow us to scale our efforts across the entire 40,000 m site. This collaboration enables us to achieve conservation impact while training a diverse community in marine science and restoration techniques."

Coral reefs in the UAE face significant environmental challenges. In 2021, record surface water temperatures of 34C caused massive destruction of shallow coral reefs along the East coast, with repeated large-scale bleaching and mortality events on the West coast in 2023 and 2024.

As the World Unseen 2.0 journey continues, the expansion into the Middle East represents a vital step in building a global movement that transcends borders, one that champions ocean awareness, scientific collaboration, and creative storytelling to safeguard the future of our seas. This REEFrame partnership complements Canon's broader coral conservation efforts across EMEA, reflecting the company's commitment to sustainability and its belief that imaging technology - from cameras to satellites - can play a vital role in enabling conservation efforts and building a more sustainable future.

About Project REEFrame

Project REEFrame is a science-based community programme operated by Freestyle Divers LLC that protects, extends, and creates new coral reefs in the UAE through Whole Site Restoration. The initiative combines marine conservation, education, and community building, bringing together youth, volunteers, academia, corporate partners, government agencies, and technical partners to create a measurable positive impact. For more information, visit https://freestyledivers.me/reeframe-landing-page-save-uae-coral-reefs/

About Canon Middle East

Canon Middle East, a subsidiary of Canon Europe, is the operational headquarters for Canon in the Middle East based in Dubai, UAE.?

Founded in 1937, the desire to continuously innovate has kept Canon at the forefront of imaging excellence throughout its 80-year history with its commitments to invest in the right areas and capture growth opportunities. From cameras to commercial printers, and business consultancy to healthcare technologies, Canon enriches lives and businesses through imaging innovation.?Canon's corporate philosophy is Kyosei - 'living and working together for the common good'. In EMEA, Canon Europe pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon's products, solutions and services.

Canon invests heavily in R&D, delivering the richest and most innovative products and services to satisfy customers' creative needs. From amateur photographers to professional print companies, Canon enables each customer to realise their own passion for image. Further information about Canon Middle East is available at www.canon-me.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2809169/Project_REEFrame.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2267778/5166384/Canon_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/canons-world-unseen-2-0-dives-deeper-with-project-reeframe-to-protect-uaes-coral-reefs-302599531.html
HEALWELL AI and its subsidiary Orion Health have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lean Business Services, to jointly explore the development and commercialization of digital health and AI-driven solutions across the Middle East and Orion's global markets.

The MoU leverages complementary strengths across technology, innovation, and market access, focusing on AI driven population health, clinical AI, and data-interoperability.

Initial areas of collaboration include enhancing population health strategies and integrating world leading AI solutions into Saudi Arabia's NPHIES platform.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - HEALWELL AI Inc. (TSX: AIDX) (OTCQX: HWAIF) ("HEALWELL"), a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care, and its subsidiary Orion Health, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lean Business Services ("Lean"), from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ("the Kingdom"), to jointly explore digital health and artificial intelligence solutions in the Middle East and global markets.

Lean is a leading Saudi Arabian digital health technology company that provides data and interoperability solutions designed to power the Kingdom's healthcare ecosystem. Lean supports national digital transformation initiatives through secure health data exchange, cloud services, and advanced health information systems, serving as a key enabler of Vision 2030's healthcare objectives.

Previously in 2023, Lean partnered with Orion Health to deploy Saudi Arabia's National Platform for Health and Insurance Exchange Services ("NPHIES"). NPHIES is the world's largest health information exchange and has successfully unified digital infrastructure connecting healthcare providers, payers, and regulators to enable real-time, standards-based data exchange and interoperability across the Kingdom.

This MoU brings together HEALWELL's advanced AI and clinical decision support tools, Lean's innovation and market leadership in the Kingdom, and Orion Health's proven interoperability and health information exchange technology. The three organizations will explore opportunities to co-develop, commercialize, and deploy next-generation healthcare solutions designed to improve population health outcomes and accelerate the adoption of AI in clinical workflows.

This signing establishes a framework for collaboration and aligns the organizations on shared priorities in technology development, regulatory alignment, and commercial execution. The MoU agreement was formally signed by Hamed Shahbazi, Executive Chairman of HEALWELL AI, and Mohanned Alrasheed, the CEO of Lean during the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh on October 28, 2025.

"Our goal is not just to digitize healthcare, but to enable personalized, proactive care for every individual in the Kingdom," said Mohanned Alrasheed, Chief Executive Officer of Lean Business Services. "By combining Lean's national experience in building interoperable health systems with HEALWELL and Orion Health's AI-driven capabilities, we are accelerating the next phase of connected, data-powered healthcare, one that reflects Saudi Arabia's innovation leadership and supports both national priorities and global advancement."

"This MoU represents a powerful alignment between three leaders in digital health," said James Lee, CEO of HEALWELL AI. "By combining Lean's market presence in the Kingdom, Orion Health's global interoperability expertise, and HEALWELL's AI-driven solutions, we are accelerating the transformation of healthcare in one of the world's most dynamic and forward-looking regions."

"We see the Middle East as a cornerstone market for digital health innovation," said Brad Porter, CEO of Orion Health and Chief Commercial Officer of HEALWELL AI. "This collaboration builds on Orion Health's long-standing presence and achievements in the region, such as the deployment of the Abu Dhabi and Saudi national health information exchanges and will inform the next generation of intelligent, data-driven healthcare solutions."

Orion Health has been a pioneer in healthcare interoperability across the Middle East. In 2019, the company delivered Malaffi, the region's first health information exchange in Abu Dhabi, now connecting more than 3,000 facilities, enabling access to clinical records for 13 million patients, and supporting 53,000 clinicians. In 2023, Orion Health supported the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in deploying the world's largest national HIE, connecting over 5,000 public and private providers and serving a population exceeding 30 million. These programs provide a strong foundation for the Lean  HEALWELL MoU to advance AI-powered healthcare across the region.

James Lee

Chief Executive Officer

HEALWELL AI Inc.

About Lean

Lean Business Services, a PIF company, is the Kingdom's leading provider of integrated health and wellbeing solutions. Through its work with national platforms such as Seha, Sehaty, and NPHIES, Lean plays a central role in advancing data interoperability, AI enablement, and preventative health innovation across Saudi Arabia's healthcare ecosystem. The collaboration with HEALWELL AI and Orion Health aligns with Lean's mission to extend Saudi Arabia's digital health expertise globally, fostering sustainable partnerships that enhance the quality, accessibility, and intelligence of care delivery.

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, HEALWELL 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 its 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/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release, constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements about HEALWELL's plans to explore the development and commercialization of digital health and AI-driven solutions across the Middle East and Orion's global markets; and are based on assumptions, expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "explore", "improve", "accelerate" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain future conditions, actions, events or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "can" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms . Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon management's perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as a number of specific factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by HEALWELL as of the date of such statements, are outside of HEALWELL's control and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies which could result in the forward-looking statements ultimately being entirely or partially incorrect or untrue. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on various assumptions, including, but not limited to, the following: HEALWELL's ability to integrate its AI technologies into its other service offerings and platforms; HEALWELL's ability to maintain and leverage its relationships with their commercial partners; the continued adoption of the software, tools and solutions created by HEALWELL and its subsidiaries; the stability of general economic and market conditions; sufficiency of working capital and access to financing; HEALWELL's ability to comply with applicable laws and regulations; HEALWELL's continued compliance with third party intellectual property rights; the effects of competition in the industry; the requirement for increasingly innovative product solutions and service offerings; technologies working as intended or at all; trends in customer growth and the adoption of new technologies in the industry; and that the risk factors noted below, collectively, do not have a material impact on HEALWELL's business, operations, revenues and/or results. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections, or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved.

Known and unknown risk factors, many of which are beyond the control of HEALWELL, could cause the actual results of HEALWELL to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements, or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include but are not limited to those factors which are discussed under the section entitled "Risk Factors" in HEALWELL's most recent annual information form dated March 31, 2025, which is available under HEALWELL's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The risk factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect HEALWELL and the reader is cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. HEALWELL disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. All of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272523

SOURCE: HEALWELL AI
Five-year, 18-site control system upgrade program is put in place to increase asset utilization, lower obsolescence risk, and reduce downtime

MADRID, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced that Nippon Gases is undertaking a comprehensive company-wide modernization program that will see legacy Rockwell controllers replaced with contemporary ControlLogix programmable logic controllers (PLC).

Nippon Gases is one of the leading industrial and medical gases companies in Europe. Its operations cover the supply of gases - in various physical forms and purities - including oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, helium, carbon monoxide, and the services and technologies associated with the use of gases and mixtures.

"The deployment of contemporary process-control modules opens up a world of opportunity for Nippon Gases," said Rodrigo Riera, EMEA regional vice president for the southern region, Rockwell Automation. "As well as day-to-day operational enhancements, it can look more confidently to the future, with greater agility for further evolution, alongside the potential to add AI for more autonomous operations, which will deliver even greater efficiencies."

The modernization program, which covers the company's air separation unit (ASU) installations on multiple sites across Europe, is backed by a comprehensive migration strategy devised and developed jointly by Rockwell and Nippon Gases' engineering team.

"By standardizing on a single PLC solution, we can benchmark the migration process at the pilot plant in Aviles in Spain and then fine tune it for subsequent sites," explains Jose Maria Martinez Gallo, Operations Director Europe, at Nippon Gases. "The new digitalized hardware will also give us much deeper insights into our processes, allowing us to realize even greater efficiency while lowering energy use and waste."

About Rockwell Automation

Rockwell Automation, Inc (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 27,000 problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries as of fiscal year end 2024. To learn more about how we are bringing the Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit www.rockwellautomation.com.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nippon-gases-targets-greater-resilience-and-increased-uptime-with-multi-site-control-system-modernization-program-302594054.html
The dish, 'Archipelago Celebration' from Asia takes the crown and will help shape the future of gastronomy.

MILAN, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a two-day Grand Finale, last night saw Ardy Ferguson crowned as the winner of S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-25, the competition's sixth edition, at the iconic Castello Sforzesco in Milan. Competing against 14 other talented global finalists,Ferguson's dish 'Archipelago Celebration' stole the show.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

https://www.multivu.com/s_pellegrino/9363351-en-young-chef-academy-award-2025

The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy is an inspiring global community, empowering talented young chefs through unparalleled connections with renowned culinary figures, education, mentorship and further networking opportunities. Its rigorous two-year global competition, spanning 55 countries and 15 regions, reached its culmination last night, with the extraordinary creativity, skill and visionary talent of gastronomy's next generation on full display and a winner crowned.

After two years of competing with chefs regionally and worldwide, Ardy Ferguson's signature dish was chosen as the winner by a Grand Jury of seven renowned chefs - Christophe Bacquie of France and two-Michelin-star Le Table des Amis; Jeremy Chan, co-founder of London's trailblazing two-Michelin-star restaurant Ikoyi; Antonia Klugmann, of Michelin-starred L'Argine in Gorizia, Italy; Niki Nakayama, of Michelin-starred n/naka in Los Angeles; Elena Reygadas, chef-owner of Michelin-starred Rosetta in Mexico City and founder of the Elena Reygadas Scholarship; Julien Royer, of celebrated three-Michelin-starred Odette in Singapore; and Mitsuharu Tsumura, whose restaurant Maido in Lima is the best in the world according to The World's 50 Best Restaurants.

The jury praised Ferguson who has been guided throughout the competition by Vicky Lau for demonstrating exceptional technical precision, a distinctive creative vision and a deep personal connection to their dish. Their dish, 'Archipelago Celebration', stood out for its balance of innovation and authenticity, perfectly embodying the competition's values of skill, passion and purpose.

Ardy Ferguson, winner of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Awards 2025, said: ''I'm incredibly honoured to have been named the winner of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2025. Representing Asia on this global stage has been an unforgettable experience. Creating my dish, 'Archipelago Celebration', allowed me to share the vibrant culinary traditions of Indonesia that have deeply inspired me. This journey has challenged me creatively and technically and connected me with some of the most inspiring chefs in the world. I'm deeply grateful to my mentor, Vicky Lau, for her guidance, and to S.Pellegrino for building such an extraordinary platform that empowers and celebrates young chefs.'

Guests at the awards ceremony, held at Castello Sforzesco in Milan, were treated to an exclusive gastronomic spectacle, as a bespoke dinner was created by two of the culinary world's most influential figures: Pia Leon, chef-owner of Lima's Kjolle, ranked number nine on The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025, and Jessica Rosval, Head Chef of Casa Maria Luigia and Al Gatto Verde.

Among those present in the kitchen was Nelson Freitas, winner of S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2022-2023, who, following his mentorship experience with the Academy, now works alongside Leon - a true example of the meaningful career opportunities and connections the Academy continues to create.

The gala evening also saw the winners of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition's collateral awards crowned. Chef Zante Neethling (Africa, Middle East & South Asia) received the S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award for her dish Tribute to the Khoi-Khoin Tara, which was praised for best exemplifying the use of sustainable practices.

Chef Noah Wynants (North Europe) and his plant-based take on a global classic, Dutch 'Rendang', was named winner of the Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award which celebrates the young chef whose signature dish best reflects harmony between tradition and innovation. Finally, chef Nicolas A. Lopez (USA) took home the Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award, which is the only award in the competition decided by public vote and recognises the young chef whose dish best expresses their personal beliefs and values, something chef Lopez was praised for with his dish Pork with Hints of the Sea.

The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy is an incredible opportunity for young talent in the industry to access the highest levels of expertise and knowledge, with Ardy Ferguson now joining high ranking names to create a positive contribution to the world of gastronomy and wider community.

Highlights from S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-25 are available on S.Pellegrino Academy and Sanpellegrino official social channels. To discover more about the competition, please visit sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com .

About S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna

S.Pellegrino, Acqua Panna and Sanpellegrino Italian Sparkling Drinks are international trademarks of Sanpellegrino S.p.A., which is based in Milan, Italy. Distributed in over 150 countries through branches and distributors on all five continents, these products represent quality, excellence by virtue of their origins and perfectly interpret Italian style worldwide as a synthesis of pleasure, health and well-being. Sanpellegrino, with its iconic products and a history of over 120 years is the leading company in Italy in the non-alcoholic beverage sector, offering a wide range of mineral waters, aperitifs, and soft drinks.

Sanpellegrino has always been committed to enhancing this primary good for the planet and works responsibly and passionately to ensure that this resource has a secure future.

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Xi says China confident, capable to navigate all kinds of risks, challenges

Xinhua) 15:35, October 30, 2025

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BUSAN, South Korea, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday that the Chinese economy is like a vast ocean, big, resilient and promising, and that we have the confidence and capability to navigate all kinds of risks and challenges.

He made the remarks during a meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, after landing in Busan for the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, and a state visit to South Korea.

Xi stressed that there is a good momentum in China's economic development. In the first three quarters of this year, China's economy increased by 5.2 percent, and import and export trade in goods with the rest of the world expanded by 4 percent, he said, stressing that this is not an easy accomplishment given the domestic and external difficulties.

At its fourth plenary session, the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for the economic and social development plan over the next five years, Xi noted.

Over the past seven decades and more, we have been working from generation to generation on the same blueprint to make it a reality, he said.

We have no intention to challenge or supplant anyone, Xi said. Our focus has always been on managing China's own affairs well, improving ourselves, and sharing development opportunities with all countries across the world, and that is an important secret to our success, he said.

China will further deepen reform across the board, expand opening up, and promote higher-quality economic growth while achieving an appropriate increase in economic output, and advance well-rounded human development and common prosperity for all, Xi said.

He expressed the belief that this will also expand the space for cooperation between China and the United States.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
ICEYE's Tactical Access is the only commercial SAR service providing guaranteed imaging slots, sub-hour delivery, and sovereign in-country processing - ensuring defense and intelligence organizations receive critical imagery when and where it's needed.

HELSINKI, Finland, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ICEYE , the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations, today announced the launch of Tactical Access, a new commercial SAR product. Tactical Access is a subscription tasking product for customers with large annual imagery volumes requiring short tasking timelines, high planning flexibility, and prompt imagery delivery. Tactical Access includes an optional customer ground station, which provides users with direct downlink and imagery delivery within minutes. With Tactical Access, customers gain full tasking control over the industry's largest and highest-resolution commercial SAR imaging fleet.

Traditional industry satellite tasking models rely on first-in, first-out (FIFO) scheduling. FIFO is suitable for many applications but cannot adapt to late-breaking intelligence needs and time-sensitive imaging targets. Tactical Access removes this constraint for product subscribers by providing reserved imaging capacity that guarantees availability on short notice for critical operations.

For image delivery, Tactical Access offers two options. First, customers may purchase a dedicated ground station consisting of an antenna and proprietary ICEYE Edge processor, enabling direct downlink of imagery data and delivery of finished imagery products within minutes after raw image data are downlinked from the spacecraft. A dedicated ground station also allows customers to maintain sole custody of image data following collection, a feature well-suited to national security requirements. Alternatively, in lieu of a dedicated ground station, customers may leverage secure cloud-based image delivery and receive finished imagery within hours following collection.

Tactical Access users will enjoy all the benefits of ICEYE's industry-best imagery capabilities, including up to 16 cm resolution imagery from ICEYE's Generation 4 satellites and large-footprint modes such as Scan Wide (200 km x 300 km). Uniquely, Tactical Access customers also benefit from ICEYE's electronic beam-steering technology, enabling dozens of high-resolution scenes captured in only minutes of satellite imaging time. Tactical Access exposes all these options through an easy-to-use user interface optimized for planning high volumes of imagery collections.

John Cartwright, Senior VP of Data Product at ICEYE, stated: "Tactical Access serves the demanding needs of our imagery power users around the globe by breaking the paradigm of the traditional imagery planning and delivery model. We have high-volume national security customers requiring significant planning flexibility and very short tasking planning-to-delivery timelines. Tactical Access is the industry's best product for these needs, providing access to the industry's finest SAR imagery with maximum flexibility."

About ICEYE

ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before.

Owning the world's largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as defense and intelligence, insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development.

ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, Australia, Japan, UAE, Greece, and the US. We have more than 900 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation.

Media contact: press@iceye.com

Visit www.iceye.com and follow ICEYE on LinkedIn and X for the latest updates and insights.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/iceye-launches-tactical-access-providing-guaranteed-satellite-tasking-for-time-critical-missions-302599264.html
Integrated Business to Form Newly Created Ares Systematic Credit Strategy

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) ("Ares") announced today that one of its affiliates has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the entire outstanding share capital of BlueCove Limited ("BlueCove"), a London-based systematic fixed income manager. Financial terms were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

Founded in 2018 by Alex Khein and Hugh Willis who have respectively served as CEO and Executive Chairman BlueCove has grown to become a leader in systematic credit investing. The firm is comprised of a highly experienced, long-tenured team of fixed income investment, engineering, and business infrastructure professionals specializing in systematic portfolio management. Through its proprietary technology and varied product offering, BlueCove invests in high-yield, corporate investment grade, convertible bonds, and other liquid credit instruments. Since Ares first partnered with BlueCove through a minority stake acquisition in 2023, assets under management have grown from $1.8 billion to approximately $5.5 billion, as of September 30, 2025.

Ares believes that as part of its scaled investment platform, the BlueCove business will benefit from accelerated growth and expanded distribution relationships, particularly with insurance clients. Integrated within Ares, BlueCove will form the Ares Systematic Credit strategy and will focus on harnessing the power of data and technology to deliver differentiated returns and solutions to investors. Ares Systematic Credit will be led by Alex Khein, supported by a team of approximately 60 professionals, with Hugh Willis serving as a Senior Advisor to the organization.

"In recent years, we have seen increased interest in systematic credit investment products and capabilities from global investors as they seek to diversify their portfolios and capture the opportunities presented by the quantitative credit investment revolution," said Kipp deVeer, Co-President of Ares. "This demand, paired with a broader structural shift towards systematic fixed income trading to achieve alpha, underlies the latest expansion of our market leading Credit Group."

"Since first partnering with BlueCove, the business has grown from strength to strength, further solidifying our conviction about the future of systematic credit investing," said Michael Smith, Co-Head of the Ares Credit Group. "Because of its high-quality talent, custom-built proprietary technology, and successful existing relationship with Ares, we believe BlueCove is well-positioned to launch Ares Systematic Credit. We look forward to working closely with our new colleagues to build out our latest vertical within the Credit Group."

"Ares has been a fantastic supporter of BlueCove's strategy over the last several years, facilitating a broad range of R&D initiatives across the firm, all housed within a world class infrastructure and control environment. This transaction is a testament to our and Ares' shared culture of innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration that has underpinned the relationship since the beginning," said Alex Khein. "I am extremely proud of our team's achievements over the years, and we look forward to working closely with Michael, Mitch, and all our new colleagues at Ares to build out the Systematic Credit business."

"Ares is a world class asset manager that we greatly admire," said Hugh Willis. "Our strategy in first partnering with Ares in 2023, via a minority equity stake, was to accelerate BlueCove's mission of bringing systematic fixed income investing to a global client base. The strategy has proved highly successful, as demonstrated by the growth of the business since then, and this transaction is the logical next step in its execution. I very much look forward to now helping develop Ares Systematic Credit as a market leading business in an area of the credit markets with considerable secular growth potential."

The Ares Credit Group is a leading manager of credit strategies across the global credit universe, with approximately $377.1 billion of AUM as of June 30, 2025, offering a range of illiquid and liquid credit and hybrid investment solutions. Since Ares' founding in 1997, the firm has been a leader in providing credit solutions to investors searching for yield and for less correlated returns. Strategies include U.S. and European Direct Lending, Syndicated Loans, High Yield Bonds, Multi-Asset Credit, Alternative Credit, Opportunistic Credit, APAC Private Credit and APAC Special Situations.

About Ares Management Corporation

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across the credit, real estate, private equity and infrastructure asset classes. We seek to advance our stakeholders' long-term goals by providing flexible capital that supports businesses and creates value for our investors and within our communities. By collaborating across our investment groups, we aim to generate consistent and attractive investment returns throughout market cycles. As of June 30, 2025, Ares Management Corporation's global platform had over $572 billion of assets under management, with operations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.aresmgmt.com.

About BlueCove

BlueCove is an institutional scientific fixed income asset manager with $5.5 billion of assets under management, as of September 30, 2025. It brings together market-leading fixed income industry investment, engineering, and business infrastructure professionals, with the specific purpose of researching and developing state-of-the-art scientific investment processes applicable to fixed income investment management. The firm was founded in 2018 by Hugh Willis and Alex Khein, previously Co-founder and CEO/Executive Chairman, and COO/CEO respectively of BlueBay Asset Management.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as "outlook," "believes," "expects," "potential," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates," "foresees" or negative versions of those words, other comparable words or other statements that do not relate to historical or factual matters. The forward-looking statements are based on Ares' beliefs, assumptions and expectations of Ares' future performance, taking into account all information currently available to Ares. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including Ares' ability to consummate the acquisition and to effectively integrate BlueCove into Ares' operations, to achieve the expected benefits therefrom, and assumptions including those relating to the acquisition of BlueCove, Ares' operations, financial results, financial condition, business prospects, growth strategy and liquidity. Some of these factors are described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, including under the headings "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and other cautionary statements that are included in this report and in Ares' other periodic filings. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if Ares' underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, Ares' actual results may vary materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible for Ares to predict those events or how they may affect Ares. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Ares does not undertake any obligation to update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251029776962/en/

Contacts:

Ares Management

Media

Giles Bethule, +44 7879615114

media.europe@aresmgmt.com

Investors

Greg Mason, +1 800-340-6597

irares@aresmgmt.com

BlueCove

Media

Natalie Benitez-Castellano, +44 (0)203 146 1503

media@bluecove.com

Investors

Charlotte Hartridge, +44 (0) 203 146 1514

investorrelations@bluecove.com
Differentiated profile of ALY-301 designed to enable chronic dosing in mast cell dependent diseases while avoiding the safety limitations of conventional c-Kit inhibitors

Multicenter Phase 1/1b study to enroll both healthy volunteers and patients with Cold Urticaria with initial data readouts expected in 2026

BOSTON and LAUSANNE, Switzerland , Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Alys"), an immune-dermatology focused company, today announces that the first subject has been dosed in a Phase 1/1b study of ALY-301, a first-in-class mast cell selective c-Kit inhibitor for the treatment of Cold Urticaria, a subtype of Chronic Inducible Urticaria (CIndU) that is also considered to be a good model for the broader Chronic Urticaria population.

Chronic Urticaria is a group of mast cell-driven skin diseases characterized by red, itchy wheals or hives that can persist for months or years, severely impacting the quality of life of patients. It includes both spontaneous and inducible forms, such as Cold Urticaria. Current treatments are limited and significant unmet medical need persists, with the global Urticaria market projected to reach multiple billion dollars in the coming decade.

Professor Martin Metz, Professor of Dermatology at the Institute of Allergology at the Charite - Universitatsmedizin Berlin & Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Allergology and Immunology and Principal Investigator for ALY-301, commented: "Chronic Urticaria is a disease where the burden on patients is often underestimated. ALY-301's ability to selectively target and deplete mast cells over other c-Kit positive cells, while potentially matching the efficacy of reference c-Kit inhibitors, gives it one of the most exciting profiles I have come across, highlighting the transformative potential of precision-targeted therapies in the immune-dermatology space."

Thibaud Portal, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Alys Pharmaceuticals,added:"Dosing the first subject with ALY-301 marks a major milestone for Alys. With the first ever mast cell selective c-Kit inhibitor now in the clinical trials, Alys demonstrates its position as a pioneer in the immune-dermatology space, bringing us closer to our goal of delivering innovative treatments to patients with significant unmet needs."

Professor Lars French, Chief Medical Officer of Alys Pharmaceuticals and Professor of Dermatology: "The initiation of this clinical trial is particularly exciting, as we will for the first time in patients, be able to assess the promising effects of our unique bispecific antibody ALY-301, designed to selectively inhibit mast cell c-Kit, whilst sparing other c-Kit expressing cells including melanocytes and hematopoietic stem cells. The unique attributes of ALY-301 give it the potential to be a game-changer for the long-term management of Chronic Urticaria."

ALY-301 is a first-in-class cis-targeting bispecific antibody designed to selectively deplete mast cells by binding both c-Kit and CD203c. This differentiated profile of ALY-301 is expected to enable chronic dosing in mast cell dependent diseases such as Chronic Urticaria, while avoiding the safety limitations of conventional c-Kit inhibitors.

The trial (NCT07181369) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1/1b study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and pharmacology of ALY-301 in healthy volunteers and patients with Cold Urticaria who remain symptomatic despite antihistamines. The trial will also assess preliminary signs of efficacy in patients. The first patient has been dosed at Charite-Universitatsmedizin Berlin, with planned expansion to additional sites across Germany in the coming months following the successful outcome of the Clinical Trial Application (CTA) submitted in June 2025.

This study is the second clinical program initiated by Alys in 2025 and the first clinical trial from the Company's Granular platform. The Alys pipeline includes a diverse portfolio of assets targeting unmet needs in indications such as atopic dermatitis, chronic spontaneous urticaria, vitiligo, and systemic mastocytosis. The Company remains on track to deliver multiple clinical Proof-of-Concept (POC) readouts by 2027.

About Alys Pharmaceuticals

Alys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Alys") is a Boston and Lausanne-based cutting edge pure-play immuno-dermatology company. Alys is backed by international investment firm Medicxi with $100M financing. Alys has a world class leadership team that brings together experts across dermatology and advanced scientific fields, including co-founders John Harris (UMass Chan Medical School), Brian Kim (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai), Lars French, Craig Mello (UMass Chan Medical School) and Mark Prausnitz (Georgia Institute of Technology). Alys is led by dermatology specialist, co-founder, and COO Thibaud Portal.

Its pipeline includes programs targeting multiple dermatological indications, including atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, chronic urticaria, psoriasis and mastocytosis. The Company entered the clinic in Q1 2025 with the siRNA platform developed by its affiliate Aldena Therapeutics, which offers the potential for long-lasting treatments that could transform the dermatology treatment landscape and is now advancing its mastocyte-selective therapies developed by affiliate Granular Therapeutics.

For further information, please visit www.alyspharma.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/alys-pharmaceuticals-doses-first-subject-in-phase-11b-trial-of-aly-301-a-first-in-class-mast-cell-selective-c-kit-inhibitor-for-chronic-urticaria-302598713.html
BEIJING, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2025 Chishui River Forum was held in Maotai Town of Renhuai City in southwest China's Guizhou Province on Tuesday.

With "Interweaving Harmony" as the theme, the forum attracted nearly 400 representatives from renowned liquor companies and industry experts at home and abroad to discuss and explore the sustainable development of global liquor industry.

Participants of the forum believed that the global liquor industry is currently confronting common challenges such as homogeneous competition, the loss of young consumer groups, and pressure to achieve sustainable development.

The global baijiu industry is also grappling with transformation needs, calling for a more open vision and inclusive mindset.

Industry experts proposed that in the context of deep integration of the global economy and culture, collaborative development has become an industry consensus for the liquor sector's future.

Deepening cross-border cooperation, promoting technological innovation, sharing industry resources, and jointly building quality standards will inject new vitality into the mutual learning of Chinese and foreign liquor cultures while boosting the high-quality development of the global liquor industry.

By hosting thematic sub-forums, dialogues and other sessions, the 2025 Chishui River Forum facilitated industry-wide brainstorming on topics including exploring application scenarios for baijiu development, engaging the "Gen Z" consumer group, and the digital transformation of the liquor industry.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/348101.html

Video - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2809220/Maotai_Chishui_River_Forum.mp4

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/xinhua-silk-road-2025-chishui-river-forum-held-in-guizhou-sw-china-302599608.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - SILICON METALS CORP. (CSE: SI) (FSE: X6U) ("Silicon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that mobilization is underway on its Maple-Birch Project. The Maple-Birch Project is a high purity quartz pegmatite project located in the world class Sudbury mining district, in Ontario, Canada.

The Company has carried out multiple assessment missions with the intention to establish ground access for larger equipment. The Company has engaged a contract mining company to assist in the efforts moving forward. During these site visits multiple samples have been taken from the Project, in total a few hundred kilograms. These samples are planned for advanced metallurgical testing.

Additionally, the Company has begun to set up its technical team and equipment on the ground in the Sudbury area to improve project logistics. The Company believes that having a growing footprint in the region is of strategic importance, as the Sudbury mining district is rich with critical and industrial minerals of interest to the Company.

Maple-Birch is a high purity quartz pegmatite body which the Company believes shares many characteristics of the Spruce Pine mine in North Carolina, USA. The Spruce Pine mine produces some the purest quartz material in the world and is a globally important source of the critical mineral, as well as feldspar and mica.

(https://www.sibelco.com/en/150-years/spruce-pine, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spruce_Pine_Mining_District)

Morgan Good, Silicon's Chief Executive Officer and Director, stated: "Silicon is excited to launch the mobilization at our Maple-Birch asset in Ontario which clearly signifies a major step forward operationally for the Company. The opportunity this project provides over the course of late 2025 into 2026 presents many potential partnerships with processing and refining groups, which can if executed, lead to possible cash-flow in the future."

About Silicon Metals Corp.

Silicon Metals Corp. is currently focused on exploration and development in Canada, namely British Columbia and Ontario. The Company's Maple Birch Project, located approximately 30km south-east of Sudbury, Ontario, is a high purity quartz pegmatite project with a 3,000 tonne per year production permit. The Company too holds an undivided 100% right, title, and interest in the exploration stage and now fully 5-year drill permitted Ptarmigan Silica Project, located approximately 130km from Prince George, British Columbia. The Company has also acquired an undivided 100% right, title, and interest in both the exploration stage Silica Ridge Silica Project located approximately 70kms southeast from the town of MacKenzie, British Columbia, as well as the exploration stage Longworth Silica Project located approximately 85km East from Prince George, British Columbia.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

SILICON METALS CORP.

"Morgan Good"

Chief Executive Officer and Director

For more information regarding this news release and further details about Silicon's plans, please contact:

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release).

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements" are made as of the date of this news release only, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The forward-looking statements include without limitation, development and plans for the Maple-Birch Project; the Company's engagement with a contract mining company; the mobilization of equipment and technical personnel; the establishment of ground access for larger equipment; the potential for partnerships with processing and refining groups; and the possibility of future cash flow generation.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will be able to execute its plans for the development of the Maple-Birch Project; that the Company will continue its engagement with the contract mining company; that the contract mining company will be able to assist with the Maple-Birch Project; that the assessment missions will successfully establish ground access for larger equipment; and that the Company will have all the necessary resources, including personnel and capital to carry out its business plans.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things; the Company may be unable to develop the Maple-Birch Project as anticipated; the Company may be unable to carry out its business plans as disclosed; the contract mining company may be unable to assist with the Maple-Birch Project; the assessment missions may be unable to establish ground access for larger equipment; changes in applicable legislation impacting the Company's exploration plans; unanticipated cost; loss of key personnel; and failure to raise the capital required to carry out the Company's business plans.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272492

SOURCE: Silicon Metals Corp.
Gurit Holding AG / Key word(s): Disposal

GURIT ANNOUNCES SALE OF 50% STAKE IN XELTRUSION SRL



30.10.2025 / 10:00 CET/CEST





Zurich, October 30, 2025 Gurit (SIX Swiss Exchange: GURN) sold its 50% interest in Xeltrusion SRL to Alessio Morino, who thereby becomes the sole owner of the company. Xeltrusion SRL is a leading player in extrusion foaming technologies, recognized for its advanced expertise, product quality, and commitment to innovation. Visit https://www.xeltrusion.com/ for further information.



Following the transaction, Gurit will continue to collaborate with Xeltrusion SRL, with a focus on continuously improving the efficiency of its production lines and fostering technological innovation.



The sale agreement was signed on October 29, 2025. About Gurit

The subsidiaries of Gurit Holding AG, Wattwil/Switzerland, (SIX Swiss Exchange: GURN) are specialized in the development and manufacture of advanced composite materials, composite tooling equipment and core kitting services. The product range comprises structural core materials, structural profiles, prepregs, formulated products such as adhesives and resins as well as structural composite engineering. Gurit supplies global growth markets such as the wind turbine industry, marine, building and many more. Gurit operates production sites and offices in Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Ecuador, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.

www.gurit.com Gurit Group Communications Phone: +41 44 316 15 50, e-mail: investor (at) gurit.com All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law. Forward-looking statements:

To the extent that this announcement contains forward-looking statements, such statements are based on assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Forward-looking statements always involve uncertainties. Business and economic risks and developments, the conduct of competitors, political decisions and other factors may cause the actual results to be materially different from the assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Therefore, Gurit Holding AG does not assume any responsibility relating to forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.



End of Media Release

View original content: EQS News
SHANGHAI, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ZOE Energy Group successfully concluded a dedicated four-day HQ visit and exchange program for its European partners, marking significant strides in its European localization strategy, channel model upgrade, and order acquisitions.

The program was designed to provide European delegates with a comprehensive, ground-level view of ZOE Energy's end-to-end capabilities. The itinerary featured tours of ZOE Energy's flagship facilities:

The Energy Storage R&D Center in Changzhou, showcasing the company's technological innovation and product development prowess.

The Smart Manufacturing Factory in Jiaxing, demonstrating advanced, automated production processes that ensure quality and scalability.

The operational Pingtang PV & Storage Power Station in Guizhou, offering tangible proof of ZOE Energy's expertise in deploying large-scale, integrated renewable energy projects.

Strategic meetings and presentations at ZOE Energy Storage Shanghai Headquarters, facilitating deep-dive discussions on market strategies and technical collaboration.

The summit reached its pinnacle with the "ZOE Night - Navigating the Future" gala dinner. This prestigious event served as the platform for a cascade of major announcements that mark a new chapter in ZOE Energy's European expansion:

Product Launch: The official unveiling of the Z BOX-C PLUS 261, the next-generation commercial and industrial energy storage system, designed to meet the evolving needs of the European market. Localization Milestone: The official inauguration of ZOE Energy Storage's new 6 GWh energy storage system plant in Hungary, a joint effort with Energy Pro Hungary. This facility is a cornerstone of the company's commitment to local production, reducing lead times, and enhancing supply chain resilience for European clients. ZOE 2.0 Business Model and Significant Order Signing: This new revenue-focused model with Emaldo Group is designed to provide clients with robust and predictable investment returns with the guaranteed minimum return mechanism. Based on this model, ZOE Energy Storage has secured a landmark agreement of 300MW ESS order with Emaldo Group.

"This successful partner summit is a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment to the European market," said Mr. Jason Huang, the Chairman of ZOE Energy Group. "By bringing our partners to our centers of excellence and demonstrating our full-stack capabilities, we have built a stronger foundation of trust and shared ambition."

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/zoe-energy-group-accelerates-european-localization-strategy-with-new-factory-upgraded-business-model-and-major-order-signings-during-immersive-partner-summit-302599622.html
The two bold fragrances will debut worldwide at MindGamesFragrance.com and as an in-store exclusive across Selfridges

NEW YORK and LONDON, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Luxury fragrance house MIND GAMES expands its Soulmate Collection with two new fragrances, Playmate and Check Please. These new scents will be launched this October and sold exclusively through mindgamesfragrance.com and at Selfridges stores worldwide, the prestigious retailer known for its influential role in the beauty industry.

"Partnering with Selfridges for this launch is an incredible milestone for us," said Alex Shalbaf, Founder and CEO of MIND GAMES. "Selfridges has long been a leader in bringing forward-thinking, luxury experiences to clients, and we are thrilled to introduce Playmate and Check Please in such an iconic space. This partnership reflects our shared dedication to creativity, artistry, and unforgettable storytelling through fragrance."

To celebrate the launch of Check Please and Playmate, MIND GAMES will present a week-long installation at Selfridges London from 30 October to 5 November, offering customers an immersive encounter with the brand's artistry and captivating vision. The brand will also have a visual presence in Birmingham at the Level 2 men's department from 24-30 November, followed by an atrium display from 1 December to 25 January. These installations will feature campaign imagery from the Check Please and Playmate campaigns, offering a visual storytelling experience that complements the fragrances. This Selfridges program, together with other exclusive activations to be announced, underscores the scale and significance of MIND GAMES' launch, highlighting the Soulmate Collection through a blend of narrative, immersive experiences, and luxury on an international level.

Continuing MIND GAMES' signature blend of olfactory artistry and the intellectual elegance of chess, the new fragrances explore themes of intrigue, seduction, and refined mastery.

Playmate

Playmate is an enticing dance of passion and intrigue, opening with sweet Italian lemon and the creamy caress of coconut milk. Its heart reveals water lily, jasmine, and tiare flower, before settling into a rich, sensual dry down of musk, vanilla bean, and golden amber. An Amber fragrance designed to be both addictive and unforgettable, Playmate is a fragrance for those who revel in the thrill of connection.

MSRP: $395 (US) / 270 (UK)

Check Please

Magnetic and sophisticated, Check Please exudes charm with a refined gourmand twist. The fragrance opens with green apple, nougat, and hazelnut, before revealing an alluring heart of black plum, Bulgarian rose, and cinnamon bark. Anchored by oak barrel, vanilla bourbon, and amber, it is a celebration of bold experiences and lasting impressions.

MSRP: $395 (US) / 270 (UK)

Creative Director, Mariana Shalbaf added: "These two fragrances embody the spirit of MIND GAMES - daring, sophisticated, and addictive. We are thrilled to share them first with Selfridges clients, who have always embraced creativity and luxury with open arms."

MIND GAMES Playmate (100mL Extrait de Parfum) and MIND GAMES Check Please (100mL Extrait de Parfum) will be available beginning October 30, 2025, at mindgamesfragrance.com and as a global in-store exclusive at Selfridges.

For more information about MIND GAMES and its collections, visit mindgamesfragrances.com or Selfridges.com .

About MIND GAMES:

MIND GAMES was born from a profound reverence for the art of fragrance, drawing its inspiration from the intricacy and timeless sophistication of chess. Founded in 2022 by Alex and Mariana Shalbaf, the brand invites wearers into a world where every fragrance is a strategic move-bold, deliberate, and charged with emotion.

What began as an inaugural collection of fine fragrances has since evolved into a growing olfactive universe, spanning three distinct fragrance lines and a newly launched home collection featuring six luxury candles, each crafted to bring the immersive spirit of MIND GAMES into your space.

With accolades including Packaging of the Year from The Fragrance Foundation, recognition from Men's Health in their 2025 Grooming Award, and the inaugural Marie Claire UK Fragrance Awards, MIND GAMES continues to redefine the rules of modern perfumery through storytelling, craftsmanship, and sensory provocation. The brand is available at premier retailers including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Breuninger, Selfridges, and Bloomingdale's Dubai. Explore the world of MIND GAMES at mindgamesfragrance.com and @mindgamesfragrance .

About The Fragrance Group:

At The Fragrance Group, we are global creators, distributors, and licensees of luxury, artisanal fragrances. Our reputation as true collaborators has led to hand-in-glove partnerships with a full range of clients, using a comprehensive business model that takes all aspects of the retail world into account. We offer customized marketing, product development, and distribution strategies with an unparalleled level of personalized attention at every stage of the creative process. Our commitment is to connect exceptional luxury fragrances with an increasingly perceptive client through all channels of the industry. Explore our partnerships at so-avant-garde.com, and visit @fragrancegroup on Instagram, Facebook, and X for more information.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2807450/Mind_Games_Playmate.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2807451/Mind_Games_Check_Please_Ingredients.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1893953/Mind_Games_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mind-games-unveils-playmate--check-please-expanding-the-soulmate-collection-with-selfridges-exclusives-302597343.html
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - SPLYR, a private business-to-business marketplace infrastructure, is solving a problem hiding in plain sight across global commerce: premium brands routinely warehouse millions in excess inventory rather than risk the channel conflict and brand damage that comes with public liquidation. The platform, founded by Alperen Altin, operates on an invitation-only model that enables brands to move surplus stock strategically without compromising pricing integrity or retailer relationships.



The invitation-only B2B platform addresses structural flaws in global commerce where premium brands warehouse billions in unsold inventory to avoid channel conflict and brand erosion.

"Before founding SPLYR, I helped consumer brands grow, launch, and scale. But behind every polished storefront, I kept seeing the same hidden problem: excess inventory," explains Altin. "Warehouses full, not because demand was missing, but because the public thought products were sold out, or because open discounts risked brand damage. So the goods sat. Unsold. Devalued. That's why I built SPLYR."

The platform has already facilitated strategic inventory placement for select premium brands across electronics, beauty, fashion, and lifestyle categories, demonstrating that controlled distribution infrastructure can unlock capital trapped in traditional warehousing models.

The Real Cost Is Not Consumer Perception but Channel Conflict

The excess inventory challenge represents more than operational inefficiency. When premium brands allow surplus stock to appear on unauthorised platforms at discounted prices, existing retail partners question their shelf space commitments. Distribution relationships built over years collapse when a 199 product suddenly appears elsewhere for 79.

"The real brand risk is not consumer dilution. It is channel conflict," says Altin. "Retailers, distributors, and flagship stores feel betrayed when they see inventory undercut elsewhere. That is where brands lose control and long-term shelf space."

SPLYR addresses this through what Altin describes as a "controlled distribution firewall". The infrastructure implements segmented inventory visibility, allowing brands to show specific lots only to buyers in designated regions or partner tiers. Anonymised listings protect brand identity until buyer verification occurs. Controlled disclosure tiers reveal product details progressively, ensuring brands maintain leverage throughout negotiations.

One European audio brand used SPLYR's system to place 650,000 of discontinued SKUs into Southeast Asian markets without violating EU pricing corridors or triggering marketplace alerts. The inventory moved in 72 hours through vetted regional distributors who never disclosed the brand origin publicly.

Infrastructure Built on Access Control, Not Legal Threats

SPLYR enforces compliance through access leverage rather than contracts. The platform employs intent-driven matching rather than open search functionality. Buyers input requirements for category, price point, volume, and brand tier. Sellers receive matches only to aligned, compliant buyers. This architecture prevents unauthorized parties from viewing sensitive inventory whilst still facilitating transactions.

Buyers who violate trust lose access to exclusive deal flow permanently. No warnings. No second chances. The scarcity enforces discipline.

"Buyers do not join SPLYR for convenience," notes Altin. "They come for access to inventory they literally cannot get anywhere else. Traditional liquidators can only offer what brands are willing to burn publicly-usually overexposed SKUs, picked-over lots, uncurated chaos. On SPLYR, buyers get first-look deals directly from premium brands. SKUs never released to traditional liquidators. Clean lots with real margin because no one else is seeing them."

This infrastructure-first approach has attracted institutional buyers and premium brands seeking controlled channels for inventory that cannot enter traditional liquidation without strategic risk.

Reframing Excess from Operational Failure to Structural Reality

SPLYR positions itself not as a solution to poor forecasting, but as infrastructure for managing unavoidable market disruption. Even perfectly forecasted product lines generate excess inventory when major retailers declare bankruptcy, regulatory changes force relabelling, or packaging updates make existing units appear off-shelf.

"Excess does not disappear with better forecasting. It shifts form," explains Altin. "A beauty brand can perfectly forecast seasonal demand, then face a major retailer bankruptcy, regulatory relabelling requirements, or packaging redesigns that render existing inventory off-shelf. None of that is a forecasting failure. It is disruption reality. We are building infrastructure to solve for what brands cannot control."

This reframing removes the stigma traditionally associated with surplus inventory management. By positioning the platform as strategic infrastructure rather than distressed asset disposal, SPLYR creates a controlled environment for what Altin calls "second-life commerce"-extending product utility whilst maintaining brand integrity.

Global Reach with Granular Geographic Control

SPLYR enables global trade whilst respecting regional brand sensitivities. Brands can geo-fence listings, create custom locked offers with expiration windows, and require signed agreements before unlocking full product information. This granular control allows companies to move inventory internationally without exposing it to markets where brand presence requires protection.

The platform tracks every interaction: who viewed inventory, when, from what device and IP address, and what tier of access they held. If a leak occurs, brands know exactly where to trace it.

"SPLYR does not assume global access is good," says Altin. "We assume global inventory needs local discretion-and we architected every function to reflect that. You move the product. We defend the brand."

New Infrastructure Changes Who Wins

The global excess inventory challenge represents a significant structural inefficiency in modern commerce. Brands across categories routinely warehouse billions in unsold stock to avoid channel conflict, creating both capital inefficiency and environmental waste.

"Inventory is capital," says Altin. "Yet in 2025, billions in goods remain stuck behind outdated distribution models. SPLYR unlocks that. The next era of commerce is not about selling more, it is about moving smarter. New infrastructure changes who wins. SPLYR is that infrastructure."

The invitation-only model allows SPLYR to maintain platform integrity whilst refining its matching algorithms, compliance systems, and brand protection mechanisms. The company is currently expanding its network of verified buyers and premium brand partners across international markets.

"What the industry will initially misunderstand is that we are not just another B2B marketplace," says Altin. "We are building the control layer-the invisible infrastructure for brand protection, not just transactions. That is the differentiation."

About SPLYR

SPLYR is building private B2B marketplace infrastructure for strategic excess inventory transactions. Founded by Alperen Altin, the platform operates on an invitation-only model connecting premium brands with institutional buyers through controlled distribution architecture. SPLYR specialises in brand-safe inventory movement through privacy-first design, intent-driven matching, and access-based compliance enforcement. The platform serves brands and buyers across electronics, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle categories in international markets.

Platform Access

SPLYR operates on an invitation-only basis. Enterprise brands and institutional buyers seeking platform access can submit enquiries via splyr.io.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272377

SOURCE: Pressmaster DMCC
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / :Camino Minerals Corporation (TSXV:COR)(OTCID:CAMZF) ("Camino" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its joint venture with Nittetsu Mining Co., Ltd. ("Nittetsu") will initiate leaching studies at Nittetsu's metallurgical and chemical facility in Tokyo. These studies aim to assess the scalability of the Puquios Copper Project ("Puquios"or the "Project").

The Puquios mine is planned as a conventional sulphide leaching operation utilizing solvent extraction and electro winning ("SXEW") technology. All permits required for commencement of construction are in place, with mine construction anticipated in the first half of 2026. To support development, Camino and Nittetsu are actively pursuing a debt facility with a Japanese lender that is expected to offer highly competitive terms in the current mining finance environment.

The first stage of the Puquios copper mine development is now on a path towards production. The Company is evaluating scale-up opportunities targeting the hypogene copper mineralization located beneath the supergene, soluble copper zones. The Project has approximately 8,170 metres of drilling completed in the primary mineralized zone. Two exploration adits have been developed to reach the copper mineralization at depth and samples of the deeper mineralization have been extracted and delivered to Nittetsu's research and development facility in Tokyo for testing. Nittetsu has been advancing proprietary copper extraction technologies and initial results demonstrate competitive recoveries for different types of copper mineralization. The deeper copper mineralization at Puquios will be leached at the facility, for further consideration for the next phase of the Project's scale-up.

Looking ahead, the Company intends to further assess and integrate new leaching technologies to determine the most effective scale-up strategy for expanding copper production at Puquios.

Figure 1. Nittetsu Mining Research & Development Center in Tokyo.

"Camino has been working with Nittetsu for several years and is benefiting from their know-how in exploration geology and operations. Now we are extending our cooperation to their research and development business unit in Tokyo", commented Jay Chmelauskas, CEO of Camino. "After we build the first conventional copper production phase at Puquios, we would like to grow production in Chile, and we are starting that work now."

Shinichiro Mita, General Manager of Nittetsu Mining Co., Ltd. said, "I have recently visited the Puquios copper project with our technical and management teams in preparation to begin construction of the mine. We all believe that the project can grow from the first phase of development, and we are pleased to advance our research to develop economic copper leaching technologies for Puquios."

About Camino

Camino is a discovery and development stage copper exploration company. On October 7, 2024, Camino signed a Definitive Agreement to purchase the construction-ready Puquios copper mine in Chile. Camino is focused on developing copper producing assets such as Puquios, and advancing its IOCG Los Chapitos copper project located in Peru through to resource delineation and development, and to add new discoveries. Camino has also permitted the Maria Cecilia copper porphyry project for exploration discovery drilling to add to its NI43-101 resources. In addition, Camino has increased its land position at its copper and silver Plata Dorada project. Camino seeks to acquire a portfolio of advanced copper assets that have the potential to deliver copper into an electrifying copper intensive global economy. For more information, please refer to Camino's website at www.caminocorp.com.

Jose A. Bassan, MSc. Geologist, an independent geologist FAusIMM (CP) 227922, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this document. Mr. Bassan has reviewed and verified relevant data supporting the technical disclosure, including sampling and analytical test data.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD For further information, please contact: /S/ "Jay Chmelauskas" Camino Investor Relations President and CEO info@caminocorp.com Tel: (604) 493-2058

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: Certain disclosures in this release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are included to provide information about management's current expectations and plans that allows investors and others to have a better understanding of the Company's business plans and financial performance and condition. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information is typically (though not always) identified by words such as "plan", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. In making the forward-looking disclosures in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information in the release includes, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated commencement of leaching studies at Nittetsu's facility in Tokyo, the scalability and development potential of the Puquios Copper Project, the timing and nature of mine construction, the expected use of SXEW technology, the pursuit and competitiveness of a potential debt financing facility, and the evaluation and integration of emerging copper extraction technologies. Although the Company considers the assumptions underlying such forward-looking information to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking information in this release is subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information. Such risk factors include, among others, changes in copper prices and global demand, exploration and development risks, metallurgical and processing uncertainties, regulatory changes, financing risks, geopolitical developments, and the ability of Camino and its joint venture partner to execute on their development plans. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, 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 required by law.

SOURCE: Camino Minerals Corp

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/camino-and-nittetsu-commence-proprietary-leaching-studies-for-growth-opportunitie-1093425
STOCKHOLM, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- From November 7th to 15th, 2025, the "Tea for Harmony  A Jiangsu Cultural Gathering" Tourism Promotion Event and "Glowing Grand Canal: The Rebirth of Traditional Crafts" - An Exquisite Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition will be held in Stockholm, Sweden. Bearing the profound friendship of Jiangsu, China, these events will take place at China Cultural Center in Stockholm, using culture as a bridge to showcase the unique charm of Jiangsu to friends in Northern Europe.

This is an invitation from Jiangsu, inspired by the themes of tea, silk, and porcelain. The event will blend heritage and innovation, craftsmanship and creativity, offering immersive experiences that reflect Jiangsu's refined aesthetics and cultural vitality. In the "Taste of Tea" section, guests can enjoy tea ceremonies led by Jiangsu tea masters, accompanied by flower arrangement and painting displays. The "Elegance of Silk" area will feature the dazzling Twelve-Colour Luobu silk fabric from Suzhou Silk Museum, alongside a cross-cultural installation inspired by Sweden's iconic Dala Horse - crafted with Chinese silkworm cocoons and silk threads. The "Colors of Porcelain" gallery will present Gaochun Ceramics, Yixing Celadon, and Taihu Kiln, offering visitors a tactile encounter with Eastern aesthetics. Beyond the exhibition, Chinese and Swedish artists will join hands for a special instrumental performance.

Amid the winter charm of Stockholm, visitors are invited to embark on an immersive journey into Eastern culture, where the millennia-old heritage of the Grand Canal and the serene beauty of Jiangsu shine even more brightly as China and Sweden celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. As guests linger among the fragrance of tea, the luster of silk, and the elegance of porcelain, these moments of beauty are expected to inspire future journeys to Jiangsu - where its cultural heritage and living traditions can be witnessed, felt, and experienced firsthand.

Source: China Cultural Center in Stockholm

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f72ec729-7da0-41a7-8507-58f94b2e7f60

Contact person: Mr. Feng, Tel: 86-10-63074558
DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From October 13-17, 2025, the 2025 GITEX GLOBAL exhibition grandly opened in Dubai. Inspur was invited to participate, showcasing its related technological products, solutions, and application scenarios at the event's Achievement Exhibition. During the exhibition, Inspur successfully facilitated the implementation of strategic cooperation.

At the Achievement Exhibition, Inspur comprehensively demonstrated its "AI + Deep Industry Integration" products and solutions. Key highlights included Artificial Intelligence + Industrial Internet, Industry-Specific Intelligent Cloud, One-Stop Data Centers, Intelligent Wireless Networks, Next-Generation Intelligent ERP, Open-Source Databases, as well as intelligent upgrades for deep vertical industries such as Smart Transportation, Smart Water Conservancy and Agriculture, Smart Healthcare, Smart Education, and Smart Manufacturing. On-site, Inspur actively invited and organized clients and partners to visit its booth for exchanges.

More than 60 companies from 15 countries and regions, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Yemen, engaged in cooperation and exchange discussions centered around business activities. Inspur Communication Information Saudi Branch signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China Unicom Global (Saudi Arabia).

Inspur is a leading Chinese provider of cloud computing and big data services. Its main businesses encompass computing equipment, software, cloud computing services, next-generation communication, big data, and various application scenarios. It has provided IT products and services to over 120 countries and regions worldwide. In recent years, Inspur Group has actively implemented its "Three-Wheel Drive" strategy - hardware, software, and cloud computing services - continuously driving industrial innovation through technological innovation and accelerating the cultivation and development of new quality productive forces. To date, Inspur Group has established 12 national-level innovation platforms, including a cross-industry, cross-sector industrial internet platform. It has participated in formulating over 290 national and higher-level standards and led the development of all foundational national standards in the server field. The group holds more than 20,000 authorized invention patents. Regarding product positioning, Inspur holds the second-largest global and largest Chinese market share in servers, ranks third globally and first in China in storage installed capacity, and holds the leading market share in China for large-scale group management software.

Headquartered in Jinan, China, Inspur has multiple R&D centers and branches worldwide and employs over 30,000 people.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/inspur-showcases-at-gitex-global-2025-in-dubai-302599697.html
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.
SINGAPORE, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Univers, a global leader in AI for Energy, has announced the launch of the world-first Global Impact AI Lab ("IAL"), in collaboration with AMD, Microsoft and the National University of Singapore (NUS) and supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore.

IAL is designed to fast-track enterprise-scale AI and IoT/Edge innovation with its incubation program, bringing together leading technology, governance, and academic expertise to deliver edge-to-cloud intelligence at unprecedented speed and impact.

IAL unites leading technology and industry expertise to accelerate AI-driven transformation across the energy, infrastructure, transportation, and manufacturing sectors.

The Lab's mission focuses on three strategic vectors of efficiency that together deliver systemic value:

Energy Efficiency -making every kilowatt count through AI-driven optimization of generation, storage, and consumption.

-making every kilowatt count through AI-driven optimization of generation, storage, and consumption. Operational Efficiency -making every operation smarter by connecting assets, systems, and processes for greater reliability and productivity.

-making every operation smarter by connecting assets, systems, and processes for greater reliability and productivity. System Efficiency -making every connection meaningful through AI-enabled orchestration that unites ecosystems across energy, infrastructure, and industry.

The launch was officiated at the One Univers event on 28 October by Mr. Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, underscoring Singapore's commitment to fostering close public-private collaboration to advance digital and AI innovation.

Michael Ding, Global Executive Director of Univers, added: "AI and IoT achieves its full potential when powered by strong partnerships. IAL unites leading industry and academic expertise to transform innovation into enterprise advantage."

In a business environment where digital adoption alone is no longer enough, IAL leverages deep collaboration with its partners to incubate solutions to real-word business challenges, turning AI and IoT concepts into scalable, commercially viable solutions. Enterprises gain faster decision-making, operational agility, and sustainable competitive advantage through this unique ecosystem approach.

Univers was recently included as a leader in the latest Gartner, Inc. Magic Quadrant for Global Industrial IoT Platforms, reflecting strong execution capabilities and a clear strategic vision and called out for its strength in strategic partnerships bringing together deep domain expertise and advanced technology.

This is evidenced in the value each IAL partner brings:

AMD: Real-time, secure AI at the edge for mission-critical distributed operations.

"AMD is collaborating with Univers on the IALto accelerate innovation and showcase the benefits of heterogenous computing for powering edge AI and enabling enterprises to operate smarter, faster, and more securely at scale," said Yousef Khalilollahi, Corporate Vice President & GM, Embedded Business Group

Microsoft: Optimizing infrastructure and operations through integrated AI and cloud platforms.

"This collaboration accelerates enterprise digital transformation by bringing intelligent, AI-powered solutions from concept to real-world impact," said Saj Kumar, Regional Business Leader - Manufacturing, Microsoft.

NUS: Developing future-ready AI talent and bridging research with real-world enterprise applications.

"This collaboration reflects NUS' commitment to building strong industry-academia partnerships that prepare our students to thrive in the age of AI. Through the Global Impact AI Lab, our students will gain hands-on experience, mentorship and opportunities to apply their learning to address real-world challenges, helping to shape the next generation of AI-ready talent." said Professor Bernard Tan, Senior Vice-Provost (Undergraduate Education), National University of Singapore.

Enterprises seeking to differentiate in fast-moving markets must leverage partnership-driven innovation engines. The Global Impact AI Lab provides exactly that - accelerating concepts into scalable, operationalized solutions.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/univers-launches-world-first-global-impact-ai-lab-in-collaboration-with-amd-microsoft-and-nus-to-accelerate-enterprise-ai-and-iot-innovation-302599729.html
IonQ executives highlight the company's latest quantum advancements underscoring progress around the UK's collaborative quantum strategy

IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), the world's leading quantum company, today announced its participation in the 2025 UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase, taking place on November 7th at the Business Design Centre in London. Organized by Innovate UK in collaboration with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme (UKNQTP), it is one of the largest quantum events in the UK, convening more than 2,000 stakeholders across government, academia, and industry.

"We are delighted to demonstrate our latest advancements in quantum computing innovation at the UK Quantum Showcase this year. The UK has long held a leading position in quantum technologies due to its world-class science and research base," said Dr. Chris Ballance, President of Quantum Computing at IonQ and co-founder of Oxford Ionics. "The strength of the UK's technological leadership helped us achieve the highest-performing quantum platform available on the market."

IonQ's presence at the showcase follows a landmark year for the company in the UK, including the designation of Oxford as IonQ's EMEA headquarters, its acquisition of Oxford Ionics, and the delivery of Quartet, a quantum computing testbed for the UK's National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). These milestones reinforce IonQ's role as a key player in advancing the UK's national quantum strategy as it accelerates the commercial use of quantum technologies.

IonQ will host booth #52 where participants will explore the company's latest quantum innovations.

About IonQ

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world's leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world's most complex problems. IonQ's current generation quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results.

The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world's most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ's advancements in quantum networking also position the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.

The company's innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Fortune Future 50, Newsweek's 2025 Excellence Index 1000, Forbes' 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list, and Built In's 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Washington DC and Seattle, respectively. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com.

IonQ Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to the scalability, fidelity, efficiency, viability, accessibility, effectiveness, reliability, performance, speed, and commercial-readiness of IonQ's offerings. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to changes in the competitive industries in which IonQ operates, including development of competing technologies; IonQ's ability to deliver, and customers' ability to generate, value from IonQ's offerings; IonQ's ability to implement its business plans, forecasts, roadmaps and other expectations, to identify and realize partnerships and opportunities, and to engage new and existing customers; IonQ's ability to effectively integrate its acquisitions of Oxford Ionics Limited; changes in laws and regulations affecting IonQ's patents; and IonQ's ability to maintain or obtain patent protection for its products and technology, including with sufficient breadth to provide a competitive advantage. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's filings, including but not limited to those described in the "Risk Factors" section of IonQ's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and reports on Form 10-Q. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and IonQ assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. IonQ does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030457888/en/

Contacts:

IonQ Media contact:

press@ionq.co

IonQ Investor Contact:

investors@ionq.co
Solutions leverage proven LRS Mission Control platform

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi, Ray & Shoup, Inc. (LRS) today announced the availability of four new multi-tenant SaaS output management solutions. Based upon the web-based LRS Misson Control platform introduced in 2023, the new solutions eliminate the need for on-premise servers and associated IT staff. The integrated suite of output management products will provide print management, pull print, scan services, and print auditing functionality- all in a seamless, serverless manner.

The VPSX/DirectPrint Cloud SaaS lets organizations manage drivers, printers, locations via floorplans, and all other aspects of workstation printing. Rather than relying on an onsite server, the VPSX/DirectPrint Cloud service directly interacts with LRS' Personal Print Manager agent running on each user's Windows, macOS, or Linux workstation. By integrating control of user printing with backend application print and scan management functions, the solution establishes a single point of control that can streamline IT administration and lower FTE requirements in IT departments of all sizes.

MFPsecure/Print Cloud pull printing software enables any user to print to a holding area and then release the job from a qualified MFP with a card, a code, or both (in a Multi-factor authentication scheme). Like other new multi-tenant SaaS solutions running in LRS' Mission Control platform, MFPsecure/Print Cloud software integrates fully with the VPSX/DirectPrint Cloud service so administrators can easily define and configure their environment from a single screen. Full integration with LRS' Personal Print Manager client gives users a simple method to define printers to a workstation and submit print.

The new MFPsecure/Scan Cloud SaaS enables the Scan functions on modern multi-function devices (MFPs) to work with LRS' robust document workflow engine. Users can Scan to email or Scan to storage (OneDrive, Google Drive, File share etc.) as well as initiate complex workflows like scanning incoming invoices, extracting information via OCR, and automatically feeding scanned data into business applications. These and other customizable workflows unlock a fully digital workplace experience that increases productivity and automation.

The fourth new offering is the Innovate/Audit Cloud solution, which interacts with other LRS products to provide cost and accounting information about a company's print environment. No onsite servers or databases are required, as all reporting to Innovate/Audit Cloud software is handled automatically. These reporting & auditing capabilities extend beyond the SaaS solutions described above to include tracking of output managed with LRS' server-based solutions. This ability lets organizations with hybrid network environments and those transitioning to Cloud-based landscapes leverage the power of LRS analytics to make smarter choices with regard to their printing and scanning assets.

About LRS

LRS is a privately held U.S. company with corporate headquarters located in Springfield, Illinois, USA. Remote offices are located throughout the United States and in key geographic regions around the world. More than half of the Fortune 1000 companies rely on industry leading LRS solutions, with products in use in over 30 countries. For more information about LRS, visit www.LRS.com .

 2025 Levi, Ray & Shoup, Inc. All rights reserved. LRS, the LRS chevron logo, and VPSX/DirectPrint are registered trademarks of Levi, Ray & Shoup, Inc. macOS is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For more information, press only:

Shannon Heisler, 217-793-3800 or Shannon.heisler@lrs.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/lrs-output-management-announces-cloud-based-print-scan-and-auditing-suite-302598718.html
MILAN, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Enfinity Global, a leading renewable energy company, has signed an agreement with VW Kraftwerk GmbH, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, for the supply of Guarantees of Origin (GOs) from its solar PV power plants in Italy.

The agreement provides for the purchase of approximately 40 GWh of GOs per year over the next ten years, for a total volume of 400 GWh, sourced from Enfinity's renewable energy assets in Italy. The GOs supplied by Enfinity certify that an equivalent amount of electricity has been generated from renewable sources and fed into the grid, thereby making a tangible contribution to reducing CO2 emissions associated with the life cycle of electric vehicles.

"We are honored to support the Volkswagen Group as it transitions its electric vehicle fleet to be carbon neutral and in advancing the transformation of mobility across Europe," said Carlos Domenech, CEO of Enfinity Global. "Enfinity is committed to being a long-term sponsor of innovative and scalable energy solutions -from 24x7 PPAs to Guarantees of Origin- that bring value to our customers."

"Guarantees of Origin are a transparent and effective tool to promote renewable energy adoption and accelerate the energy transition," added Julio Fournier Fisas, General Manager for Europe at Enfinity Global. "This collaboration is a strong example of how cross-sector partnerships can generate measurable environmental impact and drive progress toward climate neutrality in Europe."

Through this deal, Enfinity Global reaffirms its role as a strategic partner for global companies seeking to integrate renewable energy solutions into their business models, actively contributing to the decarbonization of industrial supply chains and to the construction of a low-carbon, more resilient energy future. GOs not only certify the renewable origin of energy but also serve as a key element for ESG traceability and reporting, in line with European regulations and sustainability standards.

With a global presence and a pipeline of 37 GW, Enfinity Global is one of the leading players in the sector, offering integrated energy solutions for the decarbonization of industrial activities and advancing a circular economy. Enfinity is active in Italy, with a growing portfolio of solar PV power plants and battery energy storage systems exceeding 8.6 GW, making a significant contribution to the country's decarbonization goals and energy security.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2706592/5590620/Enfinity_Global_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/enfinity-global-to-supply-400-gwh-guarantees-of-origin-to-vw-kraftwerk-gmbh-to-support-sustainable-mobility-302598946.html
Anglesey Mining Plc - Results of General Meeting

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, October 30

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended) ("MAR"), and is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.

30 October 2025

Anglesey Mining plc

("Anglesey" or the "Company")

Results of General Meeting

Anglesey Mining plc (AIM:AYM), the UK minerals development company, announces the results of voting on the resolutions put to the General Meeting held earlier today. The full text of the resolutions can be found in the notice of General Meeting contained in the Company's circular to Shareholders dated 26 September 2025 (the "Circular").

The Resolutions were not passed by the requisite majorities and therefore the Company will not proceed with the proposed Capital Reorganisation. As noted in the Circular, the Equity Financing Facility with Alumni Capital Limited was, inter alia, conditional on the Company implementing the proposed Capital Reorganisation. Therefore, as a result of the necessary resolutions failing to have passed, the Company will not be able to drawdown any amounts under the Equity Financing Facility.

As noted in the Circular, should the Company be unable to complete the Capital Reorganisation and therefore avail of the Equity Financing Facility, it would be left with a limited pool of alternative options and there would be material uncertainty over the going concern status of the Company. Following the results of today's General Meeting, the Board will seek to preserve the Company's cash resources as far as practicable, and will urgently explore alternative sources of funding. However, there can be no guarantee that the Company will be able to find alternative sources of funding on a timely basis. If alternative funding is not available, the Directors believe that it is likely that the Company could be forced to enter into administration.

Further announcements will be made as and when appropriate.

The voting in respect of the Resolutions was as follows:

Resolution Votes for % of shares voted Votes against % of shares voted Total votes cast Votes withheld 1. Consolidation and sub-division of shares 55,464,765 36.0% 98,397,538 64.0% 153,862,303 7,235,705 2. Authority to allot shares 55,494,509 36.1% 98,245,674 63.9% 153,740,183 7,357,825 3. Amendment to Articles of Association 55,456,892 36.1% 98,321,945 63.9% 153,778,837 7,319,171 4. Disapplication of statutory pre-emption rights 55,327,830 36.0% 98,534,473 64.0% 153,862,303 7,235,705

Note: "Votes withheld" are not votes in law, and are not included in the votes "for" or "against" a resolution.

Capitalised terms used in this announcement, unless otherwise defined, have the same meanings as set out in the Circular.

For further information, please contact:

Anglesey Mining plc

Rob Marsden, Chief Executive Officer - Tel: +44 (0)7531 475111

Andrew King, Chairman - Tel: +44 (0)7825 963700

Davy

Nominated Adviser & Joint Corporate Broker

Brian Garrahy / Daragh O'Reilly - Tel: +353 1 679 6363

Zeus Capital Limited

Joint Corporate Broker

Katy Mitchell / Harry Ansell - Tel: +44 (0)161 831 1512

LEI: 213800X8BO8EK2B4HQ71
Strong mineralisation along the Contact Zone Fault ("CZ Fault") confirmed with multiple broad gold intercepts, including 10.0 m at 2.50 g/t Au and 11.0 m at 0.51 g/t Au at the Road Cut Zone

High-grade near-surface intersections such as 1.0 m at 17.30 g/t Au at the Jagger Zone underscore the strength of gold-bearing shears and continuity within the Jagger structural corridor

Excellent down-dip and along-strike continuity demonstrated across a 300-m section of the CZ Fault, reinforcing the Company's structural model and confirming the growth potential of the Kossou Gold Project

Kobo Resources Inc. ("Kobo" or the "Company") (TSX.V: KRI) is pleased to report additional diamond drill results from its ongoing program at the 100%-owned Kossou Gold Project ("Kossou") in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030239742/en/

Figure 1: Road Cut Zone Drill Hole Location Map and Simplified Geology

Diamond Drill Results Highlights:

Road Cut Zone:

KDD0104 7.0 metres ("m") at 1.20 g/t Au from 72.0 m 13.0 m at 1.49 g/t Au from 93.0 m

KDD0109 10.0 m at 2.50 g/t Au from 41.0 m, incl. 6.0 m at 3.77 g/t Au from 45.0 m 10.0 m at 1.86 g/t Au from 204.0 m 11.0 m at 0.51 g/t Au from 229.0 m



Jagger Zone

KDD0100 1.0 m at 17.30 g/t Au from 38.0 m 1.0 m at 3.72 g/t Au from 94.0 m 9.0 m at 1.04 g/t Au from 172.0 m 11.0 m at 1.26 g/t Au from 188.0 m



Edward Gosselin, CEO and Director of Kobo commented: "The latest results continue to confirm strong, continuous gold mineralisation along the Contact Zone Fault. These results also further define parallel gold-bearing shears within both the Road Cut Zone and Jagger Zone structural corridors, reinforcing our confidence in the scale and continuity of the system." He continued: "The new drilling has outlined broad mineralised zones with strong down-dip continuity and encouraging grades near surface and at depth, all consistent with our geological model for Kossou. Together, these results continue to strengthen our view that Kossou hosts a robust and growing gold system with significant potential for resource expansion as drilling progresses."

Road Cut Zone Highlights

Drilling at the Road Cut Zone targeted a 300-m strike length between sections RCZ400 and RCZ700, with results confirming mineralisation along and adjacent to the CZ Fault. Boreholes KDD0104 and KDD0109 on section RCZ600 returned some of the strongest results to date:

KDD0109 intersected 10.0 m at 2.50 g/t Au from 41.0 m, including 6.0 m at 3.77 g/t Au from 45.0 m, as well as 10.0 m at 1.86 g/t Au from 204.0 m and 11.0 m at 0.51 g/t Au from 229.0 m.

intersected from 41.0 m, including from 45.0 m, as well as from 204.0 m and from 229.0 m. KDD0104 returned 13.0 m at 1.49 g/t Au from 93 m and 7.0 m at 1.20 g/t Au from 72 m, located approximately 20 m west of the CZ Fault.

The mineralised intersections in boreholes KDD0104 and KDD0109 along the CZ Fault are comparable in both grade and thicknesses reported previously in borehole KDD0098. This hole shows a good degree of consistency and continuity down dip of the prominent shear zone.

The upper mineralised intersection of 10.0 m at 2.50 g/t Au in KDD0109 also confirms an excellent down-dip continuity of gold mineralisation first identified in hole KDD0014 (9.0 m at 4.27 g/t Au), establishing a robust, gold-bearing structure up to 175.0 m from the main fault.

Additional intercepts along the CZ Fault include 10.0 m at 0.55 g/t Au and 5.0 m at 1.75 g/t Au in KDD0102, while KDD0105 returned a 1 m interval at 5.05 g/t Au associated with quartz veining south of RCZ600. Collectively, the Road Cut Zone results confirm consistent gold mineralisation along a 150-200 m section of the CZ Fault, highlighting its potential as a major first-order control on mineralisation.

Jagger Zone Highlights

Drilling at the Jagger Zone was completed across two 50-m sections (JZ750 and JZ800), designed to test continuity within the central shear and southern extensions of the zone.

KDD0100 intersected 1.0 m at 17.30 g/t Au from 38.0 m , 9.0 m at 1.04 g/t Au from 172.0 m , and 11.0 m at 1.26 g/t Au from 188.0 m , demonstrating higher grades and continuity within the core of the Jagger shear zone compared to earlier holes (e.g., KDD0031 4.0 m at 3.26 g/t Au

intersected , , and , demonstrating higher grades and continuity within the core of the Jagger shear zone compared to earlier holes (e.g., KDD0106 returned 3.3 m at 0.96 g/t Au from 62.7 m near surface, confirming the presence of mineralised shears along the southern continuation of Structure 6.

Although shallow holes KDD0106 and KDD0108 intersected lower-grade mineralisation, results at depth confirm that well-defined shears persist below 200 m, warranting follow-up drilling to extend these high-grade zones down dip.

Table 1: Summary of Significant Diamond Drill Hole Results

BHID East North Elev. Az. Dip Depth From

(m) To

(m) Int. (m) Au (g/t) Target KDD0100 228942 775108 386 70 -50 413.40 19 21 2 0.38 Jagger 38 39 1 17.30* Jagger 94 95 1 3.72 Jagger 114 116 2 0.35 Jagger 172 181 9 1.04 Jagger incl. 172 178 6 1.47 Jagger 188 199 11 1.26 Jagger 347 351 4 0.83 Jagger 357 359 2 0.79 Jagger KDD0101 228459 776315 244 70 -50 236.30 39 41 2 11.45 RCZ 133 137 4 0.42 RCZ 199 201.2 2.2 1.11 RCZ 219 221 2 1.53 RCZ KDD0102 228490 776220 242 70 -50 251.30 153 155 2 0.73 RCZ 159 162 3 0.74 RCZ 185 195 10 0.96 RCZ 212 217 5 1.75 RCZ KDD0103 228941 775054 386 70 -50 329.40 184 186 2 0.69 Jagger 203 206 3 1.05 Jagger 229 233 4 0.50 Jagger 245 255 10 0.31 Jagger 265 267 2 0.36 Jagger KDD0104 228613 776212 201 70 -50 134.30 43 50 7 0.62 RCZ incl. 45 47 2 1.09 RCZ 72 79 7 1.20 RCZ 93 106 13 1.49 RCZ KDD0105 228645 776170 216 70 -50 164.30 92 93 1 5.05* RCZ KDD0106 229199 775148 309 70 -50 122.40 13 14 1 13.20* Jagger 35 41 6 0.70 Jagger 62.7 66 3.3 0.96 Jagger 102 104 2 1.11 Jagger 116 118 2 1.00 Jagger KDD0107 228672 776127 232 70 -50 179.30 No Significant Intersections RCZ KDD0108 229145 775182 324 70 -50 152.40 No Significant Intersections RCZ KDD0109 228501 776171 241 70 -50 266.30 41 51 10 2.50 RCZ incl. 45 51 6 3.77 RCZ incl. 50 51 1 13.50 RCZ 192 198 6 0.67 RCZ 204 214 10 1.86 RCZ 221 223 2 0.56 RCZ 229 240 11 0.51 RCZ 246 247 1 6.94* RCZ Notes: Cut-off using 2.0 m at 0.30 g/t Au Intervals are reported with no more than 3.0 m of internal dilution of less than 0.30 g/t Au except where indicated with

An accurate dip and strike and controls of mineralisation are unconfirmed and mineralised zones are reported as downhole lengths. Drill holes are planned to intersect mineralised zones perpendicular to interpreted targets. All intercepts reported are downhole distances, true widths are unknown.

Sampling, QA/QC, and Analytical Procedures

Drill core was logged and sampled by Kobo personnel at site. Drill cores were sawn in half, with one half remaining in the core box and the other half secured into new plastic sample bags with sample number tickets. Core samples are drilled using HQ core barrels to below the level of oxidation and then reduced to NQ core barrels for the remainder of the bore hole. Samples are transported to the SGS Cote d'Ivoire facility in Yamoussoukro by Kobo personnel where the entire sample was prepared for analysis (prep code PRP86/PRP94). Sample splits of 50 grams were then analysed for gold using 50g Fire Assay as per SGS Geochem Method FAA505. QA/QC procedures for the drill program include insertion of a certificated standards every 20 samples, a blank every 20 samples and a duplicate sample every 20 samples. All QAQC control samples returned values within acceptable limits.

Review of Technical Information

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Paul Sarjeant, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Persons as defined in National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Sarjeant is the President and Chief Operating Officer and Director of Kobo.

About Kobo Resources Inc.

Kobo Resources is a growth-focused gold exploration company with a compelling new gold discovery in Cote d'Ivoire, one of West Africa's most prolific and developing gold districts, hosting several multi-million-ounce gold mines. The Company's 100%-owned Kossou Gold Project is located approximately 20 km northwest of the capital city of Yamoussoukro and is directly adjacent to one of the region's largest gold mines with established processing facilities.

With over 24,411 metres of diamond drilling, nearly 5,900 metres of reverse circulation (RC) drilling, and 5,900 metres of trenching completed since 2023, Kobo has made significant progress in defining the scale and prospectivity of its Kossou's Gold Project. Exploration has focused on multiple high-priority targets within a 9+ km strike length of highly prospective gold-in-soil geochemical anomalies, with drilling confirming extensive mineralisation at the Jagger, Road Cut, and Kadie Zones. The latest phase of drilling has further refined structural controls on gold mineralisation, setting the stage for the next phase of systematic exploration and resource development.

Beyond Kossou, the Company is advancing exploration at its Kotobi Permit and is actively expanding its land position in Cote d'Ivoire with prospective ground, aligning with its strategic vision for long-term growth in-country. Kobo remains committed to identifying and developing new opportunities to enhance its exploration portfolio within highly prospective gold regions of West Africa. Kobo offers investors the exciting combination of high-quality gold prospects led by an experienced leadership team with in-country experience. Kobo's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "KRI". For more information, please visit www.koboresources.com.

NEITHER THE TSXV NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSXV) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking Information:

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; and the delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, Kobo assumes no obligation and/or liability to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030239742/en/

Contacts:

For further information, please contact:



Edward Gosselin

Chief Executive Officer and Director

1-418-609-3587

ir@kobores.com



Twitter: @KoboResources LinkedIn: Kobo Resources Inc.
 Middle East's leading higher education and lifelong learning hubs unveil new study highlighting demand for comprehensive academic pathways in Dubai, a safe, QS-ranked student destination

LONDON, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dubai's higher education sector is noting a surge in demand with higher education enrolments estimated to increase more than 40% by 2030, led by the city's distinctive offering that includes comprehensive academic pathways aligned with industry requirements, a pro-research policy landscape, and its role as a safe city frequently featured in the QS World University Rankings, according to the Future Skills and the Workforce of Tomorrow study launched at the British Council's Going Global conference in London.

The white paper was presented by TECOM Group PJSC's business districts Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, respectively the Middle East's leading higher education and lifelong learning hubs and developed in collaboration with Times Higher Education (THE), the leading source of data, insight, and expertise on higher education worldwide.

"Dubai's global connectivity, diverse academic pathways, and role as one of the world's safest cities are steadily increasing its appeal to global businesses and talent," said MarwanAbdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President of Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Knowledge Park, and Dubai Science Park, part of TECOM Group PJSC. "Future Skills and the Workforce of Tomorrow, developed in partnership with THE, highlights the success of Dubai's unique higher education landscape, which is increasingly aligned with future workplace needs. We invite academia partners from across the world, including the UK and Europe, to explore these vital insights on attracting and retaining global talent."

Dubai - a global education hub

According to the findings of the white paper, student enrolments in Dubai crossed 42,000 in the 2024-25 academic year. Enrolments are estimated to note a consistent uptick, with the white paper forecasting more than 40% growth in 2029-30 compared to 2024-25. Dubai's higher education sector is noting increasing student demand from a growing population as well as from globally mobile students choosing the city as their preferred destination of study.

Dubai has reaffirmed its standing as a global hub for international higher education over the past two decades, strengthened by the nurturing ecosystems offered across Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai International Academic City. Today, Dubai is home to 41 private higher education providers, of which 37 operate international branch campuses. Ten of these campuses are operated by UK-based universities, including renowned institutions based across TECOM Group's Education Cluster, such as the University of Manchester, the University of Birmingham, and the University of Strathclyde Business School.

Click here to download your copy of the Future Skills and the Workforce of Tomorrow white paper by Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2809321/Dubai_Academic_City.jpg

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2809322/Marwan_Senior_VP.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/student-demands-to-drive-40-growth-in-dubais-higher-education-enrolments-by-2030-new-study-unveiled-at-going-global-finds-302599780.html
Empowering the next generation of communications professionals

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / For the third year in a row, Entergy has partnered with the New Orleans Association of Black Journalists to support its mission of inspiring Black students to pursue careers in journalism and communications. As the presenting sponsor of the annual scholarship brunch.

For the third year in a row, Entergy has partnered with the New Orleans Association of Black Journalists to support its mission of inspiring Black students to pursue careers in journalism and communications. As the presenting sponsor of the annual scholarship brunch. Entergy helped NOABJ double the number of scholarships awarded to students in Louisiana.

The event also celebrated industry legends who paved the way for journalists and communications professionals in the Greater New Orleans area.

A highlight was the presentation of the Unsung Hero Award by Deanna Rodriguez, president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans, and Martin Jackson, line superintendent for Entergy Louisiana. Presented annually, this award recognizes media professionals who work hard behind the scenes to make a difference in our community. This year, Willie Wilson, a distinguished 30-year photojournalist and WWL-TV's first full-time Black photographer, received the award.

"Entergy is proud to once again serve as the presenting sponsor of the New Orleans Association of Black Journalists Jazz Brunch," said Rodriguez. "We're honored to support NOABJ's mission to empower the next generation of journalists and to recognize Willie Wilson with the 2025 Unsung Hero Award."

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Entergy Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Entergy Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/entergy

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Entergy Corporation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/utilities/investing-in-the-future-entergy-partners-with-noabj-to-raise-funds-for-scholarships-1093501
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - Aurania Resources Ltd. (TSXV: ARU) (OTCQB: AUIAF) (FSE: 20Q) ("Aurania" or the "Company") provides a detailed summary of recognized areas of enhanced prospectivity on its Cutucu Project in southeastern Ecuador amidst changing political conditions in the country. The Company also confirms its focus on gold and strategic metals projects in Europe and other opportunities abroad.

Highlights:

Since 2017, through diligent exploration using modern methods, the Company has discovered several highly prospective gold and copper exploration targets in the Cutucu region in southeastern Ecuador

Led to the area by in-depth research of the legendarily rich gold mines of the "Lost Cities" of the Cutucu Cordillera over ten years of archival investigation, the Company determined that significant gold potential existed in the area

Several "blind" epithermal gold targets , similar to the those that led to the discovery of the world-class Fruta del Norte gold deposit in southern Ecuador, have been delineated in the region, including Crunchy Hill, Kuri-Yawi and others

Below epithermal targets, several potentially significant porphyry copper targets have been identified using newly reprocessed MobileMT geophysical data

Sediment-hosted style copper mineralization, like that of the very large and high-grade Central African Copper Belt, has been identified at the 14 km-long Tsenken prospect

Due to the evolving political situation and challenging business conditions for exploration companies in Ecuador, the Company has chosen to suspend all activities and take a "wait and see" approach

The Company remains optimistic about its strategy to focus its efforts on projects for gold and strategic metals in Europe, along with potential opportunities elsewhere

When the Company acquired its initial 42 mineral concessions in the Cutucu region from Dr. Keith Barron in 2017, little was known of the geologic potential of the area since the centuries-old activities of the Conquistadors. The Shuar people, who historically inhabited the Cutucu region, did not traditionally engage in gold mining before the arrival of the Spanish. Aurania initiated modern exploration in the area, including an airborne Mobile MagnetoTellurics (MobileMT) geophysical survey in 2021. The data from that survey was reprocessed using new techniques in 2024 and 2025, revealing highly prospective new anomalies at the Awacha target (see press release dated June 27, 2025). While the state of knowledge of these areas was very preliminary in nature in 2021, now, with the benefit of hindsight from the new data acquired utilizing new technologies, age-dating, geological mapping and sampling over the last four years, a much more coherent picture has emerged. In addition, much information has been released in the public filings of Lundin Gold and Solaris from the adjacent and contiguous Cordillera del Condor, immediately south of Aurania's block of concessions, providing further geological context for Aurania's target areas.

Geological Context of Aurania's Cutucu Project

The Cordillera de Cutucu and the Cordillera del Condor are part of a Jurassic back-arc rift system which extends roughly north-south through the whole of Ecuador. In the two Cordilleras, the fault system which demarcated the Jurassic rift basins was later reactivated and reversed in the Tertiary, forming the height-of-land characteristic of the Cordilleras. The mineralizing systems were then unroofed by erosion and exposed. In the case of the Condor, the erosion and uplift have removed several kilometres of sedimentary cover, exposing many copper porphyry systems and generating large areas of placer gold mineralization where epithermal vein systems have been entirely eroded away. In the Cutucu, the sedimentary cover over the mineralizing systems remains largely intact, so that the very tops of epithermal systems comprising hotspring sinters and siliceous terraces are preserved; the main body of the epithermal systems, as well as likely porphyry systems, remain preserved at depth. Additionally, the Cutucu shows abundant evidence that the fault basins contained playa lakes that evaporated to dryness, depositing thick layers of salt and gypsum. Conditions became favourable for the mobilization of copper and silver in saline fluids from volcanic rocks into shales and sandstones. This combination of unique geological conditions deposited and preserved extensive sheets of copper-silver mineralization in sediments, akin to Kamoa-Kakula, Dzezkazgan, and the Kupferschiefer. To date, this type of sediment-hosted style copper mineralization remains untested by drilling.

Blind Deposit Exploration

In the Cutucu, the porphyry and epithermal systems outcrop rather poorly or not at all. Their presence is not obvious but is revealed by geophysics and geochemistry. The world-class Fruta del Norte (FDN) gold-silver deposit, approximately 100 km to the south in the more deeply eroded Condor, was fortuitously preserved in a down-dropped graben block and covered by a Cretaceous sandstone which protected it from erosion. This was a "blind discovery" since there was very little gold on the surface. Its discovery by Aurania's predecessor company Aurelian Resources, founded by Dr. Barron, came through the application of geochemical sampling for pathfinder-type elements, i.e., other metals which occur in gold systems but are much more abundant and more easily detected than gold itself. Early application of this methodology in the Cutucu led Aurania to the discovery of Crunchy Hill, Kuri-Yawi and other epithermal prospects. Actively artisanal-mined gold alluvials at Patuca, just outside the Aurania concession block, were determined to be derived from eroded early Cretaceous paleoplacers; in other words, the placer gold accumulations were more or less coincident in time with the epithermal vein system formation some 230 million years ago. This suggests that at least some of the sinter systems spread out over 30 kilometres within the Aurania claims could host another bonanza-grade type FDN.

Prospective Graben Settings

Intensive geological mapping has shown there are at least two, and possibly three, down-dropped grabens arrayed north-south through the Project. These became apparent after very careful reconnaissance mapping and reinterpretation of the biostratigraphy of the fossil endowment. Grabens form through extensional forces in the earth that pull apart the rocks horizontally. The central block will fall vertically into the space created and a deep canyon may result. The extensional spreading allows intrusion of porphyry-producing magmas, producing hot hydrothermal fluids that can pond in the dilatant zones: grabens are recognized as one of the most productive mineralizing environments.

Aurania Among First Industry Users of MobileMT

At the time of the initial MobileMt survey, Electromagnetic (EM) data inversion was performed using a one-dimensional (1D) algorithm. In recent years, EM inversion technology has significantly improved, particularly for areas with rugged terrain. As a result, Aurania recommissioned Expert Geophysics Surveys Inc. to reprocess the 2021 MobileMT data using the latest 2D inversion technology. The 2.5D inversion code that was applied is more objective and comprehensive than the previous 1D technology, as it considers the actual topography of the area being investigated, yielding robust lateral and vertical resolution, resulting in more accurate mapping of the subsurface conductivity, which may be related to mineralization.

Aurania was one of the very first companies worldwide to adopt MobileMT, but there were few publicly-available examples to demonstrate the expected geophysical signature of porphyry deposits using the MobileMT method. For a "real world" test and ground truthing, Aurania had the contractors fly over the known Panantza and San Carlos porphyry copper bodies outside of our concessions. These were proven deposits with extensive drilling. The MobileMT results generated outstanding signatures, with close spatial correlation of the ore bodies with strongly anomalously geophysical signatures. Based on this test study we flew large portions of our project using the MobileMT method, yielding several anomalies. The mineralized area of the Panantza/San Carlos test grid had only minor topographic relief, however, unlike our area in the much more rugged Cutucu. The primitive 1-D data inversion available at the time was unable to correct for the more rugged terrain, and we later drilled some targets that subsequently proved to be spurious. We have great confidence in the improved 2.5-D reprocessing of our data to produce reliable results: the new processing method accounts for the more significant terrain correction, and the new anomalies agree well with known geology, other geophysics and the porphyry copper exploration model.

The Lost Cities Cutucu Project

Aurania's Lost Cities Cutucu Project was an outgrowth of historical research in the Archive of the Indies, Seville, and the Vatican Library, which suggested that the rich gold mines of Logrono de Los Caballeros and Sevilla del Oro, active circa 1565-1605 were in the Cutucu Cordillera. The Company used an extremely innovative approach with Metron Inc. of Reston, Virginia, a company that uses Bayesian Theory in geo-location of lost objects, including downed aircraft. Metron successfully located Logrono, which is a large alluvial plain along the Rio Santiago, just off our concession block. This was confirmed by the recovery of large amounts of alluvial gold by our geologists. We believe that this gold deposit was in part fed from our property. Attempts to partner with the construction company owning the gold alluvial area have to date been unsuccessful. Sevilla del Oro remains "lost" but it is believed to be in the drainage basin of the Pastaza River and outside our concessions. Aurania can find no evidence of past mining activity on the copper-silver, and lead-zinc-silver showings on our concessions. Dr. Barron's experience in Guatemala, Mexico and Colombia suggests that the Colonial Spanish would have sunk shafts and adits on any of these areas had they been known at that time. We believe that these are virgin areas. The road network detected on the concessions by LiDAR surveying is almost certainly pre-Colombian and could be many thousands of years old and related to the lost culture in the Upano Valley, north of Macas. It appears that the pre-Shuar inhabitants mined and transported salt along these roads.

Aurania's Target Areas in the Cutucu

Awacha, Sunka, Kirus, Awacha Norte

These prospect areas were initially revealed from a 400 metre-spaced airborne magnetometer and radiometric survey carried out in 2017. To date, Awacha has been the focus of our exploration efforts, but all prospects remain undrilled. Awacha and Awacha North appear to be in an area of uplift where early Jurassic rock is at surface. These prospects do not outcrop well, being covered by a thin stratum of mudstone, which in the ravines is eroded away sufficiently to expose porphyry intrusives. In addition, stream sediment sampling produced wide anomalous areas of several kilometres extent where copper and molybdenum were elevated. At both Awacha and Awacha North, zones of classic-type QSP (quartz-sericite-pyrite) alteration and "D-type" mineralized veinlets with molybdenite and chalcopyrite are present. D-type veins are very distinctive with a medial septum of sulphide, only seen in magmatic systems like porphyries. Awacha has been mapped in detail using the Anaconda mapping method. The recasting of the MobileMT survey has shown possible presence of six discrete porphyry bodies (see press release dated June 27, 2025). Awacha North has been cursorily mapped but not explored with MobileMT. We believe that Awacha and Awacha Norte represent multiple potential Cu-Mo porphyry bodies in a cluster, much like Solaris' Warintza area, located south of Aurania's concessions. Sunka and Kirus areas have yielded porphyry-style mineralization but have not been mapped in detail.

Crunchy Hill, Kuri-Yawi, Apai, Kuripan etc.

This collection of targets has high potential for epithermal-type gold-silver veining. These targets were discovered fortuitously very early in Aurania's exploration efforts in the area, near the paved road where excellent access facilitated sampling. Apart from Crunchy Hill, all contain siliceous hotspring sinter on the surface, with evidence of reeds and other plants entombed in the splash zone of geysers. Very distinctive "geyserite" has also been found. This is a rock of solidified tiny spheres of quartz that represent sand grains on which silica nucleated as they were tumbled in the convecting hotspring. Hotspring-type rocks are located immediately above the ore zone at FDN, and Aurania staff were considerably encouraged by their discovery. Epithermal banded veins have been encountered by drilling, but fluid inclusion paleothermometry indicated that trapping temperatures were low, though salinities high. This means we were drilling on the periphery of the systems or not deep enough where the mineralizing fluids had already deposited their metals and were cooling. Only determined and persevering exploration with the drill will guarantee discovery. The results of an Induced Polarization (IP) Survey were ambivalent. Recasting of the MobileMT over Kuri-Yawi, however, strongly suggests two areas of potential sulphide flooding related to epithermal processes, as well as a deeper zone that bears the signature of a buried porphyry body. The Crunchy Hill area has not been covered by MobileMT. Crunchy Hill is a zone of disseminated sulphide with minor epithermal veining, which is enriched in the pathfinder elements Ag, As, Mn, Sb, Se, Tl, and Hg. Further geophysical surveys and a drilling campaign are required.

Tsenken

Tsenken was a wholly unexpected target area. Early in the exploration, the field assistants returned from the field with specimens over half a metre in size and more than 50 kg weight of significant amounts of chalcocite (a copper-rich (80% Cu) sulphide mineral) in bedded shales and sandstones. This sediment-hosted style of high-grade copper-silver mineralization, common to the large and high-grade copper deposits of Central Africa and the Kupferschiefer, was previously unrecognized in Ecuador and represent a compelling new exploration target. Informed by our early version of the MobileMT over this area we drilled several targets that unfortunately turned out to be duds. The problem was a misinterpretation of the sedimentary stratigraphy in this area, which was only sorted out by Professor Gregor Borg and Consultant Cristian Vallejo after a number of holes had been drilled. These sorts of copper deposits occur in areas of maximum fluid flow where there are favourable and reactive host rocks. By initiating a serious study of analogues from Ivanhoe Mines' Kamoa-Kakula Deposit in the Central African Copper Belt, we were very excited to discover a large arcuate zone of high conductivity that parallels the surface trace of a major fault and subcropping Santiago Formation for 14 kilometres. The Santiago is a pyritic carbonaceous mudstone unit which could be an analogue to the chemically reactive pyritic diamictite that hosts most of the copper at Kamoa-Kakula. The coincidence of a strongly copper-mineralized rock indicating the presence of an effective mineralizing system, subsurface conductivity anomaly associated with a known fault/plumbing system and receptive host stratigraphy makes Tsenken highly prospective. This target remains undrilled.

Tiria-Shimpia

The Tiria-Shimpia zone appears to be localized along the east side of a graben fault and is hosted by limestone. The mineralization consists of semi-massive and vein-hosted Zn-Pb-Ag-Ba-bearing minerals and could represent the distal expression of the Tsenken copper-silver system. Extending for over nine kilometres and only partly covered by the MobileMT survey, it has been explored with four drill holes, all of which encountered mineralization.

Tatasham

The Tatasham target corresponds to a magnetic low lying within a major magnetic high anomaly. This magnetic low is interpreted as a classic de-magnetization of the rock by hydrothermal alteration related to the core of a porphyry system. The Anaconda mapping conducted in the area confirmed the presence of an intensive hydrothermal alteration, which justified a scout drilling campaign in 2023. The third drill hole intersected a thick silicified zone interpreted as the distal portion of an epithermal system at the same stratigraphic level as the sinter horizon. This indicates that we are in the upper level of the epithermal-porphyry system with the Tatasham prospect representing an epithermal target likely overlying a porphyry system at depth. Follow-up field verification confirmed the presence of sinters and extensive hydrothermal breccias. The thickness of the near-surface silicified system is comparable to that of Fruta del Norte and is situated within a small graben of similar age. Additional surface exploration is warranted to delineate the sinter zone and define targets for the next phase of drilling.

Conclusion

During the last two years, Aurania has engaged with four major companies in discussions of potential collaboration. In each case, the due diligence phase has taken more than six months. Two field visits were made, and a third was cancelled due to the assassination of a political candidate in the lead-up to elections. In each case, Aurania was praised for choosing to keep the large landholding intact, maximizing the chances for discovery, and for the diligent exploration work and positive engagement with the Shuar stakeholder community in Ecuador. Though the exploration market appears to be improving due to rising metal prices, junior explorers, particularly in greenfield areas, still struggle to raise adequate project funding. Aurania's technical team are convinced that the Cutucu land package is one of the last areas left of significant mineral potential in the South American Cordillera that may have the potential to yield several new mines. Pioneering is not easy, nor does it yield the quick results preferred by investors and other stakeholders. It requires patience and perseverance, but the rewards can be spectacular.

Current Situation in Ecuador and Recently Imposed Mining Service Fee

As announced in our press releases July 28, 2025 and June 11, 2025, the Company has been assessed a $24.1 million USD mining service fee (the "TASA") annually by the Government of Ecuador, ostensibly to fight illegal mining in the country. This is an industry-wide fee and is assessed by area under concessions. Aurania has no illegal mining on the concessions; nevertheless, the demand still stands. Comments have appeared in the Mining Journal, Bloomberg and Forbes regarding the potential damage the TASA would cause to the exploration industry in Ecuador and to date, we are aware of seven Constitutional Challenges that have been brought about, questioning its legality.

The recent initiatives presented by President Noboa have triggered conflict with the Court and widespread social unrest in Ecuador. This has resulted in clashes, nationwide protests, road closures, direct attacks on the President, and significant disruptions across multiple regions. Given the current circumstances, the Company has chosen to suspend all activity in Ecuador and take a "wait and see" attitude. In the meantime, the Company remains optimistic about its strategy to focus its efforts on projects for gold and strategic metals in Europe, along with potential opportunities elsewhere.

Qualified Persons:

The geological information contained in this news release has been verified and approved by Aurania's VP Exploration, Mr. Jean-Paul Pallier, MSc. Mr. Pallier is a designated EurGeol by the European Federation of Geologists and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

About Aurania

Aurania is a mineral exploration company engaged in the identification, evaluation, acquisition, and exploration of mineral property interests, with a focus on precious metals and copper in South America and critical energy and precious metals in Europe.

Information on Aurania and technical reports are available at www.aurania.com and www.sedarplus.ca, as well as on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/auranialtd/, Twitter at https://twitter.com/auranialtd, and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/aurania-resources-ltd-.

For further information, please contact:

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking information as such term is defined in applicable securities laws, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. The forward-looking information includes: that the company is focused on gold and strategic metals projects in Europe and other opportunities abroad, the possibility that at least some of the Aurania sinter systems spread out over 30 kilometres could host another bonanza-grade type FDN, that Aurania's technical team are convinced that the Cutucu land package is one of the last areas left of significant mineral potential in the South American Cordillera that may have the potential to yield up several new mines, Aurania's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the tonnage and grade of mineralization which has the potential for economic extraction and processing, the merits and effectiveness of known process and recovery methods, the corporation's portfolio, treasury, management team and enhanced capital markets profile, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration, timing of the commencement of operations, the commencement of any drill program and estimates of market conditions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to Aurania, including the assumption that, there will be no material adverse change in metal prices, all necessary consents, licenses, permits and approvals will be obtained, including various local government licenses and the market. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking information include, among other things: failure to identify mineral resources; failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves; the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; the inability to recover and process mineralization using known mining methods; the presence of deleterious mineralization or the inability to process mineralization in an environmentally acceptable manner; commodity prices, supply chain disruptions, restrictions on labour and workplace attendance and local and international travel; a failure to obtain or delays in obtaining the required regulatory licenses, permits, approvals and consents; an inability to access financing as needed; an inability to fund or extend the payment of Ecuador mineral concession fees which are due and payable and could result in the forfeiture of such mineral concessions; an inability to fund the administrative fees imposed by the Ecuadorian Control and Regulation Agency (ARCOM for its Spanish acronym) on the mining sector which could render the Company insolvent; a general economic downturn, a volatile stock price, labour strikes, political unrest, changes in the mining regulatory regime governing Aurania; a failure to comply with environmental regulations; a weakening of market and industry reliance on precious metals and base metals; and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR+. Aurania cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272504

SOURCE: Aurania Resources Ltd.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - Canstar Resources Inc. (TSXV: ROX) (OTCID: CSRNF) ("Canstar" or the "Company") has closed the non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") originally announced on September 23, 2025.

The Offering raised total gross proceeds of $1,169,970.54, with $1.15 million attributable to non-flow-through ("hard dollar") units. The hard-dollar financing was oversubscribed and was comprised almost entirely of institutional investors, reflecting strong demand for quality exploration exposure in Newfoundland.

Including proceeds received under the Company's early warrant exercise incentive program, which generated an additional $517,868 in gross proceeds since June 2025, Canstar has now raised a total of approximately $1.67 million in hard-dollar capital in recent months.

Given the depth of institutional participation in this round, the Company elected to prioritize hard-dollar issuance over flow-through financing at this time. Supported by the $11.5 million exploration partnership with VMS Mining Corporation and several expected milestones, management believes Canstar is well-positioned to undertake future financings, if warranted, at valuations that reflect the success of ongoing strategic initiatives, continued execution, and disciplined capital management.

Juan Carlos Giron Jr., President & CEO of Canstar, commented:

"We're closing this financing from a position of strength, consistent with Canstar's disciplined capital strategy focused on enduring value creation and efficiency. With strong partners and exciting exploration opportunities emerging at Mary March, we're advancing with focus and momentum. Our strategy is delivering, and we believe the Company is entering a particularly compelling stage of its evolution."

Use of Proceeds

The proceeds from the Offering and from prior warrant exercises will be used for general corporate purposes, including exploration at the Company's Buchans, Mary March, and Golden Baie projects, as well as working capital and corporate development activities.

All securities issued under the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Offering remains subject to final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

Offering Details

The Offering consisted of:

17,738,008 non-flow-through units (" NFT Units ") issued at a price of $0.065 per NFT Unit, for gross proceeds of $1,152,970.54; and

200,000 flow-through units ("FT Units") issued at a price of $0.085 per FT Unit, for gross proceeds of $17,000.

Each NFT Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one transferable common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each FT Unit consists of one common share and one-half of one warrant (with two such half warrants being a whole Warrant). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.10 per share, exercisable for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance for NFT Units and 12 months for FT Units.

The gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Units will be used to incur Canadian Exploration Expenses ("CEE") on the Company's Newfoundland properties. These expenditures are expected to qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and to be renounced to subscribers with an effective date no later than December 31, 2025 (or such other date as permitted by law).

In connection with the Offering, the Company paid cash finder's fees totaling $56,940 and issued 861,000 non-transferable finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants"). Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.10 per share for a period of 36 months following the closing date.

All securities issued under the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance, expiring March 1, 2026.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used for exploration activities, general working capital, and corporate purposes.

United States Securities Law Disclosure

The securities issued under the Offering have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.

About Canstar Resources Inc.

Canstar Resources Inc. (TSXV: ROX) is an exploration company focused on critical minerals and gold. The Company's 100%-owned Golden Baie Project (489.5 km2) hosts high-grade gold and antimony showings along a major mineralized structure that also hosts a large number of gold deposits. The Buchans and Mary March projects (122.5 km2) are located within the world-class, past-producing VMS zinc-, copper-, gold- and silver-rich Buchans Mining Camp and boast high-grade zinc and copper discoveries.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains statements that are considered "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking statements") with respect to the Company, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the completion of the Offering, the use of proceeds from the Offering, the issuance of securities thereunder, and the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "proposes", and similar expressions, or statements that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the Company's ability to complete the Offering on the terms described or at all; the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange; the use of proceeds from the Offering; potential changes in market or economic conditions; fluctuations in the trading price of the Company's common shares; the Company's ability to raise sufficient capital for its operations; general business, economic, and market conditions; changes in laws or regulations applicable to the Company; dependence on key management personnel; and competition within the industry. Additional risk factors are identified in the Company's most recent management discussion and analysis and other disclosure documents available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

There may also be other risk factors not presently known to the Company or that the Company currently believes are not material that could cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information.

All forward-looking information in this news release is made as of the date hereof. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs, expectations, and opinions of management on the date the statements are made and involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks, and uncertainties.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272506

SOURCE: Canstar Resources Inc.
Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX) ("Benton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received encouraging gold results from its first seven holes from resource drilling at the South Pond Gold-Copper Deposit (see Table 1, Figures 2 and 3). The ongoing program is focused on demonstrating continuity along the 2.7 km long gold-copper horizon, which remains open north and south of the current drilling limits. Results to date confirm the presence of multiple well-mineralized zones, including hole SP 25-35, where folding or faulting may have resulted in the additional intersections. Further drilling is planned to determine the extent and control of the multiple zones. Chalcopyrite mineralization was noted in many holes and base metal assay results are still outstanding. A table of results is listed below.

Table 1: South Pond Drill Results

DDH # From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) SP-25-35 6.60 25.60 19.00 0.60 incl 22.60 25.60 3.00 1.86 incl 23.60 24.60 1.00 2.53 and 45.60 55.60 10.00 0.73 incl 46.60 47.60 1.00 1.38 SP-25-36 27.20 38.55 11.35 1.01 incl 29.55 31.55 2.00 2.39 SP-25-37 19.75 35.75 16.00 1.13 incl 22.75 26.75 4.00 2.15 incl 24.75 25.75 1.00 3.50 SP-25-38 9.35 24.75 15.40 1.11 incl 12.55 17.55 5.00 2.14 incl 15.55 16.55 1.00 2.98 SP-25-39 30.30 50.30 20.00 0.26 incl 42.30 43.30 1.00 0.84 SP-25-40 28.40 29.40 1.00 0.42 SP-25-41 27.20 29.40 2.20 0.51

Note: True widths estimated to be ~90% of reported core lengths.

The Company also completed two aggressive step-out drill holes, SP 25-40 and 41, located approximately 340 m and 190 m north of the South Pond deposit. Both holes intersected highly anomalous gold values confirming the continuation of gold mineralization to the north and highlighting the strong expansion potential to the system.

A further two holes (GB 25-67/68) were drilled beneath and approximately 25 m north along strike from previous announced NGB target (see Company news release dated September 10, 2025), where drill hole GB-25-63 intersected 5.46 g/t gold and 0.35% copper over 2.75 m, and 2.16 g/t gold and 1.09% copper over 3.00 m. The east-directed holes did not intersect significant mineralization, however, subsequent stripping and detailed mapping revealed steep east-dipping folding, which may explain the result. Bedrock sampling located approximately 100 m to the east-northeast returned assays of 31.35, 4.57, 2.56 and 1.19 g/t gold, coupled with high-grade copper results up to 3.22%, indicating that the mineralized horizon continues to the north. The area is currently being further sampled and mapped to better understand the zone prepare it for drilling in the future.

Stephen Stares, Company President and CEO, stated, "We are confident that the Great Burnt and South Pond deposits will continue to deliver excellent results as we move them forward. Being in the industry and having drilled hundreds of drill holes on various projects, the Great Burnt Project is truly a rare gem. These are once-in-a-lifetime projects, where you can get continuous mineralization over such a large area. We now have high-grade copper systems and at least a 2.7 km-long gold-copper system on the same property. We are really excited to continue unlocking the Great Burnt Project's true potential."

Figure 1: Great Burnt Target Areas

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/272512_1fe1d6c8c4aab9f3_003full.jpg

Figure 2: South Pond Drilling Plan Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/272512_1fe1d6c8c4aab9f3_004full.jpg

Figure 3: South Pond Longitudinal Section

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3657/272512_bentonmap.jpg

QP

Stephen House (P.Geo.), Vice President of Exploration for Benton Resources Inc., the 'Qualified Person' under National Instrument 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release and prepared or supervised its preparation.

QA/QC Protocols

Core and rock samples, including standards, blanks and duplicates, are submitted to Eastern Analytical Ltd., Springdale, Newfoundland for preparation and analysis. All samples were acquired by saw-cut (channels/drill core) with one-half submitted for assay and one-half retained for reference, or hand (rocks) and delivered, by Benton personnel, in sealed bags, to the Springdale lab of Eastern Analytical, which is an accredited assay lab that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Samples are analyzed using Eastern's Au (Fire assay) @ 30g + ICP-34 method that delivers a 34-element package utilizing a 200 mg subsample totally dissolved in four acids and analyzed by ICP-OES analytical technique. Overlimits are analysed with Eastern's atomic absorption method, using a 0.200 g to 2.00 g of sample, digested with three acids. All reported assays are uncut. Eastern Analytical Ltd. achieved ISO 17025 accreditation in February 2014 (for more details on the scope of accreditation visit the CALA website). Grab samples are selective in nature and may not represent the average mineralization of a bedrock exposure.

About Benton Resources Inc.

Benton Resources is a well-financed mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol BEX. Benton has a diversified, highly prospective property portfolio and holds large equity positions in other mining companies that are advancing high-quality assets. Whenever possible, BEX retains net smelter return (NSR) royalties with potential long-term cash flow.

Benton is focused on advancing its high-grade Copper-Gold Great Burnt Project in central Newfoundland, which has a Mineral Resource estimate of 667,000 tonnes @ 3.21% Cu Indicated and 482,000 @ 2.35% Cu Inferred. The Project has an excellent geological setting covering 25km of strike and boasts six known Cu-Au-Ag zones over 15km that are all open for expansion. Further potential for discovery is excellent given the extensive number of untested geophysical targets and Cu-Au soil anomalies. Phase 1 and 2 drill programs returned impressive results including 25.42 m of 5.51% Cu, including 9.78 m of 8.31% Cu, and 1.00 m of 12.70% Cu. Drilling at the South Pond Gold Zone, approximately 7.5 km north of the Great Burnt Copper-Gold Zone, has confirmed a robust gold-mineralized system over 2.5 km with results of 74.20 m of 1.43g/t Au and 43.75 m of 1.62g/t Au and is open for expansion in all directions.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Benton Resources Inc.,

"Stephen Stares"

Stephen Stares, President

Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact Mr. Stares at the number below.

Website: www.bentonresources.ca

Twitter: @BentonResources

Facebook: @BentonResourcesBEX

THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements."

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272512

SOURCE: Benton Resources Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - T2 Metals Corp. (TSXV: TWO) (OTCQB: TWOSF) (WKN: A3DVMD) ("T2 Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of the Company's first reconnaissance exploration program at the Shanghai gold - silver Project (the "Project") in the prolific Tombstone Gold Belt of the Yukon Territory, Canada (Figure 1). T2 Metals is earning a 100% interest in the 27.4 sq km project from renowned explorer Shawn Ryan (see press release dated September 10 2025).

The helicopter-supported field program was executed by a four-person crew from Groundtruth Exploration Inc., utilizing the nearby Banyan Gold Corp camp as an operational base. The campaign successfully completed the primary objective of ground checking gold and silver auger soil geochemical anomalies with the goal of defining drilling targets for 2026.

The Shanghai Project has been issued a Class 3 permit that enables drilling, road construction and installation of a camp with no additional permission required. The historical Shanghai Silver Mine had road access from the Eagle Mine Road at the time of production. Despite its proximity to gold ("Au") and silver ("Ag") deposits and mines, the Shanghai project has never been drilled.

Program Summary & Highlights:

Targeted Sampling: team successfully collected a total of 52 rock and 3 soil samples from two main prospective zones, focusing on areas with significant gold and silver anomalies in soils and high-grade trench samples.

Target Zone 1 (Ag-Au-Polymetallic): prospecting in the southern sector confirmed the presence of Keno Hill-style, polymetallic quartz-vein mineralization within weathered metasediments (interpreted as Keno Hill Quartzite). Mapping revealed sulphides and sulfosalts - key indicators of polymetallic vein systems in the Keno Hill area 12 km east of Shanghai.



Prior sampling from historical trenches in this area included the exceptional results of 1.1 oz/tonne Au and 790.5 oz/tonne Ag (see Yukon Minfile ARMC005629 and Doherty, R. A. 2022)*1

Target Zone 2 (Reduced Intrusion-Related Gold Systems or "RIRGS"): prospecting in the northern sector located a deformed rock sequence consisting of layered mica schist/phyllite of the Upper Proterozoic Yusezyu Formation with iron-oxide alteration. This is strongly indicative of a disseminated mineralization of a RIRGS type, often associated with nearby Cretaceous intrusions.



Site visits included the location of a 6.1 g/t Au soil sample previously taken by project partner Shawn Ryan.

Logistics: The program was executed efficiently by a geological team, with logistical access from the Banyan Gold Corp camp only 6 km from site. All rock and soil samples have been delivered to Bureau Veritas Minerals laboratory in Whitehorse, Yukon for analysis.

Mark Saxon, CEO of T2 Metals Corp commented, "This high-impact program was executed by the experienced team from Groundtruth Exploration and provided rapid validation of auger soil anomalies identified by Shawn Ryan. We have now geologically confirmed two distinct styles of mineralization on the Shanghai property: Keno Hill-style silver veins and the large-scale Reduced Intrusion-Related Gold style, similar to those being explored and developed by peers in the Tombstone Gold Belt. We keenly await this program's assay results to finalize and prioritize drill locations for the Phase 1 drill campaign planned for 2026."

Figure 1: Regional Location of the Shanghai Project, Yukon Territory, Canada.

See Table 1 for additional information on resource-stage projects and supporting NI43-101 report references.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7326/272500_f8d72f6f44dc4a05_002full.jpg

Assessment of two distinct mineralization targets

The Zone 1 (Figure 2) sampling targeted the Keno Hill Quartzite that lies immediately beneath the Robert Service Thrust Fault, in a geological setting that matches that of the nearby Keno Hill mines (Figure 3). Mapping located quartz veins and stockworks within weathered metasediments (shale/schist) (Figure 4A & B). The coarse-grained, layered quartz veins with sulphosalts (common silver carriers in the district) are direct analogs to Keno Hill-style mineralization. Numerous samples were collected.

The Zone 2 (Figure 2) sampling focused on locations within the Upper Proterozoic Hyland Group Yusezyu Formation comprised of phyllite and rare calc silicate rocks that sits above the Roberts Service Thrust Fault in a setting analogous to Banyan Gold Corp's AurMac deposit (Figure 5). Exploration in this area focused on broad areas where prior soil samples by partner Shawn Ryan discovered anomalous gold, antimony, and arsenic anomalies.

The field team noted significant structural deformation in outcrop likely due to the close proximity to the Robert Service Thrust Fault. Furthermore, quartz veining combined with iron-oxide alteration was commonly observed (Figure 5), suggesting fluid flow related to nearby Cretaceous intrusions and the potential for a disseminated, intrusion-related gold system. The site of a prior 6.141 g/t Au auger soil sample was located and sampled.

Access alternatives for 2026 drill programs were assessed.

Figure 2: Target Areas for follow up in field program based on soil geochemistry. Au-As-Sb association highlights "Tombstone Intrusion" style gold mineralization above thrust fault. Zone 1 - southern; Zone 2 - northern.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7326/272500_f8d72f6f44dc4a05_003full.jpg







Figure 3: Geological Map for Shanghai Project, Yukon Territory, Canada

See Table 1 for additional information on resource-stage projects and supporting NI43-101 report references.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7326/272500_f8d72f6f44dc4a05_004full.jpg



A

Figure 4A: Rock samples from historical trenches along strike from the Shanghai Silver Mine (Keno Hill-style mineralization). Sample 2020751 shows schist - shale type host with quartz veins, sulphosalts, stockwork veining, oxidized sulphide, and grey sulphide.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7326/272500_f8d72f6f44dc4a05_005full.jpg



B

Figure 4B: Rock samples from historical trenches along strike from the Shanghai Silver Mine (Keno Hill-style mineralization). Sample 2020752 shows milky white quartz veins within dark grey schist/shale host. Veins have rusty spots and vugs of ex-sulphide.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7326/272500_f8d72f6f44dc4a05_006full.jpg



Figure 5: Hydrothermal quartz vein with iron oxide staining collected from weathered bedrock adjacent to previously collected soil sample with a gold concentration of 6.141 g/t Au..

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7326/272500_f8d72f6f44dc4a05_007full.jpg





About the Historical Shanghai Silver Mine

Shanghai sits within the northwest portion of the Yukon's Tombstone Gold Belt, one of North America's most active and gold-endowed mining districts, and home to the famous Klondike goldfield. Recent exploration of the Tombstone Gold Belt by Snowline Gold Corp (Valley project), Sitka Gold Corp (RC Gold project), Banyan Gold Corp (AurMac project) and Sanatana Resources Inc have highlighted the potential for major new gold discoveries and value creation.

The Shanghai Silver Mine is hosted by the Keno Hill Quartzite immediately below the regionally extensive Robert Service Thrust fault. It lies on the northern limb of the McQuesten Antiform, presenting a mirror image of the Keno Hill camp found on the southern limb of this antiform.

During the 1960's the Shanghai Silver Mine was explored by Silver Titan Mines Ltd with close to 800 m of underground development. Assays reported from underground workings that followed veins included 9.1 m @ 1182.8 g/t Ag, 8.2% Pb and 7.2% Zn (average width of 1.5 m) (Yukon Minfile 105M 028).

About the Tombstone Gold Belt

The Tombstone Gold Belt, a component of the larger Tintina Gold Province, is a highly prospective metallogenic province in the Yukon, with a range of well-known and emerging gold discoveries. The belt is characterized by a suite of mid-Cretaceous, reduced, felsic intrusions known as the Tombstone Plutonic Suite. These intrusive bodies and the surrounding host rocks have created conditions for the formation of numerous Reduced Intrusion-Related Gold Systems (RIRGS). Exploration efforts have identified multiple mineralized corridors with gold hosted in sheeted quartz veins and disseminated mineralization within both the intrusive bodies and the hornfelsed country rocks.

Gold mineralization in the Tombstone Gold Belt is typically associated with a distinctive multi-element signature that includes bismuth, tellurium, and tungsten, along with arsenic and antimony. Gold-bearing fluids exsolved from cooling intrusions and preferentially deposited gold in brittle, structurally controlled environments. Both high-grade, structurally-controlled vein systems and lower-grade, bulk-tonnage deposits are known. The region hosts numerous significant deposits and is the site of recent discoveries by companies such as Snowline Gold Corp., Banyan Gold Corp. and Sitka Gold Corp.

Project EFFECTIVE DATE Author Report For Tonnes (M) Au (g/t) Contained Gold Status Brewery Creek 18/01/2022 Cook. C. et al., 2022. Sabre Gold Mines Corp 34.5 1.03 1.142 M oz Measured & Indicated







36.0 0.88 1.018 M oz Inferred Report Title: Preliminary Economic Assessment. NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Brewery Creek Project Yukon Territory, Canada Eagle (Dublin Gulch) 31/12/2022 Harvey, N., 2022 Victoria Gold Corp 233.2 0.57 4.303 M oz Measured & Indicated







36.2 0.62 0.724 M oz Inferred Report Title: Technical Report. Eagle Gold Mine. Yukon Territory, Canada Olive (Dublin Gulch) 31/12/2022 Harvey, N., 2022 Victoria Gold Corp 11.6 0.97 0.361 M oz Measured & Indicated







5.5 1.17 206,479 Inferred Report Title: Technical Report. Eagle Gold Mine. Yukon Territory, Canada Raven (Dublin Gulch) 15/09/2022 Jutras, M., 2022. Victoria Gold Corp 19.9 1.67 1.071 M oz Inferred Report Title: Technical Report On The Raven Mineral Deposit, Mayo Mining District Yukon Territory, Canada Blackjack (RC Gold) 21/01/2025 Simpson. R., 2025 Sitka Gold Corp 39.9 1.01 1.298 M oz Indicated







34.6 0.94 1.045 M oz Inferred Report Title: Clear Creek Property, RC Gold Project NI 43-101 Technical Report Dawson Mining District, Yukon Territory Eiger (RC Gold) 19/01/2023 Simpson. R., 2025 Sitka Gold Corp 27.4 0.5 0.440 M oz Inferred Report Title: Clear Creek Property, RC Gold Project. NI 43-101 Technical Report. Dawson Mining District, Yukon Territory Airstrip (AurMac) 28/06/2025 Jutras, M., 2025 Banyan Gold Corp 27.7 0.69 0.614 M oz Indicated







10.1 0.75 0.244 M oz Inferred Report Title: Technical Report, Aurmac Property, Yukon Territory, Canada Powerline (AurMac) 28/06/2025 Jutras, M., 2025 Banyan Gold Corp 84.8 0.61 1.663 M oz Indicated







270.4 0.60 5.216 M oz Inferred Report Title: Technical Report, Aurmac Property, Yukon Territory, Canada Florin 6/04/2025 Simpson. R., 2021 St. James Gold Corp. 170.9 0.45 2.474 M oz Inferred Report Title: Florin Gold Project. NI 43-101 Technical Report. Mayo and Dawson Mining Districts, Yukon Territory Valley (Rouge) 15/05/2025 Burrell. H. et al., 2024 Snowline Gold Corp 75.8 1.66 4,047 M oz Indicated







81.0 1.25 3.256 M oz Inferred Report Title: Rogue Project. NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate. Yukon Territory, Canada

Table 1: Gold Deposits in the Tombstone Gold Belt with NI43-101 References

Disclaimers

The qualified person (as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) for the Company's projects, Mr. Mark Saxon, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, has reviewed and approved the contents of this release.

Readers are cautioned that the discussion about adjacent or similar properties in this press release is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization or potential of the Shanghai property. The Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any such adjacent properties.

*1 The reader is cautioned that the historical sampling results, while sourced from independent reports accessed from the Government of Yukon website should not relied upon and are included for context. The Company will need to conduct further exploration, and there is no guarantee that the results obtained will reflect the historical results.

Reference

Doherty, R. A., 2022. NI43-101 Technical Report titled "Shanghai Project Technical Report, Mayo Mining District, Yukon" dated July 15, 2022 on behalf of Targa Exploration Corp. on www.sedarplus.ca.

About T2 Metals Corp (TSXV: TWO) (OTC Pink: TWOSF) (WKN: A3DVMD)

T2 Metals Corp is an emerging copper and precious metal company enhancing shareholder value through exploration and discovery. T2 is focused on the Sherridon Project in Manitoba, the Shanghai Project in the Yukon, and the Cora Project in Arizona.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set out in this news release constitutes forward-looking information. Forward looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions. Forward-looking information in this press release include statements regarding the potential exercise of the Option and obtaining regulatory approval for the Option, and future exploration plans for the Company on the Shanghai project. Forward-looking statements are based upon the opinions and expectations of management of the Company as at the effective date of such statements and, in certain cases, information provided or disseminated by third parties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, and that information obtained from third party sources is reliable, they can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such risks include uncertainties relating to exploration activities; risks in obtaining regulatory approval; the impact of exploration competition; unexpected geological conditions; changes in government regulations and policies, including trade laws and policies; failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities; volatility and sensitivity to market prices; volatility and sensitivity to capital market fluctuations; the ability to raise funds through private or public equity financings; environmental and safety risks including increased regulatory burdens; weather and other natural phenomena; and other exploration, development, operating, financial market risks. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof or the dates specifically referenced in this press release, where applicable. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272500

SOURCE: T2 Metals Corp.
October 30, 2025

10-year collaboration aims to connect scalable monitoring technology that streamlines workflows, supporting patient safety and the patient and clinician experience



Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Newport Beach, Calif., USA - Royal Philips, Orange County, California's highest-ranked hospital, today announced a landmark 10-year strategic collaboration. The initiative will standardize and modernize patient monitoring across Hoag's two acute care hospitals, including its expanded Sun Family Campus in Irvine, which in mid-2026 will add 155 inpatient beds. The solution, which delivers continuous monitoring, supports early intervention, patient-centered care and enables informed decision-making across hospital environments.



Hoag will adopt Philips' Enterprise Monitoring as a Servicebedside and X3transport patient monitors across its network. This will create a unified, patient-centered monitoring environment that supports clinical efficiency, data continuity and patient safety. The Philips Patient Information Center) central patient monitor system serves as the foundation of this ecosystem, integrating patient monitoring data, clinical decision support tools, early warning scores and advanced analytics to enable clinicians to make informed decisions for the right patient at the right time. Hoag selected Philips' EMaaS model to ensure continuous access to the innovations with financial predictability.



"Our partnership with Philips represents a shared commitment to advancing healthcare through collaboration, trust and innovation," said Rick Martin, Hoag Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer. "By creating a seamless monitoring environment that travels with the patient, we're enhancing both the quality and comfort of care. Clinicians gain continuous insights wherever the patient is, which reduces disruptions, improves safety and ensures a more personalized experience. It's another way Hoag is bringing world-class, accessible care to our community right here in Orange County."



The combination of the Philips MX750 and X3 creates a powerful, software-driven monitoring solution that lets clinicians instantly adjust monitoring levels, flexibly transforming any bed to meet a patient's changing acuity care needs while supporting rapid response and continuity of care. Designed to be scalable, secure and interoperable, Philips' systems integrate with Hoag's electronic health record (EHR) platform, supporting efficient and coordinated patient care.



"This collaboration is a transformative milestone in our journey to designing care that truly revolves around the needs of both patients and clinicians," said Julia Strandberg, Chief Business Leader, Connected Care, Philips. "By deploying integrated monitoring solutions across Hoag's network that flex to patient acuity and care setting, we're enabling a smarter, more responsive care environment - one that supports clinical excellence, reduces complexity and delivers insights where and when they matter most. Together, we're building the infrastructure for care that's connected, scalable and ready for the future."

Contact:

Mark Groves

Philips External Relations

Tel: +31 631 639 916

Email: mark.groves@philips.com



Avi Dines

Philips North America

Tel: +1-781-690-3814

Email: avi.dines@philips.com

About Hoag

Hoag is a nonprofit, regional healthcare delivery system in Orange County, California. Delivering world-class, comprehensive, personalized care, Hoag consists of 1,800 top physicians, 18 urgent care facilities, 13 health & wellness centers, and two award-winning hospitals. Hoag offers a comprehensive blend of healthcare services that includes seven institutes providing specialized services in the following areas: cancer, digestive health, heart and vascular, neurosciences, spine, women's health, and orthopedics through Hoag's affiliate, Hoag Orthopedic Institute, which consists of an orthopedic hospital and five ambulatory surgical centers. Hoag is the highest ranked hospital in Orange County by U.S. News & World Report and the only OC hospital ranked in the Top 10 in California, as well as a designated Magnet with Distinction hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). For more information, visit hoag.org.

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips.









The opinions and clinical experiences presented herein are specific to the featured topic(s) and are not linked to any specific patient and are for information purposes only. The medical experience(s) derived from specified topic(s) may not be predictive of all patients. Individual results may vary depending on a variety of patient-specific attributes and related factors. Nothing in this news announcement is intended to provide specific medical advice or to take the place of written law or regulations.

Attachments
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E-commerce platforms in countries like Germany, Sweden, and Poland have integrated BNPL services to enhance customer convenience. Platforms like Zalando and Otto have reported increased conversions due to installment-based payment options. Eastern European markets, including Poland and the Czech Republic, are witnessing rapid growth in e-commerce BNPL adoption through platforms like Allegro.

Consumer preferences for digital shopping and the convenience of interest-free installments drive BNPL growth. E-commerce platforms increasingly use BNPL to boost cart conversion rates, especially for high-value items such as electronics, fashion, and furniture.

BNPL is expected to become a standard feature on European e-commerce platforms. Cross-border e-commerce expansion will further increase BNPL penetration in Eastern Europe, with local fintech players forming partnerships to capture growing demand.

Omnichannel BNPL Strategies Enhance Retail Engagement

European retailers are increasingly adopting omnichannel BNPL strategies, allowing customers to initiate payments online and complete transactions in-store or vice versa. MediaMarkt and Decathlon have expanded BNPL services across physical and digital channels to improve the shopping experience.

Consumers are blending online research with in-person shopping, making it essential for retailers to offer seamless payment options across multiple touchpoints. BNPL enhances convenience by providing flexibility at every stage of the purchasing journey.

Omnichannel integration will become a key factor in retailer differentiation. Providers that streamline online and in-store payment solutions will enhance customer loyalty, particularly in the electronics, fashion, and home improvement sectors.

Anticipated Competitive Dynamics Over the Next 2-4 Years

Focus on ESG Integration: With increasing regulatory and consumer demand for sustainability, providers may introduce green finance initiatives, offering incentives for eco-friendly purchases. Companies like Riverty are already taking steps in this direction.

Technology and Personalization: Providers will likely invest in AI and data-driven personalization to improve credit risk assessment and tailor repayment plans. This will help improve customer loyalty and reduce defaults in key markets.

Market Consolidation: As regulatory scrutiny intensifies, smaller BNPL providers may seek mergers with larger players to achieve economies of scale and compliance readiness. Larger firms are expected to acquire fintech startups to expand their service portfolios and geographic reach.

Companies Featured

Klarna

Paypal

Afterpay

Ratepay

Billpay

Cashpresso

MyMondu

Paysafe Pay Later

Santander Consumer Bank

Twisto

Oney

Alma

Mollie

Billie

Santander Consumer Finance

Twisto

Ratepay

Smoothie

Viabill

Splitit

Revolut

Revolut

Billie

Cofidis

Younited Credit

Spotii

Lendico

Laybuy

Zip

Sezzle

Affirm

Zilch

Tabby

PayMe

Pace

Split

Klarna

Scalapay

Paypal Credit

Riverty

Alfa

Aplazame

Snoop

Mokka

Dolyame.ru

Alfa-Bank

Home Credit Bank

ZoodPay

SeQura

Clearpay

Paga Tarde

CaixaBank

BBVA

Walley

Avarda

Satander Consumer Bank

Twint

Swissbilling

Byjuno

HeidiPay

Pay18r

DivideBuy

Zilch

PayPal

Finloup

MelonPay

TBI Bank

Uplift

PayPo

Allegro

mBank

BNP Paribas

ING Bank Slaski

Alior Bank

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/38j5c1

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CALGARY, ALBERTA / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / Canadian Legal Resource Centre Inc., a trusted paralegal service provider and RCMP-accredited fingerprinting agency, has once again been honoured with the Consumer Choice Award in the paralegal services category for Southern Alberta. This milestone marks the company's 20th consecutive year receiving the award, underscoring its reputation for excellence, customer service, and community trust.

Founded in 1995, Canadian Legal Resource Centre Inc. has built a strong presence in Calgary and beyond by offering accessible, professional, and affordable legal support services. For nearly 30 years, the firm has helped clients navigate important legal and administrative matters, from uncontested divorces and legal separation agreements to pardons, record suspensions, U.S. waivers, and fingerprinting. By combining paralegal expertise with a client-first approach, the company has become a respected leader in its field and an essential resource for individuals seeking clarity and peace of mind in often complex legal processes.

Comprehensive Paralegal Services

The Canadian Legal Resource Centre provides a wide range of services that are designed to support clients through significant personal and legal milestones. Whether guiding someone through an uncontested divorce, preparing a legal separation agreement, or helping an individual apply for a pardon, the firm is known for simplifying difficult procedures and ensuring that every client receives personalized attention.

As an RCMP-accredited fingerprinting agency, the firm also assists with services required for employment, travel, and immigration purposes. This dual expertise in both paralegal services and fingerprinting allow clients to find efficient, professional assistance in one place. Over three decades, the firm has built a reputation for accuracy, integrity, and efficiency in every service it provides.

"Our goal has always been to make the legal process as straightforward and stress-free as possible for our clients," says Deborah L. Ward, Owner/Manager of Canadian Legal Resource Centre Inc. "We know that many of the services we provide are tied to important and often emotional moments in people's lives. That's why we focus on being approachable, knowledgeable, and dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for those we serve."

Two Decades of Recognition

Winning the Consumer Choice Award for 20 consecutive years is an achievement that very few businesses attain. This recognition is based on independent consumer research that evaluates reputation, customer satisfaction, and business performance across the region. For Canadian Legal Resource Centre, the award is not only a marker of consistent excellence but also a reflection of the trust and loyalty it has built with its clients.

"We are honoured to be recognized for two decades of excellence by Consumer Choice Award," says Ward. "It is an incredible achievement and one that we share with our clients. Their feedback and ongoing support inspire us to continue raising the standard for paralegal services in Southern Alberta."

A Legacy of Trust and Integrity

The firm's long-standing reputation for quality is reinforced by its A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, which further demonstrates its dedication to ethical practices and client satisfaction. Over the years, Canadian Legal Resource Centre has grown not only in size but also in the breadth of services it offers. Despite these changes, its core mission has remained the same: to provide affordable, reliable paralegal services with an emphasis on compassion, clarity, and professionalism.

As the legal landscape continues to evolve, Canadian Legal Resource Centre has adapted its services to meet emerging needs while maintaining the high standards that have defined its success for three decades. This adaptability has allowed the company to remain a trusted choice for individuals and families in Southern Alberta year after year.

Looking Ahead

As Canadian Legal Resource Centre celebrates 30 years of service in 2025, the company remains committed to upholding its reputation for excellence. Its focus will continue to be on delivering exceptional customer experiences, providing clear guidance in complex situations, and helping clients achieve outcomes that bring peace of mind and security.

"Reaching 30 years in business and 20 years as a Consumer Choice Award winner is a remarkable milestone," adds Ward. "We are deeply grateful to our clients for allowing us to be part of their journeys. Their trust motivates us to continue building a legacy of excellence for decades to come."

To learn more about Canadian Legal Resource Centre Inc. or to book an appointment, visit www.canadianlegal.org or CLICK HERE.

About Canadian Legal Resource Centre Inc.

Founded in 1995, Canadian Legal Resource Centre Inc. is a Calgary-based paralegal service provider and RCMP-accredited fingerprinting agency. The company offers services such as uncontested divorces, legal separation agreements, pardons, record suspensions, U.S. waivers, and fingerprinting. With 30 years of experience, a BBB A+ reputation, and 20 consecutive Consumer Choice Award wins, the firm remains committed to providing exceptional client service and trusted legal support. Learn more at www.canadianlegal.org.

About Consumer Choice Award

Since 1987, Consumer Choice Award has been recognizing and promoting business excellence across North America. Through a rigorous selection process, only the most outstanding businesses in each category earn this prestigious recognition. Learn more at www.ccaward.com.

Contact Information:

Sumi Saleh

Communications Manager

ssaleh@ccaward.com

SOURCE: Consumer Choice Award

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/canadian-legal-resource-centre-inc.-wins-2025-consumer-choice-aw-1092797
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - Aftermath Silver Ltd. (TSXV: AAG) (OTCQX: AAGFF) (the "Company" or "Aftermath") is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into three (3) agreements (collectively, the "Investor Relations Agreements"), as described below, with arm's length parties who will undertake Investor Relations Activities, as such term is defined in TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") Policy 3.4 - Investor Relations, Promotional and Market-Making Activities, on behalf of the Company.

Cambridge House Inc.

Pursuant to the agreement dated October 14, 2025, the Company has engaged Cambridge House Inc. ("Cambridge") to provide three (3) video interviews with executives of the Company. Cambridge will receive a total fee of US$34,500 in cash consideration in advance of the first interview being recorded. Cambridge is based in Vancouver, British Columbia and its Chief Executive Officer is Jay Martin.

On execution of the agreement, Jay Martin owned 10,000 common shares of the Company. There are no performance factors contained in the agreement between Cambridge and the Company and Cambridge will not receive any shares or options from the Company as compensation for services it will render.

About Cambridge House Inc & The Jay Martin Show.

The Jay Martin Show maintains a strong North American viewership, providing clients with significant access to the U.S. investor market. Based on consistent audience analytics, 65% of total impressions and viewership are from the United States, with additional international exposure across Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia. This demographic composition positions the platform as one of the leading investor-focused media outlets within the global junior mining ecosystem. While the show's audience is predominantly American, its international reach allows for brand visibility and investor engagement across multiple regions.

Robert M. Sinn

Pursuant to the agreement dated September 1, 2025, the Company has engaged Robert M. Sinn to provide promotional videos, editorial coverage and news release dissemination services for a six (6) month period. Mr. Sinn received a total fee of US$10,000.00 (inclusive of taxes) in cash consideration for the services provided. Mr. Sinn is a trader and portfolio manager based in Florida.

To the Company's knowledge, Mr. Sinn has no present interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company or its securities, or any right or present intent to acquire such an interest. There are no performance factors contained in the agreement between Mr. Sinn and the Company and Mr. Sinn will not receive any shares or options from the Company as compensation for services he will render.

About Robert Sinn

Robert Sinn is a professional trader and macroeconomic market analyst specializing in precious metals, the hard-rock mining industry, and commodities. He is a well-known commentator and conference speaker within the junior-mining sector. Mr. Sinn integrates both fundamental and technical analysis in his work and serves as the senior content creator at Goldfinger Capital.

DCWL Media Ventures Ltd.

Pursuant to the agreement dated September 25, 2025, the Company has engaged DCWL Media Ventures Ltd. ("DCWL") on a one-time basis to provide one video interview with a senior executive of the Company and one advertisement. DCWL received a total fee of C$10,500.00 in consideration for services to be provided. DCWL is based in Vancouver, British Columbia and is wholly owned by David Lin.

To the Company's knowledge, neither DCWL nor Mr. Lin have any present interest, directly or indirectly, in the Company or its securities, or any right or present intent to acquire such an interest. There is no performance factors contained in the agreement between DCWL and the Company and DCWL will not receive any shares or options from the Company as compensation for services it will render.

The Investor Relations Agreements are subject to the approval of the TSXV.

About Aftermath Silver Ltd.

Aftermath Silver is a leading Canadian junior exploration company focused on the development of critical metals projects. Aftermath is a preeminent silver development company with significant leverage to copper and high purity battery grade manganese. The Company's flagship asset is the Berenguela silver, copper and manganese deposit located in Southern Peru.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Ralph Rushton"

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, the anticipated regulatory approval of the Investor Relations Agreements and the activities to be performed thereunder. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will receive the necessary regulatory approval for the Investor Relations Agreements.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that the Company will not receive the necessary regulatory approval for the Investor Relations Agreements.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272499

SOURCE: Aftermath Silver Ltd.
In a world in which wildfires are escalating and becoming more destructive, the future of wildfire suppression must be ultra-early and autonomous

Dryad Networks, a pioneer in ultra-early wildfire detection technology, today announced the first public demonstration of its Silvanet sensor network detecting and Silvaguard drone system extinguishing a fire in under 12 minutes from ignition with no human intervention marking a major leap forward for early wildfire detection and response. The event proved that Dryad's approach of combining ultra-early detection using AI-powered gas sensors with small, autonomous drone systems can dramatically reduce wildfire damage and response time.

In this groundbreaking Dryad demonstration:

Silvanet sensor network detected a fire within three minutes of ignition

detected a fire within three minutes of ignition Silvaguard observation drone for which Dryad developed the controlling on-board computer and vision system autonomously launched from its solar-powered hangar to locate the fire using optical and infrared imaging

for which Dryad developed the controlling on-board computer and vision system autonomously launched from its solar-powered hangar to locate the fire using optical and infrared imaging Silvaguard suppression drone, enhanced with the same on-board computer and vision system, launched and extinguished the fire

all within less than 12 minutes from ignition, fully autonomous with no human intervention.

The XPRIZE Wildfire jury, technical experts, partner representatives and members of the wildfire response community attended the event. XPRIZE Wildfire is a global competition in which international teams compete with technologies and solutions to end destructive wildfires. Dryad is among 15 semi-finalists in the competition, and the jury attended the demonstration to judge the company's technical progress to inform its selection of finalists.

"The new Silvaguard suppression drone completes our solution combining Silvanet and Silvaguard into the world's first end-to-end autonomous wildfire suppression system combining ultra-early detection with AI-powered gas sensors, and autonomous observation and suppression drones," said Dryad CEO Carsten Brinkschulte. "We are excited to present our Silvaguard suppression drone for the first time to XPRIZE Wildfire, and we're honored to work with other teams towards the goal of ending destructive wildfires, aiming to detect and extinguish wildfires within 10 minutes of ignition. We strongly believe that the future of wildfire suppression is ultra-early and autonomous.

Dryad's Silvaguard is the world's first end-to-end, fully autonomous wildfire detection and suppression system combining ground-based sensors with autonomous observation and suppression drones. The technology combines AI, IoT and robotics into a single, autonomous system that can identify and neutralize fires faster and more precisely than other systems, satellites, cameras or humans. Dryad combines AI-powered Silvanet gas sensors and autonomous Silvaguard drones to independently detect, locate and extinguish wildfires within minutes from ignition.

That's more important than ever amid escalating wildfires, which have become increasingly destructive in recent years. The U.S. is not alone in facing this alarming trend. Australia, Brazil, Canada and regions of the Mediterranean are also experiencing escalating wildfire risk.

For more information about Dryad:

Check out our brief video

Take a deeper dive with this four-minute explainer

Request more information

About Dryad Networks

Dryad provides ultra-early detection of wildfires and health and growth-monitoring of forests through the Silvanet solution solar-powered gas sensors deployed in a large-scale IoT sensor network. Dryad aims to reduce unwanted wildfires, which cause up to 20% of global CO2 emissions and have a devastating impact on biodiversity. By 2030, Dryad aims to prevent 2.8 million hectares (6.9 million acres) of forest from burning, preventing 1.1 billion metric tons of CO2 emissions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030436236/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Maddie Coe

PRforDryad@bospar.com
Funding round of over $100M will be used to further scale production for EnduroSat's modular satellite buses, as new facility offers ability to produce two ESPA-class sats per day

SOFIA, Bulgaria, Oct. 30, 2025, a leading provider of satellite constellations-as-a-service, today announced a new investment from Riot Ventures, Google Ventures, Lux Capital, European Innovation Council Fund and Shrug Capital. The investment, totaling over $100M, marks the second funding round for EnduroSat this year-underscoring the company's strong market traction and ongoing momentum. The funding news coincides with the official opening of EnduroSat's new 188,340-square-foot Space Center, poised to dramatically scale production of its Frame ESPA-class satellites.

The funding and expansion come at a time of accelerating demand for small to midsized satellite constellations, which typically comprise dozens to hundreds of satellites, smaller than mega-constellations like Starlink or Kuiper. These adaptable networks are proving highly attractive for organizations and sovereign entities seeking to establish their own private communications networks and earth observation capabilities.

EnduroSat's new generation of Frame satellites are well-positioned to meet this need. These ESPA-class buses introduce a cableless design, enabling assembly and testing in hours-a major leap in speed and efficiency in deploying satellite missions and constellations.

"Our mission at EnduroSat is to simplify and streamline access to space, making space data a powerful tool for innovation across all industries," said Raycho Raychev, Founder and CEO of EnduroSat. "This latest investment, combined with the launch of our new Space Center, marks a pivotal moment. It not only validates our strong market traction but significantly accelerates our ability to deliver highly capable, cost-effective satellite constellations at an unprecedented scale, moving us closer to a future where space data will become universally accessible and instantly available."

To meet growing customer demand, EnduroSat's new state-of-the-art Space Center is designed to enable the high-volume production of up to two 200-500kg satellites per day. The facility features extensive labs, including advanced RF labs, Hardware and Mechanical labs, ISO-classified clean rooms, and comprehensive space qualification facilities, delivering cutting-edge speed, reliability and cost-efficiency in satellite manufacturing.

Investors in the funding round offered their support for EnduroSat's momentum and vision:

"EnduroSat is redefining how space infrastructure is built and deployed," said Stephen Marcus, Co-Founder and General Partner of Riot Ventures. "Their production capabilities are aligned with the evolving demands of a new generation of satellite operators. We believe EnduroSat is uniquely positioned to empower businesses and governments to leverage the advantagesof their own dedicated space assets, and we're excited to support this vision."

"At GV, we believe the next era of connectivity and exploration will be fueled by scalable, modular satellite platforms," said Roni Hiranand, Partner at GV (Google Ventures). "EnduroSat's technical depth, rapid manufacturing innovation, and customer-first mindset uniquely position them to set a new standard for satellite constellations. We're proud to support Raycho and the entire EnduroSat team as they unlock new possibilities for organizations of every size to access and leverage space data at unprecedented scale."

"EnduroSat's trajectory follows one of the great industrial playbooks of our time," said Brandon Reeves, Partner at Lux Capital. "Much like BYD began building battery components before vertically integrating into complete vehicles, EnduroSat started by building best-in-class subsystems for the space industry and has moved up the stack to now building satellites and full constellation solutions. They understand every layer of the technology stack because they built it themselves, and that deep systems knowledge translates into better performance, faster iteration, and ultimately, superior economics."

About EnduroSatEnduroSatis a leading provider of satellite constellations-as-a-service, making space universally accessible for innovation and exploration. With a focus on rapid deployment, cost-effective satellite buses, and a cableless satellite design, EnduroSat empowers commercial and government entities to quickly build and operate their own dedicated space infrastructure for communications, earth observation, and advanced applications.

Contacts

marketing@endurosat.com
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - 1844 Resources Inc. (TSXV: EFF) ("1844" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received its Work Authorization for Impact (Authorisation de travaux d'impact, ATI) permit, a mandatory requirement in Quebec for exploration activities that may have environmental or community impacts. The ATI permit is issued by Quebec's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MRNF) following consultations with the affected Indigenous communities and local municipalities. With this authorization, 1844 is fully compliant with provincial regulations and may proceed with its planned exploration activities.

This approval also enabled the Company to obtain the necessary drilling permit from the Ministry, authorizing the preparation and execution of a 3,000-metre drilling program on the Sullipek East portion of its flagship Vortex/Vallieres Project.

Sylvain Laberge, President and CEO of 1844, states "We are delighted with the progress made on our flagship Vortex/Vallieres project and are fortunate to benefit from the expertise of Bernard-Olivier Martel, our Qualified Person, who also serves in this capacity at the Gaspe Copper Mine." Mr. Laberge continues, "The receipt of this permit allows 1844 to resume its exploration work on the Vortex/Vallieres Project. We thank Ms. Suzie Tremblay V.P. at Explo-Logik inc., Quebec's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests, along with all local communities and Nations, for their collaboration in advancing these permits."

Vortex/Vallieres Project

The Vortex Project is a copper, molybdenum, and gold property located 25 kilometres west of Murdochville. It consists of 60 claims covering a total area of 35 square kilometers.

Sullipek East Showing:

In August 2012 a press release announced a discovery of 29 metres grading 0.94% Cu starting at 5.20 metres depth. The 3,000-metre drill program will allow us to build upon previous analytical results showing meaningful intervals, with three stratigraphic levels showing strong mineralization potential.

Figure 1

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8892/272548_1844_figure1_550.jpg

Lower contact of the Forillon Formation

29.8 m @ 0.94% Cu: DDH 11-V-04

21.0 m @ 0.13% Cu: DDH 11-V-01

35.7 m @ 0.18% Cu: DDH 11-V-05

1.9 m @ 0.54% Cu: DDH 09-K-04

Upper contact of the carbonate-rich Indian Point Formation

10.3 m @ 0.57% Cu: DDH L89-1

1.2 m @ 0.24% Cu: DDH 11-V-04

9.0 m @ 0.15% Cu: DDH 11-V-06

IP1 Horizon (a 20-40 m thick zebra limestone unit)

17.0 m @ 0.30% Cu: DDH 11-V-04

7.0 m @ 0.50% Cu: DDH 11-V-04

Figure 2



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8892/272548_1844_figure2_550.jpg

Sullipek Deposit:

A NI 43-101 compliant inferred resource estimate, completed by Claude Duplessis, Eng. of Goldminds Geoservices on February 2, 2017 (see report), defined 2,240,000 tonnes grading 1.09% Cu, representing approximately 24,000 tonnes of contained copper (1844's portion of the Sullipek Deposit).



The mineral resource model was prepared using 349 historical drill holes, outlining three main copper-mineralized envelopes. Grade interpolation was performed using inverse square distance with a minimum of three composites based on 1.5-metre intervals. The model uses 5-metre cubic blocks (weighing 337.5 tonnes each) and an ellipsoid oriented NNW-SSE, with dimensions of 60 m  40 m  10 m.



The combination of both portions of the Sullipek Deposit-the Valliere and Vortex sectors-represents a historical mineral inventory that includes non-NI 43-101 compliant estimates. Notably, a 1993 Geostat study reported measured resources (Class II geological reserves) of 5.9 million tonnes grading 0.82% Cu. These historical estimates are not compliant with current standards, and therefore the mineralized material cannot be considered a current mineral resource.



The Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to verify or classify the historical estimate as current, and therefore, the Company is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource.



Additional work required to verify and potentially upgrade the historical estimate to current NI 43-101 standards would include the verification of historical drill data, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) validation, resampling of available core, twinning of selected holes, and updated geological and block modeling supported by modern analytical methods and database validation.

Figure 3



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8892/272548_figure_3_550.jpg

Geological Setting:

The project lies within a hydrothermal system approximately 1,000 meters in diameter. The outcropping rock, composed of porcelanite, belongs to the Forillon Formation and the Indian Point Formation. Mineralization, consisting of disseminated and veinlet sulfides, is mainly stratigraphically controlled in the area. It shows similarities to the Gaspe Mine and is classified as a porphyry/skarn copper type, with disseminated and veinlet/stockwork chalcopyrite, accompanied by pyrite, pyrrhotite, molybdenite, and gold.

Geophysics:

Earlier this month, 1844 completed a high-resolution airborne MAG-SPEC geophysical survey over the property, with 50-metre line spacing. The survey data are currently being refined in the final processing phase and results will be released shortly.



Historical airborne EM surveys highlighted a conductive zone one kilometer wide, located within a network of NNW-trending faults. This zone includes a southeast-dipping sequence of geological units and has never been tested at depth.

About 1844 Resources Inc.: 1844 is a Canadian exploration company focused on strategic and energy-related metals in the underexplored region of Gaspe, Quebec. With a dedicated management team, the Company's goal is to create shareholder value through the discovery of new deposits.

Bernard-Olivier Martel, P. Geo, the Company's Director of Exploration, is a qualified person (as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Some of the statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "expects", "intends", "is expected", "potential", "suggests" or variations of such words or phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties beyond the Company's control. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272548

SOURCE: 1844 Resources Inc.
UC Berkeley, IFAS and Korkyt Ata University join the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation to pilot innovative E-seed technology on the dried Aral seabed

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation has launched an environmental project to restore the Aral seabed ecosystem, one of the world's most affected ecological zones.

The project brings together the University of California, Berkeley, the Executive Directorate of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) in Kazakhstan and Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University. The official launch was marked by the signing of a four-party memorandum of cooperation between the partners.

Once the world's fourth-largest inland lake, the Aral Sea has lost around 90% of its area, leaving behind vast salt marshes that release toxic dust and pesticide residues carried thousands of kilometers by the wind, reaching as far as the Arctic and the Himalayas. This dust continues to contaminate soil, water and air, posing risks to human health and food security across the wider region.

The Foundation's pilot project aims to support long-term restoration of the Aral seabed ecosystem through field testing of UC Berkeley's innovative E-seed technology. The method uses drones to distribute self-burying seeds in biodegradable material, enabling rapid and large-scale planting with higher seed survival rates and minimal labor costs.

"The Aral Sea is one of the world's most pressing environmental challenges. We are launching a project to help limit salt and toxic dust, reduce health risks, and advance sustainable restoration of the Aral seabed. This technology can be applied in different environments, potentially supporting the restoration of degraded land and reforestation in areas affected by desertification or wildfires," said Ainur Karbozova, CEO of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation.

A test planting on a one-hectare site will begin in March-April 2026. If survival rates exceed 20%, the second phase in 2027 will expand planting across 50 hectares of the dried seabed. By 2040, it aims to stabilize the ecosystem and improve the microclimate. The pilot project cost is estimated at USD 600,000.

The project supports Kazakhstan's chairmanship of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) for 2024-2026 under President Tokayev, which prioritizes expanding green spaces across more than one million hectares of the dried seabed.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2809390/The_Bulat_Utemuratov_Foundation_Photo.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2556772/5592297/BUF_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bulat-utemuratov-foundation-launches-nvironmental-project-to-restore-the-aral-seabed-in-kazakhstan-302599911.html
Drill Program Commencing November 1, 2025 Following Identification of High Priority Copper-Gold Porphyry Targets

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / Prospect Ridge Resources Corporation (the "Company" or "Prospect Ridge") (CSE:PRR)(OTC:PRRSF)(FRA:OED) is pleased to announce the finalization of priority drill targets for its upcoming 2,000 m diamond drill program at the Company's 100% owned Camelot copper-gold porphyry project in British Columbia's prolific Cariboo Mining District. Drilling is scheduled to begin November 1, 2025.

The 2,646-hectare Camelot property lies approximately 65 kilometres east of Williams Lake, B.C. within the Quesnel Terrane - home to multiple producing copper-gold and copper-molybdenum porphyry deposits, including the nearby Gibraltar and Mount Polley mines (Figure 1). The project area benefits from year-round road access and excellent regional infrastructure.

"Our technical team, which includes Equity Exploration Consultants Ltd., Members of the Board and our Technical Advisory Committee have done an exceptional job integrating decades of historic data," stated Len Brownlie, Ph.D., CEO of Prospect Ridge. "Very recently, an inversion of aerial magnetics data has revealed compelling signatures showing elevated magnetic features coincident with areas of elevated chargeability from an earlier IP survey. These inverted magnetic features at depth are consistent with potential apophyses on the shoulder of a larger batholith and are hypothesized to represent a porphyry stockwith disseminated sulphides and magnetite. Supporting this hypothesis, a historic 1974 vertical percussion hole (PDH74-L04), drilled to just 61metres depth, intersected 0.25% copper over 21.3 metres within a potassic-altered biotite monzonitei that appears to have clipped the outer flank of this hypothesized stock. With over $2.8M in our treasury, all permits in place and drilling set to begin on November 1, we are very excited to test these newly characterized targets".

High Priority Drill Targets Defined

Previous exploration workii,iii has outlined a 1700 m x 500 m coincident chargeability-magnetic anomaly trending northeast-southwest beneath shallow till cover in an area that has not been previously drilled (Figure 2). The anomaly lies within the same structural, stratigraphic, and intrusive trend as the Mount Polley copper-gold mine, located 34 km northwest of Camelot.

Drill targeting for the 2025 program draws on historic copper-in-soil anomalies, a 2011 induced polarization (IP) survey, and an inversion model of 2021 airborne magnetic data. When integrated, these datasets highlight target signatures typical of alkalic porphyries - moderately high-amplitude magnetic inversion anomalies with chimney-like geometries on the shoulders of broader, higher-amplitude anomalies, coincident with moderate-high to high chargeability that may reflect disseminated sulphide mineralization.Prospect Ridge has identified ten high priority and ten lower priority drill collar locations to probe these exciting targets in a ten hole diamond drill program (Figure 3).

A cross section derived from an inversion of the aerial magnetic data for the highest priority drill target (CAM25-001) is shown in Figure 4.

Highly regarded Dorado Drilling from Vernon, B.C. has been contracted to conduct the 2025 drilling program, with a drill rig currently enroute from Prince George to Horsefly, B.C.

About the Camelot Property

The Camelot project covers approximately 26 square kilometres in central B.C, and is located approximately 34 km southeast of Imperial Metals' Mount Polley mine, as well as 13 km northeast of Vizsla Copper's Woodjam project. (Figure 1).

The property is centered on the Lemon Lake stock, a Late Triassic to Early Jurassic multi-phase pluton hosted in volcanic units of the Quesnel Terrane. The approximately five-kilometre-wide pluton was formed by early phases of gabbro and diorite cut by younger monzonite porphyries, breccias, and late-stage monzonite-syenite dikes. Moderate K-feldspar and biotite alteration, as well as local pyrite-chalcopyrite mineralization, are primarily associated with monzonite porphyry. Zones of sericite-pyrite (or phyllic) alteration are poorly developed and quartz veining is absent, consistent with the interpreted alkalic nature of the system.

Figure 1: Map showing location of the Camelot property relative to nearby mines and deposits*

*Sources for Figure 1 resources:

1. Mt. Polley: https://www.imperialmetals.com/assets/docs/mp-technical-report-may-20-2016.pdf

2. QR: https://osiskogr.com/en/osisko-gold-royalties-announces-spin-out-of-mining-assets-and-creation-of-a-premier-north-american-gold-development-company/

3. Woodjam: https://www.vizslacopper.com/projects/woodjam-project/overview/

Figure 2: Property geology, soil geochemistry, and IP data compilation over airborne TMI (total magnetic intensity) map (after Baknes, 2023).

Figure 3: Location of proposed high-priority drill collars defined for the upcoming Camelot drill program over combined magnetic and chargeability maps. Dotted black lines represent existing logging roads that will facilitate easy access to most drill sites

Figure 4: Cross-section of magnetic inversion model showing highest priority drill hole CAM25-001 and a chimney-like feature of moderately-high magnetic response.

Land Acknowledgement

Prospect Ridge acknowledges that Camelot is situated within the traditional territories of the Williams Lake Indian Band, Xatsull First Nation, Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band, Northern Shuswap Tribal Council and the Neskonlith Indian Band. The Company is committed to building positive, transparent, and mutually beneficial relationships with Indigenous communities founded on trust, respect, and open communication.

Qualified Person Statement

All technical data, as disclosed in this press release, has been verified by Ron Voordouw, Ph.D, P.Geo. Director of Geoscience for Equity Exploration Consultants Ltd., a consultant to the Company and a qualified person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101.

About Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.

Prospect Ridge Resources Corp. is a British Columbia-based exploration and development company focused on critical metals and gold. Led by a seasoned management and technical team with over 100 years of combined mineral exploration experience, Prospect Ridge is advancing its north-central B.C. located Golden Horseshoe and Cariboo projects - high-potential copper-gold systems positioned within one of Canada's most under-explored yet geologically endowed mineral belts.

Contact Information

Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.

Mike Iverson - Chairman, Director

Email: mike@miverson.ca

Sources of Technical Information

(i). Baknes, M. J. 2023. Drilling Report on the Lemon Lake Project. B.C. Mines Branch Assessment Report Event No.5993800

(ii). Britton, R., 2021 2021 Geological - hand trenching, airborne Magnetic - VLF survey and petrological reports on the Lemon Lake property B.C. Mines Branch Assessment Report 39604

(iii). Bailey, D. 2012 Lemon Lake property Horsefly Induced Polarization and Magnetometer Survey B.C. Mines Branch Assessment Report 33088.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This release includes certain statements and information ("FLI") that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. FLI relates to future events or future performance and reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company's management. Anything that is not historical fact is FLI. Generally, FLI can be, without limitation, identified by the use of forward-looking wording such as "plans", "intends", "believes", "expects", "anticipates" or "estimates", and statements or phrases that certain actions, events or results "may", "might", "could", "should" or "would" occur, and similar expressions. FLI is not historical fact, is made as of the date of this news release and includes, without limitation, statements and discussions of future plans, intentions, expectations, estimates and forecasts, and statements as to management's intentions and expectations with respect to, among other things, positive exploration results at the Camelot project. FLI involves numerous risks and uncertainties, and are based on assumptions, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any FLI. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the availability of financing to continue exploration activities, the availability and cost of qualified exploration personnel and service providers, and that future exploration results at the Camelot project will not be as anticipated. In making any FLI in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that future exploration results at the Camelot project will be as anticipated. Although management has endeavored to evaluate and use reasonable assumptions and to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in FLI, these assumptions may prove incorrect and there may be other factors that cause results not to be as intended, expected, anticipated or estimated. There can be no assurance that FLI will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed in FLI. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on FLI, and are further cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any FLI expressed or incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

SOURCE: Prospect Ridge Resources Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/prospect-ridge-to-launch-2-000-metre-diamond-drill-program-at-100-owned-camelot-c-1093529
A new wind-energy partnership is helping DP World in Argentina power its Buenos Aires terminal with 81% renewable electricity-reducing emissions and setting a model for sustainable ports across Latin America.

BUENOS AIRES, AR / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / DP World has achieved a major milestone in its sustainability journey in Argentina. Through a strategic partnership with local energy provider Pampa Energia, the company's Buenos Aires terminal (Terminales Rio de la Plata, or TRP) increased its renewable electricity use from 30% to 81%, marking a significant step toward DP World's global decarbonization goals.

Powering Port Operations with Wind Energy

The partnership, which began in September 2024, enables TRP to source the majority of its electricity from Pampa Energia's wind energy park, replacing traditional grid supply with clean, renewable power. After a successful three-month trial during Q4 2024, the terminal reported consistent performance improvements and substantial emissions reductions in the first half of 2025.

In September 2024 alone, 97.2% of TRP's total electricity consumption - more than 746,000 kWh - came from renewable sources, avoiding the emission of 373 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.

Tangible Reductions in Carbon Emissions

From January to May 2025, TRP's absolute carbon emissions fell by 75%, dropping from 8 KtCO2e to 2 KtCO2e, compared with the same period in 2024. This reduction contributes directly to DP World's global target of achieving a 42% decrease in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.

Efficiency gains have also been striking. carbon intensity - the amount of CO2 emitted per container handled - has been cut nearly in half, improving from 17.8 to 9.5 KgCO2e per modified TEU, reflecting significant progress in energy efficiency.

Leading Argentina's Energy Transition

As one of Argentina's most important private terminals, TRP's transition underscores DP World's role in advancing the country's energy transition while supporting economic resilience.

Claudio Pautazzo, Manager, Safety & Environment, DP World in Argentina, said: "Our agreement with Pampa Energia represents far more than a new energy contract - it's a strategic commitment to transforming how we operate. By sourcing the majority of our electricity from wind power, we're demonstrating how renewable energy can drive efficiency, reduce emissions, and strengthen Argentina's position in the global transition toward a low-carbon economy."

Beyond emissions reduction, this initiative supports DP World's "Our World, Our Future" sustainability strategy, which focuses on decarbonizing operations, promoting circular economy practices, and supporting clean energy transitions across the Americas.

A Blueprint for Sustainable Ports

With this milestone, DP World in Argentina joins other terminals across the Americas - such as Callao in Peru and Caucedo in the Dominican Republic - that are now running on renewable energy. Together, these efforts are advancing DP World's mission to make trade flow sustainably, transforming how global logistics contributes to a cleaner, more resilient future.

-END-

DP World Americas Media Contact:

Melina Vissat, Head of Communications

M: (+1) 704-605-6159

E: melina.vissat@dpworld.com

About DP World

DP World is reshaping the future of global trade to improve lives everywhere. Operating across six continents with a team of over 100,000 employees, we combine global infrastructure and local expertise to deliver seamless supply chain solutions. From Ports and Terminals to Marine Services, Logistics and Technology, we leverage innovation to create better ways to trade, minimizing disruptions from the factory floor to the customer's door.

In the Americas, DP World operates with a team of over 16,000 people across 12 countries, driving excellence through a robust network of 14 ports and terminals and more than 40 warehouses. By harnessing our global reach and local expertise, we simplify logistics, enhance operational performance, and redefine the boundaries of what's possible in global trade.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW.

For more insights into how DP World is reshaping global trade, visit our website: www.dpworld.com

DP World in Argentina Expands Renewable Energy Use at Buenos Aires Terminal.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from DP World on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: DP World

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/dp-world

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: DP World

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/dp-world-expands-renewable-energy-use-in-argentina-cutting-carbo-1093533
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - Forte Minerals Corp. (CSE: CUAU) (OTCQB: FOMNF) (FSE: 2OA) ("Forte" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its participation in the 51st Annual New Orleans Investment Conference, taking place November 2-5, 2025, at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

Forte will be exhibiting, and the President & Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Elliott will present on Monday, November 3, 2025, from 9:50 am - 10:10 am (Presentation Area 2, Exhibit Hall).

Mr. Elliott will share an update on the Company's copper and gold exploration projects and an overview of the growth strategy following a C$5.7 million strategic investment by a key investor in July and a second C$5.7 million strategic investment by another strategic partner announced this week.

Investors are also invited to visit Forte at Booth #202 throughout the conference.

The New Orleans Investment Conference brings together leading analysts, newsletter writers and investors to explore emerging opportunities across all major asset classes.

Register today at https://neworleansconference.com/online-registration.

Forte is excited to attend the Conference as part of its broader strategy to connect with investors, strengthen relationships, and showcase the Company's fully funded growth plans.

Corporate Disclosure: The Company engaged Simply Pro Media to create and facilitate a broadcast advertising campaign on BNN Bloomberg, which ran from September 22, 2025, to November 14, 2025. The total cost of the campaign was approximately C$24,000.

ABOUT FORTE MINERALS CORP.

Forte Minerals Corp. is an exploration company with a strong portfolio of high-quality copper (Cu) and gold (Au) assets in Peru. Through a strategic partnership with GlobeTrotters Resources Peru S.A.C., the Company gains access to a rich pipeline of historically drilled, high-impact targets across premier Andean mineral belts. The Company is committed to responsible resource development that generates long-term value for shareholders, communities, and partners.

On behalf of FORTE MINERALS CORP.

(signed) "Patrick Elliott"

Patrick Elliott, MSc, MBA, PGeo

President & Chief Executive Officer

Follow Us On Social Media: LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Meta | The Drill Down; Newsletter

Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "should" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This press release contains forward looking statements relating to the intended use of proceeds of the Strategic Placement. These forward-looking statements and information reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company with respect to the matter described in this press release. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which are based on current expectations as of the date of this release and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Additional information about these assumptions and risks and uncertainties is contained under "Risk Factors and Uncertainties" in the Company's latest management's discussion and analysis, which is available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and in other filings that the Company has made and may make with applicable securities authorities in the future.

Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the statements will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information or statements to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this relea

se.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272515

SOURCE: New Orleans Investment Conference
Guardz named 'Trailblazing Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Service Provider' in Annual InfoSec Awards duringCyberDefenseCon 2025

MIAMI, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Guardz, the cybersecurity platform redefining how Managed Service Providers (MSPs) protect small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), is proud to announce that it has been named the winner of the Trailblazing Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Service Provider Award from Cyber Defense Magazine (CDM), the industry's leading electronic information security magazine.

The recognition comes at a time when MSPs are facing increasing pressure to provide comprehensive cybersecurity services while managing a growing number of fragmented tools and rising cyber threats targeting SMBs. Currently, 77% of MSPs rely on up to 10 separate cybersecurity point solutions, an approach that often results in inefficiencies, slower response times, and higher operational costs. Guardz empowers MSPs to overcome these challenges with a unified platform and 24/7 MDR that goes far beyond bringing tools together. By connecting all threat signals and defenses in one place, it gives MSPs complete visibility across their clients' environments, helping them spot patterns, anticipate risks, and stop attacks before they escalate. Guardz MDR cuts through the noise, aggregating events from EDR, ITDR, and more into an identity-centric analysis of complex indicators of compromise for the 24/7 MDR team to prevent further spread. Acting on their behalf when needed, Guardz makes protection effortless, reducing manual workloads so MSPs can focus on what matters most while delivering faster, smarter, and more proactive security.

The Guardz cybersecurity platform features AI and human-led Managed Detection and Response (MDR) that protects identities, emails, devices, and data. It is purpose-built for MSPs to deliver comprehensive cybersecurity at scale. The 24/7 MDR combines AI-automated detection and response with expert-led threat hunting, while integrated SentinelOne EDR provides best-in-class security without added complexity. Seamless Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace integrations allow ITDR monitoring of user activity in real-time, flagging suspicious activity and preventing account takeover before damage occurs. Expert MDR analysts using cutting-edge agentic AI tools are able to protect against all kinds of modern threats. By combining these protections with user awareness and email security, MSPs' can strengthen client defenses, unlock new revenue streams, and scale their operations more efficiently.

"Being recognized as a trailblazing MDR provider reflects our mission to stay ahead of an ever-evolving threat landscape," said Dor Eisner, CEO and co-founder of Guardz. "We're dedicated to equipping MSPs with the tools and intelligence to not just respond to attacks, but to anticipate them. By delivering proactive, AI-native protection across a multitude of attack vectors, we help MSPs and their SMB clients operate securely and confidently, even as cyber threats continue to grow in scale and sophistication."

"Guardz embodies three major features we judges look for with the potential to become winners: understanding tomorrow's threats, today, providing a cost-effective solution, and innovating in unexpected ways that can help mitigate cyber risk and get one step ahead of the next breach," said Gary S. Miliefsky, Publisher of Cyber Defense Magazine.

For more information about Guardz and their award-winning MSR solution for MSPs, please visit here.

The full list of the Top InfoSec Innovators for 2025 is found here: https://cyberdefenseawards.com/top-infosec-innovators-for-2025/

About Guardz

Guardz is the unified cybersecurity platform purpose-built for MSPs. The company consolidates the essential security controls, including identities, endpoints, email, awareness, and more, into one AI-native framework designed for operational efficiency. Its identity-centric approach connects the dots across vectors, reducing the gaps that siloed tools leave behind so MSPs can respond to user risk in real time. With 24/7 AI + human-led MDR, Guardz utilizes agentic AI to triage at machine speed while expert analysts validate, mitigate, and guide response, giving MSPs scalable protection without adding headcount.

Press Contact

Allison Grey

Headline Media

allison@headline.media

+1 323 283 8176

About Cyber Defense Awards

This is Cyber Defense Magazine's 13th year of honoring cybersecurity innovators, in this case, the Top Global CISOs for 2025, on our Cyber Defense Awards platform. In this competition, judges for these and other prestigious awards includes cybersecurity industry veterans, trailblazers, and market makers, Ron Gula of Gula Tech Adventures, Gary Miliefsky of CDMG, Dr. Lindsey Polley de Lopez of VentureScope, Katie Gray of In-Q-Tel, Robert R. Ackerman Jr. of DataTribe, Dino Boukouris of AltitudeCyber, and, with much appreciation to emeritus judges Robert Herjavec of Cyderes, Dr. Peter Stephenson of CDMG, and David DeWalt of NightDragon. Top InfoSec Innovators for 2025 is found here: https://cyberdefenseawards.com/top-infosec-innovators-for-2025/, and download The Black Unicorn Report for 2025: https://cyberdefenseawards.com/the-black-unicorn-report-for-2025/ and Top Global CISOs Winners for 2025, here: https://cyberdefenseawards.com/top-global-cisos-winners-for-2025/.

About Cyber Defense Magazine

Cyber Defense Magazine was founded in 2012 by Gary S. Miliefsky, a globally recognized cybersecurity thought leader, inventor, and entrepreneur, and continues to be the premier source of IT Security information. We are managed and published by and for ethical, honest, passionate information security professionals. Our mission is to share cutting-edge knowledge, real-world stories, and awards on the best ideas, products, and services in the information technology industry. We deliver electronic magazines every month online for free, and limited special editions exclusively for the RSA, BlackHat, and Cyber Defense Conferences. Learn more about us at http://www.cyberdefensemagazine.com. Cyber Defense Magazine is a proud member of the Cyber Defense Media Group.

CDM Media Inquiries:

Irene Noser, Marketing Executive

marketing@cyberdefensemagazine.com

Toll Free (USA): 1-833-844-9468

International: 1-646-586-9545

www.cyberdefensemagazine.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/guardz-mdr-recognized-as-a-top-innovator-in-infosec-award-302599940.html
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / Subaru of America

Previously published by Engage for Good

For the team at Subaru of America, Inc., commitment to community is woven into the very fabric of their brand through the Subaru Love Promise. And a key pillar of that promise is the Subaru Loves Pets initiative.

What began as a foundational corporate commitment has evolved into an impressive, nearly two-decade-long partnership with the ASPCA and grown to include a number of other animal welfare organizations, resulting in over $70 million in donations to date. This dedication is fueled by Subaru's passionate community of pet-loving owners and activated by their retailers across the country. The result? A comprehensive effort that drives the rescue, health, and adoption of hundreds of thousands of animals.

We sat down with Christina Valente, Love Promise Community Commitment Manager at Subaru of America, Inc., to peel back the curtain on this incredible, long-term commitment. She shares the strategy behind the iconic October campaign, the power of their partnership with the ASPCA, how they created the viral "National Make A Dog's Day," and the advice she has for other CSR leaders looking to build a truly lasting and impactful partnership.

EFG: For those new to the campaign, can you tell us a bit about what Subaru Loves Pets is all about and what you're hoping to achieve with it?

Christina Valente (CV): As one of the five core pillars of the Subaru Love Promise, the Subaru Loves Pets initiative is just one of the ways Subaru aims to create change in the areas we and our owners care about the most. While support for animals and related partner community organizations takes place year-round, every October, we highlight Subaru Loves Pets through special programs that Subaru and our retailers host to support the adoption, rescue, transport, and health of animals. To date, Subaru and our retailers have donated more than $70 million to national and local pet-focused organizations to help these animals find love and companionship. In the past year alone, in partnership with the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), we helped impact more than 106,000 animals through over $3.2 million in grants to local shelters nationwide, as well as sponsored the transport and relocation of 40 shelter dogs from Alabama to New England for better adoption opportunities. Pets make the world better, and we are proud to make the world better for our pets.

EFG: The Subaru Love Promise is central to the brand. How does the Subaru Loves Pets initiative truly bring that promise to life, and why is this particular pillar so special to the company?

CV: With the Subaru Love Promise, we aim to show love and respect to all people, pets, and communities. The Subaru Loves Pets initiative is a key part of that. The Subaru community has a true passion for animal welfare, which is genuinely and enthusiastically matched by our retailers with their support of local organizations through adoption events and fundraising initiatives. Working with our dedicated partners, we take pride in helping dogs, cats and other pets find loving homes and seeing the difference it makes not only in the animals' lives but also people's lives as well. sense of belonging and ownership.

EFG: The partnership with the ASPCA is a huge part of this. We'd love to hear how that collaboration started and how it works behind the scenes to help shelter animals every day.

CV: According to the ASPCA, approximately 5.8 million animals entered U.S. shelters in 2024. Many of these animals live day after day without the love of a family or permanent residence. We believe that all pets deserve a loving home, which is why we've proudly partnered with the ASPCA since 2008 and currently serve as their largest corporate donor.

During the month of October, Subaru and our participating retailers provide direct financial assistance to local animal shelters nationwide, through grants administered by the ASPCA, to help cover costs associated with preparing animals for adoption, veterinary expenses, and more.

EFG: Beyond the financial support, what are some of the other ways this partnership helps make a difference for pets?

CV: Subaru helps the ASPCA to provide critical care for animals in need in a number of ways, through their recovery and rehabilitation centers for fearful and under-socialized dogs, as well as their community veterinary clinics dedicated to keeping people and pets together by offering accessible veterinary care and resources. Our focus is on supporting events and programs that help dogs, cats, and other animals find loving homes and ensure they remain healthy and safe. Since 2008, this important partnership has had a significant impact on the rescue, transport, well-being, and adoption of nearly 250,000 animals across the country.

EFG: Subaru's community of customers are notorious animal-lovers. How did you select this cause and how does the initiative continue to build that strong community of pet lovers around the brand?

CV: We chose this cause because our community has always been filled with passionate pet lovers. The ASPCA has been a trusted leader in animal rescue for over 150 years, making them a natural partner for Subaru. Through initiatives like Subaru Loves Pets and National Make A Dog's Day, we give our community meaningful ways to support adoptions, volunteer, donate, and celebrate their furry family members. It's heartwarming to see the impact and how these efforts strengthen the bonds in our communities and unite people with a shared love of animals.

EFG: Subaru created National Make A Dog's Day as part of this campaign. How has that helped the partnership gain momentum?

CV: In addition to hosting pet adoptions, helping with microchipping, and other events, Subaru retailers across the country recognize National Make A Dog's Day every year on October 22 by encouraging people to celebrate their pets on social media using the hashtag MakeADogsDay while also considering adopting or fostering an "Underdog", older and/or disabled animals who are often overlooked in shelters. This awareness day has become a huge celebration for Subaru and animal lovers nationwide, motivating communities to give back to the amazing pets in their lives or to others.

EFG: Looking back, what have been some of the most memorable or proudest moments for the Subaru team throughout this partnership?

CV: It's hard to pick just one or two moments to call out from this initiative and our close-knit partnership with the ASPCA. Our team has had the privilege to help design programs for Subaru Loves Pets that our retailers then activate in their communities to help those in need. It is rare in the automotive industry to have that dedication, outside of a typical CSR department, and with such a deep level of involvement.

Not only do we get to work on the community coordination, fun add-ons like new pet parent kits, and vehicle-themed pet toys to celebrate adoptions, but we also report on year-over-year impacts. Watching that number continue to grow to over 700,000 animals supported since the Subaru Loves Pets program started is just incredible.

We have seen this initiative and partnership change people's and pets' lives firsthand, through pet-focused volunteer events at our HQ, collecting photos and success stories from retailers nationwide, jumping in to assist during natural disasters through our ASPCA partnership, and the smiles on people's faces at pet adoptions at our auto show booth. Truly, at the end of the day, this partnership has resulted in benefits that are much larger than the sum of its parts.

EFG: How do you get your own employees involved in the Subaru Loves Pets initiative?

CV: The entire Subaru family is extremely passionate about animals, and employees get involved year-round by volunteering at adoption events, making pet toys for donation to shelters, hosting supply drives, supporting fundraisers, and working hands-on with local shelters. Through our hometown commitment in Camden, NJ, for example, 104 volunteers helped support the vaccination of over 1,420 pets at no cost to residents last year. More broadly, over the past 20 years, Subaru and the SOA Foundation have donated over $340 million to causes our employees care about, including pets, and our team has logged more than 115,000 volunteer hours to support our communities.

EFG: This initiative has been around for almost 20 years! How has it evolved over time, and what have you learned from past campaigns that has shaped your current approach?

CV: Subaru Loves Pets has evolved in scale but remained true to its mission of supporting as many animals as possible. From supply drives to promoting pet adoption, each year has strengthened our long-standing partnerships with the ASPCA and local shelters. Since its launch in 2019, National Make A Dog's Day has grown from a simple call to do something special for dogs into a nationwide movement inspiring people to volunteer, donate, and adopt animals of all kinds year-round. Our efforts across other Love Promise pillars also reflect our commitment to being More Than a Car Company and fostering lasting community partnerships.

EFG:This is a truly impressive, long-term commitment. What's one piece of advice you'd give to other corporate social responsibility (CSR) leaders who want to build a lasting and impactful partnership?

CV: It is essential for organizations to define their core values and seek partners who share them. Teams should also invest the time and resources needed to succeed - establishing clear frameworks, structured processes, strategic goals, and financial support. By building strong, intentional partnerships aligned on a shared vision, you create a solid foundation for success and can focus on what matters most: making a meaningful impact.

Continue reading here.

Image courtesy of Engage for Good

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Subaru of America on 3blmedia.com.



Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Subaru of America

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/subaru-america-inc

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Subaru of America

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/consumer-and-retail-products/from-corporate-commitment-to-community-subaru%e2%80%99s-christina-valente-on-t-1093537
More celebrations than ever across the island of Ireland the true Home of Halloween

With seven brand-new Halloween hubs or experiences launching across the island this month, Ireland has truly become the ultimate destination to celebrate Halloween in 2025

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251022209535/en/

Derry Halloween Festival, County Derry~Londonderry

Ireland's Halloween Season

Rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, Halloween originated in Ireland more than 2,000 years ago and, this year, the island of Ireland is expanding its celebration like never before. With over 340 events planned across the island to celebrate this year, Halloween in Ireland is fast becoming a bucket-list travel experience

Seven new Halloween hubs join existing flagship events across the island of Ireland including the Puca Festival in County Meath and Derry Halloween in Derry-Londonderry which together welcomed over 169,000 visitors last year. The seven new hubs are inviting visitors to come and explore Ireland's eerie folklore and fiery rituals through immersive, locally inspired experiences. Each hub will feature its own schedule of events from torchlit processions and mythological re-enactments to interactive ghost tours, harvest feasts and immersive performances. The newHalloween hubs for 2025include locations in Fingal (north Dublin), Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Longford and Westmeath, as well as Meath and Louth, with festivities running throughout the month of October until 2nd November.

Derry Halloween continues to go from strength to strength as Europe's largest Halloween festival. Taking place from Tuesday 28th to Friday 31st October, this year's festival offers four days of spine-tingling celebrations across over 50 venues in Northern Ireland's historic second city. It is set to feature over 100 unmissable events as it builds towards its milestone 40th anniversary in 2026. The success of Derry Halloween reflects a global appetite for culturally rich, immersive travel experiences and Halloween on the island of Ireland offers just that with ancient storytelling, breathtaking autumn scenery, as well as legendary Irish hospitality.

Samhain: Where Halloween Began

What we now call Halloween began as Samhain, a sacred Celtic festival marking the transition from light to dark. It was believed that on October 31st, the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest a time when spirits crossed into our world and bonfires were lit to ward them off. These ancient beliefs still shape Ireland's Halloween traditions today and, with the new Halloween hubs, visitors can explore the roots of the festival in the very landscapes where it all began.

For more information, visit Ireland is the Home of Halloween Ireland.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251022209535/en/

Contacts:

Hazel Davis

Central Publicity

Tourism Ireland

hdavis@tourismireland.com
The Jasper project is expected to be fully operational in Q4 2025, and has a long-term environmental attributes purchase agreement (EAPA) with Meta.

Zelestra, a global, multi-technology, customer-focused renewable energy company, today announced it has secured tax equity funding of approximately $60M from Stonehenge Capital for the 81 MWdc (60 MWac) Jasper County Solar Project (Project).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030557392/en/

Located in Jasper County, Indiana, the Project has a long-term environmental attributes purchase agreement (EAPA) with Meta, one of six in total that the two companies have in partnership across the US. The Project will be fully operational in Q4 2025.

This significant milestone follows the announcement in April 2025 that the company closed a $113 million project financing for the Project with Banco Santander.

Sybil Milo Cioffi, Zelestra's US CFO, said: "We're delighted to partner with Stonehenge Capital, a leading provider of tax equity in the US, which underscores the financial community's strong confidence in Zelestra. This marks another significant milestone in our commitment to deliver projects that meet our clients' needs. We look forward to celebrating the completion of Jasper later this year, and to advancing our 1 GW of fully-contracted projects now moving toward construction and expected to be operational in the next two years."

"The collaboration with Zelestra exemplifies Stonehenge Capital's focus on supporting energy infrastructure throughout the nation," said Whitney LaNasa, Senior Managing Director at Stonehenge Capital. "We look forward to working alongside Zelestra, a distinguished name in global energy, to bring this project to operations."

Zelestra is advancing its position in the US energy landscape with innovative, multi-technology solutions tailored to the evolving needs of hyperscalers and corporate partners. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the company is developing a robust portfolio of more than 10 GW of renewable energy projects across key markets.

The company was recently ranked among the top 10 sellers of clean energy to corporate customers globally by BloombergNEF (BNEF).

About Zelestra

With a portfolio of approximately 32 GW of carbon-free projects in 6 key growth markets (US, Germany, Spain, Italy, Latam and India), 6.8 GW is contracted with customers and in operations, construction, or pre-construction stage. Zelestra is a vertically integrated company specializing in the development, commercialization, construction and operation of large-scale renewable energy projects. The company is backed by EQT, one of the world's largest funds, with more than 266 billion in total assets under management.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030557392/en/

Contacts:

34 609 609 547

cvicen@harmon.es
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The biometric system market is projected to grow from USD 53.22 billion in 2025 to USD 95.14 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 12.3% during the forecast period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. One significant opportunity in the biometric system market lies in the growing integration of AI and machine learning with biometric technologies, enabling smarter, faster, and more accurate identity verification. Organizations across banking, travel, government, and enterprise sectors are seeking advanced solutions to prevent identity fraud, streamline access management, and enhance customer experiences. Emerging technologies, such as multimodal biometrics, behavioral biometrics, and predictive analytics, offer new revenue streams for vendors by providing secure and personalized authentication services. Additionally, the expansion of digital services, mobile applications, and cloud-based deployments creates opportunities for scalable and cost-effective biometric solutions. With increasing concerns about cybersecurity and the rise in online transactions, biometric systems offer a robust alternative to traditional passwords and PINs. Vendors that innovate in contactless, AI-driven, and cloud-enabled solutions can capitalize on unmet needs in identity management, fraud prevention, and access control, strategically positioning themselves to capture a growing global market share. Overall, technological innovation combined with sector-specific adoption provides a high-growth opportunity in the biometric system market.

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Biometric System Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2025 $ 53.22 billion Estimated Value by 2030 $ 95.14 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 12.3% Market Size Available for 2021-2030 Forecast Period 2025-2030 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Offering, Type, Vertical and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Data security concerns and shortage of technical knowledge Key Market Opportunities Development of Al- and ML-based biometric solutions Key Market Drivers Surging demand for biometric technology-enabled consumer electronics

The healthcare sector is increasingly adopting biometric systems to improve patient identification, streamline workflows, and enhance security. Hospitals, clinics, and medical research institutions are implementing fingerprint, facial recognition, iris scanning, and palm vein technologies to prevent patient misidentification, reduce medical errors, and protect sensitive medical records. Biometric solutions also facilitate efficient staff access management, ensuring only authorized personnel can access critical areas and equipment. With the growing adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) and telemedicine, secure authentication has become essential to comply with privacy regulations such as HIPAA. Additionally, contactless biometric technologies are integrated to minimize physical contact, particularly in infection-prone environments. The ability to quickly and accurately verify patients and healthcare staff enhances operational efficiency and improves the overall quality of care. Vendors offering AI-enabled, multimodal, and cloud-integrated solutions are well-positioned to capitalize on this growing market segment.

Single-factor authentication segment is expected to hold the largest market share in 2030.

By authentication type, the single-factor authentication segment is expected to account for the largest market share in 2030 due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and ease of deployment. Single-factor systems, such as fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, or iris scanning, provide reliable identity verification with minimal complexity, making them suitable for large-scale implementations across enterprises, government agencies, and financial institutions. These systems are widely adopted for access control, attendance management, border security, and consumer applications, offering a balance of security and convenience. The relatively lower implementation cost and faster integration compared with multi-factor solutions encourage organizations to adopt single-factor biometric systems as a first step toward secure authentication. Additionally, ongoing advancements in AI, imaging, and sensor technology are improving accuracy and reducing false rejection rates, further boosting adoption. While multi-factor authentication is gaining popularity for high-security applications, single-factor authentication continues to dominate the market due to its efficiency, scalability, and widespread acceptance across sectors, ensuring sustained demand and market growth over the coming years.

By type, the contactless segment is likely to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Contactless biometric systems are projected to record the highest CAGR in the biometric system market, driven by the demand for hygienic, fast, and secure authentication solutions. Technologies such as facial recognition, iris scanning, and palm vein identification eliminate the need for physical touch, addressing hygiene concerns in public spaces, workplaces, airports, and healthcare facilities. Contactless systems are also increasingly integrated with AI and machine learning to enhance recognition accuracy, speed, and adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. Their ability to provide seamless, real-time authentication improves operational efficiency in high-traffic areas and ensures user convenience. Additionally, the integration of contactless biometrics with mobile devices, cloud platforms, and IoT systems allows scalable deployment across multiple locations and applications. Rising awareness about public safety, combined with advancements in imaging, sensors, and software, positions contactless biometric systems as a critical growth driver in the market, ensuring rapid adoption across multiple end-user sectors.

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Asia Pacific is expected to capture the largest share of the biometric system market in 2030.

Asia Pacific is expected to hold the largest market share in the biometric system industry in 2030, driven by increasing government initiatives, rising security concerns, and rapid technological adoption. Countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea are investing heavily in national ID programs, digital identity solutions, border security, and smart city projects. The large population, growing urbanization, and expanding enterprise infrastructure further fuel the demand for biometric authentication systems in sectors such as banking, healthcare, education, and transportation. Additionally, the region hosts a significant number of technology providers and startups, fostering innovation in AI-based, cloud-enabled, and contactless biometric solutions. Government support through policy frameworks, subsidies, and public-private collaborations accelerates deployment across critical applications, such as e-governance, law enforcement, and airport security. Rising consumer awareness and increasing adoption of mobile and digital payment solutions further strengthen market growth. Collectively, these factors position the region as the leading market, offering substantial opportunities for biometric system vendors to expand their presence and drive revenue.

Key Players

Leading players in the global biometric system companies include Thales (France), IDEMIA (France), ASSA ABLOY (Sweden), NEC Corporation (Japan), Fujitsu (Japan), Precise Biometrics (Sweden), secunet Security Networks AG (Germany), Anviz Global Inc. (US), and Aware Inc. (US).

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Browse Adjacent Market: Semiconductor and Electronics Market Research Reports &Consulting

See More Latest Semiconductor Reports:

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Security Solutions Market by System (Fire Protection, Video Surveillance, Multi-technology Reader, Biometric Reader, Electronic Lock, Entrance Control, Intruder Alarm, Thermal Imaging), Service (Remote Monitoring, VSaaS, ACaaS) - Global Forecast to 2030

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report.

MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe.

Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem.

The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts.

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The growth of the livestock genomics testing market is driven by increase in demand for high-quality animal protein, advancements in genetic sequencing technologies, and rising awareness among farmers about the benefits of genetic improvement.

WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Livestock Genomics Testing Market by Test Type (Genotyping Services, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), Trait Testing, Genomic Selection (gEBV), Embryo Testing, Disease Gene Screening, and Others) and Application (Selective Breeding, Productivity Enhancement, Food Safety, Disease Resistance, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2034". According to the report, the "livestock genomics testing market" was valued at $1,533.4 million in 2024, and is estimated to reach $3,691.4 million by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 9.3% from 2025 to 2034.

Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A325831

Prime determinants of growth

The livestock genomics testing market growth is driven by factors such as rise in livestock farming & animal husbandry and focus on disease resistance & health. However, high cost of genomic testing technologies restricts market growth. Moreover, technological advancements offer new opportunities in the coming years.

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2025-2034 Base Year 2024 Market Size in 2024 $1,533.4 million Market Size in 2034 $3,691.4 million CAGR 9.3 % No. of Pages in Report 291 Segments covered Type, Application and Region Drivers Rise in livestock farming and animal husbandry Government and private sector support Focus on disease resistance and health Opportunities Technological advancements Restraints High cost of genomic testing technologies

Buy This Research Report (291 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/livestock-genomics-testing-market/purchase-options

The genotyping services segment held the largest market share in 2024.

By type, the genotyping services segment held the largest Livestock Genomics Testing market share in 2024. This is attributed to its critical role in improving the accuracy and efficiency of animal breeding programs. Genotyping enables the identification of specific genetic markers associated with desirable traits such as disease resistance, fertility, growth rate, and meat or milk quality. This allows breeders and livestock producers to make informed selection decisions, accelerating genetic gain and improving herd productivity.

The selective breeding segment dominated the market in 2024.

On the basis of application, the selective breeding segment held the largest Livestock Genomics Testing market share in 2024. This is attributed to its pivotal role in enhancing desirable traits in animals, such as growth rate, disease resistance, fertility, and meat or milk quality. Genomics testing enables precise identification of genetic markers associated with these traits, allowing breeders to make informed decisions and accelerate genetic improvement.

North America accounted for the highest market share in 2024.

By region, North America held the largest livestock genomics testing market share in 2024. This is attributed to the early adoption of advanced genomic technologies, well-established infrastructure for animal health and agriculture, and strong presence of leading market players. The region benefits from a high level of awareness among farmers and breeders about the economic advantages of genomic testing in enhancing livestock productivity, disease resistance, and breeding efficiency.

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Leading Market Players: -

Neogen Corporation

Genus Plc

Illumina, Inc.

Zoetis Genetics

Semex Alliance

Agresearch Limited

CRV

Easy DNA

Animal Genetics

XytoVet.

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the livestock genomics testing market. These players have adopted different strategies such as acquisition, partnerships, and new product launches to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in the market. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Explore AMR's Extensive ongoing Coverage on Food and beverages Domain:

Commercial Livestock Supplies Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2025-2034

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Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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GENEVA, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The WHO's upcoming COP11 meeting in Geneva is sparking fierce debate, as activists from the World Vapers' Alliance project a clear message onto the venue: consumers must be recognised, not sidelined.

Michael Landl, WVA Director, called the conference an echo chamber stuck in outdated, anti-science thinking that fails smokers. "Harm reduction isn't a marketing ploy, it's a public health necessity supported by hard data," he said. "Consumers' lives matter more than ideology or the views of wealthy WHO donors like Michael Bloomberg. It's time consumers got a real seat at the table."

Delegates will soon decide policies that affect millions of smokers, yet those affected remain excluded. The WHO aims to enact bans on flavoured vaping, nicotine limits, heavy taxation, and further restrictions. These policies ignore evidence clearly showing vaping and nicotine pouches are far less harmful than cigarettes and effective quit aids.

Liza Katsiashvili, Director of Operations of the WVA, warned that COP11 could become the moment tobacco control chose prohibition over progress: "Banning flavours won't save lives; it sends smokers back to cigarettes. High taxes and bans only fuel black markets. The lessons from failed policies are clear. Delegates have a choice: listen to the facts or repeat costly mistakes."

The voices of consumers have long been shut out, replaced by ideologically driven groups with preset agendas. The WVA's " Voices Unheard - Consumers Matter " campaign demands that governments change this closed process now, prioritising evidence and people over ideology as the tobacco control debate intensifies. COP11 will take place in Geneva from November 17 to 22.

-

Contact:

Liza Katsiashvili

Director of Operations of the WVA

info@worldvapersalliance.com

About the World Vapers' Alliance:

The World Vapers' Alliance amplifies the voices of vapers worldwide and promotes evidence-based regulation that supports harm reduction. The alliance works to ensure that the benefits of harm reduction are recognised globally, fighting for consumer rights and sensible policies grounded in science.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b33530cd-56fd-4826-8487-f3fef2a07f61


About Informa Markets Engineering Informa Markets' Engineering portfolio, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), is the leading B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world's $3-trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the engineering market and leverage our proprietary 1.3-million-name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Engineering portfolio is organized by Informa, the world's leading exhibitions organizer that brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit? informamarkets.com

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.
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Veterinary Biologics Market , valued at US$2.61 billion in 2024, stood at US$2.72 billion in 2025 and is projected to advance at a resilient CAGR of 5.2% from 2025 to 2030, culminating in a forecasted valuation of US$3.51 billion by the end of the period. Growth in this market is mainly driven by the rising number of companion animals and pet ownership, along with increasing concerns about chronic diseases in animals. There is greater adoption of pet insurance and higher spending on animal healthcare, supported by awareness campaigns from the government and animal welfare organizations, which further boost the market growth.

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By product type, monoclonal antibodies are expected to register a high growth rate in the veterinary biologics market, driven by their targeted mechanism of action, high efficacy, and increasing adoption in livestock health management. These biologics are increasingly used to prevent and treat specific diseases by precisely targeting pathogens or toxins, offering a more selective and effective alternative to traditional therapies such as antibiotics. In livestock applications, monoclonal antibodies are particularly valuable for conditions that require rapid immune support, leading to reduced morbidity and improved productivity. Their use supports the global shift toward sustainable animal farming practices and the reduction of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), positioning them as a preferred choice in advanced biologic interventions.

By application, the dermatology segment is projected to hold the largest share in the veterinary biologics market due to the increasing prevalence of skin disorders in companion and livestock animals, such as allergies, bacterial and fungal infections, and parasitic infestations. Rising pet ownership and greater awareness about animal health are fueling demand for advanced biologics, including vaccines, immunotherapies, and monoclonal antibodies for dermatological issues. Innovations in biologics that provide long-lasting efficacy with minimal side effects further promote adoption. Additionally, higher healthcare spending on animals, along with the expansion of veterinary clinics and hospitals, contributes to this segment's growth. The availability of targeted biologics for chronic skin conditions is also expected to improve treatment outcomes. All these factors collectively establish dermatology as the leading application segment in the veterinary biologics market.

By geography, the region's rapid market growth is due to the increasing pet population, heightened awareness of animal health, and higher spending on veterinary care. Also, advanced veterinary healthcare infrastructure and the presence of key market players are further boosting growth in countries such as China, India, and Japan. Livestock farming also significantly contributes to the region's economy. Countries such as India and China have large numbers of livestock animals, driven by the rising demand for meat, milk, and other animal-based products.

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Prominent players in the veterinary biologics market are Zoetis Services LLC (US), IDEXX (US), Elanco (US), Merck & Co., Inc. (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (US), Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (Germany), Neogen Corporation (US), Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (US), ImmuCell Corporation (US), and Innovative Diagnostics (France).

Zoetis (US):

Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets biologics and medicines for livestock and companion animals. The company operates through three segments: Companion Animals, Livestock, and Contract Manufacturing & Human Health. It offers dermatology products for animals through both the Companion Animals and Livestock segments. Zoetis operates in 70 countries, and its products are sold in over 120 countries via its distribution networks. Some key subsidiaries include Alpharma Animal Health Company (US), Fort Dodge Asia Exports, Inc. (US), and Jilin Pfizer Guoyuan Animal Health Co., Ltd (China). The company also heavily invests in product launches and development. For example, in October 2023, Zoetis launched Librela (bedinvetmab injection) in the US, its first-ever injectable monoclonal antibody for treating osteoarthritis pain in dogs. Librela targets nerve growth factor (NGF) to significantly improve dog mobility and comfort, offering an innovative alternative to daily NSAID therapy.

Elanco (US)

Elanco is a global leader in animal health and is committed to providing innovative products and services that prevent and treat diseases in farm animals and pets. With a portfolio of about 200 brands, Elanco offers solutions for various species, including dogs, cats, cattle, poultry, swine, sheep, and fish under farm animal care. The company mainly operates through one business segment but organizes its sales and operations into three main categories: pet health, farm animals, and contract manufacturing. A significant focus for Elanco is monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapies. In 2023, Elanco introduced the world's first USDA conditionally approved mAb treatment for canine parvovirus. Through ongoing investment in mAb research and development, as well as expanded biologics manufacturing, Elanco is progressing its pipeline for future antibody-based therapies. Additionally, the company's presence in over 90 countries plays a strong role in the animal health market.

Merck & Co., Inc. (US)

Merck & Co., Inc. is a leading global healthcare company, providing innovative solutions such as prescription drugs, vaccines, biologic therapies, and products for animal health. The company operates through two main divisions: Pharmaceuticals and Animal Health. Its Animal Health division offers monoclonal antibody therapies for companion animals. Merck has a presence in over 140 countries and owns 25 manufacturing facilities across the Americas, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. Its strong R&D network includes 16 research centers located in the US, Spain, Germany, Norway, South Africa, India, Australia, Singapore, and Japan. For example, in May 2025, Merck Animal Health expanded its manufacturing and R&D facilities in De Soto, Kansas, with an investment of USD 895 million. This strategic expansion aims to increase production capacity and drive innovation, especially in biologics and vaccine development, including monoclonal antibody therapies.

For more information, Inquire Now!

Related Reports:

Veterinary API Market

Veterinary Diagnostics Market

Veterinary Imaging Market

Veterinary Reference Laboratory Market

Veterinary Infectious Disease Diagnostics Market

Get access to the latest updates on Veterinary Biologics Companies and Veterinary Biologics Market Size

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Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. With a global clientele of over 13,000 organizations, we help businesses thrive in a disruptive ecosystem.

The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion in new revenue streams that are replacing existing ones within this decade. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we collaborate with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies to keep them future-ready. Our insights and strategies are powered by industry experts, cutting-edge AI, and our Market Intelligence Cloud, KnowledgeStore, which integrates research and provides ecosystem-wide visibility into revenue shifts.

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Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - AuMEGA Metals Ltd (ASX: AAM) (TSXV: AUM) (OTCQB: AUMMF) ("AuMEGA" or "the Company") advises that it has established a Technical Committee of the Board of Directors to enhance strategic oversight of the Company's exploration programs across its district-scale land position in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

The Technical Committee will comprise at least three Directors with deep geological and mining expertise and will work closely with management and the Company's technical team. The Committee will also serve as a liaison with key strategic shareholders to ensure alignment on exploration priorities and long-term value creation.

The Company also advises that Mr. Kerry Sparkes will retire from the Board effective 30 November 2025, as he steps back from public company roles to focus on personal commitments.

Mr. Sparkes joined AuMEGA as a technical advisor in June 2021 and was appointed to the Board in September 2022. He served most recently as Chair of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee and played a key role in shaping AuMEGA's exploration strategy in Newfoundland and Labrador.

AuMEGA Metal's Chair, Justin Osborne commented:

"Kerry has made several contributions in AuMEGA's journey. As a Newfoundlander with an exceptional technical and industry background, his guidance and perspective have meaningfully contributed to the Company's progress. On behalf of the Board, I thank Kerry for his service, integrity, and commitment, and wish him the very best."

Outgoing Non-Executive Director, Kerry Sparkes commented:

"It has been a privilege to contribute to AuMEGA's growth over the past several years. I continue to believe in the potential of the Company's portfolio and in the strategy and capability of the Board and management to unlock value. I look forward to supporting the Company as a committed shareholder as it advances its exploration programs."

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Company's Board of Directors.

To learn more about the Company, please visit www.aumegametals.com, or contact:

About the Company

AuMEGA Metals Ltd (ASX: AAM) (TSXV: AUM) (OTCQB: AUMMF) is utilising best-in-class exploration to explore on its district scale land package that spans 110 kilometers along the Cape Ray Shear Zone, a significant under-explored geological feature recognised as Newfoundland, Canada's largest identified gold structure. This zone currently hosts Equinox Gold's Valentine Gold Project, a multi-million-ounce deposit which is the region's largest gold project, along with AuMEGA's expanding Mineral Resource.

The Company is supported by a diverse shareholder registry of prominent global institutional investors, and strategic investment from B2Gold Corp, a significant, intermediate gold producer.

Additionally, AuMEGA holds a 27-kilometre stretch of the highly prospective Hermitage Flexure and has also secured an Option Agreement for the Blue Cove Copper Project in southeastern Newfoundland, which exhibits strong potential for copper and other base metals.

AuMEGA's Cape Ray Shear Zone hosts several dozen high potential targets along with its existing defined gold Mineral Resource of 6.1 million tonnes grading an average of 2.25 g/t, totaling 450,000 ounces of Indicated Resources, and 3.4 million tonnes grading an average of 1.44 g/t, totaling 160,000 ounces in Inferred Resources1.

AuMEGA acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

1 News release dated 30 May 2023

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272568

SOURCE: AuMEGA Metals Ltd.
AUSTIN, Texas and TOKYO, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to DataM Intelligence, the cardiovascular, renal & metabolic diseases market size reached US$ 298.73 billion in 2024, up from US$ 286.12 billion in 2023, and is projected to grow to US$ 451.87 billion by 2033, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from 2025 to 2033.

This sizable market reflects the convergence of major chronic disease segments-cardiovascular diseases, renal diseases, and metabolic disorders-each contributing to a large and growing burden across global healthcare systems.

Growth Drivers: Aging Demographics & Therapeutic Innovation

The upward trajectory in the CRM market is underpinned by several measurable factors:

The prevalence of cardiovascular, renal and metabolic comorbid conditions is increasing; one major player estimates that up to one-third of patients with CRM profile have two or more of these diseases concurrently .

. Global population aging: with the number of individuals aged 65 + increasing by over 20% between 2023 and 2033 , the incidence of heart failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes is rising accordingly.

, the incidence of heart failure, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes is rising accordingly. Advances in therapies: Industry players are increasingly deploying combination treatments (e.g., SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists) that address multiple disease axes, enhancing patient outcomes and expanding market size.

Expanding healthcare access and diagnostics: As more patients are diagnosed earlier with metabolic or renal conditions, the opportunity for treatment (therapeutics, devices) increases, helping drive scale in the CRM market.

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Browse in-depth TOC on 'Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolic Diseases Market'

70 - Tables

66 - Figures

195 - Pages

Market Segmentation: Detailing Key Growth Vectors

By Disease Type

The CRM market comprises three primary disease-type segments: Cardiovascular Diseases, Renal Diseases, and Metabolic Disorders.

Cardiovascular Diseases represent the largest component, accounting for an estimated 57% of the 2024 market (US$ 170 billion).

(US$ 170 billion). Renal Diseases and Metabolic Disorders each contribute the balance, with Renal possibly 22% and Metabolic Disorders 23%.

Given the overall market of US$ 298.73 billion in 2024, this implies the renal segment size at roughly US$ 70 billion, and metabolic disorders around US$ 75 billion.

By Treatment Type

Treatment-type segmentation includes Therapeutics, Devices, and Others (such as diagnostics, monitoring systems).

Therapeutics dominate the market, likely accounting for over 70% in 2024.

in 2024. Devices (including cardiovascular devices, renal-replacement/dialysis equipment) may hold 17% (US$ 52 billion).

By End-User

End-user segmentation covers Hospitals, Specialty Clinics, Homecare Settings, Academic & Research Institutes, and Others.

Hospitals are the largest channel, capturing approximately 65% of market revenue (roughly US$ 194 billion in 2024).

(roughly US$ 194 billion in 2024). Specialty clinics and homecare settings are growing fastest, with homecare devices and monitoring apps projected to expand at >6% CAGR through 2033.

through 2033. Academic/research institutes represent a smaller but strategic portion, emphasizing diagnostics and innovation.

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Regional Insights & Quantitative Indicators

While specific regional breakdowns for CRM diseases were not fully disclosed, the data allow for informed interpretation:

With the global size at US$ 298.73 billion in 2024, and given developed markets capture a large share, the United States likely represents 33% , or US$ 95 billion in 2024.

likely represents , or US$ 95 billion in 2024. Japan as an advanced economy with high chronic-disease prevalence may account for 5% (US$ 15 billion) in 2024.

Other regions (Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America) make up the remainder, with Asia-Pacific expected to show faster growth owing to rising disease incidence and improving access.

Competitive Landscape

According to DataM Intelligence, key players dominating the CRM diseases market include: Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly & Company, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International, Johnson & Johnson, Bayer AG, Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis AG, Sanofi, and Amgen Inc.

These companies are specialising in therapies across cardiovascular, renal and metabolic disease spectra and investing heavily in pipeline assets with multi-target action (e.g., cardio-renal-metabolic platforms).

The concentration of large pharma in this space reflects the scale of opportunity-therapeutics alone are hundreds of billions in revenue annually.

Outlook & Strategic Implications

With a projected growth to US$ 451.87 billion by 2033, the CRM diseases market presents multiple strategic opportunities:

Diversification into renal and metabolic-disorder treatment offers incremental growth beyond traditional cardiovascular therapies.

Development of integrated therapy-device combinations (e.g., heart-failure devices plus metabolic drug pairing) can command higher value and market share.

Expansion of homecare and monitoring solutions (end-user category) aligns with 6%+ CAGR in that segment.

Emerging geographic markets (Asia-Pacific, Latin America) will continue to ramp up share, driven by rising incidence and healthcare improvement.

Businesses that align therapy pipelines around the interconnectedness of cardiovascular, renal and metabolic disorders will be well-positioned to capture cross-indication revenues.

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Conclusion

The CRM diseases market is one of the most enduring and expansive segments in healthcare. From a base of US$ 298.73 billion in 2024 to a projected US$ 451.87 billion by 2033, the scale and growth demonstrate the significant unmet need across cardiovascular, renal and metabolic disorders.

According to DataM Intelligence, leading players and stakeholders who build holistic, multi-indication solutions-and leverage treatment, device and service channels-will capture the strongest growth. The next decade promises major opportunities for advancing patient care and commercial value within the CRM landscape.

About DataM Intelligence:

DataM Intelligence 4Market Research LLP is a global business intelligence and consulting firm headquartered in Hyderabad, India. DataM delivers actionable insights across 15+ industry verticals, offering syndicated reports, customized consulting, and competitive intelligence solutions. The firm's oncology market coverage spans hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and cell & gene therapies, providing deep-dive data on clinical pipelines, regulatory landscapes, pricing, and market access strategies.

Related Report:

Cardiac Biomarkers Market Size Set to Reach USD 67.5 B by 2033 with 13.2% CAGR - DataM Intelligence. Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis Drugs Market Size Expected to Surge from USD 180.1 M in 2024 to USD 929 M by 2033 at 18.1% CAGR. Metabolic Disorders Therapeutics Market Size to Nearly Double to USD 122.3 B by 2031 at 7.8% CAGR. MASH Treatment Market Size Soars: From US$1.67 B in 2023 to US$7.64 B by 2031 at 21.8% CAGR

About DataM Intelligence

DataM Intelligence is a renowned provider of market research, delivering deep insights through pricing analysis, market share breakdowns, and competitive intelligence. The company specializes in strategic reports that guide businesses in high-growth sectors such as nutraceuticals and AI-driven health innovations.

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Chairman Quagliano motioned that the unredacted offer letter and letter of intent be published publicly on the website, via press release, and included in the proxy letter. J. Wright suggested that language be added to the press release and notification stating, essentially, "The Board received this unsolicited offer and found it to be grossly inadequate."

LAKEWOOD, CO / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / Board of Directors

Solera National Bancorp, Inc. c/o Chairman Michael Drew Quagliano 319 South Sheridan Boulevard Lakewood, CO 80226 Re: Non-Binding Indication of Interest - Proposed Purchase of 100% of the Outstanding Common Stock of Solera National Bancorp, Inc. Ladies and Gentlemen: On behalf of Project Sun Holdings, LLC (the "Buyer"), a Delaware limited liability company to be formed, and certain institutional co-investors (collectively, "Buyer Group"), we are pleased to submit this non-binding indication of interest (this "Indication" or "NBO") for the proposed acquisition of one hundred percent (100%) of the outstanding common stock of Solera National Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company" or "Solera"), the parent company of Solera National Bank (the "Bank"). This Indication is intended to set out the principal terms upon which the Buyer Group would be prepared to pursue a transaction and to facilitate discussions between the parties. Except as expressly stated below with respect to confidentiality and exclusivity, this Indication is non-binding and is subject to, among other things, negotiation, documentation and the execution of definitive agreements acceptable to the parties.

Buyer Group

Buyer will act through NewCo (Project Sun Holdings, LLC), to be formed in Delaware, and will be supported by committed co-investors comprised of institutional partners. Buyer will provide proof of funds and evidence of equity commitments upon the Company's reasonable request.

Proposed Transaction

Buyer proposes to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of the Company by way of an all-cash stock purchase of the Company's issued and outstanding common stock, on the terms described herein and subject to customary adjustments and the conditions set forth below.

Purchase Price

Buyer proposes an aggregate purchase price of US$70,000,000 ( Seventy Million Dollars) (the "Purchase Price"), payable in cash at the Closing, subject to customary adjustments for:

Net working capital (target and true-up mechanics to be agreed);

Loan portfolio adjustments deriving from confirmatory review of loan tapes, ACL adequacy, non-performing assets and TDRs; and

Permitted post-closing adjustments agreed in the definitive purchase agreement.

The Purchase Price represents approximately a 70.6% premium to the thirty (30)-day average price of Solera common stock of $9.54, as of September 24, 2025, and is intended as a firm, single-number offer for purposes of this Indication.

Form of Consideration and Escrow

Form: All cash at Closing, subject to the adjustments described above.

Escrow / Holdback: Buyer proposes that a portion of the Purchase Price equal to fifteen percent (15%) be held in escrow (or otherwise retained) to secure seller representations, warranties and indemnities for a period of up to twenty-four (24) months (or such other arrangement as the parties agree). The specific escrow mechanics, claims process and release schedule will be negotiated in definitive documentation.

Financing and Proof of Funds

Buyer has obtained firm equity commitments from lead investors and stands ready to fund the Purchase Price from equity and / or committed financing sources. Buyer will promptly provide reasonable evidence of financing and proof of funds upon execution of a confidentiality and exclusivity agreement and prior to the commencement of confirmatory due diligence.

Conditions to Closing

The proposed transaction will be subject to customary closing conditions, including, without limitation:

Satisfactory confirmatory due diligence (financial, legal, regulatory, tax, BSA/AML, IT and operational, without limitation) at the Buyer's reasonable judgment; Execution of mutually acceptable definitive agreements, including a stock purchase agreement containing customary representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities, closing conditions and termination rights; No material adverse change in the business, operations, financial condition or prospects of the Company and the Bank prior to Closing; Receipt of all required regulatory approvals and non-objections, including (without limitation):

o OCC non-objection under the Change in Bank Control Act (12 U.S.C. 1817(j)) and implementing regulations (12 C.F.R. 5.50), with Buyer filing required prior notices promptly following execution of a definitive agreement; o Any additional approvals or clearances required by the Federal Reserve,

FDIC or other applicable regulators; and o Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) clearance, if applicable; and

Shareholder approval, if required under applicable law or the Company's organizational documents.

Buyer acknowledges and understands that OCC review and non-objection will be required before Closing and that the statutory waiting period under applicable rules is a gating regulatory requirement.

Timeline (Indicative)

Buyer proposes the following indicative timing, subject to the Company's cooperation in providing diligence access and to regulatory timing:

Offer Validity: This Indication is open for acceptance until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on October 3rd, 2025 (the "Expiration Date"), unless earlier withdrawn by Buyer.

Exclusivity / Diligence : Upon mutual execution of a confidentiality and exclusivity agreement, Buyer requests an exclusivity period of ninety (90) days for purposes of confirmatory due diligence and negotiation of definitive agreements.

Definitive Agreement: Buyer aims to execute a binding stock purchase agreement within forty-five (45) days of acceptance of this Indication.

Regulatory Filing & Closing: Buyer will promptly submit required regulatory notice(s) following execution of definitive documentation. Subject to regulatory timing and approvals, Buyer would expect to close within 30-60 days following receipt of applicable regulatory non-objection(s), though actual timing may be longer depending on regulators' review.

Due Diligence Scope

This Indication is based on the information available to the Buyer as of today. Confirmatory diligence will include, without limitation: loan tapes and credit files, underwriting and collateral schedules, ACL methodology, deposit composition, core processor agreements, BSA/AML program, CRA matters and exam history, employee and executive agreements, litigation and regulatory matters, tax and environmental matters, IT systems, and any material contracts. Buyer will require access to management and to data rooms and will follow customary diligence protocols regarding confidentiality and limited distribution.

Confidentiality and Exclusivity

Confidentiality: The contents of this Indication and any subsequent discussions shall be treated as strictly private and confidential and are intended solely for the information of the recipients and their professional advisers eventually retained for the purposes of the Proposed Transaction. Neither the Buyer's interest in the Company nor the content of this NBO shall be disclosed to any person other than the recipients' professional advisers without the Buyer's prior written consent.

Exclusivity: To permit Buyer to devote time and resources to confirmatory diligence and negotiation of definitive agreements, Buyer requests that the Company grant Buyer exclusive negotiation rights for ninety (90) days upon mutual execution of a short confidentiality/exclusivity agreement; such exclusivity shall be binding and subject to the terms of the confidentiality/exclusivity agreement to be executed by the parties.

Material Adverse Change / Interim Covenants

Pending execution of definitive agreements, Buyer requests that the Company refrain from taking extraordinary actions (including dividend declarations, significant asset dispositions, material incurrence of indebtedness, or entering into material related-party transactions) without Buyer's prior written consent, except as otherwise required by law or regulation.

Legal Effect; Non-Binding Nature

This Indication is non-binding, other than the Confidentiality and Exclusivity provisions expressly referenced above (which shall be binding if and when the parties execute a separate confidentiality/exclusivity agreement). No obligation of any kind (including any obligation to consummate the transaction) will arise unless and until definitive agreements have been executed and delivered by the parties and all conditions therein have been satisfied or waived. This Indication does not constitute a solicitation for proxies or a public offer.

Governing Law

This Indication and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed in all respects, including existence, validity, interpretation and effect (without regard to principles of conflicts of law) by the laws of New York, USA.

Any dispute howsoever deriving or arising from this Indication or in connection with the

Proposed Transaction shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of Delaware, USA.

Closing Remarks

Buyer believes this proposal offers a prompt, certain and well-capitalized path to a transaction that protects the interests of the Company's stakeholders, preserves franchise value and positions the Bank for operational and capital improvement under experienced stewardship. Buyer looks forward to the opportunity to discuss this Indication with the Board and to proceed in an expedited and cooperative manner.

If the Board is receptive to this Indication, we respectfully request a meeting with the Board and management at the earliest feasible date to present our proposal and to review next steps, including execution of a confidentiality/exclusivity agreement to permit confirmatory due diligence.

Sincerely,

/ / /

Mr. Davi Cunha

Davi Cunha

Sponsor / Authorized Signatory

Project Sun Holdings, LLC (NewCo to be formed)

Michael Quagliano

Executive Chairman of the Company & Board

Solera National Bancorp, Inc

Contacts:

Jay Hansen,

CFO

(303) 209-8600

SOURCE: Solera National Bancorp, Inc.

project-sunoffer-structureboard-of-directorssep-2025

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/solera-receives-offer-letter-1093422
The military software market dominates due to rising global defense budgets, growing reliance on advanced technologies, and the need for enhanced situational awareness and cybersecurity. Nations are increasingly adopting AI, automation, and secure communication systems to modernize military operations, improve decision-making, and protect critical infrastructure against evolving threats

WILMINGTON, Del., Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Military Software Market by Type (Land, Naval), Technology (Learning Intelligence, Advance Computing), and Application (Information Processing, Cybersecurity): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2033". According to the report, the military software market was valued at $642.8 billion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $1.1 trillion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2024 to 2033.

The military software market is driven by factors such as rise in need for advanced defense systems, increase in investments in digital battlefield solutions, and rapid advancements in software technologies aimed at enhancing command and control, situational awareness, cybersecurity, and mission effectiveness.

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Prime determinants of growth

The military software market is expected to witness notable growth owing to rise in need for cybersecurity concerns, growing adoption of military software integration between control devices, sensors, and communication devices and increasing military expenditure and spending. Moreover, development of military software for unmanned aerial systems (uas) and surge in demand for learning intelligence technology are expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the growth of the market during the forecast period. On the contrary, technical issues associated with military software limit the growth of the military software market.

Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2024-2033 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 $642.8 billion Market Size in 2033 $1.1 trillion CAGR 5.5 % No. of Pages in Report 289 Segments covered Type, Technology, and Application Drivers Rise in need for cybersecurity concerns Growing adoption of military software integration between control devices, sensors, and communication devices Increasing military expenditure and spending Opportunities Development of military software for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) Surge in demand for learning intelligence technology Restraints Technical issues associated with military software

The land segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period.

By type, the land segment is expected to hold the highest market share in 2024, accounting for nearly three-fourths of the global military software market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This dominance is driven by the widespread use of software solutions in land-based operations for mission planning, logistics management, real-time surveillance, and battlefield coordination. The growing integration of AI, ML, and geospatial intelligence in land warfare systems further enhances operational efficiency and decision-making capabilities.

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The learning intelligence segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

By technology, the learning intelligence segment is expected to hold the highest market share in 2024, accounting for more than half of the global military software market and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This segment's dominance is attributed to the helicopters' exceptional versatility, ability to access hard-to-reach fire zones, and effectiveness in water bucket operations and precision drops.

Europe dominated the market in 2024

By Region, Europe region generated the largest share in 2024, accounting for more than two-fifth of the global military software market and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Owing to increasing geopolitical tensions, rising defense spending among European nations, and a strong push toward digital transformation in military operations, the region continues to invest heavily in advanced software solutions.

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Leading Market Players: -

Aselsan A.S.

Elbit Systems Ltd.

General Dynamics Corporation

Honeywell International, Inc.

BAE Systems

IBM Corporation

Rohde & Schwarz

RTX

Rolta India Limited

Teledyne FLIR LLC

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global military software market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, collaborations, expansion, joint ventures, agreements, and others to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in country. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Explore AMR's Extensive ongoing Coverage on Aerospace and Defense Domain:

Military And Aerospace Electronics Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024-2034

Maritime Patrol Naval Vessels Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

Naval Artillery System Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Simulation Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021 - 2031

Missile Guidance System Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021 - 2031

Military Personal Protective Equipment Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

Bulletproof Helmet Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2024 - 2034

Military Parachute Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021 - 2031

Automatic Weapons Market : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

About Us

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides end-to-end solutions along with information, education, advocacy, and networking resources to SMEs and early-stage start-ups to bring excellence to their processes. In addition, we offer a nurturing environment required to develop and grow businesses, including business planning; virtual support; market intelligence; acquiring resources; and getting direct access to finance, suppliers, and other experts to boost the growth of businesses and entrepreneurs.

Our bundled and hassle-free business support systems are customized to meet the needs of SME consultants and industry leaders. Moreover, our large network of skilled consultants and experts help start-ups get the business on a roll.

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At this year's RSNA 2025 Annual Meeting (November 30 - December 4, McCormick Place, Booth #2565), AGFA HealthCare will highlight what truly drives transformation in medical imaging: clinicians.

CARLSTADT, NEW JERSEY / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / While technology enables progress, AGFA HealthCare's focus remains on the radiologists, technologists, and IT leaders who rely on imaging to improve lives. Through its Center Stage keynote, two Lunch & Learn sessions, and Peer-to-Peer sessions, the company will showcase how partnership, expertise, and innovation intersect to help healthcare organizations stay in rhythm - supporting clinicians as they diagnose, decision-makers as they deliver strategy, and IT teams as they keep everything flowing.

"When technology truly works for clinicians, it becomes invisible - it empowers them to perform to their highest potential," said Nathalie McCaughley, President, AGFA HealthCare. "That's the power of our Enterprise Imaging Platform: it operates seamlessly behind the scenes allowing clinicians to remain in the flow - diagnosing, collaborating, caring - while IT leaders gain the clarity and control they need to advance their organizations. Whether it's giving radiologists more time to focus on clinical insights, enabling cardiologists to access imaging wherever they are or helping CIOs simplify complexity, our mission is the same: to empower care teams to focus on what matters most."

AGFA HealthCare's RSNA events include:

Center Stage - "From Complexity to Clarity: Redefining the Imaging Experience"

Sunday, November 30 at 12:00 PM | Center Stage

Speakers: Nathalie McCaughley, President, AGFA HealthCare; Rob Mayer, Chief Product Officer, AGFA HealthCare

This session explores how imaging can evolve beyond fragmented workflows, cognitive overload, and technology fatigue to deliver a seamless, human-centered experience. McCaughley and Mayer will share how streaming, workflow orchestration, augmented intelligence, and specialty workspaces converge with a cloud-powered platform to simplify complexity and unify the imaging journey. The result: radiologists can focus on patients, not platforms, where empathy, usability, and trust shape every interaction.

Lunch & Learn - Real Stories, Real Partnership

Monday, December 1 at 12:00 PM

Radiology Rewired, Imaging Elevated, Experience Transformed

Panelists include:

Dr. Anjum Ahmed, Chief Medical Officer, AGFA HealthCare

Dr. Kal Clark, Associate Professor Clinical and Vice Chair of Informatics, UT Health San Antonio

Dr. Rajeev Nowrangi, Director Radiology Imaging Informatics, Loma Linda University Health

Dr. Usama Al Bastaki, Chair of Medical Imaging, Dubai Health

This Lunch & Learn session examines how imaging teams are adapting to increasing demands, complex workflows, and clinician burnout through modern Enterprise Imaging. Today's AGFA HealthCare Enterprise Imaging platform-streaming-enabled, intelligently orchestrated, AI-augmented, and cloud-powered-is already enhancing focus, collaboration, and turnaround times for radiologists. Attendees will learn from their peers how Enterprise Imaging not only alleviates current pressures but also builds a scalable, human-centered ecosystem that serves as the digital backbone of healthcare, connecting specialties, empowering clinicians, engaging patients, and redefining imaging's role in diagnosis, treatment, and population health.

Wednesday, December 3 at 12:00 PM

Enterprise Imaging in the Cloud: What's Working, What's Next

Moderator: Charles Morris, Director of Enterprise Imaging Strategy, AGFA HealthCare

Panelists include:

Ash Dhar, Global Medical Imaging Leader, AWS

Steven Johnson, Senior Director of Information Technology, Tampa General Hospital

Dr. Peter Strouhal, FRCR-accredited experienced radiologist, Medical Director, Alliance Medical

Audrius Polikaitis, PhD, Chief Information Officer, UI Health

Scott Boutilier, Cloud Solutions Architect, AGFA HealthCare

This session turns buzzwords into reality. Attendees will hear firsthand how healthcare organizations are adopting the cloud without disrupting clinical flow, and how working in parallel with trusted partners keeps business and patient care moving in sync.

"Our customers want more than a platform; they want a partner who gets what a 'good day' feels like," said Charles Morris. "That means we listen, we anticipate, and we stay close - because that's what trust looks like in healthcare."

Experience Partnership in Action - Booth #2565

AGFA HealthCare's RSNA booth will feature hands-on demos, 1:1 Peer-to-Peer sessions, and an open invitation with our clients to discuss real-world challenges - from AI orchestration to hybrid deployment. Visitors are also invited to join AGFA's Belgian Beer Reception on Tuesday, December 2, at 3:30 PM for an informal networking event celebrating community and collaboration in imaging.

Press Invitation

Members of the media attending RSNA 2025 are invited to meet with AGFA HealthCare executives, subject matter experts, and potentially customers throughout the week. Interviews and booth briefings can be scheduled by contacting Linda Kelley at Linda@DFKPR.com or Kara Clarke at kara.clarke@agfa.com.

About AGFA HealthCare

At AGFA HealthCare, we are transforming the delivery of care - supporting healthcare professionals across the globe with secure, effective, and sustainable imaging data management. As a company, we are dedicated to our customers, and we have harnessed a value framework of Mission, Vision and Customer Delivery Principles into our routine operations. Through these principles, we commit a consistent high-yield code of conduct to our associates - channeling our experience and aspirations to all of our stakeholders. Our Empowerer profile supports our focus on creating an exceptional experience through the power of technology and is an integral foundation to our company standards. AGFA HealthCare is a division of the Agfa-Gevaert Group. For more information on AGFA HealthCare, please visit www.agfahealthcare.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

AGFA and the Agfa rhombus are registered trademarks of Agfa-Gevaert N.V. Belgium or its affiliates. All rights reserved. All information contained herein is intended for guidance purposes only, and the characteristics of the products and services described in this publication can be changed at any time without notice. Products and services may not be available for your local area. Please contact your local sales representative for availability information. AGFA HealthCare diligently strives to provide as accurate information as possible but shall not be responsible for any typographical error.

Contact Information

Jessica Baldry

Global Marketing & Communications Manager, AGFA HealthCare

jessica.baldry@agfa.com

+44 7583 203971

Kara Clarke

Director of Marketing North America

kara.clarke@agfa.com

Viviane Dictus

Corporate Press Relations

viviane.dictus@agfa.com

+32 3 444 71 24

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/agfa-healthcare-at-rsna-2025-empowering-clinicians.-elevating-enterpr-1093361
Physician-led wellness brand brings its evidence-based longevity and recovery model to downtown LA.

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / MOOV, a physician-led wellness studio focused on longevity, recovery, and aesthetics, today announced its expansion into Los Angeles through the acquisition of RenewMe IV Therapy & Medspa, a leading downtown provider of IV therapy, aesthetics, and rejuvenation services. The new location, currently operating as RenewMe, is part of MOOV and marks MOOV's second California location, strengthening its mission to help people move, feel, and live better through evidence-based, physician-guided wellness.

MOOV logo

logo for MOOV

RenewMe has built a loyal clientele in Los Angeles through its IV Vitamin Therapy, aesthetics, and restorative treatment services, which closely align with MOOV's integrated approach to wellness. By joining the MOOV family, RenewMe clients will gain access to an expanded menu of longevity and aesthetic treatments, as well as MOOV's membership-based model, which promotes continuous health optimization.

"RenewMe Medspa has established an exceptional reputation for IV therapy and client care," said David Jones, MD, a Vituity partner and physician at RenewMe. "Becoming part of MOOV allows us to offer our patients a more holistic path to wellness, backed by the same physician-led expertise that defines Vituity's approach to care."

MOOV was founded in 2023 by physicians from Vituity, a national multispecialty physician-owned and led partnership. Currently, MOOV operates from 8 locations and is rapidly expanding into new communities nationwide.

"Los Angeles is the natural next step for MOOV," said Imamu Tomlinson, MD, MBA, CEO of Vituity."It's a city where wellness is a way of life, and we're excited to bring our model of physician-guided, personalized longevity care to this vibrant community."

The Los Angeles location will continue to operate in its current downtown studio while undergoing design and service enhancements that reflect the MOOV brand. Clients can expect the same trusted staff and services, with new offerings and memberships launching later this year.

For more information, visit moov.health or renewmespa.com.

About MOOV

MOOV is a physician-led wellness brand helping people feel better now and live healthier for longer. Founded by physicians from Vituity, one of the nation's leading physician partnerships, MOOV combines medical expertise with personalized, science-backed wellness, aesthetics, and performance care. Learn more at moov.health.

About Vituity

Vituity is a physician-owned and -led multispecialty partnership serving more than 680 care locations nationwide. For 50 years, Vituity clinicians have delivered integrated, patient-centered care that transforms healthcare delivery for communities nationwide. Visit vituity.com.

Contact Information

John Hansen

Director, Marketing & PR

publicrelations@vituity.com

(510) 851-7439





SOURCE: Vituity

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/moov-expands-to-los-angeles-with-acquisition-of-renewme-1093333
CORNELIUS, NORTH CAROLINA / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / CMG Home Loans, the retail division of well-capitalized privately held mortgage lender, CMG Financial, is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Schoolfield. With more than 25 years of mortgage industry experience, Schoolfield will lead sales growth and team development across the Southeast region.

A North Carolina native, Schoolfield began his mortgage career in 1999 as a loan officer before advancing into senior leadership roles at several national lenders. He served as Carolinas District Manager at Prospect Mortgage, followed by more than a decade at Movement Mortgage as Southeast Regional Director and later Divisional Leader - where he built and led a $9 billion division - and most recently served as Division Leader at Summit Funding, Inc.

Known for his hands-on leadership style and dedication to empowering others, Schoolfield has built a reputation for cultivating top-performing teams and creating meaningful, lasting impacts on both clients and colleagues. His focus on equipping loan originators with the tools, resources, and vision to deliver seamless home buying experiences aligns perfectly with CMG's mission of fostering confident, informed homeowners.

"My experience in this industry over the past couple decades has informed me of the difference between a company that talks about growth and one that is committed to it," said Schoolfield. "CMG's vision, culture, and momentum stood out - so do the results. I'm excited to help build on that foundation - developing teams that see more, think bigger, and make a lasting impact for each other and the families they serve."

"We are thrilled to welcome Matt Schoolfield to our CMG family as our new Divisional Manager," added Tammy Turner, Senior Vice President. "His extensive experience in the mortgage industry brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will be invaluable as we focus on expanding our presence in the Southeast. I am excited about the vision he has for our growth and look forward to achieving great things together."

About CMG Financial

CMG Financial is a well-capitalized mortgage lender founded in 1993. Founder and CEO, Christopher M. George, was Chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association in 2019. CMG makes its products and services available to the market through three distinct origination channels including retail lending, wholesale lending, and correspondent lending. CMG currently operates in all states, including the District of Columbia, and holds approvals with FNMA, FHLMC, and GNMA. CMG is widely known throughout the mortgage banking and housing markets for responsible lending practices, industry and consumer advocacy, product innovation, and operational efficiency. CMG Mortgage, Inc. NMLS ID# 1820 (http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.orghttp://www.cmghomeloans.com)

SOURCE: CMG Financial

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/real-estate/cmg-home-loans-announces-new-hire-of-matt-schoolfield-divisional-sales-manager-1093569
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - Hemostemix Inc. (TSXV: HEM) (OTCQB: HMTXF) (FSE: 2VF0), the leading autologous (patient's own) stem cell therapy company offering VesCell (ACP-01) to no-option individuals suffering from pain related to angina, peripheral arterial disease, chronic limb threatening ischemia, ischemic cardiomyopathy, non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and total body ischemia, today announced major progress in Florida as it builds upon the success of its weekly webinar series, which since August has drawn strong interest from vascular surgeons statewide. These efforts mark the next phase of the Company's "Boots on the Ground" initiative, accelerating patient access to ACP-01, Hemostemix's autologous angiogenic-cell-precursor therapy for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), pain relief, and wound healing, under Florida Senate Bill 1768 (SB 1768).

Florida Opens the Door to Compassionate Innovation

SB 1768, enacted this year, establishes one of the most forward-looking regenerative-medicine frameworks in the United States. It empowers licensed Florida physicians to deliver unapproved stem-cell-based therapies specifically for pain management and wound care, provided safety, consent, and ethical safeguards are met. For no-option CLTI patients-those suffering severe ischemic pain and non-healing wounds at risk of amputation-this statute provides a pathway to receive potentially limb-saving therapies such as ACP-01.

Hemostemix's approach centers on physician enablement and statutory compliance, including licensure verification, disclosure of expected outcomes, adverse-event reporting, and integration with ongoing clinical protocols.

"SB 1768 beacons compassionate innovation, tackling pain and wounds in CLTI and similar conditions," said Thomas Smeenk, CEO of Hemostemix. "Pain defines ACP-01's indications-from heart failure, angina, and cardiomyopathy to wound care and CLTI-while cognition defines our dementia work. Our Florida expansion ensures physicians can provide ACP-01 safely, effectively, and ethically under state law, transforming lives while upholding regulatory integrity."

Grand Rounds at the University of Florida - November 12, 2025

As part of its educational leadership in regenerative medicine, Hemostemix will headline a Grand Rounds presentation at the University of Florida in Gainesville on November 12, 2025, led by Dr. Fraser Henderson Sr., Neurosurgeon.

The University of Florida, Gainesville - a principal investigator site in Hemostemix's FDA-authorized randomized phase II clinical trial - played a key role in evaluating ACP-01 for the treatment of critical limb ischemia. This upcoming session will review Hemostemix's Phase I and II clinical trial results across CLTI, ischemic and dilated cardiomyopathy, and angina. The event underscores the Company's commitment to physician education, ethical integration of ACP-01 under SB 1768, and collaboration with Florida's medical community.

Key Actions Driving ACP-01 Access in Florida

Dedicated Sales and Outreach Team

Led by Chief Commercial Officer Croom Lawrence, Hemostemix deployed its Florida-focused field team that has met with dozens of vascular surgeons, and podiatrists, in Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Naples, Boca Raton since August. These sessions focus on SB 1768 education, patient screening, and referral workflows, resulting in several emerging clinic partnerships. Physician Training Programs

A dedicated SB 1768 curriculum trains physicians on ACP-01's protocols for pain and wound outcomes, patient-consent standards, and monitoring of patients as if they are in an open label phase 1 clinical trial. The in-person discussions emphasize scope adherence, documentation, legal and ethical transparency. Compassionate-Use Access Expansion

Under SB 1768's pain/wound provisions, Hemostemix has streamlined access for Rutherford 4-5 CLTI patients with intractable pain and wounds, while fielding interest for its Basket clinical trial now under IRB review. Collaborative Network Building

Hemostemix is establishing formal ties with Florida's vascular surgeons to coordinate success-story documentation, adverse-event reporting, and compliance tracking per SB 1768. Patient and Community Education

SB 1768-information materials are now being developed for patients exploring regenerative options. The educational content highlights ACP-01's track record in pain relief and wound healing for CLTI.

Operational Infrastructure and Momentum

With boots on the ground, Hemostemix's Florida operations will include:

Ongoing grand rounds presentations.

Outreach via social media to patients who suffer in pain with CLTI.

Clinical liaisons coordinating patient eligibility and regulatory documentation.

Ongoing webinars and in-person sessions for physician engagement and patient education.

ABOUT HEMOSTEMIX

Hemostemix is an autologous stem cell therapy platform company, founded in 2003. A winner of the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer Award, the Company has developed, patented, is scaling and selling autologous (patient's own) blood-based stem cell therapy, VesCell (ACP-01). Hemostemix has completed seven clinical studies of 318 subjects and published its results in eleven peer reviewed publications. ACP-01 is safe, clinically relevant and statistically significant as a treatment for peripheral arterial disease, chronic limb threatening ischemia, non ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and angina. Hemostemix completed its Phase II clinical trial for chronic limb threatening ischemia and published its results in the Journal of Biomedical Research & Environmental Science. As compared to a five year mortality rate of 50% in the CLTI patient population, UBC and U of T reported to the 41st meeting of vascular surgeons: 0% mortality, cessation of pain, wound healing in 83% of patients followed for up to 4.5 years, as a midpoint result. For more information, please visit www.hemostemix.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information in relation to the treatment of CLTI in Florida and the completion of the treatment of pain related to angina, peripheral arterial disease, chronic limb threatening ischemia, ischemic cardiomyopathy, non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and total body ischemia with Angiogenic Cell Precursors (ACP-01) in furtherance of sales of VesCell (ACP-01), and the commercialization of ACP-01 via the sale of compassionate treatments under Florida SB 1768. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects Hemostemix's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Hemostemix and on assumptions Hemostemix believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: the underlying value of Hemostemix and its Common Shares; the successful resolution of any litigation that Hemostemix is pursuing or defending (the "Litigation"); the results of ACP-01 research, trials, studies and analyses, including the analysis being equivalent to or better than previous research, trials or studies; the receipt of all required regulatory approvals for research, trials or studies; the level of activity, market acceptance and market trends in the healthcare sector; the economy generally; consumer interest in Hemostemix's services and products; competition and Hemostemix's competitive advantages; and, Hemostemix obtaining satisfactory financing to fund Hemostemix's operations including any research, trials or studies, and any Litigation. 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 Hemostemix 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 ability of Hemostemix to complete clinical trials, complete a satisfactory analyses and file the results of such analyses to gain regulatory approval of a phase II or phase III clinical trial of ACP-01; potential litigation Hemostemix may face; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; the actual results of future operations including the actual results of future research, trials or studies; competition; changes in legislation affecting Hemostemix; the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; long-term capital requirements and future developments in Hemostemix's markets and the markets in which it expects to compete; lack of qualified, skilled labour or loss of key individuals; and risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic including various recommendations, orders and measures of governmental authorities to try to limit the pandemic, including travel restrictions, border closures, non-essential business closures service disruptions, quarantines, self-isolations, shelters-in-place and social distancing, disruptions to markets, disruptions to economic activity and financings, disruptions to supply chains and sales channels, and a deterioration of general economic conditions including a possible national or global recession or depression; the potential impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on Hemostemix which may include a decreased demand for the services that Hemostemix offers; and a deterioration of financial markets that could limit Hemostemix's ability to obtain external financing. A description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in Hemostemix's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Hemostemix 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. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of Hemostemix as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, it is Subject to change after such date. However, Hemostemix expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272574

SOURCE: Hemostemix Inc.
Lawrenceville, Georgia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - TeleDirectMD, a physician-led virtual urgent care platform, has expanded its services to 25 U.S. states, marking a significant step in making affordable telemedicine more accessible to the adults nationwide. The service offers same-day video consultations with board-certified doctors for just $49 with no insurance required, thus, positioning itself as a transparent, patient-first alternative in a telehealth market.



TeleDirectMD Expands MD-Only Virtual Urgent Care to 25+ U.S. States

"Patients want clarity, speed, and trustworthy care," said Parth Bhavsar, MD, Founder and Medical Director of TeleDirectMD. "We have built TeleDirectMD so that adults can connect with a board-certified MD in minutes, know the price upfront, and receive evidence-based treatment plans-without surprise bills or insurance barriers."

TeleDirectMD focuses on common urgent-care conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTI), bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections, sinusitis, influenza, COVID-19 care, acne, and appropriate medication refills. Services are available exclusively for adults (18+) through secure video visits. The clinic adheres to strict clinical standards, with no controlled substances, no backdated notes, and no hidden fees.

The healthcare platform prioritizes transparency and accountability over patient volume. Each consultation provides a clear, easy-to-understand treatment plan based on nationally recognized clinical guidelines. The company's LegitScript certification further underscores its commitment to patient safety, regulatory compliance, and ethical telemedicine practices, an increasingly vital standard in today's digital healthcare landscape.

"As TeleDirectMD scales nationally, we remain focused on our core promise: quality care, transparent pricing, and physician-led accountability," said, Dr. Bhavsar. "Our goal is to make access to an MD as simple and affordable as ordering groceries online."

Availability and Booking

Adults across 25 states can book a same-day virtual visit for $49 directly through the TeleDirectMD platform. Appointments are typically available within hours and can be completed conveniently from any smartphone, tablet, or computer, offering fast and accessible medical care without the need for insurance.

Website: https://teledirectmd.com

For Booking: https://teledirectmd.com/book-online

Important Note: TeleDirectMD is not intended for emergency situations. Individuals experiencing severe or potentially life-threatening symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or neurological deficits should immediately call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department to seek in-person care.

About TeleDirectMD

TeleDirectMD is a LegitScript-certified, direct-to-consumer virtual urgent-care platform founded and led by a board-certified physician. The service offers transparent and affordable pricing with no insurance required, focusing on adult patients (18+) and common urgent-care conditions, along with appropriate medication refills and select lifestyle-medicine services.

Operating in 25 U.S. states, TeleDirectMD upholds rigorous, evidence-based clinical standards and provides MD-only care to ensure quality, accountability, and patient trust. To learn more, visit teledirectmd.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272425

SOURCE: ReleasePR.com


Invitation





Q3 2025 Results Release and Conference Call

Friday, November 14th, 2025

Vallourec will publish Third Quarter and Nine Month 2025 Results on November 14 t h , 2025 at 07:30 AM CET.

Philippe Guillemot, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Sascha Bibert, Chief Financial Officer are pleased to invite you to a presentation of the results via conference call and webcast at 09:30 AM CET .



To connect to the webcast (live and replay), please visit:

https://vallourec.engagestream.companywebcast.com/2025-11-14-q3resultscallanalysts

To participate in the call, please visit:

https://engagestream.companywebcast.com/vallourec/2025-11-14-q3resultscallanalysts/dial-in

The presentation will be available from 09:00 AM CET on Vallourec's website:https://www.vallourec.com/en/investors

About Vallourec

Vallourec is a world leader in premium tubular solutions for the energy markets and for demanding industrial applications such as oil & gas wells in harsh environments, new generation power plants, challenging architectural projects, and high-performance mechanical equipment. Vallourec's pioneering spirit and cutting-edge R&D open new technological frontiers. With close to 13,000 dedicated and passionate employees in more than 20 countries, Vallourec works hand-in-hand with its customers to offer more than just tubes: Vallourec delivers innovative, safe, competitive and smart tubular solutions, to make every project possible.

Listed on Euronext in Paris (ISIN code: FR0013506730, Ticker VK), Vallourec is part of the CAC Mid 60, SBF 120 and Next 150 indices and is eligible for Deferred Settlement Service.

In the United States, Vallourec has established a sponsored Level 1 American Depositary Receipt (ADR) program (ISIN code: US92023R4074, Ticker: VLOWY). Parity between ADR and a Vallourec ordinary share has been set at 5:1.

www.vallourec.com

Attachment
Assembly lines for 19-seater regional ERA hybrid-electric aircraft and INTEGRAL family of aerobatic-capable training aircraft will bring more than a thousand jobs to U.S. Space Coast, says Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly

Aircraft manufacturer AURA AERO* cut the ribbon yesterday on an 11,000 sq. ft. facility at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Research Park that will serve as its U.S. headquarters and first production site. The campus will host the North American Delivery and Customer Support Center for the INTEGRAL program and lay the groundwork for the company's hybrid-electric ERA aircraft.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030123579/en/

AURA AERO Daytona Beach Pier

The initial production line will build the INTEGRAL family of two-seater, aerobatic-capable training aircraft offered first with a Lycoming piston engine and subsequently in a 100% electric version. The U.S. is the largest training market in the world, with nearly 600 FAA approved flight schools, over 75,000 pilots, and a growing demand for modern, cost-effective training aircraft with aerobatic capabilities, and is therefore a major market for INTEGRAL. Recently certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and with FAA certification underway, the INTEGRAL family offers an advanced, efficient solution for both traditional and electric flight training, making it a strong contender in the U.S. market.

In 2028, AURA AERO plans to open a 500,000 sq. ft. assembly line for its 19-seater aircraft ERA, and intends to be the world's first to manufacture a hybrid-electric regional aircraft, operating assembly lines in France and the U.S. The United States has emerged as one of the strongest markets for ERA, now accounting for more than one third of the orders worldwide. The company expects U.S. volumes to approach half of its global total as additional commitments are finalized.

The current LOI book stands at over 650 ERA aircraft, for more than $10.5 billion. Florida's site follows a partnership signed two years ago with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Space Florida, the state's aerospace economic development agency, played a key role in supporting the project, which is expected to create more than a thousand high-skill jobs in the region.

"Today's announcement by AURA AERO and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a shining example of the Governor's leadership in growing Florida's aviation industries, focus on fostering the talent to support innovative aviation job creators, and development of a market in which innovators can invest capital confidently," said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. "Congratulations to the teams at ERAU, AURA AERO, Space Florida and Team Volusia for reaching this milestone in developing this unique partnership embedded into ERAU's campus, and eventually leading to full manufacturing and product delivery, creating hundreds of high demand jobs in next-generation aviation technology. This is a journey that began at the 2023 Paris Air Show, with the initial commitment announced at the 2024 Farnborough Air Show, and a commitment that came about because of an incredible team effort."

"Florida has long been a leader in aeronautics and space, and the technical expertise of its workforce is a tremendous asset in asserting our leadership in the electric and hybrid-electric aviation sectors," said Jeremy Caussade, President and co-founder of AURA AERO. "The State of Florida, Space Florida and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University have always believed in us and supported us from the beginning in this project, which is now coming to fruition."

"The opening of AURA AERO's headquarters at Embry-Riddle's Research Park marks a significant milestone in our collaboration with an innovative company shaping the future of sustainable aviation," said Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D. "AURA AERO's presence enhances our research ecosystem and offers unparalleled opportunities for students and faculty to engage directly with next-generation electric and hybrid-electric aircraft."

"AURA AERO's investment is another example of how Florida continues to lead the way in aerospace growth and innovation," said Space Florida Board Chair Jeanette Nunez. "This milestone reflects the success of our strategy to attract companies that are redefining how and when the future of flight is built."

"We seek and foster opportunities to put Florida at the forefront of technological transformations," said Space Florida President CEO Rob Long. "AURA AERO represents the kind of progress and innovation that will move the aerospace industry forward for the better."

*French aircraft manufacturer

More information about ERA here

More information about INTEGRAL here

About AURA AERO:

A pioneer in low-carbon aviation, AURA AERO is committed to serve mankind by designing and manufacturing aircraft that accelerate air transport decarbonization. By combining the best in the aeronautical industry with state-of-the-art digital technologies, AURA AERO produces new generation aircraft with unrivaled efficiency: INTEGRAL, the two-seater training aircraft with an aerobatics capacity, and ERA, the 19-seater hybrid-electric regional aircraft.

Founded in 2018, AURA AERO is based at Toulouse-Francazal airport in France and employs nearly 250 people. Having obtained design and production agreements, the company confirms its status as a fully recognized aircraft manufacturer.

AURA AERO is supported by the Occitanie Region, the BPI (French Public Investment Bank) and venture capital firm Innovacom. Laureate of the European fund EIC Accelerator, of Innovation Fund as well as the France Relance and France 2030 programs, AURA AERO is a member of the steering committee of AZEA (Alliance for Zero Emission Aviation), and is one of the 16 founder-companies of the European Future Mobility Taskforce. AURA AERO is one of the rare companies to have received the European Union's STEP seal, which highlights projects developing innovative technologies in the field of energy, industry and digital technologies for applications related to space.

AURA AERO is proud to be the first aerospace company selected by the European Innovation Fund to receive a grant financed through carbon credits, as defined by the 'EU Emissions trading System' (ET ETS) one of the world's largest funding programs for the deployment of innovative low-carbon technologies.

Our latest news: https://www.aura-aero.com/newsroom-connexion

Let's stay connected: Facebook: @auraaero, Instagram: @aura_aero, Instagram USA: @aura_aero_usa, LinkedIn: AURA AERO, X: @aero_aura, YouTube: @auraaero

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030123579/en/

Contacts:

Contact for the media: press@aura-aero.com

James Darcy (US): +1 (571) 214-1722 james.darcy@darcystrategic.com

Caroline Brown (other regions and EU): 33 (0)6 22 08 86 23 caroline.brown.external@aura-aero.com
ABU DHABI, UAE, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ADGM, Abu Dhabi's international financial centre (IFC), marks its 10th anniversary, celebrating a period of exceptional growth, regulatory excellence, and financial innovation.

Since its inception in 2015, the centre has attracted more than 300 financial firms, who today manage a combined USD 28.6 trillion globally, according to Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA), positioning Abu Dhabi as a global "Capital of Capital." These include hedge funds, banks, large asset managers, private equity, venture capital and credit funds.

Growth over the past three years has been especially rapid, with the number of financial firms rising from 131 at the end of 2021 to 308 as of H1 2025, a 135% growth in 42 months, making ADGM one of the world's fastest-growing financial hubs in the MEASA region. ADGM achieved its 5-year Growth Strategy (2022-2027) in just three years.

Established with the ambition of transforming Abu Dhabi into a global hub for business and finance, ADGM has successfully navigated early challenges, to emerge as a resilient and future-ready IFC. In recent years, the centre has entered a period of accelerated growth, becoming the region's largest financial centre in terms of active licences.

From 2015 through to the end of 2024, Assets Under Management (AUM) within ADGM have demonstrated a remarkable triple-digit Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of 123%.

This performance has been supported by exponential growth in fund activity, where the number of funds and fund/asset managers, both metrics, achieved strong AAGRs of 62% over the same period. Meanwhile, active licences have grown at a robust 71% AAGR, and operational entities have expanded by 62%.

Commenting on this significant milestone, H.E. Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said, "Aligned with the vision and guidance of Abu Dhabi's strategic leadership, ADGM has seen unprecedented growth within its short history and matured into a global financial powerhouse, attracting some of the world's leading financial institutions. As we look to the next decade, our ambition to make ADGM one of the top five international financial centres globally is stronger than ever. Given what we've achieved so far, what we can build in the next ten years will be even greater."

Recent figures for H1 2025 demonstrate ADGM's sustained momentum across critical metrics, including a 42% year-on-year increase in AUM and a total of 154 fund and asset managers overseeing 209 funds. Meanwhile, the number of active licences in ADGM reached 11,128 - the highest in the region - while operational entities rose 42% to 2,972.

A Decade of Building Trust: Attracting Trillion-Dollar Titans

ADGM's robust regulatory framework, the first and only jurisdiction in the region to directly apply English common law, has become a benchmark of trust and transparency for international investors. Since its inception, the number of financial entities within ADGM had climbed at an AAGR of 55% by the end of 2024. ADGM's strong ties with Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth funds, holding a combined USD 1.82 trillion, made it a compelling destination for global asset managers.

ADGM has welcomed some of the world's most prestigious financial institutions, including, BlackRock, State Street Global Advisors, PGIM, Nuveen, Carlyle, Apollo,. In 2025, UBS, Davidson Kempner, Monroe Capital, Adam Street, HarbourVest, Carta, Kimmeridge, Investindustrial, PATRIZIA, Polen Capital, Seviora, Arcapita, Harrison Street, Partners Capital and Oryx Global Partners.

A Decade of Developing World-Class Infrastructure

ADGM has evolved into one of the world's largest financial districts, spanning 14.3 million square metres across both Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island.

The expansion to Al Reem Island increased ADGM's jurisdiction tenfold, enabling it to meet rising demand from international firms seeking a strategic base in the region.

A Decade of Empowering Human Capital

ADGM has played a pivotal role in building human capital that drives innovation, inclusion, and resilience.

The workforce across ADGM has grown at an AAGR of 23% until the end of 2024. With the completion of its expansion to Al Reem Island, ADGM's jurisdiction now covers Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, with more than 36,000 individuals contributing to the centre's vibrant and diversified ecosystem.

This reflects Abu Dhabi's appeal as a place where individuals can live, work, and thrive within the world's safest and most liveable city.

A Decade of Pioneering Regulations: Shaping the Future of Finance

ADGM has established itself as a regional leader in regulatory innovation, building a future-ready legal environment that instils global investor confidence.

From introducing frameworks and guidance on the Virtual Assets, DLT Foundations, Fiat-Referenced Tokenisation (FRT) and Real Property to Capital Markets, Alternative Investment Funds, Private Credit, Sustainable Finance and ESG, ADGM has been instrumental in pioneering progressive regulations, rooted in global best practices.

Initiatives such as the RegLab, Fintech and Digital Sandbox, efforts in Anti-money Laundering (AML), Counter Financing of Terrorism (CFT) and chairing the UAE Sustainable Finance Working Group (SFWG) have strengthened market integrity within ADGM's ecosystem.

A Decade in Motion: Future Ambitions

Going forward, ADGM will continue to set new benchmarks for innovation and resilience in areas from regulation and digital assets to AI, green finance, and family office services. The next decade will build on this foundation, with a renewed commitment to global standards, inclusive growth, and future-readiness, guided by the UAE's visionary leadership. ADGM also plans to lead in regulation and innovation and redefine what an IFC can be - a global gateway, a platform for change, and a magnet for next-generation financial talent.

Looking ahead, ADGM is seeking to position itself as one of the top 5 international financial centres, on par with New York, London, and Singapore. As part of this journey, ADGM is expanding its global footprint with a series of international roadshows in collaboration with other key Abu Dhabi entities.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/adgm-marks-10-years-of-unrivalled-growth-and-innovation-as-the-regions-leading-financial-centre-302600111.html
With 1,400+ Hours of Drama Across 90 Countries in Just 8 years, Turkiye's Storytelling Titan Builds on Award-Winning Streak and Blockbuster MIPCOM Presence

ISTANBUL, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With a growing legacy of globally acclaimed series and a striking presence at this year's MIPCOM, Turkiye's storytelling powerhouse Tims&B Productions continues its award-winning streak and creative momentum. Under the visionary leadership of Timur Savci and Burak Sagyasar, the company reinforces its position as one of the most prolific and influential drama studios from Turkiye, boasting a remarkable portfolio of over 1,400 hours of premium content distributed in more than 90 countries.

At this year's MIPCOM, the world's largest TV content market with 10,600 participants from 107 countries, Tims&B Productions' latest hit Eshref Ruya, sold to 40 countries already and 12 more deals underway, made a striking debut. Distributed globally by Inter Medya, the top-rated series' leading stars, Cagatay Ulusoy and Demet Ozdemir, created unprecedented buzz, drawing crowds with an exclusive photoshoot across the French Riviera and making a dramatic, highly photographed arrival at the Palais des Festivals in a meticulously restored vintage Cadillac- a replica of the iconic vehicle from the series. Their entrance, broadcast live on market screens, quickly became one of the most iconic and photographed moments of MIPCOM 2025.

A Legacy of Success

Eshref Ruya joins an already outstanding international slate from Tims&B Productions. Valley of Hearts, another recent Tims&B title, has now been successfully sold in over 60 countries, quickly becoming a firm favorite in Italy, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Its highly anticipated Greek adaptation, "Na M'Agapas (Love Me)," premiered on October 6th on Alpha TV and has already dominated prime time, notably ranking #1 in its time slot with a 20.4% total audience share on its October 24 broadcast, confirming the title's universal resonance. In the meantime, the Portuguese adaptation of Gulperi, titled "Vitoria", has become the most-watched series in Portugal since its September premiere, an absolute prime-time ratings leader for SIC, winning its slot daily with nearly 1 million viewers and a consistent 20% market share.

The company's commitment to exceptional storytelling is consistently recognized on the world stage. Valley of Hearts triumphed at the 2025 Produ Awards, winning Best Contemporary Non-Spanish-Language Telenovela, while Aras Aydin received the award for Best Actor in a Contemporary Non-Spanish-Language Telenovela. Tims&B is also the creative force behind Another Love, which made history as the first Turkish series to win the Rose d'Or for Best Soap / Telenovela, in addition to receiving the prestigious Best Series award at the Seoul International Drama Awards last year. Another global standout, Deception, garnered four major nominations at the 2024 Produ Awards, ultimately triumphing in the Best Non-Spanish Language Telenovela and Best Non-Spanish Speaking Lead Actor category with Mustafa Ugurlu.

The Turkish Drama Powerhouse

From Gulperi, The Oath, The Trusted and Bitter Lands -one of the most talked about and widely sold Turkish dramas ever- to its recent run of internationally recognized titles, Tims&B Productions continues to redefine the international perception of Turkish storytelling, steadily building an unparalleled legacy in the international TV content market.

Tims&B is currently in active development for four new dramas for free/linear TV and three digital series for streaming platforms, with announcements expected in the coming months. One of these digital series will be the second season for Old Money which is currently in the Top 10 of 74 countries, ranking 2nd in all non-English global series on Netflix in just its second week on air.

"Our goal has never been to chase trends but creating stories that sustain value for years. Each project we make carries something deeply human at its core and that's what continues to connect people, wherever they watch from" said Timur Savci, President of Tims&B Productions. "Turkish drama carries a unique rhythm of its own; it's emotional, bold, and authentic. And at Tims&B Productions, we see it as our responsibility to keep that voice evolving while also finding new ways to speak to today's audiences." added Burak Sagyasar, Co-Owner and CEO of the company.

With a bold creative vision, strategic global partnerships, a string of award-winning titles, and a robust development pipeline powered by prominent in-house talent, across both primetime television and streaming platforms, Tims&B Productions stands today as one of the most influential and internationally successful drama studios out of Turkiye, poised for continued global expansion.

www.tims.tv

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/timsb-productions-charts-its-next-global-chapter-in-premium-turkish-drama-302600115.html
COO Damien Macq to become Chief Executive Officer

Regulatory News:

X-FAB (BOURSE: XFAB)

X-FAB, the leading analog/mixed-signal and specialty foundry, today announced that Rudi De Winter, Chief Executive Officer, will step down from his role on February 6, 2026. The Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Damien Macq, currently Chief Operating Officer, as the new CEO starting the same day. Subject to shareholder approval at the Annual Shareholders' Meeting in April 2026, he will also join the Board of Directors.

Rudi De Winter, who has held the roles of Co-CEO since 2011 and CEO since 2014, will continue to serve on the Board of Directors. He will collaborate closely with Damien Macq in the coming months and beyond to facilitate a seamless and successful transition.

"Leading the number one European foundry has been an honor," said Rudi De Winter. "I am proud of what we have accomplished together and confident that Damien Macq is the right leader to take the company forward. His long experience in the semiconductor industry in various roles, proven operational leadership, and strategic vision make him ideally suited for this role. I look forward to supporting him."

Damien Macq joined X-FAB in April 2023 as COO. Under his leadership, the company has strengthened its operational capabilities and expanded its capacities.

"I am deeply honored to be appointed CEO of X-FAB," said Damien Macq. "I really appreciate the trust of Rudi and from the Board of Directors of X-FAB and look forward to working with our talented team to build on our strong foundation and drive the next chapter of profitable innovation and growth."

The succession plan is the result of a comprehensive process led by the Board of Directors, ensuring a seamless leadership transition aligned with the company's strategic priorities.

Damien Macq short bio

Damien Macq was born in 1966. He became X-FAB's Group COO in 2023 overseeing site expansions, sales, quality, and global operations. He previously served as VP General Manager at Melexis' Sense and Light business unit, serving automotive, smart building, and medical markets. Prior to Melexis, Damien held executive roles in fabless and IDM semiconductor companies across Europe and the USA, delivering market-leading solutions for smartphone connectivity (ST-Ericsson), Power-over-Ethernet (ON Semiconductors/AMIS), and ADSL (GlobespanVirata and Alcatel). He holds MSEE and PhD degrees from UCLouvain (Belgium) and completed the Stanford Executive Program in 2006. Damien is a Senior Member of IEEE and a former chair of the IEEE Benelux section.

Click here to download a High-resolution picture of Damien Macq.

About X-FAB

X-FAB is a global foundry group providing a comprehensive set of specialty technologies and design IP to enable its customers to develop world-leading semiconductor products that are manufactured at X-FAB's six wafer fabs located in Malaysia, Germany, France, and the United States. With its expertise in analog/mixed-signal technologies, microsystems/MEMS and silicon carbide (SiC), X-FAB is the development and manufacturing partner for its customers, primarily serving the automotive, industrial and medical end markets. X-FAB has approximately 4,300 employees and has been listed on Euronext Paris since April 2017 (XFAB). For more information, please visit www.xfab.com.

Forward-looking information

This press release may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements regarding or based upon our management's current intentions, beliefs or expectations relating to, among other things, X-FAB's future results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies, or developments in the industry in which we operate. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied thereby. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release regarding trends or current activities should not be taken as a report that such trends or activities will continue in the future. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless legally required. You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

The information contained in this press release is subject to change without notice. No re-report or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, reasonableness, or completeness of the information contained herein and no reliance should be placed on it.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030329214/en/

Contacts:

X-FAB Press Contact

Uta Steinbrecher

Investor Relations

X-FAB Silicon Foundries

+49-361-427-6489

uta.steinbrecher@xfab.com
Founded in 2009 by Louis Maurice, Chairman and CEO, the French Group OKWIND is the expert in individual and collective self-consumption of energy. Its global approach and cutting-edge technology aim at enhancing the energy independence and sufficiency of farms, companies, local authorities and private individuals. Every day, the OKWIND Group strives to deploy local, controlled, stable, low-carbon, fixed-cost energy to accelerate and optimize the ecological transition. The Group designs, develops and deploys complete green energy management solutions (local solar production, self-consumption, excess energy recovery, improved consumption practices). By becoming producer-consumers (prosumers), OKWIND customers can generate their own energy, control their production and regulate their electrical processes. Historically based in the Great West of France, 30km from Rennes (Torce), the OKWIND Group is close to its customers, with several agencies and work centers throughout France. In 2024, the OKWIND Group generated consolidated revenue of 57.1 million and today has 209 employees, with more than 5,000 installations throughout France. For more information: www.okwind.fr

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.
Lewes, Deleware--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - MTN has partnered with global eSIM provider KnowRoaming to launch a travel solution that gives instant, borderless connectivity, redefining how South Africans stay connected abroad. MTN Travel eSIM, is a digital-first solution that gives customers instant, flexible access to mobile data in over 200 destinations worldwide.

MTN partners with KnowRoaming to launch MTN Travel eSIM

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8871/272128_8a88bf5c64ac1b36_001full.jpg

The collaboration brings together MTN's extensive reach with KnowRoaming's 15+ years of expertise in eSIM connectivity, delivering a service that makes staying connected abroad simpler, faster, and more cost-effective. Whether traveling for business or leisure, MTN Travel eSIM eliminates one of the most frustrating parts of travel: unreliable or expensive mobile data.

Seamless connectivity for travelers

With MTN Travel eSIM, customers no longer need to buy or swap physical SIM cards when they travel. Instead, a digital SIM profile can be downloaded directly to their device and activated within minutes. Once installed, the eSIM remains on the device, making it easy to add or top up data plans as needed.

This eliminates the hassle of hunting for local SIM cards on arrival, while ensuring reliable access to affordable data. From quick business trips to long adventures, travelers can choose from global, regional, or country-specific plans that activate instantly, meaning no airport queues, no SIM swaps.

"This partnership unlocks a new level of freedom and convenience for travelers across South Africa," said Mark Collie, CEO of KnowRoaming. "By combining MTN's reach and KnowRoaming's expertise, we're ensuring travelers can access affordable, reliable data wherever their journey takes them."

At the heart of the MTN and KnowRoaming partnership is a commitment to convenience, flexibility, and transparency, principles that reflect the evolving expectations of today's connected traveler.

Convenience means eliminating friction, with instant eSIM activation that ensures seamless connectivity the moment a customer arrives in a new destination.

Flexibility recognizes that travel is not one-size-fits-all, offering a spectrum of fixed and unlimited plans tailored to everything from short business trips to extended international stays.

Transparency underscores the importance of trust, with clear prepaid pricing that removes uncertainty and reinforces confidence in the digital travel experience.

Together, these pillars set a new benchmark for how global connectivity should work: simple, adaptable, and reliable.

"Connectivity should be simple and borderless," said Jason Probert, MTN's General Manager, Digital Services. "Through this partnership with KnowRoaming, we're making it easier for our travellers to stay connected across the world, while also placing South Africa at the centre of eSIM adoption."

Positioned for growth

The global demand for eSIMs is accelerating, with GSMA predicting that more than half of all smartphones shipped by 2030 will be eSIM-enabled. By partnering with KnowRoaming, MTN is ensuring it can meet demand, while empowering customers with more choice and control over their connectivity.

Available to both MTN and non-MTN customers, MTN Travel eSIM reflects a shared commitment to innovation and customer-first solutions, positioning MTN as a leader in next-generation mobile connectivity across South Africa and beyond.

About KnowRoaming

KnowRoaming is a global travel eSIM provider with over 15 years of experience delivering seamless connectivity to travelers in more than 200 destinations. Known for its customer-first approach and reliable technology, KnowRoaming simplifies mobile data access through flexible eSIM plans.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272128

SOURCE: PRNews OU
LIMONEST, 30 OCTOBER 2025, 5.45 PM

Olivier de la Clergerie, LDLC Group CEO, said: "The second quarter saw a marked upswing in momentum. Strategic efforts rolled out in recent years, including investments in marketing to increase brand awareness, are now bearing fruit, enabling the Group to gain market share. Combined with the cost control measures implemented in 2024/2025, these initiatives are expected to help the Group return to profitability in the first half of the current financial year."



FIRST HALF CONSOLIDATED REVENUES AND BUSINESS VOLUMES* (1 APRIL TO 30 SEPTEMBER)

m (unaudited) 2025/2026 2024/2025 Change (%) Change (%)

At constant consolidation scope Q1 revenues 127.2 118.1 +7.6% +5.8% Q2 revenues 139.6 125.6 +11.1% +11.1% Total H1 revenues 266.8 243.7 +9.5% +8.6% Q1 business volumes 135.2 122.8 +10.1% +6.0% Q2 business volumes 149.0 132.7 +12.2% +12.2% H1 business volumes 284.2 255.5 +11.2% +9.2%

Corporate data: H1 2025/2026 revenues amounted to 237.1m

* including the LDLC franchise chain and the LDLC and Rue du Commerce marketplaces



H1 2025/2026 revenues up 9.5% to 266.8m

After a 7.6% increase in the first quarter, the Group posted a sharp 11.1% upswing in revenues in Q2. This double-digit quarterly growth confirms the Group's solid momentum since the beginning of the financial year and highlights its market share gains against the backdrop of a budding recovery.

Group business volumes including the LDLC franchise chain and the LDLC and Rue du Commerce marketplaces amounted to 284.2m, up 11.2% as reported. First half business volumes for Rue du Commerce totalled 11.2m, of which 6.1m was generated in Q2 (vs. 3.3m in Q2 2024/2025).

BTOC segment: up 14.7% in H1 2025/2026, including 16.2% growth in Q2

BtoC revenues

m (unaudited) 2025/2026 2024/2025 Change (%) Q1 91.1 80.6 +13.0% Q2 100.9 86.8 +16.2% Total H1 revenues 192.0 167.4 +14.7% Online 121.8 101.8 +19.7% Stores 70.2 65.7 +6.9%



First half 2025/2026 BtoC revenues came to 192.0m, up 14.7% (up 13.4% at constant consolidation scope). Organic growth increased from 10.3% in Q1 to 16.2% in Q2.

The Online business maintained solid growth in the first half (up 19.0% in Q1 and 20.2% in Q2), bolstered by a ramp-up in demand driven by technological innovations and IT equipment upgrading. Consolidated since 10 July 2024, Rue du Commerce continues to grow, contributing 5.2m to the Online business in the first half (vs. 1.2m in H1 2024/2025).

Growth in store business accelerated in Q2, up 10.2% (vs. 2.9% growth in Q1). This performance reflects the robustness and effectiveness of the Group's strategy of strengthening its regional network and getting closer to its customers. The solid performance by physical stores is further illustrated by the successful late August launch of the flagship store on Place de la Madeleine in Paris, which posted sustained sales from the very first weeks after opening.



BTOB segment: return to business growth in Q2 2025/2026

BtoB revenues

m (unaudited) 2025/2026 2024/2025 Change (%) Q1 33.2 34.6 -4.0% Q2 35.8 35.6 +0.6% Total H1 revenues 69.0 70.2 -1.7%

First half BtoB revenues totalled 69.0m, down just 1.7% compared to H1 2024/2025. The improvement in the trend observed over the last few quarters was confirmed by a return to growth in Q2.

Despite an unstable political situation in France, this recovery reflects the need for companies to keep their digital equipment up to date and leverage the appeal of technical innovations.

Other businesses: slight dip in H1 2025/2026

Revenues from other businesses

m (unaudited) 2025/2026 2024/2025 Change (%) Q1 2.9 2.9 -1.7% Q2 2.9 3.1 -8.1% Total H1 revenues 5.8 6.1 -5.0% o/w L'Armoire de Bebe 4.1 4.2 -1.4%

Revenues from other businesses fell 5.0%, totalling 5.8m in the first half, including 4.1m generated by childcare brand L'Armoire de Bebe (down 1.4%).

OUTLOOK

The second quarter confirmed the positive trajectory initiated at the beginning of the financial year, with a ramp-up in growth for the BtoC segment and a return to growth for the BtoB business.

This improvement, which outperformed market indicators, represents the first tangible results stemming from the Group's communication and marketing strategy implemented in recent years. Future business will be further strengthened by the renewed buoyancy seen in the equipment market.

Backed by a sound financial position, an optimised cost structure and targeted measures aimed at increasing its attractiveness, especially to the general public, the LDLC Group boasts powerful growth drivers that should enable it to continue to increase its market share amid a recovery in demand.

The Group also expects to return to profitability during the first half of 2025/2026.



Next release:

11 December 2025 after market close, H1 2025/2026 results

GROUP OVERVIEW

The LDLC Group was one of the first to venture into online sales in 1997. As a specialist multi-brand retailer and a major online IT and high-tech equipment retailer, the LDLC Group targets individual customers (BtoC) as well as business customers (BtoB). It operates via 15 retail brands, has 8 e-commerce websites and has approximately 1,100 employees.

Winner of a number of customer service awards and widely recognised for the efficiency of its integrated logistics platforms, the Group is also developing an extensive chain of brand stores and franchises.

Find all the information you need at www.groupe-ldlc.com

ACTUS

Investor & Media Relations

Helene de Watteville / Marie-Claude Triquet

hdewatteville@actus.fr - mctriquet@actus.fr

Tel.: + 33 (0)6 10 19 97 04 / + 33 (0)6 84 83 21 82

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ISLAMABAD, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With AI-powered education forecast to exceed USD 50 billion globally by 2030 and adoption in professional training accelerating at 45 percent annually (HolonIQ 2025), the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) has signed a landmark collaboration with MindHYVE.ai, to bring adaptive, data-driven learning to Pakistan's engineering community.

The agreement establishes the country's first AI-enabled national CPD framework, using ArthurAI, MindHYVE's adaptive educational intelligence platform, to transform how more than 250,000 engineers engage in lifelong professional learning.

"This partnership marks a defining step in transforming engineering education for the AI era," said Bill Faruki, Founder & CEO of MindHYVE.ai. "By combining PEC's national mandate with MindHYVE's adaptive technologies, we're laying the foundation for scalable, measurable, and ethical lifelong learning in Pakistan."

Engr. Khalid H. Abdul, Registrar, Pakistan Engineering Council, added: "As engineering moves into an era of intelligent systems and automation, this initiative equips Pakistani engineers with the digital fluency and ethical grounding they need to compete globally."

The World Economic Forum 2025 Future of Jobs Report lists AI literacy among the top three skills required in STEM roles worldwide. UNESCO (2024) reports that adaptive-learning frameworks increase skill retention by 35 percent in professional training. McKinsey Global Institute (2024) finds that economies integrating AI into technical education achieve three-to-five-fold productivity gains across industrial sectors. Against this backdrop, PEC becomes the first regulatory body in South Asia to embed AI-adaptive professional learning within a national licensing and accreditation framework.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Islamabad on October 17, 2025, PEC and MindHYVE will jointly:

Modernize PEC's CPD infrastructure through phased deployment of ArthurAI to deliver personalized, analytics-driven learning.





to deliver personalized, analytics-driven learning. Integrate curated modules from The Dawn Directive by the California Institute of Artificial Intelligence (CIAI), an 18-course AI-fluency program-to strengthen engineers' digital and ethical competencies.





by the California Institute of Artificial Intelligence (CIAI), an 18-course AI-fluency program-to strengthen engineers' digital and ethical competencies. Co-design pilot programs that assess performance, scalability, and impact before expanding nationally.





Uphold data privacy, security, and ethical-AI principles, ensuring transparency and institutional integrity.

About the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC)

Established under the PEC Act 1976, the Pakistan Engineering Council regulates engineering education, accreditation, and professional practice across Pakistan. It represents over 250,000 engineers and works to align national engineering standards with international best practice.

About MindHYVE.ai

MindHYVE.ai is redefining the boundaries of intelligence by engineering autonomous systems and deploying domain-specific AGI agents across real-world sectors. Powered by the Ava-Fusion large reasoning model and architected for agent coordination, swarm intelligence, and adaptive autonomy, MindHYVE's technology stack is revolutionizing law, medicine, finance, education, and governance.

With operations in North America, Asia, and in Africa, MindHYVE.ai is on a mission to democratize access to transformative intelligence and architect the infrastructure for post-scarcity economies. Backed by HYVE Labs, the company continues to shape the future of agentic systems on a global scale.

Website: www.mindhyve.ai | Email:hello@mindhyve.io | Contact: +1 (949) 200-8668

Media Contact:

Marc Ortiz

Email: marc.ortiz@mindhyve.io

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/pakistan-engineering-council-partners-with-mindhyveai-to-launch-pakistans-first-ai-driven-continuing-professional-development-cpd-ecosystem-302600141.html
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - Portland Investment Counsel Inc. ("Portland") is pleased to announce that the following Portland funds have been recognized at the 2025 Canadian Hedge Fund Awards (CHFA):

Portland Focused Plus Fund LP - Equity Focused Category

Second place, Best One-Year Return

Second place, Best Ten-Year Return

Portland Private Income Fund - Private Debt Focused Category

Third place, Best Ten-Year Return

Portland Global Sustainable Evergreen LP - Private Equity Category

First place, Best One-Year Return

First place, Best Three-Year Return

Third place, Best Five-Year Return

"Portland is delighted to have been recognized with six awards at the Canadian Hedge Fund Awards, a noteworthy achievement in Canada's hedge fund industry. This acknowledgment reaffirms our dedication to delivering strong returns for our investors. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all fellow winners and commend Alternative IQ for hosting another remarkable event," said Dragos Berbecel, Chief Investment Officer.

James Cole, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager of the Portland Focused Plus Fund LP, who attended the event, added:

"The Focused Plus Fund LP's recognition for both one-year and ten-year performance underscores the value of disciplined investing and our commitment to long-term wealth creation. We continue to focus on quality businesses, concentrated holdings, and alignment with our investors."

The Canadian Hedge Fund Awards help investors identify the most exceptional hedge funds, recognizing winners in 7 categories as well as the Overall Best 2025 Canadian Hedge Fund. A total of 291 Canadian Hedge Funds were included in the 2025 CHFA program. The awards are based solely on quantitative performance data to June 30th, with Fundata Canada managing the collection and tabulation of the data to determine the winners. There is no nomination process or subjective assessment in identifying the winning hedge funds.

To learn more about these award-winning funds, visit:

Portland Focused Plus Fund LP | Portland Investment Counsel Inc.

Portland Private Income Fund | Portland Investment Counsel Inc.

Portland Global Sustainable Evergreen Fund LP I Portland Investment Counsel Inc.

About Portland Investment Counsel Inc.

Portland is an Investment Fund Manager, Portfolio Manager and Exempt Market Dealer. We have a reputation for being Owners and Operators thus we are insightful Investors. Portland provides portfolio management and exempt market dealer services as well as investment products. Our investor roots date back to 1987. www.portlandic.com

About Alternative IQ:

Alternative IQ produces the annual Canadian Hedge Fund Awards program and its presentation events held in Toronto each autumn (performance as at June 30th), the annual CHFA Winners Showcase Investor Conferences (which present managers of award-winning hedge funds to investors), and various other programs and publications serving the hedge fund industry in Canada. Alternative IQ is dedicated to celebrating, supporting and expanding Canada's Hedge Fund Industry. AIQ is a division of Alliance Sales and Marketing, Inc.

About the Annual Canadian Hedge Fund Awards:

The Annual Canadian Hedge Fund Awards were first held in 2008 and have a two-fold objective: First, to celebrate the talent and accomplishments of Canada's hedge fund industry, and second, to draw attention to Canada's hedge funds by raising the awareness of that expertise in the media and among the wider investment community.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272590

SOURCE: Portland Investment Counsel Inc.
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Minesto AB (publ) ("Minesto" or the "Company") announces today, 30 October 2025, that Board Member Git Sturesjo Adolfsson has decided to resign from the Company's Board of Directors at her own request.

On 30 October 2025, Git Sturesjo Adolfsson resigned at her own request as a member of the Company's Board. Her resignation as a Board Member means that Deputy Board Member Andreas Gunnarsson will assume her position. Git remains on the Company's Nomination Committee as the representative of one of the Company's two largest shareholders by voting rights as of 30 September 2025.

The Board and company management thank Git for her valuable contributions and commitment during her time on Minesto's Board.

For additional information please contact

Cecilia Sernhage, Chief Communications Officer

+46 (0)735 23 71 58

ir@minesto.com

The information in this press release is such that Minesto AB (publ) shall announce publicly according to the EU Regulation No 596/2014 on market abuse (MAR). The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 17:42 CET on 30 October 2025.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/minesto-ab/r/board-member-git-sturesjo-adolfsson-has-resigned-from-minesto-s-board-at-her-own-request,c4259279

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CALGARY, AB / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / CANEX Metals Inc. ("Canex") is pleased to report that at its Annual & Special Meeting, held on October 30, 2025, Shane Ebert, Jean-Pierre Jutras, Lesley Hayes, Gregory Hanks and Blair Schultz were re-elected to the Board of Directors. Shareholders also approved fixing the number of directors at five, the appointment of BDO Canada LLP as Auditors and ratified Canex's stock option plan.

About CANEX Metals

CANEX Metals (TSX.V:CANX) is a Canadian junior exploration company focused on advancing it's 100% owned Gold Range Project in Northern Arizona. With several near surface bulk tonnage gold discoveries made to date across a 4 km gold mineralized trend, the Gold Range Project is a compelling early-stage opportunity for investors. CANEX is also advancing the Louise Copper-Gold Porphyry Project in British Columbia. Louise contains a large historic copper-gold resource that has seen very little deep or lateral exploration, offering investors copper and gold discovery potential. CANEX is led by an experienced management team which has made three notable porphyry and bulk tonnage discoveries in North America and is sponsored by Altius Minerals (TSX: ALS), a large shareholder of the Company.

"Shane Ebert"

Shane Ebert, President/Director

For Further Information Contact:

Shane Ebert at 1.250.964.2699 or

Jean Pierre Jutras at 1.403.233.2636

Web: http://www.canexmetals.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Except for the historical and present factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release, including words such as "expects", "projects", "plans", "anticipates" and similar expressions, are forward-looking information that represents management of CANEX Metals Inc. internal projections, expectations or beliefs concerning, among other things, future operating results and various components thereof or the economic performance of CANEX. The projections, estimates and beliefs contained in such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause CANEX's actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, those described in CANEX's filings with the Canadian securities authorities. Accordingly, holders of CANEX shares and potential investors are cautioned that events or circumstances could cause results to differ materially from those predicted. CANEX disclaims any responsibility to update these forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: CANEX Metals Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/oil-gas-and-energy/canex-announces-results-of-annual-and-special-meeting-1093869
Revenue in m

Unaudited data 2025/26

consolidated 2024/25

consolidated Change Change at

constant scope1

and forex basis Q1 231.5 232.4 0% -1% Q2 226.4 225.4 0% 0% H1 458.1 457.8 0% 0%

1 excluding Wivoo, consolidated since June 1, 2025.

Q2 2025/26 revenue almost stable at constant scope and forex basis

In Q2 of the 2025/26 fiscal year, Wavestone generated a consolidated revenue of 226.4m, up +0.4% compared with Q2 2024/25. As a reminder, Wavestone has consolidated Wivoo, a French consulting firm, since June 1, 2025.

On a constant scope and forex basis, revenue was almost stable year-over-year (-0.3%). To be noted, there was an unfavorable working day impact of -1.1% in Q2 2025/26.

Over the whole of H1 2025/26, revenue amounted to 458.1m, stable compared with H1 2024/25.

On an organic basis, H1 revenue has decreased by -0.5%. The working day effect was unfavorable over the period, standing at -0.9%.

Consultant utilization rate under pressure in H1 2025/26 at 71%; solid average daily rate of 9 39

Despite a slight increase from Q1 to Q2, the consultant utilization rate was under pressure over H1 at 71%,Erreur ! Signet non defini. to be compared with 73% over the previous fiscal year.

At mid-year, daily rates remained solid despite the consolidation of Wivoo, whose prices are lower than the rest of the group. The average daily rate stood at 939, equivalent to the one of the 2024/25 fiscal year. On a constant scope and forex basis, daily rates increased by +1% compared with the previous fiscal year.

On the business development side, the order book amounted to approximately 3.6 months of work on September 30, 2025, compared with 4.2 months on March 31, 2025, and 3.7 months one year earlier.

6,042 employees on September 30, 2025; staff turnover rate of 13% on a rolling 12-month basis

Wavestone's headcount declined during the summer, consistent with the usual seasonality.

On September 30, 2025, the firm had 6,042 employees, including 98 employees coming from the acquisition of Wivoo, compared with 6,076 on March 31, 2025.

At the end of September and on a rolling 12-month basis, the staff turnover rate was 13%, compared with 12% over the previous fiscal year.

A challenging market environment over H1 2025/26

The first half of the 2025/26 fiscal year was marked by a challenging market environment, driven by the reluctance of decision-makers to move forward with their investment plans, in the context of high geopolitical uncertainty.

From a sectoral perspective, banking, retail and automotive remain difficult. Moreover, transport has been slowing down during H1. On the other hand, we observe recent improvement of business momentum in the luxury sector. In parallel, insurance remains resilient, while energy and life sciences continue to show a positive trend.

Regarding engagement topics, the demand for AI consulting is building, as the first large-scale deployments have started with some major clients. As planned, the firm has intensified its business development efforts on AI. Wavestone's ambition is more than ever to position itself as a key player in the field of AI-driven transformations.

Cybersecurity, cloud and SAP also continue to show sustained momentum.

Geographical trends remain unchanged, with challenging market conditions across all regions, except in North America, where demand continues to be strong.

In this context, Wavestone keeps a moderate recruitment pace in a highly selective approach, leading to a very limited headcount increase over the fiscal year.

Outlook on H2 2025/26

The beginning of Q3 2025/26 is showing improvement in business demand. As a result, utilisation rate should see significant improvement in Q3. Visibility remains limited though, and it is too early to assess if this positive trend will continue during Q4 2025/26.

Regarding its annual guidance, Wavestone confirms aiming at generating a positive organic growth in 2025/26.

In terms of profitability, given the difficult H1 conditions and the lack of visibility on the end of 2025/26, Wavestone slightly adjusts its objective. The firm now targets an annual recurring operating margin around 13%, instead of more than 13% targeted initially.

These objectives are calculated on a constant forex basis and exclude Wivoo or any new acquisitions.

Next events: publication of H1 2025/26 results, Tuesday, December 2, 2025, after Euronext market closing.

About Wavestone

Wavestone was founded amid the rise of new technologies and digital innovation, growing with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Expanding from France and Germany into Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and North America, Wavestone has become a leading consulting partner, supporting the world's largest companies in their most ambitious strategic transformations. Drawing on expertise at the intersection of technology and business, Wavestone's 6,000 employees deliver a 360 portfolio of high-value, tailored consulting services, from redesigning business models to implementing cutting-edge technologies, while helping clients advance sustainable transitions.

Wavestone is listed on Euronext Paris and has been certified as a Great Place to Work.

Wavestone

Pascal IMBERT

CEO

Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 03 20 00

Benjamin CLEMENT

Financial Communication

Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 03 20 00 Actus

Mathieu OMNES

Investor and Analyst Relations

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 92

Deborah SCHWARTZ

Press relations

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 35

Appendix: alternative performance measure

Recurring Operating Profit (ROP) is an alternative performance measure obtained by deducting from revenue the operational expenses related to current activities, including share-based payments to employees. Amortization of customer relationships is not deducted from ROP, nor are non-recurring income and expenses. The latter includes, in particular, income or expenses related to business acquisitions or divestitures, as well as income or costs associated with unoccupied premises.

Recurring operating margin is obtained by dividing ROP by revenue.

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Montigny Le Bretonneux, October 30, 2025

H1 2025 RESULTS

Results impacted by the decline in revenue

and the costs of the Group's reorganization

Robust commercial activity in the second half of the year

DOLFINES (FR001400SP13-ALDOL), an operational excellence consulting company, today announces its results for the 1st half of 2025. These results were shared with the Directors of DOLFINES SA.

The presentation of the DOLFINES Group's half-year results is based on the financial statements of DOLFINES SA, of which its statutory auditors have carried out a limited review, as well as those of its three active operating subsidiaries, Aegide International, 8.2 Advisory and Dolfines Latam, each 100% owned by DOLFINES SA.

The activity report and the financial report as of June 30, 2025 are available on the www.dolfines.com website, in the Investors section.

In the absence of a presentation of the consolidated financial statements and in order to provide an overall economic view of the DOLFINES group's main financial aggregates, the table below provides an analytical view, which has not been reviewed by the statutory auditors. Inter-company transactions have been eliminated and data from the Audit activities of 8.2 Advisory (formerly 8.2 France), sold on June 1, 2025, are only included in the first five months of the 2025 financial year.

In Euro million H1 2025 H1 2024 Revenue 4.22 4.88(2) EBITDA(1) (0.69) (0.03) Net result 0.96 (0.20) Net result excluding non recuring items (1.14) (0.06) In Euro million At June 30, 2025 At Dec. 31, 2024 Gross cash(3) 0.63 1.11 Net financial debt(3) 0.77 0.37

(1) EBITDA: Operating income before depreciation and amortization and provisions

(2) 4.75 million excluding Audit activities of 8.2 Advisory in June 2024

(3) As of September 30, 2025, financial debt net of cash amounted to 0.72 million and gross cash to 0.63 million.

1.95 million remains to be received in respect of the sale of 8.2 Advisory's Audit activities, which is contractually scheduled

to be released in mid-December 2025.

In the 1st half of 2025, the final revenue of all DOLFINES Group activities was 4.22 million, down 13.5% compared to the 1st half of 2024. Excluding the Audit activities of 8.2 Advisory sold as of June 1, 2025, the decline on a comparable basis was 11.2%.

EBITDA was (0.69) million; net income was 0.96 million and (1.14) million excluding the 2.1 million capital gain on the disposal of 8.2 Advisory's Audit activities.

Adrien Bourdon-Feniou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DOLFINES, said: " The decline in the Group's revenue from one half to the next is mainly due to the longer decision-making times of French customers, negatively impacting Aegide International's QHSE activity, as well as the postponement of projects in certain West African countries. This was supplemented by the effect of the sale of the Audit activities of 8.2 Advisory. The deterioration in EBITDA is the mechanical consequence of the loss of revenue, as well as that of the increase in payroll costs linked to the strengthening of the sales workforce and the costs of the various contract terminations related to our reorganization. All of these elements, which were not identified at the end of 2024, do not confirm the 2025 guidance initially established.

After 18 months of restructuring, Dolfines has completed its strategic transformation and now has an optimized organization to support growth. The refocusing on high value-added businesses with specialization by subsidiary is now effective. Our cost accounting shows a healthy profitability per business. It is now necessary to increase the overall business volume by focusing on services on which we have references, a robust methodology and in growth sectors.

With this in mind, the Sales Department has been strengthened, with 5 business developers covering all business lines and geographies. At the end of October, the entire Group had a volume of completed offers of 25 million, of which 7.3 million were awaiting a response from customers, with a historical conversion rate of between 40 and 50%. This exceptional commercial pipeline and our new framework contracts with majors such as ADNOC, PDO and Iberdrola as well as our geographical extension in Kuwait with SINOPEC are a proof of the recognition of our expertise and the strength of our teams' commercial efforts.

In the medium term, we are confident in our ability to accelerate growth in our operational excellence businesses through the development of inter-subsidiary synergies, geographical expansion with the strengthening of our positions in Brazil and the Middle-East / North Africa region, as well as the development of diversification into geothermal energy, a sector with high potential. One of our objectives is also to integrate complementary technological expertise through external growth targeted at high-performance small and mid-size companies. Finally, API Q2 Certification is expected to be obtained by the end of 2025. 

I - DOLFINES SA's activity and results

Accounts in French standards, millions of euros

H1 2025 H1 2024 Reven ue o/w Rig Inspection / Audit

o/w Technical Assistance - o/w internal services reinvoicing 2.21

1.16



0.65



0.39 2.18

0.97

0.88



0.32 EBITDA(1) (0.41) 0.01 Net result 0.05 (0.04) At June 30, 2025 At Dec. 31,2025 Shareholders equity 4.47 4.10 Gross cash 0.33(2) 0.71 Net financial debt 0.85 0.47

EBITDA: Operating income before depreciation and amortization and provisions 1.95 million remains to be received in respect of the sale of 8.2 Advisory's Audit activities, which is contractually scheduled to be released in mid-Decembe 2025r.

In H1 2025, DOLFINES SA recorded revenue of 2.21 million compared to 2.18 million in H1 2024. This stability is combined with the refocusing of revenues and the future growth of the company around the drilling business through its branch in Abu Dhabi.

Revenue from Rigs Inspection and Audits (O&G) amounted to 1.16 million, up 22% compared to H1 2024, with international expansion today in 13 countries with 37 drilling units.

Technical Assistance revenue was 0.65 million in H1 2025 compared to 0.88 million in H1 2024, a decrease of 26%. This decline is the consequence of several projects ending in the offshore field. The wind energy sector has been particularly tight since the beginning of the year with a slowdown in growth in Europe combined with strong pressure on prices. In France, regulatory uncertainty has led to significant delays in the implementation of several large projects.

Operating loss (EBITDA) in H1 2025 amounted to 409k, compared to an operating surplus of 8.8k in H1 2024. This is due to insufficient activity. In addition, H1 2024 EBITDA benefited from 784k in non-recurring operating income, in the form of capitalized production (628k) and operating subsidy (156k in CIR).

In H1 2025, subcontracting and external expenses were reduced. The increase in salary costs is linked to the increase in sales staff as well as the costs of the various contract terminations - estimated at around 100K and non-recurring - as a result of our reorganisation.

Perspectives

In the Rigs Inspection and Audits (O&G) activity, Q3 2025 revenue remained stable at around 0.6 million, thanks in particular to the start of the framework contract with ADNOC, for which initial services were invoiced. The order backlog, excluding the ADNOC and PDO framework contracts, was above 0.6 million at the beginning of the 4th quarter.

The second half of the year should confirm the decline in revenue of the Technical Assistance division, due to some commercial setbacks, in particular the loss of a call for tenders from a major turbine manufacturer, This contract was awarded to a competitor with prices 25% lower than ours, a level that we did not consider compatible with our profitability imperatives.

Although the growth anticipated for 2025 has not been there, several structural changes allow us to remain positive for the future:

Robust commercial activity : the 4th quarter of 2025 promises to be dynamic, with several Deepwater contracts signed. At the end of October, DOLFINES SA had made 14.5 millions in commercial offers, of which 4.8 millions are awaiting a response from customers. Our historical conversion rate is usually between 40 and 50%. The structuring of a Sales department has allowed the implementation of a more proactive prospecting strategy. As a result, we have seen a significant increase in the number of client meetings, an increase in the number of opportunities in our pipeline and a higher proportion of deals resulting from our active canvassing of target clients (10% of offers) as well as an increased volume of enquiries from our existing clients (50% of our offers).



Framework contracts with recurring revenue : part of our strategy is based on the implementation of framework contracts with our clients, in order to maintain a privileged commercial relationship and ensure a recurrence of revenues. At the beginning of the year, we signed several of these contracts with ADNOC, PDO and Iberdrola in particular, which are already generating revenues. Thus, the ADNOC Offshore contract contributed to more than 100K in revenues during the 3rd quarter.



AI : the emergence of artificial intelligence tools is an important vector of productivity gains for the company, allowing the automation of time-consuming tasks and processes. An AI committee has been set up to identify, evaluate and prioritize the tasks and processes that can benefit from this technology. We already use these tools on a daily basis and our ambition is to integrate AI in a structured and coordinated way across the company.



Lower debt levels : Repayments of bank loans whose maturities had been deferred during the 2023/24 financial restructuring resumed during the month of October. They will continue until 2026 for the BPI loan, and until 2028 and 2029 for the PGE loans granted by BNP and CIC. At the same time, we are continuing discussions on the conversion of the remaining bond debt into securities.



II - Main results of the subsidiaries

The Group is composed of 3 operating subsidiaries - Aegide International, 8.2 Advisory and Dolfines Latam, whose results are not consolidated. The table below provides a summary of their results for the 1st half of 2025:

In Euro million Aegide

International 8.2 Advisory Dolfines Latam Revenue 1.17 1.01 0.23 H1 2025 / H1 2024 change -25% -42% +200% EBITDA(1) (0.15) (0.23) 0.10 Net result (0.16) 0.98 0.01

EBITDA: Operating income before depreciation and amortization and provisions

Aegide International

The decline in activity during H1 2025 is mainly due to the postponement or cancellation of audit and training projects on behalf of major mining clients in West Africa and New Caledonia, two areas that suffered from political instability during the first half of the year. Despite these disappointing results, Aegide International's operational excellence is maintained, with a customer satisfaction rate of 95%. Aegide International also has nearly 2 million in offers in progress with a historical conversion rate of around 45%.

8.2 Advisory

During H1 2025, 8.2 Advisory generated revenue of 1.01 million, of which nearly 80% came from the Technical Audits business sold to Socotec on June 1, 2025. 8.2 Advisory is now repositioned on international consulting with proprietary tools integrating AI.

Dolfines Latam

The subsidiary in Brazil recorded revenue of 226K in H1 2025, compared to 75K in H1 2024. This growth in activity has been achieved thanks to the intensification of our commercial presence in this area since the beginning of 2024. Dolfines Latam operates in Brazil with an extremely lean administrative structure, which allows it to limit expenses and obtain a gross operating surplus of 97K.

About DOLFINES: www.dolfines.com

Founded in 2000, DOLFINES is an operational excellence consulting company, an independent specialist in engineering and services for the renewable and conventional energy industry. Faced with the challenges of decarbonizing the energy sector and capitalizing on its strong expertise, DOLFINES wants to play a key role in this energy transition by designing and providing innovative services and solutions for the exploitation of onshore and offshore renewable energy sources, above and below sea level.

Respecting the highest standards of quality and safety, DOLFINES is labeled an innovative company and ISO 9001 certified for its technical assistance, audit, inspection and engineering activities.

DOLFINES is listed on Euronext GrowthTM - ISIN code: FR0014004QZ9 - Ticker: ALDOL

DOLFINES is eligible for the PEA-PME

Contacts : Delphine Bardelet Guejo, CFO - delphine.bardelet@dolfines.com

Disclaimer: This document contains forward-looking statements. These are likely to be affected by factors, known and unknown, difficult to predict and beyond the control of DOLFINES, which may cause results to differ materially from the outlook expressed, implied or implied by the Company's statements.

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BH Macro Limited - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, October 30

BH Macro Limited (the "Company")

(a closed-ended collective investment scheme established as a company with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registered number 46235)

Transaction in Own Shares

30 October 2025

BH Macro Limited (the Company) announces today it has purchased the following number of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange from J.P. Morgan Securities plc:

Ordinary Shares: - Share Class US Dollar Sterling Date of purchase: 30 October 2025 30 October Number of ordinary shares purchased: 24,150 23,469 Lowest price per share (pence) 4.12 403.50 Highest price per share (pence) 4.14 403.50 Trading venue London London Aggregate volume per date per trading venue: 24,150 23,469 Weighted average price per day per trading venue (pence): 4.1399 403.5000

The Company intends to hold the purchased shares in treasury.

Following the above share transactions of the relevant US Dollar and Sterling Shares, the total number of shares in issue in each share class of the Company will be as follows:

Ordinary Shares in issue (excluding Treasury) Ordinary Shares held in Treasury 321,207,797 Sterling Shares 55,886,775 Sterling Shares 25,258,831 Dollar Shares 116,013 Dollar Shares

From 30 October 2025, the total number of voting rights in the Company (rounded up to the whole number) is 491,708,536.

Enquiries:

Company website: www.bhmacro.com

William Simmonds

JPMorgan Cazenove

Tel: 020 7588 2828

The Company Secretary

Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited

Tel: 01481 745001
VIENNA, Austria, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- vivo today officially announced the European launch of its latest X-series flagships, the X300 and X300 Pro, at the vivo X300 series European launch event in Vienna, Austria. The series underscores the brand's deep commitment to user-oriented innovation and technical excellence. Both models feature 200 MP ZEISS Ultra-Clear Imaging, marking a transformative leap in smartphone photography. In addition to imaging, the X300 series also provides comprehensive upgrades across its operating system, performance, and design, offering a powerfully advanced and effortlessly comfortable premium experience, raising the bar for flagship excellence.

Prominent ZEISS Partnership and a Leap in Ultra-Clear Imaging

The X300 Pro debuts with a 200 MP ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera powered by the customized Ultra-Sensing HPB sensor, delivering ultra-high-resolution telephoto imaging. ts 50 MP ZEISS Gimbal-Grade Main Camera uses the Sony LYT-828 sensor (1/1.28?) with industry-leading CIPA 5.5-rated stabilization[1], delivering more stable, faster, and clearer shots while greatly enhancing overall imaging performance. The X300 Pro also includes the new Pro Imaging Chip VS1, which significantly improves the speed of image output, clarity, and noise reduction.

The X300 is equipped with a 200 MP ZEISS Main Camera featuring the Ultra-Sensing Sensor HPB and CIPA 4.5-rated stabilization[2], achieving a pro-level imaging leap by capturing even more stable and ultra-clear shots. In addition, its ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera, powered by the new LYT-602 sensor, which offers higher dynamic range and lower power consumption, further enhances the X300's telephoto imaging capabilities.

The X300 series also sees a full upgrade to its front camera - a 50 MP ZEISS Ultra Wide-Angle Front Camera equipped with autofocus, ensuring sharpness at various distances. Paired with vivo's proprietary high-resolution portrait algorithm, it powers a new front camera mode that delivers ultra-clear images with naturally detailed textures, while also meeting advanced demands such as video recording and professional-grade photography.

Expanding the imaging ecosystem, the X300 Series also supports the vivo ZEISS 2.35x Telephoto Extender Kit, available in selected markets. Its advanced telephoto capability delivers industry-leading performance, offering sharper clarity, richer detail, and a soft, natural bokeh effect-making it effortless to capture grand scenes, whether at concerts, sporting events, or on scenic hikes.

Enhanced Photography and Videography Capabilities for Boundless Creativity

The vivo X300 series pushes the boundaries of creativity with all-scenario imaging innovation, offering users a comprehensive experience from casual shooting to professional creation.

As a proud sponsor of Katy Perry's Lifetimes show in Madrid, vivo is the best concert phone, bringing fans closer to the performance through powerful imaging innovation designed for the stage. Its Stage Mode 2.0 captures every angle of your precious moments. Its 4K Stage All-in-One Recording enables shooting HD photos while recording video, delivering image quality comparable to the standard photo mode. Dual-View Stage Video allows simultaneous use of any two cameras, flawlessly capturing both you and the performers together in the same frame during live events.

For daily use, the X300 series delivers ultra-clear portrait with exceptional sharpness even when zoomed in. It introduces significant enhancements to portrait photography, including ZEISS Natural Portrait for realistic and natural skin retouching, Multi-Focal HD Portrait with exceptional detail, Night Portrait mode that automatically detects and addresses common night scene lighting challenges, and Portrait Snapshot across all focal lengths. The X300 Pro further introduces 20x Long-Range Motion Snapshot and Telephoto Flower & Bird Shots that supports ZEISS Mirotar Telephoto Style Bokeh-purpose-built for telephoto scenarios, helping subjects stand out through its unique mirror ring-effect, adding originality and bringing a touch of iconic ZEISS technology to every shot.

The series makes further breakthroughs in professional video recording. Both models support industry-leading 4K 120 fps Pro Video, while the X300 Pro goes a step further with both its main and telephoto cameras supporting 4K 120 fps Dolby Vision Video and 4K 120 fps 10-bit Log Video Recording, delivering film-quality dynamic range and greater post-production flexibility. Portrait video is just as impressive-the series is the industry's first to support 4K 60 fps Portrait Video with exceptional stability, superb color reproduction, and true-to-life skin textures, making it the ideal vlog companion for capturing people.

The introduction of AI Image Studio substantially enhances both the convenience and creativity of shooting through features such as AI One-Shot Multi-Crop for automatically generating multiple compositions, AI Landscape Master for enhancing images in challenging weather and applying creative styles, and AI Passerby Erase (live photo supported) that helps preserve every special moment.

OriginOS Making Its Global Debut

Together with the X300 series, OriginOS made its global market debut. Supported by Ultra-core Computing, Memory Fusion, and Dual Rendering engines, the all-new OriginOS brings overseas users a fresh smartphone experience that combines lasting fluency, natural design, and personalized intelligence.

vivo's self-developed Origin Smooth Engine optimizes the entire process from computing and storage to display. By organically blending multiple elements, the All-New Origin Design System creates a visually elegant and rich, user-friendly, and intuitive space, making every interaction a delight. Flip Cards introduce a dynamic, gyroscope-based interaction that let you effortlessly switch lock-screen styles by simply tilting or moving your phone, allowing for more personalized settings.

Running on OriginOS, Origin Island enhances user interaction with intelligent suggestions and real-time reminders for meetings, music, and more. The vivo Office Kit[3] boosts cross-device productivity through phone-to-PC mirroring, Free Transfer for files of any format, remote control, and multi-device note syncing. Furthermore, OriginOS includes a powerful suite of AI tools such as AI Creation for rewriting, translation, summarization, and brainstorming, while integration with Google Gemini further enhances creativity, productivity, and collaboration across devices.

Along with OriginOS, vivo introduces the vivo Security brand, which consolidates all privacy and protection features into a unified framework. Key features like Private Space provide a secure, encrypted, and isolated area for your sensitive files, and include hardware-level encryption for authorized access, underscoring vivo's commitment to providing a seamless, worry-free experience. The X300 series enjoys 5-Year OS Upgrades & 7-Year Security Maintenance, ensuring your device remains up-to-date and reliable for the long haul.

Leading Performance, Efficiency, and Endurance

At the core of the X300 series lies the Dimensity 9500-a cutting-edge chip jointly defined by vivo and MediaTek, and built on TSMC's N3P process. This platform delivers exceptional power and remarkable energy efficiency, featuring a 3rd Gen all-big-core CPU, a fully upgraded 12-core G1-Ultra GPU that sets the industry standard for graphics and performance, and an ultra-efficient NPU that doubles processing capability while halving power consumption. The dual-chip integration of the Dimensity 9500 and vivo's Imaging Chip V3+ enables advanced computational photography and cinematic video processing, debuting the industry's first 4K 60 FPS cinematic portrait video. The overall unified and powerful architecture ensures the Dimensity 9500's top-tier performance and efficiency, providing a truly flagship-level experience for everyday tasks.

With the BlueVolt Battery System, the X300 series combines fourth-generation silicon anode technology with semi-solid electrolyte materials to deliver both higher capacity and stronger reliability. It also features an upgraded Global Bypass Charging system with intelligent temperature control, providing a smooth experience during intensive use and enhanced battery protection when charging. X300 Pro comes with a 5440 mAh BlueVolt battery, while X300 offers 5360 mAh BlueVolt battery[4], both supporting 90W FlashCharge[5] and wireless charging.

The X300 series is equipped with an 8T LTPO display with up to 2000 nits global peak brightness for clear visibility even in bright environments. It also employs 2160 Hz Full-Range Luminance PWM Dimming and Full-Range Luminance DC Dimming, which effectively reduce the SVM value, ensuring superior eye protection.

In terms of durability, the series is rated for IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance. The X300 features Reinforced Glass and the X300 Pro features Armor Glass, ensuring both slimness and sturdiness. 3D Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanning 2.0 offers instant recognition, even with wet fingers. AI SuperLink maintains stable, low-latency connections in challenging environments, while the Efficient Cooling System ensures steady performance during gaming or long video recording.

Where Minimalist Aesthetic Meets Premium Comfort

The X300 series features a Unibody 3D Glass Design that seamlessly integrates the camera module, offering refined aesthetics and enhanced comfort. Its rear coral velvet glass boasts a silky, fingerprint-resistant, and skin-friendly frosted texture.

The X300 features a compact 6.31-inch flat display, weighing just 190g and measuring only 7.95mm thick, offering a minimalist and balanced design. The X300 Pro boasts a 6.78-inch flat display housed in a sleek 7.99mm body, delivering a more professional and premium aesthetic.[6]

The series presents a diverse color palette designed to complement a variety of styles. The X300 model features Phantom Black and Halo Pink. The X300 Pro retains Phantom Black, and Dune Brown, delivering a classic and mature look.

vivo VISION+ Mobile PhotoAwards 2026

vivo encourages creators in Europe and around the world to participate in the vivo VISION+ Mobile PhotoAwards 2026 and interpret the theme: "The world holds love, and you hold passion." Submit mobile-shot and mobile-processed work across six categories-Telephoto, Series, Landscape, Portrait, Night, and Motion. Guidelines and entry details are available at https://visionplus.vivo.com/photoawards.

Availability

Availability, storage configurations, pricing, and pre-order details for the vivo X300 and vivo X300 Pro will be announced locally in selected EU markets. Customers are advised to refer to their regional vivo website or authorised retailers for specific information applicable to their location.

[1] CIPA 5.5 professional-grade stabilization is based on the CIPA test standard, applicable to the main camera and telephoto, on pitch and yaw axes. [2] CIPA 4.5 professional anti-shake is based on the CIPA testing standard, applicable to the main camera (23 mm) and telephoto lens (85 mm), covering the pitch and yaw axes. [3] To use vivo Office Kit, install the latest version from pc.vivoglobal.com; supported on Windows 10+ (x86) and macOS 10.14.6+. This feature requires third-party service support, which may change. Please refer to actual use. [4] X300 Pro features a single-cell design: typical capacity is 5440 mAh (3.63V), with a typical energy of 19.75 Wh; rated capacity is 5325 mAh (3.63V), with a rated energy of 19.33 Wh. X300 features a single-cell design: typical capacity is 5360 mAh (3.67V), with a typical energy of 19.68 Wh; rated capacity is 5255 mAh (3.67V), with a rated energy of 19.29 Wh. [5] Data is obtained from vivo's laboratory tests and refers to stand-by conditions only. Test environment: Ambient temperature 251C. Test condition: Equipped with a vivo official 90W charger and with 1% charged device. Actual charging power is dynamically adjusted as the scene changes and subject to actual usage. [6] The displays are measured diagonally, the screen size is 6.78 inches of X300 Pro and 6.31 inches of X300 in the full rectangle. Actual display area is slightly smaller.

About vivo

vivo is a technology company that creates great products based on a user-oriented value, with smart devices and intelligent services as its core. The company aims to build a bridge between humans and the digital world. Through unique creativity, vivo provides users with an increasingly convenient mobile and digital life. Following the company's core values, which include Benfen*, user-orientation, design-driven value, continuous learning, and team spirit, vivo has implemented a sustainable development strategy with the vision of developing into a healthier, more sustainable world-class corporation.

While bringing together and developing the best local talents to deliver excellence, vivo is supported by a network of R&D centers in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing, Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Xi'an and more cities, focusing on the development of state-of-the-art consumer technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence, industrial design, imaging system and other up-and-coming technologies. vivo has also set up an intelligent manufacturing network (including those authorized by vivo), with an annual production capacity of nearly 200 million smartphones. As of now, vivo has branched out its sales network across more than 60 countries and regions and is loved by more than 500 million users worldwide.

*"Benfen" is a term describing the attitude on doing the right things and doing things right - which is the ideal description of vivo's mission to create value for society.

Stay informed of latest vivo news at https://www.vivo.com/en/about-vivo/news

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Company has appeals pending in eight prior verdicts, each of which have their own separate issues that were not before the Erickson Court

Court Company is considering options for further legal review of the decision

Company previously announced agreements in principle to resolve all SVEC cases, except Erickson and eight other verdicts which remain on appeal

The Washington Supreme Court today issued a decision in Erickson vs. Monsanto which impacts several legal issues across cases involving allegations of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at the Sky Valley Education Center (SVEC).

The company disagrees with the Supreme Court's decision to reverse the Court of Appeals in Erickson and deny Monsanto's cross-petition regarding the availability of punitive damages. In particular, the company believes that the Court's choice-of-law analyses underlying its rulings on punitive damages and the statute of repose are wrong and contrary to the U.S. Constitution because the rulings unlawfully discriminate against out of state companies doing business in Washington. Three dissenting justices found in favor of the company on its entitlement to a statue of repose defense under Washington law, writing: 'courts are not supposed to start their analysis with policy preferences when there's a state statute right on point.' The company is considering its legal options.

Erickson was the first case involving allegations of PCB exposure at SVEC to go to trial in 2021. On appeal, the intermediate appellate court vacated the judgment and reversed the trial court on three cross-cutting issues in the litigation. Plaintiffs then filed an appeal with the state Supreme Court and Monsanto cross-petitioned on punitive damages, arguing that Washington's Product Liability Law under which this and subsequent cases were tried does not permit them.

The company has appeals or post-trial motions pending in eight other SVEC cases. These actions raise additional questions of law beyond those at issue in Erickson and will move forward through the appellate process. Each case is unique and has its own factual and legal record. Examples of the range of issues raised in these other cases include the application of Missouri's offset statute for punitive damages-which generally prohibits punishing a defendant more than once for the same conduct-along with due-process limits on punitive damages; the trial courts' exclusion of evidence of alternative causes and pre-existing conditions for the injuries at issue; and the courts' refusal to instruct the jury on superseding cause.

In August, the company announced it had reached agreements in principle to resolve all SVEC cases, except Erickson and eight other prior adverse verdicts which remain on appeal. The terms of the agreements in principle are confidential. The company is confident in its legal strategy and prepared to defend itself at trial but will consider resolving cases when it is strategically advantageous to do so.

Monsanto also has a case pending in Missouri to enforce its indemnity agreements with former purchasers of PCBs who manufactured electrical equipment in order to recover legal costs, settlements and judgments.

About Bayer

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, "Health for all, Hunger for none," the company's products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2024, the Group employed around 93,000 people and had sales of 46.6 billion euros. R&D expenses amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conformthem to future events or developments.

Bayer AG is a holding company with operating subsidiaries worldwide. References to "Bayer" or "the company" herein may refer to one or more subsidiaries as context requires.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030393030/en/

Contacts:

Contact for media inquiries:

Brian Leake, phone +1 314 370 3285

Email: brian.leake@bayer.com



Philipp Blank, phone +49 214 30-20499

Email: philipp.blank@bayer.com



Contact for investor inquiries:

Bayer Investor Relations Team, phone +49 214 30-72704

Email: ir@bayer.com

www.bayer.com/en/investors/ir-team



Find more information at www.bayer.com.
PUNE, India, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new, comprehensive market intelligence report from Credence Research indicates a period of sustained and significant growth for the Global Thyroid Function Test Market. The market, which was valued at USD 3,820.00 million in 2018 and grew to USD 4,476.97 million in 2024, is now anticipated to reach USD 7,289.26 million by 2032. This expansion reflects a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.31% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2032.

This robust growth is being propelled by a confluence of critical factors, including a rising global prevalence of thyroid disorders, increased public and clinical awareness leading to more frequent screening, and a wave of technological advancements that are making testing more accessible, accurate, and efficient. As a cornerstone of endocrine diagnostics, thyroid function tests are becoming increasingly integral to routine health check-ups and the management of a wide range of chronic conditions, cementing their importance in the global healthcare landscape.

Market Overview

The Thyroid Function Test Market encompasses the full range of in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays used to assess the performance of the thyroid gland. This gland, located in the neck, produces hormones that regulate the body's metabolism, and its dysfunction can lead to a wide array of health problems. The primary tests in this market measure the levels of key hormones in the blood, including Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Thyroxine (T4), and Triiodothyronine (T3). These tests are fundamental for diagnosing and managing common thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

The market's steady expansion, as evidenced by its growth from 2018 to 2024 and its projected path to over USD 7.2 billion by 2032, highlights the growing global recognition of thyroid health's importance. This growth is not merely a reflection of more tests being performed, but also of a shift towards more advanced and higher-value diagnostic solutions.

The market is typically segmented by the type of test, with TSH tests representing the first-line screening tool and the largest market segment. T4 and T3 tests are subsequently used to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the disorder. The market also includes tests for thyroid antibodies (such as TRAb and TPO), which are crucial for diagnosing autoimmune thyroid conditions like Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The end-users for these tests are primarily centralized hospital laboratories, diagnostic laboratory chains, and, increasingly, smaller clinics and physician offices through the adoption of point-of-care technologies. The evolution of this market is a clear indicator of a global healthcare trend towards proactive screening, early diagnosis, and better management of chronic endocrine disorders.

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Key Growth Determinants

Rising Global Prevalence of Thyroid Disorders: The increasing incidence and diagnosis of thyroid disorders worldwide is the foremost driver of market growth. Factors such as an aging population, lifestyle changes, and potentially environmental triggers are contributing to a growing patient pool. Conditions like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, along with autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto's and Graves' disease, require lifelong monitoring, creating a sustained demand for regular testing. With an estimated 1 in 8 women developing a thyroid problem in her lifetime, the sheer scale of the affected population ensures continuous market expansion.

The increasing incidence and diagnosis of thyroid disorders worldwide is the foremost driver of market growth. Factors such as an aging population, lifestyle changes, and potentially environmental triggers are contributing to a growing patient pool. Conditions like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, along with autoimmune thyroid diseases like Hashimoto's and Graves' disease, require lifelong monitoring, creating a sustained demand for regular testing. With an estimated 1 in 8 women developing a thyroid problem in her lifetime, the sheer scale of the affected population ensures continuous market expansion. Increased Awareness and Screening Initiatives : Growing public awareness campaigns, often led by global health organizations and patient advocacy groups around events like World Thyroid Day, have significantly boosted screening rates. More people are now recognizing the vague symptoms of thyroid dysfunction-such as fatigue, weight changes, and mood swings-and are proactively seeking medical evaluation. Furthermore, thyroid function tests are increasingly being included in routine health check-up packages offered by corporate wellness programs and private healthcare providers, leading to the detection of many previously undiagnosed cases.

: Growing public awareness campaigns, often led by global health organizations and patient advocacy groups around events like World Thyroid Day, have significantly boosted screening rates. More people are now recognizing the vague symptoms of thyroid dysfunction-such as fatigue, weight changes, and mood swings-and are proactively seeking medical evaluation. Furthermore, thyroid function tests are increasingly being included in routine health check-up packages offered by corporate wellness programs and private healthcare providers, leading to the detection of many previously undiagnosed cases. Technological Advancements in Diagnostic Platforms: Innovation in diagnostic technology is a key catalyst for market growth. The automation of immunoassay platforms in central laboratories has dramatically increased testing throughput, reduced turnaround times, and improved accuracy. Concurrently, the development of portable, easy-to-use Point-of-Care (POC) testing devices is revolutionizing access to diagnostics, particularly in remote or underserved areas where access to centralized labs is limited. These technological strides make testing more efficient for labs and more accessible for patients, thereby driving overall market volume.

Key Growth Barriers

High Cost of Tests and Lack of Reimbursement: The cost of thyroid function tests, particularly the more advanced antibody or molecular tests, can be a significant barrier, especially in developing countries where healthcare spending is largely out-of-pocket. Even in developed nations, inconsistent reimbursement policies from insurance providers can limit patient access and discourage clinicians from ordering comprehensive panels. This economic pressure can hinder the adoption of the most appropriate diagnostic tools, particularly for underprivileged patient populations, thereby constraining market growth.

The cost of thyroid function tests, particularly the more advanced antibody or molecular tests, can be a significant barrier, especially in developing countries where healthcare spending is largely out-of-pocket. Even in developed nations, inconsistent reimbursement policies from insurance providers can limit patient access and discourage clinicians from ordering comprehensive panels. This economic pressure can hinder the adoption of the most appropriate diagnostic tools, particularly for underprivileged patient populations, thereby constraining market growth. Lack of Awareness and Healthcare Infrastructure in Developing Regions: Despite growing global awareness, a vast number of thyroid disorder cases remain undiagnosed, particularly in rural and low-income regions of Africa and Asia. This is often due to a combination of limited public knowledge about the symptoms and a lack of accessible healthcare infrastructure, including diagnostic laboratories and trained technicians. Without the necessary facilities and education, a significant portion of the potential market remains untapped, representing a major barrier to global market expansion.

Despite growing global awareness, a vast number of thyroid disorder cases remain undiagnosed, particularly in rural and low-income regions of Africa and Asia. This is often due to a combination of limited public knowledge about the symptoms and a lack of accessible healthcare infrastructure, including diagnostic laboratories and trained technicians. Without the necessary facilities and education, a significant portion of the potential market remains untapped, representing a major barrier to global market expansion. Stringent and Complex Regulatory Frameworks: New thyroid diagnostic tests, especially those based on novel biomarkers or innovative technologies like AI-assisted diagnostics, are subject to rigorous and often lengthy regulatory approval processes by bodies like the U.S. FDA. Manufacturers must invest heavily in clinical trials to prove the safety, accuracy, and clinical utility of their products. These stringent requirements can delay the launch of new, improved tests and create a high barrier to entry for smaller, innovative companies, which can slow the overall pace of market evolution.

Key Market Trends

Automation and Integration in Central Laboratories: A dominant trend is the move towards fully automated, high-throughput immunoassay platforms in large diagnostic labs. These integrated systems can handle thousands of samples per day, performing a wide range of tests, including TSH, T3, T4, and various antibodies, on a single platform. This automation increases efficiency, reduces the risk of human error, and lowers the cost per test, making large-scale screening programs more economically viable.

A dominant trend is the move towards fully automated, high-throughput immunoassay platforms in large diagnostic labs. These integrated systems can handle thousands of samples per day, performing a wide range of tests, including TSH, T3, T4, and various antibodies, on a single platform. This automation increases efficiency, reduces the risk of human error, and lowers the cost per test, making large-scale screening programs more economically viable. Emergence of Point-of-Care (POC) Testing : The development of rapid, portable POC testing devices is a transformative market trend. These handheld or benchtop devices allow for thyroid function testing to be performed in physician offices, community clinics, or even remote settings, providing results within minutes. This enables immediate clinical decision-making and patient counseling, improving access to care and patient compliance. The integration of wireless connectivity in these devices further allows for seamless data transfer to electronic health records.

: The development of rapid, portable POC testing devices is a transformative market trend. These handheld or benchtop devices allow for thyroid function testing to be performed in physician offices, community clinics, or even remote settings, providing results within minutes. This enables immediate clinical decision-making and patient counseling, improving access to care and patient compliance. The integration of wireless connectivity in these devices further allows for seamless data transfer to electronic health records. Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Diagnostics: AI is beginning to play a crucial role in thyroid diagnostics. Machine learning algorithms are being used to analyze not only blood test results but also to interpret complex data from thyroid ultrasound images and fine-needle aspiration biopsies. AI can help identify subtle patterns that may be missed by the human eye, improving the accuracy of cancer risk stratification in thyroid nodules and reducing the number of unnecessary invasive procedures. This trend is moving thyroid diagnostics towards a more precise and data-driven future.

Key Opportunities

Massive Untapped Potential in Emerging Markets: The largest growth opportunity lies in the vast, underserved populations of emerging economies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. As these regions experience economic growth, rising healthcare expenditure, and improving medical infrastructure, there will be an exponential increase in demand for diagnostic services. Companies that can establish a strong presence in these markets by offering cost-effective, robust testing solutions and investing in local clinical education are positioned to capture a significant share of future market growth.

The largest growth opportunity lies in the vast, underserved populations of emerging economies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. As these regions experience economic growth, rising healthcare expenditure, and improving medical infrastructure, there will be an exponential increase in demand for diagnostic services. Companies that can establish a strong presence in these markets by offering cost-effective, robust testing solutions and investing in local clinical education are positioned to capture a significant share of future market growth. Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Testing Platforms: The rise of consumer-driven healthcare presents a significant opportunity for Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) testing services. These platforms allow individuals to order thyroid test kits online, collect a sample (typically a finger-prick blood sample) at home, and mail it to a lab for analysis, with results delivered securely online. This model empowers consumers to take a more proactive role in managing their health, offering convenience and privacy. It represents a rapidly growing channel that bypasses traditional healthcare gatekeepers.

The rise of consumer-driven healthcare presents a significant opportunity for Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) testing services. These platforms allow individuals to order thyroid test kits online, collect a sample (typically a finger-prick blood sample) at home, and mail it to a lab for analysis, with results delivered securely online. This model empowers consumers to take a more proactive role in managing their health, offering convenience and privacy. It represents a rapidly growing channel that bypasses traditional healthcare gatekeepers. Development of Novel Biomarkers for Autoimmune Thyroid Disease: While TSH, T3, and T4 are well-established, there is a substantial opportunity in the commercialization of more specific biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring autoimmune thyroid diseases. For instance, tests for Thyrotropin Receptor Antibodies (TRAb) are becoming increasingly important for the definitive diagnosis of Graves' disease. Continued research into novel autoantibodies and genetic markers could lead to the development of highly specific, premium-priced tests that offer more precise diagnostic information and personalized treatment guidance.

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Segmentation

By Type

TSH Tests

T4 Tests

T3 Tests

Other Tests

By End-User

Hospitals

Diagnostic Laboratories

Research Laboratories & Institutes

Other End Users

Based on the Geography:

North America

U.S.



Canada



Mexico

Europe

UK



France



Germany



Italy



Spain



Russia



Belgium



Netherlands



Austria



Sweden



Poland



Denmark



Switzerland



Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China



Japan



South Korea



India



Australia



Thailand



Indonesia



Vietnam



Malaysia



Philippines



Taiwan



Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil



Argentina



Peru



Chile



Colombia



Rest of Latin America

Middle East

UAE



KSA



Israel



Turkey



Iran



Rest of Middle East

Africa

Egypt



Nigeria



Algeria



Morocco



Rest of Africa

Regional Analysis

North America currently holds the largest share of the Thyroid Function Test Market. This dominance is driven by high levels of public awareness, a proactive approach to preventive healthcare and screening, and the presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure. Favorable reimbursement policies and high healthcare spending enable the widespread use of a full range of thyroid tests, from basic TSH screening to advanced antibody and molecular testing. The region is also home to many of the world's leading IVD companies, which fuels innovation and market access.

Europe follows as the second-largest market, with well-established healthcare systems and a strong emphasis on evidence-based medicine. The aging population ensures a high prevalence of thyroid disorders, and national screening programs in many countries contribute to high testing volumes.

The Asia Pacific region is projected to be the fastest-growing market during the forecast period. This rapid growth is fueled by a massive and largely untapped patient population, rising disposable incomes, and significant government and private sector investment in improving healthcare access and infrastructure in countries like China and India. Increasing awareness of lifestyle diseases and the expansion of diagnostic laboratory chains are creating enormous demand for thyroid testing in this dynamic region.

Credence Research's Competitive Landscape Analysis

The Global Thyroid Function Test Market is a highly consolidated and competitive landscape, dominated by a few major global in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) companies. Industry leaders such as Roche Diagnostics, Abbott Laboratories, Danaher Corporation (including its subsidiary Beckman Coulter), and Siemens Healthineers command a significant majority of the market share. These giants leverage their vast installed base of automated immunoassay analyzers in hospitals and commercial labs worldwide, their comprehensive test menus, and their powerful global sales and service networks. Competition among these key players is intense, focusing on factors like assay sensitivity and specificity, instrument throughput and reliability, and the efficiency of their integrated lab automation solutions. The market also includes several smaller specialized players and emerging companies focused on point-of-care or novel biomarker technologies.

Key Player Analysis

Thermo Fisher

Abbott (US)

Roche

DiaSorin

Danaher

Kronus

Merck

Cortez Diagnostics

bioMerieux

Qualigen

Autobio Diagnostics

Recent Industry Developments

June 2024: HEI Therapeutics filed a patent for a home-based monitoring system designed for personalized hypothyroidism management, marking progress in remote endocrine health technologies.

HEI Therapeutics filed a patent for a home-based monitoring system designed for personalized hypothyroidism management, marking progress in remote endocrine health technologies. August 2024: Siemens Healthineers launched the Atellica CI Analyzer at Mahajan Imaging & Labs in India. The advanced analyzer can process over 200 parameters across 20 disease states, including thyroid function. Its microvolume technology supports pediatric and critical care testing with results available in as little as 14 minutes.

Siemens Healthineers launched the at Mahajan Imaging & Labs in India. The advanced analyzer can process over 200 parameters across 20 disease states, including thyroid function. Its microvolume technology supports pediatric and critical care testing with results available in as little as 14 minutes. August 2024: Labcorp reported that hospital-based thyroid test prices are 2-6 times higher than those at independent laboratories, prompting healthcare payers to shift toward cost-effective diagnostic networks.

Labcorp reported that hospital-based thyroid test prices are 2-6 times higher than those at independent laboratories, prompting healthcare payers to shift toward cost-effective diagnostic networks. October 2024: Siemens Healthineers completed verification of the Atellica DL IM1600 Analyzer for anti-TPO and anti-TG detection, validating precision standards for autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosis.

Siemens Healthineers completed verification of the for anti-TPO and anti-TG detection, validating precision standards for autoimmune thyroid disease diagnosis. January 2025: Health Canada issued a regulatory update addressing biotin interference risks in thyroid function tests. The guidance mandates a seven-day cessation protocol for biotin supplements following reports of false thyroid results leading to patient mismanagement.

Health Canada issued a regulatory update addressing biotin interference risks in thyroid function tests. The guidance mandates a seven-day cessation protocol for biotin supplements following reports of false thyroid results leading to patient mismanagement. March 2023: Everly Health launched a virtual care program combining lab testing and telehealth consultations to assess multiple health conditions, including thyroid disorders, COVID-19, flu, STIs, weight management, and hormonal issues. The initiative expands access to integrated digital diagnostics and care.

Everly Health launched a virtual care program combining lab testing and telehealth consultations to assess multiple health conditions, including thyroid disorders, COVID-19, flu, STIs, weight management, and hormonal issues. The initiative expands access to integrated digital diagnostics and care. September 2023: Neuberg Diagnostics finalized the merger of Supratech and Anand Reference Laboratory to strengthen its diagnostic capabilities. The consolidation enhances the company's nationwide network and commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-focused testing services.

Neuberg Diagnostics finalized the merger of Supratech and Anand Reference Laboratory to strengthen its diagnostic capabilities. The consolidation enhances the company's nationwide network and commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-focused testing services. June 2024: Roche introduced the Elecsys Calcitonin Assay for detecting medullary thyroid cancer on its cobas platform, offering improved accuracy and efficiency in thyroid oncology diagnostics.

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Stay informed about the competitive environment, with rankings of major players, recent product and service launches, partnerships, business expansions, and acquisitions from the past five years.

Access detailed profiles of major market players, including company overviews, insights, product benchmarking, and SWOT analysis, to understand competitive advantages and market positioning.

Explore the present and forecasted market landscape, with insights into growth opportunities, market drivers, challenges, and constraints for both developed and emerging regions.

Benefit from Porter's Five Forces analysis and Value Chain insights to evaluate various market perspectives and competitive dynamics.

Understand the evolving market scenario, including potential growth opportunities and trends expected in the coming years.

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PUNE, India, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new, in-depth analysis by DC Market Insights projects a significant expansion for the Global Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Market. The market size, valued at USD 1,402.36 million in 2020, is set to more than double to USD 3,527.44 million by 2025. This robust growth is forecasted to accelerate, with the market anticipated to reach USD 13,938.30 million by 2035, climbing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.52% during the forecast period. This trajectory highlights the increasing indispensability of DCIM solutions in managing the complexity, scale, and energy consumption of modern digital infrastructure.

As data centers evolve into highly complex ecosystems powering the global economy, the traditional, siloed approach to managing IT and facilities has become obsolete. DCIM software provides a holistic, data-driven platform that bridges this gap, offering a single source of truth for monitoring and managing all physical infrastructure components-from power and cooling to space and connectivity. This report dissects the critical drivers, challenges, and emerging trends propelling DCIM from a niche tool to a cornerstone of efficient and resilient data center operations. The findings underscore a market shift towards intelligent, AI-powered platforms that are essential for optimizing performance, ensuring uptime, and achieving sustainability goals in an increasingly data-dependent world.

Market Overview

The Global Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Market is at an inflection point, transitioning from a supplementary tool to an essential operational platform. The market's valuation grew impressively from USD 1,402.36 million in 2020 to an estimated USD 3,527.44 million in 2025, a testament to the growing recognition of its value. The forecast projects a further surge to USD 13,938.30 million by 2035, with a strong CAGR of 16.52%. This growth is intrinsically linked to the explosive expansion of the data centers themselves.

As hyperscale, colocation, and edge facilities become larger, more powerful, and geographically dispersed, the challenge of managing them efficiently and reliably has intensified. DCIM solutions provide the critical visibility and control needed to navigate this complexity. They enable operators to visualize their assets, monitor real-time power consumption and environmental conditions, and intelligently plan for future capacity needs. In an era where energy costs are soaring and sustainability is a board-level concern, DCIM's ability to optimize resource utilization and reduce operational expenditure is a powerful value proposition that is driving widespread adoption across the industry.

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Key Growth Determinants

The rapid adoption of DCIM solutions is fueled by powerful industry-wide imperatives. These determinants are forcing data center operators to seek more intelligent and integrated management tools to cope with the demands of the digital age.

Increasing Complexity and Scale of Data Centers: The relentless expansion of digital services has led to the construction of massive hyperscale facilities and a proliferation of distributed edge sites. Managing this vast and complex infrastructure with spreadsheets and manual processes is no longer viable or safe. DCIM platforms provide a centralized, real-time view of the entire physical layer, enabling operators to track assets, manage power and cooling capacity, and plan changes with precision. This ability to bring order to chaos is a fundamental driver for DCIM adoption, as it directly translates to improved operational efficiency, reduced human error, and enhanced reliability.

Imperative for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: Data centers are voracious consumers of electricity, and with energy prices rising and environmental regulations tightening, optimizing energy use is a top priority. DCIM software is the primary tool for achieving this goal. It provides granular, real-time monitoring of power consumption from the utility feed down to individual servers, allowing operators to calculate metrics like Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) accurately. By identifying "ghost servers," optimizing cooling airflow, and setting power caps, DCIM helps organizations significantly reduce energy waste, lower their massive electricity bills, and meet corporate sustainability and ESG reporting mandates.

Demand for Maximum Uptime and Operational Resilience: In today's digital economy, data center downtime can have catastrophic financial and reputational consequences. Businesses demand near-100% uptime, placing immense pressure on operators. DCIM solutions are critical for ensuring this level of resilience. They provide proactive monitoring with intelligent alerts that warn of potential issues-like a failing power supply or a rising temperature-before they cause an outage. Furthermore, its robust capacity planning capabilities ensure that there is always sufficient space, power, and cooling to support new deployments and prevent overloads, thereby safeguarding business continuity and upholding stringent service-level agreements (SLAs).

Key Growth Barriers

While the outlook for the DCIM market is overwhelmingly positive, several significant barriers could hinder its growth potential. These challenges affect customer adoption rates and vendor strategies alike.

High Initial Cost and Complex Implementation: A primary deterrent for many organizations is the significant upfront investment required for DCIM software licenses, hardware sensors, and professional services. The implementation process itself can be lengthy and complex, often requiring the integration of the DCIM platform with a multitude of legacy building management systems (BMS) and IT service management (ITSM) tools. This complexity, combined with the need for extensive staff training and potential for operational disruption during deployment, can lead to a perception of high total cost of ownership (TCO) that makes some potential customers hesitate.

Lack of Standardization and Interoperability Issues: The DCIM market remains fragmented, with numerous vendors offering proprietary systems that do not always communicate well with each other or with third-party hardware. This lack of a universal standard for data exchange can create significant interoperability challenges, making it difficult for operators to manage a heterogeneous environment with equipment from multiple manufacturers. Customers often fear being locked into a single vendor's ecosystem, which could limit their flexibility and increase long-term costs. Overcoming these integration hurdles is a key challenge for the industry to achieve seamless, plug-and-play functionality.

Organizational Silos and Resistance to Change: The true power of DCIM is its ability to bridge the traditional gap between facilities and IT teams. However, this often requires a significant cultural shift within an organization. Deep-seated organizational silos and resistance to changing established workflows can severely hamper a DCIM implementation. If teams are unwilling to collaborate and share data through the new platform, its benefits cannot be fully realized. Additionally, a persistent skills gap exists, with a shortage of professionals who possess the hybrid expertise in both facilities engineering and IT needed to leverage these powerful tools effectively.

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Key Market Trends

The DCIM market is evolving rapidly, with new technologies and delivery models reshaping its capabilities and value proposition. Several key trends are defining the future of data center management.

Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): The most significant trend is the infusion of AI and ML into DCIM platforms. This transforms DCIM from a passive monitoring tool into an intelligent, proactive engine. AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of historical and real-time data to predict equipment failures, recommend optimal placements for new servers to improve thermal efficiency, and even automate responses to anomalies. This "DCIM 2.0" or "AI-driven DCIM" promises a future of semi-autonomous data centers that are more efficient, resilient, and less reliant on human intervention for routine optimization tasks.

The Rise of DCIM-as-a-Service (SaaS): To address the barrier of high upfront costs, many vendors are shifting towards a cloud-based, subscription model known as DCIM-as-a-Service. This SaaS approach democratizes access to sophisticated DCIM capabilities, making them affordable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that lack the capital for a large on-premises deployment. The SaaS model also offers faster implementation, automatic updates, and the flexibility to scale services up or down as needed, providing a more agile and cost-effective solution that is appealing to a broader segment of the market.

Holistic Management of Hybrid IT Infrastructure: As enterprises increasingly adopt hybrid strategies-combining on-premises infrastructure, colocation facilities, and public cloud services-DCIM tools are expanding their scope. The trend is toward providing a "single pane of glass" that offers visibility not just within the four walls of the private data center but across the entire distributed digital footprint. This enables managers to monitor capacity, performance, and costs across all their environments. This evolution is critical for simplifying management and enabling consistent governance in an increasingly complex and fragmented IT landscape.

Key Opportunities

The dynamic nature of the digital infrastructure landscape is creating significant new opportunities for DCIM vendors to expand their market reach and deliver greater value to customers.

Centralized Management of the Exploding Edge: The massive proliferation of edge computing sites to support IoT, 5G, and content delivery presents a greenfield opportunity for DCIM. These small, numerous, and geographically dispersed sites are often unmanned ("lights-out" facilities), making remote management an absolute necessity. DCIM platforms are perfectly positioned to provide the centralized monitoring, control, and automation required to operate these edge networks efficiently and reliably. This makes DCIM a critical enabling technology for the entire edge ecosystem, representing a vast and largely untapped market for vendors.

Enabling Advanced Sustainability and ESG Reporting: With intense pressure from investors, regulators, and customers, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance is now a C-suite priority. This creates a powerful opportunity for DCIM providers to position their platforms as essential tools for sustainability. Advanced DCIM solutions that can track energy sources, calculate carbon footprint in real-time (Carbon Usage Effectiveness), and monitor water usage (Water Usage Effectiveness) are invaluable. They not only help operators reduce their environmental impact but also automate the generation of data needed for mandatory ESG reporting, turning a compliance burden into a streamlined process.

Deeper Integration with ITSM and Automation Platforms: There is a significant opportunity in creating tighter, API-driven integrations between DCIM and adjacent enterprise software platforms, particularly IT Service Management (ITSM) tools like ServiceNow and automation frameworks like Ansible. This convergence enables end-to-end automated workflows, a concept known as "workflow automation." For instance, a new server request logged in an ITSM portal could automatically trigger the DCIM system to identify the optimal location, reserve space and power, and configure network ports, all without human intervention. This level of automation drastically improves agility and reduces operational costs.

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Regional Analysis

The Global Data Center Infrastructure Management Market displays varied adoption rates and priorities across different geographies. North America continues to dominate the market, largely due to the high concentration of hyperscale data centers and the advanced IT maturity of its enterprises. The region is a leading adopter of next-generation, AI-driven DCIM solutions, with a strong focus on capacity optimization and automation. The Asia-Pacific region, however, is poised to become the fastest-growing market. A massive wave of new data center construction in countries like China, India, Singapore, and Indonesia is creating immense greenfield opportunities for DCIM deployment. Government-led digital transformation projects and the growth of local cloud providers are key catalysts for demand in this vibrant region.

Europe represents a mature and sophisticated market where DCIM adoption is heavily influenced by strict regulations. The emphasis on data privacy under GDPR and a strong push for sustainability make DCIM features related to energy efficiency, PUE tracking, and compliance reporting particularly critical. The markets in the Rest of the World, including Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, are nascent but growing rapidly. As these regions build out their foundational digital infrastructure, DCIM solutions are being adopted from the outset to establish modern operational best practices, presenting a long-term growth frontier for vendors.

Key Market Players -

ABB Ltd.

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Device42, Inc.

Eaton Corporation

FNT GmbH

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd

IBM Corporation

Schneider Electric SE

Siemens AG

HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise)

Sunbird Inc.

Vertiv Holdings

Delta Electronics

Nlyte Software

DC Market Insights' Competitive Landscape Analysis

The competitive landscape for the Data Center Infrastructure Management market is a dynamic mix of established industrial giants and agile, specialized software vendors. The market is led by major players like Schneider Electric and Vertiv, who leverage their deep expertise in power and cooling hardware to offer tightly integrated hardware and software solutions. They compete with pure-play DCIM software specialists such as Sunbird Software and Nlyte Software (now part of Carrier), who differentiate through the sophistication of their software platforms, ease of use, and strong focus on second-generation DCIM features. Competition is increasingly centered on the intelligence of the platform, particularly the integration of AI/ML for predictive analytics and automation, the flexibility of SaaS delivery models, and the breadth of a vendor's API ecosystem for seamless integration with other enterprise tools. M&A activity continues to shape the landscape as larger players acquire smaller innovators to expand their capabilities and market share.

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Related Reports -

Vietnam Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Market https://www.dcmarketinsights.com/report/vietnam-data-center-infrastructure-management-market

UK Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Market https://www.dcmarketinsights.com/report/uk-data-center-infrastructure-management-market

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U.S. Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Market https://www.dcmarketinsights.com/report/us-data-center-infrastructure-management-market

Turkey Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Market https://www.dcmarketinsights.com/report/turkey-data-center-infrastructure-management-market

Thailand Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Market https://www.dcmarketinsights.com/report/thailand-data-center-infrastructure-management-market

Taiwan Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) Market https://www.dcmarketinsights.com/report/taiwan-data-center-infrastructure-management-market

About Us -

DC Market Insights, headquartered at 128 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX, United Kingdom, is a dedicated research and consulting firm that empowers data center leaders with actionable intelligence. We combine rigorous market research, advanced analytics, and practical advisory support to help organizations make confident decisions in an increasingly complex digital infrastructure landscape. Our goal is to transform data into clarity, giving clients the ability to act decisively on strategy, investment, and execution.

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EQS-News: African Union (AU) / Key word(s): Conference

3rd Summit on Financing Infrastructure in Africa



30.10.2025 / 20:30 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Luanda hosts 3rd Summit on Infrastructure Financing in Africa LUANDA, Angola, October 30, 2025/APO Group/ -- As part of Angola's presidency of the African Union ( https://AU.int/ ), Luanda will host the 3rd Summit on Infrastructure Financing for Infrastructure Development in Africa from 28 to 31 October 2025, a high-level event that will bring together political leaders, investors, financial institutions, business associations, academics and multilateral organizations from Africa and Europe. The Summit is a strategic platform for dialogue and cooperation, aimed at mobilizing sustainable and inclusive funding for energy, transport, water, communications and technological innovation projects, with the aim of accelerating the development and infrastructural integration of the African continent. Connecting Africa, Building the Future Under the slogan "Connecting Africa, Building the Future", this edition of the Summit aims to: Strengthen Africa-Europe partnerships and promote green and sustainable investment models;

Encourage public-private partnerships (PPP) and new forms of blended financing;

Valorising cross-border projects that boost regional and economic integration;

Prioritize innovation, sustainability and resilience in the planning and execution of infrastructures. The meeting reflects the commitment of Angola and the African Union to promoting transformative infrastructures that connect communities, boost trade and create opportunities for future generations. Summit Content The program of the 3rd Summit will include: Plenary sessions and thematic panels on financing, innovation, energy transition and digital connectivity;

Exhibition of infrastructure projects underway and in the structuring phase in various African countries;

Side events, bilateral and multilateral meetings designed to facilitate direct dialogue between governments, investors and financial institutions;

Spaces for networking and promoting strategic partnerships, to identify new investment opportunities and technical co-operation. The Summit will thus be a milestone in building bridges between Africa and its global partners, strengthening trust and the capacity for joint action towards sustainable development. Meaning and Perspective The organization of the 3rd Summit in Luanda reflects the recognition of Angola's role as a driving force for regional cooperation and its commitment to promoting African solutions to African challenges. The event is part of the African Union's Agenda 2063 vision and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting the continent's determination to consolidate resilient, innovative and inclusive infrastructures. General Information Date: 28 to 31 October 2025

Location: Marginal de Luanda (near the Port of Luanda), Angola

Theme: Connecting Africa, Building the Future

Organization: Government of Angola, through the Ministry of Public Works, Urbanism and Housing, in partnership with AUDA-NEPAD and the African Union (PIDA - Infrastructure Development Program in Africa)

Expected participants: Heads of state, ministers, political decision-makers, international financial institutions, the private sector, academia and the specialized press Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU). Image: https://apo-opa.co/3L8uCjj



30.10.2025 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

View original content: EQS News
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / Optima Living is proud to announce its recognition as one of British Columbia's Top Growing Companies 2025, as published by The Globe and Mail's Report on Business magazine.

This year marks the inaugural launch of The Globe and Mail's provincial rankings within the highly regarded Canada's Top Growing Companies program. The new British Columbia edition highlights organizations across the province that demonstrate exceptional business growth, innovation, and leadership over the past three years.

Optima Living achieved a verified three-year revenue growth of 1,073% from 2021 to 2024, earning 10th spot among 59 top-performing companies in the province.

"We're honoured to be recognized among British Columbia's Top Growing Companies," said Karim Kassam, Co-Founder and Principal at Optima Living. "This achievement reflects the passion and dedication of our entire team, as well as our ongoing commitment to innovation, brain health, and person-centered care."

The Canada's Top Growing Companies - British Columbia ranking is based on verified revenue growth over a three-year period and celebrates Canada's most ambitious companies.

"Optima Living's growth story is rooted in a shared belief that every individual deserves a life of purpose, connection, and care," added Kassam. "Our continued expansion across British Columbia and Alberta is our way of scaling that purpose."

The Report on Business rankings celebrate entrepreneurial excellence and recognize organizations that contribute significantly to regional and national economic vitality. Optima Living's inclusion in the 2025 British Columbia edition underscores its role as a leader in senior living and care.

The full Canada's Top Growing Companies 2025 - British Columbia list is available on The Globe and Mail's Report on Business website. (Link).

About Optima Living

Founded in 2007 by two friends inspired by a love for seniors and their families' dementia journeys, Optima Living was created to offer a more home-like experience in seniors housing and care.

What began as a personal mission has grown into one of Western Canada's leading senior living and continuing care providers, offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, Supportive Living, Long-Term Care, Brain Health and Memory Care, including Optima's own proprietary brain health and care model: Spark, Your Wellness, Your Way.

Today, we are the only Top 10 Canadian senior living and care provider focused exclusively on Western Canada, serving 4,300+ residents in Alberta and British Columbia.

Guided by our North Star, Let us welcome you home, we are committed to People, Place, and Community. With a resident-first philosophy, deep community ties, and a focus on innovation, we are shaping a future defined by integrity, dignity, and empathy.

At Optima Living, senior living is about thriving, not just residing. We're redefining aging with purpose by creating communities where residents live well with dignity, connection, and joy.

Discover how we are changing the landscape of senior living at https://optimaliving.ca/.

Optima Living: Let us welcome you home.

Contact:

Katie Matthews

Senior Manager, Communications

Optima Living

T: (236) 988-5883 | E: katie.matthews@optimaliving.ca

Follow Optima Living

LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Website | Optima Living TV (YouTube)

SOURCE: Optima Living

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/real-estate/optima-living-named-british-columbias-10th-top-growing-company-by-the-globe-and-mails-r-1093938
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / TruMerit President and CEO Peter Preziosi has been elected President of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations, also known as CoNGO.

CoNGO | TruMerit

Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations, also known as CoNGO and TruMerit

CoNGO is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1948 that relates to the United Nations through its General Consultative Status granted by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It has 525 member organizations from around the world and 106 associate members.

Dr. Preziosi was elected to serve for the 2025-29 term this week at the 28th CoNGO General Assembly, which took place in New York with the virtual participation of organizations from around the world. He succeeds the Rev. Dr. Liberato C. Bautista, the main representative to the UN for the General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church, who has served as CoNGO's President since 2017 and also held the post from 2007 to 2011.

TruMerit has been a member of CoNGO since 2018 and is active in the organization's affairs, having served as the organization's?Secretary to the CoNGO Board and as chair of its Membership Committee.

Dr. Preziosi is the first Registered Nurse to serve as CoNGO President. He is a nonprofit executive who since early 2023 has led TruMerit, formerly known as CGFNS International, a health workforce development organization committed to advancing the ethical mobility and professional growth of health workers worldwide. Previously, he was employed by the World Health Organization to help establish its technology-driven global learning center, the WHO Academy.

Dr. Bautista, the former President of CoNGO, extended his warm congratulations to Dr. Preziosi on his election. "His experience at TruMerit and at WHO, coupled with his profound dedication to multilateralism and his engagement with civil society, provide a basis for optimism regarding CoNGO's future. In an era where the voice and influence of civil society are of paramount importance in shaping a shared future that upholds human dignity and rights, as well as planetary sustainability, Dr. Preziosi's leadership is expected to enhance CoNGO's role as a pivotal supporter and advocate for democratic and equitable participation within the United Nations and beyond," he stated.

"CoNGO has long been a vital convener of NGOs, a bridge between civil society and an advocate for their engagement at the United Nations, as well as a steadfast champion of inclusive multilateralism - a concept that, unfortunately, is increasingly under attack," said Preziosi.

"In response, let us assert civil society participation at the United Nations not as a plea, but as a principle - one that is essential to legitimate, effective, and ethical multilateralism, and thereby is critical to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and adherence to the rule of law," he said.

About CoNGO (Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations)

The?Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO)?is an independent, international membership association founded in 1948, the year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As a non-governmental organization (NGO) in general consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council, our work relates to the entire United Nations System: the Secretariat, Agencies, Treaty Bodies, Regional Commissions, Institutes, Summits and World Conferences.

CoNGO wholeheartedly endorses the goals and values enshrined in the United Nations Charter and is a strong advocate for multilateralism to resolve global political, environmental, health, and other threats. Close to 30 CoNGO Substantive Committees (called NGO Committees) related to CoNGO in New York, Geneva, Vienna, and regions worldwide demonstrate our commitment to supporting the mission of the United Nations, systemwide. CoNGO has a membership of diverse NGOs working in consultation with the United Nations, in collaboration with each other, and in cooperation with other like-minded stakeholders. ngocongo.org

About TruMerit

TruMerit is a worldwide leader in healthcare workforce development. Formerly known as CGFNS International, the organization has a nearly 50-year history supporting the career mobility of nurses and other healthcare workers - and those who license and hire them - by validating their education, skills, and experience as they seek authorization to practice in the United States and other countries. As TruMerit, this mission has been expanded to building workforce capacity that meets the needs of people in a rapidly evolving global health landscape. Through its Global Health Workforce Development Institute, the organization is advancing evidence-based research, thought leadership, and advocacy in support of healthcare workforce development solutions, including globally recognized practice standards and certifications that will enhance career pathways for healthcare workers. www.trumerit.org

Contact Information

David St. John

dstjohn@trumerit.org

SOURCE: TruMerit

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/trumerits-peter-preziosi-elected-president-of-the-conference-of-ngos-1093918
LUXEMBOURG , Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Globant (NYSE: GLOB), a digitally native company focused on reinventing businesses through innovative technology solutions, today announced it will release results for the third quarter ended September 30th, 2025 on Thursday, November 13th, 2025 after the close of regular market hours.

Following the earnings release, Martin Migoya, Globant's Chief Executive Officer & co-founder, Diego Tartara, Chief Technology Officer, and Juan Urthiague, Chief Financial Officer, will discuss the results in a video conference call and a live Q&A session beginning at 4:30 pm ET. A shareholder letter will also be available on the investor relations section of Globant's website.

Video conference call access information is:

https://more.globant.com/F3Q25EarningsCall

About Globant (NYSE: GLOB)

At Globant, we help organizations thrive in a digital and AI-powered future. Our industry-focused solutions combine technology and creativity to accelerate enterprise transformation and design experiences customers love. Through digital reinvention, our subscription-based AI Pods, and Globant Enterprise AI platform, we turn challenges into measurable business results and promised savings into real impact.

We have more than 30,000 employees and are present in over 35 countries across 5 continents, working for companies like Google, Electronic Arts, and Santander, among others.

We were named a Worldwide Leader in AI Services (2023) and a Worldwide Leader in Media Consultation, Integration, and Business Operations Cloud Service Providers (2024) by IDC MarketScape report.

We are the fastest-growing IT brand and the 5th strongest IT brand globally (2024), according to Brand Finance.

We were featured as a business case study at Harvard, MIT, and Stanford.

We are active members of The Green Software Foundation (GSF) and the Cybersecurity Tech Accord.

We are global partners of OpenAI, NVIDIA, AWS and Unity bringing world-class technology together to accelerate innovation across industries.

For more information, please visit www.globant.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Arturo Langa, Globant

investors@globant.com

+1 (877) 215-5230

Media Contact:

Gregorio Lascano, Globant

pr@globant.com

+1 (877) 215-5230

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/globant-to-announce-third-quarter-2025-financial-results-on-november-13th-302600123.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / Green Bridge Metals Corporation (CSE:GRBM)(OTCQB:GBMCF)(FWB:J48, WKN:A3EW4S)("Green Bridge" or the "Company")is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously-announced non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of 66,666,666 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.09 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $6,000,000. Each Unit consists of one common share (each a "Share") and one-half (1/2) of one Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"), with each (whole) Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one Share at a price of $0.15 for a period of three (3) years. Pursuant to applicable securities laws, all securities issued pursuant to Private Placement are subject to a hold period of four months and one day.

The Company intends to utilize the net proceeds of the Private Placement to support its existing operations and for general working capital purposes.

Pacific Opportunity Capital Ltd., an entity controlled, by Mark Brown, a director of the Company subscribed for an aggregate total of 400,000 Units for gross proceeds of $36,000.00. Such participation is considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, which exemptions are set forth in in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the participation in the Private Placement by Pacific Opportunity Capital Ltd. did not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101.The Company did not file a material change report more than 21 days before the expected closing of the Private Placement because the details of the participation therein by related parties of the Company were not confirmed until shortly prior to closing of the Private Placement.

The Company paid aggregate finders' fees of $193,627.55 cash and issued 2,151,417 finders' warrants to arm's length parties who assisted in introducing subscribers to the Private Placement.

The Company also issued 666,666 Shares, equal to 1.0% of the total of Units issued in the Private Placement (the "Admin Fee Shares") to an arm's-length third party, as an administrative fee for its assistance with the Private Placement.

About Green Bridge Metals

Green Bridge Metals Corporation (formerly Mich Resources Ltd.) is a Canadian based exploration company focused on acquiring 'battery metal' rich mineral assets and the development of the South Contact Zone (the "Property") along the basal contact of the Duluth Intrusion, north of Duluth, Minnesota. The Property has exploration targets for bulk-tonnage Ni mineralization, high grade Ni-Cu-PGE magmatic sulfide mineralization and titanium.

ON BEHALF OF GREEN BRIDGE METALS,

"David Suda"

President and Chief Executive Officer

For more information, please contact:

David Suda

President and Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 604.928-3101

investors@greenbridgemetals.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information

Certain statements and information herein contain forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to the use of proceeds of the Private Placement.

Although management of the Company believe that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Forward- looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the proposed use of proceeds of the Private Placement.

The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Reader Advisory

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The securities 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 U.S. Persons (as defined 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 is available.

Suite 800, 1199 West Hastings Street Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 3T5 www.greenbridgemetals.com

SOURCE: Green Bridge Metals Corporation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/green-bridge-metals-announces-closing-of-non-brokered-private-placement-1093973
PHOENIX, ARIZONA / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / The Sandra Day O'Connor Institute has opened its new satellite office in Washington, D.C., adding to its Phoenix, Arizona, location. In conjunction, the Institute has established a Washington-based fellowship program for third-year law students attending Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. These initiatives enhance the Institute's nationwide efforts to advance its focus on civic education, civil discourse, and civic engagement.

Located just blocks from the White House in the ASU Barrett & O'Connor Center, its new D.C. office serves as a strategic hub for its nonpartisan mission at the national level. The office will facilitate collaborations, amplify original research in civics education, and support an experiential education opportunity for law students in the nation's capital. Each semester, a new O'Connor Institute Law Fellow will be announced, creating numerous opportunities for future law students.

The O'Connor Institute-ASU Law Fellow D.C. program offers students a Washington, D.C., experience, where they contribute directly to the Institute's public policy portfolio while gaining hands-on insight into the legal and civic arenas that shaped Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's legacy. In support of civic engagement, the fellow will also represent the O'Connor Institute at events in our nation's capital.

"I am honored to be selected as the inaugural O'Connor Institute-ASU Law Fellowship in Washington, D.C.," said Dallin Flake, O'Connor Institute Fellow. "This opportunity allows me to engage with civic leaders, explore critical issues facing our country, and contribute to the Institute's mission of empowering citizens through education and civil discourse."

Dallin has had a lifelong interest in civics and is passionate about the need for nonpartisan cooperation and an educated public. He received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Brigham Young University before applying to the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at ASU. Since beginning law school, Dallin has worked in natural resources, environmental and immigration law. He is currently working in Washington, D.C., for the not-for-profit Salt River Project, a public power and water utility, in its federal affairs division while finishing his final year of law school.

"Expanding to Washington, D.C., and launching this fellowship represents an exciting new chapter for the Institute," said Sarah Suggs, O'Connor Institute President & CEO. "These initiatives will deepen our national impact, foster collaborations, and provide young civic leaders with the opportunity to learn from and contribute to the work of Justice O'Connor's enduring legacy."

Together, the D.C. office and fellowship program strengthen the Institute's role as a national leader in promoting civic learning, nonpartisan engagement, and civil discourse for our nation.

About the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute

Founded in 2009 by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor following her retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court, the nonpartisan nonprofit continues her distinguished legacy and lifetime work to advance multigenerational civics education, civil discourse and civic engagement. Learn more at OConnorInstitute.org

Contact Information

Heather Schader

hschader@oconnorinstitute.org

602-730-3300 x8

SOURCE: Sandra Day O'Connor Institute

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/education/sandra-day-oconnor-institute-announces-washington-d.c.-office-1094070
NINGBO, China, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- October 31 marks the birth anniversary of the great Chinese philosopher Wang Yangming (1472-1529). On October 30, the 2025 Conference on Wang Yangming Mind Philosophy was inaugurated in Yuyao, Ningbo.

Under the theme "boundless mind studies, coexisting civilizations," the event featured sub-activities such as the Sino-Foreign Exchange Symposium on Wang Yangming Culture and the "Zhongtian Pavilion Forum: Wang Defeng Session." The cultural gathering brought together over 800 participants, including global scholars specializing in Wang Yangming studies and representatives from the National Alliance for the Preservation and Research of Wang Yangming Historical Sites.

Yuyao of Ningbo is the birthplace of Wang Yangming. Today, the city of Ningbo is imbued with his legacy. More than 400 local enterprises bear the name "Yangming," and 12 of Yuyao's 122 primary and secondary schools are named after the great philosopher. Cultural initiatives such as the Yaoju opera "Wang Yangming" have toured Japan and other countries, while "Yangming Cultural Products" have been featured in Milan. Short videos "Wang Yangming Anecdotes" continue to be released overseas, and the cultural slogan "Yuyao, hometown of Wang Yangming, gathers wisdom" has gained international recognition, serving as a window for the world to understand China.

For many in Ningbo, Wang Yangming's influence is felt in subtle yet profound ways. From extensive research on Wang Yangming Culture to innovative expressions of its principles, multiple approaches are being adopted to promote the creative transformation and development of this outstanding traditional Chinese heritage. For instance, local brand Pairdeer Batteries has dedicated 70 years to perfecting its products, now leading the nation in smart lock battery sales and alkaline battery production. The "Sunny" optical lens, deeply embedded in the global industrial chain, started production from four humble cottages here. The Ningbo Yangming Industrial Technology Research Institute has nurtured 17 enterprises above statistical threshold through its innovative incubation model.

Wang Yangming Culture has transcended China's borders, integrating into local societies and intellectual traditions worldwide, giving rise to distinctive schools of thought and practical applications. Professor Nagatomi Seiji, a renowned Wang Yangming scholar from Waseda University, noted that Japanese entrepreneurs often display the principle of "unity of knowledge and action" in their offices. When faced with split-second decisions in business, Wang Yangming's concept of "tempering through affairs" offers practical guidance-a key reason for its popularity in Japan. He added, "Ningbo holds a special place in the Japanese psyche due to its deep historical ties with Japan during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). While most Chinese place names are read using Japanese kun'yomi, only Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Ningbo are pronounced in their original Chinese readings. Moreover, Wang Yangming once composed a text in Ningbo for a Japanese monk, which is now preserved in a Japanese museum."

Similarly, Wang Yangming Culture has a long history of dissemination in the Korean Peninsula, where its philosophy has profoundly influenced local thought, culture, and society.

In recent years, scholarly interest in Wang Yangming has grown globally, with significant breakthroughs in research. From China to Southeast Asia, Europe, the Americas, and beyond, the spirit of "harmony in diversity" in Wang Yangming Philosophy Studies reflects a culturally pluralistic orientation. Its philosophical wisdom of "unity of knowledge and action" offers fresh perspectives for open dialogue and exchange among diverse cultures in the era of globalization.

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VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BioVaxys Technology Corp. (CSE: BIOV) (FRA: 5LB) ("BioVaxys" or the "Company") announces an increase to its non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") previously announced on October 7, 2025. The Offering will now consist of a minimum of 10,588,235 units of the Company ("Units") at an issue price of $0.17 per Unit to raise gross proceeds of $1,800,000 and up to a maximum of 11,764,705 Units for gross proceeds of up to $2,000,000.

Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"), whereby each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Share at an exercise price of $0.40 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance.

The Offering is expected to close on or before November 10, 2025, or such other date as the Company may determine, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including acceptance of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Offering to drive more organic pipeline growth by (1) pursuing multiple licensing opportunities and research collaborations with DPX where the Company's platform solutions can address specific needs or gaps, making the Company an attractive 'go-to' partner for targeted immunotherapies; (2) identifying remaining GLP supply or production of (non-GMP) preclinical supply of DPX to be used in conducting research, preclinical supply of DPX+peanut antigen for the peanut allergy vaccine program, and additional proof of concept studies for expanding the DPX formulations in mRNA and neoantigens; (3) initiating DPX food allergy program at McMaster University for conducting a preclinical proof of concept study with a DPX peanut antigen prophylaxis vaccine candidate; (4) filing of new patents and maintaining annuity payments for issued patents; and (5) completing remaining immunological data analysis from MVP-S phase 1 studies to complete data packages and prepare this asset for out-licensing in other tumor types. The Company may pay finder's fees to eligible finders who introduce subscribers to the Company.

The Units will be offered for sale to purchasers pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (the "Listed Issuer Financing Exemption" or "LIFE"), in each of the Provinces of Canada (except Quebec) and other qualifying jurisdictions. The securities issued and sold pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption will not be subject to a 'hold period' pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

There is an amended and restated offering document dated October 28, 2025, related to the Offering that can be accessed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at https://www.biovaxys.com/. Prospective investors should read this LIFE offering document before making an investment decision.

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 except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to available exemptions therefrom. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any securities in the United States, or in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About BioVaxys Technology Corp.

BioVaxys Technology Corp. (www.biovaxys.com), a biopharmaceuticals company registered in British Columbia, Canada, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving patient lives with novel immunotherapies based on the DPX immune-educating technology platform and it's HapTenix tumor cell construct platform, for treating cancers, infectious disease, antigen desensitization for food allergy, and other immunological diseases. Through a differentiated mechanism of action, the DPX platform delivers instruction to the immune system to generate a specific, robust, and persistent immune response. The Company's clinical stage pipeline includes maveropepimut-S (MVP-S), based on the DPX platform, and in Phase IIB clinical development for advanced Relapsed-Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) and platinum resistant Ovarian Cancer. MVP-S delivers antigenic peptides from survivin, a well-recognized cancer antigen commonly overexpressed in advanced cancers, and also delivers an innate immune activator and a universal CD4 T cell helper peptide. MVP-S has been well tolerated and has demonstrated defined clinical benefit in multiple cancer indications as well as the activation of a targeted and sustained, survivin-specific anti-tumor immune response. BioVaxys is also developing DPX+SurMAGE, a dual-targeted immunotherapy combining antigenic peptides for both the survivin and MAGE-A9 cancer proteins to elicit immune responses to these two distinct cancer antigens simultaneously, DPX-RSV for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, DPX+rPA for peanut allergy prophylaxis, and BVX-0918, a personalized immunotherapeutic vaccine using its proprietary HapTenix 'neoantigen' tumor cell construct platform for refractive late-stage ovarian cancer.

BioVaxys common shares are listed on the CSE under the stock symbol "BIOV" and trade on the Frankfurt Bourse (FRA: 5LB) and in the U.S. on the OTC Markets (OTCQB marketplace). For more information, visit www.biovaxys.com and connect with us on X and LinkedIn.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Signed "James Passin"

James Passin, Chief Executive Officer

Phone: +1 740 358 0555

Cautionary Statements on Forward Looking Information

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the future operating or financial performance of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Offering, including the size and use of proceeds, the timing and ability of the Company to close the Offering, and obtaining approval of the Offering from the CSE. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates, primarily the assumption that BioVaxys will be successful in developing and testing vaccines, that, while considered reasonable by BioVaxys, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies including, primarily but without limitation, the risk that BioVaxys' vaccines will not prove to be effective and/ or will not receive the required regulatory approvals. With regards to BioVaxys' business, there are a number of risks that could affect the development of its biotechnology products, including, without limitation, the need for additional capital to fund clinical trials, its lack of operating history, uncertainty about whether its products will complete the long, complex and expensive clinical trial and regulatory approval process for approval of new drugs necessary for marketing approval, uncertainty about whether its autologous cell vaccine immunotherapy can be developed to produce safe and effective products and, if so, whether its vaccine products will be commercially accepted and profitable, the expenses, delays and uncertainties and complications typically encountered by development stage biopharmaceutical businesses, financial and development obligations under license arrangements in order to protect its rights to its products and technologies, obtaining and protecting new intellectual property rights and avoiding infringement to third parties and their dependence on manufacturing by third parties.

Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability of the Company to complete the Offering on the terms proposed or at all, and the ability to obtain necessary approvals, including the approval of the CSE. BioVaxys does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

The CSE has not reviewed, approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / Apex Critical Metals Corp. (CSE:APXC)(OTCQX:APXCF)(FWB:KL9) ("Apex" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed a non-brokered private placement (see news release dated October 7th and 8th, 2025), issuing a total of 4,000,000 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of $2.50 per Unit for gross proceeds of $10,000,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant, with each warrant exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $3.00 per share for a period of two years from the date of issuance. The proceeds of the Offering will be used for general working capital purposes and exploration expenses.

In connection with the Offering, the Company paid an aggregate of $255,500in cash and issued an aggregate of 102,200 non-transferable finder's warrants (each, a "Finder's Warrant") to certain finders. Each Finder's Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of $3.00 per Common Share for a period of two years.

All securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four (4) months and a day from issuance.

None of the securities sold in connection with the Offering are registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and no such securities were offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Apex Critical Metals Corp. (CSE:APXC)(OTCQX:APXCF)(FWB:KL9)

Apex Critical Metals Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing rare earth element (REE) and niobium projects that support the growing demand for critical and strategic metals across the United States and Canada. The Company's flagship Rift Project, located within the highly prospective Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex in Nebraska, U.S.A., hosts extensive rare earth rights surrounding one of North America's most advanced niobium-REE deposits. Historical drilling across the complex has reported broad intervals of high-grade REE mineralization, including intercepts such as 155.5 m of 2.70% REO and 68.2 m of 3.32% REO.

In Canada, Apex continues to advance its 100%-owned Cap Project, located 85 kilometres northeast of Prince George, British Columbia. The 2025 drill program confirmed a significant niobium discovery with 0.59% Nb2O5 over 36 metres, including 1.08% Nb2O5 over 10 metres, within a 1.8-kilometre-long niobium trend. The Cap Project continues to demonstrate strong potential for niobium mineralization within a large and previously unrecognized carbonatite system.

With a growing portfolio of critical mineral projects in both Canada and the United States, Apex Critical Metals is strategically positioned to help strengthen domestic supply chains for the minerals essential to advanced technologies, clean energy, and national security. Apex is publicly listed in Canada on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol APXC and quoted on the OTCQX market in the United States under the symbol APXCF, and in Germany on the Borse Frankfurt under the symbol KL9 and/or WKN: A40CCQ. Find out more at www.apexcriticalmetals.com and to sign up for free news alerts please go to https://apexcriticalmetals.com/news/news-alerts/, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook or LinkedIn.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

APEX CRITICAL METALS CORP.,

Sean Charland

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: 604.681.1568

Email: info@apexcriticalmetals.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements with respect to the Offering including, the closing date of the Offering, the potential participation of insiders in the Offering and the anticipated use of proceeds of the Offering. Forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including risks related to factors beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, the receipt of regulatory approval for the Offering, if required. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company 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 required by law.

SOURCE: Apex Critical Metals Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/apex-completes-non-brokered-private-placement-for-proceeds-of-10-000-000-1094296
Luxembourg, Luxembourg--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - Nexa Resources (NYSE: NEXA), one of the world's leading zinc producers, reported net income of US$100 million in 3Q25, compared to US$13 million in 2Q25 and US$6 million in 3Q24. The sequential improvement was primarily driven by a non-cash impairment reversal at Cerro Pasco and stronger operational margins, partially offset by a 3% appreciation of the Brazilian real against the U.S. dollar. Adjusted net income was US$27 million for the quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA of US$186 million increased from US$161 million in 2Q25 and US$183 million in 3Q24. The sequential improvement was primarily driven by higher mining output, increased smelting sales volume, a higher by-products contribution (except for copper), and better prices for all metals. The year-over-year performance also reflects a stronger by-products contribution, partially offset by lower treatment charges ("TCs") and higher maintenance-related operational costs.

Net revenues reached US$764 million, up 8% from US$708 million in 2Q25 and US$709 million in 3Q24, supported by the same drivers of higher smelting sales volume, ongoing operational improvements, and favorable metal prices.

"Nexa delivered another quarter of strong financial and operational performance, as higher mining output and supportive metal prices led to increased Net revenues, Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, reflecting the consistent evolution of our execution capacity and our disciplined capital allocation," said Ignacio Rosado, CEO of Nexa. "Aripuana achieved its highest zinc production since the start of its ramp-up, a direct result of more stable operations and higher throughput. Additionally, the advancement of Phase I of our Cerro Pasco Integration Project and continued exploration investment are reinforcing the foundation for Nexa's long-term growth."

Disciplined Financial Management

CAPEX totaled US$90 million in 3Q25, primarily allocated to sustaining investments, including mine development and operational maintenance. Of this amount, approximately US$12 million was invested in Phase I of the Cerro Pasco Integration Project. Total consolidated CAPEX for the full-year 2025 guidance remains unchanged at US$347 million.

At the end of 3Q25, Nexa's net debt totaled US$1,479 million (from US$1,515 million at the end of 2Q25), driving an improvement in the Net debt/LTM Adjusted EBITDA ratio to 2.2x (from 2.3x in the previous quarter).

Operational and Project Highlights

Mining operations showcased strength and recovery, smelting operations hit record volumes, and the Cerro Pasco Integration Project advanced on track, underscoring Nexa's solid operational performance and progress in its key strategic initiatives.

Mining

Overall zinc production rose 14% quarter-over-quarter and 1% year-over-year to 84kt, mainly driven by stronger performances at Vazante, Aripuana, and El Porvenir, partially offset by lower output at Cerro Lindo.

Aripuana achieved a record quarterly zinc production of 10.4kt, up 39% from 7.5kt in 3Q24 and 70% from 6.1kt in 2Q25, driven by improved plant stability and operational optimization.

Vazante and El Porvenir also posted increased quarterly production as they recover from operational challenges faced in the first half of the year.

Turning to other metals, lead production increased 16% quarter-over-quarter and 3% year-over-year to 18kt, supported by higher output across most mines. Copper production decreased 6% quarter-over-quarter and 8% year-over-year to 9kt, primarily due to lower output at Cerro Lindo. Silver production totaled 2.9 million ounces, up 8% quarter-over-quarter and broadly stable year-over-year.

Smelting

Zinc metal and oxide production totaled 147kt, up 6% quarter-over-quarter, driven by record output at the Cajamarquilla smelter and an operational recovery at Tres Marias. Year-over-year, production decreased 4%, consistent with 2025 guidance, which reflects lower availability of third-party concentrates amid reduced treatment charges (TCs).

Zinc metal and oxide sales totaled 150kt, up 3% from the prior quarter, demonstrating Nexa's ability to convert operational improvements into commercial delivery. Year-over-year, sales declined 2%, impacted by lower zinc oxide output at Tres Marias.

Projects

Nexa continues to progress on Phase I of the strategic Cerro Pasco Integration Project. Construction, which began in July, is on schedule with earthworks, slope cutting, and containment work well underway. Key equipment packages are manufactured and undergoing Factory Acceptance Tests, keeping the project on track for 2026 commissioning. This project is critical to extending the life-of-mine of the complex and improving long-term efficiency.

Nexa remains committed to enhancing free cash flow generation through disciplined capital allocation, prioritizing sustaining investments, brownfield mineral exploration, gross debt reduction, and critical ESG and HS&E initiatives. The company continues to focus on optimizing its most attractive assets and projects to strengthen operational resilience and create long-term value.

ESG and Corporate Highlights

In 3Q25, Nexa reinforced its commitment to sustainable and responsible mining through key advances in safety, decarbonization, community engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), and corporate governance. The company launched programs to promote workplace well-being and local development, advanced initiatives to reduce emissions and expand circular economy practices, and strengthened transparency and ethical standards across its operations, further integrating ESG principles as a core driver of long-term value creation.

Sustainability & Community Engagement

We launched two major health campaigns in Peru - a Hand Care program to prevent hand injuries through safer equipment handling, and an Influenza Vaccination Drive that achieved over 80% employee coverage, reinforcing our commitment to workplace well-being;

We continued investing in infrastructure and education, with projects in Yanacancha (near Cerro Pasco) to improve streets, sidewalks, and drainage systems, and support for over 300 students across 11 schools in Chincha (near Cerro Lindo) through the provision of new uniforms;

In Brazil, we introduced Nexa Transforma to unify and scale social initiatives, strengthening community engagement and safety awareness. Under this platform, Nexa partnered with Instituto Votorantim on the Educational Connections pilot at Vazante, aimed at enhancing data-driven management in public schools;

Across all operations, Nexa hosted the Internal Week for the Prevention of Occupational Accidents (SIPAT), promoting engagement and reinforcing our safety culture;

We furthered our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion by inaugurating the 'Espaco Delas' at Vazante, a dedicated facility for women operators, and received the PERUMIN Seal of Excellence in Gender Equity, recognizing our efforts to close gender gaps in the mining sector. We also hosted the first Plurality Leaders and Co-leaders Meeting in Sao Paulo, advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Decarbonization & Innovation

Receiving the GHG Protocol Brazil Gold Seal for the second consecutive year, acknowledging excellence in emissions management and disclosure;

Advancing our decarbonization roadmap with tangible projects, such as the new hybrid crushing plant at Cerro Lindo, which cut fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 30%. Our Cajamarquilla smelter in Peru, operates entirely on renewable hydroelectric energy and maintains one of the lowest carbon intensities in the industry;

Advancing our circular economy initiatives, including the sale of 100,000 eco-bricks produced from jarosite residue at the Juiz de Fora smelter, and commissioning a pilot plant at Cajamarquilla with a capacity of 24,000 eco-bricks per year, expected to cut waste by approximately 3,000 tons annually;

AI-based thermographic monitoring was validated at Cerro Lindo to detect loose rocks and improve underground safety. At Cajamarquilla, machine learning models were implemented to predict silver, iron, and sulfur levels, optimizing concentrate quality and process control.

Industry Leadership & Governance

Achieving full compliance with LME Responsible Sourcing standards (Track A), in line with OECD Due Diligence Guidance, reinforcing leadership in ethical supply chain management and transparency;

Showcasing our ESG strategy at prominent forums like the Forbes Peru Sustainability Summit 2025, where our CFO Jose Carlos del Valle underscored the integration of finance, ESG, and operations to drive sustainable growth, as well as the 12th Brazilian Congress of Open-Pit and Underground Mining and the ESG Summit Brazil, highlighting progress in renewable energy adoption and emission reduction.

Financial & Corporate Milestones

On September 3, 2025, Nexa Resources El Porvenir S.A.C., a subsidiary of Nexa Peru, completed its Voluntary Public Tender Offer (OPA) for Nexa Resources Atacocha S.A.A., acquiring 121,986 Class A voting shares (at S/0.108 per share) and 27,503,370 Class B non-voting shares (at S/0.064 per share). As a result, Nexa Resources El Porvenir S.A.C. increased its ownership in Nexa Resources Atacocha S.A.A. from 82.11% to approximately 83.00%. Further details are available on the Lima Stock Exchange (BVL) and Superintendency of the Securities Market (SMV) websites;

In September 2025, Fitch Ratings reaffirmed Nexa's 'BBB-' investment grade rating with a 'Stable' Outlook, underscoring the company's solid financial position. Fitch also reaffirmed Nexa Brazil's national scale long-term rating at 'AAA(bra)', with a 'Stable' Outlook.

About Nexa

Nexa Resources is one of the world's leading zinc mining companies. Operating for over 65 years in the mining and smelting segments, Nexa has operations in Brazil and Peru, and offices in Luxembourg and the United States, supplying its products to every continent. Every day, its employees work with a commitment to building the mining that changes with the world, aiming for sustainability, innovation, and upholding the best safety practices, respect for people, and the environment. Since 2017, its shares have been traded on the New York Stock Exchange, with its majority shareholder being Votorantim S.A. For more information about Nexa and its ESG strategy and commitments, please visit our website.

For a full version of the 3Q25 Earnings Release document, please visit our Investor Relations website at: http://ir.nexaresources.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272619

SOURCE: Nexa Resources
New EZ2 DNA Investigator Sep&Prep Kit automates sexual assault sample processing, improving sperm DNA recovery and separation from victim DNA

Workflow on EZ2 Connect Fx delivers high-quality DNA in under 2.5 hours, minimizing hands-on time and variability with current manual process

QIAGEN to showcase new kit and forensics portfolio at upcoming ISHI 2025 meeting

QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) today announced the launch of the EZ2 DNA Investigator Sep&Prep Kit, a fully automated solution for processing sexual assault samples, at the upcoming International Symposium on Human Identification 2025 (ISHI) from November 3-6 in Palm Beach, Florida.

Developed specifically for forensic laboratories, the EZ2 DNA Investigator Sep&Prep kit enhances the separation of sperm from non-sperm fractions and the preparation of sperm-derived DNA for direct downstream use in forensic DNA profiling or next-generation sequencing.

The workflow is designed for processing on EZ2 Connect Fx, a key system for forensics labs worldwide that can process up to 24 samples in parallel. The new kit delivers DNA ready for analysis in under 2.5 hours, significantly reducing the hands-on time and variability typically seen with current manual methods.

"This kit may be one of the most important advances in sex assault sample processing since differential extraction was introduced some 40 years ago," said Keith Elliott, Senior Director of Strategic Marketing Human Identification at QIAGEN. "For decades, labs have relied on a complex manual process that often limits DNA quality. Our new kit delivers a standardized and efficient approach that could help transform this critical area of forensic work."

Forensic scientists often work with sexual assault evidence samples that often contain low amounts of sperm DNA and high levels of DNA from the victim, making it difficult to obtain clear profiles. This challenge led Dominic O'Neil, Director of HID and Microbiome Product Development at QIAGEN, and his team to develop a new approach aimed at improving sperm recovery while minimizing contamination from non-sperm DNA.

The new EZ2 kit introduces a novel lysis buffer that efficiently releases sperm cells from cotton and flocked swabs. This is combined with proprietary bead technology that binds and protects the sperm during a thorough wash process to remove non-sperm DNA. The result is a high yield of sperm-derived DNA with minimal victim carryover. The workflow also reduces manual handling and produces sperm fractions that are ready for direct downstream use with standard DNA profiling or next-generation sequencing kits without the need for additional purification.

To learn more about the new EZ2 kit: https://www.qiagen.com/products/human-id-and-forensics/investigator-solutions/ez2-dna-investigator-sep-prep-kit.

To learn more about QIAGEN's presence at ISHI 2025:https://www.qiagen.com/applications/human-identity-and-forensics/ishi-2025.

About QIAGEN

QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands-based holding company, is a global leader in Sample to Insight solutions that enable customers to extract and analyze molecular information from biological samples containing the building blocks of life. Our Sample technologies isolate and process DNA, RNA and proteins from blood, tissue and other materials. Assay technologies prepare these biomolecules for analysis, while bioinformatics support the interpretation of complex data to deliver actionable insights. Automation solutions integrate these steps into streamlined, cost-effective workflows. QIAGEN serves more than 500,000 customers worldwide in the Life Sciences (academia, pharmaceutical R&D and industrial applications such as forensics) and Molecular Diagnostics (clinical healthcare). As of June 30, 2025, QIAGEN employed approximately 5,700 people across more than 35 locations. For more information, visit www.qiagen.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements, including those regarding QIAGEN's products, development timelines, marketing and/or regulatory approvals, financial and operational outlook, growth strategies, collaborations and operating results, such as expected adjusted net sales and adjusted diluted earnings, are based on current expectations and assumptions. However, they involve uncertainties and risks. These risks include, but are not limited to, challenges in managing growth and international operations (including the effects of currency fluctuations, tariffs, tax laws, regulatory processes and logistics and supply chain dependencies), variability in operating results, and the commercial development of products for customers in the Life Sciences and clinical healthcare markets; changes in relationships with customers, suppliers or strategic partners; competition and rapid technological change; fluctuating demand for QIAGEN's products due to factors such as economic conditions, customer budgets and funding cycles; obtaining and maintaining product regulatory approvals; and challenges in integrating QIAGEN's products into manufacturing process workflows and manufacturing at scale. Additional risks include market acceptance of new products, integration of acquisitions, governmental actions, global or regional economic developments, natural disasters, political or public health crises, and other force majeure events. There is also no guarantee that anticipated benefits from restructuring programs and acquisitions will materialize as expected. For a more complete discussion of risks and uncertainties, please refer to the "Risk Factors" section in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and other reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Source: QIAGEN N.V.

Category: HID

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030093204/en/

Contacts:

Contacts QIAGEN:

Investor Relations

e-mail: ir@QIAGEN.com

Public Relations

e-mail: pr@QIAGEN.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - Myriad Uranium Corp. (CSE: M) (OTCQB: MYRUF) (FSE: C3Q) announces that the previously announced letter of intent ("LOI") dated as of August 6, 2025 respecting a merger transaction between Myriad and Rush Rare Metals Corp. ("Rush") has expired. Myriad and Rush continue to be in contact respecting a potential transaction on mutually acceptable terms.

Myriad's CEO Thomas Lamb commented: "Because the parties have not executed a definitive agreement, the LOI has expired in accordance with its terms. However, the parties continue to work towards a mutually acceptable agreement and are optimistic that a deal will be reached in due course."

About Myriad Uranium Corp.

Myriad Uranium Corp. is a uranium exploration company with an earnable 75% interest in the Copper Mountain Uranium Project in Wyoming, USA. A recent press release discussing the 1982 U.S. Department of Energy assessment of Copper Mountain's uranium endowment can be viewed here. Copper Mountain hosts several known uranium deposits and historic uranium mines, including the Arrowhead Mine which produced 500,000 lbs of U3O8. Copper Mountain saw extensive drilling and development by Union Pacific during the late 1970s including the development of a mine plan to fuel a planned fleet of California Edison reactors. Operations ceased in 1980 before mining could commence due to falling uranium prices. Approximately 2,000 boreholes have been drilled at Copper Mountain and the project area has significant exploration upside. Union Pacific is estimated to have spent C$117 million (2024 dollars) exploring and developing Copper Mountain, generating significant historical resource estimates which are detailed here. The Company also recently acquired, subject to completing a geophysical survey this year, a 100% interest in the Red Basin Uranium Project in New Mexico, which has extensive near-surface uranium mineralisation and significant upside potential. Our Crux Investor overview page including recent interviews can be viewed here. The Company's presentation can be viewed here. News releases regarding historical drilling can be viewed here and here. The final news release regarding chemical assays of 2024 Copper Mountain drilling can be viewed here.

For further information, please refer to Myriad's disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), contact Myriad by telephone at +1.604.418.2877, or refer to Myriad's website at www.myriaduranium.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, the Company's business, plans, outlook and business strategy. The words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "likely", "expect," "anticipate," "intend", "estimate", "plan", "forecast", "project" and "believe" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect, including with respect to the Company's business plans respecting the exploration and development of the Company's mineral properties, the proposed work program on the Company's mineral properties and the potential and economic viability of the Company's mineral properties. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in costs; litigation; legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; and technological or operational difficulties. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272662

SOURCE: Myriad Uranium Corp.
NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Market is projected to grow from USD 449.83 billion in 2024 to USD 28560 billion by 2035, registering an impressive CAGR of 45.95% during the forecast period. This exceptional growth underscores the accelerating integration of AI, automation, and analytics in healthcare finance empowering CXOs, CFOs, and healthcare leaders to drive profitability, efficiency, and compliance in a rapidly transforming ecosystem.

Revenue cycle management is evolving from a back-office function to a strategic enabler of financial performance. Advanced RCM platforms now integrate AI-driven claims management, predictive denials analytics, robotic process automation (RPA), and cloud-native interoperability, ensuring healthcare organizations can maximize revenue realization, reduce operational leakage, and enhance patient financial experience.

The Complete Study is Now Available for Immediate Access | Download the Sample Pages of this Report @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/revenue-cycle-management-market-1806/request-sample

Free Sample Includes:

Global & regional market size forecasts through 2035.

Competitive benchmarking and SWOT analysis of top providers.

Segmentation insights.

Regulatory and sustainability landscape mapping.

Porter's Five Forces and value chain assessment.

Regional investment and technology adoption opportunities.

Why CXOs and Healthcare Leaders Should Prioritize Revenue Cycle Management

Strategic Financial Control: Enables leaders to gain visibility into reimbursement cycles, payer mix, and operational bottlenecks through intelligent automation.

Enhanced Profitability: Reduces claim denials, automates billing, and accelerates reimbursements, strengthening cash flow and margins.

Digital Maturity Acceleration: Integrates RCM with EHR, CRM, and analytics platforms to create a unified digital finance ecosystem.

Patient-Centric Transformation: Elevates patient experience through transparent billing, automated eligibility checks, and digital payments.

Regulatory Readiness: Ensures compliance with HIPAA, ICD-10, and CMS regulations through real-time auditing and traceability.

Technological and Market Drivers

AI-Powered Analytics: Predictive models identify revenue leakages, optimize coding accuracy, and improve payer negotiation outcomes.

RPA & Intelligent Workflows: Streamline repetitive billing and claim management processes, reducing human error and administrative costs.

Cloud & SaaS Expansion: Facilitates scalability, remote access, and real-time financial visibility across multi-site health systems.

Interoperability Standards: Seamless integration with EHRs and payer portals enhances collaboration and transparency.

Blockchain & Data Security: Strengthens data integrity, consent management, and compliance in digital financial ecosystems.

Strategic Opportunities for Stakeholders

Invest in AI-Driven RCM Solutions - Target automation of claims processing, denial management, and patient billing workflows.

Expand into Mid-Tier Healthcare Markets - Offer scalable RCM models for ambulatory centers, clinics, and specialty practices.

Forge Technology Partnerships - Collaborate with EHR, cloud, and fintech providers to enhance interoperability and analytics.

Monetize Data Intelligence - Leverage RCM analytics for payer benchmarking, cost prediction, and performance optimization.

Accelerate Global Expansion - Capture growth in emerging healthcare markets adopting digital payment and reimbursement systems.

Expert Insights

"Revenue Cycle Management is no longer a cost center it's a digital intelligence engine for healthcare profitability. The convergence of AI, automation, and cloud computing is redefining financial operations at scale." Nneha Rathod Godbole, CEO, Vantage Market Research

Email Directly Here with Detailed Information: sales@vantagemarketresearch.com

Executive Priorities for Market Leadership

Drive end-to-end automation across claims, payments, and compliance cycles.

Build strategic alliances with payers, providers, and technology firms to enhance ecosystem connectivity.

Invest in cloud-native and API-first architectures to improve scalability and integration.

Focus on real-time analytics dashboards for financial decision-making.

Enhance training, security, and governance frameworks to ensure compliance and resilience.

Industry Leaders & Innovators

Optum (U.S.) - Leading RCM services provider integrating AI-based claims management and financial intelligence platforms.

Change Healthcare (U.S.) - Specializes in advanced analytics and interoperability for payer-provider collaboration.

Cerner Corporation (U.S.) - Cloud-driven RCM systems aligned with EHR platforms for end-to-end digital operations.

Epic Systems (U.S.) - Offers patient-centric RCM and payment solutions with robust analytics integration.

Athenahealth (U.S.) - Provides SaaS-based RCM and revenue optimization platforms for small and mid-sized providers.

McKesson Corporation (U.S.) - Focused on healthcare automation, billing efficiency, and compliance intelligence.

Market Hurdles & Structural Challenges

Complex Reimbursement Landscape: Frequent policy updates and coding variations create administrative friction.

Cybersecurity Risks: Growing data exposure across interconnected systems.

Integration Bottlenecks: Legacy EHR and billing platforms limit real-time data visibility.

Workforce Reskilling Needs: Shift toward analytics and AI operations demands new digital competencies.

Capital Constraints: High initial costs for full-scale RCM transformation projects.

Regulatory & Compliance Landscape

HIPAA (U.S.) - Governs data privacy and patient information security.

CMS & ICD-10 Standards - Define billing, coding, and claims accuracy frameworks.

GDPR (Europe) - Regulates cross-border healthcare data exchange.

ISO 27001 Compliance - Ensures cybersecurity and risk management in digital financial systems.

Value-Based Care Models - Link reimbursements to patient outcomes and care quality.

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Benefits of Purchasing Revenue Cycle Management Market Reports

Analyst Support - Direct access to our experts before and after purchase for tailored insights and clarifications.

- Direct access to our experts before and after purchase for tailored insights and clarifications. Data Accuracy - Forecasts and trends validated through a combination of primary industry interviews, end-user surveys, and advanced statistical modeling.

- Forecasts and trends validated through a combination of primary industry interviews, end-user surveys, and advanced statistical modeling. Decision-Making Tools - Interactive dashboards, granular segment forecasts, competitor benchmarking, and adoption roadmaps to guide strategy.

- Interactive dashboards, granular segment forecasts, competitor benchmarking, and adoption roadmaps to guide strategy. Quality & Credibility - Trusted by Fortune 500 companies, healthcare innovators, and technology leaders for reliable market intelligence.

Market Overview & Growth Drivers

The Revenue Cycle Management Market is entering a hyper-growth phase as healthcare organizations prioritize digital finance transformation to improve margins, transparency, and operational agility.

Key Growth Drivers Include:

Rising adoption of AI and automation for claims and denial management.

Shift toward cloud-based RCM platforms supporting real-time analytics.

Increased demand for value-based reimbursement and outcome-linked billing.

Expansion of telehealth and digital health ecosystems driving billing complexity.

Global push toward cost containment and compliance modernization.

Growing investments in financial technology integration within healthcare systems.

Strategic Intelligence for Decision-Makers

This report delivers data-driven insights for CXOs, CFOs, investors, and healthcare strategists navigating the RCM transformation landscape:

Benchmark leading vendors by automation capabilities, data intelligence, and interoperability performance.

Track M&A activity, venture funding, and cross-sector collaborations driving innovation.

Evaluate ROI potential from AI-enabled claims automation and predictive analytics.

Identify growth hotspots in Asia-Pacific, North America, and the Middle East.

Model regulatory impacts and compliance risks shaping market readiness.

Analyze competitive differentiation by platform scalability, cybersecurity, and integration depth.

Assess ESG-linked transformation as healthcare finance aligns with transparency, governance, and sustainability goals.

Market Momentum: Why Now

Advancements in AI & Automation: Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, robotic process automation (RPA), and natural language processing (NLP) are redefining RCM efficiency enabling real-time claims adjudication, predictive denials management, and automated billing at scale.

Healthcare Digitization & Value-Based Care Expansion: The global shift toward outcome-linked reimbursement, telehealth integration, and digital patient engagement is accelerating adoption of cloud-based RCM platforms designed to enhance financial transparency and operational agility.

Integration Across Ecosystems: Seamless interoperability between RCM, EHR, and payer systems is transforming revenue management into a unified, data-driven process improving accuracy, accelerating reimbursements, and reducing administrative friction.

Rising Investment in Financial Technology: Significant venture funding and corporate investments are fueling innovation in intelligent payment solutions, decentralized data management, and AI-enabled decision support systems across healthcare finance.

Regulatory & Compliance Modernization: Strengthened alignment with HIPAA, ICD-10, CMS, and GDPR standards ensures data privacy, coding accuracy, and reporting integrity critical for sustainable financial performance in highly regulated markets.

Strategic Collaborations & Market Confidence: Growing partnerships among healthcare providers, payers, and fintech innovators are reshaping the financial ecosystem, expanding product capabilities, and driving investor confidence in next-generation RCM platforms.

Executives who strategically integrate AI-powered revenue cycle management into their digital health frameworks are positioned to achieve superior financial resilience, compliance readiness, and operational excellence.

Request a Customized Copy of the Revenue Cycle Management Market Report@ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/revenue-cycle-management-market-1806/request-sample

Growth Levers & Strategic Priorities

Advance End-to-End Financial Automation - Expand deployment of AI- and RPA-enabled RCM platforms to streamline claims processing, payment posting, and denial management, improving revenue capture, cycle speed, and operational accuracy.

- Expand deployment of AI- and RPA-enabled RCM platforms to streamline claims processing, payment posting, and denial management, improving revenue capture, cycle speed, and operational accuracy. Invest in Predictive Analytics & Intelligent Decision Support - Leverage advanced analytics and machine learning models to forecast cash flow, optimize payer negotiations, and proactively prevent revenue leakage, empowering data-driven financial strategies.

- Leverage advanced analytics and machine learning models to forecast cash flow, optimize payer negotiations, and proactively prevent revenue leakage, empowering data-driven financial strategies. Forge Strategic Alliances Across Healthcare Ecosystems - Collaborate with hospitals, payers, fintech innovators, and IT vendors to co-develop interoperable, cloud-native platforms that unify billing, clinical, and operational data for seamless revenue visibility.

- Collaborate with hospitals, payers, fintech innovators, and IT vendors to co-develop interoperable, cloud-native platforms that unify billing, clinical, and operational data for seamless revenue visibility. Ensure Compliance & Security Excellence - Strengthen adherence to HIPAA, ICD-10, CMS, and GDPR regulations to safeguard patient data, enhance coding accuracy, and ensure transparent auditability across multi-entity health systems.

- Strengthen adherence to HIPAA, ICD-10, CMS, and GDPR regulations to safeguard patient data, enhance coding accuracy, and ensure transparent auditability across multi-entity health systems. Expand Regional Footprint & Service Integration - Build localized RCM hubs, shared-service centers, and training networks across Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Europe to improve scalability, reduce costs, and support provider digital transformation.

Recent Industry Developments

Jan 2025: Optum360 launched an AI-driven denial prediction engine integrated with its enterprise RCM suite, enhancing claim recovery rates for large healthcare networks.

Optum360 launched an AI-driven denial prediction engine integrated with its enterprise RCM suite, enhancing claim recovery rates for large healthcare networks. Mar 2025: R1 RCM introduced an autonomous revenue integrity platform combining NLP and robotic automation for mid-sized hospitals.

R1 RCM introduced an autonomous revenue integrity platform combining NLP and robotic automation for mid-sized hospitals. May 2025: Epic Systems expanded its financial cloud to include patient payment analytics and interoperability modules for multi-payer connectivity.

Epic Systems expanded its financial cloud to include patient payment analytics and interoperability modules for multi-payer connectivity. Jul 2025: Change Healthcare and Microsoft partnered to deploy a secure AI cloud for end-to-end revenue cycle optimization.

Change Healthcare and Microsoft partnered to deploy a secure AI cloud for end-to-end revenue cycle optimization. Sept 2025: Cerner (Oracle Health) unveiled a next-gen RCM command center powered by predictive dashboards and real-time payment analytics.

Top Key Players for Revenue Cycle Management Market

The SSI Group, Inc.

Veradigm LLC (AllScripts Healthcare, LLC)

athenahealth, Inc.

Experian Information Solutions, Inc.

R1 RCM Inc.

Epic Systems Corporation

McKesson Corporation

NXGN Management, LLC

CareCloud Corporation

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

Oracle (Cerner Corporation)

To Know an Additional List of Key Players, Request Here to Download a Free Report PDF Brochure: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/revenue-cycle-management-market-1806/request-sample

Regional Dynamics

North America: Dominates due to strong EHR integration, advanced AI-driven billing systems, and early adoption of value-based care reimbursement models.

Dominates due to strong EHR integration, advanced AI-driven billing systems, and early adoption of value-based care reimbursement models. Europe: Growth driven by regulatory alignment, cross-border interoperability, and rising digital transformation in national health systems.

Growth driven by regulatory alignment, cross-border interoperability, and rising digital transformation in national health systems. Asia-Pacific: Fastest-growing region, propelled by healthcare infrastructure modernization, digital payment expansion, and outsourcing of RCM services.

Fastest-growing region, propelled by healthcare infrastructure modernization, digital payment expansion, and outsourcing of RCM services. Latin America: Gaining traction with increasing adoption of cloud-based financial management and payer-provider collaboration models.

Gaining traction with increasing adoption of cloud-based financial management and payer-provider collaboration models. Middle East & Africa: Emerging opportunities as healthcare systems invest in digital billing and centralized claims management to improve efficiency.

Segment Insights

By Product:

Software: Forms the backbone of modern RCM operations, enabling automation of billing, claims management, and payment workflows to enhance financial performance.

Services: Includes consulting, outsourcing, and support services that help healthcare providers optimize revenue capture, minimize denials, and ensure compliance.

By Type:

Integrated: Dominates the market as healthcare organizations prefer unified, end-to-end RCM platforms for seamless interoperability and centralized financial visibility.

Standalone: Gaining adoption among smaller facilities seeking modular solutions tailored to specific revenue cycle functions.

By Delivery Mode:

Web-Based: Offers flexible access and low infrastructure dependency, widely used by mid-sized healthcare facilities.

Cloud-Based: Fastest-growing segment, driven by scalability, cost efficiency, and real-time data integration across multiple sites.

On-Premise: Continues to serve organizations prioritizing data security and control within internal IT infrastructure.

By End Use:

Physician Back Offices: Utilize RCM tools for coding, billing, and payment collection, enhancing cash flow and administrative efficiency.

Hospitals: Represent the largest share due to complex billing environments, multi-department workflows, and need for automated claim processing.

Diagnostic Laboratories: Adopt RCM systems to manage high testing volumes, streamline reimbursement, and reduce claim denials.

Other End Users: Include ambulatory centers and specialty clinics focusing on digitization of revenue workflows and faster turnaround times.

Browse market data Tables and Figures spread through 245 Pages and in-depth TOC on Revenue Cycle Management Market trends 2025 Forecast Report (2025-2035).

Segments Covered in the Report

By Product

Software

Services

By Type

Integrated

Standalone

By Delivery Mode

Web-based

Cloud-based

On-premise

By End-use

Physician Back Offices

Hospitals

Diagnostic Laboratories

Other

By Region

North America



U.S. Canada Mexico

Europe

Germany France U.K. Italy Spain Nordic Countries Benelux Union Rest of Europe





Asia Pacific



China Japan India New Zealand Australia South Korea South-East Asia Rest of Asia Pacific





Latin America

Brazil



Argentina



Rest of Latin America





Middle East & Africa (MEA)





Saudi Arabia



UAE



Egypt



Kuwait



South Africa



Rest of MEA

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Key Questions Answered in The Report:

Which regions are projected to lead the global revenue cycle management market through 2035?

How are regulatory frameworks, compliance mandates, and healthcare reimbursement policies influencing RCM adoption?

Who are the leading players, and how do their product innovation and regional expansion strategies differ?

Which startups and technology disruptors are driving AI, automation, and analytics-based RCM innovations?

What technological advancements such as predictive analytics, interoperability, and cloud integration will define market competitiveness by 2035?

How are strategic partnerships, collaborations, and mergers shaping digital transformation across the RCM ecosystem?

What key drivers and challenges are influencing adoption across healthcare providers, payers, and outsourced service models?

How is increasing demand for real-time financial visibility, automation, and error reduction accelerating RCM market growth?

Gain instant access to our exclusive, data-driven dashboard designed for healthcare IT industry decision-makers, strategists, and market leaders. The platform delivers in-depth statistical insights, segment-wise breakdowns, regional market performance, competitive landscape mapping, company profiles, annual updates, and more. From market sizing to trend analysis and competitive intelligence, this powerful tool serves as a comprehensive solution for informed business decisions.

Browse the Full "Revenue Cycle Management Market Size and Projected Growth Through 2035 by Product (Software, Services) by Type (Integrated, Standalone) by Delivery Mode (On-Premise, Web-based, Cloud-based) by End Use (Physician Offices, Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories, Other Uses) by Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa" Report at https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/revenue-cycle-management-market-1806

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Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - Gunnison Copper Corp. (TSX: GCU) (OTCQB: GCUMF) (FSE: 3XS0) ("Gunnison" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced non-brokered financing for aggregate gross proceeds of C$13,112,270.10 from the issuance of 29,138,378 Units. This total comprises: (i) a LIFE (defined below) offering of 24,858,878 Units for gross proceeds of C$11,186,495.10 (the "LIFE Offering"); and (ii) a concurrent 4-Month Hold offering of 4,279,500 Units for gross proceeds of C$1,925,775 (the "Hold Offering", and together with the LIFE Offering, the "Offering").

Each Unit, issued at a price of C$0.45 per Unit, consists of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of C$0.65 for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance.

Net proceeds from the Offering will be used for drilling, metallurgical testing and permitting activities that will be incorporated in a pre-feasibility study for the Gunnison Copper Project, funding US head office general and administrative expenses, partial repayment of outstanding debt due to Nebari, and for general working capital purposes.

The LIFE Offering Units were sold to purchasers resident in Canada pursuant to the listed issuer financing exemption ("LIFE") under Part 5A of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions ("NI 45-106"), as amended by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 - Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption. The securities issuable pursuant to the sale of the LIFE Offering Units to purchasers resident in Canada are immediately freely tradeable under applicable Canadian securities legislation.

The Hold Offering Units were offered by way of private placement in Canada and in jurisdictions outside of Canada on a private placement or equivalent basis, in each case in accordance with all applicable laws. The securities issuable pursuant to the sale of Hold Units will be subject to a four-month hold period in Canada pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws that expires March 1, 2026.

Red Cloud Securities Inc. and certain other finders received cash commissions equal to 6% of the gross proceeds raised from subscribers introduced by such finders and were issued non-transferable finder warrants equal to 6% of the number of Units sold to such subscribers. Each finder warrant issuable in connection with the LIFE Offering Units is exercisable into one Common Share at C$0.45 for a period of 36 months from issuance. Each finder warrant issuable in connection with the Hold Offering Units is exercisable into one Common Share at C$0.485 for a period of 36 months from issuance.

There is an offering document related to the Units being sold pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption that can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.gunnisoncopper.com.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

ABOUT GUNNISON COPPER

Gunnison Copper Corp. is a multi-asset pure-play copper developer and producer that controls the Cochise Mining District (the district), containing 12 known deposits within an 8 km economic radius, in the Southern Arizona Copper Belt.

Its flagship asset, the Gunnison Copper Project, has a Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource containing over 831.6 million tons with a total copper grade of 0.31% (Measured Mineral Resource of 191.3 million tons at 0.37% and Indicated Mineral Resource of 640.2 million tons at 0.29%), and a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") yielding robust economics including an NPV8% of $1.3 billion, IRR of 20.9%, and payback period of 4.1 years. It is being developed as a conventional operation with open pit mining, heap leach, and SX/EW refinery to produce finished copper cathode on-site with direct rail link.

The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the conclusions reached in the PEA will be realized. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

In addition, Gunnison's Johnson Camp Asset, which is now in production, is fully funded by Nuton LLC, a Rio Tinto Venture, with a production capacity of up to 25 million lbs of finished copper cathode annually.

Other significant deposits controlled by Gunnison in the district, with potential to be economic satellite feeder deposits for Gunnison Project infrastructure, include Strong and Harris, South Star, and eight other deposits.

For additional information on the Gunnison Project, including the PEA and mineral resource estimate, please refer to the Company's technical report entitled "Gunnison Project NI 43-101 Technical Report Preliminary Economic Assessment" dated effective November 1, 2024 and available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Dr. Stephen Twyerould, Fellow of AUSIMM, President and CEO of the Company is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Dr. Twyerould has reviewed and is responsible for the technical information contained in this news release.

For more information on Gunnison, please visit our website at www.GunnisonCopper.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Certain statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements relate to the use of net proceeds from the Offering; the intention to deploy the Nuton technology at the Johnson Camp mine and future production therefrom; the continued funding of the stage 2 work program by Nuton; the details and expected results of the stage two work program; future production and production capacity from the Company's mineral projects; the results of the preliminary economic assessment on the Gunnison Project; and the exploration and development of the Company's mineral projects.

In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved" suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, Nuton will continue to fund the stage 2 work program, the availability of financing to continue as a going concern and implement the Company's operational plans, the estimation of mineral resources, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, copper and other metal prices, the timing and amount of future development expenditures, the estimation of initial and sustaining capital requirements, the estimation of labour and operating costs (including the price of acid), the availability of labour, material and acid supply, receipt of and compliance with necessary regulatory approvals and permits, the estimation of insurance coverage, and assumptions with respect to currency fluctuations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, and other similar matters. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks related to the Company not obtaining adequate financing to continue operations, Nuton failing to continue to fund the stage 2 work program, the breach of debt covenants, risks inherent in the construction and operation of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined including the possibility that mining operations may not be sustained at the Gunnison Copper Project, risks related to the delay in approval of work plans, variations in mineral resources and reserves, grade or recovery rates, risks relating to the ability to access infrastructure, risks relating to changes in copper and other commodity prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of copper and related products, risks related to increased competition in the market for copper and related products, risks related to current global financial conditions, risks related to current global financial conditions on the Company's business, uncertainties inherent in the estimation of mineral resources, access and supply risks, risks related to the ability to access acid supply on commercially reasonable terms, reliance on key personnel, operational risks inherent in the conduct of mining activities, including the risk of accidents, labour disputes, increases in capital and operating costs and the risk of delays or increased costs that might be encountered during the construction or mining process, regulatory risks including the risk that permits may not be obtained in a timely fashion or at all, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, risks related to disputes concerning property titles and interests, environmental risks and the additional risks identified in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's reports and filings with applicable Canadian securities regulators.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272658

SOURCE: Gunnison Copper Corp.
Rosewood Hong Kong (No.1) has been named The World's Best Hotel 2025

(No.1) has been named The World's Best Hotel 2025 The list celebrates hotels from 22 destinations across six continents, plus 20 new entries

Passalacqua (No.4), Lake Como, wins the Best Boutique Hotel Award, for a second year

(No.4), Lake Como, wins the Best Boutique Hotel Award, for a second year Desa Potato Head (No.18) in Bali wins the Eco Hotel Award, audited by the Sustainable Restaurant Association

(No.18) in Bali wins the Eco Hotel Award, audited by the Sustainable Restaurant Association Mandarin Oriental Qianmen in Beijing (No.14) wins the Nikka Best New Hotel Award

in Beijing (No.14) wins the Nikka Best New Hotel Award Ian Schrager is honoured with the SevenRooms Icon Award

is honoured with the SevenRooms Icon Award The new Johnnie Walker Art of Design Award is presented to Singita - Kruger National Park (No.40)

(No.40) Other accolades include Ferrari Trento Most Admired Hotel Group Award, awarded to Four Seasons; WhistlePig Highest Climber Award goes to Royal Mansour (No.13) in Marrakech; CopacabanaPalace (No.11) in Rio de Janeiro wins the Lavazza Highest New Entry Award; and the Lost Explorer Best Beach Hotel Award goes to Atlantis The Royal (No.6), Dubai

LONDON, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The list of The World's 50 Best Hotels 2025 has been revealed at a prestigious awards ceremony.

The unveiling recognises outstanding hotel experiences across the globe, establishing new standards of excellence and serving as a source of inspiration for travellers and hospitality professionals.

See the full list of The World's 50 Best Hotels 2025 here.

Rosewood Hong Kong (No.1) takes the top spot, climbing two places from No.3 in 2024. Opened in 2019, the 65-storey property boasts extraordinary views over Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong's skyline. No.2 goes to Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River. Last year's No.1, Capella Bangkok, takes the No.3 spot.

Asia leads the way with 20 ranked hotels, including four in Tokyo: Bulgari Tokyo (No.15), Aman Tokyo (No.25), Janu Tokyo (No.37) and The Tokyo Edition Toranomon (No.45). Both Hong Kong and Bangkok feature three hotels including: Upper HouseHong Kong (No.10) and Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (No.7).

Europe has 17 winning hotels, including five in the UK, and four in each France and Italy. Elsewhere in Europe, Four Seasons Astir Palace (No.17) in Greece, Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo (No.36), Grand Park Hotel Rovinj (No.48) in Croatia and Hotel Sacher Vienna (No.49) feature.

North America lists six properties and Africa has three hotels. Oceania and South America each boast two hotels on the list including Capella Sydney (No.12) and Rosewood Sao Paulo (No.24).

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At the end of this year's Q3, Grupo Nutresa's consolidated sales reached COP 15.3 trillion, with a 13.3% increase.

Sales in Colombia were COP 9.0 trillion, growing 10.3%. We highlight the growth in the Coffee, Chocolates, Retail Food, and the Biscuit businesses.

International revenues reached COP 6.3 trillion, representing a 17.9% increase. In dollars, they translate to USD 1.5 trillion with a 13.7% increase.

The company's strategic initiatives for flexibility, competitiveness, and global orientation have led to a reported EBITDA growth of 29.8%, reaching COP 2.32 trillion, and with a 15.2% margin over sales. Excluding the non-recurring expenses associated with the implementation of these initiatives, adjusted EBITDA growth is 35,7% with a 15.9% margin.

The Company's net profit amounted to COP 963,668 million, growing 66.9%. Excluding non-recurrent expenses, the adjusted growth is 69,2%.

By the end of September 2025, Grupo Nutresa's social investment in Colombia totaled COP 20 billion, strategically directed towards three core pillars: Education, Health, and Nutrition.

MEDELLIN, CO / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / Grupo Nutresa S.A. (BVC:NUTRESA) discloses its consolidated financial results for Q3, 2025, and reports its progress on relevant topics for the organization.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STATEMENT OF INCOME AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2025

Consolidated Financial Results as of September 30th, 2025

During the first nine-months of the year, Grupo Nutresa reports sales of COP 15.3 trillion, representing a 13.3% increase over the same period in 2024.

This growth was underpinned by favorable commercial dynamics, both domestically and within the core regional markets, where the company has effectively leveraged the strength of its brands and the efficiency of its distribution network.

Sales by Geography and Business

Colombia

In Colombia, revenues reached COP 9.0 trillion, representing a 10.3% growth. This performance is the result of effective business strategies across core segments, as well as continued portfolio innovation.

We highlight the above-average performance of Coffee: +27.5%, Chocolates: +14.0%, Restaurants: +9.3%, Cookies: +8.1%.

International

Sales on international platforms reached COP 6.3 trillion, an increase of 17.9%, representing 41.2% of total sales. In dollars, these revenues translate to USD 1.5 billion, representing a 13.7% increase.

International dynamism was evident across the group's main geographies. In USD, the significant growth in the Coffee (+40.7%) and Chocolate (+37.6%) business units stands out, contributing significantly to the results.

Margins and profitability

Sales growth translated into solid operating value generation. Gross profit for the period reached COP 5.9 trillion, representing a 10.6% increase compared to the same period last year. This translates into a gross margin on sales of 38.8%, reflecting an improvement in cost efficiency compared to the first half of the year.

Meanwhile, the optimization of internal processes, along with an efficient cost and expense management strategy, has driven a significant 40.2% growth in operating profit, which reached COP 1.96 trillion. It is important to note that, excluding non-recurring expenses associated with the ongoing organizational transformation plan, the Group's adjusted operating profit would've amounted to COP 2.06 trillion, reflecting an even broader growth of 47.7%.

In terms of key profitability, the Group's reported EBITDA stands at COP 2.32 trillion, with a growth of 29.8% and a margin on sales of 15.2%. Adjusting this indicator by the non-recurring expenses mentioned above, the adjusted EBITDA amounts to COP 2.43 trillion, with a margin on sales of 15.9%.

Post-operating Expenses and Net Income

An increase of COP 89,966 million in net financial expenses is reported in post-operating expenses, mainly explained by higher debt from the issuance of international bonds and the expenses associated with this operation.

As a result of the operational and financial effects described above, consolidated net income for the period was COP 963,668 million, representing a 66.9% increase compared to the same period last year. Excluding the effects of non-recurring expenses, adjusted net income growth would have been 69.2%.

Other Relevant Topics

During Q3, Grupo Nutresa successfully tapped into its inaugural bond, with a USD 1.0 billion-dollar issuance. The proceeds were primarily used to improve the financial conditions of its pre-existing debt and improve the company's financial profile.

Social Investment and Sustainability

Supporting society through investments that transform realities is a priority for Grupo Nutresa.

To achieve this, the Company has committed to supporting social transformation in Colombia through three fundamental pillars: education, funding close to 200 youngsters through the "Nutresa Scholarships" program; health, contributing with scholarships for medical specialties and hospital equipment for various institutions in the country; and nutrition, recovering more than 4.2 million kilograms of food in alliance with ABACO's ReAgro program. Through these initiatives, more than 46,000 people in Colombia have benefited.

To support this effort, the organization will allocate COP 150 billion for social investment over a five-year period, representing a 5x funds-increase. So far this year, Grupo Nutresa has executed COP 20 billion out of a total budget of COP 30 billion, aside from the COP 22 billion already invested in 2024.

In other sustainability programs, the Company advanced in the consolidation of strategies to produce clean energy and to reduce its carbon footprint, installing 2,852 solar panels during the year and consolidating a total of 22,000 over the strategic region.

In terms of responsible and productive sourcing, the company continues to develop relationships with cocoa and coffee suppliers and farming communities in Colombia. This has been achieved with an investment of more than COP 15 billion, benefiting approximately 14,700 producing families in the country.

Jaime Gilinski, President of Grupo Nutresa, stated that "Grupo Nutresa's financial results as of the end of September 2025 are a testament to the strength of our strategy and the commitment of our teams. This achievement is possible thanks to our consumers' continued trust, our brands' equity and value, and our teams' resilience in quickly adapting to the ever-changing market dynamics.

He also stated: "As we close out the year, we will maintain our focus on innovation, operational excellence, and portfolio affordability in order to achieve the goals we have set out as an organization."

Separate Financial Statements

The Separate Financial Statements of Grupo Nutresa S.A. report net operating income of COP 995,101 million, of which COP 814,461 million correspond to profit from investments in food companies using the equity method, COP 296 million to dividends from the investment portfolio, and COP 180,344 million to income from investments sales. Net income is COP 962,604 million.

The consolidated and separate financial statements of income, the statement of financial position as of September 30, 2025, and related financial indicators, are an integral part of this news release.

SOURCE: NUTRESA

ESP Comunicado de Resultados 3Q25 v8 FINAL.pdf

ENG Comunicado de Resultados 3Q25 Final.pdf

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/food-and-beverage-products/as-of-september-2025-grupo-nutresa-reported-sales-of-cop-15.3-trillion-g-1093987
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / 55 North Mining Inc. (CSE:FFF)(FSE:6YF) ("55 North" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it will close the first tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") on October 30, 2025, for gross proceeds of approximately $3,587,000.

As noted in the Company's press release dated October 10, 2025, the Offering consists of up to 12,000,000 common shares at a price of $0.50 per share.

The first tranche comprises the issuance of 7,174,000 common shares at a price of $0.50 per share, for total proceeds of $3,587,000. In connection with this tranche, the Company issued 300,240 common shares as finders' compensation and 150,120 finders' warrants, each exercisable to acquire one common share at an exercise price of $0.50 for 24 months from issuance to certain pre-approved finders.

Proceeds will be used to fund property payments, the commencement of drilling programs, and for general working capital and corporate overhead. The Company expects to complete the balance of the Offering in one or more additional closings in the near term, subject to customary conditions. Following this closing, the Company will have approximately 32.0 million common shares issued and outstanding.

"We are very pleased with the strong investor support for this financing," said Bruce Reid, CEO of 55 North Mining. "With this first tranche complete, the Company is well-positioned to commence its winter drill program at Last Hope."

About 55 North Mining Inc.

55 North Mining Inc. is a Canadian exploration and development company advancing its high-grade Last Hope Gold Project located in Manitoba, Canada.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Mr. Bruce Reid

Chief Executive Officer

55 North Mining Inc.

Phone: 647-500-4495

bruce@mine2capital.ca Mr. Vance Loeber

Corporate Development

Phone: 778-999-3530

cvl@tydewell.com

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release of 55 North contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: 55 North Mining Inc

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/55-north-mining-announces-closing-of-first-tranche-of-its-non-brokered-private-pl-1094360
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 30, 2025) - Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc. (TSXV: DWS) ("Diamond Estates" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of voting at its annual general and special meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") held today by teleconference.

The voting results for the election of directors were as follows:

Director

Nominees Number of Shares Percentage of Votes Cast For Withheld For Withheld Guy Blanchette 38,685,784 126,428 99.674% 0.326% John De Sousa 38,625,909 106,303 99.726% 0.274% Claude Gilbert 38,645,584 86,628 99.776% 0.224% Keith Harris 38,625,909 106,303 99.726% 0.274% Andrew Howard 38,645,584 86,628 99.776% 0.224% Ron McEachern 38,637,184 95,028 99.755% 0.245% Vince Timpano 38,636,584 95,628 99.753% 0.247%

The voting results for other matters before the Meeting (which are fully outlined in the Company's management information circular for the Meeting (the "Circular"), which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website, www.diamondwines.com, under the "Investors" tab) were as follows:

Appointment of Auditors: 99.839% of the votes were in favour of the resolution appointing MNP LLC as auditors of the Company until the next annual meeting, and 0.161% of the votes were withheld;

Approval of the Amended Stock Option Plan: 99.579% of the votes were in favour of the resolution to approve the amended stock option plan (the "Stock Option Plan"), as further outlined below, and 0.421% of the votes were withheld;

Approval of the Amended Deferred Share Unit Plan: 99.503% of the votes were in favour of the resolution to approve the amended deferred share unit plan (the "Deferred Share Unit Plan"), as further outlined below, and 0.497% of the votes were withheld; and

Approval of Possible 2025 Convertible Replacement Debentures: 92.132% of the votes of disinterested shareholders were in favour of the amendments to the replacement convertible debentures held by Mr. Pierre-Paul Lassonde ("Mr. Lassonde") and Lassonde Industries Inc. ("Lassonde" and together with Mr. Lassonde, the "Lassonde Group") and the issuance of new replacement convertible debentures to Mr. Lassonde and Lassonde, and 7.868% of the votes of disinterested shareholders were withheld. The Company confirms that all interested shareholder votes were excluded from the votes listed above for this resolution, including the 34,964,330 common shares held by the Lassonde Group, together with any common shares held by other holders of the debentures.

As described above, at the Meeting, the shareholders approved certain amendments to the Company's Stock Option Plan and Deferred Share Unit Plan, converting both plans into "fixed up to 20%" plans, as defined under Policy 4.4 of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). As a result, the maximum number of shares which may be issued under all of the Company's security-based compensation arrangements shall now be 13,376,703 shares, or such additional amount as may be approved from time to time by the shareholders of the Company and the TSXV.

In addition to expanding the share reserve, and as further described in the Circular, various other amendments to ensure compliance with the most recent Policy 4.4 were made to the Stock Option Plan, including (i) the introduction of a mandatory vesting schedule for stock options issued to persons providing investor relations services to the Company; and (ii) a clarification that any adjustment to outstanding stock options, other than those arising solely from a consolidation or security split will require prior approval of the TSXV. The Deferred Share Unit Plan was similarly amended to ensure compliance with Policy 4.4 and additionally (i) to allow deferred share units reflecting each director's quarterly retainer to be automatically credited on the last day of each fiscal quarter; and (ii) to allow former participants under the Deferred Share Unit Plan to submit up to two separate redemption notices after they cease providing services to the Company.

Presentation by Andrew Howard, President and CEO

At the Meeting, Mr. Andrew Howard, President and CEO of the Company, provided an update to those shareholders in attendance that can be found on the Company's website under the "Investors" tab.

"Fiscal 2024/2025 and following into Q1 2026 highlights the meaningful progress we have made in strengthening our business. With our turnaround continuing, we remain focused on executing our growth initiatives. Our strong positioning in the Grocery channel has allowed us to benefit disproportionately from the recent retail expansion, and that same success is now carrying into the emerging Convenience channel. The industry retail changes, together with enhanced government support, have created meaningful opportunities for our VQA portfolio, where consumer interest in Canadian wines continues to strengthen. We are also pleased with the integration of the D'Ont Poke the Bear brand and the Perigon Beverage Group sales agency, both of which align with our strategy of building a stronger, more diversified platform. These initiatives, along with our disciplined sales execution, position the Company to deliver ongoing value to our stakeholders," said Mr. Howard, President and CEO.

Appointment of Officers

Immediately following the Meeting, the following individuals were appointed officers of the Company by the board of directors:

Ron McEachern - Chairman Andrew Howard - President and Chief Executive Officer Basman Alias - Chief Financial Officer Andrew Green - Vice-President and Secretary

Share Options

The Company is also pleased to announce that today it is has issued an additional 650,000 stock options at a strike price of $0.19 per stock option to Basman Alias, the new Chief Financial Officer of the Company (as of August 27, 2025), following on the issuance of 600,000 stock options to Mr. Alias on October 23, 2025. Each stock option is exercisable for the purchase of one common share for up to five years from the date of issuance, at which time they expire. The stock options are being issued under the Company's Stock Option Plan and vest at the rate of 25% on each anniversary of the issuance date.

"These stock option grants reflect the key role being performed by Basman in the successful execution of Diamond Estates' strategic plan," said Andrew Howard, President and CEO of the Company. "Our greatest asset is our people, and the board of directors is committed to ensuring that management's success is aligned with that of the shareholders".

About Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc.

Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc. is a producer of high-quality wines and ciders as well as a sales agent for over 120 beverage alcohol brands across Canada. The Company operates four production facilities, three in Ontario and one in British Columbia, that produce predominantly VQA wines under such well-known brand names as 20 Bees, Creekside, D'Ont Poke the Bear, EastDell, Lakeview Cellars, Mindful, Shiny Apple Cider, Fresh Wines, Red Tractor, Seasons, Serenity and Backyard Vineyards.

Through its commercial division, Trajectory Beverage Partners, the Company is the sales agent for many leading international brands. These recognizable brands include Fat Bastard and Gabriel Meffre wines from France, Talamonti and Cielo wines from Italy, Kaiken wines from Argentina, Kings of Prohibition and McWilliams Wines from Australia, Yealands Family Wines and Joiy Sparkling wine from New Zealand, Cofradia Tequilas from Mexico, Maverick Distillery spirits (including Tag Vodka, Ginslinger Gin and Barnburner Whisky), Bench Brewing, Niagara Cider, Darling Ready to Drink and Hounds Vodka from Canada, Porta 6, Julia Florista, Catedral and Cabeca de Toiro wines from Portugal, Islay Mist and Waterproof blended Scotch whiskies, Glen Breton Canadian whiskies, C.K Mondavi & Family, Line 39, Harken, FitVine and Rabble wines from California & Charles Krug wines from Napa Valley, Rodenbach beer from Belgium, La Trappe beer from the Netherlands, and Tequila Rose Strawberry Cream, Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur, Broker's Gin, Hussong's Tequila, 360 Vodka and Holladay Bourbon from McCormick Distilling International.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Inc. to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to: the economy generally; consumer interest in the services and products of the Company; financing; competition; and anticipated and unanticipated costs. While the Company acknowledges that subsequent events and developments may cause its views to change, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the views of the Company as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272673

SOURCE: Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.
As the film releases next week, Hashmi and Gautam reached the Supreme Court in Delhi and recreated the films poster right in front of it

Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam are coming together for the drama called HAQ, inspired by the 1980 Shah Bano case. The Supreme Court judgment was hailed as a landmark one in history. And the makers are almost recreating what the nation witnessed 45 years back.

As the film releases next week, Hashmi and Gautam reached the Supreme Court in Delhi and recreated the films poster right in front of it. Talking about it, Emraan Hashmi said, Recreating the Haq poster in front of the Supreme Court wasnt just a visual moment, it was symbolic. The film is inspired from a landmark case that changed the course of justice in India, and standing there reminded us of the real stories that inspired it.

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Yami Gautam added, Justice may take time, but it never leaves you alone. HAQ is a voice that sparks reform, and with this film, we revisit that once powerful judgement that ignited reform.

What does the trailer offer?

A fierce story of one woman, a mothers fight against the system and society, the trailer of HAQ stands as a testament to a no-holds-barred, gripping, and provocative drama. Produced by Junglee Pictures in association with Insomnia Films and Baweja Studios, is inspired by a landmark Supreme Court judgment.

Why the film is poignant and powerful

_HAQ_ serves as a timely reminder that courage, when combined with knowledge and resilience, can move mountains. The debate in the film may have begun in the 1980s, but its relevance and intensity can still be felt today. A relentless conflict between personal belief and secular law, the film is a nail-biting takedown of patriarchy.

_HAQ_ is a film that tackles bold and often untapped theme of triple talaq by the character of Hashmi to his wife Gautam. What follows next is a fight for justice and maintenance. And the actor said at the trailer launch how the film presents a balanced view of both the sides.

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Here are five acclaimed films and series inspired by true events that unravel the complex intersection of crime, conscience, and justice in India:

True crime stories hold a magnetic allure  they expose the darker corners of our society while shining a light on resilience, truth, and the pursuit of justice. Over the years, Indian filmmakers and storytellers have drawn from real-life incidents that shook the nation, transforming them into gripping narratives that compel viewers to think, question, and empathize.

Here are five acclaimed films and series inspired by true events that unravel the complex intersection of crime, conscience, and justice in India:

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Bhagwat [ZEE5]

Inspired by true events, Bhagwat: Chapter One  Raakshas follows a gritty police investigation into the disappearance of several young girls in a small town in Uttar Pradesh. What appears to be a straightforward disappearance soon reveals a sinister trail of secrets, cruelty, and moral corruption.

Delhi Crime [Netflix]

Based on the 2012 Delhi gang rape case that shook the nation, Delhi Crime remains one of Indias most powerful police procedurals. Led by Shefali Shah as DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, the series meticulously traces the investigation that led to the arrest of the perpetrators. Beyond its procedural precision, Delhi Crime humanizes the police force  capturing the emotional strain and moral weight carried by those seeking justice in a fractured system.

Manvat Murders [Sony LIV]

Inspired by one of Maharashtras most chilling serial killings, Manvat Murders dives deep into the disturbing psyche of a killer and the slow, methodical investigation that exposes the crime. The series explores how socio-economic despair, superstition, and systemic neglect intertwine to create an ecosystem where violence thrives. Gritty and unsettling, it offers an unflinching look at the darker realities of Indias heartlands.

Dancing on the Grave [Amazon Prime Video]

This riveting docuseries revisits the shocking disappearance and murder of Shakereh Khaleeli in 1990s Bengaluru  a case that stunned India. Combining archival footage, interviews, and dramatized recreations, Dancing on the Grave unearths a chilling tale of deceit, privilege, and betrayal. It not only reconstructs the crime but also examines how wealth and power can distort the scales of justice.

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Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai [ZEE5]

Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai celebrates the courage of one man who takes on a powerful godman accused of heinous crimes. Inspired by real legal proceedings, Manoj Bajpayee delivers a stellar performance as a lawyer whose unwavering faith in truth and justice becomes an emblem of moral strength. This courtroom drama is a powerful reminder that integrity  even in one person  can bring an empire of deceit to its knees.
Brazil is reeling from horror. It is still trying to cope with the shock after 2,500 troops launched a pre-dawn raid in Rio de Janeiro, targeting the Red Command gang that eventually turned into a bloodbath, in which 132 people were killed. While authorities say all those dead were gangsters, residents slammed the action, calling it a massacre

Relatives mourn over the bodies of people killed the day before during a police raid targeting the Comando Vermelho gang in the Complexo da Penha favela of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AP

Slaughter. Massacre.

Shock and horror are the two overriding emotions in Brazil as a police raid in Rio left at least 132 people dead, spotlighting the citys controversial war against drug gangs entrenched in poor neighbourhoods.

Following the police operation, being dubbed the deadliest in Rios history, corpses were splayed out along the favelas main drag on blue tarpaulins and black plastic sheets covering the street.

But what exactly happened? Why did a police raid turn into such carnage? We explain it all.

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A pre-morning raid turns into war-like situation

On Tuesday (October 28), a force of 2,500 launched a pre-dawn assault on Alemao and Penha, the vast patchwork of favelas in Rio. Their target, as authorities say, was the Red Command gang.

The Comando Vermelho, or Red Command, is Brazils oldest criminal group, according to InSight Crime, a think tank studying organised crime. The group began in a Rio de Janeiro prison in the 1970s as a means of self-protection for prisoners, and was inspired by leftist guerrillas. In the years since its inception, Red Command has been stamping its control over Rio, battling with other militias to capture territory and cement its hold on the city.

In fact, by 2024, power had shifted in Red Commands favour, according to an InSight Crime report. Moreover, an AP report added that the group controlled half of the municipalities in the Amazon region, up from one-fourth the year before.

Authorities said that 2,500 police and soldiers in helicopters, armoured vehicles and on foot, set out to capture the leaders of Red Command and limit its territorial expansion. Rio Governor Claudio Castro called the raid a part of the war against narco-terrorism. He further stated that the raid had been two months in the planning and was based on a thorough investigation.

Police walk past a burned car used as a roadblock during a police operation against alleged drug traffickers in the Complexo do Alemao favela where the criminal organisation Comando Vermelho operates in Rio de Janeiro. AP

However, as officials made their way into the favelas, the gang members drew gunfire causing scenes of chaos across the city. Schools in the affected areas were forced to shut down, a local university cancelled classes, and roads were blocked with burning buses used as barricades.

As the police and gang members exchanged fire, videos online showed the Red Command members targeting the police with drones. Rio de Janeiros state government shared a video on X of what appeared to show a drone firing a projectile from the sky.

Governor Castro even wrote on X, This is how the Rio police are treated by criminals: with bombs dropped by drones. This is the scale of the challenge we face. This is not ordinary crime, but narco-terrorism.

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A couple rides past a burned car that was part of a barricade set up during the Operacao Contencao (Operation Containment) at the Vila Cruzeiro favela, in the Penha complex, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AFP

Residents share a different story

While authorities called the raid a battle against the Red Command gang, residents described it as war-like, with shoot-outs between officers and armed men and buses being on fire to create barricades.

Following the raid, the residents lined up their dead on the streets after recovering them from the forest nearby. One woman, identified as Raquel Tomas, said that her 19-year-old son had been decapitated by the authorities during the raid. They slit my sons throat, cut his neck, and hung the head from a tree like a trophy, she was quoted as telling AFP. They executed my son without giving him a chance to defend himself. He was murdered.

Everyone deserves a second chance. During an operation, police should do their job, arrest suspects, but not execute them, Tomas added.

A woman mourns over the bodies of people killed the day before during a police raid targeting the Comando Vermelho gang in the Complexo da Penha favela of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AP

Erivelton Vidal Correia, the head of the local residents association also described harrowing scenes following the raid. Ive brought 53 (bodies) down myself  there must be another 12 or 15 up there in the bush.

Ive never seen anything like this in my life, brother  not even in the Gaza Strip does this happen  I cant bear to see any more corpses, he told The Guardian with tears flowing down his face.

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In fact, residents of the Penha neighbourhood in Rio gathered dozens of corpses from the surrounding forest and lined up more than 70 of the bodies in the middle of a main street.

I just want to take my son out of here and bury him, Taua Brito, a mother of one of those killed, told Reuters.

People react while waiting for news outside a hospital on the day of a police operation against drug trafficking at the favela do Penha, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Reuters

As bodies collected on the streets of Rio, the anger also began rising with many screaming murderers and genocide.

One woman, Cida Santana, who lost her son said: This was a slaughter, not an operation. They came here to kill.

Flavia Pinheiro Froes, a lawyer who had come to support the families of the dead, added, In 30 years working [in the favelas] this is the greatest act of savagery, the biggest massacre I have seen.

And other echoed similar sentiments. Resident and activist Raul Santiago. There are people who have been executed, many of them shot in the back of the head, shot in the back. This cannot be considered public safety."

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A police officer lifts a backpack that is part of a street barricade placed by alleged drug traffickers during a police operation in Rio de Janeiro. AP

Outrage and protests after horrific raid

The deadly raid has prompted concern over its excessive use of force. Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva expressed his horror at the scale of fatalities and said that he was surprised that such an operation went ahead without prior knowledge of the federal government.

Meanwhile, Victor Santos, head of security for Rio state, said that the elevated lethality of the operation was expected but not desired. He also promised an investigation into any police misconduct.

Even UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the high death toll. He stresses that the use of force in police operations must adhere to international human rights law and standards, and urges the authorities to undertake a prompt investigation, Guterress spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Wednesday.

People protest as residents line up bodies on Sao Lucas Square of the Vila Cruzeiro favela at the Penha complex in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the aftermath of Operacao Contencao (Operation Containment). Residents of a favela in Rio de Janeiro lined up more than 50 bodies at a plaza in their low-income neighbourhood, a day after the bloodiest police operation in the citys history. AFP

However, Castro insisted those slain in the operation were all criminals, claiming the clashes largely took place in a wooded area where civilians were unlikely to be. I dont think anyone would be walking in the forest on the day of the conflict, he told reporters. The only real victims were the police officers.

The UN human rights organisation also raised concerns over the high number of reported fatalities and called for investigations. We fully understand the challenges of having to deal with violent and well-organised groups such as Red Command, said UN Human Rights Spokesperson Marta Hurtado said. But Brazil must break this cycle of extreme brutality and ensure that law enforcement operations comply with international standards regarding the use of force, she said, adding that the body was calling for full-fledged policing reform.

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Roberto Uchoa, from the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety think-tank also added, Killing more than 100 people like this wont help decrease the Red Commands expansion. The dead will soon be replaced.

Brazils bloodied history of raids

Rio has seen its fair share of lethal police raids. In 1992, Brazil witnessed the Carandiru prison massacre in Sao Paulo. Over 100 inmates were killed when military police stormed in to stop a riot.

In March 2005, some 29 people were killed in Rios Baixada Fluminense region, while another 28 were killed in Jacarezinho raid. A year later, another 25 people were killed during the Vila Cruzeiro raid. Notably, the last two raids  Jacarezinho and Vila Cruzeiro  occurred under the same conservative governor, Claudio Castro.

In 2024, approximately 700 people died during police operations in Rio, a rate of almost two a day.

With inputs from agencies
After six years, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping held talks in South Koreas Busan during which the two leaders lavished praise on one another and vowed a new chapter in US-China relations. The two leaders agreed upon key issues such as Beijings purchase of American soybeans, rare earth exports, and a deal to slash fentanyl-related tariffs

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves, with US President Donald Trump, ahead of their summit talk at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea. AP

The moment finally arrived. After a wait of six long years, US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met face-to-face today (October 30) in South Koreas Busan.

The two leaders met for an hour and 40 minutes where they discussed trade between the worlds two largest economies. The US president offered a positive assessment of the meeting, saying they had reached a trade deal that could be signed soon  though he didnt share any additional details.

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Following their talks, when asked how he viewed the meeting, Trump described it as a great success, rating it as a 12 out of 10.

The talks between Trump and Xi were held in quite an unglamorous location  an airport building at Gimhae International Airport. In fact, one wouldnt even know that the leaders of the worlds two biggest economies were present if it wasnt for the heavy presence of security and television cameras.

But what did Trump-Xi discuss at the meeting? What was the outcome of the meeting? We decode it and get you the answers.

Xi and Trump praise one another

One of the big highlights that could be seen at the meeting was the praise that both leaders were lavishing on one another. In fact, just as Trump met Xi at the airport, the US president said: Were going to have a very successful meeting, I have no doubt.

He then added, But hes a very tough negotiator  thats not good. We know each other well.

Later, when Xi and Trump sat down for their talks, the American leader referred to his Chinese counterpart as friend. Its a great honour to be with a friend of mine, really, for a long time now, Trump said as he sat across a table from Xi.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks for one hour and 40 minutes in South Korea on October 30. AP

Trump further praised Xi as distinguished and respected and a great leader of a great country. We will be having some discussions. I think weve already agreed to a lot of things, and well agree to some more right now, Trump said, referring to last weekends trade talks between top US and Chinese officials.

Xi, in turn, also complimented Trump, saying it was a great pleasure for him to meet Trump again. It feels very warm to see you again, Xi said. Since your re-election, we have spoken on the phone three times, exchanged several letters and stayed in close contact, he said.

The Chinese president also acknowledged that frictions were present in the US-China ties, but said that it was normal to do so. It is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then, Xi said, adding that both countries should stay the right course.

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Tariffs, rare earths and more

Apart from the rhetoric, the Trump and Xi meeting also had some concrete results. He said that they had reached a trade deal that could be signed soon. When asked about it on Air Force One, Trump responded: I think pretty soon, we have not too many major stumbling blocks. He then declared, We have a deal. Now, every year well renegotiate the deal, but I think the deal will go on for a long time.

According to Trump, a tremendous amount of American soybeans and other farm products will be purchased by China, starting immediately.

The purchase of soybean has been of particular importance to Trump. This is because China stopped buying US soybeans in May, leaving farmers across the country sitting on billions in unsold crops, and some questioning the policies of a president many of them voted for.

People watch a news programme in Taipei on October 30, 2025 showing the meeting of US President Donald Trump and Chinas President Xi Jinping in South Korea. AFP

Following the meeting, the US president also announced that Washington will reduce tariffs on all Chinese goods enacted earlier in response to the flow of chemical ingredients for fentanyl into the US. He said the 20 per cent fentanyl-related tariffs on Chinese goods will be reduced to 10 per cent, effective immediately.

On the issue of rare earths, which had become a major sticking point between the US and China, Trump stated that the issue had been resolved and that Beijing would be rolling back some of its export restrictions.

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He noted that a one-year deal to supply rare earths had been agreed upon. All the rare earths has been settled, and thats for the world, said Trump, adding that the deal was for a year and would be re-negotiated annually.

However, it is not immediately clear if all of Beijings restrictions on rare earths will be rolled back.

Future visits planned

After Trump and Xi concluded closed-door talks, the US president emerged from the room, announcing to reporters that he would be heading to China early next year.

Ill be going to China in April, and hell be coming here sometime after that, whether its in Florida, Palm Beach or Washington, DC, Trump said aboard Air Force One.

He also rated the meeting as a 12 out of 10. On the scale from 0 to 10 with 10 being the best, I would say the meeting was 12, he said.

Security officials look on as US President Donald Trump and Chinas President Xi Jinping shake hands as they leave after their talks at the Gimhae Air Base, located next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan. AFP

Talking peace

At the outset of the meeting, Xi told Trump that Chinas development and rejuvenation and Trumps goal of Making America Great Again are compatible, and the two nations can fully complement each other and achieve shared prosperity.

Xi also added that China and the US should be partners and friends  both a lesson from history and a necessity of the present. I am willing to continue working with President Trump to lay a solid foundation for China-US relations and create a favourable environment for the development of both nations.

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Xi also acknowledged Trumps peace-making efforts, saying he appreciated the American leaders great contribution to the recent conclusion of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and that China has been helping our own way with Cambodia and Thailand to settle their border dispute.

Later, Trump revealed that the US and China would work together on ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, now in its fourth year.

Ukraine came up very strongly, we talked about it for a long time, Trump told reporters. And were both going to work together to see if we can get something done.

We agreed that the sides are locked in, he continued. Theyre fighting and sometimes you have to let them fight, I guess.

But hes going to help us and were going to work together on Ukraine, Trump said of Xi.

No mention of Taiwan and TikTok

Before the meeting, many had speculated that Xi would push Trump on the matter of US support to Taiwan. However, it seems that the issue of the self-governed island wasnt raised in the meeting.

 Taiwan never came up, said Trump to reporters. It was not discussed, actually.

Also, the issue of TikToks purchase in the US was also not brought up in the talks between Trump and Xi.

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People hold Chinese and South Korean flags, as a motorcade believed to be carrying Chinese President Xi Jinping departs Gimhae International Airport after a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Reuters

Trumps nuclear testing diktat

What is very interesting about Trump and Xis meeting is that right before the talks, US President Trump ordered Pentagon to start nuclear weapons testing on a level with China and Russia.

The timing of Trumps move is significant. Firstly, it came right before the high-stakes summit with Xi Jinping, which some assumed was an indirect message that Trump was trying to deliver to his Chinese counterpart. Secondly, it comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow had successfully tested a nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered underwater drone, in defiance of Washingtons warnings.

Because of other countries testing programmes, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

The American leader also noted that the country has more nuclear weapons than any other country, praising his own efforts to do a complete update and renovation of existing weapons. He added that Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within five years.

Trump did not provide further details on the testing except that the process will begin immediately.

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With inputs from agencies
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued draft guidelines outlining how payments from Indians and businesses abroad can be repatriated faster. Under the proposed norms, the central bank has said that the banks which receive payments from abroad during the foreign exchange market hours must credit the accounts of the beneficiaries on the very same business day. Heres how it will work

The central bank noted that most banks employ end-of-day nostro account statements to authenticate and settle incoming funds. This, it noted, can result in postponements in crediting money into the accounts of the customer. PTI

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is planning to let Indians abroad send money home faster.

The central bank has issued draft guidelines that outline how payments from Indians and businesses abroad can be repatriated faster.

One of the challenges with the speed of cross-border payments is the delay between the receipt of the payment at the beneficiary bank and credit to the beneficiary account. This draft circular aims to address some of the frictions for facilitating timely intimation of payment information and credit to the beneficiarys account, the RBI wrote in the draft.

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But what do we know? How will this work?

Lets take a closer look.

What we know

Under the proposed norms, the RBI has said that the banks which receive payments from abroad during the foreign exchange market hours must credit the accounts of the beneficiaries on the very same business day.

The central bank noted that most banks employ end-of-day nostro account statements to authenticate and settle incoming funds. This, it noted, can result in postponements in crediting money into the accounts of the customer.

A nostro account is an account held by an Indian bank in a foreign country. It is usually held in that countrys currency and with another bank. Inward payments are sent to the nostro account first before being routed to the beneficiarys account in India.

The RBI, in its draft guidelines, has suggested that banks reconcile and authenticate the money in their nostro accounts either on a near real-time basis or at regular intervals. The central bank has proposed that these intervals should not exceed more than 30 minutes.

The central bank noted that most banks employ end-of-day nostro account statements to authenticate and settle incoming funds. This, it noted, can result in postponements in crediting money into the accounts of the customer. Reuters

The central bank suggested doing so by means of a straight-through automated system that will reduce delays and human errors. It also said that banks must set up websites or apps that let verified customers track the progress of their remittances.

The RBI urged banks to within a reasonable timeframe, provide digital interfaces for customers to facilitate foreign exchange transactions  including document submission, information exchange, and real-time monitoring of transaction status.

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Credit payment on same business day

The RBI said remittances must be credited to customers on the same day if the payment is made during market hours. If the payment is made after market hours, it must be credited on the next business day.

Banks should inform their customers of the receipt of cross-border inward transactions immediately upon receiving the message. Messages received after the close of operating hours should be notified to customers at the start of the next business day, the RBI said in its circular.

Banks shall endeavour to credit the inward payments received during the foreign exchange market hours within the same business day to the beneficiarys account, and credit the inward payments received after market hours on the next business day, subject to compliance with the extant FEMA and other regulatory requirements, it added.

Currently, under eight to ten per cent of inward remittances in India are credited to beneficiary accounts within an hour. That compares unfavourably to the United States, where that figure is at 75 per cent. This, even though 90 per cent of all cross-border payments processed via SWIFT reach the beneficiary bank within an hour.

The development will boost Indias status as a global financial hub and align its cross-border payment system with global benchmarks.

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The RBI has asked banks and other stakeholders to share their feedback by November 19. The directions will take effect six months after the final circular is issued.

With inputs from agencies
India pulled out its personnel and military equipment from a strategic air base in Tajikistan in 2022. This came after a lease agreement between the two countries was not extended. The Ayni airbase, which New Delhi had helped build and run since 2002, gave India strategic leverage over Pakistan and increased its influence in Central Asia

A team of Sukhoi SU 30 MKI rehearse for India's Air Force Day in New Delhi October 6, 2005. File Photo/Reuters

India has rounded off its operation at a strategic airbase in Tajikistan after helping it run since 2002. The Indian militarys withdrawal from the Ayni airbase reportedly came after a bilateral agreement between the two countries lapsed in 2022.

The facility in Tajikistan was a military asset for India, giving it a strategic foothold in Central Asia. Given its location, the Ayni airbase also offered India leverage over Pakistan to counter the neighbouring rivals influence in Afghanistan.

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Lets take a closer look.

India vacates Ayni air base

India withdrew from the Ayni air base in Tajikistan after the agreement between the Indian and Tajik governments for the development and joint operation of the airbase ended four years ago, people familiar with the matter told PTI.

As per ThePrint sources, India, which was operating the Ayni airbase alongside Tajikistan, had taken it on a lease. After the lease period expired, Tajikistan informed India that the lease on the air base would not be extended.

India pulled out its personnel and military equipment from the airbase in 2022. The facility had a detachment of Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters, a repair facility and maintenance equipment.

The airbase in Tajikistan served as a key logistics hub for India. However, after the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, the utility of the base diminished and the agreement for India to operate it was not extended, sources told Economic Times.

Tajikistans reason for not extending the lease was reportedly the pressure from Russia and China over non-regional military personnel at the base.

Russian forces have reportedly taken over the base since Indias withdrawal, which concluded by early 2023. However, India continues to have a presence in the region, ET sources said.

How India came to run Ayni air base

India operated the Ayni airbase for roughly 25 years under a 2002 agreement with Tajikistan.

Located just west of the Tajik capital Dushanbe, the airbase dates back to the Soviet era. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Ayni airbase became a crumbling mess.

Around 2001-2002, radical thinkers in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the security establishment proposed to develop and upgrade the Gissar Military Aerodrome (GMA), popularly known as the Ayni airbase, noted ThePrint.

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The project, funded by the MEA, was strongly backed by then Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and former Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa had played a crucial role in setting up the airbase.

The Indian government roped in a private contractor along with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for building the airbase.

India reportedly spent close to $100 million on developing and upgrading the airbase in Tajikistan.

India extended the airstrip at Gissar to 3,200 metres and upgraded support facilities for aircraft. It also developed hangars, overhauling and the refuelling capacity of aircraft.

There are reports that the Indian military temporarily deployed Su-30MKI fighter jets and choppers at the Ayni airbase around a decade back.

At times, India also stationed up to 200 Indian military personnel, mostly from the army and air force, at the airbase in Tajikistan, as per Hindustan Times.

In 2021, India used Ayni airbase to evacuate its nationals and officials from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover.

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Why Tajikistan airbase mattered for India

Indias initial motive for establishing a presence at Ayni airbase was to support the former Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. Led by Ahmad Shah Masood, it was the main military alliance fighting the Taliban.

India ran a hospital in the city of Farkhor in southern Tajikistan in the 1990s, where Masood was treated in 2001 after a fatal suicide attack.

The Ayni airbase in Tajikistan brought India within striking distance of Pakistan.

Tajikistan borders Afghanistan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The Ayni airbase was located only some 20 km from Afghanistans Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip of land that shares a boundary with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The Indian military could target Peshawar from Tajikistan, putting more pressure on Pakistans resources. During war, this would have forced Pakistan to shift assets from its eastern borders to the west, weakening its direct front with India, as per ThePrint.

The Ayni airbase also helped India boost its influence in Central Asia.

As per Newsweek, Andrea Stauder, senior analyst at BISI, wrote in a July analysis on Tajikistans regional importance, While Russia and China remain dominant, India has an opportunity to expand its role beyond security into economic engagement.

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Indias withdrawal from Tajikistans Ayni base will bolster Russian and Chinese influence in the region and limit New Delhis military reach in Central Asia.

With inputs from agencies
Arvi Singh Sagoo, an Indian-origin businessman, died after a brutal attack in Canadas Edmonton. The 55-year-old confronted a stranger when he saw him urinating on his car. Following the incident, a 40-year-old, identified as Kyle Papin, was arrested by the Edmonton Police and charged with aggravated assault

Family described Indian-origin businessman, Arvi Singh Sagoo, as a warm-hearted and caring person devoted to his two children. He died after an unprovoked assault left him badly injured. Image courtesy: X

In a shocking incident, a 55-year-old Indian-origin businessman, Arvi Singh Sagoo, was brutally attacked in Edmonton, Canada, after he confronted a stranger who was urinating on his car.

The unprovoked assault took place on October 19, and Arvi succumbed to his injuries five days later, on October 24, after fighting for his life in the hospital. According to Edmonton police, a man has been arrested in connection with the attack and charged with aggravated assault.

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The incident has triggered anger and fear within the Indian community in Canada, where concerns are mounting over the growing number of racially motivated attacks.

What exactly happened this time? And how are such hate crimes becoming frequent? Heres a closer look.

What happened?

According to Sagoo was out for dinner with his girlfriend on October 19. When the couple was walking back to their car in the early morning hours, they found a trail of people who were peeing on their car.

Hey, what are you doing? Arvi asked the stranger, as his brother told Global News. Whatever I want, one of them replied to Arvi and then walked up to him and punched him in his head.

He fell to the ground; his girlfriend called 911. According to the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), officers were alerted to an assault near 109 Street and 100 Avenue.

Sagoo was out for dinner with his girlfriend on October 19. When the couple was walking back to their car in the early morning hours, they found a trail of people who were peeing on their car. When confronted, he was attacked by a man. Image courtesy: X

When paramedics arrived, they found Sagoo unresponsive. He was taken to the hospital and placed on life support. Despite doctors efforts, he succumbed to his injuries on October 24, five days after the attack.

Also read: Kapil Sharma's cafe in Canada attacked for the third time: Here's a timeline of the attacks so far

Who attacked Sagoo?

The accused has been identified as 40-year-old Kyle Papin, and he has been arrested by the Edmonton Police in connection with the assault. He has been charged with aggravated assault.

Police confirmed that there was no prior connection between the victim and the accused, describing the incident as completely unprovoked."

Meanwhile, his family described Arvi as a warm-hearted and caring person devoted to his two children.

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A close friend, Vincent Ram, has launched a fundraiser to support Sagoos children and help cover funeral and living expenses. The initiative also aims to secure their future education and provide emotional support as they cope with the loss of their father.

This fundraiser aims to support a very kind and loving father who is facing death and ensuring that his two children have the necessary resources and support during this challenging time," the message reads.

Also read: Australia, Ireland and beyond: Are attacks on Indians abroad on the rise?

Rising anti-India sentiment in Canada

Theres been a growing concern in Canada over the rising hate and discrimination faced by people of Indian and South Asian origin.

A new report by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), a UK-based group that studies extremism and hate, found that hate crimes against South Asian communities in Canada have jumped by 227 per cent between 2019 and 2023. The ISD said these incidents are happening both online and in real life, showing how deep the problem has become.

In one shocking incident that went viral, a young man was seen shouting racist slurs at an Indian-origin woman working at a store, telling her to go back to India. The video, reportedly filmed in Oakville, Ontario, sparked outrage across social media.

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Disgusting display of racism in Burlington, ON.



Welcome 2 Canada.  pic.twitter.com/1EKZzfA3Is  EconomicWoes  (@ManyBeenRinsed) October 26, 2025

In the clip, the boy can be heard yelling, Go back to your f*****g country, you as***** Indian. Reports said that South Asian employees in the area have been repeatedly harassed by a group of local teenagers.

The ISD report reported a worrying rise in online hate. Posts with anti-South Asian slurs, mainly targeting Indians, shot up by more than 1,350 per cent on X between 2019 and 2023.

The group warned that such abuse not only threatens the safety and mental well-being of South Asian communities but also discourages them from taking part in public life, making many feel unwelcome and unsafe in their own neighbourhoods.

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With input from agencies
The Millennium-long inheritance of China-South Korea cultural exchanges

15:41, October 30, 2025 By Zhao Tong, Zhang Wenjie, Peng Yukai, Cui Yige, Zhang Kai, Ryu Mih-yun ( People's Daily Online

The 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Gyeongju, South Korea. This ancient city, with its millennia of history, once again bears witness to the enduring friendship between China and South Korea.

Over a thousand years ago, Choe Chi-won, an ancient scholar from the Silla Kingdom, traveled to China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) to pursue his studies, leaving behind a legacy of mutual learning between civilizations. Today, young people from China and South Korea are building bridges for cross-cultural dialogue by reciting ancient poetry in each other's language.

In an era where APEC champions mutual trust, inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation, language serves not only as a tool for communication but also as a bond that connects people. The flourishing of Chinese language education has cultivated a generation of young talents who are not only familiar with each other's cultures but also possess a global perspective. This humanistic foundation injects fresh momentum into regional economic collaboration and connectivity.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Du Mingming)
Tense scenes unfolded in Mumbais Powai today, where a man, identified as Rohit Arya, took 19 people, mostly children, hostage in a studio. The accused died in an exchange of gunfire with the police during the rescue operation. All hostages have been rescued. But who was Rohit Aryan and why did he hold these people captive?

Mumbais Powai was rocked by a hostage scare after a man held at least 19 people, mostly children, captive in a studio on Thursday (October 30). All children have now been rescued by the police.

The man, identified as Rohit Arya, was reportedly injured in an exchange of gunfire with the police during the rescue operation. He died in the hospital where he was admitted with a gunshot wound to his chest.

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Lets take a closer look.

What happened?

Rohit Arya allegedly took 17 children and two adults hostage at a local acting studio in Mumbais Powai area in broad daylight.

As per a News18 report, the 50-year-old accused had invited 100 students for a web series audition, which turned out to be fake.

While 83 students were allowed to go, he allegedly held 17 others captive at the RA Studio in Mahavir Classik building.

The children, aged between 13 and 17, had come to Mumbai from different parts of Maharashtra for the audition, reported Times of India.

A senior citizen and a civilian were among the 19 hostages that the accused held captive on the ground floor of the studio in Powai.

VIDEO | Mumbai: Police rescue over 20 children who were held hostage inside a flat in Powai area. The suspect, who identified himself as Rohit Arya has been arrested, as per the officials.



(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/EsQRqDuISi  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 30, 2025

The Mumbai Police said that the accused had released a video where he purportedly admitted to taking children hostage.

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In the clip, Arya can be hearing saying that he chose hostage-taking instead of dying by suicide.

I am Rohit Arya. Instead of dying by suicide, I have made a plan and am holding some children hostage here.

He demanded simple conversations, moral demands, and ethical accountability, asserting he was not a terrorist and did not seek money.

Arya further warned that the slightest wrong move would trigger him to set the place on fire.

A man, identified as Rohit Arya, has held a few children hostage in the Powai area of Mumbai. He has released a video purportedly saying that he wants to speak with a few people, and if he is not allowed to do it, he will set everything on fire and harm himself and the children. The man seems to be mentally unstable, and the Police are trying to handle the matter, ANI quoted a statement by the Mumbai Police.

How Mumbai Police rescued hostages

The police said they reached the site after they received a distress call at 1.45 pm. They attempted to negotiate with Arya, however, he refused to release the children, NDTV reported.

The police then forcefully entered the building.

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According to a senior police officer, the police broke open the grill of the studio to rescue the children.

The police broke open the grill on the back side of the room in the building and managed to enter. A police officer fired one round, which hit Arya. All the children are safe and have been handed over to their parents, the official said.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Visuals from the spot in Powai area of Mumbai where a man, identified as Rohit Arya, held a few children hostage demanding that he be allowed to speak to a few people.



The children were soon rescued by the Police and handed over to their guardians. The pic.twitter.com/9W5iCLMOw9  ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025

The police said all 19 people were rescued.

It was a challenging operation, because we were negotiating with him without any positive outcome.To save the childrens lives was our priority, Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade was quoted as saying by PTI.

What we know about the kidnapper

The police said the kidnapper was immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment but he succumbed to bullet wounds.

At present, we do not have much information about Arya, but we are gathering details about his background. The police are conducting a panchnama of the site and recording statements of people present in the studio and the building, the official said, as per Indian Express.

Police have recovered the air gun and some chemical containers from the scene, which they suspect he used to threaten officers, reported NDTV.

Arya, a native of Pune, reportedly made web series. The children were invited

which investigators believe he used to threaten officers. The children were invited for a web series audition at RA Studios, located on the ground floor of a residential building in Powai.

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He had previously alleged that the department owed him payment for a sanitation campaign called the PLC Sanitation Monitor Project, launched under the Chief Ministers My School, Beautiful School campaign. Arya claimed the project, part of his Lets Change campaign begun in 2013, aimed to make schoolchildren ambassadors of cleanliness.

Arya is a native of Pune and makes web series. Satya Narayan Chaudhary, Joint Commissioner of Police, said he was staying in Chembur recently.

The children were at the studio for an audition. Arya had been coming to the studio for four to five days, the officer added.

As per NDTV, Arya had previously alleged that he was sanctioned Rs 2 crore for his work but was not paid since January 2024. He went on a hunger strike twice last year, accusing officials of sidelining him from the programme even after he received assurances from then Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar.

Arya claimed Kesarkar had issued him two cheques of Rs 7 lakh and Rs 8 lakh as personal assistance, and promised another one but that was not fulfilled.

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With inputs from agencies
Donald Trump has instructed the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately. This has shone a spotlight on the nuclear capabilities of the world, namely the US, China and Russia. Latest figures reveal that Moscow and Washington possess 90 per cent of all of the worlds nuclear warheads. What about Beijing?

I hated to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within five years. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.

With this post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump has reversed years-long policy on testing nuclear weapons. In fact, the last time the United States of America conducted a nuclear weapons test was 33 years ago, in 1992, before President George HW Bush implemented a moratorium on such exercises at the conclusion of the Cold War.

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Trumps latest move shines a spotlight on the nuclear capabilities of the three superpowers  the US, Russia and China. Just how many nuclear weapons do each of these countries have?

The nuclear age begins

The nuclear era began in July 1945 by the United States when it tested a 20-kilotonne atomic bomb in New Mexico. A month later, amid World War II, the US dropped two atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan.

Four years later, in August, the Soviet Union shocked the West when it carried out its first nuclear bomb test, codenamed First Lightning. In the subsequent years, different countries carried out nuclear bomb testing  Britain carried out 45 tests, France undertook 210 and even China carried out 45 tests.

A deactivated Titan II nuclear ICBM in a silo at the Titan Missile Museum in Green Valley, Arizona. Trump has ordered for US to restart nuclear testing. File image/AFP

However, in 1996, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty was agreed upon that banned all nuclear weapons test explosions and all other nuclear explosions for both civilian and military purposes. Since the CTBT, 10 nuclear tests have taken place. India conducted two in 1998, Pakistan also two in 1998, and North Korea conducted tests in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016 (twice) and 2017, according to the United Nations.

As recently as Wednesday (October 29), Russia successfully tested a nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered underwater drone  Poseidon. This came after Vladimir Putin oversaw a test of another advanced nuclear-capable weapon  the Burevestnik cruise missile, which he said had an unlimited range.

Counting US, Russia and Chinas nuclear warheads

Trumps new diktat has now got many asking  just how many nuclear warheads do each of these countries possess? And the number will shock you.

As per the Arms Control Association, the worlds nuclear-armed states  there are nine countries that possess this power  hold a combined total of 12,400 nuclear warheads, as per a January 2025 review. Of these, nearly 90 per cent belong to the US and Russia.

Data shows that Russia is in the lead when it comes to the nuclear race  Moscow has 5,580 nuclear warheads. Of these, 1,200 are retired, which means they are no longer in the stockpile but remain intact as they await dismantlement. In their current stockpile, theres 4,380 warheads of which 1,549 are strategically deployed.

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The US is close second; it has a total of 5,225 warheads of which 1,477 are retired and 3,748 are in the stockpile.

China is a distant third with 600 nuclear warheads  all of them are in their current stockpile.

As per the Federation of American Scientists, Russia has nearly 4,309 warheads and additional 1,150 warheads which are retired. Meanwhile, the US possesses 3,700 warheads while another 1,477 have been retired. China, on the other hand, has 600 warheads and counting.

Russias nuclear strike options

Russia, which was a signatory to the CTBT until 2023 when it put into force the law to revoke its ratification, has in the past week stepped up its nuclear testing.

On October 21, Moscow tested the Burevestnik cruise missile and as recently as Wednesday successfully tested the Poseidon, a nuclear-powered underwater drone designed to carry a nuclear warhead capable of triggering radioactive tsunamis along enemy coastlines.

Russia has tested a nuclear-capable cruise missile, Burevestnik, which can evade defences and loiter for long periods of time while covering thousands of kilometres in distance, according to the Russian president. pic.twitter.com/t2zkx4Kob3  euronews (@euronews) October 27, 2025

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While the exact location of the test was not disclosed, the announcement marked the first confirmation that Poseidons nuclear propulsion system had been successfully activated during a full trial.

But these arent the only nuclear-strike options that Russia has. The Putin-led country has also developed the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Avangard HGV, the Kinzhal hypersonic missile, as well as the Skyfall nuclear-powered cruise missiles.

Chinas nuclear weapons arsenal

China, which is an ally of Russia, has also embarked on a rapid and sustained increase in the size and capability of its nuclear forces. As per a Pentagon forecast, China is expected to exceed 1,000 warheads by 2030.

The Federation of American Scientists note that China see their land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) as their most reliable and survivable nuclear force. And this was most evident at this years Chinas Victory Day Parade which featured many new and modified nuclear systems.

This year, the DF-16 ICBM was displayed, which is believed to possess nuclear capabilities. Moreover, China has also developed the DF-5C, which is intended to carry a multi-megaton warhead.

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The JL-3 third-generation intercontinental-range submarine-launched ballistic missile seen during a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, in Beijings Tiananmen Square in September. AFP

Besides its land missiles, China also has the JL-3 (Julang-3) sea-launched ballistic missile, as well as a nuclear weapons system for delivery by aircraft. This is the JL-1, or JingLei-1, translating to sudden thunder.

Americas nuclear triad

The US has a nuclear triad, meaning it has land-based missiles, submarines, bombers with nuclear capabilities. According to one report, Americas nuclear missiles and strategic nuclear bombers are distributed across at least eight states  precise locations are classified.

From the land, the US has the LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile. These missiles have a range of over 6,000 miles and travel at 15,000 mph. Americas ICBM force has remained on continuous, around-the-clock alert since 1959.

The US also has Ohio-Class ballistic missile submarines. They are designed specifically for stealth and the precise delivery of nuclear warheads. Each of the 14 Ohio-class SSBNs can carry up to 20 submarine-launched ballistic missiles with multiple, independently targeted warheads. Experts note that their stealth design makes finding them an almost impossible task, giving pause to potential adversaries.

In the skies, the US has the B-52 bomber, which is a long-range, heavy bomber capable of performing a variety of missions. It can carry nuclear or precision-guided conventional weapons with worldwide precision navigation.

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A US Air Force B-52 bomber flies past. It is part of Americas nuclear triad. File image/AFP

Washington also possesses the B-2 Spirit, which is a multirole stealth bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear weapons.

It seems that Trump with his new announcement is pushing the US towards a Cold War era. And experts warn that would almost inevitably be followed by tit-for-tat reciprocal announcements by other nuclear-armed states, particularly Russia and China, and cement an accelerating arms race that puts us all in great jeopardy.

It would also create profound risks of radioactive fallout globally. Even if such nuclear tests are conducted underground, this poses a risk in terms of the possible release and venting of radioactive materials, as well as the potential leakage into groundwater.

As The Atlantic wrote, Resuming nuclear testing looks weak and petulant, not strong and confident. No American president should ever let the Kremlin get under his skin  especially not where nuclear weapons are concerned.

With inputs from agencies
Russias back-to-back tests of its nuclear-powered Poseidon underwater drone and Burevestnik cruise missile have instilled fears of a global arms race. Announced by President Vladimir Putin amid escalating tensions with Washington, the trials coincide with US President Donald Trumps order to resume nuclear weapons testing

Russia's Poseidon nuclear-capable system is seen in this still image taken from an animated video released on July 19, 2018. File Image/Russian Defence Ministry via Reuters

Russia has conducted successive tests of two of its most advanced strategic weapons  the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon nuclear-capable underwater drone.

President Vladimir Putin personally announced both developments, stating what he called Russias unmatched capabilities and signalling defiance toward mounting Western pressure, particularly from the United States under President Donald Trump.

The tests mark a new phase in what analysts describe as an escalating technological race among major nuclear powers, with the United States, Russia, and China each expanding or modernising their arsenals.

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Putins declarations also came at a politically charged moment  just as Trump announced that Washington would resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time in more than three decades.

Putin confirms nuclear-powered Poseidon test

During a meeting in Moscow with Russian soldiers injured in Ukraine, Putin revealed that Russia had successfully tested the Poseidon, a nuclear-powered underwater drone designed to carry a nuclear warhead capable of triggering radioactive tsunamis along enemy coastlines.

For the first time, we managed not only to launch it from its carrier submarine  but also to activate its nuclear power unit, allowing the vehicle to operate for a certain period of time," Putin stated.

He added, In terms of speed and operating depth, there is nothing like this unmanned vehicle anywhere in the world, and its unlikely that anything similar will appear in the near future. And there is no way to intercept it."

Putin described the Poseidon as running on a compact nuclear reactor 100 times smaller than those used on conventional submarines.

Despite its reduced size, he claimed it delivers extraordinary power  greater even than Russias most advanced Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, also known by its Nato designation Satan II.

While the exact location of the test was not disclosed, the announcement marked the first confirmation that Poseidons nuclear propulsion system had been successfully activated during a full trial.

The system is believed to be designed for deployment from Russias Belgorod-class submarines, which have been specially adapted to carry the enormous drone.

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What we know about Poseidon

The Poseidon, named after the ancient Greek god of the sea, is among the most unconventional weapons developed in the post-Cold War era. It combines the characteristics of a drone and a torpedo, engineered for stealth, long endurance, and massive destructive potential.

According to data circulated by Russian state media and open-source intelligence assessments, Poseidon measures about 20 metres in length, 1.8 metres in diameter, and weighs close to 100 tonnes.

Russias Poseidon nuclear-capable system is seen in this still image taken from an animated video released on July 19, 2018. File Image/Russian Defence Ministry via Reuters

It can travel underwater at speeds of up to 185-200 km/h  far faster than any known torpedo  and at depths that make interception virtually impossible. With nuclear propulsion, it is designed for an almost unlimited range, allowing it to cross entire oceans undetected.

Arms control experts estimate Poseidon can carry a two-megaton nuclear warhead, powerful enough to destroy a large coastal city or trigger massive radioactive flooding.

Its potential use would represent a drastic shift in nuclear strategy, as it falls outside the conventional land-, air-, and sea-based frameworks of deterrence.

Military observers in Moscow have framed the Poseidon as a strategic equaliser, intended to penetrate or bypass any future missile defence systems deployed by the United States or Nato.

Putin has long argued that Washingtons withdrawal in 2001 from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty and subsequent deployment of missile shields in Europe undermined global stability, forcing Russia to innovate new offensive systems.

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What we know about the earlier test of the Burevestnik missile

The Poseidon announcement followed closely on the heels of Russias other major weapons milestone  the Burevestnik cruise missile test on October 21, which the Kremlin hailed as a breakthrough in nuclear propulsion technology.

General Valery Gerasimov, Russias chief of the General Staff, reported to Putin that the trial was a complete success, saying the missile covered 14,000 kilometres (8,680 miles) during a 15-hour flight using nuclear fuel.

It conducted maneuvers demonstrating its high capabilities in evading missile and air defence systems, Gerasimov said.

Putin described the Burevestniks design as revolutionary, highlighting its miniature reactor, which he said was 1,000 times smaller than a submarines and could reach operational power within minutes.

By comparison, submarine reactors can take hours to activate. He called it an engineering breakthrough and a huge achievement for Russias defence industry.

The Burevestnik, meaning storm petrel in Russian, is the worlds first known nuclear-powered cruise missile, giving it an effectively unlimited range and endurance.

Unlike conventional missiles that rely on chemical fuel and require predictable flight paths, the Burevestnik can remain airborne for days, circling and re-entering contested airspace from unexpected directions. Its purpose is to render missile defence networks  like those operated by Nato  obsolete.

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The missiles ability to loiter indefinitely and strike unpredictably from any vector makes it an unprecedented challenge for defence planners.

How Putin is touting Russias nuclear power

The timing of the Burevestnik and Poseidon tests reflects Moscows intent to showcase strategic resilience at a time when relations with Washington have deteriorated further.

Trump, who recently referred to Russia as a paper tiger for its inability to swiftly conclude the Ukraine war, has increased sanctions and postponed a planned Budapest summit with Putin.

Following the weapons tests, Putin presided over large-scale nuclear launch drills on October 22, featuring the simultaneous participation of all three legs of Russias nuclear triad  intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched missiles, and air-launched cruise missiles.

State television broadcast images of Putin directing the exercises in military attire, reinforcing the message that Russias deterrent forces remain fully operational despite Western isolation.

Hours later, Putin endorsed Russias withdrawal from a 2000 plutonium disposal agreement with the United States, citing new anti-Russian steps that radically change the strategic balance.

The agreement had committed both countries to eliminate large Cold Warera stockpiles of weapons-grade plutonium, but Moscow now says Washingtons sanctions and NATO expansion make such cooperation impossible.

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Its an attempt to exert pressure on Russia, but no self-respecting country and self-respecting people make any decisions under pressure, Putin said.

He also warned that any Ukrainian attempt to strike deep inside Russia using long-range Western weapons would prompt a very serious, if not to say stunning, response.

Since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Putin has repeatedly invoked nuclear threats to deter Western involvement. He has said Moscow is prepared to use all means to defend its sovereignty.

How Trump has responded with US nuclear testing

Trump announced via Truth Social that he had ordered the Pentagon to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis with other nuclear powers.

The declaration, made while en route to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, marks the first such US directive since 1992.

Because of other countries testing programmes, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately, Trump posted.

Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.

The statement, issued minutes before a scheduled trade negotiation with Xi, stunned Washington and drew immediate domestic and international reaction.

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It was unclear whether Trumps order referred to nuclear-explosive testing, which would involve detonations at sites such as Nevadas former test range, or to flight testing of nuclear-capable missiles.

The National Nuclear Safety Administration would typically handle the former, while the US military oversees the latter.

The United States has not conducted a nuclear explosion test since September 1992, and most other major powers  except North Korea  ceased testing by the late 1990s.

Russias last confirmed test took place in 1990, and Chinas in 1996.

Reaction in the United States to Trumps announcement was swift and polarised. US Representative Dina Titus of Nevada posted on X: Ill be introducing legislation to put a stop to this.

Arms control experts voiced concern that any resumption of testing could undermine decades of non-proliferation progress.

Daryl Kimball, director of the Arms Control Association, stated, Trump is misinformed and out of touch. The U.S. has no technical, military, or political reason to resume nuclear explosive testing for the first time since 1992.

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Kimball warned that such a move could trigger a chain reaction of nuclear testing by U.S. adversaries, and blow apart the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

He added that even if the United States were to proceed, it would take at least 36 months to prepare the Nevada test site for underground detonations, implying the announcement was primarily political signalling.

Trump, however, linked his decision directly to Moscows and Beijings recent activities.

He told reporters aboard Air Force One that Putin should be working to end the war in Ukraine instead of testing missiles, and added, We have a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their shores we dont need to go 8,000 miles.

How Chinas expanding arsenal makes it a three-way arms race

The timing of Trumps nuclear test order coincides with accelerating nuclear developments in China. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reported that Beijing has expanded its nuclear stockpile from around 300 weapons in 2020 to roughly 600 in 2025  a doubling within five years.

US military assessments predict China will possess over 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030.

Chinas Victory Day parade in September showcased five long-range nuclear delivery systems capable of reaching the continental United States, demonstrating its growing deterrence capacity.

The expansion has heightened strategic competition, with all three powers  the US, Russia, and China  now engaged in parallel modernisation efforts that analysts say could define the next nuclear era.

Despite earlier statements from Trump about pursuing trilateral arms control talks, Beijing rejected the proposal as unreasonable and unrealistic, citing the much smaller size of its arsenal compared to Washington and Moscow.

With both Moscow and Washington taking assertive steps, the fragile postCold War arms control architecture appears under severe strain.

Russias withdrawal from its plutonium disposal agreement, the US revival of nuclear testing, and the absence of new treaties following the expiry of New START all point to a rapidly eroding framework.

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With inputs from agencies
A team from the University of Georgia has discovered that six species of North American bats emit a bright green glow under ultraviolet light. The phenomenon, known as fluorescence, is now confirmed in bats for the first time. Yet despite years of research on glowing mammals, scientists still dont know why these animals shine

Bats hang inside a cave in Cerro Azul, a large area protected for its archaeological importance, in San Jose de Guaviare, Colombia, September 23, 2024. Representational Image/Reuters

A research team from the University of Georgia has discovered that several species of North American bats emit a distinct green glow when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.

The phenomenon, known as fluorescence, had been documented in a variety of other mammals in recent years, but never before in bat species native to this region.

The study, led by researchers from the University of Georgias Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, examined preserved specimens from the Georgia Museum of Natural History in Athens.

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When placed under ultraviolet lighting, the bats wings, hind limbs, and the thin skin between their legs  called the uropatagium  produced a vivid green luminescence. The results mark the first recorded instance of UV fluorescence in these bat species.

The researchers tested 60 specimens representing six different bat species: the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis), Seminole bat (Lasiurus seminolus), southeastern myotis (Myotis austroriparius), gray bat (Myotis grisescens), and Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis).

Each specimen displayed similar fluorescent characteristics, glowing within a wavelength range of 520 to 552 nanometres, a spectrum that gives the bats their distinct green appearance.

Specimens of Myotis austroriparius (ac), Lasiurus seminolus (df), Lasiurus borealis (gi), and Eptesicus fuscus (jl). Specimens were illuminated under 410 nm light and photographed under UV light alone (column 1), under filtration using yellow-tinted UV-filtering lens (column 2), and under filtration using a 470 nm longpass filter (column 3). Image/Ecology and Evolution

It may not seem like this has a whole lot of consequence, but were trying to understand why these animals glow, said Steven Castleberry, professor of wildlife ecology and management at the University of Georgia and one of the studys coauthors.

Its cool, but we dont know why it happens. What is the evolutionary or adaptive function? Does it actually serve a function for the bats?

How the discovery took shape

The research was initiated by Briana Roberson, then an undergraduate at the University of Georgia, who was inspired by earlier scientific papers describing ultraviolet fluorescence in mammals, reported CNN.

Her curiosity was sparked by studies such as a 2019 report identifying flying squirrels that glow pink under UV light  an unexpected revelation that prompted researchers around the world to start investigating the phenomenon across species.

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That (discovery) sort of set the world on fire, Castleberry recalled. Everybody then was walking around with the UV light, seeing what glowed the next time they shone light on it.

Robersons study built upon this growing field, focusing specifically on North American bats. She systematically examined ten specimens from each of the six species, shining ultraviolet light on them in controlled conditions.

Each bat exhibited the same striking green glow, particularly from the wings and hind limbs.

The findings, published in Ecology and Evolution, are significant not just because they reveal a new biological property in bats, but because they deepen an ongoing scientific enigma: fluorescence has been recorded in over a hundred mammalian species, yet its function remains unknown.

What scientists tested  and what they ruled out

One of the main goals of the University of Georgia team was to determine whether this green luminescence plays any functional or ecological role.

The researchers began by exploring whether the glow might serve as camouflage, especially for species that roost in foliage during summer.

To test this idea, they compared the emission wavelength of the bats glow with the wavelength of chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for the green colour of leaves. The comparison revealed that the two did not match, making camouflage an unlikely explanation.

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Another hypothesis considered whether the fluorescence could help bats distinguish between sexes or individuals of their own species.

However, every specimen  male and female alike  showed identical fluorescence patterns and intensity, ruling out sexual differentiation as a factor.

In addition, some species included in the study roost in open structures such as buildings or caves, environments where a bright green glow would not serve any protective purpose. This made the idea of environmental blending even less likely.

The researchers noted that the glow occurred in consistent locations across all species  on wings, lower limbs, and the tail membrane  areas visible during flight. While this could imply a behavioural or communicative role, such a function has not been observed or verified in live bats.

Bats have very unique social ecology and sensory systems, and the characteristics we found in these species differs from many other observations in nocturnal mammals, Roberson said.

Its possible for glowing functions to be more diverse than we previously thought.

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Theories point to evolution  and unanswered questions

If fluorescence in bats offers no clear modern advantage, it might be a biological remnant inherited from a distant ancestor. Castleberry suggested that the characteristic could be an evolutionary holdover rather than a functional adaptation.

The data suggests that all these species of bats got it from a common ancestor. They didnt come about this independently, he said.

It may be an artefact now, since maybe glowing served a function somewhere in the evolutionary past, and it doesnt anymore.

The notion that fluorescence could be an ancient trait is supported by broader research into mammalian biology.

A 2023 study conducted in Australia documented 125 mammal species exhibiting some form of fluorescence under ultraviolet light. Lead author Kenny Travouillon, curator of terrestrial zoology at the Western Australian Museum, said that the discovery of fluorescent bats reinforces this growing trend.

Since fluorescence is found widely in mammals, it is most likely that this feature was inherited a long time ago by the ancestors to all modern mammals, Travouillon noted.

Why do they glow? We dont know. So continuing to do research on this topic is important, as we may eventually be able to know the answer, and this may lead to more questions.

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Travouillon pointed out that fluorescence has now been observed in nearly 200 mammal species, ranging from platypuses and pocket gophers to squirrels and bats. With over 6,000 mammal species worldwide, scientists believe that many more examples are yet to be documented.

A puzzle far from solved

While the wavelengths observed fall within the visual spectrum that bats are capable of perceiving, it remains uncertain whether there is enough ultraviolet light in their natural nocturnal environments to trigger visible fluorescence during their active hours.

This limitation makes it difficult for scientists to confirm whether the glow has any direct behavioural or ecological importance.

Its also plausible that the fluorescence does not have any ecological function, Castleberry said, or that the trait had a function in the species evolutionary past but no longer does.

Roberson and Castleberrys team pointed out that while the study does not yet explain why the glow occurs, it provides a crucial foundation for future research.

The next step involves observing live bats under ultraviolet light in controlled or natural settings to determine whether the fluorescence plays a role in communication, navigation, or predator avoidance.

Their findings also help highlight how much remains unknown about even familiar species. Bats are already among the most distinctive mammals: they are the only mammals capable of sustained flight, play critical roles as pollinators and insect controllers, and have highly specialised sensory systems.

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What was already really established before this project, was that a lot of mammals glow under UV light. So, then the question was: Why do they glow? Castleberry said.

Were trying to learn more about bats and how they function in their environments and how they contribute to the ecosystem.  If we can figure out the function, if there is a function, it can help us to better conserve and manage these species.

The growing field of fluorescent mammals

Since the first reports of glowing flying squirrels in 2019, research on mammalian fluorescence has expanded rapidly.

Scientists have documented various colours of glowfrom pink and blue to green and yellow  across continents and taxonomic families. Each discovery raises new questions about the mechanisms behind the fluorescence and its biological meaning, if any.

In many cases, the luminescence originates from fur or skin proteins that absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it at visible wavelengths.

Yet, the biochemical basis for these processes varies widely between species, making it challenging to identify a single evolutionary cause.

For bats, the presence of fluorescence across multiple unrelated species indicates that the trait may be deeply rooted in their lineage.

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However, until living specimens can be studied in motion under ultraviolet conditions, scientists can only describe what they see  not why it exists.

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With inputs from agencies
United States President Donald Trumps sweeping Asia tour  spanning Malaysia, Japan and South Korea was aimed at boosting Washingtons regional agenda with major deals on trade, defence, and energy. Yet, behind the high-profile meetings and tariff cuts, many questions linger over rare earth access, and US power in the Indo-Pacific

US President Donald Trump greets Chinese President Xi Jinping as they hold a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. File Image/Reuters

United States President Donald Trump concluded his extensive tour of Asia this week, marking his most ambitious diplomatic push in the region since returning to office.

Spanning Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, the high-stakes trip aimed to secure new trade frameworks, strengthen energy and defence partnerships, and recalibrate relations with Beijing.

The visit, which culminated in a closely watched meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, produced a series of agreements that the White House has touted as significant progress on trade, narcotics control, and rare earth exports.

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However, the broader reaction across Asian capitals and markets was tempered.

Trumps deals with China in Busan

The centrepiece of Trumps Asia tour was his face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan  their first since 2019.

Trump announced that he and Xi had reached a deal to reduce US tariffs on Chinese imports in exchange for concrete steps from Beijing to combat the trafficking of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that has fuelled a deadly addiction crisis in the United States.

He told reporters aboard Air Force One that the meeting was an amazing meeting, rating it 12 out of 10.

Under the arrangement, Washington agreed to bring overall tariffs on Chinese goods down from 57 per cent to 47 per cent, while the specific levy on fentanyl-related precursor chemicals would be halved to 10 per cent.

In return, China pledged to increase enforcement against illegal fentanyl producers and traffickers and to restart large-scale purchases of American soybeans.

Xi will work very hard to stop the flow, Trump said, adding that he believed China was really taking strong action.

Beijing also committed to suspend recently announced export restrictions on rare earth elements for one year.

These materials are indispensable for modern industries  from automobiles and aircraft to advanced weapons systems  and Chinas dominance in their production has been one of its key levers in trade negotiations.

A statement from Chinas commerce ministry confirmed that both sides had reached consensus on fentanyl cooperation and expanding agricultural trade.

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While the agreement represented a tangible thaw in relations, the immediate market response was subdued.

Major stock indexes in Asia and Europe fluctuated throughout the day, with Chinas Shanghai Composite Index slipping from a decade-high peak. US soybean futures also weakened.

The talks, which lasted over 90 minutes, took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

They followed a preliminary framework negotiated earlier by both sides to avert a threatened 100 per cent tariff on Chinese goods and a possible Chinese ban on rare earth exports.

At the start of the meeting, Xi stated that frictions between major powers were natural, remarking through a translator that Chinas development and rejuvenation are not incompatible with President Trumps goal of Making America Great Again.

US President Donald Trump, accompanied by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, attends a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, accompanied by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. File Image/Reuters

For Beijing, the discussions also offered an opportunity to seek US flexibility on several other fronts.

Chinese negotiators pressed for easing US export restrictions on high-end technologies and reconsidering newly introduced port fees on Chinese shipping, which Washington had imposed to counter Chinas dominance in global logistics and shipbuilding.

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Trump, while avoiding specifics on these demands, announced that China would immediately resume tremendous amounts of US agricultural imports. Reports earlier in the week had already indicated that China had quietly purchased new cargoes of American soybeans  the first in months.

Trump confirmed that there had been no discussion of Taiwan during the meeting, nor of Nvidias advanced Blackwell AI chip, despite prior speculation. That was a matter for the company to resolve, he said.

In a striking move just before the Busan talks began, Trump ordered the resumption of US nuclear weapons testing, ending a 33-year moratorium.

The decision drew immediate concern from Beijing, with Chinas foreign ministry expressing hope that Washington would stick by the global test ban framework.

Trump has already indicated that this is only the beginning of renewed engagement.

The White House confirmed plans for a follow-up visit to China in April next year, after which Xi is expected to travel to the United States after that.

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Trumps deals with South Korea in Gyeongju

Trumps penultimate stop before departing, was Gyeongju, where he met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to finalise an updated trade agreement and announce a groundbreaking defence initiative.

After extensive talks, Trump revealed that Washington had approved South Koreas long-sought request to construct a nuclear-powered submarine, effectively admitting Seoul into an exclusive group of nations operating such vessels.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung as he receives a gift of a gold crown and an award of the Grand Order of Mugunghwa in Gyeongju, South Korea on October 29, 2025. File Image/AP

The submarine will be built in a Philadelphia shipyard, where South Korean firms have increased investment, Trump posted on social media.

In addition to defence cooperation, the US and South Korea reached agreements on energy supply.

Trump said Seoul had committed to purchasing vast quantities of US oil and gas. Lee had also sought US permission for the reprocessing of nuclear fuel  a matter that remains under review.

The broader US-South Korea trade package was portrayed as a comprehensive realignment of economic and security cooperation. It followed Trumps stated objective of expanding Americas energy exports while reinforcing the alliances deterrent capabilities.

Trumps deals with Japan in Tokyo

In Tokyo (Trumps second nation on his Asia tour), Trumps discussions with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japans first female leader, produced a landmark framework on nuclear energy and critical minerals.

Signed at the ornate Akasaka Palace, the agreement underscored both nations shared interest in reducing dependence on China for essential materials and reviving Japans long-stalled nuclear industry.

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US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hold up signed documents regarding securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earths, at a bilateral meeting at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan, October 28, 2025. File Image/Reuters

Under the arrangement, Washington and Tokyo will cooperate on next-generation nuclear reactors, including the AP1000 and small modular reactors (SMRs).

The initiative will likely involve leading Japanese firms such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Toshiba Group, alongside US companies engaged in advanced reactor technologies.

The deal also included joint efforts to secure stable supplies of rare earth elements, essential for manufacturing electronics, defence systems, and renewable energy components.

A factsheet released by both governments highlighted mutual goals of ensuring energy security, lowering power costs, and expanding export capabilities.

Japans renewed focus on nuclear energy marks a significant policy shift following the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi disaster, which led to the suspension of the nations entire reactor fleet.

Takaichi, who has made nuclear energy a central part of her administrations agenda, views this partnership as key to Japans economic revival and technological competitiveness.

A separate White House statement also identified fusion energy as an area for collaboration. Roughly 20 companies from both countries have already expressed interest in investment projects tied to the $550-billion joint initiative, aimed at diversifying energy sources and supporting industrial innovation.

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Trumps deals with Southeast Asia in Malaysia

Trumps engagement with Southeast Asia was equally headline-making, though the details revealed a patchwork of ambitious promises and lingering uncertainties.

Landing from Washington DC in Kuala Lumpur, he attended the 47th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), where he announced new trade agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia, as well as initial frameworks with Thailand and Vietnam.

The White House hailed the developments as historic, portraying them as evidence of Americas growing economic outreach in the Indo-Pacific.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim welcomes US President Donald Trump at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia. File Image/Reuters

The deals offered US exporters improved access to key Southeast Asian markets while requiring the partner countries to purchase billions of dollars worth of American products. However, the actual benefits for the Southeast Asian economies appeared more modest.

Malaysia and Cambodia secured limited exemptions from the steep tariffs imposed by the United States since Trumps first term.

The tariff rates for other partners, including Thailand and Vietnam, remained at roughly 19 per cent to 20 per cent. Cambodia and Malaysias exemptions were confined to specific categories, such as agricultural and consumer goods.

In total, the agreements committed Southeast Asian nations to purchase nearly $150 billion worth of US goods, including semiconductors, aerospace components, and data centre equipment.

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Malaysias Trade Minister Zafrul Aziz said that the pact offers better access to US markets, exemptions for Malaysian palm oil, cocoa and pharmaceuticals.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim added that Washington appeared open to further negotiation on semiconductor tariffs  a crucial issue for Malaysias export sector.

Still, questions remained over how the United States would define and enforce its 40 per cent tariff on transshipped goods  items rerouted through third countries to evade tariffs on Chinese exports.

This ambiguity created unease across the regions tightly interlinked manufacturing networks. The issue hasnt been resolved, Zafrul acknowledged, noting that Malaysia continued to seek clarity on how the US would classify such shipments.

Cambodias Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol welcomed the deal but hoped for additional concessions. The country was pleased with the deal but still hoped for exemptions on garments and footwear, he said, referring to sectors that constitute half of Cambodias total exports.

Thailands Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun described the newly signed framework as non-binding, stating that detailed negotiations would continue through the end of the year.

The Asean bloc, now collectively exporting more goods to the United States than China, viewed the US overture as strategically significant  even if the concrete gains were unevenly distributed.

The Kuala Lumpur summit also witnessed a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, with Trump personally presiding over the signing.

On the sidelines, Asean leaders met with the US delegation to discuss tariff disparities, ranging from 10 per cent for Singapore to 40 per cent for Myanmar and Laos.

Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam additionally committed to major US agricultural and energy purchases and offered policy concessions on digital trade.

Kuala Lumpur pledged an extra $70 billion in capital investment in the United States, while separate memorandums were signed to facilitate cooperation on supply chains for rare earths, nickel, and cobalt  all critical minerals for clean energy technologies.

Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies
The report, released by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, claimed that Rohingya refugees have faced severe pressure in India since the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year. It added that despite having no involvement in the incident, Rohingya refugees were detained and threatened by Indian authorities. India dismissed the claims as baseless and biased and accused the UN of a blinkered analysis

A new United Nations report has ruffled feathers in New Delhi after suggesting a link between the Pahalgam terror attack and the treatment of Myanmar's refugees in India. File Image/AFP

A new United Nations report has ruffled feathers in New Delhi after suggesting a link between the Pahalgam terror attack and the treatment of Myanmars refugees in India.

The report, released by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, claimed that Rohingya refugees have faced severe pressure in India since the attack despite no involvement in the incident. But the Indian government has slammed the claim as biased and baseless", accusing the UN of a blinkered analysis".

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Heres what the UN said, and why India is furious.

Myanmar refugees detained, threatened by India: UN report

In his latest assessment of Myanmars human-rights situation, UN Special Rapporteur Thomas H Andrews made a controversial reference to the terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed at least 26 tourists in Kashmirs Baisaran valley.

Andrews claimed that following the April 2025 terrorist attack on Hindu tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, refugees from Myanmar have been under severe pressure in India even though no individuals from Myanmar were involved in the attack.

He alleged that in recent months, several Myanmar refugees in India have been summoned, detained, interrogated and threatened with deportation by Indian authorities.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), more than 1.5 million refugees and asylum seekers from Myanmar are currently spread across Bangladesh, Malaysia, India, Thailand, and Indonesia.

India is home to thousands of Rohingya refugees, most of whom fled Myanmars Rakhine state after brutal military crackdowns in 2017. Many have since taken shelter in camps across Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and parts of the Northeast.

Rohingya refugees gather at roadside kitchen market, at the refugee camp in Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, March 15, 2025. File image/ Reuters

Although India is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention, it has allowed these refugees to stay on humanitarian grounds, though their legal status remains precarious.

**How did India respond?

**

India did not take kindly to the UN report. Its strong disapproval was voiced during a session of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, where Lok Sabha MP Dilip Saikia firmly dismissed the claims made by UN Special Rapporteur Thomas H Andrews.

Saikia said the remarks had no factual basis whatsoever, calling them biased and prejudiced against India.

My country rejects such prejudice and blinkered analysis by the Special Rapporteur, he said, adding that the suggestion linking the Pahalgam terrorist attack to Myanmar refugees had no factual bearing whatsoever.

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He urged the UN official to avoid relying on unverified and skewed media reports whose sole purpose appears to be maligning India.

India did not take kindly to the UN report. Its strong disapproval was voiced during a session of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, where Lok Sabha MP Dilip Saikia firmly dismissed the claims made by UN Special Rapporteur Thomas H Andrews. Reuters

Saikia, a BJP MP from Assams Darrang-Udalguri constituency, reminded the committee that India is home to over 200 million Muslims, nearly 10 per cent of the worlds Muslim population, who live in harmony with people of all faiths.

The Indian representative also raised concern over Myanmars deteriorating security situation, warning that it has significant cross-border implications for neighbouring countries, including an increase in drug smuggling, arms trafficking, and human trafficking.

He cautioned that India has noticed an alarming level of radicalisation among some displaced persons, which, he said, has affected local law and order in certain border areas.

Reiterating Indias consistent stance, Saikia called for an immediate cessation of violence, release of political prisoners, unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, and inclusive political dialogue in Myanmar. He said lasting peace in the country could only come through credible and participatory elections and the early restoration of democracy.

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Peace through political dialogue

Saikia reaffirmed that India continues to back efforts that encourage trust and a Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led path toward peace, stability, and democracy, in close partnership with ASEAN and the UN Secretary-Generals office.

Referring to Indias humanitarian assistance, he noted that following the March 2025 earthquake in Myanmar, India launched Operation Brahma, sending more than 1,000 metric tonnes of relief materials and medical teams as part of its first response.

This, he said, was built on earlier initiatives such as Operation Sahayata, carried out during Typhoon Hiyaki, and Operation Sadbhav, part of Indias ongoing support to the Myanmar people.

Saikia is among the members of a multi-party Indian delegation attending the 80th UN General Assembly, led by BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari. The delegation also includes MPs VD Sharma, Rekha Sharma, Manoj Kumar Jha, P Wilson, GK Vasan, and Sandeep Kumar Pathak, among others.

The group also paid floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the UN Headquarters in New York.

With input from agencies
From today (October 30), the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will stop automatically extending certain work permits, officially known as Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs). As per the new regulations, every worker will have to undergo a fresh round of screening and vetting before their permit is renewed. This will impact foreign employees, including Indians, who are a big part of the workforce

Starting Thursday, that automatic extension will end. Now, every worker will have to undergo a fresh round of screening and vetting before their permit is renewed. Image for Representation. Reuters

A big change in US immigration policy is set to hit thousands of those working in America.

From October 30, 2025, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will stop automatically extending certain work permits, officially known as Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs), for people waiting on their renewal.

Until now, workers could keep their jobs for months while their paperwork was being processed. But with this new rule, many might be forced to take a break from work, creating uncertainty for professionals, including many Indians and H-1B spouses who depend on these permits to stay employed in the US.

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Heres what we know about the new rule

What is the new change?

The US government has rolled back a key immigration rule that once made life easier for thousands of foreign workers.

Earlier, under a policy introduced during the Biden administration, immigrants could continue working in the US for up to 540 days after their work permits expired  as long as they had applied for renewal on time, belonged to an eligible EAD category, and their permit details matched the category mentioned on their renewal receipt.

But starting Thursday, that automatic extension will end. Now, every worker will have to undergo a fresh round of screening and vetting before their permit is renewed.

There are limited exceptions to this rule, including extensions provided by law or through a Federal Register notice for TPS-related employment documentation, the DHS clarified.

The government says the new rule aims to tighten background checks and prevent misuse. It claims that more frequent reviews will help US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) deter fraud and detect aliens with potentially harmful intent.

Describing the move as a common sense step, USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said that working in the United States is a privilege, not a right.

The United States also admits hundreds of thousands of workers, foreign students and exchange visitors a year on temporary visas. File image/ Reuters

The USCIS has also advised immigrants to plan ahead and file their EAD renewals at least 180 days before expiry. The longer an alien waits to file an EAD renewal application, the more likely it is that they may experience a temporary lapse in their employment authorisation or documentation, the agency warned.

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Having an EAD (Form I-766/EAD) is a way to prove that an individual is authorised to work in the US for a specific time period.

Who will be impacted?

The new rule is likely to hit Indian professionals  particularly those stuck in long green card queues, H-4 visa holders who rely on work permits, and students on STEM extensions. It will also affect employment-based green card applicants who need to keep renewing their authorisations while waiting for permanent residency.

This rule represents a major shift in how employment authorisation renewals are handled in the US, Henry Lindpere, senior counsel for immigration law at Manifest Law, told Hindustan Times. The most common categories where Indians will see an impact include students on OPT applying for the STEM OPT extension, H-4 spouses of H-1B holders, and adjustment of status applicants.

The new rule is likely to hit Indian professionals  particularly those stuck in long green card queues, H-4 visa holders who rely on work permits, and students on STEM extensions. Representational image

Labour experts say companies are equally worried. Shanon Stevenson, a partner at labour and employment firm Fisher Phillips, told HR Dive that the sudden policy shift could cause major disruptions.

This will end up having a huge impact on companies who are likely to face labour shortages as their foreign nationals will no longer be authorised to work without the automatic 540-day extension, Stevenson said.

Also read: Are more H1-B restrictions coming after the $100,000 visa fee?

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Whats next?

The new rule officially kicks in on Thursday, marking the end of automatic work permit renewals in the US.

The USCIS said it expects that with fewer people being granted work permits automatically, officers will have more time to review each case thoroughly. The agency believes this could help speed up processing in the long run, but it also admitted that delays are likely to continue for now.

Currently, USCIS processing times for work permit renewals vary greatly, ranging from three to 12 months depending on the applicants visa category and location, according to agency data.

This means that thousands of workers on temporary visas could find themselves stuck in limbo while waiting for their renewal to come through. For both employees and employers, that uncertainty could possibly create disruptions in the months ahead.

With input from agencies
US President Donald Trump, during his just-concluded Asia tour, announced that America will resume testing its nuclear weapons. He made the remarks before meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The development comes days after Russia successfully tested two nuclear-powered weapons. But what happened when America conducted the Divider nuclear test in 1992?

US President Donald Trump surprised many when he announced that America will resume testing its nuclear weapons.

Trump made the remarks before meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

Because of other countries testing programmes, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, Trump wrote on social media. That process will begin immediately.

The development comes days after Russia successfully tested the nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable Burevestnik cruise missile, which Putin has boasted has no equal anywhere in the world. Moscow has also successfully tested the atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone Poseidon, claiming it is impossible to intercept.

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The United States and Russia still possess the bulk of the worlds nuclear warheads. China conducted a nuclear missile test in 1996, while America did so in 1992.

But what happened when the US conducted its last nuclear test?

Lets take a look back.

Background

The last US nuclear test was conducted on 23 September 1992. First, lets take a look at the background of the test. At the time, George HW Bush  the former US CIA chief and father of George W Bush  was at the helm as US President.

The Cold War had ended after the collapse of the Soviet Union in December 1991. Both the United States and Russia had slowly begun reducing their nuclear arsenals. In 1990 and 1991, the US had conducted a series of tests known as the Operation Sculpin trials.

Operation Julin, under which the test codenamed Divider occurred, was a series of seven nuclear trials launched in October 1991.

Divider

The test device was made at the famed Los Alamos National Laboratory, which developed the worlds first atomic weapon. The device was lowered into an underground shaft  to reduce radioactivity levels  at the Nevada Test Site (NTS), which was then filled with layers of magnetite, sand, concrete, and epoxy to keep the debris from the fallout underground.

The device, which had a yield of a relatively modest 5 kilotons, was detonated at 3.04 pm local time on 23 September 1992. The idea behind the test was to ensure the safety of deterrent forces"  essentially to ensure that the stockpile was reliable. Much of the details about the device and the test itself remain classified.

The Divider device detonated in 1992. Image courtesy: Los Alamos National Lab

The US had conducted over 1,000 such tests over the past four decades, starting with the landmark Trinity trial in Los Alamos on 16 July 1945. The US is projected to have produced around 190 megatons of energy and the USSR is estimated to have produced around 285 megatons via testing.

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Divider was the 1,054th nuclear test to be conducted by America. Interestingly, the US, France, and Great Britain gave these tests code names, while the USSR and China did not.

Aftermath

While a follow-up test known as Icecap was set to be conducted in 1993  a joint operation between the British Atomic Weapons Establishment and the Los Alamos Lab with a yield in the 20 to 150 kiloton range  that never happened.

This is because the US Senate earlier that month had voted for a nine-month moratorium on testing. A day after the test, the legislation passed Congress and HW Bush signed it into law. At the time, no one had imagined that would be the last nuclear test conducted by the United States. But things changed.

In 1994, the Stockpile Stewardship Programme (SSP) would replace the testing of nuclear weapons. The programme was the brainchild of Vic Reis, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Defence Programmes, Department of Energy. It relies on scientific studies, surveillance, computing, non-nuclear experiments, simulations, and data analysis to judge the efficacy of the nuclear stockpile.

Meanwhile, in 1996, Bill Clinton came to office. The Clinton-led United States administration signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), calling it a long-sought step towards the elimination of nuclear weapons. Interestingly, the US has not ratified the CTBT, which means it is only a signatory and not a state party to the treaty. China, India, Pakistan, and North Korea have also not ratified the CTBT.

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Then US President Bill Clinton signed the CTBT. Reuters

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), part of the US Department of Energy, publishes a regular Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan (SSMP) every year. This report is presented to the US President.

The Nevada Test Site, which is around 105 kilometres from Las Vegas, is still in the hands of the US government. If deemed necessary, the site could be authorised again for nuclear weapons testing, according to the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, has said on its website. Now, with Trump in office, it seems that the US may be prepared to enter its second nuclear age.

With inputs from agencies
The United States has said it will speed up approval for some generic drugs. The development comes weeks after it was reported that the Trump administration had dropped its plans to impose tariffs on generic drugs from foreign nations. But will this benefit Indian drug makers?

The US Food and Drug Administration has said it will take steps to speed up the process of approving biosimilars, which are generic versions of complex drugs. AP

Will Trumps fight against high drug costs help India?

The United States has said it will speed up approval for some generic drugs. The development comes weeks after it was reported that the Trump administration had dropped its plans to impose tariffs on generic drugs from foreign nations in what was a relief to Indian drug makers.

The Trump administration had earlier announced that a website would be launched in 2026 to allow citizens to buy medication at a discount.

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But what do we know? And will this move help India?

Lets take a closer look.

What do we know?

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday said it will take steps to speed up the process of approving generic versions of complex drugs. This is an attempt to increase cheaper competition for branded and expensive medicines and thus lower drug costs for Americans.

These complex drugs, known as biologics, are made with living cells. They are difficult to make and have a long approval process to bring to market. Some of these drugs treat serious conditions such as cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Their generic versions, which arent identical copies, are known as biosimilars. The FDA has outlined certain situations where these generic drugs can be sold without studies comparing their efficacy to the branded and more expensive versions.

For example, the FDA has said that it can consider approving a generic drug when the two medications are made from clonal cell lines, are highly purified and can be well-characterised analytically. The FDA said this will also cut development costs for the drugs made using living cells.

However, these studies will be necessary in some cases, the FDA cautioned.

According to the FDA, biologics comprise just five per cent of the prescriptions in the US. However, they made up over half of the drug spending as of 2024.

The FDA has approved just a few dozen biosimilars thus far. Despite them being considered safe and effective, their market share remains under 20 per cent.

The development could deal a huge blow to drug makers who spend hundreds of millions of dollars on research and development and then rely on blockbuster sales to net them profits. The industry has previously opposed efforts to do so, saying it could hurt innovation and leave patients with fewer options.

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The development comes weeks after it was reported that the Trump administration had dropped its plans to impose tariffs on generic drugs from foreign nations. Reuters

Biosimilars have faced multiple barriers, including physician hesitancy, reimbursement policies, and complex patent litigation.

Drug makers such as Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Merck and Bristol Myers Squibb have lobbied the FDA against it and warned investors about the impact of biosimilar competition on their bottom line.

A Health and Human Services Department spokesperson pointed out that drug makers have a dozen years of exclusivity for biologic medications under the law. This, the spokesperson said, is a primary determining factor in drug development decision-making.

No manufacturer should anticipate a monopoly or anything else beyond what is legally granted, the spokesperson said.

The reforms will take the five-to-eight-year timeframe to bring a biosimilar to market and cut it in half, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said on Wednesday.

Lobby invented fake distinction

Under this new framework, companies may not always need to conduct large, expensive human trials when advanced testing can already prove that biosimilars work just as effectively and just as safely as the original drug, Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy was quoted as saying.

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Kennedy has claimed that biosimilars not only cost half of biologics, but that their entry into the market decreases the price of branded drugs by 25 per cent. The FDA has claimed that biosimilars saved the US $20 billion (Rs. 1.77 lakh crore) in costs just last year.

Kennedy has challenged many of the pharmaceutical industrys arguments for not treating biosimilars as equal to the original branded medicines, saying they were tactics to prevent competition. The lobby invented a fake distinction between biosimilars and interchangeable biosimilars, he said.

The FDAs move follows recent pricing agreements between US President Donald Trump and drug makers, which have added pressure on branded drug revenues.

US President Donald Trump holds an executive order on prescription drug pricing next to US Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F Kennedy, Jr, during a press conference in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. Reuters

Currently, in some circumstances, developers perform switching studies to prove their biosimilars should be licensed as interchangeable with the original branded medicine. The FDA said these additional studies can slow development and create public confusion about biosimilar safety.

Once deemed interchangeable, the medicines can be readily substituted for the more expensive drug.

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Were planting a flag saying we want interchangeability. We promote it, we encourage it, said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. The final guidance is expected to come out in three to six months, Makary said.

Will this help India?

It certainly could.

Indian drug makers are the biggest manufacturers of generic prescription medication for the United States. Data shows that India, which is known as the pharmacy of the world, comprises nearly half of all generic medication that is bought in the US. Americas domestic drug makers, meanwhile, comprise around 30 per cent of generic medication and drug makers elsewhere account for the rest.

Millions of Americans depend on these low-cost and often life-saving drugs that bring them relief from hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, mood swings and cancer.

India sends just over a third of its pharmaceutical exports to the United States  mostly generic versions of popular drugs. Indian companies send generic medication worth $20 billion (Rs. 1.77 lakh crore) to the US every year.

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The Trump administration had earlier excluded tariffs on generic drugs after members of President Trumps Domestic Policy Council argued doing so would result in price spikes and drug shortages in America. They even claimed tariffs in this instance may not work at all given that they are extremely cheap to produce in places like India.

With inputs from agencies
The first phase of Bihars assembly election sets the stage for a fight among the states political heavyweights who are making their final appeals to voters in what promises to be one of the most closely watched contests of 2025

Battleground Bihar is ready for a three-way fight between old players and a new one who will debut in active politics in his maiden state election. Fighting to clinch the assembly in Bihar are the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the opposition INDIA bloc and political strategist-turned politician Prashant Kishors Jan Suraaj party.

The first phase of voting will begin on November 6, with NDAs Nitish Kumar, the current chief minister of the state, hoping to beat the 20-year anti-incumbency for another record term in office, and Tejashwi Yadav, the INDIA blocs choice for CM, looking to cash in on the same anti-incumbency against the ruling coalition. Amid a direct face-off between the BJP and JDU-led NDA and INDIA bloc, which Congress is also a part of, Jan Suraaj is eyeing to emerge as a fresh face in Bihars caste-ridden politics.

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The first phase of Bihars assembly election sets the stage for a fight among the states political heavyweights who are making their final appeals to voters in what promises to be one of the most closely watched contests of 2025.

Numbers that matter

Bihars 243 constituencies will go to the polls in two phases  121 seats on November 6 and the remaining 122 on November 11. Votes will be counted on November 14, with results expected to begin coming in by the afternoon.

This election will see participation from 7.43 crore voters, including 14 lakh first-time voters, who will choose between three distinct political visions for the states future. The NDA currently holds 131 seats, while the Grand Alliance has 111 in the outgoing assembly.

In the seat-sharing arrangements, the BJP and JD(U) are each contesting 101 seats, while the RJD has fielded the largest number of candidates within the opposition alliance. The ultimate outcome will hinge on how voters respond to these competing political narratives.

What Nitish Kumars NDA is banking on: Experience and incremental progress

Nitish Kumar is relying on his developmental record as the foundation of his campaign, with the NDA promising continuity alongside expanded welfare measures. The alliance has pledged to create 10 million job opportunities for youth over the next five years, building on earlier employment-generation efforts. It also promises 125 units of free electricity for households, extending power subsidies to 1.67 crore families, and enhanced pension schemes offering Rs 1,100Rs3,000 per month for the elderly, women, and persons with disabilities.

The manifesto further outlines solar power projects for the poorest families and new educational infrastructure for OBC students. Along with these welfare and social measures, the NDA has placed a strong emphasis on infrastructure expansion, both in Patna and across the rest of Bihar.

What Tejashwi Yadav is offering to woo voters: Populist transformation

Led by Tejashwi Yadav, the Grand Alliance has announced what it calls the most ambitious welfare package of this election. At the heart of its promises is the pledge to provide one government job per family, with legislation to be passed within 20 days of taking power and recruitment completed within 20 months. The alliance also promises 200 units of free electricity for every household, going beyond the NDAs offer, along with a Rs 2,500 monthly allowance for women. Additionally, Jeevika Didis would be granted permanent government status with a salary of Rs 30,000.

The Grand Alliances welfare commitments extend further to the revival of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for government employees, free health insurance coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh for families, and subsidized gas cylinders to ease household expenses. These measures, the alliance says, are aimed at strengthening social security and providing relief to lower- and middle-income families across Bihar.

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On the development front, the coalition has promised to build five new expressways and attract large-scale industrial investments to generate employment and modernize infrastructure. It has also proposed a review of the states liquor prohibition policy, arguing that a recalibrated approach could help restore traditional livelihoods and support local economies.

Prashant Kishors Jan Suraaj promises economic reforms no one talks about in Bihar

Prashant Kishor has outlined a fundamentally different vision for Bihar, centered on economic revival and governance reform. He proposes a complete lifting of the states liquor prohibition, arguing that doing so could recover nearly Rs 28,000 crore in annual revenue. The regained funds, he says, would serve as leverage to unlock Rs 56 lakh crore in international development loans, providing the financial base for large-scale modernization and infrastructure initiatives.

Kishors plan also emphasizes modern governance reforms, with a strong focus on transparency and anti-corruption measures. Instead of blanket bans, he advocates for responsible regulation across sectors, aiming to balance growth with accountability. His approach departs from traditional populist welfare schemes, prioritizing systemic and institutional change as the path toward long-term development.
After revolutionising mobile data, Jio is taking on AI. In partnership with Google, it will offer 18 months of free Gemini Pro access, bringing access of generative AI to millions of Indians.

After transforming Indias digital landscape with affordable data, Reliance Jio is now gearing up to democratise access to artificial intelligence. In a partnership with Google, Jio will offer free access to the Gemini Pro AI plan, the most advanced artificial intelligence platform to selected Jio users for 18 months.

The collaboration mirrors Jios strategy that made cheap internet accessible to hundreds of millions of Indians in 2016. This time, the company aims to do the same for AI, enabling users across the country from students to small business owners to experience cutting-edge AI tools without financial barriers.

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Under the partnership, Jio users will receive complimentary access to the Gemini Pro plan, which typically costs over 35,000 per year. The offer, valid for a year and a half will allow users to tap into Googles latest generative AI capabilities including content creation, coding support, translation, image generation and advanced productivity features.

The limited-period offer, part of a broader RelianceGoogle partnership to accelerate AI adoption across India, opens on October 30. It is available to Jio customers under 25 years of age on eligible Unlimited 5G plans, without any additional cost to Jio.

Reliance Intelligence aims to make intelligence services accessible to 1.45 billion Indians. Through our collaboration with strategic and long-term partners like Google, we aim to make India not just AI-enabled but AI-empowered  where every citizen and enterprise can harness intelligent tools to create, innovate and grow," said Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Industries Limited.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, said Reliance has been a longstanding partner in Googles goal of advancing Indias digital future. Together weve brought affordable internet access and smartphones to millions. Now, we are bringing this collaboration into the AI era. Todays announcement will put Googles cutting-edge AI tools in the hands of consumers, businesses, and Indias vibrant developer community. Im excited for how this partnership will help expand access to AI across India.

Eligible users on 5G Unlimited prepaid or postpaid plans starting at Rs 349 can activate the offer via the Claim Now banner in the MyJio app. The benefits continue for 18 months as long as the user remains on an Unlimited 5G plan. Existing Gemini Pro subscribers using a valid Gmail ID can switch to the complimentary Google AI Pro  Powered by Jio plan once their current paid term ends.

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Reliance also announced a new collaboration with Google Cloud to expand access to its advanced AI hardware accelerators, Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). The partnership aims to help Indian organizations train and deploy larger AI models, deliver faster inferencing, and accelerate enterprise AI adoption.

As part of the expanded alliance, Reliance Intelligence will become a strategic go-to-market partner for Google Cloud to drive the adoption of Gemini Enterprise across Indian businesses. It will also develop and offer its own pre-built enterprise AI agents within Gemini Enterprise, alongside Googles and third-party offerings.
National flags of China and India fly next to the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center, a venue for 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China August 30, 2025

The Indian government has granted the first set of import licenses to four domestic companies, including the Indian arms of suppliers like Hitachi and Continental India, allowing them to procure c rucial rare earth (RE) magnets directly from China.

The move comes as a welcome relief to the Indian auto industry, which has been severely strained since Beijing imposed strict export controls on these critical materials in April.

Thawing a critical supply freeze

The licences represent a breakthrough, marking the first government clearances since Chinathe worlds dominant producertightened the export process for RE magnets.

These magnets, particularly neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB), are indispensable components for manufacturing electric vehicle (EV) motors, wind turbines, and other high-tech equipment.

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The new Chinese restrictions, which did not impose an outright ban but made procurement extremely cumbersome, had raised serious concerns across Indias nascent EV sector about potential shortages, production delays, and subsequent price hikes.

The Indian car industry had lobbied the government to simplify the process.

Industry sources indicate the permits are conditional and subject to strict checks, including an assurance to Chinese authorities that the imported magnets will be used exclusively in vehicles and not for defense or military applications. Importers were also required to secure endorsements from local bodies like the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the development, noting the importance of securing this essential material for domestic industries.

VIDEO | Delhi: Some Indian companies have received licences for importing rare-earth magnets from China. As far as there is a question of the recent talks and relaxations between the US and China, I will come back to you on how its going to play into our domain, says MEA pic.twitter.com/3VdkkoTX8y  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 30, 2025

The MEA spokesperson stated on Thursday: Yes, we confirm that some Indian companies have received licences to import rare earths from China.

A win against costly redesign

The ability to import magnets directly is a major advantage for Indian manufacturers.

Previously, Beijing had reportedly begun insisting that carmakers buy complete electric motor assemblies instead of just the magnets. This would have forced Indian auto companies to undertake costly vehicle redesigns to fit the standard sizes of Chinese motor assemblies.

Getting licences for the magnets lets manufacturers adjust motor sizes to fit their vehicles. While India aims to build a strong domestic rare earth supply chain in the long term, these licences give short-term stability to the countrys high-tech manufacturing.
The move offers New Delhi significant, albeit temporary, support for its ambitious regional trade and connectivity plans

The Chabahar Port is located in the Sistan-Balochistan province on energy-rich Irans southern coast. File image/AFP

The United States has granted India a crucial six-month extension of the sanctions waiver for its operations at Irans Chabahar Port along the Gulf of Oman, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Thursday.

The decision provides a temporary but major relief for New Delhis ambitious regional trade and connectivity goals.

The MEA spokesperson confirmed the development, stating: US has granted India six months exemption from American sanctions on Chabahar port; we remain engaged with US to conclude a trade deal.

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VIDEO | Delhi: US has granted India six months exemption from American sanctions on Chabahar port; we remain engaged with US to conclude a trade deal, says MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) during a press briefing.#Chabahar #US #Sanctions



(Full video available on pic.twitter.com/JxhoGpBLsx  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 30, 2025

The waiver is essential for India as it ensures continued access to a strategic trade corridor that allows it to send goods and humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and Central Asia, crucially bypassing Pakistan.

The ports operation is considered fundamental to the effectiveness of Indias regional outreach.

This relief follows Indias signing of a landmark 10-year agreement in May 2024 with Irans Port and Maritime Organisation to operate the facility.

New Delhi successfully secured the extension after intense diplomatic engagement with Washington, where officials argued that the ports continued functioning was vital for regional stability and connectivity.

Chabahar is also a critical component in linking with the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). Landlocked nations, including Uzbekistan, have expressed keen interest in using the port to diversify their trade routes and secure alternatives to Chinas vast Belt and Road network.

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Even Russia is reportedly exploring its use via Central Asian states to expand trade connections with India and other parts of Asia, further cementing the ports geopolitical and economic importance.
Indias Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will leave for Kuala Lumpur on November 1 to attend the 12th ADMM-Plus. The meeting aims to strengthen defence and security cooperation among Asean member states and India.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will depart for Kuala Lumpur to attend the 12th Asean Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), scheduled to be held in Malaysia on November 1, the Ministry of Defence said in an official release.

In a post on X, Singh said, Today, 30th October, I shall be leaving New Delhi for Kuala Lumpur. I would be taking part in this years Asean Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) being held in Malaysia on 01st November."

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Today, 30th October, I shall be leaving New Delhi for Kula Lumpur. I would be taking part in this years ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting - Plus (ADMM-Plus) being held in Malaysia on 01st November. I shall be addressing the forum on Reflection on 15 years of ADMM-Plus and  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 30, 2025

He added that he will address the forum on the theme, Reflection on 15 years of ADMM Plus and Charting the Way Forward."

On the sidelines, the second edition of Asean India Defence Ministers Informal Meeting, under the chairmanship of Malaysia, will be held on October 31, wherein Defence Ministers from all Asean member countries will take part, Singh noted.

The meeting aims to further strengthen defence and security cooperation among Asean member states and India and advance the Act East Policy."

During the two-day visit, Singh is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from the participating ADMM Plus nations and with Malaysias senior leadership.

ADMM is the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). The ADMM Plus framework brings together Asean member states, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam, along with eight Dialogue Partners  India, the US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand  to strengthen security and defence cooperation.

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India became a dialogue partner of Asean in 1992, and the inaugural ADMM Plus was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam, on October 12, 2010. Since 2017, the ADMM Plus has been held annually to enhance regional security cooperation.

Under this framework, India is the co-chair of the Experts Working Group on Counter Terrorism with Malaysia for the 2024 to 2027 cycle. The second edition of the Asean India Maritime Exercise is also scheduled for 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed the Asean India Summit virtually, reaffirming collaboration in counter-terrorism, maritime security, and the early review of the Asean India Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The Prime Minister and Asean leaders reviewed progress in Asean-India relations and discussed initiatives to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

In support of Malaysias chairmanship theme of Inclusivity and Sustainability, PM Modi announced Indias continued support for the implementation of the Asean India Plan of Action (2026 to 2030) and the adoption of the Asean India Joint Leaders Statement on Sustainable Tourism, marking the Asean India Year of Tourism.

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Earlier, during his visit to Kuala Lumpur, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed Indias full commitment to ensuring a peaceful, progressive, and prosperous future for the Indo-Pacific region.

Addressing the East Asia Summit in Malaysia on Monday, Jaishankar said, India values EAS contribution to peace, progress and prosperity, and looked forward to its positive outcomes.
India and Cyprus have reaffirmed their long-standing partnership through new bilateral talks and the launch of a joint action plan. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed Indias support for Cypruss upcoming EU presidency and reiterated New Delhis backing for the island nations sovereignty and unity.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has begun bilateral discussions with the Foreign Minister of Cyprus to deepen cooperation and chart new areas of collaboration. The meeting reflects the steady growth in the friendship between the two nations, built on trust, mutual respect, and shared democratic values.

Bilateral talks and new action plan

During the meeting, the External Affairs Minister confirmed that both countries have finalized an India Cyprus joint action plan to expand cooperation in various fields. The plan aims to enhance engagements in trade, investment, technology, education, and culture. Both ministers emphasized the importance of regular dialogue to achieve these shared goals and strengthen strategic ties in the Mediterranean region.

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Support for Cyprus presidency of EU Council

Cyprus is preparing to take over the presidency of the European Union Council in the near future. The External Affairs Minister conveyed Indias best wishes and expressed confidence that under Cypruss leadership, cooperation between India and the EU would attain new heights. India looks forward to working with Cyprus in promoting mutual interests at global platforms and in enhancing connectivity between Europe and Asia.

Shared values of stability and trust

Both leaders reaffirmed that India and Cyprus remain trusted partners, noting that dependability in international relations is increasingly rare. The External Affairs Minister highlighted that this partnership is rooted in time tested friendship and a strong sense of solidarity built over decades.

Indias stand on Cyprus issue

Reiterating Indias consistent position, the External Affairs Minister conveyed New Delhis unwavering support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Cyprus. He underlined Indias commitment to a peaceful settlement based on a bizonal and bicommunal federation with political equality, in line with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The Pakistani leadership is now convincing its people that India is backing terrorist groups operating against it from Afghan soil. Islamabads hypocrisy is obvious: It wants from Kabul what it doesnt do for Delhi.

Following the visit of Afghanistan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to Delhi, India upgraded its technical mission in Kabul to an embassy. India had closed its embassy in Kabul in 2021, when the Taliban took control of the country, expecting it to be a Pakistan-dominated state. It re-established a technical mission in June 2022 to monitor its aid supplies once it became evident that Kabul would not be controlled by Islamabad.

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Currently, tensions are high between the two states along the Durand Line. The MEA statement on the re-establishment of the embassy read: This decision (to upgrade the technical mission to an embassy) underscores Indias resolve to deepen its bilateral engagement with the Afghan side in all spheres of mutual interest.

The recent visit to India by Muttaqi was a game changer. While in India, Muttaqi signed a joint statement acknowledging that India and Afghanistan are neighbours, implying that POK and Gilgit-Baltistan are part of India. He also criticised Pakistans handling of the TLP (Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan) protests. Pakistan, as expected, condemned both the statement and his remarks but was clearly unsettled by the growing India-Afghanistan bonhomie.

The announcement of the embassys opening coincides with worsening Pakistan-Afghanistan ties after Pakistan launched airstrikes on multiple locations in Afghanistan, frustrated by a series of attacks by the TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) on its security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This led to serious border clashes, with Pakistan suffering losses, its soldiers surrendering, and posts being captured by the Taliban. The Taliban displayed captured Pakistani weapons as a sign of victory.

Currently, there is a ceasefire mediated by Qatar between the two sides. Attacks by Baloch freedom fighters and the TTP continue unabated on Pakistani security forces. Further talks to resolve the border and terrorism issues emanating from Afghanistan are ongoing. Pakistani leaders continue to threaten Afghanistan with open conflict if the attacks persist.

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Pakistan has been accusing India of being behind these terrorist attacks. DG ISPR Lt Gen Chaudhary stated in a press conference, Indian proxies are working in Afghanistan and using Afghan soil for terrorism. Shehbaz Sharif claimed that India incited the Taliban, while Defence Minister Khawaja Asif remarked that the Taliban leadership is sitting in Indias lap. Pakistans defence minister has no real role in managing defence other than giving media interviews, often contradicting himself.

Accusing India is nothing new for Pakistan. During the US-backed Karzai government, Islamabad blamed Indian consulates for funding anti-Pakistan groups operating from Afghan soil. India never bothers to respond, aware that Pakistan is hiding its internal failures.

The Afghan defence minister retaliated strongly to Pakistans accusations, stating, Afghanistan has never allowed its territory to be used by another country. We are an independent nation, and our relations with India and Pakistan are guided solely by national interest. On the contrary, he blamed Pakistan for backing ISIK (Islamic State  Khorasan Province), which seeks to overthrow the Taliban regime.

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The Taliban have never accepted the Durand Line as the border between them and Pakistan. In their view, it is an artificial line dividing Pashtun tribal lands and undermining Afghan sovereignty. This has added to tensions between the two states.

Qatar was compelled to revise its official statement issued on the ceasefire it mediated in the Pakistan-Afghan conflict. The original statement had read that the ceasefire would contribute to ending tensions on the border between the two brotherly countries. The revised statement mentioned it would reduce tensions between the two brotherly countries. The word border was removed at the Talibans insistence.

As a signal of goodwill towards India re-establishing ties, the Taliban leadership began emphasising the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline. Once completed, this pipeline would be a major boost for gas-hungry India. In addition, Afghanistan has invited Indian companies to invest in its mineral, agriculture, and hydroelectric sectors. Untapped minerals in Afghanistan are estimated to be worth $1-3 trillion.

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The opening of embassies, even without formal recognition of the Taliban regime, is a step closer to legitimacy for the regime. Afghanistans strategic location makes it a crucial link in Indias North-South Corridor commencing from the Chabahar Port, bypassing Pakistan. This would open access to Central Asian markets.

Apart from ensuring that Pakistans anti-India proxies will not exploit Afghan soil, the ties will also help counter Chinas growing influence in the region. India would never want Afghanistan to become a proxy state for Pakistan. There are also unconfirmed reports that India and Afghanistan are close to finalising a defence deal under which India would re-activate air defence systems in Afghanistan. This would deny Pakistan the freedom to target Afghanistan by air.

For Pakistan, Indian presence in Afghanistan is a new challenge. It also counters their growing presence in Bangladesh. Asim Munir, Pakistans failed marshal, recently threatened Indias Northeast, suggesting exploiting Bangladesh. Recently, Pakistans Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman, Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, led a delegation to Bangladesh and met interim government chief Mohamad Yunus in Dhaka. It was claimed that the delegation visited areas close to Indias vulnerable Chickens Neck corridor.

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Increased Indian presence and influence in Afghanistan is more than just a counterit places Pakistans troubled regions, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, at risk. While India and Bangladesh do not have border issues, Pakistan and Afghanistan do. If Pakistan attempts to exploit Bangladesh, India will have options.

Pakistan currently faces a host of internal and external challenges. Its relations with neighbours India and Afghanistan are at their lowest ebb ever. It has been involved in limited conflicts with both. Its ties with Iran remain tense, with both engaging in missile attacks. Internally, the Pashtuns and Baloch are up in arms, and there are other violent protests aimed at the state. Simultaneously, it faces economic shortfalls.

With improved Indo-Afghan ties, Pakistans dreams of exploiting Afghanistan as strategic depth against India have ended. It can no longer consider shifting its anti-India terrorist bases into Afghanistan to shield them from Indian missile and air strikes. No wonder the Pakistani leadership criticised Muttaqis visit. It is now convincing its people that India is backing terrorist groups operating against it from Afghan soil. Pakistans hypocrisy is obvious: It wants from Afghanistan what it doesnt do for India.

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Kabul also views India as an ally that would support it against its main adversary, Pakistan. New Delhi has always been the first responder in case of any calamity in Afghanistan. Pakistans blocking of Indian aid transit through its territory has further aggravated ties with Kabul.

For both India and Afghanistan, the old adage holds true: My enemys enemy is my friend.

(The author is a former Indian Army officer, strategic analyst and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
The global nuclear threat is increasing. At a time of severe tensions between Russia and the United States and a continuing war in Ukraine, Moscow tested not just a nuclear-capable missile, which is par for the course most of the time, but a nuclear-powered one, which means that it has a small nuclear-powered unit on board.

That can have big implications, especially in the case of an accident or misadventure. But what is even more interesting is the timing of the test and its attendant fallout in terms of ending the Ukraine war. Meanwhile, Europe, as it has done so many times before, seems to be engaged in expanding the war.

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Completely new missile

The test of the Burevestnikmeaning a stormy petrel, a bird of the seastook place on October 21, but was announced only on October 26 for reasons unknown. Russias top general, Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff of Russias armed forces, said that the missile travelled 14,000 km (8,700 miles) and was in the air for about 15 hours. Its entirely possible, since it is travelling on nuclear power, unlike existing missiles whose ranges are limited by a complicated fuel weight versus warhead balance. It has an unlimited range.

The missile has been in development at least since 2018 and seems to have had hard luck in earlier tests, with at least 12 failures, and one in 2019, leading directly to the death of at least 5 scientists and reported radiation in the White Sea. Earlier assessments from Western sources put the final date of entry into service as at least a decade away.

In 2024, a potential site for the missile was identified 260 km north of Moscow and, extremely unusually, located right next to a nuclear storage site. The reasons for that are unclear, though it could be a deliberate move to ensure that no one attacks that base. The attendant radiation could envelop Europe and the US. But once in service, it could be a game changer, with this in theory capable of circling the earth for days and dodging missile defences.

Critics, however, say its subsonic speed made it vulnerable to interception. The question is, however, whether it can be shot down over friendly territory, thereby risking the population to radiation.

Future of arms control

Add to all this. The only arms control treaty still in existence, the New Start, is due not just to expire next year, together with a clutch of treaties that the US walked out on; it also does not really cover this range of missile, with an ICBM defined as having an intercontinental range of 5000 km. This could be at least twice that or more.

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Whether the US is at all interested in arms control now is contested. A not unreasonable view among the arms control community is that any new treaty should bring in China. The latter rather leaves the door open to bring in others like India with a budding ICBM capability. A whole train of events could follow soon that New Delhi needs to keep an eye on.

Cautious reactions

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump was interestingly casual about the test, observing that it was inappropriate. He did mention that the US had a nuclear submarine right off their shores. But, this aligns with Trumps stance on Ukraine, where he has said that Europe should pay for supplying US weapons, funding peacekeepers if a ceasefire happens, and covering reconstruction costs.

In other words, Washington is saying this is not its war and has, in a rather unprecedented strategy, refused to acknowledge implied nuclear threats to it, though it is also arguing for a resumption of nuclear testing.

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Natos Secretary General Mark Rutte, for instance, dismissed the whole thing, saying it did not see any immediate dangers despite reckless and irresponsible statements from Moscow. This is, however, accompanied by considerable unease in Europe, with President Macron offering a discussion on French nuclear forcesnumbering about 300as a deterrent for Europe.

Then came the Northwood Declaration of July 2025 with the UK, which stated, Our nuclear weapons exist to deter the most extreme threats to the security of our nations and our vital interests. Our nuclear forces are independent but can be coordinated and contribute significantly to the overall security of the Alliance and to the peace and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area." It, however, again exercises caution in declaring that there is no immediate threat.

Ironically, the UKs deterrentat about 225is entirely US dependent. But its still a development indicating unease. France has continued to modernise its arsenal of submarines with a recent test of the SLBM with new warheads, said to be capable of evading enemy defences. Submarines form the core of the French deterrent. All in all, a nuclear arms race is developing, as SIPRI observes.

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In sum, Putin may have succeeded in dividing Europe from the US, even as the European Union as a grouping slows economically on the back of high energy costs. Countries like Germany, which once powered the European Union, are now in recession. Political instability is also rampant, as much of Europe remains divided on the Russian war.

A red line

The launch of such a formidable missile by Russia is not without its own costs. It risks a pre-emptive strike and, as Trump says, is hugely vulnerable to submarine-launched missiles. But its the political messaging that is important here. This reflects Putins strong opposition to supplying Ukraine with 2,500-km-range Tomahawk missiles. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and others have warned that it is impossible to distinguish between a nuclear-armed and a conventional Tomahawk, cautioning that such a move could ultimately backfire on Trump himself.

That is naturally why Ukraine wants them in the first place. Everyone wants Washington in and on the ground. Meanwhile, the sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoilwhich include all their subsidiaries involved in downstream activitieshave led to the latter announcing the sale of all its international assets, which lie across the world. It supplies Hungary, Slovakia and Turkeys major refinery. How this is going to pan out is unclear, as is whether this is a threat to Europe as well.

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As of now the war grinds on with Russias advantage. Putins demand to retain all of Donbas, rather than merely freezing the current battle lines, is something Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is unlikely to accept. Even a ceasefire based on the existing status quopending future negotiationswould likely require strong pressure from Trump to materialise.

Meanwhile, politically driven Europe is still insisting that all territoryincluding Crimeabe returned. Thats positioning. Everyone on the stage knows thats not going to happen. Meanwhile, Russia has offered nuclear arms control talks, which Trump says is a good idea even as SIPRI notes that there is no indication at all that Russia is increasing its tactical nuclear stockpile as predicted by the US in 2020.

Despite the Kremlins determination to retake all of Donbas, now part of its constitution, and to disarm Ukraine, it appears to have no intention of triggering a nuclear escalation. Yet, European warnings suggesting that Nato territory could be next are often overstated, and these misperceptions are among the misconceptions fueling the war and costing hundreds of lives.

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As a noted expert pointed out, Russia has never attacked Europe in its entire history, nor occupied it unless by treaty. It is Nato that has expanded steadily, despite repeated (unwritten) promises not to move an inch from its postwar borders. The universe is about cause and effect. Time for Europe to look closely at its own causes and ponder on the final effect. If it goes out of control, it might be truly final.

Tara Kartha is Director, Research and Analysis at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
As China looms larger, a strong US-India partnership isnt optionalit is essential. Policymakers in Washington should seize this moment and make a deal that is mutually beneficial while honouring Delhis aspirations

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that Washington is working to have a new trade deal with India soon, emphasising that the two nations have strong bilateral ties. Donald Trump imposed 50 per cent tariffs on most US imports from India in August, over its purchases of discounted Russian oil. His shift from earlier threats signals a pragmatic pivot, but one that demands scrutiny.

Speaking at the APEC CEOs Luncheon in Gyeongju, South Korea, Trump praised PM Modis leadership. He called Modi a father but also tough as hell. He also said that he is going to do a trade deal with India.

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The India-US relationship, which has been built painstakingly for decades, has soured due to the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. President Trump has repeatedly claimed to broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. India has refused to back this claim and refused to engage in Trumps Nobel Peace Prize bid. The US Presidents recent lunch with Pakistans army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, also caused friction in the relations between the two nations.

The deportation of undocumented Indians and the tightening of visa regulations were additional factors that strained the two countries relationship. Although Trumps upbeat tone gives some hope, it also presents a chance to reshape bilateral relations in a time of geopolitical upheaval.

America ought to support a trade agreement that gives Indias equity top priority. The United States can unlock mutual prosperity and strengthen a vital ally against Chinas expanding influence by lowering tariffs and encouraging cooperation.

US tariffs of 50 per cent on goods from India took effect in August as Trump sought to punish Delhi for buying discounted Russian oil. Trump has argued that Indias continued purchase of Russian oil is helping to power Russias war machine.

India and the US have been in trade negotiations since February, but major sticking points still remain, including access to agricultural markets and dairy. India has resisted this, citing the negative impacts on many small farmers.

The US must slash those punitive tariffs, starting with steel and pharma. When sanctions are removed, business as usual resumes. In return, India could commit to stronger IP protections, perhaps through sector-specific reforms that safeguard US innovations without choking affordable access.

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Beyond tariffs, the deal should embrace collaboration in emerging tech. Imagine joint ventures in AI and renewables, where Indias talent pool complements Americas capital.

The US could facilitate Indias transition to clean energy through technology transfers, easing reliance on problematic suppliers.

Lastly, to avoid further escalation, incorporate dispute resolution procedures. Not to mention interpersonal relationships: skilled worker visa reforms could help heal cultural gaps and transform trade into a fabric of mutual prosperity. Critics also argue that India must open its markets more aggressively.

Yet, these concerns pale against the strategic imperative. As China looms larger, a strong US-India partnership isnt optionalit is essential. Policymakers in Washington should seize this moment, and make a deal that is mutually beneficial while honouring Delhis aspirations.

(The writer is a columnist. His articles have appeared in various publications like The Independent, The Globe and Mail, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, etc. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.)
A new GOP voter survey reveals a striking twist as nearly two-thirds of Republican voters now want Trump to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. Whats driving this hawkish shift within the party? Read here

In a shift in GOP approach toward the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, a new survey of likely Republican primary voters shows that a clear majority support President Donald Trumps proposal to sell US Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.

The figure emerges amid mounting debate in Washington over whether the US should equip Ukraine with weapons capable of striking deep into Russian territory, a move that would represent both a tactical leap and a strategic gamble.

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The missile system under discussion, first launched by US forces in the early 1990s, carries a range of up to 1,500 miles and has been described by analysts as a battle-field game-changer if transferred to Kyiv.

Republican base backs a tougher stance

According to the Ukraine GOP Primary Voter Survey, 63 percent of Republican voters approve of the US selling Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles to Kyiv. While still 37 percent expressed disapproval.

While Republican lawmakers remain split over broader Ukraine policy, the survey shows that the GOP base increasingly favours bold action. The backing of Tomahawk missile deployment reflects a shift away from traditional isolationism toward a more interventionist postureone defined by arming allies with cutting-edge systems rather than merely supplying munitions via third parties.

Yet this backing comes at a moment when US policy remains uncertain. Reports suggested that actual delivery of Tomahawks to Ukraine is unlikely in the near term, as senior Pentagon and NATO officials warned over risks of escalation with Russia.

Strategic and political undercurrents

For Trump, who is weighing whether to authorise such transfers should he return to office, the poll results offer a potent political signal: his base is ready for confrontation, provided it bears the Make America Strong Again stamp. Inside the GOP, theres growing belief that Ukrainian victories correlate with American strengthhence the appetite for weapons that challenge Moscows assumed sanctuary zones.

Still, policymakers warn that transferring Tomahawks would cross a red-line: it would open the door to strikes inside Russian territory that could propel Russia toward retaliation, heightening the risk of a wider conflict. Moscow has already warned of serious escalation if such missiles are provided to Kyiv.

This latest finding highlighted a strategic recalibration among Republican voters. Earlier in June 2025, only 39 percent of GOP voters said they favoured new US military funding for Ukraine. That figure has now risen to 47 percent, according to the same survey, hinting that Trumps vocal support for selective, results-driven assistance may be shaping grassroots sentiment.

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Analysts quoted by Fox News described the missile as a battlefield game-changer capable of striking deep within Russian territory, while Trump allies argue that its sale would restore US leverage without committing American troops.

Putin viewed overwhelmingly unfavourably

The October survey also paints a clear picture of Republican attitudes toward the wars key actors. Vladimir Putins favourability rating stands at just 10 percent, with 81 percent viewing him unfavourably, including nearly two-thirds who hold a very unfavourable opinion.

In contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy enjoys a 76 percent favourability rating, with a third of voters describing their impression as very favourable.

Religion, ideology and identity in play

The survey also reveals the cultural and ideological underpinnings of these views. Nearly 71 percent of respondents agreed that Ukraine is a Christian country and 64 percent agreed that Putin persecutes Christians, suggesting that religious identity plays a role in shaping sympathies.

Among respondents, 78 percent identified as conservative and 41 percent described themselves as evangelical or born-again Christians, a demographic historically attentive to narratives of faith-based persecution abroad.

As Trump positions himself as the Republican frontrunner heading into 2026, these findings indicate that his framing of Ukraine not as a foreign entanglement but as a moral and strategic battleground resonates deeply with the GOP base.
Trumps abrupt order to resume US nuclear testing after 33 years has sparked fears of a new Cold War, risking a global chain reaction that could destabilise decades of nuclear restraint. Read here

In a move that has stunned the international community and raised fears of a new nuclear arms race, US President Donald Trump has ordered the immediate resumption of nuclear weapons testing, the first such decision in over three decades.

His announcement, made on Truth Social just hours before a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, signals a seismic recalibration of Washingtons nuclear doctrine and threatens to dismantle the fragile architecture of restraint that has underpinned international test-ban efforts since the end of the Cold War.

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Defending his move, Trump invoked parallel developments in Russia and China, asserting that the United States cannot afford to fall behind in strategic capability. The United States has more nuclear weapons than any other country, he said in a statement that highlighted both his administrations assertive pursuit of nuclear parity and its willingness to abandon decades-old norms in the name of deterrence.

Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.

The decision ends a 33-year hiatus since the US last conducted a full-scale nuclear test in 1992, although subcritical experiments have continued since then. Trump, who said he hated the destructive nature of nuclear arms but saw no choice, insisted the order was necessary to maintain parity as Russia and China expand their arsenals.

Moscows provocations and Beijings warning

Trumps announcement followed a series of high-profile weapons tests by Russia. President Vladimir Putin recently unveiled new strategic weapons including the Poseidon nuclear-powered underwater drone and the Burevestnik cruise missile both capable of carrying nuclear payloads. He also confirmed that Russias Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, dubbed Satan 2, is nearing deployment.

Although the Kremlin later clarified that these systems were not live nuclear warhead tests, Moscow warned it would act accordingly if the US departed from the informal moratorium. If someone departs from the moratorium, Russia will act accordingly, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

China, meanwhile, urged the US to earnestly abide by its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). We hope the United States will uphold global strategic balance and stability, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun.

A high-stakes escalation

Analysts warn that Trumps decision risks triggering a global domino effect. A US nuclear test could set off an uncontrolled chain reaction, experts at the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists warned earlier this year. Such a move, they warned, could prompt other major powers  including Russia, China and potentially North Korea to resume their own testing programs, eroding decades of arms control efforts and destabilising global security.

The US and Russia together hold nearly 90% of the worlds nuclear warheads, roughly 11,000 in total, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Both nations are bound by the New START treaty, which limits the number of deployed long-range nuclear weapons, but the agreement expires in February 2026.

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If Washington resumes live nuclear detonations, it would mark a formal break from the de facto moratorium observed by all major nuclear powers except North Korea since the late 1990s. The US halted testing in 1992 after conducting 1,030 tests since the first Trinity detonation in 1945. Any resumption would likely occur at the Nevada National Security Site, though experts say it could take years to prepare facilities for such operations.

The return of nuclear brinkmanship

Trumps order follows months of escalating nuclear rhetoric between Washington and Moscow amid the prolonged war in Ukraine. Putins repeated atomic threats and the US debate over supplying Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk missiles have strained already fragile relations.

While the Kremlin sees its nuclear posturing as leverage for diplomatic concessions in Ukraine, Washingtons response marks a shift from cautious deterrence to open reassertion of military power. Its all hands on deck for nuclear power, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, noting the US must catch up with China in nuclear development.

For now, Trump has downplayed global concerns, saying the move was appropriate given the actions of others. But diplomats and experts fear it could usher in a dangerous new phase of nuclear competition, one reminiscent of the Cold War, yet more unpredictable in a multipolar world.

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Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance said that testing of the US nuclear arsenal would ensure it actually functions properly, but did not elaborate on what type of tests President Donald Trump had ordered.

Its an important part of American national security to make sure that this nuclear arsenal we have actually functions properly, and thats part of a testing regime, Vance told reporters at the White House when asked about Trumps social media post on ordering nuclear tests.

He added that the presidents statement speaks for itself.

With inputs from agencies
Earlier this month, Trump threatened to impose an additional 100 per cent tariff on China, accusing Beijing of taking an extraordinarily aggressive position on trade

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has said that Beijing would suspend some export control measures that exacerbated the tariff war between the US and China. The announcement follows President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinpings meeting in Busan, South Korea.

According to Global Times, the MOFCOM said, The US will suspend for one year the implementation of a new rule announced on Sept 29 that expands its entity-list export restrictions to any entity that is at least 50% owned by one or more entities on the list. China will suspend the implementation of relevant export control measures announced on Oct 9 for one year and will study and refine specific plans."

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This also comes after Trump announced that Washington would be slashing tariffs on China by 10 per cent, from 57 per cent to 47 per cent, after he held an amazing meeting with Xi, the first between the two leaders in two years.

The tariff war

Earlier this month, Trump threatened to impose an additional 100 per cent tariff on China, accusing Beijing of taking an extraordinarily aggressive position on trade.

The US presidents actions came in response to Chinas announcement that it would expand its rare earths export controls, adding five new elements and extra scrutiny for semiconductor users as Beijing tightens control over the sector.

The worlds largest rare earths producer added dozens of pieces of refining technology to its control list and announced rules that will require compliance from foreign rare earth producers who use Chinese materials.

China produces over 90 per cent of the worlds processed rare earths and rare earth magnets. The 17 rare earths are vital materials in products ranging from electric vehicles to aircraft engines and military radars.

Exports of 12 of them are now restricted after the ministry added five - holmium, erbium, thulium, europium and ytterbium - along with related materials.

Putin-Trump meeting

Trump and Xi met on Thursday at a high-stakes meeting in South Korea, where the two leaders acknowledged differences but hoped to strengthen their relationship in the future. Following an amazing meeting with Xi, Trump announced that he will lower tariffs on China.

We have a great relationship. Xi is a tough negotiator, Trump said, adding that the two countries will have fantastic ties from now.

Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, met on Thursday at a high-stakes meeting in South Korea, where the two leaders acknowledged differences but hoped to strengthen their relationship in the future. Following an amazing meeting with Xi, Trump announced that he will lower tariffs on China.

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We have a great relationship. Xi is a tough negotiator, Trump said, adding that the two countries will have fantastic ties from now.
Members in the meeting unanimously urged the Canadian government to stem the spread of extremism in the country and stop the violence perpetrated by them in the guise of political activism

A bipartisan meeting in the Canadian Parliament called for a crackdown on extremist groups like Khalistan and the Muslim Brotherhood operating in the country.

The meeting was attended by several Members of Parliament, where they discussed the threats posed by Khalistani elements and other radical groups. Representatives from Indian, Iranian, Venezuelan, Cuban, Christian, and Jewish groups also marked attendance at the meeting.

Members of these communities unanimously urged the Canadian government to stem the spread of extremism in the country and stop the violence perpetrated by them in the guise of political activism. Participants of the meeting asked the government to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation.

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We had a productive bipartisan meeting in the Canadian parliament on hostile foreign influence in Canada. 12 organizations from different communities including Iranian, Venezuelan, Cuban, Indian, Christian, Jewish communities called for kicking the CCP, Khalistanis and IRGC pic.twitter.com/cygYCDuc8T  Salman Sima (@SalmanSima) October 29, 2025

Speakers at the event warned that extremist ideologies supported from abroad are threatening Canadas social harmony and damaging its reputation as a global advocate for human rights and the rule of law. They also discussed how some groups are believed to receive ideological or financial backing from foreign sources, particularly from nations aiming to create divisions within multicultural societies.

Speakers stressed that Canadian values should be grounded in respect for human rights, equality, and peaceful coexistence. They urged lawmakers to make sure the countrys commitment to free speech and diversity is not exploited by groups promoting violence or separatism.

The bipartisan nature of the meeting reflected a growing agreement across political lines that foreign interference and extremist movements pose a serious threat to national security. It ended with a united call for stronger laws and security efforts to combat hostile foreign influence and protect Canadas democratic system.
Cameroons disputed vote exposes Africas deepening leadership crisis as ageing rulers win elections but lose legitimacy, sparking protests and eroding public trust in democratic institutions across the continent.

Cameroons disputed re-election of 92-year-old Paul Biya has reignited Africas debate over ageing leadership, exposing the widening gap between entrenched rulers and increasingly restless younger populations. The protests erupting in Yaounde mirror discontent across the continent, where citizens have returned long-time leaders to power, only to challenge the legitimacy of those very victories soon after.

The Biya backlash

In Cameroon, opposition leader Maurice Kamto has rejected Biyas victory, alleging widespread fraud and vowing to resist what he called a stolen mandate. International observers have pointed to low voter turnout, a heavy security presence and restrictions on opposition rallies, all raising questions about the credibility of the electoral process.

Biya, who has ruled since 1982, now faces growing pressure from a generation that has never known another president. Despite state-controlled media portraying stability, the unrest reflects years of frustration over corruption, unemployment and human rights abuses.

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Elections without renewal

The political pattern playing out in Cameroon is familiar across Africa. Leaders such as Tanzanias Samia Suluhu Hassan, Ugandas Yoweri Museveni, and Congos Felix Tshisekedi have all secured electoral wins amid accusations of manipulation, patronage or the misuse of state institutions.

These rulers, while emphasising stability and continuity, often extend their tenure by constitutional amendments or political deals that weaken checks and balances. The result: elections provide legal validation but rarely produce political renewal or public trust.

What the data says

According to the latest Afrobarometer report (October 2024), public trust in African leaders and political institutions has fallen sharply over the past decade. Only 35 percent of citizens now express confidence in their heads of state, compared with over 50 percent ten years ago.

The survey also found that 70 percent of Africans believe their governments do not listen to ordinary people, while nearly half want term limits strictly enforced to prevent leadership stagnation. The findings highlighted the widening disconnect between rulers and the regions youthful electorate  Africas median age is just 19.

The youth disillusionment

In countries like Tanzania, the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party has held uninterrupted power since independence, and a growing segment of young voters now view politics as closed and self-serving. Digital activism and urban protests once confined to isolated movements are fast becoming organised demands for transparency and generational change.

The contradiction between voting and protesting the outcome highlights a legitimacy crisis, explains political analyst Nanjala Nyabola. Citizens participate in elections not necessarily out of trust, but because they have no genuine alternatives.

Global caution, local anger

The international response to Cameroons turmoil has been cautious. Western governments have urged restraint and dialogue but stopped short of condemning Biyas victory outright, wary of jeopardising relations with a key security partner in Central Africa.

Yet as demonstrations intensify in Yaounde and other cities, analysts warn of parallels with uprisings in Sudan (2019) and Senegal (2024), both fuelled by resentment against ageing or entrenched rulers clinging to power.

A crisis of democratic faith

For many Africans, the ballot box no longer guarantees change. The continents democratic challenge lies not in voter apathy but in leadership fatigue. As Biya marks over four decades in power and similar regimes endure elsewhere, the question is whether African democracies can regenerate from within or remain trapped in cycles of recycled leadership cloaked in electoral legitimacy.

With inputs from agencies
Chinas Vice President Han Zheng met Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Wednesday in a bid to bolster bilateral ties between the two nations.

Chinas Vice President Han Zheng met Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Wednesday in a bid to bolster bilateral ties between the two nations.

Soon after the meeting, Chinas foreign ministry released a statement, quoting Han, that Beijing is willing to work with Saudi Arabia to enhance high-level exchanges and support each other on issues of core interest.

The meeting took place after Riyadhs concerns over a flood of cheap Chinese imports undermining efforts to transition beyond oil to industrial manufacturing have held up talks between China and the Gulf states over a free trade agreement since 2024.

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The two sides agreed to strengthen bilateral ties and focus on opportunities to enhance cooperation in various fields. According to the state news agency SPA, the two sides also discussed recent regional and global developments and the countries joint efforts to address them.

As per the report, the meeting between the two leaders took place on the third day of the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference, which was hosted by Riyadh from October 30.

The event brought together more than 8,000 participants, including senior officials from around the world.
In renewed infighting among US President Donald Trumps loyalists, FBI Director Kash Patel has been leading a pushback against efforts to make Tulsi Gabbard the counter-intelligence czar in the administration. This is the second time the two loyalists have clashed lately.

FBI Director Kash Patel (left) and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on 'Worldwide Threats' on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on March 25, 2025. (Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP)

In renewed infighting among US President Donald Trumps loyalists, FBI Director Kash Patel has been leading a pushback against efforts to appoint Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), as the counter-intelligence czar in the administration. This marks the second recent clash between the two.

In a letter to Congress last week, the FBI strongly opposed efforts to make Gabbard the overall head of counter-intelligence operations for the federal government, according to The New York Times.

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Broadly, counter-intelligence refers to the pursuit of foreign spies within the government, particularly across military, security, and intelligence agencies. For many decades, Patels Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has served as the lead agency in counter-intelligence efforts.

While the FBIs letter to Congress was unsigned, officials told The Times it could not have been sent without Patels approval.

Previously, Patel and Gabbard were embroiled in a turf war when a senior intelligence official accessed FBI files related to the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. Patel was reportedly incensed, viewing the move as an overreach and an encroachment into his domain.

Patel makes case against Gabbard as counter-intelligence czar

Under Patels leadership, the FBI has opposed a bill that would place Gabbard in charge of federal counter-intelligence operations, according to The Times.

The bill, known as the Intelligence Authorization Act, proposes an overhaul of counter-intelligence operations, elevating Gabbards role from limited oversight and partial involvement to direct control of these activities.

The bill would grant Gabbard authority over all counter-intelligence work conducted by US intelligence agencies, officials familiar with the matter told The Times.

As the FBI has long been the lead federal agency in counter-intelligence efforts, such an elevation would significantly curtail its domain and reduce Patels influence within the intelligence community. Currently, Gabbard, as DNI, has minimal supervision over the FBIs counter-intelligence operations.

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In unusually strong language, the FBI stated it vigorously disagrees with and raises strong objection to the bill and the Office of the DNIs stance. The agency warned that one of the bills proposals would cause serious and long-lasting damage to US national security, according to The Times.

The FBI also noted that a draft letter prepared by the Office of the DNI claimed the intelligence community supported the proposal. However, the FBIs dissent as one of the constituent agencies of the intelligence community undermines the claim of consensus in that draft.

Gabbards latest controversy

The FBIs pushback is the latest controversy involving Gabbard, whose appointment as DNI has been among the most contentious in Trumps second term.

For years, Gabbard has maintained friendly ties with Russia and Russian allies, including former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Considering her ties to Russia, Gabbars appointment has reportedly prompted European allies to question whether they can continue sharing intelligence confidently with the United States under her leadership. There have been reports that, due to her and Trumps affinity with Russia, the British government has limited intelligence-sharing with the United States.

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Previously, The Mail on Sunday reported that concerns within the British intelligence community were so severe that some agents operating in Russia and Ukraine were extracted as a precaution. There were fears that Gabbards ties to Russia could have compromised their safety.
The Eurozone has beaten expectations to grow at 0.2% in the July-September quarter against the forecast of 0.1% growth.

European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium

The eurozone economy grew faster than expected in the third quarter of 2025, official data showed Thursday, buoyed by better-than-anticipated growth in France despite political turmoil in Europes second-biggest economy.

The EUs data agency said the 20-country single currency area recorded growth of 0.2 per cent over the July-September period from the previous quarter.

The figure was higher than the 0.1 per cent forecast by analysts for Bloomberg and FactSet  but economists sounded a note of caution for the future.

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While we do expect a gradual acceleration of growth over the coming year, we remain cautious about marking this as the start of a growth spurt, given domestic and global uncertainty, ING Banks Bert Colijn said in a note.

Thursdays data also showed the eurozone economy grew by only 0.1 per cent in the second quarter of this year.

The data arrived as the European Central Bank is expected to keep its key deposit rate steady later on Thursday.

The 27-country European Union economy expanded by 0.3 per cent, after recording 0.2 per cent growth between April and June.

The eurozone economy was supported by surprising data from France.

Despite political instability linked to the countrys massive debt and deficit, the French economy grew by 0.5 per cent in the third quarter.

The surprise was thanks to a jump in investments and exports in part because of a strong aerospace sector, which tends to see volatile production, Colijn said.

Spains economy also grew by 0.6 per cent between July and September, but it slowed down from a whopping 0.8 per cent in the previous quarter.

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But Germany, Europes biggest economy, stagnated in the same period although it narrowly dodged a recession.

The Italian economy also failed to grow between July and September.

German struggles

In September, the ECB raised its growth forecast for 2025 to 1.2 per cent.

Despite eking out growth in the third quarter, economists warned against reading too much into the data and what it means for the future.

Frances political turmoil risks being a drag, especially as Frances hung parliament remains locked in debate over next years budget.

Meanwhile, Germanys planned public spending blitz continues to struggle to make stimulus plans turn into GDP growth, Colijn said.

ECB officials are gathering in Florence, Italy, on one of their regular tours away from the central banks Frankfurt headquarters, with the rate decision set to be published at 1315 GMT.

(This is an agency story. Except for the headline, the story has not been updated by Firstpost staff.)
Following his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump said that the Taiwan issue never came up during the talks, raising concerns over Washingtons abandonment of the island region.

Following his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump said that the Taiwan issue never came up during the talks, raising concerns over Washingtons abandonment of the island region.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said that the rare earth tussle between the two nations has been settled and that there will be no more roadblocks for them. However, when asked if the concerns over Chinas growing assertiveness over Taiwan were ever raised, the American leader said that the region didnt come up during the meeting.

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Taiwan downplays abandonment

Before the talks, Taiwans Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung had said it is confident in its relations with the US amid the Trump-Xi talks. When asked by reporters about the meeting and whether Taiwan could come up, the government said it was of course paying attention to the talks.

Taiwan and the US had close cooperation on security and other matters, he said in Taipei. So we have confidence in Taiwan-US relations and have close communication channels, Lin added, quoted by Reuters.

It is pertinent to note that Taiwans democratically elected government rejects Beijings claims of sovereignty. Since taking office this year, Trump has vacillated on his position towards Taiwan while pursuing a trade deal with Beijing. Trump has said in the past that Xi told him he would not invade Taiwan while the American leader is in office. However, Trump has yet to approve any new US arms sales to Taipei.

The Blackwell chip was also not discussed

While speaking to reporters, Trump said that he also did not discuss chipmaker Nvidias state-of-the-art Blackwell artificial intelligence chip during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. He was seen walking back the previous days remarks about potentially helping the company to export a scaled-down version of its current flagship GPU processor, a key component in the AI race.

However, Nvidia's hopes to get approval from the United States and China to sell a scaled-down version of its most powerful AI chip yet took a hit from Trumps comments on Thursday. Were not talking about Blackwell chips, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, after leaving the meeting with Xi, their first since he returned to the White House.

With inputs from agencies.
As US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will hold face-to-face talks for the first time since 2019, here are some of the key issues both sides will be hoping to resolve.

US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, are set to hold a high-stakes summit in South Korea on Thursday. The talks come at a time when two of the worlds largest economies are already engaged in a trade war that has upended the global economy.

Tensions between the two nations have flared again in recent weeks amid Washingtons expansion of export controls and Chinas tightening of rare earth export curbs. The tit-for-tat escalation eventually prompted Trump to threaten a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese goods starting on November 1.

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However, officials from both sides maintain that the United States and China made apparent progress over the weekend after the latest round of trade talks in Malaysia. Both nations agreement on a trade deal framework has set the stage for a sit-down between Trump and Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO summit in South Korea.

It is pertinent to note that this will be the first in-person meeting between the two leaders since the American president returned to the White House in January. Trump and Xi last met in 2019, during the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan. Much at stake is the 10 November deadline for a trade truce and deal involving the sale of TikTok in the United States. Heres what both sides will be hoping for from the talks.

What America Wants

The following is a list of issues the United States would like to resolve with China:

Fentanyl  It is pertinent to note that Trump first imposed tariffs on Chinese goods in February, citing Beijings alleged failure to curb the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. Meanwhile, China has insisted that it has already taken extensive measures to address the problem. An agreement on this could result in a partial or full reduction of Trumps 20 per cent fentanyl tariffs.

Rare Earths  Amid the trade tensions, China imposed unprecedented export controls on these critical minerals, triggering global shortages and disrupting supply chains. What makes this concerning is the fact that Beijing dominates the processing of rare earths, accounting for over 90 per cent of global processed output.

Soybeans  For years, China has been the largest buyer of American soybeans. However, imports have completely halted since May, affecting American farmers. Trump will be hoping to change that.

RussiaUkraine War  Trump will also attempt to seek more leverage to end the war in Ukraine. He has expressed hopes that Xi, a close partner of Moscow, will help in his endeavour to end the conflict. Trump has also repeatedly threatened to impose tariffs on China over its Russian oil purchases, something he has already done with India.

Level Playing Field  Washington is also addressing its long-term concerns over its economic relations with China, including a substantial trade deficit, Beijings industrial subsidy system, and limits on foreign access to certain markets.

What China Is Hoping For

US Tech Controls  Americas curbs on exporting AI chips and other technology to China have been a major concern for Beijing, which it has raised during trade discussions.

Taiwan Issue  It is important to note that Chinas ruling Communist Party claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory, despite never having controlled it. Hence, China may also ask the United States not to support Taipeis cause of independence and to refrain from involvement in the matter.

Preventing the US from Containing Chinas Rise  In recent years, Beijing has viewed Washingtons moves as attempts to contain Chinas economic growth and technological ambitions. China would want the United States to ease investment restrictions on Chinese companies.

Peripheral Issues

TikTok  Throughout the trade talks, both Trump and Xi have made progress in finalising a deal on TikTok. Under legislation passed during the Biden era, the American assets of TikTok are required to be sold to US buyers. Hence, the finalisation of the deal in this regard could be reached at this weeks meeting.

Port Fees  China has repeatedly raised concerns over Washingtons recent move to charge Chinese-built ships for docking at American ports. In retaliation, Beijing has introduced similar levies on US vessels. Both leaders are expected to address the issue.

Nuclear Weapons  Trump has proposed nuclear arms control as one of the topics for discussion.

Release of Jimmy Lai  Before heading to Asia, Trump said he might press his Chinese counterpart to release jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, a British citizen and founder of the now-defunct newspaper Apple Daily. Lai has been an outspoken critic of Beijings suppression of Hong Kongs 2019 pro-democracy protests and has been detained since 2020.

Overall, the world will be watching closely the meeting between Trump and Xi.
India has reportedly secured an extension of the United States sanctions waiver for operations at Irans strategic Chabahar Port till the early part of next year

A truck transporting cargo from Afghanistan to be exported to India is seen at Shahid Beheshti Port in the southeastern Iranian coastal city of Chabahar, on the Gulf of Oman, on February 25, 2019. (Photo: Atta Kenare/AFP)

India has reportedly secured an extension of the United States sanctions waiver for operations at Irans strategic Chabahar Port till the early part of next year. The move would ensure continuity for one of New Delhis most important regional connectivity projects. A source close to the matter told CNN-News18 about the latest extension.

The extension came after the waiver expired on Tuesday, and will allow India to continue developing and operating the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar through its public sector firm India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), CNN-News18 reported. Before this, the US had set September 29 as the deadline for revoking waivers on sanctions linked to the Iranian port.

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The extension came as a relief for India, which has been using the Chabahar Port to send humanitarian aid and essential supplies to Afghanistan. The network has been crucial because India uses the port to connect to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.

Why it matters

The port also provides Central Asian countries, such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, with direct access to the Indian Ocean. In 2024, India signed a 10-year contract with Iran to operate the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the project.

As per the agreement, IPGL manages port operations and infrastructure development. It is also responsible for promoting trade routes that connect the region through sea and land. The Chabahar Port has geopolitical and economic importance for India. It serves as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia and majorly reduces dependence on trade routes through Pakistan.

Not only this, the port is being integrated with the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)a multimodal trade route linking India, Iran, Russia, and other Central Asian states.

The American sanctions on Iran target the countrys energy and banking sectors, complicating foreign investments in Iranian infrastructure. In a statement issued by the office of the spokesperson of the US Department of State on September 16, the United States said that the sanctions are consistent with President Trumps maximum pressure policy to isolate the Iranian regime, warning that those who continue operating at Chabahar or engage in related activities would risk exposure to sanctions.

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As Pakistan continues to claim that the Taliban are acting at Indias behest, India has said that Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising its sovereignty.

Afghan Taliban's Defence Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid and Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif shake hands following the signing of a ceasefire agreement during negotiations mediated by Qatar and Turkey in Doha, Qatar, on October 19, 2025. (Photo: Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Handout via Reuters)

As Pakistan continues to dub the Taliban as Indias proxies, India on Thursday said that Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising its sovereignty.

When Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asked about Pakistan blaming India for clashes at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and calling the Taliban Indias proxies, he repeated Indias previously stated position on the matter.

Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories. Pakistan seems to think that it has the right to practice cross-border terrorism with impunity. Its neighbours find it unacceptable. India remains fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan, said Jaiswal at the MEAs weekly press conference.

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The statement has come at a time when talks between Pakistan and Taliban for a long-term truce appear to be stalled.

#WATCH | Delhi | On Pakistan-Afghanistan issues, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "I reiterate what I had said in my last briefing - Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories. Pakistan seems to think that it has the right to pic.twitter.com/LgwT18sq7g  ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025

In recent weeks, as Pakistan has repeatedly clashed with the Taliban and armed groups based in Afghanistan, such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), it has dubbed these groups as Indias proxies and accused them of acting at the behest of India.

In a statement on Wednesday, Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the TTP was abetted by India and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) was an Indian proxy. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday said that India has been waging a low-intensity war against Pakistan from Afghanistan.

In an interview with Al Arabiya, Asif said that India was pulling the strings of Taliban during peace talks in Istanbul.

Asif said that there was no doubt the Taliban had become an Indian proxy.
Tensions in West Asia escalated after Israel carried out another strike in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, killing at least 104 Palestinians in the overnight bombardment.

Palestinians recover a body from the rubble of a house destroyed in an overnight Israeli strike in Gaza City on October 29, 2025. (AFP)

Tensions in West Asia escalated after Israel carried out another strike in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, killing at least 104 Palestinians in the overnight bombardment. The strike that also killed children in the region is now being seen as the gravest challenge yet to the increasingly fragile US-brokered ceasefire.

In a statement following the incident, the Israeli military claimed that it struck military infrastructure where weapons were being stored for an imminent attack in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza. Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City said it had received two bodies from the strike. The latest strike occurred following the overnight Tuesday bombardment.

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After unleashing its wrath, Israel said that it is now adhering to the ceasefire again, and statements from US officials seemed to indicate they did not consider the truce to have been broken or violated. However, many raise concerns over Israels willingness to abide by the deal, which forbade both sides from attacking.

What is concerning is the fact that the Israeli strikes took place just hours after US President Donald Trump said that nothing would jeopardise his ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, the Israeli military released an infographic showing 25 terrorists it had killed in Gaza over the past 24 hours. Still, it did not explain the identity of the other 79 people it had killed in the strike.

Israeli military pledges to uphold the ceasefire

The Tuesday and Wednesday strikes have shattered the short-lived relief Palestinians had felt since the start of the ceasefire. Funerals were held for the victims of the latest attacks at hospitals across Gaza on Wednesday. Some had been carried into medical facilities in the arms of loved ones.

While the news of atrocities was coming out of Gaza, the Israeli military said in a statement that it would continue to uphold the ceasefire agreement but would respond firmly to any violation. Meanwhile, the Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson, Oren Marmorstein, blamed Hamas for the strikes and attributed the high death toll to the group using civilians as human shields.

Hamas, on the other hand, said that the strikes revealed Israels intention to undermine the ceasefire and impose new realities by force. It said it would continue to adhere to the agreement in a statement issued on Wednesday. Among these attacks was the targeting of a cancer patient camp, the Insan camp," The director of humanitarian support and international cooperation at Gazas civil defence agency, Dr Mohammed al-Mughir, said in a statement.

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It is pertinent to note that Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Tuesday strikes after a firefight between Palestinian militants and Israeli troops, and amid growing anger over Hamas turning over body parts of a hostage whose remains Israeli troops had recovered two years before.

The bombardment eventually prompted Hamas, which denied involvement in the gunfight, to delay a planned handover of another hostages remains, which had been scheduled for Tuesday night. Despite all this, the US vice-president, JD Vance, said earlier that the ceasefire was holding despite skirmishes. The same sentiments were also echoed by American President Donald Trump.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Wednesday, Trump said nothing would jeopardise the ceasefire but that Israel should hit back if its soldiers were killed. They killed an Israeli soldier. So the Israelis hit back. And they should hit back, he exclaimed. Overall, the region continues to exist on a fragile ceasefire.

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People led large public protests and asked for the removal of Rios governor following the deadly and alarming massacre that shook and horrified the residents of Rio de Janeiro.

A woman mourns over the bodies of people killed the day before during a police raid targeting the Comando Vermelho gang in the Complexo da Penha favela of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AP

A massive public protest was staged in Brazil after the deadly and alarming massacre shook and horrified the residents of Rio de Janeiro. A police raid against drug gangs left 132 people dead entrenched in poor neighbourhoods.

Protest demanding Governors ouster

People led large public protests and asked for the removal of Rios governor. Dozens of slum residents gathered in the states government headquarters shouting assassins! and waving Brazilian flags stained with red paint.

The death tool shows that the favelas residents were targeted and were affected the most during the operation. According to news agency AP, Brazils Supreme Court, prosecutors and lawmakers asked Rio state Gov. Claudio Castro to provide detailed information about the operation.

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A deadly massacre

A domestic worker from the Penha complex of favelas, Barbara Barbosa stated that this was a massacre. She also said that her son was killed in a prior operation in Penha.

An Activist, Rute Sales said, Do we have a death sentence? Stop killing us.

The residents living in the neighbourhood shouted massacre and justice before forensic authorities arrived to retrieve the remains.

Felipe Curi, Rio state police secretary, told a news conference that bodies of additional suspects were found in a wooded area where he said they had worn camouflage while battling with security forces. He said local residents had removed clothing and equipment from the bodies, in what would be investigated as evidence tampering.
Speaking from a Moscow military hospital, President Putin claimed that Ukrainian forces are currently encircled in Pokrovsk, a major stronghold in the Donetsk region, and Kupiansk, an important railway hub in the northeastern Kharkiv region

An artilleryman of the 152nd Separate Jaeger Brigade fires a howitzer towards Russian troops, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the frontline town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, Ukraine. Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted on Wednesday that Russian forces have successfully surrounded Ukrainian troops in two strategically vital eastern cities and offered terms for their surrender. However, Ukrainian military officials have firmly rejected the claims, insisting their defences remain intact.

Speaking from a Moscow military hospital, President Putin claimed that Ukrainian forces are currently encircled in Pokrovsk, a major stronghold in the Donetsk region, and Kupiansk, an important railway hub in the northeastern Kharkiv region. He suggested Russia would open safe corridors for Western journalists to confirm the situation on the ground, potentially pressuring Kyivs political leadership to accept a deal for their troops surrender.

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Kyiv defiance and controlled situation

The Ukrainian military immediately pushed back against the Russian narrative.

Officials dismissed the claim that Kupiansk is surrounded as fabrications and fantasies. Meanwhile, a spokesman for Ukraines eastern forces stated that while the situation in Pokrovsk is hard, it remains under control.

Ukrainian forces acknowledged that Russia has deployed approximately 11,000 troops in a bid to encircle Pokrovsk, with some enemy units managing to infiltrate the city.

Despite the sustained pressure, the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) also cast doubt on the Russian claims, reporting that while Russian forces have advanced in the Pokrovsk area, they almost certainly do not currently control any positions within the city itself.

President Putins military claims coincide with his diplomatic efforts to signal that further Western support for Ukraine is futile due to Russias perceived military superiority. The Russian President has repeatedly stressed that he remains committed to his war aims.

Meanwhile, small-scale engagements, including house-to-house battles and intense drone and artillery fire, are reported in both Pokrovsk and Kupiansk. The developments on the front line follow Russias push to leverage its significant advantage in troops and weaponry nearly four years into its invasion of Ukraine. Independent verification of the shifting battle lines remains impossible.

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Five new suspects have been arrested in connection to the audacious robbery at the Louvre museum as reported by the French radio station RTL on Thursday.

Five new suspects have been arrested in connection to the audacious robbery at the Louvre museum as reported by French radio station. Image Credit: Reuters

Five new suspects have been arrested in connection to the audacious robbery at the Louvre museum. The probe gripped the entire nation which took place on October 19. Arrests were reported by French radio network RTL on Thursday, marking a significant breakthrough in one of the countrys high-profile art crimes.

Two men were arrested last week, who also confessed their involvement in the heist and were remanded in custody according to news agency Reuters citing the Paris prosecutors office.

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The French TV outlet BMF further revealed that one individual had been apprehended late Wednesday who is suspected to be present at the heist scene on the night of the theft.

Furthermore, the Paris prosecutors department did not commented on the matter and further investigations are underway.

(With inputs from Reuters)
By Wednesday morning, 2,387 National Guard troops had been deployed in Washington, DC, with personnel coming from DC, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama

Members of the California National Guard are deployed outside a complex of federal buildings in Santa Ana, California, US, on June, 18, 2025. (Photo: Mike Blake/Reuters)

The deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, DC will be extended through February 2026. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to continue the mobilisation of federal troops after the deployment expires in November, according to a report by CNN.

The deployment of troops in the US capital has been fighting a legal battle in the courts between the Trump administration and DCs attorney general.

By Wednesday morning, 2,387 National Guard troops had been deployed in Washington, DC, with personnel coming from DC, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama. Their pay has been at risk due to the ongoing government shutdown, and the operation is costing about $1 million per day.

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No crime in Washington

Last month, Trump deployed 800-member troops of the National Guard in the capital city to bring down crime, in a move that was widely contested and is now expanding to other states.

Trump said, Theres no crime. They said, Crimes down 87 per cent, Mr. Trump said Monday. Its more than 87 per cent  virtually nothing.

The US capital citys attorney general, Brian Schwalb, sued the federal government over the illegal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and accused the Trump administration of abusing its temporary, limited authority under the law.

Meanwhile, Washington DC sought an emergency restraining order to block what it called a hostile takeover of its police department by Donald Trump.

National Guard in Chicago

Earlier this month, Texas National Guard troops made their way to Chicago, marking an escalation of Trumps crackdown on the city.

Trump has already sent troops onto the streets of Los Angeles and Washington, DC and has ordered them to Memphis as well as Chicago and Portland, threatening to invoke emergency powers to forward such efforts if the courts get in the way.

With inputs from agencies
After Pakistan declared the latest round of talks with Afghanistans Taliban as a failure, a source has said that the two sides will likely gather in Turkey soon for another round of talks.

Afghan Taliban's Defence Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid and Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif shake hands following the signing of a ceasefire agreement during negotiations mediated by Qatar and Turkey in Doha, Qatar, on October 19, 2025. (Photo: Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Handout via Reuters)

A day after Pakistan declared peace talks with Afghanistans Taliban a failure, a Pakistani security source has said that the two sides are likely to gather in Turkey soon for another round of discussions.

On the request of the Afghan Taliban regime, another round of talks between Pakistan and Kabul is likely to take place in Istanbul, the security source told AFP.

The source added, Pakistan will attend the talks in good faith, but without compromising its core national security stance.

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As tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban remain high, Turkey and Qatar are mediating the talks between them. The last round of talks ended on Tuesday without any agreement.

Separately, Afghan state-run broadcaster RTA also reported on Thursday that the stalled negotiations are set to resume in Istanbul under the mediation of Turkey and Qatar.

In the worst clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban since the Islamists takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, more than 70 people have been killed and hundreds injured. Temporary ceasefires have collapsed as sporadic clashes continue amid an exchange of blame.

These clashes began when Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan, including in Kabul, on October 9. The airstrikes triggered several episodes of fighting between the two sides along the disputed border. The Taliban claimed to have destroyed Pakistani border posts and killed dozens of soldiers.

Pakistans flip-flops on talks with Taliban

The indication to resume talks comes a day after Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned the Taliban that Pakistan could obliterate them and send them back to the caves they hid in when the United States was hunting their members.

In a separate statement on Wednesday, Pakistan said that talks with the Taliban for a long-term truce had failed as the Taliban wanted war. It blamed the failure of talks on the Talibans lack of commitment to curbing cross-border terrorism from their soil.

Instead of accepting any responsibility, the Afghan Taliban resorted to blame games, deflection and ruses. The dialogue thus failed to bring about any workable solution, the statement said.

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Pakistan further stated that the Taliban were dragging Afghanistan into a needless war.
The Netherlands liberal-progressive D66 party is on the track to become the largest party in the Dutch parliament, exit polls have suggested, ahead of the results of snap general elections.

The Netherlands liberal-progressive D66 party is on the track to become the largest party in the Dutch parliament, exit polls have suggested, ahead of the results of snap general elections. The exit polls also suggested that Geert Wilders far-right Freedom Party was predicted to lose a third of its seats.

The exit poll, with a one- to two-seat margin of error, indicated that the centrist party would have an estimated 27 MPs in the 150-seat assembly. This possibly clears the path for its 38-year-old leader, Rob Jetten, to become the countrys youngest and openly gay Prime Minister.

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The result, if realised, would mark a historic comeback of the almost 60-year-old party, which won just nine seats in the last election in 2023. It would also mark a major setback for Wilders anti-immigration Freedom Party (PVV), forecast to slump from 37 MPs to 25, The Guardian reported.

The polls also reflected how the voters are leaning left after two years of a fractious, ineffectual four-party PVV-led conservative coalition government that spent most of its time infighting and achieved little. We have today achieved D66s best result, Jetten told jubilant supporters at the partys election gathering in Leiden. Millions of Dutch people have turned a page. They have said goodbye to the politics of negativity, of hate, of it cant be done."

Lets also turn the page on Wilders and work on a splendid future for our beautiful country  in the coming years, we will do everything we can to show all Dutch people  that politics and the government can be there for them again, he added.

Wilders takes a major hit

Even if final results put the Freedom Party in first place, Wilders short-lived period in power after the PVVs shock victory in 2023 seems over for now. Before the snap polls, all the mainstream Dutch parties had already ruled out joining a coalition with his party. The election in the European nation was triggered by Wilders pulling the PVV out of the government in June, less than a year after it took office.

Wilders party was pushed to the sidelines after partners refused to endorse his radical anti-refugee plans, widely seen as unworkable or illegal or both. The populist leader soon acknowledged that his party was unlikely to be the party of the new government.

However, he said that his decision to quit was justified. The voter has spoken. We had hoped for a different outcome, but we stuck to our guns, he posted on social media. It is pertient to note that under the proportional system in the Netherlands, 0.67 per cent of the vote yields one MP, a bar that was cleared by 15 of the 27 parties contesting the election, which included parties for the over-50s, for youth, for animals, for a universal basic income and for sport.

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This fragmentation means that no single party ever wins a majority, and the country has been governed by coalitions  comprising, in its three most recent governments, four parties  for more than a century. Hence, the next government is expected to be no different.

What lies ahead

Meanwhile, the centre-left GreenLeft/Labour alliance (GL/PvdA) had a poor night, finishing third with 20 seats  five fewer than in the outgoing parliament and fewer than polls had predicted  prompting the party leader, Frans Timmermans, to step down.

The former European Commission Vice President said that he took full responsibility for the result, adding: It is time for me to take a step back and hand over the leadership of our movement to the next generation. With 76 seats needed to form a governing coalition, one possible scenario could be a broad-based alliance involving D66, CDA, GL/PvdA and the liberal-conservative VVD  the only member of the outgoing government to improve its seat tally, with 23. However, this appeared to be a hard task.

After coming to power, the new government would have to deal with several pressing issues, including soaring healthcare costs and housing shortages. Meanwhile, analysts warn that the Netherlands apparent return to what looks like a more commonsense form of government could prove short-lived.

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In a 5147 vote, several Republican senators joined Democrats to repeal President Trumps sweeping tariff measures  exposing fractures within the GOP over his trade policies

For the third time this week, a bipartisan coalition in the US Senate on Thursday voted to nullify the sweeping reciprocal tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on more than 100 of Americas trading partners.

According to The Guardian report, the measure passed 5147, just hours after Trump concluded what he called an amazing and truly great trade meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Following the talks, Trump announced that tariffs on Chinese imports would be reduced to 47%, a 10-point drop from previous levels.

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Republican senators Susan Collins (Maine), Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), and Rand Paul (Kentucky) joined Democrats in supporting the resolution, mirroring votes earlier this week to roll back levies on Canada and Brazil, reported The Guardian.

The same measure narrowly failed in April with a 5049 vote after Vice President JD Vance cast the tiebreaker against it.

This time, both McConnell and Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island  who missed the earlier vote  backed the resolution.

The one-page measure seeks to end the national emergency President Trump declared on April 2, which he called Liberation Day, to justify sweeping reciprocal tariffs worldwide.

While largely symbolic, the vote marks a win for critics of Trumps trade agenda.

The resolution is unlikely to advance in the House, where Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to block it, and Trump would almost certainly veto it.

Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the lead Democratic sponsor, said the tariffs are hurting consumers:

American families are being squeezed by prices going up and up and up. More than three-quarters of families say their monthly expenses have increased by more than $100 a month, The Hill quoted him as saying on the Senate floor.

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The series of votes marks a rare public split between Trump and members of his own party, highlighting growing unease among GOP lawmakers over the administrations aggressive trade stance.

For Democrats, it represents an opportunity to spotlight divisions within the Republican ranks  forcing senators to choose between their traditional support for free trade and Trumps protectionist economic agenda.

With inputs from agencies
Sheikh Hasina firmly stated that she would remain in exile in India until a legitimate government is established in Dhaka

Ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently residing in New Delhi, has broken her silence to declare she has no intention of returning home while her political party remains barred from contesting next years national election.

The 78-year-old former leader, who fled Bangladesh in August 2024 following a deadly, student-led uprising that ended her 15-year rule, delivered her critique via an emailed response to Reutersher first public media engagement since her dramatic fall from power.

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Hasina called the move to exclude her party, the Awami League, unjust and warned that it jeopardises the legitimacy of the entire political system.

Will the ban on Awami League undermine the upcoming elections legitimacy?

Hasina firmly stated that she would remain in exile in India until a legitimate government is established in Dhaka.

The interim administration, headed by Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus, has pledged to hold national elections next February. However, the Election Commission suspended the Awami Leagues registration in May, citing national security threats and pending war crimes investigations against senior leaders.

The former Prime Minister, whose party had won four consecutive terms, warned that millions of her partys supporters would likely boycott the vote. The next government must have electoral legitimacy, Hasina wrote, arguing that disenfranchising the Awami Leagues massive voter base is self-defeating and will lead to a political system that works.

She maintained a hope that common sense will prevail and her party will be permitted to contest the polls, though she did not confirm any back-channel talks with the current Bangladeshi authorities.

Denying war crimes and kangaroo courts

Hasina herself faces severe legal scrutiny, including charges of crimes against humanity before a domestic court related to the mid-2024 student protest crackdown.

The violence was substantial, with a United Nations report suggesting up to 1,400 people may have been killed, mostly from security force gunfire. Plus, prosecutors allege she oversaw enforced disappearances and the torture of opposition activists. A verdict in her case is expected on November 13.

The former Prime Minister categorically denied all accusations, dismissing the proceedings as a politically motivated charade carried out by kangaroo courts where a guilty verdict is a foregone conclusion.

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She denied any personal involvement in the alleged use of lethal force or other crimes, asserting she was denied a meaningful opportunity to defend herself.

Despite the political and legal turbulence, Hasina expressed a cautious, personal desire to eventually return to her home country. Having acknowledged her familys tragic historyher father and three brothers were assassinated in a 1975 military coupshe said she lives freely in Delhi but remains vigilant.

I would of course love to go home, she said, specifying a clear prerequisite: so long as the government there was legitimate, the constitution was being upheld, and law and order genuinely prevailed. She concluded that the future of Bangladesh requires a return to constitutional rule and political stability, adding that the countrys destiny is really not about me or my family.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has condemned the horrific massacre in the only functional hospital in Sudans El-Fasher. The RSF, which now controls the countrys western Darfur region, is feared to have killed 460 people at the hospital amid ongoing mass-killings in the city.

This image grab taken from handout video footage released on Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Telegram account on October 26, 2025, shows RSF fighters holding weapons and celebrating in the streets of El-Fasher in Darfur region. (Photo: RSF/AFP)

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday condemned the horrific massacre at the only functional hospital in Sudans El-Fasher city.

The paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is feared to have killed 460 people at Saudi Maternity Hospital amid ongoing mass killings in El-Fasher.

Testimonies of escapees and open-source investigators research have shown that the RSF and its allies are systematically killing people in cold blood in El-Fasher. While it is nearly impossible at this point to determine an exact toll, thousands are feared dead across the city in ongoing mass killings.

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The RSF captured El-Fasher, the last holdout of the Sudanese military in the western Darfur region, on Sunday. With this victory, the RSF gained control of the entire Darfur region and effectively split the country into western and eastern halves.

For months, there had been fears that an RSF victory in Darfur could result in genocide. Between 2003 and 2005, the RSF killed around 300,000 people from the non-Arab Masalit, Fur, and Zaghawa communities in what is known as the Darfur Genocide.

Fourth attack on hospital in El-Fasher, says WHO

The WHO stated that the latest attack was the fourth time in a month that the Saudi Maternity Hospital had been targeted.

The WHO reported that a nurse was killed on Sunday and three other health workers were injured, according to AFP.

Two days later, six health workers including four doctors, a nurse, and a pharmacist were abducted, the WHO said.

Additionally, the WHO has received reports that more than 460 patients and their companions were shot and killed in the hospital.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, WHO is appalled and deeply shocked by reports of the tragic killing of more than 460 patients and companions at Saudi Maternity Hospital in El-Fasher. All attacks on health care must stop immediately and unconditionally.

ALSO READ: With RSF victory, western Sudan feared to be on verge of ethnic cleansing as mass killings start

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Independent open-source investigators from Yale Universitys Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) have also pointed to a massacre at the hospital.

In satellite imagery of Saudi Hospital, piles of what appear to be bodies are visible near the hospital, along with reddish discolouration of the earth, suggesting pools of blood. Open-source investigators have noted that the scale of ongoing mass killings in El-Fasher is such that pools of blood are visible from satellites.

HUMAN SECURITY EMERGENCY



Day 2: RSF continues mass killings in El Fasher: @HRL_YaleSPH finds evidence of mass killings at RSF-controlled former Childrens Hospital, Saudi Hospital and along the berm.#KeepEyesOnSudan

@AirbusSpace @Maxarhttps://t.co/1HApllgNL5 pic.twitter.com/g9KmBLhjH0  Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) at YSPH (@HRL_YaleSPH) October 29, 2025

In a statement, the WHO said the humanitarian crisis in El-Fasher is rapidly worsening. It noted that escalating violence, siege conditions and rising hunger and disease are killing civilians, including children, and collapsing an already-fragile health system.

RSF leader vows to keep going

Despite the international outrage, RSF chief Mohammad Hamdan Daglo, better known as Hemedti, has vowed that the country would be unified by peace or through war.

Currently, the RSF controls around a third of Sudan, primarily in the west and southwest. The Sudanese military holds the east and the capital, Khartoum.

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In the ongoing Sudanese civil war, the RSF and its allies have already killed over 17,000 people in Darfur in a series of massacres. In one such massacre in El-Geneina, the United Nations (UN) reported that up to 15,000 people were killed.

In addition to mass killings, the RSF and its allies have been widely accused of committing systematic sexual violence against women during the conflict, including rape, gang rape, forced marriages, and sexual slavery.

The ongoing Sudanese civil war began in 2023 following the collapse of an uneasy power-sharing arrangement between the countrys military, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by Hemedti. The RSF is widely believed to be supported by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
American farmers welcomed Chinas promise to buy some of their soybeans, but they cautioned this wont solve all their problems as they continue to deal with soaring prices for fertiliser, tractors, repair parts and seeds.

American farmers have welcomed Chinas pledge to purchase US soybeans, but many say it will not be enough to offset the broader challenges they face, including rising costs for fertiliser, tractors, seeds and repair parts.

Under the new arrangement, China has promised to buy at least 25 million metric tons of soybeans annually over the next three years, restoring purchase levels to what they were before President Donald Trump initiated a trade war with Beijing. However, the 12 million metric tons China plans to import between now and January is still only about half of the usual annual volume.

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This is a very good thing. Im very grateful, said Robb Ewoldt, an Iowa farmer and director with the United Soybean Board. I dont want to sound like an ungrateful farmer, but it doesnt cure everything in the short term.

US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said China has also agreed to lift all retaliatory tariffs on American agricultural products, which could help boost sales of other crops and beef. Additionally, Beijing has pledged to resume purchases of US sorghum, a crop mainly used for animal feed and heavily dependent on the Chinese market. More than half of the US soybean and sorghum harvests are typically exported, much of it to China.

Farmers say these commitments could make it easier to secure loans for the upcoming planting season. Still, Ewoldt cautioned, I hope the administration doesnt think that this solves everything in the next six to ten months.

Trump had earlier announced plans for a financial aid package to support farmers affected by the trade war, but the rollout has been delayed due to the ongoing government shutdown. Rollins said the assistance remains under consideration and assured that the administration would step in the gap if needed.

Well see what the market does, and we will be ready to continue to step in if we believe its necessary, Rollins said.

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China is the worlds largest buyer of soybeans. It had been consistently buying about one quarter of the American crop in recent years. China bought more than $12.5 billion worth of the nearly $24.5 billion worth of U.S. soybeans that were exported last year.

China quit buying American soybeans this year after Trump imposed his tariffs. Yet it had been steadily shifting more of its purchases over to Brazil and other South American nations ever since Trumps initial trade war with China in his first term.

Last year, Brazilian beans accounted for more than 70% of Chinas imports, while the U.S. share fell to 21%, World Bank data shows. Argentina and other South American countries also are selling more to China, which has diversified to boost food security.

Farmer Caleb Ragland, who is president of the American Soybean Association trade group, said this agreement lays the foundation for restoring Chinas traditional purchases of 25 million to 30 million metric tons of American soybeans.

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This is a meaningful step forward to reestablishing a stable, long-term trading relationship that delivers results for farm families and future generations, said Ragland, who farms near Magnolia, Kentucky.

Indiana farmer Brent Bible said this deal with China sounds good as long as they actually do what they promised, unlike what happened with the trade agreement China signed with the United States in 2020 after Trumps initial trade war. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted trade between the two nations just as the agreement went into effect. In 2022, U.S. farm exports to China hit a record, but then fell.

If we see actionable purchases and follow through by China, then its great, Bible said.

With inputs from agencies
US President Donald Trump ordered the US military on Thursday to immediately resume testing nuclear weapons after a gap of 33 years, minutes before beginning a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attend a cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 26, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

US President Donald Trump ordered the US military on Thursday to immediately resume testing nuclear weapons after a gap of 33 years, minutes before beginning a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump made the surprise announcement on Truth Social while he was aboard his Marine One helicopter flying to meet Xi for a trade negotiating session in Busan, South Korea. He said he was instructing the Pentagon to test the U.S. nuclear arsenal on an equal basis with other nuclear powers.

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Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately, Trump posted.

Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.

Nuclear testing sites to be determined later

Later, on his way back to Washington, Trump said testing was needed to ensure Washington keeps up with its rival nuclear powers.

With others doing testing, I think its appropriate that we do also, Trump said aboard Air Force One, adding that nuclear test sites would be determined later.

Asked whether the world was entering a more risky phase around nuclear weapons, Trump dismissed the threat, saying U.S. stocks were well locked up before adding he would welcome denuclearisation.

Id like to see a denuclearisation because we have so many and Russias second and Chinas third and China will catch up within four or five years, he said.

We are actually talking to Russia about that and China would be added to that if we do something.

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was referring to nuclear-explosive testing, which would be carried out by the National Nuclear Safety Administration, or flight testing of nuclear-capable missiles.

China more than doubled its nuclear arsenal in the last decade

Trumps decision to restart nuclear weapons testing follows a rapid expansion by China of its nuclear stockpile in recent years, and came just after Russia announced what it called a successful test of a nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable cruise missile as well as a nuclear-powered torpedo.

Trump addressed the Russian moves aboard Air Force One earlier this week, telling reporters that President Vladimir Putin should be working to end the war in Ukraine instead of testing missiles.

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Beijing has more than doubled the size of its arsenal to an estimated 600 nuclear weapons in 2025 from 300 weapons in 2020, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank.

It said U.S. military officials estimate that China will have over 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030. A Victory Day parade in September revealed five nuclear capabilities that can all reach the continental United States, CSIS said.

The Washington-based Arms Control Association says the United States has a stockpile of 5,225 nuclear warheads and Russia has 5,580.

Putin said on Wednesday Russia had successfully tested a Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo that military analysts say is capable of devastating coastal regions by triggering vast radioactive ocean swells.

As Trump has toughened both his rhetoric and his stance on Russia, Putin has publicly flexed his nuclear muscles with the test of a new Burevestnik cruise missile on October 21 and nuclear launch drills on October 22.

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Negative reaction to Trumps post

The reaction to Trumps announcement on testing was swift. Representative Dina Titus, a Democrat from Nevada, said on X: Ill be introducing legislation to put a stop to this.

Daryl Kimball, director of the Arms Control Association, said it would take the United States at least 36 months to resume contained nuclear tests underground at the former test site in Nevada.

Trump is misinformed and out of touch. The U.S. has no technical, military, or political reason to resume nuclear explosive testing for the first time since 1992, Kimball said on X.

He added Trumps announcement could trigger a chain reaction of nuclear testing by U.S. adversaries, and blow apart the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Apart from providing technical data, a U.S. test would be seen in Russia and China as a deliberate assertion of U.S. strategic power. Putin has repeatedly said that Russia will test if the United States does.

In August, Trump said he had discussed nuclear arms control with Putin and wanted China to get involved. Beijing responded by saying it was unreasonable and unrealistic to ask the country to join in nuclear disarmament negotiations with the two countries, since its arsenal was much smaller.

Trump had first laid out his intention to pursue nuclear arms control efforts in February, saying he wanted to begin discussions with both Putin and Xi about imposing limits on their arsenals.

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The United States last tested a nuclear weapon in 1992.

Most major nuclear powers except North Korea stopped explosive nuclear testing in the 1990s. North Korea conducted its last nuclear test in 2017. Russias last confirmed test was in 1990, followed by the last U.S. test in 1992, and by Chinas in 1996.

The United States opened the nuclear era in July 1945 with the test of a 20-kiloton atomic bomb at Alamogordo, New Mexico, and then dropped atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 to force Japan to surrender in World War Two.
After six years, US President Donald Trump met Chinese leader Xi Jinping. In exchange of rare earth supplies, Trump appears to have conceded on a host of critical issues from the Russian war on Ukraine to Chinas plans to invade and occupy Taiwan.

US President Donald Trump (left) and China's President Xi Jinping shake hands as they leave after their talks at the Gimhae Air Base, located next to the Gimhae International Airport, in Busan, South Korea, on October 30, 2025. (Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP)

In their first meeting in six years, US President Donald Trump settled for an uneasy truce with Chinese leader Xi Jinping instead of any expansive treaty. But it was apparent the truce was on Xis terms.

In exchange of access to China's rare earth elements and magnets, Trump conceded on a host of critical issues from the Russian war on Ukraine and Taiwan and allowed Xi to leave the meeting victorious.

From the onset, it was apparent that Xi had joined the meeting with an upper hand. While Trump praised Xi and talked of the possibilities, Xi flagged upfront that the United States and China do not always see eye to eye because of their national differences. He said that such differences should not prevent cooperation.

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You and I should stay the right course. I always believe Chinas development goes hand in hand with your vision to make America great again. China and the US should be partners and friends, said Xi.

What Xi really meant was that China will continue on its belligerent path unapologetically and the United States will have to make peace with that. And Trump acquiesced  as his comments after the meeting showed.

Trump rates meeting 12 out of 10 after conceding to Xi on Ukraine, Taiwan

After Trump conceded to Xi on the Russian war on Ukraine and tensions in the Taiwan strait, he said he would give 12 out of 10 marks to their meeting.

When asked if Trump pressed Xi about Chinas support to Russia in its war on Ukraine, Trump simply said, Hes been buying oil from Russia for a long time.

China, the biggest buyer of Russian oil, is the principal supporter of the Russian war on Ukraine. China buys Russian oil, provides drones, provides dual-use technology, provides machinery, and sustains Russias consumer economy. In short, China is Russia's economic lifeline.

And, yet, Trump has not punished Russia for driving the Russian war on Ukraine whereas he has slapped 50 per cent tariffs on India.

In another concession, Trump said they did not discuss Taiwan at all.

Taiwan never came up, it was not discussed actually, said Trump.

As for the war in Ukraine, Trump simply said that the subject came up very strongly in the meeting and they talked about it for a long time.

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Were both going to work together to see if we can get something done, said Trump without going into details.

Trump walks out with consolation prize

Despite the optimism, Trump and Xi did not sign any deal in the meeting.

Instead, Trump said after the meeting that the United States and China could sign the deal pretty soon and that there were not many hurdles left.

The only gain for Trump was Xis promise to withhold the rare earths-related export curbs for a year.

In another victory for Xi, Trump confirmed he will visit China in April, and will then host Xi in the United States at an unspecified date.

Without going into the specifics, Trump said he and Xi came to an outstanding group of decisions on issues like soyabeans and fentanyl.
Tensions between the two nations have flared again in recent weeks amid Washingtons expansion of export controls and Chinas tightening of rare earth export curbs

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping pose for photo before their meeting at Gimhae International Airport. AP

US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, met on Thursday at a high-stakes meeting in South Korea, where the two leaders acknowledged differences but hoped to strengthen their relationship in the future. Following an amazing meeting with Xi, Trump announced that he will lower tariffs on China.

We have a great relationship. Xi is a tough negotiator, Trump said, adding that the two countries will have fantastic ties from now.

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In response, Xi said, China and the US can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world.

Trump cuts tariffs on China

After his meeting with Xi, Trump announced that Washington will slash tariffs on China from 57 per cent to 47 per cent.

The meeting with President Xi was amazing. A lot of decisions were made," Trump said after meeting the Chinese president.

Noting that it was a pleasure to see Trump, Xi added, We have not always seen eye-to-eye and its normal. The Chinese leader said that it was common for major economic powers to have frictions and that the US and China should now work on clearing those differences and work as partners and friends.

Tensions between the two nations have flared again in recent weeks amid Washingtons expansion of export controls and Chinas tightening of rare earth export curbs. The tit-for-tat escalation eventually prompted Trump to threaten a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese goods starting on November 1.

However, officials from both sides maintain that the United States and China made apparent progress over the weekend after the latest round of trade talks in Malaysia. Both nations agreement on a trade deal framework has set the stage for a sit-down between Trump and Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO summit in South Korea.

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Xi lauds Trumps efforts in Gaza

The Chinese president highlighted Trumps recent ceasefire attempt in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, saying that he was very enthusiastic about engaging in regional hot-button issues.

During your visit to Malaysia, you witnessed the signing of the Joint Declaration on peace along the Cambodia-Thailand border, to which you had provided input, Xi said, adding that Beijing has also been dealing with the border dispute in its own way.

Deal with China to be signed today

Both leaders are in closed-door meetings at the moment, but before heading in, President Trump remarked that a deal with China could be in the works.

When a reporter asked whether he anticipated signing an agreement today, Trump replied, Could be. We all have a great understanding.

Meeting concludes

The meeting between the two leaders has concluded. The two leaders shook hands before exiting the air base together at Gimhae International Airport on Thursday around 12:50 p.m. local time.

As Trump and Xi exited the venue, they shook hands once more before Xi got into his car and departed with his motorcade. He will stay in South Korea for a state visit and to take part in the main APEC leaders summit.
The Trump administration is restricting the number of refugees it admits annually into the country to 7,500 and they will mostly be white South Africans, a dramatic drop after the United States previously allowed in hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war and persecution from around the world.

The Trump administration has sharply reduced the annual cap on refugee admissions to 7,500, with most of those expected to be white South Africans, a steep decline from the 125,000 ceiling set last year under former President Joe Biden.

The decision was formally published on Thursday in the Federal Register, though the administration provided no explanation for the drastic cut. The memo stated only that admitting 7,500 refugees in the 2026 fiscal year was justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.

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The reduction marks another significant setback for the decades-old U.S. refugee resettlement program, which once enjoyed broad bipartisan backing.

The Trump administration had suspended the refugee program on its first day in office, allowing only a limited number of arrivals since thenmostly white South Africans. Some refugees were later permitted entry following a court ruling allowing those already in the admission process to continue.

The administration announced the program for the Afrikaners in February, saying that white South African farmers face discrimination and violence at home. The countrys government strongly denies this characterisation.

Across the country groups that work to help resettle newly arrived refugees into the country have had to lay off staff as the number of people arriving under the longstanding program plummeted.

Soon after taking office, Trump signed an executive order that temporarily suspended the entry of most refugees even those already approved by US authorities, pending a comprehensive policy review.

The order made a notable exception for South Africas Afrikaner community, which Trump has described as victims of racial persecution, a claim dismissed by South African officials and even some Afrikaners as unfounded.

The move reflects the Trump administrations broader agenda to tighten immigration controls and limit who can enter the country. Earlier this year, it also scrapped Biden-era initiatives that granted temporary legal protection to migrants from Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela. Officials have since signalled that similar programs for Salvadoran and Honduran nationals could soon be rolled back as well.

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With inputs from agencies
Washington is in talks with a range of countries to form an International Stabilization Force in Gaza, a key element of President Donald Trumps new peace plan expected to be unveiled next week, according to a report

The United States is working to establish a multinational force in Gaza as part of President Donald Trumps new Middle East plan, which is expected to be unveiled next week, according to an Axios report.

US officials have been holding sensitive discussions with a range of countries about forming an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to deploy in Gaza, with a detailed plan to be presented in the coming weeks, added the report, citing three sources closely involved in the process.

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The breakdown of the ceasefire on Tuesday highlighted the fragility of the current peace. But the ISF proposal  central to Trumps upcoming plan  poses politically explosive questions for Israel, Hamas, and the countries considering contributing troops.

According to the report, US Central Command is leading the effort to design the plan, which includes creating a new Palestinian police force trained and vetted by the US, Egypt, and Jordan, alongside troops from Arab and Muslim countries.

Sources said countries such as Indonesia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, and Turkey have shown willingness to participate, though others expressed concerns about Gazas volatile security environment.

If we dont have reliable security and governance in Gaza that the Israelis agree to, we will get stuck in a situation where Israel is attacking all the time, Axios quoted one source as saying.

Under Trumps 20-point peace framework, the ISFs deployment would be a prerequisite for Israels further withdrawal from the roughly 50% of Gaza it still controls.

The multinational force would secure Gazas borders with Israel and Egypt and prevent arms smuggling. However, this depends on Hamas agreeing to relinquish authority and some of its weapons, a demand many on the Israeli and US right doubt the group will ever meet voluntarily.

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The deadly Israeli airstrikes in Rafah on Tuesday, in response to an alleged Hamas attack, reinforced those doubts.

US officials view the ISF as essential to preventing a renewed war but stress the importance of getting it right.

It is better to move slow and get it right because we are not gonna have a second chance, a senior US official told Axios.

Behind the scenes

The ISF has been a central topic in recent meetings between Trumps envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during their visits to Israel, the sources said.

Kushner and Witkoff also met extensively two weeks ago with senior Israeli military officials to seek their input.

A senior Israeli official told Axios that the US side presented ideas about the ISFs size, but Israelis emphasised that legitimacy and combat readiness matter more than numbers.

The Israelis are nervous and skeptical because they are not in control and they dont have the cards anymore. We told them, Lets create the right circumstances and see if Hamas is serious or not, a US official was quoted as saying.

Friction point

Few countries are eager to send troops into a conflict zone involving Hamas, rival Palestinian factions, and Israel. Turkey has expressed readiness to participate, but Israel opposes any Turkish presence in Gaza. The US nevertheless wants Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt involved, viewing them as key to persuading Hamas to cooperate.

The Turks were very helpful in getting the Gaza deal and Netanyahus bashing Turkey has been very counterproductive, Axios quoted a US official as saying.

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We are aware of the Israeli concerns and are working to create something that can achieve stability and that both sides can find acceptable, the official added.

A key goal now is securing Hamas agreement to the ISF deployment.

If you are going into an environment where Hamas sees you as an occupying force, it will be hard. But if Hamas consents, its a different situation, a source was quoted as saying.

If that happens, the ISF would enforce the peace rather than fight a war against Hamas.

State of play

US and Israeli officials say Hamas is using the ceasefire to rebuild its strength but remains constrained by Israels continued control over half of Gaza and the closed Egyptian border.

Hamas has a pretty low glass ceiling now, a senior US official said.

According to officials, Hamas is at its weakest point in nearly two decades and under pressure from Arab and Muslim states to disarm and cooperate with Trumps peace plan.

Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey told the US they believe Hamas could accept the ISFs deployment  possibly allowing it to monitor borders and conduct limited missions inside Gaza.

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Still, officials warn Hamas must be convinced that its fighters will receive true amnesty if it complies.

Trumps advisers think its important to not give Hamas an excuse not to do it, though they acknowledge the group might not agree, one US official said.

In that case, the ISF could first deploy to southern Gaza, where Hamas has less control, creating a safe zone for reconstruction, the official added.

Whats next

US officials say they are finalising a UN Security Council resolution that would endorse the ISF and give it a legal mandate, allowing countries to contribute troops. The force will not be a traditional UN peacekeeping mission  the US intends to retain oversight and operational influence.

Key decisions on the ISFs structure will be made within days and presented to Israel and potential troop contributors soon after. Officials say they are trying to learn from past failures in Lebanon and Afghanistan.

There is a strong interest in countries in the region to be involved in the ISF. Nobody rejected it and they all wait to see the final design, a US official said.

Most people who know the history of this conflict dont give it a large chance for success. You have to be nuts not to be skeptical, another source involved in the plans conceded.

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But at the same time, no one wants to get on the wrong side of Donald Trump.

With inputs from agencies
The announcement came as President Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One, shortly after concluding talks with Xi during a visit to South Korea

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have agreed to a joint commitment to work together on finding a solution to the war in Ukraine.

The announcement came as President Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One, shortly after concluding talks with Xi during a visit to South Korea.

Trump confirmed that the conflict was a significant point of discussion between the two leaders. Ukraine came up very strongly. We talked about it for a long time, and were both going to work together to see if we can get something, he stated.

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Expressing confidence in the new diplomatic push, the President added, Xi is going to help us, and were going to work together on Ukraine.

The agreement marks a possible new step in global efforts to end the long conflict, with the US and China working together on the issue.
While the two leaders held a nearly two-hour-long meeting with each other, covering a variety of topics, they also missed out on several important issues that needed their attention

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC summit, in Busan. Reuters

US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, held amazing talks on Thursday in South Koreas Busan, where the two leaders discussed trade, fentanyl, Russia-Ukraine, among other things.

We have a great relationship. Xi is a tough negotiator, Trump said, adding that the two countries will have fantastic ties from now.

In response, Xi said, China and the US can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world.

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While the two leaders held a nearly two-hour-long meeting with each other, covering a variety of topics, they also missed out on several important issues that needed their attention.

Blind eye on Taiwan?

Although Taiwan was a bit sceptical about losing Trumps support after his meeting with Xi, the two leaders skipped discussing the topic altogether.

When asked if the concerns over Chinas growing assertiveness over Taiwan were ever raised, Trump said that the region didnt come up during the meeting.

Not much has changed since Trumps first presidency. His former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, was hawkish on China over Taiwan as much as his current State Secretary, Marco Rubio, is.

Washingtons goal, however, remains the same: to persuade China against asserting dominance over Taiwan.

Before the talks, Taiwans Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung had said it is confident in its relations with the US amid the Trump-Xi talks. When asked by reporters about the meeting and whether Taiwan could come up, the government said it was of course paying attention to the talks.

Taiwan and the US had close cooperation on security and other matters, he said in Taipei. So we have confidence in Taiwan-US relations and have close communication channels, Lin added, quoted by Reuters.

Ignoring oil purchase

Although the two leaders extensively covered the Russia-Ukraine war in their discussions, the topic of China buying Russian oil was ignored.

Trump said, We are going to work together with Xi on Ukraine to get something done. We are actually talking to Russia about denuclearisation.

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He, however, ostensibly forgot to mention the oil purchase issue, which has been a major point of contention between US and China. Trump has repeatedly threatened Beijing with tariffs over its purchase of Russian oil, a move that he thinks is feeding Moscows war machine.

A Reuters report says that Chinese companies like PetroChina and Sinopec will stop importing seaborne Russian oil for the short term after Trump sanctioned Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil.

Blackwell chips forgotten

Despite saying that he would talk to Xi about Blackwell chips before the Busan meeting, the two leaders fell short of discussing the topic.

Sales of the US firms high-end AI chips to China, which accounted for 13 per cent of its revenue in the past financial year, have been a key sticking point in protracted trade talks between the worlds two largest economies this year.

Beijing has long been irked by Washingtons export controls that ban Nvidia from selling its most advanced AI chips to China. The U.S. has justified these restrictions by alleging the Chinese military would use the chips to increase its capabilities.

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Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Gyeongju, South Korea, Trump praised Nvidias current flagship Blackwell model as the super-duper chip and said he might speak to Xi about it, without elaborating.

With inputs from agencies
The image of a first-ever white Iberian Lynx appeared on social media that captivated wildlife enthusiasts. A photographer from Spain captured the image in the mountain region of Jaen in southern Spain.

In a recent discovery of wildlife research, a Spanish Photographer captured a first-ever white Iberian Lynx. The image enthralled wildlife enthusiasts as the video of one of the rarest cat species appeared on social media.

The animal exhibits white pale colour with bright cat eyes, dark-ear tufts and rough facial fur. Experts who studied the image suggested that the cat exhibits a genetic disorder leucism, which causes a partial loss of pigmentation.

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Most endangered felines

The white Iberian Lynx is said to be the worlds most endangered feline. The image was captured in the mountain region of Jaen in southern Spain.

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Iberian lynx is smaller and less-heavier than its Eurasian family, who usually possess long legs, tufted ears, and a short, black-tipped tail. Its usual coat is tawny with dark spots, making it a captivating sight for the audience.

Watch the video here:

A photographer in southern Spain captured what is believed to be the first-ever white Iberian lynx, a leucistic big cat so rare it seems almost mythical. Already one of the worlds rarest cats, the Iberian lynx was pulled back from the brink of extinction after its population pic.twitter.com/rLQrMfbCNq  Breaking911 (@Breaking911) October 29, 2025

On the brink of extinction

Nearing extinction, the Iberian lynx population fell suddenly to just two breeding populations by 2002. The vigorous conservation efforts, habitat restoration and relative prey recovery helped the species to make the most drastic comeback in wildlife history.

Locals in the region have long regarded white lynxes as exceptional mystical creatures, with legends describing ghostly cats that usually come across the hills.

The return of the lynx highlights genetic symbolism and inheritance after years of habitat conservation efforts and promising a surviving future.
Samsung has announced that Samsung TVs are now the first to support HDR10+ content across Disney+ and Hulu titles. The update enables dynamic contrast, richer colors, and improved picture accuracy for supported content.

Samsung TVs support HDR10+ content

HDR10+ is a high dynamic range (HDR) format that uses dynamic metadata to optimize brightness and contrast on a scene-by-scene basis. It also adapts to ambient lighting conditions in real time, ensuring that visuals maintain clarity and remain consistent with the creators intent.

With this rollout, Disney+ adds support for HDR10+ and now offers access to over 1,000 Hulu titles in HDR10+ within the Disney+ app. Additional Disney+ and Hulu content will be made available in HDR10+ in the future.

Samsung Vision AI

Alongside HDR10+ support, Samsungs latest TV lineup integrates Samsung Vision AI, which improves picture and sound quality and introduces a centralized AI companion.

The Samsung Vision AI Companion combines multiple AI-based functions, including the ability to ask questions, translate closed captions in real time, and manage on-screen information through a single interface.

Availability

HDR10+ content on Disney+ is supported on Samsung Crystal UHD TVs and above, starting from 2018 models onward, as well as on select Samsung Smart Monitors.

The feature is also available on Samsungs 2025 lineup, including Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED 4K, OLED, The Frame Pro, The Frame, QLED, and Samsung Micro RGBthe first TV to cover 100% of the UHD spectrum with 100% color accuracy.

Speaking about the announcement, Inbeom Kim, Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, said:
Samsung Electronics has announced the addition of Filipino and Gujarati as new language options for Galaxy AI, expanding the total number of supported languages to 22. The update reinforces Samsungs effort to make mobile AI tools accessible to more users by removing language barriers.

AI features available in new languages

The latest update enables users in more regions to use Galaxy AIs communication and productivity features in their preferred language.

Live Translate offers real-time, two-way voice and text translation, allowing conversations to flow naturally across different languages.

Interpreter provides instant translations of in-person conversations in a split-screen view, useful for travel and everyday interactions.

Chat Assist adjusts message tone and phrasing to suit different contexts, including professional, casual, or friendly conversations.

Note Assist generates summaries and pre-formatted templates, helping users stay organized and manage daily tasks efficiently.

Transcript Assist transcribes, summarizes, and translates voice recordings from meetings, lectures, or creative sessions.

Browsing Assist condenses news articles and web pages into short summaries for quick reading.

The new language packs were developed in collaboration with Samsung Research India and Samsung Research Indonesia, ensuring natural language use and regional accuracy.

Global usage and expansion

Galaxy AI has become a regular part of user activity across Samsung devices. At the Galaxy AI Forum 2025, Samsung reported that over 70% of Galaxy S25 users actively use Galaxy AI and Google Gemini features, with 91% of Galaxy S25 users in India engaging with Galaxy AI.

Since its debut with the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy AI adoption has continued to grow. After reaching 200 million devices in 2024, Samsung expects Galaxy AI to expand to over 400 million devices by the end of 2025.

Availability

Support for Filipino and Gujarati began rolling out on October 29, 2025. The new Galaxy AI language packs can be downloaded through the Settings app on compatible Galaxy devices.

Speaking on the expansion, Giridhar Jakki, Senior Director and Head of Language AI Team at Samsung R&D Institute India, Bengaluru, said:
Samsung India has announced new updates to Samsung Wallet, expanding its functionality with UPI onboarding, biometric authentication, and Tap & Pay support for FOREX cards.

The platform, which recently added Digital Car Key support for Mahindra Electric Origin SUVs in India, continues to serve as a secure space for Galaxy users to manage digital keys, payment methods, and ID cards, all protected by Samsung Knox.

New features of Samsung Wallet

UPI onboarding built into Galaxy device setup

Samsung has become the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to enable Unified Payments Interface (UPI) account setup through Samsung Wallet during initial device configuration.

This integration allows users to register UPI accounts while setting up a new Galaxy smartphone, making them payment-ready immediately after activation. The feature simplifies onboarding and supports wider UPI adoption among Galaxy users in India.

Biometric authentication for UPI access

The update introduces biometric verificationvia fingerprint or facial recognitionfor UPI payments made through Samsung Wallet. This removes the need for manual PIN entry during regular transactions, allowing faster and more secure authentication directly on the device. The feature maintains Samsung Knox security while improving convenience and reducing friction in daily payment use.

Online credit and debit card payments

Samsung Wallet will soon enable online payments using stored credit and debit cards across supported merchant platforms. Tokenized card data ensures safe and efficient checkout without entering card details manually, improving transaction speed and security.

FOREX and new Tap & Pay partnerships

Support for FOREX cards has been added to Samsung Wallet Tap & Pay, powered by WSFx Global Pay Limited, allowing contactless international payments for Galaxy users. AU Bank cards have also joined the Tap & Pay network, expanding the list of supported issuers and banking partners.

Availability

The new Samsung Wallet update will begin rolling out soon across supported Galaxy devices in India.

Speaking on the announcement, Madhur Chaturvedi, Senior Director, Services & Apps Business, Samsung India, said:
Xi says ready to work with Trump to build solid foundation for bilateral ties

Xinhua) 15:56, October 30, 2025

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

* "In the face of winds, waves and challenges, we should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations." Chinese President Xi Jinping said.

* "China and the United States can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries, and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world," Xi said.

* China is the biggest partner of the United States, and with joint efforts, the two countries can get many great things done for the world and have many years of success, said U.S. President Donald Trump.

BUSAN, South Korea, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday that he is ready to continue working with U.S. President Donald Trump to build a solid foundation for bilateral ties, and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries.

In a meeting with Trump, Xi said under their joint guidance, China-U.S. relations have remained stable on the whole.

"China and the United States should be partners and friends. That is what history has taught us and what reality needs," he said.

Given different national conditions, the two sides do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then, Xi added.

"You and I are at the helm of China-U.S. relations," said Xi. "In the face of winds, waves and challenges, we should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations."

Xi said that there is a good momentum in China's economic development, adding that in the first three quarters of this year, China's economy increased by 5.2 percent, and import and export trade in goods with the rest of the world expanded by 4 percent.

This is not an easy accomplishment given the domestic and external difficulties, Xi noted, adding that the Chinese economy is like a vast ocean, big, resilient and promising.

"We have the confidence and capability to navigate all kinds of risks and challenges," Xi added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

At its fourth plenary session, the 20th CPC Central Committee deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for the economic and social development plan over the next five years, Xi said.

"Over the past seven decades and more, we have been working from generation to generation on the same blueprint to make it a reality. We have no intention to challenge or supplant anyone. Our focus has always been on managing China's own affairs well, improving ourselves, and sharing development opportunities with all countries across the world," he added.

Describing that as an important secret to China's success, Xi said China will further deepen reform across the board, expand opening up, and promote higher-quality economic growth while achieving an appropriate increase in economic output, and advance well-rounded human development and common prosperity for all, adding that this will also expand the space for cooperation between China and the United States.

Xi noted that the two countries' economic and trade teams had an in-depth exchange of views on important economic and trade issues, and reached consensus on solving various issues.

He called on the two teams to work out and finalize the follow-up steps as soon as possible, and ensure that the common understandings are effectively upheld and implemented, to inject confidence into the two countries as well as the global economy through solid deliverables.

China-U.S. economic and trade relations have experienced ups and downs recently, and this has also given the two sides some insights, Xi noted.

The business relationship, Xi said, should continue to serve as the anchor and driving force for China-U.S. relations, not a stumbling block or a point of friction.

The two sides should think big and recognize the long-term benefit of cooperation, and must not fall into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation, he added, calling on the two teams to continue their talks in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, and continuously shorten the list of problems and lengthen the list of cooperation.

Dialogue is better than confrontation, Xi said, adding that China and the United States should maintain communication through various channels and at various levels to enhance mutual understanding.

There is good potential for the two countries to work together on combating illegal immigration and telecom fraud, anti-money laundering, artificial intelligence, and responding to infectious diseases, he added.

The competent departments should strengthen dialogue and exchanges and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation, Xi said, adding that the two countries should also engage in positive interactions on regional and international platforms.

"The world today is confronted with many tough problems. China and the United States can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries, and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world," he added.

China will host APEC 2026, and the United States the G20 summit next year, Xi noted.

The two sides can support each other in making both summits productive to promote world economic growth and improve global economic governance, he added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Noting that it was a great honor to meet with Xi, Trump said China is a great country and President Xi is a well respected great leader, with whom he has been good friends for many years and has always got along well.

The United States and China have always had a fantastic relationship, and it will be even better, said Trump, voicing his hope for an even better future for both China and the United States.

China is the biggest partner of the United States, and with joint efforts, the two countries can get many great things done for the world and have many years of success, said Trump.

China will host the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, while the United States will host the G20 Summit next year, said Trump, wishing both sides every success in these important events.

The two presidents have agreed to enhance cooperation in economic, trade, energy and other fields and to encourage more people-to-people exchanges.

They have also agreed to maintain interactions on a regular basis. Trump looked forward to visiting China early next year, and invited President Xi to visit the United States.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Former General Manager for U.S. Defense Contractor Pleads Guilty to Selling Stolen Trade Secrets to Russian Broker

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Peter Williams, 39, an Australian national, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court today in connection with selling his employer's trade secrets to a Russian cyber-tools broker, the Justice Department announced today.

Williams pleaded to two counts of theft of trade secrets. The material, stolen over a three-year period from the U.S. defense contractor where he worked, was comprised of national-security focused software that included at least eight sensitive and protected cyber-exploit components. Those components were meant to be sold exclusively to the U.S. government and select allies. Williams sold the trade secrets to a Russian cyber-tools broker that publicly advertises itself as a reseller of cyber exploits to various customers, including the Russian government.

Each of the charges carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss of the offense.

"America's national security is NOT FOR SALE, especially in an evolving threat landscape where cybercrime poses a serious danger to our citizens," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. "Thank you to all the attorneys who worked so hard to secure this guilty plea."

"Williams betrayed the United States and his employer by first stealing and then selling intelligence-related software to a foreign broker that touted its ties to Russia and other foreign governments," said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. "His conduct was deliberate and deceitful, imperiling our national security for the sake of personal gain. Today's guilty plea reflects our commitment to ensuring that insiders who abuse their positions of trust face serious consequences."

"We continue to vigorously investigate those who betray our national security by selling valuable U.S. trade secrets to international cyber brokers who support foreign cyber actors," said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. "These international cyber brokers are the next wave of international arms dealers and we continue to be vigilant about their activities. The conduct here caused over $35 million of loss to a company in the District of Columbia and allowed non-allied foreign cyber actors to obtain sophisticated cyber exploits that were likely used against numerous unsuspecting victims."

"Williams placed greed over freedom and democracy by stealing and reselling $35 million of cyber trade secrets from a U.S. cleared defense contractor to a Russian Government supplier," said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division. "By doing so, he gave Russian cyber actors an advantage in their massive campaign to victimize U.S. citizens and businesses. This plea sends a clear message that the FBI and our partners will defend the homeland and bring to justice anyone who helps our adversaries jeopardize U.S. national security."

According to the facts admitted in connection with the guilty plea, from approximately 2022 through 2025, Williams improperly used his access to the defense contractor's secure network to steal the cyber exploit components that constituted the trade secrets.

Williams resold those components in exchange for the promise of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. To effectuate these sales, Williams entered into multiple written contracts with the Russian broker, which involved payment for the initial sale of the components, and additional periodic payments for follow-on support. Williams transferred the eight components and trade secrets to the Russian broker through encrypted means. He used the proceeds to buy himself high-value items.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Baltimore Field Office.

The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tejpal Chawla and Jason McCullough for the District of Columbia, Trial Attorney Prava Palacharla for the National Security Division's (NSD) National Security Cyber Section, and Trial Attorney Nicholas Hunter for NSD's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

Substantial assistance was also provided by interim U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford for the District of Oregon prior to his current appointment.

Components: Office of the Attorney General

National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - District of Columbia

Press Release Number: 25-1045

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Failed covert plot: US reportedly tried to recruit Maduro's pilot to capture Venezuelan leader

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 7:30 AM

A US federal agent attempted to recruit Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's personal pilot, Gen. Bitner Villegas, in a covert plan, to divert the president's plane into American custody, the Associated Press reports.

The plot, led by Homeland Security Investigations agent Edwin Lopez, offered the pilot immense wealth and protection in exchange for secretly diverting Maduro's plane to a location where US forces could seize him, the news agency added.

Despite initial contact and months of encrypted communication, Villegas never agreed to the plan.

The operation, which spanned over a year, resembled a Cold War-era espionage effort with secret airport meetings, hidden recordings and coded Whatsapp messages.

It also highlighted the length to which Washington has gone to unseat Maduro, who US officials accuse of sheltering drug traffickers, an allegation categorically rejected by Venezuela.

Under President Donald Trump's renewed hardline approach, the US has also intensified military and intelligence operations against Venezuela, including alleged anti-narcotics strikes in the Caribbean that killed dozens.

The administration also authorized CIA covert actions inside Venezuela and raised the bounty on Maduro's arrest to $50 million.

Lopez invoked that bounty in messages to Villegas, urging him to "be Venezuela's hero."

The plot began on April 24, 2024, when a tipster walked into the US Embassy in the Dominican Republic, claiming that two aircraft linked to Maduro-- a Dassault Falcon 2000EX and a Dassault Falcon 900EXwere undergoing repairs that likely violated US sanctions.

Lopez, a 50 year-old former US Army Ranger from Puerto Rico, reportedly learned that Maduro had dispatched five military pilots to retrieve the planes, including Villegas, a colonel in the Venezuelan Air Force and a trusted member of the presidential honor guard.

With approval from his superiors and Dominican authorities, Lopez and his team questioned the pilots separately inside a hanger near the jets and Lopez offered his bold pitch: in exchange for secretly flying Maduro to a US-controlled location  such as Puerto Rico, Guantanamo Bay, or the Dominican Republic  the pilot would be made rich and celebrated.

The pilots returned to Venezuela soon afterward, leaving the jets behind for lack of proper clearances. Meanwhile, US authorities began a federal forfeiture case to seize the planes.

Despite retiring in mid-2024, Lopez kept texting Villegas through encrypted apps, pressing him to defect and reminding him of the multimillion-dollar bounty.

However, the pilot never agreed and instead publicly reaffirmed his loyalty to Maduro.

Those familiar with the operation said Lopez became consumed by the failed plan and what began as a tip about two aircraft became one of the most audacious and futile US operations in recent years, revealing the extraordinary measures Washington explored in its long struggle to unseat Maduro.

In recent months, there has been a significant increase in tensions between Washington and Caracas over a major US military buildup in the Caribbean.

Maduro says the Trump administration is "fabricating" a war against the Latin-American nation to topple its government and take control of its vast energy reserves.

He has survived numerous US-backed assassination attempts and other efforts by Washington and its local lackeys to bring him down.

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Two Russian Mob Leaders Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Murder-For-Hire Targeting a Journalist on Behalf of the Iranian Government

Thursday, October 30, 2025

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

The Iranian Government Hired Polad Omarov and Rafat Amirov to Kill Masih Alinejad in Exchange for $500,000

The Justice Department announced today that RAFAT AMIROV, a/k/a "Farkhaddin Mirzoev," a/k/a "P," a/k/a "Rome," and POLAD OMAROV, a/k/a "Araz Aliyev," a/k/a "Polad Qaqa," a/k/a "Haci Qaqa," were each sentenced yesterday to 25 years' in prison for their participation in a murder-for-hire plot targeting Masih Alinejad, a journalist, author, and human rights activist, on behalf of the Government of Iran. In March 2025, Amirov and Omarov were found guilty of murder-for-hire, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and related charges, following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon, who imposed today's sentences.

"The defendants and their criminal associates came chillingly close to gunning down an Iranian-American journalist on the streets of New York." said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. "Tehran has long sought to silence Ms. Alinejad, and after multiple failed kidnapping attempts, turned to Omarov and Amirov and their organization to stalk and murder her. This case is part of a well-documented and disturbing rise in plots involving criminal networks paid by Iran to target dissidents in the United States and around the world. We are committed to holding accountable those who join forces with this vile regime to violate our national sovereignty or threaten U.S. citizens."

"The Government of Iran, a sponsor of terrorism, assassination, and espionage around the globe, brazenly brought its efforts to murder Masih Alinejad to New York," said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton. "The plot exposed at trial involved actors on three continents, culminating with a hitman with an AK-47 outside Ms. Alinejad's apartment in Brooklyn. Yesterday's sentences send a clear message: the DOJ and our partners will expose and severely punish those who target U.S. citizens and bring terror to our community."

"This sentencing marks a victory for justice and a clear warning to those who seek to export repression onto U.S. soil," said Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI's Counterintelligence Division. "The plot, orchestrated by the Iranian government to assassinate a dissident living in America, demonstrates the lengths to which authoritarian actors will go to silence voices of freedom. The FBI remains steadfast in its mission to defend the homeland from anyone who participates in transnational repression and threatens our democratic values."

FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said: "Rafat Amirov and Polad Omarov, two highly ranked members of the Russian Mob, attempted to assassinate Masih Alinejad to permanently silence her criticism of the Iranian government and public advocacy of human rights. These defendants operated as unlawful enforcers for a foreign government to target an American journalist on our nation's soil. May yesterday's sentencing emphasize the FBI's steadfast commitment to protecting Americans against any foreign actor seeking to inflict terror and physical harm to further a political agenda."

According to the Superseding Indictment, public court filings, and the evidence presented at trial:

AMIROV and OMAROV were high-ranking members of an Azerbaijani faction of the Russian Mob (the "Organization") who worked with other members of the Organization to kill Masih Alinejad on instructions from high-ranking members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps ("IRGC"). Ms. Alinejad has previously been the target of multiple plots by the Government of Iran to intimidate, harass, and kidnap her for her work as a journalist, author, and human rights activist who has publicized the Government of Iran's human rights abuses, especially its discriminatory and oppressive treatment of women, repression of political expression, and killings of Iranians engaged in peaceful protests against the regime. As recently as 2020 and 2021, Iranian intelligence officials and assets plotted to kidnap Ms. Alinejad from within the U.S. for rendition to Iran in an effort to silence her criticism of the Iranian regime.

After its efforts to kidnap Ms. Alinejad from the U.S. failed in 2020 and 2021, the IRGC turned to AMIROVa Vor, or Thief-in-Law, the highest rank in the Russian Moband OMAROVthe cousin of a powerful Vor who aspired to become a Vor himselfto locate, surveil, and murder her. The IRGC offered AMIROV $500,000 for Ms. Alinejad's murder and provided him with targeting information about Ms. Alinejad, including her home address. Beginning in approximately July 2022, AMIROV sent this targeting information to OMAROV. OMAROV, in turn, communicated this information to Khalid Mehdiyev, another member of the Organization who had been residing in Yonkers, New York, so that Mehdiyev could surveil Ms. Alinejad and murder her. AMIROV and OMAROV arranged the delivery of $30,000 to Mehdiyev from the IRGC's advance payment; Mehdiyev used a portion of these funds to buy an AK-47 style assault rifle, two magazines, and 66 rounds of ammunition.

In late July 2022, Mehdiyev repeatedly traveled to Ms. Alinejad's neighborhood to surveil her residence and locate her. Mehdiyev sent photographs, videos, and updates on his stakeouts to OMAROV, who passed them on to AMIROV. AMIROV gave OMAROV intelligence about Ms. Alinejad's home, location, and family members provided by his IRGC contacts to assist Mehdiyev's attempts to locate and kill Ms. Alinejad. On July 24, 2022, Mehdiyev reported to OMAROV from Ms. Alinejad's residence that he was "at the crime scene." On July 27, 2022, OMAROV told AMIROV that Mehdiyev was ready to kill Ms. Alinejad, writing "this matter will be over today. I told them to make a birthday present for me. I pressured them, they will sleep there this night." On July 28, 2022, Mehdiyev sent OMAROV a video taken from inside the car that Mehdiyev was driving with the assault rifle and a message reading, "we are ready." As OMAROV continued to update AMIROV about Mehdiyev's readiness, AMIROV cautioned OMAROV, "let him keep the car clean." When Mehdiyev drove away from surveilling the residence on July 28, 2022, he was stopped after a traffic violation and, during a search of the vehicle, police officers found the assault rifle; 66 rounds of ammunition, including one in the chamber of the assault rifle; approximately $1,100 in cash; gloves; and a black ski mask.

After Mehdiyev was arrested and placed into custody, OMAROV contacted Mehdiyev's mother and threatened to kill her and her other son if she did not locate Mehdiyev, in part because the IRGC was demanding the return of its money.

In addition to their prison terms, AMIROV, 46, of Iran; OMAROV, 41, of the country of Georgia, were sentenced to a $500 special assessment.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and its New York Field Office Counterintelligence-Cyber Division and the New York FBI Iran Threat Task Force. Mr. Clayton also thanked the New York City Police Department ("NYPD") and the NYPD Intelligence Bureau, as well as the Department of Justice's National Security Division and the Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs, for their assistance. Mr. Clayton also thanked the authorities in the Czech Republic.

This case is being handled by the Office's National Security and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Lockard, Jacob H. Gutwillig, and Matthew J.C. Hellman are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Trial Attorneys Christopher Rigali and Leslie Esbrook of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

Components:National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - New York, Southern

Press Release Number: 25-1046

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National Guardsman Arrested and Charged with Export Violation

Thursday, October 30, 2025

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Canyon Anthony Amarys, 28, of Alamogordo, New Mexico, was arrested on October 28 in connection with his indictment for the attempted violation of the Export Control Reform Act. Amarys will make his initial appearance today in federal court in the District of Kansas at 1:30 p.m. Central Time.

According to the indictment, in February 2025, at an in-person meeting between Amarys and someone he believed to be a Russian intelligence agent, Amarys signed a one-page agreement in order to confirm his covert relationship with a Russian intelligence service. In addition, as part of that relationship, Amarys agreed to photograph a military installation on Fort Riley, Kansas, and to procure a helicopter radio for use by the Russian military.

In March 2025, after purchasing the helicopter radio, Amarys traveled to Kansas in order to retrieve the radio and export it to a purported recipient in Romania. In doing so, Amarys communicated with a person he believed to be a Russian intelligence agent, and confirmed his understanding that the radio would in fact be illegally diverted to Russia.

Pursuant to a court-authorized search, investigators recovered the radio that Amarys had sought to illegally export to Russia. Under U.S. export laws and regulations, the export of this controlled item without a license from the U.S. Department of Commerce was unlawful. Amarys understood that his shipment of the radio abroad was illegal, and told the person he believed to be a Russian intelligence agent that he had researched export regulations in anticipation of their meeting in February 2025.

The FBI Kansas City field office is investigating the case, with valuable assistance from the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, the Kansas National Guard, the Department of Commerce - Bureau of Industry and Security, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask of the District of Kansas and Trial Attorney David Ryan of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

###

Topics: Export Control

National Security

Components: National Security Division (NSD)

USAO - Kansas

Press Release Number: 25-1047

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Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski meets with delegation of NATO Parliamentary Assembly

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland

27.10.2025

During his meeting with representatives of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly's Defence and Security Committee, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radosaw Sikorski outlined the prospects and challenges of countries in the immediate vicinity of an armed conflict. Poland's top diplomat stressed the role of MPs in shaping a common perception of threats in all member states of NATO and the EU.

Minister Sikorski also highlighted how important Polish diplomacy is in devising a joint policy towards threats in these member states. He emphasised that countries in the immediate vicinity of an armed conflict face particular challenges which should be taken into account while debating the security of the Alliance as a whole.

A group of nearly 30 members of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly visited Poland on 27-29 October. The aim was to get to know security challenges in the region and NATO's support mechanisms dedicated to its eastern flank.

During the meeting, which took place on 27 October at the Sejm, Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski assessed the current security situation in Poland's vicinity, detailing priorities in foreign policy and national security which result from that. In this context, he explained that our approach, determined mainly by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, is three-fold: to strengthen collective defence and deterrence within NATO; to support Ukraine; and to exert pressure on Russia in order to make the war end.

Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski underlined Poland's determination in supporting Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression and reiterated that Poland's eastern border is also the one of the EU and NATO.

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The OIC General Secretariat Expresses Deep Concern Over Recent Developments in Sudan

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

28-10-2025

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed its deep concern over the recent developments in the Republic of Sudan. It strongly condemned the grave humanitarian violations committed during the attacks carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the city of El Fasher.

The General Secretariat called for strict adherence to international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need. It also emphasized the importance of respecting the provisions of the Jeddah Declaration signed on May 11.5.2023.

In this context, the General Secretariat renewed its appeal, which underlined the importance of dialogue aimed at reaching an urgent humanitarian truce, as a prelude to an agreement on a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire that would contribute to protecting civilian lives, alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people, and preserving the unity, sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity of Sudan.

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President: Europe Needs Secure and Uninterrupted Energy Supplies and Investments in Expanding Connectivity

President of the Republic of Bulgaria

29 October 2025 | 13:39

Europe needs secure and uninterrupted energy supplies and investments in expanding transport, energy, and digital connectivity to ensure the sustainability of supply chains, said President Rumen Radev during his meetings in Riyadh with the Governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who manages assets worth USD 1 trillion, and with the Minister of Economy and Planning of Saudi Arabia, Faisal F. Alibrahim. The Bulgarian head of state participated in the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative forum at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

During his meetings, Radev emphasised that if the EU fulfils its intention to completely stop imports of Russian gas from 2027, Europe will need additional quantities of natural gas to avoid a shortage in energy supplies, and Saudi Arabia is an important partner in this regard. The head of state highlighted Bulgaria's potential for natural gas transit to Central and Eastern Europe through the liquefied gas terminals in Greece and Turkiye and our country's agreements with the gas transmission companies of both countries.

The possibility of creating pumped storage hydroelectric power plants on high-altitude reservoirs in Bulgaria was also noted as a potential area of cooperation between Bulgaria and Saudi Arabia in the field of energy. The construction of three such power plants, each with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, would turn our country into a natural centre for the storage of electricity produced in Southeast Europe.

The modernisation of Bulgaria's transport infrastructure and the rapid development of the high-tech sector in our country, including achievements in quantum computers and the planned creation of a gigafactory for artificial intelligence, were also mentioned as potential areas for joint projects.



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Radev: Kosovo's Unwavering Commitment to Building Stable Institutions and Regional Cooperation Deserves Recognition and Support

President of the Republic of Bulgaria

29 October 2025 | 09:04

The Republic of Kosovo's unwavering commitment to building stable institutions and deepening regional cooperation is in the interest of both the countries of Southeast Europe and the European Union, and deserves recognition and support. This was stated by President Rumen Radev at a meeting in Riyadh with the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani. The two held talks during the ninth edition of the Future Investment Initiative forum, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Rumen Radev and Vjosa Osmani discussed topics on the agenda of regional cooperation and the process of European integration of the Western Balkan countries. They shared the view that the progress of the countries applying for EU membership should be assessed based on their own achievements and the reforms actually carried out. In this regard, President Radev noted the political and public consensus in Kosovo in support of the country's European integration, as well as the systematic actions of the institutions in this direction.

During the meeting, the Bulgarian head of state also expressed his gratitude to President Osmani for the actions taken in support of the Bulgarian community in Kosovo and for its institutional integration.











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Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov: We continue to develop bilateral relations with Hungary

Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria

29.10.2025

Bulgaria and Hungary develop excellent friendly relations, based on deep historical ties and traditions. Our common interest calls for deeper bilateral economic cooperation, including cooperation in strategic areas such as investment, transport, innovations and high technologies. This was stated by Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov at his meeting with Hungary's President Tamas Sulyok.

During the discussion in the Prime Minister's Office, Rossen Jeliazkov welcomed the expansion of bilateral trade and economic relations with Hungary. As the Prime Minister put it, it is crucial that we avail of all the opportunities provided by the single European market. Rossen Jeliazkov specifically noted the cabinet's dedicated work to adopt the Euro in Bulgaria as he stressed the long-term benefits for the economy.

Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov thanked Hungary for its support for the accession to Schengen and noted Bulgaria's effort to secure the EU's external border. Further he pointed to our cooperation with Turkiye in that and to the reported significant reduction of the migration pressure.

Further, Rossen Jeliazkov and Tamas Sulyok discussed partnership in the energy sector and regional security issues. Their talks focused, inter alia, on the challenges facing the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the continent as a whole. Emphasis was placed on the strategic importance of the European integration of the Western Balkans. The war in Ukraine was another of the issues discussed. Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov emphasized the importance of hosting the Trump-Putin meeting. For us, it is most important that the war should end as soon as possible following lasting and sustainable solutions, Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov said.

Similarly, for his part, President Tamas Sulyok welcomed Bulgaria-Hungary bilateral cooperation. He stressed the importance of Bulgaria's accession to the Eurozone and voiced his support for Bulgaria's accession to the OECD. President Tamas Sulyok stressed the economic development of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Vis-a-vis the war in Ukraine, he pointed out that cessation of hostilities is in the interest of everyone.

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Swiss Government

Press release

Published on 29 October 2025

Berne, 29.10.2025 -- At its meeting on 29 October 2025, the Federal Council approved an updated agreement between Switzerland and the European Defence Agency (EDA). The agreement has yet to be adopted by the Council of the EU. In response to the changes in the security policy environment in Europe, the Federal Council is seeking to align the agreement concluded with the EDA in 2012 more strategically with Switzerland's defence capabilities.

The European Defence Agency (EDA) was established in 2004. It supports the member states of the European Union in defence cooperation. It pools the needs of the EU member states and coordinates programmes and projects relating to research, capability development and training. The EDA also has the option of cooperating with third countries, based on non-binding bilateral agreements (administrative arrangements). These arrangements define the framework for cooperation and are a prerequisite for participating in EDA programmes and projects.

Switzerland was one of the first third countries to sign an administrative arrangement with the EDA, on 16 March 2012. Since then, Switzerland has been involved in numerous EDA activities and projects, particularly in relation to research and technology development. This enables Switzerland to recognise developments in armaments policy at an early stage, exchange research findings and participate in training and exercises. However, the 2012 arrangement no longer covers all the areas of cooperation that are now open to third countries.

In view of the deteriorating security situation in Europe, a more strategic approach to cooperation and an update of the arrangement is required. The Federal Council approved the revised arrangement at its meeting on 29 October 2025, but it must also be adopted by the Council of the EU.

Expansion of defence cooperation with European countries

By reorientating the armaments policy, the Federal Council is aiming to ensure that the Armed Forces are properly equipped at all times, reinforcing their defence capabilities. This requires an expansion of defence cooperation with European countries. The updated arrangement with the EDA facilitates this expansion by broadening the scope of cooperation and clarifying the processes for participation in projects and programmes relating, for example, to defence procurement, research, development and innovation, quality assurance and maintenance, information and data exchange, education, training and capability development, and industrial cooperation. This not only allows Switzerland to continue its strategic cooperation on research, technology and innovation, but also to participate in projects and programmes on capability development and joint procurement. This strengthens both Switzerland's interoperability and its ability to act.

Switzerland's participation in EDA activities will continue to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that it complies with its legal obligations, such as Switzerland's neutrality. The arrangement is not legally binding and can be cancelled by giving three months' written notice.
Statement by Minister of International Development Asmund Aukrust on the killing of Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers

Government of Norway

News story | Date: 29/10/2025

'I am outraged and deeply saddened by the brutal killing of five Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers in the city of Bara, North Kordofan. They were carrying out lifesaving work, and were clearly marked with the Red Crescent emblem, when they were attacked and murdered. Three others remain missing', Minister of International Development Asmund Aukrust.

'Attacks on humanitarian workers are crimes under international law. No cause, no grievance or conflict can ever justify violence against humanitarian workers who risk their lives to help others. Those responsible must be held accountable.

'I call on all parties to the conflict in Sudan to respect international humanitarian law and guarantee the safety and freedom of all humanitarian workers.

'The Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems are symbols of protection, neutrality, and hope. To target those who wear them is to strike at the heart of our shared humanity,' said Aukrust.



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Rogers and Wicker: We strongly oppose the Pentagon's decision to scale back the U.S. troop presence in Romania

House Armed Services Committee

Washington, October 29, 2025

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement expressing concern with the Pentagon's announcement that it will discontinue the rotational U.S. brigade in Romania, which appears uncoordinated and directly at odds with the President's strategy:

"We strongly oppose the decision not to maintain the rotational U.S. brigade in Romania and the Pentagon's process for its ongoing force posture review that may result in further drawdowns of U.S. forces from Eastern Europe.

On March 19, we stated that we will not accept significant changes to our warfighting structure that are made without a rigorous interagency process, coordination with combatant commanders and the Joint Staff, and collaboration with Congress.

Unfortunately, this appears to be exactly what is being attempted. Two weeks ago, President Trump stated that the United States would not be withdrawing U.S. forces in Europe, but instead "may move some around a little bit." The President is right that U.S. force posture in Europe needs to be updated as NATO shoulders additional burdens and the character of warfare changes. But that update must be coordinated widely both within the U.S. government and with NATO.

Romania has been a strong ally, making major investments to host U.S. forces and modernize the infrastructure that supports them. Romania has spent over 2% of GDP on its military for many years and has pledged to achieve 5% of GDP. These investments, alongside their contributions to NATO's eastern defenses and Black Sea security, underscore Romania's central role in the Alliance's security. Notably, since 2016, Romania has hosted a U.S. Aegis Ashore missile defense detachment, accepting substantial political, military, and economic risk to field systems designed primarily for the defense of NATO allies rather than its own territory.

Thanks to President Trump's leadership, our European allies have agreed to shoulder historic levels of the burden of collective defense. However, European rearmament will take time. Pulling back U.S. forces from NATO's Eastern flank prematurely, and just weeks after Russian drones violated Romanian airspace, undermines deterrence and risks inviting further Russian aggression.

This decision also sends the wrong signal to Russia at the very moment President Trump is applying pressure to force Vladimir Putin to come to the table to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine. The President has it exactly right: now is the time for America to demonstrate our resolve against Russian aggression. Unfortunately, the Pentagon's decision appears uncoordinated and directly at odds with the President's strategy.

It is concerning that Congress was not consulted in advance of this decision, particularly given the clear, bipartisan, and bicameral support for a robust U.S. posture in Europe expressed in both the House and Senate versions of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation also makes clear the Congressional intent that no modifications be made to the U.S. posture in Europe absent a thorough review process.

We are seeking clarification from the Pentagon on how it plans to mitigate the impact of this decision on NATO's deterrence and defense posture and whether they coordinated with Allies to minimize these consequences. We will also seek assurances that, as the President has previously stated, the two armored brigades in Poland remain in place, and that the United States continues to sustain a persistent rotational presence in Poland, the Baltic states, and Romania."

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23rd round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting (October 25, 2025)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

October 29, 2025

The 23rd round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point on 25th October 2025. This was the first meeting of the General Level Mechanism in the Western Sector since the 24th round of Special Representatives Talks held on 19 August 2025. The talks were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere.

2. The two sides noted the progress since the 22nd round of Corps Commander Level Meeting held in October 2024 and shared the view that peace and tranquility has been maintained in the India-China border areas.

3. Both sides agreed to continue to use existing mechanisms to resolve any ground issues along the border to maintain stability.

New Delhi

October 29, 2025

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104 killed in overnight Israeli attacks in Gaza despite ceasefire

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 29, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- As many as 104 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes over the past 24 hours, the Gaza health ministry said on Wednesday, condemning Tel Aviv for its repeated violations of the ceasefire.

The ministry said 46 of those killed were children and 20 were women, while 253 people were also wounded, including 78 children and 84 women.

It added that since the ceasefire took effect on October 10, 2025, the death toll has risen to 211 and the number of wounded to 597, with the bodies of 482 people recovered from under the rubble.

According to the ministry, the total number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, has reached 68,643, with 170,655 others wounded.

9341**2050

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Iran and Afghanistan to continue talks over shared water resources: Deputy FM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 29, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabad says Iran will continue to pursue issues related to shared water resources and transboundary rivers, in a special way, with Afghanistan.

Gharibabadi made the remarks in interview with IRNA at the end of his visit to Afghanistan and while entering the country through Dogharun, and Afghan border crossing with Iran on Wednesday.

On the question of Helmand, and Harirud rivers, as well as the Hamoun Wetlands, he said the Iranian delegation held technical and legal meetings with the Ministry of Energy and Water of Afghanistan.

Calling the meetings positive and appropriate, he said two sides decided to hold official level talks to resolve water-related issues in the shortest possible time.

The senior diplomat stressed that Iran has long common borders with Afghanistan and must be turned into an opportunity, especially for border provinces, to provide a basis for the flourishing economic cooperation.

He described the Dogharun crossing as the most important border point in the east of the country, saying that a significant volume of Iranian goods is exported from this region shows the strategic position of the crossing for the two neighbors.

Referring to the return of Afghan nationals, Gharibabadi explained that Afghan officials had cooperated well on the issue and so far no challenges reported regarding the return of illegal migrants.

He also emphasized the need to the sustainable security of Iran's borders, saying there are challenges in the area of drugs and rarely human trafficking on borders with some neighboring countries.

4399**2050

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Hamas calls on ceasefire mediators to pressure Israel to halt its "military extremism"

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 29, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, has once again denounced the Israeli violation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, calling on the mediators to accept their responsibility for the Tel Aviv regime's "military extremism."

In an official statement on Wednesday, Hamas said that the recent Israeli aggressions in Gaza are a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement and an attempt by the regime to impose "new realities by force."

It also accused the US government under President Donald Trump of complicity in Israeli crimes by providing political and military support to the Netanyahu regime. "The biased positions of the American administration in favor of the occupation constitute actual partnership in the bloodshed of our children and women, and direct encouragement of the continuation of the aggression," the statement added.

Hamas further stated that the occupying regime is fully responsible for this dangerous escalation of tension and its consequences, pledging that the Palestinian resistance would continue to adhere to the agreement, would not allow the enemy to impose new realities through force and bloodshed.

"The movement also calls upon the mediators and guarantors to assume their full responsibilities regarding this escalating aggression, and to immediately pressure the occupying government to halt its massacres and fully adhere to the terms of the agreement."

Calling on the mediators and guarantors of the agreement to take immediate action and force Israel to halt its massacres and fully adhere to the terms of the agreement, Hamas said the blood of Palestinian people is valuable and that the resistance will continue until the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people are realized.

Earlier, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem told Al Jazeera that "The occupying regime's behavior shows its complete disrespect to the mediators and the countries that guarantee the ceasefire agreement."

The Israeli regime has violated the ceasefire more than 125 times since it went into effect on October 11, 2025 with the signing of the agreement in the presence of representatives of more than 20 countries.

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Israeli strikes kill at least 100 Palestinians across Gaza

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 29, 2025

According to the Palestinian Civil Defense in Gaza on Wednesday, Israeli strikes across the strip left at least 100 people dead, including 35 children, in a span of 12 hours.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered "powerful" strikes on Tuesday afternoon, following an exchange of gunfire in Rafah in southern Gaza. The Israeli military later confirmed that a soldier was killed.

Hamas denied any involvement in the Rafah attack.

The resistance movement's armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, said Israel had violated the truce, forcing it to postpone the planned handover of the body of a missing Israeli captive.

In a statement, the Qassam Brigades also warned that any Israeli escalation "will hinder search, digging, and retrieval operations" to recover the bodies of the remaining 13 captives in Gaza, Al Jazeera reported.

The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel took effect on October 10. Under the deal, Hamas was expected to release 48 living and deceased captives in exchange for a halt to Israeli attacks and the continued flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

However, Israeli forces have repeatedly violated the truce by launching airstrikes and opening fire, killing at least 200 people since the ceasefire began. The Israeli regime has also closed the Rafah crossingthe main entry point for humanitarian aid into Gazaand further restricted the number of trucks carrying essential supplies.

On Wednesday, the Palestinian Civil Defense in Gaza called for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, as well as the opening of safe humanitarian corridors to allow the entry of fuel, equipment and basic necessities to enable the organization to carry out its work.

Israel's war on Gaza has killed at least 68,527 people and wounded 170,395 others since it began on October 7, 2023.

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Iran condemns attacks on civilians in Sudan's Darfur region

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 29, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- The Foreign Ministry has expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Sudan's North Darfur region, condemning the killing of civilians and destruction of infrastructure in the city of Al-Fashir.

In a statement late on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei voiced alarm over the armed clashes, denouncing "the destruction of infrastructure and the massacre of innocent people" in the conflict-hit city.

He also warned against "dangerous movements aimed at re-dividing Sudan," stressing the need to respect the country's national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The fighting in Sudan erupted on April 15, 2023, between the national army led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces commanded by Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti.

The conflict stems from a power struggle and disputes over integrating the RSF into the regular army following the 2021 coup.

Despite multiple rounds of international mediation, the war has persisted for more than a year, worsening the humanitarian crisis.

Since gaining independence in 1956, Sudan has witnessed chronic instability, including 20 coup attempts and two devastating civil wars that ultimately led to South Sudan's secession in 2011.

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Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine visits Lithuania to strengthen bilateral defence industrial cooperation

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2025-10-29

International cooperation | Security and defense policy

Vice Minister of National Defence Tomas Godliauskas met with Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Sergiy Boyev who is visiting Lithuania, as well as with chief executives of Ukroboronprom, and representatives of other strategic Ukraine's defence industry companies. The visit is conducted to evaluate Lithuanian companies' capacity relative to the Armed Forces' needs and select a Lithuanian partners for the implementation of Ukraine's defence technology localization projects.

"Our goal is not only to support Ukraine today but also to develop a strong defence ecosystem for tomorrow. The reality of war opens up a new epoch of defence technology. Lithuania and Ukraine can more than just strengthen our defence industry together, we can become an innovation hub developing solutions for security of the entire Europe," said Vice Minister T. Godliauskas.

The delegation toured Lithuanian companies partnering with Ukraine's defence industry. Local production capacity, technological solutions and industrial potential were assessed with a view of ensuring a closer cooperation and development of production in Lithuania.

This way, the need for the Ukrainian technological solutions in the Lithuanian Armed Forces is assessed to ensure the viewed development of production and technology meet the national defence capabilities and future requirements.

Lithuania aims to localize development and production of drone development on the ground, to absorb best practices of the Ukrainian defence industry and employ it for the benefit of a stronger national security and defence industrial capacity.

"This visit is a significant and important step on the way of strengthening the Lithuanian defence industry and our national security. Ukraine's wartime experience and its technological breakthrough are invaluable and a tightened cooperation will improve both countries' resilience and the overall security architecture in the region," says Matas Radavicius, Head of the Industrial Cooperation Division, Defence Industry Policy and Innovation Department, Defence Materiel Agency.

Lithuanian companies have been developing cooperation with representatives of Ukraine's defence sector, sharing expertise and experience in technology for a while now. Institutions and partners of both countries see prospects of not just strengthening current cooperation but also developing new projects in order to enable technology transfer, local production and security of supply chains.

The visit marks yet another step in the direction of a closer strategic partnership between Lithuania and Ukraine strengthening both countries' defensive potential and contributing to the overall regional security.

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A look at the Defence news 20 - 26 October

Netherlands Ministry of Defence

News item | 29-10-2025 | 14:21

The Royal Netherlands Navy combat support ship HNLMS Den Helder is to conduct warm weather tests in the Caribbean until mid-November.

The high humidity in combination with high sea temperatures form the ideal conditions to test the response of the ship and its systems. HNLMS Den Helder is the latest addition to the Royal Netherlands Navy.

NATO flotilla SNMG1 strengthens ties with Ireland

NATO flagship HNLMS Johan de Witt and the German frigate FGS Hamburg were moored for several days in the Irish city of Dublin last week. Both ships are part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1). During the port visit, relations between the NATO flotilla and the Irish navy were strengthened.

Although Ireland has a long tradition of military neutrality, Ireland and NATO member states work together regularly on the basis of NATO's Partnership for Peace programme.

British and Dutch military personnel train for NATO tasks from the sea

NATO naval forces are currently preparing for the protection of the NATO treaty area. The preparations include the participation of the Royal Netherlands Navy and the UK's Royal Navy. In recent weeks, extensive exercises were conducted just off the British and French coasts, the objective being that various units learn to operate as an integrated and well-oiled machine. HNLMS Johan de Witt also took part in the exercises.

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NZDF liaison officer deployed to Israel

Beehive.govt.nz - The official website of the New Zealand Government

29 October 2025

Hon Judith Collins KC

Defence

The New Zealand Defence Force has deployed a liaison officer to Israel to help inform the Government on possible next steps on the Gaza peace deal, Defence Minister Judith Collins says.

"The liaison officer will work out of a United States-led centre focused on the next steps to implementing the peace plan in Gaza," Ms Collins says.

"The Government agreed that the deployment should initially be for six weeks."

United States Central Command opened the Civil Military Coordination Centre in Israel on 17 October. It will act as a coordination hub for support to Gaza, monitor the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, and support the implementation of the 20 Point Peace Plan to end the war in Gaza.

"The deployment will improve New Zealand's understanding of coordination efforts on the ground and enable us to better assess options for any potential future contributions to the centre or other initiatives in support of sustained peace in Gaza," Ms Collins says.

"Any future deployment will be a decision for the Government."



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South Sudan: UN Commission urges General Assembly to bolster dialogue and justice efforts, to avert return to full scale war

Press releases

Independent investigation

29 October 2025

NEW YORK/JUBA -- Addressing the UN General Assembly today, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned that amidst escalating armed conflict and political crisis, decisive and coordinated international action is urgently required to halt mounting human rights violations and to avert a total collapse of the country's political transition.

Commissioner Barney Afako told the General Assembly that the country is once again on the brink of catastrophe, as the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement  once seen as a roadmap to stability  risks total collapse, amidst political detentions and escalating conflict.

"South Sudan's political transition is falling apart," Commissioner Barney Afako said ahead of a briefing to UNGA's Third Committee, which examines social, humanitarian and cultural affairs. "The ceasefire is not holding, political detentions have become a tool of repression, the peace agreement's key provisions are being systematically violated, and the government forces are using aerial bombardments in civilian areas. All indicators point to a slide back toward another deadly war. The international community must recognize that the peace process is being dismantled in plain sight, and they should act before it's too late."

The Commission noted that armed clashes are occurring on a scale not seen since 2017, when a ceasefire was signed. The conflict dynamics have grown increasingly complex, with political power struggles intersecting with ethnic divisions and local grievances. Government reshuffles and partisan appointments have deepened mistrust between key signatories of peace agreement, while localized fighting, often along tribal lines, is being exploited by national actors to gain military and political advantage. These developments are eroding the ceasefire, fracturing governance structures, and heightening the risk of widespread armed confrontation.

Since March, fighting between its signatories has escalated sharply. Over 370,000 civilians have been newly displaced by conflict, many of whom have fled to neighbouring countries, now hosting 2.5 million refugees from South Sudan. Two million more South Sudanese remain displaced inside the country, alongside nearly 600,000 refugees, mostly from Sudan.

"The suffering of South Sudan's people is not collateral damage  it is the direct consequence of political failure," said Yasmin Sooka, Chair of the Commission. "Once again, civilians are being bombarded, women are being raped, children are being displaced and forcefully recruited into combat roles, and entire communities are living in fear  all of this is a tragic repetition of South Sudan's painful past. This war on the people of South Sudan is man-made and preventable. It will end only when political leaders are held to account and justice is no longer optional."

The Commission called on UN and African Union Member States to ensure concerted action to resolve a crisis rooted in governance failures and impunity. "Peace will not come through words or handshakes," Sooka said. "It will come through concrete actions  ending impunity, protecting civilians, and building institutions that serve people, not power."

The Commission presented its latest report to the Human Rights Council, published in February, and updated the Assembly on recent developments which have aggravated political tensions and escalated armed conflict and violence.

That report warned that conflict in Nasir between government forces and the local population was escalating, with ceasefire monitors calling for a neutral unified force to deploy and replace weary troops. Since then, the Government instead announced deployments of partisan forces. Armed local militia then overran the government garrison, killing numerous soldiers and precipitating the present national crisis. The report also highlights the Government's broken promise in 2024 to revoke detention powers from the National Security Service, which in 2025 has arbitrarily detained opposition leaders, accused of inciting the Nasir conflict.

The report found that the bodies of women and girls continuing to be subjected to extreme forms of sexual violations by armed groups and militias. National authorities are complicit in these crimes, and in forced recruitment and other grave violations against children. The report also details a state policy of extrajudicial killings which further inflames conflicts in areas where intra-communal violence is already rife. Rule of law institutions are starved of funding.

"South Sudan's conflict is fuelled by corruption  pure and simple," said Commissioner Carlos Castresana Fernandez. "Billions in oil revenues have been siphoned off while the population starves. Hospitals have no medicines, schools have no teachers, and soldiers go unpaid while elites enrich themselves through opaque contracts and off-budget deals. Corruption is not a side effect of the conflict  it is one of its engines. South Sudan's leaders must realize that their corruption is killing South Sudanese. Accountability for economic crimes is essential  not only for justice, but to stop the violence that corruption keeps alive."

The direct links between entrenched corruption and the capture of public resources by elites are further detailed in the Commission's paper published on 16 September, entitled Plundering a Nation: How rampant corruption unleashed a human rights crisis in South Sudan. It examines how billions in oil revenue have been diverted through corruption, fuelling both conflict and deprivation.

The Commission urged the United Nations, the African Union, and regional partners to redouble their efforts to prevent further deterioration, including by ensuring accountability for violations and expediting the establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan. It also appealed for sustained diplomatic engagement to bring all actors  including those currently outside the peace framework  into an inclusive and credible political transition.

"South Sudan's people cannot endure another collapse," Sooka said. "Justice and accountability must not remain deferred promises. The international community must move beyond expressions of concern to concrete, coordinated action. Otherwise, the suffering will only intensify."

ENDS

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UN expert calls for strengthened MINUSCA mandate to support peacebuilding in the Central African Republic

Press releases

Special Procedures

29 October 2025

GENEVA -- A UN expert has called for a robust, proactive and fully engaged United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) with a reinforced human rights component, ahead of a Security Council decision on the renewal of its mandate.

"Strengthening MINUSCA's human rights mandate is essential to sustaining the fight against impunity and ensuring effective human rights monitoring, investigation and reporting," said Yao Agbetse, the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic (CAR).

"Human rights due diligence must be integrated across all MINUSCA operations, including the Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration and Repatriation (DDRR) process and the vetting of security personnel," Agbetse said.

He called for continued technical support and capacity-building for national institutions committed to good governance, democracy, rule of law, and human rights. The Human Rights Division of MINUSCA, Agbetse said, plays a vital role in supporting civil society organisations, safeguarding civic space, promoting accountability and addressing barriers to justice.

"In the current social, political, and security context, the renewal of MINUSCA's mandate is imperative," Agbetse said. "But it must also be accompanied by a strengthened and holistic approach to peacebuilding, grounded in the complementarity of the three United Nations pillars: peace and security, development, and human rights."

The expert said human rights are not a peripheral concern but a central pillar of MINUSCA's mandate in the Central African Republic. "Peace and security without development remain fragile; peace and development without human rights likely give rise to injustice, exclusion, and enduring instability, and ultimately sow the seeds of future conflict," Agbetse warned.

He urged the UN Security Council to ensure full and effective human rights mainstreaming across the entire UN system in the CAR, support the country in forging a credible and sustainable path toward peace, democracy, and the realisation of human rights for all.

Yao Agbetse is the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Central African Republic The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council's independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures' experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity. UN Human Rights, country page -https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/central-african-republic

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Pakistan Strongly Condemns Israel's Violations of the Gaza Peace Agreement

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Pakistan strongly condemns the renewed attacks by the Israeli occupying forces in Gaza, which have reportedly resulted in civilian casualties.

These actions constitute a clear and flagrant violation of international law, as well as a breach of the recently concluded peace agreement. Such aggressive measures by the Israeli occupation forces threaten to undermine the international efforts aimed at establishing durable peace and stability in the region.

Pakistan calls upon the international community to ensure an immediate cessation of ceasefire violations by the Israeli occupation forces.

Pakistan also reiterates its principled position for the establishment of an independent, sovereign, viable, and contiguous State of Palestine, based on the pre-June 1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Islamabad

29 October 2025

322/2025

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3 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in N. West Bank: health ministry

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:49, October 29, 2025

RAMALLAH, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Three Palestinian men were killed by the Israeli forces on Tuesday in the west of Jenin in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said.

The General Authority of Civil Affairs informed the ministry of the killing of three men by Israeli gunfire in the village of Kafr Qud, west of Jenin, the ministry said in a brief statement.

The Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported that the Israeli forces stormed the village with military reinforcements, besieged a site, and fired live bullets. The bodies of the three young men were detained.

Hamas said in a statement on Tuesday that two of the killed men were its members and the three men were killed after an armed clash with the Israeli forces in the village of Kafr Qud.

The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement on Tuesday that during an operational activity in the area of Kafr Qud, Israeli forces conducted a "counterterrorism operation."

"During the activity, the forces identified the terrorist cell in a cave and fired at them. Two terrorists were eliminated, and one was injured. After a short while, the IAF eliminated the additional terrorist," it said.

Since early 2025, the Israeli army has conducted repeated raids in northern West Bank cities, including Jenin, Nablus, and Tulkarm, claiming to pursue Palestinian militants.

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Estrada calls for Senate oversight on AFP modernization

Philippine News Agency

By Wilnard Bacelonia

October 29, 2025, 1:31 pm

MANILA -- Senator Jinggoy Estrada called on Wednesday for the Senate to exercise its oversight powers to review the implementation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program, citing delays, underfunding, and rising security threats in the region.

Estrada recently filed Senate Resolution No. 161, seeking to identify legislative interventions that would accelerate the modernization of the military and strengthen the country's defense posture amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), persistent harassment of Filipino fishermen, and emerging cyber threats.

"Our defense posture must evolve rapidly. We cannot afford delays when the safety and security of the Filipino people are at stake," Estrada said.

Estrada, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, lamented that despite the strategic importance of the modernization program, progress remained sluggish due to budgetary constraints, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and poor planning.

Under the AFP Modernization Program, 15 projects from Horizon 1 (2013-2017) and 73 from Horizon 2 (2018-2022) remain incomplete, while 37 are planned for Horizon 3 (2023-2027).

For fiscal year 2026, Estrada said the Department of National Defense (DND) proposed PHP133.74 billion, but only PHP90 million was included in the National Expenditure Program (NEP)  with PHP50 million under unprogrammed appropriations that depend on excess revenues or foreign grants.

"These figures reveal a glaring mismatch between our defense needs and actual funding support. Our soldiers are ready to defend the country, but we must equip them with the tools and technology necessary to do so effectively," Estrada said.

He cited the importance of implementing new laws such as the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act (RA 12024) and the New Government Procurement Act (RA 12009) to boost local defense production and procurement transparency.

"The threats we face today are no longer hypothetical they are real and immediate. From territorial incursions to disinformation campaigns, the Philippines needs a defense force that can respond with speed, precision, and technological readiness," he added.

Estrada emphasized the need for a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach to achieve defense modernization.

"The modernization of the AFP is not just about purchasing equipment. It's about ensuring that the Philippines remains sovereign, secure, and ready to protect every Filipinowhether at sea, in the air, on land, or online," he said. (PNA)

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Marcos: PH to stay calm but firm in defending WPS

Philippine News Agency

By Darryl John Esguerra

October 29, 2025, 10:21 am

MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines' resolve to defend its sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) "firmly but calmly," amid renewed tensions with China over disputed waters.

"I reaffirmed that the Philippines will continue to remain firm, calm, and resolute in defending our sovereignty, our sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea in accordance with, of course, international law," Marcos said in his arrival statement early Wednesday after attending the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

Marcos also emphasized strengthening ties with "like-minded nations" to advance regional stability and economic cooperation.

"We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with all countries who share our values and our commitment to peace, to stability, and to economic progress," he said.

ASEAN leaders also tackled the political crisis in Myanmar, with Marcos reiterating the bloc's support for the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus "to bring about a peaceful and lasting solution."

During the Summit, Marcos repeatedly raised the tensions and coercive actions in the WPS, urging his fellow leaders to step up maritime cooperation.

Marcos officially received the Philippines' chairship of the 2026 ASEAN Summit.

The President, in his acceptance speech before ASEAN leaders, vowed to steer the bloc toward a "stable and secure" regional order.

He said Manila's leadership would prioritize peace, security and cooperation under the theme "Navigating Our Future, Together."

"Our Chairship arrives at a defining moment for ASEAN, one marked by both promise and complexity," Marcos said.

"Though the tides of change may be unpredictable, our compass must remain constant, anchored in cooperation."

He said the Philippines would "continue to champion peace and stability through dialogue, adherence to international law, and enhanced cooperation on traditional and non-traditional security issues," reiterating ASEAN's commitment to an open and rules-based regional architecture. (PNA)

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Chinese, Indian militaries hold 23rd round of Corps Commander Level Meeting

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source China Military Online

EditorLi Weichao

Time2025-10-29 11:02:45

BEIJING, Oct. 29 -- On October 25, 2025, the Chinese and Indian militaries held the 23rd round of Corps Commander Level Meeting at the Moldo-Chushul border meeting point on the Indian side.

The two sides engaged in active and in-depth communication on the management of the western section of the China-India border. They agreed to continue communication and dialogue through military and diplomatic channels under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the China-India border areas.

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Pakistan announces 'failure' of peace talks with Afghanistan

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 7:19 PM

Pakistan has announced that peace negotiations with Afghanistan aimed at resolving recent deadly border clashes have failed.

In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the peace talks produced no positive outcome as "the Afghan side gave no assurances, kept deviating from the core issue and resorted to blame game, deflection and ruses."

The clashes between the two neighbors, which left more than 70 people dead and hundreds injured, erupted after a series of explosions in Kabul on October 9, which Taliban authorities blamed on Pakistan.

Following several days of heavy cross-border fire, both sides agreed to a temporary ceasefire on October 19, during Qatar-brokered talks, pledging to halt further military action.

Since then, delegations from both countries have been holding negotiations in Istanbul to secure a lasting peace.

Tarar said Pakistan participated in the discussions in a spirit of reconciliation but accused Kabul of providing "unabated support to anti-Pakistan terrorists."

"We will continue to take all possible measures necessary to protect our people from the menace of terrorism," he stated.

Hours later, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif issued a strongly worded warning on X, declaring that "any terrorist attack or any suicide bombing inside Pakistan shall give you the bitter taste of such misadventures."

Afghan authorities have not yet formally responded to Pakistan's statements. However, Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesperson for Afghanistan's Interior Ministry, told Afghan outlet Ariana News on Tuesday that any act of aggression would be met with a response "that will serve as a lesson for Pakistan and a message for others."

Relations between the two neighbors, who share a 2,600-kilometer (1,600-mile) border, have deteriorated in recent years amid Islamabad's accusations that Afghanistan shelters militant groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.

A central concern for Pakistan is the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad alleges is operating from Afghan territory, using it as a "training-cum-logistic base and jump-off point for terrorist activities."

Afghanistan has denied the charges, accusing Pakistan's military of spreading "misinformation" and harboring Daesh-linked terrorists to undermine Kabul's sovereignty, accusations that Islamabad firmly rejects.

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New airstrikes in Gaza show Israeli intent to pursue genocide: Iran

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 5:38 PM

The Iranian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned Israel's latest wave of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, describing them as a blatant violation of international law and a continuation of genocidal operations against the Palestinian people.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei denounced the attacks, which targeted multiple areas in southern, central, and northern Gaza on Tuesday and Wednesday, including makeshift camps sheltering displaced Palestinians.

According to reports, the strikes have left at least 110 people dead and hundreds more wounded, among them a significant number of children.

Baghaei said the assaults, carried out under direct orders from Israel's prime minister, represent "another clear indication of the regime's intent to pursue the systematic extermination of Palestinians."

Such actions, the Iranian official stated, heighten the responsibility of the international community under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide to intervene, halt the attacks, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Baghaei criticized Israel's long record of "gross violations of legal and moral norms," adding that the ongoing strikes are taking place under the umbrella of full US support.

He called on the guarantors of the ceasefire to fulfill their obligations and act decisively to curb Israel's "warmongering and crimes against humanity."

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Save the Children warns Gaza's children face 'excruciating' toll as Israel resumes bombardment

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 3:20 PM

The international charity Save the Children has condemned Israel's renewed bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip, describing the rising number of child casualties as "excruciating."

In a statement on Tuesday, Regional Director Ahmad Alhendawi said that after weeks of fragile hope and efforts to rebuild shattered lives, Gaza's families are once again being thrust into fear and loss.

He emphasized that a ceasefire should mark a return to safety and recovery for children, not more suffering.

Alhendawi called for urgent international action to protect both the fragile truce and the lives of Gaza's families.

"This cannot become the new normal under a ceasefire. A lasting ceasefire must mean safety, relief and recovery for children, not continued suffering. It must be fully respected and upheld."

Palestinians in Gaza have endured the deadliest 24 hours since the ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas resistance movement took effect nearly three weeks ago, as Israeli warplanes unleashed a new wave of strikes across the already devastated enclave.

"We are pleading: stop this now. Protect the ceasefire, protect children, and give Gaza's families a step towards the genuine peace they have been waiting for," the regional director stated.

Israel's latest onslaught has killed more than 100 Palestinians, among them at least 46 children, in a single night of bombing across Gaza on Tuesday and into Wednesday.

The airstrikes flattened residential homes and buildings and even targeted tents and evacuation centers where displaced families had sought refuge.

Hamas calls on ceasefire mediators to pressure Israel to halt its attacks

Meanwhile, Hamas, in a statement on Wednesday, called on the mediators of the ceasefire agreement to pressure Israel to stop its attacks and abide by the deal.

"The movement also calls upon the mediators and guarantors to assume their full responsibilities regarding this escalating aggression, and to immediately pressure the occupying government to halt its massacres and fully adhere to the terms of the agreement," Hamas said.

The Palestinian group also accused the US of being complicit in helping Israel "impose new realities by force" in Gaza.

"The treacherous escalation against our people in Gaza reveals a clear Israeli intention to undermine the ceasefire agreement and impose new realities by force, under the cover of American complicity that grants Netanyahu's fascist government political cover to continue its crimes," the statement read.

The US.-Israeli genocidal war, which began in October 2023, has so far claimed over 68,600 lives in Gaza.

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Israeli massacre: Over 100 Gazans, including 35 children, killed despite truce

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 9:26 AM

Israeli strikes have massacred at least 100 Palestinians, including 35 children, across the war-torn Gaza Strip, marking the latest violation of the ceasefire between Hamas and the occupying entity.

In a statement on Wednesday, Gaza's Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal reported the latest deaths as Israeli warplanes continued to carry out intense air raids on the central and northern areas of Rafah in southern parts of the besieged Palestinian territory.

"In less than twelve hours, Israeli occupation forces have committed horrific massacres against civilians in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 100 people, including around 35 children, documented crimes that add to the ongoing record of violations against our people," the official said.

Israeli airstrikes battered Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and central refugee camps, striking homes, tents, and a hospital courtyard. Medics warned the death toll would likely climb, with many critically injured and others trapped under rubble. After nearly 12 hours of intense bombing, Israel claimed it was reinstating the ceasefire at 10 a.m. local time (8 a.m. GMT).

"These massacres are being carried out before the eyes of mediators and the international community, which remains silent and incapable of taking any real steps to stop the ongoing bloodshed that has continued for more than two years," Basal added.

Israel, which routinely strikes Gaza in violation of the ceasefire, blamed Hamas for breaching the agreement, claiming the group attacked Israeli troops in Rafah on Tuesday, which killed one soldier.

Hamas rejects the accusation, blaming Tel Aviv for the violation of the shaky truce.

"What is happening in Gaza today is a disgrace to humanity and shows that the international community, through its silence, has become complicit in these violations," Basal further stressed.

Gaza's Civil Defense also called for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, safe humanitarian corridors for essential aid, international protection for civilians and medical teams, and a global effort to rebuild Gaza's devastated infrastructure.

It condemned the world's silence as a moral failure and vowed to continue its humanitarian mission despite the immense challenges.

Of those killed in Israel's overnight strikes, 18 belonged to a single family whose home in the Nuseirat refugee camp was completely destroyed by an airstrike.

The existing ceasefire was reached in Egypt earlier this month with the aim of implementing the first phase of a 20-point plan forwarded by Donald Trump.

The US president says the proposal is aimed at ending the regime's two-year-plus war of genocide on Gaza.

However, the Israeli regime has frequently violated the truce through strikes and bombardment.

Hamas has already called on guarantors, namely Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States, to act immediately to pressure the regime and curb its brutal escalation against civilians in Gaza, stop its serious violations of the agreement, and urge it to adhere to all of its terms.

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Iran, Afghanistan agree on prisoner transfers, resumption of stalled border, water talks

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 8:22 AM

Iran and Afghanistan have reached agreement on several key issues, including prisoner exchanges, resumption of stalled border demarcation projects, and renewed cooperation on water rights and security issues.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, announced the news in a post on his X account on Tuesday, saying the agreements were reached during his visit to Afghanistan and meetings with the country's minister of borders and tribal affairs, the head of the Taliban's Department for Oversight and Implementation of Decrees, the deputy minister of water and energy (Water Commissioner), and the first deputy foreign minister.

"Based on an understanding between Tehran and Kabul, it was agreed that the list of imprisoned Iranian nationals would be handed over to Iran's embassy in Afghanistan, and arrangements would be made for their immediate transfer to Iran," he noted.

Gharibabadi emphasized the need to strengthen border controls to prevent drug trafficking, human trafficking, and the infiltration of terrorists, adding that it was also agreed to resume the renovation project of border demarcation, which has been suspended for seven years.

"It was also agreed to hold a joint technical and legal committee meeting simultaneously, focusing on the prompt resolution of existing border ambiguities," Iran's deputy foreign minister further noted.

Gharibabadi further underlined the need for the full implementation of the 1973 Hirmand treaty and Iran's complete receiving of its water right under the treaty, the provision of environmental water rights with respect to the Hamoun wetlands, and the establishment of a legal regime for the Harirud (Hari River).

"It was agreed that the meeting of the two countries' water commissioners would be held in Iran as soon as possible to discuss these issues in a spirit of cooperation and within the framework of fulfilling existing commitments," he stressed.

Regarding extradition of Afghan criminals, it was decided that the relevant Afghan authorities would arrest and prosecute them, Gharibabadi noted.

Iran's deputy foreign minister also added that as for Afghan convicts imprisoned in Iran, it was agreed that, based on the related agreement and reciprocal actions by the Afghan side, the transfer of eligible prisoners to Afghanistan to serve their sentences would be resumed.

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UAE supplied Sudan's RSF militants with UK-made weapons: Report

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 7:51 AM

A recent report has revealed that British-made weapons and military equipment are being supplied by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to militants from the so-called Rapid Support Forces (RSF), amid a civil war in Sudan that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced about 12 million more.

UK-made target systems and engines for armored vehicles have been discovered on battlefields in the Northeast African country, raising questions about British arms exports and London's role in fueling the conflict, British daily newspaper The Guardian reported on Tuesday.

The report cites two dossiers of documents, which have apparently been seen by the UN Security Council.

The dossiers, dated June 2024 and March 2025, were compiled by the Sudanese military, which says they are "evidence of UAE support" for the RSF.

New material shows that targeting systems manufactured by Wales-based company Militec were discovered at former RSF bases in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum and the twin city of Omdurman.

Data shows that the UK has approved licenses for companies like Militec to export training systems to the Emirates since 2015.

The British government issued a new license for such products to the UAE in September 2024, three months after evidence first suggested that the products were being shipped to Sudan, according to the data.

The engines mentioned in the dossier are made specifically for a UAE-manufactured armored personnel carrier. These vehicles have also popped up in Libya and Yemen in violation of UN arms embargos.

The United Nations has issued stark warnings over reports of "atrocities" by the RSF, and rights groups have documented numerous massacres by the militant group.

Just days ago, the RSF seized control of the city of el-Fasher in the North Darfur region. Aid groups reported chaotic scenes there, including killings, arrests, and attacks on hospitals.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that the developments represent a "terrible escalation in the conflict" and that "the level of suffering that we are witnessing in Sudan is unbearable."

The UN Human Rights Office said that RSF militants reportedly carried out atrocities in el-Fasher, including "summary executions" of civilians trying to flee their attacks, "with indications of ethnic motivations for killings."

Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said the "risk of further large-scale, ethnically motivated violations and atrocities in el-Fasher is mounting by the day."

In 2023, a conflict broke out between the Sudanese army and the RSF. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, displaced over 12 million people, and led the International Rescue Committee to characterize it as "the largest humanitarian crisis ever documented."

Khartoum has accused the UAE of backing the RSF in what it calls a genocide against the non-Arab Masalit people in Sudan's Darfur region.

The Sudanese government demands that the UAE cease its support for the RSF and provide "full reparations," including compensation for the war's victims.

Last April, Sudan took legal action against the UAE at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for creating the "driving force" behind the ongoing "genocide" in Sudan.

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37 Gazans killed in new Israeli aggression despite ceasefire

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 3:25 AM

The Israeli military has killed as many as 37 people, including 16 children, across the Gaza Strip in drastic violation of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, despite the Palestinian resistance movement's insistence in close commitment to the deal.

The fatalities were caused on Tuesday, Gaza's hospital sources reported, identifying targets as residential homes.

Earlier, Gaza's civil defense agency had put the death toll at 30, with spokesman Mahmud Basal saying dozens of others had also been wounded in the attacks.

"Our crews are still working to recover the dead and wounded from under the rubble," he had told AFP.

The victims perished after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered "immediate, powerful" strikes on Gaza amid accusations by Israeli authorities of Hamas' targeting Israeli troops in Rafah in the coastal sliver's southern region.

The group, however, roundly rejected any involvement, saying the regime was trying deliberately to violate the terms of the agreement and was "make it fail."

Earlier too, the movement had reported that the Israeli military was intentionally preventing recovery and transfer of the remains of the regime's captives, as it has been agreed in the deal, calling out Tel Aviv's "systematic obstruction."

Hamas has also lambasted Tel Aviv's continued closure of the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza, which is the territory's lifeline, as another instance of the regime's refusing to keep its end of the bargain.

The deal was reached in Egypt earlier this month with the aim of implementing the first phase of a 20-point plan forwarded by Donald Trump. The US president says the proposal is aimed at ending the regime's two-year-plus war of genocide on Gaza.

The movement has on numerous occasions pledged sustained commitment to the agreement as part of which it vowed to return the living and dead Israeli captives and hand over Gaza's administration to a Palestinian body.

Trump, meanwhile, backed, what he called, the regime's "right to respond," warning the group of "termination" if it "does not behave."

He also echoed claims by Vice President JD Vance, who had said the ceasefire was "holding," apparently dismissing widespread reports of deadly Israeli violations.

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Pakistan Says Peace Talks With Afghan Taliban Fail To Find 'Workable Solution'

By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi and RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal October 29, 2025

Negotiations for a lasting truce between Afghanistan and Pakistan have broken down, Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on October 29 after four days of negotiations brokered by Qatar and Turkey.

" The Afghan side kept deviating from the core issue, evading the key point upon which the dialogue process was initiated," Tarar said on X. "Instead of accepting any responsibility, the Afghan Taliban resorted to blame game, deflection and ruses. The dialogue thus failed to bring about any workable solution."

Pakistan and Afghanistan have been holding talks in Istanbul aimed at securing peace after more than 70 people were killed earlier this month in border clashes. The recent violence, which also wounded hundreds of people, has been the worst since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021.

The violence erupted following explosions in Kabul on October 9 that the Taliban authorities blamed on Pakistan.

Tarar said Pakistan engaged with Afghanistan in the spirit of peace, but accused Kabul of "unabated support to anti-Pakistan terrorists."

"We will continue to take all possible measures necessary to protect our people from the menace of terrorism," he added, vowing to "decimate the terrorists, their sanctuaries, their abettors and supporters."

There was no immediate comment from Afghanistan.

Relations between the one-time allies, who share a 2,600-kilometre border, have soured in recent years over accusations from Islamabad that Afghanistan harbors militant groups, including the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Pakistan accuses the Taliban authorities of allowing the TTP to use Afghan territory as a training and logistic base for terrorist activities in Pakistan, according to Tarar's statement.

The Taliban government has denied the allegations.

The Pakistani military said on October 26 that five Pakistani soldiers and 25 militants from the TTP were killed the day before even as the diplomats met.

Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warned on October 25 that failure to reach a deal in the talks could lead to "open war."

Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesman for Afghanistan's Interior Ministry, said on October 28 that any attack would be met with a response "that will serve as a lesson for Pakistan and a message for others."

With reporting by AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-pakistan- taliban-negotiations-clashes-border/33575282.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.

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US Removes Pro-Russian Bosnian Serb Politician Milorad Dodik And Allies From Sanctions List

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service October 29, 2025

Summary

The US has removed Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik and 47 others from its sanctions list, citing no detailed reasons.

Dodik, previously banned from politics, called the move a correction of a "grave injustice" against Republika Srpska.

Critics accuse Dodik of undermining Bosnia's constitution, while supporters credit him with stability and development.

Pro-Russian Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik and dozens of his allies have been removed from the US sanctions list, the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced on October 29.

OFAC said in a statement that a total of 48 individuals and entities, including Dodik, the former president of the Bosnian Serb republic who earlier this month stepped aside after a state court banned him from politics, his family and government members, and companies related to them, were delisted from the Western Balkans Sanctions Program.

The Treasury Department did not elaborate on the move, but it follows Washington's statement earlier this month welcoming the appointment of an interim president to replace Dodik, who had been stripped of his presidency after a court ruling. The interim appointment sets the stage for fresh presidential elections in November.

US State Department told RFE/RL that "constructive actions taken in recent weeks by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska" contributed to the decision to lift US sanctions against Milorad Dodik, the leader of the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD), Bosnian Presidency member Zeljka Cvijanovic, and their associates. The State Department went on to say that de-listing of Mr. Dodik and others "should help improve stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and enable a partnership with the United States based on shared interests, economic potential, and prosperity."

Lawmakers had also annulled a series of separatist laws passed in recent months after Dodik had been indicted for defying decisions of the international envoy and the Constitutional Court.

Dodik called the sanctions removal a correction of a "grave injustice inflicted upon Republika Srpska, its representatives, and their families."

In August, an appeals court in Bosnia-Herzegovina confirmed a prison sentence for Dodik for disregarding the decisions of an international peace envoy, a charge the pro-Russia nationalist politician has dismissed as politically motivated.

While he was president, Republika Srpska in mid-March adopted a draft of a new constitution that would redefine the Serb entity as a state of the Serbian people, grant it the right to self-determination, and establish its own army.

These provisions would be directly in conflict with the Bosnian Constitution and the Dayton peace accords, which established Republika Srpska as one of Bosnia's two entities.

Throughout his tenure as president of Republika Srpska, Dodik faced criticism for authoritarian tendencies, undermining democratic institutions, and fostering a culture of political patronage.

Supporters argue that he has brought stability and development to the entity, while opponents charge that his leadership has deepened divisions among the country's ethnic communities and eroded the state's institutional integrity.

Earlier this month, OFAC removed four individuals from Republika Srpska from the sanctions list who had been designated for organizing the celebration of January 9, the unconstitutional "Day of Republika Srpska."

Republika Srpska last year signed a contract with the US firm Zell & Associates International Advocates to lobby for the lifting of sanctions and to promote dialogue between Republika Srpska and the Trump administration as well as to seek a review of the Dayton peace accords and the role of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to the registration document obtained by RFE/RL, the law firm was to pursue the goals in the US through communication with members of the executive and legislative branches, as well as the NGO sector.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-pro-russian-bosnian-serb- dodik-sanctions-list/33576314.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.

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US Cuts Troops In Romania Amid Military Posture 'Adjustments'

By Ray Furlong and RFE/RL's Romanian Service October 29, 2025

Summary

The US is reducing its military presence in Romania, with 1,000 troops leaving and a similar number remaining at three bases.

NATO and US officials emphasized that the move is part of routine force posture adjustments and does not weaken NATO's commitment to security in Europe.

Romanian leaders and NATO representatives reassured that the country's security and the alliance's eastern flank are not at risk despite the troop reduction.

The United States is significantly reducing its military presence in Romania, in what the US Army called an "adjustment to US force posture," amid Moscow's war against neighboring Ukraine and heightened European concern about Russian incursions into NATO airspace.

The Romanian Defense Ministry announced what it called the "resizing" of the US force on October 29, saying it had learned of the plans two days previously.

Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu told a news conference in Bucharest that 1,000 US troops had left the country and that a similar number would remain at three US bases in Romania.

"There is no disaster, it is a decision by our allies. They remain in the three [locations]," he said, adding that the troops who had departed had merely been on rotation in Romania.

'Not An American Withdrawal'

The US Army issued a statement saying "this is not an American withdrawal from Europe or a signal of lessened commitment to NATO and Article 5," which states that an armed attack on one member is considered an attack on all members.

"Rather this is a positive sign of increased European capability and responsibility. Our NATO allies are meeting President Trump's call to take primary responsibility for the conventional defense of Europe."

Matthew Whitaker, the US ambassador to NATO, wrote on social media that "the United States remains committed to Romaniaas a trusted NATO Ally, a vital strategic partner, and a driving force for security in Europe."

US troop reductions in Europe have been expected for several months, since it was announced the Pentagon would conduct a Global Force Posture Review.

NATO officials who spoke to RFE/RL played down the security impacts of the announcement.

"Adjustments to US force posture are not unusual. Even with this adjustment, the US force posture in Europe remains larger than it has been for many years, with many more US forces on the continent than before 2022," said one official, referring to the year Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"The US authorities informed NATO of this adjustment in advance. The US commitment to NATO is clear. President Trump and his administration have reiterated this time and again," the official added.

Many analysts have predicted the Pentagon review, expected to be published this fall, will lay out a shift in military resources from Europe to the Asia-Pacific region.

"Some NATO officials believe a US troops reduction of up to 30 percent could be possible," a report published by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) last month said.

There has been no official announcement of the US reducing its military deployments elsewhere in Europe, but the move to cut troops in Romania comes amid heightened anxiety about the US commitment to NATO.

'Not Good News'

"This is not good news, particularly at a time of high tension in the European security situation," Jamie Shea, a former senior NATO official now at the Chatham House think tank in London, told RFE/RL.

"It would be better if the Pentagon could give an overall view of its future force posture in Europe for all of NATO territory and not drip country-by-country announcements one by one. There will be questions from the allies," he said.

But Shea also underlined that the decision does not mean that NATO was leaving Romania's security exposed.

"The US is not the NATO lead nation in Romania as France leads the NATO multinational battalion and the defense is spearheaded by the Europeans, unlike Poland where the US is in the lead."

Poland's Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz told reporters on October 29 that his country had "not received any information...about a reduction in the contingent in Poland."

On October 15, he said his US counterpart Pete Hegseth had confirmed that the US military presence in Poland would remain stable.

US President Donald Trump has strongly criticized European countries he says have relied on US firepower while not spending enough on defense.

Washington-based think-tank Defense Priorities wrote in July that "the current military posture in Europe is too large, encouraging free-riding by European allies and preventing them from taking more responsibility for their own security. US troop levels should be reduced to approximately where they were before Russia's 2014 invasion of Ukraine."

Since then, tensions on NATO's eastern flank have grown following a series of Russian military incursions into member states' airspace.

This has included a mass drone incursion into Poland on September 10, Russian military jets entering Estonian airspace days later, and Russian drones over Romania.

Romanian officials have described the drone incidents as a "new challenge" in the Black Sea region.

In response to the incursions, NATO launched a new operation, Eastern Sentry, with a number of western European nations sending fighter jets to boost security and plug gaps from the Baltic to the Black Sea.

Former NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana, who was previously a Romanian legislator, wrote on Facebook that "in Europe, the American military presence will be reduced, but not drastically. This new arrangement comes after a successful NATO Summit held at The Hague and will not jeopardize the execution of NATO's defense and deterrence plans."

Responding to the announced US troop departures, Romanian President Nicusor Dan also sought to offer reassurance.

"The security of Romania and the eastern flank will not be diminished in any way," he wrote on social media, adding that "the strategic partnership between Romania and the US remains within the same parameters."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/33575594.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.

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Romania and the Allies have been informed about the United States' decision to downsize the US troops in Europe

Romania - Ministry of National Defence

Press release No. 198

29.10.2025

Romania and the Allies were informed of the United States' decision to downsize American troops in Europe.

The Ministry of National Defence has been informed about the withdrawal of some of the American troops deployed on NATO's Eastern Flank, as part of the process of reassessing the global posture of US military forces.

Among the elements of the brigade that are about to cease rotations in Europe are also mentioned the forces designated for Romania, stationed at Mihail Kogalniceanu.

The decision was expected, as Romania is in permanent contact with its American strategic partner.

The downsizing of the US forces is an effect of the new priorities of the presidential administration, announced in February. The decision also took into account the fact that NATO had strengthened its presence and activity on the Eastern Flank, which allows the United States to adjust its military posture in the region.

*

The American decision is to cease the rotation of a brigade in Europe that had elements in several NATO countries. Approximately one thousand American soldiers will remain deployed on our national territory, contribute to the deterrence of any threats and will represent a guarantee of the US commitment to regional security.

Today, October 29th, the Minister of National Defence has held a press conference at the ministry's headquarters.

The press conference on this topic can be watched at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1550138889523418 .



The Press Office



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Defence Minister's meeting with his French counterpart, in Sibiu

Romania - Ministry of National Defence

Press release No. 199

29.10.2025

On Thursday, October 30th, Minister of National Defence, Liviu-Ionut Mosteanu, will have a meeting in Sibiu, with the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs of the French Republic, Catherine Vautrin, who will be visiting Romania.

The official visit agenda includes bilateral discussions and a visit to the contingents deployed to the "Getica" Joint National Training Center in Cincu.

The two officials will also hold press statements on Thursday, October 30th, at 1:00 p.m., at "Nicolae Balcescu" Land Forces Academy in Sibiu.

Media representatives who are interested in participating in the event are requested to send their full name, the series and number of their identity card and press badge, as well as the media institution they represent, by Wednesday, October 29th, at 7:00 p.m., to e-mail address office@armyacademy.ro.

The access to the Land Forces Academy (3-5 Revolutiei Street, Sibiu) will be made on Thursday, October 30th, between 12:00 and 12:30, based on the journalists' identity cards and press badges.

Point of contact: Colonel Radu Dinu, cell phone 0724069127.

*

France is framework nation for the Forward Land Forces Battle Group - FLF BG) Romania.

The battle group was established in 2022, with the approval of the Romanian Parliament, and brings together approximately 1,700 soldiers from France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain, representing the North Atlantic Alliance's firm commitment to the security of the eastern flank and the Black Sea region.





The Press Office



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Statement on intensification of offensive on El Fasher in Sudan

Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PRESS STATEMENT 110

29 OCT 25

The Spanish Government is following the latest events in El Fasher with great concern and condemns the human rights violations that, according to multiple testimonies, are being committed by the RSF and its allies. We demand respect for international humanitarian law, the protection of the population and the guarantee of their safety through the establishment of humanitarian corridors allowing them to leave the city. Unconditional access to humanitarian aid must also be facilitated.

Spain insists on the urgent need to end the war in Sudan, on negotiation as the only way to find a solution, and on defending the unity and territorial integrity of the country. Spain expresses its support for the work being carried out by the Quad and the African Union.

-NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION-

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Death Toll From Latest Israeli Strikes on Gaza Rises to 30 - Civil Defense

Sputnik News

20251029

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The death toll from the latest Israeli strikes on Gaza has risen to 30, spokesperson for the Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip, Mahmoud Zabar Tafesh Bassal, said.

"At least 30 people have been killed and dozens more were injured following Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip, and our teams continue to work to recover bodies and the injured from under the rubble," Bassal told the AFP news agency.

Earlier on Tuesday, Bassal said in a statement that at least nine people, including women and children, were killed in Tuesday Israeli strikes: one on a residential building in the Sabra neighborhood in Gaza City; another strike on a civilian vehicle in the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip; and a strike on a refugee tent in the Zawaya area of central Gaza.

Israeli army radio Galei Tzahal reported on Tuesday that Hamas militants had fired at Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered powerful strikes on the Palestinian enclave after consultations with the military. At the same time, US Vice President JD Vance said that the Gaza ceasefire was still holding.

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas went into effect on October 10.MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The death toll from the latest Israeli strikes on Gaza has risen to 30, spokesperson for the Civil Defense in the Gaza Strip, Mahmoud Zabar Tafesh Bassal, said.

"At least 30 people have been killed and dozens more were injured following Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip, and our teams continue to work to recover bodies and the injured from under the rubble," Bassal told the AFP news agency.

Earlier on Tuesday, Bassal said in a statement that at least nine people, including women and children, were killed in Tuesday Israeli strikes: one on a residential building in the Sabra neighborhood in Gaza City; another strike on a civilian vehicle in the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip; and a strike on a refugee tent in the Zawaya area of central Gaza.

Israeli army radio Galei Tzahal reported on Tuesday that Hamas militants had fired at Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered powerful strikes on the Palestinian enclave after consultations with the military. At the same time, US Vice President JD Vance said that the Gaza ceasefire was still holding.

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas went into effect on October 10.

 Sputnik

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

29 October 2025

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

** Guest

All right, good afternoon, thank you for your patience. We are going to start with our guest, if you could put him on the screen.

Excellent. I am delighted to welcome Dennis Zulu, who is the UN Resident Coordinator in Jamaica, covering the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands. We obviously asked him to come in and brief you regarding the situation with Hurricane Melissa.

So, Dennis, first of all thank you for making the time. We will let you make some opening comments then take some questions. Go ahead, Dennis.

[this part of the briefing has not been transcribed.]

** Guests today

Thank you, Dennis, so much. We hope you and all of our UN colleagues are safe and sound, thank you for everything you are doing, and we hope you come back soon to give us an update, but we really appreciate your time. Take care, Dennis.

Alright, if you didn't have enough today, you are going to have more. Just a reminder, after I am done, at 1:30 p.m. today, there will be a briefing here by Annalena Baerbock, who, as you know, is our President of the General Assembly. She will be joined by Ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar. They will brief you on the Second World Summit for Social Development, which kicks off in Doha next week.

And, at 2:15 p.m. today, there will be a briefing here by Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He will be here in person.

Lastly, at 3:30 p.m., there will be a briefing by Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar; as you know, this is the Special Rapporteur week. He's just briefed the General Assembly's Third Committee.

Tomorrow, at 1 p.m., there will be a briefing by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan. They will be presenting their findings to the Third Committee tomorrow morning. That briefing will be here at 1 p.m.

And, at 2:00 p.m., there will be a briefing by a Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua after they brief the Third Committee.

** Hurricane Melissa

Earlier today, you saw that the Secretary-General issued a statement in which he said he is gravely concerned as Hurricane Melissa unleashes widespread devastation across the Caribbean. The Secretary-General stands in solidarity with the Governments and people impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

The Secretary-General conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.

** Chief Executives Board

Also just to note that tomorrow and Friday morning, the Secretary-General will be chairing the biannual session of the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB), bringing together the heads of the UN system organizations. The fall session always takes place in New York and will take place in New York again.

CEB Members will reflect on current world affairs as they affect and are related to the UN system, and they will engage in deliberations on the "Impact of the present disruptions in the global economy on the Sustainable Development Goals" as well as the "State of Play of the UN80 Initiative".

** Sudan

Turning to the horrific ongoing situation in Sudan, I can tell you that we condemn the continuing violations of international humanitarian law and the violations and abuses of human rights taking place in El Fasher; that includes the indiscriminate attacks and targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Today, we were horrified by the reports of the tragic killing of more than 460 people, both patients and their companions, at the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher. This follows recent attacks and the abduction of health workers.

Prior to this latest attack, our colleagues at WHO (World Health Organization) verified 185 attacks on healthcare in Sudan, with 1,204 deaths and 416 injuries of health workers and patients since the start of the conflict in April 2023. Forty-nine of these attacks occurred this year alone, and they killed 966 people.

Our humanitarian colleagues say that people continue to flee El Fasher, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) tells us that more than 36,000 people fled between Sunday and yesterday. Most have sought refuge within the outskirts of El Fasher, as well as the localities of Kebkabiya, Melit and Tawila, where families are  as you can imagine  living in the open with no shelter, sanitation or protection. Women and girls, as they always do in these circumstances, face heightened risks of violence and abuse.

In El Fasher, local sources report that thousands of people, including the elderly and those with disabilities as well as the wounded, remain stranded and unable to flee the area due to insecurity and the lack of transport options.

We and our partners on the ground coordinating vital assistance in Tawila, where displaced families are being hosted at overcrowded sites. Urgent needs include shelter, food, water, healthcare and protection. And today our Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, approved a $20 million allocation for Sudan from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). This will support the scaling up of emergency support in Tawila and other locations in Darfur and the Kordofan region. This adds to $27 million already allocated from the CERF for Sudan this year alone.

The situation in North Kordofan is no better. Fighting continues to devastate communities. IOM reports that between 24,000 and 27,000 people were displaced from the locality of Um Dam Haj Ahmed; that was yesterday.

Still in North Kordofan, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies yesterday said it was "horrified" after five Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers were killed and three went missing while distributing food in the locality of Bara.

Twenty-one Red Crescent staff and volunteers have been killed since the conflict began.

We can't stress enough that civilians, humanitarian workers and medical personnel must be always protected, and once again we call on all parties to immediately halt hostilities, guarantee safe passage for civilians and aid workers, and ensure sustained humanitarian access wherever it is needed.

And you saw the reports from Sudan that two of our WFP (World Food Programme) colleagues have been designated as persona non grata by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and were asked to leave the country within 72 hours, without any official explanation.

This decision to expel WFP's Country Director and Emergency Coordinator comes at a pivotal time, to state the obvious. Humanitarian needs in Sudan have never been greater, with more than 24 million people facing acute food insecurity and communities impacted by famine.

WFP and senior UN officials are engaging with authorities to protest this action and we are seeking clarification for this decision. All parties in Sudan must prioritize the lives and well-being of millions who depend on emergency food and nutrition assistance for their survival.

WFP, and the whole UN family, remain unwavering in our commitment to ensure that the people of Sudan can access vital assistance during this period of unprecedented hunger, unprecedented insecurity and unprecedented humanitarian needs.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Turning to the situation in Gaza, and I've been asked this morning, so I will tell you that the Secretary-General strongly condemns the killings due to Israeli airstrikes of civilians in Gaza yesterday, including many children. He condemns all actions that undermine the ceasefire and endanger civilian lives.

He notes the importance of the parties' renewed assurances to implement the ceasefire and stresses that these commitments must be upheld in full. Any act that harms civilians or obstructs humanitarian operations must be avoided.

The Secretary-General commends the ongoing diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye and the United States, whose engagement has been critical in sustaining the agreement, preventing further escalation, and enabling increased humanitarian access.

The United Nations and our partners are rapidly scaling up their presence across Gaza, working intensively to deliver life-saving assistance to communities in need.

Our partners, as I mentioned, and ourselves are continuing to seize any opportunity presented by the ceasefire to scale up humanitarian assistance in Gaza.

Just looking back to Monday, our partners working in child protection reached 1,500 children and 700 caregivers with mental health, psychosocial and other support.

Our partners working on food security tell us that they're supporting the production of about 130,000 two-kilogram bread bundles every single day. That's as of Monday.

Community sites, kitchens and shelters that we support continue to distribute bread for free. But our partners say that people struggle to access meat, vegetables, and fruits, with most families relying on cereals, pulses and small amounts of dairy.

Yesterday, the UN Office for Projects Services (UNOPS) distributed more than 200,000 litres of fuel to our partners in southern and northern Gaza to keep critical operations. Those operations included water, sanitation, hygiene, health, food security, logistics, rubble removal, telecommunications and education.

OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) says that while the humanitarian scale-up is under way, impediments remain. To fully deliver on the 60-day humanitarian plan, we need the ceasefire to hold. But we also need more functional crossings, the lifting of bureaucratic hurdles, safe and viable routes inside Gaza, unimpeded access  including for NGOs (non-governmental organizations)  and of course continued funding.

And a comment on the West Bank: Our human rights colleagues said yesterday that ongoing attacks by Israeli settlers continue to instil fear, destroy homes and livelihoods, and force Palestinians off their land.

** Ukraine

Turning to Ukraine, where our humanitarian colleagues tell us that attacks and hostilities across the country are continuing to kill and injure civilians, including children, and damage civilian infrastructure.

In Kherson City, a strike today severely damaged a children's hospital, injuring a child and medical workers. The Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, said that a strike on a children's hospital is a matter of grave concern, adding that attacks against civilians and health facilities are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law.

Also today, a UN humanitarian convoy, facilitated by OCHA, delivered assistance to the community of Kutsurubska in the Mykolaiv region. This marks the third convoy to the region in 2025, reaching 4,000 people in hard-hit communities.

From January to September of this year, our humanitarian partners reached more than 4 million people across Ukraine with at least one type of assistance, covering 42 per cent of people in need. More than 500 organizations provided support, with the highest number of people reached in the Dnipro, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions.

Three quarters of the way through the year, the $2.6 billion Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Ukraine is currently 44 per cent funded, with [$1.15] billion received.

** Brazil

A number of you asked me this morning about our reaction concerning police raids that took place in Rio de Janeiro, and I can tell you that the Secretary-General is gravely concerned by the large number of casualties during a police operation conducted yesterday in Rio de Janeiro. He stresses that the use of force in police operations must adhere to international human rights law and standards and urges the authorities to undertake a prompt investigation.

** Adaptation Gap Report

Two climate-related today to flag to you. Today, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released its Adaptation Gap Report. UNEP notes that while adaptation planning and implementation are improving, adaptation finance needs in developing countries by 2035 are over $310 billion per year, which is 12 times as much as current international public adaptation finance flows.

In a message for the release of the report, the Secretary-General said that the Adaptation Gap Report is a red alert. Climate impacts are accelerating, he said, and yet adaptation finance is not keeping pace, leaving the world's most vulnerable exposed to rising seas, deadly storms, and searing heat.

The Secretary-General said that this is not just a funding gap; it is a failure of global solidarity.

He stressed that COP 30 (30th Conference of Parties) in Brazil must deliver a global action plan to ensure developing countries have the resources and capacity to protect their people, strengthen food and water security, and build resilience across every sector of development.

** Climate Change/Health

Also released today was the 2025 report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, produced in collaboration with our friends at the World Health Organization (WHO), [which] warned that continued overreliance on fossil fuels and the failure to adapt to a heating world are already having a devastating toll on human health. The report shows that the rate of heat-related mortality has increased 23 per cent since the 1990s, pushing total heat-related deaths to an average of 546,000 deaths per year.

According to the report, droughts and heatwaves were associated with an additional 124 million human beings facing moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023.

The report also pointed out that Governments spent $956 billion on net fossil fuel subsidies in 2023, more than triple the amount pledged annually to support climate-vulnerable countries.

** Peacekeeping

The Department of Peace Operations, together with Canada, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Korea, and UN-Women, has just concluded a high-level event titled "Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) at a Crossroads: Rethinking, Reimagining, and Recommitting to WPS in United Nations Peacekeeping".

At the event, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the head of Peace Operations, emphasized the critical role of UN Peacekeeping in advancing gender equality and implementing the women, peace and security agenda.

UN Peacekeeping's report on 25 years of women, peace and security is available online.

** Care and Support Day

Today is an International Day that we could use every day. It is the International Day of Care and Support. Paid and unpaid care work, from domestic labour to caring for loved ones, is essential for sustainable societies. Yet it remains undervalued and underpaid. We call for fair wages, stronger protection for care workers, and recognition of care work's vital role in our economies and societies.

** Questions and Answers

Spokesman : Benny? You've got to pay attention, Gab.

Question : All right. I made it. So you know there's like a race... [cross-talk]

Spokesman : The what, sorry?

Question : A race for the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Spokesman : I'm aware.

Question : So I wonder if the Secretary-General has any opinion on the major issues rather than personalities as to, for instance, should it be a woman? Should it be somebody from a certain regional area?

Spokesman : I think I would refer you back to what the Secretary-General has said in the past. I think given that the race is, let's say, much more real today than it was a year ago, we will refer... the Secretary-General, I think, is keen on ensuring that he does not interfere in any way, shape or form in this contest, in which he is not running.

Question : So on those issues, that's why I didn't ask about the personalities. But on those issues  women, Latin America?

Spokesman : Again, I think the Secretary-General has spoken about this before. He stands by what he said, but I think as we will not, at this point in the calendar, speak to the race. Sir?

Question : Thank you, Stephane. Maybe the new Secretary should be Kurdish, given the fact that we don't have a country. So one question on the Iraqi elections. Does the United Nations play any role in monitoring the elections in Iraq, which are scheduled for 11 November?

Spokesman : It's a very good question. I will check with our colleagues at the political mission in Baghdad.

Question : Just one more question, if you can check. We don't have an answer. Armed groups in Iraq are participating as coalitions in the elections. How does the UN assess the risk to the integrity of the elections? [cross-talk]

Spokesman : I really have nothing to answer you off the top of my head, but we will get some answers for you. Gabriel?

Question : Thanks, Steph. One on Sudan and then one on Gaza. Have we heard... What's the latest with Mr. [Ramtane] Lamamra, given the situation, on his movements, who he's been talking to? Any updates from him?

Spokesman : My understanding is Mr. Lamamra has been speaking to the different parties. I think he's doing this from his base. I know Mr. Fletcher has also been speaking to the various sides and others in this conflict. I think we are all working towards the same goal, which is to see an immediate halt to the fire, humanitarian aid being allowed to go in, and the restoration of a long-term political process.

Question : And the UN's posture in Tawilah is still the same, given the fall of El Fasher?

Spokesman : Yes.

Question : And one on Gaza. More than 100 people were killed with Israel's latest attacks  according to local officials, 46 children, at least 20 women. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican in the US Congress, posted on social media, these are her words, "46 children. Are those not war crimes?" Would you answer that question?

Spokesman : I think it's not for me to answer Representative Taylor Greene, with all respect to her. I think I was very clear in what I just said in expressing the Secretary-General's condemnation of what happened. Islam, then Abdelhamid, then Alex.

Question : Thank you, Stephane. My question is about international force on Gaza. According to the Israeli media, Israeli officials are vehemently against any United Nations involvement in that force. Arab countries, they sort of discussed that United Nations should be involved, especially considering the UN Charter Chapter 7, but Israeli officials oppose it. What is the international force situation? What can you tell us from the UN point?

Spokesman : My understanding is that the discussions on the makeup of such a force are ongoing. We, as the Secretariat, are not involved in those discussions. There have also been discussions very openly reported in the press about a potential resolution to back such a force. Obviously, that will be a decision taken by Member States. It is clear that any force, whether it is a peacekeeping force or an international force, has, I guess, more credibility, so to speak, backed by a UN resolution. What that resolution will look like, what's in it, what it invokes will be up to Member States.

Question : Do you see any relation, or do you relate Israel's latest attacks because of the delay of international force that hasn't been established?

Spokesman : No, I will let that kind of analysis to analysts and journalists such as yourself. Abdelhamid?

Question : Thank you, Stephane. Yesterday, Francesca Albanese was insulted by the Permanent Representative of a Member State. And it was raised yesterday in the news conference, one of the press conferences, that we don't know how much the SG defended one... [cross-talk]

Spokesman : Which comments are you referring to?

Question : When the Israeli representative called her a witch. What is the position of the Secretary-General, hearing this kind of language? [cross-talk]

Spokesman : I think that kind of language to be used in an official UN meeting to attack a UN official is shocking, to say the least. As we've said repeatedly, whether it's Ms. Albanese or any of the other special rapporteurs, they are independent. They do not work for the Secretary-General. They do not report to him. However, we have always felt that special rapporteurs are an important part of the international human rights mechanism. They are UN officials when they do their work, and they need to be respected when they do their work, whether it's legally or verbally. Alex, and then Efraim. Oh, sorry.

Question : The attacks on the olive trees, this is the olive... the harvest of olive trees, as you know, it's not just an incident here. It's a war. Why these  I mean, the 3,000 trees had been cut recently?

Spokesman : I mean, we talk, we don't sweep it under the rug. We talk about it. We criticize it. We condemn it. I mean, I think we've been very clear on the situation. Alex?

Question : Thanks, Steph. Firstly, a quick follow-up on Brazil. Has the Secretary-General been in touch with local authorities or anyone from the United States?

Spokesman : No. Mean not at this point. The Secretary-General just returned from Malaysia late last night, and he's just back in the office.

Question : What about the UN personnel on the ground?

Spokesman : From what I know, all UN personnel is safe and accounted for.

Question : Secondly, if I may. Any updates on the security staff issue?

Spokesman : No, I think it's getting progressively better. All right. Yes, sorry, Efraim.

Question : Thank you, Steph. Thank you. On the same press conference by Special Rapporteur Albanese, when she was asked about the Secretary-General's role in addressing this sanctions issue with her, she said no comment. Does the Secretary-General feel he has done enough to make sure that Ms. Albanese would be able to come to New York?

Spokesman : I think the issue of her visa issue and others has been raised with the host country. We've seen a number of officials who are covered by the privileges and immunities of the UN being sanctioned or denied visas, and all those issues have been raised.

Question : And one more. She issued a pretty strong indictment of the UN. She said that the UN allowed the dismantling of its humanitarian system in Gaza, and she said the Organization is becoming more and more irrelevant. How do you respond to that?

Spokesman : I'm not going to get into a tit-for-tat with Ms. Albanese. I think I will say this, however; if you look at how the UN humanitarian system has been operating in Gaza, it has continued to do so in the most difficult circumstances. And just as important, it has continued its work unwaveringly based on our principles. We have never strayed from our principles on how we do our work despite a tremendous amount of pressure to do so at different times. Let me get the questions as I saw them. Islam?

Question : Yes. My question has been asked partially by Efraim, but I would like to follow up.

Spokesman : It been answered fully, though?

Question : Not really. So I would like to follow up. Ms. Albanese also said some interesting things, like masses on the street becoming more relevant regarding what's going on in Gaza, what's going on... [cross-talk]

Spokesman : Sorry, what on the street?

Question : Masses, people or on the just regular people. Perhaps she meant like protesting people becoming more relevant regarding the UN values like justice and peace, considering especially what's going on in Gaza, and UN becoming more irrelevant. That's her word. Does UN really concern about this, since past two years sort of side-lined what's going on with Gaza? Do we have any... [cross-talk]

Spokesman : Again, I mean, I'm not the analysis of other people's press briefings. I'm challenged enough to do my own press briefing. I think, as I said to Efraim, the way we have... The UN and when I talk about the UN, I talk about the Secretary-General and the UN staff. Whether she or others are referring to the UN membership, that's another issue. But the UN has conducted itself and will continue to conduct itself based on the unwavering principles that are in the Charter. Evelyn, then Pam.

Question : Thank you, Stephane. You keep track of world news in such detail on a daily basis. And I'm wondering why the Russians keep killing civilians in Ukraine.

Spokesman : Evelyn, that's not a question to address to me. Pam?

Question : Thanks, Stephane. Please forgive. I was... I missed the beginning.

Spokesman : You missed everything, let's be honest.

Question : Right, I missed everything.

Spokesman : Not just the beginning. I mean, even coming in at 12:55, you missed quite a bit, but that's okay. Go ahead.

Question : I have a reason, but it's not for public.

Spokesman : I'm sure.

Question : My question is about COP30 next month in Brazil. You may have mentioned... you did mention it in the last few days. But SG has now said 1.5C will not be met. What... He'll be there, I assume?

Spokesman : Most definitely.

Question : And is there any proposal he has, you know, increasing the NDCs (nationally determined contributions)? What's he going to say at COP30? Thanks.

Spokesman : I mean [...] I'm not going to tell you everything he's going to say. But let's be clear. What he said is that an overshoot of 1.5 [degrees] is inevitable, but there is time, if there is the right effort and the right resources, to bring it back down. So he did not say the one, and I think we need to be very clear on that.

Okay. I see Gabe wants to leave. Class dismissed.

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No child safe in Al Fasher

UNICEF

News note

29 October 2025

NEW YORK, 29 October 2025 -- UNICEF is gravely concerned by the images and reports coming from Al Fasher, in the Darfur region of Sudan.

The escalating violence has left thousands of children, already besieged for more than 500 days, further trapped amid relentless shelling, heavy fighting, and severe shortages of food, safe water, and medicine.

"No child is safe," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "While the full scale of the impact remains unclear due to widespread communications blackouts, the estimated 130,000 children in Al Fasher are at a high risk of grave rights violations, with reports of abduction, killing and maiming, and sexual violence."

There are also reports of humanitarian workers being detained or killed.

UNICEF is calling for an immediate ceasefire to stop the violence, safe, unimpeded humanitarian access, the protection of civilians, especially children, and guaranteed safe passage for families seeking refuge, in line with international humanitarian law. Those responsible for violations must be held accountable.

#####



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UN chief condemns Gaza killings, urges full respect for ceasefire

29 October 2025 - The UN Secretary-General has strongly condemned the killing of civilians, including children, in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza overnight into Wednesday, calling for all parties to uphold their commitments to the fragile ceasefire

"The Secretary-General strongly condemns the killings due to Israeli airstrikes of civilians in Gaza yesterday, including many children," UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told correspondents in New York.

"He condemns all actions that undermine the ceasefire and endanger civilian lives."

Reassurances given

Mr. Dujarric said Antonio Guterres noted "the importance of the parties' renewed assurances to implement the ceasefire" and stressed that "these commitments must be upheld in full."

He added that any act that harms civilians or obstructs humanitarian operations "must be avoided."

The Secretary-General once again praised the mediation efforts of Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye and the United States, describing their engagement as "critical in sustaining the agreement, preventing further escalation, and enabling increased humanitarian access."

UN human rights chief Volker Turk condemned the killings adding that the rules of war are clear on the "paramount importance" of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

"We must not allow this opportunity for peace and a path towards a more just and secure future to slip from our grasp," Mr Turk added.

Around 350 dead and injured

Despite the ceasefire, violence has continued. According to the UN aid coordination office (OCHA), Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Monday and overnight left more than 100 people dead and 250 injured.

At the same time, humanitarian agencies are racing to scale up life-saving aid.

UN child protection partners reached 1,500 children and 700 caregivers this week with psychosocial and mental health support, while food security teams are producing around 130,000 two-kilogramme bread bundles daily.

Free bread, but little protein

Community kitchens and shelters continue to distribute bread for free, though access to fresh produce and protein remains extremely limited.

Most families are subsisting on cereals, pulses and small amounts of dairy, according to UN partners.

The UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) distributed more than 200,000 litres of fuel Tuesday to support essential operations, from health and sanitation to food distribution and communications.

OCHA said that while aid delivery is increasing, "impediments remain." For the 60-day humanitarian plan to succeed, "we need the ceasefire to hold," Mr. Dujarric said, adding that more border crossings, safe routes inside Gaza, and unimpeded access for aid workers are essential.

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Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan, Hurricane Melissa, Ukraine

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Occupied Palestinian Territory

Ceasefire must hold for humanitarians to fully deliver on 60-day plan

OCHA says that that yesterday and overnight, the Israeli military carried out airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, with over 100 fatalities and more than 250 injuries reported by the Ministry of Health, including children.

OCHA reiterates that civilians must be protected. Israeli forces must take constant care to spare them throughout all its military operations.

Meanwhile, the UN and its humanitarian partners continue seizing the opportunities presented by the ceasefire to scale up humanitarian assistance.

On Monday, humanitarian partners working in child protection reached 1,500 children and 700 caregivers with mental health, psychosocial and other support.

Humanitarian partners working on food security report that, as of Monday, they are supporting the production of about 130,000 two-kilogram bread bundles every day. Community sites, kitchens and shelters that the UN supports continue to distribute bread for free.

But humanitarian partners say that people struggle to access meat, vegetables, and fruits, and with most families relying on cereals, pulses and small amounts of dairy.

Yesterday, the UN Office for Projects Services distributed more than 200,000 litres of fuel to humanitarian partners in southern and northern Gaza keep critical operations covering water, sanitation, hygiene, health, food security, logistics, rubble removal, telecommunications and education running.

OCHA stresses that while the humanitarian scale up-is well in motion, impediments remain. To fully deliver on the 60-day humanitarian plan, the UN and its humanitarian partners need the ceasefire to hold. But they also need more functional crossings, the lifting of bureaucratic hurdles, safe and viable routes inside Gaza, unimpeded access - including for NGOs - and continuous funding.

On the West Bank: human rights colleagues said yesterday that ongoing attacks by Israeli settlers continue to instill fear, destroy homes and livelihoods, and force Palestinians off their land.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Gaza and the West Bank with urgent support.

Sudan

UN allocates $20 million to support emergency response as people continue to flee El Fasher violence

OCHA is gravely alarmed by reports of continued atrocities against civilians, as well as the worsening situation in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State.

Ananalysis of satellite imagery has corroborated new evidence of continuing mass killings in the city during the 48 hours following the takeover by the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, on October 26th.

In a social media post today, the World Health Organization's Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said he was appalled and deeply shocked by reports of the tragic killing of more than 460 patients and companions at Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher, following recent attacks and the abduction of health workers. Prior to this latest attack, WHO has verified 185 attacks on health care in Sudan, with 1,204 deaths and 416 injuries of health workers and patients since the start of the conflict in April of 2023. Forty-nine of these attacks occurred this year alone, killing 966 people.

People continue to flee El Fasher, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that more than 36,000 people fled between Sunday and yesterday. Most have sought refuge within the outskirts of El Fasher, as well as the localities of Kebkabiya, Melit and Tawila, where families are living in the open with no shelter, sanitation or protection. Women and girls face heightened risks of violence and abuse.

Local sources report that thousands of people - including older people, those with disabilities and the wounded - remain stranded and unable to flee El Fasher due to insecurity and the lack of transport options.

OCHA and its partners are on the ground coordinating life-saving assistance in Tawila, where displaced families are being hosted at overcrowded sites lacking adequate shelter, sanitation and privacy. Urgent needs include shelter, food, water, health care and protection.

Meanwhile, in North Kordofan, fighting continues to devastate communities. IOM reports that between 24,000 and 27,000 people were displaced from the locality of Um Dam Haj Ahmed yesterday.

Still in North Kordofan, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies yesterday said it was "horrified" after five Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers were killed and three went missing while distributing food in the locality of Bara. Twenty-one Red Crescent staff and volunteers have been killed since the conflict began.

OCHA stresses that civilians, humanitarian workers and medical personnel must be always protected, and once again calls on all parties to immediately halt hostilities, guarantee safe passage for civilians and aid workers, and ensure sustained humanitarian access to all affected areas.

The Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher approved a $20 million allocation for Sudan from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). This will support the scaling up of emergency support in Tawila and other locations in Darfur and the Kordofan region. This adds to $27 million already allocated from the CERF for Sudan in 2025.

Hurricane Melissa

Evacuations, relief efforts continue as Hurricane Melissa sweeps across the Caribbean

OCHA reports that Hurricane Melissa is now battering Cuba. The storm made landfall overnight near Santiago de Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of some 120 miles per hour. The hurricane is anticipated to cross the Bahamas later today and continue to bring winds, storm surge and heavy rainfall across the region, including Turks and Caicos and Haiti.

Yesterday, it struck Jamaica as the strongest storm to make landfall on the island and one of the strongest on record in the Atlantic. Authorities have declared the entire country a disaster area, reporting widespread flooding, landslides and severe damage in several parishes, including Clarendon, Manchester, St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland. It is estimated that up to 1.5 million people could be affected across the country. More than 2,300 people are in shelters. No deaths have been confirmed following the storm, but full assessments are only beginning.

So far, the Government has reported that more than half a million people are without power, and every region of Jamaica is facing blocked roads due to debris and downed power lines. Melissa has destroyed homes and significantly damaged at least four major hospitals and other infrastructure, including schools, homes and businesses. Agriculture has also been impacted.

The Government is leading the recovery and response, and the UN continues to support the national emergency authorities. An OCHA team is expected to arrive in Jamaica tomorrow to reinforce coordination and information management. Additional teams from the UN and Members States are ready to deploy, once possible, to conduct assessments and coordinate the response.

In Cuba, authorities have reported the evacuation of some 735,00 people to 900 shelters and other locations. With the Anticipatory Action Plan activated ahead of landfall, UN agencies have been able to deliver early assistance made possible by a $4 million allocation from CERF.

The World Food Programme (WFP) transported and pre-positioned nearly 700 metric tons of food, including rice, grains and oil, for more than 180,000 people for 12 days.

UNICEF delivered 1,300 hygiene kits for 6,500 people and deployed portable water-treatment plants serving 16,000 people per day. Public messaging campaigns are underway and learning materials for more than 20,000 children are being distributed.

The Food and Agriculture Organization moved agricultural inputs and seeds to the east of the country to help farmers protect irrigation systems.

The Pan American Health Organization airlifted 2.7 tons of medical supplies, including emergency health kits, generators and water tanks, from Panama.

The UN Development Programme has sent tarpaulins, generators and mattresses, while the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is distributing sexual and reproductive health and dignity kits.

Two OCHA staff are now in Havana to support the Resident Coordinator and UN agencies. A UN Plan of Action to support 170,000 people is being finalized.

In Haiti, the Haitian government has declared a public holiday today to allow emergency teams to focus on operations.

Authorities warn of possible flooding and landslides in several departments. Early information from partners shows damage in the West department. In the commune of Petit-Goave, authorities report 20 deaths, including 10 children.

OCHA is working closely with authorities and humanitarian partners to share information, plan collectively and monitor local conditions, despite limited logistical capacity in several areas.

Humanitarian partners have pre-positioned key supplies, including hundreds of hygiene kits in the departments of Artibonite and North-West, as well as in the town of Cap-Haitien. IOM is preparing to help 2,000 households in Gonaives with shelter materials and other essential items, while WFP plans to distribute cash assistance for about 4,000 households in the same area. The Haitian Red Cross and UNESCO are supporting community outreach and public information campaigns. OCHA Haiti continues to coordinate response efforts, ensuring that the Government and our partners work together efficiently to reach people in need and avoid duplication.

Ukraine

Response continues amid deadly attacks and damages to civilian infrastructure

OCHA says that attacks and hostilities across the country continue to kill and injure civilians - including children - and damage civilian infrastructure.

Today, a strike in Kherson City severely damaged a children's hospital, injuring a child and three medical workers. The Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, said that a strike on a children's hospital is a matter of grave concern, adding that attacks against civilians and health facilities are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law.

Residential areas and energy infrastructure in several regions also sustained damage, leaving tens of thousands of people without electricity. National and private energy operators are working to restore supply, while critical facilities continue operating on generators.

Local authorities in the regions of Dnipro, Kharkiv, Kherson, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia report that at least one civilian was killed, 17 others were injured, and multiple homes were damaged. In the Odesa region, attacks on the town of Podilsk damaged energy infrastructure, left nearly 30,000 families without electricity and injured one civilian.

Meanwhile today, a UN humanitarian convoy - facilitated by OCHA - delivered assistance to the community of Kutsurubska in the Mykolaiv region. The convoy carried solar lamps, bed linen, hygiene and dignity kits, and first aid supplies for families in front-line villages regularly affected by shelling. This marks the third convoy to the region in 2025, reaching nearly 4,000 people in hard-hit communities.

From January to September of this year, our humanitarian partners reached more than 4 million people across Ukraine with at least one type of assistance, covering 42 per cent of people in need. More than 500 organizations provided support, with the highest number of people reached in the Dnipro, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions.

Three quarters of the way through the year, the $2.6 billion Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is currently 44 percent funded, with $1.15 billion received.

Posted on 29 October 2025

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UNRWA Situation Report #193 on the Humanitarian Crisis in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem

UNRWA

29 Oct 2025

All information updated for 20- 26 October 2025 [1]

Days 742 - 746 since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip

Highlights

The Gaza Strip

The renewed enforcement of the ceasefire was announced on 19 October, after which a relative calm was reportedly observed across the Gaza Strip. On 20 October, the Israeli military, which maintains a presence in more than 50 per cent of the Gaza Strip, announced that works began to demarcate the Yellow Line separating the ceasefire zone from the Israeli military-controlled area.

On 22 October, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion, which concluded that "the United Nations, acting through UNRWA, has been an indispensable provider of humanitarian relief in the Gaza Strip" and that "Israel is under an obligation to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by the United Nations and its entities, including UNRWA."

The Site Management Cluster estimates that only about 10 per cent of IDPs live in collective centres, such as former schools, markets, and health facilities, including UNRWA-designated emergency shelters, many of which have sustained significant damage during recent military incursions, further constraining available capacity. As at 20 October, about 70,000 people are estimated to reside in over 90 designated UNRWA shelters and surrounding areas.

In line with the 60-day inter-agency plan for the humanitarian response, UNRWA continues to scale up operations where possible, including lifesaving health and WASH services and in-person learning: UNRWA currently operates three health facilities in Gaza City reaching more than 700 patients per day, and over 20,000 students are now benefiting from in-person learning activities in UNRWA temporary learning spaces (TLS).

However, UNRWA's ability to restore services is limited by restrictions imposed by Israel to bring in vital supplies, including much-needed equipment to repair damaged facilities. UNRWA also continues to face a ban on bringing humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, pre-positioned outside Gaza, UNRWA has enough food parcels for 1.1 million people, flour for 2.1 million individuals, and shelter supplies for up to 1.3 million people.

The occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem

Settler violence targeting the annual olive harvest has continued across the West Bank, with October 2025 on track to become the most violent month since UNRWA began tracking settler violence in 2013.

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WFP Statement regarding staff expulsions by Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

World Food Programme

29 October 2025

ROME -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) confirms that the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed us that two of our top leaders in Sudan have been designated as persona non grata, and asked to leave the country within 72 hours, without any explanation.

This decision to expel WFP's Country Director and Emergency Coordinator comes at a pivotal time. Humanitarian needs in Sudan have never been greater with more than 24 million people facing acute food insecurity and communities impacted by famine.

WFP and humanitarian partners have made hard-won progress in recent months, scaling up assistance to reach more than four million people monthly, and helping to push back extreme hunger conditions in the world's largest and most complex humanitarian crisis.

At a moment when WFP and its partners need to be expanding their reach, this decision forces WFP to implement unplanned leadership changes, jeopardizing operations that support millions of vulnerable Sudanese facing extreme hunger, malnutrition, and even starvation.

WFP and senior UN officials are engaging with authorities to protest this action and seek clarification for this decision. We call on all parties to prioritize the lives and wellbeing of millions who depend on emergency food and nutrition assistance for their survival.

WFP remains unwavering in its commitment to ensure that the people of Sudan can access vital assistance during this period of unprecedented hunger, insecurity and humanitarian needs.

# # #

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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WHO condemns killings of patients and civilians amid escalating violence in El Fasher, Sudan

World Health Organization (WHO)

29 October 2025

News release

Geneva/Cairo

The World Health Organization (WHO) condemns the reported killing of more than 460 patients and their companions, as well as the abduction of six health workers, on 28 October from the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher.

This latest tragedy is taking place in the rapidly worsening crisis in North Darfur's El Fasher, where escalating violence, siege conditions and rising hunger and disease are killing civilians, including children, and collapsing an already-fragile health system.

On 26 October, Saudi Maternity Hospital, the only partially functioning hospital in El Fasher, was attacked for the fourth time in a month, killing one nurse and injuring three other health workers. On 28 October, six health workers, four doctors, a nurse and a pharmacist, were abducted. On the same day, more than 460 patients and their companions were reportedly shot and killed in the hospital.

Since the conflict began, 46 health workers have been killed in El Fasher - among them the Director of Primary Health Care in the State Ministry of Health - and another 48 injured. The status of personnel working in three nongovernmental organizations in El Fasher remains unknown. WHO condemns these horrific attacks on health care in the strongest terms and calls for the respect of the sanctity of health care as mandated under International Humanitarian Law.

More than 260 000 people remain trapped in El Fasher with almost no access to food, clean water, or medical care. Escalating violence has forced about 28 000 people to flee El Fasher Town in recent days, 26 000 of them to rural areas of El Fasher and up to 2000 to Tawila. Over 100 000 more people are expected to move to Tawila in the coming days and weeks, adding to the 575 000 already displaced from El Fasher who are sheltering there and other areas. Many of the displaced are women and unaccompanied children facing acute shortages of shelter, protection, food, water, and health care.

In addition to violence, and the lack of basic essentials for life and health, cholera continues to spread rapidly in El Fasher as people lack access to safe water. Disease surveillance and response activities are reduced as a result of the deteriorating security situation. This year alone, El Fasher has reported 272 suspected cases of cholera and 32 deaths, an alarming case fatality rate of nearly 12%. Across Darfur, 18 468 cases and 662 deaths have been recorded in 40 localities.

El Fasher has been cut off from humanitarian aid since February 2025, and malnutrition is rising sharply, especially among children and pregnant women, weakening immunity and heightening vulnerability to cholera, malaria, and other infectious diseases. Many families have exhausted food stocks or lost access to markets.

Despite access restrictions to El Fasher, WHO teams are working around the clock to keep health services running where possible, particularly in areas where people displaced by insecurity arrive. Twenty metric tons of WHO medicines and emergency kits, including supplies for cholera and management of severe acute malnutrition with medical complications, are being moved from Nyala to Tawila to support medical and rapid-response teams providing care for displaced people. Health supplies handed over to partners at Abeche, Chad, are being fast-tracked for delivery to Tawila and other gathering locations.

WHO is coordinating with health partners at reception sites in Korma, located between El Fasher and Tawila, to stabilize critically ill and injured people and facilitate referrals to Tawila. WHO is also preparing to deploy rapid response teams within Tawila and surrounding localities to respond to the urgent health needs of those arriving from El Fasher. WHO trucks are on standby in Darfur to join a UN aid convoy carrying food, medicines, and lifesaving health supplies into El Fasher as soon as access opens.

WHO calls for an immediate end to hostilities in El Fasher and all of Sudan; for the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and health care; and safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver lifesaving aid.

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Swiss Government

Press release

Published on 30 October 2025

Bern, 30.10.2025 -- National Armaments Director Urs Loher will take part in the annual NATO Conference of National Armament Directors (CNAD) on 30 October 2025, which will be held with NATO partner states in Brussels. The National Armaments Director will also take the opportunity to meet with his counterparts for bilateral talks at the event. In addition, the National Armaments Director will attend meetings with the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) on the part of the European Union.

Represented by National Armaments Director Urs Loher, Switzerland will take part in the NATO Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) as part of the Partnership for Peace. The annual conference will take place on 30 October 2025 in Brussels and bring together the highest national arms procurement officials in NATO member and partner states.

National Armaments Director Urs Loher will take part in the conference for the third time and will exchange ideas on the possibilities of a stronger commitment by the partner states, for example, in the area of innovation. During the CNAD, he will also meet with armaments directors from other states. The exchange will focus on opportunities in the context of the bilateral armaments cooperation.

In addition to the CNAD, a bilateral meeting with representatives from the Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) is also pending. This is part of the European Commission and responsible for initiatives for strengthening the EU defence industry.
Conference for Peace and Prosperity in the Great Lakes Region

European External Action Service (EEAS)

30.10.2025

30 October 2025

Excellencies,

Dear colleagues,

I want to thank President Macron for convening this conference in Paris at a critical moment for the Great Lakes Region.

There is momentum for peace. Recent African and international steps underline that progress is possible. And the mediation process by the US and Qatar produced agreements that could lead to change on the ground, if they are implemented.

And that is the key here - implementation. The Great Lakes have seen many agreements but not enough action.

There are now developments that go in the wrong direction.

Armed confrontations, troop reinforcements, and hate speech do not help the international efforts to support the region or the possibilities for sustainable peace.

Action means:

The neutralisation of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR);

The full respect for the territorial integrity of DRC;

And the withdrawal of foreign troops and equipment.

And efforts to facilitate humanitarian access and promote inclusive intra-Congolese dialogue could also be small catalysts for sustainable peace.

Whatever the European Union can do to give peace a chance, we will do. I'll give you three examples:

First, we will keep engaging with all stakeholders and all countries of the Great Lakes region to seek diplomatic solutions. Be it through the shuttle diplomacy or our Special Representative for the region, contact between our delegations and meetings on the highest level.

Second, ahead of the EU-African Union Summit, we will keep supporting mediation efforts led by the African Union. I want to pay tribute here to the African Union's mediator President Gnassingbe. For a solution to be durable, it needs to be locally-led and locally-owned. That is why we have provided 1 million euro to support the work of the five African Union-mandated mediators. We also foresee more substantive technical, political and substantial support to the mediator and his team.

Third, we will keep supporting local growth and economic development, because this is the surest path to peace. The European Union is a product of this method ourselves. We know it works. That is why we are working on many regional projects in the Great Lakes Region, from hydroelectric dams, to border posts, to work on natural resource supply chains.

A third hydroelectric dam on the Ruzizi river and electric grid between DRC, Burundi and Rwanda is an example of what regional integration looks like in practice. Team Europe is financing around 30% of its costs. It has the potential to deliver power to millions of people. But investors need the fighting to stop.

At the same time, there are urgent needs.

Our priority right now is to alleviate the suffering of millions of people in the region. The EU is already the largest humanitarian partner. We have also provided important logistical support through transporting humanitarian goods and personnel.

After the fall of Goma, the EU organised a Humanitarian Air Bridge that transported over 500 tons of humanitarian goods by plane to Nairobi and then onwards by truck to Goma.

But we want to do more where we can.

Today, together with Commissioner Lahbib, I am pleased to say that we will give 129 million euro of humanitarian assistance already this year, with more coming next year. This must reach the people on the ground. That is why the EU will do everything we can to secure the opening of Goma airport. And the EU - with its Member States - remains by and large the biggest humanitarian donor.

Excellencies,

Colleagues,

There is no military solution to the conflict that will give the region the stability that people want and deserve. Recognising this simple truth and having the courage to move forward is the first step.

The European Union will always support efforts that protect the people and uphold international law, including territorial integrity.

And with strong leadership from the African partners, there is a real chance to end years of devastation and turn over a new leaf.

Thank you.

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The EU strengthens its humanitarian response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 9 million

European Commission

Press release

Oct 30, 2025

Brussels

The European Commission is providing an additional 9 million in humanitarian assistance for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to respond to the tragic humanitarian needs in the country. This pledge comes as the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas is attending the conference in Paris in support of peace and prosperity in the Great Lakes region.

The conflicts in eastern DRC have severely deepened the humanitarian crisis in the region. Mass displacement has led to skyrocketing needs for essential supplies such as food, water and shelter, but also increased protection risks for already vulnerable groups like women and children.

The 9 million funding comes in addition to 120 million in humanitarian aid already provided to the Great Lakes region in 2025, with a focus on eastern DRC.

Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, said: "The humanitarian crisis in the DRC is one of the worst of our time. The scale of humanitarian suffering is enormous and deserves our full attention. With this new humanitarian funding, the EU aims to bring relief to the most vulnerable communities in the DRC. The EU remains committed not only as a humanitarian actor, but also as an advocate for long-term sustainable peace for the people of Congo."

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Working group to explore ways to coordinate nature restoration and national defence

Finnish Government

Ministry of Defence

Ministry of the Environment

Publication date 30.10.2025

Type:Press release

A working group of the Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Defence has been appointed to explore how nature restoration and other ways to make use of natural barriers can support national defence and border security especially in eastern Finland.

The leading idea for the working group is that by improving the state of nature we can also create solutions that contribute to national defence in eastern Finland. By restoring mires or former peat production areas or leaving fallen trees in storm-damaged areas we can create natural barriers to movement in the terrain. At the same time, this will contribute to the efforts to halt biodiversity loss and the recovery of the natural environment.

The appointment of the working group supports the implementation of the EU's Nature Restoration Regulation. Finland is currently preparing the nature restoration plan under the Nature Restoration Regulation that will set out the national means to halt biodiversity loss. In this demanding societal situation in terms of both economic and security challenges, a key focus in the preparation of the plan is on finding cost-effective measures that will serve multiple targets.

"The natural environment offers solutions that promote security and strengthen the resilience of the whole society. We should try to find effective measures that will bring the broadest benefits. Work for the natural environment supports the sustainability of our economy and the security of supply in many ways. Needs related to our security should also be coordinated with the work for nature," Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala says.

Improving the state of nature promotes the recreational use of nature and opportunities for hunting, fishing and berry picking, which is important for the vitality of regions and employment. Restoration also improves our resilience in the face of increasingly frequent extreme weather events.

Finland has solid expertise in mire restoration

Besides the identification of common goals for nature restoration and national defence, the task of the working group is to specify the necessary measures, responsibilities and financial needs.

"Finland has always been capable of taking advantage of mires, water bodies and other features in the terrain to organise our defence. Through this project we will take concrete steps to combine security with environmental targets. The restoration of features in the terrain in the eastern border regions will in certain respects benefit both biodiversity and defence," Minister of Defence Antti Hakkanen says.

The working group will launch a pilot project in the border zone and assess the opportunities related to restoration in areas that are in constant use for military purposes. The work will start on state-owned lands.

Tarja Haaranen, Director General at the Ministry of the Environment and chair of the working group, points out that Finland has solid expertise in mire restoration. This has been done for decades, including the recent work under the Helmi Habitats Programme, where more than 20,000 hectares of mires have been restored and almost 30,000 hectares have been protected through voluntary means.

"Finland has solid expertise in restoration, and we are among the leaders in promoting voluntary protection measures. Restoration of mires in catchment areas also improves the state of downstream waters," Haaranen says.

Eastern Finland is rich in mires. Many of them have been drained, which has weakened the state of nature. There is a lot of potential for restoration in eastern Finland, which is why the conditions for starting the work in this region are particularly favourable.

"Natural conditions have been taken into account and utilised in defence planning. It is most useful to also explore the possibilities related to restoration from the perspective of national defence," says Sami Heikkila, Senior Specialist at the Ministry of Defence and vice-chair of the working group.

The term of the working group is 30 October 2025-31 May 2026.

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Address by Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard at the 77th Session of the Nordic Council in Stockholm, 2025

Government Offices of Sweden

Speech by Maria Malmer Stenergard

Published 30 October 2025

Address by Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, 29 October 2025, Stockholm. Check against delivery.

Mr Chairman, dear Nordic friends,

It is an honour to have you here in Stockholm. Never has our friendship or our close cooperation been more crucial than it is now.

The Nordic region is not just a region - it is a family and a home with common Nordic values.

With all the Nordic countries now in NATO, our family is also safer. We are cooperating more intensively than ever in the informal foreign and security policy formats: the N5 between the Nordic countries and the NB8, which also includes our Baltic neighbours.

And by changing the direction of work in the Council of the Baltic Sea States, we are also deepening security policy cooperation between all democratic countries around the Baltic Sea.

Mr Chairman,

You may have seen the image of little Adelina, celebrating her second birthday next to a giant teddy bear? She never got to celebrate her third birthday. She was born during Russia's war and died from a Russian missile in one of the deadliest attacks on Kyiv this year. The only one who could be saved from the piles of rubble was the giant teddy bear.

For Sweden, no foreign policy task is more important than supporting Ukraine and securing peace on Ukraine's terms. How the war ends will shape all of our security for generations.

Collectively, our Nordic countries have provided more than EUR 35 billion in support to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion began. There are not that many of us, but we are the ones providing the most. Others must now follow our example.

Pressure on Russia must also increase. The EU's measures are having an impact. But more is needed - especially against energy-related income and Russia's shadow fleet.

Mr Chairman,

The Swedish Government is cautiously optimistic about developments in the Middle East with a ceasefire - albeit a fragile one - in place in Gaza, the release of hostages and improved humanitarian access. Large-scale humanitarian assistance must now be allowed in. The UN and other humanitarian actors must be permitted to work freely and impartially to save lives. All hostages - including the remains of those killed - must be released and returned.

The EU and the Nordic countries should act collectively for continued progress in the peace process. International law must be respected - now and always. This is also a Nordic value.

Violations must be investigated and those responsible must be held accountable. Israel and Palestine need to take concrete steps towards a two-state solution, with international support.

Mr Chairman,

In times of global challenges, the Nordic family stands strong, united and resolute. Together, we are leading the way.

Thank you.



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Smith, Reed Condemn Trump Administration Decision to Reduce U.S. Forces in Europe Amid Russia's War in Ukraine

House Armed Services Committee - Democrats

October 30, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Senator Jack Reed, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration's decision to reduce U.S. forces in Europe amid Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.

"Reducing U.S. forces in Europe at this moment would be a dangerous step backward in the ongoing effort to keep the pressure on Putin to end his unjust and brutal war against Ukraine. Doing so without consulting Congress or providing a clear plan puts U.S. national security at risk and robs NATO of extremely capable warfighters in the face of an angry and violent Russia. Further, it is a direct contravention of the overwhelming bipartisan congressional perspective on Europe and undermines Congress's crucial role in the oversight process. This harmful decision broadcasts the dangerous message to friends and allies that the United States cannot be counted on at a time when Russia and others continue to threaten the stability and prosperity of democratic countries around the globe.

"Russia is struggling economically and in its war effort. Putin can be brought to the table to negotiate an end to his bloodthirsty campaign. But for this to happen the United States must demonstrate strength and resolve with Ukraine and the worldwide coalition that has successfully stood in Putin's warpath for over three years.

"The President and Department of Defense should immediately reverse course on this reckless path for the safety and stability of the U.S., NATO, Ukraine, and the world."

###

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Prime Minister's Office Announcement

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Type: Media Statements

Government: The 37th Government

Publish Date: 30.10.2025

The Prime Minister's Office, today:

Israel has received, via the Red Cross, the remains of two deceased hostages, which were handed over to an IDF and ISA force inside the Gaza Strip. From there, they will be transferred to Israel, where they will be received in a military ceremony with the participation of the IDF Chief Rabbi.

They will then be transferred to the Health Ministry National Center of Forensic Medicine. Upon completion of the identification process, formal notification will be delivered to their families.

All of the hostages' families have been updated accordingly, and our hearts are with them in this difficult hour. The effort to return our hostages is ongoing and will not cease until the last hostage is returned.

The public is requested to respect the families' privacy and to refrain from spreading rumors and unofficial and unverified information.

We will continue to provide updates with reliable information as necessary.

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Allied Air Command participates in Exercise Steadfast Duel 2025

NATO Allied Air Command

Oct 30 2025

RAMSTEIN, Germany -- From 22 to 29 October 2025, NATO's Allied Air Command (AIRCOM) participated in Exercise Steadfast Duel 2025 (STDU25), a computer-assisted command post exercise designed to enhance NATO's operational readiness, interoperability, and air command and control in an Article 5 collective defence scenario.

Directed by the Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) in Stavanger, Norway, and scheduled by Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Steadfast Duel 2025 is NATO's largest computer-assisted exercise this year. It is the first time all three Joint Force Commands - Brunssum, Naples, and Norfolk - train together within one coordinated framework, supported by the theatre component commands, including AIRCOM.

Throughout the exercise, AIRCOM's Air Operations Centres at Torrejon, Spain; Uedem, Germany; and Bod, Norway simulated the generation of Air Tasking Orders, directing aircraft missions within a dynamic, multi-domain environment. This training tests the agility of NATO's Airpower, ensuring that Allied Air Forces can plan, coordinate, and execute operations across land, maritime, air, cyber and space domains. The exercise also reinforced coordination between AIRCOM, the NATO Space Operations Centre, and land components, strengthening the Alliance's capacity for integrated deterrence and defence.

European Air Transport Command (EATC) also participated in the exercise, embedding themselves into the scenario. EATC's Aeromedical Evacuation Control Centre (AECC) specifically supported Steadfast Duel 25 with aeromedical evacuation capabilities. Recognising that future warfighting scenarios are likely to involve significantly higher numbers of casualties, EATC is actively working to align procedures and capacities with NATO Allies in the field of Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC).

"Our increasingly complex security environment requires that we deliver more realistic and audacious exercises for the NATO Alliance," said Major General Ruprecht von Butler, Commander of the JWC, at the outset of the exercise. "With the scale and scope managed by STEADFAST DUEL 2025, we will do exactly that."

As NATO's air component, AIRCOM is responsible for directing Allied air operations from across the Alliance. The exercise provided a platform to strengthen interoperability and cohesion across Allied air and space assets, ensuring that NATO can execute its regional defence plans with precision and speed.

Steadfast Duel 2025 underscores NATO's commitment to readiness, unity, and collective defence. By integrating air, space, and cyber capabilities into the wider joint operational picture, AIRCOM ensures that Allied Airpower remains a decisive and credible element of NATO's deterrence and defence posture across the Euro-Atlantic area.

Story by Allied Air Command Public Affairs Office

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Romanian Foreign Minister Says NATO Members To Fill Void Left By Departing US Forces

By Anca Gradinaru, RFE/RL's Romanian Service and Ray Furlong October 30, 2025

Summary

Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu said there would be a stronger NATO presence in Romania after the US reduced troop levels.

The US decision comes amid efforts to encourage European NATO members to enhance their own defense capacities.

US troop reductions have sparked concerns about weakening NATO's Eastern flank amid recent Russian aggression.

BUCHAREST -- Other NATO members will provide troops to fill the void created by the departure of US soldiers from Romania, the country's Foreign Minister Oana Toiu told RFE/RL, leaving the alliance with a "stronger" presence.

Speaking to RFE/RL's Romanian Service on October 30, Toiu said "of course, we all wanted this (US military) presence to continue unchanged or for there to be scenarios in which this presence will be increased."

Nevertheless, she added, the decision by the United States was taken on the basis of a "justified analysis" by Washington, that European NATO members need to "increase our own defense capacity."

The news of the troop cuts was officially announced by Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu on October 29. He said about 1,000 troops would not be replaced after their recent rotation through Romania, but that a similar number would remain in three US bases in the country.

"By the end of this year and (the beginning of) next year, we will see...a stronger NATO presence in Romania and a stronger NATO capacity to intervene in case Romania is subject to a direct threat," Toiu said.

Pressed by RFE/RL as to whether this would be composed of other allied nations, rather than American troops, she said "we are talking about allied forces, yes."

Toiu's comments echoed the tone taken by other Romanian officials to tamp down concern after news of the US withdrawal was announced.

Trump: 'Not A Big Deal'

Earlier on October 30, US President Donald Trump appeared to play down the importance of the decision as he spoke to reporters on Air Force One while flying back from South Korea to Washington.

"I can tell you about it but it's not very significant. It's not a not a big deal," Trump said when asked about the military drawdown.

But the decision to reduce numbers has drawn unusual criticism from Republican defense policy experts in Washington.

In a joint statement, the chairmen of the Senate and House armed services committees, Roger Wicker and Mike Rogers, said they "strongly oppose" the move.

"Our European allies have agreed to shoulder historic levels of the burden of collective defense. However, European rearmament will take time," the pair, both Republicans, wrote.

"Pulling back US forces from NATO's Eastern flank prematurely, and just weeks after Russian drones violated Romanian airspace, undermines deterrence and risks inviting further Russian aggression," they added.

US troop reductions in Europe have been expected for several months since it was announced the Pentagon would conduct a Global Force Posture Review.

There has been no official announcement of the United States reducing its military deployments elsewhere in Europe, but the move to cut troops in Romania comes amid heightened anxiety about the US commitment to NATO at a time when Russia has invaded Ukraine, sparking Europe's biggest and deadliest conflict since World War II.

In a statement on the force reduction, the US Army stressed that it maintained "a robust presence" in Europe to "meet objectives...including President Trump's commitment to defend NATO allies."

Nevertheless, Wicker and Rogers said they would seek assurances from the Pentagon that "as the President has previously stated, the two armored brigades in Poland remain in place, and that the United States continues to sustain a persistent rotational presence in Poland, the Baltic states, and Romania."

Poland's Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz told reporters on October 29 that his country had "not received any information...about a reduction in the contingent in Poland."

'Romania Has Failed'

A Romanian Army reserve officer with decades of experience in national and NATO commands told RFE/RL that "Romania has failed to develop a direct relationship with the US, on the model of Poland, which was promised, through the voice of the US president, that 8,000 American soldiers would remain there."

Relations between Bucharest and the Trump administration were strained by Romania's decision to cancel presidential elections last year, citing Russian election interference, after a relatively unknown candidate won the first round of voting.

The move was strongly condemned by US Vice President JD Vance, who said it was undemocratic, but pro-Russian nationalist candidate Calin Georgescu was in any case disqualified from the election rerun in May.

Toiu told RFE/RL that "trust is rebuilding" in the relationship with Washington. "It is not vulnerable. It is a partnership of mutual trust with common future objectives."

Meanwhile, Estonia's Defense Ministry issued a statement on October 30 saying Washington had decided to maintain its "military presence" in the country.

"We welcome the US decision to continue its troop presence in Estonia," Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur was quoted as saying.

"The US administration has confirmed that the Baltic states and Poland are exemplary allies who have taken significant steps to strengthen their security by investing at least 5 percent of our economies in national defense."

The 5-percent figure was agreed by NATO countries in June as a target to be achieved by 2035.

NATO estimates that, this year, Poland will spend 4.48 percent of its GDP on defense, the highest in the alliance. Latvia and Lithuania are in second and third place, with Estonia in fourth with 3.38 percent.

The alliance estimates that Romania will spend 2.28 percent. The United States will be at 3.22 percent, according to the NATO figures.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/romanian-foreign- minister-nato-void-departing-us-forces-toiu/33577286.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.

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Ranking Member Shaheen Calls for President Trump to Maintain U.S. Force Posture in Romania

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

October 30, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement following reports that the U.S. will reduce its troop presence in Romania by nearly half.

"This is a deeply misguided move that undercuts our efforts to pressure Putin to finally come to the negotiating table and to bolster our European partners' ability to defend themselves. Romania is a model ally that has stepped up time and again, including hosting American service members and advanced weapons platforms and committing to spend 5% of GDP on defense in line with NATO goals. President Trump's plan to host Romanian President Nicusor Dan early next year is evidence that the President understands that Romania has been more than carrying its weight.

"This decision sends exactly the wrong signal to Vladimir Putin as he continues his murderous campaign in Ukraine and tests NATO resolve through provocations against other frontline states. Withdrawing American troops from Romania directly undermines President Trump's recent and welcome efforts to finally ratchet up pressure on Putin to come to the negotiating table.

"It appears that this decision by Secretary Hegseth and Under Secretary Colby may not have been made in coordination with the White House, National Security Advisor, Department of State or Congress. I urge President Trump to clarify our commitment to Allies like Romania who demonstrate a clear commitment to burden sharing and protecting U.S. national interests. U.S. credibility in NATO is at stake; it is important that the Trump Administration reverse this decision without delay."

###

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Secretary Rubio's Call with President Jeri of Peru

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

October 30, 2025

The below is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Peru's President Jose Jeri to reaffirm the United States' commitment to a collaborative partnership. The Secretary emphasized the longstanding ties between the United States and Peru, built on nearly 200 years of diplomatic relations. He stressed the importance of strengthening security cooperation and supporting Peru's efforts to combat crime in our hemisphere. Both leaders agreed to continue close cooperation on shared priorities, including combating narco-trafficking and strengthening regional stability.



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The world will hold the RSF leadership accountable for the crimes committed by their forces: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Speech

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Charge d'Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and James Kariuki CMG

Published 30 October 2025

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 30 October 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

The United Kingdom called for this meeting to be brought forward today, alongside Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Guyana and Denmark, because we are gravely concerned by the intensifying violence in El Fasher and its devastating consequences for the civilian population.

I will make three points.

First, we call on the Rapid Support Forces to adhere fully to their obligations under international law to protect civilians.

Reports of atrocities, including targeted killings, often on the basis of ethnicity, torture, and sexual and gender-based violence are horrifying.

As my Foreign Minister said yesterday, the world will hold the RSF leadership accountable for the crimes committed by their forces.

They must act now to stop this violence against innocent people.

Second, the RSF must cease all attacks on aid workers and civilian infrastructure.

As we've heard, aid workers continue to face attacks, with harrowing reports of executions at El Fasher's Saudi Maternity Hospital and the killing of clearly identified Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers in North Kordofan.

If verified, such deliberate targeting of humanitarian personnel could constitute a grave violation of International Humanitarian Law.

We urge the parties to cooperate fully with the UN and other humanitarian actors, lift movement restrictions and provide security guarantees to allow unhindered access into and around El Fasher.

Civilians must be able to leave the city safely and access lifesaving aid without obstruction.

We also call on the Sudanese Armed Forces to ensure the Adre border crossing remains open, to allow civilians safe passage and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Finally, there is no military solution to this conflict. Continued fighting will only deepen the crisis and prolong suffering.

The RSF and SAF must halt the fighting, implement a humanitarian pause and return to the political process. We urge all Member States with influence over the parties to press for restraint and support efforts to bring them back to dialogue.

The United Kingdom continues to support efforts by regional and international partners, including the Quad, to secure a ceasefire and advance a credible path toward peace.

We urge all parties to engage constructively with these processes and prioritise the needs of the Sudanese people.

The Council needs to send a strong and unified message that reflects our shared concern and resolve.

And in this regard, I welcome agreement on the Council statement this morning.

The suffering across Sudan must end.

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

30 October 2025

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

** Briefings

Good afternoon, everyone. In a short while, you will hear from Francisco Pichon, Resident Coordinator for Cuba and Gregoire Goodstein, Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim for Haiti. They will join us virtually to speak about the humanitarian impact of Hurricane Melissa.

Then, at 1 p.m., there will be a briefing here by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan, following their presentation to the Third Committee this morning. And at 2 p.m., there will be a briefing by a Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua, following their presentation to the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) this morning.

Tomorrow, our guest will be Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar. He will be here to brief on the situation in that country. Then, at 1 p.m. tomorrow, there will be a briefing here by the President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Jurg Lauber.

** Sudan

This morning, Martha Pobee, the Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, briefed Security Council members on Sudan. She said that the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, has invited both parties, the leaders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), to separately enter into technical talks with the UN, focused on de-escalation and the protection of civilians. She added that both parties have shown encouraging signs of their willingness to engage. Ms. Pobee urged Member States with leverage over the parties to encourage them to take this critical step and called on the Security Council to use all tools available to demand peace in Sudan.

The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, also briefed the Council, describing the horrific humanitarian situation in El Fasher. He said that the Sudan crisis is fundamentally a failure of protection and of our responsibility to uphold international law. The violence extends beyond Darfur, as well. Mr. Fletcher noted that, across Sudan, and despite the massive threats, cuts, and constraints to our work, the humanitarian community has reached 13.5 million people between January and August. The Security Council also issued a press statement expressing grave concern about the violence in and around El Fasher.

Staying in Sudan: A joint UN convoy from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) has reached the towns of Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan, delivering urgently needed food, health, and relief supplies to families cut off for months by siege and conflict. This marks the first major joint UN convoy to the area since the conflict began.

Despite the long and fraught journey, and the looting of some aid en route, the mission represents a vital breakthrough toward establishing sustained humanitarian access. We, once again, underscore the urgent need for safe passage, protection of aid workers, and continued cooperation to deliver life-saving assistance to all hard-to-reach areas in Sudan.

We and our partners are scaling up response efforts also in Tawila. Mobile health clinics there are providing urgent medical and nutrition services for people who have newly arrived there. The UN and our partners are also sustaining water, sanitation and hygiene operations across Tawila, Melit and surrounding areas, trucking safe water, installing latrines, distributing hygiene kits and conducting cholera prevention campaigns.

** Democratic Republic of the Congo

Later this afternoon, the Secretary-General will address the Conference in support of peace and prosperity in the Great Lakes region via pre-recorded video message. He will tell participants that this conference must be a turning point and will urge donors to support the Humanitarian Response Plan in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which remains underfunded. He will also call on parties to honour their commitments under the Washington Peace Agreement and Doha Declaration of Principles and to comply fully with Security Council resolution 2773 (2025). The Secretary-General will also reiterate our support for peace efforts, including through the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (MONUSCO) support for the implementation of a permanent ceasefire.

And in a statement, our colleagues at UNICEF also reminded participants of the conference that more than 12 million children across the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Burundi depend on humanitarian aid simply to survive. The full statement is online.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Turning to Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says the scale-up of humanitarian operations continues under the ceasefire but remains constrained by ongoing restrictions and other impediments. Yesterday, the UN and our partners collected close to 240 pallets of tarps, winter clothes and hygiene kits from the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing, bringing them closer to people in need inside Gaza. They also picked up more than 170 pallets of menstrual hygiene kits. Other teams collected over 220,000 litres of diesel to power critical services. And we also had colleagues collecting food supplies.

But OCHA says that, for the third day in a row, these collections had to be limited because of the rerouting ordered by the Israeli authorities. You will recall that convoys are now forced to go through the Philadelphi corridor  along the border with Egypt  and then up the narrow Coastal Road. This road is narrow, damaged and heavily congested. Movement remained slower, even after the WFP repaired the road. Additional crossings and internal routes are needed to expand collections and response.

WFP says its distribution channels in Gaza are back up and running. Over half a million people have received food assistance through 43 general food distribution points. That's a major increase  though it still covers only about 35 per cent of the monthly target of 1.6 million people. In a social media post, WFP said that family food boxes are a lifeline, and restoring access to essential food is essential.

Today, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said it reopened one of its medical points in Gaza City, which is providing essential care to families. In a social media post, the Agency said its health teams have now provided over 15 million consultations since October 2023  helping keep care, hope and dignity within reach. And yesterday, the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) distributed nearly 210,000 litres of fuel across southern and northern Gaza  helping keep critical operations running in support of water, sanitation, health, food, rubble removal, essential telecommunications, education, protection and humanitarian logistics.

Turning to the West Bank, today, Ramiz Alakbarov, the Deputy Special Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, led a field visit to the Ramallah area, to highlight challenges faced during the ongoing olive harvest. Briefing diplomats from several Member States who joined him, he stressed the urgent need to ensure safe access to groves. This comes amid a spike in settler attacks and ongoing access restrictions that  combined  undermine people's livelihoods, well-being and dignity, and pressure families to abandon farming and leave their communities.

So far this month, 126 settler attacks related to the olive harvest have caused casualties or damage across 70 villages. That's according to OCHA's records as of Monday. Farmers have been assaulted, crops and tools have been stolen, and over 4,000 trees have been vandalized. In total, 124 Palestinians have been injured.

** Lebanon/Israel

Turning to the situation across the Blue Line near the border between Israel and Lebanon, our peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon expressed deep concern over an Israeli armed incursion in Blida this morning. Such Israeli action north of the Blue Line represents a blatant violation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006) and Lebanon's sovereignty. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reiterates its call to all parties to fully commit to the cessation of hostilities and notes that the extension of State authority through its institutions is at the very core of resolution 1701 (2006). The peacekeeping mission remains in communication with the Lebanese Armed Forces regarding the incident.

** Yemen

I want to flag the note we issued yesterday regarding our UN personnel arbitrarily detained by the Houthis in Sana'a. The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, and Muin Shreim, the UN official appointed to lead on the issue of detentions, were in the Omani capital, Muscat, on Monday. They met with Omani officials and Ansar Allah representatives, as part of our ongoing efforts to secure the release of all UN personnel. As of today, at least 59 UN personnel are arbitrarily detained, some for several years. Mr. Grundberg also held discussions with senior Omani officials and the Ansar Allah negotiating team on ways to reach a negotiated political settlement to end the conflict in Yemen.

** Hurricane Melissa

From the Caribbean, OCHA reports that Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of devastation after crossing Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas, with severe effects also felt in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and parts of Central America. The hurricane caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure and crops, with the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) reporting that health facilities have been particularly affected. The UN and our partners  already mobilized before the storm's impact  are delivering assistance and supporting damage assessments, coordination and logistics in close collaboration with national authorities.

A three-person OCHA team is deploying to Jamaica today to reinforce the resident coordinator's office and support national emergency operations. Additional specialist teams remain on standby should Governments request further support. In Jamaica, authorities report severe flooding, landslides and power outages. WFP has begun logistics operations to deliver relief supplies from the Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub in Barbados, including 2,000 emergency food kits for airlift and additional items arriving by sea. We and our partners are also providing support in logistics, health, sanitation, early recovery, and protection. And of course, we will hear from our guests shortly about the situations in Cuba and in Haiti.

** Viet Nam

Our colleagues in Viet Nam, led by Resident Coordinator Pauline Tamesis, are supporting national efforts to respond to one of the country's most damaging typhoon seasons in decades. Between May and early October, 11 typhoons and tropical depressions, including Bualoi and Matmo, struck within days of each other, affecting over a million people across six provinces. Working closely with the Government and humanitarian partners, the UN helped establish Joint Assessment Teams that deployed to the hardest-hit areas. Their findings informed a Joint Response Plan, launched this week, and calling for nearly $50 million in targeted, multi-sector assistance for the most vulnerable people and affected communities.

** Clarification

I have a clarification to make. In the noon briefing on Friday, 24 October, responding to a question about allegations against UNRWA personnel by the Israeli authorities, I said that "there were a small number of staff members of UNRWA who were credibly linked to Hamas".

This was incorrect. The outcome of the OIOS [Office of Internal Oversight Services] investigation into these allegations did not qualify them as credible. Instead, OIOS said that the evidence that it obtained  if authenticated and corroborated  might indicate that the staff members may have been involved. The Government of Israel, to date, has not provided additional elements to corroborate or authenticate the claims, although it has been asked to do so repeatedly. Furthermore, the International Court of Justice last week ruled that the State of Israel's claim that UNRWA is infiltrated by Hamas was not substantiated, nor were allegations that UNRWA is not a neutral organisation.

** Financial Contribution

And last, we would like to say xie xie to the latest contributor who made a full payment to the Regular Budget. We thank our friends in Beijing for their full payment to the Regular Budget. China's payment brings the number of fully paid-up Member States to 142. Do we have any questions before we go to our guest? Yes, Dezhi?

** Questions and Answers

Question : Yes. Speaking of the Chinese contribution, so we know that nowadays, UN is facing a financial, let's say, liquidity crisis. How would that money help UN to navigate through the difficult times?

Deputy Spokesman : To be honest, any payments are helpful, but this is a very large payment of more than $685 million, so it's well appreciated. And certainly, we thank the Government in Beijing. But of course, we also stress that all Governments need to pay their dues in full. You've seen the sort of financial pressures we've been under, and we do need full payments from all Member States. Benny?

Question : On that topic, does the Government closure of the United States affect any of the US payments? The US...

Deputy Spokesman : No, That's not an issue for us. Obviously, what affects it is whether the US Government pays us. But, we continue...

Question : We can't pay for food trucks in the US. Why do you think they would pay the UN?

Deputy Spokesman : Those are separate issues. And of course, I would like to point out that payment of dues is a treaty obligation, and all Member States need to do that.

Question : Even when the Government is closed, shut down?

Deputy Spokesman : That's a domestic issue. It's not... you know, different Governments have different pressures that they face, but dues payment is part of their obligation.

Question : When is the US Government...?

Deputy Spokesman : Benny, this is not a debate we're having. You can talk to US officials about how the shutdown affects them.

Question : Wait, wait. When is it due? Just a question of fact. I mean, when does is it usually... When are the dues are normally paid? You know that.

Deputy Spokesman : What?

Question : When does it... when is it normally paid, at the end of the year?

Deputy Spokesman : It varies from time to time, but we do expect payments towards the end of the year. Yes, please?

Question : So, the leaders of China and the US met in South Korea yesterday. And given both countries have huge impact on global development, what is the Secretary-General's view on the significance of this dialogue for international stability?

Deputy Spokesman : We appreciate dialogue among all nations. And certainly, nations who have as a critical relationship as the United States and [China], we very much welcome their efforts to dialogue. Linda and then Stefano.

Question : Thank you, Farhan. I was just wondering, perhaps I missed it, if were there any new developments regarding the release of any detainees in Yemen?

Deputy Spokesman : I just read out earlier a note that we shared with you yesterday about the efforts by Hans Grundberg and Muin Shreim, our two senior officials. But, right now, the number of those arbitrarily detained remains at 59. Stefano?

Question : Thank you, Farhan. Well, you've noticed that the Security Council on Sudan just released a press statement. But, it's a very... the press statement, we all know, is the lowest it could go. So, has the Secretary-General considered sending a formal letter to the Security Council, invoking the responsibility to protect, given the atrocity now unfolding in El Fasher? Well, I remember almost 500 people were just killed yesterday in a hospital. If not, why not?

Deputy Spokesman : At this stage, the Secretary-General has been very clear about how difficult the situation is. In addition to Martha Pobee and Tom Fletcher, the Security Council in its closed session today also heard from the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, and all three of them have a very clear message for them. And the Security Council is engaging, and we expect further engagement as we proceed.

Question : I'm sorry. I have to do a follow-up. One is a matter of responsibility to protect means there are really massacres going on while we're speaking. Timing is very important. Now when it was the case that, I remember Secretary-General [Antonio] Guterres was just in the office  he saved people, I think that he saved the lives of 800,000 in Myanmar because he sent a letter to the Security Council, while in Myanmar, they were slaughtering people. The Security Council, you know, came together right away, was ready to act with the resolution. And what happened is actually, all the killing, all of a sudden stopped. And they were able, these people, 800,000 people to get to the border with Bangladesh. So, asking again, why the Secretary-General is not sending a letter doing a strong statement to tell the Security Council that this is the moment to act?

Deputy Spokesman : The Security Council is already seized of the matter. Like I said, three senior UN officials spoke in very clear terms to the Security Council just within the past few hours. And so we are delivering a very strong message about the killings that are going on. You'll have seen the statement the Secretary-General himself has issued about the situation in and around El Fasher. He's considering his options. If further steps are needed, he will consider those at that point.

Question : So, is he satisfied with the press statement? That's enough, the press statement of the Security Council?

Deputy Spokesman : What he wants is for the killings to stop. As I just told you at the start of this briefing, one of the things that Martha Pobee pointed out is that the parties have shown encouraging signs of their willingness to engage, and she urged Member States who have leverage over the parties to encourage them to take this critical step. And so, she's pushing on different Member States and on the Security Council. Yes, please?

Question : Thank you, Farhan. On the latest details of the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, Israel says Hamas today has handed over two more captives, leaving 11 bodies still to be transferred. Hamas claims it needs Israeli approval to bring in heavy equipment to retrieve those bodies from areas impacted by bombardment, while Israel accuses Hamas of delaying the full release. Does the SG make anything of these conflicting claims, and does he believe either side is buying time? Thank you.

Deputy Spokesman : I think from the Secretary-General's standpoint, he's made it very clear that he wants the parties to do their utmost to live up to their commitments under the ceasefire agreement. We are not one of the parties who are mediating this agreement, and we leave it in the hands of the mediators to determine what follow-up steps they need to take. But, we are encouraging them to work as much as they can to find practical solutions to implement the ceasefire conditions fully. Dezhi?

Question : Yes. Right. So, yesterday, President [Donald J.] Trump posted something on social media, saying: "Because of other countries' testing programmes, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis." Does the Secretary-General have anything to say on this proliferation issue? Now it seems it's getting more and more, how to say that... out of control?

Deputy Spokesman : Well, the Secretary-General has been saying for some time now that current nuclear risks are already alarmingly high, and all actions that could lead to miscalculation or escalation with catastrophic consequences must be avoided. We shouldn't forget the disastrous legacy of over 2,000 nuclear weapons tests that have been carried out over the last 80 years  in other words, over the course of the entire lifespan of the United Nations itself. And so, from our standpoint, from the Secretary-General's standpoint, nuclear testing can never be permitted under any circumstances. Yes. Linda?

Question : Farhan, I don't know if you may know the answer to this, but can you clarify regarding the hostages? Islamic Jihad had hostages, I believe. Are they... when we talk about Hamas releasing all the hostages, those include them?

Deputy Spokesman : Yes, we want all hostages, including all the remains of deceased hostages, to be released by all parties.

Question : But, Islamic Jihad has released everyone they have, as far as we know?

Deputy Spokesman : I don't have a numerical breakdown of which party holds which deceased body, but all of them need to give them up. Michelle Nichols. Michelle?

Question : Hi, Farhan. Sorry. I was having an issue. Just on China paying its dues, has it paid peacekeeping, as well?

Deputy Spokesman : I believe it's paid a substantial chunk of peacekeeping dues, but what I was saying today in terms of today's payment was that this is its full payment for Regular Budget dues.

Question : Okay. And then can I just trouble you to read your response again on the nuclear question, because there was an interruption in the middle of it, which makes it no good for telly? So, if you do it again, that'd be great. Thank you.

Deputy Spokesman : I'll just read one more time, and then we'll get to our guest. So, the Secretary-General has repeatedly asserted that current nuclear risks are already alarmingly high, and all actions that could lead to miscalculation or escalation with catastrophic consequences must be avoided. And as he has said, we must never forget the disastrous legacy of over 2,000 nuclear weapons tests carried out over the last 80 years and that nuclear testing can never be permitted under any circumstances. And with that, let me turn now to our guests.

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UN Envoy hails Colombia's peace process as global model, calls for more funding

By Victoria Fernandez

30 October 2025 - The newly appointed Head of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, Miroslav Jenca, has praised the country's peace process as "a global model," while urging greater financial support to strengthen the Mission's work.

Following the signing of Colombia's 2016 Peace Agreement, more than 13,000 former FARC combatants laid down their arms within a year, surrendering nearly 9,000 weapons, 38,000 tons of explosives, and millions of rounds of ammunition.

Mr. Jenca noted that despite ongoing challenges, the implementation of the agreement has significantly improved security and trust among communities. Around 11,000 former combatants are now engaged in development projects and other implementation activities.

"They're building a new, peaceful, and productive future  constructing durable homes, solving problems together, and moving forward," he told UN News.

He also highlighted the Special Jurisdiction for Peace's first convictions for crimes committed during the conflict, calling them a "crucial milestone toward accountability."

Support and scrutiny

At a recent UN Security Council session, the United States questioned the Mission's expanded mandate, saying it reflected "excessive political priorities," and vowed to "carefully review" its continued support.

Mr. Jenca responded that such evaluations were "normal," but stressed that the other 14 Council members had expressed clear support for renewing the Mission's mandate, a vote scheduled for the end of this week.

On the ground, the Mission enjoys broad backing from the Colombian government and across the political spectrum.

"I spoke with opposition members and government representatives alike  all supported the Mission's continuation, though some suggested adjustments," Mr. Jenca said.

He acknowledged that sustaining operations would require additional funding and noted hopes for closer cooperation as Colombia joins the Security Council in 2026 as a non-permanent Member.

A global example of peacebuilding

At a time when multilateralism faces scepticism, Mr. Jenca said Colombia's peace process stands out as "a shining example of negotiation and collaboration," benefiting not just the country but the world.

Looking ahead to Colombia's next electoral period, Mr. Jenca reaffirmed the Mission's commitment to ensuring a safe and peaceful campaign.

"Our goal is to promote understanding among political actors and guarantee an environment of peace, security, and respect for human rights," he concluded.





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Joint Press Statement Following 19th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting between African Union Peace and Security Council, Members of UN Security Council

Press Release

Security Council

SC/16205

30 October 2025

The African Union Peace and Security Council and the members of the United Nations Security Council held their nineteenth Annual Joint Consultative Meeting at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 17 October 2025. The African Union Peace and Security Council and the members of the United Nations Security Council convened to deliberate on peace and security issues.

The Africa Union Peace and Security Council and the members of the United Nations Security Council underlined that Article 24 of the Charter of the United Nations accords the United Nations Security Council with the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security. Furthermore, they reaffirmed the mandate of the African Union Peace and Security Council concerning the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa, as per the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.

The African Union Peace and Security Council and the members of the United Nations Security Council recalled the provisions of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations on the role of regional arrangements in dealing with matters relating to the maintenance of international peace and security, before referring them to the Security Council as appropriate, and the United Nations Security Council's authority to utilize such regional arrangements, consistent with the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

The African Union Peace and Security Council and the members of the United Nations Security Council recalled and reaffirmed all previous joint communiques adopted during their annual joint consultative meetings.

The African Union Peace and Security Council and the members of the United Nations Security Council seized the opportunity of their tenth Informal Joint Seminar, held on 16 October 2025, to commemorate the 25 years of United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) within the context of the women, peace and security agenda. They also exchanged views on African Union-United Nations joint efforts in addressing terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, as well as the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 2719 (2023). The Informal Joint Seminar was preceded by a consultation of the African Union Peace and Security Council Committee of Experts and the United Nations Security Council Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa, held in Addis Ababa from 14 to 15 October 2025.

On the occasion of the nineteenth Annual Joint Consultative Meeting, the African Union Peace and Security Council and the members of the United Nations Security Council held discussions on enhancing and supporting African Union-led peace support operations, particularly the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM); the Sahel Region and Lake Chad Basin, including technical assistance to the countries of the Gulf of Guinea in countering challenges affecting maritime security; the Horn of Africa (Sudan and South Sudan); and the Great Lakes Region (Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo).

The African Union Peace and Security Council and the members of the United Nations Security Council agreed to convene their eleventh Informal Joint Seminar and the twentieth Annual Joint Consultative Meeting in New York, United States, on dates to be jointly agreed by the two sides in due course, and to be preceded by expert-level informal consultations.



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Secretary-General's video message for the Conference in Support of Peace and Prosperity in the Great Lakes Region

United Nations Secretary-General

30 October 2025

New York, UN

Statements | Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

I thank France and Togo for bringing us together.

For three decades, the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have endured an endless cycle of violence, hunger, displacement and suffering.

Today, the humanitarian situation is among the worst in the world.

This year alone, hundreds have been killed in armed violence and thousands injured.

More than 21 million people need humanitarian aid.

5.7 million are displaced.

Over 27 million are food-insecure

Essential services are collapsing  including health, water and sanitation and education.

Cholera cases are increasing.

And horrifying reports are emerging of forced recruitment, executions and sexual and gender-based violence.

Meanwhile, we've seen important steps forward.

This includes the Peace Agreement facilitated by the United States between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...

And the ongoing negotiations between the government and the M23 under the mediation of Qatar, which produced a recent agreement on ceasefire monitoring and verification.

But the situation remains extremely concerning, with ongoing violence in North and South Kivu and Ituri provinces undermining the stability of the Great Lakes region.

This conference must be a turning point.

Millions of civilians are counting on the support of the global community.

I urge donors to support the Humanitarian Response Plan, which remains underfunded.

Above all, the fighting must stop, and peace agreements need to be implemented without delay.

Parties must honour their commitments under the Washington Peace Agreement and Doha Declaration of Principles, and comply fully with Security Council resolution 2773.

The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be respected.

And the root causes of the instability and violence that plague the region must be addressed.

Throughout, the United Nations will continue supporting peace efforts, including through MONUSCO's support for the implementation of a permanent ceasefire.

Let's build the peaceful and prosperous future that people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and across the region need and deserve.

Thank you.



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Joint UN convoy brings vital aid to besieged communities in Sudan's South Kordofan

World Food Programme

30 October 2025

PORT SUDAN, Sudan -- A joint United Nations convoy carrying humanitarian assistance from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), UNICEF, and the UN World Food Programme (WFP), has reached the towns of Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan, delivering urgently needed supplies to families who have endured months of siege and dwindling food stocks.

This is the first major joint UN convoy to these locations since the conflict began - delivering critical supplies to tens of thousands of people in Kadugli and Dilling, and the surrounding localities of Al Fula, Abu Zabad and Al Tayba. Humanitarian needs in South Kordofan are acute and establishing a sustained humanitarian corridor for aid into these hard-to-reach areas is vital to save lives and turn the tide of growing needs.

The convoy delivered WFP food, UNHCR relief items, and UNICEF's health, nutrition, and hygiene supplies for children and families. But more support is urgently needed, and this convoy marks a critical step toward establishing a reliable and regular lifeline of aid to the area.

The convoy's journey was long and fraught with challenges and included the looting of a small portion of the supplies before reaching Dilling, depriving families of lifesaving assistance and underscoring the immense challenges of operating in these areas. Safe passage and the protection of humanitarian supplies and personnel remain critical.

The convoy follows UNICEF's successful delivery of essential supplies to Kadugli and Dilling in August 2025, which reached more than 120,000 people with lifesaving assistance. Together, these efforts signal the shared commitment of the UN, and wider humanitarian community, in Sudan to establish regular aid access to communities that have been largely cut off.

"This convoy is a vital step toward providing urgently needed humanitarian assistance to communities that have been cut off for months," said Abubakarr Jalloh, Representative a.i. UNHCR Sudan. "UNHCR will continue working with partners to ensure displaced and vulnerable families including refugees in South Kordofan receive the essential humanitarian assistance."

"The front lines of this conflict may shift, but the needs of children have not," said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Sudan. "These critical supplies are essential to keep children free, healthy, strong and safe."

"Families in Dilling and Kadugli have held on through inconceivable adversity," said Makena Walker, acting Country Director for Sudan. "They need a consistent, reliable lifeline, not one-offs. With guarantees of safe passage, we stand ready to move again and again to sustain deliveries and reach everyone in the areas facing most severe needs."

Reaching Kadugli took months of negotiations, persistence, courage, along with a shared commitment to prioritize the needs of the people of Sudan. That same spirit is urgently needed to support all populations in hard-to-reach areas. Families have endured extreme hardship for too long. UN agencies are ready to respond. Every day of delay costs lives.

Note to Editors:

WFP provides regular digital cash transfers to communities in Kadugli, Dilling, and El Fasher. However, truck deliveries of food and other aid remain essential, as these cities have been under siege for a long time and largely cut off from both commercial and humanitarian supplies.

As part of the joint convoy to South Kordofan, a UNHCR truck carried 750 core relief kits, which include blankets, sleeping mats, jerrycans, plastic tarpaulins, mosquito nets, and kitchen sets, providing essential support to displaced families.

UNHCR has prepositioned thousands of Non-Food Item (NFI) kits ready to reach vulnerable and forcibly displaced populations in dire need in Al Fasher.

UN asks:

Cessation of all hostilities; guarantees of safe passage for humanitarian supplies and personnel; and assurance of operational security for humanitarian convoys and distributions.

Regular clearances to enable a steady pipeline of food, nutrition assistance and other relief items to Dilling, Kadugli and other hard-hit areas, including Al Fasher.

Urgent and flexible funding to scale up lifesaving interventions.

# # #

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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GJ-X Giant Stealth Drone

The GJ-X represents what is likely China's most ambitious unmanned aerial vehicle development to date, though significant uncertainty surrounds both its designation and operational purpose. The aircraft was first revealed through commercial satellite imagery of China's Malan test base in Xinjiang province in September 2025, where analysts identified a large flying-wing platform with an estimated wingspan of approximately 42 meters. Malan/Uxxaktal at 4210'51"N 08711'11"E was home of the PLAAF's 178th UAV Brigade. On October 19, 2025, video footage circulating on Chinese social media appeared to show this aircraft, or one with a nearly identical configuration, conducting flight operations for the first time. The grainy footage depicted the aircraft taxiing, taking off, and performing low-altitude circuits before landing, providing the first public confirmation that at least one prototype has achieved flight status.

The physical characteristics of the aircraft are assessed with moderate to high confidence based on satellite imagery and video analysis. The wingspan of roughly 42 meters places it in the same size category as the United States' B-21 Raider stealth bomber, making it exceptionally large for an unmanned platform. Some sources have claimed the wingspan exceeds that of the B-21, but analysts consider this unlikely. The aircraft's gross takeoff weight is estimated to fall between 20 and 30 tons, suggesting a payload capacity of up to 4 tons, though these figures remain analytical assessments rather than confirmed specifications. Chinese sources report its maximum takeoff weight is expected to exceed 50 tons, its internal weapons bay capacity may reach 15 tons, and its maximum internal fuel range may exceed 10,000 kilometers. Such parameters mean that it can carry large cruise missiles, and even large hypersonic ballistic missiles such as the " Jing Lei-1 ," to carry out intercontinental strike missions, possessing strategic nuclear strike capability. The design employs what observers describe as a "cranked kite" flying-wing planform, characterized by sharply swept wings and a blended fuselage optimized for reducing radar cross-section.

A small, off-center hump visible above the aircraft's rear section is assessed to indicate a twin-engine configuration with recessed exhaust ports designed to minimize infrared signature. The dual-engine design not only provides strong power but also improves mission reliability. Some analysts believe it may be equipped with the WS-18 turbofan engine. While this engine's thrust isn't particularly outstanding, its advantages lie in its small size, high reliability, and mature maintenance, making it ideal for drones requiring long-duration flight. Thanks to its excellent aerodynamic characteristics with a lift-to-drag ratio of around 25, even with its large size, it can achieve low fuel consumption and long loiter time, estimating its combat radius to be over 5000 kilometers.

Video footage and satellite images reveal split rudders positioned as outboard control surfaces, a feature common to flying-wing designs like the American B-2 Spirit. The "split rudder" on the outer side of the wing is key to the attitude control of the flying wing UAV. By differentially deflecting different control surfaces, it solves the directional stability problem caused by the tailless design. The "eccentric small protrusion" on the back of the fuselage is most likely the external outline of the internal engine nacelle, indicating that it may adopt a dual-engine configuration.

One of the more intriguing observable features is the aircraft's counter-shaded paint scheme. The underside appears to incorporate darker patterns that roughly approximate a conventional aircraft's fuselage and wing configuration. This technique, used historically on various military aircraft, is designed to visually obscure the aircraft's true shape when viewed from below at altitude. Whether this represents operational camouflage or an artifact of the coating installation process remains uncertain, though the deliberate nature of the patterning suggests the former. Observers who witnessed the October flight described the aircraft as notably quiet, with minimal visible exhaust plumes or noise signatures, characteristics consistent with advanced stealth-oriented propulsion design and acoustic dampening measures. The aircraft's construction almost certainly incorporates radar-absorbing materials, seamless engine inlets, and carefully designed panel edges to scatter electromagnetic energy across multiple frequencies, though the specific materials and techniques remain unknown.

The designation "GJ-X" is itself unofficial, coined by Western defense analysts and aviation journalists tracking Chinese military aviation developments. The Chinese government has not acknowledged the aircraft's existence, provided any official designation, or released specifications. This silence may reflect deliberate strategic ambiguity, a pattern consistent with Chinese military transparency practices that tend to reveal sufficient information to signal capability without providing detailed technical data that might aid adversary threat assessments. The lack of official information has led to significant debate within the defense analysis community regarding the aircraft's intended operational role.

Three primary mission profiles are considered most probable, though these are not mutually exclusive. The reconnaissance role is assessed by some analysts as the most overlooked yet plausible possibility. In this capacity, the GJ-X would function similarly to the United States' rumored RQ-180 program, serving as a high-altitude, long-endurance stealth platform designed to penetrate heavily defended airspace for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Such a platform could monitor broad expanses of the South China Sea, approaches to Taiwan, and other areas of strategic interest while remaining difficult to detect and track. The aircraft's size and assessed endurance characteristics would support extended operational periods over distant areas.

The unmanned combat air vehicle interpretation envisions the GJ-X as a strike platform capable of delivering precision-guided munitions, stand-off anti-ship missiles, or advanced cruise missiles against high-value targets. The estimated 4-ton payload capacity would accommodate substantial weapons loads if housed in internal bays designed to maintain stealth characteristics. Some military experts speculate that it can also cooperate with stealth fighters such as the J-20 to act as an "external weapons bay," making up for the J-20's shortcoming of having a small weapons bay and increasing the overall firepower density.

Some analysts have suggested the platform could even serve as a nuclear delivery vehicle, potentially addressing perceived gaps in China's air-based strategic deterrent while the long-delayed H-20 stealth bomber remains in development. However, using an unmanned platform for nuclear weapons delivery introduces complex command-and-control and political considerations that may limit this application.

Many Chinese observers considered the "GJ-X" to be an "unmanned version of the H-20 bomber". Firstly, it's due to its massive size, extremely long range, and enormous payload. From an operational perspective, it's highly similar to a strategic bomber, only without the pilot's cockpit. Secondly, it possesses superior stealth capabilities, enabling it to undertake deep-sea strike missions behind enemy lines, conducting unmanned infiltration, precision bombing, or electronic jamming operations in high-risk areas.

When carrying out missions, the "GJ-X" can penetrate deep into enemy territory to complete bombing missions, which overlaps with the strategic strike mission of the H-20. Moreover, its unmanned design eliminates the need to consider pilot safety issues, allowing it to perform more dangerous missions and completely replace the H-20 in many mission scenarios.

A third interpretation positions the GJ-X as a multi-role platform capable of adapting to various mission sets. Thanks to its reconnaissance capabilities, it can also serve as a stealthy tanker or communication relay node, providing long-range support to stealth fighter groups and forming a completely new combat mode. The aircraft could potentially operate as an electronic warfare platform, carrying specialized equipment for signals intelligence gathering, communications jamming, or radar suppression. It might also function as a "loyal wingman" operating in coordination with manned fifth-generation fighters like the J-20, performing target designation, electronic jamming, or serving as a decoy to protect piloted aircraft during penetrating strikes. The integration of such operations would require sophisticated data links and coordination systems, capabilities China has been actively developing but whose maturity remains difficult to assess from open sources.

What remains definitively unknown is considerable. The aircraft's actual operational range and endurance can only be estimated based on size and assumed fuel fraction. Claimed figures of over 7,000 kilometers range and 15-20 hours endurance appear plausible given the platform's dimensions, but these remain unverified assessments. The specific engine type powering the aircraft is unknown, though the twin-engine configuration suggests the use of existing Chinese turbofan designs, possibly derivatives of engines developed for manned combat aircraft. The sophistication of the aircraft's sensor suite, the degree of autonomous operation it can sustain, and its integration with broader Chinese military command and control networks are all areas of significant uncertainty. Whether the aircraft incorporates artificial intelligence for autonomous decision-making, the extent of human oversight required during operations, and how it would coordinate with other platforms remain open questions.

The aircraft's developmental lineage can be traced with reasonable confidence to China's earlier stealth drone programs, particularly the GJ-11 "Sharp Sword," which was publicly revealed in 2019. The GJ-11 features a much smaller 14-meter wingspan and approximately 2-ton payload capacity, making it suitable for tactical missions but lacking strategic reach. The dramatic scale increase represented by the GJ-X indicates a deliberate transition from tactical unmanned systems to strategic-level platforms capable of operating across vast distances. The aircraft also bears some resemblance to the CH-7 drone displayed at the Zhuhai Airshow, though significant design differences suggest they represent distinct programs or evolutionary branches rather than variants of a single design.

This was not China's largest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). According to previous satellite images of a Chinese base, China actually possesses an even larger stealth flying-wing UAV. This mysterious UAV had a wingspan of up to 52 meters, very close to the 52.4-meter wingspan of the American B-2 bomber. Although there had been no news of it flying, its size alone is enough to demonstrate China's strong R&D capabilities in the field of drones. Its massive fuselage suggests that it may have a larger payload, longer range, and stronger combat capabilities, and may play a key role on a broader strategic level in the future.

Malan Air Base, where the aircraft was first observed, serves as China's primary facility for testing advanced aerospace systems. The isolated location in Xinjiang's remote desert terrain provides operational security and extensive airspace for flight testing. The facility has historically hosted tests of reconnaissance drones, hypersonic vehicles, and experimental manned aircraft, making it the logical location for validating a platform of the GJ-X's significance. The appearance of the aircraft at Malan, followed relatively quickly by apparent flight testing, suggests the program had already progressed through substantial ground testing and systems validation before emerging in publicly available satellite imagery.

The strategic implications of the GJ-X are assessed to be significant, though their precise impact depends heavily on the aircraft's ultimate operational role and the numbers produced. If fielded as a reconnaissance platform, it would provide China with persistent surveillance capabilities over areas previously difficult to monitor due to distance or air defense coverage. As a strike platform, particularly if produced in substantial numbers, it could complicate defensive planning for the United States and regional allies by adding another layer of sophisticated threats that must be detected, tracked, and potentially engaged. The lower operating costs typically associated with unmanned systems compared to manned bombers could enable China to acquire and operate more platforms for a given budget, potentially achieving numerical advantages in certain scenarios.

The GJ-X's emergence occurs within a broader context of rapid Chinese advancement in military aviation. The past year alone has witnessed the first flights or public revelations of multiple advanced designs, including the J-36 heavy stealth fighter and the J-XDS advanced tailless fighter, suggesting an accelerating development tempo across multiple programs. This pattern indicates substantial resources being directed toward next-generation aerospace capabilities and a maturing industrial and technological base capable of producing sophisticated platforms across various categories simultaneously.

Critical uncertainties remain regarding when the GJ-X might achieve operational status, if indeed it progresses beyond testing. Initial operational capability, if achieved, would likely occur in the late 2020s or early 2030s, though this timeline depends on the success of ongoing flight testing, the resolution of any technical issues that emerge, and production decisions by Chinese military leadership. Whether multiple prototypes exist, how extensive the flight test program will be, and whether the design will undergo significant modifications based on test results are all unknown. The decision to allow video footage of the flight to circulate on Chinese social media, rather than suppressing it entirely, may indicate a deliberate choice to signal capability, though this interpretation itself involves analytical judgment about Chinese intentions.

What can be stated with confidence is that China has successfully developed and flown a very large stealth unmanned aircraft representing a significant technological achievement. Beyond that confirmed fact, much about the GJ-Xits true designation, precise capabilities, intended operational employment, and strategic significanceremains subject to analytical assessment with varying degrees of confidence rather than definitive knowledge.
Favela War - Operation Containment 2025

On 28 October 2025, Rio de Janeiro experienced its most lethal police operation in history when approximately twenty-five hundred officers from the Civil and Military Police launched Operation Containment in the Penha and Alemao complexes in the North Zone. The massive operation aimed to execute more than one hundred arrest warrants targeting leaders of Comando Vermelho and to combat what Governor Claudio Castro described as the faction's territorial expansion. By the end of the day, at least one hundred and thirty-two people had been killed according to the regional public defender's office, though official government figures initially placed the death toll at fifty-eight and later acknowledged sixty casualties. Four police officers died in the operation. Dozens of bodies were found by favela residents and displayed in the streets for families to identify, while others were discovered in wooded areas near Penha the day after the operation concluded. The death toll surpassed even the notorious Jacarezinho massacre of 2021.

The operation deployed overwhelming military-style force including two helicopters, twelve demolition vehicles from the Military Police's Special Operations Support Unit, thirty-two armored vehicles from the National Public Security Force, and mobilization of all specialized Civil Police units. Suspected criminals responded by erecting barriers and burning buses to block roads, including major arteries like Avenida Brasil and the Yellow and Red Lines, paralyzing traffic throughout the city. In a dramatic escalation of tactics, gang members used drones to drop explosives on police forces, prompting authorities to characterize the response as "narcoterrorism." The intense confrontations lasted throughout the day with automatic weapons fire echoing across the densely populated neighborhoods, helicopters shooting from above, and explosives creating columns of smoke visible from distant parts of the city. Schools, health clinics, and essential services shut down. Residents trapped in their homes posted desperate messages to social media describing the terror as the battle raged around them.

The death toll from the operation reached at least 119 people, including 115 suspected gang members and four police officers, though some organizations reported figures as high as 132 fatalities. The raid lasted approximately seventeen hours and involved intense gun battles between police and heavily armed gang members. Authorities reported that gang members used weaponized drones to drop explosives on police forces, erected barricades using buses, and engaged in sustained firefights. Police seized 93 rifles, over half a ton of drugs, and arrested 113 suspects during the operation.

Residents of the affected favelas spent the night of October 28 collecting bodies from wooded ravines and hillsides, bringing them to central squares where family members identified their loved ones. By early morning on October 29, at least 50 bodies of mostly young men lay in the streets of Penha, surrounded by hundreds of mourning family members and residents. Many in the crowd screamed the words massacre and justice as forensic teams arrived to collect the remains. Local activists and residents reported finding people who had been shot in the back, shot in the head, stabbed, and in some cases tied up, leading them to describe the operation as a state-sponsored massacre rather than a legitimate police action.

The scale of the massacre sparked immediate domestic and international condemnation. The United Nations Human Rights Office expressed horror at the violence, stating that it "furthers the trend of extreme lethal consequences of police operations in Brazil's marginalized communities" and reminded authorities of their obligations under international human rights law. The U.S. State Department issued a security alert warning American citizens to avoid northern Rio. Human rights organizations pointed out that the operation occurred just days before Rio was scheduled to host the C40 World Mayors Summit and Prince William's Earthshot Prize ceremony, raising questions about whether the timing was intended to project an image of government control ahead of these international events. Critics noted that the operation violated the spirit if not the letter of ADPF 635 restrictions, with many arguing that such massive raids exemplify exactly the kind of disproportionate use of force the Supreme Court had sought to curtail.

Governor Castro used the aftermath of Operation Containment to launch bitter attacks on both the federal government and the Supreme Court. He claimed that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's administration had denied three previous requests for support from the Armed Forces, including requests for armored vehicles, leaving Rio "completely alone" in conducting what he called the largest operation in the state's history. Castro sharply criticized ADPF 635, arguing that the Supreme Court's restrictions had made it easier for drug traffickers from other states to relocate to Rio, taking advantage of limits on police action. He characterized the operation as necessary to combat territorial expansion by Comando Vermelho and vowed that the state would not retreat because "the more public safety works, the freer you and your family will be." The governor's rhetoric echoed that of Wilson Witzel years earlier, framing favela residents as enemy populations and police operations as wars against terrorism rather than law enforcement actions that must respect human rights and constitutional constraints.

Rio de Janeiro Governor Claudio Castro defended the operation, stating that Rio was engaged in a war against narco-terrorism and that those killed had resisted police action. He insisted that all those killed were criminals and that the clashes primarily occurred in wooded areas where civilians would be unlikely to venture. The governor claimed that the only real victims were the four police officers who died. Castro, from the conservative opposition Liberal Party, criticized the federal government for insufficient support in combating organized crime, directing his comments at the leftist administration of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Brazilian President Lula expressed horror at the scale of fatalities and surprise that such an operation had proceeded without the federal government's prior knowledge. Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski convened emergency meetings with local authorities in Rio to examine the situation. The federal Justice Ministry noted that it had repeatedly responded to requests from Rio's state government to deploy national forces, renewing their presence eleven times. Non-governmental organizations, the United Nations human rights body, and international human rights groups quickly condemned the operation and called for investigations into the high number of deaths.

The operation severely disrupted daily life in the affected areas. Schools closed, a local university canceled classes, train services on multiple lines were suspended, metro operations were interrupted, family health clinics shuttered, and COVID-19 vaccination centers closed. Over 2,000 students missed classes. The gun battles were so intense that at least one person was shot inside a subway car passing through a station that serves the North Zone neighborhood. The event occurred just one week before Rio de Janeiro was scheduled to host thousands of international visitors for a United Nations climate summit.

The October 2025 massacre represents the most extreme example of a pattern of lethal police operations that has characterized Rio de Janeiro for decades. Between 2016 and 2023, research organizations documented 283 police operations in Rio de Janeiro that could be characterized as massacres, resulting in 1,137 civilian deaths. This averages to approximately three massacres per month throughout that seven-year period. Police in Brazil killed 2,212 people nationwide in 2013, a figure that increased to 3,022 the following year, contributing to Brazil's national murder rate of 30 deaths per 100,000 people.

Studies have identified a particularly deadly subset of operations referred to as revenge operations, which occur after a police officer has been killed or injured. These operations are on average 71 percent more lethal than other police massacres. Since 2016, revenge operations have resulted in 117 deaths in Greater Rio. The October 2025 operation followed this pattern, as the massive escalation in violence occurred after a civil police officer was shot and killed in a confrontation shortly after the operation began. The initial phase of the operation was relatively calm, but the massacre intensified dramatically following the death of the officer.

The distribution of police massacres across Rio de Janeiro is not uniform. While the South Zone recorded nine massacres between 2016 and 2023, with four occurring in the Rocinha favela, the North Zone experienced 73 massacres that killed 373 people during the same period. This stark geographical disparity reflects the concentration of police violence in predominantly poor and Black communities. Critics have pointed to the Brazilian middle and upper classes' accepting attitude toward the use of violence against marginalized communities as a fundamental factor that enables continued police brutality.

The Broader Pattern

The massacres in Rio de Janeiro reflect a broader crisis of public security and human rights in Brazil. Criminal gangs have expanded their presence across Brazil in recent years, including into the Amazon rainforest. The Red Command, also known as Comando Vermelho, has particularly increased its control over favelas in Rio de Janeiro, prompting increasingly militarized police responses. The gang's sophisticated weaponry, including the use of armed drones, represents an escalation in the technological capabilities of organized crime in Brazil.

Critics of aggressive police operations argue that such actions fail to address the root causes of organized crime and do not produce lasting security improvements. Community leaders and favela rights organizations have noted that those killed in police operations are easily replaceable within criminal organizations. Within approximately 30 days after a major operation, organized crime typically reorganizes in the territory and resumes its activities, including drug sales, cargo theft, and fee collection. In terms of concrete results for the population and society, these operations achieve practically nothing according to those who study their long-term impact.

The massacres have disproportionately affected poor and Black communities. The majority of victims across all major massacres in Rio de Janeiro have been young, poor, and Black, reflecting the intersection of poverty, racism, and state violence. Between 1988 and 1991, federal police reported that almost 6,000 children were killed in Brazil, most coming from rural areas and urban shantytowns. These children found in the streets of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo a sense of belonging that they lacked elsewhere, joining with others in similar circumstances, but often falling victim to violence from both criminal organizations and state security forces.

The legal and political responses to these massacres have often proven inadequate. Conviction rates for police officers involved in killings remain extremely low. Political leaders have adopted diverging approaches to the crisis, with some governors and security officials describing operations in military terms as wars against narco-terrorism, while federal authorities and human rights organizations emphasize the need for investigations, accountability, and alternative approaches to public security. The tension between state and federal authorities, particularly when they represent different political parties, has complicated efforts to develop coherent policies for addressing both organized crime and police violence.

The international community has consistently condemned the massacres in Rio de Janeiro. United Nations human rights bodies, Amnesty International, the International Federation for Human Rights, and numerous other organizations have called for thorough investigations, accountability for perpetrators, and systemic reforms to Brazilian policing. These international appeals have had limited impact on changing the fundamental patterns of violence that continue to characterize Rio de Janeiro's approach to public security. The October 2025 massacre, occurring just days before Brazil was to host a major international climate summit, brought renewed international attention to the ongoing crisis of police violence in Rio de Janeiro.
Russo-Ukraine War - 29 October 2025 - Day 1344

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 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that since the beginning of the day, there have been 157 combat clashes.

The Russian enemy carried out 41 airstrikes at the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, using 87 controlled airstrikes. Recorded 3723 strikes with kamikaze drones, the Russian enemy carried out 3373 artillery shelling.

Ukrainian soldiers repelled f Ukrainian assault actions of the Russian occupiers in the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions. In addition, the Russian enemy launched f Ukrainian air strikes, dropping 12 controlled airstrikes, and carrying out 97 shells to positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, including five from reactive fire systems.

Ukrainian soldiers repelled five attacks near the settlements of Vovchansk and Kamyanka in the South Slobozhansk direction.

In the Kupyansky direction, the Russian enemy tried twelve times to push Ukrainian units out of occupied positions near the settlements of Pishnna, Glushkivka and Boguslavka. There are currently two combat clashes.

In the Lyman direction, Russian forces carried out fifteen attacks, trying to advance in the areas of populated areas of Korovy Yar, Ridkodub, Karpivka, Stavki, Novoselivka. The two fighting clashes are still going on.

In the Slovenian direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled six Russian attacks in the direction of settlements Yampil, Serebryanka, Viymka.

In the Kramators komu direction, the Defense Forces successfully stopped two Russian attempts to advance near Stupocok and in the direction of Virolyubivka.

The Russian enemy tried 24 times to infiltrate Ukrainian defense in the Konstantinivsky direction in the areas of Konstantinivka, Predtechinyo, Scherbinivka, Pleschievka, Berestko, Rusynoy Yara, Sofiyivka.

During the day in the Pokrovsk direction, the Russian aggressor carried out 47 assault and offensive actions in the areas of settlements Shahove, Dorozhne, Nikanorivka, Rodinske, Zvirove, Kotline, Molodetske, Udaachne, Novopavlivka, Novoekonomicne, Chervony Lyman, Mirnograd, Balagan, Lisivka and Pokrovsk. Currently, the fights are being sharpened in three locations.

According to preliminary calculations, in this direction Ukrainian soldiers have absconded 58 Russian invaders, 39 of them - irrevocably, one - taken captive. Destroyed two units of automotive equipment, six unmanned aircraft. In addition, three artillery systems and one unit of the Russian enemy's vehicle equipment were damaged.

In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian defenders stopped 20 Russian attacks in the areas of settlements Mirne, Sichneve, Novoselivka, Ternove, Sosnivka, Stepove, Willow, Ribne, Privillya, Novogrigorivka, Vyshneve, Privillne. Six more combat clashes are still ongoing. Russian forces launched an aviation strike on the settlement of Pokrovsk.

In the direction of Gulyaipils komu, one combat in the area of the settlement Green Gai was recorded. The settlements of Nechaivka and Malinivka suffered airstrikes.

In the Orihivs komu direction since the beginning of the day, the Russian enemy carried out six offensive actions near Stepovoye, Novodanilivka, Kamiansky and Stepnogirsk.

In the Pridniprovsky direction, Ukrainian units repelled four Russian assaults in the direction of Antonivsky Bridge. The enemy's aviation struck in the area of the Olgivka settlement.

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15th meeting of the India-Australia JWG on Counter Terrorism (October 29-30, 2025)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

October 30, 2025

The 15th meeting of the India-Australia Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter Terrorism was held on 29-30 October 2025 in Canberra, Australia.

2. The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary (Counter Terrorism) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Ms. Gemma Huggins, Australia's Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism.

3. The two sides discussed emerging domestic, regional and international terrorism landscape and exchanged views on a wide range of areas of cooperation in counter terrorism, law enforcement, judicial cooperation and maritime security. Both sides condemned the heinous terrorist attack on 22 April 2025 in Pahalgam and the Australian side reiterated its support and solidarity with India.

4. Recognizing the need for enhancing cooperation for effectively countering the challenges in countering terrorism, the two sides underlined strengthening cooperation in timely information sharing and concerted actions to counter the use of new and emerging technology for terrorist purposes, and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in countering radicalization and violent extremism conducive to terrorism.

5. The two sides re-affirmed commitment to strengthening cooperation in the multilateral fora, including the UN, GCTF, FATF, IORA, ARF, NMFT and with QUAD partners, to combat global terrorism.

6. The Indian delegation also met officials of the Australian Federal Police Counter Terrorism Unit, National Emergency Management Agency, and Maritime Border Command; and visited the Australian Watch Office and the Crisis Centre.

7. Both sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group in Delhi on a mutually convenient date.

Canberra

October 30, 2025

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Treasury Sanctions Mexico-Based Transnational Criminal Organization Smuggling Migrants into the United States

U.S. Department of the Treasury

October 30, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned the Bhardwaj Human Smuggling Organization (Bhardwaj HSO), a transnational criminal organization (TCO) based in Cancun, Mexico, as well as its leader Vikrant Bhardwaj (Bhardwaj), three other individuals, and 16 companies that have facilitated and profited from the HSO's criminal activities. The Bhardwaj HSO has smuggled thousands of illegal aliens from Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Asia into the United States. In addition to human smuggling, the Bhardwaj HSO is involved in drug trafficking, bribery, and money laundering.

"At the direction of Secretary Bessent and President Trump, the Treasury Department is taking action to crack down on human smugglers," said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley. "Today's action, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, disrupts this network's ability to smuggle illegal aliens into the United States. The Trump Administration will continue to target and dismantle terrorist transnational criminal organizations to protect the American people."

Today's action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13581, as amended by E.O. 13863 (hereafter, "E.O. 13581, as amended"), which targets transnational criminal organizations and their support structures. OFAC coordinated this action with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Government of Mexico's financial intelligence unit, the Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF).

THE BHARDWAJ HUMAN SMUGGLING ORGANIZATION

The Bhardwaj HSO is a sophisticated organization that has blended various transportation methods to facilitate the travel  by air and sea  of undocumented migrants from countries that pose national security concerns to the United States. The Bhardwaj HSO utilizes its own yachts and marinas to transport undocumented migrants into Mexico. Upon arriving in Cancun, the Bhardwaj HSO then facilitates housing for the migrants in hostels and hotels before coordinating with associates to transport the migrants to the U.S.-Mexico border. In collaboration with members of the OFAC-designated Hernandez Salas TCO, the Bhardwaj HSO has used the Tapachula-Cancun-Mexicali corridor to smuggle undocumented migrants into the United States. On June 16, 2023, OFAC designated the Hernandez Salas TCO pursuant to E.O. 13581, as amended, for being a foreign person that constitutes a significant transnational criminal organization.

Bhardwaj HSO uses multiple modes of transport to smuggle illegal aliens into the United States

Human smuggling services contracted by the Bhardwaj HSO generate thousands of dollars per individual. The Bhardwaj HSO also receives operational support from individuals employed by the Sinaloa Cartel.

OFAC designated the Bhardwaj HSO pursuant to E.O. 13581, as amended, for being a foreign person that constitutes a significant transnational criminal organization.

Vikrant Bhardwaj (Bhardwaj) is a dual Indian-Mexican national and the leader of the Bhardwaj HSO. Bhardwaj is the self-identified founder and chief executive officer of several companies in Mexico, India, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He collects and launders illicit money through his marinas and various businesses. Bhardwaj has been able to evade law enforcement authorities while continuing to profit from human smuggling and drug trafficking.

Senior members involved in day-to-day operations and logistics for the Bhardwaj HSO include Jose German Valadez Flores (Valadez), a businessman and drug trafficker who is a close associate of Bhardwaj. Valadez plays a significant role in smuggling migrants into Cancun by bribing corrupt Mexican officials. Jorge Alejandro Mendoza Villegas (Mendoza), a former police officer in the state of Quintana Roo, has access to the Cancun International Airport to help coordinate the arrival and departure of undocumented migrants. Since 2020, Mendoza has supported the Bhardwaj HSO human smuggling and drug trafficking activities through the Cancun International Airport.

OFAC designated Bhardwaj, Valadez, and Mendoza pursuant to E.O. 13581, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Bhardwaj HSO.

BHARDWAJ HSO'S GLOBAL BUSINESS NETWORK

Bhardwaj's wife, Indu Rani (Rani) is a dual Indian-Mexican national who is involved in her husband's financial operations and serves as a co-shareholder of several companies in India and Mexico.

Rani is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13581, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Bhardwaj.

In addition to exposing key individuals of the Bhardwaj HSO, OFAC designated Veena Shivani Estates Private Limited, a real estate company in India pursuant to E.O. 13581, as amended, for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Bhardwaj and Rani.

OFAC designated 8 companies based in Mexico, India, and the UAE pursuant to E.O. 13581, as amended, for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Bhardwaj:

A restaurant and bar in India, Michigantap Hospitality Private Limited

Three companies engaged in real estate activities in India, and the UAE: VVN Buildcon Private Limited , Bhavishya Realcon Private Limited , and VVN Real Estate L . L . C

, , and . . An energy and fuel trading companybased in the UAE, Black Gold Plus Energies Trading L . L . C

. . Two yachting and touring services companies based in Mexico, V AND V Astillero , S . A . de C . V . and Operadora Turistica Principessa , S . A . de C . V .

, . . . . and , . . . . A supermarket in Mexico, VNV Store , S . A . de C . V .

, . . . . A real estate company, Bhardwaj , S . A . de C . V .

, . . . . A business support services provider, Thercumex , S . A . de C . V .

, . . . . A textiles retailer, VNV Fashions, S.A. de C.V.

OFAC designated three companies based in Mexico pursuant to E.O. 13581, as amended, for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Rani:

OFAC additionally designated three companies based in Mexico pursuant to E.O. 13581, as amended, for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Valadez:

A construction company, Constructora Gerlife , S . A . de C . V .

, . . . . A transportation company, Comercializadora Vespa , S . A . de C . V .

, . . . . A reservation services company, Comercialicun, S.A. de C.V.

OFAC also designated one company based in Mexico pursuant to E.O. 13581, as amended, for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Mendoza: a construction company, Cargas Y Regulaciones Electricas, S.A. de C.V.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons.

Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC's guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List.

For more information on the persons designated today, click here.

View the chart on the individuals and entities designated today.

###

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Precision and partnership drive Argos success

By Corporal Luke Bellman

28 October 2025

On Operation Argos, intelligence informed each flight, operations coordinated it in real-time and mission assurance specialists processed every byte of data that was returned.

Together, they turned long hours over open ocean into sharp, informed action that strengthens the enforcement of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on North Korea.

Each Argos mission from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, began with a pre-flight brief where intelligence, operations and mission assurance teams aligned tasking, risk assessments and data systems before launch.

After landing, the same teams worked together again - analysing and distributing the collected data to shape the next sortie.

The coordinated effort tracked and reported suspected ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods by North Korea in violation of UNSC sanctions.

Each mission combined intelligence, coordination and technical support to deliver a clear picture from take-off to final report.

The P-8A Poseidon has an advanced mission system and integrated sensor suite that it uses to monitor the maritime domain, including a multi-role radar and an electro-optical camera.

Leading Aircraftman Jordan Carter, an air intelligence analyst from 87 Squadron, helped transform raw mission data into intelligence reports that guided future patrols.

"Our job is to make sense of the copious amount of data the crew collects and turn it into something digestible for the intelligence community," he said.

The better the relationship they have with the aircrew, the better product they can get out.

"It's all about reciprocal communication - the more we understand each other's needs, the stronger the mission outcome," he said.

"If the crew is surprised by something out there, that's a failure for intel. Our goal is to make sure they're always informed and prepared."

While intelligence shaped each flight's focus, Flight Lieutenant Louis Da Silva, of Headquarters Surveillance and Response Group, coordinated mission planning and communication between the crew and command.

During the operation, he oversaw real-time updates and reporting, ensuring every sortie stayed aligned with its objectives.

"We act as a communication node, making sure everyone's on the same page," Flight Lieutenant Da Silva said.

The Enforcement Coordination Cell (ECC) at Yokosuka Naval Base in Tokyo is responsible for coordinating the ships and aircraft that monitor vessels attempting to violate the UNSC sanctions.

Each day began with confirming tasking from the ECC and relaying any late changes to the crew.

"Occasionally they'll find a new vessel of interest and redirect us mid-plan - which I will relay to the crew in the air who will adjust their mission focus as required," Flight Lieutenant Da Silva said.

As the aircraft returned from each sortie, mission assurance took over, verifying the integrity of every file and preparing the data for analysis.

Network Technician Leading Aircraftman Lachlan McAndrew, of 11 Squadron's Mission Support Flight, Information Assurance Section, helped keep that digital lifeline running, ensuring the systems and networks that supported each mission remained stable and secure.

"We're in charge of getting the pre-flight mission data onto what's essentially a giant USB for the P-8A to use," Leading Aircraftman McAndrew said.

"That gives them all their maps, documents and the specific area they're working in to make sure they don't go outside their mission perimeters."

After the aircraft landed, his team transferred and validated the collected media, checking it for errors before passing it to the intelligence and analysis sections.

"We make sure the data is complete and accurate before it moves on. That way, the next mission starts on solid ground," Leading Aircraftman McAndrew said.

Their precision and coordination ensured each P-8A mission delivered reliable intelligence, providing essential pieces of the puzzle that informed the UNSC resolutions on North Korea.

"Every part of the team, every working cog, is essential to make sure that jet can fly. If one cog isn't there, everything could fall apart," Leading Aircraftman McAndrew said.

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Opening remarks ASEAN-Australia Summit

Speech

Transcript

Tuesday 28 October 2025

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

Prime Minister of Australia

Thank you, Prime Minister Anwar, for hosting this 5th annual ASEAN-Australia Summit and for your generous hospitality as the ASEAN Chair this year.

Australia and Malaysia are great friends.

As we celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, we can reflect on the remarkable partnership that exists between our two nations.

Across trade and tourism, our education sector and our growing business to business connections, the Australia-Malaysia relationship is going from strength to strength.

Can I also thank President Prabowo for Indonesia's ongoing and invaluable support as Australia's ASEAN Country Coordinator.

I want to take this opportunity to welcome Timor-Leste's admission to ASEAN as its 11th member.

As both a near neighbour and longstanding friend, Australia strongly supports this outcome for ASEAN and Timor-Leste, and has been providing practical assistance to Timor-Leste with its accession.

ASEAN is central to the strength and success of our diverse and dynamic region.

At its best, it brings together our shared aspirations and our collective determination to meet our common challenges.

This is a forum where we can work together to build and sustain a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region for all our citizens.

I am pleased that today we have agreed the ASEAN-Australia Leaders' Statement on Conflict Prevention and Crisis Management.

This important statement demonstrates our shared commitment to upholding a peaceful and stable Southeast Asia.

Guarding against conflict and other potential threats to the rules and norms that advance all of our interests.

As ASEAN partners, maintaining open and constructive dialogue is always valuable.

The Statement highlights ASEAN's pivotal role in deepening mutual trust between member nations, to reduce the risk of misunderstanding, navigate differences and prevent escalation.

It draws from and builds on the Vision Statement that we as leaders issued at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit I hosted in Melbourne last year.

My Government is committed to deepening this economic engagement.

Seizing the opportunities for investment and trade that we identified through our regional strategy for 2040, titled: Invested.

And at a time of global economic uncertainty, Australia remains invested - and committed - to Southeast Asia's growth and prosperity.

Three-quarters of our total overseas development assistance funding benefits our region.

Our $1.28 billion development program in Southeast Asia is about building economic resilience.

Embracing the opportunities of the digital transformation.

Supporting cleaner, cheaper energy to deliver stronger economies and a healthier environment.

And investing in better health services and outcomes for our neighbours.

Above all, Australia's partnership with ASEAN is anchored in deep trust between our nations and enduring friendship between our peoples.

Just as our region's prosperity has been created through shared opportunity.

Our security depends on our collective responsibility - and our shared agency.

We cannot succumb to the fatalism that assumes our future is pre-determined.

None of us are mere spectators.

We are participants, we are responsible, together we will shape our future.

We must work together to choose and build the security and prosperity we want for our citizens.

In this, we all have a part to play.

Thank you.

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Australia getting set for Submarine Rotational Force - West

Issued by Defence Media

29 October 2025

Today marks another significant leap in Australia's journey to acquire a sovereign capability to operate and maintain conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines from HMAS Stirling.

Together with our AUKUS partners, Australia has the responsibility for coordinating, supporting and delivering a significant package of maintenance work on USS Vermont (SSN 792), a US Virginia class submarine, which arrived at HMAS Stirling today for the Submarine Maintenance Period (SMP).

USS Vermont includes 13 Royal Australian Navy personnel in the crew of 134. These are from the cohort of officers and sailors that have completed the rigorous training in the US.

The SMP builds on last year's milestone, when Australian personnel participated in the first-ever maintenance of a US conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine on home soil during the 2024 Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period.

This year's SMP involves a larger and more complex package of work that more closely reflects the type of maintenance that will be required when Submarine Rotational Force - West begins operations at HMAS Stirling in 2027.

Unlike the previous maintenance period, this year's work is being carried out without a tender ship - meaning Australian personnel are taking on even greater responsibility for executing complex maintenance activities on site. This will be a significant achievement and a reflection of the progress in upskilling the Australian workforce.

During this maintenance period, ASC will have an active role supporting work streams, including the provision and operation of pier temporary services and other support services like scaffolding.

Working alongside US personnel from Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF), 19 ASC International Military Students and a further two from Raytheon and Thales are currently being trained at PHNSY & IMF.

They have returned to Australia for the SMP to help deliver the majority of the maintenance effort. This will contribute to sovereign technical uplift and facilitating knowledge transfer in line with an agreed phased capability plan leading up to the 2027 Initial Operational Support (IOS) milestone with the commencement of Submarine Rotational Force - West.

To further assist with the SMP, 22 Royal Australian Navy Fleet Support Unit personnel have also been training at the Pearl Harbor Navy Shipyard since June 2025, along with eight Royal Australian Navy clearance divers who will work alongside PHNSY Divers throughout the SMP.

The visit of USS Vermont is not only a practical training opportunity, it is also a critical moment to test and strengthen Australia's nuclear stewardship systems, drawing on the deep operational experience and world-leading safety standards of our AUKUS partners.

Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States share a long-standing commitment to the safe and responsible operation of nuclear-powered vessels. For nearly 70 years, these principles have enabled trusted naval operations, and our navies are working together to reinforce them here in Australia.

Quotes attributable to Director-General Australian Submarine Agency, Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead AO RAN

"I can't overstate the value of training and working with AUKUS counterparts, and applying that training at our base while testing our infrastructure and systems. It strengthens our ability to operate and sustain nuclear-powered submarines in Australia. This visit also demonstrates the deep commitment of our AUKUS partners to supporting Australia's future submarine capability.

"Australia is firmly on track to commence Submarine Rotational Force - West in 2027 which will further accelerate Australia becoming sovereign ready to safely own, operate and maintain our first sovereign Virginia class submarine from the early 2030s. "

Quotes attributable to Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO, RAN

"The visit of USS Vermont to HMAS Stirling is another tangible example of the strong partnership between the navies of Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom. This visit reflects the deep trust, technical cooperation, and shared commitment between our nations to maintaining a stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

"I am particularly proud of the 13 Royal Australian Navy submariners who sailed into Fleet Base West as part of the ship's company of USS Vermont, following the completion of extensive training in the United States necessary to building the skills and experience to support Australia's future nuclear-powered submarine capability.

"The Australian Navy officers and sailors of USS Vermont will work alongside US Navy and Royal Navy counterparts, as well as colleagues from the RAN Fleet Support Unit and Clearance Divers as they execute increasingly complex maintenance activities in Australia."

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Australia getting set for Submarine Rotational Force - West

By Corporal Luke Bellman

29 October 2025

Beneath the steady hum of a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon, radars swept and sensors locked onto vessels suspected of illicit ship-to-ship transfers.

Deployed to Japan in mid-October on Operation Argos, the crew from 11 Squadron worked to help enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea.

Flying between 1000 and 30,000 feet, they captured footage of vessels of interest, including suspected illegal ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods.

With multiple workstations on board - including communications, tactical coordination, radar, electro-optics and administration - the crew in the air managed mission data and operational objectives with support from the ADF ground team at Kadena Air Base

Operating as part of a contingent around 45 strong, the detachment also included maintenance, intelligence, mission assurance, logistics and operational support staff.

Each role contributed to the precision needed to spot suspicious activity at sea.

From the cockpit window, ships filled the heavily trafficked waters of the Indo-Pacific.

At the controls sat co-pilot Flight Lieutenant Jesse Versteegen, who guided the Poseidon through shifting weather and crowded airspace.

He said the crew would hail ships to confirm their identity, ask about their last and next ports, who operated them and what cargo they carried.

"Two ships parked next to each other certainly looks suspicious, given what we know occurs in this area," Flight Lieutenant Versteegen said.

"We can't make assumptions, but we gather as much information as we can to build the bigger picture."

The crew flew multiple five-to-six-hour sorties, often operating near foreign military activity under strict aviation protocols.

Their work in the air was only one part of a wider international effort.

After data was collected on board, analysts and mission assurance personnel compiled it into reports for the Enforcement Coordination Cell (ECC) and partner nations to analyse and potentially act on.

Each flight was planned through the ECC, which assigned search areas and vessels of interest.

Established in 2018, the ECC operates within the Pacific Security Maritime Exchange, coordinating multinational efforts to prevent North Korea from evading restrictions on refined petroleum and crude oil imports and commodity exports.

Together with partner nations, the ADF maintained an unbroken watch over the region, ensuring continuous surveillance and enforcement from the air.

This deployment marks Australia's 16th aerial contribution to Operation Argos, continuing the nation's steady commitment to enforcing United Nations sanctions first imposed in 2006.

Flight Lieutenant Verstegeen said the success of each mission relied on the many people working behind the scenes to keep the aircraft and systems running smoothly.

"It's not just the crew in the air. None of it happens without the teams on the ground making it all work," he said.

"They're the ones who make sure every mission launches safely and delivers results."

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Five Eyes forum strengthens logistics ties

By Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss

29 October 2025

In September, senior strategic logistics representatives from Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand attended the Five Eyes (FVEYS) A4 Collaboration Forum in Darwin, the Northern Territory.

Hosted by Director General Logistics - Air Force Air Commodore Sandy Turner, this year's theme was 'Strength in Partnership - Agile, Integrated, Ready', and provided an opportunity to strengthen trusted partnerships and advance logistics interoperability across the FVEYS A4 Collaboration Forum air domain.

Air Commodore Turner said the FVEYS A4 Collaboration Forum provided logistics representatives from each nation with an opportunity to build on the relationships and mutual trust that their predecessors have built.

"The ability to meet face to face and have frank and honest conversations about the barriers and challenges facing each of our nations is incredibly important," Air Commodore Turner said.

"The forum ensures that we can operate together - both through competition and in times of conflict if we need to. We share the same values and goal, which is to ensure stability and peace in the region."

Director of Logistics to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters US Air Force, Major General Kenyon Bell, said the forum provided an opportunity to establish a competitive advantage for success, should the FVEYS nations go beyond competition together.

"Logistics wins wars," Major General Bell said.

He said recent conflicts had shown that the ability to sustain an operation was directly tied to the configuration and readiness of logistics and sustainment systems.

"So as we come together at this forum to figure out logistics, we're going to be able to make sure that we do not outpace our ability to sustain ourselves from an operational standpoint," Major General Bell said.

The five-day forum began with each representative presenting their national update, with each nation echoing similar emerging challenges.

Director Air and Space Support, Royal Canadian Air Force, Colonel Marc Comeau, said the forum helped each nation understand and recognise that their problems are not unique and that they shared similar issues - just from different parts of the world.

"From a FVEYS perspective, and internally, we are not going to be able to resolve some of our issues on our own because we are a small military," Colonel Comeau said.

"But together, we are much stronger. We are able to identify those gaps and fill them. Not necessarily with a Canadian-flagged capability, but with FVEYS partners or solutions that we're able to come up [with] together.

"We have to recognise what we can do, what we can't do and how we help each other."

Throughout the week, many of the discussions explored learned outcomes from previous FVEYS exercises and planning for future exercises that will shape logistics interoperability initiatives between the five nations.

Head of Engineering and Logistics, Headquarters Royal Air Force, Air Commodore Craig Watson, said exercises are important to test the logistics systems, which are often the key to success in warfighting.

"We need to understand where our logistics is most important, where we need to work more closely with our partners and the best way to maximise our interoperability," Air Commodore Watson said.

"Whether that's cross servicing of aircraft between different nations, sharing of bases, understanding supply chains and where we can help each other with provision of fuel, parts or munitions.

"The more we can exercise and operate together seamlessly, the more effective deterrence we can provide to potential adversaries."

Logistics Commander - Air, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Group Captain Adam Death, reiterated the importance of training for the fight.

"You have got to train like you mean to fight," Group Captain Death said.

"Without the opportunity to train, engage and integrate with our partners, we run the risk of learning on the run."

Group Captain Death said the forum had prompted a shift in training mindset - from a 'just-in-time' model focused on efficiency to a 'just-in-case' approach prioritising effectiveness. Exercises and operations, he added, were invaluable opportunities to prepare for that shift.

More than 50 personnel across the five nations attended the forum, which included a tour of Darwin, insights into the city's military history, a visit to RAAF Base Tindal and a smoking ceremony performed by a Larrakia man.

Discussions over the week focused on improving coalition sustainment readiness, accelerating interoperability and enhancing collective responsiveness to emerging threats.

"The logistics branch is broad - from feeding and clothing our aviators, to munitions and infrastructure, so understanding our capability is critical," Air Commodore Turner said.

"Forums such as this - where we work across the Defence organisation, across the enterprise and with partners - ensure we continue to learn.

"We share knowledge, put injects in, and we deliberately try to test the logistics system.

"We keep learning and keep testing to ensure we have the resources we need, because there is a significant impact if we don't get it right."

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Doorstop - Gyeongju, Republic of Korea

Transcript

Thursday 30 October 2025

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

The Hon Anthony Albanese MP

Prime Minister of Australia

ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Good morning. It's fantastic to be here in Korea for the APEC Leaders' Summit and it's been a busy time already. Yesterday, going to the memorial to pay tribute to the Australians for whom Korea is their final resting place, but also, to show respect to the more than 17,000 Australians who fought as part of the UN forces during the Korean War. It was an opportunity, as Australia's Prime Minister, to show that respect and to also meet Korean veterans of the war who came to show their respect and their thanks to Australia for our participation in the fight for freedom and democracy here in the Republic of Korea.

Last night, we had a terrific informal dinner hosted by the President of Korea with the President of the United States, President Trump, as the special guest. But it was an opportunity, for around about two hours, to have a discussion with four of the Five Eyes countries, with the United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, in addition to our neighbours here in Asia in Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam. It was an opportunity to once again have a discussion with President Trump about the successful meeting that we had just a week ago to reinforce the support for AUKUS, the support for our defence and security relationship, but also our support for the critical minerals and rare earths arrangements that have been put in place. And to strengthen the economic relationship that we have with not just with the United States, but with our region here as well. It was a real opportunity to develop relationships further with leaders from those seven other countries and a really positive initiative from the President of Korea, who I will have a bilateral meeting with later today.

In addition to that, today I'll visit POSCO. POSCO is Australia's biggest commercial partner. Just last year, this mind boggling figure, $18.2 billion of Australian exports from one company, POSCO, right here in Korea. I visited POSCO's operations in Australia that by and large are around the regions in Western Australia, in Townsville, in Victoria. These are an important commercial relationship that we have and I'll be meeting with the CEO and the Chairman today at their major facilities, watching the import of Australian value. And what that is, that represents Australian jobs and Australian economic activity. That's my focus of international engagement. We live in a globalised world. These relationships are important for our economy and for jobs. They of course are also important for our security and for peace in the region as well.

Today, there will be an important meeting, as we speak, will commence soon, if it hasn't already, between President Trump and President Xi. We welcome the meeting of the world's two largest and most powerful countries and economies. We are optimistic about a positive outcome. I've had the opportunity now to have a discussion with President Trump as well as with Premier Li of China in just the last few days, and it has been an opportunity for me to engage with them. These are important relationships for Australia.

Happy to take some questions.

JOURNALIST: What would positive outcome between the US and China look like to you and to Australia?

PRIME MINISTER: The world has an interest in economic activity. We live in a globalised world and with a global economy. We want to see less tension in trade and we want to see a positive outcome going forward. We want countries to work together. That's something that we have worked very strongly on. We have, if you look just at the last few years, when we came to government, the economic relationship with our major trading partner had a range of impediments. Those impediments have been removed. That means jobs for Australians, particularly in our regions, in our agricultural sector, but also in our services sector as well. We obviously also want to see a reduction in tension around the world. And the United States and China have an important role as the two major economies and the two major powers that exist in our region and right around the globe.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, did Mr Trump personally invite you to that dinner last night? How did you receive the invitation?

PRIME MINISTER: We received the invitation in the usual way and we engaged very constructively. And I was very pleased to accept the invitation last night and it was a great honour for Australia to be invited. It's not the usual thing for such a small, intimate dinner, as it was last night to occur, but a real opportunity and one that I was very pleased to accept.

JOURNALIST: Can you confirm whether or not you'll attend next week's COP Leaders' Summit in Brazil? And if you're not going, does that risk sending a signal that Australia is not serious about its bid to host?

PRIME MINISTER: Not at all. I'm sometimes amused by the contradictory messages from Australian media saying I should do more international travel, but when I do, say I should do less. We will work out our itinerary. Australia will be represented there. Parliament is sitting next week. This is the first full week of Parliament I've missed in 30 years, almost, of representation. And so obviously, this week is a leaders' level meeting, but we take COP very seriously. We are advocating to host COP at the end of next year. We're working through those issues.

JOURNALIST: But you won't be attending, just to confirm?

PRIME MINISTER: I didn't say that. I very clearly didn't say that. We're working through those issues. We'll be represented. We make announcements at the appropriate time.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, the US President has confirmed a green light to transferring the nuclear technology needed to South Korea to enable them to build nuclear-powered submarines. Given our enormous investment in AUKUS, does this concern you in any way and do you agree with the summary that many are taking from this, that South Korea is actually being given a higher level of secret US nuclear technology than we'll receive under AUKUS?

PRIME MINISTER: No, in a word. To put it clearly. These bilateral arrangements are a matter for the United States and Korea. The arrangements that Australia has entered into with the United States and the United Kingdom are in our national interest, they will provide for Australia to have access to that technology. And that's a very positive thing.

JOURNALIST: But just following up on that, the US Defence Secretary said it was highly doubtful the US would be able to sustain AUKUS while also helping the South Koreans get nuclear. So, given this announcement by President Trump, do you think there are potential implications for AUKUS?

PRIME MINISTER: No. I think President Trump's comments couldn't have been clearer and they were very clear last week in the White House. They've been clear ever since. President Trump has made very explicit his not just support for AUKUS, but indeed the bringing forward of the timetable, if that is possible.

JOURNALIST: Is there concern about the prospect that Taiwan might be put on the table as part of the trade truce and that there might be a watering down of US resolve around Taiwan?

PRIME MINISTER: We support the status quo when it comes to Taiwan and its status. That's a longstanding bipartisan position that Australia has had. We have a bipartisan position for the One China policy, but we also don't want to see any unilateral action.

JOURNALIST: Prime Minister Donald Trump had a few comments on tariffs yesterday. He said tariffs have been properly used. We don't use tariffs very much and so on. He said that tariffs have strengthened our alliances. Do you agree that the US tariffs have strengthened its alliance with Australia?

PRIME MINISTER: What I do is when I'm asked questions about President Trump's comments, I go back to the statement that I made very early on in the presidency, which is I'm not going to give a running commentary on the comments of President Trump, or anyone else for that matter. What I do is state Australia's position. And Australia's position is that we support free and fair trade. We believe that the more open that trade occurs, the better it is for the global economy, the better it is for Australia. And we consistently put that position.

JOURNALIST: You've spoken about tensions today. You've previously said words to the effect that we're living in the most dangerous strategic environment since World War II. Do you believe that is still the case or is some of that tension easing? Could we see some of that tension ease further today?

PRIME MINISTER: We live in an era of strategic competition. But what we are seeing is really positive developments. It is a good thing that President Trump and President Xi are meeting today. I've developed good, positive relationships with both President Trump and President Xi. I engage on Australia's behalf diplomatically in a way that advances Australia's national interests. Because it is in Australia's national interest for there to be peace and security in our region, for there to be economic engagement. One in four of Australia's jobs depends upon trade. Over 75 per cent of Australia's trade is with APEC members. That is why it's in Australia's interest for me to be here, why the Foreign Minister, Penny Wong has joined us here in Korea today, and why she will be having meetings with her respective foreign ministers today as well. The meeting with POSCO is just one example of commercial relations that are occurring between Australia and businesses in this region. $18.2 billion of Australian exports coming here to just one company represents by far the biggest economic relationship between one company and Australia that exists. That is very important. And over coming days as well, with the APEC meeting tomorrow, it's been an opportunity for us to have bilateral meetings as well as the informal meeting of goodwill that occurred last night.

JOURNALIST: On last night, again, can I just clarify, when did you receive that invite and were you aware going into that event that you would be sat at the right hand side of the US President?

PRIME MINISTER: Yes, I was. Thank you.

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Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on Belarus' hybrid actions at the EU external border

European Council / Council of the European Union

Council of the EU

Statements and remarks

29 October 2025 13:36

The EU strongly condemns Belarus' persistent and provocative actions against the EU and its Member States which are unacceptable, and contradict previous declarations by Lukashenka to improve relations with the EU. Meteorological balloon incursions into Lithuania's airspace from Belarus, which have disrupted hundreds of flights and inflicted substantial losses to Lithuanian airports and thousands of travellers, risk destabilising a EU Member State and attempt to intimidate European citizens through direct threats posed to civilian aviation. These balloons are not merely smuggling tools, but occur in the context of a broader targeted hybrid campaign, along with other actions that also include state-sponsored migrant smuggling. All these actions must stop immediately. We call on the Belarusian regime to adopt without further delay effective measures to control its airspace, state border and territory, and fight and prevent organized criminal activities originating within it.

The EU stands in full solidarity with Lithuania and all other Member States affected by Belarus' hybrid activities. Sanctions on the Belarusian regime have been imposed, and the EU is prepared to take further appropriate measures should such actions continue. We will not tolerate any hybrid campaigns directed against the EU or any of its Member States.

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Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong

Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney

October 29, 2025

Singapore, Republic of Singapore

Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lawrence Wong.

The leaders recognised 60 years of diplomatic relations between Canada and Singapore and discussed opportunities to deepen the economic and security relationship between their nations.

The prime ministers discussed Canada's mission to double its non-U.S. exports in the next decade, and the importance of the dynamic Indo-Pacific region to that objective. They agreed to prioritise finalisation of a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement and discussed the expansion of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Prime Minister Carney outlined Canada's potential to be Asia's reliable energy supplier and identified opportunities to invest in Canada's ambitious nation-building projects.

The leaders also discussed the potential to drive growth and create new opportunities for workers and businesses through partnerships in infrastructure, energy, critical minerals, and advanced technologies.

Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Wong will remain in close contact.

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Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul

Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney

October 30, 2025

Gyeongju, Republic of Korea

Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.

Amid rising global uncertainty, the leaders underscored their commitment to cooperation by agreeing to launch negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement. Thailand is Canada's second-largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), yet there is still tremendous room for growth, building on the Team Canada Trade Mission to Thailand earlier this year.

The leaders also agreed to accelerate work to conclude a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement in 2026. Prime Minister Carney emphasised specific sectors, including agri-food, infrastructure, clean technology, and defence as areas for greater cooperation.

Prime Minister Carney commended Thailand on reaching a peace agreement with Cambodia and expressed Canada's full support for its implementation.

Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Charnvirakul agreed to remain in close contact.

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Prime Minister Carney meets with President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung

Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney

October 30, 2025

Gyeongju, Republic of Korea

Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae Myung, in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.

Prime Minister Carney thanked President Lee for his leadership as Chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) for 2025. The leaders discussed the productive economic relationship between Canada and Korea, noting the 10th anniversary of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Since the FTA's implementation, bilateral trade has nearly doubled, and nearly all of Canada's exports to Korea have tariff-free access to the Korean market. The leaders discussed opportunities to expedite the removal of any remaining tariffs.

During the meeting, the leaders announced the new Canada-Republic of Korea Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership. This agreement will reinforce collaboration in defence, military readiness, and industrial collaboration focused on the defence, maritime security, and aerospace sectors. They also announced the conclusion of negotiations for the General Security of Information Agreement to support further defence industry cooperation.

The Prime Minister discussed Canada's ambitious new mission to double its non-U.S. exports in the next decade and the core strategy of Budget 2025 to catalyse unprecedented levels of new investments into Canada. The leaders affirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral trade and investment, including in energy, agri-food products, critical minerals, and defence. To that end, the Prime Minister announced the upcoming Team Canada Trade Mission to Korea in 2026.

Prime Minister Carney and President Lee agreed to remain in close contact.

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Joint statement by Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada and President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea

Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney

October 30, 2025

Gyeongju, Republic of Korea

We, Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada and President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea, met today in a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, Korea, to announce a new and ambitious roadmap to deepen our bilateral cooperation on security, defence and intersecting strategic domains, including cyber, space and hybrid threats.

Reaffirming the enduring strength and vitality of the Canada-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a rapidly shifting global landscape, and building on the inaugural Foreign and Defence (2+2) Ministerial Meeting in November 2024, the leaders welcomed the establishment of the Canada-Korea Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership, the first of its kind for Canada in the Indo-Pacific. This landmark partnership provides a clear, action-oriented framework for accelerating defence cooperation, enhancing interoperability and readiness, strengthening defence industrial cooperation, and jointly contributing to regional and global stability. It will support efforts to advance a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region, support innovation and resilience in defence industries, and create new opportunities for Canadian and Korean workers and businesses.

In addition, the leaders announced the conclusion of substantive negotiations on an Agreement on the Protection of Military and Defence Classified Information, which will provide a secure and trusted framework for the exchange and protection of classified information in support of deepening defence, security, and defence industrial cooperation. Upon entry into force, the Agreement will provide the legal foundation for enhanced collaboration in defence procurement, defence industrial security, research, and operational coordinationmarking a pivotal milestone in the evolution of Canada-Korea strategic partnership.

In an increasingly turbulent world, Canada and Korea are jointly committed to strengthening and diversifying our trade and defence relationships to address shared challenges. We recognize that threats to our security and prosperity are more interconnected than ever before and reaffirm our resolve to deepen cooperation as strategic partners in defence and security.



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Trump Seeks Trade Agreement With Xi As Ukraine, Taiwan Loom Large

By Reid Standish October 29, 2025

Summary

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set to meet in South Korea to discuss easing the US-China trade war and geopolitical tensions.

Preliminary talks have led to a potential agreement on rare-earth export restrictions, TikTok operations in the US, and trade issues, but experts doubt there will be a lasting resolution.

Discussions may include Taiwan and China's support for Russia, but significant changes in these areas are seen as unlikely.

The meeting is expected to act as a temporary truce, setting the stage for further dialogue amid ongoing US-China competition.

US President Donald Trump has said he expects to strike a deal when he meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea amid a monthslong trade war with Beijing.

"We're going to be, I hope, making a deal. I think we're going to have a deal. I think it will be a good deal for both," Trump said on October 29, a day before he is set to sit down with Xi on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

A centerpiece of the October 30 in-person meeting -- the first between the two leaders since 2019 -- is how to ease the bruising trade war, with both sides putting out similar positive signals in the lead up to the high-stakes talks.

But while Trump and Xi look poised strike a truce in the trade war, experts who spoke to RFE/RL said that reaching a lasting trade deal is unlikely and they were less optimistic that the talks would result in dialing back US-China tensions over Taiwan -- the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its own territory -- or in convincing China to limit its support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Moscow's war in Ukraine.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that preparatory talks ahead of the meeting have led to an agreement on a "framework" that includes a pause on China's rare-earth restrictions, the final approvals on a deal to allow popular Chinese-owned video app TikTok to continue operating in the United States, and easing other trade frictions.

"Although the meeting might project an image of detente between China and the United States, the competition is far from over," Claus Soong, an analyst at the Berlin-based think tank MERICS, told RFE/RL. "Structural issues persist, and neither side is willing to back off from its core interests."

Can Trump Convince Xi To Put Pressure On Putin?

As Trump traveled to Asia for a broader tour that also included stops in Malaysia and Japan, he told reporters that he would like Beijing to help Washington in its efforts to broker peace talks about ending the more than three-year war in Ukraine.

The US president's efforts to facilitate a deal have so far not succeeded and Trump said that he hoped Xi could use his leverage as a leading political and economic partner for Putin to help bring the Russian leader to the negotiating table.

In a sign of Trump's frustration, Washington levied sanctions on major Russian oil companies earlier this month, which China's Foreign Ministry said it "opposes" and had "no basis in international law."

Aboard Air Force One on October 25, Trump said that China's purchases of Russian oil may be discussed, but also added that Beijing is limiting deliveries "very substantially," an apparent reference to major state-owned Chinese oil companies beginning to pause Russian imports.

Dennis Wilder, who was a top White House China adviser to former US President George W. Bush told RFE/RL that Beijing could be doing more to reduce oil imports from Russia, but that he is pessimistic that the talks in South Korea will result in fracturing Xi's support for Putin.

"Trump has really not pressed Beijing on this issue because of his other priorities with Xi Jinping," Wilder said. "China is not going to reduce its support to Russia's war effort. Strategically, Xi has aligned with Putin and that will not change."

A Cease-Fire In The Trade War?

Bessent said on October 26 that he expects China to resume purchases of US soybeans, which have hurt American farmers, and to delay new controls on rare-earth minerals, an essential group of 17 elements that find themselves in everything from electric vehicle batteries to smartphones to vital defense technology.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Washington has placed shelving a new 100 percent tariff set to take effect on November 1 on the table at the talks, as well as rolling back the 20 percent levy on China over its role in the fentanyl crisis in the United States by 10 percent.

In return, China would be expected to commit to more controls on the export of so-called precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl, which has been blamed for hundreds of thousands of drug-overdose deaths in recent years.

Beijing and Washington could also reduce port fees on each other's ships.

Sari Arho Havren, an associate fellow at London's Royal United Services Institute, told RFE/RL that the proposed agreement leading up to the talks sounds like "a cease-fire agreement" in the ongoing trade war between the two countries.

Such a move would likely ease market-rattling tensions between the world's two biggest economies and leave China with around a 45 percent US tariff rate, which is more in line with other leading US trading partners.

"Both Washington and Beijing want to buy time," Arho Havren said. "In the big picture, trade represents only a small part of the larger confrontation between the United States and China."

Will Trump And Xi Discuss Taiwan?

One of the longer term sticking points between Beijing and Washington is Taiwan, a self-governing democracy claimed by China.

Trump said Taiwan would be among the topics discussed with Xi.

Under longstanding policy, Washington follows a "one-China" policy that recognizes Beijing as the sole legal government of China and acknowledges its position that Taiwan is part of its territory, but it does not endorse that claim, which forms the basis of the so-called "three communiques" that helped establish formal diplomatic relations between Beijing and the United States.

The United States also provides weapons for the island's self-defense under the Taiwan Relations Act.

During his campaign, Trump remained ambiguous about his commitment to the island and has hit Taipei with tariffs while calling for it to invest more into its own defense and relocate more production from its advanced semiconductor industry to the United States.

Ahead of the meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio looked to head off any idea of concessions over Taiwan by rejecting the idea of abandoning Taiwan as part of a trade deal with China.

"If what people are worried about is we're going to get some trade deal or we're going to get favorable treatment on trade in exchange for walking away from Taiwan, no one is contemplating that," he told reporters on a plane between Israel and Qatar.

Wilder, who used to brief President George W. Bush on China policy, says that he expects Xi to take advantage of the fact that Trump will be arriving at the bilateral meeting tired and will try to get him to deviate from the carefully nuanced US diplomatic line toward Taiwan and Beijing.

"I used to give President Bush a pocket card to pull out in the meetings so he would get the phrasing perfect," Wilder said.

"If you say we abide by the 'three communiques' before you say we abide by the 'Taiwan Relations Act' you are leaning toward Beijing in the eyes of Taipei and Beijing."

If A Deal Is Reached, What Happens Next?

Much will depend on what actually gets agreed to between Trump and Xi in South Korea.

While US officials have spoken about China delaying its latest rare-earth restrictions, it's unclear for how long that will last and if this would also involve a pause on a different set of rare-earths restrictions that Beijing announced in April.

Trump has said that he plans to travel to Beijing early in 2026 to meet with Xi and added that this would be followed by a reciprocal visit to the United States later that same year.

Most experts say that any type of agreement reached in South Korea should be seen as a temporary cease-fire that could set the stage for more high-level dialogue between the two leaders, although major geopolitical tensions between the two countries will be harder to resolve.

"This is still a competition and it is still a zero sum competition, at least in the long term," Soong said. "China is unlikely to concede anything that undermines its pursuit of great-power status or its efforts to gain greater leverage in international relations."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-xi-meeting-trade- war-summit-taiwan-putin-ukraine/33575526.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.

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Ahead of President Trump's Meeting with Xi, Ranking Member Shaheen Pens Wall Street Journal Op-Ed: "America Needs a Bipartisan China Strategy"

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

October 29, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal outlining her vision for a bipartisan American foreign policy, continued engagement with allies and partners on trade and the military and competing with China on the global stage.

Her piece, "America Needs a Bipartisan China Strategy," argues that the United States cannot defeat China with short-term politics or erratic trade wars, but through a sustained, bipartisan strategy rooted in long-term thinking and partnership with our allies. She warns that President Trump's volatile approach has left the America less prepared to compete in the Indo-Pacific. Ranking Member Shaheen calls for a strategy that strengthens alliances, holds China accountable for aiding Russia and rebuilds U.S. global leadership.

"If we want to win the competition with China, we need to think well beyond the next election and even the next decade," wrote Ranking Member Shaheen. "We need to rebuild a durable bipartisan consensus over how to approach the world's most consequential relationship. That will require a plan that avoids the big swings we've seen in our China strategy the past two decades."

"America's messy, imperfect democracy is among its greatest strengths," she continued. "But as traditions of bipartisanship have eroded, especially in foreign policy, our global position has weakened. Adversaries have taken note. Huge foreign-policy swings in recent years have confused and weakened allies, damaged complex trading relationships, and created opportunities for enemies to seize advantage in the resulting chaos."

CLICK HERE to read Ranking Member Shaheen's op-ed in the Wall Street Journal. The text of her op-ed has also been provided below.

America Needs a Bipartisan China Strategy



Trump's trade war isn't working, but neither did previous administrations' policy of accommodation.



As President Trump meets Xi Jinping in South Korea, I believe America's China strategy needs a course correctionbut not a knee-jerk reversion to a pre-Trump status quo. If we want to win the competition with China, we need to think well beyond the next election and even the next decade. We need to rebuild a durable bipartisan consensus over how to approach the world's most consequential relationship. That will require a plan that avoids the big swings we've seen in our China strategy the past two decades.

For nine months Mr. Trump has waged a damaging and unsustainable trade war with China that is raising costs for American families. The war hasn't rebalanced trade, reduced the export of Chinese precursors for the fentanyl arriving in our cities, or held Beijing accountable for its aggressive gray-zone activities across the Indo-Pacific. At the same time, Mr. Trump has eroded many of the critical sources of strength we most need to compete with Chinathe collective economic leverage of our alliances, strategic foreign-aid programs, counter-disinformation tools, and the diplomatic infrastructure that advances American interests and influence globally.

Meanwhile, China has benefited from the consistency and patient strategy that its autocratic system and entrenched leadership allow. Mr. Xi and his lieutenants plan for outcomes in decades, not election cycles. He has set a goal of 2049 for China to become a "modern socialist country" and, more ominously, of 2027 for readiness to invade Taiwan.

America's messy, imperfect democracy is among its greatest strengths. But as traditions of bipartisanship have eroded, especially in foreign policy, our global position has weakened. Adversaries have taken note. Huge foreign-policy swings in recent years have confused and weakened allies, damaged complex trading relationships, and created opportunities for enemies to seize advantage in the resulting chaos.

That's why the U.S. needs a long view that begins with a rebuilt bipartisan consensus around our approach to China and recognizes that neither a go-it-alone strategy nor a policy of accommodation has proved effective.

First, we must acknowledge that our alliances are vital, but they're not charity. We benefit enormously in the Indo-Pacific from the partnerships we've built over decades with Japan, South Korea, Australia, Thailand and the Philippines. They are a potent military force multiplier in deterring conflict. Mr. Trump was right to reaffirm the Aukus initiative earlier this month and to press regional partners like Japan to spend more on defense. Our military alliances with Japan and South Korea are also undergoing an overdue modernization, including upgrading U.S. Forces Japan for the shared threats we face and rebalancing strategic responsibilities in South Korea.

But the nature of the threat China poses requires more than military alliances. Beijing seeks to dominate the world's strategic sectors, including emerging technologies, critical minerals, infrastructure and information. We need a network of allies and partnersespecially in Europe and the Pacificthat jointly coordinates critical minerals and investment strategies, technology controls, sanctions and industrial research. I applaud the administration's initiative to sign a critical-minerals accord with Australia. We should expand that template to Group of Seven Plus partners in an approach mirroring bipartisan legislation I authored with Sen. John Curtis of Utah.

The U.S. must also hold China accountable for being the world's largest supporter of Russia's murderous war in Ukrainea war that has contributed to global instability, economic headwinds and higher food prices. U.S. sanctions against Russian oil firms last week were a good start and should be followed with sanctions against Chinese companies that have given Russia the vast majority of the dual-use technology it's needed to continue attacking Ukraine.

Next, we need to rebalance our economic strategy at home and abroad to bolster economic resilience, reduce costs, and make targeted, smart investments in our industrial and defense baselike the Chips and Science Act, another largely bipartisan bill. Instead of alienating close partners like Canada, we should deepen economic ties with like-minded countries and take advantage of the benefits of free trade while reducing our dependence on China.

We also need to retool the diplomatic infrastructure that advances American interests and power globally. Before the second Trump administration, there was longstanding bipartisan support on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for foreign-aid programs and counter-disinformation platforms such as Voice of America. These investments saved millions of lives, countered propaganda from countries like China and Russia, and stopped diseases from reaching our shores. I think we will soon feel the loss of influence caused by the administration's reckless cutsand that will create an important window we must seize to rebuild a reformed, reimagined and nonpartisan diplomatic infrastructure laser-focused on our national priorities.

I don't pretend that finding common ground on anything in Washington these days is easy. But I do know that both sides of the aisle and the president acknowledge the generational threat China poses. Getting this relationship right matters, and it will define America's place in the world for the rest of the century. We can't let our policy swing wildly back and forth or succumb to partisan politics. If we do, the consequences will be felt far from the halls of power in Washington.

###

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Xi says ready to work with Trump to build solid foundation for bilateral ties

Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China

Source Xinhuanet

EditorCheng Sihao

Time2025-10-30 17:48:35

* "In the face of winds, waves and challenges, we should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations." Chinese President Xi Jinping said.

* "China and the United States can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries, and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world," Xi said.

* China is the biggest partner of the United States, and with joint efforts, the two countries can get many great things done for the world and have many years of success, said U.S. President Donald Trump.

BUSAN, South Korea, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday that he is ready to continue working with U.S. President Donald Trump to build a solid foundation for bilateral ties, and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries.

In a meeting with Trump, Xi said under their joint guidance, China-U.S. relations have remained stable on the whole.

"China and the United States should be partners and friends. That is what history has taught us and what reality needs," he said.

Given different national conditions, the two sides do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then, Xi added.

"You and I are at the helm of China-U.S. relations," said Xi. "In the face of winds, waves and challenges, we should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations."

Xi said that there is a good momentum in China's economic development, adding that in the first three quarters of this year, China's economy increased by 5.2 percent, and import and export trade in goods with the rest of the world expanded by 4 percent.

This is not an easy accomplishment given the domestic and external difficulties, Xi noted, adding that the Chinese economy is like a vast ocean, big, resilient and promising.

"We have the confidence and capability to navigate all kinds of risks and challenges," Xi added.

At its fourth plenary session, the 20th CPC Central Committee deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for the economic and social development plan over the next five years, Xi said.

"Over the past seven decades and more, we have been working from generation to generation on the same blueprint to make it a reality. We have no intention to challenge or supplant anyone. Our focus has always been on managing China's own affairs well, improving ourselves, and sharing development opportunities with all countries across the world," he added.

Describing that as an important secret to China's success, Xi said China will further deepen reform across the board, expand opening up, and promote higher-quality economic growth while achieving an appropriate increase in economic output, and advance well-rounded human development and common prosperity for all, adding that this will also expand the space for cooperation between China and the United States.

Xi noted that the two countries' economic and trade teams had an in-depth exchange of views on important economic and trade issues, and reached consensus on solving various issues.

He called on the two teams to work out and finalize the follow-up steps as soon as possible, and ensure that the common understandings are effectively upheld and implemented, to inject confidence into the two countries as well as the global economy through solid deliverables.

China-U.S. economic and trade relations have experienced ups and downs recently, and this has also given the two sides some insights, Xi noted.

The business relationship, Xi said, should continue to serve as the anchor and driving force for China-U.S. relations, not a stumbling block or a point of friction.

The two sides should think big and recognize the long-term benefit of cooperation, and must not fall into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation, he added, calling on the two teams to continue their talks in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, and continuously shorten the list of problems and lengthen the list of cooperation.

Dialogue is better than confrontation, Xi said, adding that China and the United States should maintain communication through various channels and at various levels to enhance mutual understanding.

There is good potential for the two countries to work together on combating illegal immigration and telecom fraud, anti-money laundering, artificial intelligence, and responding to infectious diseases, he added.

The competent departments should strengthen dialogue and exchanges and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation, Xi said, adding that the two countries should also engage in positive interactions on regional and international platforms.

"The world today is confronted with many tough problems. China and the United States can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries, and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world," he added.

China will host APEC 2026, and the United States the G20 summit next year, Xi noted.

The two sides can support each other in making both summits productive to promote world economic growth and improve global economic governance, he added.

Noting that it was a great honor to meet with Xi, Trump said China is a great country and President Xi is a well respected great leader, with whom he has been good friends for many years and has always got along well.

The United States and China have always had a fantastic relationship, and it will be even better, said Trump, voicing his hope for an even better future for both China and the United States.

China is the biggest partner of the United States, and with joint efforts, the two countries can get many great things done for the world and have many years of success, said Trump.

China will host the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, while the United States will host the G20 Summit next year, said Trump, wishing both sides every success in these important events.

The two presidents have agreed to enhance cooperation in economic, trade, energy and other fields and to encourage more people-to-people exchanges.

They have also agreed to maintain interactions on a regular basis. Trump looked forward to visiting China early next year, and invited President Xi to visit the United States.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on October 30, 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: October 30, 2025 18:19

At the invitation of the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, President Xi Jinping's Special Envoy and Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli will attend the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Egypt on November 1.

Shenzhen TV: It was reported that, according to the latest poll in Paraguay this month, 58.3 percent of Paraguayans believe that establishing diplomatic ties with China is very important, and 29.8 percent believe it is important. The two combined accounts for nearly 90 percent of the respondents. Several Paraguayan MPs urged the Paraguayan government to establish diplomatic relations with China and sever the so-called "diplomatic ties" with the Taiwan authorities. What is China's comment on it?

Guo Jiakun: We noted the reports. In recent years, we have heard time and again the strong call of people from various sectors in Paraguay to develop relations with China. The poll once again demonstrates the keen desire of the Paraguayan people for the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Paraguay.

We would like to stress again that China's reunification is unstoppable. Maintaining so-called "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan authorities does not serve the fundamental and long-term interests of Paraguay and its people, and also goes against the prevailing consensus of the international community on upholding the one-China principle. We urge the Paraguayan government to heed the call of its people, embark on the right course as early as possible, come to the right side of history, and make the right decision to recognize the one-China principle and sever so-called "diplomatic ties" with the Taiwan authorities.

AFP: Following his meeting with Chinese president earlier today in Busan, South Korea, Donald Trump said he would visit China in April of next year. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm this as well as a possible timeline for Chinese leader to visit the United States next year at Trump's invitation?

Guo Jiakun: Regarding the meeting between the Chinese and U.S. heads of state, China has released a readout which you may refer to. The two presidents agreed to maintain interactions on a regular basis. President Trump looks forward to visiting China early next year, and invited President Xi to visit the United States.

JoongAng Ilbo: ROK and U.S. leaders discussed nuclear-powered submarines when they met yesterday, and President Trump said today he will give approval to build it in the Hanwha shipyard in Philadelphia. What's China's comment?

Guo Jiakun: China noted the developments. China hopes that the ROK and the U.S. will earnestly fulfill their nuclear non-proliferation obligations, and do what is conducive to regional peace and stability, not otherwise.

Reuters: The U.S. has said that China has agreed not to implement its proposed rare earths controls. Could you give us more details about what was agreed? Will China just be pausing the new rules that were implemented in October or were the controls introduced in April also included in the recent deal?

Guo Jiakun: You may refer to China's readout on the meeting between the two presidents. President Xi Jinping noted during the meeting that the two teams had an in-depth exchange of views on important economic and trade issues, and reached consensus on solving various issues. They should work out and finalize the follow-up steps as soon as possible, and ensure that the common understandings are effectively upheld and implemented.

RIA Novosti: U.S. President Donald Trump has said he has ordered nuclear weapons tests to be conducted "on equal basis" with other countries that allegedly have nuclear testing programs. He added that the United States has the largest nuclear arsenal now, but China can catch up with the U.S. in five years. What's China's comment?

Guo Jiakun: China hopes that the U.S. will earnestly abide by its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and its commitment to a "moratorium on nuclear testing", and take concrete actions to uphold the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, as well as global strategic balance and stability.

Bloomberg: It's reported that the G7 nations are set to announce a critical minerals production alliance to counter China's dominance of the market. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment?

Guo Jiakun: China took steps to standardize and improve the export control system. This is consistent with international practice and aimed at better upholding world peace and regional stability and performing non-proliferation and other international obligations. We urge the G7 to earnestly observe the principles of market economy and international trade rules, stop disrupting the international trade order with the self-made rules of a group, and jointly work for a stable global economy.

RIA Novosti: U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier that the U.S. and Russia are discussing denuclearization and if the two sides make any progress on the issue, China could be added to the discussion. What's your comment?

Guo Jiakun: On the issue of nuclear disarmament, China's position is consistent and clear.

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Trump, Xi Agree To Ease Trade Tensions And 'Work Together' On Ukraine

By Reid Standish October 30, 2025

Summary

Trump and Xi held talks in South Korea to ease trade tensions and discuss economic ties.

Trump says that agreements have been reached on rare-earth minerals, soybean purchases, and lowering fentanyl-related tariffs.

Trump said that he would 'work together' with Xi on Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held talks in South Korea where they discussed the war in Ukraine and agreed to walk back elements of their bruising trade war.

Speaking aboard Air Force One following the October 30 sit down, Trump said that he had an "amazing meeting" with Xi and they they agreed on "many important points," including agreements on trade, tariffs, and rare-earth minerals.

He told reporters that he will reduce a tariff on China over its role in the fentanyl crisis by 10 percent and that China would resume "large amounts" of soybean purchases from the United States, which were stopped in May in response to US tariffs.

Trump added that a deal was also reached on lifting Chinese restrictions on the flow of rare-earth minerals, 17 elements that play tiny but vital roles in cars, planes, and weapons. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who is also Air Force One, said China would not be imposing its proposed rare earth controls that were expanded in October after an understanding between the presidents. He did not comment on controls that are already in place that were introduced in April.

"All of the rare earth [issue] is settled, and that's for the world... This was a worldwide situation and not just a US situation," Trump told reporters. "There's no roadblock from China anymore."

Trump added that he also discussed the war in Ukraine launched by Russia in February 2022, saying that he and Xi agreed to "work together."

"We agree that the sides are locked in fighting and sometimes you gotta let them fight I guess. But we're going to work together on Ukraine," he said.

In comments published through Chinese state media, Xi said that both sides reached a consensus to resolve "major trade issues" and that the Chinese and American teams will be continue working on delivering outcomes that will serve as a "reassuring pill" for both countries' economies.

"China and the United States can jointly demonstrate the responsibility befitting of major powers, working together to accomplish more significant, practical and beneficial undertakings for both nations and for the world," he said.

The meeting at Busan's Gimhae International Airport appears to have set the stage for a broader dialogue in the coming months, with Trump saying that he plans to visit China in April and that a tentative trade deal could be signed soon.

Analysts told RFE/RLthat they see limited room for a broader agreement during the talks, but that dialing back trade tensions could lay the groundwork for discussions towards a larger deal when Trump travels to China and Xi is expected to visit the United States next year.

Moments before the talks began, Trump announced that he has instructed the Pentagon to break Washington's voluntary moratorium on testing nuclear weapons "immediately."

Trump said in a post on social media that the United States "has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country," naming Russia as second and China "a distant third, but will be even within 5 years."

Heading into the talks, Trump and Xi were also expected to discuss other points of tension, including Taiwan and China's support for Russia.

But Trump said that self-governing Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own, was not discussed. He added that he and Xi did not bring up China buying Russian oil, which Moscow has used to help fund its war.

Prior to the meeting, Ukraine and its allies called on Trump to pressure Xi Jinping over China's backing of Russia. The meeting came a week after Washington announced sanctions on two major Russian oil companies.

China is the single-largest buyer of Russian crude and has been a vital lifeline for Moscow's energy industry amid Russian President Vladimir Putin's grinding war in Ukraine.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-xi-trade-war- talks-busan-south-korea-russia-ukraine/33576746.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.

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Trump Strikes A Trade Truce With Xi, But Superpower Competition Is Here To Stay

By Reid Standish October 30, 2025

Summary

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to ease trade tensions during talks in South Korea, including tariff reductions and lifting rare-earth mineral restrictions for a year.

Key issues like Taiwan, human rights, and defense were not addressed, leaving structural tensions in US-China relations unresolved.

China's rare-earth export controls have spurred Western nations to seek alternative supply chains, with discussions ongoing at the G7 and EU-China meetings.

US President Donald Trump has struck a truce in the trade war with China, telling reporters after his high-stakes meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea that he expects to sign a bilateral deal with Beijing "pretty soon."

But even if Beijing and Washington are able to build on their progress in Busan and strike a deal, the US-China relationship looks set to remain tense due to the underlying frictions across defense, human rights, technology, and economic issues that are still shaping their ties.

Instead, the October 30 agreement to ease trade tensions is the first step of a wider push by both China and the United States to buy time as they look to enshrine rules on how to manage their superpower rivalry and dig in for a longer term competition.

"It's good for the two most significant global players to be working to stabilize their relationship," Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, a visiting fellow at the Martens Center, a Brussels-based think tank, told RFE/RL. "But the structural issues are all still there. This doesn't fix the big problems."

While the agreement on trade issues opens the door for continued high-level diplomacy -- including a Trump visit to China in April and Xi potentially traveling to the United States next year -- the key flashpoints at the center of US-China tensions were largely left untouched.

Taiwan, the self-governing island of 23 million that Beijing claims as its own territory and has threatened to annex by force, if necessary, was not discussed during the South Korea meeting, according to Trump. He also said that China's purchasing of Russian oil, which Moscow has used to help fund its war, was not raised.

Trump said that he and Xi discussed the need to "work together" to help end the more than three-year war in Ukraine, although he did not mention any specifics.

"It seems like both sides probably didn't want to bring elements into these talks that could derail this focus on trade," said Ferenczy, who is also an assistant professor at National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan.

Will Trump And Xi Agree To A Broader Deal?

Trump said after his meeting with Xi that the United States is lowering the fentanyl tariff on Chinese goods to 10 percent from the current 20 percent and that China will end its embargo of US soybeans, an economically important export.

Beijing also agreed to pause controls it imposed on strategic rare-earth minerals and to suspend port fees for a year.

Da Wei, the director of Tsinghua University's Center for International Security and Strategy, wrote in Foreign Affairs magazine ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting that it represented a "narrow but important opportunity for the United States and China to enter a new phase of bilateral relations."

"The United States and China do not have to be friends, but they do have to avoid being enemies," he wrote.

Whether it leads to actionable momentum to strike a deal beyond deescalating this year's trade tensions, or if it simply results in a temporary truce, remains to be seen.

"Both capitals will keep believing they can outlast and outmaneuver each other, working feverishly to erode the other's leverage," Craig Singleton, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based think tank, told RFE/RL. "That's the paradox of this relationship: interdependence without trust, competition without closure. Busan may have bought time, but little more."

Beijing and Washington negotiated for months with little tangible progress beyond a brief reprieve from tit-for-tat tariffs in May and progress could be even thornier as both sides try to tackle more tense issues, such as US export curbs on certain types of semiconductors or geopolitical topics like Taiwan.

Trump could also bring new issues to the negotiating table that would further complicate talks.

Shortly before his meeting with Xi, Trump posted on social media that he instructed the Pentagon to start testing nuclear weapons after a 30-year moratorium, saying China and Russia -- the world's other major nuclear powers -- could catch up with the United States within five years.

It's unclear exactly what Trump intends. In his post, he wanted to start testing "our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," which could mean showing off the power of American missiles or undersea nuclear assets, rather than conduct an actual nuclear test. It's unclear if Trump wants to see tests of missiles capable of delivering a nuclear weapon, or tests that involve actual nuclear explosions.

China's expanding nuclear stockpile has been a fixation for Trump and also appeared in his rationale when he said that the United States needed to retake control of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.

The comments also come after Russia announced that it had successfully tested a nuclear-powered super torpedo called Poseidon on October 29 and praised the successful test of a nuclear-powered cruise missile just three days before.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, has so far abstained from testing a nuclear weapon or carrying out a nuclear detonation.

The first Trump administration tried to start three-way nuclear talks with Beijing and Moscow as Washington looked to negotiate a new accord to replace the New START treaty, a foundational piece of arms-control infrastructure, that will expire on February 5, 2026.

China rejected joining those talks in 2020, but the talk of future US tests could push Beijing to the negotiating table.

Russia suspended its participation in New START in February 2023, but it did not withdraw from the treaty, saying that it would continue to abide by the numerical limits in the treaty.

Did Beijing Overplay Its Hand On Rare-Earth Minerals?

Beijing shook global supply chains when it first brought in export controls in April on rare earth minerals. The move caused shortages overseas and highlighted China's willingness to use its near monopoly on the 17 elements that make up smartphones, military drones, and medical devices.

Those curbs were expanded in October, specifically targeting elements in defense supply chains and the equipment used to process them.

While the agreement struck in Busan lifting those restrictions for a year, the fallout has already been severe.

Fearful of their dependence on China for the minerals, many Western countries have already looked to band together to create new supply chains, with the flow of rare-earths becoming a centerpiece of a G7 summit underway on October 30.

The European Union is also scheduled to sit down with China to discuss Chinese export controls on October 31.

European weapons producers supplying arms to Ukraine have warned that they could be affected by the shortage and the one year, restriction-free window could buy time for the United States and Europe to invest and procure new sources of minerals outside of China's control.

Trump secured a number of rare earth and critical mineral deals before and during his trip to Asia, inking deals with Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand, and Ukraine, among others.

"There is a sense that China may have overplayed its hand on rare-earths," Ferenczy said. "This shows that there is appetite for collective action to counter weaponization of rare-earths by China."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-xi-trump-rare- earths-trade-taiwan-ukraine-putin/33576946.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.

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Ranking Member Shaheen Statement on President Trump's Meeting with President Xi in Seoul

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Published: October 30, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement following President Trump's meeting with President Xi in Seoul, South Korea.

"Art of the Deal this was not. President Trump's much-heralded meeting with President Xi appears to have merely brought us a few steps closer to where we started at the beginning of this costly trade war, with little else to show for it and significant harm to American workers, businesses and farmers along the way.

"President Trump entered this meeting from a position of weakness after nearly a year of erratic policies that have driven up costs for American families, alienated allies and eroded the very sources of strength we need to compete with China. The limited outcomes are a direct result of the absence of a coherent long-term American strategy to leverage our alliances, protect our technological advantages and hold China accountable for its destabilizing conduct across the Indo-Pacific. The President's incoherent and haphazard use of tariffs has left China with virtually the same tariffs as many of our allies in Southeast Asia and lower tariffs than Canada and Indiaall just to get back to where we started on rare earth exports and to secure commitments on fentanyl precursors that were always within China's capacity. President Trump's insistence on taxing American families and businesses and failure to develop a global economic strategy has raised costs at home and weakened our ability to respond effectively to China's unfair economic practices.

"I'm particularly concerned that President Trump appears to believe China can play a positive role in ending Russia's murderous war in Ukraine, when Beijing is in fact Moscow's top buyer of oil and its number one provider of critical technologies to fuel its war machine. I welcome apparent commitments made by the PRC to clamp down on the fentanyl precursors that are killing so many Americans, but follow-through by the Trump Administration will be critical in ensuring these promises are fulfilled.

"What America needs is not another short-term 'deal' but a durable, bipartisan strategy that provides economic stability to American consumers, restores our alliances and reasserts U.S. leadership for the long game. Ahead of a potential trip by President Trump to Beijing, it is incumbent on the Administration to correct its course and develop a stronger approach to protect America's economic and security interests."

###



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China's industrial upgrading conducive to global growth

Xinhua) 16:18, October 30, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- When China, the world's manufacturing powerhouse, unveils its industrial blueprint for the next five years, people are eager to learn what effects this will have on the world.

China's ruling party has approved recommendations for the country's 15th Five-Year Plan, a roadmap that will steer national development through 2030. The document outlines China's development plan for the 2026-2030 period, noting that building "a modernized industrial system" with "advanced manufacturing as the backbone" will be a top priority.

Released on Tuesday, the document also emphasizes achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and fostering new quality productive forces.

The accelerated push toward high-quality development is drawing close attention from global observers and business executives, who see vast new potential for international cooperation and shared technological progress. Many are already recalibrating strategies to align with the opportunities presented by China's evolving industrial landscape.

NEW QUALITY PRODUCTIVE FORCES

China, which has topped global manufacturing output for 15 years, is moving from its focus on scale-driven growth to innovation and quality-oriented development. This pivot is aimed at enhancing competitiveness and driving the country up the global value chain.

"After more than 40 years of rapid growth, China is evolving from the 'world's factory' to that of a global innovation engine, or in other words, a global center of intelligent manufacturing," said Zhang Monan, deputy director of the Institute of American and European Studies at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, a government think tank.

The country is spearheading the transformation fueled by the cultivation of "new quality productive forces," at the core of which lies a commitment to translating cutting-edge technologies into burgeoning new industries.

As outlined in the document, China plans to turn next-generation industries, including quantum technology, bio-manufacturing, hydrogen and nuclear fusion power, brain-computer interfaces, embodied artificial intelligence and 6G mobile communications, into new drivers of economic growth.

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 Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, told a press conference last week.

Besides scaling up emerging sectors and actively cultivating future industries, China is also making its traditional industries smarter and more efficient.

The efforts are already yielding tangible results. At an ANTA smart factory in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, garments with digital IDs move seamlessly along automated overhead rails through cutting, sewing and quality check processes, while robotic vehicles transport materials across the sprawling factory floor. The factory's use of digital systems, robotics and real-time data helps cut production time and improve quality, exemplifying the broader transformation underway in China's industrial landscape.

Analysts have highlighted the broader implications of the push. China's drive to build a modernized industrial system is not only pivotal for its domestic high-quality development but also set to deliver positive spillover effects worldwide, said Kuang Xianming, vice president of the China Institute for Reform and Development.

Amid rising global uncertainties and protectionism, China's push for a new round of industrial upgrading is set to further expand its market scale, unlocking immense opportunities for development and cooperation, particularly in sectors such as green development, digital economy, bio-medicine, high-end medical and health care and modern services, Kuang added.

Evidence of this appeal is already apparent. Foreign direct investment into China's e-commerce service sector as well as the manufacturing of aerospace equipment and medical equipment surged by 155.2 percent, 38.7 percent and 17 percent, respectively, during the first nine months of 2025, according to official data, bucking a global investment lethargy.

The industrial upgrading is also driving demand for advanced machinery such as robotics. China has maintained its position as the world's largest industrial robot market for 12 years in a row.

The positive impact extends beyond borders, as the advancement of new quality productive forces translates directly into tangible global benefits, particularly in tackling some shared challenges.

The Chinese-made new energy vehicles in markets like Thailand are lending crucial support to green development goals. China's solar boom, lately described by Columbia University professor Adam Tooze as "world-changing industrial policy," has dramatically driven down the cost of renewable energy, making clean power accessible and affordable for low-income and developing countries.

NURTURING GROUND FOR INNOVATION

With its industrial upgrading gathering pace, China is evolving into an efficient platform for global collaborative innovation, a shift exemplified by deepening partnerships between international corporations and Chinese tech leaders.

At the 2025 World New Energy Vehicle Congress last month, Sean Green, president and CEO of BMW Group Region China, highlighted joint projects with China's domestic leaders across key areas, including a co-design effort with battery giant CATL for large cylindrical cells, a partnership with self-driving startup Momenta on driver-assist software, and a collaboration to integrate Alibaba's AI foundation model and Huawei's intelligent-vehicle stack into BMW cars.

"This goes beyond conventional partnerships," and it forms "a symbiotic ecosystem that benefits both sides," said Green. "Technology openness is the valuable experience we took from China's success," he added.

In China, BMW has its largest production base and R&D team outside Germany, with over 3,000 engineers across R&D centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang and Nanjing, as well as three dedicated software development companies.

"China is highly competitive," said Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG, in an earlier interview with Xinhua. Yet "the biggest innovations we see come out of China," and "combining our strengths allows us to develop products that set new standards globally."

Zhang described such partnerships as combining strengths. She said China's strong manufacturing base and complete industrial chains help foreign technologies thrive, which in turn spurs innovation of overseas companies.

"Many innovative companies and international tech giants are willing to place their R&D and innovation centers in China because the closer you are to the demand, the more impactful and effective your innovation becomes," Zhang said. This proximity enables rapid adjustments to meet market needs.

The speed of innovation and industrialization in China is often faster than in other regions, making China a "nurturing ground" for global technological innovation, she said.

This trend is underpinned by China's super-sized domestic market, complete industrial system and infrastructure, as well as the country's sustained support for innovation, including consistently rising research and development expenditure, improving intellectual property protection, the fostering of talent and enhancing institutional collaboration to shorten the path from lab to market, according to analysts.

This year, China broke into the top 10 on the Global Innovation Index, making it one of the world's fastest-rising innovators over the past decade.

China's industrial upgrading is presenting substantial opportunities for international cooperation, and with the country's high-standard opening up continuing apace, more sectors are expected to embrace technology sharing and collaborative innovation models, Kuang said.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Zhong Wenxing)
Embargo against Cuba must be lifted immediately, unconditionally: Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Oct 29, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations says that the embargo on Cuba must be lifted immediately and without conditions, noting that ending the restrictions would provide much-needed relief to the Cuban people and send a clear message that the era of coercion, domination, and economic oppression must end.

Iravani made the remarks at the United Nations General Assembly on "Necessity of Ending the Economic, Commercial, and Financial Embargo Imposed by the United States of America Against Cuba" in New York, October 28, 2025.

Iran reiterates its firm opposition to any economic, commercial, and financial sanctions imposed on independent and sovereign states, including Cuba, he said.

The continuation of unilateral and inhumane sanctions and the blockade imposed on Cuba for over 60 years, under the pretext of promoting democracy, stands as a clear example of unilateral coercive measures against a sovereign and independent state, which have systematically undermined the rights and well-being of the Cuban people, the envoy added.

The full text of Iravani's speech is as follows:

Madam President,

Let me begin by extending our warmest welcome to His Excellency Mr. Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, and by expressing our appreciation to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for presenting the report on this important matter.

We convene in this Assembly for the thirty-third time to reaffirm our unwavering determination to oppose unrestrained unilateralism and reckless foreign policies, along with the unilateral coercive measures imposed by a government that arrogates to itself a position above international law.

There is no doubt that unilateral sanctionsas unlawful measures rooted in arrogance and unilateralismendanger multilateralism, destabilize the global order, and undermine the very spirit of the Charter of the United Nations. These measures have a profound adverse impact on the promotion of peace, both regionally and globally. They constitute a fundamental impediment to the establishment of not only a peaceful and prosperous world, but also a just and equitable international ordera vital prerequisite for achieving sustainable development.

The continuation of unilateral and inhumane sanctions and the blockade imposed on Cuba for over 60 years, under the pretext of promoting democracy, stands as a clear example of unilateral coercive measures against a sovereign and independent state, which have systematically undermined the rights and well-being of the Cuban people.

The United States, through its continued pursuit of unilateral and coercive policies toward independent and sovereign states, has persisted in ignoring the unanimous demand of the international community to end its hostility against Cuba, which have endured for more than six decades.

Madam President,

The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates its firm opposition to any economic, commercial, and financial sanctions imposed on independent and sovereign states, including Cuba.

For years, it has been the declared and consistent policy of successive United States administrations to impose sanctions against independent states in pursuit of their arrogant and unilateral objectives. It is abundantly clear that these sanctions primarily target ordinary people including women, children, and the elderlyinflicting severe harm on their health, safety, and well-being. Moreover, they constitute a sophisticated barrier to development, which is among the most fundamental human rights.

These inhuman and immoral policies, and the use of sanctions as a tool of coercion to compel independent states to relinquish their freedom and sovereigntyan approach that fundamentally undermines their dignitymust be strongly condemned and unequivocally rejected.

The overwhelming majority of the international community, in the repeated adoption of resolutions by the United Nations General Assembly, has rejected the continued imposition of sanctions against Cuba calling on the Government of the United States of America to rectify its failed policies and lift the embargo against Cuba.

Madam President,

The embargo against Cuba must be lifted immediately and unconditionally. Ending these measures would not only bring much-needed relief to the Cuban people but also convey a strong message that the era of coercion, domination, and economic oppression must come to an end.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, as always, stands in unwavering solidarity with the government and people of Cuba in their struggle against unjust measures. Alongside all nations committed to justice, we will continue to advocate for the complete elimination of all forms of unilateral coercive measures, which undermine individual nations and the very foundations of international cooperation and peaceful coexistence.

I thank you.

7129**9417

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UNGA votes for end to US embargo on Cuba despite Washington's lobbying

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 6:15 PM

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has once again called for an end to the decades-long US economic embargo on Cuba, defying Washington's sustained pressure campaign to influence the vote.

On Wednesday, the 193-member body overwhelmingly approved a resolution condemning the embargo for the 33rd consecutive year, with 165 countries voting in favor, seven against, and 12 abstaining.

"We cannot underestimate the importance, the impact, of the powerful message year after year by the General Assembly, which is the most democratic, representative body of the international community," Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez stated on Wednesday.

"It is not binding, but it is powerful," the top Cuban diplomat added.

He had urged the countries to back the resolution again, Rodriguez said that "doing so would be an act of justice in favor of a peace-loving people that is facing not only the blockade, but with the blockade, another monstrous hurricane."

The foreign minister told the media on Monday that his government had heard from other countries, especially European states, that Washington was pushing them to vote against the resolution.

The US embargo was first imposed in 1960, following the Cuban revolution led by Fidel Castro and has since expanded in scope.

In 2016, the then-US president Barack Obama officially restored relations with Havana. However, his successor, Donald Trump, in his first term, reversed these efforts, intensifying sanctions.

The embargo continued under Trump's successor, Joe Biden, and was tightened again after Trump returned to office this year.

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Iran demands end to 'immoral' sanctions on Cuba, decries US unilateralism

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 6:32 AM

Iran has demanded that the US sanctions on Cuba must be lifted "immediately and unconditionally," condemning the "unlawful measures rooted in arrogance" for inflicting severe harm on ordinary citizens.

Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, was speaking at the UN General Assembly meeting on the lifting of the United States sanctions against Cuba on Tuesday.

"Unilateral sanctionsas unlawful measures rooted in arrogance and unilateralismendanger multilateralism, destabilize the global order, and undermine the very spirit of the Charter of the United Nations," he warned.

"The embargo against Cuba must be lifted immediately and unconditionally."

The Iranian envoy further said that the sanctions, imposed under the "pretext of promoting democracy" for over six decades, "primarily target ordinary people including women, children, and the elderlyinflicting severe harm on their health, safety, and well-being."

Since 1958, the US has imposed an embargo on Cuba, preventing US businesses from conducting trade or commerce with the island.

In the waning days of his term in January, former US president Joe Biden removed Cuba from the US's list of "state sponsors of terrorism."

But upon taking office for his second time on January 20, US President Donald Trump reversed course, putting Cuba back on the list that very same day.

Ambassador Iravani stated that for years, the imposition of sanctions against independent states has been a "declared and consistent policy" of successive US administrations.

Furthermore, he condemned the sanctions as a "sophisticated barrier to development," which is among "the most fundamental human rights."

Iravani slammed the "inhuman and immoral policies, and the use of sanctions as a tool of coercion to compel independent states to relinquish their freedom and sovereigntyan approach that fundamentally undermines their dignity."

He noted that the overwhelming majority of the international community, through repeated UN General Assembly resolutions, "has rejected the continued imposition of sanctions against Cuba," calling on the US government to "rectify its failed policies and lift the embargo against Cuba."

"Ending these measures would not only bring much-needed relief to the Cuban people but also convey a strong message that the era of coercion, domination, and economic oppression must come to an end," he added.

Iravani reiterated Iran's "firm opposition to any economic, commercial, and financial sanctions imposed on independent and sovereign states, including Cuba."

He further vowed that Iran, alongside other nations committed to justice, would continue to advocate for "the complete elimination of all forms of unilateral coercive measures," which undermine sovereign nations and the foundations of international cooperation and peaceful coexistence.

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Amid shifting alliances, General Assembly demands end to US embargo on Cuba

By Vibhu Mishra

29 October 2025 - The UN General Assembly on Wednesday has - for the 33rd consecutive year - adopted a resolution calling for an end to the decades-long United States embargo against Cuba.

An overwhelming majority of the UN's 193 Member States once again urged Washington to lift the measures - despite a noticeable shift in countries choosing to either abstain or side with the US.

The resolution - titled Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba - was adopted by 165 votes in favour, seven against, and twelve abstentions.

Last year, the measure passed by 187 votes with two against (US and Israel) and just one abstention (Moldova).

Those voting against this year's resolution were the US, Israel, Argentina, Hungary, Paraguay, North Macedonia, and Ukraine.

The twelve abstentions came from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Costa Rica, Czechia, Ecuador, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Poland, Moldova and Romania.

Cuban support for Russian invasion draws ire

Explaining its decision to abstain, Poland - also speaking on behalf of Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania - said it reflected "the selective application of the UN Charter," citing Cuba's continued support for Russia amid its full-scale and continuing invasion of Ukraine, where Cuban nationals have reportedly been fighting on Moscow's side.

Romania echoed those concerns, noting that while it had long supported the resolution, "foreign involvement in an illegal war of aggression is a blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law," calling on Cuba to withdraw support for the invasion.

While the resolution remains non-binding, its passage once again signals the international community's disapproval of unilateral coercive measures with extraterritorial effects.

The resolution

The text reiterates the Assembly's long-standing appeal for all States to reject punitive US legislation such as the Helms-Burton Act of 1996, which Cuba and other countries argue violates international law and the UN Charter.

The Assembly also highlighted measures adopted by US President Barack Obama in 2015 and 2016 to modify some aspects of the embargo, "which contrast with the measures applied since 2017 [under the first Donald Trump administration] to reinforce its implementation."

Through the resolution, the General Assembly also decided once again to include the embargo text in the provisional agenda of next year's session.

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Focus on the Middle East - Foreign Minister Wadephul visits Jordan, Lebanon and Bahrain

Germany Federal Foreign Office

29.10.2025 - Article

Foreign Minister Wadephul is making his first visit to Jordan, Lebanon and Bahrain. In addition to meetings with political stakeholders, he will visit the German frigate serving with the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon and take part in a conference in Bahrain on regional and global security.

At the time of Foreign Minister Wadephul's visit (29 October to 1 November), a new opportunity for peace is emerging in the Middle East. The recent agreement between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire gives reason to hope that the decades-long conflict may finally be brought to an end. What's crucial now is meeting people's expectations in an entire region.

The 20-point plan drawn up by the United States lays out a path towards stability and security - for the people of Gaza as well as for the people of Israel. The German Government is actively backing this path.

First stop - Jordan

Foreign Minister Wadephul begins his visit to the Middle East in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, where he will meet with his counterpart, Ayman Al Safadi.

Jordan plays a very valuable, constructive and mediating role. As a hub for humanitarian assistance, Jordan has made huge efforts in the past years to deliver supplies to the people in Gaza, including at times when the suffering was at its most intense. The German Government supported Jordan in this, and we want to continue our support. -Foreign Minister Wadephul prior to his departure for Jordan

Second stop - Lebanon

Foreign Minister Wadephul will next travel to the Lebanese Republic, where he will hold talks with his counterpart, Youssef Raggi, and with President Joseph Aoun - whose election brought an end to a long-standing period of political deadlock. Building on this political momentum, it is now crucial to also restart the economy. This will require reforms and close cooperation between the Lebanese Government and the International Monetary Fund, for example with a view to reviving the country's paralysed financial sector.

Lebanon has been shaken by multiple crises in recent years - most recently by the escalation between Israel and the radical Islamist terrorist organisation Hezbollah.

The ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah militia has held for over a year now, but in order to achieve lasting peace, Hezbollah must finally lay down its arms. The German Government helps to foster security in the region, particularly through the soldiers whom we have deployed to the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission. The fact that UNIFIL is due to cease operations at the end of 2026 also means that the international community must make use of the remaining time to ensure that the Lebanese army is able to maintain security on its own. -Foreign Minister Wadephul

At the port of the capital, Beirut, Foreign Minister Wadephul will gain a first-hand impression of the German frigate Sachsen-Anhalt and visit the German crew where they perform their service.

Third stop - Bahrain

On Saturday, Foreign Minister Wadephul will attend the IISS Manama Dialogue in the Kingdom of Bahrain - a conference addressing geopolitical and security issues, with a particular focus on the Middle East and Africa. Comparable to the Munich Security Conference, the event will see him take part in a panel discussion with high-level figures from the international security community.

Foreign Minister Wadephul will also use the occasion to hold bilateral talks with countries from the region, including the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia and Oman. Discussions will centre on the situation in the region, the implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza as well as the grave situation in Sudan.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has also served on numerous occasions as a bridge-builder and constructive actor. The valuable mediation conducted by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and other regional partners on the war in Gaza showed that long-term solutions can only be achieved with strategic partners in the region. That is why I will attend the IISS Manama Dialogue once again and make use of this important regional security conference in Bahrain to coordinate our efforts closely with the countries in the region. -Foreign Minister Wadephul

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Germany Federal Foreign Office

29.10.2025 - Press release

Foreign Minister Wadephul issued the following statement today (29 October 2025) prior to his departure for Jordan, Lebanon and Bahrain:

The Middle East is at a crossroads. Following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, there is hope for lasting peace. We must continue working to implement this agreement. It took a great deal of painstaking work to reach diplomatic agreement in Cairo. All efforts must now focus on meeting people's expectations in an entire region.

For that reason, I am deeply concerned about the latest reports that fighting has broken out again. Hamas is called upon to meet its part of the agreement on phase 1, to lay down its arms and to finally hand over all the remains of the deceased hostages. We urge Israel to show military restraint in order to prevent further suffering.

The 20-point plan lays out the path to finally breaking the cycle of war and destruction. Germany will therefore continue to play an active role in implementing this plan.

To this end, the German Government is supporting, inter alia, the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Centre (CMCC), including by providing staff from the Federal Foreign Office who will travel to the region this week.

During my visit to the Middle East, I want to speak with our partners about where and how Germany can actively accompany and support the next steps. Jordan plays a very valuable, constructive and mediating role. As a hub for humanitarian assistance, Jordan has made huge efforts in the past years to deliver supplies to the people in Gaza, including at times when the suffering was at its most intense. The German Government supported Jordan in this, and we want to continue our support.

People in Lebanon hope for a more peaceful and more stable future. With the election of a president, the political deadlock in Beirut has been broken, but the Lebanese economy is still waiting for a sign that change is underway. Profound reforms and cooperation on the part of the Lebanese Government with the International Monetary Fund are crucial in order to revive the devastated financial sector.

The ceasefire between Israel and the Hezbollah militia has held for over a year now, but in order to achieve lasting peace, Hezbollah must finally lay down its arms. The German Government helps to foster security in the region, particularly through the soldiers whom we have deployed to the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission. The fact that UNIFIL is due to cease operations at the end of 2026 also means that the international community must make use of the remaining time to ensure that the Lebanese army is able to maintain security on its own.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has also served on numerous occasions as a bridge-builder and constructive actor.

The valuable mediation conducted by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and other regional partners on the war in Gaza showed that long-term solutions can only be achieved with strategic partners in the region. That is why I will attend the IISS Manama Dialogue once again and make use of this important regional security conference in Bahrain to coordinate our efforts closely with the countries in the region.
DRDO hands over 12 Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology for eight products to the industry during SAMANVAY 2025

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 29 OCT 2025 8:39PM by PIB Delhi

DRDO handed over 12 Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LATOTs) for eight products to the industry partners during the inaugural session of SAMANVAY 2025, a two-day Industry synergy meet organised by the Electronics and Communication Systems (ECS) Cluster of the DRDO, in Bengaluru on October 29, 2025. The list of the products is as follows:

S No Lab Technology Details with the ToT Partner Combat Aircraft System Development and Integration Centre D-29 Electronic Warfare Suite to Bharat Electronics, Bengaluru Defence Electronics Application Laboratory NATSAT-Handheld & NATSAT-Mini Terminals to Bharat Electronics, Panchkula Defence Electronics Research Laboratory Sarang Electronic Support Measure System of Programme SAMUDRIKA to Bharat Electronics, Bengaluru DOLPHIN-II to Bharat Electronics, Bengaluru Instruments Research & Development Establishment Laser Beam Rider Guidance System with Eye-safe Laser Range Finder to Bharat Electronics, Pune and Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad Athermal Laser Target Designator to Bharat Electronics, Pune Laser Photoacoustic Spectroscopy to DH Limited, Ghaziabad, Enertech Engineering Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad, Beam Infotech Pvt Ltd, Gurgaon & Nibe Ltd, Pune Microwave Tube Research & Development Centre M-Type Dispenser Cathode to Panacea Medical Technologies Pvt Ltd, Malur, Karnataka

The two-day event, being attended by over 150 industry partners, has been organised to apprise and update industries, especially the MSMEs & start-ups, about various industry-friendly initiatives and policies of DRDO in line with the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.

Virtually inaugurating and addressing the meet, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat stated that by uniting innovation and industry, DRDO is empowering Indian defence manufacturing for a self-reliant tomorrow. From research laboratories to real-world capabilities, DRDO is partnering with the industry to come up with indigenised solutions for the Armed Forces and realise the Government's vision of 'Make in India, Make for the World', he said.

The DRDO Chairman added that with the aim to enhance the understanding of DRDO policies and procedures among Industries, DRDO has instituted the Industry Interaction Group at all its Laboratories/Centres/Establishments as well as HQs.

Speaking on the occasion, Padma Vibhushan & former DG CSIR Dr RA Mashelkar, who was the Guest of Honour, spoke on 'Resurgence of Innovative India: The Challenge and the Strategy' which covered how innovation, industry, and research institutions can work together for a pole vault to the next level.

DG, ECS Dr BK Das congratulated the industries for their overwhelming participation and appealed the start-ups to come out with innovative ideas for large systems. Assuring the Government's support, he urged major industries to handhold start-ups & MSMEs and transform their ideas into products.

SAMANVAY 2025 comprises 10 sessions with a focus on Industry, MSME & Start-Ups and Development cum Production Partner Engagements etc. These sessions will deliberate upon various issues such as ways to enhance Defence R&D Ecosystem, DRDO policies and reforms for enabling the industry, and challenges and opportunities in the way ahead.

*****

SR/Savvy

(Release ID: 2183976)

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IRIGC-M&MTC: 5th Meeting of Working Group on Military Cooperation held in New Delhi

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 29 OCT 2025 5:08PM by PIB Delhi

The 5th Meeting of the Working Group on Military Cooperation of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) took place in Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on October 28-29, 2025. The meeting was co-chaired by Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit and Head of Delegation, Deputy Chief of Main Operations, Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia Lt Gen Dylevsky Igor Nikolayevich.

The discussions focused on strengthening the ongoing defence engagements between the two sides and mulled on new initiatives under the ambit of the existing bilateral cooperation mechanism.

The Working Group meeting is a forum established to progress defence cooperation between the two countries through regular interaction between Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff and Main Directorate of International Military Cooperation of Ministry of Defence, Russia.

***

SR/Savvy

(Release ID: 2183812)

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Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (October 30, 2025)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

October 30, 2025

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Let's begin our session. The floor is open for questions.

Shailendra Wangu, News18 India: Sir, Shailendra Wangu, News18 India. Aapne dekha hoga ki raashtrapati Trump jab abhi daure par the Asia ke, jahaan par unhone baar-baar yah daava kiya hai ki trade ka dhamki dekar, 250% trade ki dhamki dekar, unhone Bharat aur Pakistan ka yudh rukvaya. Aur unhone yah bhi baar-baar kaha hai ki Russia se jo import hai oil ka, usko lekar Bharat taiyaar ho chuka hai. Inhone repeatedly yah baat kaha kahi hai, is par aap kya kahenge?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, Shailendra Wangu, News18 India. You must have seen that when President Trump was recently on a tour of Asia, he repeatedly claimed that by giving trade threats  by threatening with 250% trade tariffs  he stopped the war between India and Pakistan. He also repeatedly said that India has now become ready regarding the import of oil from Russia. He has said this repeatedly  what would you say about this?

Sidhant, WION: Sir, we have seen a statement by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Kashmir, something that has been tradition. Any Indian reaction?

Simontini Bhattacharjee, MillenniumPost: Sir, I am Simontini Bhattacharjee from Millennium Post newspaper. Sir, reports suggest that India has vacated its establishment at Ayni Airbase in Tajikistan. Could you please confirm the reports, and what prompted India's decision, and how does this impact India's strategic presence in Central Asia? Thank you.

Ayushi Agarwal, ANI: Sir, this is Ayushi Agarwal from ANI. My question is related to the recent conversation between our Prime Minister and Japanese Prime Minister. How much was QUAD discussed between the two leaders and any discussion on the summit dates?

Huma Siddiqui, Stratnews Global: Sir, there have been reports that some Indians were deported from the US just a week or 10 days ago. So, would you have number of Indians deported from the US and the UK so far?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. First Shailendra aapka sawaal. Dekhiye, maine is mudde par aur isse sambandhit mudde par spasht kiya hai pehle. Aur main chaahoonga ki jo hum logon ne pehle bola hai aur spasht kiya hai is maamle mein, us par aap dhyaan dain.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Okay. First, Shailendra, I have already clarified this issue and the related matters earlier as well. And I would like you to pay attention to what we have already said and clarified in this regard earlier.

Sidhant, your question regarding the statement made by OIC Secretariat. We reject those statements. They don't have any locus standi to speak on matters which are internal to India.

Simontini, regarding your question. See, we had a bilateral arrangement with Tajikistan for the rehabilitation and development of Ayni aerodrome. This arrangement was in place for several years. After the conclusion of the agreement that we had with Tajikistan, we have handed over the facility to the Tajik side. This happened in 2022.

Aayushi, yes. Prime Minister had a conversation with the new incoming Prime Minister of Japan. He congratulated her on assuming office. He also discussed India-Japan bilateral ties. This, of course, is a very important partnership for us. It is multifaceted in character. All those issues were discussed. As far as the question of the QUAD is concerned, let me tell you that we see it as a valuable forum for discussion on shared interest in a number of areas to the four partners. Any leaders' summit is scheduled through diplomatic consultations among the four partners.

Huma, on deportation, since January of this year, we have had around 2790 plus Indian nationals who did not meet the criteria. They were illegally staying there. We verified their credentials, their nationality. And they have returned. This is the status till yesterday, that is 29th October. From the UK side, this year we have had around 100 Indian nationals who have been deported after their nationality was duly verified by us.

Parikshit: Sir, how do you see the US-China talks that have taken place in South Korea? successful conclusion of talks? On the issue of rare earth magnets especially. We have been learning from the industry that at least four Indian companies have received licenses from the Chinese government to import magnets. Having said that, because US and China have agreed on a deal to defer the new export controls for a year, does that mean those export controls which kick in on 8th November, the second phase of export controls, do they get deferred for India as well?

Yeshi Seli, Business India: This is Yeshi Seli from Business India. My question is on US sanctions on Russian oil. Does this imply that even the short-term contract that we have with Rosneft and Lukoil comes to an end immediately or will it be implemented after that is over?

And secondly, I have a question on Bangladesh. Their elections are likely to happen next year. Is India putting forth this proposal that there should be free and fair elections and that Awami League should be a part of them?

Jessica Taneja. DD India: This is Jessica Taneja for DD India. Will India consider funding or construction of a dam project in Afghanistan's Kunar province?

Krishna Mohan Sharma, Bharat Express: Bharat Express se Krishna Mohan Sharma. Mera sawal ye hai ki Russia aur America aur Bharat ke beech jo oil export aur import ki baat chal rahi hai uske darmiyaan kuch Indian company ne kya vastav mein Russia se tel lena band kar diya hai?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] From Bharat Express, Krishna Mohan Sharma. My question is  amidst the ongoing discussions between Russia, America, and India regarding oil export and import, have any Indian companies actually stopped purchasing oil from Russia?

Siddhant Mishra, CNN News18: Hi sir, I have two questions. One is regarding the statement made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio where he said when he was asked about US deepening ties with Pakistan. He said that these ties are not at the expense of US relations with India. So, I want your comments on that.

And second sir, we have been told that there has been an exemption which has been granted for the Chabahar port till April. If you can give some more details on that. Thank you.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, first Parikshit, coming to your question. Yes, we confirm that some Indian companies have received licenses for importing rare earth magnets from China. As far as the question of the latest talks and relaxations that have happened between US and China as to how it is going to play into our domain, I will come back to you. We have yet to look at it. I am not aware of the technicalities, but we will come back to you. But I do confirm that Indian companies have received licenses for importing rare earths from China.

Yeshi, your question regarding US sanctions on Russian oil companies. We are studying the implications of these sanctions. As we have said this before also, the decisions that we take naturally take into account the evolving dynamics that is there in the global market. Our position on the larger question of energy sourcing is well known to you. In this endeavour, we are guided by the imperative to secure affordable energy from diverse sources for meeting the energy security requirements and needs of 1.4 billion people.

Dekhiye jahan tak American sanctions ka sawal hai jo unhhone Russian companies ke upar lagaya hai, isko hum log abhi kis prakar se hamare upar iski impact hogi, is baat ko hum log abhi uski adhyayan kar rahe hain. Jo hamara decision hota hai tel kharidne mein usse aap bhali bhathi aap avagat hai. Ki ye jo bazaar mein jo dynamics hai, jo uthal puthal hai, usko lete hue hum aage badhte hain. Aur hamara jo khud indhan kharidne ka jo sourcing ka jo approach hai, usme jo hamare log hai jinko indhan dena hai aur saste daam pe muhaiya karana hai, aise daam pe muhaiya karana hai ki unki zarurate unko mil sake. Yeh hamare jo 1.4 billion matlab 140 crore log hain, unke zaruuraton ko dekhte hue liya jata hai.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Look, as far as the issue of American sanctions on Russian companies is concerned  we are currently studying how and to what extent these sanctions might impact us. As you are well aware, our decisions regarding oil purchases are guided by market dynamics  the fluctuations and changes that occur in the global market. Our approach to sourcing fuel is shaped by our responsibility to provide energy to our people  to ensure that fuel is available at affordable prices, so that the needs of our 1.4 billion (that is, 140 crore) citizens can be met.

Yeshi, on elections. See, it is our expectation that the elections in Bangladesh should be free, fair, inclusive, and participatory in nature.

Jessica on your question regarding Kunar. We had the Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, he visited India recently. As part of the visit, we had issued a joint statement between both countries. This particular joint statement clearly emphasizes that India stands ready to support all efforts of Afghanistan that are directed towards sustainable management of water resources, including hydroelectric projects. You also would know that between the two countries, there has been a long history of cooperation on water matters. The Salma Dam, for example, is a perfect example of this cooperation, which is today called India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam.

Krishna Mohan ji aapka sawal tel ke bare mein tha. Humne kai ek report dekhi hai aur hamare bhartiya company ne bataya bhi hai ki kis prakar ka ravaiya hai unka. Aur usko aap logon ko avagat karaya. Maine kai ek report hamare bhartiya tel company ki taraf se dekha hai. Toh main aapse chahunga ki un company ka jo unhhone vaktavya jari kiya hai us par aap nazar dale. Jahan tak hamara sawal hai Bharat Sarkar ka sawal hai ... hum logon ne bataya hai ki jo hamare logon ki zarurate hain 140 crore bhartiyon ki zarurate aur hamare jo rastra hit hai aur sath hi sath videshi bazaar mein global market mein jo dynamics hai, un sabhi ke sath sabko milajula ke hum log is pe decision lete hain. Ki kahan se hum apne indhan ko urja ko source kare.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Krishna Mohan ji, your question was about oil. We have seen several reports, and our Indian companies have also informed us about their approach  which has already been shared with you. I have seen many reports issued by our Indian oil companies, and, I would request you to look at the statements those companies themselves have released. As far as the Government of India is concerned, we have made it clear that our decisions are based on the needs of our 1.4 billion citizens, our national interests, and also the dynamics in the global market. Taking all these factors into account together, we decide from where we will source our fuel and energy needs.

Sidhant, your question on India US relations. You see India US relations is a comprehensive global strategic partnership. We remain engaged with both countries to continue to strengthen it further. On your question regarding exemption for Chabahar. Yes, I can confirm that we have been granted exemption for a six-month period on the American sanctions that were applicable on Chabahar.

Gautam Lahiri: Sir, good evening. This is Gautam Lahiri. You know, recently Chief of General Staff of Pakistan has visited Bangladesh, where the Chief Advisor has presented a booklet containing some graffitis. One of the graffiti's is a distorted map of Bangladesh, including a certain portion of the Indian north-eastern side. Whether India accepts this kind of distributing graffiti? It comes under diplomatic protocol... that they can gift anything which contains some distorted map?

Suhasini Haidar, The Hindu: I just wanted to follow up on Parikshit's question on what President Trump is calling the G2 summit between the U.S. and China. As a consequence of that summit, India is now the highest tariffed country in the world at 50%. China is a little lower effectively. Given this kind of targeting of India, and it's now been for more than six months, is the government considering any kind of counter moves against the U.S., higher tariffs on products already there?

And just a clarification about last week's ASEAN summit. Prime Minister Modi decided not to go. He conveyed that decision to the Malaysian Prime Minister less than 72 hours before the summit. What was the reason given for it? Because there is no official reason given so far. Thank you.

Rishikesh, PTI: Sir, Rishikesh from PTI. So has India received any proposal from U.S. or Israel to join Gaza Peace Force? And is government considering to join this force?

Mukesh, Dainik Bhaskar: Sir, Mukesh from Dainik Bhaskar. Sir, follow up to Suhasini's question, the formation of G2. Some time ago, President Trump has said that we may have lost India to China. Do you think that now U.S. was lost to China?

Niraj, News18 India: Sir Niraj, News18 India se. Abhi jab Turkey mein Pakistan aur Afghanistan ke beech baat chit chal rahi thi to border pe Afghanistan Pakistan ke do samuh ne ghusbaith kiya tha sangharsh hua tha. To uske liye zimmedar Pakistan ek bar phir Fitna al-Khawarij ke liye Bharat ko zimmedar thahara raha hai. Aakhir aisa Pakistan baar baar kyun kar raha hai? ke andarooni mamlo mein Bharat ka hath bata raha hai?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, Niraj from News18 India. Recently, when talks were taking place in Turkey between Pakistan and Afghanistan, two groups from Afghanistan and Pakistan clashed at the border after an incursion. For this incident, Pakistan has once again blamed India, holding it responsible calling it Fitna al-Khawarij. Why is Pakistan repeatedly trying to involve India and hold it responsible for its internal matters?

Abhishek: Sir Pakistan ke Defense Minister Khawja Asif ne ye bhi kaha hai ki Afghanistan aur Pakistan ke beech jo ladai ho rahi hai usme Afghanistan Bharat ki taraf se proxy ladai kar raha hai. Aur agar Istanbul mein unki varta nahi chal pati hai to there will be no option but for an open war between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Your comment on that.

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has also said that in the ongoing conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Afghanistan is fighting a proxy war on behalf of India. And if their talks in Istanbul do not succeed, there will be no option left but an open war between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Sir, what is your comment on that?

So, Gautam, first your question. We do understand that a book titled Art of Triumph related to July 2024 developments in Bangladesh ... it contains certain graffitis. We also believe that the Bangladesh side has issued a clarification in this matter.

Suhasini, your question regarding tariffs. Well, on the trade, India-US bilateral trade that we are engaged in. We continue to remain engaged with the US side to conclude a trade deal and these discussions are continuing. On the specific questions of tariffs, etc., I would refer you to Ministry of Commerce. On ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister of India participated virtually in the summit. It was a successful summit. We have given you a readout. There were several announcements that were made, including that both ASEAN and India have designated 2026 as India-ASEAN Year of Maritime Cooperation. So, those details are there. I would refer you to look at our press release for the substantive engagement we had with our ASEAN partners.

Rishikesh, on peace plan, yes, India has welcomed the peace plan and that is where it is.

Mukesh ji, US-China ke bare mein agar aapka sawal hai to US se puchhe ya to China se puchhe, agar Bharat se kuch sawal puchhna hai to fir mere se puchhe.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Mukesh ji, if your question is about US-China, ask the US or ask China; if you want to ask something about India, then ask me.

Niraj and Abhishek, both your questions are interrelated and about the latest developments that are happening between our two neighbors.

Pichle bhi briefing mein maine is baat ka zikr kiya tha aur aapko bataya tha ki hum is masle pe kya sochte hain. Pakistan Afghanistan dwara apne kshetron par samprabhuta ke prayog karne se krudh hai. Pakistan aisa sochta hai ki uska adhikar hai ki woh seema par cross border terrorism karta rahega aur dannd mukti ke sath karta rahega. Yeh manna hai unke padossiyo ka bhi ki yeh swikarniya nahi hai. Jahan tak Bharat ka sawal hai, hum Afghanistan ke samprabhuta, chetriya akhandta aur swatantrata ke liye pratibaddh hain.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] In the previous briefing too, I had mentioned this and clarified to you what our position is on this issue. Pakistan is upset with Afghanistan for exercising sovereignty over its own territories. Pakistan believes it has the right to continue cross-border terrorism along the border, and to do so with impunity. Its neighbors believe that this is unacceptable. As far as India is concerned, we are committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan.

In my last briefing, I had elaborated our point of view, our thoughts on this particular matter. I reiterate what I had said in my last briefing, that Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories. Pakistan seems to think that it has the right to practice cross-border terrorism with impunity. Its neighbors find it unacceptable. India remains fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan.

Shivam Patel, Reuters News: Thank you, sir. This is Shivam Patel from Reuters News. I wanted to ask your view on U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement on testing of nuclear weapons.

Also, sir, President Putin is expected to come to India in December for the summit. How do you view the pressure on India to stop purchases of Russian oil and just the pressure on India's ties with Russia, in general?

Srinjoy: Sir, there are reports that Zakir Naik will be in Bangladesh next month. Is there any proposal to request the Bangladesh government if they can hand him over to the Indian government?

Ajay Banerjee, Tribune: Sir, good evening. Ajay Banerjee from the Tribune. Sir, certain European companies have been given a waiver by the U.S. with regards to purchase of energy from Russia. And the US and UK have issued notifications exempting a few European countries and their refineries. Are we going to seek a similar exemption, especially in terms of ... because Rosneft has its own subsidiaries in India, too?

Jacky Martens, BBC News: Hi. Jacky Martens, BBC. It's been almost a year since Harshita Brella's body was found in the boot of a car in the UK. Can I check whether the Indian government has had official communication that Pankaj Lamba is wanted for her death, for her murder, and her rape? And if yes, what steps have the Indian government taken in the last year?

Keshav Padmanabhan, ThePrint: Thank you, Sir. Keshav Padmanabhan from ThePrint. I have a question on ASEAN. Fundamentally, can you give us a state of understanding on the review for AITIGA, because it was there in the statement after the end of the meeting?

And secondly, did the External Affairs Minister raise the issue of Zakir Naik while he was in Malaysia with any of the Malaysian officials? Thank you.

Rishabh, Times Now: Sir, good evening, Rishab, from Times Now. Sir, an Indian-origin person who has been wrongly convicted in a murder case in 1980s has now been released, saying that he was innocent and he hasn't committed that crime. Now ICE has taken him into custody and they say that they will deport him to India. The said gentleman, Mr. Vedham, has only been in India for nine months and the family say that they do not have much link here in India. Your thoughts on that, sir?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay, first, Shivam, to your question, on our position on nuclear issues or where India stands on several aspects of nuclear matters. We have spoken about it on several occasions, so I would request you to look at our statements.

On the visit of President Putin, see India-Russia relationship is an important relationship. We have a multifaceted cooperation and both sides are working to further enhance their engagement in several areas, economic areas, in space, in technology, on trade and several other issues. So, we will continue to work on the areas that we have mutually agreed.

Srinjoy, on Zakir Naik being invited. Well, he is a fugitive. He is wanted in India. So, we expect that wherever he goes, those people will take due action against him, and meet our security concerns.

Ajay, on your question. We are studying the implications of the American sanctions on Russian oil companies. So, we will have to wait. We will have to make an assessment on our own as to what sort of implications they are going to have on us.

Jacky, I do not have an update on Harshita Brella case, but I understand that this is a matter which has legal implications and the matter is subjudice. I will give you an update on this matter as to where exactly it stands in terms of cooperation between India and the UK, as to what we have to do to take this matter forward from the point of legalities and judicial proceedings.

Keshav, on ASEAN. Yes, Foreign Minister did have a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Malaysia. He also called on the Prime Minister of Malaysia. All aspects of India-Malaysia relationship were discussed and that also includes security cooperation, economic matters, so on and so forth.

On your question regarding AITIGA. This is again an issue which was reviewed at the leaders level and we have made a mention of it in the statement that we released. So, we give due importance to it. Hopefully, we will take it forward and all our ASEAN partners will come together in it.

Rishabh, on this question of this gentleman, we have seen reports on it and we are closely following the developments. We will see how it unfolds. It is still an evolving situation.

Sudhi Ranjan Sen, Bloomberg: Sir, Sudhi Ranjan from Bloomberg. Just a clarification on the exemption that India has received on the Chabahar port. If you could give us an understanding when it has come and till how long that is going to be valid.

At the cost of repetition, going back to Trump's comments yesterday. He kind of said that he had spoken to Prime Minister Modi. Is there anything that you want to, you know, during the conflict ... it seems that is what we could understand. If you could give us an understanding and your position on that again.

Sanjeev Rathi, Univarta: Sir, main Sanjeev Rathi, Univarta se. Sir, kuch reports aayi hai ki European sangh ke netato ko Gantantra Divas par Mukhya atithi ke rup mein aamantrit kiya jayega. Is par aap kya kahenge?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, I'm Sanjeev Rathi from Univarta. Sir, there are some reports suggesting that leaders of the European Union may be invited as the Chief Guests for the Republic Day celebrations. What would you say about that?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, Sudhi, to your question, the exemption has been granted for six months. It has come in recent days. I will be able to give you exact date as to when we got that exemption, once I step out of the podium, and we will get those details for you.

On the question of comments made, look, on this particular matter, we have made it very clear what we think, what is our position. So, I would ask you to look at what we have said in the past.

Rathiji on your ... aapka sawal. Dekhiye gantantra Divas 26 January 2026 ko hoga. Abhi se aur tab mein teen mahine ka fasla hai. Teen mahine bahut lamba fasla hota hai. Toh thoda sa aap sabr rakhe aapko upyukt samay pe hum log batayenge ki us 26 January ka Gantantra Divas ka hamare yaha kon Mukhya atithi aane wale hain.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Rathiji, regarding your question  look, Republic Day will be on 26th January 2026. There are still three months to go until then, and three months is quite a long time. So please be a little patient. At the appropriate time, we will inform you who will be the Chief Guest for our Republic Day celebrations on 26th January.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much.

All the very best.

New Delhi

October 30, 2025

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Milestone for ICG with Keel Laying & Plate Cutting of two Fast Patrol Vessels and Girder Laying of two Air Cushion Vehicles

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 30 OCT 2025 5:19PM by PIB Delhi

The Keel Laying of second Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) and Plate Cutting of fifth FPV under the 14 FPV Project for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) took place at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai on October 30, 2025. In addition, the Girder Laying Ceremonies for the second & third indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) for ICG was held at Chowgule's Rassaim Yard, Goa.

The contract for design and construction of 14 FPVs with an indigenous content of 60% was inked on January 24, 2024. Each FPV is equipped with indigenously built gearboxes by M/s Triveni, Mysore, and water jets by M/s MJP India. These water-jet propelled vessels have an approximate displacement of 340 tons and are designed for coastal security, search & rescue and law enforcement operations. The vessels will also feature state-of-the-art machinery, including AI-based predictive maintenance systems and multipurpose drones, underscoring the integration of advanced technologies into India's maritime defence capabilities.

The contract for six ACVs, signed on October 24, 2024 are based on the proven Griffon Hoverwork (UK) design, with over 50% indigenous content. Capable of high-speed patrolling, reconnaissance, interception, interdiction and all-weather search & rescue operations, the ACVs will serve as agile force multipliers ensuring swift response and seamless mobility across shallow waters, marshes and open seas. Once commissioned, they will represent a technological leap in India's coastal security infrastructure.

The FPVs and ACVs are being built in consonance with the nation's vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and will greatly augment the ICG's presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

****

VK/SR/KB

(Release ID: 2184226)

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Security forces capture all terrorists behind deadly attack on police convoy in southeast Iran

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 10:45 AM

Iranian security forces have dealt a heavy blow to foreign-backed terrorists in the country's southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, capturing all those responsible for a deadly attack against a police convoy in late October last year.

The forces reportedly conducted a major and precise counterterrorist operation in the area straddling the border with Pakistan and rounded up the terrorists in their hideout.

On October 26, 2024, ten members of Iran's law enforcement forces were killed in a terrorist attack in the Gohar Kuh district of Taftan County.

The so-called Jaish al-Adl terrorist group claimed responsibility for the assault, which was one of the deadliest in Sistan and Baluchestan province in recent months.

The foreign-backed terror outfit, based in Pakistan, has been involved in numerous assaults targeting both civilians and security forces across the border province in the past several years.

"There were nine of us in this offensive. We went to the scene onboard two cars: a silver Peugeot 405 and a Peugeot Pars. We lay in ambush behind a building near the road, and launched a surprise attack as soon as the police vehicle showed up," Younes Dehmardeh, a member of the dismantled terror team, said in his confession.

The captured terrorists acknowledged that non-Iranian members of the Jaish al-Adl terror group ruthlessly and savagely assassinated the commander and servicemen of Gohar Kuh police station.

They asserted to have undergone training at a Jaish al-Adl bastion somewhere in southwestern Pakistan for 10 days. They were supplied with several Kalashnikov assault rifles before sneaking across the border to carry out an act of terror inside Iran.

The terrorists were also given an advanced satellite phone, which they used to communicate with an individual identified as Hussain. Hussain purportedly acted as a liaison between the Pakistan-based Jaish al-Adl terrorist group and its elements inside Iran.

Sistan and Baluchestan province, which borders Pakistan, has witnessed several terror attacks targeting both civilians and security forces over the past years.

Terrorist groups carrying out attacks against Iranian interests in the southeastern and southwestern parts of the country are believed to be linked to foreign intelligence services.

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UK announces sanctions against individual who funds the work of the IRGC

Press release

The UK government has today announced sanctions against Aliakbar Ansari for his role in financially enabling the work of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Hamish Falconer MP

Published 30 October 2025

Minister for the Middle East, Hamish Falconer said:

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is one of the most powerful military organisations in Iran, reporting directly to the Supreme Leader. Its use of repression and targeted threats to carry out hostile acts, including here in the UK, is completely unacceptable. We will continue to take action to call out and tackle such behaviour.

Today we are announcing sanctions against corrupt Iranian banker and businessman, Aliakbar Ansari, for his role in financially supporting the activities of the IRGC.

This designation sends a clear message - we will not tolerate threats from the IRGC and will not hesitate to take the most effective measures against them."

Background:

The following individual is today sanctioned by the UK government and subject to an asset freeze, director disqualification and travel ban: Aliakbar Ansari.

A full list of today's sanctions designations and further information can be found here: The UK Sanctions List - GOV.UK

Today's designation was made under the Iran Sanctions Regulations (2023).

To date, the UK has sanctioned more than 500 individuals and entities under the Iran and Iran (Nuclear) regimes.

Definitions:

Asset freeze: an asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world.

Director disqualification: Where director disqualification sanctions apply, it is an offence for a person designated for the purpose of those sanctions to act as a director of a UK company, or a foreign company that is sufficiently-connected to the UK, or to take part in the management, formation or promotion of a company.

Travel ban: a travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, as the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971.

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Japan-ROK Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

October 29, 2025

On October 29, commencing at 4:40 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK), during his visit to Gyeongju, the ROK for the APEC Ministerial Meetings. The summary of the bilateral meeting is as follows.

At the outset, Minister Motegi stated that he was delighted to hold a meeting with Minister Cho shortly after his assumption of office. The two ministers shared recognition that the Japan-ROK relations and the coordination among Japan, the U.S. and the ROK are important under the current strategic environment and concurred to develop the Japan-ROK relations in a future-oriented and stable manner. The two ministers also exchanged views on regional situations, such as our policies toward North Korea, and concurred that they would work closely together between Japan and the ROK, as well as among Japan, the ROK, and the U.S. Minister Motegi also expressed his appreciation for the consistent support from the government of the ROK for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue. The two ministers reaffirmed that they would continue to communicate closely with one another.

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Telephone meeting between Prime Minister TAKAICHI and President von der Leyen of the European Commission

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

October 29, 2025

On October 29, commencing at 6:00 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, held a telephone meeting with H. E. Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. The overview of the meeting is as follows:



At the outset, President von der Leyen extended her congratulations to Prime Minister TAKAICHI on her appointment. Prime Minister TAKAICHI conveyed to President von der Leyen that Japan and the EU are important strategic partners in maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law and in addressing global challenges together and that she looks forward to working closely with the President in addressing various issues. Both leaders concurred on further deepening cooperation in a wide range of areas, including security, economic security, and industrial competitiveness, while touching upon the current international situation.

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Japan-India Summit Telephone Talk

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

October 29, 2025

On October 29, commencing at 14:00 p.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit telephone talk with H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India. The overview of the talk is as follows:



At the outset, Prime Minister Takaichi stated that, as the two countries share fundamental values and strategic interests, Japan intends to continue to work together toward realizing a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific," including through Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad). Prime Minister Takaichi also stated that, based on the Japan-India Joint Vision for the Next Decade presented during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Japan in August this year, Japan will further advance cooperation with India in a wide range of fields, including security, economy, investment, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges. She expressed her intention to work together with Prime Minister Modi to open a new golden chapter in the "Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership." In response, Prime Minister Modi conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Takaichi on her appointment, and said that he is pleased to be able to speak with her soon after assuming office, and stated that he looks forward to further strengthening Japan-India relations through advancing concrete cooperation in various areas.

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Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back Holds Bilateral Meeting with the Commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defense at Seoul ADEX 2025

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

Press Release

2025-10-28

On Monday, October 20, Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back had separate talks with Maj. Gen. Rashed Mohammed A. Al Shamsi, Commander of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force and Air Defense, on the sidelines of the Seoul ADEX 2025 at KINTEX in Ilsan.

Minister Ahn welcomed Commander Al Shamsi and noted that South Korea and the UAE, as special strategic partners, have built a relationship of deep trust through years of close cooperation in the defense and defense industry sectors.

Minister Ahn highlighted the excellence and world-class technology of K-Defense showcased at Seoul ADEX 2025. He expressed his hope to further expand military cooperation with the UAE through the Akh Unitsymbolizing the strong ties between the two countriesas well as through regular consultations, personnel exchanges, and combined training exercises. He also emphasized the need to develop bilateral defense cooperation into a future-oriented partnership.

Commander Al Shamsi stated that he shared the understanding of the importance of bilateral relations and expressed his expectation that defense and defense industry cooperation between South Korea and the UAE would continue to strengthen, building on the trust and achievements accumulated thus far.

Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in emerging fields such as space, cyberspace, and artificial intelligence. They also agreed to further strengthen collaboration in the joint research, development, and production of advanced defense systems as strategic partners in the defense sector.

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Defense Minister Holds Bilateral Meeting with the Chief of the Saudi Arabian National Guard at Seoul ADEX 2025

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

Press Release

2025-10-28

On Monday, October 20, at KINTEX in Ilsan, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back had a bilateral meeting with Saleh bin Abdulrahman Al Harbi, the Chief of Staff of the Saudi Arabian National Guard, who was visiting Korea to attend the Seoul ADEX 2025. They discussed bilateral relations, exchanges, and outstanding issues in the defense industry.

Minister Ahn expressed gratitude to Minister of National Guard Abdulla bin Bandar Al Saud, who extended warm hospitality during his September visit to Saudi Arabia, and expressed hope that the recent visit of Saleh bin Abdulrahman Al Harbi, the Chief of Staff of the Saudi Arabian National Guard, to Korea would foster increased personnel exchanges and broaden cooperation with the Saudi Arabian National Guard across diverse sectors.

Minister Ahn highlighted the superiority and world-class technological strength of the K-Defense, which has been continuously enhanced through practical field assignments and operations while facing North Korea's threats over a long period. He also expressed Korea's anticipation to become a key partner in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 defense industry development.

Saleh, the Chief of Staff of the Saudi Arabian National Guard, expressed that both countries deeply share an understanding of the importance of bilateral relations and the necessity for cooperation as future-oriented strategic partners, and looked forward to expanding defense and defense industry cooperation in diverse areas, including military training exchanges and mutual visits of personnel.

Both countries agreed to continuously explore future-oriented and mutually beneficial cooperation in defense and the defense industry, including military training exchanges and mutual personnel visits, as part of their expanding strategic partnership.

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Defense Minister Holds Korea-NATO Bilateral Meeting at Seoul ADEX 2025

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

Press Release

2025-10-28

On Monday, October 20, at KINTEX in Ilsan, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back held a bilateral meeting with Radmila Shekerinska*, NATO's Deputy Secretary General, who was visiting Korea to attend the Seoul ADEX 2025, and the two discussed ways to enhance cooperation between Korea and NATO in defense and the defense industry.

* Radmila Sekerinska, a Macedonian politician, is responsible for coordinating NATO's policy development, overseeing organizational operations, and managing the Alliance's external cooperation efforts.

Minister Ahn underscored to Deputy Secretary General Sekerinska the importance of Korea-NATO cooperation amid the increasingly interconnected security environments of Europe and the Korean Peninsula, calling for the international community's support for peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

Deputy Secretary General Sekerinska agreed with Minister Ahn's remarks, noting that the Russia-Ukraine war has made European countries increasingly aware that North Korea's growing military power poses a threat not only to the Korean Peninsula but to global security as well.

Both sides agreed that following the participation of the NATO Military Committee Chair in the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) in September, the attendance of NATO's Deputy Secretary General at Seoul ADEX 2025 would serve as a cornerstone for advancing defense and defense industry cooperation between Korea and NATO.

Minister Ahn Gyu-back stated that Korea plans to broaden its defense industry cooperation with NATO and the European Union (EU), moving beyond bilateral partnerships with individual European nations, and requested the keen interest and support of Deputy Secretary General Sekerinska in this endeavor.

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Defense Minister Holds Bilateral Talks with Saudi Chief of General Staff at Seoul ADEX 2025

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

Press Release

2025-10-28

On Monday, October 20, during Seoul ADEX 2025, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back met with Air Chief Marshal Fayyadh bin Hamed Al Ruwaili, Chairman of the General Staff of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces who attended on behalf of Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, to discuss strengthening bilateral defense and defense industry cooperation.

Minister Ahn welcomed the active development of high-level exchanges, noting that Chairman Al Ruwaili's visit to Korea followed shortly after his own trip to Saudi Arabia in September, and evaluated that Korea and Saudi Arabia are closely cooperating as future-oriented strategic partners.

Minister Ahn highlighted the excellence and global competitiveness of Korean defense technologies showcased at ADEX, expressing Korea's anticipation to become a key partner in Saudi Arabia's long-term defense industry development aligned with Vision 2030.

Chairman Al Ruwaili agreed with Minister Ahn's remarks on the importance of bilateral relations and expressed hope that cooperation in defense and the defense industry would be further expanded, building upon the mutual trust fostered through collaboration between Korea and Saudi Arabia in the energy and construction sectors.

Both sides exchanged views on current security issues, with Minister Ahn emphasizing that North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile programs pose a serious threat to the international community, while Chairman Al Ruwaili voiced his support for South Korea's policy on North Korea.

Both countries agreed to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in defense and the defense industry, particularly in the areas of military education, personnel exchanges, and advanced technology.

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Defense Minister visits Patriot missile unit and encourages deployed troops via video call for Chuseok

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

Press Release

2025-10-28

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back visited a Patriot missile unit in Seoul on Wednesday, October 4, and inspected their military readiness posture. He also encouraged soldiers dispatched overseas through a video call, recognizing their dedication to enhancing Korea's status.

Defense Minister Ahn visited a Patriot missile unit, had lunch with soldiers at a military dining facility, and encouraged them, saying, "We will create high-morale units where service members take pride in their duties by continuously improving service conditions. I am proud of and deeply appreciate your dedication to mission execution, even during the Chuseok holidays, to safeguard the lives and property of our people."

After receiving a briefing on the unit's readiness posture and inspecting its mission execution, Minister Ahn emphasized, "As a core unit of the ROK's 3K Defense strategy, the Patriot missile unit must stay on constant missile defense alert."

Minister Ahn then moved to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Combat Control Room, where he held a video call with personnel serving in units deployed overseas.

He said, "Each and every service member deployed overseas represents the Republic of Korea. I am proud of all of you who remain committed to your missions far from home and family, even during the Chuseok holidays."

Minister Ahn then urged, "Like a hawk soaring across the autumn skies, you will elevate the stature of the Republic of Korea and its armed forces through your resolute spirit and unwavering pride."

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Defense Minister meets with US Secretary of the Army

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

Press Release

2025-10-28

On the morning of October 2, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back met with United States Secretary of the Army Daniel P. Driscoll at the Defense Ministry in Yongsan. They discussed security situations on the Korean Peninsula and ways to further develop the ROK-US Alliance.

Minister Ahn stated that the trust and cooperation between Korean and U.S. defense and military authorities have been the core drivers of the ROK-US Alliance. He emphasized his commitment to working closely with Secretary Driscoll to strengthen the alliance further.

Both sides agreed that maintaining a strong combined defense posture is crucial to deterring and responding to North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. Minister Ahn highly praised the critical role of the US Forces Korea (USFK) in contributing to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Minister Ahn stressed that to develop the alliance into a future-oriented comprehensive strategic alliance, South Korea and the United States must further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in science, technology, and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO). Secretary Driscoll agreed with this vision.

The two defense officials agreed on the growing importance of drones in modern warfare and decided to expand their cooperation in joint research, production, and operation of drone systems.

On the morning of the same day, Secretary Driscoll met with Kim Kyu-ha, the Army's Chief of Staff, to discuss ways to deepen exchanges and cooperation in preparation for the future development of the armies of both countries.

Both defense officials committed to close cooperation in sharing military innovations and jointly developing capabilities for sustained support and operational readiness.

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Minister Ahn Gyu-back Leads Efforts to Promote K-Defense Exports and Strengthen Defense Cooperation

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

Recent News

2025-10-28

At Seoul ADEX 2025, Minister Ahn holds bilateral talks with key defense officials.

Discusses expanding defense cooperation with NATO and Saudi Arabia.

Calls for international support toward North Korea's denuclearization.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back engages in discussio

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back engages in discussions with NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Sekerinska during bilateral meetings at the Seoul ADEX exhibition in the second hall of KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on Oct. 20, 2025.

On October 20, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back actively supported K-Defense exports through meetings with key figures visiting Korea to attend the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (Seoul ADEX 2025).

Minister Ahn Gyu-back urged Radu-Dinel Miruta, Minister of Economy, Digitalization, Entrepreneurship and Tourism of Romania, to take keen interest in the K2 tanks and Redback armored vehicles produced by Korean defense companies. Romania, in the process of military modernization, purchased 54 K9 self-propelled howitzers from Korea last year. Minister Ahn requested the Ministry of Economy of Romania to maintain active interest in the continued development of bilateral cooperation in the defense industry. He also expressed confidence that advanced Korean weapon systems, such as the K9 self-propelled howitzer, will serve as core assets in Romania's military modernization efforts.

The Minister met with Air Chief Marshal Fayyadh bin Hamed Al Ruwaili, Chairman of the General Staff of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces. Minister Ahn highlighted the excellence and global competitiveness of Korean defense technologies showcased at ADEX, expressing Korea's anticipation to become a key partner in Saudi Arabia's long-term defense industry development aligned with Vision 2030. Chairman Al Ruwaili responded by expressing hope that bilateral cooperation in defense and the defense industry would be further strengthened, building upon the trust established between the two countries through collaboration in the energy and construction sectors.

Minister Ahn also held a bilateral meeting with Radmila Sekerinska, Deputy Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He stated that Korea seeks to expand defense industry cooperation from individual European countries to NATO and the European Union (EU), requesting Deputy Secretary General Sekerinska's keen attention and support.

Defense cooperation was also among the topics discussed during the bilateral meetings. Minister Ahn emphasized to key figures that the advancement of North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities, along with its illicit military cooperation with Russia, pose serious threats to the international community.

In particular, he encouraged Minister Miruta to express the Romanian government's support for South Korea's policy aimed at achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula and the denuclearization of North Korea. To Deputy Secretary General Sekerinska, Minister Ahn underscored the importance of Korea-NATO cooperation, given the increasingly interconnected security environments of Europe and the Korean Peninsula, and requested the international community's support for peace on the Korean Peninsula and North Korea's denuclearization.

Minister Ahn met with Saleh bin Abdulrahman Al-Harbi, Commander of the Saudi Arabian National Guard, and Major General Rashid Mohammed Al Shamsi, Commander of the United Arab Emirates Air Force and Air Defense, to discuss key issues in defense and defense cooperation, exploring ways to strengthen their strategic partnership. Minister Ahn and Commander Al Shamsi agreed to expand cooperation in space, cyberspace, and artificial intelligence, as well as to collaborate on the joint development and production of weapon systems as strategic partners in defense industry cooperation.

By Byeong-No, Yun

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Improving Soldiers' Service Conditions as a Top Priority for National Defense

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

Recent News

2025-10-28

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back visits the 22nd Infantry Division.

Pledges continued efforts to enhance pay and welfare in recognition of soldiers' dedication.

Inspects the AI-based security operation system at a GOP company observation post.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back meets with junior an

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back meets with junior and mid-level officers of the 22nd Infantry Division, a frontline security unit on the eastern front, to answer their questions on Oct. 15.

On October 15, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back emphasized that improving soldiers' service conditions is the ministry's top priority in national defense and can no longer be postponed.

Minister Ahn visited the 22nd Infantry Division, a frontline security operations unit on the eastern front, and met with 40 junior and mid-level officers. He stated, "The quality of service conditions forms the foundation for maintaining a top-level combat readiness posture."

Minister Ahn listened to officers' concerns regarding improving service conditions, focusing on the causes of the sharp decline in junior officer recruitment and potential solutions; the rise in mid-level officer retirement applications; and strategies to enhance officers' pride and morale.

Minister Ahn stated, "Soldiers carry out special missions while prepared to sacrifice their lives for the nation. I will make every effort to establish a new pay and welfare system that reflects this noble dedication."

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back meets with junior an

Minister Ahn encourages the junior officers attending the meeting.

Minister Ahn also visited a company-level observation post at the General Outpost (GOP) of the 22nd Infantry Division, which operates an AI-based border security system. He encouraged the soldiers engaged in border operations and inspected the AI-based system. During the visit, he reiterated his commitment to military structural reform and the development of a combat-oriented, high-tech force in response to the rapidly changing security environment.

Minister Ahn stated, "Establishing an AI-based border security system is a key to opening the door to a smart and strong military through structural reform. The reduction in frontline guard personnel made possible by this system will allow those troops to operate advanced weapon systems and transform into robust, combat-ready forces through realistic, combat-oriented training."

By Byeong-No, Yun

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Dedicated to Building an Advanced and Trusted Military for the People

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

Recent News

2025-10-28

Minister Ahn Gyu-back outlines the direction for defense operations during the National Assembly's state administration inspection.

Emphasizes the development of innovative defense capabilities to prepare for future warfare.

Reaffirms the military's mission to "Protect the Nation and Serve the People" as a true armed force of the people.

Pledges to improve service and welfare conditions to instill greater pride among all service members.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, center, answers que

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back, center, answers questions during the National Defense Committee's inspection of state administration at the Defense Ministry conference room in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on Oct. 13. The National Defense Committee conducted an inspection of the Defense Ministry, its directly controlled units, and affiliated organizations.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back reaffirmed his commitment to building a strong, advanced military capable of defending the nation against all security threats.

Attending the first inspection of state administration by the National Defense Committee since the inauguration of the People's Sovereignty Government, Minister Ahn assessed on October 13 at the Defense Ministry in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, that "our military today faces complex and unpredictable security threats both domestically and internationally, with North Korea's advanced nuclear and missile capabilities posing a serious threat to regional security and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

Minister Ahn emphasized that despite the challenging security environment, the military remains committed to becoming a cutting-edge and trusted force, grounded in strong defense readiness.

He highlighted three key priorities: i) cultivating a strong military capable of protecting the state and people from complex security threats; ii) rebuilding the public's trust in the military by rigorously fulfilling its core mission of safeguarding lives and safety; and iii) dramatically improving service and welfare conditions to foster pride among all members of the defense community.

Minister Ahn explained, "Our efforts will go beyond merely modernizing weapon systems. We will establish a robust security posture by developing innovative defense capabilities tailored for future warfare environments, ensuring that the people can feel secure. As the military of the people that preserves constitutional values, we will neither rule over the people nor be swayed by external interests."

Minister Ahn stressed that no matter how advanced our weapon systems become, warfare is ultimately carried out by people. He added that addressing the issue of officer attrition is a top priority that can no longer be ignored for the sake of national security. He also stressed, "The military will significantly increase soldiers' pay and welfare and establish robust support systems to help them prepare for life after discharge, including career development and social reintegration. This approach aims to enrich individuals' futures while strengthening national security."

Minister Ahn stressed the need to support soldiers in building stable and fulfilling careers in the defense sector, and called for greater public interest and encouragement to sustain their dedication.

Minister Ahn pledged to carefully consider and apply the valuable recommendations of the National Defense Committee to further strengthen national defense. He affirmed that the military will remain dedicated to its mission of protecting the nation and serving the people as the military of the people.

By Byeong-No, Yun

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Military Service as a Process of Growth, Not a Pause in Life

Ministry of National Defense, Republic of Korea

Recent News

2025-10-28

Announces military restructuring to address demographic challenges.

Maintains 350,000 active combat troops while outsourcing non-combat roles.

Plans to reorganize and adjust functions of the Defense Counterintelligence Command.

Dismissing concerns over a possible USFK withdrawal, says such fears are "groundless."

Keeps approximately 41,000 long-term technical specialists.

States that North Korea-Russia military cooperation violates UN Security Council resolutions.

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks with reporter

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks with reporters during a press conference at the MND Convention Center in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on Sept. 30.

Minister Ahn emphasized that military service should not be regarded as "a blank period in life," but rather as "a process that enriches one's life." He pledged to enhance systems and training programs to help service members build skills and expertise during their service.

At a press conference held on September 30, one day before Armed Forces Day, Minister Ahn Gyu-back remarked that the younger generation is considerably weak in resolving conflicts and communicating. He added that the discipline and social order instilled in Korea's 600,000 troops through collective military life have served as a vital force and foundation for the country's development.

He also outlined his plan to reform the military structure in preparation for the demographic cliff era. Minister Ahn stressed that the core of the reform is expanding the outsourcing of military functions to the private sector."

He explained, "To maintain a 500,000-strong armed force, we will keep 350,000 combat troops in active service while outsourcing the entire non-combat sector to the private sector. Positions for approximately 41,000 technical personnel responsible for weapons systems will be filled by long-term service members, led by skilled non-commissioned officers."

Minister Ahn said, "We are already relying on private contractors for non-combat roles like food services and transport." The military has outsourced 38 dining facilities, along with transportation and laundry services, to private contractors.

Minister Ahn added, "The military plans to restructure and consolidate its scattered IT functions into a corporate-style organization. We also plan to outsource various areas, such as converting rear-area base security into a system run by private security firms."

Minister Ahn said, "We will move to restore the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement step by step. The agreement is in a state of temporary suspension, not termination. We cannot isolate ourselves in permanent hostility toward the North." He emphasized, "Dialogue continues even in wartimeso maintaining civilian and cultural exchanges is crucial."

In response to Unification Minister Chung Dong-young's remark that "suspending military training along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) is necessary," Minister Ahn said, "Opinions may vary, but training is a fundamental duty for soldiers." He added, "Training is essential to cultivate soldiers' instincts and readiness. While it may be adjusted within the framework of the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement, unilaterally suspending training is not an option."

Discussions on the transition of wartime operational control (OPCON) are progressing without delay. Minister Ahn said, "In accordance with the procedures and framework agreed upon between South Korea and the United States, the transition is being carried out in a systematic, stable, and proactive manner. Even now, the two countries are maintaining close consultations."

He expressed his intention to strengthen the nation's defense capabilities by increasing the defense budget by 8% to meet the conditions required for the transition of OPCON. Minister Ahn added, "Regardless of whether the United States supports it or not, we must proceed with the transition, and to achieve self-reliant defense, we have no choice but to raise defense spending by over 8%."

Regarding the Defense Counterintelligence Command (DOC), which was deeply implicated in the December 3 emergency martial law declaration, Minister Ahn said, "We will transfer and realign its security and investigative functions to other relevant organizations." Minister Ahn said, "The DOC will be reorganized into a new entity specializing in counterintelligence and information activities. A joint special committee composed of civilian, government, and military representatives will draw up a rational plan to overcome internal unrest and design the future of national defense."

Minister Ahn flatly dismissed speculation about a possible reduction or withdrawal of United States Forces Korea (USFK) as "groundless." He said, "There are absolutely no signs of any troop reduction or withdrawal." He said firmly, "There has been no such discussion between South Korea and the United States."

Regarding military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, Minister Ahn stated, "North Korea is receiving advanced technologies, including satellite and missile know-how, in exchange for dispatching troops to Russia, while Russia secures war supplies from the North. This constitutes a clear violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions and runs counter to the norms and order of the international community." He added, "The government is closely watching developments in North Korea-Russia military ties. We will reassess potential risks, strengthen our readiness posture, and enhance our capabilities by analyzing North Korea's evolving doctrines and weapon systems, refined by its experience in modern warfare."

Minister Ahn remarked that the core leadership position in the military is that of a lieutenant colonel, adding that he plans to emphasize this in his upcoming lecture for the lieutenant colonel training course.

His comment appears to reflect the fact that officers at this rank typically serve as battalion commanders, leading junior officers and enlisted personnel in field operations. He also expressed his belief that "the military is an organization sustained by morale. It requires generous recognition through praise and commendations."

After over two months in office, Minister Ahn remarked, "Being defense minister carries a heavier responsibility than serving as a lawmaker." Although he has long served as a defense specialist and a member of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, Minister Ahn said, "I did not realize the scope of responsibilities that come with this position until I became defense minister. The workload is immense. I've had only two personal appointments since taking office."

By Byeong-No, Yun

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Putin hails Russia's successful test of nuclear-powered underwater drone

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 3:35 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed the successful test of a nuclear-powered underwater drone capable of carrying nuclear warheads, calling it a major technological and strategic breakthrough for the country's armed forces.

Speaking on Wednesday during a meeting with soldiers wounded in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Putin announced that Moscow had successfully tested Poseidon, a nuclear-powered, long-range underwater drone designed to evade conventional defense systems and capable of carrying a nuclear payload.

"For the first time, we managed not only to launch [Poseidon] with a launch engine from a carrier submarine, but also to activate its nuclear power unit, which functioned for a certain amount of time. This is a huge success," Putin said about the new drone.

The Poseidon system, known in Western media as a "nuclear super torpedo" and officially titled the Status-6 Oceanic Multipurpose System, is a nuclear-powered, autonomous underwater drone specifically developed to evade US missile defense systems and unleash massive tidal waves against coastal targets.

It can carry either a conventional or nuclear warhead, with reports indicating yields of up to 100 megatons, and operates at speeds reaching 54 knots while descending to depths of 1,000 meters.

The Russian leader underscored that there was "no way to intercept the device," which travels faster than conventional submarines and can reach any continent.

The primary purpose of Poseidon is to serve as a strategic deterrent against the US, countering Washington's expansion of missile capabilities after its unilateral withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty in 2001. This move dismantled one of the last global safeguards against nuclear escalation and reignited an arms race worldwide.

The test follows Putin's earlier statement on Sunday that Russia had completed the final test of its Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile.

Putin described the missile as "a unique weapon that no other country possesses," asserting that it has "unlimited range."

He also ordered preparations for "infrastructure to put this weapon into service in the Russian Armed Forces."

These developments come as Western powers intensify efforts to obstruct Russia's military and technological progress along the front lines of the Ukraine conflict.

Meanwhile, the US continues to escalate tensions by refusing to rule out the delivery of advanced Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv and by preparing new sanctions aimed at crippling vital sectors of the Russian economy.

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Putin Says Russia Tests New, Nuclear-Capable Remote Torpedo Dubbed 'Doomsday Machine'

By Mike Eckel October 29, 2025

Russia has tested a new nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered long-range remote torpedo, President Vladimir Putin said, a weapon that some experts have dubbed a "doomsday machine."

The October 29 announcement came days after Putin and Russia's top military officer announced what they said was a successful test of another new weapons system: a long-range, nuclear-powered cruise missile.

Speaking in an informal setting at a Moscow hospital, drinking tea with soldiers wounded in the Ukraine war, Putin said the test of the torpedo-- called the Status-6 or the Poseidon -- occurred a day earlier.

"For the first time, we succeeded in not only launching it with an engine from a carrier submarine, but also to start the nuclear power unit on it," he said. "There is nothing like this."

"This is a huge success," he added.

There was no independent confirmation that such a test took place.

However, Russia had hinted at the existence of such a weapon -- "an intercontinental nuclear-powered nuclear-armed autonomous torpedo" -- as far back as 2015.

In a bellicose speech in 2018, Putin bragged about several new weapons systems Russia was developing, including the Poseidon torpedo. US analysts later confirmed Russia had plans to build such a device.

Western analysts have said that, if such a torpedo were deployed and actually detonated off the US East Coast, for example, it would shower radioactivity on major cities and render huge swaths of territory uninhabitable.

Some experts have called it a "doomsday machine" because of the indiscriminate destruction it would wreak.

The missile, which Putin and the chief of the general staff, General Valery Gerasimov, said had been tested on October 21, is called the Burevestnik, or Skyfall, under its NATO designation.

Powered by a small nuclear reactor, the nuclear-capable missile is theoretically able to fly for hours, if not days, before striking a target.

Since mid-summer, observers had been closely watching the Russian Arctic archipelago of Novaya Zemlya amid an uptick of construction and an influx of ships and specially designed aircraft-- hints that a test of the Burevestnik might be imminent or underway.

Gerasimov told Putin that the missile had traveled 14,000 kilometers and was aloft for 15 hours.

In a statement to RFE/RL, Norway's Intelligence Service confirmed the missile's test at Novaya Zemlya, and said it had flown "significantly longer than before."

"The missile remains in development," Vice Admiral Nils Andreas Stensoenes said. "Russia has been testing Burevestnik since 2016. It will take time before development is complete and the missile is ready for deployment to the armed forces."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-putin-torpedo- poseidon-burevestnik-missile-nuclear/33575625.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.

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Putin: Russia Successfully Tested Poseidon Underwater Vehicle

Sputnik News

20251029

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Wednesday that the October 28 test of the Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle, fuelled by nuclear power, was a major success.

"Yesterday we conducted another test of another promising system  the unmanned underwater vehicle Poseidon, also with a nuclear power installation ... This is a huge success," Putin said at a meeting with participants of the special military operation.

Putin announced the first successful activation of the vessel's nuclear propulsion system, enabling it to operate for a substantial duration.

"Furthermore, this unmanned vehicle's speed and operational depth are unmatched anywhere in the world. Nothing comparable is likely to emerge anytime soon, and there are currently no means to intercept it," Putin said.

The Poseidon is unrivalled globally in terms of speed and depth, the head of state said, adding there is nothing like it in the world, and it is unlikely to appear anytime soon.

Intercepting the Poseidon is impossible, Putin stressed. The power of the Poseidon significantly exceeds that of the Sarmat missile, which will soon be put on combat duty, he said.

 Sputnik

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Putin Praises Burevestnik's 'Undeniable Advantages'

Sputnik News

20251029

Vladimir Putin visited the P.V. Mandryk Central Military Clinical Hospital in Moscow.

The Burevestnik has undeniable advantages, and Russia can be proud of the achievements of its scientists and specialists, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

Nuclear technologies used in the Burevestnik cruise missile will be applied in the lunar program, he added.

"We will be able to use it in the national economy, we will be able to use it in the future when solving problems of energy supply in the Arctic, we will use it in the lunar program," Putin said at a meeting with soldiers fighting in the special military operation who are currently undergoing treatment.

Electronics used in the Burevestnik are already being used in space programs, the president added.

On the Course of the Special Military Operation

The situation in the zone of the special military operation is unfolding favorably for Russia

Russia is currently ensuring its security in the zone of the operation for the long term

Everyone on the front line is acting heroically

In Kupyansk and Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk), the enemy is blocked and surrounded

Ukraine's political leadership must make decisions regarding the fate of its citizens who are surrounded

Russian troops have no objection to allowing media, including Ukrainian and foreign outlets, into the encircled areas

Russia is concerned that there could be provocations from the Ukrainian side while media are in the area where encircled Ukrainian troops are located

 Sputnik

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Developing Domestic Defense Industry Main Thing for Russia - Kremlin

Sputnik News

20251029

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the main thing for Moscow is the development of the domestic defense industry, not the statements of US President Donald Trump about the United States' military power.

Earlier in the day, Donald Trump said that the US is significantly ahead of other countries in military technology, especially in the development of nuclear submarines.

"This is the head of state, the head of the United States of America. In this regard, we have our president. We pay first and foremost attention to our president's statements. We are focused on our military development and the development of our military-industrial complex. This is the most important thing for us," Peskov told reporters.

Everything must proceed in accordance with international law, the Kremlin spokesman said, commenting on the growing US military presence near Venezuela.

"In any case, we proceed from the fact that everything that happens around Venezuela must proceed in accordance with the spirit and letter of international law," Peskov told reporters when asked what Moscow would do if the US began a military operation in Venezuela, adding that "Venezuela is a sovereign state."

Additionally, the official said that the situation around Venezuela was not on the agenda of Russia's contacts with the United States.

Moscow is prepared to welcome any steps toward resolving the conflict between North Korea and South Korea, Dmitry Peskov said.

During talks with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in Gyeongju earlier in the day, Trump stated that he would work with North Korea to resolve the issue on the Korean Peninsula.

"We are prepared to welcome any steps in this direction," Peskov told reporters.

 Sputnik

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New Zealand expands sanctions on Russia's oil industry and shadow fleet

Beehive.govt.nz - The official website of the New Zealand Government

30 October 2025

Rt Hon Winston Peters

Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced a new round of sanctions targeting Russia's oil trade while meeting with the Nordic 5 Foreign Ministers in Stockholm.

"New Zealand is sanctioning 65 shadow fleet vessels involved the shipment of Russian oil, a key source of revenue funding Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," Mr Peters says.

New Zealand has also sanctioned actors from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea, involved in refining and transporting Russian oil, and in facilitating oil-related payments.

"These actors are part of a broader network enabling the trade in Russian oil, undermining global efforts to curtail funding for Russia's illegal war," Mr Peters says.

"By targeting the oil supply chain, New Zealand is acting decisively in support of international efforts to bring Russia to the negotiating table."

Since the Russia Sanctions Act came into force in March 2022, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on more than 1,900 individuals, entities, and vessels, alongside a range of trade measures. This is New Zealand's 33rd round of Russia sanctions.

More information about New Zealand sanctions, travel bans, and export controls against Russia, as well as diplomatic, military and economic support for Ukraine, can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here.

Note: The Government has implemented the following actions in response to Russia's war against Ukraine:

Passed the historic Russia Sanctions Act under which New Zealand has implemented sanctions (including those announced today) targeting:

Vladimir Putin and key members of his inner circle.

Senior leadership of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

All 620 members of the Russian parliament (State Duma and Federation Council).

All Russian Ministers and Governors.

More than 400 entities including state-owned enterprises, entities that are part of Russia's military industrial complex, Donbas militia groups, and Belarusian defence entities.

More than 110 oligarchs and immediate family with close ties and influence with the Russian Government.

20 financial institutions, including Russia's Central Bank.

7 Belarusian financial institutions.

62 individuals and entities involved in disinformation and cyber-attacks on Ukraine.

15 members of the Central Election Commission.

Almost 100 Russian-directed leaders in occupied Ukrainian regions.

The Commissioner for Children's Rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation.

Iranian individuals and entities involved in the supply of Iranian military materiel to Russia for use in Ukraine.

Individuals and entities involved in the supply of DPRK military materiel to Russia for use in Ukraine.

Banned all Russian and Belarusian Government and military aircraft and vessels from NZ.

Banned exports to Russian and Belarusian military and security forces.

Suspended bilateral foreign ministry consultations with Russia.

Endorsed the UK-initiated Call to Action on the "shadow fleet" engaged in sanctions circumvention by carrying Russian oil and gas. The Call to Action promotes compliance with international standards for maritime safety, environmental protection, and insurance.

Trade measures

Implemented a 35% tariff on all Russian imports to NZ.

Banned the import of Russian gold into NZ.

Significantly expanded the export ban on Russia and Belarus to cover more industrial products of strategic importance (by adding more than 700 new prohibited tariff lines).

Banned the import of Russian oil, gas, and coal.

Banned the export of oil exploration and oil production goods to Russia.

Banned the import from and export to Russia of certain luxury goods.

Implemented the oil price cap on Russian-origin oil, which has since been lowered to further restrict Russia's revenue from energy exports.

Other assistance to Ukraine

Since Russia's full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, New Zealand has pledged over $168 million in financial assistance and in-kind support to Ukraine. This includes:

support for military training, equipment, and materiel valued at $110.3 million, including up to 100 NZDF personnel deployed to Europe.

$39.9 million in humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected Ukrainian communities in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries.

$6 million in support for recovery and reconstruction.

$5.2 million in support for international legal processes and human rights monitoring

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Remarks by Deputy Foreign Minister Dmitry Lyubinsky at the G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial Meeting, Skukuza, Republic of South Africa, October 30, 2025

30 October 2025 13:52

1813-30-10-2025

Honourable Ministers,

Excellencies, distinguished delegates,

On behalf of the Russian Federation I commend South Africa for convening this Ministerial Meeting. This is a good opportunity for exploring where G20 stands in the international anti-corruption landscape and determining the priorities of its future action.

It is significant that the first African G20 Presidency is held in the year of an important anniversary for this continent: sixty five years ago, on the initiative of the Soviet Union, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. This was a crucial step towards the formation of the current global multipolar environment which is characterized by the consolidation of emerging centres of growth with no room for anyone's hegemony. G20 is actually a good example of this trend.

However, persistent neocolonial practices such as illegitimate economic sanctions, protectionism and attempts to replace the universally recognised international legal framework by a rule-based order convenient for the few are being registered. These disgraceful practices must be condemned and rejected. They do nothing but trigger the multiplication of conflicts and crises across the world. Interstate relations must be built on mutual respect of sovereignty and national interests. Economy should not be kept hostage of political ambitions.

These are the prerequisites for countries to build a strong anti-corruption potential. This is particularly relevant in the year that marks another anniversary, namely twenty years since the entry into force of the UN Convention against Corruption. Russia was among the first countries to join this universal treaty and has made a considerable progress in establishing and setting in motion its national anti-corruption architecture. Russia sees the G20 anti-corruption track as a valuable platform for supporting countries' efforts by sharing knowledge and expertise in the field. We have welcomed the versatile anti-corruption priorities of the South African Presidency consonant with our domestic action.

The Russian Federation strongly advocates for stepping up international anti-corruption action within the binding legal framework and on the principles of mutual respect. However, we have registered a considerable backsliding in some organisations and multilateral bodies, where the legitimate rights and full membership of countries are seriously hampered. We also see the growing number of requests of extradition and mutual legal assistance being ignored by certain jurisdictions. This situation favours only the perpetrators by allowing them to escape justice.

Russia attaches particular importance to asset recovery. For ages, international organisations have reported a very limited amount of proceeds of crime being returned and the persistent barriers states face. My country is deeply concerned about the lack of progress in this area. Being a consistent proponent of cooperation which is free from intervention into domestic affairs of other states, Russia insists on full respect of the sovereign right of requesting states to dispose of the assets returned without any preconditions being imposed by requested states. Russia condemns the illegal practices of seizure or, to put it bluntly, theft of sovereign funds and private investments located abroad.

Russia therefore calls on all G20 countries and partnering organisations to implement the provisions of the current G20 Anti-Corruption Action Plan, stating that international cooperation and asset recovery are to be accomplished in line with the applicable legal obligations and without undue political influence.

G20 has always been proud of its thought leadership. In order to preserve it, G20 should take decisive steps to make sure its anti-corruption commitments do not remain on paper fifteen years after its sectoral track was launched. Russia stands ready to contribute to making the G20 action more impactful.

I thank you for your attention.

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Germany Federal Foreign Office

30.10.2025 - Press release

With the defeat of the Assad dictatorship, the people of Syria have entered a new era. We now want to support them in taking the future of their country into their own hands.

We know the nightmare the Syrian people have lived through. Twelve years of civil war have left deep wounds that will take many years - perhaps even decades - to heal.

Syria faces immense challenges. To tackle them, it needs a government that guarantees all its citizens, regardless of their gender, religion, ethnicity or social status, a life in dignity and security. This is essential in order to now lay the foundation for a free, safe and stable Syria, and I will emphasise as much during my talks.

Germany is helping to build this foundation. Through the lifting of all economic sanctions on Syria, which was in no small part thanks to our early efforts at European level. Through humanitarian assistance and support for mine and ordnance clearance, and through rapidly establishing an embassy. And of course through investments in the Syrian economy that German companies are hoping to make.

Syria lies in the immediate neighbourhood of the European Union. Whatever happens in Syria has direct and indirect consequences for us in Germany as well. A stable Syria is in Germany's interest. For this reason, too, we want to see Syria re-establish a healthy economy as soon as possible.

During the brutal civil war, over a million Syrians sought refuge in Germany. Many who came to us found not only protection, but a new home. Some are considering returning to Syria and rebuilding their country. Together with our partners in Syria, I would also like to deepen this special relationship between our two nations.
'Repeated bouts of violence' put Syria rebuilding at risk: Independent rights investigator

By Conor Lennon

30 October 2025 - Incidents of mass killings and torture in post-Assad Syria are tempering early optimism about the transitional government's ability to put an end to entrenched cycles of violence, the head of the UN-mandated independent investigative body on Syria said on Thursday.

In December 2024, the Bashar Al-Assad regime was toppled by a coalition of opposition groups, led by the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham militia, leading to a widespread outpouring of relief that the civil war, lasting over decade, had come to an end - signalling the return of over a million Syrian refugees.

After being shut out of the country during the Assad years, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria - appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011 to investigate and document human rights violations and abuses committed during the conflict - was granted full access to the country by the transitional government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

In August, the Commission released a report on the wave of violence that engulfed coastal and western central Syria from January 2025, which found that acts that may amount to war crimes, including murder and torture, were committed.

Massacres in Latakia and beyond

An estimated 1,400 men, women and children were killed in massacres in Latakia, Tartus and Hama governorates, including by members of the government's security forces.

Updating the Third Committee of the General Assembly - which focuses on human rights issues - on Thursday, Mr. Pinheiro said that investigators had conducted on-site visits to Latakia and Tartus in June of this year, and more recently to Suweyda and surrounding areas.

Mr. Pinheiro reported that his team continues to receive reports of extra-judicial killings, torture and ill-treatment and the forced displacement of Alawi civilians in Damascus and western governorates.

In Sweida, more than 30 villages in majority Druze areas have been entirely depopulated, looted, and burned, and Commission investigators met many families and witnesses who recounted the brutal killings of loved ones taken from their homes.

Stage set for further violence

There is growing mistrust, he said, between the Druze and Bedouin communities, and the interim government, which needs to hold the perpetrators of the killings accountable and ensure such acts are never repeated.

"The Commission is gravely concerned that the stage is set for further violence if swift action is not taken," warned Mr. Pinheiro. "Rebuilding trust will require dedicated efforts for dialogue, inclusion, and justice for all victims."

The UN-appointed independent rights expert raised growing concerns about violence and discrimination directed against women, citing multiple reports of women and girls being abducted by unknown armed actors, some of whom were reportedly subjected to sexual violence and forced marriage.

"In many cases, despite reporting their disappearance to the local authorities, families report that no action was taken yet to investigate or follow up."

Mr. Pinheiro called on UN Member States to halt Israel's advance into southern Syria which, he said, has seen civilians forcibly displaced and arbitrarily detained, and airstrikes which have reportedly caused civilian casualties: "third-state intervention risks further inflaming the conflict and inflicting even greater suffering on the Syrian people."

Noting recent steps by several States and the EU to ease sanctions on Syria, Mr. Pinheiro said that such moves are welcome, and urged Member States to continue to support the 2025 humanitarian appeal for the country, which is currently only 19 per cent funded.

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KMT chair-elect expresses opposition to 5% GDP defense budget

ROC Central News Agency

10/29/2025 05:04 PM

Taipei, Oct. 29 (CNA) KMT chair-elect Cheng Li-wun () said Wednesday that Taiwan needs a "reasonable defense budget" but warned that "too high and unreasonable" military spending would exceed the nation's financial capacity.

Cheng said Taiwan "is not an ATM" and argued that defense spending must not increase without limit or fuel "an endlessly escalating arms race."

Her remarks came as she reiterated opposition to proposals to raise defense spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), plans the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government says will strengthen deterrence against Chinese aggression.

In response to Cheng's remarks, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo () said on Wednesday the KMT chair-elect's position was inconsistent with "democratic countries around the world."

Kuo added that "investing in national defense is investing in peace" and is intended to maintain Taiwan's "democratic and free status quo [of our] way of life."

Cheng later told reporters on Wednesday that the Presidential Office's comments were a "misreading."

She said she firmly supports regional peace and cross-strait peace, but opposes any defense budget that "has no upper limit" or "creates a serious crowding-out effect" on public finances.

Cheng said Taiwan should clearly express to the world that "we are peace-loving" and that the country's "23 million people do not wish to create or provoke any regional conflict."

She said the Taiwan Strait is widely seen as potentially the biggest conflict flashpoint and added that she hopes tensions in the area can gradually ease and stabilize.

Cheng also said she has repeatedly urged Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te () to be "more cautious and wiser" in managing cross-strait relations to avoid Taiwan being "dragged into unnecessary conflict."

Cheng made the remarks during a banquet at the Nantou County Council, where she appeared alongside Nantou County Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua (), Nantou County Council Speaker Ho Sheng-feng (), the Mayor of Nantou City Chang Chia-che (), and others.

In August, President Lai pledged to gradually increase Taiwan's defense spending, setting a goal of raising it to 5 percent of GDP by 2030.

The same month, the government proposed a defense budget of NT$949.5 billion for 2026, representing 3.32 percent of GDP.

Under the successive DPP governments, defense spending has hovered between 2 and 2.5 percent over the past nine years.

(By James Thompson, Hsiao Po-yang and Teng Pei-ju)

Enditem/ASG

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President Lai vows opposition to 'annexation, invasion, unification'

ROC Central News Agency

10/29/2025 08:37 PM

Taipei, Oct. 29 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te () on Wednesday said Taiwan must show "firm opposition to annexation, opposition to invasion, and opposition to advancing unification," days after a top Chinese Communist Party (CCP) official called for Taiwan's "reunification" with China.

"Investment in national defense is investment in peace," Lai said, adding that strengthening national defense is not a provocation but is to "maintain the status quo and protect Taiwan's democracy and way of life."

Taiwan must show "determination to defend its homeland," he said.

Lai's remarks came four days after Wang Huning (), a CCP Politburo Standing Committee member and chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made comments reiterating China's commitment to "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan.

According to a Xinhua news report, Wang addressed a gathering of around 500 attendees at a meeting "commemorating the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China" in Beijing on Saturday.

Wang, who ranks fourth in China's leadership hierarchy, called upon "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."

According to Lai, gray-zone operations by the CCP pose a threat to regional peace and stability and affect global economic development.

He said Taiwan will continue to enhance asymmetric combat capabilities by incorporating advanced technology, new training, new strategic thinking, and new equipment to improve the Armed Forces' modernization and flexibility.

Lai made the remarks while presiding over an Armed Forces promotion ceremony at the Office of the President in Taipei.

He was accompanied by Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an (), National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Joseph Wu (), Minister of National Defense (MND) Wellington Koo () and Chief of the General Staff Mei Chia-shu ().

Lai said the promotion of generals "is not only a recognition of past efforts but also the beginning of new responsibilities and missions."

The officers promoted to major general were Liang Ting-wei (), Li Chen-hua (), Hu Chih-hua () and Lo Wei-chung ().

(By James Thompson and Wen Kuei-hsiang)

Enditem/AW



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Explainer: Envisioning Taiwan after cross-Strait reunification

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 13:11, October 29, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- After the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are reunited, people in Taiwan will enjoy better social welfare, broader development prospects, greater security and dignity, and a more confident presence in the world, according to an article published on Monday.

This article was one of the three articles under the byline of "Zhongtaiwen," which Xinhua News Agency was entrusted to publish from Sunday to Tuesday.

"Our goal is not only an institutional reunification but also unity between hearts of people across the Strait," the article noted.

Under peaceful reunification arrangements, when the nation's sovereignty, security and development interests are secured, Taiwan's existing social system and way of life will be respected, and the island administered by patriots will enjoy a high degree of autonomy, the article said.

Personal property, religious beliefs and the legal rights and interests of local people will be fully protected in Taiwan, while their connections to the island's traditions and heritage will be valued, it added.

ECONOMIC PROSPECT

Upon reunification, Taiwan will be enabled to overcome economic bottlenecks and further share national development dividends. Deeper cooperation across the Strait will help its economy achieve sustainable and faster growth, with long-standing structural issues addressed, the article explained.

Agriculture, tourism and other traditional industries in Taiwan will gain new momentum through access to visitors from and consumer markets on the mainland. A common market will allow Taiwan products to enter the mainland with zero tariffs, while companies in Taiwan will be able to rely on strong capital, a large market and complete industrial supply chains on the mainland, and opportunities from Belt and Road cooperation to seek greater development. Also, Taiwan's high-tech sectors such as integrated circuit, precision machinery and biotechnology will gain from deeper industrial collaboration with their peers on the mainland and expand their business globally.

PEOPLE'S WELLBEING

"We are able to deliver a better life to 1.4 billion people and are surely capable of creating a better future together with people in Taiwan," the article said.

After reunification, public finances in Taiwan can be directed entirely toward improving people's lives and the island will no longer have to suffer political infighting triggered by "Taiwan independence" secessionists.

Instead of spending lavishly on the so-called defense budget and arms deals as the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have done, public spending on healthcare, education and support for the elderly would increase significantly. Infrastructure across Taiwan Island, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu will be upgraded -- including highways, railways and airports. Resources in education, healthcare and social security can be shared across the Strait after reunification, thereby addressing long-standing livelihood challenges.

Goods will flow freely across the Strait, lowering consumer prices, while employment and business opportunities would become even more accessible for the residents of Taiwan.

INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE

Although the two sides of the Strait have been in a state of protracted political confrontation for decades, people on both sides share the same cultural heritage, ancestry and identity, according to the article.

After reunification, Taiwan residents will be able to participate more widely in international affairs and feel the confidence and pride that comes with the citizenship of a major country. With approval from the central government, foreign countries could set up consulates and other official or semi-official institutions in Taiwan, and international organizations will have offices in Taiwan. In addition, international agreements could be applied in Taiwan and international events held there.

PEACE AND SECURITY

Notably, cross-Strait relations enjoyed a stage of peaceful development between 2008 and 2016, as the two sides agreed on a common political foundation of upholding the one-China principle and opposing "Taiwan independence." Improved relations brought tangible benefits to the people on both sides, especially those in Taiwan.

However, the DPP authorities, which have stubbornly pursued a secessionist agenda, have repeatedly made provocations with support from external forces -- pushing Taiwan to a perilous situation.

After reunification, risks of war, caused by "Taiwan independence" secessionists, will be removed and external interference will be prevented, allowing for peace and stability in the region to be secured. People across the Strait will then live and work in a calm environment and share a prosperous future.

HISTORY AS GUIDE

Another article published on Sunday reviewed the historical origins of the Taiwan question, which is a leftover of China's civil war in the 1940s and an internal matter of one country and one nation. It arose when China was weak and in turmoil and will be resolved once the country is strong and rejuvenated.

Legal documents, including the 1943 Cairo Declaration, the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation and the Instrument of Surrender signed by Japan in September 1945 -- all affirmed China's sovereignty over Taiwan, the article pointed out.

On Oct. 25, 1945, the Chinese government announced that it was resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan. 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, China had recovered Taiwan de jure and de facto.

In 1946, a civil war broke out in China. After their defeat in 1949, remnants of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) fled to Taiwan and entrenched themselves there. Across the Strait, on Oct. 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China (PRC) was founded.

During the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953), also known as the Korean War, the United States sent troops to the Taiwan Strait to obstruct the liberation of Taiwan and support the KMT, thus creating the Taiwan question that remains unresolved to this day.

"Despite protracted political confrontation across the Strait, China's sovereignty and territory have never been divided, and Taiwan's status as part of China has never changed," the article read.

In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 by an overwhelming majority, clarifying that the PRC government is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. This resolution, from the perspective of international law, completely eliminated possibilities of "two Chinas" or "Taiwan independence."

COMMITMENT TO REUNIFICATION

In the third article released on Tuesday, it was emphasized that resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China's complete reunification is an essential part of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

"Reunification is not a matter of choice, but an inevitability," it pointed out.

Developments in cross-Strait relations over the 70-plus years, especially the wide-ranging policies and measures the mainland issued to benefit Taiwan compatriots, have resonated with the aspirations of the majority of people in Taiwan -- shaping mainstream public opinion that favors peace, development, exchanges and cooperation, it added.

In the process of achieving complete reunification of the Chinese nation, "Taiwan independence" separatists remain a small countercurrent, it noted, adding that these separatists willingly serve as tools for the United States and other Western countries in their quest to contain China, thereby harming the common interests of people on both sides of the Strait.

"The key factor determining the direction of cross-Strait relations is the development and progress of the mainland," the article stated.

As the mainland's development strengths keep translating into concrete capacity and momentum for national reunification, they are destined to further fuel cross-Strait exchanges and integration. This growing connectivity will deepen the shared interests and emotional bond between people across the Strait, strengthen a common sense of national and cultural identity, and ultimately guide cross-Strait relations toward the goal of reunification.

"Given the shifting cross-Strait balance of strength and global dynamics, situation will only become increasingly favorable for the just cause of supporting reunification," it wrote. "Both sides can sit down and negotiate a reasonable 'one country, two systems' solution for Taiwan."

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2025/10/30

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date

6 a.m. Oct. 29 (Wed.) to 6 a.m. Oct. 30 (Thu.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities

5 sorties of PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN ships operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 out of 5 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

1141030_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window]

1141030_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window]

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UK response to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe: OSCE Permanent Council, October 2025

Speech

Ambassador Holland highlights the importance of cooperation between the Council of Europe and the OSCE to ensure security and stability in Europe.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Neil Holland

Published 30 October 2025

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 30 October 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Neil Holland

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Secretary General, welcome to the Permanent Council. Thank you for your presentation and for your continued commitment to the Council of Europe, which remains central to the UK's human rights and foreign policy agenda.

The UK values the longstanding relationship between the OSCE and the Council of Europe, rooted in our shared commitment to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. These principles underpin our work in Vienna and Strasbourg and are essential not only to individual freedoms but also to economic growth and livelihoods.

We meet at a time of serious challenge to European security, with Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine ongoing. We urge all OSCE participating States to uphold our shared commitments. Ukraine's security is our security. We must not allow aggression to prevail, or risk undermining the international rules-based order.

The UK strongly supports Ukraine's accountability efforts. We are proud to Chair the Conference of Participants for the Register of Damage, which now includes over 65,000 claims. We commend the Council of Europe's leadership on the claims commission and welcome the Bilateral Agreement with Ukraine to establish the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression  an initiative the UK has long supported.

The Council of Europe and the OSCE share common ground in addressing organised crime, human trafficking, counter-terrorism, and promoting democratic values such as media freedom, gender rights, and free elections. As both organisations face shared challenges  including democratic backsliding and a complex security environment  it is vital to recognise their distinct strengths and coordinate efforts effectively. We would welcome your thoughts on improving coordination and minimising duplication, especially in a time of constrained resources.

The UK welcomes your initiative to create a New Democratic Pact for Europe. Uniting stakeholders to address democratic backsliding, disinformation, impunity, and authoritarianism is essential to tackling today's challenges.

Secretary General, the UK remains a steadfast supporter of both the Council of Europe and the OSCE. We wish you and your team continued success.

Thank you, Madam Chair.



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Boost for British Armed Forces as UK and Germany sign major contract for next-generation bridging equipment

Press release

UK and Germany sign new contract for world-leading bridging equipment in latest milestone for landmark defence partnership

From: Ministry of Defence and Luke Pollard MP

Published 30 October 2025

British Army will be boosted with new high-tech bridging equipment to make troops more mobile on the battlefield.

UK investing 200 million in new bridge and ferrying capability, with plans to also export a Stockport-built bridging system to Germany.

Deal reflects deeper UK-Germany defence partnership, building on the UK-Germany bilateral treaty and one year on from signing of landmark Trinity House Agreement.

British soldiers' mobility on the battlefield will be enhanced as the UK and Germany sign a major contract for new high-tech bridging equipment, reflecting the growing defence partnership between the two countries.

One year on from the signing of the Trinity House Agreement, a landmark agreement on defence between the two countries, the UK's 200 million investment will see 36 large amphibious bridging vehicles, produced by General Dynamic European Land Systems (GDELS) in Germany, which help to transport troops and heavy equipment delivered to the British Army. These enable large military kit such as tanks or artillery units to cross rivers by forming floating bridges or ferrying them. Under the joint contract, Germany will also purchase a number of units to be delivered to its Army.

UK businesses are set to benefit from a similar plan for Germany to purchase the UK's General Support Bridge (GSB) system. This allows troops to build a 46-metre sturdy bridge - the length of five buses - in less than 90 minutes, usable by all NATO tanks including the British Army's future Challenger 3. The GSB is produced by KNDS UK in Stockport and supports 300 jobs, making defence an engine for growth across the UK in line with the Government's Plan for Change.

The new M3 EVO system represents a significant upgrade for the UK's Armed Forces, able to carry heavier loads and work better alongside our allies. The system will give them the flexibility needed to quickly cross large rivers or bodies of water over 100 meters wide. It will be capable of carrying all of the land equipment used by the British Army.

Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said:

This world-leading new system will better equip the British Army, helping our troops to be more effective on the battlefield. We are delivering on the Strategic Defence Review's ambition to transform our Armed Forces as we face this new era of threat. One year on from our landmark Trinity House defence agreement with Germany, we are working hand in hand to reinforce Europe and NATO's collective security.

This initiative fulfils both countries' commitments as allies to work together to provide robust bridging capability for NATO forces, in line with the Strategic Defence Review's NATO-first approach.

The UK has stepped up with the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, which is increasing to 2.6% of GDP from 2027 with an ambition of hitting 3% by the end of next Parliament.

The new systems will replace the current M3 Amphibious Rigs, which have been in service for approximately 30 years, modernising UK military equipment to bolster national security in line with the Government's Plan for Change. The equipment is expected to be rolled out in the early 2030s.

They will be operated by the British Army's Royal Engineers as part of the joint UK-German Amphibious Engineer Battalion based in Minden, Germany, further enhancing the partnership between the two countries.

Colonel Adam Foley, British Army Lead for Military Engineering Capability, said:

This is an excellent example of close collaboration between the UK and Germany. This contract award further strengthens the Trinity House Agreement and the United Kingdom's NATO commitments delivered through the multinational 130 Pioneer Battalion in cooperation with Germany. Military bridging is the bedrock of successful operations. These new systems will enable the UK to maintain operational advantage by allowing commanders the freedom of manoeuvre they require on the battlefield. GDELS will manufacture these platforms for the British Army, delivering an enduring capability that will support all NATO armoured vehicles, including the UK's Armoured Brigade Combat Teams set to be equipped with the Challenger 3 tank.

The M3 EVO contract strengthens the relationship between the UK and Germany, building upon the Trinity House Agreement signed in October last year, a first-of-its-kind commitment to deepening defence cooperation across all domains. This was further reinforced in July 2025, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to sign the Kensington Agreement on closer defence and industrial ties.

Defence Secretary John Healey hosted the German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius at RAF Lossiemouth last week to mark the anniversary of the Trinity House Agreement and to highlight ramping up of cooperation on joint cyber security and defensive activity.

The Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation, which facilitates and manages collaborative armament programmes between the governments of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, signed the contract on behalf of the two countries.

UK National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce said:

The NAD Group exists to make global partnerships move faster and more effectively, superbly demonstrating what modern warfighting readiness looks like. British and German forces using top-quality NATO-standard equipment, UK industry exporting innovation, and our two nations standing together against the threats we face.

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UK and Qatar step up defence relationship with new agreement

Press release

Britain's security will be strengthened through a new defence agreement signed with Qatar.

From:

Ministry of Defence and The Rt Hon John Healey MP

Published 30 October 2025

Britain's security will be strengthened through a new defence agreement signed with Qatar on Wednesday.

The agreement was signed by the Defence Secretary during his visit to Doha, where he met with the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The new enhanced Defence Assurance Arrangement deepens the UK's defence partnership with Qatar, paving the way for enhanced interoperability across land, air and sea.

The agreement sees the UK and Qatar commit to increasing interoperability between our Armed Forced and conducting joint planning on threat scenarios to ensure we can better face the threats of tomorrow together.

It underlines the UK's unwavering commitment to supporting the defence of Qatar as a key partner in the region, and to strengthen the wider strategic partnership between Qatar and the UK.

Britain's partnership with Qatar extends beyond defence. UK exports to Qatar reached 4.4 billion in 2025, whilst Qatari investment in Britain stands at more than 40 billion, supporting jobs across fintech, life sciences, renewable energy and cyber security sectors throughout the UK.

Whilst Qatar is a key regional security partner, defence investment leader, it is also a big investor in the UK with their investment in our country currently standing at approximately 40 billion.

While in Qatar, the Defence Secretary also joined His Excellency Sheikh Saoud Bin Ali Al-Thani in co-chairing a discussion covering the latest security developments in the region.

Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said:

Qatar and the UK are close partners with historic defence ties going back decades. This partnership bolsters the national security of both our nations and supports stability in the Gulf region. Today, we build on that proud legacy by starting a new chapter in our partnership, as we strengthen the bonds between our militaries and defence industries. This is part of our drive to strike new defence deals to strengthen our alliances and our UK defence industry.

Later in the day, the Defence Secretary visited Al Udeid Air Base where he met with Group Captain Jim Mastin, Deputy Air Component Commander, and personnel from the Royal Air Force's 83 Expeditionary Air Group.

During the visit, he was briefed on recent operational developments and toured the Combined Air Operations Centre.

The arrangement builds on the success of the UK-Qatar Joint Typhoon Squadron, the UK's first joint fighter jet squadron since the Second World War. This unique partnership will provide to foundation to jointly enhance our air defence capabilities and strengthen operational cooperation between British and Qatari armed forces.

Aligning with the government's Plan for Change, the agreement demonstrates how Britain's global partnerships strengthen national security through modernised armed forces and international cooperation whilst delivering tangible benefits at home through job creation and economic growth.

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Denys Shmyhal: Lithuania ready to engage Ukraine in SAFE projects and implement them with Ukrainian companies

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

28 October, 2025, 8:30 PM EET

Minister of Defence of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal held a meeting with a delegation of the Lithuanian Seimas headed by Speaker Juozas Olekas.

First and foremost, the Minister of Defence thanked the friendly people of Lithuania for their support and for all the assistance provided. He highlighted that Lithuania, one of Ukraine's closest allies, was the first to allocate 0.25% of its GDP for military assistance.

"We are now calling on our other partners to follow this example," said Denys Shmyhal.

During the discussion, the parties exchanged views on sharing experiences and technologies in the defence industry and explored opportunities to develop joint projects. The Minister of Defence expressed gratitude to Lithuania for announcing Ukraine's participation in projects submitted under the SAFE mechanism and for Lithuania's willingness to implement them jointly with Ukrainian companies. He conveyed particular appreciation for Lithuania's involvement in the procurement of U.S. weapons through the PURL initiative.

Denys Shmyhal noted that Lithuania and other Baltic states are facing considerable pressure from the aggressor state, and Ukraine stands ready to share its experience to help protect its friends. Accordingly, the delegations discussed practical measures to counter hostile drones and to develop a sustainable defence system.

"The Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian Brigade could become a foundation for the cooperation of allied states and the exchange of military experience," said Denys Shmyhal, highlighting its effectiveness.

He also expressed gratitude to Lithuania for its support of Ukraine's path toward NATO membership and underscored that Ukraine values this commitment.

According to the Minister, the discussion with Juozas Olekas reaffirmed the friendship between the two nations and their willingness to act together.

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Denys Shmyhal met with NATO Senior Representative in Ukraine and Commander of NSATU and SAG-U

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

28 October, 2025, 7:02 PM EET

Minister of Defence of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal held a meeting in Kyiv with NATO Senior Representative in Ukraine Patrick Turner and Lieutenant General Curtis Buzzard, Commander of NSATU and SAG-U.

Denys Shmyhal expressed gratitude for the consistent dialogue that continues to advance Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration.

The sides summed up the results of the Ukraine-NATO Council meeting of defense ministers held in Brussels this month.

"The event underscored the Alliance's solidarity with Ukraine and reaffirmed our equal standing within the Council. The partners also reaffirmed their readiness to support the Ministry of Defence in advancing reforms essential for Euro-Atlantic integration," the Minister of Defence of Ukraine noted.

The parties devoted particular attention to the PURL initiative, under which NATO member states procure U.S.-made weapons.

The Minister of Defence of Ukraine expressed gratitude to the United States, NATO, and all nations that have already joined the initiative. He emphasized the importance of establishing a systematic supply of everything required to meet the needs of the Defence Forces of Ukraine.

"I am grateful to the Alliance for its strong support. Together, we can secure peace grounded in strength, technology, and collective resolve," said Denys Shmyhal.

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Minister of Defence briefed the President on key results achieved in the first 100 days and the next priority steps

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

28 October, 2025, 6:48 PM EET

Minister of Defence Denys Shmyhal and the government team briefed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the key achievements of the first 100 days and outlined the next priority steps.

Denys Shmyhal reported on the launch of the PURL mechanism and the convening of three Ramstein-format meetings. Other highlights included the expansion of grant programs for weapons manufacturers, increased funding for combat units, and the implementation of the Delta situational awareness system across all levels.

Among the recent achievements, the Minister of Defence noted the introduction of a system for military personnel record-keeping and the launch of a mechanism for changing duty stations between the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard of Ukraine.

"The principal priority for the next 100 days is to ramp up production and frontline deliveries of Ukrainian weapons. Special emphasis will be placed on drones, including long-range systems, interceptors, FPV platforms, and other innovative solutions," Minister Denys Shmyhal said.

The Minister of Defence of Ukraine outlined plans to launch a controlled weapons export program, to fully operationalize Defence City, and to further support Ukrainian manufacturers.

The DOT-Chain Defence project, the Minister of Defence emphasized, will be expanded to cover 70% of all drone procurements.

"We will continue expanding our digital products, with special attention to medical support. We continue working daily with partners to attract more investment into Ukraine's defense industry and ensure more weapons here and now. The goals and objectives are clearly defined. The team and resources for their implementation are in place. We continue our work," emphasized Denys Shmyhal.

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Visit to Pyotr Mandryk Central Military Clinical Hospital

October 29, 2025

14:40

Moscow

Vladimir Putin visited the Pyotr Mandryk Central Military Clinical Hospital of the Russian Federation Defence Ministry, where servicemen of the Armed Forces are undergoing treatment and rehabilitation after being wounded while carrying out combat missions during the special military operation.

Accompanied by Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and Head of the hospital Pavel Krainyukov, the President visited the hospital's surgery unit, where he met with servicemen from the 127th Separate Reconnaissance Brigade.

* * *

Conversation with servicemen

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: We will go to see [Ruslan Kolyvanov] shortly and have a chat with him. They will bring some tea for him as well. God willing, we hope he recovers soon.

The doctor has just said that all of you here have been wounded. I want to emphasise - and I have said this many times, deliberately and with full conviction - that everyone who is in the special military operation zone, on the frontline, in combat, they tact heroically. You know perfectly well that an attack can come any second and hit any place.

But assault units, special forces and army reconnaissance units - people like you - this requires exceptional endurance and strength of character. These are obvious things. And I am truly pleased to note that we have such people as you. Thank you very much.

You know that your efforts are not in vain. Overall, the situation in the zone of the special military operation is developing favourably for us. Your comrades-in-arms are advancing on all fronts and conducting active operations.

As you know, and it has been publicly reported, in two locations, Kupyansk and Krasnoarmeisk, the enemy has been surrounded and blocked from moving further.

I have discussed this matter with the commanders of the respective groups. Mr Belousov, they have no objections to allowing members of the press, foreign and Ukrainian journalists, to enter the entrapment zone and see for themselves what is happening there. They should see the condition of the encircled Ukrainian troops, as this would prompt Ukraine's political leadership to make decisions about the fate of their citizens and personnel - similar to what was done at Azovstal. They will be given this opportunity.

Our only concern is that there are no provocations from Ukraine. We are willing to cease hostilities for an agreed period of time - whether it be several hours, two, three, or six hours - to allow groups of journalists into those cities where they can observe the situation, speak to the Ukrainian troops, and then leave. We are ready to bring them to designated entry points, where the Ukrainian personnel can receive them and escort them to the other side.

The most important thing is to prevent any provocations from Ukraine. There must be no drone attacks that could harm these journalists for the purpose of blaming the incident on us. We do not need this. On the contrary, we are ready to proceed as I have described. The question is whether the Ukrainian side is ready. This is the first issue I wanted to raise.

It is obvious that you are performing your duty diligently in this sector. But I believe that understanding the broader developments at the line of contact and at the frontline is also essential for you. This is the situation unfolding there.

What you and your comrades-in-arms - our soldiers and officers - are doing today is the most important task facing the country: ensuring its security and the long-term safety of our people. Equally important is that while addressing these urgent current challenges, we are not forgetting about improving and strengthening our strategic potential.

You have probably heard that a new, state-of-the-art, unlimited-range nuclear-powered missile has recently been tested. It has undeniable advantages, and we can be proud of the achievements of our scientists, specialists, engineers, and workers who made it possible.

The main advantage lies in the small nuclear propulsion unit. It is comparable in power to a nuclear submarine reactor, but it is a thousand - thousand! - times smaller. Yet the most important feature is that while a conventional nuclear reactor requires hours or even days and weeks to start, this reactor starts up in minutes or even seconds - a tremendous achievement.

We will be able to use it not only in defence but also in the national economy, including in solving the issue of energy supply in the Arctic and the lunar exploration programme. Even now, radiation-protected electronics developed for the Burevestnik missile are being used in space programmes. Thus this breakthrough strengthens both Russia's defence capability and the overall scientific and industrial potential for the future.

Furthermore, you should also know that yesterday another test was successfully conducted: one more test of the Poseidon underwater unmanned vehicle, also equipped with a nuclear power unit. For the first time, we successfully launched it from a submarine by activating its booster engine, and then started the nuclear reactor, which propelled the apparatus for a certain duration.

This is another major success because in addition to all the advantages I have mentioned with respect to the Burevestnik, the reactor that powers Poseidon is also extremely small. While the nuclear unit that powers Burevestnik is a thousand times smaller than that of a submarine, this one is a hundred times smaller than a submarine's nuclear reactor. But the power of the Poseidon is significantly higher than that of our most advanced Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile. There is no analogue to Sarmat in the world. It is not on duty yet, but it will be soon.

However, the Poseidon is much more powerful than the Sarmat, and it also surpasses all existing systems in speed and operational depth and currently has no equivalent and there will be none any time soon. The are also no interception methods.

I believe all of this is important to you as well. You are fighting on the frontlines, risking your lives. Of course, you are wondering why you are doing it, to what extent will the country be prepared to take on what you are doing, risking your life and health to defend the Motherland, to what extent will it be capable to continue to move forward, strengthen its defence, and become stronger overall. These are the elements that are also associated with this work.

Thank you once again. If anyone has something to say, please, do. Otherwise, we will ask the cameras to leave us so that we can have a more informal talk.

Ivan Leksin: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,

Group commander, warrant officer Leksin requests permission to speak, Sir.

I have a question about the continuity of tradition of serving Russia running in families. I am actually named after my grandfather, Ivan Leksin, and my father was a military man too - he completed his service in Mongolia. So, I am carrying on that family tradition.

Vladimir Putin: Did he serve in the Airborne Forces?

Ivan Leksin: Yes, sir. The first year of his service was in Alytus, Lithuania, and then he was admitted to the Ryazan Airborne School. So, you see, I am following in their footsteps.

In our free time, we always try to teach the personnel about the heroic deeds of our grandfathers who defended our Motherland during the Great Patriotic War, including how they fought on Ukrainian territory.

There's one memorable story about a reconnaissance officer from the Tambov Region. He was part of a reconnaissance group that was among the first to cross to the right bank of the Dnieper. A man named Sergei Mitrokhin was in that group. Thanks to his initiative and skill - he cleared a path to the German trench - they managed to take up the position and hold it. The battle raged for three hours until the main infantry forces arrived. For his actions, he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union at just 20 years old.

The heroic deeds of our grandfathers were captured in multiple films and books. I would really like to see the same for our modern reconnaissance officers, special forces officers, and other services - specifically in the special military operation context. Because sooner or later, the younger generation will take our place.

Vladimir Putin: You are absolutely right. And thank you for bringing this up - it reminds me of a few more things I would like to say.

First off, you had not known the details of your grandfather's service until recently, had you? Did that information come from the archives?

Ivan Leksin: Today, thanks to the Defence Minister...

Vladimir Putin: See, that's my point. You did not know the exact details of how your grandfather fought, yet you are fighting in the very same spirit.

Ivan Leksin: I am doing my best.

Vladimir Putin: Exactly. And what does that tell us? It's all in the genes, you see. You had not even known... I recently found out more about my own uncle who fought in that war. When I was in Primorye, the Governor got the documents for me from the local archive. I never knew he had served in Primorye. I read about how he and the others fought there. I even saw a letter my grandfather wrote to his son who was at the front. I had not known any of that before.

You see? It is inside us. It has always been there, and it is stay with us. But you are absolutely right that we must know our own history. This heroic history of our ancestors gives us strength - that is absolutely certain - and we need to speak about it more often.

You just mentioned films and television stories. I completely agree with you. I watched the footage of a fire exchange that you had under a bridge. If everything happened the way it was described - and I believe it did - you had to crawl almost 1,700 metres, and on top of that, you had to clear mines from the path ahead. Is that right?

Ivan Leksin: Yes, sir, that is correct, on a hill.

Vladimir Putin: Can you believe it!? Frankly, that sounds like a story for a blockbuster, a good film or a good story. We know that to be the case.

The icons you gave me, the ones that stopped the bullet and saved your life that is also something that can make a good story for a film or anything else for that matter. How many stories like this one have taken place? We are sitting here sharing a table, but as you are aware, our military are fighting out there, and there are many units like that, correct?

I hope they will hear us. All of us cannot gather at one table, but we know about their combat work, we know and we remember, and the country should know about it as well. I completely agree with you: we will definitely do so, and we will direct our people engaged in creative work to make these stories widely known.

But I will tell you this. You have probably also seen those same reporters, war correspondents who are out there under fire as well and are incurring casualties. These people will, without a doubt, do what you just said, and do so with sincerity, from the heart. That is how it is going to be.

Sergei Velkin: Junior Sergeant Velkin, deputy commander of a special forces group.

Mr President, our brigade is relatively young. It was formed in the summer of 2014. Since the beginning of the special military operation, our officers and enlisted men have shown courage and dedication in carrying out the assigned combat missions. And a result, you have seen with your own eyes the footage of a part of our mission being carried out.

During the Great Patriotic War and in the postwar years, many special reconnaissance units and detachments were awarded the Guards designation. Not all of us, but most of us have served in units bearing the honorary Guards designation.

We would be very happy and proud if you would consider awarding the honorary Guards designation to our 127th Separate Reconnaissance Brigade.

Vladimir Putin: Agreed, that's what we'll do.

Sergei Velkin: Thank you.

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Putin Calls Out Zelensky Over Ukraine's Trapped Troops, Sends Warning to West

Sputnik News

20251029

In Kupyansk and Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk), the enemy is blocked and surrounded, President Putin said on Wednesday.

Vladimir Putin is pressing Volodymyr Zelensky to decide the fate of his encircled troops in Kupyansk and Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk), aiming to stop him from deceiving his own people and Western leaders, veteran Russian military expert Yuri Knutov told Sputnik.

That is why Russia's president said that Ukrainian and foreign journalists could be allowed into the encircled areas under certain conditions.

"The purpose is clear: show the dire condition of the Ukrainian armed forces," says the expert.

However, one can expect Zelensky to stick to his last-stand logic, notes the pundit.

Putin is also sending a signal to the US: Russia will respond harshly if pressure on the country continues.

The US will take note of this message, but for America the situation is transactional  selling weapons, making billions, Knutov notes.

European hawks can be expected to "downplay Ukraine's losses and insist the towns are strategically unimportant, while continuing to support Zelensky politically."

Putin's tough warning

Burevestnik missile

The Russian leader framed his message by pointing out the unique advantages of Russia's nuclear-armed cruise missile Burevestnik.

 The missile that has completed tests and will now enter serial production

 Can take out integrated air defense and missile defense systems like "Iron Dome"

 Implied average speed around 1,000 km/h

 Stealth technology to reduce detectability Putin suggested this explains why Trump was reluctant to send Tomahawks to Ukraine  training and logistics take months, and their deployment could be seen as a casus belli, underscores the expert.

 Sputnik

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Russian Forces Take Control of Vishnevoe Settlement in Dnepropetrovsk Region

Sputnik News

20251029

The Russian armed forces have taken control of the settlement of Vishnevoe in the Dnepropetrovsk region, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"Units of the Vostok battlegroup advanced deep into enemy defenses and liberated the village of Vishnevoe in the Dnepropetrovsk region," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's Tsentr battlegroup has eliminated up to 480 Ukrainian military personnel in the past 24 hours, the ministry added.

"In total, in the area of responsibility of the Tsentr group of forces, the enemy's losses amounted to 480 servicepeople, an infantry fighting vehicle, a US-made HMMWV armored vehicle, four vehicles and a field artillery gun," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's Yug battlegroup has eliminated up to 355 Ukrainian soldiers, while the Zapad and Vostok battlegroups have eliminated up to 220 Ukrainian servicepeople each, the ministry added.

Additionally, the Russian armed forces struck energy facilities that supported the operation of Ukrainian defense industry complex enterprises, and a train carrying weapons and equipment of the Ukrainian armed forces, the statement read.

 Sputnik

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Olexandr Mischenko took part in the Paris Peace Forum

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

29 October 2025 16:21

On 29 October, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko opened the discussion panel "Ending the War Against Ukraine: Pathways to Peace and Recovery", held within the framework of the annual Paris Peace Forum.

Participants of the panel discussion dedicated to Ukraine included Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia Baiba Braze, Minister-Delegate for European Affairs attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Benjamin Haddad, and Director of the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments of the European Commission Peter Wagner. The discussion was moderated by Head of the Security Unit and Senior Research Fellow at the Clingendael Institute Bob Deen.

In his address, Olexandr Mischenko has emphasized that Russia's aggression against Ukraine represents an existential threat to our state and a direct challenge to the fundamental principles of the UN Charter and the international legal order. Ending Russia's war against Ukraine, he noted, is a key task on which the restoration of trust in international institutions and collective security mechanisms depend.

"No one desires peace more than the Ukrainian people. We are fighting not only for our own freedom but also for the defense of shared values and the principles of international law," underlined the Deputy Minister.

Oleksandr Mishchenko has also noted that support for Ukraine and increased pressure on the aggressor are effective tools for achieving a just and lasting peace. This includes strengthening sanctions, enhancing military assistance to Ukraine, utilizing frozen Russian assets for reconstruction, and ensuring accountability for the crime of aggression committed against Ukraine and war crimes.

He has stressed that support for Ukraine is a test for the entire world - a test of commitment to peace, freedom, and international lawand that peace through strength remains the only realistic way to defend common values and Europe's security.

Speaking on behalf of Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, Olexandr Mischenko expressed gratitude to the organizers of the event and to President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron for including into the Paris Peace Forum's agenda issues of priority importance to Ukraine that are essential for achieving a just peace. It has been also underlined that this international platform helps develop shared approaches to global challenges.

For reference: The Paris Peace Forum is an annual international platform launched by the President of France in 2018. The Forum brings together in Paris heads of state and government, representatives of international organizations, civil society, business, and academia to jointly seek solutions to global challenges that shape the future of peace, security, and sustainable development.

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Comment of the MFA of Ukraine on the report of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

29 October 2025 17:17

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the publication of the new report of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, prepared in accordance with UN Human Rights Council Resolution 58/24.

Ukraine expresses its gratitude to the Members of the Commission for their consistent, professional and impartial work in the context of the ongoing full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. The report is yet another weighty evidence of gross and systemic violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law committed by the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine.

The Commission has documented numerous facts of indiscriminate and deliberate attacks by Russian armed forces against civilians and civilian infrastructure, torture, inhuman treatment, sexual violence, unlawful detention and deportations, including of children. The evidence collected indicates a targeted policy that may constitute crimes against humanity.

The Ministry supports the Commission's conclusions on the need to ensure accountability for all recorded crimes. The Russian Federation must immediately cease attacks on civilians, the practice of deportations and forced displacements, as well as cruel and inhuman treatment of Ukrainian citizens in the temporarily occupied territories.

Ukraine will continue to fully cooperate with international justice mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court, to bring to justice those involved in committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. We are also consistently working to strengthen the system of protection of the rights of victims, and to provide medical, psychological and social assistance.

The Ministry calls on the international community to strengthen its support for Ukraine in documenting crimes, protecting victims, and ensuring justice. It is important that all materials collected by the Commission be used in international and domestic legal proceedings to hold the Russian Federation accountable.

Ukraine is convinced that the implementation of the Commission's recommendations will contribute to restoring justice for all victims, strengthening international law and order, and preventing the recurrence of such crimes in the future.

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Denys Shmyhal convened a meeting on credit mechanisms for Ukrainian defense production

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

29 October, 2025, 2:59 PM EET

Minister of Defence of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal convened a meeting with representatives of the banking sector, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, and the National Bank of Ukraine to discuss credit support for domestic defense manufacturers.

"The President of Ukraine has set the goal that at least 50% of our weapons, military equipment, and all defense assets should be produced in Ukraine. We are taking the necessary steps to achieve this," stated Denys Shmyhal.

The meeting focused on developing effective credit mechanisms for defense manufacturers to ensure the full implementation of state defense contracts.

The Minister of Defence noted that a consortium of state-owned banks is already operating, capable of accumulating and allocating funds to provide credit financing for defense companies. The meeting participants discussed the advantages of providing support to Ukraine's defense industry, noting that such initiatives may attract interest from private banks, including those with foreign capital.

To attract such investments, the state is developing a war risk insurance mechanism.

"Part of the mechanism has already been launched, and the next task is to scale it across the entire country. Furthermore, agreements have been reached with our partners regarding war risk insurance, and they are prepared to extend such guarantees to their companies," said Denys Shmyhal.

Based on the meeting's outcomes, a working group was set up to prepare, within the shortest possible timeframe, proposals to enhance credit financing mechanisms.

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Sergiy Boyev and the Minister of Defence of Romania discussed potential joint projects under the SAFE initiative

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

29 October, 2025, 10:21 AM EET

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Sergiy Boyev, arrived in Romania to discuss opportunities for the development of military-technical cooperation.

The working visit constituted an element of the politico-military dialogue between the two nations. The primary goal of the visit was to discuss with Romania's Minister of National Defence, Liviu-Ionut Mosteanu, the opportunities for developing military-technical cooperation and strengthening the bilateral defence partnership.

"Ukraine is grateful to Romania for its support and for fostering a partnership in the field of security. Special gratitude for the earlier provision of a Patriot system and the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft," stated Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Sergiy Boyev.

During the talks, the parties discussed steps to expand cooperation in the defence industry, joint projects in military research and innovation, as well as training and interaction programmes between the armed forces of the two countries.

Particular attention was paid to opportunities for the joint production of ammunition and FPV drones. The Ukrainian side also proposed to Romania's Minister of Defence the implementation of joint projects in air and missile defence, maritime drones, artillery and other types of weapon systems. Both sides agreed to pursue continued dialogue with a view to endorsing these projects before the submission deadline for funding within the SAFE initiative.

Sergiy Boyev expressed hope for a favourable decision from the Romanian side regarding the implementation of the proposals.

"Romania remains committed to its support for Ukraine. We are interested in expanding regional production capacities and modernising the defence industry through the implementation of joint projects," emphasised Romania's Minister of National Defence, Liviu-Ionut Mosteanu.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to intensify contacts at the technical and institutional levels and to hold regular bilateral meetings focused on the defence industry.

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MoD explains what the 51-day Basic General Military Training course includes and what recruits gain

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

29 October, 2025, 7:19 PM EET

Since July 2025, the duration of the Basic General Military Training (BGMT) course has been extended to 51 days. The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine reiterates the structure of the recruits' training, their provisions, and what they gain upon completion of the program.

The updated curriculum is implemented across all training centers responsible for preparing mobilization personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Of the 51-day training period, 42 days are allocated to practical training and theoretical classes, 7 days are rest days, and 2 days are reserved for administrative matters.

It is worth noting the level of marksmanship training: 137 hours of practice and 56 firing exercises with various weapons. Mandatory training also includes countermeasures against enemy UAVs (kamikaze drones).

Upon successfully completing the training, service members receive a certificate and a qualification in Military Specialty 100 (MS-100) 'Rifleman'.

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Denys Shmyhal discussed defence cooperation with Portugal's Minister of National Defence, Nuno Melo

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

29 October, 2025, 8:41 PM EET

The Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, held a conversation with the Minister of National Defence of Portugal, Nuno Melo. During the discussion, the parties coordinated key areas of defence cooperation and the Ukrainian military's priority needs.

First and foremost, Denys Shmyhal expressed gratitude to his counterpart for Portugal's active engagement in the meetings of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format and for its contribution of $12 million to the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU).

During the phone conversation, the parties discussed Portugal's participation in the PURL initiative, aimed at procuring U.S. weapons for Ukraine. The Minister of Defence of Ukraine thanked Portugal for its announced $50 million contribution and for the continued expansion of its participation.

The conversation also addressed the potential for implementing joint projects within the SAFE programme.

"This will open up additional opportunities for cooperation between our defence industries," emphasised the Minister of Defence of Ukraine.

Furthermore, the ministers discussed measures to enhance Ukraine's air defence and expressed interest in broadening cooperation in unmanned systems, tactical communications, cyber defence, and maritime technologies.

"I thank Portugal for its unwavering support of our country!" said Denys Shmyhal.

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Russia Must End Its War; Otherwise, Russia's Oil Exports Must End - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

29 October 2025 - 21:05

Dear Ukrainians!

We continue our sanctions work - we are preparing new sanctions, in particular against targets in Russia's military production and their propaganda. We must gradually block all global contacts for every Russian entity working for the war. The decrees will be issued soon. We are also synchronizing the 19th EU sanctions package within Ukraine's jurisdiction. And it's crucial that our diplomats and all representatives of Ukraine work more actively in European countries outside the EU - to encourage them to adopt the common European sanctions as well. We truly value that Switzerland, Norway, and other European countries have upheld Europe's unified pressure to end the war over the years. Work has already begun on the EU's 20th sanctions package - and not only the European Union will take new steps. I am awaiting a detailed intelligence report on the impact of the U.S. decision on sanctions against Russian oil companies, and the preliminary data are rather promising - the effect is significant. We are verifying the details, and every remaining scheme Russia still uses must be blocked. And the world has to read the room correctly: Russia must end its war; otherwise, Russia's oil exports must end. I thank all our partners who are exerting pressure in precisely this way - effectively, tangibly, and targeting the areas that are truly painful for Putin's system. Today, I instructed the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to focus on countries that were once destabilized by Russia, that have experienced wars, interference, and are still in internal conflicts, going through difficult times. Our initiatives such as Grain from Ukraine have helped many, and we must continue our active humanitarian diplomacy, particularly in food security - this is natural for us, for Ukraine. We are preparing corresponding events for November.

Today, I also held detailed discussions with the Prime Minister of Ukraine, other government officials, and the head of Ukrzaliznytsia about supporting our railways - about the company's operations. It is the railway that provides millions of Ukrainians and our economy with the resilience they need. I want to thank all our Ukrainian railway staff for their work - every one of the thousands of railway employees; you are truly serving Ukraine. I thank you very much. The company will continue developing.

And a few more things.

Today, we went over the frontline situation in detail with the Commander-in-Chief and the Chief of the General Staff - covering all directions. The toughest situation is now on the Pokrovsk axis. As in previous weeks, this is where the fighting is most intense and where Russian forces are most concentrated. The occupiers are trying to consolidate their positions by any means, and every invader eliminated right there is an achievement for our entire state. The situation in Kupyansk remains difficult, but our forces have gained more control in recent days. We continue to defend our positions. Dozens of assault operations take place daily in the Oleksandrivka direction. I thank every one of our units for their fortitude. We also thoroughly worked through the planning of our long-range operations. The only scenario is to force Russia to end the war by means that are feasible and that will actually work. And that means global sanctions, our long-range sanctions, our recovery after Russian attacks, coordination with our partners, and above all, support for our army, for every branch of Ukraine's Defense and Security Forces. Because Ukraine stands where Ukraine's positions stand strong. I thank everyone fighting for Ukraine, working for our defense, for our state, for all our people. I thank everyone who is helping us.

Glory to Ukraine!

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The President of Ukraine Held a Call with the President of Argentina

President of Ukraine

29 October 2025 - 16:49

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with President of Argentina Javier Milei.

The Head of State congratulated Javier Milei on his party's victory in the parliamentary elections. President Zelenskyy noted that Argentina is making significant efforts to succeed and grow stronger; he also sincerely wished that all necessary reforms continue to be realized successfully.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited the President of Argentina to visit Ukraine to continue their dialogue and discuss key prospects for developing bilateral relations. Ukraine and Argentina have many projects they can implement together. The leaders agreed that their teams will remain in contact.

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Finland to provide development cooperation funding to the civil defence coalition led by Finland and Ukraine

Finnish Government

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Publication date 30.10.2025

Type:Press release

On 30 October, the Ministerial Finance Committee decided to support a proposal to provide EUR 11 million in funding to the civil defence coalition led by Finland and Ukraine. The proposal was prepared in the administrative branch of Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio. The support will be channelled through the European Union's Ukraine Facility to finance the construction of civil defence shelters. Finland has expertise in this sector, and Finnish companies have good opportunities to participate successfully in future procurement processes.

The Ministerial Finance Committee supports the proposal to grant EUR 11 million to the civil defence coalition, which was established earlier this year and is led by Finland and Ukraine. Finland's contribution to the construction of civil defence shelters will be channelled through Pillar III of the EU Ukraine Facility. This instrument was selected as the main financing mechanism for the coalition because it already includes an ongoing civil defence shelter project implemented in Ukraine by the Lithuanian and Belgian development cooperation agencies. By using these existing structures, Finland's funding can be put to use efficiently in building shelters to protect schools, hospitals and communities in Ukraine.

During Russia's war of aggression, civilian buildings, schools and healthcare facilities have repeatedly been targeted by attacks. Currently, existing civil defence shelters cover only about half of Ukraine's population, and there is an enormous need for additional shelters. Developing a comprehensive network of shelters is expected to take at least a decade. The coalition will help Ukraine launch this long-term effort through grant-based funding and a construction roadmap so that it can continue the construction later with loan and mixed funding. Another advantage of the Ukraine Facility is its scalability, as its second pillar channels loan funding from international financial institutions.

"By co-leading the civil defence coalition, Finland is showing necessary leadership in protecting the civilian population and in mobilising international investment. I have been in close contact with Finnish companies in this sector, and they are ready to operate in Ukraine," says Minister Ville Tavio.

The inauguration of the civil defence coalition will be held before the end of the year. The coalition brings together key partners and coordinates efforts to strengthen the resilience of Ukraine's civilian population.

Previously, EUR 2.2 million in funding was allocated for 2025-2027 to support a development and pilot construction project led by the Ministries of the Interior of Finland and Ukraine, and Ukraine's State Emergency Service. In total, Finland will invest more than EUR 13 million in Ukraine's civil defence shelters.

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Update 324 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

International Atomic Energy Agency

30 October 2025

Vienna, Austria

113/2025

Efforts to facilitate the repair of the 330 kV Ferosplavna-1 power line at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) are ongoing, following the discovery last week of additional damage to the line during the successful reconnection of the plant to Ukraine's power grid, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.

During repair work to restore off-site power to the plant - ending a full month without external electricity - the IAEA confirmed the detection of additional damage to the back-up Ferosplavna-1 line located about 1.8 kilometres from the Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant's switchyard.

Negotiation efforts are now focused on the full restoration of the Ferosplavna-1 power line, one of ten lines the ZNPP had access to prior to the conflict. This line, along with the recently restored Dniprovska line, was one of the two remaining lines used by the plant. Ferosplavna-1 was lost on 7 May, while the Dniprovska line was disconnected late last month. Both sides have attributed the damage to ongoing military activity in the region.

"We continue to work intensively to support the conditions needed for this additional repair work to begin. Restoring this power line is essential to improving the fragile nuclear safety and security situation at the site," said IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi.

Although the plant's six reactors have been shut down for more than three years and are not generating electricity, they still require a stable power supply to operate essential safety systems, including cooling pumps and other nuclear safety and security equipment. Over the past month, these systems were powered by emergency diesel generators, underscoring the plant's continued vulnerability amid the conflict.

Separately, the IAEA has been informed of military activity in Ukraine early this morning that has led to damage to substations critical to nuclear safety and security in Ukraine. Following this, IAEA teams at both South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant (SUNPP) and Khmelnitsky Nuclear Power Plant (KhNPP) have reported that each of the plants have lost access to one of their off-site power lines. Furthermore, the IAEA team at the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) have reported that the plant has reduced the power of two of its four units at the request of the grid operator. The team at KhNPP also had to shelter at their hotel for several hours this morning.

"The dangers to nuclear safety continue to be very real and ever-present," said Director General Grossi. "I once again call for maximum military restraint in the vicinity of nuclear facilities and full respect of the seven indispensable pillars for nuclear safety and security."

The IAEA continues to implement its comprehensive programme of assistance to Ukraine in nuclear safety and security. In October, the Agency delivered a package of support under the IAEA Support and Assistance Mission to the Kherson Oblast (ISAMKO), established in response to the catastrophic flooding caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in June 2023. As part of this package, Ukrainian Meteorological Institute received a high precision isotopic water analyzer to support Ukraine's environmental and hydrological monitoring efforts. Staff of the Institute also received training in Vienna on how to build essential skills for practical application and operation of the received analyser in support of conducting accurate isotopic analyses of water samples. The assistance was funded with support from Japan.

ISAMKO is designed to strengthen Ukraine's capacity to address the environmental, health, and infrastructural impacts of the disaster. The programme includes the procurement of equipment and supplies, technical advice, and capacity building in key areas such as civil structure integrity, food and water safety, public and animal health, and agricultural recovery.

Previous deliveries under ISAMKO include diagnostic equipment for the Kherson Regional Clinical Hospital, radiation monitoring equipment for the South Ukrainian Geological Company and the regional state laboratory in Mykolaiv province received a generator and a real-time PCR cycler (Polymerase Chain Reaction, a nuclear-derived technique) for fast and accurate analysis to help it fight the spread of disease as a result of the flooding.

"The IAEA is helping Ukraine not only uphold nuclear safety and security, but also respond to the environmental and health impacts of the Kakhovka dam flooding," said Director General Grossi. "Even amid war, building national capacity with nuclear-derived tools is essential to protect people and ecosystems."

The training delivered for the staff of the Ukrainian Meteorological Institute is the first in a series of trainings already planned for different ISAMKO beneficiaries, with three additional training events planned in the coming months.

Further to this assistance work under ISAMKO, the IAEA continued its deliveries related to nuclear safety and security and medical assistance, bringing the total to 169 shipments of essential equipment and supplies to Ukraine since the start of the armed conflict.

As part of these deliveries, the SUNPP received personal protective equipment and medical units at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP), and RNPP and SUNPP received various medical supplies. The Slavutych City Hospital, the National Research Center for Radiation Medicine (NRCRM), Varash Hospital, and South Ukraine City Hospital, providing medical care for the NPP personnel, received a range of medical equipment and supplies.

All these deliveries were made possible through funding from Italy, Japan, and Sweden. With these deliveries, priority equipment and supplies worth over 20 million has reached Ukraine since the start of the conflict.

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Baiba Braze in a meeting with the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot: our common priority is to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine and constrain Russia - this would be the best security guarantee for Europe

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

30.10.2025.

On 29 and 30 October 2025, as part of her working visit to France, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze, met with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Noel Barrot, for a discussion on bilateral and economic cooperation, the development of the European defence industry, and strengthening the EU and NATO's external border, support to Ukraine and putting pressure on Russia, including work on the next package of sanctions, and issues of current importance for the EU - measures against the instrumentalisation of migrants, priorities for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework, and the process of EU enlargement.

The Ministers also discussed transatlantic relations, cooperation in NATO and other international formats, and Latvia's priorities for its term on the UN Security Council (2026-2027). France is one of the five permanent members of the UNSC.

Foreign Minister Baiba Braze:

"Let me thank France for support provided to Ukraine, including its leadership in the Coalition of the Willing, and for its significant contribution to strengthening NATO's eastern flank - the presence of French soldiers in the NATO multinational brigade in Estonia and in the Eastern Sentry in Poland. We welcome France's participation in the Drone Coalition led by Latvia and the UK. We are unanimous - sanctions are working, they are negatively affecting the Russian economy, and we must continue our joint efforts to exert all kinds of pressure on Russia - to strengthen sanctions, prevent their circumvention and, in coordination with our Allies, take action against the shadow fleet and its ecosystem, including insurance and maintenance companies. I emphasize that the circumvention of sanctions and Russia's hybrid threats, including the instrumentalization of migration, create an additional burden for Latvia and security risks for all EU Member States. Therefore, it is important for Latvia in protecting the EU and NATO's external border to receive practical support and solidarity at the EU level, also under the EU's next long-term budget. We also exchanged views on economic cooperation, notably in the military industry, where good groundwork has already been laid, for instance, in the field of drone technologies."

Baiba Braze thanked Jean-Noel Barrot for a significant contribution by France to providing teachers in Latvia with opportunities for learning the French language and improving their professional competence.

The Foreign Minister met with the French Secretary-General for Defense and National Security, Nicolas Roche, the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, and former President of Chile and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet.

The Minister held and exchange of views with the Vice-President for Europe at the largest business association in France, the Movement of Enterprises of France (MEDEF), Fabrice Le Sache, about the potential for economic cooperation between Latvia and France in ICT, innovations and new technologies. France is the 13th largest foreign trade partner to Latvia. The Foreign Minister underlined that Latvia's strengths lie in the second most competitive tax system in the OECD, qualified workforce, one of the fastest-growing startup ecosystems in Europe, digitalized public administration services, and a developed transport and telecommunications infrastructure.

In a discussion at the Paris Peace Forum together with the French Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad, Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Oleksandr Mishchenko, and the Head of the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments at the European Commission, Peter Wagner, Baiba Braze underlined:

"Our shared priority is to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and constrain Russia, rendering it uncapable of rebuilding its military capabilities and deterring it from repeated attacks. This will be the best security guarantee for Europe."

Baiba Braze took part in the International High level Conference on Information Integrity and Independent Media and presented the progress made by Latvia in supporting independent media and combating disinformation. She also briefed those present about an artificial intelligence (AI) laboratory created under the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence.

The Minister gave interviews to French media outlets - the Talking Europe programme on France24 television channel, and Le Monde.



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Pokrovsk Is In Danger Of Falling To Russia. Ukrainian Soldiers Are Fuming.

By Mike Eckel, Zoriana Stepanenko, Natalya Nedyelko, Vladyslava Savkova and Andriy Kuzakov October 30, 2025

Summary

Russian forces have advanced in Pokrovsk, threatening Ukrainian supply lines and defenses.

Ukrainian troops face challenges due to Russian infiltration tactics and numerical superiority.

The fall of Pokrovsk could endanger nearby towns and key supply routes, worsening Ukraine's position.

Since midsummer, Ukrainian forces have played a game of whack-a-mole in Pokrovsk, watching individual Russian soldiers and small units pop up in building ruins or basements in the frontline Donetsk region city, and then hammering them one by one.

On the city's eastern and southern perimeters, meanwhile, Russian forces have crept forward, seizing roads, slowly strangling supply lines, and pressuring Ukrainian defenses.

Earlier this month, Russian forces managed to cement a more stable foothold inside the ruined city, as Ukrainian troops, under pressure in other locations to the north, like Kupyansk, struggled to hold them back.

It may be too late, experts warn.

"The situation in Pokrovsk is on the verge of critical and continues to deteriorate until it may be too late to fix everything," analysts with the DeepState project, which has ties to the Ukrainian military, warned on October 29.

Russian troops "managed to infiltrate Pokrovsk early last summer, but the Ukrainians knocked them out," Pasi Paroinen, a Finnish analyst with the open-source organization Black Bird Group, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. "This time, I think it is unlikely that the Ukrainians will be able to completely knock them out of Pokrovsk."

Underscoring Ukraine's precarious hold, the country's top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrskiy, said on October 30 that he traveled to the area.

"The situation is difficult, but the statements of Russian propaganda about the supposed 'blockading' of Ukrainian forces in Pokrovsk, as well as in Kupyansk, do not correspond to reality," he said in a post to Telegram. "At the same time, in Pokrovsk, enemy infantry avoid clashes, gather in urban areas, change locations, so the primary task is to detect and destroy them."

Infiltration

Sitting astride two major highways -- one heading west to the Dnipropetrovsk region and the city of Dnipro, one heading northeast to the railway junction city of Kostyantynivka -- Pokrovsk has been a linchpin of Ukraine's defense on the central and southern stretches of the 1,100-kilometer front line.

Also a rail hub, the city had a prewar population of about 60,000; only a few thousand residents remain, defying exhortations and orders to evacuate.

For more than a year now, Russian forces have employed the tactic of sending soldiers -- one or two at a time or in small groups, on motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles -- to try and race past Ukrainian lines, which are frequently porous and stretched thin. The tactic is deadly, one of the reasons Russian casualties have been astronomical. But it's effective in evading Ukrainian drones and slipping past foxholes or bunkers.

Russian troops have also disguised themselves as civilians, Ukrainian soldiers said, making it harder to target them.

In August, Russia troops used that tactic to wedge a gap in Ukraine's defenses northeast of Pokrovsk, near the village of Dobropillya. Ukraine rushed in reinforcements, including units from the battle-hardened Third Separate Assault Brigade, to plug the gap, and they managed to encircle a number of Russian units.

Sometime around the second week of October, a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance unit fought its way into the city, around the central railway station, according to the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Airborne Assault Forces. After allegedly killing an unknown number of civilians, the Russians then pushed northeast.

"It feels like they just came out of the ground. Maybe they've been hiding in the houses since the first time they came in," one deputy brigade commander was quoted as telling the Ukrayinska Pravda newspaper.

As of October 29, Ukrainian soldiers estimate that between 200 and 400 Russian troops have currently lodged themselves in the city's eastern districts, and Ukrainian officials have reported fierce street fighting.

"It's pretty clear that they're already inside the city and operating there in significant numbers," Paroinen said.

"It is not difficult to track them," Junior Lieutenant Serhiy Okishev, a spokesman for the 7th Corps, told RFE/RL's Donbas Realities. "It is difficult to resist them due to the enemy's numerical superiority, both in terms of manpower and destructive power. This includes artillery and strike [drones], and primarily guided aerial bombs."

Immediately to the east of the city is the town of Myrnohrad, which sits on the T0504 highway and is home to the Ukrainian units holding back a creeping encirclement. If Myrnohrad falls, the entire highway supply route is at risk, said Denys Popovych, a Ukrainian military analyst.

"If Pokrovsk is captured, it will be fatal for Myrnohrad," Popovych told Current Time, and "then that opens the road to the Dnipropetrovsk region. It will be possible to plan a further advance along a broad front."

'We'll Cope'

As Ukraine's defense in Pokrovsk frays, frustration has started spilling out.

"It's sad that by the end of the fourth year of full-scale war, there is still no organized system for defending urban areas -- something that has already cost us dearly and continues to do so," one Ukrainian officer, who uses the call sign "Oleks," said in a post to Telegram last week.

"I have repeatedly raised the issue of regrouping and the absence of a second line of defense, which will lead to our units being encircled, but they don't listen to us," an unnamed brigade commander told Ukrayinska Pravda.

"I don't see us winning on the Pokrovsk front. It's very sad," said a soldier from the 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade who asked to use only his call sign, Volt.



"Why is that? We lack the means to combat them," he told Current Time. "And the relevant artillery. The enemy's electronic warfare is effective, the enemy's radar. We lack intelligence. That's the situation. What else can I say? We'll cope, everything will be fine."



"The situation in Pokrovsk is getting worse," Serhiy Sternenko, a Ukrainian activist and popular blogger known for crowdfunding drones for the military, said in a post to X. "Logistics as such are nonexistent. Individual positions are located behind enemy lines. Why behind enemy lines? Because there's no unified front line."

RFE/RL Russian Service correspondent Yauhen Lehalau contributed to this report.

Source:

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Strikes Kill Civilians Across Ukraine As Fighting Intensifies In Pokrovsk

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service October 30, 2025

Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine have killed at least five people and injured dozens of others, including children, as Russian troops step up assaults around the country's strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 30 described the attacks as a "complex, combined strike," noting that Russian forces used over 650 drones and more than 50 missiles of various types, including ballistic missiles.

Ukrainian officials say two people were killed in the southern city of Zaporizhzhya, while four others were killed in Slovyansk and Kramatorsk -- two of Ukraine's main strongholds in the Donetsk region, along with Pokrovsk.

Following the strikes, Ukraine's emergency services reported that rescuers had recovered the body of a man from the rubble of a residential building in Zaporizhzhya, destroyed in one of the attacks.

Local authorities later confirmed that the body of another victim had been recovered from beneath the debris.

In Ukraine's west-central Vinnytsia region, a seven-year-old girl, injured in a Russian strike later died in hospital, according to Natalya Zabolotna, first deputy head of the regional military administration.

"She was admitted to the hospital in critical condition. Doctors fought for her life, but unfortunately, they were unable to save her," she wrote in a Telegram post.

Speaking to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, a resident of the Slovyansk region said the attack has damaged residential areas. "I can't describe how loud the strikes were -- my heart nearly stopped," she added.

The National Energy Company Ukrenerho reported that Russia's massive air attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have caused emergency power outages across most regions of the country.

In Ukraine's western Lviv region, which borders NATO and EU member Poland, the regional governor reported that two energy facilities were hit.

"Russia continues its systematic terror -- striking at the lives, dignity, and warmth of Ukrainians on the eve of winter," Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on X.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its armed forces had carried out a massive overnight strike on Ukraine's military-industrial facilities, energy infrastructure, and military airfields in response to "Ukrainian attacks on civilian targets in Russia."

"The strike achieved its objectives, with all designated targets hit," the ministry said in a statement on October 30.

Commander Visits Frontline Positions Near Pokrovsk

After visiting frontline positions in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad area, Ukraine's top commander said that Russian troops are stepping up attacks around the eastern stronghold of Pokrovsk.

Oleksandr Syrskiy wrote on Telegram that Ukraine is strengthening its defenses to repel the attacks.

"The situation is difficult, but Russian propaganda claims about the alleged 'encirclement' of Ukraine's defense forces in Pokrovsk, as well as in Kupyansk, do not correspond to reality," Syrskiy said on October 30.

Pokrovsk, a city of about 7,000 inhabitants -- down from more than 60,000 prewar -- holds crucial road and rail junctions and has been under threat of encirclement by Russian forces for most of the year.

In early October, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian troops had entered the city, but Ukrainian officials at the time denied the report and said Kremlin forces continued to suffer heavy losses in the region.

On October 26, Ukraine's General Staff said several small Russian infantry units -- totaling some 200 soldiers -- had evaded defensive lines and established positions inside Pokrovsk.

With reporting from RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, AFP, and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/33576955.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.

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Russia alone is prolonging the war in Ukraine: UK statement to the OSCE

Speech

Ambassador Holland refutes claims that the UK seeks to prolong the war in Ukraine, emphasising the UK's commitment to a just and lasting peace. Russia alone is responsible for continuing its war.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Neil Holland

Published 30 October 2025

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 30 October 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)



Thank you, Madam Chair.

I would like to address the suggestion that the UK is somehow invested in prolonging the war against Ukraine. This assertion is simply untrue, and I believe it is important to set the record straight.

Let me be clear: the UK wants this war to end. This has been a devastating three and a half years, marked by death and destruction on a scale not witnessed in Europe since the Second World War. After consistently calling for an end to this war in this room every week, it should not be necessary to repeat this message. Yet I will: the UK wants this war to end, and without delay. However, I have also consistently stressed that the way in which it ends is of critical importance to all of us. We do not require a history lesson to understand why.

Ukraine's security is Europe's security. That is why the UK continues to stand firmly with Ukraine, now and for the long term. It is a commitment to defending international law. It is support for the rights of a sovereign nation under attack. And it is an insistence on a peace that is just and lasting, not just convenient.

Last Friday, the Coalition of the Willing met in London. They welcomed President Zelenskyy's support for a full, unconditional ceasefire. In contrast, they noted that President Putin had rejected such a ceasefire. The Coalition fully supported President Trump's comments that the current line of contact must serve as the starting point for any negotiations. They reiterated their unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and for the fundamental principle that borders must not be changed by force.

Madam Chair, President Zelensky has repeatedly made clear his readiness for a ceasefire, and for serious peace negotiations. In contrast, President Putin has chosen escalation by launching attacks that have killed children, destroyed hospitals, and, more recently, damaged vital civilian energy infrastructure, inflicting suffering upon Ukraine as winter approaches.

There is one party actively seeking to prolong the war in Ukraine. Russia started this conflict, and it holds the power to end it.

Thank you.



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UK condemns Russian attacks on civilians and urges accountability through International Law: UK Statement to the OSCE

Speech

UK Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer, condemns Russia's attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Russia's nuclear rhetoric undermines global stability, and the UK calls for renewed transparency and dialogue to prevent escalation.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Lt Col Joby Rimmer, Senior Military Advisor at the UK Delegation to the OSCE

Published 30 October 2025

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 29 October 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Madam Chair, the United Kingdom remains steadfast in our commitment to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. We firmly believe that lasting peace must be pursued through diplomacy and meaningful dialogue, dialogue that is anchored in respect for international law, the sovereignty of states, and the principles that guide this Organisation.

But let us be clear: recent actions by the Russian Federation continue to obstruct that path. President Putin refuses to participate in meaningful dialogue in good faith. Instead of choosing de-escalation, Russia has intensified its military campaign, most recently through two consecutive nights of deadly aerial assaults on Ukrainian cities. These strikes hit civilian infrastructure, energy facilities, residential buildings, and claimed the lives of innocent civilians, including a 12-year-old girl and a six-month-old baby in Kyiv. Earlier this week, Russian airstrikes hit Kyiv and nine other regions, killing at least six people, including two children, and injuring dozens more. The attacks damaged thermal power plants and gas facilities, causing widespread blackouts. In Kharkiv, a Russian drone strike hit a kindergarten, killing one and injuring at least four others, including children.

These are not isolated incidents. They reflect a deeply troubling pattern. According to the September update from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, the number of civilian casualties from January to September this year was 31% higher than the same period last year. Russian long-range strikes using missiles and loitering munitions reportedly caused nearly a third of all civilian casualties, with Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro frequently targeted.

The UK will continue to work with international partners, including through the OSCE and the UN, to document violations, support investigations, and ensure accountability for breaches of international law, in particular those involving civilians and children.

Madame Chair, the UK reaffirms its commitment to strategic stability and the avoidance of unintended escalation, particularly in the nuclear domain. In times of heightened tension, transparent communication and adherence to arms control frameworks are essential. The OSCE provides a vital platform for dialogue, risk reduction, and confidence-building. Therefore, we are deeply concerned by Russia's recent test of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, which reportedly flew over 14,000km during a 15-hour flight on 21 Oct and was publicly announced by President Putin on 26 Oct. The UK condemns such actions, especially when conducted without transparency or prior notification, as they risk undermining global stability, increasing the potential for miscalculation.

In light of this increasingly reckless nuclear rhetoric, we must ask: if Russia truly seeks peace, why does it continue to reject meaningful dialogue through established mechanisms such as the OSCE and the FSC?

We actively encourage all participating States to engage constructively, uphold existing commitments, and avoid actions that could lead to catastrophic miscalculation.

The weeks and months ahead will be decisive, not only for Ukraine's future, but for the security of the UK, NATO, and our global partners. This is not an 'away fixture' for the UK; the consequences of this war are felt at home and across our alliances. The UK remains firmly committed to taking timely and constructive steps to increase pressure on the Russian Federation, with the objective of fostering conditions for a peaceful resolution. We will continue to advocate for a solution that is firmly rooted in international law and guided by the principles of dialogue, transparency, and cooperation, principles that underpin the OSCE and its institutions. Thank you, Madam Chair.







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Sergiy Boyev holds talks in Lithuania on expanding cooperation in the defence industry

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

30 October, 2025, 1:32 PM EET

A delegation of representatives from Ukrainian defence enterprises, led by Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Sergiy Boyev, held talks with the Lithuanian side on implementing joint defence industry projects.

Following a working visit to Romania, the Ukrainian delegation, led by Sergiy Boyev, arrived in Lithuania, where they met with Vice-Minister of National Defence Tomas Godeliauskas. The talks were also attended by the leadership of UkrOboronProm and representatives of other enterprises of Ukraine's defence industry.

The Ukrainian delegation's visit aimed to evaluate the potential of Lithuanian companies to identify partners for the joint production of Ukrainian armaments and for initiatives under the SAFE mechanism.

"Ukrainian and Lithuanian companies have been cooperating for a long time, and we seek to enhance this partnership. Our shared efforts are vital to regional security," said Sergiy Boyev.

The Ukrainian delegation visited Lithuanian enterprises that are already engaged in cooperation with Ukraine's defence industry. During the visit, members of the delegation assessed production capacities, technological solutions, and industrial potential to promote closer collaboration and develop manufacturing in Lithuania.

The Lithuanian side expressed willingness to localise the development and production of drone technologies within the country, adopt the advanced experience of Ukraine's defence industry, and apply it to strengthen national security and the capabilities of its defence sector.

"We strive not only to support Ukraine today, but also to build a strong defence ecosystem for tomorrow. The realities of war are ushering in a new era of defence technologies. Together, Lithuania and Ukraine have the potential not only to reinforce their defence industries but also to emerge as an innovation hub creating solutions that enhance the security of all Europe," said Vice-Minister of National Defence of Lithuania Tomas Godeliauskas.

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MoD allocates additional UAH 1.9 billion for drone procurements via DOT-Chain Defence

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

30 October, 2025, 10:14 AM EET

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has allocated an additional UAH 1.9 billion, under which the military will be able to order drones and other equipment through DOT-Chain Defence. Fifty more brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have gained access to the DOT-Chain Defence marketplace, increasing the total number of military units using the system to 180.

During the first three months of its operation, almost 100,000 drones, valued at UAH 3.74 billion, were supplied to the military through DOT-Chain Defence. The average delivery time for drones supplied from existing stock is 10 days.

The DOT-Chain Defence marketplace was developed by the State Operator for Non-Lethal Acquisition (DOT) to supply the military with weapons and equipment. The system brings together brigades, manufacturers, and the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) into a unified, secure digital environment. Moreover, the Government has recently approved extending the DOT-Chain Defence system to the National Guard of Ukraine.

Military units independently select the equipment they require, while the DPA handles all organizational processes  from contract conclusion to payment processing. This enables the military to receive the necessary equipment in just a few clicks.

DOT-Chain Defence also functions under the 'Army of Drones Bonus' program, through which all components of the Defence Forces of Ukraine are supplied. The system currently includes 200 items of equipment  FPV drones, fixed-wing drones, strike copters, and more  produced by 49 Ukrainian manufacturers.

The supply of the military through the DOT-Chain Defence is conducted alongside other programs and constitutes an additional channel for drone deliveries.

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There Are Initial Details on the Impact of U.S. and European Sanctions Against Russian Oil Companies, and It Is Quite Tangible - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

30 October 2025 - 19:30

Fellow Ukrainians!

Today, our energy workers have been working throughout the day - from Zaporizhzhia and the Mykolaiv region to the Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia regions - following the Russian strike. Unfortunately, there were hits, and the target was the energy infrastructure. We are doing everything possible to restore it and are adding reserves. I want to thank every repair crew, all utility services involved, energy companies, and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine - this is truly a nationwide effort. Everywhere the Russians have destroyed, Ukrainians are rebuilding. It is important that every community devote maximum attention and resources to this. The strike was complex - a combined, deliberately calculated one, designed to make it difficult to counter. There were missiles as well, including ballistic and air-launched ballistic types. In total, 52 missiles and more than six hundred strike drones were launched, around four hundred of them "shaheds." Most of the drones were neutralized, and two-thirds of the missiles were also shot down. Ukraine's air defense is saving a significant part of our infrastructure, and this remains the top priority - air defense systems and missiles for them. We are working on this every day. And also our long-range capabilities - our entirely justified responses to what Russia is doing against Ukraine and our people. A few hours ago there was a strike on the Slovyansk Thermal Power Plant - a strike with Russian bombs. Sadly, two people were killed. My condolences. There are also wounded. This is outright terror. Normal people don't wage war like this, and the world must respond appropriately to such Russian warfare. It is very important that we have specific agreements with Norway precisely in the field of energy - support for our gas purchases. We also have agreements with Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, and we are working with them on equipment for electricity generation. We are counting on the support of the European Commission as well. Today, the Minister of Energy of Ukraine is having a meeting with representatives of the Group of Seven - the G7 energy ministers - countries that certainly can and will support Ukraine. We are ensuring such cooperation with them. The Head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service presented a report today. There are initial details on the impact of U.S. and European sanctions against Russian oil companies, and it is quite tangible. Oil exports are the foundation of Russia's arrogance, and if sanctions are maintained and strengthened, Russia will suffer significant losses. They could amount to at least 50 billion dollars next year, which is a strong argument for Russia to develop a motive to end this war. We will continue creating more such arguments. Ukraine is already in contact with the European Union regarding the twentieth sanctions package - we are submitting our proposals. We are also engaging with the American side. We count on key states to maintain this course of action. We already see that there will be a reduction in imports of Russian oil by India and China, and it is important to ensure that there are no sanctions loopholes through third countries. A reduction in Russian oil means a reduction in Russia's war, and there must be no exceptions to this - for anyone, including Hungary. The Russians are already considering how to sell off their enterprises, particularly in Europe, as these will no longer be able to operate. Of course, there were many military reports today - primarily concerning the Pokrovsk sector, the Donetsk region in general, and the areas bordering the Dnipro region. We are destroying the occupier with all our might. I want to thank every soldier, every sergeant, and every officer who is fighting for Ukraine and securing the results Ukraine needs despite everything. We are defending our positions; we are defending our state.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Development of the PURL Initiative and Diplomatic Efforts to Achieve a Genuine Peace: The President Met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Slovenia

President of Ukraine

30 October 2025 - 16:56

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia Tanja Fajon.

"You began your visit in the regions of Ukraine, not directly in the capital. Thank you. I believe such support is very important, and we greatly appreciate it - especially when it concerns regions where life during wartime remains difficult and full of challenges. Thank you for your support and for all the projects that Slovenia has backed and participated in, especially humanitarian ones. And of course, we are grateful for your military support," said the Head of State.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the PURL initiative. The President thanked Slovenia for joining it, noting that this step also sends an important signal for other countries to participate in the initiative. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, most of the contributions are directed toward strengthening air defense, which is crucial.

"I am glad that we were able to provide this military support. It was an important step that we took - as well as in the field of humanitarian assistance. And we will do everything possible, as far as our capabilities allow," emphasized Tanja Fajon.

The sides also discussed the SAFE mechanism. The President noted that Ukraine is interested in practical cooperation and participation in joint defense projects.

The discussion also covered joint diplomatic efforts to achieve a genuine peace. The Head of State stressed that the Russians are not seeking a ceasefire and do not want peace, so pressure must continue - through sanctions, including secondary ones, against the oil sector and other industries that help Russia finance its war machine, as well as by directing frozen Russian assets toward Ukraine's defense.

Special attention was given to the work of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children Abducted by Russia and to joint efforts in this area.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Tanja Fajon also discussed Ukraine's path to EU membership and the importance of opening negotiating clusters.

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UN nuclear watchdog highlights Iran, Syria and Ukraine as key global tests

By Vibhu Mishra

29 October 2025 - Mounting nuclear risks - from Ukraine's war-torn power plants to Iran's unresolved safeguards, and renewed inspection efforts in Syria - are testing the global non-proliferation regime like never before, the UN's nuclear watchdog warned on Wednesday.

Presenting the International Atomic Energy Agency's annual report to the General Assembly, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said the past year underscored the importance of "knowing exactly the situation with regards to nuclear material and activities" in countries of concern.

The IAEA is "working in a very dedicated way on trying to restore the indispensable dialogue" with Iran over inspection regimes and uranium enrichment, to facilitate a diplomatic solution.

"Inspections are proceeding in Iran," he noted, but "there's still some way to go" before the Agency's monitoring and verification activities could be fully restored.

He highlighted a "technical understanding" reached in Cairo in July aimed at restoring inspections, emphasising that "it is now up to us - Iran and ourselves - to carry on" to ensure the non-proliferation regime's integrity in a region that has "seen enough suffering."

Syria

Turning to Syria, Mr. Grossi reported that his visit to Damascus earlier this year generated "positive conversations" and that the IAEA is "restoring our inspection work there" to clarify unresolved questions about past nuclear activities.

Successful engagement, he said, could help reintegrate Syria "positively and constructively" within the international community.

Ukraine

The IAEA chief also underscored the agency's continuing on-site presence at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant - Europe's largest - where "the outside [electrical] power supply had been interrupted," posing a dangerous risk to reactor cooling systems.

IAEA is monitoring the situation in collaboration with both Ukraine and Russia, which has helped "redress a very dangerous situation," though he cautioned that conditions at the Russian-occupied site remained precarious.

Defend the non-proliferation regime

Mr. Grossi called for renewed international commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which he described as an anchor of "stability and certainty in a world that badly needs it."

He also spotlighted the rapid growth in the peaceful use of nuclear energy technology and the IAEA's work to ensure public safety.

The Agency's initiatives include training women workers in the nuclear industry through the Marie Curie and Lise Meitner fellowships and deploying nuclear technology for health, food security, and environmental protection.



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Trump orders US War Department to immediately resume nuclear weapons testing amid atomic arms race fears

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 30 October 2025 2:58 AM

US President Donald Trump has instructed the country's Department of War to immediately resume testing nuclear weapons in a decision that has alarmed disarmament advocates and global security experts.

Posting on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, Trump said he had issued the order "because of other countries testing programs."

"That process will begin immediately," he added.

The US president described Russia and China as respectively the second and third biggest nuclear armed powers in the world, alleging that if Washington did not resume the testing, the countries would catch up with it "within five years."

The testing process is expected to provide data on how new warheads function and whether aging stockpiles remained reliable.

Trump's remarks marked the most direct US call for renewed nuclear testing since Washington conducted its last live detonation in 1992.

Critics have warned that reviving live tests could destroy decades of painstaking non-proliferation efforts and invite a cascade of retaliatory tests worldwide, eroding the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

The United States opened the nuclear era in July 1945 with the detonation of a 20-kiloton bomb at Alamogordo, New Mexico, and weeks later resorted to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The latter catastrophe has etched Washington's name in history as the only party in the world to ever actually deploy the non-conventional arms.

Observers say Trump's Thursday move threatens to undo efforts by generations of global leaders to ensure the tragedy would never be repeated.

They have also warned about potential efforts by the Israeli regime, the US's closest ally in West Asia and the only possessor of nuclear arms in the region, to try to justify further enhancing its deadly nuclear arsenal using the knowhow, which is to be acquired by Washington from the tests.

Trump, however, alleged that he "HATED" to issue the order "because of the tremendous destructive power," but "had no choice!" because of his self-proclaimed fear of other nuclear armed powers' catching up with Washington.

Last year, a report revealed that the United States planned to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on modernizing its nuclear arsenal.

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US Nuclear Weapons Testing

On 30 October 2025, President Trump announced on his social network Truth Social that he had directed the Department of Defense to resume testing nuclear weapons "on an equal basis" with Russia and China. "Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately," Trump said on Truth Social. Trump said that he had instructed the Pentagon to "immediately" start nuclear weapons testing "on an equal basis" with other countries that allegedly have nuclear weapons testing programs. He added that the United States has the largest nuclear arsenal, but China can catch up with it in five years.

Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton stated 03 November 2025 that CIA Director John Ratcliffe personally confirmed to him that Russia and China hade conducted super-critical nuclear weapons tests exceeding the U.S. zero-yield standard. "After consultations with Director Ratcliffe and his team, they have confirmed to me that the CIA assesses that both Russia and China have conducted super-critical nuclear weapons tests in excess of the U.S. zero-yield standard. These tests are not historic and are part of their nuclear modernization programs."

This assessment indicated the tests are recent and tied to their nuclear modernization efforts, not historical events. Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified on November 2-3, 2025, that these U.S. tests will not involve actual nuclear explosions or detonations (e.g., no mushroom clouds), but rather non-critical system tests of weapons components excluding the fissile core. This aligns with maintaining the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty moratorium, though the U.S. has not ratified the treaty. The announcements sparked global reactions, including Russian President Putin directing officials to prepare proposals for potential nuclear testing resumption on November 5, 2025. Arms control experts expressedconcerns over potential escalation in a new arms race.

Donald Trump on CBS 60 Minutes, interviewed by Norah O'Donnell on 02 NOvember 2025, said "Well, we have more nuclear weapons than any other country. Russia's second. China's a very distant third, but they'll be even in five years. You know, they're makin' 'em rapidly, and I think we should do something about denuclearization, which is gonna be some-- and I did actually discuss that with both President Putin and President Xi. Denuclearization's a very big thing. We have enough nuclear weapons to blow up the world 150 times. Russia has a lot of nuclear weapons, and China will have a lot. They have some. They have quite a bit...

"Well, because you have to see how they work. You know, you do have to-- and the reason I'm saying-- testing is because Russia announced that they were gonna be doing a test. If you notice, North Korea's testing constantly. Other countries are testing. We're the only country that doesn't test, and I wanna be-- I don't wanna be the only country that doesn't test.

"We have tremendous nuclear power that was given to us largely because when I was president (and I hated to do it, but you have to do it)-- I rebuilt the military during my first term. My first term was a tremendous success. We had the greatest economy in the history of our country. But my second term is blowing it away. It's blowing it away when you look at the numbers, the stock market, the jobs. Look at the job numbers, how good they've been. And, again, I have costs down. Remember, Biden gave me the worst inflation rate in the history of our country--

"I'm saying that we're going to test nuclear weapons like other countries do, yes.... Russia's testing nuclear weapons -- ... And China's testing 'em too. You just don't know about it..... Russia's testing, and China's testing, but they don't talk about it. You know, we're a open society. We're different. We talk about it. We have to talk about it, because otherwise you people are gonna report-- they don't have reporters that gonna be writing about it. We do. No, we're gonna test, because they test and others test. And certainly North Korea's been testing. Pakistan's been testing....

"But they don't go and tell you about it. And, you know, as powerful as they are, this is a big world. You don't necessarily know where they're testing. They-- they test way under-- underground where people don't know exactly what's happening with the test. You feel a little bit of a vibration. They test and we don't test. We have to test. And Russia did make-- a little bit of a threat the other day when they said they were gonna do certain forms of a different level of testing. But Russia tests, China-- and China does test, and we're gonna test also.

"Doesn't it sorta make sense? You know, you make-- you make nuclear weapons, and then you don't test. How are you gonna do that? How are you gonna know if they work? We have to do that-- .... According to me. We have the best, and I was the one that renovated them and built them during a four-year period. And I hated to do it, because the destructive capability is something you don't even wanna talk about. But if other people are gonna have 'em, we're gonna have to have 'em.

"And if we have 'em, we have to test 'em, otherwise you don't really know how they're gonna work. And we don't wanna ever use them. And in the meantime, I've solved eight wars. I knocked out eight wars. I had eight wars-- I brought a little list for you if you'd like to see it-- but I took eight wars and stopped during an eight-month period, during eight months."

Russia last tested a nuclear weapon during the Soviet period in 1990. The US halted its testing in 1992 under a Congress-mandated moratorium. According to a recent estimate by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the US has 5,177 nuclear warheads, Russia had 5,459, and China was projected to reach 1,500 by 2035.

According to data from the Washington-based think tank, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), China's nuclear warhead stockpile has doubled from approximately 300 in 2020 to approximately 600 in 2025. The U.S. military estimates that China will possess more than 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030. The organization stated that during its Victory Day parade this September, China displayed five nuclear weapon systems capable of striking the U.S. mainland.

Trump told reporters that resuming nuclear testing was to ensure that the United States could keep pace with other nuclear powers. Since other countries are conducting nuclear tests, I think we should too, he said aboard Air Force One, adding that the test site would be determined later. When asked if this meant the world was entering a phase of higher nuclear risk, Trump dismissed the threat: Our nuclear arsenal is safe. He then added that he still welcomed nuclear disarmament.

I want to see nuclear disarmament because we have too many nuclear weapons. Russia is second, China is third, and China will catch up in four or five years, Trump said. We are actually in dialogue with Russia on this, and if there is further action, China will also be included. It is unclear whether the test Trump referred to was a nuclear explosion conducted by the National Nuclear Security Administration or a nuclear missile flight test.

The United States had no valid reason to resume nuclear weapons testing, a practice it halted in 1992, Arms Control Association Executive Director Daryl Kimball said, citing a lack of technical, military, or political need. The United States is legally obligated to comply with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which almost every country in the world has signed, he added. "Nearly all the worlds nations have joined the 1996 Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which as a signatory the United States is legally obligated to respect," Kimball said.

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) has not entered into force. However, there is a strong argument that a customary international law prohibiting nuclear weapon tests exists, based on a long-standing global practice of not testing, coupled with a widespread understanding of a legal or moral obligation to refrain. While the CTBT remains a treaty awaiting ratification for its full legal force, its principles are becoming a de facto norm for many states. Customary international law arises from established, consistent state practices and a sense of legal obligation (opinio juris). Arguments for a customary ban are based on decades of states refraining from nuclear testing, creating a general practice. Opinio juris exists because most states view nuclear testing as a harmful and illegal act, even if the treaty isn't in force.

While the US has signed the CTBT, it is not legally obliged to follow it since Washington never ratified it. It will only enter into force after ratification by all 44 states listed in Annex 2, including the United States, which has not ratified it. When a country signs a treaty, it is expressing general agreement with the treatys contents and its intention to comply with the treaty in the future. But it is when a country ratifies a treaty that it confirms that it has completed the necessary domestic legal steps to put the treaty into action. Ratification makes a treaty legally binding for a country under international law.

During the Cold War, the US and the Soviet Union signed several treaties and agreements to control the nuclear arms race. However, most of these have lapsed or fallen apart. For instance, in 1972, the two signed the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, but the US withdrew from it in 2002.

Trump's announcement preceded a meeting with China's leader Xi Jinping. It also followed an announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that his country had successfully test its nuclear-powered Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle, and also the 26 October annnoucement that Russia had also successfully test its Burevestnik nuclear-powered unlimited-range cruise missile.

Putin said Moscow had successfully tested a new atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone, the Poseidon, on Tuesday. The Russian president said about the Poseidon: There is nothing like this in the world in terms of the speed and the depth of the movement of this unmanned vehicle  and it is unlikely there ever will be.

A nuclear-powered platform or weapon  whether an aircraft carrier, missile or drone  draws its propulsion from nuclear fission instead of traditional fuels. But a nuclear-powered object isnt automatically a nuclear weapon: nuclear power also generates a 10th of the worlds electricity. A nuclear-capable weapon, like the Poseidon, could, however, become a nuclear weapon: It is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. But for now, Russia had tested these weapons without any nuclear warhead.

Donald Trumps move to resume nuclear testing is an effort to hijack the global media spotlight after Vladimir Putins announcement of the successful tests of Russias Burevestnik cruise missile and Poseidon nuclear torpedo, believes Russian military analyst Igor Korotchenko. Even though Russia has emphasized that these launches cannot in any way be regarded as nuclear tests, the US reaction is classic overcompensation born of an inferiority complex  as Russia advances while America clings to its aging nuclear triad, Igor Korotchenko, who is also editor in chief of "National Defense" magazine and Director of the Center for analysis of world arms trade, told Sputnik.

Although US Minuteman III ICBMs, Trident D5 SLBMs and air-launched cruise missiles were developed decades ago, they are fully operational for use against a potential adversary, explains the expert. However, resuming the actual nuclear tests might present a challenge.

The US would need at least 36 months to resume contained nuclear tests underground at the former test site in Nevada, media reports cite Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, as saying. Though Nevadas site is fully maintained, preparing for a full-scale test would indeed take time, agrees Korotchenko.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that there are no detailed expert-level negotiations on nuclear disarmament between Russia and the US at present, though the issue has been brought up repeatedly. Indeed, the US previously exited the ABM Treaty, withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), and effectively nullified New START  something that may become de jure, Korotchenko points out.

The US never ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)  only making a voluntarily pledge not to conduct nuclear tests. But that verbal commitment is mere political toilet paper  to be flushed whenever US military or political convenience demands, says the analyst. US President Donald Trump has claimed that other countries are conducting nuclear weapon tests, but if he was referring to Russia's Burevestnik missile, such claims are incorrect, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

President Trump, in his statement, mentioned that other countries are supposedly conducting nuclear weapons tests... If, in some way, this refers to the Burevestnik [missile] test, it is in no way a nuclear test, Peskov told reporters. You probably noticed that [Russia President Vladimir Putin] spoke about Burevestnik on Sunday, and yesterday he referred to [the Poseidon missile] trial that happened two days earlier, Peskov said.

In Foreign Affairs magazine of July/August 2024, Robert C. OBrien, a former national security adviser to Mr. Trump, wrote, The United States has to maintain technical and numerical superiority to the combined Chinese and Russian nuclear stockpiles. To do so, Washington must test new nuclear weapons for reliability and safety in the real world for the first time since 1992not just by using computer models. If China and Russia continue to refuse to engage in good-faith arms control talks, the United States should also resume production of uranium-235 and plutonium-239, the primary fissile isotopes of nuclear weapons.

The Washington Post reported on 22 May 2020 that officials in U.S. President Donald Trump's administration discussed whether to conduct the country's first nuclear test explosion since 1992. The newspaper cited a senior administration official and two former officials as saying the topic came up at a 15 May meeting of top national-security officials. What prompted the discussion was U.S. suspicions that both Russia and China have been conducting low-yield nuclear tests in recent years. The meeting did not conclude with any agreement to conduct a nuclear test. A decision was ultimately made to take other measures in response and to avoid a resumption of testing, the Post said. In 2019 the director of the Pentagon's intelligence agency caused a stir when he asserted that Russia had moved forward in developing new nonstrategic nuclear weapons and might have been violating an international test ban in place for decades. "The United States believes Russia is probably not adhering to the nuclear testing moratorium in a manner consistent with the zero-yield standard," Lieutenant General Robert Ashley said at the Hudson Institute, a Washington, DC thinktank, in May 2019.

According to a reporter from Time magazine, the first steps toward resuming nuclear tests in the US were made in 2017. At the time, an unnamed National Nuclear Security Administration official told the reporter that nuclear tests could potentially be conducted for "political purposes".

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NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces the filing of a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of common stock of James Hardie Industries plc (NYSE: JHX) between May 20, 2025 through August 18, 2025, both dates inclusive (the Class Period). If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than December 23, 2025.

SO WHAT: If you purchased James Hardie common stock 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 James Hardie class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=46976 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com 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 December 23, 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. 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 firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, James Hardie Industries plc misled investors about the strength of its key North America Fiber Cement segment between May 20 and August 18, 2025. Despite knowing by April and early May that distributors were destocking inventory, James Hardie falsely claimed demand remained strong and that stock levels were normal. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the James Hardie class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=46976 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com 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 investors 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

case@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until November 18, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against KBR, Inc. (NYSE: KBR), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Companys securities between May 6, 2025 and June 19, 2025, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

Get Help

KBR investors should visit us at https://www.claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-kbr-1 or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

KBR and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On June 19, 2025, HomeSafe Alliance (HomeSafe), a KBR joint venture in which KBR has a 72% economic interest, disclosed that it received a notice from the U.S. Department of Defense's Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) terminating the Global Household Goods Contract, which HomeSafe won in 2021 to transform the military move system for the benefit of service members and their families.

On this news, the price of KBRs shares fell $3.85 per share, or 7.29%, to close at $48.93 on June 20, 2025. On June 23, 2025, the next trading day, KBR stock fell a further $1.30, or 2.65%, to close at $47.63 on June 23, 2025.

The case is Norrman v. KBR, Inc., et al., No. 25-cv-04464.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.
NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder information service, reminds investors that they have until December 8, 2025 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against WPP plc (NYSE: WPP), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Companys shares between February 27, 2025 and July 8, 2025, inclusive (the Class Period). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Get Help

WPP investors should visit us at https://claimsfiler.com/cases/nyse-wpp/ or call toll-free (844) 367-9658. Lawyers at Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC are available to discuss your legal options.

About the Lawsuit

WPP and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On July 9, 2025, the Company published a trading update for the first half of 2025, disclosing that it had allegedly seen a deterioration in performance as Q2 has progressed due to both continued macro uncertainty weighing on client spend and weaker net new business than originally anticipated, as well as some distraction to the business as a result of the continued restructuring of WPP Media a.k.a. GroupM. The Company further disclosed that its CEO will retire from the Board and as CEO on 31 December 2025.

On this news, the price of WPPs shares fell from a closing price of $35.82 per share on July 8, 2025 to $29.34 per share on July 9, 2025, a decline of about 18.1% in the span of just a single day.

The case is Marty v. WPP plc, 25-cv-08365.

About ClaimsFiler

ClaimsFiler has a single mission: to serve as the information source to help retail investors recover their share of billions of dollars from securities class action settlements. At ClaimsFiler.com, investors can: (1) register for free to gain access to information and settlement websites for various securities class action cases so they can timely submit their own claims; (2) upload their portfolio transactional data to be notified about relevant securities cases in which they may have a financial interest; and (3) submit inquiries to the Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC law firm for free case evaluations.

To learn more about ClaimsFiler, visit www.claimsfiler.com.
NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CTR, a leading automotive parts brand, has officially launched its global campaign CTR THE CORE Manual, encapsulating the brands philosophy and technical expertise. The campaign was designed to transparently introduce CTR's safety-centered technological innovation accumulated over 70 years and to communicate the brand's essential values in a more accessible way.

Under the message Safety at the Core of CTR, the company highlights its brand image, safety-assured design, and technological differentiation. The company emphasized that the campaign goes beyond simple promotionit is an effort to build customer trust by showcasing its technology, testing, and people.

Additionally, CTR THE CORE Manual is structured around easily understandable keywords centered on the brand's core value of "safety," rather than being a typical guide or catalog. The brand value is conveyed through five keywords:  CORE Safety, which protects every drive and moment;  CORE Innovation, born from a deep safety philosophy;  CORE Practical, which helps with easy and accurate parts selection;  CORE Reassurance, the true peace of mind that genuine parts provide; and  CORE Fit, precise and reliable design.



The campaign, designed to more easily communicate the value of safety that CTR has built over its long history, will roll out across various channels, including a brand story video, a brand manual reflecting CTR's safety philosophy, newsletters, and offline events. The manual contains practical information ranging from product development and verification processes to differentiation from counterfeit products and proper usage instructions, and is provided as a PDF file. Notably, the video draws attention by being produced with only subtitles and musicno narrationso that anyone can easily understand it regardless of language.

(Campaign video: https://youtu.be/8yPvG-kK2Ok?si=8N9a7JKfjr1kzPtv)

Furthermore, an interactive customer quiz event is also available. Participants who take The CO:RE Quiz of CTR based on the manual content on the campaign website can receive various prizes through a drawing. The event is open to anyone worldwide and runs until December 11, 2025.

(Quiz event: Core Manual | CTR Aftermarket)

For more details about the campaign and how to participate, visit CTR's official website.

CTR Campaign Page: https://www.ctr.co.kr/core_manual

CTR Aftermarket Campaign Page: https://aftermarket.ctr.co.kr/us/core_manual

Marketing Communication Team

sales_aftermarket@ctr.co.kr

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/307c1eeb-34dd-4c5f-9eaa-61e830c993c1
With $20 Million Global Startup Program



And Summit Leadership in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aqua Labs, the emerging UAE-based Web3 investment group, has reinforced its commitment to the nations Economic Vision 2030 through its leadership role at the Vision 2030: Global Digital Economy and Brand Excellence Summit. The event was held from 23 to 28 October 2025, at Palazzo Versace in Dubai.

Organised by MOVA, the next-generation modular blockchain for global payments, and Minax, the real-world asset (RWA) platform, the summit celebrated the convergence of technology, art, and enterprise in driving the next phase of global economic transformation.

The event convened senior representatives from the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism, the World Bank, the Private Office of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, Bithumb and Palm Promax Investment, alongside leading investors and innovators.

Speakers included Dr Peter Knez, former Chief Investment Officer of BlackRock; Dr Sara Al Mashjari; Representatives of the Promotion and Investment Center for Burkina Faso and Partners (CPIB) in the UAE; Board Members of Promax Group; and representatives from the UN headquarters of AACID - ECOSOC UN; Wael Muhalsen, CEO of MOVA; and Bobby Zhou, Founding Partner of Aqua Labs.

The participation of Aqua Labs, an innovative new player, at the summit followed the recent launch of its $20 million Startup Support Program. The program was unveiled in October 2025 in Abu Dhabi and invites founders worldwide to apply for funding, mentorship, and access to Web3 infrastructure designed to accelerate real-world adoption of blockchain, AI, and digital finance technologies. The program also underscores Aqua Labs nascent mission to empower visionary entrepreneurs and position the UAE as a global launchpad for next-generation innovation.

At the summit, Bobby Zhou, Founding Partner of Aqua Labs, said:

We are honored to have supported the Vision 2030: Global Digital Economy & Brand Excellence Summit and to have given the opening address. Vision 2030 is a celebration of the convergence of technology, art, and real-world assets. We brought together visionary leaders, pioneering brands, and innovators with a shared goal: to transform traditional industries through blockchain-powered infrastructure and global asset tokenization.

Too often, when people hear the word blockchain, they think of volatility, speculation, or fringe technologies. That perception is outdated. Blockchain represents excellence and virtue, a framework for trust in the digital world. By embracing it, we can reimagine industries, unlock new creative potential, and enable real-world value to flow seamlessly across borders. We are not just imagining the future, we are creating it.

Aqua Labs Investment LLC recently launched in Abu Dhabi as a licensed entity under the Department of Economic Development, serving as the operational arm of the Aqua1 Foundation. Its next-generation mandate is to develop infrastructure for real-world asset tokenization, AI-powered financial systems, and compliant blockchain ecosystems that connect sovereign and institutional capital with digital finance innovation.

Through partnerships with sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, and global technology leaders, Aqua Labs is building a transparent and scalable framework for the next generation of financial systems  one capable of bringing trillions in real-world assets on-chain while fostering liquidity, resilience, and inclusion across markets.




GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, Oct. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Toobit, the award-winning global cryptocurrency exchange, today announces the launch of the Toobit Shield Fund. This multi-million-dollar fund is a proactive risk reserve that provides free, automatic protection for all Toobit traders against losses from unforeseen platform incidents.

The Shield Fund ensures robust coverage for traders' assets, whether they are trading, staking, or simply holding funds on the platform. The protection is activated automatically from the moment a trader makes their first deposit, and Toobit has fully financed the fund as part of its commitment to a secure trading environment. A live, 24/7 public dashboard shows the fund's total value, ensuring full transparency.

"The safety of our traders' funds is the bedrock of everything we do," said Mike Williams, Chief Communication Officer at Toobit. "The Shield Fund gives every trader an automatic safety net, so you can trade worry-free."

The fund is specifically designed to cover losses resulting from internal technical or security failures on the Toobit platform, and does not cover losses from personal account compromises, individual trading decisions, or market volatility.

Given the escalating security threats in the digital asset industry, with an estimated $2.17 billion lost to hacks in just the first half of 2025, the demand for robust protection has never been greater.

Toobit's Shield Fund directly addresses this urgent need, providing a self-initiated layer of security and confidence for its traders at a time when the broader decentralized insurance market is projected to reach over $135 billion by 2032.

About Toobit

Toobit is where the future of crypto trading unfoldsan award-winning cryptocurrency derivatives exchange built for those who thrive exploring new frontiers. With deep liquidity and cutting-edge technology, Toobit empowers traders worldwide to navigate the digital asset markets with confidence. We offer a fair, secure, seamless, and transparent trading experience, ensuring every trade is an opportunity to discover whats next.

For more information about Toobit, visit: Website | X | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Instagram

Contact: Davin C.

Email: market@toobit.com

Website: www.toobit.com

Disclaimer: This content is provided by the sponsor. 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. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be70a790-7378-4782-9dcd-c6ba415f9a5f
Rancho Cucamonga, CA , Oct. 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Law Offices of Justin H. King today announced the release of a new article on its website: Why the Law Offices of Justin H. King Outperforms Other California Personal Injury Firms. The piece highlights the firms nearly century-long legal legacy, proven results in catastrophic injury cases, and unique advantage of insider knowledge from working within insurance defense.



The Law Offices of Justin H. King

A Legacy of Legal Advocacy in the Inland Empire

Founded on a family tradition dating back to the 1930s, the King family has shaped the Inland Empires legal landscape for nearly 100 years. Today, brothers Justin, Jonathan, and Oliver continue that legacy with a practice focused on securing life-changing outcomes for injured clients.

We want people to know that choosing an attorney isnt just a legal decision - its a life decision, said Justin H. King, Inland Empire personal injury lawyer and Founding Attorney. Our familys legacy, combined with trial experience and insurance industry insight, allows us to achieve results most firms simply cant.

Results Backed by Experience and Strategy

The article details multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements, including $4.75 million in a medical negligence case and $4.35 million for a bus accident victim. Unlike many firms, the Law Offices of Justin H. King prepares every case as if it will go to trial - filing lawsuits early, retaining experts immediately, and leveraging proven litigation strategies to secure faster, higher settlements. All verdicts and settlements referenced are publicly reported and achieved by firm attorneys, as verified by legal publications.

A Client-Centered Approach

Beyond results, the firm prioritizes accessibility and personal service. Every client receives direct access to their attorney, with bilingual EnglishSpanish support and in-home or hospital consultations when needed.

Read the Full Article

The full article, Why the Law Offices of Justin H. King Outperforms Other California Personal Injury Firms, is available now on the firms blog.

About the Law Offices of Justin H. King

The Law Offices of Justin H. King is a premier personal injury law firm based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, serving clients across the Inland Empire and Southern California. Recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell, the firm specializes in catastrophic injury, wrongful death, mass torts, and insurance bad faith litigation.

###

Media Contact:

George Cohaff

The Law Offices of Justin H. King

Phone: (909) 297-5001

Email: localwebmaster@justinkinglaw.com

Website: www.justinkinglaw.com
SHENZHEN, China, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2025 Global Computing Conference (CGC 2025), hosted by the Global Computing Consortium (GCC), will take place on November 78, 2025, at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center (Futian) under the theme Building New Foundations, Powering NewIntelligence-Embracing the Al Future The event will focus on trend insights, technology solutions, resource alignment, and scenario implementationaccelerating innovation across the intelligent computing ecosystem.

As Chinas AI computing industry faces key challenges, CGC 2025 will spotlight solutions for scaling intelligent infrastructure. The Main Forum will release regional computing industry reports covering Southeast and Central Asia, providing data-driven insights into market differentiation and development opportunities. Topics include AI supernode architecture, computing interconnect innovations, integrated AIgeneral computing frameworks, and large models as the operating system of the intelligent world. Experts will discuss the path toward embedding large models into over 50% of core industry applications within the next two years.



Bringing together over 600 global experts from academia, industry, and investment sectors, CGC 2025 creates a fully interactive experiencecombining trend discussions, technical deep dives, and hands-on demonstrations. The Intelligent Computing Forum will debut HiF8, a new Chinese-designed floating-point data format for low-precision AI computing, and share AI chip optimization practices and intelligent computing service standards to advance heterogeneous computing and data center evolution.



Over 20 technical standards and achievementsincluding Confidential Computing and the next-generation BIOS frameworkwill be released, defining technology roadmaps for the next three years. The 2025 Global Most Valuable Practice Solutions.

(GMVPS 2025) will showcase real-world deployments across finance, energy, and healthcare. Immersive exhibition zones such as CloudDeviceXR and Embodied AI Robotics will enable visitors to experience cutting-edge innovations firsthand.



CGC 2025 stands as a results-driven platformwhere industry leaders connect, collaborate, and co-create the intelligent computing future.



Media contact

Company Name: Global Computing Consortium (GCC)

Contact: Morris Ju

Add: Shenzhen Science and Technology Pioneer Park, Futian District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

Email: icd@gccorg.com

Phone: 86+13811332860

Website: https://en.gccorg.com/
DALLAS, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CreditVetos 2025 Insight Report highlights the rising role of local professionals in driving economic empowerment by providing innovative services that combine credit repair and funding access. This new approach is reshaping the landscape for small-business growth and financial independence.

CreditVeto has released its 2025 Insight Report, a comprehensive look at how local professionals are playing an increasingly pivotal role in promoting financial empowerment and growth across the United States. This new model is supporting the development of small businesses by combining critical services that help individuals improve their financial standing while also setting them up for success in entrepreneurship.





The 2025 report identifies a rising trend where local professionals, such as barbers, hairstylists, rideshare drivers, and tax consultants, are using accessible tools and innovative strategies to guide people toward financial independence. These professionals are helping individuals improve their financial standing, all while simultaneously setting up pathways for business development.

Many people have long faced obstacles when it comes to credit and business funding, but now, a fresh approach is allowing them to take proactive steps in their financial journeys. Local professionals are guiding their communities to unlock new opportunities for growth, said a CreditVeto spokesperson. The trend were seeing highlights the power of community-driven financial solutions.

How Local Professionals Are Empowering Communities

The report illustrates how local professionals are creating new opportunities within their communities, which were previously unavailable through traditional financial services. Many individuals with credit challenges who once struggled to access capital for their businesses are now receiving practical, community-supported solutions that empower them to rebuild their financial futures.

The financial system has traditionally been divided into credit repair and business funding, but this new approach merges the two, giving people more than one opportunity to succeed. Were seeing local professionals guide people through the journey of financial empowerment with their community-driven, tailored support, the spokesperson continued.

Shaping the Future of Small-Business Financing

The shift toward integrating credit repair with business funding represents a significant change for the small-business landscape. By embracing this dual approach, small-business owners and entrepreneurs now have a more comprehensive means of addressing financial needs, while also gaining access to tools that enable growth and sustainability.

The 2025 Insight Report shows that when local professionals act as both advisors and supporters, communities are witnessing stronger engagement, deeper connections, and more significant trust in financial solutions. This shift signals a transformation in how financial services can be delivered at the grassroots level.

Technology Bridging Gaps for Local Businesses

The CreditVeto platform, equipped with modern technological solutions, is helping local professionals seamlessly combine credit repair and business preparation processes. The platform offers tools to monitor clients progress and connect them with viable resources for building businesses. By working within their established networks, local professionals have a unique opportunity to offer services that meet the real financial needs of their communities.

About CreditVeto

CreditVeto is a forward-thinking company focused on creating solutions that empower small-business owners and community leaders. The company provides technology, training, and support for local professionals, enabling them to support individuals with financial guidance. By helping individuals rebuild their credit and establish viable businesses, CreditVeto aims to make financial independence achievable for people from all backgrounds.

Media Contact

CreditVeto

Press Team

Email: support@creditveto.com

Website

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

X

Disclaimer: This content is provided by CreditVeto. 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. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or business advice. All investments carry inherent risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own due diligence and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any inaccuracies, misrepresentations, or financial losses resulting from the use or reliance on the information in this press release. Speculate only with funds you can afford to lose. In the event of any legal claims or concerns regarding this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an "as-is" basis, without warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained herein. Any complaints, copyright issues, or inquiries regarding this article should be directed to the content provider listed above.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

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ROCKVILLE, Md. and NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inteleos, a global nonprofit healthcare certification organization, expands its commitment to working on the ground in Africa to elevate the standard of global healthcare with the opening of an office with a dedicated, local team in Nairobi, Kenya. Inteleos Africa, opened in October 2025, will focus on improving the quality of and access to Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) education and certification in East Africa and beyond.

Improving Outcomes Through Certification

Through education and validation of clinical proficiency by certification, the ultimate goal is to improve maternal and fetal health outcomes. In addition, certification stands to expand economic and employment opportunities for frontline clinicians, especially midwives and nurses. Inteleos will continue its prior work in Kenya in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and their new certification requirements to set standards that other nations will follow as a model for improving maternal-fetal outcomes.

Certification ensures that the pockets and pilots of POCUS training meet the global standard of proficiency while aligning with the local scope of practice. This ensures sustainable proficiency and accessible quality of care, noted Pamela Ruiz, Chief Business Development Officer at Inteleos. Our ongoing collaboration with Kenyas Ministry of Health and stakeholders on the ground shows how local and global leadership can drive meaningful change.

Global Experience, Local Impact

Inteleos and its related organizations bring a 50-year legacy of working with communities of practice and institutions to ensure equitable access to quality care through sonography and other imaging certification, including POCUS and obstetric POCUS (OPOCUS) certification programs. Inteleos has certified more than 150,000 healthcare practitioners of varying levels in 113 different countries. As a leading provider of certification in Africa, Inteleos has actively worked in Kenya for the last three years and also brings certifications to the country that are ISO certified.

The first Inteleos Africa executive is Steven Opondo, the new Director of Partnerships and Growth. "Kenya is pioneering approaches that will help transform healthcare outcomes regionally, said Mr. Opondo. Having an Inteleos Africa team on the ground will accelerate adoption of international standards and benefit patients across Africa.

Nairobi was chosen as the location for Inteleos first Africa office since Kenya is at the forefront of setting standards and policies that will transform patient care. While OPOCUS certifications are accepted across the globe, Kenya is the only nation that requires certification for OPOCUS trainers. The Kenya Ministry of Health has set out the certification requirements as a part of its National Obstetrics Point of Care Ultrasound (O-POCUS) Guidelines, with the goal of improving maternal and fetal health outcomes.

Supporting Growth and Collaboration

Inteleos Africa will participate in two upcoming events: The Kenya Medical Association OPOCUS training and certification event in late October and the African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA) conference in early November.

For more information on Inteleos Africa, visit Inteleos.org/Africa_office.

About Inteleos

Inteleos is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare globally. It oversees the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), the Alliance for Physician Certification & Advancement (APCA), and the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Certification Academy (PCA), collectively representing 150,000 certified medical professionals worldwide. The Inteleos Foundation manages the organizations philanthropic initiatives. Learn more at Inteleos.org.
Paris

Quadient (Euronext Paris: QDT), a global intelligent automation platform enabling secure and professional business connections, today announced that it has been ranked No. 1 in worldwide Customer Communications Management (CCM) 2024 market share, capturing 11% of the market according to the IDC Worldwide Customer Communications Management Software Market Shares, 2024: Elevating Efficiency and Dynamic Experiences with AI (doc #US53742425, September 2025) report.

Findings in the report highlight a broader shift in customer communication strategies, as organizations move from cost containment toward customer-centric innovation powered by AI and automation. According to the report, the total CCM market grew to $2.1 billion in 2024, up 5.7% from 2023. Reflecting this market evolution, Quadient in 2024 enhanced customer retention, secured several large deals and expanded its channel partnerships, strengthening growth in CCM revenue and outpacing the market.

Amy Machado, senior Research Manager at IDC, said: Organizations are investing in AI-driven communication platforms that personalize engagement and unify digital and human touchpoints. Quadients platform leverages AI that evolves and adapts to customer needs for faster content creation, advanced personalization, automated translation, and intelligent workflow orchestration. As companies navigate an ever-changing regulatory landscape, Quadient is also helping simplify compliance and mitigate risk through managed templates and detailed audit trails. Guided by its 'Elevate to 2030' strategy, Quadient is providing future-ready communications management solutions for the dynamic digital world.

Quadient believes that its success stems from sustained investment in innovation to meet evolving customer communication needs across industries. The company delivers AI-assisted solutions that help large enterprises automate complex, regulated communications while also addressing the growing mid-market demand for advanced multichannel customer communications management. These efforts have earned Quadient consistent recognition from customers and analysts alike, with top ratings on Gartner Peer Insights, G2 and TrustRadius, and continued leadership positions on the Aspire CCS Leaderboard for CCM and CXM.

The companys latest advancements further demonstrate its commitment to helping organizations design, orchestrate and optimize personalized communications with agility and control. Enhanced AI-assisted authoring, sentiment analysis, translation, and event-driven workflow capabilities enable business users to simplify content creation and elevate customer engagement, while reinforcing governance, compliance and accuracyqualities increasingly critical in regulated and high-volume environments.

We believe Quadients No. 1 ranking for 2024 global CCM market share reflects more than momentum. It reflects our ability to consistently deliver innovation and superior customer experience, said Geoffrey Godet, CEO of Quadient. Our Digital journey to todays leading position focuses on two key pillars: customer satisfaction and innovation. By meeting and even exceeding customer needs through deep AI and continuous product improvements, were redefining what it means to communicate intelligently for large as well as mid-segment enterprises. Thanks to our ability to adapt our CCM expertise to the mid-segment, we have been able to respond to customer needs across a broader range of company sizes, positioning ourselves for success independent of scale. Our 2024 CCM top market share ranking demonstrates that our growth strategy for large and mid-sized enterprises is working hand in hand with our customers success.

By continuing to invest in AI, cloud innovation and intelligent automation, Quadient helps organizations communicate smarter, faster and more securely. From transforming customer experiences to ensuring compliance in complex markets, Quadient empowers businesses to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. To learn more about how Quadient customers have reshaped their customer communications, visit www.quadient.com/en/quadient-ccm-market-share-leader.

About Quadient

Quadient is a global automation platform powering secure and sustainable business connections through digital and physical channels. Quadient supports businesses of all sizes in their digital transformation and growth journey, unlocking operational efficiency and creating meaningful customer experiences. Listed in compartment B of Euronext Paris (QDT) and part of the CAC Mid & Small and EnterNext Tech 40 indices, Quadient shares are eligible for PEA-PME investing. For more information about Quadient, visit http://www.quadient.com/en/.

Contacts

Joe Scolaro, Quadient

Global Press Relations Manager

+1 203-301-3673

j.scolaro@quadient.com

Kiley Ribordy, Walker Sands

Senior PR Director

quadientpr@walkersands.com

Attachment
Reference is made to the stock exchange announcement by Hofseth BioCare ASA ("HBC" or the "Company") on 27 October 2025 regarding (i) the completion of a private placement (the "Private Placement") of new shares in the Company the "Offer Shares"), the completion of which by delivery of Offer Shares in tranche 2 (the "T2 Offer Shares") is subject to, among other things, an extraordinary general meeting (the "EGM") resolving to issue the T2 Offer Shares in the Private Placement and (ii) a potential subsequent repair offering which is subject to the EGM authorising the Company's board of directors (the "Board") to issue new shares.

The Board therefore calls for an EGM to be held at the offices of the Company at Keiser Wilhelms gate 24, Alesund on 20 November 2025 at 11:00 hours CEST.

The Company has already received voting undertakings from shareholders representing the necessary majority requirement to approve the Transaction and related resolutions at the EGM.

For further information, please contact:

Jon Olav degard, CEO of Hofseth BioCare ASA

Phone: +47 93632966

E-mail: investor@hofsethbiocare.no

About Hofseth BioCare ASA:

HBC is a Norwegian consumer and pet health company founded on the core values of sustainability, optimal utilization of natural resources and full traceability. It upcycles the side streams of the salmon industry by taking fresh filleted salmon and converting it from a waste product into ingredients to improve human and pet health.

These ingredients are ProGo, a mix of bioactive peptides and collagen, OmeGo, a whole salmon oil, with all the fatty acid fractions contained in fish, and CalGo / NT-II salmon bone powder containing calcium hydroxyapatite and undenatured collagen for bone and joint health.

HBC places scientific evidence at the forefront which has led to important academic partnerships and the identification of unique health benefits. This includes the demonstration of improved iron metabolism by boosting the body's ability to utilize and use iron resulting in increased energy and vitality with ProGo as well as the activation of the GLP-1 receptor with fat reduction in overweight adults. OmeGo has shown important immune health benefits including recovery from viral infection and improved respiratory health and sleep in adults troubled by particulate matter pollution. Finally, CalGo/ NT-II has shown both bone and joint health benefits to support healthy aging and active lifestyles.

This work has also resulted in the granting of several patents protecting these discoveries. It has also led to the discovery of potential therapeutics and HBC has spun out a biotech-focused company, AecorBio Inc., and the lead program is prostate cancer followed by ovarian cancer. A separate molecule is targeted as an oral, steroid-sparing therapy for asthma. HBC's headquarters are in Alesund, Norway with branches in Oslo, London, Zurich, Los Angeles, and Menlo Park, CA.

HBC is listed on Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker "HBC".

This information is subject to disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

Attachment
Austin, TX, USA, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Custom Market Insights has published a new research report titled Bladeless Wind Turbines Market Size, Trends and Insights By Turbine Type (Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT), Savonius Wind Turbine, Darrieus Wind Turbine), By Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial), By Power Output (Small-scale (less than 10 kW), Medium-scale (10100 kW), Large-scale (over 100 kW)), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 2025  2034 in its research database.





According to the latest research study, the demand of the global Bladeless Wind Turbines Market size & share was valued at approximately USD 71.8 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 72.7 Billion in 2025 and is expected to reach a value of around USD 166.1 Billion by 2034, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 8.8% during the forecast period 2025 to 2034.

Click Here to Access a Free Sample Report of the Global Bladeless Wind Turbines Market @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/request-for-free-sample/?reportid=74545

Overview

According to industry experts at CMI, the Bladeless Wind Energy Market is witnessing steady growth driven by the global drive towards clean energy, sustainability agendas and low-noise renewable demands. Major players like Vortex Bladeless, Saphon Energy and Innoventum are investing in the vibration-based generation, aerodynamic innovation and materials that are eco-friendly.

Positive policies and smart grid integration facilitate growth in North America, while Europe prioritizes noise-free, sustainable technologies. Asia-Pacific is expanding at a fast rate due to urbanization, renewable incentives and increased electricity demand. Innovation, affordability and penetration of the world market are being facilitated by strategic partnerships between technology innovators, governments and energy companies.

Key Trends & Drivers

Increasing Interest In Renewable Energy: The world is moving towards decarbonization and the use of clean energy sources, which is increasing the demand of bladeless wind turbines. Sustainable power solutions are being favored more and more by governments, industries and consumers as a way to minimize carbon footprints. Bladeless turbines are a safer, more eco-friendly and quieter alternative to conventional wind turbines, applicable to small-scale residential use and to the larger commercial energy generation works.

Poor Maintenance And Low Operational Efficiency: Bladeless wind turbines have fewer moving parts than conventional turbines, which means that they wear less and cost less to maintain. They are simple in design which can guarantee an extended operational life as well as an increase in reliability. Their high efficiency in translating wind vibrations to energy means that they are well applicable to both urban and remote installations as there is a continuous supply of power without the high operating complexity that is characteristic of traditional turbines.

Request a Customized Copy of the Bladeless Wind Turbines Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/request-for-customization/?reportid=74545

Policies And Incentives By Government: Bladeless turbines are being encouraged by various governments through their subsidies, tax rebates and renewable energy targets. Investment in innovative technologies of wind energy is encouraged by the policymakers so as to reach the sustainability objectives. These incentives lower upfront costs on investments by developers and encourage research and development, which can speed up market expansion and help the world adopt clean and renewable energy.

Report Scope

Feature of the Report Details Market Size in 2025 USD 72.7 Billion Projected Market Size in 2034 USD 166.1 Billion Market Size in 2024 USD 71.8 Billion CAGR Growth Rate 8.8% CAGR Base Year 2024 Forecast Period 2025-2034 Key Segment By Turbine Type, Application, Power Output and Region Report Coverage Revenue Estimation and Forecast, Company Profile, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Recent Trends Regional Scope North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South & Central America Buying Options Request tailored purchasing options to fulfil your requirements for research.

(A free sample of the Bladeless Wind Turbines report is available upon request; please contact us for more information.)

Our Free Sample Report Consists of the following:

The updated report for 2025 includes an introduction, an overview, and an in-depth industry analysis.

Provide detailed chapter-by-chapter guidance on the Request.

Updated Regional Analysis with a Graphical Representation of Size, Share, and Trends for the Year 2025

Includes Tables and figures have been updated.

The most recent version of the report includes the Top Market Players, their Business Strategies, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis

Custom Market Insights (CMI) research methodology

(Please note that the sample of the Bladeless Wind Turbines report has been modified to include the COVID-19 impact study prior to delivery.)

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SWOT Analysis

Strengths: Wind turbines without blades have low-noise, environmentally friendly and services efficient energy solutions. Small designs and vibration generation can be deployed in urban and residential applications with ease. Intense international interest in renewable energy, sustainability efforts and favourable government policies contribute to adoption. The R&D investments by leading companies also improve efficiency and reliability and increase market credibility.

Weaknesses: Low level of awareness in the emerging markets and high initial costs limit adoption. The power generated is less than that of conventional turbines and the technology is complex, thus needing qualified maintenance. Small-scale infrastructure and production can be a problem with scalability, especially with small manufacturers joining the competitive renewable energy markets.

Opportunities: In Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America, there are high growth opportunities due to growing urbanization, smart city development, and government incentives. Opportunities to be innovative are provided by the integration with IoT, smart grids, and energy storage systems. Collaborations between technology and energy companies and governments will help broaden the market reach and uptake in the world.

Threats: The market share might be restricted by the competition with the traditional wind turbines and other renewable energy forms. The growth may be hampered by supply chain disruption of components, regulatory obstacles, and fast-changing technologies. Factors that can affect efficiency are the presence of low wind areas and unpredictable urban conditions, which will affect market acceptance.

Request a Customized Copy of the Bladeless Wind Turbines Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/bladeless-wind-turbines-market/

Key questions answered in this report:

What is the size of the Bladeless Wind Turbines market, and what is its expected growth rate?

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What are the different categories that the Bladeless Wind Turbines Market caters to?

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In the value chain, what role do essential players play?

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Market Share, Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20252034

Market Dynamics  Growth Drivers, Restraints, Investment Opportunities, and Leading Trends

Market Segmentation  A detailed analysis by Types of Services, by End-User Services, and by regions

Competitive Landscape  Top Key Vendors and Other Prominent Vendors

Buy this Premium Bladeless Wind Turbines Research Report | Fast Delivery Available - [220+ Pages] @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/bladeless-wind-turbines-market/

Regional Perspective

The Bladeless Wind Energy Market can be divided across different regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. This is a cursory overview of each region:

North America: North America is a mature market that has well-developed infrastructure in renewable energy. The residential, commercial and industrial sectors demand necessitates the use of bladeless wind turbines in the U.S. and Canada. The government incentive, the sustainability framework, and the renewable energy policies support expansion.

United States Bladeless Wind Turbines Market: The market is being driven forward by federal and state-level renewable energy projects, a greater focus on sustainable energy solutions, and the introduction of bladeless turbines in residential, commercial, and industrial contexts. It also contributes to the growth by investing in intelligent grids, energy storage, and designs that are friendly to the environment.

Canada Bladeless Wind Turbines Market: The Canadian market is also expanding because of favorable government regulations, green energy incentives, and the rising application of the bladeless turbines in the city and rural energy generation. Growth is promoted through collaboration with technology developers and investment in renewable energy systems that are energy efficient.

Europe: Europe is a developed market, controlled and so sustainability oriented. Germany, the UK, and France all have high goals for renewable energy, such as increasing the use of bladeless turbines. The area also focuses on safe, low-noise, and environmentally friendly energy solutions that can be used in urban, commercial and industrial settings.

Germany: Germany is a prime market because it enjoys high uptake of renewable energy in residential, commercial and industrial markets. Bladeless turbines have been chosen due to safety, low maintenance and integration with smart energy systems.

UK: The UK market has excellent growth potential with the rise of renewable energy use on residential rooftops, commercial facilities, and industrial units. Market growth is enhanced by government incentives, energy saving programs and green agendas.

France: France is transitioning to using bladeless turbines due to renewable energy policy, urban energy schemes and commercial plants. By encouraging the use of eco-friendly technologies and low-noise design by the government, there is an increase in the total growth of the market.

Request a Customized Copy of the Bladeless Wind Turbines Market Report @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/bladeless-wind-turbines-market/

Asia-Pacific: Asia-Pacific is the most dynamic region because it experiences an increase in the rate of industrialization, the rise in electricity demand, and favorable government policies on renewable energy. China, India, Japan and South Korea are front runners. Urbanization, cheap production, and subsidies promote the use of bladeless turbines in homes, commercial and industrial environments.

China: China boasts the biggest market in the region through the expansive renewable energy developments, city energy programs and rising clean electricity demands. Innovation and sustainability are further supported by government, which further stimulates adoption.

India: India has excellent prospects because of the development of government incentives, industrial and consumption energy demand, and rising awareness of renewable energy sources. Investments in electricity projects in urban and rural areas also drive the market.

Japan: Japan prioritizes the development of highly designed renewable solutions and the provision of high- quality city energy solutions. The growth of smart cities, corporate sustainability programs, and bladeless turbines in residential and industrial sectors support market expansion.

LAMEA: Although the acceptance of bladeless wind turbines is growing, the area is still in its infancy. Some of the strategic markets are Brazil, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. Industrial development, supportive government policies, international cooperation, and the challenge of infrastructure constraints are driving adoption.

Brazil: Brazil dominates the LAMEA market as it experiences increased investments in renewable energy, urban and industrial energy projects and government-supported sustainable electricity solutions.

Saudi Arabia: The adoption is increasing in speed because the country has government policies that encourage the use of renewable energy, electricity source diversification, and the importance of sustainable sources of power.

South Africa: South African market is also doing well due to the emergence of more renewable energy generation, partnerships with foreign technology companies, and more awareness of renewable energy generation, which should enhance the production of bladeless wind turbines.

We customize your report to align with your specific research requirements. Inquire with our sales team about customizing your report.)

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Browse the full Bladeless Wind Turbines Market Size, Trends and Insights By Turbine Type (Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT), Savonius Wind Turbine, Darrieus Wind Turbine), By Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial), By Power Output (Small-scale (less than 10 kW), Medium-scale (10100 kW), Large-scale (over 100 kW)), and By Region - Global Industry Overview, Statistical Data, Competitive Analysis, Share, Outlook, and Forecast 2025  2034 Report at https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/bladeless-wind-turbines-market/





List of the prominent players in the Bladeless Wind Energy Market:

Enercon

GE Renewable Energy

Goldwind

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

Nordex

Senvion

Siemens

Suzlon and Envision

Vestas General Electric

Altair Engineering Inc.

Nord-Lock International AB

Aeromine Technologies

Others

Click Here to Access a Free Sample Report of the Global Bladeless Wind Turbines Market @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/bladeless-wind-turbines-market/

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The Bladeless Wind Energy Market is segmented as follows:

By Turbine Type

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT)

Savonius Wind Turbine

Darrieus Wind Turbine

By Application

Residential

Commercial

Industrial

By Power Output

Small-scale (less than 10 kW)

Medium-scale (10100 kW)

Large-scale (over 100 kW)

Click Here to Get a Free Sample Report of the Global Bladeless Wind Turbines Market @ https://www.custommarketinsights.com/report/bladeless-wind-turbines-market/

Regional Coverage:

North America

U.S.

Canada

Mexico

Rest of North America

Europe

Germany

France

U.K.

Russia

Italy

Spain

Netherlands

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

New Zealand

Australia

South Korea

Taiwan

Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

Saudi Arabia

UAE

Egypt

Kuwait

South Africa

Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

Brazil

Argentina

Rest of Latin America

This Bladeless Wind Turbines Market Research/Analysis Report Contains Answers to the following Questions.

Which Trends Are Causing These Developments?

Who Are the Global Key Players in This Bladeless Wind Turbines Market? What are the company profiles, product information, and contact details for these key players?

What Was the Global Market Status of the Bladeless Wind Turbines Market? What Was the Capacity, Production Value, Cost, and PROFIT of the Bladeless Wind Turbines Market?

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Dublin, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "European Ferro-Alloy Directory 2025" directory has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

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CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alistair will lead on the growth and capital strategy for Cambridge Atomworks. Alistair has a passion for investing in companies that have a strong focus in sustainability following an instrumental role building out the EU Emissions Trading Desk for ICAP some 20 years ago. He has significant financial experience gained from the Equity, Energy, and Foreign exchange markets during a career spanning 35 years. He has established a rich global network from within the Banking and Energy industries whilst working for two of the World's largest Interdealer Brokers in TPICAP and Tradition.

Ian Farnan, CEO, said, We are excited to welcome someone with Alistairs commercial and financial experience to the Board of Cambridge Atomworks. His expertise and knowledge will be invaluable as Cambridge Atomworks continues its ambitious growth plans.

About Cambridge Atomworks

Cambridge Atomworks was set up in January 2023 as a consulting partnership to develop the design of ODIN, a Transportable Nuclear Micro-Reactor using a low pressure coolant. In August 2023, Cambridge Atomworks took the design through to a pre-conceptual review by the US Department of Energy at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). In the following May, Cambridge Atomworks (2024) Ltd was formed to deliver the ODIN design for deployment in the USA under a services agreement with Nanonuclear Energy Inc. and a UK Export Control Licence. The regulatory engagement process with the US NRC for the ODIN design began in October 2024 with ODIN expected to achieve the Conceptual Stage in Q2 2026. Cambridge Atomworks is now in the process of buying back the intellectual property generated in the ODIN design in a deal worth $6.2m and is now a UK-based reactor design and delivery company. The intention is to develop a demonstrator micro-reactor in the United Kingdom by the end of the decade and subsequently an off-grid system with an off-grid anchor partner by the mid-2030s.

Ian Farnan, CEO

Ian.farnan@cambridgeatomworks.com



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0ff8baac-6b07-4939-9066-0b2da7d6da8d
Onex and AIG to acquire Convex, a leading specialty property and casualty (re)insurer that has delivered industry leading growth and strong underwriting profitability, for $7 billion.

Onex to own 63% of Convex, AIG to own 35%, with the balance owned by the Convex management team.

AIG to acquire a 9.9% equity stake in Onex and will commit $2 billion to Onex private equity and credit strategies over the next three years.

Transaction leverages Onex knowledge of Convex and deep expertise in the insurance ecosystem, where Onex has delivered strong historical investment performance.



TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Onex Corporation (Onex) today announced a transformational investment and new strategic relationship to accelerate growth and drive enterprise value creation. The benefits to Onex include:

The acquisition of a market leading specialty property and casualty insurance and reinsurance business with a proven management team that is positioned for continued strong growth. Onex was a founding investor in Convex Group Limited (Convex) in 2019 through Onex Partners V and has worked closely with Stephen Catlin, Paul Brand and the Convex management team to build the business into a highly successful, fast growing and profitable organization.





A strategic investment by American International Group, Inc. (AIG), one of the worlds leading insurance companies, to acquire a 9.9% stake in Onex.





AIG will invest $2 billion of new fee generating assets under management in Onex private equity and credit strategies, consistent with its investment guidelines.





A more efficient future deployment of Onex balance sheet, with continued flexibility for deployment into core areas of expertise, to drive strong long-term investing capital growth.



Todays announcement is a logical and foundational step forward for Onex, said CEO, Bobby Le Blanc. With these transactions, we are bolstering our already significant position in the insurance sector, securing the support of one of the worlds largest insurers, accelerating profitability of our asset management business and facilitating future growth in our investing capital.

Transaction Overview

Onex and AIG have entered into an agreement to jointly acquire the entire interest held by Onex Partners V and its co-investors in Convex.

Following the acquisition, Onex and AIG will own approximately 63% and 35%, respectively, of Convex, with the remainder held by the Convex management team. The acquisition values Convex at a $7 billion equity valuation, representing 1.9x Q3 2025 tangible book value.

Stephen Catlin, Paul Brand and the Convex management team founded Convex in 2019 as a de novo insurer in partnership with capital provided by Onex Partners V and its co-investors. Since that time, Convex has rapidly grown into a leading specialty property and casualty (re)insurer with:

Up to $6 billion of expected gross premium written in 2025,





25% compound annual growth in gross premium written over the last three years, and





18% average return on equity over the past three years.



The Convex management team will retain a significant economic interest in the business, ensuring strong ongoing alignment with Onex and AIG. A portion of Convexs investment portfolio is currently allocated to Onex-managed funds, and that is expected to increase over time.

In connection with the transaction, AIG has agreed to subscribe for a 9.9% interest in Onex subordinate voting shares, concurrent with the closing of the Convex acquisition, for proceeds totalling approximately $0.6 billion. AIG will also make capital commitments of $2 billion to strategies managed by Onex over a three-year period, driving a significant benefit to Onex fee-related earnings.

AIG will enter into an investor rights agreement that, among other things, includes a minimum three-year lock-up on the shares acquired, customary standstill provisions and the right to nominate a director to Onex board and who will be mutually agreed upon by Onex and AIG. Onex intends to use the proceeds from the AIG subscription to fund the acquisition.

With AIG and Convex, two outstanding and world-class organizations, we are ready to enter a new phase of growth and innovation that will bring value to all stakeholders, added Mr. Le Blanc. We strongly believe that the expertise and capabilities across all three organizations are truly greater than the sum of the parts.

Peter Zaffino, Chairman & CEO, AIG commented: With Onex Corporation, Convexs primary shareholder, we are building a strategic relationship with an outstanding team, led by CEO Bobby Le Blanc, that has significant experience investing in highly specialized insurance assets. I am pleased that Onex has committed to increasing its ownership share of Convex, preserving Convexs independence for the long-term. AIG will also benefit from preferred access to Onex world-class investment funds, and I look forward to working with Bobby and his talented team as they continue to make strategic investments in various sectors.

Stephen Catlin, executive chair of Convex Group, said: In six years, the team at Convex has built an extraordinary business. We have become a major player in global specialty insurance and reinsurance, with annual premium income up to $6 billion and operations in a range of global jurisdictions. Weve known Peter Zaffino for over 20 years in numerous leadership roles. We greatly admire the contribution he has made to the industry as a whole and, together with the outstanding team he has built at AIG, the successful execution of his strategic vision, positioning AIG for growth and delivering attractive risk adjusted returns for AIG shareholders. This transaction secures the long-term independence of Convex and presents a range of exciting strategic opportunities. We would like to thank our founding shareholders, including Onex, for their unwavering support in establishing and growing the business, and our other supporters within the insurance market. Without them we would not be where we are today.

Paul Brand, CEO of Convex Group, added: This is a hugely exciting development for Convex. The Convex team have worked incredibly hard over the last six years to build a world-renowned insurance company, and we see this transaction as the start of the next chapter in our journey. We are delighted to continue our productive partnership with Onex, and that they have decided to make this considerable investment from their own balance sheet. We are also excited to begin a new relationship with AIG. This transaction positions us better than ever to service our clients and brokers, and take advantage of future market opportunities.

Financial Consideration

Pursuant to the acquisition, Onex will acquire a 63% equity stake in Convex for approximately $3.8 billion. Onex intends to roll over its existing interest in Convex of $0.7 billion, with the remainder financed through $1.5 billion of cash on Onex balance sheet and pending asset sales, $1.0 billion of debt financing secured on existing private equity and credit assets, and $0.6 billion of equity financing proceeds from the AIG subscription.

Following the completion of all transactions, Convex is expected to account for 42% of Onex investing capital and become a key contributor to future shareholder value creation.

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Additional Information

A presentation with additional information on todays announcement is available on the home page of the Onex website at www.onex.com.

As a reminder, Onex will release its third quarter 2025 results on the morning of Friday, November 7th, followed by a live webcast at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss the third quarter results and this transaction. A link to the webcast and on-line replay will be available on Onex website at www.onex.com.

Onex was advised by Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC as lead financial adviser and Latham & Watkins and Torys as legal advisers on the transaction.

About Onex

Onex invests and manages capital on behalf of its shareholders and clients across the globe. Formed in 1984, we have a long track record of creating value for our clients and shareholders. Our investors include a broad range of global clients, including public and private pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, banks, insurance companies, family offices and high-net-worth individuals. In total, Onex has approximately $55.9 billion in assets under management, of which $8.4 billion is Onex own investing capital.

With offices in Toronto, New York, New Jersey and London, Onex and its experienced management teams are collectively the largest investors across Onex platforms. Onex is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol (TSX:ONEX).

For more information on Onex, visit its website at www.Onex.com. Onex security filings can also be accessed at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Convex

Convex is an international specialty insurer and reinsurer focused on complex specialty risks across a diverse range of business lines. Convex occupies a unique position in the insurance industry combining unrivalled experience, reputation and a legacy free balance sheet.

Convex operates out of London, Bermuda, Luxembourg and New Jersey. The company has a A (Excellent) A.M. Best rating and an A S&P rating.

For additional information, visit www.convexin.com.

About AIG

AIG, Inc. (NYSE:AIG) is a leading global insurance organization. AIG provides insurance solutions that help businesses and individuals in more than 200 countries and jurisdictions protect their assets and manage risks through AIG operations, licenses and authorizations as well as network partners.

For additional information, visit www.aig.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain, without limitation, statements concerning possible or assumed future operations, performance or results preceded by, followed by or that include words such as believes, expects, potential, anticipates, estimates, intends, plans and words of similar connotation, which would constitute forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding Onex Corporation and AIG, Inc.s acquisition of Onex Partners Vs interest in the Convex Group, AIG Inc.s subscription for Onex shares, AIG, Inc.s capital commitments and the entering into of the investor rights agreement.

By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Onex Corporation and AIG, Inc.s control. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Onex Corporation and AIG, Inc., including, without limitation, the Acquisition and the AIG Investment will be completed on the terms currently contemplated, the Acquisition and the AIG Investment will be completed in accordance with the timing currently expected, all conditions to the completion of the Acquisition will be satisfied or waived and the purchase agreement will not be terminated prior to the completion of the Acquisition.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees. The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information because they involve significant and diverse risks and uncertainties that may cause actual operations, performance, or results to be materially different from those indicated in these forward-looking statements. Except as may be required by Canadian securities law, Onex is under no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein should material facts change due to new information, future events or other factors. These cautionary statements expressly qualify all forward-looking statements in this press release.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains non-GAAP financial measures which have been calculated using methodologies that are not in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards. The presentation of financial measures in this manner does not have a standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS Accounting Standards and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar financial measures presented by other companies. Onex management believes these financial measures provide useful information to investors. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to information contained in the consolidated financial statements have been presented where practical.

Contacts:

Jill Homenuk

Managing Director  Shareholder

Relations and Communications

Tel: +1 416.362.7711 Zev Korman

Vice President, Shareholder

Relations and Communications

Tel: +1 416.362.7711




Iceland Seafood will publish its Interim Financial Statement for Q3 2025 after closing of markets on November 13th 2025. This represents a change from the previously scheduled date of November 19th, moving the publication forward by six days.

Iceland Seafood will pause hosting a meeting for investors and market participants for Q1 and Q3 until further notice. However, the company will host a meeting for investors and market participants for Q2 (half-year results) and Q4 (full-year results), where management will present and discuss the results. Dates for those meetings can be found on the company website www.icelandseafood.com/investors/shareholders/
Dublin, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "United States Baby Monitor Market Report by Product Type, Mode of Communication, Distribution Channel, States and Company Analysis 2025-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The market for United States baby monitors is expected to increase from US$ 0.37 billion in 2024 to US$ 0.74 billion by 2033. This expansion is calculated to be a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.11% during the period 2025-2033.

Driving this growth are raising awareness among parents regarding child safety, the evolution of baby monitoring technology, and a growing need for smart home integration, giving families countrywide peace of mind.

There are various kinds of baby monitors such as audio-only, video, and smart ones connected to smartphones for live feedback. Popularity increased in recent years because of technological advancements and the trend for the rise of smart devices at home.Parents are being drawn more to features like high-definition video, night vision, two-way talk, temperature detection, and even breath sensors that maximize security. Baby monitors have thus become a necessity for most families to ensure baby safety and allow parents to get some rest.





Growth Drivers in United States Baby Monitor Market



Increasing Number of Working Parents and Dual-Income Households

Growing dual-income households in the United States are among the key growth drivers for the baby monitor market. Dual-income households are common where working parents need extra support to meet work and family responsibilities, and baby monitors help them gain peace of mind by enabling remote monitoring of infants. With the increasing practice of remote work and blended job models, parents increasingly use video and Wi-Fi-capable baby monitors to remain engaged with their children while multitasking.

This demand is particularly robust in urban areas where lifestyles are hurried and trigger adoption. USA percentage of families with a working member remained the same for married-couple families (79.6 percent), women-maintained families (79.6 percent), and men-maintained families (84.8 percent) in 2024. Women-maintained families continued to be less likely to have a working member compared to men-maintained families. Women-maintained families and married-couple families had an equal probability of having a working member.

Advancements in Smart and Connected Technologies

Technological advancement has revolutionized baby monitors from mere audio devices to advanced smart solutions. Some of the features include HD video streaming, motion detection, two-way communication, sleep tracking, and connectivity with smartphones or smart home systems, which render baby monitors extremely attractive to contemporary parents.

The U.S. market is especially influenced by technology consumers who prefer convenience and security. With increasing adoption of IoT, smart baby monitors with cloud storage and AI-based alerts are increasingly driving product demand. August 2023, Masimo, a global leader in noninvasive monitoring technologies, announced the complete U.S. market availability of the Stork smart home baby monitoring system. Stork Vitals+, Vitals, and Camera sets are now retailing online and in-store at major retailers such as Best Buy and specialty stores such as Babylist.

Increased Awareness of Infant Safety and Well-being

Parents in the United States are increasingly concerned with infant safety, sleep tracking, and overall health. Issues related to sudden infant health hazards, sleep disruptions, and injuries have increased the demand for monitors with vital sign monitoring, breathing detectors, and temperature sensors. Pediatricians and hospitals also prescribe monitoring technologies, lending it legitimacy. With increasing awareness programs on baby care, parents are purchasing baby monitors as a necessary tool for parenting and not as a luxury.

July 2025, Cribs for Kids, along with Baby Safety Foundation (formerly JPMA Cares) and Safe Kids Worldwide, is honored to announce the 40 winners of the Safe Sleep Building Blocks Grant Program. This nationwide program, funded by a generous grant from Baby Safety Foundation, delivers vital infant safe sleep products, education, and community outreach assistance to organizations committed to the prevention of sleep-related infant deaths.

Challenges Facing United States Baby Monitor Market



Data Privacy and Security Issues

As wireless and Wi-Fi-based baby monitors go mainstream, cybersecurity threats have become a top concern. Cases of hacking or unauthorized access to devices worry parents about data security and their children's safety. Consumers are growing more wary, and manufacturers have to invest in strong encryption and security measures to keep customers' trust. Having to counter these risks increases development expenses and slows broader adoption by privacy-focused families.

High Costs and Market Competition

High-end baby monitors with sophisticated features such as video streaming, AI tracking, and health sensors are costly, compromising affordability for middle- and low-income families. Meanwhile, the American market is characterized by intense competition, with both international brands and domestic companies rolling out diverse products. Price-conscious consumers tend to settle on elementary versions, minimizing profit margins of sophisticated solutions. Such competition pressure complicates manufacturers' efforts to reconcile innovation and affordability.

United States Video Baby Monitor Market

Video baby monitors dominate the U.S. market, driven by parental preference for real-time visual monitoring of infants. These devices provide live video feeds, often in HD, with additional features like night vision, pan-tilt-zoom, and recording capabilities. Parents appreciate the assurance of visually checking their child without entering the room and disturbing sleep. As technology advances, integration with smartphones and smart home systems has enhanced accessibility, fueling widespread adoption across urban and suburban households.

United States Motion Sensor Baby Monitor Market

Motion sensor baby monitors are becoming increasingly popular as they are centered on infant health. They pick up on abnormal movement or absence of movement, making parents aware of potential health or sleep issues. Advanced versions even have breathing sensors and wearable devices for real-time monitoring. Although niche, it strongly resonates with parents of premature and newborn babies. Increasing health awareness of sudden infant threats is likely to propel further development in this category.

United States Wireless/Wi-Fi Baby Monitor Market

Wi-Fi-connected baby monitors are one of the most rapidly growing product segments in the U.S. market. They enable parents to keep track of their child remotely using smartphones, tablets, or laptops, with the convenience of flexibility and assurance. Cloud storage, two-way audio, and AI-powered alerts add to the ease of use. Nevertheless, the segment also poses data security challenges, which need to be managed by manufacturers. Notwithstanding, the increasing trend towards connected parenting solutions keeps driving demand.

United States Baby Monitor Specialty Stores Market

Specialty infant product retailers continue to be a powerful distribution channel for baby monitors in the United States. They give parents expert opinion, product demonstrations, and brand recommendations that they can trust. Consumers tend to purchase from specialty stores for high-priced items such as monitors because they can judge features beforehand. Even though internet channels are growing at a tremendous rate, specialty retailers have a dedicated customer base, especially for high-end and technologically sophisticated monitors where professional advice plays a key role in buying decisions.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 200 Forecast Period 2024 - 2033 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $0.37 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 $0.74 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.1% Regions Covered United States



Key Players Analysis: Overview, Key Person, Recent Developments, SWOT Analysis, Revenue Analysis

Lenovo Group Limited

Samsung Group

Hanwha Corporation

Panasonic Holdings Corporation

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

Infant Optics

Dorel Industries Inc.

VTech Communications Inc.

Anker Technology (UK) Limited

Market Segmentation



Product Type

Audio Baby Monitor

Video Baby Monitor

Motion Sensor Baby Monitor

Mode of Communication

Wired

Wireless/Wi-Fi

Distribution Channel

Online Retail Stores

Hypermarkets/Supermarket

Specialty Stores

Other

Top 10 States

California

Texas

New York

Florida

Illinois

Pennsylvania

Ohio

Georgia

Washington

New Jersey

Rest of United States

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/acgw5q

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
-- Posters will review product characterization and manufacturing data on T-knifes lead program, TK-6302, a supercharged PRAME T cell receptor therapy that is advancing towards the clinic, with the filing of a Clinical Trial Application planned in Q4 2025



-- PRAME is a validated target and is expressed in cancers of the skin, uterus, ovaries, lungs, breasts, esophagus, kidneys, cervix, and head & neck

SAN FRANCISCO and BERLIN, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- T-knife Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing T cell receptor (TCR) engineered T cell therapies (TCR-T) to fight cancer, today announced that four posters on TK-6302 will be presented at the upcoming Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting taking place November 7-9, 2025, in National Harbor, MD.

We are excited by our strong presence at this leading immunotherapy congress where several datasets on TK-6302, our supercharged PRAME TCR-T, will be featured, stated Peggy Sotiropoulou, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of T-knife. These data highlight the innovative engineering advances underpinning TK-6302 with the aim of broadening the clinical benefit of T cell therapy across diverse solid tumor cancers. By addressing key barriers such as T-cell fatigue, limited persistence, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, our approach is designed to generate more durable and meaningful responses for patients. It is an exciting time to be at the forefront of technological innovation, driving the next generation of transformative solutions in cancer immunotherapy.

Poster Presentation Details

Title: Analysis of PRAME in advanced / metastatic solid tumors shows homogeneous expression, and stability between lesions, across treatment lines and upon exposure to checkpoint inhibitors Abstract Number: 27 Date: Friday, November 7 Time: 10:00 a.m.  7:00 p.m. ET





Title: TK-6302, a supercharged PRAME TCR-T cell therapy containing a high affinity TCR, a costimulatory CD8 coreceptor and a FAS-based switch receptor, demonstrates preclinical safety and efficacy Abstract Number: 329 Date: Friday, November 7 Time: 10:00 a.m.  7:00 p.m. ET





Title: In-depth characterization of TK-6302, a supercharged PRAME TCR-T therapy, manufactured at-scale from healthy donors and patients Abstract Number: 347 Date: Friday, November 7 Time: 10:00 a.m.  7:00 p.m. ET





Title: Preclinical assessment of genome editing safety in CRISPR-engineered PRAME-targeting TK-6302 TCR-T cells demonstrates editing precision and safety Abstract Number: 330 Date: Saturday, November 8 Time: 10:00 a.m.  6:35 p.m. ET



About T-knife Therapeutics

T-knife is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing T cell receptor (TCR) engineered T cell therapies (TCR-Ts) to deliver broad, deep and durable responses to solid tumor cancer patients. The companys unique approach leverages its proprietary platforms and synthetic biology capabilities to design the next-generation of supercharged TCR-Ts with best-in-class potential.

The companys lead program, TK-6302, is a supercharged PRAME targeting TCR-T that includes novel enhancements to improve T cell fitness and persistence, to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor micro-environment, and to improve durability of response. The company plans to submit a Clinical Trial Application (CTA) in Q4 2025 and to initiate a Phase 1 clinical study of TK-6302 in 2026.

T-knife was founded by leading T cell and immunology experts utilizing technology developed at the Max Delbruck Center for Molecular Medicine together with Charite  Universitatsmedizin Berlin, is led by an experienced management team, and is supported by a leading group of international investors, including Andera Partners, EQT Life Sciences, RA Capital Management and Versant Ventures. For additional information, please visit the companys website at www.t-knife.com.
NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Legal professionals are navigating sweeping changes as rapid advancements in law and technology reshape how legal services are delivered. To support this transformation, Practising Law Institute (PLI), the leading nonprofit educational provider for legal and allied professionals, has launched its first-ever Innovation Council, bringing together thought leaders from both the legal and corporate sectors to drive change in the profession.

The Innovation Council will provide strategic guidance on how emerging technological innovations can be integrated within the legal industry  balancing innovation with ethical, regulatory, and operational considerations. It will also support the development of new products, educational content, and resources that empower legal professionals and law students to understand, apply, and advance technology. Additionally, the Council will advise on innovation trends and identify opportunities for collaboration across associations and organizations recognized as innovation thought leaders within the legal and corporate sectors.

"We are proud to support our customers as they navigate this period of pivotal transformation in the legal industry," says PLI President Sharon L. Crane. "PLI has a long history of innovating and enhancing the learning experience through our interactive online programs, award-winning mobile app and website, and other technologies, as well as developing timely content to help the legal community stay on top of advances in tech that impact their practices. The combined expertise and informed perspectives of the Innovation Council will be invaluable to both PLI and the learners we serve."

"The formation of the Innovation Council allows us to think expansively about the future of the legal field," says Jen Leonard, Founder of Creative Lawyers, Faculty Fellow, PLI, and Chair of the Innovation Council. "By bringing together diverse leaders across law and business, were creating a space to reimagine how legal professionals learn, adapt, and lead with forward-thinking solutions that blend legal with technological fluency."

In addition to Leonard, the Council will be co-chaired by Kirsten Talmage, SVP of Strategic Planning and Business Analysis at PLI, and comprises members who were selected for their specialist knowledge, experience holding innovation and technology leadership positions, and ability to represent the needs of PLI customers, including:

Oz Benamram, Founder, SKILLS.law

Anastasia Boyko, Legal Innovation Consultant

Heidi Brown, Associate Dean for Upper Level Writing, New York Law School

Whitney Stefko Dover, Director and Senior Counsel, Policy and Legal Ops+, Ford Motor Company

Ilona Logvinova, Chief AI Officer, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

CJ Mahoney, Counsel and U.S. Head of Discovery and Litigation Technology, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Kate Orr, Global Head of Practice Innovation, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Farrah Pepper, Chief Legal Innovation Counsel, Marsh McLennan

Jennifer Reeves, Lead Innovation Counsel, Quinn Emanuel

Evan Shenkman, Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer, Fisher Phillips

Gabriel Teninbaum, Assistant Dean of Innovation, Strategic Initiatives & Distance Education; and Professor of Legal Writing, Suffolk University Law School

Caitlin Vaughn, Managing Director, Learning & Professional Development, Goodwin

Darth Vaughn, Associate General Counsel, Managing Director, Policy Operations, Ford Motor Company





To learn more about PLIs innovative offerings, visit pli.edu.

About Practising Law Institute (PLI)

Practising Law Institute (PLI) is the premier nonprofit learning organization serving legal and allied professionals. Trusted by the majority of top law firms and corporations for its best-in-class training, PLI offers timely, accredited continuing legal and professional education programs delivered by expert volunteer faculty. PLI also keeps the legal community informed and inspired with publications, podcasts, and video series presented by thought leaders. Recognizing the importance of pro bono service, PLI offers training to help lawyers advocate effectively for clients in need. Visit www.pli.edu to start learning today.




TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NAD Logistics (NAD), a North American third-party logistics (3PL) provider specializing in inventory management and off-balance sheet logistics, today announced key milestones from its ongoing partnership with Highway, the leader in Carrier Identity and compliance solutions. The collaboration has driven measurable improvements in carrier verification, onboarding speed, and fraud prevention across NADs operations.

This initiative reflects NADs commitment to enhancing network security and operational efficiency. Previously, carrier onboarding required time-consuming manual reviews, document exchanges, and verification steps that left room for potential fraud.

After implementing Highways Carrier Identity solution, NAD has automated verification, data collection, and onboarding directly within its transportation management system (TMS), eliminating manual bottlenecks and enabling early detection of suspicious activity such as mismatched locations or foreign VPN usage. The result is a faster, more efficient, and secure process.

Before Highway, our team spent hours verifying carrier information manually, said Tyler Matthews, Vice President at NAD Logistics. Since implementing Highway, we have achieved complete visibility and zero fraud incidents. Its streamlined our operations and added a layer of security that gives our team and our customers total confidence.

Operational results since implementation

11,705 loads moved since becoming a Highway user

since becoming a Highway user 321.5M pounds of freight moved with no theft incidents

with no theft incidents ~35% reduction in onboarding time, compared to the previous process



Building on these results, NAD continues to refine its onboarding and security strategy through the Highway platform. The integration has created a strong foundation for scalability, giving NAD greater visibility, accountability, and control across its carrier network. As the company expands its North American footprint, NAD plans to leverage additional Highway capabilities to further enhance compliance, strengthen partnerships, and ensure consistent operational integrity across all regions.

Highway was built to help brokers move freight with confidence, said Michael Caney, Chief Commercial Officer at Highway. NAD Logistics proactive approach to security and operational excellence exemplifies the kind of partnership that delivers real results. Their commitment to protecting customers and maintaining the integrity of their network makes them a model partner.

To learn more about NAD Logistics and its services, visit nadlogistics.com.

About NAD Logistics

NAD Logistics is a leading North American third-party logistics (3PL) provider specializing in inventory management and off-balance sheet logistics solutions. With over 30 years of industry experience, NAD provides reliable domestic shipping across Canada and the United States, as well as international logistics solutions serving customers worldwide. Backed by a broad network, advanced technology, and a dedicated team, NAD ensures freight moves safely, securely, and on time. For more information, visit nadlogistics.com.

About Highway

Highway is the leading technology provider specializing in Carrier Identity solutions for freight brokers, empowering them to reduce fraud and streamline the digital booking process. By automating compliance, Highway gives brokers the ability to enforce an all-new standard, enabling them to efficiently identify the right carrier for every load and build their network with speed and security. With a commitment to transparency, trust, and truth, Highway equips brokers with the data necessary to focus on delivering exceptional service while driving business growth without fear of fraud. For more information, visit https://highway.com

MEDIA CONTACT

Michelle Williams

LeadCoverage

michelle.w@leadcoverage.com
CLEARWATER, Fla., Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PruittHealth is proud to announce its expansion into Clearwater, Florida, with the addition of a premier 130-unit assisted living and memory care community. PruittPlace  Clearwater marks PruittHealths first assisted living location in the state and a strategic milestone in the growth of its senior living portfolio.

This new community represents an exciting step forward in our mission to provide compassionate, high-quality care to seniors, said Neil L. Pruitt Jr., Chairman and CEO of PruittHealth. It reflects our commitment to thoughtful expansion and to strengthening the continuum of services weve offered for more than 55 years. We believe Family Makes Us Stronger, and we look forward to building lasting relationships with our new employee partners and the families they serve.

The three-story facility spans over 72,000 square feet and offers studio, one-, and two-bedroom assisted living apartments, each featuring a kitchenette, living area, and generous storage. Residents also benefit from weekly housekeeping and laundry services.

The community includes a dedicated memory support wing with private and shared studios designed for safety, comfort, and security. Amenities include chef-inspired dining, landscaped walking paths, creative arts programming, an outdoor grilling area, and vibrant social activities. Additional features such as a movie theater, salon/barber shop, library, and relaxing communal spaces foster connection and engagement.

PruittHealth currently operates skilled nursing centers, home health services, and other senior care offerings across Florida, including locations in Fleming Island, North Tampa, Panama City, Pensacola, Santa Rosa, and Tallahassee.

More information on this community is linked here or you can visit our Senior Living page on PruittHealth.com.

+++

About PruittHealth

PruittHealth provides an expansive network of post-acute health care and senior services, offering skilled nursing, assisted living, senior living, home health, hospice and palliative care, veteran care, therapy, pharmacy and infusion services, and more. Founded in 1969, the organizations 16,000 employee partners serve approximately 26,000 patients daily in 190 locations in Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. For more information about our commitment to caring, visit PruittHealth.com.

Attachments
NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Quanex Building Products Corporation (Quanex or the Company) (NYSE: NX). Such investors are advised to 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.

The class action concerns whether Quanex and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

You have until November 18, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Quanex securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On September 4, 2025, after the market closed, Quanex announced its financial results for the third quarter of its 2025 fiscal year. Quanex disclosed, among other things, that ongoing operational issues related to the legacy Tyman window and door hardware business in Mexico had impacted results more than expected[.] Quanex also disclosed that it was adjusting for lower expected volumes and pushing out the timing of when [it] expect[s] to realize procurement savings from integration of the Tyman business. Then, on September 5, 2025, Quanex held an earnings call to discuss the quarters financial results. During the call, Chief Executive Officer George Wilson explained that the operational challenges at Tyman negatively impacted EBITDA in the Hardware Solutions segment by almost $5 million in the third quarter alone. Wilson explained that the issue had been identified midyear and described the systems used to anticipate and plan for tooling repairs as significantly deficient.

On this news, Quanexs stock price fell $2.73 per share, or 13.06%, to close at $18.18 per share on September 5, 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 numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against KBR, Inc. (KBR or the Company) (NYSE: KBR). Such investors are advised to 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.

The class action concerns whether KBR and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

You have until November 18, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired KBR securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On June 19, 2025, HomeSafe Alliance (HomeSafe), a KBR joint venture, announced receipt of a notice from the U.S. Department of Defenses Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) terminating the Global Household Goods Contract, which HomeSafe won in 2021 to transform the military move system for the benefit of service members and their families. Then, on June 20, 2025, KBR issued a substantively similar press release about the termination of the Global Household Goods Contract.

On this news, KBRs stock price fell $3.85 per share, or 7.29%, to close at $48.93 per share on June 20, 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 numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Chicago, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global semiconductor manufacturing equipment market was valued at US$ 93.03 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 224.44 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 10.28% during the forecast period 20252033.

The financial engine of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment market is firing on all cylinders, with total global sales projected to hit a record US$ 125.5 billion in 2025. This momentum is expected to carry into 2026, pushing sales to an even higher peak of US$ 138.1 billion. This surge is not speculative; it is rooted in tangible capital expenditure plans from the world's largest chipmakers. Global front-end fab equipment spending alone is anticipated to reach US$ 116 billion in 2025, with foundries leading the charge by investing approximately US$ 61 billion.

Request Sample Pages: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/semiconductor-manufacturing-equipment-market

The memory segment is also making a powerful recovery, with spending forecast to increase by 12% to US$ 37 billion in 2025. These investments directly translate into orders for sophisticated manufacturing tools. The Wafer Fab Equipment (WFE) segment, which forms the core of the industry, is projected to grow 6.2% to US$ 110.8 billion in 2025, building on a record US$ 104.3 billion the previous year. The robust spending across both logic and memory sectors signals a broad-based expansion cycle.

Key Findings in Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Market

Market Forecast (2033) US$ 224.44 billion CAGR 10.28% Largest Region (2024) Asia Pacific (79.8%) By Type Front-End Equipment (74.50%) By Application Automation (68.90%) Top Drivers Surging global demand for high-performance chips for AI applications.

Automotive industry's shift to EVs and autonomous driving technology.

Massive expansion of IoT devices and 5G network infrastructure. Top Trends Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography becoming a core manufacturing technology.

AI-driven algorithms are being integrated to optimize factory yields.

Platform-based integration of tools is replacing single-process, isolated innovations. Top Challenges Geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions disrupt complex global supply chains.[18]

Extreme complexity of advanced nodes pushes engineering to physical limits.

A rare combination of AI and semiconductor domain expertise is required

AI Chip Complexity Directly Fuels Demand for Advanced Manufacturing Tools in the Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Market

The explosive growth of artificial intelligence is the primary catalyst reshaping the semiconductor manufacturing landscape. AI applications require chips with unprecedented complexity, driving demand for the most advanced manufacturing and packaging technologies. This directly fuels equipment sales, as seen in the stable 6.7% growth expected for foundry and logic equipment, which will reach US$ 64.8 billion in 2025, driven by the push toward 2-nanometer process nodes. The computational demands of AI have created a direct correlation between AI model advancement and equipment investment.

This trend is also invigorating the back-end of the production line. The market for semiconductor test equipment is set to soar by 23.2% in 2025 to a record US$ 9.3 billion. Concurrently, assembly and packaging equipment sales are forecast to climb 7.7% to US$ 5.4 billion. These increases are a direct consequence of the intricate architectures required for AI accelerators and the critical need for High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM), which relies on advanced packaging techniques.

Advanced Packaging Equipment Emerges as a Critical Performance Bottleneck

As traditional chip scaling slows in the semiconductor manufacturing equipment market, advanced packaging has become a pivotal technology for achieving performance gains, transforming it into a high-growth segment for equipment suppliers. The demand for packaging solutions like TSMC's Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate (CoWoS) is so intense that despite plans to double capacity in both 2024 and 2025, supply cannot meet customer demand. This supply-demand gap has triggered a multi-year expansion wave, with TSMC providing equipment makers with order requirements deep into 2026.

The scale of this expansion is substantial; TSMC's monthly CoWoS capacity is projected to surge from 35,000-40,000 wafers in 2024 to 80,000 in 2025, and potentially 140,000 or more by 2026. This directly benefits a host of equipment suppliers. For instance, ASML has begun shipping its first lithography systems specifically designed for the advanced packaging market, opening a new revenue stream beyond its traditional front-end focus. Hon Precision Industry, a key supplier of test handlers for CoWoS, is expanding its capacity by 40% to cope with demand from clients like TSMC and Nvidia.

Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography Monopoly Underpins Leading-Edge Production Capacity in the Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Market

Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography remains the single most critical enabling technology for manufacturing advanced semiconductors, with ASML holding a de facto monopoly. The demand for these systems is a direct proxy for leading-edge fab investment. In its third quarter of 2025, ASML reported a robust 5.4 billion in net bookings, with two-thirds of that value coming from orders for its EUV systems. The company sold nine EUV systems in the quarter alone, at an average price of 400 million each.

The insatiable demand from foundries like TSMC, Samsung, and Intel for EUV machines is directly tied to their roadmaps for 3nm, 2nm, and future nodes, which are essential for producing next-generation AI chips. ASML's outlook reflects this, with the company anticipating a 15% revenue growth in 2025 and an improved outlook for 2026. The strategic importance and high cost of EUV systems make them a significant driver of the overall value of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment market.

China's Strategic Push for Self-Sufficiency Reshapes Equipment Market Share

Driven by a national strategy to reduce foreign dependence, China's domestic semiconductor manufacturing equipment makers are rapidly gaining market share. This is not just a policy goal but a market reality, reflected in the explosive revenue growth of leading Chinese firms. Naura Technology Group saw its revenue grow nearly fivefold to 29.8 billion, while Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc. (AMEC) quadrupled its earnings to 9.1 billion in 2024. These firms are making tangible progress in critical process areas like dry etch and chemical vapor deposition (CVD).

This domestic expansion in the semiconductor manufacturing equipment market is fueled by massive capital spending within China, which remains the largest geographic market for equipment. Between 2019 and 2024, Chinese suppliers increased their market share in deposition tools from 2% to 7% and gained 8 percentage points in the dry etch market. However, this growth has also led to a concentration of revenue for global players, with Lam Research deriving 43% of its sales from China in Q3 2025 and Applied Materials earning 37% of its revenue there. This dependency presents a significant geopolitical risk amid ongoing trade tensions.

System-Level Integration Becomes a Key Strategy for Chinese Equipment Suppliers

Chinese equipment manufacturers in the semiconductor manufacturing equipment market are evolving their strategy from developing isolated tools to providing integrated, system-level solutions. In the first ten months of 2025, leading companies raised over 13 billion yuan to fund strategic acquisitions aimed at creating comprehensive domestic toolchains. This shift is designed to ensure process compatibility and guarantee yield performance for domestic chipmakers, offering a viable alternative to foreign-supplied equipment suites.

A prime example is Naura's acquisition of a controlling stake in Kingsemi, a specialist in coating and developing equipment. The move vertically integrates Naura's existing strengths in etching and deposition with crucial steps surrounding the lithography process. Similarly, Hwatsing, a leader in chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) tools, acquired Xinyu Semiconductor to offer customers a more comprehensive package of equipment and services. This consolidation trend is creating more formidable domestic competitors within the semiconductor manufacturing equipment market.

Global Government Subsidies Fuel a Wave of New Fab Construction

Governments worldwide are injecting tens of billions of dollars into their domestic semiconductor ecosystems, directly funding the construction of new fabrication plants and creating a guaranteed order book for equipment suppliers. The United States' CHIPS Act allocates US$ 52.7 billion to incentivize domestic manufacturing and R&D. So far, over US$ 33 billion in manufacturing grants has been awarded to spur the construction of new fabs. This funding directly supports equipment purchases for companies building facilities on U.S. soil.

This trend is global. Japan has pledged subsidies totaling 1.2 trillion (about US$ 7.8 billion) for TSMC's new facilities in Kumamoto and is allocating another US$ 2.1 billion in 2025 to support its domestic champion, Rapidus. The European Union, through the European Chips Act, approved a 920 million subsidy for Infineon's new fab in Germany. These government-backed projects are creating a geographically diverse and robust demand base for the semiconductor manufacturing equipment market, aimed at enhancing supply chain resilience.

AI Integration into Manufacturing Processes Drives Next-Generation Equipment Design

Artificial intelligence is not just driving demand for chips; it is also fundamentally changing how semiconductor manufacturing equipment is designed and operated. Equipment makers and fabs are increasingly embedding AI and machine learning algorithms into their processes for applications like predictive maintenance, real-time process control, and advanced defect detection. This integration is crucial for optimizing yield and efficiency in the face of ever-increasing process complexity, especially at advanced nodes.

This creates a powerful feedback loop. As chip designs for AI become more complex, the manufacturing process generates massive datasets that can be used to train AI models for process optimization. Consequently, a key competitive differentiator for the next generation of manufacturing tools will be their ability to intelligently analyze data and self-optimize. This pushes R&D in the semiconductor manufacturing equipment market towards creating smarter, more autonomous systems capable of handling the stringent requirements of sub-2nm production.

Market Leaders Face a Bifurcated Reality of Booming and Slowing Demand

While the AI-driven supercycle fuels record investment, the broader semiconductor manufacturing equipment market presents a more complex picture, forcing equipment leaders to navigate divergent trends. For instance, while AI and HPC demand is robust, capital expenditure in other areas is softening. Samsung announced a 50% cut in its 2025 foundry capex to US$ 3.5 billion, and Intel's 2025 investment of around US$ 20 billion is lower than initial forecasts. This bifurcation requires equipment suppliers to be agile in their resource allocation and product strategy.

At the same time, geopolitical factors are actively reshaping revenue streams. Lam Research, while posting record revenues of US$ 5.3 billion in its September quarter, anticipates its revenue share from China will decline to less than 30% in 2026 due to regulatory pressures. The companys December 2025 guidance already accounts for a US$ 200 million revenue impact from new U.S. trade rules. Navigating this complex environment of booming niche demand, slowing traditional markets, and regulatory headwinds is the central challenge for leaders in the semiconductor manufacturing equipment market.

Looking for Country-Level or Section-Wise Data? Customize This Report: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ask-for-customization/semiconductor-manufacturing-equipment-market

Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment Market Major Players:

Tokyo Electron Limited

Lam Research Corporation

Asml Holdings N.V.

KLA-Tencor Corporation

Screen Holdings Co., Ltd.

Applied Materials Inc.

Teradyne Inc.

Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation

Plasma-Therm

Rudolph Technologies, Inc

Advantest Corporation

Startup Ecosystem

Other Prominent Players

Key Market Segmentation:

By Type

Front-end Equipment

Backend Equipment

By Application

Automation

Chemical Control Equipment

Gas Control Equipment

Others

By Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

South America

Not Sure Where to Start? Let Our Analyst Walk You Through the Report: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/report-walkthrough/semiconductor-manufacturing-equipment-market

About Astute Analytica

Astute Analytica is a global market research and advisory firm providing data-driven insights across industries such as technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and more. We publish multiple reports daily, equipping businesses with the intelligence they need to navigate market trends, emerging opportunities, competitive landscapes, and technological advancements.

With a team of experienced business analysts, economists, and industry experts, we deliver accurate, in-depth, and actionable research tailored to meet the strategic needs of our clients. At Astute Analytica, our clients come first, and we are committed to delivering cost-effective, high-value research solutions that drive success in an evolving marketplace.

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Dublin, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Saudi Arabia Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2020-2030F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Saudi Arabia Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems Market was valued at USD 174.23 Million in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 235.72 Million by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 5.01%

The Saudi Arabia Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems market is a rapidly evolving sector that plays a critical role in enhancing the cybersecurity landscape of the Kingdom. As Saudi Arabia embraces digital transformation, advances in technology, and strives to build a knowledge-based economy, the demand for robust IDPS solutions has significantly grown. These systems are instrumental in protecting sensitive data, critical infrastructure, and networks from an expanding array of cyber threats.







With the rising volume and sophistication of cyber threats, the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures is paramount. Organizations across Saudi Arabia recognize that they must safeguard their digital assets to avoid data breaches, financial losses, and damage to their reputation. The IDPS market is driven by the imperative to detect, prevent, and mitigate cyberattacks effectively.



Key Market Drivers

Regulatory & Compliance Mandates



Saudi Arabia has implemented strong regulatory frameworks that directly push enterprises and government bodies to adopt advanced Intrusion Detection & Prevention Systems (IDPS). Financial regulators, energy sector authorities, and the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) enforce strict compliance requirements mandating continuous monitoring, logging, and preventive controls. These rules make IDPS not optional but a necessity for regulated organizations.



Banks, for example, must demonstrate preventive measures, continuous monitoring, and risk assessments as part of their cybersecurity audits. Critical national infrastructure operators face similar requirements, as they are considered top-priority sectors for protection. The compliance-driven environment ensures that organizations invest in IDPS solutions not only for security but also to avoid penalties, maintain licenses, and qualify for government contracts.



Key aspects of compliance include centralized logging, intrusion signature management, incident detection within defined timeframes, and mandatory reporting of cyberattacks. Vendors who align their IDPS offerings with these frameworks, and who provide localized compliance mapping, win favor in procurement. For buyers, investing in IDPS becomes an operational requirement rather than a discretionary expense.



In effect, regulatory pressure accelerates the procurement of IDPS solutions, shortens sales cycles for compliant vendors, and ensures long-term integration of IDPS into Saudi organizations' cybersecurity strategies.

Key Market Challenges

Evolving and Sophisticated Threat Landscape:



The first major challenge facing the IDPS market in Saudi Arabia is the rapidly evolving and increasingly sophisticated cyber threat landscape. In recent years, the Kingdom has witnessed a surge in cyberattacks, driven by various factors such as geopolitical tensions, the prevalence of digitalization, and the rising capabilities of cybercriminals. These attacks range from malware and ransomware to distributed denial of service (DDoS) assaults and advanced persistent threats (APTs).



The pace of evolution in cyber threats poses a considerable challenge to the effectiveness of IDPS solutions. Traditional IDPS systems are designed to detect known attack patterns or signatures. However, the landscape is shifting towards zero-day attacks, which are previously unseen and, therefore, lack known signatures. This necessitates more advanced and adaptive solutions, such as anomaly-based detection and machine learning algorithms, which can identify suspicious activities based on deviations from established baselines.



Challenges arise in implementing these advanced IDPS systems effectively. It requires continuous monitoring, threat intelligence sharing, and the fine-tuning of algorithms to ensure accurate detection without an overwhelming number of false positives. The ability to keep pace with rapidly evolving cyber threats, adapt to new attack techniques, and identify unknown threats remains a significant challenge in the Saudi Arabian IDPS market.



Key Market Trends

Integration with Security Orchestration and Automation (SOAR):



The Saudi Arabian IDPS market is the integration of IDPS systems with Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) platforms. SOAR solutions offer the ability to streamline and automate security operations, including incident response, threat detection, and remediation. By combining IDPS with SOAR, organizations can create a more coordinated and efficient security ecosystem.



The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recognizes the importance of incident response capabilities and is actively strengthening its cybersecurity incident response capabilities. The integration of IDPS with SOAR allows for a more synchronized approach to threat management. When IDPS systems detect an intrusion or potential threat, SOAR platforms can orchestrate a response, triggering actions such as isolating affected devices, notifying security teams, and gathering additional threat intelligence.



This trend is particularly beneficial for Saudi organizations that deal with large volumes of security alerts and require a systematic way to prioritize and address them. SOAR platforms provide a centralized dashboard for monitoring and responding to security events, enhancing the effectiveness of incident response teams

As the cybersecurity landscape in Saudi Arabia continues to evolve, the integration of IDPS with SOAR reflects the Kingdom's commitment to staying ahead of the curve in threat detection and incident response. This trend contributes to a more proactive and efficient cybersecurity posture, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030's goal of enhancing national security and data protection.

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 86 Forecast Period 2024 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $174.23 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $235.72 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.0% Regions Covered Saudi Arabia

Report Scope:

Key Market Players

Cisco Systems Saudi Arabia Limited

Palo Alto Networks Saudi Arabia Limited

IBM Saudi Arabia Limited

Check Point Software Technologies Saudi Arabia Limited

Fortinet Saudi Arabia Limited

McAfee Saudi Arabia Limited

Symantec Saudi Arabia Limited

Trend Micro Saudi Arabia Limited

SonicWall Saudi Arabia Limited

Sophos Saudi Arabia Limited

Saudi Arabia Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems Market, By Components:

Solutions

Services

Saudi Arabia Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems Market, By Type:

Network-Based

Wireless-based

Network behavior analysis

Host-based

Saudi Arabia Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems Market, By Industry Verticals:

Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI)

Government and Defense

Healthcare

Information Technology (IT) and Telecom

Retail and eCommerce

Manufacturing

Others

Saudi Arabia Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems Market, By Region:

Riyadh

Makkah

Madinah

Jeddah

Tabuk

Eastern Province

Rest of Saudi Arabia

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/q9wr3o

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses In Quanex To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options

If you purchased or acquired securities in Quanex between December 12, 2024 and September 5, 2025 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

[You may also click here for additional information]





NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Quanex Building Products Corporation (Quanex or the Company) (NYSE: NX) and reminds investors of the November 18, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose that: (1) the Companys procedures and policies regarding tooling and equipment maintenance in its Tyman Mexico facility were significantly underinvested; (2) as a result, the Companys tooling and equipment conditions had significantly degraded to near catastrophic levels; (3) that, as a result of the foregoing, the Company was likely to incur significant costs, pushing out the timing of expected benefits from the Tyman integration; (4) that Quanex had previously identified the foregoing issues; and (5) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants positive statements about the Companys business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

On September 4, 2025, after the market closed, Quanex announced financial results for the third quarter of the 2025 fiscal year. Among other things, the Company disclosed operational issues related to the legacy Tyman window and door hardware business in Mexico that are ongoing which impacted results more than expected during the third quarter of 2025. Specifically, the Company reported a diluted EPS of ($6.04), compared to $0.77 in the prior year period and an adjusted EBIDTA of $70.30. The Company further disclosed that it was adjusting for lower expected volumes and pushing out the timing of when [it] expect[s] to realize procurement savings from the integration of the Tyman business.

Then, on September 5, 2025, the Company held an earnings call pursuant to the Companys third quarter 2025 financial results. During the earnings call, Chief Executive Officer, George Wilson (Wilson) explained operational challenges in the Tyman facility in Mexico negatively impacted EBITDA in the Hardware Solutions segment by almost $5 million in the third quarter alone. Wilson further explained that the issue was previously identified midyear as it got deeper into the integration with Tyman, and described how the systems used to anticipate and plan for tooling repairs were significantly deficient, indicating it was near nonexistent. Wilson stated because Quanex was underinvested in the tooling condition and the equipment condition it had to make some changes and fix some things before it was catastrophic.

On this news, Quanexs stock price fell $2.73, or 13.1%, to close at $18.18 per share on September 5, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume. The stock price continued to decline on the subsequent trading day, falling $1.98 or 10.9%, to close at $16.20 per share on September 8, 2025, on unusually heavy trading volume.

The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Quanexs conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

To learn more about the Quanex Building Products class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/NX or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook.

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d516bf4b-fab7-416f-a74a-ea4437d5b4b3
Austin, TX, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new national survey conducted by the Cicero Institute and first reported by The Daily Wire reveals overwhelming public demand for stronger accountability in how America handles crime, homelessness, and justice. The poll, which surveyed 2,102 likely voters (MoE +/-2.18%), found Americans consistently reject permissive policies in favor of solutions that emphasize order, safety, and accountability.

Key Findings on Crime

Violent Crime: 75% say violent crime is increasing or staying the same.

75% say violent crime is increasing or staying the same. Murder Sentencing: 82% support either the death penalty or life in prison in cases where mentally ill individuals are convicted of aggravated murder.

82% support either the death penalty or life in prison in cases where mentally ill individuals are convicted of aggravated murder. Compulsory Mental Health Treatment: 64% support making it easier to commit individuals with violent tendencies to mental health hospitals.

64% support making it easier to commit individuals with violent tendencies to mental health hospitals. Sex Offender Monitoring: 75% support ongoing electronic monitoring for transient sex offenders.

75% support ongoing electronic monitoring for transient sex offenders. Judicial Accountability: 63% support removing judges who have a pattern of being too lenient with repeat violent offenders.

63% support removing judges who have a pattern of being too lenient with repeat violent offenders. Federal Investigations: 60% support federal investigations of states that have a history of releasing repeat violent offenders.

Key Findings on Homelessness

Homelessness Policy: 75% say the more compassionate response is requiring homeless individuals to move into shelters rather than letting them remain on the street.

75% say the more compassionate response is requiring homeless individuals to move into shelters rather than letting them remain on the street. Encampments: 70% support creating temporary , structured camping areas with sanitation and police for when shelters are not an option.

70% support creating , structured camping areas with sanitation and police for when shelters are not an option. Drug Trafficking: 63% support harsher penalties for drug trafficking near homeless service providers facilities.

Stefani Buhajla, Senior Director of Communications at the Cicero Institute, directed the poll and had this to say:

Americans have made their voices heard. They want safe streets for their families, accountable solutions for homelessness, and serious repercussions when our justice system fails.

Moreover, voters have lost patience with activist leniency that endangers communities. They rightly want violent individuals removed from the streets and overwhelmingly support replacing incompetent judges who repeatedly let them off with a slap on the wrist.

Buhajla added, This poll underscores the essence of President Trumps Executive Order 14321, Ending Crime and Disorder on Americas Streets; This is a clarion call for accountability in our justice system.

About the Cicero Institute

The Cicero Institute is a nonpartisan public policy think tank founded to advance bold reforms that improve public safety, increase accountability, and expand opportunity. Ciceros polling program tracks the views of Americans nationwide on critical issues.
EDMONTON, Alberta, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Good Samaritan Society and Good Samaritan Canada (Good Samaritan) are proud to announce that Dr. Katherine Chubbs, President and CEO, has been named one of Canadas Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners by the Womens Executive Network (WXN).

This national recognition celebrates outstanding women across Canada who demonstrate bold leadership, vision, and impact within their industries and communities. The 2025 theme, Rise Boldly, honours women who are transforming challenge into opportunity and courage into legacy.

Dr. Chubbs embodies what it means to rise boldly, said Marlene Raasok, Board Chair, Good Samaritan. Her compassionate leadership and unwavering commitment to person-centered care have strengthened Good Samaritans mission and inspired our teams to make a difference every day. This recognition is a reflection of her character, dedication, and the positive change she continues to drive in the continuing care sector.

Since joining Good Samaritan in 2020, Dr. Chubbs has led transformative initiatives to enhance quality of living, empower employees, and advance equity, diversity, inclusion and Reconciliation across all levels of the organization. Under her leadership, Good Samaritan continues to build sustainable, faith-based communities that foster belonging, dignity, and purpose for seniors and individuals with complex needs throughout Alberta and British Columbia.

I am deeply honoured to be recognized alongside so many extraordinary leaders, said Dr. Katherine Chubbs. To rise boldly means to lead with courage and compassion, to break barriers with integrity, and to lift others along the way. This award reflects not just my journey, but the collective strength of our Good Samaritan family and our shared commitment to serve with excellence.

The 2025 Canadas Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winners were announced by WXN on October 30, 2025. Winners will be celebrated at the Top 100 Awards Gala on November 27, 2025, at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.

A full list of award recipients is available at https://wxnetwork.com/page/2025Top100AwardWinners.

About Good Samaritan

As the largest faith-based, not-for-profit provider of senior care and programs in Western Canada, The Good Samaritan Society and Good Samaritan Canada are committed to creating safe, inclusive, and compassionate communities where individuals experience caring, belonging, and purpose. With over 76 years of service, Good Samaritan provides continuing care, assisted and supportive living, and specialized health programs guided by the values of Excellence, Inclusion, Healthy Relationships, and Servant Leadership.

Learn more at www.gss.org.

About WXN

The Womens Executive Network (WXN) celebrates and inspires women leaders across Canada, providing access to networking, mentorship, and learning opportunities to support women in achieving their full potential. Through its annual Canadas Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards, WXN honours outstanding women who are shaping the future of business, government, healthcare, education, and community leadership.

Learn more at www.wxnetwork.com.

For media inquiries, contact:

Paola Gatica

Director, Communications and Board Support

The Good Samaritan Society

Email: pegatica@gss.org

Phone: 780-907-9265
Chicago, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global energy based aesthetic devices market was valued at US$ 4.97 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach US$ 14.06 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 13.06% during the forecast period 20252033.

The energy-based aesthetic devices market is experiencing a period of explosive growth and unparalleled innovation. Driven by specific regulatory wins and surging consumer demand, the sector is defined by tangible, technology-driven advancements. Wherein, key players are making strategic moves, expanding global footprints and solidifying market positions.

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For stakeholders, understanding these granular shifts is crucial. An analysis reveals a landscape ripe with opportunity, characterized by robust financial health, intense competition, and a clear trajectory toward mainstream acceptance. A deeper dive into recent data from 2024 and 2025 showcases a market that is not just growing, but fundamentally reshaping the future of personal aesthetics.

Key Findings in Energy-based Aesthetic Devices Market

Market Forecast (2033) US$ 14.06 billion CAGR 13.06% Largest Region (2024) North America (35.27%) By Product Laser-Based Aesthetic Device (42.63%) By Gender Female (77.13%) By End Users Hospitals (32.80%) Top Drivers "Prejuvenation" trend with younger consumers seeking preventative aesthetic treatments.

Social media's powerful influence in normalizing and promoting cosmetic procedures.

Demand for post-weight loss treatments to address skin laxity. Top Trends Rise of combination therapies using multiple modalities for synergistic results.

Growing focus on regenerative aesthetics that stimulates natural collagen production. Top Challenges Overcoming patient skepticism fueled by social media misinformation and trends.

Addressing the demand for natural-looking results versus overfilled appearances.

Navigating the influx of new, unproven at-home aesthetic devices.

Regulatory Clearances and Clinical Data Validate A New Era of Market Growth

A wave of regulatory approvals is unlocking new treatments and expanding market access. The FDA is projected to grant 510(k) clearance to over 35 new energy-based aesthetic devices in 2024. A notable clearance includes Sofwaves SUPERB technology for cellulite and an expanded indication for firming of the arms. In Europe, a similar trend is visible, with at least 40 new aesthetic devices expected to receive CE Mark approval in 2025. These certifications are critical, providing the validation needed for commercial expansion and building practitioner confidence in the burgeoning energy-based aesthetic devices market.

This foundation of regulatory support is further strengthened by rigorous clinical data. Following ANVISA's approval, Sofwave Medical is projected to install 100 SUPERB systems in Brazil by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, Solta Medical received crucial NMPA approval for its Thermage FLX system in China in early 2024. The innovation pipeline is robust, with over 120 active clinical trials registered for these devices in 2024. A pivotal multi-site study involving 68 women was instrumental in securing FDA clearance for a new cellulite treatment. Underscoring this inventive spirit, InMode is expected to file more than 25 new patents in 2025, protecting its technological advancements.

Advanced Technology Adoption and Strategic System Upgrades Define Modern Aesthetic Practices in Energy-Based Aesthetic Devices Market

Clinics are rapidly investing in next-generation systems to meet patient expectations. Lumenis projects the installation of 1,500 new Stellar M22 multi-application platforms across North America and Europe during 2024. Technology life cycles are also shortening, with software now playing a pivotal role. For instance, a major software upgrade for the Stellar M22, designated v.7.0, is scheduled for a global rollout in Q2 2025. By 2025, an estimated 2,000 clinics will adopt AI-powered skin analysis tools, enabling highly personalized treatment plans.

The drive for superior results and efficiency is fueling a significant upgrade cycle. Solta Medical anticipates that 3,000 existing Thermage CPT users will upgrade to the Thermage FLX system by the end of 2025. The trend extends beyond the clinic, with sales of at-home LED therapy masks projected to surpass 2 million units in 2025. In the professional setting, approximately 600 new picosecond laser systems are forecast for installation in the US in 2024. Even the secondary market is thriving; Candela's certified refurbished program is on track to sell over 400 pre-owned systems in 2024, broadening access to the energy-based aesthetic devices market.

Surging Procedure Volumes and Treatment Specialization Underscore Broad Consumer Adoption

The sheer number of procedures performed highlights escalating consumer demand. Solta Medical announced the 5 millionth Thermage treatment was performed in September 2025, demonstrating immense brand loyalty. Niche procedures are also seeing dramatic growth. The number of non-surgical neck lifts performed with Ultherapy is projected to reach 400,000 in the United States in 2025. Moreover, clinics report that over 600,000 patients in 2024 will opt for subtle "tweakments," often combining multiple energy-based modalities in one session.

Core market segments in the energy-based aesthetic devices market continue their powerful expansion. The total number of non-invasive body contouring cycles is expected to exceed 4 million in North America in 2024. In parallel, an estimated 10 million laser hair removal sessions will be performed in the US in 2025. New patient segments are also emerging. Procedures for male jawline contouring are expected to reach 150,000 in 2024. The introduction of novel laser and light-based acne treatments is projected to attract 250,000 new patients in 2025, further broadening the energy-based aesthetic devices market.

Evolving Consumer Demographics and Behaviors Fundamentally Reshape Market Growth Trajectories

The market's growth is increasingly fueled by younger demographics and male patients. Consumers under 40 are projected to account for $250 million in spending on non-invasive aesthetic treatments in 2025. The number of male patients receiving energy-based skin resurfacing is anticipated to increase by 200,000 in the US from 2024 to 2025. Furthermore, approximately 1 million individuals in 2025 will undergo their first energy-based "prejuvenation" treatment before the age of 30, signaling a shift toward preventative care.

Cultural and social trends are powerful demand drivers in the energy-based aesthetic devices market. Fitness and Lifestyle Group (FLG) reports its Gen Z members are spending 65% more per week on wellness, including services like red light therapy. Market surveys in 2024 indicate that 80% of new patients cite self-evaluation during the pandemic as a primary motivator. A 2025 study found appearance on dating apps matters 9 times more than biographies, driving an estimated 300,000 young adults to seek facial enhancements. In response, device manufacturers are projected to invest $50 million in 2025 to develop technologies safe for all skin types.

Strategic Global Expansion Efforts Are Unlocking Tremendous Potential in Emerging Regions

Leading corporations are making significant investments to capture growth in international markets. L'Oreal's new 100 million production facility in Brazil, announced in 2024, is set to increase local production by 50%. Signaling similar confidence, Estee Lauder's 2025 acquisition of a Brazilian beauty brand was valued at $120 million. Device manufacturers are also expanding their reach. Lumenis will launch the first "International Stellar M22 Day" on May 22, 2025, across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to boost brand recognition.

Infrastructure and training are following this global push. More than 500 new clinics featuring advanced devices are expected to open in India's Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in 2025. Candela Medical plans to open 3 new advanced training centers in Southeast Asia by the end of 2025. This expansion is translating into direct sales, with unit sales of radiofrequency devices in Australia projected to increase by 5,000 units in 2025. Dubai is cementing its status as a global hub and is projected to have more than 750 aesthetic clinics by the end of 2025, with an average of 4 energy-based devices per clinic. The global energy-based aesthetic devices market is clearly expanding.

Intense Body Contouring Competition Fuels Innovation and Aggressive System Placement Strategies

The body contouring segment remains a fierce battleground within the energy-based aesthetic devices market. Allergan projects the sale of over 250,000 CoolSculpting Elite C240 large-area applicators in 2024. Competitor BTL Aesthetics aims to increase its installed base of Emsculpt Neo devices to 7,500 units globally by Q4 2025. InMode is focusing on its recurring revenue model, forecasting that income from consumables will reach $80 million for the full year 2025.

Market penetration strategies are highly targeted. Cynosure is targeting the placement of 300 new SculpSure systems specifically in the US medspa market during 2024. Cutera projects that over 1.5 million truSculpt treatment cycles will be performed globally in 2025, reflecting significant procedure volume. Candela is building a vast provider network; the number of physicians offering VelaShape III treatments is expected to surpass 10,000 worldwide by the beginning of 2025. Meanwhile, Lumenis plans to secure regulatory approval for NuEra Tight in 5 additional Latin American countries in 2024 to expand its international footprint.

Digital Marketing Dominance and Virtual Consultations Revolutionize Patient Acquisition Methods

Online channels are the new frontier for patient engagement in the energy-based aesthetic devices market. Sofwave's #Sofwave campaign is projected to achieve over 50 million impressions across Instagram and Facebook in 2024. The power of viral marketing is evident, as the hashtag #EmsculptNeo has garnered over 300 million views on TikTok as of early 2025. This online buzz translates into active patient research, with monthly Google searches for "RF microneedling" expected to average 2 million globally throughout 2025.

Companies are leveraging digital platforms for both professional and consumer education. A series of 10 webinars hosted by InMode in 2024 is expected to attract over 50,000 registrations from medical professionals. The aesthetic platform RealSelf is projected to add over 500,000 new treatment reviews in 2025, providing crucial social proof. While effective, digital acquisition has a cost, with the average price to acquire one new body contouring patient estimated at $450 in 2024. The consultation process is also evolving, with the number of virtual consultations forecast to exceed 3 million in 2025.

Tailor This Report to Your Specific Business Needs: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ask-for-customization/energy-based-aesthetic-devices-market

Strong Financial Health and Corporate Responsibility Signal A Mature, Sustainable Industry

The energy-based aesthetic devices market is characterized by robust financial activity and strong investor confidence. Venture capital is flowing into the sector, evidenced by Longevity startup Generation Lab securing $11 million in a seed round in late 2025. At least 15 M&A transactions are anticipated in 2025, with a cumulative value exceeding $2 billion. Public companies are performing well; InMode reported Q2 2025 revenues of $95.6 million and held a cash position of $512.9 million. Sofwave reported revenues of $13.2 million for H1 2024, a 27% year-over-year increase. This financial strength fuels innovation, with Cynosure's R&D expenditure for 2024 projected at $70 million. With at least two IPO filings expected in late 2025 and the average cost of a premium new system at $175,000, the market's financial underpinnings are solid.

Alongside financial growth, the energy-based aesthetic devices market is embracing corporate social responsibility. The number of manufacturers offering recyclable consumables is expected to double to 20 by the end of 2025. At least 30 new devices launched in 2024 will feature an "eco-mode" for reduced power consumption. This commitment extends to the community, with practices projected to donate over 10,000 pro-bono treatments in 2025. Manufacturers are reducing packaging waste by an average of 15% and signing ethical marketing pledges. Leading companies are also investing in the future, forecasting 100 scholarships for women in STEM in 2024. The push for sustainability is comprehensive, with at least 5 manufacturing facilities expected to achieve carbon-neutral status by the end of 2025.

Energy Based Aesthetic Devices Market Major Players:

Alma Lasers

Candela Medical

Lumenis Be Ltd.

Cutera, Inc.

Hologic, Inc.

Sciton, Inc.

Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGaA

Venus Concept Inc.

Bausch Health Companies Inc.

TRIA Beauty, Inc.

SharpLight Technologies

Key Market Segmentation:

By Product

Laser Based Aesthetic Device

Radiofrequency (RF) Based Aesthetic Device

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Based Aesthetic Device

Light Based Aesthetic Device

Ultrasound Aesthetic Device

Others

By Gender

Male 18 Years & Below 19-34 years 35-50 Years 51-64 Years 65 years & Above

Female 18 Years & Below 19-34 years 35-50 Years 51-64 Years 65 years & Above



By End Use

Hospitals

Ambulatory Surgical Centers

Beauty Centers and Medical Spas

Dermatology Clinics

Home Settings

Others

By Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

South America

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About Astute Analytica

Astute Analytica is a global market research and advisory firm providing data-driven insights across industries such as technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and more. We publish multiple reports daily, equipping businesses with the intelligence they need to navigate market trends, emerging opportunities, competitive landscapes, and technological advancements.

With a team of experienced business analysts, economists, and industry experts, we deliver accurate, in-depth, and actionable research tailored to meet the strategic needs of our clients. At Astute Analytica, our clients come first, and we are committed to delivering cost-effective, high-value research solutions that drive success in an evolving marketplace.

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HOUSTON, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KBR (NYSE: KBR) today announced the opening of a new office in Rosslyn, Virginia, in The Towers at 1100 Wilson Boulevard. The office, five minutes from the Pentagon, 10 minutes from the White House and 15 minutes from the U.S. Capitol building, will allow the company to engage further with congressional and executive stakeholders, in addition to proximity for government customers, including the Department of War and intelligence community, among many others.

The new office marks a critical step for KBR as it increases its commitment to the nations capital. The company currently has 37,000 global employees, with approximately 900 employees working across four offices in the Washington, D.C. area, located in Fairfax and Chantilly, Virginia, and Fulton and Lexington Park, Maryland. KBR will have key executive leaders working out of the new Rosslyn office.

KBR is doubling down on the D.C.-area to better help our government customers solve some of their most complex issues, said KBR President for Defense, Intel and Space Mark Kavanaugh. With the government taking on ambitious and critical national security projects like the Golden Dome, private sector support is necessary. KBR stands ready to help execute on these missions.

In addition to opening its new office, KBR has also started to recruit new hires and create new roles to help boost its continued growth and presence in the D.C. area. KBR expects its new D.C.-area resources will also play a critical role in supporting the administration as it begins to stand up and operationalize the Golden Dome missile defense system, as well as other projects and missions.

In September 2025, KBR announced plans to spin off its Mission Technology Solutions business, which will become a new publicly traded company. It will operate with deep domain expertise and mission-critical capabilities, enabling advantage for government customers globally. It is aligned with high-demand national security and space priorities with growing budgets driven by secular trends.

About KBR

We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in over 29 countries. KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver.

Visit www.kbr.com

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding the companys growth, its role supporting Golden Dome or other projects and the planned spin-off of the companys Mission Technology Solutions business, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the companys control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those set forth in the companys most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which discuss some of the important risks, uncertainties and assumptions that the company has identified that may affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. Due to such risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

For further information, please contact:

Investors

Jamie DuBray

Vice President, Investor Relations

713-753-5082

Investors@kbr.com

Media

Philip Ivy

Vice President, Global Communications and Marketing

713-753-3800

MediaRelations@kbr.com
Vicky on the move: Chinese vibes fill South Korea's streets ahead of APEC meeting

(People's Daily App) 16:27, October 30, 2025

From sizzling malatang stalls on every corner to Labubu keychains and Chinese brands in daily life, China's flavors, tech and trends are hard to miss in South Korea. With the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting set for October 31-November 1 in Gyeongju, South Korea, these everyday moments highlight the deep cultural and economic ties between the two countries. Follow People's Daily reporter Wang Zi for more.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Tampa, Fla., Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and as part of The Continuum, a collaborative network of leading accelerator organizations, the BlueTech|X Accelerator is a first-of-its-kind program focused on the Ocean Enterprise, an emerging sector advancing sustainable ocean and coastal solutions, and one with vital interest to our region.

Running from October 20 to December 5, 2025, the BlueTech|X Accelerator supports groundbreaking technologies that aim to improve ocean health, enhance resource management, and strengthen coastal community resilience. By connecting emerging startups with industry leaders, researchers, and government agencies, the program fosters collaboration across the marine value chain while driving economic opportunity.

The founders' backgrounds in this group are elite. Their academic backgrounds include some of the top-ranked universities in the world, including Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Embry-Riddle, IIT, Stanford, Columbia, Purdue, Michigan State, the University of Miami, the University of South Florida here in Tampa, and more. In addition, the founders have worked for some of the largest businesses and organizations in the world, including the US Navy, Marine Corps, Google, pwc, Deloitte, California Academy of Sciences, Scripps Research Institute, Ford, M&T Bank, ASI Energy, SXSW, Crowley, and more. These founders include serial entrepreneurs, professors, engineers, rocket scientists, and soldiers.

In collaboration with the University of South Florida (USF) and the St. Pete Innovation District, the BlueTech|X Accelerator is part of a growing ecosystem committed to positioning the Tampa Bay region as a leader in maritime innovation, sustainability, and climate technology. With a world-class port, strong maritime infrastructure, and a community that has demonstrated exceptional resilience in the wake of last years hurricanes, Tampa Bay is uniquely positioned to lead in advancing ocean sustainability and coastal resilience.

Through the BlueTech|X Accelerator, were fueling innovation that drives job creation and attracts new capital into the Ocean Enterprise, said Linda Olson, CEO and Founder of Tampa Bay Wave. Our partnership with NOAA and other industry leaders ensures that these startups have the resources and visibility to grow solutions that power sustainable economic development.

The 2025 cohort officially kicked off on October 20, bringing together six high-impact startups from across North America, including four based in Tampa Bay.

2025 BlueTech|X Accelerator Accepted Companies:

EMPEQ  Ithaca, NY

Eskuad  Tampa, FL

Seagate Space Corporation  Tampa, FL

Sensfix  Tampa, FL

SkyTL  Tampa, FL

Tempest Droneworx  Houston, TX

The BlueTech|X Accelerator positions Tampa Bay at the forefront of ocean innovation, bringing together some of the most promising and high-caliber startups making an impact in the Blue Economy, said Dr. Richard Munassi MD MBA, Tampa Bay Wave Accelerator and CORE Program Managing Director. Our inaugural BlueTech|X Accelerator program is launching with a tremendous first year cohort of strong founders whose solutions will make an impact now and well into the future.

The Wave team is tremendously proud and humbled to have these founders and their companies joining our portfolio, and look forward to helping be the fuel for their rocket ships, now and over the years to come, continued Munassi.

ABOUT THE CONTINUUM

The Continuum is a collaborative initiative launched in December 2024 that brings together leading accelerator organizations and NOAA under a multi-million-dollar federal grant to advance BlueTech commercialization. As a key partner, Tampa Bay Wave joins seven industry leadersBraid Theory, Ocean Exchange, St. Pete Innovation District, Seaworthy Collective, the University of South Florida, and the World Ocean Councilto accelerate BlueTech startups and strengthen Floridas position as a national hub in the Blue Economy. To learn more about the BlueTech|X Accelerator, visit tampabaywave.org/bluetech .

ABOUT TAMPA BAY WAVE

Tampa Bay Wave, Floridas #1 Accelerator, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to accelerate Floridas Innovation Ecosystem by helping entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into real-world solutions and scalable businesses. Since 2013, weve nurtured more than 600 startups, building a dynamic innovation ecosystem of startups, mentors, and investors. Our efforts have been a catalyst for economic prosperity, impacting local, national and global communities. Bolstered by a robust network of community partners, and sustained through sponsorships, grants and passionate community backing, we are built for founders, fueled by community. Tampa Bay Wave also receives financial support from our economic development partners: the U.S. Economic Development Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Hillsborough County, and the City of Tampa, as well as from academia, corporations and foundations, including: A-LIGN, Appspace, Bank of America, Celestar, Delta Air Lines/Virgin Atlantic Airlines, EY, Florida High Tech Corridor, Insight Assurance, Foley & Lardner, Kuducom, Nielsen Foundation, NextPath Career Partners, TECO, Thoropass and the University of South Florida, among others. Learn more at tampabaywave.org

Attachments




BRENTWOOD, N.H. and ONTARIO, Calif., Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GenTent Safety Canopies and DuroMax Power Equipment today announced a Covered by GenTent partnership to launch a full range of DuroMax-branded generator running covers engineered specifically for DuroMax generators. The lineup features GenTents next-generation, tool-free mounting system tailored to DuroMaxs rugged steel frames, plus new inverter and XL inverter kits that safeguard DuroMaxs largest premium models while running in severe weather.

The partnership with DuroMax is long in the making, said Brian Thomas, Director of Sales & Marketing at GenTent Safety Canopies. We re-engineered our mounting system with DuroMaxs team to match their performance standards and meet what their customers and engineers have been asking for: a truly tool-free, protective generator tent line up that keeps all their units performing in the elements.

Purpose-Built for DuroMax Generators

At launch, the lineup covers current and legacy DuroMax models. For open-frame generators, GenTent is introducing a new steel clamping system that grips DuroMaxs heavy-duty generator tubes without tools, delivering meaningful gains to GenTents already robust weather ratings. For inverter generators, GenTent is releasing DuroMax Inverter Running Covers; and debuting the first partner-branded XL Generator Tents; purpose-built for large units including the DuroMax XP15000HXT and DuroMax XP16000iHT.

Tested for Safety and Severe Weather

The new internationally patented mounting systems underwent extensive joint validation, including flame-retardancy and environmental performance testing. The canopy fabric is NFPA 701 rated for flame retardancy and structural components meet UL 94 V-0 flammability performance. Independent lab testing of the DuroMax branded GenTent line confirmed:

Wind survivability: up to 110 mph

up to Rainfall protection: up to 18 inches per hour

up to Snow load: up to 20 inches (or 60 pounds)



DuroMax customers expect high-performance durability and no-nonsense usability, said Michael Black, Sales Director for DuroMax Power Equipment. These DuroMax generator covers by GenTent mount fast, no tools required, shield sensitive electrical areas in the worst weather, and maintain generator performance while running.

No-Compromise Protection While Running

Unlike box-style enclosures or thin storage covers, GenTent generator running covers are engineered to shield electrical panels from any angle while preserving the generators cooling profile, ventilation, and exhaust paths. With DuroMax-branded GenTent covers, customers can operate their generators in wet, windy, and snowy conditions while protecting both the equipment and the user. All models have been tested with DuroMax CO Alert and maintain performance without nuisance shut downs. And the tool-free design speeds deployment during outages and simplifies everyday use for homeowners, contractors, RV owners, and mobile-power users.

Availability

DuroMax-branded GenTent running covers for open-frame, inverter, and larger generator models will be available through DuroMaxs online and retail channels beginning October, 2025 For model-specific fit guidance, visit https://www.duromaxpower.com/collections/covers.

About GenTent Safety Canopies

Founded in 2011, GenTent Safety Canopies manufactures easy-to-install, weatherproof generator running covers that enable safe operation of portable generators in wet weather while keeping the unit portable. GenTents patented canopies are relied on by homeowners, businesses, first responders, and U.S. agencies during severe weather. With the DuroMax-branded lineup, GenTent now protects more than 3,500 generator models across major brands and is deployed by multiple PGMA member companies. Installation is a simple three-step process, Clamp it, Frame it, Cover it, to Weatherproof Your Power. Learn more at gentent.com.

About DuroMax Power Equipment

DuroMax Power Equipment designs and manufactures portable generators and outdoor power solutions known for durability, performance, and value. Headquartered in Ontario, California, DuroMax serves homeowners, contractors, and professionals nationwide. Learn more at duromaxpower.com.

Contact:

Brian Thomas

brian.thomas@gentent.com

7813348368 (ex. 1001)

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5360e126-8816-42c5-913e-8b6189ebc826
Vancouver, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fresh Prep, Canadas top-rated meal kit delivery service, is excited to announce it has been named to the 2025 Report on Business magazines ranking of Canadas Top Growing Companies for the fifth year in a row.

Canadas Top Growing Companies ranks Canadian companies on three-year revenue growth. Fresh Prep earned spot No. 261 on the list of 400 companies with a three-year revenue growth of 118% (20212024) in the competitive Consumer category.

This year, Canada's Top Growing Companies launched provincial rankings for Alberta and British Columbia. Fresh Prep ranked 59th in the Consumer category of the inaugural Canadas Top Growing Companies  British Columbia edition.



Fresh Prep distinguishes itself with its flexible combination of chef-inspired ready-to-cook recipes, ready-to-eat meals, and grocery staples, all delivered in one subscription. Founded in Vancouver in 2015 and a leader in Western Canada for nearly a decade, Fresh Prep has rapidly grown to serve British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and now Ontario, following its acquisition of Montreals Cook it in February 2024 and full brand integration in June.

Being named to Canadas Top Growing Companies list for the fifth consecutive year is a meaningful recognition of Fresh Preps continued dedication to innovation and quality, said Dhruv Sood, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Fresh Prep. Our recent entry into the Ontario market represents a significant milestone, demonstrating that the Fresh Prep vision resonates beyond our home base. Its a proud moment that underlines our focus on delivering exceptional value while scaling thoughtfully across Canada.

About Canadas Top Growing Companies Ranking

Launched in 2019, Canadas Top Growing Companies is an editorial ranking to celebrate the achievements of innovative businesses in Canada. To qualify for this voluntary program, companies had to complete an in-depth application process and fulfill revenue requirements. In total, 400 companies earned a spot on this years ranking. The full list of 2025 winners along with editorial coverage is published in the October issue of Report on Business magazine. The list is also published online here.

Our annual ranking of Canadas Top Growing Companies reflects the sector-spanning ingenuity of this countrys entrepreneurs and corporate leaders, says Dawn Calleja, Editor of Report on Business magazine. And we think its important to tell their stories, to help inspire the next generation of up-and-comers across the country.

The celebration event will take place on November 13, preceded earlier in the day by the Growth Camp: Innovation Summit, where Sood will speak in the session titled Money workshop: Funding, finance, and your fiscal roadmap. This candid conversation brings together entrepreneurs and business finance experts to share insights, answer questions, and explore the financial challenges and opportunities most relevant to growing companies today.

About The Globe and Mail:

The Globe and Mail is Canadas foremost news media company, leading the national discussion and causing policy change through brave and independent journalism since 1844. With our award-winning coverage of business, politics and national affairs, The Globe and Mail newspaper reaches 6.1 million readers every week in our print or digital formats, and Report on Business magazine reaches 2.7 million readers in print and digital every issue. Our investment in innovative data science means that as the world continues to change, so does The Globe. The Globe and Mail is owned by Woodbridge, the investment arm of the Thomson family.

About Fresh Prep

Fresh Prep is a Canadian meal subscription service on a mission to make sustainable, high-quality meals more accessible to busy households. Each week, customers can choose from 35+ ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat meals, plus over 150 grocery staples, from quick breakfasts to effortless dinners. Founded in Vancouver in 2015, Fresh Prep delivers across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. Meals arrive in reusable cooler bags, and many recipes come in patented Zero Waste Kits designed to reduce single-use plastic. Fresh Prep is the first Canadian meal subscription service to become a Certified B Corporation, balancing purpose and profit.

For more information, please visit: www.freshprep.ca.

Media Contact:

media@freshprep.ca




ATHENS, Greece, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, Founder & CEO of Tsakos Energy Navigation (TEN) was honored at the annual Chrysanthemum Ball Gala in New York, a leading social and philanthropic event organized by the Philanthropic Brotherhood of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.

Held on October 24, 2025, this years gala paid tribute to Dr. Tsakoss enduring contribution to the global maritime industry and his lifelong dedication to philanthropy, education, and community welfare. The recognition was presented before an audience of top diplomats, business leaders, shipowners, and prominent members of the international and Hellenic diaspora, acknowledging Dr. Tsakoss leadership, integrity, and humanitarian vision.

Continuing a long family tradition of giving, the Tsakos family established in 2010 the Maria Tsakos Public Benefit Foundation  International Centre for Maritime Research and Tradition in Chios, in honor of the late Maria P. Tsakos.

In 2018, the Foundation opened the Tsakos Enhanced Education Nautical School on the island of Chios, Greeces first private, non-profit nautical high school/lyceum (ages 14-17) dedicated to maritime education.

Since its inception, the Foundation has fully financed the education of more than 500 students across Greece, South America, and West Africa.

Building upon this milestone, in September 2024, the Foundation inaugurated the Tsakos Merchant Marine Academy also in Chios, marking the establishment of the first non-state, non-profit merchant marine academy in Greece. This initiative redefines maritime education, combining academic excellence with hands-on seamanship and environmental stewardship.

The short video showcases the Foundations ongoing contribution to maritime education and social welfare.

ABOUT TEN Ltd.

Founded in 1993 and celebrating 32 years as a public company, TEN is one of the first and most established public shipping companies in the world. TEN's diversified energy fleet currently consists of 82 vessels, including ten DP2 shuttle tankers, three VLCCs, one scrubber fitted suezmax vessel, two scrubber-fitted MR product tankers and five scrubber-fitted LR1 tankers under construction, consisting of a mix of crude tankers, product tankers and LNG carriers totaling approx. 11 million dwt.

For further information, please contact:

Company

Tsakos Energy Navigation Ltd.

George Saroglou

President &COO

+30210 94 07 710

gsaroglou@tenn.gr

Investor Relations / Media

Capital Link, Inc.

Nicolas Bornozis Markella Kara

+212 661 7566

ten@capitallink.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/56d120c6-db8e-4a1d-8517-c43128ef5b46
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lupaka Gold Corp. ("Lupaka" or the Company") (TSX-V: LPK, FRA: LQP).

Further to the Companys news release of July 2, 2025, the following updates the status of the Award issued to the Company by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) on June 30, 2025.

ICSID Awards are final and binding on the parties and are subject to the limited post-award remedies provided for in the ICSID Convention (Convention), which is a treaty ratified by 158 Contracting States that includes Canada and Peru.

Under the Convention, the Republic of Peru, the defendant, has 120 days from the date of the Award to request an annulment. That 120-day period expired on October 28, 2025, without such a request being filed. Accordingly, with no other remedies being available to Peru, the Company has issued to the Government of Peru a request for immediate payment of all amounts owed under the Award.

As of this date, the total amount of the Award is approximately US$67 million. Note that, per the Award, interest on this total compounds annually at approximately 9% (UST+5%).

Historically, Peru has reliably paid its obligations incurred from such actions as arbitration awards.

In the event that Peru does not pay the Award on a timely basis, the Company has various avenues of recourse, including the seizure of worldwide assets of the Republic of Peru.

Gordon Ellis (CEO) commented We look forward to a quick and amicable resolution, and we are in continuing discussions with our legal counsel as to our next steps and how best to proceed. It is important to note that the first payments to be made subsequent to the receipt of any Award proceeds will go to our funding partner, Benchwalk LP. We will keep our shareholders informed as we progress.

For ongoing updates and more detail with respect to the Arbitration Award, please refer to the Companys website (www.lupakagold.com/projects/arbitration).

For background on the basis for the Claim, please refer to the Companys previous news releases, also available on the Companys website (www.lupakagold.com/news).

Lupaka was represented in the arbitration proceedings by the international law firm LALIVE (www.lalive.law), with the financial backing of Bench Walk Advisors (www.benchwalk.com). Both firms continue to be involved until the Award proceeds are received.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this news release.

About Lupaka Gold

Lupaka is a Canadian-based company focused on creating shareholder value through identification and development of mining assets.

About LALIVE

LALIVE is an international law firm with offices in Geneva, Zurich and London, that specializes in international dispute resolution. The firm has extensive experience in international investment arbitration in the mining sector, amongst others, and is currently representing investors and States as counsel worldwide.

About Bench Walk Advisors

Bench Walk Advisors is a global litigation financier with over USD 250 million of capital deployed across in excess of 100 commercial cases. Bench Walk and its principals have consistently been ranked as leading lawyers and litigation funders in various global directories.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Gordon Ellis, C.E.O.

gellis@lupakagold.com

Tel: (604) 985-3147

or visit the Companys profile at www.sedarplus.ca or its website at www.lupakagold.com
Operating income up 6.1% and recurring EBITDA up 15%

Geopolitical uncertainty and market volatility present significant challenges to sustaining growth

LLYC acquires a 60% stake in Digital Solvers in Brazil



MADRID, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The audited results of LLYC (BME:LLYC) for the first half of 2025 confirm the key figures released in July. The global Marketing and Corporate Affairs consultancy posted operating income of 45.8 million, up 6.1% year over year, while total income (64.8 million) reflected a slight 0.8% decline. Recurring EBITDA reached 7.9 million, a 15% increase, and net profit stood at 5.9 million.

As of June 30, 2025, it reported 8.7 million in cash and 35.4 million in net financial debt, maintaining a Net Debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 1.9x.

The first half of the year brought significant challenges our way. Ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and financial market volatility have impacted the global economy and our sector." said Francisco Sanchez Rivas, Chair of LLYCs Board of Directors. "We have successfully diversified our services and expanded our client base while maintaining operational rigor to protect profitability."

In the first half of the year, 49% of LLYCs operating income and 67% of its recurring EBITDA came from the Corporate Affairs area. Marketing accounted for 51% of operating income and 33% of recurring EBITDA. Geographically, Europe accounted for 41% of operating income and 47% of EBITDA; Latin America contributed 35% and 23%, respectively; and the United States represented 24% of operating income and 30% of EBITDA.

New acquisitions

In June, LLYC acquired a 60% stake in Sao Paulo-based Digital Solvers, a specialist in immersive digital communication experiences that combine technology, interactivity, creativity, and marketing. The deal strengthens LLYCs tech and innovation capabilities in Brazil. That same month the firm completed  ahead of schedule  the acquisition of Lambert by purchasing the remaining 30%.

On the divestment side, LLYC sold its remaining 10% stake in beBartlet to its partners, concluding a collaboration that began in December 2020 as a bet on innovation in the public affairs sector and a recognition of the value and talent driving it.

We stay committed to achieving long-term, sustainable growth, said Alejandro Romero, Partner and Global CEO of LLYC. In today 's volatile market, exercising caution is essential to safeguarding our capacity to take advantage of strategic opportunities when they emerge. Our industry is undergoing a complete transformation, and we need to be ready to make the most of every opportunity the market offers.

New clients

During the first half of the year, LLYC secured several major contracts across both Corporate Affairs  including LOreal, McDonalds, and Redeia  and Marketing, with clients such as UBS, among others. In line with its commitment to offering integrated solutions, the firm also signed an agreement with Central Michigan University, a cross-disciplinary collaboration involving both areas.

LLYC has also strengthened its Public Affairs practice in Europe, where it has added key clients such as Moeve. The goal of this project is to deepen the companys engagement with the European Commission, the European Parliament, and other European institutions and organizations. In addition, the firm will provide regulatory advice and design flagship activities to help Moeve project its new corporate identity and energy policy objectives.

Innovation and recognition

LLYC continues to invest in cutting-edge technologies and creative solutions to differentiate its offering and deliver better results for its clients. The firm is leading the transformation of the marketing industry through the creation of specialized teams in AI and data processing, enabling smarter information management, enhanced campaign development, and stronger brand perception strategies.

Among its AI-driven initiatives are:

AI Legislab: the first artificial intelligence platform designed exclusively for analyzing and integrating legislative information. It enables companies to access critical data swiftly and accurately to optimize their corporate strategies.

AI Brand Perception Strategy: a global solution currently being implemented that uses generative AI to enhance digital visibility and brand consistency. It improves search performance, brand storytelling, and strategic positioning, ensuring that AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini accurately and effectively represent clients in an increasingly conversation-driven digital landscape.

The market continues to recognize LLYCs successful business model and its integrated service offering. In the first half of 2025, the firm earned 33 international awards at industry festivals and competitions, reaffirming its standing among the top global consultancies in its field.

About LLYC

LLYC (BME:LLYC) is a global Marketing and Corporate Affairs consulting firm that partners with its clients in creativity, influence, and innovation to enhance and protect the value of their businesses, turning every day into an opportunity to grow their brands.

Founded in 1995, LLYC is present in the United States (Miami, New York, Washington, DC, Grand Rapids, Detroit, St. Louis and Phoenix), Argentina, Brazil (Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro), Brussels, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Portugal and Spain (Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia).

LLYC ranks among the 35 largest firms in its sector worldwide, according to PRWeek and PRovoke. The firm was named Best Consultancy in Europe in 2025 by the PRWeek Global Awards, and Consultancy of the Year in Latin America in 2023 by PRovoke.



Press contact:

Joaquin Vizmanos

jvizmanos@llyc.global

+34 91 563 77 22

llyc.global
Torrance, CA, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Christina Wang, MD, and Lynda Polgreen, MD, MS, investigators at The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, have been awarded $9 million from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to establish the South Los Angeles Community Center of Excellence for Regenerative Medicine (SoLA-CCERM) at The Lundquist Institute. SoLA-CCERM is a pioneering initiative designed to expand access to cutting-edge regenerative therapies and create a robust pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals serving Los Angeles Countys most diverse and underserved communities.

In partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, SoLA-CCERM will serve more than 750,000 patients across county-operated medical centers and clinics. This landmark investment will make regenerative medicine research and therapies, including advanced gene and cell-based treatments, accessible to patients who have historically had little or no opportunity to participate in clinical trials.

Out-of-reach advanced therapy that have the potential to cure health-deliberating genetic diseases will be available through SoLA-CCERM, said Dr. Wang. Our geographically diverse and functionally isolated community will be informed that participation in clinical trials will lead to new treatments.

The center will upgrade existing clinical research and pharmacy infrastructure to support the delivery of in vivo gene therapies and, eventually, off-the-shelf cell therapies in an ambulatory setting. Through its patient navigator initiative and CIRMs Patient Access and Support Program, the center will help patients navigate the clinical trial processproviding education, transportation, and personalized assistance from trained patient navigators who guide them every step of the way.

In addition to improving patient access, SoLA-CCERM will create hands-on training and career opportunities in regenerative medicine. This center will partner with community colleges, universities, and healthcare organizations to train clinicians, researchers, and students at all levels through education and mentorship programs designed to reflect advances of regenerative medicine for our diverse community.

SoLA-CCERM will build on bi-directional partnerships with community-based organizations and engage patient advocacy groups and affected patients to support community education, outreach, and increase clinical trial participation. Through collaboration with CIRMs Alpha Clinic Network, SoLA-CCERM will connect local patients with clinical trials across the state, ensuring seamless coordination of care and the broadest possible access to promising new therapies.

By strengthening research infrastructure, investing in education, and prioritizing community engagement, this new Center of Excellence will deliver lasting benefits for California, expanding the reach of regenerative medicine and transforming health outcomes for generations to come.

Attachment
South San Francisco, Calif., Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has approved awarding $27 million through three grants across the state to create a network of Community Care Centers of Excellence (CCCEs). The CCCE program is the first of its kind designed to make regenerative medicine clinical trials accessible for Californians who live far from major medical centers where most clinical trials are administered. Each center will also offer training and career development for both the delivery of treatments and wider patient support services required in the expanding field of regenerative medicine.

The CCCE awards are designed to create hubs that expand the geographic reach of centers delivering clinical trials and approved regenerative medicine therapies, extending access across California. The clinical trials range from therapies for prevalent diseases like Parkinsons and cancer to rare diseases like sickle cell disease, autoimmune diseases, or ultra rare genetic diseases.

Award Details

Program Title Operational Focus Institution and Location Amount and Application # South Los Angeles Community Center of Excellence for Regenerative Medicine Build teams, facilities and expertise to bring access to ambulatory gene and cell clinical therapies for hemoglobinopathies, autoimmune diseases and rare diseases to geographically dispersed, culturally diverse, and underserved communities in Los Angeles. Lundquist Institute in Torrance, Calif. $9,000,000

INFR8-18772 Inland Empire and Desert Region CIRM Community Care Center of Excellence Establish onsite cell manufacturing capacity and build a robust team to offer cutting-edge treatments and trials for a wide range of conditions, including cancers, sickle cell disease, and various neurological and immune disorders, as the first and only provider in the Inland Empire and Desert Region leading the way toward making cell, gene, and regenerative medicine therapy accessible to both children and adults across this region. Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, Calif. $9,000,000

INFR8-18824 Establishing a CIRM Community Care Center of Excellence in the Central Valley Delivering cutting-edge CAR T-cell therapy for blood cancers and leading the way to make advanced cellular and gene therapiesspanning blood disorders such as sickle cell disease and neurodegenerative conditionsaccessible to all patients across Californias Central Valley. Community Health System in Fresno/Clovis, Calif. $8,996,101

INFR8-18823

Expanding Access

Clinical trials offer patients the chance to receive next-generation treatments, but they can be hard to access by people who do not live near major medical centers. People in remote parts of the state may have less experience with clinical trials or regenerative medicine or might not have regular access to medical professionals who could provide referrals to clinical trials. The CCCEs help overcome these barriers and are a critical part of CIRMs efforts to address access to regenerative medicine clinical trials and therapies.

CIRM was created by voters in 2004 through Californias Proposition 71, and extended in 2020 through Proposition 14, to accelerate therapies for unmet medical needs. The agency funds stem cell and gene therapy research (collectively called regenerative medicine) from the earliest stages through clinical trials to advance therapies equitably for people in California and the world. Beyond funding research, CIRM supports programs like the CCCEs to make regenerative medicine therapies accessible and affordable to people in California.

Following a statewide needs assessment and continued community feedback, CIRM found that expanding access to regenerative medicine in California would require addressing social determinants of health, including non-medical factors like location, income, insurance coverage, and other social and economic conditions that vary across regions and populations.

It is essential that we bring access to clinical trials, treatments, and cures resulting from CIRM-funded research to people in underserved areas, said Maria Gonzalez Bonneville, CIRM Chair of the Access & Affordability Working Group and Board Vice Chair. Ensuring every Californian, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status, has access to these life-changing treatments is a core part of CIRM's vision.

The CCCEs will launch by early 2026 and will involve community-based partnerships that address informational, economic, or social determinants impacting access to or participation in research.

The CCCEs are part of CIRMs Clinical Infrastructure program, which also includes Alpha Clinics and a Patient Support Program, that together help people in California find, enroll, and participate in clinical trials. The majority of CIRM-funded clinical trials currently enroll patients at one or more Alpha Clinic sites. This Network includes nine world-class medical centers throughout California with a common goal of streamlining and accelerating the delivery of cell and gene therapies to patients who need them. They run clinical trials funded by CIRM, as well as clinical trials funded by other organizations. The Patient Support Program provides logistical and financial support for California patients to increase enrollment and retention in clinical trials.

Expanding the reach of CIRMs clinical programs is essential to engaging more patients in clinical trials, said Rosa Canet-Aviles, PhD, Chief Science Officer at CIRM. The CCCEs will be another crucial part of the infrastructure for accelerating the delivery of therapies to patients that complement our existing Alpha Clinics Network and CIRM Patient Support Program.

About the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)

CIRM was created by the people of California to fund stem cell and gene therapy research with the goal of accelerating treatments for patients with unmet medical needs. With $5.5 billion in funding allocated through both Proposition 71 in 2004 and Proposition 14 in 2020, CIRM supports stem cell and gene therapy discoveries from inception through clinical trials, trains a workforce in California to fill jobs in the states thriving biotech and biomedical research industry, and creates infrastructure to make clinical trials accessible for people throughout California. All of CIRMs research, workforce development, and infrastructure programs are designed to benefit the people of California, whose vision created the agency. For more information, visit www.cirm.ca.gov.

Attachments
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LogicMark, Inc. (OTC: LGMK), a provider of emergency response systems, health communications devices, and technology for the growing personal safety and care economy, will release its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025, after the market close on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

Ms. Chia-Lin Simmons, CEO, and Mr. Mark Archer, CFO, will host a live call and webcast the same day at 1:30 PM (PDT) / 4:30 PM (EDT) to review the results.

To listen to the live webcast, please visit the LogicMark Investor Relations website or use the link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/vutg6m9o.

Analysts and investors wishing to participate in the live call should register here:

https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BIb61bd453b93d4ef2b8fb16759814c1a3.

The associated press release, SEC filings, and webcast replay will also be accessible on the investor relations website.

About Us

LogicMark, Inc. (OTC: LGMK) is on a mission to enable people of all ages to lead a life with dignity, independence, and the joy of possibility. The Company provides personal safety, personal emergency response systems (PERS), health communications devices, personal safety apps, services, and technologies to create a Connected Care Platform. Made up of a team of leading technologists with a deep understanding of IoT, AI, and machine learning, and a passionate focus on understanding consumer needs, LogicMark is dedicated to building a Care Village with proprietary technology and creating innovative solutions for the care economy. The Companys PERS technologies are sold through the United States Veterans Health Administration, dealers, distributors, and direct-to-consumer. LogicMark has been awarded a contract by the U.S. General Services Administration that enables the Company to distribute its products to federal, state, and local governments. To learn more, visit www.logicmark.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect managements current expectations, as of the date of this press release, and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements herein with respect to, among other things, the Companys financial results and related call and webcast, and the successful execution of the Companys business strategy. The Companys actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks and uncertainties include, among other things, our ability to establish and maintain the proprietary nature of our technology through the patent process, as well as our ability to possibly license from others patents and patent applications necessary to develop products; the need and availability of financing; the Companys ability to implement its long-range business plan for various applications of its technology; the Companys ability to enter into agreements with any necessary marketing and/or distribution partners; the impact of competition, the obtaining and maintenance of any necessary regulatory clearances applicable to applications of the Companys technology; and management of growth and other risks and uncertainties that may be detailed from time to time in the Companys reports filed with the SEC. There can be no assurance that a broker will continue to make a market in the Companys common stock or that trading of the common stock will continue on an over-the-counter market or elsewhere. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those described in this press release as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Except to the extent required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, a change in events, conditions, circumstances, or assumptions underlying such statements, or otherwise.

Investor Relations Contact

investors@logicmark.com
Shelton, CT, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE: HUBB) (Hubbell or the Company) today announced that it has successfully priced an offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.80% senior notes maturing in 2035.

The offering is expected to close on November 14, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. Net proceeds from the offering, together with cash on hand, are expected to be used to redeem in full all of the Companys outstanding 3.350% Senior Notes due 2026 (the 2026 Notes) in an aggregate principal amount of $400 million, which have a stated maturity date of March 1, 2026, and to pay any premium and accrued interest in respect thereof.

BofA Securities, Inc., HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as joint book-running managers for the offering.

The notes are being offered pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. A copy of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained by contacting BofA Securities, Inc. at dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com, NC1-022-02-25, 201 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Attn: Prospectus Department or calling toll-free 1-800-294-1322; HSBC Securities (USA), Inc., 66 Hudson Boulevard, New York, NY 10001, or calling toll-free at 866-811-8049; or J.P. Morgan Securities LLC at 270 Park Ave, New York, NY 10017, Attention: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk, or calling collect at 212-834-4533. You may also get these documents for free by visiting the SECs website at www.sec.gov.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the notes described herein or any other securities, nor shall there be any sale of these notes in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. This press release shall not constitute a notice of redemption of the 2026 Notes.

About Hubbell

Hubbell Incorporated is a leading manufacturer of utility and electrical solutions enabling customers to operate critical infrastructure safely, reliably and efficiently. With 2024 revenues of $5.6 billion, Hubbell solutions electrify economies and energize communities. The corporate headquarters is located in Shelton, CT.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not intended to be a guarantee of future results, but instead constitute Hubbells current expectations based on reasonable assumptions. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our financing plans, including the offering of the notes and the details thereof, the proposed use of proceeds therefrom and other expected effects of the offering of the notes and anticipated use of our shelf registration statement, which are subject to risks and uncertainties, such as our continued eligibility to use the shelf registration statement, demand for our securities, market and general economic conditions and other risks and uncertainties.

Actual results could differ materially from those projected in Hubbells forward-looking statements due to risks, uncertainties and other factors. Important factors that could affect actual results are discussed in the prospectus supplement related to the offering and Hubbells filings with the SEC, including, but not limited to, the risks discussed under Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis in Hubbells Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2025, June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2025 and in any other subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Potential investors are encouraged to read Hubbells filings to learn more about the risk factors associated with Hubbells business and the offering. Hubbell undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except where required by law.

Contact: Jonathon Murphy

Hubbell Incorporated

40 Waterview Drive

P.O. Box 1000

Shelton, Connecticut 06484

(475) 882-4000
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Domestic Metals Corp. (the Company or Domestic) - (TSXV: DMCU; OTCQB: DMCUF; FSE: 03E) reports that, pursuant to their news releases dated September 15, September 30, October 9 and October 15, 2025, the Company has closed a second tranche of the LIFE Offering (the Offering) issuing an aggregate 7,082,856 units of the Company (Units) at a price of $0.28 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,983,199.68. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a Share) and one common share purchase warrant (a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one additional share of the Company for a period of three years from the date of issuance at a price of $0.40 per share. The expiry of the Warrants may be accelerated if the closing price of the Companys common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) is equal to or greater than $0.65 for a minimum of twenty consecutive trading days and a notice of acceleration is provided in accordance with the terms of the Warrants.

No finders fees are payable pursuant to the second tranche closing.

The Company has requested an extension to closing a final tranche of the LIFE Offering to on or before November 14, 2025. All terms remain the same and the Company confirms there is no undisclosed material information.

The net proceeds from the Offering are intended for general working capital and exploration and development costs.

This press release does not constitute an offer of sale of any of the foregoing securities in the United States. None of the foregoing securities have been nor will be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act) or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) or persons in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the foregoing securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Domestic Metals Corp.

Domestic Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on the discovery of large-scale, copper and gold deposits in exceptional, historical mining project areas in the Americas.

The Company aims to discover new economic mineral deposits in historical mining districts that have seen exploration in geologically attractive mining jurisdictions, where economically favorable grades have been indicated by historic drilling and outcrop sampling.

The Smart Creek Project is strategically located in the mining-friendly state of Montana, containing widespread copper mineralization at surface and hosts 4 attractive porphyry copper, epithermal gold, replacement and exotic copper exploration targets with excellent host rocks for mineral deposition.

Domestic Metals Corp. is led by an experienced management team and an accomplished technical team, with successful track records in mine discovery, mining development and financing.

On behalf of Domestic Metals Corp.

Patricio Varas, Chairman and CEO

(604) 831-9306

Follow us on:

X, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram

For more information on Domestic Metals, please contact:

Patricio Varas, Phone: 604-831-9306 or Michael Pound, Phone: 604-363-2885

Please visit the Company website at www.domesticmetals.com or contact us at info@domesticmetals.com.

For all investor relations inquiries, please contact:

John Liviakis, Liviakis Financial Communications Inc., Phone: 415-389-4670

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, potential and similar expressions, or that events or conditions will, would, may, could or should occur. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements relating to the Offering and the planned exploration activities on properties. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: competition within the industry; actual results of current exploration activities; environmental risks; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future price of commodities; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining approvals or financing; risks related to indebtedness and the service of such indebtedness; as well as those factors, risks and uncertainties identified and reported in the Companys public filings under the Companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.
Birmingham, AL, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Appliance Connection, a leading appliance repair company in Alabama, today announced a major service expansion into Eastern Alabama, extending its coverage from Sardis City to Piedmont and Talladega. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in the companys ongoing growth, allowing it to serve nearly all major appliance brands and provide faster, more accessible repair services across much of the state.

Meeting Rising Demand Across Alabama

The expansion follows rising demand for professional, warranty-backed appliance repair outside the Birmingham metro area. By extending its network of certified technicians eastward, Appliance Connection is now positioned to serve households across Central, Northern, and Eastern Alabama, giving residents in both urban and rural communities the same access to timely, trusted service that has defined the company for more than four decades.

Weve seen steady growth in service requests from Eastern Alabama over the past years, said David Pearce, Sales and Marketing Manager of Appliance Connection. Homeowners in those regions were often waiting days for qualified repair help. With this expansion, we can respond within hours and bring the same lifetime warranty service and transparent pricing that our Birmingham customers have relied on for years.

Expanded Brand Expertise and Technician Coverage

In addition to its geographic growth, Appliance Connection now services all major household appliance brands, including Whirlpool, GE, LG, Samsung, Maytag, Frigidaire, Bosch, and KitchenAid. The company has also invested in advanced technician training to meet the complexity of modern, smart-connected appliances, ensuring accurate diagnostics and reliable repairs regardless of brand or model.

Each technician participates in ongoing certification and skill development to keep pace with rapidly evolving appliance technology. This includes training for smart and energy-efficient systems. They use manufacturer-approved parts, backed by Appliance Connections lifetime parts warranty. The companys dispatch system has also been upgraded to optimize route efficiency and minimize customer wait times across its expanded territory.

Strengthening Statewide Commitment

With the addition of Eastern Alabama, Appliance Connection now reaches over 40 towns, offering same-day and next-day service with a lifetime parts warranty on every repair. Each service call begins with a detailed diagnostic report and upfront cost estimate, reinforcing the companys long-standing commitment to transparency and quality.

Our goal is to build a statewide network that combines experience with innovation, added Pearce. As appliances evolve, so must the service behind them. This expansion positions us to meet that change and deliver consistent quality, faster response times, and greater peace of mind for Alabama homeowners.

Four Decades of Trust and Vision for the Future

Established in 1983, Appliance Connection has remained a family-owned and community business rooted in Birminghams service tradition. Over the years, it has evolved alongside changing home technology  expanding expertise from classic kitchen appliances to todays energy-efficient and smart-connected devices.

As the company looks to the future, it aims to further strengthen its technician training, expand coverage across Alabama, and continue improving the customer experience through speed and innovation.

To learn more about Appliance Connection or to schedule a consultation, please visit https://appliances-connection.com.

About Appliance Connection

Appliance Connection is a trusted, family-owned appliance repair company that has been serving homeowners across Central Alabama for more than 40 years. The company provides expert repair services for all major household appliances. As a proud member of the United Appliance Services Association (UASA) and the Professional Service Association (PSA), Appliance Connection upholds the highest standards of workmanship and ethics in the industry. Holding an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the company is known for its same-day service, transparent pricing, and lifetime parts warranties that ensure long-term reliability and customer peace of mind.



Media Contact

Company Name: Appliance Connection

Contact Person: David Pearce

Contact Number: (205) 323-5831

Email: davidp@appliances-connection.com

Country: United States

Website: https://appliances-connection.com

Socials: https://www.facebook.com/ApplianceConnectionBham/


Saint Petersburg, Florida, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saint Petersburg, Florida - October 30, 2025 - -

Zambuki, a digital marketing agency serving contractors and local service companies, has expanded its service offerings with an enhanced platform designed to improve search visibility for businesses throughout the St. Petersburg area. The platform combines artificial intelligence-driven optimization with traditional search engine strategies to help local businesses connect with customers actively searching for their services.

The expanded platform addresses a growing challenge facing local businesses as search algorithms become increasingly sophisticated and competition for online visibility intensifies. By integrating AI visibility optimization with established seo service techniques, the platform helps businesses appear prominently when potential customers search for services in their area.

"Local businesses need more than just a website to compete effectively in today's digital marketplace," said Alex Zalamov, Founder of Zambuki. "Our enhanced platform analyzes search patterns, competitor positioning, and user intent to create targeted strategies that connect businesses with customers at the exact moment they're ready to make purchasing decisions."

The platform utilizes machine learning algorithms to identify and respond to changes in search behavior, allowing businesses to maintain consistent visibility even as search trends evolve. This approach has become particularly important as more consumers rely on mobile devices and voice search to find local services, creating new challenges for businesses trying to maintain their online presence.

Zambuki St Petersburg Florida has developed the platform specifically to address the unique needs of contractors and home service providers, industries where local search visibility directly impacts business growth. The system monitors multiple ranking factors simultaneously, adjusting strategies based on real-time performance data to ensure optimal positioning across search platforms.

The enhanced capabilities include automated reporting systems that track visibility improvements, lead generation metrics, and conversion rates. This data-driven approach allows businesses to understand the direct impact of their digital marketing investments and make informed decisions about future strategies.

The expansion comes as digital marketing continues to evolve rapidly, with new technologies and platforms constantly emerging. Businesses that fail to adapt to these changes risk losing visibility to more digitally-savvy competitors. The enhanced platform provides a solution that evolves alongside these changes, ensuring businesses maintain their competitive edge regardless of how search technology develops.

Many local businesses struggle to navigate the complexities of modern search optimization while managing their daily operations. The platform addresses this challenge by automating technical optimization tasks while providing strategic insights that help businesses understand their competitive landscape. This combination of automation and strategic guidance has positioned the company as what some consider the best seo service in st pete.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PzJRn6GgYs

Zambuki specializes in digital marketing services for contractors and local service companies across the United States. The company combines AI-driven marketing strategies with traditional digital marketing techniques including search engine optimization, web design, and lead generation services. Founded to help small businesses leverage the latest web technology and online marketing tools, Zambuki focuses on delivering measurable results that directly impact business growth.

###

For more information about Zambuki, contact the company here:



Zambuki

Alex Zalamov

7273302080

support@zambuki.com

Zambuki

225 1st Ave N #1613

St. Petersburg, FL 33701
NEW YORK, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of National Grid plc (NYSE: NGG) resulting from allegations that National Grid plc may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

SO WHAT: If you purchased National Grid securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=41344 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On July 2, 2025, Reuters published an article entitled Preventable National Grid failures led to Heathrow fire, findings say. The article stated that a fire that shut Londons Heathrow airport in March, stranding thousands of people, was caused by the UK power grids failure to maintain an electricity substation, an official report said on Wednesday, prompting the energy watchdog to open a probe. Further, the article stated that the United Kingdoms Energy minister, Ed Miliband, had called the report deeply concerning, after it concluded that the issue which caused the fire was identified seven years ago but went unaddressed by power grid operator National Grid[.]

On this news, National Grids American Depositary Shares (ADSs) fell 5%, on July 2, 2024.

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. 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. 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 firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

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

case@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com
Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release, publication, distribution or dissemination, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.

TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Voyageur Mineral Explorers Corp. (Voyageur) (CSE: VOY) and Evolve Strategic Element Royalties Ltd. (Evolve) are pleased to announce the positive outcome of their respective shareholder votes at the special meeting (the Voyageur Meeting) of the shareholders of Voyageur (Voyageur Shareholders) and at the annual general and special meeting (the Evolve Meeting) of the shareholders of Evolve (Evolve Shareholders), both held today in connection with their previously announced business combination (the Business Combination) by way of a three-cornered amalgamation (the Amalgamation) among Voyageur, Evolve and 1553132 B.C. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Voyageur (Voyageur Subco).

At the Voyageur Meeting, (i) 99.978% of the votes cast by Voyageur Shareholders voted in favour of a special resolution authorizing and approving a consolidation of Voyageurs issued and outstanding common shares on the basis of one new common share for each four existing and outstanding common shares; (ii) 100.00% of the votes cast by Voyageur Shareholders voted in favour of a special resolution authorizing an amendment to the articles of Voyageur to change its name to Evolve Royalties Ltd. and its French version Redevances Evolve Ltee (or such other name as Voyageur in its discretion may resolve and as may be acceptable to the applicable regulatory authorities) to take effect upon completion of the Amalgamation; and (iii) 99.62% of the votes cast by Voyageur Shareholders voted in favour of a special resolution approving the continuance of Voyageur out of the jurisdiction of Manitoba under The Corporations Act (Manitoba) and into the jurisdiction of Canada under the Canada Business Corporations Act and the repeal and replacement of Voyageurs articles and bylaws in connection therewith with articles of continuance and new bylaws, respectively, to take effect upon completion of the Amalgamation.

Voyageur intends to obtain approval of the Business Combination in compliance with the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) policies via written consent of its majority shareholder.

At the Evolve Meeting, 100.00% of the votes cast by Evolve Shareholders voted in favour of a special resolution approving the Amalgamation between Evolve and Voyageur Subco pursuant to the business combination agreement dated August 26, 2025 between Voyageur, Voyageur Subco and Evolve.

The completion of the Business Combination remains subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, including CSE approval.

About Voyageur Mineral Explorers Corp.

Voyageur is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company with a specific focus on mineral properties in Northwest Manitoba and Northeast Saskatchewan, Canada. Voyageur owns a valuable package of royalties in the prolific Flin Flon greenstone belt, including: a net tonnage royalty on a portion of Foran Mining Corporations McIlvenna Bay Project, including the McIlvenna Bay Deposit, and the Tesla Zone; an NSR on Foran Mining Corporations Bigstone Deposit; and an NSR on a portion of Callinex Mines Inc.s Pine Bay Project, including the Rainbow Deposit.

About Evolve Strategic Element Royalties Ltd.

Evolve is a private company existing under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) and is a strategic metals royalty company that strives to be one of the first to apply the royalty and streaming model to the next generation of strategic mines, moving early to secure premium assets and build value in the low-carbon and digital economy.

Evolves royalty portfolio consists of:

a 0.51% net profit interest on Teck Resources Limiteds Highland Valley Copper Operation in British Columbia.

a 5% net smelter returns ( NSR ) royalty on copper and 2.5% NSR Royalty on all other metals produced on claims forming a portion of Hudbay Minerals Inc.s Copper Mountain Mine in British Columbia.

) royalty on copper and 2.5% NSR Royalty on all other metals produced on claims forming a portion of Hudbay Minerals Inc.s Copper Mountain Mine in British Columbia. A 2% NSR Royalty on the Sal de Los Angeles Lithium Brine Project in Argentina.

Various exploration stage royalties and production payment rights.





For further information please contact:

Fraser Laschinger

President and CEO

Voyageur Mineral Explorers Corp.

Tel: (416) 628-5910 Joseph de la Plante

President and CEO

Evolve Strategic Element Royalties Ltd.

Tel: (514) 546-1070



Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as may, should, anticipate, will, estimates, believes, intends expects and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Business Combination. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of the parties, including expectations and assumptions concerning (i) Voyageur, Evolve, the name change and continuation of Voyageur, the Amalgamation and the Business Combination, (ii) the timely receipt of all required regulatory approvals and consents (as applicable), including the approval of the CSE, and (iii) the satisfaction of other closing conditions in accordance with the terms of the business combination agreement to effect the transactions described herein. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the parties. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such information, although considered reasonable by the respective management of Voyageur and Evolve at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statement. Except as expressly required by securities law, neither Voyageur nor Evolve undertakes any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular of Voyageur or listing statement to be prepared in connection with the Business Combination, any information released or received with respect to the Business Combination may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Voyageur should be considered highly speculative.

The CSE has not passed upon the merits of the Business Combination and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein in the United States or in any other jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold in the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom.
Vancouver, October 29, 2025 - Surface Metals Inc. (CSE: SUR) (OTCQB: SURMF) (the "Company", or "Surface Metals") is pleased to announce that it has retained the services of IDR Marketing, Inc. to provide public relations strategies, brand awareness, financial and digital marketing services to the Company.

The marketing awareness services provided by IDR will be aimed at maintaining and building the profile of Surface Metals through traditional press initiatives, advertising directives and social media strategies.

IDR is a leading marketing firm and ad agency located in Long Beach, California specializing in the marketing of small and microcap companies.

Under the terms of the agreement, as the financial marketing agency of record to the Company, IDR will be paid upwards of US one hundred eighty five thousand dollars in cash for its services for a six-month term. IDR Marketing, Inc., including its principals, does not own any of the Company's securities.

About IDR

IDR Marketing Inc. is an independent ad agency providing full-scale integrated marketing and advertising services. Clients trust IDR for brand strategy and awareness, digital marketing, social media and advertising, newswire distribution, article marketing, financial journalism, public relations and more.

IDR specializes in direct response marketing, delivering results to clients through its multichannel approach. While the Agency primarily specializes in financial services, it provides results-oriented online and traditional offline campaigns across all sectors and industries. Visit https://idrmarketing.com to learn more.

About Surface Metals Inc.

Surface Metals Inc. (CSE: SUR) (OTCQB: SURMF) is a North American mineral exploration company focused on advancing a diversified portfolio of gold and lithium projects in Nevada, USA, and Manitoba, Canada. The Company's Cimarron Gold Project is located in Nye County, Nevada, in a historically productive gold district. It's Clayton Valley Lithium Brine Project hosts an inferred resource of approximately 302,900 tonnes LCE adjacent to Albemarle's Silver Peak Mine. Surface Metals also holds additional lithium assets in Fish Lake Valley, Nevada, and through a joint venture with Snow Lake Energy in southeastern Manitoba.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Neither the CSE nor its regulations service providers accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release contains certain statements which may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272510
Beauce Gold Fields (Champs D'Or en Beauce) (TSX Venture: "BGF"), referred to as "BGF" or the "Company," is pleased to announce that it is closing a non-brokered flow-through private placement of 9,999,622 units at $0.045 per unit for gross proceeds of $449,983.00

Each unit will comprise one common share and one common share purchase warrant of the company which will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share of the capital stock of the company at a price of $0.12 for a period of 24 months from the date of closing of the placement. Securities issued under the placement are subject to a four-month and one-day hold period, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The placement is subject to standard regulatory approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

In connection with the placement, the company will pay a finder's fees of $40,048.30 to EMD Financial Inc. of Montreal, Quebec. It will also issue 711,970 warrants to EMD Financial Inc. The warrants will entitle the agents to purchase one common share of the capital stock of the company at a price of $0.12 for a period of 24 months from the date of closing of the placement. All shares issued on the agent warrants exercise are subject to a four-month and one-day hold period from the date of closing of the placement.



The Company will use the proceeds from the private placement for exploration of its gold and phosphate properties. No more than 10% of the proceeds of the placement can be used for Investor Relations Activities. None amount of the proceeds of the placement is for payments to Non-Arm's length parties of the company nor for payments to persons conducting Investor Relations Activities.

About Beauce Gold Fields

Beauce Gold Fields is focused on exploring and developing the largest placer gold district in eastern North America. The Company's objective is the trace old placer gold workings back to a bedrock source to uncover economic lode gold deposits. The Company's flagship property is the Saint-Simon-les-Mines gold project, site of Canada's first gold rush that pre-dates the Yukon Klondike. The Beauce region hosted some of the largest historical placer gold mines in Eastern North America that were active from 1860s to the 1960s It produced some of the largest gold nuggets in Canadian mining history (50oz+). (Source Sedar: 43-101 Report - Beauce July 4th 2018, Author B. Violette)

Beauce Gold Fields is currently drilling recently discovered antiform systems that is believed to have contributed to the development of extensive auriferous placer deposits in Beauce. The Company's geological model suggests that placer gold within the Beauce Gold paleochannel, including the renowned large nuggets from the 19th century, formed in stressed quartz pockets within layered domed Axis of Antiforms, exemplified by Saddle Reef formations. Notable global Saddle Reef formations include the Bendigo gold fields in Australia (over 60 million ounces) and the high-grade Dufferin deposit in Nova Scotia.

Beauce Gold Fields website www.beaucegold.com

Disclaimers:

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "in the process" and other similar expressions which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectation and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding mineral exploration. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's on-going filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.







For further information contact



Patrick Levasseur, President and CEO

Tel: (514) 262-9239

www.beaucegold.com


VANCOUVER - Giant Mining Corp. (CSE:BFG | OTC:BFGFF | FWB:YW5 | CSE:BFG.WT.A | CSE:BFG.WT.B) ("Giant Mining" or the "Company") advises that due to the ongoing postal strike in Canada, we strongly recommend that shareholders vote online for the Company's upcoming annual general meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. PST, the proxy cut-off time being Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. PST, by sending your proxy via email to Endeavor Trust Corporation at proxy@endeavortrust.com .

Detailed voting instructions are available on the proxy form, which can be found on the Company's website at https://giantminingcorp.com/ and filed on the Company's SEDAR+ corporate profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Registered holders will need to contact Endeavor Trust Corporation at proxy@endeavortrust.com and request a control number and password before voting their Giant Mining Corp. common shares online at www.eproxy.ca or by completing the proxy form and submitting their vote by fax at 604-559-8908 or email at proxy@endeavortrust.com .

Shareholders who hold Giant Mining Corp. common shares in a brokerage account should contact their broker for details on how to submit their vote online.

About Giant Mining Corp.

Giant Mining is focused on identifying, acquiring, and advancing late-stage copper and copper/silver/gold projects to meet the growing global demand for critical metals. This demand is driven by initiatives like the Green New Deal in the United States and similar climate-focused programs worldwide, which require substantial amounts of copper, silver, and gold for electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and the modernization of clean and affordable energy systems.

The Company's flagship asset is the Majuba Hill Copper, Silver, and Gold District, located ~155 miles (251 km) from Reno, Nevada. Majuba Hill is situated in a mining-friendly jurisdiction with supportive regulations and has the potential to become one of the next major copper deposits, critical for meeting the increasing need for this red metal.

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.

On Behalf of the Board of Giant Mining Corp.

"David Greenway"

David C. Greenway

President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

E: info@giantminingcorp.com

P: 1 (236) 788-0643

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS

www.giantminingcorp.com

LIKE AND FOLLOW

Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn

DOWNLOAD INVESTOR INFORMATION

Click Here

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward?looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward?looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward?looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. Company has utilized artificial intelligence ("AI") tools and modeling in its exploration targeting, such technologies are emerging and unproven in mineral exploration. There can be no assurance that the use of AI will improve exploration outcomes, result in discoveries, or provide results consistent with management's expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward?looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

###

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Mayfair Gold Corp. ("Mayfair", "Mayfair Gold" or the "Company") (TSXV: MFG) (OTCQX: MFGCF) is pleased to announce that it will be participating at the 51st Annual New Orleans Investment Conference at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside November 2-5, 2025. Nicholas Campbell, CEO of Mayfair Gold Corp. will be presenting on Monday, November 3rd, from 10:50 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Our team will be in Booth 107 and looks forward to networking with investors and attendees.

The New Orleans Investment Conference gathers some of the world's brightest and most successful analysts, newsletter writers and investors.

About Mayfair Gold

Mayfair Gold is a well-funded Canadian gold development company focused on advancing the 100%-owned Fenn-Gib gold project in the Timmins region of Northern Ontario. The Fenn-Gib gold deposit hosts an Indicated Resource of 181.3 Mt grading 0.74 g/t Au for 4.3 million contained gold. Mayfair is focused on advancing Fenn-Gib through the Ontario Provincial permitting process to transition Mayfair into a new Canadian gold producer in the current gold cycle.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mayfair-gold-to-participate-in-new-orleans-investment-conference-302600414.html

SOURCE Mayfair Gold Corp.
Toronto, October 30, 2025 - Loyalist Exploration Ltd. (CSE:PNGC) ("Loyalist" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Cachia as director of the Company effective today.

Michael Cachia is a Chartered Professional Accountant with an extensive history of providing services to entities in the natural resource sector and he is a partner in a Toronto based firm of Chartered Professional Accountants. Michael will serve as the Audit Committee Chairman. He is a director and the audit chair of Enerev5 Metals Inc. He is also a director of Western Kidd Resources Inc., a private mineral exploration company located in the Timmins camp.

The Company also wishes to announce the formal creation of the Company's Advisory Committee with its formal charter being approved by the Board of Directors today. The formation of the Advisory Committee commences with the appointment of Kevin Filo to the Advisory Committee, along with Birks Bovaird and Jean Roy.

Kevin Filo is a founder, Director and the Corporate Secretary of Mink Ventures Corporation (TSXV: MINK), a Timmins based nickel, copper, cobalt explorer. Mr. Filo obtained an Honours Bachelor of Science (HBSc,1980) degree in geology from Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, and has been professional geologist for over 35 years. Mr. Filo is President of Filo Exploration Services Limited, a private geological consulting firm, established in 1983. Over the last fifteen years Mr. Filo also acted as President and Vice President of a number of successful private exploration project generator companies. From December 2018 until April 2022 Mr. Filo was VP Corporate Development for Pelangio Exploration and prior to this he was part of the Pelangio Mines Inc. acquisition team that acquired the former Placer Dome Canada Detour Lake Mine on Pelangio's behalf. This project eventually became an established Canadian gold producer now operated by Agnico Eagle Mines.

The Company also wishes to announce the Company has issued a total of 15,000,000 restricted share units (the "RSUs") to certain officers and directors and advisors of the Company in accordance with the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan. Each RSU entitles the holder to acquire one Common Share on vesting. The RSUs will vest fully on the one-year anniversary of the grant date.

Errol Farr, Loyalist's President & Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Loyalist is very excited that that Michael Cachia has agreed to join the Board and that Kevin will join the Advisory Committee. I have known Michael for a number of years and his dedication and tireless work ethic have been an inspiration. Kevin's historical experience with our Tully property and the Timmins district, will help guide the Company's exploration and development strategy designed to enhance value for all Loyalist shareholders."

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About Loyalist Exploration Limited

Loyalist Exploration Limited is a mineral exploration company concentrating on acquiring, exploring, and developing quality mineral properties in Canada. The Company is currently focused on its "Buy Timmins" strategy, with the recent acquisitions of the Tully Gold property, the Loveland nickel/copper/gold property and the Gold Rush gold/silver property, all located in the Timmins, Ontario mining district. The Company expects to commence a significant permitting project at Tully and exploration activities on all three properties as well as expanding the Company's Timmins based property portfolio.

For further information please visit the Company's website at loyalistexp.ca or contact:

Loyalist Exploration Limited

Errol Farr, President and CEO

Email: efarr001@icloud.com

Tel: 647-296-1270

This news release contains "forward-looking information" (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and "forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or information are identified with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "potential", "estimate", "propose", "project", "outlook", "foresee" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook and include statements regarding the proposed work on the projects. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Company's securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Company can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by law.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. NEWS AGENCIES

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Texas voters approved a measure Tuesday to provide more money for roads without raising taxes, adding debt or adding toll roads. The measure could add as much as $2.5 billion a year for the next decade toward building and repairing the states congested roads, and even more after 2019.The voters approval is a major victory for Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who vowed in his campaign last year to address the traffic problems that have come along with the states recent population surge. Legislators ultimately crafted the measure that went to the voters, which was called Proposition 7.When it became clear that Prop. 7 and six other ballot measures passed Tuesday night, the governor expressed his gratitude on Twitter. THANKS Texans for making Texas freer & stronger with lower taxes & better roads. Texas remains best state in U.S., he wrote.The measure is the latest effort by Texas leaders to cope with the stresses more residents put on the states transportation networks without raising taxes. After all, part of the reason to move to Texas is that the state has low taxes. Texas hasnt raised its gas tax since 1991.But more than 1,000 new people a day mean bigger traffic jams in the Austin, Dallas and Houston regions. The additional taxes they pay dont cover the cost of expanding and maintaining roads. The recent increase in oil production, which began with widespread adaption of fracking technologies, also strained roads that connect oil fields to the rest of the state.Texans have turned increasingly to toll roads to handle the increase in traffic. But toll roads are unpopular. Voters may not way to pay higher taxes, but they also don't want to have to pay just to drive on their roads (which explains a prohibition on Prop. 7 money going toward toll roads). Last year, the state used its flush rainy day fund to direct up to $1.7 billion more a year toward transportation. But that still fell short of the $5 billion a year that state transportation officials say is needed to maintain current levels of congestion. And the gap grew even bigger after oil prices fell this year, because oil tax revenues fund the rainy day fund.So rather than adding new taxes, Prop. 7 will pull new money from certain existing taxes and direct it toward transportation. So, for example, once the sales tax -- the states main source of tax revenue -- brings in more than $28 billion a year, the next $2.5 billion will be devoted exclusively for transportation every year for the next 10 years. A similar mechanism will apply to the vehicle sales tax starting in 2019: Once collections reach $5 billion a year, 35 percent of the receipts beyond that will go toward roads.Its a more complicated solution than simply raising the gas tax or increasing vehicle registration fees, acknowledged Jack Ladd, the president of Move Texas Forward and the treasurer of a related political action committee backing Prop. 7. There is no political will in Austin to do that among Democrats or Republicans, he said. Conservatives dont want to increase taxes at all, while liberals worry that gas taxes and registration fees hurt poor people.Its also a question of priority: How big of a priority is transportation funding in Texas?" Ladd said. "You have to say, if you know the facts, its a really big problem and it should be addressed. Prop. 7 puts transportation funding ahead of other priorities, like health care and education. But Ladd said those areas would also benefit from better roads.You cant get to a hospital, you cant get to a school without roads, he said. Its not just a quality of life issue, its also a jobs issue. There was little organized opposition to the measure, but critics worried that the measure will be too strict, because it puts roads ahead of schools, health care and even other kinds of transportation for new state money.Jay Crossley was one of those who expressed doubts. Crossley, executive director of Houston Tomorrow, which promotes urban issues such as walkable neighborhoods, worried the ballot measure would promote bad transportation policy for a decade, because Prop. 7 specifies that the designated money could only be spent on roads -- not on public transportation, bike paths or sidewalks.The Texas Department of Transportation "has made it very clear that, if they could have a decade of guaranteed funding, it makes all the finances work better to build a lot of unnecessary roads, Crossley said before the vote. According to Crossley, supporters of the measure essentially said, We dont want people to be able to change their mind.We dont want the people of Texas to be able to say, Maybe we want transit. Maybe we would rather have safe streets. Maybe we want a transportation system that doesnt subsidize sprawl.(Crossley stressed that he was speaking for himself; Houston Tomorrow did not take a position on Prop. 7.)But Ladd, the proponent of Prop. 7, said lawmakers made sure the measure would expire after 10 years, so lawmakers will review the approach later. Future legislators who may not have been around when Prop. 7 passed  could look at it and say we want to raise taxes instead, we want to do something else, we dont want to do this anymore, he said. There are other ways to solve this problem, but we have to fix it now.
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Samsung had a great Q3 thanks to semiconductor and memory divisions

Samsung posted its Q3 2025 earnings today. The company's consolidated revenue was KRW 86.1 trillion (51.66b) with an operating profit of KRW 12.2 trillion (7.32b). Revenue growth was 15.4% up on the second quarter.

More than half of the total operating profit, KRW 7.0 trillion (4.2b) came from Samsung's Device Solutions division and specifically its semiconductor, chip, and memory business.

The memory business made record-high sales, fuelled by demand for HBM3E (high-bandwidth memory) and server SSDs. In 2026, Samsung will focus on mass-producing next-gen HBM4 memory. Samsung Foundry's focus for next year will be ramping up production of advanced 2nm GAA nodes.

Samsung's smartphone divisions were also successful on the wings of the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7, but weren't as successful as Samsung's chip business.

Meanwhile, its display and appliances segment recorded an operating loss despite strong revenue.

Source
" " You won't look at sushi the same way after seeing some of these swimming terrors. Neil Bromhall / Shutterstock

You dont have to swim in the Mariana Trench to meet some of the scariest fish on Earth. The ocean is home to creatures that look like they swam out of a nightmare.

From massive jaws to bioluminescent lures, these fish arent just spooky; theyre natures weirdest survivalists.

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Lets dive into the deep and rank the most terrifying fish lurking in the worlds waters.
Guam Reef Hotel in Tumon will be temporarily closed from Nov. 3 to 12 for a comprehensive repair and maintenance on the hotels automatic transfer switch.

The hotels temporary closure will ensure that the automatic transfer switch operates at peak performance, Guam Reef said in a news release.

Operations will resume on Nov. 13.

Guam Reef Hotel encourages its guests and customers to stay updated by visiting their website at guamreef.com or social media channels.

For more information or inquiries, contact Chito G. de Guzman-Aguilo at (671) 727-2096 or (671) 644-3138.
The new Japanese minister of defense this week said plans for the realignment of U.S. forces in Japan will continue, including relocation of an air station critical to moving Marine Corps forces out of Okinawa.

Japanese Minister of Defense Shinjiro Koizumi made the remarks in Tokyo Wednesday in a televised press conference with visiting U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

It comes a week after new U.S. Under Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao said the Department of War is constantly reevaluating its position, when asked for an update about the long-expected movement of Marines from Okinawa to Guam.

Cao, speaking on Guam, said plans to move the Marines to Guam were decades old, and made prior to the DoW realizing the threat from China.

He said the Marines will, if anything, theyll come here to train.

The Pacific Daily News asked Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz for an update on the relocation, and to clarify if there was any change in the scope, scale, or timing of the expected move of 5,000 Marines and their dependents to Guam.

Camp Blaz public affairs officer Maj. Mark Crum, in a statement, said the base is unable to respond due to a lapse in appropriations.

The federal government shutdown entered its fifth week Monday. Joint Region Marianas deferred to Camp Blaz on the matter.

Koizumis Wednesday remarks indicate that the Japanese government is still set on completing one of the major pieces of the U.S.-Japan agreed Marine Corps move: the relocation of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa.

The defense minister said both nations work together on the steady realignment of forces, including the construction of a Futenma replacement facility, and a total return of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.

Governor on updates

About 3,000 Marines are stationed at the air station, which will be shuttered as part of a U.S.-Japan agreement.

But the relocation of the base further north in Okinawa has been part of a years-long legal battle that was only resolved by Japans high court in January.

The air stations delay is whats driving a slow movement of Marine Corps troops to Guam, according to Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, who visited Okinawa in August for an update on the move.

Leon Guerrero, speaking to the Pacific Daily News last week, said she did not get into the details of the move when meeting with U.S. Under Secretary Cao.

But when I was in Okinawa and talking to the generals there, theyre still targeting about 5,000 to be relocated, the governor told the PDN. With all the military buildup, I think were looking at about a 12,000 increase in population by 2035.

Think-tank: Long way off from knowing

There has likely been talks in U.S. circles to pressure the Japanese government to reassess the move, said Leland Bettis, of Guam-based defense think tank Pacific Center for Island Security.

Bettis said any decision would ultimately have to be renegotiated by Japan and the U.S., noting that Japan has put $3.2 billion into the move already.

Were probably a long way off from knowing. I doubt seriously that the Japanese are quickly going to reverse their position because of domestic pressures over the issues in Okinawa, Bettis said.

Bettis noted that Okinawans pushed for even more Marines to be moved off than the current plan calls for.

I definitely think that the Marines have made it clear they want to be there, he said.

Prior to Caos remarks last week, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith in January reportedly said that relocating Marines from Okinawa to Guam puts us going the wrong way and a long way from the crisis theater.

U.S. defense policy is always in flux, Bettis said, and Guam would be affected by it.

Whatever change may come, its unlikely that the new Camp Blaz would be left unused, he said.

He said the island should keep an eye out on reported plans to move U.S. Army troops out of South Korea and to Guam and other areas in the region, which the Pentagon has denied.

On a wild card that the Marines do not move from Okinawa, someone could say, Hey, weve got all these barracks in Guam. We can move in the Army there from Korea, or some army there from Korea.

Japans Koizumi on Wednesday committed to multilateral defense cooperation in the region, with Japan and the U.S. at the center, and increased cooperation and information sharing with South Korea and the Philippines.
Theres been carnage in the suburbs, as Australians once again embrace a tradition of hanging plastic spider webs to celebrate Halloween. In Sydney, witnesses say a distressed kookaburra gave up on life after becoming entangled, while a world away in an outback town, a honeyeater was discovered hanging from a tree by a string of fluorescent orange web.

Similar products are sold cheaply at large retailers, including Coles, Woolworths, Big W and Kmart. And while some have warnings not to hang them outside, take a walk along any street where Halloween is being celebrated and youll likely spot them hanging from trees, shrubs and fences.

Romani was walking through the northern Sydney suburb of Wahroonga when she noticed something odd in a yard decked out for Halloween.

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There were fake cobwebs all the way down the long driveway. I did a double-take because I saw this thing on the ground and wasnt sure what it was, she told Yahoo News.

Fake spider webs, like these in Melbourne's innner west, are increasingly being hung in yards, despite repeated warnings about the threat they pose to wildlife. Source: Michael Dahlstrom

Kookaburra 'scared' and 'flapping' after entanglement

After taking a closer look, Romani realised it was a kookaburra. But because it was lying motionless, she initially thought it was dead.

"I think it had sort of given up," she said.

It wasnt moving and had its head resting on the ground. I slightly tugged on the cobwebs, and it only flew about 30 centimetres, so I could see it was completely trapped, and the fake cobwebs were around its neck.

Rescue group WIRES confirmed it received a call about the entanglement, and its volunteers urged Romani to try and contain the bird until help arrived. Luckily, a passing student nurse was able to assist and together they worked to free the bird, removing the web that was slowly choking it.

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It was quite scared and flapping a lot, she said, noting the bird flew away immediately after it was untangled.

A white-plumed honeyeater suffered swelling in its leg from being caught in an orange spider web. Source: Travis Cooper/WIRES

Call to ban dangerous Halloween decorations

Halloween can be controversial in Australia, because its a relatively new celebration here.

In the United States, its been a tradition since the 19th century, and so Americans carve pumpkins and hang homemade decorations. But Down Under, it's evolved at a time when cheap single-use plastic decorations are all the rage  the type that can entangle wildlife and release microplastics into the environment as they degrade.

Romani has no problem with Halloween, but the distressing incident has prompted her to call on Aussies to reconsider using cheap decorations.

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Think about why a spider builds a web. Its to trap things. So a human hanging them will do the same, she said. People just need to be a bit more creative with their Halloween.

Shes started a petition to try and get fake webs banned in her local area. But she thinks retailers also have the responsibility to stop selling dangerous single-use decorations.

They did it with plastic straws, they did it mostly with plastic bags  places dont really sell them any more. Fake webs are just one of those things that need to be phased out, she said.

More webs were seen on the streets of Sydney. Source: Courtney Greatrex

Honeyeater found hanging upside down from fake web

In Broken Hill, WIRES rescuers responded to a call for help after a white-plumed honeyeater became entangled in a web on October 19.

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Stephanie Grieve from the charitys Far West Branch said the discovery prompted many members of the community to pull down their fake webs.

It was just horrendous. It had both legs wrapped up, and it was hanging upside down from her tree, she told Yahoo News.

In that case, the bird had not been suffering long enough for it to lose its leg. While there was some swelling, it was ultimately deemed well enough to be released.

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We dont want to be the fun police, we still want people to enjoy Halloween, but just be mindful of what youre hanging outside, she said.

Just be mindful that we share our environment with wildlife. We should be able to keep wildlife safe while having a good time.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment?  Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.




Haiti - FLASH : 41 victims, 13 missing (provisional report from Melissa)





On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Hurricane Melissa was moving southwest toward Bermuda. Given Melissa's gradual movement away from Haitian territory, a gradual decrease in humidity and rainfall is expected over the next 48 hours. Consequently, the Haitian Hydrometeorological Unit (UHM) has lowered the alert level for certain departments...



 The departments of Grand'Anse, Nippes, and South, previously under a red hurricane alert, are now under a red alert for heavy rain and high waves.



 The department of West, previously under a red hurricane alert, is now under an orange alert for heavy rain and high waves.



 The department of South-East remains under a red alert for heavy rain and an orange alert for high waves.



 The departments of Artibonite and Nord-Ouest remain under an orange alert for heavy rain and high waves.



Civil Protection Situation Update :



Department Weather Situation :

West :

The previous day's rains caused the La Digue River to overflow, resulting in loss of life and property damage.



Southeast :

The sky is overcast and the sea is rough in Anse-a-Pitre, with heavy rain across almost the entire department.



North :

The weather is generally cloudy across almost all municipalities in the department.



South :

The sky is completely overcast with strong winds and thunderstorms in some areas, and coastal flooding in Port-Salut and Coteaux. Strong winds and rough seas are reported in Bombardopolis and Mole.



Northwest :

Strong winds and rough seas in Bombardopolis, Mole Saint-Nicolas, and Jean Rabel.



Grand'Anse :

On Tuesday, the Grande Anse department was hit by heavy rain and strong winds, particularly intense in the evening. These weather conditions caused significant damage to the agricultural sector in several municipalities.



On Wednesday morning, in Anse-dHainault, the rain and winds were particularly violent, while Pestel, Corail, and Jeremie experienced light rain under cloudy skies, before the rain resumed across the entire department.



Nippes :

The Nippes department was hit by heavy rain, notably in Petite Riviere de Nippes and Grand Boucan. The weather remained cloudy across the department on Wednesday morning, with persistent risks of flooding and landslides due to recent rainfall.



River Situation

Grande Anse :

The Voldrogue, Grande Anse, Dame Marie, and Roseaux rivers are flooded.



Nippes :

The three Asile rivers are flooded. The river is also flooded at Plaisance du Sud. The Aux Saults river is flooded and affecting the Raymond and Tiby communal sections, as well as the town center of Petit-Trou de Nippes.



Southeast :

The Gosseline river is flooded and has damaged the road.



South :

The southern ravine and the Cavaillon river are flooded.



West :

The Leogane, Courjolle, La Digue, and Grise rivers are flooded.



Provisional Human Toll :

The human toll since the start of the alert period has now risen to 24 dead, 17 injured, and 13 missing.



In the west, flooding of the La Digue River caused widespread flooding in Petit-Goave, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people, including 10 children. The search continues. Ten people are still missing, confirmed Emmanuel Pierre, Director General of Civil Protection.



A serious accident was reported in Dame-Marie (Grande Anse), where an adult man riding a motorcycle was injured when a tree fell on him. His passenger is missing.



People in Shelters :

Number of active shelter : 121



More than 13,900 people have taken refuge in shelters, according to the National Emergency Operations Center (COUN).



Grand'Anse :

7,184 people have been displaced and are being housed in open shelters, not including those in the commune of Dame-Marie, where two shelters are operational.



Nippes :

A total of 283 people are currently being housed in open shelters in the department. These shelters are accommodating populations evacuated due to the risks of flooding and landslides. Conditions in these shelters must be closely monitored to guarantee the safety and well-being of the displaced, with particular attention paid to access to drinking water, food, and healthcare.



South :

A total of 1,813 families, representing 6,419 people, are currently being housed in 56 shelters spread across 15 communes in the department.



Preliminary Housing Assessment :

Floods have affected several municipalities, particularly Corail, where several areas of the city center are underwater. Anse-dHainault has also experienced coastal flooding, as have the Cayemites Islands.



Two schools, located in Dame-Marie and Duchity, had their roofs torn off by the wind. In Beaumont and Pestel, dozens of makeshift dwellings were also damaged, requiring urgent intervention due to the continued rainfall.



Ten of the eleven municipalities in the Nippes department have experienced flooding, causing material damage and posing risks to the population.



In Anse-a-Veau, several areas are flooded, resulting in the inundation of numerous houses and also the Catholic church.



In Champ Fleury, six houses are flooded, with an increased risk of landslides due to erosion at the foot of the hills. The Civil Protection team asked the police on site to close access to users while awaiting intervention.



In Plaisance, several areas are also flooded, and schools have been affected, posing a risk of disruption to educational activities.



In the capital of Miragoane, about fifteen houses are flooded.



Road access (infrastructure):

In Grande Anse, departmental road 72 is damaged between Dame-Marie and Anse dHainaut.



In Nippes, National Road 2 is currently blocked near Saint-Michel du Sud and Demizene due to fallen trees. Public Works has been alerted and is expected to intervene quickly to clear the road and restore traffic.



Also in Nippes, the blocked road in Paillant required the intervention of about ten Civil Protection officers to clear it and allow passage.



Several roads in the department have been severely damaged by runoff from recent rains. Some roads have become impassable, even blocked by fallen trees.



In Jacmel, National Route 4 is cut off at Bassin Caiman after the La Gosseline River overflowed its banks, washing away a section of the road. Furthermore, the Moro River overflowed its banks in Bainet, preventing all traffic between Bainet and Cote-de-Fer. Mayor Denoil Antenor of Belle-Anse (Southeast) reported that the road to Morne Laser is also closed.



The Public Works Department will need to conduct urgent damage assessments to determine the necessary repairs to restore traffic flow. These repairs are a priority to provide assistance to the population and facilitate their movement.



Agricultural Sector (Provisional):

Banana plantations were destroyed, while pigeon pea and yam crops were severely damaged, and fruit trees were also affected.



In the South, banana plantations, fruit trees, and other crops suffered considerable damage due to heavy rains and winds. Livestock was swept away. A detailed assessment of agricultural losses is needed to plan support measures for farmers, such as the distribution of seeds and agricultural tools, to revive production and mitigate the economic impact on rural households.



Water, Hygiene, and Sanitation:

A shortage of drinking water has been reported, particularly in shelters in Pestel and the Cayemites Islands.



On the health front, cases of diarrhea have been reported at the hospital in Grande Anse.



HL/ S/ HaitiLibre
























Haiti - FLASH : The Haitian National Police announces a series of victories against terrorist gangs





The Haitian National Police (PNH), in collaboration with the Gang Repression Force (FRG), announces a series of significant victories against terrorist gangs in several regions.



Rapid and coordinated offensive operations were successfully conducted :



Artibonite (Desarines, Liancourt):

Assaults neutralized terrorists, seized weapons of war, and liberated communities.



Centre (Lascahobas) :

Increased patrols led to the neutralization and recapture of strategic areas.



Port-au-Prince :

The city center was secured through precision operations against sentries and gang members, leading to the resumption of economic activities and the holding of cabinet meetings at the National Palace.



The security perimeter in the city center now extends to Boulevard Jean-Jacques Dessalines.



Vladimir Paraison, Acting Commander-in-Chief of the Haitian National Police (PNH), commends the courage of his officers and encourages the public to continue cooperating by sharing any useful information.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Politic : Government expresses sympathy and mobilizes following Melissa's passage





On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, on behalf of the Haitian government, expressed his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims of the devastating Hurricane Melissa, which severely impacted several regions of the country, particularly the Grand Sud and the commune of Petit-Goave, heavily affected by the flooding of the La Digue River.



According to initial reports from the Directorate General of Civil Protection, the provisional death toll remains concerning. The government pays its respects to the deceased and shares the profound sorrow of the bereaved families and the affected communities.



Prime Minister Fils-Aime reaffirmed his government's commitment to supporting all affected families and to assisting recovery and reconstruction efforts. He called for national solidarity and collective responsibility in the face of this tragedy, which once again highlights the country's vulnerability to climate hazards.



The Prime Minister has given clear and immediate instructions to the relevant ministers and directors-general to ensure that all institutions mobilize their resources on the ground.



 The Minister of Public Works, Transport and Communications (MTPTC) has been mandated to intervene without delay to clear blocked roads, rehabilitate damaged infrastructure, and restore communication routes to the affected areas.



 The Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR) has been tasked with conducting a rapid assessment of agricultural losses and proposing concrete measures to support producers and revive food production.



 The Director-General of the Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES) has been instructed to immediately deploy emergency aid to affected families, including the distribution of food, drinking water, and hygiene kits.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46098-haiti-flash-41-victims-13-missing-provisional-report-from-melissa.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46093-haiti-politic-the-government-mobilized-in-response-to-hurricane-melissa.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46091-haiti-flash-alert-level-rises-5-departments-in-red-2-in-orange.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46083-haiti-flash-3-departments-in-red-4-in-orange-the-worst-to-come.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46077-haiti-flash-hurricane-melissa-becomes-cat-5-haiti-on-maximum-alert.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46069-haiti-flash-melissa-has-become-a-cat-4-hurricane.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-46067-haiti-hurricane-melissa-2-departments-on-red-alert.html

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 - News : Zapping...





Melissa : USA Deploys Relief Teams

In response to the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in many Caribbean countries, the U.S. Department of State is deploying a Regional Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and has activated U.S. Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams to bolster relief efforts. These teams are working with affected countries and local communities to determine assistance needs, as well as with interagency, international, and U.S. armed forces partners to coordinate emergency operations.



Condolences from the U.S. Embassy

Ambassador Wooster and the Haitian and U.S. staff of the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince extend their deepest condolences to all those who lost loved ones during Hurricane Melissa. We express our profound solidarity with the bereaved families, the injured, and the many displaced. The United States is working closely with Haitian authorities, local communities, and humanitarian partners to address the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, providing assistance to those directly affected by the recent flooding and landslides caused by this devastating storm.



Robotics : Team Haiti at the FIRST Global Challenge

The Ministry of Youth announces that Team Haiti, composed of young people aged 17 to 18, will represent Haiti at the FIRST Global Challenge 2025, an international robotics competition that has brought together young people from around the world since 2016. The competition will take place from October 29 to November 1, 2025, at the Panama Convention Center in Panama City. The theme of the 2025 competition, "Eco Equilibrium" highlights the protection of ecosystems and the enhancement of biodiversity. Haiti will present an innovative robot designed to perform actions aimed at maintaining ecological balance, protecting biodiversity, and promoting the sustainability of ecosystems. Team Haiti is composed of :



 Marseillant Roosevelt (18 years old) Pilot, designer, communications manager;



 Lapierre Izzdorah (17 years old) Communications and project manager;



 Saint Jean Rochny (18 years old) Mechanic;



 Charles Steevenson (18 years old) Mechanic;



Jean Julien Aysee (17 years old) Pilot and project manager



Distribution of 24,000 hot meals

The Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES) is continuing its daily operation of distributing hot meals to internally displaced persons in the municipalities of Delmas and Port-au-Prince this Monday, October 27, 2025. A total of 24,000 hot meals consisting of rice and vegetables are being prepared as part of this solidarity initiative. Two mobile canteens are currently deployed to deliver meals to various targeted sites, including MAST, MTPTC, and Communication 2.



12 Young Professionals Employed by IBESR

12 recently graduated young professionals have been integrated into the various technical and administrative departments of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research (IBESR). This integration is part of the youth employment program, managed by the Workforce Directorate of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST).



Miragoane National Port Authority : New Director General and Deputy Director General

Dice Conte Saint Louis and Gamy Clervil have been appointed as the new Director and Deputy Director General, respectively, of the National Port Authority (APN) of Miragoane. Note that Dice Conte Saint Louis served as Deputy Director for two years before being promoted to Director of the institution.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Every leap in the automotive industry depends on the strength and adaptability of its supply chain. In 2025, as China's auto sector stands at a critical crossroads of technological transformation and structural reshaping, the strategic importance of the supply chainas both the source and enabler of innovationhas reached an unprecedented level.

The essence of the "Top 100 Players of China's New Automotive Supply Chain" award lies in recognizing those companies that have evolved from traditional component suppliers into true technology co-creators. Their value goes far beyond technical breakthroughsthey are the ecosystem builders propelling the advancement of China's entire auto industry. In an era where agility defines competitiveness, these top players exemplify the speed, adaptability, and innovation that are driving China's transition from manufacturing strength to technological leadership. Together, they form the resilient backbone enabling the nation's automotive industry to compete confidently on a global stage.

On October 30, 2025, the seventh Gasgoo Awards concluded successfully in Shanghai, honoring the companies at the forefront of reshaping the country's automotive supply ecosystem.

The 2025 selection committee evaluated nominees across five dimensionsinnovation, technological feasibility, cost-effectiveness, market recognition, and user experienceultimately recognizing 100 outstanding enterprises and technologies.

The winners of the Top 100 Players of China's New Automotive Supply Chain for Gasgoo Awards 2025 have been officially announced (in no particular order).

Smart cockpit

Bosch Cross-Domain Computing Solutions division

Visteon Asia Pacific (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Magna

Huizhou Desay SV Automotive Electronics Co., Ltd.

Neusoft Corporation

HARMAN International

Valeo Comfort Driving Assistance Systems (Guangzhou) Co.,Ltd.

Petal Cloud Technology Co., Ltd.

BICV Technology Co., Ltd.

Shenzhen Hangsheng Electronics Co., Ltd.

Huizhou Foryou General Electronics Co., Ltd.

Nobo Automotive Systems Co., Ltd.

FULSCIENCE Automotive Electronics Co., Ltd.

Tianma Microelectronics Co., Ltd.

Ningbo Joyson Safety Systems Co., Ltd.

Quectel Wireless Solutions Co., Ltd.

AISpeech Co., Ltd.

Antolin

YFORE Technology Co.,Ltd.

Yousandi Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd.

TE Connectivity

LEONI Cable (China) Co., Ltd.

Shanghai SHB Automobile Electric Appliance Co., Ltd.

Adient (China) Investment Co., Ltd.

Autoliv (Shanghai) Management Co., Ltd.

ADAS/Autonomous Driving & Intelligent Chassis

Mobileye

Momenta (Suzhou) Technology Co., Ltd.

DeepRoute.ai

Shenzhen Zhuoyu Technology Co., Ltd.

Hesai Technology

RoboSense

MINIEYE

ASENSING

China Unicom Smart Connection Technology Limited

AEW Technology Group Co., Ltd.

ZF

Schaeffler

Brembo (Nanjing) Brake Systems Co., Ltd.

Tenneco (China) Co., Ltd.

KH Automotive Technologies (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd.

Eaton (China) Investments Co., Ltd.

Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corporation

Exquisite Automotive Systems Co., Ltd.

Nemak (Shanghai) Corporate Management Co., Ltd.

Powertrain, EV Charging & Battery Swapping, Thermal Management

BorgWarner (China) Investment Co., Ltd.

Sunwoda Mobility Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

PHINIA Delphi

United Automotive Electronic Systems Co., Ltd.

Horse Powertrain

Chongqing Jinkang Powertrain New Energy Co., Ltd.

ROHM

Garrett Motion Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

REPT BATTERO Energy Co., Ltd.

Sensata Technologies (Changzhou) Co., Ltd.

NSK Ltd.

MANN+HUMMEL Filter (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

MAHLE China

Highly Marelli Holdings Co., Limited

Jiangsu Chaoli Electric Manufacture Co., Ltd.

Dow (Shanghai) Investment Co., Ltd.

Automotive-grade Chip & Automotive Software, AI

Qualcomm

Ambarella Semiconductor Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Sanechips Technology Co.Ltd.

Black Sesame Technologies Co., Ltd.

Beijing SemiDrive Technology Corporation

Tongxin Microelectronics Co., Ltd.

AutoChips

Suzhou Novosense Microelectronics Co., Ltd.

GigaDevice Semiconductor Inc.

Integrated Silicon Solution Inc.

Shenzhen Longsys Electronics Co., Ltd.

YEESTOR Microelectronics Co., Ltd.

Horizon Robotics

ThunderSoft

Neusoft Reach Automotive Technology (Shanghai) Ltd.

Banma Network Technology Co., Ltd.

iFLYTEK Co., Ltd.

iSOFT Infrastructure Software Co., Ltd.

Wuhan KOTEI Informatics Co., Ltd.

Shanghai ABUP Technology Co., Ltd.

Vehicle Body, Exterior & Interior, New Materials, Intelligent Manufacturing

FORVIA China

Webasto China

AUMOVIO China

Brose Automotive Technology Corporate Management (China) Co., Ltd.

Changzhou Xingyu Automotive Lighting System Co., Ltd.

Yanfeng International Automotive Technology Co. Ltd.

Gestamp (China) Holding Co., Ltd.

VAMA & GONVVAMA

onsemi

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors (China) Co., Ltd.

Beijing Jingwei Hirain Technologies Co., Inc.

Covestro (Shanghai) Investment Co. Ltd.

Henkel (China) Investment Co. Ltd.

HBIS Company Limited

Celanese (China) Holding Co., Ltd.

Zhejiang DOMO Engineering Material Co., Ltd.

HRC

LK Group

Ningbo PIA Automation Holding Corp.

Congratulations to all 100 outstanding companies honored the Top 100 Players of China's New Automotive Supply Chain for 2025!

With the theme "Embrace Change, Drive Innovation," Gasgoo reaffirmed its mission to "discover great companies, promote great technologies, and empower automotive professionals." This year's awards spotlighted ten key domains driving the future of mobilityranging from ADAS/AD, smart cockpit, automotive software & AI, powertrain and EV charging & battery swap, thermal management, intelligent chassis, body and interior & exterior, automotive-grade chips, new materials, and intelligent manufacturing & equipment. The awards not only reflect Gasgoo's insight into emerging industry trends but also serve as recognition of the visionaries who are reshaping the technological foundation of China's automotive future.

To continue fostering excellence in supply chain innovation, technological advancement, and sustainability, we have officially launched the Gasgoo Awards 2026 project. The upcoming event promises not only to honor industry leaders but also to spark new exchanges of innovation and influence across the global automotive value chain.

Applications for the Gasgoo Awards 2026 are now open to innovators worldwide.
Chinese defense minister to attend ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus

Xinhua) 17:37, October 30, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun will attend the 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) and the 15th China-ASEAN Defense Ministers' Informal Meeting in Kuala Lumpur from Thursday to Sunday.

The visit is at the invitation of the Ministry of National Defense of Malaysia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, told a press conference on Thursday.

Zhang said at the events, Dong will deliver a speech to review the 15-year history of ADMM-Plus and a speech on future-oriented China-ASEAN defense cooperation, respectively.

On the sidelines of the events, he will have bilateral meetings with defense leaders of relevant countries, Zhang said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Kou Jie)
The true greatness of technology lies not only in breakthroughs made in the lab, but in its ability to cross the market divide, transforming into real value that users can experience and the market can validate. In 2025, driven by fierce internal competition and the acceleration of globalization, China's automotive market has entered a period of rapid transformation. The "Best Technical Practice Award" is designed to recognize companies that have successfully scaled up their innovations, turning them into mass production capabilities that win market trust through stable delivery and reliable quality.

This award highlights the journey of turning "leading-edge concepts" into "exceptional real-world experiences." As intelligent mobility moves toward full-scenario competition, the focus shifts from theoretical innovation to practical impact  recognizing technologies that truly solve industry pain points, achieve mass production, deliver proven reliability, and win user trust. These solutions demonstrate that real innovation lies in creating shared value  transforming cutting-edge technology into sustainable momentum for the industry's high-quality growth and closing the loop between technical excellence, market success, and user value.

Following thorough information review and multidimensional evaluation, the committee for the 7th Gasgoo Awards has selected 109 outstanding companies and their solutions.

On October 30, 2025, the award ceremony for the 2025 Gasgoo Awards, hosted by Gasgoo, came to a successful conclusion in Shanghai.

The list of recipients for the 2025 Gasgoo Awards: Best Technical Practice Award is as follows (in no particular order).

First Batch:

Autolink Information Technology Co., Ltd.

PATEO Connect Technology (Shanghai) Corporation

Huaqin Co., Ltd.

Chongqing Phoenix Auto Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd.

Jidou Auto

MXNavi Co., Ltd.

Futurus Technology Co., Ltd.

AU Optronics Corp.

Hardstone Mobile Media (Asia Pacific) Co., Ltd

Jiangsu New Vision Automotive Electronics Co., Ltd.

Sony (China) Co., Ltd.

Hubei Linksci Technology Co. , Ltd.

MeiG Smart Technology Co., Ltd.

Shenzhen CVA Innovation Co., Ltd

Gentherm Incoporated

Brisonus

Aptiv Electrical Centers (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Shanghai Astrace New Material Technology Co.,Ltd.

Second Batch:

Freetech (Zhejiang) Intelligent Systems Co.,Ltd

neueHCT

Yihang.AI

Shanghai Geometrical Perception and Learning Co.,Ltd

Jiluo Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Tudatong Intelligent Technology Suzhou Co Ltd.

Wuhan Xuanyuan Intelligent Driving Technology Co., Ltd.

Muniulinghang (Jiangsu) Technology Co., Ltd.

Hunan Bynav Technology Co., Ltd.

Raytron Technology Co., Ltd.

Axera Semiconductor Co., Ltd.

Shanghai G-Pulse Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.

Lenovo Vehicle Computing

E-quality Intelligent Technology Co.,Ltd.

DIAS Automotive Electronic Systems Co., Ltd.

ChenZhi Automobile Technology Group Co., Ltd.

Global Technology Co., Ltd.

Bebest (Shanghai) Automotive Electronics Co., Ltd.

Yangzhou Dongsheng Automotive Co.,ltd.

GKN Danyang Industries Co.,Ltd.

Shanghai ChipON Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.

Guangzhou Zhiyuan Electronics Co., Ltd.

Third Batch:

Zhuhai Enpower Electric Co., Ltd.

Avnet Electronic Components (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd

Wuxi InfiMotion Propulsion Technology Co., Ltd.

C*Core Technology Co., Ltd.

Renesas Electronics Corporation

Melexis

SKF(CHINA)SALES CO.,LTD.

Fuxin Dare Automotive Parts Co., Ltd.

Anhui XiaoXiao Science and Technology INC.Ltd

Kennametal Asia (China) Management Co., Ltd.

Ningbo Shenglong Automotive Powertrain System Co., Ltd.

Hefei Gotion High-tech Power Energy Co., Ltd.

Guangzhou Greater Bay Technology Co., Ltd.

Nanjing Kangni New Energy Auto Part Co., Ltd.

Rosenberger Asia Pacific Electronic Co., Ltd.

Shanghai Eagtop Electonic Technology Co., Ltd.

C&B Electronics Shenzhen Co., Ltd.

MELECS

World Peace Industrial Group

Hersmann Automotive Technology (Nantong) Co., Ltd.

Shanghai Belling Co., Ltd.

Foshan Alpicool Holding Group Co., Ltd.

Thermalnology (Wuhan) Intelligent Technology Co.,Ltd

Fourth Batch:

Hubei SiEngine Technology Co., Ltd.

Allegro MicroSystems

Indie microelectronics (Wuxi) Co,Ltd

Geehy Semiconductor Co., Ltd.

Semiment Technology Co., Ltd.

Arkmicro Technologies (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.

Wuhan Immorta Inc.

Vicor Corporation

Beijing KiSilicon Technology Company Limited

Biwin Storage Technology Co., Ltd.

GUANGDONG VIIYONG ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.

QCraft.AI

Suzhou Zhijia Technology Co., Ltd.

Elektrobit

RT-Thread

Shanghai TOSUN Technology Ltd

ETAS (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Zhixie Huitong (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.

Beijing Oriental Jicheng Co.Ltd.

Beijing 51Sim Technology Co., Ltd.

Mogo.ai Information and Technology Co., Ltd.

Shanghai Keluoda Cloud Software Technology Co., Ltd.

Hangzhou Carlinx Multi Tech Co., Ltd.

IPS Shanghai Co.,Ltd

Suzhou Youkong Zhixing Technology Co., Ltd.

Fifth Batch:

FORVIA

MIND Electronics Appliance Co., Ltd.

BENTELER International AG.

Inteva Products

Silicon Application Corp. Group

CCAS(Changchun)Steel Service Center

J1 AI GLASS

Jiangsu Aosheng Composite Materials Hi-tech Co.,Ltd.

SHANGHAI INGIN AUTO TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD

Chuzhou Duoli Automotive Technology Co.,Ltd.

Dongguan SESO Technology Co.,Ltd.

Hotstamping Tech

Jiangsu Favored Nanotechnology Co., Ltd

Suzhou Greentech Co., Ltd.

DONGGUAN HIROSAWA AUTOMOTIVE TRIM CO..LTD

Guangdong Han'sYueming Laser Group Co., Ltd.

Uptec Intelligent Manufacturing(Wuxi)Co.,Ltd

Ambilight

Jiangsu Lead Technology Co.,Ltd

Suzhou Swansea Intelligent Equipment technology Co., LTD.

SHENZHEN LEADWELL TECHNOLOGY CO ,.LTD.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the award-winning companies for their remarkable achievements!

Embracing "change" and driving "innovation," Gasgoo remains dedicated to its core mission of "discovering great companies, promoting leading technologies, and empowering automotive professionals." The 2025 Gasgoo Awards, centered on the theme of "Top 100 Players of China's New Automotive Supply Chain," spotlighted 10 key sectors: intelligent driving, smart cockpit, intelligent chassis, automotive software, automotive-grade chip, big data and AI, powertrain & EV charging & battery swapping, thermal management, vehicle body & interior & exterior, and new materials. These awards not only reflect the Gasgoo Awards keen insight into industry trends, but also celebrate and encourage companies that dare to innovate in and explore new frontiers.

To continue recognizing leadership in supply chain innovation, technological breakthroughs, and sustainable development, the nomination process for the 2026 Gasgoo Awards is now open. This is not only a competition for honor but also a spectacular collision of industry innovation and future influence! We warmly invite pioneers from across the global automotive industry to apply and participate.

Applications for the Gasgoo Awards 2026 are now open to innovators worldwide.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) wants to become independent of technology from the USA  for fear of reprisals from Donald Trump, Handelsblatt has learned. The institution in The Hague wants to replace the Microsoft software currently used on workstations with OpenDesk.

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According to Handelsblatt, the decision is to be seen against the backdrop of sanctions by the current US administration under President Donald Trump against employees such as Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan. Microsoft simply blocked his email access. He therefore had to switch to the Swiss email service Proton. Since the ICC is highly dependent on service providers like Microsoft, its work is being paralyzed, it was stated in May.

Furthermore, the US government in Washington is examining further measures against the International Criminal Court, Handelsblatt further reports. This could also significantly restrict the institution's ability to work.

Achieving Digital Sovereignty

The OpenDesk software is developed by the Center for Digital Sovereignty (Zendis), a federal company. Its task is to help resolve critical dependencies on individual technology providers.

At the International Criminal Court, it's only about 1800 workstations that are to be freed from US dependency. However, Handelsblatt sees this as an indication that geopolitics is increasingly revolving around technology. Businesses and politicians recognize the dependence on US digital corporations as a problem, especially regarding the fact that the USA uses technology as a means of pressure.

The ICC is not alone in these ambitions. For example, the Public Health Service wants to use OpenDesk, and the German Armed Forces has a framework agreement with Zendis has concluded a framework agreement on sovereign communication and collaboration solutions such as OpenDesk.

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(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.
According to AVI, Verkkokauppa.com did not file any suspicious transaction reports during the period under investigation.

The Southern Finland Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI) found that the company had not properly identified customers involved in large cash transactions. The agency reported that some payments reached tens of thousands of euros, often from customers outside the European Economic Area (EEA).

The Finnish electronics retailer Verkkokauppa.com has been fined 540,000 for serious failures in complying with anti-money laundering legislation.

The agency considered this particularly serious.

Deficient procedures exposed the company to a significant risk of money laundering and terrorist financing, AVI stated.

The case concerns transactions that took place between September 2020 and the end of August 2023.

Under Finnish anti-money laundering law, businesses must identify customers if one or more connected transactions exceed 10,000 in cash. They must also report any suspicious activity to authorities.

The 540,000 fine is based on the severity, extent and duration of the breaches, as well as the companys financial situation. The decision is not yet legally binding.

Verkkokauppa.com responded by stating that it takes combating grey economy activity seriously. In a company release, it said it had changed its procedures following the inspection in 2023.

As of 2024, the firm set a 200 maximum for any single cash payment. This was part of a broader set of restrictions aimed at reducing the risks associated with receiving large sums in cash.

AVI oversees compliance in companies that receive large cash payments for goods, particularly where transactions reach or exceed the 10,000 threshold either in one payment or across several linked payments. Under current legislation, if a company violates these obligations, AVI can issue administrative fines. The money is paid to the Finnish state.

Verkkokauppa.com, listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange, reported 468 million in revenue in 2024 and employs around 600 people. The company stated it would study AVIs decision and then determine whether to file an appeal.

The fine is one of the largest ever issued by AVI under Finlands anti-money laundering regulations for a company in the retail sector.

HT
Officials found that 198 of the businesses, 53 percent, had such serious irregularities that their cases were handed over for criminal consideration.

The intensified oversight, carried out between early 2023 and autumn 2025, targeted 373 food service businesses. The majority were small or medium-sized restaurants offering fast food, primarily pizza and kebab, as well as Chinese cuisine.

Finlands Tax Administration has uncovered 11 million in unpaid taxes after a nationwide audit of pizza, kebab, and Chinese restaurants, with over half of the inspected businesses referred for possible criminal investigation.

These decisions are made when there is reason to suspect offences that warrant police involvement.

Tarja Valsi, director of grey economy control at the Tax Administration, said the selection of businesses was based on risk analysis.

Our findings confirm that the most common tax-dodging restaurants are small or medium-sized bars, pizzerias, and kebab outlets, Valsi said. The risk-based targeting has clearly been effective.

Auditors found a total of 18.3 million in unreported income, leading to the imposition of 4.8 million in unpaid value-added tax. Around 2 million in missing wages were also uncovered. A further 1 million was levied in unpaid withholding taxes, and 2.5 million in income tax was applied to disguised dividends.

An additional 450 reports were sent to other authorities, flagging suspected benefit fraud, missing pension contributions, and possible money laundering.

Valsi noted that similar audits conducted a decade earlier, in 20152016, had produced almost identical results. At that time, enforcement focused mainly on licensed restaurants, with 14.5 million in taxes imposed.

Little seems to have improved over the past ten years, Valsi said. Most businesses do operate properly, but misconduct remains widespread.

She added that misconduct was significantly more common among foreign-owned establishments than those with Finnish ownership.

According to the findings, non-compliant restaurants often failed to register sales in the official cash register, paid workers off the books, and neglected employer obligations. In some cases, sales data was entirely missing or manipulated through disconnected payment terminals.

Restaurants also misused online food delivery platforms by underreporting orders or omitting them from financial records altogether.

Auditors found that some owners had used company accounts for personal expenses or transferred undeclared revenue to private bank accounts. In certain instances, all reported sales were listed as cash payments, yet the businesses lacked corresponding amounts in their cash holdings.

Neglecting obligations creates a cost advantage, allowing prices to be set far below those of compliant businesses, Valsi said. Our aim is to ensure fair taxation for all.

HT
Trump described the meeting as amazing and gave it a 12 out of 10 rating. Xi spoke of mutual respect and a need to avoid cycles of retaliation. Both emphasised the desire to maintain what they called a correct trajectory in bilateral relations.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for nearly two hours on 30 October at a South Korean military base near Busan airport, marking their first in-person conversation since 2019. The meeting ended with several short-term agreements but no shift in long-term geopolitical tensions.

The leaders agreed to halt new tariffs and roll back some existing duties. The United States will reduce tariffs on Chinese goods from 57 percent to 47 percent, including the removal of a recent 10 percent tariff linked to fentanyl production. In exchange, China pledged new action to restrict fentanyl exports.

China agreed to resume large-scale purchases of US soybeans. This move responds to pressure from American agricultural lobby groups and was a key request from Trumps trade team.

China will suspend restrictions on rare earth metal exports for one year. These metals are central to electronics, defence systems, and renewable technologies. Beijing had previously used these exports as leverage in disputes with Washington. The United States responded by promising to ease selected export controls, with a focus on consumer electronics and semiconductors.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate on tackling illegal fentanyl shipments. The synthetic opioid is linked to thousands of deaths in the US each year. Trump and Xi agreed on closer coordination between law enforcement and customs agencies.

The Ukraine war was mentioned briefly but without concrete outcomes. Neither side proposed new initiatives or policy changes. The subject of Taiwan, often a flashpoint in US-China relations, was deliberately excluded from the agenda.

A follow-up summit is planned. Trump confirmed he will visit China in April 2026, and Xi is expected to travel to the US later next year.

The summit also produced a verbal agreement to resume discussions on the security of TikTok and other Chinese-owned apps operating in the US. Officials said those talks will continue in private.

Xi also credited Trump with recent contributions to regional diplomacy in Southeast Asia. Xi said China had quietly supported several peace processes in the region but gave no specifics.

The agreements reached are temporary. The trade truce is valid for one year, with no automatic renewal. Both sides expressed interest in extending the arrangement if conditions remain stable.

The European Union faces mixed consequences from the deal. Reduced tariffs between the US and China are likely to stabilise global supply chains, lowering costs and easing delays. European exporters, especially in Germany and the Netherlands, may benefit from calmer global trade dynamics.

At the same time, Europes position in rare earth supply chains remains exposed. The temporary nature of Chinas export suspension means manufacturers in the EU continue to face long-term uncertainty. European officials have called for accelerated investment in rare earth mining and refining within Europe to reduce dependence on China.

Finland is directly affected by changes to trade in rare earths. The country has ambitions to develop a domestic mining sector capable of supplying the EU market. The Chinese suspension may provide short-term relief to Finnish tech firms, especially in the battery and telecommunications industries. But if prices fall due to resumed Chinese exports, planned Finnish mining projects could face delays or cancellations.

Finland also stands to gain from reduced tensions around semiconductors. Companies in Espoo, Oulu, and Tampere operate in specialised microelectronics and may benefit from eased US export restrictions. Cross-border cooperation in research and production could increase if trade flows improve.

Some Finnish logistics and shipping firms may also see increased demand, as cargo volumes between Asia and North America stabilise. Helsinkis role as a northern gateway for Eurasian trade could grow if volatility in East Asian ports decreases.

EU officials welcomed the trade pause but warned that it does not address wider structural problems in US-China competition. European Commission spokesperson Miriam Garcia Ferrer said in Brussels that the bloc supports open trade but remains cautious about long-term commitments from either Washington or Beijing.

The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs issued a brief statement calling the meeting constructive and emphasised the importance of predictable trade for national interests. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment said it will review the potential impact on critical industries before making policy adjustments.

The next phase of talks between the US and China is expected in early 2026. While the Busan meeting reduced immediate risks of escalation, EU diplomats and Finnish policymakers will continue to monitor developments closely.

HT
Pisgah Legal offers help navigating Obamacare, Medicaid changes

Open Enrollment for 2026 health insurance through the HealthCare.gov Marketplace begins Saturday, Nov. 1, with major changes to the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and Medicaid this year, including higher premiums and no coverage for Dreamers.

Related Stories

Certified health counselors with Pisgah Legal Services offer free, unbiased help to Western North Carolina residents to understand their options and enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1.



There are major changes this year that could affect your coverage and costs, which can be confusing, said Mike McDonald, managing director at Pisgah Legal Services. Even if you had Marketplace insurance last year, its important to review your options to make sure you are getting the best plan for your needs.



There is an enrollment deadline of Dec. 15 for coverage starting Jan. 1, and a final enrollment deadline of Jan. 15 for coverage starting Feb. 1.



Some of the major changes to expect this year include:

Majority of enrollees will face higher premium costs

Autorenewals may not work as they have in the past

DACA recipients will no longer be eligible for coverage

Pisgah Legal can help compare plans and make sure individuals and families have the right information amid this years changes. Make an appointment today by visiting pisgahlegal.org/health or calling 828-210-3404. The webpage also includes free step-by-step resource guides in English and Spanish to help people prepare for enrollment.



Dont assume your coverage will automatically renew, said McDonald. Let us help you get the facts about your options and make sure youre covered for the year ahead.



Bilingual Navigators are available to assist in Spanish, and free translation services are available for speakers of other languages.


Wolfpack Connect clears admissions path for BRCC students

Blue Ridge Community College students now have a guaranteed admissions pathway to NC State University thanks to a new agreement signed between the two institutions on Wednesday.

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Blue Ridge President Laura B. Leatherwood welcomed Dr. Don Hunt, NC States senior vice provost of enrollment management and services, to the Patton Building to discuss and sign the agreement in the presence of the colleges leaders and employees from numerous programs and departments.

This partnership represents an important step in ensuring that Blue Ridge students have every opportunity to pursue their educational and career goals, Dr. Leatherwood said. By creating a clear and supportive pathway to NC State University, were helping our students to dream big, achieve more than they ever thought possible, and make the most of a valuable Blue Ridge education.

The Wolfpack Connect guaranteed transfer admission program is designed to make transferring from partner community colleges to NC State a clear and seamless process. Students who complete an Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS) degree aligned with an eligible NC State major are guaranteed admission to the university. The program provides a defined roadmap to earning a bachelors degree, reducing uncertainty during college planning and encouraging degree completion.

NC State Chancellor Kevin Howell emphasized the significance of the program in a news release issued in September.

This program has the potential to transform lives and uplift communities across our state, he said. It reflects the very heart of our land-grant mission to serve the people of North Carolina through education and opportunity. Im thrilled to launch another pathway for students to pursue their goals and dreams.

NC State Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Warwick Arden also praised community college students.

Our data clearly show that students who transfer from our community college system are successful in completing their degrees and finding employment within their chosen fields, Arden said. This program builds on our strong track record of transfer student success at NC State and opens up opportunities for students across North Carolina to pursue their goals.

Current and future students can learn more about Wolfpack Connect and its requirements at transfer.ncsu.edu/wolfpack-connect. Additional information about transfer programs and guaranteed admissions pathways at Blue Ridge Community College can be found at www.blueridge.edu/transfer.


FASHION designer Jeff Banks believes the Reform UK party is the only opportunity the country has for success.

About 10 members of the Henley branch set up a stall in the Market Place on Saturday.

Four new members were recruited at the event, which was part of the partys nationwide action day, in which a total of 450 branches participated.

Mr Banks, who lives in Henley, believes Reform is the only party to wrestle the country out of what he describes as a desperate downward spiral.

He said: I think we have a government that has no real strategy to actually turn the country around and make it profitable. There is no strategy so that we can afford to pay for all the things that we would like, such as free education and free healthcare.

I look at Reform as being the only potential for young people for the future.

For me, I dont have many years left on this planet, but I do look at younger people and think Whats life going to be like in this country for them?.

He described the partys leader, Nigel Farage, as a good man who will bring the change the country needs.

He said: I think Nigel Farage is a really good man and he has genuine and like-minded people around him.

I think theyre ready to make a change and I think we need it. I think there are some misconceptions around Nigel Farage. People call him a Nazi, a narcissist and opinionated but I dont think hes any of those things.

I also think hes a successful businessman who has fought the European Union, succeeding in Britain to leave, which I think was the right decision, with Europe falling apart.

He said: Its important that everyone gets the chance to see what were doing and to understand that, even though this area has a particularly strong Liberal Democrat hold, there are other political parties around.

Whats important is to make sure people understand how Reform is relevant not just for other parts of the country but also for here in Henley.

Martin Dew, who chairs the Henley branch, said: Weve had three sign up today but we only had our card reader working for the last 20 minutes due to some technical issues.

Weve had a lot of interest because not only can we sign people up using the machine but they can also use the QR code on the leaflets and get on the Reform Go App.
MORE than 200 was raised by Henley Rotary Club to fund polio vaccinations in developing countries.

Members of the Henley branch gave out a few crocus corms when they were fundraising in Market Place to mark World Polio Day, part of Rotary Internationals drive to eradicate polio, last Friday.

The funds were matched by a donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, bringing the total donated to the Rotarys End Polio Now campaign to 621.

Jeremy Gaunt, president of the club, said he had been approached by residents who knew people impacted by the virus, which was eradicated from the UK in 2003.

He said: Its been very good today, what has been very interesting is a number of people have talked about people they know who had polio or who still have it if theyre alive.

Its not so far in the past that a lot of people havent remembered it. The positive thing is that some of the younger people have never heard of polio, which may reflect the fact that its been eradicated in so many places.

There is a danger in the sense that if people dont get vaccinated in other countries, if people say oh, its over then it will just come steaming back.

In July last year, the Gaza health ministry declared a polio epidemic amid a humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict with Israel, with a 10-month-old child being paralysed.

Three years ago, traces of polio were detected during a routine sewage inspection in London, leading the UK Health Security Agency to declare a national incident. Mr Gaunt said it is important to educate younger generations about the virus and the importance of vaccination programmes to prevent its return.

He said: You have to keep up the momentum of vaccinating children and making sure they dont get it and then slowly but surely it dies out.

What were doing at the moment is were raising money to keep it going as part of big international programmes where Rotarians and others go around the world and they immunise children.

The End Polio Now campaign uses World Polio Day, which is a UN day, as a way of attracting attention to it.

Sadaf Khalid, who is originally from Pakistan, joined the club this year. She said misconceptions and conspiracies about the polio vaccine pose a challenge to those working to immunise the countrys rural population. The End Polio Now campaign was launched in the Eighties and has worked with the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

The virus now remains endemic in only Afghanistan and Pakistan thanks to a global vaccination campaign, which has reduced cases by 99.9 per cent since 1988.

The purple crocus flower has become the symbol of the global campaign, with about seven million corms being planted across the country each year to raise awareness for the cause.

Last week, the World Health Organisation said that the Global Polio Eradication Initiative would face a 30 per cent budget reduction in 2026 and 1.7bn funding gap through to 2029, largely due to foreign aid cuts.
THE founder of a bakery in Stoke Row has been named Baker of the Year.

Tona Erreguin, who is also head baker of Imma the Bakery based in the Van Alloys Industrial Estate off Busgrove Lane, scooped the award at this years Baking Industry Association (BIA) Awards.

The results were revealed at a ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Thursday last week.

The award is regarded as one of the highest individual honours in the British baking industry and Mrs Erreguin has been recognised for both her technical skills and passion for the craft.

Judges praised the quality of her produce as well as her vision and community spirit.

In their comments, they highlighted the quality and finish of her array of sourdough loaves and pastries, noting that Mrs Erreguin is the driving force behind the bakerys success.

The award was sponsored by Brook Food and Bakery Equipment which, coincidentally, is the supplier of the bakerys oven, Burnard. Mrs Erreguin, who grew up in Mexico, had previously opened a fine dining restaurant called Imma Restaurante before moving to the UK.

She launched Imma the Bakery, named after the Hebrew word for mother, three years ago.

It is not her only venture in the village and in July this year, along with her wife, Aya Fibert, and business partner, Toby Boyes, she took over the running of the Cherry Tree pub, also in the village. The 400-year-old Brakspear pub was previously run by Dan and Natalie Redfern, who now run the Red Lion in Woodcote.

Mrs Erreguin said that her work is guided by the oath to keep baking no matter what, to be better today than yesterday, to generate community, and to constantly reinvent ourselves.

This latest accolade follows another victory for the bakery when its Oxford Country Loaf won the plain sourdough category at the Britains Best Loaf awards in April last year. Mrs Erreguin said she was honoured and humbled by the award. She said: This is a testament to the hard work and passion of every single team member at Imma the Bakery.

Our goal has always been to create soul-touching baked goods for our local community with the most local products we can get.

We are committed to constantly improving and even aspire to complete the entire production chain, from growing our own grain to milling it to baking it, all ourselves.
MORE than 100 people attended the launch of this years Poppy Appeal in Henley.

Mayor Tom Buckley received the first poppy from Timothy Came, vice-chairman of the Henley branch of the Royal British Legion, on Saturday.

Last years appeal, up to October 1, raised more than 54,475, breaking its previous record of 47,000 in 2014.

David Wilson, the town crier, wearing the traditional livery, paraded from the bottom of the square towards the crowd, ringing his bell to launch the appeal before Cllr Buckley received the first poppy.

About 50 people gathered under a white gazebo, near to the town hall to form Sam Browns Fabulous Ukulele Band.

They entertained the crowd with their singing, ukuleles and violins, performing songs including Cecilia by Simon and Garfunkel, Ghost Riders in the Sky by Johnny Cash and These Boots Are Made for Walkin by Nancy Sinatra.

Mr Came, 59, who has been a member of the branch for more than six years, said: The Legion is as relevant today as it was when it started in 1921, with three main purposes: looking after veterans and their families, supporting communities they live in and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

We have a history of service in our family, with members in both world wars, France, Burma and the Mediterranean Sea campaigns. Sadly, Ive also lost friends during recent conflicts.

He wore his great-grandfathers hat, who died when he was four years old. Mr Came added: He walked with a limp his entire life because his leg was nearly taken off in 1914 because of severe wounds.

Cllr Buckley said it was an honour to receive the first poppy. He said: The Legion, from my experience in Henley, is one of the most genuine charities that we have. The help that it gives and the people it supports makes it an honour for me to be given the first poppy.

In Henley, you can see the names of the soldiers in the memorial plaque and the families that are affected so, to have the charity here, which has been going for more than 100 years, is great.

I would encourage everyone to go out and buy a poppy to remember those who have fallen and are still fighting.

Michael Bowker, 73, from Sonning Common, has attended or played in the ukulele band for the last 10 years.

He represented his father by wearing five of his medals, including his star from Italy and North Africa, his general service medal and two others.

Mr Bowker said: It makes me immensely proud to be wearing these, especially on a day to remember him.

My dad fought in the Second World War and was in the Royal Marines. He first fought in North Africa, fighting his way into Italy. He was injured and hospitalised a couple of times but he didnt die in the war.

Mr Bowker said days like this are important to remember the sacrifices made by soldiers. He said: I think the younger generation is forgetting how bad it was.

I wasnt in the war either but Ive heard stories from my dad and other people. War isnt a nice thing and we really need to remember these people who sacrificed their lives so we can remember to avoid war if we possibly can. Its not always possible but its important to try for peace if at all possible.

Ruth Jolly, 74, of Whitchurch Hill, came to support her husband, Andre, who joined the ukulele group in 2012.

She praised Sam Brown, who founded the Fabulous Ukulele Club in 2010 with nine people in her front room.

She said: Sam is brilliant. She brings everybody together, no matter what background you come from, if you can read or play music or not and if you can sing.

During this time, Mrs Jolly will be remembering her friend from Aylesbury who served in the Falklands War in 1982. He returned with severe PTSD and now has a black Labrador as his assistance dog.

Jenna Evans came to watch her mother-in-law, Sue, play in the band. Her stepfather served for 30 years in the army as a chef. She said: He left around

15 years ago after enrolling when he was 17.

l The Poppy Appeal launch raised 1,715.
A vibrant industrial ecosystem thrives not only on established leaders but also on the rising innovators that inject it with new possibilities. As China's intelligent and electrified vehicle value chain continues to mature, the automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation in how people move. The Most Growth Value Award aims to identify those emerging technology innovation companies driving this change. Despite their smaller scale, the companies are pioneering new technologies, business models, and ways of thinking. They stand out for their agility, foresight, and openness to collaboration, positioning themselves at the forefront of the industry's next phase of growth.

The growth potential of this year's honorees stems from their strong product competitiveness, visionary founding teams, and broad application prospects. These companies typically demonstrate organizational synergy and technological complementarity, developing products that precisely meet market needs  and, in some cases, possess the potential to spark an industry-wide shift. Their dynamism serves as a barometer of the Chinese auto sector's overall vitality and sustainability. By continually experimenting with new technologies, ideas, and business models, these companies are helping the industry navigate future challenges and unlock new paths to growth.

On October 30, 2025, the ceremony for the 7th Gasgoo Awards, organized by Gasgoo, successfully concluded in Shanghai.

The judging panel selected 21 standout companies to receive the Most Growth Value Award, recognizing their achievements and potential in advancing the intelligent mobility revolution.

The list of recipients is as follows (in no particular order).

 Contemporary Amperex Intelligence Technology (Shanghai) Limited (CAIT-SH)

 SONATUS

 Zhejiang Liming Intelligent Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

 Jiong Yi Electronic Technology (Suzhou) Co., LTD

 SinoVision SensTech (Wuxi) Co., Ltd.

 Alpha Power Solutions (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

 Shanghai Puchuang Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.

 Meraki Integrated Circuit (Shenzhen) Technology, Ltd.

 Quantentech (Chengdu) Technologies Co., Ltd.

 Mouxing Technologies (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.

 RAYZ.ai (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.

 Suzhou CHIP-TEST Technology Co., Ltd.

 SineTac Auto(Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

 Shandong Hua'aixingyao Power Technology Co., Ltd.

 Shanghai Tranzy Group

 Jiangxi Sunlead Precision Seiko Co., Ltd.

 ReaVis Technology Co., Ltd

 ICE-T

 Rsemi zhiyuan (Hangzhou) Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd.

 Nanjing EtlChip Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.

 Shenzhen Anborui Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.

Congratulations to the 21 outstanding companies for receiving the Most Growth Value Award!

Embracing "change" and driving "innovation", Gasgoo remains dedicated to its core mission of "discovering great companies, promoting leading technologies, and empowering automotive professionals". The 7th Gasgoo Awards, centered on the theme of "Top 100 Players of China's New Automotive Supply Chain", spotlights 10 key sectors: advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD), smart cockpits, automotive software and artificial intelligence (AI), powertrains and charging systems, thermal management, intelligent chassis, body and interior components, automotive-grade chips, new materials, and smart manufacturing equipment. The awards reflect Gasgoo's insight into emerging trends and serve as recognition for companies that dare to innovate and lead the industry's technological advancement.

To continue recognizing leadership in supply chain innovation, technological breakthroughs, and sustainable development, the nomination process for the Gasgoo Awards 2026 is now open. This is not only a competition for honor but also a spectacular collision of industry innovation and future influence! We warmly invite pioneers from across the global automotive industry to apply for participation.
PLANS have been submitted to build 57 homes on the site of a pump manufacturer in Henley.

The Green Regeneration Property Company, of London, purchased Empstead Works, off Greys Road, from Henley Enterprise Park in January.

Stuart Turner, one of the towns largest employers, has been based at the site for more than 100 years.

Green Regeneration has now applied for planning permission to build 46 houses, 10 with two bedrooms, 18 with three bedrooms and 18 with four bedrooms and 11 two-bedroom maisonettes.

The application, which involves the demolition of all existing buildings on the site, also allocates 2,055 sq m of space for non-residential uses including commercial, retail and a nursery space.

A central green square of about 1,050 sq m and equipped play provision of 1,016 sq m would be added for public use.

New landscaped pedestrian zones would be introduced, linking Greys Road, Market Place and Deanfield Avenue and vehicular access would remain in Greys Road.

A corner of the northern end of the site would be planted with fruit trees to provide a community orchard.

The listed burgage plots in Market Place are outside the application boundary and will be preserved. The developer says the new buildings will draw on the Georgian and Victorian terraces which characterise the town.

A signposted heritage trail would be a feature of the site, connecting a series of assets, such as an historic ditch and listed flint stone house.

Among the proposals are a total of 41 car park spaces, all of which would have electric vehicle charging provision. There would be two accessible parking spaces on the site.

The site is allocated in the joint Henley and Harpsden neighbourhood plan for about 42 homes as well as at least 3,000 sq m for town centre mixed uses including employment and 1,500 sq m for a single format food store.

The developer says that the proposed redevelopment will transform an underutilised brownfield site into a thriving, sustainable and well-connected new neighbourhood, which would also meet local needs and enhance the towns distinctive character.

It has proposed that the six maisonettes would be affordable homes for first-time buyers with prices capped at 250,000.

At 11 per cent, it falls short of the target of 40 per cent provision of affordable housing in the neighbourhood plan. The company said this is because of a significant shortfall in the residual value of the site compared to its existing use value.

According to the application, there is limited appetite for social rented and intermediate home ownership products on small scales as registered providers face rising energy costs and cladding remediation on current estates.

In January, the Henley Standard reported that Stuart Turner, which employs about 80 people and currently occupies the site, would be seeking to relocate when its lease ends in 2027.

Henley Town Council provided feedback on an early proposal last October, after which letters were sent to neighbouring properties in January inviting them to a six-week public consultation held online, which received responses from 61 residents.

The latest plans are still to be discussed by the town councils planning committee.

Two residents have sent written objections to South Oxfordshire District Council, the planning authority.

Jacqueline McLean, of Wilkins Court, said the proposals would add pressure to the towns infrastructure.

She said: I am also deeply concerned about the additional traffic this development would generate in an area that is already subject to significant congestion.

Caroline Whittaker, of Empstead Court, said she was concerned about damage to an existing retaining wall at the back of her property and overlooking.

She said: The proposed units looking on to me will overlook and take light from my property. I have the usual concerns regarding the number of units requested, the damage to the environment and the lack of parking in a town which is already struggling.

The district council is due to make a decision by January 6.
As China's automotive industry evolves from simply exporting vehicles to building integrated global ecosystems, the ability to operate complex international supply chains has become a defining measure of competitiveness. In this new era, Chinese automakers are pursuing a dual strategy  strengthening domestic industrial foundations and collaborative ecosystems, while leveraging their early advantages in electrification and intelligent technologies to accelerate expansion overseas.

The Best Overseas Practice category of the Gasgoo Awards 2025 is created to recognize companies that have made outstanding progress in internationalization. These winners have achieved notable success in areas such as overseas market development, brand building, technological innovation, and global operations management. Their achievements not only set industry benchmarks but also aim to inspire more Chinese firms to strengthen their global competitiveness and speed up their international growth.

China's auto exports have entered a new phase, transitioning from traditional product shipments to localized global operations. This transformation requires far more than strong product offerings. Award-winning companies are now distinguished by their ability to implement global strategies, adapt to local market conditions, elevate brand recognition abroad, and engage effectively across cultures through localized communication and service networks.

Through these efforts, Chinese automotive enterprises have achieved not only commercial success but also enhanced the global image of China's automotive industry. The supply chain has evolved from merely "going abroad" to deeply "integrating abroad", marking a significant leap toward becoming a core driver of global automotive transformation.

Following a rigorous evaluation process, the organizing committee selected 17 companies and their solutions for recognition in the Best Overseas Practice category. The awards were presented at the closing ceremony of the 7th Gasgoo Awards, held in Shanghai on October 30, 2025.

The honorees (listed in no particular order) include:

 TomTom

 Joyson Safety Systems

 Huizhou Desay SV Automotive Co., Ltd.

 Avnet Electronic Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.

 Mobileye

 Petal Cloud Technology Co., Ltd.

 Zhejiang Yinlun Machinery Co., Ltd.

 Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corporation

 Neusoft Corporation

 Cerence Communications Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

 Shenzhen Soling Industrial Co., Ltd

 Antolin (China) Investment Co., Ltd.

 Build Worldwide Intelligence (BWI Group)

 WuXi Indie Microelectronics Ltd.

 IAT Automobile Technology Co., Ltd.

 HERE Technologies

 Nanjing PTAH Technology Co., Ltd.

Congratulations to all the winners for their remarkable achievements in advancing China's global automotive presence.

Guided by the theme of "embracing change and pursuing innovation", Gasgoo continues to uphold its mission of "discovering great companies, promoting great technologies, and empowering automotive professionals". The 7th Gasgoo Awards, centered on the theme of "Top 100 Players of China's New Automotive Supply Chain", spotlights ten pivotal segments: advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving (AD), smart cockpits, automotive software and artificial intelligence (AI), powertrains and charging systems, thermal management, intelligent chassis, body and interior components, automotive-grade chips, new materials, and smart manufacturing equipment. The awards reflect Gasgoo's insight into emerging trends and serve as recognition for companies that dare to innovate and lead the industry's technological advancement.

To continue recognizing outstanding leadership and lasting impact in supply chain innovation, technological breakthroughs, and sustainable development, the nomination process for the Gasgoo Awards 2026 is now open.

More than a contest for recognition, the Gasgoo Awards serve as a platform where innovation and influence intersect  celebrating the pioneering forces shaping the future of mobility. Gasgoo now warmly invites innovators from across the global automotive industry to apply for participation.
(JNS) - Seven years ago, in the calm of a Saturday morning in Pittsburgh, the world convulsed. The Oct. 27 massacre at the Tree of Life*Or L'Simcha, in which 11 Jewish people were killed, did not merely shatter bones and hopes; it bent the axis of everyday life in my hometown neighborhood of Squirrel Hill. And now, in this seventh year, the hard work is no longer just to remember what happened or to respond with declarations of unity; it is to reckon with how memory demands us to live differently.

We often think of memory as a vault, something protective. But memory is not archival; it is comb...
South Korean automaker Kia Corporation has officially entered the Japanese market with the launch of its newly-developed PV5 battery-powered mini-bus and commercial van at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 in Tokyo.

The PV5, based on its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) purpose-designed battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform, went into production in South Korea in July 2025. The platform is based on a modular architecture, which allows multiple body types to be built on the same platform. Kia hailed the PV5s launch in Japan as a significant milestone in the brands global expansion strategy.

Japan has been a tough market for foreign automakers over the years, due to its high retail costs and local consumer preferences, with overseas brands currently accounting for just 5% of total vehicle sales. In the last two years, automakers such as BYD, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Hyundai have been targeting the countrys emerging battery electric vehicle (BEV) segment, where local brands are seen to be lagging.

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Kia confirmed it has entered into a distribution partnership with the Sojitz Group, a diversified Japanese corporation operating in the global automotive, infrastructure, energy, and consumer services sectors. Together, they have established Kia PBV Japan, a Sojitz-run sales subsidiary that will oversee Kias PBV strategy in the Japanese market. Kia aims to have eight dealers and 100 service centers in operation nationwide within a year.

The PV5 is powered by a 71 kWh battery pack, providing a range of up to 521 km on a single charge. Kia plans to launch a series of models under the PBV brand in the next few years, including larger commercial vehicle models such as the PV7 in 2027 and PV9 in 2029.

Sangdae Kim, Kia executive vice president in charge of the PBV Division, said in a statement: The PV5 is not just a vehicle - it is a mobility platform designed to meet the diverse needs of customers in Japan. Through our partnership with Sojitz Group, we aim to deliver meaningful solutions that support people, empower businesses, and strengthen local communities, supported by a robust foundation of sales, service, and charging infrastructure. Kia PBV is committed to growing together with Japan as a trusted partner  one who listens, learns, and delivers lasting value."

"Kia enters Japan in partnership with Sojitz Group" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




(JNS)  Jewish families have been banned from living in Saudi Arabia for dec-ades. Is this the model that Democratic House leaders now support for Judea and Samaria?

When 178 House Democrats signed a letter on Sept. 25 to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposing any Israeli move to annex territory in the West Bank, they werent just making a policy statement but endorsing a future where no Jews would live in Judea and Samaria. Do they believe that Jews should be barred from living in their ancestral homelandthe biblical heartland of the Land of Israel? Is it moral to declare any lan...
(JNS)  Documents obtained by the Israel Defense Forces in the Gaza strip show substantial cooperation between Hamas and Al Jazeera, according to a report published on Monday.

That coordination extended to the existence of a secure phone line between the terrorist groups military emergency operations room and the Qatari news agency.

Qatars Al Jazeera gives Hamas a propaganda and psychological warfare platform. Hamas operatives, from rocket launchers to hostage takers, work for Al Jazeera. Terror propaganda is not journalism, Israels Foreign Ministry posted to X on Oct. 21, including a lin...
(JNS)  Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) led 44 Democratic colleagues and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who caucuses with the Democrats, in a letter urging U.S. President Donald Trump to tell Israel that he is opposed to Israel annexing territory in Judea and Samaria.

All of the Democrats in the Senate signed the letter except Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), one of Israels staunchest supporters in Congress.

Since your plan for Gaza does not address the West Bank, it is imperative that your administration reinforce your comments and emphasize its opposition to annexation, the senators wrote.

As longsta...
(JNS)  Freed Hamas hostages Eitan Horn and Nimrod Cohen were discharged on Thursday from Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centers Ichilov Hospital, three days after returning to Israel under the truce deal that secured their release after more than 700 days in captivity in the Gaza Strip.

Sourasky Medical Center said the ex-captives completed all the required medical evaluations before their release and that medical teams would continue to accompany them and their families during their recovery.

Horn, 38, was released to his familys home in the central city of Kfar Saba, where hundreds of ecstatic...
(JNS) - Forty-eight Israeli children who lost a parent serving in the Israel Defense Forces celebrated their b'nei mitzvah on Monday in Jerusalem, in a day-long program that blended joy, remembrance, and unity.

The event, organized by the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization (IDFWO), began with a moving reception at the President's Residence, where President Isaac Herzog and his wife, Michal, warmly welcomed the children and their families. "It's OK to be sad," Michal Herzog told them. "You don't have to be heroes all the time. You'll always have friends and family to help you through hard mome...
(JNS)  The Hamas terrorist organization, through the International Committee of the Red Cross, returned the remains of two more slain Israeli hostages it had been holding in the Gaza Strip.

After being handed over to Israeli forces by a Red Cross team inside the Strip, the bodies were transferred to the Jewish state and received in a military ceremony, the Prime Ministers Office said.

Following an identification process at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine at Abu Kabir in Tel Aviv, the PMO confirmed the hostages identities as Aryeh Zalmanovich and Israel Defense Forces Master Sgt....
(JNS) - The Gaza ceasefire agreement faced its most deadly challenge yet on Sunday following an unprovoked attack by Hamas in southern Gaza that killed two IDF personnel-a company commander and a soldier from the Nahal Infantry Brigade-and severely wounded a third soldier. Hamas conducted at least two other attacks on Sunday as well.

A military official, speaking to reporters on Sunday, stated that some of the IDF personnel targeted in the attacks were working on dismantling tunnel infrastructure on the Israeli side of the yellow line, in which Israel maintains control of 53 percent of the Gaz...
(JNS)  Freed hostage Avinatan Or was discharged Tuesday from Rabin Medical Centers Beilinson Hospital and returned to his parents home in Shiloh, Samaria, eight days after he was released from Hamas captivity in Gaza.

The Petach Tikvah hospital said that Or, who was freed on Oct. 13 as part of the U.S.-brokered deal with Hamas, had passed all medical examinations and would continue his rehabilitation through its unit for ex-captives.

Beilinson will continue to accompany Avinatan and his family, who will receive all the support they need, it added in the statement on Tuesday.

Or made sever...
(JNS) - Rom Braslavski, one of the 20 hostages freed by Hamas as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, was held alone for two years, and was offered better treatment if he agreed to convert to Islam.

His testimony was shared with the media via his mother, Tami Braslavski, at Ramat Gan's Sheba Hospital, where he is being treated.

During some of those two years, his only company was the bodies of murdered hostages, she said. She added that upon his return to Israel, he had reported the location of the bodies to Brig. Gen. (res.) Gal Hirsch, Israel's National Coordinator for the Hostages and the Mis...
(JNS)  Israeli lawmakers on Wednesday passed in preliminary reading two opposition bills to extend legal sovereignty to Judea and Samaria.

One bill, by Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Liberman, seeks to annex Maale Adumim, a large city in the Judean Desert, while a second, by Noam Party head Avi Maoz, concerns all of Judea and Samaria.

The legislation will now be forwarded to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for consideration ahead of three additional votes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had sought to thwart the bills, which were put to a vote as U.S. Vice Presid...
Credit: Stephen A. Smith on YouTube

Everything Stephen A Smith seemed to desire when he signed on with SiriusXM for a weekly political talk show came together on Wednesday night when, after a lengthy sitdown with former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Smith took a live call from Cuomos opponent in the New York City mayoral race, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani.

In one fell swoop, Smith was at the center of a hotly contested political race in his home city.

As part of his weekly Straight Shooter program on the SiriusXM POTUS station, Smith interviewed Cuomo for roughly 40 minutes about the former governors candidacy for mayor. Smith, who previously argued Democrats will have no chance to win future elections if they go the way of Mamdani, gave Cuomo the space to make a very similar argument. Cuomo, who lost the Democratic primary to Mamdani earlier this year and is now running as an independent, claimed that Mamdani is not a New Yorker and is not qualified to be the citys next mayor.

About 45 minutes later, Mamdani called in live to Straight Shooter to rebut Cuomos claims.

What we heard from Andrew Cuomo was not leadership, Mamdani said. It was him spending 20 minutes talking about me because he has no vision left to actually offer New Yorkers.

Mamdani also pledged to join Smith in person for an interview.

Since the presidential election last year, Smith has positioned himself  both as a political commentator and as a potential candidate  as an anti-establishment centrist. Like many others, Smith often argues that the Democratic Party has lost its way, leaving people like him behind. The distinction that makes Smith different from some political operators is that he advocates against the fringe and for the party moving back to the center.

As a result, a race between Cuomo and Mamdani offers Smith an obvious opportunity to make his point. Mamdani, a self-proclaimed democratic socialist, shocked the establishment by beating Cuomo in a grassroots campaign powered by a populist message. This is the exact opposite of where Smith believes the Democrats and America ought to be headed.

What Smith, in his instantly viral conversation with Mamdani live on-air and across his analysis of the race, has overlooked is that Mamdani already won a closely contested primary and is polling at 43 percent in the three-person race for mayor.
(JNS)  In an interview with 60 Minutes host Lesley Stahl that aired on Oct. 19, White House envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff recounted the chronology of events that led to the hostage-for-ceasefire deal that Israel and Hamas signed in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Oct. 9.

Kushner said their approach was rooted in pragmatic realism, which he defined as preventing wars through strength and making deals instead of lecturing the world. The focus, he said, was on shared interests over shared values, working with other nations where goals aligned, and handling disagreements privately to reac...
(JNS)  Likud Cabinet and deputy ministers have signed a letter calling on Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in connection to his ongoing criminal trial.

The letter, dated Oct. 19, was initiated by Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman, who posted it on X.

Unfortunately, today it is already clear to everyone that as long as his trial is underway, which is like a bleeding wound in the body of Israeli society, there will be no unity in Israel, the letter states.

The move comes in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trumps call during his...
(JNS)  A poll in the New York City mayoral race released on Monday shows state representative Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee, with a double-digit lead in a three-way race against independent, former Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo and the Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.

The AARP/Gotham poll of 1,040 likely voters shows Mamdani leading with 43.2% of the vote against Cuomos 28.9 percent and Sliwas 19.4 percent. But those margins would tighten considerably if either of the trailing candidates were to drop out of the race.

In a head-to-head scenario between Mamdani and Cuomo, Mamdani...
(JNS)  A prominent American evangelical leader said Thursday that the faith-based Christian community needs to take a more verbal stand against antisemitism, and shut down people like the right-wing political commentators Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson who feed hatred of Jews and Israel.

The unequivocal remarks come at a time when polls show a drop in support for Israel among young evangelicals due to the fallout from the two-year war in Gaza and follow last months assassination of the American conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was a major advocate for Israel.

We need to be more v...
(JNS)  Four in 10 Jewish Americans say they try to hide their religious identity, according to a new Washington Post poll that also reported almost one in three respondents saying they dont feel safe as a Jew in the United States.

In the survey, 42 percent of respondents said they do not wear, carry or display anything in public that could identify them as Jewish, with 58 percent saying they do. In an American Jewish Committee poll taken in November 2023, a month after Oct. 7, just 26 percent said they hid their Jewish identity, while 73 percent said they did not.

Almost one-third of Jewish...
Israeli FM congratulates new Japanese premier on historic election

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Tuesday congratulated Japans first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, on her historic election.

We look forward to further deepening the partnership between Japan and Israel across various fields and building a prosperous and secure future for both our nations, tweeted Saar.

Takaichi, who leads Japans ruling Liberal Democratic Party, was voted in as premier by a clear majority of the nations parliament on Monday.

While the 64-year-old conservative defeated four men in the r...
(JNS)  Fifty years apart, two disasters in Israel are bound by the same Hebrew word: conceptzia. Following the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the term became shorthand for the conceptual failure that enabled Egypt and Syria to launch their joint surprise attack against the Jewish state.

Translating to something between governing assumption and preconceived notion, it regained prominence in local vernacular following Hamass invasion of southern Israel five decades later.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, conceptzia has become a polemical catch-all for blame over the calamity. This broad use of the term has cr...
(JNS)  As the plane touched down in Thailand, I received the check-in email for my journey back home. Despite the 11-hour flight, I could only stay one day. I had a wedding to officiate upon my return.

As a freelance rabbi (meaning not the head of a synagogue), I serve in a few capacities. I help people join the Jewish religion, I help them marry, and Im a mohel (ritual circumciser), performing the sacred ritual of brit milah (circumcision) in Israel and around the world. The latter was the purpose of my visit to the Far East.

I make these trips regularly because many places in the world d...
(JNS)  What has happened to the camps of sympathetic and understanding Christian traditionalists who had identified Israel, and its Zionist identity, as an ally against Islamism in the struggle against anti-Americanism in the world? Why are some leaving the cause? Why do others have doubts? And why are still others now turning virulently anti-Israel and anti-Zionist, dog-whistling Jew-hatred?

Is it an infection of xenophobic nationalism that can be argued, or is it a theological hatred that cannot be properly checked?

Back in April 2024, in a program ostensibly advocating for Palestinian Chri...
(JNS)  One of the things that has made the Jewish people so unique and has led to our survival throughout history is the sanctity placed upon human life. In Deuteronomy (Chapter 30, Verse 19), it is written: I have placed life and death before you, blessing and curse; and you shall choose life, so that you and your offspring will live.

That is why the Jewish community has struggled with feelings of ecstacy at the homecoming of the remaining living hostages, who have been held for two years in the most brutal conditions imaginable, coupled with pain at those whose bodies are slowly coming ba...
AMSTERDAM, Oct. 18  The Dutch governments unprecedented seizure of Nexperia, a leading semiconductor manufacturer fully owned by Chinas Wingtech Technology, has triggered a global industrial crisis, prompting retaliatory export restrictions from Beijing and casting doubt on Europes commitment to free-market principles and contractual integrity, official documents and industry warnings reveal.

A Timeline of Escalation: From Secret Order to Global Crisis

The turmoil began on Sept. 30, when the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy invoked the 1952 Goods Availability Acta Cold War-era emergency law designed for crises like war or natural disastersto issue a secret order freezing Nexperias global operations. The ministry claimed serious governance flaws at the firm but provided no concrete evidence to support the allegation.

Just days later, on Oct. 4, Chinas Ministry of Commerce responded with targeted export controls, banning Nexperia China (the firms main production hub) and its subcontractors from shipping specific made-in-China semiconductors and components overseas. The move directly targeted Nexperias supply chain, as its Chinese facilities account for over 70% of global output .

On Oct. 7, the Amsterdam Commercial Court dealt another blow, suspending Zhang XuezhengNexperias Chinese CEOand transferring most voting rights to an independent administrator, effectively stripping Wingtech of decision-making power. The Dutch government formalized its takeover on Oct. 12, confirming it would oversee Nexperias operations indefinitely.

In a latest development on Oct. 18, Nexperia China issued a statement announcing plans to operate independently to mitigate disruptions, though it provided no details on how it would bypass the Dutch freeze or Chinese export curbs.

Nexperia: A Once-Booming Sino-Dutch Partnership

Nexperias roots trace to a division of Netherlands-based chip giant NXP Semiconductors, specializing in general-purpose semiconductors critical for cars, home appliances (e.g., coffee machines, washing machines) and low-end mobile devices. After spinning off independently in 2017, it was acquired by Wingtech in 2019 for 34 billion yuan ($4.6 billion), becoming the Chinese firms most valuable overseas asset.

The acquisition was once hailed as a model of Sino-Dutch cooperation. By 2024, Nexperias annual revenue reached 14.7 billion yuan (2.02 billion)roughly one-sixth of Wingtechs total sales. Between 2019 and 2022 alone, its revenue surged from billions of euros to 2.36 billion euros (2.58 billion), with gross profit margins jumping from 25% to 42.4%. It also contributed approximately 130 million euros ($142 million) in annual tax revenue to the Dutch government and employed 3,000 local workers.

Controversy Over Dutch Motives: U.S. Pressure in the Spotlight

Critics argue the Dutch takeover is not about governance flaws but a concession to U.S. geopolitical demands. On Sept. 29one day before the Dutch orderthe U.S. Department of Commerce expanded export controls to target subsidiaries in which entity-listed firms (like Wingtech) hold over 50% stakes.

Dutch Economic Affairs Minister Liesje Schreinemacher denied any link to U.S. policy but admitted in a closed-door hearing that U.S. officials had explicitly requested the replacement of Nexperias Chinese CEO during a June meeting. The pressure is hard to ignore: U.S.-Netherlands annual trade totals 1.7 trillion, dwarfing the 30 billion bilateral trade between China and the Netherlands .

Suspending a CEO and seizing a legally acquired company using a 73-year-old Cold War law sets a dangerous precedent, said Sasha Courtiade, a senior fellow at the Brussels-based European Policy Centre. It tells global investors that Europes rule of law can be sacrificed to align with U.S. strategy..

Global Auto Crisis and Deepening Supply Chain Fragmentation

The crisis has hit the global auto sectorNexperias biggest clienthardest, with ripple effects that are exacerbating the fragmentation of the already strained global semiconductor supply chain. Nexperia controls 19.2% of the global market for automotive power semiconductors and 22.5% for automotive MOSFET chips; one in four cars made in Europe relies on its components.

On Oct. 16, ACEA issued an emergency warning, stating that European carmakers could face production halts within weeks. Volkswagen confirmed its Wolfsburg plant (Germany) is on the verge of shutdown with only three weeks of chip inventory left, while BMW and Mercedes-Benz have paused production of electric vehicle models due to shortages. The crisis is spreading beyond Europe: The Alliance for Automotive Innovation (U.S.) warned supply chain disruptions could hit North America by November, threatening General Motors and Ford, and Japans Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) said the shortage will severely impact global production for its members.

Finding alternatives is daunting: Competitors like Infineon are already operating at full capacity, and certifying new automotive chips can take months. Analysts predict European carmakers gross profit margins could shrink by 2-3 percentage points as they pay premiums for limited supplies. This localized crisis is deepening broader supply chain fragmentationalready strained by U.S.-China tensionsby forcing companies to reorient their sourcing strategies, often at the cost of efficiency. For the world, it underscores how geopolitical rivalry is disrupting critical industrial networks, with ordinary citizens and businesses left to foot the bill.

Dutch Citizens and Businesses Bear the Brunt

In the Netherlands, the takeover has sparked economic pain at the local level. The Dutch Chamber of Commerce estimates that each direct job at Nexperia supports three downstream roles (e.g., logistics, catering), putting nearly 10,000 jobs at risk. In Nijmegenhome to Nexperias R&D centerrestaurants near the train station have reported a 70% drop in orders from Nexperia employees and plan to close. Logistics firms working with Nexperia have already started laying off staff.

Investor confidence has also plummeted. Three Asian tech companies have suspended plans to invest a combined 1.2 billion euros ($1.31 billion) in new facilities in Eindhoven, citing concerns over regulatory unpredictability in the Netherlands.

Ordinary consumers face higher costs, too. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation warned U.S. car prices could rise by 10-15% due to supply shortagesadding 3,000 to 4,500 to the cost of a $30,000 vehicle. Used car prices are also surging, squeezing low- and middle-income households. Were paying for our governments decision to pick sides in a U.S.-China fight, said a Nijmegen restaurant owner, who declined to be named. Its absurd. .

Collapse of the Netherlands Global Reputation

The Dutch governments actions have dealt a catastrophic blow to its long-standing reputation as a free-trade hub built on the principles of rule of law and contractual integritycore assets that once attracted global investors. This damage is visible in both immediate economic fallout and eroding international trust.

Investor confidence has plummeted: Three Asian tech companies have suspended plans to invest a combined 1.2 billion euros ($1.31 billion) in new facilities in Eindhoven, citing concerns over regulatory unpredictability in the Netherlands. The Dutch Chamber of Commerce noted that the takeover has shattered the predictability premium the country once offered, with surveys showing 62% of foreign firms now view the Netherlands as a higher-risk market for tech investments.

Locally, the contradiction between the governments rhetoric and actions has fueled public frustration. The Netherlands previously took a cautious approach to seizing Russian assets over fears of undermining legal norms, yet it has used a decades-old emergency law to target a Chinese-owned firm with no proven links to crisis or security risks. This double standard has drawn criticism from European legal experts, who argue it undermines the EUs claim to be a defender of global trade rules .

Worse, the reputation damage risks long-term economic harm: The Netherlands tech and manufacturing sectors rely heavily on foreign investment and trust in its regulatory framework. A senior analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) noted, Losing the rule of law label is far costlier than any short-term geopolitical gainit could take years to rebuild, if at all. .

A Warning for Global Trade

Analysts warn the Nexperia case is not an isolated incident but a stark warning of how geopolitics is weaponizing economic policy. For the Netherlands, the fallout risks permanent damage to its status as a free-trade leader. For the global community, it highlights the urgent need to protect industrial supply chains from political interferencebefore more sectors and consumers are caught in the crossfire.

As long as governments prioritize geopolitical rivalry over market rules, no industry is safe, Courtiade added. The Nexperia crisis is a wake-up call for anyone who values a stable, interconnected global economy.

Cited Sources
In pics: Deep-Sea Advanced Technology & Equipment Achievement Exhibition in Sanya, China's Hainan

Xinhua) 19:15, October 30, 2025

An exhibitor introduces a product to visitors at the Deep-Sea Advanced Technology &Equipment Achievement Exhibition in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 29, 2025. The exhibition, which took place here from Oct. 28 to 30, featured a total of 123 exhibits including deep-sea operation equipment, unmanned vehicles, communication and navigation devices, sensors, etc., highlighting China's innovative achievements in deep-sea technology. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

This photo taken on Oct. 29, 2025 shows models of underwater gliders at the Deep-Sea Advanced Technology &Equipment Achievement Exhibition in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. The exhibition, which took place here from Oct. 28 to 30, featured a total of 123 exhibits including deep-sea operation equipment, unmanned vehicles, communication and navigation devices, sensors, etc., highlighting China's innovative achievements in deep-sea technology. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

This photo taken on Oct. 29, 2025 shows an atmospheric diving system (ADS), a system enabling divers to work under normal atmospheric pressure in deep-sea, at the Deep-Sea Advanced Technology &Equipment Achievement Exhibition in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. The exhibition, which took place here from Oct. 28 to 30, featured a total of 123 exhibits including deep-sea operation equipment, unmanned vehicles, communication and navigation devices, sensors, etc., highlighting China's innovative achievements in deep-sea technology. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

People visit the Deep-Sea Advanced Technology &Equipment Achievement Exhibition in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Oct. 29, 2025. The exhibition, which took place here from Oct. 28 to 30, featured a total of 123 exhibits including deep-sea operation equipment, unmanned vehicles, communication and navigation devices, sensors, etc., highlighting China's innovative achievements in deep-sea technology. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

This photo taken on Oct. 29, 2025 shows a smart unmanned cruising device for cleaning surface ocean waters at the Deep-Sea Advanced Technology &Equipment Achievement Exhibition in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. The exhibition, which took place here from Oct. 28 to 30, featured a total of 123 exhibits including deep-sea operation equipment, unmanned vehicles, communication and navigation devices, sensors, etc., highlighting China's innovative achievements in deep-sea technology. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Kou Jie)
Nestle, the world's largest packaged food company, has announced it will lay off 16,000 workers globally over the next two years.

The decision comes as new CEO Philipp Navratil pushes forward an aggressive plan to cut costs and boost growth after a challenging year for the company.

The layoffs will affect 12,000 white-collar jobs, with another 4,000 cuts across other departments.

The move is part of Nestle's updated goal to save 3 billion Swiss francs (about $3.14 billion) by the end of 2027, up from its earlier savings target of 2.5 billion francs, CNBC reported.

"We are transforming how we work," Navratil said in a LinkedIn post. "We are evolving and will simplify our organization and automate our processes."

Nestle has not yet shared exactly how automation will be used, but the company said the changes go beyond simply replacing jobs with AI.

Other large companies, especially in tech, have also turned to automation to cut costs, with over 17,000 job losses this year tied directly to artificial intelligence, according to recent reports.

Navratil, who took over as CEO just a month ago, said Nestle needs to "do more and move faster" to keep up with competitors.

He stressed the company will focus on investing in areas with the highest potential and building a performance-driven culture. "Winning is rewarded," he said.

Boycott works. Keep boycotting until all these companies are shut down. Go on https://t.co/tnD6JseXQA  Abubaker Abed (@AbubakerAbedW) October 16, 2025

Nestle Shares Jump 9.3% After Layoff News

The layoffs follow a difficult period for Nestle. Former CEO Laurent Freixe was removed in September after an internal investigation found he had violated company policy by engaging in a romantic relationship with a subordinate.

His predecessor, Ulf Mark Schneider, stepped down amid concerns over poor performance.

Despite leadership turmoil, Nestle showed signs of recovery in the third quarter of 2025.

According to FoxBusiness, the company reported 4.3% organic growth, with real internal growth  which includes product mix and volume  up 1.5%. However, its China operations continue to struggle, pulling down overall results.

Shares of Nestle rose 9.3% following the job cut announcement, lifting the broader European food and beverage sector.

Navratil, who previously led Nestle's Nespresso unit, said his leadership will be focused on execution and value creation. "As Nestle moves forward, we will be rigorous in our approach to resource allocation," he said.

The job cuts are expected to take place gradually through 2026 and 2027.

Originally published on vcpost.com
India trialled cloud seeding over its smog-filled capital for the first time, spraying a chemical from an aeroplane to encourage rain and wash deadly particles out of the air.

Cloud seeding is the practice of using aeroplanes to fire salt or other chemicals into clouds to induce rain.

New Delhi city authorities, working with the government's Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, launched a test run on Thursday afternoon using a Cessna light aeroplane over the city's northern Burari area.

"A trial seeding flight was done... in which cloud seeding flares were fired", Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said in a statement late Thursday.

"This flight was the proving flight for checking the capabilities for cloud seeding, the readiness and endurance of the aircraft, the capability assessment of the cloud seeding fitments and flares, and coordination among all involved agencies."

It comes ahead of a planned rollout of the scheme.

Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that "if conditions remain favourable, Delhi will experience its first artificial rain on October 29."

It was not immediately clear what chemical was used in the test to encourage the rain.

New Delhi and its sprawling metropolitan region of 30 million people are regularly ranked among the world's most polluted capitals, with acrid smog blanketing the skyline each winter.

Cooler air traps pollutants close to the ground, creating a deadly mix of emissions from crop burning, factories and heavy traffic.

Levels of PM2.5 -- cancer-causing microparticles small enough to enter the bloodstream -- at times rise to as much as 60 times UN daily health limits.

Pollution rose this week after days of fireworks launched to mark Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, shooting PM2.5 levels to more than 56 times the limit.

That came after the Supreme Court this month eased a blanket ban on fireworks to allow the use of the less-polluting "green" crackers -- developed to reduce particulate emission.

At dawn on Thursday, PM 2.5 levels were 154 micrograms per cubic metre in parts of New Delhi, according to monitoring organisation IQAir, just more than 10 times World Health Organization limits.

A study found in September that the noxious air is even turning Delhi's iconic 17th-century Red Fort black.

Scientists warned that the UNESCO World Heritage Site is being steadily disfigured by a black crust, according to a study published in the Heritage journal by a joint team of Indian and Italian researchers.

Invented in the 1940s, countries have been seeding clouds for decades to alleviate drought, fight forest fires and even to disperse fog at airports.

China used it in 2008 to try to stop rain from falling on Beijing's Olympic stadium.

But research on the effects of cloud seeding on neighbouring regions is mixed -- and some evidence suggests it does not work very well even in the target area.
Tianjin Fantasy Express officially begins operation

Xinhua) 19:46, October 30, 2025

Passengers communicate inside a themed carriage of the Tianjin Fantasy Express train in north China's Tianjin, Oct. 30, 2025. The Tianjin Fantasy Express, China's first passenger train dedicated to immersive cultural tourism, officially began operation on Thursday. The train features 10 distinctively themed carriages and song and dance performances. It currently operates on a scheduled round-trip service between Tianjin North Railway Station and Jizhou North Railway Station. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Passengers arrive at Jizhou North Railway Station by the Tianjin Fantasy Express train in north China's Tianjin, Oct. 30, 2025. The Tianjin Fantasy Express, China's first passenger train dedicated to immersive cultural tourism, officially began operation on Thursday. The train features 10 distinctively themed carriages and song and dance performances. It currently operates on a scheduled round-trip service between Tianjin North Railway Station and Jizhou North Railway Station. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Passengers braid decorative knots inside a themed carriage of the Tianjin Fantasy Express train in north China's Tianjin, Oct. 30, 2025. The Tianjin Fantasy Express, China's first passenger train dedicated to immersive cultural tourism, officially began operation on Thursday. The train features 10 distinctively themed carriages and song and dance performances. It currently operates on a scheduled round-trip service between Tianjin North Railway Station and Jizhou North Railway Station. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

The Tianjin Fantasy Express train arrives at Jizhou North Railway Station in north China's Tianjin, Oct. 30, 2025. The Tianjin Fantasy Express, China's first passenger train dedicated to immersive cultural tourism, officially began operation on Thursday. The train features 10 distinctively themed carriages and song and dance performances. It currently operates on a scheduled round-trip service between Tianjin North Railway Station and Jizhou North Railway Station. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

This photo taken on Oct. 30, 2025 shows a scene inside a themed carriage of the Tianjin Fantasy Express train in north China's Tianjin. The Tianjin Fantasy Express, China's first passenger train dedicated to immersive cultural tourism, officially began operation on Thursday. The train features 10 distinctively themed carriages and song and dance performances. It currently operates on a scheduled round-trip service between Tianjin North Railway Station and Jizhou North Railway Station. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Passengers enjoy themselves inside a themed carriage of the Tianjin Fantasy Express train in north China's Tianjin, Oct. 30, 2025. The Tianjin Fantasy Express, China's first passenger train dedicated to immersive cultural tourism, officially began operation on Thursday. The train features 10 distinctively themed carriages and song and dance performances. It currently operates on a scheduled round-trip service between Tianjin North Railway Station and Jizhou North Railway Station. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Passengers arrive at Jizhou North Railway Station by the Tianjin Fantasy Express train in north China's Tianjin, Oct. 30, 2025. The Tianjin Fantasy Express, China's first passenger train dedicated to immersive cultural tourism, officially began operation on Thursday. The train features 10 distinctively themed carriages and song and dance performances. It currently operates on a scheduled round-trip service between Tianjin North Railway Station and Jizhou North Railway Station. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Passengers enjoy themselves inside a themed carriage of the Tianjin Fantasy Express train in north China's Tianjin, Oct. 30, 2025. The Tianjin Fantasy Express, China's first passenger train dedicated to immersive cultural tourism, officially began operation on Thursday. The train features 10 distinctively themed carriages and song and dance performances. It currently operates on a scheduled round-trip service between Tianjin North Railway Station and Jizhou North Railway Station. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Kou Jie)
News / Religion

by Gideon Madzikatidze | Gauteng, South Africa

JOHANNESBURG -The Council for Churches in Africa (CCA) has concluded its inaugural summit with a resounding call for religious institutions to partner with governments in addressing some of the continent's most urgent challenges, including drug and substance abuse, gender-based violence, and harmful socio-cultural practices.Delegates from over 25 African countries gathered under the theme "United for Africa's Transformation: Building Partnerships for Peaceful Development." The summit emphasized the role of churches in promoting justice, unity, and sustainable development.Kenyan delegate Apostle Pamala Bii said the summit empowered church leaders to complement government efforts in fighting societal ills. "It is our duty as clergy to ensure communities live and thrive in a just environment," she said.Liberian Reverend Dr Wallah Sormallah Wilsitoe echoed the need for genuine engagement with authorities to address cultural imbalances and foster peace. Nigerian representative Chewi Judah described the summit as "an eye-opener" for building unified responses to social challenges.Archbishop Dr Rocky Moyo, founder of the CCA, reaffirmed the clergy's commitment to tackling gender-based violence and substance abuse. "We recognise the critical role we can play in supporting government efforts to address these issues," he said.Key resolutions included:- Partnering with governments to combat drug abuse and gender-based violence- Promoting interfaith dialogue and cooperation- Engaging traditional leaders to challenge harmful cultural norms- Contributing to national dialogues and constitutional processes- Establishing Canon law to protect congregants and promote religious toleranceThe summit marked a significant step toward strengthening interfaith collaboration and positioning churches as vital agents of social transformation across Africa.
South Korea put political weight behind its bold, high-stakes bid to sell submarines to Canada on Thursday as Prime Minister Mark Carney got a look at one of the countrys new boats and toured the shipyard that would do the construction.

South Korea Prime Minister Kim Min-seok accompanied Carney during the visit to the Hanwha Ocean Ltd. facility in Geoje, 96 kilometres from Gyeongju, where the Asia Pacific Cooperation (APEC) summit is being held. Earlier in the day, Carney also met with South Koreas new president, Lee Jae Myung.

Hanwha Ocean and its partner Hyundai Heavy Industries have been fairly aggressive in pitching the KSS-III (Batch 2) submarine to Canada, delivering an unsolicited, detailed proposal to the federal government last winter  just ahead of the last election.

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The submarine Carney got to see was only recently launched and built for the South Korean navy. Yet, in a bold marketing move, it flew a Canadian flag from its mast, while a second boat under construction nearby had Korean and Canadian banners draped across it.

Aging subs to retire by 2035

Showing the prime minister the boat under construction was a not-so-subtle demonstration by the Koreans that their production lines are active and they can live up to the pledge to deliver four submarines to Canada by 2035  the navys deadline to begin retiring the four, old Victoria-class boats.

Defence Minister David McGuinty and Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, also took the tour.

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"It's a beautiful submarine," Topshee told journalists on Thursday. "Really impressed with the size of the submarine, the quality of the crew accommodations, the layout of the combat information centre, where the submarine is controlled from. It's an impressive boat."

Carney smiles as he climbs down a ladder into a submarine during the tour. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Carney didn't offer any remarks after the tour and a meeting with the company's top executives.

Hanwha Ocean executive, Steve Jeong, a former vice-admiral in the Korean navy, said Carney had a lot of specific questions and seemed impressed with what he saw.

The visit was significant because its a sign the federal government is prepared to move swiftly toward a decision, perhaps as soon as next year.

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While in Berlin in August, Carney announced the hunt for a few submarine builders had been narrowed down to two companies, Hanwha Ocean and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Kiel, Germany, which the prime minister visited.

South Korea's competition: Germany

One of the weaknesses in the German bid is that Canada likely wouldnt see the first TKMS-built submarine until 2032, and it would be later in the decade when the other boats arrive.

The submarine replacement program will be managed out of the newly created Defence Investment Agency (DIA).

The cabinet secretary in charge of it, Stephen Fuhr, said a few weeks ago that Ottawa will favour the submarine pitch that creates the most Canadian jobs when it decides whether to award a contract.

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Canada's shipyards don't have the capacity or technical know-how to build submarines. But the CEO of TKMS and Germany's procurement minister have suggested that building some of the boats in Canada could be a possibility.

However, McGuinty appeared to pour cold water on the notion Thursday.

"We're well on the way right now in terms of conducting this procurement with two established manufacturers, one in Germany and one here in Korea," said McGuinty. "And having visited both of their facilities, I can say this: setting up a manufacturing site for submarines is not an uncomplicated thing. "

Here, Carney, left, can be seen on his tour of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, a submarine-building facility in Kiel, Germany. He's accompanied by Minister of Industry Melanie Joly, second from right, and Germany's Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius on Aug. 26. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

Topshee was more blunt, saying he needs the boats now.

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"We're not looking for either of the submarines to be built in Canada, to be honest, because Canada right now does not have any capacity to build submarines," Topshee said, referring to both the Korean and German proposals.

"Ultimately, how the government decides it would like to proceed is a decision for government."

Both the Korean and the German submarines meet the navys requirements, but Topshee acknowledged the replacement project doesn't yet have an approved budget.

The numbers are still being refined by defence planners, he said.

"I'm not sure when the government will make a decision about the full funding," Topshee said. "I would expect that this does fit in within the government's commitment to get to the NATO target at five per cent," he continued, referring to Canada's promise to increase defence spending.

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McGuinty acknowledged the budget has yet to be established and wouldn't say when it would happen. He echoed Topshee in saying that the submarine replacement would be included in that NATO target.

"Canada is committed to meeting its two per cent GDP [NATO] target by March 31," the minister said. "We're well underway."

The cost of underspending

The tour came one day after the Parliamentary Budget Office released a report that quantified how much the Trudeau government underspent on equipment over seven years.

Between the fiscal years of 2017-18 to 2023-24, actual capital defence spending fell short of planned amounts by $18.5 billion, said the analysis, released Wednesday.

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The assessment does not look at the Carney government's recent commitment to reach the NATO benchmark defence spending target of five per cent of GDP.

But it questions the ability to get there.

The scale of the planned increase raises questions about the governments capacity to manage a higher volume of procurement activity and the domestic defence industrys ability to support it," said the report.
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's leading hotel companies, has signed a management agreement with DC Constructions, the construction vertical of Urban Oasis Hospitality, for the development of Holiday Inn Express Siliguri Bagdogra Airport. The 100-key greenfield hotel is scheduled to open in 2028, further strengthening IHG's presence in Eastern India and expanding the reach of the brand across key travel corridors.

Strategically positioned near Bagdogra International Airport, the new Holiday Inn Express Siliguri Bagdogra Airport is poised to serve the influx of business and transit travellers in Siliguri. As a key commercial hub in West Bengal, the city acts as a vital gateway to the Eastern Himalayas, North-East India, and international borders of Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.

As IHG's largest and fastest-growing brand with over 3,200 hotels globally, Holiday Inn Express delivers more where it matters mostoffering travellers simple, smart hospitality designed to balance efficiency with comfort. With the rollout of its Generation 5 design, the brand continues to elevate the essentials, combining flexible workspaces and refreshed aesthetics tailored for both business and leisure stays.

Holiday Inn Express Siliguri Bagdogra Airport is the latest addition to the brand's 17 hotels in the country, with another 21 in the pipeline, all focused on delivering consistent, value-driven experiences.

IHG currently has 51 hotels operating across six brands in India, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, voco Hotels, Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express, and a strong pipeline of 72 hotels due to open in the next 3-5 years.

Hotel website
Makeready, the Dallas based hospitality company that creates, manages, and operates independent hotel, restaurant, and retail brands, is pleased to announce the expansion of its sales leadership team with the appointment of Suya Davenport as Vice President of Leisure Sales. She joins William Bullens, Vice President of Sales, in advancing the company's dynamic commercial strategy.

This expanded leadership team marks an important milestone for Makeready as the company continues to invest in a best-in-class sales organization and broaden its presence in new and emerging markets nationwide. Together, these leaders will guide leisure, group, and global account strategies that deepen relationships, drive revenue, and strengthen awareness for Makeready's 13 story-driven hotels.

Suya Davenport joins Makeready as Vice President of Leisure Sales, bringing more than 35 years of experience in global luxury travel and hospitality to her new role. She will lead leisure sales strategy across Makeready's 10 destinations, strengthen relationships with key travel partners, and drive brand visibility in high-value markets. Davenport most recently served as Vice President of Global Sales - Travel Industry at Pyramid Global Hospitality and has held senior leadership roles with Benchmark Resorts & Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, and LXR Luxury Resorts.

This leadership change comes as Makeready continues to expand its portfolio, now managing The Laylow in Waikiki, Clayton Hotel & Members Club in Denver, and The Greenleigh in Houston, set to open in 2026, further strengthening the company's presence in key lifestyle and independent hotel markets. Together, this leadership team will shape Makeready's next chapter of growth, enhancing the company's ability to connect with clients around the world, deepen relationships with partners, and deliver exceptional experiences that reflect the brand's signature sense of place.

For more information on Makeready, please visit https://makereadyexperience.com/.
Skift Global Forum East returns this October, this time to Abu Dhabi, with a bold lens on where power is shifting in global travel, and how the Middle East is helping define what's next.

As platforms evolve, travelers change, and new centers of gravity emerge, this Forum will spotlight how governments, CEOs, creators, and communities across the region and beyond are shaping travel's next chapter.
In the hotel industry, responding to guest enquiries quickly and accurately is key. At the same time, many operators struggle with freeing their teams from repetitive tasks. This was the exact challenge KINGs Hotels in Munich wanted to solve: giving staff more time for quality guest interactions and driving more direct bookings.

Since early 2023, KINGs Hotels has been using HiJiffy to improve its guest communication. With ongoing staff shortages in the hospitality industry and guests expecting quick answers on channels like WhatsApp, a smart technological solution was essential. This case study showcases key data from HiJiffy alongside insights from KINGs Hotels to outline clear steps for improving the guest experience across multiple properties, improve service quality and streamline operations.

The Client: KINGs Hotels

KINGs Hotels is a distinct hotel group in Munich. It is a trusted brand, expertly blending tradition and innovation. With three properties, the elegant KINGs HOTEL First Class, the charming KINGs HOTEL Center, and the modern AdvaStay by KINGs, they set standards within hospitality. Each of these hotels combines the brands distinctive style with the warm hospitality KINGs are known for.

What makes KINGs Hotels stand out is their dedication to excellent service and smart use of modern technology. By integrating innovative tools into daily operations, theyve taken personal guest care to the next level. With a sharp eye for detail and a forward-thinking approach, KINGs Hotels consistently set the standard for exceptional hospitality.

Owner Hanna King puts it succinctly: Were ahead of the curve when it comes to introducing new technology.

This statement isnt just a promise; its proof of the courage to take new approaches. The implementation of an all-encompassing communications platform is just one example of their commitment to innovation.

The Challenges

Like many hotels, KINGs Hotels dealt with challenges in guest communication and managing daily operations effectively.

Relieving the Front Office team

Front office staff were overloaded with repetitive and routine enquiries. Constantly answering the same questions, such as

What time is check-in?, was not only time-consuming but also unsatisfying for skilled staff. Being asked to explain check-in for the fifth time totally undervalues our employees, explains Ms King.

The aim was to reduce these repetitive dialogues, so staff could focus on more complex, value-adding tasks.

Meeting guest expectations

Todays guests expect quick, straightforward answers. Instead of picking up the phone, they prefer digital channels, especially WhatsApp. KINGs Hotels recognised the growing importance of this channel and looked for a way to ensure reliable, continuous availability for their guests.

Lack of a centralised communications platform

Before introducing HiJiffy, there was no unified solution to manage communications across multiple channels, like the website chat, WhatsApp, or booking platforms like Booking.com and Expedia. This led to inefficient workflows and fragmented guest communication.

By introducing the innovative HiJiffy solution, KINGs Hotels aimed to achieve these goals and take the guest experience to a new, outstanding level.

Implementation and launch

Ms King stressed that rolling out the new solution involved careful planning and a clear communications strategy.

Dealing with team scepticism

From the very beginning, the entire team was involved and their feedback incorporated every step of the way. The staff was trained to get them comfortable with the new technology. Being open and transparent was crucial for addressing any concerns about these digital changes early on. The processes were reviewed regularly during the launch to stay flexible and meet challenges head-on. This step-by-step method made for a smooth rollout that worked for everyone.

Initially, the team was hesitant about the new technology, as changing routines is often met with scepticism. Effective change management was essential to get everyone on board. The focus was on clearly communicating the benefits of the solution, which helped convince the team and guide them successfully through the transition.

The Solutions

To address these challenges, KINGs Hotels implemented HiJiffys communications platform. The solution was carefully chosen to automate and centralise guest communication across multiple channels.

With the expert support of HiJiffys Customer Success Team, KINGs Hotels significantly improved the guest experience in the pre-stay phase. At the same time, key challenges such as relieving the reception teams were effectively tackled, with no compromises on efficiency or service quality. The result: a thoroughly improved, convenient experience for guests.

Introduction of a centralised communications platform

The HiJiffy platform was rolled out to the webchat on the hotel website, WhatsApp, and the messaging services of OTAs such as Booking.com and Expedia. One crucial factor in its success was the ongoing training of AI content. An assigned member of the KINGs Hotels team actively monitors and updates the systems replies to ensure they remain high-quality and relevant. For more complex or highly specific enquiries needing human expertise, a smooth handover ensures that a staff member can take over the conversation promptly.

Answering FAQs

HiJiffys conversational AI, specialised in over 200 hospitality topics, instantly and automatically replies to traveller questions. It offers a 24/7 service through web chat, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger.

WhatsApp as the Primary Communications Channel

WhatsApp has become the key channel for pre-arrival and in-stay communication. To add a personal touch, the Crowny chatbot was introduced. This virtual assistant greets guests and is on hand for their queries.

Guests are highly appreciative of this, as Ms King confirms: We get loads of messages starting Hello Crowny. Guests pin the conversation so they can find it easily.

For the hotel, the communication channel itself is secondary: its the contact that matters.

How a guest gets in touch doesnt matter, the main thing is that they reach out, says Ms King.

This pragmatic view underscores the focus on accessible, guest-oriented communication.

The Results

The introduction of the HiJiffy platform at KINGs Hotels quickly delivered measurable success. The quantitative data from January to May 2025 demonstrate the effectiveness of the solutions implemented:

18,000 conversations handled in total across the platform.

handled in total across the platform. 88.4% automation rate across all channels, meaning nearly nine out of ten enquiries were resolved without staff intervention.

across all channels, meaning nearly nine out of ten enquiries were resolved without staff intervention. 89% Chatbot CSAT (Customer Satisfaction Score), showing a high level of guest satisfaction with automated replies.

(Customer Satisfaction Score), showing a high level of guest satisfaction with automated replies. 91% WhatsApp automation, highlighting the strong results on this channel. The WhatsApp concierge campaigns were widely used by guests.

Top channels and most frequent questions

Usage data analysis showed a clear split across the main channels:

Website Widget (45.6%) WhatsApp (30.9%) Booking.com Messaging (15.1%) Expedia (8.4%)

The most common questions (top FAQs) answered by the system automatically were mainly about basic service information:

Check-in Parking Breakfast

Qualitative effects and new areas of work

Alongside the impressive numbers, automation also brought qualitative changes. Front desk duties shifted away from repetitive Sisyphean tasks to real, meaningful guest communication. This had a positive impact not only on team morale, but also on the quality of guest service.

Ms King highlights that the teams role has changed: Go into guest communication. I dont see doing pointless work as good or rational for either our employees or companies. This clear vision fosters a working environment in which interpersonal skills are used exactly where they add the most value.

A win for guests and staff

The success of KINGs Hotels shows how a strategic approach to artificial intelligence can move hospitality forward in positive ways. Automating standard enquiries not only frees up resources and increases efficiency, but also improves work quality for staff and the service experience for guests.

The results are clear: A high rate of automation alongside high guest satisfaction shows that technology and genuine hospitality can work together. KINGs Hotels have found a way to meet the expectations of todays travellers and provide a motivating work environment for their teams.

Testimonials

Implementing HiJiffy was another milestone in the digital development of our hotels. Weve been able to noticeably improve the efficiency of our guest communications and raise guest satisfaction to a new level. Whats especially impressive is how easily the automation fits into our processes. Our staff are now free from repetitive work and can focus on what really matters: personal contact and supporting our guests as individuals. Its also fantastic how much our guests embrace the Crowny virtual assistant  many even save the conversations. This technology has helped us work more efficiently and achieve our vision of modern hospitality that appeals to a wide range of clients. Hanna King  CEO at KINGs Hotels

At HiJiffy, were proud to work with clients like KINGs, where innovation and guest service excellence are top priorities. HiJiffy has been successfully adopted across the hotel group, with automation and central enquiry management making ongoing improvements to both booking processes and the guest experience.

The high acceptance of the virtual assistant among guests also shows how technology can add value to service. At the same time, staff are freed from repetitive tasks and can focus more on genuine personal interaction. Stefanie Valerio, Onboarding Representative at HiJiffy

About HiJiffy

HiJiffy was founded in 2016 with the mission of developing the most advanced conversational AI for hospitality. Seeking the perfect connection between hotels and their guests, HiJiffy created a powerful Guest Communications Hub.

Powered by its proprietary AI across the full guest journey, HiJiffy allows hoteliers to increase revenue from direct bookings and upselling while automating repetitive tasks to reduce operating costs and mitigate staff shortages.

In 2025, more than 2,100 hotels in over 60 countries reimagine guest communications with HiJiffy's omnichannel solution featuring cutting-edge tech innovations like self-learning AI, sentiment analysis, voice assistance, generative AI, and more.

Maciej Czajka

Brand & Content Manager

HiJiffy, S.A

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Unlike generic fintechs retrofitted for tourism, HotelRunner Ruby is travel-native: unifying bookings, payments, and compliance in real time. Alongside tackling long-standing settlement delays and frictions, Ruby delivers faster, more transparent, and regulation-ready payment flows, reshaping the financial backbone of global travel commerce. More than settlement, this is just the beginning of a roadmap transforming how global travel moves money.

Built on the HotelRunner platform, Ruby goes far beyond conventional cross-border payment solutions. With full visibility and control over the entire reservation lifecyclefrom booking creation to in-stay updates, it synchronizes and reconciles every financial transaction between travel agencies and accommodation partners in real time, delivering unmatched accuracy, automation, and trust.

As travel becomes increasingly global and complex, its financial needs have outgrown generic solutions. Cross-border flows, multi-currency transactions, real-time settlements, and industry-specific regulations require infrastructure that is native to travel, not retrofitted from traditional finance. Ruby embodies this evolution, an end-to-end financial layer embedded directly in the B2B travel experience. Payments and settlement partners distributed globally power Rubys issuing and processing capabilities. With Ruby, a travel agency in Germany can instantly and autonomously pay a hotel in Thailand in local currency, all through a single, intelligent, and compliant platform built to move the travel economy forward.

Ruby represents a leap forward for the global travel economy. We understand the pain points of agencies, hotels, and suppliers because weve been building alongside them for over a decade. Ruby is our answera financial infrastructure engineered to accelerate growth, eliminate inefficiencies, and future-proof the industrys money movement. Rza Kaynak, Director of Demand Partnerships at HotelRunner

HotelRunner recently announced a global strategic partnership with Visa to deliver seamless, end-to-end financial infrastructure for the travel industry. At the heart of the global alliances, Ruby serves as the connective layer uniting HotelRunners ecosystem of partners, establishing the foundation for a new era of embedded finance in travel.

The infrastructure integrates policy and compliance intelligence, including KYC management, ensuring every transaction meets global standards with precision. Beyond compliance, Ruby redefines travel financeeliminating friction, automating oversight, and creating total transparency across every flow of money. By uniting data, compliance, and payments in one autonomous system, Ruby aims to become the financial operating layer of the global travel economy, powering billions in seamless transactions every year.

With its early-adopter ecosystem of travel agencies and over 10,000 pre-enrolled accommodations across key growth markets, including Europe, the Middle East, and AsiaRuby is targeting to process more than USD 4 billion in transactions annually, helping countries with ambitious tourism goals capture a larger share of global travel demand. Ruby will continue to roll out new acquiring, issuing, and settlement partnerships, and collaborations with the finance industry, expanding its reach and capabilities globally, offering a strong and widespread financial network for the global travel economy.

About HotelRunner

HotelRunner is a global travel and hospitality technology platform building the digital and financial infrastructure of the travel industry. Its integrated solutions in operations, sales, connectivity, and revenue management help thousands of accommodations and travel agencies grow profitably and operate with data-driven precision. Through AI, automation, and embedded finance, HotelRunner is redefining how travel businesses connect, transact, and scale worldwide.

HotelRunner is a Visa Preferred Strategic Partner, Booking.com Premier Connectivity Partner and Best Overall Performing Partner, Expedia Group Preferred Connectivity Partner, Airbnb Preferred Software Partner, Agoda Strategic Partner, Oracle, Hotelbeds, trivago, and Google Hotel Ads strategic partner.

For more about HotelRunner, visit the website.

Media Relations Contact: [email protected]

HotelRunner Media

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Paris  Essendi, a leading hotel owner and operator in Europe, announces the strategic sale of its portfolio of assets in Argentina to ISWM Group. The portfolio is composed of five hotels located in Buenos Aires and Mendoza. This transaction is a key step in Essendi's asset management strategy, aimed at consolidating the Group's positioning in the economy and midscale segments in Europe.

Since 2021, Essendi has been pursuing the transformation of its hotel portfolio, focusing on the most profitable, mostly owned assets in the economy and midscale segments in Europe, to increase their quality and value. This strategy is also reflected in recent initiatives such as the opening of the new TRIBE Krakow Old Town in Poland, the buy-back of the ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge, and the renovation of the Novotel Zurich Airport Messe.

With the strategic disposal of its Argentina assets, 96% of Essendi's hotel portfolio is now located in Europe, underlining the Group's commitment to strengthening its presence and creating long-term value in this key market.

At this stage, Essendi continues to own a portfolio of hotels located in Latin America (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru), for which the Group is actively collecting and analyzing investment proposals from interested parties.

About Essendi

At Essendi, we do more than operate hotels: we create the dynamics that make them thrive. As a European leader in the economy and midscale segments, we invest and operate with a single ambition: to transform each asset into a sustainable, vibrant, and meaningful place. We combine asset management and operational excellence to unlock the unique potential of every hotel.

Present in 24 countries with 20,000 employees, we operate 576 hotels under internationally renowned brands such as ibis, Novotel, and Mercure, etc.

Wherever we are, we are committed to fostering positive hospitality, acting for the benefit of our business, our teams, and the world around us.

Learn more at Essendi.com
If youve been anywhere near LinkedIn lately (including my profile), youve probably been hit by an alphabet soup of acronyms: AI, GenAI, AEO, GEO, MCP, A2A, and maybe even a mysterious agentic something.

Dont panic. Lets decode all of this (hotel-style) so you can finally nod along in meetings without needing a translator.

1. What Is AI?

AI (Artificial Intelligence) is basically software that can think a little.

Instead of following rigid, pre-coded instructions, it learns patterns and makes decisions  like your night auditor whos seen every possible scenario and now just knows what to do.

In short: AI = computers that reason instead of just calculate.

Youve already met AI. Its behind your RMS (predicting rates), your chatbots (pretending to care about late check-outs), and your Netflix recommendations (because apparently you love Emily in Paris).

2. What Is GenAI?

Generative AI (GenAI) is the flashy cousin of traditional AI  it doesnt just analyze; it creates.

Text, images, videos, code, you name it. The most prominent representative of this type of AI is ChatGPT, responsible for most of the buzz in the last few years because it was the first product publicly available to the mass market for free (leading to democratization of AI).

If traditional AI is your RMS generating your forecast, GenAI is your marketing intern writing your newsletter while sipping an oat-milk latte.

Its what powers ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and all the other chatty robots that can write, design, summarize, and brainstorm faster than any human (but still occasionally make things up with great confidence).

3. What Is AEO (or GEO)?

Heres where it gets relevant to your hotel life.

AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) or GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is the new SEO.

In the old days, you optimized your website so Google would rank it high on page one.

Now, with AI search, guests no longer click ten links  they ask ChatGPT, Gemini, or Perplexity a question and get one single answer and maybe just a few recommendations.

Your mission: make sure your hotel is that answer.

So instead of chasing keywords like best beachfront hotel in San Diego, youre optimizing for AI engines that think contextually  meaning your content must be clear, structured, verified, and trustworthy enough for an AI to quote it.

Its like convincing the worlds most overachieving concierge to recommend you.

If youd like to know how to make it happen (its actually not hard), go here: iravouk.com/aeo/

4. What Is MCP?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is the new plumbing behind AI.

Think of it as a universal connector that lets AI systems securely access real-world data  rates, inventory, guest info, you name it.

Before MCP, every AI integration was custom  like trying to connect a European hair dryer in a U.S. outlet. Now, MCP is the USB-C of AI, a standard that allows any AI model (like ChatGPT) to connect to any data source (like your booking engine).

Thats why Expedia and Booking.com are already plugged into ChatGPT using MCP  so when travelers ask, Expedia, find me a hotel in Paris next weekend, the ChatGPT can actually show availability and prices pulling them from Expedias database.

Hoteliers, take note: youll want to be part of that conversation before the OTAs monopolize it (again). Talk to your booking engine provider and ask if theyre adapting to the MCP model.

5. What Is Agentic AI?

Agentic AI means AI that doesnt just talk  it acts.

Traditional AI gives you answers. Agentic AI sets goals and gets things done.

It can plan, reason, and execute multiple steps without waiting for you to tell it what to do next.

In hotel terms:

Regular AI = Heres how you can improve your RevPAR.

Agentic AI = I went ahead and adjusted your rates, launched a campaign, and ordered croissants for tomorrows breakfast crowd.

Its AI with initiative  like a digital version of your best front-desk manager who quietly solves five problems before you even know they existed. In your personal life it may be your AI assistant talking to ladies on dating apps and setting up a date for you. All you need to do is show up.

This is still in its rudimentary stage but evolving fast. Currently, this is already possible through:

ChatGPT Agent mode (still very clunky but will soon evolve into full-blown assistant)

Building your own agent via Zapier or Make (pretty easy to do, even if youre not a techy and never coded anything) and giving it an AI brain using one of the connections (for example OpenAI)

Building your own agent using your own tech stack (if youre a techy)

6. What Is A2A?

A2A (Agent-to-Agent communication) is when these smart agents start talking directly to each other  without you.

Your guests AI assistant could chat with your hotels AI to check rates, redeem points, and confirm an early check-in  all while youre still trying to find your reading glasses.

Its like your reservations department getting a call from a robot concierge that already knows your availability, loyalty rules, and upsell offers. Or, a personal life example: your AI assistant talking to other AI assistants on dating apps setting up dates for you. All you need to do is show up.

In short: A2A = direct machine-to-machine communication and action.

7. Bonus Term: MCP-Identity (MCP-I)

As agents start talking, theyll need to know whos who.

Thats where MCP-Identity comes in  a digital passport that verifies whether an agent is legitimate (the actual Hilton bot, not some hackers clone).

Its basically SSL for AI  the trust layer that will make A2A communication safe and verifiable.

The Bigger Picture

So lets recap your new AI vocabulary:

 Source: Ira Vouk Hospitality 2.0 Consulting

Why Hoteliers Should Care

Because this isnt tech hype  its the next evolution of technology that affects all of us.

Soon, travelers will ask AI to book their trips, not search for them.

Whether they end up in your hotel or your competitors will depend on whether your data, content, and systems are ready for these new conversations.

So dont roll your eyes at the acronyms. Learn them.

Because the next time someone asks, How do we prepare for AI?

You can smile and say, Dont worry  I speak fluent MCP.

Ira Vouk

Ira Vouk Hospitality 2.0 Consulting
Minor Hotels to Open Tivoli Palazzo Risorgimento Lecce Hotel in Italy by 2026 - Image Credit Minor Hotels



Minor Hotels plans to open the Tivoli Palazzo Risorgimento Lecce in Italy's Puglia region by April 2026 following renovations.

Minor Hotels has announced plans to expand its Tivoli Hotels & Resorts brand with the opening of a new property in Lecce, Italy. The Tivoli Palazzo Risorgimento Lecce is scheduled to open in April 2026, following a comprehensive renovation.

The hotel will be situated in Lecce's historic center, on Via Imperatore Augusto, between Piazza Sant'Oronzo and Piazzetta Santa Chiara. The property will feature 45 guest rooms, a ground-floor restaurant, and a rooftop lounge bar offering views of the Cathedral Bell Tower. Additional amenities will include a wellness area with a pool, treatment rooms, a Turkish bath, and a gym.

The location of the hotel provides access to several key attractions within walking distance, such as the Roman Amphitheatre in Piazza Sant'Oronzo, the Basilica di Santa Croce, and Lecce Cathedral. The property is also approximately a 20-minute drive from nearby beaches. Lecce is accessible via Brindisi Airport, which is a 35-minute drive away, and is connected by high-speed rail to major Italian cities.

This development marks an expansion of Tivoli Hotels & Resorts in Italy and contributes to Minor Hotels' portfolio, which will include 60 properties in the country. The opening of Tivoli Palazzo Risorgimento Lecce aims to enhance the city's hospitality offerings in Lecce, a city renowned for its Baroque architecture and vibrant cultural scene.
Ascott Signs Agreement for New Serviced Residence in Lagos, Nigeria - Image Credit Aleph Hospitality



The Ascott Limited has signed a franchise agreement for Somerset Admiralty Way Lagos, a new serviced residence in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria, set to open in October 2028.

The Ascott Limited announced the signing of a franchise agreement for Somerset Admiralty Way Lagos, a serviced residence in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria. The agreement was signed with Admiralty Hotel Company Limited and Aleph Hospitality during the FHS World event in Dubai on 29 October 2025.

The Somerset Admiralty Way Lagos will be developed as a greenfield project by Admiralty Hotel Company Limited and operated by Aleph Hospitality. The property will feature 135 serviced apartments and is scheduled to open in October 2028. Facilities will include a restaurant, bar, meeting rooms, swimming pool, and fitness center.

This development is part of Ascott's strategy to expand its presence in Nigeria, complementing the upcoming Citadines Purplelekki Lagos. With the addition of Somerset Admiralty Way Lagos, Ascott's portfolio in Africa will include 22 properties across countries such as Kenya, Morocco, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Senegal, totaling over 2,500 units either in operation or under development.

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The expansion aligns with Ascott's regional strategy to achieve 20% annual growth over the next five years in the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey. By 2030, the company aims to have 15,000 units in operation or under development in the region.

Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, is a key market for the hospitality industry, attracting over 1.3 million international visitors annually. The city serves as a hub for multinational corporations and is undergoing significant infrastructure development, including the construction of the Lekki Deep Seaport and a proposed new airport. The Somerset Admiralty Way Lagos will be located along Admiralty Way in Lekki, near Victoria Island and the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

The project is currently in the pre-design stage, with Ascott's Project and Technical Services team working with the appointed architect and Aleph Hospitality to ensure compliance with brand specifications and sustainability standards.
Taraneh Azimi - Image Credit Caribbean Tourism Association



The Caribbean Tourism Organization has appointed Taraneh Azimi as its Business Development and Marketing Manager.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) announced the appointment of Taraneh Azimi as its new Business Development and Marketing Manager. Azimi will be responsible for enhancing the organization's brand presence and developing strategic partnerships to support tourism growth in the Caribbean region.

Azimi, who has over ten years of experience in marketing and business development across various industries, including travel and hospitality, will focus on expanding revenue opportunities and strengthening the CTO's engagement with partners. Her role will involve spearheading initiatives aimed at promoting the Caribbean as a global tourism destination.

The CTO's decision to appoint Azimi comes as part of its broader strategy to increase the region's visibility in international markets. Azimi's previous experience includes leading marketing and communication strategies for brands such as British Airways.

The appointment is effective immediately, and Azimi is expected to collaborate with the CTO team and its partners to implement new strategies that align with the organization's goals. The CTO aims to leverage Azimi's expertise to advance its mission of promoting sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean.

Azimi holds a degree in Management and Marketing from Royal Holloway, University of London. Her professional background is complemented by her involvement in various charitable and mentoring activities, which she continues to pursue alongside her new role at the CTO.
AI and the Future of Music Licensing: From Uncertainty to Opportunity

Music supervisors  the people who choose and license songs for film, TV, and ads  are often the gatekeepers to massive exposure for indie songwriters. A single placement can reach millions of new listeners and open career-changing doors. But as AI-generated tracks flood the market, authentic, human-made songs are more valued than ever.



AI and the Future of Music Licensing: From Uncertainty to Opportunity

Guest post by Chris SD of Sync Songwriter

The Sync Bottleneck: AIs Legal and Logistical Dilemma

Somewhere, its midnight and a filmmaker, music supervisor, or indie creative is racing against the clock to find a song for the last spot in their film, show, or ad. They stumble on the perfect track, but then suddenly, the placement falls apart. Why? Because under current U.S. law, music created solely by artificial intelligence is not eligible for copyright protection. No copyright means no ownership, and no ownership means no license to grant. And heres the problem: theres no clear legal definition yet of what constitutes meaningful human authorship. For licensing professionals, that uncertainty is a risk few are willing to take. Supervisors, studios, and networks increasingly require proof of authorshipnot just out of caution, but to protect their own liability. If you cant confidently secure the rights, you cant place the track.

Where AI Is Already Embedded

AI is quietly infiltrating the TV & film world. It has already become ubiquitous for fast-turnaround, cost-conscious platforms or formats like stock music libraries, temp tracks, corporate videos, OTT adsyou name it.

Everywhere else producers lean on AI for rapid demos and idea generation; artists use it like a digital sketchpad. For them, its not about replacing human creativity; its about accelerating early-stage ideation.

What Still Requires a Human Touch

So which approach will triumph? The good news for songwriters is high-profile syncs in prestige TV, cinematic spots, emotionally complex ad campaigns cant be conjured by algorithm alone. These placement decisions demand context, nuance, emotional authenticity that is far beyond AIs current toolkit.

Think of your song landing in the biggest movie of the year or a major streaming program; these opportunities demand a human story. No AI substitute can deliver the emotional resonance that supervisors and licensing teams need.

The Industry Is Splitting in Two: The Two-Track Evolution

The future looks like it will be two diverging tracks:

Track 1: Quick, efficient, AIpowered music for demos, background cues, temp beds, cheap content formats.

Quick, efficient, AIpowered music for demos, background cues, temp beds, cheap content formats. Track 2: Deeply human, emotionally grounded music for top-tier sync placements where storytelling matters most.

This split is not theoreticalits already happening. The question for publishers, rights organizations, and sync teams isnt whether AI will play a role. Its how to differentiate, vet, and validate content in a way that protects creative assets while embracing innovation

AI and Music Licensing Toolkit for Songwriters

Heres how creators can thrive:

Use AI ethically and strategically, mostly as a creative springboard, never the full solution.

Document all your own contributions, like melody tweaks, lyric rewrites, and your own performance. That record becomes critical if questions of ownership arise.

Register your songs with ASCAP, BMI, and the U.S. Copyright Office. Even in the AI era, registration remains non-negotiable for protection and monetization.

Frame your songs backstory, your intent, influence, and emotional connection so supervisors see the human behind the music.

Be transparent: increasingly, supervisors will ask outright whether a track was AI-generated or assisted. Your openness is actually a selling point.

Industry Response & Ethics

While much of the AI world pushes ahead with an ask forgiveness, not permission approach, licensing gatekeepers and PROs are responding. ASCAP, BMI, and legislative agents are rolling out guidelines that emphasize transparency and protect human creativity. Universal Music Group and other big publishers are demanding bans on unauthorized use, insisting rights and attribution be respected.

This is not just a business decision, it is a moral stake in the future of creative ownership.

Conclusion: Embrace AI Wisely

AI can be a powerful catalyst, but when misused, it can wipe away any copyright claims you think you might have. The licensing world still pays premiums for authenticity, emotional intelligence, and a great storyline. Those qualities remain uniquely human. Use AI to help with the concept, but invest in the craft. Then, when opportunity calls, youre not just ready, youre irreplaceable.

Chris SD is an award-winning music producer, sync licensing mentor, blogger, and founder of Sync Songwriter (https://syncsongwriter.com).

Hes earned five Juno Awards (and seven nominations, including Engineer of the Year), built a reputation as the go-to guy for sync for indie songwriters, and helps them get placed in top TV, film, and ad campaigns. Through his flagship online program, The Art of the Song Pitch, he not only teaches artists how to license their music but also personally introduces songwriters to industry-leading music supervisors.

AI and the Future of Music Licensing: From Uncertainty to Opportunity first appeared on Hypebot.com.

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With ASCAP, BMI and SOCAN Unity, a New Era for Human Creators and AI Tools

Honoring human authorship and authenticity, even when AI tools are used in the creative process, the three major North American PROs will now accept registrations of partially AI-generated musical works.

ASCAP, BMI and SOCAN Announce Alignment on AI Registration Policies

In a major show of unity, North Americas three largest performance rights organizations (PROs)  ASCAP, BMI, and SOCAN  have announced a coordinated move to allow registration of partially AI-generated musical works.

The new AI policy, revealed jointly in New York and Toronto on October 28, 2025, mark a significant step toward defining how artificial intelligence fits into the professional music ecosystem. This might not sound like something beneficial to artists, but lets break down what exactly this means, and why its something to keep an eye on!

What the New Policies Mean

Under the new alignment, each organization will now accept registrations for compositions that combine human creativity with elements generated by AI tools. If a songwriter uses AI to assist their creative process  generating chord progressions, melodic fragments, or lyric suggestions  that song can now be formally registered and earn performance royalties, just like any other copyrighted work.

However, works that are entirely created by AI  with no human authorship or creative input  remain ineligible for registration. This distinction echoes broader industry and legal discussions about authorship, ownership, and what qualifies as original creative expression under copyright law.

Defending Creators in the AI Era

ASCAP, BMI, and SOCAN collectively represent the vast majority of songwriters and composers across the U.S. and Canada. By aligning their policies, the three societies have sent a unified message about the importance of keeping human creativity at the center of musics future.

This reaffirms the PROs opposition to AI developers that use copyrighted music to train their models without authorization, stressing that this kind of unlicensed data scraping is not fair use, but theft  a position increasingly shared by songwriters unions and industry coalitions. To this end, each PRO has also supported legislative and legal efforts to strengthen protections for music creators. ASCAP, BMI, and SOCAN have all backed initiatives from the U.S. Copyright Office, the White House, and the Government of Canada to ensure that copyright law keeps up with emerging technology.

Elizabeth Matthews, CEO of ASCAP, welcomes partially AI-generated works because AI can be a powerful tool for our members  as long as the law puts humans first and technology companies play fair. and Jennifer Brown, CEO of SOCAN, described the policy as a legal and ethical path forward that allows music to evolve while keeping creativity deeply human.

Why This Matters for Working Artists

Until now, artists who used AI-assisted tools like Suno, Udio, or Anthropics Melody model to generate ideas faced uncertainty:

Would their songs qualify for royalty collection?

Would co-writers or collaborators be credited properly?

The new policy gives both clarity and a route for fair compensation to artists experimenting responsibly with new technology.

This also marks a subtle but important shift in how the creative process is understood. Many artists already rely on digital plugins, machine learning-based mastering, and generative lyric prompts. By explicitly acknowledging these hybrid workflows, ASCAP, BMI, and SOCAN are recognizing the reality of modern music-making  and ensuring artists dont have to choose between innovation and income.

And finally, it shows that the institutions tasked with protecting artists rights and income, really do have artists best interests in mind; and that at least for now, theyre working to cement those rights in the wake of fast, unpredictable change.

For working artists, this means something simple but powerful: you can experiment with AI without losing your rights.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than 1.1 million songwriters, composers and music publishers, and represents some of the worlds most talented music creators. Founded and governed by songwriters, composers and publishers, it returns nearly 90 cents of every dollar collected to its members as royalties and has the lowest overhead rate of any U.S. PRO.

Celebrating over 80 years of service to songwriters, composers, music publishers and businesses, BMI is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in over 22.4 million musical works created and owned by more than 1.4 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers.

SOCAN is Canadas largest member-owned music rights organization, with over 200,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers as its direct members. We licence the public performance and reproduction of music, match royalties to rights holders, and advocate for fair compensation for the use of all music in Canada.

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Clark Art Presents Lecture on Laurent D'arveiux and the King's Bible

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  On Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 5:30 pm, the Clark Art Institute's Research and Academic Program hosts a talk by Julie Harris (Independent Scholar / Clark Fellow) examining French consul Laurent d'Arvieux's 1683 discovery of a Hebrew Bible written and illuminated in medieval Iberia three hundred years earlier.

The talk takes places in the Manton Research Center auditorium.

According to a press release:

His purchase of the codex should not surprise us: d'Arvieux was one of a cadre of European diplomats and travelers in the middle east in search of so-called Oriental manuscripts, particularly early Bibles, to ship back to scholars and royal libraries in their home countries. What is surprising, however, is that in this case d'Arvieux was not content merely to acquire the Bible, which is now in the British Library in London, but also arranged for additions to be made to its decorative program. Three richly painted, full page illuminations comprising a Title Page (8r), a depiction of the Name of God (2r), and a list of the Ten Commandments (7v) are the most sensational of these additions. At first glance, these folios seem related to accepted decorative entities found in other illuminated Iberian Hebrew Bibles. In reality, they reveal an early modern Christian's notion of how a Hebrew Bible should be decorated.

Julie Harris is a specialist in the art of medieval Iberia. She has published on ivory carving, the fate of art and architecture during Reconquest warfare, illuminated Hebrew manuscripts, and the exhibition of pre-Expulsion Jewish ceremonial objects. Recent publications have appeared in Manuscript Studies, Ars Judaica, Gesta, the Journal of Medieval Iberian Studies, Medieval Encounters, and Abstraction in Medieval Art: Beyond the Ornament, edited by Elina Gertsman (2021). She holds a PhD from the University of Pittsburgh. In 2020 she was Center for Spain in America Fellow at the Clark Institute for her project on the decorative Carpet pages of Iberian Hebrew Bibles. Harris served as the Fishman Family Scholar in Jewish Studies at Vassar College in Spring 2024.

Free. Accessible seats available; for information, call 413 458 0524. A 5 pm reception in the Manton Research Center reading room precedes the event.
Dalton Police Station Consultant to Create 'Fictitious' Rendering

DALTON, Mass.  Public Safety Advisory Committee members are conflicted on how to proceed with the proposed public safety facility project.

With a presentation deadline looming and constraints from Select Board members, committee members struggled to agree on a path forward.

After an hour-long discussion on Oct. 16, members of the members reached a compromise.

They agreed to have their consultant, Brian Humes of Jacunski Humes Architects LLC based in Berlin, Conn., create a rendering of both a one-story and a two-story station on a "fictitious" parcel that resembles the lot next to the Senior Center.

Residents need to know the projected cost and design of a police facility to make an informed decision, said co-Chair Don Davis.

Earlier in the meeting, however, Davis advocated for Humes to create a test fit and cost estimate on the Senior Center lot and the Main Street parcel.

The motion failed, resulting in a tie with Davis and member Ryan Flanders voting for it, and co-Chair Craig Wilbur and member David Martindale voting against.

Martindale explained his decision stems from the Select Boards directive not to look at privately owned sites.

Wilbur was concerned that Humes would not have enough time to gather the information by the committee's Dec. 31 deadline for its report to the Select Board.

"We weren't asked to necessarily provide a detailed cost estimate," he said.

It wouldnt be detailed because we have no land figure. We were asked to put together something that we can present to the community, and I think that's really what's needed," Davis said.

"This was the same motion I put in a couple months ago," he said, emphasizing his belief that the project has stagnated.

The longer the wait, the more the project is going to cost, he added, and the committee has been asked for a long time what this project would cost and the committee can never give an assessment.

The Senior Center lot, old Dalton High, is town-owned, while the Main Street parcel is private property, so the town would have to pay to procure it.

The chair and vice chair of the Select Board have made it clear they do not want the facility on anything but a piece of publicly owned property, said interim Town Manager Henry "Terry" Williams.

"Then wouldn't it be great if those two members said that publicly and stopped letting us take the heat because the problem is they say this in closed-door meetings and they don't say it in public meetings and this committee is the one taking the heat for it," Police Chief Deanna Strout said.

Select Board member Anthony "Tony" Pagliarulo stated that despite the board leaders' request for the committee not to gather pricing for privately owned land, he personally believes it is acceptable to seek this information because the public should know.

The question remains, however, does the town want to take money that could be used on the town parcel to gather information on a site that may not be used, he said.

It has been demonstrated during previous meetings that utilizing town-owned land for a new facility would be the most cost-effective option, saving between $1 million to $3 million since the town would not need to purchase property.

The problem: The Senior Center lot is the only town-owned location with enough space to house a public safety facility.

Some residents have expressed disapproval of having a police station there because of concerns, including that police will accidentally run people over. "That's not reality," Strout said.

"The difficulty is  our hands are a little tied because we have Select Board members, who I haven't seen at a meeting yet, tell us that we only will let you do this on town-owned property," Strout said.

"Meanwhile, our residents voted against that. So, what do we actually do  We need guidance from the Select Board as a whole."

Based on feedback from community members, a majority of people want to save money and use the Senior Center location for a safety facility, the police chief said.

"The town needs to look at the best interests of the community as a whole, not a small special interest group," she said.

The committee also considered evaluating the property behind the Senior Center, bordering High Street, which is less conspicuous, Strout said during a previous meeting.

However, during the Oct. 16 meeting, it was announced that Humes said the parcel behind the Senior Center is irregular in size and with the setbacks and right of ways is not suitable for building any sort of police department to meet the department's needs, Wilbur said.

Pagliarulo questioned this determination, highlighting that the size may be adequate with zoning variances.

"Chapter 40 allows us to go through a process, via the town, via the Select Board, to change that and change the setbacks," he said

Wilbur explained that for Humes' rendering, he has to go based on the current bylaws and zoning regulations and cant take into consideration potential changes in the future.
The Senate on Wednesday narrowly passed a resolution that would repeal President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada after passing a similar resolution Tuesday that would repeal tariffs on Brazil.

Republicans Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell and co-sponsor Rand Paul voted with all Senate Democrats to pass the measure by a 50-46 margin. It needed only a simple majority to pass.

Five Republicans voted with Democrats on Tuesday to pass the Brazil tariff resolution. That resolution would terminate the emergency declaration that Trump made in July and, as a result, lift the tariffs that were imposed on Brazilian goods as a result.

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Trump raises tariffs on Canada 10% after Reagan ad airs during World Series

The vote on the Canadian tariffs comes after Trump announced earlier this week that he's adding an extra 10% tariff on Canadian imports because a negative TV commercial from the Ontario government that featured a speech by former President Ronald Reagan in which he said tariffs hurt Americans long-term.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images - PHOTO: Vice President JD Vance talks with reporters after attending the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon on the 28th day of the federal government shutdown at the U.S. Capitol, October 28, 2025 in Washington.

Much like the resolution on Brazilian tariffs, the Canada legislation was brought forward by Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer, Tim Kaine, Mark Warner and Amy Klobuchar and Paul and would repeal the emergency declaration Trump is using to impose tariffs on Canada.

Murkowski, Collins and McConnell joined Paul and Democrats in an effort earlier this year to approve similar legislation that would have repealed Trump's tariffs on Canada. That legislation cleared the upper chamber in April, but the House never took it up.

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Both resolutions are privileged, so there is nothing the Republican majority can do to prevent them from being brought up for a vote.

As new tariffs take effect, US consumers footing more than half the burden: Report

But it's highly unlikely that the House would take up any bill that the Senate passes aimed at curtailing Trump's tariffs. Even if the House were to take up the bill, any resolution would also have to be signed by Trump, who would certainly reject it.

During a closed-door Republican lunch before the the Senate took up the Brazil resolution on Tuesday, Vice President JD Vance urged Republicans to vote against it.

"If you look at what we're doing in Asia, if you look at all of the trade deals, the trade barriers that have been dropped by foreign countries on American consumers, they are happening because the president United States has been willing to use tariffs to give American workers and American farmers a better deal," Vance said. "To vote against that is to strip that incredible leverage for the president United States. I think it's a huge mistake, and I know most of the people in there agree with me."
giovedi 30 ottobre 2025, 13:44

 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This article is automatically translated

The cash was headed to Gambia. A lot of money. Surprised with cash hidden in 'Corn Flakes' boxes: the Guardia di Finanza of the Provincial Command of Rome, together with officials from the Customs and Monopolies Agency, stopped a West African citizen at the international departures area of Fiumicino airport for routine anti-fraud checks. The man, who was about to leave the national territory bound for Gambia, after passing the passport control without making the required customs declaration, was subjected to a check by the Fiumicino Group soldiers and Customs Officials. During the check of the checked luggage, cash totaling 162,620.00 euros was found hidden inside 'Corn Flakes' boxes. In the absence of the required customs declaration, an administrative seizure of the sum of 152,620.00 euros was carried out, in violation of currency regulations (pursuant to art. 6 of Legislative Decree 195/2008). The activity is part of the broader device to combat the export of cash to non-Schengen countries set up by the Guardia di Finanza, in collaboration with the Customs and Monopolies Agency.
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The United States will share closely held technology to allow South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine, President Donald Trump said on social media Thursday after meeting with the countrys president.

President Lee Jae Myung stressed to Trump in their Wednesday meeting that the goal was to modernize the alliance with the U.S., noting plans to increase military spending to reduce the financial burden on America. The South Korean leader said there might have been a misunderstanding when they last spoke in August about nuclear-powered submarines, saying that his government was looking for nuclear fuel rather than weapons.

Lee said that if South Korea was equipped with nuclear-powered submarines, that it could help U.S. activities in the region.

U.S. nuclear submarine technology is widely regarded as some of the most sensitive and highly guarded technology the military possesses. The U.S. has been incredibly protective of that knowledge, and even a recently announced deal with close allies the United Kingdom and Australia to help the latter acquire nuclear submarine technology doesnt feature the U.S. directly transferring its knowledge.

Trumps post on social media comes ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose country possesses nuclear submarines, and after North Korea in March unveiled for the first time a nuclear-powered submarine under construction. Its a weapons system that can pose a major security threat to South Korea and the U.S.

As Trump visited South Korea, North Korea said Wednesday it conducted successful cruise missile tests, the latest display of its growing military capabilities.

Pentagon officials didnt immediately respond to questions about Trumps announcement on sharing the nuclear sub technology with South Korea.

Trump is set to meet face-to-face with Chinese leader Xi Jinping Thursday, a chance for the leaders of the world's two largest economies to stabilize relations after months of turmoil over trade issues.

Trump's aggressive use of tariffs since returning to the White House for a second term combined with China's retaliatory limits on exports of rare earth elements have given the meeting newfound urgency. There is a mutual recognition that neither side wants to risk blowing up the world economy in ways that could jeopardize their own country's fortunes.

In the days leading up to the meeting, U.S. officials have signaled that Trump does not intend to make good on a recent threat to impose an additional 100 per cent import tax on Chinese goods  and China has shown signs it is willing to relax its export controls on rare earths and also buy soybeans from America.

Trump went further aboard Air Force One on his way to South Korea, telling reporters he may reduce tariffs that he placed on China earlier this year related to its role in making fentanyl.

I expect to be lowering that because I believe that theyre going to help us with the fentanyl situation, Trump said, later adding, The relationship with China is very good.
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The Yupik community was spared from much of the widespread devastation remnants of Typhoon Halong brought to Alaska earlier this month, but it experienced a different type of loss.

The storm surge consumed dozens of feet of shoreline near the edge of the Bering Sea, a culturally significant archaeological site, washing away possibly thousands of unearthed artifacts.

About 1,000 pieces  wooden spoons, toys, a fishing lure, a fragment of a mask that was preserved for hundreds of years in permafrost  were recovered in the low tide in the western Alaska community of Quinhagak.

But many more pieces  perhaps up to 100,000  were left scattered, said Rick Knecht, an archaeologist who has worked on the Nunalleq, or old village, project for 17 years. That's roughly the number of pieces previously recovered from the archaeological site.

Meanwhile, freezing temperatures and ice have settled into the region, stalling immediate efforts to find and recover more displaced artifacts on searches done by four-wheeler and foot.

open image in gallery Wooden spoons and toys collected ( AP )

Knecht called what happened a major loss. The site has yielded the world's largest collection of pre-contact Yup'ik artifacts. Much of what's known about Yup'ik life before outsiders arrived stems from the project, said Knecht, an emeritus senior lecturer in archaeology at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.

When there are holes or disturbances in the site, its like trying to read a book with holes in the pages. You're going to miss a few things, he said. And the bigger those holes are, the weaker the story gets. Theres a few holes in the book right now.

While the name of the original village isn't known, it was attacked by another village and burned around 1650, he said. Knecht has worked with elders and others in Quinhagak to combine their traditional knowledge with the technology and techniques used by the archaeology teams to study the past together.

Quinhagak has about 800 residents, and subsistence food gathering is critically important to them.

The storm dispersed artifacts from a site long preserved by permafrost, Knecht said. A longstanding concern has been the threat that climate change  melting permafrost, coastal erosion, the potential for more frequent or stronger storms  has posed to the site, he said.

open image in gallery Freezing temperatures and ice have settled into the region, ( AP )

It poses risks to the community itself. Erosion threatens major infrastructure in Quinhagak, including a sewage lagoon, homes and fish camps. Thawing permafrost is also unsettling and undermining buildings, according to a 2024 report from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.

The excavation project itself began after artifacts began appearing on the beach around 2007. Part of the site that washed out had been excavated previously.

There was a big chunk where wed only gone about halfway down and left it for later because we prioritized parts of the site that were most at risk from marine erosion, Knecht said.

When he left in July, there was a roughly 30-foot buffer to the sea. The storm took out the buffer and another 30 feet of the site, he said. It also left what Knecht described as piano-sized clumps of tundra on the tidal flats.

Knecht didn't recognize the site at first after Halong.

I just drove right by it because all the landmarks Im used to on the beach and at the site were gone or changed, he said.

Work to preserve the rescued artifacts has included soaking the marine salts from the wood and placing the pieces in special chemicals that will help them hold together when they dry out, he said. If one were to just take one of the wooden artifacts off the beach and let them dry, they'd crack to pieces, sometimes in a matter of hours.

There is a lab at the museum in Quinhagak where the artifacts are kept.

Archaeologists hope to return to the site next spring for a rescue excavation of layers exposed by the storm, he said. In some ways, it feels like when teams saw the site in 2009: Weve got this raw site with artifacts popping off in every way, he said. So were starting from scratch again.
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An angler in Sweden has uncovered an extraordinary medieval cauldron of historic jewellery and around 20,000 coins while digging for worms.

The lucky fisherman recovered the cauldron while searching for bait in Stockholm County, according to a translated statement from the areas administrative board. It is believed to be one of the biggest silver hoards from the Middle Ages ever found in Sweden.

Stockholm County authorities described the haul of decorated coins and ornate jewellery dug up near the private individuals summer cottage as an unusually large and well-preserved find weighing around 6kg.

open image in gallery Some coins bore the inscriptions of King Knut Eriksson ( Lansstyrelsen Stockholm/Richard Gronwall, Uppdrag arkeologi. )

Incredible pictures show the ornate pieces in extraordinarily good condition, although experts said the metal cauldron had degraded. Archaeologists are now working to examine the collection and date the pieces.

Sofia Andersson, an antiquarian at the County Administrative Board of Stockholm, said the discovery is one of the largest silver hoards from the early Middle Ages ever found in Sweden.

We dont yet know exactly how many coins there are, but I believe it could be up to 20,000, she continued.

Most of the objects are well-preserved, though unfortunately, the copper cauldron that contained them is not.

open image in gallery Archaeologists are now inspecting the find ( Lansstyrelsen Stockholm/Richard Gronwall, Uppdrag arkeologi. )

Some of the coins bear inscriptions of King Knut Eriksson, who ruled Sweden between 1173 and 1195. He is known for organising the Swedish currency system and establishing a fortress on the site of Stockholm.

Other coins are inscribed with images of churches and the image of a bishop, which is believed to have been made on behalf of a medieval clergyman.

During the Middle Ages, so-called bishops coins were minted in parts of Europe  coins produced on behalf of a bishop, the statement said. The hoard contains several such coins depicting a bishop holding a crozier in his right hand.

The release added, The County Administrative Board will also report the find to the Swedish National Heritage Board, which will decide whether the state will redeem the treasure  that is, compensate the finder.

She added the finder had done exactly the right thing by handing the treasures in: According to the Cultural Environment Act, anyone who finds an ancient object made of silver or a hoard is required to offer it to the state for redemption in exchange for payment.
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The alleged stalker of Madeleine McCanns parents was told in court that it was blindingly obvious that her DNA did not match that of their daughters.

Julia Wandelt, 24, is accused of peddling the myth that she is Madeleine while stalking Kate McCann and her husband Gerry by sending emails, making phone calls, leaving voicemails and turning up at their address.

Wandelt, a Polish national, from Lubin in south-west Poland, dabbed her face with a tissue at points during her evidence, broke down in tears while saying I didnt do anything wrong and told the court she should not be in the witness box.

Prosecutor Michael Duck KC asked Wandelt if she still entertains the belief that Mr McCann could be her father, to which she replied: Its neither no nor yes.

Mr Duck said it was blindingly obvious Wandelts DNA profile does not match Madeleines.

The prosecutor asked: Assuming the profile is Madeleines, do you accept that by simply looking at it, it has nothing to do with you?

Wandelt said: Assuming that this belongs to Madeleine, then yes.

Wandelt added that Mrs McCann hid things from a police investigation and the jury in her trial.

She told the jury at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday, during her fourth day of giving evidence: If my memories are wrong, why did Kate McCann hide more contact she had with me when I explained my memories? She didnt tell it in court.

If Im wrong, why did she hide the fact most of the voicemails were about my memories?

open image in gallery Julia Wandelt (left) is accused of peddling the myth that she is Madeleine McCann while stalking her parents Kate and Gerry ( Elizabeth Cook/PA )

If Im wrong, why did she hide this part? Why did she hide this or some information that is relevant.

Mr Duck asked if she was suggesting Mrs McCann withheld information from the jury or the investigation, and she replied: Both.

The jury has heard that Wandelt claims to have memories of her abduction and of living with the McCann family.

Mr Duck asked: Do you understand your advances were unwanted? and Wandelt responded: No, because at the end of the day, this is a person looking for their child so I didnt assume this contact was not wanted.

The prosecutor asked: You were being ignored werent you? and Wandelt replied: Yes I was, by a person looking for their child.

Asked why she thought they did not respond, Wandelt said: Maybe they were not allowed to. I just could not believe, and still cannot believe, the parents of a missing child dont want to follow a lead.

Wandelt added: But I wasted three-and-a-half years of my life working out who I am I think Im in the wrong place. I should not be in the witness box today.

She said she thought the reason the McCanns did not respond to her is because they have been threatened.

With a tissue in her hand, Wandelt broke down in tears and said: Why am I standing here? I didnt do anything wrong.

The court heard Wandelt sent a message to Mrs McCann saying you are corrupted and you never wanted to find Madeleine, its so sad.

Speaking about why she sent this, Wandelt said: I was very sad and emotional. I just said a few more things I probably shouldnt have said because its not my belief. Thats how I felt being ignored by everyone.

I dont believe shes corrupt. It was difficult for me. I regret saying this part. I was emotional, it was too much for me to deal with.

open image in gallery Wandelt said that Karen Spragg had been verbally aggressive towards Mrs McCann when they visited her home last year ( Joe Giddens/PA )

Its a human thing to react this way after being pushed away for about two years.

Wandelt said that Karen Spragg had been verbally aggressive towards Mrs McCann when they visited her home in December last year, adding: Sorry Karen.

Asked if Spragg had been aggressive, Wandelt said: I dont want her to have any problems. She did, verbally, because of the emotions. She was as frustrated as me.

The court heard Wandelt had told Spragg not to shout at Mrs McCann during their interaction with her.

Mr Duck asked: You thought it was intimidating for somebody in Mrs McCanns situation, didnt you?

Wandelt replied: Yes.

Asked about money offered to her by a friend called Steven Dempster for a DNA test, Wandelt said she wanted to use it to take legal action in a family court.

She said: Thats why I came to the UK to then have this DNA profile officially compared to the crime scene DNA and then go to court, to family court, and take legal action.

Wandelt and her co-defendant, Spragg, 61, of Caerau Court Road in Caerau, Cardiff, both deny one count of stalking.

The trial continues.
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Prince Andrew is set to lose his royal titles in the latest chapter in his humiliating downfall.

The royal  once widely believed to be Queen Elizabeth IIs favourite child  had faced calls to step away from public life forever after harrowing details of the allegations against him were laid bare in Virginia Giuffres bombshell posthumous memoir.

The 65-year-old, who denies any wrongdoing, had also come under mounting pressure to give up his 30-bedroom royal mansion - which he will now leave - and start cooperating with the FBI in their investigation of the paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

The revelations have reignited calls for the Metropolitan Police to investigate the royal, after the force repeatedly declined to open a full inquiry into claims that he slept with Guiffre in London when she was 17.

The Met has looked into allegations relating to Andrew and Epsteins activities in London three times, and opted not to investigate.

Giuffres brother and sister-in-law, Sky and Amanda Roberts, said this month that if the Met refused to act, police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) should review the decision. The IOPC has not received a referral on the issue, The Independent understands.

It has been more than 20 years since a member of the royal family faced a criminal investigation. Princess Anne was charged with an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act in 2002, after her dog bit two children in Windsor Great Park.

open image in gallery Prince Andrews links with Jeffrey Epstein remain under scrutiny following the revelations in Virginia Giuffres memoir ( PA )

The Independent has reviewed what criminal allegations, if any, Andrew could face in Britain and the US.

Met Police looking into allegations of a bid to smear Giuffre

The Met Police have confirmed they are actively looking into fresh allegations that Andrew tried to use his police bodyguard to smear his accuser.

The Mail on Sunday claims to have seen leaked emails from 2011 in which Andrew said he had handed over Giuffres confidential social security number (SSN) and date of birth to his taxpayer-funded Met Police protection officer, apparently in a bid to dig up dirt on her.

Andrew reportedly wrote in an email to Ed Perkins, Queen Elizabeths deputy press secretary: It would also seem she has a criminal record in the [United] States. I have given her DoB [date of birth] and social security number for investigation with XXX, the on duty ppo [personal protection officer].

Giuffres family have said she does not have a criminal record, and it is not clear whether or not the bodyguard complied with the request.

The Mets former head of royal protection, Dai Davies, has urged the force to question the royal under caution if there is evidence that he abetted a police officer to commit the criminal offence of misconduct in public office.

It is time for Scotland Yard to launch a full criminal investigation into Prince Andrew, he told the Mail.

Asking a police officer to investigate an alleged victim is outside of their duties, whether that is calling the FBI, your mates in the US, or searching out themselves to find out whether someone has a criminal offence. That is, in my view, a criminal offence.

open image in gallery Prince Andrew pictured with Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell. The royal claimed that the image had been doctored ( United States District Couty for the Southern District of New York )

According to legal experts, the allegations could also prompt a criminal investigation in the US. Under the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act, individuals who knowingly use, transfer, or possess another persons SSN with the intent to commit an illegal act can face a fine or a prison term in the most serious cases.

Spencer Kuvin, who represented nine victims of Epstein, told The Telegraph: Penalties for this crime are very severe and can be up to 15 years in prison.

He called for the FBI to immediately open an investigation into Andrews alleged use of Guiffres SSN, and to request an interview with the royal, adding: Both the US and British authorities should not protect this awful individual. The world should hold Andrew accountable and show everyone that justice matters.

However, the Met has not confirmed whether it has launched an official investigation, or what crime, if any, this could potentially involve. A spokesperson added: We are aware of media reporting and are actively looking into the claims made.

Family court and womens rights barrister Dr Charlotte Proudman said that the bodyguard claims, if true, would represent a deeply troubling abuse of power.

The idea that public resources could be used to discredit a victim of sexual exploitation reinforces why so many survivors feel unsafe coming forward, she told The Independent.

This is not only about individual conduct, but about the wider failure of institutions  including the police  to confront misogyny and hold the powerful to account.

Andrew accused of having sex with Giuffre

Giuffre, who took her own life in April this year, claims that she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times, including once in London. The prince has always vehemently denied the claims.

Andrew is mentioned a total of 88 times in Giuffres 400-page diary-style memoir Nobodys Girl, which was published on Tuesday.

In her book, Giuffre alleges that she was 17 and had been trafficked when she first slept with the royal while staying at Epsteins former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwells house in London. She says they had sex after a night at the Tramp nightclub  describing Andrew, then 41, as a bumbling dancer.

The next day, she claims, Maxwell told her: You did well, the prince had fun. Later, she claims, Epstein gave her $15,000 for servicing the man the tabloids called Randy Andy. Giuffre claims that she was sent to a bedroom to have sex with Andrew again a month later, when he was visiting Epsteins New York home.

open image in gallery Guiffre mentions Andrew 88 times in her posthumously published memoir ( BBC/Panorama )

Giuffre wrote that she did not know exactly when shed had sex with Andrew for the third time, but that she had taken part in group sex with the royal and eight other young girls on Epsteins Caribbean island of Little Saint James, also referred to as Little Saint Jeffs by the billionaires friends.

In March 2022, Andrew paid Giuffre an undisclosed amount  estimated to be around $16m  to settle a civil lawsuit in the US, but he accepted no liability in relation to her allegations of sexual assault. She brought the case under the New York Child Victims Act, because it allowed her to raise allegations that would otherwise have fallen outside the statute of limitations in US law.

Given that one of the alleged assaults took place in London, the Met Police have come under pressure to investigate the matter.

The fact that Giuffre claims to have been 17 at the time does not in itself mean the incident was a crime, because the legal age of consent in the UK is 16. However, if it could be proved that Giuffre was a victim of sex trafficking, or that Andrew paid for the encounter, its possible that this could have criminal implications for the prince.

Former Met commissioner Cressida Dick claimed that no one is above the law when she promised to review documents from the civil suit Giuffre filed in 2021, but the force later confirmed that it was taking no further action against the prince.

It was the third time the Met had refused to launch an investigation. Issues police considered, according to Ms Dick, were whether there was evidence of a crime, and whether the UK was the right jurisdiction to deal with the case.

Dr Proudman called for the Met to reopen its investigation, adding that she believes the force has an entrenched problem with misogyny and a pattern of minimising violence against women and girls.

open image in gallery Pages in Guiffres memoir Nobodys Girl, in which the author details her allegations against Prince Andrew ( AFP/Getty )

In light of further evidence that has now come to light in her book, it is difficult to understand why the Met have not reopened their investigation into Virginia Giuffres original allegations against Andrew, she said.

This is not just about one man or one case, it is about whether the police are prepared to confront their failures to protect women, especially when the accused is powerful. The investigation should be reopened so that survivors can have confidence that no one is above the law.

Andrew under pressure to help the FBI

Cabinet minister Peter Kyle on Tuesday urged Andrew to cooperate with the US authorities and give evidence about Epsteins crimes.

In 2020, a federal investigator accused Andrew of providing zero cooperation with the US inquiry into Epstein and his conspirators, despite having promised that he was willing to help when he stood down from public duties in 2019.

This week, business secretary Mr Kyle urged him to stick to his word, telling ITVs Good Morning Britain: I think anybody that has any information that could bring justice and information to victims of Jeffrey Epsteins crimes should be fully engaging with any of the authorities that are seeking to deliver that information and justice for the victims.

He added: Those victims must be first, and they must be central to how we discuss and debate any of these issues relating to the Jeffrey Epstein ... situation, and the crimes he committed. So of course, anybody, anywhere that has information that can deliver that justice should be sharing it openly.

I believe that Andrew, in the past, has said that he would cooperate, and I urge him to stick to his word on that.

Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick agreed that Andrew should give evidence to the US authorities about what he knew and what his involvement was in the scandal.

Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673)

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you
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King Charles is stripping Prince Andrew of his titles and honours and evicting him from his royal residence.

A formal notice has been served on Andrew to surrender his lease at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

The Kings decision comes after growing pressure to oust Prince Andrew from the lodge over his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations from Epstein victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre.

Read the Kings statement in full:

His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.

Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation.

Prince Andrew pictured last month ( PA )

These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.

Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.

Andrew to move to private accommodation

Its understood that Prince Andrew will move to a property on the Sandringham Estate.

Any future accommodation will be privately funded by the King.

The developments required legal and constitutional expertise and support from the wider family to bring about.

The King initiated the process and Andrew did not object, it is understood.

The Government was consulted and made it clear it supports the decision as constitutionally proper.

The move will take place as soon as practicable and Andrew will receive an appropriate private provision from the King, it is understood.

Very sad state of affairs

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said it must have been very difficult for the King to strip his brother of his titles and Royal Lodge residence.

She told LBC Radio: Ive been following this story more about a family. Its a very sad state of affairs.

I think that the King has clearly felt that this is the right decision for the royal family. It must have been a very difficult thing for him to have done. I mean, having to do that to your own brother.

But the standards and expectations in society now are very high. People expect to see the very highest levels of integrity.

And Im afraid the whole Jeffrey Epstein saga and everyone it has touched, from Prince Andrew to Peter Mandelson, has just shown that the public has no truck whatsoever with any kind of sexual abuse, sexual offences, especially of minors. And I think that thats quite right.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has backed the King in his decision to remove Andrews titles.

He said: The King is absolutely right to strip Prince Andrew of both his titles and his residence at the Royal Lodge.

Its clear that Andrews position had become totally untenable, having disgraced his office and embarrassed the country.

This is an important step towards rebuilding trust in our institutions and drawing a line under this whole sorry saga.
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A migrant sex offender who was mistakenly released from prison was paid 500 to leave the UK after threatening to disrupt his deportation flight.

Hadush Kebatu was wrongly freed from HMP Chelmsford last Friday morning, rather than being transferred to an immigration detention centre as intended. This significant error triggered a two-day manhunt, culminating in his re-arrest in London on Sunday morning.

The Home Office confirmed that Mr Kebatu arrived in Ethiopia on Wednesday morning, having been deported from the UK with no right of return.

Downing Street clarified on Wednesday that the 500 payment was an "operational decision". Kebatu had been rejected from the voluntary removal scheme for offenders, but was still given some funding after he threatened to disrupt his flight, a spokesman said.

Hadush Kebatu was given 500 after threatening to disrupt his deportation flight ( Essex Police )

The government stated that the alternative would have been a "slower and more expensive process", potentially involving further detention, a new flight costing thousands, and subsequent legal claims.

The revelation that Kebatu received money to depart the country has been met with strong criticism, with the Conservatives branding the decision an "absolute disgrace".

Many are also confused as to why the man was given money by the government. Heres everything you need to know about the rules:

How do criminals leave the UK?

A facilitated return scheme was set up in 2006 to enable the government to return people to their country of origin if they commit a crime in the UK.

The purpose of the scheme is to encourage foreign national offenders to leave the UK voluntarily "at the earliest possible opportunity," rather than using state funds and resources on their imprisonment or detention.

As part of this scheme, offenders receive financial support to encourage them to cooperate with their removal. This can be worth up to 2,000.

There is also an option for migrants who have not been convicted of a crime to leave the UK voluntarily if they meet certain criteria. This could be residing in the UK illegally, overstaying a visa, or having been rejected for an asylum claim.

If removal if not volunteered, the Home Office can carry out an enforced removal. This will typically void any option for the migrant to receive funds.

However, in the case of Mr Kebatu, some money was still given despite his removal being enforced.

How much money can foreign nationals receive to leave the UK?

According to Home Office guidance, there are several levels of resettlement grant available, with higher amounts typically paid to someone who applies whilst in custody. The rates are:

750

For foreign nationals who apply after completing their custodial sentence

For foreign nationals who have received a conviction overseas

For foreign national offenders with UK non-custodial convictions (not linked to a prison sentence.

1,500

When the application is made whilst the foreign national offender is serving their custodial sentence

For qualifying family members

An extra 500 may also be payable to a small number of vulnerable foreign national offenders, Home Office guidance explains. For example, this could be if they are pregnant, considered mentally disordered, have physical disabilities, are homeless, or have a serious illness.

Other migrants who do not have permission to remain in the UK can seek voluntary return from the UK can receive up to 3,000 in financial support to facilitate their return. This is a different scheme, and offenders cannot apply.

Those eligible can also receive support from the voluntary returns service to understand their options, help get travel documents (e.g. a passport), and pay for travel costs.

However, receiving financial support depends on certain criteria being met. This could be if the applicant:
Close Virginia Giuffre speaks about Prince Andrew in resurfaced Panorama interview: 'I was a toy'

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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.
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Widely purported to have been the late Queens favourite child, Andrew has suffered a sharp fall from grace over the last decade - with the King now having formally started the process to strip him of all his titles.

The controversy has since deepened as new emails leaked from paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein appear to have confirmed a now-famous photo of Virginia Giuffre with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is real and that the former prince had pleaded with him to deny his involvement in any allegations.

Andrews links to the disgraced financier continue to cause controversy and he has since he agreed to leave Royal Lodge. The Palace said he will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

Here, The Independent takes a look at a timeline of Andrews fall from grace and his retreat from the public eye.

Queens favourite

open image in gallery The Queen with her son in 2019 ( Neil Hall/EPA )

The Queen stood by Andrews side even when he was caught up in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal in 2019 and stepped back from royal duties for the foreseeable future.

In October 2021, it was claimed the monarch intended to spend millions of pounds privately funding her sons defence against allegations of sexual abuse made by Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre.

She also signalled her support for her disgraced son by arriving alongside him for Prince Philips memorial service in March 2021.

Andrew provided a steady arm for the Queen as she walked into Westminster Abbey to remember the life of her husband, just a few weeks after he reached a multimillion-pound out-of-court settlement with Ms Giuffre.

Friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell

open image in gallery Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein ( Channel 4 )

During his 2019 interview with BBC Newsnight, Andrew said he had known British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, the daughter of media magnate and former MP Robert Maxwell, since she was at university.

She introduced Andrew to her then-boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein in 1999. The trio enjoyed a close friendship, even after Epstein was convicted of procuring a child for prostitution and of soliciting a prostitute in 2008.

Andrew is alleged to have personally invited the couple to Balmoral, the Queens Scottish residence, in 1999.

Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June this year following a New York sex-trafficking trial for procuring teen girls for Epstein for him to abuse.

An image shown during the trial appeared to show Maxwell and Epstein lounging on a bench outside a log cabin on the Balmoral estate.

Andrew continued to visit Epstein in New York after the financiers conviction for child sex offences in 2008.

open image in gallery Jeffrey Epstein was convicted of child sex offences ( New York State Division of Criminal Justice/EPA )

Epstein received an 18-month sentence but was allowed to go on work release to his office most days and was released on probation after 13 months.

Andrew faced criticism when pictures emerged of him opening the door of Epsteins palatial East Side townhouse in December 2010 and the pair strolling through Central Park.

In his 2019 BBC interview, the royal claimed he had gone to New York to break off their friendship and regretted staying at Epsteins house while there.

2019: Virginia Giuffre sex abuse case

open image in gallery Andrew pictured with Maxwell and Virginia Roberts ( US Department of Justice/PA )

In 2019, Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, formerly known as Virginia Roberts, filed a lawsuit in Manhattan alleging she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew on three occasions when she was 17 and a minor under US law.

While the royal has always strongly denied the allegations, going so far as to settle in court over it, accusations of sexual abuse reared their head again after Ms Giuffre died in 2025 when her memoir was posthumously published.

Ms Giuffre described Andrew in the book, Nobodys Girl: A Memoir Of Surviving Abuse And Fighting For Justice, as friendly enough, but entitled  as if he believed having sex with me was his birthright. She had sex with him on three separate occasions, including while staying at the house of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins former girlfriend, near Hyde Park, London, in March 2001.

The extract states: Maxwell woke me up that morning by announcing in a sing-songy voice: Get out of bed, sleepyhead! It was going to be a special day, she said. Just like Cinderella, I was going to meet a handsome prince!

2019: BBC Newsnight interview

open image in gallery The former Duke of York speaking about his links to Epstein in an interview with BBC Newsnight's Emily Maitlis ( Mark Harrison/BBC/PA )

Andrew was criticised for a car crash BBC Newsnight interview that aired on 16 November 2019.

During the interview, he denied he slept with Ms Giuffre, saying an encounter could not have taken place because he was at a branch of Pizza Express in Woking with his daughter Princess Beatrice.

He also said Ms Giuffres claim he was sweaty at a nightclub was untrue because an overdose of adrenaline in the Falklands war had left him unable to sweat.

The royal faced a public backlash, with equality campaigners claiming he was too stupid to even pretend concern for Epsteins victims.

2019: Step back from public duties

Four days later, Andrew announced the Queen had given him permission to step back from public duties in the wake of the interview.

He said it had become clear to him in recent days that his association with Epstein had become a major distraction to the royal familys work.

The royal said he regretted his association with Epstein and deeply sympathises with his victims.

2022: Stripped of royal titles and military affiliations

open image in gallery Andrew is not expected to return to public life ( John Thys/AFP via Getty Images )

In January 2022, the Queen stripped Andrew of his military titles and royal patronages in the wake of a US judge allowing Ms Giuffres civil sexual abuse case against her son to move to trial.

He stopped using his HRH (His Royal Highness) style his roles  including Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, one of the oldest regiments in the British army  were handed to other members of the royal family.

His other military titles included honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth; colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment; colonel-in-chief of the Small Arms School Corps; commodore-in-chief of the Fleet Air Arm; royal colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers; deputy colonel-in-chief of The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths Own); and royal colonel of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

2022: Out-of-court settlement

In March 2022, Andrew paid Ms Giuffre a multi-million-pound out-of-court settlement, meaning both sides avoided the case going to trial.

As part of the agreement, he was due to pay damages to Ms Giuffre and a donation to a charity in support of victims rights.

Andrew has faced calls to confirm how he funded settlement - which is reported to be as much as 12m - and whether the Queen or even King Charles, then Prince of Wales, contributed to the sum.

open image in gallery Andrew allegedly met Cai Qi three times ( Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing Municipal People's Government )

December 2024: Confidante banned from UK over Chinese spy allegations

open image in gallery An email exchange between Andrew, Epstein and Maxwell was published on Wednesday (US House Oversight Committee/PA)

In December 2024, it emerged a close confidante of the royal lost an appeal over a decision to bar him from entering the UK on national security grounds.

The man, Yang Tengbo, was detained under the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act in 2021 where correspondence was found on his digital devices that implied he was working for the United Front Work Department  a shadowy arm of the Chinese Communist Party  which led him to be barred from the UK.

Mr Yang appealed to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, which dismissed his appeal and made his case public. The judgement cited evidence provided by the Home Office alleging Mr Yang was a close confidant of the prince, acting on his behalf with investors in China.

January 2025: New messages reveal ties with Epstein continues for months after New York visit

Newly surfaced messages revealed the Duke of York remained in contact with Epstein until February 2011  despite having claimed to have cut him off in December 2010.

Emails between Andrew and Epstein handed to a court in London reportedly show they were still exchanging messages until at least late February 2011, when the duke wrote: Keep in close touch and well play some more soon.

Messages were exchanged between the pair on the same day a photograph of Andrew with 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell  who is currently behind bars for recruiting and trafficking underage girls for Epstein  was published, Bloomberg reports.

The emails were obtained by Bloomberg after being disclosed in a filing by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), defending an appeal by former Barclays boss, Jes Staley, who is challenging its decision to ban him from the finance industry for misleading regulators on his ties to Epstein.

open image in gallery Prince Andrews sex accuser Virginia Giuffres posthumous memoirs shine a further spotlight on his association with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) ( PA Wire )

October 2025: Repeated meetings with Chinese spymaster

In October 2025, it was reported that Andrew met with a senior Beijing official at the heart of the China spy scandal at least three times between 2018 and 2019.

Cai Qi, currently the first-ranked member of the Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party(CCP) and de facto chief of staff to Xi Jinping, was suspected of being the recipient of sensitive information allegedly passed to China by two British nationals accused of spying for Beijing.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) dropped charges against suspected spies Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash last month, citing a lack of evidence. Both have denied any wrongdoing.

He met the senior CCP figure at least three times, according to The Telegraph, in both London and Beijing during the time period when Mr Berry and Mr Cash were allegedly recruited for espionage.

Early October 2025: Andrew forced to renounce Duke of York title

Andrew was forced to end his use of titles, including the Duke of York and Knight of the Garter, as his former friendship with Epstein threatened to overshadow the work of the royal family.

Andrew gave up his title as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order and his Garter role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

He also agreed to stop using his Duke of York title, although he can only be formally stripped of it by an act of Parliament.

He released a statement saying that he, the King, and his family have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family.

Late October 2025: King starts formal process to remove Andrew of his prince title and he moves out of Royal Lodge

open image in gallery Andrew is set to move to Sandringham ( REUTERS )

Buckingham Palace announces that the King has begun the formal process to strip the titles from Prince Andrew who will move out of his Windsor home to Sandringham.

The statement said Andrew has agreed to leave Royal Lodge as his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein continue to cause controversy.

In a statement, the Palace said: Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence.

Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation.

These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.

The statement added: Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.

It is understood that although the King initiated the process of formally removing his titles and honours, Andrew did not object to it.

Formal notice was given to Andrew to surrender the lease at the Royal Lodge on Thursday and it is understood that his move to Sandringham will take place as soon as practicable.

November 2025: Fresh emails leaked reveal Andrew pleaded for Epstein to deny his involvement

open image in gallery Emails between Epstein, Maxwell and Andrew have been published ( US Congress Oversight Committee/PA Wire )

A fresh email chain released in November from March 2011 saw Andrew pleaded with Maxwell and Epstein to make it clear he was not involved in any allegations against them.

The documents show Maxwell was forwarded a press inquiry from the Mail On Sunday on March 4 2011, by somebody named Mark Cohen, who told her: FYI, following up on my email of this morning.

Again, I have no intention of responding unless you direct otherwise.

After Andrew asked Epstein how he planned to respond to a press inquiry, Epstein can be seen responding: Im (sic) not sure how to respond, the only person she didnt have sex with was Elvis.

At one point the former prince said: Please make sure that every statement or legal letter states clearly that I am NOT involved and that I knew and know NOTHING about any of these allegations.

I cant take any more of this my end.

Epstein appeared to follow up with the former duke two days later, saying: You OK?

These stories are complete and utter fantasy. I dont know and have never met Al Gore, he added. Clinton was never on the island  the telephone book is not mine, it was stolen by my houseman that is currently in prison for doing so.

Epstein also appeared keen to ask a journalist to investigate Andrews accuser because Buckingham Palace would love it.

In his email in July 2011, Epstein can be seen talking about Andrews accuser and asking someone to send a reporter or reporters to investigate.

open image in gallery Epstein encouraged the journalist to investigate Ms Giuffre ( BBC )

The email reads:  same as strauss khan (sic) is Andrews accuser, criminal record, total liar.

It continues: Send a reporter or reporters to investigate the palace would love it, the girl in the photo, was nothing more than a telephone answerer, she was never 15, according to her version she worked for trump (sic), first at that age, at Mar-a-Lago. Its ridiculous.

He said that the girl who accused Prince Andrew could be proven as a liar, later cited as Virginia Roberts, who he called a fraud, saying that she had fled the country with an outstanding arrest warrant.

The validity of a photo of Andrew with Giuffre was seemingly confirmed in the new emails, after he said: The da (sic) after she accused others, said in writing that she has no credibility, she was never 15 years old working for me, her story made it seem like she first worked for trump (sic) at that age and was met by ghislaine maxwell (sic).

Total horses***, the daily mail (sic) paid her money, they admitted it, with the statement that it took money to coax out the truth.

Yes she was on my plane, and yes she had her picture taken with Andrew, as many of my employees have.
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King Charles is to strip all remaining titles from Prince Andrew and will evict him from the Royal Lodge as his brothers links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein continue to embarrass the monarchy.

In a bombshell announcement, Buckingham Palace said Andrew was given notice on Thursday to leave the 30-room mansion and he will in future be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, effectively living as a commoner.

It is understood Andrew will now live on the Sandringham estate at the Kings expense, while ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will also move out and sort her own living arrangements.

Palace officials had hoped that forcing Andrew to relinquish his Duke of York title would draw a line under the furore, but with MPs demanding answers into the peppercorn rent paid at the Windsor estate, the King acted to end the saga.

It is understood that although Andrew denies the recent Epstein accusations, Buckingham Palace considers that there have been serious lapses of judgement.

open image in gallery Andrew and Charles during a ceremony in 2015 ( PA Archive )

In a statement, the palace said: Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation.

These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.

The statement added: Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.

It is understood that although the King initiated the process of formally removing his titles and honours, Andrew did not object to it.

The Prince of Wales is also understood to be supportive of the King's decision, as is the wider royal family. William was put in an untenable position when he appeared to be ambushed by Andrew during the Duchess of Kent's recent funeral, with the disgraced royal trying to talk to his nephew, who barely acknowledged him.

Andrews move to an undisclosed property on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk will take place as soon as practicable, it is understood.

Andrew faced a new round of public opprobrium after emails emerged earlier this month showing he had remained in contact with Epstein longer than he had previously admitted.

That news was followed by the publication of a posthumous memoir by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she had sex with Andrew when she was 17. It detailed three alleged sexual encounters with Andrew, who she said acted as if he believed having sex with me was his birthright.

The family of Ms Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, said in a statement that today, she declares a victory and that she brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage.

The statement from Ms Giuffres family, given to the BBC, read: Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage.

Virginia Roberts Giuffre, our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to her and countless other survivors like her.

open image in gallery Andrew at St Georges Chapel in Windsor during an Easter service this year ( AFP/Getty )

Today, she declares a victory. We, her family, along with her survivor sisters, continue Virginias battle and will not rest until the same accountability applies to all of her abusers and abetters, connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Andrew, 65, has long denied Giuffre's claims, but stepped down from royal duties after a disastrous November 2019 BBC Newsnight interview in which he attempted to rebut her allegations.

He paid millions in an out-of-court settlement in 2022 after Giuffre filed a civil suit against him in New York. While he didn't admit wrongdoing, he acknowledged Giuffre's suffering as a victim of sex trafficking. Giuffre died by suicide in April at the age of 41.

Her family said in a statement that she declares a victory and that she brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage.

The statement, given to the BBC, read: Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage.

Virginia Roberts Giuffre, our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to her and countless other survivors like her.

Today, she declares a victory. We, her family, along with her survivor sisters, continue Virginia's battle and will not rest until the same accountability applies to all of her abusers and abetters, connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

Giuffres brother commended the King for "setting a precedent" but said "we need to take it one more step further". Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Sky Roberts thanked Charles for the Buckingham Palace statement that mentioned "thoughts and utmost sympathies" with "victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse".

Mr Roberts said: But its not enough, its not enough, we have to have some sort of investigation that goes further into this. I mean hes [Andrew] still walking around a free man.

I commend the King, I think hes doing an amazing job as a world leader, setting a precedent, but we need to take it one more step further: he [Andrew] needs to be behind bars, period.

Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for Giuffre during her civil sex assault case against Prince Andrew, said the King stripping Andrew's titles was a "tipping point".

She said: "The voice of Virginia Giuffre has changed history. Her bravery, determination and resilient spirit has led to this defining moment.

"As we account for the tipping point significance of the King stripping the title "Prince" from his brother Andrew, it should be a lesson for all to listen, hear and believe survivors of abuse."

open image in gallery The 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor ( Reuters )

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Charles "is absolutely right" to do so. He added: "It's clear that Andrew's position had become totally untenable, having disgraced his office and embarrassed the country.

"This is an important step towards rebuilding trust in our institutions and drawing a line under this whole sorry saga."

The Lib Dems had urged the government to make time for a debate on Andrew's Royal Lodge lease in parliament.

He has lived there on a peppercorn rent since 2003, although he paid 1m for the lease and a further 7.5m for refurbishments.

But Downing Street last week said MPs would not be given time in the House of Commons to discuss his conduct because the royal family wanted parliament to focus on "important issues".

Speaking on an LBC Radio phone-in Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: "I've been following this story more about a family. It's a very sad state of affairs. I think that the King has clearly felt that this is the right decision for the royal family. It must have been a very difficult thing for him to have done. I mean, having to do that to your own brother.

"But the standards and expectations in society now are very high. People expect to see the very highest levels of integrity.

The leader of the Scottish National Party in Westminster, Stephen Flynn, said on X: "The right decision and an important moment for the victims of Epstein.

"I hope all those who were elected to parliament and chose to defend inaction rather than speak out now regret the choice they made."

The SNP had put forward a motion to create a new law to formally strip Andrew of his dukedom.
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Nigel Farage has expressed his sadness after a community in his constituency was once again named Englands most deprived neighbourhood, describing parts of it as very depressed.

The latest official data confirms that an area of the coastal village of Jaywick, near Clacton-on-Sea in the Tendring local authority of Essex, has been classed the most deprived for the fourth consecutive time.

open image in gallery Nigel Farage on the 2024 campaign trail in Jaywick, Essex ( PA )

Areas of Blackpool again make up most of the remaining top 10, alongside new appearances for neighbourhoods in Hastings and Rotherham.

These findings, detailing relative levels of deprivation across Englands neighbourhoods in 2025, were published on Thursday by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

open image in gallery Jaywick Sands beach in East Jaywick, near Clacton, Essex ( PA )

Jaywick had topped the list in the three previous publications in 2019, 2015 and 2010.

The area specified takes in the Brooklands estate and the Jaywick Sands promenade.

Mr Farage, who was elected MP for Clacton in July 2024, told the PA news agency he was obviously sad that things arent improving more quickly and while he felt he had helped with investment and tourism for the area, theres a limit to what one person can do.

He expressed concern about potential gambling reforms appearing in next months Budget, which he said could affect slot machines and pier amusement arcades.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged by anti-poverty campaigners and some Labour MPs to raise taxes on gambling firms to cover the cost of lifting the two-child benefit cap.

Mr Farage added: Im worried with the Budget coming up that the situation might get worse.

Describing parts of Jaywick as very depressed, he said: Everybody just feels very, very burdened these days.

Jaywick received international coverage in 2018 after it was used in a US election campaign advert, with a bleak picture of the area, showing unpaved roads and dilapidated homes, to warn voters about the consequences of not backing Donald Trump ahead of midterm elections in the US.

The latest data highlights the scale of the challenge but does not reflect the progress made since 2019 or the strength of the people who call Jaywick Sands home, according to a statement on the Tendring District Council website.

Council leader Mark Stephenson said: Jaywick Sands is a truly special place, full of heart, pride and real community spirit.

open image in gallery Farage says he is worried with the Budget coming up that the situation might get worse ( PA )

Together with local residents, weve made real progress and have a bold plan to go even further. But we cannot do this alone; we need government to do its part.

Were calling for 100m of national flood funding to be allocated to Jaywick Sands, and for a cross-departmental taskforce to help resolve the policy barriers that hold our community back.

Jaywick Sands deserves a future that matches its spirit and were ready to work with residents, national government and the new Essex mayor from 2026, to make that happen.

MHCLG said Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Hartlepool, Kingston-upon-Hull and Manchester are the local authority districts with the highest proportions of neighbourhoods among the most deprived in England.

The London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Hackney were the most deprived in terms of income deprivation affecting children.

Both boroughs, and three other London boroughs, Newham, Islington and Southwark, ranked as the most deprived regarding income deprivation affecting older people, the department said.
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Rachel Reeves tenants could be in line for tens of thousands of pounds rent refund after the chancellor failed to secure the correct licence to rent out her family home.

Ms Reeves apologised and applied for the correct paperwork after it emerged on Wednesday that she had broken local council housing rules when she rented out the property in Dulwich, south London, after moving into 11 Downing Street.

Under Southwark Council rules, the chancellor should have applied for a selective licence when she put her house up for rent. She has said her failure to do so was an inadvertent mistake.

According to the council, tenants of an unlicensed property may be able to apply for a rent repayment order and get money back from the landlord if the property has been lived in in the last 12 months.

open image in gallery Chancellor Rachel Reeves has admitted to not obtaining a required selective rental licence for her south London home ( PA )

According to information on the council website, the order allows tenants to recover up to 12 months of your rent back from your landlord.

The property was listed for 3,200 a month, according to the Daily Mail which first reported the story, meaning her tenants could seek around 40,000 if the requirements are met.

Southwark Council also details that people can be prosecuted or fined if youre a landlord or managing agent for a property that needs a licence and do not get one.

The Independent has contacted Ms Reeves and Southwark Council for comment.

Days before the revelations over the licence, Ms Reeves publicly backed plans for a licensing scheme for rental properties in Leeds, saying it would improve conditions for renters.

Conservative chair Kevin Hollinrake reshared a tweet from the chancellor from earlier this month in which she supported the changes in the Armley part of the city.

While many private landlords operate in the right way, we know that lots of private tenants in Armley face problems with poorly maintained housing, she posted.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer accepted the chancellors apology after consulting with an independent adviser ( PA )

The chancellor is understood to accept she should have obtained the licence, but relied on the advice of a letting agent and was not told it was necessary.

It comes after No 10 repeatedly refused to say whether the chancellor broke the ministerial code when she failed to get the licence.

Sir Keir Starmer is seeking to draw a line under the row after consulting his ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus, who decided against launching a probe. A number of high-profile government figures, including former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, have had to step down as a result of scandals.

A Downing Street spokesperson repeatedly declined to say whether the standards rules had been breached, or if the prime minister or Sir Laurie had seen evidence of Ms Reeves version of events.

Faced with questions over the rule-break, the No 10 spokesperson repeatedly pointed to the ministerial code, which points out that an apology is sufficient resolution in some cases.

In a letter to the prime minister published on Wednesday evening, Ms Reeves said: I sincerely apologise for this error and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

She told him it was an inadvertent mistake. As soon as it was brought to my attention, we took immediate action and have applied for the licence.

In his reply, Sir Keir said he had consulted his independent adviser, adding: He has advised me that in relation to your inadvertent failure to secure the appropriate licence for your rental property  and in light of your prompt action to rectify the position, including your apology  further investigation is not necessary.

An apology is a sufficient resolution in such cases, he added.

A spokesperson for Ms Reeves said: Since becoming chancellor, Rachel Reeves has rented out her family home through a lettings agency.

She had not been made aware of the licensing requirement, but as soon as it was brought to her attention, she took immediate action and has applied for the licence.

This was an inadvertent mistake and in the spirit of transparency, she has made the prime minister, the independent adviser on ministerial standards and the parliamentary commissioner for standards aware.

The revelations come just weeks before the chancellors long-awaited Budget, where she faces the prospect of tax rises to balance the books.

When it was put to No 10 on Thursday that the process was resolved quickly to avoid upsetting the markets, the spokesperson said: I dont accept the framing of that at all.

Kemi Badenoch, meanwhile, said that the chancellor needs to be on top of her paperwork over the matter.

The Tory leader said: She is the chancellor. She needs to be on top of her paperwork. She was aware of this legislation. I think there should be an investigation.

But the bottom line is that Keir Starmer said again and again, the law breakers shouldnt be lawmakers, so if shes broken the law, then he should apply his own rules to her.
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Rachel Reeves has taken full responsibility for her failure to get the correct licence to rent her south London property, as crucial new emails were passed to the prime minister and his ethics adviser.

With one of the most consequential Budgets in recent history less than a month away, the chancellor has found herself under scrutiny for potentially breaking the law.

Ms Reeves was thrown a lifeline when her estate agent issued a statement admitting a mistake and apologising.

An email from Harvey & Wheeler to Ms Reevess husband appeared to show the firm had offered to obtain the licence on their behalf.

Sir Keir Starmer has told Ms Reeves she will face no further action over her inadvertent failure to obtain a rental licence, even though it was regrettable emails about the arrangement had not been shared with him initially.

open image in gallery The estate agent used by Rachel Reeves to rent out her south London property has apologised for an oversight that meant a rental licence was not applied for ( PA Wire )

In its statement, the firm suggested that Ms Reeves would have been under the impression that a licence had been applied for.

The prime ministers independent standards adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, said he still believes the chancellor made an unfortunate but inadvertent error in her failure to obtain a rental licence, and that it was clear her husband did not recall being informed about the requirement for a licence.

In a letter to the prime minister published on Thursday, the chancellor wrote: Today the letting agency and my husband have found correspondence confirming that on 17 July 2024 the letting agent said to my husband that a selective licence would be required and agreed that the agency would apply for the licence on our behalf.

They have also confirmed today that they did not take that application forward, in part due to a member of staff leaving the organisation.

Nevertheless, as I said yesterday, I accept it was our responsibility to secure the licence. I also take responsibility for not finding this information yesterday and bringing it to your attention. As I said to you today, I am sorry about this matter and accept full responsibility for it.

Downing Street had sought to draw a line under the row surrounding the chancellors breach of local housing rules, but the discovery of the messages has reignited scrutiny.

A No 10 spokesperson said: Following a review of emails sent and received by the chancellors husband, new information has come to light. This has now been passed to the prime minister and his independent adviser.

The spokesperson said it would be inappropriate to comment further at the moment, but added that Sir Keir still has full confidence in Ms Reeves. The PM is thought to have become aware of the messages on Thursday.

The government has published an email exchange between the chancellors husband, Nicholas Joicey, and the letting agency.

In one email, dated 26 July 2024, Harvey & Wheeler reveals the licence will cost 900, adding: You will pay in two parts, so 640 first and then once the application has been processed then the remaining 260.00 is taken.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer still has full confidence in Rachel Reeves, a No 10 spokesperson said ( PA Wire )

On 13 August, Mr Joicey belatedly gets back and says yes please, do go ahead and arrange for the licence.

In the most recent email, sent later that day, the agent says: I will do the Selective Licence once the new tenant moves in as I wont need to do this just yet.

At the moment we are only applying for a council licence.

The issue was made worse for Ms Reeves after it emerged she had campaigned in her Leeds constituency for the same rules she has just fallen foul of.

Meanwhile, Southwark Council, from whom the licence should have been obtained, suggested she could be liable for paying back thousands of pounds in rent and subject to enforcement action.

The council said it only takes enforcement action against landlords who do not apply for a licence within 21 days of receiving a warning.

When we become aware of an unlicensed property, we issue a warning letter advising the landlord that they have 21 days to apply for a licence  enforcement action such as fines are reserved for those who do not apply within that time or where a property is found to be in an unsafe condition.

We cannot comment on individual cases.

The property was listed for 3,200 a month, according to the Daily Mail, which first reported the story, meaning her tenants could seek around 40,000 if the requirements are met.

open image in gallery Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and shadow chancellor Mel Stride were critical of Reeves during a rally, at the Southbank Observation Point in London, on Thursday, 30 October ( James Manning/PA Wire )

With opponents scenting blood, the Conservatives questioned the chancellors initial explanation that she had not been made aware that she was required to get a rental licence for her home.

A Conservative Party spokesperson said: Last night Rachel Reeves said she had not been made aware of the licensing requirement. Today, we find out that Reeves was alerted to the need for a licence in writing by the estate agents.

Having been caught out, the chancellor is now trying to make the estate agents take the blame, but Reeves never followed up with them to ensure that the licence had been applied for, or checked if the licence had been granted.

Regardless, under the law, Reeves and her husband are responsible for ensuring the licence is granted. With more information coming to light every few hours, the prime minister needs to grow a backbone and start a proper investigation.

The Tories suggested Section 95 of the Housing Act 2004 meant Ms Reeves was ultimately still responsible for obtaining the licence.

Meanwhile, after already losing deputy prime minister Angela Rayner to an administrative error on failing to pay stamp duty, colleagues rallied around the beleaguered chancellor.

Business secretary Peter Kyle said he had complete confidence in Rachel Reeves and praised her work ethic.

He said: She is so focused on her role as one of the big public servants of our time.

She is focused on not just fixing the mess that she inherited as chancellor from the previous administration, she is working day and night to make sure we can get our economy where it needs to be, so its creating the jobs and the wealth and economic growth that we need going into the future.
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The government is organising emergency charter flights to evacuate British tourists stranded in Jamaica, as the death toll from Hurricane Melissa continues to rise.

As many as 8,000 Britons are thought to be in Jamaica, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has urged them to register their presence through the government website to receive updates on the hurricane.

While all airports on the Caribbean island were shut in preparation for the storm, the Jamaican government said it hopes to reopen them on Thursday to help in the distribution of emergency relief supplies.

A car drives through the a destroyed neighborood following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, Jamaica ( AFP/Getty )

The FCDO said it is working with travel companies and commercial airlines to restore flights, as well as organising a limited number of charter flights for British nationals who are unable to fly home commercially in order to bolster capacity.

All British nationals who have registered their presence in Jamaica will automatically be contacted and provided with a link to the booking portal for flights once airports are open, the department said.

Two specialist rapid deployment teams are travelling to Jamaica to facilitate the charter flights and provide consular assistance to British nationals.

It comes after the UK announced plans to support the country with 2.5m in emergency humanitarian funding, as Sir Keir Starmer described scenes from the country as truly shocking.

The funding will go towards delivering emergency supplies such as shelter kits, water filters and blankets.

The FCDO has also set up a crisis centre to help Britons on the Caribbean island. Meanwhile, the Royal Navy ship HMS Trent is in the region on stand-by.

The prime minister told MPs on Wednesday that naval vessel HMS Trent and rapid deployment teams had been pre-positioned in the region to provide support.

In a statement on Friday, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: The strong links between the UK and Jamaica mean many British nationals were there during the devastation of the hurricane, and we need to ensure they can get safely home, as we know how worrying and difficult the last few days will have been.

The UK government is chartering flights to bolster commercial capacity and ensure people who wish to return to the UK can do so as soon as possible.

The west of Jamaica is thought to have been particularly badly hit, including key tourist areas such as Montego Bay, while around three-quarters of the island is without power.

On Tuesday, the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami said Melissa was one of the most powerful hurricane landfalls on record in the Atlantic basin as it hit southwestern Jamaica near New Hope with sustained winds of 185mph.

The storm has since made landfall in eastern Cuba and dropped from a category 5 to a category 3 hurricane.

The National Hurricane Centre warned residents in Cuba to remain sheltered, and urged the Bahamas to make preparations for the storm, which is predicted to reach the country later on Wednesday.
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Since Israel 's war with Hamas began more than two years ago, Israel has erected nearly 1,000 barriers in cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, further stifling movement for Palestinians and hindering daily lives, a local government body says.

While Israel's military has long imposed movement and access constraints after capturing the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, the number of new barriers is unprecedented, residents say.

According to the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, an official Palestinian governmental body, 916 gates, barriers and walls have been installed since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel.

Israeli military raids throughout the West Bank have also increased, with Palestinians killed or detained. Israel says it is trying to root out militancy.

Among the new barriers are metal gates stationed at many village and town entrances and between cities, blocking access in and out. Sometimes the Israeli military is stationed at them.

Palestinians say the gates have erratic opening hours, with some staying shut for days. Some people sleep at friends' or relatives' homes or go around the gates on foot.

During the first two weeks of September, the United Nations said it documented the installation of 18 gates in the West Bank. It said the gates and other obstacles, such as large earth mounds and concrete blocks, restrict Palestinians' freedom of movement and access to healthcare and education. The barriers are placed in the middle of roads, preventing cars from going around them.

The new gates, some of which block roads connecting the northern and southern West Bank, force the territory's 3 million Palestinians to take long detours, with a 20-minute journey now taking more than an hour.

Israel's military says the gates are not meant to restrict people but rather to manage and monitor."

A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said its forces operate under a complex security reality in the West Bank, where militants embed themselves within the population and accordingly, there are dynamic checkpoints and ongoing efforts to monitor movement in various areas."

Residents say some gates have been equipped with cameras.

They also say the barriers have detrimental effects on their lives.

Under the current circumstances, everything has been cut off. Everything has stopped, said Ezzedine Al-Sayouri from Deir Dibwan village. The gates have prevented people from coming to his gym and he's considering closing the business and leaving the country, he said.

Residents in the village of Aboud say the entry gates there are closed between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. every day, preventing students from going to university and people from going to work.

Its all part of the occupations strategy to destabilize the peoples sense of security, said Mohammad Shalatweh, a taxi driver.

Others worry that the added barriers are a security risk.

Eyad Jameel, a restaurant owner in the village of Sinjil, said every time his son goes to the main city of Ramallah he's not sure he'll return.

They don't always open them, they just close them and trap everyone, he said.
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Communities across the northern Caribbean are grappling with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, as the death toll from the catastrophic storm continues to climb.

In southeast Jamaica, the rumble of heavy machinery, chainsaws, and machetes fills the air.

Government workers and residents are clearing roads in a push to reach isolated communities, which sustained a direct hit from one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record.

Stunned residents wander through the wreckage, many staring at their roofless homes and waterlogged belongings.

"I dont have a house now," lamented Sylvester Guthrie, a distressed resident of Lacovia in St. Elizabeth, clutching his bicycle  his only possession of value left after the storm.

The sanitation worker pleaded, "I have land in another location that I can build back but I am going to need help."

Emergency relief flights have begun landing at Jamaicas main international airport, which reopened late on Wednesday. Crews are now distributing water, food, and other basic supplies to those in need.

The devastation is enormous, Jamaican Transportation Minister Daryl Vaz said.

open image in gallery The church of Lacovia Tombstone, Jamaica, sits damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Wednesday ( AP )

Some Jamaicans wondered where they would live.

I am now homeless, but I have to be hopeful because I have life, said Sheryl Smith, who lost the roof of her home.

Authorities said they have found at least four bodies in southwest Jamaica.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said up to 90 per cent of roofs in the southwest coastal community of Black River were destroyed.

Black River is what you would describe as ground zero, he said. The people are still coming to grips with the destruction.

More than 25,000 people remained crowded into shelters across the western half of Jamaica, with 77 per cent of the island without power.

Melissa also unleashed catastrophic flooding in Haiti, where at least 25 people were reported killed and 18 others missing, mostly in the countrys southern region.

Steven Guadard, who lives in Petit-Goave, said Melissa killed his entire family.

I had four children at home: a 1-month-old baby, a 7-year-old, an 8-year-old and another who was about to turn 4, he said.

open image in gallery The image shows neighboarhood in White House, Jamaica, before Hurricane Melissa ( Vantor/AFP )

Haitis Civil Protection Agency said Hurricane Melissa killed at least 20 people in Petit-Goave, including 10 children. It also damaged more than 160 homes and destroyed 80 others.

Officials warned that 152 disabled people in Haitis southern region required emergency food assistance. More than 11,600 people remained sheltered in Haiti because of the storm.

Meanwhile, in Cuba, people began to clear blocked roads and highways with heavy equipment and even enlisted the help of the military, which rescued people trapped in isolated communities and at risk from landslides.

No fatalities were reported after the Civil Defense evacuated more than 735,000 people across eastern Cuba. They slowly were starting to return home.

We are cleaning the streets, clearing the way, said Yaima Almenares, a physical education teacher from the city of Santiago, as she and other neighbors swept branches and debris from sidewalks and avenues, cutting down fallen tree trunks and removing accumulated trash.

In the more rural areas outside the city of Santiago de Cuba, water remained accumulated in vulnerable homes on Wednesday night as residents returned from their shelters to save beds, mattresses, chairs, tables and fans they had elevated ahead of the storm.

A televised Civil Defense meeting chaired by President Miguel Diaz-Canel did not provide an official estimate of the damage.

However, officials from the affected provinces  Santiago, Granma, Holguin, Guantanamo, and Las Tunas  reported losses of roofs, power lines, fiber optic telecommunications cables, cut roads, isolated communities and losses of banana, cassava and coffee plantations.

open image in gallery A car drives through the a destroyed neighborood following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, Jamaica ( AFP via Getty Images )

Officials said the rains were beneficial for the reservoirs and for easing a severe drought in eastern Cuba.

Many communities were still without electricity, internet and telephone service due to downed transformers and power lines.

When Melissa came ashore in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with top winds of 185 mph (295 kph) on Tuesday, it tied strength records for Atlantic hurricanes making landfall, both in wind speed and barometric pressure. It was still a Category 3 hurricane when it made landfall again in eastern Cuba early Wednesday.

A hurricane warning remained in effect late Wednesday for the southeastern and central Bahamas and for Bermuda.

Hurricane conditions were expected to last through the night in the southeastern Bahamas, where dozens of people have been evacuated.

Melissa was a Category 2 storm with top sustained winds near 100 mph (155 kph) late Wednesday and was moving north-northeast at 21 mph (33 kph) according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The hurricane was centered about 105 miles (170 kilometers) east-northeast of the central Bahamas and about 800 miles (1,285 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda.

Melissa was forecast to pass near or to the west of Bermuda late Thursday and may strengthen further before weakening.
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Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of devastation across the Caribbean, with dozens killed and billions of dollars worth of damage inflicted across the region.

The storm of the century is one of the most powerful in Atlantic history, and the most forceful hurricane to ever hit Jamaica.

At least 49 people have been killed so far, including 19 in Jamaica, 30 in Haiti, and one person in the Dominican Republic. At least 10 children were killed due to flooding caused by the storm when a river burst in Haiti. The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue efforts get underway.

Despite reducing in intensity, the storm continues to move on. Melissa was last recorded as a Category 2 storm 264 km (164 miles) west of the North Atlantic British island territory of Bermuda, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (161 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center.

Melissa began as a tropical wave near West Africa, before gaining traction and blowing westward to the Caribbean.

open image in gallery A map of Hurricane Melissa's forecasted path as of Wednesday at 8 p.m. ( National Hurricane Center )

After passing over Jamaica, it made landfall in Cuba on Wednesday. It crawled across the countries with destructive winds and torrential rainfall before passing over to the Bahamas and Bermuda.

Surrounding areas, including the southeastern and central Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, were also at risk of a life-threatening storm surge and heavy rainfall, the National Hurricane Centre said. It travelled over the Bahamas as a Category 1 storm, having reached the intensity of a Category 5 over recent days, including when it made landfall in Jamaica.

AccuWeather estimates that $48 billion to $52 billion in damage and economic loss has been inflicted across the western Caribbean.

Red Cross teams have been mobilising as Hurricane Melissa has left deaths and devastation across the region.

Its slow pace makes Hurricane Melissa more destructive, with sustained winds and accumulated rainfall inflicting maximum damage to the vulnerable and low-lying island. Around 70 per cent of Jamaicas population of over 2.8 million people lives in coastal areas.

Slow-moving major hurricanes often go down in history as some of the deadliest and most destructive storms on record, said AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter. This is a dire situation unfolding in slow motion.

Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel ordered mass evacuations across the country, with at least 735,000 people being forced to leave their homes to escape the devastation. The National Hurricane Centre warned that the hurricane will inflict a life-threatening storm surge, flash flooding and landslides.

In the Bahamas, the government ordered evacuations of residents in the southern portions of that archipelago.

open image in gallery These images show the Barnett River along Montego Bay before and after Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica ( Vantor )

Early indications are that Hurricane Melissa was a disaster of unprecedented catastrophe for the island, Alexander Pendry, the charitys global response manager said on Wednesday. News is already coming through that whole communities are underwater and that the damage left by the strong winds has been devastating.

Jamaican prime minister Andrew Holness said the country is expecting that there would be some loss of life in the aftermath of the event. United Cajun Navy vice-president Brian Trascher estimated that trillions of gallons of water would fall on Jamaica.

The UK announced it would provide an additional 5m ($6.71 million) in emergency humanitarian funding to support the Caribbean region's recovery from hurricane Melissa, after pledging 2.5m earlier this week. Sir Keir Starmer described scenes from the country as "truly shocking".

The reports that we have had so far would include damage to hospitals, significant damage to residential property, housing and commercial property as well, and damage to our road infrastructure, Mr Holness said. Our country has been ravaged by Hurricane Melissa, but we will rebuild and we will do so even better than before.

More than 500,000 residents have been left without power, with the parish of St Elizabeth in southwestern Jamaica left completely underwater, an official said.

Video of the airport in Montego Bay showed inundated seating areas, broken glass and collapsed ceilings.

Meteorologists at AccuWeather said Melissa ranked as the third most intense hurricane observed in the Caribbean, after Wilma in 2005 and Gilbert in 1988  the last major storm to make landfall in Jamaica.
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Britons have spoken of their fears for relatives in Jamaica after the storm of the century barrelled through the Caribbean island, leaving a trail of flood and destruction.

Melissa struck Jamaica on Tuesday as the strongest-ever hurricane to directly hit its shores, with sustained winds of 185 mph. The category 5 storm battered hospitals, tore through an airport and swamped whole towns underwater, even unleashing the threat of displaced crocodiles.

The death toll climbed on Thursday with four fatalities confirmed as people dug from the rubble in the wake of the storms devastation. As the storm ploughed through the northern Caribbean on Wednesday and Thursday, a further 25 people were confirmed dead in Haiti.

More than 25,000 people remained crowded into shelters across the western half of Jamaica, with 77 per cent of the island without power. Tens of thousands of tourists remain stranded, including 8,000 Britons.

open image in gallery Drone view of flooding after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in St Elizabeth, Jamaica ( REUTERS )

open image in gallery Road infrastructure is seen damaged following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, in the Newell community, St. Elizabeth ( AFP via Getty Images )

Prime minister Andrew Holness said up to 90 per cent of roofs in the southwest coastal community of Black River were destroyed, calling it ground zero.

"The people are still coming to grips with the destruction, he said.

Mickeal Akinsete, 30, said he is extremely worried for his relatives in Jamaica. His grandmother lives in St Andrews parish in Kingston- which was spared the worst of the damage- but also has relatives in the severely affected areas of St. Elizabeth and Black River.

It has been an extreme struggle to reach out to them. It is very distressing seeing those scenes on TV. We feel powerless. There arent words to describe it.

open image in gallery The storm destroyed up to 90 per cent of roofs across southwest coastal community Black River ( AFP via Getty Images )

Mr Akinsete managed to speak with his grandmother on Thursday morning, but has not heard from most of his relatives since Monday morning.

The fintech consultant from London said St Elizabeth is unrecognisable from aerial shots, which show the parish submerged in water.

Even once we manage to communicate with them, its about what we are going to do moving forward. Family members have local businesses there, he said, adding: Hurricanes happen in Jamaica often but we have never seen anything like this.

open image in gallery Mickeal Akinsete with his grandmother in Jamaica ( Mickeal Akinsete )

Bertram Banton and his wife Kareen Lily Banton, were on holiday in the northern coastal town, Ocho Rios, when the hurricane hit.

I have never heard sounds like that before, the Birmingham-based bus driver told The Independent. At one point, I tried to open the door to take a peep. But I ran back inside- the noises that thing was making. It sounded like a tractor engine.

Ive never heard such sounds from the wind. Not even our musicians at church can play those notes.

The couple are meant to fly home to the UK on Saturday, but have been advised by TUI that their flights may be delayed by two days.

open image in gallery Bertram and Kareen Lily Banton were on holiday when the storm hit ( Bertram Banton )

Dr Beverly Lindsay OBE, chair of the Association of Jamaican Nationals (Birmingham) UK, said communication with friends and family in Jamaica is slowly opening up as power gradually trickles back on.

People are devastated of course, some people have lost their homes and unfortunately are not insured. We are trying to send whatever support we can out there to them, she told The Independent.

But speaking more optimistically about the strong spirit of the communities there, she said: Jamaicans are maintaining high spirits. Despite the catastrophe, they are hopeful.

open image in gallery Residents walk through downed trees and infrastructure in Lacovia Tombstone, Jamaica ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

open image in gallery Storm Melissa was the strongest ever hurricane to directly hit Jamaicas shores with 185mph winds ( AFP via Getty Images )

The UK government announced on Thursday that it has chartered flights to help British nationals leave Jamaica in the wake of the hurricane.

British nationals should use commercial flights as their first port of call to leave the country, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said.

The government will release a form for those affected to register for the flights, and all British nationals who have already registered being in Jamaica will automatically contacted, the FCDO said. It asked all Britons in Jamaica to register that they are there.

The UK is also supporting Jamaica with 2.5 million in emergency humanitarian funding, as Sir Keir Starmer described scenes from the country as "truly shocking".

This funding will support a rapid humanitarian response, including the delivery of emergency supplies such as shelter kits, water filters, and blankets, to help prevent injury, and disease outbreaks.

These emergency relief supplies have already been prepositioned in Antigua to ensure they can be rapidly deployed to where they are needed most. UK humanitarian and technical experts are also being deployed to the region to assist with the coordination and delivery of aid.
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In a scenario straight out ofThe Jetsons, the first robot housekeeper has hit the market in the U.S., but this Rosey will set you back thousands of dollars.

You can now preorder AI and robotics company 1Xs humanoid robot, NEO, for a deposit of just $200, with delivery scheduled for next year.

Early adopters can also buy NEO for a whopping $20,000. However, there will also be a $499-a-month rental plan, with a minimum six-month subscription.

NEO will perform basic household tasks autonomously, like laundry and cleaning, and has the ability to open doors and turn lights on or off.

The robot is also capable of more complex actions, but theres a catch: A remote human operator may control the robot, requiring access to see inside the users home through NEOs camera eyes.

open image in gallery NEO, the humanoid robot, can be yours for $20,000, or a monthly subscription of $499. ( 1X )

In fact, early NEO units will rely heavily on human teleoperators, but owners control when and how they can access the robot through an app, 1X CEO Bernt Brnich told The Wall Street Journal.

This will allow the robot to collect data and eventually perform tasks autonomously.

In 2026, if you buy this product, it is because you're okay with that social contract. Brnich said. "If we don't have your data, we can't make the product better.

open image in gallery Users will enter a social contract with the AI company, CEO Bernt Brnich told The Wall Street Journal . ( 1X )

open image in gallery The robots measure 5-foot-6 inches and weight 66 pounds, people say. ( 1X )

Privacy safeguards include blurring people so that the remote operator cant see them, setting no-go zones, and requiring owner approval for remote control.

Brnich added that NEO has multiple security layers to prevent the 5-foot-6 inch, 66-pound robot capable of lifting 150 pounds, from hurting people.

Available in tan, grey, or dark brown, NEO wears a sweater-like jumpsuit, distinguishing it from more industrial, factory-style robots.

It's a combination of safety and just also generally aesthetics, Brnich reasoned to the WSJ about NEOs look. You can think of it kinda like a skin, except if it was an actual skin, that would probably be pretty creepy.

People on social media had mixed reactions to NEO hitting the market.

Ordered. Can't wait to try NEO fully autonomous mode and see how it performs! one person wrote.

Did you guys not watch iRobot???? another asked, referencing the 2004 Will Smith movie about a murderous conspiracy involving robots.

Halloween costume sorted. Thanks NEO, a third person said about the robots sweater outfit.

New Black Mirror episode just dropped, someone else joked about the popular Sci-Fi series.
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The allegations of a white genocide against Afrikaner farmers that emerged during the tense Oval Office meeting between the US president, Donald Trump, and South Africas president, Cyril Ramaphosa, on May 21 shocked many around the world. But it was merely the latest example of what has been a long-running obsession for Trump, which has been evident since well before he took office in January.

In early February, Trump issued an executive order: Addressing Egregious Actions of The Republic of South Africa. The order included the allegation of unjust racial discrimination against the white Afrikaner community and recommended the establishment of an Afrikaner refugee scheme. In his meeting with Ramaphosa, Trump doubled down on US hostility to the South African government. He repeatedly claimed  and produced purported evidence of  so-called genocide against Afrikaner farmers.

This level of hostility towards multi-racial, post-apartheid South Africa may seem to have come out of the blue. Some may think it was inspired by Trumps close relationship, at the time at least, with South Africa-born business leader Elon Musk  who could be seen standing in the corner of the Oval Office watching the uncomfortable scene unfold. But the claim that white Afrikaners are victims of violent and vengeful black South Africans has a much longer history.

Trump and Ramaphosa meeting in the Oval Office ( Getty Images )

Its a history that goes back almost five decades. It connects white supremacy in southern Africa and the apartheid governments international disinformation strategy with the evangelical Christian right in American politics. Some of the individuals and institutions that were vocal advocates of white-minority rule against the threat of black government in South Africa are the same people who have the Trump administrations ear today.

As the South African academic Nicky Falkof has observed, the claim of white victimhood is nothing new. She believes that entire political agendas develop around the idea that white people must be protected because they face exceptional threats.

The apartheid years

The idea that white South Africans face an existential threat emerged in the violent final decade of apartheid rule. It was a key narrative that the National Party government of President P.W. Botha liked to present to the outside world.

In 2021, a former apartheid intelligence officer named Paul Erasmus published his autobiography detailing his work for Stratcom, the apartheid governments international covert communications and intelligence agency. Erasmas detailed his work in the US and, in particular, Stratcoms close links with Republican policymakers.

One of the primary US conservative contacts was said to be Dr Edwin Feulner, a founder and president of the Heritage Foundation. Erasmus wrote that Feulner, who was a foreign policy advisor to Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, was already well positioned to serve Stratcom the kind of high-level advice that we needed to temper growing international affection for the ANC as the first ruling party of a democratic South Africa.

The Conversation approached Dr Feulner through the Heritage Foundation to seek his comments on specifically whether he had any past association with the apartheid-era government in South Africa and received no reply on the matter. But in 1986, during Feulners presidency of the Heritage Foundation, it published a report presenting alleging close links between the ANC [African National Congresss] and the communists and the way in which the communists exploit the ANC to manipulate Western opinion.

This history is key to understanding Trump Oval Office meeting with the South African president. The Heritage Foundation continues to have close links with Afrikaner nationalists. And it is well known that the foundation is central to Trumps governing strategy, having published its Project 2025 on which much of this administrations policy is based.

The South African media outlet, the Daily Maverick, has investigated links between the self-defined Afrikaner minority rights movement, Afriforum, the Heritage Foundation and the Republican Party. Since Trump was first inaugurated in 2017, Afriforum representatives  including CEO Kallie Kriel and his deputy Dr Ernst Roets  have made several visits to Washington, most recently in February 2025, to speak with senior representatives of the Trump administration and representatives of the Heritage Foundation. For some time, Afriforum has claimed there are elements of a genocide against Afrikaner farmers in South Africa, including inflammatory speech and murders of farmers.

About the author Daniel Conway is a reader in Politics and International Studies at the University of Westminster. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

When asked directly about its relationship with Afriforum, a Heritage Foundation spokesperson denied any particularly close links between the two organisations, saying: We meet with hundreds of individuals and groups every year. He pointed to the Heritage Foundations recent round table and stressed the foundationss well-documented and long-running effort to work with leaders from across Africa.

Trump began to tweet about the killing of farmers in South Africa in 2018 and is very opposed to South Africas recently passed Expropriation Act. This act allows for the expropriation of land without compensation, but only if it is just and equitable and in the public interest to do so.

In May 2024, the Heritage Foundation called for the cancellation of US aid to South Africa. It accused the ANC government of supporting Hamas and not aligning with American values.

Religious links

Americas evangelical Christian community was a strong supporter of the apartheid regime in South Africa. This is a key constituency of Trumps electoral base. The historian Augusta Dell'Omo has documented the South African government lobbying of US televangelists such as Pat Robertson  an outspoken supporter of apartheid South Africa. As Dell'Omo argues, Christian evangelicals were not just vexed by threats to apartheid in South Africa. They were drawing a direct link between the causes of Black grievances in the US and South Africa and a global threat to conservative and religious values.

There is not just a historical  but also an ideological  link between Trumps attitudes to farm killings and land expropriation in South Africa and his vehement opposition to diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) programmes in the US. This white grievance politics continues to consider South Africa as a symbol of the overthrow of white privilege and the disorder that multiculturalism and black-led government ostensibly creates.

As academic Nicky Falkof has argued in The Conversation: The architecture of white supremacy depends on the idea that white people are extraordinary victims. This is the driving notion beneath the great replacement theory, a far-right conspiracy theory claiming that Jews and non-white foreigners are plotting to replace whites.

Trumps accusations against the current government in South Africa have their roots in the murky international disinformation campaigns of apartheids final years and the willing cooperation of key actors on the right of US politics and society. That white-supremacist politics from the past would continue to have currency in todays White House is shocking. It should be opposed by all who support a democratic, multiracial and prosperous South Africa.
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The transfer agreement for the viral social media app TikTok has been approved by China, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

Without giving further details, Bessent said on Thursday he expects the deal to move forward in the upcoming weeks and months.

Early Thursday morning, Chinas Commerce Ministry said it would properly handle TikTok-related issues with the U.S.

TikTok, which is owned by China-based ByteDance, did not immediately comment on the deal.

"In Kuala Lumpur, we finalised the TikTok agreement in terms of getting Chinese approval, and I would expect that would go forward in the coming weeks and months, and we'll finally see a resolution to that," Bessent told Fox Business Network following President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

open image in gallery Scott Bessent didnt give further details ( AP )

The fate of the app used by 170 million Americans has remained uncertain for more than 18 months after the U.S. Congress passed a law in 2024 that ordered TikTok's Chinese owners to sell the app's U.S. assets by January 2025.

Trump signed an executive order on Sept. 25 declaring that the plan to sell TikTok's U.S. operations to a consortium of U.S. and global investors meets the national security requirements set out in the 2024 law and gave them 120 days to complete the transaction. He also delayed until Jan. 20 the enforcement of the law.

Trump's order said the algorithm will be retrained and monitored by the U.S. company's security partners, and operation of the algorithm will be under the control of the new joint venture.

The agreement on TikTok's U.S. operations includes the appointment by ByteDance of one of seven board members for the new entity, with Americans holding the other six seats.

open image in gallery A transfer agreement has been reached for TikTok between the US and China ( Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images )

ByteDance would hold less than 20% in TikTok U.S. to comply with requirements set out in the law that ordered it to be shut down by January 2025 if ByteDance did not sell its U.S. assets.

Representative John Moolenaar, the Republican chair of the House Select Committee on China, said this month that a licensing agreement for use of the TikTok algorithm, as part of a deal by ByteDance to sell U.S. assets of the short video app, would raise "serious concerns."
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A lovesick MAGA fan in Central Florida is facing federal charges after he allegedly threatened to torch the White House and assassinate ICE agents when he was unable to get a live person on the phone at a government immigration office.

Tristen Elijah Giroux, 30, had been calling U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to complain about how long it was taking to process a visa for his Colombian fiancee but found himself stuck in a phone tree, according to a recently unsealed criminal complaint reviewed by The Independent.

As Giroux tried and failed last week to make himself understood to the interactive voice recognition system at USCIS, his frustration boiled over, says an FBI probable cause affidavit attached to the complaint. When his demands to speak to a customer service representative went nowhere, Giroux first lashed out at the virtual operator as a dumb c**t b***h, then lost patience altogether, the affidavit states.

Im gonna burn down the White House. Giroux said on the recorded line, according to the affidavit. Im gonna go choke out every ICE member I see. Kill them all.

When the FBI arrested Giroux at home the next day, he assured them that he was a Trump supporter and claimed he was disgusted by the ICE protests he had seen on TikTok, the affidavit contends. Meanwhile, it says Giroux told officers that navigating the byzantine process to bring his fiancee into the U.S. legally has been so difficult.

open image in gallery A frustrating visa process for his Colombian fiancee drove MAGA acolyte Tristen Elijah Giroux to threaten mass killings, according to court records ( Getty Images )

Immigrating to the U.S. legally is nearly impossible, according to the libertarian Cato Institute, which says fewer than 1 percent of people who wish to do so are able. Others have called the pathway to legal U.S. residency, not to mention full citizenship, as exceptionally difficult, and all but impossible. At the same time, the Trump administration has ramped up immigration enforcement to never-before-seen levels, prompting widespread backlash against White House policy as well as the agents tasked with carrying it out.

Reached by phone on Wednesday, Giroux told The Independent that he was not at liberty to discuss the situation publicly, on the advice of his lawyer. The court-appointed attorney did not respond to a request for comment.

Girouxs social media footprint appears to confirm his ongoing relationship with a woman in Bogota. In a 2024 Facebook post, Giroux called her the love of my life, emphasizing his feelings with a red heart emoji. When she replied, in Spanish, that she loved Giroux too, he responded, I love you very much my queen .

The phone number that the affidavit links to Giroux, a Jacksonville, Florida, resident who has worked as a life insurance salesman, is also listed in classified ads for a BMW repair service run by Giroux.

Why Hit Me Up? I know BMWs inside and out, the ad tells prospective customers. I use only quality parts, no shortcuts. My rates are fair, and the work speaks for itself. Im here to make sure you and your car are happy. Shoot me a message or give me a call to book your spot!

The affidavit says Girouxs only past run-ins with the law were misdemeanor convictions for driving with a suspended license and a battery and noise disturbance.

open image in gallery Giroux is facing federal charges after he allegedly became enraged after getting stuck in a phone tree while calling citizenship services about procuring a visa for his Colombian fiancee. ( Getty Images )

The case against Giroux began on October 24, with an electronic tip the Department of Homeland Security forwarded to the FBI National Threat Operations Center, according to the probable cause affidavit.

That afternoon, amid an ongoing U.S government shutdown, Giroux had called USCIS from his mobile phone and became enraged after becoming stuck in a phone tree. The call was recorded, capturing Giroux lashing out at the computerized voice on the other end, the affidavit goes on.

During the recording at issue, which was approximately seven minutes long, Giroux attempted to navigate the IVR to get to a live person with whom he could discuss the issue he was having with an immigration form, it states.

At one point, Giroux instructed the automated system, Transfer me to a customer service representative. Stupid b***h, according to the affidavit. He then told the system to Transfer me to a representative, dumb c**t b***h, the affidavit maintains. Once things really got tense, the affidavit alleges Giroux vowed to set the White House ablaze and choke out every ICE agent he encountered.

The FBI identified the number Giroux was calling from and immediately subpoenaed T-Mobile for subscriber information and location pings of the phones location. T-Mobile provided the feds with Girouxs personal info and the pings led agents to his front door, according to the affidavit.

The following afternoon, a team of FBI agents and deputies from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office showed up at Girouxs apartment. The affidavit says an agent introduced herself to Giroux and asked him to step outside, which he did, after which she told Giroux why they were there.

open image in gallery Giroux lashed out in frustration over getting a visa for his Colombian fiancee amid increasingly severe immigration enforcement by the Trump administration. He is now facing up to five years in prison. ( Getty Images )

He explained that he called USCIS to try to resolve an issue he was having with his upcoming marriage between him and his paramour, a Colombian national, for whom Giroux was seeking a K1 visa, the affidavit states. Giroux had sent in the documents regarding their intended marriage, but USCIS had sent them back without explanation. Giroux explained to me that he was running out of time to get the paperwork squared away and was extremely frustrated that he was unable to get a hold of an actual representative and kept getting routed to the automated system.

Giroux confessed to making the threats against ICE agents and the White House after calling USCIS multiple times, according to the affidavit. It says Giroux claimed he had made the comments in order to try and get someone's attention and to see if anyone was actually listening to what he was saying.

Giroux advised that he did eventually speak with a representative, who was helpful, and he was able to get the situation straightened out, the affidavit states.

It says Giroux insisted that he had no intention of harming anyone, and told agents how stupid it was that he had said those things and that he regretted it.

Giroux said that he is a supporter of President Trump, the affidavit continues. Giroux said he has seen the ICE protests on the social media platform TikTok, and that they disgust him because he is supportive of ICEs efforts. Giroux explained that he is trying to handle the immigration of his paramour in the right way, and it is so difficult, while in the meantime, people are entering the county illegally.

Giroux said he owned a Glock 19 pistol that he bought and registered in California, where he previously lived, but denied having any other explosives or firearms, according to the affidavit.

He was arrested October 27 on one count of transmitting a threat to kill in interstate commerce. A judge released Giroux the same day on a personal recognizance bond and ordered him to surrender his passport by close of business Wednesday.

If convicted, Giroux faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
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California Governor Gavin Newsom says that Donald Trump wants a Putin election in 2028 and that Americans are going to lose our country, if the sitting president goes unchallenged.

Newsom added that he is scared to death about the presidents plans for the midterms and the 2028 presidential election, adding that he believes the United States is at a code red.

We won't have an election that's fair and free if we don't stand up, he told ABC News, in an interview which will be broadcast this evening, at 8.30 pm ET. We wont.

There will not be a fair and free election. It'll be a Putin election. Was it 87% or is it 87.3%?

That's what Trump wants."

open image in gallery Gavin Newsom says that Trump is planning a 'Putin election,' as rumors swirl about the California Governor taking on the Republicans in 2028 ( ABC News )

Newsom, who has clashed with Trump over the deployment of the National Guard into California, also shredded the incumbent presidents record in office.

"All the pardoning, all the, this, this great grift -- the biggest, most corrupt administration in history, Newsom said. Not just the $400 million plane, but the billion dollars of your tax money, as we're cutting food stamps to pay for the damn plane so he can take that toy home with his foundation when he's 93 or whatever he's done with his fourth or fifth term."

The California Governor is a frontrunner to become the Democratic Partys nominee for the presidency. He is known for his combative political style, which has led to propose the Election Rigging Response Act.

If passed, the bill will redraw California's districting lines. Newsom backed the bill after Republicans threatened to gerrymander their own states to increase their hold on Congress.

During his conversation with ABC News, he added that a supine Congress, universities selling their souls, and the private sector are allowing Trumps administration to get away with its controversial policies.

"I'm afraid we're going to lose our country, he said. And where the hell is everybody? Why aren't we standing up to principle?"

open image in gallery Gavin Newsom has been a vocal critic of Trump and pioneered the Election Rigging Response Act after Republicans threatened gerrymandering in their states ( Getty )

Governor Newsom has long been thought to be gearing up for a bid to win the Democratic nomination. During his ABC interview, he praised President Joe Biden as "one of the most successful presidents in the last century," but said that he would differ from the former Democratic leader on border policy.

Many immigrants heading to America enter the country via Californias border with Mexico, an issue on which Newsom has called for reform. On Tuesday, he incensed his MAGA nemeses by hiring Michele Beckwith, a U.S. attorney fired by Trump for telling his administration to abide by the constitution on border issues.

open image in gallery Newsom trailed Pete Buttigeig but beat Kamala Harris in a new poll investigating who voters would back in the Democratic Primary ( AP )

A bombshell poll revealed that Newsom is in second place in the race to clinch the Democratic nomination for the presidency. The survey found that 15 percent of participants backed the California governor, while Pete Buttigieg, the former Transportation Secretary, led with 19 percent.

Meanwhile, Kamala Harris, who Trump defeated in the 2024 election, came in at 11 percent. She trailed New York firebrand Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who was backed by 14 percent of the participants.

On the other side of the political aisle, the poll found that 51 percent of respondents would back J.D. Vance.

Nikki Haley, who battled Trump for the Republican nomination in 2024, won just 9 percent of voters' backing in the recent University of New Hampshire poll.

Tulsi Gabbard, the controversial Director of National Intelligence, came in third with 8 percent of voters' support.
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U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz was interrupted during a speech this week and called out for his involvement in a leaked Signal group chat.

Waltz spoke to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, ahead of a vote on a resolution to condemn the U.S.s economic restrictions on Cuba. As Waltz defended his nations position, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez interrupted his speech with a point of order, and slammed the ambassadors remarks as uncivilized, crude and gross.

He then appeared to call out Waltzs involvement in a group chat with other Trump administration officials on the messaging app Signal, which was leaked earlier this year.

Mr. Waltz, this is the United Nations General Assembly, he said. It is not a Signal chat. Nor is it the House of Representatives.

I am well aware of the location in which we are speaking, Waltz responded. And this is also not a communist illegitimate legislature in Havana.

open image in gallery U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz was interrupted by Cuba's foreign minister as he spoke to the United Nations this week ( AP )

In March, The Atlantics Editor-in-Chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, reported that Waltz mistakenly added him to a group chat on Signal. There, Trump administration officials  including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth  appeared to be discussing plans to strike Houthi targets in Yemen, Goldberg reported. Waltz was serving as President Donald Trumps national security adviser at the time.

Waltz has maintained that no classified information was shared, and claimed in July that Signal was recommended for use by former President Joe Bidens administration. Hegseth similarly defended the chat, telling reporters at the time, nobody was texting war plans.

In May, Waltz was removed from his role as national security adviser and instead nominated to serve as ambassador to the United Nations.

open image in gallery Mike Waltz and other Trump administration officials maintained that no classified information was shared in the Signal chat ( Getty Images )

In his United Nations speech this week, Waltz described the assemblys resolution as political theater and accused the Cuban government of painting itself as a victim of aggression while plainly describing itself as the enemy of the United States. Waltz also objected to the terms embargo and blockade to describe the nations restrictions on Cuba.

The United States has always  always allowed Cuba to import food, to import medicine, and to import humanitarian goods, he said.

A day later, the United Nations voted to condemn the U.S.s economic embargo on Cuba for a 33rd year, the Associated Press reports. This year, 165 countries supported the resolution, while seven countries voted against it and 12 abstained. Last year, 187 countries supported the resolution. The resolution isnt legally binding, but reflects the opinion of the countries that voted.

Rodriguez told the Associated Press this week that the resolution is not binding, but it is powerful.

We cannot underestimate the importance, the impact, of the powerful message year after year by the General Assembly, which is the most democratic, representative body of the international community, he said.

This years vote came as Cuba was battered by Hurricane Melissa, a record-breaking storm that has claimed at least 30 lives in the Caribbean as of Wednesday evening.

The Independent has contacted the State Department and the Cuban Foreign Ministry for comment.
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The majority of Americans hate that President Donald Trumps decision to tear down the White Houses East Wing to construct a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, according to a new poll.

The joint survey by ABC News, Ipsos and The Washington Post found that just 28 percent of U.S. adults support the demolition project, while 56 percent oppose it and 16 percent are undecided.

The poll shows sharp partisan divides as nearly 9 in 10 Democrats and roughly 6 in 10 independents oppose the ballroom decision, while only 2 in 10 Republicans disapprove of it.

Democrats also feel more strongly on the issue, with 78 percent strongly opposed versus 35 percent of Republicans strongly in favor.

The poll surveyed 2,725 adults online from October 24 to 28, with a plus or minus 1.9 percentage-point margin of error.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump said people are 'loving' his plan to demolish the White Houses East Wing and build a ballroom, even though a Post-ABC-Ipsos poll shows most Americans oppose it ( Getty Images )

A separate Economist-YouGov poll found similar results, with 25 percent supporting and 61 percent opposing the project, paid for by $300 million in private donations from American businesses and individuals.

The White House said donors include Apple, Amazon, Google, and Palantir, along with wealthy individuals like Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman and crypto investors Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns the Post, which was involved in commissioning the poll.

While in Tokyo on Tuesday, Trump claimed his ballroom project is broadly popular.

People are loving it, he said, citing favourable editorials in the Post and New York Times.

The ballroom project gained attention and widespread criticism last week when demolition began, especially after Trump said in July that it "won't interfere with the current White House structure. The entire East Wing has since been knocked down, which was historically home to the first ladys office and other reception rooms.

open image in gallery Trump initially said any work on the ballroom wouldnt interfere with the White Houses structure. ( Reuters )

Lawmakers and some conservatives criticized Trump for moving forward without federal review, while the administration defended the project as a privately funded, much-needed expansion.

Others argue that Trumps lavish ballroom renovation exemplifies glaringly misplaced priorities, advancing a costly personal project while millions face food insecurity amid the government shutdown.

Trump is appointing allies to boards overseeing the plan, which has grown from a $200 million, 650-person space to a $300 million, 1,000-person ballroom funded by some $350 million in private donations.

Officials are informally calling the planned event space The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom, ABC News reports. Though Trump has not confirmed a name, senior Trump officials told the outlet the name will likely stick.

The White House expects the ballroom project to be done well before 2029.

In a statement to The Independent, White House spokesman Davis Ingle said: President Trump is working 24/7 to Make America Great Again, including his historic beautification of the White House, at no taxpayer expense. These long-needed upgrades will benefit generations of future presidents and American visitors to the Peoples House.
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Crypto exchange company Binance helped the Trump familys own cryptocurrency venture make billions just before Donald Trump pardoned its co-founder, and the rejuvenated company now stands to reap its own windfall, a new report reveals.

Changpeng Zhao, who also goes by CZ, was pardoned by Trump last week after the administration said the businessman was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency.

Zhao pleaded guilty to enabling money laundering and agreed to step down as the CEO of Binance as part of a $4.3 billion settlement with the Justice Department in 2023. He served four months in prison.

Once Trump, who has touted himself as a crypto-friendly president, won the 2024 election, Zhaos company reportedly saw an opening.

Binance created a high-level task force to strike a deal with the Trump-affiliated cryptocurrency venture World Liberty Financial, and launched a months-long bid for clemency, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing people familiar with the matter.

open image in gallery Crypto exchange company Binance helped the Trump familys own cryptocurrency venture make billions before Donald Trump pardoned its co-founder Changpeng Zhao, according to a report ( REUTERS )

Members of the Trump family, through an umbrella company, own more than half of World Liberty.

World Libertys new stablecoin product  a cryptocurrency whose value is designed to maintain a one-to-one value with the U.S. dollar  saw the value of its shares jump from $127 million to over $2.1 billion this spring after Binance stepped in, according to the WSJ.

The technology that supports World Libertys stablecoin, USD1, was built by Binance and weeks after USD1 launched in March, an Emirati state-backed fund  MGX  used it to invest $2 billion in Zhaos company, according to Bloomberg. The move by MGX reportedly provided World Liberty with the opportunity to net potentially tens of millions of dollars in interest.

World Liberty told the WSJ that Binance was not involved in the deal with MGX, while a lawyer for Binance said that Zhao did not act as the relationship facilitator or financier between MGX and the Trump familys crypto venture.

Now that Trump has pardoned Zhao, the worlds largest trading crypto platform is likely to make a comeback in the U.S. following the 2023 ban.

World Liberty told the WSJ that a pardon was never discussed. The companys lawyer, Tom Clare, said World Liberty has never assisted in, facilitated, or influenced a decision on Mr. Zhaos presidential pardon.

The company said it supported Zhaos pardon. Everyone who has been a victim of Joe Bidens lawfare has rightfully been pardoned, World Liberty spokeswoman Gail Gitcho told the WSJ.

Wayne F. Dennison, a lawyer for Binance, said there was no impropriety, and the company did not control the stablecoin chosen by MGX.

open image in gallery Binance created a high-level task force to strike a deal with the Trump-affiliated cryptocurrency venture World Liberty Financial, and launched a months-long bid for clemency, according to the report ( Getty Images )

Last week Trump said the pardon came at the request of a lot of very good people, but the optics of the decision concerned some within his administration, according to the WSJ.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the outlet that neither Trump nor his family have ever engaged, or will ever engage, in conflicts of interest.

Zhao was released from prison in September. Following Trumps 2024 election win, Zhao and his Binance co-founder, Yi He, who is also his romantic partner, reportedly socialized with high-profile names, some within the the Trump circle.

In December, the couple hosted guests on a yacht in Abu Dhabi for the Grand Prix, including Elon Musks father, Errol Musk, and Bilal bin Saqib, a tech entrepreneur who later became an adviser at World Liberty, according to the WSJ.

While in Abu Dhabi, Zhao also reportedly socialized with Eric Trump and Steve Witkoff, now Trumps special envoy, at a bitcoin conference, according to the outlet. World Liberty and a Trump administration official denied that the three met at the conference.

A few months later, in April, Zhao met with World Libertys Zack Witkoff  Steve Witkoffs son  Saqib, the crypto entrepreneur, and other representatives linked to MGX, at a beachfront restaurant in St. Regis.

Zhaos guilty plea was part of a multi-billion-dollar settlement with the Justice Department, which had been investigating Binance for violating the Bank Secrecy Act, failing to register as a money transmitting business and violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

open image in gallery Zhao pleaded guilty to enabling money laundering and agreed to step down as the CEO of Binance as part of a $4.3 billion settlement with the Justice Department in 2023. He served four months in prison ( AFP via Getty Images )

Federal prosecutors claimed Binance neglected to follow legal obligations, allowing terrorists, cybercriminals and child abusers to move money through its platform.

Zhao pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program, in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act, and resigned.

Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren blasted Trumps decision to pardon Zhao.

First, Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to a criminal money laundering charge. Then he boosted one of Donald Trumps crypto ventures and lobbied for a pardon, Warren said in a statement. If Congress does not stop this kind of corruption in pending market structure legislation, it owns this lawlessness.

Trump is selling pardons to anyone who can personally profit him. Its a shameful abuse of power and a mockery of justice, added Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York.

Even some of Trumps supporters were vocal in their opposition to Zhaos pardon.

Joe Lonsdale, the co-founder of software company Palantir Technologies, said Trump has been terribly advised in a post on X last week. It makes it look like massive fraud is happening around him in this area, Lonsdale, a Trump supporter, said.

Laura Loomer, a close confidante to the president, was critical of the move before it was announced last week.

You know who gets Emirati citizenship when they werent born in the UAE? People who are trying to evade punishment for crimes, Loomer said. Zhao responded that he no longer holds Chinese citizenship.

Binance representatives argued that under the Trump administration, Zhaos actions would not have been prosecutable, according to the WSJ.

Ariana Baio contributed reporting
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President Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping have started what is expected to be three to four hours of high-stakes in-person talks in hopes of lowering the temperature of a simmering trade war that has threatened to boil over and upend the global economy.

The two leaders arrived within minutes of each other Thursday morning local time at South Koreas Gimhae Air Base, a military facility on the edge of Gimhae International Airport in Busan, the second-largest city in South Korea.

Speaking during a brief media availability at the top of their summit, Trump said he and Xi would have a very successful meeting and called Xi a very tough negotiator.

We have a great understanding. We have a great relationship, weve always had a great relationship, Trump said.

A few minutes later during a second photo opportunity before the talks began, Trump said it was a great honor to be with Xi, who he called a friend of mine and very distinguished and respected.

We will be having some discussions. I think we've already agreed to a lot of things, and we'll agree to some more right now, but President Xi is a great leader of a great country, and I think we're going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time, Trump said.

open image in gallery Trump and Xi pose for reporters before their summit meeting in South Korea ( REUTERS )

Xi, speaking through a translator, said it was a great pleasure to meet with Trump and said he felt very warm seeing the American leader again because its been many years.

He noted that he and Trump had spoken three times and exchanged several letters since Trumps return to the White House and said Sino-American relations had remained stable on the whole during that time.

Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then and in the face of winds, waves and challenges, Xi said.

He added that he and Trump should stay the right course and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-US relations, and suggested that his vision for Chinas continued development goes hand in hand with Trumps vision to make America great again.

Over the years, I have stated in public many times that China and the United States should be partners and friends. This is what history has taught us and what reality demands, Xi continued.

He added later that he was ready to continue working with Trump to build a solid foundation for China-US relations and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries.

open image in gallery Trump said it was a great honor to be with Xi, who he called a friend of mine and very distinguished and respected. ( Getty Images )

Trump, who traveled to the meeting site by helicopter, had referred to the long-awaited summit as the G2 in a post on Truth Social shortly before Xis plane touched down.

He also claimed in a separate post that the United States would begin the process of resuming testing of its nuclear weapons stockpile immediately, citing Beijings efforts to expand its estimated 600 nuclear warheads to at least 1,000 by 2030. But when pressed to explain the social media post by reporters, he declined to do so.

Trumps meeting with Xi is his first face-to-face interaction with the Chinese leader since he returned to power for a second, non-consecutive term in January. It follows a series of phone calls between the two leaders over the opening nine months of Trumps term.

The summit provides Trump with a chance for face-saving and deescalation between the worlds two largest economies following months of tumult caused in large part by his freewheeling use of unilaterally-imposed import taxes and Beijings use of export controls on rare earth elements to retaliate.

The tensions and turmoil brought about by the presidents ongoing trade war have often spooked global markets and left investors concerned over the possibility that the result could be an implosion of the world economy that would benefit neither nation.

But the anticipated deescalation has allowed investors and businesses to relax ahead of the meeting, with American stock markets seeing gains from investors hoping for a new framework for Sino-American trade relations coming out of the summit.

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.

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 over the proposed rare earth restrictions and threatened to impose a 100 percent tariff on all Chinese goods starting Saturday in retaliation.

Such a tariff would increase the tax rate Americans pay for Chinese imports to a whopping 157 percent, though Trump later conceded that such a high tariff is not sustainable during an interview on Fox Business earlier this month.

American officials have echoed that sentiment following preparatory meetings with their Chinese counterparts earlier this week in Kuala Lumpur, where Trump made the first stop on his three-leg swing through Asia during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations annual summit.

Beijings lead trade negotiator, Li Chenggang, said following the preliminary talks that Chinese and American officials had reached what he called a preliminary consensus, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later said they had come up with a very successful framework for the leader-to-leader talks.

Trump himself suggested he was considering lowering tariffs he imposed on Chinese imports earlier this year, supposedly over Beijings failure to curb trafficking in chemicals used to make fentanyl.

open image in gallery Trump suggested Wednesday he was considering lowering tariffs he imposed on Chinese imports supposedly over Beijings failure to curb trafficking in chemicals used to make fentanyl ( Getty Images )

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea on Wednesday, the president said Americas relationship with China is very good.

I expect to be lowering [the tariffs] because I believe that theyre going to help us with the fentanyl situation, he said.

Despite Trumps optimism on easing the months-long trade tensions with Beijing, outstanding issues remain that could lead to a rocky road ahead for both nations.

China continues to provide support to Russias ongoing war against Ukraine, and both the U.S. and China remain in fierce competition in the manufacturing, technology and artificial intelligence sectors.

Other potential sticking points include Chinas push for influence abroad, both economic and military, and Beijings continued designs on Taiwan, the self-governing island which it considers a rogue province.

But administration officials have said Trump and Xis talks will be largely confined to matters of trade and commerce, and Trump himself has indicated that he does not plan to speak with Xi about Taiwan.
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President Donald Trump greeted trick-or-treaters at the White House Halloween event on Thursday night  and once again placed candy on top of a childs head.

The president, joined by First Lady Melania Trump, distributed candy for about an hour outside the White House, which was decked out in pumpkins, leaves, and other decorations for the event. The president was spotted placing a candy bar on top of a childs light-up mask, in a moment that mirrored a viral incident from Halloween 2019, when the President placed candy on the head of a child dressed as a Minion.

The moment has already made the rounds on social media. In a post with hundreds of likes and reshares, one user uploaded todays clip side-by-side with the 2019 viral moment.

President Trump DOES IT AGAIN! He just recreated the time he placed a candy bar on a kids head for Halloween 6 years ago, the user wrote. We are SO BACK!

open image in gallery President Donald Trump places a bar of candy on top of a childs costume at the White House Halloween event ( AP )

Some trick-or-treaters appeared to be dressed as Trump himself, while others opted to be Secret Service agents or the Statue of Liberty. As the President and First Lady handed out candy, Halloween-themed tunes played in the background.

Trump also greeted two young kids who were in a wagon decorated with the McDonalds drive-thru sign. The president notably operated a McDonalds fryer last year for a campaign photo-op.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump high-fives a trick-or-treater who appears to be dressed as him at the White House Halloween event ( AP )

open image in gallery President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet two trick-or-treaters in a wagon displaying the McDonalds drive-thru sign at the White House Halloween event ( Reuters )

Several kids dressed as pumpkins, ballerinas and dinosaurs. Some trick-or-treaters also brought items for Trump to sign, including a golf ball and copies of Time magazine with covers that featured him.

Top White House officials, including White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, were also spotted with their families at the event.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump greets White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and her family at the White House Halloween event ( AP )

open image in gallery White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller attends the White House Halloween event with his family ( AFP via Getty )

Meanwhile, Trumps tariffs are reportedly driving up the prices of Halloween candy and costumes. His tariff hike on Chinese goods has resulted in tighter Halloween inventory and higher prices, The Independent previously reported.

The National Retail Federation also estimates that consumers are expected to spend a record $13.1bn this Halloween, which is up from $11.6bn last year and tops the previous 2023 record of $12.2bn.

When asked about the higher prices earlier this month, White House spokesperson Kush Desai told The Independent, Real prosperity is good jobs, booming industry, and thriving communities for everyday Americans  not cheap Chinese imports.
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President Donald Trump downplayed the resumption of U.S. nuclear testing for the first time in more than three decades by pointing to other countries that are doing the same.

In a Truth Social post Thursday, the president said he directed the Pentagon to immediately test nuclear weapons on an equal basis with other countries with nuclear powers.

Trump wrote the post just before his meeting with Chinas President Xi Jinping while on his tour across Asia. After the meeting, on his way back to Washington, D.C., on Air Force One, reporters asked him what prompted the decision.

With others doing testing, I think its appropriate that we do also, the U.S. president told reporters. We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We dont do testing  halted it many years ago. With others doing testing, I think its appropriate that we do testing also.

When pressed as to when the nuclear testing would begin, Trump said the timing would be announced.

open image in gallery With others doing testing, I think its appropriate that we do also, the president said after announcing the resumption of testing. ( AP )

Earlier in the day, he wrote on Truth Social: The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice!

Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.

The last confirmed U.S. nuclear test was in 1992 under President George H.W. Bush, while Chinas was in 1996.

In 1992, Bush announced a unilateral moratorium on nuclear weapons testing. Four years later, President Bill Clinton signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, calling it the longest-sought, hardest-fought prize in the history of arms control. The U.S. is one of 187 countries that have signed the treaty, and one of only 18 that havent ratified it.

Although Russia initially ratified the treaty in 2000, Russian President Vladimir Putin revoked the countrys ratification in 2023.

The president also didnt disclose where the testing would take place, but the last weapons test took place in Nevada.

open image in gallery The US hasnt tested a nuclear weapon since 1992 . Pictured: A mushroom cloud from a Nevada test site in 1957. ( AP )

Over the weekend, Putin announced that Moscow had successfully tested its nuclear-powered missile.

It is a unique ware which nobody else in the world has, Putin said.

As of last year, Russia had an estimated 4,300 nuclear warheads in its military stockpile while the U.S. had about 3,700, according to the Federation of American Scientists.

Several lawmakers have spoken out against Trumps decision to resume testing.

Absolutely not. Ill be introducing legislation to put a stop to this, Nevada Democratic Congresswoman Dina Titus said in a social media post.

The U.S. has not conducted a nuclear test since 1992 and we must not resume. This is a reckless decision that will only make us less safe and lead to a new nuclear arms race, Massachusetts Democratic Senator Ed Markey wrote.

In the wake of Trumps remarks, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a Thursday press conference that his country hopes that the U.S. will abide by the treaty and its moratorium on nuclear testing and will take concrete actions to uphold the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, as well as global strategic balance and stability.
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Donald Trump has repeatedly called the proliferation of nuclear weapons the n-word, his way of warning that speaking nuclear into existence puts the world on the path of mutually assured destruction.

But 10 months into his second administration, the president is commanding officials to resume nuclear weapons testing, which would end the U.Ss 33-year moratorium and invite a global arms race in a volatile political moment.

Claiming that the United States must reach parity with weapons development in China and Russia, Trump ordered the Pentagon on October 30 to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, a process that will begin immediately, he said.

The last confirmed nuclear test by the United States was in 1992 under then-President George H.W. Bush, who established a moratorium on all nuclear testing. China has reportedly not tested a nuclear weapon since 1996, and Russias most recent tests involved delivery systems, not actual detonation of a nuclear device.

Its unclear whether Trump intends to test nuclear-capable missiles or launch full-scale explosive tests. But the worlds leading nuclear scientists and Pulitzer Prize-winning nuclear bodies are sounding the alarm.

open image in gallery Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to start nuclear weapons testing, which would end a decades-old embargo and fuel a global stockpile while the Doomsday clock ticks closer to midnight. ( AP )

That is the kind of reckless imprecision we should not have to tolerate from the person who has the sole authority to launch U.S. nuclear weapons, according Alexandra Bell, president of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

Before Trumps announcement, the Bulletin had set the Doomsday Clock to 89 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to catastrophe.

Words matter, especially to the communities in the United States and around the world that have suffered from the effects of nuclear explosive testing, Bell said in a statement to The Independent.

What does explosive testing look like?

On July 16, 1945, the United States tested a plutonium implosion device roughly 200 miles south of Los Alamos, New Mexico, home of the worlds first-ever nuclear explosion. The Trinity test released more than 18 kilotons of power, instantly vaporizing the tower that held the device and turning the surrounding asphalt and sand into green glass.

The shockwave of intense heat knocked nearby observers to the ground. Witnesses as far as 200 miles away reported seeing an immense explosion that filled the sky with fire and black smoke.

The United States did not publicly disclose what actually caused the massive fireball until after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in August 1945, which killed tens of thousands of people.

open image in gallery A mushroom cloud rises from a test blast at the Nevada Test Site on June 24, 1957 ( AP )

The U.S. government has performed more than 1,000 tests since then, accounting for more than half of all global nuclear weapons tests in the decades that followed, according to the United Nations.

The vast majority of those tests were performed underground, with nuclear devices detonated at varying depths below the earths surface.

Underground explosions are believed to emit negligible nuclear fallout levels compared to atmospheric tests, but those explosions can produce dangerous radioactive debris if they vent to the surface, or leak into groundwater.

Until the 1990s, more than 900 U.S. tests were performed at the Nevada Test Site roughly 60 miles outside of Las Vegas. Most of those tests were performed underground, though dozens of iconic mushroom clouds from dozens of atmospheric tests performed at the site have been visible from the Vegas strip and beyond.

open image in gallery An atomic test produced a mushroom cloud at the Nevada Test Site on March 23, 1955. ( AP )

The United States also has performed explosive tests in the Marshall Islands and Kiritimati Island in the Pacific Ocean, though several other tests have been performed across the United States, including Alaska, Colorado and Mississippi.

Most nuclear weapons testing was banned under the Partial Test Ban Treaty of 1963, except for underground tests. Underground tests werent banned until the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which was signed by the worlds atomic powers in 1996.

But the treaty was never ratified in the United States; it was rejected by the Senate in 1999, leaving it effectively unenforced. Russia rescinded its ratification of the treaty in 2023, pointing to the United States failure to do so.

North Korea is believed to be the only country to have openly tested a nuclear weapon in this century, in 2017.

Can the U.S. resume explosive tests?

If the United States does resume explosive tests, the process could take more than a year and would require approval from Congress, according to Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project with the Federation of American Scientists.

The White House would have to direct the Department of Energy to order nuclear laboratories to start preparing, and since the United States doesnt currently have a nuke weapons test explosion program, Congress would have to appropriate the money, he wrote.

It would be expensive and take time: a simple explosion is 6-10 months, a fully instrumented test in 24-36 months, and a test to develop a new nuclear warhead is about 60 months, according to Kristensen.

open image in gallery Footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry October 22 shows the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile at Plesetsk testing field in northern Russia during drills of the country's nuclear forces ( Russian Defence Ministry )

Any scientifically useful test would take years, according to Dylan Spaulding, senior scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists Global Security Program. Anything shorter than that would be nothing more than dangerous political showmanship and would not allow collection of useful data, he wrote.

Trump said he has ordered the Department of Defense to perform tests, but it is the National Nuclear Security Administration under the Department of Energy that is responsible.

The Pentagon, however, could perform tests of nuclear-capable missiles.

If Trump is referring to those kinds of tests, then Trumps statement appears similar to one he delivered on August 1, when he dispatched two nuclear submarines to appropriate regions in response to Russias nuclear threats, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that, he said at the time.

Trumps statement was provocative but meaningless, as U.S. subs are always in range of Russia, said Stephen Young, associate director for government affairs for the Union of Concerned Scientists Global Security Program.

open image in gallery Trumps command to restart nuclear weapons testing could trigger a global arms race, or, at least, send a reckless message to adversaries, according to experts. ( AP )

During the presidents 2024 campaign, Trumps former national security adviser Robert OBrien called on his administration to resume nuclear tests for reliability and safety in the real world for the first time since 1992.

Reactivating nuke tests will maintain technical and numerical superiority to the combined Chinese and Russian nuclear stockpiles, he wrote at the time.

Nuclear weapons testing and weapon stockpiling are also key parts of the defense recommendations in Project 2025, the 900-page Heritage Foundation-backed manifesto for Trumps second term.

Project 2025 called for the rejection of current arms control treaties considered contrary to the goal of bolstering nuclear deterrence.

Those proposals, written by Trumps former defense secretary Christopher Miller, called for the acceleration of all weapons production and to prioritize nuclear development over any other security programs, including boosting supplies above treaty limits, and creating a new nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile.

How will other world powers react?

World powers possess more than 12,000 nuclear warheads, according to the Federation of American Scientists. The United States and Russia possess roughly 87 percent of the worlds nuclear weapons inventory and 83 percent of warheads available for military use.

Any actual move to return to explosive testing would set off a cascade with the other nuclear-armed states likely to follow, according to Bell with the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.

No one would benefit from that more than China, as they are currently building up their nuclear forces, but lack the extensive testing data that the United States possesses, she said.

open image in gallery The White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, home of the Trinity test site, where the world's first atomic bomb exploded July 16, 1945 ( AFP via Getty Images )

But another key safeguard against a global arms race between the two major nuclear powers is set to expire in February.

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty has sought to limit the United States and Russia to no more than 1,550 deployed warheads on no more than 700 operational launchers, but no talks appear to be underway on another agreement.

A failure to renew an agreement risks the first major buildup of deployed U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear weapons in more than 35 years, according to Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association.

Melissa Parke, director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, said in a statement to The Independent that Trumps remarks are an unnecessary and reckless nuclear threat escalation that disregards the ongoing harm already caused over the last 80 years by nuclear detonations.

By the way, this is no way to win the Nobel Peace Prize, she said.
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President Donald Trump has instructed his defense department to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately.

Trump made the announcement via Truth Social on Wednesday night, just before his highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country, Trump wrote. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.

Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, he added. That process will begin immediately.

Russia has not tested a nuclear weapon since 1990, while China hasnt tested one since 1996, The New York Times reports. Washingtons push to restart tests follows a string of perceived Russian provocations with nuclear-capable weapons in recent days.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump announced the U.S. will begin the process of testing nuclear weapons immediately shortly before meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday ( AP )

Trump didnt respond to a reporters question about the announcement as he prepared to meet with Xi on Wednesday night. The Independent has contacted the defense department for comment.

The announcement came after weeks of renewed nuclear sabre-rattling with Russia, which this week tested a nuclear-capable underwater drone they said could not be intercepted.

Russia also tested a nuclear-powered missile with unlimited range, adding to a growing arsenal of fast and nuclear-capable cruise missiles. NATO has also carried out nuclear drills this month as part of Operation Steadfast Noon in Europe.

In August, Russia elected to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), by which the Soviet Union and the U.S. had agreed to reduce the number of strategic weapons held by both sides. The decision was announced days after Trump said he was redeploying a pair of nuclear submarines to appropriate regions, citing provocative statements from former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.

This week, Trump reminded Russia that the U.S. has a nuclear submarine ... right off their shores, after the Kremlins latest nuclear missile tests.

open image in gallery Russian president Vladimir Putin has recently tested a number of nuclear-capable weapons ( Getty )

The U.S. has observed a voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing since 1992, according to the Congressional Research Service. Thats the same year Bill Clinton was elected president, The Silence of the Lambs won Best Picture, and the Summer Olympics were hosted in Barcelona, Spain.

Despite the moratorium, the U.S. has maintained the ability to resume these tests at the Nevada National Security Site.

Beth Sanner, a former intelligence official who served in several roles across the CIA, National Security Council and the state department, called the decision a bad idea in an interview with CNNs Kaitlan Collins on Wednesday night.

Yes, we give up a little bit in terms of constraining ourselves when we have a test ban treaty and we uphold it, but when we break that, other countries who are our adversaries benefit more than we do, Sanner said.

Trump reportedly weighed whether to resume testing during his first term in 2020. But his first administration still reaffirmed the moratorium, along with former President Joe Bidens administration, according to the Congressional Research Service. Last summer, Trumps allies were similarly pushing for him to resume nuclear testing if he won a second term in the White House.

Trumps announcement comes just hours after President Vladimir Putin said that Russia tested Poseidon, an atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone.

Putin described the test as a huge success and claimed there is no way to intercept the drone. Russia also tested a nuclear-powered cruise missile earlier this week.
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After freezing refugee admissions and cutting off funding to groups that support them, Donald Trumps administration is now drastically reducing the number of refugees admitted into the United States each year  and handing most of those limited slots to white South Africans.

White House proposals previously reported by The Independent were formally added to the federal register on Thursday.

Refugee admissions will now explicitly prioritize Afrikaners for resettlement, and the ceiling for admissions has been radically reduced from 125,000 people to only 7,500 for the next year.

The move represents a stark break from a refugee policy informed by humanitarian needs, not ideology or identity, according to refugee resettlement groups.

This decision doesnt just lower the refugee admissions ceiling. It lowers our moral standing, said Krish OMara Vignarajah, president of Global Refuge, one of the nations largest resettlement organizations.

open image in gallery Donald Trumps overhaul of the nations refugee admissions process explicitly prioritizes white South Africans and strands thousands of people in the resettlement process, including Afghans ( AFP via Getty Images )

At a time of crisis in countries ranging from Afghanistan to Venezuela to Sudan and beyond, concentrating the vast majority of admissions on one group undermines the programs purpose as well as its credibility, she said.

Human Rights First called the move blatantly racist and a new low point in U.S. foreign policy.

Turning our back on hundreds of thousands of truly at-risk refugees fleeing religious, political, and other forms of persecution defies decades of bipartisan support for welcoming the vulnerable, from Vietnamese to Afghan allies, said the groups president Uzra Zeya.

Lets call this what it is  white supremacy disguised as refugee policy, added Guerline Jozef, director of immigration advocacy group Haitian Bridge Alliance. At a time when Black refugees from Haiti, Sudan, the Congo, and Cameroon are drowning at sea, languishing in detention, or being deported to death, the U.S. government has decided to open its arms to those who already enjoy global privilege.

The White House did not provide a reason for the drop in admissions, but the notice in the federal register states that the figure is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.

The document does not mention any other specific groups to be admitted besides white South Africans.

Other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands will also be considered for admission into the country as refugees, but the document does not provide any detail on what that entails.

open image in gallery The White House is also capping refugee admissions to 7,500 within the next year, marking a sharp drop from 125,000 in the previous year ( AFP via Getty Images )

The overhaul also appears to strand thousands of refugees who are being vetted for entry or have already completed extensive background checks. The number of now-stranded refugees who had already been approved to enter the United States, with confirmed travel plans to resettle in the country, is now larger than the entire refugee program.

It is egregious to exclude refugees who completed years of rigorous security checks and are currently stuck in dangerous and precarious situations, according to Sharif Aly, president of the International Refugee Assistance Project.

Americas refugee program was built to reflect our values, and the thousands of individuals weve closed our doors to represent thousands of missed opportunities of people who could have strengthened a local community or economy, Aly said.

open image in gallery Trump administration officials began welcoming white South Africans into the United States as refugees earlier this year, and the State Department is expecting to resettle thousands more within the coming months ( AP )

Trump directed an overhaul of the nations refugee admissions program earlier this year to study whether allowing refugees into the country was even in the interest of the United States.

The president is required to notify Congress about changes to the program, but lawmakers were not consulted.

This bizarre presidential determination is not only morally indefensible, it is illegal and invalid, top Democrats on the House and Senate judiciary and immigration committees said in a joint statement.

Shortly after Trump entered office in January, the administration abruptly canceled previously arranged refugee flights.

Over the last several months, the administration has also slashed financial aid and healthcare coverage for refugees, and the presidents One Big Beautiful Bill Act restricts refugees from eligibility for Medicaid, Medicare, childrens health insurance and emergency food assistance.

In May, a group of 59 white South Africans were admitted to the United States as refugees, and the United States essentially extended citizenship to them, Trump said at the time.

The State Department is reportedly planning to resettle 2,000 Afrikaners by the end of October and then another 4,000 by the end of November.

At least 700 Afrikaners are being processed for imminent resettlement in the United States at the end of the government shutdown, following dozens of Afrikaners who were already admitted to the country as refugees earlier this year.
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A British national accused of spying for Russia in Ukraine and preparing to carry out terrorist attacks has been arrested, Ukrainian prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Ukrainian officials alleged that the man, who they did not name, collaborated with Russias special services and agreed to sell military information in exchange for money.

The man, who has been detained in Kyiv at his temporary residence, was accused of unauthorised dissemination of information about the defence forces in conditions of martial law.

The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that it was aware of the reports and is in close contact with the Ukrainian authorities. Ukraines security service said the man was also preparing to carry out terrorist attacks.

The Briton appeared in a Ukrainian court this week and was detained without bail.

This is the first such case of a British national being accused of spying charges on Ukrainian soil.

Ukrainian officials said he initially travelled to Ukraine in 2024 to work as a military instructor, but then posted on pro-Russia forums online saying he was willing to sell information. He was then allegedly contacted by Russias secret police, the FSB.

The unnamed man has been detained without bail ( Telegram/Office of the Ukraine Attorney General )

The occupiers provided him with instructions for making an improvised explosive device. They also sent him the coordinates of a weapons cache, from which he retrieved a pistol with two loaded magazines, the Security Service of Ukraine said in a statement, referring to Russia.

He has professional skills in fire and tactical training and had advertised his willingness to spy on various pro-Kremlin internet groups, the prosecutors said.

The Ukrainian prosecutors office said the British national stopped working as an instructor in September 2024 and moved to Ukraines port city of Odesa. He established contact with a representative of the Russian special service and agreed to provide military information for money, the statement added.

They said they have evidence showing that the British man transmitted sensitive military information to Russia in May 2025, including the location of Ukrainian units, photographs of training areas and information about military personnel that could lead to their identification.

He received $6,000 (4,541) for one task, the prosecutors said in a statement. A pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine with operational support from counter-intelligence units.
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Italy has joined the US and the UK in demanding the release of Briton Jimmy Lai, who has been jailed in a Hong Kong prison for the past five years.

Lai, the 77-year-old founder of the now-shuttered newspaper Apple Daily, is awaiting a verdict on charges of sedition and collusion with foreign powers under Hong Kongs draconian national security law.

The ailing pro-democracy activist has pleaded not guilty, but faces the prospect of life in prison if convicted.

Italys special envoy for religious freedom, Davide Dionisi, said the foreign ministry "will play its part" in calling for Lais release after meeting the media moguls son this week.

It is necessary to work, also in international forums, using the tools of politics and diplomacy, to put an end to Jimmy Lai's suffering," Mr Dionisi said. "He has been in prison since December 2020 for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression," he added.

Mr Dionisi's statement comes just days after US president Donald Trump said he would raise Lai's case during his meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday. It was immediately unclear whether Mr Trump raised the issue with his Chinese counterpart.

Responding to Mr Trumps remarks, Lais son, Sebastien Lai, told The Independent: I am very grateful to President Trump for his commitment to saving my fathers life. We hope that he convinces President Xi to free my father.

The issue of Lais case was brought to Mr Trumps attention in a joint letter penned by Republican senator Rick Scott and signed by more than 30 US lawmakers, urging the president to intervene due to Lais deteriorating health.

The humanitarian case for Mr Lais release is stronger and more dire than ever, which is why this must be addressed at the highest possible level, the lawmakers wrote.

Sebastien told Sky News that his father has become visibly gaunt.

"It is torture. He has diabetes. He has heart issues.

"Even though he is a man who knows he did the right thing, his spirit is strong, his mind is strong, but his body is breaking down. It is painful to watch, he added.

Hopes of a breakthrough from the Trump-Xi meeting come after a relentless campaign, led by Sebastien, urging the international community to increase pressure on China to release his father, whose high-profile trial is being viewed as a test of press freedom and judicial independence in the Asian financial hub.

Concerns over Lais health delayed the delivery of closing arguments in his trial in August, with the authorities eventually issuing him a heart monitor to be worn during the proceedings. He has been kept in solitary confinement for nearly four years for his role in the pro-democracy protests of 2019, which eventually ended with Beijing imposing new national security laws in the city.

Sebastien has repeatedly warned that his father suffers from diabetes and says he has lost weight due to being denied independent medical care.

Sebastien last month said he believed it was in Chinas interests to free Lai, warning that he would become a martyr for the pro-democracy movement if he died behind bars. Its horrible for me to say this, but if my father dies in prison, hes actually a stronger symbol of freedom, of martyrdom for your beliefs, he said.
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Europes NATO allies have been shaken by Russian provocations on the blocs eastern frontier in recent months, reporting a string of drone incursions and scrambling jets to shadow aircraft flying over the Baltic.

Concern has mounted since September, when nearly two dozen drones crossed over into Poland amid a large-scale Russian drone attack on Ukraine. Days later, three Russian military jets violated Estonias airspace for 12 minutes.

Subsequent activity near the border has forced European countries to close airports and borders, and to reconsider how equipped they are to deal with foreign intrusions.

Analysts say that Russia is deliberately provoking NATO to see how it reacts, gathering information that might be useful when it decides the time is right to make a move against an alliance member.

Interceptions over the Baltic

Poland said on 30 October that its fighter jets had been scrambled to intercept a Russian reconnaissance plane over the Baltic Sea in the second such incident in a week.

Two days earlier, Polish jets intercepted a Russian aircraft flying in international airspace over the Baltic without a filed flight plan and with its transponder turned off.

Separately, Polish airports in Radom and Lublin reopened on Thursday after being forced shut by military aviation activity. Russian attacks on facilities in bordering Ukraine saw Polish and allied planes scrambled.

Weather balloons over Lithuania

Lithuania said on 29 October it would continue to close border crossings into Belarus until November in response to airspace disruptions by smugglers balloons.

The balloons, carrying cartons of cigarettes, forced airports in Lithuania to close several times in October. The EU said the balloons occur in the context of a broader targeted hybrid campaign.

Belarus president called the borders a crazy scam and accused the West of fighting a hybrid war against Belarus and Russia.

open image in gallery A pair of Polish Air Force MiG-29 fighters intercepted a Russian aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea ( DO RSZ )

Naval provocations off Denmark

Denmark accused Russian warships of repeatedly sailing on collision courses with Danish naval vessels and disrupting navigation systems in its straits connecting the Baltic to the North Sea at the start of October.

Such incidents risk unintended escalation, the defence intelligence ministry said on 3 October. The ministry said that Danish vessels and helicopters had been targeted by tracking radars and physically pointed at with weapons.

Drone sightings over Denmark

Denmarks armed forces reported at the end of September that unidentified drones had been observed near military installations.

On 24 September, airports in Aalborg and Billund had to close briefly, reporting drone activity. On 22 September, Copenhagen airport also had to close. Denmarks prime minister said that Russian involvement could not be ruled out. The Kremlin called the allegations unfounded.

In nearby Norway, Oslo airport was also closed over a possible drone sighting.

open image in gallery A damaged drone lies after falling in the eastern Polish village of Czosnowka ( Dariusz Stefaniuk )

Fighter jet incursions in Estonia

Three Russian military jets violated NATO member Estonia's airspace for 12 minutes on 19 September in an "unprecedentedly brazen" incursion, according to the government.

Estonian foreign minister Margus Tsakhna said it was the fourth time that Russia has violated Estonian airspace in 2025.

The foreign ministry said that the incursion involved three Russian MIG-31 fighters and took place over the Gulf of Finland. The Russian charge d'affaires was summoned and given a protest note, a ministry statement said.

Military drills on NATOs frontier

Russia and Belarus carried out joint military drills in Belarus between 12 and 16 September - an event with prior planning, but coinciding with raised tensions over recent drone incursions.

Analysts observed at the time that Russia had used the drills in 2021 to build up troop numbers before attacking Ukraine months later.

Poland, Lithuania and Latvia all ramped up security around the 2025 exercises, which included planning the use of nuclear weapons.

open image in gallery Russian tanks move during the "Zapad-2025" drills in September ( AFP/Getty )

Drone incidents in eastern Europe

A Russian drone breached Romanian airspace on 13 September, prompting the military to scramble fighter jets.

The incident occurred during a Russian attack on Ukrainian infrastructure near the border, the defence ministry said.

Poland reported two days later that a drone had flown over the presidential palace in what it called a provocation. Two Belarusians were arrested.

Major drone incursion in Poland

After months of allegations of so-called hybrid attacks on Europe, matters came to a head on 9 September as Poland reported between 19 and 23 intrusions into Polish airspace. NATO responded with a multinational force of jets to shoot down a number of them.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that the country was the closest to armed conflict since the Second World War.

While Russia has said it didnt target Poland, and Moscows ally Belarus said that the drones went astray because they were jammed, European leaders have said they are certain that the incursions were a deliberate provocation by Putin.

Two days prior, Estonia reported a Russian Mi-8 helicopter violating its airspace over the Baltic Sea.

open image in gallery A Russian MIG-31 fighter jet flying above the Baltic sea after violating Estonian air space ( HANDOUT/AFP via Getty Images )

Russias hybrid attacks

Russia has also targeted European countries through other methods, which have been described as hybrid warfare. These range from cyberattacks to sabotage operations and disinformation campaigns.

This happens all the time, says Ms Seskuria. It has much deeper implications on European security, and there are various instances where Russia is directly intervening in elections. We saw this happening in Moldova last year, and this year ahead of their parliamentary elections.

Russia has been accused of meddling in the elections of European nations for years.

The UKs National Cyber Security Centre judged in 2022 that Russia had been behind a cyberattack with Europe-wide impact just an hour before its invasion of Ukraine.

While Ukraines military was the primary target of an attack on high-speed broadband service Viasat, wind farms in central Europe and both personal and commercial internet users were also affected.

Disinformation campaigns in Western countries have also been linked to Russia.

There are consistent efforts to push these narratives that are pro-Russian, portraying the West as an aggressor rather than a Kremlin that wants to violate Ukraines sovereignty and fights this war for its own imperial ambitions, Ms Seskuria said.
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Barcelonas Sagrada Familia basilica became the worlds tallest church on Thursday.

The church confirmed that the masterwork of architect Antoni Gaudi now rises to 162.91m (534 feet) above the city after a part of its central tower was lifted into place, just barely beating the tip of the spire of Germanys Ulmer Munster at 161.53m (530 feet).

The Ulmer Munster, a Gothic Lutheran church built between 1543 and 1890, has held the title of the worlds tallest church.

That bragging right now gets passed to its Spanish rival. Even though the Sagrada Familia does not claim the title, the numbers are there to compare: it is now just over a metre (3.2 feet) taller than the church in southern Germany.

And the Sagrada Familia is still growing.

The central Tower of Jesus Christ that is rising from the top of the church will reach 172 metres (564 feet) when it is completed in the coming months.

Barcelonas Sagrada Familia basilica ( AP )

A crane placed the first part of the tower on top of the nave on Thursday morning.

The first stone of the Sagrada Familia was placed in 1882, but Gaudi never expected it to be completed in his lifetime. Only one of its multiple towers was finished when he died.

Work has sped up over recent decades as the basilica became a major international tourist attraction with people around the world enthralled by Gaudi's unique aesthetic that combines Catholic symbolism and organic forms.

The money from entrance fees is used to fund the ongoing construction. Last year, 4.9 million people paid to visit it, with 15 per cent of those tourists coming from the United States.

Work on the churchs elaborate facades and decorating its interior will continue for several years. It is expected to be completely finished around a decade from now, church officials said earlier this year.

Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the death of Gaudi. The church will hold several events to celebrate his legacy, which includes other stunning buildings in Barcelona and other places in Spain.
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San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is trying to get more homes built for people like Liam Murphy: a fifth-generation city kid who found himself repeatedly outbid for tiny two-bedroom houses that wound up selling for $1.6 million.

Murphy, 39, now lives about an hour's drive away from his job as a San Francisco firefighter. He says it's too late for his family to move back, but he hopes others can stay in a city where the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom is $3,500.

That would just make for a better city overall, said Murphy, and the reason is because city kids just grow up being exposed to more. They're exposed to all the cultures of San Francisco, which makes a more well-rounded person.

Tiny, colorful San Francisco  just seven miles squared  embraces its image as a city that welcomes all. But its inability to build more housing has made it one of the world's toughest places to find a home, risking the diversity it prides itself on.

Epithets are hurled at the mayor

Lurie hopes to change that, with a plan to allow for denser and taller buildings throughout much of the city, including the westside Sunset neighborhood of single-family homes and the tourist friendly Haight-Ashbury, which is studded with classic Victorian and Edwardian homes.

The issue has roiled the city, and threats of recall loom over San Francisco supervisors who go along with Lurie. At a recent housing rally, the mayor who won a rare reprieve from President Donald Trump's threats to send in federal forces struggled to be heard over angry chants of shame! and liar.

Protesters demanded the city invest in 100% below-market rate housing and accused him of being a gentrifier and a Republican.

I truly believe that this has San Franciscans' best interests at heart. Are some people going to be fearful? Absolutely. I get it. Change is scary, said Lurie, who is a centrist Democrat. But the status quo is not working. There's an affordability crisis right now.

Democrats vs Democrats

The city's estimated 830,000 residents are passionate over both land use and equity. Housing projects have died as pressure to create more affordable units made potential developments unprofitable. Residents also want their stunning views.

But San Francisco is under pressure from the state to adopt a new zoning plan allowing for 36,000 more homes by 2031  or else the state will decide what gets built where  and the mayor likely has the votes to pass his Family Zoning Plan.

Supporters say it's a matter of supply and demand, and that more homes will bring down the overall cost of housing.

Critics say such trickle-down economics will not work in a city like San Francisco, which is in such global demand that some foreign investors buy properties sight-unseen. They say developers will only build luxury housing that's too costly for most workers, while displacing tenants and destroying the character of entire neighborhoods.

Theres a herd of elephants in the room that no one will address, says Eric Jaye, a Democratic political consultant who opposes the plan.

A city 'for people who didnt love cities

Much of the housing push has come from Democrats, including a former city mayor, Gov. Gavin Newsom, who signed into law a proposal by San Francisco state Sen. Scott Wiener to build more homes near transit.

The city has made enormous strides in recent years, with whole districts of tall condo buildings cropping up around downtown, says Rafael Mandelman, president of the Board of Supervisors. But he acknowledges that people come to San Francisco for its more intimate neighborhoods and access to green space.

San Francisco, historically, was the city for people who didnt love cities," Mandelman said.

Katherine Roberts, 72, initially welcomed construction of an affordable housing complex near the three-story Edwardian she labored to buy in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood two decades ago.

But at 160 units and eight stories high, the massive building has shattered her peace of mind, dominating her view.

Im looking out and its like Im living in East Germany. How can you build something this inappropriate in a historic neighborhood like the Haight-Ashbury? Roberts said. What about all the people who already live here? What are we supposed to do?

Proposal calls for denser homes

For the most part, the new zoning plan allows for more housing to be packed into the space of a single-family home  say a duplex with a studio  without exceeding the city's height limit of roughly four stories for such properties. At least 15% of new housing must be below-market rate.

Buildings on neighborhood commercial corridors could double to eight stories. Busier thoroughfares could see high-rises of 10 stories and more, and in a few spots, on Van Ness Avenue, heights could hit 650 feet (200 meters), rivaling some downtown skyscrapers.

Passage of Lurie's proposal won't necessarily lead to more homes in a city with high labor and construction costs and notoriously complex and cumbersome" approval processes, as the state said in a scathing 2023 review.

And so city dwellers make do with overcrowded  and sometimes awkward  living situations.

Laura Foote, executive director of yes in my backyard YIMBY Action, wound up living with the man who is now her husband  and the woman he was divorcing  in a one-bedroom apartment for about six months, until his ex could find another rental.

We didnt kill each other, Foote said, but it went on longer than it would have in a well-functioning housing market.

Mayor's plan is likely to pass

Supervisors are still negotiating amendments to the zoning plan, which could be voted out of committee on Monday for consideration by the full board. Some supervisors want to exempt historic properties, or all buildings currently used for housing. The mayor agreed to exempt buildings with at least three rent-controlled units.

The compromise was a major relief for Phyllis Nabhan, 78, who lives in the Richmond neighborhood, between the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. She fears becoming homeless if a developer scoops up the property she's called home for 47 years, starting with a rent of just $350 a month.

But Nabhan still objects to the proposal. She says it would ruin her neighborhood's cozy and wonderful feel, and blames the state for forcing the city to change.

I think that this mayor is trying, she said. Its a horrible job, I wouldnt want to be mayor.
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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.
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Europes biggest nuclear reactor has become a battlefield in Ukraines defence against Russian invaders as they risk a catastrophic meltdown in its efforts to connect it to Moscows national grid.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), which has six reactors, was captured by Russian troops early in the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. It has remained a dangerous potential flashpoint for a nuclear disaster ever since.

Fighting and bombardments by both sides of the complex and the power station itself, which has been entirely occupied by Russian forces who base troops in its buildings, have forced the cold shutdown of the reactors.

This means that its nuclear material is not used to generate power but needs to be constantly cooled.

The fighting cut electricity from Ukraine, meaning that the cooling system had to rely entirely on diesel generators and a skeleton staff for a month.

Regular power was only restored in the last week, after the longest period the ZNPP had been disconnected from electricity to drive its cooling systems.

Russia needs to cut the Ukrainian power link in order to install its connection into the Russian network  a long-stated ambition.

open image in gallery A Russian serviceman patrols outside the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station ( AFP/Getty )

The Russian Federation is putting in its power line, but elements of it have been successfully damaged by Ukraine, explained Mykhailo Shuster, nuclear expert and former director of procurement at Energoatom  Ukraines nuclear power agency.

Russia is now at a high level of readiness, and to connect it, the power supply from Ukraine must be interrupted.

It is unclear whether Russia has been able to connect the Ukrainian plant to its own network during the 30-day outage. If it did so, it would then have to install converter stations to synchronise the two grids.

But the power cuts to the cooling systems, combined with the near collapse of the water supplies there after Russia blew up the Kakhova Dam  the main water source for the ZNPP  is causing jitters among local leaders.

The exiled mayor of the now-occupied Enerhodar, the town next to Zaporizhzhia, told The Independent he fears nuclear fallout could melt into the groundwater around the plant, contaminate the Dnipro River and eventually the Black Sea.

open image in gallery Fire at a cooling tower of the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Energodar, southern Ukraine ( AFP/Getty )

Kakhovka Dam is destroyed; there is nothing to cool it with  even if they miraculously restore the equipment in the future, he said.

Worst case scenario: the water will eventually evaporate from the cooling pond, and there will be nothing to cool nuclear fuel.

It can melt the concrete and go into the groundwater, Dmytro Orlov added from his office in Zaporizhzhia. Mayor Orlov runs humanitarian programmes for the thousands of people, mostly nuclear power workers, who fled the advancing Russians from his town to safety here.

The mayor recalled the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, which remains the worst nuclear disaster in history.

open image in gallery Firefighters in Zaporizhzhia put out a blaze caused by Russian strikes in June ( Reuters )

The estimated amount of nuclear fuel there is about 10 times more than in Chernobyl, he warned.

A small team of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Authority regularly inspects the power station and has reported military training and explosions in and around the facility.

Russian artillery and mortars have been seen shelling and bombing Ukrainian towns and villages on the opposite bank of the Dnipro.

After power was restored, IAEA director general Mario Grossi said: What was once virtually unimaginable  a nuclear power plant regularly losing off-site power  has unfortunately become a common occurrence during this devastating war. However, this was the most challenging loss of power event we have experienced so far.

There is still much work to do to further reduce the risks of a nuclear accident.
A private helicopter on its way to Lobuche near the Everest Base Camp to rescue stranded trekkers crashed on Wednesday (29 October), Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal spokesperson Gyanendra Bhul said.

Footage showed the helicopter lying on its side after it slipped on the snow during landing.

The pilot survived and was rescued. It was not clear whether the trekkers had been rescued when the crash occurred.

Heavy snow brought by cyclone winds forced the Nepali and Chinese sides of the Everest region to be closed to tourism on Wednesday.

Officials have stopped trekking on many routes due to rain at lower elevations and heavy snowfall on higher trails. Hikers have been told not to venture out or proceed with their treks in the Annapurna, Manaslu and Dhaulagiri areas.
The world can breathe a small sigh of relief. There is not going to be a war between its two biggest economies, at least not yet. The US and Chinese presidents both looked quietly pleased as they staged a protracted handshake for the cameras ahead of their meeting in the South Korean port of Busan. Donald Trump was typically hyperbolic, describing the meeting as 12 out of 10, and a great success; Xi Jinping said the two sides had reached a consensus and expressed hopes for partnership, while admitting that differences exist.

The specifics suggest that China is delaying the controls it had announced on exports of rare earths, while Trump has agreed to delay the introduction of punitive, 100 per cent tariffs, and to reduce tariffs on goods the US regards as being linked to the drug fentanyl. China has committed to increasing imports of US agricultural goods.

It appears that the talks concentrated on immediate bilateral economic issues, with Chinas stance on Russia and the Ukraine war, as well as its intentions towards Taiwan  the central security issue in US-China relations  apparently being parked as too difficult for the current encounter.

But even the limited degree of progress apparently made is not nothing. That the meeting should happen at all was never to be taken for granted, and while the results look more like a holding operation than a breakthrough, the agreement to continue talking is positive.

Some of the criticisms may also reflect not just inflated expectations, but a failure on the part of diplomats, politicians, and yes, the media, to come to terms with the way Trump handles abroad. Perhaps it is time to get used to a world in which powerful leaders meet and talk to each other without all the dots and commas of a joint declaration, or even a fixed agenda, having been finalised through layers of sherpa meetings in advance.

To be sure, there are risks in such an approach  graphically illustrated by the disastrous White House ambush of Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky. But this was Trumps first face-to-face meeting with Xi since 2019, and a lot has changed, to the point where this could reasonably be described as more of a preparatory meeting than a summit. As such, it has brought a measure of stability both to US-China relations, and  so far as Trumps fixation with tariffs and continuing judicial battles in the US allows  to the international trading system.

US president Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping shake hands after their summit meeting in Busan ( AP )

At least as worthy of note as the results, however, is the regional context. When Trump arrived in South Korea, he was on the last leg of a journey that had probably combined a greater number of substantial destinations than had any one tour by any recent US president.

There was a stopover in Qatar, to review progress on the Gaza ceasefire. Then there was a day in Malaysia, to sign trade agreements with, among others, Vietnam; to announce (alongside the Malaysian prime minister) what was called a peace deal to end hostilities between Cambodia and Thailand; and to put in an appearance at the annual summit of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN), being hosted by Malaysia for the first time in 10 years. He then flew to Japan, where he met the new prime minister and discussed, as he did everywhere, tariffs and trade, with a dash of Pacific security.

But it was the last leg, and the meeting with Xi in advance of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, that was by far the most keenly awaited. There was a widespread sense that the fate, if not of world peace, then of the world trading system, could hang in the balance, with fears that the mercurial character of Trump combined with Xis potential refusal to give any quarter could leave bilateral relations worse off. Mercifully, that did not happen.

This does not mean, however, that all is now plain sailing in US-China relations, even if the focus is limited to the economic and trade front. As it happens, I was in Kuala Lumpur when Trump made his appearance at the ASEAN summit, and there are two observations from there that have a bearing, if not on what could happen next, then on the longer term.

Since the start of Trumps second term, he has dominated the international scene in a way that few leaders have. Yet his stay was not the all-consuming, headline-dominating event that it might have been in the Western world. The same applied to the anticipation of the Trump-Xi encounter.

In this regional perspective, Trump comes across as less consequential, somehow smaller, than he does at home. This is a bustling, rushing, hustling section of the globe, governed mostly by non-Western, in fact rather Trumpian, mercantilist values, and there is a tangible sense that it is gradually orienting itself towards China as the new/old hegemon. The priority is not to take one side or the other, but to avoid conflict.

There is concern that Trumps flurry of trade agreements with Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand are part of an effort to slow, if not curb, Chinas growing economic reach in the region, even as his visits to longstanding US allies  Japan, South Korea  were seen through a security, rather than trade, prism. Some also saw Trumps brief appearance at the ASEAN summit as an intimation of US interest in drawing that organisation closer to the US and the West, and away from its current delicate balancing act.

It seems to me that Trumps priorities lie with trade, both as a good in itself and as a means of avoiding conflict; that he sees the potential of Southeast Asia in both respects; and that his preference is for dealmaking with China that allows for peaceful competition in the Pacific  albeit (and this is where the snag comes in) on US terms. How much of a snag this is may become evident as and when the promised trade talks with China progress.
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Hurricane Melissa has cut a path of destruction through the Caribbean this week, hitting Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas with winds of up to 185mph.

Aid groups are still working to assess the full extent of the damage brought by the storm, with more than 30 people reported to have died so far.

Melissa has been dubbed the storm of the century and is one of the worst to have hit the region in decades. Experts say that the storms powerful winds and its slow pace, probably exacerbated by climate change, have allowed a huge hurricane to linger in the region for maximum damage.

open image in gallery Melissa made landfall at Jamaica on Tuesday, causing an estimated $22bn in damage ( AccuWeather )

Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist at AccuWeather, said that the storm was a dire situation unfolding in slow motion, noting that slow-moving major hurricanes often go down in history as some of the deadliest and most destructive storms.

The damage from this historic hurricane landfall is devastating. This was the first direct strike from a category 5 hurricane in Jamaicas recorded history, he said.

Melissa had a tight inner core with the strongest winds roughly 20 miles across as it moved across western Jamaica. It may be a narrow path, but there will be significant destruction, he added, warning that the damage might look like that of EF3 and EF4 tornadoes, as seen in the United States.

The Enhanced Fujita Scale gives scores from EF0 to EF5, and EFU for unknown, rating tornado intensity based on damage. EF3 have wind speeds of 136-165mph and cause severe damage. EF4 have speeds of 166-200mph and cause devastating damage, reducing well-built homes to debris and flipping over large, heavy vehicles.

open image in gallery A satellite view shows Hurricane Melissa over Jamaica after making landfall on Tuesday ( Reuters )

David Simon, professor of development geography at Royal Holloway, University of London, said: Hurricane Melissa is particularly devastating because of the complex set of interacting factors driving it and the nature of the places where it has made and will still make landfall.

Climate change is increasing ocean temperatures, which increases evaporation, explained Prof Simon, who is a lead author on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, to be published in March 2027.

Air circulating in the low-pressure system picks this up and complex physics leads to a strengthening and deepening vortex that can reach many thousands of metres into the sky.

Hurricanes use warm water to form and strengthen. Evaporation creates a mass of warm, moist air, which rises and creates an area of low pressure on the oceans surface.

More air from areas with higher pressure then pushes into the low-pressure area, which in turn also becomes warm and rises, fuelling the process. As the warm air cools, the water in the air forms clouds. The clouds and wind begin to grow and spin, moved by the heat and evaporation of the ocean.

open image in gallery Total rainfall on Jamaica and Cuba during storm Melissa ( AccuWeather )

As the earth rotates, the storm starts to spin, forming an eye at the centre, where air pressure remains lowest. A hurricane  defined as having wind speeds of at least 74mph  with faster wind speeds will not necessarily move more quickly through a region.

Hurricanes are in fact now travelling more slowly than they once did, resulting in more sustained damage, says the Environment Defense Force advocacy group. One theory is that the winds that steer a hurricane move slower in a warmer climate, potentially implicating climate change.

Melissa is moving unusually slow  reportedly at 2 to 5 miles per hour  which means that it became particularly intense before striking Jamaicas southwest coast. Similarly, it spent longer over Jamaica, thus exposing everything in its track to prolonged impacts, Prof Simon told The Independent.

Warming oceans also probably contribute to the rapid intensification of hurricanes like Melissa, whose winds escalated from 70mph to 140mph in just one day.

open image in gallery A map of Hurricane Melissa's forecasted path as of Wednesday at 8pm ( National Hurricane Center )

Akshay Deoras, a meteorologist at the University of Reading, said: Were living in a warmer world, and that means hurricanes are more likely to intensify quickly, especially near coastlines.

That part of the Atlantic is extremely warm right now  around 30C, which is 2C to 3C above normal.

And its not just the surface. The deeper layers of the ocean are also unusually warm, providing a vast reservoir of energy for the storm.

Not all tropical cyclones will go the same rapid intensification as Melissa, said Bernadette Woods Placky, chief meteorologist at Climate Central, but the likelihood of it happening would increase in our warmer world.

AccuWeather said that Melissa was tied as the strongest recorded landfall on record in the Atlantic basin.

The situation was exacerbated by extreme rainfall, which leads to the most devastating damage to infrastructure and increased loss of life, according to experts.

We hear a lot about wind damage when we discuss hurricanes  and for sure there will be  but most of the destruction actually comes from the water, said Max Dugan-Knight, a climate data scientist at Deep Sky. He explained that storm surges, defined as the rapid increase of sea level during the storm, can flatten entire neighbourhoods.

open image in gallery Research shows increases in extreme rainfall ( Deep Sky Climate )

A report by Deep Sky, using over four decades of climate data, revealed that the frequency of extreme hurricane rainfall has jumped by 300 per cent.

It also found that severe hurricane rainfall that used to occur only once every 100 years, will now happen every 25. These are no longer rare events, the report warned. They will happen with greater frequency and severity. Its our new normal.

Climate change extends hurricane season so these storms become more likely into late autumn, Mr Dugan-Knight continued. Some of the deaths caused by hurricanes happen in the weeks and months following the storm.

The effects of climate change build on each other and its fingerprints are all over this storm. As we continue to warm our oceans storms will only get stronger and more deadly.

And despite low-lying islands being affected on this occasion, Dugan-Knight warns that the US and Europe will soon see its effects.

Extreme weather events like hurricanes have increased in frequency and severity. They frequently make landfall in the US and Europe and cause damage and loss of life in both places, he said. More and more these storms are hammering the UK and Europe.
An interesting test of the market for land with medium-term development potential in south-west Dublin will be seen when 23.5 acres (9.5 ha) goes for auction on November 11.
Retail warehousing retained its position as the strongest performing sector of the Irish investment property market during the third quarter of the year, not alone in terms of rental growth but also in terms of capital growth and returns.
This Working Life: 'I had to travel to Washington with a letter of safe passage so I could not be arrested. It was so terrifying'

Barry Andrews, MEP for Dublin, on the bumpy road of politics that led him to Europe

Barry Andrews was first elected to public office at the age of 32. Photo: Getty

In conversation with Mary McCarthy Thu 30 Oct 2025 at 06:30

On Mondays, I get a taxi to the airport at 5.15am. If Ive had no caffeine and have eaten something filling, like muesli and a banana, Id fall asleep again on the flight.
Lenders need to know if a house is in a subsidence area. Photo: Getty

None of Irelands major home insurance firms will provide subsidence cover for homes in high-risk areas.

In areas of Ireland most affected by subsidence  including parts of counties Cork, Galway, Clare and Roscommon  that means they will struggle to secure the home insurance their mortgage provider requires.

The research conducted by Cork-based engineering and consulting firm BCE Consulting Engineers found that none of Irelands five leading insurers would provide cover when a house is situated in an area deemed high risk.

BCE surveyed FBD, AXA, Zurich Ireland, Allianz and 123.

Four of the firms said subsidence would be excluded from the policy offered, if one was offered at all. Allianz said they would not offer any form of insurance for affected properties.

Insurance is about covering risk, not about covering inevitable events

Subsidence insurance protects against damage caused by the sinking or settling of the ground under a property.

Insurance Ireland who is the representative organisation for insurance in Ireland commented on the findings.

BCE said that if insurers think the risk is too high they will simply not underwrite the risk, so homebuyers need to know where they stand when they are looking at a property

Insurance companies make their own individual underwriting decisions. Where the risk of subsidence is so high as to be tantamount to inevitable, it may not be possible to provide cover for subsidence.

Insurance is about covering the risk of something happening, not about covering inevitable events, it said.

Lenders need to know if a house is in a subsidence area. Photo: Getty

Today's News in 90 Seconds, Wednesday, October 29

Along with insurance firms, BCE also contacted the mortgage providers at AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB and ESB.

Their reaction was similar. Only AIB said it could see any scenario where it might allow mortgage drawdown in a situation where subsidence is not covered under the policy. The others ruled it out entirely.

Stephen Boyle, founder of BCE Consulting Engineers, said the risk needs to be flagged earlier in the sale process.

When buying a house, home or buildings, insurance is often only arranged once a sale has been agreed  as buyers dont want to begin their cover too early.

This means buyers have gone through the mortgage approval process without the lender accounting for the houses location in a subsidence area, even though they will likely refuse drawdown when the buyers inevitably fail to secure subsidence cover, he said.

Would-be buyers should contact insurers and mortgage providers at the earliest stage, he said.

He also pointed to information that is freely available online, such as Engineers Ireland, Gamma and Geological Survey Ireland.
PTSB puts itself up for sale in major shake-up to Irish banking sector

Third biggest Irish lenders shares have shot up 20pc on news of a potential deal

Paschal O'Donohoe

Donal O'Donovan Thu 30 Oct 2025 at 08:38

The Board of PTSB has announced what it called the commencement of a formal sale process  essentially telling the market it is seeking a buyer.
What I spend on Christmas: I would imagine that my total will be about 2,000 and the majority of my budget will be on my own kids
Most respondents said children should get pocket money from the age of 9. Photo: Getty

A majority of people say that children should start receiving pocket money from the age of nine  but others reckon this is too early.

Almost one in 10 believe children should not receive pocket money at all, according to research commissioned by insurance firm Royal London Ireland. They believe children should get money only if they have worked for it.
Pick of the day

Ear to the Ground

RTE One, 7pm

The magazine show for farmers and rural residents, exploring the nature of country life, returns for a new run.

Amanda & Alans Spanish Job

RTE2, 9pm

Amanda Holden and Alan Carr head to the hills of Andalusia where they hope to transform a dilapidated house into a boutique B&B. But with a roof in need of repair and a crumbling outbuilding on its last legs, its not going to be easy.

Hector OZ/NZ

TG4, 9.30pm

Hector O hEochagain goes Down Under for an epic adventure. He begins by diving straight into Melbournes cultural melting pot, hitching a ride with the citys happiest tram driver and teaming up with Irish AFL stars Aine McDonagh and Aileen Gilroy to explore Australias capital of comedy and sports.

Die Hard with a Vengeance

Die Hard with a Vengeance

Virgin Media Two, 9pm

Bruce Williss New York cop John McClane teams up with Harlem shopkeeper Samuel L Jackson as they become unwitting players in a deadly game of Simon Says.

Aileen: Queen of The Serial Killers

Netflix, streaming now

Between 1989 and 1990, Aileen Wuornos killed seven men in Florida, leading to her execution in 2002. This documentary revisits her life  from childhood abuse to death-row revelations  through audio interviews and rare footage.

Down Cemetery Road

Down Cemetery Road

AppleTV+, streaming now

After a house explosion in Oxford, a girl vanishes. Sarah Tucker (Ruth Wilson) pulls in PI Zoe Boehm (Emma Thompson), and a missing person case quickly unravels into something far darker. Meanwhile, after a short stint in selected theatres (were talking a week), Ben Stiller tells the story of his parents through Stiller & Meara: Nothing is Lost.

Ballad of a Small Player

Ballad of a Small Player

Netflix, streaming now

Meet Doyle. Sometimes Lord Doyle, sometimes Mr Riley. In Macaus high-stakes casinos, a nice, working-class Irish boy, in way over his head gets tangled in debts, secrets, and enigmatic gamblers. From the director of Conclave, its a beautiful role tailor-made for Colin Farrell.

Selling Sunset

Selling Sunset

Netflix, streaming now

Honestly, Id only watch for Chrishell  she was one of the few decent souls from The Traitors US. Id also entertain the salubrious properties, but what is a bit of a turn-off is the level of highly tweaked female faces gunning for each other. Just a bit of a laugh though, innit.

Physical: Asia

Physical: Asia

Netflix, streaming now

Its late October, and the hour is set to go back. So, be kind to yourself. We have many, many looooong months of inhospitable weather afoot. As such, theres no need to push yourself to the physical limit  particularly when Netflix has rounded up 48 supremely fit athletes to fight it out on the global stage for us. To answer your question, yes, this is indeed the third season of Physical 100. This time, however, producers have gone beyond South Korea, inviting seven neighbouring(ish) nations to compete, with only one country team being crowned the winner. As for those countries, we have the expected (Korea, Japan, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Mongolia and the Philippines) and the not-so-expected (Turkey... well, it does call itself the gateway to Asia, and if the Australians can be in Eurovision, then I shouldnt really quibble). How will it work? Well, if one team member fails, the entire team goes down, making this a pulse-thundering survival fight.

Nightmares of Nature

Netflix, streaming now

From the director of The Purge (yep, these nature documentaries mean business) comes a nature doc with bite: a young opossum, newborn iguana, and feisty jumping spider fight to survive the jungle  until they stumble on a long-abandoned lab. Things get grim fast.

Eden

Eden

Prime Video, streaming now

Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Sydney Sweeney, Vanessa Kirby and Daniel Bruhl lead this true story of outsiders on a remote island, where the real danger isnt nature, but each other. If you prefer hedonism in more decadent settings, then Hedda has landed. A House of Dynamite

Netflix, streaming now

When a single, unattributed missile is on track to hit the US, it triggers a frantic hunt for answers and retaliation. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, its a quaint depiction of a White House and Pentagon of yore.
Livestock traders are paying attention to President Donald Trump's vow to tackle high beef prices, sending futures for feeder cattle tumbling the most in four years.

Futures for feeder cattle in Chicago dived by as much as 4.1% Tuesday after Trump reiterated a call to bring prices down. "The ranchers for 35 years have done very poorly," he told reporters. "Now they are doing well, but the price is up."
Breaking | He has never offered an apology  Irish firefighter Terence Crosbie jailed for at least seven years for raping woman in Boston

Dublin man (39) committed an act of extraordinary sexual violence while on trip to US with colleagues

Terence Crosbie in court in Boston

Robin Schiller Thu 30 Oct 2025 at 15:55

A Dublin firefighter who committed a predatory sexual act has been jailed for at least seven years for raping a woman in his Boston hotel room.
China urges Paraguayan government to heed call of its people, make right decision: FM spokesperson

Xinhua) 20:49, October 30, 2025

BEIJING, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- China urges the Paraguayan government to heed the call of its people, embark on the right course as early as possible, and make the right decision to recognize the one-China principle and sever so-called "diplomatic ties" with the Taiwan authorities, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday.

Guo's remarks were made in response to the latest poll conducted in Paraguay this month, which showed nearly 90 percent of Paraguayan people recognize the importance of establishing diplomatic relations with China.

"In recent years, we have heard time and again the strong call of people from various sectors in Paraguay to develop relations with China," Guo told a daily news briefing.

He noted that the poll once again demonstrates the keen desire of the Paraguayan people for the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Paraguay.

"We would like to stress again that China's reunification is unstoppable," said Guo.

Guo said that maintaining so-called "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan authorities does not serve the fundamental and long-term interests of Paraguay and its people, and also goes against the prevailing consensus of the international community on upholding the one-China principle.

"We urge the Paraguayan government to heed the call of its people, embark on the right course as early as possible, come to the right side of history, and make the right decision to recognize the one-China principle and sever so-called 'diplomatic ties' with the Taiwan authorities," the spokesperson said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Kou Jie)
Ecuadors state-owned operator Corporacion Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CNT) has launched the countrys first commercial 5G network in partnership with Nokia, marking a major milestone in Ecuadors digital development.

Built on CNTs existing 4G infrastructure, the 5G rollout includes 188 sites across Guayaquil - Ecuadors largest city - and several other regions, operating in the N78 (3.5GHz) spectrum band.

The project was developed in coordination with the Ministry of Telecommunications and the Information Society, with plans to extend nationwide high-speed coverage by mid-2026.

According to Nokia, the new 5G network delivers speeds of up to 1.5Gbps, offering ten times the performance of 4G and significantly lower latency. The vendor said the upgrade will enable advanced applications such as virtual education, telemedicine, smart cities, connected mobility, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

CNT regional manager Ronald Spina said customers can expect faster and more stable connectivity without additional cost, while Bruno Leite, Nokias Head of Networks for Latin America, noted that the deployment supports the operators ambition to help the government build a more connected Ecuador.

Nokia will provide technology from its AirScale Radio Access Network portfolio, along with IP routing and optical transport solutions, to support the 5G rollout.
Almost 300k cash seized at Dublin Airport with the help of detector dog Maggie

Two passengers, both scheduled to fly outbound to Turkey, were found with cash amounts of 150,060 and 141,050.

Maggie with the seized cash

Eimear Rabbitt Thu 30 Oct 2025 at 19:23

Revenue officers at Dublin Airport seized 291,110 in cash and questioned two people thanks to the help of their canine investigator Maggie.
Local councillor for Limerick City, Elena Secas, has resigned from the Labour Party.

The Limerick City East councillor said her decision was caused by having very little support from the Labour Party, in particular during the 2024 local elections.
Ceasefire teeters on the brink as Hamas and IDF continue to clash

A Palestinian man reacts next to the body of a man, who according to medics was killed in an Israeli strike, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters

In Shujaiyya, east of Gaza City, the destruction is so comprehensive that only the trees remain standing.

Israeli troops stationed in the barbed-wired observation point to the south train their machine guns down on to the shattered neighbourhood, wary that  despite the ceasefire and, for the most part, the deathly quiet  small groups of Hamas fighters may yet lurk in undiscovered tunnels.
Sam Kiley: Russia risks nuclear disaster in reckless bid to siphon power from Zaporizhzhia power plant in Ukraine

There are already fears that nuclear waste could leak into the Dnipro River and then into the Black Sea as plants cooling system has been affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam

Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station is in territory under Russian military control (AP)

Sam Kiley UK Independent Thu 30 Oct 2025 at 06:30

Europes biggest nuclear reactor has become a battlefield in Ukraines defence against Russian invaders as they risk a catastrophic meltdown in its efforts to connect it to Moscows national grid.
Stephen Pollard: Hamas has so far failed to keep up its end of the ceasefire deal

Israel has said it will resume the ceasefire after it launched an airstrike against Hamas earlier this week

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Reuters

Stephen Pollard Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Thu 30 Oct 2025 at 06:30

To understand the context of Israels airstrikes on Hamas on Tuesday, you need to understand the most important point about the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that resulted in the return of the remaining living hostages. The point is that the ceasefire is just that and only that. It is a ceasefire agreement.
Thomas Duesterberg: Why Trumps oil sanctions put Putin and Russia on ropes

Could US measures against Russian energy reshape global markets?

US President Donald Trump speaks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation CEO summit in Gyeongju, South Korea (Ng Han Guan/AP)

Thomas Duesterberg Washington Post Thu 30 Oct 2025 at 06:30

The tough sanctions that Donald Trump imposed this month on major Russian oil companies can deliver a serious blow to the teetering Russian economy if theyre rigorously enforced  and Trump sticks to his guns.
When the indiscriminate bombing that killed nearly 70,000 Palestinians, many of them children, ended with a ceasefire, the whole world brightened.

In Gaza, smiles broke out on faces that had been cast in despair after two years of carnage.

So the resumption of hostilities in a wave of Israeli strikes that left 104 Palestinians dead was a devastating blow to the nascent peace process.

Tel Aviv claims the attacks were retaliatory after the killing of an Israeli soldier. It said it struck dozens of terror targets and terrorists in response to violations by Hamas of the Donald Trump-negotiated deal.

But the raids hit homes, schools and residential blocks in Gaza City and Beit Lahia in the north. Witnesses in what is left of the city described seeing pillars of fire and smoke rising into the air as explosions shook several residential areas.

Mr Trump insisted the ceasefire was not at risk, despite the intensive bombardment. Yet it is difficult to see how the resumption of hostilities can be anything other than destabilising. At least 46 children and 20 women killed, according to media reports.

One witness quoted by the Associated Press said: These are massacres.

Haneen Mteir, who lost her sister and nephews and was attending a funeral outside Nasser hospital in southern Gaza, said: They burnt children while they were asleep.

Problems have to be dealt with through dialogue and diplomacy rather than militarily

The director of humanitarian support and international co-operation at Gazas civil defence agency, Dr Mohammed al-Mughir, said: Among these attacks was the targeting of a cancer patient camp.

A statement from the Israeli military claimed it would continue to uphold the ceasefire agreement, but would respond firmly to any violation.

But how can any ceasefire agreement be sustained amid mass civilians deaths? All killing is abhorrent and grief knows no hierarchy.

A wounded Palestinian child receives treatment following an Israeli strike on a house in Gaza City. Photo: Reuters

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, October 30

A default response to one violent attack must not be an all-out missile assault. For Israel to have peace, Benjamin Netanyahu must recognise his sole recourse cannot be an automatic return to war. Bypassing the rule of international law is not his prerogative.

As former Israeli prime minister Golda Meir said: Theres no difference between ones killing and making decisions that will send others to kill. Its exactly the same thing, or even worse.

There will be problems, but they have to be dealt with through dialogue and diplomacy rather than militarily. Palestinians have had to bear their suffering in silence, but the international community can no longer stand back and allow violence to have the last word again.

We are told Saint Augustine said: Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.

Things must change, but agreement will only be secured though understanding, not by force.
Have events in Ireland lately caused problems with democracy here? One recent example is the main political parties blocking the nominations of potential independent presidential candidates. This could be seen as a violation of our Constitution.

The high number of spoilt votes may indicate a sense of alienation from, and disillusion with, current government policies.

Another example is the shifting view on our neutrality  many feel government action has compromised the countrys non-aligned military status.

Why not put it to the people, in a referendum, away from the geopolitical pressure that has bullied other governments into military alliances, such as Nato.

Then there is immigration. Our politicians have refused to have an honest and open debate with the public over the future direction of our country.

Debate is the bedrock of democracy in any culture or political system. It is a fundamental part of freedom of expression, which is itself recognised worldwide as a basic human right.

It could be argued that having no debate was partly to blame for the riots outside the Citywest Hotel, which houses asylum-seekers.

If our democracy has been damaged, it is due to the lack of engagement by government parties over the last decade or so with the people of Ireland.

C Bailey, Dundrum, Co Dublin

We should not forget that Sinn Fein jumped on a bandwagon for election

In the past week, we have been treated to letters from people who are happy to gloat about spoiling their votes in the presidential election.

I think spoiling a vote is the most cynical exercise anybody can engage in. If I had a euro for the number of times I was told that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael blocked candidates from running in the election, I would now have a small fortune.

The reality is that those parties put forward their own candidates. It was not their responsibility to facilitate people with different beliefs or ideologies.

Maria Steen had the same opportunity as Dana in 1997, when she contested the election. However, Ms Steen left it until the last minute this time.

As a colleague of mine pointed out, I would like to know where all the Independent TDs were when Ms Steen was looking for just two more votes.

The experts seem to be forgetting about Sinn Fein, the party that finished second in last years general election. It was not able to run a candidate, or facilitate any candidate who needed support. Instead, it jumped on a winning bandwagon.

Thomas Garvey, Claremorris, Co Mayo

Fine Gael and Fianna Fail leadership out of touch  are the backbenchers too?

It is hard to fathom the disconnect between the leaderships of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and the pulse of the nation. On housing and immigration, these parties are not at the races. In the good  or bad  old days, they knew what you had for breakfast

The referendums on Family and Care should have been enough of a warning that their lighting rods were not working.

Listening and changing course doesnt come easy when arrogance is in play. The presidential election was disastrous for Micheal Martin and Simon Harris. In my mind, it was another kick up the backside for that inner leadership group who think they know better.

Your editorial (Cracks in coalition parties will become chasms if ignored, October 28) spells out the road ahead, but I begin to wonder if even the backbenchers are also now out of tune with the electorate.

Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18

Country must make plans as infrastructure is not ready for climate change

The catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Melissa is yet another warning that climate change will not merely alter our weather; it will stress and, in some cases, break the networks that hold modern civilisation together (Hurricanes ferocity highlights need for urgent climate action, October 29).

Ireland is fortunate not to have to worry about this extreme type of weather, but we delude ourselves if we think our infrastructure is ready for what is coming.

The practical work must now accelerate. Trees should not be permitted to overhang electricity lines or arterial roads. In Denmark and the Netherlands, critical rural lines are now being buried undergrounded to guarantee continuity of supply.

The proposed northsouth interconnector on this island should be treated the same way: yes, under-grounding costs more today, but every expert agrees that the cost of grid failure in a future storm will be vastly greater.

We should follow Japan in hardening public buildings and flood defences by using predictive modelling rather than historical averages.

France has legally required every local authority to publish and fund continuity plans for electricity, transport and water in the event of extreme weather. Ireland has not.

Climate action is not just decarbonisation: it is resilience. If we do not move trees, bury cables, reinforce bridges and protect low-lying sub-stations now, then one weekend storm  not even a hurricane  could leave towns isolated, cut hospital power and sever island-wide links in hours.

Preparation is always expensive before the crisis. Its absence is called negligence.

Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh

Prunella Scales will be remembered for giving us all so many great laughs

One of many great conversations in Fawlty Towers between Basil and Sybil, played by the great Prunella Scales, who died this week, included a line from Basil when he said, We used to laugh quite a lot, to which Sybil replied: Yes, but not at the same time, Basil.

We all laughed a lot at their misadventures. Fawlty Towers was a great comedy with a great leading lady and will always be remembered with affection.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

Connolly had the numbers last week  and also when she was growing up

Mary Kennys article (Connolly was one of 14 kids, its no surprise shes a fighter, October 27) reminds me of a comment from a friend from a large family, who said: I came from a family of 14. I never knew the pleasure of sleeping in a bed on my own until I got married.

Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9
Not everyone is on it right now, or has ever dabbled in this digital space, but for many of us the likes of X, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube arent just daily distractions, they are how we communicate and engage with the world at large.

Some have found the love of their life through an online social network, others the job of their dreams, and others still... well, weve all seen some poor soul being cancelled in real-time.

But have we given these platforms too much prominence? And indeed, too much of our time and energy?

According to a study by the Global Web Index (GWI), which monitors consumer behaviour online, and the Financial Times, time spent on social media has been in steady decline over the past two years.

Remarkably, the drop is most pronounced among teens and 20-somethings, the cohort who had been the heaviest users.

Additional findings from GWI and the FT show that the platforms original premise  to stay in contact with acquaintances  has changed completely, and not for the better.

So, with words like enshittification and deactivation being increasingly thrown around, are the ludicrously expensive playthings of Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg too big to fail?

On this episode of The Indo Daily, Tabitha Monahan is joined by Irish Independent journalists John Meagher and Chloe McPolin to ask if the social media bubble has finally burst.
Two MoUs announced in the past week underline the ongoing focus of many major corporations in telecommunications and energy supply on pursuing  or being seen to pursue  sustainable strategies, notably in the area of energy efficiency.

Most recently, technology giant NEC Corporation and UAE-based e&, a global technology group, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) establishing a framework for joint sustainability initiatives.

Under the MoU, the two companies will explore joint initiatives to reduce their environmental footprint, develop low-carbon and energy-efficient solutions, and promote circular economy practices.

The collaboration also covers areas such as renewable integration, resource optimisation, and transparent sustainability governance  all designed to accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable digital future.

This MoU with NEC is an initiative that stems from Project Life, which is described as a transformative initiative launched by e& Group Procurement to drive its Responsible Sourcing Strategy and align with the e& group-wide sustainability vision of 2030.

Andrew Dunnett, Group Senior Vice President of Sustainability, e&, explains: "Through this MoU with NEC, were aligning delivery with our Climate Transition Plan, Ambition to Action, which outlines our pathway to net zero." He adds: "By combining technology with clear accountability, we aim to help industries transition to a greener, more inclusive digital future."

Meanwhile, late last week it was announced that Indonesia Energy Corporation an oil and gas exploration and production company, had signed an MoU with Brazilian oil and gas company Aguila Energia e Participacoes (AEP)  an MoU that is relevant to Brazils telecommunications sector.

The MoU establishes a cooperative, non-binding framework between IEC and AEP to jointly identify, evaluate and pursue potential opportunities using state-funded and other sources of capital to cooperate in the development of two hybrid energy pilot projects integrating solar power and natural gas from AEPs assets in the Northeast region of Brazil.

The aim of this effort would be to provide autonomous energy infrastructure for data centres in Brazil, with each project being potentially capable of initial generation capacity of 10 MW, with the potential for progressive expansion up to 400 MW.

The MoU was formalised during summit meetings between Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during the Brazilian Presidents state visit to Indonesia last week.

Frank Ingriselli, IEC's President, explains: This summit between the Presidents of Indonesia and Brazil created this unique setting to get pledges by both countries to collaborate in pathfinding ventures in energy including mutual cooperation for potential state financing."

He continues: This can help accelerate not only our development of our potential billion-dollar Citarum natural gas asset on the Island of Java but also to acquire or participate in a strategic opportunity to develop a new generation of hybrid, off-grid power systems supporting data centres, AI computation and high-density digital processing in the northeast region of Brazil.

He adds: The intent is to use AEPs potential stranded gas resources in Brazil that may be suitable for integration into hybrid gas-to-wire renewable power systems.
News

Dead people still on Corks voting register very upsetting for relatives

The voting register needs to be updated to remove the deceased as their inclusion is causing distress for their relatives when polling cards for them arrive at election time, a Cork councillor has said.
Dairygold Co-Op Superstores Mallow has been selected as one of the top 30 finalists in the prestigious Retail Excellence Ireland Awards.

The selection represents a significant achievement for the team and a proud moment for the organisation.

This recognition reflects the outstanding efforts of everyone involved in the planning, development, and operation of the Mallow store.

From its modern design and customer-focused layout to the high standards of service delivered daily, the store exemplifies a commitment to retail excellence and innovation.

The recent visit from the Retail Excellence Ireland judging panel provided an opportunity to showcase the stores strengths, including its product offering, merchandising, and the welcoming environment created by dedicated staff.

The positive feedback received, along with the professional imagery captured during the visit, reinforces the quality and impact of the Mallow store within the retail network.

Pat Daly, Co-Op Superstores Mallow Store Manager said the selection is a reflection of the dedication and teamwork in the organisation. We are incredibly proud to see Co-Op Superstores Mallow recognised among Irelands top retailers. This achievement is a reflection of the dedication, teamwork, and passion that every member of our staff brings to the store each day.

"We are grateful for the support of our customers and the wider community, and we look forward to building on this success together, he added.
A community demonstration against the proposed casino development in Ballincollig has been organised for this Saturday, November 1, at 12.30pm.

In June 2024, Cork City Council refused permission for the gaming/amusement arcade at Unit 4, Westside Retail Park, which would be open from 9am to 1am daily, saying that the adult-orientated nature and its proximity to existing retail outlets that are intrinsically family-friendly would damage other retailers.

An Coimisiun Pleanala recently however overturned the decision and gave the go-ahead to the plan.

Sinn Fein councillor for Cork City's South West ward, Joe Lynch, described the decision by An Coimisiun Pleanala as disgraceful.

"Since the plan to develop a large casino in Ballincollig first emerged, I have been crystal clear in my opposition to this development and that the people behind this proposal should be sent packing. Cork City Council agreed with the community in respect of this development when it first emerged over a year ago by rejecting planning permission for it.

That decision has now been ridiculously overturned by a determination of An Coimisiun Pleanala. It is a disappointing and disgraceful decision, frankly. The City Council and the community in Ballincollig have said no to this proposal, yet it is being foisted on the village by An Coimisiun Pleanala, he added.

"This development is opposed by the local community and doesn't belong in Ballincollig, said Cllr Lynch.

We are calling on the community to mobilise this weekend  to say loudly that this development is not wanted in our village and to call on those behind the proposal to back off."

The demonstration will commence at Starbucks in the centre of the village this Saturday at 12.30pm, making its way via Main Street and Harrington Street to the site of the proposed development at Westside Retail Park.
Gardai at the scene of the accident on Dame Street, which was closed this morning. Photo: Collins

A man has died after he was hit by a truck on Dame Street in Dublin city centre this morning.

Gardai have appealed for witnesses after the fatal accident at around 1.45am.

Emergency services responded following a report of an accident involving a pedestrian and a truck.

A garda spokesperson said: A male pedestrian (30s) was pronounced deceased at the scene. His body has been removed to Dublin City Mortuary where a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.

There were no other injuries reported. The coroner has been notified.

Garda forensic collision investigators have completed an examination of the scene and the road has been reopened.

Gardai at the scene of the accident on Dame Street, which was closed this morning. Photo: Collins

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, October 30

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have taken images or recorded footage of the incident to not share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it to investigating gardai.

Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, who were in the area between 1.30am and 2am are asked to make this this footage available to gardai.

It is the second fatality on the countrys roads in the last 24 hours following a fatal incident in Donegal.

A woman in her 80s died following a single-vehicle collision on the R262 at Tullynaglaggin at about 3.50pm on Wednesday.

A man, also aged in his 80s, was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital to be treated for injuries believed to be non-life threatening.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them, a garda spokesperson said.

Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were travelling in the area between 3.30pm and 4pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardai.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Ballyshannon garda station on 071 985 8530, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
A Tallaght councillor noted that young, vulnerable tenants were faced with eviction as they werent able to afford rent increases

A young female tenant has been advised to go into homelessness to get an increase in her Homeless HAP payment, according to a councillor in the area.

The Homeless Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) payment is a scheme that offers financial support to individuals and families who are homeless or are at risk of being homeless.

"A young girl who has lived in our rental property since 2017 received a notice to quit due to arrears, said Cllr Keane at a recent South Dublin County Council (SDCC) meeting.

"She currently receives a 990 HAP payment which hasnt increased since 2017 despite her landlord raising the rent every year  she already works outdoors over 40 hours a week, and has found it financially hard to cope.

In 2022, local authorities were allowed to increase HAP payments up to 35pc  it is up to each local authority to decide if this increase can apply to tenancies prior to 2022 on a case-to-case basis.

For people in the Dublin region who are at immediate risk of homelessness, a further 50pc discretion can be applied.

Cllr Keanes motion said: This council calls on the Minister for Housing to allow local authorities the discretion to agree to increase HAP payments for tenants to stay in their existing (pre-2022) accommodation, rather than face eviction from their rental property.

The councillor said that the tenant, in Tallaght, was told that it was not policy to support the young tenant with a top-up.

The tenants rent has increased for years but shes still on the old homeless HAP rate. I rang the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DHRE) to explain the situation and I was told it was not policy to support her with a top-up, said cllr Keane.

"But instead, this young girl was advised to leave the apartment she is in and be homeless again so she could be paid the higher rate of homeless HAP.

A spokesperson from SDCC told the Irish Independent that the increase can apply to both new and existing tenancies.

Local authorities were advised of an increase in the HAP discretion rate from 20pc to a maximum of 35pc for all local authority areas  this applies to both new and existing tenancies, they said.

Additional flexibility is permitted allowing local authorities to apply a couple rate to a single person household, where required, in recognition of the shared one-bed need. This applies to post-2022 tenancies only.

SDCC strongly discourages any housing applicant intentionally making themselves homeless for any reason. Our HAP team are available to provide advice and support to applicants in relation to the scheme.

Cllr Keane also noted that Tallaght does not have any housing available for single females in the area who are facing homelessness.

"Unfortunately, I sent a question to the council on behalf of another constituent and I was told there are no beds available for single females in the Tallaght area, she said.

"So what are these tenants meant to do  its like were constantly fighting the government, were getting ridiculous replies from ministers and getting nowhere.

Other councillors agreed to the motion calling for local authorities like SDCC to have a larger role in supporting such tenants.

"Tenants are being left to increase their own top-up to the landlord every single year without the HAP increasing, Palmerstown-Fonthill councillor Madeleine Johansson said.

Some landlords do increase rent by the maximum they can every single year, that adds up, especially now that rents are so high.

"Its very unfair  the only way to get an increase is to change to a new property which makes no sense when what weve been trying to do is keep people in their homes instead of having more homeless families.

Photo: Getty

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, October 30

In July, TD Paul Murphy raised the issue at a Dail debate asking the Minister for Housing to ensure that the higher rates are made available to people so they do not have to become homeless first to access the higher rate.

Recognising that newer tenancies are at a higher cost than those tenancies already in place, the measure only applied to new tenancies, responded Minister for Housing James Browne.

It is a matter for the local authority to determine if the application of the discretion is warranted on a case-by-case basis and also the level of additional discretion applied in each case.

After the motion was passed, SDCC agreed to issue a letter to the Minister for Housing.

The point I was trying to make was that this is one tenant I have dealt with but there are a lot of them out there  the government specifically needs to give the council more discretion, you cant have a one-size-fits-all solution, said cllr Keane.

At a time when homelessness is at an all time high under the present governments policies, why are we advising vulnerable tenants to be homelessness again instead of keeping them housed?

A spokesperson from the Department of Housing said that they had recently approved a review of HAP rent limits.

"It is intended that the review will consider the existing rent limits with a view to providing sufficient support to assist eligible households to access and maintain tenancies, they said.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
News

Buyer wanted to bring Galway nightclub back to life as price slashed on property

A Galway nightclub has been put up for sale at a slashed price this week as it seeks a buyer to restore it to its former glory.
American families on moving to Ireland: Being able to send the kids to school and know they will be safe is such a gift
The photo of Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys shown on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Photo: Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Late-night US talk show host Jimmy Kimmel has revealed that he spent last week in County Mayo on a family holiday, and joked that during Ireland's presidential election, "no one seemed terrified."

Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the comedian said his family, including his five-month-old granddaughter Patty, travelled to Mayo to visit the house where his Fathers great-grandparents were born.

He told his audience that he had discovered he has a lot of family in Mayo, after tracing his ancestry online through Ancestry.com.

Mr Kimmel admitted that his family hadn't realised their trip coincided with the Irish presidential election.

"Friday was their election, and no one seemed terrified," he joked, comparing the seemingly calm atmosphere in Ireland with the high political tensions back home in the US.

During the segment, Mr Kimmel showed a photo of Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys shaking hands and asked his audience what about the photograph felt different to them.

"Two women, yes, that's a big one, but also the day before the election [they are] sharing a warm embrace," he said.

"Connolly won and, get this, her opponent said, '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',

"Two very's, no caps, no whining about the election being rigged. Makes you wonder what's wrong with these people," he kidded.

The studio audience burst into a cheer as Mr Kimmel pointed out that American voters are not used to such gracious behaviour, a sharp contrast to the bitterness that has become a natural part of recent US Presidential elections.

The photo of Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys shown on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Photo: Jimmy Kimmel Live.

The 57-year-old went on to reflect on how Irish people view America under President Donald Trump, saying that many people he met in Mayo and elsewhere were "worried" about what's happening across the Atlantic.

<img alt="cards visualization" src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/25660484/thumbnail" style="width:100%" />

"They had a lot of questions I couldn't answer like 'Why is he knocking down the White House?' I don't know. Nobody knows. I don't think he even knows."

Mr Kimmel said it was a great trip to Mayo and also praised the warmth and generosity of the Irish people, saying his family were struck by the kindness they experienced everywhere they went.

"Everything they say about the Irish people is true, we had not one bad experience with anyone," he said.

Mr Kimmel shared a story about his niece leaving her purse behind in a pub.

A local woman found the purse, tracked down the hotel where his niece was staying, and personally drove there to return it, refusing to accept any money by way of thanks.

[She] really seemed confused about the idea that my niece would even offer her money for it, they dont know we have more of a hostage type situation when we find a purse, he joked.

It's good to know that, even to famous Hollywood visitors, Ireland's reputation for warmth and kindness holds true.

This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Fibre network operator Cabos de Timor-Leste (CTL) and Telin  the international arm of Telkom Indonesia  signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday to explore ways to collaborate on digital infrastructure and connectivity between Timor-Leste and Indonesia.

According to a joint statement from CTL and Telin, the MoU establishes a framework for cooperation focused on knowledge exchange, capacity building, and potential initiatives for developing a bilateral submarine cable system that would boost cross-border connectivity.

Other possible areas for collaboration include submarine cable management, internet and cybersecurity development, as well as digital transformation and infrastructure growth, the statement said.

State-owned CTL was created by the Timorese government in April this year to manage the Timor-Leste South Submarine Cable (TLSSC), as well as the countrys terrestrial fibre-optic infrastructure. The 607-km TLSSC cable is the countrys first international subsea system, connecting Dili to the North-West Cable System owned by Vocus Group.

Timor Leste is already set to get two more cable landings by 2027, including the transpacific Asia Connect Cable (ACC-1) System from Inigo Networks and the Hawaiki Nui 1 subsea cable system being developed and constructed by BW Digital and Telin.

Beyond infrastructure, CTL also carries the responsibility of investing in our peoples future. By partnering with Telin, a global player in the digital ecosystem, Timor-Leste gains a strategic partner that goes beyond connectivity, said Miguel Maques Goncalves Manetelu, Timor Lestes Minister of Transport and Communications and the president of CTLs General Board. This MoU is a tangible step towards capacity building that empowers Timor-Leste with access, opportunity, and sustainable innovation.

Manetelu added that the Telin MoU is also aligned with Timor-Lestes growing role in Southeast Asia after officially becoming a member of the ASEAN bloc on Sunday, as it looks to contribute to stronger digital integration within the region.

Telin CEO Budi Satria Dharma Purba added that the MoU serves as a strategic foundation for long-term cooperation between Timor Leste and Indonesia. This partnership represents a joint effort to create a broader impact  connecting nations, empowering people, and accelerating digital transformation across the region, he said.

CTLs deal with Telin is the second telecoms-related MoU for Timor Leste this past week, following an MoU signed on Saturday with the Malaysian government to cooperate on telecoms infrastructure projects. Earlier this month, data roaming services were activated between the two countries.
Alison Lynch from London, who travelled on Ryanair to visit family in Galway and Roscommon, was the lucky 12 millionth Ryanair passenger

Ireland West Airport are delighted to announce that it has surpassed 12 million passengers through the airport with Ryanair since it began operations to/from the airport in 1986. Alison Lynch from London, who travelled on Ryanair's London Stansted service on Wednesday afternoon to visit family in Galway and Roscommon, was the lucky 12 millionth Ryanair passenger and, to mark the occasion, was presented with a Ryanair flight voucher and a bottle of Champagne and chocolates.

It's been 39 years since Ryanair's first flight from Knock Airport departed for London Luton on December 16th, 1986. At the time, the west of Ireland gained its first direct link with London when the Ryanair 748 aircraft 'The Spirit of Monsignor Horan' landed in Knock Airport, heralding the start of scheduled services between the airport and London. Named after Monsignor James Horan, the visionary priest behind Knock Airport, the 44-seat turboprop aircraft was formally blessed by Monsignor Horan's successor, Fr. Dominick Grealy.

Through the late 1980s and 1990s, Ryanair's presence underpinned the airport's development, helping passenger numbers pass 100,000 by 1988 and sustaining crucial UK connectivity. In the 2000s, their network broadened further, introducing the airport's first scheduled services to Europe, with new routes to the likes of Barcelona, Faro, Alicante, Milan and Cologne, all of which continue to go from strength to strength  providing connectivity to major international markets from the West of Ireland.

In particular, over the last decade, the partnership has continued to grow. Ryanair marked its six millionth passenger at Ireland West in 2015, then celebrated 10 million in May 2023all paving the way to today's 12 million passenger milestone. The airline now serves 17 destinations from the airport.

This Winter, Ryanair will operate 86 weekly flights across 10 routes to/from the airport, including winter sun hotspots like Lanzarote, Malaga, and Tenerife, as well as top city break destinations like Edinburgh, Liverpool, and London. Ryanair's full Winter 2025 schedule is available to book now at Ryanair.com, with flights to/from Ireland West Airport available from as little as 29.99.

Marking the milestone, Ryanair's Director of Communications, Jade Kirwan, said: "We are delighted to mark 12 million Ryanair passengers through Ireland West Airport since Ryanair began operations to/from Knock in 1986. This significant milestone showcases Ryanair's continued support and investment in the region, delivering critically important connectivity, traffic, tourism, jobs, and economic growth. This winter, Ryanair is operating a robust schedule to/from Ireland West Airport Knock with 86 weekly flights across 10 routes, including winter sun hotspots, like Lanzarote, Malaga, and Tenerife, as well as top city break destinations, like Edinburgh, Liverpool, and London.

Celebrating today's milestone, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport, said, "This is another significant milestone in the airport's history, welcoming Ryanair's 12 millionth passenger to the airport. It's been a fantastic journey over the last 39 years with so many great highlights and milestones achieved along the way. During this time, Ryanair has continued to grow at the airport and provide critically important international access to and from the UK market, and connected the West of Ireland to major European cities such as Milan, Barcelona and Cologne, which have provided an enormous tourism and economic boost for the West and Northwest of Ireland.

"As we look ahead to next year and the 40th anniversary of the airport's official opening, we look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with Ryanair and expanding our range of services over the coming years. We want to give a special mention to Ryanair's customers, particularly the Ryanair staff here at the airport, who continue to play a vital role in helping the airport and Ryanair reach record passenger milestones such as this and in ensuring the airport experience remains both seamless and pleasant
Dr. Ruth Freeman, Director of Research for Society, Research Ireland and Yvonne Tran, photographed at the launch of Science Week 2025 in Research Ireland. 2025 marks the thirtieth year of Science Week  three decades of harnessing the power of curiosity and collaboration to advance science in Ireland. We will share how science and research have shaped and improved the lives we live today. Science Week runs from 9-16 November. Photo: Julien Behal Photography

Events across Sligo will take place from November 9-16 as part of Science Week 2025. This year, Science Week is celebrating 30 years of curiosity and collaboration to advance science in Ireland. Sligo Science Festival 2025 is set to take place as part of this years campaign.

Marking its 30th anniversary this year, Science Week is coordinated by Research Ireland and celebrates science in our everyday lives. The theme for this years campaign is Then. Today. Tomorrow. The theme encourages people to explore how science and research have shaped and improved the lives we live today, while also looking at the questions and challenges of tomorrow, and how insights from the past can influence our future decisions.

More than 40 festivals and events across Sligo will run, with events for people of all ages.

Fallout Sligo (Sligo Nuclear Bunker)  Monday, November 10, 6:00 PM7:00 PM, ATU Sligo

A captivating evening of science and survival inside Sligos own nuclear bunker. Featuring expert talks from ATU specialists in nutrition, engineering, and environmental science, this unique event blends Cold War intrigue with modern-day innovation  an unforgettable location and topic that will spark public curiosity.

Sligo Science Social: The Nature of Immersion  Thursday, November 13, 7:00 PM9:00 PM, ATU Sligo

A lively science social evening hosted by Dr. Martin ONeill, exploring the use of immersive technology and virtual tools for wellbeing and education. With guest speakers and interactive demonstrations, this event brings together science, art, and society in a relaxed and engaging format.

Moon-Walk Starlight Night Hike  Friday, November 14, 8:00 PM10:00 PM, Slishwood Forest, Sligo

Back by popular demand, this guided night hike takes participants under Sligos dark skies for a mix of adventure, astronomy, and storytelling. Guests will hear ancient myths, spot constellations, and enjoy hot drinks beneath the stars  the perfect feature for lifestyle and travel media.

Other events in the area and across the country can be found at www.scienceweek.ie
Tributes have been pouring in following the death of a much- loved member of the legal profession, who was very well known in the Sligo area.
Developers have appealed Tipperary County Council's decision to refuse permission for an extension at Racket Hall IPAS centre

The operators of a controversial asylum accommodation centre in Tipperary have appealed a decision by Tipperary County Council to refuse planning permission for a major extension that would add 60 new bedrooms.

Swiftcastle have appealed Tipperary County Councils decision to refuse planning permission for an extension of the Racket Hall IPAS centre in Roscrea.

The developers applied to build a single-storey kitchen extension to the side of the existing building and a three-storey bedroom wing extension to the side of the building, which would add 60 new bedrooms.

The local authority refused permission for the development on the grounds that it would set an undesirable precedent, that there isnt enough infrastructure in the area to support it, and that the proposed development would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard or obstruction to road users, the council said.

Now, Swiftcastle have appealed that decision to An Coimisiun Pleanala on the basis that there is a shortage of accommodation for International Protection Applicants (IPAs) across the country.

"The application was made as an attempt to provide additional and much needed direct provision accommodation, the developers noted in their appeal.

The developers also say that the proposed kitchen extension would be needed to increase the kitchen capacity based on the number of additional rooms proposed.

In the proposed new accommodation block, each room is designed in a manner that can accommodate four persons in terms of the direct provision use, the developers said.

"This exemption for the change of use of the former hotel is a temporary use that will be discontinued... on December 31, 2028.

"We request that the Commission attach a further condition that enables the change of use of the of the proposed development, from its use as a temporary direct provision centre, to an extension of the hotel on cessation of the temporary use, developers added.

The Roscrea hotel was the site of frequent protests last year, with local residents camping out at the hotel for 10 weeks in protest of the closure of the towns only hotel to be used for asylum seeker accommodation.

Violent scuffles with Gardai made national headlines last year when women and children were bussed into the site, with the hotel understood to have space for up to 160 international protection applicants.

Developers have appealed Tipperary County Council's decision to refuse permission for an extension at Racket Hall IPAS centre

Today's News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, October 30

If given the green light by An Coimisiun Pleanala, the proposed extension would increase the total numbers of international protection applicants at Racket Hall to 220.

Local councillor Shane Lee criticised the appeal, describing the centre as a money-making scheme.

"Im not one bit surprised if Im really honest - because lets say it as it is - this is some money making machine.

"Not one red cent has gone back into our community that I am aware of from this multi million euro money pit from Swiftcastle, Cllr Lee said.

"Again, Id be confident that the board would see common sense when this is looked at, because they are breaching the guidelines outlined in the County Development Plan Id be confident, he added.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Enniscorthy Credit Union and its community of customers and supporters were in great celebration recently as the local branch took home a national award.

The branch was honoured with the prestigious Community Award at the 2025 All-Ireland Credit Union Awards, held on Saturday, October 18 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dublin.

The awards ceremony brought together credit unions from across the island to celebrate excellence, innovation, and community impact within the sector. Enniscorthy Credit Union took home the award in recognition of its 12 year partnership with the Hope and Dream 10, the iconic annual 10k charity run or walk in support of the Hope Cancer Support Centre for Wexford.

The event in Dublin was attended by credit union representatives, industry leaders, and community champions from across the country. The evening shone a spotlight on the positive difference credit unions continue to make in peoples lives. For Enniscorthy Credit Union, it marked the first time being recognised at the national awards.

Accepting the award on the night, Liz Cullen, Manager of Enniscorthy Credit Union said: We are truly honoured to receive the Community Award. This is a testament to what can be achieved when community, compassion, and collaboration come together. Our work with the Hope Cancer Support Centre and the Hope and Dream 10 for over a decade is a cause that is close to all our hearts, she said.

"The work has helped to increase awareness of local health services available for those in need and bring people together. This recognition is shared with our staff, volunteers, members, and the incredible team behind this vital local annual event.

The Hope and Dream 10, held every April in Enniscorthy, has raised over 2 million since its inception to support people diagnosed with cancer and people affected by a cancer diagnosis in the South East. Enniscorthy Credit Union has served as a sponsor for 12 years, providing not only financial backing, but also promotional support and staff volunteers in the lead-up to the event.

"The All Ireland Credit Union Awards aim to highlight the incredible community contributions being made across the movement. Enniscorthy Credit Union are both proud and honoured that to have brought this award home and this award belongs to the Hope Cancer Support Centre and the entire local community, added Marketing Officer Joleen Murphy.
Wicklow County Council has refused plans that would transform the former Farriers Inn pub and cafe in Kilcashel, Avoca, into a six-apartment development.

Submitted by Thornport Unlimited Company, the application sought permission for a change of use, incorporating mostly internal alterations (and some minor external alterations to provide a new window and door openings) to replace the vacant pub at ground floor level and restaurant at first floor level with one studio apartment and five two-bedroom apartments.

Seven car parking spaces and 14 bicycle spaces would also have been created, alongside a private amenity space in the form of terraces to the south of the building.

Three planning applications stretching back to the mid-2000s have been lodged on the 0.210-hectare site, which is bounded to the west and south by forest lands and to the east and north by the R752.

Commenting on the potential visual impact of the proposed development, a planning report produced by Hughes Planning & Development

Consultants on behalf of the developer noted that the provision of the accommodation within the existing buildings at The Farriers Inn would have minimal impact on the visual amenities in the surrounding area.

This is achieved through the fact that the development only includes minor works to the exterior of the building to provide access to unit 5, and we submit it does not detract from the character of the area, it continues.

It is considered that the proposed works will not negatively impact the immediate area due to the majority of works being internal alterations to a vacant unit.

Submitting that the development is consistent with the policies and objectives included in the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028, the report stated that, because of the increasing population of Ireland, the number of residential units needed to support a community is growing and so the development of infrastructure to accommodate this is crucial in ensuring equitable housing and accessibility for the society.

It is submitted that the proposal is in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, and as such, we request that permission be granted in this instance, the report concluded.

In its ruling Wicklow County Council found the six residences would be materially different in character, have differing traffic movement, patterns of usage, and amenity requirements to usage as a public house/ restaurant.

Submissions were made as part of the planning process including one from Cllr Peir Leonard who welcomed the reuse of the vacant building and the creation of housing in principle, but raised several planning concerns regarding flood risk and pollution .

The submission reads: The documentation lacks a proper site-specific flood risk assessment as required by Planning Guidelines, which is deemed a serious failing due to the site's nature and known surface water issues in the Avoca area.

The proposed development, including an estimated seven toilet bowls, seven wash hand basins, seven showers, and seven washing machines, poses a risk of waste being detrimental to the river during increasingly frequent flooding events associated with global warming.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Jimmy Cash (36), with an address at 7 Daletree Place, Ballycullen, Dublin 24 at Bray Courthouse back in September.

A Dublin man accused of a string of burglaries in County Wicklow, and a robbery dating back more than a decade, has been further remanded in custody while the court awaits directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Jimmy Cash (36), with an address at 7 Daletree Place, Ballycullen, Dublin 24 appeared at Bray District Court via video link.

Mr Cash is charged in connection with a series of burglaries in the Ashford and Clonpadden areas of Wicklow on September 24, 2025, as well as with an alleged offence relating to a robbery dating back to 2013.

The court heard Mr Cash faces five charges under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act and, if convicted, could face a custodial sentence of up to 14 years for each offence.

The court was told back in September that it was alleged that on March 13, 2013, Mr Cash entered a premises and stole 7,200 in cash. He was later identified after a blood sample was recovered from the scene.

It was alleged that at 12.10pm on September 24 this year, Mr Cash entered a property at Clonpadden, Arklow, Co. Wicklow, and stole a gun safe containing a shotgun.

Allegedly later the same day, at around 3.40pm, three houses in Annagolan, Ashford, Co. Wicklow, were burgled, with items including 700 in cash and a new chainsaw reported stolen.

The court was told that the case directions have not yet been issued by the DPP.

Mr Cash was denied bail back in September, but he consented to a four-week remand.

Judge David Kennedy told the court that he will mark the case pre-entry against the state if directions are not available after Mr Cashs four-week remand.

Judge Kennedy remanded Mr Cash in custody until November 25, 2025 to appear again at Bray District Court via video link.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Five products with both matte and shimmer options and with prices to suit all pockets

I love to travel, and am fortunate enough that my career frequently provides opportunities to do so. What I do not enjoy, however, is packing, and what I enjoy even less is unpacking.

Packing at least holds the promise of all the fun youre going to have, while unpacking means the fun is over and youre simply returning to your normal life. This means I frequently struggle to find the motivation to do it, and have been known to leave suitcases full for months at a time. (Apologies to Type A readers who have just recoiled with horror.)

This doesnt only apply to clothing, either. Because I am rich with product via this work, I often have several full make-up bags on the go, each with a selection of products which I deem essential for travel.

One such product is an eyeshadow palette from which I can create both a simple matte eye, or a showstopper packed with shimmer  a dream for travel.

Here are some of my favourites:

Charlotte Tilbury Charlottes Palette of Beautifying Eye Trends

1. Charlotte Tilbury Charlottes Palette of Beautifying Eye Trends (60 via arnotts.ie)  I love these palettes, which contain nine beautifully formulated mattes and shimmers in six different colour stories. My current favourite is Super Neutral, which is packed with cool-toned taupes, greys and beiges, but if you prefer warm tones, Sensual Sunset will work for you. They blend well and are compact, fitting easily into your make-up bag.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Spice Palette

2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Spice Palette (33 via boots.ie)  Anastasias eyeshadow palettes had beauty fans in a chokehold in the 2000s, and while the market is more saturated now, there is no doubt that the brands formulas are still winners. This little palette contains nine shadows in golds, pinks and neutrals in a mix of matte, shimmer and metallic formulas.

Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette

3. Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette Nature (76 via makeupbymario.com)  Mario Dedivanovic made his name as Kim Kardashians make-up artist, and his brand has gone from strength to strength since it launched five years ago. His eyeshadow formulas are beautiful and blend like a dream. This 12-shade palette takes inspiration from nature and is filled with earthy tones from browns to creams and greens.

Kiko Milano Glamour Multi Finish Eyeshadow Palette

4. Kiko Milano Glamour Multi Finish Eyeshadow Palette (17.99 via kikocosmetics.com)  I am thrilled that Kiko Milano has landed on our shores. The brand consistently outperforms its price tag via beautifully packaged, high-performing formulas. This sleek, black, nine-shadow palette comes in six colourways, from blues to mauves to burgundies and earthy tones  theres something for everyone.

Wycon Cosmetics Pink Power Eyeshadow Palette

5. Wycon Cosmetics Pink Power Eyeshadow Palette (29.90 via wyconcosmetics.com)  I discovered this Italian beauty brand via TikTok, where people were raving about its eyeshadow formulas, and I had to get my hands on some. This palette contains nine buildable rosy shades in a mix of finishes, all of which work beautifully together. Aside from that, the prices of this brand across the board are highly accessible. Im excited to try more.

Buying Irish

Luna Haircare

Luna Haircare has been slowly expanding into styling over the last while, and the brands latest launches are a dry shampoo (15 via lunahaircare.ie) and dry texture spray (15 via lunahaircare.ie). Both products are designed to boost the hairs appearance in a jiffy, with the dry shampoo using lightweight starches to absorb oil and revive the roots, and the texture spray offering body and volume boost without stiffness. Both of these products are an essential part of my haircare routine, and its great to have an Irish option.

Something old...

Danessa Myricks Beauty Twin Flames Multichrome Pigments

It was love at first sight for me when I encountered Danessa Myricks Beauty Twin Flames Multichrome Pigments (35.45 via cultbeauty.com), launched in 2021. These liquid shadows shift in colour depending on your angle, making a dramatic and impactful eye look easy to achieve. Simply use the doe foot applicator to apply them across the lid and then blend with a brush or your finger to smudge the edges and youre done. As with all of Myricks products, the formula is a dream  it blends easily and wont move until you want it to with eye make-up remover. If you choose to use these, though, you need to be comfortable with people asking you about it. Ive never worn them out without spending the evening talking about them.

Something new...

About Face Holographic Eye Paints

About Face is the beauty brand by pop star Halsey, which until recently was hard to get your hands on in Ireland. Now, the line is available in Space NK, and when I saw the brands Holographic Eye Paints (24 via spacenk.com), I had to give them a go. They appeared so similar to my beloved Twin Flames, I needed to know how they performed. Unfortunately, the formula isnt as good as the Danessa Myricks version  they crease and shift as you wear them. Its not so bad that I dont want to wear them though, and if you cant bring yourself to spend the extra money on the OG formula, then Holographic Eye Paints will certainly fill a gap. Just dont expect the application to remain perfect.
Alleged stalker says shes 50/50 as to whether she is missing Madeleine McCann

Accused would walk away if given paperwork providing proof

Kate and Gerry McCann hold up a picture of missing daughter Madeleine during a press conference on June 6, 2007. Photo: Getty Images

Sophie Robinson Press Association Thu 30 Oct 2025 at 06:30

The alleged stalker of Madeleine McCanns parents has told a jury she is still 50/50 about whether she is their missing daughter.
Donald Trump says he is reducing tariffs on Chinese imports to 47pc after an "amazing" meeting with Xi Jinping in South Korea.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on his way back to the United States, Trump said China would lift the "roadblock" on exports of rare earth minerals in exchange, as well as resuming purchases of American soybeans.
Safaricom has officially confirmed it is partnering with Meta subsidiary Edge Network Services to establish the Daraja subsea cable system that will connect Kenya and Oman.

Word of the Daraja project emerged in September 2025 after Kenyas National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) released an environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) study report prepared for Safaricom in June 2025. According to the report, the 4,108-km Daraja system will sport 24 fibre pairs and provide a direct route between Salalah, Oman and Mombasa, Kenya, with an optional branch for South Africa.

Neither Safaricom nor Meta made any official announcement regarding Daraja until Tuesday, when Safaricom announced that Meta had named it as the official landing partner for the project.

Safaricom said the system will be fully funded by Edge, with locally licensed operators in Kenya and Oman being contracted to operate the cable segment within territorial waters, as well as all associated in-country infrastructure.

The NEMA report said the Kenyan branch of the project is budgeted at US$23 million.

The Daraja cable will be the first international subsea cable that Safaricom will have direct control over. Safaricom sought permission from the Communications Authority of Kenya at the start of this year to build its own subsea cable, aiming to reduce reliance on third-party providers and enhance network resilience following last years rash of cable cuts.

Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the deal heralds the telcos readiness to transition into a fully-fledged tech company by 2030 under its current strategy plan.

It positions us to meet the surging demand for high-capacity, low-latency connectivity which is critical for powering economic growth, cloud adoption and digital innovation, Ndegwa said in a statement.

According to the NEMA report, Safaricom has contracted Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) to build the Daraja cable, which is scheduled to be ready for service sometime next year.
Two suspects in the Louvre jewel heist have "partially" admitted taking part and are believed to be the men who forced their way into the world's most visited museum, a Paris prosecutor said.
Palestinians inspect the rubble of a building destroyed yesterday by an Israeli strike at Al-Shati camp in Gaza City. Photo: AP

Israels military has said the ceasefire is back on in Gaza after it carried out heavy airstrikes overnight into yesterday across the Palestinian territory that killed 104 people, including women and children, according to local health officials.
Catastrophic is a mild term based on what we are observing  Hurricane Melissa leaves scores dead across Caribbean

Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica feel brunt as trail of destruction continues, with winds of up to 295kmh recorded

Hurricane Melissa leaves dozens dead amid destruction in Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica

Ariel Fernandez, Andrea Rodriquez and John Myers Jr Associated Press Thu 30 Oct 2025 at 06:30

Hurricane Melissa has left dozens dead and widespread destruction across Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica, where roofless homes, toppled utility poles and water-logged furniture were strewn across the landscape.
Continuing demolition of the East Wing and construction for the new ballroom at the White House. Photo: Katie Harbath via AP

Donald Trump has sacked the team of arts commissioners who were reviewing his White House ballroom.

The US president, who has been sensitive to criticism of the new building, fired all six members of the Commission of Fine Arts on Tuesday.
Florida woman on roller coaster knocked out when duck flew into her face

The incident took place at SeaWorld Orlando in March

Visitors ride SeaWorld Orlando's Mako roller coaster. Photo: Getty

Ariana Baio UK Independent Thu 30 Oct 2025 at 06:30

A Florida woman is suing SeaWorld Orlando, claiming she suffered a permanent injury when a duck flew into her face while she was riding one of the theme parks roller coasters.
US President Donald Trump pumped his fist and waved as he boarded Air Force One following a face-to-face talks with Chinese premiere Xi Jinping in the South Korean city of Busan on Thursday. The meeting was a chance for the leaders of the world's two largest economies to stabilize relations after months of turmoil over trade issues.
Vladimir Putin has announced a successful test of a Poseidon nuclear-powered submarine torpedo which experts have warned is capable of causing a radioactive tsunami.

The Russian president said the test of the weapon had been a great success, in a move that came days after Donald Trump described Moscows test of a nuclear missile as a mistake.
Virginia Giuffre omitted the name of a former prime minister who allegedly raped her from memoir because she feared he would kill her, according to her ghost-writer.
MCP, developed by tny.dev, is an API-first link shortener designed with AI agents in mind. It offers a streamlined approach to creating and managing shortened URLs, integrating seamlessly into AI-driven workflows.

Key Features

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: MCP is tailored for AI agents, enabling them to generate and manage short links efficiently. API Access : The service provides a robust API, allowing programmatic creation of short links and retrieval of analytics data.

: The service provides a robust API, allowing programmatic creation of short links and retrieval of analytics data. Custom Domains and Slugs : Users can set up custom domains and create branded short links with custom slugs, enhancing brand consistency.

: Users can set up custom domains and create branded short links with custom slugs, enhancing brand consistency. Bulk Operations : MCP supports bulk link shortening, facilitating the processing of multiple URLs simultaneously.

: MCP supports bulk link shortening, facilitating the processing of multiple URLs simultaneously. Webhooks: The platform offers webhook support, providing real-time notifications for link click events.

Who is it for?

MCP is ideal for developers and businesses seeking an efficient, AI-friendly solution for URL shortening. Its features cater to those who require seamless integration of link management into their AI workflows.

Pricing

MCP offers a free tier with 50 API calls per hour and access to basic features. For $9 per month, the Developer plan provides 500 API calls per hour and additional features such as custom domains, custom slugs, bulk link shortening, and webhook notifications.

Final Thoughts

MCP by tny.dev presents a specialized solution for AI-driven URL shortening needs. Its API-centric design and AI integration make it a valuable tool for developers and businesses aiming to incorporate efficient link management into their AI applications.

Visit tny.dev/mcp for more.
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.
( Image credit : JioHotstar | Salman Khan during Weekend Ka Vaar )

Is Salman Khan getting paid around Rs 200 crore for BB19?

( Image credit : JioHotstar | Salman Khan speaking to housemates )

Salman Khans legacy on Bigg Boss

( Image credit : JioHotstar | Salman Khan during the show )

Where to watch Bigg Boss 19 ?

For weeks, reports have been swirling that Salman Khan is earning an astonishing Rs 200 crore to host B, making it one of the most talked-about topics in television circles. As speculation over his massive paycheck gained traction online, Endemols producer has finally addressed the matter. Heres what he said about the rumour and the show.In an interview with India Today, producer Rishi Negi of Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding Salman Khans remuneration for the show. When asked whether the actor earns between Rs 150200 crore per season, Negi declined to confirm any figure and redirected the question to JioHotstar. He stated that the contract was between Salman Khan and the streaming platform, adding, I am not privy to that. But whatever the rumour is, whatever it is, he is worth every penny. For me, as long as he is there on my weekend, I am a happy person.Salman Khans legacy onstands as a testament to his unmatched influence and enduring presence on Indian television. Since stepping in as host in Season 4 (2010), he has become synonymous with the franchise, lending it consistency, mass appeal, and emotional depth. His dynamic hosting style, balancing wit, authority, empathy, and tough love, has made him both a guiding figure for contestants and a major draw for audiences.Under his stewardship, the show has flourished, achieving record TRPs, attracting major sponsors, and seamlessly expanding from television to digital platforms. Beyond the numbers, Salmans Weekend Ka Vaar episodes have shaped public discourse and defined the shows tone each season. Despite the scrutiny surrounding his massive remuneration and occasional controversies, both fans and producers acknowledge that his charisma and connection with viewers have made Bigg Boss Indias most influential and talked-about reality show.follows a dual-release format, making it accessible to both digital and television audiences. The reality show streams daily at 9 p.m. exclusively on JioHotstar, giving subscribers early access to new episodes, unseen clips, and bonus content. Later the same night, the episode airs on Colors TV at 10:30 p.m.
Hailey Bieber clears the air after a recent controversial statement



( Image credit : Instagram @haileybieber | Hailey Bieber clears the air after a recent controversial statement. )

( Image credit : Instagram @haileybieber | Hailey Bieber, 28, was recently celebrated for her contributions to the beauty industry. )

Hailey Biebers statement that created buzz



Selena Gomez's respond



( Image credit : Instagram @selenagomez | Selena Gomez's message about her respecting all beauty created more discussion online. )

Hailey Bieber, 28, was recently celebrated for her contributions to the beauty industry at the Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards 2025 held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The model and founder of Rhode was awarded the prestigious Beauty Innovator Award, a recognition previously given to only one other icon, Pat McGrath.During her acceptance speech, Bieber expressed gratitude and admiration for all beauty entrepreneurs. She said, I'm incredibly humbled to be recognised as a beauty innovator, an honour that has only been given to one other person: the iconic Pat McGrath.Making the decision to believe wholeheartedly in your ideas and dreams and launch a brand takes an immense amount of guts.Her speech emphasised that she celebrates every founder and innovator working to make an impact in the beauty world. Bieber continued, And I applaud anyone and everyone who takes that leap of faith. I'm so grateful to be part of the beauty world, a world that has embraced me, and a world that I deeply cherish.I celebrate every single founder who is on the journey alongside me, and I look forward to continuing to show the world that there is no limit to our impact, influence, and innovation. Thank you, Bieber concluded, highlighting her inclusive approach to the industry.This message comes after Biebers previous comment about not being inspired by some other brands sparked a stir online. Her speech now clarifies her respect for all beauty entrepreneurs.Earlier this month, in an interview for WSJ Magazines Innovators Issue, Bieber was asked about comparisons between her brand, Rhode, and Selena Gomezs Rare Beauty, which is also sold at Sephora alongside Rhode. She said, Its always annoying being pitted against other people. I didnt ask for that.She added, When people want to see you a certain way and theyve made up a story about you in their minds, its not up to you to change that. I think there is space for everybody. I dont feel competitive with people that Im not inspired by.Biebers comments had caused a minor backlash online, with some fans misinterpreting her earlier statement as dismissive toward fellow founders as well as a dig at Gomez.Following the online buzz,Gomez, 33, responded to the situation on her Instagram Stories on October 17. Just leave the girl alone, Gomez wrote. She can say whatever she wants. Doesn't affect [my] life whatsoever. It's just about relevance, not intelligence. Be kind. All brands inspire me. There is room for everyone.Gomezs message about her respecting all beauty created more discussion online. Now, Bieber finally cleared the previous controversy into a message of respect, collaboration, and admiration for all beauty innovators.
As AI continues to embed itself in everyday business operations, Australia finds itself facing a defining moment for data privacy. We used to see privacy as a legal issue, one SMB owner told me recently. Now its part of how our customers perceive our brand.

With Privacy Act reforms underway, small and medium businesses (SMBs) can no longer afford to treat compliance as a box-ticking exercise. Instead, SMBs need to move towards privacy-by-design as a strategic decision that protects customers and builds trust  positioning businesses to succeed in an AI-driven landscape.

Public perception often paints AI as a threat to privacy, but a recent Zoho survey of Australian business professionals tells a different story. Almost two thirds (65%) of leaders report that AI has actually enhanced their privacy measures. As a response to AI-driven threats, companies are embedding safeguards and implementing policies, demonstrating that responsible AI adoption and strong privacy practices can be complementary, not conflicting. However, gaps still remain around data quality, visibility, and transparency.

For SMBs, the next 1218 months will be crucial. Those that adopt a privacy-by-design approach will gain a competitive advantage, while those that delay risk falling behind, facing both regulatory penalties and reputational damage.

Whats changing for SMBs

Australia is stepping up its privacy protections. The Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 introduced several changes, including a new statutory tort for serious invasions of privacy (effective June 2025) giving individuals a direct legal avenue to seek redress for serious privacy breaches. Additionally, new transparency requirements around automated decision-making will come into force in December 2026.

The reforms also enhance the powers of the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), and require businesses to take technical and organisational measures to safeguard personal information. What does this mean for SMBs? Privacy is now being looked at from a regulatory standpoint. Mistakes or omissions could expose businesses to legal risk and undermine public trust, resulting in major operational costs.

Why privacy-by-design matters

Privacy-by-design is about embedding privacy principles into the core of your business operations. This ensures that every process and decision takes personal data protection into account from the start.

Australian organisations are already moving in this direction. Nearly half (48%) have documented privacy policies, 46% conduct regular audits, and 85% have appointed dedicated privacy officers. Yet, fewer than half (44%) of organisations feel confident that they can explain how AI uses data to their customers.

This is where the value of proactive privacy comes into play. Businesses that adopt privacy-by-design practices reduce their legal and operational risks and strengthen customer confidence, turning compliance into a source of competitive advantage instead of a burden.

For SMBs looking to build privacy-by-design into their operations, here are three key pillars that can help guide their strategy: data visibility, access control and security and AI governance.

Data visibility

For many SMBs, its a struggle to identify what data theyre currently holding and how it flows through their business systems. This data sprawl is a major barrier to both privacy compliance and AI effectiveness. According to our survey, 42% of businesses cited poor data quality as a top barrier to AI adoption.

A clear audit of your data can help address this issue. Understand what personal information you collect and how long they stay in your systems. This is where unified business platforms can help. Centralising data in these systems helps to improve transparency and simplifies regulatory compliance. The goal is to make data management a continuous, automated part of operations, and not a once-a-year chore.

Access control and security

The introduction of the privacy tort shows the growing seriousness of mishandling individual data, potentially resulting in legal consequences. Having a clear overview of your data is one thing, but making sure it is secure is another. SMBs must look to implement strong access controls and maintain secure storage protocols, considering 35% of organisations still identify privacy and security concerns as major barriers to AI adoption.

Software that helps automate these processes, from role-based access to encryption and audit trails, reduces human error and provides a defensive privacy posture. When choosing software, start by reviewing their security framework first. By embedding access control and security measures at the organisational level, SMBs can manage compliance quietly in the background, freeing their teams to focus on growth.

AI governance and ethical use

By December 2026, companies will be required to disclose automated decision-making processes in privacy policies. This means that SMBs should start mapping how AI is best used in their operations, implementing human oversight and ensuring transparency in data handling.

However, only 44% of organisations are confident explaining their AI data use to customers, highlighting a real gap that proactive businesses can turn into a trust-building opportunity. That doesnt mean that SMBs need a large compliance department. Rather, they need smart digital systems that take care of privacy governance behind the scenes and allow them to use AI confidently and responsibly.

Opt for providers known for data anonymisation, which adds an extra layer of security. Some technology providers are taking proactive steps to ensure AI systems are both powerful and private.

The next 12-18 months will be critical as privacy reforms start taking shape and enforcement tightens. For small businesses, this period represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Those that take a proactive, privacy-by-design approach now will not only stay ahead of regulation but also earn customer trust and build operational resilience.

Rather than tackling compliance manually, investing in digital tools that manage governance and data security can simplify the process, allowing business owners to focus on growth, not paperwork. AI and privacy dont have to be at odds; when managed responsibly, they strengthen each other.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
( Image credit : Sadhguru/X | Sadhguru poses for the camera )

Sadhguru talks about Ranbir Kapoors casting in Ramayana

( Image credit : Ranbirfanclub/X | Ranbir Kapoor poses for the camera )

When Ravi Dubey defended Ranbir Kapoors casting

All you need to know about Ramayana

( Image credit : X/RamayanaTheMovie | Nitesh Tiwari's candid photo )

Amid the ongoing debate over Ranbir Kapoors casting as Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwaris ambitious adaptation of, spiritual leader Sadhguru has stepped in to defend the actor. Speaking about the controversy, he urged people to move beyond past judgments and focus on the essence of the story instead, remarking that many are pulling out things from the past unnecessarily.During a conversation with producer Namit Malhotra, Sadhguru addressed the criticism and trolling faced by Ranbir Kapoor for portraying Lord Ram in the upcomingfranchise. When Malhotra mentioned that people were pulling out things from the past to question Ranbirs suitability for the role, Sadhguru called it an unfair judgment, explaining that an actors past performances shouldnt define their ability to take on new characters. He remarked that you cant expect him to become Ram and noted that the same actor could portray Ravana in another film. Sadhguru also went on to praise Yash, describing him as a handsome man.In a recent interview with Ranveer Allahbadia, actor Ravi Dubey, who will make his Bollywood debut as Lakshman in, came to the defense of his co-star Ranbir Kapoor. Dubey shared that playing Lakshman was a transformative experience, saying he had to completely change his routine to do justice to the role. He added that the entire cast, including Ranbir, made significant sacrifices for the film, describing the experience as more like a yagya. According to Dubey, everyone involved worked diligently to embody their characters authentically, in their behavior, reactions, and even speech.Nitesh Tiwarisis a grand live-action retelling of the Hindu epic, envisioned as a two-part saga with Part 1 slated for release around Diwali 2026 and Part 2 in 2027. Mounted on an estimated budget of 835 crore, the film boasts an ensemble cast led by Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana, with Sunny Deol playing Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman, and Lara Dutta as Kaikeyi. The project also features music by A.R. Rahman and Oscar-winner Hans Zimmer, marking Zimmers debut in Indian cinema. With cutting-edge VFX by DNEG and filming designed for IMAX screens,aims to set new technical and visual benchmarks for Indian filmmaking.Tiwari has called the film a heartfelt tribute to Indian heritage, striving to balance mythological authenticity with cinematic excellence. To maintain secrecy and quality, the team enforced a strict no-phone policy on set following photo leaks. Ranbir Kapoor reportedly underwent extensive voice and diction training to capture the gravitas of Lord Rams character.
Who was KitKat? The Bodega cat loved by all



( Image credit : Canva Stock Photos | KitKat had been a part of Randas Market for nine years. )

The reason behind KitKats death



( Image credit : Canva Stock Photos | KitKat was found dying on the street late Monday. )

The communitys heartbreak



( Image credit : Canva Stock Photos | News of KitKats death spread quickly. )

.@elonmusk, Waymo EV vehicle killed an innocent and beloved cat named in San Francisco.



Whats your thoughts? I hope Tesla doesnt have these issues.



Buy Tesla. Save Cats.



R.I.P KitKat pic.twitter.com/VCMgsMYZdV  James Wynn (@JamesWynnReal) October 30, 2025

 $KITKAT isnt another meme. Its emotion turned into momentum.



Born from a real story that moved people, $KITKAT unites a community that stands for more than hype.



This cat isnt chasing trends, its creating them.

No one can stop $KITKAT.

If you love cats, this ones yours. pic.twitter.com/295MHufdbw  Velin (@Velin_Sol) October 30, 2025

A growing memorial for KitKat



The Mission District in San Francisco is heartbroken after KitKat, a corner store cat from Randas Market on 16th Street, reportedly died after being hit by a Waymo self-driving car. KitKat wasnt just a pet; he was a neighbourhood friend, mascot, and 16th Street ambassador, loved by everyone who met him.KitKat had been a part of Randas Market for nine years. He often napped near the beer cooler or beside owner Mike Zeidans chair and greeted every customer who walked in. His playful yet calm nature made him one of San Franciscos most loved bodega cats.The atmosphere in the store definitely changed after KitKat arrived, Daniel Zeidan, the owners son, toldAccording toreport, KitKat was found dying on the street late Monday (October 27) night or early Tuesday (October 26) morning. Several witnesses said a Waymo autonomous car hit the cat near Randas Market.One of the eye witnesses, Jeff Klein, toldthat he was driving east on 16th Street around 11:40 p.m. when he saw a Waymo swerve in front of us. People on the sidewalk screamed and rushed to grab the cat. Another witness driving behind the Waymo said it swerved in front of us last night at approx 11:40, and people on the sidewalk started yelling and grabbed the cat right out from under where the Waymo swerved from.A 311 complaint filed soon after said the Waymo hit the liquor stores cat that was sitting on the sidewalk next to the transit lane and did not even try to stop. Waymo has not commented on the incident.News of KitKats death spread quickly. The stores Instagram shared, Were heartbroken to share that our beloved store cat, KitKat, has passed away. He brought warmth, smiles, and comfort to everyone who walked through our doors. The store wont be the same without his little paws padding around.Jessica Chapdelaine, a bartender at Delirium who lived above the bar, told Mission Local, Its sad. Everyones heartbroken. Ive been crying all day and night. He was everyones best friend, and he was just the sweetest boy. Not just locals, but people on social media also expressed their grief. Many took to X to share their reactions, here are some of them.On Tuesday evening, neighbours gathered outside Randas Market to honor KitKat. About fifteen people stood around an altar decorated with flowers, candles, and tributes. Some hugged the owner; others left gifts, Kit Kat bars, small bottles of tequila, ceramic cats, and even popcorn from the nearby Roxie Theater.
Halloween trip turned into a horror scene

The alleged attacker had a demonic stare

Two little kids became life-savers

A nearby friend helped amid the panic

A California dad is calling his children real-life superheroes after a drive to a Halloween festival allegedly turned into a violent road-rage attack that nearly cost him his life. What was meant to be a family night of costumes and candy became a nightmare straight out of a true crime documentary.Chris Davison, 38, was driving with his 6-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son in San Diego County on 17 October when the terrifying ordeal unfolded. His family is now raising funds for his recovery through a GoFundMe page, with relatives saying he is lucky to be alive.According to Davisons account, a black pickup began tailgating his car for several miles, aggressively revving its engine before allegedly swerving him off the road twice. When Davison stepped out to see what was happening, the other driver also exited his vehicle, and things escalated instantly.Davison later recalled that the man did not speak a single word, but stared at him with what he described as a chilling, almost demonic expression before allegedly lunging at him with a knife. While covering his head with his hands, Davison was allegedly stabbed multiple times on his side.Authorities identified the suspect as Noah Kane, who has since been arrested, the California Highway Patrol confirmed.Despite being terrified, Davisons children quickly switched into survival mode. His son, just eight years old, desperately searched for something to stop the bleeding. He first tried a dinosaur sticker, then rummaged through the vehicle until he found a phone charger cord, which he used to tie around his father to slow the blood loss.His six-year-old daughter, dressed in her princess costume, was seen leaning out of the car and shouting for someone to stop and help.Both children also removed their sweaters to press against their fathers wounds. Davison later revealed that his son kept begging him to stay awake.A family friend who happened to be riding a motorcycle nearby rushed to help after spotting the chaos. He assisted the children, wiped blood from Davisons phone, and called 911.Davison was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and is crediting his children and his friend for saving his life.
( Image credit : X/ popbase | Diddys Halloween hits rock bottom in jail with baked fish, no candies and zero privileges )

From red carpets to row D of 4 north



( Image credit : X/ popbase | Diddys Halloween hits rock bottom in jail with baked fish, no candies and zero privileges )

No candy, no fun, just baked fish and rules



Diddy wearing this Joker costume is so much more sinister. He probably had the nastiest freak off known to man this night. pic.twitter.com/lhKWGxCZvr  Pretty A$  (@keepupwrika) September 17, 2024

Halloween once meant costumes, cameras and chaos



( Image credit : X/ popbase | Diddys Halloween hits rock bottom in jail with baked fish, no candies and zero privileges )

Diddy dresses up as Batman after he was told he could no longer be the Joker for Halloween  pic.twitter.com/TAcmC33zZM  Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) November 1, 2023

Halloween used to be Diddys Olympics. The man turned spooky season into a celebrity-only carnival with designer costumes, A-list guests and enough Ciroc to hydrate a small country. Fast forward to 2025 and the Bad Boy mogul is now eating baked fish under prison lights, with a strict no candy allowed rule haunting his Halloween.Sean Diddy Combs is inmate #37452-054 at Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center, and trust us, nothing about his Halloween this year screams luxury. Instead of dramatic costume reveals and VIP entrances, his reality now starts with metal doors clanging at dawn, shared dorm energy, and card games replacing club beats.The unit hes in houses around twenty inmates, a far cry from being surrounded by Beyonce, Jay-Z or Usher. It is a stripped-back existence, where excitement peaks at microwave queues, not Grammys.A spokesperson for MDC made it painfully clear that Halloween joy is cancelled behind bars, stating that inmates are not allowed candy on October 31. Yes, prison comes with rules, but no candy on Halloween? That is cold.Breakfast kicks off at 6 a.m. with fruit, cereal, a pastry, skim milk, and a couple of kosher sugar packets. Lunchtime offers baked fish or black beans with rice pilaf, spinach, coleslaw and whole wheat bread. Dinner attempts to fake comfort with turkey roast, mash, vegetables and, wait for it, another slice of whole wheat bread. Those avoiding meat get two PB&J sandwiches which is the closest thing to dessert. Grim.Let us not forget that the last Halloween Diddy celebrated properly in 2023 included him shutting down the internet in a Dark Knight-inspired Batman costume. Before that, Warner Bros reportedly warned him not to dress up as the Joker again after his 2022 viral portrayal, a moment that now feels like a different lifetime.Everything changed after his September 2024 arrest, leading to his 50-month sentence. He is currently appealing the conviction, and a transfer to a New Jersey facility has been requested.Instead of trick-or-treating with his youngest daughter, Love, Diddy is walking prison corridors. No lights, no adrenaline, no A-list crowd, just fluorescent bulbs and the eerie quiet of Halloween behind bars.This year, the scariest thing in Diddys world is not a ghost, it is bland food, lost freedom, and a life stripped of sugar, spotlight and status.
( Image credit : X | @michaeljknowles | Knowles Targets Hasan Piker, Citing Controversial Remarks )

Hasan Pikers name resurfaces amid accusations of inflammatory rhetoric

Hasan Piker's past remarks are 'hyperbolic' amid renewed controversy

( Image credit : Reddit | @you_know_its_t | Hasan Pikers Name Resurfaces Amid Accusations of Inflammatory Rhetoric )

Critics seize on past comments as political rhetoric sparks debate

( Image credit : Reddit| @PepeLa_DD | A Viral Hearing Clip Sends Shockwaves Through Political Commentary Circles )

After Vice President JD Vance's mention of prominent liberal Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, another video has surfaced on social media where Hasan has been mentioned again. A US Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing on political extremism took an unexpected turn this week when conservative commentator Michael Knowles referenced left-wing Twitch streamer Hasan Piker while discussing the roots of political violence in America. Let's find out more.In the now-viral clip, Knowles claimed that 'ideology really does matter', linking the rise in violence to what he described as dehumanising language used across the political spectrum. He referenced the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk and criticised the reaction to the incident, alleging that The New York Times had resurfaced what he called assassination-related comments from Hasan Piker.Knowles claimed Piker had once suggested the assassination of Senator Tom Cotton and had said, Kill them, murder them, let the streets soak in their red capitalist blood.The mention of Piker, who was not present at the hearing, quickly went viral, with clips circulating on social media and reigniting controversy over his past remarks.In September 2025, during an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Piker addressed that now-infamous quote, calling it hyperbolic and emphasising that it was never intended as a literal endorsement of violence.They were exaggerated comments made in frustration, not a call for harm or policy recommendation, Piker clarified at the time, reiterating his opposition to political violence," he said.While Piker has long been known for his sharp, leftist commentary on Twitch, YouTuber critics have accused him of crossing rhetorical lines, something he's repeatedly denied. The resurfacing of these quotes underscores how old clips and comments can be weaponised in new political moments, especially when amplified by high-profile figures like Knowles.One Redditor, "The only thing I dont like about this is Hasan is going to use this as an opportunity to say any criticism of him are just right-wing talking points since ghouls like Michael Knowles here are saying it too. When criticisms of Hasan exclusively come from the left, he cant really use that as a dismissal but now he does. Then again, hes pretty dumb and he might not realise that he could use that excuse.""I have said it and ill say it again. Hasan has done more damage to the left than anyone on the right. He turns off people from joining the left by constantly making insane statements that will make a normal person think he's insane. Also hes one of the guys that constantly says context doesnt matter but then cries about context when hes the victim," another said.One said, "My only criticism is that Hasan didn't 'technically' say it about conservatives, but about landlords. It doesn't change the fact that Hasan explicitly talked about capitalists, which you could argue most conservatives are. It also doesn't change the fact that he was promoting political violence. This small distinction does, however, give Hasan a small out. And yall know he'll use it for it what it's worth."
The clip that sparked the debate

( Image credit : Instagram/selenagomez| Selena Gomezs old UNICEF moment triggers fresh backlash )

Celebrity activism under the microscope

( Image credit : Instagram/selenagomez| Selena Gomezs Rare Beauty remark sparks backlash over inclusivity )

Context, compassion, and accountability

( Image credit : Instagram/selenagomez| Selena Gomezs controversy revives debate on performative activism )

Selena Gomez is back in headlines after an old clip allegedly showing her asking a tone-deaf question during a UNICEF discussion on child marriage resurfaced online. The viral moment, in which Gomez reportedly asked a survivor, Do you believe in love?, has reignited debate over celebrity activism and how stars navigate sensitive humanitarian issues.According to reports, the incident occurred during a 2013 UNICEF visit to Kenya, where Gomez served as ambassador. While the video's authenticity remains unknown and absent from official UNICEF archives, the incident has divided the internet. Some deemed her inquiry insensitive, claiming it minimized the survivor's grief, while others praised Gomez, claiming she was attempting to understand love in a broader, human context.The controversy follows another communication misstep by Gomez. During a Fortune "Most Powerful Women" event earlier this month, she stated that her beauty brand Rare Beauty "doesn't use models," preferring "real people." That statement reportedly sent at least one campaign model to tears and sparked claims that her words violated her brand's inclusive message.Social media reactions highlight an even deeper conflict in celebrity activismwhere good intentions frequently clash with demands of cultural sensitivity and corporate responsibility. In a hyper-connected era, a single casual remark can easily erase years of carefully built public reputation.As debates unfold across social media, many argue that Gomez, who is known for her vulnerability and honesty about mental health, could have learnt how to navigate public conversations more professionally. However, fans argue that she is one of the few megastars who continuously uses her platform to promote humanitarian causes.Debates over "performative activism" continue to heat up, and the Gomez incident serves as a reminder that empathy and optics don't always align, and even well-meaning advocates can stumble in the gray area between intent and impact.
Megan Walerius' announcement leaves hosts and castmates stunned at the Love Is Blind season 9 reunion



( Image credit : Netflix | Megan Walerius reveals secret baby during Love Is Blind season 9 reunion )

Who is Megan Walerius new boyfriend, Paul Wegman?



( Image credit : Netflix | Love Is Blind S9 reunion: Megan shocks fans with secret baby reveal )

( Image credit : Netflix | Paul Wegman is an Air Force vet turned CEO )

More about Paul and Megan's relationship



( Image credit : X/@PooCrave | Megan and Paul were spotted with their baby days before Love Is Blind reunion )

Megan Walerius shocked everyone at theseason 9 reunion when she dropped two bombshells, revealing she secretly had a baby and introducing her new partner, Paul Wegman. The news came just months after her split from pod fiance Jordan Keltner. While fans had been speculating about her pregnancy for weeks, no one expected her to confirm it so openly on the reunion stage. Curious who Paul Wegman is? Heres everything we know about Megans new man.At theseason 9 reunion on Wednesday night, Megan Walerius stunned both the hosts and her castmates when she opened up about her new chapter in life. Taking a deep breath, she smiled and said, I actually have a little bit of a surprise, before revealing that she had quietly welcomed a baby boy named Brooks about two and a half months ago.She shared that she met Paul Wegman through mutual friends after filming wrapped, and their connection quickly grew stronger, leading to her pregnancy just a few months later. Megans voice softened as she said being a mom has completely changed her, teaching her to be a lot more selfless.She even joked about keeping the pregnancy low-key, explaining that she had a phone-free baby shower to protect her peace. Meanwhile, Paul made a surprise appearance in the audience, looking emotional and proud as Megan thanked him for being her rock through the whirlwind of early parenthood.Paul might not be a familiar name tofans, but hes certainly made an impression as Walerius new partner. Paul is the CEO of NOVA Automation, a Denver-based company that designs large-scale packaging and conveyor systems.Before stepping into the corporate world, he served in the U.S. Air Force and later held tech and consulting roles at major firms like Mastercard and World Wide Technology.According to his LinkedIn profile, he holds a degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Maryland Global Campus and an MBA from the University of Texas McCombs School of Business. Originally from St Louis, Missouri, Paul has lived across the country and even spent time on an airbase in Italy.During the reunion, Megan shared that they met through a mutual friend in July 2024, and their relationship moved quickly, leading to her pregnancy just a few months later. Since then, Paul has stood by her side through it all, making his quiet but confident debut at thereunion.
BREAKING NEWS

 President Trump reacted to today's meeting with President Xi.

Significant achievements of this meeting were China agreeing to resume the flow of rare earths & magnets and the purchase of Soybeans, Sorghum and other farm products. For which U.S. agreed to pic.twitter.com/h7bKQ0SCeB  Dr Armageddon (@DrArmageddon01) October 30, 2025

Xis commitment on Fentanyl and Rare Earth supplies

Key agreements: Soybeans, chips, and future visits

BREAKING: Trump shakes Xis hand for 27 seconds and reduces tariffs (taxes on Americans) from 57% to 47% in exchange for China promising to work hard on fentanyl, and reverting their limits on rare earths to where they were before a Trump screwed everything up.



In other words pic.twitter.com/3jmRpZRNjY  Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) October 30, 2025

Talks on Ukraine and broader global issues

October 25th, Trump: China is smuggling fentanyl through Venezuela.

October 30th, Trump: Fentanyl tariffs on China reduced to 10%, effective immediately pic.twitter.com/EPfYaUmUyG  Alex Christoforou (@AXChristoforou) October 30, 2025

Nuclear testing and denuclearization talks

A one-year deal with future talks ahead

President Donald Trump said he is cutting some tariffs on Chinese imports following a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. The discussion, which lasted nearly one hour and forty-five minutes, resulted in several key decisions on trade, rare earth minerals, and drug control. Trump said he reduced the 20% tariff on Chinese imports linked to fentanyl to 10%, bringing the overall tariff level on Chinese goods down from 57% to 47%.Trump said the decision came after Xi promised that China would take strong action to stop the flow of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid linked to the U.S. drug crisis. The two countries also reached a one-year agreement to prevent Beijing from placing heavy restrictions on rare earth minerals  essential materials used in producing semiconductors, smartphones, defense systems, and AI technologies.This deal removes the earlier threat of a 100% tariff on Chinese exports tied to these materials. We have a deal now, Trump said, adding that the arrangement would be renewed each year and could continue long term.Trump said China agreed to resume purchases of U.S. soybeans immediately  a major relief for American farmers affected during the trade war. Large amounts of soybeans and other farm products are going to be purchased immediately, Trump stated.The leaders also discussed semiconductor supplies. According to Trump, Xi agreed that China would speak with U.S. chipmakers like Nvidia about buying American technology, though the conversation did not cover Nvidias latest Blackwell AI chip.Both sides agreed that Trump would visit China in April, with Xi expected to visit the United States later in the year.The U.S. president said the issue of Taiwan did not come up in the meeting, but both leaders spoke extensively about Russias war in Ukraine. Trump said he and Xi agreed to work together to push for an end to the conflict. We talked about it for a long time, and were both going to work together to see if we can get something done, Trump said. He noted that the discussion focused on encouraging both sides to move toward peace, though no concrete plan was announced.Trump added that Chinas ongoing oil imports from Russia were not part of the conversation.Trump also addressed questions about his earlier announcement on resuming U.S. nuclear testing, clarifying that it was unrelated to China. He said the step was taken because others had already restarted testing. Trump remarked that the U.S. and Russia have the largest nuclear arsenals, and China could catch up in four to five years. He said he wanted to see global de-escalation and eventual denuclearization, with discussions ongoing between the U.S., Russia, and potentially China.Summing up, Trump said most key issues were addressed and expressed optimism that the agreements would extend beyond a single year. He described the meeting as amazing and rated it a 12 out of 10.While the deal temporarily eases tensions, both nations will review and renegotiate terms at the end of the year. For now, the tariff reduction, rare earth assurance, and renewed trade commitments mark a significant pause in U.S.-China trade friction.
More than 500,000 young retail and hospitality workers could see significant pay rises if the Fair Work Commission agrees to scrap junior rates for those 18 and over. Deputys Emma Seymour weighs in.

Whats happening: The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association has applied to the Fair Work Commission to remove junior pay rates for employees aged 18 and over across the General Retail Industry Award, Fast Food Industry Award and Pharmacy Industry Award. A full bench began hearing evidence on 27 October 2025, with proceedings scheduled until 7 November 2025.

Why this matters: The case challenges Australias long-standing practice of paying workers under 21 years of age a percentage of adult wages, with current rates generally seeing 18-year-olds earn between 70 and 80 per cent of the full wage.

Young workers across retail, fast food and pharmacy sectors could soon receive full adult wages as the Fair Work Commission considers abolishing junior pay rates for employees aged 18 and over.

The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association lodged the claim in June 2024, seeking to vary three modern awards that currently allow employers to pay workers under 21 years of age (typically aged 16 to 20) a percentage of adult wages. A full bench of the Fair Work Commission began hearing evidence on Monday, 27 October 2025, with proceedings continuing until Friday, 7 November 2025.

Emma Seymour, Chief Financial Officer at workforce management platform Deputy, said the debate extends beyond simple wage calculations.

The debate around junior pay rates goes beyond wages. Its a multifaceted conversation about how much we value early career workers and how to build workforces that are sustainable and fair, Seymour said. Fair compensation is essential, but the impacts of wage parity are felt differently: young employees gain security, while employers face higher costs and operational challenges.

Current wage structure

Under the General Retail Industry Award 2020, Fast Food Industry Award 2020 and Pharmacy Industry Award 2020, employees under 21 years of age are classified as junior employees. Junior pay operates as a percentage of the adult wage, increasing with each birthday.

Current approximate rates vary by award and employment type, but typically follow this structure: workers aged 16 or under receive around 45 to 50 per cent of the adult rate, 17-year-olds earn 60 to 75 per cent, 18-year-olds generally receive 70 to 80 per cent, 19-year-olds earn 80 to 90 per cent, and 20-year-olds receive 90 to 100 per cent of adult wages.

The SDAs proposed changes would see workers 18 years and older receive the full adult wage, whilst workers 16 or under would receive 50 per cent and 17-year-olds would receive 75 per cent of adult rates.

Employer concerns emerge

Employer groups including the Australian Retailers Association and the Franchise Council of Australia have submitted concerns to the Fair Work Commission, arguing that junior employees often perform different roles and require more training than senior colleagues.

The submissions suggest that removing junior rates could increase wage costs and affect employment decisions, with particular concern about regional employment opportunities for young workers.

Seymour acknowledged the operational challenges businesses face when wage structures change rapidly.

Junior roles in small businesses and franchises are often an entry point into the workforce for young people. Sudden pay increases can force employers to make tough trade-offs that compromise operational efficiency, such as reducing shifts or cutting training programs, she said. If these costs rise overnight, workers risk losing these opportunities altogether, a scenario no one wants in a labour market already grappling with skill shortages and retention challenges.

Trust and retention

However, Seymour emphasised that young workers increasingly evaluate employers based on fairness and transparency, making wage parity a strategic consideration beyond immediate costs.

On the other hand, young workers are more discerning than ever and expect transparency, purpose, and recognition. When employees perform at the same level but are not rewarded accordingly, trust in the system erodes, which can undermine engagement and loyalty, she said. Businesses that invest in fair pay and development are better positioned to retain their talent and build a workforce ready for the future.

Workforce observers note that workers aged 18 and over increasingly question why they should receive discounted wages when performing identical roles to older colleagues, particularly in sectors where standardised training and procedures mean experience differentials may be minimal.

Balancing fairness

Seymour argued the Fair Work Commission review presents an opportunity to modernise pay structures whilst maintaining employment pathways for young workers entering the workforce.

The Fair Work Commission review is an opportunity to modernise pay structures in a way that balances fairness with practicality. We need solutions that support and reward young workers while maintaining pathways allowing businesses to train and grow their teams, she said.

The estimated figure of 500,000 potentially affected workers, cited in union commentary, represents a significant estimated portion of Australias retail, fast food and pharmacy workforce. The three awards cover employees in supermarkets, department stores, specialty retail outlets, quick-service restaurants, cafes and community pharmacies.

A formal decision will follow after the hearings conclude on 7 November 2025, with any changes expected to be phased in over time rather than implemented immediately.

The best approach is to be cognisant of the needs of all parties: ensuring fairer pay while growing a skilful, confident workforce. The answer is not choosing one over the other, but finding a model that allows both to thrive, Seymour said.

The case has attracted attention from business groups and worker advocacy organisations as it could establish precedent for how Australia structures entry-level wages across other industries where junior rates remain common practice.

Information sourced from Fair Work Commission case filings and statement from Deputy Chief Financial Officer Emma Seymour

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Sophie Alfonsi-Connaire turns down her turns her thermostat at her home in Havertown, Pa. Monday, Jan. 30. 2023. Residents say they are feeling the increased price of all heating methods due to inflation, the war in Ukraine, and other global factors. Read more

Philadelphia Gas Works and Peco are onboarding customers into their energy assistance programs and say they will not disconnect services to those households while the government shutdown freezes the LIHEAP program.

State Rep. Jordan Harris (D., Philadelphia) announced the PGW and Peco assistance partnership Thursday, urging residents to reach out to their local energy providers.

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Funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, a federal program that helps low-income households heat their homes, is not being distributed and annual applications are being delayed until at least Dec. 3, as the government shutdown continues to halt many federal services, including SNAP benefits. If the shutdown continues, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services would have to reassess the opening date for applications.

The program was originally scheduled to open Nov. 3. In the last two years, it has delivered more than $200 million of assistance to Pennsylvania households in need during the cold winter months, especially older adults and low-income families.

Beginning Saturday, PGW and Peco will assist eligible customers in enrolling in their established assistance programs: PGWs Customer Responsibility Program and Pecos Customer Assistance Program. They will also suspend service disconnections for residential customers who are enrolled in these programs.

The suspension of service disconnections will also be available to customers who directed their LIHEAP grant to PGW earlier this year, or to Peco within the last two years. Peco also does not disconnect service for verified residential customers at or below 250% of the federal poverty line from Dec. 1 through March 31.

 READ MORE: How to reduce your heating bill in Philadelphia

Around 300,000 Pennsylvanians use LIHEAP to offset energy costs in the winter, according to the human services department.

The federal government shutdown is putting thousands of Pennsylvania families at risk of extreme hunger and the inability to keep their homes warm and running, Harris said. I appreciate both PGW and Peco, and their leadership, for stepping up in this moment and taking meaningful action to keep vulnerable households connected to essential services.

How to get help from PGW and Peco during the shutdown

During the government shutdown and the delay of LIHEAP, PGW and Peco customers can apply for help through their energy provider.

PGW

Customers can enroll in the Customer Responsibility Program by calling 215-235-1000 or visiting pgworks.com/customer-care/crp.

Peco

Customers can enroll in the Customer Assistance Program by visiting peco.com/my-account/customer-support/assistance-programs/cap-rate. Another option is the Customer Relief Fund. Apply at peco.com/my-account/customer-support/assistance-programs/customer-relief-fund.

Need help with enrolling in utility assistance programs or connecting with an energy provider? Harris advised residents to contact their local representative. Find yours using the Find My Legislator tool at www.palegis.us/find-my-legislator.
Jean Schultz Junio Laurent, 51, was killed Tuesday morning as he walked to work in East Mount Airy, police said. Read more

Jean Schultz Junio Laurent worked hard to move his children to America from their native Haiti, his family said, hoping to give them a safer, more stable life in Abington.

But after escaping the tumult of his home country, the father of three died early Tuesday after he was stabbed less than 200 feet from the restaurant where he worked in East Mount Airy, Philadelphia police said.

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I cant imagine anyone wanting to hurt him. Were in shock, Laurents niece, Alexandra Belly, said in an interview Thursday. He had no enemies. His entire life was just working and coming home.

Scott Hilton was charged Thursday morning with murder and related crimes in the death of Laurent, 51, on the 1500 block of Wadsworth Avenue, not far from Junes Kitchen, where Laurent worked.

The motive for the fatal stabbing was still being investigated, along with whether the men knew each other, police said. Laurent was on his way to work when he was attacked, police said.

Hilton, 48, of East Mount Airy, remained in custody, denied bail.

Police were notified of the stabbing at 7:19 a.m. Tuesday and arrived to find medics attempting to revive Laurent. He had been stabbed in the chest and was taken to Jefferson Einstein Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Laurent had lived in Abington for the last two years with his sister, according to Belly, his niece. He had worked hard to emigrate to the U.S. and settle in the township, she said, spending years getting the necessary paperwork and meeting other requirements.

In Haiti, he was an author, journalist, and literature professor, and had to essentially start his life over, his niece said. But he was happy to make that sacrifice, she said, for the safety of his children, the youngest of whom is 3.

Laurent had dreams of pursuing a teaching degree here, she said.

He was a very sweet, very gentle man, who never wanted to inconvenience anyone, she said. Were all just heartbroken and in shock.
Adam Hudson, senior nursing student, gives a tour through the Duey Immersive Learning Center, a center for hands-on clinical and patient care simulations for the nursing program at West Chester University. The school held the event to celebrate 50 years of the nursing program at West Chester and to announce the university would start a School of Nursing. Read more

Patricia Macko Inglesby was among the first class of nursing students to graduate from West Chester University in 1976.

Over the next half century, she helped some of the first AIDS patients at Pennsylvania Hospital and some of the first patients with Legionnaires disease. She worked in cardiology and ophthalmology, and was in clinical research at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals for 22 years. And even after retiring, she volunteered in the Medical Reserve Corps when the pandemic hit, testing patients for COVID-19, and traveled to Poland on a medical mission to help Ukrainian refugees.

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Ive had so many wonderful experiences, Inglesby, 70, said. I feel I got an excellent education at West Chester.

 READ MORE: West Chesters new president vows to take the university from almost awesome to awesome amid tumultuous time in higher education

The university is about to expand that opportunity to more students. At an event Saturday marking the 50-plus-year anniversary of its nursing programs, West Chester announced it would create a School of Nursing in January, giving the discipline an elevated status at Pennsylvanias largest state university. (That does not include Pennsylvania State University or Temple University, which are state-related institutions.) Its nursing programs had been located within a department in its College of Health Sciences. The nursing school will remain within that college.

The change, West Chester officials said, will mean more opportunities to apply for grants, generally more prestige, and more students. The school would like to increase the number of bachelors degree nursing students by a third, from 90 to 120. The school also offers nursing programs for those who want to get a second degree, pursue their doctoral degree, or become nurse educators. Nursing was the first doctoral degree West Chester ever offered, starting in 2013.

In all, the school has nearly 500 nursing students, said Scott Heinerichs, dean of the health sciences college.

We have been operating like a school without the name, but in the public, the name school means something, Heinerichs said. It really does elevate the playing field.

West Chesters increased emphasis on the field could help with the continued nursing shortage, which in 2022 was estimated to reach about 78,000 nationwide by 2025, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. But the problem could become even worse given the burnout among new nurses, in part fueled by the pandemic, said Nancy Barker, a professor and chair of West Chesters nursing department.

We are seeing nursing burnout in higher numbers in our new grads, she said.

The Philadelphia market is poised to make a difference. It remains highly saturated with nursing programs, Barker said, even though the region experienced the loss of nursing programs at Lincoln University, a historically Black college, in 2023 and Cabrini University, a private Catholic school in Radnor that closed in 2024. Competition for clinical sites, though, is keen, exacerbated by the closing of a couple of local hospitals, she said.

Other changes in nursing schools

West Chesters creation of a nursing school is among a growing number of changes that local colleges are making in their nursing offerings as the shortage persists.

 READ MORE: St. Joes finalizes its merger agreement with the Pa. College of Health Sciences

Chestnut Hill College this fall started a nursing program, admitting 52 students, and opened a new nursing clinical arts center. St. Josephs University last year began offering nursing programs after its merger with the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences in Lancaster.

Gwynedd Mercy University kicked off new online graduate programs in nursing in May and plans to add a master of science in nursing in the spring. Temple University started a nursing scholars program last year, in which participants are eligible for up to $40,000 of loan sponsorship, funded by Temple Health with support from the state, if they agree to work for Temple Health after graduating. Forty-eight students so far have committed to the program, the university said.

Rutgers-Camden in the fall initiated a new program with the LEAP Academy Charter School in which 10 LEAP students are enrolled in a seminar in professional nursing at the university. They are in classes with Rutgers sophomores and on a path to learn more about a career in nursing.

At West Chesters celebration on Saturday, Adam Hudson, 21, a senior nursing student, demonstrated the advanced technology used in nursing education and how it has changed over the years.

Students now in the lab can hear what a cardiac murmur or asthmatic wheezing sounds like and see a cardiac arrest and postpartum hemorrhage with fake blood, Barker said. In the past, students got whatever they happened to experience on clinical rotations, and that was it, she said.

Hudson said he is glad he chose West Chester and nursing.

I really love it, said Hudson, who is from Berks County. There are some hard times, especially when a patient codes or has some like acute distress happening and the patients family member is there, and you kind of have to devote time for the family member, too, especially if they dont know whats happening and theyre in emotional distress as well.

He also saw how much his older sister, Molly, who got her nursing degree at West Chester in 2019, enjoys her job. She works in the pediatric intensive care unit at Hershey Medical Center.

Im really proud of Adam because as a male in this field, he really kind of stepped up and didnt shy away from the gender roles that have plagued us in the past, said his mother, Kelly Rexford-Hudson, 62, a nurse practitioner who works for Penn State Health. I was sort of hoping with his example more young men will consider a nursing profession.

She is pursuing her doctoral degree in nursing at West Chester.

West Chester was the best choice for us, she said.

Inglesby was traveling and could not attend the West Chester event, but she donated the nursing pin she received when she graduated.

She lives in West Chester with her husband, Paul, and often drives by the school. She endowed a nursing scholarship in the name of her parents, Edward and Mary Macko.

My biggest hope is that the nurses will continue their education, she said. I hope that their nursing experiences, adventures, and their journey will be as wonderful as mine was.
The Wanamaker Light Show was installed last week after a fundraiser ensured the beloved holiday staple would continue this winter. Read more

The Wanamaker Light Show and Dickens Village are officially saved  and will reopen to the public on Friday, Nov. 28, officials said this week.

Both beloved Philadelphia holiday attractions were installed in the historic Wanamaker Building near City Hall last week after a fundraising effort successfully ensured the endangered shows would continue at least one more year. The fund drive to keep the show alive had been announced by the Philadelphia Visitor Center, in partnership with Wanamaker Building owner TF Cornerstone, shortly after Macys had been sold in March.

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In September, organizers said that with over 700 individual donors and gifts from philanthropic foundations, they had raised enough of their $350,000 goal to bring back both attractions this winter  and to begin planning for their future care. The show remains free for the public.

On Monday, at a news conference planned for the Wanamaker Grand Court, the shows new stewards will announce a final 2025 Light Show and Dickens Village schedule, with details on ticketing, new partnerships and sponsors, and ongoing fundraising efforts to keep the attractions long-term.

While news that the show would endure for at least one more holiday season was not a surprise, the reinstallation of the light show, a cherished Philly holiday staple since 1956, marked a milestone.

Last week, a team of planners from Macys Parade Studio  the New Jersey design facility that ran the light show, and where all the floats, balloons, and customers for the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York are built and stored  came to Philly. They instructed new workers on how to install the shows 154-branch towering tree, its 100,000 individual bulbs, and its paneled Santa, Sugarplum Fairies, and snowflakes. The show, which operates on suspended trusses and a digitized lighting and sound program, is directed from a tiny circuit room above the Grand Court known as Frosty Central.

Volunteers will finish installing the 6,000 square feet of cobbled streets and animatronic figures of Dickens Village next week, planners said.

Using money from a charitable fund, Phillys electrical workers union, IBEW Local 98, donated a three-person labor crew to install the reams of lighting. The Macys team, which also donated its time, instructed the crew from M. Gitlin Co. of Glen Mills on the nuances of installing a historic light show in a shuttered department store.

They came down and taught our guys how to do it  and hopefully were going to do it for many many years to come, said Bob Gormley, business agent for IBEW Local 98. Its a tradition that you got to keep it going. Its a major positive thing for our kids.
Abhi Rastogi will succeed Mike Young as CEO of Temple University Health System on Jan. 2. Young is retiring after seven years at the North Philadelphia nonprofit. Read more

Temple University president John Fry announced Thursday that Temple Healths current chief operating officer, Abhi Rastogi, will succeed Michael Young as CEO of the North Philadelphia nonprofit that provides crucial safety net services in the city.

Rastogi, who has been at Temple for 23 years, will take over on Jan. 2, Temple said Thursday. Thats when Young will retire after seven years at Temple, starting as chief operating officer at Temple University Hospital in 2018 and then becoming CEO of the entire system in early 2020.

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Under Young, the systems annual revenue has increased to $3.3 billion from $1.9 billion. Temple has added two hospitals, Chestnut Hill and Temple Women & Families, while reducing its overall long-term debt.

Young, 69, said he expects a seamless leadership transition, given Rastogis deep involvement in Temples growth efforts in recent years. Hes by far the smartest young leader Ive seen in healthcare in 30 years, Young said in an interview this week.

John Fry, who has been president of Temple University for close to a year and serves as the link between the university and health system boards, said he has seen Rastogi, 48, blossom as a leader. Hes exceptional, Fry said.

From an unpaid internship to the top job

The move into the CEO seat caps a career trajectory for Rastogi that started with an unpaid internship at Temple University Hospital during graduate school.

Rastogi came to the United States from India in 2000 to earn an MBA and a masters in information systems at Temples Fox School of Business. He lived across the street from the hospital for the first year of the program, he said.

Now, Rastogi is taking over at a time when hospitals nationwide are preparing for major Medicaid cuts  a prospect that is particularly daunting for Temple. More than 40% of the patients admitted into Temple University Hospital have the government insurance for low-income people.

With those cuts looming, Rastogi said his priorities are stabilizing Temples physician workforce and staff, continuing to expand Temples footprint in ways that make Temple a convenient option for more patients, and using AI and technology where appropriate.

Not all of our patient populations could adapt to it, but where its applicable, we need to make it easier for them to get access to the care, said Rastogi, who worked in project management early in his career at Temple, with an emphasis on replacing paper with electronic files.

In recent years, Rastogi has been deeply involved in the transformation of the former Cancer Treatment Centers of America location in the citys Crescentville neighborhood into Temple Women & Families, the expansion of the emergency department and the crisis response center at Temple Episcopal Hospital, and the integration of Chestnut Hill Hospital into Temple.

Rastogi said he plans to keep building on what he called Temples strengths, including the nations biggest lung transplant center, cardiology, cancer care at Fox Chase Cancer Center, neurology, and urology.

Mike has left us in a position of strategic growth and financial stability. We want to continue that, said Rastogi, who lives in Blue Bell. He has two children, including a daughter who is in her first year at Temple.

How two years turned into seven

When Young arrived at Temple in August 2018, during a restructuring effort led by turnaround firm Alvarez & Marsal, he told his wife he would stay for two years and then retire. The idea, he said, was that he wouldnt miss out on the lives of his five grandchildren the way he did with his own kids during his decades as a healthcare executive.

Then COVID hit. I couldnt leave in the middle of COVID, Young said.

The arrival of John Fry as Temple president last year was another reason to stay a bit longer, Young said.

They have been close since 2002, when Fry left the University of Pennsylvania to become president of Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster. Young was CEO of Lancaster General Health. Fry joined the Lancaster General board, and they developed a strong relationship, Fry said.

He is exceptionally talented and also incredibly modest about what he does, Fry said. Hes really all about this team, and I think thats his legacy, not only in this turnaround, but also the people he leaves in positions of authority who are going to take it forward.

When talking about his leadership team at Temple, Young praised 15 top executives by name, adding details about where they came from and what theyve accomplished. We have a great mix of homegrown and outstanding people from the outside, Young said.

Young, who lives in Manayunk, has agreed to remain as a consultant for two years, a common arrangement for ex-CEOs. In addition, he will remain on the health system board for two years and the Fox Chase board for at least a year.
From left Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sabore, Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Joshua Lacey and Trooper Paul Holderfer. The three district attorneys were accompanied by Pennsylvania State Police at a joint press conference to reveal a grand jury investigation into smoke shop "weed" products at District Attorney Steeles office, 425 Swede St., Norristown, Thursday, October 30, 2025. Read more

A 10-month grand jury investigation across three suburban counties has found that smoke shops openly sell unsafe and illegal drugs  sometimes to children  and that sweeping reforms are needed.

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A 107-page grand jury report, released Thursday, is the product of a 10-month joint investigation by the district attorneys in Montgomery, Bucks, and Chester Counties, and focused primarily on the proliferation of stores peddling supposedly legal hemp products and other substances in all three counties.

The grand jury probe found many stores used misleading packaging and fraudulent lab reports to openly sell banned substances.

Speaking at the Montgomery County Detective Bureau on Thursday morning, District Attorney Kevin R. Steele called for extensive reform to cannabis sales  similar to tobacco and alcohol  in the state as a result of the findings.

Theyre unregulated, theyre unsafe, and theyre selling illegal products without oversight and without concern for the health of Pennsylvanians, especially without regard for the health of our children, Steele said.

The grand jury report, which is the first in Montco since a 2017 report on opioid proliferation, calls for greater enforcement of store operators who knowingly violate the law. It also asks lawmakers to establish a statewide licensing system for the sale of THC products, along with rigorous product-testing requirements and age restrictions.

The report repeatedly cites findings from an Inquirer investigation, published in July, that tested hemp-based THC products sold over the counter in shops throughout Philadelphia and the suburbs under the terms of a federal Farm Bill legalizing certain types of low-potency hemp.

Although legal cannabis sales in Pennsylvania are limited to medical cardholders, the Inquirer report found the majority of test samples billed as THCA or Delta-8 hemp were actually powerful black-market cannabis relabeled as a legal product, sometimes using bogus certificates of authenticity or doctored lab reports as evidence.

Most of the samples tested by the newspaper were also contaminated with pesticides or other toxins.

The grand jury report mirrored many of these findings, and documented the vast scale of a gray-market industry that has boomed across the state over the last five years.

It found 240 hemp stores in Montgomery County alone  one smoke shop for every 3,662 residents and nearly one shop every two square miles. Such stores now outnumber schools across the county, according to the report, which it described as a public health crisis unfolding in plain sight.

Throughout the 10-month grand jury probe, undercover law enforcement officers purchased 144 THC products from shops in Montgomery and Chester Counties. Testing results paralleled what The Inquirer found: Nearly 94% of the countys samples marketed as Farm Bill-compliant hemp would be considered regular marijuana under federal law.

The absence of any law establishing a minimum age for buying THC products in an unregulated market has significantly increased youth access, the report states. While some store owners described self-imposed age restrictions, detectives documented repeat sales to 16- and 17-year-olds, and accidental ingestion of unregulated hemp products by children, including a 1-year-old.

Many suppliers and retailers appeared to be intentionally marketing products to children using brightly colored packaging or by mimicking other products, according to the report.

You got Cheetos with marijuana leaves on them, Steele said, showing a photo of THC-infused products that copied popular snack food branding.

These include very high-potency Krisp Rice Treats edibles  designed to resemble the popular Rice Krispies Treats snacks  containing 400 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol, the active ingredient that creates the high associated with cannabis products.

According to the Lower Merion Police Department, one of these products was consumed in its entirety by a 14-year-old, who became extremely panicked and vomited, later requiring hospitalization.

The lack of regulation means there are no labeling standards for potency, leaving consumers vulnerable to accidental overconsumption, severe psychiatric reactions, and hospitalization, the report states. A medical expert testified that even experienced users can be caught off guard by the potency of these products.

These sales, and the ability to market potentially toxic products to children, represent an urgent need for comprehensive regulatory reform, the grand jury said.

The report comes after 41 attorneys general, including Pennsylvanias Dave Sunday, issued a joint statement last week calling on Congress to close the Farm Bill loophole that kicked off the explosion of unregulated hemp sales.

However, the Thursday grand jury report calls for the reform and regulation of these products, vs. outright prohibition.

These results starkly contradict the representations made by retailers and highlight the widespread mislabeling and deceptive marketing practices prevalent in the retail sale of THC product, the report states. The evidence underscores the urgent need for robust oversight, accurate labeling, and comprehensive regulation to protect consumers and the community.

The probe has already led to several enforcement actions, officials said.

Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe said state police executed 16 search warrants on smoke shops and seized over $500,000 in cash and illegal products.

Were doing everything we can to stop it in its tracks right now, he said. He added that Pennsylvanias legislature needs to take action because on-site enforcement will not fix the systemic shortcomings that allow easy access.

Its not sustainable, he said of raiding individual stores.

The report also detailed the emergence of other intoxicating products sold at smoke shops, including kratom and tianeptine, the latter of which is sometimes called gas station heroin. Both products were also documented in subsequent Inquirer reporting.

Steele said the detectives involved in the grand jury probe had years of narcotics experience and said they saw similarities between street-level illicit dealers and unregulated smoke shop proprietors.

Some of these places know exactly what theyre doing, and theyre using these stores as fronts to deal drugs, he said. Thats the bottom line: Theyre drug dealers.
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE  President Donald Trump described his face-to-face with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday as a roaring success, saying he would cut tariffs on China, while Beijing had agreed to allow the export of rare earth elements and start buying American soybeans.

The president told reporters aboard Air Force One that the U.S. would lower tariffs implemented earlier this year as punishment on China for its selling of chemicals used to make fentanyl from 20% to 10%. That brings the total combined tariff rate on China down from 57% to 47%

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I guess on the scale from 0 to 10, with ten being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12, Trump said. I think it was a 12.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China agreed to purchase 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually for the next three years, starting with 12 million metric tons from now to January. U.S. soybean exports to China, a huge market for them, had come to a standstill in the trade dispute.

So you know, our great soybean farmers, who the Chinese used as political pawns, thats off the table, and they should prosper in the years to come, Bessent told Fox Business Networks Mornings with Maria.

 READ MORE: How one South Jersey soybean farmer is being squeezed by warehouses, rising costs, and tariffs

Trump said that he would go to China in April and Xi would come to the U.S. some time after that. The president said they also discussed the export of more advanced computer chips to China, saying that Nvidia would be in talks with Chinese officials.

Trump said he could sign a trade deal with China pretty soon.

Xi said Washington and Beijing would work to finalize their agreements to provide peace of mind to both countries and the rest of the world, according to a report on the meeting distributed by state media.

Both sides should take the long-term perspective into account, focusing on the benefits of cooperation rather than falling into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation, he said.

Sources of tension remain

Despite Trumps optimism after a 100-minute meeting with Xi in South Korea, there continues to be the potential for major tensions between the worlds two largest economies. Both nations are seeking dominant places in manufacturing, developing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and shaping world affairs like Russias war in Ukraine.

Trumps aggressive use of tariffs since returning to the White House for a second term, combined with Chinas retaliatory limits on exports of rare earth elements, gave the meeting newfound urgency. There is a mutual recognition that neither side wants to risk blowing up the world economy in ways that could jeopardize their own countrys fortunes.

When the two were seated at the start of the meeting, Xi read prepared remarks that stressed a willingness to work together despite differences.

Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other, he said through a translator. It is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then.

There was a slight difference in translation as Chinas Xinhua News Agency reported Xi as telling Trump that having some differences is inevitable.

Finding ways to lower the temperature

The leaders met in Busan, South Korea, a port city about 76 kilometers (47 miles) south from Gyeongju, the main venue for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

In the days leading up to the meeting, U.S. officials signaled that Trump did not intend to make good on a recent threat to impose an additional 100% import tax on Chinese goods, and China showed signs it was willing to relax its export controls on rare earths and also buy soybeans from America.

Officials from both countries met earlier this week in Kuala Lumpur to lay the groundwork for their leaders. Afterward, Chinas top trade negotiator Li Chenggang said they had reached a preliminary consensus, a statement affirmed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent who said there was " a very successful framework."

Shortly before the meeting on Thursday, Trump posted on Truth Social that the meeting would be the G2, a recognition of America and Chinas status as the worlds biggest economies. The Group of Seven and Group of 20 are other forums of industrialized nations.

But while those summits often happen at luxury spaces, this meeting took place in humbler surroundings: Trump and Xi met in a small gray building with a blue roof on a military base adjacent to Busans international airport.

The anticipated detente has given investors and businesses caught between the two nations a sense of relief. The U.S. stock market has climbed on the hopes of a trade framework coming out of the meeting.

Pressure points remain for both US and China

Trump has outward confidence that the grounds for a deal are in place, but previous negotiations with China this year in Geneva, Switzerland and London had a start-stop quality to them. The initial promise of progress has repeatedly given way to both countries seeking a better position against the other.

The proposed deal on the table fits the pattern weve seen all year: short-term stabilization dressed up as strategic progress, said Craig Singleton, senior director of the China program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Both sides are managing volatility, calibrating just enough cooperation to avert crisis while the deeper rivalry endures.

The U.S. and China have each shown they believe they have levers to pressure the other, and the past year has demonstrated that tentative steps forward can be short-lived.

For Trump, that pressure comes from tariffs.

China had faced new tariffs this year totaling 30%, of which 20% were tied to its role in fentanyl production. But the tariff rates have been volatile. In April, he announced plans to jack the rate on Chinese goods to 145%, only to abandon those plans as markets recoiled.

Then, on Oct. 10, Trump threatened a 100% import tax because of Chinas rare earth restrictions. That figure, including past tariffs, would now be 47% effective immediately, Trump told reporters on Thursday.

Xi has his own chokehold on the world economy because China is the top producer and processor of the rare earth minerals needed to make fighter jets, robots, electric vehicles and other high-tech products.

China had tightened export restrictions on Oct. 9, repeating a cycle in which each nation jockeys for an edge only to back down after more trade talks.

What might also matter is what happens directly after their talks. Trump plans to return to Washington, while Xi plans to stay on in South Korea to meet with regional leaders during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which officially begins on Friday.

Xi sees an opportunity to position China as a reliable partner and bolster bilateral and multilateral relations with countries frustrated by the U.S. administrations tariff policy, said Jay Truesdale, a former State Department official who is CEO of TD International, a risk and intelligence advisory firm.
K-9 Ron posed for photos at the Delran Township Municipal building on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in Delran, N.J. Ron was set to be euthanized at a shelter but received training to be a detection K-9 for the Delran Township Police Department. Read more

Delran Townships municipal building was unusually packed for a weeknight meeting. But residents and their children came for a chance to see a dog who is in a highly unusual position for his breed.

K-9 Ron, a 3-year-old pit bull, was officially sworn in Tuesday as a detection dog for the Delran Township Police Department.

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Ron, predominantly black-haired with a streak of white down the center of his face and across his chest, was found abandoned in an apartment in Minneapolis with two other dogs in 2023. A shelter gave the trio Harry Potter-themed names  Ron, Harry, and Hermione.

The chaotic environment at the shelter proved to be stressful and miserable for Ron, and it scheduled him for euthanasia. But when staff took him out of the shelter for brief trips, his demeanor completely changed. They noticed his persistence and love for toy hunting, and believed Ron would thrive outside of the shelter, with a job to do.

They introduced him to Unbreakabull, a Twin Cities pit bull rescue nonprofit. Sara Romdenne, Unbreakabulls executive director, said her organization gets many rescue requests that it ultimately doesnt have the resources to take on. But after she met Ron, it was immediately clear that she couldnt let him die.

The organization took Ron in the day before his scheduled euthanasia date.

Even though Romdenne said she had never heard of a pit bull doing police work before, Unbreakabull noted his toy drive, too. The organization and the shelter sought out K-9 Protectors, a nonprofit that trains rescue dogs for police work and donates them to departments. After watching videos of Ron, K-9 Protectors staff were impressed. Theyd never trained a pit bull for police work either, but he seemed like an ideal fit.

Ron was just off the charts amazing in all categories, said Christie Marrano, a dog trainer for K-9 Protectors, who began working with him last year.

Police departments traditionally purchase breeds like German shepherds and Belgian Malinois for police work, often from specialized breeders that charge several thousand dollars. U.S. police began using K-9 units during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s, when images of German shepherds attacking Black protestors spread widely.

Since then, researchers have raised concerns about the accuracy of police detection dogs who are trained to sniff out and find drugs, explosives, and other substances but may be influenced by their handlers. The U.S. Supreme Court addressed the issue in 2013, after petitioners argued that a dogs false alert could give improper pretext for police stops. The court ruled unanimously that a properly trained dogs alert was reliable enough evidence to provide probable cause for a search.

Marrano said many breeds are capable of doing the job with the right training. She said that the most important characteristic is their drive and desire for finding objects.

Everything else is just aesthetic, she said. To these dogs, its work, but its also like the best game ever.

Looks aside, Ron does not have the aggression often associated with a police dog, either.

Hes a goofball. Hes a sweet-natured, really stable, social dog... hes an ambassador to the breed, Marrano said.

Despite his detection ability, it took Ron longer than most to find a placement because of his breed. For a year and a half, K-9 Protectors promoted him online and took him to police seminars for extra training, but nobody was seriously interested.

Finally, they connected with Delran, which had been discussing reactivating its K-9 unit, and donated him in September. Ron and his handler, Patrolman Tyler Malia, recently graduated from the Middlesex County Sheriffs Office Canine Training Academy. While some police dogs are used for both detection and attack work, Ron was trained as a single purpose dog and will only perform detection.

The Delran Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It has already begun to use Ron in the field, leading to drug possession-related arrests in two cases. Ron may be used to assist other police departments in Burlington County.

At the close of his swearing-in, Ron gave an inked paw print to sign his oath of office paperwork.

With his long tail wagging, Ron stayed for a brief photo op with attendees, before turning in for the night. He had the next day off.
Here's everything Lower Merion residents need to know before voting in Tuesday's election. Read more

Hi, Lower Merion! 

Were just a few days away from the election. Still deciding how youll vote? Weve put together a guide to whos on your ballot. Also this week, a PACs endorsement of a school board slate is causing backlash, we check out a recently opened dry yogurt shop, plus everything we know about the SEPTA Regional Rail trains that caught fire, leading to ongoing inspections.

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We want your feedback! Tell us what you think about the newsletter by taking our survey or emailing us at lowermerion@inquirer.com.

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

There will be some major races on the ballot when Lower Merion residents head to the polls Tuesday, including the retention election for three state Supreme Court justices, seats on the Superior and Commonwealth Courts, as well as judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the 38th District.

Voters will also decide on four school board seats, bringing a conclusion to a contentious race. A slew of municipal administrative positions, including township tax collector, are also up for grabs.

To make Election Day easier, The Inquirers Henry Savage has put together a look at the key races.

 Heres how and where to cast your ballot

For those voting by mail, returned ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Nov. 4. They can also be returned in person at one of the countys drop boxes, including at the Ludington Library in Bryn Mawr and the Lower Merion Magisterial District Courts in Narberth. You can find a list of the countys drop boxes here. For those voting in person, you can find your polling place here.

A new dessert shop in Ardmore is bringing popular Chinese street snack tanghulu to the Main Line. Chums opened in August at 45 E. Lancaster Ave., where its dishing up the sugar-dipped fruit skewers, as well as TikTok-popular dry yogurt bowls, an ultra-thick, extra-strained version often shaped into colorful balls and topped with fruit and granola, The Inquirers Beatrice Forman reports.

Owner Grace Yang was inspired to open the shop after splitting her childhood between Shanghai and the Main Line. Chums also offers crepes, yogurt drinks and smoothies, and has a build-your-own-bowl bar with frozen yogurt and sherbet.

Read more about what inspired the shops owner and how Chums makes dry yogurt.

 Community News

 Schools Briefing

There are a number of events throughout the district this week and next, including the continuation of spirit week at LMHS, and trunk-or-treat events at Merion and Cynwyd Elementary Schools tonight. Penn Wynne Elementary is also hosting a Treat Street this evening. Next week there are book fairs and ice cream socials, school photo make up days, and a bake sale. Reminder: Schools are closed for students tomorrow and Tuesday. See the districts full calendar here. A group of Cynwyd Elementary students showed off their passion for the Eagles on a recent 6abc segment, sharing what they love about the Birds and who their favorite players are. Tickets are on sale for fourth grade students Bowling Night Out. The event takes place Nov. 14 at Sproul Lanes.

 On our Plate

In case you missed it, a new speakeasy opened on the Main Line last week below Maison Lotus in Wayne. Jade Rabbit is serving up a Vietnamese-inspired list of sips like Circle Jawn, which steeps in an infuser and is meant to resemble a bowl of pho, in addition to bites like Bangkok toast and larger plates like steak and sea bass.

 Things to Do

 Narberth Halloween Parade: This years parade starts outside the Narberth movie theater and ends at the police station, where a trunk-or-treat will be set up.  Thursday, Oct. 30, 6:15 p.m.  Free  100 block of North Narberth Avenue

 Teen Movie Night: Teens ages 13 to 17 can watch the 2019 horror flick, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Registration is recommended.  Thursday, Oct. 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m.  Free  Bala Cynwyd Library

 Mr. Greengenes: The band is performing a two-night reunion show, complete with a Halloween bash.  Thursday, Oct. 30 and Friday, Oct. 31, 8 p.m.  $71.42-$112.82  Ardmore Music Hall

 Trunk-or-Treat: Now in its third year, this expanded event is open to the entire Gladwyne community and beyond.  Friday, Oct. 31, 3-5 p.m.  Free  Gladwyne Park

 Jumanji: Catch a screening of the 1995 film in which Robin Williams character is released from a game hes been trapped in, and with him, a slew of jungle dangers.  Saturday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m.  $6.75 for kids, $7.75 for adults  Bryn Mawr Film Institute

 On the Market

Located in Belmont Hills, this three-bedroom ranch has a living room with a fireplace, a dining room, a family room with an exposed stone wall, and an eat-in kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. All the bedrooms are located on the main floor, while the basement serves as another living space that could accommodate an additional bedroom. There, youll also find a bar and a full bathroom. The home also has a fenced backyard.

See more photos of the property here.

Price: $749,000 | Size: 3,629 SF | Acreage: 0.19

 What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:

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This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirers high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
Jay Bergen, pastor of the Germantown Mennonite Church, with No ICE Philly, outside the ICE office in Philadelphia on Thursday. Read more

A protest outside the Philadelphia ICE office erupted into physical confrontations with police on Thursday, as several people were pushed to the ground and four were taken into custody.

A series of push-and-shove skirmishes broke out after about 35 protesters who had gathered for a Halloween Eve demonstration attempted to stop Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicles from leaving the ICE facility at Eighth and Cherry Streets in Center City.

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ICE Block! an organizer shouted, and about a dozen people poured onto Cherry Street to try to block the road and prevent agency vehicles from leaving. A series of scrums grew increasingly intense, with police shoving protesters back and in some cases to the ground.

Philadelphia police said four demonstrators were arrested and later released after being given citations for obstruction of highway, a violation that typically results in a fine.

The Department of Homeland Security, ICE, and Philadelphia police presence was substantial, with more than 30 officers outside the immigration agencys big metal garage doors. A dozen DHS vehicles lined the south side of Cherry Street, across from demonstrators on the north.

Members of the activist group No ICE Philly started their protest around dawn Thursday, saying they were willing to risk arrest by attempting to block agency vehicles.

By 8:45 a.m., nearly two hours into what organizers said would be a daylong protest, no cars had left and no activists had breached the line of metal barriers that had been set up in front of them.

That changed shortly before 10 a.m., when the first contingent of demonstrators, wet under a steady rain, moved into the street.

An ICE spokesperson did not offer comment.

The event marked the second significant protest at the Philadelphia ICE office in the last 10 days, after local Catholics joined a nationwide show of church solidarity with migrant families, refugees, and asylum-seekers on Oct. 22.

It unfolded amid reports that the Trump administration plans to make dramatic changes in local-level ICE leadership, and as the agency received unprecedented federal funding for border, detention, and deportation operations.

The day began as a pre-Halloween protest party, with music, sign-making, and people in costumes. One woman wore pointed pixie ears as she spun a Hula-Hoop; another came in a toadstool hat. A reindeer and a unicorn meandered, and so did Kermit the Frog.

Michael Jacksons "Thriller" blared from the sound system, as did I Put a Spell on You.

But protesters said their message was serious  an effort to protect community members from being taken by ICE.

Its heartbreaking what ICE is doing to people seeking asylum, said Carrie Rathmann of West Philadelphia, who took the day off from work to attend.

She said showing up to protest is the least I can do and was among those who linked arms to try to block the street.

Members of No ICE Philly displayed big, sheet-size signs, one of which said, Brotherly love = immigrants welcome. Organizers called it a block party, named for the effort to block ICE from carrying out its work.

The 7 a.m. start was timed, organizers said, to the movements of an agency that begins the day early, sometimes seeking to arrest people heading to work.

Demonstrators intended to step up and make it clear that ICE is not welcome in our city, and that any escalation from the federal government is going to be met with strong, nonviolent resistance, said the Rev. Jay Bergen, pastor of the Germantown Mennonite Church and a founder of No ICE Philly.

As noon approached, with dozens of uniformed officers arrayed outside the ICE office, Bergen told the crowd to prepare to end the protest.

We have kids here, we have grandparents, folks we need to protect, the pastor said, identifying those taken into custody as healthcare and education workers. Bergen was also concerned that police might damage or destroy the demonstrators property.

The volunteer group formed in September, its members including teachers, mothers, grandmothers, and baristas, folks who are tired of the administration kidnapping our neighbors, Bergen said.

Last month, members of No ICE Philly acted as symbolic building inspectors who condemned the ICE facility. On the building they hung signs, bordered with yellow-and-black warning tape, that said, ICE Raids Violate Philly Values.

The group held a Halloween costume contest at Thursdays demonstration, embracing frivolity as a tactic, Bergen said, as all around the country people are bringing immense creativity and humor into confronting authority.

In Portland, demonstrators in inflatable frog costumes have taken center stage, becoming a symbol of resistance to the Trump administration. Frogs also have shown up in Philadelphia.

Were a city that knows how to be joyful in the face of attacks and threats, Bergen said. The Trump administration wants us to be afraid. Were saying were not afraid of you, and we will do everything we can to protect our neighbors, our neighborhoods, and our community.

The protest took place as the Trump administration considers replacing senior leaders at a dozen ICE field offices  about half the 25 that conduct enforcement and removal operations  with officials from the federal Border Patrol. Some administration officials believe that Border Patrol leaders will be more aggressive in carrying out immigration arrests, several news agencies in Washington reported.

Newsweek reported that Philadelphia acting field office director Brian McShane would be among those replaced, not with a Border Patrol executive but with an ICE official from the Homeland Security Investigations branch.

Philadelphia ICE officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on a possible change in local leadership.

Meanwhile, ICE and other federal agencies are to receive $170 billion as part of legislation passed this summer  the nations greatest-ever investment in detention, border, and deportation operations, according to the American Immigration Council.

Because the law provided lump-sum appropriations, the money flows to ICE and related agencies even amid the federal government shutdown.

The funding includes:

$45 billion to build new detention centers. $29.9 billion for ICE enforcement and deportation operations, a threefold increase. Part of that funding includes the hiring of 10,000 new officers. $46.6 billion for border-wall construction, three times what the Trump administration spent on walls during its first term, the American Immigration Council said. $10 billion for the Department of Homeland Security for border-related costs.

The legislation capped the number of immigration judges at 800, despite a national backlog of more than 3.4 million cases.

The number of undocumented immigrants and other noncitizens in detention has grown to the highest levels in U.S. history  and could double in coming months, according to the Migration Policy Institute in Washington.

Detention, the research group said in an analysis released Wednesday, is key to the Trump administrations attempt to build a deportation machinery of historic proportions.

About 39,000 people were in detention when Trump took office in January. That figure rose to a record 61,000 in August, then fell to 59,762 in late September. The group estimates that detention levels could reach 107,000 by January.

State Rep. Chris Rabb (D., Philadelphia) stood among the protesters, sharing his frustration with ICE and insisting that people could make a difference by showing up and speaking out.

Were not backing down from entrenched power, he said. We have to show up for our neighbors.

Staff writer Chris Palmer contributed to this article.
Photo essay on the past, present and especially future of Market East. The CVS Pharmacy on the southwest corner of 11th and Market Streets Mar. 12, 2024. Read more

Philadelphia sued the countrys three largest pharmacy benefit managers Thursday for their role in the opioid crisis, alleging that they helped to spur a wave of addiction and overdose deaths in the city.

The city says CVS, UnitedHealth Group, and Express Scripts, through a network of subsidiaries, violated Philadelphia and Pennsylvania consumer protection laws and the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO.

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The lawsuit, which comes after major settlements with Purdue Pharma and other companies, calls the defendants a group of indispensable participants in the countrys prescription opioid supply and payment chain and says their critical role in stoking and extending Philadelphias decades-long opioid epidemic had previously been fully, cleverly, and deliberately concealed.

Pharmacy benefit managers work with drug manufacturers, insurers, and pharmacies, negotiating prices and developing formularies  lists of prescription drugs that are available on a given insurance plan.

The citys complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, says the PBMs named in the suit colluded with Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of the painkiller OxyContin, and others in a deceptive marketing campaign about the risks and benefits of prescription opioids.

For example, the suit says, Express Scripts would reach out to Purdue seeking help to quash concerns from clients over OxyContin addiction and diversion of pills to people without a prescription. And CVS worked with Purdue on misleading training programs on pain management for pharmacists, the suit says.

The PBMs, the suit alleges, worked with manufacturers to increase opioid sales and fight efforts to restrict opioid prescribing.

OptumRx, a subsidiary of United Health, created a program in 2013 that allowed opioid manufacturers to pay to avoid prior authorization, a mechanism intended to prevent unnecessary treatment by requiring advance approval. Instead of requiring prior authorization that was clinically appropriate, OptumRx used the mechanism as a threat to extract higher rebates from opioid manufacturers, the complaint says.

The PBMs also allegedly dispensed huge quantities of prescription opioids through mail-order pharmacies without proper safeguards and accepted hundreds of millions of dollars in rebates and fees in exchange for favorable placement of opioid painkillers on formularies.

As a direct result of the PBM Defendants misconduct [...] Philadelphia remains engulfed in an opioid epidemic that has led to a public health and safety crisis of an unprecedented nature, the lawsuit says.

A spokesperson for CVS said that the allegations in the lawsuit were without merit and that the company intends to vigorously defend itself. UnitedHealth and Express Scripts did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The city is asking for payments that would abate the harms of the crisis, compensatory and punitive damages, and court-ordered corrective action to prevent the behavior alleged in the suit from occurring again.

The suit is the latest salvo in the citys long-running legal battle against opioid manufacturers and distributors that are widely blamed for sparking the countrys opioid crisis. More than 12,000 people died of overdoses in Philadelphia between 2010 and 2023.

Pennsylvania is set to receive more than $1 billion, paid out over 18 years, as a result of a national settlement negotiated by then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro with opioid manufacturers and distributors.

Thursdays suit is based in part on confidential documents that PBMs turned over during the national opioid litigation, the city said in its suit.

These court-ordered disclosures would ultimately reveal to the public  for the first time  precisely how the PBM Defendants worked closely with opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies to increase the prescribing, dispensing, and sales of prescription opioids across the nation for more than two decades," the suit read.

The companies targeted in the citys lawsuit chose profit over people, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said in a statement.

We will not sit idly by while corporations boost their bottom line at the expense of the health and safety of Philadelphians, she said.
People line up outside Cornerstone Community Church in Kensington before the opening of their weekly food cupboard Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. The church provides free food for those in need. SNAP recipients will face food shortages if federal aid - including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - is not distributed on Nov. 1, due to the government shutdown. Read more

Update: On Friday, two judges ordered the Trump administration to use contingency funds for SNAP payments during the federal government shutdown.

All SNAP benefits will be halted Saturday as the federal government shutdown continues and President Donald Trump rejects the idea of tapping into contingency funds to remedy the situation.

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This means no new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds will be added to the EBT debit cards that 40 million Americans and approximately half a million Philadelphians use to pay for groceries.

 READ MORE: Need food assistance? Heres where to find free groceries, meals, and community fridges near you.

SNAP benefits, also known as food stamps, help impoverished households, mostly families with children, pay for groceries. A family of four must make less than $5,200 per month to qualify in Pennsylvania.

If SNAP benefits are not distributed in November, the effects will be felt immediately, said Maria Raha of Philabundance, the citys largest food bank. This will leave over 800,000 people in our region without access to the food they need  including mostly families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities."

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The majority of SNAP recipients, who are among the poorest households in the country, are families with children, with nearly half of Pennsylvania recipients in families with members who are disabled or elderly, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.

Many Philadelphians are scrambling to figure out their options, Community Legal Services staff attorney Mackenzie Libbey said. People are calling us, and I think theyre really hoping that were going to say, Oh no, thats not true. Of course youre going to get your November benefits. And we have to tell them, Nope, thats correct, she said.

Heres what you need to know about the upcoming SNAP halt.

Why are SNAP benefits stopping?

The federal government shut down on Oct. 1  the second longest on record  due to Democrat and Republican lawmakers failing to pass a budget to fund federal services. Since then, federal funds for services like SNAP benefits have been halted. Funding for LIHEAP, the energy bill assistance program, is also delayed until at least Dec. 3. The Inquirer has a guide on navigating the LIHEAP delays.

Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will not tap into $5 billion in federal contingency funds to keep aid flowing. The USDAs shutdown plan originally had included the potential use of contingency funds for SNAP, but that plan was removed from the USDAs website, according to Reuters.

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 READ MORE: Grocery buddies take action to help neighbors amid SNAP uncertainty

SNAP benefits for October were already distributed, allowing recipients to use those remaining funds until they run out. However, with November starting on Saturday, no new funds will be distributed due to the budget impasse.

Will my SNAP benefits roll over into November?

Yes. Any unused SNAP benefits will still be available on EBT cards on Saturday, Nov. 1, but no new funds will be added during the funding freeze.

Community Legal Services, Phillys low-income legal resource, urges people not to rush to drain their SNAP benefits, as already-allocated funds will not disappear, said Libbey.

Are SNAP benefits going away forever?

No. There are no plans for SNAP, one of the oldest benefit programs in the country, to end. However, this is the first time the program will be shut down in decades.

Pennsylvanias Department of Human Services (DHS) will contact recipients with any changes.

How much do Philadelphians receive in SNAP benefits per month?

In Philadelphia, 470,000 residents receive SNAP benefits.

Across Pennsylvania, the average SNAP household receives on average $285 per month, which, according to Consumer Affairs, can be stretched thin when the average Pennsylvania household spends that much on groceries in a single week.

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Nationwide, the average monthly SNAP benefit is $180, or $6 per day.

How many children receive SNAP benefits?

Around 16 million children nationwide receive SNAP benefits, making up a little more than one out of every three SNAP recipients, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Across Pennsylvania, close to 1 million children receiveSNAP benefits.

What can you buy with SNAP benefits?

SNAP recipients can use their benefits to pay for basic grocery necessities, including:

Fruits and vegetables Meat, poultry, and fish Dairy products Breads and cereals Certain snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages Seeds and plants that can produce food for the household to eat

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SNAP recipients cant use their funds to buy alcohol, tobacco, or foods that are hot at the point of sale. It also cant be used to buy vitamins, medicine, or supplements, including products containing controlled substances like cannabis or CBD.

Pet foods and personal hygiene products are not included in SNAP benefits either.

Yukiko Kato, of Germantown, Pa., Volunteer Leader at the Share Food Program, is tying up Kale at the Nice Roots Farm in Philadelphia, Pa., on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Share Food Program and Philabundance are expecting a surge in need due to the halting of SNAP benefits in November 2025. Read more Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

How to help people losing SNAP benefits

A direct way to help those in need is to volunteer and donate to the regions food banks and distribution systems. In Philadelphia, the largest food providers are Philabundance and the Share Food Program.

We can only get through this together, Raha said. The best thing the public can do right now is to help their neighbors by donating, volunteering, or contacting legislators and urging them to come to a bipartisan agreement to end the shutdown.

Find food sites and organizations to help using the citys Food and meal finder at phila.gov/food.

How many states are suing over SNAP benefits?

On Tuesday, attorneys general and governors from 25 states  including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro  and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in Boston federal court after the USDA said it would not use $5 billion in contingency funds to pay for SNAP benefits.

For context, the program costs around $8 billion per month to distribute SNAP benefits nationwide.

A federal judge in Boston will consider a motion Thursday in the lawsuit that could force the Trump administration to tap into the contingency funds. Plaintiffs argue that the failure to maintain SNAP funding was illegal, arbitrary, and capricious.

Have SNAP benefits been stopped before?

This is the first time in the programs history, since its beginning in 1964, that SNAP recipients wont receive benefits. The federal government has always come up with a contingency funding program until now, which has led many states to scramble to allocate funding, as some Pennsylvania lawmakers already proposed.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this article.
Moscow and Minsk have reached an agreement to deploy mobile ground-based medium-range ballistic missile systems, known as the Oreshnik, on Belarusian territory by the end of 2025, according to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine. The move could significantly escalate military threats not only against Ukraine but also across much of Europe.

According to intelligence data obtained by LIGA.net, the systems are expected to be stationed in the Mogilev region of eastern Belarus, a location offering strategic reach deep into both European and Ukrainian territory.

The Oreshnik missile model / open source

"There are agreements between the russian Federation and Belarus regarding the deployment of mobile ground-based missile systems with the Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missiles on Belarusian soil. Preliminary information indicates they will be deployed in the Mogilev region by the end of 2025," the intelligence document states.

While technical details about the Oreshnik system remain classified, its designation as a medium-range ballistic missile suggests a potential range of 1,000 to 5,500 kilometers, enough to threaten key European capitals, including Warsaw, Berlin, and potentially even Paris, depending on launch parameters. If confirmed, the system's placement in Belarus would mark the first known deployment of such weapons in Europe since the end of the Cold War.

Ukrainian intelligence emphasizes that the deployment would dramatically expand russia's strike capability toward both Ukraine's western regions and NATO's eastern flank. Positioned in Belarus, the missiles would allow russian forces to bypass certain air defense corridors, offering shorter flight times and reduced detection windows for European missile defense systems.

As Defense Express previously reported, Ukraine has reportedly approved the long-anticipated project to localize the production of German-made Lynx infantry fighting vehicles. The initiative, led by Rheinmetall, goes beyond meeting the urgent need for armored vehicles, it could also support the future development of Ukraine's short-range air defense network.
Ms. Jefferson worked as a chemistry lab assistant at Randolph-Macon's annual Summer Science Institute in the late 1960s and helped integrate the college's student body in 1966. Read more

Evanda Gale Jefferson, 77, of Secane, Delaware County, an environmental chemistry pioneer, the first Black senior chemist at Gulf Oil Corp. in Philadelphia, Baptist missionary, mentor, and volunteer, died Tuesday, Oct. 14, of cancer at the home of her caregiver in Philadelphia.

Born and reared by her grandmother in Lynchburg, Va., Ms. Jefferson found work as a research chemist at Gulf Oil in Philadelphia, moved to Secane in the early 1970s, and spent 20 years analyzing oil products, developing training programs for advanced environmental research, and traveling the country on behalf of Gulf. She was an expert in analytical and environmental chemistry, and she rose to supervisor of the environmental and chemical unit in 1981, and then senior chemist.

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She was organized and engaging, her family said, and she represented Gulf in magazine ads and at industry conferences and meetings. In a 1981 magazine ad, she was quoted as saying: It takes a lot of water to refine crude oil.  Im part of a team that makes sure that after we use the water, it gets pumped back into our rivers and lakes even cleaner than when we took it out.

She also served as a local and regional leader for the Association of Desk and Derrick Clubs of North America, an industry group for women in oil and gas. She spoke often at Desk and Derrick meetings, and at churches and colleges about the oil industry, the environment, Black history, and other issues.

In 1970, Ms. Jefferson earned a bachelors degree in chemistry at Randolph-Macon Womens College in Lynchburg, known now as Randolph College. She worked as a chemistry lab assistant at the schools annual Summer Science Institute in the late 1960s and helped integrate the student body in 1966.

I wanted to be part of an integrated situation, and Randolph-Macon was one of the top 10 women colleges in the country, she told the school newspaper in 2019. The teachers were good at their job, and all my wants were met.

She was appointed a trustee at Randolph-Macon in 1984 and told the student newspaper that she measured success by having an exchange program, good teachers, and always moving forward. She said the college sought any student who really wants the best education in the country. The friendships made, and the teachers there, are something that will stay with you forever.

Ms. Jefferson was active at Eighth Street Baptist Church in Lynchburg when she was young and continued her church and missionary work after she retired from Gulf. She attended Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Philadelphia, sang in the church choir, and spoke to congregants in Indiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere about spiritual awakening, enlightenment, and empowerment as a member of the National Missionary Baptist Convention.

She traveled to Ghana several times on religious and social welfare missions. She was a big student of God, her nephew Temple said. She said that not everybody had the opportunities to have what she had.

Earlier, she was director of Vacation Bible School at Eighth Street Church and a committee chair for the Church Women United of Lynchburg. She was big on people and had a broad mindset, her nephew said.

Evanda Gale Jefferson was born April 13, 1948. Her parents died when she was young, and she grew up with her brother, Temple, who lovingly teased her by calling her a goody two-shoes.

She was a standout student at Dunbar High School, making the honor roll regularly, singing in the school chorus, playing cornet in the school band, and serving as assistant editor on the school newspaper. She graduated in 1966 and was named most individualistic by her classmates.

She also sang in the glee club at Randolph-Macon, earned the schools Alumni Achievement Award, and was honored for donating a legacy gift. After college, she took graduate classes at Butler University in Indiana and St. Josephs University, and supported the Museum of African American History in Lynchburg.

In online tributes, friends noted her beautiful smile and laugh and called her so smart and confident. A fellow Mount Carmel choir member said: I loved Evandas broad smile and authenticity. She was beautiful inside and out, and had such an optimistic perspective on life, which was so inspiring.

In addition to her brother and nephew, Ms. Jefferson is survived by other relatives.

Services were held Monday, Oct. 27, and Thursday, Oct. 30.

Donations in her name may be made to the Mount Carmel Baptist Church scholarship fund, 5732 Race St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19139.
A 1778 portrait of Benjamin Franklin by artist Joseph Siffred Duplessis. Once tolerant of slavery, Franklin became one of its outspoken opponents, writes Hillary O'Carroll. Read more

Benjamin Franklins life was an exuberant experiment in growth.

Printer, scientist, diplomat, statesman  he was a polymath who moved restless and curious across so many disciplines  testing everything, challenging his own assumptions, and always revising his ideas about the world.

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But perhaps the most profound transformation he underwent over the course of his fascinating life was a moral one: The evolution from a man who at first was tolerant of slavery to one who became one of its most outspoken opponents.

It is tempting for me, as much as I admire Franklin, to imagine him as a man unequivocally ahead of his time, already carrying the clarity of the abolitionist cause in his youth. But thats just not the truth. He once owned several enslaved people who worked in his household here in Philly.

And he printed advertisements for slave sales and notices of runaway slaves in his newspaper, at the same time that he was printing opinion tracts against slavery from Quaker abolitionists.

Slavery was woven into the fabric of colonial life, and Franklin, though more intellectually curious than most, was not immune to its compromises.

What makes Franklins relationship to slavery so worth telling in this moment is not his early complicity or his final adamant support of abolition. Its that he changed; that he was capable of change.

Over the course of his many years, he came to see that the ideals he championed  liberty, self-determination, human dignity  could not coexist with human bondage.

Enlightenment philosophy sharpened his thinking. His years in Europe, where slavery was increasingly condemned, widened his moral horizon.

And the American Revolution itself, with its fierce declaration that all men are created equal, posed a challenge that Franklin, unlike many of his peers, could not ignore.

By the 1780s, Franklin had taken up the abolitionist cause in earnest. In 1787, he became president of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, lending his name and his considerable reputation to the movement.

In 1790, in one of his final public acts, Franklin petitioned the brand-new U.S. Congress to end both slavery and the slave trade as a whole. That Congress, filled with men not yet willing to confront the issue, tabled his petition.

But the symbolic weight of Franklins appeal could not be dismissed. Here was the most beloved elder statesman of the revolution, insisting the young nation live up to its own creed.

Franklins life reminds us that we do not have to cover up our past, even when it contains grave wrongdoing.

 READ MORE: Vigilance needed if Trumps attempts to rewrite the history of slavery at Independence Mall persist | Editorial

To look squarely and fearlessly at our history is not to dishonor it, but to use it as a stepping stone to greater and better versions of who and what we can be.

Acknowledging Franklins early failings does not diminish his legacy for me. In fact, it expands it, in that it shows he was capable of transcending his own errors in thinking, which is the mark, to me, of true wisdom.

We cannot deny we live with the burden of Americas contradictions, slavery foremost among them. But we also live with Franklins example.

He teaches us that it is possible, and, in fact, necessary, to own the full breadth of our history  beautiful and noble, but also fallible and fraught.

To confess our mistakes honestly is the first step in rising above them. That was clearly the hope of the Founding Fathers, and particularly of Franklin in his final years: that the nation would evolve beyond its own sins and grow closer, generation by generation, to the promise of liberty for all.

We do not evolve by forgetting where weve been.

I am not ashamed of my country for the mistakes it made as it struggled into being. I am only ashamed of those who, 250 years later, would prefer to hide those mistakes. We do not evolve by forgetting where weve been.

A nation, like a person, must face its past with honesty, humility, and integrity if it is ever to grow into the fullness of its promise.

Hillary OCarroll is a resident of Old City, the dockmaster of Pier 5 Marina, an urban farmer and garden designer, and an avid lover of Philadelphias history.
Online learning can be flexible and convenient, but may contribute to the erosion of social connection and community, write Peter Loedel and Vishal Shah. Read more

Accelerated by the pandemic, the rise of online education is regarded as a success of convenience and accessibility.

For university and college students, asynchronous virtual education offers unprecedented flexibility, allowing them to balance coursework with jobs, family obligations, and personal schedules. In such a format, instructors post the teaching material online, and students access it when convenient.

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Unfortunately, in the rush to embrace online education, we are ignoring a troubling trend: the erosion of social connection and community that is a key component of college education.

This shift significantly contributes to a growing generation of isolated learners and, perhaps, contributes to the increasing trend of societal violence. Social media and online gaming play a key role in the evolution of an isolated learner.

The role of higher education is not to contribute to that isolation, but to help the student overcome it.

College is more than a list of courses; its a critical period for social development and a nexus where young adults learn to navigate complex social dynamics.

In a traditional campus setting, students are immersed in a living laboratory of diverse viewpoints and backgrounds. They engage in spontaneous discussions and debates with faculty and peers, form study groups, and interact and collaborate on diverse projects in shared spaces.

These daily interactions are essential for developing empathy, tolerance, and the ability to peacefully resolve conflict. By replacing the bustling campus with a lone screen, we increasingly strip away these opportunities, leaving students less prepared to handle the frictions of a diverse society.

A recent survey found that more than half of online college students report feeling lonely, and those who do are over four times more likely to experience severe psychological distress.

The temptation to cheat

Moreover, the lack of in-person oversight in online classes makes it easier for students to engage in academic dishonesty. The temptation to cheat on a quiz or plagiarize an essay becomes a frequent, low-risk moral test.

While this may seem like a minor issue, it has a significant cumulative effect. When the boundaries of what is acceptable and unacceptable are blurred in an online setting, it can translate to a broader erosion of personal integrity and ethics.

During the pandemic, colleges and universities across the world reported an over 100% increase in cases of cheating in online classes. Unfortunately, with the availability of AI tools, the numbers have only increased over the last year.

Education is about building character and acquiring knowledge, not just learning technical skills. An environment that facilitates cheating undermines this crucial aspect of development, leading to people who are more willing to bend the rules and take shortcuts.

The online education model also lacks the robust support systems of an in-person campus. University campuses are equipped with mental health services, student support centers, and a network of faculty and staff trained to spot and assist students in distress.

Alienation goes unnoticed

In an online setting, these vital connections are completely absent. A student struggling with anxiety, depression, or a sense of alienation may go unnoticed.

When a students distress is left to fester in isolation, it can lead to dangerous and aggressive behaviors. Research has shown that in-person interactions on university campuses lead to lower aggressive behaviors among students.

Ultimately, online education, for all its convenience, is a trade-off.

Colleges must acknowledge that the digital classroom cannot fully replace the human-centered learning environment of a physical campus.

We gain flexibility but lose the essential human infrastructure of a community. A universitys purpose is not just to issue a degree; it is to forge responsible citizens who can engage with the world thoughtfully and peacefully.

Colleges must acknowledge that the digital classroom, while a powerful tool, cannot fully replace the human-centered learning environment of a physical campus.

We suggest colleges and universities balance online education with the shared experience of learning, and reconnect with the foundational principles of community and empathy that have defined education for centuries.

Peter Loedel is a professor of political science at West Chester University. Vishal Shah is dean of the division of math, science and health careers at Community College of Philadelphia.
As the federal government shutdown enters its second month, theres no sign the impasse will end anytime soon.

Its already the second-longest shutdown on record, trailing only a partial shutdown during President Donald Trumps first term that lasted 35 days. Yet Republicans and Democrats appear no closer to reaching a compromise on reopening the government.

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The core issue remains expiring tax credits for the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, which threaten to cause insurance rates to spike across the country. Democrats have refused to back a Republican bill that would fund the government without guarantees on negotiating an extension of the tax credits.

On Pennie, Pennsylvanias official health coverage marketplace, premiums are set to rise an average of about 21%, according to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. That increase takes into account the Republicans budget bill, which let enhanced tax credits expire at the end of 2025.

Open enrollment begins Saturday.

In the meantime, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) has kept the House out of session since the middle of September, preventing one newly elected member of Congress  Adelita Grijalva (D., Ariz.)  from being sworn in.

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The Trump administration has also used the shutdown to permanently lay off more than 4,000 federal workers, an unprecedented move being challenged in court. The administration has also canceled several projects in Democratic-led states, most notably the $16 billion Gateway Hudson River tunnel project in New York and New Jersey.

In Pennsylvania and across the country, the shutdown is making its impact felt. Here is whats happening now  and what could happen if the impasse continues.

Food stamps and WIC could be cut off

Two key antipoverty programs are set to run out of funds, threatening nearly 50 million vulnerable Americans with the loss of food assistance and childcare.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), also known as food stamps, will be cut off for 42 million Americas beginning Nov. 1, including nearly 2 million in Pennsylvania and 500,000 in Philadelphia. Most recipients of federal food assistance are elderly people, families with children, and disabled people.

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The average benefit for a SNAP recipient is about $187 a month, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program has a $6 billion contingency fund, but the Trump administration claimed it cannot use that money to keep benefits flowing because it is intended for disaster relief.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, could also run out of funds around Nov. 1, depending on the state. The program is currently being propped up by a temporary infusion of $300 million, which came from unspent tariff revenue and leftover funds from other programs, the Associated Press reported.

According to USDA data, nearly 7 million people receive WIC benefits, which includes food, breastfeeding support, and other nutritional services for low-income mothers and their young children.

 Rob Tornoe

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 READ MORE: Federal shutdown may bring a halt to food assistance for half a million Philadelphians

Heating bill assistance delayed

Due to the continued shutdown, Pennsylvania is delaying the opening of this years Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, until at least Dec. 3.

The program provides funds to more than 300,000 vulnerable Pennsylvanians who cannot afford their heating bills.

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The shutdown is preventing the federal government from distributing about $3.6 billion in assistance to states, which typically receive the funds in late October.

No household should have to choose between keeping their homes safe temperatures, basic health care, or having food on the table, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R., Pa.) wrote in a letter sent to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

 READ MORE: More than 300,000 Pennsylvanians need help heating their homes. The federal shutdown has delayed that assistance.

 Rob Tornoe

Missed pay for federal workers

Federal employees have been grappling with instability and chaos during the government shutdown, with some furloughed and others working without pay.

Nationwide, more than 670,000 federal employees have been furloughed, while approximately 730,000 are working without compensation, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Trump administration officials have signaled that they could forgo disbursing to workers back pay that is legally obligated, which federal workers unions have pushed back on.

Once the shutdown ends, employees who are put on furlough for their absences, or who do not provide proper documentation, will be denoted as AWOL and appropriate action may be forthcoming at that time, officials said in a memo.

At the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs in Philadelphia, workers have said they are pausing their mortgages, cutting back on expenses where they can, and applying for SNAP benefits.

 READ MORE: Some Philly federal workers are working through the shutdown. Its awful and depressing.

 Fallon Roth and Ariana Perez-Castells

Closures and staffing issues at national parks and museums

The Liberty Bell Center in Center City remains closed as the shutdown drags on. Read more Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer

A number of sites in Philadelphia under the purview of the National Park Service remain closed amid the shutdown, having gone dormant at the start of the impasse. Among them are several Independence National Historical Park attractions, including the Liberty Bell Center, Independence Hall, and the Benjamin Franklin Museum.

Visit Philly, the citys main tourism agency, said earlier this month that it had no plans to step in and keep popular historical attractions running, as it did during the 35-day government shutdown seven years ago. A number of popular attractions remain open, including the National Constitution Center, the Museum of the American Revolution, and the Betsy Ross House.

Just outside Philadelphia, Valley Forge National Historical Park remains generally open, but features such as its visitor center, theater, restrooms, and other attractions are closed. Overall, national parks are to remain as accessible as possible as the shutdown drags on, according to a message on the park services website.

Nationwide, the service oversees more than 400 sites, about 63 of which are designated national parks. In a contingency plan released ahead of the shutdown, the Department of the Interior, under which the service operates, indicated that park roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air memorials will generally remain accessible to visitors. Parks lacking accessible areas, however, were to be closed, and many park staff members were furloughed.

While the full impacts of this shutdown are not yet clear, the National Parks Conservation Association estimated that during the 2018 shutdown, the service lost roughly $400,000 daily in entrance fee revenues.

 Nick Vadala

Air traffic controllers miss their first paycheck

The air traffic control tower at Philadelphia International Airport. Read more Frank Wiese / Staff

Nearly 11,000 air traffic controllers missed their first full paycheck this week as the shutdown threatens to affect the safety of air travel.

Americas air traffic controllers are now having to focus on how they put gas in the car, how do they take care of their children, how do they pay for childcare, Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said during a news conference earlier this week. That makes the system less safe.

While flight delays have continued to pile up across the country, there have not been any staffing-related delays at Philadelphia International Airport and security wait times are normal, according to a spokesperson.

On Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration listed warnings for insufficient staffing levels at two air traffic control facilities, including one in Philadelphia that handles traffic into and out of Newark Liberty International Airport.

During a news conference Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said 44% of all flight delays Sunday were caused by air traffic controller staffing issues, up from a daily average of 5% before the shutdown.

Its safe, Duffy said. Its just that you may not be traveling on the schedule that you anticipated because of this government shutdown.

On Day One of the shutdown in Philadelphia, 800 TSA officers continued to screen luggage and staff checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport. By Thursday, Day 30, federal workers at PHL were turning to a food pantry at the airport. TSA workers missed their first full paycheck on Oct. 24.

It also appears that the Department of Homeland Security is placing workers, including TSA officers, on furlough if they do not report for duty as directed to perform that excepted work, according to a memo obtained Wednesday by The Inquirer.

 READ MORE: Food pantry opens at Philadelphia International Airport for federal workers amid government shutdown

 Rob Tornoe, Fallon Roth, and Ariana Perez-Castells

Weather forecasts continue

The shutdown is affecting the lives of National Weather Service meteorologists, who are working without pay  but evidently not the forecast operations at the field offices or the National Hurricane Center.

Locally, the only evidence things are a bit different these days is a headline atop the homepage of the Mount Holly office that says, This site will remain updated during the shutdown.

The office has continued to issue forecasts on schedule, along with warnings, advisories, and special briefing packages for significant weather events.

The National Hurricane Center also has been issuing forecast updates and graphics on schedule.

Back in June, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a statement asserting that the hurricane center was fully staffed with forecasters.

The statement also said NOAA would be taking measures to see that forecast offices would be staffed adequately.

 Anthony R. Wood

No impact on Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare payments

As has been the case throughout the shutdown, payments to Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare will continue uninterrupted.

While Social Security checks will not be affected, roughly 12% of the agencys workforce has been furloughed and a number of services provided by the agency  including benefit verifications, record corrections, and card replacement  have been halted.

Medicare and Medicaid are fully funded through the end of December, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

 Rob Tornoe
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung gathers with city and government officials, including Gov. Josh Shapiro, at the Hanwha Philly Shipyard during a ship christening ceremony in August. Read more

South Korea will build a nuclear-powered submarine in Philadelphia, President Donald Trump announced this week.

Writing on Truth Social Wednesday Trump said, South Korea will be building its Nuclear Powered Submarine in the Philadelphia Shipyards, right here in the good ol U.S.A. Shipbuilding in our Country will soon be making a BIG COMEBACK. Stay tuned!!! President DJT.

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The submarine would be constructed at the Hanwha Philly Shipyard, which is owned by the South Korean company Hanwha Group.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visited the shipyard in August for a ship christening ceremony where he joined Gov. Josh Shapiro and other U.S. officials to promote a trade, investment, and military partnership they said should vastly increase employment and production at the facility.

Previously, Hanwha Group had announced a $5 billion infrastructure investment that they said would transform Philadelphia into an American shipbuilding capital.

Hanwha said it wanted to more than double the workforce of 1,700 welders, operators, and contractors it employs locally, and hoped to accelerate its construction times from the current one ship every eight months to more than one a month.

South Korean officials sported hats that said, Make American Shipbuilding Great Again.

But complications arose.

In September, U.S. immigration agents arrested around 475 workers at a Hyundai plant in Georgia in a sweep known as Operation Low Voltage, Reuters reported. Most of the workers were South Korean nationals. It was the largest single-site enforcement operation in the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) history, according to the news agency.

Many of the workers were in the country illegally, immigration officials said.

It was believed at the time that the arrests could ratchet up tensions between Washington and Seoul, affecting trade agreements  including plans to augment shipbuilding in Philadelphia.

The raid has left many Koreans feeling betrayed after investing heavily in the United States, according to an opinion piece published in The Philadelphia Inquirer earlier this month that was written by Jeffrey Voth, president of Herren Associates, an engineering and technology firm with an office in the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

However, after Trumps post came out, Hanwha chief strategy officer Alex Wong issued a statement expressing enthusiasm about supporting shipbuilding as a central plank in the U.S.-Korea alliance. At the Hanwha Philly Shipyard, he said, a revived American shipbuilding sector will benefit U.S. workers and enhance the security of both countries.

In another statement addressing potential fallout from the Hyundai immigration incident, Hanwha officials said the company is committed to full compliance with the U.S. immigration system.

Reached Thursday afternoon, Voth indicated that, now with Trumps imprimatur, the United States is carving out a gateway for skilled Korean engineers and technicians to come here and to begin the early stages of the submarine project.

Building the kind of submarine Trump referenced requires enormous capital and effort, said Christopher Scafario, president and CEO of the Delaware Valley Industry Resource Center, an economic development group at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

A nuclear-powered submarine is one of the most complex things that can be built, he added. Its up there with manufacturing a spacecraft.

But it could very well be done.

Already, manufacturers within a 100-mile radius of Philadelphia are engaged in building 25% of the parts that go into submarines similar to the type Trump talked about, Scafario said.

Theyre all part of the supply chain, the people that make pipes, fittings, control panels, gauges for maritime use, he said.

With the help of this proposed submarine, Scafario said, shipbuilding will be an enormous part of our regions growth, like meds and eds [hospitals and universities].

Job creation would accelerate, especially for welding, machining, and fabricating work, which pays low six-figure salaries, Scafario said.

City officials declined to comment on the project.

Currently, there are more than 200 nuclear-powered vessels in the world, the vast majority of them submarines and aircraft carriers, according to the World Nuclear Association, an international group that supports the use of nuclear power.

Nuclear-powered submarines are built for warfare, experts say.

The U.S. Navy operates 79 of the warships, 68 of which are submarines. Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, and India, and now, potentially, South Korea, have the rest of the boats, the association said.

Nuclear power doesnt refer to weapons of mass destruction, but how submarines move through the water. Such boats dont use coal or oil to run. They have nuclear reactors that heat water to produce steam for a turbine to power main engines, generators, and other machinery, according to A.J. Mitchell, a research fellow from Australian National University writing in The Conversation, a website that analyzes energy and culture, among other topics.

Many of these vessels can go 80 years without refueling, Scafario said.

People have asked about the safety of building a nuclear reactor in a boat, in a city such as Philadelphia.

The risk of nuclear leakage, and subsequent damage to people and the environment, could be much worse than oil pollution, according to Nautilus Shipping, a ship management company offering technical and environmental support.

Still, the risk from radiation exposure associated with naval nuclear propulsion is low compared to the risks normally accepted in industrial work and in daily life outside of work, according to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.

The Clean Air Council in Philadelphia declined to comment.

There was a problem in the city decades ago that may have precluded building nuclear-propulsion vessels before, Scafario said.

After World War II, scientists conducted nuclear fusion work at the Naval Yard. There was a fairly bad accident that caused casualties, he said. Thats what elevated concern about doing work like this in the past.

Staff writer Joseph DiStefano contributed to this article.
A woman calculates the exact cost of her groceries so she can make sure to stay within her $175-per-month grocery budget while shopping in Binghamton, N.Y. Read more

A federal judge on Thursday indicated she would probably order the Trump administration to use reserves to partially fund food assistance for about 42 million Americans in November, potentially delaying a complete cutoff in benefits during the government shutdown.

Judge Indira Talwani of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts spoke at a hearing in litigation brought by a coalition of 23 Democratic attorneys general and three Democratic governors against the Agriculture Department over its decision to not tap into a contingency fund to pay for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in November. Because of the government shutdown, states are not able to access federal funding for the program, leaving millions of people without crucial payments necessary to purchase groceries. The program would have ceased to send out funds to states as soon as Saturday.

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Congress has put money in an emergency fund, and it is hard for me to understand how this is not an emergency, Talwani said during Thursdays hearing.

At the hearing, Talwani said she cant wait for Congress to pass an appropriations bill, saying she has to rely on existing laws and regulations that USDA has already adopted.

Congress told you what to do if there is no money, said Talwani, who was nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama. You need to figure out how to stretch that emergency money for now.

The judge made it clear she wants USDA to get the money out the door, not come up with excuses for why it believes it cant.

Thats lawyering, she said. I want agency action, not lawyering.

In the last federal shutdown, which ran from December 2018 into January 2019 during the first Trump administration, officials told states they could use the contingency funds to cover SNAP payments.

While states would be able to access the contingency funds if Talwani orders it, the $5.5 billion available is not enough to pay for a full month of benefits. The program costs the federal government about $9 billion monthly. But because SNAP benefits are not released all at once to recipients, states will be able to make partial November payments, giving Americans some respite as the shutdown continues.

The benefits are likely to be delayed briefly regardless of how Talwani rules because states and the contractors that place SNAP benefits into Americans Electronic Benefits Transfer  or EBT  cards need a few days notice of the allocation of federal funds.

Members of Congress in both parties had raised alarm at the prospect of the shutdown cutting off SNAP funds, but attempts to fund the program havent succeeded. The government has been shut down since Oct. 1, as Senate Democrats say they wont back a measure to continue funding unless Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire are extended, and Republicans say they wont negotiate on the ACA until the government is reopened.

In a memo sent to states last week, USDA said the contingency money is meant to be held in case of natural disasters or other catastrophes, not used to cover for a lapse in government funding. But the attorneys general and governors argued in their lawsuit that withholding the contingency funds violates federal spending laws and that the administration should be required to disburse the money, even if it covers only partial payments for the month.

The federal government pays the full cost of SNAP benefits, meaning states do not have a budget to fund the mass-scale program on their own, although they implement the payments. If benefits lapse in November, it would mark the first time in the programs 60-year history where the federal government failed to make the food-assistance payments because of a pause in appropriations.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, in a social media post Tuesday, said the Trump administration has the money to continue funding SNAP benefits  theyre choosing to harm millions of families across the country already struggling to make ends meet.

As the hearing unfolded Thursday, USDAs official website featured a banner blaming Democrats for any potential lapses in SNAP funding. The partisan message says the well has run dry for SNAP funds and that there will be no benefits issued Saturday.

We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats, the message said. They can continue to hold out for health care for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.

Similar messages have appeared on federal websites throughout the shutdown, and experts say they could violate the Hatch Act, which bars most civil service employees in the executive branch from engaging in political advocacy or activity.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) on Wednesday chided the Democratic attorneys general for bringing the lawsuit against USDA, claiming that Congress did not authorize money for the contingency fund. However, Democrats argue that the contingency funds are appropriated by Congress and are meant to be accessed to avoid a lapse in SNAP funding.

The Trump administration argued in response to the lawsuit that the case should be dismissed because the contingency funds are meant for disasters  not cases where Congress has failed to appropriate funds for the program  and because the money isnt enough to pay a full month of benefits, which would force states to reduce benefits and create substantial chaos.

Lawmakers from both parties have raised the alarm over the consequences of a lapse in SNAP funding. By Thursday evening, a Senate bill that would allocate funds to ensure uninterrupted benefits had the support of 62 senators, including 15 Republicans. But Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R., S.D.) has said hes against what are known as rifle-shot bills to fund individuals parts of the government. And even if the Senate passes that measure, the House would also have to vote on it, and House Majority Leader Mike Johnson (R., La.) has refused to bring the chamber back into session until Democratic senators pass a Republican bill to reopen the government.

Meanwhile, food pantries are already struggling to meet the increased demand from millions of Americans looking to stock up now that their SNAP benefits will probably be missing. At Bread for the City in D.C.  a food pantry where 97% of clients are also SNAP recipients  development officer Ashley Domm said people have reached the pantrys doors in recent days crying, unsure of what they can do to keep their families fed if SNAP funding halts.

The thing thats really hard to swallow is that this extra work were doing, this scrambling, none of it has to happen, Domm said. This is a program thats never been disrupted by a federal shutdown.  There are emergency funds just sitting there waiting to be deployed so that people dont have to go hungry  [and] our policy leaders are not deploying that solution.
Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social. Read more

BUSAN, South Korea  U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military on Thursday to immediately resume testing nuclear weapons after a gap of 33 years, minutes before beginning a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump made the surprise announcement on Truth Social while he was aboard his Marine One helicopter flying to meet Xi for a trade negotiating session in Busan, South Korea. He said he was instructing the Pentagon to test the U.S. nuclear arsenal on an equal basis with other nuclear powers.

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Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately, Trump posted.

Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.

Apart from providing technical data, a U.S. test would be seen in Russia and China as a deliberate assertion of Washingtons strategic power. Putin has repeatedly said that Russia will test if the United States does.

A senior Russian lawmaker said Trumps decision would herald a new era of unpredictability and open confrontation, state news agency RIA reported.

Chinas Foreign Ministry called for the U.S. to abide by its commitment to a moratorium on nuclear testing and uphold the global strategic balance and stability.

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was referring to nuclear-explosive testing, which would be carried out by the National Nuclear Security Administration, or flight testing of nuclear-capable missiles.

No nuclear power, other than North Korea, has carried out explosive testing in more than 25 years.

 READ MORE: From 2020: Trump administration discussed conducting first U.S. nuclear test in decades

Nuclear testing sites to be determined later

Later, on his way back to Washington, Trump said testing was needed to ensure the U.S. keeps up with its rival nuclear powers.

With others doing testing, I think its appropriate that we do also, Trump said on board Air Force One, adding that nuclear test sites would be determined later.

Asked whether the world was entering a more risky phase around nuclear weapons, Trump dismissed the threat, saying U.S. stocks were well locked up before adding he would welcome denuclearisation.

Id like to see a denuclearisation because we have so many and Russias second and Chinas third and China will catch up within four or five years, he said.

We are actually talking to Russia about that and China would be added to that if we do something.

China more than doubled its nuclear arensel in the last five years

Trumps decision to restart nuclear weapons testing follows a rapid expansion by China of its nuclear stockpile in recent years, and comes just after Russia announced what it called a successful test of a nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable cruise missile as well as a nuclear-powered torpedo.

Trump addressed the Russian moves on his way to Asia earlier this week, telling reporters that Russian President Vladimir Putin should be working to end the war in Ukraine instead of testing missiles.

Beijing has more than doubled the size of its arsenal to an estimated 600 nuclear weapons in 2025 from 300 weapons in 2020, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank.

It said U.S. military officials estimate that China will have more than 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030. A Victory Day parade in September revealed five nuclear capabilities that can all reach the continental United States, CSIS said.

The Washington-based Arms Control Association says the United States has a stockpile of 5,225 nuclear warheads and Russia has 5,580.

Putin said on Wednesday Russia had successfully tested a Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo that military analysts say is capable of devastating coastal regions by triggering vast radioactive ocean swells.

As Trump has toughened both his rhetoric and his stance on Russia, Putin has publicly flexed his nuclear muscles with the test of a new Burevestnik cruise missile on October 21 and nuclear launch drills on October 22.

Negative reactions to Trumps post

The reaction to Trumps announcement on testing was swift. Representative Dina Titus, a Democrat from Nevada, said on X: Ill be introducing legislation to put a stop to this.

Daryl Kimball, director of the Arms Control Association, said it would take the United States at least 36 months to resume contained nuclear tests underground at the former test site in Nevada.

Trump is misinformed and out of touch. The U.S. has no technical, military, or political reason to resume nuclear explosive testing for the first time since 1992, Kimball said on X.

Trumps announcement could trigger a chain reaction of nuclear testing by U.S. adversaries, and blow apart the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Apart from providing technical data, a U.S. test would be seen in Russia and China as a deliberate assertion of Washingtons strategic power. Putin has repeatedly said that Russia will test if the United States does.

In August, Trump said he had discussed nuclear arms control with Putin and wanted China to get involved. Beijing responded by saying it was unreasonable and unrealistic to ask the country to join in nuclear disarmament negotiations with the two countries, since its arsenal was much smaller.

Trump had first laid out his intention to pursue nuclear arms control efforts in February, saying he wanted to begin discussions with both Putin and Xi about imposing limits on their arsenals.

Most major nuclear powers except North Korea stopped explosive nuclear testing in the 1990s. North Korea conducted its last nuclear test in 2017. Russias last confirmed test was in 1990, followed by the last U.S. test in 1992, and by Chinas in 1996.

The United States opened the nuclear era in July 1945 with the test of a 20-kiloton atomic bomb at Alamogordo, New Mexico, and then dropped atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 to force Japan to surrender in World War Two.
Property management signs advertise student housing for rent on North Gratz Street near West 18th Street, a neighborhood adjacent to Temple University, in North Philadelphia on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. Read more

The latest version of the initial spending plan for Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers housing initiative includes $5 million more for the construction of new units and $8 million less for the preservation of existing homes.

Those changes and numerous other tweaks to Parkers plans for the first year of her Housing Opportunities Made Easy, or H.O.M.E., initiative were hashed out between Council President Kenyatta Johnsons office and the mayors team over the last three months.

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Johnson on Thursday formally introduced the H.O.M.E. budget resolution, a key legislative checkpoint that had been holding up the administrations plans to issue $400 million in bonds for the initiative this fall.

The Parker administration is pleased that our HOME program statement has been introduced in City Council today and referred to committee, Angela Brooks, Parkers chief housing and urban development officer, said in a statement. We look forward to continuing to engage with Council under Council President Johnsons leadership on the HOME project statement and upcoming hearing.

Council approved almost all the legislation related to the H.O.M.E. program in June, including a bill that authorizes the administration to issue $800 million in bonds to fund numerous projects aimed at building or preserving housing units. But Council inserted a provision into that bill requiring the administration to get lawmakers approval of the citys plans for spending bond proceeds in the coming year.

Parker sent a draft of the budget resolution in July, but Johnson did not formally introduce it until Thursday. The delay may mean that the city could have to wait until 2026 to issue the first round of bonds. Parker initially planned to sell the initial $400 million tranche this fall.

We can continue to go through the process of getting some issues and concerns addressed from the administration, Johnson told reporters after Thursdays Council meeting. We are making progress. Thats what led to the introduction  hence, today."

What was the meetings highlight?

H.O.M.E. renovation: The changes in the latest version of the first-year H.O.M.E. budget increase funding for housing production from $19.4 million to $24.3 million, and reduce funding for housing preservation from $37.5 million to $29.6 million.

The latest proposal also increases the budget for Philly First Home, a program that gives eligible Philadelphians $10,000 for a down payment, from $8.7 million to $10.7 million. And it bumps funding for services that help resolve tangled titles, or legal complications over homeownership, from $1.3 million to $2.2 million.

Johnson said there could be further changes. The resolution is tentatively planned for a committee hearing on Nov. 12, he said.

Were still going the process, and so its not a done deal as of yet, Johnson said.

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who chairs the Housing Committee, introduced the resolution on Johnsons behalf.

Gauthier has enthusiastically supported Parkers housing plan. But she has also pushed the administration to direct more money toward programs that serve Philadelphians on the lower end of the income scale. Parker, meanwhile, has sought to expand income eligibility requirements, in some cases, to more middle-class residents.

 READ MORE: Mayor Parkers $195 million plan for the first year of her H.O.M.E. initiative is drawing criticism about who will benefit

So far, no changes have been made to lower eligibility requirements for any of the programs, or to otherwise target more of the spending to low-income households.

Gauthier said in a statement Thursday she is hopeful further tweaks will ensure that the HOME Plan does not disadvantage the 200,000+ Philadelphia households on the brink of homelessness.

If we do not help families who are one rent increase or unexpected maintenance cost away from homelessness stay in their homes today, taxpayers will foot an even higher bill when they end up living on the street tomorrow, she said.

A coalition of left-leaning advocacy and neighborhood groups has also urged Parker to target a majority of the spending to programs that help impoverished households.

Do the right thing. Prioritize high-risk households first. Our lives depend on it, Dianna C. Coleman, a Southwest Philly resident and activist with One Pennsylvania, said at a rally earlier this month.

What else happened?

Retirement referendum: Philadelphia could soon have a government-administered retirement savings program for small businesses to offer employees who lack access to employer-sponsored plans.

Johnson introduced legislation to create the program Thursday, framing it as a way to reduce poverty among older Philadelphians. The creation of the program and a related board that would oversee investments would require a change to the citys Home Rule Charter, meaning voters would have to approve it through a ballot question.

If the program, which Johnson is calling Philly Saves, becomes a reality, businesses that have at least one employee and have been operating in the city for at least two years can be covered. Employees would contribute between 3% and 6% of wages, and the savings would go into personal IRA accounts.

Pay per paper: Council also Thursday passed a bill requiring that stores charge customers a 10-cent fee per paper bag, but its fate is uncertain now that its headed to Parkers desk.

Parker has not said if she will sign the bill, and a top member of her administration recently expressed opposition to the fee. If Parker issues a veto  it would be her first since taking office nearly two years ago  Council could, in theory, override it with 12 votes out of the 17-member body.

 READ MORE: A new 10-cent fee on paper bags has cleared Philly City Council, but Mayor Parkers support is uncertain

But the bill, which was authored by Councilmember Mark Squilla, faced an unusual level of opposition in Council on Thursday, passing 10-5.

Two members were absent, meaning their votes would be decisive in a potential veto-override situation if every other member voted the same way. Members who opposed the bill said Thursday that they were worried about its impact on poor residents.

Squilla said an added cost burden is not his aim.

The goal of this bill and legislation is to bring your own bag, not to charge you 10 cents for a bag, he said. So its really a behavioral change.

Time is a flat circle: After more than two years of community discussion about where to put the Greyhound bus terminal that was previously on Filbert Street in Center City, it appears poised to go right back to where it used to be.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority is planning to renovate the former terminal and run it on behalf of the city. Its board must still approve the plan.

 READ MORE: Greyhound bus terminal will return to Filbert Street after two years of tumult

Councilmember Mike Driscoll, who chairs Councils transportation committee, introduced legislation Thursday to assess fees on buses for using the loading bays at the location and to authorize the parking authority to collect the fees.

Quotable

Hunger is a policy failure. We cant let politicians decide who gets to eat. City Councilmember Rue Landau

A SNAP emergency: City Councilmember Rue Landau called on the mayor and the governor to declare a state of emergency over the potential suspension of SNAP benefits, saying such a designation would allow the city and state to draw down emergency funds to fill gaps in food access.

 READ MORE: Federal shutdown may bring a halt to food assistance for half a million Philadelphians

Landau, who represents the city at-large and has been one of Councils most vocal opponents of President Donald Trumps administration, said the city cannot wait.

President Trumps harmful policies and political games, she said, are resulting in SNAP restrictions, cuts to benefits, and now stopped payments because of the shutdown.

Staff writer Tom Fitzgerald contributed to this article.
Jacob Cohen of Kismet Bagels, puts bagels in a paper bag in their new bakery in the MaKen Studios North building in Philadelphia, Pa. on Thursday, November 5, 2020. Council members on Thursday advanced legislation to levy a fee on paper bags. Read more

Philadelphia City Council on Thursday passed a bill requiring that all stores in the city levy a fee on paper bags, but the future of the legislation is uncertain amid opposition from the mayors administration and a handful of lawmakers.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has not yet said if she intends to sign the bill, which requires stores to charge at least 10 cents per nonreusable bag and comes in addition to the citys existing ban on plastic bags.

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A top member of her administration recently expressed opposition to the fee, saying it would disproportionately harm the poor. The mayors office declined to comment Thursday.

If Parker decides to veto the bill, it would be her first since taking office almost two years ago. And it theoretically could doom the legislation: A bill must be supported by two-thirds of Council to override a mayoral veto, and its not clear if the bag legislation has the 12 votes it would need.

 READ MORE: Philly may see a new fee on paper bags  if it can get through City Hall

Ten of Councils 17 members voted to pass the bill Thursday, and five voted against it. Council members Katherine Gilmore Richardson and Kendra Brooks were absent, meaning both would have to vote in the bills favor for Council to hypothetically override a veto, assuming all other members voted the same.

A spokesperson for Brooks said she would vote in favor of the bill if it came before Council again. Gilmore Richardsons office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Councilmember Mark Squilla, the architect of the citys plastic bag ban and the lead sponsor of the paper bag fee legislation, said he was surprised that five of his colleagues voted against the bill. Most legislation passes through Council with little opposition.

He said that his intent is not to increase cost burdens, and that the fees would be kept by the retailers, not paid to the city.

The goal of this bill and legislation is to bring your own bag, not to charge you 10 cents for a bag, Squilla said. So its really a behavioral change.

Squillas bill is the third time that Council has tried to require that stores charge customers for paper bags, and the third time it has faced opposition from the mayors office. The original plastic bag ban legislation, which passed in 2019, included a 15-cent fee on paper bags, but it was stripped from the bill amid opposition from former Mayor Jim Kenneys administration and questions about its legality.

Two years ago, Council passed legislation to institute it again, but Kenney issued a pocket veto, meaning he left office without taking action on the legislation. The move effectively killed it.

Members of Kenneys administration said at the time that the bill could hurt poor residents and mom-and-pop businesses. Carlton Williams, a top Parker administration official who oversees her clean and green initiatives, expressed similar concerns during a committee hearing earlier this month.

And members who voted against the legislation Thursday cited similar reasons. Councilmember Anthony Phillips, who represents parts of Northwest and Northeast Philadelphia, said he supports the intent of the legislation.

But he said he couldnt vote to increase fees on shoppers, especially as thousands of Philadelphians are facing the potential suspension of food assistance next month through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the federal government shutdown.

 READ MORE: Federal shutdown may bring a halt to food assistance for half a million Philadelphians

This bill stands for finding ways to support our environment, which I think is really important, Phillips said. Yet, at the same time, we are in the midst of  the loss of SNAP benefits that are going to impact Philadelphians across the city.

Other members who voted against the legislation include Brian ONeill, Councils only Republican, and Democratic Councilmember Mike Driscoll. Both represent parts of Northeast Philadelphia.

The other two Democrats who opposed the legislation represent two of the citys poorest districts: Councilmembers Quetcy Lozada and Jeffery Jay Young Jr. Their districts include parts of North Philadelphia and Kensington.

Squilla said he found it a little shocking that some members voted against the legislation because of its potential impacts on underserved communities, saying many stores already charge for paper bags and people bring their own.

As we look at food insecurity, it brings up a lot of these different concerns that people may have, Squilla said. But at the end of the day, the goal is to provide enough of these reusable bags. Everybody has them, right? And if not, we can provide them for more individuals.

Staff writers Jake Blumgart and Sean Collins Walsh contributed to this article.
A graduate adjusts the mortarboard for a fellow student before the graduation ceremony at Peking University in Beijing, capital of China, July 2, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)

BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- China will expand and improve higher education, with increased enrollment in quality undergraduate programs, according to recommendations on a plan that will guide the country's development over the next five years.

This was specified in the recommendations of the Communist Party of China Central Committee for formulating the country's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for economic and social development, which was adopted at a key Party plenum last week and made public on Tuesday.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's higher education gross enrollment rate hit 60.8 percent, with 55 million students graduating from colleges and universities.

Zhang Nanxing, director of the institute for higher education at China National Academy of Educational Sciences, noted that the new arrangements and requirements have further clarified the strategic direction for higher education reform and talent cultivation.

Zeng Tianshan, deputy director of the institute for curriculum and textbook under the Ministry of Education, said the recommendations will help extend high-quality educational resources to more groups, thus improving educational equity and quality, and injecting new momentum into fostering top-notch innovative talent.

"While implementing the recommendations, universities should develop discipline and program layouts that match national strategies, and enhance the relevance and adaptability of talent cultivation, so as to effectively strengthen the role of education in serving economic and social development," Zeng added.

Besides higher education, the recommendations call for steadily expanding the coverage of free education and exploring the extension of the length of compulsory education.

China's current compulsory education system covers nine years, spanning primary through junior high school. In 2024, over 34.6 million students were newly enrolled in compulsory education across the country, bringing the total number of students at this stage to 159.7 million.

Editor: Xiong Jian
Why foreign companies are ramping up R&D investment in China

People's Daily Online) 16:16, October 30, 2025

Since the beginning of this year, foreign investment in China has shown a clear trend: an increasing number of multinational corporations are expanding their research and development (R&D) spending and accelerating the establishment of R&D centers. Statistics show that by September, Shanghai was home to 631 foreign-funded R&D centers, while Beijing had 221 such centers as of January.

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)

Recently, German multinational Bosch Group signed an agreement with the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, to invest approximately 10 billion yuan (about $1.4 billion) over the next five years in an intelligent driving control innovation project. The initiative will focus on the R&D of full-stack intelligent assisted driving solutions and smart cockpit hardware and software.

In Jiaxing, east China's Zhejiang Province, Danish industrial giant Danfoss Group announced an additional investment of 2.7 billion yuan to build its second campus in Chinaan advanced, zero-carbon industrial park integrating R&D, testing, production, and exhibition functions. This marks the company's tenth capital increase in China over the past two decades.

The surge in foreign enterprises establishing or expanding R&D operations in China reflects not only their confidence in the country's investment environment but also their recognition of its vibrant innovation ecosystem.

China is not merely a massive consumer market but also one of the world's most dynamic. Many new trends and demands emerge first in China. By integrating into China's development, foreign companies can capture new opportunities amid evolving global conditions and secure greater room for growth. Take German healthcare and agribusiness giant Bayer for example. By 2023, innovations in China accounted for 15 percent of Bayer Consumer Health's global innovation portfolio, the highest share from any single market.

In many frontier technology sectors, China has become a market leader. Investing in China today is no longer simply a localization strategyit is a forward-looking global move. For many multinational companies striving to sustain and strengthen their competitiveness, "R&D in China and serving the world" has become a natural strategic choice.

With its comprehensive industrial system and diverse application scenarios, China's role as the "world's factory" remains strong, while its position in the global innovation chain grows ever more significant. China's R&D expenditure intensity now exceeds the European Union average. The country ranks 10th in the global innovation ranking, with 24 innovation clusters listed among the world's top 100.

China's abundant talent pool and complete industrial chain provide robust support for R&D efficiency, while society-wide enthusiasm for innovation fosters a favorable environment.

From government agencies and enterprises to consumers, broad acceptance of innovation has created a virtuous cycle between technology and markets. Whether in autonomous driving, the industrial internet, healthcare, or green energy, China's market offers a full pathwayfrom proof of concept to commercial applicationfor new technologies and products.

The evolution from setting up factories to building sales and service networks, and to establishing R&D centers, represents not just a shift in production but a global reconfiguration of innovation resourcesa strategic transformation geared toward the future.

China's magnetic appeal is inseparable from its high-level opening-up. From implementing national treatment for foreign enterprises in government procurement to enhancing mechanisms for protecting foreign-related intellectual property rights, China's continuous efforts to optimize its business environment have generated mutual momentum between foreign companies' growing investment and China's expanding openness.

The fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China proposed advancing reform and development through greater openness and seeking to share opportunities and achieving common development with the rest of the world.

A China committed to high-level openness will be better positioned to integrate global innovation resources and work with all nations to build a more promising and inclusive future.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Wang Yilong (L, front) and Xue Yujuan (R, front), survivors of the Nanjing Massacre, attend an event celebrating Chongyang Festival organized by the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

A local artist gives a calligraphy work of Chinese character "shou", meaning longevity, to a senior citizen at an event celebrating Chongyang Festival in Tai'an City, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

Fork artists stage an intangible cultural heritage performance of dragon dance to celebrate Chongyang Festival in Deqing County of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Photo by Xie Shangguo/Xinhua)

A volunteer provides free haircut services to senior residents at Guojiaying Village of Yuzhong County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Xinhua/Lang Bingbing)

Performers stage an intangible cultural heritage performance of string puppetry show to celebrate Chongyang Festival in Rugao City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Photo by Wu Shujian/Xinhua)

Senior residents practice musical instruments at a community-based activity center for elderly people in Jiangbei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

A senior citizen receives therapy at a community-based activity center for elderly people in Jiangbei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

A senior citizen tries an electric wheelchair under the guidance of volunteers at an event celebrating Chongyang Festival in Rugao City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Photo by Qiu Yu/Xinhua)

Wang Yilong (2nd R) and Xue Yujuan (2nd L), survivors of the Nanjing Massacre, attend an event celebrating Chongyang Festival organized by the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

A volunteer writes down health information of a senior citizen at a community-based activity center for elderly people in Jiangbei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

A senior citizen tries an electric mobility scooter under the guidance of volunteers at an event celebrating Chongyang Festival in Rugao City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Photo by Qiu Yu/Xinhua)

Editor: Xiong Jian
The devastation from Hurricane Melissa came into focus after the record-setting storm moved past Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba with at least 33 deaths and almost $8 billion of damage in its wake.

Across the Caribbean, the storms powerful winds have torn apart homes and buildings, blocked roads, trapped people on roofs and knocked out electricity. Airports on Jamaica were shut down, leaving about 25,000 tourists stranded. Authorities warned people to beware of crocodiles displaced by the storm.

The economic losses in Jamaica will hinge on the severity of flooding. But current estimates fall around $7.7 billion, said Chuck Watson, a disaster modeler at Enki Research. Thats about 35% of the islands gross domestic product.

Read more: Reinsurers Hold Bulk of Jamaicas Property Exposures From Hurricane Melissa: Reports

It was widespread destruction, Watson said, exceeding the $6 billion toll that Hurricane Gilbert inflicted on the island in 1988. This was a very slow, very wet storm, he said, adding that a faster-moving storm would have caused much less damage.

Melissas top winds were at 100 miles (155 kilometers) per hour as of 11 p.m. New York time, according to the US National Hurricane Center. Now a Category 1 storm, the system is set to greatly accelerate over the next two days, and move away from the central Bahamas on Thursday morning and to the northwest of Bermuda during the evening, the center added.

The storm will likely inflict structural damage and take down trees and power lines, said Adam Douty, a senior forecaster at AccuWeather. The impact across the Bahamas may be overshadowed to some extent by whats happened so far, but its going to be fairly significant, Douty said.

At least 25 people have died across Haiti and 18 are missing, AP reported, citing Haitis Civil Protection Agency. Twenty of those reported dead and 10 of the missing are from a southern coastal town where flooding collapsed dozens of homes. At least eight are dead in Jamaica.

All the international tourists in Jamaica are safe and accounted for, the New York Times reported. Senior US State Department officials said more than 8,200 US citizens are in Jamaica and other countries affected by the storm, according to a federal travel registry, though the total number still on the ground is likely higher.

Melissa became the strongest recorded storm ever to hit Jamaica when it made landfall Tuesday as a Category 5 storm  the highest on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale. Authorities described scenes of intense destruction, including blackouts over almost 80% of the country as well as hospitals that were completely devastated.

Our shelters have seen more than 25,000 Jamaicans and since last night more persons have been going into the shelters, Desmond McKenzie, minister of local government and rural development, said in a briefing on Wednesday morning. Its not going to be an easy road, Jamaica.

In Montego Bay, a major resort hub on the northern shore of the island, buildings were stripped of their roofs and streets were left heavily flooded. At the edge of the city, at least one terminal at Sangster International Airport  the islands largest  was also partially flooded. The company that operates Sangster and the airport in Kingston said it would work to reopen both airports as soon as possible so humanitarian aid could be flown in.

In the middle of all of this, a baby was safely delivered under emergency conditions, McKenzie said. So there is a Melissa baby, and we want to commend the team who responded to that.

Insurance coverage varies widely across Jamaica and between sectors, said Firas Saleh, a director of insurance solutions at Moodys. While hotels tend to carry significant coverage, many local businesses do not  and less than 10% of single-family Jamaican homes are insured, he said.

These gaps leave many households and businesses vulnerable to severe financial and social disruption from Hurricane Melissa, Saleh said.

Read more: Jamaica Catastrophe Bondholders Now Face Full-Trigger Event

Despite Melissas strength and the destruction wrought across Jamaica, AccuWeathers Douty said the island was spared an absolute worst-case scenario in dodging a direct hit on its capital and largest city, Kingston.

President Donald Trump told reporters this week that the US was prepared to deliver humanitarian assistance to Jamaica as the storm took hold.

A regional disaster response team is on its way to assist on the ground in Jamaica and the Bahamas, according to senior State Department officials, with personnel set to arrive in the Dominican Republic by Thursday afternoon to handle operations in Haiti.

Such teams typically assist governments with coordination, logistics and administrative needs. The team will also assess the local need for food, sanitation and sheltering supplies, the officials said, pulling from a warehouse in Miami as well as from non-governmental and other partner organizations with resources nearby.

US Southern Command is preparing to deploy a situational assessment team to evaluate needs and local conditions in hurricane-struck areas, said US Army Colonel Emanuel Ortiz, adding that future decisions on potential US support will be based on their assessments.

As aid groups begin to mobilize, Jamaicas Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management has made a broad appeal for supplies  including 100,000 mattresses and pillows to stock emergency shelters and more than 5,000 chainsaws to begin clearing debris. Elon Musks Starlink is providing satellite assistance to help Jamaicans get back online after damage to communications infrastructure, authorities said on Wednesday.

Read more: Jamaicas Grid Was Not Ready for Hurricane Melissa

The UK pre-positioned a Royal Navy ship and specialist rapid deployment teams in the region prior to Melissas landfall and stands ready to offer Jamaica full support, Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the House of Commons on Wednesday. The scenes of destruction emerging from Jamaica are truly shocking, he said.

Photograph: In this handout image released by the US Air Force, a crew flies through Hurricane Melissa, over the Caribbean Sea on Oct. 27, 2025; photo credit: U.S. Air Force

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Hurricane
* The signing of the China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 Upgrade Protocol in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday paves the way for expanded economic and trade cooperation -- boosting regional integration and global trade.

* Via such continuous development of the China-ASEAN FTA, bilateral market access has expanded and trade volume grown, while economic cooperation has deepened.

* The Version 3.0 upgrade aims to create an inclusive, modern and mutually beneficial agreement that deepens regional economic integration and strengthens supply chain connectivity.

NANNING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony was held on Monday at the assembly plant of Guangxi Automobile Group in the city of Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, to mark the shipment of the 5,000th complete vehicle exported by the company to ASEAN.

This milestone represents a new achievement in the international development of Guangxi's automotive industry, which is being driven by continuous upgrading of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA).

Notably, the signing of the China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 Upgrade Protocol in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday paves the way for expanded economic and trade cooperation -- boosting regional integration and global trade.

"We have been deepening our presence in key ASEAN markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. As of Monday, our export value to ASEAN markets had exceeded 200 million yuan (28.23 million U.S. dollars)," said Feng Xue, director of the innovation and development department at Guangxi Automobile Group and vice general manager of Wuling New Energy Company.

Feng added that the signing of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 Upgrade Protocol will bring unprecedented opportunities for Guangxi enterprises to expand their presence in ASEAN markets.

A worker is seen at a workshop of a new energy cell material company in Qinzhou Port area of the China (Guangxi) Pilot Free Trade Zone in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nov. 29, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin)

This upgrade marks the latest stage in the evolution of the China-ASEAN FTA, which was initiated in 2002 and fully implemented as Version 1.0 in 2010. A subsequent Version 2.0 protocol was signed in 2015 and came into full effect in 2019. Negotiations for the Version 3.0 upgrade began in November 2022 and were successfully concluded in May 2025. Via such continuous development of the China-ASEAN FTA, bilateral market access has expanded and trade volume grown, while economic cooperation has deepened.

Strengthened trade ties have been instrumental in the region's growth. China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, while ASEAN has been China's top trading partner for the past five years. Bilateral trade reached 982.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2024 -- representing a 17-fold increase since 2002. In the first three quarters of 2025, bilateral trade totaled 5.57 trillion yuan, up 9.6 percent year on year, accounting for 16.6 percent of China's total foreign trade.

The China-ASEAN FTA is expanding from traditional trade and investment liberalization and facilitation to new sectors like the digital economy and green economy, while also focusing on standards and industrial and supply chains. The Version 3.0 upgrade aims to create an inclusive, modern and mutually beneficial agreement that deepens regional economic integration and strengthens supply chain connectivity.

DIGITAL ECONOMY DRIVING BROADER COOPERATION

The China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 strengthens both "hard connectivity" -- such as cross-border fiber optics and data centers, and "soft connectivity," via aligned regulations and standards. This creates a solid institutional foundation for regional digital trade.

At the Youyiguan Port, also known as Friendship Pass Port, in the city of Pingxiang in Guangxi, a shipment of five containers of durians imported from Thailand and Vietnam by Guangxi Rongsheng International Logistics Co., Ltd. underwent initial customs checks.

An aerial drone photo taken on March 21, 2025 shows trucks loaded with agricultural products from China and ASEAN countries at the Friendship Pass Port in Pingxiang, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

This process, which includes ID verification, temperature screening and license plate recognition, has been fully integrated. Truck drivers complete all initial steps at a single checkpoint -- with clearance taking only 15 seconds before proceeding to customs inspection.

"In the past, from vehicle entry and queuing for inspection to submitting quarantine documents, our company had to assign staff to be on site to handle paperwork and wait in line," said Yu Weipeng, business manager of the company. "Now, with the Smart Youyiguan app, we can upload documents electronically and archive them instantly by scanning a QR code. From the moment a truck enters the port to its release, we have full real-time visibility of the process."

So far this year, the company has imported more than 4,000 containers of ASEAN fruit -- including durian, dragon fruit and jackfruit. Thanks to the faster clearance system, consumers in China can enjoy fresher tropical fruit, said Yu.

Cross-border e-commerce has also broken down traditional trade barriers in recent years, with platforms like TikTok and Shopee driving trade growth. New models such as digital finance and logistics have also become integral to China-ASEAN trade.

As a key hub for China-ASEAN e-commerce, Guangxi has established seven cross-border e-commerce pilot zones -- attracting over 600 companies. From January to September 2025, the region's cross-border e-commerce trade value exceeded 35 billion yuan, up more than 110 percent year on year, with nearly 70 percent involving ASEAN.

This photo taken on Sept. 19, 2025 shows a satellite model of the China-ASEAN AI Star exhibited during the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo held at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhou Tinglu)

Kao Kim Hourn, secretary general of ASEAN, emphasized that the China-ASEAN FTA 3.0 has positioned digital cooperation as a core pillar. It opens doors in e-commerce, digital trade, data governance and payments. China, with its advances in AI, big data, cloud computing and digital finance, backed by more than a billion internet users, is a global leader in digital transformation.

"The Version 3.0 upgrade will bring our economic cooperation to a height, particularly in new areas, e-commerce, digital trade and payment. This is very important between ASEAN and China, particularly in the context of current global economic dynamics," he added.

UPGRADING RULES, STANDARDS FOR DEEPER COOPERATION

The Version 3.0 upgrade represents the highest level of agreement between China and ASEAN on technical regulations and conformity assessment. It signifies a shift from focusing solely on tariff reductions to establishing rules -- expanding cooperation from trade and investment to standards and regulatory systems.

"Both sides aim to build a unified and modern regulatory framework to reduce non-tariff barriers and promote deeper integration, reflecting a significant institutional upgrade," said Li Guanghui, academic dean of China-ASEAN School of Economics of Guangxi University.

The upgrade also introduces higher facilitation measures in customs and quarantine procedures. By developing mutual certification and recognizing inspection results, compliance costs for businesses will be significantly reduced.

Wuling Cloud EVs are displayed in Cikarang, West Java province, Indonesia, Nov. 27, 2024, during a ceremony to mark the production of 160,000 units from the manufacturing facility of SGMW Motor Indonesia (Wuling), a local subsidiary of major Chinese automobile manufacturer SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW), alongside the debut of its Cloud EV model for export to ASEAN markets. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain)

Liu Qing, vice president of the China Institute of International Studies, noted that Version 3.0 particularly addresses the needs of micro, small and medium enterprises from both sides, which will significantly enhance the resilience and stability of regional industrial and supply chains, ultimately advancing regional economic integration to a deeper level.

In recent years, Chinese automaker SAIC-GM-Wuling (SGMW) has achieved notable success in its economic and trade investments in ASEAN countries. Since establishing its first wholly-owned overseas production base in Indonesia in 2017, the company has invested over 1 billion U.S. dollars. Evolving from building factories abroad to creating transnational supply chains -- SGMW has facilitated 17 Chinese industrial partners to collaborate with more than 60 local Indonesian suppliers.

Huang Xun, chief technology officer of R&D Quality at SGMW, said: "The upgraded Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN FTA will enhance mutual recognition of standards and conformity assessment results. This will significantly reduce costs and time spent on duplicate testing and certification -- enabling companies to deliver products to the market more efficiently, thereby enhancing their competitiveness."

The signing of the protocol undoubtedly infuses strong positive momentum both across the region and globally, said Xu Liping, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. This move sends an obvious signal to the world that, as the most dynamic and substantial partnership in the Asia-Pacific, China and ASEAN have been instrumental to regional and global growth, Xu added.

The China-ASEAN model exemplifies a distinctive approach to regional collaboration -- one grounded in mutual respect and equality regardless of national size. This unique paradigm reflects a deepening sense of a community with a shared future, standing out as a noteworthy feature in contemporary regional governance, according to Xu.

Editor: Xiong Jian
After Hurricane Beryl devastated Jamaicas grid last year, officials at the islands sole utility vowed to fortify it. But the companys initiatives were only in the planning and early implementation stages when Hurricane Melissa hit as a Category 5 storm on Tuesday, according to research group BloombergNEF.

Officials dont yet know the full extent of the storms damage and it could take days, maybe weeks, to conduct a comprehensive damage survey from the strongest known storm to hit Jamaica. According to early reports, there were blackouts over almost 80% of the country

The reports that are coming in are catastrophic, Daryl Vaz, Jamaicas Minister of Transport, Telecommunications and Energy, told Sky News Australia in a televised interview on Tuesday. Not very much survives a Category 5 hurricane in terms of infrastructure.

Jamaica Public Service Co Ltd, the local utility, did not respond to a request for comment.

The situation in the island underscores the challenges for vulnerable countries to keep up with the quickening pace of climate change. A UN Environmental Programme report released on Wednesday found that funding to blunt the worsening effects of severe weather is slowing down. The agency says poor nations will need between $310 billion to $365 billion in adaptation finance per year by 2035.

After Beryl struck the island as a Category 4 storm, JPS vowed to earmark $108 million in 2025 towards investments aimed to reduce power disruptions, safeguard infrastructure integrity, and improve our systems ability to withstand extreme weather events such as hurricanes and tropical storms, according to its 2024 annual report, published in April.

Its unclear how much of this money had already been spent by the time Melissa hit Jamaica. But according to Sofia Sandano, a country transition analyst at BloombergNEF, the countrys electricity grid is still highly vulnerable to extreme weather despite early efforts to shore it up.

The 2024 hurricane season reinforced a hard truth: climate change is no longer a distant concernit is a present and persistent threat, the companys chairman Damian Obiglio wrote in the annual report.

As of June, though, the nations power system was built to withstand up to Category 3 hurricane conditions, according to a 2025 Storm Season fact sheet published online by JPS. Category 3 storms have maximum wind speeds of up to 129 miles per hour (208 kilometers per hour).
Convex Group Ltd., the Bermuda-based specialty insurer and reinsurer, announced a new, long-term ownership structure led by private equity firm Onex Corp., with American International Group becoming a minority equity investor.

Onex will acquire a 63% equity stake in Convex for approximately $3.8 billion, while AIG will acquire a 35% equity stake in Convex for approximately $2.1 billion. The balance will be owned by the Convex management team.

The investments value Convexs common equity at $7 billion.

With the exception of management, Convexs founding equity investors, including Onexs Partners V private equity fund, will sell their equity stakes in full. While Onex and AIG both will have representation on the Convex board, Convex will continue to operate an independent strategy and underwriting approach.

The company was launched in 2019 by industry veterans Stephen Catlin and Paul Brand with $1.7 billion in committed capital provided by Onex, PSP Investments and a consortium of co-investors.

Long-Term Strategy

Convex said new ownership structure extends its successful partnership with Onex and begins a new long-term strategic relationship with AIG. In addition to its equity investment in Convex, AIG will write a whole account quota share of Convexs business from January 1, 2026.

Both Onex and AIG will fund the investment from their respective corporate balance sheets and are committed to holding their equity investments in Convex for the long term, Convex confirmed.

In addition, AIG announced it will acquire a 9.9% ownership stake in Onex for approximately $646 million. Headquartered in Toronto, Onex is publicly traded with approximately $55.9 billion in assets under management, including $8.4 billion of its own investing capital.

AIG plans to invest up to $2 billion in Onex investment funds over three years, aiming to support the evolution of AIGs investment portfolio to higher yielding assets with preferred access.

Rapid Growth

In six years, the team at Convex has built an extraordinary business. We have become a major player in global specialty insurance and reinsurance, with annual premium income of up to $6 billion and operations in a range of global jurisdictions, commented Stephen Catlin, chairman of Convex, in a media statement.

This transaction secures the long-term independence of Convex and presents a range of exciting strategic opportunities, he said.

This transaction positions us better than ever to service our clients and brokers, and take advantage of future market opportunities, said Paul Brand, CEO of Convex.

Onex CEO Bobby Le Blanc said they have been partners with Convex through its private equity funds and balance sheet since 2019. We are excited to work with the Convex team to deliver sustainable long-term growth, leading underwriting returns and to compound capital for Onex shareholders, he said.

Over the past six years, Convex has grown rapidly with solid underwriting profits. The company is now a leading specialty property/casualty insurer and reinsurer with up to $6 billion of expected gross premium written in 2025; 25% compound annual growth in gross premium written over the last three years, and an 18% average return on equity over the past three years, said Onex in a press statement announcing the deal.

Unique Opportunity

This is a very unique opportunity to invest in a top-performing global specialty company that we believe will drive incremental earnings growth for AIG, said Peter Zaffino, chairman & CEO of AIG. AIGs investment reflects our confidence in Convexs ability to consistently deliver outstanding results, strong returns and sustained revenue growth.

Zaffino said he has known Convexs founders, Catlin and Brand, for more than 20 years. Stephen and Paul have earned a reputation for building exceptional underwriting teams and this is reflected in the companys impressive performance.

Continued Independence

With this strategic investment, Zaffino said, AIG will support Catlins and Brands continued independent management of Convex.

As we look to the future, we will utilize our significant financial flexibility to support Convex through a meaningful equity investment and a whole account quota share structure that allows AIG to take part in the success of Convexs profitable portfolio, which we believe has significant potential for further growth, Zaffino stressed.

Read more: AIG to Acquire Renewal Rights of Everests Retail Commercial Business Worth $2B

The transactions are subject to customary regulatory approvals. Closing is expected in the first half of 2026.

Convex has seen rapid growth over the past six years, raising additional capital and expanding its operations to Lloyds of London, the U.S. and Europe. Some of these business moves include the following:

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Carriers Reinsurance AIG
A former director at a US military contractor that sells computer vulnerabilities pleaded guilty on Wednesday to stealing and reselling $35 million in trade secrets to a Russian cyber-tools broker whose clients include the Russian government.

Peter Williams, 39, worked at Trenchant, an L3 Harris Technologies Inc. subsidiary that develops hacking tools and describes itself as an elite team of network operators, engineers and vulnerability researchers who are charged with building world-class computer security products, according to the firms website.

He was accused of stealing national-security focused software that included at least eight sensitive and protected cyber-exploit components, which were meant to be sold exclusively to the US government and select allies, according to the Justice Department.

Williams voice broke when he pleaded guilty in Washington federal court. He answered yes or no to questions from US District Court Judge Loren AliKhan but otherwise stayed silent for the one-hour hearing.

The sales occurred between 2022 and 2025, when Williams improperly used his access to the defense contractors secure network to steal cyber exploits, according to the Justice Department. Williams, a 39-year-old Australian national, worked at Trenchant until August. Williams attorney declined to comment.

L3Harris also declined to comment on the matter. The Department of Justice didnt respond to a request for comment.

Related: Catastrophic Hack Underscores Public Defender Security Gaps

Williams stole and resold $35 million of cyber trade secrets from a US cleared defense contractor to a Russian government supplier, according to a Justice Department statement.

The changes each carry a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of as much as $250,000 or twice the pecuniary gain or loss of the offense, the agency said.

The Russian cyber-exploits broker publicly advertises as a reseller to various customers, including the Russian government, according to the Justice Department, which didnt name the alleged broker.

John Eisenberg, assistant attorney general for national security, said in the statement that Williams conduct was deliberate and deceitful, imperiling our national security for the sake of personal gain.

Williams allegedly resold the trade secrets in exchange for a promise of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. He used the proceeds to buy himself high-value items, the Justice Department said.

In addition to a potential prison sentence, federal prosecutors are seeking $1.3 million in forfeiture from Williams. Court documents list Williams home, 22 luxury and replica watches, several pieces of high-end jewelry and funds spread across seven bank and cryptocurrency accounts. Authorities also seized a Louis Vuitton handbag and two Moncler jackets.

Patrick Wardle, a former US National Security Agency hacker, said the allegations represented a big black eye for Trenchant. He said the allegations raised questions about whether the company can be trusted to provide reliable hacking tools to sensitive government customers, and about exposing details such as the original government buyer and pricing of specific exploits.

John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab who studies hacking firms, called for increased Congressional oversight of the industry. He also cited a 2018 case in which a former employee of Israeli spyware vendor NSO Group allegedly stole and tried to sell source code.

Photo: The L3Harris company logo is displayed during the Security Equipment International (DSEI) at London Excel on September 09, 2025 in London, England. (John Keeble/Getty Images)

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Cyber Fraud
EverPeak Insurance announced the launch of its workers compensation solution in Arkansas.

Arkansas is powered by its small business community, and we recognize the critical need for accessible, reliable, and high-quality workers compensation coverage right here in the state, said Brad Korb, head of sales & distribution for EverPeak.

EverPeak workers comp is available exclusively on Attune.

Topics Workers' Compensation New Markets
Independent adjusters claims that some Florida insurance companies had tampered with their damage estimates continue to trickle through courthouses and state agencies, with final resolutions far from certain or still months or years in the future.

The latest developments include:

Allegations by an independent adjuster that the claims-adjusting firm for which he worked in 2022 conspired with Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Co. to deny or minimize some roof claims.

A fraud investigations commander for the Florida Department of Financial Services told two adjusters this month that, after almost three years of review, the department has found that no state anti-fraud laws are applicable to the insurers alleged actions.

Tampa-based Heritage asked a Florida court to bar the state Department of Financial Services from releasing trade secrets that may be included in documents requested by a third party in an open records request regarding the investigation.

First, the countersuit by independent adjuster Jordan Lee: Heritage Insurance in April sued Lee in Hillsborough County for defamation after he was interviewed on CBS News 60 Minutes program. Lee alleged in the TV news show that Heritage had altered 42 of his damage estimates in a deceptive manner, keeping his name and license number on the revised reports that were sent to policyholders  without his knowledge.

Lees attorney, Joshua Brownlee of the John Tolley law firm, asked the circuit court to dismiss Heritages lawsuit, citing a failure to state a claim or show an injury. But the Hillsborough judge denied the motion. Then, on Oct. 7, Lee filed a countersuit, charging that Heritage CEO Ernie Garateix had defamed him by posting a statement in response to the 60 Minutes interview with Lee, a statement that misrepresented the facts while calling Lee a liar.

Garateix also claimed Jordan was estimating for damages not covered under the subject policy and had refused to cooperate with Tristar to revise the estimates, Lees countersuit argues.

Heritage wanted revenge on Jordan and set forth a plan to ruin his carrier as a licensed adjuster and financially bankrupt Jordan by statements made to the media and filing a frivolous lawsuit naming Jordan as a defendant, Lees suit maintains.

The countersuit also makes bold claims about how Heritage and Tristar, the Sarasota-based claims handling firm that contracted with Lee, approached roof claims. Heritage discouraged acceptance of roof damage by adopting a policy that ordered adjusters to refrain from walking on tile roofs, Lees suit claims. That policy may have been developed to help prevent further damage to tiles, but Lee said it was contrary to common sense and prevented adjusters from properly inspecting roofs.

At the same time, a Tristar manager reportedly told Lee in a phone call after Hurricane Ian that Heritage wanted to deny tile roof claims but could not do so with only aerial drone footage, Lees countersuit said.

Mr. Ciscos instructions were clear enough that the overall intent was to put Heritage in a position to deny tile roof claims regardless of whether the damage was covered under the subject insurance policy, Lees suit reads. The complaint can be seen here.

Tristar representatives did not respond to requests from Insurance Journal to comment about the accusations.

Heritages smear campaign caused Lee to lose adjusting contracts and significant income, he contends. When the CEO of a major insurer provides a statement to the media trashing an independent adjusters work product, other insurers listen, his counterclaim reads.

Back to the allegations made by Lee and other independent adjusters in 2022: At the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters convention in Orlando this month, two adjusters said they had a conversation with Maj. Laquanda Green of the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Investigative Services.

The independent adjusters, Ben Mandell and Mark Vinson, said they had turned hundreds of documents over to the division in late 2022, after going public with their concerns that some carriers were inappropriately altering their damage estimates.

Green told them that the three-year investigation has determined that charges likely cannot be brought against the insurance companies because the insurers may not have violated state fraud laws.

Green and DFS did not respond to inquiries from Insurance Journal. But a prosecutor familiar with the matter said that Greens conclusions are probably correct.

The question is, What is in the contract' between insurance companies and claims firms and adjusters, said James Miller, chief of the Economic Crimes Unit at the State Attorneys Office in Lee County, a county where hundreds of claims disputes arose after Ian made landfall.

Miller said that if fraud truly exists, it can be prosecuted. But the contracts may give insurers control over adjusters and their work product.

You cant really say theres fraud when the insurance company ultimately owns that adjustment, Miller told Insurance Journal.

Lees lawsuit against Heritage may shed some light on that question. The complaint includes a copy of the independent adjuster agreement with Tristar. The agreement makes it clear that the adjuster is considered an independent contractor. It is expressly understood and agreed that contractor shall not, under any circumstances be considered an employee of the company, the agreement reads.

The agreement also notes that company reserves the right, from time to time, to reassign files from one adjuster to another based on the circumstances. The TPA has sole discretion to reassign files, it reads. The contract does not mention if that includes reassignment to insurance carriers desk adjusters.

Lee never signed a separate contract with Heritage. The contract between Heritage and Tristar was not included in Lees lawsuit complaint. The suit also notes that Lee had no control over his compensation, which was subject to Tristars and Heritages final discretionary review.

The suit contends that, regardless of contractual language, Heritage had influence over Tristar and used that to minimize claims.

A TPA knew and understood that it had to ensure the independent adjusters were in compliance with Heritages claim handling guidelines in order to continue receiving claims from Heritage, Lee argues. Heritage used this as leverage to ensure the TPA and adjusters fell in line with its overall goal to deny and/or underpay insurance claims to maximize profits.
Monkeys being transported on a Mississippi highway escaped captivity Tuesday after the truck carrying them overturned, according to law enforcement.

All but one of the escaped monkeys were killed, the Jasper County Sheriffs Department said in a post on Facebook, warning that the monkeys were aggressive. It was not clear how many monkeys were originally in the truck.

The truck was carrying Rhesus monkeys, which typically weigh around 16 pounds (7.7 kilograms) and are among the most medically studied animals on the planet.

They were being housed at the Tulane University National Biomedical Research Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, which routinely provides primates to scientific research organizations, according to the university. In a statement, Tulane University said the monkeys do not belong to the university, and they were not being transported by the university.

It was not clear who owns the monkeys, who was transporting them or where they were being taken.

Video shows monkeys crawling through tall grass on the side of Interstate 59 just north of Heidelberg, Mississippi, with wooden crates labeled live animals crumpled and strewn about.

The sheriffs department initially said the monkeys were carrying diseases including herpes, but Tulane University said in a statement that the monkeys have not been exposed to any infectious agent. The sheriffs department responded by saying the driver of the truck told law enforcement the monkeys were dangerous and needed to be handled using personal protective equipment.

Tulane University said it was working with law enforcement. Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries was also on site.

The crash happened about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the state capital of Jackson. It was not clear what caused the truck to overturn.

Related: Residents Fight Planned Monkey-Breeding Farm in Georgia

Related: South Carolina Lab Recaptures Some Monkeys That Escaped Facility

Photo: A rhesus macague monkey, similar to the species that escaped the truck accident in Mississippi. (AdobeStock)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Auto Mississippi
A federal judge in Mississippi has admitted that his staff used artificial intelligence to draft a flawed court order, after months of speculation and an inquiry from a U.S. senator.

U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate sent a letter on Tuesday to the director of the Administrative Office of the Courts in response to an inquiry from Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley. Wingate acknowledged that his law clerk used an AI program to compose an order that paused the enforcement of a state law that bans diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Mississippi public schools.

The order, issued July 20, was factually inaccurate  naming defendants and plaintiffs that werent parties to the case, misquoting state law and referencing a case that doesnt exist  which led the Mississippi Attorney Generals Office to raise concerns.

Wingate then replaced the order with a corrected version, wiped the flawed order from the docket, and denied a request from the Attorney Generals Office to restore the original order with errors to the public docket. He refused to explain the errors, calling them clerical mistakes.

Months later, Grassley sent a letter to Wingate, asking him to address the errors and the speculated use of AI.

Wingate finally acknowledged that one of his law clerks used an AI program called Perplexity to analyze publicly available information from the docket to craft the order. But Wingate emphasized no privileged or sealed information was used. Wingate says he still does not plan to restore the original order to the docket, in an effort to avoid confusion.

The judge conceded that the order was a draft opinion, and it did not undergo proper review before being added to the docket. Wingate said hes taking steps to make sure this doesnt happen again.

The corrective measures include requiring all draft opinions, orders and memos to undergo a second, independent review. He will also require all cited cases be printed and attached to the final draft.

I manage a very busy docket and strive to maintain the publics trust by administering justice in a fair and transparent manner, Wingate wrote. Given that I hold myself and my staff to the highest standards of conduct, I do not expect that a mistake like this one will occur in the future.

Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, commended Wingate, a Reagan-appointed judge, for acknowledging the mistake.

Each federal judge, and the judiciary as an institution, has an obligation to ensure the use of generative AI does not violate litigants rights or prevent fair treatment under the law, Grassley said in a statement. The judicial branch needs to develop more decisive, meaningful and permanent AI policies and guidelines.

Still, AI usage in the federal judiciary is a serious issue, and its largely uncharted territory, especially among federal judges.

The legal profession has seen a rise in AI use in recent years, with people relying on software or processes that attempt to replicate aspects of human work. These use vast amounts of data to accomplish tasks such as researching court cases and citing them in legal briefs.

But these systems are not perfect and can hallucinate, or provide false information.

Judges in Mississippi have punished attorneys in both federal and state courts for using AI because attorneys have an ethical and professional responsibility to tell the truth in court.

But theres little accountability when the roles are reversed.

Robert Conrad Jr., the director of the federal Administrative Office of the Courts, also sent Grassley a letter noting that he recently established an AI task force composed of judges and technology experts to recommend new policies on AI usage in the federal court system.

Conrad said the task force, during the summer, published interim guidance on AI, suggesting that attorneys should review and independently verify all AI-generated content and should consider disclosing when theyve used AI to help craft documents.

___

This story was originally published by the Mississippi Free Press and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press. Authored by Devna Bose and Taylor Vance.

Top photo: AI-generated image (AdobeStock)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics InsurTech Legislation Data Driven Artificial Intelligence Mississippi
Aspire General Insurance Services promoted Bilal Alam to chief financial officer.

Alam has been with Aspire since January 2023, joining the firm as chief information officer and most recently serving as chief risk officer, where he oversaw the risk, actuarial, analytics, and product functions.

He began his career in 2004 as an actuarial analyst in the commercial pricing unit at Ace Insurance Company. He later held analyst roles at Ernst & Young and Arch Insurance Company and AIG, where he was assistant vice president in the international unit. Before joining Aspire, Alam was vice president and head of reinsurance & data automation at National General Insurance, as well as chief information officer of its subdivision, National General Lender Services.

Aspire is headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
Cathal Friel's European Green Transition plc (EGT) has signed a six-month option with Cyprus-based Recovery Metals Cyprus Limited (RMC) to sell its Pajala Copper Project in northern Sweden.

The deal, announced today, underscores EGTs accelerating shift from mineral exploration to acquiring distressed, revenue-generating businesses in Europes green economy.

Under the agreement, RMC gains the right to acquire the Liviovaara nr 101 and Lehtosolka nr 101 exploration licencescovering 51.17 km and held royalty-free through EGTs wholly owned subsidiary, Rockfleet Minerals. They said the buyer will fund all due diligence during the option period, which expires 30 April 2026. Should RMC exercise, completion hinges on negotiating definitive sale agreements. No financial terms were disclosed, and EGT cautioned there is no certainty a transaction will follow.

RMC is focused on developing a pan-European portfolio of high-potential copper and gold projects. Its current portfolio comprises three fully licensed copper projects located in Cyprus with immediate development potential.

The Pajala project, located 21 km from the operating Kaunisvaara iron mine, is viewed as a prospective Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) system. Historical drilling by Anglo American in 20002001 delivered encouraging intercepts. With access to renewable hydropower and established infrastructure, the asset sits in a Tier-1 jurisdictionideal for a developer eyeing European critical minerals supply.

Earlier this week copper price hit record highs, underpinned by limited supply and strong market fundamentals. "Growing investment in electrification and clean energy technologies together with policy measures such as the EU Critical Raw Materials Act which seeks to ensure a stable supply of critical minerals to the European market, is driving sustained demand for both copper and rare earth elements (REEs), reinforcing the potential strategic importance of EGTs mining assets within the European supply chain," EGT co-founder Cathal Friel said.

The option aligns with a broader pivot with Friel stating that the move generates value from our mining portfolio while freeing capital to chase M&A in cash-flowing green-energy assets.

EGT, which listed on London's AIM earlier this year, has made no secret of its intent to exit mining. Proceeds from any Pajala sale would fuel acquisitions of distressed, revenue-generating businesses across sectors supporting decarbonisation.

Investors will watch for updates by spring 2026 and a successful exercise could validate EGTs monetisation strategy.
Here is a selection of people starting new roles with Novo Nordisk Ireland, Adare Global Personnel Solutions, Taylor Wessing, Veolia Ireland, Fenton Fitzwilliam and BBH Dublin.

Dilek Dogan Gurluk has been appointed as general manager of Novo Nordisk Ireland, a global healthcare company with expertise in diabetes, obesity, and rare chronic diseases. Dilek joined Novo Nordisk Netherlands in 2023 as a senior marketing director. With over two decades experience, she has a proven track record of successfully commercialising brands and of building high-performing teams across Europe, Turkey, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific. She holds a degree in Political Science and International Relations from Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey, and an Executive Master of Business Administration from Koc University in Istanbul, Turkey. Novo Nordisk employs around 78,400 people in 80 countries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

* "In the face of winds, waves and challenges, we should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations." Chinese President Xi Jinping said.

* "China and the United States can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries, and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world," Xi said.

* China is the biggest partner of the United States, and with joint efforts, the two countries can get many great things done for the world and have many years of success, said U.S. President Donald Trump.

BUSAN, South Korea, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday that he is ready to continue working with U.S. President Donald Trump to build a solid foundation for bilateral ties, and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries.

In a meeting with Trump, Xi said under their joint guidance, China-U.S. relations have remained stable on the whole.

"China and the United States should be partners and friends. That is what history has taught us and what reality needs," he said.

Given different national conditions, the two sides do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then, Xi added.

"You and I are at the helm of China-U.S. relations," said Xi. "In the face of winds, waves and challenges, we should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations."

Xi said that there is a good momentum in China's economic development, adding that in the first three quarters of this year, China's economy increased by 5.2 percent, and import and export trade in goods with the rest of the world expanded by 4 percent.

This is not an easy accomplishment given the domestic and external difficulties, Xi noted, adding that the Chinese economy is like a vast ocean, big, resilient and promising.

"We have the confidence and capability to navigate all kinds of risks and challenges," Xi added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

At its fourth plenary session, the 20th CPC Central Committee deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for the economic and social development plan over the next five years, Xi said.

"Over the past seven decades and more, we have been working from generation to generation on the same blueprint to make it a reality. We have no intention to challenge or supplant anyone. Our focus has always been on managing China's own affairs well, improving ourselves, and sharing development opportunities with all countries across the world," he added.

Describing that as an important secret to China's success, Xi said China will further deepen reform across the board, expand opening up, and promote higher-quality economic growth while achieving an appropriate increase in economic output, and advance well-rounded human development and common prosperity for all, adding that this will also expand the space for cooperation between China and the United States.

Xi noted that the two countries' economic and trade teams had an in-depth exchange of views on important economic and trade issues, and reached consensus on solving various issues.

He called on the two teams to work out and finalize the follow-up steps as soon as possible, and ensure that the common understandings are effectively upheld and implemented, to inject confidence into the two countries as well as the global economy through solid deliverables.

China-U.S. economic and trade relations have experienced ups and downs recently, and this has also given the two sides some insights, Xi noted.

The business relationship, Xi said, should continue to serve as the anchor and driving force for China-U.S. relations, not a stumbling block or a point of friction.

The two sides should think big and recognize the long-term benefit of cooperation, and must not fall into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation, he added, calling on the two teams to continue their talks in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, and continuously shorten the list of problems and lengthen the list of cooperation.

Dialogue is better than confrontation, Xi said, adding that China and the United States should maintain communication through various channels and at various levels to enhance mutual understanding.

There is good potential for the two countries to work together on combating illegal immigration and telecom fraud, anti-money laundering, artificial intelligence, and responding to infectious diseases, he added.

The competent departments should strengthen dialogue and exchanges and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation, Xi said, adding that the two countries should also engage in positive interactions on regional and international platforms.

"The world today is confronted with many tough problems. China and the United States can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries, and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world," he added.

China will host APEC 2026, and the United States the G20 summit next year, Xi noted.

The two sides can support each other in making both summits productive to promote world economic growth and improve global economic governance, he added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Noting that it was a great honor to meet with Xi, Trump said China is a great country and President Xi is a well respected great leader, with whom he has been good friends for many years and has always got along well.

The United States and China have always had a fantastic relationship, and it will be even better, said Trump, voicing his hope for an even better future for both China and the United States.

China is the biggest partner of the United States, and with joint efforts, the two countries can get many great things done for the world and have many years of success, said Trump.

China will host the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, while the United States will host the G20 Summit next year, said Trump, wishing both sides every success in these important events.

The two presidents have agreed to enhance cooperation in economic, trade, energy and other fields and to encourage more people-to-people exchanges.

They have also agreed to maintain interactions on a regular basis. Trump looked forward to visiting China early next year, and invited President Xi to visit the United States.

Editor: Xiong Jian
This week, an agri-food trade mission to China in collaboration with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland was led by minister of state with responsibility for fisheries, Timmy Dooley.

In 2024, Irish agri-food exports to China were valued at 614 million. The focus of the trade mission was to showcase Ireland as a source of high-quality agri-food produce to the Chinese market.

The trade mission will include government-to-government meetings, a series of trade events, seminars and several customer meetings.

As part of the trade mission, Bord Bia is hosting nine Irish seafood companies at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo 2025, which runs from October 29 to 31, at the Hongdao International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The expo is recognised as Asias premier seafood trade event, and is expected to attract around 50,000 professional visitors from over 130 countries.

Traditionally, China has been an important market for the export of Irish pelagic fish, examples include mackerel or herring, but in recent years, significant efforts have been made to develop opportunities for premium shellfish such as crab and langoustine.

In 2024, Ireland exported approximately 157,000 tonnes of seafood to more than 70 markets worldwide. Total exports were valued at almost 600 million, representing an increase of 9% on 2023.

At the expo, the minister met with eight Irish seafood companies that operate in the Chinese market to discuss market expansion opportunities.

Minister of State Timmy Dooley said: China represents one of the most important growth markets for Irish seafood, particularly for our premium shellfish and pelagic species.

"This weeks trade mission and participation at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo provide valuable platforms to showcase Irelands seafood offering, build commercial partnerships, and reinforce Irelands strong reputation as a supplier of high-quality food products.

Ahead of the expo, Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine co-hosted a seafood trade reception in Qingdao, bringing together Irish exporters with key Chinese seafood importers, distributors, and industry partners.

The event aimed to deepen business relationships and identify new trade opportunities for Irish seafood in the Chinese market.

Speaking in Qingdao today, Bord Bias recently appointed China Manager, Sinead Kennedy, said: Irish seafood enjoys an excellent reputation internationally.

"Chinese consumers are seeking premium imported seafood, and Irelands reputation for safety, traceability, and high-quality produce positions our exporters strongly. The number of Irish seafood exporters supplying the Chinese market is growing year on year, which is very promising for the industry.
1. Skinceuticals Advanced RGN-6

The latest launch from the US brand marks a new type of cream, inspired by laser regeneration science and designed to be used both post-laser and as a powerhouse standalone formula.

It packs six potent ingredients  glyco repair, eperuline, niacinamide and ectoin among them  to visibly reverse six signs of ageing including redness, post-acne marks, dark spots and wrinkles, while soothing discomfort and renewing the barrier.

Designed for daily use or post-laser to optimise anti-ageing results and reduce downtime, its a lightweight cream using biomimetic second-skin technology for 1.8x better barrier recovery.

If youre reluctant to try laser (like me), this feels like the next best thing.

2. Lisa & Co Cleansing Oil

2. Lisa & Co Cleansing Oil

I adore a cleansing oil as my first cleanse, so I was thrilled to see Cork brand Lisa & Co launch its new Radiance-Boosting Cleansing Oil.

It transforms your evening routine into a silky, spa-like ritual, melting away makeup, SPF and pollution while leaving skin soft and luminous.

The featherlight formula glides like silk, transforming into a delicate milk that rinses clean.

Infused with soy, bio-sesame, avocado, red vine, rosehip and tsubaki oils, it delivers a deep yet gentle cleanse that replenishes moisture and elasticity, soothing sensitivity for a natural, lit-from-within glow.

Each bottle comes with a complimentary luxury face glove, perfect for enhancing the ritual and helping to lift away makeup and impurities.

3. Banor Hand Cream

Irish skincare brand Banor has expanded its bodycare line with its first hand cream, blending Irish sheep milk into a deeply nourishing formula for hardworking hands  perfectly timed for winter.

Founded by farmer Elaine Crosse and pharmacist Nicola Lyons, Banor is rooted in farming and science.

Its name means white gold, a nod to sheep milk, the hero ingredient rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins and amino acids.

Independent research by the Centre for Applied Bioscience Research found it helps reinforce the skin barrier, protect antioxidants, and stimulate collagen, and its popular with men too.

Co-founder Nicola says, Weve had builders and farmers using our lotion, especially those with very dry hands or cracks on their palms.

4. Kevin Murphy Night Shift Serum

4. Kevin Murphy Night Shift Serum

Kevin Murphys new Night Shift Serum is a groundbreaking overnight treatment that restores moisture and strength to hair while you sleep.

Inspired by skincare science, it uses hyaluronic acid for deep hydration and Australian Kakadu Plum (rich in vitamin C) to strengthen and replenish strands.

The lightweight serum helps reduce breakage, smooth frizz, and improve manageability, leaving hair softer and more resilient by morning.

Hair deserves the same dedication we give our skin, says Kevin Murphy.

Simply apply 14 pumps to dry or damp hair before bed, then wake up to silky, hydrated strands.

5. Merit Solo Shadow Sheens

5. Merit Solo Shadow Sheens

I love a one-and-done eyeshadow, and Im already a fan of Merits matte singles, so I was delighted to see their new Solo Shadow Sheen launch.

These buildable, self-setting cream shadows give a sophisticated pearlescent wash  perfect worn alone or layered.

Designed for everyday wear, they offer modern sheen, not teenage glitter.

There are six wearable shades, from Palladium (silver) to Sartorial (bronze)  my favourite.

They blend effortlessly with fingers or a brush and are enriched with jojoba extract and microfine pearls for all-day wear without creasing.

This launch continues Merits mission to make shimmer wearable and foolproof  my kind of makeup! They now ship to Ireland.

6. Lancome Lip Idole Juicy Treat

6. Lancome Lip Idole JuicyTreat

Hands up if you owned an OG Lancome Juicy Tube... The brands new Lip Idole JuicyTreat is its modern successor part gloss, part serum, and all shine.

It combines oil-in-gloss technology with skincare benefits, so over time lips look and feel plumper and bouncier.

Expect an instant boost of hydration (thanks to 20% squalane, hyaluronic acid and peptides) while the menthol cooling effect gives a tingly 3D plumping shine (minus the stickiness).

Available in 10 shades from a sheer wash of colour to rich juicy shades, and curated by Lisa Eldridge and Sheika Daley, these will quickly become indispensable as 95% of women who tested them wanted to reapply them more, the longer they used them (I can concur!).

38, Brown Thomas

7. Genosys Skin Reboot PDRN Mask Pack

7. Genosys Skin Reboot PDRN Mask Pack

I usually wear a sheet mask while writing, today Im wearing one of these.

South Korean cosmeceutical powerhouse Genosys has unveiled its next-generation treatment: the Skin Reboot PDRN Mask Pack.

This isnt your average sheet mask; its a high-tech ritual powered by PDRN (Polydeoxyribonucleotide), a salmon-derived DNA compound that shares an impressive 95% similarity with human DNA.

This powerful ingredient actively works with your skins natural repair mechanisms to boost collagen, dramatically soothe inflammation, and promote deep regeneration.

The formula is further enriched with barrier heroes like panthenol for deep hydration and barrier strengthening, ceramides and phytosphingosine to lock down moisture, antioxidant-rich shea butter, and the green leaf complex (camellia, mint, thyme) for its soothing and antibacterial benefits.

8. Marc Jacobs Perfect Absolute

8. Marc Jacobs Perfect Absolute

If you loved the original Perfect Marc Jacobs scent, get ready for its richer, bolder sibling: Perfect Absolute.

This fragrance is all about self-love and confidence.

It deepens the signature scent with a juicy caramelised fig opening, a lush jasmine heart, and a warm amber base that lingers beautifully.

Since wearing it, I keep getting asked what my perfume is!

The bottle also gets a dramatic makeover with deep burgundy glass, rich metallic caps, and glittery opulent finishes.

128 for 50ml, Arnotts
Subscriber

Hotel review: Is this iconic East Cork landmark the best seafood stop in Munster?

"Park your preconceptions: this East Cork classic is one of Irelands best value escapes for seafood lovers"
The Government should not rule out sending failed asylum seekers to deportation hubs outside the European Union, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheal Martin said migration was a broader issue across Europe, and called for discussions between Ireland and Britain to return people who cross over the border.

These are issues we will examine, and were not ruling anything out, Mr Martin told RTE Radio One.

He gave his backing to Tanaiste Simon Harris who, on Wednesday, said the Government should reconsider its immigration policies in a very serious way.

Mr Harris said Irelands migration numbers were too high.

The Fine Gael leader said there were individuals who arrive in Ireland, are denied asylum and then take too long to leave the country.

The Taoiseach said between 70% and 80% of applicants for international protection are refused on the first appeal stage.

Thats significant, because it really points to that what youre looking at here is economic migration primarily, Mr Martin said.

He said people should not come to Ireland if they know deep down they will have their applications refused.

I think the message has gone out. If you dont qualify and you know youre not going to qualify, dont bother coming, Mr Martin said.

He added justice minister Jim OCallaghan was looking at every aspect of migration policy, while adding the appeals process needed to be sped up.

We are appointing more and recruiting more to accelerate the appeals process to make sure people know procedures are strict here, theyre firm, theyre fair, the Taoiseach said.

Mr Martin said he believed the vast majority of asylum seekers were coming over the border with the North.

These are issues we can discuss with the British government in terms of returns and so on, Mr Martin said.

While he has backed Mr Harriss comments, there has been some frustration within Fianna Fail about the Fine Gael leader's remarks.

One Fianna Fail minister said Mr Harriss comments had been seeking to undermine the Government and Taoiseach, calling them corrosive.

Jim OCallaghan has done more in nine months on migration than Simon Harris and Fine Gael have done in 14 years, they said.

Micheal Martin never spent his time as Tanaiste undermining the Taoiseach.

Another Fianna Fail source was critical of Mr Harriss comments, describing them as not helpful.

[He was] mute on it throughout his time in cabinet and as Taoiseach when inward immigration actually peaked, and the moment Fianna Fail takes the portfolio and actually starts making progress he decides to undermine it as soon as the road gets rocky for him, the source said.

Justice and immigration is becoming a differentiator between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and they mustnt like it.

They added people would see through Mr Harriss comments if progress was made by Mr OCallaghan.

Labour MEP Aodhan O Riordain called Mr Harris's remarks deeply irresponsible, disgraceful and extremely dangerous.

Political leaders have a responsibility to choose their words carefully, he said. When the Tanaiste says numbers are too high, it sends a message that the Government itself is buying into divisive rhetoric. It is reckless, harmful, and beneath the office he holds.
A young man was the victim of an unprovoked attack on Washington Street in Cork almost two years ago, which left him with a bleed on his brain, and on Thursday the accused man faced sentencing.

Judge Dermot Sheehan said after reading the victim impact statement, the assault had a much more serious and lasting effect on the injured party than it initially appeared in the case.

22-year-old Ciaran Maguire, of Woodbrook, Glanmire, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm.

Garda David ODriscoll testified at Cork Circuit Criminal Court the unprovoked assault occurred on November 20, 2023.

Ciaran Maguire hit him twice in the head. He fell to the ground, blood coming from the side of his head. It was totally unprovoked. He was taken to Cork University Hospital. He was bleeding on the brain and had a loss of hearing in his left ear. He continued to experience tinnitus but has made a full recovery, Garda ODriscoll said.

The injured party was 22 at the time of the assault, and the defendant was 20. They did not know each other directly but were known to each other through friends, Garda ODriscoll said.

Peter OFlynn, defence barrister, said the accused was highly intoxicated on the night of the incident. Mr OFlynn said the accused did not have a history of violent offending.

He said the defendants father died when he was a young boy and he was obviously affected by this. He had a long history of substance abuse and was using cannabis from the age of 13, and cocaine from the age of 15.

A bench warrant had to be issued for his arrest during the summer when he failed to show up at Cork Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing.

Mr OFlynn explained the young mans thinking at that time: He turned up in May for sentencing when it was adjourned to a date in June. He panicked when he saw the victim impact statement and did not show up in court in June. He was extremely shocked when he read it.

Judge Sheehan said: I was extremely shocked myself when I read it. It had a much more serious impact than I anticipated.

The judge said he would not sentence Ciaran Maguire on Thursday. I will give him a chance. He is young. It looks like a custodial sentence is warranted but I will put it back to the last day of term for urinalysis.

I will put it back so he can put his best foot forward. I am not saying a non-custodial sentence wont be imposed.
A personal injury case brought by the wife of a renowned consultant psychiatrist who died after being hit by a taxi while walking home from a Christmas party in Cork has been settled in the High Court.

Married father-of-three Dr Martin Lawlor, aged 49, died from injuries sustained in the collision near Ballycurreen, Kinsale Road, close to Cork Airport on December 15, 2018.

His wife, Dr Helen Murphy Lawlor, took the case against taxi driver Denis McSweeney, of Pouladuff Road, Cork City.

Dr Murphy Lawlor alleged that Mr McSweeney collided with Dr Lawlor, was aware of the collision, and then "unjustifiably, recklessly and in full knowledge of the collision, deliberately and callously left the scene without compassion, concern or regard for the condition of Dr Lawlor".

Mr McSweeney was sentenced to four years imprisonment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court in 2021 for the hit-and-run, but this was halved on appeal later that year. He had pleaded guilty to failing to stop his vehicle after an incident, failing to keep it at the scene of an accident, failing to report the incident to gardai, and failing to provide appropriate information.

In High Court papers, Mr McSweeney, who was 75 at the time of his May 2021 appeal, admitted that his vehicle collided with Dr Lawlor, who was walking on the public road at Ballycurreen on December 15, 2018.

He admitted failing to stop after the collision and that Dr Lawlors fatal injuries resulted from the incident. However, Mr McSweeney denied that negligence, breach of duty, or statutory breach caused the collision, as alleged.

Dr Lawlor, a native of Tralee, Co Kerry, lived in Manchester but travelled to Ireland for work.

Dr Murphy Lawlor said her husband was at the peak of his career at the time of his death, working with the HSE and Nua Healthcare, and was renowned and respected for his professional achievements.

The court approved the agreed settlement and ordered the striking out of the case, substituting AXA Insurance for Mr McSweeney, who died in November last year.

Ms Justice Emily Egan granted the plaintiffs costs, with damages to be agreed, describing it as a very, very sad case and offering her condolences to Dr Lawlors family.

Dr Murphy Lawlor, of Stalybridge, Cheshire, UK, was represented by Dr John F OMahony SC, James OMahony SC, and Ray Motherway BL, instructed by Matthew J Nagle & Co.

Mr OMahony thanked the judge for her patience and indulgence and said he was pleased to confirm that the matter had settled and could be struck out.

Ms Justice Egan said she was enormously pleased to hear of the cases resolution. Eamon Murray SC, for the defence, expressed his condolences to Dr Lawlors family.

When sentencing Mr McSweeney, who had no previous convictions, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Sean O Donnabhain described Dr Lawlor as a man of considerable compassion and an exemplar of his profession.

Judge O Donnabhain said he did not accept Mr McSweeneys explanation that he had panicked and attributed his actions to callousness.
A primary school in a growing Cork village has launched a bid to save a teaching post that it lost after families moving to the area were delayed getting their keys.

As of last week, Cloughduv National School lost a developing teaching post after it narrowly missed the quota required by the Department of Education to retain the position.

Some children due to enrol at the school are now expected later in the term, pending the completion and release of new local housing developments.

The village, located in the parish of Kilmurry, has undergone rapid development recently, going from approximately 200 homes to more than 450 within two years.

Parents and students are picketing outside Cloughduv NS this week during mid-term break in a bid to highlight the impact losing a teacher will have on the school community. This includes larger class sizes and increased pressure on staff.

The school is expected to grow to more than 180 students by next September. The number of teachers allocated to a school is approved annually by the Department of Education based on enrolment numbers.

Cloughduv National School is expected to grow to more than 180 students by next September. Picture: Dan Linehan

While schools can request additional resources from the department based on projected enrolments, these are withdrawn if these enrolments do not materialise before the end of September.

According to a department circular, there are "no exceptions" to this requirement.

Following an unsuccessful appeal by the school, which included written confirmation from families that their children would be enrolling at a later stage than the department's deadline, the post was withdrawn last week.

While we respect that circulars must be followed and understand the stringent nature of these guidelines, we are asking for flexibility and understanding in our case, said school principal Stephen OCallaghan.

Cloughduv is a growing community, and our enrolment patterns are directly linked to ongoing housing developments in the area.

Losing this developing post, even temporarily, will place significant strain on our teaching resources and will inevitably impact teaching and learning standards across the school.

Parents and students are picketing outside Cloughduv NS this week during mid-term break in a bid to highlight the impact losing a teacher will have on the school community. Picture: Dan Linehan

"We are appealing for the department to view our situation in context and to allow for the retention of this post, even on a temporary basis, until our confirmed enrolments are fully realised."

Parent Cian O'Leary, whose children attend Cloughduv NS, said the school may be small "but it's growing very fast."

As a parent, I just find it bizarre and frustrating that the department cant have a little bit of understanding and say ok, you didn't hit your numbers, but we can see they are forecasted, and they will be actualised by the end of the year.

There was a shortfall in the numbers because parents have been delayed getting their keys for their homes, so they were unable to move out and have their kids start in the school.

Mr O'Leary has lived in Cloughduv his whole life. "The development in the village has been bananas, in a good way," he said.

"It's been great, but the other side of the situation is that it is a small village and there are infrastructure challenges, the school being one. In time, well be fighting to get additional school buildings and all that type of stuff. At the moment, the priority is to get sufficient teachers to cover what we have.

A spokesman for the Department of Education said schools may appeal to a board where they can provide evidence that the required enrolment will be present by the time the school closes for the Christmas holidays.

"The school appealed under these grounds but did not have sufficient enrolments before Christmas and the decision of the board was to not grant the appeal post."

The staffing of Cloughduv NS will remain as it was last year, he added. "The provisional post granted was an additional post, not one that the school already had."

"The Government remains committed to reducing class sizes and will consider how best to achieve this in the context of the annual budgetary process."
As emergency consultants go, he is "outstanding in his field".

And the same could be said for West Cork's Dr Jason van der Velde's scarecrow doppelganger  with the popular medic posing alongside it for a photocall with a difference this week at the Leap Scarecrow Festival.

The festival has been championing local causes since it was founded 10 years ago by local resident Rita Ryan. What started as a community initiative has since grown into a popular annual Halloween festival with a host of scarecrows created by local groups and individuals.

While designed to make people smile, some have a deeper resonance and aim to raise awareness of many deserving charities.

Kate Crowley, who volunteers with West Cork Rapid Response, an organisation co-founded by Dr van der Velde, said the team took it upon themselves to make a scarecrow in the doctor's likeness.

The festivals standout scarecrows draw crowds to Leap, highlighting the skill and humour of local makers in a celebration that has become a fixture of West Corks autumn calendar.

While the community stalworth was told WCRR put forward a scarecrow, he had no idea it was an effigy of himself.

The scarecrow is part of a wider campaign by WCRR to remind people to know their eircode to help save lives.

Our slogan is 'care, don't scare'. The reality is that nobody wants me to be their doctor. If you see my face it means you are possibly having the worst day of your life. Chances are you have gone into a cardiac arrest or have been in a massive accident.

"However, I don't want people to be alarmed when they see my face because I'm there to 'care, not scare', which is exactly the message we want to get across with this campaign," said Dr van der Velde

He hopes the campaign can help people impacted by life-threatening situations feel more at ease.

"We only turn up at life-and-limb threatening emergencies. This is to highlight that although you are in an emergency, we are there to care for people and we're not as frightening as we look."

He admits the new addition to this year's festival took him by surprise.

"The whole scarecrow thing came about because Betty and Kate, who run our fundraisers, were in touch with the festival. I knew they were entering a scarecrow to raise awareness. I had no idea that scarecrow would be an effigy of me. Even if I had known I don't think I would have objected because anything that raises awareness of this campaign is positive.

"Its also great to be involved in the community because you get to see all the positives too. Just recently I got to meet a little girl who I delivered at the side of the road 10 years ago."

The South African-born consultant has really taken Halloween to his heart since moving to Ireland.

A sinister clown inspired by IT mingles in the crowd, keeping festivalgoers on edge at the Leap Scarecrow Festival.

"It's a lovely time of year that's so unique to rural Ireland. The Scarecrow Festival is particularly special because it highlights initiatives in the locality and what is great about the community."

Luke McCarthy shows off his wild side, fully transformed into a wolf for the Leap Scarecrow Festival.

Little Eala Moloney Lowther, dressed as a pumpkin, practises her circus skills in the churchyard at the Leap Scarecrow Festival.

Ruthann Sheehan, who is co-ordinating this year's festival, said Dr van der Velde's scarecrow was instantly recognisable.

"In the distance, it looks very real so you actually think you are looking at the man himself," she laughed.

"To say that West Cork Rapid Response has had a positive influence on our community would be putting it mildly, so we are so glad to have them involved in the festival.
A Cork-based organisation has won a major international award in Denmark for its solidarity-through-sport initiative.

Sanctuary Runners, founded in 2018 by former journalist Graham Clifford, received the top honour at the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) Awards in Copenhagen  the worlds leading event celebrating sport for social impact.

The group was named the worlds best community sports initiative for refugee integration, recognised for bringing people of all backgrounds together through running and shared activity.

After a global entry call, Sanctuary Runners was named a finalist alongside Cheza Sports Organisation from Uganda and Federation Sportive et Gymnique du Travail, a French group working with children in Palestines West Bank.

Accepting the award, crafted from Lego by local Danish schoolchildren, Mr Clifford paid tribute to the tens of thousands who have joined the Sanctuary Runners over the years.

We started small back in 2018 and thought if we could get a team of 200 people made up of locals and people who have moved to Ireland from other countries in that years Cork City Marathon, it would be mission accomplished  little did we know the appetite for our model, he said.

Since then, the movement has grown to 40 active groups across Ireland, with plans to expand into Britain.

Earlier this month, its Global Solidarity Run saw participants donning the groups signature blue in 100 countries worldwide.

Mr Clifford said the award comes at an important time.

At a time of growing populism, division, and reckless talk  in Ireland and across the world  I think Sanctuary Runners is needed more than ever. We will drive on to create more groups, work with more communities worldwide, and show that a better way is both possible and sensible.

Sanctuary Runners also received a 3,000 prize for winning the award.

The ISCA awards were held as part of the organisations annual Move Congress, which brings together international stakeholders to explore how sport and physical activity can drive social change.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said Cork MEP Billy Kelleher could in hindsight have been a stronger presidential candidate than Jim Gavin.

I would have much preferred if Billy had come to me much earlier and, in hindsight, he could have been a stronger candidate, Mr Martin said.

The Taoiseach said he had not known Mr Kelleher was interested in running for the presidency until August 26.

"I would have preferred if he had rung me to say Im interested, and that did not happen," Mr Martin said.

Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly won the election to become Irelands 10th president, after Fianna Fails candidate, Mr Gavin, withdrew from the race three weeks before polling day.

Mr Martin, who had championed Mr Gavin, apologised to his party for the way its presidential campaign played out.

Speaking on RTEs Today with Claire Byrne, the Taoiseach also rejected claims that he was a top-down leader, describing the suggestion as repugnant and saying it has never been my style.

He denied placing extensive pressure on TDs and senators in the party to back Mr Gavin as the Fianna Fail candidate.

No one had come forward prior to about late August from within the parliamentary party and put the hand up and said they wanted to be candidate, Mr Martin said.

Right throughout May, June and July, we didnt have a candidate from within the parliamentary party.

Mr Martin said no one gets it right all the time, but added that he had accepted responsibility for the campaign. His comments come amid discontent on the Fianna Fail backbenches following the partys disastrous presidential bid.

Some TDs have privately suggested the possibility of a no-confidence motion in Mr Martin, with the signatures of 12 TDs required to initiate it.

Asked about the prospect of a no-confidence motion in his leadership, Mr Martin said he had no idea" where that is at.

Mr Martin reiterated his criticism of Cork East TD James OConnor, first made in an exclusive interview with the Irish Examiner, after Mr OConnor compared the Fianna Fail leader to Louis XIV over the weekend.

I dont think James should have made that comment. I dont think it reflects Micheal Martin, it doesnt reflect me as a person. Those kinds of hurtful comments are unacceptable in my view. Im not that kind of person.

Mr Martin said he was a phone call away from any TD or senator.

The Taoiseach said he believed the result of the presidential election had been a catalyst for some, but that he had also received strong support from others in the parliamentary party.

Questioned about a list of possible rebels reportedly circulated to journalists, Mr Martin denied that any such list came from within the Taoiseachs office.

Absolutely not, absolutely not. No one in my team or anyone working with me has anything to do with lists. People working in the Taoiseachs office are working on policy, theyre working on issues. Thats it, Im not into that, Mr Martin said.





There was renewed anger within the party after reports of the list, which members branded petty and weak.

On the possible candidacy of Bertie Ahern, Mr Martin said he believed such a campaign would have raised issues surrounding the Mahon Tribunal.

I dont know why he would have brought that upon himself, Mr Martin said, adding that he did not detect a groundswell of support for Mr Ahern to be the candidate.

On Bob Geldof, Mr Martin said: Bob came very late.
Romania and its allies will not remain passive witnesses to the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine and will do everything possible to achieve a just and lasting peace, said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Ukraine Alexandru Victor Micula during a reception in Kyiv on the occasion of the Romanian Army Day.

We are in Ukraine and we are thinking of those who are fighting for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity right now, who are standing as a shield to protect democratic societies from the bloodthirsty Moscow autocrats. We are grateful to them for their daily sacrifice, the diplomat stressed.

According to him, Romania and its partners are obliged to these heroes and their families to do everything possible to establish a just peace for Ukraine  a peace that cannot be a reward for the aggressor and must ensure justice for the victims of this illegal and unjustified aggression.

Mikula expressed his deep gratitude to the Ukrainian military personnel and their families, especially those of Romanian origin, who live in daily anxiety for their loved ones. Many families already know that their heroes will not return home. Among them are the families of Ukrainians and Romanians who gave their lives defending Ukraine. But even those who are waiting for news about the missing do not lose hope. This is a true manifestation of courage and strength of spirit, the ambassador noted.

Also during the event, the Romanian Naval and Air Attache to Ukraine, Colonel Cristi Ladaniuc, emphasized that Romanian Army Day is not only a tribute to national heroes, but also a symbol of Romanias unwavering commitment to peace and security in the region. From the first day of Russias unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine, Romania has played an important role in supporting Kyiv in all areas of assistance, Colonel Ladaniuk noted.

He stressed that Romania is actively involved in the training of Ukrainian military personnel within the Eumam and Interflex programs, and that Bucharest will continue to coordinate with Ukrainian partners to identify new training opportunities according to needs.

The attache also drew attention to the establishment of the European F-16 Training Center in Romania, where Ukrainian pilots are already participating in flight programs. This project demonstrates what we can achieve together  through partnership, strategic decisions and joint efforts for our common goals, he emphasized.

Romania, he said, will also continue its participation in the Maritime Capabilities Coalition, providing maritime security training (MRTH) on its territory and contributing to the training of Ukrainian marines within the framework of existing programs.

At the same time, he stressed that Romania, in accordance with a political decision at the highest level, is ready to provide logistical support to future peacekeeping forces, but will not consider the possibility of deploying its military on Ukrainian territory (no boots on the ground).

Ukraine and Romania established diplomatic relations on February 1, 1992. The Embassy of Ukraine in Romania was opened in Bucharest in 1992, and the Embassy of Romania in Ukraine in Kyiv in 1993. Both countries are members of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and actively cooperate in the areas of defense, energy, border management, and support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.
US President Donald Trump described his face-to-face with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday as a roaring success, saying he would cut tariffs on China, while Beijing had agreed to allow the export of rare earth elements and start buying American soybeans.

The president told reporters aboard Air Force One that the US would lower tariffs implemented earlier this year as punishment on China for its selling of chemicals used to make fentanyl from 20% to 10%.

That brings the total combined tariff rate on China down from 57% to 47%

Mr Trump said: I guess on the scale from zero to 10, with ten being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12. I think it was a 12.

Mr Trump said that he would go to China in April and Mr Xi would go to the US some time after that.

The president said they also discussed the export of more advanced computer chips to China, saying that Nvidia would be in talks with Chinese officials.

Mr Trump said he could sign a trade deal with China pretty soon.

I guess on the scale from zero to 10, with ten being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12. I think it was a 12

Mr Xi said Washington and Beijing would work to finalise their agreements to provide peace of mind to both countries and the rest of the world, according to a report on the meeting distributed by state media.

Both sides should take the long-term perspective into account, focusing on the benefits of co-operation rather than falling into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation, he said.

Despite Mr Trumps optimism after a meeting with Mr Xi in South Korea, there continues to be the potential for major tensions between the worlds two largest economies.

Both nations are seeking dominant places in manufacturing, developing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and shaping world affairs like Russias war in Ukraine.

Mr Trumps aggressive use of tariffs since returning to the White House for a second term, combined with Chinas retaliatory limits on exports of rare earth elements, gave the meeting newfound urgency.

There is a mutual recognition that neither side wants to risk blowing up the world economy in ways that could jeopardise their own countrys fortunes.

When they were seated at the start of the meeting, Mr Xi read prepared remarks that stressed a willingness to work together despite differences.

It is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then

Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other, he said through a translator. It is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then.

There was a slight difference in translation as Chinas Xinhua News Agency reported Mr Xi as telling Mr Trump that having some differences is inevitable.

The leaders met in Busan, South Korea, a port city about 47 miles south from Gyeongju, the main venue for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit.

In the days leading up to the meeting, US officials signalled that Mr Trump did not intend to make good on a recent threat to impose an additional 100% import tax on Chinese goods, and China showed signs it was willing to relax its export controls on rare earths and also buy soybeans from America.

Officials from both countries met earlier this week in Kuala Lumpur to lay the groundwork for their leaders.

Afterwards, Chinas top trade negotiator, Li Chenggang, said they had reached a preliminary consensus, a statement affirmed by US treasury secretary Scott Bessent, who said there was a very successful framework.

Shortly before the meeting on Thursday, Mr Trump posted on Truth Social that the meeting would be the G2, a recognition of America and Chinas status as the worlds biggest economies.

The US and Chinese leaders spoke by phone, discussing trade, Taiwan and Ukraine (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

The Group of Seven and Group of 20 are other forums of industrialised nations.

But while those summits often happen at luxury spaces, this meeting took place in humbler surroundings.

Mr Trump and Mr Xi met in a small grey building with a blue roof on a military base adjacent to Busans international airport.

The anticipated detente has given investors and businesses caught between the two nations a sense of relief.

The US stock market has climbed on the hopes of a trade framework coming out of the meeting.

Mr Trump has outward confidence that the grounds for a deal are in place, but previous negotiations with China this year in Geneva, Switzerland and London had a start-stop quality to them.

The initial promise of progress has repeatedly given way to both countries seeking a better position against the other.

The US and China have each shown they believe they have levers to pressure the other, and the past year has demonstrated that tentative steps forward can be short-lived.

For Trump, that pressure comes from tariffs.

China had faced new tariffs this year totalling 30%, of which 20% were tied to its role in fentanyl production.

But the tariff rates have been volatile. In April, he announced plans to raise the rate on Chinese goods to 145%, only to abandon those plans as markets recoiled.

Then, on October 10, Mr Trump threatened a 100% import tax because of Chinas rare earth restrictions.

That figure, including past tariffs, would now be 47% effective immediately, Mr Trump told reporters on Thursday.

Mr Xi has his own chokehold on the world economy because China is the top producer and processor of the rare earth minerals needed to make fighter jets, robots, electric vehicles and other high-tech products.

China had tightened export restrictions on October 9, repeating a cycle in which each nation jockeys for an edge only to back down after more trade talks.

What might also matter is what happens directly after their talks.

Mr Trump plans to return to Washington, while Mr Xi plans to stay on in South Korea to meet regional leaders during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which officially begins on Friday.
Israels military said on Thursday that Palestinian militants handed over two coffins containing the remains of dead hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza.

Militants had previously returned the remains of 15 hostages since the start of the ceasefire, with 13 more still to be recovered.
Ukraine received $177 million from the World Bank within two reform support projects: $147 million  under the SURGE project "Supporting Reconstruction through Smart Fiscal Governance" and $30 million  under the THRIVE project "Transforming Healthcare through Reform and Investments in Efficiency."

As the Ministry of Finance reported on Thursday, the funds received were credited to the general fund of the state budget.

The Ministry of Finance noted that by the end of the year Ukraine expects to receive an additional $249 million within the SURGE project and $17.5 million  within the THRIVE project.

Both projects are implemented through the Program-for-Results (PforR) financing instrument, which provides funding contingent on the achievement of specific performance indicators.

The SURGE project has been implemented in Ukraine since 2024. Within its framework, the World Bank has made agreements with Ukraine worth over $1 billion, including providing $10 million in grant funds. The projects primary objective is to ensure the effective management of public investments. Ukraine has fulfilled several conditions to receive the next tranche, including approving a single portfolio of public investment projects for 2026-2028, adopting methodological recommendations for assessing these projects environmental impact, and confirming the implementation of the State Tax Services Anti-Corruption Program.

Launched in 2024, the THRIVE project aims to improve the effectiveness of the Health Guarantee Program and strengthen the healthcare system. The total funding amount is $1.2 billion, with $449 million in loan agreements and $5 million in grant agreements signed.

An additional $30 million has been received in advance to support further reform of the Health Guarantee Program. These funds will strengthen the National Health Service of Ukraines capacity to monitor medical institution activities and improve the quality of medical services.
Human Rights Watch  (Nairobi)  Dozens of videos posted on social media in recent days show Rapid Support Forces (RSF) carrying out extrajudicial killings and other serious violations against people fleeing North Darfurs capital, El Fasher, Human Rights Watch said today.

Thousands of people are leaving following the RSF takeover of the city on October 26, 2025. The takeover is the culmination of the 18-month siege of the city and relentless attacks by the armed group that triggered famine in displacement camps in and around the city. The unlawful attacks on fleeing people raise alarm over the fate of the tens of thousands of civilians who, as of last week, remained in the city.

The horrific images from El Fasher bear the hallmarks of the Rapid Support Forces record of mass atrocities, said Federico Borello, interim executive director at Human Rights Watch. If the world doesnt act urgently, civilians will bear the full brunt of more heinous crimes. The RSFs backers, notably the United Arab Emirates, should press its leaders to rein in their forces, while global leaders should take robust measures against the RSF leadership.

The United Nations Security Council should urgently act to prevent further atrocities, Human Rights Watch said. Officials from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE, known as the Quad, who recently gathered in Washington, DC, should make clear that the RSF leadership will be held to account, including through immediate asset freezes and travel bans.

On October 26, reports began to circulate that the RSF had taken over the military garrison hosting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) 6th infantry division of El Fasher and the citys airport. The RSF already controls all other major cities in the Darfur region.

In recent months, the RSF had dug a trench and built a sand berm encircling the city, and RSF fighters have largely prevented traders and aid groups from reaching the city, leaving civilians to resort to eating animal fodder. The medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) reported that 75 percent of the 165 children under 5 it screened from El Fasher on October 18 and 19 were acutely malnourished.

Local responders and media reported a spike in drone strikes since September which killed and injured civilians. On October 15, an activist told Human Rights Watch that he had survived a drone attack that day that killed two civilians and injured two others.

Civilians fleeing El Fasher have faced serious abuses along the way, including rape, pillaging, and killings.

These abuses escalated with the RSF victory. Videos circulating on social media since October 26, analyzed and verified by Human Rights Watch, show RSF fighters celebrating over large numbers of dead men and women, both in uniform and civilian clothes, executing apparent civilians, and taunting, abusing, and killing severely injured people.

Human Rights Watch geolocated eight videos filmed next to the berm encircling the city, roughly 8 kilometers northwest of El Fasher. One video, filmed from atop the berm, shows dozens of bodies, some in military fatigues, in the trench below. In another video, an RSF fighter wearing a white scarf crouches next to a man in civilian clothing with a bandage on his upper right leg lying on the ground. As the man begs for mercy, the fighter says, I will have no mercy on you  we are here to kill. Then the fighter stands and shoots the man five times with an AK-pattern rifle. In another video filmed around the berm, an RSF fighter is heard shouting, We wont give guarantees to prisoners.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk warned on October 27 that the risk of further large-scale, ethnically motivated violations and atrocities in El Fasher is mounting by the day. His office said that hundreds of fleeing people had reportedly been detained. The RSF detained a journalist, Muhammar Ibrahim, on October 26.

The RSF has a track record of carrying out mass atrocities against civilians in the aftermath of military victories. Human Rights Watch had documented in June 2023 that the RSF and its allies opened fire on a kilometers-long convoy of civilians and Sudanese Armed Forces and allied armed groups fighters fleeing West Darfurs capital, El Geneina, killing large numbers. In November 2023, the RSF killed hundreds of civilians in Ardamata, a suburb of El Geneina, the last haven for ethnic Massalit, following its takeover of the army garrison there. Human Rights Watch concluded that the RSF had carried out crimes against humanity and widespread war crimes as part of a campaign of ethnic cleansing targeting the Massalit and other non-Arab populations of El Geneina. The context and the widespread, ethnically targeted nature of the killings, also raise the possibility that the killings were acts of genocide.

In April 2025, as international actors prepared to hold a conference on Sudan in London, the RSF carried out a large-scale attack on the Zamzam displacement camp, 15 kilometers south of El Fasher.

The RSF has ignored repeated calls by the security council to end its siege on El Fasher.

The RSFs takeover of El Fasher took place as informal talks between the warring parties were reportedly underway in Washington, DC, under the auspices of the Quad. In September, the Quad called on warring parties to implement a humanitarian truce for an initial three months, to allow humanitarian assistance in throughout the country.

Since the conflicts onset, UN experts as well as international media and organizations have reported that the RSF, despite its heinous human rights track record, receives military support from the UAE. Human Rights Watch and France 24 documented that the RSF used arms previously in the possession of the UAE military. International and Colombian media have reported that a UAE-based company recruited and deployed former Colombian military personnel to Darfur to train RSF fighters and fight on their side. Social media videos verified and geolocated by Human Rights Watch show Spanish-speaking foreign fighters engaged in heavy gunfights in El Fasher.



File photo of Darfur. Public Domain. Via Wikimedia Commons.

The security council should immediately meet with and hear from Sudanese people directly affected by the events in El Fasher and impose sanctions on the RSF leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as Hemedti), and his brother, Abdel Raheem Hamdan Dagalo, the RSFs deputy commander, for serious violations of international humanitarian law. Abdel Raheem was in Ardamata during large-scale abuses against civilians and around El Fasher, mobilizing forces, ahead of the decisive attack on the Zamzam camp.

The European Union, the United Kingdom, and other countries should urgently impose targeted sanctions on both men. The UAE should immediately use its leverage to demand the RSF end their attacks against civilians.

The international community needs to make clear to the RSF leadership that its attacks on civilians will have serious consequences, Borello said. The UN Security Council and key states should act immediately against this criminal conduct, including by sanctioning the RSF leadership.

Via Human Rights Watch
Trump says China will cooperate with USA to end war in Ukraine

US President Donald Trump said that China has agreed to cooperate in ending the war in Ukraine. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One following talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

"We talked about Ukraine for a long time. Were going to work together to get something done. We agreed that the sides locked in, fighting. And sometimes you have to let them fight, I guess. Crazy. But hell help us and well work together on Ukraine," Trump said.

Asked whether he discussed the purchase of Russian oil with Xi Jinping, Trump said no.
By Ben L Murphy, University of Liverpool

(The Conversation)  The UNs top court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), demanded that Israel allow aid into Gaza in an advisory opinion on October 22. It held that Israel is in breach of its obligations as a UN member state by having failed to do so adequately over the past two years.

The opinion was requested ten months ago by the UN general assembly after Israels parliament banned the UN Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) from operating in territories occupied by the country. Unrwa has long played a pivotal role in delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians.

In its verdict, the ICJ unanimously reaffirmed that the use of starvation as a method of warfare is prohibited under international law. The court also ordered Israel, by ten votes to one, to agree to and facilitate humanitarian relief in Gaza provided by the UN and its entities.

This aspect of the opinion should be celebrated. The precarious ceasefire in Gaza has not been accompanied by a simultaneous influx of aid. Conditions of famine, destitution and death continue to define the day-to-day experience of those living in Gaza.

However, some observers will be sceptical about whether the ICJs advisory opinion will have any tangible impact. A collection of judicial and institutional pronouncements on the illegality of Israels conduct in Gaza over the past two years has fallen on deaf ears.

These include the ICJs January 2024 order for Israel to take all measures to prevent genocide in Gaza, which a recent UN human rights council commission of inquiry report concluded it is committing.

The International Criminal Court also has outstanding arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant. Issued for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza, these warrants have not been enforced.

The ICJs recent opinion will be added to this list. Israel did not participate in the oral proceedings for the opinion, and in a post on social media immediately after the verdict, the countrys foreign ministry stated that it categorically rejects the courts findings.

UN falling short

In its advisory opinion, the ICJ held that Israel has an obligation to cooperate in good faith with the United Nations by providing every assistance in any action it takes. Here, the court was referring to action by Unrwa to assist Palestinians in Gaza. But this statement should prompt consideration of other types of action the UN has failed to take over the past two years of war.

As the ICJ said in its recent verdict, self-determination for the Palestinian people should include the right to an independent and sovereign state. However, Palestine continues to be denied full UN membership  a key element of statehood.

In May 2024, a majority of states in the UN general assembly determined that Palestine qualified for membership in accordance with the UN charter. But, despite only nine states voting against the resolution from a total of 193, Palestine was not granted membership.

This was a result of the UNs dysfunctional structure. The five permanent members of the UN security council (China, France, Russia, the UK and US), the organ that is tasked with maintaining international peace and security, have veto power to block a resolution from being adopted.



Photo of Palestine by Emad El Byed on Unsplash

And as Israels strongest military and diplomatic backer, the US has used its veto power continuously to defend Israeli interests. As long as Israel effectively wields a proxy veto at the security council through its alliance with the US, the UNs ability to take action in support of the Palestinian people will be restricted and this never-ending loop will continue.

Judicial and institutional pronouncements on Israels conduct can have a broader cumulative effect in the pursuit of the realisation of Palestinian self-determination. A timely pronouncement can also be an important rhetorical tool in the quest for concrete goals, such as the reopening of humanitarian routes in Gaza.

But it is important to be aware of the fact that the UN is not a neutral arbiter of rights and obligations. In its current form, which allows members of the security council to block resolutions based on their own national interests, it is complicit in the current humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.

Ben L Murphy, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Liverpool

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The number of civilians injured in the massive missile and drone attack by the Russians on Zaporizhia has increased to thirteen, Regional Military Administration chief Ivan Fedorov has said on Telegram.

"Already 13 wounded - residents of Zaporizhia, injured as a result of the enemy attack, continue to seek help from doctors. People have an acute reaction to stress, lacerations, contusions, bruises and fractures. All victims are provided with the necessary medical care," Fedorov wrote in Telegram.

Earlier, he reported that the occupiers hit Zaporizhia with at least 20 UAVs and eight missiles.

In the Zaporizhia region, one person was injured in the Hulyaipole community due to an first-person view drone attack, Fedorov added as of 08:54 on Thursday.
A political refugee welcomed by Sweden twelve years ago, Mahmoud Sweidan, suspected of war crimes committed in 2012 and 2013 in Yarmouk, in the southern suburbs of Damascus, is currently on trial in Stockholm. Will he be the next on the already long list of Syrians convicted by a Swedish court? Or, as his lawyer intends to prove, is he the innocent victim of a smear campaign led by Syrian opposition activists?

Of the 21 judgments handed down since 2006 by Swedish courts in cases of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, 11 dealt with acts committed in Syria - including seven in the last three years alone, which resulted in three acquittals and four convictions. The most recent one, handed out on July 31, concerned a former member of ISIS, a who was a Swedish national of Syrian origin, and got sentenced to life imprisonment for participating in the execution of a Jordanian pilot, burnt alive in 2014. Another trial has just ended before the Svea Court of Appeal in Stockholm against a 52-year-old woman convicted in the first instance for genocide and crimes against humanity perpetrated against Yazidis in 2015 in Raqqa, Syria. The verdict will be handed down on 11 November 2025.

For the purposes of this new trial, which began at the end of October and will last until March 2026, the court in Solna, in the northwestern suburbs of the Swedish capital, has moved to the Stockholm courts secured courtroom number 2. The nature of the suspect, the charges, the witnesses, and the civil parties has prompted the court to exercise renewed caution.

In the basement of the court, the room is divided in two. The upper third, with three rows of seats, is reserved for the public. On the other side of a reinforced glass partition that divides the room in two, the presiding judge and the court face the public. Seated directly in front of them is the defendant, wearing a light grey hooded sweatshirt, bald but sporting a long grey-white beard that falls to his chest. To his left are his two lawyers. A little further to the left, in the same row, is the lawyer representing most of the 13 civil parties. To the right of the president sit the two prosecutors, and sometimes, behind them, the police officers who conducted the investigation. One or two interpreters take turns. There are no windows, and the furniture is made of light wood, Scandinavian style.

And the crimes of the Assad regime are displayed in this sterile atmosphere.

Accused of participating in the repression

Born in 1970 in Yarmouk, a camp created in 1957 south of Damascus to accommodate Palestinian refugees after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, Sweidan is accused of participating, as a member or associate of a Palestinian militia loyal to the Assad regime, in a deadly shooting on 13 July 2012. During this shooting, a dozen people were killed and several others were wounded by gunfire.

Sweidan is also accused of participating for several months in maintaining the northern checkpoint on Al Battikha Square, at the edge of the camp, where, as lead prosecutor Ulrika Bentelius Egelrud states, thanks to his good knowledge of Yarmouk and its inhabitants, he participated in the identification and control of civilians and thus denounced civilians to security services so that they could be arrested for disloyalty to the Syrian regime, which led to their deprivation of liberty. At this checkpoint, many Syrians were victims of disappearances.

During the first days of the trial, prosecutors took turns exposing the Syrian security apparatus under former President Bashar al-Assad, the methods used to terrorize opponents or suspected opponents, the conditions of arrest and incarceration, the widespread use of extreme violence as a means of silencing relatives, and the arsenal of torture systematically deployed on detainees. A procession of humiliation, rape, and sadism that reveals the unbearable fate of thousands of prisoners crammed together without being able to sit down, ravaged by disease and insects, left in their own excrement, in absolute distress, with no hope of salvation.

2012 was the worst year in Syria

At the hearing, prosecutors cite reports from international organizations and NGOs. They refer to photos taken by the Syrian photographer known by the pseudonym Caesar, who, after taking thousands of photos of the bodies of tortured Syrians on behalf of the Syrian security services, managed to smuggle them to France, where he now lives.

The indictment also details the actions of Branch 235 of Syrian military intelligence, also known as the Palestinian Branch. According to Amnesty International, the Palestine Branch 235 was responsible, among other things, for the arrest of Palestinians in Syria and the abduction and transfer of Palestinians from Lebanon to Syria.

Prosecutors take turns describing the extreme violence used by the Syrian services against prisoners. 155,604 people have been imprisoned since the beginning of the events, of whom more than 17,000 are believed to have been killed and at least 98,279 are still missing. 2012 was the worst year, says prosecutor Egelrud.

Finally, she described the massacre in Tadamon, a neighbourhood near the Palestinian camp, on 16 April 2013, with photos and videos to support her account, the mass grave where prisoners were brought blindfolded, handcuffed, thrown onto tires, and executed with Kalashnikovs before the men of Branch 235 covered them with more tires and furniture and set them on fire. With, she said, always the executioners obsession with documenting and filming everything.

None of the cases cited are related to my client

In the middle of the morning, on the third and final day of the prosecutions presentation of the facts, Mahmoud Sweidans lawyer, Sargon de Basso, interrupted the prosecutor. None of the cases cited in these reports can be linked to my client. Do these reports cite any of the civilian parties in this trial?

Formally, no, admitted the prosecutor. It is the method we are looking at.

The lawyer continued: You are reviewing all the charges brought against the regime and placing them on my clients shoulders. It would be good to make the distinction, so that the jury is not influenced by the regimes actions when it comes to judging my client.

Without wishing to minimize the difficulties involved in the investigation, the prosecutor said to Justice Info after the hearing, it should be noted that in this type of case, the alleged crime scene cannot be inspected or visited, some of the people to be questioned cannot be reached, and the alleged acts date back a relatively long time.

Ingrid Elovsson, the lawyer representing the 13 civil parties, spoke only to explain the legal context of possible reparations during these initial hearings. Knowing that it is impossible to know how a Syrian judge would have judged and assessed compensation, especially given the lack of legal certainty in Syria, I therefore turned to Swedish practice, she said, adding that it will be up to the Swedish judge to estimate the damages, if any.

My client was not in Syria

Two days later, when it was his turn to present his version of events, De Basso tried to dismantle the case point by point. The Swedish authorities requested information from reputable organizations, such as [the NGO Commission for International Justice & Accountability] CIJA and the United Nations body IIMP. However, they replied that there was nothing to confirm the suspicions against my client, he said.

Those who refer to Mahmoud Sweidan, the lawyer argued, are activist media outlets. A multitude of accusations have been made against my client in pro-opposition circles, but they can be dismissed because my client was not in Syria at the time he allegedly committed serious crimes in that country.

It is not the investigation itself that we are criticizing, De Basso told Justice Info, but the decision to prosecute my client. All suspicions should have been dropped when it became clear that the sources were motivated by activism rather than legal certainty. There is no objective evidence to support the allegations that my client committed a crime, the lawyer insisted.

The hearing of the civil parties will begin on 5 November 2025.
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Russian forces launched a massive air strike on the Dobrotvirska thermal power plant (TPP), a coal-fired plant in Ukraine, in Lviv region on Thursday morning, Lviv City Council member Ihor Zinkevych has said.

"In the Lviv region: The strike on the Dobrotvirska TPP caused damage to critical infrastructure, a fire," he wrote on Telegram.

Hourly power outages were introduced in Lviv on Thursday.

As is known from open sources, the Dobrotvirska TPP (formerly the Lviv-Volynska state district power plant) is a thermal power plant in Dobrotvir (Sheptytsky district) with a design capacity of 510 MW, and is a structural unit of JSC DTEK Zakhidenergo.

Dobrotvir is a city in Ukraine, the administrative center of the Dobrotvir settlement community of Sheptytsky district of Lviv region. The population is 6,683 people. Dobrotvir is located 55 km from Lviv.
The popular Korean revenge series "Taxi Driver" is officially returning. Following a peak national viewership of 21%, the show comes back for its third season  with even bigger scale and intensity.

SBS confirmed, as reported by Allkpop, that "Taxi Driver Season 3" will air on November 21, continuing the tale of the vigilante group from Rainbow Taxi Company who bring justice to where the system has failed.

In the just-released teaser, old themes of revenge and redemption come out. A strong line from CEO Jang, an actor played by Kim Eui Sung, is heard once more:

"Don't die. Let's take revenge together."

The line heralds the return of Rainbow Transport's quest to restore victims' dignity.

As reported by Wikitree, the new season expands its narrative beyond Korea. The trailer hints at a collaboration with Interpol, with Kim Do Gi (Lee Jae Hoon) seen participating in an international joint operation. The story will focus on tackling global human trafficking and illegal private loan organizations, showing the team's evolution into a worldwide force against injustice.

READ MORE: 'Taxi Driver' Cast Update 2024: Who Will Return in Season 3?

One teaser scene also showcases the series' high production level. Having busted an illegal gambling syndicate in Vietnam earlier, "Taxi Driver 3" goes further into cross-border crimes, delving into topics such as illegal loan sharks, human trafficking, and foreign job scams.

At the heart of the narrative is still Lee Jae Hoon, whose acting of Kim Do Gi continues to define the franchise. He is back with his signature bare-fisted fighting and high-speed car chases, assuring enhanced action scenes and more complex undercover operations.

Returning with him are veteran cast members Kim Eui Sung, Pyo Ye Jin, Jang Hyuk Jin, and Bae Yoo Ram. The Rainbow Transport team must endure its riskiest mission yet  one that will challenge their loyalty and reveal secrets about their company.

The teaser concludes with a poignant phrase: "The beginning and the end of Taxi Driver."

The statement is intentionally ambiguous, suggesting possible climactic developments  or possibly signalling the end of Kim Do Gi and his team's story.

The show, known for portraying relevant, real-world social issues such as school violence, cults, and cyber sex crimes, still holds appeal for younger audiences, as it is exciting and imbued with a moral force and social justice.

While we wait, "Taxi Driver 3" is again set to be the preeminent revenge drama in Korea, combining social issues, sensational action, and emotive drama into one captivating narrative.

READ MORE: 'Taxi Driver 2' Episode 15: Lee Je Hoon Goes Head-to-Head With Shin Jae Ha






Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - Pastor Robert Burale has suffered a legal setback in his ongoing Ksh 20 million defamation suit against his ex-wife, Rozinah Mwakideu, and her brother, media personality Alex Mwakideu.

A Nairobi court has declined to order the removal of the viral YouTube interview in which Rozinah described her marriage to Burale as a big mistake.

The interview, hosted on Alexs channel titled My Biggest Mistake Was Marrying Robert Burale, was uploaded on October 4th, 2025, and quickly gained traction online, and has so far amassed over 800,000 views.

Rozinah alleged emotional neglect and financial strain, and claimed to have accessed Burales personal documents, which she said revealed troubling details during their brief marriage.

Burale dismissed the claims as false and malicious, arguing that they were intended to damage his reputation and credibility as a preacher and motivational speaker.

He also accused Alex of professional negligence for failing to verify the allegations before publishing the video and encouraging viewers to share widely.

Seeking legal redress, Burale filed an application at Milimani Commercial Courts, asking for the video to be pulled down and deleted from all platforms and Ksh 20M compensation.

However, Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki ruled that the court could not interfere with content already published before the full hearing.

While the takedown request was denied, the court issued interim orders barring Rozinah and Alex from making further comments or reposts related to the video.

The clip remains online, but the legal battle is far from over.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - Residents of Githotua Ward in Ruiru are living in fear following a surge in criminal activities by a notorious gang operating on motorbikes.

In the latest incident, CCTV footage from a nearby building captured the terrifying moment when a lady was attacked and robbed by two thugs along the Ruiru-Kamiti Road.

The victim was heading home from work when the armed gang ambushed her, snatched her belongings, and sped off on their motorbike, leaving her shaken and screaming for help.

A concerned resident revealed that the gang mostly targets youths returning home late at night, especially those working in a nearby call centre.

Locals are now urging the police to intensify night patrols and restore security in the area before the situation worsens.





Watch the footage below.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - Detectives have arrested two key suspects believed to be part of a four-member gang that has been terrorizing motorists and truck drivers along the busy Thika-Nyeri and Thika-Embu Highways.

The arrests follow a coordinated operation by detectives drawn from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, the Operations Assist Team, and DCI Gatanga after a series of violent robberies targeting goods' transporters.

The operation was launched in response to two similar robbery cases reported at Kutus and Wanguru Police Stations, where drivers were ambushed by men posing as police officers.

The gang, often dressed in jungle fatigues and reflector jackets, flagged down lorries under the guise of routine checks before assaulting drivers, handcuffing them, and locking them in car trunks.

The stolen vehicles and goods would then be driven away and empty lorries later abandoned.

One major incident occurred on October 8th, when a driver ferrying 450 bales of Raha Premium maize flour from Jomax Millers Limited to Nairobi was attacked and dumped miles away.

The vehicle was later found abandoned in Njiru, Nairobi, stripped of its cargo.

Days later, the same gang attempted to rob another Jomax Millers truck, this time posing as Kenya Revenue Authority officials.

The vigilant driver, aware of the earlier attack, managed to escape.

In another related case, a truck driver transporting KSh 5.4 million worth of Colgate products from Nairobi to Embu was similarly attacked and left stranded in Ndarugu- Witeithie.

Detectives from Mwea East later traced the stolen goods to a building in Embu, confirming the syndicates wider network.

After days of forensic analysis and surveillance, the suspects luck ran out.

On October 24th, a sting operation led to the arrest of Festus Kandiki Kanyaru in Ruiru.

He confessed to being part of the gang and identified his three accomplices, revealing that they sold 400 bales of maize flour to a businessman in Eastleigh.

His associate, Bundi Stanley Kaumbiri, alias Bamu, was arrested the next day at his miraa shop in South B.

A follow-up search at a house in Pipeline recovered items believed to be used in the crimes - including toy pistols, military fatigues, handcuffs, and a Maasai whip.

Both suspects were arraigned where detectives were granted 14 days to finalize investigations.

In a new development today, three more individuals, Khalid Abdirahman Mohammed, Shueb Ahmed Hussein, and Yusuf Nur Abdullahi were arrested in Eastleigh for handling the stolen maize flour. Detectives recovered two bales of the consignment from a store in the area. The suspects are in custody awaiting arraignment.

Detectives have intensified the search for two more gang members - it is just a matter of time before they are brought to justice.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is urging transporters and drivers to remain vigilant and to immediately report any suspicious individuals posing as law enforcement officers along major highways.
Zelenskyy: Russia uses more than 650 drones, 50 missiles in latest attack on Ukraine

During the attack on Thursday night, the Russian Federation used more than 650 drones and 50 missiles of various types, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"Emergency and rescue operations are underway in many of our regions after the Russian night attack. A complex combined strike: the enemy used more than 650 drones and more than fifty missiles of various types, including ballistics and aeroballistics. Many were shot down, but, unfortunately, there are hits," Zelenskyy said on Telegram on Thursday morning.

The president noted that dozens of victims are known, including five children as a result of the strike on Zaporizhia, and that two more people died.

In addition, a 7-year-old boy was injured in Ladyzhyn.

"There were also many vile attacks on the energy sector and ordinary life in the regions: Vinnytsia, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Cherkasy, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv, Sumy, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv. All necessary services have been involved, we must try to restore energy and water supply as quickly as possible wherever it is currently absent," the president said.

He stressed that Ukraine is counting on sanctions and pressure on the Russian Federation from the United States, Europe and the G7 countries.

"New steps are needed in pressure: on the Russian oil and gas industry and finances, secondary sanctions on those who sponsor this war," Zelenskyy said.




Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - A dramatic scene unfolded at a popular hotel in Bungoma owned by renowned Political Analyst and seasoned journalist, David Makali, after a furious man stormed the premises and accused Makali of having an affair with his wife.

The enraged husband confronted Makali in front of shocked patrons, claiming he had uncovered evidence of an illicit relationship between his wife and the media personality.







He alleged that after growing suspicious of his wifes behavior, he decided to go through her phone, only to discover private messages and call logs linking her to Makali.

Unable to contain his anger, the man rushed to Maritini Hotel, an establishment owned by Makali and set up in 2022, where he claims the two have been meeting for secret escapades.

The dramatic confrontation quickly turned chaotic as the man hurled accusations and caused a scene.

Some men at the hotel were seen trying to calm him down without success.

In the viral video of the incident, one man is heard shouting Vaa nguo! (Put on clothes!) after the distraught husband did the unthinkable in the heat of the moment.

Watch the video of the dramatic confrontation HERE>>>






Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - A Somali woman went on a rampage, destroying household items after learning that her husband had secretly married a second wife.

In the viral video, the visibly furious woman can be seen breaking furniture, electronics, and other household items, all while shouting in anger and disbelief.

According to reports, the husband had recently travelled upcountry, where he allegedly tied the knot with a younger woman, and upon returning home, his first wife found out the secret plans.

Unable to contain her fury, she unleashed her wrath, accusing her husband of betrayal and humiliation.

Social media users have had mixed reactions to the clip, with some sympathizing with her emotional outburst, while others argued she should have handled the situation calmly.

Polygamy isnt for everyone - some people just cant take it, one user commented.

She destroyed everything, but her pain is valid. Betrayal hurts deeply, another added.

Watch the video.

Alioa bibi wa pili bila kuniambia pic.twitter.com/MtcSowkUUR  DAILY POST  (@dailypost_ke) October 29, 2025

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, October 29, 2025 - A Kikuyu lady identified as Nancy Wanjru has sparked an online debate after declaring that she cannot date a man who doesnt drink.

Reacting to a post praising men who live clean, healthy lifestyles, Nancy humorously shared her own perspective.





Mwanaume hakunywi is a big NO!

What will you be doing on Friday nights?

Go drink with your boys ukuje Saturday hata.

Let me sleep and have the bed to myself , she wrote.

Her candid take has amused many Kenyans online, sparking a flurry of reactions.

Despite a section of netizens warning her about being cheated on, she was not moved.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
623 enemy targets out of 705 shot down/suppressed, direct hits of 16 missiles and 63 strike UAVs at 20 locations

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/

Ukrainian Defense Forces neutralized 623 targets out of 705 enemy air attack vehicles on the night of Thursday, recording direct hits of 16 missiles and 63 strike UAVs at 20 locations, and downed aircraft (fragments) fell at 19 locations in various regions of Ukraine, the Air Force said.

"On the night of October 30 (from 19:00 on October 29), the enemy launched a combined strike on critical infrastructure facilities of Ukraine using strike UAVs, air-, ground- and sea-based missiles. In total, the Air Force radio-technical troops detected and tracked 705 air attack vehicles - 52 missiles (nine of them - "ballistic") and 653 UAVs of various types (about 400 of them - "shaheeds")," the message on Telegram says.

According to preliminary data, as of 11:30, air defense systems shot down/suppressed 623 air targets: 592 out of 653 Shahed, Gerbera attack UAVs (drones of other types), seven out of eight Kaliber cruise missiles, one of two Iskander-K cruise missiles; 21 of 30 Kh-101 cruise missiles and two out of two Kh-59/69 guided aircraft missiles.

The Defense Forces air defense system failed to neutralize four Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles, five Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles, and one Kh-31P guided aircraft missile.

Thus, the effectiveness of air defense against UAVs was 90.66%, against Caliber missiles - 87.5%, against Iskander-K missiles - 50%, against Kh-101 cruise missiles - 70%.

The overall effectiveness of air defense that night was 88.37%.

The previous massive raid was carried out on October 22, when the Russian occupation forces launched a combined strike on the critical infrastructure of Ukraine, using 433 air attack vehicles, shooting down or suppressing 349 enemy targets, hitting 12 missiles and 55 strike UAVs at 26 locations, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

The most massive strike was carried out by the occupiers on September 7 using strike UAVs and ground-based missiles. The Air Force radiotechnical troops detected and tracked 818 Russian air attack vehicles, and the air defense system shot down and suppressed 751 air targets. Nine missiles and 56 attack UAVs were recorded hitting 37 locations, with debris falling in eight locations.
THE CLANARD Court Hotel in Athy has once again cemented its reputation as one of Irelands top wedding destinations, taking home the coveted Wedding Hotel of the Year 2025 title at the Irish Hotel Awards, held on Monday 20 October at The Johnstown Estate in Enfield, Co Meath.

This marks the second consecutive year the family-run Kildare hotel has received the prestigious award, a testament to its consistent excellence, attention to detail and dedication to creating unforgettable wedding experiences.

The Clanard Court team, including general manager Eoin Jacob, duty manager Laura Larkin, sous chef Tony Moran and head chef Graeme Daly, proudly accepted the award on the night, joining leading figures from across Irelands hospitality industry in celebrating the very best in Irish hotels and service.

Adding to the celebrations, Tony Moran and Laura Larkin were also named as finalists in the highly-competitive Star Awards, in the categories of Best Chef and Rising Star respectively.

The 2025 Irish Hotel Awards ceremony, described by organisers as a powerful tribute to Irelands most inspiring hospitality professionals, brought together outstanding talent from across the country, honouring those who elevate guest experiences with passion and precision.

Managing director of the Clanard Court Hotel, Mary Fennin-Byrne, spoke on behalf of the hotel on receiving the award: We are truly honoured to receive this award for the second consecutive year.

She continued: Our team pours their heart and soul into every wedding at the Clanard Court Hotel, and its wonderful to see their hard work and commitment recognised in this way.
Gordon Deegan

A judge has granted access for a man to see two young children fathered by his ex-partner, despite the father describing the man as a stranger.

At the Family Law Court, Judge Alec Gabbett has granted access to the man, who has no biological link to the two children, for a limited number of access visits each year.

The man is named on the baptismal certificates as a parent to the two, but not on their birth certificates as the two children were born to surrogate mothers overseas during the man's years-long relationship with the father of the two children, aged under five.

The estranged gay couple were not married and the father of the two children vigorously opposed any access for his ex-partner to his two children.

In his ruling after one day of evidence, Judge Gabbett has found that the applicant had played a significant part in the childrens lives and was regarded as a co-parent by the father.

Judge Gabbett said that the applicant wants to be an "uncle" type figure to the two children, "and the court can only see benefit to this in the childrens lives".

Referring to the applicant, Judge Gabbett said: It is very clear he loves the children and separation for him has been difficult.

Judge Gabbett said that the father, as the childrens guardian, believes that they are too young to understand and dont or won't remember the applicant.

Judge Gabbett said that the court does not agree with the father and said that his views are tainted by the acrimony of a relationship breakdown.

Judge Gabbett said that the applicant paid for half the childcare costs and the father had certain expectations from the applicant concerning parenting which are seen in text message exchanges that a co-parenting couple engage in day to day.

The father denied that his ex-partner lived with him, but Judge Gabbett found that they did reside together, pointing to a letter from the fathers solicitor to the applicants employer confirming that he is a cohabitant.

Judge Gabbett said that he had in mind six to eight access visits each month lasting two to three hours and adjourned the case to allow both parties to decide on what level of access there will be.

Shortly after, the parties returned to court with a written agreement and after studying the terms, Judge Gabbett commented: That is very close to what I thought myself.

Judge Gabbett noted that the parties had agreed to a condition of no photos during the access visits.

Solicitor for the father, Caroline Doherty, expressed concern that Judge Gabbetts ruling could open the floodgates for similar applications.

In response, Judge Gabbett said: I dont make the law, I only interpret and enforce the law. There may well be a floodgate, there is nothing I can do.

Judge Gabbett said that the 2015 Children and Family Relationship Act was designed for this. Counsel for the applicant, Emily Ryan BL, said that the access "will hopefully work out as a positive story, particularly for the children".

In a contested hearing last month, the father told the court he opposed the access application.

He said: I dont want to bring a stranger into the children's lives now, and that is what he is to them - a stranger.

He said that the children have seen the applicant for only 10 hours in 18 months, and when they were in a relationship, the two children were very young and at the time non-verbal.

He said: I dont want him around me or my children. They dont remember him and they have a lot of supportive, consistent, patient people in their lives at the moment and I would like it to stay that way.

The father said: He was just my partner. He was going out with someone who had children.

He said: I did show the children a picture of him last week to see if they would recognise him and they didnt.

The applicant told Judge Alec Gabbett that he was making the application in the best interests of the two children.

He told the court: I was always a Dad to the two.

He said that while together with his partner, the two and the two young children were a family unit.

The applicant said that he had a very strong bond with the two children.

He said: I did all the tasks of feeding. I changed their nappies. I did night feeds and there is a bond when a baby is looking up at you at 2am in the morning.

He said that his then partner taught him how to hold the bottle, wind the baby, how to change the nappy and the cleaning of a baby. It was all new to me and we worked together as a team.

He said: I was co-parenting.

He said that when the second surrogate mother became pregnant, his then partner announced to his family that we were having another baby in the Summer.
MAKE me cry! said Judge Desmond Zaidan impishly to a solicitor who had indicated that his client wished to contest a charge of driving without insurance, but to no avail in eventuality.

Appearing before the judge in Athy District Court was Dorjan Vukaj (39) with an address at Thornleigh Court, Swords, Co Dublin on two charges  no insurance, and failure to produce within the 10 statutory days.

Mr Vukaj was stopped by Garda Amanda Kirwan on the afternoon of 16 April on the N78 (Athy-M9) at Burtown Big.

He went to test drive a car when he was stopped, but there was no insurance on it, said Seamus Boyle, defending.

He went back to find out if he had a driver from the garage he wouldve been insured, said Mr Boyle.

He went to the guards with the garage insurance, but was told he wasnt insured, he added.

He put his hands up, said the experienced Kildare town practitioner.

Judge Zaidan accepted what he heard and chose not to ban Vukaj, fining him 250 instead, and giving him three months to pay.

The lesser charge of failure to reduce was taken into consideration.
URCS provides humanitarian aid to victims of Russian airstrike on Zaporizhia

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine

The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) is providing humanitarian assistance to victims of the Russian air attack on Zaporizhia.

"In Zaporizhia, the Ukrainian Red Cross is working at the site of another attack... Currently, a Ukrainian Red Cross aid point is operating on site, where victims are receiving humanitarian assistance," the URCS said on Facebook on Thursday.

At the aid point, local residents and rescuers can warm up, drink tea, and charge their gadgets.

The organization reported that this night, the Ukrainian Red Cross rapid response team in the Zaporizhia region worked with rescuers at the sites affected by another Russian attack on Zaporizhia. Volunteers provided first aid to four wounded, including a child.

As reported, the invaders hit Zaporizhia with at least 20 UAVs and eight missiles. As a result of the attack, one person was killed and 17 were injured. The rescue and search operation is ongoing.
A TEENAGER who allegedly double raped his stepmother in their home just two weeks after he arrived in the country to improve his English was remanded back into custody for another fortnight to allow for time for for formal pleas to be entered.

This man will be 18 on [before the end of the year] so we would hope this matter would be dealt with by then, said his solicitor David Powderley in Naas District Court last week.

It is alleged that the youth committed the offences at the address in north Kildare on the night of 2 September, and was arrested shortly after midnight after neighbours in the apartment complex notified the authorities. He has been in custody in Oberstown Young Offenders facility since then.

He was initially charged in Leixlip Garda Station, and made no reply to the formal charge on two counts contrary to section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Act.

At his clients first appearance on 4 September, Mr Powderley told the court that the parents are estranged because of this case, but gave no further detail on this point.

He confirmed an Appropriate Adult  peace commissioner Ciaran Baker  attended Leixlip Garda Station in loco parentis (in the place of parents) and that the adoptive mother is the alleged injured party.

Mr Powderley also confirmed the availability in Oberstown and expressed his clients wish to stay in custody.

Judge Desmond Zaidan asked arresting officer Garda Mark Fallon for a brief outline of the facts.

The injured party was put on her knees on the ground; she was digitally penetrated in the vagina, and he penetrated her anus with his penis, he said.

Mr Powderley then informed the court that out of the number of 999 calls, his client was one of those, and this was accepted by the state. He added his young client had a previous history of psychiatric episodes and asked the court for an assessment on his fitness to plea, and his fitness to stand trial.

Do you want me to recommend an assessment or order it? asked the judge.

Order it, said Mr Powderley, to which Judge Zaidan acceded.

The judge then warned Mr Powderley that this period of detention could well be extended as in my experience, a psychiatric or psychological report can take up to 21 days.

This week he extended it again until 6 November and said: He is to be produced [in person in court] on that date.

He then referred to the defendants translator, and the importance of her job  particularly in a case this sensitive  comparing it to another ongoing trial of similar sensitivity.

I see the importance of translators, because there could easily be a mistrial over mistakes made in translation  like in the FGM [female genital mutilation] trial in Dublin, he said.
High Court Reporters

A High Court personal injury action brought by the wife of a renowned consultant psychiatrist who died after he was hit by a taxi while walking home from a Christmas party has been settled, following what a judge described as a "very, very sad" case.

Married father-of-three Dr Martin Lawlor (49) died from injuries sustained after the collision near Ballycurreen, Kinsale Road, near Cork Airport on December 15th, 2018.

His wife, Dr Helen Murphy Lawlor, took the case against taxi driver Denis McSweeney of Pouladuff Rd, Cork City.

On Thursday, the court ordered the agreed settlement and the striking out of the case and substituted Axa Insurance in place of pensioner Mr McSweeney, who passed away in November of last year.

Ms Justice Emily Egan made an order for the plaintiff's costs with damages to be agreed in what she said was a "very, very sad case" and offered her condolences to Dr Lawlor's family.

Dr Murphy Lawlor, with an address listed as Stalybridge, Cheshire, UK, was represented by Dr John F O'Mahony SC, James O'Mahony SC, and Ray Motherway BL, instructed by Matthew J Nagle & Co.

Dr O'Mahony thanked the judge for her "patience and indulgence" in the case and said he was pleased to announce the matter settled and that it could be struck out.

Ms Justice Egan said she was "enormously pleased" to hear of the case's resolution.

Eamon Marray SC, for the defence, expressed his condolences to Mr Lawlor's family.

Dr Murphy Lawlor had alleged that Mr McSweeney collided with Dr Lawlor, was "aware" of doing so and then "unjustifiably, recklessly and in full knowledge of the collision, deliberately and callously left the scene without compassion, concern or regard for the condition of Dr Lawlor".

McSweeney was sentenced to four years' imprisonment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court in 2021 for the hit-and-run, but had that halved on appeal later that year.

Mr McSweeney had pleaded guilty to failing to stop his vehicle after an incident, failing to keep his vehicle at the scene of an accident, failing to report a traffic incident to gardai and failing to give appropriate information to gardai.

In High Court papers, Mr McSweeney, who was 75 at the time of his May 2021 appeal, had admitted that there had been a collision between his vehicle and Dr Lawlor, who was a pedestrian on the public road at Ballycurreen on December 15th, 2018.

He admitted that he had failed to stop after the collision and that the fatal injuries to Dr Lawlor were a result of the collision.

However, Mr McSweeney had denied that the collision was caused by negligence, breach of duty or statutory duty, as alleged.

Mr Lawlor, a father of three who was a native of Tralee, Co Kerry, lived in Manchester but travelled to Ireland for work.

Dr Murphy Lawlor said that her husband was at the peak of his powers professionally at the time of his death, working with the HSE and Nua Healthcare and was "renowned and respected" for his work.

When sentencing Mr McSweeney, who had no previous convictions, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Sean O Donnabhain described Dr Lawlor as a man of " considerable compassion" and an "exemplar of his profession".

Judge O Donnabhain said that he did not accept the explanation offered by Mr McSweeney that he had panicked and attributed his actions to callousness.
Olivia Kelleher

An 82-year-old woman died from complications which arose from a subdural haematoma blunt force trauma head injury, which occurred after she was pushed down stairs, an inquest has heard.

Cork Coroners Court on Thursday heard evidence in relation to the cause of death of Stella Nnamdi. The pensioner died in hospital on February 25th last.

She died two days after an incident at her home in Garrydhu Drive, Kilmoney Road, in Carrigaline, Co Cork.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster gave evidence on behalf of State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers.

Dr Okkers carried out the postmortem on Ms Nnamdi on the 26th of February last.

Dr Bolster said that myelofibrosis was also a contributory factor in the death of the pensioner, who suffered a subdural haematoma after she was pushed down stairs at her home.

Sgt Fergus Twomey applied for an adjournment to allow criminal proceedings to occur. Coroner Philip Comyn adjourned the inquest on an indefinite basis or sine die.

Ms Nnamdi was a Nigerian national who lived with her daughter in Carrigaline, Co Cork. She moved to Ireland around 15 years ago.

She was transferred to Cork University Hospital on the morning of February 25th last, where she underwent a medical examination for a head injury. Her condition deteriorated, and she was pronounced dead later that day.

In the aftermath of the incident, her home was technically examined by a crime scene investigation team.

House-to-house enquiries were also carried out.

A man was subsequently charged in connection with her death.
NAAS native and recent medicine graduate, Matthew Hartnett has been awarded the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Reuben Harvey Prize.

A special awards ceremony took place at No. 6 Kildare Street, Dublin 2, on Wednesday, October 15.

The Reuben Harvey Prize is awarded annually to students who achieve the highest marks in their class for final year examinations in Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics.

Matthew went to Naas CBS secondary school and recently graduated with top marks from University College Dublin. He is currently doing his intern year in St Vincents University Hospital (SVUH).

He said: "I started the year in Urology which I thoroughly enjoyed, the staff - from all of the experienced knowledgeable nurses to the supportive doctors - made it a great place to start my intern year. Currently I am in the ED in SVUH. It's a fast-paced environment with lots of learning opportunities and a great teamwork ethic so Im excited to see what that holds for me. Ill then go onto Cardiology in SVUH and finally GP in the Tully Family Practice. On his career aspirations, he said: "Im yet to firmly decide on any one speciality or area but my favourites currently would be between Haematology/Oncology, Paediatrics, and General Medicine."

Speaking about his award, Matthew said:

"It means a great deal to receive such an award, its a nice acknowledgment of the years of hard work we all put in as medical students but also a reflection on the support and guidance we have received from parents/tutors/colleagues, and peers. I hope to carry the same enthusiasm for education throughout my career."
A conviction for dangerous driving has been handed down to a man who drove through a garda check point in Gowran.

Kristers Butovskis, 52 Browneshill Rise, Browneshill Road, Carlow, pleaded guilty to the charge, and to charges of driving without insurance and driving under the influence of drugs.

Sergeant Morgan OConnor said gardai had a checkpoint in Gowran on December 19, 2024.

At 10.25pm a BMW approached and failed to stop. The vehicle drove through the village, later stopping in a housing estate.

Gardai followed and saw three males walking away from the car and identified one as the driver.

Mr Butovskis failed an oral fluid test for drugs.

He admitted being the driver of the car.

The court was told Mr Butovskis had previous convictions for driving without insurance.

Solicitor Chris Hogan apologised on his clients behalf for his driving on the day. Once Mr Butovskis was stopped he was cooperative with the gardai.

Mr Hogan said his client is Latvian and moved to Ireland when he was four. He later moved to Carlow where he unfortunately got involved with a peer group that were involved in drugs.

Mr Butovskis moved back to Latvia to get away from the influence of this group.

The solicitor asked the court to give his client credit for his guilty plea and his disassociation from that group. He is not using any illegal intoxicants now.

Judge Geradline Carthy convicted Mr Butovskis of driving without insurance and imposed a four year disqualification.

On the charge of dangerous driving he was fined 500 and disqualified from driving for two years.

On the charge of drug driving Mr Butovskis was disqualified from driving for a year.
A wind energy project covering roughly 294 hectares is being proposed across a number of townlands in South Kilkenny, but locals in one area have said they have not been told about it.

Empower Renewables is currently in the planning stages of developing a wind farm that will be situated at the top of Mount Alto in Inistioge.

The area is located approximately 3km southwest of Inistioge and 10km northeast of Mullinavat and covers Garrandarragh, Ballykenna, Ballyvool, and Bohilla.

It is not yet known how many turbines are going to be placed there, should planning permission be granted.

READ NEXT: BREAKING: Shefflin stands down as Kilkenny senior camogie manager

Empower Renewables has been engaging with some local residents on the proposed project by putting community letters through letterboxes.

The first arrived in March of this year and outlined what the company is and what its plan is.

"We are committed to developing responsible projects in a way that is good for us, for Ireland, and for local residents," it states.

The letter also outlined how the company has erected an 80 metre meteorological mast to measure the potential wind speeds in the area.

It is a temporary structure that would remain in place for 18 months.

The project is nearing its final stages with a planning permission application set to be submitted to Kilkenny County Council by summer of 2026.

Although the timeline of Empower Renewable's website says community consultations and engagement have taken place, many residents in Inistioge have expressed that they had not been informed about the plans at all.

A post went up in a Facebook group called "www.Inistioge.ie" in recent weeks stating that a "concerned resident" had asked for the post to go up.

It says: "To be aware, as you were NOT notified of phase 1 of this Inistioge wind turbine project. We are now in phase 2, and most residents still do not know. All Inistioge residents are stakeholders in this project. This will affect a huge part of the community, who were left unaware of the 'community consultation' phase. Newsletters and information was only delivered to those residents very close to the proposed actual turbines."

A number of the group members and local residents commented about how they are opposed to the project, had heard nothing about it, and will fight it.

READ NEXT: Bail denied after mans alleged threat to take her head off - Kilkenny Court

Meanwhile, Empower Renewables has been carrying out environmental assessments which will make up an Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

This report will describe the proposed project and assess the effects it will have on the environment and local community, ensuring any sensitive areas will be protected.

Monitoring of bat species has also been completed to ensure any bat activity and habitats are protecting during the design process.

Sound metres have been installed at noise sensitive locations to assess the potential impact that noise from the project could have on the surrounding areas.

Geotechnical investigations, involving boreholes being drilled, have begun too.

Engineers will test samples of the soil and rock to understand how strong the ground is and to see how it drains.

This will allow the company to determine where the best locations for the turbines are.

In Empower Renewables' first newsletter, it is outlined that there will be a potential annual fund of 270,000 for a Community Benefit fund.

This will be given to the local community for 15 years.

23,000 has been assigned for houses within 1km of the wind turbines, 35,000 has been assigned for houses withing 2km of the turbines, and just under 85,000 has been assigned for local clubs, initiatives, and societies.
People around Ireland were left baffled on Wednesday evening after a strange bright light was spotted moving across the sky, prompting some to label it a UFO.

People took to social media in the hope of identifying the strange sight. One pilot took a photograph from his cockpit and said:

"Spotted from the cockpit on approach to Cork on a training flight. Almost triangular in shape with the bottom of the triangle quite bright, almost like lights. Slightly varying speed. Not a believer in UFOs but quite spooked by this!"

A mysterious object was spotted in the sky over Kildare, #Ireland around 6:30pm this evening.



Locals are baffled - did you see it too?



Witnesses say it hovered briefly before vanishing.#Kildare #Ireland #UFO #SkyWatch pic.twitter.com/RWVeluFkE0  Radio News Hub (@radionewshub) October 29, 2025

Another person said: "This just happened now in Carlow, came out the garage to this in the sky, absolutely beautiful, never seen anything like this before, eventually it went into a small light/star and went off into the distance."

A third added: "Really unusual object in the sky tonight above Partry, Co. Mayo. Moving slowly across the sky, it looked like a bright dot with another bright line just above it."

READ NEXT: US talk show host Jimmy Kimmel visits Ireland to explore Irish ancestry

However, as one expert said, "it's not aliens," and the object was actually one of Elon Musks rockets which had taken off earlier on Wednesday.

Multiple reports of strange light moving in sky over Ireland in last 15 minutes with some describing as a like a big object with light in front but no noise and moving very quickly. Reports from Southeast, Midlands and West. Moving West to East. Anyone else spot it pic.twitter.com/ej0qag9Aje  Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) October 29, 2025

Musk's Falcon 9 rocket has been on various missions recently but before it returns to Earth, it ejects leftover fuel, which freezes instantly due to the altitude. Light reflects off the frozen fuel to make it visible from Earth.

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather said: "The light in the sky tonight most likely to be the Falcon 9 dumping fuel in orbit based on latest information. Not aliens this time."
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/CinCAFofUkraine

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky has visited the Pokrovsk-Mirnohrad agglomeration area, where the enemy is increasing its activity.

"We are working to strengthen the resilience of defense in the Pokrovsk direction. Here, the following are important: high-quality interaction between units, providing them with everything they need, including in accordance with additional needs, clear and coordinated implementation of assigned tasks. Each commander, regardless of level, must organize high-quality implementation of tasks. I strictly warned commanders not to allow irresponsibility. For this, I will take strict measures, up to and including removal from their positions," he said on Facebook.
Law enforcement officers have exposed 654 militants of the Wagner and Redut PMCs (private military companies) within the framework of the international special operation "Avengers-2," the National Police of Ukraine has said

"More than 70 simultaneous searches are currently underway in Ukraine and Moldova - at the places of residence of the suspects and their relatives. The purpose of the investigative actions is to identify, document and bring to justice the militants financed by Russia who fought against Ukraine," the National Police said in a statement on Thursday.

Europol is coordinating the actions through the Virtual Command Post - a virtual command post that allows for the exchange of information, evidence and search results in real time between all participating countries.

It is noted that Ukrainian police have already identified the recruitment sites of Russian mercenaries, their training bases, deployment areas, commanders and circumstances of participation in hostilities. At the same time, documents, video recordings, telephone data and eyewitness accounts were collected, confirming the facts of the executions of civilians and prisoners, the use of prohibited weapons and other war crimes.

Based on the results of the searches, police investigators have already announced eleven suspicions against citizens of Ukraine who, during martial law, switched to the enemy side and participated in hostilities against Ukrainian forces as part of the Wagner and Redut PMCs. They are charged with high treason (Part 2, Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), which provides for a penalty of 15 years of imprisonment to life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

"If these persons return from the territory of Russia or the occupied regions to Ukraine or any state that recognizes Russian PMCs as terrorist organizations, they will be immediately detained, extradited and brought to trial," the National Police notes.

Within the second stage of the operation, through the Department of International Police Cooperation of the National Police of Ukraine, through Siena and Interpol channels, Ukrainian police officers transferred information about more than 280 foreign mercenaries who fought against Ukraine to the competent authorities of other countries. Among them are Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

"In most of these countries, criminal liability for mercenary activity provides for a sentence of 5 to 15 years of imprisonment, and in some cases, life imprisonment. In addition, such crimes fall under universal jurisdiction, that is, mercenaries can be held accountable in any country in the world if they are there," the report states.

Currently, based on the results of investigative actions in the territory of the Republic of Moldova, 25 citizens of the specified country have been identified, who, as part of the Wagner PMC, participated in hostilities in the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Currently, procedural documents have been prepared in relation to eight citizens regarding the notification of the latter of suspicion of committing a criminal offense, provided for in paragraph 1 of Article 141 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Moldova, under the qualifying criteria "Participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict, in military operations or in other violent actions aimed at overthrowing or undermining the constitutional order or violating the territorial integrity of the state".

Regarding 17 citizens, the issue of declaring them wanted is being resolved.

Based on the collected primary evidence of the identified Moldovan citizens belonging to the private military company "Wagner", law enforcement officers are checking them for involvement in committing war crimes, sexual violence, and the murder of prisoners and civilians on the territory of Ukraine.

The National Police notes that international cooperation to expose mercenaries is already yielding concrete results.

On January 4, 2025, a citizen of Kazakhstan, a former mercenary of the Wagner PMC, was detained at the US-Mexico border. Ukrainian police, through Europol, transferred to American law enforcement agencies all available evidence of his participation in the crimes of this structure, officially recognized in the US as a terrorist organization.

On June 17, 2025, an active member of the Wagner PMC was detained in Finland, who personally participated in the assaults on Soledar and Bakhmut.

In addition, Ukrainian law enforcement officers for the first time collected sufficient evidence and brought to criminal responsibility under Article 447 (mercenary) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine a foreigner, a citizen of the Republic of Moldova, who, as part of the private military company Wagner, personally participated in the capture and destruction of the city of Bakhmut, Donetsk region, and was awarded not only medals of the Wagner PMC, but also a state award of the Russian Federation.
The defense forces continue the operation to counter Russian soldiers who manage to infiltrate and accumulate in Pokrovsk, the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has said.

"We continue to increase forces and means to search for and destroy the enemy. In particular, the number of unmanned systems is increasing. In total, on October 29, Ukrainian soldiers eliminated 13 occupiers in Pokrovsk. Four of them were near the stele at the entrance to the city in the northwestern part," the Telegram message says.

It is noted that in recent days the work to destroy the enemy has been complicated by adverse weather conditions. Fog and rain reduced the effectiveness of aerial reconnaissance.

"After a long silence, the Russians resumed their flagpole tactics in our direction - installing their rags with the distribution of relevant videos on social networks. The use of this primitive psychological operations (PSYOP) tools together with false statements about the encirclement of the city by hostile political elements is only a demonstration that the enemy wants to pass off wishful thinking as reality," the unit said.

It is noted that the occupiers are not entrenched in the areas of the city of Pokrovsk, but periodically move. In particular, changing into civilian clothes. Logistics - in Pokrovsk is complicated due to the presence of a significant number of enemy first-person view drones (FPVs) in the sky, but is possible.

"The enemy is also active in the Myrnohrad area. If the enemy attacks Pokrovsk mainly with infantry, then near Myrnohrad he uses both infiltration in several defense directions and open use of armored vehicles. The other day the Russians carried out another mechanized assault. During the enemy attack, our military destroyed five units of armored vehicles, two vehicles and at least 14 occupiers. Eight of them were on the outskirts of Myrnohrad. The defense forces continue to work to identify and destroy the remnants of the occupiers," the message says.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official

Ukraine will adjust its communication with partners to prepare new sanctions based on detailed intelligence assessments of the impact of sanctions on the Russian military machine. If pressure continues, the losses of the Russian Federation will amount to at least $50 billion each year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"We record significant losses for Russia from the restrictions already applied to oil companies and predict that if principled and consistent pressure on Moscow continues, their losses from the restrictions that were recently applied alone will amount to at least $50 billion per year," Zelenskyy said on Telegram on Thursday.

The president noted that there are already corresponding signals from partners regarding increased sanctions.

"The volumes of oil supplies from Arab states to the world market can definitely prevent any destabilization and price jumps in the market that the Russians are afraid of," Zelenskyy added.

He also reported on the established regular exchange of data with key states regarding Russian individuals and schemes that deserve the application of sanctions, and the partners are taking into account a significant part of Ukraines proposals.

"The measures regarding the Russian tanker fleet, which we discussed with European leaders at the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing last week, must also be fully implemented," the president noted.

In addition, the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Oleh Ivashchenko, reported on the mood and immediate plans of the Chinese leadership in the context of Russias war against Ukraine. "It is important that China joins the efforts to stop the constant Russian attempts to expand and prolong the war. There will be appropriate instructions to our diplomats based on information about the meetings that took place in the region these days," Zelenskyy said.
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Photo: https://t.me/ermaka2022/7131

Head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine Natalka Cmoc.

"We traditionally discussed key areas of our cooperation: protecting critical infrastructure, restoring energy, and humanitarian efforts. Particular emphasis was placed on the efforts of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children Abducted by Russia, of which Canada is a co-chair along with Ukraine. Significant progress has been made: through our joint efforts, we have succeeded in returning over 1,700 children," Yermak wrote on Telegram following the conversation.

He added that, as part of the latest agreements, Canada is transferring winter equipment, components for missile systems, and contributing to the Drone Coalition fund to Ukraine.
The average network availability of Vodafone Ukraine during blackouts in Chernihiv region is 97%, in Sumy region  99%, depending on the intensity of shelling in the border regions, lifecell reports 90-95% availability in Chernihiv and the region, the companies said in a comment to Interfax-Ukraine.

According to lifecell, a mobile operator that is part of the DVL Group of Companies (Datagroup-Volia-lifecell), the operators network continued to operate during stabilization power outages in Sumy that lasted approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes and affected about 45% of the region.

The batteries of the base stations are designed for 10 hours of autonomous operation. To ensure continued operation in the event of longer power outages, generators were connected.

"Lifecell technical teams monitor the network status around the clock, perform operational maintenance on the equipment, and replenish fuel and battery supplies. In cases of lack of a stationary power supply, the equipment switches to battery operation mode," the operator noted.

Vodafone Ukraine reported that in October, its base stations in Sumy region ran on backup power for a combined 1,712 hours. In Chernihiv region, during the latest blackouts, local and regional infrastructure operated on autonomous power sources for a total of 2,400 hours.

In response to the agencys request, the company stated, "After eight hours of operation on batteries, the network availability in Chernihiv was 75%. Therefore, the networks ability to withstand long outages and meet state requirements for network stability has unfortunately been tested in real conditions."

Additionally, 233 emergency teams are on duty across the country, particularly in Chernihiv, Sumy, and other frontline regions. However, their ability to respond promptly is hindered by prolonged alarms and continued shelling, which prevent them from leaving shelters.

Vodafone Ukraine explained that, in the event of battery depletion due to a prolonged outage, the following action plan takes effect: a list of base stations is determined in advance in each settlement and region, and the teams deliver autonomous power sources to these priority facilities, which ensure maximum coverage and operation of the network.

The company recalled that the overall network performance index was over 85-90% during previous mass blackouts, even in regions with prolonged power outages.

It is noted that 95% of Vodafone Ukraines base stations are already equipped with backup batteries that ensure up to 10 hours of autonomous operation, in line with technical requirements, while the remaining stations can operate for no less than 4-6 hours. In addition, the operator is transitioning to lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO) batteries, which can withstand 13 times more charge cycles.

Vodafone Ukraine has also implemented a pilot project using solar power plants (SPPs) and is preparing to connect 100 base stations to alternative power sources, including those in Sumy and Chernihiv regions.

Meanwhile, lifecell reported that since the start of mass power outages, the company has purchased 48,000 lithium batteries (48V, 100Ah), of which more than 43,000 have already been installed.
Operation task force "East" (Skhid) refutes information about the alleged blocking of Ukrainian units by the Russian occupiers in the city of Pokrovsk, Donetsk region.

There is no "blocking" of our Defense Forces in Pokrovsk by the enemy. "These are just Russian propaganda statements that do not correspond to reality," the group said on the Facebook page on Thursday.

It is reported that the enemys occupation army is indeed increasing pressure in Pokrovsk axis, in particular in Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration area, and in Pokrovsk itself the situation remains complex and dynamic.

"Separate groups of enemy infantry are infiltrating the city of Pokrovsk and are trying to move and accumulate in this settlement. Strike and search operations are being carried out in the city. These enemy units and individual infantrymen are being destroyed by our soldiers. "We are increasing our forces and means to search for and destroy the enemy, in particular, the number of unmanned systems is increasing," the force said.

In the city over the past 24 hours, October 29, Ukrainian soldiers from the Seventh Rapid Reaction Corps of the Armed Forces of the Ukraine eliminated 13 occupiers, four of them near the stele at the entrance to the city in the northwestern part.

"Logistics to the city is complicated by enemy FPVs, but not interrupted. Various means of counteraction, protection and support of logistical routes are being used. "The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to clear Pokrovsk from Russian invaders," the East group has said.

As reported, on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the fighting in Pokrovsk and that capturing the city is the enemys main target.

On October 29, the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that to implement the plan to surround the Pokrovsk agglomeration, the enemy had deployed about 11,000 people and that the occupiers were conducting a massive infiltration into Pokrovsk. According to them, in their area of responsibility, the enemy had accumulated about 27,000 people, about 100 tanks, up to 260 armored combat vehicles and up to 160 guns and mortars, and a defensive operation is underway.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

An examination of every aspect of migration policy is taking place, the Taoiseach has said, as his government colleague was accused of being Nigel Farage-like.

Tanaiste Simon Harris, the Foreign Affairs Minister, said migration was too high in Ireland and that the country did not have a system to deal with such large numbers.

Our migration numbers are too high and I think that is really an issue that needs to be considered in a very serious way by government, he said at Government Buildings on Wednesday.

This prompted opposition TD Gary Gannon to suggest of Mr Harris maybe hes going down the (Reform UK party leader) Nigel Farage route.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan is looking at every aspect of migration policy.

He said about 3,500 asylum applications were submitted in Ireland before the pandemic, which had risen to 13,500 in 2023, and 18,500 in 2024.

He said it appeared there would be 12,000 asylum applications by the end of 2025, which represented a drop of 40% on last year.

He said 70% of asylum applications are refused at the first stage of appeal and that the appeals process needs to be quicker.

He added that a strong relationship with the UK was needed as the vast majority it seems to me are coming over the border.

These are issues we can discuss with the British Government in terms of returns and so on.

Asked about the suggestion of using deportation hubs, whereby failed asylum applicants would be sent outside the EU, he said: These are issues we will examine, were not ruling anything out.

He added: The people know procedures are strict here, theyre firm, theyre fair. And then also, theres been far more deportations this year, and deportation orders signed in the last nine months, all of which is having an impact.

I think the message has gone out, if you dont qualify, and if you know youre not going to qualify, dont bother coming.

Aontu leader and Meath West TD Peadar Toibin said Mr Harris statement represented a significant U-turn from Fine Gael.

He said he supported the process of offering asylum to those fleeing war but described the asylum process in Ireland as a chaotic system.

He said figures released to his party indicate there are 18,074 people waiting at the first application stage and 15,041 people appealing against the result.

Asked about the suggestion that Mr Harris was similar to Mr Farage, Finance Minister and Fine Gael TD Paschal Donohoe said: We make the case for openness, we make the case for our membership of the European Union. We make the case for international engagement.

That is the anti-Farage argument.

In order to maintain consent for all of that, we need to ensure that the rules we have are properly followed and well executed, and the Government is working and finding all the ways we can to do that.
Kenneth Fox

A man in his 40s has been charged, and another remains in custody after Gardai seized a sub-machine gun during an operation targeting the supply of drugs into prisons in West Dublin.

The Dublin crime response team stopped a vehicle in the Dublin 22 area on Tuesday and later recovered a firearm during a follow-up search in North Wicklow.

The weapon is undergoing forensic testing, and investigations are continuing.
Slovenia backs use of frozen Russian assets, but its important to consider all risks  FM

Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon supports the use of immobilized Russian assets in favor of Ukraine, but emphasized the importance of "legally sound decisions."

According to an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent, she announced this at a joint press conference with her Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy Sybiha, in Kyiv on Thursday.

We also support the use of immobilized Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine, while emphasizing the importance of legally sound and financially responsible decisions that take into account all possible risks," said Fajon.
Sonya Mclean

A man whose mess fight with a childhood friend took a darker turn when he grabbed a bottle and then a knife has been jailed for two years and three months.

Frank Kelly (40) and his friend Darren Sherlock had been out socialising together before they returned to Kellys home, where they continued taking alcohol and drugs.

At the house, Kelly suggested they have a fight, and Mr Sherlock set up his phone to record it.

Aideen Collard BL, prosecuting, told the court that the pair would regularly engage in mess fighting so this was not unusual.

She said on this occasion, both Kelly and Mr Sherlock traded a few digs, but the fight escalated and Kelly grabbed a bottle of whiskey before he struck the victim with it.

Garda Diane Byrne told Ms Collard that Kelly then took a knife and told Mr Sherlock, I am going to get a knife and stab you to bits.

Ms Collard said Mr Sherlock can be heard on the footage pleading with Kelly to stop and can be heard saying the word stop 36 times.

Kelly attacked him with the knife, causing nine stab wounds to Mr Sherlock. The court heard that Mr Sherlock can be heard saying I am dying bro while Kelly says youre dead.

Mr Sherlock ultimately escaped from the apartment and ran down the road where he collapsed. Homeowners nearby come to his assistance and an ambulance and gardai were called to the scene.

The footage also shows Kelly returning to his home to clean up after Mr Sherlock leaves.

Ms Collard said that Mr Sherlock was later treated in hospital for nine superficial stab wounds to his back, although when he first arrived, medical staff suspected he had a punctured lung.

Kelly of Mulroy Road, Cabra pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Mr Sherlock in Cabra, Dublin on January 29th, 2022.

The footage that was recorded on Mr Sherlocks phone was played to the court.

Judge Martin Nolan said, from the footage, it was clear that it began with grappling, pulling, shoving and wrestling, but then things took a darker turn.

It seems he became very angry, Judge Nolan said, referring to Kelly striking the victim with a bottle.

That was not enough for him, he procured a knife and stabbed him nine times, the judge said.

He said thankfully the stab wounds were not too deep and too dangerous and the victim has made a full recovery from those wounds and is getting on with his life.

It started off legal and then it became criminal, simple as that, Judge Nolan commented.

He acknowledged that Kelly had very strong mitigation, acknowledging his guilty plea, co-operation and long history of work.

Judge Nolan said that Kelly was an accomplished man, referring to his six years spent in the army, and said he was satisfied that he was unlikely to re-offend to this degree in the future.

He said he cannot accede to a defence application not to send Kelly to prison.

When he picked up that bottle it escalated, it went beyond a non-custodial position when he picked up the knife, Judge Nolan said before he sentenced Kelly to two years and three months in prison, having set a headline sentence of four and half years.

Gda Byrne said that when Kelly was arrested and interviewed, he claimed he had been acting in self-defence.

He was later re-arrested after gardai secured the recording of the attack. Kelly again maintained that he was acting in self-defence.

The court heard that Kelly has previous District Court convictions for road traffic offences.

Simon Matthews BL, defending, handed in a number of letters on behalf of his client from family members and a former colleague.

The footage speaks for itself, Mr Matthews said, calling it a serious assault.

He said it was a mess fight and with drink and drugs on board, it escalated.

Counsel acknowledged that Mr Sherlock can be heard screaming stop on numerous occasions, but he said Kelly did not stop.

He said Kelly spent six years in the army and served on two tours. He was discharged from the army on medical grounds after he dislocated his knee. He has been in full-time work since.

He apologised for his actions, counsel submitted.

Mr Matthews said his client, a father of two, has not been in contact with the victim since. He said Kelly is thankful that no further harm has been caused.
POLITICAL fireworks exploded at a Laois Co Council meeting during Halloween week, when the presidential election nomination process was described as a total disgrace and a shambles.

Verbal rockets were launched across the chamber, amid anger over the exclusion of independent candidates by Fianna Fail (FF) and Fine Gael (FG).

Former FG member turned independent Cllr Aisling Moran jibed: Simon says, Fianna Fail jumps. Cllr Paddy Bracken (FF) shot back that he wouldnt be lectured by someone who spent so long in the FG party.

Cllr Moran also condemned a comment made at the election count by Cllr John King (FG), when he said that people who spoiled their votes should not be entitled to state benefits.

Cllr Moran said: This is what Im talking about, being so far removed from the electorate. Cllr King thinks only people on state benefits spoil their votes. People from all walks of life spoiled their vote, because they dont feel heard by the government. So I think its time you listened to the people.

Despite mutual recrimination and hostility at the 28 October monthly meeting, all 19 councillors unanimously supported a motion calling for reform of the nomination process for presidential elections.

The motion was put forward by eight members of the technical group, made up of Labours Cllr Marie Tuohy and independent councillors Ben Brennan, Ollie Clooney, Caroline Dwane Stanley, James Kelly, Aisling Moran, Tommy Mulligan and Aidan Mullins.

The motion called on the government to establish a Referendum Commission to implement the recommendations of the Constitutional Convention concerning the nomination process for presidential elections, as the current provisions contained in the 1937 Act are no longer fit for purpose.

At a previous council meeting before the presidential race, FF and FG councillors voted against the nomination of independent Gareth Sheridan, who needed the support of four county councils.

In a lengthy speech proposing the motion for reform, Cllr Moran said the 2025 presidential election would go down as the worst in history.

She said: We had a two-horse race, completely orchestrated by Simon Harris and Micheal Martin. Of course, the shambles which was the nomination process wouldnt have been successful if it wasnt for all the FG and FF councillors who made it happen. A diktat was sent from Simon Harris to all FG councillors and subsequently all FF councillors followed.

Cllr Moran accused both government party leaders of attempting to manipulate and stage manage and interfere in the election process and dictate who would be on the presidential ballot, in a manner that we usually associate with Russia.

She said: Micheal Martin and Simon Harris not only denied their own parties, their own councillors and their own memberships any say in the matter, but they also denied the broader public and the electorate. Everyone in this room knows that and it must never be allowed to happen again.

Councillors in this chamber, like their colleagues all over the country, were instructed and indeed intimidated into blocking a legitimate candidate getting on the ballot.

Cllr Moran highlighted the huge number of spoiled votes in the election, saying that 54% didnt vote and 20% of those who did spoiled their vote, meaning that 75% of the electorate felt they had no one to vote for.

The Killeen-based councillor suggested that long overdue and necessary reforms could include a reduction in the presidential term from seven to four years. A candidate should be able to get a nomination if they had the support of 80 councillors from a minimum of four councils nationwide, instead of the majority support of four councils.

She based this figure on the fact that a nomination requires 20 Oireachtas members or about 8.5%, which would equate to 80 of the countrys 950 councillors.

Cllr Marie Tuohy said that both FF and FG engaged in a blatant control strategy which was a manipulation of democracy, resulting in public anger that was palpable long before polling day. Many expressed their anger by spoiling their votes, or not voting at all.

Cllr Tuohy said: There were 4,156 spoiled votes in Laois - over 14% - and that can never be allowed to happen again.

Cllr Tommy Mulligan said the publics level of disillusionment was staggering. He was disappointed by the undemocratic process and the conduct of councillors in this chamber, which had changed his view of how the chamber operated.

He said: You are serving the people of Laois and whether someone is left wing or right wing, they should have a chance to get on the ballot paper."

Cllr Mulligan added: The hypocrisy of the parties now calling for reform when it didnt go their way turned my stomach.

Cllr James Kelly agreed, noting that reform of the presidential election process was recommended 27 years ago but the main parties did nothing. He said: Now, because they got a bloody nose, they are looking at reform.

While acknowledging that she canvassed for Catherine Connolly, Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said that more candidates would have made the campaign more interesting and would have engaged younger people. She said that reforms should be introduced no matter who was in government, as what happened this time should never happen again.

Cllr Ben Brennan described the blocking of independent candidates as a total disgrace and felt a referendum would be required to change the current system.

A strong counter-attack was launched by Cllr Paschal McEvoy (FF), who said that Sinn Fein had the Oireachtas numbers to run three candidates, while Labour and the Social Democrats could also have fielded some.

Cllr McEvoy said: As far as Im concerned, the other parties can take as much of the blame as anyone else, as they didnt nominate anybody.

Cllr Moran countered that, unlike FF and FG, the other parties didnt block people seeking nominations. She claimed that Gareth Sheridan had phoned both Cllr McEvoy and Cllr John Joe Fennelly (FF) when he was seeking a nomination.

Cllr Fennelly immediately declared: Not once did I get a phone call from Mr Sheridan. Cllr Moran said: He said he rang you and he spoke to you. The normally mild-mannered Cllr Fennelly demanded: Are you calling me a liar?

During a heated exchange with both FF councillors, Cllr Moran said that nobody had asked them to vote for Mr Sheridan. They simply asked them not to block him.

Cllr McEvoy said that FF had a candidate in the race when he spoke to Mr Sheridan. He said: I stood by my party and I make no apologies for it. Why are you crying because of Fianna Fail? The others can take as much of the blame.

Raised voices drowned each other out, with taunts traded across the chamber. At one point, Cllr Bracken told Cllr Moran to show a bit of respect and said: Dont come in here to lecture us. Im not going to take that.

Cllr Moran told FF and FG councillors that they were all sheep, while Cllr McEvoy retorted that she was living in cloud cuckoo land.

Cllr Paddy Buggy (FG) observed: Its a pity it has come to this. We should say congratulations to Catherine Connolly and leave it at that.

The successful Laois motion will be circulated to all local authorities across the country for their support, as well as to councillors representative body the AILG.

Despite their differences, councillors of all political hues and none congratulated independent TD Catherine Connolly on her landslide victory, which will see her inaugurated as the tenth President of Ireland.
A CARLOW town woman who is on her 40th day of hunger strike outside the Dail has told The Nationalist she will continue her protest until the Irish state lives up to promises it made 26 years ago.

Mary Dunlevy Greene (73) is one of four survivors of industrial schools on hunger strike over what they say are failed promises of supports from successive governments.

Ms Dunlevy Greene said: We were starved as children, so starving is not an issue for us. We know what starvation is like.

Medical professionals monitoring the groups health have warned that they are putting their lives in danger, as they are surviving solely on water, vitamins and coffee.

The four protestors are also sleeping rough, having set up a makeshift campsite close to the Dail.

Ms Greene was placed in the Mount St Vincent Industrial School, Co Limerick when she was aged four. Ms Greene described her industrial school as a cold, regimented way of life. We did what we were told when we were told. We had no birthdays, no Christmases, we celebrated nothing. It was completely savage.

She also remembers being regularly beaten at the school.

Throughout her time there, the inmates never saw a doctor, dentist or nurse, and did not get medical care, she claimed.

Ms Dunlevy Greene said that many of her contemporaries who spent time in industrial schools had died prematurely.

Most of them didnt reach old age; the youngest cohort of industrial school survivors alive today are in their mid-to-late 50s. Im 73, and there arent very many that are older than me, she explained.

The survivors claim that they were promised Health Amendment Act medical cards and contributory pensions 26 years ago when then-taoiseach Bertie Ahern issued an apology on behalf of the Irish state, but say they are yet to receive them.

Among other things, the medical cards would enable people to receive care at home rather than having to go into a nursing home.

Anyone that was institutionalised as a child never wants to end up institutionalised in their old age, said Ms Dunlevy Greene.

The campaign has received support from several TDs, including president-elect Catherine Connolly, who criticised the mean-spirited treatment of survivors by the government at Leaders Questions earlier this month.

In response, justice minister Jim OCallaghan said that he would raise the issue with education minister Helen McEntree, but said that it was unfair to suggest that the state doesnt step up to these issues.

Both Mr OCallaghan and Ms Connolly urged the four protestors to end their hunger strike on health grounds.

Ms Dunlevy Greene told The Nationalist: What else can we do? We will sit here and wait until they come back from their midterm break. On 1 November we will be on day 44 of our hunger strike. Were quite prepared for it. Every time we get a push back, our spirits get higher.

The three survivors who are on hunger strike alongside her are Maurice Patton OConnell (57), Mary Donovan (57) and Miriam Moriarty Owens (68) who were placed as children in the Pembroke Alms Industrial School in Kerry.
By Eimear Dodd

A retired member of the Defence Forces has been jailed for six years for the rape of a teenage girl over 40 years ago.

The now 78-year-old raped the young girl in a bedroom of his home in Co Westmeath while she was babysitting on an unknown date in 1981.

He pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to one count of rape. He cannot be identified to protect the complainant's right to anonymity.

She was aged around 13 or 14 at the time, while the man was in his early 30s. The man has no previous convictions and served in the Defence Forces until his retirement at the age of 60.

Reading her victim impact statement, the injured party said the effects of the rape were horrendous.

She said she realised while preparing the statement that she doesn't have happy memories of her childhood: They were stolen when he raped me.

She said when the man raped her, she felt his teeth as he kissed her and got the overwhelming smell of alcohol, cigarettes and Old Spice aftershave.

She said he told her not to tell anyone. She said she started getting nightmares not long afterwards and experienced extreme stress, anxiety and trust issues throughout her life.

She said her mental health deteriorated in 2017, she experienced suicidal ideation and was later diagnosed with severe PTSD due to childhood rape. The woman said she underwent psychological treatment, which continues.

She said the reality is that rape by [the man] was always a bomb waiting to detonate in my head.

After hearing the facts on Tuesday, Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the case overnight to consider the sentence.

On Wednesday, he handed the man a sentence of eight years with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. The judge said this was a very serious offence which was committed against a child.

He took complete advantage of the situation in which she was left alone with him, the judge said, noting that the victim was babysitting the man's children in his home at the time of the incident.

He raped her because he wanted to, knowing she was a child and couldnt possibly consent to sexual intercourse. He did it because he could, the judge noted.

He said the man and his wife were trusted neighbours and the man abused his position as an adult. The judge said the complainant was entitled to expect she could trust adults in that house and be safe and secure there.

Referring to the victim impact statement, the judge noted the significant and continuing lifelong consequences for the woman. He said the court had little doubt [the man] knew exactly what he was doing to this child at the time.

Mr Justice McDermott said the man had considerable limited victim awareness and it was clear he never gave any thought to the obvious absence of consent from a 14-year-old child.

The judge noted the man said in garda interviews that he felt hard done by to be before the court, given the passage of time.

He said the value of the man's expressions of remorse had to be placed in the context of his limited victim awareness and expression of some resentment that he has to face this charge at all as the offence occurred decades ago.

The judge said the man still has a way to go to appreciate the full devastation caused to the complainants life.

Having set a headline sentence of 11 years, the judge reduced it to eight years to reflect the mitigation, including the man's guilty plea, his lack of previous convictions, his age, health issues and that he is assessed at low risk of re-offending.

The judge suspended the final two years of the sentence for two years, directing the man to place himself under the supervision of the Probation Services post-release and to engage in a programme to address sexual offending.

The man was sitting in the body of the court with two women during the sentence finalisation. He stepped forward to enter the bond and was then taken into custody.

An investigating garda told Sean Guerin SC, prosecuting, during a previous hearing that the man raped the girl in a bedroom of his home while she was babysitting.

A garda investigation began after a referral from the One in Four counselling service in early 2022.

When gardai made the man aware of the allegation later that year, he admitted a single incident of sexual contact, which he described as consensual.

He gave a detailed account of this incident during a voluntary interview with gardai. When he was charged in May 2023, he replied after caution, I only had sex with her once in my house.

The investigating garda agreed with defence counsel that the man had not come to other garda attention.

Counsel said she is instructed to apologise on behalf of her client. Counsel said the man has several health issues. He has eight adult children and is a carer for his wife.

A probation report places the man at low risk of reoffending. The man admits he is a heavy drinker, but denies having a dependency on alcohol.

Counsel said the man has developed some awareness of the impact on the victim and asked the court for as much leniency as possible for her client.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
Dr. Kerri Phillips, professor of Speech-Language Pathology and program director of the Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology at Louisiana Tech University, has been awarded the Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Contributions in Clinical Achievement by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

This prestigious national honor is awarded to speech-language pathologists and audiologists who demonstrate exemplary clinical service, leadership, and innovation in their field. Phillips was nominated by fellow Louisiana Tech faculty member Dr. Carrie Knight and selected by ASHAs Committee on Honors in recognition of her outstanding professional achievements, mentorship, and advocacy.

Phillips will be formally recognized at the 2025 ASHA Convention, to be held in Washington, D.C., in November.

Dr. Phillips has been at Tech for 24 years, helping to build the academic and clinical programs available to our students, said Dr. Brenda Heiman, department head for the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. As program director of our MA-SLP degree program, her contributions through teaching, research and service are demonstrated daily. Dr. Phillips continues to be recognized as a leader in the field and serves as an outstanding professional role model for our students.

Phillips holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP) and is licensed to practice in the state of Louisiana. She has served in numerous leadership roles at the state and national levels, including as chair and vice chair of the Louisiana Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. She currently serves as president-elect of the National Council of State Boards of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, a national organization that promotes professional standards and supports state licensing boards.

With more than 20 years of experience in clinical education and practice, Phillips is widely respected for her work in evidence-based service delivery, mentorship of students and clinical fellows, and her contributions to professional development across Louisiana and beyond.

Louisiana Techs respected Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology prepares students for national certification and state licensure through rigorous academic coursework, hands-on clinical training, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Louisiana Tech also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Pre-Professional Speech-Language Pathology, which prepares students for graduate study in either Speech-Language Pathology or Audiology. A concentration in Audiology is also available.

Dr. Phillips is an outstanding faculty member and we are proud to see her receive national recognition for her extraordinary contributions, said Dr. Gary Kennedy, dean of the College of Applied and Natural Sciences.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Wednesday that the country intercepted three aircraft allegedly tied to drug trafficking, presenting the operations as an assertion of national sovereignty and an escalation of its anti-drug push amid heightened U.S. military activity in the region.

Maduro said two aircraft entered Venezuela "from the north" on Wednesday, with a third detected Monday, as France24 reports:

"In accordance with our law, we have an interception law ... pim, pum, pam! Two drug-trafficking planes. So they respect Venezuela. And just like that, pim, pum, pam every day! Exercising what? What is that called? Exercising sovereignty!"

Venezuela's armed forces said the plane intercepted on Monday, identified as a Cessna 310 with the tail number XBRED, turned off its transponder and communications before entering the country "illicitly and furtively" from the Caribbean. Domingo Hernandez Larez, the Operational Strategic Commander, said through a social media post that radar systems detected the aircraft and that it was "immobilized and disabled," bringing the claimed total to 21 such aircraft this year.

He added that the operations were conducted "in exercise of full national sovereignty."

Maduro on Wednesday linked the actions to a broader anti-drug campaign following the U.S. deployment of naval assets in the Caribbean and Pacific. U.S. officials say the deployments, which include warships, drones and strike aircraft, are aimed at countering narcotics trafficking.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that the Pentagon carried out another "lethal kinetic strike" at President Donald Trump's direction on a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean that killed four men, pushing the total of deaths linked to the operation to at least 60.

Caracas has characterized the U.S. posture as a pretext for military intervention and regime change. Venezuela's defense minister recently warned neighboring Trinidad and Tobago  where the United States deployed a destroyer for exercises  that any violation of Venezuelan sovereignty "will not be tolerated."

As part of its ongoing operations, Venezuela also said on Wednesday that it destroyed two camps in the country's south linked to what authorities described as Colombian "narcoterrorist" groups, as El Debate reports. Hernandez Larez said pamphlets from the ELN guerrilla group were recovered, along with ammunition, fuel, all-terrain vehicles and tactical gear.

Maduro and senior officials have denied accusations by Washington that Venezuelan authorities are involved in narcotics trafficking, and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said Wednesday that more than 63,000 kilograms of drugs have been seized so far this year.

Originally published on Latin Times
The United States launched new strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in Latin American waters, deepening a pressure campaign in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the strikes took place on Monday in international waters. According to Hegseth, three separate strikes targeted suspected drug boats, leaving 14 people dead and one survivor.

On Wednesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that despite several search operations, the Mexican navy was unable to rescue the sole survivor of what she called a U.S. attack on suspected drug-trafficking vessels.

During her morning press conference, Sheinbaum said Mexico's navy assisted in the search for humanitarian reasons.

"I raised the issue with the Navy secretary and the foreign minister so these matters could be reviewed together," Sheinbaum said. "As you know, we want all international treaties to be respected, and we do not agree with how these attacks are being carried out."

Members of the Mexican navy conducted maritime search and rescue operations that extended more than 400 miles southwest of the port of Acapulco.

En cumplimiento del Convenio Internacional para la Seguridad de la Vida Humana en el Mar (SOLAS) y tras la solicitud de Guardia Costera de EE. UU., la Armada de Mexico atiende una operacion de busqueda y rescate maritimo a mas de 400 millas al suroeste de Acapulco (830 km) con el pic.twitter.com/uEsARDGBmA  SEMAR Mexico (@SEMAR_mx) October 28, 2025

According to a CNN report, Sheinbaum said the rescue efforts were unsuccessful and that the Mexican government still does not know the nationalities of the 14 people killed in the strike.

Sheinbaum defended the rescue effort, reiterating that it was carried out on humanitarian grounds, and said Mexico would not rule out participating in similar missions in the future.

"The goal is to ensure these operations continue in a way that respects our sovereignty and prevents actions of this kind within our economic zone," Sheinbaum said.

The latest airstrikes bring the number of vessels attacked by U.S. forces to at least 13 since the campaign began in early September, with an officially confirmed death toll of 51.

Sheinbaum also voiced strong disagreement with the U.S. government's actions and urged Washington to revise its anti-drug protocols in international waters.

"We do not agree with these interventions, and we already have a protocol that has delivered results," Sheinbaum said, according to CNN. "If the United States detects a boat allegedly carrying drugs in international waters, coordination should take place so that Mexican authorities or U.S. agencies detain the suspects, not destroy the vessels."

The president said she has asked Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente to meet with U.S. Ambassador Ron Johnson to discuss the issue.

"I asked him to meet with the ambassador to emphasize that what we want is an improved protocol, within the framework of our existing security agreements with the United States," Sheinbaum said.

Originally published on Latin Times
MFA spokesperson urges journalists not to believe Putin's proposals on 'corridors' in war zone: I saw it with my own eyes in 2014 in Ilovaisk

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Heorhiy Tykhy urged journalists not to believe Vladimir Putins proposals regarding "corridors" in the war zone, as the Kremlin leader has never kept his promises regarding a ceasefire.

"Frankly, I do not recommend that any reporters trust any of Putins proposals for corridors in the warzone. I saw firsthand how such proposals play out  on August 29, 2014, in Ilovaysk," he said on the X social network.

Tykhy said Putins only goal is to continue the war, and the Kremlin leader has never kept any of his promises regarding a ceasefire.

"Do not assist him in justifying his crimes through Russian provocations against journalists," Tykhy said.

The spokesman also reminded all media outlets that any visits to the territory temporarily occupied by Russia without Ukrainian permission are a violation of Ukrainian legislation and international law.

"They will have long-term reputational and legal consequences. We are watching closely," he said.

Earlier, Russian Defense Ministry said it had received an order to ensure the passage of journalists to Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad and Kupiansk areas. The Russian command is allegedly ready "if necessary, to cease hostilities for five-six hours in the indicated areas, as well as to provide corridors for unhindered entry and exit of groups of representatives of foreign media, including Ukrainian ones, provided that security guarantees are provided for both journalists and Russian servicemen."
Pennsylvania State Police seized 20,000 fentanyl pills during a traffic stop Wednesday on Interstate 78 in the Lehigh Valley, according to a news release.

The pills were seized during a traffic stop at milepost 73.1 in Glendon on I-78, the Northampton County District Attorney said in the release.

Maykol Jeffrie Goris Hiciano, of New York, was the driver of the car, and Jorge Joel Gomez Guzman, of Maryland, was the passenger, the release says. Both men were arrested.

Neither man has a listed phone number and neither had an attorney listed in online court records.

Each man was arraigned Wednesday on two counts of possession with intent to deliver fentanyl and one count of possession of fentanyl. Goris Hiciano was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana.

District Judge Robert C. Weber sent each man to Northampton County Prison on $250,000 bail.
Bars on the window near the entrance of Northampton County Prison. This photo is one of a series of photos of facilities related to criminal justice in Northampton County. EXT EXT

An Easton man was sentenced Wednesday to 10  to 27 years in prison for possessing a gun as a felon and pointing it at a woman, according to the Northampton County District Attorneys office.

Waleak Chandler, 42, previously spent 14 years in prison for conspiracy to commit armed robbery in New Jersey. He was released in 2020, court records say.

Chandlers attorney, Matt Deschler, had no comment on Chandlers conviction or his sentencing Wednesday.

Chandler pointed the gun at a woman March 4, 2023, in a home in the 900 block of Reynolds Street, police said. Hes a felon, so hes not allowed to own a gun.

After arresting Chandler, officers found the gun in a garbage bag on the outside back porch of the home.

Chandler was convicted at trial on July 9 of illegal firearms possession, making terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person. Northampton County Judge Brian J. Panella sentenced him Wednesday.

The case was investigated by Easton Police Officer Francisco Rivera and Northampton County Detective Dean Wilson. It was prosecuted by First Assistant District Attorney Robert Eyer.
Fall colors and a sign welcomes people to downtown Easton at the intersection of Spring Garden and Larry Holmes Drive. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

State and local officials gathered to rename the 13th Street Bridge over the Bushkill Creek in Easton after James Prendergast, a former state legislator who represented the area for two decades.

Prendergast served as state representative for the 136th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1958 to 1978. During his time in Harrisburg, colleagues elected him to several terms in House Democratic leadership, including positions as majority whip, caucus chairman and administrator.

Jim was always willing to help the people of Northampton County and I learned quickly that he was a dedicated and respected legislator in Harrisburg, said state Rep. Robert Freeman, who currently holds the 136th District seat and sponsored the bridge-naming legislation.

Before his political career, Prendergast served as a Marine Corps veteran of World War II, receiving the Navy Cross and two Purple Hearts. He later established himself as a successful attorney in Easton before his death on April 29, 1985.

Members of Prendergasts family attended the ceremony alongside officials from the state Transportation Department and various local and state representatives, including state Rep. Tim Brennan, D-Bucks, who co-sponsored the legislation with Freeman.

Brennan highlighted Prendergasts commitment to public service, stating, To serve is the heart of citizenship and the mark of a life lived meaningfully. It is important to recognize, today and every day, that the good lives we enjoy as Americans are only possible because of such men and women who selflessly serve their country and communities. Representative Prendergast was an exceptional example of a life lived according to these values.

Generative AI was used to organize information for this story, based on data provided by Pennsylvania state Rep. Robert Freemans office. It was reviewed and edited by lehighvalleylive.com staff.
A look at Wood Avenue through Eastons West Ward during a 2023 construction project. Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com

Armchair Lehigh Valley content is published on lehighvalleylive.com as part of a partnership with the website, which aims to give voters nonpartisan factual information. Armchair Lehigh Valley is run by publisher Katherine Reinhard and editor Robert H. Orenstein. For more information, or to subscribe at armchairlehighvalley.substack.com.

In the Nov. 4 election for Easton City Council, only voters in District 2 have a choice  Republican Sharbel Koorie or Democrat Julie Zando-Dennis. District 2 covers most of the West Ward.

In Districts 1 and 3, voters ousted incumbents in the Democratic primary, and no Republicans were on the primary ballot.

In District 1, Frank Graziano III, a member of the city planning commission, defeated longtime council member and retired Lafayette College professor Roger Ruggles by nearly 200 votes.

In District 3, Easton Area School Board member Susan Hartranft-Bittinger received the Democratic nomination over first-term incumbent Taiba Sultana (405 votes to 282).

Graziano and Hartranft-Bittinger are unopposed in the general election.

City council has seven elected members, all Democrats. Four members are not up for reelection this year: Mayor Sal Panto Jr., and at-large members Ken Brown, Frank Pintabone and Crystal Rose.

The District 2 seat opened up when Councilman James Edinger declined to seek reelection.

Sharbel Koorie  Republican

Sharbel Koorie, 58, has a lifelong history with the city of Easton.

Koorie considers himself a product of the 1960s urban renewal when the Lebanese neighborhood of Eastons downtown was demolished in hopes of combating the exodus of business to the 25th Street corridor.

They got rid of thousands of people without a plan, Koorie said. And all we got was a Perkins and a movie theater. Both businesses on South Third Street are gone, replaced by the new City Hall. (Ironically, Koorie said his office as a code officer in City Hall was in the same spot as his parents original apartment.)

Koorie graduated from Easton Area High School in 1985. He worked in the family dry cleaning business and in a lumber yard before starting as a laborer in the citys sewer department in 1997. A year later, he became a heavy equipment operator.

Eventually, he worked his way to building code officer and has worked in three mayoral administrations in the city: Thomas Goldsmith, Phil Mitman and Panto.

Koorie owns Daddys Place restaurant in the West Ward and has had a DJ business for 40 years. He owns and plans to make the former armory property at Seventh and Northampton streets an event center for Daddys Place.

The changes in Easton over the last 20 years have been dramatic, he said.

Personally, he would like to see the city spend more time maintaining what it has, because to keep taxes down the city should proceed with regular, small expenditures. By replacing a single truck every year, for example, Koorie said the city would avoid having an aging fleet where every vehicle would have to be replaced every 20 years.

He has also met, with Pantos encouragement, with the Colalillo family, owners of five ShopRite stores, including one in Bethlehem Township, to consider locating a grocery store at the Family Dollar on Centre Square, a plan eventually considered not feasible.

Koorie sees the future development of Easton moving away from downtown and going farther up Northampton Street and into the West Ward.

Koorie still lives on Ninth Street, in a home he designed for his extended family after purchasing several declining properties on his block.

He has experienced the failures and the successes of the city, he said, and would love to take the city to the next level.

He also supports construction of age-restricted apartments.

While knocking on doors to talk to residents, Koorie noted three main concerns:

Parking in the downtown and in the neighborhoods. Affordable housing, but not apartments. Walkability, sidewalks, and trees as well as residents frustration when grant-funded beautification projects dont meet their goals  such as the ornate lightposts and holiday lighting that suddenly ends halfway into the West Ward.

Im so passionate about this city and really want to be part of its future success, Koorie said. We need a diverse mix of talent on city council, and I believe my 25-year experience with the city, my businesses, and lifelong observation of our community growing up here, makes me the best candidate to help take the West Ward and city through the next four years.

He added, I know how to take something and make it something.

Julie Zando-Dennis  Democrat

Julie Zando-Dennis, 64, works as an assistant vice president/senior claims examiner for Berkley Alliance Managers, a major insurance company specializing in professional liability and pollution. She specializes in construction defects.

She and her wife, Ghennifer, an Easton Area School Board member, an educator and a cinematographer, have lived in the West Ward for 18 years. Zando-Dennis said her family is passionate about making a positive impact in their community.

Zando-Dennis, a lawyer, is a member of the bar in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She has a bachelors degree from McGill University, a law degree from Cardozo School of Law, a masters degree from University at Buffalo and a masters of fine arts from Bard College.

She lists her primary focuses as empowering the community, revitalizing the West Ward and improving infrastructure.

The West Ward has been historically disenfranchised, she said. Its very important to encourage community engagement among the diverse constituencies. Make sure voices are heard and people can control their own destiny.

Zando-Dennis has been a leader of the West Ward and a volunteer since she arrived in 2007. Before moving into Easton, she contacted the West Ward Neighborhood Partnership for information about the neighborhood and worked with that group as a resident until funding expired.

She is now a member of the West Ward Community Initiative Steering Committee and has been a part of that group since its inception. She was also one of the founding members of the Coalition to Stop the Warehouse, referring to the proposed warehouse at Wood Avenue near the 13th Street exit of Route 22.

That warehouse will bring noise, air pollution and light pollution to the West Ward, she said.

She said she also took swift, principled action to oppose a proposed zoning variance that would have allowed a gun store selling automatic weapons to open in a residential area. She said she is not anti-gun, but focused on protecting property values and preventing the spread of high-powered firearms near homes, churches and schools.

She is a regular volunteer at the West Ward Farmers Market on Wednesday nights and for National Night Out, and participates in neighborhood cleanups.

To revive the district, Zando-Dennis would support the growth of community-driven initiatives. These include neighborhood cleanups, public art projects, youth programs, festivals, block parties and public partnerships for home improvement.

Regarding neighborhood infrastructure, Zando-Dennis would focus on items that enhance safety such as parking improvements, traffic calming measures and sidewalk repairs.

She is committed to pursuing grant funding to repair and improve sidewalks in the city.

For two years, I worked on a Choice Neighborhoods grant proposal [for Easton] that, if awarded, would bring approximately $50 million to upgrade low-income housing and approximately $6 million for vital community projects, including transportation initiatives and a media art center that would benefit the entire community, she said. Importantly, the center would create meaningful opportunities for teenagers, who too often face a shortage of constructive outlets, by giving them a space to learn, create, and be guided toward positive futures.

Funding for that HUD program was cut by the Trump administration so the proposal is currently on hold. She is also vice president of the board at Safe Harbor of Easton, which provides assistance and programs for people who are homeless.

I have spent years fighting for the West Ward and I will continue that as a member of city council, she said. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.
Three people have been charged with filing false voter registration and mail-in ballot applications in Monroe County, the district attorney announced.

District Attorney Michael Mancuso said the three suspects filed voting applications for people who denied participating, for individuals who live out of state, and, in one case, for a dead person.

The applications were tied to the canvassing organization Fieldcorps, operating in Pennsylvania during the 2024 election cycle, according to Mancuso. The Pennsylvania Attorney General has filed a criminal complaint against a managerial level employee of that group, he said.

Charged in Monroe County are:

Gary T. Hall, 45, of Philadelphia

Jessica Clark, 43, of Wernersville, Berks County

Ashley Arias, 31, of Wernersville, Berks County

Court records dont list an attorney for any of the three defendants. Publicly listed phone numbers were unavailable for Hall and Clark. The voicemail box for Arias was full and she didnt respond to a text message sent to her publicly listed number.

Each defendant is accused of committing voter fraud when filing paperwork Oct. 21, 2024, at the Monroe County Administration Offices.

Criminal Complaints filed in Voter Registration Fraud Investigation Last Friday we filed three criminal complaints,... Posted by Mike Mancuso District Attorney on Thursday, October 30, 2025

Charges were filed after an exhaustive investigation in conjunction with the state attorney general, Mancuso said.

Each defendant allegedly forged signatures, fabricated information, and falsely completed registration documents. Investigators conducted numerous interviews, handwriting reviews, database checks, and analysis of the defendants statements.

A fourth person is expected to be charged, Mancuso said.

The District Attorneys Office remains committed to protecting the integrity of the election process in Monroe County, Mancuso said in a prepared statement.

Hall is charged with two counts of forgery, two counts of making unsworn falsifications, two counts of tampering with public records, and single counts of making a statement under penalty of law, identity theft, intentionally impersonating another, perjury and a violation relating to absentee ballots.

Clark is charged with four counts of forgery, four counts of making unsworn falsifications, four counts of tampering with public records, two counts of making statements under penalty of law, two counts of identity theft, two counts of intentionally impersonating another, two counts of perjury and two violations relating to absentee ballots.

Arias is charged with ten counts of forgery, five counts of identity theft, four counts of registering to vote despite knowing youre not entitled to register, five counts of perjury, ten counts of making unsworn falsifications, ten counts of tampering with public records, five counts of making statements under penalty of law, and four violations relating to absentee ballots.
November in Laois is hotting up with a brilliant music and literary line-up for the annual Leaves Literary Festival.

The stars are coming out to Laois, for the winter arts festival which runs from November 4 to 8.

A Laois version of Spoken Stories, the curated literary series on RTE Radio 1 will feature 36 original short stories by some of Irelands most talented and dynamic writers. Each story explores themes like identity, grief, memory and belonging and is voiced for radio by a cast of acclaimed Irish actors.

In association with Spoken Stories curator and producer, Cliodhna Ni Anluain, Laois will welcome three of the commissioned writers, Mary Costello, Roisin ODonnell and Colm O Snodaigh for the evening in the lovely surrounds of St Peter's Church of Ireland in Portlaoise.

Their stories will be read by a cast of well-known Laois voices, including broadcaster Claire Byrne and retired Met Eireann meteorologist, Evelyn Cusack who has just released her own book 'They Say It's Going To Rain'.

RTE journalist Claire Byrne and meterologist Evelyn Cusack both returning to their native county for Laois Leaves.

The legendary Kila will be a roof raising addition to this specially crafted evening. Their blend of traditional Irish music and global rhythms is guaranteed to ensure a rousing festival finale.

Another special evening honours the legacy of Mary Lavin, a trailblazer in Irish womens literature. Grainne Hurleys debut book, Gratefully and Affectionately: Mary Lavin and The New Yorker, is the first ever book to explore Lavins relationship with the influential publication.

Mary Lavins two granddaughters Kathleen MacMahon and Alice Ryan, both highly respected writers, will sit down with the author to chat about their grandmother and this fascinating time in her life. Renowned journalist and critic Alex Clark will lend her brilliantly incisive skills to lead this incredibly interesting conversation. The icing on the cake for this evening is a performance from Irelands most renowned rock fiddler, Steve Wickham, of The Waterboys.

This years One County One Book author Roisin O'Donnell will be joined by fellow writer Lisa Harding for an insightful conversation facilitated by Miriam O'Callaghan, also in the beautiful St Peter's Church of Ireland in Portlaoise.

Through her broadcasting career Miriam OCallaghan has often used her voice to raise awareness and foster public understanding of the insidious nature of coercive control. This topic is explored by both Roisin ODonnell and Lisa Harding in their current novels, Nesting and The Wildelings. Both novels are psychologically rich narratives that centre on vulnerable women navigating oppressive relationships.

Author Roisin O'Donnell and her book Nesting.

Other Highlights of Laois Leaves includes a Crime Writers Panel: Catherine Ryan Howard, Catherine Kirwan & Andrew Carte in Portlaoise Library. A Short Story Discussion: Mike McCormack & Mary ODonnell with Christine Dwyer Hickey in Dunamaise Arts Centre. A Memoir & Music event with Keith Donald and musician Don Baker in conversation.

Laois resident and author Dagogo Hart will hold a writing workshop and Four Letters of Love film screening.

The Sightless Cinemas Dogs Life will present "Immersive audio plays in the dark".

On Thursday, join the extraordinary Emma Fogarty in conversation with Irish Times Health correspondent Shauna Bowers as she chats about her new memoir Being Emma, in Abbeyleix Library.

Join in the fun from Tuesday to Saturday, November 4 to 8, for a festival that celebrates the power of words, music, and community. Tickets & Programme visit http://www.leavesfestival.ie or http://www.dunamaise.ie

Leaves Festival 2025 is proudly supported by Laois County Council, Creative Ireland Laois, Laois Partnership, Laois Tourism, and Laois Chamber Alliance.
On the night of October 30, Russian armed forces carried out another series of strikes on critical energy infrastructure facilities in several regions of Ukraine ahead of the fourth winter of war, which "will have significant implications for civilians across the country, especially in regions already facing challenges to critical infrastructure," the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) said.

"During the night of 29-30 October, the Russian armed forces conducted another large-scale combined attack against multiple regions of Ukraine, reportedly targeting critical energy infrastructure as the country faces its fourth winter of war," the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said in a press release received by Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday.

The mission said the night shelling was the third large-scale combined attack on energy facilities in October, damaging civilian structures and causing emergency power outages in several regions of the country.

According to preliminary information, at least two civilians were killed in Zaporizhia and 23 others were injured, including six children. The city was reportedly hit by more than eight ballistic missiles and 20 Shahed drones. Civilian deaths and injuries were also reported in Kyiv and Vinnytsia regions, where a seven-year-old girl was killed and five other civilians were injured.

The UN said the attack was one of the largest in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, during which 705 munitions were reportedly used. Explosions were heard in several regions, including Kyiv, Zaporizhia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Vinnytsia regions.

"If attacks of this scale and frequency continue, there is a significant risk of dangerous consequences for civilians this winter, including prolonged disruptions to heating, electricity, and water supplies," Head of the HRMMU Danielle Bell said.

She added that "these disruptions would disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including older persons, persons with disabilities, and families with young children, who are least able to cope with the loss of essential services in harsh winter conditions.

On Wednesday, Bell visited Chernihiv region, where she met with local authorities and civil society representatives to discuss the situation in the region, which remains difficult due to continued attacks on critical infrastructure in the run-up to the winter period.

Despite the ongoing attacks, local authorities and energy workers across Ukraine are making significant efforts to restore damaged infrastructure, often working in dangerous conditions. In 2025, at least 11 energy workers were killed or injured while performing their duties to maintain vital services for civilians.

At the same time, Ukrainian armed forces reportedly responded to the Russian Federations long-range strikes with their own drone and missile attacks, hitting energy and industrial facilities on Russian Federation territory. The HRMMU is unable to independently verify the impact of these attacks on civilians.

"With winter approaching, strikes on energy infrastructure increase the risk of prolonged disruptions to heating, electricity, and other essential services in Ukraine. This will have significant implications for civilians across the country, especially in regions already facing challenges to critical infrastructure," Bell said.
Excluding Laois TDs and local reporters from new committees to oversee policing in Laois and other counties will create a complete disconnect between the forum and the Dail, according to a local TD.

Deputy Brian Stanley is severely critical of the make up and structures of Local Community Safety Partnerships, (LCSP), whichi will replace the Joint Policing Committees. With just weeks before the Laois committee is due to be operational it's emerged that no TDs will have access while local media be restricted and possibly excluded.

The exclusing of TDs from the new fora was confirmed to in the Dail to Dep Stanley by the Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan. All partnerships will be in place by the end of 2026 and have hosted their first meetings in the coming weeks.

At the last Laois JPC, at least there was good attendance from the TDs. I think it is important, said Dep Stanley told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

We represent the constituency and yet we are being omitted from it. It creates a complete disconnect in terms of connecting up the line and into the Dail, he said.

The new committee will involve local councillors, Gardai, community representatives, business and education representatives, and a range of statutory agencies, including Laois County Council, the HSE, Tusla. The Laois Public Participation Network (PPN) is seeking nominations for Laois PPN Reps from the hundreds of groups affiliated to the network.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live understands that it's envisaged that the Laois committee will meet in public just once a year while a lot of work will be delegated to sub-committees.

Dep Stanley said that people attend his constituency office every week with issues relating to crime and security.

There will be people on them (Safety Partnerships) who are not elected to anything; thats fine but Laois people expect us to deal with these matters, said Dep Stanley.

Dep Stanley said he attended nearly every JPC meeting while he added that Sean Fleming was also present at many.

On a number of occasions, there was stuff coming up at the Joint Policing Committee and I would volunteer to take it up at Dail level, he recalled.

He was also very unhappy about plans to restrict media access to the new Partnerships, as has been flagged by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).

This is something that should have been debated in the Dail, said Dep Stanley.

He said if there was a particularly sensitive subject a local representative needed to raise, the forum afforded local representatives the opportunity to raise such matters with the local Chief Superintendent privately at the beginning or end of the meeting.

READ ALSO: Recruitment from communities underway for new policing partnerships

The NUJ has called on Minister O'Callaghan to urgently amend the guidelines published for the recently established Local Community Safety Partnerships, which allow the new local committees to meet in secret.

It said the guidelines make media attendance discretionary and recommend that in the first year of the new structure three of the six scheduled meetings of the 36 partnerships should be held in private.

In launching the Local Community Safety Partnerships earlier this year Mr OCallaghan said the new structures would operate transparently and efficiently, describing the Partnership as a much more collaborative, responsive, and locally driven approach to community safety.

READ ALSO: Cocaine hidden in midlands lorry that was carrying Lego

Irish Secretary, National Union of Journalists, Seamus Dooley, has written to Mr OCallaghan requesting an urgent amendment to the guidelines, describing them as being in complete conflict with the principles outlined by the Minister and directly contrary to media policies being supported by the government.

Secrecy was for many years the hallmark of local government in Ireland. It beggars belief that an initiative hailed as a fresh approach should seek to restrict media access to such a vital community forum, allegedly in the name of developing trust among the partnership members.

"This is not a fresh approach but is instead a return to an old fashioned Yes Minister view of public administration favoured by Jim Hacker rather than the open approach promised by Minister OCallaghan, said Mr Dooley.

He noted the Joint Policing Committees were open to the media.

The new committees involved public bodies such as HSE, the child and family agency Tusla and local authorities and have a much broader remit. For these reasons the NUJ believes the discretion allowed to committees to exclude the media is of particular concern.

There should be a presumption that meetings will be held in public. If there needs to be a private session to discuss matters of particular sensitivity standing orders could allow this, as happen at local authorities and Oireachtas committees, he added.

Mr Dooley said the relevant section of the Guidelines, 10.4 only allows for the possibility of media attendance and makes provision for the publication of a subsequent agreed report of the private proceedings.

"It is difficult to see how this level of secrecy can be justified," he said.

Recommendation 10.4. of the guidelines state: "Media Attendance Local Community Safety Partnerships may facilitate attendance by the media at their discretion and via request to the chair. In the first year of the partnership, to allow for relationships and trust to develop, and as the Safety Partnership is developing its workplan, consideration should be given to limiting media attendance to public meeting(s) This approach to be reviewed as the partnerships work evolves.

At this point the Safety Partnership may also consider achieving a balance whereby three meetings allow media attendance whilst three are held in private. Transparency and accountability to the general public and media are an important factor of the Safety Partnerships work. As per section 9.6 an agreed report of a closed meeting must be made available. Safety Partnerships could consider, as part of their communication strategy, sharing such reports directly with local media."

Mr Dooley pointed to the contradiction in the approach of government to local democracy.

"The irony is that this government, through Coimisiun na Mean is providing very welcome funding for coverage through local democracy reporter schemes. Coverage of local government is vital in a healthy democracy, and these schemes recognise the value of transparency in public administration.

"The NUJ was instrumental in seeking such assistance and has long been concerned at the failure of some media organisations to devote resources to local and regional government. Ironically this issue was highlighted in The Journal by a reporter supported by the Local Democracy scheme," he said.
Following the shock announcement that Fastway couriers had gone into receivership, Laois employees at the Portarlington parcel hub have been left reeling.

Speaking with the Leinster Express / Laois Live, one worker said he was operating a forklift when he was escorted to the warehouse gates.

"I went in on Tuesday at 7am, and was supposed to finish work at 6:30pm," said Portarlington man Paddy Waldron, an employee at the Fastway hub.

Pictured: Fastway hub in Portarlington

"We came back from lunch and noticed all these lads in high visibility vests at the gate. We just assumed they were workers because they were in the vests," he said.

"Around 4:15 they began pacing towards us, I thought I was about to be asked to move. I had a full freight cage on the forklift, and I was told to get off," Mr Waldron alleges.

"We were all dragged off the forklifts and escorted to the canteen, they were almost linking our arms bringing us over. We were told to collect our belongings from our lockers, and we wouldn't be allowed back into the warehouse. There were lads who had jackets and lunch boxes left outside, they weren't allowed to go back for them," he claimed.

"I was so confused. I had assumed we were being brought in about a pay rise, we are at our peak season. There were over 50,000 parcels in the depor that morning. I know six or seven drivers with full trailers of parcels, they tried to bring them back to the depot and the gates are locked, they don't know what to do with them," Mr Waldron alleged.

"They could be Christmas presents for people."

Mr Waldron has worked with the company for six years, and has a young family to take care of.

"I have a nine month old daughter and never mind Halloween, we are coming close to Christmas, I'm one of the lucky ones compared to some of the situations of the people I work with. It's a hard time," Mr Waldron said.

Mr Waldron alleged that workers were told they cannot sign on to social welfare, or they will be at risk of losing their redundancy packages. The employee says that they will not receive their owed wages until March or April of 2026.

"We can't get a new job because we are still employees at Fastway- we would be taxed for two jobs. If we sign on before the consultation period is over in 30 days time, we will lose our redundancy. We don't know what to do," Mr Waldron said.

The Portarlington man has said that his HR department has 'vanished', with workers unable to speak with their bosses.

"We had a meeting on Wednesday with a liquidation group who took some of our questions. As we are still employees, we are in a tight spot- we could be asked to go back to work on Monday, and work though we won't be getting our wages. If they call us to come to work on Monday, and we don't show up, they can sack us, and we won't get our redundancy," he claimed.

"I wouldn't have minded as much if we were all sat down a week before and told the news, not dragged off the forklifts," Mr Waldron argued.

"Our bosses hopped in their cars and left. We normally have to walk through metal detectors when we are going in and out, we were just walked to the nearest exit instead. That was all out the window," he said.

"We were walked to the gate hand in hand, I watched them pushing elderly women out the main door, women in their 50's and 60's working here. That's what was happening in the hub on Tuesday, no one is answering any questions about wages," Mr Waldron alleged.

"We are told not to return, unless we are told to come back. To be brought in and get nothing for it," Mr Waldron finished.
An emergency job fair has been organised for Fastway employees facing redundancy following the company's receivership.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Ireland has announced that they will hold 'Driver Connect', an event that aims to introduce Fastway contractors and self-employed drivers with companies such as An Post, Amazons delivery partners, Bus Eireann, ISM and others that are currently recruiting.

Taking place on Tuesday November 4 at the Maldron Hotel in Portlaoise, CILT Ireland says the initiative is designed to help keep skilled drivers in work and maintain supply chain continuity across Ireland.

While this event has been organised to assist Fastway employees, the company has told the Leinster Express / Laois Live that all are welcome to attend, with free attendance for drivers and employers.

The collapse of Fastway has left many hard-working self-employed drivers in sudden uncertainty, said CEO Joe Kenny, CILT Ireland.

Pictured: File photo of Fastway vehicles

As the professional body for the logistics and transport sector, we believe its our responsibility to step in and create a platform where drivers can quickly reconnect with companies who urgently need their skills.

Driver Connect is about collaboration  keeping experienced drivers working, ensuring parcels keep moving, and reinforcing the resilience of Irelands logistics network.

The open day will run from 10am  3pm and feature short introductions from participating companies, informal networking, and on-the-spot recruitment discussions.

Advance registration for the event is encouraged. This event is supported by CILT Mobility & Supply Chain Skillnet, an industry led subsidised training network for the transport, logistics and supply chain sector.

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) is the professional body representing members involved in the movement of goods and people and their associated supply chains.

Through education, training, and advocacy, CILT promotes best practice and professional standards across the transport and logistics sector.

Register for the event here.
To celebrate its 175th anniversary this year, Punchestown has unveiled a limited edition print collection of historic John Sturgess paintings depicting the famous 1872 Conyngham Cup at Punchestown, with proceeds going to Kildare charities Barretstown and Tiglin.

The launch of the collection was marked with a special presentation of the first set of prints to Taoiseach Micheal Martin at Government Buildings.

Barretstown is Irelands largest provider of therapeutic camps and programmes for children with cancer and other serious illnesses, and Tiglin provides services for those who have experienced homelessness, addiction, and social exclusion.

The print collection features high-quality reproductions of original works by John Sturgess, a renowned 19th-century artist celebrated for his exceptional detail and ability to capture the atmosphere of great racing occasions.

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Using the Giclee fine art printing process, the reproductions reflect the vibrancy and precision of the originals, delivering museum-grade quality.

The 1872 paintings were rediscovered in New York by Cameron McMillan, art dealer and owner of McMillan Fine Art Gallery in Kensington, London. McMillan is a native of Killashee, Co. Kildare near Punchestown and has played a pivotal role in bringing the works back into the spotlight. The paintings are now proudly displayed on-site in Punchestown.

Only 175 unframed sets of these four historic Sturgess prints are available for purchase.

Speaking at the launch, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: Punchestown has been an integral part of the sporting, cultural and social fabric of Kildare and beyond for the past 175 years. I am delighted to launch this collection of limited-edition John Sturgess prints to mark this milestone anniversary.

With the proceeds being donated to two very worthy causes based in Kildare, Barretstown and Tiglin, those who buy these striking prints will be helping to support the important work these charities do for sick children and for people experiencing homelessness.

Making a joint comment Charles OReilly, Chairman of The Kildare Hunt Club and David Mongey, Chairman of Punchestown Racecourse stated: This year we celebrate the 175th anniversary of Punchestown racecourse, its prestigious standing in horse racing and the importance of this special place in the community.

This wonderful initiative showcases the outstanding artworks that reflect the rich history of Punchestown whilst benefitting two renowned Kildare based charities who are quite literally neighbours of the racecourse. The role that both Barretstown and Tiglin play in transforming and restoring lives is something that we are privileged to support.

Dee Ahearn, CEO of Barretstown, remarked: We deeply appreciate Punchestowns generous support of this important initiative. These limited-edition prints highlight Punchestowns distinguished heritage, celebrated both locally and nationally. They will be a valuable addition to any home, and the funds raised will enable Barretstown to continue providing essential support to more seriously ill children and their families.

Aubrey McCarthy, Founder of Tiglin, said: As a native of Punchestown, I am deeply grateful to the management of Punchestown Racecourse for their generosity in donating the proceeds from the sale of these prints to both Barretstown and Tiglin.

"It is really encouraging to see such an iconic local landmark being used to support those experiencing illness, homelessness and addiction. This contribution will make a real and lasting difference in the lives of many marginalised people, offering hope, dignity, and the opportunity for change.

The prints can be purchased online at https://punchestown.com/sturgess-punchestown-prints/.

A set of medium prints (26.67 cm x 50.8 cm) will be sold at a price of 1,000 and large prints (39.37cm x 73.66cm) will be sold at 1,200 with proceeds going to Barretstown and Tiglin.
Many warm tributes have been paid to the late Nick OToole, who passed away recently, at St Brigids Hospice, the Curragh, after a short illness.

The Naas resident was well known in the world of horseracing for his love of the sport, the many related exhibitions he staged and his interest in equine memorabilia.

Mr OToole had a passion for the iconic Arkle, winner of numerous high profile National Hunt races, including three successive Cheltenham Gold Cups in the 1960s and the 1964 Irish Grand National.

He passed away peacefully, after a short illness, at St. Brigids Hospice, The Curragh, on September 8.

Naas-based photographer Tony G Murray said its difficult to overstate the depth of knowledge and passion that Nick OToole possessed for Irish horse racing.

From a very early age, he immersed himself in the sport, earning his living through dealing in equestrian art and memorabilia, with a special focus on the great Arkle.

His work extended beyond collecting.

He aided in the production of at least two documentaries on Arkle  including the award-winning Arkle: The Legend Lives On (2014) which captured the legends impact on the sport.

Mr Murray added: I had the privilege of working with Nick on many of his fabulous exhibitions at Curragh Racecourse.

He curated major displays honouring Vincent OBrien, Lester Piggott and others, creating immersive experiences for racing fans and the broader public.

One moment stands out: he would walk into my studio unannounced, question first Anything interesting here?, then wander round with that twinkle in his eye, spotting something Id never have noticed until he pointed it out.

Nick was more than a collector or curator: he was a friend, a raconteur, a mischief-maker in the best sense.

Some days I still hear that knock on the studio door adn I wonder if its Nick and of course its not. Yet his presence lingers.

Nick may be gone, but the world of Irish racing is richer because of him.

He preserved our heritage, he entertained us, and he made us think about the stories behind every poster, every racecard, every framed print.

Over a lifetime span of more than 50 years he built up one of the finest collections of racing memorabilia in Ireland  and beyond  always guided by the belief that these items carry stories and memories, not just value.

Regina Byrne, of the Association of Irish Racehorse Trainers, said she was saddened to hear of his death describing Nick as a lovely gentleman to meet at the races or the sales, always up for a chat, a charming compliment and a bit of banter.

Brian Kavanagh of the Curragh Racecourse described him as a bright light "who would always put a smile on your face when you met him.

Mr Kavanagh said Nick always had a project in mind and he had happy memories of working with Nick at various exhibitions hosted at the Curragh Racecourse the very definition of a labour of love done with a wonderful attention to detail.

One of many friends, Derek Carruthers, said: I only knew Nick for a few years but his knowledge of horseracing never ceased to amaze me. His stories always came with a laugh and he will be sadly missed.

Video producer Rory ODoherty said Nick was a legend in racing, who was full of information. He added they worked closely together on many video productions.

You always found a spot on the wall for an ideal picture you had that would suit that particular spot. We will miss you, commented Vincent OLeary and Camilla Grey of Fletchers pub, Naas.

Nick is survived by his wife Michelle, brother Mick, sisters Anne and Eileen, nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and extended family

The hearse bearing his remains paused outside McAuley Place/Church of Our Lady and David, prior to his funeral at Newlands Cross Crematorium, where a celebration of his life was staged at The Temple, on September 11.
Newbridge, Co Kildare native, Dr Geraldine Osborne knows what it's like to be cold. In 1989, herself, artist husband Danny and their three young children spent a year living in the tiny Inuit settlement of Grise Fiord, over 1000km above the Arctic Circle.

Geraldine's family's exploits form the background to her new travel memoir, 'Somewhere Cold', which details the hardships they endured living in one of the most isolated places on Earth, and the bonds they forged with the indigenous Inuit people along the way.

My husband, Danny had been to the Arctic twice, so he was quite familiar with it. He went first in 1977 for three months, he's an artist and he went up there to paint, and then in 1981 he and two other guys organised the first Irish Arctic exhibition and spent six months there doing various projects, Geraldine tells Kildare Live.

READ NEXT: Historic Punchestown paintings to raise funds for Kildare charities

So I met him just before that, I was a medical student in Dublin at the time and he had a warehouse close by to where I was living at the time. Then two years later we were married, I was in my final year I think of medical school. But I was fascinated by it as well, and I was always interested in travel, so that's how it came about.

Geraldine explains that after she and Danny got married, they embarked on some travelling, but could not take their children as they were too young. The young couple travelled on expeditions to the Andes and Himalayas, but it wasn't until their third child was born that they decided to take the whole family on their next adventure, to the High Arctic.

After our third child was born, the time was right to go to the Arctic, and the trip was very much designed around the children. We went and stayed in an Inuit community where there were other young kids as well.

They were all very small, the eldest was five, then was a two-year-old and a one-year old, so the five-year-old sort of remembers some of it, but the other two don't really remember it at all. When they were there they just accepted everything. They didn't complain or remark about the cold, it was just what the children there put up with too, and so long as their needs were met they didn't really...they just accepted it as normal."

Conditions

We stayed in a very small isolated community 1000km above the Arctic Circle, so it's very northern, about 76 degrees latitude. So in winter you get three months of complete darkness, and it's very cold of course, -40 degrees on average and if you have winds it's even lower. So it's very cold and dark in the winter, and then in early February the sun comes back and the time of daylight lengthens dramatically every day, and by April you're into continuous daylight almost. The lack of a 24-hour clock was hard to adapt to.

The Inuits are very nice people to live with, really nice; they're a bit reserved but very generous and kind, and they've a great sense of humour as well. They have a lot of community events, celebratory community events and things. It was nice for us to be in that particular community because it was very small, and we got to know everybody. There were a lot of cultural things I had to get used to as well.

Geraldine explains that 'Somewhere Cold' is a book she always wanted to write but never got around to. With three young children and a demanding job at the time, she simply did not have the time resources available. Since retiring two years ago, however, found that the time was right to gather her thoughts and present them on the printed page.

The result is the story of a remarkable Irish family who chose to live in the harshest of conditions for one year, and who were embraced into a local Inuit community as one of their own.

'Somewhere Cold' by Geraldine Osborne is available now in all good bookshops and is published by Mercier Press.


"We had a very unpopular budget and no attempt to help people on low incomes, with the cost of living," a Leitrim councillor told the Leitrim Observer this week when talking about the 4,828 spoiled votes (12.5%) in the Sligo-Leitrim constituency during the Presidential Election.

It was revealed that commentary of some type was written by 21% of those who did so and 31% of those who spoiled their vote mentioned preferring other candidates not on the ballot.

Cllr Paddy O'Rourke stated: "It's a lesson in how elections should not be held; after an unpopular budget, fudged candidates."

He continued that "a lot of people were angry about the VAT reduction for the hospitality industry. It's a huge commitment - 619 million and then for people to get nothing at the other end; it was the wrong thing at the time. I'm not suggesting the budget should be fixed to run elections because you can't run a country that way, you have to do what's best at the time."

Cllr O'Rourke continued that another issue was the "debacle of the Fianna Fail candidate; plenty of would-be Fianna Fail supporters were angry about that and some of them may have vented their angry by spoiling their vote."

READ MORE: Leitrim organisations urged to apply for circular economy grants before deadline next week

He said: "The other issue was the failure to offer Independent candidates and offer a choice. I checked on numerous people who made an allegation that Fianna Fail councillors were whipped to abstain or vote against Independent candidates; that didn't happen in Leitrim. We had no quotes, good, bad or indifferent from headquarters but we still failed, by a number of votes, to give a nomination to Maria Steen. It wasn't a commitment that we were going to vote for her but we were going to give her an opportunity to set out her stall to the wide community."

He said various elements caused "voter displeasure; to be honest, I was amazed the turnout was as good as it was given how indifferent most people were talking about the election."

Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly recently said that he was "shafted" in being denied a chance to contest the Presidential Election.

Heather Humphreys was chosen as Fine Gael's candidate without a contest following the withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness from the campaign, something Mr Kelly feels did not reflect the views of the parliamentary party membership.

Cllr O'Rourke commented: "There was probably discontent due to that in the South of Ireland and there were probably those who had been set on voting for Mairead McGuiness last June but when she wasn't a candidate, lost interest."





READ MORE: 'A lesson in how elections should not be held' and 'no attempt' to address cost of living crisis - Leitrim councillor

He said the spoiled votes show how unhappy many people were with the election. "The fact that people left their home and went to a polling station to deliberately spoil their vote, says something about their anger. It's one thing to be angry and stay at home but to make the effort to go and actually spoil your vote, is another."

Figures indicate an historically low turnout for the presidential election with the final voter turnout for polling stations across the country below 40 per cent in many areas but an official figure will not be known until Saturday.

He concluded: "I'm talking to a lot of people who are fearful about the economy and the tariffs and the impact that that has had."
Leitrim County Council is inviting parents and children aged 7 to 12 to discover the world of technology together this November through a series of free OurKidsCode workshops as part of Science Week 2025, running from November 9th to 16th.

The family-friendly sessions will take place at Leitrims Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) and local libraries, offering a fun and engaging way for families to explore coding, problem-solving, and creative thinking.

Developed by a research team at Trinity College Dublin, OurKidsCode is a national initiative designed to help families learn about coding in a relaxed, hands-on environment. No prior experience is needed  just curiosity, a laptop, and a willingness to try something new.

Leitrim County Council has supported OurKidsCode for the past 18 months, with the workshops already proving a major hit among local families. Participants have praised the sessions for being interactive, educational, and a great way to spend time together.

Working as a facilitator with OurKidsCode here in Leitrim, it has been lovely to see parents and children sitting together, laughing, creating, problem solving, and being proud of what they achieve as a family, said Martina Gilmartin, facilitator of the OurKidsCode programme in Leitrim.

In this very tech-savvy world, many parents worry about children spending too much time on screens. OurKidsCode offers something completely different  active, creative computer time rather than passive screen time. Its about connection  between parents and children, between families and communities, and between creativity and technology.

The initiative is part of a wider effort by Leitrim County Council to bridge the urbanrural divide by bringing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning opportunities to communities throughout the county.

Leitrim County Council are delighted to be part of this very worthwhile initiative with Trinity College and OurKidsCode, said Nicola McManus, Broadband Officer with Leitrim County Council.

We encourage families to take this opportunity to support our young people to access valuable learning in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths.

Parents who have already taken part say the experience is both fun and inspiring.

We really loved the coding workshop provided by OurKidsCode over four days in Manorhamilton Library last year, said Fiona Wheeldon, who attended with her two sons. My kids are still interested in coding now, with the younger one doing Makey Makey projects and the older one exploring Makecode Arcade at home.

In addition to being educational and enjoyable, initiatives like OurKidsCode could help open new career pathways for young people in rural areas  particularly for girls  as many technology and computing jobs can now be done remotely.

Families, parent associations, and community groups interested in hosting OurKidsCode workshops at their local BCPs can email nicola.mcmanus@leitrimcoco.ie

To register or learn more, contact your local library, your nearest BCP, or phone Martina Gilmartin on 087 154 5012.

READ MORE: Leitrim organisations urged to apply for circular economy grants before deadline next week
Gardai are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision which occurred on Dame Street, Dublin 2 this morning, Thursday, 30th October 2025.



Gardai and emergency services responded following report of the collision, involving a pedestrian and a truck, that occurred at approximately 1.45am.

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A male pedestrian (30s) was pronounced deceased at the scene. His body has been removed to Dublin City Mortuary where a post-mortem examination will take place in due course.



There were no other injuries reported.

The Coroner has been notified.



Garda Forensic Collision Investigators have completed an examination of the scene and the road has been reopened.

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Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have taken images or recorded footage of the incident to not share it on social media platforms or messaging apps, but instead to provide it to investigating Gardai.



Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) who were in the area between 1.30am and 2am are asked to make this this footage available to Gardai.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Pearse Street Garda Station on (01) 6669000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
Dermot Bannon is asking the people of Ireland to help spread some warmth this winter by nominating a deserving friend, neighbour or family member for a special treat - and one lucky winner will receive a surprise visit from Dermot himself.

The much-loved architect and presenter of RTE's Room to Improve has teamed up with Irish company WillowWarm for its Random Acts of Warmness campaign, which celebrates kindness, connection and cosy moments during the winter season.

Ten nominees from across Ireland will receive a beautifully curated winter hamper worth over 300, filled with premium WillowWarm briquettes and a selection of heart-warming goodies.

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"We all know someone who deserves a little warmth this winter, maybe they've helped a friend or have gone out of their way to be kind," said Dermot Bannon.

"Now you can give them back some of that warmth by nominating them to win a WillowWarm winter hamper worth over 300."

Nominations are now open for friends, neighbours or family members who've gone the extra mile to help others, from dropping in a dinner to offering a listening ear.

The WillowWarm delivery team will hand-deliver the hampers to the winners' doorsteps while capturing the heartwarming reactions, and one very lucky person will receive their prize directly from Dermot Bannon himself.

READ MORE | EXPLAINED: What was the strange 'UFO' light in skies over Ireland on Wednesday?



As we all turn up the heat during this cold spell, expensive home energy bills and heightened awareness of the climate crisis have everyone on the lookout for more eco-friendly heating solutions. WillowWarm Briquettes are a carbon-neutral, sustainably grown home fuel produced in Co Meath that is good for the country, the environment and your pocket.

"I am always looking for sustainable solutions when designing, insulating and renovating a home, to make it as warm and cosy as possible but also as economic to run," said Dermot.

"You can't beat the cosiness of a fire or a stove on a cold winter evening. What I love about burning WillowWarm is its 100% carbon neutral, that can be used on a daily basis and it's better for the environment than fossil fuels, the country and even better, your pocket. I wouldn't use anything else in my home."

READ MORE | WARNING: Popular Halloween treat pulled from Irish supermarkets amid serious allergy fears



Dermot also shared some of his best advice for keeping homes snug this winter.

1. Invest in insulation, walls first, then your attic and floors like an overcoat for your house. After that, replace single glazed windows with triple glazing.

2. Ensure your boiler is serviced to make sure it is working efficiently. Install timeclocks on your boiler so your home can be heated before you arrive home. You should also install thermostats on your radiators if you don't have them, this means the heat will only be on when it's needed.

3. Stop draughts by sealing up any unused fireplaces. Heavy curtains are really effective for keeping heat in your home and ensuring all doors have proper seals

Nominations are now open at WillowWarm.ie, where people can share why their chosen friend, neighbour or relative deserves to be recognised for their warm-hearted ways this winter.
Another Ukrainian teenager left the temporarily occupied territory for the government-controlled territory within the framework of the initiative of the President of Ukraine Bring Kids Back UA, Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak said in the Telegram channel on Thursday.

"A 17-year-old boy has lived under constant pressure and control of the occupiers for more than two years... The teenager had to leave on his own, leaving his mother, who has not yet been able to leave. Today he is already next to his father, on free Ukrainian land, receiving the necessary assistance and preparing to start a new life without fear," Yermak said.

He said the boy was forced to study according to the Russian curriculum in the occupied territories, and was threatened with "the basement" for the slightest manifestation of Ukrainian identity. "Propaganda was imposed at school, and on the streets  only Russian flags and calls to join the army of the occupiers. He tried to escape more than once, but all attempts ended in failure. Thanks to the efforts of the Ukrainian Network for Children's Rights, we managed to develop a safe route and organize the departure," Yermak said.

As reported, as of October 1, within the framework of the president's initiative Bring Kids Back, Ukraine had returned 1,645 children, after which Yermak said over 80 more, and Head of Kherson Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Prokudin, about four, and in addition about a group of children aged 10 to 17, without specifying their number.
The search for a missing 58-year-old man has been stood down on Thursday amid a new Garda update.

On Tuesday, Gardai posted a public appeal to help trace the whereabouts of Gerard (Gerry) Lynch, who was reported missing from his home in New Ross, county Wexford, since Monday 27th October 2025.

READ NEXT: Man in his 30's killed in early morning collision in Dublin as Gardai appeal for witnesses

Gardai said Gerry was last seen on Sunday 26th October 2025 at approximately 9.15am, and was described as being approximately 5 foot 9 inches in height, with a slim build, grey hair and green eyes.

It was not known what he was wearing when last seen, but it was believed Gerry has access to a 142DL-reg Nissan X-Trail car.

It was also believed that Gerry may have travelled to the Arranmore Island area of Donegal, or to the Belfast area.

READ NEXT: Customers warned of major disruptions in place for several Irish Rail routes this weekend

Gardai said they and Gerry's family are concerned for his well-being.

Gardai have bow given an update on Gerry and they say that he has been found safe and well. They have also thanked the public for their assistance.
Photo: https://youtu.be/OsW-RaXFTOE?si=HIUXa5aMZ_x-_wsj

The number of young patients with cardiovascular diseases is rapidly growing in Ukraine. Heart attacks at 30 are no longer a rarity. Doctors attribute this to fears, anxiety and chronic stress caused by the war. Both civilians and military personnel are affected, with the latter also suffering severe physical trauma to the heart.

Marine Ivan lived with a piece of shrapnel in his heart for three and a half years, most of that time in Russian captivity. After returning to Kyiv, he underwent a unique endoscopic operation without opening his sternum. Surgeons removed a 1.5 cm long fragment, which miraculously did not damage any vital vessels. This is the first such case in world practice. The operation lasted three and a half hours. Ivan is currently undergoing rehabilitation and only comes to the hospital for scheduled check-ups.

Military injuries are forcing Ukrainian cardiac surgeons to look for new methods of treatment. They are already sharing this knowledge with their foreign colleagues. The 20th International Forum on Congenital and Acquired Heart Defects became a platform for the exchange of experience between leading specialists from Ukraine and around the world. Over the past year, 2,500 operations were performed at the capital's centre for cardiology and cardiac surgery. Every year, their number increases by 15-20%. Due to the war, there is an increase in patients with ischaemic heart disease, particularly heart attacks. A 30-year-old patient is no longer an exception. Doctors urge people to seek immediate medical attention at the first symptoms of chest pain or discomfort.

Patients with congenital heart defects cannot wait either. Every year, about 4,500 children are born in Ukraine with such diagnoses. Cardiac surgeon Ilya Yemets performs operations on newborns in the first hours of life, using umbilical cord blood instead of donor blood. His method has already been recognised at international conferences, and the number of successful operations has exceeded 350. Despite the war, Ukrainian cardiac surgeons are being approached by patients from abroad. Galina Moisei from Moldova brought her daughter Eva to Kyiv after an unsuccessful operation at home. Ukrainian doctors saved the child. Since 2022, the Kyiv Centre for Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery has performed 75 operations on children from Moldova. Patients also come from Azerbaijan and even the United States.

The only organ that never rests is the heart. And if you want advice from a cardiac surgeon, it is this: take care of your heart, and everything will be fine.
The Solidarity Charitable Foundation and LEROY MERLIN UKRAINE helped to renovate the surgical department of Kyiv City Clinical Hospital No. 8 and the pediatric department of Kyiv City Children's Clinical Hospital No. 1. The total cost of the two projects, implemented jointly with other partners, is over UAH 50 million.

Modern conditions, safe space, new equipment  all this contributes to more efficient work of medical staff and the speedy recovery of patients. I am grateful to everyone who implemented this important project. I am grateful to investors who trust Kyiv and invest in its development, emphasized Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko at the opening of the department.

The surgical department of hospital No. 8 provides assistance to about 3 thousand patients every year. The institution allocated UAH 26.5 million for its renovation, and the Solidarity Fund invested another UAH 19 million.

Now it (the department) fully complies with all the most modern European standards regarding inclusion, equipment, ventilation, air quality, etc. Patients will recover in proper modern conditions, and doctors will work, emphasized the acting chief physician Denys Reizin.

According to him, the redevelopment of the department was aimed at inclusivity. Currently, the department has 44 beds: 12 triple wards and 8 single wards, each of which is equipped with a bathroom with a boiler, climate control, CO sensors, oxygen points, nurse call buttons, and a video surveillance system.

The department is equipped with three resident rooms (currently 12 doctors and interns work there). The walls and floor are covered with medical linoleum, which is easy to disinfect. The ventilation system has been completely replaced and is now autonomous.

One of the key partners in the restoration of the medical facility was the Solidarity Charitable Foundation, established in 2022 by LEROY MERLIN UKRAINE to support war victims with funding from the French group of companies ADEO. The Foundation actively implements projects aimed at improving conditions in medical facilities, restoring social infrastructure and housing. The reconstruction of the surgical department of Hospital No. 8 became the 122nd implemented initiative in its portfolio. The Chairman of the Solidarity Foundation, Mathieu-Marie Arden, explained that the Foundation was happy to respond to this project.

Over the three years of our work, we have allocated approximately 6 million euros to charity projects, one of our main investors is LEROY MERLIN UKRAINE. The sector where we can be useful is construction, reconstruction. And when a hospital, which is also located next to our store, asks us to help people who are being treated in the surgical department, of course we say yes. It is important for us to be there, to implement what we are good at doing,  emphasized the head of the Solidarity Foundation Mathieu-Marie Arden.

He added that among the projects in the field of healthcare that have already been implemented thanks to the foundations assistance: three rehabilitation centers, the construction of childrens clinic No. 1 in Lviv, roofing works at the Ichny city hospital, a renovated surgical department in Mykolaiv, etc.

The employees of the foundation and LEROY MERLIN UKRAINE contributed to this project not only with materials and resources, but also with their own hands.

On the part of LEROY MERLIN, we provided the building materials that were needed. For us, it is a real pride that we can meet the expectations of Ukrainians and come to the rescue when they really need it. This means not only being a source of funding or providing building materials. We also spent a lot of time here (in hospital No. 8) painting the walls, helping this hospital with our own hands. After all, one of our values is the value of sharing, says Axel Bernal, CEO of LEROY MERLIN UKRAINE.

She added that the company will continue to assist city hospital No. 8 in the near future - it is planned to update the orthopedic department, the signing of a contract for which is expected by the end of October.

Our work will continue next year and beyond, because we have very strong support from France, and we will help Ukraine as much as we can, she emphasized.

Also this year, in the Obolonsky district, with the help of the Solidarity Foundation, together with the Andriy Zasukha Foundation, the pediatric department of the Kyiv City Children's Clinical Hospital No. 1 was renovated.

Solidarity's charitable assistance amounted to over UAH 2.7 million. As part of the joint reconstruction, the benefactors renovated 1,242 sq m of premises, and the department is now designed for 50 young patients. In total, 32 modern wards have been equipped  both single and double, as well as a special intensive care ward.

The department has created and updated modern infrastructure that provides the most comfortable conditions for patients and their parents: a laundry room with dryers, a kitchen, showers and toilets, two cafeterias, a manipulation room, playrooms, a wardrobe and several rooms for medical staff. Some wards are specially equipped for children with inclusion, and Braille signs and signs are installed throughout the department so that people with visual impairments can easily navigate and feel safe.

We tried to make repairs in such a way that mom or dad could cope on their own without a partner. So that there were all the conditions to heat up baby food, put yogurt in the refrigerator, make a snack in the kitchen for individual needs, or if you want to drink coffee or just sit while the child sleeps, says Yevgeniya Grigoryeva, director of the City Childrens Clinical Hospital No. 1.

The Solidarity Foundation in our district helps to renovate hospitals and repair educational institutions. This is an example of the unity of philanthropists and socially responsible businesses that help the state during the war in the civilian sector, but on those problems that relate to the consequences of the war, said Kyrylo Fesyk, head of the Obolon Regional State Administration.
LIMERICK gardai have issued key messages to help everyone to celebrate Halloween safely and responsibly, reminding locals of the danger of bonfires and fireworks.

Sergeant Michelle OHalloran, Crime Prevention Officer Henry Street Garda Station said:

"Halloween is an enjoyable time for many families, but unfortunately, it can also bring increased risks  from anti-social behaviour to firework injuries. Gardai are urging everyone to celebrate safely and responsibly."

The gardai's key messages are:

READ MORE: Gardai appeal for witnesses to separate collisions in Limerick City and County

Fireworks are illegal  unless you have a specific licence, its against the law to buy, sell, or use them. They are dangerous, can cause serious injury, and frighten both people and animals.

Bonfires can cause serious harm. They damage property, the environment, and can quickly get out of control. If you see materials being collected for bonfires, report it to your local authority or Gardai.

Parents, please know where your children are during the Halloween period. Make sure they are safe and not getting involved in any behaviour that could lead to accidents or criminal offences.

For trick-or-treaters, we encourage everyone to stay visible, wear reflective clothing, use safe routes, and only visit homes of people you know.

And finally, look out for vulnerable neighbours, especially the elderly  loud noises and unexpected visitors can be distressing.

Sgt O'Halloran added: "Halloween should be a fun time for everyone, and by being sensible and respectful, we can all help keep our communities safe."
*** READER DISCRETION ADVISED ***

A MAN, who is allegedly addicted to crystal meth and is HIV positive, was charged with the possession, and distribution of child sex abuse images and videos, at a special court sitting.

A detective garda objected to the man, who has an address in Limerick, being granted bail as he alleged the accused was a risk to children and a danger to the community.

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At the beginning of the special sitting in Kilmallock Courthouse on Saturday evening, Judge Patricia Harney said there was full reporting restrictions.

Barrister Liam Carroll, instructed by Sarah Ryan, solicitor, applied for bail on behalf of his client. Inspector Gearoid Thompson, prosecuting, objected to bail being granted on behalf of the State. There was a large garda presence in the body of the court.

Detective Garda James Muldowney gave evidence of arresting and charging the Irish man, aged in his 40s, with a total of 14 offences in relation to possession, production and distribution of child pornography. They are contrary to the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.

He made no reply to any of the charge sheets after caution, said Det Garda Muldowney.

The detective garda said phones were seized from the defendants home in Limerick following a search under warrant.

Det Garda Muldowney alleged images and videos of extreme child pornography were discovered on the devices.

He alleged, in a summary for the judge, that videos included a baby aged six months, a toddler aged 18 months, a six-year-old girl holding a teddy bear and an eight-year-old boy with his hands chained together. The Limerick Leader has taken the decision not to publish further alleged details of an extremely graphic nature that were heard in court.

Later, in cross-examination, Mr Carroll BL said his clients instructions are that he did not create the alleged videos or images found on the defendants phones.

Det Garda Muldowney said "not that he is aware". The detective said the production of child pornography charges are allegeldy engaging in sexualised conversations in relation to the sexual abuse of children in conversations with others on Session and TeleGuard apps.

He alleged, in a summary for Judge Harney, that the defendant stated he would love to torture, rape and kill a child and that he's been so close a few times. The Limerick Leader has again taken the decision not to publish further alleged details of an extremely graphic nature that were heard in court.

The investigating garda also alleged that the defendant distributed videos with unnamed individuals online.

In his evidence, Det Garda Muldowney alleged the accused is a risk to children".

Det Garda Muldowney, in continuing his objection to bail being granted, alleged the defendant has been addicted to crystal meth for eight years, uses it a couple of times a week and doesn't always remember his actions after he takes drugs.

The detective garda also alleged that the defendant said he is HIV positive during interviews with gardai, is not taking prescribed medication to stop the spread of the virus to others and having unprotected sex with others.

Det Garda Muldowney further alleged the defendant told gardai he has been to Mexico, had plans to go to the Philippines and has a sexual attraction to pubescent boys.

At the conclusion of his evidence, the detective alleged the accused is an immediate threat to any child in his presence and a danger to the community.

In cross-examination, Mr Carroll said the alleged conversations with others on social media are, albeit abhorrent, performative fantasy.

Det Garda Muldowney alleged: That's what he says, judge, but they interject with his actual life that is too close for my comfort.

Mr Carroll said his instructions are that his client was the victim of sexual abuse as a child. Det Garda Muldowney alleged the accused told gardai that during interview.

Mr Carroll said his client appreciates the concerns that gardai might have if he was granted bail, he would be happy to sign on regularly and live without any technology or devices in his possession.

Det Garda Muldowney alleged: It's not actually the devices that are my concern. Its the real world people that I believe are in danger.

Mr Carroll, in applying for bail for his client, said it is a very abhorrent situation.

It is the case that he is charged with very serious offences in a very serious context. I want the court to take into consideration the fact that he has indicated that he himself has been a victim in the past of such malicious behaviour on the part of others.

That had a profound effect on him and he now finds himself addicted to an extremely harmful substance in the form of crystal meth. He has told me that he has attempted to get treatment for his difficulties but that it's quite difficult to find somebody appropriate, who is willing to engage with him to provide the treatment that he needs, said Mr Carroll.

Judge Harney said she had listened very carefully to the evidence. The judge said the accused comes before the court as an innocent man and the presumption of innocence always remains until conviction.

Judge Harney refused the application for bail. The accused was remanded in custody to appear, via video-link, at a future court sitting for DPPs directions.

If you have been affected by this story please contact the 24 Hour Rape Crisis Helpline on 1800 778888
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Lodha Developers Ltd has clocked an 86.6% jump in net profit to 789.8 crore in the July-September quarter, compared to 423.1 crore in the corresponding year-ago period.

The Mumbai-based developer on Thursday said that its revenue from operations jumped 44.6% to 3,798.5 crore during the period, due to higher sales and construction activity. Beyond Mumbai, Lodha also operates in Pune and Bengaluru.

Lodha rides project momentum In the second quarter, the developer secured 4,570 crore of pre-sales. So far, in 2025-26, Lodha's total pre-sales is at 9,020 crore.

We have already achieved around 43% of our FY26 pre-sales target of 21,000 crore. Our business continues to perform strongly and remains firmly on track to deliver the full-year guidance, Sushil Kumar Modi, executive director-finance, Lodha Group, told Mint.

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Lodha has lined up a robust launch pipeline of projects worth 14,000 crore in the second half of FY26. The projects will be launched across all three cities in which it operates.

Approximately one-third of our business contribution will come from markets outside Mumbaia significant expansion driven by new geographies. For instance, Bengaluru, which contributed around 730 crore in pre-sales in FY25, will clock 3,000 crore this year. Pune will also see a significant rise in pre-sales, Modi added.

The top four developersLodha Developers, DLF Ltd, Godrej Properties Ltd, and Prestige Estates Projects Ltdare collectively aiming to cross 1 trillion in residential sales in FY26, marking the strongest year yet for branded players. In FY25, the four developers clocked combined sales of around 85,190 crore.

This ambitious push for record residential sales this year is driven by a robust pipeline of project launches, existing inventory, and a focus on premium projects that yield higher margins.

DLF profit slips, sales steady Meanwhile, Gurugram-based DLF's September-quarter net profit slid 14.5% to 1,180.09 crore on a year-on-year basis, while revenue from operations dropped 16.8% to 1,643.04 crore.

After a blockbuster quarter of sales worth 11,425 crore in the April-June period, DLF's new sales bookings stayed steady at 4,332 crore in the quarter ended September, driven by its maiden project launch in MumbaiThe Westparkand continued good momentum in the super-luxury segment.



In the June quarter, the high sales were mainly due to its large, luxury project, named Privana North, in Gurugram.

Cumulative new sales bookings for H1FY26 stood at 15,757 crore, in line with our annual guidance ( 20,000-22,000 crore), DLF said in a statement on Thursday.
Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel reported on the country's contribution to the program launched by the United Kingdom to protect Ukraine from cyber attacks.

"Russian cyber attacks against Ukraine are not isolated incidents. This hybrid warfare campaign endangers European security. The UK is our valued partner in strengthening Ukraine's resilience. Today, the Netherlands announced EUR 10 million for the UKs Ukraine Cyber Programme. Glad to partner up to help Ukraine fend off Russia's assaults, in the cyber domain and beyond," van Weel wrote on X on Thursday.

According to him, with this contribution, the Netherlands supports "the crucial work of the Tallinn Mechanism - the leading international coalition for cyber support to Ukraine."
Bengaluru: Swiggy Ltd reported another unprofitable quarter this fiscal, weighed down by increased spending on its quick commerce arm Instamart, highlighting the tough road to profitability in rapid delivery.

Swiggys net loss widened to 1,092 crore against 626 crore in the year-ago period. It reported an operating revenue of 5,561 crore, a 54.4% year-on-year jump, surpassing 5,280 crore average estimate of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

The company is mulling raising up to 10,000 crore through a qualified institutional placement (QIP) and other permissible routes to fortify its balance sheet and maintain flexibility in Indias fiercely competitive quick commerce market. This comes almost a year after listed rival Eternal Ltd raised 8,500 crore via QIP, and less than two weeks after Zepto raised $450 million in private capital from California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

Also Read | Inside Indias food delivery mutiny

According to Swiggy, the planned fundraise is a strategic move to strengthen its balance sheet and stay nimble amid rising competition from well-capitalised rivals. Our cash reserves today are very strong, Sriharsha Majety, co-founder and group CEO of Swiggy, said in the call with analysts. The additional capital we plan to raise is more for maintaining flexibility, not out of necessity. We dont expect to raise further funds after this unless we see exceptional opportunities or industry shifts that warrant it.

Instamart continues to scale efficiently, improving margins even as we invest in growth. Food delivery is showing steady recovery, and we remain confident in our path to sustainable profitability over the coming quarters, Sriharsha Majety, co-founder and group CEO of Swiggy, said in the September quarters shareholder letter.

Rahul Bothra, Swiggys chief financial officer, said the QIP will serve as a strategic reserve to support future growth. The sector continues to attract a lot of capitalfrom both new and legacy playersso this conversation with the board is aimed at raising additional capital that will serve as both growth capital and a strategic reserve going forward, he said.

Both executives underscored that Swiggys existing cash position, including proceeds from its partial exit from Rapido, is sufficient to fund its current growth plans. The QIP, they said, is a way to ensure financial headroom and agility as competition in the quick commerce segment intensifies.

The race in the quick commerce space has been heating up, highlighting the need for top companies to keep up with the fast expansion of dark stores as well as evolving consumer needs. Zepto, another player in the segment, raised about $450 million this month, valued at 7 billion, indicating the smaller rivals interest in expanding rapidly in this space. Blinkit, the quick commerce arm of Eternal, saw the highest cash burn compared to the previous quarters to establish 272 dark stores. It spent about 1,038 crore, which is 94% of the funds it allocated during the quarter for expanding its dark-store network.

Battle of dark stores Swiggy has four main businesses: food delivery, out-of-home consumption, quick commerce and supply chain and distribution. Of the 5,561 crore in revenue, the supply chain and distribution contributed to about 46% or 2,560 crore. The food delivery business was the second-highest contributor at about 34.5% or 1,923 crore. Then comes the quick commerce business, which contributed 17.6% or 980 crore. The out-of-home consumption generated 88 crore, followed by platform innovations that contributed about 12 crore.

Food delivery, out-of-home consumption and quick commerce are the business-to-consumer (B2c) segments, whereas supply chain and distribution are the business-to-business (B2B) focused.

Of the three B2C businesses, the quick commerce business posted the highest year-over-year growth. Instamart, which delivers everyday essentials from milk to groceries, saw its revenue double from the year-ago period. The company added just 40 new dark stores, taking its total count to 1,102 across 128 cities. This is much slower than its larger rival, Eternal, which added 272 stores during the September quarter, taking its dark stores to 1,816, and aims to establish 3,000 stores by March 2027.

To be sure, even though the number of dark stores for Bengaluru-based Swiggy is less than its Gurugram-based rival, it has an upper hand as each of its dark stores clocks 800-1,000 orders per store per day, because of its megapods, which are about 4,000 + sq ft. These large-sized dark stores facilitate the storage of non-grocery items, which now make up about 26% of the gross order value (GOV)--the total value of all customer orders placed on Swiggys platforms before discounts, commissions, and other costs are deducted.

By comparison, a typical Blinkit store is about 2,000-3,000 sq ft. For this reason, despite Instamarts smaller store network, it delivers comparable order volumesunderscoring higher store productivity and capital efficiency, said Sandeep Abhange, research analyst, consumer and mid-caps at LKP Securities.

The companys management reiterated the breakeven guidance for Instamart before June 2026, backed by operating leverage and scaling basket size.

Swiggy's larger peer Blinkits parent Eternal expects a 1% rise in net margin from its new business model over four to six quarters. However, analysts told Mint this could take two to three quarters longer amid intensifying competition. Eternal is also likely to face pressure to ramp up dark store investments and advertising spends; each store costs about 1 crore in fixed expenses, according to its latest shareholder letter.

Food delivery steady Swiggy's food delivery business was the next highest revenue growth driver. This comes on the back of higher platform fees and better delivery cost optimisation.

The segment generated a revenue of 1,923 crore, compared with Eternals food delivery business revenue of 2,485 crore.

The food delivery business showed steady performance during the quarter with sequential GOV growth and stable margins. Average order values and order frequency remained steady, driven by resilient demand from our core urban users. The growth in smaller towns, however, remains gradual, according to Swiggys September shareholder letter.

The company has doubled down on its food delivery business by introducing niche verticals to target different audience segments, launching three new food services this year. Snacc, which debuted in January 2025, is Swiggys Gen Z-focused snacking brand that sells packaged and ready-to-eat snacks through Instamart and select retail stores. It aims to tap into the fast-growing impulse snacking market with playful branding and healthier product options.

Also Read | Swiggy Q1 results in focus as rival Zomato pulls ahead in quick commerce

This was followed by Desk Eats, launched earlier this year as part of Swiggys out-of-home Consumption vertical, which offers pre-scheduled, affordable lunch boxes for office-goers in business hubs like Bengaluru, Gurugram, and Hyderabad. The service is designed to turn weekday lunch breaks into a regular Swiggy habit.

The third offering, Toing, rolled out in mid-2025, caters to small gatherings and celebrations by curating ready-to-serve party platters and mini catering menus from local restaurant partners.

The out-of-home consumption saw revenue grow by 49% to 88 crore in the September quarter. This segment still lags behind Eternals going-out platform called District, which clocked 189 crore in revenue during the September quarter.

Overall, Swiggys September quarter print signals a decisive shiftfrom growth-at-any-cost to growth-with-discipline, said Abhange. The companys sharper focus on cost control and operating leverage positions it as one of the most efficient players in Indias hyper-competitive quick commerce landscape.
Indias telecom operators are no longer just competing over 5Gthey are now battling for AI supremacy to capture market share.

Three months after Airtel offered its subscribers Perplexity, Reliance Intelligence on Thursday announced its tie-up with Google to offer Jio users the latest version of Google Gemini AI Pro worth 35,000 free of cost for 18 months.

The Jio announcement comes as telecom operators seek to expand their market shares by offering new digital services alongside voice and data. The aim is to grab the higher tariff-paying customer to boost average revenue per user (Arpu).

Even though Jio may have more subscribers, it's trailing Airtel, which has an industry-leading Arpu of 250. Google also holds a 7.7% stake in Jio Platforms Ltd, the digital arm of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), which houses the telecom firm Reliance Jio. Jio is also looking at a public listing in the first half of 2026.

As of September, Jio had 506.4 million mobile subscribers. Of the same, 5G base was 234 million. As of June, Airtel's total mobile subscriber base stood at 362.8 million.

The AI war The company announced that the rollout of Gemini Pro will commence with early access for 18-25-year-old users on unlimited 5G plans, and this will expand to include every Jio customer nationwide in the shortest time possible.

Jio users will be able to access the Gemini 2.5 Pro model in the Gemini app, with higher limits to generate stunning images and videos with its Nano Banana and Veo 3.1 models. Users will gain expanded access to NotebookLM for study and research, as well as 2TB of cloud storage.

In July, Bharti Airtel partnered with Perplexity to offer a 12-month Perplexity Pro subscription worth 17,000 free of cost to all its users. Perplexity is an AI-powered search and answer engine that offers real-time, accurate and deeply researched responses to users in a conversational language.

Reliance Intelligence aims to make intelligence services accessible to 1.45 billion Indians. Through our collaboration with strategic and long-term partners such as Google, we aim to make India not just AI-enabled but AI-empowered, where every citizen and enterprise can harness intelligent tools to create, innovate and grow, said Mukesh D. Ambani, chairman of RIL.

Also Read | Govt awaits SC order before final call on Vodafone Idea relief

Enterprise AI solutions Besides providing Googles Gemini Pro free to Jio users, Reliance Intelligence is also coming on board as a strategic go-to-market partner for Google Cloud, driving the adoption of Gemini Enterprise across Indian organizations, it said in a release.

Gemini Enterprise is an AI platform for businesses that brings Google AI to every employee, for every workflow. Using this, teams can discover, create, share, and run AI agents.

"Todays announcement will put Googles cutting-edge AI tools in the hands of consumers, businesses, and Indias vibrant developer community. Im excited for how this partnership will help expand access to AI across India, said Sundar Pichai, chief executive of Google and its parent Alphabet Inc.

Reliance Intelligence will also develop and offer its own pre-built enterprise AI agents in Gemini Enterprise, expanding the available choice of both Google-built and third-party agents to users.

Reliance has also announced a partnership with Google Cloud to access its advanced AI hardware acceleratorsTensor Processing Units (TPUs). This will enable more organizations to train and deploy larger, more complex AI models, as well as deliver faster inferencing to help execute highly demanding projects and accelerate AI adoption across the broader India AI ecosystem, the company said.

Also Read | 2G users to miss out as caller ID to curb spam calls nears rollout

RIL is developing a massive gigawatt-scale AI computing infrastructure project in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which could become the world's largest data-centre facility.

We estimate that RIL will spend $12-15 billion on AI infrastructure to develop a 1GW data centre, underwriting about 25% of the capacity itself, said analysts at Morgan Stanley in a 27 October note.

In August, Ambani launched Reliance Intelligence, the companys AI arm, and announced expanded partnerships with shareholders Google and Meta Platforms for AI applications and services. A few days ago, it announced a new joint venture with MetaReliance Enterprise Intelligenceto build and scale enterprise AI solutions for customers in India and international markets.

The joint venture, in which Meta will own a 30% stake, will invest $97 million in the newly formed Enterprise Intelligence entity.

Lately, analysts have also upgraded the outlook of the telecom sector. This is because telcos total addressable market (TAM) is expanding via products such as fixed broadband, value-added services, along with enterprise offerings, including data centres, software-as-a-service (SaaS), and managed services, analysts at ICICI Securities said in a 24 October note.
Mumbai: When Indias largest company announced a big-bang joint venture (JV) with the worlds biggest asset manager to enter the countrys fast-growing mutual fund industry, it marked the coming together of two titans, and ratcheted up speculation to fever pitch. After all, this was in a sense the corporate equivalent of Sachin Tendulkar teaming up with Lionel Messi.

The Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is not known to play second fiddle in any industry it sets its sights on. And BlackRock, with assets under management of a staggering $11 trillion, is referred to as the third most important economic entity on the planet, behind only the US and China.

This is BlackRocks second innings in the Indian mutual fund arena, after its 10-year JV with DSP ended abruptly in 2018, reportedly after both partners sought full ownership of the business.

After receiving all the requisite regulatory approvals by June, JioBlackRock Asset Management Company (AMC), the 50:50 JV between RIL subsidiary Jio Financial Services and BlackRock, commenced operations by launching three cash funds, followed by five index funds in August. The new fund offer (NFO) for its maiden actively managed equity product, a flexicap fund, closed earlier this month.

Many industry watchers saw this as an uncharacteristically subdued start for a company with this pedigree. Initial impressions, however, have a tendency to be deceptive.

In an interview with Mint, Sid Swaminathan, JioBlackRock AMCs managing director and chief executive officer (CEO), was unambiguous about the companys goals: We want to be among the top five players in the industry over the next five years or so."

Swaminathan smiled when asked about market expectations of the AMC making a high-voltage debut along the lines of Jio, which disrupted the telecom market in 2016 by launching zero tariff plans. His response was cautious: The two are not comparable. These are two very different industries in terms of competition, regulations and customers."

JioBlackRock, he said, had a clear cut approach: First, growing the overall industry. Then bringing in differentiated products, differentiated value propositions and differentiated ways of getting people to access these products." Rather than one major disruption, Swaminathan said, I would call it a series of micro disruptions. Thats how we have approached it."

Whether a single earthquake or a series of tremors, one thing is beyond doubt: it would take something momentous to make a dent in Indias mutual fund market, which currently has 54 companies managing assets worth 75 trillion across around 2,000 schemes. Its a tall task, but thats where the American partners track record comes into the picture.

Black box

JioBlackRocks flexi cap fund marks the India debut of BlackRocks Systematic Active Equities (SAE) framework. While this may sound awfully like just another marketing buzzword, it portends something much more significant.

Systematic Active Equities is BlackRocks famed quantitative investment unit, which uses advanced computer modelling techniques to construct portfolios. What sets it apart from most traditional quant models is that in addition to financial data, it analyses over 400 alternative data sources such as social media posts, internet searches, satellite imagery and even traffic patterns to squeeze out insights.

BlackRock acquired SAE as part of its buyout of Barclays Global Investors in 2009 (the unit actually traces its roots to an investment firm set up by Wells Fargo in 1971). SAE now employs over 200 portfolio managers and researchers, many of whom are PhDs in various subjects, including physics, mathematics, computer science and engineering.

The convergence of traditional and unstructured datasets has worked wonders for the SAE unit, which has assets under management of $300 billion across equities, fixed income and alternatives. An astounding 93% of SAEs assets have outperformed their benchmarks or peer median over the past year, compared to 47% for the Fundamental Equity division, according to BlackRocks Annual Report for 2024. Over the past three years, 89% of SAE assets have beaten the benchmark, while the figure rises to 93% for the five-year period.

The Fundamental Equity division picks stocks using fundamental methods, i.e. human analysts and researchers.

This SAE framework, being operated from BlackRocks US headquarters and localised by the JVs team in Mumbai, is now being applied to Indias chaotic equity market through the flexicap fund.

Its a very risk controlled fund, so it will look to protect on the downside and then look to generate consistent alpha over the long term. If we are able to do that consistently over a two- to three-year period, which is what our backtests have shown us, then it is going to give you returns in line with the best ones up there," said Swaminathan, who has served in various leadership roles at BlackRock, including as its head of Index Equity, International, in London, where he oversaw assets worth $1.25 trillion. And because of the way it is constructed, it looks, feels and behaves very differently to existing funds in the market."

Explaining how the SAE framework can offer a competitive advantage, Swaminathan said, Lets say you are analyzing banks. You can obviously wait for the quarterly numbers. But you can also get faster information in some cases by looking at credit card swipes, for example. Whats the frequency of swipes, how is it trending compared to the sectoral averages and so on."

The SAE framework, being operated from BlackRocks US headquarters and localised by the JVs team in Mumbai, is now being applied to Indias chaotic equity market through the flexicap fund.

That intelligence, he says, enables one to form a more immediate-term view instead of waiting for the quarterly results.

And if we have a platform that is able to absorb all this data, clean that data and transform it into insights in combination with more traditional data points like valuations, profitability, PE ratio etc., then we believe theres an opportunity to generate alpha."

The other element is scale. A fund manager and his team can read and analyze a limited number of analyst reports, but a machine can read thousands of them. Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), says Swaminathan, BlackRock is also able to generate things like tone and sentiment much more accurately from those reports.

So, you are no longer limited by human brain power capacity. If a traditional set-up using fund managers and analysts can do in-depth research on say 30-40 stocks, our models can do it for hundreds," he said.

So, rather than taking concentrated positions in a handful of stocks, it enables smaller active positions on a larger universe of stocks, which not only allows you to generate alpha but do it with lower risk".

Global vs local

Thanks to the explosion of data in recent years, combined with the emergence of powerful tools such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), quant firms are engaged in an arms race with each other to extract even the tiniest additional insight. However, first-mover advantages dissipate very quickly in this cut-throat space and theres nothing like a permanent magic wand.

This makes it imperative for AMCs not just to keep hunting for new sets of data but also dynamically adjust their weightages and mathematical models in response to rapidly changing market conditions. The question is whether relying on this approach will work in a comparatively opaque market like India.

The good news is that theres a lot of data being generated in every sector of the economy, so a data-driven approach can provide an edge in stock picking," Dhirendra Kumar, founder and CEO of Value Research, told Mint. That said, just this cannot be your unique selling proposition. In fact, there are many quant models being used by domestic mutual funds and institutions that incorporate non-traditional datasets as well," he added. So, BlackRocks or anyone elses models will have to prove themselves in the market over a sustained period."

Then there is the question of adjusting for local nuances. In the US, for example, BlackRock tracks satellite imagery of car parks outside shopping centres to estimate demand, but that might not be relevant in India. Instead, the AMC uses quick commerce deliveries as one of its data signals.

Swaminathan declined to share details about other datasets tracked by JioBlackRock, but said theres an entire array of data points being collated though not all are relevant from a sector or stock perspective.

In the US, BlackRock tracks satellite imagery of car parks outside shopping centres to estimate demand, but that might not be relevant in India. Instead, the AMC uses quick commerce deliveries as one of its data signals.

Also making its India debut is Aladdin, BlackRocks investment management and risk analytics platform. It stands for Asset, Liability, Debt and Derivative Investment Network.

Aladdin has an India risk model built exclusively for the JV, which allows JioBlackRocks fund managers to filter stock selections and assign appropriate weightages to data signals.

But more than AI, ML and sophisticated quant models, Swaminathan insists SAEs secret sauce for success is something else. The key differentiator is that the technology, data, AI and humans are all integrated. Humans (fund managers and researchers) are involved in every aspect, from the first step of selecting the stock universe to subsequent processes of data analyses and insights," he said.

The team, said Swaminathan, has the ability to look at the entire stock recommendation output of the models and filter out companies based on, say, corporate governance issues or other risk factors. This is what separates SAE from other black box quant models," he emphasized.

Last mile

Indias mutual fund industry has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of the countrys financial landscape, with assets under management (AUM) surging more than seven-fold in just over a decade on the back of rising retail participation, mainly through systematic investment plans (SIPs).

The industry is also very top-heavy, with 10 AMCs holding around 80% of the total AUM. With an AUM of over 11.4 trillion, SBI MF, established in 1987, is the countrys biggest asset manager, followed by ICICI Prudential AMC ( 9.5 trillion), HDFC AMC ( 8.3 trillion) and Nippon India MF ( 6.1 trillion).

SBI MF reported a profit after tax (PAT) of 2,531 crore in FY25, while ICICI Prudentials PAT was at 2,650 crore and HDFC AMCs at 2,460 crore.

On its part, JioBlackRock has racked up over 13,000 crore in AUM in barely three months. While that is creditable, the asset manager will be hard put to overtake SBI MF and ICICI Prudential organically the way its telecom cousin eased past Vodafone-Idea and Airtel.

A conspicuous micro-disruption has been JioBlackRocks decision to take a digital-only approach and bypass the traditional distributor-led model used by the industry.

The cost savings arising out of this, as well as use of Aladdin to construct and manage portfolios, has allowed it to offer the flexicap fund at an expense ratio (annual fee a mutual fund charges to cover its operating costs) of 0.50%, compared to the 0.60%-plus charged for similar direct funds by peers such as Parag Parikh, HDFC and ICICI Prudential.

Swaminathan does not rule out physical distribution at some point down the line, but said the focus at the moment is to fully harness the power of the phone".

Bold and beautiful?

The opportunity is huge, but so are the challenges. Sonam Srivastava, founder and fund manager at Wright Research PMS, said JioBlackRocks digital-only approach is a bold experiment in a market where over 70% of mutual fund inflows still come through distributors.

View Full Image In India, over 70% of mutual fund inflows are generated through distributors. (istockphoto)

But its not entirely misplaced. Indias wealth ecosystem has changed sharply in the past five yearsdemat penetration has crossed 140 million, SIP accounts are rising by 2025% annually, and over a third of new mutual fund investors are digital-first. This signals that a meaningful segment is now comfortable investing directly through platforms.

However, distribution remains the backbone for scale and trust in the mutual fund industry, especially outside metros, where investor education and hand-holding are crucial.

JioBlackRock may find digital distribution efficient for cost control and urban adoption, but for deeper penetration and AUM scale, partnerships with RIAs (registered investment advisers), fintechs, or even traditional distributors might become inevitable," Srivastava added. The future of distribution in India is hybrid, where digital channels drive discovery and onboarding, while advisors and distributors retain the role of building long-term conviction."

It also helps to be part of the Jio family, which houses the countrys largest telecom operator, with 506 million subscribers as of 30 September. We are already integrated within the Jio Finance app, which has millions of people coming every month to do their finances. We also have a presence in the MyJio app, which has hundreds of millions coming in every month for telco and other needs," said Swaminathan.

In addition, the AMC has partnered with digital platforms like Paytm, Groww and Zerodha to distribute products. The early results have apparently been more than encouraging".

We have over 630,000 investors across the life of this JVin just a little over three months. But whats even more encouraging to me is that more than 10% of those are first-time investors," said Swaminathan. Our customer base already covers some 17,000 PIN codes, which is around 90% of the PIN codes in India. And we have only just begun," he added.

We have over 630,000 investors across the life of this JVin just a little over three months. Sid Swaminathan

Well begun may be half done, but the same does not always hold true for foreign asset managers in India. The list of global titans exiting the domestic mutual fund market is a long and distinguished one, and includes the likes of Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank, and Goldman Sachs. Asked about this, Swaminathan said localised offerings and patience are crucial for success.

BlackRock itself is taking a second swing at the Indian market, though Swaminathan insists the dynamics are completely different this time. The current joint venture is not between two asset managers. This is between BlackRock as the asset manager and Jio Financial Services, which brings in a deep understanding of the retail consumer along with digital distribution, he insisted.

So, what are its near-term plans? Swaminathan said it would continue to have funds that cater to institutional investors as they are an important base for the AMC. In retail, we want to have index as well as actively managed offerings," he said. Exchange traded funds and specialized investment funds are in the pipeline.

For now, the market will be keenly tracking how JioBlackRocks funds perform in the crowded space. As the JVs foreign partner and its marquee peers will attest, it takes more than just a brand name to entice an Indian investor.
The United States and China are close to finalising a deal regarding the video-sharing social platform TikTok, according to multiple reports.

While US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the deal has been approved by China, the Asian economy's Commerce Ministry said that China would properly handle TikTok-related issues with the US, as per an AFP report.

US-China TikTok deal: What did Scott Bessent say? Speaking to Fox Business Network on 30 October, after US President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC 2025 Summit in South Korea, Bessent told the channel that China has approved the transfer agreement for TikTok.

In Kuala Lumpur, we finalised the TikTok agreement in terms of getting Chinese approval, and I would expect that would go forward in the coming weeks and months, and we'll finally see a resolution to that, Bessent said.

China says committed to resolving TikTok issue Meanwhile, Chinas Commerce Ministry, in an official statement on 30 October, vowed to work with Washington to resolve ownership issues with TikTok's US unit, Bloomberg reported.

While the ministry in a statement said it is committed to properly resolving issues related to TikTok, it did not specify the details.

What TikTok deal does Donald Trump want? Donald Trump has proposed that TikTok's US business be spun into a separate entity owned by Americans, with ByteDance's stake pared down to less than 20 per cent, according to the Bloomberg report. This would align with a national security law in the US.

If it goes through, it could signal a significant development in the US-China trade talks, but would require China to take control of a major private company with a substantial presence in the American social media space, it said.

Also Read | How Section 80RR helped Sachin Tendulkar save 58 lakh in income tax

What is the security debate over TikTok ownership? As per a Pew Research Centre report published in September, around 43% of US adults under 30 years get their news from TikTok, AP reported. This is significantly higher compared to other social media platforms, including Google's YouTube, and Meta's Facebook and Instagram.

And a survey by the Pew Research Centre found that around 33% of Americans support a TikTok ban  down from 50% who agreed with a survey in March 2023. Another 33 per cent said they would oppose the ban and a similar number said they were unsure of their view on the matter.

For those who do support a ban, data security was the highest-ranked concern by 8 out of 10 respondents, the AP report added.

American officials have also flagged TikTok's recommendation algorithm as vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities. There is, however, no evidence that such tactics have been employed, it said.

Chinese law mandates control of IP, including TikTok's recommendation algorithm remain under the country's control, it added.

(With inputs from Agencies)
Vanilla melts, caramel popcorn, coffee cookies, peach sorbet, black grape, caramel crunch, strawberry even jalebis, masala chai and espresso have a new destination in a growing number of Indian homes: the dresser, not the dining table or kitchen counter.

Welcome to the gourmand" trend in Indian cosmetics and beauty products which is delivering best-sellers with fragrances of popular foods and drinks. The trend of these scents, often layered, making their way into skin creams, lip balm, and fragrances began a few years agotoday, they have carved a distinct and fast-growing niche. The segment is buzzing with new, specialized companies some growing revenues multi-fold year on yearbacked by heavy duty venture capital while legacy beauty brands gingerly step in or, like in the instance of Unilever plc, route investments through its corporate venture capital arm.

Audit and consultancy firm Deloitte estimates sales of beauty and personal care products in India at $16 billion ( 1.41 trillion) in fiscal 2024. An annual growth clip of 6% is expected to take it past 2 trillion by FY30. Data for gourmand cosmetics companies is not immediately available, but they make for a rapidly expanding segment within the premium beauty market. The segment is expanding at nearly twice the pace of the overall market as demand for food-inspired and experiential formulations rises, says Anand Ramanathan, partner, retail and consumer products sector leader, Deloitte.

Also Read | Renee Cosmetics is in talks to raise over  200 crore from new investors

The global market for gourmand fragrances illustrates the headroom for growth in India over the years: it is expected to close 2025 at $32.55 billion value, estimated market researcher Future Market Insights.

Its not only new-age brands such as Plum, Blur India and All Good Scents that have launched fragrances like gourmand vanilla and caramel popcorn with a playful touch. Legacy and established brands Titans SKINN, Nykaas Moi and Bath & Body Works India have also boarded the bandwagon embracing dessert-inspired scents like praline or caramel.

Niche labels Bombay Perfumery and Naso Profumi have Indian-inspired edible notes like chai and cardamom in their portfolio introducing desi scents to an enthusiastic audience of customers.

Also Read | Nykaa has big plans for house of brands business

Food marketing

Take the skincare label Plum Goodness. Its body-loving range has built a following with dessert-inspired brands like Vanilla Vibes, Caramel Popcorn, and Smokin Vanilla.

Globally, vanilla was a popular fragrance, said Stuti Sethi, senior marketing manager at Plum, but there was a white space" in India. Nobody was really talking about vanilla in a modern, dessert-like way," she said. Its first product, Vanilla Vibes body mist, quickly became its top-selling product.

View Full Image Diipa Khosla, founder, Inde Wild

Thats when the penny dripped and the brand leaned into what Sethi calls food marketing," making its fragrances look and feel edible which instantly resonated with young consumers. Plums early tagline, Smell like a cupcake became an instant hit and has been copied by at least five brands in the last two years, Sethi said. Vanilla, caramel popcorn, and doughnuts instantly connect with you, especially in a cafe-loving, dessert-obsessed culture like ours." Its recent Diwali launch: a fragrance that had tones of hazelnut and eclairs.

The Mumbai-based companys fortunes reflect demand for gourmand beauty products. Its revenue grew to 341.7 crore, a near-22% jump in fiscal 2024 from the previous year. Not unusually for a new business, Plums net losses for period were 84.1 crore, according to data tracker Tracxn. The company has not reported it financials for FY25 yet.

Nearly 47% of Plum is owned by Unilever Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of the eponymous packaged consumer good giant, together with other funders.

Blur India, a digital-first beauty brand known for its playful, dessert-themed fragrances, echoes a similar sentiment with scents inspired by coffee cake, cookie crumble and vanilla melts.

The ones that stood out for peoplethe ones that sold and got repurchased the mostwere the gourmand ones," said Riya Pant, Blurs founder. Thats when we realized there was real demand for dessert-inspired scents."

Lending to visuals

For Blur, the strategy wasnt just about smell; it was about storytelling. The marketability of a gourmand range is stronger. The visuals, the kind of imagery you can createdesserts, cakes, whipped cream these immediately grab attention," Pant explained. Its hunger-provoking marketing."

The approach has paid off. Blurs perfume and solid perfume collections, which are dessert-inspired scents now make up half of the brands total revenue, with a 17-20% repeat purchase rate within just a few months of launch. Weve kept it affordable under 500, but the quality matches perfumes are worth 2,000 or more," Pant said.

The companys revenue doubled to 4.2 crore in FY24, a period it turned in a tiny profit versus the previous loss-making year. The company, bootstrapped and founded in 2022, has not reported its fiscal 2025 results yet, according to data from Tracxn.

Within the broader gourmand trend, one brand positions itself around one fragrance: meet mCaffeine. Coffee isnt just an ingredient for us; its the soul of our brand," said Vaishali Gupta, co-founder and chief growth officer of mCaffeine. mCaffeines is an exception to its competitors because all its products are infused with a coffee flavour or texture.

The brand clocked a 50-60% in repeat purchases in FY25, an expansion attributed largely to the fragrance-led emotional appeal of its coffee and dessert-inspired lines. Our perfume body lotions have one of the highest repeat rates in our portfolio, showing how much consumers link skincare to fragrance-based emotional gratification," Gupta added.

Per data from research firm Tracxn, mCaffeines parent company Pep Technologies reported a more than 5x jump in annual revenue from 40.3 crore in FY20 to 210 crore in FY23. The topline marginally fell to 202 crore in FY24.

Gupta and co-founders hold about 25.3% stake in the company with the rest held by angel investors, Amicus Capital Partners, Paragon Partners and RPSG Capital Ventures.

Emotional connect

An expert said the gourmand boom sits at the intersection of nostalgia and novelty.

For Gen Z, dessert-inspired fragrances evoke childhood comfort while offering a fun, expressive break from the functional or floral scents that dominated earlier," said Mani Singhal, managing director and co-leader of consumer and retail practice at Alvarez & Marsal India, a consultancy firm.

Beauty has moved from looks to feeling good. For younger consumers, fragrance is now part of a sensorial self-care rituala way to boost mood, comfort oneself, or even project playfulness," she said.

The scents doing well in the gourmand trend extend to Indian foods and beverages. Like the Masala Chai Dewy Lip Tint of Inde Wild: it sold out within weeks of launch and remains one of the brands top-performing brands globally, according to founder Diipa Khosla.

Masala Chai smells exactly like its warm spiced chai. Its been really encouraging to see a product so culturally rooted in India resonate globally," she said. Fragrance is a great way to tell a story, and we wanted scents that feel familiar to our community, are warm, comforting, and rooted in emotion."

Inde Wild generated a revenue of 11.1 crore in FY24a 64-times jump from the previous yearand turned in a profit of 90 lakh coming out of its previous loss-making year. The company has raised $8 million in funding so far from Unilever Ventures, SoGal Ventures, and True Global.

View Full Image Harmeet Singh, chief brand officer, The Body Shop Asia South

It helps that the target demographic for gourmand cosmetics and beauty products, especially among Gen Z and millennials, are experimental. This has brought global beauty players in to ride the wave. The Body Shop, known for its classic floral and herbal ranges like British Rose and Shea Butter, recently aligned its Indian portfolio with its Passionfruit Bodycare range and plans to follow it up with Caramel and Sugar Plum collections this Christmas.

Indian consumers are becoming increasingly experimental," said Harmeet Singh, chief brand officer at The Body Shop Asia South. Theres a clear shift towards sweeter, food-inspired fragrances that evoke indulgence, comfort, and playful emotions."

Gen Z and younger millennials are driving this trend drawn to fun, distinctive scents that express individuality," Singh added.

Is the gourmand trend in beauty products a passing fad or new pulsing category being created. Plums Sethi is clear: The gourmand range is here to stay. People will go beyond vanilla into newer, exotic-sounding scents, but the sweetness will stay."
The Centre will take a legal view on the Supreme Court's order on Vodafone Idea's adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues before giving any relief to the beleaguered telco, a senior government official said.

The apex court's written order on Wednesday, while clarifying that the dues apply solely to Vodafone Idea, observed that the petition filed by the company restricts its claim only to the AGR demand raised by the department of telecommunications (DoT) for the period up to 2016-17.

Also Read | AGR dispute deepens as Vodafone Idea challenges dues

This assumes significance given that Vodafone Idea may not receive enough financial benefit if the relief is restricted to the additional AGR demand, which is around 5,600 crore.

Brokerage firm Emkay Global said in a note dated 27 October that it sees a low chance of the government reversing the current outstanding 37,100 crore AGR dues of Bharti Airtel.

We will take legal advice on the court order and then decide on the possible steps (on giving relief to Vodafone Idea). A legal review is done for all the cases, a government official said, adding that the order is being reviewed.

Analysts at Emkay Global said the Centre will now have sufficient room to devise a plan for Vodafone Ideas long-term sustainability.

Also Read | Telecom operators dial govt for power reforms as costs surge

We note that leverage for Vodafone Idea remains higher even without AGR dues, and the government will need to consider plans toward reducing the spectrum debt as well, Emkay Global said in a 27 October note.

Shares of Vodafone Idea were down 7% at 8.71 on the National Stock Exchange on Thursday.

What the court said The Supreme Court, on 27 October, allowed the Centre to address Vodafone Idea Ltds grievances and reassess its AGR dues.

The court's Wednesday order noted that the relief is being allowed, given the peculiar circumstances of the operator in which the Union government now owns 49% of the telco, which serves nearly 200 million consumers.

Also Read | Vodafone Idea moves Supreme Court against additional 9,450 cr AGR dues demand

We clarify that this is a matter falling within the policy domain of the Union of India and if, in the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, the Union of India, keeping in view the larger public interest, desires to reconsider the issue, there is no reason to restrain or prevent it from doing so, the bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and justice K. Vinod Chandran noted in the written order.
Mumbai: Less than 24 hours after his appointment, Jindal Steel Ltd's new chief executive officer (CEO) Gautam Malhotra sought to calm investor nerves on the high churn of senior executives at the billionaire Naveen Jindal-led firm.

I tend to stick around," Malhotra said, responding to an analysts question on the management churn during a post-earnings call on Wednesday

In response to a question by Sumangal Nevatia, director at Kotak Securities, on how he planned to address the issue, the CEO stated that many employees have been with the company for over two decades.

So I see a lot of stickiness. And if I look at the overall retention rates, they are fairly high. And that drives a lot of confidence in me to be able to drive the agendas that we have set for ourselves," he said.

I think that should give you enough confidence in our journey going forward. And by the way, I tend to stick around," he said.

Revolving doors

Over the last five years, Jindal Steel has seen the departure of five top executives after relatively short stints, including four chief financial officers (CFOs) and former managing director Bimlendra Jha, who left in 2022 after 18 months, a relatively short time for a sector where top executives tend to serve for decades.

Since 2020, the company has had six CFOs, four of whom served for less than a year. Mayank Gupta resigned from the post in July, six months after joining the company.

Gupta and Hemant Kumar Khanna resigned with immediate effect, while two others, Ramkumar Ramaswamy and Deepak Sogani, left with 15 days notice.

The high churn of senior executives, including CFOs, creates a negative sentiment among investors, said Suman Kumar, assistant vice-presidentmetals and mining at brokerage firm Phillip Capital India. A lot of concern is being raised on this. People understand that there can't be smoke without fire," Kumar said.

Shriram Subramanian, managing director of proxy advisory firm InGovern and an expert on corporate governance said the company must proactively provide more information around the reasons for these departures to avoid speculation and calm investor nerves.

CFOs, as key management personnel, have to sign off on the company's accounts, making it a crucial role. Frequent and inexplicable exits without logical explanation could be a sign of disagreement," he said.

Jindal Steel did not respond to Mints requests for a comment.

New leader, new phase

Malhotras appointment ends an over five-year vacancy at the CEO's office. His predecessor Sudhanshu Saraf left the company in April 2020 after a 16-month stint. He continued as a director on the company's board for 20 months after vacating the CEO's post.

This is Malhotras first job in a steel company. Prior to his appointment, he founded FuelBuddy, a doorstep fuel delivery company that now operates in five countries.

A computer engineering graduate from the University of Pune, he holds a management degree from Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, with additional specializations in operations and strategy from Indiana University and IIM Ahmedabad.

The new CEO's skills will be closely watched, given that he does not come from a steel industry background, according to Satyadeep Jain, lead analyst for cement, metals, mining and utilities at Ambit Capital. It is too early to say anything about the new CEO. A perspective can only be formed once the street sees execution and results," Jain said.

Bright prospects

The steelmakers September quarter earnings, disclosed on Tuesday, missed expectations. The company reported a net profit attributable to owners of the equity at 638 crore for the second quarter, down 26% year-on-year and 58% sequentially, according to its exchange filings.

The profit was below the 697 crore average estimate of a Bloomberg poll of 14 analysts.

The companys revenue from operations also fell 5% over the June quarter to 11,686 crore, mainly due to weaker realizations and lower volumes.

Malhotra during the analyst interaction said the performance was impacted due to prolonged monsoon season and plant shutdowns during the quarter.

Jindal Steel has a capacity of 12.6 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) after commissioning a new blast furnace at its flagship plant at Angul in Odisha. The new blast furnace doubled the plants hot metal capacity to 8.85 mtpa from 4.25 mtpa. It also began operations of a new 3 mtpa basic oxygen furnace, increasing crude steel capacity at Angul to 9 mtpa.

This makes Jindal Steel India the fourth-largest steelmaker, behind Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Steel, which is the market leader, followed by Tata Steel and the state-owned Steel Authority of India.

Kumar from Phillip Capital said that the company was at an inflection point after significantly paring its debt over the past five years.

They always used to be stuck at the typical ballpark number of 8 million tonne steel production on an annual basis, but with the Angul expansion coming in, by FY27, operationally there should be a turnaround," he said.

The company's shares were trading 0.5% lower at 1,065.70 apiece on the National Stock Exchange on Thursday, in a largely weak market.
Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the current non-executive director of Britannia Industries, Urjit Patel, on Thursday, 30 October 2025, tendered his resignation from the independent director role at the multinational food products brand, according to an exchange filing.

In the filing on Thursday, Britannia Industries announced that the resignation will be effective immediately from 30 October 2025.

This is to inform you that Dr Urjit Patel (DIN:00175210), Non-Executive Independent Director of the company, has submitted his resignation from the position of Non-Executive Independent Director of the Company with effect from 30 October 2025, the company informed the stock exchange through its filing.

Why did Urjit Patel resign? According to the letter to the company's board of directors, Urjit Patel resigned due to his full-time assignment commitment as the Executive Director representing India and the global organisation International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Patel cited the time constraints as the sole reason behind stepping down from his independent director role.

Due to my new full-time assignment as Executive Director representing India at the International Monetary Fund, the attendant time constraint has compelled me to tender my resignation as a Non-Executive Independent Director of the company with effect from 30th October 2025, said Patel in his letter to the board.

Other than the above-mentioned clause, Urjit Patel did not provide any other material reasons for his resignation. Patel's appointment in the Strategy and Innovation Steering Committee will also cease to be in effect from Thursday.

Britannia to use strength against local competition Britannia Industries' Vice Chairman & Managing Director Varun Berry said that the company aims to take a localised approach of looking into India to stay ahead of the rivals and scale up the strategy going forward, reported the news agency PTI.

However, Varun Berry also highlighted that the company will not go into a price war with the competition, but plans to leverage its brand strength, execution, and network of 70 factories and a vast distribution spread of its product.

And as we go forward, we are looking at seeing if we can continue with that 2 per cent, and we certainly have a line of sight to do that, said Berry, according to the agency report.

The MD also said that the company's objective is to look at India as not just one person, but as many countries within the nation.

We obviously are looking at each one of these regional players. Our objective is to make sure that we start to look at India not just as one country but as many countries within. One India has many Indias in it, and that is how we want to see it, and that is what is helping us take the right corrective actions from a standpoint of how to compete with some of these players, Berry told the news agency.
Unlisted subsidiaries of listed companies and other large businesses that follow globally harmonized Indian accounting standards will soon be less burdened with financial disclosures.

Accounting rule maker Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is considering a new standard that will lower the disclosure requirements of these entities, saving time and cost for them, president Charanjot Singh Nanda said.

The logic is that since the group parent already follows global best practices under Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) and consolidates the financials of these unlisted subsidiaries, there is a case for cutting down the elaborate and time-and-resource-intensive financial analysis that these subsidiaries with little public interest have to prepare.

Also Read | How is personal income tax relief impacting the exchequer?

Eligibility

To be eligible for the easier rules, these unlisted entities should not have taken any public deposits. The idea is to reduce the compliance burden on privately held group entities while maintaining group-level transparency through consolidated financials.

The relaxation will be part of ICAIs proposed new accounting standard Ind AS 119, which is based on International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 19. IFRS (19), which deals with disclosures of subsidiaries without public accountability, was issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) of IFRS Foundation last May and takes effect on 1 January 2027, Nanda said in response to queries from Mint.

India uses 39 accounting standards (Ind AS) that are aligned with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards), which are followed by publicly listed companies in over 140 countries. These deal with different aspects of preparing financial statements. Smaller companies in India follow older Indian accounting norms known as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles or GAAP.

The draft of Ind AS 119 corresponding to IFRS 19 is under the consideration of ICAIs accounting standards board," said Nanda.

Also Read | ICAI to arm CAs with AI tools for sharper audits: Charanjot Singh Nanda

Reduced disclosures

IFRS 19 specifies reduced disclosures instead of the requirements in other IFRS accounting standards for subsidiaries not having public accountability and where ultimate or any intermediate parent is producing consolidated financial statements as per IFRS norms, said Nanda. The corresponding Indian version is being drafted, taking into account Indias requirements. In India, if a company has to follow Ind AS due to listing status or net-worth criteria, then its holding companies, subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures must also prepare their financial statements using Ind AS, explained Nanda.

"The proposed Ind AS 119 enables eligible subsidiaries to make disclosures proportionate to the information needs of users of their financial statements," said Nanda.

Experts said the move could benefit many Indian businesses, given that large corporations usually have several unlisted companies within the group.

Private subsidiaries

Reliance Industries Ltds annual report for FY25 listed more than 60 private limited companies in India, including subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, the accounts of which have been consolidated in the financial statements of the parent. This does not include any public limited yet unlisted companies. TCS listed about seven Indian unlisted subsidiaries in its FY25 consolidated financial statements.

Ind AS 119, if adopted in India, will allow eligible subsidiariesprimarily unlisted subsidiaries of listed or large companiesto prepare their standalone financial statements with significantly reduced disclosure requirements," said Samir Malik, partner, Grant Thornton Bharat, a professional services firm.

Nanda of ICAI said Ind AS 119 would simplify the preparation of financial statements of eligible subsidiaries, as reduced disclosure requirements are expected to balance the information needs of financial statement users with cost savings for preparers.

It would present an opportunity for those subsidiaries to benefit from cost savings and reporting simplifications, without compromising the usefulness of their financial statements for users. These cost savings will extend from subsidiaries to their group and ultimately benefit their owners," added Nanda.

Key Takeaways New Ind AS (119) will reduce disclosure burden for unlisted subsidiaries of listed firms.

This standard aligns with IFRS 19, focusing on subsidiaries without public accountability.

Reduced disclosures will save eligible subsidiaries significant time, cost, and resources.

The parent company's consolidated financials will maintain group-level transparency.

Ind AS 119 simplifies complex standards like leases and financial instruments disclosures significantly.

'Time-consuming'

Malik of Grant Thornton Bharat added that adoption of Ind AS 119 would be impactful, "because there is reduction in disclosure requirements for accounting standards like Ind AS 107 (financial instruments: disclosures), Ind AS 115 (revenue from contracts with customers), Ind AS 103 (business combinations), Ind AS 108 (operating segments) and Ind AS 116 (leases) which are among the most time-consuming and resource-intensive in terms of disclosures."

Under today's Ind AS, subsidiaries must provide the full suite of disclosures required by these standards, which means extensive notes, detailed risk analyses, reconciliations, and narrative explanations, added Malik.

For example, they have to show detailed breakdowns of financial instruments, risk management strategies and sensitivity analyses, offer granular information on contract balances, performance obligations, disaggregation of revenue, and significant judgments. Ind AS 103 also warrants comprehensive disclosures about each business combination, including fair value measurements, goodwill, and contingent considerations, explained Malik.

With Ind AS 119, eligible subsidiaries will only need to provide a streamlined set of disclosures, focusing on the most relevant quantitative information and omitting much of the narrative and detailed analysis. This means shorter financial statements, fewer notes, and less time spent preparing and auditing disclosures. It also means lower compliance costs for statutory reporting, especially for subsidiaries whose financial statements are not widely used by external stakeholders," said Malik.

Accounting professionals can focus on the essentials, reducing the burden of preparing and reviewing extensive disclosures that may be duplicated at the group level, Malik said.
New Delhi: State governments, which increased their market borrowings in the first half of FY26 to finance infrastructure projects and sustain growth momentum, saw a weak appetite for state development loans (SDLs) amid no substantial changes in yields during October.

The latest data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) showed SDL issuances slumped 52.88% to 57,010 crore in October from 1.21 trillion in September, the highest monthly borrowing this fiscal. In October 2024, states had raised 64,842 crore.

To be sure, the lack of any substantial relief in yields coincided with a dip in state bond supply in October, as several states temporarily paused fresh issuances. The 10-year SDL yield is currently around 7.20%, weighed down by an oversupply of state bonds in recent months and subdued investor demand, preventing any meaningful easing. Yield is the return an investor earns on a bond, expressed as an annual percentage of its price. It reflects the income generated, typically through interest payments, relative to the bonds market value.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) manages the issuance of these bonds, which are sold through auctions and have a quasi-sovereign status, making them a low-risk investment.

Competition for funds Unlike previous years, when states typically borrowed in the final quarter when central issuance tapers off, this fiscal year has seen a steady flow of auctions since April, with both central and state papers vying to tap investor demand.

Between April and September, states collectively raised 5.01 trillion through SDLs, up from 3.86 trillion in the same period last year, though below the combined borrowing target of 5.60 trillion for the first half of FY26, as per the RBIs calendar. However, during the September quarter, actual borrowings came in around 3 trillion, exceeding the target of 2.87 trillion. For the December quarter, states and union territories are projected to borrow 2.82 trillion.

Also Read | Repo reality: How RBI rate cuts have been lost in transmission so far

The pickup in early borrowing follows a broader rise in state debt levels. Total SDL issuances in FY25 hit a record 10.73 trillion, up 7% from FY24, with an unprecedented 4.34 trillion raised in the March quarter alone.

States typically rely on tax revenues, central transfers, GST compensation, and interest-free loans in the first half of the fiscal year before turning to market borrowings, which are usually costlier, in the second half.

However, SDLs, which are issued within borrowing limits set by the central bank, remain a critical instrument for bridging state fiscal deficits.

Uncertainty lingers Market participants said that while the moderation in SDLs has brought brief relief to the market after months of continuous supply pressure, borrowing trends in the coming months remain uncertain and could pick up again based on states' financing needs and fiscal requirements.

The sustained premium continues to reflect a combination of persistent long and ultra-long tenor issuances from both the centre and the states, muted domestic demand, and limited foreign portfolio investor (FPI) flows. Even though the centre has marginally reduced its ultra-long supply, the 10-year segment remains active, keeping relative yields elevated, said Venkatakrishnan Srinivasan, managing partner at Rockfort Fincap LLP, a financial advisory firm.

External factors have added to the firmness. US tariff concerns, elevated US Treasury yields, a bout of weakness in the rupee, and subdued offshore sentiment have kept the benchmark 10-year government securities (G-Sec) yield from declining further. Despite Indias inclusion in global bond indices, FPI inflows into Indian debt have remained small, constraining incremental demand for duration-heavy securities, he added.

In September Bloomberg reported, quoting sources, that many of Indias largest banks had told the RBI they were nearing their internal limits for state bond holdings as the share of such securities in their investment portfolios had risen sharply.
Miguel Diaz-Canel said the cyclone had caused extensive damage. Jamaica remains in darkness as it waits to assess its losses. The storms passage through the Caribbean has left at least 49 people dead

Cubans in the eastern part of the island experienced the longest night they can remember between late Tuesday and early Wednesday morning, when Hurricane Melissa battered their already strained lives, marked by an ongoing economic, energy, and health crisis. The storm hit hardest in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Camaguey, Las Tunas, Guantanamo, and Holguin. These six territories bore the brunt of the Category 4 hurricane (on a scale of 5) on the Saffir-Simpson scale, which struck the island around 3:00 a.m. with sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour (120 mph). After enduring the onslaught for hours, Cubans began assessing the damage and calculating its bitter consequences in the morning.

The night lasted too long, says Beatriz Vaillant, a 31-year-old journalist from Santiago de Cuba. She says that around 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, with the rains at their peak, she heard her neighbors on the floor above her screaming because they were trapped in the water. But the night was just beginning. Hours later, strong winds began. It felt like a lion roaring, she says. We wanted it to be 2:00 a.m., the expected time for the center of the hurricane to make landfall, and for it to pass quickly. But no, it made us suffer more than expected. The next thing she remembers witnessing were roofs flying off, walls collapsing, trees creaking, and sandbags, traditionally used to secure roofs, flying through the air.

The eye of Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba, according to the Forecast Center of the Institute of Meteorology, at a point on the southern coast of Santiago de Cuba, located in Chivirico, a town belonging to the municipality of Guama. Interaction with the mountainous terrain, especially the Sierra Maestra range, caused the winds to weaken to 165 kilometers per hour. The hurricane exited Cuba through the municipality of Banes, as a Category 2 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, around 10:30 a.m. local time.

Residents of Santiago (Cuba) walk among the devastation of the hurricane. Alexandre Meneghini (REUTERS)

At least 40 dead in Haiti and Jamaica remains in darkness

Hurricane Melissas passage through the Caribbean has left at least 49 people dead so far, the BBC reported, citing AP. Haiti suffered the worst consequences, with 40 deaths and 10 people missing, while in Jamaica  where Melissa became the worst storm in 174 years  the death toll reached eight. In the Dominican Republic, one death and one missing person were reported.

The storm caused flooding, burst river banks, and landslides in the eastern part of the island. In the south, a group of 17 families, including children and the elderly, had to be rescued, according to authorities. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has confirmed that there is extensive damage. While the full extent of the disaster is still unclear, it is known that approximately 735,000 people were evacuated ahead of the cyclone, which also caused severe flooding and damage to infrastructure such as homes, roads, hospitals, and businesses in Jamaica, an island from which information is trickling out due to the lack of electricity.

Early indications are that Hurricane Melissa was a disaster of unprecedented catastrophe for the island, said Alexander Pendry, British Red Cross global response manager, in an official statement. News is already coming through that whole communities are underwater and that the damage left by the strong winds has been devastating. The immediate priorities are search and rescue and ensuring people have access to healthcare, safe shelter, clean water, food and other essential supplies.

In eastern Cuba, the images are heartbreaking. From early morning, social media users and local journalists shared videos and photographs showing the magnitude of the disaster: from floods in Granma, caused by overflowing rivers that have submerged several houses, to the uprooting of centuries-old ceiba trees in Holguin.

Cuban authorities reported similar incidents in all eastern provinces: destroyed homes, public institutions, and private businesses; blocked mountain roads; and houses that lost their roofs. Particularly devastating was the damage inflicted by the hurricane on the facilities of the University of Oriente and the Juan Bruno Zayas Clinical Hospital in Santiago de Cuba.

A man carries his dog through the floods in Santiago, this Wednesday Ramon Espinosa (AP)

Regarding the electricity service, according to information released on Wednesday by the Union Electrica, the planned shutdown of the thermoelectric plants in the eastern zone affected the total availability of the National Electric Power System, a fact that conditioned the generation capacity for the rest of the country during Wednesday.

The extent of the damage depends on many variables. Whether someone was evacuated or rode out the storm at home; whether their roof was made of concrete or zinc tiles; whether they lived on high or low ground; whether they had trees adjacent to their house or not. The situation was especially precarious for the residents of Cayo Granma, a small islet located at the entrance to Santiago de Cuba Bay, where a sizable community lives. Lisette Murguia, a 55-year-old Havana resident, was there with a film crew working on an audiovisual project when they were surprised by the announcement of Hurricane Melissas arrival. Their return tickets to the capital were for October 29, and with all transportation suspended, they decided to ride out the hurricane on the islet, a mound of land connected to the city of Santiago only by sea.

A man walks among downed trees after Hurricane Melissa passed through Cuba. Alexandre Meneghini (REUTERS)

They werent alone there. Alongside them were dozens of families who had decided to stay on the cayo to keep an eye on what remained of their homes and belongings, fearing that upon their return, someone might steal what little they had left. The following morning, Lisette sent a few text messages, despite persistent connectivity problems, explaining that the house where she and her team were staying  on the higher ground of the cayo  ended up being used to shelter more people from other, more vulnerable homes. Everyone was expecting a disaster. The tide came in quite high. We can see many fallen zinc roofs, downed trees, and power lines, she described.

In Havana, Lisettes 75-year-old mother received the message with relief. On Tuesday morning, she bought 10 lilies  which cost her 1,000 CUP ($40), almost half a Cuban pension  to make an offering to all the saints of the Yoruba pantheon, to her deceased relatives, and to the Seven African Powers, so that her daughter and all those affected by the hurricane would emerge unharmed. Many Cubans turned to their faith as a last resort to cope with the hours when Melissa battered eastern Cuba and further endangered the lives of its inhabitants.

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Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor has spoken about the two voter ID cards row as he campaigns in poll-bound Bihar for his newly-launched political party. Kishor, a former election strategist, says he has not broken any law and had registered in Bihar and West Bengal according to the normal process. Deleting multiple entries, Kishor said, is the Election Commissions job.

I am a registered voter here in Karghar vidhan sabha since 2019. I have been a voter in West Bengal for two years when I was there. It is a normal process. I came back to Bihar in 2022 and got registered here as a voter, Kishor told LiveMint in Madhepura district of Bihar during campaigning on October 29.

Also Read | Prashant Kishor gets EC's notice for being registered as voter in 2 states

'Ab election commission usko delete karta nahi hai aur phir kahega ki double entry hai triple entry hai. (Election Commission doesnt delete the name and then says there is double/triple entry, he said.

On 28 October, the Election Commission of India sent a notice to Prashant Kishor for allegedly being registered as a voter in two states - Bihar and West Bengal.

Kishor has been given three days to provide an explanation to the poll body.

In West Bengal, Kishor is registered as a voter in Kolkata, at 121 Kalighat Road, as per official documents accessed by PTI.

This is the address of the Trinamool Congress headquarters in the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, where its MLA is none other than Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself.

"His polling station is listed as St Helen School on B Ranishankari Lane," an official told PTI.

Kishor worked as a poll strategist for the TMC during the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections.

This notice to Kishor comes in the wake of the Election Commission announcing dates for conducting Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in 12 states and Union Territories across the country. The final voters' lists are set to be published on 7 February, 2026.

In response to the row, Kishor blamed the poll panel for indulging in political theatrics over the issue. Yeah to rajnitik shagoofabaazi aap kar rahe hai (Youre the one doing political theatrics). Aap mera EPIC download kar dijiye, Karghar vidhan sabha se aur dekhiye ki mein apne Kunar gaon se voter hun. (You can see in my EPIC that I am a voter in Kunar village, he said.

The SIR exercise began in Bihar and is now being conducted in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Kolkata mein kabhi tha. Agar aap SIR kar rahe hai, naam delete karna aapka kaam hai. Aur hum logon ne pehle bhi application diya hua hai. Ki bhai humne transfer kara lita lekin agar EPIC number integrated hai aur aapne yahan par mujhe voter banaya to apne aap wahan delete hona chahiye. Isi liye to logon ki multiple entry hojati hai. Aur phir batate hain ki voter addition hai, deletion hai, (I was a voter in Kolkata for two years. If you are doing SIR, its your job to delete. We also informed EC about registration. EPIC numbers are integrated, hence the multiple names. And then you say voter addition and deletion.

The notice sent to Kishor refers to Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, which prohibits a person from being registered as a voter in more than one place. Violation of said provision is "punishable with imprisonment for one year, or fine, or both," it also says.

I am a registered voter here in Karghar vidhan sabha since 2019.

The Returning Officer of Bihar's Kargahar Assembly Constituency sent the notice to the poll-strategist-turned-political-leader, saying, "According to a news item published on 28.10.2025, your name is registered in the electoral rolls of Bihar and West Bengal.... Therefore, you should present your side within three days regarding the entry of your name in more than one constituency."
SS Rajamoulis magnum opus Baahubali is returning to the big screen this Friday  but in a way audiences have never seen before. Titled Baahubali: The Epic, the film combines Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) into one continuous feature, released as part of the tenth-anniversary celebrations of the first film.

The ambitious re-release, being described as a cinematic experiment, has reportedly generated massive buzz among fans. Despite initial doubts about whether audiences would return to watch a story theyve already seen multiple times, advance bookings  especially across South India and overseas  suggest otherwise.

According to reports, Baahubali: The Epic has a runtime of 3 hours and 45 minutes (225 minutes). A trade source told Bollywood Hungama that the first half runs for 1 hour 42 minutes and 33 seconds, while the second half is 2 hours, 3 minutes and 11 seconds long.

Watch the trailer here:

Interestingly, the combined duration of the original two films was 5 hours and 26 minutes. The makers have therefore trimmed over 100 minutes of footage to create a tighter, single narrative experience  raising curiosity about how the story has been condensed without losing its emotional depth or visual grandeur.

Historically, Indian cinema has occasionally experimented with extended formats. Classics like Raj Kapoors Sangam (1964) and Mera Naam Joker (1970) featured two intermissions due to their near four-hour runtime. Even Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994) briefly followed the two-interval model during its longer theatrical cut. However, modern blockbusters such as Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Mohabbatein, Animal (2023), and The Bengal Files (2025) have opted for a single intermission despite similar lengths.
The trailer of the upcoming film Ikkis was released on Wednesday. Based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who is the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra in India, the film stars Amitabh Bachchan's grandson, actor Agastya Nanda, in the lead. It also features Dharmendra.

Agastya Nanda in Ikkis trailer In the trailer, Agastya Nanda is seen as the war hero. It opens with Nanda promising that his regiment will be the one bagging the next Param Vir Chakra. He goes on to push himself, dedicating two extra hours of training every day. He finally gets a chance to show his love for the nation when war is declared between India and Pakistan.

Amid the tense situation, the trailer also gives a brief glimpse of his budding romance.

Before leaving for the war, his mother tells him to fight with the courage of a lion on the battlefield. Veteran actor Dharmendra essays the role of Khetarpals grandfather as he narrates stories of bravery from his own past. He shares how his grandson grew up being inspired by him.

Actor Jaideep Ahlawat is also a part of the film as a Pakistani army officer. He is seen acknowledging Khetarpals legacy. Towards the end, Agastya Nanda is seen fighting till his last breath in his tank. The trailer ends with Nanda revealing he is only 21 years old (Ikkis).

Ikkis, by National Awardwinning director Sriram Raghavan, is helmed by Maddock Films.

Watch:

Netizens react to Ikkis trailer The trailer has received a warm response from the netizens. Many were reminded of Abhishek Bachchan after watching Agastya Nanda.

A user wrote in the comment section of YouTube, This is how patriotic films should be made Pure Army patriotism emotions Pure cinema No propaganda, no nonsense, no Hindu Muslim drama Not even used 'Pakistan' or 'China' word Hope audience support this film too (sic).

Dont know why the voice giving the Junior Bachchan vibes (sic), added one user.

Yet another said, Thank God there is no already established star in the leading role... Agatsya nailing the role... superb trailer... from sets to fight scenes, BGM, co-actors, everything is superb... all the best for movie.... Agatsya giving young Abhishek Bachchan vibes... Many many wishes to film (sic).

I don't know. This doesn't seem like Sriram Raghavan's forte, but let's see, also said someone.

Ikkis will release this December.
After a face-to-face with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, President Trump said the meeting wasnt just nice, it was a 12 on a scale of one to 10.

But for businesses caught between the two superpowers, the ugly reality remains: The U.S. and China havent addressed their underlying conflicts. Commerce is going to be rocky for years to come.

U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods are still historically high, even after Trump lowered them somewhat. Beijing backed off on its latest harsh export controls on rare earth minerals vital to making products from electric vehicles to jet fighters, but an opaque licensing system continues to frustrate American manufacturers.

And despite kind words exchanged between Trump and Xi, they didnt touch the root causes of the standoff between the worlds two largest economiesincluding Chinas trade surplus, its industrial subsidies and both countries quest for technology domination.

This truce is positive for now, but we should all expect tensions to escalate in the future," said Wendy Cutler, a former U.S. trade negotiator now at the Asia Society Policy Institute in Washington.

At the Trump-Xi summit in South Koreathe first in-person meeting between the leaders in six yearsthe U.S. agreed to lower a fentanyl-related tariff on Chinese goods to 10% from 20%, in exchange for a promise by China to crack down on chemicals used to make the often-deadly drug. That would bring the average tariff rate on many Chinese goods to around 47% from 57%, Trump said.

U.S. consumers as a result will likely pay a bit less on made-in-China products, which could become relatively more attractive compared with other countries goods. In the first nine months of 2025, Chinas exports to the U.S. fell nearly 17% from the same period a year ago, according to Chinese government data.

Businesses say the yearslong trend of American companies moving production outside of China is here to stay. Tariffs on most goods remain higher for China than for alternative countries such as Vietnam and Thailand, and conflict between the two superpowers could erupt again.

Benjamin Jurken, vice president of the ABC Group in Milwaukee, helps U.S. businesses manage supply chains in Asia and has been working with clients to shift from China into places such as Vietnam, Malaysia and India. The latest tariff reprieve wont change their course, he said.

Many have already made the strategic decision to diversify in some form outside of China regardless of tariff reductions," Jurken said.

Tariffs this year have cut into profit for Nicole Craft Brands, which produces most of its arts-and-crafts products in China, according to George Thorp, senior vice president of global sourcing. It came as a relief that Trump wasnt going to add a new 100% tariff on Chinese goods, as he had threatened, and that the fentanyl-related duty was cut in half.

Still, the company is pushing ahead with plans to establish new suppliers outside of China. Thorp said the business has been considering factories in Vietnam, Mexico, Pakistan, Indonesia and Turkey.

It just didnt make sense to have all our production in one country," said Thorp.

Michel Bertsch, a Belgian national who runs a business in Vietnam making childrens furniture such as high chairs, said he has seen a large increase in American customers over the past year eager to buy products made outside of China. Customers who wanted to move out of China already did so and they wont come back to China suddenly," Bertsch said.

American companies are likely to continue looking for non-Chinese sources of rare earths, despite the Trump-Xi deal.

Trump said after the meeting that the roadblock to importing rare earths has been removed and that rare earths will hopefully disappear from our vocabulary for a little while."

While China agreed to suspend new draconian rare earth export restrictions it announced Oct. 9, it said nothing to alter the licensing regime it introduced in April. That means American auto, electronics and defense companies wishing to import Chinese rare earth magnets still must undergo the onerous process of securing government licenses, which can take many weeks and sometimes result in denials.

One magnet importer said the supply chain remains at least seriously delayed, even if some licenses are granted.

Western companies and governments are pouring billions of dollars into developing critical mineral supply chains that are independent of China.

Technology remains a flashpoint. The U.S. and China are locked in a rivalry over cutting-edge areas such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Both have weaponized the technologies they control, using them as leverage at the negotiating table.

The Trump-Xi truce rolled back some recent measures on both sides but keeps in place many U.S. high-tech export controls that have irked Beijing. Case in point: The U.S. is keeping a trade blacklist of Chinese companies that it says pose national-security risks, but it suspended for a year a rule announced in late September that would have expanded the blacklist to subsidiaries at least 50% owned by companies on the list.

That rule is linked to a dispute between a Chinese company and the government of the Netherlands, leading China to block exports of some chips critical to auto production worldwide.

In effect, both sides just took a time machine back to the pre-Sept. 29 status quo," except for the 10% tariff cut tied to fentanyl enforcement, said Feng Chucheng, founding partner of Beijing advisory firm Hutong Research. For Beijing, this episode will reinforce confidence in the strategy of industrial resilience."

Chinas access to advanced Nvidia chips is set to be sorted out in the coming weeks after Trump said Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang would discuss the issue with Chinese officials. Beijing is considering allowing Chinese companies to resume purchases of some Nvidia chips for AI, people familiar with the matter said, after telling them to halt buying since August.

Days before the Trump-Xi meeting, the Chinese leader laid out a five-year plan to develop a self-sufficient supply chain and secure competitive advantage. China pledged extraordinary measures to pursue breakthroughs in key technologies such as semiconductors. Trump also touted plans to revive American manufacturing with the help of hundreds of billions of dollars in investment from allies Japan and South Korea.

Theres no change to the fundamentals of the U.S.-China relationship," said Daniel Kritenbrink, a partner at the Asia Group, an advisory firm, and a former longtime diplomat in Asia. Its going to continue to be the worlds most complex, competitive relationship."

Write to Hannah Miao at hannah.miao@wsj.com, Jon Emont at jonathan.emont@wsj.com and Raffaele Huang at raffaele.huang@wsj.com
Bengaluru: Soaring gold prices are gradually relegating the precious metal to the status of a pure investment and, in doing so, fundamentally changing how Indians buy fash ion accessories. Demi-fine jewellery is stepping in to fill the void, proving an accessible, fashionable alternative that sets a new standard for wearable luxury.

This type of jewellery offers a middle ground between traditional heirloom gold pieces and fast-fashion accessories, by using sterling silver, gold-plating and semi-precious stones instead of solid gold or platinum and precious stones. Prices generally range from 6,000 to 1 lakh in most categories such as earrings, rings, and necklaces.

Omnichannel jewellery retailer BlueStones successful listing in August, which delivered multibagger returns for its early backers such as Accel and Saama Capital, has further bolstered investor sentiment, prompting venture capitalists to scout for the next set of winners in fashion jewellery.

The categorys appeal is its affordability and utility. Consumers have shifted spends from premium store-of-value jewellery to jewellery-as-fashion, which has been the key driver for growth in demand for jewellery, according to Madhur Singhal, managing partner (consumer and retail) at consulting firm Praxis Global Alliance.

Also Read | India tightens gold export rules for jewellersduty-free imports under lens

Demi-fine enables premium looks with the glitter of precious metals, allowing consumers to wear fresh pieces every day without breaking the bank," Singhal said. He added that the huge interest in BlueStones listing showed that consumers have accepted the category, and that investors now believe demi-fine jewellery is a sustainable business proposition that can be scaled.

The global demi-fine jewellery market was estimated at $2.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to touch $4.6 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of 11.6% from 2025 to 2030, according to estimates by market research firm Grand View Research. India's share in this was $238.6 million in 2024, and is expected to hit $460.6 million by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of 12.1%.

For context, the global jewellery market size was estimated at $366.79 billion in 2024 and is projected to touch $578.45 billion by 2033, growing at a compound annual rate of 5.3% from 2025 to 2033. India's overall jewellery market was worth around $86 billion in early 2025, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation.

Gold prices hit a record high less than two weeks ago, touching 1,26,900 per 10 gm on 14 October before they started to fall. On 29 October, gold opened flat on the multi commodity exchange at 1,19,647 per 10 grams, against its previous close of 1,19,646. Silver opened higher at 1,44,761 per kilo as compared to its previous close of 1,44,342.

Demi more

At least a dozen startups in the space have gained momentum over the past five years, having raised a total of $1.1 billion since 2020, data from Venture Intelligence showed. They raised close to $184 million in 2024, and $100 million in the first nine months of 2025.

The growing interest also gives brands a unique opportunity to shine, said Singhal of Praxis. The brand is rarely apparent to consumers when they wear jewellery, but this is an opportunity to create brand recognition in the way that international premium brands such as Bulgari have done," he added.

Palmonas, Indias biggest demi-fine jewellery making startup, backed by actor Shraddha Kapoor, raised 55 crore in a Series A funding round led by Vertex Ventures SEAI in August. The Pune firm is now in talks to secure additional funds from existing backers who are keen to double down on their investments, two sources close to the company said. The round is expected to be closed in the next six weeks, they added.

Palmonass co-founder and chief executive Pallavi Mohadikar confirmed the fundraise in response to Mints queries. In the past few years, Indians are increasingly seeing jewellery having consumption value alongside store or investment value. This years Diwali validated this shift  our sales grew 10-fold over last years. Our investors are excited about how the demi-fine segment is picking up," Mohadikar said.

Meanwhile, Anushka Sharma-backed Giva raised 530 crore in a Series C round led by growth-stage investment firm Creagis in June, and Aukera Jewellery bagged $15 million from Peak XV Partners and Fireside Ventures the same month.

Also Read | Gold prices soar, but Tanishq has a new plan to get you buying

Industry giants Kalyan Jewellers and Tanishq are also looking to cash in by introducing sub-brands to capture the high-volume market. Mia by Tanishq, the companys modern, everyday jewellery brand, saw sales grow by 75% in the first six months of FY25, and expects a turnover of 2,000 crore by the end of the financial year.

Kalyan Jewellers digital-first fine jewellery brand Candere, which it fully acquired in July 2024, saw the verticals revenue surge 127% in the September quarter, thanks to a significant jump in showroom footfall, online traffic, and overall revenue momentum. Private equity firm Warburg Pincus is reportedly eyeing a 10% stake in Candere for 800-850 crore, The Economic Times reported last month.

Offline sales

According to a recent FICCI-Deloitte report, while 73% of consumers begin their product discovery journey online, even for tactile categories such as jewellery, 53% still seal the deal offline.

Lucira, a jewellery brand that sells accessories and lab-grown diamonds, recently opened its first offline store in Mumbai after noticing that online shoppers were abandoning their carts in search of variety, co-founder Rupesh Jain said.

Building an online-first jewellery brand is challenging because consumers want to evaluate a wide range of designs and price points before buying. Even though these items are cheaper than precious jewels, they have immense value for buyers," added Jain, who was founder and chief executive of Candere until it was acquired by Kalyan Jewellers June 2024.

Lucira raised $5.5 million in its maiden funding round from Blume Venture Partners and Spring Marketing Capital in September, and plans to open as many as 26 stores in the next two years.

Palmonass Mohadikar also said he believes offline stores help increase repeat purchase rates in this category, while fluid return and exchange policies instill trust in a market where prices are volatile. More than 30% of its customers make repeat purchases, he said, because of the convenience of its 30 exclusive brand outlets. It plans to increase this to 70 stores by March 2026.
The Supreme Court has delivered a significant ruling, stating that insurance companies cannot deny compensation to accident victims solely because the vehicle involved deviated from its permitted route or violated its permit conditions.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Prashant Kumar Mishra emphasised that, in the context of motor accidents, the insurance policys primary purpose is to shield the owner or operator from direct liability when an unfortunate incident occurs.

"To deny the victim/dependents of the victim compensation simply because the accident took place outside the bounds of the permit and, therefore, is outside the purview of the insurance policy, would be offensive to the sense of justice, for the accident itself is for no fault of his. Then, the insurance company most certainly ought to pay," the bench said.

Also Read | Why health insurance still fails to keep pace with modern treatments

What is the case? The top court made this observation while dismissing appeals filed by both the vehicle owner and the insurer, The New India Insurance Company Limited.

The matter stemmed from a fatal accident on October 7, 2014, where a motorcyclist was killed instantly after being hit by a vehicle driven in a rash and negligent manner.

The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) subsequently awarded compensation of 18.86 lakh plus interest.

While the vehicle owner challenged the award amount, the insurance company contested the order based on the vehicle's violation of policy conditions (deviation from route/permit).

The Karnataka High Court ultimately directed the insurer to first pay the full compensation to the victims family, but granted the insurer the right to recover the paid amount from the vehicle owner afterwards.

Also Read | LIC refutes Washington Post claims of receiving or issuing document

Both the insurer and the owner appealed the high courts order on the recovery clause, leading to the Supreme Courts definitive judgment on the scope of insurance liability in cases of route deviation.

Insurance is for risk management, cause of fire immaterial: SC In a separate ruling, the Supreme Court on Thursday, 30 October 2025, observed that fire insurance is a "strategic tool" for risk management, asset protection and economic resilience. It held that the cause of the blaze is immaterial unless triggered by the insured, and such incidents are covered under the insurance policies.

The top court upheld the claim of the company Orion Conmerx Pvt. Ltd against PSU National Insurance Co Ltd.

"This court is of the opinion that once it is established that the loss is due to fire and there is no allegation/finding of fraud or that the insured is the instigator of the fire, the cause of fire is immaterial and it will have to be assumed and presumed that the fire is accidental and falls within the ambit and scope of fire policy," a bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan said.

The SC ruled that the fire that damaged the company's premises in September 2010 was accidental and covered under its fire insurance policies.
In a major boost to Indias crypto community, the Madras High Court has become the first in the country to recognize cryptocurrency as property" under Indian law. The ruling marks a landmark judicial acknowledgment of digital assets as legally ownable property in a space that has so far existed in a regulatory grey zone.

The interim order, passed on 25 October by justice N. Anand Venkatesh, granted relief to an investor whose cryptocurrency holdings were wrongfully frozen by WazirX following a massive cyberattack in 2024.

Mint explains what the court said, the broader legal context, and what this means for investors in Indias evolving crypto ecosystem.

Also Read | Why Indias draft AI rules have sparked concerns among creators

What was the case about

The case was filed in early 2025 by a crypto investor Rhutikumari against Zanmai Labs Pvt. Ltd, the Indian operator of WazirXone of the countrys largest crypto exchanges.

In July 2024, WazirX suffered a major hack in which cybercriminals stole around $230 million worth of Ethereum-based tokens. Following the attack, the exchange froze multiple user accounts, including Rhutikumaris, even though her 3,532 XRP coins were unrelated to the stolen tokens.

She approached the Madras High Court, arguing that her holdings were her private property and that WazirX had no authority to freeze, mix, or redistribute them as part of its loss-recovery process.

WazirX, in its defence, argued that the case should go to Singapore arbitration and that freezing accounts was a security measure taken in the aftermath of the 2024 hack.

What the court held

The high court ruled in favour of the investor, directing Zanmai Labs to furnish a bank guarantee of 9.56 lakh or deposit the equivalent amount in escrow until arbitration concludes.

The court held that cryptocurrencies, though intangible, possess the essential attributes of property since they can be owned, enjoyed, transferred, and held in trust.

There can be no doubt that cryptocurrency is property. It is not tangible property nor currency. However, it is property capable of being enjoyed and possessed in a beneficial form," the court observed.

In his reasoning, justice Venkatesh drew from global precedents to support the recognition of cryptocurrencies as property. He cited the landmark New Zealand case Ruscoe vs Cryptopia Ltd, where digital tokens were recognized as property held in trust by an exchange, and the UK case AA vs Persons Unknown, which treated bitcoin as an asset capable of ownership and legal protection.

This makes the Madras High Court order the first judicial recognition in India that cryptocurrencies are legally protectable property.

Also Read | Why gold and Bitcoin shine togetherbut not for the same reasons

Indias legal landscape on crypto

Indias relationship with cryptocurrency has been turbulent and inconsistent.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) banned banks from servicing crypto entities in 2018, but the Supreme Court struck down the ban in 2020, calling it disproportionate. Since then, crypto has operated in a legal grey area, neither banned nor fully regulated.

The Finance Act 2022 classified crypto as Virtual Digital Assets (VDAs), imposing a 30% tax on gains and a 1% TDS on all trades. In 2023, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was extended to cover exchanges, mandating KYC and suspicious transaction reporting.

Still, there is no dedicated law or regulator governing the sector.

The RBI remains wary. Former governor Shaktikanta Das had warned investors that crypto has no underlying value, not even a tulip," referencing the Dutch tulip bubble. In October, RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra reiterated concerns about cryptos risks to financial stability, even as Indias CBDC pilot expanded to over seven million users.

Despite regulatory uncertainty, India now leads the world in crypto adoption, with nearly 119 million users, according to CoinLedger and Chainalysis.

What the ruling means for investors

Experts say the ruling offers investors the legal recognition and protection long missing from Indias crypto space, giving them stronger recourse when exchanges act unilaterally.

Stella Joseph, partner at Economic Laws Practice, said the decision allows investors to seek traditional property remedies such as injunctions, escrow preservation, and bank guarantees rather than relying on exchange-driven loss-sharing schemes. That shift strengthens an investors ability to stop unilateral reallocation of assets and to press proprietary claims when wallets are frozen or compromised," Joseph said.

B. Shravanth Shanker, advocate-on-record at the Supreme Court, noted that the ruling lets investors hold exchanges liable for failing to protect their crypto, even under force majeure clauses, since the court said poor security cannot excuse value loss. Investors can also separate unaffected assets during restructuring and claim refunds for losses not tied to a breach.

Ruling also gives a firmer footing to lodge claims in insolvency and restructuring proceedings, where crypto can now be treated as an asset of the estate," said Ashima Obhan, senior partner at Obhan & Associates.

What lies ahead

While the ruling gives crypto investors much-needed legal recognition and protection, the industry is still waiting for clearer government guidelines.

According to Vivek Ramji Iyer, Partner at Grant Thornton Bharat, the ruling adds a new layer of regulatory ambiguity. Crypto is now treated three different ways: taxed as a virtual digital asset under the Income Tax Act, unrecognised by financial regulators, and now deemed property by the court," he said.

He warned that the decision also raises GST and input tax credit implications, calling for the government to align its tax, regulatory, and legal stance on the crypto ecosystem to avoid further confusion.

Shilpa Mankar Ahluwalia, partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., said the next step should be to classify crypto assets by their use case, whether as payment, investment, or asset tokens, to clarify their treatment under Indian law.
After remaining range-bound for nearly four months, the Nifty 50 index is inching towards its September 2024 high, buoyed by optimism over a potential IndiaUS trade deal, improved corporate earnings for the JulySeptember 2025 quarter, and on the back of a policy rate cut by the US Federal Reserve late on Wednesday.

The trade deal hopes gathered steam on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said during the APEC CEO Summit in South Korea, Im doing a trade deal with India, and I have great respect and love for Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi. We have a great relationship."

The benchmark Nifty 50 closed at 26,053 on 29 October, just 224 points short of its 27 September 2024 peak of 26,277. Market momentum has already been building on festive demand, GST-led triggers, and the transmission of previous rate cuts. Now, analysts say, a breakthrough in trade talks could push the index beyond its previous high.

Also Read | Nifty's course to record high could be choppy

Heading into the November expiry, we expect the index to trade in a broad range of 25,600-26,300, with an upward bias, and among one of the catalysts driving the rally would be positivity around the India-US trade deal," IIFL Securities said in a report dated 28 October.

Shrikant Chouhan, head of equity research at Kotak Securities, predicted a sustained upward trajectory for the Nifty 50 once it crosses the September peak, although the movement would be gradual and sustainable rather than euphoric. And if information technology (IT) stocks begin to participatepossibly after the Fed rate cutthe Nifty could even extend gains toward the 27,000 mark, he said.

Chouhan backs his projection on the back of the US Federal Reserve's rate cut, bond yields easing further and the rupee remaining stable. The US Fed cut its benchmark overnight lending rate by 25 basis points.

Also, foreign investors have slowed their selling and corporate earnings have largely met expectations, supported by reforms such as GST and tax benefits."

Notably, after continuously being net sellers since July, FIIs (foreign institutional investors) have bought $2,385 million in secondary markets in October, according to data from NSDL.

George Thomas, fund manager at Quantum Mutual Fund said that the move could sustain as earnings continue to improve.

Key sectors such as banking and IT are showing signs of stability. In banking, most credit costs and margin pressures are behind, while credit growth is reviving. The IT sector, after a phase of subdued spending, could see renewed traction, especially if the IndiaUS trade deal materialises, as it would boost corporate sentiment and project activity," Thomas said.

The earnings growth for Nifty 50 has also fared better than the previous quarter. The revenue growth for Nifty 50 companiesthose who have reported resultsis at 3.24% year-on-year (y-o-y) in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 (Q2FY26). In Q1FY26, earnings growth had slowed by 1.64% y-o-y.

According to Alok Singh, chief investment officer at Bank of India MF, if the trade deal materialises, it would be positive for markets over the long term as it could boost exports, spur private investment and attract manufacturing activity to India.

Higher exports to the US would improve capacity utilisation and encourage new investments, addressing the current weakness in private capex. Additionally, the deal could push US companies to de-risk from China and set up manufacturing bases in India, making the China plus one strategy more achievable," Singh added.
Mumbai: A recent Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) order in a complex front-running case is testing a critical aspect of securities law: can secondary players in a fraudulent scheme be held liable if the masterminds settled the case without admitting guilt?

On 24 October the markets regulator penalized 13 entities for their role in a scheme that allegedly netted over 2 crore in illegal gains. The case is notable because the main accusedKuntal Goel, the tipper; Jitendra Kewalramani, the front-runner; and Samir Kothari, an intermediarysettled with Sebi in December 2024 without admitting any wrongdoing.

Also Read | Transparency: Sebi plans changes to mutual fund regulations

Under the terms of the settlement, the three paid fees ranging from 55.90 lakh to 64.29 lakh, surrendered their illegal profits with 12% interest, and were barred from the securities market for six months. Angel One settled with Sebi in September 2024 by paying 21.64 lakh after Kewalramani, its authorized person, was accused.

However, the 24 October ruling reinforced Sebis stance that a settlement by one party does not break the chain of liability in a coordinated fraud, a position that legal experts said was defensible but would be scrutinized intensely on appeal.

The case relates to a Sebi investigation into trading between January 2021 and October 2022. The regulator found that Goel, privy to large impending orders from three family trusts (the Big Client), passed on this non-public information to Kewalramani via Kothari. A network of 30 entities then allegedly used this information to trade ahead of the Big Clients orders, securing illegal profits.

The main accused reached a settlement with Sebi on 19 December 2024 and this became the crux of the defence for the remaining 24 entities. They argued that since the tipper was not formally found guilty, the 'information chain' was legally broken and the basis for the charges against them collapsed.

However, in an 82-page order on 23 October, Sebi's chief general manager Santosh Shukla, acting as a quasi-judicial authority, rejected this argument, terming the operation an intertwined scheme". The regulator asserted that liability under its Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices (PFUTP) Regulations was individual and conduct-based, and a settlement by some did not erase the culpability of others.

Sebis consistent stance

Legal experts largely agreed with Sebis reasoning. The argument that the information chain was severed is legally weak," said Kunal Sharma, founder & managing partner at Taraksh Lawyers & Consultants.

Liability under the PFUTP Regulations is individual and conduct-based, and not reliant upon a finding against a principal insider. Sebi and the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) have expressed that, where circumstantial evidence of concerted behaviour can be established, this is sufficient to create liability."

Hardeep Sachdeva, senior partner at AZB & Partners, noted that this has been the regulators consistent stance. Sebi has consistently held that a settlement by one party does not extinguish liability of others, particularly where the scheme is described as intertwined," he said.

For instance, Axis Securities settled front-running charges with Sebi by paying 14 lakh in December 2024, but the regulator proceeded separately against Mandar Bhatkar, who was accused of being the tipper in the same scheme.

Guilt by association risk

Experts told Mint a particular clause in Sebis settlement regulations posed a potentially serious legal risk to the accused. Under the rules, the regulator has the power to make necessary observations about settled parties, but experts warned this creates a risk of guilt by association.

They (remaining accused) cannot cross-examine or challenge Sebis observations, yet must defend themselves against a version of events that the regulator has already appeared to validate.

Akshaya Bhansali, managing partner at Mindspright Legal, explained their predicament. They (remaining accused) cannot cross-examine or challenge Sebis observations, yet must defend themselves against a version of events that the regulator has already appeared to validate. The result is a blurred line between observation and finding, giving rise to a quasi-admission effect and a strong risk of guilt by association or atmospheric prejudice," she said.

Sachdeva called this a delicate area", acknowledging that such observations, while not formal findings, can create a perceptional risk for co-noticees" and raise legitimate concerns" about prejudice.

Grounds for appeal

The 13 entities that did not settle have been barred from the markets for up to three years, but their fight is unlikely to be over as they have several grounds to appeal before the SAT. While the 'broken chain' argument has historically found little traction at the SAT, the quality of Sebi's evidence will be paramount.

If Sebi fails to produce sufficient evidence or concrete findings to support its conclusions, SAT has not hesitated in rejecting its investigations and setting aside its orders," said Arvind Ramesh, partner at Vritti Law Partners.

The most potent challenges are likely to be about procedural fairness, experts said. Bhansali suggested the primary argument would be that Sebis actions violated the principles of natural justice". She said, When the main accused has settled and cannot be cross-examined, the remaining accused cannot effectively rebut Sebi's characterization of that person's role, yet that role forms the foundation of the case against them."

Sonam Chandwani, managing partner at KS Legal, echoed this view, saying, Imputing intent or knowledge to peripheral participants without conclusive evidence weakens the evidentiary integrity of Sebis findings."

The appellate tribunal's decision will be watched closely as it could set a precedent for how multi-party fraud cases are adjudicated.

Queries sent to Sebi on Thursday morning did not elicit an immediate response. The story will be updated if and when the regulator replies.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) are drawn to mid-cap stocks because they offer a compelling combination of market dynamism, capital efficiency, and growth potential that larger, more crowded companies may struggle to match.

Midcap stocks typically deliver higher earnings growth than large caps, especially during expansionary cycles in the economy. According to reports, in recent quarters, this segment recorded earnings growth significantly higher than large caps, attracting FIIs seeking superior returns.

FIIs tend to diversify away from an overabundance of large-cap stocks and industries that might experience valuation ceilings or cyclical slowdowns by increasing their exposure to midcaps.

In any case, here is a list of midcap stocks where FIIs have hiked their stake in the quarter ended September 2025.

Before we get into the list, please note this is not an exhaustive list. There are plenty of other stocks that can be added, but it may not be possible to include them all.

For determining midcaps, we have considered a market cap between 5,000 crore and 20,000 crore. When we use the term "bought", it largely means where FII stake has increased.

A Select List of Midcap Stocks Bought by FIIs In Q2

Name of Company FII Holdings in June 2025 FII Holdings in Sept 2025 Change in FII Holding (%) Ashapura Minechem 16.42% 18.02% 1.61 Skipper 5.42% 6.55% 1.13 Indo Count Industries 9.89% 9.98% 0.09 Thangamayil Jewellery 4.49% 4.61% 0.12 Healthcare Global 2.16% 3.59% 1.43 Olectra Greentech 5.66% 7.04% 1.38 HEG 7.29% 7.97% 0.68 South Indian Bank 17.58% 17.91% 0.33 Gabriel India 5.97% 6.50% 0.53 Great Eastern Shipping 24.64% 24.88% 0.24 PCBL Chemical 5.53% 6.08% 0.55 Reliance Power 12.93% 13.09% 0.16 Lumax Auto Technologies 7.04% 7.33% 0.29%

Source: Screener

Lets take a look at some of the companies in detail where FIIs have increased their stake. This is just a few companies, as it is not possible to cover all companies. The selection is not based on any criteria. Also, this is not a fundamental analysis or recommendation, but only provides select details on the company, financials and future plans.

Also Read | Mid-cap IT firms set to outperform larger peers for third straight quarter

#1 Ashapura Minechem

Ashapura Minechem is a diversified mining and mineral solutions company with a global presence. Ashapura Minechem primarily mines and processes bauxite, bentonite, and other minerals such as bleaching clay and calcium carbonate.

FIIs have hiked their stake in the company from 16.42% in the quarter ending June 2025 to 18.02% in the quarter ending September 2025. Their stake in the company has now increased by a good 1.61%.

Ashapura Minechem Financial Snapshot (FY23 to FY25)

 m FY22-23 FY 23-24 FY24-25 Net Sales 18,308 26,538 27,389 Sales Growth % 43.3 44.9 3.2 Net Profit 1,097 2,817 2,891 ROCE 16.5 23.9 19.1

Source: Equitymaster

Ashapura Minechem reported net sales of 1355 crore in Q1 FY26, as against 714 crore, a year ago. Net profits of the company rose to 107 crore from 52 crore a year ago, more than doubling during the period.

The bauxite export business from Guinea performed well resulting in higher volumes, and revenues with good margin for Ashapura Minechem on a consolidated basis. The company exported 2.05 MMT during Q1 of FY25-26 which is the highest in a quarter of the companys history, compared to 3.37 MMT during entire FY24-25.

Going forward, there is a great deal of room for new coal, bauxite, and iron ore mining operations as well as a great deal of potential for future subsurface deposit discoveries.

Ashapura Minechem anticipates growth across all business verticals, driven by ongoing demand from the automotive industry, renewable energy sector, and infrastructure development.

As aluminium becomes more widely used in global carbon reduction initiatives, such as electric vehicles and solar energy projects, steady and growing demand from China is anticipated to continue, especially helping the company's bauxite operations.

Just 52 kilometres from the Boffa Mines, the third captive port in the region, the sophisticated ABB Boffa Port in Guinea, has been put into service to enhance its export capabilities. It can load 25,000 tonnes per day. Furthermore, the company has signed a long-term contract with a top Chinese company to provide end-to-end mining, transportation, and marine logistics services.

With growing demand for the company's minerals, including bauxite, silica, kaolin, and bentonite, due to rapid infrastructure development and accelerating industrialisation, Ashapura Minechem is well-positioned to benefit from strong industry momentum. The company is improving its export capabilities with strategic advancements like fully functional ports in Guinea, a global alliance with China Railway, and strong domestic performance across core minerals.

The company's outlook is further strengthened by rising demand in the housing, transportation, and construction industries.

Also Read | Big market shift: FPIs convert futures to cash shares

#2 Skipper Ltd

Skipper is the most integrated and among the largest and most competitive transmission tower and pole manufacturers globally.

The company is Indias largest manufacturer of integrated transmission and distribution (T&D) structures and ranks amongst the top 5 transmission tower manufacturers in the world.

It is a prominent player in the engineering products segment and a respected brand in the polymer sector, especially known for its premium quality polymer pipes and fittings used in plumbing, sewage, agriculture, and borewell sectors.

FIIs have hiked their stake in Skipper Ltd from 5.42% in the quarter ending June 2025 to 6.55% in the quarter ending September 2025.

Skipper Ltd Financial Snapshot (FY23 to FY25)

 m FY22-23 FY 23-24 FY24-25 Net Sales 19,803 32,820 46,245 Sales Growth % 16.0 65.7 40.9 Net Profit 356 817 1,493 ROCE 16.1 23.7 29.0

Source: equitymaster

On the financial front, Skipper Ltd has reported sales growth of a solid 65.7% in FY23-24 and 40.9% in FY24-25. Net profits have surged 319% in just two years.

For Q1 FY26, the company reported net sales of 1,253 crore from 1,091 crore YoY. The net profits for Q1 FY26 were placed at 44 crore as against 31 crore YoY.

Moving ahead, the company management believes that the increase in renewable energy companies will warrant the award of 9 trillion (tn) in transmission projects between 2024 and 2030.

Apart from this, the company management has noted that the existing transmission grid is not designed to handle fluctuations throughout the day, which reduces its efficiency. This sectorial landscape coupled with the companys proactive business-strengthening initiatives should propel the companys revenues from 4,625 crore in the last financial year to a projected 10,000 crore by 2030.

Sajan Kumar Bansal, chairman and managing director of the company, has noted that the growth that the company achieved in 44 years of its existence is likely to be more than replicated in a fraction of that time.

With robust demand driven by Indias 9,150 crore transmission investment outlook and a global energy transition underway, the company remains positioned for sustained growth.

#3 PCBL Chemical (Carbon Black/Other Chemicals)

PCBL Chemical is a part of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group. The company has built deep capabilities across carbon black, specialty blacks, and performance chemicals, and is now rapidly expanding into green chemistries and next-generation materials.

PCBL Chemical saw FII stake go up from 5.53% in the June 2025 quarter to 6.08% by the end of the September 2025 quarter.

PCBL Chemical Financial Snapshot (FY23 to FY25)

 m FY22-23 FY 23-24 FY24-25 Net Sales 57,741 64,198 84,043 Sales Growth % 29.9 11.2 30.9 Net Profit 4,422 4,911 4,347 ROCE 19.6 12.2 14.4

Source: equitymaster

On the financial front, PCBL Chemical reported net sales of 2163 crore in Q2 FY26, as against 2163 crore YoY. Despite the flat revenues at the company, net profits fell to 61 crore in Q2 FY26 from 123 crore.

In Q2 FY26, carbon black sales volume increased by 9% YoY. On the other hand, in Q2 FY26, power generation increased by 7% YoY and sales volume by 9% YoY.

Moving ahead, PCBL Chemicals operations are underpinned by five manufacturing facilities across India: in Durgapur, Kochi, Palej, Mundra, and Chennai (through its wholly owned subsidiary  PCBL (TN) Ltd, with a consolidated carbon black capacity of 790,000 MTPA.

With the help of a brownfield expansion at the Tamil Nadu plant, capacity is anticipated to increase to 880,000 MTPA by FY20252026. PCBL (TN) Ltd is moving closer to its target of surpassing 1 million MTPA by FY2027-28 after securing 116 acres of land in Andhra Pradesh for a greenfield unit that will house its sixth manufacturing facility.

In the power space, PCBL Chemicals total co-generation power capacity stands at 122 MW, including PCBL (TN), which is set to increase to 134 MW through waste heat recovery and sustainable energy investments.

The company plans to expand its speciality chemical portfolio towards high-margin products by developing newer grades with varied applications in speciality blacks, including super-conductive grades and battery chemicals.

PCBL Chemical plans to stay focused on optimising processes, managing costs, improving operations and strengthening overall competitiveness

All of these initiatives are likely to lead to growth at the company in the coming years.

Should investors follow FIIs buying trends in midcap stocks?

Many investors seeking risk-adjusted returns and steady capital appreciation find midcap stocks to be an appealing segment, as they are thought to strike a balance between the stability of large caps and the potential for rapid growth of small caps.

For FIIs seeking a balance of growth and stability with a somewhat lower risk profile than small caps and higher potential returns than large caps, midcap stocks offer a "sweet spot." A carefully considered midcap allocation can increase long-term returns, diversify investments, and seize opportunities that are missed in the crowded large-cap market.

Investors should evaluate the company's fundamentals, corporate governance, and valuations of the stock as key factors when conducting due diligence before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com

Also Read | Nifty hovers over record high as FPIs reverse negative bets
Entente in Busan. U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping finally met face to face after months of tension, and the meeting in the South Korean city resulted in several agreements, according to details provided by the Republican president after the meeting, aboard Air Force One on his way back to Washington. Trump assured that China has agreed to delay its restrictions on rare earth exports, one of the main points of conflict, for a period of one year, and announced an immediate reduction from 20% to 10% on the tariffs imposed in February on Chinese products due to Washingtons claim Beijing is not doing enough to stop exports of fentanyl precursors. Trump also said he would visit China in April and that Beijing would begin to buy large quantities of soybeans, according to several media outlets aboard the presidential flight. In addition, according to the Republican, the two leaders discussed the war in Ukraine: Were both going to work together to see if we can get something done, he said.

I think it was an amazing meeting, the Republican summed up. All of the rare earth [issue] has been settled, and thats for the world. It was a situation that affected everyone, not just the United States.

China confirmed the agreements from Beijing. A Chinese trade spokesperson detailed in a press conference that the United States has committed to suspending the expansion of the list of entities subject to export controls for one year. This regulatory change introduced by Washington in September, which potentially affected thousands of subsidiaries of Chinese companies, had sparked Beijings fury: its response was to approve a series of additional restrictions on rare earths shortly thereafter, which in turn aroused Washingtons anger.

Now, the restrictions remain in limbo for the next 12 months. China will suspend the implementation of the corresponding export control measures announced on October 9 for one year and will study the detailed formulation of specific plans, said the trade spokesperson. Both sides have also agreed to pause  also for a period of one year  the new reciprocal port tariffs introduced a couple of weeks ago. And the Chinese government assured that consensus has been reached on anti-drug cooperation on fentanyl, the expansion of agricultural trade, and the treatment of specific business cases.

Donald Trump, right, and Xi Jinping, third left, hold their summit at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. Mark Schiefelbein (AP)

Likewise, the framework agreement for the sale of the popular Chinese video social network TikTok in the United States has been reinstated, as agreed in September during a meeting between Chinese and U.S. trade negotiators in Madrid, according to the Chinese spokesperson.

The meeting, the first between the leaders in six years, began at around 11:00 a.m. local time, according to Chinese media reports, and lasted around 100 minutes. It is a great honor to be with a friend of mine, really, for a long time now, if you think about it, Trump said in a flattering and positive tone at the start of the meeting, according to the White House channels broadcast on social media. We will be having some discussions. I think weve already agreed to a lot of things, and well agree to some more right now. President Xi is a great leader of a great country. Were going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time, and its an honor to have you with us.

Xi also said it was a pleasure to see Trump again. Its been many years, he said at the start of the meeting. He recalled that since Trumps re-election, they have spoken three times on the phone, exchanged several letters, and remained in close contact. Thanks to the guidance of both leaders, relations have remained stable on the whole, he said. Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other. It is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then, the Chinese leader continued. But in the face of challenges, he concluded, leaders should ensure that relations stay the right course.

Trade should remain the ballast and propeller of China-U.S. relations, not a stumbling block or source of conflict, Xi said, according to the official reading provided by the Xinhua news agency. He called on both nations to avoid a vicious cycle of retaliation.

Previously, both leaders posed with broad smiles for photographers in front of their countries flags. Were going to have a very successful meeting, I have no doubt, Trump announced after the handshake. But hes a very tough negotiator, thats not good, he added. We know each other well. We have a great relationship. Xi remained silent at his side. At the end of the meeting, in a gesture of closeness, Trump accompanied his Chinese counterpart to his car, followed by another handshake and smiles from both men.

The meeting was preceded by an air of cordiality on both sides, seeking to ease the battle they are waging on various fronts. This is the first physical meeting between the leaders since the Republican returned to the White House in January and unleashed a tariff war between the two powers that reached levels of de facto trade blockade last spring, dragging much of the world economy down with it.

In the run-up to the meeting, Xi stated that Chinas development does not conflict with Trumps vision of making America great again. The two countries can fully complement each other and prosper together, he said.

The Chinese leader also acknowledged Trumps work in resolving international conflicts. You care a lot about world peace, and youre very enthusiastic about settling various regional hot spot issues, he said, citing the ceasefire agreement in Gaza brokered by the Republican. He also recalled that last Sunday, the U.S. president witnessed the signing of a peace declaration on the border between Cambodia and Thailand. He expressed how China, for its part, has also been promoting dialogue and reconciliation on sensitive issues. The world today is confronted with many tough problems. China and the U.S. can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world.

Donald Trump on board Air Force One en route to the U.S., October 30. Evelyn Hockstein (REUTERS)

The meeting, which was on the verge of being canceled in recent weeks, was made possible largely thanks to the negotiating teams from Washington and Beijing, who spent a weekend of intense debate trying to pave the way for their leaders. We are going to have something that will be very, very satisfying for China and for us, Trump announced on Wednesday night during a dinner with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and other regional leaders on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific forum. I think its going to be a very good meeting. Im looking forward to tomorrow morning, he said.

After a seemingly calm summer, following Washington and Beijings agreement on a tariff truce in May, tensions flared up again in October after China deployed a new rare earth export control mechanism, which came as a blow to the White House. Beijing responded to what it considered a breach of the non-aggression pact by Washington, after the White House approved, among other measures, an expansion of the list of entities subject to export controls.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the city of Gyeongju, the ancient medieval capital of the Korean peninsula. But their face-to-face was held at the airport in neighboring Busan, as if it were an eclipse: with Trump about to take off to return to the United States and Xi having just landed to attend the summit. Trump, in fact, is skipping the official days of the leaders forum, which begins on Friday.

The meeting took place just days before the expiration of the truce on reciprocal tariffs agreed in May and extended in August, which ends on November 1 with the clock ticking down to its entry into force this Saturday and the threat of new 100% tariffs on imports from China  touted by Trump as retaliation for Beijings recent restrictions on rare earths  looming large.

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On 27 October, Qualcomm's stock jumped 20% in a single day. That's not something you see every day for a $200 billion company.

The reason? Qualcomm just announced it's taking on Nvidia Corp. in the AI chip market.

Now, you might be wondering: Isn't Qualcomm the smartphone chip company? The one that makes the processors in your Android phone? Why is it suddenly going after Nvidia, the $4.5 trillion behemoth that has a large share of the AI chip market?

Good question. Let's break it down.

On Monday, Qualcomm announced something that made Wall Street sit up and take notice. The company unveiled two new AI chips designed specifically for data centresthe AI200 and AI250. And the market seemed to love it. Qualcomm's stock shot up 20% in a single day.

But here's the thing: this isn't just about two new chips. It's about a company that's been stuck in the smartphone business, trying to reinvent itself for the AI era. And it's about challenging Nvidia's near-monopoly in a market that could be worth trillions.

The context

Let's rewind a bit. For years, Qualcomm has been a name synonymous with mobile connectivity. When you make a call, send a WhatsApp message, or scroll through Instagram on your phone, there's a good chance Qualcomm's chips are making it happen. The company seems to dominate the market for modem chipsthe little pieces of silicon that connect your smartphone to wireless networks.

But smartphones aren't the growth story they used to be. The market has matured. Almost everyone who needs a phone already has one. And worse, Qualcomm has been losing ground. It lost Huawei as a major customer, apparently due to geopolitical tensions. Apple, its biggest client, has been steadily replacing Qualcomm chips with its own in-house designs.

So Qualcomm has been diversifying. It entered the PC market, competing against Intel and AMD. It expanded into automotive chips and Internet of Things devices. The company has been profitable and well-managed, with return on invested capital consistently above 22% since 2019. But none of this generated the kind of excitement that gets investors buzzing.

Until now.

The AI gold rush

To understand why this announcement matters, you need to understand what's happening in the AI chip market.

Right now, there's a massive infrastructure build-out happening across the tech world. Cloud providers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are racing to build AI-capable data centres. Startups like OpenAI need enormous computing power to train and run their large language models.

Also Read | How Sebi nudged startup founders to become promoters before their IPOs

According to McKinsey, nearly $6.7 trillion will be spent on data centre infrastructure through 2030, with most of it going toward AI chips.

And Nvidia appears to have been the overwhelming winner of this gold rush. The company controls over 90% of the AI chip market. Its GPUs (graphics processing units) have become the industry standard for training AI models. Just about every major AI breakthroughfrom ChatGPT to Claudehas been powered by Nvidia chips.

This dominance has made Nvidia one of the most valuable companies in the world. Its stock trades at 54 times earnings. By comparison, Qualcomm trades at just 18.6 times earnings.

Qualcomm's play

So what exactly is Qualcomm bringing to the table?

The AI200 and AI250 chips are built for something called inference"running AI models rather than training them. Think of it this way: training an AI model is like teaching a student everything they need to know. Inference is like that student taking exams. Training requires massive computational power and happens relatively infrequently. Inference happens constantly, every time someone uses ChatGPT or asks Alexa a question.

Qualcomm's chips are designed to excel at inference. They leverage technology from the company's Hexagon neural processing units (NPUs), which already power AI features in Qualcomm's smartphone chips. The AI200 will support 768GB of memory per cardmore than competing offerings from Nvidia and AMD. The AI250, coming in 2027, promises a redesigned memory architecture that Qualcomm claims will deliver ten times higher memory bandwidth while consuming less power.

Both chips come in full-rack configurations with liquid cooling, allowing up to 72 chips to work together as one massive computer. This matches what Nvidia and AMD already offer.

The pitch is compelling: better memory capacity, lower power consumption, and presumably lower costs. For companies running AI models at scale, these advantages could translate into significant savings.

Qualcomm already has its first major customer lined up. Humain, an AI company backed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, will deploy Qualcomm's chips starting in 2026, targeting 200MW of computing power.

The challenges

But here's where things get tricky.

Entering the AI chip market isn't like entering the smartphone market. Nvidia doesn't just sell chipsit sells an entire ecosystem. The company's CUDA software platform has become the standard for AI development. Thousands of developers know how to use it. Countless models and tools are built around it. Even if Qualcomm's chips are technically superior, convincing companies to switch will be an uphill battle.

AMD, which is a distant second to Nvidia, has been trying to gain market share for years with limited success. Even OpenAI, which recently announced plans to buy AMD chips, still relies primarily on Nvidia. The switching costsretraining developers, migrating existing infrastructure, ensuring compatibilityare formidable.

There's also a timing issue. The AI200 won't be available until 2026, and the AI250 not until 2027. That gives Nvidia and AMD years to extend their lead. Who knows what innovations they'll unveil in the meantime?

And then there are Qualcomm's existing challenges. The company is under investigation in China, a market it depends on heavily. Geopolitical tensions between the US and China pose ongoing risks.

The bigger picture

Despite these challenges, Qualcomm's announcement represents something seemingly significant. It signals that the AI chip market is fragmenting. No single company can meet the global demand for AI computing power. Different players are targeting different nichesNvidia for training, AMD for a more open ecosystem, and now Qualcomm for efficient inference.

For investors, the question is whether Qualcomm can pull off this transformation. The company has deep technical expertise, strong financial performance, and a track record of execution. But it's entering a brutally competitive market where the incumbent has a head start.

If Qualcomm can capture even a small slice of the AI chip market, there's room for the stock to re-rate higher.

Bottom line?

Qualcomm is making a bold bet. It's trying to reinvent itself from a smartphone chip company into an AI infrastructure player. The technical capabilities are there. The first customer is secured. The financial resources are in place.

But transforming a company's image and breaking into a market dominated by Nvidia won't happen overnight. This is a multi-year story, and execution will be everything.

For now, though, Qualcomm has given investors something it hasn't had in years: a compelling growth narrative that goes beyond smartphones. And in today's AI-obsessed market, that might be enough.

Vested Finance is Indias global investing specialist, regulated in the US through its licensed brokerage arm.

Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute an offer, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell any securities. It may contain forward-looking statements, and actual outcomes can vary. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Neither the information herein nor any opinion expressed should be construed as investment advice. The information and opinions were considered valid by VF Securities, Inc. at the time of publication. Anyone relying on this content does so at their own risk.

Securities markets may experience rapid and unexpected price movements. Investors must conduct independent analysis with their own legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions.
Sharda Cropchem Limited, a prominent player in the generic crop protection chemicals industry, has reported a significant growth in its financial performance for the second quarter (Q2) and first half (H1) of the fiscal year 2026.

According to an exchange filing, the company achieved a 20% year-on-year (YoY) increase in consolidated revenue for Q2 FY26, reaching 929.1 crore, driven primarily by volume growth in its agrochemical segment.

The company's financial highlights reveal a robust expansion in profitability metrics. Gross profit for Q2 FY26 surged by 49% YoY to 320.7 crore, with the gross profit margin improving by 690 basis points to 34.5%. This improvement is attributed to stabilizing input costs and favorable pricing dynamics. The EBITDA also saw a substantial increase of 71% YoY, reaching 138.9 crore, with the EBITDA margin expanding by 450 basis points to 15.0%. Meanwhile, the PAT was higher by 75% YoY at 74.4 crore.

Segment-wise performance Segment-wise, the agrochemical division was a significant contributor to the company's revenue, accounting for 86% of total sales in both Q2 and H1 FY26. The agrochemical segment's revenue grew by 27% YoY in Q2 FY26 to 803 crore, while the non-agrochemical segment experienced an 11% decline to 126 crore.

The company also reported a notable increase in agrochemical volumes, which rose by 36.1% YoY in Q2 FY26, underscoring the segment's strong performance.

Region-wise performance Regionally, Europe and NAFTA emerged as key markets for Sharda Cropchem's agrochemical business. Revenue from Europe increased by 15% YoY to 463 crore in Q2 FY26, while the NAFTA region saw a remarkable 69% YoY growth, contributing 214 crore. The Latin America (LATAM) region and Rest of the World (RoW) also recorded positive growth, with revenues rising by 21% each.

For the non-agrochemical business, the performance was mixed across regions. Europe registered a modest 4% YoY growth in Q2 FY26, while the NAFTA region experienced a 15% decline. LATAM showed a strong 53% YoY increase, whereas RoW faced a 37% decrease in revenue.

Sharda Cropchem's strategic focus on product registrations continues to gain traction, with the company reporting a total of 2,994 product registrations as of September 30, 2025. Additionally, 1,068 applications are pending at various stages, highlighting the company's commitment to expanding its product portfolio. The company remains debt-free, with cash, bank, and liquid investments amounting to 794 crore, providing a solid financial foundation for future growth.

Looking ahead, Sharda Cropchem plans to invest 450500 crore in capital expenditure for FY26 to support its growth initiatives. The company aims to maintain healthy EBITDA margins in the range of 1518%, driven by its strong registration pipeline and ongoing efforts to accelerate product registrations.

Ramprakash Bubna, Chairman and MD, said, In Q2 FY26, we delivered robust revenue growth of 20% YoY to Rs. 929 crores, mainly driven by volumes. NAFTA and Europe remain key contributors in both volume and value terms. We remain committed to accelerating product registrations in FY26, supported by a planned capital expenditure of Rs. 450500 crores. Our strong registration pipeline of 1,068 underscores our resilience and sustained growth focus, positioning us well for the long term.
Stock market today: The domestic stock markets began on a cautious note coinciding with the significant meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with analysts anticipating that Indian markets could reach new all-time highs in the upcoming weeks.

The Nifty 50 index started at 25,984.40, reflecting a slight decline of 69.50 points or 0.27 percent, while the BSE Sensex opened at 84,754.92, down by 242.21 points or 0.28 percent.

Analysts observed that despite the cautious opening, the Nifty 50 could achieve a new all-time high within the next few weeks, thus ending 13 months of negative returns. The market sentiment is bolstered by the belief that earnings have hit their lowest point and that sectors like financials, power, industrials, and automobiles will spearhead the next growth phase.

Also Read | Stock market today: Eight stocks to buy or sell on Thursday

Nifty 50 Outlook by Osho Krishan, Sr. Analyst, Technical & Derivatives, Angel One The benchmark index Nifty 50 started the day on a mild positive note, and as trading progressed, prices climbed steadily higher through the session. Eventually, Nifty 50 ended with gains of over half a percent, reclaiming the 26,050 mark on a closing basis for the first time in this calendar year.

Technically, the smaller candles on the daily chart indicate a phase of consolidation within last Thursdays trading range, yet the undertone remains distinctly positive. The ongoing sideways move seems to be more of a pause ahead of the FOMC outcome, especially as short-term indicators have entered the overbought zone.

The coming session is likely to be another action-packed one, where we maintain our recent stance of buying on dips. Immediate support continues to lie around 25,80025,700, the recent base and breakout zone from the previous consolidation. Since prices have now convincingly surpassed the psychological hurdle of 26,000, this level should act as a near-term intraday support, ideal for adding on dips. On the upside, the recent hurdle and all-time high zone of 26,20026,300 remains the next key resistance range, beyond which the index could witness fresh leg of sharp upside in the near term.

The real action, however, was seen outside the benchmark index. Broader markets continued to outperform, with several individual stocks delivering impressive moves. Notably, the Nifty Midcap 100 Index broke above the 60,000 mark for the first time in over a year, a level that had acted as stiff resistance on two earlier occasions. This breakout, coupled with strong buying across mid- and small-cap segments, is likely to fuel further optimism and breadth in the market. Traders are advised to continue focusing on this space for potential outperformance.

Also Read | Buy or sell: Vaishali Parekh recommends three stocks to buy after US Fed meet

Stocks To Buy on Thursday- Osho Krishan On stocks to buy on Thursday, Osho Krishan of Angel One recommended two stocks - NHPC Ltd, and Infosys Ltd.

NHPC Ltd NHPC has showcased a strong resurgence after an extended period of correction on the daily chart. This recent upward movement is corroborated by increased trading volumes and favorable technical indicators. Specifically, the RSI has signaled a positive crossover as the stock has surpassed the 20-DEMA. Additionally, from a risk-reward perspective, the stock is currently situated in an attractive zone for prospective investors.

Hence, we recommend a BUY in NHPC around 85-84 with a Stop Loss of 82 and a Target of 92-94.

Infosys Ltd Infosys has experienced a substantial decline in the current calendar year and is currently gaining some stability at the lower end. The daily chart reveals a bullish Flag formation and the 14-period RSI, suggests an initial indication of a potential counter-trend. Also, there is a positive crossover seen between short term EMAs, adding bullish quotient and from a risk-reward point of view, the counter is situated at a favorable position and is likely to gain bullish traction in near period.

Hence, we recommend a BUY in Infosys around 1,500 with a Stop Loss of 1,460 and a Target of 1,570.

Also Read | Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy
Vodafone Idea share price: Shares of debt-ridden telecom firm Vodafone Idea declined by 12% in intraday trading on Thursday, October 30, amid concerns that the Supreme Court's order offers only partial relief to the company.

The telecom stock hit the day's low of 8.21 on the BSE, as against its last closing price of 9.37.

According to the Supreme Court's written order, the claim is restricted only to the additional adjusted gross revenue (AGR) demand raised for the period up to the financial year 2016-17. According to certain media reports, citing analysts, the relief, if provided, will be limited to the new AGR demand of 9,450 crore.

It is further to be noted that the prayer in the petition itself restricts its claim only to the additional AGR demand raised by the respondent for the period up to the Financial Year 2016-17, the Supreme Court order read.

The Supreme Court order further specified that it applies only to Vodafone Idea, dealing a blow to rival Bharti Airtel, whose shares also declined nearly 1.5% in trade today.

Also Read | Vodafone Idea AGR relief limited only to the troubled telco: SC written order

We further clarify that this order is passed only with regard to the petitioner-Vodafone Idea Ltd., taking into consideration the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case as put up by the Union of India, said the apex court in its order.

The financially stressed telecom company  facing 83,400 crore in AGR dues and total government liabilities of nearly 2 trillion  has repeatedly cautioned that such a burden poses risks to its viability and the livelihoods of its workforce.

Vodafone Idea employs over 18,000 people and serves approximately 198 million subscribers across India.

Emkay Global said that even excluding AGR dues, VIs debt of ~ 1.18 trillion (largely on spectrum payment) is high, considering the current EBITDA ( 92 billion in FY25, excluding IndAS-116 impact).

Also Read | Supreme Court allows govt to address Vodafone Idea's AGR grievance

Hence, the brokerage expects the GoI to take a holistic view on the solvency of the company and, accordingly, structure the relief. While the permission by the SC improves VIs chances of revival, given high leverage, high valuations, and lack of clarity on the GoI stance on spectrum debt, the brokerage continued to retain SELL on Vodafone Idea stock and a target price of 6.

Vodafone Idea Case In its petition filed on September 8, Vodafone Idea contested the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) fresh demand of 9,450 crore for the period up to 201819. This included 2,774 crore attributed to Vodafone Idea (post-merger) and 6,675 crore linked to the former Vodafone Group entities.

The company stated that out of the total 9,450 crore demand, around 5,606 crore (as of March 31, 2025) pertains to the period up to 201617, which it said had already been finalised (crystallised) by the Supreme Court.

In an amended petition, the telecom operator also requested a waiver of penalties and interest on the AGR dues, asserting that several components of the demand remain unresolved or disputed.
If you are an avid traveler, it is recommended to use your credit card to take advantage of the discounts offered at the time of hotel and flight bookings. There are numerous options to maximise your credit card rewards and discounts.

These options include the following:

I. Using the services of specific flights and hotels: Sometimes, your credit card service provider will offer discounts if you make bookings with a specific air carrier or hotel. So, you may go ahead with these providers, provided you are comfortable with them.

II. Redeeming reward points: You can redeem the reward points earned earlier for making a travel booking. This will enable you to buy flight tickets at a cheaper price.

III. Earning reward points: Booking flight tickets and hotel rooms will allow you to earn points that you can redeem later during shopping on online or offline marketplaces. These are some of the credit cards offering discounts and rewards.

Also Read | 5 simple steps to complete your credit card application without mistakes

5 credit cards offering discounts & rewards I. Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card: These cards have three tier membership: silver, gold, and platinum with 0, 2500, and 5000 EDGE miles, respectively. On travel, you can earn 5 EDGE miles and 2 EDGE miles on other spends.

II. HDFC Infinia Metal Edition: This HDFC Bank card provides complimentary nights and buffet at participating ITC hotels and a club Marriott membership for the first year. There is also unlimited airport lounge access across the globe for primary and add-on members. The cardholders are also entitled to receive a global personal concierge 24/7.

III. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card: You can get a complimentary luxury brand voucher worth 12,500 with the Magnus credit card. You can earn 12 EDGE reward points per 200 on spends up to 1.50 lakh and 35 EDGE reward points per 200 on incremental spends above 1.50 lakh in a calendar month. You can earn 5X reward points on spends via Travel eDGE.

IV. HDFC Diners Club Black Metal: This card by HDFC Bank offers complimentary annual memberships of Club Marriott, Amazon Prime, and Swiggy One as a welcome benefit. The card also offers 10,000 bonus reward points on spends of 4 lakh every calendar quarter.

Also Read | Tired of paying credit card late fees? These 6 tips will fix that

V. ICICI Emeralde Private Metal: You can get 2 EaseMyTrip vouchers on annual spends of 8 lakh. There are no cancellation charges on domestic flights and hotel bookings up to 12,000.

You can earn points on every 200 spent. There is a maximum of 1000 reward points per category per statement cycle.

VI. SBI Card Prime: There are several milestone benefits which the card offers. You are entitled to receive a Pizza Hut e-voucher worth 1,000 on achieving spend of 50,000 in a calendar quarter. Also, there is a waiver of the renewal fee on annual spends of 3 lakh. There is are e-gift voucher of 7,000 from Pantaloons on achieving annual spends of 5 lakh.

For frequent travellers, this SBI credit card allows four complimentary visits per calendar year to international pass lounges outside India (maximum two visits per quarter).
New Delhi: The Centre is preparing a new scheme to recast the massive debt of state-owned power distribution companies (discoms) and open them up to private participation, said two people in the know of the development. This could mark the most sweeping reform in two decades for Indias loss-making utilities.

Under the scheme, management control would be transferred to the strategic partner from the private sector and the debt of the discom would be taken over the Centre in a bid to make the transaction attractive for the partner," said one of the two people mentioned above.

Developed by a group of ministers on fiscal viability of discoms, the proposal gives states three reform paths: privatize majority ownership, divest a limited stake, or list their utilities within three years. Each option links financial support to performance, including access to 50-year interest-free loans and equity grants for grid modernization, the first person added.

The ministers' panel pegged the total unsustainable debt of the country's discoms at 2,74,120 crore.

The scheme, if approved by the power ministry, would be taken to the Union cabinet for its approval.

Also Read | From tariffs to cross-subsidy, govt makes big power sector reform push

The panel, headed by the power minister Manohar Lal, had met last month to look at the viability of discoms and discuss a new reform-based scheme for debt restructuring by the Centre.

The scheme proposed two disinvestment models for discoms: states going for the first option would have to create a new entity and divest at least 51% equity in this company, which will enable them to access a 50-year interest-free loan for the privatized company's debt through a Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), said the second person cited earlier.

The ministers' panel estimated a cumulative outlay of 78,119 crore from the Centre through the SASCI loans to states.

The Centre will also provide loans with an interest subvention of 3.5% for five years to other discoms in the state, the second person added.

This proposal aims to encourage states to allow private participation in the state and enhance financial viability of the discoms. It will ensure every state looks at its utility operations and restructures the current entities; lead to emergence of new private operators that will drive innovation and competitiveness," said Sambitosh Mohapatra, partner and leader, climate and energy at PwC India.

The second option allows a minimum 26% stake sale in the discoms, wherein the management right would be transferred to the strategic partner and the unsustainable debt would be taken over by the state.

Also Read | Delhi residents, expect a rise in power tariffs after SC ruling

In the both the scenarios, the government would provide an equity grant for infrastructure development for a period of five years.

In case the state government does not want a change in the management of the discoms, they would have to list the discoms within three years of the scheme notification and report a net profit for five years after the scheme comes in to get capex support from the government. They would also have to attain and maintain rating of A or above in the Annual PFC Integrated Ratings, released by the state-run Power Finance Corp.

The scheme is the best to emerge over last two decades with every facet coveredgovernance, management control, efficient operations and investment in modernization of grid systems, avoiding tariff shocks and customer service," said Mohapatra of PwC India. "It provides state governments all three options-listing, divestment of majority and limited divestmentgiven the performance range of utilities."

The scheme has the potential to transform the value chain in the sector and attract investment to last-mile connectivity, he added.

The renewed push to sell control of public sector discoms and operate them in a public-private partnership mirrors the governments effort to monetize power utilities and generate value through stake sales or initial public offerings (IPO).

India has about 67 discoms, including 16 run by the private sector in Delhi, Mumbai, Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Work in progress

Currently, the government of Uttar Pradesh is in the process to privatize two of its discoms. Mint earlier reported that at least eight firms, including Adani Group, Tata Power Ltd and Greenko Group, are eyeing a majority stake in Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (PUVVNL) and Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (DVVNL).

In 2020, the Centre had decided to privatize all electricity distribution companies in the Union Territories administered directly by it. CESC won control of the Chandigarh discom, while Torrent Power took control of the Dadra and Nagar Haveli one. The sales were linked to incentives from the Centre, encouraging discoms to seek new investors.

That year, the government had also announced a reform-linked 90,000 crore liquidity injection into fund-starved discoms as part of a 20 trillion stimulus package to revive the economy.

Odisha was the first state to privatize its power distribution sector into four discoms in 1999. This was followed by Delhi, which privatized three of its discoms in July 2002: BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd, BSES Yamuna Power Ltd and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd.
New Delhi: Driven by the escalating risks of rapid industrial expansion, India is rolling out major new public health measures to combat chemical emergencies, which significantly enhance hospitals' response to local chemical threats and improve their capacity to manage a sudden surge of patients, according to officials and documents reviewed by Mint .

This module was jointly developed by the ministry of health and family welfare, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) India. The new national framework follows the International Health Regulations and introduces several new critical mandates for healthcare facilities.

The steps mentioned to ensure readiness at hospitals include conducting an annual Hazard, Risk, Vulnerability and Capability (HRVC) analysis to tailor the response to specified local chemical threats. This analysis ensures that hospitals stock essential medical supplies, such as life-saving drugs, antidotes, and ventilators, which will last for 48 to 72 hours.

Also Read | Hospitals Q2FY26 preview: Better patient mix to offset seasonal infection dip

Furthermore, hospitals must implement detailed Hospital Surge Capacity Planning to handle a sudden influx of patients and clearly mark zones as red, yellow, and green for efficient casualty management.

Indias need for this system is underscored by its history of catastrophic chemical events such as the Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984, where a gas leak killed thousands, the LG Polymers Gas Leak in 2020 in Visakhapatnam, and the Vadodara Chemical Factory Fire in 2022.

These incidents, apart from significantly impacting human and animal health, have also affected the environment. India recorded 545 major chemical accidents between 2012 and 2022.

Queries sent to the health ministry spokesperson remained unanswered till press time.

Gaps remain

India lacks a robust, dedicated mechanism to manage chemical disasters in terms of medical competency, lagging behind practices in countries like the US.

Dr. Sujeet Singh, former NCDC director, highlighted the gaps in the management of emergencies due to chemical agents, pointing out that despite over 3,000 chemicals being manufactured in India, a clear management system is missing. He emphasised the need for a framework that enables local government health officials to recognize signs and symptoms of chemical exposure in their areas. These new modules are crucial for focusing on hospital preparedness and community response, he said.

Also Read | To find workers, hospitals are training teenagers

The new mandates move beyond general plans toward an integrated, chemical-specific system, significantly boosting hospital preparedness. Hospitals will have to maintain Specialized Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) and have regular mock drills focusing on local chemical hazards.

Hospitals will need to ensure that staff are trained in hazard recognition, patient triage, and the proper use of personal protective equipment, in addition to knowing their emergency roles.

Indias industrial growth poses risks of sudden, large-scale chemical emergencies, such as a major chemical spill resulting from a transportation accident, Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, a public health expert and former president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Cochin chapter, said. "If local hospitals lack adequate preparation and supplies, it leads to poor care and dangerous delays in treatment. The shift in focus is from reactive to proactive."

He added that lessons from the pandemic highlighted the importance of effective crisis management, which relies on coordination across government, hospitals, media, and law enforcement.

The module indicated that infrastructure now requires designating specific wards and intensive care units to prevent cross-contamination, establishing decontamination units, and creating specialized plans for safe chemical waste disposal.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Thursday that a grand parade would be held every October 31 at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary. October 31, 2025, marks the 150th birth anniversary of the prominent freedom fighter, widely known as the Iron Man of India.

Addressing a press conference in Patna, he also said that 'Bharat Parv 2025' will be celebrated from November 1 to 15 to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 150th birth anniversary.

"From November 1 to 15, 2025, Ekta Nagar will host Bharat Parv, showcasing cultural performances and a diverse food festival representing various states," Shah said.

He added, The celebration will conclude on November 15 with special events marking Birsa Munda Jayanti, honouring the rich heritage and indomitable spirit of India's tribal communities.

Also Read | On this day: Key events on August 23

The home minister said, We all know that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a big role in uniting India post-independence. Tomorrow is the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel...

"This year's unique celebrations of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas will include a grand parade. The Home Ministry has decided that, from this year onward, a grand parade will be held on every 31st October...," Shah was quoted by news agency ANI as saying on Thursday.

What will happen during R-Day-style parade? "Modelled on the Republic Day Parade held every year on January 26 in New Delhi, a moving parade will be organised this year on October 31 at Ekta Nagar," an official Gujarat CMO press release said.

Meanwhile, Amit Shah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in the parade at 7:55 am. The way parade is conducted in Republic Day, the same will be held on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel every year.

He said that during the parade, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and state police forces will showcase their skills, discipline, and valour.

Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi and Director General of Police Vikas Sahay presented a detailed outline of the entire plan for the grand celebration.

It was mentioned that 16 contingents, including BSF, CISF, ITBP, CRPF, SSB, and contingents from Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and NCC, will participate in the National Unity Day parade.

Sixteen medal-winning valiant soldiers from BSF's Operation Sindoor and five Shaurya Chakra awardees from the CRPF will also take part in the parade, riding in an open jeep.

The parade will be led by nearly 100 members of the Heralding Team, dressed in vibrant uniforms and playing a range of musical instruments.

The parade will also feature nine band contingents performing patriotic melodies.

In addition, four school bands will present special performances, including two from Gujarat that won at the state level and two that earned top honours at the national school band competition.

Also Read | National housing scheme named after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Shah revealed that the iconic 'Run for Unity' initiative will be scaled up nationwide.

"This year, the 'Run for Unity' is being scaled up significantly. The initiative is taking place in every state, Union Territory, district, police station, school, and university across the nation," Shah stated.
The Delhi Police has strongly opposed the release of student activists Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, and three others booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case. The police have argued before the Supreme Court that the alleged offences involved a deliberate attempt to destabilise the state and therefore warranted jail and not bail, media reports said on Thursday.

In a 177-page affidavit filed on 30 October, Delhi police contended that the violence that unfolded in February 2020 was not a spontaneous escalation of protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), but part of a coordinated regime change operation executed under the guise of civil dissent, a report in Hindustan Times said.

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This comes a day before the matter is scheduled to come up for hearing,

The plan, according to the prosecution quoted by HT, aimed to ignite communal tensions during the visit of US President Donald Trump, so as to internationalise the unrest and project the Government of India as discriminatory.

Two days ago, a bench of justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria asked the enforcement agency to consider whether the accused, several of whom have spent nearly five years in judicial custody as undertrials, could be released on bail.

Under the UAPA, courts must first be satisfied that the allegations do not, even on a prima facie level, suggest involvement in terrorist activity before granting bail. The Delhi Police have argued that the threshold is not met here.

The affidavit, filed through advocate Rajat Nair, asserted that investigators have assembled ocular, documentary, and technical evidence to show that the accused were part of a deep-rooted conspiracy engineered on communal lines. Encrypted chats and messages, the police claim, indicate that the protests were calibrated to coincide with Trumps visit in February 2020 to ensure global visibility.

The prosecution, Hindustan Times report said, has pointed to incidents of unrest that broke out around the same time in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Bihar, describing it as evidence of a pan-India plan rather than isolated flare-ups.

The accused, Khalid, Imam, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, and Shifa-ur-Rehman, have maintained that they were exercising their right to peaceful protest and that the larger conspiracy case is an attempt to criminalise dissent.

Also Read | SC raps Delhi Police for not replying to Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam bail pleas
The Mumbai Crime Branch recently arrested a 60-year-old man in the Versova area of Mumbai. He was arrested for allegedly possessing forged identification papers linked to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

The suspect, identified as Akhtar Qutubuddin Hussaini Ahmed, who also uses the alias Alexander Palmer, was found in possession of multiple counterfeit passports, Aadhaar and PAN cards, and BARC identity cards bearing the name Ali Raza Hussain.

Authorities also confiscated several suspicious documents, including 14 maps and purported nuclear data.

Akhtar had been impersonating a BARC scientist under multiple aliases, reported ABPlive.com, citing police sources.

Accomplice Apprehended A subsequent investigation led to the arrest of a 34-year-old accomplice, Munazzil Khan, on Monday. Khan, who runs a cyber cafe in Jharkhand, is believed to have helped Akhtar fabricate the forged documents, including educational certificates.

The probe by the Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU) further revealed that Khan allegedly prepared two fake passports for Akhtars brother, Adil Husaini, using the address of their ancestral home in Jamshedpur  a property that was sold nearly three decades ago in 1995. Both brothers, Akhtar and Adil, are suspected of having travelled abroad using these false identities.

Akhtar, who initially misled officers by claiming his brother was dead, has been remanded in judicial custody until 12 November. Khan remains in police custody until 1 November.

Police are currently questioning the suspects to determine the motive behind creating the fake documents and to ascertain whether a larger criminal network or wider criminal activity is involved in the operation.

The Crime Intelligence Unit is now tracing multiple international calls allegedly made by Akhtar in recent months. This activity has prompted suspicions of foreign connections potentially tied to the alleged nuclear data found in his possession.

Authorities are scrutinising his call records to determine whether he was in contact with overseas networks or handlers.
The Comando Vermelho (Red Command) gets its name from the alliance forged between common criminals and political prisoners in 1979, during the Brazilian dictatorship. The adjective, however, aptly describes the reputation for bloodthirstiness that has accompanied the most powerful criminal group in Rio de Janeiro and the second most powerful in Brazil ever since. Although it was the pioneer, it has long been surpassed by its main rival, the Primeiro Comando da Capital (First Capital Command, known by its initials PCC) of Sao Paulo. The Comando Vermelho (CV) is the most violent faction, the one that most resists the police; its response is usually direct and confrontational, explains Ignacio Cano of the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Cano, a scholar of organized crime, maintains that whoever designed the police operation to penetrate the CVs main stronghold knew that its members would react furiously. They responded with hours of gunfire using heavy weaponry and bombs launched from drones, like in Ukraine, a Rio native remarked in amazement.

On Tuesday, pandemonium erupted in the favelas of Penha and Alemao. Civilians barricaded themselves in their homes, frantically exchanging information with neighbors and friends in WhatsApp groups. When the gunfire subsided, they knew there would be many victims, given the intensity and duration of the shooting. They were experienced in such situations. But it was difficult to imagine there would be so many. The police operation was so deadly that, with 132 people dead, it went down in history as the worst massacre in Brazil.

But the main target  the CVs top leader outside of prison, Edgar Alves Andrade  was not arrested. Raised in the favela where residents lined up the dozens of bodies recovered after the operation, he is 55 years old and has a blood-soaked police record. Law enforcement accuses him of a hundred murders, including those of three children who died after being tortured because they had stolen a small bird from a drug lord and who were subsequently disappeared. Other accounts claim he ordered the killing of the four drug traffickers who brutally murdered the three children from Belford Roxo.

The CV, like other groups, imposes its own law in the favelas. Allowing the police to use your home during an operation can be punished with a painful death followed by a disappearance, meant to torment your family and discourage anyone from ever having officers in their home again. And getting into a fight at a funk dance can lead to being submerged in a tank of ice for hours.

Through the military decree that mixed common and political prisoners in the late 1970s in an inhumane prison located on the idyllic island of Ilha Grande, the criminals learned from the guerrillas fighting against the dictatorship how to organize themselves to defend their rights. Comando Vermelho began by pooling funds to finance prison escapes and alleviate the hardships faced by inmates. Their ideas soon spread to other prisons.

From there, they moved on to bank robberies, so fashionable in the 1980s. But they soon realized that drug trafficking was more lucrative and involved fewer risks. They started on a small scale, dealing marijuana in the morros, the hills of Rio de Janeiro where the favelas began to spring up.

Half a century later, Comando Vermelho is dedicated to the international trafficking of cocaine, marijuana, and weapons. It has 30,000 members, according to Insight Crime. Many are poor, Black kids from the favelas, the kind who wander around all day high on marijuana, wearing swimsuits and flip-flops, with no future. In the last decade, it has expanded throughout the rest of the country through alliances with other regional groups, and since 2022 it has reconquered  through murder  neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro that had fallen into the hands of rival drug gangs or paramilitaries. In February, it sealed a truce with the PCC, which proved extremely short-lived, lasting just weeks.

That (and the 2026 presidential elections) is the context in which the governor of Rio de Janeiro gave the green light for the police to forcefully enter the two gigantic favela complexes that had become the headquarters of Comando Vermelho, a hideout amid 300,000 residents. During the police assault, the plumes of smoke rising over the Rio landscape were reminiscent of the Gaza Strip, back when buildings still stood there.

Although the CV led the way, it has been relegated to second place in criminal power for years, ever since the PCC  which also emerged in prison, but in Sao Paulo  consolidated its dominance in that state and jumped from there to the rest of Brazil.

The only two gangs with a national presence share many similarities, but their operations reflect the distinct cultures of Brazils two largest metropolitan areas. Rio residents are known for their enjoyment of life, their flaunting and boasting, and their complaints that Paulistanos only know how to work. The CV is more flexible and less hierarchical than the PCC, where the chain of command is clear. This is also reflected in how the respective state authorities combat them. Last August, the Sao Paulo police launched a major operation to financially cripple the PCC and shut down its legitimate businesses. And they didnt fire a single shot.

Unlike Sao Paulo, where the PCC maintains hegemony and doesnt need to deploy large doses of violence to exert its dominance, in Rio de Janeiro, the CV is the group that controls the most territory, but it is not hegemonic. And when the state attacks it, spaces open up for other groups to fill those gaps, explains Cano.

Three years ago, the CV launched an offensive in the city, recapturing several neighborhoods after wresting them from paramilitary groups and rival drug cartels. This is in addition to its successful operation to expand throughout the Amazon and the Northeast. The Comando Vermelho has managed to seize control of the Solimoes River route, as the Amazon is known in Brazil, thanks to its alliances with local groups in border areas. These alliances have paved the way for the CV to receive cocaine shipments from Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, which travel along the worlds largest river to the coast for internal distribution or shipment to Europe and Africa.

Rio authorities also wanted to crack down on the CV because it had offered refuge in the city to drug lords from other states, given the ease with which technology allows for managing businesses  both legitimate and illicit  remotely. In fact, some of those killed in the police operation were from outside Rio.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to Gujarat on Thursday to participate in events marking Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) and the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The Prime Minister arrived in Vadodara, receiving a welcome from Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other state dignitaries. He subsequently travelled to Ekta Nagar, the site of the main celebrations.

On Thursday, PM Modis agenda centred on both symbolic commemorations and significant development spending. He formally launched a special 150 denomination coin and a stamp in honour of Sardar Patel and flagged off a new fleet of e-buses.

Crucially, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stones and inaugurated multiple infrastructural and development projects in the region, with a total valuation exceeding 1,140 crore.

Unity Day Parade The core events are slated for Friday, beginning with PM Modi administering the Ekta Diwas pledge and offering a floral tribute to Sardar Patel, followed by the grand annual parade.

This years parade is themed Unity in Diversity, highlighting Indias cultural and operational strengths. The line-up will feature contingents from the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, and various state police forces.

Key attractions planned for the parade include:

Ten Thematic Tableaux: Depicting diverse cultural and geographical representations from states like Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, and Manipur.

Unique Security Force Displays: These include a BSF marching contingent composed exclusively of Indian breed dogs (Rampur Hounds and Mudhol Hounds), a Gujarat Police Horse Contingent, the Assam Polices Motorcycle Daredevil Show, and the BSFs Camel Contingent and Camel Mounted Band.

Cultural Showcase: A large-scale cultural programme featuring 900 artists will perform classical dances, underscoring the richness and variety of Indian culture.

Honouring Gallantry A vital part of the ceremony will be the recognition of exceptional courage among security personnel. The parade will honour five Shaurya Chakra awardees from the CRPF and sixteen gallantry medal winners from the BSF for their valour displayed in anti-Naxal operations in Jharkhand and counter-terror operations in Jammu & Kashmir. BSF personnel will also be specially recognised for their service during Operation Sindoor.
Nineteen people, including 17 teenagers who had been held hostage by a man in R A Studio in Mumbai's Powai area, were safely rescued by police on Thursday afternoon.

Who is Rohit Arya? Rohit Arya, the man who held children hostage, was shot dead by the Mumbai Police during a rescue operation. In a video purportedly released by Arya on the social media platform X, he said he wanted to speak to a few people and ask them questions, and he did not want money. He further claimed that he is not a terrorist.

If I die, someone else will do it Arya said, I, Rohit Arya, instead of committing suicide, have taken children hostage. I have no demands, only moral and ethical ones. I have some questions; I want to ask a few people some questions. I am neither a terrorist nor do I have any financial demands. I just want to have a simple conversation, and for that reason, I have taken these children hostage. I have taken them as part of a plan. I was genuinely going to carry out the exchange  I still will. If I stay alive, I will do it myself; if I die, someone else will do it. But it will happen. It will happen with these same children, as long as they are not harmed, said the accused, Rohit Arya.

He reportedly threatened that if he was not allowed to ask questions to some people, he would set fire to the studio.

Rohit Arya was carrying air gun: Police Satyanaranyan, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), said that all the children are safe and have been handed over to their parents. Arya had apparently called the children -- boys and girls around 15 years old -- for an audition for a web series, the official said, as reported by PTI.

Arya was also carrying an air gun and some chemicals, he added, as reported by PTI.

Police received a call at about 1.45 pm about a man holding children hostage inside R A Studio in Mahavir Classic building, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade.

Powai police officials, along with a Quick Response Team (QRT), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad and a fire brigade team reached the spot, he said.

Police tried to negotiate with him, but as the talks made no headway, a police team entered the studio through the bathroom and overpowered him with the help of another person who was inside, DCP Nalawade said.

Seventeen children, a senior citizen and the man (who helped the police) were rescued.

Police are probing Arya's background, the DCP said.

Here's what the eyewitness said Dinesh Goswami, who is present at the spot, said, An audition was ongoing here for the past 3 days, the man (Rohit Arya) extended it by 3 more days. Suddenly, a message was received that he had kidnapped 17 children."

He added, When these children did not come out for lunch, the parents panicked. Someone might have called up the Police. When the Police reached here, it was found that the children had been kidnapped. Mumbai Police team went in and safely rescued the children...It should be investigated whether the studio is legal or illegal, the perpetrator should be given strict punishment.

It should be investigated whether the studio is legal or illegal, the perpetrator should be given strict punishment.

Further investigation is underway.
India has strongly rejected baseless observations made by a United Nations expert on Myanmar, who alleged that refugees from the Southeast Asian nation were under severe pressure following the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Delivering Indias statement at the interactive dialogue in the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Member of Parliament Dilip Saikia denounced this prejudiced and blinkered analysis.

I express serious objection to the baseless and biased observations in the report regarding my country. I strongly denounce the biased approach adopted by the Special Rapporteur of the innocent civilian victims of the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam through a biased communal lens, Dilip Saikia said.

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What did the UN expert's report say? India strongly rejected the observations made by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, in his report on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.

Referring to the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack, the report by Andrews said that following the April 2025 terrorist attack on Hindu tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, refugees from Myanmar have been under severe pressure in India even though no individuals from Myanmar were involved in the attack.

Refugees in India told the Special Rapporteur that they have been summoned, detained, interrogated, and threatened with deportation by Indian authorities in recent months, the report by the Special Rapporteur said.

The Special Rapporteurs report also noted that in early May 2025, approximately 40 Rohingya refugees, including women and children, were detained in Delhi, flown on an Indian military aircraft to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and transferred to an Indian navy vessel.

It added that Indian authorities also deported scores of Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh in May.

The Special Rapporteur has written to the Indian government concerning these deportations and met with government officials who pledged to report back after investigating these events. The Special Rapporteur continues to wait for this report, it said.

Don't depend on unverified, skewed media reports: MP Saikia Slamming this assertion, MP Dilip Saikia said the allegation that the Pahalagm terrorist attack impacted displaced persons from Myanmar has absolutely no factual bearing.

My country rejects such prejudiced and blinkered analysis by the Special Rapporteur, he said.

The MP stressed that India is seeing an alarming level of radicalisation among the displaced persons, leading to consequential pressure and impact on the law-and-order situation.

I would also urge the SR (Special Rapporteur) not to depend upon unverified and skewed media reports whose sole purpose appears to be maligning my country, where people of all faiths live, including more than 200 million Muslims, which is about 10 per cent of the worlds Muslim population, Saikia said.

India bats for inclusive political dialogue in Myanmar Dilip Saikia also stressed that as a close neighbour, India continues to support all initiatives aimed at fostering trust and advancing a Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led path toward peace, stability, and democracy.

He reiterated India's consistent position calling for an immediate cessation of violence, release of political prisoners, unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, and inclusive political dialogue.

We firmly believe that sustainable peace can only be secured through inclusive political dialogue and the early restoration of democratic processes through credible and participatory elections, Saikia said.

He noted that the deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions continue to remain a matter of deep concern for India, particularly as these developments have cross-border implications for the country, including the challenges posed by transnational crimes such as drug, arms, and human trafficking.

Saikia pointed out that India has consistently emphasised a people-centric approach in its engagement with Myanmar.

Following the March 2025 earthquake, he said India promptly launched Operation Brahma, dispatching over 1,000 metric tonnes of relief materials and deploying medical teams as the first responders.

He added that this built upon Delhis earlier humanitarian initiatives, including Operation Sadbhav during Typhoon Yagi in 2024 and Indias continued assistance during previous natural calamities.
Mumbai Police on Thursday rescued 19 persons, including 17 children, from a studio in the Powai area while the man who had held them hostage succumbed to bullet injuries sustained during the operation, officials said.

Rohit Arya (50), who had released a video during the roughly hour-long hostage standoff saying he wanted to ask questions to some people, was shot by police after he attempted to threaten the children with an air gun and later died at a hospital, officials said, as reported by PTI.

At about 1.30 pm, Powai police station received information that a person had taken 17 children hostage at the Mahavir Classic building. The Mumbai Police team conducted a rescue operation and safely freed all the children. During the operation, while rescuing the children, the person got injured, was immediately rushed to the hospital and later declared dead, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade.

Mumbai: People gather at the site where 19 persons including 17 children were rescued from a studio in Powai area while the man who had held them hostage succumbed to bullet injuries sustained during the operation, in Mumbai, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (PTI Photo) (PTI10_30_2025_000506B)

All the children are safe, said Satyanaranyan, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order).

Arya was carrying air gun Arya had called the children -- boys and girls around 15 years old -- for an audition for a web series. The auditions had been going on for the last two days, police officials said.

Besides an air gun, he was carrying some chemicals, they added. Initially, police did not mention that there had been a firing during the operation. Arya was declared dead at 5.15 pm, officials said.

iMumbai, India - October 30, 2025: Police rescue hostages and send Seven Hill hospital through the school bus, Rohit Arya, the man accused of taking 17 children hostage in Mumbai's Powai area on Thursday, has died after being injured in an exchange of gunfire with police in Mumbai, India, on Thursday, October 30, 2025. (Photo by Satish Bate/ Hindustan Times)

After receiving a call about a man holding children hostage inside R A Studio in Mahavir Classic building, Powai police, along with a Quick Response Team (QRT), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad and a fire brigade team reached the spot, said DCP Nalawade.

Before the police entered the studio, Arya released a video which went viral on social media.

"I am Rohit Arya. Instead of (committing) suicide, I made a plan and have taken a few children hostage....I have very simple demands. Very moral, ethical demands. I have some questions. I want to speak to some people and on their answers, if there are any counter-questions, I want to ask them. But I want these answers. I do not want anything else. I am not a terrorist, nor do I have any demand for money. Want to make simple conversations," he said.

The slightest wrong move from your end may trigger me to set this whole place on fire....whether I die or not, the children will be unnecessarily hurt, traumatised for sure....I should not be held responsible, he said.

After the conversations, he would come out of the room, Arya said, adding that a "lot of people have these problems" and he will offer a solution through talks, without specifying what problems he was talking about. DCP Nalawade said the police tried to negotiate with him, but as the talks made no headway, a police team entered the studio through the bathroom.

The fire brigade provided a ladder for the police to climb to a first-floor window.

Nalawade said 17 children, a senior citizen and another man were rescued.

"It was a challenging operation, because we were negotiating with him without any positive outcome....To save the children's lives was our priority," he said.

It was a challenging operation, because we were negotiating with him without any positive outcome....To save the children's lives was our priority.

When asked by reporters about the incident in Amravati, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, said details will be shared soon.

(With inputs from PTI)
More than 20 children held hostage by a man inside a studio in Mumbai's Powai area were safely rescued by police and fire brigade teams on Thursday, an official said.

"All the children are safe," said joint commissioner of police Satyanarayan.

The man, identified as Rohit Arya who appeared to be mentally unstable, was taken into custody, said another official.

The dramatic situation unfolded at R A Studio near the L&T building over an hour on Thursday afternoon.

The children, boys and girls around 15 years old, had been called for an `audition', as per the preliminary information.

Before the children were rescued, Arya released a video on social media, saying he wanted to speak to a few people and ask them questions, and he did not want money.

If he was not allowed to do so, he will set fire to the studio, he threatened, as reported by PTI.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday, 30 October 2025, said that several Indian nationals have been deported from the United States amid the Trump administration's crackdown on the deportation of illegal aliens from the country.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted that as many as 2,790 Indians have been deported since January 2025. The authorities reportedly verified their credentials and nationality and discovered that they were illegally staying in the United States. These Indian nationals have been sent back to India.

On the deportation, since January of this year, we've had around 2,790-plus Indian nationals who did not meet the criteria. They were illegally staying there, and we verified their credentials, their nationality, and they have returned, said Jaiswal.

Deported from the UK The MEA spokesperson also mentioned that nearly 100 Indian nationals have been deported from the United Kingdom after the ministry successfully identified their nationality.

This is the status still yesterday. That is 29th October. From the UK side, this year we have had around 100 Indian nationals who have been deported after their nationality was duly verified by us, said Jaiswal.

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Crackdown on Immigration This comes amid US President Donald Trump's plan to crack down on the illegal immigrants residing in the country in order to open up more job opportunities for Americans.

According to the data collected from the Department of Homeland Security, more than half a million or 5,27,000 illegal immigrants, have been deported since Trump took over White House.

The data released on 27 October 2025 also highlighted that more than 2 million illegal immigrants have left the United States, and 1.6 million of those have voluntarily self-deported.

The Trump administration is on pace to shatter historic records and deport nearly 600,000 illegal aliens by the end of President Donald Trumps first year since returning to office. More than 2 million illegal aliens have left the US, including 1.6 million who have voluntarily self-deported and over 527,000 deportations, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.

The immigration crackdown was not only imposed on the illegal immigrants. The Trump administration has also imposed a one-time $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visas, which foreign nationals use to work in the US.

Mint reported earlier that US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that the immigrants exploit the US economy while not making a meaningful contribution to the system. He also said that this move will provide a significant benefit to the American economy and the people.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to meet his US counterpart Pete Hegseth in Malaysia on Friday, to ease the strain on punitive tariffs imposed by Trump, Reuters reported citing two officials. The meeting is also likely to pave the way for a bilateral visit between India and the US as the former navigates the levies.

It is expected that the meeting will yield positive outcomes and pave the way for a bilateral visit, of either Hegseth to India or Singh to Washington, Reuters quoted one of the officials as saying.

India-US defence leaders' meet: What's on agenda? The scheduled talks between India's defence minister Rajnath Singh and US' Pete Hegseth is a first between the two leaders on the sidelines of the regional ASEAN defence ministers' meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

The meeting is expected to include a review of India's plans to purchase military hardware from the US such as six Boeing P8I aircraft for the Indian Navy, as well as a fresh India-US defence cooperation framework, the officials said.

Previously, Singh had planned to meet Hegseth in Washington, but the trip was cancelled amid strained India-US ties  after President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian imports to 50% that month  as a punitive measure on India for its purchases of Russian oil.

Trump, speaking in South Korea on Wednesday during a tour of Asia, said that he wanted to reach a trade deal with India.

What Trump said about ties with India? US President Donald Trump said, "I'm doing a trade deal with India, and I have great respect and love for Prime Minister Modi. We have a great relationship."

Trump's comments come as India navigates 50% tariffs on all goods along with the latest 100 per cent levy on branded and patented pharmaceutical products.

On Thursday, Trump further claimed he called Modi during the India-Pakistan conflict in May. Modi allegedly asked for a trade deal, but Trump said he refused due to the conflict.

"I called Prime Minister Modi and said, we can't make a trade deal with you. [PM Modi said] No, no, we must make a trade deal. I said, no, we can't. You're starting a war with Pakistan. We're not going to do it," Trump said.

Last week, commerce minister Piyush Goyal asserted that talks regarding the proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement are progressing in a cordial manner, and that there is 'no agreement until interests of the nation - India's farmers, India's fishermen, India's MSME sector are fully addressed.'
Rohit Arya, the man who held 17 children hostage at R A Studio in the Powai area in Mumbai, was shot dead by the Mumbai Police during a rescue operation on Thursday.

Hours before Rohit Arya's arrest, the Mumbai Police had shared that all the children had been rescued.

What happened in Mumbai? On Thursday afternoon, the police received a call at about 1.45 pm about a man holding children hostage inside R A Studio in the Mahavir Classic building, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade.

The man was later identified as Rohit Arya. According to ANI, he held as many as 19 persons, including 17 children, hostage.

The children, boys and girls around 15 years old, had been called for an `audition', as per the preliminary information.

Ahead of the rescue operation, Arya had released a video on social media, saying he wanted to speak to a few people and ask them questions, and he did not want money. He had reportedly threatened that if he was not allowed to do so, he would set fire to the studio.

Arya was also carrying an air gun and some chemicals, as per the DCP who was handling the case.

Who was Rohit Arya? Mumbai police officials are currently probing Rohit Arya's background, DCP Nalwade told PTI.

Initially, police tried to negotiate with Arya during the rescue operation, but as the talks made no headway  a police team entered the studio through the bathroom and overpowered him with the help of another person who was inside  the DCP told reporters.

"It was a challenging operation, because we were negotiating with him without any positive outcome....To save the children's lives was our priority," Nalawade said, adding that further investigation was underway.

Simple conversations: Why Arya held children hostage? In his video, Rohit Arya claimed that he wanted simple conversations and he chose hostage-taking "instead of dying by suicide".

According to a report by NDTV, Rohit Arya alleged that he had not received payment for a sanitation campaign called the PLC Sanitation Monitor Project, launched under the Chief Minister's My School, Beautiful School campaign.

He reportedly claimed that the department had sanctioned 2 crore for his work but had not paid him since January 2024.
New Delhi: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will discuss deepening economic and financial cooperation with Bhutan during a short visit, leading an official delegation to the Himalayan nation from Thursday, the finance ministry said in a statement.

During the four-day visit, Sitharaman will visit projects being executed with Indian support, including hydropower plants.

Bhutan exports surplus power to India, its biggest trading partner. Sitharamans visit is significant as Bhutan is a key part of Indias Act East policy aimed at boosting economic, strategic, and cultural ties with the Asia-Pacific region. Bhutan is not part of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.

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India has been partnering with Bhutans planned development since the launch of its first five-year plan in 1961 and continues to be its primary development partner, according to information available from Bhutans embassy in New Delhi.

Currently, India is not only Bhutans main development partner, but also its leading trade partner, the embassy states.

Sitharaman will call on King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay. She will also hold a bilateral meeting with her counterpart, Lekey Dorji, to discuss avenues for further strengthening India-Bhutan economic and financial cooperation, the ministry stated.

Also Read | No more disclosure overload: Reporting relief on the way for unlisted firms

One of the projects the minister will visit is the 60MW Kurichhu hydropower plant.

Sitharaman will begin her tour on Thursday with a visit to the historic Sangchen Choekhor Monastery, founded in 1765 and home to over 100 monks engaged in advanced Buddhist studies.

As part of the visit, Sitharaman will also visit the Gyalsung Academy that runs a national service programme for the youth.

The minister will also attend presentations on key developmental initiatives in Bhutan, including the countrys energy sector, its economic road map, banking and financial sectors and the Gelephu mindfulness city project, which fosters conscious and sustainable businesses inspired by Buddhist spiritual heritage.

The finance minister will also visit a cottage and small industries market, where she will witness a transaction using Indias Unified Payments Interface (UPI), reflecting the growing digital and financial connectivity between the two nations, the statement said.

In the last segment of her official visit, Sitharaman will visit the Punakha Dzong  Bhutans second-oldest and second-largest fortress. The minister will also interact with Bhutanese farmers on their agricultural practices, challenges, and opportunities.
When Divya Porwals friend landed in Bengaluru after the Diwali break, the first thing he saw wasnt a festive greeting  it was an email from Amazon informing him he had been laid off.

He boarded his flight back to Bengaluru after Diwali break, excited to be back, Porwal wrote on X. As soon as he landed, he turned on his phone  there it was. A layoff mail from Amazon.

Her post is among dozens shared on social media this week after Amazon.com Inc confirmed plans to cut nearly 14,000 corporate jobs  one of its biggest rounds of layoffs in recent years. The move follows months of warnings from Chief Executive Officer Andy Jassy, who had said that artificial intelligence (AI) would increasingly handle tasks once done by human employees.

Shock and stories of loss Another user, Siya, wrote about a relative who lost his job on Tuesday.

He used to brag about his salary and job but I still feel bad for him and his family. He has a three-year-old child, and this must be really tough. Its a reminder that no job is truly stable these days.

A third user, Prapti, shared a chilling account of how layoffs unfolded in real time:

My friend from Amazon told me she saw an entire team, including the manager, get laid off right in front of her eyes. The testing teams were the first to go. Laptops were collected on the spot  and that was it.

Departments hit, AI in focus In a blog post, Beth Galetti, senior vice president of people experience and technology at Amazon, said:

The reductions were sharing today are a continuation of this work to get even stronger by further reducing bureaucracy, removing layers, and shifting resources to ensure were investing in our biggest bets.

According to a Bloomberg report, the layoffs have hit multiple divisions, including logistics, payments, video games, and cloud computing. Following the announcement, several Amazon employees took to internal chat rooms and social media to discuss which teams were affected, share messages they received, and swap tips on retrieving personal files before system access was revoked.

By the numbers 14,000 corporate jobs cut (around 4% of workforce)

Corporate headcount: 3,50,000

Total employees: 1.55 million, mostly in warehouses

Previous layoffs (202223): 27,000 roles The latest cuts come after earlier reports suggested Amazon could trim as many as 30,000 positions, a scale that would exceed its last major round of layoffs during the post-pandemic cost-cutting phase.

The bigger picture Amazon says the restructuring is part of a broader push to streamline operations and redirect investments towards AI and cloud infrastructure  areas it considers critical to future growth.
Jalisco is the state with the highest number of missing officers, with 84 cases over six years. Forty-two have been found murdered

Ana searches for her sister with a strange feeling inside. Its a bit like not really searching; for some time now, Ive known Im not going to find her, she says before entering, alongside her colleagues from the Guerreros Buscadores de Jalisco (Jalisco Warrior Searchers) collective, a tiny abandoned house in the Valle de Los Olivos neighborhood, south of the Mexican city of Guadalajara. Ana speaks just minutes before the group begins breaking through the cement floor with a jackhammer, digging and digging and digging.

Its difficult to explain how someone can search without hope, which would seem to be the very foundation of a search. But considering the context, Ana does not appear pessimistic; rather, she seems hardened by the blows of reality. Jalisco is the state with the most missing persons in Mexico, with at least 15,943 people who have not been located.

Three of the five children of Virginia Munoz Gonzalez, who worked as a police officer in Guadalajara, were outside their home in the Heliodoro Hernandez neighborhood, northeast of the city, when several trucks with armed men stopped in front. It was April 3, 2021. The children ran inside, but the last one, then a 12-year-old boy, couldnt close the door in time because the men were already behind him. Virginia, then 40 years old, stepped out of her bedroom. Vicky? one of the men asked.

I think that if she hadnt answered yes, they wouldnt have taken her, because other men entered right away; they werent sure which house it was. But its instinct  if your children are there, you dont want anything to happen to them, which is why she didnt resist, says Ana, Virginias sister. Shell be back soon, one of the men told the children, who begged them not to take her away.

Thus began the journey of despair for the family of the newly promoted police officer, who had become a second commander after 20 years of service in the Guadalajara police, where she had even joined the Elite Wolves Unit. Her seniority, rank, and experience didnt matter. Neither did the fact that they were her longtime colleagues, nor that she had been a patrol partner. One by one, they denied knowing Virginia and erased her from the departments history.

Ana walks into an abandoned house in the Valle de Los Olivos subdivision, in Ixtlahuacan de los Membrillos on October 14, 2025 Marco Antonio Lopez Romero

Although Virginia Munoz did exist, of course. Her payroll records remain on the National Transparency Platform, as do the statements from the Jalisco Attorney Generals Office, which confirms that she is still being searched for. The Federal Attorney Generals Office has even opened an investigation into the disappearance of an active-duty police officer. Jalisco is also the state where the most security personnel go missing.

I think the Guadalajara police are involved, thats why they treat us like this, thats why they arent looking for her, thats why I dont think I can find her, Ana says.

The crisis

From 2019 to the present, 84 security personnel have disappeared in Jalisco, including municipal and state police officers. Forty-two have been found, according to data from the state Attorney Generals Office obtained via transparency requests. The information does not specify how many of those found were discovered dead. However, according to journalistic records and the count by the organization Causa Comun (Common Cause), which records 147 police homicides in Jalisco between 2018 and 2024, it is inferred that most of those found were killed.

The most recent case occurred in Teocaltiche, in the north of Jalisco, on February 18 of this year, when eight municipal officers and a civilian transporting them to Guadalajara for mandatory integrity and fitness tests disappeared. A day later, 14 bags containing the dismembered bodies of four officers were found. The other four officers and the driver remain missing. The Teocaltiche municipal police was taken over by state authorities and disarmed while the officers were interrogated. Security in the municipality was placed under the state police for several weeks, according to Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus.

Recently, the governor reported that the same process was applied to the La Huerta municipal police, after evidence suggested that members of the force were involved in a forced disappearance.

Of the 42 missing police officers, 32 are municipal officers from various Jalisco municipalities, while 10 are state officers, according to the Attorney Generals Office.

The Madres Buscadoras de Jalisco (Searching Mothers of Jalisco) collective during a search inside abandoned houses in Ixtlahuacan de los Mebrillos, Jalisco. Marco Antonio Lopez Romero

Aftermath of the disappearance

Just over two years after Virginias disappearance, on September 23, 2023, Gregorio Bernardo Munoz was kidnapped in Tlaquepaque while fixing a bicycle. Ana and Virginias nephew was 21 years old at the time. His father, Humberto Munoz, despite being blind, immediately began searching for his son. On November 1, an armed group also took him from his home in the Miravalle neighborhood.

To date, nothing is known about Virginia, her brother Humberto, or Humbertos son, Gregorio.

I search so that others can find them, for all the disappeared, so that my mother doesnt have to go because shes already old, and even though she wants to participate in the searches, her legs cant take it anymore, says Ana, who goes with the Warrior Searchers from one house to another where they suspect there may be graves. One of these sites is in Valle de Los Olivos, where they dug down about a meter, removed a large stone, and saw the teeth of a skeleton.

Then we have to stop digging and call the police to secure the scene until the Medical Examiners Office arrives, says Ana, the woman who searches without hope, but makes discoveries all the same.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the US military killed four men in a strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Wednesday. The attack brought the total death toll to 61 people.

He said, This vessel, like all the others, was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics.

Four male narco-terrorists were aboard the vesseland killedduring the strike, which was conducted in international waters. No U.S. forces were harmed in this strike. The Western Hemisphere is no longer a safe haven for narco-terrorists bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans. The Department of War will continue to hunt them down and eliminate them wherever they operate, Hegseth added.

A 22-second video clip posted by Hegseth shows boat in water getting struck and explodes.

The strikes are part of President Donald Trumps escalated efforts to target suspected drug-smuggling networks operating in international waters.

14 killed in three strikes Earlier on Tuesday, Hegseth stated that US forces killed 14 narco-terrorists during the three strikes, with one survivor.

Yesterday, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out three lethal kinetic strikes on four vessels operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTO) trafficking narcotics in the Eastern Pacific. The four vessels were known by our intelligence apparatus, transiting along known narco-trafficking routes, and carrying narcotics, he said.

Eight male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessels during the first strike. Four male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the second strike. Three male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the third strike. A total of 14 narco-terrorists were killed during the three strikes, with one survivor. All strikes were in international waters with no U.S forces harmed, he added.

According to Hegseth, Mexican authorities have assumed responsibility for the search and rescue operation for the lone survivor. CNN reported that, in total, 14 vessels were destroyed, with three survivors identified till yesterday.

Last week, the Trump administration expanded its campaign to the eastern Pacific, following earlier strikes against vessels in the Caribbean Sea. Earlier this month, the US Navy detained two survivors of a similar Caribbean strike before repatriating them to Ecuador and Colombia.

Also Read | US Military's Southern Command Chief Alvin Holsey to step down

During her daily press briefing, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government had been informed of Monday's operation and the possible survivor. These events occurred in international waters, she said, noting that she had directed Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente to coordinate with US Ambassador Ron Johnson and Mexico's Navy Secretariat for more details, as reported by CNN.

CNN's report mentioned that the Trump administration had issued a classified legal opinion allowing the use of lethal force against drug traffickers by them as enemy combatants, enabling such strikes to occur without judicial oversight.
After agreeing to delay its latest curbs on export of rare earth minerals to the United States, China on 30 October also urged Washington to earnestly abide by the global nuclear testing ban, AFP reported.

This comes after US President Donald Trump said he was directing the Pentagon to immediately resume the testing of nuclear weapons. No further details were shared, but if the order is implemented, this would be the US' first nuclear test in 33 years, it added.

Notably, Donald Trump reporters this before his bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea today. Now, after both countries announced that trade talks are on the go, China has urged for the nuclear testing ban to be followed.

Also Read | Trump Meets Xi Jinping: New Agreements And Future Ties In Discussion

Trump says US to restart nuclear weapons testing: How did China react? In an official statement, China's foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told the media that the country hopes the US will continue to follow global consensus on nuclear weapons and take concrete actions to safeguard nuclear disarmament.

China hopes the United States will earnestly abide by the obligations of the comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty and its commitment to a ban on nuclear testing, and take concrete actions to safeguard the global nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation system and safeguard global strategic balance and stability, Guo stated, as per AFP.

US-China reach deal on rare earths after Tump-Xi meeting? China on 30 October agreed to delay restrictions on export of critical minerals as part of a deal made between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping during their two hour long meeting today, on the sidelines of the APEC 2025 Summit in South Korea, as per a Reuters report.

Notably, the deal is for the latest curbs announced by China, while similar restrictions announced earlier in April, remain in place, it added.

Rare earths, aka critical minerals, comprise 17 elements used in products such as automobiles, electronics, planes, and weapons. The large resource deposits in China have given the Asian economic powerhouse considerable leverage in negotiations.

After his talks with Xi, Donald Trump said China has agreed to keep rare earth exports flowing and the issue was settled, some time later, China's Ministry of Commerce also announced that the export curbs announced on 9 October, would be paused for one year.

Pentagon to begin testing nuclear weapons? In a post on Truth Social, minutes before his meeting with Xi Jinping, Donald Trump said that he has ordered the US military to immediately resume nuclear weapons testing after a gap of 33 years.

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! Donald Trump wrote.

However, on his way back to the US, after talks with Xi, the US President told reporters aboard the Air Force One that test sites would be determined later, according to a Reuters report.

With others doing testing, I think it's appropriate that we do also. Nuclear test sites would be determined later, he said. It was not immediately clear whether Trump was referring to nuclear-explosive testing, which would be carried out by the National Nuclear Security Administration, or flight testing of nuclear-capable missiles, the Reuters report added.

The United States last tested a nuclear weapon in 1992 and most major nuclear powers, except North Korea, also stopped testing in the 1990s. The last confirmed nuclear tests (excluding N Korea), were by Russia (1990), US (1992), and China (1996), it added.

(With inputs from AFP and Reuters)
The National Weather Service (NWS) in New York has issued a Flood Advisory for portions of southeast New York, including Orange, Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester counties, in effect until 6 PM EDT Thursday.

The NWS advisory warns of tidal and low-lying flooding caused by a combination of storm tide and heavy rain, leading to water levels 1 to 2 feet above ground in some areas.

Doppler radar indicated intense showers around 3:48 PM EDT, with 1 to 1.5 inches of rain already fallen and high tide approaching at 5 PM, expected to worsen flooding conditions.

Areas likely to be affected Communities along the Hudson River and nearby low-lying regions are most at risk. The NWS listed the following locations as likely to experience flooding:

Newburgh, Ossining, Peekskill, Haverstraw, Nyack, Cold Spring, New Windsor, Stony Point, Putnam Valley, Croton-on-Hudson, Highland Falls, and Cornwall-on-Hudson, among others.

Also Read | Hurricane Melissa tracks towards Bahamas and Bermuda after pummeling Cuba

Expected impacts Minor to locally moderate flooding is expected in vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline.

Roads, parking lots, parks, lawns, and low-lying properties may see 1 to 2 feet of water accumulation.

Homes and businesses with basements near the Hudson River could experience minor flooding.

Safety reminder Authorities urged residents to use caution and avoid driving through flooded roads.
United States Vice President JD Vance has been slammed for saying that he hopes his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, would convert to Christianity. JD Vance was speaking at a Turning Point USA event in University of Mississippi where he made the remarks while addressing a crowd.

When asked about his wifes religious background, JD Vance said she was raised in a family that wasnt particularly religious and that the two have had open conversations about how they plan to raise their children.

He added that while Usha often joins him at church, he hopes she will one day see the Christian gospel as he does and convert to Christianity.

Most Sundays, Usha comes with me to church. Do I hope eventually she is moved by the same thing I was moved by? Yes. I honestly do wish that. I believe in the Christian gospel, and I hope eventually, my wife comes to see it the same way, Vance said.

Also Read | Who is Usha Vance?

He added that if she chooses not to share his faith, it wouldnt be an issue.

The vice president said, If she doesnt, then God says, everybody has free will, so that doesnt cause a problem for me. Thats something you work out.

While some people on social media praised JD Vance, hoping that Usha would convert, some pointed at the hypocrisy.

One said, Praying for Usha. Grateful my husband converted a few months after I did. He is now a deacon. An equally yoked marriage is a blessing.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with what he said, the problem is with how the crowd would have reacted had he said he was raising his kids anything cut Christian, say under Aishas religion, one user said.

Another pointed that Usha is a devout Hindu. Ive never heard her say that before shes, a devout Hindu. it was JD Vance that was agnostic and she encouraged him to follow his faith again.! now hes trying to convert his wife. Thats the problem with these Abrahamic religions.

Lol  Usha Vance is Hindu not agnostic this is not very hard for you to follow. They even had a Vedic Hindu wedding and one of his kids name is Vivek. The biggest hypocrite of them all is JD Vance, which is why he isnt going for if nominated in 2028.
To avert hunger crisis in New York City as the government shutdown drags on, suspending the federal funding, Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday, October 30, declared a state of emergency to issue $65 million for assistance to food banks. Federal funding for the national food stamp program is set to expire on November 1.

As per the data from the US Department of Agriculture, New York receives nearly $650 million in federal funding for SNAP benefits each month.

Not just New York, Oregon and Virginia, too, have issued a state of emergency to free funds for emergency food assistance as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for nearly 42 million Americans are set to lapse from November.

As the shutdown continues, the Oregon Governor, Tina Kotek pledged $5 million to food banks as she also declared a 60-day food security emergency.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said the state will tap into surplus funds to cover up to one month of SNAP benefits. The money will go to food banks and pantries, already under strain.

As per Reuters, more than 41 million people receive food benefits in the US.

Food aid crisis in America The government shutdown is putting pressure on food banks across the country as federal support runs dry. With SNAP benefits at risk, more families, including the furloughed federal workers, are turning to local food pantries for help, quickly depleting their supplies.

November 1, Saturday, will mark the first-ever lapse in the SNAP and make as many as 42 million food stamp recipients a casualty in the month-long clash over funding the government.

But no solution has been agreed upon by both Democrats and the Republicans to fund the food aid program to avert any hunger crisis. Republicans are hoping that the depleting funds for food aid might push the Democrats to the negotiating table.

People are realizing whats at stake now. And I think, you know, as the pain intensifies, I think were trending at least in the right direction. So well see what happens, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said.

But Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, like most others in his party, has remained resolute and refused to bend on the health care subsidies. Democrats will not stand by while Republicans manufacture a hunger crisis, Schumer said.
US President Donald Trump said he had a truly great meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing it as a breakthrough moment that strengthened ties between the two nations.

There is enormous respect between our two Countries, and that will only be enhanced with what just took place, Trump wrote on Truth Social.

China to resume large-scale purchases Trump claimed that China had agreed to begin purchasing massive amounts of soybeans, sorghum, and other farm products.

Our Farmers will be very happy! he wrote, adding, Farmers should immediately go out and buy more land and larger tractors.

He said these agricultural purchases would boost the US farm economy, mirroring trade actions seen during his first administration.

Donald Trump, Xi Jinping meeting updates Energy deal discussions underway According to Trump, China also agreed to purchase American energy, including oil and gas, potentially from Alaska.

A very large-scale transaction may take place concerning the purchase of Oil and Gas from the Great State of Alaska, Trump said, naming Chris Wright and Doug Burgum as key figures in the talks.

Trump added that US and Chinese energy teams will meet to explore the details of the proposed deal.

Agreement on rare earths and fentanyl Trump said China would continue the flow of Rare Earth, Critical Minerals, Magnets, etc., openly and freely.

He also claimed Beijing pledged to help Washington combat the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

They will help us end the Fentanyl Crisis, he wrote.

Also Read | Donald Trump reiterates claims that India is cutting down Russian oil imports

Trump calls trip historic Trump described his Asia visit as historic, thanking leaders from several nations for their hospitality and cooperation.

He listed Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam among countries that attended a dinner hosted by South Koreas President Lee Jae Myung.

Hundreds of Billions of Dollars are being brought into our Country because of them, Trump said.

Our Nation is Strong, Respected, and Admired Again and, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Focus on prosperity and security Trump concluded by saying the agreements reached with China would deliver prosperity and security to millions of Americans.
U.S. President Donald Trump set the refugee admissions ceiling at 7,500 for fiscal year 2026, the lowest cap on record, a White House document published on Thursday said, part of a broader effort to reshape refugee policies in the U.S. and worldwide.

Trump said in an annual refugee determination dated to September 30 that admissions would be focused largely on South Africans from the country's white Afrikaner ethnic minority.

Trump has claimed Afrikaners face persecution based on their race in the Black-majority country, allegations the South African government has denied.

Trump paused all U.S. refugee admissions when he took office in January, saying they could only be restarted if they were established to be in the best interest of the United States.

Weeks later, he launched an effort to bring in Afrikaners, sparking criticism from refugee supporters. Only 138 South Africans had entered the U.S. by early September, Reuters reported at the time.

In the determination published on Thursday, Trump said his administration would consider bringing in "other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands."

An internal document drafted by U.S. government officials in April suggested the administration could also prioritize bringing in Europeans as refugees if they were targeted for expressing certain views, such as opposition to mass migration or support for populist political parties. Europeans and other groups were not named in Trump's public refugee plan.

During the United Nations General Assembly in September, top Trump administration officials urged other nations to join a global campaign to roll back asylum protections, a major shift that would seek to reshape the post-World War Two migration framework.

Reuters and other outlets earlier this month reported Trump's plans for the 7,500-person refugee ceiling.
Romania's defence ministry said on Wednesday, October 29, that the United States plans to reduce the number of troops present on Europe's eastern flank. This also includes the soldiers who were to be stationed at Romania's Mihail Kogalniceanu air base, the defence ministry said further.

The ministry said the move was anticipated in light of shifting US priorities. About 1,000 American troops will remain stationed in Romania. It added that between 1,000 and 1,200 personnel who rotated out a month ago will not be replaced.

In a statement, the Ministry of National Defence said, The downsizing of the US forces is an effect of the new priorities of the presidential administration, announced in February. The decision also took into account the fact that NATO had strengthened its presence and activity on the Eastern Flank, which allows the United States to adjust its military posture in the region.

Approximately one thousand American soldiers will remain deployed on our national territory, contribute to the deterrence of any threats and will represent a guarantee of the US commitment to regional security.

The Trump administration had previously told Washington's European allies that the US would focus more on its own borders and the the Indo-Pacific region.

"The American decision is to stop the rotation in Europe of a brigade that had elements in several NATO countries," the defence ministry said.

Defence Minister Ionut Mosteanu said at a news conference that the brigade includes troops stationed across Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Slovakia. He added that Romanias relations with Washington remain strong, with a considerable allied presence of about 3,500 NATO personnel, including US soldiers.

Also Read | US appeals court lets Trump send troops to Portland

It is enough for our needs. The expectation of having entire foreign armies here to defend us is unrealistic. We will continue to invest in the Romanian army, Mosteanu said.

Troop withdrawal not signal of lessened NATO commitment: US The US military said the decision not to replace departing American troops in Romania was not an American withdrawal from Europe or a signal of lessened commitment to NATO.

Meanwhile, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has mentioned that the US shifting its focus had started under President Barack Obama. The U.S. is concerned about competition with China, and Europe must guarantee its own defence, he said.

Despite worries on NATO's eastern flank about the potential scaling back of the U.S. presence in the region, at a time when Russia continues to wage war in Ukraine, Trump said in September that Washington could increase its troop presence in Poland.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held crucial talks on Thursday in Busan, South Korea, aiming to ease trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit and lasted less than two hours.

After the key meeting, President Trump boarded Air Force One, while President Xi left in his motorcade.

Xi and Trump exchanged initial remarks before the talks began. The rest of the meeting was closed to the media. According to NBC News, Trump had earlier suggested the meeting could last up to four hours.

Donald Trump's speech highlights: 5 points In an address to the Chinese delegates, US President Donald Trump said:

1. As he shook hands with Xi, Trump said, "We're going to have a very successful meeting, I have no doubt." He also called Xi a "tough negotiator" and added, It's not good.

2. As his meeting with Xi began, Trump said it was a great honour to be with a friend of mine, really, for a long time now, if you think about it.

3. "It's a great honour...I think we're going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time  and it's an honour to have you with us," Trump said.

Also Read | In pics | Trump and Xi meet for first time in 6 years

4. Trump lavished praise on Xi as the high-stakes talks began. He called the Chinese president a distinguished and respected and a great leader of a great country.

5. We will be having some discussions, Trump said. I think weve already agreed to a lot of things, and well agree to some more right now," the US President said.

Xi's speech highlights: 8 points 1. Xi returned Trump's compliment, hailing his peacemaking efforts and spoke about the world's "tough problems".

2. He said, Mr. President, you care a lot about world peace, and you're very enthusiastic about settling various regional hotspot issues. I appreciate your great contribution to the recent conclusion of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

3. Cambodia and Thailand properly settled their border disputes, and we have also been promoting peace talks to resolve other hotspot issues. The world today is confronted with many tough problems.

4. As the meeting commenced, Xi Jinping said, Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for two leading economies of the world to have friction now and then.

5. Xi said, the two leaders should stay the right course and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-US relations despite their differences.

6. Xi Jinping said, "Over the years, I have stated in public many times that China and the United States should be partners and friends. This is what history has taught us and what reality demands.

7. I always believe that Chinas development goes hand in hand with your vision to make America great again, Xi said.

8. "I look forward to exchanging views with you on questions important for our two countries," the Chinese president added.
In a big setback for immigrants, Florida has banned H-1B visa hiring as Governor Ron DeSantis urged state universities to hire Americans.

"Universities across the country are importing foreign workers on H-1B visas instead of hiring Americans who are qualified and available to do the job. We will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions. Thats why I have directed the Florida Board of Governors to end this practice," Governor Ron DeSantis stated.

He added, Florida leads the nation in higher education, and thousands of highly qualified Americans graduate from our colleges and universities every year.

What if universities face difficulty to find US citizens to fill their job openings? If universities struggle to find US citizens to fill their job opening, then they ought to evaluate their academic programs to determine why they cannot produce graduates who can be hired for these positions, according to Ron DeSantis.

H-1B visas are mostly linked to tech professionals from India, with major technology companies being the largest sponsors, and roughly 75% of approvals going to Indian applicants. However, essential workers such as teachers and doctors also rely on this visa, even though they are less commonly represented.

Florida DOGE partners with Federal DOGE DeSantis also announced that Florida DOGE has collaborated with Federal DOGE, the State University System, and institutional partners to cancel or repurpose millions of dollars in DEI-related grants. By working with Federal DOGE, the State University System, and individual institutions, Florida has repurposed or canceled DEI-related grants with total intended amounts exceeding $33 million, according to ANI. The statement claimed that several grants were canceled due to lack of compliance with state and federal law regarding DEI-centric, discriminatory missions.

For example, a USD 1.5 million grant for Challenging Anti-Black Racism in Civil and Environmental Engineering Curriculum, which focused on environmental justice and equitable and inclusive curriculum for civil engineers, was affected.

Another example is a USD 1.3 million grant for Mobilizing Physics Teachers to Promote Inclusive and Communal Classroom Cultures Through Everyday Actions", which aimed at inclusive and equitable practices for women and minority racial groups and promoting inclusion and equity in classrooms.
The experimental treatment, developed using cells at La Paz public hospital, achieves a preliminary survival rate of 70% in patients who had exhausted all other options

A new living drug, made up of cells small enough to fit on a spoon and produced at a public hospital in Madrid, has so far saved the lives of eight young people suffering from an extremely aggressive form of the most common childhood cancer  B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The patients, all under the age of 24, had been declared terminal after multiple relapses and the failure of all conventional treatments.

The sophisticated experimental treatment involves extracting a sample of immune cells, re-engineering them in the laboratory to increase their ability to destroy cancer cells, and then reintroducing them into the body to kill the tumor. The lead researcher, pediatrician Antonio Perez, presented the results on Thursday at La Paz University Hospital: a 70% survival rate after more than a year and a half of follow-up.

A delighted patient, 15-year-old Lucia Alvarez from the Spanish city of Cadiz, joined doctors, politicians, and donors at the event. Her name is the latest to be added to a hopeful list of young people who are at the forefront of this medical revolution. The first was Emily Whitehead, a six-year-old U.S. girl with seemingly fatal leukemia who, in desperation, became the first child patient treated with this experimental therapy, called CAR-T, in 2012. It worked perfectly, and her doctors now consider her cured.

Thousands of people have survived since then thanks to their own modified cells. The father of the treatment, U.S. immunologist Carl June, speaks of resurrections like that of Lazarus, the biblical figure miraculously revived by Jesus Christ. However, the results are still insufficient. CAR-T cell therapies dont always work. They only manage to save half of the children with the most aggressive, otherwise untreatable tumors

Lucia Alvarez and a dozen other patients received the new therapy when they were, on average, 12 years old. Its a state-of-the-art CAR-T cell therapy. Typically, the treatment involves implanting a kind of radar in the patients white blood cells: a synthetic molecule capable of detecting the CD19 protein present in cancer cells of leukemia and lymphoma. The problem is that the tumor often manages to camouflage itself. The new therapy, in the words of Antonio Perez, is like a tandem, capable of binding to tumor cells at two points, CD19 and CD22, minimizing the risk of escape.

Thanks to this sophisticated strategy developed in La Paz University Hospital, eight of the 11 patients saw their cancer disappear and become undetectable in just one month.

The treatment doesnt take long; its a bridging therapy and must be consolidated with a bone marrow transplant, explained Perez.

Five of the young patients were able to receive this life-saving transplant. After 20 months of follow-up, eight are still alive, representing a survival rate of over 70% for patients who had no other options for survival. The results, which should be interpreted with caution pending further trials, were published in August in the specialized journal eBioMedicine.

The young patient Lucia Alvarez and the doctor Antonio Perez, director of the CRIS Unit of Advanced Therapies in Childhood Cancer at the La Paz University Hospital. Santi Burgos

Im so happy to be here, the 15-year-old said, her words carrying a double meaning that drew a standing ovation at the press conference.

Lucia Alvarezs case illustrates the suffering of these patients and their families. She was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was 17 months old. Chemotherapy worked very well, but at age seven she had her first relapse, which was controlled with more chemotherapy. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, she had a second relapse, with the tumor spreading throughout her nervous system. A first conventional CAR-T therapy and a bone marrow transplant achieved remission, but successive treatments failed until, with no options left, she received the experimental tandem CAR-T therapy and a second transplant. Today, she leads a normal life, has returned to school, and dreams of studying biology.

There are currently only eight CAR-T products approved in the European Union: seven commercial and one academic, ARI-0001, developed at Hospital Clinic in Barcelona. The treatment is named after Ariana Benede, an 18-year-old who helped advance the research before she died of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2016. The examples from Madrid and Barcelona demonstrate that these revolutionary therapies can be developed in public hospitals at a fraction of the cost. The Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis set a price of over 300,000 ($347,000) per patient for its Kymriah CAR-T against leukemias and lymphomas, while the Barcelona therapy cost only 90,000 ($104,000).

Pediatrician Antonio Perez directs the CRIS Unit for Advanced Therapies for Childhood Cancer, located on the eighth floor of the iconic polygonal tower of La Paz Hospital, where more than 700,000 Spaniards have been born. Over the past year, however, Perez has been working and learning at Londons Great Ormond Street Hospital, funded by the royalties of Peter Pan, which the Scottish novelist James Matthew Barrie donated in 1929. There, Perez met one of the hospitals most legendary patients: Alyssa, a teenager with incurable leukemia who in 2022 became the first patient to receive cells from another person, modified with a kind of genetic pencil to prevent rejection.

Perezs team is now also working with this genetic pencil, the so-called DNA base editors, the so-called DNA base editors, to adapt donor white blood cells  an excellent option when patients own cells are too damaged or there is no time to lose. The CRIS Unit at La Paz does not receive funding from Peter Pan royalties but does receive support from the CRIS Against Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit that has contributed over 10 million ($12 million). In February 2024, the foundation shared the story of another patient, Mathias, a seven-year-old treated with the tandem CAR-T therapy for his aggressive leukemia, which had kept him hospitalized for much of his life. In less than a month, his tumor entered complete remission.

Around 400,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. These are very rare diseases  Spain sees only about 1,500 cases annually  and survival exceeds 80% in wealthy countries. But precisely for that reason, Antonio Perez emphasizes in every talk that public hospitals must take the lead in developing new treatments, given the lack of financial incentive for the pharmaceutical industry. There are still two out of 10 children that no one is able to cure.

I am very happy to be here helping so that other children can receive treatment, Lucia Alvarez continued.

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Britains King Charles has stripped his younger brother Prince Andrew of his royal title and ordered him to vacate his residence near Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday (October 30). The move marks the toughest action yet by the monarch over Andrews ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that Charles has now escalated the matter, stripping Andrew of his princely title. He will now be formally known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Evicted from Royal Lodge The palace said a formal notice had been served for Andrew to surrender his lease on Royal Lodge, his long-time residence on the Windsor Estate.

He will move to alternative private accommodation in eastern England, the statement added.

Palace expresses sympathy for victims In a statement, Buckingham Palace said the measures were necessary despite Andrews continued denials of the allegations.

These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him, the statement said.

Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.

Family backs the Kings decision A palace source told Reuters that while Andrew maintains his innocence, the decision reflects serious lapses of judgement in his past conduct.

The decision was taken by Charles but had the support of the wider family, including heir-to-the-throne Prince William, the source said.

Background of scandal Prince Andrews royal standing has been steadily eroding since 2019, when his friendship with Epstein  who died in prison awaiting trial for sex trafficking  became public. Andrew stepped back from royal duties and later settled a civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault  allegations he has consistently denied.
The family of Virginia Giuffre, who accused Andrew of sexual assault, hailed King Charles' decision to strip his brother of his royal titles and evict him from his royal home, saying her extraordinary courage brought down a prince. Andrew has repeatedly denied all allegations by Virginia Giuffre who died by suicide in April 2025.

In a statement, published by BBC, Virginia Giuffre's brother Skye Roberts and sister-in-law Amanda said, Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family, brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage.

The family said Virginia never stopped the fight to get justice for herself and countless others who were victims of Jeffrey Epstein and Andrew.

Virginia Roberts Giuffre, our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to her and to countless other survivors like her.

Today, she declares victory. We, her family, along with her survivor sisters, continue Virginia's battle and will not rest until the same accountability applies to all of the abusers and abettors connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, the family said.

Andrew's fall from grace: The Royal decision King Charles took away all royal titles, honours and royal home of his younger brother, Andrew, over his links to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of sexual misconduct by Virginia Giuffre.

Since King Charles has taken away his prince title, he will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

In a statement, the Buckingham Palace said, His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honors of Prince Andrew.

Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation, it said.
Global media outlets offered a mix of cautious optimism and skepticism in their coverage of the much-anticipated meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, where the two leaders agreed to scale back tariffs and resume agricultural trade.

Heres a report on how global media covered the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, highlighting differing narratives and key takeaways:

A momentary pause in tensions French daily Le Monde's website article described the 100-minute Trump-Xi meeting in South Korea as a temporary lull in escalating trade tensions. Its report with the headline: TrumpXi meeting brings temporary lull to escalation between US and China highlighted the diplomatic cooling effect of the meeting.

Donald Trump-Xi Jinping meeting updates Focus on domestic impact The Washington Post highlighted the political and economic dimensions of the meeting, emphasizing how Trumps dealespecially the resumption of soybean exports and tariff reductionscould boost his domestic standing. However, it warned that China may retain the upper hand in shaping long-term trade terms.

A truce, not a solution Bloomberg echoed a similar sentiment in its headline, TrumpXi Truce Buys Time in Broader Fight for Dominance and Leverage.

The news outlet framed the outcome as a one-year truce that buys both nations time in their broader struggle for dominance. The report said the meeting brought clarity on some issues, but not others.

Relief, but caution abroad According to The Times, the meeting appeared to avert a damaging trade war, offering relief to governments and businesses worldwide. The online article noted that Xis call to avoid a vicious cycle of retaliation echoed through Chinese state media coverage.

Market-friendly tone Reuters reported that the upbeat tone of the Trump-Xi handshake will be welcomed by markets, seeing it as a positive sign for short-term stability in global trade.

Skepticism over guarantees Sky News pointed out that despite Trumps optimistic remarks, no formal mechanisms were established to enforce the new agreements, warning that thornier issues remain unresolved.

Beijing seen as strategic winner Forbes Middle East argued that Xi secured the strategic advantage, saying Trump made tangible concessionslike tariff cutswhile Chinas commitments were comparatively vague.

Broader geopolitical implications Vox.com analyzed the meeting in the context of Trumps evolving China policy, describing the truce as part of a broader pattern of economic confrontation without equivalent geopolitical rivalry. The outlet said Trumps administration has been tough to read on how far it wants to challenge Chinas rise.

Also Read | Trump calls Xi talks great, says China will buy US farm goods

Pro-Trump spin In contrast, Gateway Hispanic published an overtly positive headline, claiming Xi Jinping shocks the world by publicly thanking Trump for promoting world peace and lauding his leadership in resolving global conflictsa tone largely absent in mainstream Western coverage.

Key Takeaways from the TrumpXi Meeting in South Korea Trade thaw: The US and China agreed to ease trade tensions and strengthen economic cooperation after months of tariff escalations.

Soybean deal: China will purchase 25 million metric tons of US soybeans annually, giving a major boost to American farmers.

Tariff rollback: Trump agreed to cut his recent 20% tariff hike on Chinese goods to 10%, signaling a partial de-escalation.

Energy cooperation: Both sides will explore new oil and gas projects in Alaska, expanding energy ties.

Rare earth exports: China will resume exports of rare earth materials to the United States.

Tech discussions: Beijing will negotiate with Nvidia over select chip sales, indicating a limited opening in semiconductor trade.

Fentanyl control: China pledged to continue curbing fentanyl exports to the US.

TikTok issue: China agreed to cooperate with Washington on TikToks ownership but stopped short of a firm commitment.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping told Asia-Pacific leaders on Friday that his country would help to defend global free trade at an annual economic regional forum snubbed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Xi took center stage at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that began Friday in the South Korean city of Gyeongju, as Trump left the country a day earlier after reaching deals with Xi meant to ease their escalating trade war. (AP)
The meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded after a 100-minute discussion, reportedly lasting longer than scheduled. The two leaders, who met in Busan, South Korea, agreed on a one-year deal concerning the supply of crucial rare earths.

The meeting marked the first in-person encounter between the two in six years, amid ongoing trade tensions. According to a report by news agency AP, both sides are seeking to limit further economic damage from their tariff dispute  China has restricted rare earth exports, while Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese goods.

Following the meeting, Trump announced that he had reduced the tariff on fentanyl from 20 per cent to 10 per cent. He also confirmed that China would continue to export rare earths, saying, There will be no roadblocks.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping react as they hold a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea.

Trump rates Xi meet 12 On 10 Trump rated the meeting 12 on a scale of 0 to 10 and revealed plans to visit China in April.

Speaking about his talks with President Xi, Trump said: We are going to issue a statement with some of the details but overall I guess on the scale of 0 - 10, with 10 being the best, the meeting was a 12.

He added: I'll be going to China in April and he'll be coming here sometime after that, whether it's in Florida, Palm Beach or Washington, DC.

President Donald Trump, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, leave a facility after their meeting.

The US President also said that a lot of things we brought to finalisation and praised Xi as a tremendous leader of a very powerful country.

The meeting with Xi set the tone for Trumps week-long diplomatic tour. Before departing South Korea, he thanked South Korean officials for their warm hospitality and bid them farewell.

His departure followed several days of back-to-back engagements that underscored Washingtons efforts to strengthen alliances and advance US economic interests across the Indo-Pacific.

People hold Chinese and South Korean flags, as a motorcade believed to be carrying Chinese President Xi Jinping departs.

In a social media post shortly before take-off, the White House stated: POTUS boards Air Force One and prepares for the long journey home after a remarkable trip to Asia. This week, the President secured billions in new investment, ended a war, inked multiple trade and minerals deals, met with President Xi, and more. He never stops working for the United States.

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he boards Air Force One at Gimhae International Airport in Busan.

Trumps meeting with Chinese President Xi in Busan was widely regarded as the highlight of his visit. It offered a crucial opportunity for the leaders of the worlds two largest economies to ease months of tension over tariffs, technology restrictions, and rare-earth exports.
The US has granted India six months waiver from American sanctions on the Chabahar port project, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also said that India's talks with the US for a trade deal are continuing. At a media briefing, he said India is studying the implications of the recent US sanctions on Russian oil companies.

What did MEA say? We are studying the implications of the recent US sanctions on Russian oil companies. Our decisions naturally take into account the evolving dynamics of the global market, he said, as reported by PTI.

India is a major partner in the development of the Chabahar port, located in the Sistan-Balochistan province, Iran's southern coast. It is currently operating the Shahid Beheshti terminal at the port.

Our position on the larger question of energy sourcing is well known. In this endeavour, we are guided by the imperative to secure affordable energy from diverse sources to meet the energy security needs of our 1.4 billion people, Jaiswal added.

In September, the Trump administration decided to revoke the 2018 sanctions waiver with regard to the strategically located Chabahar port in Iran.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott announced that the US has ended the sanctions waiver for Iran's Chabahar port, effective 29 September. He said the move aligns with Trump's maximum pressure policy aimed at isolating Iran.

Chabahar was seen as a key alternative trade route to Afghanistan that bypassed Pakistan, which traditionally dominated transit trade to the country.

Why Chabahar matters to India? Chabahar holds major strategic importance for India due to its location on the open sea, beyond the Strait of Hormuz, one of the three key choke points in the Indian Ocean.

Its position shields it from potential conflicts in the Gulf or West Asia, while also placing it just 550 nautical miles from Gujarat's Mundra and Kandla ports and 780 nautical miles from Maharashtras JNPT.

The port is central to India's strategy to counter China's growing influence in Eurasia and the Indian Ocean. Since the 1990s, China has drawn the Central Asian Republics (CARs) into its economic and geopolitical sphere of influence.

To rebalance regional power, India and the CARs launched the India, Central Asia Dialogue in 2019, with many of these nations expressing strong interest in Indian connectivity initiatives like Chabahar to secure direct access to the Indian Ocean.

China's maritime reach has expanded significantly since 2000, with the construction of 38 ports worldwide and stakes in 78 more, along with 43 additional projects planned or under construction under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), according to a report by ORF.

Several of these, such as Pakistan's Gwadar Port, form part of the so-called String of Pearls network encircling the Indian Ocean.
A day after the general elections in Tanzania were marred by violent demonstrations, the United States issued an advisory to its citizens living or travelling to the East African nation. In its advisory, the US Embassy of Tanzania issued a travel advisory level two.

It said, National presidential and parliamentary elections in Tanzania are ongoing. There are reports of country-wide demonstrations resulting in outbreaks of violence and roadblocks.

Some major roads, including the main road to Julius Nyerere International Airport, are closed. There is a widespread internet blackout, making all communication difficult, the embassy said as it listed out the actions American nationals can take to avoid being caught in the violence.

Also Read | US warns Americans in Trinidad and Tobago as tensions with Venezuela escalate

The embassy has asked the American citizens to avoid demonstrations and crowds, keep a low profile, monitor local media for updates and be aware of their surroundings.

Tanzania violence Hundreds of protesters took to the streets for a second day of demonstrations in Tanzania after a disputed election, while Amnesty International reported that two people have died.

Also Read | India to expand defence ties with Tanzania to boost presence in Indian Ocean

After the protests broke out on Wednesday, the government shut down the internet, imposed a curfew and deployed the military to the streets. Teargas and gunshots were fired at the protesters to disperse the crowd.

Protests broke out in Dar es Salaam and other cities after two opponents of President Samia Suluhu Hassan were excluded from running in the presidential race.

The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi or CCM party, which has been in power since independence in 1961, sought to extend its rule. The incumbent, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, faced 16 other candidates from smaller parties who barely campaigned.

During the vote counting, the electoral body announced that President Hassan had taken an early lead. According to the poll body, the president had won 96.99 per cent of the votes in 8 out of 272 constituencies.

As the results started coming out, the lawmakers from the European Parliament alleged that the elections in Tanzania were neither free nor fair.

Turnout during Wednesdays election was low, and chaos broke out in the afternoon as protesters burned a bus and a gas station, attacked police stations and vandalized polling centers.

The British government, too, said international flights had been cancelled to and from Dar es Salaam's airport and that the airport in Arusha and one near Mount Kilimanjaro were closed.
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he had agreed to cut fentanyl-related tariffs on China to 10% after talks with President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea. He added that overall tariffs on Chinese goods would be slashed to 47% from 57% in exchange for Beijing resuming US soybean purchases, keeping rare earths exports flowing and cracking down on the illicit fentanyl trade.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping held their first face-to-face meeting in six years, aiming to reach a truce in the ongoing trade war that has roiled the world economy.

Among the key issues discussed during the Trump-Xi meeting were the export controls on rare earths announced by Beijing this month.

Trump said the dispute between China and the United States had been "settled". China did not provide an immediate comment on the meeting or any outcomes.

Speaking aboard Air Force One, Donald Trump described the meeting with Xi Jinping as a "great success". The crucial bilateral meeting lasted less than two hours and resulted in five major announcements. They were:

1. Tariff cuts: Trump confirmed that fentanyl-related tariffs on China would be cut from 20% to 10%, effective immediately. He reiterated that overall tariffs would drop from 57% to 47% after talks on fentanyl curbs.

I expect to be lowering that because I believe that theyre going to help us with the fentanyl situation, Trump said, adding, The relationship with China is very good.

I believe hes [Xi] going to work very hard to stop the death thats coming in, Trump said.

The US imposed new tariffs on China this year, totalling 30%, linking 20% directly to Beijing's role in fentanyl production. But the tariff rates have been volatile. In April, Trump announced plans to jack the rate on Chinese goods to 145%, only to abandon those plans as markets recoiled.

Then, on 10 October, Trump threatened a 100% import tax because of China's rare earth restrictions.

2. Ukraine war: Trump said he and Xi agreed to "work together" on the Ukraine issue.

"Ukraine came up very strongly. We talked about it for a long time, and we're both going to work together to see if we can get something," he told reporters.

Xi is going to help us, and we're going to work together on Ukraine." He, however, said, Sometimes, you have to let them fight, I guess, not a lot we can do.

3. Soybean purchases: Trump said China would immediately purchase "large amounts" of soybeans. He said Beijing would start buying the oilseed immediately, without providing any details on volumes.

His statement came after China resumed soybean purchases just ahead of talks. China's state-owned COFCO bought three US soybean cargoes, two trade sources told Reuters  the country's first purchases from this year's US harvest.

4. Rare-earths deal: Trump said he clinched a one-year extendable deal with Xi to keep China's rare earths exports flowing. "All the rare earth issue has been settled," he said.

China is the top producer and processor of rare earth minerals, which are needed to make fighter jets, robots, electric vehicles and other high-tech products. China had tightened export restrictions on 9 October.

5. Trump plans China trip: Trump announced his plans to visit China in April for new talks.

"I'll be going to China in April and he'll be coming here sometime after that, whether it's in Florida, Palm Beach or Washington, DC," Trump told reporters on Air Force One.

"A lot of things we brought to finalisation", Trump said, calling Xi a "tremendous leader of a very powerful country".
Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday, October 30, that King Charles III has decided to strip his younger brother, Andrew, of all royal titles, honours, and his royal residence near Windsor Castle. Andrew, who had held the title prince will now no longer use the royal prefix, and will instead be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. He is expected to vacate his Royal Lodge residence on Windsor Castle and move into private accommodation, the Buckingham Palace said.

It said, His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

The decision to strip Andrew of all his titles and honours, and evict him from his royal home came as he has long fought his links to child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and allegations by one of his victims, Virginia Roberts Giuffre. She died by suicide in April at the age of 41.

Explaining why, the palace further said the actions were necessary despite his continued denial of the allegations against him.

These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him. Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse, it said.

The allegations against Andrew Andrew faced public backlash after emails surfaced earlier this month revealing he had stayed in touch with Jeffrey Epstein longer than he had previously acknowledged.

He had claimed that he broke off contact with Epstein in December 2010. It was later revealed that Andrew had sent an email to Epstein in February 2011, telling him they were in this together and would have to rise above it.

A few weeks ago, he had given up his royal titles, including Duke of York, Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, leaving him with just prince.

Today, on October 30, Andrew was stripped of even that.

As Andrew announced the decision to relinquish his title, he yet again denied allegations made by Virginia Giuffre against him. I vigorously deny the accusations against me, he said in his statement.

The allegations tied to his association with Jeffrey Epstein have followed him since details of their connection first emerged in 2011.

He was forced to resign as Britains special trade envoy. During that time, Andrew was facing questions over his links with Said Gadhafi, son of late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

In 2019, the focus was drawn on Andrew having sex with at least one underage girl. Andrew has denied the allegations. He even agreed to do a TV interview where he defended his friendship with Epstein, and categorically denied meeting Virginia Giuffre.

In 2020, Buckingham Palace announces that Andrew will suspend all royal duties for the foreseeable future. Four days later, the prince is stripped of his role as patron of 230 charities.

In 2022, Andrew agreed to settle a New York civil lawsuit filed by Virginia Giuffre. Legal experts estimate that the undisclosed settlement cost Andrew as much as $10 million.
With the rise of technology and artificial intelligence, why not build robots to pick apples, along with other fruits and vegetables? Its a question that some in President Trumps circle have raised. In a CNN interview this year, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller was asked about the labor shortage on farms amid deportations. As for the farmers, there is a guest worker program that President Trump supports, Mr. Miller replied. Over time as well, we will transition into automation, so well never have to have this conversation ever again. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins also has suggested that automation is part of the solution to the agricultural labor shortage.
Russian hackers paralyzed the Asahi Group, the largest manufacturer in the country, for two weeks, putting many of its bars and restaurants at risk

Getting a beer has been difficult recently in the worlds fourth-largest economy, and Japanese bars, restaurants, and liquor stores have had a rough October. Asahi beer, the most-consumed in the country with a 40% market share, has been in short supply for two weeks due to a cyberattack that paralyzed production and shipments. This, in turn, left competitors like Kirin and Sapporo unable to keep up with demand and forced them to stop accepting orders from establishments seeking alternative brands.

On September 29, a ransomware attack claimed by the Russia-based Qilin group forced Asahi to close six factories and 30 other facilities. These types of attacks are carried out with malicious software that encrypts and locks systems until a ransom is paid. With computers paralyzed, the company had to temporarily revert to manual processes for order fulfillment and logistics. Everything was managed for two weeks with pen and paper, notifying customers by fax when trucks were ready to leave the warehouse.

The incident made it virtually impossible to maintain normal merchandise flows, and store shelves were empty within two days. The same thing happened in the hospitality sector: Japans favorite beer soon stopped being served. Asahis headquarters also lost the ability to receive emails, according to the company. And it had to postpone the presentation of its quarterly results.

Activity gradually resumed, starting with the groups flagship beer, Super Dry, until all breweries had reopened by October 10, albeit at reduced capacity. The company has not yet confirmed a return to normal operations. I would like to express my sincere apologies for any difficulties caused to our stakeholders by the recent system disruption. We appreciate your understanding and support, said Atsushi Katsuki, the groups president, in a statement.

The Asahi Group produces beer, but also soft drinks, food, and spirits. The cyberattack affected Japan, but not Europe, where it owns beverage brands such as Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, Grolsch, and Fuller. Losses resulting from production disruptions are estimated at around $335 million; 27 gigabytes of data were stolen, some 9,300 files, including financial documents and budgets, confidential contracts, planning and development forecasts, and internal reports, as well as personal employee information. The Qilin Group posted only a few samples on the dark web.

Fake Captchas

How did hackers manage to leave Japan without beer? The attackers executed a highly sophisticated campaign, where a variant of Linux ransomware infected Windows systems by using legitimate remote network management tools, explains David Sancho, senior threat researcher at Trend Micro. They accessed the brewerys network using fake Captchas  those mechanisms that test the patience of users, who have to click on photos that show a car, for example, to prove they are not a machine. Clicking on the Captcha boxes, which appeared on the computers of key Asahi employees, installed malware that stole network passwords, allowing them to be used for the rest of the attack. During this, backups and disaster recovery systems were disabled, Sancho adds.

Pedestrians walk along a busy street in Osaka, Japan. Jiale Tan (getty)

Once inside the systems, the attackers searched undetected for sensitive data to encrypt and exfiltrate. As soon as they downloaded it, they locked the systems and demanded a ransom. But the extortion is twofold. Researchers who held private conversations with Qilin operators discovered that, in addition to demanding a ransom, they also tried to sell the stolen data to Asahi for $10 million. This demand was received on October 11, likely as a tactic to cut out intermediaries and increase the pressure on the victim, notes Nethaniel Ribco, global head of cyber threats at UST CyberProof.

The Qilin group takes its name from a Chinese mythological creature with the body of a lion, the scales of a fish, and the antlers of a deer, from which flames emanate. But it is not an Asian organization. The fact that its code is written in Russian and that its affiliates attacks avoid targets located in the Commonwealth of Independent States suggests a Russian origin. There are several indications that point to some kind of relationship with other Russian cybercriminal groups such as Scattered Spiders, or North Korean groups, says Josep Albors, director of research and awareness in Spain for the cybersecurity company ESET.

Until it launched the attack on Asahi, its biggest victim had come in June 2024, when it extorted the British medical company Synnovis, which provides diagnostic and pathology services to several London hospitals. Qilin demanded a $50 million ransom to prevent the release of the 400 gigabytes of data it had stolen. The attack led to the cancellation of more than 6,000 medical appointments and a shortage of blood donations.

Industrialization of ransomware

Theres something that sets Qilin apart from other cybercriminal groups: they offer their malware to any hacker who manages to gain access to a corporate network, and then split the ransom payments. They provide affiliates with all the necessary tools and infrastructure to launch attacks, and in return, they pocket between 15% and 20% of the ransoms paid, says Eusebio Nieva, technical director of Check Point for Spain and Portugal.

Providing those who open a companys door with the tools to steal whatever is inside, just like hiring a plumber or a lawyer, allows Qilin to industrialize the ransomware business and gain scale. They operate with a program we call Ransomware as a Service, explains Sancho, from Trend Micro, the lab that discovered this criminal group in August 2022.

This modus operandi has allowed Qilin to become one of the leading international threats in the ransomware sphere. In the third quarter of 2025, at least 402 successful attacks were recorded, according to Trend Micro analysts, representing 21% of the total. Qilin is one of the most active groups currently. Among its strengths, we observe that it is a multi-platform ransomware, since attacks have also been observed against Linux servers in addition to Windows systems. It has gained some notoriety for exploiting vulnerabilities in network devices, such as routers and firewalls, notes Albors.

Another of this groups strengths is that, to date, it has managed to remain very elusive. Qilins infrastructure is designed to withstand scrutiny: they maintain leak sites and command centers hosted on shutdown-proof services, often in countries that do not cooperate with investigations, says Herve Lambert, global head of consumer operations at Panda Security.

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Several issues deserve a deep delve by the Pay Commission. Accountability in government jobs, for example, needs a good hard look; incentives linked with outcomes may be worth a try. Then, a form of elitism may have crept into public service, with the privileges and pay of one class of bureaucrats kept vastly above all others; large pay-gaps can hit morale. Such distortions need solutions.
Elections to the Bihar legislative assembly are nearing. The main contest is between Indias two principal political formations: the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition INDIA group.

The main issue, judging by political rhetoric, still revolves around the claimed development record of Nitish Kumar, Bihars incumbent chief minister for the last two decades, and the alleged jungle raj during 15 years of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) rule earlier.

The rhetoric aside, Bihars is a story of a state that has seen its economic situation worsen over the years. This has been a consistent trend irrespective of the party in power. There exists comparable data on gross state domestic product (GSDP) since 1961. On a per capita basis, Bihar was Indias poorest state until the early 1980s.

That said, its per capita income was not as far below that of better-off states like Karnataka and Kerala, whose per capita income back then was only 1.5 times that of Bihar, as it is now. This, despite the fact that Bihar (including Jharkhand earlier) has been a beneficiary of major investments in industrial projects by the state and private sector.

Also Read | Political drama peaks in Bihar assembly race

The situation worsened in the 1980s, with Bihars per capita income barely increasing by 0.8% annually, as against the 3.6% and 2.6% annual increases in Karnataka and Kerala. While Bihars rate of annual per capita income rose to 1.3% in the 1990s, it was no match for the 5.7% and 4.6% increases for Karnataka and Kerala, respectively.

The only period when Bihar witnessed higher growth than the national average was from 2004-05 to 2011-12, when its per capita income rose 7.5% annually, the fourth-highest among major states.

After 2011-12 until 2023-24, it again dipped to the lowest among major states. By 2023-24, the per capita income of Karnataka and Kerala was 6 and 5 times, respectively, that of Bihar.

This is also true of most other indicators of income and productivity. One sector that partially explains the stagnation of Bihars economy is agriculture. While agricultural productivity in Bihar in the 1960s and 70s was not very different from other north Indian states, it is now a fraction of theirs.

Agricultural productivity per cultivator in Bihar is almost one-tenth of most agriculturally developed states. Even compared to neighbouring states, it varies from one-third to one-fifth.

Also Read | Watch those disparities: We must track the state of Indian states

This is partly due to parts of Bihar being prone to floods. But it is also a result of the neglect of agriculture by all political parties. Even though Bihar was one of the first states to initiate land reforms, these remain an unfinished task. An attempt by the Nitish Kumar government through the D. Bandopadhyay commission was shelved due to lack of political support. Even basic reforms such as land consolidation remain incomplete.

It is also perhaps the only state to have dismantled the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC). Done in 2005, it led to a collapse of its post-harvest marketing and logistics infrastructure that helped farmers sell their output. The result has been almost negligible grain procurement by the Food Corporation of India from Bihar. Meanwhile, Karnataka and Kerala set examples of successful land reforms. They also invested in agricultural infrastructure and markets.

The story on other indicators, such as human development, is no different, with most states being within Bihars range in the 1950s but having moved ahead over the past seven decades. This is true of education, health and nutrition but also of various indicators of productivity.

Mass migration out of the state can partly be explained by its lack of good educational institutions, for higher education especially. Even for basic education, the state is the worst performer on most indicators of school infrastructure, teacher availability and student performance.

The success of Karnataka and Kerala is a reminder of the need to invest in uplifters of human development.

Unfortunately, those issues hardly find mention in the manifestos of political parties. They have neither an agricultural roadmap nor any land reforms on offer. Education and health only find mention by way of cash transfers, with nothing on other areas in dire need of investment and reform.

Political rivalry centres around cash transfers. The incumbent government has disbursed 10,000 to every woman and the opposition is promising similar transfers. Jobs find space as a primary issue, but the response has been to promise government jobs, which is unlikely to solve the states crisis. While Bihar prepares to elect a new government, its economic fortunes are unlikely to change.

The author is associate professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University and visiting fellow at the Centre de Sciences Humaines, New Delhi.
The tumult of a world growing ever more closed and insecure has found its mirror, especially in Indias metros, in the slow degeneration of social structures and, worse, in the loss of community and childhood experiences.

Mumbai once nurtured remarkable micro-communities: the chawl with its shared taps and gossip, the middle-class colony where Diwali meant collective rangoli patterns, and the narrow lanes where children played under the benign eyes of neighbours who might scold yet feed them. These spaces blurred class lines and built the citys greatest scaffold of invisible infrastructure: trust.

Also Read | Cities that care: Incorporate caregiving infrastructure into urban planning

A recent Netflix documentary, The Perfect Neighbor, created almost entirely from police bodycam footage, reveals the paranoia and potential for ruin that emerge as the social fabric that binds a community begins to fray. The film revisits the 2023 killing of Ajike AJ Owens, a 35-year-old African-American mother of four, shot by her Caucasian neighbour, Susan Lorincz, in Florida.

Lorincz had spent over 18 months repeatedly calling 911 to complain about neighbourhood children playing outside, making noise and trespassing on property (not hers). When Owens knocked on her door to confront her about racial slurs hurled at her kids, Lorincz fired through her locked door, killing her. The incident is horrifying but also symbolic.

It captures what happens when fear replaces familiarity and surveillance replaces sociability. Jessica Winter, in The New Yorker (shorturl.at/zMdHL), notes that Lorincz embodied a post-pandemic American pathologythe rise of snitches, narcs, and paranoiacs" who see normal public life as an intrusion. What gives the documentary its power is not just its tragedy, but its warning: neighbourhoods die not from violence, but from mistrust.

That message resonates uncomfortably with Mumbai. As with Indias other urban centres, the citys densification has paradoxically bred disconnection. Redevelopment has replaced courtyards with parking lots and neighbourly banter with WhatsApp groups that mostly exist to complain. The idea of society, once a triumph of Indias cooperative imagination, is morphing into a cluster of sealed units that are guarded, gated and silent. We are witnessing our own version of The Perfect Neighbor, a slow and steady descent of community life.

Lorinczs story unfolded in Florida, not Mumbai, but her mindset is hauntingly familiar. The enemy, in her eyes, was not a stranger, but proximity. The children she called the police on were the same ones she saw everyday. The tragedy lay in that inversion: neighbours as threats, not ties. Sociologists call this the privatisation of the commons. When every space is owned, rented or restricted, we lose the idea of shared ownership and the sense that a lane belongs to us all.

The Perfect Neighbor lays bare the moral bankruptcy of modern suburban fear and holds an unsettling warning for cities like Mumbai, where people live physically close yet remain emotionally walled off.

If American paranoia took the shape of a gun, that of Mumbais high-rises takes the form of a camera. CCTVs, security guards and gate-entry apps may symbolize safety, yet they also mask a culture of suspicion.

The new enemy could be a vendor, domestic worker, a neighbour who parks wrongly or even a noisy child splashing in the society pool or playing in its parking lot, with each up for trial by WhatsApp groups or housing management panel darbars.

Also Read | Noisy urban life: Peace and quiet is a luxury few of us can afford

Watching the documentary, I found myself relating the events in faraway Florida to my own Mumbai high-rise, trying to understand how fear turns into culture in an age of shrinking commons. When we trade human engagement for tech vigilance, we erode the essence of a neighbourhood. A watchful eye of care has turned into a lens of judgement. The result is a city perpetually on alert but rarely at ease, where both community and childhood are sacrificed at the altar of safety.

Cities thrive on trust. They breathe easier when residents greet rather than glare, and resolve disputes without calling the cops. Psychologists have long shown that unstructured outdoor play is vital to both childrens emotional development and their mental health. It teaches empathy, flexibility and self-regulation. When fear takes over and adults over-police childrens play, it stifles not just fun but the idea of citizenship.

Urban design is never neutral, with streets and lawns either fostering or fracturing social links. American suburbs, built for cars and privacy, spelt isolation. Mumbai is headed down that path, literally, with narrow pavements, gated compounds, elevated skywalks and kids zones that look like containment pensspaces that separate rather than connect.

Our city planners need to reverse this. Lets prioritize walkability, design public play zones closed to traffic and create other shared spaces that are open to all. A city that plans for sociability plans for safety. If we are to reclaim our cities, we must first reclaim our childhood by protecting our commons, rebuilding communities and remembering that open associations are what make a neighbourhood.

The author is professor, economics and executive director, Centre for Family Business & Entrepreneurship at Bhavans SPJIMR.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah slammed Rahul Gandhi over his PM Modi will dance remark, claiming that the Congress MP insulted Chhath Maiya, her devotees, Bihar, and Purvanchal. He added that Gandhi will face "adverse consequences of this in the upcoming state elections.

Rahul Gandhi has not insulted PM Modi, but he has insulted Chhath Maiya and her devotees, Bihar and Purvanchal. He will suffer the adverse consequences of this in the Bihar elections, Shah said in a conversation with News18.

He added, Rahul spoke about PM Modi in a derogatory manner and insulted his mother, but every time he has done this, the lotus has bloomed from the mud of lowered standards. Shah further stated, I am fully confident that the voters of Bihar will not forget the insult to Chhath Maiya and Modi ji," Shah said.

What did Rahul Gandhi say? He just wants your vote. If you tell Narendra Modi to dance. He will dance... they are engaged in stealing your votes. Because they want to end this election disease. I am telling you, they stole elections in Maharashtra, they stole elections in Haryana, and they will try their best in Bihar, NDTV quoted Gandhi as saying.

Bihar elections: Public rallies today Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda and Leader of Opposition (Lok Sabha) Rahul Gandhi are set to hold multiple public rallies in poll-bound Bihar on Thursday.

PM Modi will speak at two rallies in Muzaffarpur and Saran districts.

He launched the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) campaign for the Bihar assembly elections by addressing rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai on October 24.

He took to X and mentioned, My family members in Bihar are contesting in the elections to ensure a huge victory for BJP-NDA. In this atmosphere of enthusiasm, I will have the privilege to interact with the public at around 11 am in Muzaffarpur and at 12.45 PM in Chhapra. I am confident that in the assembly elections, my brothers and sisters of the state will once again herald a grand victory."

Nadda is also scheduled to address rallies in Buxar and Patna districts.

Gandhi will hold rallies in Nalanda and Sheikhpura districts, while Shah has four election meetings lined up in Lakhisarai, Munger, Nalanda, and Patna.
Days ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, Gangster-turned-politician Dular Chand Yadav, once known for his close ties with prominent political figures in Bihar, was allegedly shot dead near the state capital on Thursday while campaigning for the elections, police said.

The incident took place in Mokama, which falls in Patna district but is situated 100 kms from the city, where Yadav, who had lately aligned with the local candidate of Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party, was said to have been involved in a clash with political rivals, as reported by PTI.

How Dular Chand Yadav was killed? According to Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K Sharma, "We received information that a supporter of a candidate died during the campaign in the Mokama Taal area. The exact cause of the incident is not known yet, as the body has not been handed over to the police."

Yadav died while he was campaigning for Jan Suraaj Party's candidate Piyush Priyadarshi, another officer said.

Also Read | Prashant Kishor gets EC's notice for being registered as voter in 2 states

Allegations are being levelled that the deceased was shot dead by supporters of his opponent's party. Whether he succumbed to bullet injuries or it was an accidental death can only be known when the police get the body, the SSP said, adding that the matter will be investigated from all angles.

Prashant Kishor reacts Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor said, Senior leaders of the party have gone to Mokama. As soon as we receive any updates, we will inform everyone.

JDU's Mokama candidate Anant Singh says, Yadav was first to raise his hand JD(U)s Mokama candidate Anant Singh reacted to the killing of Jan Suraaj supporter Dularchand Yadav in Mokama.

He said, We were meeting people and asking them to vote for us. On the way, we saw several vehicles; they too were campaigning and started shouting Murdabad. I told my supporters not to respond, and we moved away. Some of my vehicles were behind us. Surajbhan was fully prepared for a clash and his people started attacking our vehicles... Dularchand was the first one to raise his hand. I moved ahead with about 30 vehicles behind me, and they attacked 10 of the vehicles at the rear. My supporters vehicles were vandalised.

Reacting to the incident, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav condemned the killing and called for an end to election-time violence. "There's no need for violence during elections. We've never been in favour of violence. The code of conduct is in place right now, yet some people are roaming around with guns and bullets," he said.

Jan Suraj Party's state president Manoj Bharti, in a statement, alleged that the incident took place at the behest of those who seek votes by instilling fear of jungle raj.

"This is an assault on our democratic rights. We strongly condemn the attack on the convoy of our Mokama assembly poll candidate Priyadarshi Piyush and the killing of one of his supporters," he said.

Bharti also said every candidate has the right to carry out a public outreach programme.

"Attacking them during poll campaigns, firing bullets to show dominance, and running a vehicle over a supporter to kill them are heinous crimes," the Jan Suraaj Party leader said.

Further investigation is underway.
Reliance Jio has announced that it will provide an 18-month free Google AI Pro subscription worth 35,100 to Jio users for free. The offer will first be eligible to users between 18 and 25 years of age and will eventually roll out to all eligible users nationwide.

Who is eligible for the free Google AI Pro offer? In a release, Jio said that all the prepaid and postpaid users having 5G unlimited plans of 349 or above are eligible for the offer. Users will need to stay active with the unlimited 5G plan in order to avail the benefit of the subscription, Jio said.

As mentioned earlier, early access to the offer is being rolled out to users from age 18 to 25. Jio says that eligible users will be able to activate the free Google AI Pro offer by clicking on the Claim Now banner in the MyJio app.

Users who aren't yet eligible for the offer are seeing the Register Interest banner in the MyJio app. The company has not given a clear timeline for when it will begin providing the offer to all users, beyond the early access offer it is running.

Meanwhile, existing Google AI Pro members will be given the choice to switch to the free Jio-backed subscription at the end of their current paid plan.

Reliance Jio free Google AI Pro subscription

Notably, the Google AI Pro subscription offers a higher usage limit for the companys Gemini 2.5 Pro model, along with more access to image generation and creating videos via the Nano Banana model. Users also get access to video generation via the company's newly launched Veo 3.1 model, along with expanded access to NotebookLM and 2 TB of cloud storage across Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Drive.

The offer comes shortly after OpenAI announced that it will provide a ChatGPT Go subscription free for a full year to users in India. The ChatGPT Go plan, however, provides much more limited advantages when compared to the comprehensive advantages provided by Google's AI Pro that is more comparable to the ChatGPT Plus plan, which costs $20 per month or 1,999 per month.

ChatGPT Go vs Google AI Pro
The Spider-Man multiverse may have one more surprise in store for fans. Decades after Tobey Maguire first donned the iconic red-and-blue suit in Sam Raimis 2002 Spider-Man, the character could make a comeback  if a recent hint by Hollywood screenwriter Mattson Tomlin is anything to go by.

Tomlin, who co-wrote The Batman: Part II, recently sparked fan frenzy on social media after revealing his interest in writing Spider-Man 4 with Tobey Maguire returning as Peter Parker. Responding to a fans query on X (formerly Twitter), Tomlin wrote, Honestly, right now my main interest in this respect would be to write a Spider-Man 4 where Tobeys Spider-Man is juggling being a husband and a father.

He added that he was drawn to the idea of an older, more mature Peter Parker: Spider-Man as a father is where I gravitate towards given the last eight films.

The post reignited hopes among fans who have long wanted to see Maguire reprise his role in a standalone film, especially after his crowd-pleasing reunion with Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). The film brought together three generations of Peter Parkers from different universes, creating one of the biggest cinematic moments in Marvel history.

When another fan followed up over the weekend asking if there had been any movement on the idea, Tomlin offered a cryptic but optimistic response: Slow and steady wins the race There wont be anything to say about that for a long time (if ever!) because it involves a lot of people and politics and things going right that have nothing to do with me, but I havent gotten a no yet!

While nothing is confirmed, Tomlins comments have reignited speculation about a possible continuation of Raimis beloved trilogy.

Meanwhile, Tom Holland will return as the MCUs Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, slated for release on July 31, 2026. The actor had earlier teased that the upcoming film will serve as a fresh start for his version of Peter Parker following the events of No Way Home.
Kate Middleton and Prince William will move to Forest Lodge, a Georgian mansion built in the 1770s, for a fresh start before Christmas this year. According to People magazine, the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to live in the mansion even after William has acceded to the throne. Here is a look at William and Kates desire for country life at Forest Lodge, Windsor.

No live-in staff at Forest Lodge Forest Lodge, which is currently being referred to as Kate Middleton and Prince Williams forever home, is an upgrade from Adelaide Cottage, reports People. As per the outlet, Forest Lodge will not have live-in staff, and Middleton and William will also pay market rent for the famous estate.

Ingrid Seward, author of My Mother & I, told the outlet that the Prince and Princess of Wales loved the Windsor environment. They like it around Windsor, and theyve established themselves there, he said.

According to the outlet, the children's nanny, Maria Turrion Borrallo, and the housekeeper are believed to be already living at smaller properties on the estate.

Access to country life Kate Middleton has placed a strong emphasis on her affinity for nature in the past. She earlier stressed that being out in nature helped her significantly recover from cancer. As a result, new trees have been planted around their house.

Author Ingrid Seward thoroughly supported Prince William and Kate Middletons decision to move to Forest Lodge. He emphasized that the royal couple were in control of their lives.

They seem to have their lives very well under control, more than organized, Seward told People. He added that Prince William and Kate Middleton were holding the reins of their life and not letting anyone else do it.

FAQs What is the total area of Forest Lodge estate? Forest Lodge estate spans a massive 4,800 acres.

When did Prince William and Kate Middleton get married? Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot on 29 April 2011.
Pierre Robert, the legendary voice of Philadelphias Rock Radio  93.3 WMMR, was found dead at his home on Wednesday, October 29. He was 70.

According to a Crossing Broad report, Pierre had not shown up for his on-air shift on Wednesday, which worried his colleagues, who requested a welfare check on him. The police found him dead at his home in Gladwyne.

In a statement, the WMMRs owner firm, Beasley Media, said that the cause of his death was unknown. However, no foul play was suspected.

Pierre Robert joined WMMR in 1981. We all have heavy hearts today, said Beasley Media CEO Caroline Beasley. Pierres unwavering love for music and his deep connection with listeners made him one of radios most enduring and beloved voices, she added.

The station announced Pierre's death during the midday shift on Wednesday and remembered him throughout the day, featuring some of his favourite songs.

Afternoon host Brett Porche said that Pierre embodied peace, love and rock n roll, more synonymous with the genre than perhaps any other on-air host in the citys history.

People would ask, What about Pierre Robert? I would say he is one of the true legendary rock DJs in the country today, WMMRs Steve Morrison of the Preston and Steve morning show added.

Also Read | Influencer Ben Bader dies suddenly at 25, cause of death still unknown

Who was Pierre Robert? Pierre Robert, a native of Truckee, California, got his on-air start at the legendary progressive rock station KSAN(FM) in San Francisco. Not long after, the station changed its format in 1980 to country, forcing Pierre to head east to the city of Philadelphia, also known as the City of Brotherly Love.

Although known for being provincial, it did not take Philadelphia listeners long to embrace Pierre.

In an older interview with Main Line Today, the radio legend said his number one music moment during his time in Philadelphia was the 13 July 1985 Live Aid show at JFK Stadium.

Pierre Robert was known for his kind heart and dedication to charitable causes. He hosted an AIDS Walk and supported Mannas Pie in the Sky fundraiser regularly on-air, along with the stations other charities, such as its Camp Out for Hunger.

Delaware Valley listeners also fondly listened to his annual broadcasts on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

Also Read | Who is Sachin Chandwade? Marathi actor who featured in Jamtara 2 dies by suicide

While he held a variety of shifts throughout his tenure at WMMR, Pierre most recently hosted middays, from approximately 11 AM to 3 PM, or what he would refer to on-air as Pierre Standard Time.
Randall Gamboa migrated to the United States in December in perfect health and returned to Costa Rica in September bedridden, unable to speak or eat. He died last weekend

When Greidy Mata said goodbye to her brother Randall before he emigrated from Costa Rica to the United States in search of work, she hugged a man who was big, tall, and full of remarkable vitality. Ten months later, when Randall was deported back to the Central American country, the person Greidy received at the airport was unrecognizable.

It was a shocking sight, she recounts over the phone. He couldnt speak or move, the wounds on his body were neglected and open, he was filthy, smelled bad, and his mouth was full of dried blood.

Randall Gamboa, 52, was deported by U.S. authorities and arrived in Costa Rica in a vegetative state, suffering from encephalopathy and rhabdomyolysis. He could no longer walk or eat on his own. Less than two months later, Gamboa died in a hospital in Perez Zeledon, his hometown in the south of the country.

Greidy, her mother, and the rest of the family want answers and say they are willing to take Randalls case to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR). The family went through a calvary that began in February, when Randall was arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Texas, after crossing the border from Tijuana, Mexico.

Randall was first held at the Webb County Detention Center, and later transferred to Port Isabel, both in Texas. During his time in those centers, he called his family every day, but on June 12, he disappeared. He wasnt answering our calls, and we were very worried. Finally, someone at the detention center said he had a health issue and thats why he wasnt answering us. But they didnt give us any more information, says Greidy.

Randalls family turned to two lawyers who ended up scamming them, until they finally found a third attorney who managed to locate him in a Texas hospital at the beginning of August. By then, Randall was bedridden, in a vegetative state, and the lawyer began the process to have him returned to Costa Rica.

We were suffering because he was missing, but when we realized his condition, we consulted doctors and understood that it was a very serious situation and that we could lose him, says Greidy.

Despite their fear and worry, Greidy and her family were determined to bring him back to his homeland, to the warmth of his people.

Migrants arrested by ICE in Louisiana, June 18. ICE (EFE)

Randall was finally flown back to Costa Rica on an air ambulance on September 3, in a trip paid for by ICE. He was immediately hospitalized in the emergency room of a medical center in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, and a few days later was transferred to the hospital in Perez Zeledon. After nearly two months in the hospital, he died on October 26.

Costa Rica seeks clarification from the US

Randalls family has called on the Costa Rican government to demand answers from the United States. In early October, when Randall was still alive, Costa Rican Foreign Minister Arnoldo Andre said they would raise this issue with the U.S. government.

I have personally taken charge of this, reviewed the consular file, and I am escalating communication with the State Department through a diplomatic note. This needs to be clarified, Andre said during a congressional hearing.

A day after Randalls death, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement indicating that authorities will continue to make every effort to clarify the circumstances and that the ministry has maintained communication with the Costa Ricans family to provide them with guidance and support. However, Costa Rica has not yet received an official response from the United States.

Greidy says that with this statement, the government is doing the bare minimum, but they are still waiting for President Rodrigo Chaves to speak out. They dont want to get involved in this because they are friends of the United States, she says.

One person who did speak out forcefully was Oscar Arias, two-time president of Costa Rica (1986-1990 and 2006-2010) and Nobel Peace Prize laureate (1987). In a post on his social media, Arias described the reaction of the United States government as complicit silence. Almost two months have passed since Randall returned to the country, and our government has been unable to obtain an explanation from the authorities in Washington. Randalls family deserves to know the truth and what happened to him while he was in the custody of U.S. immigration authorities, the former president wrote.

Arias added that the immigration policy promoted by President Donald Trump embodies the worst anti-values that any American policy has ever professed: it is racist, xenophobic, and normalizes inhumane treatment of migrants.

Randall Gamboa in a photo provided by his family. Cortesia

Limited alternatives

Following Randalls death, the family announced that it would begin recovering data, organizing the information, seeking out lawyers who are experts in international law, and proceeding with an official complaint before the Inter-American Court.

Juan Ignacio Rodriguez, legal adviser for the International Institute for Social Responsibility and Human Rights, a Costa Rica-based NGO dedicated to promoting compliance with international human rights standards, explained by telephone that there is no similar precedent to the case of Randall Gamboa in international law. This case is complicated because the United States has the peculiarity of not having ratified many international human rights treaties, the expert notes.

The United States has not accepted the jurisdiction of the IACHR, nor has it accepted several United Nations treaties, so it is virtually impossible to denounce the United States before international human rights bodies or tribunals, explains Rodriguez. According to the lawyer, one of the few options available are the IACHR mechanisms known as thematic hearings. These, however, are not contentious and do not take place before a court; rather, their purpose is to raise awareness of the issue.

Another alternative, he added, would be to bring a case against Costa Rica, if the family believes that the Costa Rican consulate in the United States was aware of what was happening to Randall and did not act diligently in this regard. In its official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that during the time Mr. Gamboa remained in the custody of Customs and Immigration, the Consulate General of Costa Rica in Houston followed up on his case, taking all possible actions within the framework of international law and applicable local regulations.

Randalls sister says she understands that taking on the United States sparks fear since it is a great power, but that the family is convinced they must continue with the case out of their deep love for Randall. We are going to act with both our strength and our hearts and explore every avenue, she says.

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The Border Patrol chief has been at the center of a legal dispute this week over his violent methods in agent deployments in Chicago and Los Angeles

When Donald Trump won the presidency just over a year ago, Gregory Bovino was ready to seize the opportunity. From his post as chief of the Border Patrol in El Centro, which encompasses the Imperial Valley of southeastern California, he had worked hard to curry favor with the Republican. Two weeks before Trumps inauguration, the official sent dozens of agents hundreds of miles north to Kern County in the Central Valley to conduct arrests at gas stations and along the highway, terrorizing the migrant community in the agricultural heartland of the nations most populous state. Bovino announced at the time that the operation was intended to arrest criminals, but of the 78 people detained, only one had a criminal record.

The stage was set, and the image of a ruthless agent against undocumented immigrants that he sought to project paid off. After nearly three decades with the Border Patrol, Bovino has become the uniformed face of Trumps immigration offensive. Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem refers to him as the general commander of the Border Patrol (CBP). He has led the Trump administrations most aggressive operations against migrants and has overseen the deployment of federal forces in Democratic-leaning cities, first in Los Angeles and then in Chicago.

The brutality with which these agents, encouraged by their superior, have carried out their operations and reacted to citizen protests against immigration raids in Chicago  from using tear gas to firing rubber bullets at peaceful demonstrators  has reached the courts. Federal Judge Sara Ellis of the Northern District of Illinois had ordered Tuesday that the official appear before her court every day at 5:45 p.m. to report on the arrests made by CBP that day, as well as any incidents that occurred, to ensure that the agents are complying with the law and remaining within constitutional limits. On Wednesday, however, an appeals court suspended the order.

The hearings were scheduled to continue until November 5 as part of a lawsuit filed by media outlets and protesters alleging that agents used excessive force during Operation Midway Blitz, launched in early September to detain migrants in Chicago. By mid-October, the number of detentions was around 1,500 for the Illinois office, which also covers five neighboring states. This is a very low number, considering the federal governments reported goal of 3,000 migrant detentions per day.

However, Bovinos role in encouraging the use of violence against migrants and protesters was captured in a video in which he is seen throwing a tear gas canister into a crowd, despite a judge having previously prohibited its use to quell protests. While his subordinates covered their faces with masks, he chose not to, thus reinforcing his image as a tough guy fighting crime.

I suspect that now that he knows where we are and understands what I expect, we wont see much use of tear gas next week, Ellis said at Tuesdays hearing. The judge has also demanded that Bovino produce all reports related to his officers actions since September 2. This has been left in limbo following the latest appeals court order.

This isnt the first time Bovino has faced legal trouble. In 2022, while serving as head of CBP in New Orleans, two African American employees filed a lawsuit against him alleging discrimination. Both were finalists for the second-highest ranking position in that sector, but Bovino canceled the vacancy and instead hired a close, white friend. The judge rejected the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) request to dismiss the lawsuit, finding an email from the hired friend that compared Bovino to a Confederate general and the New Orleans office to a unit of Black Union soldiers. The judge found evidence of racial bias in the hiring, but the DHS reached an out-of-court settlement.

Bovino is a North Carolina native and has worked for the Border Patrol for 29 years. Trump promoted him after asking him to lead the anti-immigration operation in Los Angeles this summer, which resulted in thousands of arrests. During those months, agents smashed car windows, broke down a house door, and patrolled MacArthur Park on horseback, frightening residents.

When Nick Miroff, a journalist for The Atlantic, asked the Department of Homeland Security why Bovino had risen from his office in El Centro to his position as head of operations in California, the answer he got came from DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin: Because hes a badass, she said.

Bovino has cultivated that image. He is the only Border Patrol chief shown armed in his X profile picture, where he appears wearing a bulletproof vest and holding an M4 rifle with a telescopic sight. On the DHS X profile, that same photo has been used to create a poster that mimics an action movie, in which the crime-fighting league consists of Trump, Noem, Bovino, and the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Todd Lyons.

Fondness for propaganda

Bovinos penchant for propaganda is nothing new. In September 2020, shortly after taking the helm at El Centro, his social media team posted a fictional video depicting a migrant sneaking into the United States and murdering the first person he encounters. The video had to be taken down due to the controversy it sparked.

Bovino also wanted to change CBPs use of videos to show the human side of its agents, replacing them with a falsely glamorous, Hollywood-style image of tough, ruthless figures. To achieve this, he employed tricks typical of vigilante series. These videos, filmed in slow motion, show Border Patrol agents, armed and striking poses meant to convey determination, bravery, and ruthlessness in their pursuit of migrants, all set to a hard rock soundtrack.

But not all of Bovinos audiovisual propaganda revolves around characters from police dramas. His videos also include forays into comedy, such as the one that emulates the classic movie Home Alone to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from his office.

Another video suggests that the Border Patrol is carrying out a holy mission. Agents traveling in helicopters and speedboats are displayed while the song Gods Gonna Cut You Down plays over the images. The group Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, which performed the song, released a statement saying: Its obvious that you dont respect Copyright Law and Artist Rights any more than you respect Habeas Corpus and Due Process rights, not to mention the separation of Church and State per the U.S. Constitution. The video was taken down.

Everything suggests that Bovinos role in the governments anti-immigration campaign will become more prominent with the administrations new strategy of replacing ICE officials with Border Patrol agents. His aggressive methods are more to Trumps liking, the Republican having expressed frustration that the goal of deporting one million migrants a year is not being met.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
UPDATE: Workers at Volkswagens Chattanooga plant have officially voted to authorize a strike if negotiations for a new labor contract fail, according to an update from the United Auto Workers (UAW).

Under the UAW Constitution, a two-thirds majority is required to approve a strike. Union officials say employees at the Chattanooga facility met that threshold  and then some.

The vote gives the UAW bargaining committee the authority to call a strike should it become necessary in their efforts to secure what they describe as a fair contract.

This is not a step any of us have taken lightly, the statement reads. Our goal is to avoid a strike. But what happens next depends on how the company responds.

If a strike is called, union members will receive $500 per week in strike pay and continued medical coverage, according to the UAW.

"This is not something that says we are going to strike. A strike is nothing that we want. A strike is something that a company forces on the workers. We have moved all of our proposals back to the company, they refuse to move. We move again and they refuse to move... They have put us in a position where all we can do is strike. That is the company's choice to put us on a strike. We didnt choose to do it. They have forced us into this position," said Steve Cochran, a member of UAW's Bargaining Committee.

Union leaders said they plan to continue negotiations with Volkswagen and will provide updates in the coming days.

Our labor is our leverage, the update stated. This vote shows the company that we are not going to accept less than we are worth... Its time for Volkswagen to come back to the table and avoid a costly strike.

Volkswagen Group of America Statement:

Despite the UAWs decision to authorize a strike, our commitment to our workforce and to reaching a fair agreement remains unchanged. We have a strong final offer on the table with substantial benefits for our employees that the UAW refused to bring to a vote. Disruption will only further delay a resolution without guaranteeing a better contract.

A strike would be harmful to everyone at VW Chattanooga and our community. If a strike is called, we are committed to ensuring any employees who choose to do so can come to work safely and will continue to receive their full pay and benefits.

PREVIOUS STORY: Voting continues on Wednesday for Chattanooga's Volkswagen plant, as employees decide on whether or not to allow the United Auto Workers (UAW) union to authorize a strike.

Voting started on Tuesday at 3:30pm and will end at 3:30pm on Wednesday.

A "yes" vote does not mean that a strike will automatically start, according to the UAW and VW.

A "yes" vote would only give the UAW Volkswagen Local 42's bargaining committee the ability to authorize a strike at anytime.

Authorization requires 2/3 of the total number of employees who vote in order to pass.

The vote is being done by secret ballot at Embassy Suites on Lifestyle Way across from Arby's on Shallowford Road.

Any employee who is in line to vote by 3:30pm on Wednesday will be allowed to do so.

The UAW said the results will be announced after ballots are counted.

We have a crew working to learn more.

Stay with Local 3 News for updates to this developing story.

PREVIOUS STORY: Employees at Volkswagen in Chattanooga will begin voting on Tuesday on whether or not to allow the United Auto Workers (UAW) union to authorize a strike.

Voting will begin at 3:30pm on Tuesday and will continue until Wednesday at 3:30pm at Embassy Suites on Lifestyle Way off Shallowford Road across from Arby's.

Both Volkswagen and UAW officials said that a "yes" vote does not automatically start a strike but only gives the union's bargaining committee the ability to authorize one at anytime if necessary.

Authorization requires 2/3 of the total number of employees who vote in order to pass.

The vote will be done by secret ballot.

The UAW said members of the bargaining committee will hold informational meetings and "be present to answer questions" during while voting is underway.

The move comes after more than a year of unsuccessful negotiations that began in September of 2024 after Volkswagen workers voted to unionize in April of the same year.

The automaker released what it called its "final contract offer" in September of 2025.

The UAW has stated that it will not "be bullied into settling for what the company [Volkswagen] wants".

On October 24, Hamilton County Commissioner Jeff Eversole called on the UAW to hold a vote on VW's offer, which he said was supported by most of the plant's employees.

The UAW then announced it would be holding the strike authorization vote on October 28-29.

You can find updates on negotiations from Volkswagen and the UAW online.

Stay with Local 3 News for updates to this developing story.

PREVIOUS STORY: The United Auto Workers union says employees at Volkswagen in Chattanooga will hold a vote to authorize a strike next week.

The vote will be held on Tuesday, October 28 and Wednesday, October 29.

The union says the move comes after 13 months of unsuccessful negotiations.

VW released the following statement regarding the UAW's announcement:

"We are disappointed the UAW chose to call a strike authorization vote before giving our employees a say on our strong final offer that was on the table. Our final offer meets many of our employees priorities and delivers strong investments in our workforce and in our plants future. We encourage every employee to participate in this strike authorization vote and let the union know a strike is not the answer. A strike will be harmful to everyone, disrupting production and paychecks, and continuing to delay a resolution."

Stay with Local 3 News for updates to this story.

PREVIOUS STORY: Some Volkswagen employees are speaking out on Wednesday, after a Hamilton County commissioner called on the UAW to vote on the automakers "final contract" offer.

Commissioner Jeff Eversole held a press conference outside of the automaker's plant, where he asked the UAW to hold a vote on VWs final contract offer that was made in September.

UPDATE: Union submits counteroffer after Volkswagen makes final contract public With less than two weeks to go before a $1,500 signing bonus expires, the union representing Volkswagen workers has sent a counteroffer to the company.

Eversole says most of the plants employees support the offer.

"Volkswagen put forward a final union contract offer over a month ago that offers significant gains for Chattanooga workers, including a 20% wage increase, a cost-of-living allowance, a $4,000 ratification bonus, lower health care costs, and much more. Many employees have been reaching out to the UAW to vote, and the UAW has refused, Eversole said in an announcement about the press conference.

UPDATE: VW Chattanooga makes 'final offer' to UAW in contract negotiations Volkswagen Chattanooga has proposed their "final offer" to the United Auto Workers Local 42 after nearly a year of bargaining.

During the press conference, dozens of members from both the UAW and the Chattanooga Area Central Labor Council, or CLC, began picketing outside of the VW plant.

The CLC put video on Facebook of the picket with a post that reads:

"UAW and CLC members on the line at todays informational picket demanding VW return to the table to hammer out the final points of a fair contract! #jobsecurity #faircontract"

Some Volkswagen employees who spoke to Local 3, asked the union to go ahead and sign this final contract.

However, union members told Local 3, this contract is not what is best for everyone.

"Originally, it was going to be a 25% increase in wages. They didn't want to take that and now they dropped it down to 20%. I wanted to try and get my money now. Especially right before the holidays. It would be great to have an extra $5,500 sitting in my bank account, said VW employee Dakotah Bailey.

"We understand that Volkswagen says this is our best and final offer; but based on negotiations, they cannot move away from the table. We are just asking Volkswagen to come back to the table and make things right for the employees and for the people who make their cars, said union member Yolanda Peoples.

Both workers said they have been with the company for years and want their voices to be heard.

A Volkswagen spokesperson issued the following statement:

"We support our employees' right to have their voices heard on this important issue. We continue to urge the UAW to take our final offer to a vote for this very reason, so employees can decide for themselves. It is disappointing to hear that many employees do not feel represented by the union."

Stay with Local 3 News for updates to this developing story.
Ireland West Airport are delighted to announce that it has surpassed 12 million passengers through the airport with Ryanair since it began operations to/from the airport in 1986. Alison Lynch from London, who travelled on Ryanair's London Stansted service on Wednesday afternoon to visit family in Galway and Roscommon, was the lucky 12 millionth Ryanair passenger and, to mark the occasion, was presented with a Ryanair flight voucher and a bottle of champagne and chocolates.

It's been 39 years since Ryanair's first flight from Knock Airport departed for London Luton on December 16th, 1986. At the time, the west of Ireland gained its first direct link with London when the Ryanair 748 aircraft 'The Spirit of Monsignor Horan' landed in Knock Airport, heralding the start of scheduled services between the airport and London. Named after Monsignor James Horan, the visionary priest behind Knock Airport, the 44-seat turboprop aircraft was formally blessed by Monsignor Horan's successor, Fr. Dominick Grealy.

Read more: 'A guilt-free space to chill out and switch off' Firecracker Sauna opens in north Longford

Through the late 1980s and 1990s, Ryanair's presence underpinned the airport's development, helping passenger numbers pass 100,000 by 1988 and sustaining crucial UK connectivity. In the 2000s, their network broadened further, introducing the airport's first scheduled services to Europe, with new routes to the likes of Barcelona, Faro, Alicante, Milan and Cologne, all of which continue to go from strength to strength  providing connectivity to major international markets from the West of Ireland.

In particular, over the last decade, the partnership has continued to grow. Ryanair marked its six millionth passenger at Ireland West in 2015, then celebrated 10 million in May 2023all paving the way to today's 12millionpassenger milestone. The airline now serves 17 destinations from the airport.

This Winter, Ryanair will operate 86 weekly flights across 10 routes to/from the airport, including winter sun hotspots like Lanzarote, Malaga, and Tenerife, as well as top city break destinations like Edinburgh, Liverpool, and London. Ryanair's full Winter 2025 schedule is available to book now at Ryanair.com, with flights to/from Ireland West Airport available from as little as 29.99.

Marking the milestone, Ryanair's Director of Communications, Jade Kirwan, said: "We are delighted to mark 12 million Ryanair passengers through Ireland West Airport since Ryanair began operations to/from Knock in 1986. This significant milestone showcases Ryanair's continued support and investment in the region, delivering critically important connectivity, traffic, tourism, jobs, and economic growth. This winter, Ryanair is operating a robust schedule to/from Ireland West Airport Knock with 86 weekly flights across 10 routes, including winter sun hotspots, like Lanzarote, Malaga, and Tenerife, as well as top city break destinations, like Edinburgh, Liverpool, and London.

Celebrating today's milestone, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport, said:

"This is another significant milestone in the airport's history, welcoming Ryanair's 12 millionth passenger to the airport. It's been a fantastic journey over the last 39 years with so many great highlights and milestones achieved along the way. During this time, Ryanair has continued to grow at the airport and provide critically important international access to and from the UK market, and connected the West of Ireland to major European cities such as Milan, Barcelona and Cologne, which have provided an enormous tourism and economic boost for the West and Northwest of Ireland.

Read more: Longford Town Defibrillator Group to host an open discussion

"As we look ahead to next year and the 40th anniversary of the airport's official opening, we look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with Ryanair and expanding our range of services over the coming years. We want to give a special mention to Ryanair's customers, particularly the Ryanair staff here at the airport, who continue to play a vital role in helping the airport and Ryanair reach record passenger milestones such as this and in ensuring the airport experience remains both seamless and pleasant.
Longford Gardai have arrested and charged a woman in her 30's following a raid of a house in the town last Thursday, October 23. The search of the building resulted in a seizure of cannabis and cocaine worth almost 12,000, and a sum of cash valued at 825.

During the raid, officers from the Divisional Drugs Unit uncovered a quantity of cannabis with an estimated street value of 10,000, and cocaine with an estimated street value of 1,800.

A woman was arrested and detained at Longford Garda Station before subsequently being charged with offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act. She will now appear before a sitting of Longford District Court at a later date. Speaking about the incident, a Garda spokesman said, As part of ongoing investigations into the sale and supply of drugs in the region, Gardai from the Longford Divisional Drugs Unit conducted a search of a home in Longford Town on the afternoon of the 23rd of October 2025.

Read more: Longford assault accused trio granted bail and must refrain from using social media

The spokesperson added that the drugs will now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis, while investigations are ongoing.

The seizure in Longford was just one of a number of successful Garda raids carried out around the country last Thursday as part of Operation Tara, a national anti-drugs strategy. The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks at all levels  international, national, local  involved in the importation, distribution, and local sale and supply of drugs.

Read more: 'Exceptional' prisoner who teaches other prisoners to cook pleads guilty to 3m Longford arson
Longford and Midlands projects are to receive a very welcome 192,000 cash injection from the proceeds of crime.

192,500 has been allocated to community projects in Longford and the wider Midlands region under the Community Safety Fund 2025, which redirects proceeds of crime seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and An Garda Siochana back into local communities.

Lus na Greine Family Resource Centre, Granard has been awarded 50,000 for its Choices for Life  Youth Drug Awareness & Resilience Programme, which supports young people to make positive life choices and build resilience against drug misuse.

While the Midlands Simon Community has been awarded 142,500 for its Reconnect: Midlands Reintegration and Community Safety Pilot, which will operate across Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly, supporting community safety and reintegration for people moving on from homelessness and the criminal justice system.

Also read: Four Longford men detained and quizzed by Gardai in connection with 'attack on house'

Fine Gael TD Longford Westmeath, Deputy Micheal Carrigy welcomed the funding. Its very positive to see proceeds of crime being redirected into community safety projects that make a real difference on the ground.

"Lus na Greine continues to deliver invaluable supports for young people and families across Longford, while Midlands Simon plays a vital role in helping people rebuild their lives and reintegrate safely into our communities.

"These projects are exactly what the Community Safety Fund is designed to support  practical, community-led initiatives that promote safety, recovery and inclusion.

Nationally, 42 projects will share a total of 4.4 million, tackling issues such as domestic and gender-based violence, drug intimidation, youth justice, addiction recovery, and community reintegration.

Also read: Longford assault accused trio granted bail and must refrain from using social media

Deputy Carrigy concluded, Longford and the Midlands are leading the way in developing creative, compassionate approaches to community safety. This funding will have a tangible impact for local families and communities.
An Midlands truck driver who drove a lorry which had 2.8 million worth of cocaine hidden under a legitimate cargo of Lego toys has been jailed for five years.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Noel Smullen (58) had a lower level of involvement in the drug importation operation to his co-accused, Killian McNay. McNay (40) of Ardilaun Green, Mullingar, County Westmeath was sentenced to seven and a half years earlier this month.

Smullen of Silverdale, Clara, County Offaly pleaded guilty to the unlawful importation of cocaine with a market value over 13,000 at Dublin Port on September 22, 2024.

Detective Garda Kylie Byrne told Brian Storan BL, prosecuting, that on that date customs officers at the port became suspicious about an articulated truck driven by Smullen. Having passed an initial scan by a hand held device, officials decided to do an x-ray of the truck.

This scan revealed a metal compartment concealed in the floor of the flat bed trailer designed to prevent detection. This contained 40 kilos of cocaine contained in wrapped blocks.

Also read: 'Wonderful mother who loved music and fashion' dies after cosmetic surgery trip to Turkey

The court heard that McNay had provided the adapted vehicle to Smullen but that both men were involved with packing the drugs.

Smullen has nine previous convictions including burglary and handling stolen property in 2018, possession of stolen property in 2017 and an assault in 2009.

Aisling Ginger-Quinn BL, defending, said her client was under severe financial stress at the time and was receiving letters from the bank threatening repossession of his home. She said the father of four has worked most of his life as a haulier both nationally and internationally.

She said he had previously worked for the co-accused and this man had contacted him on Facebook after a number of years out of contact offering him well paid work.

Counsel said Smullen assumed this was legitimate work but when he became aware it involved the importation of drugs he decided to take the risk. He was promised he would receive 20,000 but he never got any reward.

Also read: Longford assault accused trio granted bail and must refrain from using social media

Judge Martina Baxter said she had to take into consideration the amount of drugs involved and said that cocaine has had a corrosive effect on society.

She said this was a sophisticated operation which was planned thoroughly. This planning included Smullen carrying out a dry run from the continent into Dublin Port earlier in the month with the adapted truck.

Judge Baxter noted the mitigating factors of Smullen's co-operation with investigators, his early pleas of guilty and his lack of other convictions for drug dealing.

Also read: Longford and Midlands projects to receive 192,000 cash injection from proceeds of crime

She said she accepted as genuine his expressions of remorse and his apologies.

She imposed a custodial sentence of six and a half years, suspending the last 18 months for two years on condition that he keep the peace and engage with the Probation Service. She backdated the sentence to start on September 22, 2024, when Smullen went into custody.

Also read: Four Longford men detained and quizzed by Gardai in connection with 'attack on house'
The announcement came immediately after the U.S. presidents meeting with Xi Jinping and is an apparent response to tests confirmed by Russia

Donald Trump has introduced a new element of concern in relations with Russia and China: the nuclear factor. In a confusing message on social media, just minutes before beginning his meeting in South Korea with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday to discuss trade, the U.S. leader announced that he had ordered the Pentagon to conduct nuclear weapons tests immediately. If these go ahead, they would be the first since 1992.

Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War [Department of Defense] to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately, Trump wrote.

The message, although it does not mention any specific country, comes hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Wednesday that the Kremlin has successfully tested a nuclear-powered super torpedo, the Poseidon, capable of triggering huge radioactive tsunamis that could wipe out large coastal areas.

Trump did not make it clear whether he was talking about tests with nuclear warheads  something that could destabilize decades of efforts against weapons proliferation  or whether he was referring only to the launch systems and missiles used to transport them, but without a nuclear payload on board. Adding to the confusion is Trumps reference to the Pentagon as the agency that received the order, even though the Department of Energy is responsible for conducting nuclear tests.

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country, Trump stresses in his message, noting that Russia is second and China a distant third, but will be even within five years.

According to official data from the Department of Energy, the United States had 3,748 nuclear warheads in 2023. Russia had 4,309 at the beginning of 2025, according to data published by the scientific NGO Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. China has doubled its warheads, from 300 in 2020 to 600 in 2025, and the Department of Defense estimates that by 2030 it will have exceeded 1,000.

Trumps announcement came moments before his arrival in South Korea, where he met with Xi Jinping on Thursday. When asked by reporters about the order he had just announced, the U.S. president declined to comment.

Tension with Russia

The test launches from a submarine of the Russian Poseidon super-torpedo  a 24-meter-long projectile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and operating in part as an underwater drone  have taken place in a context in which the relationship between Trump and Putin appears to be deteriorating, after the U.S. president announced the cancellation of a bilateral summit in Budapest due to the Russian leaders refusal to sit down and negotiate peace in Ukraine.

The existence of Poseidon was announced by Putin back in March 2018. On October 21, Russia also conducted tests of the new Burevestnik cruise missile, but has so far refrained from conducting nuclear detonations.

The United States conducted its last nuclear weapons test on September 23, 1992, at the end of the Cold War, at its National Security Center in Nevada. Since then, it has observed a voluntary moratorium on underground explosions.

The purpose of such a test is, at least in theory, to verify the proper functioning of a prototype or to ensure that older weapons that have been in storage for some time are still effective. But it can also be a way to flex military muscle in front of rival countries.

The three-decade-old moratorium has been one of the pillars of nuclear nonproliferation, but Trumps order could blow those efforts out of the water.

Advocates of nuclear arms control immediately began criticizing Trumps announcement. In a message on social media, Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association in Washington, said: Trump is misinformed and out of touch. The U.S. has no technical, military, or political reason to resume nuclear explosive testing for the first time since 1992.

On X, Democratic Senator Ed Markey said: The U.S. has not conducted a nuclear test since 1992 and we must not resume. This is a reckless decision that will only make us less safe and lead to a new nuclear arms race.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
The remains of an Iranian ballistic missile fired at Israeli territory on October 1, 2024. (IDF Spokespersons Unit)

Iran is rebuilding its ballistic missile program despite recently imposed United Nations (UN) sanctions, CNNreported on October 29. Citing European intelligence sources, Iran imported shipments of chemicals used to produce medium-range ballistic missiles in recent weeks.

These sources assessed that on September 29, 2,000 tons of sodium perchloratea key precursor for solid-propellant missilesarrived in the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas. Iran purchased the chemical from China to replenish its stocks of ballistic missiles that were either used or destroyed during the war with Israel in June, CNN reported.

CNNsaid that it traced the movements of several cargo vessels that intelligence sources identified as being involved in recent shipments of sodium perchlorate from Chinese ports to Iran. Using ship-tracking data and social media posts from crew members, CNN found that many of these ships have repeatedly sailed between China and Iran since late April. The crews are believed to work for the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, and social media posts offer a clear record of their voyages.

Among the vessels is the MV Basht, already under US sanctions, which departed the Chinese port of Zhuhai on September 15, reached Bandar Abbas on September 29, and has since returned to China. CNNreported that another vessel, the Barzin, followed a similar route, departing from Gaolan, China, on October 2 and arriving in Bandar Abbas on October 16, before returning to China five days later. Other vessels, such as the Elyana, left Changjiangkou on September 18 and docked in Bandar Abbas on October 12. The MV Artavand departed Liuheng for Bandar Abbas on October 12, with its AIS tracking system deliberately disabled to conceal its route, according to Western intelligence sources cited by CNN.

On September 27, the United Nations reinstated sanctions on Tehran, citing its significant non-performance in fulfilling nuclear-related obligations. The renewed sanctions include trade restrictions, an arms embargo, and bans on importing materials such as chemicals used in ballistic missile production, along with a range of other limitations.

Washington and Jerusalem remain highly concerned about Irans ballistic missile program. Besides the missiles being used as a method to deliver a nuclear warhead, Iran has proven that its missile program has the capability of causing significant damage over a long distance in its recent war with Israel in June. According to figures published by the Israel Defense Forces, Iran launched approximately 550 ballistic missiles and about 1,000 drones at Israeli territory. Despite Israels robust missile defense, including defensive military support from the US and other allies, the attacks killed 28 people and wounded more than 3,000 in 12 days of fighting.

The shipments described by European intelligence agencies suggest that Iran is intent on restoring its prewar missile capabilities, despite recently imposed UN sanctions. Neither US nor Israeli officials have commented on CNNsreport, but both allies are undoubtedly monitoring Irans attempts to rebuild following the June war.

Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East.
RSF militants pose in front of corpses and burnt vehicles. (Screen capture via @gghamari on X)

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has captured El Fasher, the capital of Sudans North Darfur State, forcing a complete withdrawal of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). On October 26, RSF personnel stormed the SAFs 6th Infantry Division headquarters. SAF leader General Abdel Fattah al Burhan confirmed the following day that his troops had retreated from the city, ending what had been an 18-month siege. In a televised speech, Burhan explained that his forces retreated to spare the citizens and the rest of the city from destruction.

On October 27, the Joint Forces, a rebel group fighting alongside the SAF, announced that Joint Forces Spokesman Colonel Ahmed Hussein Mustafa was killed in action. In addition, the SAFs local commander, Major General Mohammed al Khidir, is unaccounted for as RSF-linked media outlets claim he has been detained.

With the fall of the North Darfur capital, the RSF controls all five state capitals in the Darfur region, effectively bifurcating Sudan. The RSFs full control of the Darfur region could have dangerous and worrying consequences in the future in terms of partition, US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos said.

The most recent assault on El Fasher began on October 23, when RSF units launched a multi-pronged push employing infantry, armored vehicles, artillery barrages, and drone strikes. The SAF claimed to have repelled the initial attack and that it inflicted heavy casualties on the RSF and its foreign mercenaries from Colombia, Chad, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic. However, the next day, the RSF captured the governors mansion and encircled the 6th Infantry Division base. SAF troops held out until a last stand in El Fashers Al Daraja al Ula neighborhood on October 26, where their rear-guard position finally crumbled.

In July, RSF leader Mohamed Hemedti Dagalo declared a Government of Peace and Unity in western Sudan as a direct challenge to the SAF-led administration in Khartoum. With the fall of the SAFs last major stronghold in Darfur, the region has fallen under near-total RSF control, with RSF leaders, including Hemedti, using it as a base.

Foreign arms sales from South Sudan, Libya, and the Central African Republic helped the RSF capture El Fasher and could bolster the groups efforts as it pushes towards Khartoum. Additionally, reports from several US intelligence agencies show an increase in the flow of weapons from the United Arab Emirates to the RSF through Libya.

An RSF spokesman called the victory in El Fasher a significant turning point that [broke] the back of the army and its allies, framing the victory as a step on the path to building a new state that all Sudanese will participate in establishing according to their aspirations for freedom, peace, and justice.

Despite these idealistic statements, multiple sources report widespread atrocities carried out by RSF fighters in El Fasher, and videos have surfaced of the groups fighters executing civilians en masse.

Yale Universitys Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) satellite imagery from October 27 shows evidence of house-to-house clearance operations in a residential area that serves as a civilian shelter. The imagery also displays objects consistent with human bodies and large blood stains near RSF vehicles. HRL concluded that El-Fasher appears to be in a systematic and intentional process of ethnic cleansing where RSF fighters target non-Arab communities from the Fur, Zaghawa, and Berti ethnic groups.

Sudanese Christians are amongst the most vulnerable population. As one senior Sudanese church leader put it, Christians are seen as an enemy for both warring parties. RSF fighters have repeatedly targeted Christian civilians in areas they capture, forcing Christian women to marry RSF fighters and some individuals to convert to Islam in exchange for lifesaving aid.

On October 29, the SAFs Transitional Sovereign Council declared that the state will soon restore security to El-Fasher.

Mariam Wahba and Samuel Ben-Ur are research analysts at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Follow Mariam on X @themariamwahba.

Mariam Wahba and Samuel Ben-Ur are research analysts at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Follow Mariam on X @themariamwahba.
Dear Abby: My grandmother passed away 16 years ago. Before she passed, she told me and my two kids that she had an account for each of them for their college. After she was gone, my aunt was in charge of her will. My kids never got their money, and my aunt would never let me see my grandmothers will.

I heard my grandmother ask my aunt if she had filed her will at the courthouse, and my aunt told her she did. But when I went to the courthouse, the will was not on file. How do I raise the subject of my kids inheritance with my aunt? Right now, Im living with her. How do I do this without causing an argument in the family?

Owed in Georgia

Dear Owed: If you were named in your grandmothers will, you had a right to see the document. For your aunt to disregard her mothers wishes and hoard the money for herself is theft. There may not be a way to avoid an argument about this, which is why you should have a lawyer raise the subject with her if you can afford to consult one. (I hope there is still money left after all this time.)

Dear Abby: My husband and I live in a condo with a fireplace. We burn a wood fire regularly when the weather is cool. Its how we heat our living room and TV area. One of our neighbors is complaining that the smoke from the fire is bothering hershe has pulmonary problems and says she cant breathe or even keep her windows open for fresh air. She has asked us to stop using it. She says if we dont, it will affect our friendship.

We have cleaned our fireplace regularly and placed a new, larger flue on the chimney, but it didnt help. No other neighbors have complained. What can we say to her and what obligation do we have to her?

Two Senior Fireplace Lovers

Dear Two: Your neighbor is a sick woman. Shes complaining about the smoke because when you use the fireplace to heat your living area, it affects her breathingsomething people need to do in order to LIVE. Your obligation to her depends upon how you feel about observing the Golden Rule. If you feel any compassion for the plight of others, buy an electric heater (there are many good ones that wont break the bank), quit smoking your poor neighbor out, and thank your higher power you dont have her problem.

I had plastic surgery several years ago. I dont feel I am required to divulge this information to anyone. When Im asked my age, I dont lie, yet I do get the look from people who know how old I am. I find it embarrassing. What do I say or do when asked (because, believe it or not, some people do ask)?

Looking Younger in New Jersey

Dear Looking Younger: Respond as follows: Thank you for the compliment! Each night I wash my face with soap and water and, when the weather is cold and dry, I apply a little moisturizer. YOU should try it. (Remember that you dont have to give a direct answer to every question thats asked.)

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O.Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

COPYRIGHT 2024 ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION
BOSTON  Joe Mazzulla has been experimenting with ways to make all his new roster pieces fit together in the first two weeks of the regular season. The offseason roster losses combined with Jayson Tatums injury have not made that a simple task, especially with the teams starting lineup.

The opening night starting five lasted just two games with Sam Hauser getting sent to the bench after a pair of losses to the 76ers and Knicks. Hugo Gonzalez got a chance on Sunday and then it was Josh Minotts turn for the last two games. If Bostons performance is any indication, we may not see a switch again anytime soon while this group is healthy.

Bostons top talent is clearly a fan of what Minott is bringing to the table and the chemistry hes building with the top group.

Josh has been great, Jaylen Brown said. We just got to keep building on it. Ill be talking to him, just keep building on it, keep being consistent, keep rebounding. All of that stuff is great. Thats going to make huge contributions to our team, so Im going to just stay in his ear. Tonight was an excellent game for him. Thats exactly what we need.

The emergence of Minott has allowed for other parts of the rotation to settle into more defined roles. Sam Hauser is providing valuable spacing to the second unit. Luka Garza has emerged as the top backup center. Anfernee Simons has remained steady as a sixth man.

There is still some mixing and matching at the end of the rotation (Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez) and thats likely to continue based on matchups. However, the idea of chaos is tough to execute when a group doesnt have chemistry together yet. Suddenly, it appears Joe Mazzulla is finding some of that up and down the roster with the high level of effort being a constant for everyone on the floor.

I think the guys have made a commitment to that, Mazzulla said. So when you have a group of guys and then the training camp that we had, theres an identity that we have to play to. Theres a full understanding of what that identity is, and its a credit to the guys. Its a commitment that it takes every single night on both ends that this is the way we have to play. We have to leverage our strengths, and were starting to really see what those strengths are, and its a credit to them buying in and doing it. So five games in, weve got 77 left, weve got to do it every night.

There is a long road ahead without Tatum in the fold but a disastrous start is suddenly in the rear view mirror after beating a top-tier East contender. The Celtics are trying to find the best version of this group and Wednesdays win was a big step forward on that front.
Michael Hannigan, a student at Greenfield Community College, has been spending his free time over the past few weeks harvesting excess produce from farms, including potatoes, baby kale, arugula and other vegetables in preparation for a free food market for students on Thursday.

This isnt the first market hes held, but it is more crucial than ever as funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are likely to dry up on November 1. The federal program provides benefits to low-income households to help buy groceries.

The mission of providing students with free produce is personal to Hannigan, who relies on SNAP after quitting his job to attend Greenfield Community College full-time at the age of 42.

My main income is work study, which is minimum wage. Without SNAP benefits, its kind of tricky to make the money stretch, Hannigan said.

Hannigan is one of thousands of students across Massachusetts who rely on SNAP.

Over 158,000 college students in Massachusetts are eligible for SNAP, according to the College SNAP Project, though only around 73,000 are enrolled at least in part due to not knowing they qualify.

As of September, there are 1,061,460 individuals in Massachusetts who receive SNAP benefits, according to data from the states Department of Transitional Assistance.

Despite many colleges and universities offering programs to address food insecurity on their campuses, such as food pantries, many are warning that they wont have the resources necessary to supplement the students and their families who rely on SNAP.

Not having SNAP could impact whether students continue in school, Hannigan said.

That is especially true for the people at community colleges, who wouldve otherwise not been able to enter higher education without the state implementing free community college, Hannigan said.

A lot of people have kids and families. It could easily come down to: am I going to go to class today or am I going to pick up an extra shift so I can feed my family? he said.

A free food market run by Michael Hannigan. (Courtesy of Meara Swinson) Courtesy Photo

What is happening to SNAP?

If the federal government shutdown isnt resolved before the end of October, millions of Americans could see SNAP benefits stop. Thats because the funding for the program has run dry, according to a USDA notice.

At the same time, the Trump administration said it wont tap emergency funds to pay for the federal food benefits.

Attorney General Andrea Campbell, along with the Attorneys General from 25 other states, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the Trump administration in order to preserve SNAP.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani told lawyers on Thursday that if the government cant afford to cover the cost of SNAP during the shutdown, theres a process to follow rather than simply suspending all benefits, according to The Associated Press.

Talwani seemed to be leaning toward requiring the government to put billions of dollars in emergency funds toward SNAP.

Governor Maura Healey announced on Thursday that the administration advanced an additional $4 million to local food banks for November to address the cuts to SNAP benefits.

Healey told reporters on Monday that theres no way that a state, any state in the country, can begin to backfill what SNAP assistance provides.

There will have to be a reliance on food pantries and banks, Healey said at the Monday event.

The plan now, folks, is to rely on food pantries, to rely on food banks, to encourage those who can contribute to something like the United Way Response Fund, she said. But, you know, that is what is happening. It is because of a decision that Donald Trump has made not to fund SNAP. Its completely unnecessary. This doesnt need to happen.

The impact of SNAP cuts to Mass. colleges

Food insecurity has long been a concern on college and university campuses in Massachusetts, according to Noe Ortega, the Commissioner of the Department of Higher Education.

He is worried about the long-term effects of SNAP cuts.

It is another thing that prevents students from persisting and completing, he said in an interview with MassLive.

The consequences of cuts to SNAP are going to be huge, said Adam Saltsman, an associate professor at Worcester State University and director of the universitys Urban Action Institute.

The institute connects students with community partners to do social justice work. It also runs programming, such as a class on SNAP, where students advocate and provide outreach to others on campus who might qualify for the federal food assistance program.

Most recent reported data from 2023 showed that 39% of Worcester State students experienced some level of food insecurity in the 30 days prior to taking the survey, with 17% facing very low food security, Saltsman said.

Students who are lower income, first generation, LGBTQ+, Black and Hispanic are disproportionately more likely to face food insecurity, he said.

While the university has a food pantry, Saltsman said the university is scrambling to figure out how it will be able to keep up with demand from students.

I dont know that our infrastructure, as it is, can support that growth in hungry students. Im really concerned, he said.

Im thinking about a third of students struggling even more, falling behind in classes, skipping meals more regularly, which already happens a lot in college among students who are food insecure. I think that it will put a strain on the university, he continued.

How are colleges responding to potential SNAP cuts?

Many institutions in Massachusetts have already been bracing for increased food assistance needs on campus.

At North Shore Community College, the institution is checking inventories and suppliers.

At the moment, things look OK. The longer it goes on, obviously, the more challenging that will become. Certainly, its a major source of concern for us, William Heineman, president of the community college, said during a Massachusetts Board of Higher Education meeting on Tuesday.

Westfield State University is asking faculty and staff to make donations to its food pantry, Linda Thompson, the colleges president, said during the meeting.

Framingham State University is also asking its community for donations  food or hygiene-related in addition to monetary donations  as the university expects a big uptick in need, according to Meg Nowak Borrego, vice president of student affairs and the dean of students.

The university is also preparing for more students to apply for emergency grants and take advantage of other financial resources on campus, she said.

Its sometimes hard for people to acknowledge you need help, especially if youve been the person in your family thats first to go to college, Nowak Borrego told MassLive.

If you know your family is hungry, do you question yourself whether you should be paying for college even though you might be getting loans and grants? she said.

She expects more students to be pulled away from school as a result of the SNAP cuts.

Over 50% of Framingham States student body is Pell Grant eligible, meaning they display exceptional financial need. Around the same number of students are commuters, which means that they likely dont have a meal plan, she said.

Other colleges are emphasizing their various resources to students. Fitchburg State University reminded students about its Falcon Bazaar, which offers free food, hygiene products and basic necessities. The university also noted its counseling services and case management offerings for navigating food or financial assistance.

You are not alone, and our campus is here to help, the university wrote in a message to students.

Private institutions like Emmanuel College also have food insecurity programs, such as a Swipe It Forward program that pools unused cafeteria swipes that can be used by students in need or a pantry at Endicott College for food and hygiene products.

Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology in Boston is working on a plan to amp up how they can support students who may be affected by the SNAP issue while still providing ongoing support through its on-campus food pantry, emergency fund program and meal voucher program.

Our Student Affairs and Special Programs Teams recently met to explore ways to further strengthen these services and ensure that students are not adversely affected by limited access to SNAP benefits. This will especially be a focus of ours in the upcoming weeks, Aisha Francis, president of Franklin Cummings Tech said in a statement.

Hannigan, the student at Greenfield Community College, said that regardless of what happens, the state needs to take more steps in addressing food insecurity in higher education.

I cant sugarcoat how dire the situation will be on our campuses with this SNAP situation, and without increased investment in student basic needs, Hannigan told members of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education during a meeting on Tuesday.

Other federal cuts impacting food access at colleges

At the same time as a looming issue with SNAP, federal cuts to USDA, including more than $1 billion for schools and food banks to purchase food from local farmers and producers, is hurting college food pantries.

There has been a steep decline in the amount of food coming to Quinsigamond Community Colleges pantry. It amounts to more than 6,300 meals lost or 7,000 pounds of food, Michelle Tufau Afriyie, vice president for strategic enrollment and student engagement at the college, said during a four-hour legislative hearing this month.

The pantry has already registered 593 students and an additional 1,302 family members. This is a 60% increase over last year, driven by the reduction in SNAP benefits, higher grocery costs and increased enrollment. To manage limited resources, students must now order groceries twice a month instead of weekly, Tufau Afriyie said.

This decline in food has an effect on students studies, she said.

Food insecurity is not a peripheral issue. It is directly tied to student persistence and completion. When students struggle to meet their basic needs, their ability to stay enrolled and succeed is compromised, she said.
A federal judge highlighted evidence suggesting McGraw deleted text messages and attempted to manipulate the bankruptcy by wiping out creditor claims. (Andy Kropa/Invision/Associated Press)

Dr. Phil, whose full name is Phil McGraw, was denied approval to keep his startup media Merit Street Media in Chapter 11, a federal judge in Texas ruled on Tuesday.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Scott Everett ordered that McGraws case will instead move forward as a Chapter 7 liquidation to repay creditors. Notable creditors include Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), which invested over $100 million, and Professional Bull Riders (PBR), which claims it is owed $181 million, according to Variety.

During the trial, Everett cited McGraws deleted text messages describing his plan to use bankruptcy to wipe out creditor claims, a strategy McGraw called a gangster move.

Everett also declared the business was dead as a doornail when it filed for bankruptcy, Variety reported.

A spokesperson for McGraw and his company, Peteski Productions, told the Hollywood Reporter that the decision will be appealed.

We take great exception to the courts improper assertions regarding the alleged destruction of evidence, which simply did not happen, the spokesperson said. We will not let this stand given all that Dr. Phil and Peteski Productions have done to protect Merit Street employees, distributors and other interested parties and to resolve this unfortunate situation.
The death of a Fall River man involved in a shooting with police in July was ruled a suicide by the states Chief Medical Examiners Office, officials said on Wednesday afternoon.

An investigation by the Massachusetts State Police found that the man, 38-year-old Domonick Knight, fired his gun first at police who were involved in an hours-long standoff at his home on July 15, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinns Office.

An autopsy determined that Knight died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation remains ongoing, and no other details were released by the district attorney on Wednesday.

Officials said at the time that Knight was experiencing a mental health crisis, and body camera footage released by Fall River police showed the incident.

Knight shot at officers from the top of a set of stairs less than 30 seconds after police entered his home through the front door. Rapid gunfire was exchanged, and within minutes, police could be seen finding him on the floor on the second-floor landing and heard calling for medical aid.

Fall River police responded to a duplex at 117 Langley St. shortly before 1:40 a.m. after receiving multiple 911 calls from Knights relatives reporting that he was experiencing a mental health crisis, authorities said. His relatives said he was expressing intent to harm himself and had a gun.

After arriving at the home, officers secured the scene and evacuated the homes other residents, as well as those living on the other side of the duplex, police said. A trained crisis negotiator arrived at the scene around 2:25 a.m. and repeatedly tried to communicate with Knight via phone, text and a loudspeaker, but he did not respond.

After nearly an hour of unsuccessful attempts to communicate with Knight, officers decided to enter the home to try to speak with him, police said. Fall River polices Emergency Services Unit went into the home via the front door around 3:15 a.m. and quickly noticed movement at the top of the stairs.

As officers stood in the doorway, Knight began shooting at them from the second-floor landing, police said. Officers then fired back at him from the entryway while moving out of the way of the gunfire.

Body camera footage showed police yelling at Knight to come down the stairs before deciding to use a flash-bang when he did not respond. Police then yelled at him, telling him not to move while climbing the stairs.

Officers can be seen finding Knight lying on the floor of the landing with a handgun in his hand and a short-barreled rifle underneath him. They can be heard quickly calling for medical services as they put him in handcuffs.

Knight was rushed to a local hospital, where he was later declared dead.
An incarcerated man who died from a medical emergency at a maximum-security prison in Massachusetts on Tuesday has been identified.

Joseph Eaton, 36, was identified as the man who died at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley on Oct. 28, according to the Worcester County District Attorneys Office.

Eaton died at a hospital early Tuesday morning after he had a medical emergency at the prison, and staff immediately began to administer life-saving measures and called 911, a spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Corrections (DOC) said.

His death is under investigation by state troopers with the Worcester County District Attorneys Office, in coordination with the DOC.

Eaton is the fifth incarcerated individual who has died in a Massachusetts prison system from a medical emergency in just over one month. This includes another incarcerated man who died at Souza-Baranowski on Oct. 3 and three people who died at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Norfolk on Sept. 20, Sept. 27 and Oct. 20.

Eaton was serving his sentence in Massachusetts after killing his parents and their two friends in Bowdoin, Maine, in 2023, then embarking on a shooting spree in Yarmouth on Interstate 295, according to reports from WABI and WGME, two Maine outlets.

He had been serving a life sentence at the time of his death, according to WGME. Just days before killing his family, Eaton had been released from another prison sentence into their care, the outlets reported.

The Maine DOC did not immediately respond to MassLive for comment.

According to a public records request submitted by MassLive, the Massachusetts DOC saw 19 in-custody deaths in 2024, 21 in 2023 and 28 in 2022.

Eatons death at Souza would bring this years reported death numbers to 20. Based on the official causes of death the DOC has received from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner so far this year through June 15, three are listed as suicides. Five are listed as unexpected.

In 2024, there werent any confirmed suicides, but 10 deaths were listed as unexpected. Two were homicides.

The DOC has only categorized the most recent five deaths as medical emergencies, and issued a statement that emphasizes the departments commitment to comprehensive mental health and substance use services.

Hadley Barndollar and Luis Fieldman contributed to this reporting.
BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday said the "Taiwan independence" provocations from the region's authorities, led by Lai Ching-te, have been increasingly criticized by international experts and media, with growing concerns over the situation in the Taiwan Strait.

Peng Qing'en, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks at a regular press conference in response to a media query citing a recent Time article that described Lai as a "reckless leader."

Peng noted that the root cause of the current complex cross-Strait situation is the Lai authorities' refusal to recognize the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle, and their obstinate adherence to their separatist "Taiwan independence" stance, repeatedly colluding with external forces to make "independence" provocations.

More people in the international community are recognizing that Lai is a troublemaker and a saboteur of peace, the spokesperson said, commenting on a report from U.S. think tank RAND Corporation, which warned that Washington should not allow the Lai authorities to take steps that might provoke the Chinese mainland under the guise of U.S. support.

To safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, "Taiwan independence" provocations by Lai and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities must be curbed, Peng said.

He stressed that the mainland is willing to create ample space for peaceful reunification, and that it will strive to achieve that goal with the greatest sincerity and efforts.

"But we will never renounce the use of force, and we reserve the right to take all necessary measures. This is targeted at separatist 'Taiwan independence' activities and external interference," he added. 
A member of the Dublin fire brigade who was convicted last week of raping a woman in a hotel room while visiting Boston during St. Patricks Day was sentenced to 7 to 9 years in prison on Thursday, court records show.

A jury convicted Terence Crosbie of a single count of rape last week after a trial in Suffolk Superior Court, Crosbies second this year after a jury came back hung during his first trial in June. On Thursday, Judge Joshua Wall handed down the sentence for Crosbie, who will serve his time at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center, the states only maximum security prison.

Crosbie will be credited with more than a year of time served, court records show.

The rape took place in the Omni Parker House on March 15, 2024, hours after Crosbie and other members of the fire brigade visited a Boston pub.

The woman had consensual sex with another firefighter at the hotel after they met at the pub. It was when Crosbie returned to the room, which he and the firefighter were sharing, that he raped the woman.

At 2 a.m., the woman awoke to a man she didnt know  later identified as Crosbie  raping her.

The woman testified during the second trial that began Oct. 14, and told the courtroom Crosbie was on top of me, inside of me, and held down her shoulders, reported The Irish Times.

Crosbie told her, You like this, and He couldnt give this to you ... hes a loser, she told the courtroom, the outlet reported. She was emotional as she recounted her experience and broke down in tears during questioning.

The woman told him to stop and was able to roll off the bed but Crosbie kept following her around the hotel room  pushing her against the wall and kissing her  as she tried to grab her clothes. She ran away from him into the bathroom, then skirted around him to the door and left.

The woman then texted her friend to say she had been assaulted and went to Mass General Hospital, where she reported the rape. Hotel security footage matched the womans story, and she identified the man whod shared a hotel room with Crosbie as the man shed had consensual sex with.

Prosecutors said DNA samples from two men were found, but neither could be definitively linked to Crosbie, WCVB reported.

Nonetheless, prosecutor Erin Murphy argued, the woman had no reason to leave a hotel room in the middle of the night and immediately disclose to a friend because she got raped, then go to a hospital and be interviewed by police.

She had no reason to do it, and drinking alcohol didnt make her do it, Murphy said.

But Crosbies attorney, Daniel Reilly, said in his closing argument that theres nothing that includes or matches Mr. Crosbie, the outlet reported.

Despite this, they want you to believe it is him because who else could it be, but their own witness says they cannot say it came from Mr. Crosbie, Reilly said, according to WCVB.

Crosbie told police he saw the man he was staying with enter the room with the woman, so he left to give them privacy, according to a police report. Hours later, he entered the room after knocking and saw the woman leave, but didnt interact with her, he told police.

Massachusetts State Police arrested Crosbie on the tarmac at Logan Airport just before the plane he was on was set to depart for Ireland, the district attorneys office previously said.

Hed changed his flight to an earlier day after an interview with police.

During his arraignment, a judge held Crosbie on $100,000 bail, the district attorneys office said. The judge had also ordered him to surrender his passport and to stay in Massachusetts.
The John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse in Boston. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) Boston Globe via Getty Images

A federal judge is set to rule on whether the Trump administration has to fund the nations low-income food program, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.

A lawsuit brought by 25 states was heard by Judge Indira Talwani on Thursday, who said at the hearing a ruling could be expected within the day, according to WCVB.

The Trump administration  amid an ongoing government shutdown  claimed that money was set to run out for the program, which provides money for food for low-income individuals across the country, by Nov. 1.

More than 1 million Massachusetts residents are enrolled in SNAP benefits with Gov. Maura Healey releasing $4 million for local food banks on Thursday to help them ride out the stoppage of the program.

College communities were also expected to suffer greatly under the cuts to the SNAP program.

At Thursdays hearing, Judge Talwani seemed to express skepticism about claims by the Trump administration that the program could not be continued by using emergency reserves, according to the New York Times.

Congress has put money in an emergency fund, she said, the Times wrote. Its hard for me to understand how this isnt an emergency, when theres no money, and a lot of people are needing their SNAP benefits.

The complaint, filed Tuesday, stated that federal SNAP benefits have never been interrupted by a lapse in appropriations, but that the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Trump administration had suspended SNAP benefits for November.

It said that the federal government has funds available sufficient to fund all or at least a substantial portion of Novembers SNAP benefits.

Suspending SNAP benefits in these circumstances is both contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act, the lawsuit stated.
Pierre Robert, radio disc jockey and on-air personality for 93.3FM WMMR Philadelphia, arrives at The 33rd Philadelphia Film Festival on Oct. 18, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)

Philadelphia radio personality Pierre Robert was found dead inside his home on Wednesday. He was 70 years old, and his cause of death is unknown.

Robert joined the rock station 93.3 WMMR Radio back in 1981 and hosted the midday show, according to a Beasley Media Group statement. He was best known for his welcoming Greetings, Citizens salutation.

His daily features included Noontime Workforce Blocks, Pierres Vinyl Cut, exclusive artist interviews, live in-studio performances and On This Day history lessons, the statement reads.

Additionally, Robert would regularly host and support community events, from the AIDS Walk to Mannas Pie in the Sky fundraiser, which helps provide Thanksgiving meals to people and families battling serious illness, according to the organizations website.

In 2019, Roberts star was cemented on the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame.

We all have heavy hearts today, Beasley Media Group Chief Executive Officer Caroline Beasley said in a statement. Pierres unwavering love for music and his deep connection with listeners made him one of radios most enduring and beloved voices. He will be greatly missed.
Christopher Silva, who is accused of blowing up an ATM in Woburn, was arrested on Wednesday. A man police believe to be Silva is pictured here on surveillance footage from the scene. Court document screenshot

A man who prosecutors say planted a bomb at an ATM in Woburn was arrested by federal officials on Wednesday, according to court records.

Christopher Silva faces a single charge of maliciously damaging any property used in interstate commerce in connection with the incident on Sept. 4 at a shopping plaza in Woburn off Interstate 95.

Surveillance video from the area near the Eastern Bank ATM showed a person, who police say they identified as Silva, approach the device around 4:12 a.m. The person wore a blue balaclava, yellow glasses on their head, a black jumpsuit with orange markings, a black and grey-colored backpack, and dark colored sneakers with red markings.

In the footage, the person can be seen walking up to the ATM, then placing a brown or tan object on the bottom right corner. When the object began to emit smoke, the person ran away. The object exploded several seconds later, causing significant damage to the frame and the lower right section of the ATM, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Callahan wrote in an affidavit.

Several days after the explosion, the blue balaclava, glasses and jumpsuit seen in the footage were found in a nearby shared parking lot, which is accessible by foot from the ATM. DNA taken from the balaclava matched Silva, according to the affidavit.

Police also found surveillance video from a nearby restaurant showing Silva walking toward the ATM around 4 a.m., then walking away around 15 minutes later, Callahan said. No one else was seen on the footage during that time.

On Wednesday, the FBI and other law enforcement officials searched Silvas home in Stoneham, where they found a backpack matching the one seen on the surveillance footage.

During an initial appearance in federal court on Wednesday, Silva agreed to be detained while his case is pending. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
A 23-year-old man was sentenced to spend at least 25 years in prison on Thursday for killing another young man in 2021 and trying to cover up the crime.

Josef Guillen, of Lawrence, was sentenced to spend not less than 25 years in state prison for the killing of Jeffrey Ruiz, 21, of Lowell. He was found guilty of first-degree murder on Oct. 23 by an Essex County jury.

Guillen was sentenced by Hon. Kristen Buxton, who also sentenced him to serve  concurrently  at least two and a half years in prison for possession of a large-capacity feeding device and two years for possession of ammunition without a firearm identification card.

Guillen fatally shot Ruiz on Dec. 5, 2021 near 40 Crosby St. in Lawrence, in what was supposed to be a planned meetup that turned violent.

During the course of his trial, prosecutors showed the jury texts, videos and data from cars about the planned meetup, along with extensive video footage of the incident.

In the hours after the shooting, Guillen got rid of his phone, vehicle and the gun and changed his appearance. Investigators later found shell casings at the scene of the crime that matched ammunition found in Guillens bedroom.

Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker commended its prosecutors in the courtroom, along with the Lawrence Police Department and Massachusetts State Police.
A Massachusetts man once sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole has been given parole.

Rolando Rodriguez was convicted of first-degree murder for the death of 32-year-old Kenia Melo when he was 18. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

However, in January 2024, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled in Commonwealth v. Mattis that sentencing people, ages 18 through 20 at the time of their offense, to life without the possibility of parole was unconstitutional and amounted to cruel and unusual punishment.

Massachusetts was the first state in the country to transform the law, experts said.

Essentially, the brains of what we are calling late adolescents or emerging adults function very much like juveniles, Northampton attorney Paul Rudof, one of the lawyers who successfully challenged life sentences for individuals aged 18 to 20, told The Republican.

There were 210 cases that fell into the Mattis decision across Massachusetts, including Rodriguez.

He went in front of the parole board for the first time on May 7.

During the hearing, the Massachusetts Parole Board talked with Rodriguez about what happened on April 13, 1997.

Melo had been working behind the counter of the store she co-owned with her husband, while her husband slept in the downstairs stockroom and her 7-year-old daughter slept on a comforter beside her.

At about 11:30 a.m., Rodriguez walked inside the store with a butcher knife and demanded money. Melo refused.

He then jumped over the counter and attempted to open the cash register but Melo fought back. The fight woke up her daughter and the two of them attempted to stop Rodriguez from opening the register.

During the fight, Rodriguez slashed Melo across the face with the butchers knife. He later stabbed her two times in the back.

Melos husband heard the struggle and ran upstairs to see Rodriguez leaving the store. Melo was taken to the hospital, where she died one hour after the robbery.

During his time incarcerated, he completed more than 50 rehabilitative programs. And he began investing in his rehabilitative efforts well before the Mattis decision, the parole board noted. He also remained sober and had few disciplinary reports.

Rodriguez is currently housed in lower security at Northeastern Correctional Center (NECC) and is considered exceptionally low risk. He also has a comprehensive re-entry plan, the board wrote in its decision.

But Melos family and Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Montez Haywood were against parole.

Still, the parole board had a unanimous vote to give Rodriguez parole. Rodriguez is expected to be released on parole around Nov. 22.

The courts Mattis decision has been devastating for the families of those killed as they are forced to relive the trauma, often going in front of the parole board and the incarcerated individual to make their own case.

Families have described the process as a nightmare, stating they feel betrayed and that the system is treating murderers as victims while their own pain is ignored. One family member during a previous hearing walked out, feeling as if his side wasnt being fairly heard after the incarcerated individual was told they did a good job.

The parole board has so far granted freedom to more than 25 people, which is a significant majority of those who have had hearings and decisions released.
Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. is ending its longterm partnership with Reyes Coca-Cola bottling. (Photo credit: Aimee Green, The Oregonian/OregonLive)

A Texas judge ruled on Monday that Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. can end its long-term partnership with Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling. The ruling allows Dr Peppers parent company to exercise full control over its own distribution system.

This means that in areas where Coke bottlers previously handled Dr Peppers distribution, some Coke-affiliated fountain locations may lose access to Dr Pepper syrup, Yahoo Finance reported.

When that happens, places such as restaurants and theaters could swap in Coca-Colas Mr. Pibb, which the company described as intensely flavored, refreshing, spicy cherry alternative.

Coca-Cola first introduced Mr. Pibb in 1972 to compete with Dr Pepper.

We look forward to bringing this distribution of the Dr Pepper trademark into Keurig Dr Peppers DSD system this fall, further building scale in our routes to market, Keurig said in a statement, according to Bloomberg.

The courtroom battle began in 2024, when Keurig, which has headquarters in both Burlington, Massachusetts, and Texas, filed a lawsuit in Texas seeking confirmation that it could end its license agreement with Reyes Coca-Cola.

The bottler, which supplies Coke products to parts of California and Nevada, attempted to block the move in a California court, arguing that franchise law protected it, but that case was dismissed, Yahoo Finance wrote.

During the summer, a Texas judge ruled that Dr Pepper had the right not to renew the contract and set Oct. 27 as the termination date.

Reyes Coca-Cola expressed its disappointment in a statement to Just Drinks, saying 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.

The ruling comes after Coca-Cola relaunched a new version of Mr. Pibb that has been reformulated to pack 30% more caffeine than Pibb Xtra (a change from 41 milligrams to 54 milligrams per 12 ounces), according to AOL.
More than 1 million people in Massachusetts are at risk of not receiving federal food aid starting Nov. 1.

With the federal government still shut down, funds for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance are set to dry up at the beginning of the month.

SNAP is a federal program that provides benefits to low-income households to help buy groceries.

The Trump administration announced it would not tap the roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep benefits active in November, the Associated Press reported.

If the government shutdown isnt resolved before midnight, Nov. 1, millions of Americans could see SNAP benefits end.

As of September, there are 1,061,460 individuals in Massachusetts who receive SNAP benefits, according to data from the states Department of Transitional Assistance.

The largest number of SNAP recipients in the state come from its most populous city: Boston. There are 140,149 SNAP recipients in the city, which represents 20.9% of Bostons population.

But other cities across the state have high proportions of their residents enrolled in the program.

In Springfield, almost half of the citys population (47.4%) receives federal aid from the program  the largest percentage of any Massachusetts community. Holyoke and Lawrence follow with 43.3% and 41.7% of their populations receiving benefits, respectively.

In many of Massachusetts largest cities, the percentage of the population who receive SNAP benefits is over 20%.

In Worcester, Massachusettss second-largest city, more than a quarter of its population (25.3%) are SNAP recipients.

In Fall River and New Bedford, the percentage of SNAP recipients is nearly identical, with Fall River having 34.3% and New Bedford 34.2%.

In Massachusettss fourth-largest city, Cambridge, only 8.3% of its population are SNAP recipients.

The suburbs around Boston, such as Wellesley and Needham, have numbers under 5%, with 3.3% of Needhams population on SNAP and 2.3% of Wellesleys.

The top 10 communities with the highest percentage of its population who receive SNAP benefits are as follows:

Springfield: 47.4% Holyoke: 43.3% Lawrence: 41.7% Southbridge: 35.6% Fall River: 34.3% New Bedford: 34.2% Brockton: 33.6% North Adams: 33.5% Fitchburg: 30.3% Chicopee: 29.6%

Attorney General Andrea Campbell, along with the Attorneys General from 25 other states, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to preserve the food assistance benefits.

Despite having the money to fund SNAP, the Trump Administration is creating needless fear, angst and harm for millions of families and their children, especially as we approach the holidays, Campbell said.

In Worcester, city leaders will hold an emergency press conference Thursday afternoon to share news about SNAP benefits and heating assistance. Details about the news were not provided in an email from the city.

In the meantime, Worcester City Council Vice Chair Khrystian King on Wednesday called on Worcesters food assistance nonprofits to work together.

Worcester has always stepped up for one another, King said in a press release. Now more than ever, we must come together to care for our neighbors.
More than 80 people protested ICE's arrest of a 13-year-old boy from Everett on Tuesday. (Adam Bass/MassLive.com)

A 13-year-old from Everett arrested by ICE and detained in Virginia will voluntarily return to Brazil, his lawyer told MassLive.

The boy will return to Brazil with an aunt and uncle while his parents continue pursuing asylum in the United States, attorney Andrew Lattarulo confirmed on Thursday.

Lattarulo said the Department of Homeland Security agreed to the voluntary return but a judge needs to sign off on the motion.

I dont want him waiting in a cell for his parents asylum case that can take years, Lattarulo said. I rather he waits with family and if parents win he comes back legally.

The teenager was arrested by ICE on Oct. 9 and was transferred to a juvenile facility in Virginia after the Department of Homeland Security claimed he had a gun and knife when he was initially detained. The citys mayor, Carlo DeMaria, however, said at a press conference Oct. 14 that the boy did not have a gun.

DeMaria also told reporters the citys police department was not the one that notified immigration authorities, according to WCVB.

The arrest drew outrage from Everett residents and city councilors, who demanded ICE to return the teenager. Residents held a protest against ICE was held at Everett City Hall on Oct. 14.

Everybody should be concerned, Everett City Councilor-at-Large Guerline Alcy Jabouin said at the protest. Thats what should get us angry, as parents, as grandparents, as teachers.
Marty Martinez, the president and CEO of the United Way of the Massachusetts Bay, speaks during a news conference at the State House on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. John L. Micek/MassLive

With food benefits for 1.1 million people set to lapse as soon as Saturday, the Healey administration said its sending an extra $4 million to the Bay States food banks to keep assistance flowing.

During a news conference at the State House on Thursday, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey continued to argue that the looming lapse in aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which will start on Saturday, was an avoidable crisis.

This has been created by the president, and he really needs to change it, Healey said, renewing her call for Republican President Donald Trump to order the U.S. Agriculture Department to release $23 billion in contingency funds that would keep the program going.

Healey also announced Thursday that a donation campaign, coordinated by the United Way, had resulted in more than $1 million in contributions.

Farmers and others, including Western Massachusetts-based Big Y, also had donated food and started charitable campaigns of their own, she said.

In addition, the administration launched a new resource hub, that includes information on how families facing hunger can get help, ways for people and businesses to offer help, and a new digital map showing how many people depend on SNAP benefits statewide.

The federal government shut down on Oct. 1 amid a funding dispute. In a letter to state SNAP agencies on Oct. 10, the Agriculture Department warned that it would lack the funds to pay full SNAP benefits starting Nov. 1 if the shutdown dragged on.

Without action, around 42 million people nationwide will lose benefits under the SNAP program, formerly referred to as food stamps, when it runs out of money as a result of the month-old federal government shutdown.

The Democratic governor has argued steadily that the agency has released such money in the past and could do it now if it chose to do so.

Taken together, the roughly $5 million in assistance that Healey announced Thursday effectively amounts to a rounding error to the $240 million a month the state receives through the SNAP program.

Healey has also consistently said the state cannot dip into its more than $8 billion Rainy Day Fund to pay for benefits on its own.

The federal government has also said it will not reimburse states that dip into their own pockets to cover SNAP costs.

Healey said the lapse in food aid would come on top of other social safety net cuts made by President Donald Trump and his GOP allies on Capitol Hill.

"I continue to call on those who can do something, those who can afford to give money to these organizations, those who can afford to give their time, those who can give food to these groups. Its desperately, desperately needed, she said. And were going to continue to look for ways that we can help as we call on the president to release these funds."

Healeys comments on Thursday came even as state Attorney General Andrea Campbell, joined by Democratic colleagues in more than two dozen states, asked a federal judge in Boston to order the government to keep the assistance flowing.

Marty Martinez, the president and CEO of the United Way of the Massachusetts Bay, said the philanthropic giant had been doing extensive legwork to raise money and increase access to food.

"As the governor said, were grateful for the over a million dollars that weve already been able to raise, but we all know that much more is needed," Martinez said, as he encouraged people to make donations through the organizations website.

Other advocates at Thursdays news conference encouraged SNAP beneficiaries who soon will lose benefits not to be shy about stepping forward to ask for help.

Doing so is not a sign of weakness, but rather, a sign of strength, they argued.

No one in Massachusetts should face this crisis alone, Erin McAleer, the president and CEO of the Boston-based food assistance organization, Project Bread, said.

I want to be clear, and if you remember one thing from today, I hope its this: Reaching out to ask for help is a sign of strength, she said. Its how we take care of one another. Hunger is not an individual failing. Hunger is a policy failure. And policy is, in fact, failing us right now.
BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- China on Wednesday established a fund for its centrally administered state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to develop strategic emerging industries, raising 51 billion yuan (about 7.2 billion U.S. dollars) in its first phase.

The fund was initiated by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) of the State Council and is managed by China Reform Holdings Corporation Ltd.

Over 10 centrally administered SOEs have contributed to the fund, including China Mobile, Sinopec, and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation.

The fund will invest in fields such as new-generation information technology, artificial intelligence, new energy, new materials, high-end equipment, biomedicine, and quantum technology.

According to the SASAC, the fund aims to support centrally administered SOEs in shoring up industry weak links and investing in cutting-edge innovation. 
If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.

If your kitchens been begging for an upgrade, youre in luck. Our Place  the brand that made the viral Always Pan  just marked down its 13-Piece Cookware Set, and its one of the most complete bundles the companys ever released.

Right now, the 13-Piece Cookware Set is just $360, down from $518, and shoppers are already rushing to grab it before the holiday rush.

Cookware Set (13 piece) $518 $360 On sale now at Our Place. Buy Now at Our Place

Features

The complete set features a specialized Thermakind ceramic nonstick coating made without PFAS (including PTFE), lead, cadmium, or microplastics, addressing growing consumer concerns about chemical exposure during cooking.

The collection includes four main components: the standard Always Pan (10.5 inches), Mini Always Pan (8.5 inches), Perfect Pot (5.5 quarts), and Mini Perfect Pot (2.5 quarts). Each piece is constructed with a cast aluminum body and designed to perform multiple cooking functions.

The standard Always Pan weighs 3.9 pounds with its lid and can hold 2.6 quarts. According to product information, it braises, sears, steams, strains, sautes, fries, boils, bakes, serves, stores and includes a modular steam-release lid, nesting beechwood spatula, and a steamer basket that doubles as a colander.

Its smaller counterpart, the Mini Always Pan, weighs 2.8 pounds with a lid and holds 1.2 quarts while performing most of the same functions, minus steaming. The Perfect Pot, with 5.5-quart capacity and weighing 4.5 pounds with lid, comes with a self-basting steam-release lid featuring a pasta strainer and a beechwood spoon. The Mini Perfect Pot offers 2.5 quarts of cooking space and weighs 3.3 pounds with its lid.

All pieces in the set are compatible with all cooktops, including induction, and are oven-safe up to 450F. The complete collection includes four lids, two spatulas, two spoons, and one steamer basket as accessories.

Customer reviews

This cookware set has over 60,000 ratings with an average rating of 4.7. Shoppers cant get enough of this cookware set. One reviewer said, This cookware is topnotch. The quality is so amazing and the product does exactly what you expect and more! And another mentioned, Purchases from Our Place never disappoints. Love the versatility of this pan. Easy clean up. I have this one and bought this for a gift.

This cookware set is already flying off the shelves, especially with the holidays right around the corner. Grab it now at Our Place before its sold out.

Sign up for MassLives Shopping Newsletter: A recap of the biggest online deals and sales from the week, curated by MassLives expert e-commerce writer, Jessica Day.

Generative AI was used to organize product information for this story, based on data provided by Our Place. It was reviewed and edited by MassLive.
Robert Fastie, executive director of The Parish Cupboard in West Springfield, said he's seen an upswing in donations, he just hopes it's enough to meet a wave of demand with SNAP benefits ending. (Jim Kinney/ The Republican) The Republican

WEST SPRINGFIELD  The phone is ringing, the email inbox busy at The Parish Cupboard in West Springfield.

With Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits soon to run out in the federal government shutdown, people are looking for alternative ways to feed their families, said Robert Fastie, the executive director. But with SNAP running out of money Friday and in the news, donors are also contacting The Parish Cupboard. Twenty online donations Wednesday  $10, $20, $50 at a time  and its enough so that fundraising is up 10% compared with October last year.

People are stepping up, Fastie said. We have a lot of food coming in the back door, too. I hope it keeps up. People are going to start coming in.

Four years ago, when Fastie started at The Parish Cupboard, it served about 80 families a month. This month, its more than 200 families and October isnt finished.

Every month were setting a new record, he said.

The shelves looked like they could use a restocking Wednesday afternoon, after the food pantry side of The Parish Cupboard closed for the day. Families  about a dozen of them  were handed lists of what they are allowed to take and asked to browse the aisles with a volunteer. That way, if they dont want an item they can just leave it behind.

There was still milk  chocolate and plain  butter, loaves of bread, boxes of cereal and in a freezer, chicken and other meats. Families must be from West Springfield, Agawam and Feeding Hills to qualify.

By about noon, there were 20 or so in the dining room for lunch.

In just the Pioneer Valley alone, In Western Massachusetts alone, more than 191,000 people depend on SNAP to put food on the table, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts said Wednesday.

The top 10 state communities with the highest percentage of its population who receive SNAP benefits included Springfield at No. 1 at 47.4% and Holyoke at No. 2 at 43.3%. North Adams was sixth at 33.5 and Chicopee was eighth at 29.6%.

Without immediate federal action, SNAP benefits will not be issued until the government reopens, leaving millions without funds to buy food.

Donations are also up for the Food Bank, said Jillian Morgan, director of development. But its too early to say how big and how sustained a bump.

We are really activating right now on fundraising, she said in an interview. This is the time of year for it in general.

But she knows demand will increase if SNAP is left unfunded.

The Parish Cupboard in West Springfield. The food bank, which serves West Springfield, Agawam and Feeding Hills, expected to get busier as SNAP benefits run out. (Jim Kinney/ The Republican) The Republican

And itll be hard to make up for lost federal money. For every meal the Food Bank can provide, SNAP provides nine meals.

Speaking of ratios, the Food Bank changed the ratio it uses to explain its effectiveness. It used to say giving a dollar could pay for three meals. Today, its more like two meals for every donated dollar.

Our money doesnt go as far, she said.

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts Wednesday urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers SNAP, to use its existing contingency fund and issue next months benefits.

Yet the Trump Administration has chosen not to release these funds, the Food Bank said in a news release.

U.S. Sens. Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., joined fellow Democrats Wednesday in Washington calling for Trump to tap the $5 billion emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fund to prevent 42 million Americans, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors and 4 million Americans with disabilities from going hungry.

Officials in 25 states, including Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, are suing Trump to preserve food aid.

The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts said even a pause in SNAP will hurt the overall economy.

This will be a devastating blow, not only to families who rely on SNAP, but to the grocers, farmers, and local economies that depend on this federal investment in local communities across the country, said Andrew Morehouse, executive director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. SNAP brings $35 million every month into Western Massachusetts. Losing this economic stimulus for even one month will ripple across every community.

Peanut butter stocked at The Parish Cupboard in West Springfield. The food bank, which serves West Springfield, Agawam and Feeding Hills, expected to get busier as SNAP benefits run out. (Jim Kinney/ The Republican) The Republican

Food Banks 199-member pantries, meal programs and shelters, as well as its own 75 Mobile Food Bank and Brown Bag: Food for Elders sites, are all preparing, Morehouse said.

The Food Bank is activating its emergency response plan to increase food supply, ramp up direct distributions, and expand deliveries to member food pantries in the region, according to its statements. That also means collaborating with other Massachusetts food banks and anti-hunger coalitions to urge Gov. Maura T. Healey and the state legislature to allocate emergency funding through the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program and to consider using other state resources to cover November SNAP benefits if the federal government does not act.

The Food Bank said the public can help by contacting federal lawmakers.

Donations to the Food Bank can be made online at foodbankwma.org or by mail.

Morehouse also asked people to join the 16th annual March for the Food Bank as a marcher or sponsor, with the largest fundraising goal in the events history of $650,000, to support local grocers and farmers and the share accurate information. People can find food assistance at foodbankwma.org and follow the Food Bank on social media for updates.

At The Parish Cupboard, Fastie said hes already contingency planning as well. Hes stocking up, seeking donations. But hes afraid he may have to start cutting back on families monthly allotment.

Id hate to turn anyone away, he said.

Hes working with the West Springfield Senior Center to make sure elders who need food can access the pantry.

Across the river, the United Way Pioneer Valley Springfield cupboard served over 618 individuals Tuesday  a 30% increase from any other Tuesday service, United Way said.

Gardening The Community in Springfield announced that beginning Tuesday, Nov. 4, it will provide a dozen eggs and a gallon of milk once a week to HIP, Healthy Incentives Program, customers at its farm store, 200 Walnut St.
The City of Worcester announced Thursday the creation of a fund aimed at helping recipients of a federal food aid program set to run out of funding Saturday.

The program in question is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides benefits to low-income households to help buy groceries.

In Worcester, more than 25 percent of the citys population are SNAP recipients, according to data from the Department of Transitional Assistance.

More than $1 million has been provided for the newly established fund, which will be overseen by the social services organization, the United Way of Central Massachusetts, City Manager Eric D. Batista told an audience at City Hall Thursday afternoon.

Of the funds, $250,000 was donated by the city, with United Way submitting a matching donation, said Tim Garvin, CEO and president of United Way. The rest of the funding, he said, comes from donors, organizations and philanthropists, such as Cliff Rucker, the owner of the Worcester Railers.

United Way will work with other organizations, such as the Worcester Community Action Center, to help determine people who need SNAP assistance and use the funds to help supplement the money they previously received from the federal government, Garvin explained to MassLive.

We are going to give some funds to food pantries because not everybody whose hungry has SNAP, Garvin said.

Additionally, $150,000 will be set aside for Worcester Public School families while $100,000 will be allocated to the Worcester Community Action Center for heating assistance, Batista said.

As a municipality, we will continue to come to the table and do everything we can to keep our most vulnerable residents fed and warm this winter, said Batista.

With the federal government still shut down as of Thursday evening, funding for SNAP is set to run dry on Nov. 1.

The Trump administration announced it would not tap about $5 billion in contingency funds to keep benefits active in November, the Associated Press reported.

Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-2nd District, state Sen. Robyn Kennedy, D-1st Worcester, and other speakers ripped into President Donald Trump and his administration for their decision not to tap into the reserves.

They are using the shutdown as a pretext to take food off the tables of millions and millions of working families, kids, seniors and veterans  and to take fuel assistance away from struggling folks right as it starts to get cold out," McGovern said. What a rotten, terrible thing to do,

The elected officials also rejected the idea of Gov. Maura Healey tapping into the states rainy day funds to pay for SNAP benefits, saying the burden falls on the federal government to pay for the program.

The cruelty of this decision lies with one individual and thats President Donald Trump, Kennedy said.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, has welcomed funding of 97,062 for Safe Ireland under the Community Safety Fund.

Minister Calleary expressed his delight at the funding: My colleague Minister Jim OCallaghan has allocated 97,062 to Safe Ireland Mayo from the Community Safety Fund as part of a national allocation of 4.4million. The Community Safety Fund redirects proceeds of crime seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and An Garda Siochana back into communities.

READ MORE: Popular Mayo hotel granted permission for development

This years allocation is a 33 percent increase on the 3 million awarded in 2024. The Fund will support 42 community safety projects across the country. This is almost double the number of projects funded by the first Community Safety Fund in 2022.

I am very pleased that the Safe Ireland, Safe & Together Project, will receive 97,062 from the fund this year. He added.

"Safe Ireland, based in Castlebar, is an organisation supporting women, young people, and children to escape coercive control and find a pathway from domestic, sex, gender, and sexuality based violence."

Minister of State Alan Dillon, TD, has also welcomed funding.

Minister Dillon said: I am delighted to see Mayo benefit from this years Community Safety Fund. The 97,062 awarded to Safe Ireland and An Garda Siochana for the Safe and Together Project will make a real difference in supporting families impacted by domestic violence and promoting trauma-informed approaches to safety. This is a powerful example of how national funding can directly support local needs.

This funding is a testament to the power of collaboration between government, law enforcement, and community organisations. I look forward to seeing the positive outcomes of the Safe and Together Project in Mayo and the broader impact of the Community Safety Fund nationwide.
Sinead Syrons family-run business in Crossmolina, Buckles and Bling, has a busy weekend ahead, with feiseanna in Claremorris and Dublin just days away.

She is one of the many Fastway couriers customers left in limbo by the company's sudden halt of business operations on Wednesday.

Buckles and Bling specialise in Irish dancing accessories, such as wigs, shoes, and Swarovski crystals. They cater from top to toe for a dancers needs.

In anticipation of these feiseanna, she had ordered in over one thousand euros' worth of dancing shoes, which were in a van on the way to her but is now caught up with the other 50,000 parcels in Fastways depots.

Im not going to have my stuff in time for this weekend. Theres a good chance Im not going to have all the sizes of shoes for children to try on.

She is hopeful the stock will eventually arrive, but says, Its the when thats the killer for me.

Another business, which was also a Fastway customer, told The Mayo News that they were lucky as a dispatch that had gone out from them on Tuesday was returned to them on Wednesday.

Like many businesses, they are now seeking alternative courier services. They called other providers, who have told him they have been inundated with similar requests.

It's really one of the worst times ever that this could happen.

One such alternative courier service is Paul Kanes GDP Transport; he has franchises for DPD in Mayo and Connemara.

On Wednesday morning alone, he had already received over 60 calls from Fastway Courier customers looking for his help.

It's really one of the worst times ever that this could happen.

This is peak time in the logistics industry with Black Friday, Cyber Monday and of course, Christmas very much on the horizon.

Paul and his team have been preparing for weeks in anticipation of this busy period.

As part of the advance planning, he has gotten extra staff and has already maxed out any additional capacity ahead of Christmas.

Understandably, they will be prioritising existing customers. Where possible, he is going to try and facilitate as many new customers as possible.

We have existing customers, so we won't be taking on an awful lot more because we're busy enough already. If we take on too much extra, you wouldn't be able to get the business done for your existing customers.

Lack of support for the industry

Whispers had started last week, but Kane says the closure of Fastway came as a complete shock.

Echoing frustration from the Irish Road Haulage Association, he feels there has been no support for the industry.

Even when he is actively trying to increase the number of electric vehicles in his fleet.

I have around ten electric vans in my fleet in Mayo alone. I have got zero support. In fact, I've been on to my local politicians to try and get help.

One area he highlights is the high prices that the ESB are charging to increase the power supply at his premises so he can charge the vehicles.

Instead of giving me help, there has been nothing but a constant battle just to try and get it up and running.

It just seems to be a constant battle. We want to try to do the right thing, to try to go green and DPD is going green, with something like 40% of their fleet now electric.

There will be further reporting on this story in Tuesdays Mayo News
KABUL, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed, and 18 others injured in a collision involving a tractor and two passenger vehicles in eastern Afghanistan's Laghman province, the provincial police office reported in a statement on Thursday.

The accident occurred on Wednesday evening in the Surkhakan region along the highway linking the capital Kabul to eastern Nangarhar province, killing three commuters, including a woman and a child on the spot, and injuring 18 others, several critically, according to the statement.

Reckless driving was cited as the primary cause of the crash.

Over the past week, at least 11 people have lost their lives and nearly 40 others were injured in five separate road incidents across the eastern provinces of Laghman, Khost, and Ghazni, as well as northern Badakhshan and Balkh.

Road mishaps remain a leading cause of accidental fatalities in war-torn Afghanistan, driven by reckless driving, congested roads, and a lack of traffic signs on dilapidated highways. 
Two FDA-approved pain-relief drugs, bupivacaine and rimegepant, were found to ease osteosarcoma-related pain and slow tumor growth.

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Johns Hopkins Study Reveals Pain Medications Also Inhibit Bone Cancer Growth



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Johns Hopkins Study Reveals Pain Medications Also Inhibit Bone Cancer Growth - (https://bioengineer.org/johns-hopkins-study-reveals-pain-medications-also-inhibit-bone-cancer-growth/)

Peripheral afferent neurons, which transmit sensory signals from the body to the brain and spinal cord, are known to invade and expand within malignant bone tumors known as osteosarcomas , often causing intense pain ().Published in the(PNAS), a federally funded multicenter investigation led by Johns Hopkins Medicine revealed that, commonly used to block the activity of such neurons,The paper was made available on October 21, 2025, for early preview and can be accessed online.Lead author Sowmya Ramesh, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in pathology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, explains that the two medications, already approved by the USFDA forAccording to Sowmya, these drugs influence three proteins,(CGRP),(TrkA), and(NGF), which are responsible for communication between neurons and tumors. By blocking these proteins, the drugsShe adds that applying these two drugs to mice with osteosarcoma-like tumors not only limits the growth of nerves and blood vessels but also. This raises hope that such findings could eventually contribute to developing a treatment for human osteosarcomas.Interestingly, the goal of reducing TrkA and NGF activity contrasts with earlier findings from the James Laboratory at Johns Hopkins Medicine, the same team leading the current investigation.Senior author Aaron James, M.D., Ph.D., professor of pathology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, states that their earlier work demonstrated how, as it promotes the sprouting of sensory nerves and blood vessels.However, in the current context, the team aimsin osteosarcomas, thereby restricting the tumors growth and spread.The first step of the PNAS investigation involved identifying the role of sensory neurons in controlling the development and spread of osteosarcomas. The team usedactivity.According to Ramesh, mice with disrupted NGF-TrkA signaling displayed significantly reduced nerve growth. Additionally,Co-lead author Qizhi Qin, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the James Laboratory, observed thatThese white blood cells, commonly found in osteosarcomas, tend to promote tumor development, blood vessel growth, and metastasis by weakening the immune systems defenses and contributing to resistance against chemotherapy.The researchers then analyzed samples from human osteosarcomas and found that each, consistent with heightened nerve and blood vessel formation.James explains that this pattern in human tumors mirrors what was observed in mice,, which fuels tumor progression and pain associated with osteosarcoma.The team also examined dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, nerves along the spinal cord responsible for transmitting sensory information, from individuals with and without tumors. Upon reanalysis, they discoveredHaving confirmed that osteosarcoma growth, spread, and pain are all linked to CGRP-triggered NGF-TrkA signaling, the researchers tested whether blocking CGRP could ease both problems.Their experiments in mouse models revealed that both FDA-approved medications,With this understanding, the team now plans to explore more deeply how peripheral sensory nerves interact with osteosarcomas, how they respond to cancer signals, and how their responses might be controlled to develop more effective therapies.Source-Eurekalert
After the success of HIT: The Third Case, Telugu star Nani is now gearing up for the biggest film of his career, the big budget mass action entertainer TheParadise. Directed by Srikanth Odela of Dasara fame, The Paradise makers are leaving no stones unturned to make it one of the biggest movies of Indian cinema. This includes releasing it in eight languages including English and Spanish. According to a recent report, the makers have approached Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds known for Deadpool movies to join The Paradise but with a twist.

 GQ Ryan Reynolds To Present Nanis Telugu Mass Actioner The Paradise? Mid-Day has reported that The Paradise makers have approached Ryan Reynolds to come as a presenter to the film. A source informed that director Srikanth Odela wants to take the film to the global audiences and naturally, having a Hollywood name attached will heighten the films appeal to the international audience. The source added that Ryan Reynolds was the first and natural choice given that the film is an action drama with quirky elements, the team felt there could be no one better than Ryan Reynolds as his actioners have a similar feel. However, getting access to Ryan Reynolds wasnt easy as producer SLV Cinemas was trying to connect with him and his team for three months now but its in the last two weeks that they finally got access to Ryans team. The talks are on.

 SLV Cinemas Reacting to the report of Ryan Reynolds coming on board The Paradise, one social media user wrote, This is the Perfect Example that you own House is Dirty but you Given advice to other how Clean his House indian Flim industry doesn't have ability Crack it's home Market to full Potential but want's to Crack American Market who is on Racism mode against India. Another user reacted, Dont let your Global Star postpone the film out of fear @PeddiMovieOffl Let the Clash be as it is. Check out some of the responses below:
Baahubali has completed 10 years since its release and the makers will release Baahubali: The Epic on October 31, which will be an extended cut of both instalments. While the advance bookings look promising for Baahubali: The Epic, many social media users leaked a glimpse of Baahubali: The Eternal War, which will be attached to the movie. About Baahubali: The Eternal War Baahubali: The Eternal War will be an animated movie which expands the world of Baahubali.

 Arka Media Works SS Rajamouli has promised a grand vision with a massive reported budget of 100 crore. Some users posted the glimpses from Baahubali: The Eternal War, which showcases Lord Shiva fighting a battle with Baahubali and a huge creature with a Thanos-like gauntlet. Check out Baahubali: The Eternal War teaser below:

Users are going crazy over Rajamoulis vision and are waiting for more updates. Some of them also called it a superior animation to many Hollywood productions. One user wrote, Damn!! Im not even an animation movie fan, but this looks insane by Indian standards. Theyre really going all in with this one .

One user commented, Genuinely insane!! Better than any other Indian animation. I just wish they invest on original stories too rather than existing IPs always.

Another user commented, The animation more look like marvel what if series.

One user reacted, Thats Hollywood range quality goosebumps.

Another user reacted, Best animation till date in Indian cinema , into the spiderverse style lo.
PHNOM PENH, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister Vongsey Vissoth on Thursday called for collective responsibility and shared ambition to secure a greener and more resilient world for generations to come.

Vissoth made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2025 World Green and Sustainability Summit in capital Phnom Penh, which was attended by leaders, policymakers, scientists, academia, and private sector innovators from different countries.

"Green growth is not a zero-sum game; it is a pathway to shared prosperity, peace, and long-term resilience," he said. "Sustainability is not merely an environmental necessity but a foundation for inclusive, resilient, and future-ready economies."

Vissoth said the world is undergoing profound transformations, not only climatic, but geopolitical and economic.

"Trade fragmentation, carbon leakage, and waning multilateral cooperation are weakening our collective capacity to respond to global challenges," he said.

The deputy prime minister said that to build a greener, more resilient world, it was essential to increase investments in clean energy, to mobilize green finance, and to harness innovation and digitalization.

"To this end, I urge stronger collaboration among governments, the private sectors, and sustainability experts to accelerate the diffusion of green technologies and environmental goods," he said.

"No single country can achieve sustainability alone. We need partnerships across governments, businesses, academia, and communities," he added.

Vissoth said Cambodia stands ready to collaborate with all partners within ASEAN, across Asia-Pacific, and globally to accelerate the green transition.

"Through cooperation, innovation, and shared commitment, we can transform today's environmental challenges into tomorrow's economic opportunities," he said.

On the sidelines of the summit, the first Green Investment Expo was held, highlighting Cambodia's dynamic green enterprises, innovative technologies, and sustainable investment opportunities. 
A press conference on the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceflight mission is held in Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

JIUQUAN, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 11:44 p.m. Friday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Thursday.

Preparations for the Shenzhou-21 crewed mission are progressing steadily. The Long March-2F Y21 carrier rocket, which will be used for the launch, is going to be filled with propellant, said Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson for the CMSA, at a press conference.

According to the plan, after entering the orbit, the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship will adopt a fast automated rendezvous and docking mode and dock with the front port of the Tianhe core module in about 3.5 hours, forming a three-spacecraft and three-module combination, Zhang said.

Zhang disclosed that, by now, the quality of the spaceship and rocket is under control, the astronaut crew is in good condition, the ground- system facilities and equipment are operating stably, and the space station combination is in normal condition, meeting all the conditions for carrying out the upcoming launch mission.

Chinese astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang will carry out the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceflight mission, and Zhang Lu will be the commander, according to the CMSA. 

A press conference on the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceflight mission is held in Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)

A press conference on the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceflight mission is held in Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Ma Jinrui)
The event was held inside TST Groups Ballymena warehouse

The future of logistics in post-Brexit Ireland took centre stage this week as Pallet-Track joined forces with its Northern Irish partner TST Group and Women in Logistics UK to discuss the ongoing challenges of cross-border trade and the Windsor Framework.

Held inside TST Groups Ballymena warehouse  transformed from a busy distribution hub into a conference space  the event brought together industry leaders from across the UK and Ireland to share insights on the realities of operating in one of Europes most complex logistics environments.

The discussion, chaired by Maire Claire Reid, managing director at TST Group, and Ruth Waring FCILT, co-founder of Women in Logistics UK CIC, explored how businesses are adapting to regulatory and operational changes since Brexit.

Debbie Patterson, Group Customs Manager at TST Group, outlined the evolving new border reality and explained how companies can make sense of the Windsor Framework, which has been implemented in stages over the past two years.

The framework, which sets new trading arrangements between Northern Ireland, Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland, continues to pose challenges for logistics firms balancing regulatory compliance with service efficiency.

A panel chaired by Maire Claire Reid featured Kelly Donnelly (TST Group compliance manager), Michelle Scott (UK transport manager), Pamela Dennison of Fibrus, and Charlene McGonagle of Henderson. Together, they discussed growth opportunities in areas such as fleet innovation, technology, compliance and transport operations, as well as the policy and infrastructure reforms needed to strengthen the sector.

Reid said transforming the Ballymena warehouse into a forum for industry dialogue showed how far the sector had come in recognising womens leadership.

Standing in our Ballymena warehouse  a place usually filled with trailers and pallets  and seeing it transformed into a space for connection, learning and shared ambition was something special, she said. Events such as this remind us women arent just participating in logistics; were shaping its future.

She added that determination and curiosity connect women across the industry and help drive change: Together, were changing the conversation and creating the kind of visibility and opportunity we once could only imagine.

Freya Sangha, of Pallet-Track, praised TST Groups expertise in cross-border operations and said that despite the continuing difficulties posed by the Windsor Framework, the firm had maintained service excellence.

She added: We are also proud to sponsor Women in Logistics; with 56% of our senior leadership team being female, we are committed to enabling more women to access industry events, mentoring and professional development opportunities.

Ruth Waring, co-founder of Women in Logistics, said the event had provided valuable insight into the issues members face on a day-to-day basis.

The event addressed many of the challenges our members are facing and shared beneficial advice for future growth, she said. As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely on the support of the industry. Pallet-Tracks sponsorship of Women in Logistics will provide numerous benefits for our network, including new opportunities to host valuable events for knowledge sharing and networking across the UK.

The collaboration marks a continuing effort by logistics operators and trade groups to ensure that cross-border trade remains efficient, transparent and inclusive, even as regulatory frameworks evolve.

TST Group operates more than 200 vehicles, manages 500 trailers, and maintains 1.5 million square feet of warehousing across its UK and global operations.
Should Assyrian Refugees Be Resettled in Australia?

The Hon. Tony Burke MP and The Hon. Chris Bowen MP meet with representatives from the Assyrian National Council of Australia. Representatives from Australia's leading Assyrian institutions met recently with Tony Burke MP, Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship, and Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, to discuss the ongoing humanitarian challenges facing displaced Assyrians in the Middle East.

It is estimated that several thousand Assyrians, most from Iraq's Assyrian region, remain stranded in neighboring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan, unable to find resettlement in Western nations. Many of these Assyrians were displaced following the ISIS invasion of the Nineveh Plain Region in northern Iraq and the Gozarto Region in northeastern Syria. Others have left since the defeat of ISIS, driven by economic hardship and instability.

The meetings, held across several community centers in Sydney's western suburb of Fairfield, home to one of the largest Assyrian communities in Australia, were organized separately by the Assyrian National Council of Australia, Assyrian representatives from the Chaldean Catholic Church, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Assyrian Australian Association. The organizations reportedly advocated for the resettlement of Assyrian refugees to Australia.

Hermiz Shahen, President of the Assyrian National Council of Australia, urged the Department of Home Affairs to review the most vulnerable refugee cases for possible resettlement, coordinate with UNHCR to identify at-risk Assyrian families, and reform the Community Support Program (CSP) to better assist refugees facing financial hardship.

The CSP program allows individuals, businesses, and community organizations to sponsor refugees, supporting their resettlement and integration into Australian society through private funding and community engagement. The program receives far more applications than the yearly visa quota allows, leading to significant processing backlogs that can take eight or more years.

"Our purpose is not to encourage our people to leave Assyria, but to uphold their human rights wherever they live," Mr. Shahen said. "We look to Australia's humanitarian leadership to help those who have nowhere else to turn."

The same message was echoed by representatives of other Assyrian organizations and churches in their meetings with the ministers.

An Outdated Approach?

The humanitarian position of the Assyrian-Australian community leaders, although noble and coming from a genuine desire to help, stands in contrast to growing efforts by other Assyrian organizations that focus on aiding displaced families return to their homeland. One such organization,The Return, reports a rising number of inquiries from diaspora Assyrians interested in moving back.

With improved security, stability, and a range of active Assyrian-led initiatives on the ground, some argue that it is no longer accurate to claim that displaced Assyrians "have nowhere else to turn." The Assyrian-Australian community's continued emphasis on refugee resettlement is increasingly viewed as outdated and out of step with the wider trend toward return and reconstruction.

The emerging consensus among many Assyrian groups is that refugees should return once conditions permit, conditions that, they argue, have improved significantly since the defeat of ISIS. This has prompted some to suggest that Assyrian organizations in Australia should encourage the government to launch programs supporting voluntary return, rather than focusing solely on relocation to Australia.

One such state sponsored initiative is the Hungary Helps program, launched by the Hungarian government in part to facilitate the return of displaced Assyrians. Rather than focusing on diaspora resettlement, the program emphasizes strengthening the Assyrian Christian presence in their ancestral homeland.

Projects include the restoration of damaged homes, schools, and churches in towns such as Tesqopa and Batnaya in the Nineveh Plain Region, as well as agricultural training and humanitarian aid for displaced families. Observers note that Australia, a far wealthier nation, could do far more than Hungary to help Assyrians rebuild their lives on their own land.
ULAN BATOR, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia has attracted a total of 751,879 foreign tourists since the beginning of 2025, according to official data released by the Mongolian Tourism Organization on Wednesday.

During the period, the majority of the foreign tourists came from China, Russia and South Korea, the data showed.

At present, Mongolia's economy depends heavily on the mining sector and on the export of mineral resources. Therefore, sustainable tourism development is considered one of the priorities for diversifying the country's economy and increasing the competitiveness of its tourism in the context of global competition.

According to the country's Ministry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth, the Mongolian government has decided to continue the "Years to Visit Mongolia" tourism program until 2028 to promote the development of four-season tourism in the country. 
The West Africa Squadron of the Royal Navy had more or less terminated the slave trade on the West African coast by the 1850s. This book is not about that story. It concerns another unfolding on the opposite side of the continent.

As the West African trade collapsed, the East African trade soared. The trafficking of humans across the Indian Ocean may have increased five-fold in the first half of the 19th century. The final total transported by the Arab slave trade over the many centuries it operated probably equalled the 12 million transported by the European slave trade.

By the mid-19th century, long tentacles of slave-raiding had penetrated a thousand miles from the coast into the interior, setting up shock waves of mayhem that were eviscerating African society.

What drove the surge was industrialism and globalisation: soaring demand for primary commodities on the world market. Swahili warlords, Arab merchants, Turkish pashas, and Persian landowners were growing rich in a booming economy, and they needed labour  for their plantations, their industries, and their increasingly extravagant households. Not least, they wanted sex slaves.

The Sultan of Zanzibar presided over an informal mercantile empire that spanned the Indian Ocean trading system and extended deep into Africa. He and other Arab rulers were cultivated by the imperial powers, above all by the British, both in London and in Delhi. So British politicians turned a blind eye to the slave trade.

Enter stage left, four Royal Navy officers: Leopold Heath, George Sulivan, Edward Meara, and Philip Colomb. The British had abolished their own slave trade in 1807, and slavery itself throughout the Empire in 1833. They also had a treaty arrangement with the Sultan of Zanzibar dating from 1822 which, while allowing for the movement of slaves within the Sultans territory, outlawed the export of slaves beyond.

But enforcement had been lackadaisical. The numerous slave dhows plying the coasts might or might not be legitimate. How was one to tell? Why stir things up in any case?

That was before the issue of the East African trade went toxic, largely through the efforts of anti-slavery campaigner David Livingstone. The Victorian public demanded action, and a new state-of-the-art squadron  a frigate of 500 men and three sloops of 140 men each  took station in 1868, charged with eradicating the Indian Ocean trade.

Commodore Heath and his three subordinate commanders took their duties seriously. Heath devised a brilliant spiders web strategy for intercepting the lightly built, coast-hugging slave dhows, and his officers were ruthless about freeing slaves and burning vessels. John Broichs Squadron tells the story, and it is a minor masterpiece.

Broich  who lectures in British Empire history at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio  has been meticulous about unearthing a story buried in the primary archives. But, unlike so many academics, he is also an outstanding storyteller.

In this gracefully written book  Broich could easily have been a novelist  he uses the careers of his four officers, and in particular their dramatic campaign of captures between 1868 and 1871, to tell the whole story of the East African slave trade and the struggle against it.

We are there. On-board HMS Forte, off the mid-Arabian coast in May 1869, as ten young men, two women, 40 boys, and 28 girls  naked, attenuated, wilting  are unfolded from the tiny spaces into which they have been jammed below the deck of a 40-foot dhow. We are there, and we are there on two dozen other occasions, close observers of an exhilarating game of cat and mouse, and seaborne chase and capture.

Broich is equally at ease describing ships tackle, gun-power, and the changing technology of naval warfare. And, effortlessly, seamlessly, he drops the action into its geopolitical context, with its economic vested interests and diplomatic cross-currents, leaving us rooting for our naval heroes as they battle politically motivated attempts to hamstring their campaign. As one of them, George Sulivan, was moved to write:

I have been led to conclude by many circumstances that the suppression of the Slave Trade and the interests of the Indian Government do not coincide. And there is a tendency to sacrifice the slave to the political advantage gained in relation to the chiefs and others of the slave-holding tribe.

The Victorian mass media loved it: here were action heroes performing deeds of derring-do thousands of miles from home, advancing the cause of civilisation, freeing slaves from bondage  and facing wilful obstruction from cynical politicians.

The popular press carried dramatic pictures of the clashes at sea under captions like The cutter of HMS Daphne capturing a slave dhow off Brora. The Penny Illustrated reported that Our Jack Tars  have this year struck more than one good blow against the inhuman slavers .. .. The Anti-Slavery Reporter denounced the obstructionist authorities under the headline Britain: a participant in the slave trade.

I have one or two minor quibbles. The chapter titles seem eccentric. The maps are awful  and this is a book that needs good maps. The author has been badly let down by the publisher in this respect.

But I recommend this book without hesitation as a brilliantly constructed and beautifully written account of a story of the Victorian Navy that has everything  fascinating characters, exotic locations, political intrigue, fast action on the seas, and a burning sense of social justice.

Neil Faulkner
The ordinary men who committed mass murder

Historian Christopher Browning labelled members of Reserve Police Battalion 101 ordinary men. Neither of the SS or the Wehrmacht, they were mostly unskilled workers. So what drove them to murder 38,000 unarmed men, women, and children in Poland at the height of the war?

Members of Police Battalion 101 are saluted by their order police officers as they march in formation in Lodz. Image: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Michael OHara; Bernhardt Colberg.

The most notable thing about Reserve Police Battalion 101 was their ordinariness.

They were not members of the SS. They were not even members of the Wehrmacht. They were ordinary, middle-aged men from Hamburg. The average age was 39, many had families, most were unskilled or semi-skilled workers, a few were skilled workers, and a few lower middle class. Many were churchgoing men.

They had ended up as reserve policemen because they were too old for service on the front-line and were not employed in essential occupations. True, a disproportionate number seem to have been Nazi Party members (25%)  twice as many as among German men generally at the time of the war.

Members of Police Battalion 101 engage in combat training in the vicinity of Lodz.

Image: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Michael OHara; Bernhardt Colberg.

Needless to say, party membership exploded after Hitler came to power  reaching a peak of about 8 million members  because of the considerable career-advantages of a party card in a totalitarian state.

So the relatively high proportion of party members in Reserve Police Battalion 101 is not so very remarkable. Researcher Christopher Browning seems quite justified in labelling this unit of 500 reserve police officers ordinary men.

In June 1942, these ordinary men were redeployed to Occupied Poland to take part in a special action.

Eighteen months later, at the end of its tour of duty, Reserve Police Battalion 101 had murdered 38,000 unarmed men, women, and children. They had also deported another 45,000 people to Treblinka, an extermination camp, where an estimated 750,000 Jews were gassed in the course of the war.

So they had been accomplices in the murder of these people too. In the latter case, they were no doubt able to distance themselves from the act of murder.

This is an important part of any explanation of how the Holocaust happened. It was a vast, complex, bureaucratised operation, involving tens of thousands of personnel in a hundred different roles, most of whom were never required to empty canisters of Zyklon B into chambers packed full of human beings.

Einsatzgruppen  SS death-squads  in action in Eastern Europe. The image appears to be a snap taken on a personal camera by a unit member. it provides a vivid impression of the work undertaken by Reserve Police Battalion 101.

Some 14 million Germans voted Nazi in the July 1932 general election. Some 38 million Germans voted in favour of Hitlers dictatorship in the August 1934 plebiscite. Only a small fraction of these people were directly involved in genocide during the war.

The Nazi seizure of power gave them control of the German state, which they then subjected to a process of Gleichschaltung, or bringing into line. This meant the purging of some staff and the cowing of the rest through a mixture of incentives, indoctrination, and intimidation.

Some people were already Nazis. Many others chose to become so. Many more simply kept their heads down and got on with their jobs. Few were minded to ask critical questions. In this way, the army, police, and civil service were turned into streamlined instruments of totalitarian dictatorship.

Take the railway system. When the Third Reich stretched from the Atlantic to the Black Sea  which it did in the middle two years of the war  some hundreds of thousands of people worked on the railways. The great majority of them did what they were told. Sometimes that involved sending cattle-trucks packed with human beings to extermination camps.

Were they accomplices to murder? Were they among the guilty? There is no easy answer.

This is an extract from a 14-paged special feature on the Holocaust, published in the February 2020 issue of Military History Matters.

In our special this time, Neil Faulkner drills down to the level of the individual perpetrator, to ask to what degree ordinary people were responsible. Drawing on Christopher Brownings seminal research, he reaches disturbing conclusions about the forces for evil that may exist in our society.

Also this time, Taylor Downing reviews the debate  past and present  about whether Allied air power should have been deployed to disrupt the extermination programme, perhaps by bombing the railway lines to the camps or even the gas chambers. Again, the conclusion is disturbing.

Interested in receiving the latest cutting-edge research and detailed analysis from world-renowned historians? Click here to find out more about subscribing to the magazine.
The revolutionary weapon that transformed anti-tank fighting in the final battles of WWII.

After the first model was introduced in July 1943, the Germans manufactured a total of 8 million Panzerfausts (meaning tank fist) during the final two years of the Second World War. Simple in design and cheap to make, they could be mass produced. Easy to operate, they required no specialist crews, but could be issued to anyone like grenades. Nazi propaganda towards the end of the war boasted about Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth) teenagers, Volksturm (Home Guard) old-timers, and even German housewives using them. They were especially effective in close-quarters fighting in the rubble of bombed cities.

The most widely used model was the Panzerfaust 60, introduced in September 1944. Weighing something over 6kg, it comprised a thin, disposable, preloaded launch-tube about a metre long, fitted with an outsize explosive warhead of about 150mm diameter. It had a range of around 60m and could penetrate up to 200mm of tank armour.

For firing, the weapon was rested on the shoulder or under the arm, at which point the sight, otherwise folded down against the tube, would be flipped up for aiming. The operator had to ensure that he and his comrades were safe from the extreme back blast when the trigger was pulled. For this reason, the weapons, usually painted dark yellow ochre, were labelled in red on the tube Danger! Intense fire-flash!.

Tank-hunters

In the final year of the war, facing a massive preponderance of Allied armour, artillery, and airpower, German tactics became heavily defensive. German commanders aimed to draw their opponents into close terrain and to fight both from prepared positions and with mobile teams. The latter included specialist tank-hunter teams (Panzerjagdgruppe) equipped with Panzerfausts.

Supported by riflemen, who would guard against enemy infantry and shoot up enemy tank crew if they emerged from the hatches, the tank-hunters would aim to circle a tank, move in close, and then fire from different directions, hoping to hit where armour was thinner.

Panzerfausts claimed a steadily rising proportion of tank kills. In Normandy, it is estimated that only around 6% of British tank losses were to Panzerfaust fire, but the proportion rose to around a third later in the war, whilst Soviet tank losses from both Panzerfausts and Panzerschrecks (the German equivalent of the American bazooka) reached 70%.

Allied tank crews became exceptionally nervous about close-quarters fighting in built-up areas. Tanks were fitted with additional armour, and infantry platoons were assigned to tank companies to protect them from ambushes.

The Panzerfaust became an iconic weapon: for the Nazis, a symbol of dogged, last-ditch resistance; for the Allies, one of the deadliest threats they faced as the war in Europe reached a crescendo of violence with the storming of the Third Reich in the winter and spring of 1945.
When the remnants of Typhoon Halong roared into western Alaska in October 2025, the storm brought hurricane-force winds, heavy flooding, and the worst coastal surge in decades. Entire homes in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta were swept from their foundations, power and water systems failed, and hundreds of residents were left stranded in remote villages only accessible by air. Within hours, Alaskas government, the National Guard, and federal agencies launched what became one of the largest airlifts in the states history, moving hundreds of displaced residents to safety.

The Scale of the Evacuation

Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, two coastal villages in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, were hit hardest. Water levels surged over six feet above normal high tide, breaking long-standing flood records. Entire neighborhoods were submerged, and many homes became uninhabitable. Local shelters quickly filled, forcing officials to coordinate an emergency airlift to Anchorage and Bethel. Over two days, more than 600 residents were flown out aboard military and chartered aircraft, including Alaska Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III. The operation, according to state emergency officials, ranked among the largest mass air evacuations ever conducted within Alaska.

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. The C-17 aircrew transported the displaced Alaskans from Bethel to JBER during recover operations following the devastating Typhoon Halong that struck the West Coast of Alaska late last week. (Alaska National Guard photo by Alejandro Pena, DVIDS).

Moving People and Supplies Under Extreme Conditions

The logistics of the mission were formidable. Many airstrips in the region were flooded or covered in debris, forcing pilots to rely on short gravel runways and minimal visibility. Alaska Army National Guard helicopters and smaller fixed-wing aircraft first shuttled evacuees from villages like Kipnuk and Kwigillingok to Bethel and other regional hubs. From there, Alaska Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III transport planes carried larger groups onward to Anchorage. At Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, temporary shelters had been prepared with the help of the American Red Cross. Each flight also delivered emergency cargo, including food, fuel, medical kits, and water filtration systems, to isolated communities still cut off by floodwaters. The coordination between military units, state agencies, and local volunteers demonstrated a rare level of rapid-response integration under extreme pressure.

Coordination Across Federal and State Lines

The Federal Emergency Management Agency activated a regional response coordination center and sent staff to Alaska, embedding liaisons and mass-care specialists at the State Emergency Operations Center in Anchorage to support the storm response. The states transportation department deployed multiple unmanned-aircraft teams to map damage, collect data, and support assessments in hard-hit villages. As evacuations moved people from Bethel to Anchorage,

Shelter operations were stood up and managed jointly with state and local partners, with two large shelters operating in the city and additional non-congregate options identified. After President Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Alaska, FEMA should soon begin coordinating longer-term recovery with the governors office and the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The American Red Cross also deployed hundreds of disaster volunteers to support evacuees in Anchorage and other hubs.

Alaska Army National Guard Sgt. Hunter Lorenz, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter crew chief, assigned to Detachment 1, B Company, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, carries a dog during recovery operations at Bethel, Alaska, Oct. 16, 2025 (Alaska National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon, DVIDS).

Damage, Displacement, and the Human Toll

More than 1,500 people were displaced across the western coast, most of them Indigenous Alaskans. At least one fatality was confirmed, and several residents were reported missing in the aftermath. The National Weather Service reported peak gusts above 100 miles per hour and described Halongs surge as the most destructive coastal flooding in western Alaska since the 1970s.

From Response to Recovery

As airlifts tapered off, the focus turned toward rebuilding. Temporary shelters in Anchorage and Bethel continued housing evacuees while federal disaster-aid teams assessed long-term needs. Governor Mike Dunleavy formally requested federal assistance, which was approved within days, unlocking tens of millions of dollars for reconstruction and recovery. Initial assessments by Alaskas emergency-management division found that over 90 % of structures in Kipnuk and about 35 % in Kwigillingok were destroyed by the storm. Relief efforts also included the deployment of engineers to restore airstrips and power systems before the onset of winter.

Alaska Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook aviators assigned to Detachment 1, B Company, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, evacuate displaced Alaskans from Kwigillingok, Alaska, during recovery operations Oct. 16, 2025 (Alaska National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon, DVIDS).

The Airlift That Redefined Readiness

For Alaskas National Guard, the Typhoon Halong airlift was not just a rescue mission but a test of capacity in one of the most remote regions in the United States. The operation proved that large-scale air mobility and coordination with local governments can save lives even in extreme conditions. It also serves as a warning of what risks dangerous storms pose to isolated communities. The people of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta now face the long task of rebuilding, but the record-setting airlift stands as evidence of both Alaskas vulnerability and its ability to respond when the stakes are highest.
As the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is pointing his finger at Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown, national organizations are pointing fingers back regarding fraud and benefits claims.

The government shutdown has eclipsed 29 days and is currently the second longest in U.S. history. Democrats have held out for health care subsidies associated with the Affordable Care Act while Republicans who control the majority in both the U.S. House and Senate chambers have stated they would entertain a health care debate if a continuing resolution was voted on and passed to reopen the government.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Douglas A. Collins walks down the gangway during the Navy 250 A Salute to the Fleet at Naval Station Norfolk, Sunday Oct. 5, 2025 in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

As the politics endure in Washington, people across the country are feeling the brunt. Roughly 42 million Americans including seniors, families with children, and those with disabilities who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are set to see their benefits expire on Saturday, Nov. 1. Questions about future military pay for the approximate 1.2 million active-duty veterans are also confounded by a closed government.

On Thursday, the VA issued a statement condemning Democrats for what they claim is their decision to shut down the federal government.

The Democrats government shutdown is limiting services for veterans and making life miserable for VA employees, and things are only going to get worse as time goes on, VA Secretary Doug Collins said in a statement. Its time for Democrats to stop using the suffering of Americans as political leverage to give free health care to illegal immigrants.

I call on them to open the government and enable VA to provide the complete and comprehensive services Americas veterans, families, caregivers and survivors have earned.

Currently, about 37,000 VA employees are furloughed or working without pay. The departments medical centers, outpatient clinics and vet centers remain open and are operating normally due to advance appropriations approved by Congress.

The VA also blames Democrats for the following:

The shutdown of the GI Bill Hotline which provides assistance to more than 900,000 veterans.

Over 100,000 enrolled veterans being unable to enroll into the Veteran Readiness and Employment program due to employees being furloughed.

The closure of 56 regional VA offices.

The permanent closure of the Manila regional VA office.

Transition briefings for over 16,000 outgoing military members unable to be accommodated due to a lapse in appropriations (with information available online).

The lack of grounds maintenance and the placing of headstones at 157 VA national cemeteries.

Benefits for veterans will continue to be processed and delivered, including compensation, pension, education, and housing benefits, per the VA. Burials will also continue at national cemeteries.

Prevalence of VA Fraud

The U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs held a hearing on Wednesday, titled, Putting Veterans First: Is the Current VA Disability System Keeping Its Promise?

The hearing explored veterans disability benefits system and included testimony from VA Inspector General (IG) Cheryl Mason, Jeremy Villanueva, associate legislative director of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, retired Army Lt. Col. Daniel M. Gade, and Elizabeth Curda, director of Education, Workforce and Income Security Issues within the Government Accountability Office.

As of June 30, 2025, more than 6.9 million veterans and beneficiaries were receiving these benefits, as provided under the law pertaining to disability compensation, according to Mason.

She also called suggestions that VA fraud is widespread reprehensible, alluding to recent reporting that veterans are scamming or gaming the system to get benefits.

Furthermore, using OIG investigative evidence collected over several years to make it appear like there is mass fraud by veterans misleads the public and maligns veterans. While yes, there are some bad actor veterans who commit fraud against VA in both benefits and health care, they are few in comparison to the 6.9 million veterans and beneficiaries who receive VA benefits.

Approximately 3.7% of active VA OIG fraud investigations involve veterans, she added.

The Washington Post reported earlier this month that U.S. taxpayers are paying for veterans benefits for some service members who have cited hair loss, jock itch and toenail fungus as causes of personal impairment.

About 556,000 veterans receive disability benefits for eczema, 332,000 for hemorrhoids, 110,000 for benign skin growths, 81,000 for acne and 74,000 for varicose veins, the Post reported, citing the most recently available figures from the VA.

The liberal Washington Post is trying to mislead the public by citing a few documented instances of fraud, in which the perpetrators were convicted of crimes, as proof that many veterans are cheating the system, VA spokesperson Pete Kasperowicz told Military.com. This is egregious even for the Washington Post, which was a leading purveyor of the totally debunked Russia hoax and introduced its cringe mottoDemocracy Dies in Darknessto advertise its opposition to the Trump Administration.

Americas veterans earned their VA benefits, and it should be easiernot harderto get them. Under President [Donald] Trump, we are improving VA so its faster and more convenient for veterans to get what our nation owes them.

Fixing The System

Questions remain, however, about the current state of the claims process and its ability to meet veterans needs.

The American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (AFGE) and its National Veterans Affairs Council (NVAC) submitted a statement on record for Wednesdays hearing, on behalf of the roughly 320,000 VA employees AFGE representsapproximately a third of whom are veterans themselves, including approximately 50 percent of frontline workers at the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA).

AFGE, in its statement, critiqued multiple aspects of the current benefits system including logistics of claims processes; the specialization of claims; keeping claims within the same regional office for the duration of the claims process; and providing employees the option to work overtime rather than mandate it.

AFGE is proud to represent tens of thousands of VBA workers and claims processors, and identify ways the claims process can improve, Elliot Friedman, a legislative representative for AFGE, told Military.com.

Military.com reached out to the VA for comment specifically regarding the AFGEs statement.
The gathering of the United States highest ranking generals and admirals at U.S. Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia on Sept. 30 was the most bizarre thing Ive seen in my time on Earth, said Larry Wilkerson, an ex-United States Army colonel and former chief of staff to past Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Wilkerson and a slew of others spoke with Military.com in the aftermath of the impromptu assembly of the United States starred service members one month ago, warning that the Armed Forces currently helmed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are in a state of disarray most havent seen in their hundreds of years of combined military and defense service.

The scene was endemic of broader political and socioeconomic divisions throughout the first nine months or so of Trumps executive order-laden second term, in which the president and his administration have been aggressive in enforcement involving immigration and more recently the National Guard in multiple American cities. It sparked continued debate over the role of the U.S. military in American politics and society at large, of which both have been intertwined since the nations inception, and concerns of a traditionally apolitical constitutional fixture espousing partisan rhetoric.

U.S. military senior leadership listen as President Donald Trump speaks at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 in Quantico, Va. (Andrew Harnik/Pool via AP)

The Quantico loyalty test as one retired service member described may have far wider implications for the future of the U.S. military and those who serve in it. Officials who spoke to Military.com warned of the potential of Trump and Hegseth sycophants replacing outgoing military members who disagree with the so-called warrior ethos mentalitywhile others connected the administrations military approach to a broader, government-wide takeover rooted in greed, power, and arguably the most open embrace of Christian nationalism in the nations history.

Certainly in my 40 years of government service for both the president and the secretary of war, it was just bizarre, Wilkerson said.

Beyond the security implications and cost associated with galvanizing the generals and admirals, Wilkerson said that the messages from both Trump and Hegseth were a little bit different but complementing each other quite well.

Hegseth essentially said, I want you all to be killers, I want you to be killers for America. I want you to be killers for the flag. I want you to be killers under all circumstances where I give you orders to go to war or to do something that Ive given you an executive order for. I want you to be that kind of person, he said.

'New But Familiar'

Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told Military.com that Hegseth's speech cemented a new but familiar culture we refer to as the warrior ethos.

His message was simple: promotions and combat assignments will be given based on merit and ability, not diversity quotas, Parnell said. The war on warriors is over; political correctness has no home at the Department of War. Physical fitness standards will be high, uniform and sex-neutral, ensuring our warriors are prepared to fight and win in any arena, no matter the circumstances.

These core principles have been the foundation of our force for generations and drive our entire institution.

The same message is being pontificated from the White House.

President Trump was proud to join Secretary Hegseths event to reignite warrior ethos within his top brass and reinforce the rigorous standards that once made our military the best in the world, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Military.com. These anonymous criticisms are nonsense. The president is fully behind the secretarys efforts to restore readiness and lethality within the Department of War.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivers remarks during a War Department address at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Sept. 30, 2025. (Department of War/Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aiko Bongolan, DOW)

'Slippery Slope'

The Quantico gathering included speeches from both Hegseth and President Donald Trump, the former calling to minimize the number of fat generals while enforcing stricter military facial hair policies across branches. He mentioned achieving a higher male standard that some have surmised is the Defense Departments (now federally known as the War Department) attempt to push some females out of the military altogether.

Hegseth also railed against woke garbage infiltrating forces and implored service members to embrace the administrations aforementioned warrior ethos, with those not getting on board encouraged to resign.

An Air Force general who was in the room on Sept. 30 spoke to Military.com on the condition of anonymity, saying that when they first learned of the intended gathering, it was perceived as a loyalty check. There was even a thought that some admirals and generals would be forced to resign on [the] scene.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meets with a National Guardsman in Union Station as part of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, Washington, Aug. 20, 2025. (Department of War/Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza, DOD)

But then as time went on, we realized that it was going to be such a public forum and that was just unrealisticthat it probably was just going to be what we ended up seeing: a very scripted speech and very partisan speech, said the general with decades of service. There were a lot of fears going into it.

My chief and I kind of war-gamed it ahead of time, like, Hey, if this happens, how will we react? If people stand up and clap, will we sit? Will we stand and not clap? How are we going to handle these situations? Or if [Hegseth] asks us to do something that is so completely against our morals and values, will we just walk out of the room?

The general said Hegseths remarks induced a slippery slope of what may happen moving forward, including potential harassment of minority and female military members that may discourage their service altogether and lead to resignations. Even making formal complaints could become cumbersome.

Weve never had a secretary of defense speak even remotely in a partisan way the way this man [Hegseth] does, the general added, claiming Hegseths brand of conservatism has been invoked in the traditionally nonpartisan Armed Forces. Thats discouraging because obviously the military isnt a political organization, or at least were not supposed to be. So, that was hard, it was a slap in the face.

I thought all of those generals and senior enlisted leaders and admirals who were in the room who had dedicated their lives to this, and then for their ultimate leader to just say the things that he said, was just incredibly frustrating.

An anonymous senior-level Defense Department official with decades of experience had the following reaction when news of the Quantico gathering spread: Youve got to be kidding me.

They said the situation harkened back to Hegseths words following his initial appointment, from Fox News co-host to oversee the worlds most powerful military, which was effectively described as a pro-Trump campaign speech devoid of specifics.

Thats what I was anticipating, heres another campaign plan speech, the official said. Its going to be about men and women in the military, and a snot-nosed major in the National Guard talking down to seasoned senior officers who have 30, 40, 45 years as military professionals.

Thats what I thought, and thats exactly what he delivered.

They couldnt believe they were seeing generals being talked down to as if they were platoon leadersbeing used as pawns in sort of a public relations, political demonstration.

President Donald Trump is greeted by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth before speaking to a gathering of top U.S. military commanders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Quantico, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

An anonymous sergeant in the U.S. Army, who was not present that day in Quantico, told Military.com that the entire scene surrounding that days events was disturbing.

It was just very scary because my feeling when I first heard about all this was that Hegseth and Trump want to get a loyalty oath out of the military to void our loyalty to the Constitution, to protect the American people and pledge loyalty to them no matter what, the sergeant said. It reminds me of Hitlers rise to power.

The uniformed member described the situation as ironic, due to the complete incompetence coming from this administration and how it could save Americans and the military itself.

Asked to elaborate, the sergeant was blunt in his perspective: These guys are just incredibly stupid, they keep f****** up so much.

Hegseth has been involved in so many Signal scandals he cant save himself, the sergeant said. There are leaks constantly going on, even though hes trying to find the leakers. He is the most unqualified and most incompetent secretary of defense that weve ever had, and he needs to go.

And morale, from what I have seen, is very, very low in the militarylike Ive never seen it before.

Parnell told Military.com that current, former service members and defense officials who are speaking out anonymously in the media should put their names to their comments if that's what they truly believe in and consider resigning from their post.

Our warriors deserve senior leaders who support the mission and put warfighting first, Parnell said.

Reaction To The 'Show'

Marty France is a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general who spent more than a decade as Permanent Professor and head of the Department of Astronautics and Engineering at the USAF Academy.

I thought that the generals and the senior enlisted advisors handled it in the absolute perfect manner that our military should, France told Military.com. In other words, they respectfully received the message and went on their way. They didnt really, as a group, show any emotion. They, of course, didnt show any disrespect either and sat quietly and received the message.

U.S. military senior leadership listen as President Donald Trump speaks at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 in Quantico, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The concerns of the 1981 Air Force Academy graduate and parent of a 2006 graduate mimicked others regarding loyalty pledges and meeting in person when the addresses that day could have theoretically been conducted virtually. The presentations by Trump and Hegseth were antithetical to the way service members responded, he added.

I think the message that was sent to the rest of America, that our military does insist on standing above the fray and remaining apolitical while obeying the orders of our legal superiors, is absolutely the correct message, he added. I couldnt have been prouder of how they handled it.

And I think it also demonstrated how incompetent and bumbling the two speakers at the event were.

France mentioned how Hegseth tasked the roughly 2.1 million currently serving service members to watch his speech or read the transcript by Oct. 31, 2025.

I absolutely think thats a wonderful idea, France said. I want everyone to see what a complete bumbling mess he is and to see how silly and unprofessional and incoherent the rantings of both of them were.

I think thats good so people can actually see firsthand what were dealing with.

Irv Halter, a retired two-star numbered Air Force commander who served more than 32 years, called what occurred on Sept. 30 unprecedented and rejected some notions, like that of Vice President JD Vance and others, that occurrences like these are not all that unusual.

He referred to the days events as a show rather than a serious meeting planned clandestinely that included no media attention. Then, Trump got involved because he cant pass up a camera, Halter said.

You dont announce to the world, Hey, Im bringing all the senior leadership from all the services from across the world into one place, and Im going to spend time with them in front of TV cameras. Its just crazy, said Halter, who formerly ran for Congress as a Democrat in Colorado.

Halter and others who spoke to Military.com praised the disposition of service members in attendance, whose quiet patience while in attendance drew attention from onlookers. During his speech, Trump told the generals: If you dont like what Im saying, you can leave the room. Of course, there goes your rank, there goes your future.

U.S. military senior leadership listen as President Donald Trump speaks at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025 in Quantico, Va. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Once upon a time, some in the room worked directly for Halter.

People from the outside dont understand.  These are people who have decided to stay in the service for a long time, he said. Theyre very capable, seasoned leaders. So, this idea that they stick around because theyre afraid about their jobstheyre not afraid about their jobs. They can make money anywhere.

They do what they do because they think its important and they care. And thats why they stay in the room, because they still have a service to run or operations to run on behalf of the United States. And theyre the best, capable, best qualified people to do that.

Wider Implications

Mike Farrell, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran known for his role as Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt on the television series M*A*S*H, described the motives of the Trump administrationbe it the meeting at Quantico or potential escalation of a war with Venezuelaas insane.

He believes Trump is mentally ill and that those behind the scenes, naming White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, are steering the country in disputable manners.

I think were in a very new place, Farrell told Military.com.

The U.S. military is respected internationally and has been for decades not only because of the potential that they maintain, Farrell said, but also because of the fact that they are respectful of relationships and the chain of command.

While hes glad he didnt have to deal with the horrors of the Vietnam War and disagreed with policy decisions, he said the Constitution requires service members to follow what the Constitution requires.

When the head of the nation and the people hes appointed to do the work around and maintain the institutions have become so mindlessly brutal and stupidly self-aggrandizing, it seems to me to be a totally different world that were creating, where were losing respect around the world, he said.

Christian Nationalism Within The Ranks

Mikey Weinstein has been fighting against Christian nationalism in the military since Feb. 4, 2004.

The Air Force veteran was born and bred through his own military service. Not only did he serve but so did his father, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, as well as his two sons who are also Air Force Academy graduates. Seven members of his family in total attended the Academy.

Mikey Weinstein during his time as White House counsel shaking hands with Ronald Reagan at Reagan's birthday party. (MRFF)

More than two decades ago, his focus shifted. That was the same time Mel Gibsons film The Passion of the Christ was released in theaters.

It was astounding the degree to which the cadet chain of command and officer chain of command at the Air Force Academy was essentially almost making it mandatory for the cadets to go see this movie, Weinstein told Military.com. Every meal in Mitchell Hall had a flyer on it, on the plate every meal. You go into the academic building, Fairchild Hall, [and] you couldnt see the wallsit was plastered with these posters.

Thats when I began to realize, what the f*** is going on here? I had three of my kids there at the time. This kind of changed my life. My wife and I realized that theres something wrong here.

It led to him founding the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), a civil rights organization with clients spanning all military branches in addition to officials within the Defense Department and all U.S. national security agencies. MRFF has been nominated myriad times for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Weinstein analogizes MRFFs Christian clientele with the mathematical constant of Pi, in that as the members have grown over two decades the percentage of Christianshovering around 95%has also remained consistent.

We found out that 10 years before the Mel Gibson movie, every Christmas the last edition of the Air Force Academy newspaper had a weekly newspaper that would come out, he recalled. The last page of it was filled with the most senior people at the academy and their spouses, making it clear that the only true hope for mankind was our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

It was signed by scores of members of the faculty and the chain of command, etc. Obviously, these are all unbelievable violations of the separation of church and state. And this is what kind of formed what we were doing.

Mikey Weinstein receiving the first ever Person of the Year Award in 2011 from Americans United for Separation of Church and State. (MRFF)

That message to separate church and state, especially within the military, has been Weinsteins calling card for many years. In turn, its made him and his family targets for those who have disagreed with his tactics and intent.

He has many firearms in his home. When he and his wife leave the house, they conceal-carry weapons. They have what he describes as elite-level protection in the form of canines, bodyguards and infrared cameras, along with close relationships forged with local law enforcement and district attorneys.

The windows of his home have been shot out twice. Animals have been beheaded, disemboweled and left for dead on his property. Beer bottles have been thrown. Swastikas have been painted on his house. Feces has been rubbed on his mailbox.

Id never tasted anti-Semitism until my first six months at the Air Force Academy, and then I got it in spades, said Weinstein, who post-service served as former presidential candidate Ross Perots general counsel. I got beaten twice within a week, unconscious.  A generation later, my kids were going through this stuff.

We are here to give a voice to these members of the military. If you want to believe in that tree down the road, or Spider-Man, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster, as your deityor no deity, humanism, atheism thats fine. But its time, place and manner.

The MRFF, which has some 1,200 workers and representatives on almost every military installation including nuclear submarines and nuclear aircraft carriers, has four foundational principles: to chronicle what is happening, to expose it, to intervene, and to attack when able.

The current scourge of Christian nationalism is being filtered through the government and military, Weinstein and others claim.

One of the service members who spoke to Military.com described themselves as a practicing Roman Catholic who doesnt fit the present mold of a dominionist or fundamentalist, a diehard Christian nationalist. They sought MRFF for help in terms of their own moral quandaries and fears of retribution within the ranks.

There are well-organized, well-funded organizations in this country who see the military as a mission field, the senior defense official said. Having Hegseth in charge of the military is just one piece of that bigger equation of God and country and achieving what Christian nationalists ultimately want to achieveand dominion, make this a Christian country.

Its much worse now than nearly 20 years ago, they added, when MRFF took umbrage with Maj. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr., ex-Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and six other military officers sanctioning, participating in a promotional video for an evangelical group called Christian Embassy while wearing uniforms.

But coming from the Secretary of War, that is a whole other level, they said.

A chaplain endorser from an Evangelical background who spoke anonymously with Military.com currently helps represent typically independent Christian churches and the clergy they produce who desire to be federal or civilian chaplains. That includes 725 current chaplains endorsed, elected and serving.

The endorser, a former Army active-duty and Reserve chaplain, said that their ideology is very inclusive and that Gods out there and He loves everybody. Their work tends to align with more independent churches and not a denominational brand, with chaplains freer to administer and have their own philosophies that may not fit with other denominations.

When I originally went into the Army chaplaincy myself, there was a real spirit of camaraderie whatever that chaplains faith waswhether they were Protestant or Jewish or Muslim, Roman Catholic, whatever, the veteran said. We all genuinely cared about one another, and we were all there to be helpful to service members.

That type of openness in ideology today, compared to the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, is missing, said the chaplain. They said things have changed due to politics and personal ideologies, extending even beyond religion to minimize the prospects of potential female chaplains due simply to gender.

Im just going to be blunt: the folks that look like mewhite, Evangelical, male chaplains and their endorsersin my opinion increasingly felt empowered.  [The chaplaincy] was originally about to perform or provide for the free exercise of religion for anybody who came to them, they said.

They continued: Instead, theres been a hard right swingand by right, I mean politically, theologicallythat [they]re] there to convert them.  That took on a whole different flavor, a whole different tone, a whole different philosophy/worldview. Thats not turned out well.

Author's Note: Mike Farrell, Marty France, Irv Halter and Larry Wilkerson are MRFF Advisory Board members.

Americans' Role

The National Guard continues its presence across American cities. Citizens and public officials spar with one another over immigration-related activity, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the center. The U.S. has increased aggression against nations like Venezuela without congressional approval.

Those who spoke with Military.com expressed concern about the future of American leadership while expressing optimism regarding the stability of the military and its membersshould traditional guardrails hold and individuals of conscience continue to serve.

If all the good guys leave, therell be nothing but bad guys left and galsmaybe not too many gals because Hegseth doesnt seem to like women too much, either, Wilkerson said. My adviceI gave it to Colin Powell for 16 yearsis youre not ordered to do anything unethical or immoral. Stay and make your stay as ethical, moral and constitutional as you can.

Because if we get nothing in the military or we get a sizable minority even in the military of leaders who will not object to a coup, we will have a coup. Theres no way any state in the world really can be overthrown by a particular leader unless she has the military, the one element with the right to use force, if you will, and armed to the teeth to do so, that is absolutely necessary to a takeover of the government.

President Donald Trump speaks to a gathering of top U.S. military commanders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Quantico, Va. (Andrew Harnik/Pool via AP)

What Farrell finds frightening is that he believes Trump wants to not only please world leaders and adversaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin, but also emulate them and their behavior. That could create the domestic possibility for terrible damage to occur without military action but posturing, he said.

It puts our troops at risk, I think, and it worries me greatly, Farrell said. So, I think we are adrift a bit internationally now. The leadership of the Western nations is tolerating, as best they can, the kind of erratic behavior of Trump. But I think theyre significantly perturbed by it, and I think theyre appropriately worried about it.  Who knows who [Trumps] trying to curry favor with, it could lead to a really terrible result.

The senior Defense Department official told Military.com that they have drawn a line and debated their future within the Defense Department, attributing sticking around to maintaining steady employment and a salary. That, along with a sense of patriotism.

[Im] disgusted, they said. Where is the outrage on the part of the American people about the way the whole administration is being run? I know that sounds very partisan, but lets get specific. Do you care at all about how federal workers are being treated? Do you care at all about the talent thats leaving, in the thousandspeople I know and work with that are good, valuable employees.

I mean, I still care, right?

The Air Force general shared the sentiment, saying the people in the room at Quantico that fall day arent dumb. They are well-educated individuals, many with masters degrees, who understand the challenges ahead.

The general has forged forward with compliments from peers and an understanding that their work and knowledge is meaningful and beneficial to the U.S. military and in turn Americans. It hasn't been easy, however.

I would guess that a lot of the people in that room are the same as me, they said. Every day its a moral dilemma, like, how can I keep serving this organization?

But if I dont keep serving this organization, then whos going to replace me? And whos going to protect my people who are still here? And whos going to protect my mission? I think so many people are asking themselves that question every day.

Some notable, recent service member resignations have included Air Force Chief of Staff David Allvin and Navy Chief of Staff Jon Harrison. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, head of the U.S. Military's Southern Command, will retire Dec. 12 but hasn't stated reasoning for his impending departure.

Wilkerson warns that if individuals who disagree with the current trajectory of the U.S. military and government resign or walk away without attempting to right the proverbial ship, it could just allow the administrations most sycophantic subscribers to ultimately possess even more power.

Ultimately, its up to the people to ensure their countrys success. That could be in the form of vocal denunciation or physical protests, like a massive one with 2 million people that Wilkerson found himself in 2003 in Iraq.

People should be basically ashamed of themselves that weve let our republic get to this state, Wilkerson said. But you can say that all day long. People are worried about their next paycheck, about their job, about their kids.

But ultimately, were all responsible for this republic. And when we neglect our responsibilities, things are going to get bad.
Actor Wang Deshun interacts with the audience at a cinema in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

SHENYANG, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- As the stage lights up, 65-year-old Li Wenshan, whose fans affectionately refer to him as "Grandpa Shanshan," stands at the microphone with his right hand tucked casually in his pocket. In the crowd below, more than 700 youthful faces look up in anticipation. Many had snapped up tickets a month in advance or traveled from other cities just to watch the silver-haired comedian perform live.

Li is a military veteran-turned-comedian from the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang. After he retired from the military following over 30 years of service, he developed a passion for stand-up comedy by watching online videos, which led him to pursue a new career as a live performer and online influencer.

On stage, Li is often clad in his trademark blue shirt, speaking with calm wit and spinning stories of family squabbles, memory lapses and even mortality into humorous tales that resonate across generations. Today, he performs regularly in various cities around China and has amassed over 1 million social media followers.

Li is just one of a growing number of elderly Chinese residents who are embracing the digital world and connecting with a massive following of young people. According to a report from the China Internet Network Information Center, China had 161 million internet users aged 60 and above by June 2025, with an internet penetration rate of 52 percent among the group.

Social media platforms have also been enhancing accessibility for their growing senior user bases through upgrades involving simplified interfaces and voice technology, among other features.

On Chinese short-video platforms, users can scroll through colorful feeds from elderly influencers. "Granny Meiying," an influencer in her 90s, has amassed over 1 million fans of her vlogs documenting her incredibly busy, productive daily routine, which many young viewers see as a model of purposeful living and resilience.

A hugely popular account on Douyin, which is the Chinese version of TikTok, showcases the lives of senior residents with an average age of over 75 who live at the Jingya Nursing Home in the northern city of Tianjin, and has garnered more than 10 million likes to date.

For 27-year-old Hu Yihang, watching these silver-haired creators has become a cherished nightly ritual. They often remind him of his grandparents, he told Xinhua, which brings him a sense of familiarity and comfort.

Many members of Hu's generation share this affection for elderly influencers, actively supporting them by purchasing tickets to their shows, following their content and engaging with their online posts.

"The intergenerational connection is key to the appeal of silver-haired influencers to Gen Z," said Zhang Sining, a researcher at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, adding that for many young people, the charm of these elderly creators lies in their "slow-living" lifestyle -- a comforting antidote to the pressures of a fast-paced modern world.

Zhang also noted that the popularity of elderly influencers is a powerful showcase of ageless vitality, presenting a vision of aging that is secure, joyful and purposeful.

According to Li, his audience -- once dominated by young people -- now includes more middle-aged and elderly viewers. Some young fans even bring along their parents, who seek his advice on performing.

"I'm happy to see more seniors on the stand-up stage," he said. 

Actor Wang Deshun (C) interacts with the audience at a cinema in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
BUSAN, South Korea  President Donald Trump appeared to suggest the U.S. will resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time in three decades, saying it would be on an equal basis with Russia and China.

There was no indication the U.S. would start detonating warheads, but the president offered few details about what seemed to be a significant shift in U.S. policy.

He made the announcement on social media minutes before he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday in South Korea. When he spoke to reporters later aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington, he offered little clarity.

The U.S. military already regularly tests its missiles that are capable of delivering a nuclear warhead, but it has not detonated the weapons since 1992 because of a test ban.

But the president suggested that changes were necessary because other countries were testing weapons. It was unclear what he was referring to, but it evoked Cold War-era escalations.

Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," he said in a post on Truth Social. "That process will begin immediately.

The White House did not immediately respond to questions seeking more details. Trump ignored a question from a reporter about his post as he sat face-to-face with Xi in Busan, a meeting that focused on trade issues between the two countries.

When he spoke to reporters later, Trump appeared to be conflating the testing of missiles that deliver a nuclear warhead with the testing of the warheads.

Other countries, he said, seem to all be nuclear testing but when it comes to the U.S., We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We dont do testing.

I see them testing and I say, well, if theyre going to test, I guess we have to test, Trump said as he continued speaking to reporters.

Trump was asked where the tests would occur and he said, Itll be announced. We have test sites.

Pentagon officials didnt immediately respond to questions about the announcement from Trump on the nuclear missile tests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin this week announced that Russia tested a new atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone and a new nuclear-powered cruise missile. Putin did not announce any tests of Russia's nuclear weapons, however, which last occurred in 1990.

Trump did not specifically mention the Russian tests in his post, but alluded to the nuclear stockpiles controlled by both Xi and Putin, saying, Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.

Putin in 2023 signed a bill revoking Russias ratification of a global nuclear test ban, which Moscow said was needed to put Russia on par with the U.S.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which was adopted in 1996 and bans all nuclear explosions anywhere in the world, was signed by President Bill Clinton but never ratified by the Senate.

Russia in 2023 said it would only resume tests of its nuclear weapons if Washington did it first.

Earlier this year, Trump signaled he wanted to push his Russian and Chinese counterparts in the other direction, saying he wanted to resume nuclear arms control talks with both countries.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson called on the U.S. to refrain from carrying out nuclear tests.

China hopes the U.S. will earnestly fulfill its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and honor its commitment to suspend nuclear testing, Guo Jiakun said at a briefing in Beijing.

Despite his announcement that sounded like an escalation, Trump told reporters that he would like to see a denuclearization and de-scalation.

We are actually talking to Russia about that, Trump said, though he did not elaborate.

Daryl Kimball, the executive director of the Washington-based Arms Control Association, quickly criticized the president's announcement and said Trump was misinformed and out of touch.

Kimball, in social media posts, said the U.S. has no reason to resume nuclear explosive testing and it would take at least 36 months to resume testing at the former test site in Nevada, where the last detonations occurred underground.

By foolishly announcing his intention (to) resume nuclear testing, Trump will trigger strong public opposition in Nevada, from all U.S. allies, and it could trigger a chain reaction of nuclear testing by U.S. adversaries, and blow apart the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty," Kimball said in a post on X.

Japanese survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end World War II condemned Trumps announcement.

The act vehemently opposes all countries that are endeavoring to achieve a nuclear-free and peaceful world and absolutely cannot be tolerated, said Jiro Hamasumi, secretary general of Nihon Hidankyo, a survivors organization that won the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.

___

Price reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Konstantin Toropin, Ken Moritsugu in Beijing and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.
Something's Wrong

Rick Colts knew something was wrong the moment his military working dog changed his search pattern.

It was June 1, 2011, the final patrol before Colts and his German shepherd, Torry, were scheduled to return to Camp Leatherneck for refit ahead of their return home from Afghanistan. A Special Forces team had requested a K9 unit, and Colts and Torry joined them to help secure a site for new base in Helmand Province.

Torry started working his pattern, and when he starts getting into it, he smells some kind of explosives, Colts said. I instantly knew something was up. I held up the patrol; he did his pattern. He went up the right side of the roadway 100 meters, then the left side, then started working his way back.

The team was conducting a patrol up a roadway that had reportedly been cleared and monitored all night by infrared cameras. Then Torry noticed something.

I saw his change in behavior, the difference in the way he's searching, Colts said. Now he's running directly at me, like I was the explosive. He thought the dog was returning for his reward toy. He got to me, and sat in front of me staring over at a bush by the side of the road right next to me.

Before Colts could relay the codeword for explosive ordnance disposal, the IED detonated.

The only reason I'm still alive is Torry was between me and the bomb, Colts said. It blew up through him, it threw bones, rocks, metal into me, knocked me from one side of the road to the other, off the road.

Military Working Dog Torry stares at one of his reward toys while off-duty during his deployment to Afghanistan. Military Working Dogs provided an essential role for infantry units out on patrol, being able to detect improvised explosive devices. (Rick Colts)

From California to Combat: A Marine K9 Handler's Journey

Colts, born in 1988, lived across multiple states before finishing high school in Fall River Mills, California. Military service was his destiny. His grandfather was a Marine, his great-grandfather served in the Seabees, and his uncle trained dogs in the Air Force.

I always knew I'd join, Colts said. It put me on the path. I always knew, because of family.

He left for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego 10 days after high school graduation in June 2007. After completing military police officer training at Fort Leonard Wood, Colts competed for one of the coveted K9 handler slots, requiring high physical fitness test scores and passing a selection board.

His uncle's service inspired him to pursue the K9 handler specialty, and he was one of the few selected to train military working dogs. Although he always had dogs growing up, the training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas prepared him for the unique demands of working with dogs in a military capacity.

Being a Marine on an Air Force Base is the greatest thing ever, he joked.

Upon completing the training, Colts was assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group at Camp Lejeune.

Marine Cpl. Rick Colts poses with military working dog Bona after completing K9 handler training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. Colts deployed to Iraq in 2009 and Afghanistan in 2010-2011 as a handler with II Marine Expeditionary Force. (Rick Colts)

Military Working Dogs in Iraq and Afghanistan

Military working dogs played a massive role in World War II, hauling ammunition, guarding bases, and helping detect enemy troops. During the Vietnam War, military canines proved vital to finding enemy supply caches and detecting enemies in the jungle. Following this, they were slowly downsized across the military over the next three decades.

Military dogs were again called upon and served crucial roles in both Iraq and Afghanistan, detecting improvised explosive devices that became the signature weapons faced by Coalition troops in both conflicts. These specialized canines and their handlers conducted route clearances, vehicle searches, and building entries, often working ahead of infantry patrols to identify hidden explosives. Around 100 American military working dogs were killed while engaging the enemy during the Global War on Terrorism.

Colts deployed to Iraq in 2009 with his first military working dog, Aja, an all-black German shepherd. Stationed at bases including Baharia outside Fallujah, Al Taqaddum, and Al Asad, the team conducted gate security, route clearances, and searches of government buildings during what Colts described as Iraq's cooling-down period.

Aja was high-energy and strong-willed, an excellent search dog who loved to work.

During one mission searching a Fallujah government building, an Iraqi general became enraged about the dog's presence. Black dogs carry a particular stigma in some Middle Eastern cultures.

He came over yelling and screaming, very unhappy about us searching the building, Colts said. Dogs are dirty in their culture. There's a stigma with dogs, especially black dogs. I was trying to get the interpreter to calm him down. The guy went to grab me, and Aja snatched his arm and started whipping him side to side. Then the dude ran back in the building.

Colts received a reprimand from his captain, but the dog had performed exactly as trained, protecting her handler from an aggressive approach.

The seven-month Iraq deployment proved frustrating for a different reason. We searched thousands and thousands of vehicles on a daily basis, Colts said.

The handlers had to routinely plant items for their working dogs to find so that their morale didnt falter. Boredom and complacency became a daily battle for the team.

When they returned to Camp Lejeune, Aja was reassigned to another handler. Colts watched others work with his former partner, and it was difficult to see the training he'd put into her not being fully utilized.

Military working dog Torry rests in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2011. The German shepherd conducted route clearances and IED detection missions with Marine Cpl. Rick Colts before being killed in action protecting his handler. (Rick Colts)

Meeting Torry

After returning from Iraq and completing a leadership course, Colts was assigned a new partner.

He was a beast, Colts said of Torry, a traditional brown-and-black German shepherd. Smart dog, not great at attacking. He would, but it wasn't his thing. But he looked very aggressive. He had one broken ear that flopped to the side.

Torry earned the nickname Houdini for repeatedly escaping his kennel and breaking into other dogs' enclosures. On Colts' first day on duty with him, Torry broke out and locked himself in his girlfriend's kennel. The kennel staff resorted to using padlocks.

The 2010-2011 Afghanistan deployment was the opposite of Iraq. Colts and Torry conducted constant patrols throughout Helmand Province, sometimes twice daily. They worked with various infantry units and two different Special Forces teams, walking ahead of patrols to clear roadways of IEDs.

Helmand Province was a vicious battleground during that time as the Marines tried to wrest control of the region from the Taliban. IEDs were a daily occurrence for the Marines, casualties mounted. K9 teams, like Colts and Torry, worked tirelessly to combat them and protect the infantry.

Military working dog Torry, a German shepherd with II Marine Expeditionary Force, wears a pair of shades while deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Torry was killed in action on June 1, 2011, while protecting his handler from an IED blast. (Rick Colts)

Torrys Sacrifice

Colts woke on the other side of the road, disoriented. He couldn't open his eyes. His corpsman, concerned about secondary IEDs, called out for Colts to navigate to him by sound. Pumped full of morphine, Colts was loaded onto a helicopter and evacuated from the battlefield.

I asked the guys where my dog was and to get my dog, Colts said. It wasn't until I woke up in the hospital that my gunny told me Torry was dead. I had been evacuated and was headed home.

The emotional toll was immediate.

Heartbroken, Colts said. I was thinking, did I do something wrong? Did he? Was it something we did? Was anyone else injured? The idea I got someone blown up went through my head. It's one thing for it to be me, another for someone else.

Only Colts and his machine gunner, who took minor shrapnel wounds, were wounded in the blast. Torry was Killed in Action.

Doctors removed pounds of muscle from Colts' legs, arms, and chest. His body armor absorbed much of the damage, but he initially faced amputation of his left hand and left leg, as well as the loss of one of his eyes.

I told them to leave it all in place, nothing gone, Colts said. They argued. I made my feelings clear. They told me I'd never live without pain or walk again.

Over 15 days, Colts underwent approximately 20 surgeries. A month passed before he could return to his unit at Camp Lejeune on light duty. He made an impressive recovery, but walked with a cane for three months and continues to live with chronic pain and nerve damage.

He remained in the Marine Corps for nearly another year before separating on June 25, 2012, as a corporal. His awards include the Purple Heart and numerous deployment medals.

Torry's name was placed on a memorial plaque in Afghanistan honoring him and another fallen K9, along with both of the wounded handlers.

Marine Cpl. Rick Colts recovers at a military hospital following the June 1, 2011 IED blast in Afghanistan that killed his military working dog Torry and resulted in approximately 20 surgeries over 15 days. (Rick Colts)

Searching for Purpose After Service

After leaving the Marines, Colts considered law enforcement. But in 2012, he returned to Iraq as a contract K9 handler at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

The experience was disappointing. Many of his fellow contractors were police officers, not military veterans, and Colts worried the dogs weren't properly trained for serious threats. Building a rapport with the contract dogs proved difficult after losing Torry.

It wasn't the same, he said.

After his time in Baghdad, Colts returned stateside and changed directions. He attended the University of South Florida and earned degrees in geology and environmental science. Today, he works as a hydrogeologist in Florida, specializing in underground water systems.

He's married and raising two children: his 18-year-old brother and 12-year-old son. His younger brother plans to join the Marines as an infantryman after graduation.

Their family includes another important member: Atlas, a golden retriever.

It means everything to me, there's been times we didn't have [a dog], it's the emptiest I can feel, Colts said. Having a dog here, to give everything I wish I could have given to Torry, a safe home, a happy life, it means a lot.

Memorial plaque at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan honors military working dogs Torry and another K9 killed in action, along with their wounded handlers from the 2010-2011 deployment to Helmand Province. (Rick Colts)

The Bond Between Handler and Dog

Theyre kind of your partner, kind of your best friend, Colts said of the handler-K9 relationship. They are there for everything. Your life is in their hands, and theirs is in yours. But they are Marine Corps equipment. At the end of the day, they belong to the Marine Corps, just like a weapon. If they want to take it, they can. You still build quite a thick relationship with them.

Most civilians remain unaware that military working dogs exist beyond high-profile operations like the Osama bin Laden raid, Colts noted. Fellow service members who served alongside Colts and Torry occasionally reach out to share stories and express condolences.

Its a great experience, Colts said.

Marine Cpl. Rick Colts and military working dog Torry are silhouetted during a patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2011. K9 teams walked ahead of Marine infantry units to detect improvised explosive devices along roadways and in compounds. (Photo by Marine Corps Sgt. Mark Verig)

A Veteran Living for Two

Colts carries Torry's memory through action rather than words. He tries to live his life to the fullest, stay active in the community, and enjoy time with his golden retriever, Atlas.

The physical limitations persist, but Colts refuses to let pain define his existence. When asked what he wants Torry remembered for, Colts' answer is simple and absolute.

For being a badass, Colts said. He did a great job while over there, saved many lives.

The Marine Corps remains central to Colts' identity despite his transition to civilian life.

The Marine Corps is family. It's who I am, Colts said. Doesn't matter who I am, or that I graduated from some big colleges, did a lot in the field. At the core of who I am, I'll always be a Marine.

Rick Colts carries the memory of Military Working Dog Torry with him everywhere. He uses this as inspiration to live his life to the fullest and spoil his Golden Retriever, Atlas. (Rick Colts)

On June 1, 2011, on a roadside in Helmand Province, Torry detected a threat, alerted his handler, and positioned himself between Colts and the bomb. The dog absorbed the blast that would have killed the Marine.

Colts lives with chronic pain and will carry that in his body for life. But he walks. He works. He raises his family. He spoils his golden retriever.

And he remembers the Marine Corps dog who gave him that chance.
For many veterans, keeping their formal uniforms long after theyve served is important. But for Jose Pequeno, a 51-year-old from Tampa, Florida, his pristine Marine dress blues carried a little more significance.

Pequeno suffered a devastating injury that nearly killed him while serving in Iraq. He survived but was permanently damaged. Last year, he was crestfallen while preparing to attend a military ball and realized he could no longer wear his sparkling uniform.

He had outgrown it, his mother, Nellie, told Fox 13 News in Tampa. Jose just started crying.

A Kind Gesture

Despite the heartache, Pequenos mother dressed him in his Army uniform (he had joined the National Guard after his time in the Marine Corps), and they decided to attend the event. Thats when another marine stepped in to help.



Jose Pequeno at home following his medical discharge from the Marine Corps. Pequeno suffered a severe head injury while serving in combat in Iraq. (Photo courtesy of Fox 13 Tampa)

The couple ran into Jerry Shaffer, who had started the Red Star Foundation to prevent veteran suicide. Nellie struck up a conversation with Shaffer.

She said, Jose gets mad at me when I dress him in his Army uniform, because he wants to wear his Marine uniform," Shaffer said. And I said, 'Why doesn't he?' Thats when she told me hed outgrown it. So, I immediately looked at her and said, I'm gonna get him a set.

A few months later, Pequeno received possibly the most generous surprise of his life. While attending a 5K in a church parking lot in St. Petersburg, Shaffer walked up to his fellow Marine. In his hands, he held the items Pequeno had lost  a new marine uniform, hat, gloves, the whole ensemble.

Overcome with emotion, Pequeno cried again  this time, happy tears  while Nellie teared up as well. A crowd had gathered to see what was happening and erupted into cheers when Shaffer presented Pequeno with the uniform.

This means so much to him," Nellie said.

Help from Fellow Soldiers

Shaffer called on his fellow soldiers to help Pequeno. The Marine Corps League Detachment 54, along with the Order of the Purple Heart Chapters in the Tampa area, worked together to make Pequenos dream a reality.

As soon as Pequeno arrived home, his nurse dressed him in his full Marine Corps uniform.

He looks so handsome," Nellie said. "He's gone through so much. But I wouldn't change it for the world.

Surviving the Horrific Injury

Some may call it a miracle, but somehow Pequeno is still alive.

Serving as a military police officer, Pequeno was on patrol as a member of the National Guard, roaming through the streets of Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006. An insurgent, spotting a turret opening in the roof of a Humvee Pequeno that was riding in, threw a grenade into the hole, and it detonated. The blast killed Pequenos driver. Pequeno was in such bad shape, the soldiers who came to rescue him feared he was also dead.

His mother received a phone call she will never forget.

"And it was a phone call that took a piece of me that I won't be able to get back, she said.

Fortunately, Pequeno had his door partially ajar, which allowed him to be blown out of the vehicle, probably saving his life. But the injuries were catastrophic.

"He lost half of his brain. Fifty-one percent," Nellie said.

Jose Pequeno's mother, Nellie, looks at her son all decked out in his dress blues. (Photo courtesy of Fox 13 Tampa)

The Army chose not to fly his mother overseas, believing her son would not be alive when she arrived. Doctors stabilized Pequeno and transported him to a naval hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. While the circumstances were dire, Nellie refused to let hope fade.

"Nobody thought he'd survive," she said. "Good or bad, there's always a purpose, and I believe in that, and I always said, He's gonna live.

Staying Strong

In the past two decades, Pequeno has endured 34 surgeries. He can barely use his left hand and still cant speak or walk. He communicates with eye movements and some sounds. Nellie said her son understands what others are saying. And hes using his limited abilities to help struggling veterans.

Fellow Marines have called his home, saying theyre done with life. Theyre giving up. Pequeno would not let them.

I would translate for them and tell them, 'No, he's telling you no; he's crying, don't do that,'" Nellie said. It's not just saving lives; it's giving purpose to people. They look at him and say, Who am I to not want to do things if he's doing this?
U.S. Marines stand ready amid rising tensions with Venezuela. President Trump's administration has ramped up military presence in the Caribbean, targeting Nicolas Maduro's regime. Deployments include thousands of Marines and sailors, plus naval assets, as part of counter-narcotics operations that could shift to direct intervention.

Marines train at the Jungle Warfare Training Center at Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa, Japan (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Diamond Peden)

Recent Military Buildup

U.S. forces have converged near Venezuela's coast. The USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group arrived in the region, joined by B-1B bombers flying close to Venezuelan airspace. Destroyers like USS Gravely docked in Trinidad and Tobago for joint exercises, prompting Venezuela to cut ties with the island nation. These moves follow President Donald J. Trumps statements on the Maduro regime, with some lawmakers warning of expanded conflict. Marines from II Marine Expeditionary Force lead the effort, focusing on rapid response capabilities.

The Marines are no stranger to operating out of nearby Trinidad and Tobago. In the last 10 years, Marines have strengthened partner nation collaboration and capacity on the island nation in Exercise TRADEWINDS 2017 and 2025. An Operations Officer who led planning efforts for one such exercise in Trinidad and Tobago stated, The island nation provides a perfect opportunity to train with multinational partners in SOUTHCOM. Speaking in 2017, a Marine Officer in Charge stated, The United States is interested in helping (partner nations) develop their capabilities because the safer the Caribbean waters are, the safer the United States is.

Lance Corporal Charles Yollin, an electrician with Combat Logistics Battalion 23, conducts training during TRADEWINDS, in Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sergeant Clemente Garcia)

Training for Jungle and Amphibious Operations

Marine units have intensified exercises suited to Venezuela's terrain. Jungle warfare training at facilities like Okinawas Jungle Warfare Training Center emphasizes navigation, survival, and small-unit tactics in humid, forested environments. Amphibious assault drills, including those from UNITAS exercises with Latin American/Caribbean partner nations, simulate beach landings and river crossings critical for Venezuelan operations. These sessions build on lessons from past deployments, ensuring Marines can operate in urban and rural settings against irregular forces.

U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicles during an amphibious assault at Bold Alligator, Camp Lejeune, NC (U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Tom Gagnier/Wikimedia Commons)

Strategic Role of Marines

Marines provide the expeditionary edge in any Venezuela scenario. With thousands of troops currently in the region, surges could reach tens of thousands for sustained action. Marine amphibious vehicles and air support enable quick strikes on key sites. Integration with SOCOM and Air Force assets forms a multi-domain force to counter Venezuelan defenses, including Russian-supplied systems. All actions are intended to defend U.S. interests against narco-terrorism.

A hypothetical conflict might start with blockades and/or airstrikes, followed by Marine insertions. Scenarios include securing borders with Colombia or amphibious landings near Caracas. Venezuela has mobilized 125,000 troops and civilians for defense, but U.S. superiority in technology and training favors Marines. Wagner Group's presence adds complexity, pitting private contractors against potential Marine ground forces. Risks include guerrilla warfare in jungles, where Marines' mobility would be tested. Key to success will be a strong coalition of Latin American and Caribbean nations seeking to end the Maduro regimes illicit practices in the region (not unlike the coalition with Arab nations that led to rapid success in the Gulf War).

Challenges and Readiness

Marines face logistical hurdles in sustained operations, including supply lines across the Caribbean. Recent strikes on narco vessels demonstrate lethal precision, with dozens of designated terrorists eliminated in international waters. Training incorporates lessons from Ukraine and Middle East conflicts to counter drones and asymmetric threats. Commanders stress adaptability, with units like the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit prepared for immediate deployment.

U.S. Navy air-cushioned landing craft during UNITAS 2025 (U.S. War Department, photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Preston Cash)

Path Forward

As tensions escalate, Marines remain the tip of the spear. Their preparation underscores the U.S. commitment to regional stability, potentially averting war through deterrence. If conflict arises, Marine capabilities could decide the outcome swiftly.
4:00pm: Nido will make $1.5MM if he makes the major league roster, per Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press.

1:56pm: Tomas Nido is heading back to Detroit on a minor league deal, according to the MiLB transactions log. Nido was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo in May. He elected free agency in mid-October, but will stick with the Detroit organization. Nido is represented by ACES.

Nido first joined the Tigers on a minor league deal in September 2024 after getting released by the Cubs. He elected minor league free agency at the end of the 2024 season, but reupped with Detroit in January 2025. This offseason played out similarly for the two sides.

Jake Rogers went down with an oblique injury in April, leading to an early call-up for Nido. He hit .343 in 11 games with the big-league club. All 12 of Nidos hits were singles. He also struck out at a 27% clip. Rogers returned in May, bumping Nido back to Toledo.

The 31-year-old Nido has spent parts of the past nine seasons with four MLB teams. The majority of his professional career has been spent in the Mets organization. He was drafted by New York in 2012.

Nido handled backup catcher duties for the Mets in varying stints from 2017 to 2024. His most active year was 2022, when he appeared in 98 games and reached 313 plate appearances. Nido scuffled to a .600 OPS that season. His tenure with the Mets ended in June of 2024. The Cubs quickly scooped up Nido after his release from the Mets. He made 17 appearances with Chicago before they moved on from him.

Defense has always been Nidos calling card. Statcasts Fielding Run Value grades him as a positive contributor in each season going back to 2018. Nido exceeded double-figures in fielding run value in both 2021 and 2022.

Dillon Dingler emerged as a strong option behind the plate for Detroit this past season, slashing .278/.327/.425 as the primary starter. Rogers remains in the fold as a reliable backup. Nido would likely need an injury to one of those two options in order to return to the MLB squad. Detroit also has catching prospects Josue Briceno and Thayron Liranzo looming in the minors. MLB.com ranks both Briceno and Liranzo as top 5 prospects in the organization.
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) has allocated 4 million U.S. dollars apiece for Haiti and Cuba to cope with Hurricane Melissa, a spokesperson said Wednesday.

The UN, in close coordination with affected nations, will explore launching appeals to address the humanitarian needs triggered by the disaster, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said in a statement.

"The Secretary-General is gravely concerned as Hurricane Melissa -- one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded -- unleashes widespread devastation across the Caribbean," he said.

The hurricane made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, bringing catastrophic rain and wind, before moving onward to Cuba and the Bahamas, and triggering floods in the Dominican Republic and in Haiti.

At least 20 people have died in Haiti as the hurricane swept through the country, local media reported on Wednesday.

Dujarric said the UN chief stands in solidarity with the governments and people affected by the hurricane, and conveys his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.

The allocation comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund of the UN, as part of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs' anticipatory action program, said the statement. 
LANSING, MI -- Members of Michigans marijuana industry want the court to block a new 24% wholesale tax on marijuana, set to take effect Jan. 1.

An Oct. 29 Court of Claims filing said the Comprehensive Road Funding Tax Act (CRFTA), passed on Oct. 3, which imposes the new tax is an unconstitutional statute adopted in derogation of the voters rights.

The law narrowly passed with bipartisan support following negotiations between the Republican-led House, Democrat-majority Senate and Gov. Gretchen Whitmers administration. The agreed-upon state budget relies heavily on the newly pegged marijuana tax revenue.

Whitmer previously proposed a 32% wholesale tax on marijuana, projecting it could generate about $470 million in new revenue for road repairs. A legislative analysis predicts the 24% tax will generate $420 million.

Related:Lawmakers finally approve Michigans 2026 budget, adding a 24% marijuana tax

However, marijuana insiders believe that figure is inflated and doesnt account for lost sales due to price increases, especially along the borders, where stores thrive selling to out-of-state buyers.

The new tax would make Michigans marijuana among the most heavily taxed in the nation.

Related: Michigan may soon have among the nations highest marijuana tax rate

The core argument against the tax focuses on origination of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act (MRTMA), which began as a ballot initiative passed by voters in 2018.

Among other things, the law established the tax structure that was put in place when recreational marijuana sales began in December 2019.

Since the law was initiated by voters, the state Constitution in an effort to protect the publics will requires a supermajority -- 3/4 support of both the House and Senate -- in order to amend it.

The state Senate narrowly passed legislation for the new tax, 19-17.

Politicians argue the original law doesnt preclude new taxes, and the new act doesnt alter the voter-passed taxes. Because it is a new and independent law, it doesnt infringe on MRTMA or require supermajority support, they say.

A lawsuit subsequently filed by the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association, a 400-plus business lobbying group, and PG Manufacturing, a Lansing-based marijuana business, called it legislative gamesmanship.

The lawsuit equates the tactics to efforts by the Legislature to subvert a ballot initiative aimed at providing guaranteed sick time and increased minimum wages in 2018.

In that case, the Legislature adopted a ballot proposal without amendment -- preventing it from appearing on the ballot -- and then amended the law later in the session. The state Supreme Court dubbed it an illegal adopt-and-amend scheme.

So, too, should this court find that the Legislatures current ploy subverts the will of the people, undermines faith in our governmental institutions and finds no support in our Constitution, the marijuana tax lawsuit argues.

The lawsuit claims other constitutional violations stemming from passage of the CRFTA.

It was introduced with vague language related to road funding and without mentioning marijuana.

While most bills are subject to committee hearings and debate before being reported by the committee to the floor, (this legislation) took a notably different path, the complaint said. On September 25, 2025, the House, by means of a mere voice vote, abruptly suspended its rules and discharged the bill from committee without that committee ever conducting a hearing.

Upon discharge, the House promptly voted to adopt a substitute to the bill that completely rewrote the body of the bill to create a convoluted structure for levying a 24% excise tax ... 

The bill passed 78-21 in the House, but would have required 83 votes in support to reach a supermajority.

Because it was voted on shortly after the addition of the marijuana language that fundamentally changed the purpose of the bill, the lawsuit claims it didnt meet a Constitutional requirement that it remain in the possession of each legislative chamber for a minimum of five days before passage.

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges the acts title didnt clearly reflect its purpose, as required by the state Constitution.

If the motion for a preliminary injunction is granted, the tax could be placed on hold until the lawsuit is resolved.

Marijuana industry insiders worry the tax will disrupt the market, causing businesses to fail -- and will ultimately be passed along to consumers.
The Michigan Department of Education has named 16 public schools in the state as Blue Ribbon Schools a couple of months after the national program quietly ended under President Donald Trump.

The state announced the schools on Thursday, Oct. 30, as nominated by MDE to receive the honor for being exemplary high-performing schools in 2025. According to a news release, they are:

Amerman Elementary School , Northville, Northville Public Schools

Angell School, Ann Arbor , Ann Arbor Public Schools

City High Middle School , Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Public Schools

Countryside Elementary Schoo l, Byron Center, Byron Center Public Schools

Forest Grove Elementary Schoo l, Hudsonville, Hudsonville Public Schools

Hamilton Elementary School , Hamilton, Hamilton Community Schools

Jeffers Elementary School , Spring Lake, Spring Lake Public Schools

Lakewood Elementary School , Holland, West Ottawa Public Schools

Novi Woods Elementary Schoo l, Novi, Novi Community School District

Orchard Primary School , Almont, Almont Community Schools

Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy , Plymouth

Wass Elementary Schoo l, Troy, Troy School District

Weidman Elementary School, Weidman, Chippewa Hills School District

Students and parents, school staff, and local communities deserve to be honored for the outstanding achievement by our Blue Ribbon Schools, Interim State Superintendent Sue Carnell said in a statement.

These schools serve as an example to others and, at the same time, are representative of the accomplishments and progress at schools around the state.

In addition to the public schools, MDE released three private schools being recognized as Blue Ribbon honorees in step with nominations from the Council for American Private Education. Those are:

All Saints Catholic School , Canton

Bishop Foley Catholic High School , Madison Heights

St. Paul the Apostle School, Grand Rapids

In the past, the U.S. Department of Education has released National Blue-Ribbon designations to honor schools that excelled in academic performance and took significant steps to close achievement gaps.

However, in late August, the Trump administration suddenly ended the program months after nominations were submitted and just weeks before the final list would typically be released.

On Thursday, MDE spokesperson Bob Wheaton confirmed the department previously nominated Blue Ribbon Schools to be nationally recognized.

This year the nominations were made, he said via email, but after that happened, the U.S. Department of Education ended the federal recognition, saying it was part of their efforts to return education to the states. So, we want to recognize these schools and are doing that.

The State Board of Education will formally recognize the schools at members Nov. 13 meeting, which is slated for 9:40 a.m. at the John A. Hannah Building in Lansing. Itll be livestreamed online at Michigan.gov/MDE.

In her own statement, Board President Pamela Pugh said state school officials wanted to make sure schools would get the recognition they deserve.

These Michigan schools are worthy of national attention, so it is very disappointing that Blue Ribbon Schools no longer will be honored by the U.S. Department of Education, she said. State board members are looking forward to learning more about the successes of these schools.
Fall colors pop behind a vineyard on Old Mission Peninsula in Grand Traverse County, Mich. on Friday, October. 18, 2024. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

PENINSULA TOWNSHIP, MI  Wineries in Michigans Old Mission Peninsula are proposing a settlement with local government after a federal judge ruled they were owed $50 million in business damages.

The wineries sent a letter to Peninsula Township on Thursday, Oct. 30, saying they would consider a settlement deal that would reduce the court-ordered payout.

Township Supervisor Maura Sanders told MLive the township board and legal counsel will need to review the proposal next week.

The dispute started five years ago when a group of 11 wineries argued the townships agricultural zoning rules around noise and events stifled business.

Michigans wine country is now trying to untangle itself from the years-long dispute with the local government, but only if the township agrees to their requirements.

While the complete settlement proposal remains confidential, Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) shared their letter to the township with MLive.

The proposal seeks practical clarity on basic business operations that will allow family-owned wineries to remain viable while maintaining Old Missions rural character.

Heres what the group of wineries are requesting as settlement terms:

Adoption of a noise standards limiting outdoor sound after 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Capacity limits based on Michigan building and fire codes, not arbitrary caps.

Permission for normal agricultural business activities, including food service and merchandise sales.

Clear standards for events, tents, and outdoor amenities that balance community enjoyment with neighborhood peace.

The groups letter was specific about these business operating terms being finalized before they consider accepting a reduced amount from the approximately $50 million awarded by the court.

These demands are what spurred the 2020 lawsuit.

The peninsulas wineries came together to push back on decades-old zoning regulations that kept them from hosting weddings, playing loud music and selling some merchandise, among other restrictions.

The township argued wineries were becoming too commercial and eating away at the rural character of Michigans pinky.

In July, U.S. District Court Judge Paul Maloney sided with the wineries, expressing they were owed damages due to an impossible to understand ordinance and arbitrary enforcement of the same.

Since then, the township has struggled to find the funds.

At the end of July, Sanders said the township budget was not prepared for the large payout, but wanted to avoid adding cost to taxpayers.

Sanders floated budget-cutting ideas like selling a historic lighthouse, suspending park and cemetery maintenance or closing all township offices.

The wineries responded saying these suggestions were a PR stunt meant to villainize them.

Later in the summer, one of the townships insurance companies argued it shouldnt be on the hook for damages and filed its own legal action against the township in August.
This photo provided by Richard Arden Knecht shows a wooden mask that was found washed away from a culturally significant Yup'ik archaeological site, known as the Nunalleq site, in Quinhagak, Alaska, Oct. 2025. (Richard Arden Knecht via AP) AP

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  A fragment of a mask that was preserved for hundreds of years in permafrost sat in the muck of a low tide in the western Alaska community of Quinhagak. Wooden spoons, toys, a fishing lure and other artifacts were strewn, in some cases for miles, along the beach.

The Yupik community near the edge of the Bering Sea was spared the widespread devastation wrought by the remnants of Typhoon Halong on its neighbors further west earlier this month. But it suffered a different kind of blow: The lashing winds and storm surge devoured dozens of feet of shoreline, disrupting a culturally significant archaeological site and washing away possibly thousands of unearthed artifacts.

About 1,000 pieces, including wooden masks and tools, were recovered in Quinhagak after the storm ravaged parts of southwest Alaska on Oct. 11 and 12. But many more pieces  perhaps up to 100,000  were left scattered, said Rick Knecht, an archaeologist who has worked on the Nunalleq, or old village, project for 17 years. Thats roughly the number of pieces previously recovered from the archaeological site.

This photo provided by Richard Arden Knecht shows various tools, utensils and other artifacts that were recovered after the Typhoon Halong scattered them from a significant Yup'ik archaeological site, known as the Nunalleq site, in Quinhagak, Alaska, Oct. 2025. (Richard Arden Knecht via AP) AP

Meanwhile, freezing temperatures and ice have settled into the region, stalling immediate efforts to find and recover more displaced artifacts on searches done by four-wheeler and foot.

Knecht called what happened a major loss. The site has yielded the worlds largest collection of pre-contact Yupik artifacts. Much of whats known about Yupik life before outsiders arrived stems from the project, said Knecht, an emeritus senior lecturer in archaeology at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.

When there are holes or disturbances in the site, its like trying to read a book with holes in the pages. Youre going to miss a few things, he said. And the bigger those holes are, the weaker the story gets. Theres a few holes in the book right now.

While the name of the original village isnt known, it was attacked by another village and burned around 1650, he said. Knecht has worked with elders and others in Quinhagak to combine their traditional knowledge with the technology and techniques used by the archaeology teams to study the past together.

Quinhagak has about 800 residents, and subsistence food gathering is critically important to them.

The shore of Kuskokwim Bay on the Bering Sea is seen Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, near Kongiganak, Alaska. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) AP

The storm dispersed artifacts from a site long preserved by permafrost, Knecht said. A longstanding concern has been the threat that climate change  melting permafrost, coastal erosion, the potential for more frequent or stronger storms  has posed to the site, he said.

It poses risks to the community itself. Erosion threatens major infrastructure in Quinhagak, including a sewage lagoon, homes and fish camps. Thawing permafrost is also unsettling and undermining buildings, according to a 2024 report from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.

The excavation project itself began after artifacts began appearing on the beach around 2007. Part of the site that washed out had been excavated previously.

There was a big chunk where wed only gone about halfway down and left it for later because we prioritized parts of the site that were most at risk from marine erosion, Knecht said.

When he left in July, there was a roughly 30-foot buffer to the sea. The storm took out the buffer and another 30 feet of the site, he said. It also left what Knecht described as piano-sized clumps of tundra on the tidal flats.

Knecht didnt recognize the site at first after Halong.

I just drove right by it because all the landmarks Im used to on the beach and at the site were gone or changed, he said.

This photo provided by Richard Arden Knecht shows bluffs of clay left behind in the aftermath of Typhoon Halong at a beach area in Quinhagak, Alaska, Oct. 2025. (Richard Arden Knecht via AP) AP

Work to preserve the rescued artifacts has included soaking the marine salts from the wood and placing the pieces in special chemicals that will help them hold together when they dry out, he said. If one were to just take one of the wooden artifacts off the beach and let them dry, theyd crack to pieces, sometimes in a matter of hours.

There is a lab at the museum in Quinhagak where the artifacts are kept.

This photo provided by Richard Arden Knecht shows Warren Jones, left, and Mike Smith posing with a wooden mask fragment that had washed away from the Nunalleq archaeological site in Quinhagak, Alaska, Oct. 2025, after Typhoon Halong made landfall in wester Alaska. (Richard Arden Knecht via AP) AP

Archaeologists hope to return to the site next spring for a rescue excavation of layers exposed by the storm, he said. In some ways, it feels like when teams saw the site in 2009: Weve got this raw site with artifacts popping off in every way, he said. So were starting from scratch again.
A bucket truck memorial lines up on both sides of Third Street in downtown Marquette. Buckets are extended over the roadway, creating a tunnel that vehicles can drive through. The memorial honored Jack Rantanen, 25, who was fatally struck by a vehicle while on a jobsite on Oct. 20, 2025, near Marquette, Mich. Courtesy of Marquette DDA

MARQUETTE, MI  A community in Michigans Upper Peninsula honored a fallen lineman this week.

Bucket trucks flanked Third Street in downtown Marquette for a memorial honoring Jack Rantanen, a 25-year-old journeyman lineman who was fatally struck by a vehicle while prepping a jobsite. The buckets were extended over the road, creating a tunnel that vehicles could drive through.

On Oct. 20, Rantanen was laying wire on the side of M-553 near Silver Creek Road in Sands Township when the crash happened. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fellow lineman Jonny Betz organized the tribute, which is a tradition when a lineman dies in a work-related incident, WBUP/WJMN reports. Trucks from Marquette Board of Light and Power, the Upper Peninsula Power Company and the Hooper Corporation (where Rantanen worked) took part.

This is the absolute respect (and) salute that we give them and the honor they deserve, Betz told the TV station.

The Marquette Board of Light and Power posted on Facebook about the memorial and encouraged drivers to stay alert, slow down and move over when approaching roadside work zones.

Taking the time to slow down and focus your attention can save a life, the post said.

RELATED: Lineman, 25, was laying wire when he was fatally struck by a vehicle

This was the 36th Michigan worker death of 2025, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced. An investigation is ongoing.
MUNISING, MI  Foul play could be a factor in the disappearance of a Michigan who was last seen 76 days ago, WLUC reports.

Starla Perry-Goings, 64, of Munising, was last seen on Aug. 15 at her home on 16 Mile Lake Road in Munising. She was reported missing on Aug. 17. Her vehicle was later found on Peninsula Point Road in Munising Township. In September, the Alger County Sheriffs Office expanded their search for Goings. This week, after obtaining a search warrant, law enforcement was observed digging with a tractor on Goings property.

The sheriffs office announced Wednesday that foul play could be involved, the TV station reports. The ongoing investigation is still categorized as a missing persons case. Search efforts include remote and wooded areas.

The sheriffs office is asking for the publics help, the report said. Deputies want to hear from anyone who:

Observed Goings orange 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan from Aug. 15-17 in the 16 Mile Lake/M-94 area, and Munising or Au Train townships.

Has surveillance video or image showing unusual activity in the area of Peninsula Point Road, 16 Mile Lake/M-94 and surrounding areas.

Witnessed unusual activity in remote or wooded areas from Aug. 15-17 in and around Munising an Au Train townships.

Contact the sheriffs office at 906-387-7030.
Royal Caribbean is extending the pause on all visits to its private destination in Labadee, Haiti until at least May 2026. The suspension of service is due to safety concerns amid ongoing violence and civil unrest in the country, according to TravelPulse.

In April, the cruise line announced it was suspending service to Labadee for the second time since 2024. Passengers who had already purchased excursions at Labadee are being notified of itinerary changes.

We have been monitoring the evolving situation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and out of an abundance of caution, were cancelling our visit to Labadee, Royal Caribbean said in a notice. Were sorry for any inconvenience this may causeyour safety is our top priority. We appreciate your understanding.

The cruise line will now take passengers to Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, Nassau, Bahamas, Falmouth, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico, and other destinations. Some of the cruises are also adding an extra sea day to the itinerary.

In July, the State Department issued a Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory for Haiti, citing ongoing issues with kidnappings, violent crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest and limited health care. The Level 4 warning is the most serious in the State Departments four-tier scale.

In the advisory, officials warned that Americans are being kidnapped and said U.S. victims families have paid tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars to rescue their family members.

Violent crime is rampant in Haiti, especially in Port-au-Prince, where the expansion of gang, organized crime, and terrorist activity has led to widespread violence, kidnappings, and sexual assault, the advisory reads.

In November 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration banned all U.S. airlines from flying to Haiti for a month. That suspension has also been extended and remains in place.
Blair Shelton, in a photo published in June 2000, recalls the trauma of racial profiling after having his blood drawn during the 1994 police search for a serial rapist in Ann Arbor. More than 600 black men were questioned and more than 160 had blood drawn during what one of Shelton's lawyers called the worst case of racial profiling in the country. Alan Warren | Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org

ANN ARBOR, MI  A Ripple in Ann Arbor is the title of a new documentary shedding more light on what unfolded as police searched for a serial rapist in the city in the 1990s.

More than 600 Black men were questioned and more than 160 had their blood drawn for DNA testing as Ann Arbor police worked off a limited suspect description in 1994.

The infamous case of racial profiling, dubbed Ann Arbors DNA dragnet, lasted several months with hundreds of men becoming potential suspects because of the color of their skin.

Directed by local filmmaker Aliyah Mitchell in partnership with the Ann Arbor District Library, the new film is set to premiere at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, during whats billed as a truth and reconciliation event at the Michigan Theater.

The two-hour event is free to the public with no tickets or registration required. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the theater.

The screening is in the main auditorium, so there should be plenty of seats, AADL spokesperson Rich Retyi said.

The Michigan Theater in downtown Ann Arbor. MLive file photo. Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

After the film screening, local civic and law enforcement leaders are expected to take part in a panel discussion of the controversial events, with a formal apology to those affected.

The documentary explores the unfocused and invasive tactics used by police to find the perpetrator, and the innocent man who took the city to court to expose these tactics and reclaim his dignity, according to the film description.

Blair Shelton, one of the many innocent Black men who became suspects because survivors of attacks recalled it was a Black man in his 20s or 30s, was stopped by police while boarding a bus at the Maple Village shopping center in October 1994. He sued the city and won a court order to get his blood sample back.

Blair Shelton, in a photo published in June 2000, holds two vials of his blood that were extracted for a DNA test. Ann Arbor police requested Shelton have the blood drawn during the 1994 search for a serial rapist. More than 600 black men were questioned and more than 160 had blood drawn during what one of Shelton's lawyers called the worst case of racial profiling in the country. Alan Warren | Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org

He recalled being fired from his job and being stopped eight additional times by the Ann Arbor Police, despite voluntarily giving blood to prove his innocence, the film description states.

A man from Inkster named Ervin Mitchell was eventually caught and convicted after a survivors description of his clothing and a Christmas morning sighting by a cab driver. That followed another attack on a woman walking alone in December 1994.

Mitchell was sentenced to life in prison in July 1995 for the murder of Christine Gailbreath and four counts of rape.

Though his conviction relied on DNA evidence, the roughly 160 voluntary blood samples collected by Ann Arbor police during the DNA dragnet did not lead to a match because Mitchells sample was not among them  he had previously refused to give a blood sample, the filmmakers note.

City Council Member Cynthia Harrison, D-1st Ward, is credited by AADL as the originator and producer of the film.

Harrison told MLive/The Ann Arbor News in a previous interview the inspiration came from talking with Michael Steinberg, an attorney who represented Shelton 30 years ago. Its important to recognize there were harms to Black people in Ann Arbor from actions the city took, she said, calling the film, panel discussion and apology a form of reparations.

Harrison noted there also was a white serial rapist in 1994, one who wouldnt be caught until 1996, and police didnt go to the same lengths of confronting hundreds of white men who fit the description, showing a racial disparity.

The Ann Arbor News reported in November 1994 police believed the other attacker who was white was responsible for at least four assaults on women dating back to 1990.

Police eventually caught Mark Bradley Craig, a white man in his 40s, who was sentenced to prison in 1997 for two sexual assaults between 1992 and 1993 involving a 16-year-old girl and her 46-year-old mother. He also was sentenced to prison for the October 1994 abduction of an 18-year-old woman he took to a nature area and threatened to rape.

Ann Arbor Police Detective Capt. Richard DeGrand points to a crime scene in May 1994 after Christine Gailbreath was found killed along a path in what was suspected to be the doings of a serial rapist. Robert Chase | Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org

Walter Lunsford, Ann Arbors deputy police chief who managed the investigation in the Mitchell case, authored a guest column in The Ann Arbor News in 1995 explaining how police approached the case after finding a DNA link between different attacks.

Innocent people were embarrassed, inconvenienced and hurt, he acknowledged, but he maintained questioning of suspects wasnt at random and police were following tips. He issued a formal apology then on behalf of the police department to the numerous innocent Black men who were hurt.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page.
ANN ARBOR, MI  Angell Elementary in Ann Arbor has been named one of Michigans top 16 Blue Ribbon Schools this year.

The Ann Arbor Public Schools honoree was included in an announcement from the Michigan Department of Education early Thursday, Oct. 30. Blue Ribbon Schools, previously a national designation program under the U.S. Department of Education, recognizes exemplary schools, according to MDE, that have excelled in academic performance and closing achievement gaps.

In a statement Thursday afternoon, AAPS Superintendent Jazz Parks congratulated Angells community, teachers, staff and sudtents for the honor. Principal Meg Fenech also added she was proud of the award.

It affirms what Ive always known about our school, Fenech said in a statement. Our teachers are talented and dedicated, our staff builds the foundation for success, our students give their best every day, and our families are wonderfully supportive partners. Together, our entire school community creates a joyful, engaging and caring learning environment.

The State Board of Education will hold a special ceremony at its Nov. 13 meeting to honor the Michigan public schools that the department nominated as Blue Ribbon Schools.

In the past, federal education authorities released National Blue-Ribbon designations to honor public schools as nominated by MDE and private schools in step with Council for American Private Education.

However, in late August, the Trump administration quietly ended the program months after nominations were submitted and just weeks before the final list would be released.

In 2015, Angell Elementary was previously named a National Blue Ribbon School.

According to AAPS, other local schools that earned the designation were King Elementary in 2021 and 2014, Community High School in 2019, Allen Elementary in 2017 and Wines Elementary in 2015.
Police lights can be seen in this MLive file photo. (Jake May | MLive.com) Jake May | MLive.com

PORT HURON, MI  Two women were arrested after police says dogs were released on an officer during an incident at a Michigan home.

A Port Huron officer was dispatched shortly after 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, to a residence in the 3500 block of Williamsburg Drive to handle a neighbor dispute released to an animal complaint.

The officer learned while speaking to one of the involved parties that the person had an active warrant for her arrest, according to a Thursday, Oct. 30, Port Huron Police Department news release.

When the officer informed the woman that she was being placed under arrest, police said she began to resist.

Thats when a second woman, identified as the suspects roommate, attempted to interfere and prevent the officer from taking the woman into custody, police said.

The roommate then intentionally released two large dogs from their cages inside the home, police said, and both animals charged toward the officer.

Fearing for his safety, the officer discharged his firearm as the dogs advanced, the release reads. The officer was able to retreat safely and waited for backup officers to arrive.

One of the dogs sustained non-life-threatening injuries to its foot and shoulder and was later released to family members along with the second dog, who wasnt injured during the incident, police said.

Both women were taken into custody once additional officers arrived. The departments Criminal Investigative Division continues to investigate the incident.

Julia Anna Francis Piper, 21, was arraigned Thursday on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault) and assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer.

Paige Marie Armstrong, 23, (05/30/2002) was also arraigned Thursday on a single count of assaulting/resisting/obstructing a police officer.

Armstrong was given a $10,000 personal recognizance bond, and Piper was given a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.

Theyre both due back in court in November for a probable cause conference and preliminary examination.
by Xinhua writer Gui Tao

LHASA, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- As an editor caught in the relentless tempo of Beijing, my trips to Xizang Autonomous Region in southwest China have always offered a personal reprieve. Here in Xizang, the murmur of mountain streams, and the views of mist-draped valleys and snow-capped peaks bathed in the first light of dawn restore a sense of inner peace that the metropolis so often snatches from me.

Like many outsiders, I arrived in Xizang with my own version of "Shangri-la" in mind -- a mythical refuge from the pressures of modernity, immortalized nearly a century ago in James Hilton's novel "Lost Horizon." That vision of an isolated, tranquil land suspended in spiritual serenity, inhabited by meditative monks in crimson robes, has long shaped much of the world's imagination when it comes to Xizang. The region is seen as embodying a dreamscape where time stands still and encroachments of the modern world fade away.

But this romanticized vision, often perpetuated by outsiders like Hilton who never set foot in this Himalayan region, tells only part of the story. It is an alluring yet outdated narrative that stands in sharp contrast to the Xizang of today -- a land that is undergoing profound transformation and pursuing sustainable development, no different to anywhere else in our world.

This reality, as opposed to the fantasy, crystallized during my conversation with Nyima Yangzom, a middle-aged supermarket saleswoman from Nyingchi, a city in southeastern Xizang. While her hometown is renowned for its lush forests and pristine landscapes, Nyima Yangzom's hopes are rooted not in some ancient dream, but in the everyday ambitions of better life. She hopes for a small bakery within walking distance of her home, and better job opportunities -- perhaps at the local yak meat processing plant. Nyima Yangzom also spoke fondly of the city's new shared e-bikes, which offer her a sustainable, affordable alternative to costly petrol-powered vehicles.

Nyima Yangzom's perspective stands in quiet rebuttal to the entrenched "Shangri-la" ideal -- a vision that, while enchanting, risks becoming a gilded cage. When we exoticize Xizang, we freeze it in time, denying its people the right to evolve, adapt and pursue their own aspirations. We project our nostalgia for a past that never truly existed, instead of engaging with the region's present and its people's future.

When I mentioned the often-repeated claims in some Western media and political circles that Xizang's infrastructural projects, from hydropower plants to digital networks, amount to "environmental and cultural destruction," Nyima Yangzom looked at me with both confusion and resolve, asking: "Why? Do we have to stay poor to stay Tibetan?"

Her question, simple yet profound, captures the central tension between preservation and progress, and points to deeper universal questions: What kind of modernization should we seek? How can a region like Xizang grow without losing the essence of what makes it unique?

Perhaps the first step toward answering these questions is to move beyond the "Shangri-la complex," the lens through which much of the world still views Xizang. This lens distorts reality. It traps the region in an idealized past and obscures the dynamic society unfolding there today.

To cling to the fantasy of an "untouched Xizang" at the expense of its people's material well-being is not romanticism, but a moral failure or the result of voluntary ignorance. For Tibetans like Nyima Yangzom, true dignity lies not in being admired as a relic of purity -- but in having access to education, healthcare, clean energy and mobility.

In Nyingchi, the scales of progress and preservation are teetering on a delicate, real-world equilibrium. While new solar and hydropower projects advance under stringent environmental oversight, the region's forest coverage remains one of the highest in the nation. The railway connecting Nyingchi and Lhasa serves as a vital link, tethering local industries to broader markets and creating a confluence where tradition has the chance to meet opportunity.

In the city's restaurants, chefs still use centuries-old stone pots to slow-cook wild mushrooms and free-range chicken, a culinary tradition that now draws visitors from both home and abroad. Along the local Nyang River, scenic wetlands bustle with tourists. When they stray from designated paths, sensors on nearby speakers gently remind them to protect the environment -- a small but telling sign of a region learning to balance preservation with tourism.

Even when travelers from around the world don traditional Tibetan attire for photos, they are not interacting with a static, fossilized culture, but a living one that breathes, adapts and renews itself.

On the sidelines of the Forum on the Development of Xizang held in Nyingchi this week, I spoke with scholars, policymakers and entrepreneurs from around the world. Their discussions, ranging from the use of drones in high-altitude logistics and emergency response, to harnessing digital technology to enhance cultural tourism and exploring how businesses can contribute to green growth on the "roof of the world," are all about real development.

In these conversations, many cited figures that rarely feature in international headlines -- Xizang's per capita disposable income has surged in recent years, the average life expectancy of local people has nearly doubled to over 72 years, and more than 95 percent of residents now have basic medical insurance. These milestones, frequently overlooked by those who depict development as destruction, tell a different story, namely one of progress rooted in the universal desire for a better life.

Giorgio Tenneroni, president of the Municipal Council of the Italian hill town of Todi, noted that those trapped in the "Shangri-la complex" tend to see Xizang as a vast Disneyland or open-air museum, ignoring the real development needs of its people.

As my flight departed from Nyingchi, I looked down at the intersecting lines of rivers and roads, and forests and farmlands. Xizang is sparing no efforts in carefully and vigorously walking the tightrope between tradition and transformation. The true "Shangri-la" may not be a place untouched by time, but a society that masters the art of carrying its soul into the future. 
FLINT, MI -- The Flint City Council has agreed to ask Michigan State Police to investigate the residency of a councilwoman, and the target of that probe is among those who voted to make the request.

6th Ward council member Tonya Burns was one of five votes for the residency investigation targeting her during a committee meeting on Monday, Oct. 27. The full council also approved making the request in a subsequent vote that same day.

Burns had initially asked for the drafting of a similar resolution that called for MSP to investigate her, as well as council members Leon El-Alamin (Ward 1), Ladel Lewis (Ward 2), and Candice Mushatt (Ward 7).

Although that resolution and another to investigate the residency of all council members were discussed but not adopted, an amended motion -- naming only Burns -- was approved.

I have nothing to hide. I live where I live. I stay where I stay, Burns said on Monday. There were certain statements made that I dont (live there) at the last council meeting ... I willingly put myself in (the request) because I should be held to the same standard.

Questions about the residency of various Flint council members have been common in Flint politics for decades, and Lewis questioned where Burns lives just last week.

Mondays residency discussion came just a month after the Michigan Department of State said it would not investigate claims that El-Alamin doesnt live in the citys 1st Ward after his residency was questioned.

State officials said then that the decision to challenge a council members residency rests with City Clerk Davina Donahue.

An MSP spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the potential investigation of Burns residency.

The council resolution approved on Monday asks that a final report from MSP be given to City Attorney JoAnne Gurley and Donahue.

If Burns is found not living where she claimed, the council resolution requests that Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton fully prosecute ... to the extent as allowed by law.

Burns was among six new council members elected by voters in 2021.

She represents an area that stretches as far north as Makin Road and as far south as Chicago Boulevard. The ward is dissected by the Flint River.

Burns said she voted for an investigation into her residency because she believes in transparency and isnt worried about what will be uncovered.

While they are here, the investigators can help me find out where to put the 60 pairs of shoes that are in my living room ..., she said of the potential probe.

The Flint council has nine members, each of whom represents a geographic area of the city.

The citys charter requires council members to be registered electors of the city for at least one year before their election and requires that they live in the ward they represent through the end of their terms.
Former Ottawa County Executive Aide Jordan Epperson talked about alleged mistreatment from former Administrator John Gibbs in an October 2023 human resources complaint. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- A controversial $109,000 severance for a former Ottawa County executive aide came in the aftermath of an employment complaint that partially targeted his boss -- John Gibbs -- for treating him like a personal servant.

Ottawa County, through a Freedom of Information Act request, released an October 2024 complaint filed by executive aide Jordan Epperson that cited various allegations of wrongdoing by county staff.

Epperson ultimately was given the financial award following a Dec. 10, 2024 county board vote, but several commissioners now allege the vote was predicated on misinformation.

Epperson and former Ottawa County Interim Administrator Ben Wetmore both received severances on Dec. 10, with Wetmore getting $175,000.

Both were hired when John Gibbs, fired in late February 2024, was county administrator. Gibbs served about 13 months in the role after commissioners, with a majority tied to the Ottawa Impact conservative political platform, hired him in January 2023.

Eppersons complaint was wide-ranging and focused, in part, on what he believed was mistreatment because his resume became public and spurred complaints that he was underqualified for the executive aide job.

Another older, more-qualified candidate, Ryan Kimball, filed a lawsuit and eventually received a $225,000 settlement.

Related: Ottawa County releases 2024 closed session audio tied to controversial severance

Another part of Eppersons complaint involved his characterization of Gibbs as controlling and making him perform jobs and errands not associated with his county job.

John Gibbs treated me like his own personal servant, Epperson wrote. He made me drive him to meetings, carry his food orders and handle all of his personal non-county matters.

Epperson also talked about managing Gibbs daily prayer calendar.

Gibbs, who now works for the U.S. Housing and Urban Development agency, did not return an email or phone message about Eppersons complaint.

Gibbs was fired from Ottawa County in February 2024 over misconduct allegations that included him making physical threats against the countys corporation counsel, sexist comments about a county official, installing a secret camera in his office and being insubordinate to commissioners and trying to sabotage their work.

Gibbs denied the allegations, saying he never threatened anyone or made sexist comments. He said he did not use a hidden camera, but did record some meetings with a computer web cam.

Gibbs filed a lawsuit and, in January, reached a $190,000 settlement with Ottawa County. His official record also shows he resigned, rather than being terminated, per a stipulation.

Eppersons complaint, along with an affidavit from an attorney representing Ottawa Countys human resources office, have been released amid complaints that former county board Chair Joe Moss misled commissioners into approving higher severances for Epperson and Wetmore.

Moss was chair of the board from January 2023 through December 2024.

Some commissioners say Moss implied that attorney Nate Wolf suggested certain amounts should be given as severances.

But Wolf, in the affidavit, said he simply provided Moss with a template for a severance agreement and was not involved in drafting any agreements for Epperson or Wetmore.

County leaders earlier this month, as part of a settlement, released audio of a Dec. 10, 2024, closed session that preceded the vote on the two severances.

Moss at one point said this:

(The attorney) did not recommend a dollar amount. He said, as is normal in these situations, the exposure is possibly a year in damages and attorney fees, Moss said in the recording.

County Board Chair John Teeples on Tuesday said that releasing the Wolf affidavit was in the public interest. Commissioners voted 6-5 on the issue.

This is public transparency, Teeples said. This is all this is, letting the public see what happened.
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office is investigating an armed robbery at a gas station. John Tunison

OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  An armed robbery at an Ottawa County gas station led to a high-speed police chase that ended in Kent County on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Deputies were dispatched to the robbery at 10:52 a.m. at the West Olive One-Stop at 8471 West Olive Road, the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office said in a news release.

Police said two male suspects robbed the store clerk and held him at gunpoint. The suspects allegedly stole merchandise from the store and fled the scene before police arrived.

The store clerk was not injured in the armed robbery, police said.

A deputy spotted the suspect vehicle in Allendale Township and attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle sped away. The vehicle led deputies on a high-speed pursuit that continued into Kent County until deputies lost the suspect.

Shortly after, a Kent County sheriffs deputy found the suspect vehicle abandoned and saw three male suspects fleeing on-foot in the area. The three suspects were taken into custody and turned over to the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office.

One suspect, a 21-year-old man, was lodged at the Ottawa County Jail. A 16-year-old suspect was lodged at the Ottawa County Juvenile Detention Center, while the third suspect, a 17-year-old, was released to his parents.

The incident remains under investigation.
Grand Rapids police arrested a 43-year-old man in connection to an Oct. 13 assault that left a 60-year-old woman dead. (MLive File Photo) Chloe Trofatter | MLive.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A 43-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter in connection to an alleged assault that left a woman dead.

Grand Rapids police identified the deceased as 60-year-old Kristine Haddad.

The investigation initially started on Oct. 13 when Grand Rapids firefighters and first responders were called to a residence in the 300 block of Alfred Avenue NE regarding Haddads head injury.

Authorities were told at that time that the injury resulted from a fall.

Haddad was taken by ambulance to a hospital for treatment. Police said they were not initially notified of the incident because it was reported to first responders as an accidental fall.

Police were called to the hospital on Oct. 15 by Haddads family member who reported that Haddad was involved in an assault. The family member, who was not present during the incident, had been told of the assault by a witness.

At that time, police said Haddad was on life support and had no brain activity. The family gave permission for life support to be withdrawn on Oct. 15.

Police looked into the alleged assault and began a homicide investigation.

The Kent County Prosecutors Office issued a manslaughter charge against the 43-year-old man. MLive/The Grand Rapids Press is not naming the man pending arraignment in Grand Rapids District Court.

While a charge has been issued, anyone with additional information about the case is asked to call Grand Rapids detectives at 616-456-3380 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
A food pantry in Kalamazoo is closing after eight years. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

KALAMAZOO, MI -- The Milwood United Methodist Church food pantry is closing after eight years.

The pantrys last opening date will be Nov. 21 from noon to 2 p.m., according to the church website. The pantry feeds roughly 100 families a week, according to the website.

The closure comes as Michigan and other states have been directed to stop issuing federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

RELATED: Kalamazoo food pantry ready as SNAP benefit pause affects 35,000 in county

A representative from the church couldnt immediately be reached for comment on the closure.

Previously, the pantry was open on the first and third Friday of every month. Perishable items were also offered to church patrons every Friday.

The church will have one more fresh food distribution on Nov. 12 at 4 p.m.

Remaining non-perishable items will be given to another pantry in the area after Nov. 21, the website says.

The Michigan Senate approved a $71 million supplemental funding bill to backfill lost benefits on Thursday, Oct. 30. The bill has yet to pass the House.

In Kalamazoo County, 13.3% of families rely on SNAP benefits and 39% have children, according to Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes (KLF).

The pantry, located at 901 Portage St., has capacity to serve residents impacted by SNAP funding loss, Greta Faworski, KLF associate director, said.

Visitors to the Milwood United Methodist Church food pantry are encouraged to reach out to KLF if they are in need of assistance.
The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety is investigating a daytime shooting in a neighborhood north of downtown. (Brad Devereaux | bdeverea@mlive.com)

KALAMAZOO, MI  Police are on scene of shooting that injured one person at Summit Avenue and Douglas Avenue.

The shooting happened sometime before 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety said.

Officers are actively canvassing the area, KDPS said, telling people to expect an increased police presence.

The incident happened near the border between Kalamazoos Northside and the West Douglas neighborhood.

Police reported one victim had non-fatal injuries and was taken to a hospital for medical care.

Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page.
MUSKEGON, MI  A 19-year-old who led investigators on a dayslong manhunt faces attempted murder charges for allegedly opening fire on two police officers, court records show.

Months prior to shooting at officers, Janari Spencer allegedly told a woman to duck before he shot up her apartment.

Spencer is currently lodged in the Muskegon County Jail awaiting a hearing next month connected to two separate criminal cases.

The most recent charges against Spencer  two counts of attempted murder  stem from an Oct. 15 incident in Muskegon Township, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Police were called around 1:10 a.m. to a home on Ada Avenue for an active harassment and stalking complaint.

One Muskegon Township police officer noticed a man  later identified as Spencer  standing in a grassy area behind the Wesco gas station on East Apple Avenue. Spencer, using a rifle, allegedly opened fire at the officer.

Spencer then allegedly started shooting at a second police officer whose patrol vehicle was hit by a bullet. Neither officer was struck, and police did not return gunfire.

Police later spoke with the stalking complainant who said she saw Spencer standing in the driveway on Ada. The woman said she began hearing gunshots, grabbed her daughter, and went to the floor, the affidavit states.

When the shooting stopped, the woman looked up and noticed Spencer was gone. An employee at the gas station told police he saw a man flee the area in a Chevy Impala shortly after hearing gunshots.

A fugitive team arrested Spencer on Oct. 24 after finding him at the Rodeway Inn in Grand Haven.

Spencer was wanted for a separate shooting in Muskegon County about nine months prior.

Muskegon Heights police were called on Jan. 24 for a report of shots fired at an East Park Manor apartment. The complainant said she was on the phone with Spencer when he allegedly told her to duck, according to a second affidavit.

The woman looked out her window and saw Spencer holding a rifle. He allegedly shot up the apartment, and investigators found bullet holes in a window and a wall, the affidavit reads.

Police reviewed security cameras from East Park Manor and determined Spencer was the alleged shooter.

Between the two incidents, Spencer faces two counts of attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling, and possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle.

Spencer is scheduled to appear Nov. 10 in Muskegon County District Court for a probable cause hearing.
NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI  A motorcyclist was killed in a crash with a pickup truck in Newaygo County on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Michigan State Police said the victim was a 40-year-old man from Muskegon but did not release his name.

Troopers responded to the fatal crash at 2:10 p.m. on M-37 near 22 Mile Road in Ashland Township, according to a Michigan State Police news release.

Police said the motorcyclist was traveling north on M-37 when he hit the pickup, which was turning east on 22 Mile Road from M-37.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the pickup, a 35-year-old Grand Rapids man, was not injured in the crash.

The crash remains under investigation by Michigan State Police. Investigators do not believe drugs or alcohol were factors in the crash.
An aerial photo of Fisherman's Landing, which currently is mostly housing a campground and parking lot, along with a public boat launch, restroom, pavilion and fish cleaning station. The Muskegon planning commission voted Oct. 23 to rezone a majority of the property to allow for future port operations. The city commission has final say on the rezoning and the upcoming land swap proposal that would close Fisherman's Landing campground and relocate Mart Dock operations. City of Muskegon

MUSKEGON, MI - The Muskegon Planning Commission approved the rezoning of two properties that are included in a proposed plan for a land swap between the city and a local port company.

The city commission has final approval on zoning changes.

The proposed deal would close Fishermans Landing campground and allow Mart Dock to move port operations to that space on the east end of the city on Muskegon Lake.

The city would acquire neighboring land from Verplank Co. for a public park, as well as some property on Third Street downtown next to Mart Docks current operations.

The planning commission approved on Oct. 23 to rezone 23.5 acres of the 43.5-acre site at 560 Mart St. from Waterfront Marine to Waterfront Industrial PUD.

The property is owned by West Michigan Dock & Market Corp.

Planning Director Mike Franzak said that this would bring existing port activities into compliance with current zoning and would allow for potential operational changes or expansion.

City Manager Jonathan Seyferth described the change as an insurance policy and olive branch for Mart Dock.

If the land swap deal falls through, this rezoning would still allow them to operate and upgrade their business at its current location.

Mayor Ken Johnson said that creating a new industrial district downtown contradicts the citys master plan, which aims to consolidate port activities on the east end of Muskegon Lake.

He said that made him inclined to vote against the rezoning, but that his decision could be different when the city commission votes on the proposed project on Nov. 25.

Itll be interesting to see what evolves and what gets brought forward to the city commission next month, Johnson said. Thats where there may be rationale for me to vote yes at the city commission on this.

The planning commission voted 7-2 to recommend approval to the city commission, with Johnson and planning and city commissioner Destinee Keener voting no.

The commission also voted to rezone the majority of Fishermans Landing from Open Space Recreation to Waterfront Industrial PUD to allow for new port activities.

If the land swap is approved, Mart Dock plans to move the bulk of its port activities to the city-owned property that currently houses a campground, public pavilion, boat ramp, fish cleaning station and restrooms.

In response to commissioner questions, Seyferth said theres lots of room in between the public accessing the Fishermans Landing boat ramp and barge traffic.

I just dont want us to get ourselves into a position where it seems like it would work, but in practice it becomes unnavigable for recreational traffic, said planning commissioner Lea Willett LeRoi.

Staff also said the upcoming development agreement is expected to include a 25-foot buffer to protect the habitat on the soft, western shoreline of the property and temporary RV camping for events like fishing tournaments would no longer be a standard use but could be approved with special event permits.

The planning commission voted 7-2 to recommend approval to the city commission, with commissioners Keener and Shonie Blake voting no.

The city has had several discussions on the land swap proposal in recent months, including a Q&A session last week.
Polls in Muskegon County will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 4. Josh Boland | MLive.com

Voters in Muskegon County will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 4, for this years general election.

A handful of cities in Muskegon County have mayoral races on the ballot, while school districts from Fruitport to Whitehall are asking for millions in bond dollars to finance repairs and upgrades.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can find their polling location online at the Michigan Voter Information Center.

Below are the decisions facing area voters at the general election:

Fruitport

School bond proposal

Fruitport Community Schools is seeking approval for a $78.5 million bond that will help build a new Edgewood Elementary School, update its middle school and two other elementary schools, and make districtwide infrastructure improvements.

The request is not expected to raise property taxes, according to the districts website.

Muskegon

Mayor

Incumbent Muskegon Mayor Ken Johnson is running against newcomer Bob Garretson to secure another four-year term.

Johnson was first elected in 2021. Before taking the reins of the city in January 2022, he served eight years on the city commission.

Garretson moved to Michigan in 2006 and Muskegon in 2019 and is a financial planner.

Commission at Large

Four candidates are competing for two at-large seats on the Muskegon City Commission.

Commissioner-at-Large and Vice Mayor Rebecca St. Clair is running against former Ward 4 Commissioner Teresa Emory, as well as commission hopefuls Kiley N. Jackson and John C. Allen.

The city commissioner seat is a four-year term.

12-year term limit

A proposal seeks to amend the Muskegon City Charter to put a 12-year term limit on members of the city commission.

If passed, the charter would be amended to add that A person may not serve on the City Commission for terms or partial terms that combined total more than 12 years and to state that ward elections became effective Nov. 2, 1982.

There are six former commissioners, one current commissioner, and the mayor who may be ineligible to serve if the charter amendment is enacted, according to the clerks website.

The proposal was put forward by Muskegon Partnership for Reasonable Limits. The group describes itself as a grassroots organization that believes term limits are about accountability, opportunity, and giving voters more voice in their local government.

Muskegon Heights

City Council

Six candidates, including two incumbents, are running for three open positions on the Muskegon Heights City Council.

The candidates include incumbents Ronald Jenkins and Andre L. Williams Jr. The other hopefuls are William Kitchen, Chelsea McKinley, Anderson Robinson and Robert Deangelo Williams III.

City council members run for a four-year term.

North Muskegon

Mayor

Incumbent Mayor Sabina Freeman is running against Christopher Nance.

The position is for three years.

City Council

Council Members Lisa Schanhals and William Mogren are both running unopposed for re-election to their current seats.

The two are running for a three-year term.

Norton Shores

Mayor

Incumbent Mayor Gary Nelund is running unopposed this year to be elected for another four-year term.

Council Member at Large

Seven candidates are competing for four at-large seats on the Norton Shores City Council.

They include incumbent members Elizabeth Fox, Michael Hylland and Jamie Sowa. The challengers are Nathan Bair, Christopher Halloran, Kiel Reid and Christine Tabaczka.

Each candidate is running for a four-year term.

Roosevelt Park

City Council

Two candidates are on the ballot to fill two seats on the Roosevelt Park City Council.

They include incumbent Council Member Diane Goodman and newcomer Derek Benson.

Each council member is elected to serve a three-year term.

Whitehall

Mayor

Tom Ziemer is challenging incumbent Mayor Steven Salter for his seat.

The Mayor of Whitehall serves a two-year term.

City Council

The Whitehall City Council has eight candidates running to fill three seats.

Candidates include incumbent members Jeff Holmstrom and Scott Brown. They face challengers Billie Conrad, Daniel Hardy, Bryan Mahan, Mark Nienhouse, John Robillard and Roger Squiers.

Council members each serve a four-year term.

School bond proposal

Whitehall District Schools is asking voters to approve a 20-year, $30 million bond for district-wide improvements.

If approved, the bond would finance three main upgrades: improving classroom learning environments, enhancing safety and updating building infrastructure.

The estimated millage that would be levied for the proposed bonds in 2026 ($1.80 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) allows it to return to 5.0 mills, the same level last levied in 2024.

White Lake

Ambulance authority millage

The White Lake Ambulance Authority is asking voters to renew its levy of 1.9 mills ($1.90 for each $1,000 of taxable value), which would be in effect from Dec. 1, 2025, until Dec. 1, 2030.

If approved, the renewed millage would raise an estimated $1.08 million for operating purposes in the first year, according to county documents.

Countywide

Orchard View Schools operating millage

Orchard View Schools in Muskegon County is asking voters to approve the renewal of its operating millage for another 10 years.

The proposal is to renew the millage, which expires in 2025, at a rate of 17.8114 mills (about $17.8 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for 2026 to 2035.

If approved, the millage is expected to raise approximately $3.5 million for operating purposes in the first year.

Kent ISD regional enhancement millage

The Kent Intermediate School District (ISD) is asking voters for 10-year regional enhancement millage that would levy 0.9 mills, or 90 cents on each $1,000 of taxable value.

The Kent ISD mostly serves schools in Kent County, but also extends into parts of Muskegon County through Kent City Community Schools.

The proposal would increase the current millage by an additional 0.0502 mill, to restore the original 0.9 mills that was first approved by voters in 2017.

The millage provides funding for local schools for special education, college-readiness programs, career and technical training, and more.

If approved, the millage would generate approximately $35.6 million in 2027, which breaks down to around $357 per student, according to the Kent ISDs website.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

RIYADH, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman met here on Wednesday and pledged to further promote bilateral relations and cooperation.

During their meeting at Al-Yamamah Palace, Han conveyed Chinese President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the crown prince.

Noting that Saudi Arabia is China's comprehensive strategic partner, Han said China has always placed Saudi Arabia in an important position in its diplomacy.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 35 years ago, and especially since Xi's successful visit to Saudi Arabia in 2022, China-Saudi Arabia relations have made new positive progress, he said.

The fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, held last week, reviewed and approved recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, sending a clear signal for China to further advance comprehensive reforms and expand high-level opening up, the vice president added.

China, he said, will make greater contributions to world development through new achievements in Chinese modernization, which will provide valuable opportunities for the future development of China-Saudi Arabia relations.

China stands ready to work with Saudi Arabia to implement the important consensus reached by their leaders, enhance high-level exchanges, continuously support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests, expand practical cooperation in various fields, and increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges, in order to lift the China-Saudi Arabia comprehensive strategic partnership to higher levels, he said.

China, he added, is also willing to strengthen cooperation with Saudi Arabia in multilateral affairs, enhance coordination on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the G20, advance global governance in a more just and reasonable direction, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The crown prince, for his part, asked Han to convey his best wishes to President Xi.

Noting that China is an important major country in the world, he said that Saudi Arabia and China are good friends and partners, their political relations are solid and at the highest level in history, and Saudi Arabia firmly adheres to the one-China policy.

Saudi Arabia-China cooperation is based on mutual benefit, he said, adding that the Saudi side is willing to deepen cooperation with China in areas such as economy and trade, investment, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and mining, to achieve common development.

Saudi Arabia, he said, shares similar positions with China on regional and international issues, highly appreciates China's efforts to facilitate reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and values its fair stance on the Palestinian issue. He also expressed hope that China will play a greater role in maintaining regional peace and stability. 
MID-MICHIGAN  A Bay City food truck owner has moved their business into a new brick-and-mortar restaurant with a menu featuring fresh lemonade and smash burgers.

Meanwhile, an indoor waterpark in Frankenmuth recently recognized for its creativity and innovation is offering season passes for guests this winter.

Learn more about these stories and other recent local business news you may have missed:

New restaurant brings freshly made lemonade, smash burgers to Bay City

The owner of a former food truck has opened a new restaurant in Bay City to accommodate the growing popularity of the business.

Owned by Anuewy Jr., Detroit Lemon Squeeze officially opened in September.

The restaurant, located at 301 Lafayette Ave., offers freshly made lemonade, smash burgers, fried ravioli, cheese curds, French fries, and more.

There aint been a slow day yet. People are coming out, enjoying it, theyre loving it, Jr. said.

Read the full story here.

McLaren Bay Region breaks ground on $53.6M medical campus in Bay City

McLaren Bay Region took a major step toward expansion this month with the groundbreaking for its new $53.6 million medical campus in Bay City.

The facility, McLaren Bay West, will feature a freestanding emergency department and an orthopedic center.

The campus will occupy a property that used to be home to the former McLaren Bay Special Care. The site is located between 2 Mile Road and North Euclid Avenue on Midland Road.

Read the full story here.

Kochville Township DDA invests $1.9 million in redevelopment of former hotel property

The Kochville Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA) recently purchased the former Quality Inn property on Tittabawassee Road as it looks to spur future development in the area, which is a major commercial hub for the township.

Its definitely a big swing by our downtown development authority, but a calculated one, Township Manager Steve King said.

The DDA purchased the property, located at 2222 Tittabawassee Road, for $1.55 million in June and plans to demolish the hotel soon.

Ultimately, the DDA aims to put the property back on the private market, so it can be redeveloped.

Read the full story here.

Bay City South End restaurant aims to serve families home-cooked meals, community togetherness

A family-friendly restaurant that recently reopened on Bay Citys south end offers home-cooked meals and support for community members in need.

Broadway Family Grill, located at 2020 Broadway Street, is owned by Henry Hank Ryan and its menu features family-style dishes, particularly comfort food such as meatloaf, fried chicken, and homemade soups.

Broadway Family Grill also offers coats for people in need as well as a Narcan station.

Read the full story here.

Opening date set for new Saginaw-area Chipotle restaurant

Chipotle Mexican Grill is bringing a new dining option to Saginaw Township with a new restaurant, which officially opened on State Street earlier this month.

The new restaurant, located at 5709 State St., is Saginaw Townships first Chipotle.

The fast-casual restaurant chain serves burritos, tacos, and other Mexican food.

The State Street restaurant will also offer Chipotles newest protein, Carne Asada, and newest sauce, Red Chimichurri, for a limited time, according to a spokesperson for Chipotle.

Read the full story here.

Bay County resort unveils new restaurant amid multi-million-dollar redevelopment

A resort in Bay County has opened a new restaurant, which is a key part of a property wide, multi-million-dollar redevelopment.

Heatherfields, located at 2470 Old Bridge Road in Frankenlust Township, officially opened at the resort earlier this month.

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a menu featuring a variety of cuisine such as steak and salads.

The ongoing redevelopment includes several other improvements to the property, including updating guest rooms.

Read the full story here.

Whats that? UNO Pizzeria reopening soon with deep-dish and Detroit-style pizzas

Uno Pizzeria & Grill is bringing its Chicago-style deep dish pizza back to its former Saginaw Township location, which closed temporarily about a year ago.

The restaurant, located at 4960 Towne Centre Road, is expected to reopen under new ownership in November.

In addition to deep dish, the restaurants menu will feature Detroit-style pizza, steak, and more.

Owners Caitlin Werner, Stephen Novak, and Stefan Stefanakis also plan to offer specialty drinks at the restaurant as well as an extensive bourbon selection.

Read the full story here.

Bay Future president and CEO steps down after 16-month tenure

A Bay County economic development organization is set to begin the search for a new leader following the resignation of its president and CEO.

Jim Reaume officially stepped down from the role on Oct. 23 after serving in the position for just 16 months.

Under Reaumes leadership, the organization expanded partnerships and saw an increase in job growth as well as private investment, Bay Future officials said in a news release.

Leading Bay Future has been an honor, and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together, Reaume said in a statement.

Read the full story here.

Looking for lunch? This salad bar creates your favorites to order

A salad bar that first opened at the SVRC Marketplace in Saginaw last year allows customers to customize their orders with a wide range of fresh and from-scratch ingredients.

Owned by Latasha Lawson, The Salad Bar by Soul Food Sistas serves salad, soups, sandwiches, wraps, and smoothies.

Available ingredients at the salad bar include a spring mix, romaine, spinach, banana peppers, onions, tomatoes, blueberries, and more.

The SVRC Marketplace is located at 203 S. Washington Ave.

Read the full story here.

Frankenmuths Bavarian Blast Waterpark wins prestigious industry award

A Frankenmuth waterpark has received the World Waterpark Associations highest award, which recognizes creativity and innovation in the waterpark industry.

The Leading-Edge Award was presented to the Bavarian Inn Lodge, located at 1 Covered Bridge Lane, during the associations annual Symposium & Trade Show.

The Bavarian Inns 170,000-square-foot waterpark, the Bavarian Blast Waterpark, opened earlier this year along with its new family fun center.

Receiving the Leading Edge Award is a true testament to the passion, creativity, and hard work of our entire team, Michael Keller Zehnder, owner and president of Bavarian Inn Lodge, said in a statement.

Read the full story here.

This indoor Michigan waterpark is making a splash this winter with seasonal passes

A waterpark and family fun center at a lodge in Michigans Little Bavaria will offer discounts for guests this winter.

The two attractions opened in March at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth.

Customers will be able to purchase the lodges gold or silver winter season passes, which will provide them with increased access to the Bavarian Blast Waterpark as well as a game card for the family center and discounted seating.

Read the full story here.

Dairy Queen returning to Kochville Township decades after last one closed

Dairy Queen is set to build a new restaurant in Kochville Township, marking its return to the area for the first time in about 20 years.

Construction on the Dairy Queen Grill & Chill is expected to begin in November at a vacant property, located at 3300 Tittabawassee Road. The restaurant will be near the Kochville Township Meijer.

In addition to ice cream, the fast-food chain offers burgers, hot dogs, fries, and more.

Read the full story here.

Bay County hospice facility Brians House temporarily closes its doors

An end-of-life care facility in Bay County is closing temporarily, but it recently held a fundraiser as it looks to reopen.

The closure comes eight years after the facility, Brians House Community Group, first opened.

Brians House Community Group, 664 W. Nebobish Road, provides services for terminally ill patients and their family members.

The organization cited financial challenges as the primary reason for the closure when it announced the decision this month. A fundraiser for the facility was held on Oct. 24.

Read the full story here.
BAY CITY, MI  The witching season is upon us, the days before Halloween tantalizing us into revisiting classic horror movies or reading vintage ghost stories. But for the most macabre and history-minded among us, autumn invites us to delve into Michigans links to monsters of the flesh-and-blood variety.

Michigan has a significant number of connections to serial killers and mass murderers. Some Ive written about before: John E. List, the Bay City-born man who massacred his five-member family in New Jersey in 1971 then remained at large for the next 18 years. The Rev. Jim Jones, who recruited eight Michigan natives to join his Peoples Temple movement, all of whom died along with 910 others in Jonestown in 1978.

But did you know Americas three most infamous serial killers  Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and Jeffrey Dahmer  claimed victims from Michigan? Or that Michigan was the birthplace of two female serial killers, a breed exceptionally rare compared to their male counterparts? Or how about knowing one of the Manson Family victims, a celebrity in his own right, is buried here?

Did you know at least six serial killers are spending their twilight years in Michigan prisons, with one a few years from release?

Wanting to learn more about these cases, I attended a presentation on the subject by Candice Smith of Tours Around Michigan at the Alice and Jack Wirt Public Library in Bay City the evening of Oct. 15. I expected a small scattering of attendees. Instead, the conference room was standing room only.

Nice to see a wholesome event really bring the community together, my friend, Jeff Kart, chuckled beside me.

Point taken, though. Yes, an interest in serial killers can be criticized, but its prevalence cant be denied. With that in mind, below are a handful of Michigans ties to Americas most notorious bogeymen (and women):

John Wayne Gacy

This 1978 file photo shows serial killer John Wayne Gacy. (AP Photo/File) AP

Gacy was convicted of killing 33 boys and men between 1972 and 1978 in his Chicago suburb home. Three of them had Michigan ties, including his first victim, Timothy J. McCoy. Gacy stabbed the 16-year-old to death in his home on Jan. 3, 1972, after McCoy had spent the winter holidays with family in Lansing. Jon S. Prestidge, Gacys 16th victim, was a 20-year-old from Kalamazoo who disappeared in the Chicago area while visiting a friend in March 1977. Robert D. Winch, 16 and also from Kalamazoo, was last seen alive in Chicago on Nov. 11, 1977, making him Gacys 21st victim.

The gravestone of Robert David Winch, 1961-1977, on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. Winch, a victim of serial killer John Wayne Gacy, was buried in Section R of Mount Olivet Cemetery in Eastwood. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)

Police recovered the three young mens bodies from the crawlspace under Gacys house. Winch is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Eastwood.

Before his crimes were discovered, Gacy owned a general contracting business. This frequently brought him to Michigan to work on pharmacies in Bay City and in cities in the western region of the state, Smiths research shows. Curiously, flight records indicate Gacy was in Michigan when one of his victims was killed on Sept. 25, 1977, according to two Chicago attorneys. Five of Gacys victims remain unidentified and investigators are soliciting tips and DNA samples from the public to put names with the bodies.

Jeffrey Dahmer

Dahmers second of 17 victims was Michigan native Steven W. Tuomi. Tuomi, 24, hailed from Ontonagon in the Upper Peninsula and was working as a short-order cook in Milwaukee when he met Dahmer in November 1987. Dahmer claimed he battered Tuomi in a drunken state inside the Ambassador Hotel then disposed of his body. Tuomis remains were never found, leaving him with the ignominious distinction of being Dahmers only victim whose homicide did not lead to his killer facing charges. Tuomis family erected a cenotaph in his memory at Holy Family Catholic Cemetery in Ontonagon.

Ted Kaczynski

The anti-technology ideologue also known as the Unabomber, killed three people and wounded 23 more between 1978 and 1995 by mailing explosive packages to universities and airlines. Before he holed up in a rural Montana cabin to send his deadly missives, Kaczynski earned his masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Michigan. He later targeted his alma mater in November 1985, sending a bomb to psychology professor James McConnell. McConnell and an assistant were both injured by the blast but survived.

Charles Manson

Jay Sebring, one of five people killed by members of Charles Mansons followers the early morning of Aug. 9, 1969, was raised in Detroit and graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School. Back then, he was still known by his birthname of Thomas J. Kummer. He adopted the pseudonym after moving to Los Angeles to start his career as a hairstylist for Hollywood stars. Even The Bay City Times ran no fewer than seven wire articles between 1962 and 1968 covering Sebrings salon business, noting his clientele included Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, and Elvis Presley. Sebring had dated actress Sharon Tate from 1964-1966 and remained close friends with her through their shared, brutal homicides. Sebring is buried at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in Southfield.

The grave of Jay Sebring, born Thomas J. Kummer, at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. Sebring, a well-known celebrity hairstylist, was murdered along with Sharon Tate, Abigail Folger, Wojciech Frykowski, and Steven Parent by members of the Manson Family cult on August 9, 1969. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

Aileen Wuornos

Wuornos (nee Pittman) was born in Rochester in 1956 and raised by her maternal grandparents in Troy. Essentially homeless from the age of 15, she began offering sex for money and made her way to Florida. Between 1989 and 1990, she killed seven men who had solicited her for sex. Wuornos reconnected with childhood friend Dawn Botkins while awaiting execution on Floridas death row. Upon her death via lethal injection in 2002, Botkins received all of Wuornos belongings and her ashes, which she scattered under a walnut tree in the yard of her Tuscola County home.

Mary McKnight

Nearly a century before Wuornos made headlines, Michigan produced the now-obscure Mary McKnight. Retroactively given the sensational sobriquet the Strychnine Saint, McKnight was convicted of fatally poisoning her brother, sister-in-law, and baby niece in Kalkaska County in 1903. But following her arrest, investigators discovered a trail of bodies in McKnights wake through Grayling, Saginaw, and Alpena counties, including two husbands and five of her own young children. One of those children, May Ambrose, died in 1884 and is buried in Saginaws Forest Lawn Cemetery. Whether McKnight was truly a serial killer or just beset with tragedy is debatable, but author Tobin T. Buhk makes a case for the former in his 2014 book, Michigans Strychnine Saint: The Curious Case of Mrs. Mary McKnight.

Helmuth Schmidt

Speaking of Buhk, the author also wrote a book on another suspected serial killer who plagued Michigan in the early 1900s, Helmuth Schmidt. The German immigrant worked as a machinist for the Detroit Motor Company in the 1910s, while at the same time building his reputation as the Royal Oak Bluebeard. Although he only confessed to murdering one woman, authorities suspect he killed about a dozen more. He killed himself while in custody in 1918. Schmidt lured his victims through newspaper personal ads, earning him the handle of a lonely hearts killer. The moniker was made famous about 30 years later by convicted serial killers Raymond Fernandez and his wife, Martha Beck, who were arrested, tried and executed in 1951 for the slaying of a Wyoming Township woman and her 2-year-old daughter.

Carl E. Coral Watts

Watts, of Inkster, admitted to or hinted at killing between 13 and 80 women. Separate Michigan juries in the 2000s found him guilty of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of Gloria D. Steele, 19, and Helen M. Dutcher, 36, killed in 1974 and 1979, respectively. Watts, 53, died of prostate cancer in a Jackson hospital in 2007 while serving his life-without-parole sentence. Steele is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Kalamazoo, while Dutcher is interred at Forester Township Cemetery in Sanilac County.

Gloria D. Steeles gravestone seen in Riverside Cemetery on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. Steele was born in April 1955 and died October 1974, the victim of serial killer Carl E. "Coral" Watts. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com)

Don G. Miller

Miller has been dubbed the East Lansing Serial Killer and Killer Miller for killing four women, starting by strangling his ex-fiancee, Martha Sue Young, on New Years Eve 1977. He killed three more women in the summer of 1978 before being arrested after raping a 14-year-old girl. Convicted of the sexual assault and given a 30- to 50-year sentence, Miller accepted a controversial offer: he admitted to killing his four victims and took police to two of their bodies, and in exchange, prosecutors allowed him to plead guilty to two manslaughter counts. As a result, the 70-year-old Miller has been eligible for parole since 2018. His maximum possible release date is May 3, 2031, at which point hell be 76. Hes currently housed at the Central Michigan Correctional Facility in St. Louis.

Don G. Miller's prison mug shot. Photo provided by Michigan Department of Corrections. Cole Waterman

John N. Collins

Known as the Ypsilanti Ripper or the Co-Ed Killer, John Collins, now 78, is serving a life-without-parole sentence at the G. Robert Cotton Correctional Facility for killing Karen Sue Beineman, 18, in July 1969. Law enforcement, though, assert Collins killed five more females in the Ann Arbor-Ypsilanti area, as well as a woman in California, between July 1967 and June 1969. They allege Collins abducted and raped the females, ages 13 to 21, before stabbing and strangling them then discarding their bodies. Collins has maintained his innocence in all the homicides.

John N. Collins' prison mug shot. Photo provided by Michigan Department of Corrections. Cole Waterman

The Michigan Department of Corrections currently houses at least four more serial killers: Leslie A. Williams, EliasAbuelazam, Anthony G. Walker, and Shelly A. Brooks. The quartet has claimed 21 lives between them. The killers are serving life-without-parole terms.

The Oakland County Child Killer

The most disturbing serial killers are often those whose identities remain mysterious  Jack the Ripper, Zodiac, and, more locally, the Oakland County Child Killer. In a 13-month span beginning in February 1976, at least two boys and two girls between the ages of 10 and 12 disappeared, only for their bodies to be found publicly dumped within weeks. The boys were sexually assaulted and strangled or smothered, while one of the girls died via gunshot wound and the other smothered. Though police investigated several suspects, no one has ever been charged with the homicides.
SAGINAW, MI  A Saginaw man is heading to prison for fatally shooting a motorist driving through Bridgeport Township one summer afternoon. Though originally facing potential life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, the killer will spend fewer than two decades behind bars.

Saginaw County Circuit Judge Andre R. Borrello on Wednesday, Oct. 29, sentenced 21-year-old Terramie C. Wright to 40 months to 15 years in prison, plus a consecutive two-year stint.

The judge further ordered Wright to pay $236 within 60 days of his release from prison.

The day before his trial was to begin in September, Wright pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and felony firearm in connection with the shooting death of Quincy D. Jones, 22. The prosecution dismissed a charge of open murder, which contains both first- and second-degree murder. A conviction of either is a life sentence, though first-degree nixes the possibility of parole.

As Wright pleaded no contest rather than guilty, he did not admit to having committed a crime. Borrello relied on a transcript from February preliminary examination to find a factual basis for Wrights pleas.

In that hearing, police testified they responded to Williamson Road near Jordan Drive about 2:40 p.m. on July 28, 2024, after Jones white Dodge Durango crashed into a tree. The drivers door bore three bullet holes and a deceased Jones lay inside with multiple wounds.

Civilian Trevion Lambert testified Wright, a longtime friend, invited him to his home on Williamson Road to smoke marijuana the morning of July 28, 2024. Lambert walked to Wrights home, bringing weed and a Glock handgun.

The two men hotboxed a bathroom with marijuana smoke, Lambert said. Wright then said his own weed man had arrived and asked Lambert if he could take his gun outside, Lambert testified.

He was my man, so of course I said, Yeah, the witness said. He had bought the gun off the street a month prior, he said.

Lambert thought Wright was taking too long, so he walked toward the front door when he heard several gunshots from outside, he said.

Wright came back inside and handed Lambert his gun without saying what had happened outside, Lambert testified.

Lambert was then driven home by a relative of Wrights who had arrived at the house, he said. He still had his gun with him, he said. He later saw on Facebook that Jones had been fatally shot on Williamson Road.

Jones had sold Lambert marijuana in the past, the witness said. For days after the shooting, Wright tried contacting Lambert, who ignored him. The two eventually spoke on a three-way call with another person, Lambert said.

He was really, like, bragging, Lambert said of Wrights comments. He was just telling what he did and stuff. Wright at one point said something about everything happening fast after he wouldnt give it up, Lambert said.

Wright asked Lambert for the gun back during their phone conversation, but Lambert told him no, Lambert testified.

Lambert moved the gun to an aunts house. He also went on Facebook Live to profess his innocence in Jones killing. Police took notice of this and went to his house. Lambert said he initially lied to police by claiming Wright robbed him of his gun and still had it. He eventually went to his aunts house, retrieved the gun, and handed it over to police, he said.

Investigators analysis showed the bullets recovered from Jones body were fired from Lamberts Glock, police testified. No usable DNA or fingerprints were recovered from the gun.

Authorities issued a warrant for Wright in September 2024. He wasnt arrested until mid-December when a tipster alerted Crime Stoppers to his whereabouts in Detroit.

While police were investigating the scene of Jones homicide, they received reports of another shooting about 1.5 miles away in the 3200 block of Williamson Road. Two teens had been riding bicycles when a vehicle struck them, after which someone emerged from the vehicle and shot one of the teens twice. The teen survived his wound.

Police arrested a 25-year-old man suspected of shooting the teen within a few days, but he was later released without charges filed against him. Wright is only suspected of killing Jones but not of assaulting the teens, police have said.

Investigators believe the teens assault was retaliatory for Jones killing, they have said.

Jones graduated from Saginaw High School in 2020 and would have turned 23 on Aug. 2, 2024.

Quincys life was a testament of his dedication to others, his obituary states. He loved to have fun and enjoy life. He lived to ensure that everyone around him was okay. We all can hear him saying I got you! as he was ripping and running. His big smile and laugh will be remembered forever.
A store in Grand Rapids, Mich. that accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, benefits through EBT. (Photo by Rose White | MLive) Rose White | MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - State elected leaders are trying to pull together a plan that would continue food assistance for roughly 1.4 million Michiganders, just days before a Nov. 1 deadline.

Attorney General Dana Nessel has sued President Donald Trumps administration in response to an announcement that - starting next month - it will cut off Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits as the federal government shutdown continues.

A message topping the USDAs website reads, the well has run dry.

SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, provides food assistance to those who are lower-income. Nearly 13% of Michigan households rely on SNAP to buy groceries.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also made a direct appeal to Trump, calling for a reallocation of federal funds to keep SNAP going.

And state lawmakers in both chambers introduced legislation this week that would reallocate state funding to temporarily cover the programs cost.

Its our money, Nessel said on Thursday, Oct. 30, speaking at an event in Grand Rapids about how federal tax dollars return in the form of funding programs.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) notified Michigan and other states that benefits from SNAP will pause for the month of November.

Instead of directing states to issue partial benefit payments, the federal government told Michigan to hold November SNAP issuance.

The notification came several weeks after the government shutdown began Oct. 1, when Congress failed to pass either a full spending bill or temporary funding resolution for the new fiscal year.

Democrats and Republicans in Washington continue to point fingers for whos to blame for the standoff. It involves Democrats preventing a spending bill from being passed until Republicans agree to continue healthcare subsidies through the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, that are set to expire at the end of the year.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate failed for a 13th time to pass a GOP House bill that wouldve ended the shutdown.

The same day, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined 22 other attorneys general and three governors in suing the USDA for what they say is an unlawful suspension of SNAP benefits.

They say during previous federal government shutdowns, SNAP benefits have never been interrupted. And despite the federal governments claim that it has insufficient funds, the agency has access to billions in contingency funds appropriated by Congress.

A memo issued by the USDA says contingency funds are not legally available, and Republicans in Congress have pointed to legal analysis arguing that emergency funds cannot be used because they are finite and must previously have been appropriated.

Emergency funding exists for exactly this kind of crisis, Nessel said. If the reality of 42 million Americans going hungry, including 1.4 million Michiganders, isnt an emergency, I dont know what is.

Nessel told press that every day of paused SNAP benefits could have a big impact, especially when coupled with federal funding cuts to food banks across the state.

I just want to remind people, the federal government, they are not our benevolent overlords, Nessel said. We pay taxes to the federal government here in Michigan it goes to the federal government and comes back to us by the way of programs like SNAP.

This is our money, and we just want the federal government to give us our money that was congressionally appropriated, Nessel said.

On Thursday morning, she said arguments on the lawsuit were beginning in a Massachusetts court, and a temporary order requiring the funds to be disbursed could come soon.

The Washington Post reported on Thursday afternoon that a federal judge indicated she would probably order the Trump administration to use reserves and partially fund food assistance, potentially delaying the cutoff. A ruling is likely to come at some point Thursday.

After any movement on the SNAP lawsuit, it would still take around three days for the federal government to disburse any funding from the states, Nessels team said.

Nessel said shes hopeful a ruling would also make it easier for the state legislature to approve its own SNAP continuation funding.

Michigan would not be reimbursed by the federal government if the states elected leaders chose to use state dollars to continue SNAP benefits, according to a USDA memo obtained by Axios.

In that memo, USDA officials said there is no provision under current law for states to cover the cost of the benefits and be reimbursed.

On Thursday, the state Senate approved putting $71 million towards helping feed families, in a supplemental funding bill approved by a 27-4 vote.

The bill now heads to the House for consideration. Because of a five-day layover rule, the House is not able to immediately consider the bill for passage.

Earlier in the week, on Oct. 28, state House Democrats announced they would introduce a plan to use lapsed project dollars and create a new $900 million SNAP Fund, backfilling lost federal dollars and allowing the program to remain temporarily operational.

The fund is part of a five-bill package aimed at mitigating the effects of a SNAP benefits pause and restoring federal funding, along with allocating $12.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to help keep food banks stocked and $12.5 million to food pantry programs around the state.

Several other states, including Minnesota, have announced they would also repurpose state funds to keep SNAP going.

The House bills are also being formally introduced Thursday. Republican House Speaker Matt Hall hasnt yet said if hell consider that package when it is.

His office did not return multiple requests for comment about the Houses package, and did not immediately return a request for comment about the Senates.

The average eligible household in Michigan received $335 in monthly SNAP benefits last year.

About half of SNAP households have a person with a disability and 43% have children. Benefits are put on debit cards, known as electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards, that can be used to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets and other retailers.

Nessel said 78% of Michigan SNAP households include someone with an earned income.

About 42 million people in the U.S. receive SNAP benefits, and the program totals about $100 billion in funding.

On Thursday, Oct. 30, Whitmer and 20 other Democratic governors also sent a letter to President Donald Trump calling on his administration to prevent SNAP disruptions.

Halting SNAP benefits will put millions of Americans at risk of hunger and poverty, Whitmer said. SNAP is more than just a food assistance program, its a lifeline. It helps families put nutritious food on the table, supports local farmers and grocers and strengthens our communities and economy.
Tomas Nido played for the Tigers earlier in 2025 and then accompanied the team on the taxi squad in the postseason. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) AP

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers have re-signed veteran catcher Tomas Nido to a minor-league contract.

Nido, 31, became a free agent earlier this month but elected to return to the Tigers with an invitation to spring training. Hell likely enter the 2026 season once again as the organizations third catcher behind Dillon Dingler and Jake Rogers.

Nido spent six weeks with the Tigers in April and May while Rogers was on the injured list, hitting .343 (12-for-35) as Dinglers backup.

His final act as a Tiger before returning to Triple-A Toledo was throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings in a blowout loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on May 19.

He rejoined the club in October as part of the postseason taxi squad but was never activated.

Drafted by the New York Mets in the eighth round in 2012, Nido built a reputation as a strong defender while rising through the system. He debuted in 2017 and became a reliable backup catcher. After struggling offensively in 2023 and dealing with vision issues, he was designated for assignment and later outrighted to Triple-A.

Nido returned briefly to the Mets in 2024 before being released in June. He then signed with the Chicago Cubs but was sidelined by a meniscus tear and released in August. He joined the Tigers the following month and appeared in three games for Toledo to close out the 2024 season.
GUANGZHOU, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- For Francois Scoliege, a France-based executive of a U.S. brand licensing company, returning to the Canton Fair in Guangzhou feels like revisiting an ever-evolving story of China's manufacturing transformation.

Scoliege works for Established Inc., a licensing company based in Houston. Every six months, he visits the China Import and Export Fair, or the Canton Fair, to meet with Chinese distributors and manufacturers and explore new licensing opportunities.

According to Scoliege, many manufacturers in China don't have a well-known brand, nor an organised commercial structure in Europe or North America, while distributors in those markets have the network, but lack good sourcing options.

"Both sides are looking for famous brands, such as Thomson and Schneider from France or RCA from America, retained by Established Inc.," said Scoliege. This gap, he added, creates potential business opportunities.

The Canton Fair has become an ideal platform for representatives like Scoliege to connect with suppliers and potential partners as the event gathers both renowned global brands and some of China's best manufacturers under one roof.

Building a brand from scratch can be costly and time-consuming, Scoliege said. However, it is vital for good products to reach the market via a noted brand, especially in markets where customers value brands that have longer histories.

"Consumers want to have insurance of the products, and the brands serve as the insurance. If they don't recognize a Chinese brand, they may say no to the product, and pay a bit more for a European or American counterpart," Scoliege revealed.

Licensing European and American brands to Chinese manufacturers is therefore a win-win approach. Chinese companies benefit from the reputation of established brands -- while brand owners receive high-quality, advanced products that further strengthen their image.

Chinese suppliers are not merely functioning as original equipment or design manufacturers, but are also learning brand management and starting to build their own reputations, Scoliege said, adding that he has witnessed a Chinese TV manufacturing company successfully develop its own brand after years of cooperation with well-known companies.

Quality stands out as a key criterion in granting licenses. Licensing companies like Established Inc. have to help control the quality of products for their customers to protect the image of such well-known brands. This requires representatives like Scoliege to meet suppliers in person, ask for samples and inspect their factories.

"I've been visiting the Canton Fair since 2001, and I've seen the quality of booths and products increasing. The same applies to the factories. The city of Guangzhou itself is also changing incredibly without doubt," said Scoliege.

Scoliege highlighted that China is leading the manufacturing process in many domains -- including domestic appliances, vacuum cleaners, TVs and electronics. "You don't even think of going outside of China to produce," he added.

Beyond the evolving manufacturing sector, China's innovative products have been catching the eyes of international buyers. The 138th Canton Fair, which opened on Oct. 15, features over 1 million new products developed in the past year, including around 800,000 newly released items. Notably, some 46 leading robotics companies showcased their most advanced products and services at the fair's service robot zone.

"More and more I see some new products at the Canton Fair that I have never seen anywhere else," Scoliege remarked, citing examples such as a luggage case featuring wheels and battery, and AI-based swimming pool cleaning robots.

Scoliege believes there is a massive market in the AI sector, which is being led by China and the United States. "There is a huge opportunity for us to get new licenses in this domain. We can source new products for some German and French brands who are interested in the AI application market," he explained.

During the years, Established Inc. and the Chinese suppliers have built close connection which he referred to as business partners. Looking ahead, Scoliege expects Established Inc. to soon open a new Shanghai office, which will further strengthen its presence in China. He said the Chinese market is a big one that the company wants to further develop.

"In China, we're generating 300 million U.S. dollars in turnover. With the Chinese suppliers, we are making another 600 million outside of China. I believe we have huge potential here," Scoliege concluded. 
MC Education Desk Read the latest and trending news on CBSE, board exams, NEET, JEE, CUET, competitive exams, scholarships, college admissions, education policies, and more.

Saurav Pandey

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Do you remember Gangster actor Shiney Ahuja, he reportedly runs a business in the Philippines: Look back at his life after conviction in rape case

Sarika Sharma is Editor, Entertainment, MoneyControl.com. She has over 25 years of experience in the field of entertainment journalism.

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Emraan Hashmi on patriarchy: 'When men think its their world, it costs women their dignity'

Emraan Hashmi on patriarchy: 'When men think its their world, it costs women their dignity'

Vaishnavi Gavankar

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Lyricist Kaushal Kishore on emotional journey of composing music for Yami Gautam, Emraan Hashmi starrer Haq: 'I feel proud to be part of a project'

Gayatri Rani

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Mamta Kulkarni says 'Dawood Ibrahim is not a terrorist' later issues clarification and mentions Vicky Goswami

Sarika Sharma

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Priyanka Chopra shares adorable glimpses of Disney vacation with daughter Malti Marie and hubby Nick Jonas, see pics

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Vaishnavi Gavankar

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MEXICO CITY, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday called for improved maritime security coordination with the United States after recent U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats in international waters near the port of Acapulco.

Speaking at a daily press conference, Sheinbaum reiterated opposition to such U.S. moves, which she said could infringe on Mexico's sovereignty, and emphasized the need to strengthen bilateral security mechanisms to prevent future incidents.

"We want protocols to improve within the framework of existing security agreements with the United States," she said. "We must avoid any violations of our sovereignty or unauthorized operations in our exclusive economic zone."

Sheinbaum said that U.S. authorities should alert the Mexican side when suspected vessels are detected near Mexico's national waters, so that the Mexican Navy can handle the situation, particularly when Mexican nationals are involved.

The U.S. military on Monday conducted three strikes on four suspected drug vessels in the eastern Pacific, killing 14 alleged "narco-terrorists" and leaving one survivor, according to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Mexico subsequently launched a rescue operation for the survivor. 
Gayatri Rani

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When Shah Rukh Khan called Priyanka Chopra 'my tame rat' and latter said, "His eyes are the se*iest"

When Shah Rukh Khan called Priyanka Chopra 'my tame rate' and latter said, "His eyes are the se*iest"

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From Baahubali: The Epic to Om Shanti Om: Highly-anticipated films to watch in theatres this week

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BTS RM makes history as first K-pop idol to address APEC CEO summit, thanks ARMY in emotional speech

BTS RM makes history as first K-pop idol to address APEC CEO summit, thanks ARMY in emotional speech

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Netizens celebrate Vadh 2 with Sanjay Mishra and Neena Gupta: A first-ever truly deserving franchise of actors

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Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds in talks to present The Paradise, further update awaits

Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds in talks to present The Paradise, further update awaits

Vaishnavi Gavankar

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How Indian craft spirit makers used bottle design in 2025, to convey provenance and purpose

In a crowded bar where customers seldom have the chance to see the carton or hold the bottle close, it helps to convey something about the brand story in the design of the bottle. (Image credit: Clam Lo via Pexels)

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Rashmika Mandanna shines at Swarovskis 130-year Masters of Light exhibit in Los Angeles, wearing a metallic corset, crystal belt, and luxe jewellery.

Manjiri Patil

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CAIRO, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah here on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments, including the Gaza ceasefire, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

During the meeting, Sisi affirmed "the deep strategic relations" and "the historical ties" between Egypt and Kuwait, stressing Egypt's welcome of Kuwaiti investments in all fields and its commitment to removing any obstacles and providing all necessary facilities for Kuwaiti investors.

For his part, the Kuwaiti prime minister commended "the tangible development witnessed in Egyptian-Kuwaiti relations at all levels" and affirmed his country's keenness to deepen the historic ties of cooperation between the two nations.

The two sides also discussed regional developments. The Kuwaiti prime minister praised Egypt's "pivotal role" in promoting security and stability in the region and its efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

They emphasized the importance of the "full implementation" of the Gaza ceasefire deal and the launch of the Gaza reconstruction process, according to the statement.

An ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the war-torn enclave took effect on Oct. 10 after two years of conflict. The long-awaited ceasefire deal was reached through the mediation of Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye, and the United States. 
The ice cream business forms 3 percent of HULs total yearly turnover, contributing Rs 1,800 crore to the total revenue.

Arindam Roy

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Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang has lobbied aggressively against US curbs on the biggest market for Nvidias products, which are the industrial standard for training and running artificial intelligence models like OpenAIs ChatGPT

Surabhi Pandey

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Danish Khan is the editor of Technology and Telecom. He was previously with the Economic Times and has tracked the sector for 14 years.

J Jagannath

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India-Oman FTA delayed due to Omani procedural approvals, not disagreements, says official

Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.

Total trade between India and Oman stood at $10.61 billion in 2024-25, a growth of 18.6 percent on-year.

Adrija Chatterjee

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Orkla India IPO subscribed nearly 3x on Day 2 despite falling GMP: Should you apply?

Debaroti Adhikary

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Brajesh Kumar

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Vodafone Idea shares fall 12% on SC's written order on AGR dues; other telecom stocks also face pressure

Vodafone Idea shares fall 12% on SC's written order on AGR dues; other telecom stocks also face pressure

J Jagannath

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MC India Web 3.0: Real estate sector needs to build trust, consolidation before tokenisation, say experts

The panel noted that the market must mature and improve transparency in the land tokenisation process

Shiladitya Pandit

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Preliminary AAIB report finds no fault in Air Indias operations; final probe to determine if technical or human error caused the tragedy.

Aishwarya Dabhade

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BUSAN, South Korea, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Thursday that China and the United States should ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations.

During a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Xi said that since Trump's reelection, they have spoken on the phone three times, exchanged several letters and stayed in close contact.

Under their joint guidance, China-U.S. relations have remained stable on the whole, Xi said.

A few days ago, in the latest round of consultation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the economic and trade teams of the two countries reached basic consensus on addressing respective major concerns, which provided the necessary conditions for the meeting today, he said.

Given different national conditions, the two sides do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then, Xi said.

"You and I are at the helm of China-U.S. relations," said Xi. "In the face of winds, waves and challenges, we should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations." 
How CAS is simplifying investment management by bringing all your securities together

The Consolidated Account Statement (CAS) reflects an investors total holdings and transactions across the securities market.

Hiral Thanawala

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Padmini Dhruvaraj

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DLF said that its new sales bookings for the second quarter stood at Rs 4,332 crore, driven by the successful maiden launch in Mumbai  The Westpark

Arindam Roy

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Subhash Helgaokar

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What started as comfort food for Indian engineers just became Suzukis hottest new business line. Photo courtesy of Suzuki Motor Corp.)(Kyodo)

Aishwarya Dabhade

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Mira Sen has covered Indian politics and national developments for over a decade, closely tracking elections, national parties, policymakers, on-the-ground developments  and their impact on citizens.

Siddharth Chakravorty

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The Delhi Police, in its affidavit to be filed before the Supreme Court opposing bail to Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima and others in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, has described the violence as part of a coordinated regime-change operation.

Siddharth Chakravorty

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BSWML launched this drive to make offenders experience the nuisance caused by careless waste disposal

Christin Mathew Philip

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Bengaluru to get Rs 2,296-crore infra boost ahead of civic polls; Karnataka Cabinet gives nod

Christin Mathew Philip

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Arishaa Izaj

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UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Pobee on Thursday called on the Security Council to take action to stop the relentless fighting in Sudan.

"As the conflict reaches yet another critical point, we must intensify our call for an urgent and lasting solution. Reports and warnings about the unfolding catastrophe in El Fasher have been issued for months," she told the council in a briefing on the situation in Sudan.

"We must all play our part in helping to bring this devastating war to an end. We must stand with the people of Sudan who have suffered far too much for far too long," she said.

Pobee called on the Council to use all the tools at its disposal to demand peace in Sudan. "We count on the council to lead the way."

She said the conflict in Sudan has deteriorated even further and has caused widespread suffering, with new surges of horrific violence.

After more than 500 days under siege, El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur state, has been captured by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Only small pockets of resistance remain, she said.

Other parts of the country have not been spared from the relentless violence. In recent weeks, fighting has intensified in the Kordofan region, likely the next arena of military focus for the warring parties, she warned.

The city of Bara in North Kordofan, a strategic location for both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces, was captured by the RSF last week. This marked another escalation on the ground, she said.

Drone strikes by both sides are impacting new territories and targets. These include Blue Nile, Khartoum, Sennar, South Kordofan and West Darfur, suggesting that the territorial scope of the conflict is broadening, she added.

Shifting military dynamics continue to shape the course of the conflict. The human cost is profound, Pobee said, adding that the risk of mass atrocities, ethnically targeted violence and further violations of international humanitarian law, including sexual violence, remains alarmingly high across the country, and particularly in El Fasher, she warned.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has once again called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Sudan.

"The parties must return to the negotiating table, in good faith," said Pobee. "They must pursue a sustainable resolution to the conflict. An immediate end to the fighting and sustained dialogue are needed to reverse Sudan's spiraling descent into de facto fragmentation." 
Smriti Mishra

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Bihar's migrant vote emerges new X-factor this election: Who will bring them home?

Passengers aboard a train as they travel to their hometowns ahead of the 'Chhath Puja' at Anand Vihar railway station in New Delhi. (File: PTI)

Parimal Peeyush

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Constitution doesn't give right to minorities to claim immunity from regulation: Allahabad HC

Constitution doesn't give right to minorities to claim immunity from regulation: Allahabad HC

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Rahul Gandhi kick-started the Congress' Bihar election campaign on Wednesday declaring that PM Modi would do 'anything for votes'.

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In a first, Karnataka to roll out AI-powered WhatsApp-based public grievance redressal mechanism

Christin Mathew Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol.com with 15 years of experience in journalism and a recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. Based in Bengaluru, he understands the pulse of the people and covers issues that matter, including mobility, infrastructure, start-ups, and government policies. He tweets at @ChristinMP_

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India Web 3.0 Summit: 'Future wars will be fought on basis of data available with countries,' says Rahul Narwekar

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'Indira Gandhi had more strength despite being a woman...': Rahul Gandhi 'challenges' PM Modi to call out Trump over claims regarding India-Pak

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Man who held 20 kids hostage in Mumbai's Powai dies after police fires at him

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LHASA, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The First Xizang International Communication Conference was held on Wednesday in Nyingchi City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, as part of the 2025 Forum on the Development of Xizang.

Themed "Building a hub for global dialogue," the event brought together more than 150 experts and officials to discuss how to better engage with the world and share authentic stories of life in Xizang, known as the roof of the world.

"Xizang has long been the focus of global attention -- and at the center of a fierce battle of narratives," Wang Haizhou, the region's top publicity official and a member of the standing committee of the Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee of the Communist Party of China, said in his opening speech.

Zhang Weiwei, director of the China Institute of Fudan University, noted that the development of high-altitude areas is a global challenge, and Xizang's progress showcases China's ability to conduct long-term planning, coordinate national efforts and take concrete actions to improve livelihood.

Noting that Xizang's accomplishments, including widespread adoption of clean energy and free annual health checkups for residents, deserve greater global attention, he expressed hopes for more foreigners, especially the youth, to visit Xizang and help the world better understand the region.

Xing Guangcheng, a veteran borderland studies expert and member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, connected Xizang's development to China's broader modernization efforts, highlighting how poverty alleviation and infrastructure projects have facilitated the region's rapid development.

"Xizang should not be isolated simply because of its high altitude," he said. "It must open up further and leverage its border location to strengthen engagement with South Asia and Southeast Asia."

Xizang received 63.89 million domestic and international visitors in 2024, a 15.8 percent year-on-year increase. Growth momentum continued in the first half of 2025, as the region welcomed 32.18 million visitors, up 11.7 percent year on year, according to the regional government.

Xizang has been a longtime magnet for global fascination, and yet also a target of Western smear campaigns.

"What is the real situation in Xizang? Are the Tibetan people happy, free, and enjoying human rights? The people who live here are best-placed to answer," said Chu Guoqiang, Party secretary and president of Xizang Daily. He called on Western journalists to "discard prejudice and see with clear eyes," encouraging them to visit Xizang and hear from the locals themselves.

Yin Dongmei, Party secretary of the Shanghai International Studies University, said, "By telling relatable stories and the experiences of ordinary people, we can help the world understand that the 'Chinese nation as one community" is not an abstract concept but a living reality on the ground."

Effective international communication begins with perception. As Professor Zhan Xun from the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China noted, the ambition for Xizang's global outreach goes beyond presenting an authentic image -- it aims to foster a global appreciation for a region that is dynamic, diverse and self-assured.

Through mutual learning and appreciation among civilizations, a more authentic, multidimensional Xizang will undoubtedly emerge on the world stage, Yin said. 
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti files PIL before Jammu-Kashmir High Court for return of undertrials to UT

Rewati Karan

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India WEB 3.0 Summit: PM Modi took India's digital vision to a new level, says MoS Murugan

Loganathan Murugan, Union minister of state for ministry of information and broadcasting

Arindam Roy

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Police rescue over 20 children who were held hostage inside a flat in Powai area.

Tamal Nandi

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Rahuls dance taunt not the first: How personal attacks on Modi have backfired for Congress before

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The RSS had to wade through multiple challenges to make it finally happen.

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The exercise will see the armed forces execute coordinated operations across a variety of challenging terrains. ( Representative Image)

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Mira Sen has covered Indian politics and national developments for over a decade, closely tracking elections, national parties, policymakers, on-the-ground developments  and their impact on citizens.

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Akshat Khandelwal is a writer, and the Founder & CEO of Nuflower. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Manufacturing leads to higher labour productivity, which is the key to creating well-paying jobs.

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Shishir Tripathi is a journalist and researcher based in Delhi. He has worked with The Indian Express, Firstpost, Governance Now, and Indic Collective. He writes on Law, Governance and Politics. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

The Supreme Courts intervention in the Karur stampede case emanates from a concern for fairness and credibility

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This undated photo provided by the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences shows a trace fossil discovered in central China's Hubei Province. A group of fossilized tunnels dug by animals about 550 million years ago, discovered in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China, have offered new insights into how the earliest animal activities began to shape the seafloor environment. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- A group of fossilized tunnels dug by animals about 550 million years ago, discovered in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China, have offered new insights into how the earliest animal activities began to shape the seafloor environment.

Previous research has shown that during a pivotal evolutionary period around 539 million years ago, known as the Ediacaran-Cambrian transition, animals began to shift from simply moving across the seabed to actively exploring deeper layers of sediment. The transition from 2D movement to 3D burrowing turned the ocean bottom from a single, uniform environment into a complex, animal-engineered habitat, fundamentally changing marine ecosystems.

Now, a discovery from central China's Hubei Province indicates that this revolutionary change had started much earlier.

Researchers from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted a study on the Shibantan Biota, a treasure trove of ancient fossils in Hubei. This fossil biota dates back approximately 550 to 543 million years. They identified several types of burrows made by worm-like animals, indicating that complex animal behaviors were already shaping the seafloor environment nearly 10 million years earlier than previously thought.

These findings were on Thursday published in the journal Science Advances. Researchers involved in the study noted their discovery of Treptichnus streptosus, a new type of fossilized, zig-zag burrow made by an ancient worm.

"Its structure suggests that trace-making creatures were capable of rhythmic and repeatable movement and exploring, which reflects a well-developed nervous system and muscular control," lead researcher Chen Zhe told Xinhua.

Chen also mentioned other known traces found at the site, such as tadpole-shaped burrows and complex, compound tunnels created by ancient animals as they walked, searched for food and temporarily dwelled.

These adaptations indicate that animal behaviors were already diverse and complex at that time -- earlier than the rapid burst of life known as the Cambrian explosion, Chen explained, while adding that the new study extends the timeline of animal evolutionary sophistication further back than before.

Complex digging behaviors inferred from trace fossils, notably, also caused a lot of disturbance in the sediment.

They not only broke up the microbial mats covering the seafloor but also damaged the habitat of Ediacara organisms that lived there, which may have led to their decline, said co-author Liu Yarong, a PhD student at the institute.

This means that early animal burrowing may have contributed to the first known mass extinction event -- the decline of the Ediacara biota around 550 million years ago.

However, this disturbance also created new opportunities for other types of animals to evolve and diversify. Along with additional biological and environmental factors, early animal burrowing helped drive the major ecosystem transformation that took place at the dawn of the Cambrian period, according to the researchers.

In 2018, paleontologists from China and the United States reported the discovery of trace fossils that represented some of the earliest known evidence for animal appendages or legs in the Shibantan Biota in the Yangtze Gorges area.

The new study confirms that this biota, with its rich variety of trace and body fossils -- offers a unique window into one of the most important turning points in the history of life, namely the transition from simple life forms to complex ecosystems.

"Animals are not only shaped by their environment, but they also play a vital role in shaping it," Liu said. 

This image provided by the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences shows a restoration picture of trace fossils discovered in central China's Hubei Province. A group of fossilized tunnels dug by animals about 550 million years ago, discovered in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China, have offered new insights into how the earliest animal activities began to shape the seafloor environment. (Xinhua)
OPINION | The Deepfake Rules: A reform in need of nuance

Rohit Kumar is the Founding Partner at the public policy firm The Quantum Hub - TQH. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

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Danish Khan is the editor of Technology and Telecom. He was previously with the Economic Times and has tracked the sector for 14 years.

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French techie funds his wedding by selling ad space on his suit, features logos from 26 startups

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CEO James Fishbacks comments reflect growing tensions around immigration and labor policy in the US, especially in sectors heavily reliant on foreign talent. (Image credit: X)

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Science behind why millions of Red Crabs march together in Christmas Island

Science behind why millions of Red Crabs march together (Image: Canva)

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Worlds first white Iberian lynx spotted in Spain stuns experts, internet calls it conservation done right

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ISLAMABAD, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Six Pakistan Army personnel, including a captain, and seven terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said on Wednesday.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said in a statement that security forces conducted the operation in the Dogar area of Kurram district following reports about the presence of militants.

During an exchange of fire, seven militants were killed in an effective engagement by the security forces, the statement said.

A search operation was underway, the ISPR said, adding that counterterrorism efforts under the "Azm-e-Istehkam" initiative would continue to ensure lasting peace. 
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Google denies Gmail hack claims; says 183 million accounts are safe; heres how to verify yours

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Samsung expands Internet browser to PC with Galaxy AI and new privacy tools

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Samsung Galaxy AI now available in 22 Indian languages including Gujarati, Hindi and others

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A fantastic relationship: Trump and Xi seek to revive trust and ease trade strains in first meeting in years

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After three decades of silence, Trump wants nuclear tests again: Heres why thats a big deal

(FILES) This handout from the US Air Force shows an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launching during a developmental test at 12:33 a.m. Pacific Time at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California on February 5, 2020. (Photo by Clayton WEAR / US AIR FORCE / AFP)

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MEXICO CITY, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday described as "unilateral" and unjustified the decision by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to cancel 13 air routes to Mexico and cargo flights to the capital's new Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA).

"We disagree with this decision by the Department of Transportation. From our perspective, these actions, which are being taken unilaterally, have no basis. Let's hope there isn't some other interest at play," Sheinbaum said at her daily press conference.

Sheinbaum said she has instructed Foreign Affairs Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente to request an urgent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. transportation officials to review the grounds for the decision, which she said may involve a "political interest" or even an interest in "supporting some companies over others."

The president also ordered the National Antitrust Commission to analyze the U.S. government's claim that Mexico allegedly violates "the competition of U.S. companies."

"From our perspective, there is no impact on airlines, and we say that with complete certainty. Mexico is not anyone's pinata. Mexico deserves respect," she added.

The USDOT announced its decision on Tuesday, citing "continuous abuse" of the 2015 bilateral Air Transport Agreement. The department accused Mexico of anti-competitive behavior, pointing in particular to a presidential decree that transferred air cargo operations from Mexico City International Airport (AICM) to AIFA and to Mexico's allocation of landing and takeoff slots at AICM.

Sheinbaum said she will meet on Friday with representatives of Mexican airlines Aeromexico, Volaris and Viva Aerobus to define a joint strategy to address the restrictions, noting that they disrupt ongoing operations.

She said transferring cargo flights to AIFA was a necessary measure, as AICM is operating at capacity, and added that U.S. companies have been "very satisfied" with the change. 
Alarmed by China & Russia, Trump asks Pentagon to end 3-decade nuclear testing pause: Will it trigger a 'chain reaction'?

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Trump says US to 'immediately' start testing nuclear weapons: 'Because of other countries...'

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Donald Trump to visit China in April after amazing talks with Xi Jinping in South Korea

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A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City. (REUTERS)

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I could come back: Trump says too busy to meet Kim Jong Un during South Korea visit

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India or US drones? Why PakistanAfghanistan peace talks fell apart in Istanbul

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India pulls out of Tajikistans Ayni airbase after two decades: The reasons, the fallout and what comes next | Explained

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India secures US waiver extension for Chabahar Port till early 2026: Why its a major diplomatic win for New Delhi

A picture taken on February 25, 2019 shows workers resting at the Shahid Beheshti Port in the southeastern Iranian coastal city of Chabahar, on the Gulf of Oman. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)

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ISTANBUL, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The 18th Verona Eurasian Economic Forum kicked off on Thursday in Turkiye's largest city Istanbul, featuring discussions among policymakers, company leaders, and scholars from Europe and Asia.

Under the theme of "New Energy for New Economic Realities," the forum addresses critical global issues ranging from energy and the digital economy to investment, transportation, and logistics infrastructure.

In a congratulatory letter to the forum, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted Eurasia's special role in global affairs, including in the process of building a multipolar world order.

He added that Eurasia is home to the main centers of economic growth and key transport and trade routes, and the discussions at the event are "highly relevant."

In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said that Turkiye's position at the crossroads of continents gives the country a natural advantage as a center of gravity for regional and global cooperation.

He said that Turkiye stands ready to build bridges between continents, industries, as well as traditional and new energy systems.

"We will continue to play a constructive role in shaping the global economy as a reliable partner for shared prosperity and sustainable growth," Bayraktar said.

Antonio Fallico, president of the Conoscere Eurasia Association, the forum's organizer, said the Global South is seeking new mechanisms of engagement and coordination and new ways to solve the most important problems. He called for dialogue and exchange as countries work to promote the welfare of all peoples and social prosperity across Eurasia.

Established in 2007 in Verona, Italy, the two-day forum aims to foster economic and cultural ties across Eurasia. 
Indian-origin man killed in Canada after confronting stranger urinating on his car: What really happened in Edmonton?

Abhinav Gupta

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JD Vance hopes his Hindu-raised wife Usha converts to Christianity, 'but if she doesn't...'

US Vice President JD Vance (R) and US Second Lady Usha Vance chat following an amphibious capabilities demonstration on Red Beach at Camp Pendleton, California, on October 18, 2025 as part of the Marine Corps' 250th anniversary celebrations. (Photo by Oliver Contreras / AFP)

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Nuclear testing: Why did it stop, why test and who has nuclear weapons?

Since the CTBT, 10 nuclear tests have taken place. India conducted two in 1998, Pakistan also two in 1998, and North Korea conducted tests in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016 (twice) and 2017, according to the United Nations

Surabhi Pandey

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Pakistan returns to negotiation table with Afghanistan after threat to obliterate Taliban: Why the talks may fail again

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, center right, and Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob sign a ceasefire agreement in Doha, Qatar, Sunday, October 19, 2025.(Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP)

Abhinav Gupta

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Terrorists exchanged fire after being engaged by security forces at their hideouts

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The lack of meaningful pressure on Beijing means oil will continue to be a major source of revenue for President Vladimir Putins war effort

Arindam Roy

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The Pentagon is seen from the air in Washington (REUTERS)

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UN report links Pahalgam terror attack to Myanmar refugees: Why it has irked New Delhi | Explained

Manish Rao is a seasoned journalist who has extensively covered global affairs, geopolitical developments, American politics, and all other things making news around the world.

(FILES) Security personnel inspect the site in the aftermath of an attack as food stall chairs lie empty in Pahalgam, about 90km (55 miles) from Srinagar on April 23, 2025. (Photo by TAUSEEF MUSTAFA / AFP)

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Manish Rao is a seasoned journalist who has extensively covered global affairs, geopolitical developments, American politics, and all other things making news around the world.

Armaan Bhatnagar

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shakes hands with visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ankara, Turkiye, Oct. 30, 2025. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

ANKARA, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye and Germany should focus on joint defense projects and move past previous procurement challenges in light of Europe's changing security environment, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday.

"In light of the changing security conditions in Europe, we must leave behind the difficulties in the supply of defense industry products and focus on joint projects," Erdogan said at a joint press conference with visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the capital Ankara.

Erdogan noted that Turkiye welcomes Germany's recent constructive steps in the process of Turkiye's procurement of Eurofighter jets. "Considering Turkiye's progress in defense, it is clear that we have broad areas of cooperation with Germany. We can further strengthen this partnership," he added.

In July, Germany lifted its veto on the sale of Eurofighter jets to Turkiye after years of opposition.

Highlighting economic ties, Erdogan noted that Germany remains Turkiye's largest trade partner in Europe, with trade volume already reaching 50 billion U.S. dollars and ambitions to increase it to 60 billion dollars in the near term.

On the Gaza conflict, Erdogan emphasized that a two-state solution is the key to lasting peace in the region.

The German chancellor said that Germany would pursue closer cooperation with Turkiye on security policy, describing Turkiye as "a highly significant actor" in all foreign and security issues affecting Germany.

Merz welcomed the sale of Eurofighter jets to Turkiye, saying, "These planes will serve our common security."

He stressed that Turkish and German societies and economies are deeply interconnected and called for strengthened strategic partnerships.

On Gaza, Merz said that Germany hopes Turkiye will use its influence to help disarm Hamas and stabilize the situation in Gaza. 
US returns to nuclear testing after 33 years: How Americas arsenal compares with Russia and China | Explained

Abhinav Gupta

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Will go deep into Afghanistan to hunt TTP: Pakistans empty threat or prelude to another proxy war?

Abhinav Gupta

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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BUSAN, South Korea, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met here on Thursday with U.S. President Donald Trump to exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
October 30, 2025 A Nuclear Delivery Vehicle Is Not A Nuclear War Head A Truth Social tweet by U.S. President Donald Trump on nuclear weapons has led to some confusion and, as I assume, misinterpretations. Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump  Oct 30, 2025, 1:04 utc The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP The Washington Post interprets it as a test of nuclear warheads: Trump directs Pentagon to test nuclear weapons for first time since 1992 (archived)  Washington Post

The president said he wanted testing to occur on an equal basis with Russia and China. The Kremlin condemned the move, and there was no indication of when tests might take place. President Donald Trump on Thursday morning said he directed the Pentagon to begin testing nuclear weapons on an equal basis with Russia and China, an apparent attempt to flex the United States military might ahead of a high-stakes trade meeting here with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping. Trumps announcement on Truth Social signaled a reversal of decades of United States nuclear policy that could have far-reaching consequences for relations with U.S. adversaries, though his post included very few details about what the tests would entail. The last nuclear weapon test in the United States was held in 1992, before President George H.W. Bush implemented a moratorium on such exercises at the conclusion of the Cold War. Trump wrote that the process would begin immediately and was in response to other countries testing programs. The president posted about resuming nuclear weapons testing as his helicopter, Marine One, was in the air on his way to meet Xi at Gimhae Air Base. The Trump tweet is wrong in that it asserts that the U.S. has more nuclear weapons than any other country. All public sources say that Russia with about 4300 nuclear warheads has slightly more than the United States with about 3,600. China has about 5-600 nuclear warheads and is building up its nuclear weapon arsenal to about 1,000 warheads by 2035. However Trumps next sentence is not about testing nuclear warheads. It is about testing of carrier systems that can deploy nuclear warheads. Trump says: Because of other countries testing programs,  No country has recently exploded a nuclear bomb or warhead for testing or other purposes. The last known nuclear test was done by North Korea in 2017. It is important to distinguish between testing a carrier designed to deliver a nuclear war head and testing, i.e. exploding, the nuclear war head itself. A nuclear carrier can be a bomber, a land based (intercontinental) missile or a submarine based missile or torpedo. Russia has recently announced a successful test of the Burevestnik cruise missile. This is a potential nuclear warhead carrier driven by a nuclear-powered jet engine: The Russian president talked about the new unlimited-range nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile. The weapon was successfully tested last week, when the projectile reportedly traveled more than 14,000 km. Putin revealed details about the missiles nuclear-powered turbojet engine, stating that its power unit is comparable in output with the reactor of a nuclear-propelled submarine, but its 1,000 times smaller. The key thing is that while a conventional nuclear reactor starts up in hours, days, or even weeks, this nuclear reactor starts up in minutes or seconds. Thats a giant achievement, the president said. Burevestnik is, like the U.S. Tomahawk, a turbo fan driven cruise missile designed to fly at low altitude at a speed of less than Mach 1. While the Tomahawk uses a liquid propellant as a source of heat to drive its engine the Burevestnik uses a miniaturized nuclear reactor of an unknown kind. This gives it unmatched endurance. Both missile can carry conventional or nuclear war heads. The nuclear jet engine that drives the Burevestnik is not an explosive device. While it is likely to create radioactive contamination when it crashes it will not explode. Russia has also tested its long announced Poseidon torpedo: Russia successfully tested a nuclear-powered underwater Poseidon drone on Tuesday, Putin revealed. The development of the massive torpedo-shaped nuclear-capable drone was first announced in 2018, but had been shrouded in mystery ever since. For the first time, we succeeded not only in launching it from a carrier submarine using a booster engine but also in starting its nuclear power unit, which propelled the drone for a certain amount of time, Putin stated. The device is unrivaled by any other weapon anywhere in the world when it comes to speed and depth, the president stressed, adding that an analogous weapon is unlikely to be fielded by any other nation soon. The power of Poseidon greatly surpasses the characteristics of Russias upcoming Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Putin stated, apparently referring to the yield of its nuclear payload. The Poseidon torpedo is likely using a nuclear reactor which is in principle similar to the one on the Burevestnik cruise missile. Its most important advantage is again its high endurance. Poseidon is designed to carry a large nuclear warhead. Should that explode near to some harbor it would likely cause a large tsunami. Trump also said: I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis.  All nuclear warheads the U.S. has are under the control of the Department of Energy. It is the sole agency that can do test explosions of nuclear warheads. The nuclear delivery vehicles which are used to deploy the war heads are under the control of the Department of Defense (or Department of War as Trump calls it). Trump said Because of other countries testing programs and start testing  on an equal basis both in reference of nuclear delivery vehicle tests of other countries. Trump thereby likely meant to order the DoD to test its nuclear delivery vehicles, just like Russia has recently done. He did not order the DoE to test nuclear war heads. The testing of nuclear delivery vehicles, like intercontinental missiles, is a routine that has been done every year since those exist. It is nothing to panic about. Trumps language is however as usual imprecise. May be he really has ordered to test a nuclear war head? Russia is not sure about this: Russia will respond accordingly if the US violates a moratorium on testing nuclear weapons, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.



Responding to Trumps claims of other countries carrying out nuclear tests, Peskov said we are so far not aware of this. If it is about Burevestnik, then it is not a nuclear test, he insisted. All nations are developing their defense systems, but this is not a nuclear test.



Washington test-fired an unarmed, nuclear-capable Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile in February and launched four Trident II missiles from a submarine in September. Russia last tested a nuclear weapon during the Soviet period in 1990. The US halted its testing in 1992 under a Congress-mandated moratorium. To test a nuclear war head Trump would have to ask Congress to lift the moratorium on testing. He would also have to order the Department of Energy to prepare a test site. That process alone is estimated to take three years. There is thus absolutely no reason for headline panics. Comments
LISBON, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Portugal, Spain, and the European Commission have agreed on measures to advance the Lisbon-Madrid rail link by 2030, with a travel time of five hours, Portugal's Infrastructure Ministry said Thursday.

Infrastructure Minister Miguel Pinto Luz said the plan marks a decisive step toward connecting the Iberian capitals, with a high-speed link expected by 2034 that will cut travel time to about three hours.

He noted that expanding the high-speed network supports Portugal's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and promoting sustainable and efficient transport.

There is currently no direct passenger train between Lisbon and Madrid. 
BCs Tales of the Pacific | The fastest man on water

SPEED records are constantly being broken, so much so that we rarely take notice anymore. So-and-so is now the fastest car on the planet. Next year it will be surpassed, and that one the year after that, and so on. When it comes to flight, it feels like records are broken almost daily, with some new modification squeezing out a few more miles per hour.

With the dizzying pace of technological innovation these days, more powerful engines are built and more aerodynamic frames are designed. Even meteorologists get involved predicting the ideal winds and temperatures to ensure success.

It is quite different when it comes to the sea. While it may not surprise you to hear the fastest boat ever to shoot across the water, it may surprise you to learn how long the record has stood.

Ken Warby did not have corporate sponsors. The Australian man designed his boat at the dining table then went into his backyard and started building. With no access to space-age carbon composites, he built his vessel out of timber and plywood, using the three power tools in his shop: a sander, a drill, and a circular saw. He purchased a used military surplus Westinghouse J34 jet engine at an auction in Sydney for $60 and strapped it into his craft. Even though the unit had seen extensive service with the Australian air force, it still pushed around 3000 pounds of thrust.

To acquire the final pieces and to test the boat was going to cost more money, so Warby painted and sold the paintings to finance his project. He also sought help from Shell Oil, who agreed to sponsor him. That kind of backing brought everything together.

Warby ran his boat, the Spirit of Australia, on the Blowering Dam reservoir, figuring correctly that it would be a smoother ride than a natural lake, certainly more stable than the ocean. At the speeds Warby was dreaming of, the slightest wave could render the boat uncontrollable and result in a death-dealing crash. He topped out at 288 miles per hour, crushing the existing world record.

Not one to bask in the glory of his achievement, Warby went back to the drawing board and tried to figure out why his engine felt sluggish. With a little help from the Australian military, who had become quite interested in what Warby was up to, he fine-tuned the jet and tried again.

On the next run, Warby topped 317 miles per hour. It was a milestone achievement and a world record that stands to this day. So significant is Warbys accomplishment that the event was recorded by multiple cameras, so you can watch the historic run on YouTube and other social media.

Now we come to the most interesting part of the story. Warby set the world record for fastest boat in 1978. Forty-four years ago. Forty-four years of technology and progress. How could his record possibly stand for so long in the age of computers, satellite tracking, titanium, more powerful engines, ultra-light carbon composites, and advanced aero- and hydrodynamics? It was not for trying. Others have attempted to beat Warbys record but so far everyone who has tried has died. In 1980, Lee Taylor, the previous record holder, tried to win it back and was killed in a crash. In 1989, another attempt ended in the death of the skipper.

The boating world has concluded that man was simply not meant to travel that fast over water. Well, the whole boating world not counting Ken Warby. He has built the Spirit of Australia II and with his son at the helm, they hope to go even faster. If he does, I will let you know.

BC Cook, PhD taught history for over 20 years. He lived on Saipan and travels the Pacific but currently lives on the mainland U.S.
BCs Tales of the Pacific  Operation Pacific Viper

By BC Cook

For Variety

WHILE the American government has been shut down and we hold our breath to see if the cease-fire holds in the Middle East, the Coast Guard has been quietly going about its business of destroying the international drug trade.

Over the last two months, the Coast Guard has concentrated its forces in the eastern Pacific region in an all-out war against the fleet of boats carrying drugs from South America to the United States, and the results have been dramatic.

According to the website of the Department of Homeland Security, Operation Pacific Viper has reached a new milestone of 100,000 pounds of drugs seized, mostly cocaine, in 34 interdictions since August, an average of 1,600 pounds per day.

Rear Admiral Jeffrey Novak, deputy commander of the Coast Guard Pacific Area, noted that: When we say the Coast Guard is accelerating counter-narcotics operations, we mean it. Alongside our partners and allies, our maritime fighting force is scouring drug smuggling routes in the Eastern Pacific and dismantling narco-terrorist networks. Similar efforts are underway in the Caribbean as well. Last week, the United States sent an aircraft carrier to the region.

Novak continues, We are complementing the Coast Guards unique law enforcement authorities with cutting-edge capabilities to stop the flow of deadly drugs that threaten U.S. communities. As we mark our interdiction of 100,000 pounds, we are already working towards the next milestone.

No one can accuse the Coast Guard of sleeping through the government shutdown. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem added, Operation Pacific Viper has proven to be a crucial weapon in the fight against foreign drug traffickers and cartels in Latin America and has sent a clear message that we will disrupt, dismantle, and destroy their deadly business exploits wherever we find it.

In August, the Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton brought home almost a half billion dollars worth of captured drugs, the largest single offload in their history. I have a feeling it will not stay the largest for long.

Along with the staggering amount of drugs seized, the Coast Guard is destroying bundles of drugs, sinking vessels and rounding up cartel members, so even if the drug lords have more product, they are finding it increasingly difficult to transport. The entire network remains danger of collapse. The war on drugs has been going on in various forms for decades, but this is the largest, most intense operation I can remember. Check YouTube for dramatic footage of captures and sinkings.
Carry on

By Zaldy Dandan  Variety Editor

TOWARD the end of February 1986, the generally nonviolent people power revolution in the Philippines was one of worlds biggest news. It was the banner story of the New York Times and other major newspapers, and was featured on prime-time broadcast news in the U.S. and other countries. Cory Aquino, who was named The Woman of the Year by Time magazine, was so famous she merited an impersonation on Saturday Night Live.

She would later be invited to deliver an address before a joint session of the U.S. Congress. Her speech received multiple standing ovations, and was interrupted by applause several times. You have spent many lives and much treasure to bring freedom to many lands that were reluctant to receive it, she said. And here you have a people who won it by themselves and need only the help to preserve it. House Speaker Tip ONeill called it the finest speech Ive ever heard in my 34 years in Congress while Sen. Robert Dole remarked, Cory, you hit a home run. She would have a one-on-one meeting and a working lunch with President Reagan at the White House. For his part, U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz was often seen with a Cory doll dangling from his tuxedo pocket at various functions.

Here in the CNMI, when Variety was still a weekly newspaper that came out on Fridays, the dramatic events in the Philippines were mentioned in a brief AP news story at the bottom of page 2, and again in another short AP article on page 22. There were no photos, but there was an editorial cartoon from the U.S. depicting former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.  who was toppled in the uprising  as a skunk on a leash that had also entangled President Reagan, who was holding his nose, while the leaders of other nations, likewise holding their noses, fled the scene.

CNMI residents wishing to know more  or to see additional photos and videos  of that highly publicized event had to rely on friends or relatives for copies of Philippine or U.S. newspapers and VHS recordings of the newscasts.

That was how it was in those days, living in the faraway Pacific islands. Print and broadcast news reigned supreme, but the logistical hurdles of bringing them to remote places were substantial.

Back in the day, even local news traveled slowly. In 1993, my first year on the island, I learned about the general election results  like many other residents  two days after voters cast their ballots. Election Day was on a Saturday, and the results appeared in Variety on Monday. Even the latest international news published by Guams PDN, which had Saturday and Sunday print editions, were at least a day or more old. To be constantly updated, news junkies must pay for cable TV, which aired CNN.

Not surprisingly, for many residents who were not familiar with many of the news happening elsewhere in the U.S. and the rest of the world, CNMI problems were unique and, quite possibly, beyond the pale. Every other island jurisdiction seemed better than the CNMI or at least wasnt as bad.

Today, we can know whats happening anywhere in the world the moment it happens, including not just the U.S. capital, but the States, other territories and islands. We can now know more about the problems of their governments, the seemingly endless challenges, old and new, they have to face and struggle with it.

And today, I can say that a reasonable person familiar with news from around the world would likely prefer the CNMIs problems to those bedeviling other countries, territories, or islands  problems such as ethnic and other acts of violence, relentless criminal activity, rampant graft and corruption that largely goes unpunished, and seemingly hopeless poverty, among other blights of modern-day life.

To begin with, the CNMI is not a country, but part of, yes, the worlds greatest nation  no matter what its critics, usually American-educated, would say. And they would rather say it in the U.S., where they prefer to work and reside, than in Russia or China.

Compared to many of their fellow Pacific islanders, CNMI (and Guam residents) enjoy something truly precious  the freedom to live under the American flag and the wealth of opportunities it provides, including second and third chances, options, and mobility.

This is not only where Americas day begins. This is also the place where there is always another day.

Send feedback to editor@mvariety.com

Zaldy Dandan is the recipient of the NMI Society of Professional Journalists Best in Editorial Writing Award and the NMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com/.
OPINION | Truth or Consequences (63): The Feds are Back-in-Town & the LIE!

THE Boys-are-back-in-town and they are the Feds who were very busy last week which should tell everyone with common sense that the Feds are COMING for the Governor and his Crew just like I kept reminding people who wanted to play-it-off like the Governor has obviously done successfully in fooling a LOT of People, especially poor Vinnie. I hope those who were visited by the FBI did follow the suggestion of Rep. Tina Sablan to cooperate and tell the truth, as it is a Federal Offense that comes with jail-time for telling the smallest of lies to the FBI. The FBI are one group of people not even the Governor can get away with his deflecting and gaslighting shows, even though he is the best Ive seen since the Kingfish (Governor Huey Long of Louisiana). I guess thats why he was able to take soooo many of our leaders and citizens down a path to nowhere or should I say a Federal Jail Cell. Its truly sad, and I really dont take no pleasure in writing about this but it HAS TO BE DONE as too many people have literally been FOOLED! He has already gotten Jude and the Senate to commit EGREGIOUS Acts of throwing out evidence and the prosecutor that wont work on the State & Federal Courts but he is still taking innocent voters down a path to nowhere and we will see just how many or few when the votes are counted, that is IF he even makes it too voting day without a conviction in State Court.

I would also advise Arnold to be careful what you wish for as he is on Public Record admitting to signing-off on the illegal Travel when he KNEW it was illegal which makes him a co-defendant in conspiring to defraud the CNMI Government. Who knows what else the Feds may be able to tie him & Ralph together with other criminal behavior given Arnold was right there with the Governor and even contributed to some of the alleged crimes. Torres & Arnold may fool some of the People but not the Feds as RICO is very REAL and it is not just about the Governor but ALL of the Players who participated in criminal activities in concert with the Governor. Arnold was trying to say he took the word of a secretary when the Secretary is supposed to be taking Arnolds word and listening to Arnold  a pathetic excuse of finger-pointing when HE did it. Furthermore, even claiming ignorance, which is one of the Governors strategy, is no excuse under the Law, just ask any real Judge.

But figuratively, the RICO Net is obviously starting to tighten full of fish and it seems that the net is getting close to the point of being reeled-in. We already know the Governor and Angel Demapan are in the net as the Feds already released documents on Guam alleging that the Governor and Angel Demapan took money from Chinese, which violates Federal Election Law prohibiting foreign Nations & Nationalities from contributing to and influencing our Elections. Im sure the visit by the FBI, that readers should check-out on KANDIT News for the names of people they visited and the details, has literally raised the hair on the back of many voters necks, as a lot of People dont want to vote for someone who has one-foot in a State and/or a Federal Jail-cell, it would be TOOOO embarrassing especially when the writing is figuratively ALL over the Walls of the CNMI.

People are even starting to say and think that if they vote for Ralph or Arnold, they could both be in jail and what is going to be NEW & BETTER about the CNMI anyway given the history of this Administration, which is a REAL and VALID question. People know Rebuilding Trust is Hogwash when we need to rebuild our Economy. The Torres/Sablan and the AD Team both realize Republicans cant talk or walk our Economy given the failure of the Great Republican Experiment  the Casino that they spent two decades trying to build and eventually forced it down our throats. Now WE the People are caught in a wait-and-see scenario that WE have no control over and the Casino Commission nor the Governor is doing or saying anything about the Peoples Direct Interest in the Casino/Hotel in the form of OUR Community Chest that is quickly approaching 77-million. Now were hearing the IH Group as possible new owners and even the sale of IPI stuff and everyone else who is owed money EXCEPT for the People, who are always last behind business with Republicans and the proof is in the pudding that we are not eating  I hope my critics get the Ebonics phrase, as the new ones dont seem to know that I write in Ebonics, which is a RECOGNIZED Language.

Anyway, there is also this Family thing of voting for family that WE must overcome. We must get over the BIG-LIE that Government Employees are going to lose their job if they vote Democrat which has been a Republican Strategy ever-since to get votes as some people really believe this lie that we must dispel. Only the Governors Cabinet will lose their jobs when the Administration Changes. There is no way to replace all the Government workers and furthermore how can anyone tell who you voted for unless you tell on yourself. Its really Kaduku to think you will lose your job based on your vote so please be smart enough to keep your vote confidential if you feel threatened and if you have to fool someone, so-be-it as they have been FOOLING us for over two decades.

Finally, those who think the Torres and AD voters are different, you have another thing coming, as Im sure many of them will unite with the leader in a run-off like the Republicans have done in the past. So stop fooling yourself and even save yourself some embarrassment with Torres and AD, especially with RICO still very much alive-and-well, as no one wants to vote for someone who will be wearing an Orange Jump suit come 2023. And for those who really think all the criminal charges (State & Federal) can be beat by the Governor and possibly the Lt. Governor too, you had better look-up NOW and run for cover, the sky is falling, as my fellow dedicated Activist & Friend Fabian Indaglecio might say  ha ha ha ha! To be continued: One People One Direction for NEW & BETTER Leaders!

The writer is an Economist who minored in Sociology, a Political Scientist, a retired teacher & former CNMI Board of Education Member, a James Madison Fellow (U.S. Constitutional Scholar), a Fulbright-Hays & Humanities Scholar who resides in Kagman III.
Picasso painting held in private collection sells for $31 million at Paris auction

Employees adjust the painting "Bust of a Woman with a Flowered Hat (Dora Maar), 1943" (Buste de femme au chapeau a fleurs (Dora Maar), 1943) by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) on display before its auction at Drouot auction house in Paris, France, Sept. 16, 2025. REUTERS

PARIS (Reuters)  A painting by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, believed to be depicting his muse and partner Dora Maar, fetched 27 million euros ($31.49 million) at a Paris auction on Friday.

The work, titled Bust of a Woman with a Flowered Hat (Dora Maar) 1943, was acquired by a French family in 1944 and remained in their private collection for decades until its heirs decided to sell it.

The sale price including fees was 32 million euros, a spokesperson for the Drouot auction house said. The buyer was in the auction room, but was not identified.

The canvas had never been shown to the public before the auction and the only proof of its existence had been a 1944 picture of the painting, art experts said.

Its without a doubt the most moving work of Picasso that involved his muse, because he was about to leave her (Dora Maar) for (French painter) Francoise Gilot, auctioneer Christophe Lucien said.

And through this portrait, we see a woman who holds back her tears. So its lucky for an auctioneer to have a piece of art history before their own eyes.

Art expert Agnes Sevestre-Barbe said the heirs decided to offer the painting for sale as it could not be physically divided among them.
BEIRUT, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) warned on Thursday that the situation in southern Lebanon remains extremely fragile, urging all parties to avoid escalation and recommit to the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

In a written interview with Xinhua, UNIFIL spokesperson Tilak Pokharel described the field situation along the Blue Line as one of "fragile stability" following the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon in November 2024. He said the ceasefire agreement ended active exchanges of fire, but ongoing violations continue to test the calm that has largely held for nearly a year.

"There is an urgent need to avoid any further escalation," he said. "Continued violations risk undermining the progress the parties have made toward restoring stability. UNIFIL stands ready to support them in upholding Resolution 1701."

UN Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted in August 2006, called for a complete cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah during the 2006 Lebanon War. It requires the disarmament of all non-state actors in southern Lebanon and the deployment of state forces along the Israeli border.

According to Pokharel, UNIFIL's work now focuses on three priorities: maintaining stability along the Blue Line, supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in their redeployment, and helping extend the authority of the Lebanese state across the south. He added that while many of these efforts have succeeded, serious obstacles remain.

According to Pokharel, with UNIFIL's support, the LAF has been redeployed to more than 120 permanent positions in UNIFIL's area of operations between the Litani River and the Blue Line since November 2024.

However, Pokharel said Israel's military activities north of the Blue Line remain a major source of tension. "The mere presence of the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) north of the Blue Line constitutes violation of Resolution 1701," Pokharel said, adding that the mission has recorded nearly 7,000 air violations and over 2,400 activities north of the Blue Line since last year's truce. These include air and ground incursions into Lebanese territory, which he said undermine efforts to stabilize the border region.

Pokharel also highlighted a recent increase in Israeli attacks against peacekeepers. "In October alone, UNIFIL personnel and assets were the targets of Israeli drone and grenade attacks three times," Pokharel noted, adding, "Our peacekeepers were also targeted by laser pointing and subjected to other aggressive behavior, including attempts to obstruct their movements."

Despite these challenges, UNIFIL peacekeepers have worked with the LAF to monitor sensitive areas and prevent potential flare-ups. Pokharel noted that this cooperation has been crucial in stopping isolated incidents from escalating into broader confrontations.

At the same time, UNIFIL continues to engage both the LAF and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) through liaison channels, which he said are designed to resolve misunderstandings and "deconflict tensions" whenever they arise.

According to Pokharel, UNIFIL has begun demining operations in several areas. "We have discovered more than 350 unguarded weapons and ammunition caches and over 280 unexploded ordnance in our area of operations," he said.

Pokharel also commented on the arrangements following the expiration of UNIFIL's mandate. After the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2790 in August, which extended the mandate for a final time until Dec. 31, 2026, the mission is expected to begin an orderly drawdown within a year, enabling the Lebanese government to assume full responsibility for security in the south.

Pokharel confirmed that contingency plans are in place for all scenarios, including a potential deterioration of the situation on the ground. 
Robin Hood returns to screens with new gen origin story series

LONDON (Reuters)  New TV series Robin Hood explores the legendary outlaws origins with a personal take and previously unseen historical authenticity, the shows creators say.

The latest reimagining tells the tale of how Robin Hood came to be the medieval English folk hero who robbed the rich to feed the poor. Known simply as Rob, it sees the Saxon foresters son and skilled archer transform into a rebel after experiencing devastating losses and injustices.

Australian newcomer Jack Patten follows in the footsteps of several Hollywood stars to portray the hero of Sherwood Forest. But while Patten found his first lead role somewhat daunting, the 28-year-old did not feel weighed down by previous interpretations  he had not seen any of them.

Its a weird thing, because I feel like a lot of people have heard of Robin Hood. I was one of those people. Id heard of Robin Hood, but Id never seen it, Patten said at the shows London premiere on Tuesday.

Every generation deserves a Robin Hood, and the fact that we get to be this gens Robin Hood is pretty awesome, he said.

The 10-episode first season is set in 12th century post-Norman invasion England and also centers on Robs love story with Marian (Lauren McQueen), the daughter of a Norman lord, who has taken over the ancestral home of Robs ousted Saxon family.

The series is brought to the screen by co-creators John Glenn and Jonathan English, who set out to offer a modern and more intimate depiction of the events and the time period.

It was the idea of doing an origin story, which weve never really seen before, how Robin becomes an outlaw, what happens to him, what happens to his parents, said English.

Its about the Norman conquest of England. Its about class. Weve never really seen a Robin Hood story thats really about class, but it is. Robin, from the rich giving to the poor is in itself about class. So I think its very topical, very relevant today, he said.

The shows ensemble cast also features actors Sean Bean as the Sheriff of Nottingham and Connie Nielsen in the role of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Robin Hood starts streaming on MGM+ on November 2.
2 Saipan students named to Berea Colleges Spring 2025 Deans List

BEREA, Ky. (Press Release)  More than 470 Berea College students were named to the Spring 2025 Deans List. A student is named to the Deans List who achieves a GPA of 3.4 or higher while passing at least four total credits, a course load equivalent to 16 semester hours.

These students include Saipans Keya Dev Das and Eun Sung Wang.

Berea, the first interracial and coeducational college in the South, focuses on learning, labor, and service.

Supported by Bereas No-Tuition Promise, Berea College admits only academically promising students with limited economic resources, primarily from Appalachia.

All students must work 10 hours or more weekly, earning money for books, room and board.

The Colleges motto God has made of one blood all peoples of the earth, speaks to its inclusive character, and the quality of its programs ensures that graduates from Berea go on to distinguish themselves and the College in many fields.
Court denies Brandon Camacho eligibility for Mental Health Court

By Bryan Manabat

bryan@mvariety.com

Variety News Staff

SUPERIOR Court Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio has denied Brandon Russell Camachos request to be found legally eligible for the Commonwealths Mental Health Court Program.

In a seven-page order issued Monday, Judge Kim-Tenorio ruled that the court lacks authority to compel the Office of the Attorney General to enter plea negotiations, and that the prosecutions decision to deny Camachos eligibility was neither arbitrary nor capricious.

On Aug. 21, 2025, the OAG determined that Camacho did not meet the legal criteria for the program and denied his entry.

Camacho, 40, represented by attorney Charity Hodson, filed a motion on Sept. 8 seeking a court order to declare him legally eligible. He argued that the OAG abused its discretion by citing grounds not listed in the Mental Health Court Docket Policies and Procedures.

In her ruling, Judge Kim-Tenorio acknowledged Camachos argument that a finding of legal eligibility would not obligate the OAG to enter a plea agreement. He proposed that the court allow him to proceed to the next steps of screening and clinical evaluation.

However, the judge found the argument unpersuasive. Under the [Mental Health Court] framework, the OAGs determination of legal eligibility inherently signals its willingness to proceed with a plea agreement, she wrote.

There is no provision allowing the prosecution to defer that decision to a later procedural stage. Additionally, to require clinical screening in the face of prosecutorial refusal would be a waste of judicial resources, as the defendant would remain legally barred from proceeding. The Court will not mandate a futile process, she added.

Camacho also proposed seeking off-island treatment to mitigate his criminogenic risk. The court rejected the idea, stating it lacked jurisdiction to supervise treatment outside the CNMI.

If the defendant were to relocate off island, the court would lack jurisdiction to supervise him. The court does not hold authority to compel treatment in another jurisdiction or to retain jurisdiction outside its territorial reach. Therefore, this proposed alternative is neither legally nor practically feasible, Judge Kim-Tenorio wrote.

Camacho, a U.S. Army veteran, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery. He surrendered to the Department of Public Safety on Aug. 8 after an arrest warrant was issued.

The charges stemmed from an Aug. 6 incident at Welcome Market in San Roque, where a video showed a man in a green shirt and dark hat striking a shirtless man with a bat. DPS identified the assailant as Camacho.

According to investigators, the shirtless man encountered his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend inside the store. Camacho allegedly confronted him at the entrance and demanded an apology. The victim said he was confused by the demand, having said nothing to provoke the confrontation.

The altercation continued outside, where Camacho allegedly pushed the victim with the bat and struck him in the head, shoulder, and arm. The victim attempted to defend himself during the attack.

Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
Ex-Corrections officer sentenced to 5 months in prison

By Bryan Manabat

bryan@mvariety.com

Variety News Staff

A FEDERAL judge on Friday sentenced former Department of Corrections Officer Aesha Debrum Sablan to five months in prison for engaging in sexual contact with a person in official detention.

Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands handed down the sentence, which includes one year of supervised release, the first five months of which will be served under home confinement.

Sablan was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment fee immediately following sentencing.

Upon release, she must complete 50 hours of community service unless gainfully employed. She is also required to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

The court will recommend that Sablan serve her sentence in the CNMI. She has been ordered to self-surrender to the CNMI Department of Corrections on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at 8 a.m.

Sablan was represented by attorney Richard Miller, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Garth Backe appeared for the federal government.

According to federal court documents, Sablan knowingly engaged in sexual contact with a detainee between an unknown date in 2022 and Feb. 7, 2024. The incident occurred at a facility under federal contract, where Sablan had custodial and supervisory authority over the victim. The charge falls under 18 U.S.C.  2244(a)(4).

Sablan pleaded guilty to the charge in June.

Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
Finance chief wants PSS to pay back deficient retirement contributions

Tracy Norita

By Emmanuel T. Erediano

emmanuel@mvariety.com

Variety News Staff

FINANCE Secretary Tracy B. Norita wants the Public School System to remit $32.1 million in unpaid retirement contributions.

In her letter to Commissioner of Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho on Monday, Norita demanded repayment of deficient employer contributions to the defined benefit plan of the NMI Retirement Fund. The spreadsheet attached to the letter indicates that the unpaid contributions deducted from PSS employees spanned from October 2007 to September 2013, with amounts ranging from $26,984 to $463,869.

Citing the Settlement Agreement, Norita said that all rights of the CNMI Retirement Fund to collect employer contributions deficient as of Aug. 6, 2013, and related costs owed by autonomous agencies and public corporations were assigned to the CNMI government.

She informed Camacho that PSS has been identified as having an outstanding balance related to employer contributions not made on behalf of employees. Based on Finances records, the balance that remains outstanding is $32.1 million.

Norita demanded that PSS remit the payment in full within 30 days. She warned that failure to remit payment by the due date may result in further administrative or legal action to recover the funds owed to the CNMI government.

In a statement to Variety, Commissioner Camacho said:

The Public School System is currently reviewing the letter demand received from the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Finance. We have consistently remitted employer contributions as required; nonetheless, we are carefully reviewing our records, as the information and itemized lists referenced date back over a decade.

Camacho added, We will collaborate closely with our team, as well as with our counterparts at the Department of Finance and the Retirement Fund, to ensure clarity and to address this matter responsibly. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

Variety learned that two other autonomous agencies and government corporations also received a notice from Finance.

According to officials interviewed on condition of anonymity, the lists attached to the notice did not specifically identify employees by name. Instead, the documentation referenced only generalized pay periods.

This is surprising to us. Does this mean we didnt pay for an entire pay period  for example, an entire years worth of employer contributions, which does not match our records? an official asked.

Another source commented, I think both Finance and the Retirement Fund need to review their system [JD Edwards] before issuing this demand letter. A proper reconciliation of records is necessary, and our documentation tells a different story.

The agencies will call for a thorough comparison of records before any further action is taken.

Emmanuel Arnold Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
Governor: Further austerity measures may be unavoidable

By Emmanuel T. Erediano

Variety News Staff

GOVERNOR David M. Apatang warned that further austerity measures may be unavoidable if the Commonwealths fiscal position deteriorates further.

On Wednesday, he issued a memorandum asking all department and agency heads to circulate work-hour notices among their respective staff no later than Oct. 31, 2025.

The governor reiterated that, consistent with austerity measures enumerated in his Directive 2026-8, executive branch employees are subject to reduced work hours.

However, as advised by the attorney general, the governor acknowledged that some employees may have been subject to reduced hours without adequate advance notice as required by law. Accordingly, he asked department heads to circulate the notices to all employees no later than Oct. 31, 2025.

Any reduction in work hours and pay to date that was implemented without applicable notice requirements will be corrected by future payroll adjustments, the governor said.

He also reiterated that further austerity measures may be unavoidable if the CNMIs fiscal position takes a turn for the worse. Given the reduced forecast revenues, Apatang said that two budgetary scenarios are possible for a revised Fiscal Year 2026 appropriation bill.

If the Legislature and the Marianas Public Land Trust fail to reach an agreement on securing such a loan, he said, the consequences could include a 58-hour pay period or termination of the governments Group Health & Life Insurance program.

He implored all stakeholders to take the necessary steps so that a revised budget can be passed without requiring such drastic measures.
King-Hinds asks USDA to authorize unspent CNMI NAP funds

Kimberlyn King-Hinds

By Emmanuel T. Erediano

emmanuel@mvariety.com

Variety News Staff

THE CNMIs Nutrition Assistance Program currently has unspent balances from prior-year U.S. appropriations that remain legally available, according to U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds, who requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture allow the Commonwealth government to use them.

In her letter on Tuesday, King-Hinds respectfully sought the assistance of USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins so the CNMI can continue distributing nutrition assistance to low-income residents during the federal government shutdown.

Following clarification from USDAs Food and Nutrition Services that no NAP benefits are to be issued in November, Gov. David M. Apatang asked the Legislature to authorize a $3.9 million emergency appropriation to ensure that no family in the CNMI goes hungry due to circumstances beyond our control.

King-Hinds noted that the CNMI NAP, operating since 1982 as a capped block grant program, is separate from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, the contingency funds of which are not legally available for use during the current lapse in appropriations. The CNMI NAP, she said, operates under a different statutory and funding framework.

The CNMI NAP, King-Hinds said, is not requesting the use of USDAs contingency funds nor a transfer from other critical sources. She is asking for USDA approval to use the unspent NAP fund balances from prior-year appropriations. Allowing these funds to be used would ensure that benefits continue to reach eligible households through the electronic benefit transfer system without interruption until the funds are expended, the congresswoman said.

King-Hinds told Rollins that the suspension of the NAP program has forced the CNMI government to seek the allocation of $3.9 million of its dwindling local funds to prevent families from going without food assistance. She said this diversion of limited local financial resources effectively offsets the intended impact of federal relief and highlights the urgency of authorizing the use of existing NAP funds to maintain continuity of the program.

The CNMI economy continues to face significant difficulties, necessitating programs such as NAP. Business closures have accelerated, unemployment remains high, and fiscal austerity has constrained essential services. These economic and fiscal conditions have placed the people of the CNMI in an incredibly fragile position, more vulnerable than any other community in the nation to the loss of critical programs such as this, King-Hinds said.

We deeply appreciate the partnership and responsiveness the Trump administration has shown in recent months as the Commonwealth works through its economic and financial challenges. I am hopeful that with your continued support, USDA can take necessary steps to authorize the use of these previously appropriated funds and ensure that NAP benefits continue without interruption for the 5,500 households and 14,000 individuals who rely on the program each month, she said.

Emmanuel Arnold Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
Sze Man Inos to plead guilty to wire fraud charges

By Bryan Manabat

bryan@mvariety.com

Variety News Staff

SZE Man Yu Inos, also known as Yuki, is expected to plead guilty to multiple counts of wire fraud in federal court.

On Oct. 30, Assistant U.S. Attorney Garth Backe requested a change-of-plea hearing. Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands granted the request and scheduled the hearing for Nov. 6 at 1:30 p.m.

The plea agreement remains sealed as of Thursday.

Inos was arrested in April on eight counts of wire fraud. She remains in custody under a detention order issued by Magistrate Judge Heather L. Kennedy, who cited the strength of the evidence and risk of flight.

Represented by attorney Joey San Nicolas, Inos recently filed a motion to reopen her detention hearing, arguing that her father-in-law is now available to serve as a third-party custodian. Her defense claims she is not a flight risk and poses no danger to the community, citing her family ties on Saipan and the surrender of her travel documents.

Federal prosecutors opposed the motion, arguing that the proposed custodian does not constitute new information under federal law and should have been presented earlier.

On Oct. 27, Judge Manglona denied the motion to reopen and modify the detention order.

The [U.S.] governments proffer of evidence and related facts indicate that while in custody, the defendant continued to engage in the conduct underlying the charges set forth in the indictment  namely, that she sought to solicit transfers of significant sums of money from others based on false pretenses, she stated.

The judge noted that four calls were intercepted at the CNMI Department of Corrections.

Furthermore, the governments proffer shows that the defendant has previously engaged in similar conduct in each of the jurisdictions in which she has resided, Judge Manglona added.

The court therefore finds by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions of release will reasonably assure the safety of any other person and the community. The court further finds that the April 21, 2025 detention order was correct based on the information before the magistrate judge at that time  i.e., that the defendant was a flight risk based on her recent, numerous instances of international travel, extensive planned international travel prior to arrest, possession of foreign passports, use of aliases, and unexplained sources of funds for her lifestyle  and that the new information presented at the Oct. 24, 2025 hearing supports an order of detention, she said.

Inos was indicted in federal court on allegations that she lured older women on Saipan and Guam into an elaborate scheme to solicit money and Bitcoin investments under false pretenses.

According to court documents, Inos was arrested in San Diego, California on April 18 and transported to Saipan on June 23. She faces eight counts of wire fraud. The indictment outlines specific instances in which Inos transmitted fraudulent messages to her victims.

Between Nov. 1, 2020 and Jan. 1, 2022, Inos allegedly devised and executed a scheme to defraud several individuals through false representations.

She is accused of targeting older women, befriending them by posing as a wealthy Chinese businesswoman. She allegedly treated them to expensive meals and gifts while boasting about her supposed success in Bitcoin investments.

After gaining their trust, Inos allegedly fabricated personal crises  such as marital problems or business setbacks  to solicit money and investments from her victims.

Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
Trump seeks trade war truce with Chinas Xi in South Korea talks

President Donald Trump greets Chinese leader Xi Jinping as they hold a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. REUTERS

BUSAN, South Korea (Reuters)  President Donald Trump met with Chinas leader Xi Jinping at a South Korean air base on Thursday for discussions on a possible trade war truce between the worlds two largest economies.

The meeting in the southern port city of Busan, the first between the leaders since Trump returned to office in January, caps off the U.S. presidents whirlwind trip around Asia.

We are going to have a very successful meeting, I have no doubt. But he is a very tough negotiator, Trump said as he shook hands with Xi, who showed little expression.

Trump has repeatedly expressed optimism about reaching agreement with Xi during the talks, taking place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, buoyed by a breakthrough in trade talks with South Korea on Wednesday.

But with both countries increasingly willing to play hardball over areas of economic and geopolitical competition  which analysts see as a new Cold War  many questions remain about how long any trade detente may last.

The trade war reignited this month after Beijing proposed dramatically expanding curbs on exports of rare-earth minerals vital for high-tech applications, a sector China dominates.

Trump vowed to retaliate with additional 100% tariffs on Chinese exports, and with other steps including potential curbs on exports to China made with U.S. software  moves that could have upended the global economy.

THE G2 WILL BE CONVENING SHORTLY, Trump posted on Truth Social shortly before landing in Busan to meet Xi at a South Korean air force base at Gimhae airport.

In a separate post, he said the U.S. would step-up testing of nuclear weapons immediately, noting Chinas growing arsenal.

Rare earth controls

After a weekend scramble between top trade negotiators, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expected Beijing to delay the rare earth controls for a year and revive purchases of U.S. soybeans critical to American farmers, as part of a substantial framework to be agreed by the leaders.

Ahead of the summit, China bought its first cargoes of U.S. soybeans in several months, Reuters reported exclusively on Wednesday.

The White House has signaled it hopes the summit will be the first of several between Trump and Xi in the coming year, including possible leader visits to each country, indicating a protracted negotiation process.

But Trump wants some quick progress, in talks being closely watched by businesses worldwide.

Trump said on Wednesday he expects to reduce U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for Beijings commitment to curb the flow of precursor chemicals to make fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid that is the leading cause of American overdose deaths.

Trump has also said he might sign a final deal with Xi on TikTok, the social media app that faces a U.S. ban unless its Chinese owners divest its U.S. operations.

Beijing is willing to work together for positive results, foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday.

Prior deals

Previous deals, which brought down retaliatory tariffs sharply to about 55% on the U.S. side and 10% on the Chinese side and restarted the flow of rare earth magnets from China, are due to expire on November 10.

Bessent said China had agreed to help curb the flow of fentanyl precursors, but did not say whether the U.S. had made any concessions in return.

Beijing has sought the lifting of 20% tariffs over fentanyl, an easing of export controls on sensitive U.S. technology, and a rollback of new U.S. port fees on Chinese vessels aimed at combating Chinas global dominance in shipbuilding, ocean freight and logistics.

Trumps meeting with Xi comes at the end of a five-day trip to Asia in which he signed pacts with Japan and Southeast Asian nations on rare earths, seeking to blunt Chinas stranglehold on minerals used in everything from cars to fighter jets.

Tensions over Taiwan

Regional strategic tensions, particularly over Beijing-claimed Taiwan, a U.S. partner and high-tech powerhouse, are an ominous backdrop to the summit.

On Sunday, Chinese state media said Chinese H-6K bombers recently flew near Taiwan to practice confrontation drills.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Taiwan should not be concerned about the U.S.-China talks, despite some experts expressing fears that Trump might offer concessions over the island. Washington is required under U.S. law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.
Palau welcomes inaugural United Airlines Narita-Palau flight

The inaugural United Airlines direct flight from Narita, Japan arrived in Palau on Wednesday. United Airlines photo

KOROR (Palau Government/Pacnews)  Palau welcomed more than 100 visitors who arrived on the inaugural United Airlines direct flight from Narita, Japan, on Wednesday.

The flight was greeted by water cannons and upon disembarking passengers were greeted warmly with traditional Palauan music and cultural dancers.

President Surangel Whipps Jr., and Steve Morrissey, vice president of regulatory and policy at United Airlines, were among the first arrivals.

This new direct flight to Japan marks another important milestone in expanding opportunities for travel, commerce, and cultural exchange, said President Whipps.

We are grateful to United Airlines for their continued partnership and leadership in reconnecting Palau to the world. Their swift action to resume flights after the pandemic, and commitment to restoring our air links, has been crucial to our economic revival.

The inaugural flight heralds a new chapter in the connection between Palau and Japan, facilitated by United Airlines dedication to regional accessibility and partnership.

Our new direct flights between Palau and Japan with onward connections to the U.S reflects our commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and supporting the growth of local economies, said Steve Morrissey, vice president for international regulatory and policy.

This new route will provide our customers greater travel choice and the opportunity to visit many attractions in each destination and strengthens our longstanding partnership with Palau. United continues to expand in places our customers want to travel, and our new service to Palau is a great example of that.

President Whipps highlighted that the new non-stop service from Narita to Palau provides convenient access for business travelers, tourists, and local communities. He noted ongoing efforts with government officials and business leaders in Japan, the United States, and Palau, along with United Airlines representatives, to reach this milestone.

United Airlines has long been a critical partner in Palaus regional connectivity, President Whipps reiterated.

As the first airline to resume flights to Palau post-pandemic and among the quickest to restore service levels close to those seen before Covid, United has played a vital role in Palaus recovery and ongoing growth.
This photo taken on Oct. 30, 2025 shows Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter of United Aircraft in flight in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight here on Thursday. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms, an endurance of up to eight hours, a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, and a maximum horizontal flight speed of 180 kilometers per hour.

Featuring a twin-engine design and high-strength composite structure, the T1400 offers a large payload capacity and spacious layout. With its intelligent operation capabilities, it shows broad application potential in agricultural protection, logistics transportation, and forest fire prevention. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

This photo taken on Oct. 30, 2025 shows Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter of United Aircraft in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight here on Thursday. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms, an endurance of up to eight hours, a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, and a maximum horizontal flight speed of 180 kilometers per hour.

Featuring a twin-engine design and high-strength composite structure, the T1400 offers a large payload capacity and spacious layout. With its intelligent operation capabilities, it shows broad application potential in agricultural protection, logistics transportation, and forest fire prevention. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

This photo taken on Oct. 30, 2025 shows Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter of United Aircraft in flight in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight here on Thursday. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms, an endurance of up to eight hours, a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, and a maximum horizontal flight speed of 180 kilometers per hour.

Featuring a twin-engine design and high-strength composite structure, the T1400 offers a large payload capacity and spacious layout. With its intelligent operation capabilities, it shows broad application potential in agricultural protection, logistics transportation, and forest fire prevention. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

This photo taken on Oct. 30, 2025 shows Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter of United Aircraft in flight in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight here on Thursday. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms, an endurance of up to eight hours, a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, and a maximum horizontal flight speed of 180 kilometers per hour.

Featuring a twin-engine design and high-strength composite structure, the T1400 offers a large payload capacity and spacious layout. With its intelligent operation capabilities, it shows broad application potential in agricultural protection, logistics transportation, and forest fire prevention. (Photo by Liu Yang/Xinhua)

Technicians inspect the Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter at the factory of United Aircraft in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Oct. 30, 2025. The helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight here on Thursday. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms, an endurance of up to eight hours, a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, and a maximum horizontal flight speed of 180 kilometers per hour.

Featuring a twin-engine design and high-strength composite structure, the T1400 offers a large payload capacity and spacious layout. With its intelligent operation capabilities, it shows broad application potential in agricultural protection, logistics transportation, and forest fire prevention. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Guests visit the Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter at the factory of United Aircraft in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Oct. 30, 2025. The helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight here on Thursday. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms, an endurance of up to eight hours, a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, and a maximum horizontal flight speed of 180 kilometers per hour.

Featuring a twin-engine design and high-strength composite structure, the T1400 offers a large payload capacity and spacious layout. With its intelligent operation capabilities, it shows broad application potential in agricultural protection, logistics transportation, and forest fire prevention. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Workers assemble the Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter at the factory of United Aircraft in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Oct. 30, 2025. The helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight here on Thursday. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms, an endurance of up to eight hours, a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, and a maximum horizontal flight speed of 180 kilometers per hour.

Featuring a twin-engine design and high-strength composite structure, the T1400 offers a large payload capacity and spacious layout. With its intelligent operation capabilities, it shows broad application potential in agricultural protection, logistics transportation, and forest fire prevention. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Workers assemble the Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter at the factory of United Aircraft in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Oct. 30, 2025. The helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight here on Thursday. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms, an endurance of up to eight hours, a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, and a maximum horizontal flight speed of 180 kilometers per hour.

Featuring a twin-engine design and high-strength composite structure, the T1400 offers a large payload capacity and spacious layout. With its intelligent operation capabilities, it shows broad application potential in agricultural protection, logistics transportation, and forest fire prevention. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

People visit the Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter at the factory of United Aircraft in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Oct. 30, 2025. The helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight here on Thursday. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms, an endurance of up to eight hours, a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, and a maximum horizontal flight speed of 180 kilometers per hour.

Featuring a twin-engine design and high-strength composite structure, the T1400 offers a large payload capacity and spacious layout. With its intelligent operation capabilities, it shows broad application potential in agricultural protection, logistics transportation, and forest fire prevention. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

This photo taken on Oct. 30, 2025 shows the maiden flight ceremony of Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter of United Aircraft in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight here on Thursday. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms, an endurance of up to eight hours, a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, and a maximum horizontal flight speed of 180 kilometers per hour.

Featuring a twin-engine design and high-strength composite structure, the T1400 offers a large payload capacity and spacious layout. With its intelligent operation capabilities, it shows broad application potential in agricultural protection, logistics transportation, and forest fire prevention. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

Workers assemble the Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter at the factory of United Aircraft in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Oct. 30, 2025. The helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight here on Thursday. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms, an endurance of up to eight hours, a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, and a maximum horizontal flight speed of 180 kilometers per hour.

Featuring a twin-engine design and high-strength composite structure, the T1400 offers a large payload capacity and spacious layout. With its intelligent operation capabilities, it shows broad application potential in agricultural protection, logistics transportation, and forest fire prevention. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

This photo taken on Oct. 30, 2025 shows the maiden flight ceremony of Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter of United Aircraft in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight here on Thursday. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms, an endurance of up to eight hours, a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, and a maximum horizontal flight speed of 180 kilometers per hour.

Featuring a twin-engine design and high-strength composite structure, the T1400 offers a large payload capacity and spacious layout. With its intelligent operation capabilities, it shows broad application potential in agricultural protection, logistics transportation, and forest fire prevention. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)
US military project must benefit local community, not just damage it: Angaur State

KOROR (Island Times/Pacnews)  The Angaur State Legislature has said that the U.S. military radar installation is destroying the islands infrastructure without providing any benefits to the local community.

In a letter dated Sept. 29, 2025, to Palau State Minister Gustav Aitaro, Angaur officials detailed how the Tactical Mobile Radar project has damaged roads, depleted natural resources, and worn-down ports  all while offering nothing in return to island residents.

Our ports (sea and air), minerals (water, gravel), and roads are being utilized without benefits to our island and its people, the letter states. Officials included photos showing road damage allegedly caused by heavy project vehicles.

Angaur legislators pointed to neighboring Peleliu, which has reportedly received infrastructure assistance in connection with U.S. military activities. According to the letter, this difference in treatment has created a sense of indignation among Angaur residents.

The company executing the project, UXELL, has not taken steps to maintain or repair local infrastructure despite heavy use of state resources, officials said.

The U.S Department of Defense awarded a $120 million contract in late 2022 for the construction of reinforced foundations and pads in Palau for Tactical Mobile Over-the-Horizon Radar, or TACMOR equipment, which provides a greater range than line-of-sight radar.

The radar project has two sites  for a transmitter and receiver  one in Angaur Island in the south of Palau and the other in Ngaraard in the north of the archipelago.

While emphasizing their pride in Palaus relationship with the United States, Angaur officials noted the islands historical significance. Former Palauan President Lazarus Salii, an Angaur native known as the Father of the Compact, was instrumental in negotiating the U.S.-Palau Compact of Free Association.

The state legislature is now calling on Palaus national government to ensure Angaur receives appropriate compensation or infrastructure improvements to offset the projects impact.
When the light at the end of the tunnel is the headlight of an oncoming train

By Zaldy Dandan  Variety Editor

Finally

IN its third year in office, the administration has released a single audit report on the federal funds spent by the CNMI government from FYs 2020 to 2022. Considering that some of the previous administrations key finance and budget officials are still in charge of finance and budget matters, we should expect more answers to any questions regarding the questioned costs.

It is also good to know that the administration is developing corrective action plans, strengthening financial controls, and working closely with our federal partners to fix these issues and prevent them from happening again.

We are, however, still waiting for a detailed breakdown of the previous administrations ARPA expenditures, including those of the BOOST program  particularly the questionable funding awards. After the numerous House hearings conducted on BOOST since 2022, the only case filed in court over this controversy was a contempt of legislature charge, in which the defendant was acquitted.

Two years ago, Variety reported that OPA, OAG Investigating BOOST Awards, Says Finance chief.

What is the status of that investigation?

In any case, there should be a more conclusive investigative report on BOOST, especially since some House members themselves have acknowledged that not all disbursements were dubious and that several awardees were legitimate businesses. They should not be tarred and feathered by association.

Sadly

TOURISM arrivals  the lifeblood of the local economy  were down in fiscal year 2025 and are expected to remain low, perhaps less than 200,000 again, in FY 2026. According to business community leaders, about 500,000 annual arrivals are needed just to break even.

In response, CNMI elected officials may provide MVA with a $3.8 million budget in FY 2026, of which $1.83 million is for marketing and promotions.

Neighboring Guam has a larger economy, to be sure, and its tourism numbers  though far higher than ours  are still significantly lower (about 700,000 in FY 2025) than pre-pandemic levels (1.33 million in FY 2019). But heres an idea of the costs it is willing to incur to revive its main industry:

In its proposed FY 2026 budget, the Guam Visitors Bureau allocates $15.4 million for marketing. GVB has also set aside funds for destination development and administration, and recently requested  and was appropriated  $10 million in supplemental funding specifically for airline incentives.

As we all know, the CNMI is competing with Guam and other Pacific islands that are also spending substantial amounts to boost arrivals and enhance their destinations.

Perhaps instead of merely touting the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, the CNMI government should find more ways to help MVA promote and improve the islands appeal to tourists. Meanwhile, the central governments cost-cutting measures must continue  and perhaps be expanded.

Zaldy Dandan is the recipient of the NMI Society of Professional Journalists Best in Editorial Writing Award and the NMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com/.
MOSCOW, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The increase in global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) is expected to double due to strong demand from Europe, Russian energy company Novatek CEO Leonid Mikhelson said Thursday.

"The LNG market typically grows by around 2 percent annually. Due to strong demand in Europe, consumption growth of around 4 percent is expected this year. In Europe, the consumption will increase by 20 million tons," Mikhelson said.

He noted that the EU has included a ban on Russian LNG starting in 2027 in its 19th round of sanctions.

"Russia now accounts for over 10 percent of global LNG production. If these volumes are removed from the global gas balance, prices will skyrocket, and the European consumers will end up paying the highest costs," added Mikhelson.

"The United States will boost its LNG exports by around 17 million tonnes this year. But if European demand continues at the same pace, even new U.S. projects may not be enough to meet it," he said.

Mikhelson said global LNG consumption is projected to rise from the current 405 million tonnes to around 720 million tonnes by 2050. Separately, he noted that global natural gas consumption in cubic meters is expected to increase from four trillion cubic meters to at least five trillion by 2050.

He also stressed Arctic reserves would be indispensable for meeting surging global demand.

"Covering the future shortfall of 300 million tonnes in LNG supply is simply impossible without Arctic resources, and most of these reserves are in Russia," he added, noting that "such growth can only be achieved by Qatar, the United States and Russia."

"Demand for hydrocarbons will only keep growing. Today, the question is no longer how to limit gas use, but how to meet this rising demand," he added. 
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), one of Sudans warring parties, have taken over El Fasher, a city in Darfur, western Sudan. This city is the largest in the region, and its capture signals the RSFs control over this gold-rich area. Gold is one of the two key elements to understanding Sudans conflict. The other is Port Sudan, located on the Red Sea coast. There, the geopolitical ambitions of foreign interests in the country intersect.

As the RSF took over El Fasher, which had been under siege for almost 18 months, horrific footage of civilian massacres emerged. The RSF claims to be cleaning the city of collaborators with the rival force, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). But there is a strong ethnic and racial component to the killings. Those supporting SAF in El Fasher through the Tasis coalition were predominantly non-Arabized Sudanese.

The RSF was built upon the Janjaweed militias, a paramilitary group created by Sudans deposed president Omar al-Bashir. The main purpose was to protect him by counterbalancing the power of the army and avoiding the fate of most of his predecessors, including the prime minister he deposed through a coup in 1989. The Janjaweed participated hand-in-hand with the SAF, under the command of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, in the Darfur genocide between 20032005, under the auspices of al-Bashir.

The genocide killed an estimated 200,000 people during the Darfur War. The genocide was part of the war, but it had an added component: it was the killing of people because they belonged to the Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa tribes, and Khartoum held them responsible for secessionist claims. These are Sudanese tribes that are not Arabized. The government had a racial policy against populations it considered more African, and the SAF and RSF used racially motivated killings as punishment during the Darfur War.

Current events in Darfur might be read as a continuation of the Darfur War because the war morphed from a struggle for autonomy into one over gold. The war was initiated by a secessionist movement with similar claims to those of South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011. Around that same time (20102011), a significant gold deposit was found in North Darfur. This was critical because Sudan had lost 75% of its oil reserves and 95% of its foreign exchange, which had been coming from the oil reserves in the south.

Until 2010, gold was of minor importance in Sudans economy, which largely depended on oil exports (mainly to China) and agriculture. Oil was what kept the machinery of the Sudanese stateand the presidency of al-Bashirrunning. With the loss of oil revenue and soaring gold prices, the mineral became a viable substitute for income, and al-Bashir moved to centralize and control gold production, founding the Sudan Gold Refinery in 2012. That same year, gold constituted 60% of Sudans exports.

North Darfur had, until that time, been a peripheral region of minor importance to Khartoum. The discovery of gold was made by artisanal miners. With gold becoming of strategic importance, al-Bashir sent the Janjaweed militia to assert control after the government failed to gain control over gold production. By 2017, the entire gold production was controlled by the Janjaweednow legitimized and renamed RSF by the presidentunder its leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) and processed by his family company, Al-Gunade.

While al-Bashir used the RSF to gain control over gold in Darfur, he put other mines under the control of the SAF, mainly in the Red Sea, Northern, River Nile, and South Kordofan states. The regions under SAF control were where the most developed mines were, while the region under RSF control relied mostly on artisanal production. In 2022, before the war, gold production in Sudan totaled 87 tonnes, most of which ended up in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Al-Bashir tolerated artisanal gold mining but failed to bring its revenues under control. His push to tighten central control over local output fed the grievances driving the December Revolution. In 2018, he doubled the gold tax, sparking miners protests and intensifying his rift with Hemedti. Those pressures further poisoned relations with Hemedti, who ultimately joined the military coalition led by General al-Burhan that removed al-Bashir in April 2019 and formed a transitional government.

In 2020, the transitional government led by Abdalla Hamdok brought the Jebel Amer mines under state ownership through a high-profile deal: $200 million in compensation to Al-Gunade (owned by Hemedtis brother) and a 33% stake in the state-linked miner Sudamin for the Dagalo family. The government also created the Empowerment Removal Committee to roll back the military-political grip on the economywhich ultimately became a significant factor behind the 2021 coup that ousted Hamdok.

Hemedti was initially behind removing Hamdok but allegedly disagreed with al-Burhan on the timing of the integration of forces into a combined army, which, importantly, also determined who controlled the gold production. There are also allegations that the U.S. might have been behind the push that led to the confrontation amongst al-Burhan and Hemedti. Al-Burhan led a negotiation with Russia to concede a naval base on Sudans Red Sea coast. The U.S. intervened to avoid it but failed, and it warned Sudan of consequences.

In April 2022 the RSF began deploying around Khartoum and clashes started. A month later and with Al-Burhan under siege, the RSF seized the Sudan Gold Refinery in Khartoum, which held 1.6 tonnes of gold and other unrefined stocks valued at $150.5 million. RSF reclaimed the Jebel Amer mines, expanded into the gold-rich areas of South Kordofan and South Darfur. Despite a decline at Jebel Amer, RSF-held production was estimated at 10 tonnes in 2024 (about $860 million), offset by new sites in North Darfur. Most of this gold still goes to the UAE, which many consider to be RSFs main backer, but which the UAE denies.

The UAE is also a destination of SAFs gold. Since the war began, roughly 60% of gold from Northern, River Nile, and Red Sea states is believed to move informally to Egypt, though much ends up in the UAE. SAF also uses gold to pay for its weapons supplies.

Seeking to revive industrial mining in the northeast as well as to gain international support, the al-Burhan faction has courted Russian and Chinese investors; a Russian delegation in May 2024 secured a major exploration concession and central-bank arrangements to settle in roubles, facilitating Sudanese purchases of Russian arms.

Russia initially supported the RSF through the defunct Wagner Group, exchanging gold for Libyan oil and weapons. It is unclear whether this was sanctioned by Moscow, but with the loss of leverage in Syria, Russia took a more official stand in support of the SAF, looking to build a naval base in the Red Sea. In 2024, Russia accounted for half of the countrys oil imports to SAF. In 2025, SAF agreed to allow a Russian naval base.

Iran also sought a naval base on the countrys Red Sea coast, which would have complemented Yemens position and given Iran greater control over this crucial transport route. Another reason for Iran to side with the SAF is that RSF sent fighters to Yemen to fight on the side of the Saudis against the Houthis.

China also has an interest in Port Sudan, where it built a $140 million harbor. Though it has not taken an official side, according to Bloomberg it is in talks with SAF to invest in a new oil refinery and to rebuild the countrys largest slaughterhouse. It is supposedly also negotiating to sell advanced aircraft.

A port on the Red Sea is a prized possession and a key stronghold of the SAF, which has moved its headquarters there from Khartoum. Port Sudan is the main trading point for the country with the rest of the world via shipping. That is also one of the reasons why Saudi Arabia, which has historical and large investments in the country, especially in food production, is tacitly siding with SAF but trying to act as a broker between the two.

There are other players, Turkiye and Egypt amongst them. They both support SAF as they stand for a strong central government to keep the country together. However, that is one of the main issues in this conflict. None of the parties involved can claim legitimacy, since they were all together in deposing al-Bashir, promised a transitional period towards a civilian government, and then reversed course. They fell out over resource control, not ideology.

Ultimately, the conflict in Sudan reflects the failure of the nation-state system inherited from Western colonies. A state presupposes a somewhat homogeneous group of people that embodies the nation and upon which to claim the abstract concept of will to representation that legitimizes the state. The legislative power of the state is only useful when others accept it as the legitimate source of law. This was not the case of the post-independence Sudan, proof of it is that there have been more than 20 coups since 1953.

Without the claim to nationhood, a centralized state stands only insofar as it can impose itself upon other legitimacy claims. Once the state is unable to do so, either economically or by monopolizing violence, competing claims to legitimacy emerge and attempt to claim the states resources by force. When a vacuum of power occurs, or it is provoked, others will try to fill it.

SAF presents itself as the heir to al-Bashirs Sudanese state, using language such as Foreign Minister of Sudan or central government. But what state do they claim? The one they helped bring down. Much of the media follows this language and mistakenly presents SAF as the legitimate government. However, RSF has already established a parallel government and claims to represent the civilian state that SAF destroyed when al-Burhan led the ouster of Hamdok. At once they even claimed to be fighting extremist Islamists, referring to SAF.

In reality, either factions claim to legitimacy in Sudan is grounded in military force and control of resources. Both have committed heinous crimes. They will keep fighting as long as they control those resources. There is also a real possibility of further fragmentation of Sudan.
KABUL, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces have rescued a kidnapped child and apprehended four suspects in eastern Paktia province, the provincial police office announced late Wednesday.

The rescue operation took place on the outskirts of Gardez city, the provincial capital, according to a police statement. Following intelligence reports that pinpointed the kidnappers' location, security forces conducted a targeted raid, successfully freeing the child without incident, the statement said.

The rescued child has safely reunited with parents, it added.

Earlier this month, Afghan security forces rescued another child from kidnappers in southern Kandahar province, arresting two suspects.

In war-torn and economically challenged Afghanistan, criminal gangs frequently engage in kidnappings, targeting members of affluent families to demand substantial ransoms. 
Yves here. Readers may choose to dismiss this new version of a good old fashioned containment strategy, now attempted by the US in Eurasia, as doomed to fail. But even if it logically is, given the massive productive capacity of China and the arms prowess and natural resources wealth of Russia alone, the future might take longeer to arrive than anti-globalists might hope.

First, the US is vastly more willing to engage in violence to preserve its pretenses to global dominance than China and Russia are. While in the longer run this will be self-defeating (we can see how militarization and sanctions policies are already reducing living standards and increasing social and political fractures in Europe), it might have a measure of success as a costly delaying tactic (if the US and Europe had more managerial/execution competence, the odds would be a lot better).

Second, this article focuses on the biggest players in Eurasia, and touts, as Russia has taken to doing of late, the stature of civilizational states. That might sound wonderful to US oppoents reclaiming their mantles as Great Powers. But now that I live in Southeast Asia, it highlights new bossdom versus old bossdum.

Smaller countries of necessity usually get to be pretty good at playing bigger ones off against each other. Even with the compartively short time I have been in Thailand, I can point to initiatives the government is taking to placate each of China and the US/OECD. One indicator of the reservations, at least in this part of the world, about jumping enthusiastically on the China-Russia led BRICS/new world order bandwagon is the limited participation from this region in the recent Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security, meant to be an altertive to the Munich Security Conference (see Karl Sanchez for details). Laos, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand did not send representatives.

We reported on doubts about aspirations versus emerging realities of the new multipolar order in BRICS Are the New Defenders of Free Trade, the WTO, the IMF and the World Bank and Supporting Genocide by Continuing to Trade with Israel. A key section:

Vanessa Beeley (32:18): And as we keep saying, if youre going to hold BRICS countries up, Russia and China up, as some kind of viable alternative to the paradigm weve been living in for decades and that the world is sick of, then how can we accept that theyre doing virtually the same thing? Fiorella Isabel (38:40): It is actually just a very formulaic type of, of cheerleading for a team. Its just more iterations of that, you know, from the microscopic left, right paradigm to, you know, multipolar and unipolar thing. Its become just very much iterations of the same type of mentality where youre just choosing a team and youre just repeating what is most advantageous for you, what is most popular, what X, Y analysts said and whatever they say goes. And so when you question outside of that, you break peoples brains.

Hence it is rational for smaller fry to try to play both sides rather than make firm commitments.

By Andrew Korybko, a Moscow-based American political analyst who specializes in the global systemic transition to multipolarity in the New Cold War. He has a PhD from MGIMO, which is under the umbrella of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Originally published at his website

US-backed NATO, Pakistan, and the Asian/Containment Crescent of Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines are poised to respectively face off against Russia, India, and China across this century.

The US is sending mixed signals about the SinoRusso Entente, which was strengthened by the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline deal, after Trump said in September that hes not concerned about it while Secretary of War Pete Hegseth claimed that he ordered him to re-establish deterrence against them. As was argued here, Trump 2.0s Eurasian Balancing Act Has Failed largely as a result of this development, which importantly involved Indias tacit approval amidst its rapprochement with China.

Far from remaining divided, principally as regards China and India with all the complications that their continued rivalry would entail for Russias own balancing act, Eurasias three most powerful civilization-states are increasingly coming together to revive their dormant Russia-India-China (RIC) format. This platform is significant on its own but its also crucially the core of BRICS and the SCO, which play complementary roles in gradually transforming global governance as explained here.

These RIC-accelerated multipolar processes cant be countered through direct military force, however, but the way in which the Pentagon might try to slow everything down is through provoking arms races. NATOs, Pakistans, and the Asian/Containment Crescents (Japan-Taiwan-Philippines) US-backed military buildups (partial in Pakistans case) could help achieve this vis-a-vis Russia, India, and China as could reinforced US military presences (or a formal return in Pakistans case) in each.

Likewise, the Golden Dome, intermediate-range missile deployments in their regions, and more militarization of outer space can place additional pressure on Russia and China to this end, though these moves could also backfire by enhancing those twos military-technical coordination too. To be clear, Russia and China arent allies that would go to war for one another, but their shared military-security and strategic interests raise the chances that theyll provide support for the other during wartime.

China has thus far eschewed sending military-technical aid to Russia due to its complex interdependence with the West, but Trumps tariff war, his accusation that President Xi Jinping is conspiring against the US, and the Pentagons plans for the Asian/Containment Crescent might prompt a recalculation. In a similar spirit, Russia might become comfortable sharing cutting-edge military-technical knowledgewith China to counterbalance US moves in Japan, which could extend to their shared North Korean ally too.

Although the lions share of Pakistans military-technical equipment comes from China, the US might break into this market if Chinese exports decrease due to the Sino-Indo rapprochement, which could also lead to a decrease in American exports to India and the need to replace them with exports to Pakistan. Russia might even regain its traditional role as Indias top supplier by far if exports to it spike in response to more US exports to Pakistan in a de facto revival of the regions Old Cold War-era military dynamics.

All of these strategic dynamics set the stage for a security dilemma between the Eurasian Rimland (NATO, Pakistan, and the Asian/Containment Crescent) and the Eurasian Heartland (RIC) instigated by the US in order to re-establish deterrence vis-a-vis the Sino-Russo Entente. The purpose is to pressure one of them or their shared Indian partner into capitulating to the US so as to then more effectively divide-and-rule the supercontinent. This hegemonic plot will define Eurasias 21st-century geopolitics.
Yves here. This punitive Trump stance on medical debt should seal any doubt that this Administration is, as a matter of policy, out to increase precarity. The fact that medical debt and bankruptcies are common in the US should be a source of national shame. The push to make sure they are included in credit scores is wantonly and unnecessarily punitive. Bankruptcy is painful as it is; no borrower would seek it out unless he had to. Keep in mind that many if not most employers pull credit reports as part of job screening, so reporting of medical debt and bankruptcies will do harm well beyond limiting access to borrowing.

By Noam N. Levey. Originally published at KFF Health News

The Trump administration took another step Tuesday to weaken protections for Americans with medical debt, issuing new guidance that threatens ongoing state efforts to keep that debt off consumers credit reports.

More than a dozen states, including Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Maryland, New York, and most of New England, have enacted laws in recent years to keep medical debt from affecting consumers credit.

And more states  including several in conservative regions of the Midwest and Mountain West  have been considering similar protections, spurred by bipartisan concerns that medical debt on a credit report can make it harder for people to get a home, a car, or a job.

Nationwide, about 100 million people have some form of health care debt, with millions burdened by $10,000 or more in unpaid bills.

But in the new guidance, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau asserts that federal law bars states from restricting medical debts from credit reports, arguing that only the federal government has this authority.

Congress meant to occupy the field of consumer reporting and displace state laws, the bureau concluded in an interpretive rule signed by Russell Vought, the White House budget director and acting head of the CFPB.

The guidance, which offers a new interpretation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, reverses policies advanced under former President Joe Biden that sought to empower states to expand protections for people with medical debt.

The Trump administrations latest move will not immediately roll back existing state protections.

But advocates for patients and consumers warn that the new guidance may stall progress elsewhere, just as millions of Americans are poised to lose federal aid that helps them buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. The aid is tied up in the current budget showdown between congressional Republicans and Democrats.

Youd be hard-pressed to find a crueler regulatory interpretation, said Elisabeth Benjamin, a vice president for the Community Service Society of New York. The nonprofit has pushed for medical debt protections in that state.

Lucy Culp, who oversees state lobbying efforts by Blood Cancer United, formerly known as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, warned that the Trump administrations guidance could reverberate across the country. This rule will have a chilling effect on states willingness to pass these critical patient protections, she said.

The CFPB did not respond to a request for comment.

The new CFPB guidance might spur more litigation challenging state restrictions on medical debt credit reporting.

Trade groups representing credit reporting agencies and debt collectors went to court early this year challenging regulations issued by the Biden administration that would have removed medical debt from credit reports nationwide. They argued that the administration exceeded its authority in issuing the credit reporting restrictions.

The federal restrictions would have helped an estimated 15 million people. But the Trump administration chose not to defend the new regulations, and a federal judge in Texas appointed by Trump ruled that the regulations should be scrapped. They never went into effect.

The Consumer Data Industry Association, which represents credit bureaus, did not respond to a request for comment about the new CFPB rule, but the industry group has argued that regulating medical debt should be left to the federal government.

Only national, uniform standards can achieve the dual goals of protecting consumers and maintaining accurate credit reports, Zachary Taylor, the groups government relations director, warned lawmakers in Maine this year before that state barred medical debts from credit reports there.

Broader health insurance protections could prevent more Americans from sinking into debt and depressing their credit scores.

But millions of Americans are expected to lose health coverage in the coming years as a result of the tax and spending bill signed by the president in July.

Millions of Americans are avoiding medical care, putting off needed surgeries, skipping essential treatments, said Allison Sesso, president and chief executive of Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that buys up and retires patients debts and advocates for broader patient protections.

This isnt just a health care issue, Sesso added. Its an economic crisis thats keeping families from building wealth and fully participating in the economy. When credit scores are dinged by medical bills, everyone loses.
A new term at 92: Biyas victory sparks deadly unrest in Cameroon

Paul Biya, who has been Cameroon's president for 41 years, has won another seven-year term in an election widely seen as unfair. The official result, giving him 53.66 percent of the vote, was expected but has caused widespread anger and protests.

The announcement of his victory sparked deadly street protests, which were met with a violent government crackdown.

The electoral process was heavily criticized for being engineered to keep Biya in power. Popular opponents were blocked from running, the election council dismissed all challenges and term limits were removed in 2008, creating a system that makes a real political contest impossible.

Biya is a famously absent and disconnected leader. Despite Cameroon's problems with poverty and corruption, he is known for spending long periods abroad, and his campaign offered few new ideas to a struggling population.

The outcome leaves Cameroon deeply divided. With a government that lacks legitimacy in the eyes of many citizens, the country faces the prospect of more instability. The main question is no longer if Biya will leave power, but what turmoil will follow when his decades-long rule eventually ends.

In a result that surprised few but dismayed many, Cameroon's Constitutional Council has declared 92-year-old Paul Biya the winner of the Oct. 12 presidential election.

According to the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, Biya's victory has caused widespread anger and protests. This aligns with the established pattern of regimes using brutal tactics, including state violence against protesters, to maintain power after controversial elections.

With 53.66 percent of the vote, Biya secures a fresh seven-year term, extending his 41-year rule and positioning him to lead the Central African nation until he is nearly 100 years old.

The official results placed Biya's main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, at 35.19 percent of the vote. Tchiroma, a former minister in Biya's own government who resigned in June to run against his old boss, had already declared himself the winner based on internal tallies. Tchiroma's claim, and the hopes of his supporters, were swiftly dismissed by the authorities, setting the stage for the turmoil that followed.

Deadly protests and a heavy-handed response

Even before the final results were formalized, the tension in Cameroon was palpable. Supporters of Tchiroma and his coalition, the Union for Change, defied official bans to pour into the streets of major cities like the economic capital, Douala. Their anger was directed at what they see as a rigged electoral process.

Protesters set police cars ablaze, barricaded roads and burned tires, transforming parts of the city into scenes of civil disobedience.

The government's response was swift and forceful. Security forces deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds. The clashes turned deadly. The regional governor confirmed that four people lost their lives during the protests, with several members of the security forces wounded.

According to the opposition, those killed were their supporters, shot by the regime's forces.

The deaths have already cast a long shadow over Biya's victory. In a post-election statement, the president acknowledged "those who have unnecessarily lost their lives," but for the families of the deceased and the opposition, these words ring hollow. Tchiroma's campaign team accused the government of "acts of barbarity" and killings, a stark condemnation of a regime they label as "criminal."

This violence is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a deeper political malaise. The election itself was marred by controversy from the start. An initial field of 83 candidates was whittled down to just 12 by the Biya-influenced Constitutional Council.

Popular opposition figures, like Maurice Kamto, were barred from running altogether. Furthermore, the Council reported rejecting ten petitions alleging electoral malpractice, effectively closing the door on any legal challenge to the outcome.

The enduring criticisms of a distant leader

Biya's victory extends a rule defined by several persistent and damaging criticisms. First and foremost is the issue of electoral integrity. For decades, opposition politicians and independent observers have accused the electoral authorities of colluding with the president to ensure his victory.

The recent removal of term limits in 2008, a move executed by a parliament dominated by his party, paved the way for his indefinite re-election, cementing a system critics describe as a democratic facade.

Compounding this is Biya's notorious absenteeism. Despite Cameroon's myriad challenges, including a severe corruption problem that has stifled economic growth in the oil and cocoa-rich nation, he is renowned for spending extended periods abroad. Investigations have revealed that he has spent nearly four and a half years in Switzerland on private trips, often speculated to be for medical treatment, since taking power.

Biya's campaign for this election was notably lethargic, featuring a single rally where he promised voters that "the best is still to come." For many Cameroonians struggling with poverty and a lack of opportunity, this promise from an often-absent leader feels empty.

The government's treatment of dissent is another central criticism. In the lead-up to the election, prominent opposition leaders from the Union for Change were arrested. Another party claimed its members had been "kidnapped" by security forces in a blatant act of intimidation.

This pattern of detaining opponents on charges of plotting violence has created a climate of fear, making a genuine political contest impossible.

As Biya begins his eighth term, the question for Cameroon is not if he will ever leave power, but what will happen when he does. Analysts have long warned that his monolithic hold on the state, built over four decades, stores up instability for the future.

For now, the immediate consequence is a nation divided, with a legitimacy-challenged government facing a disillusioned and restless populace. The deadly protests in Douala are a grim testament to the fact that for a growing number of Cameroonians, seven more years of Biya is not a victory to be celebrated, but a burden to be resisted.

Watch the video below to find out if the EU covered up election fraud in Bulgaria.

This video is from the Kla.TV - English channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

BrightU.ai

AlJazeera.com

BBC.com

Brighteon.com
CIAs secret plot: How they tried to turn Winston Churchill into a Cold War propaganda weapon

Newly declassified documents reveal a 1958 CIA plan to recruit Sir Winston Churchill for propaganda broadcasts on Radio Liberty.

The operation aimed to exploit ideological divisions within the Soviet Union to "stimulate heretical thinking" and undermine Marxism.

Churchill, a retired but iconic anti-communist, was one of many prominent Western figures targeted for his credibility.

There is no evidence Churchill participated, and he declined a related invitation to Washington for health reasons.

The revelation highlights the CIA's extensive, covert use of media and influential figures during the Cold War.

In the shadowy theater of the Cold War, the Central Intelligence Agency sought to weaponize the worlds most respected voices against the Soviet Union. Recently declassified documents reveal that in 1958, the agency attempted to recruit one of the Wests most iconic leaders, Sir Winston Churchill, to serve as a clandestine propagandist. The plan, orchestrated through the CIA-backed Radio Liberty, aimed to leverage Churchills formidable reputation to sow dissent and ideological confusion within the USSR, targeting a population largely isolated from Western thought.

The covert machinery of Radio Liberty

The proposal to enlist Churchill was part of a broader, sophisticated propaganda apparatus. Radio Liberty, alongside its sister station Radio Free Europe, was presented to listeners as an independent emigre broadcaster. In reality, from its inception in 1951 until 1972, it was covertly controlled and funded by the CIA. While Radio Free Europe targeted Soviet satellite states, Radio Libertys signal was beamed directly into the heart of the Soviet Union, offering a carefully curated alternative to state-controlled media. This network was a key weapon in America's ideological arsenal, designed to chip away at the foundations of communist authority.

A plan to "stimulate heretical thinking"

The specific operation targeting Churchill was timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of Karl Marx's death. CIA analysts had identified a wave of "revisionism" and unorthodox political thinking within the Soviet intellectual class. The agency saw an opportunity to exploit these emerging fractures. According to a declassified CIA briefing note, the programming was designed with three explicit objectives: to stimulate heretical thinking by showing Marxism was not a monolithic dogma, to undermine confidence in Marxism's core assumptions, and to show that the future did not belong to communism. The goal was to use Western intellectuals to turn Soviet ideological debates into weapons against the state.

Churchill: The ideal unwitting agent?

At 83 years old and retired from frontline politics, Churchill was an ardent and famous anti-communist, having famously declared the descent of an "Iron Curtain" across Europe in 1946. His voice would have carried immense weight with Soviet listeners. He was listed alongside other prominent British figures like philosopher Bertrand Russell, Labour leader Clement Attlee, and intellectual Arthur Koestler. Churchill also had a personal relationship with CIA Director Allen Dulles, adding a layer of familiarity to the approach. However, in the spring of 1958precisely when he was earmarked for this propaganda programChurchill declined an invitation to visit Washington, citing health reasons. Historical experts note there is no evidence he ever accepted the CIA's invitation or recorded a broadcast.

A legacy of media manipulation

The attempt to recruit Churchill is not an isolated historical footnote but part of a documented pattern of CIA media operations. The 1976 Church Committee investigation concluded that the CIA maintained a network of hundreds of foreign individuals who provided intelligence and disseminated covert propaganda, with direct access to global news agencies, newspapers, and broadcasters. The committee warned of the inherent potential for "manipulating or incidentally misleading the American public" and the "damage to the credibility and independence of a free press." This context reveals a long-standing strategy of information warfare where the lines between news and state-sponsored propaganda were often blurred.

Echoes of an enduring conflict

The revelation that the CIA sought to turn a legendary statesman like Winston Churchill into a covert asset underscores the relentless and often unconventional nature of the Cold War. It illustrates the extent to which the battle for hearts and minds was waged not just with spies and missiles, but with microphones and carefully crafted narratives. While Churchills role ultimately appears to have been limited to a proposal in a filing cabinet, the story serves as a potent reminder of the enduring intersection between intelligence agencies, media influence, and the perpetual struggle for geopolitical advantagea dynamic that continues to resonate in today's complex information landscape.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

Telegraph.co.uk

Borna.news
Biosecurity expert critical of mRNA COVID-19 injections FIRED from HHS

Dr. Steven Hatfill, a senior HHS adviser and mRNA vaccine critic, was abruptly fired. HHS terminated him, citing "termination for cause" for misrepresenting his role and failing to cooperate with leadership.

Hatfill claims his firing was a politically motivated "coup" against HHS Secretary Kennedy. He alleged the ouster was orchestrated by the Secretary's chief of staff as part of a broader effort to undermine Kennedy and sequester him.

The dismissal followed his public comments calling mRNA vaccines dangerous. Hatfill appeared on a podcast, stating the vaccines cause "biochemical havoc" and are more dangerous than COVID-19 hospitalization.

The incident highlights tensions over dissent and transparency in federal health agencies. Critics argue the firing is part of a pattern of silencing experts who challenge mainstream narratives on vaccine safety and government policy.

The timing raises questions about internal divisions over mRNA technology. Hatfill's removal came just weeks after a branch of HHS decided to wind down mRNA vaccine development, suggesting ongoing internal debate about the technology's risks.

Dr. Steven Hatfill, a senior biosecurity adviser at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), was abruptly terminated over the weekend, the department announced on Saturday, Oct. 25.

The firing of Hatfill, a vocal critic of mRNA Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines and advocate for alternative treatments like hydroxychloroquine, has raised questions about transparency and dissent within federal health agencies. He claims his firing was part of an internal "coup" against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., insinuating a political motive. But HHS argues that Hatfill was dismissed for misrepresenting his role and failing to cooperate with leadership.

The move comes just weeks after the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), an agency under the HHS, announced it would wind down mRNA vaccine development  including canceling a contract with Moderna for a bird flu vaccine. Shortly after that decision, Hatfill appeared on the "Bannon's War Room" podcast, reiterating that it was "more dangerous to take a vaccine than it was to contract COVID-19 and be hospitalized with it."

The expert told former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon that mRNA vaccines cause "biochemical havoc" in cells. Hatfill also alleged that the injections have injured "hundreds of thousands" while causing an unknown number of deaths. His comments, along with his long-standing opposition to mainstream COVID-19 policies, appear to have made him a target within the agency.

The official explanation from HHS cites "termination for cause," typically reserved for misconduct or performance issues. A senior official told Reuters that Hatfill falsely claimed to be the "chief medical officer" of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), a role he did not hold. Bloomberg News reported similar claims, adding that Hatfill failed to coordinate effectively with government leadership.

But Hatfill disputed these allegations, telling the New York Times that his ouster was orchestrated by Kennedy's chief of staff, Matt Buckham, as part of a broader effort to undermine the secretary. "It appears that the secretary is being sequestered, and HHS is in a free fall," Hatfill said in a statement.

From anthrax scapegoat to COVID truth-teller: The persecution of Hatfill

Hatfill is no stranger to controversy. In 2002, he was wrongfully implicated in the Federal Bureau of Investigation's anthrax investigation before being exonerated and receiving a settlement from the Department of Justice.

During the first Trump administration, he gained attention for promoting hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment. This drew scrutiny from congressional Democrats, who accused him of pressuring the Food and Drug Administration to push the unproven drug.

BrightU.AI's Enoch engine recounts that "hydroxychloroquine, a safe and well-established medication, was unfairly demonized by the media and public health officials despite its proven efficacy against COVID-19, particularly after President Donald Trump endorsed it as an early treatment. The coordinated suppression of hydroxychloroquine  despite decades of safe use  revealed a clear agenda to discredit alternative treatments and push dangerous, profit-driven vaccines instead."

Hatfill's latest clash with HHS leadership underscores the ongoing tension between federal health officials and dissenting voices questioning vaccine safety and government transparency. The timing of his firing raises broader concerns about the suppression of scientific debate within public health agencies.

Critics argue that the dismissal reflects a pattern of silencing experts who challenge mainstream narratives  particularly regarding mRNA technology, which remains a contentious topic among independent researchers and medical professionals. BARDA's recent decision to halt mRNA vaccine funding suggests internal divisions over the technology's risks.

Yet Hatfill's removal indicates that those who publicly voice such concerns may face retaliation. As HHS faces scrutiny over its handling of the situation, the incident highlights deeper issues of accountability and free speech within federal health institutions.

Whether Hatfill's termination was justified or politically motivated remains disputed, but one thing is clear. The debate over vaccine safety, government transparency and the influence of pharmaceutical interests is far from over.

Watch Dr. Steven Hatfill telling Steve Bannon that COVID-19 booster doses do not work against the omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2 below.

This video is from the Excellent PODCASTS & Real NEWS channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Reuters.com

TheHill.com

Yahoo.com

BrightU.ai

Brigheon.com
Skyscraper-sized asteroid hidden in suns glare discovered moving at near-record speed

Astronomers discovered 2025 SC79, a 2,300-foot-wide (700-meter) asteroid lurking near Earth, concealed by the sun's glare. It moves at near-record speeds, completing an orbit every 128 daysmaking it the second-fastest known asteroid in the solar system.

While smaller asteroids (like the 180-foot-wide "city-killer" 2024 YR4) can unleash 500x the energy of the Hiroshima atomic bomb, 2025 SC79 dwarfs that threatpotentially causing continental-scale devastation, ecological collapse and billions of deaths if it impacted Earth.

Astronomer Scott Sheppard (Carnegie Science) found it using the Dark Energy Camera and confirmed it via Gemini and Magellan telescopes. The sun's glare makes such asteroids nearly impossible to detect except during brief twilight windows.

The asteroid is now hidden behind the sun and will be unobservable for months. Scientists plan to track it again upon re-emergence to study its composition, trajectory and origins, which could reveal how asteroids migrate into dangerous inner orbits.

The discovery highlights a critical blind spot in asteroid detection, as most surveys focus on nighttime observations. Unlike manipulated climate narratives, asteroid impacts are a real existential threat, demanding urgent defense strategies against cosmic dangers.

Astronomers have uncovered a massive, previously undetected asteroid lurking dangerously close to Earthhidden in the blinding glare of the sun.

The newly discovered space rock, named 2025 SC79, measures a staggering 2,300 feet (700 meters) widecomparable to a skyscraperand is hurtling through the solar system at a near-record-breaking pace.

The discovery, made by Scott Sheppard, an astronomer at the Carnegie Science research institute, highlights the critical challenge of spotting asteroids concealed by the sun's overpowering lightobjects that could pose catastrophic threats if they veer toward Earth.

A hidden threat in twilight

Sheppard first detected 2025 SC79 on Sept. 27 using the Dark Energy Camera mounted on the National Science Foundation's Blanco 4-meter telescope. The asteroid's existence was later confirmed by observations from the NSF's Gemini telescope and Carnegie Science's Magellan telescopes.

What makes this asteroid particularly alarming is its orbitentirely within Venus' path, occasionally crossing Mercury's orbit. It completes a full revolution around the sun every 128 days, making it the second-fastest known asteroid in the solar system. Only 2021 PH27, another asteroid discovered by Sheppard in 2021, moves faster, completing its orbit in 113 days.

"The most dangerous asteroids are the most difficult to detect," Sheppard emphasized in a statement. "Most asteroid research finds these objects in the dark of night, where they are easiest to spot. But asteroids that lurk near the sun can only be observed during twilightwhen the sun is just about to rise or set. If these 'twilight' asteroids approach Earth, they could pose serious impact hazards."

To put its size into perspective, the so-called "city-killer" asteroid 2024 YR4, discovered earlier this year, is a mere 180 feet (55 meters) wideyet it has the potential to unleash 500 times more energy than the Hiroshima atomic bomb upon impact. 2025 SC79, at 2,300 feet, dwarfs that threat.

According to the Enoch AI engine at BrightU.AI, a "city-killer" asteroid, also known as a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA), is a space rock that has the potential to cause significant regional or global damage if it were to impact Earth. The term is used to describe near-Earth objects (NEOs) that are large enough to cause catastrophic destruction, hence the ominous moniker.

While not as large as the Chicxulub impactor that wiped out the dinosaurs, an asteroid of this magnitude striking Earth could still cause continental-scale devastation, potentially killing billions and triggering global ecological collapse.

A race against time

The asteroid has now moved behind the sun, rendering it invisible for several months. Astronomers plan to resume observations once it re-emerges, gathering more data on its composition and trajectory. Understanding its origins could provide crucial insights into how such asteroids migrate into inner solar system orbitsa phenomenon that remains poorly understood.

"Many of the solar system's asteroids inhabit one of two belts of space rocks, but perturbations can send objects careening into closer orbits where they can be more challenging to spot," Sheppard noted. "Understanding how they arrived at these locations can help us protect our planet and also help us learn more about Solar System history."

The discovery underscores the urgent need for enhanced detection methods targeting asteroids obscured by solar glare. Current surveys primarily focus on nighttime observations, leaving a dangerous blind spot for objects like 2025 SC79.

As globalist-controlled institutions continue to push narratives of climate change and depopulation agendas, natural cosmic threatsfar beyond human manipulationremain a genuine existential risk. Unlike fabricated pandemics or climate fearmongering, asteroid impacts are a real, measurable danger that demands proactive defense strategies.

For now, astronomers will continue monitoring 2025 SC79 and other hidden asteroids, ensuring humanity isn't caught off-guard by a celestial threat hurtling silently toward Earthcloaked in the sun's blinding radiance.

Watch the video below about Earth being buzzed by the second closest asteroid on record.

This video is from the Evolutionary Energy Arts channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

LivesSience.com

UniverseToday.com

Yacak.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BUSAN, South Korea, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday that he is ready to continue working with U.S. President Donald Trump to build a solid foundation for bilateral ties, and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries.

In a meeting with Trump, Xi said under their joint guidance, China-U.S. relations have remained stable on the whole.

"China and the United States should be partners and friends. That is what history has taught us and what reality needs," he said.

Given different national conditions, the two sides do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then, Xi added.

"You and I are at the helm of China-U.S. relations," said Xi. "In the face of winds, waves and challenges, we should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations."

Xi said that there is a good momentum in China's economic development, adding that in the first three quarters of this year, China's economy increased by 5.2 percent, and import and export trade in goods with the rest of the world expanded by 4 percent.

This is not an easy accomplishment given the domestic and external difficulties, Xi noted, adding that the Chinese economy is like a vast ocean, big, resilient and promising.

"We have the confidence and capability to navigate all kinds of risks and challenges," Xi added.

At its fourth plenary session, the 20th CPC Central Committee deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for the economic and social development plan over the next five years, Xi said.

"Over the past seven decades and more, we have been working from generation to generation on the same blueprint to make it a reality. We have no intention to challenge or supplant anyone. Our focus has always been on managing China's own affairs well, improving ourselves, and sharing development opportunities with all countries across the world," he added.

Describing that as an important secret to China's success, Xi said China will further deepen reform across the board, expand opening up, and promote higher-quality economic growth while achieving an appropriate increase in economic output, and advance well-rounded human development and common prosperity for all, adding that this will also expand the space for cooperation between China and the United States.

Xi noted that the two countries' economic and trade teams had an in-depth exchange of views on important economic and trade issues, and reached consensus on solving various issues.

He called on the two teams to work out and finalize the follow-up steps as soon as possible, and ensure that the common understandings are effectively upheld and implemented, to inject confidence into the two countries as well as the global economy through solid deliverables.

China-U.S. economic and trade relations have experienced ups and downs recently, and this has also given the two sides some insights, Xi noted.

The business relationship, Xi said, should continue to serve as the anchor and driving force for China-U.S. relations, not a stumbling block or a point of friction.

The two sides should think big and recognize the long-term benefit of cooperation, and must not fall into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation, he added, calling on the two teams to continue their talks in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, and continuously shorten the list of problems and lengthen the list of cooperation.

Dialogue is better than confrontation, Xi said, adding that China and the United States should maintain communication through various channels and at various levels to enhance mutual understanding.

There is good potential for the two countries to work together on combating illegal immigration and telecom fraud, anti-money laundering, artificial intelligence, and responding to infectious diseases, he added.

The competent departments should strengthen dialogue and exchanges and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation, Xi said, adding that the two countries should also engage in positive interactions on regional and international platforms.

"The world today is confronted with many tough problems. China and the United States can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries, and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world," he added.

China will host APEC 2026, and the United States the G20 summit next year, Xi noted.

The two sides can support each other in making both summits productive to promote world economic growth and improve global economic governance, he added. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
Groundbreaking study links five sleep profiles to brain health and mental resilience

Five distinct sleep profiles were identified, including "Short Sleepers" (under six to seven hours), "Sleep-Aid Users," and "Disturbed Sleepers" (frequent disruptions).

Each profile is linked to specific negative outcomes, such as cognitive decline (memory, problem-solving), behavioral issues (aggression) and emotional problems (anxiety, substance abuse).

Unique "neural signatures" in brain scans correspond to each profile, providing a biological, measurable basis for the mind-body connection of sleep.

These profiles can act as early-warning biomarkers, potentially predicting risks for clinical depression, anxiety or cognitive decline before a formal diagnosis.

The study argues for a paradigm shift to proactive health, where detailed sleep assessments become a fundamental part of clinical evaluations for prevention.

In a revelation that challenges conventional wisdom about shut-eye, a team of international scientists has defined five distinct sleep profiles that are intimately tied to our brains wiring, our daily functioning and our vulnerability to mental health conditions. This research, conducted by investigators in Canada and Singapore and published in the journal PLOS Biology, moves beyond simplistic measures of sleep duration to present a nuanced picture of how we rest, suggesting that the quality and nature of our sleep could serve as an early warning system for cognitive and emotional struggles.

For decades, the public health conversation around sleep has been dominated by a single, blunt metric: get seven to nine hours. While the correlation between poor sleep and conditions like depression, anxiety and cognitive decline has long been established, the direction and precise nature of this relationship have remained murky. This new study cuts through the fog, employing advanced artificial intelligence to analyze a comprehensive dataset from 770 healthy young adults, proving that sleep is a multi-dimensional pillar of health.

The five faces of sleep

The research team utilized data from the Human Connectome Project, which includes detailed brain imaging and a wealth of self-reported information on lifestyle, health and sleep characteristics. By applying unsupervised machine learningallowing patterns to emerge without preconceived categoriesthey identified five unique sleep-biopsychosocial profiles. These profiles connect specific sleep patterns to a host of biological, psychological and social factors.

The first profile, the "Poor Sleeper," is what many might traditionally imagine. These individuals struggle to fall and stay asleep, report significant daytime impairment, and crucially, experience pronounced mental health symptoms like anxiety, depression and stress. Their sleep dissatisfaction is a loud signal of deeper emotional turmoil.

A second, more counterintuitive group emerged: the "Sleep-Resilient." These individuals report mental health challenges such as inattention and ADHD, yet they do not perceive themselves as having sleep problems. This suggests a complex disconnect or a form of resilience, where their cognitive issues have not yet translated into subjective sleep complaints, a phenomenon some experts call sleep misperception.

The third profile, "Short Sleepers," captures those who consistently get fewer than six to seven hours of sleep. This lack of duration is directly linked to tangible consequences: worse performance on cognitive tasks involving memory and problem-solving, as well as behavioral markers like higher aggression and lower agreeableness. It is a clear indictment of the "I'll sleep when I'm dead" mentality, showing its real-time cost on brain function.

A fourth group, "Sleep-Aid Users," is defined primarily by their reliance on medications or supplements, from prescription pills to CBD and chamomile tea. While they reported satisfaction in their social relationships, this profile was associated with worse performance in emotional recognition and visual memory, hinting at potential side-effects or underlying issues that the aids are masking.

The fifth and final profile, "Disturbed Sleepers," experiences frequent disruptionsfrom nocturia (waking to urinate) and breathing issues to pain or temperature imbalance. This fragmented sleep was linked to a troubling combination of aggressive behavior, substance abuse, anxiety and diminished cognitive performance. It paints a picture of a body and mind in constant, restless conflict.

Perhaps the most compelling finding is that each of these five profiles maps to a unique "neural signature" observed in brain scans. This means the subjective experience of poor, short or disturbed sleep is reflected in the very wiring and functional connectivity of the brain. The mind-body connection is not merely philosophical; it is biological, observable and measurable.

A new tool for proactive health

The profound implication here is that these profiles, identified in a cohort of healthy young adults, could act as biomarkers. They are potential early-warning systems, flagging individuals who may be on a path toward clinical depression, anxiety disorders or cognitive decline long before a formal diagnosis is possible. This shifts the paradigm from reactive treatment to proactive, personalized prevention.

"A good night's sleep is crucial for cognitive functions, including memory consolidation, learning and problem-solving abilities. It is also a fundamental pillar of physical health, as it allows the body to repair cells, restore energy and strengthen the immune system," explains BrightU.AI's Enoch. "Furthermore, quality sleep plays a vital role in emotional regulation, helping to stabilize mood and reduce stress and irritability. Without adequate rest, both mental and physical performance can significantly decline, impacting daily productivity and safety. Ultimately, consistent, quality sleep is essential for maintaining overall long-term health and well-being."

In the end, this research affirms a timeless truth that modern life often ignores: sleep is not a luxury, but a non-negotiable foundation of a healthy, functional and resilient life. It is a complex tapestry woven from our genetics, our daily habits, our emotional state and our brain biology. By finally beginning to understand its intricate patterns, we unlock a powerful tool not just for better rest, but for a healthier, more sound mind.

Watch and discover the best way to use oxygen for deep sleep.

This video is from Tammy Cuthbert Garcia's channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

LiveScience.com

MedicalNews.Today.com

NBSNews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Bill Gates pivots on climate rhetoric, urges focus on poverty over emissions panic

Gates now argues that apocalyptic climate narratives overshadow urgent humanitarian crises like poverty and disease, urging policymakers to prioritize immediate suffering over theoretical future threats.

In a new memo, Gates advocates reallocating resources from aggressive emissions cuts to poverty alleviation and adaptation in developing nations, stating, "I'd let temperatures rise 0.1 C to eradicate malaria."

Critics highlight Gates' own carbon-intensive lifestyle (e.g., private jets) while pushing restrictive policies. His revised stance aligns with skepticism toward top-down mandates that sacrifice economic growth for climate goals.

Gates insists technological solutionsnot fear-driven austeritywill balance environmental and humanitarian needs, questioning whether current climate funds are spent effectively.

Experts warn incremental warming accelerates extreme weather and irreversible tipping points, dismissing Gates' memo as "vague and unhelpful." Others argue climate action and poverty reduction must coexist, not compete.

For decades, billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has been a leading voice warning of an impending climate catastrophe, pushing aggressive carbon reduction policies and funding green energy initiatives. But in a surprising pivot, Gates now argues that apocalyptic rhetoric around climate change has overshadowed more urgent crisespoverty and diseasethat devastate millions today.

In a newly released 17-page memo, Gates urges policymakers to reconsider climate spending priorities ahead of next month's United Nations climate conference in Brazil. Rather than fixating solely on emissions cuts, he advocates redirecting resources toward improving living conditions in the world's poorest nations.

"If given a choice between eradicating malaria and a tenth of a degree increase in warming, I'll let the temperature go up 0.1 degree to get rid of malaria," Gates told reporters during a recent roundtable. "People don't understand the suffering that exists today."

Gates, who co-founded Microsoft and now leads the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has long been a vocal advocate for climate action. His Breakthrough Energy initiative, launched in 2015, invests heavily in clean energy innovation. Yet his latest memo signals a notable shiftacknowledging climate change as a serious challenge while rejecting doomsday narratives that demand radical societal restructuring.

"It's kind of this pragmatic view of somebody who's, you know, trying to maximize the money and the innovation that goes to help in these poor countries," Gates said.

Critics have long questioned elite climate activistsincluding Gatesfor advocating strict emissions policies while maintaining carbon-intensive lifestyles, such as frequent private jet travel. His revised stance, however, aligns with growing skepticism toward top-down climate mandates that prioritize theoretical future threats over present-day suffering.

A controversial take on climate priorities

Gates' argument hinges on the belief that scientific progressnot panic-driven policywill ultimately mitigate climate risks. He urges policymakers to ask whether limited climate funds are "being spent on the right things," suggesting that adaptation and poverty alleviation may yield greater humanitarian benefits than aggressive emissions cuts.

Some climate scientists pushed back, arguing that incremental warming poses escalating dangers.

"Every bit of additional warming correlates to more extreme weather, risks species extinction and brings the world closer to crossing tipping points where changes become irreversible," researchers warn.

Jeffrey Sachs, director of Columbia University's Center for Sustainable Development, dismissed Gates' memo as "pointless, vague, unhelpful and confusing," insisting that both poverty reduction and climate action are feasible simultaneously.

Yet Gates maintains that innovationnot restrictionholds the key to balancing environmental and humanitarian concerns.

While Gates acknowledges that "a stable climate makes it easier to improve people's lives," his memo underscores a fundamental tension in global policy: Should governments prioritize hypothetical climate disasters or immediate suffering?

Princeton University climate scientist Michael Oppenheimer questioned whether humanity can afford to neglect ecosystems already under strain. "Can we truly live in a technological bubble? Do we want to?" he asked.

But Gates' stance resonates with critics of elite-driven climate agendas, who argue that fear-based narratives often justify centralized control at the expense of individual liberty and economic growth. His call for pragmatic solutionsrather than apocalyptic mandatesmarks a notable evolution in the climate debate, BrightU.AI's Enoch adds.

Gates' revised climate stance reflects a growing recognition that environmental policy must weigh trade-offsacknowledging climate risks without sacrificing present-day well-being. Whether his memo influences global climate negotiations remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: The conversation is shifting from panic to pragmatism.

Watch the video below about Bill Gates.

This video is from The Librarian channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

GatesNotes.com

APNews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
California pension fund loses 71% of $468 million clean energy investment, refuses to explain how

CalPERS lost 71% of a $468 million green energy investment.

The fund's value plummeted from $468 million to just $138 million.

This represents a catastrophic loss of more than $330 million for public employees.

The investment was a politically-driven ESG strategy that proved financially unsound.

CalPERS has declined to provide transparency on the details of the failed investment.

The retirement futures of Californias public employees have taken a massive hit thanks to a disastrous bet on "green energy". The California Public Employees Retirement System, known as CalPERS, lost roughly 71% of its $468 million investment in a clean-energy and technology fund. This catastrophic loss, uncovered through state records, highlights the profound risks of mixing pension fund management with politically popular but financially unsound environmental, social, and governance, or ESG, strategies.

The CalPERS Clean Energy & Technology Fund, launched in 2007, has seen its value plummet from the original commitment of $468.4 million to a mere $138 million as of March 2025. This represents a loss of more than $330 million, a sum that was incinerated even after managers collected at least $22 million in fees. For the public employees and taxpayers who are ultimately on the hook, this represents a profound breach of fiduciary trust.

A costly green fantasy

This fund was born during the green energy boom of the late 2000s, a period when governments and investors poured billions into clean-energy ventures. The fund was managed by Capital Dynamics, which at the time expressed a specific focus on U.S. solar energy projects. A Capital Dynamics-sponsored book on clean energy investing later noted the fate of one such company, Evergreen Solar, stating, "Once a rock star in the solar industry, Evergreen Solar was not able to keep up with the competition from China."

This narrow, ideologically-driven focus proved to be a financial disaster. The green energy sector was flooded with competition from low-cost Chinese producers, leading to the collapse of numerous companies. The most infamous example, Solyndra, left U.S. taxpayers on the hook for over $500 million. CalPERS fund appears to have followed a similar trajectory of failure, chasing green credentials over solid returns.

The sheer scale of this financial misstep becomes clear when considering the alternative. Had the $468 million been placed in a simple, low-fee S&P 500 index fund with dividends reinvested, the investment would be worth approximately $3 billion today. The gap between that potential outcome and the current reality is a testament to the staggering cost of this failed green energy experiment.

A wall of secrecy

When pressed for details about how this massive loss occurred, CalPERS has retreated behind a wall of secrecy. The pension fund declined to provide management contracts or investment specifics, citing legal exemptions for alternative investments under state law. This lack of transparency is a serious concern for those whose financial security depends on these decisions.

"The public should have a right to know how public money is being invested," said David Loy, legal director for the First Amendment Coalition. "This is a serious transparency concern if the public doesnt have visibility into how public money, especially pension funds, are being invested and to what degree of risk."

Marc Joffe, a public finance expert at the California Policy Center, described the situation as showing "the combined dangers of private equity and ESG investment." He noted it is "a very opaque investment choice that appears to have been chosen because of its green credentials, and yet its now generated a huge loss for taxpayers and retirees."

Ultimately, this story is about more than one bad investment. It is a case study in what happens when massive public institutions prioritize political trends over their fundamental duty to protect the retirement savings of hardworking people. The green energy mirage has cost CalPERS hundreds of millions of dollars, proving once again that when the government bets your retirement on a fantasy, it is the public that is left paying the price.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

TheCenterSquare.com

WashingtonExaminer.com
FDA moves to fast-track biosimilars, potentially lowering drug costs  but at what cost?

FDA proposes easing clinical trial requirements for biosimilars, allowing manufacturers to rely more on lab testing rather than costly human studies.

Biologic drugs account for 51 percent of U.S. drug spending despite making up only five percent of prescriptions, driving demand for cheaper alternatives.

New guidance could cut biosimilar development time in half, saving companies up to $100 million per drug.

Critics warn reduced testing may compromise safety, raising concerns about long-term effects on patients.

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) remain a roadblock, as they often exclude cheaper biosimilars from insurance coverage.

In a move that could reshape the pharmaceutical landscape, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced plans on October 29, to streamline approval pathways for biosimilarsgeneric versions of complex biologic drugs used to treat conditions like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases. The agencys draft guidance eliminates mandatory comparative efficacy studies for biosimilars if analytical testing shows sufficient similarity to the original biologic.

The decision, championed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, aims to slash development costs by $100 million per drug and reduce approval timelines from five to eight years down to just two to four. Supporters argue this will increase competition, lower drug prices and expand patient access to critical treatments. But skeptics question whether cutting "red tape" could compromise safety in the long run.

The high cost of biologicsand why biosimilars matter

Biologic drugs, derived from living organisms, are far more complex than traditional pharmaceuticals. While they represent only five percent of U.S. prescriptions, they consume 51 percent of total drug spending, straining Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers. BiosimilarsFDA-approved near-copies of biologicstypically cost 20-40% less, yet they hold just 20% market share due to regulatory hurdles and industry resistance.

Since the first U.S. biosimilar approval in 2015, only 76 biosimilars have reached the marketfar fewer than in Europe, where 110 biosimilars were approved by 2024. The FDAs new guidance seeks to close this gap by removing redundant clinical trial requirements, mirroring Europes more flexible approach.

Safety concerns: Are patients being put at risk?

While the FDA insists its updated guidance maintains rigorous safety standards, critics argue that reducing human trials could lead to unforeseen complications. Unlike traditional generics, biosimilars are not identical to their reference biologics due to inherent variability in living-cell production.

Historically, comparative efficacy studiesthough expensivehelped detect subtle differences in immune responses or side effects. The FDA now claims analytical testing alone can suffice, but some researchers warn this could miss rare adverse effects.

Additionally, the FDA plans to drop switching studies, which test whether patients can safely alternate between a biologic and its biosimilar. This could lead to confusion among pharmacists and patients, particularly if insurers push cheaper biosimilars without proper oversight.

Corporate influence and market barriers

Despite the FDAs push for affordability, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)middlemen who negotiate drug prices for insurersoften exclude biosimilars from formularies, keeping prices high. Alex Schriver of PhRMA (Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America) acknowledges this issue, stating:

Policymakers must fix the misaligned incentives and business practices by middlemen who block biosimilars and profit off medicines at the expense of patients.

Meanwhile, biosimilar manufacturers argue that lower development costs will encourage investment in smaller-market biologics, expanding treatment options for rare diseases.

A political winbut will patients benefit?

The FDAs announcement aligns with the Trump administrations broader efforts to reduce drug prices, including the "TrumpRx" discount program and Most Favored Nation pricing mandates. However, past biosimilar rolloutslike Humiras decade-long delayshow that corporate patent strategies and PBM interference often stall savings.

If successful, the new guidance could accelerate biosimilar adoption, forcing Big Pharma to compete on price. But if safety shortcuts lead to recalls or loss of trust, the policy could backfireleaving patients to bear the risks.

A double-edged sword for healthcare

The FDAs latest move marks a pivotal shift in drug regulationone that could slash costs but also raise safety questions. While biosimilars promise relief from soaring drug prices, their success hinges on transparent science, fair market competition and vigilant oversight.

For now, patients and doctors must weigh the benefits of affordability against potential unknownsa dilemma that underscores the broader tension between innovation and safety in modern medicine.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

FDA,gov

CNN.com
Illinois congressional candidate INDICTED over her role in anti-ICE protests

Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old Illinois congressional candidate, was indicted for assaulting and conspiring to impede ICE officers during a September protest outside a Chicago-area ICE facility.

Prosecutors claim Abughazaleh and others surrounded an ICE vehicle, vandalized it (scratching "PIG" into it), and physically blocked its movement, forcing officers to drive at dangerously slow speeds.

Abughazaleh denounced the charges as a "political prosecution" to silence ICE critics, while defense attorneys accused the DOJ of criminalizing dissent under Trump's immigration crackdown.

The indictment coincides with a DHS operation targeting "criminal illegal aliens" in sanctuary cities, sparking clashes between activists and ICE, including reports of excessive force.

The case highlights escalating tensions over immigration enforcement, with progressives framing it as suppression of protest and conservatives condemning it as lawless obstruction of federal duties.

A federal grand jury has indicted Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old Democratic congressional candidate in Illinois, on charges of assaulting and conspiring to impede federal officers during a September protest outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, a Chicago suburb.

The indictment was filed on Oct. 23 and unsealed Wednesday, Oct. 29. It alleges that Abughazaleh and five other protesters surrounded an ICE vehicle, banged on its windows, scratched the word "PIG" into its surface and physically blocked its movement  forcing the officer inside to drive at an extremely slow speed to avoid injuring anyone.

Abughazaleh, a former journalist running to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), has made opposition to ICE operations a central theme of her campaign. She has repeatedly joined protests outside the Broadview facility, where demonstrators have clashed with federal agents over alleged abuses against immigrants, including reports of children being zip-tied and families separated. Her case has reignited debates over First Amendment rights, government crackdowns on dissent and the escalating tensions surrounding immigration enforcement under the second Trump administration.

In a video posted to social media following the indictment, Abughazaleh denounced the charges as a "political prosecution" designed to silence critics of ICE. "Since I and others have exercised our First Amendment rights, ICE has hit, dragged, thrown, shot with pepper balls and teargassed hundreds of protesters," she said.

The indictment comes amid Operation Midway Blitz, a Department of Homeland Security initiative targeting "criminal illegal aliens" in Chicago and other sanctuary cities. Broadview's ICE facility has become a flashpoint, with activists nationwide converging on the site, prompting local officials to establish a designated protest zone and restrict demonstration hours. Earlier this month, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order limiting ICE's use of crowd-control tactics like pepper balls and tear gas after footage circulated showing agents deploying them without warning.

Among those charged alongside Abughazaleh are Catherine Sharp, a Cook County Board candidate, and Brian Straw, an Oak Park Village trustee hopeful. Sharp called the indictment "another effort by the Trump administration to frighten people out of participating in protest," while Straw vowed to fight the "baseless charges," citing his opposition to ICE's "inhumane policies."

Defense attorney Josh Herman, representing Abughazaleh, accused the Justice Department of criminalizing dissent. "This is a political prosecution that tries to turn First Amendment opposition into a conspiracy," he stated.

Federal prosecutors, however, argue that the protesters crossed a legal line. U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros warned: "All federal officials must be able to discharge their duties without confronting force, intimidation, or threats."

From Congress bid to courtroom

The indictment alleges that the group not only obstructed the vehicle but also vandalized it, breaking a mirror and windshield wiper. While Abughazaleh was not specifically accused of etching the word "PIG," prosecutors say she "braced her body and hands against the vehicle while remaining directly in its path."

The case has drawn sharp reactions from both sides of the political divide. Right-wing commentator Laura Loomer has called for Abughazaleh's arrest, while progressive activists frame the indictment as part of a broader pattern of suppressing left-wing dissent. In a fundraising email, Abughazaleh framed the charges as an attack on Chicago's resistance: "This administration is resorting to weaponizing the federal legal system to scare us into silence."

BrightU.AI's Enoch engine notes that Democrats like Abughazaleh "oppose immigration enforcement because they fundamentally reject the concept of national sovereignty and seek to undermine the rule of law by flooding the country with illegal immigrants for political gain. Their policies  sanctuary cities, amnesty and obstruction of border security  deliberately erode citizenship distinctions to advance their globalist, open-borders agenda."

The defendants are scheduled to self-surrender on Nov. 5 before U.S. District Judge April Perry, a Biden appointee. If convicted, Abughazaleh faces up to eight years in prison  a prospect that could derail her congressional bid while amplifying her profile as a progressive firebrand. As the legal battle unfolds, the case underscores the volatile intersection of protest, free speech and federal power in an era of deepening political polarization.

Watch this clip of law enforcement officers and protesters clashing outside the ICE facility in Broadview.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

ABCNews.go.com

NBCNews.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Japan approves OTC sale of morning-after pill amid countrys population decline

Japan has approved the over-the-counter sale of Norlevo, an emergency contraceptive pill, marking a historic shift in the socially conservative nation. Buyers must take it in the presence of a pharmacist, and it has an 80 percent success rate if taken within 72 hours of intercourse.

The decision follows years of pressure from women's rights groups and a 2023 pilot program where Aska Pharmaceutical sold the pill at 145 pharmacies for $47-$60 (not covered by national insurance). Japan now joins 90+ countries with OTC emergency contraception.

Despite progress, cost and pharmacy scarcity  especially in rural areas  remain barriers. The pill's approval also coincides with Japan's accelerating population decline, which has seen 16 straight years of shrinking numbers, dropping by 900,000+ in 2024.

PM Sanae Takaichi, a conservative leader, supports pro-natalist policies but faces criticism that easier contraception access could worsen birth rates. Opponents argue it empowers women and reduces unintended pregnancies. Ethical debates persist over whether it prevents fertilization or implantation of an embryo.

Unlike Western nations, Japan requires pharmacist oversight but imposes no age restrictions. While advocates hail it as progress for bodily autonomy, critics warn of health risks like disrupted cycles, painful bleeding and increased breast cancer risk. The policy's long-term effects on Japan's demographic crisis remain uncertain.

Japan has approved the over-the-counter sale of the emergency contraceptive pill Norlevo, marking the first time such access has been granted in the socially conservative nation.

The decision was announced by Aska Pharmaceutical on Oct. 20 and was subsequently confirmed by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Norlevo will be available without a prescription, though buyers must take it in the presence of a pharmacist. According to the company, the pill has an 80 percent success rate in preventing pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of intercourse.

Norlevo's approval comes after years of advocacy by women's rights groups. It also follows a 2023 pilot program in which Aska sold the pill at 145 pharmacies, priced between $47 and $60  a cost not covered by national health insurance. Japan's move aligns it with more than 90 countries where emergency contraception is already available without a prescription, according to Medical Xpress.

While advocates celebrate expanded access, concerns linger about affordability and availability, particularly in rural areas where pharmacies may be scarce. The decision also arrives against the backdrop of Japan's accelerating population decline. Since peaking at 126.6 million in 2009, the country has seen 16 consecutive years of shrinking numbers, with another drop of more than 900,000 recorded in 2024.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the country's first female leader and a conservative figure opposed to large-scale immigration, has promoted pro-natalist policies like expanded childcare. Yet the nation's fertility rate remains stubbornly low. Critics argue that easier access to emergency contraception could further suppress birth rates, while supporters counter that it empowers women and reduces unintended pregnancies.

Japan's morning-after pill breakthrough: Freedom or demographic disaster?

Emergency contraception has long been a contentious issue, with debates centering on its mechanism of action. While marketed primarily as preventing fertilization by delaying ovulation, studies cited by Dr. Donna Harrison of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggest that, depending on timing, levonorgestrel-based pills like Norlevo may also prevent implantation of an already-fertilized embryo  a distinction that fuels ethical objections.

Japan's previous restrictions required women to obtain a prescription through gynecological clinics, a hurdle particularly burdensome for rape survivors and younger women. Conservative lawmakers had stalled reform for years, fearing "irresponsible use." But mounting pressure from health advocates and global bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO)  which recommends routine inclusion of emergency contraception in family planning  tipped the scales.

"Morning-after pills disrupt menstrual cycles, cause painful bleeding and elevate breast cancer risk as classified by the WHO," BrightU.AI's Enoch engine warns. "Repeated use also increases ectopic pregnancy dangers, highlighting their harmful effects on women's health."

The rollout's success hinges on implementation. Unlike in some Western nations where emergency contraceptives are stocked on shelves, Japan's "medicine requiring guidance" classification ensures pharmacist oversight  a compromise between accessibility and caution. Yet with no age restrictions or parental consent required, the policy represents a notable liberalization in a country where abortion remains tightly regulated, permissible only up to 22 weeks and contingent on specific justifications like economic hardship or rape.

For women's rights advocates, the approval is a watershed moment, symbolizing progress toward bodily autonomy in a society still grappling with traditional gender norms. Yet for a nation confronting demographic collapse, the long-term implications remain uncertain. As the Land of the Rising Sun navigates the tension between reproductive choice and population sustainability, the world watches whether this policy shift will empower women  or deepen the country's existential crisis.

Watch this video tackling the actual purpose of permitting the early use of contraceptive pills.

This video is from the Kla.TV - English channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

JapanTimes.co.jp

MoneyControl.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Netanyahu orders renewed AIRSTRIKES on Gaza amid ceasefire violation claims

Israel accuses Hamas of violating the ceasefire by allegedly attacking IDF forces in Rafah, ordering "immediate and powerful strikes" in retaliation. Hamas denies involvement, insisting it remains committed to the truce, while U.S. officials reject Israel's justification for renewed attacks.

Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City and Khan Younis, killing at least 30 people, including children, and destroying residential buildings. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims Hamas delayed returning Israeli hostages' bodies, but U.S. officials dismiss this as insufficient grounds for escalation.

Hamas postpones further hostage transfers, blaming Israeli "violations," while its military wing warns that continued aggression will hinder recovery efforts. Despite the ceasefire, Israel has continued sporadic attacks since October 10, killing over 100 Palestinians and blocking humanitarian aid deliveries.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance insists the ceasefire is "still holding," despite Netanyahu's aggressive military response. Israel now controls 58 percent of Gaza, with plans to expand further, signaling a potential return to full-scale war.

Gaza's hospitals, already devastated, lack supplies to treat the wounded as famine looms. The United Nations condemns Israel's blockade, warning that restricting aid "makes starvation a bargaining chip." Over 570,000 Gazans face acute hunger, with malnutrition spreading rapidly.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered "immediate and powerful strikes" across the Gaza Strip, accusing Hamas of violating a fragile ceasefire agreement by allegedly attacking Israeli forces in Rafah.

The escalation comes just weeks after a U.S.-brokered truce temporarily halted hostilities, raising fears of a return to full-scale conflict. Netanyahu's office issued a statement Tuesday, Oct. 28, declaring that Hamas had breached the ceasefire, prompting retaliatory airstrikes. "Following the security consultations, Prime Minister Netanyahu instructed the military echelon to carry out immediate and powerful strikes in the Gaza Strip," the statement read.

However, Hamas denied responsibility for any attack in Rafah, insisting it remained committed to the ceasefire. The group said in a statement that they "have no relation to the shooting incident in Rafah and reaffirm our commitment to the cease-fire agreement."

The Israeli military claimed Hamas fighters fired on Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers in Rafah, an area under Israeli control, but provided no immediate evidence. A U.S. official told Al Jazeera that Washington did not accept Tel Aviv's justification for renewed strikes, further complicating diplomatic efforts to salvage the truce.

Meanwhile, witnesses reported "massive" explosions near Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital and residential areas in Khan Younis. At least 30 people were killed in the strikes, including children, according to local sources. Gaza health officials confirmed at least 11 fatalities in a single strike on a residential building in the Sabra neighborhood.

Hamas' military wing issues stark warning

The renewed violence follows Netanyahu's accusation that Hamas deliberately delayed returning the bodies of Israeli hostages. Israel released footage purportedly showing Hamas staging the recovery of remains, but U.S. officials reportedly dismissed the claim as insufficient grounds for military escalation.

Hamas responded by postponing the planned transfer of another hostage's body, citing Israeli "violations." The group's military wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, warned that further Israeli aggression "will hinder search, digging and retrieval operations of the bodies."

As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch, the al-Qassam Brigades  also known as the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades  is the military wing of Hamas established in 1991. They take their name from Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, a Palestinian preacher and resistance leader who was killed by British forces in 1935.

The decentralized engine adds that the Brigades are responsible for carrying out numerous terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and military targets  including suicide bombings, rocket attacks and kidnappings. They have also engaged in armed conflicts with Israel, most notably during the 2008-2009 Gaza War and the 2014 Gaza War.

Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces have continued sporadic attacks since Oct. 10, killing over 100 Palestinians. Aid deliveries remain severely restricted, with Israel blocking the agreed-upon number of humanitarian trucks.

Washington insists ceasefire "still holding" despite escalation

U.S. Vice President JD Vance downplayed the violence, insisting the ceasefire remained intact.

"The ceasefire is holding. That doesn't mean that there aren't going to be little skirmishes," Vance told Fox News. "We know that Hamas or somebody else within Gaza attacked an IDF soldier. We expect the Israelis are going to respondbut I think the President's peace is going to hold."

However, the White House's stance contrasts sharply with Netanyahus aggressive posture. Sources indicate Israel now controls 58 percent of Gaza's territory, with plans to expand further.

The renewed bombardment exacerbates Gaza's humanitarian catastrophe. Hospitals, already decimated by months of war, lack basic supplies to treat the wounded. The United Nations has condemned Israel's blockade, warning that restricting aid "makes starvation a bargaining chip." Over 570,000 Gazans face acute hunger, with malnutrition spreading rapidly.

Analysts suggest Netanyahu's latest offensive may be an attempt to pressure Hamas into concessions on hostage returns. However, with Israeli officials openly discussing plans to restart a "full-scale genocidal campaign," the risk of prolonged conflict remains high.

As Gaza braces for further bloodshed, the international community faces mounting pressure to intervene before famine and mass casualties spiral beyond control. The question now is whether Netanyahu will heed global calls for restraintor plunge Gaza back into all-out war.

Watch Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu hinting that Israel has no intention of leaving Gaza in this clip.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

News.Antiwar.com

FoxNews.com

France24.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Putin announces successful test of Russias invincible nuclear-powered missile

Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed the successful test of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile (NATO: SSC-X-9 Skyfall), capable of 14,000 km range and evading modern missile defenses. This marks the first public acknowledgment since its 2018 announcement.

U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed Putin's missile test as "not appropriate" amid Russia's stalled war in Ukraine, warning, "They know we have a nuclear submarine right off their shores." He emphasized U.S. strategic deterrence but downplayed immediate threat.

Russian officials claim the Burevestnik is "undetectable by radar" and can strike "highly protected targets at any distance." If deployed, it could bypass U.S. missile defenses via unpredictable trajectories, including over the South Pole.

Western analysts question the missile's reliability, citing past test failures, while acknowledging its potential to destabilize nuclear deterrence. Jeffrey Lewis called it a "science fiction weapon" complicating arms control.

The test appears to be a psychological maneuver by Putin amid Russia's Ukraine struggles. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pressed the U.S. for long-range missile support, arguing increased military pressure is needed to halt Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the successful test of a next-generation nuclear-powered cruise missile, dubbed "invincible" by Moscow, marking a significant escalation in global military tensions.

The revelation drew a sharp response from U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned Putin against further provocations while emphasizing America's own strategic deterrent.

In a video released by the Kremlin, Putin appeared in military uniform while overseeing the test of the Burevestnik (NATO designation: SSC-X-9 Skyfall)a nuclear-powered cruise missile with an unprecedented range. The test, conducted on Oct. 21, saw the missile cover 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) in a multi-hour flight, demonstrating its ability to evade modern missile defense systems.

According BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the Burevestnik cruise missile is a Russian hypersonic cruise missile that has garnered significant attention due to its advanced capabilities and strategic implications. It is a nuclear-powered, air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile designed to fly at hypersonic speeds (Mach 5 and above) and has a reported range of up to 2,000 kilometers. Its nuclear propulsion system allows it to maintain high speeds and maneuverability over long distances, making it a significant threat to modern air defense systems.

Putin declared that Russia has successfully tested the Burevestnik nuclear-powered global-range cruise missile, marking the first public acknowledgment of the weapon since its initial announcement in 2018.

He ordered his military chiefs to begin preparations for deployment, stating: "We need to determine the possible uses and begin preparing the infrastructure for deploying these weapons to our armed forces."

Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov boasted that the missile is "unique" and "undetectable by conventional radar," capable of striking "highly protected targets at any distance with guaranteed accuracy." He added that the missile executed complex maneuvers, proving its ability to bypass anti-missile defenses.

Trump's response: A warning and a rebuke

Trump, reacting aboard Air Force One, dismissed Putin's posturing as "not appropriate" given ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly Russia's stalled war in Ukraine. "Putin ought to end the wara war that should've taken one week is now in its fourth year," Trump said. "That's what he ought to do instead of testing missiles."

He also underscored U.S. military readiness, noting: "They know we have a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their shores. We don't need to go 8,000 miles."

While Russian state media hailed the Burevestnik as a "flying Chernobyl"referencing its nuclear propulsionWestern analysts remain skeptical of its operational viability. Previous tests reportedly ended in catastrophic failures, raising doubts about its reliability.

Despite skepticism, defense officials acknowledge that if successfully deployed, the missile could fundamentally alter nuclear deterrence, allowing Russia to strike from unpredictable trajectoriesincluding over the South Pole, where U.S. missile defenses are weakest.

Zelensky pressures U.S. for more support

Amid the escalating rhetoric, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed calls for long-range missile support from Washington, arguing that only increased military pressure would force Putin to negotiate.

"If Putin doesn't stop, we need something to stop him," Zelensky told Axios, praising U.S. sanctions but insisting more action was needed.

Putin's unveiling of the Burevestnik appears to be both a strategic flex and a psychological maneuver, reinforcing Russia's nuclear capabilities despite economic sanctions and battlefield setbacks in Ukraine. Trump's response signals that while Washington remains unfazed, it is prepared to counter any escalation.

As tensions mount, the world watches whether Putin's "invincible" missile will remain a propaganda toolor become a destabilizing new reality in the global arms race.

Watch the video below about Putin ordering the deployment of the world's only nuclear-powered cruise missile Burevestnik.

This video is from the The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

BrightU.ai

Newsmax.com

NewYorkPost.com

Brighteon.com
Trump orders immediate resumption of U.S. nuclear weapons testing

Trump ends the 33-year U.S. moratorium on nuclear weapons testing.

He cites strategic competition with Russia and China as the reason.

The decision reverses long-standing policy and risks a global arms race.

The U.S. last conducted an explosive nuclear test in 1992.

Russia and China have recently advanced their own nuclear capabilities.

In a move that signals a dramatic shift in global security policy, President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to immediately resume testing nuclear weapons, ending a 33-year moratorium. The announcement came just minutes before a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, citing strategic competition with Russia and China as the primary reason. This decision marks a pivotal moment in modern geopolitics, potentially unraveling decades of nuclear testing norms and escalating tensions between the world's most powerful nations.

President Trump framed the decision as a necessary response to the actions of other nuclear powers. He announced the policy shift on his Truth Social platform, stating the United States must test its weapons "on an equal basis" with rivals. "Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," Trump wrote. "That process will begin immediately."

The president emphasized the sheer size of the American arsenal while expressing personal reluctance. "The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country," his post continued. "Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice!" He further noted that while "Russia is second, and China is a distant third," he projected that China "will be even within 5 years."

The return to testing after 33 years

The United States last conducted an explosive nuclear test in 1992, operating under a congressionally mandated moratorium ever since. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump defended his decision by pointing to other nations' activities. "It had to do with others  they seemed to all be nuclear testing," he said. "We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We dont do testing. We halted it many years ago, but with others doing testing, I think its appropriate that we do also."

When pressed for details on the timing and location of the tests, Trump remained vague. "Itll be announced. You know, we have test sites. Itll be announced," he told reporters. This move reverses a long-standing bipartisan policy and could trigger a new global arms race.

The global nuclear landscape

The decision follows a series of provocative weapons tests by other powers. Russia recently announced the successful test of a nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, which it claims has a virtually unlimited range. The country's top general, Valery Gerasimov, reported to President Vladimir Putin that the missile traveled 8,700 miles and remained airborne for about 15 hours.

Meanwhile, China has been rapidly expanding its own nuclear capabilities. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Beijing has more than doubled the size of its arsenal from an estimated 300 weapons in 2020 to 600 in 2025. The think tank projects China will possess more than 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030. The most recent estimates from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute place the U.S. stockpile at 5,177 warheads, with Russia at 5,459.

Despite the escalatory nature of the decision, Trump downplayed the risks. Asked if the world was entering a more dangerous phase, he replied, "I dont think so. I think we have it pretty well locked up." He also expressed a desire for denuclearization, stating, "Id like to see a denuclearization because we have so many." He added that the U.S. is "actually talking to Russia about that and China would be added to that if we do something."

This decision places the United States at a critical crossroads. While a credible deterrent against genuine threats like a rapidly arming China is undeniably necessary, a return to nuclear testing risks draining national resources and accelerating a dangerous global arms buildup. The delicate balance between national security and global stability has never been more precarious. Will this announcement mark a new, more volatile chapter in nuclear history?

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

FoxNews.com

Reuters.com
Trump pressures Netanyahu to end Gaza War amid rising civilian toll

President Trump is pressuring Netanyahu to halt the war in Gaza, warning that prolonged fighting undermines U.S. diplomacy with Iran and Saudi-Israeli normalization efforts. He rejected the "Witkoff framework" (a 60-day ceasefire for partial hostage release) in favor of a permanent resolution.

Despite demanding peace, Trump refused to condition or withhold critical U.S. weapons shipments to Israela move critics say weakens his leverage. The U.S. continues supplying arms, enabling what human rights groups call indiscriminate attacks on Palestinian civilians.

Israeli strikes killed 61 Palestinians in one day, including 39 civilians seeking aid, fueling accusations of war crimes and genocide. The UN and Amnesty International condemn the violence as disproportionate, while Hamas denies provoking the escalation.

Trump's push for peace marks a departure from unconditional U.S. support for Israel's military actions. His focus ties Gaza's stability to broader goals: strengthening Iran nuclear talks and advancing the Abraham Accords with Saudi Arabia.

Past ceasefires (like the October U.S.-brokered deal) collapsed quickly, highlighting the need to address root causes (e.g., Palestinian statehood, Israeli settlements). Without conditioning military aid or Hamas compliance, lasting peace remains unlikelyleaving Gaza trapped in violence and geopolitical maneuvering.

In a high-stakes phone call on Monday, Oct. 27, President Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bring an immediate and definitive end to the Gaza conflict, warning that prolonged hostilities jeopardize U.S. diplomatic efforts with Iran and Saudi-Israeli normalization.

While Trump insisted the war must conclude "as soon as possible," he stopped short of threatening to withhold critical U.S. military aida move that critics say undermines his demand for peace. Meanwhile, Israel's latest offensive has killed at least 61 Palestinians in a single day, including 39 civilians seeking aid, intensifying accusations of war crimes and genocide.

Trump's push for a lasting resolution marks a departure from unconditional U.S. backing of Israel's military campaign. According to Israeli media, he rejected the proposed "Witkoff framework"a 60-day ceasefire in exchange for half the Hamas-held hostagesarguing instead for a comprehensive peace deal. The president emphasized that ending the Gaza conflict would strengthen U.S. leverage in nuclear negotiations with Iran and advance the Abraham Accords, which seek to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Yet Trump's refusal to leverage military aiddespite Israel's heavy reliance on American weaponshas drawn skepticism. "The U.S. continues supplying advanced arms, enabling what human rights groups describe as indiscriminate attacks on Palestinian civilians," BrightU.AI's Enoch noted.

Humanitarian crisis deepens amid escalation

The humanitarian toll in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels. Recent Israeli strikes killed dozens, including civilians waiting for food aid, sparking global outrage. The United Nations and Amnesty International have condemned the violence as disproportionate, with some legal experts accusing Israel of committing war crimes.

Hamas, meanwhile, denies provoking the latest escalation, claiming Israel violated the ceasefire first. The group warned that continued hostilities could delay the return of remaining Israeli hostagesa critical sticking point in negotiations.

The current war follows decades of failed peace initiatives and short-lived truces. The U.S.-brokered October ceasefiremediated alongside Egypt, Qatar and Turkeycollapsed within weeks, mirroring past breakdowns in diplomacy. Critics argue that without addressing root causessuch as Palestinian statehood and Israeli settlementsany resolution will remain fragile.

Trump's approach echoes past U.S. administrations that prioritized regional alliances over Palestinian rights. However, his focus on Iran and Saudi normalization suggests a broader geopolitical calculus, with Gaza's stability seen as a linchpin for Middle East realignment.

As civilian casualties mount and global condemnation grows, Trump's pressure on Netanyahu signals a strategic recalibrationbut one that may lack the teeth to enforce change. Without conditioning military aid or securing Hamas' compliance, the path to lasting peace remains uncertain. For now, Gaza's suffering continues, caught between geopolitical maneuvering and the devastating reality of war.

Watch the video below about Vice President JD Vance and Netanyahu's meeting in Israel.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com

Independent.co.uk

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and the recently appointed UN official to lead on the issue of detentions, Muin Shreim, visited Oman and met with Omani officials and representatives of Ansar Allah (the Houthi military group) on Monday, according to a note to correspondents issued by the Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General on Wednesday.

"They met with Omani officials and Ansar Allah representatives, as part of the UN's ongoing efforts to secure the release of all UN personnel arbitrarily detained by Ansar Allah," the note said.

Grundberg also held discussions with senior Omani officials and the Ansar Allah negotiating team on ways to reach a negotiated political settlement to end the conflict in Yemen, it said.

The Houthi de facto authorities in Yemen arbitrarily detained one more UN staff member on Monday, bringing the total number of detained UN personnel in the country to at least 59, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general, on Monday.

Some of the UN staff have been detained by the Houthis since 2021. 
Trump repositions nuclear subs, resumes testing as Russia advances hypersonic missiles, drones

U.S. Military Actions: President Trump orders two nuclear submarines closer to Russia and resumes U.S. nuclear weapons testing, reversing a 33-year moratorium, in response to Russia's advanced military technologies.

President Trump orders two nuclear submarines closer to Russia and resumes U.S. nuclear weapons testing, reversing a 33-year moratorium, in response to Russia's advanced military technologies. Russian Threats: Russia has unveiled the hypersonic Buddha Vesnic missile and deployed Poseidon nuclear underwater drones off U.S. coasts, capable of causing catastrophic radioactive tsunamis.

Russia has unveiled the hypersonic Buddha Vesnic missile and deployed Poseidon nuclear underwater drones off U.S. coasts, capable of causing catastrophic radioactive tsunamis. Advanced Technologies: Russia leads in developing cutting-edge military tech, including the Oreshnik missile system, which can launch 36 independent vehicles, each delivering devastating kinetic force.

Russia leads in developing cutting-edge military tech, including the Oreshnik missile system, which can launch 36 independent vehicles, each delivering devastating kinetic force. Poseidon Underwater Drone: The 20-meter-long, 100-ton Poseidon drone can dive to 1,000 meters and reach 200 km/h, equipped with a miniaturized nuclear reactor, and is deployed off U.S. and UK coasts.

The 20-meter-long, 100-ton Poseidon drone can dive to 1,000 meters and reach 200 km/h, equipped with a miniaturized nuclear reactor, and is deployed off U.S. and UK coasts. Global Security Concerns: The international community is deeply concerned about a renewed nuclear arms race and the heightened risk of miscalculation and conflict, emphasizing the need for robust defense and diplomatic efforts.

In a series of escalating military actions, President Donald Trump has ordered two nuclear submarines to reposition closer to Russia and announced the resumption of U.S. nuclear weapons testing, reversing a 33-year moratorium. These decisions come amid Russia's recent unveilings of advanced military technologies, including the hypersonic Buddha Vesnic missile and the deployment of Poseidon nuclear underwater drones off U.S. coasts. The timing of these events aligns with executive orders signed by President Trump, underscoring the need for robust missile defense systems to protect the nation against these threats.

The Resurgence of U.S. Nuclear Testing

Today, October 30, 2025, President Trump issued a directive to the Department of Defense to resume nuclear weapons testing, breaking the moratorium that has been in place since 1992. This move is a direct response to the advanced weaponry being developed and deployed by Russia, particularly the hypersonic Buddha Vesnic missile and the Poseidon underwater drone system.

The Buddha Vesnic missile, equipped with a miniaturized nuclear reactor, can evade U.S. air defense systems with its unlimited range and maneuverability. The Poseidon drones, armed with 100-megaton warheads, are capable of causing catastrophic radioactive tsunamis, posing a severe threat to U.S. coastal cities and military installations.

Russia's Advanced Military Technologies

Russia has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge military technologies that the United States currently lacks. The Oreshnik missile system, which can launch 36 independent vehicles, each capable of striking with devastating kinetic force, is a prime example. These weapons, capable of penetrating multiple floors of reinforced concrete, represent a significant technological leap over U.S. systems.

The Poseidon Underwater Drone

The Poseidon underwater drone is a 20-meter-long, 100-ton system that can dive below 1,000 meters and reach speeds of 200 kilometers per hour. Equipped with a miniaturized nuclear reactor, it can remain operational for extended periods. Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that these drones are already deployed off the U.S. East and West coasts, as well as off the UK coast, ready to be detonated upon receiving a satellite signal from Moscow.

The Buddha Vesnic Cruise Missile

The Buddha Vesnic cruise missile, recently tested and successfully launched, has an unlimited range and can fly for months, circling the Earth and striking any target from any direction. This missile, powered by a miniaturized nuclear reactor, can evade U.S. anti-air defense systems, making it a game-changer in modern warfare.

The Implications for Global Security

The international community remains deeply concerned about the potential for a renewed nuclear arms race and the implications for global security. The resumption of U.S. nuclear testing and the deployment of advanced Russian weapons systems increase the risk of miscalculation and conflict. Experts warn that the current trajectory could lead to catastrophic outcomes, particularly if diplomatic efforts fail to de-escalate tensions.

Conclusion

President Trump's decision to reposition nuclear submarines and resume nuclear weapons testing is a response to the advanced military technologies developed by Russia. However, the deployment of Russia's hypersonic Buddha Vesnic missiles and Poseidon underwater drones off U.S. coasts represents a significant threat that the U.S. must address through a combination of defense modernization and diplomatic initiatives. The world stands on the brink of a dangerous new era in nuclear and conventional warfare, and the stakes have never been higher.

Watch the Oct. 30 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses how Trump is lurching toward nuclear doomsday with dangerous posturing.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Trump DENIES Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine, pushes for peace talks as Russia escalates strikes

Trump orders immediate resumption of U.S. nuclear weapons testing

Trump floats TOMAHAWK missiles for Ukraine as conflict drags on

Sources include:

Brighteon.com
British government urged to BAN nitrites amid rising bowel cancer cases

A U.K. coalition led by Prof. Chris Elliott warns that nitrites in processed meats have contributed to 54,000 bowel cancer cases in the past decade, costing the NHS 3 billion in treatment.

The WHOs International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified processed meats as Group 1 carcinogens (like tobacco and asbestos) in 2015, yet U.K. regulators have failed to act.

Nitrites react in the stomach to form nitrosamines, potent carcinogens linked to 5,400 annual bowel cancer cases in the U.K. alone.

The British Food Standards Agency (FSA) claims nitrites prevent botulism, but the coalition counters that nitrite-free bacon exists without any botulism outbreaks.

69 percent of Britons support banning nitrites and France has already moved to reduce nitrite levels by 20 percent, while the U.K. lags behind despite cross-party political backing.

A coalition of leading scientists, medical professionals and politicians is demanding an immediate ban on nitrites in supermarket bacon and ham, citing a devastating public health toll they link to over 54,000 bowel cancer cases in the United Kingdom over the past decade.

The newly-formed Coalition Against Nitrites led by prominent food safety expert, Professor Chris Elliott, represents a direct challenge to both government regulators and the food industry, arguing that the continued use of these chemicals constitutes a preventable crisis with a staggering human and financial cost. The current campaign is rooted in a pivotal scientific declaration made a decade ago.

In 2015, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer classified processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen. This classification places products like bacon and ham in the same category as tobacco and asbestos for their confirmed cancer-causing potential in humans. The scientists now assert that despite this stark warning, successive U.K. governments have done virtually nothing to reduce public exposure to the very chemicals implicated in the risk.

At the heart of the controversy are nitrites, chemical preservatives added to processed meats. Their primary function is to give bacon its characteristic pink color, enhance its savory flavor and significantly extend its shelf life. However, the coalition argues this convenience comes at a grave cost.

When consumed, nitrites can react with other compounds in the stomach to form nitrosamines. These nitrosamines are potent carcinogens, substances directly known to cause cancer. The scientific consensus, they argue, points to this process as a key driver behind the elevated bowel cancer risk associated with regular consumption of processed meats.

"Bacon is high in saturated fat and sodium," said BrightU.AI's Enoch engine. "It also contains nitrites, which can form cancer-causing nitrosamines in the body. Furthermore, processing inconsistencies mean people cannot always be sure the product meets safety standards."

The coalition's analysis presents a sobering assessment of the consequences of inaction. They estimate that approximately 5,400 bowel cancer cases diagnosed each year in the U.K. are directly attributable to eating processed meats containing nitrites.

Beyond the profound human suffering, this has placed an immense burden on the National Health Service. Over the last ten years, the coalition calculates that the British National Health Service has footed a bill of roughly 3 billion ($3.98 billion) to treat these preventable cancers, with the average treatment cost per patient averaging 59,000.

The fight for nitrite-free meats

But the coalition's stance places it in direct opposition to the official position of the British Food Standards Agency (FSA). The FSA maintains that nitrites are "essential" for food safety, specifically to prevent the growth of deadly bacteria like Clostridium botulinum, which causes botulism.

The coalition fiercely contests this argument, pointing to the existence of nitrite-free products and the complete absence of any recorded cases of botulism linked to them as proof that the safety justification is outdated. A leaked industry report from 2019 is also cited as evidence that nitrites may not offer the protection against bacteria that regulators claim.

The call for a ban has garnered significant cross-party political support, uniting members from seven different U.K. political parties. Lord James Bethell, a former Conservative health minister, has publicly backed the campaign, emphasizing the urgent need for a preventative health strategy. He noted that colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the U.K., with about 120 new cases diagnosed every single day.

This political momentum is mirrored by public opinion, with recent polling indicating that 69 percent of Britons support the removal of nitrites from their food. The campaign is not isolated to the U.K., crossing over to the English channel.

In France, a similar movement has already prompted government action, resulting in an official plan to immediately reduce nitrite levels in deli meats by approximately 20 percent. The French health agency has confirmed the direct link between nitrites in ham and colorectal cancer, lending further weight to the coalition's arguments. This contrast highlights a growing regulatory divergence, with the European Union moving to tighten its rules on nitrite use while the UK lags behind.

Despite the availability of alternatives, the coalition acknowledges the scale of the challenge. Over 90 percent of the European processed meat market is still dominated by products containing nitrites. Changing this will require a concerted effort from regulators, producers and retailers.

The coalition's members argue that with modern food technologies, it is entirely feasible to produce the bacon consumers love with the same taste, appearance and cost  but without the carcinogenic chemicals. The group has vowed to maintain pressure on the government until its mission is achieved. But for the millions who enjoy a traditional breakfast, the outcome of this clash between science, industry and regulation will have profound implications for the future of the food on their plates.

Watch this video explaining that people give themselves cancer every day with unhealthy and toxic lifestyle choices.

This video is from the BrightU Series Snippets channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

DailyMail.com

NewFoodMagazine.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
U.S. militarizes Indo-Pacific: A new front in the China showdown

The U.S. military redeployment is a strategic response to the real and present danger posed by China, which seeks to dominate the world through AI capabilities and military might.

The rise of decentralized AI, such as Enoch, is a positive development that can help counter the centralized control and manipulation of information by Big Tech and globalist entities.

The economic pressures and tariffs imposed by the U.S. on China are necessary to address the systemic issues of intellectual property theft and trade imbalances, which are part of a larger strategy to undermine the globalist agenda.

The potential for economic retaliation from China is a risk, but it is a risk worth taking to protect the economic freedom and sovereignty of nations. The growing influence of China in the region poses significant risks to the sovereignty and autonomy of nations, particularly those in the Indo-Pacific.

The U.S. must continue to stand strong against the forces of globalism and centralized control, while promoting the values of personal liberty, economic freedom and self-reliance. The world is watching, and the choices made today will shape the future of humanity for generations to come.

The U.S. military is pivoting its focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific region, a strategic move driven by China's growing aggression and expanding influence.

This shift, announced by the Trump administration, signals a significant geopolitical realignment, with the U.S. acknowledging the Indo-Pacific as a critical theater for global power dynamics.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, the U.S. military presence in the Pacific region is a significant geopolitical factor, with implications for health, liberty and global stability. The U.S. military argues that its presence in the Pacific is necessary for regional stability, countering the influence of China, and maintaining freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Critics, however, argue that this presence is a form of imperialism, supporting unpopular governments and provoking tensions.

U.S. military redeployment

The U.S. military is redeploying troops and resources from Europe to the Indo-Pacific, a move that reflects the administration's view that the Indo-Pacific is the "priority theater" for the U.S. military.

This redeployment comes as China has become increasingly assertive in the region, with actions ranging from island-building in the South China Sea to military exercises around Taiwan.

Economic pressures and tariffs

The U.S. has also been applying economic pressure on China, using tariffs as a tool to address trade imbalances and intellectual property theft.

President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 100 percent tariff on all Chinese imports, a move that would significantly escalate the trade war. China, in turn, has vowed retaliation, setting the stage for potential global market turmoil.

China's growing influence and risks

China's growing influence in the region poses significant risks, not just to the U.S., but to its allies and partners as well. South Korea, for instance, risks crippling its key industries and inviting economic retaliation if it deepens ties with China. Meanwhile, anti-China sentiment is rising among consumers, potentially triggering domestic backlash.

Newt Gingrich's book "Trump vs. China: Facing America's Greatest Threat" mentions that if China controls the surrounding seas, in the case of a crisis or conflict between China and Taiwan, it could complicate capabilities of military intervention by the United States. China could also continue to intimidate, pressure or coerce its neighbors in the South China Sea. Chinas actions in the South China and East China Seas could establish the principle of "might makes right" in the region. The East China Sea is off of the east coast of Chinanear Japan, South Korea and Taiwanwhere China is engaged in additional territorial disputes.

Decentralized AI and global power shifts

The shift in U.S. military focus coincides with broader global power shifts, including the rise of decentralized artificial intelligence (AI). As China emerges as a tech powerhouse, the U.S. faces challenges to its dominance.

Decentralized AI, such as Enoch, an open-source AI model trained on natural health and anti-globalist data, could help counter these challenges by providing a decentralized alternative to Big Tech's AI models.

Implications for humanity

The U.S.'s shift in military focus to the Indo-Pacific has significant implications for humanity.

It signals a recognition of the region's strategic importance and the need to counter China's growing influence.

As the U.S. and China engage in a complex dance of military, economic and technological competition, the world watches and waits, hoping for a peaceful resolution to these tensions.

Trump addresses Tomahawk missiles, saying they are very dangerous weapons. Watch the video here.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NTD.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
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Jason Cadena and Justin Stone lead a reporter and photographer from theValencia County News-Bulletinon a tour of The Farm, the Level I unit at Central New Mexico Correctional Facility, south of Los Lunas. Noah Suarez

LOS LUNAS  Theres a barbershop, a library and small computer lab. A large tree creates a shady entry into a small chapel, graced with hand-oiled, carved ceiling beams and a hand-made alter beneath a simple cross.

With all the elements of a small town plaza, The Farm could be mistaken for anywhere U.S.A. were it not for the hundreds of men in orange jumpsuits and armed correctional officers.

After a nearly five-year closure, The Farm  the Level I housing unit at the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility, just south of the village of Los Lunas on N.M. 314  has come back to life. At just more than 1,000 acres, the farm is one of CNMCFs more unusual facilities.

The 336 inmates at The Farm have earned their way into the Level I unit by taking advantage of the opportunities presented to them while incarcerated, opportunities ranging from parenting classes, earning a GED, getting a commercial drivers license and just generally staying out of the mix.

Paul Stonecipher, an inmate at The Farm, the Level I unit at Central New Mexico Correctional Facility, talks about how fliers for the various programs for inmates are posted regularly on a bulletin board within the facility. Noah Suarez

When opportunities come your way, when you apply yourself in a positive way, is how you, as an inmate, get the privilege of living at The Farm, says Paul Stonecipher. He, along with all the other inmates living in the unit, have worked to build trust with both the prison administration and correctional officers, but among themselves as well.

As the inmates build trust and relationships with the prison administration, they get the opportunity to participate in clubs and programs they manage themselves, such as Fathers New Mexico and their fitness club.

We have a lot of trust from the COs and the staff, said Justin Stone. We get to run a lot of the programs.

One that is especially important to Stone is revitalizing the chapel at the facility. He has taken a lead role in not only helping get the chapel itself in shape for the inmates, but is working closely with CNMCF staff to get a purple  a chaplain  to oversee the chapel and provide spiritual leadership to those who want it.

Plans to reopen The Farm began about a year ago, said New Mexico Corrections Department public information officer Brittany Roembach, with it officially reopening in June of this year.

The Farm closed in 2020 due to staffing, and there were not enough inmates housed there to make it make sense to have it open, Roembach said. The reopening was driven by a desire to better utilize the unique space for low-security inmates.

Ad

The farm, dedicated in May 1940, was initially 2,000 acres. Its now 1,010, much of which is still farmed by NMCDs Corrections Industries Division, producing alfalfa for sale to the public. When the unit was established, the plan was to have it be self-sustaining within four years and provide food for both the inmates at the farm and the penitentiary in Santa Fe.

Part of their responsibilities as inmates of the Level I unit at Central New Mexico Correctional Facility, include working in various industry areas of the facility, such as the wood shop. Pictured, from left, are Justin Stone, Jason Cadena, Wes Chapman and Paul Stonecipher. Chapman, a contractor by training, heads up the wood shop and teaches other inmates his trade. Noah Suarez

While the food production didnt come to fruition, The Farm offers educational programming to the hundreds of minimum-security, level one inmates living there, as well as programming for substance abuse prevention, daily living skills, job readiness, vocational classes and support services.

NMCDs reentry division currently offers more than a dozen vocational programs across all eight state prisons, including the Los Lunas facility, and the privately-operated Otero County Correctional Facility.

I am immensely proud of the accomplishments of our CNMCF staff, whose dedication and diligence have been instrumental in the reopening of our Level I Facility, CNMCF Warden Jessica Vigil-Richards said in a June Facebook post celebrating the reopening. Deputy Warden (Krystal) Rivera, assigned to the CNMCF Level I Facility, has demonstrated exceptional leadership and guidance. It is a true honor to serve as warden at CNMCF and to collaborate with individuals I hold in high regard for their commitment to fostering a safer environment for one another, and for the state of New Mexico.

Rivera said more than 90 percent of the inmates in the unit have been given a work assignment, serving as porters for the different parts of the facility. The men are assigned to the library to keep it in order, work as barbers, build and repair furniture for the facility, do laundry and more.

When NMDC decided to reopen the unit, much of the work needed to rehab the facility and get back to habitable condition was done by the inmates themselves, giving them ownership and pride in the property.

From rewiring buildings, to concrete work on the grounds, hanging drywall, painting walls and building furniture, the men at The Farm were involved.

Wes Chapman is a contractor who owned his own company before he was incarcerated. He points to the wooden benches lining the covered porches on the main buildings in the unit, the outdoor tables on the grounds and pretty much anything made from wood. Those are all his work.

We take a lot of ownership in the projects, Chapman said.

Paul Stonecipher, left, listens as fellow inmate Jason Cadena speaks about how the opportunities hes taken advantage of while at The Farm, the Level I unit at Central New Mexico Correctional Facility, have prepared him to be part of the community once hes released. Noah Suarez

Jason Cadena agrees, noting he hung a lot of the drywall, so when he sees guys acting a fool and wanting to take out their emotions on a wall, hes quick to intervene.

In addition to the manual work on the buildings, the men say they have done a lot of work on themselves, preparing for what comes next both in terms of job skills and personal development. Being able to run their own programs and clubs have given them the chance to develop their interpersonal skills and ability to cooperate and contribute to their community.

CNMCF Deputy Warden Krystal Rivera, who oversees The Farm, says the inmates there want to give back to themselves and the community. This is about changing the lifestyle that took them out of their lives and putting them back into the community.

Stone and Cadena help lead a pre-prosecution program at the facility, which introduces first-time offenders to the prison experience.

We try to show them what our experiences and choices have led to, Stone said. Weve done a lot of work here and we will leave with something to carry with us. My favorite part is how weve come together as a leadership team.

All four are looking forward to life once their time at The Farm is done. When the News-Bulletin visited the facility on Oct. 9, Chapman was getting very close to the door with only 23 days until his release. Hes heading to Florida to join his business partner, where they will be buying and flipping hurricane-damaged homes.

During their time in prison, Stone says it may appear inmates dont have a lot to worry about and few responsibilities, but they are missing out on so much of their lives. For him, its his 9-year-old daughter.

We might not have a lot to worry about now, but ... Theres so much we dont have, he said.

As the men rejoin the community, Cadena said the most beneficial approach people can take is to give them a chance and listen to their stories. They are veterans, fathers, skilled tradesmen and probably have more in common with you than you think, he said, adding we can learn from each other.

The others emphasized how important it has been for them to take advantage of the opportunities offered to them during their incarceration.

Weve done the programs, Stone said. We could sit on our bed and do nothing, but we keep progressing forward.
JIUQUAN, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Shenzhou-21 crew will carry out in-orbit scientific experiments involving mice during their stay on China's space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) on Thursday.

Four mice, two males and two females, will be transported to the space station aboard the Shenzhou-21 spaceship and raised in orbit, CMSA spokesperson Zhang Jingbo said at a press conference held one day prior to the launch of the Shenzhou-21 mission.

Noting that this is the first time China will conduct scientific experiments involving rodent mammals in space, Zhang said the in-orbit study will focus on examining the effects of space conditions, such as microgravity and enclosed space, on the behavior of these animals.

Subsequently, the mice will return to Earth via a spaceship, and further scientific research will be carried out to explore the stress response and adaptive changes of multiple tissues and organs of mice in the space environment, Zhang added.

The Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 11:44 p.m. Friday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. Taikonauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang will carry out the Shenzhou-21 mission.

During their stay in orbit, the Shenzhou-21 crew will conduct a total of 27 new scientific and application study projects. 
Election Day is around the corner and if you havent cast your ballot yet in the Regular Local Election, theres still time.

Early voting is happening from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday Oct. 30, and Friday, Oct. 31, at the Valencia County Clerks Office, as well as from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., through Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Belen Community Center, Bosque Farms Public Library, Pueblo of Isleta Veterans Center and the Valencia County Administration Offices.

Then from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 15 voting convenience centers will be open across Valencia County. Voters can visit any of the centers on Election Day to cast a ballot.

There are 10 local races including municipal seats, boards of education and special districts on the ballot.

City of Belen

Mayor

Robert Noblin is running for his second term as mayor. He owns Noblin Funeral Service, Terrace Grove Cemetery and Terrace Grove Pet Services.

Council

The two incumbents are running for the two open seats on the Belen city council  Steven Holdman and Frank Ortega.

Holdman is running for his second term on the council and is the administrative pastor at Calvary Chapel Rio Grande Valley, and retired as the executive vice president of operations for NICOR Incorporated in Albuquerque.

Ortega is retired from the Belen Consolidated Schools maintenance department and has served four terms on the city council, three of which were consecutive from 2014 to now. He served one term from 1992 to 1996.

Municipal Judge

Keith Norwood is running for his second term as Belen municipal judge. He spent 25 years with the New Mexico Department of Corrections, where he served as warden, deputy warden, deputy bureau chief and correctional officer.

Pauline Vallejos is the security foreman for Belen Consolidated Schools.

Village of Bosque Farms

Council

Five candidates are running for the two available council seats in the village of Bosque Farms.

James Bruhn is a contractor.

Clinton CJ Kettle is the service manager at Wagner Equipment.

Stefanie Scanland is a human resources professional and owns a mobile catering and personal chef service.

Dolly Wallace is an equine specialist. Wallace served as the villages municipal judge for two terms, from 2016 to 2024, and served on the council for three terms prior.

Manuel Zamora is a retired firefighter/EMT and a fire protection engineer.

Village of Los Lunas

Council

District 1

Christopher Ortiz, running for his third term on the council, is an insurance specialist with the Los Lunas Schools district.

John Walker is a high school teacher.

District 3

Matthew Chavez is a local farmer, Realtor and owner of Chavez Farms Chile and Europa Coffee.

Naithan Gurule is a teacher at Los Lunas High School and retired as the Los Lunas police chief in 2022.

Cruz Munoz is running for his second term on the council. He works for Mountain America Credit Union as a senior marketing representative.

Town of Peralta

Mayor

Joseph Chavez retired as the warden for the Valencia County Detention Center in December 2019.

Council

Claudio Moya, a water well driller, is running for his third term on the council.

Randy Smith is running for his third term as a councilor. He owns Randys Electrical Co and REC Mini Storage.

Municipal Judge

Tracy Aragon, director of radiology at X-Ray Associates of New Mexico, is running for his third term as municipal judge.

City of Rio Communities

Mayor

City Councilor Matthew Marquez is a retired federal technician and an U.S. Army veteran.

Joshua Ramsell, a retail manager, is running for his second term as mayor.

Council

There are five candidates running for the two seats on the city of Rio Communities council.

Lawrence Gordon, a retired police officer, is running for his second term on the council.

Michael Melendez is the owner of Valencia Solar Electric Company.

Alan Sinclair is retired from General Electric.

Jo Skelton is retired from the court system.

MaryJo Palmer is the store manager at PeeWees Pit Stop in Rio Communities.

Municipal Judge

Loedesta Loedi Silva is a Realtor.

Current municipal judge Victor Williams was appointed in August. He is retired from the U.S. Army.

Belen Board of Education

Board

District 1

Joanne Silva works for the New Mexico Department of Health. She has served one term on the board

District 4

Jim Danner is a retired educator. He has served two terms on the board.

District 5

Larry Garley is a retired teacher for Belen Consolidated Schools. Garley was appointed to the board in 2021 after the seat was vacated. Garley also held the District 5 seat for one term, from 2014 to 2017.

Los Lunas Board of Education

District 1

Nicole Bradshaw is a professional photographer.

Frank Otero is retired from the New Mexico Department of Health, as well as the retired facilities manager for the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School. He previously held the District 1 seat for 11 years.

R. Craig Schlotterback is a retired air traffic controller.

District 2

Sonya CMoya is a senior sales account executive for Presbyterian Health Plan. She was appointed to the board in 2024, following the resignation of Monica Otero.

District 3

Dave Vickers has held his seat since 2019. He served on the board from 1995 to 1999 and was on the New Mexico State School Board in 2001. Vickers is a business owner.

District 5

Bruce Bennett is running for his second term on the board. He was appointed to the Los Lunas Schools Governing Committee, then was elected to the LLBOE in 2021. He is retired form the U.S. Coast Guard.

Christopher Burkhard is a journeyman lineman and a U.S. Army veteran.

James Fischer is a retired engineer and building inspector. He currently holds a position on the Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District board and is also running for his second term on that board.

Dana Sanders is a former Los Lunas Schools superintendent.

University of New Mexico-Valencia Advisory Board

There are two at large positions on the advisory board.

Incumbent Roberta Scott is retired from the University of New Mexico-Valencia, where she was the director of the Small Business Development Center for more than a decade.

Charles Schick, 65, is a retired instructor/lecturer with the University of New Mexico-Valencia and a contract consultant in geology. Schick is also running for a position on the Valencia County Arroyo Flood Control District board this year.

Eloisa Tabet, a second incumbent, filed as a write-in candidate. She has held her position on the board since 2010. Tabet is a retired assistant cashier for Wells Fargo Bank and a former licensed real estate agent.

Valencia Soil and Water Conservation District

There are three seats up on the board of supervisors and six candidates.

Teresa Smith de Cherif is a retired physician and journalist. She has served on the board since 2008.

James Fischer is a retired engineer and building inspector. He is running for his second term on the board.

Gail Goodman is a retired educator, having taught at all levels in the education field. She previously served on the VSWCD board for one term, from 2020-23.

Sharon Hagaman works in the home cleaning business and home care.

Andrew Hautzinger is a hydrologist with the state and is retired from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Eugene Pickett Jr. was appointed to the board of supervisors to serve until the end of 2025. He retired from the state as a mental health supervisor of mental health facilities, and from Valencia County after 15 years as a mobile home specialist supervisor.

Valencia County Arroyo Flood Control District

All five seats on the board of directors for the Valencia County Arroyo Flood Control District are on the November ballot. The district was approved by voters in November 2024, and the directors were appointed earlier this year.

Danny Goodson was appointed to the board when it was formed and is an airport technician for the city of Belen at the Belen Regional Airport.

Brenda Hume has been the chief deputy clerk for Valencia County since July 2024, and is the former Union County clerk.

Michael Montoya is also a board member and works for the village of Los Lunas.

Tyler Otero is a manager for the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District.

Charles Schick is a retired instructor/lecturer with the University of New Mexico-Valencia and a contract consultant in geology. Schick is also running for a position on the UNM-Valencia Advisory Board this year.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 24F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches..

Tonight

Snow this evening will transition to snow showers late. Low 24F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulating 1 to 3 inches.
An app that turns consumer Apple Watches into tools for highly sophisticated sleep stage monitoring was developed by team of researchers led by professor Joyita Dutta at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The researchers say the app and corresponding AI code are convenient and effective alternatives to existing costly and complex sleep study equipment and protocols.

"Our goal was to get as rugged as possible with a non-specialized consumer wearable device, which is the Apple Watch," says Dutta, professor of biomedical engineering in the Daniel J. Riccio Jr. College of Engineering and senior author of the research, published in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering. She envisions researchers can use this app to monitor people with sleep disorders at home, without costly lab-based sleep studies.

Dutta designed this app specifically for her research into the connection between sleep disruptions and the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Currently, the gold standard for sleep studies is through lab-based assessments, which are complex, expensive and require manual data analysis by a specialist. Even at-home assessments can be complicated, asking participants to sleep with electrodes on their heads.

Because of the cost, complexity and discomfort, the duration of most sleep studies is only one night, meaning researchers don't have the benefit of analyzing data from multiple sessions over time. Dutta also notes that, for her ongoing Alzheimer's research, existing monitoring technology cannot capture sleep data from naps, which are largely unplanned. In contrast, the broad availability and round-the-clock wearability of smartwatches make them particularly well-suited for studying all forms of sleep.

With this in mind, Dutta and her team created software to turn the widely available Apple Watch into a robust sleep-staging technology. The app, called BIDSleep, collects data on instantaneous heart rate, since this measure varies depending on the sleep stage. Heart rate is slower during deep sleep and higher during more active periods, like REM sleep.

These data feed into the researchers' new AI model, which is available to other researchers.

On average, their model accurately identified the correct sleep stage 71% of the time, outperforming other well-known approaches used by the sleep research community. Dutta also notes that their model is even more accurate at identifying deep sleep, which is important because aging is associated with more pronounced decline in deep sleep than total sleep.

"Overall accuracy matters, but sometimes we also need to look at the clinical metrics like sleep efficiency and sleep onset latency, total sleep time," adds Tzu-An Song, a postdoctoral research fellow in Dutta's lab and first author on the paper. Accuracy along these measures provides further insights into the app's effectiveness at predicting clinically important sleep parameters.

Our method works better for basically all of these metrics." Tzu-An Song, first author on the paper

The AI model, using data collected by BIDSleep, produced results closest to the gold standard of EEG-based sleep staging compared to other modeling approaches.

Dutta notes that they did not compare their technology to the Apple Watch's native sleep-staging capabilities because that feature was not available at the time of their study. They plan to conduct a full head-to-head comparison in the future. She is optimistic that their app will be more accurate because it provides richer data, collecting heart rate information at a denser rate than the native features built into Apple Health.

"Ultimately, we'd love for researchers and clinicians to use this app, which is why we created it in a style where you can easily port the data and get multi-night information out of it," says Dutta.

This research is supported by the Massachusetts AI and Technology Center for Connected Care in Aging & Alzheimer's Disease and the National Institutes of Health.
Just a few fibers are enough for the two hemispheres of the brain to communicate with each other. This was shown by a new international study led by Professor Dr Michael Miller (University of California, Santa Barbara) and Professor Dr Lukas J. Volz (Department of Neurology at University Hospital Cologne and the University of Cologne's Faculty of Medicine) in close collaboration with Professor Dr Christian Bien's team at the Bethel Epilepsy Centre (University Hospital OWL at Bielefeld University). The results were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and underline the human brain's amazing ability to reorganize  even when the most important connection between the hemispheres, the corpus callosum, is partially severed.

Until recently, damage to the corpus callosum  the brain's largest fiber bundle  has been associated with impairments in speech, motor functions, or perception. However, the new study with so-called 'split-brain' patients shows that preserving around one centimetre of the corpus callosum's fibres is enough to largely maintain the exchange of information between the two brain hemispheres and thus prevent neurological symptoms.

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), the research team investigated how partial or complete transections of the corpus callosum affected neural synchronisation. While a complete transection largely prevented information exchange between the hemispheres, communication remained almost normal in patients with few residual connections.

These findings challenge long-held assumptions about the relationships between brain structure and function.

Our results underline the immense adaptability of the functional architecture of the human brain. Even a few fibres between the cerebral hemispheres appear to be sufficient to maintain a complex network architecture." Professor Dr. Lukas J. Volz, Department of Neurology at University Hospital Cologne and the University of Cologne's Faculty of Medicine

These findings offer valuable insights for rehabilitation research after brain injur with targeted therapeutic interventions aiming to exploit the brain's neuroplastic potential to facilitate the reorganization of impaired networks.

The study was carried out in close collaboration between the University Hospital Cologne and the University of Cologne's Faculty of Medicine, the Bethel Epilepsy Centre (University Hospital OWL, Bielefeld University), the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Indiana University Bloomington. The Cologne team was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) as part of Collaborative Research Centre 1451 "Key Mechanisms of Motor Control in Health and Disease".
SUVA, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Pacific Community (SPC) has inaugurated the region's first-ever Cryopreservation Laboratory at its Center for Pacific Crops and Trees (CePaCT) in Fiji, marking a major milestone in regional efforts to conserve the Pacific's rich agricultural biodiversity.

The facility will safeguard more than 2,000 plant varieties and over 100 crop and tree species collected over the past two decades, including culturally significant crops such as taro, yam, banana, breadfruit, cassava, and coconuts, reported Fiji Broadcasting Corporation news website on Thursday.

SPC Deputy Director-General Paula Vivili said the new CryoLab uses advanced freezing technology to safely preserve crops that cannot survive long under normal laboratory conditions, ensuring they remain viable for future generations.

The lab serves as a regional safeguard for national plant collections from across Pacific Island countries and territories, providing critical backup for future food security, research, and resilience against climate change.

It will also help protect Fiji's endemic tree species, many of which hold deep cultural and spiritual significance.

The CePaCT, established by SPC in 1998 and based in Suva, is recognized as the Pacific's genebank. It stores and distributes plant material to support food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture across the region.

The new CryoLab adds a long-term preservation capability, complementing existing in-vitro and field-based conservation methods. 
While Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a powerful tool that physicians can use to help diagnose their patients and has great potential to improve accuracy, efficiency and patient safety, it has its drawbacks. It may distract doctors, give them too much confidence in the answers it provides, and even lead them to lose confidence in their own diagnostic judgement.

To ensure that AI is properly integrated into healthcare practice, a research team has provided a framework comprising five guiding questions aimed at supporting doctors in their patient care while not undermining their expertise through an over-reliance on AI. The framework was recently published in the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.

This paper moves the discussion from how well the AI algorithm performs to how physicians actually interact with AI during diagnosis. This paper provides a framework that pushes the field beyond 'Can AI detect disease?' to 'How should AI support doctors without undermining their expertise?' This reframing is an essential step toward safer and more effective adoption of AI in clinical practice." Dr. Joann G. Elmore, senior author, professor of medicine in the division of general internal medicine and health services research and Director of the National Clinician Scholars Program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

While AI-related errors happen, no one really knows why these tools can fail to improve diagnostic decision-making when implemented into clinical practice.

To find out why, the researchers propose five questions to guide research and development to prevent AI-linked diagnostic errors. The questions to ask are: What type and format of information should AI present? Should it provide that information immediately, after initial review, or be toggled on and off by the physician? How does the AI system show how it arrives at its decisions? How does it affect bias and complacency? And finally, what are the risks of long-term reliance on it?

These questions are important to ask because:

Format affects doctors' attention, diagnostic accuracy, and possible interpretive biases

Immediate information can lead to a biased interpretation while delayed cues may help maintain diagnostic skills by allowing physicians to more fully engage in a diagnosis

How the AI system arrives at a decision can highlight features that were ruled in or out, provide "what-if" types of explanations, and more effectively align with doctors' clinical reasoning

When physicians lean too much on AI, they may rely less on their own critical thinking, letting an accurate diagnosis slip by

Long-term reliance on AI may erode a doctor's learned diagnostic abilities

The next steps toward improving AI for diagnostic purposes are to evaluate different designs in clinical settings, study how AI affects trust and decision-making, observe doctors' skill development when AI is used in training and clinical practice, and develop systems that self-adjust how they assist physicians.

"AI has huge potential to improve diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and patient safety, but poor integration could make healthcare worse instead of better," Elmore said. "By highlighting the human factors like timing, trust, over-reliance, and skill erosion, our work emphasizes that AI must be designed to work with doctors, not replace them. This balance is crucial if we want AI to enhance care without introducing new risks."

Co-authors are Tad Brunye of Tufts University and Stephen Mitroff of George Washington University.

The research was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (R01 CA288824, R01 CA225585, R01 CA172343, and R01 CA140560).
A team led by Weill Cornell Medicine and University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine investigators has been awarded a five-year, $4 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) for health economics research. The team will study the economics of substance use disorder treatments and overdose prevention strategies for individuals who are incarcerated or otherwise involved in the United States' criminal legal system.

Interventions for people with substance use disorders are often inadequate in the criminal-legal system. That can lead to other health and behavioral problems, including overdose when incarcerated individuals are released to their communities. Health economics researchers in this area evaluate and compare the economic value of available interventions in the many different criminal-legal settings.

The new grant will support the establishment of a health economics research facility called the Criminal-Legal Economic Analysis & Resource (CLEAR) Center, within a larger research program known as the Justice Community Overdose Innovation Network. The latter helps develop and test strategies for substance-use-disorder care within the criminal legal system. It has been supported by NIDA since 2019, and now in its second phase of funding is known as JCOIN-II.

The CLEAR Center will not only generate rigorous economic evidence regarding which care strategies deliver the greatest value, but also develop tools and resources that administrators and policymakers can use to identify strategic and sustainable investments." Dr. Sean Murphy, CLEAR Center co-principal investigator, professor in the department of population health sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine

The other co-principal investigator is Dr. Kathryn McCollister, professor and interim chair of the department of public health sciences at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine.

The U.S. criminal-legal system comprises police stations, courts, jails, prisons, halfway houses and other community supervision contexts, each of which has its own budgetary, staffing and other constraints. Traditionally, Dr. Murphy said, individuals with substance use disorder who entered this system would be deprived of the drugs they had been using-forcing untreated withdrawal-and given little or no further assistance when released. The challenge for initiatives such as JCOIN has been to find ways to integrate effective, evidence-based care at every level of this multifarious and notoriously budget-limited system.

"Ideally we want to get people on treatment as soon as they are incarcerated, and link them to evidence-based care immediately upon release-when the risk of overdose and other adverse outcomes is typically highest," Dr. Murphy said.

Drs. Murphy and McCollister and their colleagues at the CLEAR Center will provide health economics support for JCOIN-II in the form of cost-effectiveness analyses of clinical trials of substance use disorder interventions, advice on trial designs, creation of cost-benefit and budget-impact calculators for decision makers and treatment providers, and general consultation and technical assistance.

The two researchers received the new grant in part because of their extensive experience with substance use disorder-related health economics research. Drs. Murphy and McCollister are longtime collaborators through CHERISH  a large, NIDA-funded health economics center of excellence that conducts research and provides resources to inform care for the interrelated epidemics of substance use disorder and HIV and hepatitis C virus infection. Dr. Murphy is co-director of CHERISH, along with Dr. Bruce Schackman, the Saul P. Steinberg Distinguished Professor of Population Health Sciences at Weill Cornell Medicine, and Dr. McCollister is director of the CHERISH Methodology Core. CHERISH's grant was renewed in August for a total of $10.9 million over five years.
The 23-year ERSPC trial reveals that sustained, protocolized PSA testing lowers prostate cancer deaths and improves the benefit-to-harm ratio, supporting a shift toward risk-based, patient-centered screening strategies.

European Study of Prostate Cancer Screening - 23-Year Follow-up. Image Credit: Joseph Kelly / Shutterstock

In a recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine , investigators reported the final 23-year analysis of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), quantifying benefits, harms, and practice implications.

Balancing Early Detection and Screening Harms

Prostate-related evaluation is common in aging men, and screening policies must balance earlier detection with potential harms. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) offers earlier detection; however, its promise must be balanced against the risks of false positives, biopsies, and treatment side effects. Overdiagnosis of indolent tumors can provoke anxiety and procedures that may not extend survival. Meanwhile, longer lifespans mean more years at risk, and prostate cancer deaths are projected to rise globally. Health systems need evidence to weigh the reduction in mortality against the quality of life and available resources. Further research should refine risk-based screening to preserve benefits while minimizing unnecessary tests and treatments.

Design of the ERSPC Randomized Screening Trial

Investigators conducted a multicenter, randomized study across eight European countries, focusing on a prespecified core cohort of men aged 5569 years at the time of randomization. Participants were allocated to either repeated PSA testing with defined biopsy triggers or to a control group that was not invited to screening. Screening was conducted using standardized Hybritech assays; most centers invited men every four years, while Sweden and France invited men every two years, and Belgium invited men every seven years. Common biopsy thresholds were 3.0 ng/mL, with country-specific ancillary testing, such as digital rectal examination or the free-to-total PSA ratio, when results were borderline.

Primary and Secondary Outcomes in the ERSPC

The primary outcome was prostate cancer mortality, adjudicated by blinded local committees using a uniform algorithm, with an international committee resolving disagreements. Secondary outcomes included the incidence overall and by European Association of Urology ( EAU ) risk categories, as well as advanced disease defined by lymph-node or bone metastases or a PSA level greater than 100 ng/mL.

Statistical Methods and Sensitivity Analyses

Analyses followed intention-to-screen principles. Poisson regression estimated rate ratios (not risk ratios); competing-risk methods accounted for deaths from other causes. Absolute risk differences, the number needed to invite, and the number needed to diagnose were computed with bootstrap resampling. Prespecified and sensitivity analyses explored center heterogeneity and non-attendance effects. Tumor-node-metastasis staging, Gleason scoring, and PSA levels documented clinical severity. French centers were excluded from the primary analysis because participation was below 50% and biopsy compliance was low.

Mortality Reduction and Screening Efficacy at 23 Years

After a median of 23 years, prostate cancer mortality was 1.4% in the screening group versus 1.6% in the control group, corresponding to a 13% relative reduction (rate ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval [ CI ], 0.800.95) and an absolute risk reduction of 0.22%. Translated for practice, inviting 456 men to screening prevented one death from prostate cancer, and diagnosing 12 prevented one death. Other-cause mortality was identical at approximately 49% in both groups, indicating that life expectancy conditions the net benefit.

Screening Shifts Cancer Detection Toward Early-Stage Disease

Prostate cancer incidence was higher with screening (rate ratio, 1.30), reflecting the detection of additional low-risk tumors. The rate ratios for low-risk, intermediate-risk, high-risk, and advanced disease were 2.14, 1.10, 0.95, and 0.66, respectively, suggesting a shift toward finding cancers earlier and reducing late presentations.

Screening Compliance and Diagnostic Yield

Compliance was high, as 83% of invited men attended at least one round, 28% had at least one positive PSA test, and 89% underwent biopsy after a positive result. However, only about one in four biopsies (approximately 24%) confirmed cancer. These figures explain why screening increases procedures and diagnoses that may not alter individual outcomes. Analyses adjusted for non-attendance showed a slightly larger benefit (rate ratio, 0.84; 95% CI , 0.760.92), consistent with dilution in the primary intention-to-treat estimates.

Consistency Across Centers and Sensitivity Findings

Including French centers with shorter follow-up (median, 17 years) yielded similar results (rate ratio, 0.84; 95% CI , 0.760.93). Center-specific differences in screening interval and biopsy compliance contributed to observed heterogeneity.

Durability of Mortality Benefit Over Time

Among men who reached the protocols upper age limit without a cancer diagnosis (median 72 years), the mortality advantage persisted long after screening ceased but waned over time; by roughly six years, the upper bound of the 95% CI for the hazard ratio crossed one, indicating diminishing returns in older men with substantial competing mortality.

Comparison with U.S. and U.K. Screening Trials

Placed alongside other landmark trials, these results clarify why design and implementation matter. In the United States PLCO trial, heavy contamination of the control arm by opportunistic PSA testing obscured differences between groups, and modeling suggested that with lower contamination, PLCO results would have been consistent with a 2732% mortality reduction.

In the United Kingdom CAP trial, a single invitation achieved modest participation (approximately 40%) and resulted in only a small absolute reduction in deaths (an 8% relative and 0.09% absolute reduction at 15 years). Together, these comparisons highlight that repeated, protocolized testing with engagement is necessary to convert early detection into fewer deaths while avoiding excess harms.

Improving the Harm, Benefit Ratio Over Time

At 23 years, the absolute mortality reduction increased from 0.16% at 16 years to 0.22%, while the excess incidence decreased from 31 to 27 per 1,000 men, indicating that the harm-benefit ratio improved over time.

Implications for Risk-Based and Individualized Screening

Long-term, protocolized PSA screening reduces deaths from prostate cancer but increases testing, biopsies, and diagnoses, many for low-risk disease. Shared decision-making should incorporate individual risk, baseline PSA levels , life expectancy, and personal values. Risk calculators and magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) pathways can help decouple an elevated PSA from the need for immediate biopsy, while active surveillance can spare treatment for low-risk tumors.

Recommendations for Optimizing Prostate Screening Policy

Programs should adopt risk-based intervals and consider stopping rules for men with very low midlife PSA or limited longevity. The study noted that very low baseline or age-60 PSA strongly predicts lifetime risk, supporting longer intervals or screening cessation in low-risk men. Overall, targeted screening can preserve mortality benefits, lessen overdiagnosis and overtreatment, and better align care with what matters to patients.
Newly decoded brain circuits make memories more stable as part of learning, according to a new study led by NYU Langone Health researchers.

Published online in Science on Oct. 30, the study shows that activity in signaling pathways connecting two brain regions, the entorhinal cortex and the CA3 region of the hippocampus, help mice encode in brain circuitry maps of places.

The entorhinal/hippocampal circuit is known from past studies to be crucial for both memory formation, and the recalling of memories by completing patterns from partial cues. Reliable recall requires that hippocampal place maps remain stable, withstanding to some degree changes in the environment.

Problems with CA3 neural computations can lead to symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia or post-traumatic stress disorder, the study authors say  where the stability and precision of memories fail. In these instances, a balloon pop at a party might result in a freezing fear response as a soldier's brain wrongly recalls a bomb blast.

Our study, by focusing on the stability of hippocampal representations, fills in a substantial gap in the understanding of how long-range inputs control neuronal circuits essential for memory recall." Jayeeta Basu, PhD, senior study author, assistant professor, departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, NYU Langone Health

"A better understanding of circuits supporting place maps may guide the future design of more precise treatments for conditions that affect memory," added Basu, a faculty member at the Institute for Translational Neuroscience at NYU Langone Health and recent winner of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

Repeated circuit activity sets memory templates

The new study revolves around brain cells called neurons, which "fire"  or generate quick swings in the balance of their positive and negative charges  to transmit electrical signals that coordinate thoughts and memories.

As a charge reaches the end of one brain cell's extensions, it triggers the release of neurotransmitter chemicals that float across the gap between one cell and the next. On the other side, they dock into proteins that, depending on their nature, either encourage the downstream nerve cell to fire (excitation) or inhibit its firing, the researchers say.

This combination of excitation and inhibition achieves a balance that sculpts "noise" into thoughts, a balance that is maintained when the brain is not learning (in a resting state). During learning, however, boosts in excitation encode new memories, and the activity patterns of neurons determine the specificity of the memories they represent. Reactivating these neurons in a set pattern recalls a specific memory, and produces the related behavior  such as a mouse learning where sugar water rewards are in one maze versus another.

The current study's focus is on neurons with long extensions that coordinate activity among distant brain regions. Little is known about how long-range cell inputs influence local circuits as the brain balances stable templates (of what is already known) against new data (about constantly changing experiences) to form memories.

The research team determined that two types of long-range extensions from the lateral entorhinal cortex to the CA3 region signal at the same time to stabilize the activity of brain cell learning networks. Specifically, long-range excitatory glutamatergic (LECGLU) and inhibitory GABAergic (LECGABA) extensions were found to increase the activity of ensembles of interconnected neurons to support learning.

The study authors examined the interactions between LEC long-range inputs and CA3 circuits at the single cell level. LECGLU was found to drive excitation in CA3 but also feedforward inhibition that fine-tuned firing, while LECGABA suppressed this local inhibition to disinhibit (encourage) CA3 activity. This combined action supported stability in CA3 by triggering recurrent activity in certain circuits, encoding memories of places.

"This work dissected the mechanism whereby the brain boosts excitation of brain cells to pay more attention to certain sensory information by dialing down inhibition in key microcircuits," says first study author Vincent Robert, PhD, a post-doctoral scholar in Basu's lab. "The team detailed a circuit mechanism that fine-tunes the dialogue among excitation, inhibition, and disinhibition in service of context-dependent memory formation and place map stability."

Along with Basu and Robert, study authors from the Department of Neuroscience at NYU Langone Health are Keelin O'Neil, Jason Moore, Shannon Rashid, Cara Johnson, and Rodrigo De La Torre from the Basu lab. Other authors are Boris Zemelman of the Center for Learning and Memory at the University of Texas, Austin, and Claudia Clopath of the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London, Basu's co-principal investigator for a National Institutes of Health (NIH) BRAIN Initiative R01 grant.

Funding for the study was provided by NIH grants 1R01NS109994, 1R01NS109362-01, 1RM1NS132981-01, 5T32MH019524-30, T32GM007308 training grant, 3R01MH122391-04S1, R01MH122391, 1U01 NS099720 (BVZ), and 1U01 NS094330. Also providing support were a McKnight Scholar Award in Neuroscience, the Klingenstein-Simons Fellowship Award in Neuroscience, an Alzheimer's Association Research Grant to Promote Diversity, a Sloan Research Fellowship, a Mathers Foundation Award, a Whitehall Foundation Research Grant, an American Epilepsy Society Junior Investigator Research Award, a Blas Frangione Young Investigator Research Grant from New York University, a Leon Levy Foundation Award, a Young Researchers Bettencourt Prize, and the Emerald Foundation.
Military veterans who develop epilepsy after a traumatic brain injury may have a higher mortality rate in the following years than veterans who develop epilepsy with no previous traumatic brain injury, according to a study published on October 29, 2025, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

While these findings need to be validated in future studies, we recommend that people who develop epilepsy after a traumatic brain injury are closely monitored, and, especially if seizures do not respond well to treatment, are prioritized for surgery or changing to new medications without delay." Zulfi Haneef, MD, MBBS, FRCP, study author of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology

For the study, researchers looked at Veterans Health Administration database information on 210,182 veterans with epilepsy. Of those, 28,832 people had experienced a traumatic brain injury within the five years before their epilepsy diagnosis. This group was an average of 53 years old at the time of diagnosis. The remaining 181,350 people had no traumatic brain injury within five years before their diagnosis. They were an average of 61 years old at diagnosis.

The participants were followed for an average of six years. During that time, 10,780 of the people with epilepsy with traumatic brain injury died, compared to 92,621 of the people with epilepsy without traumatic brain injury.

Once researchers accounted for how long each person spent as part of the study and adjusted for other factors that could affect the mortality rate, they found that overall people with post-traumatic brain injury epilepsy were 2% more likely to die during the study than those with epilepsy without traumatic brain injury.

However, the risk varied based on the cause of the traumatic brain injury. Those with skull or facial fractures had an 18% higher risk of death during the study period; those with diffuse brain injury had a 17% higher risk; and those with localized brain injury had a 16% higher risk.

In contrast, people whose traumatic brain injury was from a concussion had a lower mortality rate than the rate for people with epilepsy with no traumatic brain injury.

Haneef said several possibilities could explain this finding. Some causes of non-traumatic brain injury epilepsy that served as the comparison group, such as stroke, infections, or tumors, have high mortality rates. If compared to the normal population, Haneef said the mortality rates would be much higher.

"It's also possible that when people develop epilepsy after a traumatic brain injury, they receive earlier treatment and may have more access to care and better outcomes than people who have not had a traumatic brain injury," Haneef said.

The researchers also found that people with extracerebral traumatic brain injury who developed epilepsy at a young age-or when they were in the 18-39 age range-were twice as likely to die during the study as young adults with epilepsy but no brain injury.

A limitation of the study was that information about traumatic brain injuries experienced before the people were receiving care from the Veterans Health Administration was limited.

The study was funded by the U.S. Department of Defense.
The World Health Organization (WHO) condemns the reported killing of more than 460 patients and their companions, as well as the abduction of six health workers, on 28 October from the Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher.

This latest tragedy is taking place in the rapidly worsening crisis in North Darfur's El Fasher, where escalating violence, siege conditions and rising hunger and disease are killing civilians, including children, and collapsing an already-fragile health system.

On 26 October, Saudi Maternity Hospital, the only partially functioning hospital in El Fasher, was attacked for the fourth time in a month, killing one nurse and injuring three other health workers. On 28 October, six health workers, four doctors, a nurse and a pharmacist, were abducted. On the same day, more than 460 patients and their companions were reportedly shot and killed in the hospital.



Since the conflict began, 46 health workers have been killed in El Fasher  among them the Director of Primary Health Care in the State Ministry of Health  and another 48 injured. The status of personnel working in three nongovernmental organizations in El Fasher remains unknown. WHO condemns these horrific attacks on health care in the strongest terms and calls for the respect of the sanctity of health care as mandated under International Humanitarian Law.

More than 260 000 people remain trapped in El Fasher with almost no access to food, clean water, or medical care. Escalating violence has forced about 28 000 people to flee El Fasher Town in recent days, 26 000 of them to rural areas of El Fasher and up to 2000 to Tawila. Over 100 000 more people are expected to move to Tawila in the coming days and weeks, adding to the 575 000 already displaced from El Fasher who are sheltering there and other areas. Many of the displaced are women and unaccompanied children facing acute shortages of shelter, protection, food, water, and health care.

In addition to violence, and the lack of basic essentials for life and health, cholera continues to spread rapidly in El Fasher as people lack access to safe water. Disease surveillance and response activities are reduced as a result of the deteriorating security situation. This year alone, El Fasher has reported 272 suspected cases of cholera and 32 deaths, an alarming case fatality rate of nearly 12%. Across Darfur, 18 468 cases and 662 deaths have been recorded in 40 localities.



El Fasher has been cut off from humanitarian aid since February 2025, and malnutrition is rising sharply, especially among children and pregnant women, weakening immunity and heightening vulnerability to cholera, malaria, and other infectious diseases. Many families have exhausted food stocks or lost access to markets.



Despite access restrictions to El Fasher, WHO teams are working around the clock to keep health services running where possible, particularly in areas where people displaced by insecurity arrive. Twenty metric tons of WHO medicines and emergency kits, including supplies for cholera and management of severe acute malnutrition with medical complications, are being moved from Nyala to Tawila to support medical and rapid-response teams providing care for displaced people. Health supplies handed over to partners at Abeche, Chad, are being fast-tracked for delivery to Tawila and other gathering locations.

WHO is coordinating with health partners at reception sites in Korma, located between El Fasher and Tawila, to stabilize critically ill and injured people and facilitate referrals to Tawila. WHO is also preparing to deploy rapid response teams within Tawila and surrounding localities to respond to the urgent health needs of those arriving from El Fasher. WHO trucks are on standby in Darfur to join a UN aid convoy carrying food, medicines, and lifesaving health supplies into El Fasher as soon as access opens.

WHO calls for an immediate end to hostilities in El Fasher and all of Sudan; for the protection of civilians, humanitarian workers, and health care; and safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver lifesaving aid.
17 children, 2 others held hostage at studio in Powai rescued by Mumbai Police

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 17:44 IST

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Mumbai, Oct 30 (PTI) As many as 19 persons including 17 teenage children held hostage by a man inside a studio in Mumbais Powai area were safely rescued by police on Thursday afternoon, officials said.

The man, identified as Rohit Arya, was taken into custody at the end of the drama that unfolded for about an hour.

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All the children are safe and have been handed over to their parents," said Satyanaranyan, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order).

Arya had apparently called the children  boys and girls around 15 years old  for an audition for a web series, the official said.

Arya was also carrying an air gun and some chemicals, he added.

Police received a call at about 1.45 pm about a man holding children hostage inside R A Studio in Mahavir Classic building, said Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade.

Powai police officials along with a Quick Response Team (QRT), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad and a fire brigade team reached the spot, he said.

Before the rescue, Arya released a video on social media, saying he wanted to speak to a few people and ask them questions, and he did not want money.

If he was not allowed to do so, he would set fire to the studio, he threatened.

Police tried to negotiate with him, but as the talks made no headway, a police team entered the studio through the bathroom and overpowered him with the help of another person who was inside, DCP Nalawade said.

Seventeen children, a senior citizen and the man (who helped the police) were rescued.

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Police are probing Aryas background, the DCP said.

It was a challenging operation, because we were negotiating with him without any positive outcome.To save the childrens lives was our priority," Nalawade said, adding that further investigation was underway. PTI DC KRK

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 17:44 IST

News agency-feeds 17 children, 2 others held hostage at studio in Powai rescued by Mumbai Police

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17 stranded Indian tourists rescued from Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 21:44 IST

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Kathmandu, Oct 30 (PTI) Security personnel on Thursday rescued 72 trekkers, including 17 Indian tourists, who were stranded at Annapurna Base Camp in Nepals Myagdi due to continuous snowfall.

All the foreign tourists who reached the Annapuna Base camp were Indian nationals, according to Armed Police Force (APF) sources.

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The tourists were stranded after heavy snow blocked trekking routes along the Dhaulagiri Circuit trail, known as the Hidden Valley", which connects Myagdi and Mustang districts, according to APF sources.

A rescue team was deployed from Mustang to assist those stuck in the mountain region.

They have been rescued from 4,190 metres and safely brought down to Annapurna Rural Municipality, the APF sources said.

The group was unable to return after heavy rain and snowfall since Monday night obstructed the trekking routes.

A rescue team consisting of Armed Police Force and Nepal Police personnel carried out the rescue operation with the help of local volunteers.

The team cleared the snow-blocked trails and brought everyone to safety," said Deputy Superintendent of Police Lil Bahadur Bhujel.

Now they were staying in local lodges as snowfall and poor weather made their travel back home impossible. As soon as the weather becomes clear, they may return to Kathmandu and back to their home, a senior officer of APF said.

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Although the weather became clear on Wednesday after continuous snowfall on Tuesday, snow began falling again on Thursday morning.

Chief District Officer of Myagdi Badri Prasad Tiwari said the local authority had restricted treks to Annapurna Base Camp until October 31 due to safety concerns from ongoing snowfall and possible risks. PTI SBP GSP GSP

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 21:44 IST

News agency-feeds 17 stranded Indian tourists rescued from Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal

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Adani Power Q2 net profit falls 12 pc to Rs 2,906 cr

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 14:44 IST

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New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) Adani Power on Thursday posted a 12 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 2,906 crore in the September quarter, driven by a rise in expenses.

It had clocked a net profit of Rs 3,297.52 crore in the July-September period of the preceding 2024-25 financial year, the Adani Group entity said in an exchange filing.

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Total income, however, increased to Rs 14,307.79 crore in the September quarter from Rs 14,062.84 crore in the year-ago period.

The revenues were higher despite lower merchant tariffs and import coal prices, supported by higher power sales, the company said.

Total expenses stood at Rs 10,341.59 crore, higher from Rs 9,928.76 crore in Q2 FY25.

The company has again demonstrated stable financial performance this quarter, in the face of weather-driven fluctuations in demand, highlighting our operational efficiency and competitive advantages, S B Khyalia, CEO of Adani Power Limited, said.

Our strong profitability and liquidity position us well to achieve our enhanced capacity expansion goal of 42 GW by 2031-32. We have already arranged ordering for equipment and land for the entire 23.7 GW expansion, with project implementation progressing rapidly," he said.

The company is also expanding its market presence by securing another 4.5 GW of new long-term PPAs under the SHAKTI scheme.

Its consolidated operating capacity grew to 18,150 MW as of September 30, from 17,550 MW as of September 2024, on account of the acquisition of 600 MW Vidarbha Industries Power Ltd, it said.

During the quarter, APL signed a Power Supply Agreement (PSA) of 2,400 MW (gross) capacity for a period of 25 years with the Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited (BSPGCL), to be supplied from a new 2,400 MW greenfield Ultra-Supercritical Thermal Power Project (USCTPP) in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur district of Bihar.

APL also received Letters of Allocation (LOA) for 1,600 MW (gross) capacity from the MP Power Management Company Limited (MPPMCL) to supply power for 25 years from a 2,400 MW greenfield USCTPP in Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh.

It further received an LOA of 570.5 MW (gross) capacity from the Power Company of Karnataka Ltd (PCKL) to be supplied from the existing 1,370 MW capacity of the Raipur thermal power plant for 25 years.

Vidarbha Industries Power Ltd has signed a 500 MW net medium-term PPA with Maharashtra DISCOM for a period of 5 years, starting from November 1, 2025.

Mahan Energen Ltd has received approval from the Ministry of Coal to commence operations at the Dhirauli Mine in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh.

The mine has a peak capacity of 6.5 MTPA and reserves of 558 MT.

APL completed a share split on September 22, 2025, in a 1:5 ratio, converting each equity share of Rs 10 face value into five equity shares of Rs 2 each. Following the split, the total number of equity shares issued by the company has increased from 3,85,69,38,941 equity shares of Rs 10 face value each to 19,28,46,94,705 equity shares of Rs 2 face value each.

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On project updates, it said the execution of APLs brownfield expansion projects is progressing rapidly, with cumulative work for Mahan Phase-II 1,600 MW USCTPP at 73 per cent, Raipur Phase-II 1,600 MW USCTPP at 35 per cent, and Raigarh Phase-II 1,600 MW USCTPP at 30 per cent.

Further, APLs wholly owned subsidiary, Korba Power Ltd, has revived the construction of its 1,320 MW Supercritical power project at Korba (Chhattisgarh). These projects are scheduled to be completed in stages between FY 2026-27 and FY 2028-29. PTI ABI SHW

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 14:44 IST

News agency-feeds Adani Power Q2 net profit falls 12 pc to Rs 2,906 cr

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Armys South Western Command conducts integrated fire and manoeuvre exercise

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 22:14 IST

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Jaipur, Oct 30 (PTI) Indian Armys South Western Command conducted an integrated fire and manoeuvre exercise at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in the Thar desert from October 28-30.

The three-day Sentinel Strike" exercise involved coordinated ground manoeuvres by mechanised forces and live firing by aerial and ground platforms, including long-range indigenous systems, attack helicopters, artillery guns, Ajeya (T-72) tanks and BMPs, a defence spokesperson said.

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Operations were carried out in a simulated intense drone-threat environment with counter-drone and C-UAS measures.

The drills tested intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) architectures, state-of-the-art surveillance systems and mechanisms for sharing a common operational intelligence picture among combat arms, he said in a release.

Army Commander Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh witnessed the exercise along with senior officers and lauded the high standard of training and the seamless coordination among combat and combat-support arms.

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He also praised the use of indigenous platforms under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and emphasised the need to continually evolve tactics and enhance operational preparedness, the statement said.

The exercise aimed to validate multi-domain integration and improve battlefield transparency through enhanced surveillance and joint operational measures, the spokesperson added. PTI SDA SKY SKY

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 22:14 IST

News agency-feeds Armys South Western Command conducts integrated fire and manoeuvre exercise

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KABUL, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- A total of 305 Afghan prisoners were released from Pakistani jails over the past week and have safely returned to Afghanistan, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation announced on Thursday.

The freed detainees, who were held in various facilities across Pakistan on charges with sentences ranging from one day to two months, crossed back into Afghanistan through the Spin Boldak border crossing in southern Kandahar province, the ministry stated.

Upon arrival, they received immediate humanitarian assistance and were transported to their home provinces for reintegration support, it said.

According to data from the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July, more than 10,000 Afghan citizens remain incarcerated abroad, mostly in neighboring Iran and Pakistan. 
Assam Governor inaugurates Gaudham in Raj Bhavan

Last Updated: October 31, 2025, 03:44 IST

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Guwahati (Assam) [India], October 31 (ANI): On the sacred occasion of Gopashtami, Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya inaugurated the Gaudham(Gaushala) within the premises of Raj Bhavan, Guwahati, on Thursday.Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Governor Acharya described Gau Mata as the living symbol of Indias Sanatan tradition, representing a radiant confluence of compassion, prosperity, and purity." He emphasised that the establishment of the Gaudham reaffirms the eternal sentiment Gauh Sarvesam Matarah", meaning The cow is the mother of all", and reflects a collective pledge to nurture Indias cultural and spiritual consciousness with devotion and reverence.As part of the event, two Memoranda of Agreement (MoAs) were signed in the Brahmaputra Wing of Raj Bhavan.The first MoA was inked between Raj Bhavan, Assam and Shree Gauhati Gaushala for the maintenance and management of the newly established Raj Bhavan Gaushala. The second MoA was signed between Raj Bhavan, Assam and the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University (AVFU), Khanapara, to facilitate the adoption of best husbandry practices and ensure scientific care for the dairy animals housed at the Gaushala.On behalf of Raj Bhavan, Joint Secretary Bidit Das signed both MoAs. General Secretary RS Joshi signed on behalf of Gauhati Gaushala, while Bibekananda Saikia, Dean of AVFU, represented the university.The inaugural ceremony was attended by the Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor, SS Meenakshi Sundaram, Dean of AVFU Bibekananda Saikia, Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Jayanta Kumar Sharma, General Secretary of Gauhati Gaushala RS Joshi, along with several other dignitaries and officials.The establishment of the Gaudham underscores Raj Bhavans continued commitment to compassion, sustainability, and the preservation of Indias timeless cultural and spiritual values. (ANI)

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First Published: October 31, 2025, 03:44 IST

News agency-feeds Assam Governor inaugurates Gaudham in Raj Bhavan

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Customs seizes two silvery gibbons from passenger at Mumbai airport

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 23:44 IST

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Mumbai, Oct 30 (PTI) Mumbai Customs seized two endangered silvery gibbons, one of which had died, at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) from a passenger coming from Bangkok, officials said on Thursday.

Based on specific intelligence, the passenger was intercepted on Wednesday, an official said.

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During baggage examination, we found two gibbons, one two-month-old and the other four-month-old, concealed in a basket inside a trolley bag. The passenger was arrested under the Customs Act and the Wildlife (Protection) Act," he said.

The silvery gibbon is native to Indonesias Java island and is listed as endangered" by the IUCN since less than 2,500 are left in the wild, he said.

The fatality rate during air travel is higher for mammals. Even if they endure this travel and although the end customer of the syndicate may provide best facilities for these exotic pets, the survival rate of such species outside their indigenous habitat is very less," the official added.

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In another operation, Customs arrested a passenger with 7.970 kg of suspected hydroponic weed (marijuana) worth Rs 7.97 crore. He had arrived here from Bangkok.

The narcotic substance was concealed inside the checked-in trolley bag of the passenger, the official said. PTI DC BNM

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 23:44 IST

News agency-feeds Customs seizes two silvery gibbons from passenger at Mumbai airport

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Declare cow as national mother, demands Gau Raksha Andolan

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 15:29 IST

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Jammu, Oct 30 (PTI) Gau Raksha Andolan, an organisation advocating the cause of cow protection, on Thursday demanded that the government declare the cow as the national mother and announced a gherao of the Civil Secretariat on November 3 in Jammu to press their demand.

Gau Raksha Andolan has held a series of movements across India aimed at protecting cows, which are considered sacred in Hinduism.

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We are demanding that the government declare the cow as the national mother. The entire country, particularly Hindus, considers her as Gau Mata," Yog Guru Vijay Krishan Parashar told reporters here.

He said that a nationwide movement has been launched to press the government to grant this status to the cow.

Parashar announced that a protest march will be held on November 3 from Indira Chowk to the Civil Secretariat in Jammu.

We will gherao the Secretariat to press for our demand of declaring the cow as the national mother," he said.

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Parashar extended greetings on Gopashtami, emphasised the days religious significance and sought participation from people of all sections of society and political parties in the November 3 march.

The organisation called upon everyone to unite in this sacred cause. PTI AB AB KSS KSS

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 15:29 IST

News agency-feeds Declare cow as national mother, demands Gau Raksha Andolan

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Delhi govt lifts one-year limit on NOC applications for overage vehicles

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 20:29 IST

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New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) In a decision aimed at providing relief to lakhs of owners of overage vehicles, the Delhi government on Thursday lifted the one-year limit on NOC applications for deregistered vehicles.

This move will primarily benefit owners of diesel vehicles aged over 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years old, allowing them to obtain an NOC to re-register their vehicles in other states outside the Delhi-NCR region, irrespective of how long ago their vehicles registration expired, an official statement said.

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The Delhi government has decided to keep in abeyance the restrictive clause from the Guidelines for Handling End of Life Vehicles in Public Places of Delhi, 2024" which limited the application for NOC to only within one year of a vehicles registration expiry, said an official statement.

We found that the one-year deadline for NOC was creating an unintended logjam, leaving lakhs of vehicles stranded in Delhi. These vehicles were neither being scrapped nor could they be moved out, leading to potential pollution and congestion.

By relaxing this criteria, we are empowering our citizens to make a responsible choice. This decision will systematically phase out a significant number of older vehicles from Delhis roads, giving a direct boost to our efforts in improving air quality and decongesting our city," said Delhi Transport minister Pankaj Singh.

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The step has been proposed in light of numerous public representations and internal reviews. It ensures that vehicles deregistered due to age can be legally transferred to regions where they are permitted to ply, effectively removing them from the national capitals ecosystem.

A 2018 Supreme Court ruling had banned diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in Delhi. A 2014 National Green Tribunal order also prohibits the use of vehicles over 15 years in public spaces. PTI SLB SLB SKY SKY

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 20:29 IST

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Dezy Named Best Dental Chain - South by The Economic Times

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 11:44 IST

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VMPLBengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 30: Dezy, Indias fastest growing dental chain, has been recognized by The Economic Times as Best Dental Chain  South (2025). This accolade reflects Dezys commitment to combining world class quality with honest pricing, making advanced dental care more accessible and anxiety-free.Currently operating 25 clinics nationwide, including 15 in Bengaluru, Dezy plans to expand to 100 clinics across India within 12 to 18 months. By directly sourcing materials, Dezy provides high quality treatment at 30-40% lower costs compared to other dental clinics, with clear, written estimates and no hidden charges.Known for its expertise in implants, braces, and aligners, Dezy unites all dental specialties under one roof. Procedures are performed by MDS-certified doctors, with a 100 percent outcome assurance which includes a lifetime warranty on implants. Dezy has also been selected to the World Economic Forums Technology Pioneers 2025. It is the only dental care company in this years cohort and one of eight healthcare innovators among 100 companies from 28 countries. This selection further underscores the brands leadership in technology-led dental care.This recognition from the Economic Times and World Economic Forum validates our mission to democratize dental care through technology," said Shrikanth Kainthaje, Head of Business at Dezy. Every clinic we open brings us closer to our vision of making quality dental care accessible, transparent, and anxiety free for every Indian." He added, Reaching 15 clinics in Bangalore is just the beginning. Our vision is crystal clear: to build Indias largest and most trusted dental network."About DezyDezy (formerly smiles.ai), established in 2019 by Hitesh Kakrani and Dr. Jatin Kakrani, is revolutionizing Indias dental care landscape. The company aims to build the nations largest dental care brand through a tech-driven, customer-centric approach. Dezy currently is Indias fastest growing Dental care company, Dezy 25 Signature clinics in India. A key factor in Dezys initial success is its proprietary technology, which allows consumers to receive detailed smartphone-based diagnoses from home and gain complete clarity on costs and treatment details before visiting a clinic. This addresses a significant pain point in the dental care industry, where high costs, a lack of quality benchmarks, and out-of-pocket expenses often lead to customer dissatisfaction. Dezys digital pre-purchase process, combined with an innovative and comforting in-clinic experience, has driven its rapid growth in Indias fragmented dental market. Backed by marquee global investors including Peak XV Partners, Alpha Wave, Chiratae Ventures, MBX Capital, Spring Marketing Capital, and industry leaders like Lenskarts Peyush Bansal and Amit Chaudhry, Dezy has raised over $21 million to date. The companys recent $6 million bridge funding in October 2024 specifically supports its ambitious clinic expansion strategy.Media contactName  Hitesh KakraniTitle/Designation  CEO and Co-FounderEmail | Phone  Hitesh@doc32.in , +91 8120000027(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.)

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 11:44 IST

News agency-feeds Dezy Named Best Dental Chain - South by The Economic Times

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DLF Q2 profit down 15 pc to Rs 1,180 cr

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 19:14 IST

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New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) Realty major DLF on Thursday reported 15 per cent decline in consolidated net profit at Rs 1,180.09 crore for the latest quarter ended September on lower revenue from operations.

Its net profit stood at Rs 1,381.22 crore in the year-ago period.

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Revenue from operations fell to Rs 1,643.04 crore during the July-September period of this fiscal year from Rs 1,975.02 crore a year ago.

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Total income, however, rose to Rs 2,261.80 crore from Rs 2,180.83 crore in the year-ago period.

DLF is one of the countrys largest real estate firms in terms of market capitalisation. PTI MJH MJH ANU ANU

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 19:14 IST

News agency-feeds DLF Q2 profit down 15 pc to Rs 1,180 cr

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Dutch firm secures 40 mn euros contracts for strawberry greenhouses in India

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 19:14 IST

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New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) Dutch company Van der Hoeven Horticultural Projects said on Thursday it has secured three contracts worth 40 million euros to build high-tech greenhouses for strawberry cultivation in India.

The greenhouses will be set up across 8 hectares in Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Sales Manager Pieter Jan Robbemont told PTI.

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For the first time, we are going to bring our hi-tech greenhouse technology to India. We have got three projects for strawberry cultivation," Robbemont said.

The company is awaiting bank financing to start implementation, with construction taking a minimum of one year, he said.

The Dutch technology differs from existing systems in India by offering advanced climate control, irrigation, automation and cultivation systems designed to optimise crop production across diverse climates, the company said.

Van der Hoeven is one of four companies exploring the Indian market under HortiRoad2India, a multi-year public-private partnership initiative by the Netherlands to promote Dutch horticultural technologies in India.

We are building bridges between Dutch innovation and Indian ambition for inclusive growth, enhancing food safety and climate-smart agriculture," said Tiffany Meijer, project manager for international trade at InnovationQuarter and co-coordinator of HortiRoad2India.

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HortiRoad2India on Thursday unveiled a blueprint to transform Indian agriculture through Indo-Dutch collaboration.

The Netherlands has high-tech greenhouses covering 10,000 hectares, with about 20 Dutch companies offering such technologies. PTI LUX LUX SHW

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 19:14 IST

News agency-feeds Dutch firm secures 40 mn euros contracts for strawberry greenhouses in India

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Former PTI Delhi Bureau chief Harihar Swarup dies at 90

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 15:29 IST

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New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) Veteran journalist and columnist Harihar Swarup, a former Chief of PTIs Delhi News Bureau whose six-decade career spanned major political events, died here on Thursday. He was 90.

Swarup, who passed away peacefully at his home, leaves behind his sons Manish and Ashish Swarup and their wives and three grandchildren. Swarups wife predeceased him.

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Swarup, who left an indelible mark on the world of politics and journalism, brought his sharp insights and astute observations to the forefront.

He had accompanied former prime ministers Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P V Narasimha Rao, and Manmohan Singh on their foreign visits and covered key moments in history.

Swarup worked with The National Herald in Lucknow before joining The Press Trust of India (PTI) in Bombay in 1961 and later moving to Delhi in 1971.

His columns, published in numerous newspapers until the age of 85, were a testament to his enduring passion and commitment to the profession.

We are devastated by the loss of a PTI stalwart. He was a remarkable political reporter and an inspiration to generations of PTI journalists," said Vijay Joshi, PTIs CEO and Editor-in-Chief.

Former PTI chief M K Razdan said Swarup was a quintessential agency reporter, who verified facts before putting out a story.

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He had excellent contacts in the Congress party, which was his beat. He served PTI well," said Razdan.

Through his book Power Profiles", a compilation of his columns over the years, Swarup shared his wealth of knowledge and experience with readers, offering unique perspectives on the world of politics and beyond. PTI GSN ZMN

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 15:29 IST

News agency-feeds Former PTI Delhi Bureau chief Harihar Swarup dies at 90

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Govt official dies in road accident in UPs Chandauli

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 11:44 IST

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Chandauli (UP), Oct 30 (PTI) An administrative officer posted at the Chandauli Collectorate died after his motorcycle was rammed by an unidentified vehicle on the National Highway-19 here, police said on Thursday.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night at around 8.30 pm near Pachfedwa village under the Alinagar police station area.

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The deceased, Krishna Kumar Srivastava (58), was on his way to his home in Varanasi when an unidentified vehicle hit his motorcycle, leaving him critically injured, said Alinagar SHO Anil Pandey.

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The SHO said Srivastava was rushed to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Police have launched an investigation to identify the vehicle and trace the driver involved in the accident. PTI COR CDN APL PRK

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 11:44 IST

News agency-feeds Govt official dies in road accident in UPs Chandauli

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Groww sets IPO price band at Rs 95-100/ share; eyes a valuation of USD 7 bn

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 09:44 IST

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New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) Billionbrains Garage Ventures, the parent company of stock broking firm Groww, on Thursday fixed a price band of Rs 95-100 per share for its upcoming Initial Public Offering (IPO), targeting a valuation of over Rs 61,700 crore (about USD 7 billion). The companys Rs 6,632 crore IPO would open for public subscription on November 4 and conclude on November 7, according to a public announcement.

The bidding for retail investors will open for a day on November 3.

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The IPO comprises a fresh issue of equity shares worth Rs 1,060 crore along with an Offer For Sale (OFS) component of 574,190,754 equity shares by promoters and investor shareholders.

As a part of the OFS, the companys promoters  Lalit Keshre, Harsh Jain, Neeraj Singh, and Ishan Bansal  each offering up to 1 million shares, besides, investors such as Peak XV Partners Investments VI-1, YC Holdings II, Ribbit Capital V, GW-E Ribbit Opportunity V, Internet Fund VI Pte. Ltd., and Kauffman Fellows Fund, L.P are offloading shares.

Gowws founders own 27.97 per cent of the company and have filed as promoters of the company with a 20 per cent lock-in for 1.5 years from the time of listing. In the IPO, they are offering to sell only 0.07 per cent of the total shares of the company.

The company, which is backed by marquee investors like Peak XV, Tiger Capital, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, plans to use proceeds of the IPO for investment in technology development and business expansion.

Of the fresh issuance, Rs 225 crore will be used for brand building and performance marketing activities, and Rs 205 crore will be invested in Groww Creditserv Technology Private Limited (GCS), the NBFC arm, to augment its capital base.

Additionally, Rs 167.5 crore will be infused into Groww Invest Tech Private Limited (GIT) for funding its Margin Trading Facility (MTF) business, while Rs 152.5 crore has been earmarked towards strengthening cloud infrastructure. The balance will be utilised for funding inorganic growth through acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

Headquartered in Bengaluru, Groww filed draft papers in May with markets regulator Sebi for an IPO through a confidential pre-filing route and had received Sebis approval in August.

Groww opted for the confidential pre-filing route, which allows it to withhold public disclosure of IPO details under the DRHP until later stages. This route is gaining traction among Indian firms aiming for flexibility in their IPO plans.

Founded in 2016, Groww emerged as Indias largest stockbroker with over 12.6 million active clients and an over 26 per cent market share as of June 2025.

In FY25, the stock broking firm reported a profit of Rs 1,824 crore, while Q1 FY26 profit stood at Rs 378 crore. It maintains an industry-high contribution margin of 85 per cent and a net profit margin of 44 per cent reflecting a lean direct-to-consumer model.

Over 80 per cent of its new customers are acquired organically, and its three-year retention rate is 77 per cent.

On the mutual funds side, Groww accounted for Rs 34,000 crore of SIP inflows in FY25, or 11.8 per cent of industry totals, according to AMFI data.

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The company has recently expanded into wealth management, commodities, an MTF, and loans against shares, moves it sees as part of its longer-term growth strategy.

The company said that 75 per cent of the issue size has been reserved for qualified institutional buyers, 15 per cent for non-institutional investors, and the remaining 10 per cent for retail investors. Groww will make its stock market debut on November 12. PTI SP DR DR

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 09:44 IST

News agency-feeds Groww sets IPO price band at Rs 95-100/ share; eyes a valuation of USD 7 bn

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YINCHUAN, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- This October has been remarkably busy for archaeologist Ren Xiufen, as the Xixia Imperial Tombs welcomed their first surge of holiday visitors after being inscribed on the World Heritage List in July. Despite the long work hours, her heart remains full of joy and fulfillment.

"Seeing more people come to know the Xixia Imperial Tombs and hearing their positive feedback brings a very real sense of accomplishment," she said.

Located at the foot of Helan Mountain in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the tombs were built by the Tangut, an ethnic group that thrived in northwest China between the 11th and 13th centuries.

The Xixia Imperial Tombs are the largest, most well-preserved and highest-ranking archaeological remains of the Xixia Dynasty (1038-1227).

Since the World Heritage inscription, visitor numbers have increased by about 60 percent, with daily attendance exceeding 10,000 on the busiest days during the National Day and Mid-Autumn holidays. The site has introduced over 800 cultural products and cutting-edge digital tools, including VR and XR, providing immersive experiences that "awaken" heritage and make its cultural value more accessible to the public.

"As a resident of Yinchuan, I feel truly excited and proud that the Xixia Imperial Tombs have become a World Heritage site right in our hometown. We will cherish and protect it," said a visitor surnamed Wang.

This attention goes beyond just numbers. Ren has noticed a shift in visitors' feedback as well. In the past, most comments centered around services, but now everyday visitors are providing professional suggestions. They are offering insights on everything from how to enhance museum displays to better utilizing exhibition spaces.

"Public participation is essential," Ren said, adding that protecting the surroundings and landscape of the site's buffer zone is a major part of their work, and they now receive strong support from volunteers and local residents passionate about heritage preservation.

The Xixia Imperial Tombs, designated as a national education base for primary and secondary school students, now offer more than 30 specialized courses to attract more young visitors to explore the ancient site.

This surge of interest in the Xixia Imperial Tombs mirrors a broader nationwide trend. Museums across the country received nearly 86.3 million visitors during the 8-day National Day and Mid-Autumn holiday, an increase of 11.42 million compared with the National Day holiday in 2024. A total of 5.39 million people visited 65 national archaeological parks during the same period, according to data released earlier this month by the National Cultural Heritage Administration.

In recent years, documentaries and television programs on cultural relics have sparked widespread discussion and gained strong popularity among young audiences. Public perceptions of archaeology are gradually changing, and more students are choosing to pursue degrees in archaeology and museology.

"Many of our generation entered the field of archaeology more or less passively, before truly understanding it. But now the social foundation of archaeology in China has changed dramatically," said Li Yingfu, a professor at the School of Archaeology and Museology at Sichuan University.

Li explained that on the one hand, as one of the world's four great ancient civilizations, China possesses extraordinarily rich archaeological resources. On the other hand, with economic growth and higher living standards, Chinese people now have a stronger desire to explore their own culture and history.

Jing Lijun, a Ph.D. student from Ningxia University and a history enthusiast born in the 1990s, frequently spends his vacations exploring historical sites. He has conducted multiple field trips to places such as Dunhuang and the Xixia Imperial Tombs.

"Once you step into a heritage site and see it with your own eyes, you realize what the books really mean and help you better understand local history," he said.

Each visit, he said, fills him with pride. The Xixia Imperial Tombs, for example, reflect the diversity and unity of Chinese civilization. Their architecture, modeled after the imperial tombs of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), is a vivid example of that cultural integration, Jing added.

Ren, who is in her 30s, has devoted over a decade to this vast site. She now leads a young, diverse team in cultural relics management. In addition to archaeology and history majors, the team includes specialists in computing and information technology, reflecting the evolving nature of heritage protection.

With more young people joining the field and new technologies being applied, archaeology, she said, is gaining renewed vitality and brimming with possibilities.

Wu Han, a Generation-Z member of Ren's team, chose a different path from most of her classmates majoring in Information Management and Information System. Driven by her passion for history and culture, she decided against joining a tech company and has been working at the Xixia Imperial Tombs for nearly five years.

"I feel very fortunate to work here -- it's something I truly love," Wu said. Now responsible for the site's digital preservation, including systematic monitoring of both the structures and their surrounding environment, Wu believes her work not only aligns with her interests but also holds great promise for the future.

In recent years, along with museums across the country implementing various strategies to engage younger audiences, China has also placed a strong emphasis on advancing archaeological research. The country has launched national projects on tracing the origins of Chinese civilization, strengthened international cooperation and cultivated high-caliber archaeological talent.

In September last year, the National Cultural Heritage Administration and the Ministry of Finance jointly issued a set of measures for the archaeological talent cultivation program, which introduced a five-year initiative to develop innovative talent teams in the field of cultural relics and archaeology.

For a young woman who has spent years in the wind and dust of the Gobi Desert, such a life may seem austere. Yet Ren believes it is one of the most meaningful choices she could have made.

"The successful World Heritage inscription of the Xixia Imperial Tombs means being seen and recognized by the world," she said. "We will continue to protect and preserve our cultural heritage -- it is not just a profession, but our shared responsibility." 
Karnataka Governor Gehlot hospitalised, CM visits him

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 17:44 IST

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Bengaluru, Oct 30 (PTI) Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has been hospitalised with fever and backache, sources in the Raj Bhavan said on Thursday.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met the Governor in the hospital today and enquired about his health. He also wished him a speedy recovery.

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Gehlot was admitted to the hospital on Monday, the sources told PTI.

We have been told that he would be discharged by Friday," a senior Raj Bhavan official said.

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According to him, Gehlot was in his home state, Madhya Pradesh, where he attended a series of events.

May be due to fatigue, he developed back pain along with mild fever," he said. PTI GMS GMS KH

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 17:44 IST

News agency-feeds Karnataka Governor Gehlot hospitalised, CM visits him

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Migrant worker killed in air-compressor blast at workshop in Thiruvananthapuram

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 14:14 IST

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Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 30 (PTI) A migrant worker was killed after an air-compressor machine exploded at a furniture workshop here on Thursday, police said.

The deceased Saroj Sahayi (23) was from of Bihar, they added.

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According to police, the explosion occurred between 10 am and 10.30 am at the furniture manufacturing unit.

Hearing the loud noise, people nearby rushed to the spot and found Saroj critically injured. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

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Police said four other workers were present at the workshop at the time, but none of them sustained injuries.

Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. The body will be handed over to relatives after post-mortem, police added. PTI TBA TBA ADB

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 14:14 IST

News agency-feeds Migrant worker killed in air-compressor blast at workshop in Thiruvananthapuram

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NGT issues notice to Union forest ministry, others over landslides in Darjeeling

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 18:14 IST

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New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought replies from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and others over large-scale landslides and severe environmental degradation in West Bengals Darjeeling hills.

The green body took suo motu cognisance of a newspaper report on disaster and unsustainable development in Darjeeling.

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The report said that the region was facing disruption in national and state highways, excessive destruction due to unsustainable development and a change in rainfall patterns.

In an order dated October 28, a bench of the NGT chairman Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel said, The news item raises concerns about national security implications due to Darjeelings strategic location near the chickens neck corridor, underscoring the need for national-level interventions in climate resilience and disaster management in the Eastern Himalayas." The bench noted that the news report cited ISROs finding that Darjeeling is ranked as the 35th most exposed district among 147 landslide-prone areas.

The tribunal said that the issue raised serious concerns and indicated a violation of the Environment (Protection) Act, Disaster Management Act and the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification.

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It impleaded as parties or respondents MoEFCC, West Bengal State Pollution Control Board, GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment, National Disaster Management Authority and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology.

Let notice be issued to the respondents for filing their response/reply," the tribunal said, posting the matter on December 22 before the Eastern Zonal bench in Kolkata for further proceedings. PTI SKM MNR MNR KSS KSS

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 18:14 IST

News agency-feeds NGT issues notice to Union forest ministry, others over landslides in Darjeeling

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Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to maintain ceasefire after peace talks in Istanbul

Last Updated: October 31, 2025, 01:44 IST

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Ankara, Oct 31 (AP) Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to maintain a ceasefire following peace talks in Istanbul, Turkeys Foreign Ministry has announced, after a dialogue between the two sides collapsed earlier in the week.

The sides plan to meet again at a higher-level gathering in Istanbul on Nov 6 to finalise how the ceasefire will be implemented, the ministry said in a statement released on behalf of Pakistan, Afghanistan and mediators Turkey and Qatar on Thursday.

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All parties have agreed to put in place a monitoring and verification mechanism that will ensure maintenance of peace and imposing penalty on the violating party," the statement read.

The new round of negotiations, facilitated by Turkey and other friendly nations, was aimed at easing border tensions between the two sides who earlier this month exchanged fire, leaving dozens of soldiers, civilians and militants dead.

Despite the collapse of the previous round of talks, a ceasefire has largely held and no new border clashes were reported this week. However, both countries have kept major crossings closed, leaving hundreds of trucks carrying goods and refugees stranded on each side.

Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif told the Geo news channel the decision to give peace another chance was made by Pakistan at the request of Qatar and Turkey, and that the Pakistani delegation, set to return home Wednesday night, was asked to stay in Istanbul.

According to Pakistani state-run television, Islamabad said the talks will be based on Pakistans central demand that Afghanistan take clear, verifiable and effective action against militant groups.

In Islamabad, two senior security officials told The Associated Press that Pakistan has once again stressed that Afghan soil should not be used for what it called terrorism" against Pakistan and that it appreciates the constructive role of its hosts and remains committed to seeking a peaceful resolution in good faith.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter with the media on the record.

Tensions flared earlier this month after explosions were heard in Kabul, and Afghanistans Taliban government accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes in the capital and bombing a market in the countrys east.

Afghan officials on Oct 12 said they retaliated by targeting Pakistani military posts, claiming 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed. However, Pakistans military said the fighting left 23 of its soldiers dead and that its operations were targeting militant hideouts inside Afghanistan.

The clashes prompted Qatar to host emergency talks between the two neighbours, resulting in a ceasefire on Oct 19. That was followed by four days of negotiations in Istanbul that ended inconclusively on Tuesday. Since then, Qatar and Turkey have been working to bring the delegations back to the negotiating table, the Pakistani officials said.

On Thursday, Pakistans army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, told a gathering of tribal elders in Peshawar that Pakistan seeks peace with all its neighbours, including Afghanistan, but will not tolerate cross-border terrorism from Afghan soil.

He said Pakistan in recent years exercised restraint and made diplomatic and economic overtures to improve ties, but the Taliban government instead supported the TTP, which was listed as a terrorist group by the United Nations and the United States over a decade ago.

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks in recent months, most claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, a group closely allied to the Taliban in Afghanistan.

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Many of their leaders and fighters are believed to be sheltering in Afghanistan since the Talibans return to power in 2021.

The Pakistani military said Thursday it killed 18 militants in two separate operations in the southwestern province of Balochistan. In a separate statement, it said four Pakistani Taliban, including a high-value target, were killed as they attempted to sneak into Bajaur, a city bordering Afghanistan. (AP) SCY SCY

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First Published: October 31, 2025, 01:44 IST

News agency-feeds Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to maintain ceasefire after peace talks in Istanbul

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Pakistan officials lack decisiveness in resolving conflict with Afghanistan

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 05:29 IST

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Kabul [Afghanistan], October 30 (ANI): Senior Pakistani officials have expressed contrasting views on how to address ongoing tensions with Afghanistan, underscoring internal divisions within Islamabads approach to Kabul, Tolo News reportedA video circulating from the sidelines of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit shows Pakistans Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi holding cordial discussions with the Deputy Minister of Interior of Afghanistan. The two reportedly spoke about resolving bilateral issues through dialogue.Speaking to reporters, Minister Naqvi said, Differences exist in every household, and similarly, we resolve our issues through dialogue," indicating a softer and conciliatory stance toward Kabul.In contrast, Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif struck a more confrontational tone, claiming that the Afghan delegation participating in the Istanbul negotiations lacked authority. He further criticised Kabuls good relations with India, Tolo News reported. The conflicting statements have highlighted a visible rift among Pakistans top leadership over how to engage with the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan.Commenting on the situation, international relations expert Najib Rahman Shamal said, Pakistani politicians need a unified stance. While the Interior Minister calls for a peaceful resolution, the Defence Minister issues threats before negotiations even begin  a situation that benefits neither country."Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during his meeting with Pakistans Interior Minister on the sidelines of the ECO summit, reiterated Tehrans readiness to mediate and assist in resolving disputes between Kabul and Islamabad, Tolo News reported. United Nations Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric also urged restraint, saying, Of course, we very much hope that even if the talks have stalled, there will not be a resumption of hostilities."Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated in recent weeks following reported Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistans Paktika province, which Kabul described as a violation of its airspace. In response, the Defence Ministry of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reportedly carried out retaliatory attacks across the Durand Line.Four days of negotiations in Istanbul between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban to bring an end to the conflict have concluded without a resolution. The talks were mediated by Turkey and Qatar following deadly border clashes and a temporary ceasefire that began on October 19. (ANI)

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 05:29 IST

News agency-feeds Pakistan officials lack decisiveness in resolving conflict with Afghanistan

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Pakistan security forces kill 18 terrorists in Balochistan province

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 14:44 IST

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Quetta, Oct 30 (PTI) Pakistan security forces killed eighteen terrorists in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBO) in restive Balochistan province, the army said on Thursday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that two separate intelligence-based operations were conducted in the Chiltan mountain range of Quetta district and Buleda in Kech district on Wednesday night.

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Terrorists exchanged fire after being engaged by security forces at their hideouts, the statement said.

After an intense fire exchange, 14 terrorists were killed in Chiltan and another four in Kech," the ISPR statement said.

Weapons, ammunition and explosives were also recovered from the killed terrorists," the ISPR said.

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Operations to eliminate remaining terrorists in the area were also conducted, the ISPR release said.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari, on social media, praised security forces for eliminating 18 terrorists. The operation was a reflection of security forces determination to eradicate terrorism, he said in a post on social media. PTI CORR SKS. RD SKS SKS

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 14:44 IST

News agency-feeds Pakistan security forces kill 18 terrorists in Balochistan province

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Road crash leaves two dead in Lucknow

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 14:14 IST

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Lucknow, Oct 30 (PTI) Two persons were killed after a car rammed into their motorcycle here, officials said on Thursday.

The incident occurred around 10.30 PM on Wednesday, when the car travelling from Purvanchal Expressway towards Lucknow hit a motorcycle carrying Shivraj (42) and Manoj Kumar (40).

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Both victims were residents of Sithouli Kala village here.

Police rushed both men to the hospital. Shivraj was declared dead on arrival, while Manoj succumbed to his injuries later at a private hospital, the officials said.

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Police have seized the car and detained the driver. A case has been registered under relevant sections.

Postmortem proceedings are underway. PTI CDN APL APL DV DV

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 14:14 IST

News agency-feeds Road crash leaves two dead in Lucknow

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Sukhu urges Nadda to increase allocation under NHM by Rs 200 crore

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 15:29 IST

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New Delhi, Oct 30 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda to raise the states allocation under National Health Mission (NHM) by Rs 200 crore.

Sukhu sought approval to establish three dedicated Intensive Care Units in the state at the earliest during a meeting at Naddas residence here on Wednesday evening.

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The chief minister also requested that the Centres share under the Ayushman Bharat scheme be maintained at 90:10, considering the challenging geography of Himachal Pradesh, which is also Naddas home state.

A state government release said he urged that the annual allocation for Himachal Pradesh under NHM be increased by Rs 200 crore.

Sukhu also briefed the health minister about the extensive damage caused by natural disasters this year and the ongoing rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts being carried out in the state. He also sought central assistance for infrastructure development and rehabilitation of disaster-affected families.

He also asked Nadda to take up the issue of enhancing the states borrowing limit by 2 per cent with the Union finance minister in the larger interest of Himachal Pradesh, according to the statement.

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Nadda assured Sukhu of appropriate action on his requests and that they would be considered on priority, the state government said.

The health minister appreciated the states initiative to improve healthcare services and promised to support Himachal Pradesh in its development endeavours, the statement said. PTI SKC SKC SKY SKY

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 15:29 IST

News agency-feeds Sukhu urges Nadda to increase allocation under NHM by Rs 200 crore

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Woman doctor assaulted by husband with pestle

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 20:29 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Thane, Oct 30 (PTI) A 35-year-old man has been arrested at Ambernath in the district for allegedly assaulting his 32-year-old doctor wife, police said.

The man was angry because one of womans schoolmate sent her a complimentary message. He allegedly hit her on the head with a pestle around 4 am on Wednesday morning at their residence, said a police official.

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He was arrested late at night under section 118(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), said senior inspector Shabbir Sayyed.

In a video recorded from the hospital bed, the woman said her husband had assaulted her on multiple occasions in the past. Although non-cognizable complaints had been filed earlier, she had chosen not to pursue the matter further for the sake of her children, she said.

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A few days ago, she had gone out with friends, and when one of her schoolmates sent her a photograph later, her husband allegedly grew angry and in a fit of rage attacked her, she said.

Investigation was underway, police said. PTI COR KRK

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First Published: October 30, 2025, 20:29 IST

News agency-feeds Woman doctor assaulted by husband with pestle

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A Look At Hondas Elite II: A Luxurious Private Jet That Can Land Itself In An Emergency

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 12:20 IST

The HondaJet Elite II is made for people who want speed, safety and comfort all in one.

HondaJet Elite II can fly at a top speed of 422 knots (782 km/h).(Photo Credit: Instagram)

A vroom in the air! When you hear the name Honda, you usually think of cars like City and Elevate, or scooters and bikes like Activa and CBR. But not many know that Honda also makes private jets. The company recently grabbed attention at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo when it showcased its HondaJet Elite II  a sleek and modern private jet that shows Hondas skill in the skies too.

The HondaJet Elite II is made for people who want speed, safety and comfort all in one. It is a very light business jet that offers great speed and efficiency.

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Performance And Range

The HondaJet Elite II can fly at a top speed of 422 knots (782 km/h) and reach a height of 43,000 feet. The jet can travel up to 1,547 nautical miles (2,865 km) without refueling which makes it suitable for long trips.

It climbs quickly at 4,100 feet per minute and needs only 3,699 feet of runway to take off. Landing requires 2,717 feet. Its Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) design helps improve fuel efficiency and creates more space in the cabin. The Elite II can seat one or two crew members along with up to seven passengers.

Design And Cabin Comfort

The inside of the HondaJet Elite II is stylish and peaceful. The cabin has a clean Onyx and Steel colour theme, wooden floor patterns and soft LED lights. The seats are made of contoured leather with a swiveling function and are arranged in a club-style layout. There is an extra 3.0-inches of legroom.

The jet also has a fully enclosed lavatory with ceiling lights. Honda has focused on keeping the cabin quiet by using sound-reducing materials. The in-cabin audio system is speakerless and provides clear and immersive sound without visible speakers.

More Features

It also has a Garmin Autoland system which helps pilots fly safely and easily while Autoland can take control and safely land the jet during an emergency. The Autothrottle system automatically controls engine power in order to help manage speed and save fuel.

Other systems like Automated Anti-Ice, Lighting and Pressurisation make flying easier for pilots. The Advanced Steering and Augmentation System (ASAS) improves control during takeoff and landing. The Automated Ground Spoilers enhance take-off and landing performance.

Dimensions And Capacity

The HondaJet Elite II is 42.62 feet long with a 39.76-foot wingspan and a height of 14.9 feet. The cabin is 17.8 feet long, 5 feet wide and 4.83 feet high. It has space for luggage in the nose and aft sections which is a total of 62 cubic feet.

Pricing And Operating Costs

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In the US, the HondaJet Elite II costs about $6.95 million (approximately Rs. 57.2 crore), NewsBytes reported. The yearly operating cost can range between $700,000 (around Rs 6.1 crore) and $1.3 million (nearly Rs 12 crore) depending on flight hours, crew and maintenance.

Variable costs like fuel and maintenance range from $1,175 (Rs 1 lakh) to $1,700 (Rs 1.5 lakh) per flight hour while fixed expenses such as hangar fees and insurance are estimated between $170,000 (Rs 1.5 crore) and $250,000 (Rs 2.21 crore) a year.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: October 30, 2025, 12:20 IST

News auto A Look At Hondas Elite II: A Luxurious Private Jet That Can Land Itself In An Emergency

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Tourists visit the ancient street in Yangloudong of Chibi City, central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 29, 2025. Yangloudong has long been renowned as the hometown of brick tea and is one of the starting points of an ancient tea road. In recent years, the area has built a new tourism model to attract tourists by creating intangible cultural heritage themed blocks and introducing diversified business formats such as Hanfu-renting and photograph. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

Tourists visit the ancient street in Yangloudong of Chibi City, central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 29, 2025. Yangloudong has long been renowned as the hometown of brick tea and is one of the starting points of an ancient tea road. In recent years, the area has built a new tourism model to attract tourists by creating intangible cultural heritage themed blocks and introducing diversified business formats such as Hanfu-renting and photograph. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

A tourist visits the ancient street in Yangloudong of Chibi City, central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 29, 2025. Yangloudong has long been renowned as the hometown of brick tea and is one of the starting points of an ancient tea road. In recent years, the area has built a new tourism model to attract tourists by creating intangible cultural heritage themed blocks and introducing diversified business formats such as Hanfu-renting and photograph. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

A tourist visits the ancient street in Yangloudong of Chibi City, central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 29, 2025. Yangloudong has long been renowned as the hometown of brick tea and is one of the starting points of an ancient tea road. In recent years, the area has built a new tourism model to attract tourists by creating intangible cultural heritage themed blocks and introducing diversified business formats such as Hanfu-renting and photograph. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

Foreign tourists visit the ancient street in Yangloudong of Chibi City, central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 29, 2025. Yangloudong has long been renowned as the hometown of brick tea and is one of the starting points of an ancient tea road. In recent years, the area has built a new tourism model to attract tourists by creating intangible cultural heritage themed blocks and introducing diversified business formats such as Hanfu-renting and photograph. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

Tourists visit the ancient street in Yangloudong of Chibi City, central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 29, 2025. Yangloudong has long been renowned as the hometown of brick tea and is one of the starting points of an ancient tea road. In recent years, the area has built a new tourism model to attract tourists by creating intangible cultural heritage themed blocks and introducing diversified business formats such as Hanfu-renting and photograph. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

Tourists have their makeup applied at a travel photography studio on the ancient street in Yangloudong of Chibi City, central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 29, 2025. Yangloudong has long been renowned as the hometown of brick tea and is one of the starting points of an ancient tea road. In recent years, the area has built a new tourism model to attract tourists by creating intangible cultural heritage themed blocks and introducing diversified business formats such as Hanfu-renting and photograph. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)

Tourists visit the ancient street in Yangloudong of Chibi City, central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 29, 2025. Yangloudong has long been renowned as the hometown of brick tea and is one of the starting points of an ancient tea road. In recent years, the area has built a new tourism model to attract tourists by creating intangible cultural heritage themed blocks and introducing diversified business formats such as Hanfu-renting and photograph. (Xinhua/Du Zixuan)
Groww IPO Price Band Announced: Check GMP, Opening Date, Lot Size & Key Details

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 12:27 IST

The Rs 6,632-crore Groww IPO will open for subscription on November 4 and close on November 7, with a special one-day early window for retail investors on November 3.

Groww IPO.

Groww IPO Price Band, GMP Today: Billionbrains Garage Ventures, the parent company of online investment platform Groww, has set the price band for its initial public offering (IPO) at Rs 95-Rs 100 per share, valuing the company at over Rs 61,700 crore (nearly $7 billion). The Rs 6,632-crore IPO will open for subscription on November 4 and close on November 7, with a special one-day early window for retail investors on November 3.

Groww IPO Structure and Promoter Participation

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The IPO consists of a fresh share issue worth Rs 1,060 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of 57.4 crore shares by existing shareholders and founders. Each of the four co-founders  Lalit Keshre, Harsh Jain, Neeraj Singh and Ishan Bansal  will sell up to 10 lakh shares. Together, the founders hold 27.97 per cent stake and have committed to a 20 per cent lock-in for 18 months after listing. Their stake sale in the IPO amounts to just 0.07 per cent of the companys total shares. Peak XV Partners, YC Holdings, Ribbit and other institutional investors will also dilute part of their holdings.

Groww IPO GMP Today

In the grey market, the companys shares are currently quoting at Rs 110.5, reflecting a grey market premium of Rs 10.5 over the issue price, or roughly 10.5 per cent. The GMP, however, remains subject to change depending on market sentiment.

IPO Proceeds

The company plans to use Rs 225 crore for brand building and performance marketing and Rs 205 crore to strengthen the capital base of its NBFC arm, Groww Creditserv Technology. Around Rs 167.5 crore will go towards supporting the margin-trading business through Groww Invest Tech, while Rs 152.5 crore has been allocated for expanding cloud infrastructure. The remaining proceeds will be used for acquisitions and general corporate purposes.

Business Growth and Financial Performance

Founded in 2016 and based in Bengaluru, Groww has emerged as Indias largest stock broking platform with over 1.26 crore active users and more than 26 per cent market share as of June 2025. The company posted a profit of Rs 1,824 crore in FY25 and 378 crore in the first quarter of FY26. It maintains contribution margins of 85 per cent and a net profit margin of about 44 per cent, supported by a lean direct-to-consumer model.

More than 80 per cent of new users join the platform organically, and its three-year customer retention rate stands at 77 per cent. On the mutual funds side, Groww contributed 34,000 crore to SIP inflows in FY25, representing nearly 12 per cent of the industrys total, according to AMFI data. The platform has also forayed into wealth management, commodities trading, margin-funding and loans against shares.

Groww IPO: Investor Allocation and Listing Plan

As per the offer structure, 75 per cent of the issue is reserved for qualified institutional buyers, 15 per cent for non-institutional investors and the remaining 10 per cent for retail investors. The company is scheduled to list on the stock exchanges on November 12.

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Lot Size and Minimum Investment

The IPO requires a minimum investment of 15,000 for retail participants, based on the upper price band, as one lot comprises 150 shares. The minimum lot requirement for small non-institutional investors is 14 lots, while large NIIs need to apply for at least 67 lots.

About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalis... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 12:25 IST

News business ipo Groww IPO Price Band Announced: Check GMP, Opening Date, Lot Size & Key Details

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Lenskart IPO To Open Tomorrow: GMP Falls To 13%; Check Price, Lot Size, Reviews

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 11:31 IST

Lenskart IPO GMP Today: The decline in the GMP comes even as analysts raised concerns over the valuation of the IPO, which comes at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 230x.

Lenskart IPO GMP Today.

Lenskart IPO GMP Today: Eyewear retailer Lenskart Solutions is set to open its initial public offer (IPO) on Friday, October 31. The price band of the Rs 7,278-crore IPO has been fixed in the range of Rs 382-Rs 402 apiece. Ahead of the IPO, the prices of its unlisted shares has fallen to Rs 52 or nearly 13% on Thursday as compared with Rs 66 in the previous day.

The decline in the GMP comes even as analysts raised concerns over the valuation of the IPO, which comes at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 230x.

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The grey market premium or GMP of the Lenskart IPO had stood at 16.5% on Wednesday, nearly 18% on Tuesday and 27% on Monday.

Lenskart IPO: Opening, Closing, Allotment, Listing Dates

The IPO will be opened on October 31 and closed on November 4. Its allotment will be finalised on November 6, while the stock listing is scheduled to take place on November 10 on both BSE and NSE.

Lenskart IPO GMP Today

According to market observers, unlisted shares of Lenskart Solutions Ltd are currently trading at Rs 454 apiece in the grey market, a GMP of Rs 52 over the upper IPO price of Rs 402. It means a grey market premium (GMP) of 12.94%, indicating decent listing gains for investors.

The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing. Grey market premium indicates investors readiness to pay more than the issue price.

Lenskart IPO: What Analysts Say

Analysts point towards the high valuation of the company. SBI Securities said that at the upper end of the price band, Lenskarts valuation stands at 10.1 times its FY25 EV/Sales and 68.7 times EV/EBITDA on a post-issue basis.

The analysts at SBI Securities cautioned that the issue appears stretched on valuation, which may cap potential listing gains. However, they highlighted the companys strong business model and the significant growth opportunity in Indias expanding eyewear market as key positives.

The brokerage also noted that profitability metrics will need close monitoring as the company continues to scale its operations. Lenskarts EBITDA margin has notably improved from 7% in FY23 to 14.7% in FY25, reflecting operational efficiency. Considering the companys long-term prospects, SBI Securities has recommended subscribing to the IPO for the long term at the cut-off price.

Though the Lenskart Solutions IPO is debuting at a steep valuation of around 234 times its price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, analysts said assessing the companys valuation solely on the basis of its P/E ratio may not present a fair picture. They said Lenskart operates in a high-growth segment with significant untapped potential, given the low penetration of eyewear in India.

According to the Redseer Report, Lenskart emerged as the leading seller of prescription eyeglasses by volume in FY25 among organised retailers in India. The company has also expanded its footprint beyond domestic markets, establishing a presence in Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

SBI MF Invests Rs 100 Crore In Lenskart

SBI Optimal Equity Fund (AIF) and SBI Emergent Fund (AIF), invested Rs 100 crore in eyewear retailer Lenskart Solutions Limited through a pre-IPO transaction at a transfer price of Rs 402 per equity share.

As part of the transaction, Neha Bansal, one of the promoters, who held 7.61% of Lenskarts pre-offer paid-up equity share capital (fully diluted basis) prior to the transfer, transferred 2,487,561 equity shares. Neha Bansal continues to hold 7.46% of the pre-offer share capital of the Company on a fully diluted basis after the transfer. The share sale does not form part of the IPO Offer for Sale.

The investment comes on the eve of the opening of Lenskarts Initial Public Offering (IPO) scheduled for Friday, October 31, 2025.

Last week, Billionaire investor Radhakishan Damani, founder of Avenue Supermarts (DMart), invested around Rs 90 crore in eyewear retailer Lenskart through a pre-IPO transaction, according to people familiar with the development.

Lenskart IPO Price Band and Size

The company has fixed the price band at Rs 382-402 per share for its IPO. At the upper end of the price band, Lenskart is seeking a valuation of around $7.91 billion (about Rs 72,700 crore).

The issue includes a fresh issue of shares worth Rs 2,150 crore, while the offer-for-sale (OFS) segment will see promoters and investors offloading more than 12.75 crore equity shares.

Key Selling Shareholders in the OFS

Along with founders and promoters (Peyush Bansal, Neha Bansal, Amit Chaudhary, and Sumeet Kapahi), several major investors are participating in the OFS. These include SoftBanks SVF II Lightbulb (Cayman), Schroders Capital, PI Opportunities Fund, MacRitchie Investments, Kedaara Capital Fund, and Alpha Wave Ventures.

Notably, Schroders Capital Private Equity Asia (Mauritius) is set to make a complete exit, selling 1.9 crore shares, which represent a 1.13% stake in the company.

About Lenskart

Founded in 2010, Lenskart began as an online eyewear retailer and has since grown into one of Indias leading omnichannel eyewear brands with both online and offline presence. The company was valued at $6.1 billion as of September 2025, according to Tracxn data cited by Reuters.

In June 2025, the company transitioned into a public limited entity  changing its name from Lenskart Solutions Private Limited to Lenskart Solutions Limited after an extraordinary general meeting held on May 30.

Lenskart IPO Lead Managers and Objective

The fresh issue will be used for business expansion, new investments, acquisitions and general corporate purposes.

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The IPO will be managed by a consortium of top investment bankers, while the registrar and book-running lead managers will be responsible for allotment and investor coordination.

With strong brand visibility, a robust online-offline model, and solid investor backing, the Lenskart IPO is expected to generate significant interest among both retail and institutional investors.

About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalis... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 11:31 IST

News business ipo Lenskart IPO To Open Tomorrow: GMP Falls To 13%; Check Price, Lot Size, Reviews

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Dr Reddys Shares Slide 6% After Canada Flags Semaglutide Compliance Issue

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 12:28 IST

Shares of Dr Reddy's hit a five-month low as analysts said that the recent development can delay the launch of its new injection

Dr Reddy's Share Price

Dr Reddys Share Price: Shares of Dr Reddys Laboratories slipped to Rs 1,180.90 apiece in early trade, the lowest level in over five months, making it the top loser on the Nifty Pharma index, which was down 0.7 percent.

The decline came after the company disclosed in an exchange filing that it received a non-compliance notice from Canadian authorities related to its Abbreviated New Drug Submission (ANDS) for Semaglutide injection. The notice seeks additional information and clarifications on specific parts of the submission.

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Dr Reddys said it will respond promptly within the stipulated timeframe. We remain confident in the quality, safety and comparability of our proposed product and are committed to bringing this important therapy to patients in Canada and other markets at the earliest," the company said, adding that it will provide further updates when necessary.

What analysts say

Analysts cautioned that the regulatory setback could delay the planned launch of Dr Reddys Semaglutide injection  the active ingredient in Novo Nordisks blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy and diabetes treatment Ozempic.

JP Morgan noted that the development could push back Dr Reddys anticipated first-to-market launch from January 2026, weakening its first-mover advantage. The brokerage estimates that the delay could put at risk roughly $30 million in potential FY26 revenue and nearly $100 million in FY27 revenue from the Canadian Semaglutide opportunity.

Emkay Global expects a six-month delay in the product launch.

Shares of Shaily Engineering Plastics fell over 17 percent to Rs 2,115 after the news. According to its FY25 annual report, Dr Reddys is among its major clients in the pharmaceutical segment.

Dr Reddys Q2 results

On October 24, Dr Reddys reported a 7 percent year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,347.1 crore for Q2 FY26, below brokerage estimates of Rs 1,450 crore.

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The companys profit was weighed down by intense competition for the generic version of cancer drug Revlimid in North America.

Revenue from operations rose nearly 10 percent year-on-year to Rs 8,828 crore, exceeding expectations of around Rs 8,700 crore and higher than Rs 8,038 crore reported in the year-ago period.

About the Author Aparna Deb Aparna Deb is a Subeditor and writes for the business vertical of News18.com. She has a nose for news that matters. She is inquisitive and curious about things. Among other things, financial markets, ... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 12:28 IST

News business markets Dr Reddys Shares Slide 6% After Canada Flags Semaglutide Compliance Issue

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You Dump It, You Get It: Bengaluru Civic Agencies Drop Trash Outside Houses Of Habitual Litterbugs

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: ---



Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 19:28 IST

Bengaluru civic agencies dumped garbage at homes of repeat litterers and imposed Rs 2000 fines, sparking mixed reactions from citizens online.

The drive, carried out jointly by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and BSWML, also comes with a Rs 2,000 fine for those caught throwing garbage on roadsides or non-designated spots. (Photos: X)

If youve been dumping waste on Bengalurus streets expecting civic workers to clean it up later  think again. In a unique move to curb littering, civic agencies in the IT hub have turned the tables on offenders by dumping garbage right outside their homes.

On Thursday, the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) took strict action against around 200 households known for repeatedly dumping waste in public spaces. As part of the crackdown, civic workers collected street litter and dropped it at the doorsteps of habitual violators.

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In a single-day drive, the agency identified and took action against 218 citizens, collectively imposing fines totalling Rs 2.80 Lakh.

Karee Gowda, Chief Executive Officer of BSWML, explained the reasoning behind the unusual action, noting the frustration over persistent littering despite the availability of a city-wide collection system.

In five corporations coming under the Greater Bengaluru Area (GBA), we have garbage collection from door to door," Gowda stated. Still, some citizens are throwing garbage on the street, which is severely affecting the citys hygiene and cleanliness."

Bengaluru: Those dumping waste on streets, beware. Around 200 homes in Bengaluru were targeted on Oct 30 as Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) workers dumped garbage outside the houses of habitual litterbugs @GBA_office @GBAChiefComm pic.twitter.com/5suiitP2oC ChristinMathewPhilip (@ChristinMP_) October 30, 2025

The campaigns central strategy involved BSWML marshals, who used video evidence to trace and identify habitual offenders. Once identified, the waste they had dumped on public property was retrieved and placed directly in front of their homes under official supervision.

To stop this, today we identified 218 citizens who were littering and dumped garbage in front of their house so that they understand what it feels like when garbage is thrown in front of their house," Gowda said.

After collecting the Rs 2.80 Lakh in fines, the BSWML cleared the returned garbage. The agency has indicated that the drive will continue weekly, with fines for habitual offenders ranging between Rs 500 and Rs 5,000 as part of an increased effort to eliminate urban blackspots" and improve Bengalurus cleanliness ranking.

The drive, carried out jointly by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and BSWML, also comes with a Rs 2,000 fine for those caught throwing garbage on roadsides or non-designated spots.

However, the enforcement drive triggered mixed reactions online. While many citizens lauded the bold move, others questioned whether such actions might worsen the problem.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, Rather than making offenders pay, they are again making the place dirty by doing this. Hefty fines must be strictly enforced instead."

Rather than making offenders pay, they are again making the place dirty by doing this. Hefty fines on illegal garbage dumping must be enforced on public to avoid such black spots at every street of Bengaluru Kalai (@kalai_nt) October 30, 2025

Another X user called the action a brilliant move".

Bengaluru : Man who said I dont care after throwing garbage on road got garbage dumped outside his own house! 200 such habitual offenders fined! Brilliant move! @GBA_office @GBAChiefComm pic.twitter.com/Pfn8ezrWDg  Shilpa (@shilpa_cn) October 30, 2025

A user also suggested that the GBA should set up 247 nodal points across Bengaluru where people can drop their garbage, especially those who are unable to hand it over to BBMP.

Another user said that the GVA should share live locations of garbage trucks or dumping points with people.

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When there is no garbage collection truck being deployed regularly citizens should also make it a point to dump trash infront on @GBA_office offices! How hard is it to collab with @BMTC_BENGALURU and share live locations of garbage trucks or dumping points? https://t.co/Qk3u5byJiG   (@mankuthimma_) October 30, 2025

Bengaluru has been making headlines these days, from crumbling infrastructure to civic amenities in the city.

About the Author Harish Upadhya Harish Upadhya, an Assistant Editor at CNN-News18, reports from Bengaluru. Political reporting is his forte. He also tracks India's space journey, and is passionate about environmental reporting and R... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 14:22 IST

News bengaluru-news You Dump It, You Get It: Bengaluru Civic Agencies Drop Trash Outside Houses Of Habitual Litterbugs

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'I'm Not A Terrorist, Have Moral Demands': Man Who Took 17 Kids Hostage In Mumbai

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 17:54 IST

A man, identified as Rohit Arya, allegedly kidnapped at least 17 children and held them as hostages in Mumbai, prompting a dramatic response mission.

Rohit Arya kidnapped at least 17 kids and held them hostage in a Mumbai studio. (Photo: X)

Rohit Arya, the man who allegedly kidnapped at least 19 people, including 17 children, and held them as hostages in Mumbais Powai, posted a video where he said he wanted to talk to a few people, and if he is not allowed to do it, he will set everything on fire and die.

I am Rohit Arya and instead of dying by suicide, I have made a plan and I am holding some children hostage here. I dont have many demands; I have very simple demands, moral demands, ethical demands, and a few questions," he was heard saying in the video.

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I want to talk to some people, ask them questions. But I want these answers. I dont want anything else. Im not a terrorist, nor do I demand a lot of money, and I certainly dont want anything immoral," Arya further said. I seek a simple conversation, and for that I took these kids hostage. The slightest wrong move from your end will trigger me to set this place on fire and die. The children will be unnecessarily traumatised. I should not be held at fault for those, but those who unnecessarily trigger a normal person who wants a simple conversation."

After the conversation, I will come out myself. I am not alone. Please dont trigger me to do some harm to anybody."

Police staged a dramatic rescue mission after the video was uploaded. After negotiations failed, the police forcefully entered a studio where the kids were being held and managed to rescue the kidnapped children. Arya opened fire on the cops and used the children as human shields but was injured in the retaliatory action. He was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment, and later pronounced dead.

Officers said the children were being held at RA Studios, where they had come for a film audition. Police also recovered a weapon, an air gun and some chemicals. The man seems to be mentally unstable and Police are trying to handle the matter," the cops said.

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Arya is a teacher from a school in Nagpur. Police sources said he called 100 students for an audition for a web series and selected 17 from them, whom he kept hostage for six days. The children were kept on the ground floor and the first floor of the studio.

Police received a call about the incident at 1:45 pm and attempted to negotiate with the alleged kidnapper. The officers entered the studio through the bathroom and successfully rescued the children. All of them are safe and have been reunited with their families. Aryas motives are currently unknown.

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

First Published: October 30, 2025, 16:57 IST

News mumbai-news 'I'm Not A Terrorist, Have Moral Demands': Man Who Took 17 Kids Hostage In Mumbai

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Man Holds 17 Kids Hostage In Mumbai's Powai, Killed In Stand-Off With Police

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News18.com Edited By: ---



Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 18:04 IST

A man allegedly kidnapped at least 17 children and held them as hostage in Mumbai. All the children have been rescued safely and handed over to their parents, police said.

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The accused has been identified as Rohit Arya.

A man allegedly kidnapped 19 people, including 17 children, and held them as hostages in Mumbais Powai. He was shot by the police during the rescue operation and succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

All children have been rescued safely and were handed over to their guardians. The accused, identified as Rohit Arya, is a school teacher in Nagpur.

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Mumbai Police said Arya seems to be mentally stable". He has released a video purportedly saying that he wants to speak with a few people, and if he is not allowed to do it, he will set everything on fire and harm himself and the children," the police said.

Im Not A Terrorist, Have Moral Demands: Mumbai Man Who Took 17 Kids Hostage In Powai

How Accused Kidnapped Children

The accused set up a fake web series audition and met over 100 students in the last four days. On Thursday, 17 students came for the audition at Aryas studio in the morning. When students did not return, their parents approached the police.

He let 83 students go and kept 17 as hostages with two other people. He kept them on the ground floor and first floor of the studio in Powai.

How Police Rescued Children

After getting information about the hostage situation at 1.45 pm, the police reached the studio and tried to negotiate with the accused. However, the police failed to persuade him and later entered the studio forcefully.

Police personnel entered the studio from the bathroom. Arya opened fire on the police personnel using children as human shields. But he got injured in the police firing and was later declared dead at the hospital.

The police also found an air gun and some chemicals, samples of which will be sent to the forensics department.

Was Mumbai Man Who Kidnapped 17 Children Inspired By Yami Gautam Movie, A Thursday?

Im Not A Terrorist: Accused Rohit Arya

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Before he was nabbed, Arya recorded a video saying that he wants to talk to a few people, and if he is not allowed to do it, he will set everything on fire.

I am Rohit Arya, and instead of dying by suicide, I have made a plan and I am holding some children hostage here. I dont have many demands; I have very simple demands, moral demands, ethical demands, and a few questions. I want to talk to some people, ask them questions. But I want these answers. I dont want anything else. Im not a terrorist, nor do I demand a lot of money, and I certainly dont want anything immoral," he said in the video.

First Published: October 30, 2025, 16:21 IST

News mumbai-news Man Holds 17 Kids Hostage In Mumbai's Powai, Killed In Stand-Off With Police

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Who Was Rohit Arya, The Mastermind Of Mumbai Hostage Crisis Involving 17 Children?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 19:29 IST

Mumbai police launched a daring mission to rescue 17 children and two others, who were allegedly kidnapped and held hostage by Rohit Arya in Powai.

Rohit Arya was shot by police after he took 17 children hostage in Mumbai.

Mumbai police launched a daring rescue mission after a man, identified as Rohit Arya, allegedly kidnapped 17 children and two others, and held them hostage inside a studio in Powai for six days. The police barged into the studio and rescued all the children, while Arya was shot and later pronounced dead.

The accused also released a video saying that he wanted to speak to some people, and threatened to set the entire place ablaze if his demands were not met. Police received a call about the incident at 1:45 pm and attempted to negotiate with the alleged kidnapper.

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When talks failed, police entered the studio forcefully from the bathroom. Arya opened fire on the police personnel using children as human shields, but was injured in retaliatory firing and was admitted to the hospital, where he was later declared dead. Police officers said the kidnapper appeared mentally unstable.

Who Was Rohit Arya?

Arya was a YouTuber and school teacher from Nagpur. He was originally from Pune. He had secured a tender for a school project linked to the education department during the tenure of then Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, according to India Today.

He later staged several protest marches against Kesarkar, accusing the state government of withholding his funds in the Education Department.

The accused was also an employee at RA Studios, and set up a fake web series audition and invited 100 students. He let 83 students go and kept 17 as hostages with two other people. He kept them on the ground floor and first floor of the studio in Powai.

In a video released after he kidnapped the children, Arya also claimed that he simply wants to speak with certain people and has moral demands" without specifying what they are. Im not a terrorist, nor do I demand a lot of money, and I certainly dont want anything immoral," he said.

ALSO READ: Im Not A Terrorist, Have Moral Demands: Man Who Took 17 Kids Hostage In Mumbai

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After the conversation, I will come out myself. I am not alone. Please dont trigger me to do some harm to anybody," he added. During the confrontation with police, Arya was shot in the chest and taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

All of the rescued children are safe and have been reunited with their families. Aryas motives are currently being examined.

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

First Published: October 30, 2025, 18:06 IST

News mumbai-news Who Was Rohit Arya, The Mastermind Of Mumbai Hostage Crisis Involving 17 Children?

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Yellow Alert Issued For Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Other Districts; IMD Warns Of Rain In Next 3 Hours

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 09:29 IST

IMD issues yellow alert for rain in Mumbai City, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Pune, Nashik, Satara and Nanded as a Depression moves northeast over the Arabian Sea.

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The Mumbai Police have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rain.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for light to moderate spells of rain over the next three hours across multiple districts in Maharashtra.

The alert has been issued for Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Pune, Nashik, Satara and Nanded districts.

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#BREAKING The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Pune, Nashik, Satara and Nanded districts. Light to moderate spells of rain are very likely over the next three hours: India pic.twitter.com/7yeH26I3SQ IANS (@ians_india) October 30, 2025

Residents in the affected areas are advised to take necessary precautions.

Additionally, IMD also warned of thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (speed reaching 30-40 kmph) likely over the region during the next 5 days.

Earlier, the weather system identified as a Depression over the eastern-central Arabian Sea has been moving northeastward at 8 kilometres per hour.

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According to IMD, as of 2:30 AM IST on October 29, 2025, it was situated approximately 440 kilometres southwest of Veraval in Gujarat, 420 kilometres west-southwest of Mumbai in Maharashtra, 570 kilometres west-northwest of Panjim in Goa, 820 kilometres northwest of Mangalore in Karnataka, and 840 kilometres north-northwest of Aminidivi in the Lakshadweep Islands.

The weather department said that this Depression is expected to continue its movement northeastward across the eastern-central Arabian Sea over the next 36 hours. The region is likely to experience changing weather patterns as this system progresses, potentially affecting coastal areas.

First Published: October 30, 2025, 09:29 IST

News mumbai-news Yellow Alert Issued For Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Other Districts; IMD Warns Of Rain In Next 3 Hours

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Smog Blankets Delhi As Artificial Rain Plan Put On Hold, AQI Remains Very Poor

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 11:42 IST

The AQI touched 352, placing most areas in the very poor category, with parts like Vivek Vihar and Anand Vihar entering the severe category.

Delhi's air quality worsened after Diwali night. (Representative Image)

With the plan for artificial rain on Tuesday postponed due to insufficient cloud moisture, Delhi woke up to yet another morning of very poor air quality. The air quality index on Thursday stood at 352, according to data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Out of the 38 monitoring stations across the national capital, 32 areas saw an AQI in the very poor category, with some areas also witnessing an AQI in the severe category, including Vivek Vihar (AQI 415) and Anand Vihar (AQI 409).

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Oppn Targets Delhi Govt Over Deteriorating AQI

The deteriorating AQI has raised concern in the national capital, with the opposition targeting the Delhi government. Former Delhi minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj accused the government of misleading the public and wasting taxpayer money.

During the Kejriwal government, we repeatedly wrote to the Centre seeking clearance for cloud seeding, but no response was received," Bhardwaj said.

He alleged that scientists had already warned about the harmful effects of the chemicals used in such experiments. Why wasnt the cloud seeding done the morning after Diwali, when pollution was at its peak?" he asked, terming the entire exercise a free circus".

Delhi Govts Response

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The Delhi government on Tuesday said that the cloud seeding operation was 100% successful". Environment Minister Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the trial brought down particulate matter levels  PM2.5 and PM10  by nearly 6-10%.

Within seven months of this government taking charge, we identified IIT Kanpur, modified an aircraft, procured the necessary chemicals, and conducted a successful trial," Sirsa said. One trial costs Rs 20-25 lakh, whereas the previous government spent Rs 20 crore merely on advertisements for the odd-even scheme," he added, hitting back at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 10:24 IST

News new-delhi-news Smog Blankets Delhi As Artificial Rain Plan Put On Hold, AQI Remains Very Poor

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ICAI CA September 2025 Result Date Released: Scorecards On November 3 At icai.nic.in

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 15:24 IST

CA September Results: According to the notification, the results will be declared on November 3, 2025, and candidates can check their scores online at icai.nic.in.

All students who appeared for the ICAI CA exams are now waiting for the result announcements. (Representative/Getty Images)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has announced the result date for the Chartered Accountants (CA) Final, Intermediate, and Foundation examinations held in September 2025. As per the notification, the results will be declared on November 3, 2025. The institute also releases a merit list along with the CA exam results for each programme featuring the names of the top five rank holders.

Once out, candidates can check their scores online at icai.nic.in. To view and download their results, they must log in to the official website using their Registration Number and Roll Number.

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The Foundation course exams were held on September 16, 18, 20, and 22, 2025. The Intermediate exams were conducted in two groups. Group 1 exams took place on September 4, 7, and 9, 2025, while Group 2 exams were held on September 11, 13, and 15, 2025.

The ICAI CA results will include subject-wise marks, total marks, and qualifying status. Candidates who qualify will be eligible for the next level of examination or professional registration, depending on the stage they appeared for.

ICAI CA Result September 2025: How To Download?

Step 1: Visit the official ICAI result portal.

Step 2: Click on the Result Portal" and select your course (Foundation/Inter/Final).

Step 3: Enter your roll number and PIN or registration number.

Step 4: Fill in the captcha code and click on Check Result".

Step 5: Your CA September 2025 result will be displayed on the screen.

Step 6: Download and save it for future reference.

ICAI CA Result September 2025: Passing Criteria

To pass a specific group or level of the CA exam, candidates must meet two essential requirements:

 Firstly, they need to secure at least 40% marks in each individual subject, ensuring a basic understanding of all tested areas.

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 Secondly, candidates must achieve a minimum aggregate score of 50% across all subjects in that group or level, determining their overall eligibility to pass.

Both conditions must be met to be declared as having passed that group or level of the examination.

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 30, 2025, 15:22 IST

News education-career ICAI CA September 2025 Result Date Released: Scorecards On November 3 At icai.nic.in

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HANOI, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam sent 121,190 workers abroad in the first 10 months of this year, reaching 93.2 percent of the annual target, the Department of Overseas Labor under the Ministry of Home Affairs said Thursday.

Japan remained the largest destination for Vietnamese workers, receiving 55,049 Vietnamese workers during the period, Vietnam News Agency reported.

Vu Truong Giang, acting director of the department, said Vietnamese workers abroad earn relatively stable incomes, significantly higher than those working domestically in the same fields, and send home about 6.5 to 7 billion U.S. dollars annually.

By the end of this year, the total number of Vietnamese workers sent abroad in the 2021-2025 period is expected to reach 636,000, equivalent to 127.3 percent of the five-year target, according to the department. 
Maharashtra School Students To Sing 'Vande Mataram' For 7 Days To Celebrate 150th Anniversary

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 11:56 IST

The Maharashtra government has mandated that all schools sing Vande Mataram daily from November 1 to 7 in honor of its 150th anniversary.

Only the first two lines of the song "Vande Mataram" are sung daily in state schools. (Representative image/PTI)

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the composition of the countrys national song, Vande Mataram. To celebrate this milestone, the Maharashtra government has instructed all schools in the state to organise a mass singing of all verses of Vande Mataram and an exhibition showcasing the songs history from October 31 to November 7, 2025.

Additional Secretary of the School Education Department, AR Kulkarni, issued these instructions to the Education Commissioners through a circular.

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Typically, only the first two lines of Vande Mataram are sung daily in state schools. However, to commemorate the 150th anniversary, the entire song will be sung in all medium and management schools across the state until November 7.

The Thane-based Rajmata Jijabai Trust sent a letter to the Education Department regarding the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. In response, instructions have been issued to organise various programmes in schools.

Indias national song Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, will complete 150 years on October 31, 2025, according to the Gregorian calendar.

Additionally, an exhibition depicting the history of the song will be set up at the school entrance or main hall. A letter sent to the Education Commissioner stated that instructions have been issued to all the schools in the state in this regard.

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Commenting on the decision, Abu Azmi, SP MLA, stated, Everyone has their own faith and belief, and for Muslims, Islam gives utmost respect to the mother ,serving her is considered a path to heaven under her feet. However, Muslims do not pay respect or bow to anyone except Allah because they believe Allah is the one who created everything sun, sky, earth and they pay respect only to Him."

Classes in schools affiliated with the state board will resume on November 3 after the Diwali holidays, while schools affiliated with other boards like CBSE and ICSE have already reopened. Therefore, this programme will have to be held in schools at the beginning of the second term.

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 30, 2025, 11:40 IST

News education-career Maharashtra School Students To Sing 'Vande Mataram' For 7 Days To Celebrate 150th Anniversary

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NCERT Adds Ayurveda Chapters To Science Curriculum For Classes 6 To 8

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 13:49 IST

This initiative aims to give students an understanding of health, nutrition, and environmental balance from an Indian perspective, NCERT stated.

The scientific principles of Ayurveda are explained in simple language in NCERT's new science books. (Representative/File Photo)

In a significant shift in the education sector, NCERT has incorporated Ayurveda chapters into the science syllabus for classes 6 and 8, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This initiative aims to give students an understanding of health, nutrition, and environmental balance from an Indian perspective. NCERT director Dinesh Prasad Saklani stated that the goal is to acquaint students with both scientific knowledge and the principles of physical and mental well-being.

The Class 6 Science textbook will introduce fundamental principles of Ayurveda, including its 20 qualities. The Class 8 syllabus will cover topics such as daily routine and seasonal discipline. This change not only updates the textbooks but also encourages students to appreciate Indias scientific heritage. The inclusion of Ayurveda in school education is now being extended to higher education, reported News18 Hindi.

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The scientific principles of Ayurveda are explained in simple language in NCERTs new science books.

Class 6 students will learn about Ayurvedas 20 opposing qualities (e.g., hot-cold, light-heavy, etc.) to classify matter, providing them with a basic understanding of overall health.

Class 8 will focus on Dinacharya (healthy daily habits), Ritucharya (seasonal eating habits), and a balanced lifestyle through the chapter Ayurveda: Balance of Body, Mind and Environment.

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The UGC and the Ministry of AYUSH are creating modules to integrate Ayurveda into the medical education syllabus at colleges and universities. AYUSH Minister Prataprao Jadhav has highlighted that allopathy and AYUSH systems complement each other. The aim is to develop an integrated healthcare model. Expanding Ayurveda at the college level will help students connect with traditional knowledge and support the governments efforts to achieve global recognition for Ayurveda, he added.

This transformation is rooted in the National Education Policy 2020s core idea of integrating education with Indian knowledge systems. Incorporating Ayurveda into the science curriculum will promote respect for ancient knowledge and help students become health-conscious and responsible citizens.

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 30, 2025, 13:40 IST

News education-career NCERT Adds Ayurveda Chapters To Science Curriculum For Classes 6 To 8

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School Holidays: How Many Days Will Schools Remain Closed In November 2025?

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 13:20 IST

School Holiday List: November has five Saturdays and four Sundays. Schools across India are usually closed on Sundays, and school holidays on Saturdays vary across institutions.

Check out list of school holidays in November 2025. (Representational/File Photo)

As the Diwali festivities conclude in October, November 2025 sees limited school holidays in India. Most schools will operate as usual, except for some regional and religious observances. Here is a look at the key public school holidays in major Indian states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Delhi.

Kannada Rajyotsava  November 1 (Saturday)

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In Karnataka, Kannada Rajyotsava, also known as Karnataka Formation Day, commemorates the unification of Kannada-speaking regions. Schools, colleges, and government offices in Karnataka will be closed on this date. Other states will have regular working days.

Guru Nanak Jayanti  November 5 (Wednesday)

Observed across several states including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana, this festival celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. It is an official school holiday for most northern states.

Nongkrem Dance  November 6 (Thursday)

The Nongkrem Dance Festival is a traditional harvest celebration of the Khasi tribe in Meghalaya, held annually near Shillong. Its a five-day event, and schools will likely remain closed during this period.

Wangala Festival  November 7 (Friday)

The Wangala Festival, also referred to as the 100 Drums Festival, is an important harvest celebration for the Garo tribe in Meghalaya. Schools are likely to be closed during this event.

Kanakadasa Jayanthi  November 8 (Saturday)

Kanakadasa Jayanthi commemorates the birth anniversary of Sri Kanakadasa, a 16th-century poet, philosopher, and saint from Karnataka. Schools are likely to be closed during this period.

Childrens Day  November 14 (Friday)

Observed throughout all states in India, this day honors the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. Many schools organise fun activities and cultural programmes to celebrate.

Guru Tegh Bahadurs Martyrdom Day  November 24 (Monday)

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Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, is honoured on this day in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. Schools in northern states close for the day, while those in the south and west remain open.

Apart from the above holidays, November has five Saturdays and four Sundays. Schools across India are usually closed on Sundays, and school holidays on Saturdays vary across institutions. Students are advised to check the schedule with their respective schools.

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 30, 2025, 12:53 IST

News education-career School Holidays: How Many Days Will Schools Remain Closed In November 2025?

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West Bengal Governor Approves Appointment Of Vice-Chancellors For Six State Universities

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 15:09 IST

West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose has approved the appointment of vice-chancellors for six state universities.

West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose approves vice-chancellor appointments for six state universities. (PTI)

Ending a long impasse over appointments in higher education, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Wednesday approved the appointment of vice-chancellors (VCs) for six state universities. The decision follows the Supreme Courts October 6 ruling allowing the state government and Raj Bhavan to move forward with the appointments after reaching a consensus on the names.

A senior Raj Bhavan official confirmed that Prof Abu Taleb Khan has been appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of Biswa Bangla Biswavidyalaya, while Prof Chandradipa Ghosh will take charge at Sadhu Ramchand Murmu University, Jhargram. The higher education department also issued formal orders for the appointments of full-term vice-chancellors at Calcutta University (CU) and Jadavpur University (JU).

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Ashutosh Ghosh, who previously served as the interim VC of Calcutta University between July 2016 and July 2017, has now been appointed to the top post permanently. The university had been without a full-time head for nearly three years.

At Jadavpur University, which has been functioning without a permanent VC since mid-2023 and without even an interim head for the past seven months, Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, president of the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE), has been appointed as the new VC.

An order issued by the education department stated: The Supreme Court has approved the name of Chirajib Bhattacharjee as the VC of Jadavpur University. Now therefore in terms of the orders of the Supreme Court and in exercise of the powers conferred by Jadavpur University Act (1981). the chancellor is hereby pleased to appoint Chiranjib Bhattacharjee as the VC of Jadavpur University with effect from the date of joining for a period of four years."

Each appointment will take effect from the date of joining and remain valid for four years or until the incumbent attains the age of seventy, whichever is earlier.

Speaking about his new role, Bhattacharjee said his immediate priorities would be to conduct the universitys annual convocation, scheduled for December 24, smoothly and to fill vacant administrative posts.

The other appointments include Ashis Bhattacharjee as VC of the University of Gour Banga and Uday Bandyopadhyay as VC of Kazi Nazrul University.

ALSO READ: NCERT Adds Ayurveda Chapters To Science Curriculum For Classes 6 To 8

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State Education Minister Bratya Basu welcomed the development, posting on X: Today, six state-aided universities got vice-chancellors who were the Chief Ministers first choices. My heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all of them."

The appointments come after months of tension between the state government and Raj Bhavan over the process of vice-chancellor selections. On October 27, the Governor met all six newly appointed VCs at Raj Bhavan in what officials described as a positive" and cordial" interaction, paving the way for the final approvals.

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 30, 2025, 15:05 IST

News education-career West Bengal Governor Approves Appointment Of Vice-Chancellors For Six State Universities

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Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 12:49 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a blistering attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav during a rally in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, branding them as princes of corruption", and saying that the Congress and RJD are like oil and water, which cannot stay in the same glass.

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In this election, the real news is not the abuses hurled at me, but the infighting happening within the RJD and Congress," the Prime Minister said.

Yesterday, both, the so-called Yuvrajs tried to show that there is no conflict between them, but what has brought them together is their greed for power," he added.

The RJD and the Congress are like oil and water, which cannot stay in the same glass," he added.

#WATCH | Muzaffarpur, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says,  Iss chunaav mein asli khabar mujhe di gayi gaaliya nahi hai balki RJD-Congress mein ho raha jhagra hai. RJD-Congress ka rishta tel aur paani ki tarah dikh raha hai. Ek glass mein hote hai lekin paani aur tel ka pic.twitter.com/LEYCW4vjXc ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025

Speaking at the rally, the Prime Minister also accused them of deceiving the public with false promises.

The duo, which considers themselves princes, has opened a shop of false promises, one is the prince of the countrys most corrupt family, and the other is the prince of Bihars most corrupt family," PM Modi said.

They both are out on bail," Modi said, taking a direct swipe at the two opposition leaders.

Continuing his tirade, the Prime Minister added, Both of them have repeatedly abused Modi. They hate me 24 hours a day and keep hurling insults. They call themselves Gandhis and keep cursing because they cannot tolerate that a man from a backward and poor family has reached this position."

Both of them are out on bail in scams worth thousands of crores of rupees. These two have been hurling abuses at Modi nonstop. But what else can we expect? Those who are Naamdaar will obviously insult a Kaamdar," he said. #WATCH | Muzaffarpur, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says,  In Bihars electoral battle, there is now a pair of Yuvraajs who consider themselves Yuvraajs. They have opened shops of false promises. One is the Yuvraaj of Indias most corrupt family, and the other is the pic.twitter.com/Er5xUltYWN ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025 The remarks come amid heightened political campaigning in Bihar, where the BJP has intensified its outreach ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

Speaking further at the rally, PM Modi said, During the rule of the Congress-RJD alliance, even honours and awards were given only to those who bowed before their political masters. Can such people ever uplift the poor?"

Even in the name of social justice, the RJD-Congress alliance has done nothing but betray you. The truth is, these people take pride in insulting Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the very man whose image every Indian holds with reverence and devotion," he said.

While the nation worships Babasaheb Ambedkar, these RJD leaders have trampled on his legacy. RJD and Congress leaders harbour the same attitudes toward Dalits. Respect for Babasaheb and his vision is a great source of inspiration for our government."

The BJP-NDA government launched a digital lending platform, which we named BHIM, that allows people to send and receive money on their mobile phones," the Prime Minister added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off the NDA campaign for the Bihar assembly elections by addressing rallies in Samastipur and Begusarai on October 24.

The assembly election in Bihar will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14.

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ALSO READ | Chhath Famous Across World, But Congress Insulting it: PM Modi Targets Mahagathbandhan In Bihar
BJP Files Complaint Against Rahul Gandhi Over 'Derogatory' Remarks Against PM Modi

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 17:40 IST

The BJP alleged that this statement was deeply disrespectful and amounted to a personal attack on the Prime Minister.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (Image: PTI/File)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) filed an official complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for making what it described as derogatory, personal, and insulting" remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an election rally in Bihar.

According to the complaint submitted to the Chief Election Officer, Bihar, Rahul Gandhi, while addressing public gatherings in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga on October 29, 2025, stated, Before elections, if you ask Modi, he will dance to win votes."

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The BJP alleged that this statement was deeply disrespectful" and amounted to a personal attack on the Prime Minister rather than a critique of his policies or governance.

In its letter to the Election Commission, the BJP said, Such comments are personal, mocking, and intended to insult the dignity of the highest constitutional office of the Republic of India. They cross all boundaries of decency and democratic discourse."

The complaint outlined several grounds for action, including Violation of the Model Code of Conduct, Degrading the Office of the Prime Minister, Breach of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and Breach of Decorum and Ethical Norms.

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The BJP urged the Election Commission to take immediate and exemplary action" against Rahul Gandhi by issuing a show-cause notice, directing him to issue an unconditional public apology, and barring him from campaigning for a specified period.

Such action will serve as a deterrent against the increasing trend of personal vilification in electoral politics and reaffirm the Commissions commitment to free, fair, and dignified elections," BJP wrote.

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 30, 2025, 17:40 IST

News elections BJP Files Complaint Against Rahul Gandhi Over 'Derogatory' Remarks Against PM Modi

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'Chhath Famous Across World, But Congress Insulting it': PM Modi Targets Mahagathbandhan In Bihar

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 12:10 IST

Addressing a rally, Modi contrasted his governments efforts to promote the states cultural traditions globally with what he called the Oppositions insult to faith.

PM Modi addresses a rally in Bihar on Thursday. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), accusing them of disrespecting Chhathi Maiya, a deity deeply revered across Bihar and eastern India. Addressing a rally in Bihar, Modi contrasted his governments efforts to promote the states cultural traditions globally with what he called the Oppositions insult to faith."

Youve seen that your son, Modi, is devoted to spreading the glory of Chhathi Maiya across the world. But on the other hand, what are these Congress and RJD people doing? They are insulting Chhathi Maiya," the Prime Minister said.

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#WATCH | Muzaffarpur, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, The women who observe such a long fast without water The women who stand in the Ganga Ji and offer arghya to Surya Dev. In the eyes of RJD-Congress, they are doing a drama. Will the mothers and sisters of Bihar pic.twitter.com/rt4cBPzsqN ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025

Challenging the opposition directly, Modi asked, Tell me, can anyone insult Chhathi Maiya just to gain votes in an election? Will Bihar tolerate such an insult? Will our mothers, who observe the sacred nirjala upvaas, accept such disrespect? Will you punish them or not?" His remarks came amid an escalating political row in Bihar after Congress leader Rahul Gandhis comments were criticised by BJP leaders as an insult to Chhath Maiya and her devotees."

#WATCH | Muzaffarpur, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, The women who observe such a long fast without water The women who stand in the Ganga Ji and offer arghya to Surya Dev. In the eyes of RJD-Congress, they are doing a drama. Will the mothers and sisters of Bihar pic.twitter.com/rt4cBPzsqN ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025

Continuing his attack, Modi said the opposition parties mock the devotion of women who perform rituals with deep faith and sacrifice." The Congress and RJD people think that the mothers and sisters who stand in water to offer prayers to the Sun God are just doing drama," he said.

Warning that such remarks would have lasting consequences, Modi added, For hundreds and hundreds of years, no one will forget this insult to Chhathi Maiya. This is Biharthe land of pride and self-respect. Those who have disrespected the Chhath Puja will never be forgiven by the people of Bihar."

Taking a final swipe at the RJD, the Prime Minister said, I want to describe their story in five words  gun, brutality, bitterness, misrule, and corruption. Isnt this the identity of jungle raj? Isnt this the identity of RJD and its allies?"

#WATCH | Muzaffarpur, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says,  RJD-Congress can be identified by five things. What have the RJD-Congress done? I will tell you about these five words- Katta, Kroorta, Katuta, Kushasan, and Corruption Where there is katta, where cruelty pic.twitter.com/WZB0ZDlTuA ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025

Continuing his attack on the Opposition, PM Modi accused the Congress and the RJD of spreading division and hindering progress in Bihar.

Where there are the RJD and Congress, which spread bitterness, harmony in society becomes difficult. Where there is the misrule of RJD and Congress, there is no trace of development. Where there is corruption, there social justice is not achieved. The rights of the poor are looted; only a few families flourish. Such people can never do good for Bihar," Modi said.

PM Modi On Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi

PM Modi did not hold back from targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, calling them princes of corruption."

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The duo who consider themselves princes have opened a shop of false promises  one is the prince of the countrys most corrupt family, and the other is the prince of Bihars most corrupt family. Both are out on bail," Modi said.

Taking a swipe at both leaders, the Prime Minister added, Both of them have repeatedly abused Modi. They hate me 24 hours a day and keep hurling insults. They call themselves Gandhis and keep cursing because they cannot tolerate that a man from a backward and poor family has reached this position."

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 30, 2025, 11:40 IST

News elections 'Chhath Famous Across World, But Congress Insulting it': PM Modi Targets Mahagathbandhan In Bihar

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Case Against Rahul Gandhi In Bihar Court Over 'Dance' Remark For PM Modi, Hearing On Nov 11

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 21:55 IST

The complaint was filed on Thursday in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) over Gandhi's remarks against PM Modi at a rally in Sakra.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke at a rally in Bihar. (IMAGE: PTI)

A case has been filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Bihars Muzaffarpur. The complaint was filed on Thursday in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) over Gandhis remarks against PM Modi at a rally in Sakra. During the rally, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would do anything for votes, even dance".

Advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha filed the complaint in the CJMs court, and the hearing is due on November 11.

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Gandhi, during his public rally at Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga on Wednesday, had said, Narendra Modi is ready to enact all types of drama. You try telling him at a poll rally that, Mr Prime Minister, we will vote for you if you dance. He will readily perform Bharat Natyam."

BJP Files Complaint With CEO, Bihar

Earlier today, the BJP filed a written complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with the Chief Election Officer (CEO) of Bihar. The party demanded immediate and exemplary action against Gandhi.

The complaint lodged by BJPs Convenor of Election Commission Coordination Department, Bindhyachal Rai, read, Such comments are personal, mocking, and intended to insult the dignity of the highest constitutional office of the Republic of India." The grounds listed for the complaint include the violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and Representation of the People Act, 1951, along with degrading the constitutional office of the Prime Minister and breach of public decorum and ethical norms.

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BJP also alleged that Rahul Gandhi disrespected Chhath Puja by terming it a drama." They referred to Gandhis comment where he said that Modi had tried to enact a drama" by planning to take a dip in the Yamuna on the occasion of Chhath Puja.

Union Minister Annapurna Devi had alleged that Rahul Gandhi was maligning the sanctity of Chhath Puja.

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 30, 2025, 21:21 IST

News elections Case Against Rahul Gandhi In Bihar Court Over 'Dance' Remark For PM Modi, Hearing On Nov 11

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From App-Based Surveys To Street-Level Outreach, Shinde Sena Steps Up Mumbai Poll Prep | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 10:45 IST

Using the partys Shivdoot network and a mobile application called Lakshavedh, local teams have begun door-to-door verification of voter lists

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For the Shinde Sena, Mumbais civic body election is not just another contest---its a prestige battle. (PTI)

With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections expected soon, former Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena has shifted into high gear across Mumbai. The party has begun an aggressive ground-level restructuring and outreach campaign aimed at tightening its grip on the citys vast voter base.

According to party insiders, micro-planning has been launched in every ward to ensure that the organisation remains election-ready. Over the past two months, between 2,500 and 3,000 new appointments have been made across various divisions. In each ward, around 50 or more local functionaries, both men and women, have been assigned specific roles to strengthen the partys presence at the booth level.

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The move also comes after recent discontent over the appointment of new divisional heads. To ease the friction, the leadership has pacified former ward and division chiefs by assigning them new responsibilities as division coordinators" and branch coordinators". The idea, sources say, is to keep the organisational machinery united and motivated before the polls.

Shindes Shiv Sena is now mirroring the outreach models earlier adopted by its political rivals. Using the partys Shivdoot network and a mobile application called Lakshavedh, local teams have begun door-to-door verification of voter lists. Volunteers are visiting households to cross-check names and gather demographic insights.

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The exercise is aimed at identifying which pockets of the city remain strongholds for the Shinde-led Sena and which areas require renewed effort. Once this internal report is compiled, divisional and branch heads will be tasked with creating a positive environment" in weaker zones through intensified outreach and communication campaigns.

For the Shinde Sena, Mumbais civic body election is not just another contestits a prestige battle to reclaim the political and emotional turf once dominated by the undivided Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray. The unfolding micro-level mobilisation shows that the fight for control of Indias richest municipal corporation has already begun, ward by ward, lane by lane.

About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 10:45 IST

News elections From App-Based Surveys To Street-Level Outreach, Shinde Sena Steps Up Mumbai Poll Prep | Exclusive

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Meet The Two 'Singham' Police Officers Set To Contest Bihar Assembly Election

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 21:07 IST

Shivdeep Lande, a 2006 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre, and Anand Mishra, a reputed officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, are contesting the Bihar election.

Former IPS officers Shivdeep Lande (L) and Anand Mishra (R), who are contesting the upcoming Bihar election. (File)

The Bihar Assembly elections are almost here, and 243 seats are up for grabs by more than 2,000 candidates from various political parties. Two former police officers are also among the candidates who have now turned to politics and are set to try their luck in the coming election.

Shivdeep Lande, a 2006 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre, is contesting the upcoming election as an independent candidate from Araria. Anand Mishra, a distinguished IPS officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Buxar.

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The two former police officers were known as singham (lion) by their colleagues, with Mishra receiving the title in Assam, where they served. Both ex-IPS officers chose to enter politics after their resignation from police.

Shivdeep Vamanrao Lande

Lande, 49, hails from Maharashtras Vidarbha region and has a degree in electrical engineering. He served as the district police chief of several districts, including Munger, Araria and Patna City SP. He had also gone to Maharashtra on deputation for five years. He returned to Bihar in 2022 and joined as deputy inspector general (DIG) of the Kosi range.

While serving as an ASP in Munger and an SP in Patna, Lande earned the reputation of a feared police officer who was credited for tackling eve-teasing and street crime. He stepped down from service in 2024 while serving as Inspector-General in Purnia, expressing his desire to contest in the Bihar elections.

Lande floated his own party, the Hindu Sena, to contest from Jamalpur in Munger as an independent. His affidavit revealed that he has assets worth Rs 20.74 lakh and no criminal record.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shivdeep Wamanrao Lande (@shivdeeplande)

His wife, Mamta Shivtare Lande, is the daughter of former Maharashtra Minister Vijay Shivtare and a successful businesswoman. She has declared assets of Rs 20.5 crore, including two SUVs (a Land Cruiser worth Rs 60 lakh and a Scorpio priced at Rs 29 lakh), 100 grams of gold, shares in several banks, and properties in Mumbais Marine Lines and Pune. She also owns 17 acres of land and carries loans of Rs 2.7 crore. Their daughter, Arha Shivdeep Lande, holds assets worth Rs 14.8 lakh.

Anand Mishra

Mishra, 44, hailed from Bihar but completed his schooling and college education in Kolkatas St Xaviers College before embarking on his civil service journey. His father was an employee at Hindustan Motors in Kolkata. Mishra later pursued a Masters in Police Management from Osmania University in Hyderabad.

Mishra secured an All India Rank (AIR) of 225 in the UPSC CSE 2010 and held the position of Superintendent of Police (SP) in the Lakhimpur district of Assam. His contributions earned him the moniker Assams Singham on social media platforms, where he boasts a significant following of 326,000 on Instagram.

For his service, the cop-turned-politician was awarded the Presidents Medal for Gallantry, the Chief Ministers Award for Exceptional Service, and the Union Home Ministrys Internal Security Service Medal. He resigned from service last year and contested the Lok Sabha election from Bihar as an independent candidate after failing to secure a BJP ticket.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anand Mishra (@anandmishra.ips)

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Mishra briefly joined Prashant Kishors Jan Suraaj Party but later quit and joined the BJP in August. He was given the ticket from Buxar. His affidavit lists total assets worth Rs 2.5 crore  including movable assets of Rs 60 lakh, 100 grams of gold, and a Royal Enfield motorcycle valued at Rs 2.51 lakh. He also owns a Rs 60 lakh house in Hooghly, West Bengal. However, Mishra faces a pending case linked to his participation in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) student protest.

His wife, Archana Tiwari, is also a businesswoman, with declared movable assets of Rs 88.4 lakh and immovable ones worth Rs 17 lakh. Mishras annual income for 202425 is estimated at Rs 1.85 lakh, while Archanas is projected to be above Rs 12 lakh.

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

First Published: October 30, 2025, 21:04 IST

News elections Meet The Two 'Singham' Police Officers Set To Contest Bihar Assembly Election

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Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BUSAN, South Korea, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday that the Chinese economy is like a vast ocean, big, resilient and promising, and that we have the confidence and capability to navigate all kinds of risks and challenges.

He made the remarks during a meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, after landing in Busan for the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, and a state visit to South Korea.

Xi stressed that there is a good momentum in China's economic development. In the first three quarters of this year, China's economy increased by 5.2 percent, and import and export trade in goods with the rest of the world expanded by 4 percent, he said, stressing that this is not an easy accomplishment given the domestic and external difficulties.

At its fourth plenary session, the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for the economic and social development plan over the next five years, Xi noted.

Over the past seven decades and more, we have been working from generation to generation on the same blueprint to make it a reality, he said.

We have no intention to challenge or supplant anyone, Xi said. Our focus has always been on managing China's own affairs well, improving ourselves, and sharing development opportunities with all countries across the world, and that is an important secret to our success, he said.

China will further deepen reform across the board, expand opening up, and promote higher-quality economic growth while achieving an appropriate increase in economic output, and advance well-rounded human development and common prosperity for all, Xi said.

He expressed the belief that this will also expand the space for cooperation between China and the United States. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
Tejashwi Yadav Wants Bihar To Talk Jobs, Not Jibes. But Is Rahul Gandhi Listening?

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 10:38 IST

The RJD leader, with his youth image, hopes he can appeal to new Biharis with his pitch for a better life but seems to be weighed down by Gandhis decision to fall back on rhetoric

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The first joint rally, unfortunately, grabbed headlines not for the development pitch by Tejashwi, but for Rahul Gandhis statements. (PTI)

In the caste-driven politics of Bihar, two development issues have come to occupy centre stageemployment and a strong law-and-order system.

RJDs Tejashwi Yadav wants to break out of his fathers mould and hence, he knows he has to be attractive to the young and aspirational Biharis. Thats only possible when he talks about what they want, which is jobs.

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This is why, in speech after speech, he has asked for one chance for his party and said that he will ensure each family has one employed person. Many argue this is easier said than done, but this is how Tejashwi wants to project himself.

Aware that his father Lalu Prasad Yadavs past is something he has to overcome, Tejashwi has made maintenance of law and order one of the pillars of his slogan.

When Nitish Kumar took charge of Bihar and joined hands with the NDA, the coalition focused on development or Vikas as the mantra. The Sushasan Babu tag has ensured that Kumar remained in power. While the NDA wants to make this their USP, the Mahagathbandhan is keen to puncture the narrative. Tejashwi, with his youth image, hopes that he can appeal to new Biharis with his pitch for jobs and a better life. This is also why he did not mention Vote Chori in his campaign as he wants to keep the focus on development and not allow any diversion.

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Rahul Gandhi, however, threw a spanner in the works. When Gandhi raised the Vote Chori issue, the silence of the RJD leader was apparent. Not just this, Gandhis mocking of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Chathh Puja and saying he was doing the Bharatnatyam dance for votes" made matters worse. The first joint rally, unfortunately, grabbed headlines not for the development pitch by Tejashwi, but for Rahul Gandhis statements. This has given ammunition to the BJP, making it convenient for the party to attack the Mahagathbandhan on Gandhis words rather than Tejashwis idea of a new Bihar.

The strain in the alliance is apparent, but for the sake of taking on the BJP, the Congress and RJD are in it together. As the discomfort becomes more obvious, will it have an impact on the result and the fortune of Tejashwi Yadav?

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 30, 2025, 10:38 IST

News elections Tejashwi Yadav Wants Bihar To Talk Jobs, Not Jibes. But Is Rahul Gandhi Listening?

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Are Cyclones Getting Stronger? A Global Shift And Indias Rising Risk

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 15:18 IST

Around the world and across India, cyclones are no longer the rare, seasonal disturbances they once were. They are now stronger, faster, and far costlier.

The Bay of Bengal has traditionally produced the majority of Indias cyclones, but the Arabian Sea has seen a worrying surge (Image: Canva)

Tropical cyclones, massive rotating storm systems driven by warm ocean waters have always been among natures most destructive forces. But in recent years, both scientists and disaster management agencies have noticed a change.

While the total number of cyclones has not increased dramatically worldwide, their intensity, rainfall, and speed of intensification have risen sharply. This means that when storms form, they are more powerful, more destructive, and harder to predict.

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Global Picture: Storms Are Packing More Power

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the number of hurricanes and tropical cyclones making landfall each year has not shown a consistent increase since the late 19th century. However, the average energy and destructive potential of these storms have clearly risen since the 1990s.

The EPAs Climate Change Indicators: Tropical Cyclone Activity" report notes that the Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) and Power Dissipation Index (PDI) two key measures of storm strength  have trended upward, reflecting storms that are lasting longer and reaching higher wind speeds.

Climate scientists attribute this to warmer sea surface temperatures and higher humidity in the atmosphere, which feed more energy into storms. A study by the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory projects that cyclone intensity could increase by 4 percent and rainfall rates by up to 15 percent later this century as global temperatures rise.

These changes may sound small, but in practice they can transform a category-2 storm into a category-3 or category-4 system within hours.

Damage and Economic Losses

The human and economic toll of these stronger storms has been staggering. In the United States alone, tropical cyclones caused more than US $1.5 trillion (about Rs 12 lakh crore) in damage between 1980 and 2024. The average loss per event is now around US $23 billion (about Rs 1,840 crore).

A growing proportion of these storms have also undergone rapid intensification"a phenomenon where wind speeds increase by more than 55 kilometres per hour in just 24 hours. This leaves communities with little time to prepare.

Globally, tropical cyclones, hurricanes, and typhoons are responsible for some of the costliest weather disasters every year. The combination of higher wind speeds, heavier rainfall, and storm surges amplified by rising sea levels has made them particularly damaging to coastal economies. Scientists caution that this is not just about climate variability but a consistent signal of warming oceans.

Why Cyclones Are Getting Stronger

There are several interconnected reasons why modern cyclones are more dangerous than those of past decades.

Warmer seas: Ocean temperatures above 26.5 degrees Celsius act as fuel for cyclones. Every additional degree of surface warming provides more latent heat, helping storms intensify faster. More moisture: A warmer atmosphere holds more water vapor, which means heavier rainfall and higher flood risk. Rising sea levels: Global sea level rise, now averaging about 3.4 millimeters per year, increases storm-surge damage during landfall. Rapid intensification: Modern storms are hitting their peak just before landfall, giving emergency responders less time to act.

Together, these factors explain why storms are not just stronger but also more unpredictable, a combination that makes them especially dangerous in densely populated regions such as South and Southeast Asia.

The Indian Scenario: A Decade of Cyclone Challenges

The North Indian Ocean, which includes the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, has long been one of the worlds most active cyclone basins. India, with its 7,500-kilometer coastline and large coastal population, is particularly vulnerable.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) records around five to six cyclones forming in this region each year, but what has changed recently is their severity and geographic spread. The Arabian Sea, which historically saw fewer strong storms, has become more active over the last decade.

Between 2015 and 2025, India has witnessed roughly 25 cyclones that either made landfall or caused major damage along its coasts. Some of these were among the strongest storms ever recorded in the basin.

Dr G S Srinivasa Reddy, former Director of the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), explained to News18 that the growing intensity of cyclones is closely tied to climate change and global warming.

Rising pollutant levels in the atmosphere cause temperature fluctuations, trapping greenhouse gases and creating more zones of low pressure and high heat. This imbalance, doesnt just stay in the air  it seeps into the earth and oceans. Groundwater levels are affected because higher temperatures demand more energy to pump water, while sea surface temperatures have risen sharply, providing excess heat energy that fuels stronger and more frequent cyclones" he said.

Major Cyclones and Their Impact on India

Cyclone Vardah (2016): Struck Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh in December 2016. Caused damage worth about Rs 22,573 crore (US $2.8 billion).

Cyclone Ockhi (2017): Affected Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. Claimed over 250 lives and caused losses exceeding Rs 8,000 crore (US $1 billion).

Cyclone Titli (2018): Made landfall in Odisha. Damage was estimated at Rs 2,700 crore (US $330 million).

Cyclone Fani (2019): One of the strongest cyclones to hit Odisha in two decades. Caused damage worth about Rs 65,000 crore (US $8.1 billion).

Cyclone Amphan (2020): A super-cyclone that devastated parts of West Bengal and Bangladesh. Damage was estimated at Rs 1.12 lakh crore (US $14 billion), making it one of the costliest storms in Asian history.

Cyclone Nisarga (2020): The first severe cyclone to strike Maharashtra in over a century. Damage estimated at Rs 6,400 crore (US $803 million).

Cyclone Nivar (2020): Hit Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in November. Damage stood at around Rs 4,000 crore (US $480 million).

Cyclone Tauktae (2021): Ravaged the Gujarat coast and parts of Maharashtra. The National Disaster Management Authority estimated losses of over Rs 15,000 crore (US $1.9 billion).

Cyclone Yaas (2021): Made landfall near Odisha and West Bengal. Losses were around Rs 6,000 crore (US $730 million).

Cyclone Biparjoy (2023): A long-lived system in the Arabian Sea that struck Gujarat. Damage was estimated at between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000 crore (US $970 million to US $1.22 billion).

Cyclone Michaung (2023): Made landfall near Andhra Pradesh in December and flooded Chennai. Losses were pegged at Rs 8,500 crore (US $1 billion).

Cyclone Remal (2024): Landfall between India and Bangladesh in May, heavily impacting West Bengal. Damage around Rs 2,000 crore (US $240 million).

Cyclone Montha (2025): The first major storm of 2025, striking near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. Early estimates suggest damage exceeding Rs 1,000 crore (US $120 million).

The Cost of Rising Intensity

Indias cyclone death tolls have declined over the decades thanks to better forecasting, evacuation systems, and disaster management. However, the financial and infrastructural damage has increased sharply. Coastal states like Odisha, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu face repeated economic shocks that can erase years of development gains.

A study by the National Institute of Disaster Management estimated that cyclones cost India an average of Rs 13,000 crore (US $1.6 billion) annually. With urbanization and industrial zones expanding along coastal belts, future storms could drive even larger losses. The World Bank has warned that by 2050, coastal flooding and cyclones could threaten assets worth over Rs 20 lakh crore (US $250 billion) in India.

Changing Patterns Across Coasts

The Bay of Bengal has traditionally produced the majority of Indias cyclones, but the Arabian Sea has seen a worrying surge. Warmer waters there are now sustaining severe cyclones like Tauktae and Biparjoy, which would have been rare twenty years ago.

Scientists from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology note that the frequency of very severe cyclones in the Arabian Sea has increased by about 50 percent in the past decade.

This means states like Maharashtra, Kerala, and Gujarat, which earlier considered themselves relatively safe, are now frontline regions in Indias cyclone map.

Preparing for the Future

The trend is unmistakable: cyclones are becoming stronger, wetter, and more erratic. Indias response has improved, but infrastructure resilience remains a challenge.

The governments National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project has reduced fatalities, yet long-term planning must now focus on climate adaptation, coastal zoning, and resilient housing.

Investing in early warning systems, green buffers like mangroves, and strict enforcement of building codes can cut future losses. Insurance coverage, which remains low among Indian households and small businesses, also needs expansion to spread risk more equitably.

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Around the world and across India, cyclones are no longer the rare, seasonal disturbances they once were. They are now stronger, faster, and far costlier. Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Indian Meteorological Department, and disaster management agencies all point to one conclusion: climate-driven ocean warming is amplifying the power of storms.

In India, the shift is already visible in the costliest storms of the past decadefrom Amphan and Fani on the east coast to Tauktae and Biparjoy on the west. Each one shows that preparedness, not complacency, is the only defence. The question now is not whether cyclones will come, but how ready we will be when they do.

First Published: October 30, 2025, 15:18 IST

News explainers Are Cyclones Getting Stronger? A Global Shift And Indias Rising Risk

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Should Social Media Be Off-Limits For Children? What India Can Learn From Europes Rules

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 31, 2025, 15:28 IST

European nations have moved from mere advisories to legally enforced age limits and parental-consent rules. India is looking at new guidelines on how minors access the internet

China's new law wants only degree-holders to discuss sensitive topics on social media. (Getty Images)

In the Emmy Award-winning series Adolescence, the parents of 13-year-old Jamie (played by Owen Cooper) struggle with guilt and helplessness after their son is arrested for murdering a classmate. The show, while fictional, shines a harsh light on cyberbullying, online alienation, and the psychological pressures of growing up in a hyperconnected world. It also leaves viewers with a haunting question  should social media be off-limits for children, or should there be a clear minimum age to join it?

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That question has now leapt from living rooms to legislatures. Around the world, policy-makers are treating childrens social media use as a public-health and rights issue  putting it in the same bracket as alcohol and tobacco regulation.

Several European nations have moved from mere advisories to legally enforced age limits and parental-consent rules. India, too, is drawing up new guidelines that could dramatically change how minors access the internet.

But which approach truly protects children  a complete ban, stricter age checks, verified parental consent, or better digital education? And how can India learn from Europes evolving experiment to strike the right balance between protection and access?

Lets break down what Europe is planning, what global research says is the right age" for social media, and what a practical roadmap for India might look like.

What The Pew Research Says About The Right Age

Large, reputable surveys do not point to a single magical birthday when a child is automatically ready for social media. What researchers do show, repeatedly, is that the risks rise when children begin earlier, and that parents and experts often disagree about readiness.

Pew Research Center does not recommend a specific age for a social media ban for children, but highlights that most platforms require users to be 13 years or older.

The American think tank says older teens report much higher, near-constant use of smartphones and social platforms; younger teens and tweens use them less but still substantially. Parents tend to be far more worried about social medias effects on mental health than teens themselves, and a strong plurality of adults favour parental consent requirements for minors using social platforms.

Medical and child-health bodies bring a more prescriptive note. The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP)  the largest professional association recommends waiting until at least age 13 before opening accounts on mainstream social platforms, while stressing that maturity, family dynamics and supervision matter more than a calendar date.

The AAP also points out specific harms seen when children start too young  sleep disruption, bullying and early exposure to risky content.

Put simply: the research consensus leans toward delaying independent social-media use until the early teen years (around 13), combined with parental involvement and safeguards  not unfettered access at younger ages.

What Europe Is Doing

Europe is moving faster than many parts of the world towards strict age protections, but the path is not uniform.

Recently, a report adopted by the European Parliaments Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee recommended that no child under 13 be allowed to access social media, with or without parental permission.

The European lawmakers have also called for fines and bans on platforms that flout the blocs rules on protecting minors under the Digital Services Act (DSA), an AFP report mentioned.

Some countries set concrete minimum age for autonomous accounts (often 13), others require parental consent up to 16, and a few  driven by growing alarm about mental health and online harms  are pushing for even stronger rules. Belgium, for instance, requires users to be at least 13 to create an account without parental permission. Germany typically permits 13-16-year-olds with parental consent for certain services. At the EU level, lawmakers and MEPs have debated proposals for an EU-wide digital minimum age of 16, with lower allowances (age 13) if parental consent is given; they are also testing age-verification tools to enforce limits.

Better Internet For Children

Practical enforcement is the tricky part. Platforms historically have relied on self-reported birthdays; age verification systems and identity checks are getting better, but they raise privacy, cost and exclusion concerns. Critics point out one perverse result: if parental consent systems require digital ID or literacy, they risk excluding children of disadvantaged families from safe, supervised online spaces while pushing others to lie about their age.

How Other Countries Square Policy & Protection

Belgium: Minimum age 13 to sign up without parental permission. Platforms must respect this limit.

Germany: Many services permit 1316 with parental consent; calls for better enforcement continue.

EU (proposals): MEPs and committees have advocated an EU-wide approach that would set baseline ages (1316) while piloting age-verification tools. The goal: harmonise protections across member states.

Australia & UK: Both have introduced or considered tougher rules on platform responsibility, age checks and content moderation  though exact age cut-offs and mechanisms vary and are evolving.

Countries are treating social-media access for minors as a regulatory problem requiring platform responsibility, not merely parental guidance.

Indias Policy Moves: Parental Consent & Child Data Protections

According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), more than 57% of children in the 14-16 age group use smartphones for educational purposes, while 76% of them use the device for accessing social media. The ASER 2024 is a nationwide rural household survey that reached 6,49,491 children in 17,997 villages across 605 rural districts in India.

Though the governments have traditionally regulated alcohol and tobacco through age limits, licencing, pricing, and public-health campaigns, digital policy, is a newer territory.

Under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and its draft rules, India is moving to treat children (defined as under 18) as a sensitive category: platforms processing a childs personal data must obtain verifiable parental consent and prioritise child well-being in design. Draft rules released in early 2025 explicitly require parental consent for social-media access for those under 18, and mandate stricter handling and deletion of childrens data.

Thats a major shift: Indias proposal sets the threshold at 18 for requiring consent  higher than many European baselines  and ties platform obligations to data protection. The government argues this is necessary to safeguard childrens privacy and mental health. But the rules also risk practical problems: how do you verify parental consent for families without digital ID? How will enforcement work in rural and low-connectivity areas? Critics warn of digital exclusion if consent systems rely on tools unavailable to many parents.

Dr Jyoti Kapoor, senior psychiatrist and psychotherapist, Manasthali Mental Health & Wellness Services, Gurugram, stressed that children under the age of 15 should not be active on broad-scale social media platforms with open peer networks, image-sharing, and public comment features". She said, Adolescents younger than this are still developing executive functions (judgment, impulse control), self-identity, social boundaries and resilience; exposing them early to the highly curated, feedback-driven and often emotionally charged world of social media can lead to vulnerabilities."

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court in April refused to entertain a plea seeking a statutory prohibition on social usage on children below the age of 13. A bench comprising Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih dismissed the petition, asserting that such a restriction would require a legislative enactment, a Business Standard report mentioned.

Is A Social Media Ban For Children Comparable To Alcohol & Tobacco Controls?

On the face of it, yes and no. Like tobacco and underage alcohol, early social media exposure can have measurable harms: disrupted sleep, increased anxiety or depressive symptoms, exposure to bullying and harmful content, and impacts on attention and learning. Unlike cigarettes and alcohol, social media is also a tool for learning, social connection and civic engagement  and for many families it is a gateway to education and safety information.

Policy tools overlap: Age limits, parental consent, licencing (platform obligations), public-education campaigns, and enforcement. But there are crucial differences:

Nature of harm: Tobacco and alcohol cause well-defined, physical health harms with long causal chains that justify near-blanket prohibitions for minors. Social media harms are multi-dimensional  mental health risks for some users, clear benefits for others  making one-size-fits-all bans harder to justify.

Access and equity: Banning access risks shutting out disadvantaged youth from educational content or support networks. Tobacco/alcohol bans do not carry the same upside of access.

Enforcement practicality: Age verification for online platforms is technologically and logistically challenging and risks privacy trade-offs; regulating sales of cigarettes and spirits is simpler to enforce in the offline world.

Rights & agency: Online speech and access sit in a different legal and rights framework than controlled substances; bans must balance child protection with information access and free expression.

So, while the intent behind regulating youth access to social media mirrors alcohol/tobacco control  protect young people  the methods need to be more nuanced.

What The Evidence Recommends?

Research and child-health bodies suggest a balanced approach:

Delay independent access until early teens: Most experts recommend waiting until around 13 for mainstream social accounts, with close supervision before and after that age. The evidence shows sharper risks for children who begin very early. In addition to this, Jyoti Kapoor highlighted that since adolescence is a phase of identity exploration, emotional turbulence, and peer influence, teenagers seek autonomy but lack consistent judgment, making them particularly vulnerable to online manipulation, cyber-bullying, sexual exploitation, and social comparison".

Parental consent and platform duties: Platforms should be required to verify age ranges and offer age-appropriate defaults (stricter privacy, limited recommendation algorithms) for teens. Indias draft consent requirement is aligned with this principle, though the implementation needs careful design to avoid exclusion. Kapoor further said, Parents must maintain open communication, model healthy digital behaviour, and create a space where children can discuss what they see online without fear of punishment or ridicule."

Design for well-being: Platforms can be required to reduce addictive features for minors, stop algorithmic amplification of harmful content, and offer easy parental controls. European conversations are already pushing in this direction.

Public education & digital literacy: Laws alone will not protect children; sustained programmes in schools for media literacy, family guidance and teacher training are essential. Evidence shows strong parental relationships and critical thinking reduce harms.

What Can India Learn From Europe?

A pragmatic minimum age with parental consent: Europes debate between 13 and 16 is instructive. A workable Indian approach could set 13 as a practical floor for unsupervised accounts, combined with verifiable parental consent up to 16 or 18 for additional protections  but only if consent methods are inclusive (not reliant solely on high-end digital IDs). This balances child development science with digital realities.

Better Internet for children: Mandate age-appropriate defaults and platform duty of care

Platforms to switch to teen defaults: Private accounts, restricted algorithmic recommendations, time limits and easy report mechanisms. Europes proposals to force platform design changes are a model.

Protect against exclusion: If parental consent mechanisms depend on DigiLocker-style IDs or literacy, many families will be left out. India should provide alternative verification routes (school attestations, local authority confirmations) to prevent digital denial of access. Evidence from implementation pilots shows this matters in practice.

Couple rules with outreach: Launch scaled national digital-literacy campaigns for parents, teachers and children  the analogue counterweight to any digital regulation. The AAP and Pew findings both emphasise the role of parental supervision and education.

Monitor, measure, adapt: Treat the policy as an iterative experiment. Mandate regular data reporting from platforms on child engagement and harms, and fund longitudinal studies to track mental-health outcomes, much as public-health surveillance tracks alcohol and tobacco harms.

What To Conclude?

A blanket ban" on childrens social media would be blunt and risky  it could protect some while excluding and isolating others. But doing nothing is not an option either: evidence shows early, unsupervised social-media use correlates with measurable harms for many children. The best path borrows the rigour of tobacco/alcohol regulation (clear age thresholds, duty of care, enforcement) and marries it with the nuance of child development science (delay until early teens, parental supervision, digital literacy).

Indias draft rules on parental consent are a major step, but their value will depend on implementation details that avoid exclusion, protect privacy, and force platforms to design for young users well-being.

If India gets the balance right  inclusive verification, age-sensitive defaults, education and strong platform duties  it can build a model that protects children without cutting them off from the educational and civic benefits of the digital world.

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About the Author Shilpy Bisht Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 13:08 IST

News explainers Should Social Media Be Off-Limits For Children? What India Can Learn From Europes Rules

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Why Is Thailand Running Out Of Black Clothes And What Indian Tourists Should Know

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 17:33 IST

Queen Sirikit, wife of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and mother of King Vajiralongkorn, earned the title 'Mother of the Nation' for her efforts in promoting Thai culture and traditions

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Queen Sirikit was the former queen of Thailand, married to King Bhumibol Adulyadej. (News18 Hindi)

Thailand has long been a favourite destination for Indian tourists. However, those planning a visit in the coming days should be aware of an unusual situation: a sudden shortage of black clothing. Travellers are advised to pack modest and less flashy attire.

The cause of this shortage stems from a nation-wide mourning period following the death of Queen Sirikit, affectionately known as the Mother of the Nation, who passed away on October 25, 2025, at the age of 93.

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The Thai government declared a 30-day national mourning period. Amid national mourning, the demand for black clothing in Thailand has surged so dramatically that shops are running out of stock.

According to a report by The Straits Times, shopkeepers have filled their displays with black garments, setting aside colorful attire. Unlike in India, where white is traditionally worn during mourning, black is the color of grief in Thailand.

Who Is Queen Sirikit, The Mother Of Thailand?

Queen Sirikit was the former queen of Thailand, married to King Bhumibol Adulyadej from 1946 until his death in 2016, and mother to the current king, Maha Vajiralongkorn. She earned the title Mother of the Nation due to her extensive efforts in promoting Thai culture, traditional crafts such as silk garments, and village development. Her passing has deeply affected the people of Thailand.

30 Days Of National Mourning

The Thai government has declared 30 days of national mourning in honor of Queen Sirikit. Officially, this mourning will last for one year. During this period, the national flag has been flown at half-mast. Government employees and officials are required to wear black mourning clothes for one year. The general public has been advised to wear black, white, or light-colored clothes for 90 days. This is not the first time such a situation has happened in Thailand. At the time of King Bhumibols death in 2016, there was a sudden demand for black clothes in the country.

However, Thailands Prime Minister clarified that this is a request, not a legal mandate  meaning no one will be punished for not wearing black. Government employees, however, are expected to follow the directive.

Important Information For Indian Tourists

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Millions of Indian tourists visit Thailand annually, including popular destinations like Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. During the mourning period, visitors should consider the following guidelines:

Wear black, white, or light colours when visiting temples, palaces, or government locations. Pinning a black ribbon to ones attire is a simple way to show respect.

Maintain low noise levels and be sensitive around mourning sites. Nightclubs and alcohol consumption are not banned, but tourists should be mindful of the countrys sombre mood.

The Thai Tourism Authority assures that Thailand remains open and welcoming to tourists, advising only a little extra caution during this period.

Location : Thailand

First Published: October 30, 2025, 17:33 IST

News explainers Why Is Thailand Running Out Of Black Clothes And What Indian Tourists Should Know

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15-Year-Old Faridabad Girl Kidnapped, Gang-Raped By Four Men In Car

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 09:12 IST

The men allegedly drugged and raped her in a secluded area before fleeing the scene.

15-Year-Old Kidnapped By 4 Men, Gang-Raped In Car In Faridabad. (Representative Image)

A 15-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by four unidentified youths in a moving car in Faridabad, police said on Tuesday. The minor, a Class 8 student, was held hostage for nearly nine hours before being abandoned near her home in the early hours of October 27.

What we know about the case?

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According to the police, the girls elder sister filed a complaint stating that her younger sibling had gone to the Sector 18 market around 7 pm on October 26 but did not return home. When the familys search proved unsuccessful, they feared she had been abducted.

At around 4.30 am on October 27, the girl returned home and revealed that she had been forcibly taken by four men in a car the previous evening. The men allegedly drugged and raped her in a secluded area before fleeing the scene.

My sister arrived home around 4.30 am on October 27. She revealed that she had been kidnapped by four youths in a car the previous evening. They took her to a secluded area, drugged her, and raped her," the complainant told police.

Case registered

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Following the complaint, an FIR was registered at the Faridabad Old Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Station House Officer (SHO) Vishnu Mittar said the girl is not yet fit to give her statement. We are reviewing CCTV footage from around Sector 18 market and nearby areas. A team has been formed to identify the accused, and they will be arrested soon," he added.

About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More

Location : Faridabad, India, India

First Published: October 30, 2025, 09:10 IST

News india 15-Year-Old Faridabad Girl Kidnapped, Gang-Raped By Four Men In Car

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2020 Delhi Riots A Regime Change Operation, Say Delhi Police In Explosive Supreme Court Affidavit

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 11:50 IST

The police claim that the organised and calibrated violence followed a nationwide pattern, replicating similar outbreaks in states such as UP, Assam, Bengal, Kerala & Karnataka

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In a sharp rebuke to the accused, the police have also accused them of abusing the judicial process by filing frivolous applications and adopting coordinated tactics to delay proceedings. (PTI)

In a startling revelation in the 2020 Delhi riots case, the Delhi Police is set to tell the Supreme Court that the violence that rocked the national capital was not a spontaneous outbreak of anger but part of an organised regime change operation aimed at undermining Indias sovereignty. Sources told CNN-News18 that the revelations have been made in a 177-page affidavit that is in the process of being filed in response to bail pleas of several accused, including student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.

According to the polices line of argument, investigators have pieced together ocular, documentary, and technical evidence to show that the riots were the result of a deep-rooted conspiracy engineered along communal lines. The plan was designed to weaponise public dissent against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and strike at the sovereignty and integrity of India," the affidavit states.

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The police claim that the organised and calibrated" violence followed a nationwide pattern, replicating similar outbreaks in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Kerala, and Karnataka. This was not an isolated incident but a synchronised attempt to destabilise the government through orchestrated violence," the affidavit notes.

In a sharp rebuke to the accused, the police have also accused them of abusing the judicial process by filing frivolous applications" and adopting coordinated tactics to delay proceedings. Such conduct amounts to a brazen abuse of process," the affidavit asserts, adding that these delays have hindered the course of justice.

The Supreme Court is now set to examine the affidavit as part of ongoing hearings on bail pleas and procedural delays in the trial.

Delhi Police is represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Advocates Rajat Nair and Dhruv Pande.

The riots took place in February 2020, following clashes over the then-proposed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). As per the Delhi Police, the riots caused the death of 53 persons and injured hundreds.

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The Delhi High Court noted that Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam were among the earliest organisers of protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in December 2019, mobilising crowds through speeches, pamphlets, and WhatsApp networks that, investigators allege, eventually evolved into a coordinated plan to incite violence. The court held that the fact they were not physically present at the riot scenes did not absolve them, as the alleged conspiracy was conceived and operationalised well before the violence erupted.

The Delhi Police, in its submissions, described them as the intellectual architects" of the conspiracy, while the accused have consistently asserted that their actions were within the bounds of their constitutional right to dissent and bore no connection to the outbreak of violence.

About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU vi... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 11:43 IST

News india 2020 Delhi Riots A Regime Change Operation, Say Delhi Police In Explosive Supreme Court Affidavit

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4-Year-Old Boy Crushed To Death By Reversing Car In Noida, Driver Arrested

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 13:18 IST

According to the police, the driver has been arrested and the vehicle involved in the accident has been seized.

The officer said a case has been registered against the driver. (Image: Representative)

A four-year-old boy was crushed to death after being hit by a reversing car in Noida, police said on Thursday. The incident took place in A Block of Sector 31 on Wednesday night. An FIR has been registered at Sector 20 police station in connection with the case, they said.

According to the police, the driver has been arrested and the vehicle involved in the accident has been seized. D P Shukla, in-charge of Sector 20 police station, said the accident occurred when the driver, identified as Jayant Sharma, was reversing his car.

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The child, who was walking behind the vehicle, was hit and sustained serious injuries. He was taken to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead," Shukla said.

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The officer said that based on a complaint lodged by the boys father, identified as Ashish, a case has been registered against the driver under relevant sections of the IPC. The accused was arrested on Thursday morning, and his car has been confiscated," Shukla added.

The police said further investigation into the matter is underway to determine whether negligence led to the accident. Authorities are also checking CCTV footage from the area to ascertain the exact sequence of events.

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 30, 2025, 13:18 IST

News india 4-Year-Old Boy Crushed To Death By Reversing Car In Noida, Driver Arrested

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Army Colonel Dismissed From Service Over Affair With Fellow Officer's Wife

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 19:21 IST

During the trial, the complainant, married since 2006, said he noticed changes in his wifes behaviour following her trips to Haridwar and Leh

The Colonel faced four charges under different sections of the Army Act. (AI-generated image)

A General Court Martial (GCM) on Wednesday dismissed a Colonel from the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) after he was found guilty of having an improper relationship with the wife of another Colonel. The case, which began in May 2025 at N Area in Chandigarh, concluded after months of detailed proceedings.

The court martial, presided over by Brigadier Jagminder Singh Gill of Headquarters Uniform Force and six Colonels as members, was convened by Major General K Mahesh, General Officer Commanding of the 8 Mountain Division. The sentence is now subject to confirmation by the convening authority, The Indian Express reported.

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The Colonel faced four charges under different sections of the Army Act. The first charge, under Section 45, accused him of communicating with the other officers wife through telephone calls at odd hours between September 2021 and August 2022. The court martial, however, found him not guilty of this charge. The complainants husband had alleged that he received his wifes call details in a package sent anonymously.

The second and third charges, also under Section 45, involved the Colonel allegedly staying in hotels in Haridwar and Dehradun with the officers wife in September 2021 and April 2022. The Colonel was found guilty of both charges.

The fourth charge, under Section 69, concerned the use of a forged document. The Colonel was accused of using the wifes Dependent Card fraudulently, which the court found to be true, resulting in a guilty verdict.

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During the trial, the complainant, married since 2006, said he noticed changes in his wifes behaviour following her trips to Haridwar and Leh, where accommodation had been arranged by the accused.

The wife, however, presented a different narrative. She testified that she had been a classmate of the accused since primary school and, as a 42-year-old adult, had the right to decide whom to interact with. She also denied staying in any hotel with him and mentioned long-standing matrimonial disputes, including domestic violence, dowry harassment, and sexual abuse, that made it impossible for her to continue living with her husband.

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 : Chandigarh, India, India

First Published: October 30, 2025, 19:21 IST

News india Army Colonel Dismissed From Service Over Affair With Fellow Officer's Wife

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Bathroom Entry, 3 Cops, 4 Hours: How 'Audition' Turned Into Dramatic Hostage Rescue In Mumbai

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 23:22 IST

Accused Rohit Arya, who allegedly kidnapped 17 children, was shot in a standoff with the Mumbai Police and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital

The accused has been identified as Rohit Arya.

It was supposed to be an audition for a web series. At least 100 teenagers showed up over two days, but 17 of them  all 15-year-old girls and boys  did not know that being chosen would turn into a four-hour ordeal riddled with fear and tension.

Trapped by a man, who allegedly held them hostage in a studio in Mumbais Powai on Thursday, the 17 children were safely rescued and returned to their guardians after a dramatic rescue operation.

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The accused, identified as Rohit Arya, was shot in a standoff with the police and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. Police said he was armed and tried to harm the children, but they could not confirm his choice of weapon when he suddenly attacked the quick response team (QRT).

The incident began around noon, when police said Arya arrived at the RA Studio in the Mahavir Classic building. The rescue operation ended around 4.30 when the children were safely brought out of the building.

Heres how it went down, as per the Mumbai Police:

12 noon: Accused Rohit Arya reaches RA Studio in Powai area of Mumbai

12.30 pm: 17 children reach the audition hall

1 pm: Arya takes all the children hostage and locks the hall

1.15 pm: Children shout for help through the glass outside the hall

1.30 pm: Mumbai Police arrive at the scene. Negotiations between the police and the accused continue for two hours, but the accused does not relent.

3.30 pm: Mumbai Police call the fire brigade

3.45 pm: The fire brigade arrives

3.50 pm: The fire brigade breaks the bathroom window of the studio, after which three police officers enter the hall through the window

4 pm: Upon seeing the police, the accused points an air gun at them and fires

4.10 pm: Police take the accused to the hospital

4.30 pm: All the children are safely evacuated.

At around 1.30 pm, Powai police station received information that a person had taken 17 children hostage at Mahavir Classic building in Powai. The Mumbai Police team conducted a rescue operation and safely freed all the children. During the operation while rescuing children the person got injured, was immediately rushed to the hospital, and was later declared dead," Mumbai Police said in a statement.

Police said they thought Arya had fired a real gun. In self-defence, the police inspector fired a shot from his revolver, which struck the accused in the chest.

They said the accused had been running the auditions over two days, and had called the children to the premises. The rescue was executed with swift precision, they added.

A quick response team (QRT) was sent in, the police said. Before the team entered, Arya released a video saying he simply wants to speak with certain people and has moral demands". I am not a terrorist, nor do [I] have any demand of money. But I shall not be held responsible if I am triggered to hurt myself and the children alongside," he said in the purported video.

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The police said once the call was out, a QRT, bomb detection and disposal squad and a fire brigade team reached the spot. The QRT was sent in after the two-hour negotiations with the accused made no progress, they said. The accused was carrying an air gun and also some chemicals, they added.

They said the QRT entered the studio through the bathroom after the fire brigade provided a ladder to climb to a first-floor window. Inside, there were 17 children, a senior citizen and another man, all of whom were safely rescued, they added.

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 30, 2025, 20:50 IST

News india Bathroom Entry, 3 Cops, 4 Hours: How 'Audition' Turned Into Dramatic Hostage Rescue In Mumbai

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Doctor At Mumbais KEM Hospital Stabbed By Colleagues Brother Over Alleged Affair

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 11:53 IST

A doctor at Mumbais KEM Hospital was stabbed by a female colleagues brother, allegedly over her relationship with the medic.

KEM Hospital Doctor in Mumbai Attacked by Colleagues Brother Over Alleged Affair.(IMAGE: PIXABAY)

In a shocking incident at Mumbais King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, a doctor was brutally attacked by the brother of a female hospital staff on Wednesday. The attack, which took place inside the hospital premises, has raised serious concerns over security within government medical institutions.

According to police reports, the accused was upset over an alleged relationship between his sister, a hospital employee, and the doctor. In a fit of anger, he reportedly entered the hospital and attacked the doctor with a knife. Witnesses said the assault took place in full public view, causing panic among staff and patients.

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Doctor undergoing treatment

The injured doctor sustained severe wounds and is currently being treated at the same hospital. His condition is said to be stable, though he remains under close observation. Following the assault, the accused and two of his aides fled the scene before security personnel could intervene.

Case registered

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The Bhoiwada Police have registered a case of attempt to murder under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Police teams have been deployed to track down the accused and his accomplices.

Authorities have assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible.

About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 11:47 IST

News india Doctor At Mumbais KEM Hospital Stabbed By Colleagues Brother Over Alleged Affair

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COLOMBO, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Maldivian government on Thursday unveiled a 4.2 billion U.S. dollar national budget for 2026, with a focus on managing debt obligations and strengthening long-term fiscal stability.

A total of 603.1 million dollars are earmarked for repayment of existing securities and bonds due in 2026. After the payments, the effective operational budget stands at about 3.6 billion dollars, Finance and Planning Minister Moosa Zameer said.

Presenting the budget in the parliament, Zameer said the government expects to generate 2.6 billion dollars in revenue and grants next year.

Zameer described the budget as a critical step in restoring fiscal and debt sustainability, aligned with the president's development vision.

Zameer said official reserves stood at 860 million dollars as of September, with net usable reserves estimated at 200 million dollars. 
Dularchand Yadav, Lalu's Close Aide, Shot Dead During Bihar Election Campaigning In Mokama

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 18:55 IST

Dularchand Yadav, close aide of Lalu Prasad Yadav, was shot dead during election campaigning in Mokama. The investigation is underway.

Dular Chand Yadav, Lalu's Close Aide, Shot Dead (File Photo)

Dularchand Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadavs close aide and former RJD leader, was shot dead on Thursday in Mokama. The incident took place when firing broke out between two groups during election campaigning. Dularchand Yadav was campaigning for Jan Suraaj party candidate Piyush Priyadarshi.

The clashes between the two groups escalated into firing and assault. Dularchand Yadav was shot in the chest and was dead on the spot. Upon hearing the gunfire, panic gripped the area, and people began running.

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Jan Suraaj candidate Piyush Priyadarshi posted a video on Facebook at around 3 pm. In the video, he alleged that JDU candidate from Mokama Anant Singh orchestrated the attack.

Who Was Dularchand Yadav?

Dularchand Yadav was a popular name in the Mokama Tal area. He was considered very close to Lalu Prasad Yadav and was once an active RJD worker. During Lalu Yadavs tenure in power in the 1990s, Dularchand Yadavs hold in the area was considered strong. He is said to have been one of the founders of the RJDs grassroots cadre.

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Upon receiving information about the incident, ASP Barh, Rural SP, and SSP Patna arrived at the scene to check the situation. A heavy police force has been deployed in the area, and the police have launched an investigation.

According to preliminary information, the dispute may have arisen during campaigning due to an old rivalry or political dominance.

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 : Bihar, India, India

First Published: October 30, 2025, 18:08 IST

News india Dularchand Yadav, Lalu's Close Aide, Shot Dead During Bihar Election Campaigning In Mokama

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Suspicious Nuclear Data, Dozens Of Maps Recovered From Fake BARC Scientist Arrested In Mumbai

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 12:28 IST

Police suspect the arrested fake BARC scientist had access to sensitive nuclear-related information after recovering suspicious data and maps from him.

A file photo of the Delhi Police (PTI)

The Mumbai Police have recovered suspicious nuclear data and over a dozen maps from Akhtar Hussain Qutubuddin Ahmed, who posed as a scientist at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and was arrested last week.

According to a report with NDTV, the seized documents are now being examined to determine if they contain any sensitive or confidential nuclear information.

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The report also quoted sources and stated that Akhtar Hussain made several international calls over the past few months, and his call records are now being traced. The police suspect that he was in contact with foreign networks that could be linked to the suspected nuclear data.

The 60-year-old man from Mumbai was arrested for allegedly posing as a fake scientist and travelling abroad under multiple fake identities.

He was taken into custody on October 17 by the Mumbai Police Crime Branchs Crime Intelligence Unit and has been remanded in police custody till October 24.

Two days back, the Delhi Police also arrested Akhtar Hussains brother, 59-year-old Adil, who was earlier deemed dead as declared by his brother.

He was arrested for his alleged involvement in espionage activities, including links with a foreign-based nuclear scientist.

In a separate case, an armed wanted criminal was apprehended by the Delhi Police after an exchange of fire in the New Usmanpur area early Wednesday morning.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 2 am, when a team of Delhi police, acting on specific information, was conducting checks under the supervision of the ACP (Operations) in the area.

During the operation, the team noticed a person riding a motorcycle without a registration plate near Zero Pushta, close to Bijli Ghar. When signalled to stop, the rider drew a pistol, fired at the police team, and tried to flee.

The police team directed him to surrender, but the accused fired again, aiming at the constable. The bullet struck the constables bulletproof jacket, preventing injury.

The police retaliated by firing two rounds, one of which hit the accused on his left leg.

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The injured accused, identified as Imran alias Kala (21), was overpowered and apprehended. He is a resident of Janta Mazdoor Colony, Welcome.

ALSO READ | Gig Worker On Bike Dies After Bengaluru Couple Chases, Runs Over Him; CCTV Footage Emerges

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: October 30, 2025, 11:49 IST

News india Suspicious Nuclear Data, Dozens Of Maps Recovered From Fake BARC Scientist Arrested In Mumbai

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From Khadi To GST Cut Impact And BJP President: Amit Shah Gets Candid At News18 Event

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 29, 2025, 21:40 IST

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said his mother encouraged him to wear khadi and that it remains as relevant today as it was in 1920.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah (Credits: Amit Shah/X)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a candid conversation at News18s Sabse Bada Dangal event, shared personal insights and policy perspectivesfrom his fondness for khadi to the impact of GST rate cuts and the upcoming selection of the BJPs new president.

When asked by Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi about his preference for khadi, Shah said, My mother encouraged me to wear khadi. Khadi is still as relevant as it used to be in 1920."

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He added, If wearing khadi helps provide a livelihood to a poor person, theres nothing greater than that. Khadi is essential for self-reliance and swadeshi values. I especially want to tell the youth that try wearing khadi once, and you will feel a natural connection with the plight of the poor."

Amit Shah On GST Cut

Speaking on the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Shah highlighted the Centres efforts to ease the tax burden on consumers. Out of 395 items that were taxed at 2818%, the rates have been reduced. To ensure that consumers receive the full benefit, the Finance Ministry formed a committee, which is why record sales have taken place during the festival season," he said.

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On Next BJP National President

Shah also confirmed that the BJPs new national president will be appointed after the Bihar elections, indicating key organisational changes following the crucial state poll.

About the Author Abhro Banerjee Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, including electi... Read More

First Published: October 29, 2025, 21:40 IST

News india From Khadi To GST Cut Impact And BJP President: Amit Shah Gets Candid At News18 Event

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Gayatri Mantra On Indian Currency: Modi Govt To Release Special Coin On 150th Year Of Arya Samaj

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 23:14 IST

This follows another significant gesture in recent months when a special coin was issued for the 100 years of RSS, with 'Bharat Mata' depicted for the first time on Indian currency

Rs 150-denomination coin will be minted to commemorate the 150-year celebrations of the Arya Samaj. (Image: Sourced)

The Narendra Modi government will release a special commemorative coin to mark the 150th of the Arya Samaj, which will feature the Gayatri Mantra inscribed in Devanagari script possibly for the first time on Indian currency.

This follows another significant gesture in recent months when a special coin was issued for the 100 years of RSS, with Bharat Mata depicted for the first time on Indian currency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally unveiled the coin and a stamp for the RSS centenary celebrations.

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The Arya Samaj was founded by Dayanand Saraswati in April 1875 in erstwhile Bombay. An official notification issued on Thursday stated that the Rs 150-denomination coin will be minted to commemorate the 150-year celebrations of the Arya Samaj.

WHAT WILL THE COIN LOOK LIKE?

The Obverse, or Heads: The coins front will feature the Lion Capitol of the Ashoka Pillar in the centre with the legend Satyamev Jayate inscribed below. On the left periphery, the word Bharat will be inscribed in the Devanagari script, and on the right periphery, INDIA will be inscribed in English. The coin will also display the rupee symbol  and the denominational value 150 in international numerals below the Lion Capitol.

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The Reverse, or Tails: The reverse will feature the Arya Samaj 150-year logo in the centre, with an inscription in the Devanagari script on the upper periphery and the English inscription ARYA SAMAJ 150 YEAR CELEBRATION on the lower periphery. The year 1875 will be inscribed in international numerals on the left side of the logo, and the year 2025 will be inscribed on the right.

The Gayatri Mantra: The first half of the Gayatri Mantra in the Devanagari script will be inscribed below the Hindi text, while the second half will be inscribed above the English text, ARYA SAMAJ 150 YEAR CELEBRATION.

About the Author Aman Sharma Aman Sharma, News Director For CNN News18 and News18 English, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office. He has written widely on pol... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 23:14 IST

News india Gayatri Mantra On Indian Currency: Modi Govt To Release Special Coin On 150th Year Of Arya Samaj

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Haryana University Female Staff Forced To Remove Clothes, 'Prove' Menstruation By Male Supervisors

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 13:29 IST

The men instructed one of the women to remove her clothes and even ordered another female worker to check their sanitary pads.

AI-generated image used for representation

In a disturbing incident that took place at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) in Haryanas Rohtak, four sanitation workers were allegedly forced by male supervisors to prove that they were menstruating.

The incident took place on October 26 when Haryana Governor Asim Kumar Ghosh was on a three visit to the campus. On the same day, a few female sanitation workers arrived late for duty. When questioned by their supervisors  identified as Vinod Kumar and Vitender Kumar  the women explained they had been delayed due to womens illness", referring to menstruation.

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However, instead of accepting their explanation, the supervisors allegedly accused the workers of lying and demanded proof.

According to the victims, the men instructed one of the women to remove her clothes and even ordered another female worker to check their sanitary pads. In some instances, the supervisors allegedly took photos of the sanitary pads as evidence."

Protest Breaks Out On Campus

Humiliated and enraged by the incident, the women began shouting in protest. Soon the students and other sanitation workers gathered at the scene, joined them demanding strict action against the accused supervisors.

Following the incident, Registrar Dr Krishnakant Gupta and Vice-Chancellor Prof Rajveer Singh reached the spot and spoke with the women.

The administration immediately suspended both supervisors and ordered that they remain in Rohtak until the inquiry concludes. Police were later called and took the accused for questioning.

Womens Commission Steps In

The Haryana Womens Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the case. Commission Chairperson Renu Bhatia condemned the act in strong words, saying,

There can be nothing more outrageous than asking a woman to prove her menstrual cycle."

She confirmed that the commission has written to the Superintendent of Police, Rohtak, seeking a detailed report on the action taken so far. The commission has also reached out to the affected women to ensure their safety and well-being.

University Assures Strict Action

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University authorities have assured that the incident will be investigated thoroughly and that those found guilty will face serious consequences.

About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ... Read More

Location : Haryana, India, India

First Published: October 30, 2025, 13:28 IST

News india Haryana University Female Staff Forced To Remove Clothes, 'Prove' Menstruation By Male Supervisors

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India Granted 6-Month Exemption From US Sanctions On Iran's Chabahar Port, Says MEA

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 15:51 IST

The waiver, first issued in 2018 under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA), comes just weeks after the initial revocation sparked concerns.

In 2024, India had signed a 10-year contract with Iran to operate the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the project. (AFP)

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that American sanctions will not apply to Indias Chabahar Port in Iran, following a six-month extension of the US sanctions waiver. The move provides crucial relief to New Delhis regional connectivity projects and allows continued development of the strategically vital port until April 2026.

The exemption enables India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) to operate at the Shahid Beheshti terminal without the threat of penalties under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA). The waiver, first issued in 2018, acknowledges Chabahars importance for humanitarian aid and trade access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistans overland routes.

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The MEA said the waiver ensures that Indias investment commitments under the 10-year agreement signed in May 2024 remain on track. Under the pact, IPGL pledged $370 million in total investments for port development, including over $120 million already spent on infrastructure upgrades and on linking Chabahar to the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

The government remains committed to the full development of Chabahar Port," the MEA stated, noting that the facility has already enabled shipments of wheat and urea to Afghanistan, reinforcing its role as a humanitarian and trade lifeline.

The ministrys statement comes amid ongoing negotiations between India and the US to finalise a major trade agreement.

We continue to remain engaged with the US side on finalising the trade deal. Both sides are continuing to hold discussions. For any further update, I would refer you to the Ministry of Commerce," the MEA spokesperson said.

Chabahar Port, located on Irans southeastern coast along the Gulf of Oman, is the countrys only ocean-facing port and serves as a gateway to the Indian Ocean. Situated roughly 950 km from the Afghan border, it provides access to landlocked regions of Central Asia and is often described as the Golden Gate" for regional trade.

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Indias involvement in Chabahar has long been viewed as a strategic counterbalance to Chinas development of Gwadar Port in Pakistan. The ports importance grew after the Donald Trump administrations 2018 exemption, which allowed Indian companies to continue work despite broad US sanctions on Iran.

Last months renewed US sanctions, following UN restrictions on Iran over its nuclear programme, had raised uncertainty about Chabahars future. The latest exemption, however, reaffirms the ports distinct position as both a commercial and humanitarian project vital to regional stability.

First Published: October 30, 2025, 15:33 IST

News india India Granted 6-Month Exemption From US Sanctions On Iran's Chabahar Port, Says MEA

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India Secures Extension Of US Sanctions Waiver For Iran's Chabahar Port Till Early Next Year

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 08:46 IST

The extension comes as a relief for India, which has been using Chabahar Port to send humanitarian aid and essential supplies to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan

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In 2024, India had signed a 10-year contract with Iran to operate the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the project. (AFP)

India has secured an extension of the United States sanctions waiver for operations at Irans strategic Chabahar Port till the early part of next year, ensuring continuity for one of New Delhis most important regional connectivity projects, government sources told CNN-News18.

The waiver, which had expired on Tuesday, allows India to continue developing and operating the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar through its public sector firm India Ports Global Limited (IPGL). The US had earlier set September 29 as the deadline for revoking waivers on sanctions linked to the Iranian port.

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The extension comes as a relief for India, which has been using Chabahar Port to send humanitarian aid and essential supplies to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. The port is also seen as a critical link to Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, offering them direct access to the Indian Ocean.

In 2024, India had signed a 10-year contract with Iran to operate the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the project. Under the agreement, IPGL manages port operations and infrastructure development, while promoting trade routes that connect the region through sea and land.

The Chabahar Port holds significant geopolitical and economic importance for India. It serves as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, reducing dependence on routes through Pakistan. The port is also being integrated with the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)a multimodal trade route linking India, Iran, Russia, and other Central Asian states.

The US sanctions on Iran, primarily targeting its energy and banking sectors, have complicated foreign investments in Iranian infrastructure. In a statement issued by the office of the spokesperson of the US Department of State on September 16, Washington said the revocation was consistent with President Trumps maximum pressure policy to isolate the Iranian regime, warning that those who continue operating at Chabahar or engage in related activities would risk exposure to sanctions.

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However, since 2018, the Chabahar project has repeatedly received waivers, recognising its strategic and humanitarian value.

India has expressed confidence that the waiver extension will help it deepen trade and connectivity with Central Asia, while also balancing its strategic relations with both Washington and Tehran.

About the Author Siddhant Mishra Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively ... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 08:46 IST

News india India Secures Extension Of US Sanctions Waiver For Iran's Chabahar Port Till Early Next Year

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J&K LG Manoj Sinha Sacks Two Government Employees For Terror Links

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 11:04 IST

The terminations of the two J&K government employees were carried out under Article 311 of the Indian Constitution.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. (PTI file photo)

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has dismissed two government employees in Jammu and Kashmir for alleged links with terrorist organisations. The terminations were carried out under Article 311 of the Constitution of India, which allows the government to remove public servants without an inquiry if deemed necessary for the security of the state.

The move forms part of the administrations ongoing zero-tolerance" policy against terrorism and efforts to dismantle the broader terror ecosystem within the Union Territory.

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The Jammu and Kashmir government has, in recent years, dismissed several employees on similar grounds as part of its intensified campaign to curb militancy and root out extremist influence from state institutions.

About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More

Location : Srinagar, India, India

First Published: October 30, 2025, 11:04 IST

News india J&K LG Manoj Sinha Sacks Two Government Employees For Terror Links

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'Make Me A Mother, Earn Rs 25 Lakh': Pune Man Loses Rs 11 Lakh In 'Pregnant Job' Scam

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 17:58 IST

The man was repeatedly asked to pay various charges, including registration fees, identity card charges, verification fees, GST, TDS, and processing fees

The case was reported at Baner police station, where an FIR has now been registered.

A 44-year-old contractor from Pune has lost Rs 11 lakh after falling victim to a bizarre social media scam promising Rs 25 lakh for impregnating a woman. The case was reported at Baner police station, where an FIR has now been registered.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the incident dates back to the first week of September, when the contractor came across a video advertisement by an entity calling itself Pregnant Job".

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In the video, a woman said in Hindi, I want a man who will make me a mother. Give the joy of motherhood. I will give him Rs 25 lakh. I dont care if he is educated or not, or to what caste he belongs or whether he is fair or dark."

After seeing the video, the contractor called the number provided and was connected to a man claiming to be an assistant of the so-called company. He was told that he would need to register with the firm and obtain an identity card to proceed.

Over the following weeks, the contractor was repeatedly asked to pay various charges, including registration fees, identity card charges, verification fees, GST, TDS, and processing fees.

A police officer involved in the investigation told the publication, The complainant was lured, manipulated and at times coerced in such a way that he made over 100 small transfers totalling Rs 11 lakh between first week of September and October 23. These payments were done through UPI and IMPS transfers."

When the contractor began asking questions about the legitimacy of the scheme, he was blocked by the fraudsters. Realising he had been duped, he approached the police, who immediately launched an investigation into the phone numbers and bank accounts used by the scammers.

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Cybercrime investigators in Pune noted that similar scams have been reported across the country since late 2022. Fraudsters have circulated social media advertisements featuring women, under names like Pregnant Job Service," offering men large sums of money to impregnate women. Victims are then asked to pay upfront fees for registration, medical tests, legal formalities, or security deposits. Once the payments are made, the scammers vanish.

Police in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and other states have already arrested several perpetrators linked to these scams, revealing that these operations are part of wider cybercrime networks exploiting social media and fake video content to cheat unsuspecting victims.

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 30, 2025, 17:58 IST

News india 'Make Me A Mother, Earn Rs 25 Lakh': Pune Man Loses Rs 11 Lakh In 'Pregnant Job' Scam

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Man Beaten To Death In UPs Hamirpur After Visiting Girlfriend Forced Into Marriage

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 08:42 IST

A man was beaten to death in Hamirpur after visiting his girlfriend, whose family opposed their relationship. The girl and his uncle attempted suicide.

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The woman died on October 16 in Khar. (Representative Image)

In a shocking incident, a man was beaten to death in Uttar Pradesh when he went to meet his girlfriend who was being forcibly married off by her family.

The deceased, identified as Ravi, a 35-year-old, had gone to meet Manisha, 18, in Hamirpur after hearing about her coming wedding. But he was the caught by the family, who, enraged, tied him up.

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They then began beating him with sticks, and residents of Parchchh village joined in. Despite being severely injured, the man was denied water when he asked for it, sources said, NDTV reported.

The attackers realised the seriousness of the situation after Ravi died. The girls uncle, 35-year-old Pintu, attempted suicide to avoid being accused of murder, sources said.

After this, the police were informed who then took Ravi and Pintu to the community health center in Maudaha, where doctors declared Ravi dead. Pintu was referred to the district hospital for treatment.

According to the sources, Manisha also attempted suicide after hearing that Ravi has died. She and her uncle are both in a critical condition, sources said. The police have admitted her to the community health center in Maudaha town.

The family has claimed that it was Ravi who had attacked Pintu.

Manishas grandmother said she had gone to Maudaha. When she returned, she found that Ravi had come to the house. When the girl called out, he stabbed Pintu," she said.

The girl, she added, had once eloped with this same man. He was already filled with anger," she said.

Manishas aunt, who is Pintus wife, said Ravi attacked Pintu as soon as he opened the door. He was knocking, and my husband went to check. The man was carrying a knife and stabbed him," she said.

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The incident has created an atmosphere of panic in the village.

NDTV quoted Diksha Sharma, the Superintendent of Police in Hamirpur, as saying that a dispute broke out between two groups in Parchchh village, in which a man died on the spot and another was injured. The girl also injured herself and is being treated at the district hospital, she said.

Location : Hamirpur, India, India

First Published: October 30, 2025, 08:42 IST

News india Man Beaten To Death In UPs Hamirpur After Visiting Girlfriend Forced Into Marriage

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BUSAN, South Korea, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday that China's development and revitalization goes hand in hand with U.S. President Donald Trump's vision to "Make America Great Again."

He made the remarks during a meeting with Trump after landing in Busan for the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, and a state visit to South Korea.

Xi said the two countries are fully able to help each other succeed and prosper together.

"China and the United States should be partners and friends. That is what history has taught us and what reality needs," he said.

Xi also said he is ready to continue working with Trump to build a solid foundation for China-U.S. relations and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries. 
Navi Mumbai Woman Dies By Suicide After Alleged Dowry Harassment; Husband, In-Laws Arrested

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Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 13:34 IST

A 21-year-old woman from Navi Mumbai died by suicide after alleged dowry harassment by her husband and in-laws.

Representative image for a crime spot (PTI)

A 21-year-old married woman in Maharashtras Navi Mumbai died by suicide after she was allegedly physically and mentally harassed by her in-laws.

The police in this connection arrested the womans husband, her mother-in-law, and her father-in-law.

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According to the details, the woman was identified as Vaishali Vinayak Pawar, who had married Umesh Pawar on May 10, 2023.

At the time of their wedding, Vaishalis family had given Rs 2.5 lakh and gold jewellery to her in-laws as per their demands.

Preliminary details into the case indicate that her husband and in-laws were pressuring her to bring an additional Rs 1 lakh from her parents home to buy a car.

As the matter was reported, the police registered a case against the womans husband, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law and others under Sections 304(B), 306, 498(A) of the Indian Penal Code and the Dowry Prohibition Act.

Those arrested in the case were identified as Umesh Pawar (husband), Aruna Pawar (mother-in-law), and Ramesh Pawar (father-in-law).

In a separate incident, a pregnant woman died under mysterious circumstances in Rajasthans Tonk district.

The incident took place under Old Tonk police station limits around 12.30 am on October 24, they said.

The womans family accused her husband, a clerk posted at the Superintendent of Polices office, of beating her to death.

The deceased woman, identified as Manisha, was married to Kuldeep Nayak about six months ago.

According to Manishas brother, Prahlad, a resident of Mamdoli in Sawai Madhopur district, Kuldeep frequently demanded dowry and used his position in the police department to intimidate her family.

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When the demands were not met, he allegedly assaulted his wife.

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 Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: October 30, 2025, 13:31 IST

News india Navi Mumbai Woman Dies By Suicide After Alleged Dowry Harassment; Husband, In-Laws Arrested

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Pahalgam Attack: MHA Appoints Special Public Prosecutor To Oversee Trial

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Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 10:46 IST

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had achieved a key breakthrough by making the two locals arrested in June reveal the identities of the Pahalgam attackers.

The three terrorists  Suleman Shah (alias Faizal Jatt), Abu Hamza (alias Afghan), and Yasir (alias Jibran)  were all high-ranking LeT commanders. (AP Image)

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has appointed Shri Singh, Advocate, as the Special Public Prosecutor to oversee the Pahalgam terror attack trial and all related proceedings of the case, signalling the governments intent to ensure a swift and effective prosecution.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had achieved a key breakthrough by making the two locals arrested in June reveal the identities of the Pahalgam attackers.

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The NIAs investigation had led to the arrest of two local residents  Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar, a resident of Batkote, Pahalgam, and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park, Pahalgam in June. According to official sources, both men provided logistical support and shelter to the terrorists before and after the attack. During interrogation, the duo reportedly revealed key information regarding the identities of the attackers and confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated with LeT.

NIA officials have stated that these disclosures mark a crucial breakthrough in the case, as it provides concrete links between local facilitators and the cross-border terror network responsible for the massacre. The agency has intensified efforts to track down the remaining members of the module and identify the handlers operating from Pakistan.

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The appointment of a Special Public Prosecutor by the MHA underscores the seriousness with which the government is pursuing justice for the victims. The NIA, known for its expertise in handling complex terror cases, is expected to file a comprehensive chargesheet soon.

The attack, which took place on April 22 in the Pahalgam area of south Kashmir, left the entire nation in shock. At least 26 innocent tourists were killed and 16 others sustained serious injuries in the attack. The victims included several families who were visiting the scenic valley, a popular tourist destination. The assault was later traced to militants affiliated with Pakistans Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

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 30, 2025, 10:39 IST

News india Pahalgam Attack: MHA Appoints Special Public Prosecutor To Oversee Trial

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PM Modi Accuses INDI Bloc Leaders Of Insulting People Of Bihar

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 14:00 IST

PM Modi cited an instance where a "Chief Minister of Punjab from the Congress party had said that he would not allow people from Bihar to enter Punjab".

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Earlier in the day, PM Modi addressed an election rally in Muzaffarpur and alleged that Congress and RJD leaders were insulting 'Chhathi Maiyya' to get votes in the Bihar elections. (Photo: BJP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hit out at the INDI bloc allies, mainly Congress and DMK, for allegedly insulting the people of Bihar.

Addressing a BJP rally in Bihars Chhapra, PM Modi cited an instance where a Chief Minister of Punjab from the Congress party had said that he would not allow people from Bihar to enter Punjab".

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A sitting Chief Minister of Punjab from the Congress party, during a rally, said that he would not allow people from Bihar to enter Punjab. At that time, a daughter from the Congress family, who is now an MP, was present on the stage and clapping at the statement made by the sitting Chief Minister of Punjab. Congress leaders in Karnataka and Telangana abuse people from Bihar, and their ally, DMK, also abuses Biharis in Tamil Nadu. During these elections, the leaders who abused Biharis in their states have been called to campaign for the INDI alliance," he said.

The Prime Minister alleged the RJD-Congress alliance disrespects faith and is against development. He also accused the Mahagathbandhan partners of saving infiltrators.

I am feeling very blessed as my mothers and sisters have come in large numbers to bless me. I give a guarantee to the youth of Bihar: Your dream is my resolve. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and I are doing our best to fulfill your dreams. It is very important for the NDA candidates to win the elections to fulfill your dreams," he said.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi addressed an election rally in Muzaffarpur and alleged that Congress and RJD leaders were insulting Chhathi Maiyya to get votes in the Bihar elections.

It is my first tour of Bihar after Chhath Puja, which is now famous world over. The festival stands not just for devotion but also for equality, a reason why my government is trying to get a UNESCO heritage tag for this festival. I listen to Chhath songs while travelling. I was once moved to listen to one of these songs rendered by a girl from Nagaland. But while this son of yours is busy ensuring that Chhath gets the honour that is its due, the Congress-RJD people are heaping scorn on the festival, calling it a drama, a nautanki," said Modi.

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The statement came a day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the PM had tried to enact a drama" by planning to take a dip in the Yamuna at Delhi on the occasion of Chhath Puja, but it was shelved after it was exposed that a puddle had been formed with clean, piped water since the river is so filthy.

About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19

First Published: October 30, 2025, 13:57 IST

News india PM Modi Accuses INDI Bloc Leaders Of Insulting People Of Bihar

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Rajnath Singh To Meet US Defence Secretary Hegseth In Malaysia, Boeing Aircraft Deal On Agenda

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 14:28 IST

The Rajnath-Hegseth meeting is significance after months of strained ties triggered by Washingtons decision to double tariffs on Indian products to 50% in August.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. (Rajnath Singh/X)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to meet his US counterpart, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting.

The discussions, scheduled for Thursday, come at a critical time as both nations seek to de-escalate tensions arising from the recent US tariff hikes on Indian imports. Officials from both sides have confirmed that this will be the first face-to-face meeting between Singh and Hegseth.

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Focus on defence cooperation

A key agenda item is Indias planned purchase of six Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy. The deal, estimated at over $2 billion, is seen as a strategic move to bolster Indias maritime surveillance capabilities amid growing regional challenges. The two leaders are also expected to discuss a new defence cooperation framework, aimed at enhancing interoperability, joint exercises, and technology transfer between the two militaries.

India-US relations

This meeting assumes significance after months of strained ties triggered by Washingtons decision to double tariffs on Indian products to 50% in August. The US move was reportedly in retaliation to Indias continued imports of Russian crude oil, despite Western sanctions on Moscow. Singh had been due to visit Washington that month, but the trip was cancelled following the diplomatic friction.

However, relations appear to be on the mend. Indian refiners have since reduced Russian oil purchases, following fresh US sanctions on Moscows top energy exporters. Both New Delhi and Washington now view the ASEAN meeting as an opportunity to reset ties and strengthen their defence and economic partnership.

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As per reports, the meeting could pave the way for a bilateral visit by either Singh or Hegseth in the coming months. Rajnath is also expected to address the ASEAN forum on November 1, where he will highlight Indias commitment to regional security and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific.

US President Donald Trump, currently touring Asia, told reporters in South Korea on Wednesday that he was keen to reach a trade deal with India, signalling a renewed interest in stabilising relations.

About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: October 30, 2025, 14:28 IST

News india Rajnath Singh To Meet US Defence Secretary Hegseth In Malaysia, Boeing Aircraft Deal On Agenda

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Mumbais Art And Culture Events To Check Out This Season

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 11:21 IST

Mumbais art and culture scene shines bright this season, with a dynamic lineup of exhibitions, performances, and creative showcases.

From evocative exhibitions to stirring performances, Mumbais cultural landscape this season celebrates creativity in every form where tradition meets modernity and the city itself becomes a living canvas.

As the year draws to a close, Mumbai transforms into a vibrant tapestry of creativity and culture. The citys art galleries, theatres, and performance spaces come alive with exhibitions, retrospectives, and festivals that celebrate imagination in all its forms. From visual arts and dance to music and storytelling, every corner hums with expression and energy. Its a season that invites reflection, dialogue, and discovery where tradition meets innovation, and creativity knows no bounds. Whether youre an art connoisseur or a curious wanderer, Mumbai this season offers endless inspiration beneath its ever-glowing skyline.

Mythology, Magic & Modernity: Artist Nandan Purkayastha Unveils Continuum at Jehangir Art Gallery

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This November, the prestigious Jehangir Art Gallery in Mumbai is all set to host Continuum, a solo exhibition of paintings, drawings, and sculptures by Delhi-based contemporary artist Nandan Purkayastha. Opening on 5th November 2025 and running through the 10th, this show is the culmination of three years of fervent labour, imagination, and devotion to form. Presented by Sanchit Art Gallery, the collection of approximately 40 artworks bears the imprint of a childhood steeped in regional tradition, the adoring gaze of an earnest spectator, and a travellers restlessness to explore.

A self-taught artist, Purkayastha brings to his work a keen eye for drapery, silhouette, and drama, qualities that infuse both his canvases and sculptures with theatrical presence. His bold visual language draws from Indian mythology and folklore from the sculpted forms of temple idols to the lyrical rhythm of regional traditions. His art oscillates between monochrome intensity and high-contrast colour palettes, reflecting a fascination with form, light, and shadow, where gods and legends are reimagined through a modern sensibility.

Textures & Tones: Dr. Sulochana Gawde & Dr. Harsh Thakker Showcase Heritage and Harmony at Nehru Centre

This November, the exhibition Textures & Tones brings together Dr. Sulochana Gawde and Dr. Harsh Thakker at the Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Worli, from 4th to 10th November 2025. The show presents a dialogue between two distinct yet complementary artistic journeys, where texture, tone, and tradition take centre stage.

Dr. Gawdes collection of over 20 oil paintings, created over five years, reflects her deep connection with Indian heritage and culture. Working primarily with a palette knife, she builds layers of movement, memory, and cultural rhythm across her canvases. Alongside her, Dr. Thakker showcases around 2530 works that draw inspiration from nature, architecture, and stillness. His impressionist-meets-contemporary style captures the calm beauty of everyday life through rich textures and layered tones.

Together, their works strike a balance between heritage and nature, offering a thoughtful dialogue between tradition and contemporary expression.

Date: 4th10th November 2025

Timings: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Venue: Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Worli, Mumbai

Nakshatra Dance Festival  NCPA

The Nakshatra Dance Festival at the NCPA has long been one of Mumbais cultural high points, a confluence of rhythm, movement, and devotion. This years edition brings together some of the countrys finest names in classical dance.

The festival opens with Dr. Sunanda Nairs lyrical Mohiniattam ensemble and Bichitrananda Swains Rudrakshya Foundation, performing Odissi pieces that explore rhythm and myth in equal measure. The following evening, Mallika Sarabhais Meanwhile Elsewhere" reimagines the stage as a poetic dreamscape, a conversation between light, memory, and motion. The finale, featuring Priti Patels Ishanou  The Black Swan" and Piyal Bhattacharyas Saraccarucakram Kala", ties tradition to transcendence.

With residencies and masterclasses led by leading performers, Nakshatra remains a reminder that Indias classical forms are not relics, but living, evolving languages.

Dates: October 30  November 1, 2025

Venue: NCPA, Nariman Point

Geometries of the Infinite  Akkitham Narayanan Retrospective

Artworld  Saralas Art Centre, a Chennai-based gallery celebrating 60 years of its legacy, presents Geometries of the Infinite at Jehangir Art Gallery, a major retrospective of renowned modernist Akkitham Narayanan, curated by Anahita Daruwala Banerjee. The exhibition brings together more than six decades of Narayanans work, blending Indian tantric symbolism with European geometric abstraction to create a balance between the spiritual and the rational.

Over his distinguished career, Narayanan has received several honours, including the Tamil Nadu State Lalit Kala Akademi Award (three times in the 1960s), the International Painting Festival Award (Cagnes-sur-Mer, 1972), the K. C. S. Paniker Puraskaram (2009), and the Raja Ravi Varma Award (2017).

A third-generation gallerist, curator, and writer, Anahita Daruwala Banerjee continues the legacy of her grandfather Soli Ratanshah Daruwala, founder of Saralas Art Centre in 1965. Her curatorial vision bridges Indian modernism and global art conversations, positioning Artworld as both a custodian of heritage and a platform for contemporary dialogue.

Dates: November 1826, 2025

Venue: Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda

Art Mumbai  The City as Canvas

Few events capture Mumbais creative pulse quite like Art Mumbai. Returning this November to the Mahalaxmi Racecourse, the fair brings together 82 leading galleries from India and around the world. Visitors can explore an impressive range of modern and contemporary art, attend curated talks, and experience the outdoor sculpture park that adds a touch of open-air charm to the fair.

Over four days, the city once again becomes a meeting point for artists, collectors, and anyone who loves art in all its forms.

Dates: November 1316, 2025

Venue: Mahalaxmi Racecourse

Keys to Joy  A Celebration of the Pianos Many Moods

The piano takes centre stage at the NCPAs Tata Theatre this November with Keys to Joy, a concert that traverses genres from jazz and funk to soul and pop. The evening features seven of the countrys most exciting pianists: Anurag Naidu, Gulraj Singh, Rahul Wadhwani, Archit Kadam, Swarrang Mulekar, Mantra Upadhyay, and Ayaan Deshpande.

What binds them together is a shared reverence for the instrument and its ability to shift from meditative to mischievous within a few bars. Its an evening that promises to remind audiences why the piano, in all its versatility, continues to hold its place as musics universal voice.

Date: November 1, 2025

Venue: Tata Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point

Aamchi Mumbai

This October, the NCPA turns its spotlight on the city that never stops moving with Aamchi Mumbai, a special evening built around the words and music of legendary poet and lyricist Gulzar. Curated and co-presented by theatre-maker Salim Arif, the programme blends readings, live music, and conversation to explore how Mumbai has shaped and been shaped by one of Indias most distinctive literary voices.

Where: Tata Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point

When: October 31, 2025 | 6:30 p.m.

An NCPA Presentation Curated & Presented by Salim Arif

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A Season of Movement and Meaning

From the grace of Nakshatra to the meditative hues of Geometries of the Infinite, Mumbai this season is a city in conversation with itself between tradition and modernity, sound and silence, restlessness and reflection. For those who live for art, or simply crave beauty amid the chaos, the months ahead offer every reason to linger a little longer in its glow.

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 30, 2025, 11:21 IST

News lifestyle events Mumbais Art And Culture Events To Check Out This Season
Sydney Sweeneys See-Through Silver Gown Owns The Red Carpet At Varietys Power Of Women Event

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Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 11:01 IST

Sydney Sweeney turned heads at Varietys 2025 Power of Women event in a dazzling sheer silver gown by Christian Cowan

Sydney Sweeney masters the art of the see-through at Varietys Power of Women Event

Sydney Sweeney made a dazzling style statement at Varietys 2025 Power of Women event on October 29, turning the red carpet into her personal runway. The 28-year-old actor stunned in a sheer, silver gown by Christian Cowan, channeling high-octane glamour with a modern, see-through twist. Every inch of the look radiated confidence and sophistication, a perfect blend of bold fashion and effortless grace.

Inside Sydney Sweeneys Sparkling Red Carpet Look

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Sydneys gown was nothing short of a couture fantasy. Designed by Christian Cowan, the shimmering floor-length creation was crafted from crystal-embellished mesh that played beautifully with the light. The dress featured a relaxed T-shirt silhouette with subtle ruching at the waist, a clever detail that gave structure to its ethereal sheerness.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by CHRISTIAN COWAN (@christiancowan)

Balancing the gowns dramatic edge, Sydney opted for understated diamond jewelry, delicate drop earrings and stacked rings that lent a refined sparkle without overpowering the look. The result? A daring yet elegant ensemble that proved why Sydney remains one of Hollywoods most fearless red carpet trendsetters.

Complementing her gown, Sydney embraced a beauty look that was equal parts radiant and edgy. Her platinum-blonde bob framed her face perfectly, while her crystal-inspired eye makeup elevated the entire look. Soft silver eyeliner traced her crease and lower lash line, catching the light with every blink. With minimal base makeup and a nude lip, her glam was subtle yet striking allowing her eyes (and gown) to do all the talking.

The Internet Cant Get Enough

It didnt take long for Sydneys look to set social media ablaze. On October 30, designer Christian Cowan shared photos and videos of the star wearing his Spring/Summer 2026 crystal mesh gown, captioning the post:

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Sydney Sweeney wears the Christian Cowan x Elias Matso crystal twisted waist gown from the Christian Cowan Spring Summer 2026 collection."

Fans flooded the comments with praise and fire emojis. Wow, unreal!" one user gushed, while another wrote, Thats one of the prettiest dresses Ive ever seen." Others kept it simple with stunning," beautiful," and countless heart-eye emojis proving that Sydney Sweeneys sparkling silver moment was a red carpet triumph.

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 30, 2025, 11:01 IST

News lifestyle fashion Sydney Sweeneys See-Through Silver Gown Owns The Red Carpet At Varietys Power Of Women Event
7 Natural Ways to Restore Your Gut Health After the Festive Season

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 17:54 IST

If youre feeling bloated, sluggish, or irregular post-celebration, its time to give your gut the care it deserves

Heres how to reset your digestion naturally

The festive season is a time for joy and indulgence but your digestive system may not always keep up with those extra sweets and heavy meals. If youre feeling bloated, sluggish, or irregular post-celebration, its time to give your gut the care it deserves. Heres how to reset your digestion naturally and how adding Yakult to your routine can make all the difference.

1. Rehydrate Generously

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After days of festive food and late nights, hydration is your guts best friend. Drinking enough water helps flush toxins, supports digestion, and keeps bowel movements smooth and regular.

2. Eat Real, Light, and Fiber-Rich

Reintroduce clean foods gentlyvegetable soups, fruits, whole grains, and steamed greens help your system reset. Soluble fiber from apples, oats, or carrots feeds healthy gut bacteria and restores rhythm naturally.

3. Include More Fermented Foods

Fermented foods like curd, pickles, kefir, and kimchi are natural probiotics that can replenish the gut microbiome. Adding these helps rebalance gut flora disrupted by festive overindulgence.

4. Drink Yakult Daily

Yakult, containing over 6.5 billion live beneficial Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) bacteria, is scientifically proven to improve digestion and gut immunity.

According to studies cited on Yakult Indias research page, daily LcS intake has been linked to:

 Improved bowel regularity and stool consistency

 Relief from constipation and bloating

 Enhanced immune system performance through activation of natural killer (NK) cells and increased anti-inflammatory cytokines

 Reduction of stress and fatigue, as seen in studies on athletes who showed decreased anxiety and better aerobic capacity after 6 weeks of probiotic consumption

These findings show that Yakults LcS strain doesnt just support digestionit strengthens systemic wellness, enhancing your bodys natural defenses and promoting overall balance.

5. Spice It Down, Slow It Up

Give your digestive system a break from heavy, spicy food. Opt for turmeric tea, fennel water, or cumin-infused warm drinks that aid gentle detox and soothe inflammation.

6. Move a Little Every Day

A post-lunch walk or short yoga session encourages better digestion and metabolic balance. Physical movement boosts gut activity and helps you feel lighter and more energetic.

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7. Sleep and Destress

Your gut and mind are deeply connected, the more rested and relaxed you are, the healthier your gut is. Practice mindful breathing, get 78 hours of sleep, and limit caffeine or alcohol post-festivities.

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 30, 2025, 17:54 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness 7 Natural Ways to Restore Your Gut Health After the Festive Season
Early Detection Saves Lives: Why Every Woman Should Prioritize Breast Self-Examination And Screening

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 18:26 IST

Taking care of breast health is one of the most important ways to protect yourself

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, and its incidence is rising in India. Yet, despite medical advancements, late-stage diagnoses remain a significant challenge. Early detection through breast self-examination (BSE) and regular screenings can make a life-saving difference. Dr. Manoj Mahajan, Director  Medical Oncology, Paras Health Udaipur, explains why every woman should prioritize these practices.

Getting to Know Your Body: The Power of Breast Self-Exams (BSE)

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Breast self-examination, or BSE, is really about getting to know your own body  and theres nothing more empowering than that. Its a simple, non-invasive way to check your breasts for any changes, whether thats a lump, a dimple in the skin, or unusual nipple discharge. By doing this regularly, you begin to recognize whats normal for you, so any changes stand out immediately.

Its important to remember that BSE isnt a replacement for regular check-ups or mammograms, but it serves as a first line of defense. Women who check themselves regularly often notice changes early, which means they can reach out to a doctor sooner rather than later. And in health, timing can make a world of difference.

Think of BSE as a small but powerful act of self-care. Spending just a few minutes a month with your own body can give you peace of mind, help you feel more connected to your health, and, most importantly, catch potential problems when theyre easiest to treat. Its about paying attention, trusting yourself, and taking charge of your well-being, one gentle check at a time.

Screening Guidelines for Women

Taking care of your breasts isnt just about routine appointments, its about truly knowing your body and paying attention to any small changes. Screening schedules can differ depending on age and personal risk, but what matters most is staying aware and proactive.

In your 30s, its a good time to start regular check-ups with a healthcare professional and get into the habit of monthly self-checks. Spending a few minutes noticing what feels normal can make it easier to spot anything unusual.

As you move into your 40s, check-ins become even more important. Your doctor might suggest screenings or tests more often, and keeping up with these visits gives you reassurance and a chance to catch changes early.

For women over 50, staying consistent with both professional screenings and self-checks is crucial. Even small differences can matter, and noticing them early can make any follow-up care simpler and less stressful. Its easy to put these checks on the back burner, but making them part of your routine is empowering. Screening isnt just about medicine  its about looking after yourself, staying informed, and taking control of your health in a way that really matters.

Why Early Detection Matters

Breast cancer can feel like an overwhelming topic, but heres the truth: catching it early can change everything. When detected at an early stage, the five-year survival rate is around 99%. Thats not just a number, its hope. Smaller tumors are less likely to have spread, treatment is more effective, and recovery is often simpler. Early detection gives women the chance to take control and face the future with confidence.

In India, medical advancements are making early detection more accessible and less intimidating. One breakthrough is the Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy (VABB). At Mahavir Cancer Sansthan in Patna, for instance, doctors offer this modern, minimally invasive procedure  the first in the state. VABB allows doctors to accurately diagnose even tiny breast lesions and can remove benign tumors of 35 cm, all under local anesthesia, on a day-care basis. This means less stress, quicker recovery, and earlier answers  because knowledge is power.

However, early detection isnt only about technology. Its about awareness, listening to your body, and acting promptly. Its noticing subtle changes, trusting your instincts, and reaching out to a professional without delay. Every self-check, every screening, every test is a small but vital step toward peace of mind.

The message is simple yet profound: paying attention today can save a life tomorrow. At the end of the day, early detection isnt just about medicine its about hope, empowerment, and giving yourself the best chance at a healthy future.

Overcoming Challenges in Breast Cancer Detection

Even with all the medical advances today, detecting breast cancer early can still be difficult for many women in India, as there are real hurdles both seen and unseen. One of the biggest challenges is awareness. Many women dont realize how important regular self-examination and screenings are, or what changes to look for.

A small lump, a tiny dimple, or unusual discharge can be easy to miss if you dont know what to watch for. By the time a change is noticed, the cancer may have grown, making treatment more complicated.

Fear and stigma also play a huge role. In some communities, talking about breasts or breast health is still considered uncomfortable or even taboo. The fear of being diagnosed with cancer, or simply the embarrassment of discussing something so personal, can stop women from visiting a doctor until its too late. Its natural to feel anxious  but these fears shouldnt prevent timely action.

Access to healthcare is another challenge, especially for women living in smaller towns or rural areas. Advanced screening tools and cancer centers are mostly in cities, and traveling long distances can be difficult. Work, family responsibilities, and daily life often take priority, and screenings get delayed.

The bright side is that these challenges can be overcome. What women need most is knowledge, support, and accessible care. Awareness campaigns, local health programs, and empathetic healthcare teams can give women the guidance and confidence to take the right steps. When women feel informed and supported, breast cancer can be detected earlier, treatment becomes simpler, and lives are saved.

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Taking care of breast health is one of the most important ways to protect yourself. Regular self-exams and timely screenings help you notice changes early, when treatment is simpler, faster, and more effective. These steps give you real control over your health and allow problems to be addressed before they grow.

Early detection saves lives. By following recommended check-ups, staying aware of your body, and seeking medical advice when something feels off, you can significantly improve treatment outcomes and your overall well-being. Making breast health a priority isnt just a medical step  its a practical, proactive way to safeguard your life and your future.

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 30, 2025, 18:17 IST

News lifestyle health-and-fitness Early Detection Saves Lives: Why Every Woman Should Prioritize Breast Self-Examination And Screening
Opinion | Anthem Of Discord: In Row Over 'Amar Sonar Bangla', One Side's Pride Is Another's Prejudice?

Written By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 18:04 IST

For all its talk of tolerance, the Congress in Assam has taken the side of Bengali speakers

Amar Sonar Bangla, meaning My Golden Bengal, was written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1905 as a protest against the first partition of Bengal. (File image/News18 Hindi)

At a Congress event in Assams Barak Valley, the singing of Amar Sonar Bangla (appropriated from Rabindranath Tagore by Bangladesh for its national anthem) has sparked outrage in some quarters of Assam and Bharat. Why? Because context matters.

Assams politics is steeped in a febrile mix of identity, migration, and linguistic assertion. For a section of Assamese, the hymn feels like a breach of sensitivity. The hymn was written by Tagore to instill a sense of oneness among Bengalis who were being pulled in different directions during the first partition of Bengal in 1905.

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So, while for Bengalis the hymn evokes a sense of shared culture in a greater" Bengal, in Assamese-speaking people, already a linguistic minority, its rendition exacerbates their ongoing cultural and demographic marginalisation in Assam. Unfortunately, the upcoming population census findings will, in fact, only underline this sense of diminution further. Is it a wonder then that the reaction among Assamese is one of anger with the Congress for a presumed betrayal?

The Assam CM, for instance, has labelled the Congresss decision to defend and justify the rendition of Amar Sonar Bangla in a pocket of the Bengali-dominated Barak Valley as an act of performative chauvinism. An act that he and other Assamese speakers insist should be prosecuted in law as an egregious breach of sovereignty. While thats debatable, for the Congress, as pointed out, at a time when identity is hotly contested, striking such a jarring political note suggests the party is tone-deaf to the sentiment of Assamese speakers in Assam.

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For all its talk of tolerance, the Congress in Assam has taken the side of Bengali speakers. That it has picked a team is ironic to say the least. Remember, the Congress has not done so in other states where it shares power. For example, it has not stood up for the rights of Hindi-speaking north Indians in Tamil Nadu. There, its southern ally, the DMK, targets Hindi at every available opportunity. Complaints about Hindi cultural imposition" routinely rent the airtheres no talk of shared" anything then.

Whats an even greater contradiction is that apologists for the Congresss silence over the rejection of Hindi by its allies in states like Tamil Nadu often remind Hindi speakers that celebrating cultural pride demands political prudence. This is especially true of regions that still measure belonging in emotional terms, as quite clearly a section of Assamese speakers in Assam does. But is anyone in the Congress ecosystem that is championing the rendition of Amar Sonar Bangla" by Bengali speakers in Assam deferring to the sentiments of Assamese speakers in the spirit of accommodation? No. Instead, those Assamese speakers who are upset are being labelled Sanghis. What selectivity! What hypocrisy!

About the Author Rahul Shivshankar Rahul Shivshankar is Consulting Editor at Network18. He tweets at @RShivshankar

First Published: October 30, 2025, 18:01 IST

News opinion Opinion | Anthem Of Discord: In Row Over 'Amar Sonar Bangla', One Side's Pride Is Another's Prejudice?

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Opinion | Charting A Blueprint For India-China Cooperation

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 15:31 IST

New Delhis challenge is to institutionalise engagement with China that strengthens internal capabilities, hedges against risks, and preserves strategic autonomy

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PM Narendra Modi in China: PM Modi meets Xi Jinping on SCO Summit sidelines (Reuters File Image)

The normalisation of India-China ties is on an upward trajectory following Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to China, where he met President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Leaders Summit. This moment was preceded by sustained high-level exchanges since the two leaders reached an understanding on troop disengagement at the border in October 2024. While Chinese media welcomed the dragon-elephant tango, the Indian strategic community remained skeptical.

Much of the mainstream commentariat in India leaned heavily on summitry, body language, and the optics of the Putin-Modi-Xi troika. Familiar phrases resurfaced: cautious optimism", China cannot be trusted," and warnings against a return to Hindi-Chini bhai-bhai". Nonetheless, there was broad consensus in New Delhi that the recent thaw cannot resolve fundamental differences between the two. This was evident by recent reports of China hardening aircraft hangers at a strategic town close in the Line of Actual Control in the Arunachal Pradesh.

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Both sides have resumed direct flights this month and eased visa regulations for tourists and business professionals. China also opened its market for Indian pharmaceutical exports and eased the restrictions on rare earth minerals. Speculations of an early harvest in border negotiations have also surfaced, potentially involving the delimitation and demarcation of the least disputed middle sector. Yet no short-term breakthrough can substitute for a strategic vision.

Indias China policy cannot remain tethered to the immediate state of bilateral ties or the whims of a third leader, be it Mr Trump or Mr Putin. Such an approach risks reducing New Delhis strategy to something reactive, ad hoc, and devoid of foresight. Until this challenge is addressed, Indias answer to the China question will remain elusive. This circles back to the million-dollar question: What is Indias China strategy? How should these positive developments be situated within a coherent strategic framework? What should be the modus operandi for engaging China? And what tangible benefits can India reasonably expect from cooperation?

What can India get out of China?

Most bargaining theories suggest that no relationship is purely conflictual or purely cooperative. Though India and China are engaged in an enduring rivalry and strategic competition in the subcontinent, it is possible to arrive at a modus operandi where both countries cooperate in an otherwise competitive relationship. To achieve this, it is crucial to articulate Indias fundamental interests with respect to China. Those interests could be pursued despite the boundary dispute, Beijings support for arming Pakistan, or its expanding footprint across the Indian subcontinent.

To that end, Indias interests with China can be divided into two categories. The first is negative. India must ensure that China remains managed and does not become openly hostile. This entails maintaining peace and tranquility at the border, extracting concessions or waivers when Beijing directs geo-economic coercion against the West, and coordinating pro-multipolar policies among the BRICS and Global South. The second is positive: India can draw lessons from Chinas rise and adopt best practices to accelerate its own development. For internal balancing in a challenging geopolitical environment, India can leverage Chinese experience to address governance, infrastructure, and social-sector challenges. Post-independence India has frequently looked to the West for importing best practices, facilitating technology transfer, and forging people-to-people ties. However, the Western experience cannot solve the problem of scale posed by Indias large population. China has tackled the problem of scale in its successful development journey.

Once objectives are defined, the challenge of execution begins. The notion of external balancing with China against the West is illusory. Systemic constraints and conflicting interests will prevent any alignment between the Asian giants. Trust remains low, and long-term risks of interdependence persist. India cannot afford to repeat the mistake of the 2000s, when cheap Chinese goods boosted domestic consumption but fostered structural dependence in trade and technology. These vulnerabilities can now be exploited during times of crisis. In this context, New Delhi must establish clear guardrails for engagement and identify issue areas that advance Indias long-term interests without leaving it exposed to strategic blackmail.

A Framework for India-China Cooperation

As external balancing with China is out of the question, every possible avenue of cooperation can be placed on a 22 matrix, determined by security risk and potential for internal balancing. Security risk captures the negative externalities, including short-term exploitation if the current normalisation proves deceptive, or long-term vulnerability if ties again sour in the future. As two ancient civilisational states with a deep sense of history, India and China will have highs and lows in their relationship. Therefore, any prudent engagement with China requires preparing for the next cycle when differences resurface.

Potential for internal balancing denotes how an issue-specific cooperation with China can strengthen Indias comprehensive national power. Contrary to traditional measurements of internal balancing in material terms like military and economic power, a wide net must be cast to identify the issue areas. Sectors such as urban planning, education, and governance reform act as force multipliers by unlocking citizens potential, removing inefficiencies in public life, and sustaining economic growth.

Based on the above criteria, areas of engagement with China can be divided into four distinct quadrants.

First, high-security-risk and low internal-balancing issues. They should be put off the table. These encompass the most troublesome aspects of the relationship, including Beijings support for Pakistan, its assertive footprint across the subcontinent, and the asymmetric trade in finished goods. Being a stronger country, China will have a natural advantage in any engagement which would create vulnerability for India without delivering any benefits.

Second, low-security-risk and low internal-balancing areas. They are easiest to pursue. These include tourism and pilgrimage, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural cooperation. While they may seem modest, these initiatives will expose the citizens of both countries to one another, foster trust, and help move both India and China beyond the Western gaze of each others perceptions. They represent low-hanging fruit in the relationship.

Third, low security risk but high internal-balancing issues. They offer India the greatest upside. These can include studying Chinas education system, exploring its R&D and innovation ecosystem, learning from urban planning practices, and facilitating technology transfer in climate action and the clean energy transition. Engagement here strengthens Indias national power while posing minimal risk.

Fourth, high-security-risk and high internal-balancing issues. They are most complex and require calibrated engagement. Though mutually beneficial, cooperation in areas such as resolution of the border dispute, supply chain integration, and technology transfers requires trust and momentum that are currently absent. China has little incentive to resolve the border dispute as it would free India to emerge as a maritime power. On the other hand, India is wary of technology and supply chain dependence that would hinder manufacturing ambitions, stagnate it in downstream processes, and leave it susceptible to coercion.

Conclusion

The path to India-China normalisation does not lie in indulging in euphoria or succumbing to paranoia. Instead, it demands a blend of pragmatism, foresight, and open-mindedness. Optimism must be balanced by realism, and cooperation should be pursued as a tool to advance Indias long-term interests.

India should prioritise areas of low security risk and high internal-balancing potential, while steering clear of initiatives that create vulnerability without tangible gain. Cultural exchanges, tourism, and education cooperation can build trust, whereas guarded investments, urban planning, and innovation partnerships can accelerate Indias development journey. At the same time, high-risk, high-reward areas such as border dispute resolution or supply chain integration require prudence.

Ultimately, India-China relations will remain competition more than cooperative, shaped by historical memory, geopolitical constraints, and strategic rivalry. New Delhis challenge is to institutionalise engagement with China that strengthens internal capabilities, hedges against risks, and preserves strategic autonomy.

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That said, peace and tranquility along the border remain the foundation of any relationship with China. This objective is best served by continued investment in border infrastructure and preparedness for potential contingencies.

The author is a PhD candidate at Indiana University Bloomington and is a Consultant at Rashtram School of Public Leadership, Rishihood University.

First Published: October 30, 2025, 15:31 IST

News opinion Opinion | Charting A Blueprint For India-China Cooperation

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Shi Taifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee's Organization Department, meets with the foreign representatives attending the second meeting of China-Central Asia political parties dialogue in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

BEIJING, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Shi Taifeng, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with the foreign representatives attending the second meeting of China-Central Asia political parties dialogue in Beijing on Thursday.

Shi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the CPC Central Committee's Organization Department, said China-Central Asia cooperation has entered a new stage of high-quality development.

The CPC is willing to work with political parties from Central Asian countries to carry forward the China-Central Asia Spirit, deepen exchanges of experiences in party and state governance, and contribute wisdom and strength to their joint pursuit of modernization through high-quality development, he said.

He also spoke about the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

The foreign representatives expressed readiness to deepen exchanges and cooperation with China and their willingness to make joint efforts in advancing modernization. 
Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 14:06 IST

It was Patel who envisioned the IAS and IPS as impartial, merit-driven institutions that would serve the Constitution above all else. (Image: PTI File)

History remembers few statesmen who turned vision into enduring legacy. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was one such titan  a man whose clarity of purpose transformed a continent-sized idea into a living nation.

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When India was born in 1947, it wasnt a single entity but a jigsaw of princely states, regions, and provinces. The British had left behind not one India, but many Indias  divided by geography, power, and suspicion.

Amid this uncertainty, Patel saw not fragments but a possibility: a nation that could hold together through shared destiny.

The Iron Will That United a Continent

Appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Patel worked relentlessly to bring over 560 princely states into the Indian Union. His diplomacy with kings, nawabs, and maharajas was a masterclass in negotiation  a blend of persuasion, pragmatism, and principle.

He convinced rulers like those of Mysore, Bhopal, and Gwalior to accede through goodwill; he resolved the Hyderabad crisis through swift action; he ensured the annexation of Junagadh through the will of its people.

Patels success was not merely administrative  it was civilisational. In just two years, he stitched together the fabric of a nation that might otherwise have torn itself apart.

The Philosophy of Unity in Diversity

Patels understanding of Indias essence was profound. He saw its diversity not as disorder, but as divine design. He believed that Indias many faiths, languages, and traditions were like rivers flowing into one ocean.

He once said, India has to live as one family, with all its children equal before her."

That philosophy is visible in the India of today  where hundreds of languages are spoken, yet the national anthem unites every voice; where temples, mosques, and churches stand within streets of one another; where the same sky shelters every difference.

This cultural inclusivity is Patels greatest legacy  one that still shields India from the centrifugal pulls of division.

The Guardians of Unity  Police and CAPFs

While Patel united the country in spirit and structure, his legacy lives daily in the men and women who protect it  Indias Police Forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).

From patrolling international borders to defusing internal conflicts, they are the modern custodians of Patels India. Their discipline and sacrifice uphold what Patel called the life-blood of the nation  internal peace."

It was Patel who envisioned the IAS and IPS as impartial, merit-driven institutions that would serve the Constitution above all else. Today, these services remain the administrative pillars that ensure continuity and stability in an ever-changing political landscape.

When floods strike, when unrest erupts, when terror threatens  it is these forces that stand between chaos and calm. In them lives Patels belief that unity must be guarded not only by ideals, but by action.

Women  The Silent Architects of Belonging

Beyond the battlefield and bureaucracy lies another kind of unity  the emotional and cultural one that binds society. And here, women have been Indias most enduring ambassadors of togetherness.

Through festivals, music, art, and storytelling, they bridge divides between communities. When women gather for Rangoli during Diwali or sing Sufiana kalams at weddings, they are not just celebratingthey are reaffirming Indias pluralism.

Patels idea of nationhood rested on harmony, and women, through their empathy and social influence, have been its quiet guardians. They hold together what politics sometimes strains  the sense of belonging that turns a crowd into a community.

A Legacy Revived  The Statue of Unity and Beyond

Decades later, Patels dream continues to find fresh resonance in Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a cohesive, confident India.

The Statue of Unity, inaugurated in 2018 in Kevadia, Gujarat, is not merely the worlds tallest statueit is the tallest expression of gratitude. Towering at 182 metres, it stands as a metaphor for Patels towering role in Indias creation.

The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on October 31Patels birth anniversaryhas become a nationwide movement. Millions participate in the Run for Unity, the Ekta Parade, and cultural showcases that celebrate Indias diversity under one tricolour.

Government initiatives like Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" promote inter-state partnerships, allowing people from Tamil Nadu to explore Assam, or from Punjab to experience Odishastrengthening emotional integration across linguistic and cultural lines.

In governance too, Patels philosophy of cooperative federalism remains central. The belief that Indias Centre and States must function as partners  not competitors  lies at the core of Indias development model today.

The Eternal Flame of Unity

Patels ideals resonate even more powerfully in todays fractured world. When polarisation and identity politics divide nations, Patels India offers an alternative  a society held together by dialogue, diversity, and shared destiny.

He understood that unity cannot be legislated; it must be cultivated  through fairness, justice, and empathy. He believed that no government could hold together a divided people, but a united people could overcome any failing government.

That belief turned into Indias greatest strength.

A Living Legacy

Patels contribution to India is not confined to history books  it lives in every police station, every school, every corner of this country. His integration of states made India possible; his vision of equality keeps India peaceful; his administrative legacy makes India governable.

As Nehru once said, History will call him the builder and consolidator of new India."

Today, every soldier on the border, every woman lighting a lamp, every child saluting the flag  continues Patels silent revolution.

Every Indian should forget that he is a Rajput, a Sikh, or a Jat. He must remember that he is an Indian."  Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

That simple truth remains the cornerstone of our Republic.

Patel united India once. It is now our collective duty to keep it united  in spirit, in empathy, and in purpose.
Opinion | JD Vance Wants His Hindu Wife To Convert: What If An Indian Leader Said This?

Written By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 19:51 IST

In a political climate so charged against Indian immigrants, this is not just personal. Its political

US Vice President JD Vance with Second Lady Usha Vance. (File pic/PTI)

As he inches closer to the next presidential race, American Vice President JD Vance has decided to answer the most burning question of his personal lifethe question of his wifes Hindu faith.

My wife did not grow up Christian. I think its fair to say she grew up in a Hindu family but not in a particularly religious family," Vance said recently at a Turning Point USA event, before going on to explain, almost apologetically, how both he and Usha were agnostic or atheist" when they met. We decided to raise our kids Christian," he added, noting that their eight-year-old had his first communion a year ago, which was followed by loud applause.

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Then came the call to convert: Most Sundays, Usha will come with me to church Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved by in church? Yeah, I honestly do wish that. But if she doesnt, God says everybody has free will and that doesnt cause a problem for me."

The audience erupted in applause. But underneath the applause was a revealing political calculus. The deal" that JD and Usha Vance had as a couple, a quiet consensus built on love, tolerance, and mutual respect, was suddenly up for public scrutiny. MAGA scrutiny.

And Vance sensed it.

Instead of simply answering the question, which, notably, came from a woman of Indian origin and wasnt about conversion at all but about acceptance, Vance felt compelled to declare that his wife was indeed raised Hindu, but not that Hindu. He wasnt responding to the questioner; he was responding to the crowd. The MAGA crowd.

The Making of JD and Usha

A little background on JD Vance helps explain the stakes. While Usha Vance came from a solid Hindu family with a strong, middle-class upbringing, JD was raised loosely as an evangelical in a childhood marked by poverty, instability, and a mother battling addiction. He chronicled that life in Hillbilly Elegy, the memoir that made him a star and a symbol of working-class grit.

Years later, after becoming a venture capitalist, Vance found his way to Catholicism in 2019. Usha, who had long supported his spiritual searching, reportedly told him it was good for him". But now, atheist-turned-Catholic JD Vance appears to want his wife to follow him down that same path and is willing to say it out loud as vice president of the United States. Its her free will. But Id like her to convert one day."

Its hard to miss the tone-deafness. A husband publicly expressing hope that his wife will one day find her way" to his religion. In a political climate so charged against Indian immigrants, this is not just personal. Its political. Its a presidential call to convert.

The Hindu First Lady Question

For Hindu Americans, the implications are not lost. JD Vance, who could not find time to drop a Diwali message and instead distanced himself from a moment that could draw on that link better than anyone else. Trump did better. He lit lamps at the White House with Indian Americans by his side, even if it angered his MAGA base. Diwali is a foreign thing," some of them raged online. Anyone who celebrates it should be deported."

Trump, of course, can afford not to care. This is his last term. But Vance cannot. He needs MAGA to believe in his future. To invest in his possibility. And to do that, he feels the need to iron this Hindu matter out, one way or another.

Which brings America to an uncomfortable but necessary conversation: the possibility, and acceptability, of a Hindu First Lady.

Contrary to her husbands characterisation, Usha Vance appears to be a woman with a very normal Hindu upbringing, like most modern Hindus. Not in your face" religious, but also proud of her faith and not open to conversion, as she has stated herself. I am not intending to convert or anything like that," she said in an interview. She blends easily with her husbands Christian faith, precisely because her Hindu upbringing never taught her to hate anothers religion. But that doesnt mean shed accept Christianity as the only faith in their household.

Ushas view has always been that her children should have a choice. As she once said, The kids know that Im not Catholic, and they have plenty of access to the Hindu traditionfrom books that we give them, to things that we show them, to the recent trip to India, and some of the religious elements of that visit."

There was a deal. It seemed to work. Until now.

Vances public remarks have unsettled that delicate arrangement, casting his wifes faith as a kind of problem to be fixed, a soul yet to be moved". Its the image of a husband proselytising to the woman who has only ever supported him. She gave up her career for him. Trusted him enough to make three children with him. This feels like betrayal dressed as piety.

A Contrast with India

Now imagine if an Indian Hindu leader had said something similar about a Muslim or Christian wife: Youre great, but I hope you convert someday." It would be international news for all the wrong reasons. There would be outrage over religious coercion. Religious freedom would be questioned. Hindu nationalism" would be condemned as militant and abusive. Minorities would be appalled.

For all the finger-pointing at Indias religious politics, the contrast is striking. India has had three Muslim presidentsAPJ Abdul Kalam, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, Zakir Hussain, and one Sikh president, Giani Zail Singh. It has had a Sikh Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh. None of them were ever asked to convert to prove their loyalty.

Americas secularism is rooted in modernity and enlightenment. Yes, it would not be possible without its Christians, but it took centuries to build. Indias, on the other hand, is woven through millennia into the accommodating fabric of Hinduism itself, where the default instinct is to listen and accept, not hate.

Yet JD Vance, a sitting American vice president, can say the same about his Hindu wife, and it slips through the cracks of public outrage. This would not end up anywhere near Americas infamous religious freedom reports dished out to the world.

Thats the hypocrisy. When an American leader suggests that his Hindu wifes conversion would be desirable, its not just a personal sentiment. With MAGA in the room, any possible conversion of Usha Vance would become a political act: a slap in the face of Hindu Americans, and a validation of the idea that holding office means being Christian first. This saga signals to millions of Hindu Americans that the highest offices in the land remain implicitly tethered to Christianity. That to hold power or even be married to someone who does, one must be Christian first.

And thats not very democratic.

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The thing with JD Vance is, he may have been great so far as a husband, but he feels the pressure now, the closer he gets to the Oval Office. And instead of standing up to it, hes bending. Rather than defending his wifes dignity, hes giving in to the noise, treating his wifes faith like a political liability, all while trying to please the MAGA base that treats it like a repulsive blot.

As a husband and a leader, he has a responsibility to do better. But he is recklessly monkey-balancing at best, and at worst, joining in on the religious harassment of his own wife. Its a terrible look. It reeks of weak morals and tacit betrayalin love, and in leadership.

About the Author Shubhangi Sharma Shubhangi Sharma is News Editor - Special Projects at News18. She covers foreign affairs and geopolitics, and also keeps a close watch on the national pulse of India.

First Published: October 30, 2025, 19:51 IST

News opinion Opinion | JD Vance Wants His Hindu Wife To Convert: What If An Indian Leader Said This?

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Opinion | 'Regime Of Fear' Or FOMO? Trump's Call To Resume Bomb Tests Risks Reigniting Cold War Mindset

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 15:18 IST

To test a bomb is easy. To prove wisdom in not doing so is infinitely harder

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US President Donald Trump. (Reuters File)

Imagine ramping up nuke tests for the fear of missing out!

In an age defined by viral trends and competitive brinkmanship, the latest announcement from Donald Trump feels almost surreal. On October 29, the US President declared on Truth Social that he had instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis" with Russia and China. The post, casually dropped hours before a scheduled meeting with Chinas Xi Jinping, jolted Washington, startled allies, and reignited a debate many thought was buried with the Cold War: the return of US nuclear weapons testing.

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If carried out, this would mark the first full nuclear test by the United States since 1992a 33-year hiatus that had become both a technical tradition and a moral statement. The move appears, on the surface, to be about parity: Trumps phrasing on an equal basis" implies a fear that Washington is falling behind Moscow and Beijing in the nuclear arena. Yet no credible evidence suggests either Russia or China has resumed full explosive testing. Both, like the US, have relied on computer simulations, subcritical experiments, and delivery-system demonstrations to keep their arsenals sharp without breaking long-standing global norms.

The irony is stark. The worlds most powerful military power appears to be considering a return to nuclear testing not out of necessity, but out of perceptiona sense of strategic FOMO, the fear of missing out" on a dangerous kind of technological theatre.

SHOW OF STRENGTH OR SYMPTOM OF INSECURITY?

Trumps defenders will argue that renewed testing is about deterrencesending a message to rivals that the US remains capable, confident, and unconstrained. It is, they say, a counter to Russias recent publicised trials of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon super torpedo", both billed as revolutionary doomsday systems.

But the logic is precarious. Nuclear deterrence has never relied on demonstrations of firepower, but on the credibility of possessing it. The US arsenal remains the most advanced and secure in the world; the notion that American scientists have fallen behind" in maintaining it is unfounded. A return to live nuclear explosions would not make the arsenal more capable; it would only make the world more anxious.

GLOBAL IMPLICATIONS

For decades, the US has been both a participant in and a moral anchor of the global nuclear restraint regime. Its last test in 1992 was followed by a voluntary moratorium and later the signing of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)though Washington never ratified it. A US resumption of testing could shatter whats left of that consensus. It would hand Moscow and Beijing a pretext to follow suit, fracture arms-control efforts, and tempt other nuclear-armed statesIndia, Pakistan, perhaps even Israelto reconsider their own restraint.

In one move, decades of painstaking diplomatic architecture could crumble.

POLITICAL THEATRE MEETS ATOMIC REALITY

The political context of the announcement cannot be ignored. Trumps message came amid tensions with China and Russia, at a moment when his administration faces mounting pressure to project toughness abroad. It also comes as Congress and US allies debate the balance between deterrence and diplomacy. The statements reference to a Department of War"a name not used since 1947evoked a nostalgic echo of an earlier, more confrontational era.

Yet, the practical feasibility of resuming tests is uncertain. According to nuclear experts, it would take years, not weeks, to prepare a site such as Nevadas for full explosive trials. The infrastructure, environmental compliance, and international fallout (literal and diplomatic) make an immediate restart improbable. Trumps phrasing, then, reads less like a policy directive and more like a political message: a chest-beating assertion that the US will not be left behind in an arms race that, for now, exists mostly in rhetoric.

THE CHOICE AHEAD

The worlds nuclear powers stand at a crossroads. Either they reaffirm the principle that restraint is a form of strength, or they spiral into a new era of competitive escalation. In 1945, the nuclear age began with a flash in the desert and a warning from Oppenheimer about humanitys capacity for self-destruction. In 2025, that warning feels newly relevant.

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To test a bomb is easy. To prove wisdom in not doing so is infinitely harder.

If Trumps announcement was meant as a show of strength, it may instead be remembered as a testof Americas judgment, not its weapons.

About the Author Griha Atul Griha Atul is a broadcast journalist with 19 years of experience and currently an anchor at CNN News18. While film journalism has been a longstanding forte, she does incisive political interviews and ... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 15:18 IST

News opinion Opinion | 'Regime Of Fear' Or FOMO? Trump's Call To Resume Bomb Tests Risks Reigniting Cold War Mindset

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Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 09:07 IST

1 / 10 The Bay of Bengal has turned active once again, triggering the development of a fresh low-pressure system. Meteorologists report that a strong trough over the region is likely to intensify into a depression by October 31. A new low-pressure area is likely to form on November 1 in the eastern Bay of Bengal, near Thailand, and gradually move westwards. If it continues on this track, it could reach Guntur in Andhra Pradesh. + Follow us On Google

2 / 10 However, its exact path remains uncertain, and it is still unclear whether it will persist as a low-pressure system or intensify into a cyclone. For now, there is no cause for concern, although it is always wise to stay prepared, especially for farmers, who should take necessary precautions.

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3 / 10 Cyclone Montha has weakened considerably and is now moving as a depression, with wind speeds around 45 km per hour. It is expected to continue losing strength as it moves towards Chhattisgarh on October 30. Hence, Andhra Pradesh is unlikely to experience any major impact, whereas Telangana is likely to see heavy rainfall.

4 / 10 According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), southern states are expected to receive the most rainfall across the country on October 30. Telangana, coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Yanam are likely to experience light to moderate rainfall in several places and heavy showers in isolated areas.

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5 / 10 In Telangana, gusty winds blowing at 30-40 km per hour, along with thunder and lightning, are expected. Rayalaseema too may witness thunder and lightning on October 30, while coastal Andhra and Yanam will experience similar conditions on October 31.

6 / 10 Live satellite imagery suggests that light to moderate rain will occur in many parts of northern Telangana throughout the day, with a few locations experiencing heavy showers. The skies across Telangana will remain cloudy, though rainfall seems to be tapering off. Hyderabad is expected to remain dry on October 30, providing motorists with some respite. Southern Telangana may even see a few sunny intervals.

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7 / 10 In Andhra Pradesh, scattered showers are expected in northern coastal regions from morning till night, while parts of the coast may receive rainfall until the evening. Rayalaseema will remain mostly dry with sunny weather likely in the afternoon across both Rayalaseema and coastal areas. Overall, residents of Andhra Pradesh can expect a break from the persistent rains on October 30.

8 / 10 Meanwhile, an air mass over the Arabian Sea near Gujarat is currently moving at around 45 km per hour and is expected to weaken into a low-pressure system later on October 30. Its influence may extend slightly into western Telangana by November 1. Wind speeds in the Bay of Bengal stand at around 21 km per hour, while Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will experience winds of approximately 11 km per hour and 16 km per hour, respectively.

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9 / 10 Temperatures are expected to rise again, reaching around 30C in Telangana and 32C in Andhra Pradesh. Daytime humidity will be around 57% in Telangana, 85% in northern Telangana, 63% in Andhra Pradesh, and 85% in northern Andhra. At night, humidity levels will rise to about 80% in Telangana and 95% in Andhra Pradesh, which could bring moderate rainfall or isolated heavy showers during the night.
Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 18:35 IST

1 / 12 In the late 1970s, Indian cinema saw the rise of a young actor who was far ahead of his time. He was the original pan Indian superstar, much before the term even existed. + Follow us On Google

2 / 12 A superstar in Tamil cinema from the late 70s, this actor stepped into Bollywood at a young age. He didnt just arrive; he made an impact.

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3 / 12 That man was Kamal Haasan and his debut in Hindi cinema with Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981), opposite Rati Agnihotri, remains one of the most iconic love stories of all time.

4 / 12 Directed by K Balachander, the film was a remake of their Telugu classic Maro Charitra and the blockbuster success of this eternal love story made him a popular name in Hindi cinema.

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5 / 12 His next Hindi film came a year later Sanam Teri Kasam in 1982, followed by roles in Saagar, Zara Si Zindagi, Sadma and Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya.

6 / 12 Yet, at the peak of his popularity, Kamal Haasan decided to return to Chennai and continued focusing on Tamil cinema instead of shifting to Mumbai.

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7 / 12 In an old interview with Vir Sanghvi, Kamal Haasan explained why he did not pursue a full-fledged career in Hindi cinema. The reason is that I have this addiction to finishing a film before moving on to my next, he said.

8 / 12 The actor added, By the time I finish a project in Hindi, one and a half years have passed. You lose touch with the world. It is tedious and frightening.

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9 / 12 There is also an interesting story of his meeting with legendary filmmaker Manmohan Desai. It was supposed to lead to a collaboration but things took an unexpected turn.

10 / 12 The filmmaker got upset with Kamal Haasan after the actor insisted on seeing the script. In his words, He said even Amitabh Bachchan doesnt ask for one.

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11 / 12 Kamal Haasan was last seen in Thug Life, released earlier this year in June. It is a Tamil-language gangster action drama helmed by Mani Ratnam.
Bihar Has Seen Two Phases Of 'Jungle Raj' Under Lalu & Nitish: Owaisi | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 08:00 IST

The AIMIM chief also directly questioned Home Minister Amit Shah's repeated accusations of infiltration

Owaisi challenged the Prime Minister's commitment to Bihar, despite the fact that his party and alliance have formed the government there. File pic/PTI

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi presented a sharp rebuttal to the ruling NDAs political narrative in an exclusive interview with CNN-News18 on Wednesday.

He challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah on national security, demanded proportionate representation for the Muslim community, and critiqued the lack of development in Bihar.

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Direct Challenge on Infiltration and Law & Order

Owaisi directly questioned Home Minister Amit Shahs repeated accusations of infiltration. I have one simple questionwho is the Home Minister of India? Its not you or me. Its the Home Minister. How, then, is infiltration happening under his watch?" he asked.

The AIMIM chief pointed out the paradox, noting that state leaders like Nitish Kumar are part of the government, and central paramilitary forces report to the Home Ministry. He sarcastically suggested that the only official infiltrator" is Prime Minister Narendra Modis sister", Sheikh Hasina, who has been welcomed as Indias guest despite what he called deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations. He concluded, If infiltration is happening, who is responsible?"

Waqf Law and Political Hypocrisy

Addressing the issue of the Waqf Act, Owaisi challenged those threatening to abolish it, suggesting they first try to change the Hindu Endowment Act. He defended his opposition to the bill in Parliament and his subsequent challenge in the Supreme Court.

He stated that the law can only be changed in two ways: by removing the BJP government or by a final Supreme Court ruling. He also hit back at BJP leaders, mentioning that one union minister had called the Muslim community namak haram" and another had labelled them infiltrators".

Questioning PM Modis Role in Bihars Development

Owaisi challenged the Prime Ministers commitment to Bihar, despite the fact that his party and alliance have formed the government there. What has he done for the people of Bihar and the Seemanchal region?" he asked.

He lamented the lack of infrastructure, development, and basic healthcare facilities, stating, The Prime Ministers heart still lies in Ahmedabad." Owaisi specifically highlighted the annual loss of land in districts like Kishanganj due to floods, criticising the government for resorting to election-time announcements" like transferring money to womens accounts instead of undertaking substantial flood control measures like building embankments. He warned these promises might prove unaffordable," drawing a parallel to a failure in Maharashtra.

Demand for Power Sharing and Muslim CM Aspiration

Owaisi emphasised the right of the 17% Muslim population in Bihar to proportionate power-sharing, congratulating Mukesh Sahani for his community (3% population) demanding the Deputy CM post.

Are they [Muslims] only meant to vote and then stay silent?" he questioned. He defended the aspiration for a Muslim chief minister, stating that every citizen has an equal right to aspire to any post. He further criticised his opponents who are Yadavs, suggesting their discomfort stems from his stance on security. Citing the example of Mohammad Azharuddin receiving a ministerial role in Telangana, he asked, Why cant we demand proportionate power-sharing?"

Vision for Bihar and Critique of the Current Regime

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Owaisi painted a grim picture of Bihar beyond the capital, saying the state resembles regions of Africa that are still recovering from conflict." He highlighted the mass migration of youth, struggling families, and the failure to deliver MNREGA funds or flood relief.

He characterised the states political history as having two phases of Jungle Raj": one under Lalu Prasad Yadav and the other is what we see today under the current regime." He accused the BJP of stealing MLAs" across states, calling it sheer hypocrisy," and expressed confidence that the people, who are far more aware than the ruling class thinks," will bless his party with good numbers this time.

First Published: October 30, 2025, 08:00 IST

News politics Bihar Has Seen Two Phases Of 'Jungle Raj' Under Lalu & Nitish: Owaisi | Exclusive

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BJP Accuses Siddaramaiah Of 'High Command Appeasement' Over Wayanad Tourism Post

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 16:34 IST

BJP claimed the move was an attempt to please Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, who represents Wayanad in Parliament

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Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah. (Image: PTI/File)

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday accused Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of high command appeasement" after a social media post by the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) promoted Wayanad in neighbouring Kerala as a tourist destination.

The party claimed the move was an attempt to please Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, who represents Wayanad in Parliament.

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The controversy began when KSTDC shared a post on X on Tuesday (October 28) promoting its two-night, three-day tour package to Wayanad. The post read, Seeking thrill or tranquillity? Find both in Wayanad! Trek scenic trails, chase waterfalls & meet the wild with KSTDC. Your perfect nature escape awaits."

Reacting sharply, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka accused Siddaramaiah of behaving like Wayanads District Collector and fundraiser." In a post on X, Ashoka said the Chief Minister had signed off Rs 10 crore of Karnataka taxpayers money to Wayanad at lightning speed," referring to earlier financial assistance given by the state to the region.

He also alleged that while Siddaramaiah was quick to aid Wayanad  announcing Rs 15 lakh to the family of a man killed by an elephant and promising to build 100 houses after a landslide  farmers in north Karnataka were still waiting for relief after severe floods. Farmers are suffering, homes washed away, 12.5 lakh hectares of crop damage, but compensation still stuck in files, surveys, excuses, speeches and photo-ops," he wrote.

Ashoka further accused the Chief Minister of prioritising the Congress leadership over Karnatakas interests. This is not charity. This is High command appeasement to save chair," he said. Karnataka doesnt need a CM who bows to the Fake Gandhi Family, spends our treasury like its High Commands ATM, and forgets his own states farmers who put food on his table."

Former minister CT Ravi also joined the criticism, questioning why KSTDC, which is meant to promote Karnatakas tourism, was encouraging people to visit Wayanad.

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Does Wayanad belong to Karnataka? Or has KSTDC become Kerala?" he posted, alleging that the Congress government was pawning the honour of Kannada Nadu to please its party leader Priyanka Gandhi."

(With inputs from PTI)

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 : Karnataka, India, India

First Published: October 30, 2025, 16:31 IST

News politics BJP Accuses Siddaramaiah Of 'High Command Appeasement' Over Wayanad Tourism Post

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Mayawati Stresses On Dalit-Muslim Unity For BSP's Revival Ahead of 2027 UP Polls

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 14:17 IST

Mayawati on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Muslim Bhai-chara Committee, attended by over 450 leaders from all 75 districts.

BSP supremo Mayawati chairs a meeting. (Image: X/Mayawati)

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has swung into full political gear for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, with party supremo Mayawati personally leading an intensive outreach to the Muslim community  a key voter bloc she believes can help recreate the winning social engineering formula that swept her to power in 2007.

In a first-of-its-kind move, Mayawati on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Muslim Bhai-chara Committee, attended by over 450 leaders from all 75 districts. The gathering, held at the partys Lucknow headquarters, marked a visible shift in strategy  symbolised by the seating arrangement itself. For the first time, Muslim leaders were placed in the front two rows, while senior BSP functionaries occupied the seats behind them.

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This is a message that in the BSP, the Muslim community will be given respect, representation, and real participation  not just promises," a senior leader present at the meeting said.

DalitMuslim Equation: The Winning Formula

Mayawati made it clear that the BSPs comeback roadmap hinges on consolidating Dalit and Muslim votes, together accounting for nearly 39 per cent of Uttar Pradeshs electorate. The SPs base among Yadavs is just 8 per cent. Even with full Muslim support, they only reach 27 per cent. In 2022, this combination could not stop the BJP. In contrast, in 2007, the BSP came to power by gaining only partial Muslim support," she reportedly told the gathering.

According to party insiders, Mayawati believes that the DalitMuslim unity, built on mutual respect rather than fear, remains the most potent combination against the BJPs Hindutva consolidation and the SPs Yadav-centric politics.

Reviving the Muslim Bhai-chara Committee

The Muslim Bhai-chara Committee, which had gone dormant after 2017, has been revived with a fresh structure. Each of the states 18 divisions now has two conveners  one Dalit and one Muslim  and a similar pattern will be replicated at the Assembly and booth levels. Every Assembly constituency has been tasked with identifying and inducting at least 100 prominent Muslim faces into the BSP fold.

We are focusing on direct engagement through small, local meetings. The goal is to rebuild trust," said Anand Singh Chandresh, the BSPs Meerut Mandal in-charge.

Party workers were handed yellow folders listing 100 key decisions and welfare works carried out for Muslims during Mayawatis previous tenures as Chief Minister. Take this list to Muslim neighbourhoods," she instructed. Tell them that BSP, not SP or Congress, worked for their safety, dignity, and development."

SP Uses Fear, BSP Offers Participation

In a strong indictment of the Samajwadi Party, Mayawati alleged that the SP continues to exploit the fear of BJP" to secure Muslim votes but has never ensured genuine empowerment. They have given Muslims no fair share in government or organization. The BSP, on the other hand, provided both representation and peace. There was not a single communal riot under our rule," she said.

Party spokesperson and Lucknow region Muslim Bhai-chara convener Faizan Khan said, BSP has always considered Muslims an integral part of its movement. SP and Congress misled them. But the ground is changing  Muslims are realising that only BSP can challenge BJP effectively."

No Protest Against Voter Revision, Focus on Booth-Level Work

Mayawati also addressed the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list ordered by the Election Commission, directing her cadres to stay focused on groundwork instead of protests. Other parties may oppose it, but we must not get distracted. Form booth-level teams and ensure every BSP supporter is registered as a voter," she said. Each office-bearer was given an SIR handbook with detailed instructions.

Crackdown on Indiscipline and Warnings Against Betrayal

Without naming him directly at first, Mayawati referred to the expulsion of party leader Shamsuddin Rain, clarifying that he had been repeatedly warned before being removed. He worked to weaken BSP candidates and encouraged factionalism. We will not tolerate such behaviour. Anyone indulging in sabotage will be dealt with strictly," she declared.

The Return of Akash Anand

The meeting also saw the participation of Mayawatis nephew and party national coordinator Akash Anand, who was called back from Bihars election campaign to attend the session. Akash, who touched his aunts feet on stage, will be fully active in Uttar Pradesh after the Bihar polls. He will oversee booth-level progress and district meetings. I will also visit where needed," Mayawati announced.

Four Mega Events in a Month

This was Mayawatis fourth major engagement in October alone  after a massive rally on October 9 in Lucknow and two high-level strategy meetings on October 16 and 19. The string of events underlines her intent to re-energise the BSP machinery at a time when the political narrative in Uttar Pradesh is largely bipolar between the BJP and SP.

Grassroots Sentiment

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The meeting ended with chants of Behenji zindabad" as workers expressed optimism over the partys revival. People have seen every government since Mayawatis tenure. None matched her governance. This time she will be CM again  and one day PM," said a BSP supporter from Jalaun.

With renewed organisational zeal, symbolic inclusivity, and an emphasis on DalitMuslim unity, the BSPs revival plan for 2027 appears firmly underway. Whether Mayawati can translate this outreach into electoral gains remains to be seen, but her message is unmistakable: the BSP is back in the field  and this time, shes leading from the front.

First Published: October 30, 2025, 14:17 IST

News politics Mayawati Stresses On Dalit-Muslim Unity For BSP's Revival Ahead of 2027 UP Polls

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RSS Gets Nod For March In Mallikarjun Kharges Stronghold, But With Conditions

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 11:23 IST

Deputy Commissioner Harshal Boyal issued the approval for the march, scheduled for October 31 in Gurmitkal town

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) volunteers participate in a Path Sanchalan programme to mark the organization's centenary year, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. (IMAGE: PTI)

The Yadgir district administration has granted conditional permission to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to hold a route march in Gurmitkal, the political stronghold of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.

Deputy Commissioner Harshal Boyal issued the approval for the march, scheduled for October 31 in Gurmitkal town. The procession will start from Narendra Rathod Layout and pass through key points, including Samrat Circle, Basaveshwara Circle, Hanuman Temple, and Kumbara Wadi before concluding.

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The order was issued following an application submitted on October 23 by Bassappa Sanjanol, the District Prachar Pramukh of the RSS. Police have permitted the procession to pass through Samrat Circle, APMC Circle, Hanuman Temple, Marathawadi, Police Station Road, Milan Chowk, and Sihineeru Bavi Market Main Road, before concluding at Ram Nagar. The district administration has imposed ten strict conditions on the event.

Organisers have been instructed to ensure that no damage occurs to public or private property, with the responsibility of compensating for any loss resting entirely on them. RSS volunteers must strictly adhere to the approved route and refrain from raising slogans that could hurt religious or caste sentiments. Any act likely to disturb peace or communal harmony has been prohibited.

The order also states that roads must not be blocked, shops cannot be forcibly shut, and no participant is allowed to carry weapons or firearms. Adequate police arrangements will be deployed along the route to maintain order. Officials have warned that any violation of these conditions will invite legal action against the organisers.

The permission comes amid recent political friction over RSS activities in Karnataka. State minister Priyank Kharge, son of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, had earlier written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah urging a ban on RSS shakhas in government and government-aided schools and public spaces, alleging that they instill negative ideas in the minds of children and youth."

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In a separate letter, Kharge sought disciplinary action against government employees participating in RSS programmes, arguing that such activities undermine Indias unity and the spirit of the Constitution. Days later, the Karnataka cabinet directed that any organisation wishing to hold events on government premises must seek prior approval, and several employees were subsequently suspended for taking part in an RSS march.

It remains unclear whether RSS cadres will be permitted to carry lathis during the Gurmitkal route march.

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 30, 2025, 10:12 IST

News politics RSS Gets Nod For March In Mallikarjun Kharges Stronghold, But With Conditions

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'Should I Name Leaders...': Chaos At BJP Event In Azamgarh As Women Allege Harassment

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 23:24 IST

A woman was seen shouting at the BJP event in the presence of state party president Bhupendra Chaudhary, alleging harassment of women in the district.

A woman accused local BJP leaders of harassing women in Azamgarh. (Photo: X)

Chaos broke out at a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) event in Uttar Pradeshs Azamgarh, when several women accused local leaders of harassment in the presence of state BJP president Bhupendra Chaudhary.

During a programme at the Hari Audh Kala Kendra in Azamgarh district, a woman accused the leaders of harassing women, and no action was being taken against them. Women are being openly exploited here. I am saying it openly, women are being suppressed and grave injustice is being done to them," a woman said.

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After being challenged, the woman said she can even reveal the names of the leaders she accused of harassment. Should I name the leaders, who do injustice against women Everyone knows that women are subject to harassment here," she said.

    BJP    BJP         ,       BJP         pic.twitter.com/c4WLwO11Ib  Govind Pratap Singh | GPS (@govindprataps12) October 30, 2025

According to a report by Amar Ujala, Anita Singh, who is currently serving as City General Secretary of the BJP Mahila Morcha in Kotwali, said she received a call in January informing her that she had been appointed president of the main body. She was invited to the district office and then taken to the Circuit House, where she was made to wait for four hours.

Singh alleged that after four hours, the issued list was suddenly declared fake. After she protested, local party leaders called her and gave her false assurances.

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They kept suppressing my concerns, and time just went by. Today, when the state president came here, he too didnt listen. He promised to meet me but left after sitting in a closed room without meeting," she said.

The BJP has faced increasing criticism in Azamgarh over the past few months. A few days ago, members of the Yuva Morcha clashed with the administration in Kotwali, accused of hooliganism.

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 : Azamgarh, India, India

First Published: October 30, 2025, 23:24 IST

News politics 'Should I Name Leaders...': Chaos At BJP Event In Azamgarh As Women Allege Harassment

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UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- More than 460 patients and companions were reportedly found slain in a maternity hospital amid reports of continued atrocities against civilians in Sudan's El Fasher, UN humanitarians said Wednesday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said an analysis of satellite imagery has corroborated new evidence of continuing mass killings in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, during the 48 hours following the Sunday takeover by the Rapid Support Forces.

The World Health Organization has verified 185 attacks on health care in Sudan, with 1,204 deaths and 416 injuries of health workers and patients since the start of the conflict in April 2023, excluding the latest attacks. This year alone, 966 people have died in 49 attacks.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that more than 36,000 people fled El Fasher between Sunday and Tuesday. The IOM said local sources reported that due to insecurity and a lack of transport options, thousands of people remain stranded and are unable to flee from the capital.

OCHA said it is coordinating life-saving assistance about 40 km away with partners in Tawila, where displaced families are being hosted at overcrowded sites, lacking adequate shelter, sanitation and privacy, urgently in need of shelter, food, water, health care and protection.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher approved on Wednesday a 20 million U.S. dollar allocation from the Central Emergency Response Fund for Sudan to support the scaling up of emergency aid in Tawila and other locations in Sudan's Darfur and Kordofan regions. The amount comes on top of the 27 million dollars already allocated from the fund in 2025.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said on Tuesday that it was horrified after five Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers were killed, and three others were reported missing while distributing food in the locality of Bara in North Kordofan. Twenty-one Red Crescent staff and volunteers have been killed since the conflict began in April 2023.

OCHA said that civilians, humanitarian workers and medical personnel must always be protected, once again calling on all parties to immediately halt hostilities, guarantee safe passage for civilians and aid workers, and ensure sustained humanitarian access to all affected areas. 
The Rebel Of Vidarbha: How Bacchu Kadu Has Become Maharashtras Voice Of The Forgotten

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 11:25 IST

Kadus Maha Elgar Morcha has mobilised thousands, demanding sweeping loan relief, effective implementation of welfare schemes, and better support for persons with disabilities

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A product of Vidarbhas soil, Bacchu Kadus career has been defined by unrelenting activism and fiery street politics. (X @RealBacchuKadu)

The protest in Nagpur led by politician Bacchu Kadu has captured national attention in just one day. Kadus dramatic move to block major entry roads into NagpurMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnaviss home turfover the demand for a complete farm loan waiver forced the state government to respond swiftly. Two junior ministers were dispatched for talks, while the Bombay High Courts Nagpur Bench took suo motu cognisance, directing Kadu and his supporters to clear the roadsan order they complied with late on Wednesday.

Yet, Kadu remains adamant that the Maharashtra government must grant a full loan waiver to farmers. On Thursday, the leader and his delegation will meet state officials again in Mumbai for the next round of negotiations.

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Bacchu Kadu has long embodied the raw, grassroots face of Maharashtras politics. A product of Vidarbhas soil, his career has been defined by unrelenting activism and fiery street politics. He founded the Prahar Janshakti Party in 1999 to champion causes ignored by mainstream players. From 2004 to 2019, he represented Achalpur in the legislative assembly for four consecutive terms. Though he lost the 2024 election to a BJP candidate, Kadus defiance and directnessconfronting authority, leading agitations, and exposing rural distresshave ensured his enduring relevance.

Kadus politics is as much about symbolism as substance. His Sholay"-style protest atop a water tank in 2006 spotlighted Vidarbhas farmer suicides and forced the administration into action. Over the years, he has used hunger strikes, road blockades, and unconventional theatrics to give voice to the voiceless. Each protestwhether for farm loan waivers, disability rights, or rural healthcarehas drawn from genuine grassroots anger.

At present, Kadus Maha Elgar Morcha" in Nagpur has mobilised thousands, demanding sweeping loan relief, effective implementation of welfare schemes, and better support for persons with disabilities. The Bombay High Courts intervention to reopen public roads underscores both the scale and impact of his movementa reminder that Maharashtras streets remain fertile ground for mass agitations.

Despite being seen as a perpetual outsider, Kadu has also worked within the establishment. As minister of state in Uddhav Thackerays 2019 cabinet, he pushed for a dedicated disability welfare ministrythe first such initiative in India. Later, during the 2022 political churn, he backed Eknath Shindes rebellion and briefly held a government post again. Whether in power or protest, Kadu has consistently prioritised social causes over political comfort.

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Controversy, however, has never been far behind. His provocative remarksfrom suggesting stray dogs be sent to Assam for meat to urging farmers to kill MLAs, not themselves"have triggered public outrage and legal heat. Still, his supporters argue that Kadus bluntness mirrors the anger of neglected communities. Away from headlines, his personal gestures, including selling property to buy ambulances, building homes for the poor, and staying accessible to voters, reinforce his image as a doer rather than a talker.

Many now compare him with Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange, but such parallels seem misplaced. When Jarange was still emerging, Kadu was already mobilising Vidarbhas farmers and fighting systemic neglect. Jaranges movement is community-centric; Kadus battles have always cut across castes and regions. He is not a product of identity politics, but of Maharashtras agrarian pain. And as the state braces for another round of negotiations, Bachchu Kadu once again stands at the intersection of rebellion and reform, reminding the establishment that the street still speaks louder than the Secretariat.

About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @... Read More

Location : Nagpur, India, India

First Published: October 30, 2025, 11:25 IST

News politics The Rebel Of Vidarbha: How Bacchu Kadu Has Become Maharashtras Voice Of The Forgotten

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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select With New Vega OS Launched In India: Price, Features

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 13:24 IST

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is the new version that is powered by Vega OS and has Alexa-supported remote.

Amazon's new Fire TV Stick is using the Vega OS platform

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is the first device from the company in the Indian market that brings the new Vega OS platform. This version of the Fire TV Stick Select also costs less than the regular 4K variant and now comes with improved support for faster app launches and overall performance even though it has less RAM than the premium model. The Fire TV Stick design has been retained with its curves and you still have to power it up using the bundled adapter.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select Price In India

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Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select is priced at Rs 5,499 in India which makes it Rs 1,000 cheaper than the regular Fire TV Stick 4K model in the country. The new version is already available through the Amazon website.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select Features

The new Fire TV Stick 4K Select model brings the Vega OS platform rather than the Android-based Fire OS that Amazon has offered with the earlier versions. The company claims the new OS will allow the apps to launch faster and deliver a smoother performance. It has 1GB RAM along with 8GB storage for apps and other data.

It is powered by a 1.7GHz quad-core processor which has been developed with the new OS in mind. Being the cheaper 4K model means you dont have Dolby Atmos support for audio, as well as Dolby Vision for video quality. It has the HDMI port which connects to the TV and lets you convert any regular big screen into a smart unit. The new model also gets support for screensavers that work when the TV screen is idle, something that Google has offered with Chromecast for TV version.

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You get this Fire TV Stick 4K Select version with the bundled remote that offers Alexa voice control to let you switch between apps, search for movies and even control smart home devices in your space.

Many people have switched to 4K TVs in the country thanks to their affordable price tag and in case you want a cohesive device to connect all the apps and other features, this new Fire TV Stick version is one of them to consider.

About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and ... Read More

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: October 30, 2025, 13:24 IST

News tech Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Select With New Vega OS Launched In India: Price, Features

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Indian Govt Issues Major Security Warning For Microsoft Edge Users: Know More

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 29, 2025, 15:28 IST

Microsoft Edge users have been issued a new security alert by the Indian government just a few days after its AI agent feature rollout.

The new security alert comes for the Chromium based browser

The Indian government has issued another worrying security warning for those using the Microsoft Edge web browser. Recently the company introduced AI agent features which makes the alert even more of a concern. The latest issue comes with a high severity rating by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team or CERT-In.

The security agency claims the vulnerability can make it easy for hackers to remotely attack systems and users will find it hard to break the damage at least until they prevent its intrusion.

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Microsoft Edge Critical Issue: What Have They Said?

This vulnerability exists in Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) due to Use after free in Safe Browsing. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted request. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system," as highlighted by CERT-In in its latest bulletin this month.

The security issue is a concern because it is linked to the privacy-centric safe browsing feature where people usually are not tracked for their activities and their history is not recorded on the browser. Imagine if hackers can bypass a secure part of the browser, the risks are unimaginable.

Who Is At Risk?

If youre using the Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) version prior to 141.0.3537.85 then you need to update the browser for your system right away. Microsoft has issued the guidelines for the security issue and details the risks posed by the vulnerability which needs your immediate attention.

Microsoft Edge Update: How To Get It

You can head over to Microsoft Edge on your Windows PC and do the following:

Click on the three-dot menu on the top-right

Hover over Help and Feedback

Click on About Microsoft Edge

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The browser start looking for a new version and update to the latest one and reboot to take effect.

The Edge browser recently got the new Copilot Mode which supercharges the browser with new AI features and agentic AI powers. The company is adding these features to Edge so that people can have options other than Comet, Atlas and even the AI-infused Chrome version from Google. Almost everyone wants to have an AI browser in the market for users and Microsoft was an obvious pick among the lot.

About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and ... Read More

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: October 29, 2025, 15:28 IST

News tech Indian Govt Issues Major Security Warning For Microsoft Edge Users: Know More

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OnePlus 15 India Launch Date Announced: Price, Expected Specs And More

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 10:58 IST

The OnePlus 15 launch in November will make it one of the first to come with the latest Snapdragon flagship chipset in India.

OnePlus 15 India launch confirmed, how much will it cost?

The OnePlus 15 launch date is also here and we are set for a big November 2025 with not one but multiple flagship launches confirmed in the market. OnePlus will be among the pack to bring the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset to the country, and might be the first brand to do so this year. iQOO 15 launch is also confirmed for next month but a later date means OnePlus could be taking away the laurel from the former.

The new OnePlus 15 flagship was introduced in China earlier this month, giving us a pretty good idea about its features and the price that people might be paying for the new model in India as well.

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OnePlus 15 India Launch Date And More Details

The OnePlus 15 India launch is confirmed for Thursday, November 13, 2025 and the event starts at 7:00 PM IST which will be livestreamed via the OnePlus YouTube channel. The OnePlus 15 sale starts on the same day from 8:00 PM IST onwards in the country.

OnePlus 15 Specifications And Expected Price In India

The OnePlus 15 is going to feature a flat design like the recently launched 13s model with a flat display that carries thin bezels for better overall look. You also get a 165Hz refresh rate AMOLED display on the new model.

OnePlus is using the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset with up to 16GB RAM and probably 1TB storage. The Chinese variant of the OnePlus 15 comes with ColorOS 16 based on Android 16 version. But the Indian OnePlus 15 version will have OxygenOS 16 which is already confirmed.

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This will be the first OnePlus device to come without the Hasselblad camera branding in a while, and feature its own imaging engine that shows some exciting promise. We expect to see a 50MP triple camera system. The OnePlus 15 is tipped to pack a 7,000mAh battery thanks to the silicon carbon technology and the unit will be supporting 100W wired and 50W wireless charging speeds.

The OnePlus 15 price in China is lower than the OnePlus 13 so the India launch price will be worth keeping an eye on and we hope the company can keep it competitive with others expected to join the list soon.

About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and ... Read More

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: October 30, 2025, 10:58 IST

News tech OnePlus 15 India Launch Date Announced: Price, Expected Specs And More

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Crowd Goes Wild As Man Proposes To Girlfriend At Enrique Iglesias Concert In Mumbai | Watch

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 21:41 IST

Videos of the proposal have quickly gone viral on social media, showing the emotional moment when the woman broke into tears as her partner presented a ring

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The Spanish pop star, making his return to Mumbai after 13 years, transformed the venue into a spectacular showcase of music and love.

Mumbai turned into a scene of romance and celebration on Thursday as a man proposed to his girlfriend in the middle of Enrique Iglesias concert, thrilling thousands of fans at the MMRDA Grounds in Bandra-Kurla Complex.

Videos of the proposal have quickly gone viral on social media, showing the emotional moment when the woman broke into tears as her partner presented a ring, before the couple embraced amid cheers from the crowd.

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The Spanish pop star, making his return to Mumbai after 13 years, transformed the venue into a spectacular showcase of music and love.

Iglesias, a Grammy Award-winning global sensation, performed some of his biggest hits including Hero, Bailamos, Subeme La Radio, Chasing The Sun, and Bailando in a 90-minute set that had over 25,000 fans singing and dancing along.

Appearing on stage at around 8.20 pm in his signature cap and all-black attire, Enrique greeted his audience with a warm Namaste, Mumbai" before taking them on a nostalgic journey through his career. Thank you Thank you so much. I came here in 2004 first. It feels amazing to be back," he told the crowd, which had gathered from across India to attend the show.

Fans and celebrities alike enjoyed the performance. A Pune-based couple in their early 50s said they attended to relive their youth, adding that their daughter had booked the tickets as a Diwali gift. Bollywood celebrities such as Vidya Balan, Rakul Preet Singh and her husband Jackky Bhagnani, Malaika Arora, Rubina Dilaik and Abhinav Shukla, Meiyang Chang, Rahul Vaidya, and others were also spotted enjoying the concert.

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The concert concluded with a spectacular fireworks display and Iglesias hit track Baby I Like It. The two-day series, promoted by EVA Live and powered by Mastercard, with District By Zomato as the exclusive ticketing partner, left fans with lasting memories of music, love, and an unforgettable proposal.

(With inputs from PTI)

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 30, 2025, 19:41 IST

News viral Crowd Goes Wild As Man Proposes To Girlfriend At Enrique Iglesias Concert In Mumbai | Watch

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Recipe For Disaster: Sick-Leave Teachers Rs 3 L Cooking Show Prize Lands In Disciplinary Pot

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 19:01 IST

The city authority confirmed a disciplinary probe against the German teacher. As a government employee, he could face penalties like warnings, pay cuts, transfer, or even dismissal

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During his sick leave, he appeared on two popular TV cooking shows in Cologne. (Representative/Shutterstock)

In a surprising turn of events, a teacher from Germany is facing disciplinary action after being seen participating in TV cooking shows while on sick leave.

Dominic W., a 35-year-old teacher of English and Geography and a civil servant, had been on sick leave for over a year. During this period, he appeared on two popular TV cooking shows in Cologne.

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Dominic first featured in Das Perfekte Dinner, a show inspired by the UKs Come Dine With Me, aired on Germanys VOX channel in August 2024.

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He excelled in this competition, winning 3,000 (approximately Rs 2.7 lakhs). He later took part in Die Kuchenschlacht (The Kitchen Battle) on the ZDF channel in April 2025, where contestants showcase their culinary skills.

However, Dominics participation in these shows has sparked controversy. The Cologne City Authority has confirmed that disciplinary investigations are underway. As a government employee, Dominic could face severe administrative actions, including warnings, salary reductions, transfers, or even dismissal. The specifics of Dominics illness and whether he has returned to work remain unclear. He has declined to comment on the situation.

Location : Germany

First Published: October 30, 2025, 19:01 IST

News viral Recipe For Disaster: Sick-Leave Teachers Rs 3 L Cooking Show Prize Lands In Disciplinary Pot

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Skincare Diplomacy? White House Press Secretarys South Korean Beauty Spree Is Viral

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 16:10 IST

Karoline Leavitts South Korea skincare haul went viral during Donald Trumps APEC Summit visit to Gyeongju.

The image featured a curated lineup of 13 Korean beauty products- from sheet masks to brightening serums.

What began as a casual shopping trip turned into a viral moment on the sidelines of high diplomacy as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitts South Korean skincare haul became the unexpected highlight of US President Donald Trumps visit to South Korea for the APEC Summit in Gyeongju.

The 28-year-old aide, accompanying the US President on his Asia tour, took to Instagram to share a story titled South Korea skincare finds" with a heart emoji. The image featured a curated lineup of 13 Korean beauty products- from sheet masks to brightening serums- neatly arranged on a hotel table. Within hours, the post caught the attention of fans and beauty bloggers.

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Though Karoline Leavitt did not disclose where she shopped, several of the products displayed Olive Young Exclusive" tags- pointing to South Koreas leading beauty retail chain. Later, Olive Young confirmed that Karoline Leavitt had visited its Hwangnam branch in Gyeongju.

Leavitt visited the Hwangnam branch the previous afternoon and purchased beauty products. The visit was not scheduled in advance," an Olive Young spokesperson said, adding that she spent about 20 minutes browsing and chatting with locals before stopping for ice cream nearby.

Karoline Leavitts viral post coincided with the opening of the APEC K-Beauty Pavilion- a showcase celebrating South Koreas skincare and cosmetics innovations. Olive Young reported an increase in visits from foreign delegates during the summit, noting that interest in K-beauty has never been stronger."

Trump Receives South Koreas Highest Honour

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Donald Trump was formally welcomed by President Lee Jae Myung, who awarded him the Grand Order of Mugunghwa- South Koreas highest decoration- along with a replica of a golden crown symbolising the historic Silla dynasty.

This (the golden crown) symbolises the history of Silla, which maintained a long-term era of peace on the Korean Peninsula, and a new era of peaceful coexistence and common growth on the Korean Peninsula that the United States and South Korea will work together for," Lees office said in a statement.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: October 30, 2025, 16:07 IST

News viral Skincare Diplomacy? White House Press Secretarys South Korean Beauty Spree Is Viral

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Afghanistan, Pakistan Resume Talks In Turkey Following Islamabad's 'Obliterate Taliban' Threat

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 21:02 IST

The talks were restarted at the request of mediators Turkey and Qatar, aiming to prevent a repeat of deadly border clashes that have killed dozens this month

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, right, and Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob sign a ceasefire agreement in Doha on Oct 19. (AP file photo)

Afghanistan and Pakistan have reportedly resumed peace talks in Istanbul, just a day after earlier negotiations for a peaceful resolution were declared to have failed, four sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

The resumption of the talks also comes a day after Pakistans Defence Minister threatened to obliterate the ruling Taliban in Kabul.

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According to three of the sources, the talks were restarted at the request of mediators Turkey and Qatar, aiming to prevent a repeat of deadly border clashes that have killed dozens this month.

A Pakistani security official said Islamabad would press its central demand: that Afghanistan take action against Islamist militants using its territory as a safe haven to plan attacks on Pakistani soil.

Most of the issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been resolved successfully and peacefully. A few demands from Pakistan need some extra time as they are difficult to be agreed upon," said a source close to the Afghan Taliban delegation.

Islamabad has long accused the Taliban of harbouring the Pakistani Taliban, a separate militant group hostile to Pakistan, and allowing them to strike Pakistani troops from Afghan territory. Kabul denies these allegations, saying it has no control over the group.

In Kabul, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani urged Pakistan to focus on its own internal security problems rather than creating tensions in Afghanistan. Speaking in a video posted online, he warned that attempts to provoke conflict would cost them dearly," adding that Afghanistan seeks peaceful engagement but would defend itself if attacked.

Pakistans Threat

On Wednesday, Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that the country could obliterate" the Taliban regime, saying Islamabad does not require even a fraction of its full arsenal" to push the group into hiding. His comments came hours after peace talks collapsed in Istanbul.

Pakistans Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had confirmed the breakdown, accusing Kabul of avoiding key issues and engaging in blame game and deflection." He said Pakistan remained committed to protecting its people from terrorism.

Talks Aim To Prevent Further Violence

The resumed negotiations follow the deadliest border clashes since the Taliban took power in 2021, which killed more than 70 people and injured hundreds. Violence erupted after Pakistani airstrikes targeted the head of the Pakistani Taliban earlier this month, prompting retaliatory attacks on Pakistani posts along the 2,600-km frontier, which remains closed.

Both sides had agreed to a ceasefire brokered in Doha on October 19 but could not reach common ground in a second round of talks in Istanbul. Despite the ceasefire, clashes between Pakistani forces and the Pakistani Taliban have continued, with multiple deaths reported.

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On Thursday, Pakistan said it had killed Qari Amjad, a deputy leader of the Pakistani Taliban and a designated terrorist by the United States, in a cross-border operationmarking a significant victory for Islamabad in its long-running insurgency battle.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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 : Pakistan

First Published: October 30, 2025, 21:02 IST

News world Afghanistan, Pakistan Resume Talks In Turkey Following Islamabad's 'Obliterate Taliban' Threat

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Ahmad Kazim: Who Is 'Deadly' TTP Commander In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Nicknamed 'Field Marshal'?

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 08:00 IST

Ahmad Kazim acts as a "shadow" governor of Kurram and is considered a deadly force, with a bounty of 10 crore PNR on his head for allegedly killing at least 100 Pakistani soldiers

TTP's Kurram district commander, Ahmad Kazim, in one of his purported propaganda videos. (Image: News18)

A deadly" force, TTP commander Ahmad Kazim is known to execute highly coordinated attacks on Pakistani military in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

According to official sources, Ahmad Kazim was most likely behind the attack on security forces in Kurram district on Wednesday (October 29), in which a captain-ranked army officer and six other soldiers were killed and 17 were left injured.

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WHO IS AHMAD KAZIM?

Kazim, who is the Kurram district commander, is known as the TTP Field Marshal", sources told News18.

The sources said Kazim acts as a shadow" governor of Kurram and is considered a singularly deadly force, with a bounty of 10 crore PNR on his head for allegedly killing at least 100 Pakistani soldiers.

WHY IS KAZIM DIFFERENT FROM OTHER TTP COMMANDERS?

The sources said Kazim distinguishes himself from most TTP commanders, who are limited to tactical ambushes, by combining operational speed with psychological warfare.

They said Kazim is known to execute layered strikes involving IEDs and gunfire follow-ups, captured in pursuit videos" designed to cause both physical destruction and morale collapse". His use of professionally edited propaganda videos to taunt the military leadership represents a new phase of information warfare, they added.

He has notably challenged Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in one of these videos, saying: Face us if youre a man, fight us if youve had your mothers milk."

HOW DOES HE OPERATE?

The sources said Kazim leverages the porous Afghan border and Kurrams Shia-Sunni divide for strategic sanctuary and communal camouflage".

He has managed to transform local sectarian grievances into the TTPs broader jihad narrative and is classified as a Category-A High Value Target, the sources said.

They said past and recent intelligence intercepts show the TTP militants close coordination with major terror groups, Al-Qaeda.

Elements of Al-Qaedas explosives unit reportedly train his squad in advanced IED crafting making his cell technically superior to most TTP factions, they said. He communicates using iridium satellite phones and encrypted Alrawi app, bypassing standard interception, they added.

The Kurram attack comes amid broader regional instability, including an ongoing conflict with the Afghan Taliban and internal tensions in the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

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The restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been hit hard. According to a Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) report published last week, 298 people died due to terrorism this year through October 22. The deceased included 117 police personnel and 181 civilians, while 486 others were injured.

Data shows that authorities conducted 2,366 intelligence-based operations across the province, resulting in the arrest of 1,124 militants and the killing of 368 terrorists.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: October 30, 2025, 08:00 IST

News world Ahmad Kazim: Who Is 'Deadly' TTP Commander In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Nicknamed 'Field Marshal'?

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Prince Andrew Loses Royal Titles, Honours Over Ties With Jeffrey Epstein

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 31, 2025, 06:51 IST

King Charles has begun removing Prince Andrew's titles after renewed scrutiny over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice keep their titles

Prince Andrew's ties with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein gained a spotlight after the publication of a posthumous memoir, Nobodys Girl, by his accuser Virginia Giuffre.

Britains King Charles has initiated a process to remove Prince Andrews titles, the Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.

According to a statement, His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew."

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Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation," the statement continued. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse," it added.

According to BBC, his daughters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice will retain their titles, as they are the daughters of the son of a Sovereign".

This comes after Prince Andrew failed to answer to the scandal over his association with disgraced and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. His role gained a spotlight after the publication of a posthumous memoir, Nobodys Girl," by his accuser Virginia Giuffre.

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According to CNN, Giuffre  who the prince claims never to have met  said in the memoir that Andrew sexually assaulted her while she was a teenager. Andrew has repeatedly denied all allegations against him. However, Andrew has repeatedly denied all allegations against him.

Andrew had even attempted to end the renewed scrutiny of his conduct by relinquishing use of his titles earlier this month. However, the memoir sparked questions about how he was able to pay Giuffre a reportedly multimillion-dollar settlement in a civil case in 2022 and fund his lifestyle despite having not been a working royal since 2019.

Location : United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: October 31, 2025, 01:30 IST

News world Prince Andrew Loses Royal Titles, Honours Over Ties With Jeffrey Epstein

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ISLAMABAD, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces killed 18 terrorists in two intelligence-based operations in the country's southwestern province of Balochistan, the military said on Thursday.

The operations were carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday against the banned terrorist organization Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani army, said in a statement.

The first operation took place in the provincial capital city of Quetta, where troops engaged the militants' location and killed 14 of them after an exchange of fire, according to the statement.

In a separate operation in Kech District, four militants were neutralized and a hideout was destroyed, the military said.

Weapons, ammunition and explosives were seized during the raids, it added, noting that the militants had been involved in multiple attacks in the region.

The military said that sanitization efforts were continuing to eliminate any remaining BLA terrorists.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif commended the security forces for the successful operations and vowed to eliminate all forms of terrorism from the country. 
Canada's Internal Security Collapse: ISI-Backed Khalistani Network Deepening Grip, Say Sources

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 14:36 IST

Top intelligence sources attribute the paralysis of Canadas security ecosystem to systemic flaws in law enforcement and political complicity.

Canadian police vehicle (Representative image)

Canadas collapsing security environment has exposed a network of key individuals driving violence and extremist infiltration. Darshan Saanhsi, a peace-loving businessman from Abbotsford, was murdered in broad daylight, deepening fear within the Punjabi community.

The violence links to Channi Natt, a Khalistani singer known for glorifying drugs and militancy, whose Surrey home was recently targeted in a shooting tied to Khalistani-linked drug cartels. According to top intelligence sources, the recent shooting at the residence of Channi Natt on October 27, 2025, is part of an ongoing turf war over narcotics routes and gurdwara-linked funding channels. His father, Surjit Singh Natt, a member of the Khalistani Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar, represents the ideological front that shields such networks.

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Perry Dulle, an extremist on Canadas no-fly list, is closely associated with Natt and suspected of coordinating drug and arms trafficking for Khalistani groups. On the financial side, Nurinder Singh Parmar, son of Air India bomber Talwinder Singh Parmar, has reportedly been positioned by ISI-backed handlers within the non-profit sector to divert charity funds toward extremist causes.

Similarly, Moninder Boyal, operating under the renamed Sikh Youth Federation (formerly the banned ISYF), plays a key role in fund diversion and propaganda operations. Enabling this web of crime and radicalism is the silence of Punjabi-origin Canadian politicians, whose unwillingness to confront Khalistani extremismdue to political and vote-bank interestshas allowed these threats to grow unchecked under the guise of community activism.

Between June and October 2025, over 48 gang-related shootings were recorded across Surrey, Abbotsford, and Brampton  most of them linked to Khalistani-linked drug cartels, according to law enforcement sources. The murder of moderate Sikh businessman Darshan Saanhsi in Abbotsford in September 2025 has heightened fear within the Punjabi business community, which now faces threats and extortion from extremist-linked gangs.

Top intelligence sources attribute the paralysis of Canadas security ecosystem to systemic flaws in law enforcement and political complicity. The RCMP and Surrey Police Service, they note, remain overstretched and constrained by judicial leniency that limits preventive detention or deportation of foreign-linked offenders. Political interference, particularly from Punjabi-origin legislators, has further weakened response mechanisms.

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Sources also highlight the complete silence" of leaders such as Jagmeet Singh and several local MLAs on Khalistani infiltration. Intelligence officials allege that both Liberal and NDP circles are under pressure not to designate Khalistan-linked entities as terrorist organisations to preserve coalition support in British Columbia.

Leaked assessments from Surrey RCMP and CSIS in October 2025, sources say, show Pakistani-linked accounts financing social media propaganda glorifying slain extremists like Hardeep Singh Nijjar. According to top sources, ISI operatives are exploiting Canadas liberal visa regime to rotate religious volunteers" who act as couriers, fund movers, and recruiters  deepening the nexus between extremism and organized crime in Canadas Sikh diaspora.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: October 30, 2025, 13:03 IST

News world Canada's Internal Security Collapse: ISI-Backed Khalistani Network Deepening Grip, Say Sources

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China To Train, Send First Pakistani Astronaut To Tiangong Space Station For Short Mission

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Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 14:36 IST

China will send a Pakistani astronaut to Tiangong Space Station, marking Pakistan's first human spaceflight and deepening collaboration between SUPARCO and China's Space Agency

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Mission to Tiangong Space Station will mark Pakistan's spaceflight debut. (News18 Hindi/AI-Generated Image)

In a move that marks a new chapter in Pakistans space ambitions, China has announced plans to send a Pakistani astronaut to its Tiangong Space Station for a short-term mission. The announcement, reported by Reuters on Thursday, underscores a deepening space cooperation between the two nations amid Pakistans growing reliance on China for technological and scientific advancement.

According to Chinese state agency Xinhua, two Pakistani astronauts will undergo extensive training alongside Chinese taikonauts, following which one will be selected as a special scientific payload specialist" for the upcoming space mission. This will be Pakistans first human spaceflight participation, made possible through collaboration with Chinas Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

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Earlier this year, Pakistans space agency, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), signed a landmark agreement with CMSA to initiate joint space cooperation. The accord allows Pakistani astronauts to receive professional training at Chinas Astronaut Centre, preparing them for specialised experiments aboard the Tiangong station.

The selected astronaut will participate in scientific experiments covering a range of disciplines including microgravity research, biology, medicine, aerospace engineering, materials science, and astronomy. These experiments, conducted in Tiangongs advanced laboratories, are expected to contribute to developments in health science, climate monitoring, and space technology.

China has emphasised that the Tiangong Space Station is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories and external payload adapters, facilitating simultaneous research in multiple scientific domains. The mission reportedly aims to foster collaboration in space-based science that could benefit Earth through innovations in medical research and environmental studies.

Pakistans participation comes at a time when India is rapidly advancing its own space ambitions. Following astronaut Shubhamshu Shuklas successful return from the International Space Station (ISS), India is now preparing for an indigenous space station under ISROs long-term plan.

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Unlike India, however, Pakistan lacks a fully developed space agency of comparable scale and continues to depend on international partnerships, particularly with China, to pursue its extraterrestrial goals.

Chinas announcement highlights a symbolic milestone for Pakistans aspirations to enter the elite league of nations with human spaceflight experience. The mission not only signifies growing China-Pakistan collaboration but also positions China as a pivotal partner in shaping Pakistans future in space exploration.

Location : Pakistan

First Published: October 30, 2025, 14:36 IST

News world China To Train, Send First Pakistani Astronaut To Tiangong Space Station For Short Mission

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'Hope US Safeguards Global Strategic Balance': China As Trump Orders Resumption Of Nuclear Tests

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 14:38 IST

China has urged the United States to honour its commitments under the nuclear-test-ban treaty and maintain the global moratorium on nuclear testing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L)/US President Donald Trump (R) at a summit in South Korea (Photos: AP)

Hours after Donald Trump ordered the US military to immediately resume testing nuclear weapons after a gap of 33 years, minutes before beginning a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, China on Thursday urged the US to earnestly abide" by a global nuclear testing ban.

In a statement, Chinas Foreign Ministry called for the US to abide by its commitment to a moratorium on nuclear testing and uphold the global strategic balance and stability.

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China hopes the United States will earnestly abide by the obligations of the comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty and its commitment to a ban on nuclear testing, and take concrete actions to safeguard the global nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation system and safeguard global strategic balance and stability," AFP quoted a Foreign Ministry spokesman, Guo Jiakun, as saying.

Trump made the surprise announcement on Truth Social while he was aboard his Marine One helicopter flying to meet Xi for a trade negotiating session in Busan, South Korea.

He said he was instructing the Pentagon to test the US nuclear arsenal on an equal basis" with other nuclear powers.

Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately," Trump posted.

Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years," his post read.

No nuclear power, other than North Korea, has carried out explosive testing in more than 25 years.

NUCLEAR TESTING SITES TO BE DETERMINED LATER

Later, on his way back to Washington, Trump said testing was needed to ensure the US keeps up with its rival nuclear powers.

With others doing testing, I think its appropriate that we do also," Trump said on board Air Force One, adding that nuclear test sites would be determined later.

Asked whether the world was entering a more risky phase around nuclear weapons, Trump dismissed the threat, saying US stocks were well locked up" before adding he would welcome denuclearisation.

Id like to see a denuclearisation because we have so many and Russias second and Chinas third and China will catch up within four or five years," he said.

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We are actually talking to Russia about that, and China would be added to that if we do something."

ALSO READ | We Do Not Always See Eye To Eye: Chinas Xi Talks Of Frictions As He Meets Trump In South Korea

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: October 30, 2025, 14:36 IST

News world 'Hope US Safeguards Global Strategic Balance': China As Trump Orders Resumption Of Nuclear Tests

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'Devastating Response': Taliban Minister Warns Pakistan, Says 'Don't Test Our Patience' | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 21:42 IST

Afghanistans acting minister of interior affairs, Sirajuddin Haqqani issued a stern warning to Pakistan to take a step back and accused it of violating Afghan sovereignty

Afganistan's acting minister of interior affairs, Sirajuddin Haqqani is a key figure in the Taliban leadership and explicitly accused Pakistan of engaging in continuous cross-border interference. (Image: AFP/File)

Amid escalating border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Taliban issued a stern warning to Islamabad to take a step back and accused its neighbour of violating Afghan sovereignty.

Afghanistans acting minister of interior affairs, Sirajuddin Haqqani warned Pakistan that if their patience is tested again, the resulting response will be devastating".

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Haqqani, a key figure in the Taliban leadership, explicitly accused Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty and engaging in continuous cross-border interference. Top Taliban sources told News18 that his speech indicates increased hostility towards Pakistan within the leadership.

According to the sources, while acknowledging the Talibans limitations regarding long-range missiles and advanced weapons, Haqqani stressed on their unwavering determination and reliance on unconventional warfare. This strategy involves using tactics such as proxy actions, local militias, or suicide and IED tactics rather than strategic arms, the sources said.

The sources said he spoke to internal cadres, urging them towards continued struggle and sent a firm message to Pakistan that repression or arrests will not delay their action. The Taliban leadership views Islamabad as an aggressor actively undermining Afghan autonomy, they said.

They said in a move aimed at clarifying internal alignments, the Taliban minister used the speech to position himself with the Kandhari group countering earlier misinformation that suggested he was close to Pakistan. His stance is also aimed at influencing regional dynamics, sending a message to major powers like China, Iran, and Russia that the Taliban can no longer be manipulated through Islamabad, they added.

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The Afghan side has intensified its monitoring of cross-border networks, proxy linkages, and militant movements, the sources said. Any sustained tension between the two neighbours threatens regional stability, especially along the critical Pakistan and Afghanistan corridors, they said.

Earlier, India stepped in to reaffirm its commitment to Afghanistans sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ministry of external affairs slammed Pakistan for engaging in cross-border terrorism with impunity.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Location : Kabul, Afghanistan

First Published: October 30, 2025, 21:42 IST

News world 'Devastating Response': Taliban Minister Warns Pakistan, Says 'Don't Test Our Patience' | Exclusive

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'Very Much Looking Forward': Donald Trump Ahead Of Key Meeting With China's Xi In South Korea

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 06:54 IST

Donald Trump said he is looking forward to meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea. Their meeting is scheduled to happen at 11 am local time (0200 GMT).

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2019 (Reuters/File)

Donald Trump has said that he is looking forward" to his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday.

His remark came just before Xi Jinping departed his country to be in South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

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The US President also landed in Busan for the Summit soon after.

Very much looking forward to my meeting with President Xi of China. It will take place in a few hours!" Donald Trump wrote on his official Truth Social platform.

On Wednesday, during his speech at the APEC Summit, the US President had said the expected trade deal would be good for both countries and something very exciting for everybody".

Thats really a great result. Thats better than fighting and going through all sorts of problems," Trump said in an address to a business luncheon on the sidelines of the APEC gathering in Gyeongju.

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping were set to hold talks in South Korea on Thursday morning, seeking a return to a fragile trade war truce between the worlds two largest economies.

The meeting, the first between the leaders since Trump returned to office in January, is due to begin at 11 am local time (0200 GMT) in the southern port city of Busan, capping off the US Presidents whirlwind trip around Asia.

Trump has repeatedly expressed optimism about reaching agreement with Xi during the summit, taking place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, buoyed by a breakthrough in trade talks with South Korea on Wednesday.

However, with both countries increasingly willing to play hardball over areas of economic and geopolitical competition, which analysts see as a new Cold War, many questions remain about how long any trade detente may last.

The trade war reignited this month after Beijing proposed dramatically expanding curbs on exports of rare-earth minerals vital for high-tech applications, a sector China dominates.

Trump vowed to retaliate with additional 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese exports, and with other steps including potential curbs on exports to China made with US software, moves that could have upended the global economy.

Ahead of the Summit, China bought its first cargoes of US soybeans in several months, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the White House has signaled it hopes the Summit will be the first of several between Trump and Xi in the coming year, including possible leader visits to each country, indicating a protracted negotiation process.

Trump said on Wednesday he expects to reduce US tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for Beijings commitment to curb the flow of precursor chemicals to make fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid that is the leading cause of American overdose deaths.

Trump has also said he might sign a final deal with Xi on TikTok, the social media app that faces a US ban unless its Chinese owners divest its US operations.

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Beijing is willing to work together for positive results", foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday.

ALSO READ | South Korea Gifts US President Gold Crown, Trump Says Would Like To Wear It Now

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: October 30, 2025, 06:46 IST

News world 'Very Much Looking Forward': Donald Trump Ahead Of Key Meeting With China's Xi In South Korea

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Fantastic Friendship For A Long Time: Trump Praises Chinas Xi, Calls Him Respected, Distinguished

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 08:43 IST

Speaking at the meeting, Trump said, "It's a great honour to be with a friend of mine, really for a long time now  the very, very distinguished and respected President of China."

US President Donald Trump (L) and China's President Xi Jinping greet each other as they arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base, located next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan. (AFP)

US President Donald Trump praised his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, calling him a great leader of a great country" and describing their ties as a fantastic friendship."

Speaking during their meeting, Trump said, Its a great honour to be with a friend of mine, really for a long time now  the very, very distinguished and respected President of China. Weve already agreed to a lot of things, and well agree to some more right now, but President Xi is a great leader of a great country, and I think were going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time."

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#WATCH | President of the United States, Donald Trump, says, Its a great honour to be with a friend of mine, really for a long time now. The very, very distinguished and respected President of China. Weve already agreed to a lot of things, and well agree to some more right https://t.co/oTG42Qj8Bj pic.twitter.com/xuuTxrZv5c ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025

Responding to Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping said it was a great pleasure" to meet him again after several years. President Trump, it is a great pleasure to meet you, and it feels very warm seeing you again because its been many years," Xi said. He noted that since Trumps re-election, the two leaders had spoken on the phone three times, exchanged several letters, and maintained close contact. Under our joint guidance, China-US relations have remained stable on the whole. Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then," Xi added.

Also Read: We Do Not Always See Eye To Eye: Chinas Xi Talks Of Frictions As He Meets Trump In South Korea

Xi further told Trump that while the two countries might not always agree, they should aim to remain partners and friends." China and the US can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world," Xi said as talks began in South Koreas Busan.

#WATCH | Chinese President Xi Jinping says, President Trump, it is a great pleasure to meet you, and it feels very warm seeing you again because its been many years. Since your re-election, we have spoken on the phone three times, exchanged several letters, and stayed in close https://t.co/oTG42Qj8Bj pic.twitter.com/Isv2nPURCh ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025

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The meeting between Trump and Xi, their first in several years, took place on Thursday in Busan, South Korea, at a South Korean air base. The two leaders focused on efforts to ease trade tensions between the worlds two largest economies. Held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, the talks drew global attention as both nations signalled a potential thaw in strained US-China relations.

The high-stakes meeting came after months of economic friction, with both sides seeking to stabilise relations strained by Trumps renewed tariff measures and Chinas retaliatory restrictions on rare earth exports. Ahead of the talks, US officials indicated that Trump was unlikely to follow through on his threat to impose an additional 100 per cent import tax on Chinese goods, while Beijing appeared willing to make concessions by easing export controls and resuming soybean purchases from the United States.

About the Author Abhro Banerjee Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, including electi... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 08:06 IST

News world Fantastic Friendship For A Long Time: Trump Praises Chinas Xi, Calls Him Respected, Distinguished

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'Hire Americans': Florida Governor Ends H-1B Visa Hiring Across State Universities

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 08:52 IST

DeSantis announced that state universities will no longer be allowed to hire foreign workers on H-1B visas, ordering institutions to prioritise American citizens.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (Image: X)

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday directed the Florida Board of Governors to crack down on H-1B Visa abuse in higher education and banned the visas at state universities, ordering institutions to hire Americans instead of foreign workers.

DeSantis announced that state universities will no longer be allowed to hire foreign workers on H-1B visas, ordering institutions to prioritise American citizens and Florida residents for all university positions.

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The Florida Governor also announced that Florida DOGE has partnered with Federal DOGE, the State University System, and institutional partners to cancel or repurpose millions of dollars in DEI-related grants.

Universities across the country are importing foreign workers on H-1B visas instead of hiring Americans who are qualified and available to do the job. We will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions. Thats why I have directed the Florida Board of Governors to end this pic.twitter.com/dw3n8Ho5BK Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 29, 2025

Florida is requiring institutions to put American graduates first and ensure taxpayer-funded schools serve the American workforce, not to be used to import cheap foreign labor. H-1B visas are allegedly intended to hire individuals for a specialty occupation, but many universities and institutions have hired foreign workers for jobs that could easily be filled by qualified Americans.

Universities are exempt from federal H-1B caps, enabling year-round hiring of foreign labor, his statement said.

By working with Federal DOGE, the State University System, and individual institutions, Florida has also repurposed or canceled DEI-related grants that were made with total intended amounts of more than $33 million.

The statement alleged that several grants were cancelled, citing lack of compliance with state and federal law regarding DEI-centric, discriminatory missions.

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Florida repurposed millions of dollars in previously DEI-centered grants to align with state and federal law and represent an appropriate use of taxpayer funds. This included a USD 1.5 million grant previously focused on promoting historically marginalised students" in STEM fields to focus on financial background, rather than race or ethnicity.

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 : United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 30, 2025, 08:50 IST

News world 'Hire Americans': Florida Governor Ends H-1B Visa Hiring Across State Universities

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'I Honestly Do Wish': JD Vance Says He Hopes His Hindu Wife Usha Converts To Christianity

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 19:49 IST

US Vice President JD Vance said that he wishes his wife Usha Vance, raised Hindu, will embrace Christianity.

US Vice President JD Vance with Second Lady Usha Vance. (File pic/PTI)

US Vice President JD Vance said he hopes his wife Usha Vance, who was raised Hindu, will one day embrace Christianity. Speaking at a Turning Point USA event in Mississippi, JD Vance said faith has become a central part of his familys life, even as he acknowledged his wifes differing beliefs.

Now, most Sundays, Usha will come with me to church. As Ive told her, and as Ive said publicly- do I hope, eventually, that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved by in church? Yeah, I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way," JD Vance said.

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JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, added that their religious differences have not caused conflict within the family.

If she doesnt [convert], then God says everybody has free will, and so that doesnt cause a problem for me," he said, adding, Thats something you work out with your friends, your family, with the person you love."

The US Vice President also shared that the couples children are being raised in the Christian faith. Their eight-year-old recently completed First Communion and their two oldest children attend a Christian school.

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Emphasizing the importance of faith in public life, JD Vance said he makes no apologies" for believing that Christian values are foundational to the United States.

Anybody whos telling you their view is neutral likely has an agenda to sell you," he said, responding to a question about the separation of church and state. He continued, And Im at least honest about the fact that I think the Christian foundation of this country is a good thing."

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: October 30, 2025, 19:46 IST

News world 'I Honestly Do Wish': JD Vance Says He Hopes His Hindu Wife Usha Converts To Christianity

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Meeting In Canadian Parliament Calls For Action Against Khalistani, Other Extremist Groups

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 08:58 IST

The discussion, attended by several Members of Parliament, centred on the threats posed by Khalistani elements and other radical groups.

The meeting was marked by the participation of 12 organisations representing diverse communities, including Indian, Iranian, Venezuelan, Cuban, Christian, and Jewish groups. (Image: X/salmansima)

A significant bipartisan meeting held inside the Canadian Parliament has drawn attention to the growing concerns over Khalistani extremist networks and foreign influence operating within Canada. The discussion, attended by several Members of Parliament, centred on the threats posed by Khalistani elements and other radical groups that, according to participants, have been exploiting Canadas open democratic framework.

The meeting was marked by the participation of 12 organisations representing diverse communities, including Indian, Iranian, Venezuelan, Cuban, Christian, and Jewish groups. Collectively, these organisations urged the Canadian government to adopt a firmer stance against groups promoting violence or separatism under the guise of political activism. A key demand emerging from the session was for Ottawa to officially designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation, aligning Canadas policy with several other democratic nations that have already taken similar action.

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Speakers at the event emphasised that foreign-backed extremist ideologies were undermining Canadas internal harmony and its global reputation as a defender of human rights and rule of law. The discussion also touched upon how certain groups allegedly receive ideological or financial support from abroad, particularly from countries that seek to sow division within multicultural societies.

We had a productive bipartisan meeting in the Canadian parliament on hostile foreign influence in Canada. 12 organizations from different communities including Iranian, Venezuelan, Cuban, Indian, Christian, Jewish communities called for kicking the CCP, Khalistanis and IRGC pic.twitter.com/cygYCDuc8T Salman Sima (@SalmanSima) October 29, 2025

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Participants reiterated that Canadian values must be rooted in respect for human rights, equality, and peaceful coexistence. They called upon lawmakers to ensure that Canadas commitment to free speech and diversity is not misused by elements advocating violence or separatism.

The meetings bipartisan nature highlighted a growing recognition across party lines that foreign interference and extremist movements pose a serious national challenge. It concluded with a shared call for stronger legislative and security measures to counter hostile foreign influence and safeguard Canadas democratic integrity.

About the Author Siddhant Mishra Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively ... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 08:55 IST

News world Meeting In Canadian Parliament Calls For Action Against Khalistani, Other Extremist Groups

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Five More Arrested In $102 Million Louvre Heist As Hunt For Missing Crown Jewels Continues

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 13:38 IST

According to French radio station RTL, the arrests took place simultaneously across various parts of Paris on Wednesday evening.

The Paris prosecutors office has yet to issue an official statement. (X @BFMTV)

French police have arrested five additional suspects in connection with the daring $102 million jewel heist at the Louvre Museums Apollo Gallery, home to the French Crown Jewels, French media reported on Thursday.

According to French radio station RTL, the arrests took place simultaneously across various parts of Paris on Wednesday evening. Judiciary sources confirmed the operation was part of an expanding investigation into the high-profile robbery. Earlier, French TV station BFM reported that a man suspected of being at the scene during the daylight theft had also been detained.

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The Paris prosecutors office has yet to issue an official statement. The latest arrests come days after two men, accused of breaking into the museum through an upstairs window, were taken into custody over the weekend. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau said the pair had partially admitted" their role in the theft during interrogation.

Authorities continue to search for the missing jewels, while investigators probe whether the suspects were part of a larger network. Beccuau said on Wednesday that she did not rule out the involvement of a mastermind who may have ordered the theft.

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The heist  which exposed serious security lapses at the worlds most-visited museum  has been described in French media as a national embarrassment," intensifying pressure on cultural and law enforcement authorities to recover the stolen treasures.

(With inputs from agencies)

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 30, 2025, 13:27 IST

News world Five More Arrested In $102 Million Louvre Heist As Hunt For Missing Crown Jewels Continues

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BEIJING, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- China urges the Paraguayan government to heed the call of its people, embark on the right course as early as possible, and make the right decision to recognize the one-China principle and sever so-called "diplomatic ties" with the Taiwan authorities, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday.

Guo's remarks were made in response to the latest poll conducted in Paraguay this month, which showed nearly 90 percent of Paraguayan people recognize the importance of establishing diplomatic relations with China.

"In recent years, we have heard time and again the strong call of people from various sectors in Paraguay to develop relations with China," Guo told a daily news briefing.

He noted that the poll once again demonstrates the keen desire of the Paraguayan people for the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Paraguay.

"We would like to stress again that China's reunification is unstoppable," said Guo.

Guo said that maintaining so-called "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan authorities does not serve the fundamental and long-term interests of Paraguay and its people, and also goes against the prevailing consensus of the international community on upholding the one-China principle.

"We urge the Paraguayan government to heed the call of its people, embark on the right course as early as possible, come to the right side of history, and make the right decision to recognize the one-China principle and sever so-called 'diplomatic ties' with the Taiwan authorities," the spokesperson said. 
Nepal's Constitutional Crisis Deepens: What Is The Inside Story, How Will It Affect India?

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 07:00 IST

Top government sources said Indian agencies believe that any delay in elections or judicial deadlock in Nepal may benefit "anti-India" forces

The Supreme Court of Nepal will seek written responses from both President Ram Chandra Paudel and interim leader Sushila Karki, asking them about the constitutional basis for appointment and dissolution decisions. (Image: PTI/File)

Nepals constitutional crisis, centered on the legitimacy of the interim government and the dissolution of the Parliament, indicates a power vacuum in Kathmandu that could potentially be exploited by China, top Indian government sources told News18.

According to the sources, Indian agencies feel that any delay in elections or judicial deadlock may benefit anti-India" forces.

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The judicial confrontation in Nepal started after President Ram Chandra Paudel decided to dissolve the House of Representatives on the interim governments recommendation.

This controversial move ended the term of the Lower House early, necessitating fresh elections. Critics, including political parties, experts, and civil society leaders, have widely criticised the decision, arguing that the interim government did not have the authority to recommend the dissolution of Parliament.

This issue quickly moved to the Supreme Court of Nepal, where a constitutional bench was formed led by Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut, alongside Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla, Kumar Regmi, Hari Prasad Phuyal, and Manoj Kumar Sharma. The court heard multiple writ petitions challenging the constitutionality of Prime Minister Sushila Karkis appointment.

It was argued that both her appointment and the dissolution of Parliament violated the Constitution. The appointment of a former Chief Justice as Prime Minister breaches Article 132(2).

Paudels unilateral decision to appoint an interim government without parliamentary recommendation violates articles 74 and 76, it was argued. The dissolution of the House of Representatives took place without citing any constitutional clause, making it plainly unconstitutional".

It was further argued that the Presidents move to install an interim government under a former Chief Justice reflects a deep political capture of the presidency, undermining Nepals separation of powers and indicating a weak constitutional order.

Here are some arguments made before the Supreme Court:

Advocate Prem Raj Silwal said the government lacks legitimacy and intent to hold elections, stating that power cannot be seized through the streets.

Advocate Tikaram Bhattarai argued that the President acted beyond constitutional limits and urged the court to issue an interim order to restrict the governments powers.

Advocates Sher Bahadur KC and Ekaraj Pokharel criticised Karkis moral inconsistency and legal ineligibility. They mocked the absurdity of a non-MP dissolving Parliament.

WHAT DID THE SUPREME COURT SAY?

Justice Malla, however, urged the counsel to focus on whether an interim order should be issued, while Justice Regmi questioned the practical options available when the government was formed and tested if there was any effort to form another administration.

The constitution bench will now decide on granting an interim order. The court will seek written responses from both Paudel and Karki, asking them on their constitutional basis for appointment and dissolution decisions.

WHAT DID THE INDIAN GOVT SAY?

Top Indian government sources view this confrontation as indicating a power vacuum in Kathmandu, which can potentially be exploited by China.

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The sources said Indian agencies fear that if instability remains, border management, cross-border trade, and intelligence cooperation will face setbacks. They said any delay in elections or judicial deadlock benefits anti-India forces", as per the agencies.

They said the agencies believe that China may exploit through judicial and bureaucratic proxies, seeking to paralyse democratic institutions. Paudels move to install an interim government under a former Chief Justice reflects a deep political capture of the presidency, they said. This undermines Nepals separation of powers, indicating a weak constitutional order, they added.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: October 30, 2025, 07:00 IST

News world Nepal's Constitutional Crisis Deepens: What Is The Inside Story, How Will It Affect India?

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'No Degree, No Opinion': Chinese Influencers To Now Provide Credentials To Discuss Sensitive Topics

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News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 22:09 IST

China's new social media law requires influencers to provide proof of qualifications to discuss sensitive topics such as health, finance or law in a bid to curb misinformation.

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China's new law wants only degree-holders to discuss sensitive topics on social media. (Getty Images)

China has now passed a sweeping social media law, which requires influencers to hold formal degrees to discuss sensitive topics such as health, finance or law, in a bid to curb information on social media channels.

The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) issued the Regulations on the Accountability of Internet Content Creators for Professional Topics", starting from October 25, which requires any influencer discussing medicine, law, education, or finance must hold verifiable qualifications.

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The law is a broader effort by Chinese authorities to curb misinformation and reduce content accountability. It aims to distinguish between opinion and expertise, requiring influencers to provide proof of qualifications before posting content in these fields.

How Will It Work?

Creators on social media will now be required to highlight evidence of expertise prior to posting content related to regulated subjects. These credentials can include a university degree, professional licence, or state-recognised certification in the relevant field.

Several Chinese social media platforms, such as Douyin (Chinas TikTok), Weibo, and Bilibili, are now responsible for verifying influencer credentials and ensuring that posts on sensitive topics include proper citations and disclaimers.

People will also have to clearly identify AI-generated content or references to research studies. Violations can result in content takedowns or account suspensions, with fines up to 100,000 yuan (approximately $14,000), as per the guidelines.

The CAC also banned the advertising of medical products, supplements and health foods to avoid hidden promotions that are disguised as educational news".

How Did People React?

The law has stirred a major debate online, with proponents saying that it will reduce misinformation, and critics warning that it can harm creativity and limit freedom of speech, according to Morocco World News.

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Some people have said that only people with expertise should be allowed to speak on sensitive topics. Its about time people with real expertise led the conversation," a user said on Weibo.

Next thing you know, well need a license to post opinions," a Beijing-based creator reacted negatively to the new law. Critics said the law would give too much power to authorities to decide which individuals counted as experts".

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 : Beijing, China

First Published: October 30, 2025, 22:09 IST

News world 'No Degree, No Opinion': Chinese Influencers To Now Provide Credentials To Discuss Sensitive Topics

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Ontario Premier Slams US Envoy For 'Expletive-Laced Tirade' Over Tariff Ad That Angered Trump

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Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 20:17 IST

Ontario Premier Doug Ford demanded an apology from the US envoy Pete Hoekstra over a tense exchange with the province's trade representative over the recent Reagan ad.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford | Reuters Image

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has demanded an apology from the US Ambassador to Canada after what CBC News described as a expletive-laced tirade" between the envoy and the provincial trade representative.

The tense exchange between US envoy Pete Hoekstra and Ontario trade representative David Paterson took place over a controversial advertisement featuring ex-US president Ronald Reagans radio address to criticise Donald Trumps tariffs, BBC reported. The advertisement prompted Trump to suspend trade talks with Canada and impose an additional 10% tariff on Canadian imports.

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The minute-long ad, sponsored by Ontarios provincial government, features excerpts from Ronald Reagans 1987 radio address on free and fair trade- remarks that warned against the dangers of protectionism and high tariffs. Reagans address was rearranged to form an anti-tariff narrative, which was perceived as a critique of Trumps trade policies.

Ford called Hoekstras remarks absolutely unacceptable" and unbecoming of an ambassador", and demanded an apology. Pete, you gotta call Dave up and apologise. Its simple," Ford said. You know, the cheese slipped off the cracker. I get it. Youre ticked off, but call the guy up because youre a good guy, and Daves my champion," he added.

We Achieved Our Goal

Ford also stood firm behind his decision to run the advertisement that angered Donald Trump, saying, we have achieved our goal." He said the TV spot had one billion views", and has garnered attention from as far as the UK and India.

What do they expect me to do? Sit back and roll over like every other person in the world," he was quoted as saying by BBC. Earlier, Ford said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had seen the TV spot before it was released, along with his chief of staff.

In the Ontario legislature, Ford called the advert the most successful in the history of North America" and said it had ignited conversations across the US and the world about Trumps tariffs. President Trump wants to attack our country, but Im never going to take a back seat to President Trump," he said.

Meanwhile, Trump has hinted at a possible reduction in tensions with Canada over the fake" advertisement, after meeting with Carney for dinner on Wednesday night during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea.

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We had a very nice conversation with him last night," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked about his interaction with Carney, after his announcement of 10% tariff increase on Canadian goods.

Currently, multiple Canadian products face a 35 per cent tariff, with steel and aluminium subject to 50 per cent, and energy products 10 per cent. Trump did not specify which sectors the additional tariffs would target.

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 : Canada

First Published: October 30, 2025, 20:17 IST

News world Ontario Premier Slams US Envoy For 'Expletive-Laced Tirade' Over Tariff Ad That Angered Trump

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Pakistan Vows To 'Go Deep Into Afghanistan To Hunt TTP' As Taliban Confrontation Escalates

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 14:39 IST

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Islamabad has the capability to dismantle the Talibans military structure if provoked further.

Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif (Image: AP/file)

In a major escalation of rhetoric, Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has declared that Islamabad will adopt a confrontational approach" towards the Afghan Taliban regime, accusing Kabul of harbouring and supporting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters. Speaking in a hard-hitting statement carried by Pakistani media, Asif warned that Pakistan will strike again and again" if attacks originating from Afghan soil continue.

Pakistan will not tolerate infiltration anymore," Asif said, vowing to go deep into Afghanistan to hunt TTP terrorists." He claimed that repeated intelligence inputs and confessions by captured attackers prove that Afghan soil is being used for terror attacks against Pakistan. Even Qatari and Turkish mediators have admitted that Afghan soil is being used for terrorism," he asserted.

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The remarks come amid growing tensions along the Durand Line, where Islamabad has faced a surge in cross-border assaults blamed on the TTP. Asif accused Kabul of derailing peace efforts, saying, Talks were in the right direction, but unfortunately, Kabul derailed negotiations."

He added that Pakistan has the capability to dismantle the Talibans military structure if provoked further. Pakistan does not need to employ even a fraction of its full arsenal to completely obliterate the Taliban regime and push them back to the caves," Asif warned.

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Calling the Talibans approach reckless and self-destructive," the Pakistan Defence Minister said the regime was blindly pushing Afghanistan into yet another conflict." He further vowed that Pakistan will not spare traitors and militants," emphasising that the patience shown by Islamabad over the Talibans treachery and mockery" had run out.

The strong words signal a dangerous turn in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations  and raise fears of an armed confrontation between two neighbouring regimes once bound by ideological proximity.

About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

First Published: October 30, 2025, 14:39 IST

News world Pakistan Vows To 'Go Deep Into Afghanistan To Hunt TTP' As Taliban Confrontation Escalates

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'There Is No Pain Like This': Grieving Israeli Family Buries Hostage Son For Third Time

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 23:36 IST

Ofir Tzarfati, who died in Hamas captivity after being abducted on October 7, was laid to rest by his family for the third time in less than two years

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Ofir Tzarfati, 27, was among the hundreds abducted from the Nova music festival during the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023. (Image via X/@IsraelinNewYork)

There is no mother in the world who should stand three times over the open grave of her son." These were the heartbreaking words of Richelle Tzarfati on Thursday, as her family laid to rest the remains of her son, Ofir Tzarfati, for the third time in less than two years.

Ofir, a 27-year-old Israeli, was among the hundreds abducted from the Nova music festival during the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023. He was taken to Gaza, where he died early in captivity. His story has since become a symbol of the anguish felt by the families of Israels hostages  an ordeal that, for the Tzarfati family, refuses to end.

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Israeli troops recovered some of Ofirs remains in December 2023, allowing the family to hold a funeral. More remains were found and returned in March 2024, leading to a second burial. But this week, their grief deepened once again.

According to Israeli officials, Hamas handed over what was supposed to be the body of another hostage under a recent Gaza ceasefire arrangement. Forensic tests later revealed that the remains were, in fact, Ofirs  marking the third time his family would have to say goodbye.

The Israeli military released footage showing Hamas operatives burying a shrouded body before inviting Red Cross representatives to witness its discovery". Israel accused Hamas of deceiving mediators and violating the ceasefire terms, while the International Committee of the Red Cross condemned the act as unacceptable".

At Thursdays funeral in Kiryat-Ata, near Haifa, Richelles anguish was raw. Once again, I have to say goodbye. For the third time. The third time, Ofir. There is no human pain in this world that can compare to such a thing," she said.

The the slain hostages mother further added, My heart no longer knows how to hold this. Each time, it tears apart again, as if two years havent passed. As if its happening again. And the soul screams, because theres nowhere to escape from this pain."

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The ones who did this, the ones who kidnapped, who desecrated, who keep lying again and again to the world, they didnt just murder Ofir, they continue to trample on his memory, to use bodies to play games, as if what they have already taken from us isnt enough."

(With inputs from AFP)

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 : Israel

First Published: October 30, 2025, 23:36 IST

News world 'There Is No Pain Like This': Grieving Israeli Family Buries Hostage Son For Third Time

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Trump Strikes One-Year Rare Earths Deal, Slashes Plans To Visit China In April After Meeting With Xi

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 12:52 IST

Trump said the two leaders agreed that President Xi would work very hard to stop fentanyl

US President Donald Trump (L) and China's President Xi Jinping greet each other as they arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base, located next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan. (AFP)

US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a one-year extendable deal with China on the supply of critical rare earth minerals and said he plans to visit Beijing in April next year, following what he described as an amazing" meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.

Trump also revealed that tariffs on fentanyl-linked imports from China will be cut by 10% as part of broader trade discussions aimed at easing tensions between the worlds two largest economies.

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Speaking after the talks, Trump said a lot of decisions were made" and that both sides reached key understandings on trade and cooperation. He said the two leaders agreed that President Xi would work very hard to stop fentanyl" and that more conclusions on very important things" would be shared soon.

Trump said the one-year rare earth agreement, to be renegotiated annually, was a major step toward stabilising global access to materials essential for electronics, electric vehicles, and defence manufacturing. All the rare earths have been settled, and thats for the world," he told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Outlining other trade measures, Trump said China had agreed to purchase American farm products, including soybeans, and to step up efforts to curb the illicit fentanyl trade. He added that both sides also discussed semiconductor cooperation, with China expected to hold talks with Nvidia.

Confirming that the US and China would sign the one-year trade deal, Trump said it could be extended later.

We have not spoken about Blackwell chips," he clarified. Speaking about the Taiwan issue, Trump said it was not discussed in his meeting with Xi. Taiwan never came up. That was not discussed, actually," he said aboard Air Force One after leaving South Korea.

Trump Calls Meeting With Xi A Great Success

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US President Donald Trump on Thursday hailed his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as a great success" and announced plans to visit China in April for further discussions. Ill be going to China in April, and hell be coming here sometime after that, whether its in Florida, Palm Beach, or Washington, DC," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Reflecting on the talks held in Busan, South Korea, Trump said, A lot of things we brought to finalisation," describing Xi as a tremendous leader of a very powerful country." The meeting marked the first in-person talks between the two leaders in several years, as Washington and Beijing seek to ease trade tensions and strengthen bilateral cooperation.

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 30, 2025, 10:23 IST

News world Trump Strikes One-Year Rare Earths Deal, Slashes Plans To Visit China In April After Meeting With Xi

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Trump Says US Will 'Immediately Begin' Testing Nuclear Weapons, Minutes Before Meeting With Xi

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Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 07:42 IST

Trump said that, although he hated the destructive nature of nuclear weapons, he felt compelled to expand and maintain them because of growing competition from Russia and China.

US President Donald Trump. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

US President Donald Trump on Thursday has announced that the United States will immediately begin" testing nuclear weapons, citing similar actions by China and Russia. The statement, made on his social media platform Truth Social, comes just hours before his high-profile summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.

US must match nuclear testing by China, Russia

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Trump said that, although he hated" the destructive nature of nuclear weapons, he felt compelled to expand and maintain them because of growing competition from Russia and China. He said that since other countries were already conducting nuclear tests, he had instructed the US Department of Defense to begin nuclear testing immediately" so that the US would not fall behind.

In his post, Trump wrote, The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately."

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Trump announcement has triggered a dramatic escalation in Washingtons nuclear posture, breaking with decades of restraint under international test ban norms. The United States last conducted a full-scale nuclear weapons test in 1992, though it has since carried out subcritical experiments.

Meanwhile, Trump has landed in Busan for a G2 meeting with Xi. Both leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of contentious issues, including trade tariffs, fentanyl trafficking, rare earth mineral restrictions, and the status of Chinese technology firms such as TikTok in the US.

About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More

Location : South Korea

First Published: October 30, 2025, 07:14 IST

News world Trump Says US Will 'Immediately Begin' Testing Nuclear Weapons, Minutes Before Meeting With Xi

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Trump Caught On Hot Mic Revealing Plans For Meet With Xi: 'Would Stretch For 3-4 Hours'

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Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 07:12 IST

According to the reports, Trump told other leaders that the Thursday session with Xi would stretch 'three to four hours".

US President Donald Trump with Chinese President Xi Jinping. (AP file photo)

During a diplomatic dinner in South Korea, US President Donald Trump, caught on a hot mic, disclosed that his summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping would extend far beyond the official schedule and hinted at a possible breakthrough in trade discussions between the worlds two largest economies. Recommended Stories

Were going to have something thats going to be very, very satisfactory to China and to us," Trump was overheard saying at a dinner hosted by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday. I think its going to be a very good meeting. I look forward to it tomorrow morning when we meet."

According to the reports, Trump told other leaders that the Thursday session with Xi would stretch three to four hours". However, as per the White House had budgeted less than two hours for the summit.

Trump-Xi Meeting

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With months of tension, the meeting between Trump and Xi is set to take place on Thursday morning in Busan. Trade disputes, fentanyl exports, and restrictions on rare earth minerals have strained ties in the past few days, despite efforts by both sides to keep negotiations alive.

Trumps remark, captured before the microphones were switched off, seemed to suggest optimism about the talks outcome. Its going to be very, very satisfactory to both sides," he said, offering one of his most upbeat predictions on US-China ties since returning to the White House.

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 : South Korea

First Published: October 30, 2025, 07:12 IST

News world Trump Caught On Hot Mic Revealing Plans For Meet With Xi: 'Would Stretch For 3-4 Hours'

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Trump Slashes Annual Limit For Refugees Entering US To 7,500 - Mostly White South Africans

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Last Updated: October 31, 2025, 00:47 IST

US cuts annual refugee admissions to 7,500, mainly White South Africans, citing national security and resource concerns, sharply reducing Biden-era levels of 125,000

US President Donald Trump (Image: AFP/File)

As the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials continue to move against illegal immigrants, the Trump administration has announced its decision to restrict the number of refugees allowed to enter the country annually to 7,500 and they will mostly be White South Africans.

The latest decision is a sharp cut from 125,000, which was set under former President Joe Biden.

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In January 2025, Trump had signed an executive order suspending the US Refugee Admissions Programme, or USRAP, which would allow the authorities to prioritise national security and public safety.

On January 20, Trump said he would suspend USRAP to reflect the USs lack of ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans" and protects their safety and security".

In May, Trump had criticised South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and alleged that white farmers in his nation were being killed and persecuted".

The White House had also played a video which they said showed burial sites for murdered white farmers, BBC reported.

According to a statement published by the Federal Register on Thursday, the move to slash the refugee admissions to 7,500 will apply for the next fiscal year.

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While no reason was given for the cut, the notice said it was justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest".

According to BBC, the notice said the 7,500 admissions would primarily" be allocated to Afrikaner South Africans and other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands".

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 31, 2025, 00:47 IST

News world Trump Slashes Annual Limit For Refugees Entering US To 7,500 - Mostly White South Africans

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US Ends Automatic Extensions Of Work Permits For Certain Immigrants, Indians May Be Impacted

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Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 07:26 IST

The US Department of Homeland Security has ended the automatic extension of work permits for certain noncitizens. The new rule is effective October 30, 2025.

US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office (Photo: AP)

In a significant immigration policy shift, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the end of the practice of automatically extending Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs) for certain noncitizens who file renewal applications, a rule which may impact Indians there.

According to the rule, which takes effect on October 30, 2025, immigrants applying to renew their work permits will no longer receive an automatic extension of their EAD unless specifically provided by law or under special Temporary Protected Status (TPS)-related provisions published in the Federal Register.

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The Department of Homeland Security said the change is aimed at enhancing security by ensuring each applicant undergoes full background screening before their employment authorisation is extended.

USCIS is placing a renewed emphasis on robust alien screening and vetting, eliminating policies the former administration implemented that prioritised aliens convenience ahead of Americans safety and security," an official release quoted USCIS Director Joseph Edlow.

Its a commonsense measure to ensure appropriate vetting and screening has been completed before an aliens employment authorisation or documentation is extended. All aliens must remember that working in the United States is a privilege, not a right."

This marks a departure from the former US President Joe Biden administrations 2022 rule, which allowed automatic extensions of up to 540 days for certain renewal applicants to prevent job losses while USCIS processed backlogged applications.

DHS now says that ending these automatic extensions will result in more frequent vetting" of applicants, allowing the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to detect fraud or identify individuals who pose potential security risks.

The agency has advised immigrants to file renewal applications up to 180 days before their EAD expires to avoid employment gaps, warning that delays in filing could result in temporary lapses in work authorisation.

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The rule will not affect EADs that were automatically extended before October 30, 2025.

ALSO READ | Trump Announces US Will Immediately Begin Testing Nuclear Weapons

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: October 30, 2025, 07:16 IST

News world US Ends Automatic Extensions Of Work Permits For Certain Immigrants, Indians May Be Impacted

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BANGKOK, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- At the recent Thailand Space Expo held in Bangkok, Thanabordee Sakunarunphet, a geoinformatics officer, pointed to a map on a large screen, showing areas prone to flash floods across Thailand, to demonstrate the importance of space data in keeping people safe during harsh weather conditions.

This visualization is part of space-based applications that Thanabordee and his team developed at the Thai Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), which covers areas such as disaster monitoring, health tracking, and land use.

His ability to create such critical applications is rooted in a pivotal educational experience, which is the Sirindhorn Center of Geo-Informatics Master Program, a double-degree scholarship. As a recipient of this scholarship, he has spent one year studying surveying engineering in China's Wuhan University, experiencing the flourishing technological and personnel exchange between the two countries.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Thanabordee emphasized how exposure to Chinese technology enhanced his understanding and capabilities. "The technology in China, particularly in surveying engineering, differs from ours," he said. "Because China has many of its own multi-system satellites, using this data for analysis is more progressive and easier than when we rely on limited data in Thailand."

He added that this experience now allows him to provide critical input on what sensors or types of satellites Thailand needs to develop next, helping to advance the national space program.

The focus on human capital development extends beyond bilateral university agreements, finding robust support through multilateral frameworks such as the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO).

Tatiya Chuentragun, deputy director general of the Department of Program Operation and Data Service at APSCO, emphasized that China plays a massive role in supporting human resource development within the organization.

APSCO, which includes Thailand among its eight member states, is headquartered in Beijing. The organization provides full scholarships, both at the master's and Ph.D. levels, for students from member states.

Tatiya said China's deep expertise in space science, technology, applications, and policy means that APSCO members benefit from unparalleled access to highly qualified professors and experts for training and consulting.

"We are surrounded by abundant space resources and opportunities," Tatiya told Xinhua, adding that the access granted through APSCO makes reaching advanced space technology "easier and not as expensive as previously thought."

In February this year, Pakistan, another APSCO member, signed an agreement with China in Islamabad to select and train Pakistani astronauts for participation in China's space station missions, marking a new chapter in bilateral cooperation on manned spaceflight.

"China's manned space technology is among the most advanced in the world," said Muhammad Yousaf Khan, chairman of the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission of Pakistan. "What's even more impressive is that China built a world-class space station in such a short time. This cooperation will surely inspire young Pakistani talents to make greater contributions to our space program."

China's progress in space has also fueled enthusiasm among young Malaysians. At the 17th Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) held in May, aviation enthusiast Zulhafiq Izwan, who traveled from Kuala Lumpur to attend, said that as China's innovation capacity continues to grow, his interest in Chinese-made equipment has deepened. "Chinese products are fascinating and innovative, with broad application prospects," he said.

As one of the Chinese commercial space companies actively engaging in cooperation with Thailand, GalaxySpace established a satellite communication ground station at Mahanakorn University of Technology (MUT) in May 2024 and completed successful tests.

Panavy Pookaiyaudom, president of MUT, said that cooperation with Chinese commercial space companies has provided valuable research and training opportunities for the university's teachers and students, while also exposing them to cutting-edge technologies in low-orbit communication satellites.

"We hope that one day, universities and research institutions in Thailand will be able to develop low-orbit communication satellites as advanced as those in China," he said. 
US Senate Votes To Nullify 'Reciprocal' Tariffs Imposed By Trump On Countries

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: October 31, 2025, 02:36 IST

The US Senate voted 51-47 to nullify Donald Trump's tariffs on over 100 countries, with Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, and Lisa Murkowski joining Democrats.

This was the third time the Republicans joined the Democrats to vote against the tariff resolution this week, previously against tariffs targeting Brazil and Canada. (Image: AFP)

The US Senate on Thursday voted to nullify the reciprocal" tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on more than 100 countries.

According to The Guardian, four Republicans  senators Susan Collins of Maine, Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska  joined the Democrats to vote 51-47 on a resolution to end the base-level tariffs that the President put into place via executive order.

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This was the third time the Republicans joined the Democrats to vote against the tariff resolution this week, previously against tariffs targeting Brazil and Canada.

Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, said: I did learn in the first Trump term that the president is responsive to things like this. When he sees Republicans starting to vote against his policies, even in small numbers, that makes an impression on him and can often cause him to alter his behaviour."

Senator Ron Wyden, the lead Democratic sponsor of the resolution, said Trumps tariffs have increased costs for ordinary Americans.

American families are being squeezed by prices going up and up and up. More than three-quarters of families say their monthly expenses have increased by more than $100 a month," he said on the floor.

Senator Susan Collins, who represents Maine, a state bordering Canada, has repeatedly warned that the tariffs would hurt her states economy. The Maine economy is integrated with Canada, our most important trading partner," she said in an earlier statement, adding that tariffs on petroleum products, paper mills, forest industries, and fisheries would be detrimental to many Maine families and local economies."

However, despite the opposition in the Senate, the House is unlikely to take any similar action as House Republicans created a rule earlier this year that will block resolutions on the tariffs from getting a floor vote, The Guardian reported.

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According to The Hill, the same proposal failed in the Senate in late April on a 50-49 vote after Vice President JD Vance cast the tiebreaking vote to defeat it.

This comes as Trump wrapped up his trip to Asia during which he struck a deal with China to lower tariffs on Chinese goods into the country and get China to buy up US soybeans.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 31, 2025, 02:36 IST

News world US Senate Votes To Nullify 'Reciprocal' Tariffs Imposed By Trump On Countries

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US Targets Narco-Traffickers In Pacific Strike, 4 Dead As Anti-Drug Campaign Intensifies

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Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 07:36 IST

The attack, conducted in international waters, is part of Washingtons controversial anti-narcotics campaign, which has now claimed at least 62 lives since September.

The latest strike follows a series of similar operations in the eastern Pacific that have drawn international criticism. (AFP)

The US military on Wednesday struck another vessel in the eastern Pacific that it said was involved in drug trafficking, killing four people on board, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced.

The attack, conducted in international waters, is part of Washingtons controversial anti-narcotics campaign, which has now claimed at least 62 lives since September.

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Earlier today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on yet another narco-trafficking vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) in the Eastern Pacific," Hegseth said in a statement posted on X.

Earlier today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on yet another narco-trafficking vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) in the Eastern Pacific.This vessel, like all the others, was known by our pic.twitter.com/mBOLA5RYQe  Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 29, 2025

This vessel, like all the others, was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics. Four male narco-terrorists were aboard the vesseland killedduring the strike, which was conducted in international waters. No U.S. forces were harmed in this strike."

In a video accompanying his post, a small boat is seen floating stationary in the ocean before a sudden explosion and fireball. The Western Hemisphere is no longer a safe haven for narco-terrorists bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans. The Department of War will continue to hunt them down and eliminate them wherever they operate," Hegseth added.

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The latest strike follows a series of similar operations in the eastern Pacific that have drawn international criticism. On Monday, four separate US strikes killed 14 people and left one survivor, whom Washington asked Mexico to rescue. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum later said search efforts had failed.

Critics have described the ongoing campaign as extrajudicial, noting that the US has not released verifiable evidence that those targeted were drug traffickers or posed a direct threat to the United States.

About the Author Abhro Banerjee Covering day-to-day national and international news for the last nine years across print and digital. Associated with News18.com since 2022, covering innumerable big and small events, including electi... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 07:36 IST

News world US Targets Narco-Traffickers In Pacific Strike, 4 Dead As Anti-Drug Campaign Intensifies

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'Very Nice Conversation': Trump Softens Tone With Canada After 'Fake' Reagan Ad Row

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Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 14:46 IST

Canadian PM Mark Carney was among a select group of world leaders who joined Trump for dinner on Wednesday night during the APEC Summit in South Korea.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney talks with President Donald Trump. (AP file photo)

US President Donald Trump on Thursday hinted at a possible reduction in tensions with Canada, following a recent escalation over a trade dispute sparked by what he called a fake" advertisement featuring former US President Ronald Reagan.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was among a select group of world leaders who joined Trump for dinner on Wednesday night during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea.

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We had a very nice conversation with him last night," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked about his interaction with Carney.

This dinner followed Trumps announcement of a 10 per cent tariff increase on Canadian imports, accusing Ottawa of misrepresenting Reagans 1987 anti-tariff speech in a television advertisement aired during the MLB World Series on October 26.

The ad, reportedly funded by the Ontario government at a cost of USD 75 million, claimed Reagan opposed tariffsa statement Trump denounced as fraudulent.

Ronald Reagan LOVED Tariffs for purposes of National Security and the Economy, but Canada said he didnt! Their (Canadas) 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 wrote on Truth Social while aboard Air Force One.

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."

Currently, multiple Canadian products face a 35 per cent tariff, with steel and aluminium subject to 50 per cent, and energy products 10 per cent. Trump did not specify which sectors the additional tariffs would target.

The controversy over the advertisement further strained relations already tense since early October. On October 7, Trump and Carney had met in Washington to discuss trade, border security, and ongoing negotiations between the two countries.

At that time, Trump described the talks as complicated, more complicated than maybe any other agreement we have on trade," attributing the difficulty to the countries deep economic ties and natural conflict" due to their closeness.

However, just weeks later, Trump refused to meet with Carney before departing for Asia, telling reporters at the White House, No, I dont have any plan to."

This refusal underscored the rapid deterioration in relations, culminating in his tariff hike announcement and public criticism of Canadas fraudulent" portrayal of Reagan. Trump also accused Canada of hoping to be rescued" by the US Supreme Court over the tariff issue.

The sole purpose of this FRAUD was Canadas hope that the United States Supreme Court will come to their rescue on Tariffs that they have used for years to hurt the United States," he posted on X, adding that the new tariffs would allow the US to defend itself against high and overbearing Canadian Tariffs."

Despite the friction, Wednesdays brief interaction between Trump and Carney at the APEC summit suggested a possible thaw.

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During a group photo session, Trump initially avoided Carney but later pointed toward him during the summit dinner, drawing an acknowledging gesture from the Canadian leader. The brief exchange, following weeks of escalating rhetoric, hinted that diplomatic communication between the two neighbours may not be entirely closed.

(With agency inputs)

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 : United States of America (USA)

First Published: October 30, 2025, 14:46 IST

News world 'Very Nice Conversation': Trump Softens Tone With Canada After 'Fake' Reagan Ad Row

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'What Are You Doing?': Indian-Origin Man Killed In Canada After He Confronts Stranger For Peeing On His Car

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Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 12:23 IST

The accused has been identified as 40-year-old Kyle Papin, and he has been arrested by the Edmonton Police in connection with the assault.

Arvi Singh Sagoo, the Indian-origin man who died in Canada (Credits: X)

A 55-year-old businessman was allegedly attacked by a stranger in Edmonton, Canada, after the former confronted the latter for peeing on his car. The incident took place on October 19 when Arvi Singh Sagoo and his girlfriend were returning to their car after dinner. They found a man urinating on their vehicle and confronted him for the same, after which the situation took a violent turn, according to global news.

Arvi asked the stranger, Hey, what are you doing?" The man reportedly replied, Whatever I want," before walking up to Sagoo and punching him in the head.

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The blow knocked Sagoo to the ground, leaving him unconscious as his girlfriend dialed 911, Sagoos brother told Global News.

When paramedics arrived, they found Sagoo unresponsive. He was taken to the hospital and placed on life support. Despite doctors efforts, he succumbed to his injuries on October 24, five days after the attack.

The accused has been identified as 40-year-old Kyle Papin, and he has been arrested by the Edmonton Police in connection with the assault.

He has been charged with aggravated assault. Police confirmed that there was no prior connection between the victim and the accused, describing the incident as completely unprovoked."

Meanwhile, his family described Arvi as a warm-hearted and caring person devoted to his two children.

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A close friend, Vincent Ram, has launched a fundraiser to support Sagoos children and help cover funeral and living expenses. The initiative also aims to secure their future education and provide emotional support as they cope with the loss of their father.

This fundraiser aims to support a very kind and loving father who is facing death and ensuring that his two children have the necessary resources and support during this challenging time," the message reads.

About the Author Anushka Vats Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can ... Read More

First Published: October 30, 2025, 12:22 IST

News world 'What Are You Doing?': Indian-Origin Man Killed In Canada After He Confronts Stranger For Peeing On His Car

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'We Do Not Always See Eye To Eye': China's Xi Talks Of 'Frictions' As He Meets Trump In South Korea

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Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 09:53 IST

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump met in Busan, South Korea, calling for stronger cooperation between the two nations.

Donald Trump, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands before their meeting at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea (Photo: AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called for closer cooperation with the United States, telling US President Donald Trump that the worlds two largest economies should aim to be partners and friends" despite their differences.

The two leaders met in Busan, South Korea, marking their first in-person talks in several years, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

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China and the US can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world," Xi said as the talks began.

Welcoming Trump, Xi added, President Trump, it is a great pleasure to meet you, and it feels very warm seeing you again because its been many years. Since your re-election, we have spoken on the phone three times, exchanged several letters, and stayed in close contact."

Acknowledging past frictions, the Chinese leader continued, Under our joint guidance, China-US relations have remained stable on the whole. Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then."

#WATCH | Chinese President Xi Jinping says, President Trump, it is a great pleasure to meet you, and it feels very warm seeing you again because its been many years. Since your re-election, we have spoken on the phone three times, exchanged several letters, and stayed in close https://t.co/oTG42Qj8Bj pic.twitter.com/Isv2nPURCh ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025

Also hailing Trump for his peace efforts in the Middle East, Xi Jinping said, President Trump, you care a lot about world peace, and youre very enthusiastic about settling various regional hotspot issues. I appreciate your great contribution to the recent conclusion of the Gaza ceasefire agreement."

During your visit to Malaysia, you witnessed the signing of the Joint Declaration on Peace along the Cambodia-Thailand border, to which you had provided input," he added.

China has been helping in our own way to properly settle the border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand. We have also been promoting peace talks to resolve other hotspot issues. The world today is confronted with many tough problems," the Chinese President said.

Trump, who earlier described the meeting as one he expected to be very successful," praised Xi as a tough negotiator" and said he looked forward to a constructive discussion" on trade and global security.

The Busan meeting is seen as a key step in recalibrating US-China relations amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.

This meeting drew global attention as Washington and Beijing seek to stabilise ties strained over trade, technology, and security issues.

Later, the two leaders wrapped up their meeting and shook hands before exiting the air base together at nearly 12.50 pm, local time.

Xi got into his car and left in his motorcade, but will remain in South Korea for a state visit and to attend the main APEC leaders summit.

Trump is expected to depart on Air Force One for the US.

Trumps aggressive use of tariffs since returning to the White House for a second term, combined with Chinas retaliatory limits on exports of rare earth elements, has given the meeting newfound urgency.

There is a mutual recognition that neither side wants to risk blowing up the world economy in ways that could jeopardise their own countrys fortunes.

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Aboard Air Force One on his way to South Korea, Trump told reporters he may reduce tariffs that he placed on China earlier this year related to its role in making fentanyl.

ALSO READ | US Ends Automatic Extensions Of Work Permits For Certain Immigrants

About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

First Published: October 30, 2025, 08:26 IST

News world 'We Do Not Always See Eye To Eye': China's Xi Talks Of 'Frictions' As He Meets Trump In South Korea

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Xi Says China, US Reached Consensus On Trade Issues After Bilateral Talks With Trump

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Last Updated: October 30, 2025, 13:43 IST

Trump and Xi discussed a range of issues, including trade war, tariffs, rare earth mineral exports and agricultural trade, particularly the export of American soybeans to China.

US President Donald Trump (L) and China's President Xi Jinping greet each other as they arrive for talks at the Gimhae Air Base, located next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan.

In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that economic and trade teams from China and the United States have reached a consensus on addressing key trade disputes. The announcement came following his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea on the sidelines of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders Meeting held in Gyeongju.

This was the first face-to-face meeting between Xi and Trump since the latter returned to the White House. The two leaders discussed a range of contentious issues, including the ongoing trade war, tariffs, rare earth mineral exports, and agricultural trade, particularly the export of American soybeans to China.

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What did Xi say?

President Xi emphasised that trade and economic relations should serve as the ballast and driver" of bilateral ties rather than becoming sources of tension. He urged both sides to focus on long-term cooperation and mutual benefit instead of engaging in cycles of retaliation.

The economic and trade teams of both nations should continue to narrow down the list of problems while expanding the scope of cooperation based on equality and respect," Xi said. He also reiterated Chinas commitment to fostering a stable and predictable economic environment on the principles of equality, respect and mutual benefit despite ongoing differences.

Trump calls meeting a great success

US President Donald Trump described the talks as a great success," rating them 12 out of 10." He expressed optimism about signing a comprehensive trade deal in the near future and announced plans to visit China in April 2026 for further negotiations.

In a move seen as a goodwill gesture, Trump announced a reduction in tariffs on Chinese goods from 57% to 47%. Additionally, the United States has halved tariffs on fentanyl-related imports from China from 20% to 10% as part of the confidence-building measures.

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Rare earth deal

One of the key achievements of the meeting was an agreement on rare earth mineral exports. Both sides confirmed a one-year, extendable deal allowing continued Chinese exports of crucial rare earths essential for technology, defence, and manufacturing sectors. Trump declared the rare earth dispute settled" and emphasised that the agreement would be reviewed and renegotiated annually.

About the Author Shuddhanta Patra Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior SubEditor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influen... Read More

Location : North Korea

First Published: October 30, 2025, 13:38 IST

News world Xi Says China, US Reached Consensus On Trade Issues After Bilateral Talks With Trump

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MANILA, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' total external trade in goods increased by 7 percent to 18.86 billion U.S. dollars in September year-on-year, the Philippine Statistics Authority said on Thursday.

Of the total external trade, the agency said 61.5 percent were imported goods, while the remaining 38.5 percent were exported goods.

The agency said the balance of trade in goods, or the difference between export and import value, in September amounted to -4.35 billion dollars, indicating a trade deficit with an annual decline of 14.7 percent.

China was the Philippines' largest supplier of imported goods, while the United States contributed the highest export value in the month. 
GUANGZHOU, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Baiyun airport in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, on Thursday officially put into operation its Terminal 3 and fifth runway, making it China's first civil airport to operate five commercial runways.

The expansion of the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, one of the country's three major international aviation hubs, is another step toward building a world-class airport cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

In the near future, the airport will be able to handle 120 million passengers and 3.8 million tonnes of cargo and mail. With a terminal capacity of 140 million passengers and 6 million tonnes of cargo, it will be among the world's busiest airports in both categories.

The expansion project took five years and cost 53.77 billion yuan (about 7.6 billion U.S. dollars). It also includes an integrated transport center designed to improve air, rail and road connectivity.

The transport hub will be connected to six high-speed rail lines, five intercity railways, two metro lines and two expressways. Passengers will be able to reach other major airports in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area within an hour using the rail network.

The Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, released in February 2019, proposes the construction of a world-class airport cluster.

The region's aviation landscape now comprises three hub airports (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong), two major airports (Zhuhai and Macao), and two regional airports (Huizhou and Foshan). These airports collectively serve over 200 global destinations, and in 2024, they handled over 200 million passengers. 
Ghouls, goblins  and gummy bears. Trick-or-treaters may find more fruity candy than chocolate among their Halloween handouts this year. That should be fine with younger consumers, who have been gravitating for years toward non-chocolate candies like gummies, freeze-dried treats, and other sweets that come in a variety of shapes, colors, and flavors, reports the AP. Last year, 52% of the total volume of Halloween candy sold in the US was made of chocolate, according to Dan Sadler of the market research company Circana. But in the 12 weeks ending Oct. 5, chocolate accounted for 44% of the Halloween candy sold in the US.
A Senate debate over a plan to protect an endangered owl species by killing other owls turned heated on Wednesday, though the Biden administration's controversial proposal survived. GOP Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana forced a vote on a resolution to block the Fish and Wildlife Service's plan, which calls for culling non-native barred owls to save the critically endangered northern spotted owl in the Pacific Northwest, Politico reports.

The measure failed 25-72, but not before Kennedy, known for his colorful rhetoric, made his objections clear. He denounced the policy as federal "arrogance" and brought props to the Senate floor, including owl posters and an Elmer Fudd cartoon. Kennedy recounted a call from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum asking him to drop the resolution, saying he told Burgum to "call somebody who cared what he thought."
President Trump announced Wednesday that he has authorized South Korea to construct a nuclear-powered submarine, saying it will be built in Philadelphia. The statement went up on social media during Trump's visit to Asia, where he has been meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and other leaders in the region, Reuters reports. The post, which followed the announcement of a new trade agreement between the two nations, means the US will share nuclear submarine technology that's widely regarded as among the most sensitive and highly guarded tech the US military possesses, per the AP . In fact, the direct transfer of the information was left out of recent deals with the UK and Australia.

President Lee Jae Myung had been seeking US approval for South Korea to reprocess nuclear fuel, which would allow the country to develop submarines capable of longer deployments to monitor North Korean and Chinese naval activity. Under an existing agreement, South Korea is prohibited from reprocessing nuclear fuel without US consent, per Reuters. Trump also said South Korea has agreed to purchase significant amounts of US oil and gas.

"I have given them approval to build a Nuclear Powered Submarine, rather than the old fashioned, and far less nimble, diesel powered Submarines that they have now," Trump said in a Truth Social post. Also on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his military has conducted a successful test of a new atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone.
More than 30 deaths have been reported as Hurricane Melissa works its way Wednesday across Cuba and toward the Bahamas, a day after making landfall in Jamaica as one of the region's strongest storms on record. Officials in Haiti said at least 25 people were killed as waters rose in heavy rain. Eight deaths were reported in Jamaica, where the tropical storm warning has been lifted, and one in the Dominican Republic, the AP reports. The situation:

Ahead: The US National Hurricane Center said a "dangerous storm surge" was expected in the Bahamas through the night, with eastern Cuba still at risk. Maximum sustained winds were 100 mph, as what had roared into Jamaica as a Category 5 storm was now at Category 2.
A pet dog fell off an oceanside bluff in San Francisco and spent more than 20 minutes clinging to a narrow ledge until firefighters came to his rescue, officials said. The brown and white dog was playing with another pooch on Tuesday at Fort Funston, a coastal park with steep bluffs that can drop up to 200 feet to the beach below, per the AP . The dog, which wasn't familiar with the area, slipped on some vegetation, lost its traction, and fell over the cliff, said Rescue Captain Samuel Menchaca of the San Francisco Fire Department.

Firefighters sent a team to retrieve the canine, which had found temporary refuge on a ledge about 40 feet below the top of the cliff. A San Francisco police drone operator who happened to be in the area heard the emergency call go out and captured an aerial view of the dog's location, which he relayed to firefighters. Once they knew where to find the animal, one rescuer rappelled down the sandy cliff face, attached a harness to the 40-pound dog, and held it as they were pulled up together.

"He was happy," Menchaca said. "He knew he got rescued. He was wagging his tail. He was giving everyone kisses." Rescuers reunited the dog with its owner. Menchaca urged people to stay on marked paths and to keep their dogs on leashes and their small children close. "You may think that it's a little berm or a hill, but it is a significant drop," he said. Unfortunately, firefighters often have to rescue people in this area, Menchaca said. They train for it, and will always be there, but they don't want people to get hurt, he said.
Senate Democrats are demanding full disclosure of donors funding President Trump's $300 million White House ballroom project, raising concerns about potential influence-peddling and conflicts of interest, the Guardian reports. The call for transparency, led by Adam Schiff and joined by Alex Padilla, Richard Blumenthal, Chris Van Hollen, Tammy Duckworth, Jon Ossoff, Bernie Sanders, Dick Durbin, and others, follows the release of a donor list that includes major corporations, some with active business before the federal government, such as Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Google, Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, Palantir, T-Mobile, Coinbase, and Comcast, the Hill reports.

Several billionaire Trump supporters and past major campaign donors also appear on the list. In a letter to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, the lawmakers argue that accepting large sums from companies recently awarded federal contracts "risk[s] blatant corruption" by positioning donors for special treatment. They want a detailed breakdown of all contributionsamounts, dates, and any conditions attachedas well as information on whether ethics guidance was sought before soliciting private funding.

The senators are also seeking records of communications between administration officials and donors referencing the ballroom project, and identification of any donors with ongoing federal contracts, regulatory matters, or litigation. The request includes disclosures of donations routed through the Trust for the National Mall or other indirect channels. The White House has been asked to provide the requested information by Nov. 5.
An Australian family is demanding answers after an 80-year-old woman died alone on a remote island, apparently left behind by her cruise ship . Suzanne Rees, described by her daughter as a healthy, active gardener and bushwalker, was on the second day of a luxury 60-day cruise around Australia when she joined an excursion to hike Cook's Look on Lizard Island, a remote spot on the Great Barrier Reef, the Guardian reports. "We understand from the police that it was a very hot day, and Mum felt ill on the hill climb. She was asked to head down, unescorted," Rees' daughter says. "Then the ship left, apparently without doing a passenger count. At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, Mum died, alone."

The crew of the Coral Adventurer, operated by Coral Expeditions, didn't realize until almost 9pm that Rees was missing, at which point they turned the ship around, the BBC reports. Rees' body was discovered the following day. Her daughter says the family was "shocked and saddened" and pointed to "a failure of care and common sense." She added, "I hope that the coronial inquiry will find out what the company should have done that might have saved Mum's life." Balcony rooms on the cruise reportedly cost $86,400 per person.

The incident has triggered multiple investigations by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Queensland police, the state coroner, and WorkSafe Queensland. Authorities are examining how Rees was left unaccounted for and whether safety protocols were breached. Coral Expeditions CEO Mark Fifield called the death "tragic" and said the company was cooperating with authorities and supporting the family.
Marco Andretti said Wednesday he is retiring from racing, a decision that likely means the "Andretti Curse" at the Indianapolis 500 will never end. The 38-year-old grandson of Mario Andretti announced on social media he will not enter the Indianapolis 500 next season and will instead turn his attention to his daughter, business ventures outside of racing, and a memoir in process called Defending the Dynasty, reports the AP . Next year's Indianapolis 500 will not have an Andretti in the field for the first time since 2005. "I have had some really fun times behind the wheel in a lot of different types of racing carsa lot of great memories as well, mostly at the Indy 500," Andretti wrote in his announcement, noting his start this year was the 20th of his career, good enough for 12th all-time.

Andretti recalled in particular when he and his father battled for the lead in the closing laps of the 2006 Indianapolis 500. Marco Andretti was an IndyCar rookie that year, and his father, Michael, came out of retirement to race against him. Marco's late pass of Michael should have been enough for the victory, but the family's seemingly endless run of bad luck in the race continued when Sam Hornish Jr. chased down Marco for the win. Mario Andretti gave the family their only Indy 500 win in 1970.

"It feels accomplishing to me to be able to retire having more podium finishes than my father Michael and the same as my grandfather Mario at the biggest race in the world," wrote Marco, who won two times over 253 IndyCar starts spanning 20 years. He scaled back in 2021 to run only the Indianapolis 500 as he dabbled in NASCAR and other racing series. He reflected on his two decades in IndyCar thusly:

"That is where I can look back and say I have made my best progress in life as a man. Learning to navigate very difficult dynamics at times, and others doubting me, made me realize that my opinion of myself is the one that should matter the most."
Israel is claiming that Hamas staged the recovery of a hostage's body in Gaza, alleging that the militant group is manipulating the process for political gain and further straining a fragile ceasefire. Israeli officials released drone footage they say shows Hamas burying the body of Ofir Tzarfati, a 27-year-old hostage, then exhuming it later in front of Red Cross workers, reports the Wall Street Journal . The AP describes the nearly 15-minute video, which "shows a white body bag being thrown out of a damaged building into a dug-out area. Three masked men are seen burying the body bag before heavy machinery moves it to a nearby area, where it is buried for a second time. The men then dig it out before photos are taken of the body bag," with people sporting red vests watching on the side.

The New York Times reports that the video released by the IDF was shot in Gaza City's Tuffah neighborhood, apparently sometime Monday or Tuesday, per satellite imagery showing dirt removal. The Red Cross criticized Hamas for the apparent ruse, calling it "unacceptable" and warning that such actions undermine an already tenuous truce, per the Journal. Hamas insists it's following the ceasefire agreement and accused Israel of fabricating the incident to justify renewed military action.

Tensions escalated after Israel reported launching strikes on Hamas targets in response to the death of an Israeli soldier, with Gaza health officials claiming more than 100 fatalities, including children. Israel said it briefly resumed the ceasefire but later acknowledged further strikes in northern Gaza. Israeli officials allege that Hamas is deliberately delaying the return of hostages' bodies as a tactic to buy time and consolidate control in Gaza without overtly violating the truce.

Since the ceasefire, Hamas has been accused of coming down hard on local rivals and slowing the pace of body returnsa process that remains a point of intense emotional and political pressure in Israel. The ceasefire deal, brokered with US support, mandates that Hamas cooperate in recovering hostages' bodies, but it doesn't set a clear deadline. So far, Hamas has returned 15 bodies out of 28 believed to remain in Gaza, but only four were delivered on the first day of the exchange, fueling public anger in Israel. The search effort, led by an Egyptian team, faces logistical hurdles and suspicions that Hamas is reluctant to expose tunnels and other hidden infrastructure.
HARBIN, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter of United Aircraft successfully completed its maiden flight in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Oct. 30, 2025. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,400 kilograms, an endurance of up to eight hours, a service ceiling of 6,500 meters, and a maximum horizontal flight speed of 180 kilometers per hour.

Featuring a twin-engine design and high-strength composite structure, the T1400 offers a large payload capacity and spacious layout. With its intelligent operation capabilities, it shows broad application potential in agricultural protection, logistics transportation, and forest fire prevention.

This photo taken on Oct. 30, 2025 shows the maiden flight ceremony of Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter of United Aircraft in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

Workers assemble the Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter at the factory of United Aircraft in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Xie Jianfei)

This photo taken on Oct. 30, 2025 shows Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter of United Aircraft in flight in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Guests visit the Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter at the factory of United Aircraft in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

This photo taken on Oct. 30, 2025 shows Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter of United Aircraft in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

This photo taken on Oct. 30, 2025 shows Boying T1400 Tandem Rotor Unmanned Helicopter of United Aircraft in flight in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (Photo by Liu Yang/Xinhua)




A sweeping police operation in Rio de Janeiro has left more than 130 people dead, marking what is widely reported to be the highest single death toll in the city's long history of clashes between law enforcement and drug gangs. The raid, which unfolded before dawn Tuesday in the Vila Cruzeiro favela, involved approximately 2,500 officers and targeted members of the Red Command, a powerful criminal organization, per the Guardian . Helicopters hovered over the neighborhood while gang members set vehicles ablaze and reportedly dropped explosives from drones. One resident said he awoke to the sounds of "gunshots from here, from there, from everywhere," per the New York Times . Others reported the violence raged all day and well into the evening.

Residents sheltered in their homes, schools and clinics closed, and the sound of gunfire echoed for hours. Volunteers, braving the chaos, ultimately retrieved dozens of corpses from nearby woods. Afterwards, bodies were lined up in a public square, many stripped to help families identify them. Police initially claimed to have killed about 60 criminals. But by Wednesday, the state's public defender's office reported at least 132 fatalities, including four police officers. Authorities also acknowledged they failed to capture the mission's main target, a top Red Command leader. Still, officials touted the arrests of over 100 suspects and the seizure of weapons and drugs as evidence of success.

That hasn't stopped critics from crying out. Journal do Brazil called it a "carnage," describing witness reports of execution and torture, per AFP. One body had been decapitated and another appeared to have been stabbed, per the Guardian. Locals questioned why police had seemingly executed gang members instead of arresting them, pointing out that no crime is punishable by death in Brazil. The violence has sparked renewed debate over policing strategies in the country as it prepares to host the UN climate change conference. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's administration has promised a thorough investigation, while the city's governor defended the operation as necessary to combat what he called "narco-terrorism."
As Halloween spending soars, so, too, does the gore factor in America's front yards. What was once a holiday dominated by pumpkins and friendly ghosts has, according to the New York Times , escalated into a full-blown fright festcomplete with dismembered limbs and blood-spattered zombies. Now, some parents are wondering if things have gotten out of hand. Melanie Parker tells the paper she brought her toddler to see a famous Halloween display in Brooklyn, only to be greeted by "a ton of blood" and animatronic wounded bodies. Parker says her little one was both "riveted and disturbed."

Retailers, for their part, appear to be happy to deliver more and more of the fright. Home Depot's 12-foot "Skelly" skeleton is now a Halloween staple, and the retailer is releasing creepier products every year, thanks to consumer demand. The big-box store's Aubrey Horowitz explains that Home Depot strives "to offer a balance" of scary and silly, "since everyone's definition of scary is different."

The trend is fueled not just by updated technology and mass production, but by a shift toward making Halloween an adult holiday, as well as a children's celebration. Experts say another reason for an uptick in the holiday's most macabre makings may be because so many of us have become desensitized to shocking imagery on TV, in film, and on social media, making it increasingly harder to get a rush from viewing more innocuous displays, per Today.

The National Retail Federation expects $4.2 billion to be spent on Halloween decorations this year, up from $1.6 billion in 2019, per the Times. Freedom Forum, meanwhile, approaches the scary-display dilemma from another angle: whether they're protected as free speech under the First Amendment.
Two data science professors at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign say that after students were caught cheating, they sent "sincere" apologies via email, but they soon realized that the vast majority the apologies were AI-generated. Karle Flanagan and Wade Fagen-Ulmschneide, known as the "Data Science Duo," displayed images of the near-identical messages and read them aloud during an Oct. 17 class, the New York Times reports. An image from the introductory data science class went viral on social media.

"They said, 'Dear Professor Flanagan, I want to sincerely apologize,'" Flanagan tells the Times. "And I was like, Thank you. They're owning up to it. They're apologizing. And then I got another email, the second email, and then the third. And then everybody sort of sincerely apologizing, and suddenly it became a little less sincere." More than 100 students in the class had been caught cheating on an app to track engagement and attendance called the Data Science Clicker, possibly unaware that their professors were extremely well-equipped to detect such shenanigans.

The professors say they decided to teach the students a lesson on "academic integrity" instead of taking disciplinary action. "Life lesson: if you're going to apologize, don't use ChatGPT to do it," Flanagan said in an Instagram post. Vinayak Bagdi, who took the data science class as a freshman, tells the Times that the course isn't an especially tough one and the professors work hard to help students succeed. "You're not even coming to the class, and then you can't even send a sincere email to the professor saying, 'I apologize'?" he says. "Out of any class at the university, why skip that one?"
The prosecution of a retired law enforcement officer who spent more than a month in a Tennessee jail after posting a meme quoting President Trump has been dropped. Larry Bushart was arrested in September and booked into Perry County Jail after sharing a meme in a Facebook thread about political activist Charlie Kirk's killing that referenced Trump's comments after a mass shooting at Perry High School in Iowa earlier this year. Bushart then was arrested and hit with felony charges of threatening mass violence at a school, WKRN reports. Bushart lives in Lexington, around 45 minutes away from Perry County.

The meme, originally created by the gun safety group Everytown, paired the words, "We have to get over it," with a photo of Trump. Trump had made the remarks after two people were killed at the Iowa school. "This seems relevant today," Bushart added to the post, per the New York Times. The sheriff in Tennessee's Perry County said some people took the post as a threat to Perry County High School and called his office. Nick Weems conceded in an interview with WTVF that there was no threat in Bushart's comments and that the meme had been on the internet for some time in reference to the Iowa shooting. "We knew," Weems said. "The public did not know."

The sheriff said Bushart was arrested after declining to take the post down. The district attorney, who later dropped the charges, and a judicial commissioner endorsed the arrest, Weems said. Four officers went to Bushart's house after 11pm with the arrest warrant, per the Intercept. Weems also had posted about Kirk's death in Septemberan ominous warning. "Evil could be your neighbor," the sheriff wrote. "Evil could be standing right beside you in the grocery store. It could be your own family member and you never even know it."
One of the most popular home routers sold in the US might get banned by the Commerce Department. As the Washington Post reports, a number of federal agencies have backed the idea of prohibiting future sales of TP-Link routers, citing national security concerns because of the company's perceived ties to China. The routers are made by TP-Link Systems of Irvine, California, which is a spinoff of TP-Link Technologies, based in China.

TP-Link Systems, which owns some of the parent company's assets in China, insists it operates independently. "Any adverse action against TP-Link would have no impact on China, but would harm an American company," says a spokesperson. The company says that only its US engineers can update American routers and that it has sought government guidance on addressing concerns, but received no response. PC Mag says it continues to recommend the routers because no evidence has surfaced that the devices might be spying on people.

TP-Link accounts for more than a third of the US market, and a ban would be one of the biggest in consumer history, notes the Post. The Commerce Department initially proposed the ban, and the idea has since been supported by the homeland security, justice, and defense departments, among others. Commerce officials will have the final say.
UPDATE

Dec 7, 2025 7:30 AM CST

The most-prized watch in a collection auctioned by filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola sold for a healthy $10.8 million on Saturday, per the Hollywood Reporter. Coppola himself designed the FP Journe watch back in 2014 with the Swiss company, and the final price after "frenzied" bidding makes it the sixth-most-expensive watch ever sold at auction, reports the New York Times.

Oct 30, 2025 1:43 PM CDT

Francis Ford Coppola's latest film, Megalopolis, may have been a passion project decades in the making, but it appears to have left the legendary director in a financial crunch. The 85-year-old put up much of the financing for the $120 million sci-fi epic himself, but the movie fizzled at the box officeearning just over $14 million. Now Coppola is scrambling to cover costs, and he's turning to his personal watch collection to do so, reports Artnet.
Five people have been arrested in connection with the fatal overdose of Robert De Niro's grandson, Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, who died last July at age 19. Federal prosecutors say the suspects are accused of distributing counterfeit Xanax pills laced with fentanyl throughout New York City and Long Island, allegedly targeting teens and young adults via social media, NBC News reports. De Niro-Rodriguez, the only child of De Niro's eldest daughter, Drena, was one of three 19-year-olds who died after taking fentanyl-laced pills over a three-month period in the summer of 2023, according to prosecutors.

The suspects have been charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death. Sources tell the New York Post that Akira Stein, daughter of Blondie guitarist Chris Stein, was another one of the 19-year-olds killed by the pills. Prosecutors say the suspects supplied drugs to "Percocet Princess" Sofia Haley Marks, who was charged in 2023 in connection with De Niro-Rodriguez's death.

De Niro-Rodriguez had recently moved to New York for a Broadway theater internship, just days after finishing high school in Aspen, Colorado. He was found unconscious in his Manhattan apartment two days after moving in. The medical examiner ruled his death accidental, citing a mix of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine. Drena De Niro announced her son's death on July 3, 2023. "Someone sold him fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him," she wrote.
Barcelona's Sagrada Familia basilica became the world's tallest church on Thursday after a part of its central tower was lifted into place. The masterwork of architect Antoni Gaudi now rises to 534 feet above the city, the church said in a statement. That barely beats out the tip of the spire of Germany's Ulmer Munster, which tops out at 530 feet. And the Sagrada Familia is still growing. The central Tower of Jesus Christ that is rising from the top of the church will reach 564 feet when it is completed in the coming months, the AP reports. A crane placed the first part of the tower on top of the nave on Thursday morning.

The Ulmer Munster, a Gothic Lutheran church built between 1543 and 1890, has held the title of the world's tallest church. That bragging right now gets passed to its Spanish rival, though the Sagrada Familia does not claim the title. The church's first stone was placed in 1882, but Gaudi never expected it to be completed in his lifetime. Only one of its multiple towers was finished when he died. Work has speeded up over recent decades as the basilica became a major international tourist attraction with people around the world enthralled by Gaudi's unique aesthetic that combines Catholic symbolism and organic forms.

The money from entrance fees is used to fund the ongoing construction. Last year, 4.9 million people paid to visit the church, with 15% of those tourists coming from the US. Work on the church's elaborate facades and decorating its interior will continue for several years. It is expected to be completely finished around a decade from now, church officials said earlier this year. Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the death of Gaudi. The church will hold several events to celebrate his legacy, which includes other stunning buildings in Barcelona and other places in Spain.
Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

Cloudy with periods of snow after midnight. Low -29F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 100%. 3 to 5 inches of snow expected..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of snow after midnight. Low -29F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 100%. 3 to 5 inches of snow expected.
JIUQUAN, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese astronauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang will carry out the Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceflight mission, and Zhang Lu will be the commander, the China Manned Space Agency announced at a press conference on Thursday.

The Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship is scheduled for launch at 11:44 p.m. Friday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, said Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson of the agency.

The three astronauts are a space pilot, a flight engineer, and a payload specialist, respectively, representing the three types of Chinese astronauts in service, he added.

Zhang Lu was a crew member of the Shenzhou-15 mission. Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang, both from the third batch of Chinese astronauts, will carry out the spaceflight mission for the first time.

Before being selected as an astronaut, Wu Fei was an engineer at the China Academy of Space Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, and Zhang Hongzhang was a researcher at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

It has been two years since Zhang Lu last went into space. He told the press on Thursday that his heart is now "filled with excitement and anticipation." He has readjusted to the high-intensity training since the end of the Shenzhou-15 mission, engaging in extensive learning and research focused on the new characteristics of the space station mission.

Zhang Lu revealed that during their six-month stay in orbit, the crew is going to celebrate the Spring Festival in a more surprising and interactive way.

"I hope to use a brand-new method to integrate traditional Chinese culture with aerospace technology," he said, hoping their festival greetings will display the romantic side of Chinese astronauts, aside from their meticulousness.

Wu Fei is the youngest among the Shenzhou-21 crew. As a spaceflight engineer, his responsibilities include looking after the space station, managing its daily affairs, and handling equipment maintenance, repair and upgrades.

"I believe in the saying 'the harder you work, the luckier you get.' Integrating my dream into the country's great space endeavor is the best luck bestowed upon me by the times," he said.

Zhang Hongzhang, a payload specialist, will be in charge of sci-tech application research tasks, involving aerospace medicine, space life science, space material science, space microgravity physics, space new technology and application, and other fields.

He will conduct experimental procedures, perform observations, acquire data, and carry out data processing and analysis.

He has long been engaged in the research on new energy and new materials. Additionally, he will be able to work on his own research project during the mission. "It is a long-cherished dream of every payload specialist to bring self-designed experiments to the space station," he said.

There will be 27 new science and application projects for the new crew to do in the space station, covering space life sciences and biotechnology, space medicine, space material science, microgravity fluid physics and combustion, and new space technologies.

The mission also planned in-orbit studies on lithium-ion batteries for space applications, and intelligent computing platforms.

The mission is the sixth manned flight mission since the space station entered the application and development phase, and the 37th flight of China's manned spaceflight program.

The Shenzhou-21 astronauts will complete in-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou-20 crew. They will also perform extravehicular activities (EVAs) and cargo handling, install space debris protection devices, deploy and recover extravehicular payloads and equipment.

They will participate in science education and public welfare activities as well.

During their stay in orbit, the Shenzhou-21 crew will welcome the Tianzhou-10 cargo spacecraft and the Shenzhou-22 crewed spaceship.

The Shenzhou-20 crew has been in orbit for 188 days and is expected to set a new record for the longest stay in orbit by a Chinese astronaut crew. During the period, the crew fulfilled a total of four EVAs and seven payload entry and exit tasks.

The Shenzhou-20 crew will return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region after completing the in-orbit handover with the Shenzhou-21 crew, the spokesperson added. 
OSAKA, Oct 30 (News On Japan) - In a quiet neighborhood of Osaka stands a four-story building with around 40 rooms. Yet more than 100 companies are registered there, despite the absence of any visible workers.

About 120 or 130 companies, said an expert familiar with the citys minpaku (private lodging) business, pointing to partitions that divide each room into smaller sections. You can see the walls separating them.

At night, nearly every window glows with light, but no one can be seen inside. All the rooms have lights on, reported a TV crew member, but theres no sign of people.

Most of the firms, according to experts, are Chinese-run companies with little or no actual business activity. Their primary purpose, it appears, is to establish eligibility for Japans business management visa  a residence status created in 2015 to attract foreign entrepreneurs, allowing them to live in Japan if they invest more than 5 million yen or employ at least two full-time workers.

The Osaka city government recently decided to end new applications for special district minpaku lodging licenses at the end of May next year, following complaints over noise and garbage problems. The system had allowed year-round short-term rentals in designated zones to meet the surge in foreign visitors.

Since the city announced the cutoff, administrative scriveners have reported a sharp rise in last-minute applications  many from Chinese nationals. One Osaka office said the number of requests has grown about 2.5 times since the announcement, with roughly half of the applicants being Chinese.

Professor Matsumura of Han University, who studies the minpaku industry, said, These firms often rent small rooms just to register a head office. In reality, theyre paper companies set up to obtain a visa. He pointed to one apartment building in Osakas Chuo Ward where more than 130 companies were registered, almost all Chinese.

Although the building has only 40 rooms, mailboxes show over 100 company names, some with multiple mail slots assigned to a single room. Residents nearby say they rarely see anyone entering or leaving. Even late at night, the lights remain on, but the building stays eerily quiet.

The buildings owner told reporters that the entire property had been leased to a real estate agency and that he was not involved in its management.

Japans business management visa was intended to encourage foreign investment, but critics have long said the requirements were too lenient. On Chinese social media, posts claim that moving to Japan is as easy as breathing and that all you need is 5 million yen.

The number of Chinese nationals staying in Japan under the business management visa has tripled in the past decade. Some are suspected of using shell companies to obtain residency without conducting real business.

In response, the Immigration Services Agency raised the capital requirement for the visa to 30 million yen on October 16th. But according to Matsumura, a rush of new company registrations took place in the days before the rule took effect.

At this location alone, about 90 firms are registered, and 80 of them were established after September 20th, he said. Almost all are Chinese companies that scrambled to set up before the deadline.

A representative from a firm that assists Chinese entrepreneurs said many clients genuinely want to live and work in Japan. Japan is admired by everyone, he said. They want the freedom, the safety, and the clean environment.

However, the growing number of paper companies tied to immigration purposes has alarmed Osaka city officials. Mayor Yokoyama commented, The management visa issue is a national matter, but we expect the government to enforce stricter oversight. We will not hesitate to revoke licenses for operators that violate the intent of the minpaku system.

Experts warn that similar trends are appearing in Tokyo, where wealthy Chinese families are reportedly using paper companies to move to Japan for their childrens education. In some prestigious public schools, nearly all top students are Chinese, one commentator said. Its becoming a form of education migration.

With Chinas economy slowing and many citizens disillusioned with government policies, Japans stability and relative openness are drawing increasing interest  even as authorities scramble to close the loopholes that allowed fake firms to flourish.

Source: KTV NEWS
Oct 30 (News On Japan) - Astronaut Yui Kimiya, currently on a long-term mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), successfully captured a newly developed supply spacecraft using the stations robotic arm in the early hours of October 30th.

Applause erupted in the mission control room shortly before 1 a.m. when Yui completed the delicate maneuver, securing the cargo vessel without incident.

The captured craft was the first unit of JAXAs newly developed HTV-X, designed as a next-generation successor to the previous Kounotori cargo ship. By reducing the vehicles weight and improving its structure, the new model can transport about six tons of suppliesroughly 1.5 times more than its predecessor.

The HTV-X, carrying experimental equipment, food, and clothing, was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on October 26th and arrived at the ISS early this morning.

This marks Yuis second long-duration stay aboard the ISS. During his previous mission in 2015, he also used the robotic arm to capture a Kounotori spacecraft, demonstrating once again Japans key role in international space operations.

Source: TBS
TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2025 /CNW/ - A new report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) finds that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has been adding costs, regulatory burden and significant stress onto small businesses over the past five years.

The third edition of CFIB's CFIA Report Card: Assessing Regulatory Burden and Service Delivery finds that nearly three in five (58%) small business owners say red tape associated with the CFIA has increased between 2019 and 2024. The overall amount of paperwork and the frequency of regulatory changes were the key pain points small businesses reported.

"Small business owners know the importance of food safety. They want to comply with regulations but to do that, they need clear guidance and support. SMEs should not have to hire a lawyer or a consultant to help them understand and comply with food safety regulations," said Juliette Nicolay, CFIB's policy analyst and the report's author. "The CFIA needs to modernize its regulatory approach and properly reflect the realities of running a small business."

Over half (59%) of small firms also said the CFIA or governments do not adequately consider SMEs when designing regulations, and another 54% said the CFIA didn't value their feedback. While a quarter (25%) of small business owners reported the CFIA's overall service as "good", 26% reported it as poor. SMEs are not satisfied with the quality of customer service they receive from the CFIA. Digital tools are not meeting their needs, CFIA agents do not provide adequate support, and businesses often report inconsistencies between inspections or inspectors.

"The agency has taken some steps to try to address small business concerns, but much more works needs to be done. Now is the time to do it, especially with Ottawa's commitment to reduce red tape across government," Nicolay said.

To make it easier for small businesses to comply, CFIB recommends the CFIA:

Expand the scope of the Administrative Burden Baseline to include legislation, policies and guidelines

Reduce the level of fees

Reduce the total number of regulations by introducing a "2 for 1" rule

Simplify existing regulations and guidance

Clearly and proactively communicate regulatory changes to small businesses

Improve customer service and make resources and online tools more user-friendly

Facilitate internal trade of food products

"Small businesses are proud to deliver safe, high quality Canadian food," said Christina Santini, CFIB's director of national affairs. "They're not asking the CFIA to compromise safety standards; they're asking for clearer and fairer rules that don't punish them for being small. We look to the federal government to keep its promise to cut red tape."

About CFIB

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at cfib.ca .

SOURCE Canadian Federation of Independent Business

For media enquiries or interviews, please contact: Dariya Baiguzhiyeva, CFIB, 647-464-2814, [email protected]
All dollar ($) figures in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2025 /CNW/ - Canadian venture capital (VC)* totalled $1.38 billion from 117 financings for third quarter (Q3) of 2025, down from $1.63 billion from 134 financings for Q2 2025, down 58% in disbursements ($3.27 billion) and 37% in financings (186) from Q3 2024.

For the first 9 months of 2025, 414 financings completed for $4.43 billion, down 41% and 30% in disbursements and financings from first nine months of 2024.

Canadian VC funding sources (CNW Group/CPE Media & Data Company) Provincial VC funding source breakdown - 1st 3Qs 2025 (CNW Group/CPE Media & Data Company)

US investors, led by US VCs and hedge/investment funds, continued to lead investments in Canadian companies, accounting 54% of the total capital flowed directly to companies in first nine months of 2025, up from 52% in 2024 and just behind the highest level of 56% in 2021.

______________________________ * CPE Analytics tracks equity or quasi equity capital that flows directly into the companies and excludes known secondary portions of funding rounds (in which no money went to the companies), drug development funding, senior debt/mortgage funding.

41 venture funds collectively raised $3.19 billion in the first nine months of 2025, primarily driven by two funds managed by Radical Ventures, which together accounted for 55% of the total fundraising or 72% of all private fundraising.

Key Observations

I. Ontario continues to lead all provinces

Companies from Ontario raised $2.33 billion in first nine months of 2025, representing approximately 53% of the total direct capital flow by all companies. BC, Quebec and Alberta companies trailed at distance, raising $904 million, $520 million and $360 million respectively.

II. Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia attract most of US investments

US investments accounted for 54% of financing dollars in first nine months of 2025 nationally, ranging as high as 71% in Nova Scotia at provincial level. Most strikingly, US investments only comprised 19% of financing dollars in Quebec compared to 66% in both Ontario and Manitoba, and 55% in BC. Recent government decisions, such as the $200 million Fonds Impulsion with $50 million new capital allocated by the government of Quebec to Investissement Quebec, will likely further enhance the home bias of the investing scene in Quebec.

III. ICT, Biotech and Cleantech companies continue dominate

ICT, Biotech, Cleantech companies raised $2,341 million, $969 million and $708 million respectively for a combined amount of $4,017 million or 91% of the total disbursement for the first nine months of 2025. Financial companies raised $195 million or 4% of the total disbursements.

Among ICT companies, Internet software and AI companies attracted and $1,172 million and $586 million or 50% and 25% respectively 25%.

IV. Pre-seed and early-stage companies attract almost half of total capital

Pre-seed and early-stage companies attracted $288 million and $1,780 million respectively, together attracted approximately 47% of the total capital.

V. Secondary active exit mechanism

M&As continue to remain weak and IPO has been virtually closed to venture backed companies. Since the IPO by Coveo Solutions Inc. in November 2021, there was no venture-backed IPO in almost 4 years; there will be likely no VC-backed IPO in 2025.

Liquidity has been mostly generated by secondaries. Notable transactions include Clio's US $900 million fund round which was a predominately secondary transaction, and the pending Wealthsimple's up to $750 million funding round which includes up to $200 million in secondary.

VI. Canadian VC firm fundraising improving

41 Canadian VC funds raised $3,192 million, up drastically from $871 million by 29 VC funds in first half of 2025. 28 private funds collective raised $2,432 million, 72% of which were raised by two Radical Ventures managed funds. BDC Capital received additional $700 million allocation from parent company BDC.

"The Q3, 2025 and year-to-date data point to an ongoing slowdown in venture capital activity across different metrics as well as a continuation of observed patterns. With respect to the former, the sluggishness appears particularly in investing volumes and exits, the latter of which have been virtually non-existent. As for the established contours of venture capital in Canada, the long-noted dominant roles played by US investors nationwide and the unchallenged leading, position of Ontario, especially of Toronto, remain distinguishing features of the Canadian venture scene. Of note is what has not been happening - from the significant lack of US investment in Quebec companies to the striking underinvestment in defense and aerospace firms so far in 2025. Meanwhile, fundraising has become concentrated in but a tiny slice of venture capital funds, one specializing in AI and the other a federal government-owned entity. With nine months of data in hand, and absent a significant course correction, 2025 looks set to be a morose year for venture capital activity," commented Richard Remillard, President of Remillard Consulting Group (RCG).

First Nine Months 2025 Highlights

Top Cities/Areas



# Financings $ Millions Toronto Area 126 2,109 Vancouver Area 60 877 Montreal Area 39 455 Calgary 59 274 Winnipeg 3 114 Waterloo Area 18 97 Halifax Area 18 88 Ottawa 26 80 St. John's 1 68 Edmonton 6 59

Top Canadian VC funding sources

Canadian companies attracted foreign funding from 50 countries or regions

Country/Region 1st 3Qs 2025

($ Millions) Ranking 2024

Ranking United States (USA) 2,409 1 1 Canada 1,456 2 2 Austria 90 3 13 Qatar 55 4 not ranked Hong Kong (HK) 53 5 17 United Kingdom (UK) 51 6 4 Cayman Islands 49 7 20 Luxembourg 48 8 23 Singapore 45 9 21 China 34 10 5 Spain 25 11 25 Japan 14 12 6 Monaco 12 13 50 Germany 9 14 10 Sweden 9 15 9

Top Investor types

Investor Type $ Millions (%)* Private VC - US 1,123 (25.4 %) Mutual/Hedge Fund  US 464 (10.5 %) Private VC  Canadian 408 (9.2 %) Corporate VC  US 350 (7.9 %) Government  Canadian 324 (7.3 %) Family Office  Canadian 193 (4.4 %) Mutal/Hedge Fund  Canadian 181 (4.1 %) Private VC - International 181 (4.1 %) Private Investors  Canadian 178 (4.0 %) Private Investors  US 177 (4.0 %) Corporate VC  International 174 (3.9 %) Corporate VC  Canadian 144 (3.3 %) Institutional VC  Canadian 123 (2.8 %) All Other Types 406 (9.2 %) TOTAL 4,425 (100 %)

Summary report

Summary report can be downloaded from financings.ca website: https://www.financings.ca/reports/

Methodology

Included

Equity and quasi-equity investments in companies directly.

Excluded

Secondary transactions (investor/shareholder exit events) in which companies received no money.

Acquisition for expansions (M&As)

PE transactions

Financing by foreign headquartered/domiciled companies with Canadian subsidiaries.

Remillard Consulting Group (RCG)

Remillard Consulting Group (RCG) is a unique, Ottawa-based, bilingual consulting firm specializing in providing private sector, government & trade association clients with creative, research-grounded solutions to business issues and public policies involving the Canadian financial services industry. For more information: [email protected]

CPE Analytics

Backed by Canada's only all financing database (116,800 financing transactions and growing daily), CPE Analytics is Canada's leader in financing intelligence. We provide comprehensive, verified, unbiased and unmatched insights and intelligence on private and public financings, initial public offerings (IPOs), M&As, professional investment firm fundraising activities.

We cover all aspects of VC information, including Canada's only intelligence on funding country (where VC funding came from) and investor type sources.

CPE Analytics is the data analytics division of CPE Media & Data Company. More Info: https://cpeanalytics.ca, https://financings.ca

CPE Media & Data Company

Founded by Canada's the most experienced private capital and financing research experts, CPE Media & Data Company is Canada's leading all financing news and intelligence provider. More information: https://cpecompany.ca/

SOURCE CPE Media & Data Company

Contacts: Ted Liu, CPE Media & Data Company, 647-782-8818, [email protected]; Richard Remillard, Remillard Consulting Group (RCG), 613-715-3055, [email protected]
BUSAN, South Korea, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Thursday that China and the United States should work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of their two countries and the whole world.

He made the remarks during a meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, after landing in Busan for the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, and a state visit to South Korea.

Xi noted that President Trump is very enthusiastic about settling various regional hotspot issues and China has also been promoting peace talks to resolve various hotspot issues.

As the world today is confronted with many tough problems, China and the United States can jointly shoulder their responsibility as major countries, Xi said. 
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huangs keynote at NVIDIAs GTC conference in Washington D.C. was a sweeping celebration of American innovation and a call to action for America to lead the AI revolution. NVIDIA at the epicenter of this next Apollo moment. The 90-minute talk blended technical deep dives, major announcements, and forward-looking visions for AI, quantum computing, 6G, robotics, and manufacturing. It emphasized two simultaneous platform shifts: from general-purpose to accelerated computing and from traditional software to AI agent driven work.

Americas Innovation Legacy and AI as the New Industrial Revolution

Huang narrated and opened with an emotional video tracing U.S. inventions (transistor at Bell Labs, Hedy Lamarrs wireless tech, IBM System/360, Intel microprocessor, Cray supercomputers, ARPANET, iPod/iPhone). He tied this to AI as the next era powered by NVIDIA GPUs as essential infrastructure like electricity and the internet.

AI factories are rising in America to provide abundance, life-saving tech, clean energy, and space exploration.

AI is a new industrial revolution testing U.S. capacities like the space age.

NVIDIAs accelerated computing (GPUs + CUDA) is the engine, addressing problems CPUs cant solve amid Dennard scalings end. Transistor performance plateaued ~2010 but transistor counts grow.

Accelerated Computing: NVIDIAs 30-Year Journey

Huang explained the GPU-CPU shift as a rare paradigm change. THE major shift in 60 years of transistors and chips. GPUs enable parallel processing for massive transistor utilization. CUDA programming model ensures compatibility across generations, with 350+ CUDA-X libraries. There is cuLitho for chip lithography, cuOpt for optimization, MONAI for medical imaging, cuQuantum for quantum sims rewriting algorithms domain-by-domain.

Reclaiming U.S. Leadership in 6G

U.S. once dominated and defined wireless standards but now relies on foreign technology. 6G is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for American resurgence via AI-native networks.

NVIDIA Arc and Nokia Partnership was announced. New product line NVIDIA Arc (Aerial Radio Access Network Computer) integrates Grace CPU, Blackwell GPU, and ConnectX networking with Aerial CUDA-X library for software-defined, AI-programmable base stations.

AI for RAN provides spectral efficiency via reinforcement learning, cutting 1.5-2% global power use. AI on RAN for edge cloud and for industrial robotics. Nokia will integrate Arc into future base stations, upgrading millions globally. Compatible with Nokias Airscale for seamless 5G-to-6G transition.

NVIDIA Aerial software will soon be released as open source, making it available on a variety of NVIDIA platforms, including on NVIDIA DGX Spark. With open-source software and a powerful and accessible supercomputer to run it all, AI-RAN and wireless researchers can go from rapid prototyping to product development in hours versus months or years.

Quantum Computing: Hybrid GPU-QPU Future

Referencing Feynman (1981), Huang noted last years breakthrough. Three is now one stable, error-corrected logical qubit which uses 10s-100s physical qubits. Qubits are fragile; error correction needs massive compute.

They explained qubit fragility across types (superconducting, photonic, etc.) and quantum error corrections needs.

NVQLink is a new interconnect for terabyte-scale data transfer between QPUs and GPUs for correction, calibration, hybrid sims)\.

NVQLink + CUDA-Q are a scalable architecture for 100s-1000s qubits. CUDA-Q (extended from CUDA) enables QPU-GPU orchestration in microseconds. It is supported by 17 quantum firms (like publicly traded IonQ, Quantinuum) and 8 DOE labs.

U.S. Department of Energy will build 7 new AI supercomputers with NVIDIA to accelerate science research (AI-augmented simulations + quantum).

AI is Reinventing the Computing Stack

Past software (Excel, browsers) were and are a $1 trillion tools market. AI and agents will perform work in the $100T economy.

AI Factories are the AI data centers for training and inference. The new infrastructure is producing valuable tokens. These smart outputs are at scale with cost efficiency. Unlike general data centers, theyre specialized. The energy  GPUs  tokens  apps.

There are now three major Scaling Laws.

1. Pre-training (memorization)

2. Post-training (skills/reasoning)

3. Thinking (inference/research).

There are exponentials. Smarter models need more compute. Usage surges with intelligence/paywalls (Cursor, Claude).

Virtuous cycle: Usage  revenue  more compute  smarter AI  more usage.

Dennard/Moores end demands extreme co-design. We have to rearchitect everything at the same time (chips/systems/software/models/apps simultaneously).

Blackwell and Vera Rubin Chips

Grace Blackwell NVL72: Rack-scale thinking machine (72 GPUs as one via NVLink; 130 TB/s bandwidth).

10x Hopper performance per GPU according to SemiAnalysis benchmarks.

B200 has the lowest-cost tokens via TCO (total cost of ownership).

Nvidia has $500 billion of firm orders for Blackwell/Rubin through 2026. 20M GPUs will be shipped vs. Hoppers 4M lifetime chips shipped. This excludes China and the US and China may get an agreement where Nvida could send China chips.

CSP (cloud service providers) capex (Amazon, CoreWeave, etc) hits record highs.

Blackwell is and will also be made in America. U.S. production. Arizona has fabs working now making silicon semiconductors and Indiana is making HBM (high bandwidth memory).

Texas assembly of 1.2M parts/rack, 130T transistors and weighs 2 tons.

Vera Rubin is the Next-gen chips with 2026 production. It will have 100 petaflops of performance per chip.



If is completely cableless.

100% liquid-cooled.

Features Vera Rubin Superchip (8 GPUs/node).

BlueField-4 is a KV-cache processor for context/memory. Need the KV-cache to remember and quickly retrieve all of the conversations.

NVLink/Spectrum-X switches (silicon photonics).

1.5M parts/rack. Scales to gigawatt factories. It is 8000 racks per Gigawatt.

Omniverse DSX will Make AI Data Centers

Nvidia Blueprint for gigascale AI factories.

Co-design building/power/cooling with NVIDIA stack.

Digital twins (via Omniverse) simulate/optimize (Jacobs layouts, Siemens/PTC assets, Ansys/Cadence thermals).

Partners, Bechtel and Vertiv will deliver prefabricated modules. AI agents (Fidra, Emerald) operate post-build.

They will saves billions/year.

NVIDIA is building a Virginia research center for data center and AI factory research.

Open Models and Ecosystem

Open models (via reasoning/multimodality/distillation) fuel startups/research.

NVIDIA leads contributions with 23 leaderboard models: speech, reasoning, physical AI, biology.

Essential for U.S. leadership.

NVIDIA is in all clouds (AWS, Google, Azure, Oracle).

SaaS (ServiceNow, SAP, Synopsys, Cadence).

Startups (CoreWeave, Lambda) build GPU clouds (neocloud providers).

CrowdStrike is working with Nvidia for AI agents for speed-of-light cybersecurity (cloud/edge detection).

Palantir and Nvidia are accelerating ontology platform for massive data processing (structured/unstructured) in government and enterprise.

Physical AI: Robotics, Factories, and Robotaxis

GB200 (training), Omniverse (sims/digital twins), Thor/Orin (operation) are all CUDA-enabled for physics-aware AI.

Foxconns Houston NVIDIA plant was made with Omniverse and Siemens.

Fanuc/Fii robots, Metropolis/Cosmos agents for monitoring/onboarding.

Humanoids robotics partnerships with Figure AI ($40B valuation), Agility (warehouses), J&J (surgery), Disney (Newton simulator for Blue robot demoadorable physics sim).

Robotaxis partners will use Drive Hyperion (new chips). Uber and Nvidia will work to get 100,000 robotaxi around 2027. Standardized AV (autonomous vehicle) platform (sensors/compute for Lucid, Mercedes, Stellantis). Enables AV devs (Wayve, Waabi) on common chassis.

More Background

Nvidia GTC page for links to clips and to other GTC events.

Simulation software providers like Ansys, part of Synopsys, are using NVIDIA PhysicsNeMo to achieve up to 500x speedups in computational engineering. The framework offers a new way to start fluid simulations with a highly accurate initial state  typically a computationally expensive task that requires numerous iterations  and with low runtime cost.

Fluid simulations can be up to 50x faster than traditional methods when performed with NVIDIA GPU-accelerated tools like Ansys Fluent. Using NVIDIA PhysicsNeMo pretrained models to initialize the simulation multiplies that GPU-powered 50x speedup by an additional 10x due to the higher accuracy of the initial solution.

Leading aerospace technology companies are using NVIDIA GPU-accelerated workflows and PhysicsNeMo to speed the design and optimization of advanced aircraft and automotive systems.

Northrop Grumman and Luminary Cloud are using accelerated compute and AI-driven physics to accelerate spacecraft thruster nozzle design.
Gyeongju, the hometown of the Silla-era scholar Choe Chiwon who traveled to study in China in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), stands as a testament to the enduring cultural exchange between China and South Korea.

As the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting unfolds here, join Xinhua correspondent Du Baiyu to uncover a dialogue of civilizations that has flourished for a millennium.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service 
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JIUQUAN, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Shenzhou-21 crew will bring 4 mice to the country's space station for scientific study, a highlight among a variety of new science and application projects to be carried out during their six-month stay in orbit, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said on Thursday.

This will be the first time China conducts a scientific experiment involving rodent mammals in space, CMSA spokesperson Zhang Jingbo said at a press conference held one day prior to the launch of the Shenzhou-21 mission.

The mice, two males and two females, will be raised in orbit, and the study will focus on examining the effects of space conditions, such as microgravity and enclosed space, on the behavior of these animals, Zhang said.

Subsequently, the mice will return to Earth via a spaceship, and further scientific research will be carried out to explore the stress response and adaptive changes of multiple tissues and organs of mice in the space environment, Zhang added.

The four mice were chosen after more than 60 days of rigorous training in physical fitness and cognitive ability. They will be part of scientific experiments in space for five to seven days, helping to close a gap in small mammal research aboard China's Tiangong space station.

Previous animal experiments conducted on the Chinese space lab involved zebra fish and fruit flies.

The Shenzhou-21 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 11:44 p.m. Friday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. Taikonauts Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang will carry out the Shenzhou-21 mission.

The 27 new in-orbit experiments awaiting the trio cover areas including space life sciences and biotechnology, space medicine, space materials science, microgravity fluid physics and combustion, and new space technologies.

The CMSA also outlined planned in-orbit studies on the relationship between the origin of genetic codes and chirality, lithium-ion batteries for space applications, and intelligent computing platforms.

Notably, crew member Zhang Hongzhang, a payload specialist, is a researcher in the field of new energy and new materials at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

During the Shenzhou-21 mission, his ideas from the ground are expected to bear fruit in the orbital lab, as the experiments he designed will be conducted on the space station.

He will be responsible for conducting experimental procedures, performing observations, acquiring data, and carrying out data processing and analysis.

"I feel truly honored that the experiment project I have contributed to will be conducted in space," the scientist-turned-taikonaut told media. 
GYEONGJU, South Korea, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- South Korea and New Zealand agreed to lift bilateral ties to a "comprehensive strategic partnership," according to the South Korean presidential office on Thursday.

The two sides reached the agreement between South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering here.

"New Zealand has become an important trading partner," Lee said. "As the international order becomes more complex, I hope the two countries cooperate and support each other for joint development," according to Yonhap news agency.

Luxon said the two countries are deepening ties under shared values in trade, security and people-to-people exchanges, noting that South Korea is New Zealand's fifth-largest trading partner.

South Korea and New Zealand established formal relations in 1962, and signed a free trade deal in 2015. 
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BUSAN, South Korea, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Under global gaze and before flashing cameras, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, shook hands here Thursday for a highly anticipated meeting, the first since Trump was sworn in as U.S. president again earlier this year.

Later, as their 100-minute meeting drew to an end in South Korea's second-largest city, Xi and Trump walked side by side toward the venue's exit. They clasped hands in farewell.

The two presidents met amid mounting global economic challenges and protectionist trends. Many global observers viewed this high-stakes meeting as a crucial opportunity to steady what many describe as the world's most important bilateral relationship and reinvigorate confidence in the global economy.

CHARTING COURSE FOR TIES

Since Trump took office in January, the two heads of state have maintained close communication through telephone calls and letters. As noted by Xi during the meeting, under their joint guidance, China-U.S. relations have remained stable on the whole.

In the face of winds, waves and challenges, Xi said, the two leaders should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations.

Trump conveyed this spirit of collaboration, stating that U.S.-China relations have traditionally been strong and will continue to improve, expressing hope for a brighter shared future.

It was not the first time that Xi used the metaphor of recalibrating the direction of "the giant ship of China-U.S. relations" to highlight the core task facing current bilateral relations.

In a phone conversation with Trump in June after a China-U.S. high-level meeting on economic and trade affairs in Geneva, which set in motion a series of subsequent bilateral economic and trade talks, Xi stressed that it was "particularly important" for the two leaders to steer clear of various disturbances and disruptions.

The two sides need to make good use of the economic and trade consultation mechanism already in place, and seek win-win results in the spirit of equality and respect for each other's concerns, Xi said then.

China-U.S. interactions should embody the characteristics of a new era, said Gu Qingyang, associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, noting that the so-called "Thucydides Trap," which refers to confrontation between an established power and a rising one, is not inevitable as many believe.

"We do not wish to see China and the United States divided, decoupled, or in confrontation, as that would be detrimental to both. The two nations are already leading global countries, and each is too strong to ignore the other," said Gu.

In the run-up to the Busan meeting, the two countries' economic and trade teams held a new round of consultations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, reaching a basic consensus on addressing respective major concerns, which provided the necessary conditions for the meeting on Thursday.

On Thursday, Xi urged the two sides to work out and finalize the follow-up steps as soon as possible, and ensure that the common understandings are effectively upheld and implemented, to inject confidence into the two countries as well as the global economy through solid deliverables.

The two teams can continue their talks in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, and continuously shorten the list of problems and lengthen the list of cooperation, Xi said.

In a written statement to Xinhua, Maya Majueran, founding director of the Belt and Road Initiative Sri Lanka, said that the meeting sent a signal of reassurance that the world's two largest economies seek to manage their relationship responsibly rather than drift toward confrontation.

For Tom Watkins, a former advisor to the Michigan-China Innovation Center, "mutual respect" is the key to future U.S.-China relations.

"Each side needs to understand a miscalculation will have devastating consequences," said Watkins, adding that despite the ups and downs in bilateral ties in the past decades, "the two sides have sensibly navigated forward."

"All major global issues intersect at the corner of Beijing and Washington. And how our leaders resolve those issues will shape the future of the world," said Watkins.

BROADER IMPACT ON ASIA-PACIFIC AND BEYOND

The world is grappling with mounting uncertainties and rising protectionist tendencies, and the Asia-Pacific is no exception. Trade barriers are stacking up, geopolitical rivalries are deepening, and the multilateral trading system is under increasing strain. Against this backdrop, Xi's call for dialogue over confrontation resonated far beyond the meeting room in Busan.

Noting that China-U.S. economic and trade relations have experienced ups and downs recently, Xi said that the business relationship should continue to serve as the anchor and driving force for China-U.S. relations, not a stumbling block or a point of friction. The two sides should think big and recognize the long-term benefit of cooperation, and must not fall into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation, Xi said.

China's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday unveiled the outcomes achieved by Chinese and U.S. delegations during their recent economic and trade talks in Kuala Lumpur.

The U.S. side will cancel the 10-percent so-called "fentanyl tariffs" and suspend, for an additional year, the 24-percent reciprocal tariffs levied on Chinese goods, including goods from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region, a spokesperson of the ministry said, adding that in turn, China will make corresponding adjustments to its countermeasures and continue certain tariff exclusion measures.

The United States will suspend for one year the implementation of a new rule announced on Sept. 29 that expands its "entity-list" export restrictions to any entity that is at least 50 percent owned by one or more entities on the list. China will suspend the implementation of relevant export control measures announced on Oct. 9 for one year and will study and refine specific plans, the spokesperson said.

Other outcomes included Washington agreeing to suspend for one year the measures under its Section 301 investigation targeting China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries, with Beijing setting to correspondingly suspend its countermeasures once the U.S. suspension takes effect.

Experts across the Asia-Pacific region view this cooperative vision as both timely and necessary.

From Beijing's perspective, the path forward is not one of inevitable competition but of necessary coordination, said Majueran, adding that the Chinese leadership frequently emphasizes a "win-win" model of cooperation, an approach that rejects zero-sum thinking in favor of shared progress.

The Xi-Trump meeting offers an opportunity to de-escalate tensions between the two major countries and a return to dialogue to resolve outstanding issues, said Eng Kok Thay, secretary of state of Cambodia's Council of Ministers.

During the meeting on Thursday, Xi noted that the world today is confronted with many tough problems, saying that China and the United States can jointly shoulder their responsibility as major countries, and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of the two countries and the whole world.

"The trajectory of China-U.S. relations will largely define the strategic and economic environment of the Asia-Pacific and beyond," said Eng Kok Thay.

Cooperation ensures trade stability, technology exchange and security, outcomes that benefit not only the region but the entire world, he added. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
The parents of Tiffany Valiante, a Hamilton teenager killed by a N.J. Transit train in 2015, are questioning whether investigators ever formally closed her case.

This week, Dianne and Steve Valiante opposed a state motion to dismiss their lawsuit against NJ Transit and its police force, arguing investigators ignored evidence of harassment tied to Tiffanys sexuality and violated her rights under New Jerseys Crime Victims Bill of Rights.

The Valiantes are asking the state to return all evidence from the case, provide a full inventory, allow their experts to review it, explain how it was handled, and transfer the items so they can preserve them for any future investigation.

The lawsuit was filed just days before the 10th anniversary of the death of the 18-year-old Oakcrest High School volleyball standout, who was struck by an NJ Transit train bound for Atlantic City.

It argues her death may have been a hate crime because she had come out as a lesbian six months earlier.

Her parents claim investigators ignored evidence of harassment, including recovered text messages with slurs, and other signs suggesting her death was staged rather than a suicide.

Authorities ruled her death a suicide within hours of the incident  a conclusion her parents have long disputed, insisting she may have been murdered.

Paul DAmato, the familys attorney, said a judges ruling on the dismissal request was scheduled for November but will be delayed about a month.

From his office Wednesday, DAmato said the motion to dismiss may hinge on whether the state Medical Examiners Office is holding evidence for a potential criminal case.

The New Jersey Transit Police Department  if they said to us, We want to keep the evidence, that would be an indicator that, perhaps, they have reopened the investigation, DAmato said.

DAmato said the teens parents were never personally advised that the case had been closed.

In the lawsuit that we filed, we included an internal report from the New Jersey Transit Police Department that indicated that... the file was exceptionally closed, DAmato said. That is FBI language, meaning that due to the apparent suicide, the New Jersey Transit Police Department had closed the file.

That doesnt mean the case cant be reopened  or that it hasnt already been reopened, he added.

The family repeated its requests for evidence in authorities possession, particularly photographs from a deer camera stored on an SD card.

As Paul said, were not giving up, Dianne Valiante, Tiffanys mother, said. We will never give up on finding the truth of what happened to Tiffany.

Julys lawsuit was the first time the family included recently surfaced text messages as exhibits.

Some of the messages included anti-LGBTQ+ slurs, which her parents say show bias may have played a role in her death.

The texts, gathered by a Philadelphia-based tech firm, are being used to summon persons of interest whom the family believes may know more about the circumstances leading up to Tiffanys death, DAmato said.

Her parents are repurposing a $40,000 reward for information toward gathering statements from those people, some of whom no longer live in the area, he said.

These people of interest have only heightened our commitment because they will not talk to us, DAmato said. If they had nothing to hide, why wont they talk to us?

NJ Transit declined to comment on the latest legal filing when reached Thursday by NJ Advance Media.
Two Walmart re-grand openings are set for Oct. 31. Events will be held at stores in West Berlin and Bridgeton. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media

Two Walmart stores in New Jersey will host re-grand openings Friday following major remodeling projects that include expanded services and updated interiors.

The Walmart at West Berlin Supercenter at 265 Route 73 will celebrate the new look at 8 a.m. on Oct. 31, while the Bridgeton store at 1130 Route 77 will welcome customers at 9 a.m. the same day.

Both locations have undergone upgrades designed to enhance the shopping experience, Walmart officials said.

Improvements include interactive displays, transformed departments, expanded apparel sections, and enhanced online pickup and delivery services.

The renovations also feature new digital touchpoints throughout the stores with QR codes and digital screens to help customers access Walmarts online product catalog.

Both the Vision Center and Pharmacy departments have been updated as well.

Shoppers will notice reconfigured store layouts creating more space to explore merchandise, refreshed interiors and exteriors with improved navigation signage, new flooring, renovated bathrooms, and dedicated mothers rooms, Walmart officials said.

Each store now displays murals reflecting their respective communities.

Refurbished Walmart in West Berlin features a new mural. Walmart

As part of the celebrations, the West Berlin store is donating a total of $8,000 to local organizations: $3,500 to the Redeeming Childrens Hope Foundation, $2,000 to Berlin Township, $1,500 to the Animal Welfare Association, and $1,000 to the Freedom School of Chesilhurst.

The Bridgeton store is also contributing $8,000, with $2,000 each going to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Woods n Water, Big Brother Big Sister of Cumberland County, and Chapter XIII.
Young Bleed, a rapper who grew famous in the '90s with No Limit Records, was hospitalized shortly after a monumental reunion performance. (Photo by Julia Beverly/Getty Images) Getty Images

A rapper affiliated with an iconic music label was hospitalized shortly after a recent reunion show with the group.

Young Bleed, a Louisiana-based rapper who saw fame in the 90s as part of the No Limit Records crew, was admitted to the ICU after suffering a medical emergency following the performance, HotNewHipHop has reported.

The Baton Rouge native performed his 1998 hit song How Ya Do Dat in a Verzuz battle between Louisiana-based rap stalwarts No Limit and Cash Money artists in Las Vegas over the weekend.

The battle was a monumental moment in hip-hop as the two rap supergroups had never taken the stage together even though they both achieved great success coming out of Louisiana in the 90s.

Young Bleed, whose real name is Glenn Clifton Jr., reportedly experienced a medical emergency that resulted in stay in the ICU shortly after the event.

The 47-year-old suffered a brain aneurysm, a source close to the situation told AllHipHop.

A woman claiming to be Bleeds sister took to Facebook urging fans to not make any rest in peace posts of the rapper as he was still in the intensive care unit.

No Limit founder Master P shared a statement on Instagram Tuesday regarding the matter.

We just turned up with our brother @therealyoungbleed @verzuztv Thanks for all yall prayers and we need more prayers for him and his family as he fights in ICU #GodGotUs #NoLimitSoldier Tell your people you love them every time they walk out the door," Master P wrote.

No new details on Bleeds condition have been released as of Thursday.
Rosie O'Donnell with her daughter Chelsea O'Donnell in 2016. Bruce Glikas | FilmMagic

Rosie ODonnell shared a photo of her daughter, Chelsea ODonnell, on Instagram Wednesday.

It was an old photo of Chelsea as a kid.

My child chelsea belle - before addiction took over her life, ODonnell said.

I loved her then (I) love her now as she faces a scary future- prayers welcomed.

She used the hashtags addiction and awareness.

Chelsea ODonnell, 28, recently had her probation revoked and on Oct. 22 was sentenced to prison, People reports.

I have compassion for those struggling with addiction, Rosie ODonnell said in a statement to the outlet.

Chelsea was born into addiction and it has been a painful journey for her and her four young children, she said. We continue to love and support her through these horrible times. Prayers welcomed.

READ MORE: Rosie ODonnell interview: The free program for kids with autism that changed her childs life

ODonnell adopted Chelsea as a baby with her ex-wife Kelli Carpenter. They married in 2004 and split in 2007.

ODonnell has five children  Parker, 30; Chelsea, 28; Blake, 25; Vivienne, 22; and Clay, 12.

Chelsea was arrested three times in Wisconsin last fall, per the People report, on felony charges including possession of methamphetamine, possession of narcotic drugs, neglecting a child, bail jumping and resisting or obstructing an officer.

In February, she pleaded guilty to three counts  bail jumping, possession of methamphetamine and resisting or obstructing an officer.

Chelsea was later sentenced to six years of probation, with one of the conditions being that she had to remain sober.

The possible penalty for violating her probation was prison time.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum Floyd Roger Myers Jr. has died, according to a report. He was 42.

Myers played a young Will Smith during a 1992 episode of the beloved sitcom. His mom, Renee Trice, told TMZ that Myers passed away early on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 29. She noted that Myers had three prior heart attacks in the last three years.

After his role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Myers played Marlon Jackson in two episodes of the 1992 ABC miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream. He also made an appearance in a 2000 episode of the WB drama Young Americans.

Myers was a father. He wished his daughter a happy 10th birthday via Instagram last month.

Happy 10th birthday to my baby girl!! The life of the party and always a bright light in the room, he wrote alongside a slideshow of photos. Im so happy to be your father cant wait what the next 10yrs will look@like watching you grow!! I love you and we going up all weekend baby girl!! Daddys TyTy.

In June, he celebrated his sons eighth birthday.

Happy Birthday Son!!! Lets turn up for the big 8!! he wrote via Instagram.

READ MORE: Netflix star fired over comments about costars dead parents

Myers cofounded the Fellaship Mens Group. The groups website describes it as a movement rooted in brotherhood, wellness, and purpose that aims to address the often-overlooked emotional and mental health challenges that men face.

We offer wellness programs, healing circles, workshops, and service opportunities that help men reconnect with their purpose and redefine what strength truly means, the website reads. Whether its learning to lead with empathy, breaking generational cycles, or simply having a place to talk without shame  were building a new culture of manhood. One where healing is honored, growth is expected, and community is everything.

Myers frequently posted about the groups upcoming events via Instagram.
Stranger Things fans know David Harbour as the lovably gruff Chief of Police Jim Hopper, but a whole new side of him has been exposed by Lily Allens new breakup album, West End Girl.

Harbour and Allens separation was confirmed earlier this year. The pair tied the knot in September 2020 after about a year of dating. West End Girl, which was released on Oct. 24, paints a scathing portrait of Harbours alleged behavior during the marriage.

The album opens with the title track, which includes a one-sided phone call of Allen getting the news that her husband wants to open their marriage. She was in London at the time, making her West End debut in the play 2:22 A Ghost Story, while Harbour was back in their shared New York City home.

Lily Allen and David Harbour. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Why cant you wait for me to come home? This conversations too big for a phone call, Allen sings on the following track, Ruminating.

The bombshell revelations continue from there. The track Madeline suggests that Harbour deviated from the duos rules for their open marriage.

We had an arrangement / Be discreet and dont be blatant / There had to be payment / It had to be with strangers / But youre not a stranger, Madeline, Allen sings.

Allens dark sense of humor has been part of her lyrical style since her 2006 debut record, Alright, Still, but she reaches new scathing heights on West End Girl.

Whether shes singing about finding her husbands stash of sexual paraphernalia (Hundreds of Trojans / youre so fing broken) or her own reluctant return to dating apps (Im a mum to teenage children, does that sound like fun to you?), Allen holds nothing back.

After listening to West End Girl in its entirety, its easy to wonder how Harbour will be able to show his face doing press for the final season of Stranger Things, which hits Netflix on Nov. 26. But Allen told Interview Magazine that she wasnt seeking revenge when she released the album.

I wrote this record in 10 days in December [2024], and I feel very differently about the whole situation now. We all go through breakups and its always fing brutal. But I dont think its that often that you feel inclined to write about it while youre in it, she said. At the time, I was really trying to process things and thats great in terms of the album, but I dont feel confused or angry now. I dont need revenge.

READ MORE: Whos missing from the Stranger Things season 5 trailer?

Allen also told British Vogue that not everything on the record is the literal truth.

There are things that are on the record that I experienced within my marriage, but thats not to say that its all gospel, she said. It is inspired by what went on in the relationship.

Harbour has yet to publicly react to West End Girl. Allen told Interview magazine that she tries not to think about him hearing the songs. Back in April, Harbour told GQ that there was no use in weighing in on the discourse about him and Allen because its all based on hysterical hyperbole and amounted to a salacious sshow of humiliation.

Allen defends her right to air out her exs dirty laundry on the West End Girl track Let you W/In.

God knows how long youve been getting away with it / Already let you in, all I can do is sing / So why should I let you win? she sings.

Part 1 of Stranger Things season 5 will hit Netflix on Nov. 26. Parts 2 and 3 will premiere on Dec. 25 and Dec. 31, respectively. Past seasons of Stranger Things are available to stream on Netflix.
Opening a restaurant in a train station was never part of the plan.

Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer had separately spent years working in restaurants. Both women thought the service industry portion of their careers was over, they had found their way into publishing. Hirsheimer co-founded food magazine Saveur and served as editor of Metropolitan Home, while Hamilton was pursuing food styling.

But when Hamilton and Hirsheimer met more than 30 years ago, a strong friendship was soon forged  along with a path back into the restaurant industry.

Owners Christopher Hirsheimer (Left) and Melissa Hamilton (Right) of Canal House Station in Milford, NJ (Credit: Canal House) Canal House

From the minute I met Christopher," Hamilton told NJ Advance Media, I had this incredibly strong feeling that we would be friends for a long time.

In 2009, they opened Canal House  a culinary, photography and design studio in Lambertville  where they produced nine cookbooks for their Canal House Cooking series, including Canal House Cooks Every Day, which won a James Beard Award in 2013.

After outgrowing their Lambertville studio and briefly moving the operation to a location in Frenchtown, they began searching for a space that could house their studio while also being big enough to have pop-up events with the public.

We felt too private, Hirsheimer said. We started looking for a building where we could still have our studio and consulting while also having a place to invite people in to have meals with us.

Inside Canal House Station in Milford, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

That search led them to an abandoned train station in Milford. During its two-year restoration, they realized it was calling for a new purpose.

It kept calling us to make it into a restaurant, Hamilton said. It was meant to be a restaurant.

Canal House Station was born. The eatery opened in July 2019 and soon garnered the attention of locals, and national recognition as well for their well-loved Sunday dinners  set five-course menus modeled after old-fashioned family meals.

The duo was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for best chef in the mid-Atlantic region in 2020 and 2022. The restaurant was also featured on USA Todays best restaurants list for 2025.

Guests continually admire the restaurant for its charming setting and traditional French and American dishes that remain delightfully unaffected by fleeting trends. No fusion, no twists, just classic food.

Years later, does the Hunterdon County restaurant still showcase the superb cuisine that has earned it multiple award nominations? Lets dig in.

The good

Canal House Station began with breakfast and lunch before introducing its now-famous Sunday dinners. After a pandemic pause, they eventually expanded to include weekend dinner service a year ago.

On Fridays and Saturdays, they offer a prix fixe menu that includes an appetizer, choice of entree, and dessert for $95 per person. Extra entrees are available for $15, and there are optional appetizer additions available as well.

Appetizer additions at Canal House Station in Milford, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

The appetizer additions at our visit included deviled eggs topped with smoked salmon and chives ($10 for 2), Portuguese sardines on toast ($10) and zucchini and garlic poached in olive oil on toast ($10). Each felt like an amuse-bouche  small bites meant to awaken the palate  and succeeded deliciously. The smoky salmon over creamy, savory deviled eggs, the rich sardine plus the zesty garlic and zucchini on crusty bread had me eager for what was to come.

Popovers at Canal House Station in Milford, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

Popovers arrived alongside soup presumably as part of the bread service. The puffy, airy rolls were delightfully crisp and light, well-salted and paired nicely with a side of honey butter that added a sweet, creamy contrast to the crusty bread.

Butternut squash soup at Canal House Station in Milford, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

The butternut squash soup blended ginger and turmeric and was finished with a swirl of sour cream and a sprinkle of chives. Served piping hot, it was deeply comforting on a gloomy, windy day. The gentle warmth of the ginger and turmeric came through beautifully, cooled by the tangy sour cream while the crunch of chives added a fresh lift to the silky soup.

Duck confit at Canal House Station in Milford, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

Duck confit is a classic French dish featuring cured duck legs slow-cooked in their own fat. At Canal House Station, they slowly roast it and serve the duck leg with a side of green beans. It was abundantly seasoned with a crispy chicharron-like skin. Underneath was meat so juicy and tender that it practically fell off the bone with a slight flick of the fork.

Filet of sole meuniere at Canal House Station in Milford, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

A French classic, filet of sole meuniere is simplicity at its best  golden, pan-fried fish in brown butter, lemon and parsley. Canal House Stations version captured the spirit of the dish perfectly  tender, flaky sole bathed in a shimmering, buttery sauce that helped the fish shine even further.

The duck confit and sole meuniere came with a massive side of pommes frites  yes, essentially the French version of French fries. The salty, starchy addition was standard but tasty nonetheless. They were thick, golden and crisp on the outside with a fluffy center  served with an aromatic garlic aioli.

Almond cake at Canal House Station in Milford, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

Almond cake served as the dessert grand finale, accompanied by whipped cream and slices of roasted Honeycrisp apples from Phillips Farm Market just down the road in Milford.

The cake itself was dense but still moist and delivered a bold, satisfying almond flavor. The roasted Honeycrisp apples lent a subtle tartness that brightened the dessert and tempered the almonds richness. Known for their crisp texture and balanced sweetness, the Honeycrisps held their shape beautifully while adding a refreshing edge that kept each bite from feeling too heavy.

The bad

Risotto at Canal House Station in Milford, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

The vegetable risotto was my least favorite dish of the night. As tasty as the preserved lemon, fresh zucchini and roasted tomato were, it was far too soupy  proper risotto is creamy and thick. Those bold flavors werent enough to overcome the peculiar texture.

The vibe

The restaurant is situated inside a train station from the late 1800s that was abandoned for quite some time before Hamilton and Hirsheimer bought it.

We fell in love with the building and knew it needed a lot of work, Hamilton said. but it had great bones.

Even so, the renovation took two years.

Inside Canal House Station in Milford, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

One side of the building houses a single dining room. The other contains an open kitchen with space for larger parties, including two communal tables near the cooking area.

The atmosphere feels like stepping into someones home  cozy and warm. Every detail reflects care and intention  the soft lighting, wooden seating, floral arrangements, and art-lined walls create a rustic, welcoming charm.

Service was also extremely attentive. The whole service staff made sure our table was always clean, waters were filled, utensils were changed and we were constantly checked on make sure everything was to our liking.

The bottom line

One meal at Canal House Station is enough to prove this is one of the best restaurants in New Jersey. The culmination of a homey atmosphere, meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to keeping dishes true to themselves  no tweaks, no unnecessary extravagance  set this place apart.

There is good reason reason this restaurant has been recognized time and again  backed by James Beard Award nominations. As much of the state tries to stand out with unorthodox fusion pairings and gimmicks, Canal House Station trusts the classics and lets the ingredients do the talking.

We are not trying to reinvent food. Often chefs try to surprise you, they take something and rearrange it, turn it upside down. Were doing the opposite, Hirsheimer said. Were serving something thats very true to its form and its original, authentic way of being  bringing back the memory of food, getting you to recognize the food.

Table setting at Canal House Station in Milford, NJ (Lauren Musni | NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

Canal House Station sources ingredients from nearby farms such as Philips Farm Market and Old Village Farm in Milford, as well as Roots to River Farm in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Farm-to-table dining may sound cliche in 2025, but its alive and well in Milford.

That local approach leads the menu to change constantly  based on what is in season and what theyre craving. Its a deft move, one that keeps customers returning to try new things.

All of this  and it started with a simple friendship. What began as two friends cooking and dreaming together has grown into one of New Jerseys most celebrated restaurants.

In a train station, of all places.
A New Jersey man has been arrested months after authorities say he stole $18,000 worth of wine and cash from an Italian restaurant in Middlesex Borough.

The burglary took place in the early-morning hours of July 23 when Dashawn W. Durant forced open a rear door at Vincenzos Ristorante on Bound Brook Road, Middlesex police said Thursday.

Durant stole $6,000 worth of wine cases and $12,000 in cash from the restaurant before fleeing, officials said.

Hours earlier, he climbed through a kitchen window at Tim Kerwins Tavern, also on Bound Brook Road, but fled without taking anything when an alarm sounded, according to police.

The businesses are about three-quarters of a mile apart.

Middlesex police said their detectives worked with the Somerset County Prosecutors Office, which was investigating similar burglaries and identified Durant as a suspect.

The 34-year-old Jersey City resident is charged with two counts apiece of burglary, theft, criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools and conspiracy.

An attorney is not listed in court records. Durant has previous convictions for burglary in multiple counties in New Jersey, according to court records.

Anyone with information that might aid the ongoing investigation is asked to call Detective Paul Cerreto at 732-356-1900 ext. 366 or email him at pcerreto@middlesexpd.com.
GYEONGJU, South Korea, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Ministers of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies on Thursday called for openness and connectivity amid economic headwinds.

During the APEC Ministerial Meeting, co-chaired by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, the ministers sought to reach common ground on how they assess the current global trade landscape and define ways to promote growth and co-prosperity amid rising protectionism and weakening trade trends.

Noting that the Asia-Pacific remains the engine of global growth, Cho said in the opening remark, "Economic uncertainty, geopolitical tension, climate disruption and demographic shifts are testing both our resilience and our resolve."

"Together, let us reaffirm APEC's enduring purpose: to keep our region open, connected and forward-looking for the prosperity of all our people," he said.

Yeo said that the spirit of openness and trade, long embedded in the region's history, remains the key to navigating future challenges.

"Amid profound shifts in the global economy, there is no better time than now to rekindle the spirit of openness and cooperation," he added.

Home to more than 40 percent of the world's population, APEC accounts for over 60 percent of the global economy and 50 percent of world trade. The ministers acknowledged that this strength also comes with growing responsibility as the region grapples with demographic shifts, technological disruptions and reconfigured trade flows, according to a press release on the meeting. 
The Camden Community Partnership will be hosting it's 3rd annual cook off challenge. Camden Community Partnership

Camden residents will face off and flex their culinary skills at a cooking challenge next month.

Camden Community Partnership, a nonprofit whose mission is to grow and preserve the city, will host a healthy cooking challenge at the Salvation Army Kroc Center, 1865 Harrison Ave., on Nov. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event will also feature vendors, giveaways, healthy living tips and professional cooking demos, according to Robert Corrales, vice president of Camden Community Partnership.

The event is funded by a grant from the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, the philanthropic branch of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Corrales said.

The Horizon Foundation is deeply committed to improving the health and well-being of Camdens youth and families by sponsoring a variety of wellness-focused events throughout the city year-round, Corrales said. As part of the Horizon Foundation grant, we aim to promote healthy eating habits among residents of the City of Camden. This event provides an opportunity to showcase how making nutritious choices can be both simple and delicious.

To participate in the challenge, contact Jahmara Smith, project manager at Camden Community Partnership, at 856-757-9154 ext. 100 or jsmith@camdencpinc.com. Cooks must be Camden residents and families must participate in groups of 2 to 5 people. The registration deadline is Nov. 14.

People who are generally interested in going to the challenge can sign up here.
School advocates in Newark pleaded for a curriculum that challenges racial biases and promotes inclusivity. Canva for NJ.com

Editors note: This story was shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and Chalkbeat. You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter (or X).

Newark Public Schools approach to equity training is quite simple, Superintendent Roger Leon told a room full of superintendents and staff from the nations largest public school districts on Friday.

The strategy, Leon said during a presentation at the Council of Great City Schools conference in Philadelphia, involves forming leadership teams of principals, parents, students, and teachers that help identify challenges across schools and assess equity efforts.

Those teams serve as a way to funnel information from schools and help him have a pulse of what is occurring in the organization.

Talk to me, tell me everything thats wrong, Leon said he had told a group of principals.

Newarks approach also includes deploying equity resources to staff and soliciting expert help, Leon said during the session on equity training.

The districts participation in the annual conference was significant as Leon spoke alongside representatives from public schools in Baltimore and Aurora, Colorado.

The conference convened superintendents and hundreds of employees from 81 of the countrys urban school districts. Superintendents and representatives from school districts in Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, New York, and Denver also spoke at sessions during the conference.

Matthew Brewster, Newarks director of instructional staff development, who also spoke during the equity presentation, said the majority of the districts professional development on equity comes from consultants.

Because if youre going to be a learner, you have to be a learner, right? You have to bring in someone else to help you do the work. Equity work that youre not uncomfortable doing, youre not doing right, Brewster said.

Their comments come as the district continues to face criticism over complaints of racism at the Newark School of Global Studies. In 2022, Black students and teachers described ongoing harassment to the school board member, prompting the district to hire an outside consultant to assess the cultural dynamics of the school. The comments also drew heavy criticism from parents and advocates about the way the school and district leaders handled the situation.

Leon was also criticized for withholding a scathing report  whose details so far have only been reported in draft form by Chalkbeat  that detailed the problems with racism at the high school and recommended the district improve the effects of anti-Blackness.

In September, Newark school advocates demanded the release of the report and pleaded for a curriculum that challenges racial biases and promotes inclusivity.

Brewster, during Fridays conference session, also said that the Office of Staff Development has shared a list of books, articles, and research studies with district leaders during professional development sessions. Some of those books include The Equity & Social Justice 50 by Baruti Kafele, Becoming the Educator They Need by Robert Jackson, and Principal Leadership for Racial Equity by Raskin, Krull, and Felix.

After the issues at Global Studies came to light, two former teachers sued the district, alleging they suffered severe emotional problems as a result of the incidents they experienced, they said. The lawsuit is ongoing.

The controversy also led one of Newarks longest-serving school board members to step down as part of a settlement with the district after her daughter  a former Global Studies student who said she faced racial harassment at the school  threatened to sue the district.

Newark, New Jerseys largest school system, is home to 41,000 students, with more than 90% of students identifying as Black or Latino. This school year, Hispanic students represent the largest student group in the district. Since 2019, the number of Black students has declined as Hispanic enrollment has steadily increased.
Republican Jack Ciattarelli, left, and Democrat Mikie Sherrill participate in the final debate in the New Jersey governor's race, on Oct. 8, 2025, in New Brunswick. AP

With less than a week before Election Day, three new polls show a dizzying range of possibilities for Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli in the tight race for New Jersey governor, from a nearly dead heat to a healthy 8-point lead for Sherrill.

Sherrill, a four-term congresswoman, is facing Ciattarelli, a former state lawmaker, in a gubernatorial race with national resonance. Both candidates are running to replace Gov. Phil Murphy, a term-limited Democrat, in the Nov. 4 election.

Heres what the brand new independent polls, all released Thursday, say.

Emerson

A public poll conducted by Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill shows Sherrill nearly neck-and-neck with Ciattarelli among likely New Jersey voters, 49% to 48%.

The survey also shows 2% of likely voters are undecided.

But when the undecided voters support is accounted for, support for Sherrill increases to 50% while Ciattarellis support stays at 48%, according to the poll.

Heading into Election Day, the gender divide in the gubernatorial election has solidified: men break for Ciattarelli by 16 points, while women break for Sherrill by 18 points, said Spencer Kimball, the executive director of Emerson College Polling.

Sherrills showing is a 1-point improvement from when the same pollster found the candidates in a dead heat, 43% to 43%, in late September. That was the first public poll to show Sherrill not in the lead.

Since last month, Ciattarellis lead among men increased by four points, and Sherills lead among women grew by eight points," Kimball said.

Both candidates have split favorability ratings. Forty-seven percent of likely voters have a favorable view of Sherrill, while 47% have an unfavorable view of her. Forty-eight percent have a favorable view of Ciattarelli, while 48% have an unfavorable view of him, according to the poll.

Pollsters also surveyed approval ratings for Murphy and President Donald Trump.

Murphys approval rating continues to be underwater, with 34% approving of the job hes doing as governor, while 50% disapprove. Sixteen percent are neutral.

Trump holds a 45% approval rating, while 53% disapprove of the job hes doing as president, according to the poll.

Among those who approve of Murphy, 97% are voting for Sherrill. Of those who disapprove, 91% plan to support Ciattarelli, according to the poll.

Those who are neutral break for Sherrill, 79% to 12%.

A majority of voters (52%) say the economy is the top issue facing the state, with a smaller percentage citing threats to democracy (14%), housing affordability (11%), immigration policy (5%) and healthcare (5%).

The survey was conducted between Oct. 25-28. The margin of error was plus-or-minus 3 percentage points.

Suffolk

A poll from the Suffolk University Political Research Center shows Sherrill leading Ciattarelli by 4 points, 46% to 42%, among likely New Jersey voters. Thats within the margin of error.

Seven percent of likely voters are undecided, while the two other candidates in the race  Libertarian Party nominee Vic Kaplan and Socialist Workers Party nominee Joanne Kuniansky  each received 1%.

The pollster also surveyed likely voters in bellwether Bergen County, finding a closer race in the North Jersey area  Sherrill at 43% and Ciattarelli at 42%. Ten percent of likely voters surveyed in Bergen County are undecided, according to the poll.

The survey was conducted between Oct. 26-29 with 500 likely voters. The margin of error was plus-or-minus 4.4 percentage points.

Quinnipiac

In the strongest recent survey for Sherrill, a Quinnipiac University poll of likely New Jersey voters shows her with an 8-point lead over Ciattarelli, 51% to 43%.

Three percent of likely voters are undecided and 1% refused to respond. Kaplan and Kuniansky each received 1%.

Will another Democrat assume the reins from Governor Phil Murphy? In the final days of a very combative race, Mikie Sherrills 20 percentage point advantage with women fuels her overall lead of 8 points over Jack Ciattarelli, Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy said.

Sherrills lead is a 2-point increase from a mid-October Quinnipiac poll, which showed Sherrill up by 6, 50% to 44%.

In the new poll, Democrats back Sherrill 94% to 1%, while Republicans back Ciattarelli 93% to 4% back Ciattarelli. Independents are split, with 47% backing Ciattarelli and 44% backing Sherrill.

With a gender breakdown, women support Sherrill 57% to 37%, whereas men support Ciattarelli 50% to 43%.

Voters were also surveyed on the candidates favorability ratings, as well as the favorability for both Murphy and Trump.

Sherrill received 47% favorable and 38% unfavorable ratings. Thirteen percent havent heard enough about her.

Ciattarelli received 43% favorable and 47% unfavorable ratings. Nine percent havent heard enough about him.

Forty-five percent of likely voters approve of Murphys job as governor, while 47% disapprove.

Forty percent of likely voters approve of Trumps job as president, while 56% disapprove.

Respondents were also asked to list the races most important issue of 11 choices. The poll found 25% of likely voters say taxes, 16% ethics in government, and 14% health care, with no other issue reaching double digits.

The survey was conducted from Oct. 23-28 with 1,166 likely voters. The margin of error was plus-or-minus 3.8 percentage points.

And theres more

Later Thursday came two more independent polls in the race:

A survey from Fox News found Sherrill up by 7 points over Ciattarelli, 52% to 45% among likely voters, with 3% undecided or backing someone else. Thats up from when she was up by 5 earlier this month.

Meanwhile, the survey shows 49% view Murphy positively, while 48% view him negatively. For Trump, 44% view him positively and 55% negatively.

The poll also found 16% of Jersey voters say one reason for their support in the governors race is to show support for Trump, while 35% say they are voting to show opposition. About half say the president isnt a factor in their vote.

Another poll, from YouGov, found Sherrill leading Ciattarelli among likely voters, 51% to 42%, with 5% undecided.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report.
From congested highways to crowded commuter trains, New Jerseys transportation system is so high maintenance, it prompted Gov. Phil Murphy to say he would fix NJ Transit if it kills me.

Whether Murphys efforts will succeed remains to be seen. But the candidates running to replace him on Nov. 4 face keeping NJ Transit moving forward, while ensuring major roads and bridges are kept in good repair as millions of people use them daily.

Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli, a former state Assemblyman, and Democrat candidate Mikie Sherrill, a congresswoman, answered specific questions about top transportation issues: from keeping the Gateway Tunnel project moving to Turnpike tolls and expansion and NJ Transit funding.

Gateway Tunnel

The most immediate issue is keeping the Gateway rail tunnel project under the Hudson River alive. President Donald Trump canceled already approved funding for it on Oct. 15 to retaliate against U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer for the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Sherrill reiterated her intent to sue Trump and the federal government on day one to claw back critical funding for Gateway and force them to honor a July 8, 2024 full funding agreement.

Ciattarelli repeatedly said he supports the Gateway project, said Chris Russell, a Ciattarelli strategist.

He has signaled his intention to work with the Trump Administration and our congressional delegation to ensure the necessary funding stays in place, Russell said.

Sherrill accused him of not doing enough or detailing talks hes had with Trump, while Ciattarellis campaign said she is waving the white flag by suing the White House.

NJ Transit

The next governor will face a big decision about renewing NJ Transits newest dedicated source of funding, the Corporate Transit Fee, which raised $789 million for NJ Transits operating budget this year.

Sherrill did not say if shed renew it, but said shes committed to business tax relief and other ways to raise revenue for NJ Transit.

The fee is NJ Transits first stable funding source in 40 years and allowed it to avoid a fiscal cliff and deep service cuts experienced by other transit agencies. It expires at the end of the next governors term.

Jack supports ensuring NJT has a stable source of funding, but opposes the so-called Corporate Transit Fee, which is a euphemism for an oppressive tax on business that makes New Jersey uncompetitive with our neighbors and pushes away jobs, Russell said.

While commuters deserve reliable and affordable service, Sherrill said shes committed to tax relief because we already have some of the highest business taxes in the country.

Sherrill said she wants NJ Transit to increase revenues from advertising on trains and buses and from NJ Transits real estate holdings.

Sherrill specifically suggested building transit-oriented housing on agency land at train stations and monetizing underused assets such as surface parking lots.

Earlier this month, NJ Transit officials unveiled a similar 10-year non-farebox revenue plan estimated to potentially earn up to $1.9 billion by developing 8,000 acres of agency-owned property.

Ciattarelli proposed creating a unified Garden State Transportation Authority that will bring NJ Transit, the Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority under one governing board, appointed by the governor, with the transportation commissioner as chairperson.

That authority will provide better efficiency in how we provide transportation by eliminating the current bureaucracy, Russell said.

We can improve accountability and transparency, and usher in a better management structure, Russell said, which reflects Ciattarellis larger approach to eliminate duplication and waste, reduce unnecessary spending, and make state government more efficient and responsive.

The mega agency would also reevaluate every single train line and bus line for ridership data, Ciattarelli said in an earlier interview with NJ Advance Media.

Anything thats not getting adequate ridership needs to be reevaluated and may be discontinued to dedicate more resources to routes that serve the greatest number of riders, he said.

To reduce costs Sherrill said she will also seek ideas from transportation leaders, the business community, labor unions, and community leaders.

They would help develop innovative solutions to highway infrastructure needs that allow the state to maintain critical investments while improving affordability for New Jerseyans, she said.

Sherrill said NJ Transit would be included in a first New Jersey Report Card allowing taxpayers to see where their tax dollars are going and how that money is impacting their communities.

Both candidates said they want to avoid future toll and fare hikes.

To accomplish that, the winning candidate would have to change policies that allow for automatic 3% annual toll and fare increases. Ciattarelli will revisit all such decisions by the current administration, Russell said.

The Turnpike Authority contributed $470 million to NJ Transits operating budget this year. That could be reduced if NJ Transit earns money from other sources, reducing the need for funding paid for by tolls, Sherrill said.

Roads and bridges

The next governor also could decide the fate of the Turnpike Authoritys controversial proposed $10 million widening of the Hudson County extension between Newark Bay and the Holland Tunnel approaches.

Sherrill said she supports the first $6.2 billion phase of that project to replace the 70-year-old Newark Bay Bridge because its at significant risk of failure due to its age.

On the remaining widening of the Turnpike Extension, Sherrill said shed seek creativity from planners to move goods and people, while not imperiling health and safety.

Ciattarelli is generally supportive of the widening project and improving the safety and reliability of our infrastructure across the state, while ensuring local leaders and residents have a voice, Russell said.

On other highway expansions, Sherrill said a comprehensive strategy should be developed to invest in infrastructure to improve road conditions, travel times, safety and reduce congestion.

As governor, Ciattarelli will push to establish his new Transportation Authority to improve the states approach to infrastructure to be more efficient and coherent, Russell said.

On issues about increasing service and train frequency on the troubled bi-state PATH rail system, Sherrill said shed work with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to improve reliability.

The governors of both states appoint Port Authority board members and leadership.

I will hold their feet to the fire on new investments in New Jersey PATH infrastructure, and will work to increase service and train frequency during workdays, weekends, and off-peak, she said.

Ciattarelli looks forward to sitting with members of the Port Authority to address the best ways to deliver the highest level of safety and reliability for riders, Russell said.

In 2024, the state saw a 33% spike in pedestrian deaths. Sherrill said she would take the Trump administration to court to win back funds for canceled federally funded pedestrian and bike safety projects.

Ciattarelli would look for cost savings for funding to address that.

We need to ensure safe bike and pedestrian travel for residents, Russell said. As stated earlier spending decisions are about setting priorities.

Light Rail

The state has two pending light rail expansions in South Jersey and Bergen County.

Sherrill said she favors building the Glassboro-Camden and expanding Hudson-Bergen Light rail to Bergen County. She would prioritize and invest in Bus Rapid Transit corridors in South Jersey to expand public transit options.

While Ciattarelli supports South Jersey infrastructure investments, he doesnt support the current proposed GCL route because of disruption to neighborhoods, downtown traffic, and multiple failed local referendums rejecting the project.

He will not force the project down the throats of towns that voted against it. He will bring all stakeholders together to figure out whether there is any path forward that all sides can agree on, Russell said. But local control matters here.

On extending light rail to Bergen County, Jack will prioritize any and all transportation infrastructure projects based on affordability and necessity to the state and residents, he said.
A version of this story was originally published in October 2024.

It may be New Jerseys most wholesome and longest-running Mischief Night tradition.

Camden Countys Bush family has been blanketing its front yard with toilet paper every Oct. 30 since the early 1990s. It goes on the trees, in the bushes and sometimes on the cars, said family member Nicole Dougherty.

The family plans to continue the tradition Thursday, undeterred by up to three inches of rain and strong winds in the forecast.

We have done it in the rain before, Dougherty told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday.

Dougherty was 2 when her parents, Kathleen Bush and Joseph Bush, moved from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Cherry Hill and debuted their novel twist on Mischief Night.

She said her parents have six children and were looking for a way to keep them close to home and steer clear of actual mischief elsewhere. That was back in the days when Mischief Night  New Jerseys tradition of pulling pranks the night before Halloween  was a much bigger deal and sometimes got out of hand.

So, the Bush family came up with the idea of raining pre-Halloween mischief down on their own house. Over the decades, the tradition stuck and grew more elaborate.

Up to 40 family members, friends and neighbors will be trashing the family house with 200 rolls of toilet paper starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dougherty said.

My poor dad. He usually is the one who does the cleanup. He prays for rain that week because it makes it a little easier, Dougherty said in 2024.

She said it may take him up to a month to remove every last piece of toilet paper from the yard.

The family has never missed a homegrown Mischief Night, not even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was more expensive then, because toilet paper was a hot commodity, Dougherty said.

Joseph Bush kicked off the 2023 celebration by hurling a roll of toilet paper toward a tree underhanded.

On the count of three, everybody, go for it, Bush said, according to a video posted by 6abc.com that year.

Participation has fluctuated over the years, but there has never been a shortage of volunteers.

Sometimes, there will be 10 of us. Sometimes, there will be 40, Dougherty said.

Toilet papering houses is one of many pranks traditionally pulled by mischief makers on Oct. 30, as part of the night-before-Halloween tradition that has endured in various forms in New Jersey and elsewhere since at least the 1930s.

Depending on where you live, it can be called Mischief Night, Goosey Night, Cabbage Night or Devils Night.

Dougherty said a sweet memory for her was when a childhood friend showed up to toilet paper the family house with her daughter to recreate the Mischief Night she recalled from growing up in the neighborhood years earlier.

In addition to their six children, Kathleen Bush and Joseph Bush have 11 grandchildren.

Dougherty said Tuesday her mother, as in prior years, will more than likely be wearing her homemade, Wizard of Oz-inspired costume of Glenda the Good Witch.

Her father is less predictable.

Sometimes he dresses up. Sometimes he doesnt, she said.

There is a lesson to be learned from their enduring Mischief Night celebration, Dougherty said.

You can have fun with your family and keep a tradition going for well over 30 years, she said.
Howard Height IV opens the front door of "Erath Shack," Tuesday, Oct, 21, 2025 in Island Beach State Park. This is one of the seven remaining bungalows here. The state plans to demolish six of them. A prior agreement allowed the families to seasonally lease the properties. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Howard Height III has traveled down the sandy road to his family getaway every summer for more than eight decades.

Past the scrub cedars and pine trees. Beyond the familiar plum shrubs that ripen to purple perfection. To some, the Island Beach State Park cottage might look like a shack.

To Height, its a sacred slice of family history.

Ive been coming here since I was 2 months old, the Point Pleasant Beach man said. This is where it all started.

And now its coming to an end.

The Heights and other families who still use four of the seven remaining historic beach cottages have until Friday to leave or face eviction, NJ Advance Media has learned. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is preparing to demolish all but one of the buildings as it has long planned.

Families were first told in September 2024 that they would have to leave by April 1, 2025, according to the Height family. But the state allowed an extension until Oct. 31.

Now time has finally run out on the storied cottages. The families  about 100 people if you count extended relatives who visit the properties during the summer  are complying, mournfully.

Were just hoping the good Lord fixes everything and we can stay, Height, 87, said last week, his tone growing more serious.

But divine intervention may be no match for the states wrecking ball.

Howard Height II, 87, sits in the living room area of "DeSaules Shack", Tuesday, Oct, 21, 2025 in Island Beach State Park. This is one of the seven remaining bungalows here, which the state plans to take over despite a prior lease agreement signed with the shack owners. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

New Jersey acquired the properties in 1953 as part of a larger $2.7 million purchase that led to the creation of Island Beach State Park, according to the state.

At the time, the area had 76 remaining cottages, according to the DEP. But the number dwindled over the decades as vicious storms wiped them out.

In 1993, the state said surviving spouses could inherit the fishing cottage leases. Upon the spouses deaths, their children could assume the leases for three years.

Then in 2008, New Jersey said it would allow the children of the lease owners to keep using the few remaining structures  as long as they paid rent  until funding for a demolition could be found.

The state now has that undisclosed amount of funding, though it wont know the final cost until properties are vacated and assessed. It also worries the cottages are a public safety concern because of rising sea levels and climate change.

The land will be restored to its natural state, said Caryn Shinske, a department spokesperson.

But to some, theres nothing more natural than the little summer homes.

If youre talking about preserving the history of the park, these predate the park, said Diane Miller, who maintains and visits one of the cottages with family and friends. We cause no trouble.

A map shows a sample of the beach shacks on Island Beach State Park as of the mid-1950s. At one point, up to 100 to 200 these "bungalows" were strewn throughout this slice of the Jersey Shore, according to newspaper records and local historians. New Jersey officials said there were 76 "fishing cottages" remaining when the state bought the island park in the 1950s. Courtesy of The Height Family

A Jersey treasure

The quaint bungalows have stood for generations.

Wooden and somewhat shabby from the outside, they vary in tones of beige, white and red. Inside, the homey rooms are plastered with family photos and other memorabilia like caps, fishing nets and lures.

A couple of the cottages are sprawling, appearing to the naked eye as fully-functioning homes.

Two others are mostly empty husks with cobweb-coated windows and rickety walkways. Another is meeker and tucked into a place youd have to know where to look.

Their origin is unclear. But there could have been as many as 100 to 200 of them at some point, officials and local history buffs say, well before the wildlands were bought in 1926 by steel baron Henry Phipps Jr.

Phipps gained notoriety for developing Miamis Biscayne Boulevard and owned a third of Palm Beach. He envisioned Island Beach as a potential Palm Beach of the North and built his own Cape Cod-style enclave, which is now the governors summer house.

He tried to clear the muskrat-trapping squatters from the beach properties, but eventually gave up and charged them a moderate rent instead.

The oceanfront cottage known as "The Judge's Shack" at Island Beach State Park in 2010. New Jersey officials in October 2025 said six of the seven remaining fishing shacks on the island park will be demolished. The vacant Judge's Shack will be the only one allowed to remain for historic purposes. SL

The Great Depression dashed Phipps dream for Island Beach. In 1933, two years after his death, Island Beach officially became a borough. Twenty years later, the municipality was dissolved, and the state bought the land from Phipps heirs.

Those remaining were given lifetime lease rights of existing cottages for about $1,900 a year, with gradual increases up to $2,800, according to the Height family.

But the buildings have no public utilities. Some have solar panels or gas generators. Stoves and refrigerators run on propane.

Not that it mattered to Height, a former car salesman and volunteer firefighter. As long as hes been alive, the summer house has been a special part of his life.

Theres rumors he was born here, joked his son, Howard Height IV, 65.

Height III remembers plucking five-gallons worth of plums in the morning and another five at night during a Beach Plum Festival, an island institution.

He talks about the time Walter Mondale visited the cottages in 1984, when the former vice president was running for president. It led to a funny encounter when Secret Service members briskly pulled Height family members away in an abundance of caution.

Howard Height IV gets a hug from Diane Miller outside his familys soon-to-be-vacated beach shack, Tuesday, Oct, 21, 2025 in Island Beach State Park. At left is Howards father Howard Height III and Betty Anderson (right), who also grew up at her familys shack there. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

He laughs at mention of former Gov. Chris Christie ordering residents out in 2017 during a government shutdown. He and his late wife Betty Height (whom he calls My Bride) answered an unexpected knock at the door from police amid a budget impasse that closed state parks.

Christie was later spotted lounging in a beach chair there with his wife and family nearby. The aerial photo, captured by NJ Advance Media photographer Andrew Mills, went viral worldwide. (Christie politely declined to comment through a spokesperson when reached for this story.)

The Heights are losing their getaway now. Many other families already said goodbye to their own.

Local historian Betty Anderson, 82, remembers trekking through forests and sand dunes in the 1950s to her familys cottage, the Anderson Shack. Gas lamps illuminated their path.

This is a storm in September of 1944, Anderson said while showing a photo of her familys bygone cottage, and you would have thought that the whole thing would have gone, fallen into the water. It did finally go in November of 53. Just went and disappeared.

Soon, they will all vanish.

Only one, the uninhabited Judges Shack, will be kept. It was purchased in 1943 by Richard Hartshorne, a Newark native appointed as a federal judge by President Harry S. Truman in 1951.

The building will serve as a historic symbol of the seasonal fishing cottages that once lined the coastline, said Shinske, already speaking in the past tense.

The "DeSaules Shack" is located at the southern end of Island Beach State Park, Tuesday, Oct, 21, 2025. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The end of an era

All packed up on Monday morning, Howard Height IV drove his red Ford Explorer back from Island Beach State Park.

The states decision has confounded his family, but they have come to accept there is little hope of saving their beloved beach home. He regrets that his young children wont have the amazing experience that he did.

I learned to drive down there. I learned to run a little tiny boat, Height IV reflected. I had envisioned that I would be able to pass these traditions on.

A sketch by Bill Greger (archived by the Ocean County Historical Society) shows the "Minier Shack" (which has been cared for by the Height family for decades. This is one of the seven remaining bungalows here. The state plans to demolish six of them. A prior agreement allowed the families first own and then seasonally lease the properties. Courtesy of the Ocean County Historical Society

But the state says it is taking action now for good reason.

The cottages are in low-lying areas close to the water and are susceptible to flooding, Shinske said. They sit about eight miles from the parks entrance, making response and evacuation difficult during an emergency.

And if they are destroyed in a storm, the buildings broken pieces and contents could become an environmental hazard, according to Shinske.

The cottages do not align with passive public recreation and conservation efforts at the park, she said, also citing a new sanitary sewer line installed there that the cottages are not a part of.

Assemblyman Gregory Myhre, R-Ocean, hoped the families would have received at least three to five years notice to prepare for being moved out, he said.

Myhre, who previously fought to help save the buildings, said he will monitor what steps the state next takes to ensure environmental analysis is done.

The Height family is thankful for the time they had, said Cliff Height, Height IIIs youngest son.

It will forever remind them of his mother, the family matriarch who was known to cook up clam fritters in her favorite place.

She died in 2020 at 81.

Im 54, so I was fortunate to be there all through the 70s as a toddler and growing up, Cliff Height said, doing his best to fight back tears and finally losing. Sorry, I get emotional.
Volunteers at Fulfill, the food bank serving Monmouth and Ocean county residents, prepared "crisis boxes" on Wednesday for people who will see their SNAP benefits disappear because of the federal government shutdown. Photo courtesy of Fulfill

Sharon Barton said she is grateful for the $300 she and her daughter receive in federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits, even though the money runs out long before the month is over.

My thing is I try to spend no more than $100 a week, said Barton, a 38-year-old permanently disabled woman from Pennsauken with searing chronic pain, severe asthma and other health conditions.

But come Saturday when the new month begins, the balance on her electronic benefits card will drop to zero.

Bartons family is one of about 800,000 people in 400,000 households in New Jersey that will temporarily lose SNAP benefits beginning Nov. 1. Nationwide, about 22 million households are expected to lose their benefits.

The news frightens Barton, who said she wishes she was well enough to work and didnt need to rely on anyone else for help. Im afraid I really dont know what the future looks like for me, she said.

SNAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But with the federal government shutdown dragging on a full month and Republicans and Democrats in Washington locked in a stalemate over how to resolve it, elected officials, food bank operators and families in New Jersey are bracing for a food emergency not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are treating this like a disaster, said Triada Stampas, president and CEO for Fulfill, the food bank that serves more than 90,000 people in Monmouth and Ocean counties every month.

Fulfill would have to triple its food supplies to meet the need of everyone it serves now, she said.

The major food banks serving New Jersey are taking stock of our assets on the ground and sharing information in coordination with one another, to mitigate the greatest harm, Stampas said. We are asking for additional support from our government partners, just as we are asking for support from the community.

On Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy, state Senate President Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, announced the state will immediately release $42.5 million  half of the $85 million earmarked in the state budget for the entire year  to the six largest food banks. They will share the money with hundreds of soup kitchens and food pantries across the state.

Murphy, a Democrat, also took a swipe at President Donald Trumps administration for not tapping a $5 billion SNAP contingency fund to maintain the program, as the federal government has done before.

The Trump Administrations decision to abandon the over 800,000 New Jerseyans who rely on critical SNAP benefits during one of the longest federal government shutdowns in our nations history is morally reprehensible, Murphy said. In New Jersey, we will continue to coordinate across government and with our partners on the ground as we navigate the fallout from the federal governments failure to act in the best interest of the American people."

In a memo last week announcing the upcoming suspension of SNAP, the USDA said it cannot use the contingency fund for regular SNAP payments. The fund is meant for victims of natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods.

The best way for SNAP to continue is for the shutdown to end, according to the USDA memo. If not for Congressional Democrats blocking government funding, November SNAP benefits would be paid on time.

The main sticking point in the government shutdown is the anticipated loss of tax credits next year that help reduce the cost of health coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Democrats want to reach an agreement to renew the tax credits  and prevent millions of people from seeing their premiums double  before they agree to reopen the government. Republicans say they wont negotiate the health care dispute until after they vote to reopen the government.

Earlier in the week, state Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced that New Jersey had filed a lawsuit with 24 other states to challenge the Trump Administrations decision to illegally withhold the emergency SNAP money.

This is especially devastating in the month of November, when families are gathering and demands on food banks and pantries are heaviest, Platkin said.

A federal judge in Boston hearing the case Thursday challenged the Trump administrations argument that SNAP benefits could be suspended for the first time in the food aid programs history because of the government shutdown. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani indicated she may issue a ruling as soon as Thursday night on the fate of the program.

Sharon Barton is feeling punished by the political gamesmanship.

Please dont do this to people like me, who are struggling to survive, said Barton, who is diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome, a rare neurological condition that compromises her ability to use her arms and legs. I didnt ask to be sick. I want to work, I wish I could work and feel like I am part of something. But I cant.

SNAP serves 813,000 New Jersey residents, including 340,425 children and 176,706 senior citizens, according to the Murphy Administration. The federal government pays about $170 million a month to keep the benefits flowing to New Jersey. The state also contributes up to $95 per month per household for a total expenditure of $1.8 million.

People ages 18 to 59 who are not disabled and meet income guidelines must work to receive SNAP cash benefits, which are loaded on a debit card every month. For example, a household of two people would qualify for SNAP if the familys annual income does not exceed $39,132.

Stampas of Fulfill suspects some people wont realize SNAP benefits are suspended until they go to the grocery store and try to pay with their cards. People who seek help from Fulfill will receive a crisis box with enough non-perishable food to give families three to four days of breathing room, she said.

As critical as the SNAP program is to keeping people fed, the number of people relying on food banks, soup kitchens and pantries has not let up since the pandemic, when schools and many workplaces closed and people couldnt work.

Its been one thing after another in the last five years. Once the public health emergency was over and people went back to work, the prices rose so much higher than salaries and wages, Stampas said.

There was a 50% increase in the number of people seeking food this summer versus last summer, she said. To see that increase in a year is not normal.

With SNAP benefits suspended as of Nov. 1, food bank operators said people may have to line up in their cars again while volunteers place a box of food in the trunk, like they did during the pandemic. In this May 2020 file photo, Matt Cicalese of Toms River, brings a box of non-perishable items to a car as volunteers distribute meals to more than 2,000 families at Kean University in Union. Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media

Lisa Pitz, the director of Hunger Free New Jersey, the leading statewide anti-hunger advocacy organization, predicted food banks and pantries will return to the pandemic-era strategy of asking people to drive up and open their trunks so volunteers can quickly distribute food supplies.

This is a crisis, Pitz said. Planning to go into emergency mode is justified.

The Community Food Bank will receive $22.5 million, the Food Bank of South Jersey and Fulfill Monmouth and Ocean will each get $6.3 million, Mercer Street Friends will get $4.6 million and Norewescap and the Southern Regional Food Distribution Center will each get $1.27 million, according to Murphys announcement.

We are stepping forward to support the organizations and individuals who are working selflessly to prevent our fellow residents from going hungry, said Scutari, the state Senate president.

Coughlin, the second-most powerful lawmaker in the state Legislature, said accelerating the delivery of state grants to food bank is just one strategy in addressing the suspension of SNAP benefits.

Addressing food insecurity, the speakers signature issue as a lawmaker, requires we stand up with a unified voice and get engaged. This is a call to arms for the state of New Jersey support their food pantries in a way they have not generally, he said.

A list of local food pantries and food banks may be found at the nj211.org website or by calling 211.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A longtime Democratic strategist slammed former Vice President Kamala Harris for her national media blitz following the release of her latest book.

James Carville, who co-hosts his Politics War Room podcast with pundit Al Hunt, said on Thursdays episode that any Democrat involved in the 2024 election should step away from the national spotlight. He said that no one wants to hear from Harris and anyone who was connected with the Democrats devastating loss to President Donald Trump.

The hosts were answering a question from a listener who asked whether it was time for Harris to take a break from the national stage.

No one that had anything to do with 2024, no Democrat wants to hear from you. We all voted for you. Not Hunter Biden, not Harris, not Tim Walz, not the consultants, not anything. 2024 has left such a lingering bad taste in Democrats. Just get out of the way. Thats what I believe, Carville said.

Earlier in the show, Carville blamed Trumps 2024 election victory on poor strategy from Democrats. He and Hunt also criticized former President Joe Biden for deciding to run for reelection again, arguing that a primary election could have helped Democrats.

I think in 2016, Hillary Clinton, who should have been the Democratic nominee, just ran a really bad campaign. She should have beaten Donald Trump. But the villain this last time was very simple. Its Joe Biden. Joe Biden said he would serve as a bridge. He was aging clearly, Hunt said.

Ill go to my deathbed thinking if Joe Biden hadnt run, there would have been competitive primary, some Democrat would have prevailed and beaten Trump. But I think uh the Democrats as a party have a lot of problems to be sure. But I think the primary responsibility for Trump today rests with Joe Biden, Hunt added.

Thats like saying Im going to death believing in gravity, Carville quipped.

Harris has been on a media tour since the release of her book, 107 Days, that detailed her short-lived campaign and her tense relationship with Biden. She said earlier this year that she will not be running for California governor in 2026, leaving the door open for another potential presidential bid in the 2028 election.
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One shortly after taking off from Busan, South Korea, en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md., Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP

President Donald Trump quickly pivoted after a reporter asked about his surprise decision to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately."

Trump announced late Thursday that he had ordered the Pentagon to begin testing nuclear weapons on an equal basis with Russia and China. The move would mark the first time the United States would conduct nuclear weapons tests since 1992, when then-President George H.W. Bush implemented a unilateral testing moratorium.

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country, Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice!

After Trump wrapped up a bilateral meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the president was asked directly about the change, which was put forth around an hour earlier.

Mr. President, why did you change your nuclear plans? Why are you going to be doing more nuclear testing?" a reporter asked as the room was silent.

Trump responded: Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you very much."

While later speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One early Thursday, Trump was pressed on whether he believed the United States was entering a more risky environment" on nuclear issues.

No, I dont think so," Trump said. I think we have it pretty well locked up. But you know, we have more than anybody... I say, well, if theyre going to test, I guess we have to test."

Trump said he would ultimately like to see a denuclearization, but mentioned the country has test sites that will be made public.

We are actually talking to Russia about that, and China would be added to that if we do something, he added.

Other than North Korea, no nuclear power has carried out explosive testing in over 25 years. During a press briefing, Chinas Foreign Ministry said it hopes the United States will abide by its commitment to a moratorium on nuclear testing and maintain global strategic balance and stability, according to Newsweek.

Trumps decision comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced what he described as successful tests of a nuclear-powered underwater drone and super torpedo. Trump told reporters earlier this week that the Kremlin leader should work to end his war in Ukraine instead of testing missiles.

Meanwhile, China has increased the size of its nuclear arsenal to around 600 nuclear weapons this year  an uptick of an estimated 300 weapons recorded in 2020, according to the think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Vice President JD Vance speaks to the media about the impact of the government shutdown on the aviation industry, outside of the West Wing of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP

Vice President JD Vance blamed Democrats for the looming lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits when asked why President Donald Trump is not authorizing the use of emergency funds for it.

On Nov. 1, millions of Americans will lose access to SNAP benefits for the first time in modern history unless Congress or Trump approve funding for the program. A reporter asked Vance on Thursday whether there would be a push from the administration over the next two days to fund the program as the government shutdown approaches its one-month mark.

I give the President of the United States great credit and the entire team for trying to make this as painless as possible. The Democrats are acting irresponsibly. He doesnt want the American people to suffer because of it. But look right now, this government, this administration, were like guys running around with a leak in a damn wall trying to plug it with bubble gum, Vance said.

He appeared to misspeak when he said Trump wants the shutdown to be as unpainless as possible.

And the suffering is going to get a lot worse, not because the President of the United States has failed to make the shutdown painless. Hes tried to do everything that he can to make it as unpainless [sic] as possible, Vance told reporters.

Vance then blamed Democrats for the upcoming lapse in SNAP benefits during the government shutdown by comparing them to a child.

And you know what the Democrats response to that is, Give us everything we want, or were going to shut down the government and keep it shut down. That is not reasonable behavior. Thats not how you do compromise in this town. That is the way that the Democrats have operated. They are trying to take a hostage. And we cant reward that behavior, Vance said.

If we do that, if we say yes, of course, well give you everything that you want, if you reopen the government. You know whats going to happen in three months? Theyre going to come back to the administration, and theyre again going to say, Were going to shut down the aviation industry. Were going to deny people SNAP benefits unless you give us exactly what you want, Vance continued.

Thats how a child behaves. That is not how a responsible governing party behaves in the United States of America, Vance said.

Social media users also criticized Vance for his comments on SNAP.

Political analyst Brian Allen wrote on X: Friendly reminder: JD Vance and his brother grew up on food stamps while their mother battled addiction. He made it out and instead of using that story to lift others up, hes using it to justify ripping SNAP away from families like the one he came from. The hypocrisy is generational.

MeidasTouch posted, Do they all go to the same school of projection, in response to Vance.

Democrats have argued that the law requires the government to disburse SNAP funds regardless of the shutdown. New Jersey joined 24 other states on Tuesday to sue the Trump administration over the suspension of SNAP benefits.

The Trump Administrations failure to fund SNAP during the federal government shutdown is an affront to the more than 800,000 New Jerseyans who depend on these critical benefits to access nutritious food, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement.
BEIJING, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday in Busan, South Korea, offers a vital opportunity for both countries to strengthen their relationship.

In a world full of uncertainties, the consensus reached between the two leaders provides a clear path forward for stabilizing China-U.S. ties and promoting global stability. This highlights the important role the head-of-state diplomacy plays in guiding China-U.S. relations.

As noted by Xi during the meeting, in the face of winds, waves and challenges, the two leaders should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations.

Since the beginning of this year, the two leaders have spoken on the phone three times, exchanged several letters and stayed in close contact. Under their joint guidance, China-U.S. relations have remained stable on the whole.

This fully demonstrates that for the two giant vessels of China and the United States to move forward together, without veering off course or losing speed, it is essential to unwaveringly adhere to the strategic leadership of the two heads of state and fully implement their important consensus.

China-U.S. relations influence the direction of the world. A sound, stable and sustainable bilateral relationship not only aligns with the long-term interests of both countries but also reflects the aspirations of the global community.

As noted by Xi, there is good potential for the two countries to work together on combating illegal immigration and telecom fraud, anti-money laundering, artificial intelligence, and responding to infectious diseases. During the meeting, the two presidents agreed to enhance cooperation in economic, trade, energy and other fields, and to encourage more people-to-people exchanges.

This once again demonstrates that China and the United States gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. The two countries share extensive common interests and vast areas for cooperation. They can be partners and friends, achieve mutual success, prosper together, benefit their own people and contribute to the world.

As two major countries with different national conditions, it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then. The key is to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, and to find appropriate ways to resolve issues.

China-U.S. economic and trade relations have experienced ups and downs recently, which have not only caused losses to both countries but also cast a shadow over the global economy. To allow the economic and trade relations to continue to serve as the anchor and driving force for China-U.S. relations, not a stumbling block or a point of friction, the two sides should think big and recognize the long-term benefit of cooperation, and must not fall into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation.

As urged by Xi, the two teams can continue their talks in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, and continuously shorten the list of problems and lengthen the list of cooperation.

During the meeting, Xi also elaborated on the important secret to China's success. "Over the past seven decades and more, we have been working from generation to generation on the same blueprint to make it a reality. We have no intention to challenge or supplant anyone. Our focus has always been on managing China's own affairs well, improving ourselves and sharing development opportunities with all countries across the world," he said.

These remarks, open and confident, sent a clear message to the United States and the world about China's firm commitment to peaceful development and win-win cooperation.

In a world marked by complex challenges, the international community looks to China and the United States to play a leading role. There are numerous global issues that both nations can address together, working in the interest of both countries and the world. To realize this vision, both sides must move forward with mutual effort and understanding.

Looking ahead, China and the United States should strengthen engagement, avoid misperceptions, manage differences, and expand cooperation, ensuring the implementation of the leaders' consensus for a stable, healthy and sustainable bilateral relationship. 
The Tracks Deli in Vernon will provide free bagged lunches to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients beginning Nov. 1, according to a recent social media post. Isaac Ritchey | iritchey@mlive.com

A New Jersey deli is offering free lunches for SNAP recipients starting Saturday.

The Tracks Deli in Vernon, Sussex County will provide free bagged lunches to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients when the benefits get suspended due to the government shutdown, according to a recent social media post.

The free meals will be available at the deli, located at 65 Vernon Crossing Road in Vernon, and will continue until SNAP benefits are restored.

Each complimentary lunch will include either a ham or turkey sandwich, accompanied by chips and water.

Recipients need only present their SNAP card to the cashier to receive the free meal.

The deli posted on social media that no questions will be asked and no judgment passed when SNAP recipients request the free lunches.
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Los Angeles FC faces Austin FC in the MLS Playoffs on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025 (10/29/25) at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

HOW TO WATCH: Fans can watch the match on Apple TV+, via a subscription to the MLS Season Pass.

Heres what you need to know:

What: MLS playoffs

Who: Los Angeles FC vs. Austin FC

When: Oct. 29, 2025

Time: 10:30 p.m.

Where: BMO Stadium

TV: N/A

LIVE STREAM: Apple TV+

Heres a recent AP story on the MLS:

Austin FC (13-13-8, seventh in the Western Conference during the regular season) vs. Los Angeles FC (17-8-9, third in the Conference during the regular season)

Los Angeles; Wednesday, 10:30 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: LAFC -269, Austin FC +645; over/under is 2.5 goals

BOTTOM LINE: Austin visits Los Angeles FC in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.

LAFC is 13-8-7 in conference matchups. LAFC is 7-0-2 when it scores at least three goals.

Austin is 11-11-6 against Western Conference teams. Austin is 10-5 in games decided by one goal.

The teams square off Wednesday for the third time this season. Austin won the last meeting 1-0.

TOP PERFORMERS: Denis Bouanga has scored 24 goals with nine assists for LAFC. Heung Min Son has nine goals and one assist over the past 10 games.

Owen Wolff has seven goals and eight assists for Austin. Myrto Uzuni has scored three goals over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: LAFC: 6-2-2, averaging 2.2 goals, 6.2 shots on goal and 4.9 corner kicks per game while allowing 1.0 goal per game.

Austin: 4-5-1, averaging 1.4 goals, 4.0 shots on goal and 4.2 corner kicks per game while allowing 1.7 goals per game.

NOT EXPECTED TO PLAY: LAFC: None listed.

Austin: None listed.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Mostly cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 11F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 11F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova speaks at the "Dialogue about Fakes 3.0" International Forum in Moscow, Russia, Oct. 29, 2025. The Western world remains the primary producer of disinformation, and fake news has become a "pandemic" in the contemporary era, Zakharova said at the "Dialogue about Fakes 3.0" International Forum on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei)

MOSCOW, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Western world remains the primary producer of disinformation, and fake news has become a "pandemic" in the contemporary era, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at the "Dialogue about Fakes 3.0" International Forum on Wednesday.

The main producers of fake news, the inventors of systems for spreading disinformation, are undoubtedly the Western world, Zakharova said, adding that they are also the masterminds behind information warfare.

She noted that the originally planned Russia-U.S. engagements in Budapest have been hindered by anonymous sources, disinformation, and leaks from some media outlets.

Zakharova pointed out that artificial intelligence (AI) can be used as a tool to influence people's minds, and some Western countries are attempting to leverage AI to consolidate inequality between nations and deprive other countries of their digital sovereignty.

Experts from 80 countries participated in the forum, discussing topics such as generative AI and deepfake technology, key challenges in the era of disinformation, and disinformation in the field of science and education. 

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova speaks at the "Dialogue about Fakes 3.0" International Forum in Moscow, Russia, Oct. 29, 2025. The Western world remains the primary producer of disinformation, and fake news has become a "pandemic" in the contemporary era, Zakharova said at the "Dialogue about Fakes 3.0" International Forum on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei)
One person remains unaccounted for and five have been arrested following the devastating blaze which tore through a Bideford terraced house on Tuesday evening (October 28).

In an update earlier on Wednesday night, police said five people had been arrested in connection with the fire in Honestone Street that saw fire crews battling throughout the night and around 45 people evacuated from their homes.

Sadly, police reported this evening that one person was still unaccounted for and their next of kin have been informed.

READ NEXT: Bideford rallies around after fire rips through three-storey terraced house

Police said the five arrested are all in police custody at this time.

Above: Anxious Bideford residents watched smoke billow across the town on Tuesday night while the Honestone Street fire continued. Credit: Teresa Tinsley

The fire service attended the blaze just after 8.15pm on Tuesday, along with police and other emergency services  at its height, 15 fire appliances from across Devon and some from Somerset were involved.

The residents from the three-storey terrace along with those from surrounding properties were evacuated, with Torridge District Council working to find temporary accommodation at hotels in Bideford and Barnstaple.

The Royal Hotel at East-the-Water made 11 rooms available for the evacuees.

Above: The area remained closed off throughout Wednesday while investigations were carried out. Credit: Graham Hobbs

In tonights statement, police said some residents are likely to remain evacuated for a period of time and added: Steps are being taken to ensure their needs are met and that they can return to their homes as soon as possible.

Above: Forensic teams were on site in Honestone Street the day after the fire. Credit: Graham Hobbs

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Smoothy said: We would like to thank local residents and the Bideford public for their patience and understanding as our officers continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire.

One person remains unaccounted for at this time with next of kin being made aware.

Incidents of this nature are shocking for any community. We are working closely with the fire service and local authority to ensure displaced residents are housed and looked after over the coming days.

There will be a heightened police presence in the area and we would ask that anyone with any information approach our officers, contact us online or call 101.

Above: A police guard has remained at the scene throughout the day. Credit: Graham Hobbs

Police have repeated an appeal for anyone with information or relevant footage relating to the fire to get in touch by calling 101 or via the Devon and Cornwall Police website, quoting log 748 of 28 October.
UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday voiced grave concern over escalating violence in and around El Fasher in Sudan's North Darfur state.

In a press statement, the members of the council condemned the assault by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El Fasher and its devastating impact on the civilian population.

They also condemned reported atrocities being perpetrated by the RSF against the civilian population, including summary executions and arbitrary detentions. They expressed grave concern at the heightened risk of large-scale atrocities, including ethnically motivated atrocities.

The council members called for all perpetrators of violations to be held accountable. They demanded that all parties to the conflict protect civilians and abide by their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, and to allow and facilitate safe and unhindered humanitarian access.

The council members reiterated that the priority is for the parties to resume talks to reach a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive, inclusive and Sudanese-owned political process.

They urged all UN member states to refrain from external interference that seeks to foment conflict and instability, to support efforts for durable peace, to abide by their obligations under international law and to implement relevant Security Council resolutions.

The council members unequivocally reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan. In this regard, the Security Council reaffirmed its rejection of the establishment of a parallel governing authority in areas controlled by the RSF. 
Ultra-Orthodox Jews pray during a protest in Jerusalem on Oct. 30, 2025. Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews filled the streets of Jerusalem on Thursday to protest government plans to expand military conscription in their community and the recent arrests of draft dodgers by military police. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews filled the streets of Jerusalem on Thursday to protest government plans to expand military conscription in their community and the recent arrests of draft dodgers by military police.

Almost all sects and factions of the ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, community joined what organizers called the "March of the Million."

The demonstration shut down the main highway into Jerusalem and several nearby roads, police said. Train service to and from the city was also suspended for several hours.

Reporters from major Israeli television channels were attacked during live broadcasts, with some pushed, hit with planks and bottles, and forced to leave the area.

Israel's Magen David Adom emergency service said a 15-year-old boy died after falling from the 20th floor of a construction site where protesters had climbed. Another 55 people were slightly injured, the service said. Police opened an investigation into the boy's death.

Since Israel's founding, full-time students at religious seminaries, or yeshivas, have been exempt from the country's mandatory military service, though some members of the ultra-Orthodox community do serve. The policy, long supported by ultra-Orthodox political parties that are key allies in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition, has faced growing criticism during the war in Gaza.

In June, Israel's Supreme Court ruled the blanket exemptions unconstitutional. The government has proposed a new draft law that would keep exemptions for full-time religious students and men over 26, but gradually increase annual recruitment of ultra-Orthodox men starting in 2027. The plan would also impose penalties on those who evade service. 

Ultra-Orthodox Jews take part in a protest in Jerusalem on Oct. 30, 2025. Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews filled the streets of Jerusalem on Thursday to protest government plans to expand military conscription in their community and the recent arrests of draft dodgers by military police. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews take part in a protest in Jerusalem on Oct. 30, 2025. Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews filled the streets of Jerusalem on Thursday to protest government plans to expand military conscription in their community and the recent arrests of draft dodgers by military police. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews take part in a protest in Jerusalem on Oct. 30, 2025. Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews filled the streets of Jerusalem on Thursday to protest government plans to expand military conscription in their community and the recent arrests of draft dodgers by military police. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews take part in a protest in Jerusalem on Oct. 30, 2025. Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews filled the streets of Jerusalem on Thursday to protest government plans to expand military conscription in their community and the recent arrests of draft dodgers by military police. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews take part in a protest in Jerusalem on Oct. 30, 2025. Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews filled the streets of Jerusalem on Thursday to protest government plans to expand military conscription in their community and the recent arrests of draft dodgers by military police. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Ultra-Orthodox Jews take part in a protest in Jerusalem on Oct. 30, 2025. Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews filled the streets of Jerusalem on Thursday to protest government plans to expand military conscription in their community and the recent arrests of draft dodgers by military police. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
JERUSALEM, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Thursday received the remains of two deceased hostages from the Gaza Strip via the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in separate statements.

The bodies were transferred to the IDF and Israel's domestic security agency, Shin Bet, before being taken to the National Center of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv for identification.

Once the process is completed, families of the deceased will be formally notified, the statements said.

"The effort to return our hostages is ongoing and will not cease until the last hostage is returned," it added.

Not including the latest two, Hamas has so far given back the remains of 15 of the 28 deceased hostages it had agreed to return as part of the recent declared ceasefire deal.

On Tuesday, Israel said that remains handed over by Hamas the previous night were body parts belonging to a hostage whose body had already been recovered by the Israeli army two years ago. 
Heres How Much Obamacare Prices Are Rising Across the Country

Prices for next years Obamacare health insurance plans became public this week, with big increases in premiums across the country. We now have data that shows how much more people will pay.

Most people who buy their own coverage dont pay full price. Tax credits created by the Affordable Care Act help pay the bills. But the new prices reflect what will happen if extra tax subsidies, first passed in 2021 and extended in 2022, are allowed to expire at the end of this year.

Change in 2026 monthly premiums without extra subsidies Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 INCOME $22,000 +$66 +$66 +$66 $35,000 +$132 +$132 +$132 $65,000 +$80 +$196 +$920 +$0 +$0 +$714 $95,000 Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 INCOME $22,000 +$66 +$66 +$66 $35,000 +$132 +$132 +$132 $65,000 +$80 +$196 +$920 +$0 +$0 +$714 $95,000 Figures are for the median county. Source: KFF estimates

The magnitude of the change depends on where people live, how old they are, and what they earn. (More details below.)

Extending the subsidies would cost the federal government around $23 billion next year and about $350 billion over the next decade, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office. Without them, many Americans will face much higher costs before the midterm elections next fall  in some cases increases of more than a thousand dollars per month.

This funding is at the heart of the congressional fight that has left the government shut down for nearly a month. Democrats have demanded an extension as a condition of their support for a government funding bill. Republicans have said they wont consider an extension until the government is reopened.

The numbers in our charts and maps come from researchers at the health research group KFF, and reflect insurance prices published on healthcare.gov and state websites that allow people to window shop before Saturday, when insurance marketplaces will open for business. An earlier version of this article included estimated premiums for insurance next year, but now we can show the real prices Americans are currently facing.

Congress could still act and change the funding structure, but probably not before people start picking health plans this week.

For the lowest earners, free insurance could go away.

For people earning the lowest incomes, the expiration of the subsidies will mean the end of free, generous insurance. Right now, with the extra subsidies, eligible Americans who earn less than $24,000 a year dont have to contribute money toward their premiums, though they still face some co-payments and deductibles when they use their insurance.

Monthly premiums for individuals earning $22,000 Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 If subsidies are extended $0 $0 $0 If subsidies expire $66 $66 $66 Change +$66 +$66 +$66 Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 $0 $0 $0 If subsidies are extended If subsidies expire $66 $66 $66 Change +$66 +$66 +$66 Source: KFF estimates

A single person earning $22,000, for example, will have to pay $66 a month for a typical plan after the subsidies expire.

Around half of all enrollees in Affordable Care Act marketplaces nationwide will experience increases in this range  from a free premium to one between $27 and $82 a month. This group includes many people close to the poverty line in states that didnt expand their Medicaid program. Their insurance will remain heavily subsidized, just at the lower level established by the original Affordable Care Act legislation.

Although the price difference in dollars may look small, it can mean a lot for people who earn less than $2,000 a month. Since the enhanced subsidies became law, sign-ups in this lowest income group have tripled, with particularly large increases in Texas, Florida and Georgia. Some critics of the subsidies say the numbers have gotten so high that they are concerned about fraud.

People who earn a little more  $35,000 a year are also facing relatively standard price increases around the country. Their cost for a typical plan will more than double without the extra subsidies, from $86 a month to $218 for a popular plan.

Monthly premiums for individuals earning $35,000 Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 If subsidies are extended $86 $86 $86 If subsidies expire $218 $218 $218 Change +$132 +$132 +$132 Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 $86 $86 $86 If subsidies are extended If subsidies expire $218 $218 $218 Change +$132 +$132 +$132 Source: KFF estimates

Around 40 percent of enrollees earn between $24,000 and $63,000 and will experience increases of this type.

For individuals who earn about $65,000, location matters, but age matters more.

Many older people at this income level will experience a sharp increase in premiums  from a few hundred dollars a month to $1,000 or more.

In most states, the enhanced subsidies created a ceiling on how much people earning more than $63,000 have to pay. Without the extra subsidies, people will have to pay whatever insurers in their markets charge. People in this group tend to be self-employed or work for small businesses.

Because insurers are allowed to charge higher prices to older customers than younger ones, subsidies for Americans at this income level make the biggest difference for people close to retirement age. The large increases in the underlying insurance premiums  around 26 percent on average for a typical plan  pile on top of the lost subsidies.

Monthly premiums for individuals earning $65,000 Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 If subsidies are extended $460 $460 $460 If subsidies expire $540 $656 $1,380 Change +$80 +$196 +$920 Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 $460 $460 $460 If subsidies are extended If subsidies expire $540 $656 $1,380 Change +$80 +$196 +$920 Estimates are for the median county. Figures are rounded. Source: KFF estimates

But where people live also matters. Premiums tend to be higher in rural areas, and they are particularly high in a handful of very rural states, like Wyoming and West Virginia.

For some people in the most expensive markets, the increases could be staggering. A 60-year-old living in southern Illinois will face premiums increasing from $460 a month with the subsidies to $2,800 a month without.

Increase in monthly premiums for individuals earning $65,000, if subsidies expire $100 more $250 more $500 more $750 more $1,000 more No change

Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 Source: KFF estimates

Fewer than 10 percent of all Obamacare customers earn $65,000 or more.

For the top earners who receive subsidies, age matters the most.

People with even higher incomes have to pay a lot for Obamacare health insurance, with or without the extra subsidies.

Monthly premiums for individuals earning $95,000 Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 If subsidies are extended $541 $658 $673 If subsidies expire $541 $658 $1,387 Change +$0 +$0 +$714 Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 $541 $658 $673 If subsidies are extended If subsidies expire $541 $658 $1,387 Change +$0 +$0 +$714 Estimates are for the median county. Source: KFF estimates

Many younger people who earn this much havent seen any benefit from the extra subsidies. The subsidies kick in only when the cost of insurance is more than 8.5 percent of their income, which comes up only in the most expensive markets.

But some older people with high incomes do save money with the extra subsidies. Without them, they will pay even more than they already do.

This group is also affected by rising premiums. Even though the subsidies didnt help many of them this year, they still paid lower premiums than insurers are offering in most markets for next year.

Increase in monthly premiums for individuals earning $95,000, if subsidies expire $100 more $250 more $500 more $750 more $1,000 more No change

Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 Age 27 Age 40 Age 60 Source: KFF estimates

Our charts and maps focus on how subsidies affect individuals buying insurance. The math is a bit more complicated for people who are buying insurance for their whole family. But the basic patterns are similar: Families at lower incomes would face more uniform increases, while families at higher incomes would see variable price increases, depending on where they live and the age of each family member.

You can estimate your personal household costs with and without the subsidies using this calculator from KFF.
Brett Horton

Brett Horton, who was chief of staff to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, has joined the American Hotel & Lodging Assn. as its chief advocacy officer, a new position.

When Horton joins AHLA on December 1, he will be responsible for the trade groups political engagement efforts and government affairs strategy at the federal, state and local levels.

Horton spent 15 years on the staff of the Louisiana Republican, starting off as counsel in 2010 and rising to the COS post in 2015 for the Congressmans Whip and Leader positions.

AHLA's priorities include protecting hotels from "onerous" workplace rules, highlighting hoteliers' community engagement; leading on sustainability, diversity and safety; and recruiting a larger workforce and promoting career opportunities.

The organization, which is led by Rosanna Maietta, has more than 1,000 corporate members with 3.2M rooms that contribute to the $600B annual economic impact that the lodging business has on the US economy.

Membership includes Hyatt, Loews, Marriott, Disney, Hilton, Wyndham, Choice, Red Roof, and Motel 6.
JPR Group is named agency of record for Kimmel Architecture (formerly Kimmel-Bogrette Architecture + Site). The agency has been tasked with helping the company build a national presence in the senior living marketplace. Over the past three decades, Kimmel Architecture has completed hundreds of projects across the country for mission-driven clients in senior living, higher education, healthcare, municipal, and cultural sectors. Fairfield, NJ-based JPR Group, a certified Womens Business Enterprise, develops and implements strategic communications campaigns across sectors including senior living, nonprofit, grocery retail, education, law and more. Its founder and principal, Jeanine Ruda Genauer, was recently honored with an inaugural Commercial Excellence Award as part of the McKnights Women of Distinction program.

RG2 Communications, which is based in New York and London, comes on board as agency of record for Pollini at Ladbroke Hall, an Italian restaurant that is part of the 43,000 sq.-ft. Edwardian landmark, which presents live music, contemporary art, dance and gastronomy. The agency will lead integrated PR and communications for Pollini and Ladbroke Hall, highlighting their shared mission to bring together culinary and artistic excellence. The scope of work will include managing media relations, activating brand partnerships and driving awareness through high-impact media campaigns. We have built a home where gastronomy, art, and culture live in dialogue, and we are delighted to partner with RG2 Communications as we enter this exciting new chapter," said Pollini and Ladbroke Hall founder Loic Le Gaillard.

M&C Communications is engaged as public relations agency of record for Hope for Stomach Cancer, a national non-profit whose mission is to provide support, resources, and awareness to those affected by stomach cancer. M&C will work with advocates participating in the organizations Empowering Voices Speakers Bureau to refine their storytelling, strengthen their on-camera confidence, and develop strong relationships with media outlets. The agency will also provide media outreach and storytelling support for upcoming advocacy and community engagement events across the country, and support Hope for Stomach Cancers promotion of its Nutrition Guide for Stomach Cancer: A Practical Nutrition Resource for Patients and Caregivers. Our partnership with M&C Communications represents a powerful step forward in amplifying patient voices and driving awareness for one of the worlds deadliest cancers, said Aki Smith, Founder and Executive Director of Hope for Stomach Cancer founder and executive director of Hope for Stomach Cancer Aki Smith.
UNICEF Ireland Executive Director Peter Power was the guest speaker at a special event in Nenagh celebrating the success of Song Smith, a book by acclaimed local photographer Padraig OFlannabhra.

The book  a stunning photographic tribute to Nenagh native Shane MacGowan and his legendary band, The Pogues  has achieved both critical and commercial success, with copies sold to fans and collectors around the world.

At a packed celebration held at the Abbey Court Hotel, Mr OFlannabhra presented a cheque for 23,800 to UNICEF Ireland. The funds, raised through sales of the book, will support UNICEFs emergency humanitarian response in Gaza.

Guests at the event heard from Peter Power, UNICEF Ireland Ambassador and hurling legend Joe Canning, and Padraig OFlannabhra, who spoke about the inspiration behind Song Smith and his desire to make a positive difference through his work.

UNICEF is incredibly grateful to Padraig OFlannabhra for his generosity and for using his remarkable talent to support children in Gaza, said Peter Power, Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland. This donation will make a tangible difference as UNICEF scales up its life-saving work in the region following the recent ceasefire.

Mr Power added that the funds will help provide essential supplies such as clean water, medical aid, and psychosocial support to children and families affected by the ongoing crisis.

READ NEXT: Tipperary village's European competition win was a 'magnificent achievement'
Offaly centenarians, who were born before Ireland even had a President, were among those to cast their votes in the most Presidential Election last Friday.

Pictured on the left above is 101 year old Maureen Hanley casting her vote in the Presidential election in Coolderry Hall.

Pictured on the right above is Paddy Claffey, Noggus, who celebrated his 104th birthday last April is pictured casting his vote in last weeks Presidential election accompanied by his son Pat on Friday last October 24.

Ireland was voting to elect the nation's 10th President with the first President being selected without an election in 1938. Douglas Hyde was the only nominee after other potential candidates failed to get the required backing of 20 members of the House of the Oireachtas or four County Councils.

The first actual Presidential Election in Ireland took place in 1945 when Maureen would have been 21 and Paddy would have been 24. Fianna Fail's Sean T O'Kelly was elected with 49.5% of the vote.
A YOUNG mother-of-four from Limerick died from a blood clot a week after undergoing liposuction and buttock augmentation surgery in Turkey.

An inquest into the death of Lydia ODonoghue (nee Mulqueen), 38, of Lower Whitethorn Drive, Caherdavin, has heard that the fatal blood clot was linked to her recent surgery, subsequent air travel, and drug use.

An autopsy report showed that the level of cocaine in the young womans system was significant.

On the day of her surgery on April 16 last, Ms ODonoghue, formerly of Fairview Crescent, Garryowen, had posted a picture of herself on TikTok with the caption: Surgery day new booty pending.

A buttock lift or buttock augmentation surgery - often referred to as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) when a patient's own fat is used during the procedure as opposed to butt implants, which sees silicone devices placed into the buttock - is an increasingly popular cosmetic surgical procedure.

Ms ODonoghues mother Caroline told the inquest that the doctors in Turkey said she was fit to fly."

Ms ODonoghue underwent surgery in Turkey on April 16 and was pronounced dead exactly one week later in University Hospital Limerick on April 23, 2025.

Limerick Coroners Court in Kilmallock heard that Ms ODonoghues husband Jonathan said that she wasnt feeling well, her legs were swollen and she collapsed in the kitchen of their home.

He performed CPR on her for 20 minutes, but his efforts were not successful and his wife was transferred to University Hospital Limerick, where she was pronounced dead on April 23.

The 38-year-old left behind her three sons Jamie, Jason and JJ and her daughter Annaleise Mary.

She died on the day of her oldest sons 20th birthday.

The autopsy report revealed that Ms ODonoghue had signs of a blood clot in her lungs.

A toxicology report by pathologist Dr Teresa Laszlo showed that there was cocaine and diazepam in her system, but no alcohol.

The cause of death was determined to be a blood clot, caused by recent liposuction surgery, which was followed by air travel and drug use.

Dr Laszlos report said that the cocaine use may have contributed to her death and that the cocaine level was significant.

She added that this, along with the air travel, would increase the risk of a blood clot.

The family asked the coroner John McNamara if Ms ODonoghue would have felt anything, but he said that death involving a blood clot is very sudden.

They also asked if she should have been put on blood thinners when she left Turkey, which the coroner said could have helped, but that there were a variety of factors which contributed to her death.

He acknowledged that it is very difficult to discuss Lydias death like this - her untimely death a couple of months ago.

Mr McNamara recorded a verdict of misadventure, saying that Ms ODonoghue never intended this outcome.

Sympathies were extended to the family by the coroner and also by Sergeant David Delahunty, on behalf of An Garda Siochana.

Ms O'Donoghue was remembered at her funeral Mass in April as a wonderful mother who loved music and fashion and was always the life and soul of the party.

Ms ODonoghue is survived by her husband Jonathan, four children, her mother Caroline, father Christopher, two sisters and two brothers, along with a wide circle of family and many kind friends.

May she rest in peace.
An Offaly truck driver who drove a lorry which had 2.8 million worth of cocaine hidden under a legitimate cargo of Lego toys has been jailed for five years.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Offaly man Noel Smullen (58) had a lower level of involvement in the drug importation operation to his co-accused, Killian McNay. McNay (40) of Ardilaun Green, Mullingar, County Westmeath was sentenced to seven and a half years earlier this month.

Smullen of Silverdale, Clara, County Offaly pleaded guilty to the unlawful importation of cocaine with a market value over 13,000 at Dublin Port on September 22, 2024.

Detective Garda Kylie Byrne told Brian Storan BL, prosecuting, that on that date customs officers at the port became suspicious about an articulated truck driven by Smullen. Having passed an initial scan by a hand held device, officials decided to do an x-ray of the truck.

This scan revealed a metal compartment concealed in the floor of the flat bed trailer designed to prevent detection. This contained 40 kilos of cocaine contained in wrapped blocks.

READ NEXT: Suspended sentence for Tullamore man who stole four packs of Red Bull 

The court heard that McNay had provided the adapted vehicle to Smullen but that both men were involved with packing the drugs.

Smullen has nine previous convictions including burglary and handling stolen property in 2018, possession of stolen property in 2017 and an assault in 2009.

Aisling Ginger-Quinn BL, defending, said her client was under severe financial stress at the time and was receiving letters from the bank threatening repossession of his home. She said the father of four has worked most of his life as a haulier both nationally and internationally.

She said he had previously worked for the co-accused and this man had contacted him on Facebook after a number of years out of contact offering him well paid work.

Counsel said Smullen assumed this was legitimate work but when he became aware it involved the importation of drugs he decided to take the risk. He was promised he would receive 20,000 but he never got any reward.

Judge Martina Baxter said she had to take into consideration the amount of drugs involved and said that cocaine has had a corrosive effect on society.

She said this was a sophisticated operation which was planned thoroughly. This planning included Smullen carrying out a dry run from the continent into Dublin Port earlier in the month with the adapted truck.

Judge Baxter noted the mitigating factors of Smullen's co-operation with investigators, his early pleas of guilty and his lack of other convictions for drug dealing.

She said she accepted as genuine his expressions of remorse and his apologies.

She imposed a custodial sentence of six and a half years, suspending the last 18 months for two years on condition that he keep the peace and engage with the Probation Service. She backdated the sentence to start on September 22, 2024, when Smullen went into custody.

READ NEXT: Court hears Offaly man who was going to the shop was passenger in stolen car 
THERE has been a mixed reaction to Uisce Eireann's recently published report on its proposed Lough Derg Pipe project.

The semi-state company published a Submissions Report for its Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project, which involves abstracting water from the River Shannon at Parteen Basin, just south of Lough Derg.

The report summarizes the feedback from the public consultation period. The feedback includes comments about the project's benefits, and comments about the possible environmental impacts (particularly on Lough Derg). There were also comments about whether there's a need or not for creating this new water source for the Dublin region. Some submissions suggested it would be preferable to upgrade the existing network in Dublin rather than look to the Shannon for a new water source. Other submissions pointed out alternative options such as desalination.

Uisce Eireann made a number of responses to the submissions. Concerning submissions made about the abstraction point, the semi-state company pointed out that the project will abstract water from the River Shannon at Parteen Basin, which was selected over options at Lough Derg for environmental reasons, specifically to avoid impacting the lake itself.

Among the submissions were concerns about the possible impact of the abstraction on the Shannon's ecology, including potential effects on fish and water quality. Submissions also highlighted potential socio-economic impacts on areas like navigation, angling, and tourism. Uisce Eireann pointed out the project's necessity. The company maintains that the project is necessary to meet future water demand in the Eastern and Midlands region, and cites a growing deficit and a need for supply resilience, in spite of existing leakage control and conservation efforts. The report notes that desalination was considered but the Parteen Basin option was the "preferred option" after an options appraisal.

In a press statement Uisce Eireann pointed out that this will be one of the largest infrastructure projects in the history of the State with a capacity to address water supply needs for up to 50% of the States population. This is a once in a generation project, the company said, and is the first major new source water infrastructure in the region in the last 60 years. It will deliver a safe, secure, sustainable source of water supply necessary to support our growing population and economy, including the demand for housing. It is also a project that will enable us to adapt to the effects of climate change by diversifying our water supply sources. We received valuable feedback, with over 120 submissions in response to a non-statutory public consultation for the project, which ran for eight weeks in Spring. The Non-Statutory Consultation Submissions Report summarises the views shared, including perspectives on the projects benefits, infrastructure components, environmental considerations, and construction approach.

As part of the consultation process, Uisce Eireann hosted six public information open days at key locations along the route in Tipperary, Offaly and Kildare, in addition to online webinars. The consultation provided stakeholders, interested parties, landowners and the public with an opportunity to give feedback on the Proposed Project and, where appropriate, this feedback has been used to inform the design and accompanying environmental reports, in advance of the submission of a planning application to An Coimisiun Pleanala later this year.

The Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region proposes to abstract water from Parteen Basin, upstream of Parteen Weir on the Lower River Shannon, utilising a maximum of 2% of the long term average flow at Parteen Basin. It is proposed that the water will be treated near Birdhill, County Tipperary and treated water will then be piped 170km through counties Tipperary, Offaly and Kildare to a termination point reservoir at Peamount in County Dublin, connecting into the Greater Dublin Area water distribution network (see map below).

The project will develop a new, climate-resilient, long-term water source to meet the demands of a growing population and economy, commented Uisce Eireann, including the need for housing, as well as enabling us to adapt to the effects of climate change by diversifying our water supply sources. This essential project will provide Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow with a resilient, safe, secure water supply. It will also create a treated water supply spine across the country, providing infrastructure with the capacity for future off-takes to serve communities along the route in Tipperary, Offaly, and Westmeath. In addition, it will enable supplies currently serving Dublin to be redirected back to Louth, Meath, Kildare, Carlow and Wicklow, providing security of supply to homes and businesses, which will support growth and regional development.

Speaking about the Consultation Submissions Report, Senior Programme Manager at Uisce Eireann, Gary Gibson, pointed out that the water supply in the Eastern and Midlands region faces a number of serious challenges, notably the over-reliance on the River Liffey to supply 1.7 million people in the Greater Dublin Area. With forecasts showing that the region will need 34% more water by 2044 than is available today, this combination of a growing water supply deficit and lack of supply resilience is simply not sustainable. The publication of this submissions report is another major milestone towards the delivery of this essential infrastructure. We would like to thank the stakeholders, landowners and communities who engaged with us during the consultation process; the feedback received has been instrumental in shaping the next phase of the project.

The public consultation submissions report can be viewed at https://www.water.ie/projects/national-projects/water-supply-project-east-1/publications

READ NEXT: North Tipp Councillor slams Lough Derg Pipe as an 'Ecocide project'
This file photo taken on April 20, 2025 shows Britain's Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, attending the Easter Service at Windsor Castle in Windsor, Britain. Prince Andrew will lose his prince title and move out of Royal Lodge, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace on Thursday. (Xinhua)

LONDON, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Prince Andrew will lose his prince title and move out of Royal Lodge, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace on Thursday.

Britain's King Charles has initiated a formal process to remove "the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew," said the statement.

"Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor," said the statement, adding that he will move out of Royal Lodge, his Windsor mansion, to "alternative private accommodation."

The move came amid intense scrutiny in the past weeks upon the scandal over his association with deceased American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

"These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him," said the statement.

Prince Andrew will move to a property privately funded by the King, and have not objected to the King's decision to remove his titles, according to British media. 


(Image by World Union of Deists, Inc.) Details DMCA



On October 13, 2025, Donald Trump gave a speech to the Israeli Knesset and to other Israeli officials. The speech was centered on the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel that Trump had promoted. In his speech, Trump said that that day was a day to, "give our deepest thanks to the Almighty God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob", also known originally as the God of Judaism. Since Christianity, Islam, Mormonism and Bahai are all offshoots of Judaism and are all Abrahamic man-made "revealed" religions, they also lay claim to Judaism's God, the genocidal, bloodthirsty and cruel God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The vast majority of US politicians from both parties, Donald Trump included, give blind support to the Jewish state of Israel. They do this to advance their political careers regardless of the harm it causes their constituents, their nation and the world. The powerful and wealthy Israel lobby has US politicians tripping over themselves trying to be recognized by the Israel lobby as the most pro-Israel politician in the country. It's this greed-based mindset that was instrumental in causing US politicians to start the Iraq War for Israel's security.

Donald Trump's political awakening to this reality of Israel overall in US politics was observable at the start of his first campaign for the White House. Trump started out by saying if he won the election, he would be neutral regarding Israel and the Palestinians. HOWEVER, after meeting with Jewish billionaires Sheldon and Miriam Adelson who are influential Israel firsters, Trump no longer wanted to be neutral regarding Israel and the Palestinians. To make clear that both parties are deep in the pockets of the Jewish state of Israel and the Israel lobby, Hillary Clinton attacked Donald Trump for saying he would be neutral regarding Israel and Palestine.

In The Age of Reason, the American Founder and Deist Thomas Paine thoroughly pointed out the ungodly brutality of the Hebrew Bible/Christian Old Testament (he referred to the Hebrew Bible as "the Bible" and referred to the New Testament as "the Testament"). He was disgusted with the cruelty of it and strongly objected to the religious violence and genocide it promotes being carried out by the Jews who claimed it was done on orders from God. Paine wrote,

"The origin of every nation is buried in fabulous tradition, and that of the Jews is as much to be suspected as any other. To charge the commission of acts upon the Almighty, which, in their own nature, and by every rule of moral justice, are crimes, as all assassination is, and more especially the assassination of infants, is matter of serious concern. The Bible tells us, that those assassinations were done by the express command of God. To believe, therefore, the Bible to be true, we must unbelieve all our belief in the moral justice of God; for wherein could crying or smiling infants offend? And to read the Bible without horror, we must undo everything that is tender, sympathizing, and benevolent in the heart of man."

Donald Trump's speech to the Knesset shows he fully embraces the vicious, cruel and pitiless Abrahamic God of Israel. His speech made evident that he not only is fine with killing over 20,000 infants and children, he admires Israeli PM and war criminal "Bibi" Netanyahu for the Jewish state of Israel's genocide against the people in Gaza*. In his speech to the Knesset, Trump said,

"We make the best weapons in the world, and we've got a lot of them. And we've given a lot to Israel, frankly. Bibi would call me so many times, can you get me this weapon? That weapon, that weapon? Some of them I never heard of, Bibi, and I made them. But, we'd get them here, wouldn't we? And they are the best. They are the best. But, you used them well. It also takes people to know how to use them, and you obviously used them very well."

Israel used, according to Trump, American weapons very well. They've used them to kill over 67,000 people; women, children, men, unborn babies and the elderly. There are an estimated 10,000 more dead bodies under the rubble. They've wounded over 169,000 people who can't get medical care because Israel used American weapons to destroy hospitals in Gaza.

In his speech Trump said the ceasefire is the "beginning of the age of faith and hope and of God (the Abrahamic God)." Since Trump's catchphrase that he used to get votes from many sincere Americans was "America first", he's probably hoping his Gentile American supporters go on faith and not on reason regarding his claim of putting America first, so that they won't realize he's putting the Jewish state of Israel first. He made this clear when he said in his speech to the Knesset,

"I authorized the spending of billions of dollars, which went to Israel's defense, as you know."

The billions of dollars were American tax dollars he took from American taxpayers and gave to the Jewish state of Israel to further their genocide in Gaza.

He further made clear he couldn't care less about putting America first when, during his speech, he called out Miriam Adelson. What Trump said shows not only how American foreign policy in the Middle East is made, but how he thinks putting America first is a joke. Trump said,

"Stand up, Miriam. Stand up. Miriam and Sheldon (Adelson) would come into the office, they'd call me, he'd call me I think they had more trips to the White House than anybody else I can think of. Look at her sitting there so innocently. She's got 60 billion in the bank, 60 billion. I think she's saying, 'No, more.' And she loves Israel, but she loves it.

"And they would come in And her husband was a very aggressive man, but I loved him. He was a very aggressive Very supportive of me. And he'd call up, 'Can I come over and see you?' I'd say, 'Sheldon, I'm the president of the United States. It doesn't work that way.' He'd come in. He would, though. But they were very responsible for so much, including getting me thinking about Golan Heights, which is probably one of the greatest things to ever happen to Israel.

"Miriam, stand up please. She really is I mean, she loves this country. She loves this country. Her and her husband are so incredible. We miss him so dearly. I'm going to get her in trouble with this, but I actually asked her once, I said, 'So, Miriam, I know you love Israel. What do you love more, the United States or Israel?' She refused to answer. That might mean Israel. I must say. We love you."

In the three above paragraphs Trump made clear the extensive and uncontrolled access billionaire Israel firsters have to the White House; how he decided to have the US recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Syrian Golan Heights based on what the Adelsons said; how he thinks the idea of America first is a joke and that Miriam Adelson refusing to answer his question regarding loving Israel or America more was humorous.

It now appears the ceasefire agreement is faltering**. Israel is using the excuse of Hamas not being able to turn over all the bodies of hostages and POWs to Israel to threaten a resumption of war, including stopping food and aid from getting into Gaza. As this article points out,

"The truce agreement called for the immediate handover of all remaining bodies in Gaza, but acknowledged that some could be difficult to locate and may take more time to retrieve because of the destruction. Gaza was highly urbanized before the war, but two years of Israeli strikes have turned large parts of it into a flattened landscape of cement rubble."

Another problem with the ceasefire agreement is that Hamas did not promise to disarm, yet Trump said if they don't disarm "we will disarm them. And it will happen quickly and perhaps violently." That would mean more lives and limbs of American service members sacrificed on the altar of the Abrahamic God of Israel, not to mention billions of additional American tax dollars. This is all in line with the plans of the neoconservative movement.

Deists apply their gift from The Supreme Intelligence/God of innate reason to absolutely everything, including religions. We appreciate the first principle of philosophy, which is to see things as they really are, not only as they appear to be, and we know our innate reason empowers us to do that. We need to help more people discover their innate God-given reason that empowers them to see the lies behind the scriptures and rhetoric and to act accordingly.

One reason why so few people are aware of Deism was addressed by Thomas Paine in The Age of Reason. Paine stated,

"...pure and simple Deism does not answer the purpose of despotic governments. They cannot lay hold of religion as an engine, but by mixing it with human inventions, and making their own authority a part; neither does it answer the avarice of priests, but by incorporating themselves and their functions with it, and becoming, like the government, a party in the system. It is this that forms the otherwise mysterious connection of church and state..."

The more we get the word out about Deism, the more we help to fight oppressive tyranny and the advance of fear-based theocracy that is currently making itself known.

*Here's an article about the root cause of Israel's genocidal war on Gaza.

**Israeli war criminal/PM Netanyahu just today ordered the Israeli military to launch "forceful strikes" on Gaza.
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

Russia is a potential counterweight to Israel, which has invaded parts of southern Syria after the fall of Assad, and has carried out over 1,000 airstrikes and 400 ground incursions across the country. Syria sees the good relationship between Moscow and Tel Aviv as potentially solving some of its issues in the south of Syria.

Moscow is signaling a potential redeployment of military forces to southern Syria, a strategic maneuver being actively discussed with both the government in Damascus and with Tel Aviv. The initiative, first floated in Russian media, aims to re-establish Russia as the key arbiter of stability on the volatile border with Israel, secure its long-term strategic assets in the Mediterranean, and counter emerging geopolitical threats.

The discussions gained public traction on August 11, 2025, when the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that Syrian authorities are showing significant "interest" in resuming Russian military police patrols in the southern governorates.

On October 15, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Al-Sharaa said he sought to reestablish diplomatic relations with all countries, chiefly with Russia. Putin also spoke of the special relationship built over 80 years between Syria and Russia.

After the fall of Assad in December 2024, a high-ranking Russian diplomatic mission visited the new government in Damascus in January, with several phones calls between Putin and al-Sharaa in February, aimed at maintaining a military and political presence in Syria.

Arms exports from the Soviet Union to Syria started in 1975, with a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed by the two parties in 1980. Al-Sharaa confirmed his government will uphold past agreements with Russia, which hints that the two bases in Syria, Tartus and Hmeimim, will remain functioning.

Syria will be looking to re-arm its newly formed army, in the wake of Israeli bombings that destroyed almost all of the military capabilities. Some analysts have proposed Russia could play a role in training the new army.

Russia could also play a role in the UNSC to support Syria politically. There are shared interests between Syria and Russia, such as the future rebuilding of the war-torn country and energy needs. Syria gets crude oil for its electrical grid, now hitting 12 million barrels in 2025, from Russia. In April, wheat arrived in Syria from Russia.

A Convergence of Interests

This potential redeployment is the direct outcome of a high-level Syrian delegation's visit to Moscow on July 31, 2025. The delegation, led by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, culminated in a critical meeting with President Putin.

For the government in Damascus, a Russian presence in the south would reduce the pretext for Israeli military operations, and potentially facilitate a political settlement that includes the disarmament of local factions in Suwayda.

The 'Third Base': A Flexible Footprint

While the prospect of a new Russian military footprint in the south is clear, analysts note the discussion is not focused on establishing a new, full-scale base; instead, the proposal centers on the resumption of military police patrols' military base. A permanent, heavy footprint would be politically complex. and "separation forces." This model offers a more flexible and politically palatable presence, allowing Russia to project power and mediate conflicts without the complications of a formal "third base."

Russia would, by all indications, consider such a proposal. A renewed presence in the south achieves several of Moscow's key Interests simultaneously. It solidifies Russia's role as an indispensable partner to the Syrian government, providing critical leverage for securing the long-term-leases for Tartus and Hmeimim.

It re-establishes Russia as the primary regional "stabilizer," and the only power capable of balancing the interests of Syria, Israel, and Turkey.

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It never seems to end, does it? There's always another boat in the Caribbean (not to mention the Pacific Ocean) to send to the bottom of the sea, and it increasingly seems that Donald Trump is also bringing war home in a big-time fashion. As the first billionaire president in American history, hes clearly doing it for the truly rich, including the record number of billionaires (at least 902 of them) now in America. As Bernie Sanders said recently at the enormous Washington, D.C. No Kings rally, This moment is not just about one mans greed, one mans corruption, or one mans contempt for the Constitution. This is about a handful of the wealthiest people on earth, who, in their insatiable greed, have hijacked our economy and our political system in order to enrich themselves at the expense of working families throughout this country.

And he added, We rejected the divine right of kings in the 1770s. We will not accept the divine right of oligarchs today. Only recently, millions of Americans (I was one of them!) marched in No Kings rallies across the country to make that very point, carrying signs like We dont bow to billionaires!

One thing is missing, though, in the growing opposition to an increasingly unpopular president and that's a genuine political movement against the barbarism of this moment. Yes, Zohran Mamdani is likely to be elected mayor of my own city in November, but generally Bernie aside the politics of opposition in the Democratic Party seems all too weak and mild. And with that in mind, let TomDispatch regular Eric Ross look back at American history and the role socialism once played in its politics. Consider it a way of remembering that there are indeed other worlds than the one we now find ourselves in. Tom

Socialism or Barbarism

Reviving the History of the American Left

By Eric Ross

More than a century ago, from a Berlin prison cell where she was confined for her uncompromising opposition to the slaughter of the First World War, Rosa Luxemburg warned, Bourgeois society stands at the crossroads, either transition to socialism or regression into barbarism. Her diagnosis remains no less salient today.

In the United States, we long ago chose the path of barbarism. Trump and his enablers have proven major catalysts in hastening our descent, but they are symptoms as well as causes. The compounding crises of our time, from ecological collapse to immense inequality to endless war, were hardly unforeseeable aberrations. They are the logical outgrowths of a capitalist system built on violent exploitation and rooted in the relentless pursuit of profits over people.

The unsustainable economic order that has defined our national life has corroded our democracy, eroded our shared sense of humanity, and propelled our institutions and our planet toward collapse. Today, we find ourselves perilously far down the highway leading to collective suicide. What the final autopsy will include be it nuclear annihilation, climate catastrophe, AI-driven apocalypse, or all of the above no one can yet be certain.

Yet fatalism is not a viable option. A different direction for the country and world remains possible, and Americans still can meet this moment and avert catastrophe. If we are to do so, Luxemburg's prescription, socialism, remains our last, best hope.

That conviction animates the democratic socialist campaign of Zohran Mamdani for mayor of New York City. In a bleak political climate, he offers a rare spark of genuine hope. Yet his mass appeal has provoked a remarkable, if predictable, elite backlash. Hes faced Islamophobic smears, oligarch money, and backroom deals (efforts that, Mamdani observed, cost far more than the taxes he plans to impose to improve life in New York). Trump has unsurprisingly joined these efforts wholeheartedly, while the Democratic establishment has chosen the path of cowardice and silence, or at least equivocation.

The outrage over Mamdani is not only about the label socialist. Every American has heard the refrain: socialism looks good on paper but doesn't work in practice. The subtext, of course, is that capitalism does. And in a sense, it has. It has worked exactly as designed by concentrating obscene levels of wealth in the hands of a ruling class that deploys its fortune to further entrench its power. Especially since the Supreme Courts 2010 Citizens United decision, private capital has wielded untold influence over elections, drowning out ordinary voices in a flood of corporate money.

What makes Mamdani's campaign so unsettling to those (all too literally) invested in this status quo is not merely his critique of capitalism but his insistence on genuine democracy. His platform rests on the simple assertion that, in the wealthiest city in the wealthiest country in the world (as should be true everywhere across this nation), every person deserves basic dignity. And what undoubtedly unnerves the political establishment isn't so much his radical agenda but the notion that politics should serve the many, not the privileged few, and that the promise of democracy could be transformed from mere rhetoric to reality.

Whether Mamdani wins or loses in November (and count on him winning), he has sparked the reawakening of a long-dormant American tradition of leftist politics. Reviving socialism in this country also requires reviving its history, recovering it from the hysteria of the Red Scare and the Cold War mentality of better dead than red. Socialism has long been a part of our national experience and democratic experiment. And if democracy is to survive in the twenty-first century, democratic socialism must be part of its future.

The Roots of American Socialism

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Customers of Northwest Natural Gas will see their bills go up starting Friday. (AP Photo/Thomas Kienzle, File) AP

Residential customers of Northwest Natural Gas will see their monthly bills increase by 5.4% starting Friday, bringing them to $85.95 on average, according to the Oregon Public Utility Commission.

The utility, which serves nearly 700,000 customers in Oregon, had requested a rate increase of nearly 7% to cover rising costs of equipment and staff, upgrades to information technology, distribution and gas storage systems, seismic upgrades and an increase in its allowable profits.

Ratepayer advocates were adamantly opposed to any increase in the companys allowable profits, saying customers were already struggling to pay their bills and that the requested increase would bring Northwest Naturals cumulative rate hikes to 50% over the last the five years.

In a settlement of the rate case, regulators allowed Northwest Natural to increase total revenues collected from customers by $24.7 million, 58% less than the $59.4 million increase the company originally sought. Profits were the largest cost reduction in the settlement, comprising nearly $15 million of the total, according to the the Oregon Citizens Utility Board, a ratepayer advocacy group.

The resulting agreement bumped customers bills by 2.4 percent on average, according to the commissions order implementing the change. The rest of the rate increase is due to a separate annual adjustment in the cost of natural gas purchased by the utility, costs that are trued up by regulators each year, with any savings or surcharge passed through to customers.

Commercial customers will see their monthly bills rise by 4.7% annually, while industrial customers will see a 3% increase, on average.

Customers bills will be higher than than the average during winter months, when they use more gas for heating. But as a result of the passage of House Bill 3179 - the FAIR Energy Act - earlier this year, the company wont be able to seek another general rate increase for another 18 months, and any increase sought wouldnt take effect for an additional 10 months.
A small group of protestors gathered outside of the ICE facility on Oct. 28, 2025. Chiara Profenna

The delay in pulling Oregon National Guard members out of Portlands immigration enforcement building after a judge had barred their federal deployment resulted from having to relay the order through a chain of command, federal government lawyers told a judge Thursday.

It took some time for us to fully implement compliance, said Eric Hamilton, U.S. Department of Justice attorney.

Seven to 10 Oregon National Guard soldiers were sent to Portlands U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Oct. 4 at 11:35 a.m. and remained at the building until midnight that day, about eight hours after U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immerguts order was issued, Hamilton said.

Immergut pressed, Who was responsible for notifying the National Guard in the building that the court had prohibited their deployment? Who was responsible for it?

Hamilton said the direction came from high up in the chain of command, of the San Antonio-based U.S. Army Northern Command, involved a four-star general and people in different time zones.

Immergut said it seemed odd that the federal government, though, could mobilize and send 100 California National Guard to Portland by the following morning, Oct. 5, to Portland but they couldnt get the message to the Guards troops at Portlands ICE building to leave.

They could have gotten the message to the Guardsmen if they felt it was important, she said.

Hamilton said the government worked as quickly as it could, but her temporary restraining order, issued about 3:40 p.m. on Oct. 4, had to be relayed through multiple layers of command.

Immergut then asked why the federal government would send any Oregon National Guard to the citys ICE facility on the morning of Oct. 4, knowing she was deliberating over the arguments and evidence presented at a hearing just a day earlier and had promised to issue a ruling as fast as she could that weekend.

Does that not seem to be in bad faith in some way? Immergut asked.

Hamilton said he didnt think so.

So you needed those eight National Guardsmen at the ICE building? the judge asked.

We did, Hamilton responded.

Hamilton did not explain what those Guards members were doing at the ICE building that day and night. A court exhibit, though, indicated an Advanced MP squad, of nine Guard members had arrived at the Portland ICE facility in a support role around 11 a.m. in what was dubbed Task Force Rose Shield.

Their shift ended at midnight but Hamilton added that he did not know the precise time that the Guard was pulled back from providing protection.

The judge thanked Hamilton for providing further clarification but said she anticipated addressing the matter at a future hearing.

The remarks came before the start of the second day of trial in Immerguts courtroom in downtown Portland as she considers the state of Oregon and California and city of Portlands request for a permanent injunction that would prevent the federal deployment of National Guard from any state to Portland.

Cost of Portland police response

The city and states continued presenting their case Thursday morning, calling Portland Assistant Chief Craig Dobson to the stand.

Dobson testified that the police response to the protests outside the ICE building cost $898,689.92, in largely personnel and overtime costs. An exhibit submitted in court shows that cost covers Sept. 28, when the state learned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had mobilized the Oregon National Guard, through Oct. 20.

The cost of Portland police resources dedicated to monitoring protest activity outside the ICE building from Sept. 28, 2025, through Oct. 20, 2025, according to a city exhibit. Court Exhibit

Dobson said Portland police dont fire pepper balls and would not fire less-lethal munitions off of a roof into a crowd, as federal officers have repeatedly done during protests outside the ICE building in the South Waterfront neighborhood.

He also shared his concern about the potential deployment of National Guard members to the ICE facility.

My concern again is, What is their training? he said. Crowd management is complex. He said he worries that how they might show up can negatively affect the tenor of a crowd.

The city played a video capturing the night of Oct. 18, after the No Kings II march through the city culminated with about 400 to 500 people congregating outside the immigration facility.

Dobson said he got a whiff of tear gas fired by federal officers into the crowd that night, and the state police on bikes who had no gas masks had to leave the area.

He also identified an apparent munition fired by a federal officer into the ground in front of the ICE facility that ricocheted and bounced off the building and back at federal officers on the roof.

Immergut attempted to redirect the citys line of questioning, asking why Senior Deputy City Attorney Caroline Turco was focusing on the events of Oct. 18, and not on the situation outside the ICE property in the days and weeks leading up to Trumps Sept. 27 authorization of National Guard members to Oregon.

The judge said shes not deciding if federal officers have used improper force. Shes focused on whether Trump met the legal criteria for mobilizing National Guard members to deploy to Portland in late September based on the conditions at the ICE facility at the time.

We have a limited time for trial, Immergut said. Lets focus on what really matters.

During cross-examination by federal Justice Department attorney Michael J. Gerardi, Dobson acknowledged he is unaware of how the National Guard is being trained for a deployment to the city and does not know what the nature of the work would be.

Operation Skip Jack Portland

By late morning, the federal government began its case, calling Robert Cantu, a deputy regional director of the Federal Protective Service from Region 10, which covers five states including Oregon.

He was only identified by his initials, R.C., during trial for what the court called security purposes but his name is included in publicly filed court documents, including the federal governments witness list and in sworn declarations..

The surge of federal officers to provide around-the-clock protection of the Portland ICE building  dubbed Operation Skip Jack Portland   is unsustainable, Cantu testified Thursday.

He also said he was disappointed by a lack of response and assistance from Portland police, estimating that police did not respond 40 times to requests by Federal Protective Service officers who reached out for help since June at the ICE building and didnt get it.

After police declared a riot outside the facility on June 14, federal officers from outside the region as well as officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protections tactical team were reassigned to help provide support at the building, he said.

Since then, agents from the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Explosives and the Bureau of Prisons have also assisted at the ICE facility, Cantu said.

We have people from the Bureau of Prisons who are coming to protect the ICE facility? U.S. Justice Department lawyer John Bailey asked him, in an effort to highlight the unusual assignment. Cantu answered in the affirmative.

During the June 14 riot, two Federal Protective Service officers were injured by thrown fireworks and one ICE officer was struck in the head with an object, presumably a rock, Cantu testified. Protesters had shattered the buildings front door, jamming it with a stop sign and a weight-lifting barbell, he said.

Given the level of violence that was displayed that night, we did expect a response from the Portland Police Bureau, he said. He said Portland officers eventually did respond, but it wasnt until late in the evening between 11 and midnight.

But by that point, there was a level of damage and uncertainty if we ever were going to receive that support from the Portland Police Bureau, he testified.

A Portland police commander previously testified that local officers are restricted from clearing traffic in front of the ICE building.

Police Cmdr. Franz Schoening said that police officers have been instructed not to facilitate federal vehicles coming in and out of ICE facility due to the states sanctuary law. Police also were directed not to provide traffic control in the immediate area of the ICE building unless there was an immediate life-safety emergency or to support a tactical operation. Yet, they have attempted to keep Southwest Bancroft open for traffic, he said.

But Cantu, the Federal Protective Service regional deputy director, testified that he only witnessed police clear traffic in front of the ICE building on two occasions since June: when the Emergency Naked Bike Ride road past and last weekend.

When PPB is allowed to do their job, do you think they do good police work? Bailey asked.

Absolutely, Cantu responded.

He testified that he believes 180 law enforcement officers are needed to provide 24-hour, seven-day-a week coverage the ICE building to protect the property and personnel amid the nightly protests.

Initially, he said federal officers were sent to the ICE facility for 30-day assignments but that was reduced to 20-day assignments to protect their mental health.

Theyre typically working overtime, 10 to 12 hours at a time, constantly in proximity to protesters who say some of the most vulgar, foul, racial slurs consistently through the day, throughout the night on bullhorns.

Cantu said he believed protesters are coordinating their activities and the federal officers are keeping their ears to a walkie-talkie radio, hoping to catch cross talk between them, describing the step as something new we developed.

During cross-examination, the Federal Protective Service supervisor said there has been a systemic staffing shortage in his agency nationally. There are four Federal Protective Service officers assigned to Portland who are responsible for protecting about 100 federal properties in Oregon and southern Washington state.

While he had no say in Trumps move to authorize National Guard to Portland, he said they would relieve the strain on his agency and other federal officers would be able to go back to doing their primary job.

He was surprised, in fact, to learn of the 200 Oregon National Guard troops mobilized for Portland, having discovered it first from news accounts.

In a deposition, he said he wondered what he would do with 200 Guard members because the ICE building was pretty packed with officers by late September, according to court testimony.

Federal Protective Service officers do not deploy gas but have fired pepper ball launchers and used large canisters of pepper spray.

He said FPS officers typically fire pepper balls at the ground, not at people, to get the chemical irritant to come up into the air as a simple dispersal technique.

But he said the Federal Protective Service does not track officers deployment of the pepper ball launchers.

Under cross-examination by Oregon Senior Assistant Attorney General Brian Marshall , he said hes aware there are three alleged improper uses of force by federal officers that are currently under investigation within the last two months.

The officers and incidents were not identified but the state played one video of a crush of officers tackling a protester to the ground in front of the ICE buildings driveway on Aug 13.

When Marshall asked Cantu if the force used was appropriate in the video, he said, That is not the approach I would have taken.

He also said he and other Federal Protective Service officers were exposed to tear gas a handful of times at the ICE building and asked incident commanders from other federal agencies to alert other officers present before gas is deployed.
Is downtown Portland turning a corner? It will take time to know for sure, but at the very least, its reputation seems to be improving (which could be half the battle). Earlier this year, a survey of Portland-area residents showed that opinions of the embattled neighborhood are trending upward, even among those who havent visited in months.

But a true downtown revival will take more than return-to-work orders and a rise in civic pride. People need a reason to return: a Timbers or Thorns playoff game, the Portland Art Museums upcoming Mark Rothko Pavilion, the decades-in-the-making James Beard Public Market. Or a great new place to eat.

This month, with the fall arts calendar in full swing, reporters for The Oregonian/OregonLive dropped by five new downtown Portland restaurants, from a charming Mexican oasis decked out in royal blue and gold to a triumphant Filipino residency in a hip Chinatown hotel. We sampled the wares at one of Portlands newest  and cleanest  food halls, ordered traditional Hawaiian poke from a deli case near Portland State University and met friends at an everyday izakaya imported from Las Vegas with shockingly affordable food and drink.

Each offered something surprising and delicious not far from a theater or museum. And they can only be found downtown.

The sub-$20 sashimi sampler at Hachi, one of many surprisingly affordable dishes at the new downtown Portland izakaya. Michael Russell | The Oregonian

Hachi

In Portland, the izakaya typically gets translated into a refined experience, without the clubhouse vibe that might make you linger, ordering another plate of raw fish or grilled squid to go with each round of beer. Enter Hachi, a Las Vegas import that took over the former Tasty N Alder downtown this year with food thats both surprisingly affordable  with pricing other establishments might consider happy hour  and good enough youll want to come back. Start with a mixed sashimi sampler, a wooden pedestal topped with nine slices of tuna, salmon and yellowtail for $19.65. Fried items are fine  if you need to pair your 34-ounce Sapporo ($11) with something crunchy, you could do worse than a wooden basket of chicken karaage ($3.65/two pieces). But you should focus your attention on the yakitori, with skewered chicken thighs ($2.75), buttered scallops ($3.25) and pork meatball tsukune ($3.65) all cooked over binchotan coal deep into the night on Fridays and Saturdays. Michael Russell

Signature dish: There are better yakitori joints in New York City or San Francisco, but even without considering cost, is there a better one in Portland?

Details: Hachi serves lunch and dinner from noon to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, noon-2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, noon to 2 a.m. Saturday and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday at 580 S.W. 12th Ave., 503-265-8085, hachiportland.com.

Ceviche, house-made tortilla chips, guacamole and a passion fruit margarita from Madrina Cocina Mexicana. Chiara Profenna

Madrina Cocina Mexicana

Just steps from Portland State University and across from the Consulate General of Mexico, Madrina Cocina serves Mexican food that feels both trendy and comforting. Think branded limes, blue corn tortillas, shrimp ceviche and of course, tacos. The restaurant blends the energy of owner Lucy De Leons eastside hotspot La Patroncita with recipes familiar to fans of Salsas Locas, the relocated restaurant previously known as Tortilleria y Tienda De Leons (the celebrated chile relleno is as good as ever). A vibrant blue interior with gold accents and hanging wooden screens  a nod to the spaces former life as Japanese restaurant Chef Naoko  give Madrina a cozy, distinctive look. Outside, murals by Mario De Leon Jr. celebrate womens empowerment, a tribute to the madrina, or godmother, who uplifts her community. With a quick-service lunch concept next door and a full bar inside, Madrina Cocina is an inviting spot for work lunches, happy hours or professional dinners  all while bringing something fresh to downtown. Chiara Profenna

Signature Dish: Pollo rostizado, a whole marinated roasted chicken inspired by De Leons fathers recipe, which serves two to four people for $32 (add $18 more for rice, beans, tortillas and salsa). If youre dining alone, its hard to go wrong with a margarita ($13) and the ceviche ($16), which comes with house-made tortilla chips.

Details: Madrina Cocina serves dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday at 1235 S.W. Jefferson St., 971-339-3816, madrinapdx.com. Next door, Madrina Mercadito y Taqueria is the daytime concept, with tacos, burritos and other casual Mexican fare from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Poke, ube cheesecake and Hawaiian Sun at OG Poke in Portland. Lizzy Acker/The Oregonian

OG Poke

If you cant book a flight to Hawaii for lunch, OG Poke near Portland State is the perfect consolation prize. Most Portland poke spots take a Chipotle-style approach to their bowls, letting customers pick sauces and mix-ins to top rice or salad. At OG Poke, owner Kevin Castillos nicely marinated fish  mostly tuna  comes in the classic Hawaiian way: scooped from a deli case. The choice comes down to flavors (spicy aioli, shoyu limu, furikake), the number of scoops you want and whether youre calorically prepared to order mac salad instead of cucumber kimchi (either will be a good choice). Bowls start at $16 for a small, which is more like medium, but the real deal is to go with a friend and split a $25 large, which is giant, including three scoops of poke, two scoops of rice and two sides. You can add a Spam musubi for $3, butter mochi for $5, or order poke on its own for $25 a pound. The former coffee shop near Portland State University is small  a counter, a fridge, two tables and a few seats along the wall  but if you ignore the cold weather outside, you could almost be on the islands. Lizzy Acker

Signature dishes: When in doubt, opt for the teri-ginger poke. If you have room for dessert, the ube cheesecake is creamy with a crunchy, toffee-flavored crust. Beware: It will leave you with purple lips.

Details: OG Poke serves lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday at 1876 S.W. Fifth Ave., 458-229-7182.

Pamana serves a ube pancakes in Portland on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, as part of the brunch menu. Vickie Connor | The Oregonian/OregonLive

Pamana

Baon Kainan owners Geri and Ethan Leung have officially made the jump from fantastic food cart to brick-and-mortar residency. The duo behind The Oregonian/OregonLives 2021 Cart of the Year is now serving their beloved Filipino dishes in the lobby of the hip London-based hotel chain The Hoxton in Portlands Chinatown. Just past the hotel front desk is an expansive dining room with plenty of space for friends and family alike. On the menu you can find favorites such as bibingka-inspired pancakes draped with eye-catchingly purple ube creme anglaise ($17), adobo-marinated mushrooms tucked snugly inside one of Portlands best omelets ($18), a pork belly tocino silog (rice and egg bowl) ($18) and crisp lumpia ($10). But its not just brunch and lunch  as our deadline approached, Pamana began rolling out a new dinner menu inside the hotel. Vickie Connor

Signature dish: Pork belly tocino silog ($18) and a side of ube pancakes with fresh fruit ($17).

Details: Pamana serves brunch, lunch and dinner from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and serves brunch only from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday in the lobby of The Hoxton hotel, 15 N.W. Fourth Ave., pamanapdx.com.

The Flock food hall at Southwest Alder Street and Ninth Avenue in downtown Portland. Mark Graves/The Oregonian

The Flock

Lets get the harsh take out of the way first. As a concept and collective, The Flock, aka Flock, aka the food hall at the base of the Ritz-Carlton hotel, is a miss, largely failing to capture the chaotic energy of the 10th and Alder cart pod it replaced. But while the food hall lacks the kind of standout stall that might impress tourists (or persuade locals to make a special trip downtown), tasty things can be found at the nearly $9 million project, with a roster made up mostly of popular food carts making their brick-and-mortar debuts. From top to bottom, theres a wine bar with card games for rent, a burger and fried chicken wing window, a local Thai chain, an OG birria joint, a boba and dim sum kiosk, a brightly lit craft beer bar and a bakery chain from South Korea. The point of a food hall is that a group can go and each person can get something different  dumplings for dad, pad Thai for junior, a hazy IPA for mom. But if you were to focus on one spot, it might be the saucy birria tacos ($3.60 each) at Birrieria PDX  one of our best new food carts of 2022  or the Creole-style seafood at Pan Roast, where clam chowder ($7) can come in a soft, crusty bread bowl ($8 extra). MR

Signature dish: The pan roast from Pan Roast, a Creole-style seafood bisque best known from the variation served  typically after a three-hour wait  at the 18-seat Palace Station Oyster Bar in Las Vegas.

Details: The Flock opens with coffee and pastries at Tous Les Jours at 7 a.m., closes with beer at Prime Tap House at 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., and offers food from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, depending on the vendor, at 917 S.W. Alder St., flockpdx.com.
Students at the Hope Chinese Charter School practice calligraphy. The Beaverton School District is interested in integrating the charter school as a district program. Hope Chinese Charter's school board members are weighing their options and expect to make a decision by December. Courtesy of Hope Chinese Charter School

Could an in-demand charter school hold the answer to the Beaverton School Districts school consolidation pickle?

The school in question is the Hope Chinese Charter School, a Mandarin language immersion program which has grown from its humble inception in 2012 to a thriving K-8 program with 159 students on its waitlist. Ninety percent of its students demonstrated mastery of grade-level math skills on state tests in the spring of 2025, the highest in the state.

In just the last eight years, the school has nearly doubled in size to about 401 students, a relative rarity in a region where birth rates are declining, home prices are rising and the pandemic spurred some families to exit the public school system.

The school is outgrowing its present location in Beavertons West Slope neighborhood, with a flood-prone building thats had to close three times in the last six years, including a 2  day closure this past September because a water pump failed. Its lack of square footage limits how much its middle school can grow and offers little room for its popular private preschool program, Tiny Dragons, which helps financially support the charter schools operations.

Thats left the schools board of directors and community members considering all options  including an offer from the Beaverton School District to transition from charter school status into what would be the school districts second Chinese dual language immersion program.

Neither school district officials nor Hope Chinese Charter board members would specify what location the school would move into, should it accept Beavertons offer.

But a glance at the school districts projected enrollment forecasts and building utilization plans shows that there is currently only one school in the district that would have enough space to accommodate Hope Charters 400+ students, plus any waitlist-fueled expansions and be co-located with a neighborhood school: the soon-to-be completed new Raleigh Hills Elementary building, which is expected to open next fall with space for 750 students.

The upgraded and expanded Raleigh Hills building has been a point of contention for some parents in the district, who worry that its opening portends that other small neighborhood schools in Southeast Beaverton will be closed. McKay, Montclair and Raleigh Park elementary schools are all relatively close by, and each enrolls between 225 and 325 students.

If Raleigh Hills is the location offered to Hope Chinese Charter, it would not necessarily preclude all future school closures. But it could dial back the timeline on multiple consolidation decisions even as the district plans for Raleigh Hills opening next fall, said Stephanie Silver, who sits on the districts long-range facility planning committee.

In a statement, Beaverton spokesperson Shellie Bailey-Shah said that integrating the Hope Chinese Charter School into the district would align with our long-term strategic vision to expand access to dual language learning opportunities for all students.

Beaverton currently offers one Mandarin immersion program, housed at Jacob Wismer Elementary School in the districts northern reaches with transportation offered for students from nearby Sato and Springville elementaries who attend the program.

For Hope Chinese Charter, becoming part of the district presents a host of questions, said Czarina Boyce, one of the schools founders. The school would no longer have its own board of directors, she pointed out, with the ability to hire its own teachers, who are not currently members of the Beaverton Education Association. Becoming a district program could mean giving up control over curriculum choices, like the use of Singapore Math and of the schedule, which currently offers a longer school day than other district locations, save for early-release Fridays.

Sarah Walton, vice chair of the Hope Chinese Charter school board, said she and her colleagues are in the middle of determining the pros and cons and deciding as a board and community the best way to expand Hope Chinese Charter Schools amazing mission and academic achievement. Its possible that [the best interests of Hope] are with the school district and its possible that is continuing with our independent charter.

The charter school is also considering moving to a new location, a site that is home to a private school that is downsizing in the Tanasbourne area. Walton would not reveal the exact location.

All of the options  staying in place, moving to a new location or dissolving as a charter school in order to integrate with Beaverton  have pluses and minuses, according to a question-and-answer document prepared by board members for the school community.

Staying put is the least disruptive option and the charter school would not be responsible for paying off the $790,000 remainder of its lease for a building they are not occupying. The Tanasbourne building offers limited outdoor space and less square footage than the charter school optimally needs to grow, but it may offer the possibility of being able to lease more space nearby.

Co-locating with a Beaverton School District neighborhood school would mean access to a gym, a library, and sports fields, plus more professional development opportunities for staff. But it would also mean a loss of control over future decisions impacting the school community, the question and answer document says.

There is little precedent in Oregon for a charter school retaining its core programming and mission while being integrated into its sponsoring school district. It is more typical for a school district to decline to renew its sponsorship of a charter school.

One example is the Springfield School Districts Academy of Arts and Academics, which opened as a charter school in 2010 and became a district-run alternative high school program in 2018 after a scandal involving its longtime principal.

Hope Chinese Charter School board members have said they plan to make a decision about the schools future in December.
A Lillis Business Complex building on the University of Oregon campus is seen in this 2012 file photo. Terry Richard/File

A University of Oregon student was walking on a tree-lined path on campus earlier this year when a pine suddenly toppled onto her  fracturing her spine and leaving her lower body permanently paralyzed, a lawsuit claims.

Attorneys for Olivia Rose Edwards seek $16.3 million from the Eugene university for medical bills as well as pain and suffering, according to papers filed Tuesday in Lane County Circuit Court.

The tree was fatally weakened by disease or some other cause, the lawsuit claims. Such weakness would have been apparent upon reasonable and routine maintenance and inspection.

Edwards was forced to walk past the tree  described as a 50-foot-tall white pine  because of fencing set up to detour pedestrians away from construction work at Friendly Hall, according to the suit.

One of Edwards attorneys, Zachary Walker, said Edwards was unable to complete her degree in computer science due to the universitys lack of assistance.

Shes a young woman, now paralyzed, that wasnt able to finish her junior year there, Walker said. The family is very alarmed.

The tree fell around 11 a.m. on Feb. 24, the suit says. An atmospheric river had rolled through Oregon over the preceding days, and some areas of the state were under National Weather Service advisories for strong winds, according to contemporary reports.

But no one from university administration warned students of the dangers presented by soggy grounds and wind-broken branches, the suit alleges, until after Edwards was injured.

Attorneys for the undergraduate filed a legal warning of a future lawsuit a day after her injury, but the university wood-chipped the tree, destroying critical evidence, the litigation claims.

In a statement, University of Oregon spokesperson Eric Howald said the school has more than 4,000 trees on its campus. He said the administration employs a team of arborists who regularly inspect the trees, check their health and trim or remove them as necessary.

We are heartbroken about Ms. Edwards injuries. This was a terrible accident caused by an extreme weather event, he said.
LILONGWE, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Newly appointed Malawian Foreign Affairs Minister George Chaponda has said that China's decades of rapid economic growth offer valuable lessons for Malawi and other developing nations in their development.

Chaponda made the remarks on Wednesday in Lilongwe, Malawi's capital, during celebrations marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

"We can learn that through hard work, discipline, focus, zero corruption, we can benefit and develop," said Chaponda, adding that "Malawi can really come out of poverty by improving the capacity of the agriculture sector, and the Chinese government has demonstrated this by establishing an agriculture center here in Lilongwe, where local farmers learn various technologies."

He noted that China continues to serve as a driving force in global development, particularly through various initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Through these frameworks, he said, China demonstrates unwavering solidarity with developing countries and contributes meaningfully to global development under the South-South Cooperation framework.

Chaponda commended China for its consistent support to Malawi over the years in sectors including transport, health, education, and agriculture.

"The latest support from China includes the completed dualization and rehabilitation of the M1 Road from Mchinji Roundabout to Kanengo Turnoff. This has significantly enhanced connectivity and trade along Malawi's north-south economic corridor, contributing directly to economic growth and regional integration," said Chaponda.

He also expressed gratitude for the 20 million U.S. dollars in debt relief recently announced by the Chinese government, as well as for its food aid and fertilizer support following President Peter Mutharika's declaration of a state of disaster in 11 districts.

For her part, Chinese Ambassador to Malawi Lu Xu reaffirmed the Chinese government's continued support to Malawi, emphasizing that China's assistance will come as "empowerment."

"We shall provide not only grain, but also the tools to build your own breadbasket," she said. "The day will come when Malawi, too, shall hold its food security in its own hands."

She added that China will also assist Malawi in developing the solar energy industry, saying that China's technological advancements in the sector could serve as Malawi's "bridge to industrialization." 
The Oregon Vortex, where the Ghost Adventures series tried to explain a 165-foot magnet radius said to bend light, defy gravity and alter mass, is closed until 2027. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Fans of the animated series Gravity Falls and its creator Alex Hirsch who are planning a road trip to Oregons real-life House of Mystery need to hold off until 2027. The Oregon Vortex, the roadside attraction Hirsch visited near Gold Hill, is not scheduled to reopen until then.

March rainstorms pummeled the lopsided structure that looks like the Mystery Shack in the Disney Channel show. And rainwater rushed through Sardine Creek and under the gift shop that serves as the only way in and out of the property off exit 43 on south-bound Interstate 5.

A video posted on the Oregon Vortexs Facebook page shows flooding in the gift shop, a century-old log structure that bridges Sardine Creek, a tributary of the Rogue River.

Complicating the restoration project: Work around the creek can only take place between June and mid-September to protect spawning wild salmon.

The Oregon Vortexs owner Maria Cooper said the estimate to restore the gift shop and protect the creek is $150,000.

Cooper said completed excavation, debris clearing and other repair work to the House of Mystery and grounds have already cost $50,000. She posted an image of the $10,000 bill she received to remove four feet of gravel from the creek and outside attractions.

No revenue from admission or gift shop sales is coming in while the property is closed. The Oregon Vortex is typically open March through November. Insurance is not covering the weather-caused damage, Cooper said Wednesday.

In the nearly 70 years Coopers family has owned the Oregon Vortex  one of the states oldest and best-known roadside attractions  theyve never experienced this level of devastation, she said.

A GoFundMe plea is seeking $200,000 in donations to restore the gift shop and help pay for completed work at 4303 Sardine Creek L Fork Road.

The Oregon Vortex needs desperate help, wrote Veronica Visser of Gold Hill, who organized the online fundraising campaign in August. Since then, $555 has been pledged.

The hazardous flood earlier this year caused more destruction than we realized, Visser wrote. The insurance policy will not cover any of these emergency repairs because its not normal for the area to flood, she said, and weve exhausted our finances.

Cooper said Wednesday she hopes people share the GoFundMe link. Anything would help, she said.

Visitors need to know the Oregon Vortex is closed until at least March 2027, she added. We get lots of people from around the world, she said.

In 2013, Hirsch visited and posed in front of the House of Mystery with Gravity Falls scriptwriters, an experience that later inspired the episode Roadside Attraction.

During the pandemic lockdown in 2020, Hirsch asked his social media followers to support a GoFundMe campaign for Confusion Hill, a Northern California roadside attraction that also inspired the Mystery Shack. Collectively, his fans raised the requested $9,000.

An episode of the Travel Channels paranormal and reality television series Ghost Adventures was filmed at the Oregon Vortex, where a 165-foot magnet radius is said to bend light, defy gravity and alter mass.

Musicians in the White Stripes tour bus and Pretty in Pink actor James Spader dropped into the Oregon Vortex, said Cooper.

Fans of Gravity Falls characters have also visited in search of the fictional Oregon town. Dipper Pines is voiced by actor Jason Ritter (son of John Ritter of Threes Company and grandson of singing cowboy star Tex Ritter). Wendy is performed by Linda Cardellini and Lazy Susan is Jennifer Coolidge.

History of the House of Mystery

The Oregon Vortex is a roadside attraction in southern Oregon owned by Maria Cooper. The Oregon Vortex

Long before March rainstorms battered the House of Mystery, the shelters floor was crooked, missing windows left gaps in the walls and the pitched roof was lopsided.

The skeletal shelter, however, was a big draw at the Oregon Vortex.

The distorted structure demonstrates what some claim is the propertys 165-foot magnet radius, causing people to lean toward magnetic north. However, scientists attribute the visual effect to gravity hill optical illusions caused by the uneven terrain.

Misleading visual cues in natural and built environments can cause straight objects to appear uneven and uphill surfaces to look as if they are sloping downward.

There is no way to prove any of this right now with current technology, but bring a level and a camera, said Cooper, who describes the property as a spherical field of force, half above the ground and half below the ground.

The House of Mystery was an assay office and tool shed built in 1904 by the Old Grey Eagle Mining Company, which used it until mining ceased in 1911.

The poorly built shed, which slid off its foundation and landed on an angle, was discovered in 1914 by prospector William McCollugh, according to the Oregon Historical Societys online encyclopedia.

McCollugh persuaded Scottish geologist and mining engineer John Litster to research the site that animals refuse to enter. Litsters findings are documented in Notes and Data Relative to the Phenomenon at the Area of the House of Mystery in 1944.

Litster conducted experiments on the land and opened the Oregon Vortex and House of Mystery to the public in 1930.

After Litsters death in 1959, his wife, Mildred, sold the Oregon Vortex to Irene and Ernie Cooper, whose daughter Maria Cooper continues as the owner.
About 700 nurse practitioners, physician associates and nurse midwives at Oregon Health & Science University have voted by a wide margin to authorize a strike. OHSU is the state's only academic medical center. LC- Mark Graves

About 700 nurse practitioners, physician associates and nurse midwives at Oregon Health & Science University have voted by a wide margin to authorize a strike.

The workers, known collectively as advanced practice providers, are newly represented by the Oregon Nurses Association. They work across OHSUs sprawling health system  including OHSU Hospital and Doernbecher Childrens Hospital and clinics in Portland, Klamath Falls, The Dalles, Astoria, La Grande and Monmouth, among other locations.

No strike date has been set and the vote does not mean a strike is certain to take place. The affirmative vote allows union leaders to call a strike at any time, though they must give OHSU 10 days notice before walking off the job.

Union officials said negotiations for the groups first contract have been underway since May 2024, but the two sides remain divided over pay and working conditions. The workers say OHSUs offers have fallen short of providing competitive wages and protections against what they describe as unsustainable workloads.

We do not want to strike, but we will if thats what it takes to protect ourselves from burnout and be there for patients for years to come, Kelly Batte, a nurse practitioner at OHSU, said in a statement. All work is work, whether we are caring for patients or teaching the next generation.

Carmen Henderson, a physician associate, said advanced practice providers are essential to maintaining patient access and timely care amid physician shortages.

Without us, it would take longer for patients to get care or they would go without, she said.

OHSU officials said both sides have been working with a state mediator and exchanged final offers earlier this month after the union declared an impasse.

According to the university, OHSUs latest offer includes an average 10% first-year raise for most clinical advanced practice providers, followed by 3% increases in 2026 and 2027, along with an 8.6% bump for academic-only staff. OHSU also proposed a $7,000 ratification bonus if the deal is approved without a strike, a $3,000 payment for those not receiving a raise in year one, a 12% night shift differential and annual workload caps of 1,792 hours for faculty APPs and 2,000 hours for clinical associates.

In an email, a spokesperson for OHSU said the package is designed to provide equitable, market-driven support for this vital team.

Both the university and union leaders said they remain committed to reaching a deal that supports workers and patients.

The potential strike is the latest in a series of labor disputes in Oregons health care industry.

Earlier this month, about 135 advanced practice providers at Legacy Health also voted to authorize a strike, while roughly 4,000 Kaiser Permanente nurses and other workers in Oregon and southwest Washington staged a five-day walkout.

In February, nearly 5,000 Providence health workers ended a 46-day strike spanning all eight of the systems Oregon hospitals.

Meanwhile, hospitals are also grappling with financial challenges, citing stagnant reimbursements from insurers, rising operating expenses and recent state and federal changes.

OHSU posted an adjusted operating loss of $133 million in its 2025 fiscal year, which ended in June. To contain costs, university officials have limited the growth of new, full-time equivalent positions to below 2% and are trying to control the increase in employees salaries and benefits.

Providence Health & Services, the states largest health system, held two rounds of layoffs earlier this year, eliminating more than 260 positions across Oregon. Providence officials warned that more job cuts could come in the coming months as the health system contends with soaring operational costs and federal plans to cut Medicaid funding. The Catholic not-for-profit health system recently announced plans to close several occupational health clinics in the Portland area early next month, according to The Lund Report.

Legacy Health also faces steep losses, projecting a $38 million deficit this fiscal year, the Willamette Week reported. The health system recently announced plans to close six Legacy-GoHealth Urgent Care clinics in the Portland metro area next month and scale back services.
Dancers and drummers gather at the 12th Annual Neerchokikoo Powwow at NAYA in Northeast Portland. Throughout November, events across Oregon celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Chiara Profenna

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the histories, traditions and ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples across the United States. In Oregon, where nine federally recognized tribes continue to shape the regions cultural and environmental landscape, communities are celebrating with events that highlight food, art, restoration and community connection.

From powwows and stewardship days to storytelling and multi-course dinners prepared by Native chefs, here are some of the events taking place across Oregon in November 2025.

A Day of Shared Learning: Elevating Tribal Stewardship

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the Lomakatsi Restoration Project and the Inter-Tribal Ecosystem Restoration Partnership will host a free community event honoring five years of ecological recovery since the Almeda Fire. Attendees can hear reflections from tribal and community leaders, participate in guided walks along the Miracle Mile springs, and experience live demonstrations of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in practice.

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1; Blue Heron Park, 4385 S. Pacific Hwy., Phoenix; free; instagram.com/p/DP1R0H1D10p

Native American Heritage Month Celebration at Wieden+Kennedy

Wieden+Kennedy will host its second annual Native American Heritage Month celebration, featuring curated art installations by Native artists and a market of local Native vendors. The event is coordinated and led by Jojo Ball (Klamath/Modoc) with support from the companys Native American Employee Resource Group and leadership.

5-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7; Wieden+Kennedy, 224 N.W. 13th Ave., Portland; free; instagram.com/p/DQaGhRKkijh

Frybread Fest

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month in downtown Portland with Frybread Fest, a free, family-friendly celebration of Indigenous food, music and culture hosted by the Indigenous Marketplace. Enjoy live performances by Wenipt, the Turquoise Pride Drummers, and storytellers Ed Edmo and Karen Kitchen. The first 200 guests will receive free frybread from local vendors, with more food, art and cultural demonstrations available throughout the day.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8; Director Park, 815 S.W. Park Ave., Portland; free; community.portlandmetrochamber.com/directorpark/Details/fry-bread-fest-1463607

Indigenous Marketplace Events

The Indigenous Marketplace will host several events this fall, featuring Native artists, educators and entrepreneurs. The gatherings highlight Indigenous creativity and community connection through art, food and performance. The Nov. 8 event is in collaboration with the Frybread Fest celebration.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 8, Director Park, Portland (in connection with Frybread Fest); 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 28-30, location TBA; free; indigenousmarketplace.org/events

48th Annual Siletz Restoration Pow-Wow

The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians invite the community to celebrate at their 48th Annual Restoration Pow-Wow. Held at Chinook Winds Casino Resort, the event welcomes all dancers and drummers to join in honoring the tribes restoration.

Grand Entry 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15; Chinook Winds Casino Resort, 1777 N.W. 44th St., Lincoln City; free; ctsi.nsn.us/restoration-pow-wow

42nd Restoration Celebration and Powwow  Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde mark 42 years since federal restoration with a two-day celebration and powwow at Spirit Mountain Casino. Fridays events include a meal and reflections on the tribes journey, while Saturdays powwow features grand entries at noon and 6 p.m., traditional dancing and a flag retirement ceremony.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22; Spirit Mountain Casino, 27100 S.W. Salmon River Hwy., Grand Ronde; free; grandronde.org/events/2025/11/restoration-celebration-11212025

Native American Heritage Month Celebration Dinner

Hosted by The Allison Inn & Spa in Newberg, this culinary event showcases the artistry and heritage of Indigenous cuisine. The evening begins with a reception featuring Native artisans and performers, followed by a multi-course dinner prepared by chefs Jack Strong (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians), Nephi Craig (White Mountain Apache/Navajo) and Robert Kinneen (Tlingit).

5-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22; The Allison Inn & Spa, 2525 Allison Lane, Newberg; tickets $145-$195; theallison.com/nahm

Multnomah County Libraries

Libraries across the Portland metro area will host dozens of free events in honor of Native American Heritage Month. The Multnomah County Library system will feature storytimes, basket weaving, beaded earring workshops and cultural dialogues throughout November.

Dates and locations vary by event; free; https://multcolib.org/events-classes search Native American Heritage Month

Washington County Libraries

The Beaverton City Library and Cornelius Public Library will each host Jingle Dress Dance programs and performances on Friday, Nov. 21.

Dates and locations vary by event; free; wccls.bibliocommons.com/v2/events, search Native American

Did we miss an event? Share the details with us at cprofenna@oregonain.com, and well add it to our list.

The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content.
How crowded and hot it must have been in steerage during the time it took to travel from Ireland to Ellis Island in the late 1800s. A farming family with five children had been among the first passengers to board the ship California in the port of Londonderry. This was my family. My father was the oldest at age 13; his youngest sibling was a year old. Their ultimate destination was Pittsburgh.

We are all related to immigrants, unless we are Native American. Imagine how you or your dear children would like to be treated if you were just trying to make a better life for your family?

It seems as though immigration agents are randomly snatching up people with nojustification or warrant. They are not behaving as true Americans. In our democracy, everyone deserves due process. What kind of training do the agents have? How frightening it is today to leave your home if you have dark skin or speak another language.

I plead with the immigration officers to have empathy and treat others as they would liketo be treated. Of course I would expect immigrants to apply for citizenship.

I honor my dad, Robert, and his family, for having the courage to leave their home to givetheir children a chance for a better life. As Roberts daughter, I became a public-school music teacher and librarian who served her community with love and respect. Consider the important contributions most immigrants could make to our constitutional democracy.

Julie Nader, Sherwood

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
Hundreds of thousands of Oregon families are expected to have trouble putting enough food on their tables next month because the federal government plans to end SNAP food assistance. A federal judge in Massachusetts expressed skepticism over Trump administration arguments against tapping emergency funds to help hungry people. (AP Photo/Mike Householder) AP

A federal judge in Boston on Thursday challenged the Trump administrations argument that SNAP benefits could be suspended for the first time in the food aid programs history because of the government shutdown.

During a hearing over a request by 25 Democratic-led states, including Oregon, to keep the funding flowing, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani told lawyers that if the government cant afford to cover the program, theres a process to follow rather than simply suspending all benefits.

The steps involve finding an equitable way of reducing benefits, said Talwani, who was nominated to the court by former President Barack Obama.

Talwani said she expects to issue a ruling later Thursday and seemed to be leaning toward requiring the government to put billions of dollars in emergency funds toward SNAP. That, she said, is her interpretation of what Congress intended when an agencys funding runs out.

If you dont have money, you tighten your belt, she said in court. You are not going to make everyone drop dead because its a political game someplace.

Talwani acknowledged that even ordering emergency funds to pay for SNAP might still be painful for some SNAP recipients because it could mean they get less money and that the money they do get could be delayed. We are dealing with a reality that absent a 100% win for you, the benefits arent going to be there on Nov. 1, she told the plaintiffs.

The hearing came two days before the U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program because it said it cant continue funding it due to the shutdown.

The program, which costs about $8 billion per month, serves about 1 in 8 Americans and 1 in 6 Oregonians and is a major piece of the nations social safety net.

Word in October that it would be a Nov. 1 casualty of the shutdown sent states, food banks and SNAP recipients scrambling to figure out how to secure food. Some states said they would spend their own funds to keep versions of the program going. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announced shes sending $5 million to food banks to blunt the impact.

The Trump administration said it wasnt allowed to use a contingency fund with about $5 billion in it for the program, which reversed a USDA plan from before the shutdown that said that money would be tapped to keep SNAP running. The plaintiffs  Democratic state attorneys general or governors from 25 states as well as the District of Columbia  argued that not only could that contingency money be used, it must be. They also said a separate fund with around $23 billion could be tapped.

While they requested the funding continue only in their jurisdictions, the judge indicated that any ruling would apply nationwide.

Much of the hearing revolved around what Congress intended to do when the agency runs out of money for the program. Talwani pushed back against the Trump administrations argument that suspending the benefits was the best option, saying using emergency funds for benefits, albeit reduced, seemed to make the most sense.

Its hard to me to understand that this is not an emergency, she said.

Lawyers for the federal government argued that the plaintiffs want the SNAP benefits to be dispersed in full, which would be a blatant violation of the Antideficiency Act, a criminal statute that forbids the United States from making such an obligation without an appropriation.

The governments lawyer, Jason Altabet, argued in court that providing reduced benefits would be disruptive and damaging to the system.

In their court filings, the government went further. It argued partial payments would require states to recalculate the benefits,involving complicated system changes and processes dictated by statute and regulation that would take weeks.

The plaintiffs argued in their lawsuit that failing to maintain the SNAP funding was illegal, arbitrary and capricious and would irreparably harm them. They also said cutting off the benefits would cause deterioration of public health and well-being of recipients, and that those costs would be borne by the states.

With the suspension of SNAP benefits, the nutritional needs of millions of school aged children in Plaintiff States will not be met, plaintiffs wrote. Hungry children have a harder time paying attention, behaving, and learning in school. States will have to devote additional state resources, including healthcare expenditures and additional educational resources, to address these challenges.

They also argued that more than 100,000 merchants in their states that rely on SNAP recipients would be harmed, especially around Thanksgiving.

Its unclear how quickly the debit cards that beneficiaries use to buy groceries could be reloaded after the ruling. That process often takes one to two weeks.

To qualify for SNAP in 2025, a family of fours net income cant exceed the federal poverty line, which is about $31,000 per year. Last year, SNAP provided assistance to 41 million people, nearly two-thirds of whom were families with children, according to the lawsuit.

Oregonian Politics Editor Betsy Hammond contributed to this report.
A volunteer labels cans at the Oregon Food Bank in this file photo. Food banks across the state and nation are experiencing a surge in demand as SNAP benefits dry up. Mark Graves/The Oregonian

Just three days before the federal government is set to freeze monthly food assistance to 757,000 Oregonians, Gov. Tina Kotek announced shell send $5 million in state money to food banks to soften the blow.

Kotek joins the governors of at least 12 other mostly Democrat-led states  including Washington and California  in diverting millions in state money to backfill the lost federal funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, starting Saturday.

Approximately one in six Oregonians and one in eight Americans rely on the program, commonly referred to as food stamps, to stave off hunger. Each month, Oregonians typically receive about $142 million in federally funded SNAP benefits, so $5 million wont come close to bridging the gap.

In her announcement Wednesday, Kotek blamed the Republican-controlled Congress for the federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 and soon will prevent money from reaching those who desperately need it.

Its unacceptable that families are being used as leverage in a political standoff in Washington, D.C., Kotek said in a news release. While the Republican-controlled Congress fails to do its job, Oregon will do ours.

Kotek said she has directed the Oregon Department of Human Services to send $5 million in unspent money that was designated in past years for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to Oregons network of food banks.

The governor also made a 60-day emergency declaration, which will allow the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to respond. That will also mean that, when the shutdown ends, the state will be best positioned to turn SNAP benefits back on as swiftly as possible, according to Koteks office.

Hours before Kotek announced she was devoting $5 million to SNAP recipients, Republican candidate for governor Sen. Christine Drazan excoriated Kotek for what she saw as failing to lead during a hunger crisis.

Where is our governor? Drazan asked in a news release. Its been weeks since notices went out to Oregonians that SNAP benefits would end. Its clear Governor Kotek is not acting with urgency to protect struggling families.

Oregon House Speaker Julie Fahey, a Eugene Democrat, faulted Republicans federally.

Stopping SNAP benefits is a deliberate act of cruelty by the Trump administration, and its going to make it more difficult for families across Oregon to put food on their tables, Fahey said, in a news release. I appreciate Gov. Kotek for stepping up with real leadership in this moment when the President and Congressional Republicans have turned their backs on the kids, seniors, and working people who rely on the SNAP program.

Nationwide, at least nine Democratic governors and three Republican governors have announced plans to help SNAP recipients get by while federal food assistance runs dry. Among them are Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, who said he will devote nearly $2.2 million per week to food banks. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, another Democrat, said he has fast-tracked about $80 million to food aid organizations and will send the California National Guard to help distribute food.

In what may be one of the most generous emergency responses, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, announced that residents on SNAP would receive comparable weekly benefits from the state. So, for example, if a family normally received $200 a month in federal assistance, the state would give the family $50 per week.

In Oregon, SNAP money helps some of the most vulnerable residents put food on the table. About 210,000 are children, and 130,000 are ages 65 and older.

In addition to allocating some of Oregons leftover federal funds to food banks, Kotek also asked private citizens to consider donating to the Oregon Food Bank, which distributes staples to food banks statewide and in southwest Washington. The nonprofits donations page on its website was experiencing such a glut of activity Wednesday evening that the organization offered advice on how to respond to error messages.

Reporter Hillary Borrud contributed to this story.
Beginning Nov. 1, Portland police will more strictly enforce the citys camping ban, according to an announcement Thursday from Mayor Keith Wilson.

City code prohibits camping when reasonable alternate shelter is available and has been declined, or when campers start a fire, completely block a sidewalk or have excess trash at their campsites. For any of these violations, campers can be cited and charged a $100 fine.

Ive asked our police to issue citations for lawbreaking behavior and actions that harm our community, Wilson said Thursday. No one will be arrested simply for camping, nor should they.

However, people engaging in criminal activity beyond camping, as well as those who have existing warrants, will be arrested, according to the announcement.

Wilson paused enforcement of the citys camping codes in February in part because the existing shelter options were insufficient to meet the need. Existing shelters were also near or at full capacity. Currently, there are nearly 7,500 people living outside or in their vehicle in Multnomah County and more than 4,800 people staying in shelters, according to county data.

Despite the citys efforts to change this equation, there are still fewer shelter beds than homeless people. Nevertheless, with the tally of newly opened, city-funded beds set to hit 1,090 in coming weeks for an overall total of nearly 4,000 publicly funded beds countywide, Wilson said it is now time for the next step in his plan to end unsheltered homelessness: increased camping ban enforcement.

An overnight-only shelter, run by homeless services provider Agape Village and paid for by the city, opened Aug. 4 at the old St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in downtown Portland. The new shelter is one of about nine new shelters the city has either opened of announced so far. Lillian Mongeau Hughes

According to an updated city website about the camping ban, citations will not be issued in huge numbers initially and enforcement will be focused on camps that pose a risk to the surrounding community. The goal is to connect people with shelter and services rather than to arrest them, according to the announcement.

Wilson said increased enforcement is just one part of a concerted effort to reduce the number of people living on the citys streets. The approach also includes addressing issues like the practice of releasing people from jail or the hospital back to the street.

And were also taking away tent distribution. Were taking away RVs, he said. All those things are happening simultaneously. We need to be ready when that persons ready, because youre not going to be in a tent anymore with the (drug) dealer in the next tent.

Despite the many new shelter beds the city has added since January, there still arent enough available beds in Portland to shelter every person in need of a place to stay. And usage rates at the new overnight-only shelters have been fairly low  a trend city officials say they expect to change as the weather worsens. More than half the shelter beds in the area are 24-hour shelters overseen by Multnomah County and are full most nights.

Critics have argued that both the city and county have focused too much energy and funding on shelters that are unpopular with people living outside and that have a low rate of success at getting people housed. Complicating matters, there is a lack of available affordable housing, labyrinthine rules to qualify for what housing does exist and a shortage of the mental health care and other wrap-around services many people currently living outside need to remain housed.

Norbert Ruiz, 36, who lives in a tent with his partner in inner-Southeast Portland, said he didnt think much of the mayors plan to ramp up enforcement of the citys camping ban.

How do you have the time to look for work when they are constantly moving you? Ruiz said. That is insane. How come we didnt even get to vote on that?

Norbert Ruiz, 36, said he grew up in North Portland, attending local schools here, but has never had stable housing. Lillian Mongeau Hughes

Ruiz and his partner, who did not want to give her name because she doesnt want her mother to know shes homeless, said they had repeatedly called 211, the countys homeless and social services information number, asking for help and housing. Ruiz said he grew up in Portland, attending John Ball Elementary School (now Rosa Parks) and Portsmouth Middle School (now Clarendon), but never had stable housing.

Two years ago, Ruiz said he was able to get sober and find a job with the help of a local homeless services agency, but lost the apartment shortly after he was fired from the job.

I shouldnt even be in this situation, he said, gesturing at the half block covered in belongings, tarps and a broken down tent. Its embarrassing to be out here.

Ruiz said the idea that police specifically would be enforcing the camping ban was especially galling because he said he had frequently called 911 asking for help that did not arrive.

Since taking office, Wilson and other city officials have frequently acknowledged what the research shows about the ineffectiveness of arresting people who are homeless as a way to fix their problems. But, they say, that doesnt mean theres no role for stronger public safety enforcement, including against camping.

We cant arrest our way out of homelessness, but we do see lawbreaking on the streets, beyond camping, that we need to address, Taylor Zajonc, a deputy chief of staff for the mayor, said Thursday.

Scott Kerman, executive director of the privately funded Blanchet House, which serves hot meals in Old Town, said he wasnt ready to comment on the citys step-up in camping ban enforcement until he saw how it actually worked in practice.

Kerman said hes been really impressed with how quickly the city and the mayor have stood up the shelters and the day centers. And yet, he also said shelters arent a realistic option for everyone sleeping outside, especially those who have the most acute mental health needs.

Not everyone on the street is on an equal footing, Kerman said. At least the predominant community that we serve every day is really addled, really struggling. (They) may not be ideal for the shelters.

Kerman said it would help if the city gave service providers the names of people who were cited so that case managers and peer support specialists who already have relationships with those people could use the citation as an open door to offer more help getting housing and treatment.

Kerman also had some practical questions about the stepped-up camping enforcement and plans to arrest those engaged in criminal activity: Do we have the manpower? Will the county prosecute?

Asked about the police forces capacity to execute on the increased enforcement, city spokesperson Cody Bowman said in an email that police capacity would indeed influence how frequently citations were issued.

We expect citations to be issued slowly and with relatively low frequency at the start, but dont have an estimate for how many citations to expect on a regular basis, Bowman wrote.

Meanwhile, Kerman said he was far more worried about the freeze in food stamp benefits slated to begin Nov. 1 that he worries will affect the people he serves far more directly than a measured shift in the citys camping policies.

The new focus on camping ban enforcement is part of Wilsons overall effort to, in his view, return Portland to a time when rampant unsheltered homelessness is no longer normalized.

I drive down the street and I see people in a sleeping bag every day at the same corner, Wilson said. And I keep saying to myself, what have we created in this city? In the most well resourced, most caring city in the nation? What have we become?
A coyote wanders in SW Portland near the Oregon Zoo in 2016. LC- Staff

A child was bitten and chased by a coyote in Portland on Thursday and later treated for minor injuries at a nearby hospital, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said.

Two children, a 3-year-old and a 9-year-old, were playing hide-and-seek in their yard in Northeast Portlands Alameda neighborhood last Thursday when a coyote approached the older child and grabbed their foot, the department said in a press release.

The department confirmed that the coyote bit the child.

The 9-year-old was in socks and was able to shake their foot out of the sock and get away from the coyote. The animal chased the child, the press release said, but the childs father was on the front porch and began yelling at the coyote, which then ran away.

The child was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital.

Coyote sightings are common in Portland, especially in the fall. Coyote attacks are less common, but do happen. Last summer, a coyote bit a dog in Washington Park and followed the owner.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said it responded to the call in the Alameda Neighborhood and conducted an investigation.

The department has also posted flyers in the neighborhood and a notice on social media. The agency said it is continuing to monitor the area.

Residents in the Alameda neighborhood are strongly encouraged to monitor young children playing outside, especially toddlers, the press release said. Scare away coyotes (through yelling, airhorns, banging pots and pans, throwing objects) whenever possible, and immediately remove any attractants.

People should never feed coyotes  it is, in fact, illegal in Oregon to do so, the agency said.

Do not approach a coyote if you see one.

If you encounter an aggressive coyote, call 971-673-6000 or dial 911 if there is an attack or other emergency.

You can find out more about urban coyotes by visiting portlandcoyote.com.
Protesters line up in front of federal officers protecting at ICE building in South Portland Wednesday night. Allison Barr/The Oregonian

A federal trial on whether President Donald Trump can lawfully mobilize National Guard troops to Portland got underway Wednesday and will continue Thursday.

For now, a temporary restraining order barring the federal deployment of Oregon National Guard troops remains in effect through Saturday. A second broader order restricting the federal deployment of National Guard troops from any state to Oregon is in effect through Sunday.

Heres what we know this morning.

National Guard troops were at Portland ICE building despite court ban

Oregon National Guard troops were on the ground at Portlands U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building on Oct. 4, hours after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order barring the federal deployment of state troops to the city, a U.S. Department of Justice attorney admitted Wednesday.

Court exhibits indicate an Advanced MP squad of nine troop members arrived at the Portland ICE facility in a support role around 11 a.m. Oct. 4 and stayed until midnight.

Their shift ended at least eight hours after U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut issued a temporary restraining order blocking the deployment of 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland to protect the ICE building and its personnel.

Earlier this month, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals briefly put a hold on Immerguts order, but the full 9th Circuit on Tuesday threw out that ruling after a majority of its 29 active judges voted to have a larger panel of 11 circuit judges review it.

Conservative livestreamer sued

A protester who says he was blasted with pepper spray by conservative independent journalist and livestreamer Chelly Bouferrache has sued her for $10,000.

In court papers, Reese Hollingsworth alleges he was struck in the face by the chemical irritant on July 19 outside the ICE facility in South Portland.

Hollingsworth said the blast was without provocation and that the harsh spray penetrated his mask, causing burning pain, according to the lawsuit filed last month in Multnomah County Circuit Court.

In a counterclaim, Bouferrache acknowledged using pepper spray but said that it was self defense.

She had a reasonable fear of imminent harm and used a proportional amount of force to protect herself, attorney Julie Parrish wrote in the legal brief responding to the lawsuit.

Protest remains calm, turns into a dance party

The protest in front of the ICE facility remained relatively calm and jolly Wednesday night.

Around 7 p.m., about 40 protesters were gathered near the facility, many of whom congregated on the sidewalk across the street from the building. The protest turned into a dance party as someone put on 1970s hits and protesters, including a handful in inflatable outfits, swayed to the music.

Larry McCool, who owns Mystic Llama Farm in Jefferson, showed up with Caesar the No Drama Llama, who walked through the crowd of dancers. Anywhere from seven to 10 federal agents observed the scene from the top of the ICE building during the early evening, but, as of 8 p.m., they didnt use any force against protesters.

What were watching for today

The trial over troops ordered to Portland will continue Thursday as both attorneys for the U.S. Department of Justice and lawyers for Portland, Oregon and California call witnesses and present their case.

The trial is expected to last three days, wrapping up Friday.

Want an afternoon update? The Oregonian/OregonLives new ICE Protests in Portland newsletter is delivered to thousands of subscribers at 3 p.m. daily. To join them, simply click here to opt in.
A man changing time on a clock is seen in LAquila, Italy, on March 24, 2023. Daylight saving time in the United States is set to end on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025. (Photo by Lorenzo Di Cola/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images

Daylight saving time for 2025 ends in Oregon and across the United States this weekend. At 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, Nov. 2, clocks will fall back one hour and revert to standard time for several months.

That follows a run of nearly eight months of daylight saving time  238 days, or 65% of the 365-day calendar year.

Nov. 2 marks the second-earliest date on the calendar that daylight saving time can end, ever since DST was extended in 2007 to span from the second Sunday in March through the first Sunday in November.

All the U.S. states observe daylight saving time except Arizona and Hawaii, which choose to remain on standard time year-round.

The return of standard time means that sunrises and sunsets will occur one hour earlier than during DST. Standard time also comes as Oregon and the rest of the nation experience their shortest days of the year. On Saturday, Portland will see a sunrise of 7:50 a.m. and a sunset of 5:57 p.m. On Sunday, after the switch to standard time, sunrise arrives at 6:52 a.m. and sunset at 4:55 p.m.

Here are some things to know about the time change:
The 30 millionth car manufactured by FAW-Volkswagen is pictured at an offline ceremony in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, Oct. 30, 2025. The offline ceremony celebrating the 30 millionth car rolling off the FAW-Volkswagen production line was held here on Thursday. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

CHANGCHUN, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- As a gleaming new Audi sedan A5L slowly rolled off the assembly line at FAW-Volkswagen's Changchun plant Thursday night, the joint venture celebrated a historic milestone -- its 30 millionth car produced in China.

Ralf Brandstatter, Chairman and CEO of Volkswagen Group China, called the moment a significant milestone, describing it as "a symbol of teamwork, trust and the strong partnership between FAW and Volkswagen."

The milestone is not only for a single company, but a strong signal for global automakers that as the world's largest auto market, China is an unmissable opportunity for ambitious global players.

Founded in 1991, FAW-Volkswagen has grown from producing a single Jetta model under one brand to offering 33 models of fuel-powered and new energy vehicles (NEVs).

Its operations now span six plants in five cities, namely Changchun, Chengdu, Foshan, Qingdao and Tianjin. Over 34 years, the company has recorded accumulated revenue exceeding 5.5 trillion yuan (about 776 billion U.S. dollars).

"China and Germany share one of the most trusted and successful industrial partnerships in the world. Our company is a great example of this," Brandstatter said.

The company's success highlights how confidence in China's economy and automotive future continues to grow among foreign automakers. They are accelerating investments in China's auto market through expanded production, intensified R&D efforts, and strengthened cooperation.

In July, German auto giant BMW announced that it would establish its first information technology (IT) research and development center in China, marking a significant expansion of the company's digital capabilities.

The new entity, BMW (Nanjing) Information Technology Co., Ltd., will be located in Nanjing's Jianye District, east China's Jiangsu Province, and operated as an independent legal entity. It will focus on cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), industrial digital twins and intelligent manufacturing, BMW said.

Once operational, the Nanjing center is set to be BMW's largest IT R&D hub in Asia. It is designed to strengthen the automaker's global production, sales, and after-sales systems through digital solutions rooted in China's rapidly evolving tech landscape.

"With the establishment of this new company, we are accelerating BMW's local digital core capabilities," said Franz Decker, president and CEO of BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. "By joining forces with China's innovation ecosystem, we aim to propel BMW Group's digital transformation both in China and globally."

As China continues to open its doors wider, its blend of policy support, innovation, and vast consumer demand is giving global automakers new reasons to stay and grow.

According to Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, China attracted over 720 billion U.S. dollars in foreign investment during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), with more than one-third flowing into high-tech industries, including auto.

More automakers are riding on the tide of China's booming high-tech sectors and embracing China's technological advances as a source of innovation and collaboration.

Daniel Navarro Rios, executive vice president of Mercedes-Benz Group China, said in September that the company has established partnerships across the Chinese academic and industrial sectors. It teams up with Tencent, ByteDance and Tsinghua University.

"We are leveraging China's dynamic ecosystem. We build a strong R&D network in China, and we are driving innovation at China speed," said Navarro Rios.

FAW and Volkswagen also deepened their collaboration earlier this year, signing an agreement in March to roll out 11 new models tailored for the Chinese market starting in 2026 -- 10 of which will be NEVs.

"Our vision is to build a new benchmark for high-quality development and high-level opening up," said Chen Bin, general manager of FAW-Volkswagen, adding that the company plans to launch four new NEVs under the Jetta brand and lift production and sales to the 400,000- to 500,000-unit range within five years. 

Guests pose for a group photo with the 30 millionth car manufactured by FAW-Volkswagen at an offline ceremony in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, Oct. 30, 2025. The offline ceremony celebrating the 30 millionth car rolling off the FAW-Volkswagen production line was held here on Thursday. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

Guests attend an offline ceremony of the 30 millionth car manufactured by FAW-Volkswagen in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, Oct. 30, 2025. The offline ceremony celebrating the 30 millionth car rolling off the FAW-Volkswagen production line was held here on Thursday. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)

The 30 millionth car manufactured by FAW-Volkswagen is pictured at an offline ceremony in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, Oct. 30, 2025. The offline ceremony celebrating the 30 millionth car rolling off the FAW-Volkswagen production line was held here on Thursday. (Xinhua/Zhang Nan)
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HARARE, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's participation at the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE) provides an important opportunity to deepen trade with China, ZimTrade, the country's national trade development and export promotion organization, has said.

A total of 16 companies from sectors including horticulture, tobacco, leather, arts and crafts, and e-commerce will feature under the Zimbabwe national pavilion at the CIIE to be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10, ZimTrade said in a newsletter released on Wednesday.

"The presence of these firms reflects a deliberate effort to strengthen the country's export base and to connect local producers with international buyers. Exhibiting firms will engage directly with buyers, distributors, and investors, promoting quality products that reflect Zimbabwe's natural and cultural endowments," ZimTrade said.

It added that the event will provide Zimbabwe with an opportunity to promote investment in the country's manufacturing and processing industries linked to the export sector.

ZimTrade Chief Executive Officer Allan Majuru said Zimbabwe's participation at the CIIE provides an important opportunity to deepen trade with China.

"CIIE is a global platform that allows us to showcase the best of Zimbabwe, from our heritage-based products to our forward-looking industries," Majuru said, adding that increased exposure at such a high-profile event will help raise awareness of Zimbabwean products and attract sustainable buyers.

He underscored the broader impact of Zimbabwe's participation in national export development, noting that exhibitions such as CIIE build confidence in Zimbabwe as a reliable trading partner.

"It opens the door for value-added products, encourages investment in processing industries, and creates opportunities for employment across the value chain," Majuru said.

Majuru also commended the bilateral trade protocols signed between Zimbabwe and China, which allowed the export of Zimbabwean citrus, avocado, and blueberry to the vast Chinese market.

"These initiatives aim to expand agricultural exports, reduce informal trade leakages, and improve returns for local farmers," Majuru added. 
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PM 71, supplied by Voith, was developed for a speed of 1,300 meters per minute and a wire width of 9,300 millimeters. It produces up to 350,000 tons of lightweight corrugating medium per year. PM 71, supplied by Voith, was developed for a speed of 1,300 meters per minute and a wire width of 9,300 millimeters. It produces up to 350,000 tons of lightweight corrugating medium per year.

Voith and Shanying Suzhou Paper Start-up PM 71 in China

Oct. 30, 2025 - Voith announced the successful start-up of PM 71 at Shanying Suzhou Paper in Suzhou, west of Shanghai, China. PM 71 compliments the recently started-up sister machine at the mill, PM 72  another Voith-supplied paper machine.

According to Voith, PM 71 was developed for a speed of 1,300 meters per minute and a wire width of 9,300 millimeters. It produces up to 350,000 tons of lightweight corrugating medium per year with basis weights ranging from 50 to 90 g/m2.

Together, PM 71 and PM 72 will be capable of producing up to 800,000 tons of corrugating medium in the basis weight range of 50 to 120 g/m2.

The PM 71 project features technology from Voith's XcelLine including a MasterJet Pro headbox, DuoFormer D II and DuoCentri NipcoFlex shoe press. The hybrid former concept ensures consistent paper quality and low energy consumption even at high speeds. Single-tier dryer sections in the pre-dryer and after-dryer section increase runability. The system is complemented by a SpeedSizer AT film press and MasterReel reeler.

Digital systems such as DCS, QCS and OnCare.Health ensure efficiency, quality and low operating costs.

Voith pointed out that many components for PM 71 were manufactured locally, enabling faster delivery and installation.

"The teams from Voith and Shanying worked closely and professionally together," explained Hao Mingjin, Production Manager at Shanying Suzhou.

Voith noted that shortly after commissioning, PM 71 met the partners' expectations  stable production conditions with consistent cross-profiles and high-quality finished paper rolls.

Voith Paper, part of the Voith Group, is the full-line supplier to the paper industry, providing a wide range of technologies, services, components and products, and offers paper manufacturers solutions from a single source.

SOURCE: Voith
A North Carolina man is accused of killing his four children after authorities discovered human remains inside the trunk of a vehicle at their home.

On Wednesday, a sheriff said that they believe the killings happened over several months. The suspect in the case was identified as 38-year-old Wellington Delano Dickens III. On Tuesday, he was charged with four counts of murder.

North Carolina Man Confesses To Killing His 4 Children

The sheriff's office said that investigators believe the suspect killed three of his biological children, who were aged six, nine, and 10. They noted that the fourth victim was his 18-year-old stepchild.

The incident began after Dickens contacted Johnston County 911 late on Monday and told authorities that he had killed his children. When deputies arrived at the man's home, he told them that four of his kids were deceased and had been placed inside he vehicle that was parked in his garage, according to WUNC.

In the arrest warrants that were filed against Dickens, May 1 was listed as the date of the killings. However, Sheriff Steve Bizzell said during a news conference in Smithfield on Wednesday that they believe the slayings were spread out over time.

Bizzell said they believe the suspect killed the six-year-old in May, the nine-year-old in August, the 10-year-old in late August or early September, and the 18-year-old in September. He added that the state medical examiner's office is now trying to determine the cause of death of the victims.

Other than the four deceased children, authorities also found a three-year-old boy inside the suspect's home, unharmed. Bizzell said that they have not yet identified a motive in the case, noting that an official investigation is still ongoing, USA Today reported.

A Despicable Crime

Online court records also showed that the father previously appeared in court on Oct. 28 and Oct. 29 for hearings on the murder counts. They also show that his next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 13.

The victims in the case were identified as Zoe, Wellington the IV, and Brasfield, who were all homeschooled before the killings. It was revealed that family members allegedly tried to contact the Dickens children in the past, but that their calls were not returned. Now, authorities are working to contact the biological father of the 18-year-old, who is currently serving in the military.

During the Wednesday press conference, investigators said that, looking through the suspect's home, they found that it was not well-kept. They said there was evidence that some sort of cleanup was attempted, as per WNCT.
DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Tanzanian government on Wednesday night directed all public servants nationwide to work from home on Thursday, citing security concerns following youth-led protests on the general election day.

Chief Secretary Moses Kusiluka said in a televised address that only public servants whose duties require their physical presence should report to work. He also urged private employers to allow staff to work remotely and advised the general public who have no obligation to travel to remain indoors.

Earlier on Wednesday, Inspector General of Police Camillus Wambura announced in a televised broadcast a curfew in the port city of Dar es Salaam beginning at 6:00 p.m. local time.

"After 6:00 p.m., nobody will be allowed to be seen on the streets of Dar es Salaam except the police, who will be on special duty," said Wambura, without stating the duration of the curfew.

He said the measure followed incidents of property destruction during the protests.

A Xinhua spot check found scattered groups of demonstrators, mostly youths, in parts of the city demanding electoral reforms and the release of detained opposition leaders.

Reports indicated that clashes between protesters and police turned violent, with officers reportedly opening fire. The unrest also saw damage to police posts, fuel stations, commuter buses, and polling centers across the city. 
Ribbon cutting at the new AAA "store in a store" at the Giant on Linglestown Road. Courtesy of AAA Central Penn

Central Pennsylvania shoppers and AAA members can now save time if theyre shopping at a few Giant locations in the area.

AAA (American Automobile Association) Central Penn announced in September that it would soon open store-within-a-store locations to help make using its services more convenient for customers.

We know how busy life can get, which is why AAA Central Penn is thrilled to bring this exciting new store concept to the Harrisburg area, AAA Central Penn President and CEO Jodie Daubert said in a press release. We are constantly driven to provide more value and convenience for members and our community. With locations in GIANT stores, AAA members and customers can expect a fresh, dynamic, and more convenient service experience.

On Oct. 27, the locations opened to the public, each one specializing in a specific type of service. The locations and services are listed below.

Giant at 2300 Linglestown Road in Susquehanna Township specializes in insurance.

Giant at 3301 East Trindle Road in Camp Hill specializes in travel needs.

Giant at 4510 Marketplace Way in Hampden Township specializes in member services.

In spring, AAA Central Penn introduced the affordable Everyday Membership for $25 annually, offering benefits such as discounts, travel access, home and auto insurance savings, bicycle assistance, identity theft protection, and notary service discounts, but without roadside assistance.

More information on location hours and membership services can be found here.
By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ, The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A California animal rights activist who took four chickens from a major Perdue Farms poultry plant was found guilty Wednesday of felony conspiracy, trespassing and other charges and faces several years in jail.

Zoe Rosenberg, 23, did not deny taking the animals from Petaluma Poultry but argued she wasnt breaking the law because she was rescuing the birds from a cruel situation. The trial lasted about seven weeks in Sonoma County, an agricultural area of Northern California.

Animal rights activist Zoe Rosenberg, right, who was convicted of taking four chickens from one of Perdue Farms' major poultry plants, stands next to her attorney Chris Carraway outside Sonoma County Superior Court in Santa Rosa, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Terry Chea) AP

The Santa Rosa jury took less than a day to find Rosenberg guilty on all counts. The activist with Direct Action Everywhere, or DxE, a Berkeley-based animal rights group, was on trial for two misdemeanor counts of trespassing, a misdemeanor count of tampering with a vehicle and a felony conspiracy charge.

Rosenberg said she does not regret what she did.

I will not apologize for taking sick, neglected animals to get medical care, Rosenberg said following her conviction. When we see cruelty and violence, we can choose to ignore it or to intervene and try to make the world a better place. I chose to intervene, and because I did, Poppy, Ivy, Aster, and Azalea are alive today. For that, I will never be sorry.

The group named the birds and placed them in an animal sanctuary.

Rosenberg walked out of court wearing an ankle monitor and briefly spoke to supporters, who were holding signs that read Prosecute Petaluma Poultry and Right to Rescue. She told them she would immediately head to the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office and report animal cruelty at Petaluma Poultry.

Were going to go now and report Petaluma Poultry and ask them to please finally give justice to these animals, she said.

Rosenbergs attorney, Chris Carraway, said the district attorneys office was ignoring criminal animal cruelty in Sonoma County factory farms and that he plans to appeal the verdict.

Sonoma County spent over six weeks and hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to protect a multi-billion-dollar corporation from the rescue of four chickens worth less than $25, Carraway said in a statement. No doubt, the district attorneys office would never have spent a fraction of this time or money if the chickens had been dead in a supermarket meat case.

Rosenbergs sentencing is set for Dec. 3, when she faces a maximum jail sentence of 4-1/2 years, Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said in a statement the verdict affirms no one is above the law.

While we respect everyones right to free expression, it is unlawful to trespass, disrupt legitimate businesses, and endanger workers and animals in pursuit of a political or social agenda, she said.

Petaluma Poultry has said that DxE is an extremist group that is intent on destroying the animal agriculture industry. The company says the animals were not mistreated.

The jurys verdict makes it clear: personal beliefs dont justify breaking the law, Herb Frerichs, general counsel of Petaluma Poultry, said in a statement. DxE members admitted to planning and carrying out illegal acts  including break-ins, theft of private data, and stealing livestock  under the guise of activism and to gain publicity.

Frerichs said the company supports the right to free speech and lawful protests, but this was not that.
By THOMAS ADAMSON and ANGELA CHARLTON, The Associated Press

PARIS (AP)  Five more people were arrested overnight in the Louvre crown-jewels heist  including a man identified by DNA as one of the suspected robbers  the Paris prosecutor said Thursday, signaling an accelerating dragnet across the French capital and its suburbs.

The separate, late-night operations in Paris and nearby Seine-Saint-Denis bring the total arrests to seven. The prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, told RTL radio that one of the detainees is suspected of being part of the four-person team that robbed the Louvres Apollo Gallery in broad daylight on Oct. 19.

She said the DNA-linked suspect was one of the objectives of the investigators  we had him in our sights. Others taken into custody, she said, may be able to inform us about how the events unfolded, but she did not release their identities or other details.

A basket lift used by thieves is seen at the Louvre museum Sunday Oct.19, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Alexander Turnbull, file) AP

Beccuau said the latest arrests still did not help uncover the loot, which includes a diamond-and-emerald necklace that Napoleon Bonaparte gave to Empress Marie Louise as a wedding gift. The stolen pieces  valued at $102 million  also comprise crown jewels tied to 19th-century Queens Marie-Amelie and Hortense, and Empress Eugenies pearl-and-diamond tiara.

French police have acknowledged major gaps in the Louvres defenses, turning the dazzling daylight theft into a national reckoning over how France protects its treasures. The Paris police chief said that the first alert to police came not from the Louvres security systems but from a cyclist outside who dialed the emergency line after seeing helmeted men with a basket lift.

Two earlier suspects, men aged 34 and 39 from Aubervilliers, north of Paris, were charged Wednesday with theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy after nearly 96 hours in custody. Beccuau said both gave minimalist statements and partially admitted their involvement.

One was stopped at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport with a one-way ticket to Algeria; his DNA matched a scooter used in the getaway. For now, she said, there is no evidence of insider help among Louvre staff, though investigators are not ruling out a wider network beyond the four seen on security footage.

Head of the brigand of banditry repression Pascal Carreau, left, and Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau speak at a news conference at the Paris courthouse Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, on the judicial investigation into the jewels robbery at the Louvre museum in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva) AP

That footage shows at least four thieves forcing a window into the Apollo Gallery in broad daylight, cutting open display cases with power tools and fleeing on two scooters toward eastern Paris. Investigators say the crew arrived in a truck equipped with a freight lift that allowed two men to reach the window.

After less than four minutes inside, the crew pried open two display cases and made off with eight pieces of priceless jewelry before alarms sounded.

Beccuau renewed her appeal to those holding the items: These jewels are now, of course, unsellable  Anyone who buys them would be guilty of concealment of stolen goods. Theres still time to give them back.
The single-vehicle crash happened around 11 a.m. on Oct. 29 on Waterworks Way in North Annville Township. North Annville Fire Company

A driver was hospitalized after crashing into a porch Wednesday morning in Lebanon County, firefighters said.

North Annville Fire Company said the single-vehicle crash happened around 11 a.m. on Waterworks Way in North Annville Township.

Fire crews found the vehicle crashed into the porch of a home that sits just off a two-lane road. The driver was taken by ambulance for treatment, the fire company said.

The porch roof was supported by a brace so it wouldnt fall when the car was removed by the tow company, North Annville Fire Company explained on Facebook. Safety line was placed to keep people out from under it until homeowner takes care of the damages.

Fire crews said they didnt know why the driver lost control. Based on where the porch was struck, the driver would have been westbound before crossing over the double yellow lines to hit porch on the left side of the road. Just beyond the house, the road curves to the left. The scene remained active for less than an hour.

Several fire departments, police and EMS responded to the scene.
Josue Saez, 39, was shot and killed Nov. 4, 2023, in his home on the 300 block of North Harrisburg Street in Swatara Township. (Photos courtesy of Cheyanne Saez) Courtesy of Cheyanne Saez

The landlord who owned the apartments where Josue Rocky Saez and Francisco Hernandez-Hernandez lived on North Harrisburg Street in Swatara Township wanted all music shut down after 10 p.m.

When Saez asked Hernandez-Hernandez to turn it down at around 10:15 p.m. Nov. 4, Hernandez-Hernandez could have walked into his apartment and turned the music off  or at least lowered the volume, prosecutors said in Dauphin County court Wednesday.

But instead, he tapped the glass of his basement window, summoning a stampede of men to jump Saez, a state prison corrections officer, according to prosecutor Stephen Zawisky.

That physical altercation ended in a shootout that killed Saez and was the focus of a three-day trial that ended in a guilty verdict Wednesday.

After an hour and 20 minute deliberation, a jury convicted Hernandez-Hernandez in the third-degree murder of Saez and reckless endangerment of Saezs brother who tried to protect him.

Jurors also convicted Hernandez-Hernandez for carrying an illegal firearm.

Hernandez-Hernandez, a Mexican national, had overstayed his visa several years before his November 2023 arrest, but prosecutors couldnt introduce that as evidence until after jurors ruled on the murder and reckless endangerment charge.

Hernandez-Hernandez has not yet been sentenced, but will complete his time in the custody of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections before Immigration and Customs Enforcement takes action against him, Zawisky told PennLive.

Members of Saezs family gasped and uttered hushed whispers of yes, yes following the verdict.

Josue Saez, 39, with his niece Nya Rosa at her 15th birthday party in January 2023. Saez was shot and killed Nov. 4, 2023, at a Swatara Township apartment building. (Photo courtesy of Isabel DeJesus-Rosa) courtesy of Isabel DeJesus-Rosa

Brian Ulmer, Hernandez-Hernandezs attorney, told PennLive he and his client respectfully disagree with the verdict. He said Hernandez-Hernandez maintains his innocence.

After sentencing, we will pursue appropriate relief, Ulmer said.

Saez, a 15-year corrections officer at SCI Camp Hill, just wanted to get a full night of sleep before waking up at 5 a.m. to go to work for the commonwealth, Zawisky said.

Each sides arguments boiled down to the identity of the shooter. Zawisky told jurors Hernandez-Hernandez had gunshot residue on his right hand.

Gunshot residue is an invisible powder ejected from a gun onto all surrounding surfaces after it is fired.

Zawisky said the testimony of witness Tom Packard played a pivotal role in identifying Hernandez-Hernandez. Packard said the shooter kept rolling his left shoulder and wore a multi-colored shirt that was dark on the bottom and light on the top.

Packard voiced his regret for not acting to save Saez. But Zawisky said that testimony made him a hero.

Ulmer sympathized with the tragedy but said prosecutors had the wrong suspect. Hernandez-Hernandez was only one person in a group of people who jumped Saez after Saez confronted them about the excessive volume of noise coming from their apartment, Ulmer said.

Ulmer said Saezs brother, Daniel Dice, told 911 dispatch the shooter wore a red shirt and a cap, which differs from Packards account of the shooter. He also said it was implausible for Hernandez-Hernandez to retrieve a gun and fatally shoot Saez after being shot himself.

He was wounded, and somehow, he gets off not one, but two kill shots on a moving target while hes under fire in an area where theres obstructions? Ulmer asked. Thats not what happens in real life. Thats the stuff of fiction  TV and movies.

Josue Saez, 39, was shot and killed Nov. 4, 2023, in his home on the 300 block of North Harrisburg Street in Swatara Township. (Photos courtesy of Cheyanne Saez) Courtesy of Cheyanne Saez

The statutory maximum sentence for third-degree murder is 20 to 40 years in prison, while Hernandez-Hernandez could face an additional 3.5 to 7 on the two misdemeanors.

Hernandez-Hernandez is scheduled to appear before Judge William Tully on Jan. 12 for sentencing.
The owner of a Pittsburgh-area weight-loss clinic is facing a federal charge after authorities said she gave her clients a drug that was meant for animals.

Nicole Millen has been charged with a single misdemeanor count of drug mislabeling, according to TribLive.

Officials said Millen, who operated the Pittsburgh clinics Renu Medical and Weight Loss and Choice Restorative Medicine, would meet with clients to help create a weight loss program for them.

But instead of dispensing Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, or HCG, she would instead give them Chorulon, a medicine prescribed by veterinarians for cows that are frequently in heat due to cystic ovaries.

While it contained the same active ingredient as certain FDA-approved prescription drugs for humans, Chorulon was never approved for humans and its labeling, when purchased from a licensed distributor, said, For animal use only and Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian, a release from the U.S Attorneys Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania said.

Officials said Millen would tell clinic employees to mix the drug with a diluent and draw it into a syringe, which were then kept in the clinics refrigerators.

The syringes and bags did not have a label with a list of active ingredients and their quantity or proportion, nor did they contain any label or labeling informing customers that the drugs inside were only approved for animal use, the release said, per KDKA.

Millen is not a licensed doctor, nurse practitioner, physicians assistant, veterinarian or other medical professional, federal authorities said.

HCG is not approved for weight loss and cannot be taken without a prescription.

Millen is expected to plead guilty on Nov. 18
The debate-free general election campaign for mayor of Harrisburg has been marked by more silence than candidates sparring, hurting the GOP challenger. Here, Miller greets voters in the primary. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

The Harrisburg mayors race has been marked by more silence than candidates sparring. Thats because incumbent Mayor Wanda Williams ruled out debating her challenger, city Treasurer Dan Miller, early in the general election campaign.

Heading into the unusual campaigns final days, Miller conceded the lack of going toe-to-toe with Williams has left him at something of a disadvantage.

People cant see us side by side, Miller lamented. And that has given her, in a way, an advantage because we havent debated.

Instead, Miller was forced to call a press conference Wednesday to counter what he called one of Williams untruths about the fire-ravaged Broad Street Market. In two separate video interviews, Williams linked Miller and his former accounting firm to a $15,000 theft at the Broad Street Market and alleged insurance lapses, Miller said. He refuted this by noting he sold the firm, Miller Dixon Drake, in November 2020.

What Wanda is saying is basically complete fabrication, he said. I had nothing to do with that. So, Id like Wanda to retract those statements.

Responding to PennLives request for comment, Williams campaign spokesperson Deborah Robinson said via email: So far, we have not heard or read Dan Millers statement. So, we are not sure as to what we are responding to.

More broadly, the mayors refusal to engage directly has allowed her to have more control of the campaign narrative, Miller said. This has left Williams free to respond to his interviews and statements without the risk of real-time rebuttal. Moreover, Miller said Williams can attack him with fabrications, forcing him to fight to correct the record, as he was attempting to do on Wednesday.

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams and Police Chief Thomas Carter, at back, greet students at Camp Curtin Academy middle school. Students start the first day of school in the Harrisburg School District. September 2, 2025. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

The other thing is, I will do these interviews, and then because Ive done an interview, then shell do an interview after me and is able to respond to things I said, Miller complained. Yeah, I think theres a disadvantage in that general public realm.

All of this is on top of the fact that Miller is fighting Harrisburg election history by running as the Republican nominee.

Williams won a five-way race in the Democrat primary in May, besting Miller by just 80 votes. Meanwhile, Miller captured the GOP nod with 112 write-in votes, setting up the Nov. 4 contest.

However, Harrisburgs general election history shows the candidate capturing the Democrat nomination goes on to almost certain victory in November.

Its tricky to do this with an R behind my name when in fact Im a D, Miller said Wednesday, referencing his Democratic roots.

Despite all this, Miller said Wednesday that he likes his chances on Tuesday.

While he refused to make any concrete predictions, he noted a significant uptick in requests for mail-in ballots. They are up by about 1,200, compared to the primary, Miller said, adding he thinks the increase is fueled by his voters.

Thats a very big difference. And its also, I think, about 1,000 more than four years ago in the general election, he said of the number of mail ballots. I think that works in our favor as weve been trying to get people to sign up to mail in.

Miller is also benefitting from a recent decision by the state Ethics Commission to fine Williams $912.70 for instructing city employees to deliver a city-owned dumpster to her home in 2022 for her personal use. Williams agreed to pay the fine instead of going through a hearing, which the commission said would have found her in violation of state ethics laws.

At the press conference, Miller hit this issue again, noting the dumpster incident also cost the city $1,500 in dumping fees, plus tens of thousands in legal expenses to defend the mayor in that case and a separate high-profile lawsuit brought by former Public Works Director Nate Spriggs.

Miller called on Williams to reimburse the city for those expenses.

Financially, both candidates enter the final stretch of the campaign with similar war chests. Williams reported $40,827 on hand as of Oct. 20, while Miller had $26,695 after spending $22,307 on direct mail, media, and consulting since Sept. 16. Williams is expected to deploy a large team of paid poll workers on election day, a strategy she used effectively in the primary.

Miller said his campaign has leaned heavily on social media and grassroots canvassing. Weve done way more canvassing of the entire city, he said. We have a great strategy, and were confident. If people want a mayor whos honest, who will manage the city properly, and who will do what they say  Im that candidate.

Overall, the mayors race has stirred up a stew of important issues in Pennsylvanias capital city. In addition to downtowns deterioration since the COVID-19 business closures, there are major concerns over incidents of gun violence and other crime, both downtown and around the city. And the delayed repairs of the fire-ravaged Board Street Market brick building, where rehab work has only recently begun since the 2023 blaze.

NOTE: This story has been updated.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 18: Radio disc jockey and on-air personality for 93.3FM WMMR Philadelphia Pierre Robert is seen arriving to The 33rd Philadelphia Film Festival on October 18, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images)

Pierre Robert, who spent over four decades as a DJ on 93.3 WMMR in Philadelphia, has died. He was 70.

Beasley Media Group, the parent company of WMMR, said that Robert (pronounced Ro-bear) had been found dead in his home on Wednesday. The cause of death is not known but no foul play is suspected, 6ABC reported.

We all have heavy hearts today, Beasley Media Group CEO Caroline Beasley said in a statement on WMMRs website. Pierres unwavering love for music and his deep connection with listeners made him one of radios most enduring and beloved voices. He will be greatly missed.

Pierres voice has been woven into the fabric of Philadelphia for more than 40 years, WMMR DJs Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison said in a statement. WMMR was his pulpit, and he preached the gospel of rock n roll, and gave us all common ground to dance on.

As the host of the 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. slot every Monday through Friday, Robert was known for his long hair, grey beard and his regular welcome to listeners: Greetings Citizens!

Born William Pierre Robert in California in 1955, he started working at WMMR in 1981 and would stay there for the next 44 years.

I came because of a relationship, he told The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2024. I was in love. The love part didnt work out, but the job part did.

He was also known for such features on his program as as the Noontime Workforce Blocks, Pierres Vinyl Cut, and On This Day music history segments.

Today we lost a great friend. Someone who truly LOVED music. All types of music, rock star Jon Bon Jovi said in a post on Instagram. Someone who loved musicians. Not just famous ones, or chart toppers. He admired local artists and tomorrows rising stars.

His voice helped the hungry and the homeless, and he did it because he cared. About you, about me, about making the world a little kinder wonder filled place to live ... his memory will live with us as it will with all of the people he touched.

The station was lucky to have him on the air. We were all lucky to have him as a guide to his musical galaxy. And I was lucky to have him as a friend, he wrote.
DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania's Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi has won a second term in office, the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) announced on Thursday night.

ZEC Chairperson George Joseph Kazi said Mwinyi, the candidate of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi party, won 74.8 percent of the vote in Wednesday's elections, beating 10 contenders from opposition parties.

Voter turnout stood at over 88 percent across the semi-autonomous islands, Kazi said.

In his acceptance speech, which was broadcast live, Mwinyi pledged to put the national interest at the forefront of his new administration.

He asked the 10 opposition presidential candidates to work closely in protecting the country's national interest.

"Let us forget the past and open a new chapter of rebuilding the archipelago," Mwinyi said.

Mwinyi, first elected in 2020, will serve another five-year term leading the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government.

Flanked by first lady Mariam Mwinyi, he thanked voters for their confidence and pledged to continue strengthening good governance, economic growth, and social development. 
For a limited time, StackSocial is offering new members a 1-Year Costco Membership and a Digital Costco Shop Card as a bonus. October 23, 2025. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

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Generative AI was used to draft this story based on information from the Costco website. The content was reviewed and edited by Advance Local.
President Donald Trump, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose together ahead of their summit talk at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP

By MICHELLE L. PRICE and CHRIS MEGERIAN, The Associated Press

BUSAN, South Korea (AP)  President Donald Trump appeared to suggest the U.S. will resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time in three decades, saying it would be on an equal basis with Russia and China.

The Kremlin pointed out that a global ban on nuclear tests has remained in place, but warned that if any country resumes nuclear testing, Russia would follow suit.

There was no indication the U.S. would start detonating warheads, but Trump offered few details about what seemed to be a significant shift in U.S. policy.

He announced on social media minutes before he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday in South Korea to discuss trade. He offered little clarity when he spoke to reporters later aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington.

The U.S. military already regularly tests its missiles that are capable of delivering a nuclear warhead, but it has not detonated the weapons since 1992. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which the U.S. signed but did not ratify, has been observed since its adoption by all countries possessing nuclear weapons, North Korea being the only exception.

Trump suggested, however, that changes were necessary because other countries were testing weapons. It was unclear what he was referring to, but it evoked Cold War-era escalations.

Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, he said in a post on his Truth Social site. That process will begin immediately.

Kremlin warns that Russia will respond in kind if nuclear tests are resumed

Asked about Trumps comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reaffirmed an earlier warning from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said Moscow would resume nuclear tests if others do so first.

If someone abandons the moratorium, Russia will act accordingly, Peskov said in a call with reporters.

The White House did not immediately respond to questions seeking more details.

When Trump spoke to reporters later, he appeared to be conflating the testing of missiles that deliver a nuclear warhead with the testing of the warheads.

Other countries, he said, seem to all be nuclear testing, but when it comes to the U.S., We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We dont do testing.

I see them testing and I say, well, if theyre going to test, I guess we have to test, Trump said as he continued speaking to reporters.

Trump was asked where the tests would occur, and he said, Itll be announced. We have test sites.

Pentagon officials didnt immediately respond to questions about the announcement from Trump on the nuclear missile tests.

Vice Admiral Richard Correll, Trumps nominee to lead the military command in charge of the nations nuclear arsenal, was pressed by U.S. senators at his confirmation hearing Thursday to try to interpret the presidents comments.

I wouldnt presume that the presidents words meant nuclear testing, Correll said.

Well, thats what he said, Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, said.

Correll pointed out that neither China nor Russia has conducted a nuclear explosive test, but then said, Im not reading anything into it or reading anything out of it.

Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine later questioned whether Trump might have meant the testing of the weapons delivery systems, such as missiles, not the weapons themselves.

I dont have insight into the presidents intent, Correll said. I agree that that could be an interpretation.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday assailed Trumps announcement, saying in a statement that current nuclear risks are already alarmingly high.

We must never forget the disastrous legacy of over 2,000 nuclear weapons tests carried out over the last 80 years, Guterres said, according to his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haqq.

Russia tests of new nuclear-powered weapons

Putin this week announced that Russia had tested a new atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone and a new nuclear-powered cruise missile. Putin did not announce any tests of Russias nuclear weapons; however, which last occurred in 1990.

Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, emphasized that Russias recent tests of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon nuclear-powered underwater drone had nothing to do with the global ban on testing nuclear warheads.

Regarding the tests of the Burevestnik and the Poseidon, we hope that President Trump was correctly informed about it, Peskov said. There is no way it can be interpreted as nuclear testing.

Trump did not specifically mention the Russian tests in his post, but alluded to the nuclear stockpiles controlled by both Xi and Putin, saying, Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.

Putin in 2023 signed a bill revoking Russias ratification of a global nuclear test ban, which Moscow said was needed to put Russia on par with the U.S. The global test ban was signed by President Bill Clinton but never ratified by the Senate.

President Donald Trump, right, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, second right, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, third right, meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP

announced

Earlier this year, Trump signaled he wanted to push his Russian and Chinese counterparts in the other direction, saying he wanted to resume nuclear arms control talks with both countries.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson called on the U.S. to refrain from carrying out nuclear tests.

China hopes the U.S. will earnestly fulfill its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and honor its commitment to suspend nuclear testing, Guo Jiakun said at a briefing in Beijing.

Despite his announcement that sounded like an escalation, Trump told reporters that he would like to see a denuclearization and de-escalation.

We are actually talking to Russia about that, Trump said, though he did not elaborate.

Arms control advocates worried

Daryl Kimball, the executive director of the Washington-based Arms Control Association, quickly criticized the presidents announcement and said Trump was misinformed and out of touch.

Kimball, in social media posts, said the U.S. has no reason to resume nuclear explosive testing and it would take at least 36 months to resume testing at the former test site in Nevada, where the last detonations occurred underground.

Price reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Konstantin Toropin in Washington, Ken Moritsugu in Beijing, Farnoush Amiri in New York and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.
Suzanne Rees was on the second day of a 60-day trip around Australia on the Coral Adventurer cruise ship when she went hiking with other passengers along Lizard Island. Getty Images

An 80-year-old woman died on a remote tropical island over the weekend after the cruise ship she was traveling on left without her.

Suzanne Rees was on the second day of a 60-day trip around Australia on the Coral Adventurer cruise ship when she went hiking with other passengers along Lizard Island.

Located off of the Queensland coast, the resort island is known for its natural scenery and luxury accommodations.

According to the BBC, the ship left the island around sunset Saturday but came back hours later after it discovered Rees was missing.

Queensland police said her body was discovered on Sunday and that her death was sudden and non-suspicious. It is not known yet when she died, what the cause of death was or why no one noticed her missing before the ship left.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said it would be investigating the incident and planned to speak with the ships crew in the coming days.

Coral Expeditions CEO Mark Fifield expressed condolences toward Rees family in a statement.

The Coral team have been in contact with the womans family, and we will continue to offer support to them through this difficult process, he said.

Rees daughter, Katherine Rees, told the Guardian that her family was shocked and saddened to learn of her death.

From the little we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of care and common sense, she said.
By THOMAS ADAMSON and SYLVIE CORBET, The Associated Press

PARIS (AP)  Two suspects in the Louvre jewel heist on Wednesday were handed preliminary charges of criminal conspiracy and theft committed by an organized gang, according to the Paris prosecutors office. The prosecutor said they admitted their involvement.

Prosecutor Laure Beccuau told a news conference that the two are believed to be the men who forced their way into the worlds most visited museum on Oct. 19, and that at least two other accomplices are at large. The jewels remain missing.

The two were given preliminary charges and ordered held in custody pending further investigation, the prosecutors office said in a statement.

They have partially admitted their participation in the robbery, Beccuau said. She declined to provide details about the suspects statements to investigators because she said accomplices may listen.

It took thieves less than eight minutes to steal the jewels valued at 88 million euros ($102 million) on Oct. 19, shocking the world. The robbers forced open a window, cut into cases with power tools and fled with eight pieces of the French crown jewels.

Suspects DNA was found

The two men arrested on Saturday night are suspected of being the ones who broke into the Apollo Gallery to steal the jewels, Beccuau said.

One is a 34-year-old Algerian national who has been living in France since 2010, Beccuau said. He was arrested at Charles de Gaulle airport as he was about to fly to Algeria with no return ticket. He was living in a suburb north of Paris, Aubervilliers, and was known to police mostly for road traffic offenses. His DNA was found on one of the scooters used by robbers to leave the scene, she said.

The other suspect, 39, was arrested at his home in Aubervilliers. There is no evidence to suggest that he was about to leave the country, Beccuau said. The man was known to police for several thefts, and his DNA was found on one of the glass cases where the jewels were displayed and on items the thieves left behind, she added.

Video surveillance cameras showed there were at least four criminals involved, Beccuau said.

The four suspected robbers arrived onboard a truck equipped with a freight lift that two of them used to climb up to the museums window. The four of them left onboard two motor scooters along the Seine River toward eastern Paris, where they had some other vehicles parked, she detailed.

Beccuau said nothing suggests that the robbers had any accomplices within the museums staff.

The jewels are still missing

The jewels have not been recovered, Beccuau said.

These jewels are now, of course, unsellable  Anyone who buys them would be guilty of concealment of stolen goods, she warned. Theres still time to give them back.

Earlier Wednesday, French police acknowledged major gaps in the Louvres defenses  turning the dazzling daylight theft into a national reckoning over how France protects its treasures.

Paris Police Chief Patrice Faure told Senate lawmakers that aging systems and slow-moving fixes left weak seams in the museum.

A technological step has not been taken, he said, noting that parts of the video network are still analog, producing lower-quality images that are slow to share in real time.

A long-promised revamp  a $93 million project requiring roughly 60 kilometers (37 miles) of new cabling  will not be finished before 20292030, he said.

Faure also disclosed that the Louvres authorization to operate its security cameras quietly expired in July and wasnt renewed  a paperwork lapse that some see as a symbol of broader negligence.

The police chief said officers arrived extremely fast after the theft, but added the lag in response occurred earlier in the chain  from first detection, to museum security, to the emergency line, to police command.

Faure and his team said the first alert to police came not from the Louvres alarms but from a cyclist outside who dialed the emergency line after seeing helmeted men with a basket lift.

Head of the brigand of banditry repression Pascal Carreau, left, and Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau speaks attend a news conference at the Paris courthouse Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, on the judicial investigation into the jewels robbery at the Louvre museum in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva) AP

Faure urged lawmakers to authorize tools currently off-limits: AI-based anomaly detection and object tracking (not facial recognition) to flag suspicious movements and follow scooters or gear across city cameras in real time.

Former bank robber David Desclos has told the AP that the theft was textbook, and vulnerabilities were glaringly obvious in the layout of the gallery.

Museum and culture officials under pressure

Culture Minister Rachida Dati, under pressure, has refused the Louvre directors resignation and insisted that alarms worked, while acknowledging security gaps did exist.

The museum was already under strain. In June, the Louvre shut in a spontaneous staff strike  including security agents  over unmanageable crowds, chronic understaffing and untenable conditions. Unions say mass tourism and construction pinch points create blind spots, a vulnerability underscored by the thieves who rolled a basket lift to the Seine-facing facade.

Faure said police will now track surveillance-permit deadlines across institutions to prevent repeats of the July lapse. But he stressed the larger fix is disruptive and slow: ripping out and rebuilding core systems while the palace stays open, and updating the law so police can act on suspicious movement in real time.

Experts fear the stolen pieces may already be broken down and stones recut to erase their past.
WILLIAMSPORT  Three former Mount Carmel police officers have received multiple-year prison sentences for admittedly abusing their power by assaulting arrestees and illegally charging them.

They summarily punished victims by taking the law into their own hands, U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann said Thursday as he sentenced retired Lt. David J. Donkochik to seven years, Jonathan M. McHugh to six years and Kyle Schauer to four years.

Each was fined $1,000, will serve two years of supervised release following their jail terms, and was allowed to self-report to prison on Jan. 5.

The three previously pleaded guilty to a charge of depriving victims of their civil rights by assaulting, kicking, choking, intimidating and stunning arrestees from 2018 to 2021.

They were members of a conspiracy that intentionally targeted bad guys, wrongly charged them and then did not preserve evidence of their conduct, he said.

Their actions had a terrible impact on the Mount Carmel community, Assistant U.S. Attorney C. D. Marchioli said. It may have been the Mount Carmel way, but it was not the right way, he said.

Schauer, 36, told Brann he has seen the effect of their actions in the Coal Region and I understand the impact I had on the victims.

As a police officer, he wanted to effect a positive change in the community, he said. Im here today because I failed to do that, he told Brann.

They were misguided in thinking we were the good guys, they were the bad guys, his attorney, Roger R. Laguna Jr., said.

They targeted people they believed were breaking the law, he said. Schauer understands what he did was wrong, his attorney said.

More than two dozen supporters heard Donkochik, 53, say he wished he could take back what he did. All I wanted to be was a police officer, he said. I loved my job. I always tried to do the right thing.

He admitted losing his composure and temper, but added he was just trying to make the community safer. He lamented the embarrassment he caused the police department.

One of his attorneys, Brian Perry, acknowledged his client crossed the line. For 30 years as a police officer, he tried to do what was right, her said. He is now a convicted felon, he noted.

McHugh, 37, told the judge he took full responsibility for my mistakes.

His attorney, G. Scott Gardner, claimed McHugh was overcome by emotion when spat at and the target of personal and derogatory comments. He made a mistake, he said.

The three, through their attorneys and character witnesses, asked Brann when fashioning their sentences to consider all the good they had done over the years.

Marchioli countered in advocating for lengthy jail terms by saying there cannot be another Mount Carmel where arrestees get beaten up. It has to stop, he said. Citizens lose trust in police because of incidents like these, he said.

Brann made note of the former officers positives, but added that the seriousness of the charges cannot be overstated.

They abused their power and terrorized individuals, he said, calling their conduct egregious and shocking. Justice is meant to be imposed in a courtroom, he said.

Assaults occurred while detainees were handcuffed, and evidence of those incidents was not preserved, he pointed out. There was a lack of respect for the law, he said.

Brann explained that Donkochik got the longest sentence because the other officers looked to him for advice, and he instructed them on how to hide their conduct.

The government has 90 days to submit to the court a request for restitution for the victims, several of whom have filed civil lawsuits.

One of those suits in which Donkochik was a defendant was settled in 2023 for $90,000.

The judge made note of the impact statements the victims submitted, but did not read them in court.
More than 150 people came together in Mechanicsburg early Wednesday evening as part of a No Hate Here rally in response to the distribution of Ku Klux Klan (KKK) business cards at the boroughs Halloween parade.

The rally was held at the North Railroad Avenue event space, next to the Gingerbread Man. A panel discussion organized by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) was held down the street afterward.

Several local government and religious leaders spoke during the rally, including the Rev. Kathryn Z. Johnston, lead pastor at Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church and one of the rallys organizers.

Differences should be celebrated, not targeted, Johnston said to the crowd while condemning racism and other forms of discrimination.

Mechanicsburg Area School District Superintendent Andrew Bitz also gave a brief statement on behalf of the district, saying, We believe hate has no place here.

Wednesdays event came after business cards for the Women of the Ku Klux Klan (WKKK) were found in childrens candy bags following the parade on Oct. 14.

As the rally wrapped up, dozens of people filled Buhrigs Funeral Home for the panel discussion moderated by Sheryl Meck, of the PHRCs outreach division.

The panel members included Johnston, Mechanicsburg councilwoman Sara Agerton, Rev. Bobby Jones of the United Methodist Church in Enola, Ann Van Dyke of the Community Responders Network and Cpl. Tristan Bennett from the Pennsylvania State Polices office of community engagement.

Before the panel members answered questions, Alon Milwicki of the Southern Poverty Law Center shared a brief history of the KKK through Zoom.

While Meck asked a variety of questions to the panelists, many shared similar sentiments about how to combat racism and hate in a community like Mechanicsburg.

Van Dyke, Agerton and Johnston said it is important not to isolate those who could be indoctrinated into hate groups like the KKK, Proud Boys and Patriot Front.

Creating opportunities to have constructive dialogue, even with those spreading hate, is the only way to discover the root cause of their beliefs, some of the panel members explained.

Van Dyke and Agerton also shared that many people who join and participate in hate groups have suffered some form of abuse or trauma and ultimately desire purpose and love.
The Susquehanna Steam Electric Station outside Berwick, Pennsylvania, is shown on Jan. 14, 2025. AP File Photo/Ted Shaffrey

Federal nuclear safety authorities announced an investigation into an incident Tuesday night at a north-central Pennsylvania power plant.

At 7:04 p.m. Tuesday, Unit 2 at the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station outside Berwick in Luzerne County shut down completely from 100% power in whats known as a scram, according to a report from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Concurrent with the Unit 2 scram, the control room received a report of a fire outside of the protected area near the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station 500-kilovolt switchyard, the NRC report states. The local fire department responded to the site with lights and sirens active which caused heightened public concern on social media.

A Facebook reel posted on the Salem Township Fire account details firefighters response at 7:13 p.m. and shows a bright bluish flash in the sky as theyre en route.

It was determined no fire existed, no actions were taken by the offsite fire company, and no personnel were injured during the event, the NRC report continues. Whether the reported fire and the reactor scram are related is being investigated.

The dual-reactor Susquehanna plant is owned by Houston-based Talen Energy Corp., which formerly was based in Allentown after being spun off from PPL Corp.

A Talen representative in an email to lehighvalleylive.com Wednesday explained the incident as follows:

Last evening, as a hydrogen tank located outside the protected area of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station was being filled, some of the gas exiting the tanks vent stack caused an arc flash of nearby power lines.

First responders were dispatched, but no emergency actions were necessary as there was no fire and no injuries.

The plant responded as designed and Susquehanna Unit 2 went offline without incident.

It is currently stable, and operators are working to bring it back online. The station remains in a safe condition and there are no injuries or risk to employees or the public.

The NRC says it reported the incident as an unplanned actuation of the reactor protection system while the reactor is critical, and noted that the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the commissions resident inspector also were notified.

Talen says its Susquehanna plant generates more than 2,000 megawatts of carbon-free electricity, enough to power around 2 million homes.
WILLIAMSPORT  More than 10 kilograms of drugs were found in a search of an SUV stopped by state police on Interstate 80 in Union County earlier this month.

That was revealed on Wednesday after Evan Mathew McCoy, 29, of Madison, Wisconsin, was arraigned in U.S. Middle District Court on a charge of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

He originally was charged by state police, but those drug counts have since been dropped in favor of the federal indictment.

A trooper stopped McCoys SUV about 10:50 p.m. on Oct. 16 for following a vehicle too closely westbound on I-80, west of Route 15.

The state police affidavit filed in connection with the charges that have been dismissed provides this information about the incident:

McCoy denied a request to search the vehicle, causing a drug detection dog to be taken to the scene. The dog had an alert while searching the exterior of the SUV.

The vehicle was towed to the Milton state police barracks, where it was searched after a warrant was obtained. Three large containers, along with two others and three plastic bags, were found.

Field tests for the substances in the containers indicated the presence of ketamine, cocaine and fentanyl.

Investigators are awaiting lab reports to learn the exact amount of drugs, but the estimate is more than 10 kilograms, a federal prosecutor said.

The indictment, which was unsealed Wednesday, contains a clause requiring McCoy to forfeit his 2025 Cadillac Escalade 600 and $6,280 in cash if convicted.

He has been ordered detained pending further federal court action.
Leachoi has recalled 7,800 adult portable bed rails that were sold on Amazon from March through September of this year for about $40. The recall was issued because users can become trapped between the rails and the mattress. Provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

More adult bed rails have been recalled because of the dangers they pose to people who use them.

Leachoi has recalled 7,800 adult portable bed rails that were sold on Amazon from March through September of this year for about $40, according to an announcement with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The CPSC said the rails "violate the mandatory standard for adult portable bed rails because when the bed rails are attached to a bed, users can become entrapped within the bed rail or between the bed rail and the side of the mattress, posing a serious entrapment hazard and risk of death by asphyxiation.

In addition, the bed rails do not bear the required hazard warning labels.

The model number is ASIN B0BZVCG2R5. The rails are black and silver and measure 15.6 inches by 25.4 inches by 24 inches.

Owners should stop using the bed rails and contact Leachoi for a refund. Owners can find the instructions for receiving a refund here.

Owners can contact Leachoi by email at leachoidirect@163.com.

Earlier this month, the CPSC had issued warnings about two other brands of bed rails. An 81-year-old woman died in October 2023 after becoming trapped in the space between one of these bed rails and her mattress.

The warnings and recalls are just the latest regarding the safety of adult bed rails.

In June 2022, the CPSC issued a warning about 285,000 Mobility Transfer Systems bed rails saying, At least three people have died after becoming entrapped in one model of the bed rails. They include a 78-year-old woman in a Michigan assisted living facility in 2006, an 85-year-old man in an Oklahoma nursing home in 2007, and a 90-year-old disabled woman in California in 2013.

In February 2023 Platinum Health recalled about 53,000 of the LumaRail brand of adult portable bed rails after an 81-year-old man in a Pennsylvania nursing home became trapped between his mattress and portable bed rails and died in October 2021.
Gov. Josh Shapiro, shown here with his wife, Lori, told the New York Times that he and his family discussed his political future after the governor's mansion was firebombed earlier this year. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family discussed his political future after the firebombing of the governors mansion earlier this year but he ultimately decided that exiting public life would send the wrong message.

What Ive said is, if I leave because violence pushed us out or scared us, then those who want to perpetuate political violence win, he told the New York Times for an article published Monday. Ive got to stay, and Ive got to show that were not afraid.

The article focused on the aftermath of the antisemitic attack and how Shapiro, who is Jewish, has publicly responded to the traumatic event.

Shapiro said he did not seek therapy to process the firebombing but talked to his wife about it on long walks.

Since the arson, Shapiro told the Times, he has reached out to other governors and public officials who have had to cope with political violence in their states.

One of those affected was Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz after the former Democratic Minnesota House speaker and her husband were shot and killed at their home by a man targeting Democrats.

Knowing that as youre doing that work that I consider to be noble, that it comes with a risk to you and your family, thats a tension that is a challenge to work through, Shapiro told the newspaper.

It is one of the reasons why Im so motivated to speak out against political violence, he continued, to try and take the temperature down so that good people want to serve.

Shapiro said officials will have work to tone down violent political rhetoric despite the actions of President Donald Trump, who has condemned Democrats, frequently inaccurately, for perpetuating violence and ignored right-wing perpetrators.

Were going to have to do it despite the presidents conduct, Shapiro said.
GABORONE, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Botswana hosted an event Wednesday featuring speeches and Chinese talent show to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with China.

The event, at Maru-a-Pula School, a secondary school with an international enrolment in Gaborone, the capital, was organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Botswana and the Chinese Enterprises Association in Botswana. It also included performance of martial arts, tongue twisters in Mandarin, poem recitations, and songs and dances.

Under the theme of "My Stories with China," the speeches covered the speakers' experience of learning the Chinese language, their travels in China, and their work at Chinese enterprises, with some terming China as "my home," "my second home."

Some shared their marvel at China's modern infrastructure such as high-speed rail, delicious Chinese food, and the convenience of mobile payment in China.

Chinese Ambassador to Botswana Fan Yong said that the relationship between China and Botswana has evolved into a strategic partnership. "Our nations have become good friends who treat each other as equal and good partners."

"China and Botswana are both important members of the Global South," Fan said, adding that the two countries should "seize new opportunities and work together to enhance the synergy of our development strategies."

He encouraged more and more Chinese enterprises to participate in Botswana's projects to create more jobs for local people, expressing confidence that more and more Botswana people will love China and Chinese culture, which will in turn enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Maria Nnyepi, deputy vice chancellor at the University of Botswana, said "learning the culture of China sharpens the talents of our people in Botswana," and the growing partnership and cross-cultural exchanges between the two countries over the past 50 years have benefited people with skills sharpened and respect shown toward each other.

About 300 people attended the event, including Botswanan government officials, college and school staff, as well as representatives from the Chinese embassy, the Chinese medical team, and Chinese enterprises in Botswana. 
HANGZHOU, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Yiwu, a key export hub in east China's Zhejiang Province, reported strong foreign trade growth in the first three quarters of 2025 despite a challenging global trade environment.

Total imports and exports of the small commodities hub, known as "the world's supermarket," reached a record high of 631.2 billion yuan (about 89.1 billion U.S. dollars), up 26.3 percent from a year earlier, according to Yiwu Customs.

Exports grew 25.7 percent year on year to nearly 554 billion yuan, while imports increased 31.3 percent to 77.2 billion yuan, with both figures reaching record highs.

The robust growth came as exporters in Yiwu worked to secure more orders in emerging markets. In May, the city launched an overseas exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia, which was attended by executives from more than 110 Yiwu enterprises.

"We are now actively expanding into the South American and Southeast Asian markets. Only by continuously venturing abroad can we open up new markets," said Huang Changchao, a stationery business owner in Yiwu.

Thanks to the trade diversification strategy, Yiwu now conducts business with 227 countries and regions, achieving year-on-year trade growth in 181 of them.

Its trade with the Belt and Road partner countries grew 28.9 percent year on year and accounted for 68 percent of the total trade volume in the period, the local customs said.

Innovations in trade modes and continuous improvements to commercial infrastructure are also helping fuel Yiwu's trade growth.

Yiwu launched a global digital trade center, hailed as the sixth-generation market, earlier this month, embracing a fully integrated digital trade ecosystem.

"Our export orders are already booked through to next year," said local merchant Wang Nan. "We will continue to tap market demand and adapt to market changes to achieve sales growth."




SEOUL, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and visiting Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul held talks on Thursday in the southeastern city of Gyeongju before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting between Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

During the talks, they discussed bilateral relations, joint response to transnational crimes such as online scams, and the Korean Peninsula issue, according to the South Korean presidential office.

Lee stressed that South Korea cherished its relations with Thailand.

Charnvirakul said that Thailand placed a great importance on the development of strategic partnership with South Korea.

They agreed to actively promote mutually beneficial and future-oriented practical cooperations in various fields such as trade, investment, defense, artificial intelligence and energy transformation. 
HANOI, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam and the United Kingdom announced the elevation of their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership on Wednesday, Vietnam News Agency reported.

The upgrade came following talks in London between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

According to a joint statement, the two sides reaffirmed key principles and outlined major orientations to further strengthen their traditional friendship and cooperation under the new framework.

Both countries pledged to enhance collaboration in the development of international financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang city, including through the Vietnam-UK International Financial Center partnership.

During the talks, both sides also agreed to double two-way trade in the future, the state-owned media reported. 
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Jenny Peterson is a business reporter at The Post and Courier, focusing on retail. An award-winning journalist, she covered statewide business news as special projects editor at SC Biz News. Originally from New Orleans, she previously worked as an editor at New Orleans CityBusiness and Biz New Orleans business publications.
ISLAMABAD, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan has agreed to resume the dialogue process with the Afghan Taliban in Istanbul, Turkiye, following a request from the Afghan Taliban and the host country, Pakistani security sources told Xinhua on Thursday.

The sources said the Pakistani delegation, which was earlier scheduled to depart, will now stay in Istanbul to continue the discussions.

"It has been decided to resume the negotiation process to give peace another chance," one source said.

The upcoming round of talks will focus on Pakistan's core demand that Afghanistan take clear, verifiable, and effective action against terrorist groups operating from its soil, the sources added.

Pakistan's Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said Wednesday that the latest round of Pakistan-Afghanistan dialogue held in Istanbul "failed to bring about any workable solution." 
LONDON, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Xuhui District of east China's Shanghai Municipality held an investment promotion conference in London on Wednesday.

During the event, the Shanghai Xuhui Overseas Investment Promotion Service Center (London, UK) was officially inaugurated.

Wang Hua, chief of Xuhui District, said the district aims to build a national artificial intelligence (AI) hub while vigorously developing key sectors such as modern commerce, cultural and creative industries, life and health, professional services, and sci-tech finance. These efforts, he said, will create new opportunities for international investors, including British companies.

Neil Semple, deputy head of Creative Industry at the UK Department for Business and Trade, said the event marked an important milestone in cooperation between London and Shanghai's Xuhui District. He noted that Xuhui has become a dynamic international center for business and creative industries. "By working together, the UK and China can create lasting value - creative, economic, and shared prosperity," he said.

Jasmine Baker, trade manager of Fintech & Enterprise at London & Partners, said British enterprises see extensive opportunities for cooperation with Xuhui District in fields such as financial services and artificial intelligence.

"Shanghai and London share a common vision for promoting economic growth, innovation, and cultural exchange," she said. "Both cities have long histories as global trading hubs and continue to attract businesses and entrepreneurs from around the world."

Phil Stanbury-Jones, VP Strategy & China at Arm, a chip design company, said Xuhui District offers a strong business environment and a thriving industrial ecosystem. Arm established its wholly owned subsidiary, Arm China Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., in 2023, and has built more than 6,000 square meters of office space in Xuhui District in 2025.

Currently, more than 170 British-funded enterprises operate in Xuhui District, with total British investment reaching nearly 300 million U.S. dollars. 
Quick Response and Public Safety Reporter

Caitlin Bell is a breaking news and courts reporter for The Post and Courier Charleston. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
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The recognition marks another noteworthy achievement for AlignPEO, a company committed to filling the HR gap for small and mid-sized businesses.PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / AlignPEO, aPEO brokerage firmhelping small- and mid-sized businesses find their ideal Professional Employer Organization (PEO) partner, is excited to announce its recent recognition as one of the 20 Best PEO Brokers of 2025 by People Managing People. Align PEO Align PEO BrokerageThe 20 Best PEO Brokers of 2025 is a curated list of top PEO brokers compiled by People Managing People, a community-led platform for business leaders navigating AI transformations in the workplace. The list, published in June 2025, evaluates PEO brokers based on a number of notable criteria, including service offerings, client support, transparency, pricing value, and industry expertise. AlignPEO, which was ranked #16, was recognized for its tailored benefit plans, which ensure SMEs get the right PEO fit for their unique HR goals and budgets.AlignPEO's Award-Winning Approach to ServiceWith its recognition on the 2025 list of the 20 Best PEO Brokers, AlignPEO further solidifies its position as a trusted name in the industry. The company, which boasts more than three decades of combined experience in the PEO marketplace, has set itself apart with a comprehensive PEO matching process based on each client's size, industry, and HR needs. Transparent support is provided during negotiations and throughout contract reviews, with AlignPEO taking on a continued advisory role after placement to ensure long-term success.This approach to service is foundational to AlignPEO's mission and provides considerable benefits to businesses navigating HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance challenges. This includes saving significant time and money in the PEO search, as well as increasing negotiating power to ensure an optimal partnership. AlignPEO is also able to provide SMEs with access to better benefits plans than they would otherwise receive, including comprehensive retirement and healthcare packages priced below the industry standard.Dedicated Support for Small BusinessesIn naming AlignPEO to the 20 Best PEO Brokers of 2025 list, People Managing People underscores the role that PEO broker firms play in streamlining the PEO selection process for small and mid-sized businesses that lack in-house HR resources. "Being recognized as one of the top PEO brokers of 2025 is an honor that reflects our team's dedication to guiding small and mid-sized businesses toward smarter HR solutions," said the CEO at AlignPEO. "We remain focused on empowering companies with the clarity and confidence they need when choosing a PEO, and we appreciate the support and recognition from People Managing People." Guiding the Way for the Broader Business CommunityIn addition to highlighting AlignPEO's tailored services for SMEs, the recognition from People Managing People also underscores the importance of PEO in strengthening workplace operations and compliance for organizations nationwide. As more businesses turn to PEO solutions to manage their HR complexities, lists like the 20 Best PEO Brokers of 2025 make it easier for them to find an appropriate match, and, by default, HR solutions that work around their short- and long-term needs. AlignPEO is proud to be included and looks forward to continued innovation in an industry that requires it now more than ever.Readers who would like more information on AlignPEO's services are invited to visitwww.alignpeo.comor contact the company directly.About People Managing PeoplePeople Managing People provides tools and perspectives to businesses, driving AI transformation in their fields. The community-led platform is managed by the digital media company Black & White Zebra, with additional support from its trusted advisory team and user-led forum.About Align PEOAlignPEO is a PEO brokerage company staffed by dedicated professionals with more than 30 years of combined experience helping businesses navigate the Professional Employer Organization (PEO) marketplace. The company helps businesses find the optimal PEO fit for their needs, offering a simplified PEO sourcing process and significantly reducing the cost and time commitments for clients.For more information, please visitwww.alignpeo.com CONTACT:Align PEO(856) 375-1479contact@ alignpeo.com SOURCE: AlignPEO
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Assays for three holes from the Pepas MRE infill and metallurgical program include:PEP065 - 33.3m @ 2.84g/t AuPEP065B - 33.8m @ 2.79g/t AuPEP066 (met hole) - 112m @ 5.25g/t Au from surfaceResource consultants plan to be on site next week to begin the MRE process.Soil geochemistry completed at El Cedro, high grade potential confirmed.Second Porphyry identified at El Cedro - to be examined in future programs, with a view to drilling early in 2026.Airborne magnetic/radiometric survey planned over area.Drill rig arrives at the El Pantano Project Argentina to commence first drill program.LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 /Orosur Mining Inc. ("Orosur" or the "Company") (TSXV:OMI)(AIM:OMI), is pleased to announce an update on the progress of exploration activities at the Company's gold exploration projects at Anza in Colombia ("Anza) and El Pantano in Argentina.Anza - Colombia The Anza Project in Colombia comprises a number of granted exploration titles and applications totalling roughly 330km2, within the Mid-Cauca gold belt, west of the city of Medellin.These titles and applications are owned by two Colombia companies, Minera Anza, and Minera Monte Aguila, both of which are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company. The latter of these companies was acquired by Orosur in November 2024 from the Company's previous JV partners, Newmont Mining and Agnico Eagle Mines. Orosur thus owns 100% of the Anza Project.Since acquiring 100% control, the Company has focussed its attention on three prospects:Pepas - a shallow, high-grade body of gold mineralisation that the Company is endeavouring to move to an initial Mineral Resource Estimate in the near term.APTA - a high-grade body of gold mineralisation that has to date seen 38,000m of drilling, but is not yet sufficiently understood geologically to allow a MRE to be calculated. The Company plans to undertake additional drilling at APTA in late 2025 with the objective of advancing it toward an MRE as quickly as possible.El Cedro - a large gold porphyry system in the south of the Anza Project area. The Company has just completed a large sampling program and plans to undertake a maiden drill program here in early 2026.Figure 1. Anza ProjectPepasAs announced on 14th July 2025, the Company took the formal decision to commence infill drilling at its Pepas gold prospect at Anza, with the objective of moving Pepas to a NI43-101 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) by the end of the year.Drilling progress has recently slowed largely due to issues related to broken ground in hole PEP065 and the need to reconfigure the drill rig for PQ metallurgical drilling followed by the subsequent expected slower pace of advance for this larger diameter core.Hole PEP-066 was a hole drilled to provide material for detailed metallurgical testing - the hole was drilled using a wider diameter PQ bit to provide additional material for testing and was drilled through the centre of the ore body so as to provide material representative of all mineral domains thus far identified. In order for all domains to be intersected, it was necessary to drill into known ore zones, and thus PEP-066 was drilled very close to several previous holes that had returned high grade intersections.These three holes have all returned exceptional high grade gold assay results.Hole NumberFrom (m)To (m)Interval (m)Au (g/t)PEP06510.713.62.92.7930.563.933.42.84Including40.4553.513.055.87PEP065B*15.1517.11.953.0425.959.733.82.84including27.939.3511.455.45PEP0661121125.25including17.246.529.38.92including35.946.510.612.25including43.2546.53.2522.95including92.4111.318.98.04Table 1. Latest drill Intercepts, Pepas Prospect* Hole PEP065 collapsed in broken ground and was redrilled as PEP-065B from the same pad, at a steeper angleFigure 2. Plan of holesFigure 3. Section, PEP065 and 65BFigure 4. Section, PEP066El CedroThe El Cedro prospect lies to the south of the same integrated licence that hosts both Pepas and APTA and is roughly 4km south of the APTA base camp.Work on the area began some years before Orosur's tenure, when Anglo American undertook reconnaissance mapping and sampling, identifying a highly prospective gold/copper porphyry system.Little work was then undertaken until late 2021, when the Company's previous JV partner MMA re-entered the area to carry out mapping, sampling and ground geophysics that confirmed Anglo American's previous work and mapped several large dioritic intrusions and associated epithermal systems.The Company subsequently began a large-scale soil geochemical survey in May 2025, planned to cover most of what was thought to be the extent of the porphyry system. Soil samples were taken at roughly 25m intervals, along ridges and spurs for ease of access and to ensure soils were residual.This survey has just been completed, with gold assay results identifying a substantial, gold bearing system, with highly anomalous geochemical responses over a large, well preserved zoned porphyry system, with soil samples assays at times exceeding 1g/t Au.Figure 5. El Cedro Soil Samples Company geological teams have examined these new geochemical data, in conjunction with historical mapping information and airborne geophysical data collected in 2012. An outcome of this work is the hypothesis that El Cedro may in fact consist of multiple porphyry intrusions, with a second potential intrusive system being identified to the south of the known El Cedro porphyry, within the same regional structural corridor.Of additional interest is apparent associated epithermal systems marginal to both porphyries, with high-grade gold in rock chips having been previously recorded in veins.Figure 6. El Cedro, multiple porphyry bodies, soils and rock chipsFigure 7. Regional tectonic setting The Company is now planning additional mapping and soil sampling programs over this southern porphyry. In addition, it has been determined that the older airborne geophysical data, while of value, were of moderate quality and thus it is planned that a more detailed helicopter aeromagnetic and radiometric survey will be undertaken in November or December this year to provide an added layer of lithostructural information about these intrusive systems, the associated epithermal systems, and APTA to the north.It is expected that drilling at El Cedro could commence in first quarter of calendar 2026.NI-43-101 Technical Report The Company's geological consultants are currently well advanced in reviewing all exploration work undertaken at Anza sin
The Reichstag building is pictured in Berlin, Germany, Oct. 29, 2025. Germany's gross domestic product (GDP) was flat in Q3 compared to the previous three months, provisional data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) showed. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

by Xinhua writer Che Yunlong

BERLIN, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- Germany's fragile recovery from two years of economic contraction faces another setback. Official data released Thursday showed that the economy stagnated in the third quarter (Q3), dashing hopes for a turnaround.

The figures, which fell short of analysts' expectations, underscore how Washington's trade policies continue to weigh on Europe's largest economy, while Berlin's fiscal stimulus has yet to deliver the promised boost.

DATA DAMPENS RECOVERY HOPES

Germany's gross domestic product (GDP) was flat in Q3 compared to the previous three months, provisional data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) showed.

The reading contrasted with forecasts by five leading German economic institutes, which had projected a 0.2-percent quarterly expansion in their joint autumn outlook, suggesting their full-year growth forecast of 0.2 percent for 2025 may now be too optimistic.

"The German economy remained sluggish at the start of second half-year," Destatis said. Carsten Brzeski, global head of macro at ING Research, cautioned that output remains below its late-2019 level.

The outlook will remain uncertain until final figures are published in late November, which will reveal whether the economy is heading for a third straight year of stagnation following contractions of 0.7 percent in 2023 and 0.5 percent in 2024.

Data from Destatis also showed an uptick in investment in machinery and equipment in Q3, a rare bright spot in the economy. However, exports extended their decline from Q2, when they slipped 0.1 percent. Separate trade data showed overseas shipments fell another 0.2 percent in July and 0.5 percent in August, suggesting exporters faced an even tougher quarter amid weakening global demand and rising protectionism.

EXPORT WOES UNDER U.S. TARIFFS

Germany's export engine, long the backbone of its industrial power, had been expected to drive recovery this year. But hopes dimmed after Washington sharply raised tariffs on European cars, steel and aluminum, hitting sectors central to the country's economic power.

Following the tariff hikes, leading economic institutes cut their 2025 growth forecast to 0.1 percent, down from 0.8 percent projected last autumn. The levies, which took full effect in Q2, contributed to a 0.2-percent contraction in output, erasing the modest 0.3-percent rebound recorded at the start of the year.

The strain has only deepened since. Destatis data showed Germany's exports to the U.S. fell for five consecutive months, sliding 20.1 percent year-on-year in August to 10.9 billion euros (12.6 billion U.S. dollars), the weakest level since late 2021.

Meanwhile, trade with China surged, helping Beijing reclaim its position as Germany's largest trade partner in the first eight months of the year. Yet stronger exports to China have done little to offset the broader downturn. Between April and August, total exports fell in four of five months, including a sharp 1.4-percent month-on-month drop in May. The hit has been particularly severe in the automotive and parts sectors, the key sources of Germany's trade surplus with the United States.

"Germany as an export powerhouse is under massive pressure, suffering from weaker demand, rising costs and growing protectionism," said Dirk Jandura, president of the German Wholesale and Foreign Trade Association (BGA).

Although the European Union (EU) and the United States reached a deal in late July to lower tariffs to 15 percent, industry groups, including the German Association of the Automotive Industry, warned the rate remains punitive compared with pre-hike levels and will continue to burden exporters.

The BGA expects German foreign trade to remain weak in 2025, forecasting a 2.5-percent drop in exports, below earlier projections. Analysts increasingly believe exports will not drive Germany's recovery, citing a stronger euro and volatile U.S. trade policy as key risks.

Reflecting this shift, Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy said in its October projection that even if GDP rises this year, "the recovery -- unlike Germany's typical pattern -- will be driven not by exports but by domestic demand this time."

REFORM EFFORTS AN UPHILL BATTLE

With exports faltering, hopes now rest on a revival in domestic demand supported by fiscal policy. Economists, however, warn that persistent structural hurdles continue to undermine Germany's recovery prospects.

Earlier this year, Berlin unveiled an ambitious fiscal package, including a 500-billion-euro infrastructure fund and plans to relax the debt ceiling for defense spending. The announcements initially sparked optimism, with economic institutes calling it a "shot in the arm" for the sluggish economy.

But the promised boost has yet to materialize. Policy uncertainty stemming from divisions within the ruling coalition has weakened the impact of the measures and slowed implementation.

Even as the cabinet in late July approved record public investment in its draft 2026 federal budget, debates over how to close the resulting fiscal gap have exposed deep divisions within the coalition.

"The scale of Germany's announced fiscal stimulus remains significant, and this money will eventually reach the economy," Brzeski said. However, the effect will likely be less marked and come later than expected due to slow implementation, he added.

Beyond fiscal measures, the government has struggled to agree on the sweeping reforms needed to strengthen competitiveness. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has promised an "autumn of reforms," but progress has been limited. As Brzeski noted, the administration "remains stuck in a 20th-century growth model without a clear plan to propel the German economy forward."

Clemens Fuest, president of the Munich-based ifo Institute, voiced similar concerns. In a recent interview, he warned that Germany was in "economic decline" and urged the government to present a comprehensive reform package within six months to revitalize growth.

Still, some optimism remains. The ifo business climate index ticked up slightly in October as sentiment among 9,000 surveyed executives improved. Even if the economy faces a third straight year of stagnation, many still expect Europe's biggest economy to return to growth in 2026. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollar) 

This photo taken on Oct. 29, 2025 shows a street view in Berlin, Germany. Germany's gross domestic product (GDP) was flat in Q3 compared to the previous three months, provisional data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) showed. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

The Federal Ministry of Finance building is pictured in Berlin, Germany, Oct. 29, 2025. Germany's gross domestic product (GDP) was flat in Q3 compared to the previous three months, provisional data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) showed. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

The Brandenburg Gate is pictured in Berlin, Germany, Oct. 29, 2025. Germany's gross domestic product (GDP) was flat in Q3 compared to the previous three months, provisional data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) showed. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)

The Berlin Victory Column is pictured in Berlin, Germany, Oct. 29, 2025. Germany's gross domestic product (GDP) was flat in Q3 compared to the previous three months, provisional data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) showed. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)
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SINGAPORE, SG / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / The Qtum Foundation today announced the official public release of Qtum Ally, a pioneering desktop-native AI agent that transcends conversational interfaces to establish a new paradigm for integrated, autonomous workflow execution.Ally's core innovation lies in its foundational support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an emerging open standard designed to enable contextual interoperability between diverse Large Language Models (LLMs), external tools, and proprietary data sources. Unlike conventional, vendor-locked cloud agents, Ally executes natively on Windows and macOS, ensuring maximum data sovereignty, transparency, and minimal execution latency.Providing seamless access to 12 pre-configured LLMs out of the box, Ally empowers users to construct, customize, and deploy complex, multi-step automation workflows. Its architecture is intentionally extensible, allowing users to integrate self-hosted models or deploy custom MCP servers to expand the agent's functional surface, all within a singular, lightweight installation footprint.Download Ally: https://qtum.ai/download "With Qtum Ally, we shift the conversation from mere productivity tools to intelligent workflow orchestration," said Miguel Palencia, Qtum Co-Founder. "By structurally unifying LLMs under a single, MCP-powered workspace, we facilitate coordination across LLMs and tools to handle that data. Ally is an efficiency accelerator." Technical Integration via Model Context Protocol (MCP)Built with complete Model Context Protocol (MCP) compliance, Qtum Ally elevates the user experience from interactive dialogue to declarative, actionable AI.The MCP acts as a unified, cross-application communication bus for AI agents. It utilizes a standardized framework that allows models to share data, and issue executable commands across local applications, external APIs, and cloud services.Through Ally's integrated MCP hosts and servers, users can:Decouple and automate complex, non-linear workflows.Establish collaborative AI systems by chaining multiple LLMs to manage different stages of reasoning, planning, and task execution.Perform high-level abstraction tasks with minimal human input-for example, parsing structured data from an external API, generating a summary presentation based on that data, and dispatching the output via a mail API.Ally ships with several pre-configured, lightweight MCP hosts that expose local file systems, databases, and network APIs, effectively establishing the agent as an expandable, decentralized automation hub on the user's desktop.Desktop-Native Execution and Data SovereigntyQtum Ally's desktop-native architecture is central to its design, separating computational execution from cloud-based infrastructure. This design affords users uncompromised control and local data immutability.Native compilation for optimized performance on Windows and macOS.Local operational execution for enhanced privacy and user data transparency.Zero collection of personal telemetry data beyond the necessary model interactions.This design is a direct extension of Qtum's overarching philosophy emphasizing user sovereignty, open-source standards, and decentralized systems architecture.Premium LLM Access: Limited Launch OfferQtum Ally is freely available for download. For a limited duration following the launch, the application will include complimentary, unrestricted access to premium feature sets from leading LLMs, including ChatGPT-5, Qwen, DeepSeek, Claude, and Gemini.Users can download the latest release of Qtum Ally directly from the official Qtum GitHub repository: https://github.com/qtumproject/ai-agent/ About QtumFounded in 2017, Qtum is a hybrid blockchain platform that integrates the robust security of the Bitcoin UTXO model with the flexible smart contract capabilities of the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). Operating on a Proof-of-Stake consensus, Qtum is fully decentralized and listed on major global exchanges such as Binance, Kraken, Upbit, OKX, and Huobi. Following the acquisition of a large-scale GPU farm in March 2024, the release of Qtum Ally represents the next phase of the foundation's strategic expansion into the AI domain, with future plans to integrate the Qtum blockchain token for decentralized service provisioning within the Ally ecosystem.Website: https://qtum.org X (Twitter):https://x.com/qtumGitHub: https://github.com/qtumproject/ai-agent PR Contact: ZEX PR WIRE info@ zexprwire.com SOURCE: Qtum
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / Sun Peak Metals Corp. (TSXV:PEAK)(OTCQB:SUNPF) ("Sun Peak" or the "Company") today announced that, further to its news releases dated September 18, October 15 and October 16, 2025, it has entered into a definitive share exchange agreement (the "Agreement") dated October 30, 2025, with Saudi Discovery Company SPV Limited ("SDC" or "Saudi Discovery") and all of its shareholders (the "SDC Shareholders"), pursuant to which Sun Peak will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of SDC (the "Transaction").Under the terms of the Agreement, Sun Peak will issue an aggregate of 58,065,356 common shares to the SDC Shareholders in exchange for all issued and outstanding shares of SDC. Upon completion of the Transaction, Sun Peak shareholders and the former shareholders of SDC will hold approximately 60% and 40%, respectively, of the issued and outstanding Sun Peak common shares, exclusive of any securities to be issued in connection with the Company's concurrent financing.The Transaction remains subject to customary conditions, including acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange, regulatory and shareholder approvals, and is expected to close in the first week of December. The Transaction constitutes a related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") as certain directors and officers of SDC are directors and officers of Sun Peak. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the subject matter and of consideration for the Transaction, insofar as it involves interested parties, will not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Transaction will require the approval of Sun Peak shareholders at a special meeting (the "Meeting") by a simple majority of the votes cast by the Sun Peak shareholders, excluding the votes cast by certain persons, under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.The Meeting will be held on December 1, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. (Vancouver, Canada), and the record date is set as of October 14, 2025. Sun Peak shareholders of record as at the close of business on the record date will be entitled to receive notice of, attend, and vote at the Meeting. The management information circular and related materials in connection with the Meeting will be filed under Sun Peak's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca in due course.DLA Piper (Canada) LLP acts as legal counsel to Sun Peak. Cozen O'Connor LLP acts as legal counsel to Saudi Discovery.ABOUT SAUDI DISCOVERY COMPANYSaudi Discovery Company is a pioneering exploration company advancing high-potential mineral projects in Saudi Arabia, aligned with Vision 2030.ABOUT SUN PEAK METALS CORP.Sun Peak is advancing the district-scale Shire VMS Project in the Tigray Region of northern Ethiopia. The project covers six exploration licenses totaling approximately 1,450 square kilometers within the highly prospective Arabian-Nubian Shield, the same geological environment as the Bisha Mine and the Asmara Projects in Eritrea.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF SUN PEAK METALS CORP.Greg Davis,President, CEO & DirectorFOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:Greg Davis(T): +1 (604) 999 1099(E): info@ sunpeakmetals.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Disclaimer for Forward-Looking InformationCertain information and statements in this news release may be considered forward-looking information or forward-looking statements for purposes of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), which reflect the expectations of management regarding its disclosure and amendments thereto. Forward-looking statements consist of information or statements that are not purely historical, including any information or statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information or statements may include, but are not limited to: the terms, timing and completion of the Transaction; the anticipated timing for shareholder and regulatory approvals; the preparation and mailing of the information circular; the satisfaction of closing conditions; and the concurrent financing;. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits Sun Peak will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: the risk that the Transaction or the concurrent financing is delayed or not completed on the terms described herein or at all; the risk that required regulatory or shareholder approvals are not obtained; and market, business, operational or economic conditions. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable securities laws, Sun Peak assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Additional information about these and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties are set out in the "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" sections of Sun Peak's continuous disclosure filings available under its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca SOURCE: Sun Peak Metals Corp.
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Strengthens New England PresenceOAKLAND, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / October 30, 2025 / Terraphase Engineering Inc., a national environmental consulting firm, has acquired Eolas Environmental, LLC, a respected firm operating in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The acquisition enhances Terraphase's capabilities in site investigation, remediation, and regulatory compliance while expanding its regional presence.Eolas, known for its expertise in site investigation and remediation, complements Terraphase's services in remediation, water resources, and site engineering. Eolas leadership will remain in place, working closely with Terraphase to drive innovation and growth."This partnership strengthens our ability to deliver science-based solutions," said Chris Voci, Chief Revenue Officer at Terraphase. "Eolas shares our values of technical excellence and client focus." Kimberly Walsh, LEP, founder of Eolas, says, "Joining Terraphase marks an exciting new chapter. Our teams share a deep commitment to scientific excellence, technical integrity, and pragmatic outcomes. By combining Eolas' expertise with Terraphase's broad capabilities, we are expanding our capacity to deliver innovative, data-driven environmental solutions for our clients." With this acquisition, Terraphase now operates over 15 offices nationwide, and continues its strategic expansion across the U.S.Terms of the deal were not disclosed.For more information, visit www.terraphase.com or www.eolasenvironmental.com About TerraphaseTerraphase, headquartered in Oakland, California, with 15 offices nationwide, is known for providing technical leadership on complex environmental and engineering challenges since its founding in 2010. With a team of interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial professional experts, our practitioner-led firm is committed to providing comprehensive, cost-effective solutions for our clients.Contact InformationHank GalindoChief Human Resources Officerhank.galindo@terraphase.com 510.645.1850 ext. 64Chris Voci, PG, RPGChief Revenue Officerchris.voci@terraphase.com 215.297.3502 ext. 69SOURCE: Terraphase Engineering Inc.
Farmers in Ondo, Osun and Ekiti have identified a lack of storage facilities, poor road networks, unreliable power supply and security as challenges confronting farming activities and often leading to massive post-harvest losses.

The farmers, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), also noted that the high cost of farm inputs undermines farming activities and further reduces yields.

They observed that these challenges make it increasingly difficult for farmers to maintain their livelihoods.

The farmers appealed to the government for timely intervention in tackling these challenges, which, by extension, will boost high yield and curb post-harvest losses.

In Akure, the Ondo State capital, Abayomi Monilari, the president of the Ondo State Farmers Congress, lamented that insecurity and inadequate rainfall have contributed mainly to the low yield of farm produce.

Mr Monilari, who attributed the current fall in the price of food items to the harvesting period, frowned at the non-availability of storage facilities for farmers, urging the government to give directive on the usage of silo in the state.

So, When supply is higher than demand, definitely the price of products will fall, he said.

Mr Monilari appealed to the government at all levels to ensure the security of farmers, particularly in rural areas, and make their safety and the safety of their farmland a priority.

He called on the government to assist farmers with the needed support and facilities, particularly storage facilities to prevent post-harvest losses.

Also, Joshua Ayantayo, SIWES coordinator, Federal College of Agriculture, Akure (FECA), said the drop in the price of some food items could not be attributed to government policy, rather, the period of harvesting of produce and lack of storage facilities for farmers.

Mr Ayantayo, while lamenting that farmers were making losses on their investments annually owing to poor storage facilities, begged the government to intervene in this regard.

I do not see any significant policy that can affect price at the moment. A visit to the market and some farm areas will testify to this.

The price of tomatoes, pepper, yam, among others are falling due to the harvesting season and inadequate storage facilities, he stated.

Kole Akinmorin, a farmer in Okitipupa, told NAN that the harvest season had greatly impacted on the low prices of food in the market because more farmers were harvesting their crops.

If this continues, I think the economy will be better for the citizens, especially the masses.

We only need government intervention through finances, fertiliser and others for next years plantation to boom, he said.

Funmilola Oke, a farmer in Ede town, Osun State, said the government must come down to the locals to understand their plights before taking any decision.

She said the current drop in food prices has not been felt by consumers due to some loopholes that needed to be tackled by the government.

You may reduce the price of food and even put a price to them, but theres need to bring down the cost of farm inputs and other basic things that impact on transportation.

The reason some farmers are selling to wholesalers at the present price is because of transportation, and government must look at the bottom to top approach, not the top to bottom approach, she said.

Similarly, Wale Adebayo, the convener of Good Governance for Nigeria Citizens, an Osogbo based Civil Society Organisation, said the security challenge confronting farmers on their farmland was also affecting the cost of agricultural produce.

Mr Adebayo, an agriculture expert, said many farmers have been chased from their farmland by bandits, making farming activities difficult for them and, in turn, affecting the cost of agricultural produce.

Wahaab Bello, the chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Osun, however, noted that the state government has been providing farmers with the needed support and facilities.

According to him, the government efforts have encouraged more people, especially youths, to engage in farming.

Mr Bello said the influx of people, especially youths, into farming leading to bountiful harvest was the reason food prices have equally reduced.

A lot of youths are now into farming and joining the agricultural value chain because the government has provided land and farm settlements for farming, and tractors to ease operations, he said.

He said farmers in the state are experiencing relative peace, as security has been put in place by the government to ensure that farmers and other businesses operate without hindrance and fear.

He appreciated the federal and state governments for providing farmers with fertiliser, chemicals, seedlings, and other farming implements, which he said were enhancing their operations.

Mr Bello, however, said many farmers are not able to store their farm produce, and have to sell it on time to avoid losses.

According to him, if farmers have access to funds or grants, they can procure storage facilities for their produce.

In Ekiti, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, disclosed that the government has set up storage facilities in different locations in the state.

He explained that the sole aim of the storage facilities was to prevent waste and buy farm produce from farmers during the harvest season, which would be released to the populace during food scarcity.

Building the storage facilities is one of the governments plans to avert food scarcity that was experienced in the state last year, Mr Olatunbosun said.

He also said the state government has approved N316.9 million for the construction of security posts in farm settlements as well as recruiting 500 Amotekun officers towards ensuring safety of farmers and farm produce.

In the same vein, the Ekiti Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, said the state government has launched agricultural development clusters to ensure food security.

Mr Boluwade said the goal was not only to tackle hunger, but to also create opportunities for youths in agriculture.

(NAN)
President Bola Tinubu has approved a 15 per cent import duty on petrol and diesel, a controversial move the government says is aimed at supporting local refining and boosting energy security, but which critics say could lead to an increase in fuel price.

The presidents approval was contained in a letter with reference no: PRES8197/HAGF/100/71/FIRS/40/88-2/NMDPRA/2, dated 21 October. The letter was addressed to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The tariff allows for a 30-day window and adds to the controversy around petrol import and production in Africas largest oil producer.

The letter, titled Re: introduction of a market-responsive import tariff framework on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) & Diesel, was signed by Damilotun Aderemi, the Private Secretary of the President.

According to the letter seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the presidents approval followed a request by FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji for the government to apply the tariff to align import costs with domestic realities.

Mr Adedeji said the duty, applied to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) value, is expected to increase petrol prices by approximately N99.72 per litre. Despite this, Lagos pump prices are projected to remain around N964.72 per litre ($0.62), which is still lower than in neighbouring countries like Senegal, Cote dIvoire, and Ghana, he said.

He added that the tariff is not revenue-driven but corrective, aimed at aligning import costs with domestic realities while preserving affordability, noting that the implementation would commence after a 30-day transition window, allowing importers to adjust cargoes already in transit and ensuring a smooth rollout without market disruption.

The core objective of this initiative is to operationalise crude transactions in local currency, strengthen local refining capacity, and ensure a stable, affordable supply of petroleum products across Nigeria aligning with Your Excellencys Renewed Hope Agenda for security and fiscal sustainability, the FIRS chief wrote to the president.

Mr Adedeji said that the current price difference between locally refined products and import parity pricing has created instability in the market.

While domestic refining of petrol has begun to increase and diesel sufficiency has been achieved, price instability persists, partly due to the misalignment between local refiners and marketers, he wrote.

According to him, the governments responsibility is two-fold: to protect consumers and domestic producers from unfair pricing practices and collusion, while simultaneously ensuring a level playing field that allows domestic refiners to cover costs and attract continued investment.

Critics of the policy, particularly on social media, however, argue that it was put in place to favour the Dangote refinery, owned by Africas richest man, Aliko Dangote.

READ ALSO Tinubu commutes Maryam Sandas death sentence to 12 years imprisonment

Nigeria currently has no publicly functioning refinery, with the Dangote refinery producing almost all of the West African giants locally refined petroleum products.

Although Dangote refinery insists it can produce all of Nigerias local petrol needs, problems with regulators and other players in the downstream oil sector have ensured that the country continues to import about 15 per cent of its petrol needs.

President Tinubus directive is basically to ensure that imported petrol is not significantly cheaper than that produced by Dangote refinery.
Nollywood production manager and casting director, Anierobi Nwa South Courage, has been arrested for allegedly assaulting Mary Eze, the head of makeup artistes, on a film set in Lagos State.

Filmmaker Stanley Ontop, in a video posted on his Instagram page on Wednesday, alleged that Courage attacked Eze during filming on Tuesday in Lagos.

The video obtained by PREMIUM TIMES showed Courage pushing Eze onto a chair, beating her, tearing her clothes, and allegedly inflicting injuries on her.

In the video, Courage held Eze by the neck while striking her repeatedly and attempting to force her into the chair, as other crew members struggled to intervene and separate them.

Confirming Courages arrest, the Nigeria Film Crew Community (NFCC) announced on its Instagram page on Wednesday that the incident occurred on the set of Caddilly Productions Lagos to Opulence.

NFCC added that he attacked Eze after she protested against unfair and discriminatory treatment among crew members.

The statement partly read: On the 28th of October, 2025, on the set of Caddilly Productions Lagos to Opulence, a production manager named Anierobi Courage, aka Nwa South, physically and violently assaulted the head of makeup, Mary Chizzy Eze, on set. The production manager violently hit and strangled the makeup H.O.D. for speaking up against ill and unequal treatment among the crew, as shown in the video evidence we received.

He has been arrested, while the makeup artiste has received medical care. Violence has no place on any set. Lets be careful. The role of a Production Manager is to ensure the smooth running of the production and to look after the welfare, safety, and comfort of the entire cast and crew. A good production manager protects his team, not harms them. This individual chose to do the exact opposite, turning violent and animalistic against the very people he was responsible for managing.

Blacklist

The NFCC described Courages behaviour as inexcusable, unprofessional, and criminal.

While condemning the assault he inflicted on Eze, NFCC urged the Association of Movie Producers (AMP), the Active Movie Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (AMPMAN), the Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN), and other film producers to take strict disciplinary action against Courage.

As a community, we strongly condemn this violent and animalistic behaviour, the inhumane accommodation conditions on the same set, where 15 female crew members were lodged in one room. This level of disregard for human dignity is unacceptable. We stand firmly against all forms of abuse, assault and crew maltreatment.

We call on industry stakeholders, Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Active Movie Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (AMPMAN) and Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN), all producers, that this Production Manager be blacklisted across all productions. Violence has no place in our industry. Respect and safety are not negotiable, NFCC added.
The Nigerian government said it has begun addressing the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) amid renewed threat of industrial action.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, said the government has released N2.3 billion for Batch 8 salary and promotion arrears to universities across the country.

A statement by the spokesperson for the education ministry, Folasade Boriowo, said the minister disclosed this while providing updates on the dialogue with ASUU.

Mr Alausa said the disbursements have been released through the Accountant-General of the Federations (OAGF) office, adding that universities should begin to receive their payments soon.

ASUUs short strike

ASUU recently declared a two-week warning strike over the governments failure to address its demands, which include the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement it had with the government, the release of the withheld three-and-a-half months salaries, sustainable funding of public universities, and the revitalisation of universities.

The union suspended the strike 10 days in, after fruitful engagement with the government and its representatives. The union, however, warned it would recall the strike should the dialogue disintegrate.

Government addressing demands

According to the education ministrys statement, the government is finalising the release of third-party non-statutory deductions and pension remittances to the Nigerian University Pension Management (NUPEMCO), which is expected to be completed in the coming days.

Mr Alausa, the education minister, was quoted as saying that the government has also approved the full mainstreaming of the Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) into university staff salaries from 2026.

He added that funds have been released under the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Universities, with corresponding budgetary provisions made to sustain the initiative.

He noted that this will ensure prompt, predictable, and sustainable payments going forward.

Mr Alausa said the government is committed to revitalising Nigerian tertiary institutions through decisive fiscal interventions, policy reforms, and sustained dialogue with ASUU and other university-based unions.

He explained that the Yayale Ahmed negotiation committee will continue to engage with unions in Nigerian tertiary institutions unions, ensuring that all pending welfare-related issues are addressed through honest and mutually respectful dialogue.

Our priority is to ensure that all matters are addressed responsibly and in the best interest of our education system, the minister said, noting that all commitments must align with approved budgetary provisions to guarantee long-term stability.
President Bola Tinubu has decorated the newly appointed Service Chiefs with their new ranks.

The Service Chiefs were decorated on Thursday at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja, about an hour after the House of Representatives confirmed their appointments.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the Senate confirmed the appointment of the Service Chiefs on Wednesday.

The new military chiefs and their new ranks are Olufemi Oluyede, an army general, as Chief of Defence Staff; Emmanuel Undiandeye, a lieutenant general, as Chief of Defence Intelligence; Waidi Shaibu, a lieutenant general, as Chief of Army Staff; Idi Abbas, an air vice marshal, as Chief of Naval Staff, and Sunday Aneke, a rear admiral, as Chief of Air Staff.

Tinubu urges service chiefs to tackle insecurity

While congratulating the newly appointed service chiefs, the president urged them to intensify the fight against insecurity.

Mr Tinubu told the new service chiefs that the ceremony was beyond the symbolism of decoration and marked the beginning of our renewed effort to ensure the peace and security of all Nigerians.

The president told the officers they had been carefully selected for this critical task and entrusted them with a tremendous responsibility that must be met with the highest standards of commitment and dedication.

Security, the president said, is foundational. There cannot be sufficient development if this fundamental aspect of human need is unmet, he told the service chiefs, arguing that citizens must feel secure to enjoy the benefits of governance.

He paid tribute to the armed forces for their role in reclaiming territory from terrorists and rescuing kidnapped citizens, and thanked troops for their patriotism, diligence and dedication.

Speaking directly to the Chief of Army Staff, General Shuaibu, Mr Tinubu acknowledged his past sacrifice and resilience.

To General Shuaib, I understand you were injured, you recuperated, he told the Kogi-born officer. I saw so many stories, clips online of Operation Hadin-Kai. All of you, working together as a team, have made the country proud.

But he warned that the fight is far from over.

Security threats are constantly evolving, constantly mutating, the president said, citing the emergence of new armed groups in parts of the North-central, North-west and the southern region as a matter of grave concern.

We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head, he urged.

This newspaper had reported the emergence of terror groups like Ansaru-aligned Mamuda terrorists and the Lakurawa, whose affiliation to global jihadi groups is debated by experts.

Mr Tinubu set out clear expectations for the new leadership. I charge you, as the heads of our nations armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal. Nigerians expect results, not excuses. We are in a hurry to celebrate peace, he said, adding that the chiefs must be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous and ready to deploy technology where necessary.

He also urged better coordination across security agencies and clearer information sharing: Work together and change your information effectively and follow up proactively, work with other security agencies and defeat this enemy once and for all. We need to clean them up, clear them out.

The president closed his remarks by promising the military his administrations full support to get the job done and offering a prayer for the safety of the armed forces.

Thank you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to keep our armed forces safe, he concluded.

What CDS Oluyede said before, after decoration

Before his decoration, the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff, Mr Oluyede, who leads the other service chiefs in securing the country, expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their continued support of the armed forces.

He called for greater cooperation in the collective effort to secure the country. Mr Oluyede pledged that under his leadership, the military would intensify its campaign to eliminate all forms of criminality and create a safer environment where socio-economic activities can thrive.

READ ALSO: Reps confirm appointment of new service chiefs

After the ceremony, Mr Oluyede reiterated his commitment to President Tinubus directive to end insecurity, saying the armed forces would do everything possible to make Nigeria more secure.

He noted that terrorism has persisted since 2009 and stressed the need for renewed determination to bring it to an end.

He assured Nigerians that the militarys success would depend on public support, calling on citizens from all backgrounds to join in the effort to defeat insecurity.

Without the support of Nigerians, we can hardly achieve anything, he said, promising that the armed forces would not relent until peace and safety are restored across the country.
Thehas called for the adoption of a modern, technology-driven system for the registration of births, deaths, marriages, and other vital events, describing accurate data as the foundation for effective governance and national development.

This came during a public hearing on the Bill to Repeal and Re-enact the Births, Deaths, etc. (Compulsory Registration) Act, which seeks to modernise Nigerias civil registration framework and introduce a digital platform for recording vital statistics.

Represented by Godwin Offiono (APC, Cross River), the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, said the proposed law aims to bring Nigerias civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system in line with international best practices and United Nations standards.

Accurate and timely registration of births, stillbirths, deaths, marriages, and other vital events is essential for national planning, social development, and good governance, Mr Tajudeen said. The current Act was made for a different era, one without digital tools or modern data systems.

He noted that the realities of rapid population growth, migration, and increasing demand for data-driven policymaking make it imperative to build a reliable and electronic registration system.

According to the speaker, the bill provides for a unified electronic framework that will enhance identity management, eliminate duplication and fraud, and ensure that all Nigerians, irrespective of location have access to certificates of birth and death.

He described the reform as a critical step toward building a digital, transparent, and accountable population management system capable of supporting sustainable national development.

Outdated framework hindering progress

Chairman of the House Committee on Population, Odimayo Okunjimi, said Nigerias existing legal framework for civil registration has become obsolete and incapable of meeting the demands of a modern, digital society.

Without reliable civil registration and vital statistics, the nation cannot effectively plan or deliver social services, Mr Okunjimi said. The current Act is outdated, crafted for a time when population mobility, digital recordkeeping, and demographic planning were at a very different stage.

He explained that weak data integration between federal and state systems and the absence of digital infrastructure have made recordkeeping unreliable and inaccessible.

This bill seeks to repeal the existing law and re-enact a modern, comprehensive, and technology-driven framework that reflects present realities and future needs, he stated.

According to him, the proposed legislation will establish a unified national system for registering births, deaths, marriages, divorces, adoptions, and other vital events, while clarifying institutional responsibilities to ensure effective coordination among the National Population Commission (NPC), state registries, and local government councils.

Mr Okunjimi added that the reform is not merely administrative but a national imperative to strengthen identity management, enhance governance, improve national security, and provide a data-driven foundation for sustainable development.

NPC backs bill

The federal commissioner representing Adamawa State in the National Population Commission (NPC), Clifford Zirra, commended the committee for championing the legislative reform, describing it as timely and forward-looking.

These amendments could not have come at a better time than now, as the commission seeks to mainstream technology and digital devices in the delivery of its services, Mr Zirra said.

He explained that the bill would enable the NPC to create interoperable digital platforms that allow collaboration with other government agencies and bridge gaps that have existed in the implementation of population laws for over three decades.

According to Mr Zirra, the NPC, working with private consultants and with technical support from UNICEF has been fully involved in the review process to ensure that the proposed law aligns with international best practices.

He expressed optimism that the consolidation of the National Population Act with the Births, Deaths, etc. (Compulsory Registration) Act will provide a unified and robust legal framework for civil registration and vital statistics in Nigeria.

Legal expert backs legislative reform

The committees Legal Consultant, Celestial Nwabueze, said the proposed legislation reflects global standards for effective civil registration and will serve as a legal foundation for a reliable national identity and population management system.

She noted that when passed, the bill will replace outdated laws, create a national digital registry, and enhance Nigerias capacity for data-driven policymaking, security planning, and socio-economic development.

Lawmakers and experts at the hearing agreed that the reform is essential to ensuring that every birth and death in Nigeria is officially recorded, providing the country with accurate population data to guide policy, development planning, and resource allocation.

If enacted, the new law will transform Nigerias civil registration system from a paper-based structure into a secure, integrated, and technology-enabled national registry.
MONTREAL, Oct. 30, 2025 /CNW/ - Air Transat, named the World's Best Leisure Airline in 2025 by Skytrax, is enhancing its summer 2026 program with a new non-stop service between Montreal (YUL) and Agadir (AGA). This addition strengthens Air Transat's presence in Morocco and responds to the strong demand from leisure travellers and the Moroccan community in Quebec.



"Morocco is more popular than ever, both for its landscapes and rich culture, as well as for the diaspora ties that unite our two regions," said Sebastian Ponce, Transat's Chief Revenue Officer. "With this non-stop service to Agadir, we are offering a simple, fast and friendly connection, true to Air Transat's promise to make travel inspiring and enjoyable every step of the way."



Located on Morocco's Atlantic coast, Agadir is a seaside destination renowned for its long beaches and warm hospitality. This new service naturally complements Air Transat's existing route to Marrakech, making the airline the only North American carrier offering non-stop flights to Agadir.



The flight will operate every Friday from June 12 to October 23, 2026, aboard an Airbus A321LR. It is designed to meet the needs of vacationers seeking sunshine, as well as members of the Moroccan community travelling to visit family and friends.



Increased Frequency on Key Transatlantic Routes

To meet growing demand, Air Transat is also increasing the frequency of several transatlantic routes in its network. These additions will improve connections with Porter Airlines' expanding network, further strengthening connectivity via Toronto.

Route Updated frequency* Toronto (YYZ)  Berlin (BER) 3 flights/week (+1) Toronto (YYZ)  Lima (LIM) 3 flights/week (+1) Toronto (YYZ)  Istanbul (IST) 3 flights/week (+1)

* Number of flights shown represents peak-season service and year-over-year variations.

Flights are available for booking now. More exciting updates for summer 2026 will be announced soon.

About Air Transat

Founded in Montreal 37 years ago, Air Transat is a leading travel brand voted 2025 World's Best Leisure Airline by passengers at the Skytrax World Airline Awards. Its program offers access to international destinations, mainly in Europe, the Caribbean, the east coast of the United States, South America and North Africa. Air Transat is recognized for its excellent customer service. Its fleet includes some of the most energy-efficient aircraft in their category. Based in Montreal with major hubs in YUL Montreal-Trudeau International Airport and Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), it has 5,000 employees with a common purpose to bring people closer together. Air Transat is a business unit of Transat A.T. Inc. (TSX: TRZ). www.airtransat.com
A presidential aide on Wednesday said the screening and confirmation of the newly appointed service chiefs by the Senate reflected mutual collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government.

The Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Bashir Lado, stated this in a statement shortly after the Senate confirmed the appointments.

Mr Lado, who represented Kano Central Senatorial District between 2011 and 2015, expressed appreciation to the lawmakers for the prompt consideration and approval of the nominees.

I extend my profound appreciation to the President of the Senate, the Senate Leadership, and Distinguished Senators for the prompt and thorough consideration that led to the confirmation of the new Service Chiefs.

Their commitment underscores the strong collaboration between the Executive and the Legislature in advancing the national interest and ensuring the security and stability of our dear nation, he said.

The newly confirmed service chiefs are Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, a general; Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, a major general; Chief of Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, an air vice marshal, and the Chief of Naval Staff, Idi Abbas, a rear admiral.

They were confirmed at the Committee of the Whole through a voice vote after a closed-door screening session that lasted about an hour.

Before the session went into closed doors, the nominees addressed lawmakers on non-sensitive national security issues, including their track records and strategies to curb insecurity.

During his presentation, Mr Oluyede called for an urgent restructuring of the Nigerian Police Force, saying many operations currently handled by the military should ordinarily be managed by the police.

He also emphasised the need for Nigeria to develop its own defence manufacturing industry, insisting that reliance on imported military equipment is not sustainable and too expensive.

Mr Abbas, on his part, said that families of victims killed in terrorist attacks must give their consent before any repentant terrorists are granted amnesty and reintegrated into society.

Mr Aneke and Mr Shaibu pledged to deploy drones and other advanced technologies to combat terrorism, banditry, and other security threats across the country.
Five members of the House of Representatives from Enugu State have explained the reasons behind their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers, Chidi Obetta, Anayo Onwuegbu, Dennis Agbo, Martins George, and Nnaji Nnolim, announced their defection during Thursdays plenary, alongside Daniel Ago, a Labour Party member representing a constituency in Plateau State.

The Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, formally read their letters of defection to the chamber.

Shortly after the announcement, the lawmakers addressed a press conference at the National Assembly complex, describing their defection as a bold step into the future aimed at repositioning the state for national relevance and greater development.

Mr Nnaji, who spoke on behalf of the group, said their defection was motivated by the collective decision of the Enugu lawmakers to align with the leadership vision of Governor Peter Mbah and the national direction of the APC.

Today, we stand before you filled with joy, conviction, and purpose. With your blessing, and in line with our collective decision to stand firmly with our visionary Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, we have today, 30 October 2025, during plenary at the House of Representatives, formally announced our defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), he said.

Mr Nnaji explained that the decision was not impulsive but the outcome of deep reflection on the need to reposition Enugu State for greater political and developmental inclusion at the national level.

For too long, our dear Enugu State has remained in opposition, watching from the sidelines as others shaped the destiny of our nation and accessed opportunities that could have transformed our peoples lives. That era is over. We refuse to remain spectators when we can be key players in Nigerias progress, he declared.

He noted that aligning with the APC, the party steering national transformation, would open doors for greater infrastructural development, investment, and empowerment for the people of Enugu State.

The lawmaker commended Mr Mbah for what he described as transformational leadership that has turned Enugu State into a model of effective governance in just two years.

Through Governor Mbahs visionary leadership, Enugu has become a reference point for good governance. We, therefore, commend Governor Mbah for his developmental exploits in education, aviation, science, and Information technology, and indeed all areas of human endeavour, Mr Nnaji said.

READ ALSO: Senate confirms appointment of new minister

He further called for unity among politicians across party lines, stressing that their defection was not an act of division but a move to strengthen Enugus political relevance at the national level.

Concluding his address, Mr Nnaji described the defection as the beginning of a new dawn of hope, inclusion, and prosperity for Enugu State.

Today, we open the gates of a new dawn, a dawn where Enugu State takes her rightful place in the story of Nigerias progress, he said.
Some members of the opposition political parties in Ondo State, namely the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Action Alliance (AA), have formally declared their allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC)

Coming under the umbrella of the Nigeria Work Station, a political advocacy and research group, the politicians said they were defecting from their parties because of the failure of the opposition in the state.

The defectors were formally received in Akure on Wednesday by the Minister of Interior, Tunji Ojo, and the Ondo State APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin.

Those who decamped include Kennedy Peretei, Convener of the Nigeria Workstation, who resigned as the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP in April; Olutope Adebambo, former Chairman of Akoko North-west Local Government Area; a chieftain of SDP, Rachael Ajayi, 2020 Deputy Governorship Candidate of the SDP; Blessing Ologun, immediate past Assistant State Treasurer of the PDP; and Omotayo Obolo, former Special Assistant to former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, among other top politicians.

Addressing the ceremony held at Akure City Hall, Mr Tunji-Ojo, appealed to the people of Ondo State to unite and speak with one voice in support of President Bola Tinubus administration.

Mr Adetimehin welcomed the new members into what he described as a party with enough room to accommodate all.

He commended President Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that its impact had been positively felt across Ondo State.

The APC chairperson pleaded with the people to continue supporting the Tinubu administration to ensure the continuation of his good works.

He assured the new members of equal opportunities in the party, adding that the APC remains committed to inclusiveness and progress for all members.

Mr Peretei, who led the defectors, remarked that since the leadership of the opposition was not deliberate, coordinated, and focused on how to win the election and form a government, then, there was no justification for being in opposition.

It is against this background that today, those of us in the Nigeria Workstation, a Grassroots Media Advocacy, Research and Strategy Group, comprising former members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party, SDP, and Action Alliance, AA, decided to join forces with the progressive family, he said.

Also in this hall are harvests of Sunshine Grassroots Network, a group whose mandate is to clean up the remnants of the opposition and align them with the APC.

Mr Peretei also said that the defectors were the last plank of opposition in the state.

Earlier, the remaining two members of PDP in the Ondo State House of Assembly joined the APC, making the house an all-APC Assembly.

Before then, the PDP House of Representatives member (Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency), Festus Akingbaso, abandoned his party along with some members of his constituency to join the ruling party.

There are concerns that more opposition members would abandon their parties for the ruling party as the general election draws nearer.
The UK and Nigeria on Thursday launched the UK-Nigeria Economic Diversification Working Group Dialogue, a strategic follow-up to the recently concluded Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) Roadshow in Kano and Lagos states.

Convened under the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP), the event brought together senior government officials, trade experts, and private sector leaders from both nations. The discussions focused on unlocking Nigerias non-oil sectors: agriculture, manufacturing, and digital services, with the UK offering support through trade facilitation, investment promotion, and capacity-building initiatives.

Opening the event, British Deputy High Commissioner Jonny Baxter reaffirmed the UKs commitment to deepening bilateral trade relations, which were valued at 7.9 billion in the 12 months ending March 2025.

He reaffirmed the UKs commitment to supporting Nigerian exporters through the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which provides generous tariff reductions and simplified trade rules. Under the DCTS, over 3,000 Nigerian products stand to benefit from enhanced market access. These include produce such as ginger, cocoa, sesame seeds, cashew nuts, soya beans, and textiles, among others.

The British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, further said:

Todays dialogue marks a significant milestone in the UK-Nigeria partnership. It reflects our shared commitment to driving inclusive, sustainable economic growth through strategic exports diversification. By working together, government to government and with the private sector through our market development programmes like Propcom+, we are unlocking new opportunities for trade, investment, and innovation across key sectors.

The UK remains a steadfast partner in supporting Nigerias ambition to stimulate economic growth. Through initiatives such as the Developing Countries Trade Scheme (DCTS) and our joint efforts with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), on standards and export readiness, we are laying the foundation for long-term prosperity that benefits both our nations.

Also speaking, Director of Trade and Investment, representing Abba Rimi, permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Orji Gertrude said:

This DCTS initiative comes at a critical time when Nigeria is intensifying efforts to diversify its export base beyond oil and strengthen its participation in global value chains. However, to fully harness these benefits, stakeholders must have a clear understanding of the rules of origin, documentation requirements, product standards, and trade facilitation measures under the scheme.

Through partnerships like this with the UKs Department for Business and Trade (DBT), we aim to reduce barriers to trade, improve competitiveness, and ensure that Nigerian products meet international market standards.

Looking ahead, both countries reaffirmed their shared commitment to building resilient, diversified economies. The dialogue concluded with a call to action for continued collaboration, knowledge exchange, and policy innovation to drive future trade and investment between both our countries.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Olufemi Oluyede, a general, has pledged that the armed forces will intensify efforts to make Nigeria safer and more secure.

Mr Oluyede made the pledge while speaking with State House correspondents after the decoration of the new service chiefs by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday at the State House in Abuja.

He said the presidents charge to the service chiefs reflected the administrations strong commitment to ending terrorism and improving national security.

I assure Nigerians that we are going to do our very best to make Nigeria safer, and that was emphasised by Mr President, who charged us to do everything possible to secure the country, he said.

The CDS noted that terrorism had persisted since 2009 but assured that the new military leadership was determined to bring it to an end.

Were going to do our very best with the support of Mr President, the government, and the good people of Nigeria, he added.

READ ALSO: SPEECH BY PRESIDENT TINUBU AT THE DECORATION OF NEWLY APPOINTED SERVICE CHIEFS DELIVERED AT THE STATE HOUSE

Mr Oluyede urged Nigerians from all ethnicities to support the armed forces, stating that national security requires a collective effort.

Security should be everybodys business. Without the support of Nigerians, we can hardly achieve anything, he said.

The CDS expressed optimism that with unity and cooperation, the armed forces would restore lasting peace to the country.

I want to assure Nigerians that at the end of the day, we will make Nigeria safer. Thats our promise to you, he said.

(NAN)
Idi Abbas, a vice admiral, has formally assumed office as the 23rd Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), succeeding Emmanuel Ogalla, who retired after 34 years of service to the nation.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Abbas was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on 24 October as part of a sudden reshuffling of military hierarchy weeks after an alleged attempted coup plot was uncovered.

The brief handover ceremony held at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja, marked a significant transition in the leadership of the Nigerian Navy, with both officers pledging continued commitment to safeguarding the nations maritime domain and advancing the Navys operational capacity.

In his inaugural address, Mr Abbas, who was earlier decorated with his new rank alongside other newly-appointed service chiefs by President Tinubu, expressed gratitude to the president for the confidence reposed in him, promising to uphold the traditions of excellence and service for which the navy is known.

He also paid tribute to Mr Ogalla, a vice admiral, for what he described as visionary leadership and commendable service, noting that his achievements had provided a solid foundation for the navys continued progress.

The new naval chief acknowledged the prevailing threats to Nigerias maritime environment, including crude oil theft, sea robbery, illegal bunkering, and drug trafficking; pledging to confront them decisively.

Outlining his priorities, Mr Abbas said his tenure would focus on strengthening maritime security, enhancing fleet capability through renewal and technology, prioritising personnel training and welfare, and fostering greater synergy with other security agencies and regional partners.

The Nigerian Navy under my watch will be a professional and accountable institution, he declared, urging officers and ratings to rededicate themselves to the services core values of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

He emphasised that he would lead by example while ensuring that personnel welfare remained a top priority.

In his valedictory remarks, Mr Ogalla reflected on his stewardship, describing his tenure as fulfilling and marked by measurable achievements in maritime security, fleet expansion, and personnel welfare.

He highlighted key accomplishments, including the absence of piracy incidents under his watch, the success of Operations Delta Sanity I and II against crude oil theft, and the fiscalisation of oil and gas export terminals, which boosted transparency and national revenue.

Mr Ogalla also noted progress in indigenous shipbuilding, the establishment of new naval bases and training facilities, and strengthened regional cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea.

He urged officers to extend full support to his successor and remain loyal to the Constitution and the Commander-in-Chief, Mr Tinubu.

Both officers concluded their remarks with a shared call for unity, professionalism, and dedication within the Navy ranks.
The Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Kamoru Ogunlana, has emphasised the place of character in helping to build the institutional integrity of the parliament.

Mr Ogunlana, who spoke at the opening ceremony of a three-day capacity training for staff of the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday, said competence alone, though critical to legislative professionalism, was not enough.

The training organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) is a series of capacity-building programmes for staff of the National Assembly aimed at enhancing professionalism, efficiency, and institutional performance within the legislature.

Represented at the occasion by the Deputy Clerk, Bashir Yero, Mr Ogunlana, a lawyer, averred that parliamentary staff must blend competence with the highest ethical standards in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The clerk warned the participants, drawn from various departments of the National Assembly, that technical skills alone are insufficient for service delivery.

Capacity without character threatens institutional integrity, he cautioned.

He urged the participants to take the training seriously while upholding the highest ethical standards, noting that the joint commitment to the training programme with NILDS was a demonstration of a shared vision for building an efficient and accountable legislative bureaucracy for the country.

Training, a reflection of NILDS commitment to strengthening NASS staff competence  DG

Declaring the training open on Monday in Abuja, the Director-General of NILDS, Abubakar Sulaiman, said the programmes reflected the institutes enduring commitment to strengthening the competence of National Assembly staff and consolidating the foundations of Nigerias legislative governance.

According to Mr Sulaiman, a professor of political science and international relations, the first phase of the training covers key areas such as Lawmaking and Legislative Drafting, Official Reporting, and Library, Research, and Information Management for Organisational Performance.

The entire series, he said, would run between October and December, targeting over 700 participants across different departments of the National Assembly.

This initiative exemplifies our partnership with the National Assembly, anchored on institutional excellence, efficiency in service delivery, and unity of purpose, Mr Sulaiman said.

He commended Mr Ogunlana for his collaborative spirit and exemplary leadership, describing the synergy between both institutions as vital to building a competent, innovative, and knowledge-driven legislative bureaucracy.

According to the Director-General, the legislature is a dynamic institution that must continually adapt to the changing demands of governance.

He stressed that the success of any legislature depends not only on lawmakers but also on the professionalism of the staff who support them.

The success of any legislature depends not solely on the elected representatives, but equally on the efficiency, competence, and professionalism of the bureaucratic structure that supports them, Mr Sulaiman stated.

To remain relevant and effective, staff must consistently upgrade their knowledge, adopt innovative approaches, and strengthen leadership and management capacities, he said.

The programmes, Mr Sulaiman explained, were designed to address critical functional areas, including legislative administration, financial management, procurement, audit and compliance, pensions, research, and office management.

He said the overarching goal was to ensure that staff at all levels perform optimally and contribute meaningfully to achieving the National Assemblys legislative objectives.

At NILDS, our philosophy transcends theoretical exposition. The training modules blend conceptual frameworks with practical applications, drawing upon comparative best practices from within and outside Nigeria, he noted.

Mr Sulaiman also underscored the importance of continuous capacity development as a cornerstone of democratic consolidation, emphasising that the partnership between NILDS and the National Assembly reflects a shared commitment to institutional renewal.

Capacity development is not an episodic exercise, but a continuous and indispensable process for strengthening democratic governance, he said.

Over the years, NILDS has trained thousands of legislators, aides, and bureaucrats at the federal and state levels in areas such as leadership, research, gender inclusion, and legislative ethics.

The Director-General urged participants to take full advantage of the sessions, engage actively, and apply the knowledge gained in their respective offices.

He also expressed appreciation to the President of the Senate and Chairman of the NILDS Governing Council, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Alternate Chairman of the Council, Abbas Tajudeen, for their leadership and commitment to institutional capacity building.

The DG expressed optimism that the programmes would produce ambassadors of excellence who would strengthen the National Assemblys role in advancing the countrys democratic development.
The Adamawa State High Court has convicted a former managing director of Bonghe Micro Finance Bank of theft, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said in a statement on Thursday.

According to the statement on Thursday, the judge, Benjamin Manji, found Grace Karka guilty of stealing N32 million from the microfinance bank.

In his judgement delivered on 17 October, the judge sentenced her to five years imprisonment with an option of N3 million fine on the two counts. Mr Manji ordered the sentences to run concurrently

The judge also ordered that the convict make the restitution of N29,877.040 to Bonghe Micro Finance Bank.

The EFCC instituted the case following a petition from the microfinance bank.

The commission arraigned Ms Karka on 11 November 2024 on two counts of criminal conspiracy and cheating.

One of the counts accused her and one Moses Batalu of conspiring to steal N66.8 million (N66,792,960) from Bonghe Micro Finance Bank Nigeria Limited with account number 2013668857 domiciled with First bank Nigeria Limited.

The commission alleged that the duo carried out their conspiracy between August 2020 and March 2021 in Yola, Adamawa State by dishonestly moving the said sum without necessary approval.

The charges were brought under section 61(2) of the Adamawa State Penal Code Law 2018.

During the trial, EFCCs lawyer, Mubarak Tijani, presented witnesses and documents.

Ms Karkas lawyer also called three witnesses. The lawyers name was not stated in the statement.

Audit exposed theft

According to EFCCs statement, the Bonghe Micro Finance Bank sent its petition after an audit revealed suspicious transfer to a non-customer.

After further investigation, the bank found out that Ms Karka, who was the managing director, made the transfer of N32 million to Mr Batalu without the necessary approval.

The banks efforts to recover the money proved abortive, which prompted the trial.

This case is only one among numerous cases where former bank officials have been convicted of theft.

The Lagos State High Court in 2019 sent a former Managing Director of New Prudential Mortgage Bank Limited, Adetunji Abudu, to two years imprisonment for N195m fraud.

Similarly, in 2021, a former manager at Sterling Bank and Account Relationship Officer of OHHA Microfinance Bank, Oliver Anidiobi, was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for N219 million fraud in Enugu.

In 2022, the Court of Appeal affirmed the conviction of a former Managing Director of the defunct Bank PHB Plc, Francis Atuche, for N25.7 billion fraud.
On Wednesday, the House of Representative conducted the screening of the newly appointed service chiefs.

Those screened are Olufemi Oluyede, a lieutenant general, as chief of defence staff (CDS); Waidi Shaibu, a major general, as chief of army staff (COAS); Idi Abbas, a rear admiral, as chief of naval staff (CNS), and Sunday Aneke, an air viice marshal, as chief of air staff (CAS).

The House, however, deferred action on the outcome of the exercise till the next legislative day (Thursday) when it might confirm the appointees.

The screening followed a formal request by President Bola Tinubu, who earlier on Tuesday transmitted a letter to the House, which was read on the floor by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.

The president had urged lawmakers to give expeditious consideration to the nominees, citing the urgency of strengthening the countrys defence leadership amid persistent security threats.

Consequently, the House on Wednesday constituted an ad hoc committee to screen the military lraders appointed on 24 October.

The committee that conducted the exercise was chaired by the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson. Members of the Committees on Army, Navy, and Air Force also participated in the joint session.

The service chiefs appearance before the House ad hoc committee followed their confirmation by the Senate earlier in the day, after a closed-door screening that lasted over two hours.

Declaring the session open, Mr Benson underscored the constitutional importance of the exercise, describing it as a vital mechanism for ensuring accountability and transparency in national security management.

The process is not merely ceremonial; it is a critical mechanism for ensuring accountability, transparency, and public confidence in our national security leadership, he said.

Our country today faces its boldest threats from terrorism, banditry, and maritime insecurity. Nigerians expect results, and we in the House of Representatives share that expectation. Therefore, this screening offers an opportunity to interact candidly with the nominees, assess their understanding of the current security landscape, and hear their strategic plans for restoring peace and stability.

Mr Benson assured that the committee would be firm, thorough, and objective in its assessment, stressing that the goal was to ensure that only the most capable and visionary leaders were confirmed to serve at a critical moment in the countrys history.

He added, We are partners in progress, united by a shared commitment to Nigerias security, peace, and prosperity.

Chief of Defence Staff

Appearing before the Committee, Mr Oluyede expressed confidence in his capacity to lead the armed forces through a period of significant national security challenges.

Mr Chairman, I appear before you today to be confirmed as the 19th Chief of Defence Staff of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, following the recent changes in the top hierarchy by Mr President and Commander-in-Chief, he began.

Mr Oluyede, who is the outgoing COAS, said the army had recorded significant administrative and operational achievements under his leadership.

He added that his decades of exposure to security management at various levels had equipped him to steer the military towards greater efficiency and unity.

I have served this great nation as an officer of the Nigerian Army for over three decades across the junior, middle, and senior cadres of the military profession. My exposure at the strategic level of military management has prepared me for the responsibilities that lie ahead.

Mr Oluyede, the 34th COAS, said he viewed his nomination as a privileged opportunity to be in the drivers seat and bring about more positive changes within the armed forces.

He pledged to sustain ongoing reforms, improve the welfare of personnel, and deepen collaboration among the services to strengthen joint operations.

He emphasised the need for collaboration among the services and between Nigeria and its neighbours, stressing that national security required a united effort by all Nigerians and stronger bilateral partnerships.

Chief of Army Staff

In his presentation, Mr Shaibu said his 30 years of military experience had equipped him with the skills and vision needed to reposition the Nigerian Army for greater efficiency and professionalism.

A graduate of Mechanical Engineering, with three masters degrees in Public Administration, Strategic Studies, and Security Strategic Studies, Mr Shaibu pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessors while introducing reforms that will improve troops welfare and operational readiness.

With my wealth of experience in combating insurgency and managing field operations across the country, I intend to inject new vigour into our training and operational planning, he told lawmakers.

He added that under his command, the army would create an enabling environment for socio-economic activities to thrive and restore public confidence in the militarys role in ensuring internal stability.

Chief of Naval Staff

Mr Abbas highlighted his extensive background in maritime operations, command appointments, and strategic defence coordination.

With my experience, I am confident in my ability to move the navy forward and enhance operational efficiency, he said, promising to strengthen naval presence across Nigerias territorial waters and tackle maritime insecurity, oil theft, and piracy.

Chief of Air Staff

On his part, Mr Aneke said his leadership would focus on innovation, discipline, and long-term planning to build a modern, capable, and technologically advanced air force.

My focus will be on leadership, innovation, and planning, ensuring that the Air Force remains effective and forward-looking, he said, stressing the need for continuous training, air fleet modernisation, and personnel welfare.
Details have begun to emerge about the identities of at least 16 of an unknown number of Nigerian military officers currently being detained over an alleged coup plot.

According to sources familiar with the matter, fourteen of the 16 are from the Nigerian Army, while the remaining two belong to the Navy and the Air Force.

Among the Army officers are a brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and a lieutenant. The two others include a Lieutenant Commander from the Navy (the naval equivalent of a Major in the Army) and a Squadron Leader from the Air Force (also equivalent to a Major).

Further details provided by sources indicate that 12 of the 14 Army officers are from the Infantry Corps, the Armys combat arm, whose personnel primarily fight on foot. One officer serves in the Signals Corps, responsible for military communications, while another belongs to the Ordnance Corps, which handles the procurement, storage, and maintenance of weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and other military hardware.

The Army suspects are predominantly members of the 56 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), who trained between 27 September 2004 and 4 October 2008. Six members of this coursefour lieutenant colonels and two majorsare among the first batch of those arrested.

The remaining Army officers are drawn from other NDA courses, including the 44th, 47th, 59th, and 60th Regular Courses, as well as Short Service Commission Courses 38 and 43. The course affiliations of two Army officers, along with those of the naval and air force personnel, could not be immediately confirmed.

Our sources further disclosed that 15 of the 16 detained officers are from Nigerias North-central, North-east, and North-west geopolitical zones. The only exception is the most junior among thema lieutenant from the South-west.

The bloody coup plot

PREMIUM TIMES recently reported the Nigerian militarys commencement of a probe into a foiled coup plot involving some top officers arrested in late September.

Knowledgeable and reliable sources told this newspaper that the coup plotters planned to assassinate President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas among others.

Without categorically denying that the officers were involved in an alleged coup, the military said its probe of the officers is a routine internal process aimed at ensuring discipline and professionalism is maintained within the ranks.

A sudden shake-up

Weeks after the planned coup was foiled and some suspects rounded up, President Tinubu, in a major shake-up that stunned many Nigerians, sacked the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, replacing him with erstwhile Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, a general.

He also appointed Waidi Shaibu, a major-general, as the new Chief of Army Staff, Sunday Kelvin Aneke, an air vice marshal, as Chief of Air Staff and Idi Abbas, a rear admiral as the new Chief of Naval Staff. Emmanuel Undiendeye, a major general, retained his position as the Chief of Defence Intelligence.

However, the presidency did not link the shake-up to the alleged coup plot.

Covert arrests

Initially, the military arrested 16 officers but insiders said the number of suspects have swollen over time.

Sahara Reporters reported Wednesday that as part of the ongoing investigation, the military invaded the Abuja residence of a former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, arresting his brother who was also identified as his personal assistant.

But the former governor denied his involvement in the coup plot. Mr Sylva, through his spokesperson, Julius Bokoru, said he was traveling in the UK for medical checkup, with a plan to proceed to Malaysia for a conference.

Saying individuals believed to be operatives of the Defence Headquarters raided his principals house, Mr Bokoru, said no reason was given for the action.

Mr Sylvas spokesperson said his principal has no involvement whatsoevereither in planning or in logisticswith any such plot.

Efforts by PREMIUM TIMES to reach Mr Sylvia directly was unsuccessful. Multiple calls to his known telephone number failed to connect.
We recently published Trending Analyst Calls: 10 Stocks to Buy and Sell. Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) is one of the trending analyst calls.

Steve Weiss, Founder and Managing Partner of Short Hills Capital Partners, explained in a recent program on CNBC why hes selling Bank of America Corp (NYSE:BAC) after holding the stock for a long time. The analyst also discussed why he remains an investor in Goldman Sachs:

Number one, Im looking to reduce my exposure overall to the market. Im still pretty fully invested. I also have Goldman Sachs and that is a core position. Its a very large position. So what I get in BFA that Im not so sure I want right now is more of the general consumer population versus what Im isolating on is the underwriting cycle, IPOs, investment banking, etc. And I get that with Goldman. So this had really just very little despite what I just said to do with the company. Almost nothing. It was really just an exposure in the portfolio issue. So I just said, do I need to double down in financials because Ive run a very, you know, non-diversified portfolio.

Analyst Explains Why Hes Selling Bank of America (BAC) and Holding Very Large Stake in Goldman Sachs

Copyright: dolgachov / 123RF Stock Photo

Ariel Global Fund stated the following regarding Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) in its Q1 2025 investor letter:

We initiated a position in one of the worlds leading financial institutions, Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC). We think the firms revenue momentum across its capital markets group is underappreciated at current levels. We also expect the companys net interest income growth to exceed Wall Street expectations, despite a conservative outlook for loan growth and re-pricing. Meanwhile, a more favorable regulatory landscape, highlighted by a less restrictive capital rule should lead to a substantial increase in share buybacks. Taken together, we view the companys earnings outlook to be attractive, supported by higher profitability and free cash flow generation amidst an improving operating environment.

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Former Nigerian Senate President Bukola Saraki has received the Nana Akufo-Addo Africa Democracy Award for his record of promoting democracy and good governance on the continent, according to the organisers.

The award was presented to him in Nairobi during a ceremony organised by the African Democratic Union (ADU). The event brought together political leaders, policymakers, academics, and business figures from across Africa to discuss governance and development.

Former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, after whom the award was named, said the honour challenges African leaders to strengthen democratic institutions and deliver tangible benefits to citizens.

The Akufo-Addo Africa Democracy Award is only a signpost. The road is the daily work of building institutions that outlast leaders, Mr Akufo-Addo said. Wear the award lightlyyour real validation is the verdict of citizens. Choose courage over convenience, and refuse shortcuts that corrode institutions.

In his remarks, Mr Saraki thanked the ADU for the recognition and dedicated the award to the late Kenyan opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, who died on 15 October.

I dedicate this award to Raila Odinga, an African patriot who believed deeply in democracy and unity, Mr Saraki said. He recalled that Mr Odinga had intervened to mediate between him and then-President Muhammadu Buhari during political tensions in Nigeria.

Mr Saraki had earlier delivered a keynote address at the ADU Forum titled Navigating Africas Strategic Position in a Multipolar World: Towards Equitable and Mutually Beneficial Partnerships, where he outlined steps toward dismantling economic dependency and strengthening governance across the continent.

Reactions from participants at the forum described the award as timely. Jesmed Suma, National Chairman of Sierra Leones NGC Party, said Mr Sarakis remarks on governance and economic reform deeply resonated with his own advocacy for sustainable growth.

Other recipients of the democracy awards included Alonso Dhlakama, Rose Waruhiu, the late former Kenyan President Daniel Moi (represented by his son, Gideon Moi), Lutero Simango, Kizza Kifeefe, and Tundu Lissu.
Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has formally declared his intention to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

On Wednesday, Mr Kefas made the declaration during a meeting with APC youth stakeholders at the T.Y. Danjuma House in Asokoro, Abuja.

Rikwense Muri, the Taraba State APC Youth Vanguards publicity secretary, disclosed this in a statement he issued on Thursday. When PREMIUM TIMES contacted Josiah Kente, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters and Special Duties, he confirmed the development.

Mr Muri said the governor met with key youth leaders and influencers within the APC to discuss building a united political front for the accelerated transformation of Taraba State through stronger collaboration with the federal government.

Speaking during the meeting, Governor Kefas said Taraba could no longer afford to remain isolated from the mainstream of national politics, Muri stated.

He explained that his decision to realign politically was driven by the higher goal of ensuring greater development, improved security, and increased federal presence in the state.

I am guided by the need to put Taraba first, the governor was quoted as saying. Our state must take its rightful place in national development, and that can only happen when we work hand in hand with the centre.

The APC youth stakeholders commended the governor for his foresight, courage, and readiness to prioritise the collective interest of Tarabans above partisan considerations.

They described his impending move as a masterstroke that would reposition the state for progress and prosperity.

Mr Kente, the governors political adviser, confirmed the event in Abuja, adding that he had participated in the consultations aimed at ensuring a smooth transition for the governor to the APC.

The governor is moving to the APC. I am aware of the meeting between the governor and the APC Youth Vanguard; it is part of the ongoing consultations before the final move, Mr Kente said.

He described the governors decision as a pragmatic and strategic step that could accelerate Tarabas development and strengthen its partnership with the Federal Government.

Mr Kefas, a retired Nigerian Army intelligence officer, was elected governor in 2023 on the PDP platform.

Meanwhile, some PDP stakeholders in the state have expressed disappointment over the governors decision, describing it as a setback for internal democracy.

A senior PDP official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the party would respect his personal choice but continue to rebuild its structure around loyal members.
Candidates whose names appeared in a lawsuit filed against the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State and the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, said they were shocked to find their names as plaintiffs in the ongoing court case.

Three of the five candidates named in the suit told PREMIUM TIMES that they were not informed before the lawsuit was filed, and that they only found out about it when the court documents were posted online.

Some said they asked for their names to be removed, but have yet to receive a response, even as it stalls their admission chances.

The lawsuit

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how a law firm, F.K. Nnadi and Co., sued UNILAG and OAU over alleged irregularities that shortchanged candidates in their 2025 Post-UTME.

The law firm said it was suing on behalf of Success Chibuzor, Zainab Oyeleye, Adedeji Samuel, Aliat Monsuru, Bassey Nsikak and on behalf of all other affected candidates of the 2025 UNILAG and OAU Post-UTME.

Also added as a defendant in the case was the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), where the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) used for offering admissions is domiciled.

According to a pre-action notice issued by the law firm, the suit stemmed from alleged unjustifiable award of low scores to candidates and withholding of some results without explanation.

In an ex parte ruling delivered on 30 September, Justice Mabel Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court in Enugu asked all parties to maintain the status quo as regards the admissions processes pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

As a result, JAMB froze the CAPS profile of the five named applicants in the suit as well as the two institutions involved.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Fabian Benjamin, on 19 October, JAMB said it will neither alter nor allow any alteration to be carried out on the concerned profiles by any of the parties in conformity with the court order.

However, the candidates said they never asked any law firm to either represent them or file a lawsuit against the institutions.

Ken Nnadi, the counsel to the named candidates, maintained that no candidate was maliciously or arbitrarily included in the lawsuit.

Favour Obinyeluba, who contacted the candidates for additional information, promised to revert with responses but had not done so as of the time of filing this report.

Ms Obinyeluba is an associate of Alex Onyia, the Chief Executive Officer of Educare, who posted about the alleged irregularities and put out a form asking candidates with concerns about the OAU and UNILAGs Post-UTME to fill out the form.

Mr Onyia had, in a series of tweets, accused both institutions of using the same software for the Post-UTME and that it had a major bug that wrongly flagged candidates for malpractice and mismatched scores for others.

At one point, Mr Onyia said he had compiled a list of 752 candidates allegedly affected by the glitch.

We didnt authorise lawsuit  Candidates

I didnt know they wanted to sue UNILAGSo when I saw it (the lawsuit), I was shocked, an anonymous source told our reporter via telephone.

The anonymous source said she filled out a Google form shared on X by Mr Onyia, after a friend sent it to her.

I thought it was just the way they helped people during JAMB, she said.

I even told the woman (Ms Obinyeluba) who reached out to me on 19 September, that I already did a change of institution.

Another candidate, Success Chibuzor, said she first saw her name on the lawsuit online on 1 October, but thought it was another person with a similar name.

It wasnt until they suspended the account that I knew it was me, she told our reporter.

When she tried to log on to her portal on 10 October, it failed. The portal asked her to visit any JAMB centre.

The candidate visited Bafuto Institute of Management and Information Technology in Ikotun, Lagos, and was then referred to the JAMB Office in Ikoyi. There, the JAMB officials generated a support ticket. But she is yet to receive feedback from JAMB.

It has done me more harm than good, said yet another candidate. At first, this candidate didnt want to talk to our reporter. When he finally agreed to talk about it, he asked not to be named.

The university had disqualified him for alleged malpractice. They used an AI monitor, and any slight movement was flagged some people were later cleared, but I wasnt, he said.

So, he filled out Mr Onyias Google form. Afterwards, Mr Onyias associate, Ms Obinyeluba, reached out to him to request his passport photo.

When the lawsuit came out, I saw that my name was highlighted there, and I didnt know of such (the lawsuit) beforehand, he said.

Some weeks ago, the candidate reached out to Ms Obinyeluba, asking them to withdraw the lawsuit as it was affecting him.

Since then, they have not replied to me again. Ive been reaching out to them to say that they should maybe call this thing off because this thing is affecting me. And they did not reply again, he said.

I actually wanted to chase another institution, but I couldnt because JAMB (froze the CAPS profile), he added.

Meanwhile, the anonymous sourcesaid she told Ms Obinyeluba several times she wasnt interested in the case and wanted her name removed but was only told that theyre on it.

With their portals now frozen by JAMB, the candidates said they have been unable to proceed with their search for admission.

The anonymous source, also disqualified by UNILAG for alleged malpractice, successfully changed her institution from UNILAG to the Osun State University, Osogbo. However, she has been unable to proceed as JAMB had frozen her CAPS profile.

PREMIUM TIMES contacted Ms Obinyeluba via the contact provided by one of the candidates. When our reporter spoke to her, she said she would have to call back. She is yet to as of the time of filing this report.

In a text reply to our reporter, Mr Nnadi the lawyer, said the suit intends to ensure fairness, transparency, and respect for due process in the admission exercise.

Mr Nnadi said he couldnt speak further on the case to avoid sub judice as the case remains before the court but maintained that the candidates were not arbitrarily included in the list.

I can clarify in good faith and for the sake of accurate reporting that the application before the court was filed on behalf of affected candidates of the 2025 UNILAG and OAU Post-UTME, many of whom reached out directly to us. This approach is a standard legal procedure in representative actions, particularly where a matter raises issues of broad public interest, he said in a text reply to our reporter.

If any individual believes they were inadvertently affected or wishes to clarify their position, the proper forum for that is the court, where such concerns can be formally addressed.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday struck out the criminal charges filed by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) against telecom giant MTN and its top officials in Nigeria after the regulator withdrew the case.

The consumer protection agency filed the charges agaisnt MTN Nigeria (the telecoms Nigerian subsidiary), Karl Toriola, the MD/CEO; Tobechukwu Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, Ikenna Ikeme, General Manager, Regulatory Affairs.

FCCPC accused them of ignoring a lawful summons by not submitting documents and information required for its investigation.

Judge Hauwa Yilwa struck out the charges after the prosecution, represented by I. O. Aiaba, told the court that the FCCPC had filed a notice of withdrawal on 8 September.

He told the judge that the application was brought under Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

He said the prosecution adopted the notice and urged the court to strike out the case.

No lawyer appeared for the defendants, who were themselves also absent from court.

The judge struck out the charges after listening to the prosecutions request.

Background

In May 2024, the FCCPC said it issued a formal summons to MTN Nigeria requiring the production of certain documents and information as part of its limited initial inquiry and possible prospective investigation.

Reports showed the first letter of demand was issued in May 2024, with a follow-up letter sent in June the same year.

However, the FCCPC alleges that MTN Nigeria and some of its senior executives failed to comply with the lawful summons by not producing the requested documents and information.

Consequently, the FCCPC filed two counts against MTN and its officials in July 2024.

Count one accused the defendants of wilfully failing to comply with the lawful summons and letter of demand, contrary to Section 33(3) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018.

Count two alleged that, in furtherance of that refusal, the defendants impeded the FCCPCs inquiry, contrary to Section 111(1) of the same Act.

The dispute came amid regulatory tension between the FCCPCs broad competition and consumer-protection mandate under the 2018 Act and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which has sector-specific oversight powers in the telecoms industry.

MTN later sued the FCCPC, challenging its authority to investigate the telecoms firm. In February 2025, Judge F. N. Ogazi of the Lagos State High Court ruled that the FCCPC can exercise regulatory power in the telecoms sector.

The arraignment of the MTN executives has been stalled several times, due to either the absence of the judge or the absence of the defendants.

For instance, on the 28 May when the matter was fixed for arraignment, none of the defendants was in court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that during one of the court sessions in September 2025, which the defendants also failed to attend, the FCCPC lawyer, Nsitem Chizenum, told the court that the MTN chief executive and the other defendants were evading service of court processes.

Mr Chizenum said several efforts made to effect the service of the processes on the defendants were unsuccessful

The lawyer also told the court that the police had been involved and making efforts to produce the defendants in court.
Lagos commuters faced major disruptions on Thursday morning after two separate road accidents left several passengers injured and caused traffic chaos across the city.

Earlier, a collision between two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses occurred at Mangoro, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, within the BRT corridor opposite the former Punch newspaper head office at Onipetesi, Ikeja.

Eyewitnesses said emergency responders and passersby helped move the injured to nearby hospitals. No fatalities were reported.

An eyewitness told the Guardian Newspaper that the accident happened when one of the BRT buses swerved to avoid a commercial bus that had entered the restricted BRT corridor, resulting in a head-on collision with another BRT vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

The driver was trying to avoid hitting the commercial bus that suddenly drove into the lane, the witness said. In the process, he collided with another BRT coming from the other side.

Traffic officers arrived shortly after to control congestion and tow the damaged buses off the road.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said it is investigating the cause of the crash and will issue a formal statement on safety measures for the BRT corridor.

In a separate incident, LASTMA reported a crash involving a loaded tanker, a trailer, and a Toyota Corolla just after Kara Bridge on the inward Berger route.

Officers were quickly deployed to evacuate the vehicles, and the road has since been cleared.

All vehicles have been cleared from the road now. Smooth movement inwards Lagos restored, LASTMA wrote.

Recurring BRT accidents

These incidents underscore the persistent traffic and safety challenges on Lagos roads, particularly along major commuter routes.

LASTMA and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) have repeatedly urged motorists and commercial operators to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations to prevent avoidable accidents.

In August 2024, several passengers were injured in a head-on collision between two BRT buses at Dopemu after one driver swerved to avoid a commercial motorcyclist riding illegally on the BRT lane. LASEMA said the injured were taken to nearby hospitals, and no fatalities were recorded.

Further investigations revealed that the bus heading towards Iyana Ipaja, in an attempt to avoid crushing a commercial motorcyclist with passengers, collided with an oncoming BRT bus, LASEMA spokesperson Nosa Okunbor said at the time.

Earlier, in March 2023, at least two people died and more than 80 were injured when a Lagos State Government staff bus was struck by a train at the PWD rail crossing in Ikeja.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said the bus attempted to cross the tracks despite an oncoming train.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the incident as tragic, commiserated with the victims families, and thanked Lagos residents who assisted emergency responders during the rescue.

More recently, in August 2024, ten passengers were injured when a BRT bus collided with an abandoned pedestrian bridge near the Iyana Ipaja bridge.

LASTMA said the crash caused significant traffic disruption before the vehicle was cleared.

Both LASTMA and LASEMA continue to caution motorists, including commercial operators, against using dedicated BRT lanes illegally, noting that such violations have repeatedly resulted in preventable crashes and injuries across the city.
As military investigators continue probing the foiled coup plot against President Bola Tinubus administration, PREMIUM TIMES has exclusively obtained details of the identities of 16 of the top military officers allegedly involved in the failed attempt.

Sources with details of the ongoing investigations earlier told this medium that 14 of the 16 detained officers with regards to the coup plot are from the Nigerian Army. The remaining two, they said, are from the Navy and the Air Force.

According to our sources, 12 of the 14 army officers belong to the Infantry Corps, the armys frontline combat unit whose troops primarily engage in ground battles. One officer is from the Signals Corps, which manages military communications, while another serves in the Ordnance Corps, responsible for procuring, storing, and maintaining weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and other essential hardware.

The army officers include a brigadier general, a colonel, four lieutenant colonels, five majors, two captains, and a lieutenant. The remaining two are a lieutenant commander from the Navy, the naval equivalent of a major, and a squadron leader from the Air Force, which holds the exact rank equivalence.

The military and the Nigerian government have chosen to remain silent on the coup plot, with the Defence Headquarters only stating that it was not the reason for the low-key Independence Anniversary on 1 October.

Profiles of officers in detention over alleged coup plot

1.Brigadier General Musa Abubakar Sadiq

Born on 3 January 1974, Mr Sadiq is a brigadier general with service number N/10321, trained as an NDA cadet between 14 August 1992 and 20 September 1997. He is suspected to be the leader of the coup plot.

As a member of Regular Course 44, Mr Sadiq, an indigene of Nasarawa State, rose through the ranks, becoming a colonel in 2015 and a brigadier four years later. He belongs to the infantry corps.

This is not the first time Mr Sadiq has made headlines for alleged gross misconduct. In October 2024, he was reportedly detained for alleged diversion of rice palliatives, selling of military equipment, including generator sets and operational vehicles to scrap yards. Among other postings, the officer served as Commander of the 3rd Brigade in Kano and Garrison Commander of the 81 Division of the Army in Lagos.

2. Colonel M.A. Maaji

Mr Maaji is a colonel with service number N/10668. Born on 1st March 1976, the Nupe native from Niger State started training on 18 August 1995 and finished on 16 September 2000. Investigators suspect he played the role of a key strategist for the coup plot. PREMIUM TIMES has not been able to verify that claim.

A member of the infantry corps, Mr Maaji was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2013, becoming a full colonel four years later. The 49-year-old officer was the Commanding Officer of the 19 Battalion of the Nigerian Army based in Okitipupa, Ondo State.

He took part in Operation Crocodile Smile II, a Nigerian Army military exercise conducted in 2017 to address security challenges in the Niger Delta and parts of the South-west. He also served at Depot, Nigerian Army and later as Commander, Operation Delta Safe.

He was a member of the 47 Regular Course of the NDA.

3. Lt. Colonel S. Bappah

Mr Bappah, a member of the Nigerian Army Signals Corps, with service number N/13036, is from Bauchi State in North-East Nigeria. He was born on 21 June 1984.

The 41-year-old officer started his cadet training on 27 September 2004 and completed it on 4 October 2008.

He is a member of the 56 Regular Course of the NDA

4. Lt Colonel A.A. Hayatu

Mr Hayatu, now a lieutenant colonel with service number N/13038, hails from Kaduna State.

Born on 13 August 1983, he underwent his cadet training between 27 September 2004 and 04 October 2008.

A member of the infantry corps, Mr Hayatu also belonged to the 56 Regular Course.

5. P. Dangnap

Mr Dangnap is from Plateau State. He was born on 1 April 1986. In 2015, he was court-martialed alongside 29 others for offences related to the fight against Boko Haram.

The 39-year-old officer, with service number N/13025 began his cadet training on 27 September 2004 and completed it on 4 October 2008.

An infantry corps officer, Mr Dangnap is also a member of the 56 Regular Course of the NDA.

6. Lt. Colonel M. Almakura

A member of the 56 Regular Course, Mr Al Makura, a lieutenant colonel from Nasarawa State, was born on 18 March 1983.

The infantry corps officer with service number N/12983 trained as a cadet at the NDA from 27 September 2004 to 4 October 2008.

7. Major A. J Ibrahim

Mr Ibrahim, a major with service number N/13065, hails from Gombe State.

Born on 12 June 1987, the Infantry Corps officer trained between 27 September 2004 and 4 October 2008.

He was a member of the 56 Regular Course, and he became a captain in 2013.

8. Major M.M. Jiddah

An indigene of Katsina State, Major Jiddah, was born on 9 July 1985.

He trained between 27 September 2004 and 4 October 2008.

Mr Jiddah is an infaArmy officer and a member of the 56 Regular Course.

His service number is N/13003.

9. Major M.A. Usman

Mr Usman is a Nigerian Army major with service number N/15404.

He was born on 1 April 1989. He hails from the Federal Capital Territory, in North-central Nigeria.

A member of the 60th Regular Course, the infantry officer trained as a cadet at the NDA between 16 August 2008 and 14 September 2012.

10. Major D. Yusuf

Mr Yusuf, a major with service number N/14753, is a member of the Ordnance Corps.

He was born on 26 May 1988. As a member of the 59th Regular Course, Mr Yusuf trained at NDA between 7 July 2007 and 8 September 2012.

The officer hails from Gombe State.

11. Major I. Dauda

Mr Dauda joined the army through the Direct Short Service Commissions.

Born on 26 November 1983, the infantry officer with service number N/13625, trained between 5 June 2009 and 27 March 2010.

Mr Dauda, who hails from Jigawa, is a member of Short Service Commission Course 38.

As of press time, details about the remaining five officers listed below are sketchy. They are also being detained for alleged involvement in the coup plot. Below is a little information about them:

12. Captain Ibrahim Bello

Mr Bello is a captain with service number N/16266. He was born on 28 July 1987. He is a member of the Direct Short Service Commission Course 43.

13. Captain A.A Yusuf

He is an army captain with service number N/16724.

14. Lieutenant S.S Felix

A lieutenant with service number N/18105.

15. Lieutenant Commander D. B. Abdullahi

He is a Nigerian Navy personnel with service number NN/3289.

16. Squandron Leader S. B Adamu

An Air Force squadron leader with service number NAF/3481.
SPEECH BY PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU GCFR AT THE DECORATION OF THE NEWLY APPOINTED SERVICE CHIEFS DELIVERED AT THE STATE HOUSE, ABUJA, ON OCTOBER 30, 2025

PROTOCOL

Distinguished Service chiefs,

1. I congratulate you on your appointment and subsequent confirmation by the Senate. As your Commander-in-Chief, I am entrusting you with a tremendous responsibilityone that you must approach with the highest standards of commitment and dedication.

2. Todays ceremony is beyond the symbolism of decoration. It marks the beginning of our renewed effort to ensure the peace and security of all Nigerians. Each of you has been carefully selected for this critical task.

Security is an essential element without which everything else is rendered meaningless. There cannot be sufficient development if this fundamental aspect of human need is unmet. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the benefits of governance.

3. The governments foremost duty is to protect the citizens. Over the years, our military has remained steadfast in defending our nations territorial integrity, with many soldiers paying the ultimate price for their service. In dark times, when terrorists and armed marauders held significant portions of our land, our gallant armed forces rose to the challenge and reclaimed those occupied territories.

4. We have restored peace to many areas previously under siege, rescued countless kidnapped citizens, and significantly diminished the capacity of the terror groups.

5. I thank our armed forces for their patriotism, diligence, and dedication to their duty. As your Commander-in-Chief, I sincerely appreciate your sacrifices, as I have repeatedly acknowledged.

6. However, challenges remain. Security threats are constantly evolving, constantly mutating. Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South. We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head.

7. I charge you, as the heads of our nations armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal. Nigerians expect results, not excuses.

8. I charge you also to be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Lets stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace. Let us deploy technology where necessary. We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer.

9. I wish you success as you take up the challenge. I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done.

10. Thank you, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to keep our armed forces safe.
Valentine Ozigbo, an aspirant in the 2025 governorship primary of the APC in Anambra State, has criticised Nigerias Supreme Court for affirming Nicholas Ukachukwu as the partys candidate in the 8 November election in the state.

Mr Ozigbo, who defected to the APC from the Labour Party in February, contested in the APCs governorship primary election in Anambra State on 5 April, but lost to Mr Ukachukwu.

The politician challenged the outcome of the APC primary election in various courts, including the Supreme Court which, on Monday, reportedly affirmed Mr Ukachukwu as the APCs candidate in the November election.

Supreme Court bowed to fear, our lawyers silenced

In an X post on Wednesday, Mr Ozigbo tackled the Supreme Court for delivering judgement on his appeal without proper examination.

On Monday, under intense pressure from anti-democratic forces, our Supreme Court bowed, not to truth or justice, but to fear.

Under the shadow of intimidation, our lawyers were silenced, and our case  a case of truth, merit, and hope  was denied a hearing, he wrote.

They (Supreme Court) announced their verdict without listening, decided without examining, and declared without conscience.

The politician said although he wrote with a heavy heart about the judgement, he remained unbroken.

I refuse to despair. Because I know something (that) courts cannot silence  the voice of conscience, the power of faith, and the will of a people who will not bow to the darkness.

We will not bow. We will not surrender. We will not let darkness write our destiny, he stated, assuring that he would continue to fight on without bitterness and violence.

Mr Ozigbo stressed that the battle to reverse the election of Mr Ukachukwu as APC candidate was not his personal battle, but a struggle for every Nigerian who believes that truth still matters.

So I stand today, not defeated, but determined. God is just starting with us, and we will be vindicated soon.

Let history record that when others chose silence, we spoke up; when others compromised, we stood. That in the face of injustice, we did not curse the darkness  we lit a candle, he said.

And as we hold that candle high, let the world see that our faith is stronger than their fear.

Background

On 5 April, Mr Ukachukwu scored 1,455 votes to win the APC governorship ticket, while Mr Ozigbo came second with 67 votes.

Two other aspirants, Edozie Madu and Johnbosco Onunkwo, secured eight and 26 votes, respectively.

But Mr Ozigbo immediately petitioned APCs appeals committee, alleging that the primary was a fraud and charade.

When the committee dismissed the petition, the politician filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra State, challenging the eligibility of Mr Ukachukwu to contest in the primary election.

READ ALSO: Nigerian politician makes unsubstantiated claims against Supreme Court after failing to clinch APC ticket

In July, the court dismissed the suit.

Justice Evelyn Anyadike held that Mr Ozigbo failed to incontrovertibly prove that Mr Ukachukwu was not eligible for the APC primary election.

Mr Ozigbo also lost at the Court of Appeal which also affirmed Mr Ukachukwus election as the APC candidate.

Dissatisfied, Mr Ozigbo filed another appeal at the Supreme Court.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have both agreed to de-escalate their trade war and ease tensions that could harm the global economy.

Both leaders agreed to a one-year trade truce on Thursday during a meeting held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea.

The meeting lasted one hour and forty minutes, according to the Associated Press.

This is the first time Mr Trump and Mr Jinping have met face-to-face since 2019.

Based on the resolution made during the meeting, Mr Trump says the US will cut its fentanyl tariff on Chinese goods from 20 per cent to 10 per cent.

In return, China will begin purchasing massive amounts of soybeans and other agricultural products from the US.

Chinas Ministry of Commerce has announced that it will facilitate the USs access to rare earths. At the same time, the US will suspend the expansion of export controls on foreign firms listed on the Entity List, which had previously affected Chinese companies.

Under the deal, China agreed to defer its planned export controls on rare earths, while the US will drop a threatened 100 per cent tariff on Chinese goods.

Both Countries have been involved in a trade war since February after Mr Trump introduced a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese imports, on the grounds that fentanyl products made in China were flowing into the US and contributing to an opioid crisis.

When Mr Trump introduced a wave of executive orders and tariffs that disrupted global trade earlier in the year, China was hardest hit.

Mr Trumps tariffs on China also rose to 145 per cent in April, triggering a 125 per cent retaliatory tariff from Mr Jinping.

PREMIUM TIMES, however, reported that in May, China and the United States began talks to de-escalate the trade dispute. After US and Chinese officials met in Geneva, the tariff was reduced from 125 per cent to 10 per cent.

Mr Trump has, however, described his meeting with Mr Jinping as an amazing meeting that produced critical decisions.

He said he discussed the sales of computer chips to China and that the country will speak to Nvidia, the Silicon Valley chipmaker, about purchasing American computer chips.

That wont include its next-generation Blackwell AI chip. But a lot of the chips. We make great chips, he said.
The All Babies programme, implemented by New Incentives  All Babies Are Equal (NI-ABAE), has intensified efforts to improve vaccine access and coordination across northern Nigeria.

The organisation convened a two-day cold chain stakeholders roundtable on 24 to 25 October in Kano State, to strengthen collaboration and accountability within vaccine supply chains across its states of operation.

According to a statement shared by the organisation on Wednesday, the meeting brought together 35 participants from zonal and state cold chain offices, the Kano State Primary Health Care Board, NI-ABAE staff, and development partners to review vaccine stock trends, data systems, and distribution performance across 14 states.

The participating states include Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara, covering the North-West, North-East, and part of the North-Central region.

Speaking at the opening, NI-ABAE Stakeholder Relations Director, Nura Muhammad, said the meeting was part of ongoing collaboration to ensure vaccine availability at all levels.

Progress in immunisation coverage

Presenting the Q3 2025 impact report, NI-ABAE Monitoring and Learning Officer, Nana Ize, said the programme continues to make gains in reducing zero-dose infants across northern states.

Katsina and Zamfara recorded the sharpest progress, each achieving a 40-percentage-point reduction, while Kaduna saw a 15-percentage-point decline since the programmes rollout.

As of the third quarter of 2025, the group said the programme has enrolled 5.6 million infants across 204 local government areas, supporting services in 7,128 clinics and 60,000 settlements.

Since its inception, the programme has encouraged over 85 million vaccinations and disbursed more than N32 billion in direct cash transfers to caregivers.

The Senior States Partnerships Manager, Abdulwahab Yusuf, presented a comparative review of 20242025 vaccine stock trends, highlighting national shortages of the Rota vaccine, delays in redistribution, and incomplete reporting on OpenLMIS, Nigerias national digital vaccine-tracking platform.

Stakeholders resolved to strengthen real-time data visibility, improve the timeliness of OpenLMIS updates, and enhance coordination between state and local government levels to reduce stockouts before the end of the year.

Closing last-mile gaps

Participants also agreed to engage the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) to advocate for increased transport funding and logistical support for health workers.

The goal is to improve vaccine movement from local government cold stores to clinics. This approach aims to close the final gap in the vaccine distribution chain, the last mile  where most interruptions occur, the group noted.

Abubakar Hussaini, the State Cold Chain Officer for Niger State, commended the programmes contribution to vaccination turnout in the region.

All Babies has done a great job increasing vaccination awareness and turnout in Niger State. With their support, caregivers now come out in large numbers. We hope the programme expands nationwide so every child benefits from these life-saving vaccines, Mr Hussaini said.

Shared accountability

The meeting ended with a joint communique committing participants to train routine immunisation providers on vaccine stock management, strengthening supervision to ensure timely movement of vaccines from state and local stores to clinics, and enforcing OpenLMIS compliance through weekly reporting and follow-up.

States also agreed to adopt Nigers one-time supply model for hard-to-reach areas and to convene regular zonal coordination meetings in Kano to address pickup delays at the facility level.

Stakeholders confirmed that Rota vaccine shipments delayed by manufacturing challenges are expected to arrive in Nigeria by 1 November.

NI-ABAE is a child health initiative that promotes demand for routine immunisation in northern Nigeria through conditional cash transfers to caregivers.

The programme works closely with state governments, local health authorities, and community leaders to ensure every eligible infant receives all recommended vaccines.

It continues to strengthen Nigerias immunisation system through evidence-based incentives, data-driven monitoring, and strong community partnerships.
Apple has become the third company to see its market capitalization top $4 trillion, underscoring its role as one of the leading publicly traded tech companies and making it the second-most valuable company in the world. Shares of the company briefly topped $269.53 soon after trading began on Tuesday, putting it above the milestone.

Most Read from Fast Company



Apple was the first company to top $1 trillion, $2 trillion, and $3 trillion in market capitalization. But Nvidia beat it to the $4 trillion mark, on the back of surging investor interest in artificial intelligence. That companys staggering chip sales have boosted its stock more than 400% since October 2023.

Apples march to $4 trillion began in earnest on October 20, when Loop Capital upgraded its rating from hold to buy, citing improving demand for the iPhone. In a note to investors, the firm wrote: We are now at the front end of AAPLs long-anticipated adoption cycle that suggests ongoing iPhone shipment expansion through CY2027. The stock hit an all-time high following that upgrade.

Nvidia seems to be the new market leader and is on the path to be the first to reach $5 trillion. But from the dizzying heights of Big Tech, things shift quickly. Microsoft, for example, was the second company to hit a market cap of $4 trillion, topping it on July 30, following a strong earnings beat. But it lost ground, sending its market cap lower than Apples for a period of time. (Microsoft surged above the milestone once more on Tuesday as well.)

Trillion-dollar milestones dont have any specific value in and of themselves. Theyre visible indicators, however, of which companies are growing at impressive rates (assuming those companies maintain the levels). The first company to ever be worth $1 trillion was PetroChina, which reached the valuation briefly on its first day of trading following its 2007 IPO. But that peak coincided with a Chinese stock-market bubble and was short-lived. Today, PetroChina is worth roughly one-quarter of that.

Apples ascent to the $4 trillion club is a notable turnaround from earlier this year, when analysts were less bullish as the company struggled to keep up with its competitors. Apple also faced tariff-based manufacturing issues in China and India.

Year to date, the companys stock has climbed nearly 10%, however. And demand for the most recent iPhone showed that, despite the economic froth of this year, pervasive recessionary threats, and tariff concerns, consumers are still willing to buy top-tier devices. (The high-end iPhone 17 Pro now starts at $1,099, which is $100 more than the previous years model.)
A prosecution witness on Thursday told the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele embarked on the controversial redesign of Naira notes in 2022 without obtaining the banks board and Committee of Governors (COG).

The seventh prosecution witness, Chinedu Eneanya, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said Mr Emefiele made the admission in his extra-judicial statement he wrote during investigation, preparatory to his trial.

Mr Emefiele is standing trial on four counts, including illegal redesign of Naira notes, disobedience to the direction of law, and illegal act causing injury to the public.

The former CBN governor has denied the charges.

Led in evidence by EFCCs lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on Thursday, Mr Eneanya said Mr Emefiele only sought the approval of the board and committee of governors for the Naira redesign after the former President Muhammadu Buhari gave his assent.

The approval was obtained without the resolution of the COG, the witness said.

Asked if Mr Emefiele was confronted with this fact by investigators, the witness said, The defendant, in the course of investigation, was confronted (with the finding), and the question was put to him if he obtained approval of the CBN Board and the COG, and he wrote in his statement that he did not.

Trial judge Maryanne Anenih admitted the extra-judicial statement by Mr Emefiele as Exhibit W.

Backed by then-President Buhari, Mr Emefile introduced new N200, N500, and N1,000 notes and mopped up their old versions from circulation in a manner that outpaced supply of the new notes. This led to a severe cash shortage, causing significant hardship for millions of Nigerians and incalculable disruption to the financial system for months.

The prosecutor, Mr Oyedepo, on Thursday, presented six video clips that documented the hardships of Nigerians and Mr Emefieles press briefing that appealed and promised respite to Nigerians from the hardship caused by the Naira scarcity through the witness.

The videos were collected from media organisations  News Central, TVC, Channels Television, and Arise News.

Emefiele did not follow the CBN Act  Witness

Mr Eneanya told the court that one of the videos made reference to the Supreme Courts decision, which the defendant breached.

He said, In the course of investigation, my team set out to determine whether the laws of the introduction or change of currency was followed or abused.

The totality of the documentary evidence that we have looked at which includes R1-R7 (Supreme Courts judgement earlier tendered as evidence) and electronic evidence showed that the defendant did not proceed based on the CBN Act and the approvals of the board of the CBN.

Their approval was not sought or obtained. The COGs were informed of the approval after the approval was obtained from Mr President. When we perused the judgment, we saw that we made findings of fact.

However, Mr Emefieles lawyer, Olalekun Ojo, a SAN, objected to the evidence on the grounds that it was impermissible to give an oral account of a public document. Mr Ojo stressed that the document already spoke for itself.

But Mr Oyedepo challenged his objection, stating that the witness did not give evidence to vary or alter the findings of the Supreme Courts judgement.

Following the lawyers argument, the judge, Ms Annenih, overruled the objection on the condition that the witness would limit himself to his findings as an investigator rather than giving evidence of content.

Thereafter, Mr Ojo applied for a fresh date for cross-examination of the witness. The judge granted his application and adjourned till 26 November for cross-examination.

What previous witness said

The fifth prosecution witness, Kingsley Obiorah, who is a former deputy governor of the CBN, had similarly testified in November 2014 that the banks board never recommended Naira redesign to former President Buhari.

Mr Obiorah, who testified virtually, said he once served as Special Adviser to Mr Emefiele on economic matters.

The prosecution witness, who later became deputy governor, said the CBN board first heard of the Naira redesign policy on mid-December 2022.

To the best of my recollection, the first day this policy (Naira redesign) was discussed at the board meeting was mid-December 2022. I think it was around 15 December 2022.

The governor (Emefiele) invited the Deputy Governor, Operations, and Director, Currency Operations, to present that same memo that the Committee of Governors (COG) saw in October. He also informed the board of the Presidents approval.

I do not recollect any instance where the board made recommendation for Naira redesign to the President. The board did not recommend the Naira redesign.

Disruptive redesign

The unpopular Naira redesign policy marks one of the darkest periods of former President Buharis administration, causing a severe shortage of currency notes and inflicting significant hardship on many Nigerians during the first two months of 2023.

Mr Emefiele and Mr Buhari remained adamant in implementing the policy even as it triggered chaos and widespread disruption amid preparations for the 2023 general elections. They touted the policy as a measure to stop vote buying during the elections.

But despite the policy being in force, cases of vote buying were recorded during the 25 February 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections.

Mr Buhari staunchly defended the policy to the extent of ignoring an interim order of the Supreme Court suspending its implementation. On 8 February 2023, the Supreme Court ordered that both the old notes and their newly designed versions should remain legal tender pending further hearings in the suit. But in violation of the courts order, Mr Buhari, in a broadcast on 16 February 2022, restored the validity of the old N200 notes and insisted that the old N500 and N1,000 banknotes had ceased to be valid.

The case was finally laid to rest when the Supreme Court gave its final judgement on 3 March 2023.

It nullified Mr Buharis directive withdrawing the old naira notes and extended their validity till 31 March. The Supreme Court also adjudged Mr Buhari a disobeyer of court order, citing his violation of its earlier interim order suspending the implementation of the naira redesign policy.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Thursday, led a protest in Akure, the Ondo State capital, demanding justice for suspended officers of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps.

The three officers: Abu Taiwo, Akinsipe Victor, and Ekunjumi Julius, were reportedly suspended by the agency over alleged breach of oaths of allegiance and secrecy.

Adetunji Adeleye, the commander of the Corps, who announced their indefinite suspension on Monday in Akure while parading four suspected criminals, however, said the three officers had also been declared wanted for proper investigations.

There have been publications on social media indicating that the trio was involved in unprofessional conduct by making comments on social media, allegedly disparaging the agency.

They were reported to have agitated for their permanent employment through appointment letters. They were also accused of being involved in crimes such as gun running, theft, and threat to the lives of residents.

Every organisation has its own rules, and the Ondo State Security Network Agency is not an exception. The law setting up the Corps specifically says the Corps should give out identity cards and warrant cards for operatives who are full staff of the government as an agency, Mr Adeleye said.

You will observe that at the time when there are pressing need for the Corps to come together and continue to work assiduously to ensure that the security of the state is not compromised is when our intelligence showed that the three Abu Taiwo, Akinsipe Victor, Ekunjumi Julius have been sponsored not only to undermine and disparage the management of the Corps but totally to distract the attention of the Corps from its core mandate of the provision of security to lives and property.

However, the peaceful protest, which drew hundreds of concerned residents, youth groups, and civil society activists, began at the Cathedral junction and moved through major streets of Akure amid chants for justice and reform within the states security architecture.

Participants carried placards with inscriptions such as Justice for the Amotekun 3, Stop Victimisation, Truth Will Prevail, among others.

Addressing the crowd, Mr Sowore condemned what he described as a dangerous trend of abuse of power within the Amotekun Corps, warning that such conduct could undermine the credibility of the ongoing agitation for state policing in Nigeria.

Those we are hoping would transform into the state police have already begun to abuse power, he said. If we fail to hold them accountable now, we will be breeding another layer of oppression in the name of community security.

Mr Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters newspaper, also accused the leadership of the Corps of administrative impunity and injustice, insisting that the three suspended officers had become victims of a power tussle rather than any proven wrongdoing.

The activist called on the Ondo State Government and the Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, to immediately lift the suspension of the affected officers, withdraw the wanted declaration issued against them, and issue proper appointment letters to all Amotekun personnel across the state.

Mr Sowore, an indigene of Ondo State, further demanded improved welfare for Amotekun operatives, proposing a N250,000 monthly salary benchmark to reflect the high-risk nature of their work and their pivotal role in community safety.

These men risk their lives daily to protect their communities. They deserve better treatment, better pay, and above all, justice, he added.

Mr Sowore noted that the struggle transcended the case of the three suspended operatives, describing it as a fight for transparency, fairness, and institutional integrity in Ondo States security system.

Justice must prevail. This is not just about the Amotekun threeit is about building a system where no one is victimised for speaking the truth or demanding accountability, he said.

He said the protest would continue to mobilise public support until the suspended officers were reinstated and reforms introduced within the Amotekun Corps.
The path forward isnt about abandoning our heritage for wholesale Westernisation. Its about applying the lessons of the 2025 Nobel Prize: building scientific understanding of our traditional practices, managing the conflicts inherent in technological change constructively, and creating a society open to innovation. Its about asking: How can we make palm oil production efficient enough to reclaim our position as a global supplier?

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics has been awarded to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt for explaining how innovation drives sustained economic growth. Their research reveals a profound truth: for the first time in human history, the last two centuries have witnessed continuous economic growth that has lifted vast numbers out of poverty. But this growth isnt automatic; it requires the right conditions for innovation to flourish. As the world celebrates this recognition of innovations critical role in prosperity, Nigeria must confront an uncomfortable question: Why have our most iconic traditional industries  palm oil production, Aso-oke weaving, and staple food like Garri, Fufu, and Elubo processing remained virtually unchanged for generations, trapped in the very stagnation that once defined all of human history?

The Stagnation of Potential

Walk into a traditional palm oil processing community anywhere in Nigeria today, and you might witness scenes nearly identical to those from a hundred years ago. Women still manually crack palm kernels with stones. Small-scale processors still rely on rudimentary boiling and pressing methods that yield low-quality oil with significant waste. The irony is profound: Nigeria, once the worlds leading palm oil producer, now imports palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia  countries that took our seedlings decades ago and transformed their palm oil industries through mechanisation, hybrid varieties, and processing innovations.

The story is similar to that of Aso-oke, our magnificent handwoven textile tradition. While Indian handloom industries have successfully integrated power looms that preserve traditional patterns, while increasing productivity tenfold, our Aso-oke weavers still work on the same manual looms their great-grandparents used. A single piece can take weeks to complete, making it economically unsustainable for most artisans and prohibitively expensive for the average consumers. The craft survives more as a luxury heritage product than as a viable livelihood for the thousands who possess these skills.

Consider cassava processing, the backbone of many rural economies. Despite cassava being a major staple, most smallholder farmers still use labour-intensive, inefficient methods to process it into garri, fufu, or flour. Post-harvest losses remain staggeringly high. Meanwhile, countries like Thailand and Vietnam have developed automated processing facilities, improved varieties, and value-added products that have transformed cassava from a subsistence crop into an industrial commodity worth billions.

The Cost of Standing Still

Joel Mokyrs research demonstrates that throughout most of human history, stagnation was the norm. Despite occasional discoveries that temporarily improved living conditions, growth always eventually levelled off. What changed? Mokyr showed that sustained innovation requires not just knowing that something works but understanding why it works scientifically. This scientific understanding allows us to build upon discoveries, thereby creating a self-generating process of continuous improvement.

This insight is devastatingly relevant to Nigerias traditional industries. Our palm oil processors know the methods of work they have worked with for generations. But without a scientific understanding of oil extraction efficiency, microbial contamination, or optimal processing temperatures, they cannot systematically improve. Each generation repeats the same practices without the knowledge foundation needed to innovate. Weve trapped ourselves in precisely the pre-industrial pattern that Mokyr identified: occasional improvements that never compound into sustained progress.

The consequences are severe. First, it perpetuates poverty by trapping millions in backbreaking, low-productivity work that yields meagre returns. When a palm oil processor spends twelve hours producing what a semi-automated facility could produce in one hour, we are not preserving tradition; we are institutionalising inefficiency.

Second, we haemorrhage foreign exchange importing products we should be dominating in their production. Nigeria spent over $600 million importing palm oil in recent years  oil from trees that originated in our soil. We import textiles that could be produced locally if our traditional weaving sector had scaled through appropriate mechanisation. This represents not just economic loss but a failure to create the conditions for innovation that the Nobel laureates identified as essential for prosperity.

Third, we lose our youth. Bright young people observe the drudgery of traditional production methods and flee to cities or abroad, taking their potential innovation capacity with them. The generational transfer of traditional knowledge breaks down, not because young people dont value their heritage, but because they cannot see a future in it.

Creative Destruction and Vested Interests

Aghion and Howitts theory of creative destruction offers another lens for understanding our predicament. They showed that when new and better products enter the market, older technologies and the companies behind them lose out. This process is both creative (driving innovation) and destructive (displacing established players). Critically, they demonstrated that creative destruction creates conflicts that must be managed constructively  otherwise, established companies and interest groups will block innovation to protect their positions.

We must acknowledge that modernisation will disrupt existing arrangements, while creating new opportunities. This requires transition support-training programmes that help traditional artisans operate semi-automated equipment, financing mechanisms that enable small-scale producers to adopt better technologies, and social safety nets for those genuinely displaced. The goal isnt to eliminate jobs but to make existing work more productive and better compensated.

In Nigeria, we see this dynamic playing out tragically. Traditional industry associations sometimes resist mechanisation, fearing that it will eliminate jobs. Large-scale importers who profit from bringing in palm oil have little incentive to support the modernisation of domestic production. Even well-meaning cultural preservation efforts can inadvertently oppose technological adaptation, creating a false choice between tradition and progress.

The Nobel Committees warning is stark: Economic growth cannot be taken for granted. We must uphold the mechanisms that underlie creative destruction, so that we do not fall back into stagnation. Nigeria hasnt fallen back into stagnation in these sectors; we never left it. While other parts of our economy have grown, our traditional industries remain frozen in the pre-growth era that once defined all human societies.

Why Has Innovation Bypassed these Sectors?

The reasons align disturbingly well with what the Nobel laureates identified as barriers to sustained growth. First, we lack the scientific understanding that Mokyr showed was essential. Our artisans possess practical knowledge but often lack the theoretical foundation needed to systematically improve their methods. Research institutions remain frustratingly disconnected from producer communities, failing to provide scientific explanations that would enable cumulative innovation.

Second, we havent managed the conflicts inherent in creative destruction constructively. Fear of job losses, vested interests in the status quo, and a false dichotomy between preserving tradition and embracing technology, have created political and social barriers to innovation.

Third, as Mokyr emphasised, society must be open to new ideas and allow change. Yet, we have sometimes confused cultural preservation with technological stagnation, as if modernising production methods somehow erased cultural authenticity.

Yet, examples from other developing nations prove this doesnt have to be our reality. Ethiopia has modernised its coffee processing, while maintaining its coffee ceremony culture. Indian weavers use computerised jacquard looms to create intricate traditional patterns. Vietnamese farmers use mobile apps to optimise cassava cultivation, while still practising intercropping traditions. These countries understand that innovation doesnt erase culture; it enables it to thrive economically.

A Call to Action: Building the Foundations for Innovation-Driven Growth

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics provides a roadmap. If sustained growth requires scientific understanding, managed creative destruction, and societal openness to change, then Nigeria must systematically address all three in our traditional industries.

Building Scientific Foundations: We need innovation hubs that bring together artisans, engineers, and scientists to document traditional practices scientifically, identify improvement opportunities, and develop appropriate technologies. This isnt about imposing foreign solutions but about applying the scientific method to indigenous knowledge. Why does one palm oil processor get a better yield than another? What temperatures optimise cassava fermentation? How can traditional dye processes be standardised for quality? What are the optimum physico-chemical properties of cassava derivatives like garri and fufu, and how can we get them produced consistently with these qualities everywhere in Nigeria? These questions have scientific answers that would enable systematic improvement.

Managing Creative Destruction Constructively: We must acknowledge that modernisation will disrupt existing arrangements, while creating new opportunities. This requires transition support-training programmes that help traditional artisans operate semi-automated equipment, financing mechanisms that enable small-scale producers to adopt better technologies, and social safety nets for those genuinely displaced. The goal isnt to eliminate jobs but to make existing work more productive and better compensated.

These arent just economic questions; they are questions about what kind of country we want to be. Will we heed the lessons that earned this years Nobel Prize and create the conditions for innovation-driven growth in all our industries? Or will we watch our traditional sectors wither, leaving millions trapped in the stagnation that defined all human history before the modern era of sustained growth?

Creating Societal Openness to Innovation: We need a cultural shift that celebrates technological adaptation as a form of cultural preservation, not betrayal. When young engineers and entrepreneurs develop and successfully commercialise better cassava processors, theyre honouring their agricultural heritage, not abandoning it. When fashion designers use computer-aided design to create Aso-oke patterns, they are extending the tradition, not destroying it. This requires public education, showcasing success stories, and retiring the false narrative that tradition and technology are opponents.

Specific Interventions Needed

Establish regional innovation hubs for industrial process development, prototyping and commercialisation in agricultural and food sciences, focused specifically on traditional processing methods;

Incentivise big businesses and entrepreneurs to create corporate venture capital funds to back transformative ideas and innovation in key sectors;

Create certification and branding systems that allow modernised traditional products to command premium prices in domestic and export markets, such that locally produced palm oil and garri should mandatorily conform to predefined physico-chemical attributes, documented in official monographs;

Develop training programmes that combine traditional craft knowledge with modern engineering and business skills;

Reform policies that inadvertently protect inefficient importation over domestic production modernisation;

Build platforms for knowledge exchange between traditional producers and technical innovators.

The Stakes Are Existential

The Nobel laureates work shows that the sustained economic growth we have witnessed over the past two centuries, the very foundation of modern prosperity, depends on continuous innovation. It is not guaranteed. Societies can and do fall back into stagnation when they fail to maintain the conditions that enable creative destruction.

Nigerias traditional industries arent quaint relics to be preserved in amber. They are economic ecosystems supporting millions of livelihoods, representing billions in potential value creation, and embodying irreplaceable cultural heritage. But without innovation, they are dying slowly, unable to compete with imported alternatives, unable to attract new generations, and unable to lift their practitioners out of poverty.

The path forward isnt about abandoning our heritage for wholesale Westernisation. Its about applying the lessons of the 2025 Nobel Prize: building scientific understanding of our traditional practices, managing the conflicts inherent in technological change constructively, and creating a society open to innovation. Its about asking: How can we make palm oil production efficient enough to reclaim our position as a global supplier? How can we modernise Aso-oke weaving so that talented artisans can earn dignified livelihoods, while producing at scales that make the craft economically sustainable? How can we process our food staples to high standards with minimal waste and maximum value addition?

These arent just economic questions; they are questions about what kind of country we want to be. Will we heed the lessons that earned this years Nobel Prize and create the conditions for innovation-driven growth in all our industries? Or will we watch our traditional sectors wither, leaving millions trapped in the stagnation that defined all human history before the modern era of sustained growth?

The laureates have given us the diagnosis and the prescription. Implementation is up to us. The window for action is narrowing, but the prize, a future where traditional industries drive prosperity rather than perpetuate poverty, could not be more valuable.

Olumide Awoyemi is Founder/CEO of Symmex, an industrialtechnological solutions provider and developer of Huraflow.
A few weeks ago, I read on social media how some young Nigerian graduates described their situation in life. They believed that they were simply not lucky or that destiny had not favored them. They thought that the same destiny had smiled on others by giving them jobs while denying them similar opportunities. To them, getting a job and doing well in life is purely a matter of fate, and there is nothing a person can do if destiny has chosen otherwise. Those who preach and believe in this idea are mostly young people who are fast running out of their youthful years. Their only achievement appears to be the standard Nigerian pathway; basic primary and secondary education, followed by university, then the mandatory one-year national service. Afterward, they wait for a miracle, believing that a job will automatically come because they followed the logical path. When the job never comes, they assume the next step is to obtain another degree, perhaps a masters, thinking that their problem is a lack of credentials rather than a lack of useful skills. They then return to the same university system that failed to equip them for real life, repeating the same routine, and when disappointment comes again, they begin to speak of destiny and luck as if those words can erase the choices they made.

I see things differently, and perhaps my explanation may unsettle some people. But the truth, though uncomfortable, needs to be said. Young people must be advised to study something that matters, something that builds their capacity to think, to analyze, to create, and to solve problems. They should pursue disciplines that connect to the future of work, not the past. The world has changed, but too many Nigerian youths still study for a world that no longer exists. There is nothing wrong with learning for learnings sake, but if you expect to earn a living from your education, then you must be strategic about what you study. There are fields that add value, and there are those that only make you sound educated. Many students still spend years memorizing theories that have no connection to reality, graduating without a single skill that employers consider useful. When job offers do not come, they believe the problem lies in the number of degrees they have, rather than the absence of value in what they learned.

And instead of confronting the truth, they return to the same universities that failed them and register for the same kind of programs that failed them before. They imagine that another certificate will solve the problem, but it never does. The system rewards repetition and not reinvention. And so the cycle continues, which is: graduate, struggle, return, repeat! After several rounds of frustration, many begin to take refuge in superstition. They convince themselves that success is about luck or divine favor. They say life is not by effort but by some form of grace. They stop asking what they could do differently and instead start asking God to do for them what they can do for themselves. But nobody made those choices for them. Nobody forced them to study what they studied, and nobody stopped them from learning something useful on their own. The truth is that they are where they are because of the decisions they made, and their problem is not destiny but a refusal to take responsibility.

It is painful to admit, but many young Nigerians have been trained to see education as a ritual rather than a tool. You go to school, take notes, pass exams, and collect a certificate. Nobody asks whether you can apply what you learned, and nobody asks whether your education has any use in the real world. The university system has become detached from the industries it is supposed to serve. Meanwhile, the world has moved far ahead. Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how businesses operate and the energy transition is transforming industries. Today, the value of education lies in its relevance to innovation and its power to produce thinkers and problem solvers. But many of our institutions still treat students as empty containers to be filled with outdated information, where there is little curiosity, no creativity, and almost no critical thinking. The students are trained to obey, and not to question. Those who ask difficult questions are called rude, and those who challenge poor teaching are labeled arrogant. Thus, by the time they graduate, they have learned not to think.

The result is a generation of graduates skilled only in memorizing and reproducing what others have said; making them able to quote books but unable to write new ones. They can repeat formulas but cannot apply them to real problems. And because they have been conditioned to fear failure, they cling to their comfort zones and avoid the hard work of reinvention. This is where Yuval Hararis warning about the rise of the useless class becomes strikingly relevant. Harari describes a growing group of people who are not poor because they are lazy, but because their skills have lost value. Algorithms and better-trained humans have replaced them. They are not useless because they lack morality or effort, but because they cannot do what the modern world demands. If your skills no longer matter, you will find yourself part of that class (living below the working class, the middle class, and the upper class) existing on the margins of relevance and depending on others who made better choices.

But this does not have to be your story as you can change your life if you are willing to learn what matters. You can learn to code, analyze data, design systems, repair machines, or build solutions. The world no longer rewards certificates but competence. You do not need to wait for someone to teach you as you can teach yourself given that the internet has democratized learning. You can sit in your room in Kano or Port Harcourt and take free courses from the best universities in the world. You can watch lectures and master skills that are in global demand. Therefore, what you need is not another certificate but curiosity and discipline. Nigerias youth population should be our greatest advantage, but an unskilled young population is a burden, not a blessing. A nation cannot develop when its young people pursue paper qualifications rather than practical knowledge as true development begins in the mind, not the classroom. The mindset that values theory over application is why we remain behind. We often speak about unemployment, but what we truly suffer from is unemployability. Employers do not reject young people out of hatred; they simply cannot find people who can deliver results. Every serious employer values competence over credentials, and you cannot blame them for choosing value over vanity. And as a society, we must stop glorifying mediocrity. In many offices, people are rewarded for titles and not performance. This culture trickles down to the younger generation, who start believing that success comes from connections and not competence.

The young people in Nigeria must wake up from the illusion that makes them believe that success is about luck instead of usefulness. They should know that grace does not replace effort, and they cannot pray their way into competence, nor can they shout their way into skill. The world of work respects only those who can do what others cannot, and if you want to be relevant, you must learn something that matters. Nigeria needs problem solvers, not paper holders. We need engineers who can fix the national grid and scientists who can build clean energy systems. We need thinkers who can design sound policies. We also need teachers who can inspire creativity and students who can turn ideas into reality. Every nation that advanced did so by teaching its youth to be useful, not merely to sound educated without being useful. Therefore, if you are a young person, the next time you consider going back to school, ask yourself what you are going there to learn. Ask yourself whether you are going to repeat a mistake or to gain a skill that can transform your life. Also know that the difference between stagnation and progress lies in the willingness to learn what matters, and that the world will not wait for you to catch up. You must catch up with it at the pace it is moving. Technology is certainly advancing at an extraordinary speed, and the opportunities that come with it shift every day. This means you must evolve, and if you do not evolve, you will certainly be left behind. That is how you remain relevant in a world that rewards value rather than excuses for failure.

Mohammed Dahiru Aminu ([email protected]) writes from Abuja, Nigeria.
There comes a time in a nations story when the old engines of prosperity run out of steam. For Nigeria, that moment is now.

Crude oil, once the countrys lifeblood, no longer guarantees stability. Revenues are dwindling, global prices are unpredictable, and the cost of dependence has become unbearable. What lies ahead is uncertain, but one truth is clear: Nigeria must learn to earn beyond oil.

The Turning Point

Economists have long agreed that the silver bullet for Nigerias next growth phase lies in the non-oil sector, from agriculture to solid minerals, from processed foods to digital exports. These are the pillars of a diversified economy that can survive oil shocks and global recessions alike. Encouragingly, the numbers are beginning to tell a new story.

In just the first quarter of 2025, Nigeria earned $1.791 billion from non-oil exports, a remarkable 24.75% increase from the same period in 2024. But behind these figures stands a quieter force, the financial architecture that powers it all. And at the centre of that architecture is Zenith Bank.

The Institution Behind the Movement

Over the past five years, Zenith Bank has emerged as the single largest financial enabler of Nigerias non-oil export ecosystem, commanding nearly 40% of total export transaction value in the sector.

Its influence cuts across the full spectrum of Nigerias non-oil exports, from solid minerals and agricultural produce to commodities, fertilizers, and processed foods.

Behind every major exporter, whether shipping cashew from Kogi, cocoa from Ondo, or lithium from Nasarawa, theres a Zenith Bank account facilitating the trade, managing foreign remittances, and ensuring compliance with international financial standards.

The Engine of Dollar Inflows

In the last three years alone, Zenith Bank has processed over $6 billion in export remittances, establishing itself as the No. 1 Export-Remittance Bank in Nigeria.

This leadership is not coincidental; it is the result of decades of strategic investment in trade finance, risk management, and cross-border payment technology.

At a time when dollar scarcity continues to threaten macroeconomic stability, Zeniths role has become indispensable. Every dollar remitted through Zenith isnt just a corporate transaction; it is a contribution to the nations foreign exchange buffer, a breath of life for an economy under strain.

From Policy to Practice: The Export Seminar

Zeniths commitment extends beyond finance into thought leadership. Through its Annual Non-Oil Export Seminar, the bank brings together exporters, policymakers, and regulators to explore the dynamics of global trade, logistics, and value addition. These forums have become strategic incubators for new ideas, aligning Nigerias private sector ambitions with the realities of international markets.

Complementing this is the Zero-to-Hero Export Program, a mentorship and training platform that transforms ordinary Nigerians into globally competitive exporters. From understanding documentation to mastering logistics, Zenith Bank is not just funding exports; it is creating exporters.

A Future Built on Value, Not Volume

In an era where global trade is defined by efficiency, trust, and digital agility, Zenith Bank continues to set the benchmark. Its export operations combine deep financial expertise with cutting-edge digital solutions, ensuring that exporters experience speed, transparency, and global credibility at every stage of their journey.

But beyond the systems and seminars lies something more profound: a vision. A vision of a Nigeria that earns not by extraction, but by creation. A Nigeria whose strength is measured not by barrels sold, but by value produced.

Conclusion: The Zenith Standard

When the story of Nigerias economic transformation is told, it will remember those who looked beyond oil and saw opportunity in the ordinary.

Zenith Bank will stand among them, not just as a financial institution, but as a nation-building partner, an architect of a new economic order, and a living example of how strategic foresight can turn crisis into creation.

At this crossroads, while others are asking what the future holds, Zenith Bank is already helping Nigeria build it.

*Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, a policy advocate writes in from Lagos.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has called on the Kebbi State Government to arrest and prosecute all those involved in the alleged attacks and killing of some pastoralists in the state.

Its National Secretary, Bello Aliyu-Gotomo, who made the call in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, noted that allowing impunity to continue and people taking laws into their hands would only complicate the security situation in the state.

The National Headquarters of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) condemns the unwarranted attacks and killing of some innocent pastoralists in some parts of Kebbi recently.

The alleged dastardly act simply shows a well-organised campaign to displace pastoralists from their abodes in some parts of Kebbi.

MACBAN commends the Kebbi government for the prompt visit to the affected areas and called on the state authority to arrest and prosecute all those involved, Mr Aliyu-Gotomo advocated.

The secretary decried that the alleged attacks on pastoralists would make livestock and crop production extremely difficult, adding that the harassment by bandits and other non-state actors constituted a serious threat to the agric sector.

Mr Aliyu-Gotomo said that the association is concerned that allowing lawlessness to rein in the rural areas will have an unpleasant consequences on agriculture and livestock production in the country.

In a related development, the Miyetti Allah leader commended Governor Umar Bago of Niger, for taking prompt action to stop violence in the state.

He emphasised the need for enhanced synergy between the federal and state governments in curbing insecurity in all the nooks and crannies of the country, especially in rural communities.

(NAN)
Regional Adoption and Optimism Outpace Global Levels, Driven by Frontline Usage

Country Comparisons Reveal Contrasting National Attitudes Toward GenAI

Informal AI Use Is Widespread, but Few Companies Are Redesigning Workflows to Match

New BCG Survey Shows Leadership and Governance Are Critical to Long-Term Success

SINGAPORE, Oct. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Employees in Asia Pacific are adopting generative AI (GenAI) tools faster and more enthusiastically than their global peers, but they are also more likely to fear that these technologies could put their jobs at risk. These findings come from a new Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report, AI at Work: Is Asia Pacific Leading the Way?, based on a July 2025 survey of over 4,500 employees across nine APAC markets and a global control group.

Adoption and attitudes toward AI vary sharply across countries. India leads the region with a 92% adoption rate, while Japan lags at just 51%. Optimism about AI is highest in China (70%), Malaysia (68%), and Indonesia (69%), compared to only 46% in Japan.

At the same time, job displacement fears show similar divergence. Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand report the highest concern about AI-related job losses, while Japan again registers the lowest concern (40%). In India, despite leading in adoption, only 48% of workers express job fear, which underscores the complexity of perception across markets.

AI adoption is especially strong among frontline employees, with 70% in APAC using GenAI regularly compared to just 51% globally. Overall, 78% of APAC respondents use AI at least weekly, versus 72% worldwide. This bottom-up adoption model reflects a cultural dynamism in the region's workplace practices.

"The Asia Pacific region is showcasing a unique blend of grassroots innovation and digital ambition," said Jeff Walters, a BCG managing director and senior partner and coauthor of the report. "But this momentum also introduces critical challenges in governance, workflow redesign, and employee support."

Informal Use Highlights Gaps in Governance

Widespread informal use of GenAI tools reflects both the enthusiasm and impatience of employees across levels. Fifty-eight percent of APAC respondents say they would use AI even without company approval, and 35% would bypass restrictions to do so. Despite this high engagement, only 57% report that their companies are redesigning workflows to integrate AI effectively.

This gap poses significant risks. Without proper governance, companies may undermine both security and productivity.

Frontline Enthusiasm Meets Elevated Anxiety

While the region's frontline workers are leading adoption, they are also feeling exposed. Over half (53%) fear job loss from AI, a much higher proportion than the global average of 36%. Meanwhile, 60% of all APAC respondents report feeling optimistic about AI, compared to 52% globally, illustrating a complex blend of hope and anxiety.

Agentic AI on the RiseBut Understanding Trails

A majority (77%) of APAC workers say their businesses are experimenting with or deploying autonomous AI agents. Yet only 33% feel they understand these tools well, signaling a significant education and governance gap.

Leadership Support Is Crucial

Employees who feel supported by leadership are more likely to report higher job satisfaction and optimism about career prospects. However, frontline employees still receive the least support across roles.

"To turn high usage into real impact, companies must close the gap between experimentation and execution," said Jinseok Jang, a BCG managing director and partner. "That means top-down governance, upskilling, and a clear AI narrative that aligns with employee expectations."

Download the full report here: https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/ai-at-work-is-asia-pacific-leading-the-way

Media Contact:

Eric Gregoire

+1 617 850 3783

[email protected]

About Boston Consulting Group

Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholdersempowering organizations to grow, build sustainable competitive advantage, and drive positive societal impact.

Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that question the status quo and spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting, technology and design, and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place.

SOURCE Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
CHICAGO, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new report from The Brattle Group, the third quarter of 2025 marked a defining inflection point for auditor oversight in the United States. Following months of uncertainty amid leadership changes and constitutional challenges, enforcement activity and developments at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Q3 2025 offered the first clear signs of how the new administration's priorities may reshape the enforcement landscape.

The report, Enforcement Activity Involving Auditors  2025 Q3 Update , was authored by a Brattle team led by Principal Alison Forman and Associate Adam Karageorge . A follow-up to Brattle's 2024 Enforcement Activity Involving Auditors report, the Q3 Update analyzes overall enforcement activity from the PCAOB and the SEC during the first nine months of 2025  comparing it to activity from 20182024  and identifies developments likely to influence auditor oversight in 2026 and beyond.

"The first three quarters of 2025 were a period of transition for auditor enforcement, shaped by leadership transitions  including the swearing in of SEC Chair Paul Atkins in April  and the accompanying shift away from the aggressive enforcement stance of prior administrations," said Ms. Forman, Co-Leader of Brattle's Accounting Practice. "The muted pace of enforcement in Q3 likely foreshadows a more sustained realignment of priorities."

The authors found that, with the exception of a single action issued prior to SEC Chair Gary Gensler's resignation on January 20, 2025, the SEC did not initiate any new actions against auditors in 2025 through Q3. The PCAOB initiated 32 actions over the same period, comparable to levels in prior years, though all but one of those took place before Chair Erica Williams's departure in July.

Notable Q3 2025 developments highlighted in the report include:

Judge Margaret Ryan was appointed Director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement, a notably unconventional pick for the Commission's top enforcement role.

The SEC established a Cross-Border Task Force, which will initially focus on foreign companies engaged in potential US securities violations, as well as gatekeepers, such as auditors and underwriters.

The PCAOB was spared elimination in President Trump's 2025 budget reconciliation package, after a provision to dissolve it was struck down under the Byrd Rule.

PCAOB Chair Erica Williams resigned at the request of SEC Chair Atkins, which was followed by a call for candidates to fill all five board positions.

The PCAOB postponed the adoption of its new quality control standard (QC 1000, A Firm's System of Quality Control), intended to strengthen audit quality, by one year. Originally scheduled to take effect on December 15, 2025, it is now set for December 15, 2026.

The authors also discuss the collective impact of these developments on future auditor enforcement.

The full report is available on Brattle's website: https://www.brattle.com/insights-events/publications/enforcement-activity-involving-auditors-2025-q3-update/ .

ABOUT BRATTLE

The Brattle Group answers complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions for corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We are distinguished by the clarity of our insights and the credibility of our experts, which include leading international academics and industry specialists. Brattle has 500 talented professionals across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For more information, please visit brattle.com .

SOURCE The Brattle Group
Australias financial regulator has issued a major update to its digital-asset guidance, expanding how existing financial-services laws apply to crypto businesses as the government prepares sweeping new legislation.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission on Tuesday published a revised version of Info Sheet 225, clarifying when digital-asset products and services are likely to be considered financial products under the Corporations Act.

The latest update replaces earlier crypto-asset terminology with the broader term digital assets, intended to capture virtual, tokenized, and coin-based products without exclusion.

While the guidance does not create new law, ASIC said it aims to give businesses greater certainty ahead of Treasurys planned Digital Asset Platforms and Payment Service Providers bills, which will introduce formal licensing for exchanges, custody platforms, and certain stablecoin issuers.

The regulator also reiterated that many digital assets, including yield-bearing tokens, staking programs, and asset-referenced stablecoins, will likely require an Australian Financial Services license under current law.

The finalized guidance builds on ASICs December 2024 consultation, expanding from 13 to 18 worked examples and introducing new sections on custody, fund management, and transitional relief.

These range from exchange-issued tokens and gaming NFTs to yield-bearing stablecoins, wrapped tokens, and staking-as-a-service platforms.

Australia's Regulator Eases Rules on Stablecoin Intermediaries

In each case, ASIC examines whether the asset constitutes a managed investment scheme, a derivative, or a non-cash payment facility, depending on its rights and benefits.

ASIC also reinforced that Australian law applies to offshore and decentralized structures if they are marketed or sold to local users, warning that global platforms cannot rely on geography to avoid domestic oversight.

The regulator further detailed new custodial obligations, requiring firms holding client assets to meet net tangible asset thresholds of up to $10 million (US$6.5 million), unless their custody role is deemed incidental.

The update builds on ASICs September decision to grant class relief to intermediaries distributing stablecoins from licensed issuers in a move experts previously described as a pragmatic bridge while Treasury finalizes its stablecoin regime.

That exemption allows stablecoins issued by licensed issuers to be distributed without secondary-market or clearing licenses, provided that issuers remain responsible for disclosure and compliance.
A new partnership with Endeavors will enhance the clinic's reach and impact, building on care already provided to over 2,800 post-9/11 veterans, service members, and military families in Hawaii

STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cohen Veterans Network (CVN), a national not-for-profit integrated network of mental health clinics for post-9/11 veterans, service members and their families, hosted a vibrant Community Celebration today to mark the fifth anniversary of The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic in Mililani. The event celebrated the clinic's vital contributions to Hawaii's veteran and military communities while also highlighting an exciting new chapter in its journey: a partnership with Endeavors that will expand the clinic's reach and deepen its impact.

Cohen Veterans Network (PRNewsfoto/Cohen Veterans Network)

Earlier this year, CVN announced Endeavors as the new operating partner for the Cohen Clinic in Mililani. This collaboration leverages Endeavors' extensive experience managing three other Cohen Clinics on the mainlandin San Antonio, Killeen, and El Paso, Texasbringing valuable expertise to Hawaii.

"We are excited to once again partner with Endeavors, an accomplished operator of our clinics," says Cohen Veterans Network president and CEO Dr. Anthony Hassan. "Together, we will continue to fill the gaps in care for the more than 220,000 post-9/11 veterans, service members and military family members across the beautiful state of Hawaii."

The Community Celebration brought together about 75 military-focused community leaders, government officials, and local business representatives. Attendees recognized the clinic's critical role in providing high-quality, accessible mental health services across the state. Since its opening, the Mililani clinic has served over 2,800 clients, a testament to its impact on the community. With CVN's new partnership with Endeavors, the clinic is well-positioned to build on its strong foundation of care and enhance its services to address the evolving needs of Hawaii's military community.

"We are honored to deepen our partnership with Cohen Veterans Network to expand mental health services for Hawaii's veterans, service members, and their families," said Endeavors CEO Chip Fulghum. "Building on our experience serving military communities on the mainland, we're broadening our reach to meet the growing need for care in Mililani and beyond by combining trusted local support with telehealth to help families access the care they deserve."

The Cohen Clinic in Mililani is one of 22 Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics, serving 20 states across the country. Since its inception in 2016, CVN has treated more than 90,000 clients and provided over 820,000 clinical sessions. The Cohen Clinics treat a wide variety of mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, PTSD, adjustment issues, anger, grief and loss, military transition challenges, family issues, relationship problems, and children's behavioral problems. Care is available regardless of discharge status, role while in uniform or combat experience. In addition to therapy, CVN provides comprehensive case management services to support clients with social drivers of health including employment, finances, housing, and more.

The clinic is located at 95-1091 Ainamakua Dr., Mililani, HI 96789. To access services or learn more, visit endeavors.org/cohen-clinic-mililani/.

Photos from the Community Celebration today are available here.

About Cohen Veterans Network (CVN):

Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) is a 501(c)(3) national not-for-profit philanthropic organization for post-9/11 veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. CVN focuses on improving mental health outcomes, operating a network of outpatient mental health clinics in high-need communities, in which trained clinicians deliver holistic, evidence-based care to treat mental health conditions. It was established in 2016 by philanthropist Steven A. Cohen. Learn more about CVN at cohenveteransnetwork.org.

About Endeavors:

Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Endeavors is a national service organization that has been assisting vulnerable populations since 1969. Endeavors offers a range of services and programs supporting children, families, Veterans, and those struggling with mental illness, disabilities, disasters, or emergencies. Endeavors serves people in crisis with personalized services. For more information, visit: www.endeavors.org or contact [email protected].

SOURCE Cohen Veterans Network
AUSTIN, Minn., Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, announced today that it was again recognized by Vault as having one of the top 150 internship programs in the nation. The company's multi-year, award-winning summer internship program was recognized in the categories of Best Internships for Consumer and Industrial Products; Engineering; as well as Sales, Marketing and Communications.

Hormel Foods Corporation, a Fortune 500 global branded food company, was recently recognized by Vault as having one of the top 150 internship programs in the nation. Vault Top Ranked Internship Award logo

"It's such an honor to be recognized for our outstanding internship program," said Angie Bissen, director of talent acquisition at Hormel Foods. "We hosted nearly 100 college students from 50 different universities last summer and worked hard to provide them with a best-in-class, hands-on experience managing key projects for the company."

Vault surveyed participating interns asking them to rate their experiences in specific areas including:

Overall career development (including four separate ratings for training and mentoring, quality of assignments, real-life experience, networking opportunities),

Employment prospects (opportunity to obtain a full-time job with this organization),

Quality of life (company culture, hours, work-life balance, flexibility),

Compensation and benefits.

Hormel Foods has a long-standing track record of hiring interns to full-time positions following their graduations.

"We typically convert at least 70% of our interns into full-time team members," said Bissen. "I think this speaks volumes to the fantastic work our teams do to welcome and mentor our interns as well as provide real-world work experiences for them to keep growing."

To view the Vault list of top-ranked internships, visit Vault Internship Rankings Landing Page.

About Hormel Foods  Inspired People. Inspired Food.

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minnesota, is a global branded food company with approximately $12 billion in annual revenue. Its brands include PLANTERS, SKIPPY, SPAM, HORMEL NATURAL CHOICE, APPLEGATE, JUSTIN'S, WHOLLY, HORMEL BLACK LABEL, COLUMBUS, JENNIE-O and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America's most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized by TIME magazine as one of the World's Best Companies and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement  Inspired People. Inspired Food.  to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com.

Contact: Media Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation
CARY, N.C., Oct 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Data and AI company SAS has been named a leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Data Integration Software Platforms 2025 Vendor Assessment*.

The IDC MarketScape study noted the following strengths of SAS Viya, SAS' cloud-native data and AI platform:

"Strong data integration can be a bedrock for AI."  Manisha Khanna, SAS. Post this IDC MarketScape recognizes data and AI company SAS as a leader in data integration software platforms.

Broad, integrated data engineering in a single platform.

Operational readiness with orchestration, DevOps, and governance.

Openness for multicoding languages and multi-engine execution.

AI-assisted engineering and synthetic data for productivity and privacy.

"There is no AI without data, and the ability to integrate and take control of data is necessary for AI success," says Stewart Bond, Research VP, Data Intelligence and Integration at IDC. "In this IDC MarketScape evaluation, SAS demonstrated data integration strengths in agentic capabilities, hybrid and multicloud flexibility, open table support and domain-specific accelerators."

According to the report, SAS is "particularly well-suited for regulated and mission-critical environments that value lineage, data quality, and policy controls embedded within the pipeline tooling; for teams seeking multilanguage workflows with in-database optimization; and for programs that can benefit from AI-assisted pipeline development and synthetic data to accelerate delivery while safeguarding sensitive information."

SAS Viya empowers:

"Fragmented data and siloed systems make for a shaky data foundation to build AI projects on," said Manisha Khanna, Senior Product Manager, AI & GenAI at SAS. "By contrast, strong data integration can be a bedrock for AI, helping organizations to reap maximum value and impact from their AI investments."

See more analyst recognitions of SAS at https://www.sas.com/en_us/news/analyst-viewpoints.html.

*IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Data Integration Software Platforms 2025 Vendor Assessment, (IDC #US53001625, October 2025)

About IDC MarketScape

IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of technology and service suppliers in a given market. The research utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each supplier's position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of technology suppliers can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective suppliers.

About SAS

SAS is a global leader in data and AI. With SAS software and industry-specific solutions, organizations transform data into trusted decisions. SAS gives you THE POWER TO KNOW.

SAS and all other SAS Institute Inc. product or service names are registered trademarks or trademarks of SAS Institute Inc. in the USA and other countries.  indicates USA registration. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Copyright  2025 SAS Institute Inc. All rights reserved.

Editorial Contact:

Julia Norton

[email protected]

919-531-4661

www.sas.com/news

SOURCE SAS
BEIJING, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TAL Education Group (NYSE: TAL) ("TAL" or the "Company"), a smart learning solutions provider in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 ended August 31, 2025 and issued notice of Annual General Meeting.

Highlights for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026

Net revenues were US$861.4 million, compared to net revenues of US$619.4 million in the same period of the prior year.

Income from operations was US$96.1 million, compared to income from operations of US$47.6 million in the same period of the prior year.

Non-GAAP income from operations, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$107.8 million, compared to non-GAAP income from operations of US$64.5 million in the same period of the prior year.

Net income attributable to TAL was US$124.1 million, compared to net income attributable to TAL of US$57.4 million in the same period of the prior year.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to TAL, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$135.8 million, compared to non-GAAP net income attributable to TAL of US$74.3 million in the same period of the prior year.

Basic net income per American Depositary Share ("ADS") was US$0.22, and diluted net income per ADS was US$0.21. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, were both US$0.24. Three ADSs represent one Class A common share.

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled US$3,248.8 million as of August 31, 2025, compared to US$3,618.4 million as of February 28, 2025.

Highlights for the Six Months Ended August 31, 2025

Net revenues were US$1,436.4 million, compared to net revenues of US$1,033.5 million in the same period of the prior year.

Income from operations was US$110.4 million, compared to income from operations of US$30.3 million in the same period of the prior year.

Non-GAAP income from operations, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$133.0 million, compared to non-GAAP income from operations of US$65.4 million in the same period of the prior year.

Net income attributable to TAL was US$155.4 million, compared to net income attributable to TAL of US$68.8 million in the same period of the prior year.

Non-GAAP net income attributable to TAL, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$177.9 million, compared to non-GAAP net income attributable to TAL of US$103.9 million in the same period of the prior year.

Basic and diluted net income per ADS were both US$0.26. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, were both US$0.30.

Financial Data Second Quarter and First Six Months of Fiscal Year 2026

(In US$ thousands, except per ADS data and percentages)



Three Months Ended

August 31,

2024 2025 Pct. Change Net revenues 619,361 861,353 39.1 % Income from operations 47,622 96,097 101.8 % Non-GAAP income from operations 64,520 107,849 67.2 % Net income attributable to TAL 57,431 124,084 116.1 % Non-GAAP net income attributable to TAL 74,329 135,836 82.7 % Net income per ADS attributable to TAL  basic 0.09 0.22 129.6 % Net income per ADS attributable to TAL  diluted 0.09 0.21 130.0 % Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to

TAL  basic 0.12 0.24 94.2 % Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to

TAL  diluted 0.12 0.24 94.6 %



Six Months Ended

August 31,

2024 2025 Pct. Change Net revenues 1,033,548 1,436,352 39.0 % Income from operations 30,292 110,443 264.6 % Non-GAAP income from operations 65,396 132,958 103.3 % Net income attributable to TAL 68,833 155,366 125.7 % Non-GAAP net income attributable to TAL 103,937 177,881 71.1 % Net income per ADS attributable to TAL  basic 0.11 0.26 132.4 % Net income per ADS attributable to TAL  diluted 0.11 0.26 133.1 % Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to

TAL  basic 0.17 0.30 76.2 % Non-GAAP net income per ADS attributable to

TAL  diluted 0.17 0.30 76.7 %

"We delivered progress across our core businesses in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. Both our enrichment learning programs and learning devices contributed to revenue growth, sequentially and year-over-year. Ongoing investments in user experience, technology, and educational model innovations continue to drive this momentum." said Alex Peng, TAL's President and Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Peng added, "Strategically, we will continue to allocate resources on key areas critical to achieving sustainable growth. Our goal is to deliver transformative learning solutions that empower students' holistic development while expanding access to high-quality educational content. "

Financial Results for the Second Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026

Net Revenues

In the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, TAL reported net revenues of US$861.4 million, representing a 39.1% increase from US$619.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Operating Costs and Expenses

In the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, operating costs and expenses were US$766.7 million, representing a 34.0% increase from US$572.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. Non-GAAP operating costs and expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, were US$755.0 million, representing a 36.0% increase from US$555.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Cost of revenues increased by 36.8% to US$370.3 million from US$270.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. Non-GAAP cost of revenues, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, increased by 37.6% to US$369.8 million, from US$268.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Selling and marketing expenses increased by 46.9% to US$267.3 million from US$181.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. Non-GAAP selling and marketing expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, increased by 48.6% to US$264.4 million, from US$177.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025.

General and administrative expenses increased by 8.0% to US$129.1 million from US$119.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, increased by 11.5% to US$120.8 million, from US$108.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Total share-based compensation expenses allocated to the related operating costs and expenses decreased by 30.5% to US$11.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 from US$16.9 million in the same period of fiscal year 2025.

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased by 40.8% to US$491.0 million from US$348.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. The gross margin for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 was 57.0%, compared to 56.3% in the same period of the prior year.

Income from Operations

Income from operations was US$96.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, compared to income from operations of US$47.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. Non-GAAP income from operations, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$107.8 million, compared to Non-GAAP income from operations of US$64.5 million in the same period of the prior year.

Other Income

Other income was US$67.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, compared to other income of US$20.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Impairment Loss on Long-term Investments

Impairment loss on long-term investment was US$1.4 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, compared to US$4.9 million in the same period of fiscal year 2025.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was US$51.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, compared to US$25.6 million of income tax expense in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Net Income attributable to TAL Education Group

Net income attributable to TAL was US$124.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, compared to net income attributable to TAL of US$57.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. Non-GAAP net income attributable to TAL, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$135.8 million, compared to Non-GAAP net income attributable to TAL of US$74.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Basic and Diluted Net Income per ADS

Basic net income per ADS was US$0.22, and diluted net income per ADS was US$0.21 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, were both US$0.24 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026.

Cash Flow

Net cash used in operating activities for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 was US$58.1 million.

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-Term Investments

As of August 31, 2025, the Company had US$1,542.2 million of cash and cash equivalents and US$1,706.6 million of short-term investments, compared to US$1,771.3 million of cash and cash equivalents and US$1,847.1 million of short-term investments as of February 28, 2025.

Deferred Revenue

As of August 31, 2025, the Company's deferred revenue balance was US$822.7 million, compared to US$671.2 million as of February 28, 2025.

Financial Results for the First Six Months of Fiscal Year 2026

Net Revenues

For the first six months of fiscal year 2026, TAL reported net revenues of US$1,436.4 million, representing a 39.0% increase from US$1,033.5 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2025.

Operating Costs and Expenses

In the first six months of fiscal year 2026, operating costs and expenses were US$1,328.2 million, representing a 32.3% increase from US$1,004.1 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2025. Non-GAAP operating costs and expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, were US$1,305.7 million, representing a 34.7% increase from US$969.0 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2025.

Cost of revenues increased by 33.8% to US$629.9 million from US$470.6 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2025. Non-GAAP cost of revenues, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, increased by 34.8% to US$628.8 million from US$466.5 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2025 .

Selling and marketing expenses increased by 47.2% to US$448.1 million from US$304.3 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2025. Non-GAAP selling and marketing expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, increased by 49.4% to US$442.1 million from US$296.0 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2025.

General and administrative expenses increased by 9.2% to US$250.2 million from US$229.2 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2025. Non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, increased by 13.7% to US$234.8 million from US$206.6 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2025.

Total share-based compensation expenses allocated to the related operating costs and expenses decreased by 35.9% to US$22.5 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2026 from US$35.1 million in the same period of fiscal year 2025.

Gross Profit

Gross profit increased by 43.3% to US$806.4 million from US$562.9 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2025. The gross margin for the first six months of fiscal year 2026 was 56.1%, compared to 54.5% in the same period of the prior year.

Income from Operations

Income from operations was US$110.4 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2026, compared to income from operations of US$30.3 million in the same period of the prior year. Non-GAAP income from operations, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$133.0 million, compared to US$65.4 million Non-GAAP income from operations in the same period of the prior year.

Other Income

Other income was US$76.5 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2026, compared to other income of US$33.6 million in the same period of the prior year.

Impairment Loss on Long-term Investments

Impairment loss on long-term investments was US$1.4 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2026, compared to US$8.7 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2025.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was US$62.2 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2026, compared to US$27.9 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2025.

Net Income Attributable to TAL Education Group

Net income attributable to TAL was US$155.4 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2026, compared to net income attributable to TAL of US$68.8 million in the first six months of fiscal year 2025. Non-GAAP net income attributable to TAL, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, was US$177.9 million, compared to US$103.9 million Non-GAAP income attributable to TAL in the same period of the prior year.

Basic and Diluted Net Income per ADS

Basic and diluted net income per ADS were both US$0.26 in the first six months of fiscal year 2026. Non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per ADS, which excluded share-based compensation expenses, were both US$0.30 in the first six months of fiscal year 2026.

Cash Flow

Net cash provided by operating activities for the first six months of fiscal year 2026 was US$289.7 million.

Share Repurchase

On July 28, 2025, TAL's board of directors authorized a new share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to US$600 million of the Company's common shares over the next 12 months. Between July 31 and October 29, 2025, the Company has repurchased 4,195,065 common shares at an aggregate consideration of approximately US$134.7 million.

TAL to Hold Annual General Meeting on November 14, 2025

The Company announced that it will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders (the "AGM") at TAL Building No.1, Courtyard No. 9, Qixin Middle Street, Changping District, Beijing, China, on November 14, 2025 at 3:00PM (Beijing time). No proposal will be submitted to shareholders for approval at the AGM. Instead, the AGM will serve as an open forum for shareholders and beneficial owners of the Company's ADSs to discuss Company's affairs with management.

The board of directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on November 3, 2025 (Eastern Standard Time) as the record date (the "Record Date"). Holders of record of the Company's common shares at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of the AGM and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Beneficial owners of the Company's ADSs are welcome to attend the AGM in person.

The notice of the AGM is available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://ir.100tal.com/. The Company has filed its annual report on Form 20-F (the "Annual Report"), which includes the Company's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2025, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The Company's Annual Report can be accessed on the Investor Relations section of its website at https://ir.100tal.com, as well as on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and live webcast to discuss its financial results for the second fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2026 ended August 31, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on October 30, 2025 (8:00 p.m. Beijing time on October 30, 2025).

Please note that you will need to pre-register for conference call participation at https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BId11d22b63571450197297e0a9753b9bd.

Upon registration, you will receive an email containing participant dial-in numbers and unique Direct Event Passcode. This information will allow you to gain immediate access to the call. Participants may pre-register at any time, including up to and after the call start time.

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of TAL's website at https://ir.100tal.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Among other things, TAL Education Group's strategic and operational plans contain forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with, or furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's ability to continue to provide competitive learning services and products; the Company's ability to continue to recruit, train and retain talents; the Company's ability to improve the content of current course offerings and develop new courses; the Company's ability to maintain and enhance its brand; the Company's ability to maintain and continue to improve its teaching results; and the Company's ability to compete effectively against its competitors. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's reports filed with, or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and TAL Education Group undertakes no duty to update such information or any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

About TAL Education Group

TAL Education Group is a smart learning solutions provider in China. The acronym "TAL" stands for "Tomorrow Advancing Life", which reflects our vision to promote top learning opportunities for students through both high-quality teaching and content, as well as leading edge application of technology in the education experience. TAL Education Group offers comprehensive learning solutions to students from all ages through diversified class formats. Our learning solutions mainly cover enrichment learnings programs and some academic subjects in and out of China. Our ADSs trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TAL".

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In evaluating its business, TAL considers and uses the following measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the SEC as supplemental metrics to review and assess its operating performance: non-GAAP cost of revenues, non-GAAP selling and marketing expenses, non-GAAP general and administrative expenses, non-GAAP operating costs and expenses, non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP net income attributable to TAL, non-GAAP basic and non-GAAP diluted net income per ADS. To present each of these non-GAAP measures, the Company excludes share-based compensation expenses. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures" set forth at the end of this release.

TAL believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding its performance and liquidity by excluding share-based compensation expenses that may not be indicative of its operating performance from a cash perspective. TAL believes that both management and investors benefit from these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing its performance and when planning and forecasting future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management's internal comparisons to TAL's historical performance and liquidity. TAL computes its non-GAAP financial measures using the same consistent method from quarter to quarter and from period to period. TAL believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making. A limitation of using non-GAAP measures is that these non-GAAP measures exclude share-based compensation charges that have been and will continue to be for the foreseeable future a significant recurring expense in the Company's business. Management compensates for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from each non-GAAP measure. The accompanying tables have more details on the reconciliations between GAAP financial measures that are most directly comparable to non-GAAP financial measures.

For further information, please contact:

Jackson Ding

Investor Relations

TAL Education Group

Tel: +86 10 5292 6669-8809

Email: [email protected]

TAL EDUCATION GROUP UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands of U.S. dollars)









As of February 28,

2025

As of August 31,

2025 ASSETS













Current assets





Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,771,260

$ 1,542,194 Restricted cash, current 187,846

205,973 Short-term investments 1,847,120

1,706,603 Inventory, net 104,876

133,021 Amounts due from related parties, current 37

28 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 215,781

264,313 Total current assets 4,126,920

3,852,132 Restricted cash, non-current 32,625

33,242 Property and equipment, net 472,366

499,833 Deferred tax assets 3,487

1,741 Rental deposits 22,131

25,273 Intangible assets, net 394

48,382 Goodwill 155

45,704 Land use rights, net 182,880

184,640 Amounts due from related parties, non-current 96

98 Long-term investments 305,105

367,111 Long-term prepayments and other non-current assets 27,844

28,194 Operating lease right-of-use assets 329,064

366,289 Total assets $ 5,503,067

$ 5,452,639







LIABILITIES AND EQUITY













Current liabilities





Accounts payable $ 146,300

$ 157,374 Deferred revenue, current 624,272

777,669 Amounts due to related parties, current 93

89 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 582,227

649,957 Operating lease liabilities, current 88,453

103,780 Total current liabilities 1,441,345

1,688,869 Deferred revenue, non-current 46,955

44,984 Deferred tax liabilities 3,474

13,737 Operating lease liabilities, non-current 244,895

269,551 Total liabilities 1,736,669

2,017,141







Equity





Class A common shares 154

154 Class B common shares 49

49 Treasury stock -

(17) Additional paid-in capital 4,294,819

3,781,362 Statutory reserve 179,537

177,230 Accumulated deficit (624,078)

(466,405) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (83,914)

(56,586) Total TAL Education Group's equity 3,766,567

3,435,787 Non-controlling interests (169)

(289) Total equity 3,766,398

3,435,498 Total liabilities and equity $ 5,503,067

$ 5,452,639

TAL EDUCATION GROUP UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share, ADS, per share and per ADS data)







For the Three Months Ended

August 31,

For the Six Months Ended August 31 ,

2024

2025

2024

2025 Net revenues $ 619,361

$ 861,353

$ 1,033,548

$ 1,436,352 Cost of revenues (note 1) 270,632

370,340

470,640

629,911 Gross profit 348,729

491,013

562,908

806,441 Operating expenses (note 1)













Selling and marketing 181,900

267,286

304,328

448,059 General and administrative 119,499

129,107

229,181

250,226 Total operating expenses 301,399

396,393

533,509

698,285 Government subsidies 292

1,477

893

2,287 Income from operations 47,622

96,097

30,292

110,443 Interest income, net 20,397

14,161

42,919

32,883 Other income 20,466

67,076

33,617

76,548 Impairment loss on long-term

investments (4,925)

(1,410)

(8,692)

(1,410) Income before income tax

expense and loss from equity

method investments 83,560

175,924

98,136

218,464 Income tax expense (25,635)

(51,080)

(27,930)

(62,158) Loss from equity method

investments (587)

(819)

(1,572)

(1,074) Net income 57,338

124,025

68,634

155,232 Add: Net loss attributable to

noncontrolling interests 93

59

199

134 Total net income attributable to

TAL Education Group $ 57,431

$ 124,084

$ 68,833

$ 155,366 Net income per common share













Basic $ 0.28

$ 0.65

$ 0.34

$ 0.79 Diluted 0.28

0.64

0.34

0.78 Net income per ADS (note 2)













Basic $ 0.09

$ 0.22

$ 0.11

$ 0.26 Diluted 0.09

0.21

0.11

0.26















Weighted average shares used in

calculating net income per

common share













Basic 201,768,916

189,830,408

201,668,024

195,905,541 Diluted 204,949,839

192,494,611

205,166,141

198,687,649















Note1: Share-based compensation expenses are included in the operating costs and expenses as follows:











For the Three Months

For the Six Months

Ended August 31,

Ended August 31,

2024

2025

2024

2025 Cost of revenues $ 1,793

$ 503

$ 4,155

$ 1,125 Selling and marketing expenses 3,953

2,905

8,328

5,976 General and administrative expenses 11,152

8,344

22,621

15,414 Total $ 16,898

$ 11,752

$ 35,104

$ 22,515















Note 2: Three ADSs represent one Class A common Share.

TAL EDUCATION GROUP UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (In thousands of U.S. dollars)

















For the Three Months Ended August 31,

For the Six Months Ended August 31,

2024

2025

2024

2025















Net income $ 57,338

$ 124,025

$ 68,634

$ 155,232 Other comprehensive income,

net of tax 24,744

11,355

17,164

27,342 Comprehensive income 82,082

135,380

85,798

182,574 Add: Comprehensive loss

attributable to noncontrolling

interests 2,378

53

2,333

120 Comprehensive income

attributable to TAL

Education Group $ 84,460

$ 135,433

$ 88,131

$ 182,694

TAL EDUCATION GROUP UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands of U.S. dollars)

















For the Three Months Ended August 31,

For the Six Months Ended August 31,

2024

2025

2024

2025 Net cash (used in)/provided by

operating activities $ (576)

$ (58,095)

$ 246,217

$ 289,690 Net cash (used in)/provided by

investing activities (193,669)

563,331

(318,304)

36,022 Net cash used in financing

activities (6,799)

(281,885)

(6,794)

(535,989) Effect of exchange rate

changes 3,576

(328)

2,359

(45) Net (decrease)/increase in

cash, cash equivalents and

restricted cash (197,468)

223,023

(76,522)

(210,322) Cash, cash equivalents and

restricted cash at the

beginning of period $ 2,578,422

$ 1,558,386

$ 2,457,476

$ 1,991,731 Cash, cash equivalents and

restricted cash at the end

of period $ 2,380,954

$ 1,781,409

$ 2,380,954

$ 1,781,409

TAL EDUCATION GROUP Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to the Most Comparable GAAP Measures (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share, ADS, per share and per ADS data)









For the Three Months Ended August 31,

For the Six Months

Ended August 31,

2024

2025

2024

2025















Cost of revenues $ 270,632

$ 370,340

$ 470,640

$ 629,911 Share-based compensation expense

in cost of revenues 1,793

503

4,155

1,125 Non-GAAP cost of revenues 268,839

369,837

466,485

628,786















Selling and marketing expenses 181,900

267,286

304,328

448,059 Share-based compensation expense

in selling and marketing expenses 3,953

2,905

8,328

5,976 Non-GAAP selling and marketing

expenses 177,947

264,381

296,000

442,083 General and administrative

expenses 119,499

129,107

229,181

250,226 Share-based compensation expense

in general and administrative

expenses 11,152

8,344

22,621

15,414 Non-GAAP general and

administrative expenses 108,347

120,763

206,560

234,812















Operating costs and expenses 572,031

766,733

1,004,149

1,328,196 Share-based compensation expense

in operating costs and expenses 16,898

11,752

35,104

22,515 Non-GAAP operating costs and

expenses 555,133

754,981

969,045

1,305,681















Income from operations 47,622

96,097

30,292

110,443 Share based compensation expenses 16,898

11,752

35,104

22,515 Non-GAAP income from

operations (note 3) 64,520

107,849

65,396

132,958















Net income attributable to TAL

Education Group 57,431

124,084

68,833

155,366 Share based compensation expenses 16,898

11,752

35,104

22,515 Non-GAAP net income

attributable to TAL Education

Group (note 3) $ 74,329

$ 135,836

$ 103,937

$ 177,881 Net income per ADS

Basic $ 0.09

$ 0.22

$ 0.11

$ 0.26 Diluted 0.09

0.21

0.11

0.26 Non-GAAP Net income per ADS













Basic $ 0.12

$ 0.24

$ 0.17

$ 0.30 Diluted 0.12

0.24

0.17

0.30 ADSs used in calculating net

income per ADS













Basic 605,306,748

569,491,224

605,004,072

587,716,623 Diluted 614,849,517

577,483,833

615,498,423

596,062,947 ADSs used in calculating Non-

GAAP net income per ADS













Basic 605,306,748

569,491,224

605,004,072

587,716,623 Diluted 614,849,517

577,483,833

615,498,423

596,062,947















Note 3: The tax effect of share-based compensation expenses was immaterial in the second quarter and

in the first six months of fiscal year 2026.

SOURCE TAL Education Group
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Oct. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Reverie Saigon marks ten years as Vietnam's premier luxury hotel, renowned for its opulent Italian design, world-class service, and status as the country's only member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Its decade-long excellence is celebrated through numerous international accolades in hospitality and design.

The Reverie Suite bedroom adorned with Provasi interior furnishings One-starred Michelin Long Trieu Restaurant, located inside The Reverie Saigon

Perfectly located in the golden location of the city, possessing a prime location between Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi Street, The Reverie Saigon welcomes guests to sumptuous rooms and suites on the uppermost floors of the building, from levels 27 to 39, providing guests with breathtaking views of Saigon, including the river and bustling city, as well as spectacular fireworks displays during festive occasions.

The hotel's interior resembles an elaborate gallery, featuring exclusive masterpieces that fuse Italian craftsmanship with creative artistry. Central to this collection is the striking five-metre 'Esmeralda' sofa by Colombostile, sculpted from precious wood adorned with 24-karat gold leaf and leather, highlighted by an inset amethyst gemstone. The interior also boasts a remarkable three-metre-tall Baldi timepiece, intricately designed from Malachite and weighing one tonne, alongside a grand Bechstein piano embellished with Malachite inlays and gold plating. Designs from renowned architect Philippe Starck and Cassina's exclusive pieces crafted with the finest leather from Louis Vuitton further elevate the hotel's decor.

Each standard guestroom is furnished to rival suites in other high-end establishments, while Designer Suites are uniquely styled by individual luxury brands such as Giorgetti, Visionnaire, and Provasi, creating an opulent showcase of Italian art. Artistic elements from Swarovski crystal, mother-of-pearl, and mosaic stone are meticulously hand-inlaid throughout the hotel, enhancing the luxurious ambiance.

At The Reverie Saigon, the philosophy of "one-of-a-kind" luxury is epitomized by crafting unforgettable experiences rather than mere aesthetics. The hotel team adheres to the highest international standards, ensuring meticulous attention to detail, professionalism, and personal intuition that enhance each guest's stay.

Beyond providing premier accommodation, the hotel enriches experiences with a diverse and refined culinary offering. Guests can explore a variety of restaurants, each reflecting unique architectural styles and culinary essences: Long Trieu, a Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant; The Long @ Times Square, true to its name, the longest bar in the city, combining Italian influences with innovative cocktails; and Cafe Cardinal, serving international dishes in a French colonial atmosphere.

The Reverie Saigon delivers a multi-sensory luxury experiencefrom tactile design and refined acoustics to exquisite cuisine and signature scents. Over the past decade, it has become a symbol of opulent living, defined by bespoke interiors and curated service. Accolades such as the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, World Travel Awards 2024, and TripAdvisor's Top 10% Hotels globally affirm its status as Saigon's premier destination for world-class hospitality.

In celebration of the hotel's 10th anniversary, The Reverie Saigon offers a 10% discount for direct bookings through its website using the code "DIRECT10".

For more high-resolution photos, click here.

SOURCE The Reverie Saigon
Holistic, tax-focused financial planning firm joins like-minded advisors in the Avantax community while

maintaining excellent service and access to Fidelity's NFS custody and clearing



DALLAS, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cetera welcomes long-time Commonwealth Financial Network advisor Christian R. Benard, CFP, EA, AIF, who brings his Innovative Financial Inc. team to Cetera's community of tax-focused financial professionals  Avantax. Benard's Troy, Michigan-based firm has approximately $365 million in assets under administration*.

Financial Advisor Christian Benard

Benard operates integrated wealth management and tax practices. In addition to offering clients tax-focused financial planning, Benard's tax practice completed nearly 2,000 tax returns in the past year. He said his tax focus made Avantax a natural fit, in addition to using Fidelity's NFS, which Benard has used for years.

"Our goal is to be a one-stop-shop for clients by going more in-depth, like talking with clients about how we can help improve their tax situation based on their investments. Our more holistic approach to wealth management aligns perfectly with Avantax," Benard said. "As a fiduciary, I've always looked to do what's best from the client perspective, and I feel like we can continue doing that with Cetera and Avantax, plus keeping Fidelity's NFS for custody and clearing."

Benard has grown his business from $15 million in client assets 15 years ago to approximately $365 million in AUA* today. In his early days, he created new client relationships by conducting retirement planning workshops; then, he acquired a tax practice, and today he focuses on growth through expanding existing client relationships as well as referrals from current clients.

Benard said LPL's acquisition of Commonwealth prompted his search for a new broker-dealer. He was committed to finding a firm that, like Commonwealth, offered superior service while supporting advisor independence.

"It's bittersweet leaving Commonwealth, which we did only because they were acquired, but I know coming to Cetera and Avantax is going to be a good move," Benard said. "Others at Commonwealth have to do their own thing, but I know we all expect top-level service, and in talking with Cetera, their people and their service levels drew me in. Cetera has what originally brought me to Commonwealth  the ability to talk to real people and easily get answers without a lot of complicated explanations. That's what made me comfortable with Cetera."

During his search for a new broker-dealer, Benard said he found some that could have been a fit, but he wouldn't be able to continue using Fidelity's NFS or his DBA  Innovative Financial Inc.  and that mattered.

"We do a lot of work with Fidelity because of NFS, and that's one of the things that got my search started," Benard said. "Some other broker-dealers were limiting, and ultimately, I wouldn't have been able to run my business how I want. Cetera was very clear they support advisor independence, and I want to always follow a fiduciary standard because when people come to us, they're looking for what's best for them, and I feel like that I have the support from Cetera and Avantax to do that."

In welcoming Benard and his team, Cetera Wealth Management President Todd Mackay said: "Christian has grown his firm intentionally with a very client-centric approach, which is a great fit with how Cetera operates. I'm pleased that Christian found in Cetera and Avantax what he's enjoyed for many years  being part of a community that supports true advisor independence while offering the tools, technology and resources needed to grow and take their business in whatever direction they choose."

Explore how Cetera's flexible affiliation models empower you to grow your business your way. Tax and Financial Professionals can learn more about Avantax and Cetera at the following links: https://www.avantax.com or https://cetera.com/find-your-fit.

About Avantax

Avantax, a unique community within Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, delivers tax-intelligent wealth management solutions for financial professionals, tax professionals and CPA firms, supporting its goal of minimizing clients' tax burdens through comprehensive tax-intelligent financial planning. For additional information, please visit www.avantax.com.

About Cetera

Cetera Financial Group (Cetera) is the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, empowering independent advisors and institutions with personalized support, flexible affiliation models, and end-to-end growth solutions. Home to approximately 12,000 advisors and institutions, Cetera's multi-channel ecosystem enables financial professionals to grow, scale or transition their businesses on their own terms.

Unlike traditional IBDs, Cetera offers true choice  blending modern technology, integrated wealth solutions, and a community-driven culture. Cetera's five-channel model and commitment to long-term advisor value provide a scalable blueprint for consistent, repeatable growth.

As of Sept. 30, 2025, Cetera firms manage approximately $625 billion in assets under administration and $284 billion in assets under management. Its award-winning Voice of the Customer program has captured more than 40,000 advisor reviews, with over 35,000 five-star ratings, giving Cetera a 4.8 out of 5 satisfaction score.

Learn more at www.cetera.com and follow Cetera on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X.

Cetera refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, those that are members FINRA/SIPC: Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Wealth Services, LLC (f/k/a Cetera Advisor Networks), Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC; and a Securities and Exchange Commission registered investment adviser: Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, located at 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101.

Cetera exclusively provides investment products and services through its representatives. Although Cetera does not provide tax or legal advice, or supervise tax, accounting or legal services, Cetera representatives may offer these services through their independent outside business. This information is not intended as tax or legal advice.

*Value approximated based on information provided to Cetera for asset holdings as of Oct. 24, 2025.

SOURCE Avantax
KREFELD, Germany, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- XCMG is proud to officially hand over its cutting-edge hybrid mobile crane, the XCA60_EV, to Mammoet, the world's largest engineered heavy lifting and transport company. This milestone not only represents a strong partnership between two industry leaders, but also reflects a shared commitment to driving sustainable innovation in the lifting sector across Europe.

Mammoet Adds XCMG Hybrid Mobile Crane To European Fleet

The XCA60_EV stands as one of XCMG's landmark achievements in advancing toward a zero-emission future. Equipped with a dual-power system, the crane can operate in fully electric mode for up to 8 hours, while offering an impressive 60-ton lifting capacity. Its advanced intelligent control system dynamically distributes torque based on real-time driving conditions, resulting in over 40% lower fuel consumption compared to conventional models.

"This delivery marks more than just a product handoverit's a step forward in redefining what's possible in sustainable lifting operations," said Zhen Li, Chairman at XCMG Europe. "We're proud to support Mammoet's efforts to reduce environmental impact and look forward to seeing the XCA60_EV contribute to a cleaner, more efficient tomorrow."

As sustainability takes center stage in the construction and heavy transport industries, XCMG continues to push the boundaries of green technology. Peter van Oostrom, Director Global Assets at Mammoet, commented: "Mammoet is proud to be investing in the XCMG XCA60_EV crane, which is another important step in our ambition to deliver sustainable heavy lifting to the Dutch market, and beyond. We look forward to seeing it deliver real results for our clients, helping to reduce the carbon impact of projects, while increasing their safety."

This investment underscores Mammoet's ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability in heavy lifting operations worldwide.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2809273/Mammoet_Adds_XCMG_Hybrid_Mobile_Crane_To_European_Fleet.jpg
BRASILIA (Reuters) -Some automakers may halt operations in Brazil within two to three weeks if the global chips supply crisis continues, an official said on Tuesday, adding the Brazilian government is contacting Chinese authorities to find a solution.

Uallace Moreira, a secretary in Brazil's Development, Industry, Trade and Services Ministry, did not specify which automakers in Latin America's largest economy could be hit first by the global crisis, triggered by a stand-off between China and the Netherlands over chipmaker Nexperia.

"If there is no solution in this short period of time, in two or three weeks, there may be a shutdown for some automakers," Moreira told journalists after a meeting with the president of Brazilian automakers association Anfavea.

Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, who also heads the ministry, attended the meeting as well.

In September, the Dutch government took control of Nexperia, which manufactures chips for cars and consumer electronics, as it cited worries about the possible transfer of technology to the firm's Chinese parent company, Wingtech.

In response, the Chinese government blocked Nexperia from exporting its products from China. While most of the company's chips are produced in Europe, around 70% are packaged in China before distribution.

Moreira noted Alckmin has already contacted both the Brazilian ambassador to China and the Chinese ambassador to Brazil to initiate discussions about the matter as the local private sector requests dialogue between the parties.

(Reporting by Victor Borges in Brasilia; Writing by Andre Romani and Fernando Cardoso; Editing by Kylie Madry and Aurora Ellis)
BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- China will develop a broader range of high-grade tourism products and improve the quality of tourism services to boost the country's tourism sector, according to recommendations for formulating a plan that will guide the country's development over the next five years.

Goals and measures to boost the tourism sector were specified in the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for National Economic and Social Development, which was adopted at a key Party plenum last week and made public on Tuesday.

"Over the past five years, tourism has assumed an increasingly prominent strategic role in the country's development," said Dai Bin, head of the China Tourism Academy.

He noted that based on the tourism achievements in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) period, the recommendations chart the direction and path for the high-quality development of tourism in the next five years.

The recommendations document also urges efforts to provide more convenient and foreigner-friendly services for inbound tourists.

In recent years, China has continually expanded its visa-free travel policies for foreign visitors. Tourists from 76 countries are now able to benefit from unilateral or mutual visa-free entry, while citizens of 55 further countries can visit China visa-free in transit for up to 10 days, before traveling on to a third destination.

Official data showed that, from July to September, foreign nationals made 7.246 million visits to China under its visa-free policies, marking a 48.3 percent year-on-year increase.

Additionally, the recommendations document calls for spurring deeper integration of culture and tourism through the vigorous development of cultural tourism.




Key Points

Philippe Laffont's Coatue Management saw generative AI as a major threat to this tech incumbent.

Recent developments may have pushed Laffont and his team to change their view.

The stock still trades at an attractive valuation.

10 stocks we like better than Alphabet 

In a presentation this summer, Coatue Management, headed by billionaire fund manager Philippe Laffont, laid out its case for what it sees as the next group of tech leaders. Unsurprisingly, it sees artificial intelligence (AI) as a massive driving force, improving productivity and profits over time. Based on growth expectations for public and private companies, the investment team developed a list of 40 top opportunities for growth investors over the next five years called the Coatue Fantastic 40.

There were some notable absentees from the list, but one stuck out in particular, considering Coatue holds shares in the company. Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL) was nowhere to be found on the Fantastic 40.

Coatue didn't provide an exact reason why Alphabet didn't make the list back in the summer, but the team seems to have had a change of heart. It updated the list in mid-October, and Alphabet is now near the top of the Fantastic 40.

Image source: Getty Images.

Is Alphabet a winner or loser in the AI era?

While Coatue didn't provide an explicit reason why Alphabet didn't make the list this summer, its presentation provided a significant clue. In one slide, Laffont points to the rapid adoption of paid subscriptions for AI services like ChatGPT since 2022. It noted a positive inflection point at the start of 2025 as reasoning models emerged, providing a significant step up in generative AI capabilities.

On the next slide, he shows that when someone signs up for the paid version of ChatGPT, their page views on Google decline. He notes that Google page views had been climbing about 4% per year; however, nearly two years after signing up for ChatGPT, page views for that person decline about 8%.

Coatue is the first group to show a direct link between signing up for ChatGPT and declining Google usage, but others have pointed out the impact of the rise of AI chatbots on Google search volume. Apple's head of services Eddy Cue testified that the company saw a decrease in search volume on its Safari web browser earlier this year.

There are a few things that could skew the data. First of all, Google has been pushing users to its native app instead of using Google in the mobile web browser on their phone. That could negatively impact the page-view numbers Coatue and Apple see.
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

As long as the stock market exists, so will billionaires, and attempts to eliminate them would trigger an economic disaster for ordinary Americans.

At least that's the belief of billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban, who made his $6 billion fortune from technology and the Dallas Mavericks, according to posts on BlueSky.

"Billionaires will exist as long as the stock market exists," the former "Shark Tank" investor posted.

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Extreme wealth is the byproduct of the market system, Cuban posted, noting that taxing or capping the wealth of the ultra-rich would force the top 10% to sell their stock holdings, which would "wipe out the savings of more than half the country."

But, he argued, the massive concentration of capital is the structural foundation that supports the entire market.

Liquidating those assets would cause the value of everyone else's savings to collapse  not just the wealthy, he said.

As he defended billionaires, Cuban detailed what he believes would make capitalism fairer: focusing on increasing opportunity rather than capping wealth.

Instead of capping CEO salaries or enforcing higher wages, Cuban proposed a system where all employees have a direct stake in their company's success.

"I think every employee should be the same percent of their earnings in company stock as the CEO," he said.

Trending: GM-Backed EnergyX Is Solving the Lithium Supply Crisis  Invest Before They Scale Global Production

Though Cuban opposes taxes based on stock valuations, he makes an exception for a "windfall tax," he posted on BlueSky.

Cuban said he is not opposed to a tax on people who realize $1 billion or more in taxable cash income in a single year.

Cuban questioned the basic fairness and feasibility of taxing unrealized stock wealth, asking a question that exposes the volatility of the stock market: "If it's the value of their stock, will you refund the tax if the stock market corrects or crashes?"

When a commenter suggested that public outrage stems from billionaires' selfish actions, Cuban responded with three checkmarks.

"I'm more concerned that no one is trying to figure out how to help everyone else make more," he wrote.
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
Digital asset infrastructure company BitGo announced custody support for Canton Coin (CC) on Oct. 29, becoming the first US-based qualified custodian to offer this service. The integration enables institutions to hold and manage CC, the native token of the Canton Networks Global Synchronizer infrastructure.

First US Qualified Custodian

The new service includes regulated cold-storage custody with institutional oversight, according to a press release. BitGo provides $250 million in insurance coverage and multi-signature protection for Canton Coin holdings.

Institutional clients also gain access to self-custody wallets for treasury operations, along with streamlined reporting and audit tools designed to meet regulatory standards.

Chen Fang, BitGos Chief Revenue Officer, stated the company remains committed to supporting institutional adoption of digital asset networks and providing meaningful utility enabled by Canton. The infrastructure aims to deliver institutional-grade security and services for emerging ecosystems.

Canton Network Background

The Canton Network operates as a privacy-enabled blockchain designed specifically for regulated financial markets. Canton Coin launched alongside the Global Synchronizer MainNet in July 2024.

The token is currently earned by network participants who provide infrastructure or applications, rather than purchased through traditional exchanges. Approximately 22 billion CC are in circulation, with over 300 participants using the token within the ecosystem.

The protocol uses the Daml smart contract language, which enables programmable privacy and horizontal scaling. Canton Coin serves as the native utility token for the networks Global Synchronizer infrastructure, which is run by independent Super Validators.

The Canton Foundation filed for admission to trading in the EU, with an expected initial listing on Krakens EU platform, though no specific date has been confirmed.

Melvis Langyintuo, Executive Director of the Canton Foundation, described BitGos support as a significant step toward institutional adoption of CC. The custody announcement positions BitGo ahead of potential public trading, similar to how the recent BaFin license acquisition in Germany positioned the company for European expansion.

Infrastructure Expansion Plans

BitGo plans to expand its infrastructure to support the full range of Canton Network assets beyond the initial custody launch. Future capabilities will include withdrawal functionality, token standard integration, stablecoin support, and Go Network compatibility.
That said, with any legal and accounting issues apparently now squared away, BP and Iraqs Oil Ministry have agreed a preliminary production target of 328,000 barrels per day (bpd), according to the source. This is expected to rise to at least 450,000 bpd within the next two to three years, and then to be reassessed with a view to an increase in output and plateau production figures. The lifting cost of many of these barrels will be at or close to Iraqs average of $2-4 per barrel (pb), which in turn is the joint lowest such figure in the world, along with Iran and Saudi Arabia. The project will last 25 years, but the contract will then be open for renewal, subject to agreement by both sides. Although the five fields -- the Baba and Avanah domes of the Kirkuk oil field and the three adjacent sites of Bai Hassan, Jambur, and Khabbaz  are already estimated to hold up to 9 billion barrels of oil reserves, these are very conservative estimates, according to the E.U. and Iraqi sources. There is at least another eleven or twelve billion barrels across the near surrounding area, and possibly much more, said the Iraq source last week. Additionally, BPs efforts will not just be on oil development but also on capturing the gas associated with much of that oil drilling, with the initial target being 400 million standard cubic feet per day (mmcf/d) of associated gas. The British firm is a world leader in this field, being a partner in the Basra Energy Company, which provides technical support for the Rumaila oilfield development to help reduce flaring and emissions, and works with the Basrah Gas Company to manage the gas produced at Rumaila.

The 2 October activation of the deal means that BP is now fully focused on developing the five huge oil fields in Iraqs northern Kirkuk region, a senior source in the European Unions (E.U.) energy complex exclusively told OilPrice.com last week. From when the deal was broadly agreed [memorandum of understanding signed in July 2024, and technical terms agreed in December] to now, it [BP] had to nail down some of the legal and accounting details in the contracts, but everyone appears to be satisfied at this point, so it is full steam ahead at this point, he said. Whether or not these precise details pertaining to BP are the same as those that have concerned other Western companies operating in Iraq at various stages is unclear. However, a senior source who works closely with Iraqs Oil Ministry did exclusively tell OilPrice.com last year that they were certainly of major concern to Frances TotalEnergies in its US$27 billion four-pronged deal, and the reason for the delay between its initial agreement and the activation of its own projects. The same source long ago told OilPrice.com that they were the same reasons why ExxonMobil decided to leave its own huge projects in Iraq years earlier.

Story Continues

This is one of the broader reasons why this deal  together with that of TotalEnergies  is so strategically important for the West in a geopolitical context. A key thrust of the U.S. and Great Britain is to split Iraq away from neighbouring Iran, which has long held enormous sway over it through its political, economic, and military proxies. In so doing, Iran has been able to exercise a multiplier effect of its own power through the wider Shia Crescent of Power, as analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. This alliance held an extraordinary sway up until very recently over the political, economic, and security trajectories of the Middle East. With Iran at its ideological centre, the Crescent comprised key strategic assets in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen, with inroads being made in Azerbaijan (75% Shia and a Former Soviet Union state), Turkey (25% Shia and furious at not being accepted fully into the European Union), Bahrain (75% Shia), and Pakistan (up to 25% Shia and a home to multiple terrorist groups antagonistic to the West). Core elements in this Shia Crescent alliance were also instrumental in Irans plan to build a land bridge that would run via Iraq all the way to the Mediterranean coast, which would then be used by Tehran to increase arms shipments to its militant proxies for use against Israel. Another benefit for Iran was that it was able to present itself to superpower sponsors China and Russia as the gateway to the worlds largest unified pool of oil and gas reserves, which in natural resource-starved China was a major initial draw. Indeed, Iran and Iraqs energy resources were at the heart of Beijings long-term foundation stone comprehensive cooperation deals with both countries, as also analysed in depth in my latest book. These efforts have been extremely successful, with Chinese firms currently managing over a third of Iraqs proven oil reserves and two-thirds of its production.

For these same reasons, removing Iraq from Irans immediate sphere of influence  and by extension from Chinas and Russias  has been a key aim of the West, with the immediate focus being on stopping Baghdads continued reliance for energy supplies from its neighbour. It is a stunning indictment on the level of corruption that characterised Iraq for so long that a country so rich in oil and gas resources needs to buy in 40% of its power requirements in the form of gas and electricity from Iran. Having tried to persuade Baghdad to stop doing this and to meet its power deficit by developing its own energy resources instead, Washington moved recently to a different strategy, which is placing Iraq on a ladder of escalating sanctions against it if it does not do so. On the other side of the risk-reward equation, the TotalEnergies deal  and BPs -- offers a clear, long-term path for Iraq not just to stop having to import power from its neighbour but also to dramatically increase its crude oil exports, and to become a major natural gas and liquefied natural gas exporter too.

BPs presence across Iraqs hotly-disputed Kirkuk region may also carry with another broader strategic benefit for the West. Although all the British firms operations are in the area of Kirkuk that is controlled by the Baghdad-based Federal Government of Iraq, they are also operating tangentially to the Erbil-based semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan. This has long been a key operating base for the West in the Middle East, particularly since the continued advance of China into Iran and the rest of Iraq, among other countries in the area. As it stands, the U.S. and Great Britain want the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to terminate all links with Chinese, Russian and Iranian companies connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps over the long term that have grown in recent years. The U.S. and Israel also have a further strategic interest in utilising the Kurdistan Region as a base for ongoing monitoring operations against Iran. On the other hand, the broad geopolitical stance of the Federal Government of Iraq (aligned perfectly with that of its key sponsors, China and Russia)  up until Donald Trump secured a second term as president, at least -- was conveyed to OilPrice.com some time ago by the senior Iraq source, who said: By keeping the West out of energy deals in Iraq, the end of Western hegemony in the Middle East will become the decisive chapter in the Wests final demise.

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Japan has been building one of the worlds most comprehensive regulatory frameworks for digital assets under the oversight of the FSA. | Source: Pexels

Key Takeaways

Starting October 31, ByBit will halt onboarding of Japanese users to align with the countrys evolving guidelines.

The Financial Services Agency has been ramping up regulation this year.

After a $1.5 billion hack in February, Bybit has been doubling down on third-party audits.

Crypto exchange Bybit has announced it will suspend new user registrations in Japan starting October 31, as the platform works to align with Japans tightening financial regulations.

The move comes amid one of ByBits most challenging years yet, still reeling from its massive February hack, which may have helped pave the way for its latest regulatory-first approach.

ByBit Pauses Operations In Japan

From 12 p.m. UTC on October 31, Bybit will no longer accept new account sign-ups from Japanese residents or nationals.

Existing Japanese users will not be affected for now, with all current services remaining available, the company said in a press release sent to CCN.

On Thursday, Oct. 30, the worlds second-largest crypto exchange by trading volume said the move reflects its proactive approach to embracing local regulations.

ByBit added that it was committed to operating responsibly under the framework set by Japans Financial Services Agency (FSA).

This decision will allow Bybit to focus its efforts and resources on reviewing local regulatory requirements and evaluating how to best meet the standards outlined by Japanese authorities in the future, the firm wrote.

ByBit apologized for any inconvenience to Japanese users and thanked them for their understanding and continued support.

Japan has taken a strict approach to crypto oversight, requiring exchanges to register with the FSA and comply with robust consumer protection.

Japans Crypto Oversight

Japan has steadily been building one of the worlds most comprehensive regulatory frameworks for digital assets under the oversight of the FSA.

In August, the agency proposed a Crypto Assets and Innovation Division to better respond to the fast-evolving landscape of crypto.

Under the proposal, the new division was seen as a necessary step to strengthen its capacity to monitor crypto assets and encourage responsible innovation.

ByBits Challenging Year

Bybit has endured one of its most testing years yet, marked by its massive $1.5 billion hack in February 2025 that had the potential to have destabilized the exchange.

The attack, attributed to North Koreas Lazarus Group, was one of the largest in the industrys history.

These experiences have likely shaped Bybits emphasis on regulatory alignment, particularly in markets with strong oversight such as Japan.
Bank Indonesia (BI) is advancing its central bank digital currency (CBDC) project with a new model that integrates stablecoin mechanics, making the upcoming digital rupiah one of the worlds first sovereign digital currencies backed by government bonds.

The initiative, announced by BI Governor Perry Warjiyo at the Indonesia Digital Finance and Economy Festival and Fintech Summit 2025 in Jakarta, represents a major step in the nations financial digitalization under Project Garuda.

Can Government Bonds Make a CBDC Truly Stable? Indonesia Thinks So

BI Governor Perry Warjiyo at the Opening Ceremony FEKDI x IFSE 2025 Source: CNBC Indonesia

Governor Warjiyo revealed that the digital rupiah will be supported by digital central bank securities, tokenized versions of government bonds, known locally as Surat Berharga Negara (SBN).

We will issue Bank Indonesia securities. We have a digital version, a digital Bank Indonesia rupiah with underlying government bonds, and a national Indonesian stablecoin version, he said.

This approach effectively combines the security of a central bank-issued currency with the stability of an asset-backed digital token, creating what BI officials describe as a national stablecoin.

The model ties the value of the digital rupiah directly to government bonds through tokenization, ensuring that each unit of digital currency is underpinned by a tangible, stable asset.

Bank Indonesias new framework aligns with its broader digital finance agenda, which focuses on expanding innovation and acceptance, strengthening industrial structures, and maintaining financial stability.

The move also builds on the success of the Project Garuda proof-of-concept completed in December 2024, which tested distributed ledger technology (DLT) platforms such as Corda and Hyperledger Besu for digital currency issuance, redemption, and fund transfers.

Under the bond-backed design, BI will tokenize government bonds to issue digital securities built atop the CBDC infrastructure.

The system aims to enhance market liquidity by making bond settlement faster and more transparent while reducing transaction costs through blockchain-based automation.

What differentiates Indonesias CBDC With Stablecoin Twist From Private Stablecoins

Indonesias central bank says the hybrid CBDC will provide multiple advantages, including greater monetary policy control, improved payment efficiency, and enhanced security.

Unlike private stablecoins, which carry credit and issuer risks, the digital rupiah will be a direct liability of the central bank. Officials believe this structure will reinforce public trust while offering faster, cheaper, and more programmable payments domestically and internationally.
A Beijing court has sentenced five individuals to prison terms ranging from two to four years for operating an illegal foreign exchange operation that moved over $166 million through crypto channels

As regulators described, this marks one of Chinas most significant prosecutions of crypto-enabled financial crime, as authorities intensify their crackdown on digital asset activity.

The case, unveiled at the 2025 Financial Street Forum Annual Meeting on October 28, particularly shows Beijings growing sophistication in tracking and prosecuting cross-border crypto transactions amid broader warnings from Chinese officials about stablecoins threatening global financial stability.

Between January and August 2023, the group orchestrated a complex operation converting client funds into USDT stablecoins to facilitate illegal cross-border transfers, processing 1.182 billion yuan ($166 million) through multiple accounts.

The Beijing Municipal Peoples Procuratorate detailed how the scheme used virtual currency as a bridge for disguised foreign exchange trading, with individual members handling amounts ranging from 149 million to 469 million yuan.

Advanced Forensics Crack Crypto Money Trail

Lin Jia led the operation under instructions from unnamed parties, collaborating with Lin Yi, Xia, Bao, and Chen to funnel client funds through multiple bank accounts registered in their names.

The group converted incoming yuan payments into USDT through various Tether trading platform accounts under their control, then completed cross-border transfers through platform transactions while profiting from each exchange.

The prosecution deployed specialized technical methods to overcome the inherent challenges of crypto investigation, combining financial data analysis with blockchain transaction tracing.

Investigators compared temporal correlations between traditional bank accounts and virtual currency trading accounts, identifying suspicious patterns in fund flows that contradicted defendants claims of legitimate crypto speculation.

The procuratorate remotely examined data from overseas platforms to verify evidence-collection procedures, ensuring legal compliance while building their case.

This full coverage approach solved what prosecutors called the evidence collection dilemma in cross-border economic crimes involving both capital and personnel across multiple jurisdictions.

The Haidian District Peoples Court delivered its first-instance judgment on March 21, 2025, with all five defendants accepting their sentences without appeal.
The shift was driven by both necessity and opportunity. Several Canadian cargoes (reported 4 Aframax shipments of high-acid, high-TAN crude) that had been arranged for the December delivery cycle can no longer be sent to the refinery. Those barrels are now being resold on the secondary market, as sanctions make their discharge in China impossible. The result is that Russian crude has become not just the cheapest option for Yulong, but effectively the only one available. Venezuelan oil supplies could also kick in at some point in the future, however, there, payment is even more difficult to organize than in the case of Russian exports. For Moscow, the plant provided a reliable outlet, with Russian exporters effectively tripling their sales to Shandong in a period when many Indian refiners are vacillating between maintaining their pace of Urals imports or to curb them.

Before November, Yulongs sourced its feedstock from a diverse portfolio including Canada, the Middle East, Angola, Brazil and Russia. That pattern has now flipped. For November delivery volumes, the refinery secured roughly 350,000 b/d of Russian crude, compared with only 100,000 b/d in earlier months of the year. With the plant currently operating at about 90% of its 400,000 b/d capacity, Russian deliveries now provide almost all its feedstock. In practice, Yulong has transitioned from a mixed-supply newcomer to a facility almost entirely fueled by Russian oil.

In October 2025, Western governments tightened restrictions on Russias energy exports. The United Kingdom designated Shandong Yulong on October 15 as an entity supporting the Russian energy sector, followed by the EUs formal inclusion of the refinery on October 23. A day earlier, the United States sanctioned Rosneft and Lukoil, the two Russian state producers that account for a large share of Moscows oil exports. Rather than isolating these players, the measures effectively linked them: a newly commissioned Chinese refinery searching for stable crude supplies, and Russian producers suddenly shut out of Western markets.

Shandong Yulong Petrochemical, Chinas newest refinery, has swiftly become a potent emblem for the unintended effects of Western sanctions. Barely a year after its launch, the 400,000 b/d complex in Shandong province has purchased around 350,000 b/d of Russian crude for November delivery, effectively running almost entirely on discounted Russian oil after losing access to Western supplies following sanctions by the UK and EU. Its rise illustrates how punitive measures meant to isolate Moscow have instead bound together sanctioned Russian producers and sanctioned Chinese refiners, creating a new, self-contained trade in the shadows of the global oil market.

Story Continues

Operationally, the young refinery is running at full throttle. In September and October, throughput reached roughly 90% of its design capacity of 400,000 b/d, contributing to record-high Chinese crude runs in those two months. In mid-September, Yulong achieved on-specification ethylene output from its new 12 mtpa naphtha cracker, its second such unit after the first (with the same capacity) came online in December 2024. Earlier in the year, four downstream petrochemical plants had begun operation, and by early September the company added another unit producing ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol.

Those products are being sold externally into a regional market already awash with supply, deepening the oversupply that has been weighing on chemical prices across Asia. Under normal conditions, that would threaten margins for any producerespecially a newly commissioned one still scaling up. But Yulongs unique position has turned a potential weakness into a competitive edge. Forced by sanctions and trade restrictions to source almost all its feedstock from Russia, the refinery now benefits from some of the cheapest crude available anywhere in the world. The involuntary shift to discounted Russian oil has sharply reduced its operating costs, offsetting the deflation in product prices and keeping the complex profitable even in an oversupplied regional market. With nearly all its crude now arriving from Russia, Yulongs cost base has fallen even as production expandsan inversion of the pressure Western sanctions were intended to create.

The reconfiguration of Yulongs crude imports will inevitably require some careful revision of its feedstock strategy to maintain the refinerys targeted product yield. Until recently, Yulong relied on a balanced mix of very heavy and sour Canadian crude and Iraqi Basrah Heavy combined with lighter grades such as Russias Sokol and ESPO  to produce the optimal blend for its highly sophisticated distillation units. With Canadian and Middle Eastern barrels now barred, that balance is under pressure.

Some analysts remain sceptical about whether Yulong can secure the heavy crude it needs to keep product output steady. However, others note that Russias Urals blend has a similar yield profile to Yulongs previous mix and could substitute for it without major adjustment  though that would likely mean curbing purchases of lighter Sokol and ESPO grades further down the line. In any case, Russia alone can meet most of Yulongs requirements: Gazprom Neft could redirect part of its Arctic ARCO crude (24 degrees API) to Yulong, supplying the heavy feedstock needed to maintain the plants efficiency and high-value output.

In this newly contorted energy landscape, Shandong Yulong Petrochemical is a symbol of how sanctions can forge new supply chains faster than they dismantle old ones  a freshly built Chinese complex running almost exclusively on Russian oil, both sides sustaining each other inside a shadow market of their own making.

By Natalia Katona for Oilprice.com

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(Reuters) -U.S. chipmaker GlobalFoundries on Tuesday said it will invest 1.1 billion euros ($1.28 billion) to expand manufacturing capabilities at its German facility as it looks to increase production.

The Dresden site investment will expand the production capacity to exceed one million wafers annually by the end of 2028, the chipmaker said in a statement.

"As a part of the project, the facility will be upgraded to offer end-to-end European processes and data flows for critical semiconductor security requirements," GlobalFoundries said.

The expansion project, named SPRINT, is expected to be supported by the German federal government and the State of Saxony under the framework of the European Chips Act.

European Union approval for the full program is expected later this year, GlobalFoundries added.

The German government is expected to support the expansion of the production site with several hundred million euros, Handelsblatt had reported in June.

The chipmaker has invested more than 10 billion euros in the Dresden site since 2009.

($1 = 0.8575 euros)

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; Editing by Vijay Kishore)
Geopolitical risk is no longer remote from day-to-day business concerns as it has historically tended to be, a new report states.

The fourth edition of GlobalDatas Geopolitics Executive Briefing advises that companies in all sectors should now be paying constant attention to geopolitics. It explains that the starting point for this contention is the chronic, intensifying and still-early-stage superpower rivalry between the US and China, in which economic weapons (sanctions, export controls, tariffs) are the instrument of first recourse.

The rise of China challenging the status of the US as the worlds sole superpower underpins the first of six reasons given for companies to pay constant attention to geopolitics  that there is now nowhere to hide from its effects.

GlobalData explains: The adversarial zero-sum dynamic of the US-China rivalry, which increasingly dominates global affairs, must be considered in many political and business decisions to manage risk and grasp opportunities, notably in relation to non-aligned countries like India.

The other reasons given are that there is no end in sight due to the US-China rivalry being in its early stages, there are powerful economic spillovers through a backdrop of hyper-globalisation and hyper-digitalisation, the use of business and finance now as economic weapons, perceived evidence that the issues at stake allow no room for compromise and the potential for contagion and polycrisis whereby geopolitical tensions and other global crises feed off each other to become self-perpetuating.

The report notes that the re-election of Donald Trump as US President resulted in a series of shocks, such as the implementation of tariffs upending the postwar global trading system and the related intensification of the US-China struggle in tech and critical minerals.

However, it adds: The most serious threats to trade, supply chains and investment materialise when geopolitical tensions erupt into actual and potential armed conflicts, which have proliferated this year from the chronic and bloody battles in Ukraine and Gaza to new, albeit brief, wars in Iran, South Asia and South-East Asia.

The business risks stemming from all these recent and continuing wars would pale beside any possible conflicts in East Asia  around Taiwan first and foremost, but with explosive potential also on the Korean peninsula and in the South China Sea.

Some sectors  notably tech and energy (including green energy)  are exceptionally geopoliticised, making them liable to be weaponised. Geopolitical tensions have become entangled in other global challenges  namely, the climate crisis and increasing migration  with strong feedback loops.
People from all walks of life in South Korea are looking forward to the upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1. SEOUL, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju and pay a state visit to South Korea from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 at the invitation of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. People from all walks of life in South Korea are looking forward to the upcoming visit. They are confident that the trip will enhance mutual political trust, further consolidate economic and trade cooperation, facilitate people-to-people friendship, and steer the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level, bringing more benefits to the two peoples. NEW JOURNEY After 11 years, Xi is set to visit South Korea once again. "The visit will serve as a significant catalyst to deepen the bilateral good-neighborly and friendly relations. It is anticipated that the leaders of the two countries will enhance mutual trust, build consensus, stimulate more dynamic cooperation and exchanges in trade, economy and cultural ties, and provide fresh impetus for regional peace and development," said Yoon Hu-duk, member of the National Assembly of South Korea. During his state visit to South Korea in July 2014, Xi delivered a speech at Seoul National University, highlighting the importance of strengthening bilateral friendship and cooperation. Impressed by the speech, Woo Su-keun, head of the Institute of East Asian Studies of Korea, said: "That visit marked a monumental moment in the development of South Korea-China relations." "I look forward to hearing Xi's new initiatives for the development of China-South Korea relations," said Woo, who has long followed the ties between the two countries. Since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1992, the two countries have transcended differences in ideology and social systems, and actively advanced exchanges and cooperation across various fields, contributing to each other's success and common development. In June, Xi had a phone call with Lee, saying that China and South Korea should stay committed to the original aspiration of establishing their diplomatic ties, uphold good-neighborliness and friendship, strive for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and lift their strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level. Recalling his several meetings with Xi, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told Xinhua that Xi's upcoming visit to South Korea is a strong signal for deepening China-South Korea relations, adding that as important neighbors, China and South Korea shoulder common responsibilities in maintaining the stability of regional supply chains and promoting regional integration. Ban, also former South Korean foreign minister, expected that the two countries would take this head-of-state diplomacy as a new starting point, translate the friendship between South Korea and China into concrete outcomes, and make greater contributions to regional peace and prosperity. Hwang Jae-ho, director of the Institute for Global Strategy and Cooperation, said that the principles of "amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness" underpinning China's neighborhood diplomacy have charted a clear course for regional cooperation. "Under the guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, China and South Korea can, based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, transcend institutional differences and open up a new chapter of common development," said Hwang. WIN-WIN COOPERATION At Incheon Port in South Korea, containers bearing the logos of major Chinese shipping companies are loaded and unloaded by automated cranes before heading to destinations around the world. This is one of the busiest gateways for economic and trade exchanges between China and South Korea. "Currently, the container trade volume of our port to China accounts for 60 percent of the total trade volume of Incheon Port," said Nam Sang-ki, general manager of Sun Kwang Newport Container Terminal Co., Ltd. Xi's upcoming visit will "inject new vitality" into such fields as port logistics and equipment manufacturing, and further advance cooperation in building smart and green ports, Nam added. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 33 years ago, China and South Korea have achieved remarkable accomplishments in economic and trade cooperation. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume reached 328.08 billion U.S. dollars, marking a 5.6-percent increase. With their production and supply chains deeply intertwined, China has been South Korea's largest trading partner for 21 consecutive years, and South Korea is China's second-largest trading partner. Yoon Do-son, CEO of CJ China, said that the upcoming visit will create a positive political atmosphere and boost confidence among businesses. "As a South Korean company with a long-term commitment to China, we believe the favorable conditions fostered by head-of-state diplomacy will benefit our localization efforts and win-win collaboration with Chinese partners," said Yoon. "We have always maintained strong confidence in the future of bilateral economic and trade relations." The China-South Korea Free Trade Agreement came into effect in 2015. Since then, the level of bilateral free trade and investment has continued to rise, with bilateral cooperation expanding from traditional manufacturing to emerging fields such as high-end manufacturing, cross-border e-commerce and the digital economy. Park Soong-chan, chairman of Korea China Association and professor of Yong In University, said Xi's visit is expected to foster broader and deeper cooperation. South Korea and China can explore more complementary sectors and carry out future-oriented cooperation as they have respective strengths in green industries, biotechnology and other fields, the professor said. Today, China's robot vacuum cleaners are popular among South Korean families, while delivery robots are already in operation at restaurants and hotels in Seoul. The growing presence of Chinese innovations in the South Korean market signals a new paradigm for industrial collaboration and interaction between the two countries. Jeon Byung-seo, director of the China Finance and Economy Research Institute, said this serves as a driving force for promoting industrial upgrading in South Korea. China and South Korea have huge potential for collaboration in emerging fields such as the digital economy and artificial intelligence, said the expert, noting cooperation between the two countries will enhance their competitiveness in the global market. Lee Hee-sup, secretary-general of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat, told Xinhua that China is focusing on developing new quality productive forces, which will bring new opportunities to the global economy, adding that Xi's visit will not only advance the further development of bilateral economic and trade relations, but also inject new confidence and vitality into economic cooperation across the Asia-Pacific. DEEP-ROOTED FRIENDSHIP Leaders from both countries emphasized in their June phone talk that both sides should deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and cement public support, so as to plant the seeds of China-South Korea friendship deep in the hearts of the two peoples. Independent travel to China has grown strongly after China implemented a trial visa-free policy for South Korean citizens last November. From the neon lights of the Bund in Shanghai to the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, more and more South Koreans are exploring China and feeling the warmth of bilateral friendship. "China's meticulous maintenance of South Korea-related old sites in Shanghai, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Nanjing and other places demonstrates respect for history and also makes the South Korean people deeply feel the friendliness from China," said Nam Jin, deputy director-general for Northeast and Central Asian Affairs at the South Korean Foreign Ministry. "People-to-people exchanges offer more room for understanding and empathy," said Lee Jeung-eun, president of Chinese Bridge Club in Seoul, expressing hope that Xi's visit will deepen the friendship and trust between the two peoples and act as a catalyst for diplomatic and economic cooperation, guiding the bilateral relationship toward a more positive trajectory. Communication between people is the deepest bond that sustains the relations between the two countries, said Lee Wook-yeon, dean of the College of Humanities at Sogang University. Noting that both China and South Korea can understand the Confucian philosophy and talk about Li Bai -- the great poet of China's Tang Dynasty -- together, Lee said: "This kind of spiritual connection is the most enduring power."
Over the past year, mega-cap tech stocks have been the heartbeat of Wall Streets rally, and few have outperformed like Meta Platforms (META). Once written off during its costly metaverse pivot, Meta has re-emerged as an AI-driven powerhouse, dominating digital advertising while integrating artificial intelligence (AI) across all its platforms. With shares up about 28% in 2025, investor enthusiasm is high, and the next major catalyst is just days away.

Meta will report its third-quarter 2025 earnings after the market close on Wednesday, Oct. 29, a release that could shape sentiment across the entire tech sector. Following Julys blowout quarter, expectations are lofty. For Meta fans and growth investors alike, this is one earnings date worth circling on the calendar.

More News from Barchart

About Meta Stock

Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg, Meta Platforms is the parent of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other social apps. A tech pioneer, Meta connects billions worldwide and is rapidly deploying artificial intelligence across its services. Meta now has a $1.9 trillion market cap. The company is also building metaverse hardware (virtual/augmented reality devices) under its Reality Labs division.

META stock has outperformed the broader market, with a one-year price performance of 28%, significantly higher than the sector median of 2%. This gain reflects a rebound from spring lows and strong quarterly results. Analysts have pointed to accelerating ad revenue growth, boosted by AI-driven ad delivery, as a key catalyst.

Meta has outpaced the broader market, gaining about 28% over the past year, well above the S&P 500 Index ($SPX), which has roughly a 17% increase. The stocks advance marks a recovery from spring lows, supported by steady quarterly results. Analysts say improving ad revenue trends, aided by AI-enhanced ad targeting and delivery, have been a key driver of the rebound.

Meta is not obviously cheap. Its forward P/E is about 26x, above the 21x median for the sector. In other words, Metas earnings multiple is higher than the typical tech companys, suggesting it trades at a premium by that measure. At the same time, Metas valuation is below that of some peers; for example, Apple (AAPL) and Netflix (NFLX) have higher P/E ratios, so opinions vary.
Fantagraphics will carve out a dedicated home for East Asian comics and graphic novels with a new imprint, Takumigraphics, the indie comics publisher announced today.

Takumigraphics will put out 16 titles per year beginning next spring, with Fantagraphics editor Conrad Groth, president Eric Reynolds, and associate publisher Gary Groth leading acquisitions. The imprint's inaugural slate will include Wandering Cat's Cage by Akane Torikai, translated by Jocelyne Allen (May 26), Lovers of the Empire Volume 1 by Yudori (June 23), Wandering Son Volume One & Two by Shimura Takako, translated by Rachel Thorn (July 7), and On Their Frontlines: The Lives of Japanese War Brides Volume 1 by Marina Lisa Komiya, translated by Diana Taylor (August 11). Future titles include work by Brain Damage author Shintaro Kago.

"Ever since Fantagraphics was founded in 1976, weve sought out graphic works that are imaginative, daring, and aesthetically compelling," the editors wrote in a statement, adding that Takumigraphics's launch is aligned with the publisher's "vital editorial mission." Though Fantagraphics mostly published English-language cartoons for the first 30 years of its existence, the press has expanded its offerings in the last few decades, making its first serious foray into manga in 2010.

As a part of Takumigraphics, Fantagraphics will continue its partnership with Mangasplaining, a publisher that serializes original comics on Substack and collaborates with print presses, like Fantagraphics, to put them in book form.

Takumigraphics will begin in the world of Japanese comics, but its catalog will eventually expand beyond manga, the editors said. Future titles will include comics by authors from Korea, China, Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines, and other Asian countries. The editors hope that homing this wide-ranging work under the roof of one imprint will highlight the shared aesthetic and visual language that many comic artists in the region share, something that they "believe readers will recognize and appreciate."

In Japanese, the word "takumi" refers to excellence or ingeniousness, as well as a person who embodies those qualities. The editors said they feel the word "exemplifies the aesthetic caliber of the books that will comprise this imprintworks of mastery and vision."
By Trevor Hunnicutt and Eduardo Baptista

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE/GYEONGJU (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump may have teased that he could discuss Nvidia's state-of-the-art artificial intelligence Blackwell chips with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but in the end, he said the topic did not come up.

After Thursday's meeting in South Korea, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that semiconductors had been discussed and China was "going to be talking to Nvidia and others about taking chips", but added: "We're not talking about the Blackwell."

A day earlier, Trump had praised the Blackwell chip as "super-duper", adding he might speak to Xi about it, in comments that probably helped Nvidia make history as the first company to reach a $5-trillion valuation.

THORNY TOPIC

The extent of China's access to Nvidia's chips has been a key point of friction with the United States.

Washington imposes export controls on sales of Nvidia's most advanced AI chips to China, seeking to limit its tech progress, particularly in applications that could help its military.

Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang has tried to persuade the Trump administration to loosen the controls, saying Chinese AI's dependence on U.S. hardware was good for America.

Nvidia has been working on a new chip for China based on its latest Blackwell architecture that will be less capable than the model sold outside the country but more powerful than the most advanced model it is currently allowed to sell there, the H20, sources have previously said.

But while private Chinese companies are believed to be very interested in purchasing such a chip, the government has turned cool towards Nvidia, discouraging purchases of the H20, and is instead promoting domestic chip manufacturers such as Huawei.

Huang said this week his company had not sought U.S. export licenses to send its newest chips to China because of the Chinese stance.

"They've made it very clear that they don't want Nvidia to be there right now," he said during a developers' event, adding that it needed access to the China market to fund U.S.-based research and development.

On Thursday at least, Trump did not appear to want to get into the thick of the issue.

"I said (to Xi) that's really between you and Nvidia, but we're sort of the arbitrator or the referee," he said.

Lawmakers, both Democratic and Republican, have expressed opposition to giving China more access to advanced chips like Nvidia's Blackwell.

Nvidia declined to comment.
(Reuters) -Eli Lilly raised its full-year profit and revenue forecasts on Thursday as strong appetite for its widely popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs Zepbound and Mounjaro helped it breeze past third-quarter earnings estimates.

Shares of the world's largest healthcare firm by market capitalization jumped over 5% in premarket trading even as investors remain wary of drug price negotiations with the Trump administration.

Lilly competes with Novo Nordisk for the top spot in the weight-loss drug market, which is poised to reach $150 billion by the end of the decade.

Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has been striving to narrow the gap between U.S. and foreign drug prices.

Under its "most favored nation" policy, the U.S. government will require drugmakers to charge patients in the country no more than in other wealthy nations.

ZEPBOUND, MOUNJARO SALES TOP ESTIMATES

Lilly CEO Dave Ricks credited the continued demand for the incretin portfolio for the company's strong performance.

Incretin drugs are a class of medications that mimic the action of natural hormones to improve blood sugar control.

The beat-and-raise quarter "should dispel some GLP-1 market concerns and highlights the underlying strength of Lilly's incretin portfolio," said J.P.Morgan analyst Chris Schott.

Zepbound posted sales of $3.6 billion for the reported quarter. Analysts were expecting sales of $3.23 billion, per data compiled by LSEG. The company noted that higher demand in the quarter was partially offset by lower realized prices.

Approved in late 2023, Eli Lilly's weight-loss drug Zepbound has quickly gained traction, with prescriptions now largely outpacing Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, despite the latter's earlier launch by over two years.

Both drugs have seen surging demand as millions seek effective weight-loss treatments.

Sales of diabetes drug Mounjaro came in at $6.5 billion, above analysts' average expectation of $5.73 billion.

Rival Novo will report earnings on November 5. Its U.S.-listed shares were trading down 1.6%.

Lilly said it expects to earn $23.00 to $23.70 per share on an adjusted basis this year, compared with its previous forecast for a profit of $21.75 to $23.00 per share.

Analysts were expecting a profit of $22.18 per share for 2025.

Annual revenue is projected between $63 billion and $63.5 billion, versus earlier forecast of $60 billion to $62 billion.

For the quarter, the company earned $7.02 per share on an adjusted basis, compared with analysts' average estimate of $5.69, according to data compiled by LSEG.

(Reporting by Mrinalika Roy in Bengaluru; Editing by Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)
By Douglas Gillison and Chris Prentice

NEW YORK (Reuters) -The FBI last month searched the offices of a California real estate investment firm Continuum Analytics, which is linked to bad loans recently disclosed by Zions and Western Alliance, according to legal correspondence seen by Reuters.

Continuum Analytics is an affiliate of the little-known Cantor Group funds which Zions and Western Alliance have said defaulted on about $160 million in loans, spooking markets already on alert for signs corporate credit is weakening.

On September 11, FBI agents searched Continuum's Newport Beach, California, offices, law firm Paul Hastings wrote in a September 12 letter seen by Reuters.

Representatives for Continuum did not respond to emails and calls seeking comment. The FBI is an enforcement arm of the Justice Department. Spokespeople for the agencies did not respond to requests for comment. An attorney for Cantor Group said the firm upheld the terms of the Zions and Western Alliance loans and did not provide comment on the government scrutiny.

Allen Matkins, a law firm that represents other entities linked to Continuum, wrote in an October 2 letter that it learned on September 11 that certain of its clients were the subject of search warrants "in connection with a pending criminal investigation," and that a grand jury had been convened in the case.

Prosecutors typically convene a grand jury when they intend to gather more evidence. The letters did not say which specific criminal authority was leading the case or what potential misconduct or individuals it was focused on.

Criminal investigations do not necessarily mean any wrongdoing has occurred and many do not result in charges.

Reuters is reporting the FBI search and probe for the first time. The government scrutiny could have ripple effects for what legal filings and public records show is a complex web of investors and lenders tied to Continuum's real estate dealings, some of which are entangled in civil litigation.

Paul Hastings and Allen Matkins are representing parties embroiled in a complex real estate dispute. The letters relate to those proceedings. The Allen Matkins letter was disclosed in a California court.

When asked about the letter by Reuters, a lawyer for Paul Hastings said the firm was "working to unravel multiple levels of alleged fraud," but did not provide more details.

Allen Matkins did not respond to calls and emails seeking comment.

PASSIVE INVESTORS

Zions on October 15 sued Cantor Group fund guarantors Andrew Stupin and Gerald Marcil, among others, to recover more than $60 million in soured commercial and industrial loans. The next day, Western Alliance flagged that it had sued the pair and a different Cantor fund in August to recover nearly $100 million.
Adani Power on Thursday posted a 12 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 2,906 crore in the September quarter, driven by a rise in expenses.

Photograph: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters

It had clocked a net profit of Rs 3,297.52 crore in the July-September period of the preceding 2024-25 financial year, the Adani Group entity said in an exchange filing.

Total income, however, increased to Rs 14,307.79 crore in the September quarter from Rs 14,062.84 crore in the year-ago period.

The revenues were higher despite lower merchant tariffs and import coal prices, supported by higher power sales, the company said.

Total expenses stood at Rs 10,341.59 crore, higher from Rs 9,928.76 crore in Q2 FY25.

The company has again demonstrated stable financial performance this quarter, in the face of weather-driven fluctuations in demand, highlighting our operational efficiency and competitive advantages, S B Khyalia, CEO of Adani Power Limited, said.

"Our strong profitability and liquidity position us well to achieve our enhanced capacity expansion goal of 42 GW by 2031-32.

"We have already arranged ordering for equipment and land for the entire 23.7 GW expansion, with project implementation progressing rapidly," he said.

The company is also expanding its market presence by securing another 4.5 GW of new long-term PPAs under the SHAKTI scheme.

Its consolidated operating capacity grew to 18,150 MW as of September 30, from 17,550 MW as of September 2024, on account of the acquisition of 600 MW Vidarbha Industries Power Ltd, it said.

During the quarter, APL signed a Power Supply Agreement (PSA) of 2,400 MW (gross) capacity for a period of 25 years with the Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited (BSPGCL), to be supplied from a new 2,400 MW greenfield Ultra-Supercritical Thermal Power Project (USCTPP) in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur district of Bihar.

APL also received Letters of Allocation (LOA) for 1,600 MW (gross) capacity from the MP Power Management Company Limited (MPPMCL) to supply power for 25 years from a 2,400 MW greenfield USCTPP in Anuppur district, Madhya Pradesh.

It further received an LOA of 570.5 MW (gross) capacity from the Power Company of Karnataka Ltd (PCKL) to be supplied from the existing 1,370 MW capacity of the Raipur thermal power plant for 25 years.

Vidarbha Industries Power Ltd has signed a 500 MW net medium-term PPA with Maharashtra DISCOM for a period of 5 years, starting from November 1, 2025.

Mahan Energen Ltd has received approval from the Ministry of Coal to commence operations at the Dhirauli Mine in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh.

The mine has a peak capacity of 6.5 MTPA and reserves of 558 MT.

APL completed a share split on September 22, 2025, in a 1:5 ratio, converting each equity share of Rs 10 face value into five equity shares of Rs 2 each.

Following the split, the total number of equity shares issued by the company has increased from 3,85,69,38,941 equity shares of Rs 10 face value each to 19,28,46,94,705 equity shares of Rs 2 face value each.

On project updates, it said the execution of APL's brownfield expansion projects is progressing rapidly, with cumulative work for Mahan Phase-II 1,600 MW USCTPP at 73 per cent, Raipur Phase-II 1,600 MW USCTPP at 35 per cent, and Raigarh Phase-II 1,600 MW USCTPP at 30 per cent.

Further, APL's wholly owned subsidiary, Korba Power Ltd, has revived the construction of its 1,320 MW Supercritical power project at Korba (Chhattisgarh). These projects are scheduled to be completed in stages between FY 2026-27 and FY 2028-29.
Batting for further consolidation in public sector banking, the executives of top public sector banks (PSBs) said there should be at least two Indian banking entities among the top 20 global banks.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

The growing needs of the country, which is eyeing to become a developed nation by 2047, make it imperative to have many large-size banks.

The state-owned banks with a healthy profile, marked by a comfortable capital base, robust asset quality and enhanced quality of operations, are best-placed to engage in further consolidation.

Banks are more confident to manage mergers and amalgamation on the back of effective consolidation in the PSB space that happened during the pandemic in 2020, the bankers said during a session Does India need big banks, moderated by Manojit Saha of Business Standard.

Ashwini Tewari, managing director, State Bank of India, the countrys largest lender, said: PSB consolidation is a decision for the government to take. There is a case for large banks.

"There can be niche banks, which are sector or community oriented. India should have at least two banks in the Top 20 globally.

Seconding SBIs argument for larger banks, Asheesh Pandey, MD & CEO, Union Bank of India, said, Banks need strong balance sheets to underwrite big projects.

"This coupled with the de-dollarisation trend will drive the need for big banks.

Earlier, banks were dealing with projects with loans of Rs 800 crore-Rs 1,500 crore, and now they are underwriting projects with sizes in the region of Rs 8,000 crore-Rs 15,000 crore, he added.

Commenting on the need for big banks, panellist Rajneesh Karnatak, MD & CEO, Bank of India, pointed out, The country has a different demography with rural and semi rural areas.

"There should be at least three to four large banks in the Top 100 globally in terms of total business, market capitalisation and asset size.

The case for big banks, according to Debadatta Chand, MD & CEO, Bank of Baroda, is also due to their capacity to underwrite, ability to invest in technology and optimise branch network and resources.

The first wave of consolidation happened in the middle of the last decade when SBIs associate banking entities merged with the parent.

Later, in 2019, Bank of Baroda took Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank into its fold.

This was followed by consolidation on a larger scale in 2020.

Bankers pointed out that it took the Indian economy 65 years to reach the $1 trillion mark.

From one trillion to two trillion, it took another seven years.

And the journey from two trillion to three trillion, took two years only.

Now, the government has articulated the aim of becoming Viksit Bharat and to reach a $40 trillion mark by 2047.

With this, the scale of operations and the gross domestic product (GDP) growing in that manner, India definitely needs large banks, the bankers asserted.

On the need to globalise, Tewari said India requires big banks to contribute meaningfully to large Indian companies.

To do this, banks need to attain size, raise more capital and underwrite larger funding requirements.

Also, a large bank can spend on the latest technology.

In the digital age, technology spending is not a choice, it is a necessity.

Panellists said the cost to income and cost to asset ratio improves as banks become larger.

In India, this is between 1.5-2 per cent.

Globally, this has come down to one per cent or lower.

Also, the input costs are better optimised in large banks.

Integration of diverse systems as well as human resources (HR) becomes critical in a consolidation.

Tewari added that the large banks can attract, train and retain specialised talents in risk management, technology, and artificial intelligence.

Workforce and technology have to be mapped out carefully given multiple applications across merged banks, said Chand.

Bankers also emphasised sensitivity for cultural issues while dealing with mergers.

Asheesh Pandey, MD & CEO, Union Bank of India, pointed out that culture is key as it has to be harmonised, otherwise it (merger process) would be difficult.

Seconding Pandeys view, Karnatak said that integration of people, process, and technology is important.

Asset quality is very good in India. It is not a challenge as far as bank consolidation is concerned, he added.

There was also emphasis on sensitivity in handling of systemic and HR issues.

Tewari said there has to be transparency and fairness on the HR side, so that everyone in the consolidated organisation feels that the process is transparent and fair.

Another big exercise that the banks have to go through is on the policy (rationale and road map) and the technology.

Now, technology is not that much of a challenge.

Earlier, the consolidations were happening based on the technology even if the platform was the same or not, the panel members added.
The domestic initial public offering (IPO) market is experiencing a significant surge, fuelled by the financialisation of savings, digital ease of investing, and expanding participation from both retail and institutional investors, investment bankers said on Wednesday.

Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff

The depth of the domestic capital pool has reduced Indias reliance on foreign institutional investors, enhancing market stability, a sentiment echoed by most panellists during a discussion moderated by Samie Modak of Business Standard.

Sonia Dasgupta, managing director (MD) & chief executive officer (CEO) of investment banking at JM Financial, noted that liquidity generated from post-pandemic financialisation of savings, coupled with repricing in the secondary market, deepened the domestic equity capital markets.

Gesu Kaushal, MD & co-head of equity corporate finance at Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, said the broader adoption of digital payment methods like UPI for IPO applications has democratised participation, expanding capital sourcing from regions like Bihar and UP.

Market infrastructure improvements, such as shortened IPO listing timelines and streamlined processes, are also boosting market buoyancy.

In 2024, IPOs mobilised a record Rs 1.6 trillion, and this years IPO mobilisation is on track to surpass Rs 1.3 trillion, setting the stage to break last years record.

Sunil Khaitan, MD & head of financing at Goldman Sachs India, said domestic mutual funds and institutional investors became crucial providers of intellectual and financial capital by understanding and supporting innovative business models previously uncommon in the domestic market.

Last year, Hyundai Motor Indias IPO raised a record Rs 27,859 crore while earlier this month, LG Electronics Indias Rs 11,607 crore IPO garnered record bids totalling Rs 4.4 trillion.

Amitabh Malhotra, vice chairman of capital markets and advisory at HSBC India, observed that MNC subsidiaries are increasingly choosing India as a standalone, mature capital market for listings.

Previously, MNCs listed only in global hubs and overlooked their Indian arms for public offerings.

"This has changed due to regulatory reforms, a large domestic investor base, and the maturity of Indian capital markets, which now better absorb shocks and provide stability, he said.

Khaitan elaborated: Indian subsidiaries of MNCs often command significantly higher valuation multiples than their global parents.

"This MNC premium is driven by Indias faster economic growth, stronger investor confidence, and a more dynamic market environment compared to the slower, saturated markets of the parent companies.

Kaushal underscored a notable shift in company mindset toward going public.

Many family-owned businesses, traditionally wary of IPOs, now view public listings as a key growth opportunity, largely due to leadership transitions to the second generation who are more open to professionalising operations and engaging with retail investors for the long term, she said.

Driving the IPO boom is robust participation from domestic institutional investors, especially mutual funds, with Rs 3-4 trillion of household flows channelled annually into equities.

Dasgupta highlighted, Strong domestic participation is enhancing price discovery, establishing valuation benchmarks, and reducing market volatility.

Malhotra added: The surge in domestic institutional involvement has brought a better balance among issuers, bankers, and investors, leading to more pragmatic IPO pricing.

On post-listing performance, bankers noted positive trends.

Most companies going public in 2025 are backed by non-permanent capital such as venture capital and private equity rather than traditional family or MNC ownership.

"These investors, aiming for exits within 3-5 years, have a vested interest in ensuring strong post-listing performance to maximise returns, said Khaitan.

Bankers also emphasised an ever-growing domestic investor base that is becoming increasingly discerning, prioritising sustainable business fundamentals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday alleged that Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal leaders were insulting 'Chhathi Maiyya' to get votes in the Bihar elections.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a rally in poll-bound Bihar. Photograph: @BJP4Bihar/X

Addressing an election rally in Muzaffarpur, Modi claimed that the Chhath Puja was "drama" for Congress and RJD leaders, and people of Bihar would never forget this "insult" for years, nor would they forgive them.

"It is my first tour of Bihar after Chhath Puja, which is now famous world over. The festival stands not just for devotion but also for equality, a reason why my government is trying to get a UNESCO heritage tag for this festival," he said

"I listen to Chhath songs while travelling. I was once moved to listen to one of these songs rendered by a girl from Nagaland. But while this son of yours is busy ensuring that Chhath gets the honour that is its due, the Congress-RJD people are heaping scorn on the festival, calling it a drama, a nautanki," said Modi, without mentioning any leader by name.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had held one of his election meetings in the district on Wednesday, and alleged that the PM had tried to enact a "drama" by planning to take a dip in the Yamuna at Delhi, on the occasion of Chhath Puja.

He had alleged that Modi gave up his plans to take a dip when it came to light that the spot he had chosen was a puddle created with clean, piped water, since the Yamuna was extremely polluted and not fit for a bath.

Modi said, "Look at the depths to which these people can stoop while seeking votes. This is an insult to the festival of Chhath that Bihar will not forget for centuries."

He alleged that the relationship between the RJD and Congress was like water and oil, and they came together to "grab power at any cost, so that they can loot Bihar".

He claimed that reports were coming in from across the state about fights between the leaders of the two parties.

The PM claimed that all surveys were showing that the RJD-led coalition would face a humiliating defeat in the assembly polls, so it was making "unrealistic promises".

He also alleged that the Congress-RJD combine stood for five 'Ks' -- 'katta' (country-made weapons lawlessness), 'kroorta' (cruelty), 'katuta' (social resentment), 'kushasan' (misgovernance) and corruption.

Modi claimed 35,000-40,000 abductions took place during the RJD regime in the state, and "goons used to loot vehicle showrooms".

He said songs being played at RJD-Congress rallies were talking about arms like 'katta, dunali', which is beyond imagination.

"The NDA, on the other hand, stands for preserving and honouring cultural heritage and ensuring all-round development of all states, including Bihar," asserted Modi, who began his speech by making the crowds chant 'phir ek baar NDA sarkar' and 'phir ek baar susashan sarkar' (NDA government once again, good governance once again).
It was significant that the ceremony took place at 24, Akbar Road, the party's former national headquarters, and not at its new office in Kotla Road.

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pays tribute to former Congress president Sitaram Kesri on his death anniversary. Photograph: Kind courtesy INC Bihar/X

At 24, Akbar Road, where irate Congress workers had roughed him up more than a quarter century back after he was ousted as the party's president, and his contribution to the empowerment of backward classes largely forgotten in later years, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led the way on October 24, 2025 morning to remember former party chief Sitaram Kesri on his 25th death anniversary.

The Congress' rediscovery of Kesri is reminiscent of the time when in 2020 the party's leadership honoured the memory of former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao in the year of his birth centenary after years of ignoring his place in the pantheon of party's notable leaders.

It also comes at a crucial juncture as Kesri hailed from Bihar, which is poll-bound, and belonged to a caste that is on the list of Other Backward Classes in the state.

After V P Singh announced in August 1990 his government's decision to implement the Mandal Commission report, it was Kesri as minister for social justice and empowerment in Rao's government who implemented the report.

Rahul Gandhi, who in recent years has spearheaded the Congress' demand for a caste census and championed the politics of social justice, paid floral tributes to a black-and-white portrait of Kesri, along with other party leaders, and Kesri's grandson, Rakesh, who is a businessman.

It was significant that the ceremony took place at 24, Akbar Road, the party's former national headquarters, and not at its new office in Kotla Road.

For it was at 24, Akbar Road on March 14, 1998, that the Congress Working Committee ousted Kesri as Congress president. Pranab Mukherjee and some others had engineered that coup.

Some party workers jeered at Kesri and even tugged at his dhoti as he left the party office in his car, which had been damaged.

Kesri was Congress president from 1996 to 1998, with Sonia Gandhi succeeding him.

At another CWC meeting held a year later to expel Sharad Pawar and others when they raised the issue of Sonia Gandhi's 'foreign origin', party workers manhandled Kesri again as they suspected that he supported the rebels.

Kesri had to return home to change his torn clothes. Author Rashid Kidwai has written in his book 24 Akbar Road that 'Kesri died a disturbed and disillusioned man. He could not reconcile himself to his unceremonial removal. There was much that he wanted to say, but he suffered an asthma attack and then slipped into a coma. Kesri's end came on October 24, 2000. He was eighty-one. His faithful dog Ruchi died the same evening.'

Kesri, a freedom fighter, was elected president of the Bihar Congress in 1973 and treasurer of the All India Congress Committee in 1980. He served as AICC treasurer for a decade.

Over the past few years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought up the incident of Kesri's insult in his speeches to attack the Congress' 'dynastic' politics, and as evidence of that party's 'disrespect' for a leader who hailed from the marginalised sections.

On October 24, 2025, during his speeches in Bihar, Modi again spoke of the incident.

'Kesri hailed from a backward class and rose to become Congress president. But at the instance of the parivaar (Nehru-Gandhi family), he was humiliated. He was locked inside a bathroom before being kicked out on the streets and his top party post was also stolen,' Modi said.

However, there have also been occasions when the PM has spoken about Kesri's stint as party treasurer to ridicule the Congress.

At a public meeting in Kanpur in 2017, he spoke about how the Congress managed its accounts.

'Na khata, na bahi, jo Sitaram Kesri kahein wahi sahi,' he had said.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Begusarai, October 24, 2025, for the Bihar assembly elections. Photograph: Narendra Modi Photo Gallery/ANI Photo

But if Modi took potshots at the Congress for its rediscovery of Kesri, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh posed questions for the PM for his efforts to appropriate the legacy of Karpoori Thakur, a socialist leader and an icon of backward-class assertion.

On Friday, October 24, the PM launched his poll campaign after visiting Thakur's ancestral village.

In this context, Ramesh said it was an acknowledged fact that the Jana Sangh, from which the BJP emerged, had brought down Karpoori Thakur's government in Bihar in April 1979, when Thakur introduced reservation for the OBCs.

'Is it not a fact that Karpoori Thakurji was subjected to the vilest abuse by RSS and Jan Sangh leaders then?' Ramesh asked.

He also said that the PM, on April 28, 2024, called those demanding a caste census 'urban Naxals' and that both in Parliament (July 20, 2021) as well as in the Supreme Court (September 21, 2021) his government categorically rejected a caste census?

At his public meeting in Samastipur, the PM took exception to the 'stealing of the epithet Jannayak' (people's hero), of late used for Rahul Gandhi by Congress workers, when it was largely associated with Thakur.

The Union government conferred the Bharat Ratna posthumously on Thakur in January 2024, as it did on P V Narasimha Rao.

Bihar Votes 2025

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation's social media post promoting Wayanad in neighbouring Kerala as a tourist destination has drawn criticism from opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, which has hit out at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, calling it "high command appeasement" to save chair.

IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Photograph: @siddaramaiah/X

Congress top leader Priyanka Gandhi is the Member of Parliament from Wayanad.

The KSTDC's post on 'X' on October 28, promoting its two-night and three-day tour package to the hill station said, " Seeking thrill or tranquillity? Find both in Wayanad! Trek scenic trails, chase waterfalls & meet the wild with KSTDC. Your perfect nature escape awaits."

Reacting to this, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in Assembly, R Ashoka asked Siddaramaiah as to how long will Karnataka tolerate a Chief Minister who behaves like "Wayanad's District Collector and fund raiser"?

"You (Siddaramaiah) signed off Rs 10 crore of Karnataka taxpayers' money to Wayanad at lightning speed. You gave away Rs 15 lakhs to the family of a man killed by an elephant. You announced to build 100 houses in Wayanad after landslide. You used KSTDC, Karnataka's own tourism corporation, to promote Wayanad tourism - Priyanka Gandhi's constituency," he posted on 'X' on Thursday.

Pointing out that north Karnataka faced floods, he further said, farmers are suffering, homes washed away, 12.5 lakh hectares of crop damage, but compensation still stuck in files, surveys, excuses, speeches and photo-ops.

"Where is the compensation and flood relief for Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir, Bidar, Vijayapura, Bagalkot and Belagavi? Where is the urgency? What are your priorities?" He asked.

Accusing the CM of moving money to another state faster than he moved money to his own disaster-hit farmers, the BJP leader claimed, "This is not charity. This is High command appeasement to save chair."

"Karnataka doesn't need a CM who bows to the Fake Gandhi Family, spends our treasury like it's High Command's ATM, and forgets his own state's farmers who put food on his table," he said.

"We elected a Chief Minister of Karnataka, not a Puppet of Delhi, not a Brand Ambassador of Wayanad," Ashoka said.

Urging the CM to release full compensation to farmers immediately, he said, "Stop looting Karnataka's money to please fake Gandhi family. Karnataka First. Not Wayanad First."

Another BJP leader and former Minister C T Ravi said, the KSTDC, which is supposed to develop tourism in Karnataka, is inviting Kannadigas to Wayanad.

"Does Wayanad belong to Karnataka? Or has KSTDC become Kerala? The Congress government is going to pawn the honour of Kannada Nadu to please its party leader Priyanka Gandhi," he posted on 'X'.
The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday lodged a written complaint against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with the Chief Election Officer (CEO) of Bihar for his comment that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would do 'anything for votes, even dance'.

IMAGE: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi addresses a Mahaghatbandhan election rally for the Bihar Assembly election, in Nalanda on Thursday. Photograph: AICC/ANI Photo

The party sought immediate and exemplary action against Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha.

The Congress hit back at the BJP, asserting that it was the Prime Minister who used terms like 'mujra' while targeting his opponents earlier this year.

Gandhi, during his public rally at Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga on Wednesday, had said, "Narendra Modi is ready to enact all types of drama. You try telling him at a poll rally that, Mr Prime Minister, we will vote for you if you dance. He will readily perform Bharat Natyam."

The complaint lodged by BJP's Convenor of Election Commission Coordination Department, Bindhyachal Rai, read, 'Such comments are personal, mocking, and intended to insult the dignity of the highest constitutional office of the Republic of India.'

The grounds listed for the complaint include the violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and Representation of the People Act, 1951, along with degrading the constitutional office of the Prime Minister and breach of public decorum and ethical norms.

The BJP requested the ECI to issue a show-cause notice to Rahul Gandhi and direct him to 'tender an unconditional public apology', apart from barring him from 'campaigning for a specified period to preserve the sanctity of democratic and electoral decorum'.

The BJP charged the Congress leader with attempting to malign and demean the public image of Modi for electoral gains, which, it claimed, 'falls within the ambit of corrupt electoral practice'.

Responding to the development, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera retorted: "It is an irony that the Prime Minister, who uses terms like 'mujra' while targeting his opponents, has a problem with the word 'dance'."

Khera was alluding to the May 25 comment of Modi. While addressing a rally in Bihar, the PM had said, "I will foil the plans of the INDIA bloc to rob the SCs, STs and OBC of their rights and divert those to Muslims. They may remain enslaved and perform 'mujra' to please their vote bank."

Talking to reporters in Patna, Khera claimed that the BJP has no agenda and no report card to put before the public.

Earlier in the day, Union Minister Annapurna Devi had alleged that Rahul Gandhi was maligning the sanctity of Chhath puja 'by terming it a drama'.

Gandhi alleged on Wednesday that Modi had tried to enact a 'drama' by planning to take a dip in the Yamuna on the occasion of Chhath Puja, but the programme was shelved after it was found that a puddle had been created with clean water since the river was filthy.

Annapurna Devi said, "Women of the purvanchal region of Bihar, who observe this festival by carrying out a 36-hour nirjala (without drinking water) fast, are aggrieved by his comments."
A 24-year-old gig worker was killed and his friend injured after a speeding car rammed into their two-wheeler in Bengaluru in what police said was "a deliberate act of revenge" on Wednesday.

IMAGE: A CCTV footage shows a speeding car rams into a bike in Bengaluru. Photograph: Screen grab/X

A husband-wife duo have been arrested in connection with the incident, which occurred on October 25, post-11:30 pm, under the Puttenahalli police station limits, they said.

According to police, the two-wheeler was hit from behind by a car that initially sped away from the scene. While the rider, Darshan, died on the spot, his friend and pillion rider, Varun (24), sustained injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Initially, the JP Nagar Traffic Police registered a case of accidental death.

However, after examining CCTV footage, investigators found that the car had deliberately chased and rammed the two-wheeler, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Lokesh Jagalasar said.

"Preliminary inquiry revealed that the two-wheeler riders had earlier brushed against the car, breaking its side mirror. Enraged, the driver reversed his vehicle, followed them, and deliberately rammed into it, leading to the rider's death," the DCP said.

The accused, a physical education teacher, allegedly returned to the spot with his wife after the incident, wearing masks to conceal their identities. They collected broken parts of their vehicle from the scene in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence, police said.

A case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for murder and destruction of evidence has been registered at the Puttenahalli police station.

Both the husband and wife have been arrested, officials added.
General Mills, Inc. (GIS) is a food-manufacturing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company has grown into a global consumer-foods company marketing well-known brands across cereals, snacks, baking mixes, pet food and more. Its market cap is about $25.6 billion. The company is slated to announce its fiscal Q2 2026 earnings results soon.

Ahead of the event, analysts expect General Mills to report a profit of $1.03 per share, down 26.4% from $1.40 per share reported in the year-ago quarter. It has exceeded analysts earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, which is impressive.

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For the current fiscal year, analysts are eyeing General Mills EPS to be about $3.65, down 13.3% from $4.21 in fiscal 2025. However, earnings are anticipated to surge 4.1% year over year to $3.80 per share in fiscal 2027.

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Over the past year, GIS stock declined 29.6%, underperforming the S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) 18.3% gains and the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLP) 3.4% dip over the same time frame.

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The stock is under pressure largely because it is operating in a tougher consumer-market environment as its core categories, such as cereals and snacks, are experiencing falling volume as shoppers shift toward private-label alternatives. The companys growth has stalled, and margins are being squeezed, which has dampened investor optimism.

Wall Street is cautious on GIS, keeping the stock parked at an overall Hold rating. Out of 20 analysts covering the stock, four suggest a Strong Buy, one recommends a Moderate Buy, 12 are playing it safe with a Hold, and the remaining three advise a Strong Sell. The mean price target of $53.95 indicates a 12.3% upside potential from current price levels.

On the date of publication, Sristi 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
The Delhi high court on Thursday refused to entertain a public interest litigation seeking a stay on the release of Paresh Rawal-starrer Bollywood movie The Taj Story, scheduled to hit the screens on Friday.

IMAGE: A view of the swollen river Yamuna and Taj Mahal, in Agra on September 8, 2025. Photograph: ANI video Grab

During a brief hearing, the court of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela pointed out that the Cinematograph Act did not have any provision for review, and the prayer cannot be granted.

The counsel argued he was not against the exhibition of the film, but was seeking a disclaimer to be put in place that the content was not definitive history.

"Are we a super censor board?... You want a disclaimer saying this is not history. Tell me, in any work of fiction, whether the author puts a disclaimer that this is not history?

"Even for history, two historians may have different views, but which historian's view is correct, is this something to be decided by us? What are the standards available to us to decide this?" the bench asked.

It said the petitioners did not do proper research before filing the plea, and added it would be more appropriate for them to approach the government.

The bench added that actor Paresh Rawal should not have been made a party to the petition.

"Why have you made the actor (Paresh Rawal) a party? If tomorrow you file a contempt (plea), would you make the lawyer a party? He (Rawal) is a professional actor, he is not responsible for the content," the court said.

"The petitioners, at this juncture, pray to withdraw the petition to press before the government," it added.

The petition had also sought a direction to the makers of the film to 'clearly display, in all promotions and in the credits, a prominent disclaimer stating that the film deals with a contested narrative and does not claim to be a definitive historical account'.

It further sought direction to all state agencies to ensure that no communal incident arises from the incident.

The PIL alleged the film was based on fabricated facts with a particular propaganda by casting/production/direction/writer for gaining political influence and a step to create a communal disturbance among the different communities in India, which, it claimed, was a grave violation of the public interest.

Presented by Swarnim Global Service Pvt Ltd, the movie is directed by Tushar Amrish Goel and produced by CA Suresh Jha.

Though the exact story of the film remains unclear, the makers said in an earlier statement that the movie raises the 'questions and the secrets that are buried behind the 22 sealed doors of The Taj Mahal'.

The movie also 'promises to present a chapter from Indian history that no one has ever dared to present before', the makers claimed.

Earlier this month, the movie's first poster courted controversy after it depicted Rawal's character removing the dome of the Taj Mahal and a statue of Lord Shiva emerging from it.
Former Maharashtra School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar on Thursday said he had given financial help to Rohit Arya, who died in a police operation earlier in the day after taking 19 people hostage in Powai area.

IMAGE: Police and forensic officials at the RA studio at Powai. Photograph: Sahil Salvi

Arya, 50, who had been a project director in an initiative run by the education department, took money from school students through a website and the department had taken objection to it, said the Shiv Sena leader.

Notably, Arya had staged a protest in Pune last year for his 'pending dues' from the education department.

He had met Arya and even offered him financial help after Arya complained that the department had defaulted on a payment due to him, Kesarkar said, speaking to reporters after the hostage drama ended.

The Mumbai Police rescued 19 persons including 17 children from a studio in Powai while Arya, who had held them hostage, succumbed to bullet injuries sustained during the operation.

As per a government resolution of the School Education department dated January 25, 2024, Arya was the director of Project Let's Change which ran the Swachhta Monitor initiative from July 20 to October 2, 2023.

Under the initiative, school students were to act as Swachhta (cleanliness) monitors and discourage people from spitting and littering in public places. Around 64,000 schools and 59 lakh students participated in it.

The second phase of the initiative was carried out under the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Shala, Sundar Shala' scheme for which Rs 20.63 crore was sanctioned.

Of this sum, Rs 2 crore was sanctioned for Swachhta Monitor phase 2, handled by Arya.

"I did not default on anyone's payment. I helped him through a cheque out of courtesy. The department was of the view that he took money directly from students by opening a website. The department has sought an explanation from him which was necessary," Kesarkar said.

Arya could have demanded money from the government and given explanation for taking money from students, the former minister said, adding, "I met him since he used to run the Swachhta campaign.

In a video released before the police intervened, Arya said he had taken children hostage as part of a plan, and all he wanted was to have a "conversation" and ask questions to some people.

Arya had staged an 'indefinite strike' in Pune last year for his pending dues, during which he suffered an epileptic attack and was rushed to a hospital by bystanders.

His wife, Anjali Arya, had told mediapersons that her husband had been fighting to get the pending payment for his project.

"He was the project head for the PLC Swachhta Monitor. Kesarkar saheb liked the project and told him that the state government was sanctioning Rs 2 crore for it. The entire project was completed, but no funds were paid to Rohit. He did not even get recognition," she had alleged.
33 candidates face cases of murder, 86 candidates face cases related to attempted murder, 42 candidates have cases related to crimes against women with two of them facing rape cases.

IMAGE: An intensive voter awareness campaign has been launched across Patna to promote greater electoral participation in the Bihar assembly election. Photograph: ANI Photo

Some 423 (32%) candidates in the fray in the first phase of the Bihar assembly election have declared criminal cases in their election affidavits, the Association for Democratic Reforms has said in its report.

Crime and politics retain a close connection in Bihar, judging by the candidates in next month's two-phase Bihar assembly polls.

With the election campaign picking up pace after the four-day Chhath festival, a recent report by the ADR and Bihar Election Watch revealed that of the 1,303 candidates contesting from 121 assembly constituencies in the first phase, 423 (32%) have declared criminal cases against themselves.

According to the ADR, which analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 1,303 out of 1,314 candidates, 354 (27%) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

There are 33 candidates who have declared cases of murder (IPC Section-302, 303 and BNS Section-103(1)).

Similarly, 86 candidates face cases related to attempted murder (IPC Section-307 and BNS Section-109).

Furthermore, 42 candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women. Of these 42, 2 candidates have declared cases related to rape (IPC Section-376).

The ADR stated that among the major parties, the figures for candidates with serious criminal cases are as follows:

Party Candidates Analysed With Serious Criminal Cases Percentage Jan Suraaj Party 114 49 43% RJD 70 42 60% BJP 48 27 56% INC 23 12 52% CPI(ML)(L) 14 9 64% BSP 89 16 18% JD(U) 57 15 26% AAP 44 9 20% Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) 13 5 38% CPI 5 4 80% CPI(M) 3 3 100%

There are 91 (75%) out of 121 constituencies designated as 'red alert constituencies'. Red alert constituencies are those where three or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.

The ADR highlighted the fact that the directions of the Supreme Court have had no observable effect on the political parties in their selection of candidates for the Bihar assembly elections 2025.

They have once again followed their previous practice of giving tickets to around 32 per cent of candidates with criminal cases.

All major parties contesting in phase 1 of the Bihar elections have given tickets to between 20 per cent and 100 per cent of candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves.

The Supreme Court, in its directions dated February 13, 2020, had specifically instructed political parties to provide reasons for such selection and explain why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates.

As per these mandatory guidelines, the reasons for such selection must be in reference to the concerned candidate's qualifications, achievements, and merit.

During the Delhi assembly elections held in February 2025, it was observed that political parties offered unsubstantiated and baseless reasons, such as the person's popularity, good social work, or cases being 'politically motivated', etc.

The ADR maintains that these are not sound and cogent reasons for fielding candidates with tainted backgrounds.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, United States President Donald Trump said he has instructed the Department of Defense to immediately resume testing nuclear weapons on an "equal basis" with other nuclear powers.

IMAGE: United States President Donald Trump. Photograph: @WhiteHouse/X

In a post on on Truth Social, Trump said," The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice!"

"Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries' testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!," he added.

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said that Russia has successfully tested a nuclear-powered submersible drone with unlimited range.

During a televised meeting with servicemen while visiting a military hospital, Putin said the "nuclear-powered" automatic unmanned submersible vehicle 'Poseidon', which is "much more powerful" than Russia's most advanced prospective 'Sarmat' ballistic missile, was successfully tested on Tuesday.
Indian authorities have sought fresh details from the US based on the interrogation of 26/11 Mumbai terror accused Tahawwur Rana, officials said on Thursday.

IMAGE: 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Rana being taken from Patiala House court in New Delhi, April 8, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

On a request from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the 2008 terror attack case, India has invoked the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to seek the details, the officials said.

They said necessary communication has been made through designated channels to process the probe agency's request.

"Based on what transpired during Rana's interrogation, details have been sought from the US authorities through the MLAT route," a senior NIA official said.

Rana, who is currently lodged in Tihar prison in New Delhi, had been interrogated in detail following his extradition from the US on April 10 this year.

Before his extradition, Rana was lodged in the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles, the US. He was held in judicial custody in the US after proceedings for his extradition were initiated under the India-US Extradition Treaty.

The extradition finally came through after Rana exhausted all legal avenues to stay the move.

The Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman was grilled by NIA investigators based on various leads gathered by the probe agency during the course of its investigation, including a large number of phone calls between him and his co-conspirator, David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen currently incarcerated in that country.

Rana is accused of conspiring with Headley and operatives of designated terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami, along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the three-day terror attack on India's financial capital.

On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists sneaked into Mumbai through the sea route, and went on a rampage, carrying out attacks at a railway station, two luxury hotels, and a Jewish centre.

A total of 166 people, including US, British and Israeli citizens, were killed in the dastardly terror attack.
India has strongly rejected baseless observations made by a United Nations expert on Myanmar that refugees from the Southeast Asian nation were under severe pressure following the Pahalgam terror attack, with Delhi denouncing this prejudiced and blinkered analysis.

IMAGE: MP Dilip Saikia delivers India's statement on the situation of human rights in Myanmar at the interactive dialogue in the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly. Photograph: @IndiaUNNewYork/X

I express serious objection to the baseless and biased observations in the report regarding my country. I strongly denounce the biased approach adopted by the Special Rapporteur of the innocent civilian victims of the April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam through a biased communal lens, Member of Parliament Dilip Saikia said on Tuesday.

Saikia delivered India's statement on the situation of human rights in Myanmar at the interactive dialogue in the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.

India strongly rejected the observations made by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, in his report on the situation of human rights in Myanmar.

Referring to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the report by Andrews said that following the April 2025 terrorist attack on Hindu tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, refugees from Myanmar have been under severe pressure in India even though no individuals from Myanmar were involved in the attack.

Refugees in India told the Special Rapporteur that they have been summoned, detained, interrogated, and threatened with deportation by Indian authorities in recent months, the report by the Special Rapporteur said.

Slamming this assertion, Saikia said the allegation that the Pahalagm terrorist attack impacted displaced persons from Myanmar has absolutely no factual bearing.

My country rejects such prejudiced and blinkered analysis' by the Special Rapporteur, he said.

Saikia stressed that India is seeing an alarming level of radicalisation among the displaced persons, leading to consequential pressure and impact on the law-and-order situation.

I would also urge the SR (Special Rapporteur) not to depend upon unverified and skewed media reports whose sole purpose appears to be maligning my country where people of all faiths live, including more than 200 million Muslims, which is about 10 per cent of the world's Muslim population, Saikia said.

Saikia stressed that as a close neighbour, India continues to support all initiatives aimed at fostering trust and advancing a Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led path toward peace, stability, and democracy.

We reiterate our consistent position calling for an immediate cessation of violence, release of political prisoners, unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance, and inclusive political dialogue.

We firmly believe that sustainable peace can only be secured through inclusive political dialogue and the early restoration of democratic processes through credible and participatory elections, he said.

He noted that the deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions continue to remain a matter of deep concern for India, particularly as these developments have cross-border implications for the country, including the challenges posed by transnational crimes such as drug, arms, and human trafficking.

Saikia pointed out that India has consistently emphasised a people-centric approach in its engagement with Myanmar.

Following the March 2025 earthquake, he said India promptly launched Operation Brahma', dispatching over 1,000 metric tonnes of relief materials and deploying medical teams as the first responder.

He added that this built upon Delhi's earlier humanitarian initiatives, including Operation Sadbhav during Typhoon Yagi in 2024 and India's continued assistance during previous natural calamities.

The Special Rapporteur's report also noted that in early May 2025, approximately 40 Rohingya refugees, including women and children, were detained in Delhi, flown on an Indian military aircraft to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and transferred to an Indian navy vessel. It added that Indian authorities also deported scores of Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh in May.

The Special Rapporteur has written to the Indian government concerning these deportations and met with government officials who pledged to report back after investigating these events. The Special Rapporteur continues to wait for this report, it said.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday dismissed two government employees for their alleged links with terrorists, officials said.

Umar Ganie for Rediff.com Photograph: IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only.

So far, around 80 government employees have been terminated from service by invoking Article 311 of the Constitution by the LG-led administration in the past five years.

The officials said the action was part of Sinha's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and a broader crackdown on the terror ecosystem within Jammu and Kashmir.

The LG terminated the services of Ghulam Hussain and Majid Iqbal Dar, both teachers, who were found actively involved in supporting activities of the Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT) outfit, the officials said.

Hussain, appointed as Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teacher in 2004, was regularised in 2009 and posted at the government Primary School, Kalwa, Mahore in Reasi.

According to sources, Hussain was covertly working for Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT) to carry out terrorist activity. As an over ground worker (OGW), he was tasked to strengthen the terror network in Reasi and the surrounding areas and was arrested in 2023.

The evidence collected by the investigators from law enforcement and intelligence agencies have revealed that Hussain was in touch with LeT terrorists Mohammed Qasim and Ghulam Mustafa through encrypted messaging applications.

Both were his handlers, and Ghulam Hussain was carrying out the terror activities as per their directions. He received terror funds via a local conduit, which he subsequently delivered to families of known terrorists as a means to support terrorism, and also distributed money for the recruitment of terrorists and paid for logistics, the sources said.

They said the investigations also revealed that he was receiving regular parcels and financial assistance through various conduits.

Hussain did not commit terrorist acts solely for the greed of money but also due to his sympathies towards terrorism, both as an ideology and a violent campaign. He came to be exposed as an OGW planted within the system in Reasi to radicalise youth and recruit them in the terror fold, the officials said.

They said Hussain displayed disloyalty, both towards the nation and towards the education department, by turning into an accomplice and an OGW of the LeT terror outfit.

During investigations carried out in the instant case, it was established that his links to the terrorist ecosystem have been through a network of other OGWs who have been operating at the behest of terrorist outfit LeT, the sources said.

They said having a dangerous terror collaborator working as a teacher in the school is a huge threat to the young and impressionable minds, and it also puts at risk the lives of hundreds of children.

Dar was appointed as a laboratory assistant in 2009 in the school education department on compassionate grounds after the death of his father. He was later promoted to a teacher in 2019.

Dar was working as an OGW of the LeT terror outfit and became one of the key figures involved in radicalising youngsters in Rajouri and the surrounding region, the sources said.

They said the investigation has also revealed that Dar was also involved in narco-terror and maintained a close link with LeT terrorist Mod Jabar.

Dar, as a reliable asset of LeT, was using the drug money to finance terror activities and the radicalisation of gullible youth. His terror link was exposed in January 2023 when the police recovered an IED planted near J&K Bank in Rajouri, they said.

During the course of the investigation, the sources said the police arrested three persons, including Dar. It was later revealed that the teacher and LeT terrorists, Jabar and Zohaib Shazad, had planted the IED on the instructions of their handler in Pakistan, and they had also received money via a conduit.

The sources said that, subsequent to his detention, Dar has continued to display radical tendencies inside the prison and remained deeply committed to the terrorist ideology.

Dar has been doing this for a long time; that too at the cost of the government exchequer and has managed to evade the law for many years, is a double jeopardy against public interest. Dar's damage value is humongous because he was working within the sensitive education department, sources within the law enforcement agencies said.

Recently, the LG had observed that the war against terror was not over and that a lasting peace can only be achieved by completely dismantling the terror ecosystem.

"War against terrorism is not over yet. Kinetic and non-kinetic operations must continue. We must maintain the momentum and take stringent action against terrorism and its entire ecosystem," Sinha had told the security and intelligence officials.
Gangster-turned-politician Dular Chand Yadav, once known for rubbing shoulders with the who's who of politics in Bihar, was allegedly shot dead near the state capital during an election campaign on Thursday, police said.

IMAGE: Jan Suraaj Party chief Prashant Kishor speaks to the media, in Patna. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

The incident took place in Mokama, which falls in Patna district but is situated 100 km from Patna city, where Yadav, who had of late aligned with Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party, was said to have been involved in a clash with political rivals.

Patna (Rural) Superintendent of Police Vikram Sihag, who is camping at the site of the incident, said, "We have learnt that Yadav had received a bullet injury in his foot but died after being run over by a vehicle. More details will be known once we take the body for post-mortem examination."

As of now, Yadav's family members are 'not allowing anyone to get close to the body, saying they are waiting for his son to arrive', he said.

According to a statement issued by the Patna district administration, the body of Dular Chand Yadav, who has been 'named in a number of criminal cases', will be sent for post-mortem examination to ascertain the cause of the death.

'A search is underway to nab those who may be involved in the killing,' it said.

Yadav, whose nephew Piyush Priyadarshi is contesting on a Jan Suraaj Party ticket from Mokama, was said to have had a showdown with supporters of Anant Singh, husband of sitting MLA Neelam Devi.

Singh has replaced her as the Janata Dal-United candidate following acquittal in a number of cases by the Patna high court.

Hordes of angry supporters of Yadav, whose name struck terror in the wetlands of Mokama till a few decades ago, had gathered at the site of the incident after his death.

When Singh was approached with questions by journalists, he said, "I was far away from the spot where Dular Chand Yadav brawled with my supporters. I do not know what exactly happened, but some of my people have complained that Yadav's henchmen vandalised their vehicles."

When the several-term ex-MLA was told that Yadav had been killed, he sought to pin the blame on the husband of his Rashtriya Janata Dal rival Veena Devi.

"It must be the handiwork of Suraj Bhan. He orchestrated the killing so that I get a bad name", Singh claimed.

When Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor was asked about the incident, he said, "A team of our party has gone to the spot. As soon as we get some details, we will tell you."

Jan Suraaj Party's national president Uday Singh told reporters, "Our candidate in Mokama is a nephew of late Dular Chand Yadav. When a cavalcade of our candidate was attacked by supporters of Anant Singh, Yadav, who was a well-known political leader of the area, tried to intervene, but was shot dead."

He also alleged that the attackers crushed Yadav under the wheels of their car.

"The police are trying to hush up the case. Any such attempt will provoke our cadres across the state," he claimed.

Jan Suraaj Party's state president Manoj Bharti, in a statement, blamed the incident on 'those who seek votes by instilling fear of jungle raj'.

"This is an assault on our democratic rights. We strongly condemn the attack on the convoy of our Mokama assembly poll candidate Priyadarshi Piyush and the killing of one of his supporters," Bharti said.

He also said all candidates had the right to carry out a public outreach programme and 'attacking them during poll campaigns, firing bullets to show dominance, and running a vehicle over a supporter to kill them is a heinous crime'.

Jan Suraaj Party's state media in-charge Obaidur Rahman said that according to an eyewitness, the incident took place around 4 pm.

Yadav, whose muscle power could never help him win an election, was known to be on good terms with Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the JD-U president.

The killing has stoked fears of electoral violence, on caste lines, in a state which has been witness to a lot of bloodshed of this type.

However, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Kartikeya K Sharma said, "A large number of security personnel have been deployed in the area and appropriate action will be taken after due investigation."

Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav, whose RJD is often accused of 'jungle raj' while in power, reacted to the development, saying, 'gun-toting musclemen are roaming freely in Bihar. It is a serious question mark on law and order in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should stop talking about things that happened 20 years ago and tell us what type of rule has the NDA brought'.
Justice Surya Kant was on Thursday appointed as the 53rd Chief Justice of India and he will assume charge on November 24.

IMAGE: Chief Justice of India, Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, recommends the name of Justice Surya Kant, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, as his successor to be the 53rd Chief Justice of India, in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: Supreme Court of India/ANI Photo

The Department of Justice in the Union Law Ministry issued a notification announcing his appointment.

Justice Surya Kant succeeds Justice Bhushan R Gavai, who demits office on November 23.

He will be the CJI for nearly 15 months and will demit office on February 9, 2027 on attaining the age of 65 years.

'In exercise of the powers conferred by the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India as the Chief Justice of India with effect from 24th November, 2025,' Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said in a post on X.

'I convey my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to him,' he added.

Justice Kant, born in a middle-class family on February 10, 1962 in Hissar district of Haryana, became a top court judge on May 24, 2019.

He brings to the country's top judicial office a wealth of experience spanning two decades on the Bench, marked by landmark verdicts on abrogation of Article 370, free speech, democracy, corruption, environment and gender equality.

Justice Kant was part of the historic bench that kept the colonial-era sedition law in abeyance, directing that no new FIRs be registered under it until a government review.

He also nudged the Election Commission to disclose details of 65 lakh excluded voters in Bihar, showing his commitment to electoral transparency.

He made history by directing that one-third of seats in Bar associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, be reserved for women.

Justice Kant was part of the bench that appointed a five-member committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra to probe the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2022 Punjab visit, saying such matters required 'a judicially trained mind'.

He also upheld the One Rank-One Pension (OROP) scheme for defence forces, calling it constitutionally valid, and continues to hear petitions of women officers in the armed forces seeking parity in permanent commission.

He was on the seven-judge bench that overruled the 1967 Aligarh Muslim University judgment, opening the way for reconsideration of the institution's minority status.

He was part of the bench which heard the Pegasus spyware case and which appointed a panel of cyber experts to probe allegations of unlawful surveillance, famously stating that the state cannot get a 'free pass under the guise of national security'.
Actress-turned-seer Mamta Kulkarni has found herself at the centre of controversy following her recent remarks that underworld don Dawood Ibrahim 'is not a terrorist'.

IMAGE: Former actor Mamta Kulkarni. Photograph: ANI Photo

The statement went viral on social media, drawing sharp reactions.

Addressing a press conference during her three-day spiritual tour to Gorakhpur, Kulkarni on Tuesday said that Dawood Ibrahim 'did not carry out the Mumbai blasts and is not a terrorist'.

However, on Thursday, she issued a clarification, claiming her comments were misunderstood.

"I was referring to Vicky Goswami, not Dawood Ibrahim. Dawood is indeed a terrorist," she asserted.

Goswami, who was arrested on charges of drug trafficking and jailed in the past, was linked with the former film star.

Speaking to reporters in Gorakhpur, Kulkarni added that she has never met Dawood in person.

"I have no connection with politics or the film industry now. I am completely devoted to spirituality," she said.

"As a staunch follower of Sanatan Dharma, it is impossible for me to have any association with anti-national elements," she added.

Kulkarni made her controversial remarks during a media interaction at a Gorakhpur hotel on Tuesday.

The next day, she visited the Gorakhnath Temple, where she offered prayers, met saints, and attended a bhajan sandhya along with Kinnar Akhada's Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi.

Sharing her spiritual journey, Kulkarni said, "My association with the Nath sect is purely spiritual. In 1995, Guru Gagan Giri Maharaj, a revered saint of the Nath tradition, entered my life and transformed it. Visiting Baba Gorakhnath's shrine has been a long-cherished wish, and today it stands fulfilled."
With a market cap of $13.1 billion, Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of meat and food products. With iconic brands like SKIPPY, SPAM, Hormel, and Planters, the company offers a wide range of perishable and shelf-stable products across retail, foodservice, and international markets.

The Austin, Minnesota-based company is expected to announce its fiscal Q4 2025 results soon. Ahead of this event, analysts expect Hormel Foods to report an adjusted EPS of $0.38, down 9.5% from $0.42 in the year-ago quarter. It has met Wall Street's earnings estimates in one of the last four quarters while missing on three other occasions.

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For fiscal 2025, analysts expect the Skippy peanut butter maker to report an adjusted EPS of $1.44, an 8.9% decrease from $1.58 in fiscal 2024. However, adjusted EPS is anticipated to grow 6.3% year-over-year to $1.53 in fiscal 2026.

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Shares of Hormel Foods have declined 22.8% over the past 52 weeks, lagging behind both the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 18.4% increase and the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLP) 2.6% dip over the same period.

www.barchart.com

Despite reporting better-than-expected Q3 2025 revenue of $3.03 billion, Hormel Foods shares tumbled 13.1% on Aug. 28 as the company missed earnings estimates, posting adjusted EPS of $0.35, due to higher commodity costs. The company also issued a weak Q4 adjusted EPS forecast of $0.38 - $0.40, well below the estimate. Additionally, management warned that profit recovery will lag into next year, with current cost headwinds persisting through Q4.

Analysts' consensus view on HRL stock is cautious, with an overall "Hold" rating. Among 10 analysts covering the stock, three recommend "Strong Buy," six suggest "Hold," and one advises "Strong Sell." The average analyst price target for Hormel Foods is $28.71, indicating a potential upside of 20.9% from the current levels.

On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal 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
A three-hour hostage drama in Powai ended successfully on Thursday with the rescue of 17 children and two adults but the hostage-taker Rohit Arya was killed after sustaining a bullet injury during the police operation.

Arya (50), who had earlier claimed that his dues for a project for the Maharashtra education department were pending and had even staged a protest in Pune, was declared dead at hospital.

The incident unfolded around 1:30 PM after the Powai police station received an alert that a person had taken 17 children hostage inside R A Studio in the Mahavir Classic building.

The children, boys and girls between the ages of 10 to 12, had been called to the studio for an audition for a web series that had been ongoing for six days.

In a video released before police intervention, hostage-taker Arya explained his motive, claiming he made a plan to hold the children instead of committing suicide.

"I have very simple demands. Very moral, ethical demands. I have some questions," Arya said, adding, "I want to speak to some people... I want these answers. I am not a terrorist, nor do I have any demand for money. (I) want to make simple conversations."

He issued a stern warning to authorities that 'the slightest wrong move from your end may trigger me to set this whole place on fire....whether I die or not, the children will be unnecessarily hurt, traumatised for sure....I should not be held responsible'.

Arya ended by saying that after the 'conversations', he would leave the room and vaguely added that 'a lot of people have these problems' and that he would offer a solution through talks, though he never specified what the problems were.

According to police, Arya had been conducting auditions for the last six days.

Children would be admitted in the studio at 10 in the morning, and given a lunch break before the session ended at 8 in the evening.

But on Thursday, children did not emerge during the lunch break, which made the parents worried.

"At about 1.30 pm, Powai police station received information that a person had taken 17 children hostage at Mahavir Classic building. The Mumbai Police team conducted a rescue operation and safely freed all the children. During the operation, while rescuing the children, the person got injured, was immediately rushed to the hospital and later declared dead," said Deputy Commissioner of Police Datta Nalawade.

Arya was declared dead at 5.15 pm, officials said.

"All the children are safe," said Satyanaranyan, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) around 4.15 pm.

According to police, Arya was carrying an air gun and also some chemicals. Anxious parents waited outside the 10-storey building as the hostage drama unfolded.

After receiving a call about a man holding children hostage inside R A Studio, Powai police officials along with NSG commandos, a Quick Response Team (QRT), Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad and a fire brigade team reached the spot, said DCP Nalawade.

Before the police entered the studio, Arya released his video which went viral on social media.

DCP Nalawade said the police tried to negotiate with him, but as the talks made no headway, a police team entered the studio through the bathroom. The fire brigade provided a ladder for the police to climb to a first-floor window.

Seventeen children, a senior citizen and another man were rescued, Nalawade said.

"It was a challenging operation, because we were negotiating with him without any positive outcome....To save the children's lives was our priority," he said.

Former Maharashtra School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, meanwhile, said he had given financial help to Arya.

Arya, who had been a project director in an initiative run by the education department, took money from school students through a website and the department had taken objection to it, said the Shiv Sena leader.

He had met Arya and even offered him financial help after Arya complained that the department had defaulted on a payment due to him, Kesarkar said.

As per a government resolution of the School Education department dated January 25, 2024, Arya was the director of Project Let's Change which ran the Swachhta Monitor initiative from July 20 to October 2, 2023.

Under the initiative, school students were to act as Swachhta (cleanliness) monitors and discourage people from spitting and littering in public places. Around 64,000 schools and 59 lakh students participated in it.

"I did not default on anyone's payment. I helped him through a cheque out of courtesy. The department was of the view that he took money directly from students by opening a website. The department has sought an explanation from him which was necessary," Kesarkar said.

Arya had also staged an 'indefinite strike' in Pune last year for his pending dues, during which he suffered an epileptic attack and was rushed to hospital by bystanders.

His wife, Anjali Arya, had told mediapersons that her husband had been fighting to get the pending payment for his project.

"He was the project head for the PLC Swachhta Monitor. Kesarkar saheb liked the project and told him that the state government was sanctioning Rs 2 crore for it. The entire project was completed, but no funds were paid to Rohit. He did not even get recognition," she had alleged.
United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Thursday in Busan, South Korea, for a bilateral meeting ahead of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, marking their first in-person interaction since Trump's return to the White House.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping as they hold a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the APEC summit, in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

The two leaders greeted each other with a handshake on a red carpet lined with the US and China flags, before beginning discussions largely focused on trade and economic relations.

Trump described Xi as a "very tough negotiator," indicating that their dialogue would centre on long-standing economic disputes.

Trump called Xi Jinping a friend" of his "for a long time now".

"It's a great honor... I think we're going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time - and it's an honor to have you with us," Trump said during the meet.

Trump also praised Chinese President as "a great leader of a great country" and said the two sides had "already agreed to a lot of things."

"We've already agreed to a lot of things, and we'll agree to some more right now, but President Xi is a great leader of a great country, and I think we're going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time, and it's an honour to have you with us," Trump said.

The meeting took place a day before the 2025 APEC Summit, which is set to be held in Gyeongju from October 31 to November 1. Global attention has been on whether Washington and Beijing can ease tensions that have strained bilateral ties in recent months.

Officials from both countries said the talks provided an opportunity to stabilise relations amid ongoing trade friction. Trump's tariff measures and China's restrictions on rare earth exports have contributed to global economic uncertainty, prompting both sides to seek common ground.

IMAGE: Trump, accompanied by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, attends a bilateral meeting with Xi Jinping, accompanied by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

This is the first time both the leaders are meeting since during Trump's second term in the White House.

Last time they met was in 2019 in Japan on the sidelines of G20 during Trump's first term as the US President.

Ahead of the meeting, US officials indicated that Trump was unlikely to move forward with his earlier warning to impose a 100 per cent import tax on Chinese goods. Beijing, meanwhile, reportedly showed readiness to relax restrictions on rare earth exports and resume soybean imports from the United States.

While en route to South Korea aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters he was considering reducing tariffs linked to China's role in fentanyl production. "I expect to be lowering that because I believe that they're going to help us with the fentanyl situation," he said, adding, "The relationship with China is very good."

Before the talks, Trump posted on Truth Social, referring to the meeting as the "G2," highlighting the economic strength of the United States and China relative to other blocs such as the G7 and G20.

IMAGE: Trump walks with Xi. Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

According to China's state-run Xinhua news agency, "On the morning of October 30 local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in South Korea by special plane to attend the 32nd APEC informal leaders' meeting and pay a state visit to South Korea at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung."

Just hours before his meeting with Xi, Trump drew attention by announcing that he had instructed the Department of War to resume testing of America's nuclear weapons.

In a social media post, Trump wrote, "The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

The announcement came shortly before his high-stakes bilateral meeting with Xi in Busan, where trade tensions and regional security concerns were expected to dominate discussions.
Top leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi, including Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray chief Uddhav Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar head Sharad Pawar along with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray, will lead the Opposition's November 1 protest march in Mumbai against alleged irregularities in voters' lists.

IMAGE: MNS chief Raj Thackeray speaks during a press conference on discrepancies in the voters' list in Mumbai on Wednesday. Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray, Congress leader Balasaheb Thorat and others also present. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Thackeray cousins, warming up to each other after years of political estrangement, and Pawar held a meeting at the Y B Chavan in Mumbai on Thursday to finalise the nitty-gritty of the grand joint rally, where senior Congress leader Naseem Khan, Peasants and Workers Party (PWP)'s Jayant Patil, and leaders of Left parties were also present.

State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal, whose outfit is a key constituent of the Opposition MVA, noted his party completely supports the agitation, but remained non-committal on he himself taking part in the march, arguing 'individual leaders are not important'.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Shiv Sena-UBT leader Anil Parab said the protest march, coming ahead of local body polls in Maharashtra, will be taken out from the Fashion Street in south Mumbai to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters.

The protest march, covering a distance of around 1.5km, will be held between 1 pm and 4 pm and citizens will not be inconvenienced in anyway by the stir, the former state minister insisted.

The entire Opposition leadership in the state, including Sharad Pawar, Uddhav and Raj Thackery, will participate in the march. It will be held in a peaceful manner, and issues like 'vote theft' and irregularities in voter lists will be highlighted, the Sena-UBT MLC said.

The Raj Thackery-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena is not yet part of the MVA, which consists of the Congress, the NCP-SP and the Shiv Sena-UBT.

The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has clarified there was no provision in laws or rules governing local body elections for the use of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines.

Referring to it, Parab said the Opposition was studying the SEC's statement.

State Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said the SEC's argument was not tenable because VVPAT testing was done in one ward of the Nanded Waghala City Municipal Corporation during its elections in 2017.

There is no basis for this argument, he said.

Notably, VVPAT is connected with an electronic voting machine through a printer port, which records vote data and counters in a paper slip to verify the correct recording of vote by EVM.

The Congress is completely in support of the joint protest rally as issues like 'vote theft' and irregularities in voters' lists were highlighted by party MP Rahul Gandhi himself, Sawant maintained, but sidestepped a question on whether MPCC president Sapkal will participate.

Talking to reporters in his hometown Buldhana in eastern Maharashtra, Sapkal insisted the Congress will participate in the morcha and party leaders will attend it as per their availability in Mumbai that day.

"Individual leaders are not important. Whoever goes will represent the party. What is important is the demand for cleansing electoral rolls and updating them. The issue of (irregularities in voters' lists) was highlighted by the Congress first," he said but remained non-committal on his own participation.

Sapkal said the issue of MVA contesting local bodies polls together or separately or induction of new partners in the bloc is different from the vote theft issue.

"The Congress has authorized its local units to take a decision on whether to fight local polls in alliance or separately, and the party leadership will take a call on new partners if there is a proposal to join the alliance," he said.

Opposition parties have been demanding 'rectification' of electoral rolls and removal of 'anomalies' ahead of rural and urban body elections, which are to be completed by January 31, 2026.

They have claimed that electoral rolls in the state contain around 'one crore bogus voters'.

Earlier this month, the Shiv Sena-UBT, the Congress, the NCP-SP and the MNS leaders met the state Election Commissioner and Chief Electoral Officer, to point out 'duplicate' names in the electoral rolls across different addresses and assembly segments.

The SEC has, however, maintained that no political party can tamper with the electoral rolls and those corrections and updates on the voter lists are being managed securely.
Karnataka's Yadgir district administration has granted conditional permission for a RSS route march on Friday, in Gurmitkal town, the home turf of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Congress chief, currently a Rajya Sabha MP, was elected as MLA from the Gurmitkal constituency eight times in the past.

Permission for the march, organised as part of the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), was given on Wednesday by way of a government order after a detailed review of the route and security arrangements.

The order follows an application submitted on October 23 by Bassappa Sanjanol, district prachar pramukh of the RSS.

The police have allowed the procession to pass through Samrat Circle, APMC Circle, Hanuman Temple, Marathawadi, Police Station Road, Milan Chowk, and Sihineeru Bavi Market Main Road before culminating at Ram Nagar. The district administration has attached 10 conditions to the permission.

The organisers have been directed to ensure that no damage occurs to public or private property, and the entire cost of any loss must be borne by them.

The RSS volunteers are required to strictly adhere to the designated route and ensure that no slogans hurting the sentiments of any caste or religion are raised.

Any activities likely to disturb peace and communal harmony have been strictly prohibited.

The order further specifies that no roads should be blocked, no shops should be forcibly closed, and no deadly weapons or firearms shall be carried during the procession.

Adequate police security arrangements will be in place along the route to maintain peace and order.

The administration has made it clear that if any of these conditions are violated, legal action will be taken against the organisers. The RSS had to wade through multiple challenges to make it finally happen.

Recently, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge, son of Mallikarjun Kharge, wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asking him to ban RSS activities on government and government-aided schools and public places.

"An organisation called the RSS has been conducting its shakhas in government and government-aided schools, as well as in public grounds, where slogans are shouted and negative ideas are instilled in the minds of children and youth," he wrote in his letter.

In a separate letter, he asked the chief minister to ensure that action is taken against government officers and employees taking part in RSS activities.

According to Kharge, such practices go against India's unity and the spirit of the Constitution.

Days after the letter, the Karnataka cabinet decided that any organisation conducting activities in government properties should take prior permission from the authorities.

Also, a few government employees were suspended for taking part in RSS route march.

It is still not clear whether the RSS cadres will be allowed to wield lathis during the route march.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday announced that National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) will be celebrated every year on October 31 with a grand parade at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat, the birthplace of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, on the lines of the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi.

IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses a press conference in Patna. Photograph: ANI Photo

Shah also unveiled a fortnight-long national celebration, 'Bharat Parv 2025,' set to commence on November 1, to mark the start of Sardar Patel's 150th birth anniversary commemorations.

"This parade will, in essence, be a parade of India's unity, a means to bring the nation's highest ideals to life on the ground," the home minister said, adding, "Following Sardar Patel's 150th birth anniversary, this parade will be celebrated regularly every October 31, on the lines of the January 26th Republic Day Parade."

He said this annual event will forever serve as a vital means to educate the country's youth about Sardar Patel's principles and the monumental work he undertook for the nation.

Taking out time from his electioneering in Bihar, Shah addressed a press conference to brief about the large-scale functions to be held on Friday, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be taking a salute of various police contingents marching past the Statue of Unity.

Friday's parade will feature women police officers leading the contingents, cultural exhibitions by personnel from various states and paramilitary forces and specialised displays like the BSF Camel contingent, Gujarat's Mounted Cavalry, and the Assam Police's Motorcycle Daredevil Show.

He said the Indian Air Force's Surya Kiran Team will provide a powerful air show, serving as the highlight of the parade.

Shah said more than 900 artistes from all over the country will present their cultural heritage to the world.

"And in a way, this parade will be a parade of India's unity. It will be a way to bring India's best concept to the ground," he added.

Stressing that Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is a non-political event, Shah said it is meant solely to honour Sardar Patel's unparalleled role in integrating 562 princely states into the Indian Union.

Talking about the fortnight-long 'Bharat Parv 2025' which will be celebrated from November 1, he said it will begin to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 150th birth anniversary and conclude on November 15 with a grand celebration held at the 'Statue of Unity' to mark the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda.

This will feature a grand programme showcasing tribal culture, art, folk traditions, and music, creating a 'wonderful symphony'.

He said that tribal culture, including diversity in food and performing arts, will be exhibited on the occasion.

"The 150th birth anniversary of the 'Iron Man of India' and architect of a united India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, will be celebrated on October 31 at the 'Statue of Unity' in Ekta Nagar, reflecting the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'", he said.

The PM will offer floral tributes at the 'Statue of Unity', which will be followed by Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations, he added.

Shah also accused Congress of not conferring the Bharat Ratna award on Sardar Patel for 41 years.

"Along with Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel formed the backbone of India's freedom struggle. His contribution to building the foundation of the nation is immense. Yet, Congress left no stone unturned to try to make the nation forget his contribution and didn't construct any statue or memorial in his name," he said.

On the other hand, the National Democratic Alliance constructed, in a record time of 57 months, the 'Statue of Unity', which is an engineering marvel, he added.

Shah said 15,000 tourists visit the 'Statue of Unity' each year, and more than 2.5 crore people from across the country and abroad have visited the statue to date.

Under the initiative of the PM, the surrounding area, now known as Ekta Nagar, has been transformed into a comprehensive destination featuring 14 other tourist attractions developed to enhance the visitor experience, he said.

"Patel's life was dedicated to the farmers, and fittingly, iron for the statue of the Iron Man of India was collected from the farmers," he said.

Shah said a 'Run for Unity' programme will be held in schools and colleges this year.

The home minister said Patel is more than just a historical figure and termed him a foundational thinker and a towering personality dedicated entirely to the nation.

His contributions were immense, both during the struggle for freedom and in the critical years following Independence.

Patel's resolute leadership was first cemented in 1928 during the Satyagraha, a powerful movement against the British exploitation of farmers and it was here that Mahatma Gandhi bestowed upon him the title of 'Sardar', he recalled.
The district court in Shimla on Thursday upheld the municipal commissioner court's decision to demolish the entire structure of Sanjauli mosque, rejecting a plea by the Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board and the Sanjauli Mosque Committee.

IMAGE: Sanjauli Mosque committee begins demolition after the Himachal Waqf Board granted permission for the partial demolition of the Sanjauli Mosque following a court order from the Shimla Municipal Corporation, in Shimla on October 21, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

A court order to demolish three floors of the mosque was being implemented by authorities at the mosque.

The Sanjauli Mosque Committee, however, challenged a May 3 order by the commissioner's court that ordered the demolition of the remaining two floors of the five-storey structure in Sanjauli locality, Shimla.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Yajuvinder Singh on Thursday rejected the petitions seeking a stay on the commissioner's court's decision.

The court directed to demolish the remaining two floors of the mosque, saying the Waqf Board and the mosque committee were unable to provide valid documents to support their plea, according to Jagat Pal, an advocate representing locals.

Muhammad Latif of the Sanjauli Mosque Committee said they will now move the high court against the decision and will also approach the Supreme Court if required.

On May 3, the commissioner's court had directed the Sanjauli Mosque Committee and the Himachal Pradesh Waqf Board to demolish the remaining two floors of the mosque, saying the Waqf Board failed to provide records regarding the ownership of the land.

In October 5, 2024, the commissioner's court had directed the Sanjauli Mosque Committee and the Waqf Board to raze the top three floors of the five-storey mosque, which were found illegal.

Some demolition work has been carried out in the top three floors. The mosque committee had itself offered to demolish the top three floors but has contested the other two floors.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has hailed the district court's decision, saying it will pave the way for similar cases involving 'illegal' mosque constructions.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that Washington has reached a landmark one-year trade pact with China, slashing US tariffs on Chinese imports from 57 per cent to 47 per cent, moments after his much-anticipated meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Busan, South Korea.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping leave after a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump stated, "We have a deal," referring to the trade pact which will be routinely extended.

"Every year we'll renegotiate the deal, but I think the deal will go on for a long time, long beyond the year. We'll negotiate at the end of the year," he added.

Trump further noted that the 10 per cent tariff reduction on Chinese exports to the US was due to China agreeing to take "strong action" on the fentanyl issue.

"It was 57, now it's 47," the US president said.

"We reduced it by the fentanyl because I believe they are really taking strong action. We've already seen the action on fentanyl, and they're taking very strong action. So reduced to 10 per cent," he added.

Trump further stated that the issue regarding rare earth minerals with China has also been "settled". "All of the rare earth has been settled, and that's for the world," he stated.

Prior to his departure for Washington, the White House described Trump's Asia tour as a "remarkable trip" marked by significant diplomatic and economic milestones.

During his multi-nation visit, Trump secured billions of dollars in new investments, announced the end of a regional conflict, signed multiple trade and mineral agreements, and held a historic meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as stated by the White House-affiliated Rapid Response in a post on X.

The meeting with Xi defined the tone of his week-long diplomatic tour. Before leaving South Korea, Trump bid farewell to South Korean officials and expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended during his stay.

His departure followed days of back-to-back engagements that underscored Washington's efforts to strengthen alliances and advance US economic interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

The White House, in a post on social media shortly before takeoff, said, "POTUS boards Air Force One and prepares for the long journey home after a remarkable trip to Asia. This week, the President secured billions in new investment, ended a war, inked multiple trade and minerals deals, met with President Xi, and more. He never stops working for the United States."

Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi in Busan was widely viewed as the highlight of his visit.

It served as a crucial opportunity for the leaders of the world's two largest economies to ease months of tension over tariffs, technology controls, and rare-earth exports.

The discussions took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Busan, a key port city located around 76 kilometres south of Gyeongju, the main venue of the summit.

As the talks concluded, Trump and Xi were seen shaking hands, signalling a thaw in strained relations and closing a week of high-stakes diplomacy that defined his Asia tour.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday asserted that Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, a former state Bharatiya Janata Party president, would be made 'big man' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the assembly polls.

IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses an NDA election rally for the Bihar Assembly election, in Lakhisarai on Thursday. Photograph: v

Shah, who is a former national president of the party, made the remark at a rally in Tarapur assembly constituency of Munger district, where Choudhary is the BJP candidate.

"As Samrat Choudhary said in his speech, he was born here. We convinced the local Janata Dal-United MLA Rajeev Singh to give up his sitting seat in favour of Samrat Choudhary. Folks of Tarapur, people in other places request us to get a ministerial berth for their MLAs. Your MLA is a readymade Deputy CM," Shah said.

"Please vote for him and ensure his victory. In days to come, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to make him a big man, a very big man," added Shah, who is widely regarded as the BJP's principal strategist.

The remarks are likely to trigger fresh speculations about the National Democratic Alliance in poll-bound Bihar, where the Opposition has been claiming that the BJP has made up its mind to do away with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the JD-U supremo, and have its own nominee in the top seat of power.

Congress media and publicity in-charge Pawan Khera came out with a post on X, sharing a news clip of Shah's remark, and wrote, 'Only the Chief Minister is a bigger man than the Deputy CM. Nitish ji, hope you are listening.'

Notably, Bihar is the only Hindi heartland state in the country where the BJP has not been able to head the government so far.

Choudhary, who was formerly with the JD-U as well as the Rashtriya Janata Dal, the main opposition party, has had a meteoric rise since he joined the BJP less than a decade ago.

His rise to prominence has been seen as a part of the BJP's strategy to reach out to the Kushwaha community, the most populous among the OBCs after Yadavs, who are largely RJD supporters.

Choudhary is currently enjoying his second consecutive term as a member of the legislative council. He is contesting a direct election after a decade.
In this year alone, Bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have recorded net inflows of $26.9 billion, per K33 Research.

Out of this massive flow, top asset management firm BlackRock accounted for a total of $28.1 billion, covering the losses from other issuers, including Grayscale Investments.

This outlook has prompted the question, What is the fate of altcoin ETFs without BlackRocks presence?

BlackRock Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs Take Front Row

Even though Bitcoin ETFs recorded $26.9 billion in net inflows this year, it is obvious that BlackRock contributed the major percentage of this value.

Precisely, the BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) rakes in $28.1 billion in inflows. This shows that without this fund, Bitcoin ETF flows would be negative.

The same positive trend was seen around the BlackRock iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA), as it dominated inflows on several occasions.

Unfortunately, BlackRock has decided to stay out of the current altcoin ETF wave that is now gaining traction.

21Shares, Canary Capital, Fidelity, and many other asset managers have all filed for one or an altcoin ETF with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the last year.

Unlike these firms, BlackRock has not pursued a similar filing. Given the strong performance of the first two crypto ETFs, the upcoming funds may face challenges in achieving the same level of traction.

In other words, their overall inflows could be limited, despite the massive hype trailing their respective listings.

Altcoin ETFs Awaiting SEC Decision

In mid-October, VanEck filed for the Lido Staked Ethereum ETF with the US SEC. Just a week before this filing, it filed a statutory trust registration for the same Ethereum ETF in Delaware.

This fund is designed to track spot Lido Staked ETH (stETH) prices based on MarketVectors LDO Staked Ethereum Benchmark Rate index.

Back in August, Bitwise Asset Management submitted an S-1 filing to the US SEC to launch a spot Chainlink ETF to track the price of LINK .

Details in the filing suggest standard creation and redemption mechanisms, noting that the trust can process both in-kind and cash transactions.

It intends to utilize a Trust-Directed Trade system managed by the prime execution agent to achieve this. Interestingly, these altcoin ETFs are waiting for a green light from the SEC.

Read original story What Is the Fate of Altcoin ETFs Without BlackRock Presence? by Godfrey Benjamin at Coinspeaker.com
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WINOOSKI  Proposed redistricting maps are viewed as starting points for lawmakers as they consider ways to expand educational opportunities and contain costs.

Under Act 73, the Vermont School District Redistricting Task Force formed to recommend new school district boundaries and configurations to the Legislature.

"The work we are doing is advisory in nature," Sen. Martine Larocque Gulick, D-Chittenden, task force co-chairperson, said at a public hearing Tuesday at Winooski High School that was accessible online. "We are coming up with a report. We will hopefully vote on a few maps, maybe one or two and at the most three. We will send the maps to the Legislature, which will reconvene in January."

Lawmakers will make decisions on redistricting with the goal of providing students with "substantially equitable opportunities," Larocque Gulick said. She called Act 73 "divisive and complicated."

"Concerns far outweigh the hopes for what redistricting can accomplish," she said after breakout groups discussed the effort.

Redistricting Task Force grapples with Vermont's 'uniqueness' TOWNSHEND  Area residents shared their thoughts and fears with the Vermont School Redistric

Act 73 recognizes that Vermont has fewer students than 25 years ago and roughly the same number of schools, with more support services needed and costs being higher. Federal government changes further complicate matters.

Task force members previously decided not to move forward with a map focused on county lines. Their three map ideas look at Comprehensive Regional High Schools, Career and Technical Education (CTE) regions, and a combination of regional Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and Intentional Strategic Mergers referred to as BIMS.

"The CTE Region District Map features a configuration of 13 school districts based on a modified version of the existing boundaries of Vermonts 15 service regions for Career and Technical Education," a document states. "With larger districts, this plan provides an opportunity for communities to pool resources and achieve greater scale than is currently feasible in most districts across Vermont."

BIMS could involve the creation of five regional educational service areas. That would address a "lack of economy of scale, efficient governance [and] cost effectiveness," according to a presentation.

Pressures related to "declining student counts and competition for students are driving school closures and in some regions  such as Windham and Caledonia County  public school deserts," states a document prepared by task force members Jay Badams, retired superintendent, and Rebecca Holcombe, state representative for the Windsor-Orange-2 district and former state education secretary.

"Doing nothing seems likely to lead to more public school closure," the document states. "If that is the case, Vermont may face even more significant challenges around cost and access than it does now."

Guardrails on school choice should require "any private school that receives public funds to be designated by the town/district in which it sits," with districts designating as many as three schools, according to the document. Transparent enrollment processes and disclosure of tuition, fees and philanthropic revenues also are envisioned in the document.

A map should be "large enough and centrally located enough to support a future state with more opportunities for high school students," according to the document, and "minimize the risks of longer drive times and loss of local connection." Districts that want to merge to cooperate on regional, comprehensive schools should be supported "so that they can expand opportunity and reduce long-term costs per pupil challenges," the document states.

"If Vermont is serious about cost, it cant run two parallel systems that play by different rules, as increasingly this is eroding scale and coherence and in some places, quality," the document states. "The changes worth making are changes that take time, careful analysis, development of public will, and strategic, targeted support of construction dollars."

Declining enrollments don't affect all students the same way, the document states, as "rural geography magnifies non-academic harms if programs shrink or schools close. Longer bus rides, hazardous roads, reduced family engagement, and fewer extracurriculars are predictable knock-on effects in rural areas that experience high school closures. These burdens fall hardest on low-income families with less flexibility and fewer alternatives."

"In places like the Leland and Gray region and the Twin Valley region," the document states, referring to Deerfield Valley and West River Valley schools in Windham County, "we must prioritize regional public provisioning (shared services, dual enrollment, CTE hubs, synchronous course-sharing) before widening outflows."

Sen. Wendy Harrison, D-Windham, task force member, called the redistricting proposal process "really helpful for understanding components of our educational system."

"I've been worried about small schools," she said in an interview Wednesday. "I've been concerned that small schools may be required to close as part of this process and I'm much more optimistic that folks who are involved in this process understand the value of small schools."

Harrison said the presentation by Badams and Holcombe shows that "in some cases, smaller schools would make sense and in some cases, larger schools would make sense but we can give all Vermont kids a good education."

"I'm very optimistic we can do that," Harrison said. "I think it's going to take more time than what the Legislature has this year to get a workable plan."

Rural School Community Alliance Steering Committee member Cheryl Charles, chairperson of the Westminster Town School District and Windham Northeast Supervisory Union boards, said the alliance believes the "cooperative shared services model involving both supervisory unions and supervisory districts where applicable is the best approach to finding efficiencies and serving student needs."

"As we listen though today to these deliberations, we're concerned that there's still a tendency to think that forcibly merging existing school districts into larger supervisory districts, rather than supervisory unions, will achieve these efficiencies and improve services," Charles said at the end of the task force's meeting Tuesday before the public hearing. "In most cases, we believe that will not happen."

Charles added, "Supervisory unions, made up of town school districts working voluntarily and collaboratively, tend to be the most cost effective, educationally sound and democratic governance models."

Communities with school choice have been vocal about wanting to maintain that feature. Meredith Bloch, a parent at Dover School and member of the River Valleys Unified Union School Board, said her family moved to "this town in 2020 with specific intentions."

"We wanted our daughter to grow up in a place that values kindness, independence and community. Dover offered exactly that, not just through its exceptional school, but through its promise of school choice," Bloch said at the hearing. "We're asking for the freedom and the opportunity to stay in Vermont without sacrificing our children's education."

Bloch said the goal should be about building a system that fits the needs of the children and "the state's unique character."

David Zuckerman, former lieutenant governor, called for taxing wealthier Vermonters and second home owners more to help address climbing property taxes.

"Every time we close a small rural school," he said at the hearing, "we are sentencing that town to economic downturn."

He also suggested reopening an examination into creating a universal health care system in Vermont.

Rep. Edye Graning, task force co-chairperson, told NBC5-WPTZ on Tuesday, "Nobody really knows what the future could be and nobody wants to lose what they have right now so we're hearing a lot of concern from everyone. No one is excited about this process."

At their Nov. 10 meeting, task force members will decide what to recommend to the Legislature in their report. They'll discuss input they've received through surveys and public hearings, and get an update on the work of the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont.

The commission is tasked with making "a recommendation for a statewide vision for Vermonts public education system," including suggested "policy changes necessary to make Vermonts educational vision a reality," according to education.vermont.gov. A report from the group is due Dec. 15.

On Nov. 20, the task force will discuss what content to include in its report, which is due Dec. 1. Meetings have been held since August.
Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.

Nancy Braus is a long-time political activist who writes from Guilford. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
Internet and application security solutions vendor Cloudflare has hired former Splunk strategic regional sales director Pat Breen as its vice president for Australia and New Zealand (A/NZ).

Breen started the role last month and will be working alongside the companys teams and partners to strengthen customer resilience, expand our footprint, and accelerate growth together.

Businesses across Australia and New Zealand are under pressure to innovate, while protecting their people, networks, and data. Cloudflare has an incredible opportunity to help them do both, with solutions that scale to meet todays challenges, he said.

Before Breens tenure at Cloudflare, Steve Bray held the regional VP position from November 2023 to March 2025 before moving to physical security software vendor Verkada in April.

The new A/NZ VP enters the role with more than 25 years experience across the IT sector, with his time at Splunk lasting just over three years.

Prior to this, he spent close to 18 years at NetApp, departing as its regional director for major accounts. In addition, he also worked at Sun Microsystems, The Training Group, and BHP.

Pats deep expertise and leadership in the technology sector make him well positioned to guide our next phase of growth in Australia and New Zealand, said Cloudflare vice president and managing director of Asia Pacific Goran Risticevic.

His focus on strengthening our team, our partner ecosystem, as well as delivering measurable outcomes for customers, will be key as we continue to scale our business.
This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter.

FirstSun Capital Bancorp has landed on its next West Coast target.

The Denver-based financial services firm  and its Dallas-based subsidiary Sunflower Bank  will acquire First Foundation and its Irvine, California-headquartered bank in a roughly $785 million deal, the companies announced Monday.

The transaction, set to close early in the second quarter of 2026, will create a bank with roughly $17 billion in assets, and add 18 California branches to FirstSuns nine-state footprint, the banks said.

The deal also may help FirstSun put behind it last years failed acquisition of Seattle-based HomeStreet Bank.

FirstSun opted to switch to a Texas banking charter after it became obvious that we would not gain near-term approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the companys CEO, Neal Arnold, said at the time.

The banks terminated the planned tie-up shortly after disclosing they were discussing the pursuit of an alternative regulatory structure.

HomeStreet was acquired last month by Walnut Creek, California-based Mechanics Bank in a $300 million deal.

Under Mondays proposal, First Foundation investors will receive 0.16083 shares of FirstSun common stock for each First Foundation share they own. First Foundations warrant holders can also receive $17.5 million in additional cash considerations by exercising their warrants early, the banks said.

The deals $785 million value is based on FirstSuns closing stock price of $40.44 from Friday, the banks said.

FirstSun investors will own 59.5% of the combined entity once the transaction closes, compared with 40.5% for First Foundation stockholders.

Five First Foundation directors are expected to join FirstSuns board upon the deals completion, the banks said.

FirstSuns executive chair, CEO and CFO will remain in their roles in the combined company. First Foundations CEO, Tom Shafer, will become vice chair once the deal closes.

Shafer, who has been at First Foundations helm for less than a year, called the transaction an exciting new chapter. Shafer is a veteran of mergers and acquisitions who served as TCFs last CEO before it was acquired by Huntington in 2021.

Our employees continue to be the driving force behind our success, and their commitment to excellence makes this next chapter possible, Shafer said. We are particularly excited to accelerate the business plan of First Foundation Advisors, our private wealth management platform, with respect to further growing lending and deposits within the existing customer base as well as providing more firepower to grow that business throughout the combined organizations expansive footprint.
UPDATED at 9:36 A.M. EST on 2016-09-15

U.S. President Barack Obama said after a meeting with Myanmars de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday that he is prepared to lift economic sanctions against Myanmar soon to boost trade and investment with the Southeast Asian nation.

In part because of the progress that weve seen over the last several months, I indicated, after consulting with Daw [honorific] Suu, that the United States is now prepared to lift sanctions that we have imposed on Burma for quite some time, Obama said in remarks after the meeting at the White House. It is the right thing to do in order to ensure that the people of Burma see rewards from a new way of doing business and a new government.

aung-san-suu-kyi-barack-obama Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi meets with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House Sept. 14, 2016 in Washington. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Obama did not specify a particular date on which the removal of remaining sanctions would take place, only saying soon in response to a question.

The move is intended to provide incentives to American companies to invest in the country, formerly known as Burma.

The U.S. has more than 100 individuals and organizations in Myanmar on its official blacklist of companies prohibited from doing business with the U.S. Many of these entities have ties to the countrys former military junta, have been cited for their involvement in drug trafficking or money laundering, and trade in gemstones.

Despite the lifting of sanctions, several restrictions will remain in place, according to a U.S. State Department press release. They include a visa ban barring some former and current members of Myanmars military from traveling to the U.S. and limitations on foreign assistance to the military.

The U.S. will also restore Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) trade benefits to Myanmar to boost its commercial and trading advantages, Obama said.

When Myanmar joins the GSP program in November, it will be exempt from duties on more than 5,000 product lines.

The United States Congress has been more than friendly towards our efforts towards democratic reform, and over the years, they have done many things for us, said Aung San Suu Kyi, who is on her first official visit to Washington after her National League for Democracy (NLD) party won general elections last November. And as we all know, sanctions have been one of the many steps they took in order to push democratic reforms in our country.

We think that the time has now come to remove all the sanctions that hurt us economically, because our country is in a position to open up to those who are interested in taking part in our economic enterprises, she said.

At their meeting in the White House, the leaders of the two countries agreed to form a bilateral partnership with annual dialogues, and the U.S. pledged to provide support for the Southeast Asian nations democratic and economic development.

The U.S. also said it will extend a loan guarantee with local microfinance institutions in Myanmar to provide more than $10 million in loans to small businesses there.

The U.S.-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Business Council applauded the U.S.s readiness to remove remaining sanctions.

This action would remove the single biggest obstacle to U.S. companies engaging in Myanmar and allow U.S. companies to compete on a level playing field with competitors from Europe, Asia, and elsewhere, said Alexander Feldman, the organizations president and chief executive officer, in a press release.

CSOs want sanctions to remain

Myra Dahgaypaw, acting executive director of the Washington-based U.S. Campaign for Burma, called the lifting of sanctions shocking and atrocious.

By lifting the sanctions on Burma, the military and their companies, the U.S. will now be complicit in their ongoing atrocities, she said.

Because the sanctions specifically target certain companies, cronies, and military officials, they create a bargaining chip for government leaders to use to get what they need from the Myanmar military, she said.

Nearly 50 civil society organizations sent a letter to Obama dated Sept. 12 urging him to maintain U.S. sanctions against Myanmar because of the plight of the persecuted Muslim Rohingya minority group in western Myanmars Rakhine state and human rights abuses committed by the countrys powerful military.

While incremental progress is being made in Burma, it is vital that the U.S. continue to act in support of Burmas people, particularly those still suffering under the current government, their statement said. To lift sanctions prior to tangible change for suffering communities would be a disservice to those vulnerable peoples who deserve international protection.

The 46 organizations specifically say the U.S. should maintain sanctions until the Myanmar army stops violating international humanitarian law, and the government addresses the lack of citizenship for the Rohingya and offers them protections from persecution. They also want the sanction to be kept in place until the government makes progress in peace talks, properly manages natural resource extractions, and reforms the current constitution drawn up by the former military junta that ruled the country.

In May, the U.S. eased some of its economic sanctions against Myanmar to promote the Asian nations economic growth and political reform under the new, reform-minded government.

Washington also removed seven state-owned enterprises and three state-owned banks from its official blacklist and extended a measure to allow shipments to go through ports and airports in Myanmar, hoping to open up opportunities for trade and for more American companies to invest in the country.

Myanmar's military parliamentarian Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Moe speaks to reporters in Naypyidaw, Sept. 14, 2016. (RFA)

Pressure at home

Though Aung San Suu Kyi has made headway with reform, overseeing the release of political prisoners and organizing a major peace conference initiative since the NLD came to power in April, she still faces pressure back home six months into the transition.

Lawmakers from the opposition military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and military members of parliament on Wednesday debated a proposal introduced last week to dismantle the countrys notorious Emergency Provisions Act of 1950, which has been used to arrest activists and jail dissidents.

Under the act, death penalties and life sentences in prison can be given to those who commit treason or sabotage against military organizations, Shorter prison terms can be meted out for a broad range of other offenses against the state, such as spreading false news, economic sabotage, and disrupting the countrys security.

A group of eight lawmakers, including three from the NLD, two military officers, two from the USDP, and an independent, participated in the discussion of the draft law.

This Emergency Provisions Act is not suitable for the current situation anymore and is unfair, said NLD lawmaker Myat Thida Tun. During all previous governments terms, people felt that this act didnt protect them, but rather oppressed them. I support the abolishment of this act because it can harm trust-building between ethnic groups and the government.

Aung San Suu Kyi has led the countrys efforts to reconcile armed ethnic groups and the Myanmar army which they have been fighting for decades so the country can achieve lasting peace and proceed with its political and democratic development.

Those who support keeping the law on the books, however, say the measure is necessary to prevent chaos and ensure stability in the country.

This law mainly protects the states and citizens interests, said military lawmaker Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Moe. If it is abolished, it would be dangerous.

Independent lawmaker Soe Thein, a former minister of the Presidents Office, suggested that a decision should be made only after further discussion of the act by experts.

This act should be abolished only after discussing its advantages and disadvantages with experts, he said. Making a law is very easy, but abolishing it is very difficult.

If there is disagreement between upper and lower houses over the draft law, lawmakers will take up the issue and decide it during a parliamentary session.

In May 2015, Myanmars lower house of parliament rejected a proposal by Aung San Suu Kyis NLDthen the main opposition partyto revoke the controversial law. The NLD has said that the law is used to curb political activity and instill fear in people.

The latest move is the third unsuccessful attempt by lawmakers to repeal or change the law since the beginning of the countrys reform period in 2011.

Rakhine commission proposal approved

Another problematic area for Aung San Suu Kyi is the approval on Wednesday of a proposal by the Rakhine state parliament to dismiss the newly appointed Rakhine advisory commission.

Aung San Suu Kyi created the independent commission in late August to review conflict resolution, humanitarian assistance, development issues, and strengthening local institutions in the restive western state. The nine-member commission headed by former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan must submit a report on its findings within 12 months.

Much of the commissions work is expected to focus on the plight of the 1.1 million stateless, Muslim Rohingya people living in Rakhine. Many Burmese refer to the Rohingya as Bengalis because they consider them illegal immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh. The countrys Buddhist majority has long subjected the Rohingya to persecution and attacks and denied them basic rights, including citizenship.

Lawmakers from the Arakan National Party (ANP)which heavily objects to the presence of three foreigners, including Annan, on the commissionthe USDP, and the military supported the proposal and discussed standing behind the Buddhist majority in Rakhine in light of the governments efforts at national reconciliation.

The U.N. and international organizations never speak any sympathetic words about the ethnic Rakhine people, said lawmaker Aung Than Tin. Thats why we, the Rakhine people, dont trust this commission.

When commission members visited Rakhines capital Sittwe last week, they were met by Buddhist protesters who, along with ANP members, believe that the three foreigners will side with the Rohingya and will turn the issue into an international one. The commissions six other members are Myanmar citizens.

During its two-day visit to Rakhine, the commission members met with senior monks, members of the Rakhine state parliament, representatives of political parties, and local cabinet members, and visited the Rohingya living in displaced persons camps.

The minority group, which bore the brunt of anti-Muslim communal violence in 2012 that left more than 200 dead and displaced tens of thousands, were later forced to live in camps where they remain today.

Because this issue can harm state security and citizens interests, it should be controlled through careful discussions with members of parliament, said lawmaker Lieutenant Colonel Min Oo. It is important for the Rakhine people to accept it because it is very sensitive issue for them.

Reported by Win Ko Ko Latt and Min Thein Aung for RFAs Myanmar Service and by Roseanne Gerin. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Four Filipino crew members were injured Tuesday when China Coast Guard ships used water cannons to block Philippine vessels taking supplies to Manilas military outpost at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the South China Sea, Filipino officials said.

Chinese and Philippine ships have engaged in a cat-and-mouse chase in waters around the shoal for more than a year, with Manila accusing Beijing of aggressively trying to stop its vessels from delivering supplies to Filipino troops stationed at Ayungin.

Tuesdays incident marked the first time that Manila said that people had been injured in these maneuvers. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, while the Philippines maintains that the shoal is located inside its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the waterway.

On Tuesday, China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and China Maritime Militia vessels were again attempting to block a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting World War II-era navy ship that the Philippines grounded on the shoal to serve as its outpost in the disputed waters, Philippine officials said.

A CCG vessel early Tuesday morning executed dangerous blocking maneuvers against the PCG vessel MRRV 4407, resulting in a minor collision and slight damage, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea said in a statement.

south-china-sea-second-thomas-shoal-china-philippines A Chinese Coast Guard ship fires a water cannon at Unaizah May 4, a Philippine Navy chartered vessel, conducting a routine resupply mission to troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, on March 5, 2024 in the South China Sea. (Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

About two hours later, four crew on board the Filipino supply boat, Uniza May 4, were injured when two CCG ships simultaneously fired water cannon at it, shattering the windshield, the task force said.

The West Philippine Sea is Manilas name for South China Sea waters that lie within its EEZ.

The supply boat was forced to turn back, but its sister vessel, Uniza May 1, was able to reach the BRP Sierra Madre and complete the resupply mission, the task force said.

The systematic and consistent manner in which the Peoples Republic of China carries out illegal and irresponsible actions puts into question the sincerity of its calls for peaceful dialogue and lessening tensions, it said.

south-china-sea-second-thomas-shoal-china-philippines A Chinese Coast Guard ship fires a water cannon at Unaizah May 4, a Philippine Navy chartered vessel, conducting a routine resupply mission to troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, on March 5, 2024 in the South China Sea. (Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

Later in the day, the Philippines government summoned the Chinese deputy chief of mission in Manila to convey a diplomatic protest over the incident, said Philippine foreign affairs spokeswoman Ma. Teresita Daza.

During the meeting, the Philippines stressed, among other [things], that Chinas interference with the Philippines routine and lawful activities in its own exclusive economic zone is unacceptable, she said.

The Philippines demands that Chinese vessels leave the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal immediately.

In Beijing, Chinas foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the Philippine vessels had intruded into the waters of the shoal without permission from the Chinese government.

[The] China Coast Guard took necessary measures toward Philippine vessels in accordance with [the] law. The actions taken at the scene were professional, restrained, justified and lawful, Mao said.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has lodged serious representations to the Philippine side to express strong protest.

south-china-sea-second-thomas-shoal-china-philippines A Chinese Coast Guard ship fires a water cannon at Unaizah May 4, a Philippine Navy chartered vessel, conducting a routine resupply mission to troops stationed at Second Thomas Shoal, on March 5, 2024 in the South China Sea. (Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

The latest tense incident at sea occurred less than 24 hours after Enrique Manalo, the Philippines top diplomat, called for countries to respect the international rule of law in the South China Sea and other maritime regions.

The shared stewardship of the seas and oceans in the region behooves us to unite in preserving the primacy of international law so we can ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes for all, Manalo said Monday during a speech in Melbourne on the sidelines of a summit marking the 50th anniversary of relations between Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

It also calls for us to stand firmly together in opposing actions that contradict or are inconsistent with international law.

Peacetime blockade

Maritime security expert Ray Powell said China had demonstrated that it would enforce its blockade with violence.

This incident  in which four Filipinos were injured aboard a civilian vessel on a legitimate resupply mission to a Philippine outpost within that countrys own exclusive economic zone  should awaken the outrage of the international community that proclaims its concern over the rules-based order, Powell, a retired U.S. Air Force officer, told BenarNews.

There is no other place on the planet in which one country is carrying out a peacetime blockade of another countrys outpost in broad daylight. This should invite more than mere finger-wagging from the international community.

Last week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told Australian lawmakers that his administration would resist any effort by a foreign power to infringe upon the Philippines sovereignty.

I shall never tire of repeating the declaration that I made from the first day that I took office: I will not allow any attempt by any foreign power to take even one square inch of our sovereign territory, Marcos told Australian legislators, without naming China.

China lays claim to almost the entire South China Sea, but its claims overlap with those of Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines and Vietnam.

In 2016, the Philippines won a landmark case in the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that threw out Chinas expansive claims. Beijing, however, has ignored the ruling and carried on with its military expansionism in the strategic waterway, including building artificial islands.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Marykay Carlson spoke out strongly against the latest incident in the South China Sea.

We strongly condemn [Chinas] dangerous maneuvers at Second Thomas Shoal, which endangered lives, resulted in injuries and damaged Philippine Coast Guard vessels, Carlson said.

The U.S. stands with the Philippines and proponents of international law in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Jason Gutierrez and Jeoffrey Maitem in Manila contributed to this report.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.
Russian missile and drone strikes across Ukraine have killed at least six people and injured dozens of others, including children, as Moscow's forces step up assaults around the countrys strategic eastern city of Pokrovsk.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 30 described the attacks as a "complex, combined strike," noting that Russian forces had used over 650 drones and more than 50 missiles of various types, including ballistic missiles.

Ukrainian officials said two people were killed in the southern city of Zaporizhzhya, while four others were killed in Slovyansk and Kramatorsk -- two of Ukraines main strongholds in the Donetsk region, along with Pokrovsk.

Strikes were also reported late in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy, where local officials said 10 Russian drones targeted civilian infrastructure and damaged at least two residential buildings within an hour.

Representatives of country's emergency services and local administrations described the aftermath.

Following the attack on Zaporizhzhya, rescuers recovered two bodies from the rubble of a residential building destroyed in the strike, while in Ukraine's west-central Vinnytsia region, a seven-year-old girl who was injured in a Russian strike later died in hospital.

"She was admitted to the hospital in critical condition. Doctors fought for her life, but unfortunately, they were unable to save her, Natalya Zabolotna, first deputy head of the regional military administration, wrote in a Telegram post.

Speaking to RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service, a woman living in Slovyansk said the attack on the city damaged the windows and doors of some residents apartments.

"I can't describe how loud the strikes were -- my heart nearly stopped," she added.

The National Energy Company Ukrenerho reported that Russia's massive air attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have caused emergency power outages across most regions of the country.

In Ukraine's western Lviv region, which borders NATO and EU member Poland, the regional governor reported that two energy facilities were hit.

"Russia continues its systematic terror -- striking at the lives, dignity, and warmth of Ukrainians on the eve of winter," Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on X.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its armed forces had carried out a massive overnight strike on Ukraine's military-industrial facilities, energy infrastructure, and military airfields in response to "Ukrainian attacks on civilian targets in Russia."

"The strike achieved its objectives, with all designated targets hit," the ministry said in a statement on October 30.

Commander Visits Frontline Positions Near Pokrovsk

After visiting frontline positions in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad area, Ukraine's top commander said that Russian troops are stepping up attacks around the eastern stronghold of Pokrovsk.

Oleksandr Syrskiy wrote on Telegram that Ukraine is strengthening its defenses to repel the attacks.

"The situation is difficult, but Russian propaganda claims about the alleged 'encirclement' of Ukraine's defense forces in Pokrovsk, as well as in Kupyansk, do not correspond to reality," Syrskiy said on October 30.

Pokrovsk, a city of about 7,000 inhabitants -- down from more than 60,000 prewar -- holds crucial road and rail junctions and has been under threat of encirclement by Russian forces for most of the year.

In early October, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian troops had entered the city, but Ukrainian officials at the time denied the report and said Kremlin forces continued to suffer heavy losses in the region.

On October 26, Ukraine's General Staff said several small Russian infantry units -- totaling some 200 soldiers -- had evaded defensive lines and established positions inside Pokrovsk.

With reporting from RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, AFP, and Reuters
US President Donald Trump has struck a truce in the trade war with China, telling reporters after his high-stakes meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea that he expects to sign a bilateral deal with Beijing pretty soon.

But even if Beijing and Washington are able to build on their progress in Busan and strike a deal, the US-China relationship looks set to remain tense due to the underlying frictions across defense, human rights, technology, and economic issues that are still shaping their ties.

Instead, the October 30 agreement to ease trade tensions is the first step of a wider push by both China and the United States to buy time as they look to enshrine rules on how to manage their superpower rivalry and dig in for a longer term competition.

It's good for the two most significant global players to be working to stabilize their relationship," Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, a visiting fellow at the Martens Center, a Brussels-based think tank, told RFE/RL. But the structural issues are all still there. This doesnt fix the big problems.

While the agreement on trade issues opens the door for continued high-level diplomacy -- including a Trump visit to China in April and Xi potentially traveling to the United States next year -- the key flashpoints at the center of US-China tensions were largely left untouched.

Taiwan, the self-governing island of 23 million that Beijing claims as its own territory and has threatened to annex by force, if necessary, was not discussed during the South Korea meeting, according to Trump. He also said that Chinas purchasing of Russian oil, which Moscow has used to help fund its war, was not raised.

Trump said that he and Xi discussed the need to work together to help end the more than three-year war in Ukraine, although he did not mention any specifics.

It seems like both sides probably didnt want to bring elements into these talks that could derail this focus on trade, said Ferenczy, who is also an assistant professor at National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan.

Will Trump And Xi Agree To A Broader Deal?

Trump said after his meeting with Xi that the United States is lowering the fentanyl tariff on Chinese goods to 10 percent from the current 20 percent and that China will end its embargo of US soybeans, an economically important export.

Beijing also agreed to pause controls it imposed on strategic rare-earth minerals and to suspend port fees for a year.

Da Wei, the director of Tsinghua University's Center for International Security and Strategy, wrote in Foreign Affairs magazine ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting that it represented a narrow but important opportunity for the United States and China to enter a new phase of bilateral relations.

The United States and China do not have to be friends, but they do have to avoid being enemies, he wrote.

Whether it leads to actionable momentum to strike a deal beyond deescalating this years trade tensions, or if it simply results in a temporary truce, remains to be seen.

"Both capitals will keep believing they can outlast and outmaneuver each other, working feverishly to erode the others leverage," Craig Singleton, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based think tank, told RFE/RL. "Thats the paradox of this relationship: interdependence without trust, competition without closure. Busan may have bought time, but little more."

Beijing and Washington negotiated for months with little tangible progress beyond a brief reprieve from tit-for-tat tariffs in May and progress could be even thornier as both sides try to tackle more tense issues, such as US export curbs on certain types of semiconductors or geopolitical topics like Taiwan.

Trump could also bring new issues to the negotiating table that would further complicate talks.

Shortly before his meeting with Xi, Trump posted on social media that he instructed the Pentagon to start testing nuclear weapons after a 30-year moratorium, saying China and Russia -- the worlds other major nuclear powers -- could catch up with the United States within five years.

Its unclear exactly what Trump intends. In his post, he wanted to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, which could mean showing off the power of American missiles or undersea nuclear assets, rather than conduct an actual nuclear test. Its unclear if Trump wants to see tests of missiles capable of delivering a nuclear weapon, or tests that involve actual nuclear explosions.

Chinas expanding nuclear stockpile has been a fixation for Trump and also appeared in his rationale when he said that the United States needed to retake control of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.

The comments also come after Russia announced that it had successfully tested a nuclear-powered super torpedo called Poseidon on October 29 and praised the successful test of a nuclear-powered cruise missile just three days before.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, has so far abstained from testing a nuclear weapon or carrying out a nuclear detonation.

The first Trump administration tried to start three-way nuclear talks with Beijing and Moscow as Washington looked to negotiate a new accord to replace the New START treaty, a foundational piece of arms-control infrastructure, that will expire on February 5, 2026.

China rejected joining those talks in 2020, but the talk of future US tests could push Beijing to the negotiating table.

Russia suspended its participation in New START in February 2023, but it did not withdraw from the treaty, saying that it would continue to abide by the numerical limits in the treaty.

Did Beijing Overplay Its Hand On Rare-Earth Minerals?

Beijing shook global supply chains when it first brought in export controls in April on rare earth minerals. The move caused shortages overseas and highlighted Chinas willingness to use its near monopoly on the 17 elements that make up smartphones, military drones, and medical devices.

Those curbs were expanded in October, specifically targeting elements in defense supply chains and the equipment used to process them.

While the agreement struck in Busan lifting those restrictions for a year, the fallout has already been severe.

Fearful of their dependence on China for the minerals, many Western countries have already looked to band together to create new supply chains, with the flow of rare-earths becoming a centerpiece of a G7 summit underway on October 30.

The European Union is also scheduled to sit down with China to discuss Chinese export controls on October 31.

European weapons producers supplying arms to Ukraine have warned that they could be affected by the shortage and the one year, restriction-free window could buy time for the United States and Europe to invest and procure new sources of minerals outside of Chinas control.

Trump secured a number of rare earth and critical mineral deals before and during his trip to Asia, inking deals with Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand, and Ukraine, among others.

There is a sense that China may have overplayed its hand on rare-earths, Ferenczy said. This shows that there is appetite for collective action to counter weaponization of rare-earths by China.
BUCHAREST -- Other NATO members will provide troops to fill the void created by the departure of US soldiers from Romania, the country's Foreign Minister Oana Toiu told RFE/RL, leaving the alliance with a stronger" presence.

Speaking to RFE/RLs Romanian Service on October 30, Toiu said of course, we all wanted this (US military) presence to continue unchanged or for there to be scenarios in which this presence will be increased.

Nevertheless, she added, the decision by the United States was taken on the basis of a justified analysis by Washington, that European NATO members need to increase our own defense capacity.

The news of the troop cuts was officially announced by Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu on October 29. He said about 1,000 troops would not be replaced after their recent rotation through Romania, but that a similar number would remain in three US bases in the country.

By the end of this year and (the beginning of) next year, we will seea stronger NATO presence in Romania and a stronger NATO capacity to intervene in case Romania is subject to a direct threat, Toiu said.

Pressed by RFE/RL as to whether this would be composed of other allied nations, rather than American troops, she said we are talking about allied forces, yes.

Toius comments echoed the tone taken by other Romanian officials to tamp down concern after news of the US withdrawal was announced.

Trump: 'Not A Big Deal'

Earlier on October 30, US President Donald Trump appeared to play down the importance of the decision as he spoke to reporters on Air Force One while flying back from South Korea to Washington.

I can tell you about it but it's not very significant. It's not a not a big deal, Trump said when asked about the military drawdown.

But the decision to reduce numbers has drawn unusual criticism from Republican defense policy experts in Washington.

In a joint statement, the chairmen of the Senate and House armed services committees, Roger Wicker and Mike Rogers, said they strongly oppose the move.

Our European allies have agreed to shoulder historic levels of the burden of collective defense. However, European rearmament will take time, the pair, both Republicans, wrote.

Pulling back US forces from NATOs Eastern flank prematurely, and just weeks after Russian drones violated Romanian airspace, undermines deterrence and risks inviting further Russian aggression, they added.

US troop reductions in Europe have been expected for several months since it was announced the Pentagon would conduct a Global Force Posture Review.

There has been no official announcement of the United States reducing its military deployments elsewhere in Europe, but the move to cut troops in Romania comes amid heightened anxiety about the US commitment to NATO at a time when Russia has invaded Ukraine, sparking Europe's biggest and deadliest conflict since World War II.

In a statement on the force reduction, the US Army stressed that it maintained a robust presence in Europe to meet objectivesincluding President Trumps commitment to defend NATO allies.

Nevertheless, Wicker and Rogers said they would seek assurances from the Pentagon that as the President has previously stated, the two armored brigades in Poland remain in place, and that the United States continues to sustain a persistent rotational presence in Poland, the Baltic states, and Romania.

Poland's Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz told reporters on October 29 that his country had "not received any information...about a reduction in the contingent in Poland."

'Romania Has Failed'

A Romanian Army reserve officer with decades of experience in national and NATO commands told RFE/RL that Romania has failed to develop a direct relationship with the US, on the model of Poland, which was promised, through the voice of the US president, that 8,000 American soldiers would remain there."

Relations between Bucharest and the Trump administration were strained by Romanias decision to cancel presidential elections last year, citing Russian election interference, after a relatively unknown candidate won the first round of voting.

The move was strongly condemned by US Vice President JD Vance, who said it was undemocratic, but pro-Russian nationalist candidate Calin Georgescu was in any case disqualified from the election rerun in May.

Toiu told RFE/RL that trust is rebuilding in the relationship with Washington. It is not vulnerable. It is a partnership of mutual trust with common future objectives.

Meanwhile, Estonias Defense Ministry issued a statement on October 30 saying Washington had decided to maintain its military presence in the country.

We welcome the US decision to continue its troop presence in Estonia, Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur was quoted as saying.

The US administration has confirmed that the Baltic states and Poland are exemplary allies who have taken significant steps to strengthen their security by investing at least 5 percent of our economies in national defense.

The 5-percent figure was agreed by NATO countries in June as a target to be achieved by 2035.

NATO estimates that, this year, Poland will spend 4.48 percent of its GDP on defense, the highest in the alliance. Latvia and Lithuania are in second and third place, with Estonia in fourth with 3.38 percent.

The alliance estimates that Romania will spend 2.28 percent. The United States will be at 3.22 percent, according to the NATO figures.
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Russian forces are pushing deeper into Pokrovsk in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region. Amid relentless assaults and waves of drone attacks, Ukrainian troops fight to hold the line and protect key supply routes along the front.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held talks in South Korea where they discussed the war in Ukraine and agreed to walk back elements of their bruising trade war.

Speaking aboard Air Force One following the October 30 sit down, Trump said that he had an "amazing meeting" with Xi and they they agreed on "many important points," including agreements on trade, tariffs, and rare-earth minerals.

He told reporters that he will reduce a tariff on China over its role in the fentanyl crisis by 10 percent and that China would resume "large amounts" of soybean purchases from the United States, which were stopped in May in response to US tariffs.

Trump added that a deal was also reached on lifting Chinese restrictions on the flow of rare-earth minerals, 17 elements that play tiny but vital roles in cars, planes, and weapons. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who is also Air Force One, said China would not be imposing its proposed rare earth controls that were expanded in October after an understanding between the presidents. He did not comment on controls that are already in place that were introduced in April.

"All of the rare earth [issue] is settled, and that's for the world... This was a worldwide situation and not just a US situation," Trump told reporters. "There's no roadblock from China anymore."

Trump added that he also discussed the war in Ukraine launched by Russia in February 2022, saying that he and Xi agreed to "work together."

"We agree that the sides are locked in fighting and sometimes you gotta let them fight I guess. But we're going to work together on Ukraine," he said.

In comments published through Chinese state media, Xi said that both sides reached a consensus to resolve "major trade issues" and that the Chinese and American teams will be continue working on delivering outcomes that will serve as a "reassuring pill" for both countries' economies.

"China and the United States can jointly demonstrate the responsibility befitting of major powers, working together to accomplish more significant, practical and beneficial undertakings for both nations and for the world," he said.

The meeting at Busan's Gimhae International Airport appears to have set the stage for a broader dialogue in the coming months, with Trump saying that he plans to visit China in April and that a tentative trade deal could be signed soon.

Analysts told RFE/RL that they see limited room for a broader agreement during the talks, but that dialing back trade tensions could lay the groundwork for discussions towards a larger deal when Trump travels to China and Xi is expected to visit the United States next year.

Moments before the talks began, Trump announced that he has instructed the Pentagon to break Washingtons voluntary moratorium on testing nuclear weapons immediately.

Trump said in a post on social media that the United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country, naming Russia as second and China a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.

Heading into the talks, Trump and Xi were also expected to discuss other points of tension, including Taiwan and Chinas support for Russia.

But Trump said that self-governing Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own, was not discussed. He added that he and Xi did not bring up China buying Russian oil, which Moscow has used to help fund its war.

Prior to the meeting, Ukraine and its allies called on Trump to pressure Xi Jinping over Chinas backing of Russia. The meeting came a week after Washington announced sanctions on two major Russian oil companies.

China is the single-largest buyer of Russian crude and has been a vital lifeline for Moscows energy industry amid Russian President Vladimir Putins grinding war in Ukraine.
Since midsummer, Ukrainian forces have played a game of whack-a-mole in Pokrovsk, watching individual Russian soldiers and small units pop up in building ruins or basements in the frontline Donetsk region city, and then hammering them one by one.

On the citys eastern and southern perimeters, meanwhile, Russian forces have crept forward, seizing roads, slowly strangling supply lines, and pressuring Ukrainian defenses.

Earlier this month, Russian forces managed to cement a more stable foothold inside the ruined city, as Ukrainian troops, under pressure in other locations to the north, like Kupyansk, struggled to hold them back.

It may be too late, experts warn.

"The situation in Pokrovsk is on the verge of critical and continues to deteriorate until it may be too late to fix everything," analysts with the DeepState project, which has ties to the Ukrainian military, warned on October 29.

Russian troops managed to infiltrate Pokrovsk early last summer, but the Ukrainians knocked them out, Pasi Paroinen, a Finnish analyst with the open-source organization Black Bird Group, told RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service. This time, I think it is unlikely that the Ukrainians will be able to completely knock them out of Pokrovsk.

Underscoring Ukraines precarious hold, the countrys top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrskiy, said on October 30 that he traveled to the area.

The situation is difficult, but the statements of Russian propaganda about the supposed blockading of Ukrainian forces in Pokrovsk, as well as in Kupyansk, do not correspond to reality, he said in a post to Telegram. At the same time, in Pokrovsk, enemy infantry avoid clashes, gather in urban areas, change locations, so the primary task is to detect and destroy them.

Infiltration

Sitting astride two major highways -- one heading west to the Dnipropetrovsk region and the city of Dnipro, one heading northeast to the railway junction city of Kostyantynivka -- Pokrovsk has been a linchpin of Ukraines defense on the central and southern stretches of the 1,100-kilometer front line.

Also a rail hub, the city had a prewar population of about 60,000; only a few thousand residents remain, defying exhortations and orders to evacuate.

For more than a year now, Russian forces have employed the tactic of sending soldiers -- one or two at a time or in small groups, on motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles -- to try and race past Ukrainian lines, which are frequently porous and stretched thin. The tactic is deadly, one of the reasons Russian casualties have been astronomical. But its effective in evading Ukrainian drones and slipping past foxholes or bunkers.

Russian troops have also disguised themselves as civilians, Ukrainian soldiers said, making it harder to target them.

In August, Russia troops used that tactic to wedge a gap in Ukraines defenses northeast of Pokrovsk, near the village of Dobropillya. Ukraine rushed in reinforcements, including units from the battle-hardened Third Separate Assault Brigade, to plug the gap, and they managed to encircle a number of Russian units.

Sometime around the second week of October, a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance unit fought its way into the city, around the central railway station, according to the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Airborne Assault Forces. After allegedly killing an unknown number of civilians, the Russians then pushed northeast.

"It feels like they just came out of the ground. Maybe they've been hiding in the houses since the first time they came in," one deputy brigade commander was quoted as telling the Ukrayinska Pravda newspaper.

As of October 29, Ukrainian soldiers estimate that between 200 and 400 Russian troops have currently lodged themselves in the citys eastern districts, and Ukrainian officials have reported fierce street fighting.

It's pretty clear that they're already inside the city and operating there in significant numbers, Paroinen said.

It is not difficult to track them, Junior Lieutenant Serhiy Okishev, a spokesman for the 7th Corps, told RFE/RLs Donbas Realities. It is difficult to resist them due to the enemys numerical superiority, both in terms of manpower and destructive power. This includes artillery and strike [drones], and primarily guided aerial bombs.

Immediately to the east of the city is the town of Myrnohrad, which sits on the T0504 highway and is home to the Ukrainian units holding back a creeping encirclement. If Myrnohrad falls, the entire highway supply route is at risk, said Denys Popovych, a Ukrainian military analyst.

"If Pokrovsk is captured, it will be fatal for Myrnohrad, Popovych told Current Time, and then that opens the road to the Dnipropetrovsk region. It will be possible to plan a further advance along a broad front.

'Well Cope'

As Ukraines defense in Pokrovsk frays, frustration has started spilling out.

Its sad that by the end of the fourth year of full-scale war, there is still no organized system for defending urban areas -- something that has already cost us dearly and continues to do so, one Ukrainian officer, who uses the call sign Oleks, said in a post to Telegram last week.

"I have repeatedly raised the issue of regrouping and the absence of a second line of defense, which will lead to our units being encircled, but they don't listen to us," an unnamed brigade commander told Ukrayinska Pravda.

"I don't see us winning on the Pokrovsk front. It's very sad, said a soldier from the 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade who asked to use only his call sign, Volt.



Why is that? We lack the means to combat them, he told Current Time. And the relevant artillery. The enemy's electronic warfare is effective, the enemy's radar. We lack intelligence. That's the situation. What else can I say? We'll cope, everything will be fine.



The situation in Pokrovsk is getting worse, Serhiy Sternenko, a Ukrainian activist and popular blogger known for crowdfunding drones for the military, said in a post to X. Logistics as such are nonexistent. Individual positions are located behind enemy lines. Why behind enemy lines? Because there's no unified front line.

RFE/RL Russian Service correspondent Yauhen Lehalau contributed to this report.
TOKYO, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Florida Realtors, the state's largest professional trade association, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Japan-America Real Estate Coalition Office (JARECO), strengthening international collaboration and expanding business opportunities for real estate professionals in both Florida and Japan.

At left, Japan-America Real Estate Coalition (JARECO) Chairman Masayuki Nakagawa shows his signed copy of the new Memorandum of Understanding agreement between JARECO and Florida Realtors, while Florida Realtors President Tim Weisheyer, right, does the same. The MoU was signed during the SEUS/Japan meeting in Toyko Oct. 28, 2025.

The agreement was signed by Florida Realtors President Tim Weisheyer and JARECO Chairman Masayuki Nakagawa during a ceremony in Tokyo this week during the Southeast U.S.-Japan Association (SEUS/Japan) joint meeting. It establishes a framework for cooperation, information exchange and professional networking between Florida Realtors and JARECO's extensive network of real estate organizations across Japan.

Founded in 2013, JARECO (www.jareco.org) serves as the primary link between the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) and five of Japan's major real estate groups, representing several hundred thousand professionals nationwide. The organization promotes collaboration, research, and education to foster a globally connected real estate community.

"Florida's global real estate connections continue to grow, and this new partnership with JARECO opens even more doors for collaboration, learning, and investment between Florida and Japan," said 2025 Florida Realtors President Tim Weisheyer, broker-owner, Dream Builders Realty and dbrCommercial Real Estate Services in Central Florida. "We're proud to strengthen the bridge between our two markets and help Realtors in both countries find new pathways for success."

The agreement comes as economic and travel ties between Florida and Japan continue to grow. ZIPAIR, a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, announced Oct. 28, 2025, it will operate the first nonstop passenger flights between Florida and Asia, with four round-trip charter flights between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Tokyo Narita (NRT) beginning in February 2026.

Weisheyer said, "As the immediate past chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, I understand the importance of international connectivity and am excited to see our years of work come to fruition. These new flights, combined with partnerships like this one, will help strengthen business and real estate relationships between Florida and Japan."

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) manages Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport.

"This partnership arrives at an exciting time," Weisheyer said. "With new direct air connections and a growing appetite for cross-border investment, Florida and Japan are poised to deepen economic and professional ties. Real estate is at the center of that growth, and Florida Realtors is proud help connect our members with opportunities around the world."
Can this new exchange escape the shadow of FTX? | Credit: Credit: Getty Images.

Key Takeaways

AX is a new exchange that gives investors 24/7 global access to perp contracts in crypto and traditional stocks.

Harrison was caught lying about the security of FTX USD deposits and asset management.

AX has raised over $17 million with backing from Coinbase, Circle, Anthony Scaramucci, and others.

Brett Harrison, the former president of the now-defunct crypto exchange FTX, is bidding to make a fresh start by launching a new exchange, Architect Financial Technologies (AX), which aims to bring crypto-inspired perpetual futures to traditional stocks, commodities, and forex.

However, not everyone is pleased with the news as Harrisons dodgy past has resurfaced.

Fresh Start

As per Bloomberg, Harrison is making his industry comeback with the launch of a new centralized exchange, AX.

It mimics crypto perps leverage and non-expiry, but adds traditional safeguards such as portfolio margining, volatility halts, and price bands into the mix.

Its the perfect time for such a product, Harrison told reporters.

Though U.S. regulators are yet to approve perpetuals, the Chicago-based firm will leverage an affiliate in Bermuda, keeping all crypto and asset activity offshore for the time being.

This, in Harrisons words, makes it the worlds first centralized and regulated exchange for perpetual futures on traditional assets.

Looking ahead, Harrison is eager to evolve these offerings and launch perpetual for emerging asset classes such as rare earth metals, renewable energy, and data center compute costs.

Shadows of FTX

Though Harrison was uninvolved with the FTX fraud, his past mistakes have resurfaced, calling into question the legitimacy of fully regulated claims.

Sunil, an FTX Creditor who has closely followed and reported on the exchanges collapse, reposted a 2022 document that revealed Harrison had been lying about FTX US deposits being FDIC-insured, with stocks held in FDIC-insured brokerage accounts.

Despite raising $17 million from backers including Coinbase, Circle, and Anthony Scaramucci, among others, AX will face additional scrutiny from the crypto community.

The post Former FTX US Chief Brett Harrison Seeks Redemption, Launches Crypto-Style Futures Platform for Stocks, AX appeared first on ccn.com.
A strange light was spotted over Roscommon skies yesterday evening, Wednesday.

There were multiple reports of the aerial phenomenon, which moved from east to west across the country.

Footage and images shared on social media showed a large bright object with hazy light moving at speed.

There was much speculation about whether it was an extraterrestrial presence.

However, its thought that the peculiar light was caused by the launch of a SpaceX rocket dumping fuel.

As the rockets final booster detaches, it ejects any leftover fuel. This fuel then freezes instantly due to icy cold temperatures at that altitude. Light is then reflected off the frozen fuel, making it visible on Earth.

SpaceX is a private American aerospace and space transportation company founded by Elon Musk.

This video footage was taken yesterday evening over Castlerea:
By Eoin Reynolds and Ryan Dunne

Josip Strok and his friend David Druzinec had been drinking all day when they met a 17-year-old boy at a bus stop in Clondalkin and asked him for a lighter.

Mr Druzinec, one witness would later tell the Central Criminal Court, wouldn't accept that the 17-year-old had no lighter and began to mock the teenager before attacking him and dragging him into the street.

Mr Strok, embarrassed, dragged his friend away and waited for the next bus towards Mr Druzinec's home.

But the 17-year-old stopped to tell three other teenagers to be careful, that he had been attacked by the two men at the bus stop.

The three youths continued on and boarded the bus, keeping an eye on Mr Druzinec and Mr Strok and getting off at the same stop near the Grange View estate.

Once in the estate, the youths spoke to Mark Lee, a local man in his 40s out walking his dogs, who had strong views on foreign "invaders", as he called them.

When he learned that a young lad had been beaten up, Lee followed Mr Druzinec and Mr Strok, who were now speaking loudly in Croatian, before heading into his own home to drop off the dogs.

A CCTV system with audio capability recorded Mr Strok rebuking his friend as they walked, unaware that Mark Lee and Anthony Delappe were a short distance behind them, gearing up to deliver a brutal beating. A Croatian translator interpreted Mr Strok, referring to the earlier row at the bus stop, saying: "You're a completely different person when you drink. For God's sake, dude!"

Lee emerged from his house less than 50 seconds after he had entered, followed by Delappe, who was one week past his 18th birthday and had been in Lee's house to smoke cannabis. Delappe was carrying a hard plastic pickaxe handle.

Both men walked fast after Mr Druzinec and Mr Strok and were followed about 40 seconds later by Connor Rafferty, who had also been in Mark Lee's house smoking cannabis. Rafferty, aged 19 at the time, was carrying half a crutch.

Lee and Delappe caught up with their victims and immediately began striking them, Delappe starting on Mr Druzinec while Lee knocked Mr Strok to the ground.

Lee continued the beating by kicking Mr Strok in the head, stamping on him and punching him. Delappe left Mr Druzinec and joined in on Mr Strok, hitting him several times at full force with the pickaxe handle while Mr Strok struggled on the ground.

After Mr Strok stopped moving, Connor Rafferty (21) of Castlegrange Close, Clondalkin, struck him three blows with the half-crutch he had brought from Mark Lee's. Rafferty would later tell gardai that he had only inflicted two or three "light smacks" on Mr Strok's back and had not intended to cause him harm.

Rafferty's barrister, Bernard Condon SC, told the jury that in bringing a murder charge against his client, the prosecution was trying to fix the actions of the two co-accused onto the then 19-year-old. Mr Condon reminded the jury that in his garda interviews, Mr Rafferty said he didn't mean to seriously injure anyone, apologised and said he was ashamed.

"Mr Rafferty is not a monster," counsel said, "he is a young, gormless eejit."

The jury accepted Rafferty's defence and found him not guilty.

Mr Druzinec suffered bruising to his face and required stitches, but made a full recovery. Mr Strok had suffered one particularly severe wound to the back of his head, which caused fracturing of the skull and a catastrophic brain injury.

State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers would say the injury was probably caused by the fall backwards onto the ground. The assault happened on March 30th, 2024, and Mr Strok was pronounced dead in hospital four days later.

Mark Lee (44), of no fixed abode, and Anthony Delappe (19) of Melrose Avenue, Clondalkin, had both pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of 31-year-old Josip Strok at Grangeview Way in Clondalkin.

Barristers on behalf of each of them said that the prosecution had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that either man intended to cause serious harm.

A jury today rejected those arguments and found both men guilty of murder by an eleven-to-one majority verdict.

Seoirse O Dunlaing, for the Director of Public Prosecution,s said in his closing speech that Lee and Delappe had pursued their victims after hearing of the alleged assault on a local youth.

Delappe and Lee knocked their two victims to the ground, and CCTV footage showed Lee repeatedly kicking Mr Strok in the head, he said.

As Mr Strok tried to defend himself on the ground, Lee delivered a "series of punches" followed by another kick to the head.

At the same time, Mr O Dunlaing said, Delappe struck Mr Strok with the pickaxe handle. Mr O Dunlaing described Delappe's actions as "overarm strikes with brutal ferocity" using a hard weapon.

While Delappe was striking the deceased, Lee "stamps on him with his left foot", Mr O Dunlaing said. After the fourth strike with the bat, Mr Strok, who had been fighting back, stopped moving.

Mr O Dunlaing told the jury that if the CCTV footage satisfied them that Lee and Delappe intended to cause serious injury, the appropriate verdict is guilty of murder.

Mr O Dunlaing suggested Lee revealed his possible motive for the murder two days later when gardai arrived at his home with a search warrant.

Lee told gardai it was "terrible the way the homeless are treated" while illegal immigrants "run amok".

Lee also told gardai he had been "walking up and down" outside an asylum centre waiting on a "foreign c**t" over an attack on a child.

While Mr O Dunlaing said communities have a right to protest over concerns regarding proper consultation and whether things are being done in the "right way", he added: "There is a difference between protest and vigilante violence because you think a foreign national has assaulted two kids."

Mr O Dunlaing reminded the jury that Mr Strok came to Ireland to work and contribute to society. "He clearly did not deserve what happened to him," counsel said.

Following today's verdicts, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring excused the six men and six women from further jury duty for the next nine years.

She said the jury had performed a hard job, a thankless job, adding that she was grateful for their attendance in court.

She remanded Lee and Delappe in custody until November 17th next for sentencing.

Mr Rafferty was remanded on bail to appear on the same date.
Vivienne Clarke

The Social Democrats spokesperson on home affairs, Gary Gannon, has called on Tanaiste Simon Harris to act as a legislator, not a commentator, when it comes to the issue of the number of migrants coming to Ireland.

Speaking on RTE radios Morning Ireland, Mr Gannon added, Maybe hes going down the Nigel Farage route in response to comments by Mr Harris about the number of migrants remaining in the country despite being refused residency status.

Mr Harris said on Wednesday: "Our migration numbers are too high, and I think that is really an issue that needs to be considered in a very serious way by Government.

"One of the reasons I think they are so high is that there are too many people who come to this country and are told they do not have a right to be here, and it is taking too long for them to leave the country."

Gannon said: I think if the average punter on the street said that, you would have to say, fair enough, there does seem to be a huge amount of challenges in the system, but this is the second authority of the state, the Tanaiste, at a time when we need calm heads, we need leadership, we need fact-based argument, and he's effectively just speaking as if he's a commentator rather than someone who's supposed to legislate.

What he could have also said was their numbers this year have also decreased by 40 per cent on last year. He could have talked about the absolute failures in the system that he's presided over for 10 years and how he was going to address them.

"There is absolutely lags within the system people, are being caught up within that for years, but that's a failure of management. We have a management crisis in this country and Simon Harris is fairly much to the fore of responsibility for that."

Gannon said that, coming in the aftermath of the violent protests in City West, he thinks these comments have the potential to be "inflammatory".

"They don't add anything substantial to the debate. They don't talk about the fact that there are people here who have contributed hugely to our country. They don't talk about how we're gonna address the silos in the system.

"And it's also, it's not only in relation to the violent incidents outside City West, its a person struggling for relevancy following what happened in the presidential election last week. And I just think he needs to be a hell of a lot more careful than what he's been.

Fine Gael TD Barry Ward said that the Tanaistes comments had been measured and absolutely factually correct".

He has identified the fact that we do have massive pressure on our migration system, there's no disputing that. What we also have is huge investment to that system and we have massively reduced the waiting times for the processing of applications, which makes it easier to deal with people coming here seeking a chance.

Mr Ward said that despite the reductions in the waiting times there were still thousands of people coming to Ireland which led to huge pressure on the system. He acknowledged there were problems with the system, for example with information flows.

The Department is not nearly frank enough with people in local communities about what's happening. We need to speed up the times, we need to be more effective in terms of when deportation orders have been made, that people are not remaining here for months and months and months, that those orders are given effect.

Mr Gannon said the Tanaiste should provide leadership. What he offered yesterday is the absence of that.

Mr Ward said that if there was to be reasonable debate on the subject then people, including ministers and TDs, should have the right to express their views.

However, Mr Gannon said he could not understand why Mr Harris had made his comments on Wednesday.

I'm going to have to see in the context of the presidential election, maybe he's trying to go down the Nigel Farage route," he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to address ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting in Malaysia; Leaves for Kuala Lumpur today

The minister confirmed that the second edition of ASEAN-India Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting will take place on October 31

Indias Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is leaving for Kuala Lumpur today to take part in the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting - Plus (ADMM-Plus) being held in Malaysia on 1st November.

The Defence Minister would also address the forum on Reflection on 15 years of ADMM-Plus and Chart the Way Forward.

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Earlier today, in a post on his X, the minister confirmed that the second edition of ASEAN-India Defence Ministers Informal Meeting, under the chairmanship of Malaysia, will take place on October 31, on the sidelines of ADMM-Plus.

Defence Ministers from all ASEAN member countries will take part in the meeting, Rajnath Singh said, adding, The meeting aims to further strengthen defence and security cooperation among ASEAN member states & India and advance the Act East Policy, the minister said.

I look forward to holding discussions with the participating ADMM-Plus nations on greater cooperation in a wide range of areas, as well as the senior leadership from Malaysia, he further said.

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According to a press release by his ministry, during the two-day visit, Raksha Mantri is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the participating ADMM-Plus nations as well as the senior leadership from Malaysia.

ADMM is the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), the press release read.

ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste & Vietnam) and its eight Dialogue Partners (India, US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia & New Zealand) to strengthen security and defence cooperation, it added.

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It further stated that India became the dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992, and the inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam on October 12, 2010. Since 2017, ADMM-Plus is held annually to bolster the defence cooperation among ASEAN and plus countries.

Under the construct of ADMM-Plus, India is the co-chair of the Experts Working Group on Counter Terrorism with Malaysia for the cycle 2024-2027. The second edition of ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise is also scheduled in 2026, it added.

(For more news apart from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to address ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting in Malaysia; Leaves for Kuala Lumpur today a" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Mumbai Man Threatens to Set Children on Fire; Probe Underway

The man appears to be mentally unstable, and police are handling the matter carefully, Mumbai Police added.

A man from Mumbais Powai area in Maharashtra allegedly held a few children hostage, demanding that he be allowed to speak to some people, according to officials.

The man, identified as Rohit Arya, has been detained by the police, and all the children have been safely rescued from the spot, Mumbai Police confirmed, as reported by ANI.

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#WATCH | Maharashtra: Visuals from the spot in Powai area of Mumbai where a man, identified as Rohit Arya, held a few children hostage demanding that he be allowed to speak to a few people.



The children were soon rescued by the Police and handed over to their guardians. The man pic.twitter.com/6BHFR1PygP  ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025

The police are speaking to him and trying to find out why he took such a step and whether he is mentally unstable, officials told ANI.

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Earlier, he had released a video purportedly stating that he wanted to speak with certain people and that if not allowed to do so, he would set everything on fire and harm himself and the children, police said.

The man appears to be mentally unstable, and police are handling the matter carefully, Mumbai Police added.

(For more news apart from Mumbai Man Threatens to Set Children on Fire; Probe Underway" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Bihar News: PM Modi Criticizes Songs About Theft, Pistols, and Double-Barreled Guns Played at Election Rallies

The RJDCongress people are even threatening to abduct our sisters and daughters" PM allged.

Indias Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in his address at an election rally in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, today criticized the RJD and Congress for their alleged failures and indifference. He stated that he could not imagine songs about theft, pistols, and double-barreled guns being played at election rallies.

Reflecting on the parties past record, PM Modi alleged, During the RJDs rule, nearly 35,000 to 40,000 kidnappings took place. Todays youth can hardly imagine how terrifying that situation was. The cries and distress of parents made no difference to the RJD then, and even today, they have no concern for your happiness or sorrow. They have nothing to do with your worries.

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#WATCH | Muzaffarpur, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "... During the RJDs rule, nearly 3540 thousand kidnappings took place. Todays youth can hardly imagine how terrifying that situation was. The crying and distressed parents made no difference to the RJD then, and pic.twitter.com/VE74Bewlxx  ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025

He added, I simply cannot imagine songs about theft, pistols, and double-barreled guns being played at election rallies. This reflects their mindset and intentions.

In a major allegation against the opposition parties contesting the Bihar Assembly elections, PM Modi said, The RJDCongress people are even threatening to abduct our sisters and daughters. Such shameful acts are being encouraged to spread fear.

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Polling is scheduled to be held in two phases  on November 6 (for 121 seats) and November 11 (for 122 seats). The counting of votes will take place on November 14.

The term of the current Bihar Legislative Assembly ends on November 22, 2025. The state has 243 constituencies, including 2 reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and 38 reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs).

(For more news apart from PM Modi Criticizes Songs About Theft, Pistols, and Double-Barreled Guns Played at Election Rallies, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
PM Modi Attacks Priyanka Gandhi for Supporting Former Punjab CM's No Entry for Biharis Remark

The Prime Minister made the remarks while attacking opposition parties for inviting leaders from other states to campaign for the INDIA...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally in Chhapra, Bihar, today strongly criticized Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi for allegedly supporting the remarks of a former Congress Chief Minister of Punjab, who had allegedly stated that people from Bihar would be disallowed from entering Punjab.

Prime Minister Modi said, A sitting Chief Minister of Punjab from the Congress party, during a rally, said that he would not allow people from Bihar to enter Punjab. At that time, a daughter from the Gandhi family, who is now an MP, was present on the stage and clapping at the statement made by the sitting Chief Minister of Punjab.

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The Prime Minister made the remarks while attacking opposition parties for inviting leaders from other states, who, according to him, had earlier insulted the people of Bihar, to campaign for the INDI Alliance in the upcoming Bihar Assembly Election 2025.

Congress leaders in Karnataka and Telangana abuse people from Bihar, and their ally DMK also abuses Biharis in Tamil Nadu. During these elections, crossing all limits, the leaders who abused Biharis in their states have been called to campaign for the INDI Alliance, PM Modi added.

He called it a strategic plan of the opposition parties.

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#WATCH | Chhapra | #BiharElection2025 | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "A sitting Chief Minister of Punjab from the Congress party, during a rally, said that he would not allow people from Bihar to enter Punjab. At that time, a daughter from the Congress family, who is now an pic.twitter.com/Q1N3AFtdQJ  ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025

Further in his speech, PM Modi alleged that the RJD-Congress alliance disrespects faith, is against development, and focuses only on protecting infiltrators.

He also accused the opposition of being uncomfortable with the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, saying, Have you seen the leaders of RJD-Congress offering prayers at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya?

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The leaders of RJD-Congress have time to travel abroad but no time to visit the Ram Temple, he added.

(For more news apart from PM Modi Attacks Priyanka Gandhi for Supporting Former Punjab CMs No Entry for Biharis Remark" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
RJD Leader Rohini Acharya Hits Back at PM Modi Over RJD-Congress Saving Infiltrators Remark

Earlier, PM Modi alleged that RJD-Congress alliance disrespects faith, is against development, and focuses only on protecting infiltrators.

RJD leader Rohini Acharya, on Thursday, hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks against the opposition parties in Bihar, accusing them of saving infiltrators.

Rohini Acharya posed several questions to the BJP-led Bihar and Central governments, asking, The government is theirs. The Home Minister is theirs. They have ruled Bihar for 20 years. So, who are the infiltrators?

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In my election too, their infiltrators must have been there. So, cancel that MP election and conduct it again. They deliberately defeated me by a mere 6,0008,000 votes. So, there were infiltrators. Drive those infiltrators out of Chhapra and hold the MP elections again, she told ANI.

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar | On PM Modi's statement that RJD-Congress is saving infiltrators, RJD leader Rohini Acharya says, "... The government is theirs. The Home Minister is theirs. They have ruled Bihar for 20 years. So, who are the infiltrators? In my election too, their pic.twitter.com/JYVYxM8HH2  ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025

They have a government from the Centre to the state, so from where did the infiltrators come? How did the infiltrators enter? The Central Home Minister, the Prime Minister, and the Chief Minister, who is also the Home Minister, should resign over this matter, she further said.

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Earlier, addressing a rally in Chhapra, Bihar, PM Modi alleged that the RJD-Congress alliance disrespects faith, is against development, and focuses only on protecting infiltrators.

(For more news apart from RJD Leader Rohini Acharya Hits Back at PM Modi Over RJD-Congress Saving Infiltrators Remark" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
HONG KONG, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 United Nations China Youth Environment Forum was held in Hong Kong on Wednesday, spotlighting carbon neutrality education and regional cooperation in ecological protection.

The forum, themed "Beautiful China, Zero Carbon Action," brought together approximately 150 participants, including representatives from ecological and educational departments in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao, as well as experts from research institutions, youth delegates, and educators.

The event was jointly organized by the United Nations Environment Program's Chinese Office and the Center for Environmental Education and Communications of China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, with co-hosting support from the Environment and Ecology Bureau of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government and an overseas friendship association in Shenzhen.

Through keynote speeches and experience-sharing sessions, the event showcased China's advancements in ecological civilization education and shared with the world the compelling stories of how China's young people work together to build a beautiful China.

China's Vice Minister of Ecology and Environment Yu Huiwen delivered remarks at the opening ceremony, emphasizing the special significance of hosting the forum in Hong Kong. As a vital part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Hong Kong plays a unique bridging role in ecological protection and international cooperation.

Secretary for Environment and Ecology of the HKSAR government Tse Chin-wan said that Hong Kong is fully committed to a low-carbon green transition and aims to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050, contributing to the nation's dual carbon goals.

The forum served as a platform for environmental experts from home and abroad to share their knowledge and experiences on climate change, aiming to deepen young people's understanding of carbon neutrality and inspire a sense of mission, Tse added.




France has taken a bold step that could reshape Europes monetary direction. Lawmakers in the National Assembly have adopted a resolution opposing the introduction of the European Central Banks (ECB) proposed digital euro while endorsing Bitcoin and the use of euro-denominated stablecoins as alternatives.

The proposal, introduced on October 22, 2025, by Eric Ciotti and members of the Union of the Right for the Republic (UDR), calls on the French government to reject the European Commissions draft regulation establishing a digital euro.

Source: French National Assembly

Instead, it urges support for euro-based stablecoins and greater national investment in crypto-assets.

Is Frances Bitcoin Reserve Plan a Defense of Freedom or a Rebellion Against Europe?

The document, titled Proposal for a European Resolution Calling for Support for the Transformation of the Monetary System, argues that central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) pose a threat to privacy and economic freedom.

Ciotti described the move as a step toward protecting fundamental individual rights and maintaining monetary sovereignty in an increasingly digital economy.

French lawmakers warned that a centrally managed network would allow authorities to track and potentially freeze citizens funds.

The explanatory memorandum compared the ECBs project to Chinas digital yuan, suggesting that similar centralized oversight could pose a major threat to fundamental individual freedoms.

The ECB is currently in the preparation phase of the digital euro, which began in November 2023 and is expected to conclude by the end of 2025. The currency could enter circulation around 2029, according to ECB Executive Board member Piero Cipollone.

Lawmakers also warned that adopting a digital euro could destabilize Europes banking system by allowing users to move deposits directly to the ECB, potentially triggering a bank run and concentrating financial power within a single institution.

The resolution stated that such a concentration of power would be harmful to economic freedom and that it is not the role of the ECB to act as a commercial bank.

Instead, the French proposal lays out a sweeping pro-crypto agenda centered on three key areas: creating a national Bitcoin reserve, promoting euro-denominated stablecoins, and supporting domestic crypto industry growth.

Under the plan, France would establish a public administrative body to manage a strategic Bitcoin reserve equivalent to 2% of the total Bitcoin supply, roughly 420,000 BTC, to be accumulated over seven to eight years.
Punjab Police: 3 Apprehended with Cross-Border Arms & Ammunition Ahead of Diwali, Crackdown Intensified to foil Pakistan's Attempt to Disrupt Festive Season

The DGP said investigations are underway to identify the smugglers, trace linkages, and dismantle the entire smuggling network.

Punjab Police: 3 Apprehended with Cross-Border Arms & Ammunition Ahead of Diwali, Crackdown Intensified to foil Pakistans Attempt to Disrupt Festive Season

In a major breakthrough, Punjabs State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Amritsar, has apprehended three individuals in possession of illegal arms and ammunition arranged by a USA-based Pakistani national.

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The arrests were made ahead of Diwali during special checking and operations aimed at ensuring a safe and peaceful festive season, following the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

According to Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, the SSOC recovered one AK-47 rifle along with two magazines and 60 live cartridges, as well as three 9mm Glock pistols with seven magazines and 50 live cartridges, from the accused. The information was shared in a press release issued by the Information and Public Relations Department, Punjab.

The arrested accused have been identified as Gurwinder Singh alias Ginder, a resident of Sangrai in Gurdaspur; Vipan Kumar alias Manish, a resident of Marrianwal in Batala; and Chamkor Singh, a resident of Natt in Batala, District Gurdaspur.

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The development comes a day after a consignment of three weapons, comprising two AK-47 rifles and one PX5 pistol, was recovered near the Indo-Pak border under Khemkaran in Tarn Taran district.

Pakistani Link Suspected: DGP

As per the preliminary investigation, DGP Gaurav Yadav stated that the consignment was arranged by USA-based Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi from Pakistan. He added that the consignment was dropped using a drone near the Indo-Pak border in the Kalanaur area of Gurdaspur in mid-September 2025, and later collected by the arrested accused.

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The DGP said investigations are underway to identify the smugglers, trace linkages, and dismantle the entire smuggling network.

The recoveries were made following the arrest of accused Chamkor Singh in an ongoing operation launched after the arrest of his two accomplices  Ginder and Manish  from whose possession one Glock pistol, part of the same consignment, had earlier been recovered, the press release stated, citing AIG SSOC Amritsar Sukhminder Singh Mann, who shared the operational details.

The AIG further highlighted that Gurpreet Singh alias Gopis name had also surfaced in the murder of Jugraj Singh, Sarpanch of Cheema Khudi, for which the Manu Agwan group had claimed responsibility. Further investigations are in progress.

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In this regard, FIR No. 55 dated 02/10/2025 has already been registered under Section 25 of the Arms Act, Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 22 of the NDPS Act at PS SSOC Amritsar, the press release added.

Punjab Polices Crackdown on Organised Crime and Drugs

Punjab Police has intensified its crackdown on drugs, organised crime, and anti-national elements to safeguard the states peace and security.

According to data shared by DGP Punjab, as of October 1, a total of 20,414 FIRs had been registered and 31,177 arrests made. Police seized 1,342 kg of heroin  accounting for 60% of Indias total recovery. The conviction rate in the state stands at 87%. Additionally, 26 terror modules have been busted and 88 terrorists arrested. The police have also solved 18 out of 20 recent murder cases.

Ahead of the festive season, strict security reviews have been undertaken to foil any attempt by Pakistans ISI to disturb peace in the state.

The DGP further stated that citizens can confidentially report organised crime and gangster activities through the Anti-Organised Crime Helpline  1800-330-1100.

He reiterated that the Punjab Police remains steadfast in its mission to maintain peace and harmony and to ensure a safe, secure, and drug-free Punjab.

(For more news apart from Punjab Police: 3 Apprehended with Cross-Border Arms & Ammunition Ahead of Diwali, Crackdown Intensified to foil Pakistans Attempt to Disrupt Festive Season" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Punjab to Become North India's Tourism Hub with 6 Mega-Projects: Government Fast-Tracks Promises with PPP Roadmap

Punjab Becomes North India's Tourism King' with 6 Projects! Amritsar Ropeway, Heritage Hotels to be Developed through PPP...

Punjab to Become North Indias Tourism Hub with 6 Mega-Projects: Government Fast-Tracks Promises with PPP Roadmap

Punjab Becomes North Indias Tourism King with 6 Projects! Amritsar Ropeway, Heritage Hotels to be Developed through PPP; Investment Process 100% Transparent

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The Punjab government has taken a bold and forward-looking step to take the states tourism and hospitality sector to new heights! This initiative will not only boost tourism but also ensure that people of Punjab get better facilities and the states economy becomes stronger. Under the Chief Ministers leadership, the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) organized a historic investor conference in Chandigarh. The aim is to attract investment through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and bring the states tourism potential to a global level. This step shows how committed the Punjab government is to building a New Punjab by combining the states glorious history with modern development.

In this important meeting, the government presented six ambitious projects to leading investors, developers, and consultants from across the country. These projects will open new opportunities for tourism in every corner of Punjab.

An Urban Ropeway project will now start in Amritsars religious and historical lanes, which will not only make travel easier but also offer stunning views of the city. Meanwhile, centuries-old heritage sites like Aam Khas Bagh in Sirhind and Darbar Hall in Kapurthala will be revived and converted into luxury heritage hotels. Additionally, a Pinkasia Tourist Complex will be built at Aam Khas Bagh in Ropar to expand facilities for tourists.

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To promote business tourism, state-of-the-art Convention and Exhibition Centers will be built in industrial centers like Mohali and Ludhiana. These centers will open new investment opportunities by making Punjab the business and conference hub of North India.

The main purpose of this meeting was to make these projects more investor-friendly. Officials from PIDB, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department, and Housing and Urban Development Department held detailed discussions with investors. They discussed project possibilities, timelines, and legal approvals.

The government assured investors that the competitive bidding process and revenue-sharing model under the PPP framework will be completely transparent. Investors were encouraged to share their feedback openly so that project terms can be made trustworthy and investor-friendly. This initiative makes it clear that the government is creating a platform for meaningful dialogue and cooperation with the private sector.

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The state government reaffirmed its commitment to ensure a transparent and favorable environment for investors so that world-class tourism and hospitality infrastructure can be developed. The government said this partnership between the public and private sectors is essential to provide better experiences to tourists visiting Punjab and encourage sustainable development in the tourism sector.

This initiative clearly shows that the Punjab government is committed to building a prosperous, transparent, and progressive state where investment is welcome and the pace of development is fast. Punjab is now moving ahead rapidly on the tourism and development map.

(For more news apart from Punjab to Become North Indias Tourism Hub with 6 Mega-Projects: Government Fast-Tracks Promises with PPP Roadmap" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Wave of Record-Breaking Investment Continues: 'Maan Ki Guarantee' Jobs for Youth; Historic Rs 339 Crore Investment from Germany's Freudenberg Group

This investment is not just about money; it is a new ray of hope for the youth, families, and every individual in Punjab

Wave of Record-Breaking Investment Continues: 'Maan Ki Guarantee' Jobs for Youth; Historic Rs 339 Crore Investment from Germany's Freudenberg Group

Punjab is no longer just a land of fields; it has become a favored destination for major global companies! The honest policies and groundwork of the Punjab government, led by the efficient leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan, have resulted in a historic investment of Rs 339 crore by the famous German company, Freudenberg Group, in Morinda, Rupnagar district, Punjab.

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Even though this investment happened some time ago, it remains the biggest example of Punjab's progress and success today. It demonstrates that the Maan government has transformed old intentions into concrete actions, setting Punjab on a new path of development. Chief Minister Maan and his team have established a 'Single-Window System' through 'Invest Punjab' to facilitate investors, enabling companies to begin operations in just three days.

The arrival of a global company like Freudenberg guarantees bumper opportunities for the youth. The two new and modern factories built in Morinda have provided direct employment to 200 people and indirectly employed thousands more through the supply chain and other related works. Punjab's youth have received special training from schools and colleges in Chandigarh and the surrounding areas to become proficient in manufacturing next-generation components.

The vehicle seals and anti-vibration components produced in Morinda will be exported both within India and abroad, establishing Punjab as a robust manufacturing and export hub and boosting the state's industrial credibility. This investment is part of the total Rs 1.23 lakh crore worth of proposals received by Punjab since 2022, which is expected to create 4.7 lakh new jobs.

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This success was possible because the Punjab government has laid a strong foundation for the Ease of Doing Business. The state offers excellent connectivity due to its strategic location in North India, and its skilled youth workforce is fully prepared to meet industrial demands. Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan's government has implemented major reforms in land allocation, infrastructure development, power supply, labor welfare, and skill development.

Furthermore, these factories generate electricity from sunlight and conserve water, reflecting the government's serious commitment to environmental protection.

Dr. Mohsen Sohi, a senior official of the Freudenberg Group, had stated, Our investment in Punjab demonstrates our complete confidence in the people and the government here. Meanwhile, Mr. Shivsailam G., an official from Freudenberg India, said, With the support of the Punjab government, we built this magnificent factory in Morinda, which is contributing to India's progress.

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In addition to Freudenberg, other major companies like De Heus from the Netherlands (Rs 150 crore in Rajpura), Nestle from Switzerland (Rs 2000 crore in Dera Bassi), and Claas from Germany (Rs 500 crore in Beas) have also invested in Punjab. These investments are establishing Punjab as India's new industrial center for manufacturing automotive, food and beverage, and electronics goods. The Punjab Investment Summit in 2026 and the target of Rs 5 lakh crore in new investments will further accelerate this progress.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan's message is clear, Our dream is for every young person in Punjab to work and for prosperity to arrive in every home. Freudenberg's investment is proof of our hard work and the peaceful environment of Punjab. Punjab is now developing rapidly. We want every Punjabi to be a part of this change. Let us all work together to make our Punjab the strongest and most prosperous state in India.

This investment is not just about money; it is a new ray of hope for the youth, families, and every individual in Punjab. The Bhagwant Maan government is working day and night to bring a better life and more opportunities to every Punjabi.

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(For more news apart from Wave of Record-Breaking Investment Continues: 'Maan Ki Guarantee' Jobs for Youth; Historic Rs 339 Crore Investment from Germany's Freudenberg Group" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Canadian Government To Honor Sikh Soldiers; Stamp In Honour To Be Released Soon (Representative image)

The stamp is produced by Canada Post.

The Canadian Government has decided to release a Commemorative Stamp in honour of the Sikh Canadian Soldiers on November 2, according to sources.

The stamp is produced by Canada Post and will be unveiled on the 18th Annual Sikh Remembrance Day ceremony, hosted by the Sikh Community, on Sunday, 2nd November.

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The Canada Post stamp, it said, honours the service of Sikh soldiers in the Canadian military for over 100 years dating back to the 10 Sikh soldiers accepted in the military during the First World War. The stamp also pays tribute to Sikhs serving in todays Canadian Armed Forces, it added.

(For more news apart from Canadian Government To Honor Sikh Soldiers; Stamp In Honour To Be Released Soon" stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.)
Trying Villages

In a world of urban hustle and bustle, the villages of Banat area offer an oasis of peace and authenticity, a return to the roots and to a rhythm of life amidst nature and traditions.

mybanat.ro

Daniel Onea, 30.10.2025, 14:00

In a world of urban hustle and bustle, the villages of Banat area offer an oasis of peace and authenticity, a return to the roots and to a rhythm of life amidst nature and traditions. This region of Romania, rich in culture and landscapes, reveals its beauty to those willing to explore it beyond conventional tourist routes. Here, every village tells a story, every lane preserves memories, and every host is ready to share a piece of the soul of the place. Diversity is perhaps the word that best describes the rural Banat experience. From the hilly landscapes of the Faget Country to the endless expanses of steppe in western Timis County, Banat surprises with its contrasts.

This variety is reflected not only in the landscape, but also in the culture, gastronomy and the range of activities. The My Banat Association, led by Delia Sescu Barbu, has taken on the mission of promoting this heritage, creating bridges between travelers and local communities. One of the associations core projects, Trying Villages, invites tourists to live authentic experiences, stay in local households and discover lesser-known, but charming places. It is an invitation to see beyond the established tourist attractions and to experience some of the charm of rural life.

Delia Sescu Barbu: Diversity is the key word. Here, in Banat, the experience differs depending on where you stop. For example, in Margina, a commune in Faget Country, in eastern Timis County, you can enjoy rides in horse-drawn carriages, explore a route of wooden churches or relish a traditional breakfast. It is a completely different world from what you will find in the west, in the steppe area, close to the Serbian border. There, in Otelec, we organize picnics in the magical landscape of the vast plain. You can reach Otelec either by boat on the Bega canal, a unique experience for a plain area, or by bike on the longest paved track in Romania, which connects Timisoara to Serbia. Here you will enjoy the hospitality of the Hungarian and Serbian communities and their specific gastronomy. No matter where you go, you will discover another side of Banat.

Therefore, tourism in the Banat villages is a harmonious blend of relaxation, culture and adventure. And gastronomy plays a central role, being a vector of cultural identity. Projects such as Banat Brunch or thematic picnics bring to the fore old recipes, carefully preserved and prepared with ingredients from the locals own households. It is a sincere cuisine, which reflects the multiculturalism specific to the area, with Serbian, Hungarian and, of course, Romanian influences.

Delia Sescu Barbu: Craftsmen are an integral part of each of our projects, whether we are talking about local gastronomic events or large-scale projects. One such project is the Attractive Romania gastronomic route, through which we connect craftsmen. They are part of the living heritage of each place. For example, at the picnic in the steppe area, we had young wood sculptors from LUN Design with us, who carry forward this craft. In Faget Country, in Margina, we have teacher Ciprian Mert, who not only makes opinci  in English peasants sandals, but also teaches children the Calusari dance. Thus, he passes on an essential part of the local heritage. Crafts represent an element of great interest for visitors. They are an essential component of the experience we offer.

For those looking for unique experiences, rural Banat is full of surprises. One example is a home in Tara Fagetului, a place where hospitality takes on a new meaning. Here, the owners open not only their home, but also their hearts, offering visitors an authentic insight into rural life. These initiatives, says Delia Sescu Barbu, president of My Banat, are essential for the development of sustainable tourism, which supports local communities and preserves the charm of these places:

Its a special place, especially because in Banat people are usually more reluctant to open their homes to tourists, apart from conventional guesthouses. The house in Faget Country is a wonderful exception. Its a beautiful story, with extraordinary hosts. At this location, which is actively promoted on social media, the owners offer guests various authentic experiences. Its worth a try if you ever find yourselves in the area, especially since Faget Country is a region offering countless nature-related activities.

The villages of Banat preserve their charm even in the colder seasons. The winter holidays, for example, are a wonderful opportunity to discover the local traditions. Christmas fairs held in historic locations, such as the Mocioni Manor, revive the atmosphere of old, with carols and home-made food. Its the time of the year when the community comes together and shares the joy of the holidays with its guests, offering a warm and authentic alternative to the commercial hustle and bustle of the city.

A great time to visit is the end of November and the beginning of December. In the village of Foeni, we will host here, at the Mocioni Manor, which was recently restored by the Timis County Council, an event called Winter Holidays at the Mocioni Manor. Between November 28 and December 2, we will organise a Christmas fair where craftspeople from the area, including from the Serbian villages near the border, will hold interactive workshops and sell their products. Local holiday dishes will be made and the festive atmosphere will be complemented by carols sung by famous choirs from the region. It will be a time of authentic celebration in the west of Timis county. We look forward to seeing you in Banat, especially during the winter holidays, which bring with it a warm atmosphere of closeness and kindness. Its an excellent time for a visit. Timisoara has an airport, so access is easy from anywhere in the world. Whether you the flat land or the mountains, you will definitely find something to do here. Follow the My Banat association, and we will keep you updated with all the events and activities you can experience here, in addition to the rich cultural offer of the city.

In conclusion, a visit to the villages of Banat is more than a simple holiday. Its a foray into a rich cultural universe, a lesson in history and tradition, and an opportunity to support communities struggling to preserve their identity, as well as an invitation to rediscover authentic Romania, starting from the heart of Banat. (LS, CM)
October 30, 2025

A roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 30.10.2025, 13:55

MILITARY The United States resizes some of its troops deployed on NATOs Eastern Flank, as part of a global process that includes the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in southeastern Romania. The US says this is not a signal of weakening commitment to the Alliance, and the Romanian authorities say that the countrys security will not be affected. The Pentagons decision was criticised, however, by the heads of the defence committees in the American Senate and the House of Representatives. NATO officials say such adjustments are not unusual, and the European Commission claims that the United States decision does not influence the Unions plans regarding the defence of the Eastern Flank.

PROTESTS Thousands of Romanian employees in the administration, education and healthcare sectors took to the streets on Wednesday to demand higher salaries and pensions, fair taxation and an end to governments austerity measures, which they view as unjustified. Trade unionists also voiced discontent with the governments plans not to increase the minimum wage and to keep it at its current value of about EUR 800 euros in 2026. The guaranteed minimum wage was also discussed by members of the National Three-Party Council for Social Dialogue, which brings together members of the government, employees and employers.

GOVERNMENT Oana Gheorghiu, nominated by Romanias Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan for the deputy Prime Minister seat, was sworn in today, after president Nicusor Dan signed her appointment order the day before. Aged 56, Oana Gheorghiu is a graduate of the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest, and the co-founder and co-chair of the Daruieste Viata Association, which built a hospital for pediatric cancer exclusively from donations. In a social media post a few months ago, she criticised the current US president, Donald Trump, which has now prompted the interim leader of the Social Democratic Party, Sorin Grindeanu, to ask the Liberal PM to withdraw his nomination in order to avoid a diplomatic disaster in relation to Romanias strategic partner. Every irresponsible public statement directly affects Romanias strategic interests, Sorin Grindeanu posted on Facebook. Oana Gheorghiu replied that nothing she wrote on her personal page before taking over the deputy prime minister post commits the Romanian state or the Romanian government in any way. The deputy prime minister seat has been vacant since Dragos Anastasiu resigned in July over bribery accusations.

COMMEMORATION Romania commemorates 10 years since the tragedy in Bucharests Colectiv night club, where a fire broke out because of fireworks during a concert and 64 people lost their lives. 140 people were hospitalised, and some of them were left with lifelong injuries. When the fire broke out, there were 500 people in the club, far beyond the capacity of the hall. The victims were commemorated this morning in Bucharest.

MOLDOVA The prime minister designate of the Republic of Moldova, the pro-Western technocrat Alexandru Munteanu, has concluded a round of consultations with parliamentary parties, amid preparations for the vote of confidence scheduled for Friday in Parliament, Moldovan media report. Munteanu described the talks as constructive, and added that new meetings will follow to finalise the government programme. Munteanu said the main topics concerned economic reforms, a draft budget bill and the structure of the new government. The programme, he said, will be short and clear, focused on goals such as the EU accession, economic growth, improving living standards and strengthening national security. The new Cabinet will keep eight ministers from the current government, led by Dorin Recean. Cristina Gherasimov stays on as deputy Prime Minister for European integration, and Mihai Popsoi keeps the foreign affairs ministry. (AMP)
October 30, 2025 UPDATE

A roundup of local and world news

October 30, 2025 UPDATE

Newsroom, 30.10.2025, 20:07

NATO France will not increase the number of its troops stationed on Romanias territory as NATO contingents, the French Defence Minister, Catherine Vautrin said during her meeting with her Romanian counterpart, Ionut Mosteanu on Thursday. The two officials visited the contingents deployed to the National Training Centre in Cincu, central Romania. Vautrin recalled that France had already deployed 3 thousand servicemen to Romania as part of the NATO Battle Group and gave assurances that Paris would remain a staunch ally of Bucharest as its security depends on the Eastern Flank. In turn, the Romanian Defence Minister mentioned the very high potential of cooperation between the two countries in terms of industrial military output. Mosteanu recalled that the recent US decision to resize its troops stationed in Romania is not a matter of concern. Founded in 2022, the NATO Battle Group in Romania has brought together servicemen from France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain.

RESIZING The Romanian Social-Democrats, part of the ruling coalition in Bucharest, are calling for explanations from the Liberal Prime-Minister, Ilie Bolojan, regarding the withdrawal of some US servicemen from Romania. The PSD interim president, Sorin Grindeanu, says he is waiting for the Prime Minister to come to Parliament to present the implications for Romanias strategic and security commitments. The leadership of the Chamber of Deputies on Thursday approved the request of the PSD group regarding the presence of the head of the Executive in the Chamber of Deputies in plenary sitting on Monday. We recall that Washington has announced its intention to resize some of its troops deployed to the Eastern Flank, as part of a global process, which also includes the basis at Mihail Kogalniceanu in south-eastern Romania. The US says this is not a signal of weakening commitment to the Alliance, and the Romanian authorities say that the countrys security will not be affected. The Pentagons decision was criticised, however, by the heads of the defence committees in the American Senate and the House of Representatives. NATO officials say such adjustments are not unusual, and the European Commission claims that the United States decision does not influence the Unions plans regarding the defence of the Eastern Flank.

PROTESTS Trade confederations from Romanias education system have announced they will be staging a referendum on an all out strike in the future. The head of the Trade Federation in Education, Marius Nistor, says that no actions aimed at interrupting activity will be mounted by the end of the year but they are to take place at a sensitive time. Representatives of trade unions in education who are disgruntled among other things with raising their volume of work and by the latest pay cuts are calling for the abrogation of the measures comprised by law 141, which, according to them, are negatively affecting the entire education system. Thousands of employees in Romanias administration system, in Education and Healthcare took to the streets on Wednesday to call for pay and pension rises, fair taxation and the cancellation of the governments austerity measures, which they consider unjustified. They also protested the governments decision to keep the minimum wages in 2026 at their present value of 800 Euros.

GOVERNMENT Oana Gheorghiu, nominated by Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan for the deputy Prime Minister seat, was sworn in on Thursday, after president Nicusor Dan signed her appointment order on Wednesday. Aged 56, Oana Gheorghiu is a graduate of the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest, and the co-founder and co-chair of the Daruieste Viata Association, which built a hospital for pediatric cancer exclusively from donations. In a social media post a few months ago, she criticised the current US president, Donald Trump, which has now prompted the interim leader of the Social Democratic Party, Sorin Grindeanu, to ask the Liberal PM to withdraw his nomination in order to avoid a diplomatic disaster in relation to Romanias strategic partner. Every irresponsible public statement directly affects Romanias strategic interests, Sorin Grindeanu posted on Facebook. Oana Gheorghiu replied that nothing she wrote on her personal page before taking over the deputy prime minister post commits the Romanian state or the Romanian government in any way. The deputy prime minister seat has been vacant since Dragos Anastasiu resigned in July over bribery accusations.

COLECTIV On Thursday Romania commemorated 10 years since the tragedy in Bucharests Colectiv night club, where a fire broke out because of fireworks during a concert and 64 people lost their lives. 140 people were hospitalised, and some of them were left with lifelong injuries. When the fire broke out, there were 500 people in the club, far beyond the capacity of the hall. The victims were commemorated this morning in Bucharest.

(bill)
The US re-sizes its presence on the eastern flank

Some of the American troops are leaving Romania.

Ionut Mosteanu (Photo: gov.ro)

Stefan Stoica, 30.10.2025, 14:00

Announced since the beginning of the year, the resizing of part of the American troops deployed on NATOs eastern flank is becoming a reality and involves Romania. According to the Defense Ministry, this involves the cessation of the rotation in Europe of a brigade that had elements in several member states, including Romania, at the Mihail Kogalniceanu base, near the Black Sea.

Minister Ionut Mosteanu: We are not talking about a withdrawal of the American forces, but about stopping the rotation of a brigade that had elements in several NATO states and in Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia or Hungary. Approximately 1,000 American soldiers will continue to be deployed in Romania, contributing to the deterrence of any threats. Strategic capabilities remain unchanged, the missile defense system at Deveselu maintains its full operability. The Campia Turzii air base continues to be an essential point for air operations and allied collaboration. The Mihail Kogalniceanu base continues to be developed. The American flag will be in all these 3 points. An air battle group will continue to remain at the Kogalniceanu base.

This military resizing will not affect in any way the security of Romania and the eastern flank of the Alliance, President Nicusor Dan also assured. He mentioned that the Romanian-American strategic partnership remained within the same parameters, and the strategic infrastructure developed together in Deveselu, Campia Turzii and Kogalniceanu will continue to be fully operational. President Dan emphasized that the deterrence of threats on the eastern flank of the Alliance is compensated by the consistent supplementation of military equipment and the increase in the presence of European forces in full agreement with the American partner.

For its part, the Pentagon insisted that this is not a withdrawal from Europe or a signal of a weakening of the United States commitment to NATO and Article 5 on collective defense. In turn, the US ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, states that his country maintains its commitments to Romania, which he said demonstrates increased capacity and responsibility.

However, the Pentagons decision was criticized in Washington by the Republican heads of the Senate and House defense committees. They signed a joint statement arguing that the decision sends a wrong signal to Russia at a time when President Trump is pressuring the Russian leader Vladimir Putin to negotiate a lasting peace in Ukraine. NATO officials say the adjustments in U.S. forces are not unusual and that the American posture in Europe remains much higher than it has been in recent years. (LS)
Cindy Nava

BERNALILLO  New Mexico Sen. Cindy Nava received a young leaders award from the Council of State Governments, the organization announced in a news release.

Nava, 37, is a recipient of the 2025 CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award, which honors the bipartisan leadership and public service of 20 emerging elected and appointed state officials across all four CSG regions, the release said.

Nava called the recognition deeply meaningful because it reflects her values as a public servant.

I share this honor with all those who believe that progress happens when we work together  with purpose, compassion and a shared vision for a better future, she stated.

A recognition ceremony for the 2025 recipients will take place at the CSG National Conference, Dec. 9-13, in Chicago, according to the release.

Nava, elected to the Roundhouse in 2024 as the first DACA recipient, is no stranger to awards. She was nominated for Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award by Emilys List earlier this year. Nava also attended an emerging leaders seminar at the University of Virginia over the summer.
CORRALES  The village of Corrales council saw the same capital outlay list Oct. 28 they saw during the summer, but the priorities are the same and more urgent as time passes.

Mayor James Fahey said the first three items on the list are still top priority for the village to get funding from the 2026 Legislature in Santa Fe.

Number one is repaving and flood mitigation for Coronado Road. Second up was the stand-alone bathrooms in the village. The last was the repaving of Reclining Acres Road. However, Fahey said they are also going to request funding for the village-wide fire suppression system, which has been a major concern for some time.

Councilor Mel Knight wanted to make sure that the first three items are covered because theyve been going up the list for all these years.

Fahey reassured that those three projects are shovel ready as soon as funding is granted.

Village Administrator Ron Curry took a moment to remind the council of the dynamic with the Legislature.

I just want to remind the council as we do every year, and hopefully councilor (Rick) Miera would agree with me, is that we send this list up with your priorities in good faith and then once the legislators put their hands on it, they do whatever they want to, he said.

Councilor Stuart Murray argued that because of that its immaterial what the village puts on the list.

Meira agreed with the caveat that the amount of funding they request is more important.

Fahey said the plan is to request $1 million for fire mitigation, though the total cost is about $4 million. The list also includes several items related to fire equipment, station updates and a substation for the village department, which are mostly shovel ready with a few exceptions.

Ad

The list shows that Coronado Roads cost is $473,315, the bathrooms are $800,000 and the Reclining Acres Road project is estimated at $520,000.

Several other items are shovel ready, including a Corrales Road pathway, parking facilities, public works equipment and more.
Gold extended declines on Tuesday to a three-week low as optimism over a US-China trade deal continued to put pressure on the safe-haven asset.

Bullion futures dropped more than 1% to hover near $3,970 per troy ounce, while gold for immediate delivery fell to around $3,930 ahead of a highly anticipated meeting on Thursday between President Trump and Chinas leader Xi Jinping.

The move extended declines in the precious metal, which were sparked last Tuesday with the biggest drop in more than a decade.

It has been a feature of this correction so far that, except for a brief pause last Thursday, the sell-off has been relentless, said David Morrison, senior market analyst at online broker Trade Nation, on Tuesday.

Gold is no longer overbought, he added. Despite this, gold will find support at some stage, and its quite likely that there will be a sharp reversal when it does."

The recent moves mark a reversal of golds strongest rally in more than 40 years as the precious metal moved from $2,700 at the start of the year to around $4,350 earlier this month.

On Tuesday, futures were up roughly 43% since the start of the year.

It is natural to see investors and speculators take some profits after this torrid move, Shree Kargutkar, senior portfolio manager at Sprott Asset Management, told Yahoo Finance on Tuesday.

Wall Street remains bullish on the precious metal on expectations of continued rate cuts from the Federal Reserve.

UBS analysts believe gold should rebound in the near-term, reaching $4,700 by the end of the first quarter of 2026.

Read more: Thinking of buying gold? Here's what investors should watch for.

"We have highlighted the potential for volatility given the scale and speed of the rally, but we believe precious metals should remain supported by a combination of macroeconomic, fundamental, and momentum-driven factors," UBS Global Wealth Management chief investment officer Ulrike Hoffmann-Burchardi wrote last week.

Bank of America analysts recently reiterated their "long gold" recommendation, forecasting a peak of $6,000 per ounce by mid-2026.

Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs sees gold hitting $4,900 per troy ounce by the end of next year, up from its previous prediction of $4,300.

Gold fell to a three-week low on Tuesday, sinking further below the $4,000 level. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)  ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ines Ferre is a senior business reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X at @ines_ferre.

Click here for the latest cryptocurrency news, prices, updates, and more

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
In a major breakthrough in U.S.-China trade dispute, the United States will lower tariffs on Chinese imports and China has agreed to give the U.S. better access to its rare earths.

President Donald Trump announced after his crucial meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the South Korean coastal city of Busan on Thursday that the two economic powers will sign a trade agreement "pretty soon."

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after concluding his extensive visit of three Asian countries, Trump said significant progress was made on issues such as trade, rare earths and the flow of fentanyl into the US. He also said he plans to visit China in April next year.

China's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday unveiled the results of economic and trade talks by Chinese and U.S. delegations in Kuala Lumpur.

It said both sides have reached a consensus to resolve "major trade issues". China will suspend its "implementation of relevant export control measures" regarding export of critical minerals and other trade materials critical for advanced manufacturing of IT products, as well as suspend special port fees targeting American ships for a year.

In return, special port fees on Chinese ships docking at U.S. harbors will be waived for the same period.

China has the global monopoly in refining about 90 percent of the world's rare earths, which is critical for U.S. industries.

Xinhua quoted Ministry of Commerce spokesperson as saying that the U.S. will cancel the 10-percent "fentanyl tariffs" and suspend for an additional year the 24-percent reciprocal tariffs levied on Chinese goods.

The Commerce ministry added that the U.S. has agreed to reduce tariffs on all Chinese goods that was imposed over Beijing's failure to stem the flow of fentanyl into the country.

China will make corresponding adjustments to its countermeasures against U.S. tariffs, it said in a statement.

Both sides confirmed that other reciprocal tariffs on Chinese goods will be frozen for a year.

The U.S. side made positive commitments in areas such as investment, and China will properly resolve issues related to TikTok with the U.S. side, according to the Commerce ministry.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
In the final leg of his three-nation Indo-Pacific trip, President Donald Trump secured billions worth of landmark deals with South Korea.

South Korean government and companies will make major investments in key US sectors, including energy, , aviation and maritime.

Korean Air will purchase 103 new Boeing aircraft valued at $36.2 billion, supporting up to 135,000 jobs across the United States. To power these new aircraft, Korean Air will also purchase state-of-the-art GE Aerospace engines in a separate deal valued at $13.7 billion.

The ROK Air Force selected L3Harris Technologies to develop its new Airborne Warning and Control aircraft in a $2.3 billion deal that will support more than 6,000 American jobs, according to the White House.

America's ReElement Technologies and POSCO International will partner to launch a U.S.-based, vertically integrated rare earth separation, refining, and magnet production complex focused on high-value mobility magnets.

The Korea Gas Corporation signed agreements to purchase about 3.3 million tons per year of U.S. LNG via long-term agreements with sellers, including Trafigura and TotalEnergy, through their portfolios and offtake agreements with U.S. LNG producers like Cheniere.

Centrus Energy Corp, KHNP, and POSCO International Corporation agreed to support the expansion of Centrus' uranium enrichment capacity in Piketon, Ohio, creating 3,000 jobs in the United States.

LS Group pledged to invest $3 billion by 2030 in U.S. power-grid infrastructure, including undersea cables, power equipment, and winding wires. LS Cable's U.S. subsidiary, LS Greenlink, is building a $681 million manufacturing facility in Virginia.

The United States and South Korea signed a Technology Prosperity Deal to expand bilateral science and technology cooperation with an emphasis on U.S. AI exports, AI standards, AI adoption, research security, 6G, biotech supply chains, and quantum innovation.

Amazon will invest $5 billion through 2031 to build South Korea's cloud infrastructure, helping drive U.S. exports and American AI leadership.

NASA's Artemis II mission will take astronauts around the Moon for the first time since Apollo, and deploy a Korean satellite to measure space radiation.

Both countries committed to stabilize and diversify the critical-mineral supply chain through public-private collaboration in the mining and refining of such minerals.

South Korean companies have pledged investments to modernize and expand the capacity of American shipbuilding industries, including through investments in U.S. shipyards and America's workforce.

HD Hyundai and Cerberus Capital Management will partner on a $5 billion investment program for modernizing American shipyards.



Samsung Heavy Industries and Vigor Marine Group will cooperate on naval vessel maintenance, repair, and overhaul, shipyard automation, and new construction of U.S.-flagged vessels.

Hanwha Ocean announced a $5 billion infrastructure plan to strengthen Pennsylvania's Philly Shipyard workforce and increase its current production capacity by more than ten-fold.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
AltaGas Ltd. (ALA.TO), Thursday announced third quarter financial results, reporting normalized net income of $11 million or $0.14 a share compared to $42 million or $0.14 a share in 2024.

On average, analysts estimated earnings of $0.05 per share for the quarter.

On per share basis, loss amounted to $0.08 in the quarter, compared with earnings of $0.03 in the previous year.

Normalized EBITDA for the quarter was $268 million compared to $294 million in the prior year.

The company also reiterated its 2025 full-year guidance, including normalized EBITDA of $1,775 million to $1,875 million and normalized EPS of $2.10 to $2.30.

Currently, AltaGas's stock is trading at C$40.25, down 3.64 percent on the Toronto.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Several factors such as reliability, fuel efficiency and practicality have ensured consistently high sales for Honda Activa

Introduced in India in 2001, Honda Activa has achieved various milestones over the years. The latest record is cumulative sales of 35 million units, comprising the Activa 110, Activa 125 and the Activa-i. This makes the Honda Activa Indias best-selling scooter ever. Lets get more details on this riveting journey.

Honda Activa achieves 35 million sales milestone

It took around 14 years for Honda Activa to reach the 10 million sales milestone. This was achieved in 2015. The next 10 million sales came in just three years in 2018. And now, in 2025, Activa sales have reached the 35-million mark. Activa remains to be the top selling Honda two-wheeler vehicle in India, contributing more than 50% to the brands overall sales.

Honda Activa became popular, as it revolutionized urban mobility with its gearless design. Activa became synonymous with reliability and durability, making it the preferred choice among the masses. The scooter has a simple, yet elegant and practical design that suits everyday needs. Unlike entry-level commuter motorcycles that are mostly used by men, Honda Activa is preferred by a wide range of users regardless of their gender or age.

There are various other factors that have made Activa a bestseller. For example, Activa generally has low maintenance and replacement parts are easily available. The scooter has strong build quality, ensuring a hassle-free experience for years. With regular servicing, Honda Activa delivers reliable performance without any issues. Hondas large dealer network and reliable after-sales services have also contributed to Activas popularity.

Honda has also introduced updates for Activa at regular intervals, in line with industry trends and evolving consumer expectations. Some of the key updates introduced over the years include the combi-brake system, Honda Eco Technology (HET), LED headlamp, digital console, fuel injection (PGM-Fi), eSP, Bluetooth connectivity, smart key with H-Smart technology, TFT screen, USB Type-C charging port and Honda Road Sync connectivity suite.

Electric Activa holds potential

With the EV segment registering strong growth, Honda had introduced the Activa electric earlier this year in January. Activa e: is backed by the advanced e-Swap technology, which eliminates the wait time for battery recharge. Users can swap the discharged battery with a fully charged battery in under a minute.

e-Swap technology also reduces the upfront cost of the electric scooter. Activa electric is currently available at select locations such as Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka and Maharashtra. As more states are covered, Activa electric sales could witness strong growth. Honda Activa e: has two 1.55 kWh lithium-ion battery packs with IP65 rating.

Power is supplied to a 6 kW (8.16 PS) electric motor. The scooter has a range of 102 km and top speed of 80 km/h. 0 to 60 km/h is achievable in 7.3 seconds. In comparison, the petrol-powered Activa 110 has a 109.51 cc engine. It generates 8 PS and 9.05 Nm of torque. Activa 125 gets power from a 123.92 cc engine that generates 8.4 PS and 10.5 Nm of torque.
Honda Motor Co has revealed that the company wants to transform India into a global manufacturing hub for future EVs. This aligns with the Indian Governments flagship Make In India initiative. This shift in Hondas manufacturing strategies will start with its upcoming electric SUV, the Honda 0 Alpha, slated for 2026 or 2027 debut.

Honda 0 Alpha Electric SUV

Currently, Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) is operating a rather small portfolio in the country, when compared to a massive product lineup seen in global markets. The company currently has a market share of around 1.4% within the 14 best-selling mainstream car brands. In September 2025, domestic sales stood at 5,305 units, encompassing Amaze, City and Elevate.

The companys next big step to expand its Indian portfolio is an electric SUV, which will be the production-spec version of Honda 0 Alpha concept showcased at Japan Mobility Show 2025. This upcoming electric SUV is designed for India and other Asian markets including the brands home turf, Japan.

India launch will happen some time in 2026 or 2027 and will take on other electric SUVs in the country like Hyundai Creta Electric, Tata Curvv EV, MG ZS EV, Mahindra BE 6, Maruti Suzuki eVitara and others. It features bold styling and incorporates Hondas new design language seen with its 0 Series of concepts.

India as manufacturing, export hub

The companys top brass have just confirmed that Honda 0 Alpha electric SUV will be manufactured in India. In particular, at the companys manufacturing facility in Alwar, Rajasthan. Apart from manufacturing, production-spec version of Honda 0 Alpha electric SUV will also be exported from India to many Asian markets including Japan.

Takashi Nakajima, HCIL MD and CEO, revealed that India is among the top three markets for Honda brands growth alongside USA and Japan. While the Hondas business in India is much smaller than USAs or Japans, the company is optimistic to building its brand and volumes in India and to turn it into a global manufacturing and export hub for EVs.

Honda Cars India Ltd already has quite a lot of international business, including export of Elevate to Japan where it is sold as WR-V. This new strategy to make India a global manufacturing and export hub will get more profound with the production-spec version of Honda 0 Alpha concept vehicle showcased at Japan Motor Show 2025.

We also wish Honda resumes its import business and bring some of its most sought-after vehicles to India. While these imports will do very little to volumes, it will build on the brands name in the country further.
While the company might have just one mainstream model on sale in the country, Nissan Motor India has a diverse portfolio for exports. Nissan Motor India is celebrating 1.2 million units exported from India. The company just exported its 1.2 millionth unit, which was a Nissan Magnite SUV from Kamarajar port in Tamil Nadu to GCC market.

Nissan India Hits 1.2 Million Units Export Milestone

Since Nissan Motor India commenced its export operations from India, there have been a multitude of models shipped to global markets. Today, these exports consist mainly of Magnite B SUV, Sunny sedan, Kicks SUV and Micra hatchback. The main export model is Magnite, which is manufactured in India in both left-hand and right-hand drive configurations.

Fast forwarding to the fag end of October 2025, Nissan Motor India has achieved an incredible milestone of 1.2 million (12 lakh) units export milestone. The 1.2 millionth vehicle shipped from India was a Magnite SUV, which was destined for GCC market (Gulf Cooperation Council with 6 member states).

This 1.2 million units export milestone ceremony was flagged off by the Managing Director of Nissan Motor India, Saurabh Vatsa at Kamarjar Port in Ennore, Tamil Nadu. Currently, Nissan exports models from India to as many as 65 countries across Africa, Middle East, Latin America and Southeast Asia regions, covering both LHD and RHD configurations.

Magnite is the catalyst

While models like Micra, Sunny and Kicks are part of Nissans export lineup, it is Magnite SUV which is the most notable model which has catapulted Nissans business in the B SUV segment. Magnite embodies One Car, One World and Make in India, Make for the World philosophies. This aligns with Indian Governments flagship Make In India initiative as well.

Nissan Magnite recently bagged a prestigious 5 Star crash safety rating from Global NCAP and comes with up to 55+ safety features. Nissan is also keen to re-enter Indias vastly contested 4.2m to 4.4m SUV segment with upcoming Tekton, which will share its platform, powertrain and mechanical components with Renault Duster, launching on January 26th, 2026.

Statement from Nissan Motor India

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Saurabh Vatsa, Managing Director, Nissan Motor India, said: We are proud to celebrate yet another historic milestone of exporting 1.2 million Nissan vehicles from India. This achievement reflects the collective dedication of our teams and the trust of customers across the world in our Made-in-India cars. The Nissan Magnite continues to be a global success story, representing our focus on design, quality, and innovation that transcends borders.
In a push to expand its AI footprint in emerging markets, Google has partnered with billionaire Mukesh Ambaniled Reliance Industries to bundle its AI Pro subscription with Jio 5G plans at no extra cost.

On Thursday, Google announced a partnership with Reliance, Indias largest company by market capitalization, to offer its AI Pro subscription free for 18 months to eligible Jio users. The alliance comes just three months after Perplexity teamed up with Reliances archrival Bharti Airtel, Indias second-largest telecom operator, to provide free access to Perplexity Pro for Airtels 360 million subscribers.

India, the worlds most populous nation and the second-largest internet market with over a billion users, has long been an irresistible target for global tech firms. While the country has not yet seen a major homegrown AI breakthrough, U.S. tech giants increasingly view it as the next big frontier  a place to gather diverse data, refine models, and test AI use cases that could later scale across other emerging markets. The latest partnership between Google and Reliance is a clear reflection of that strategy.

The Jio offer will initially reach users aged 18 to 25 before expanding to all Jio subscribers nationwide, the companies said. It includes access to Googles Gemini 2.5 Pro model via the Gemini app, higher limits for generating AI images and videos with Nano Banana and Veo 3.1, expanded use of Notebook LM for study and research, and 2 TB of cloud storage across Google Photos, Gmail, Drive, and WhatsApp backups.

This partnership will also explore bringing more delightful local experiences powered by AI to Jio users, the Indian telecom giant said.

The 18-month offer is valued at 35,100 (about $396), the companies said. Googles AI Pro plan normally costs 1,950 (around $22) per month in India and includes a free one-month trial.

Beyond the consumer offer, Reliance also partnered with Google Cloud to broaden access to its tensor processing units (TPUs) in India. Reliances AI subsidiary, Reliance Intelligence, will become a strategic go-to-market partner for Google Cloud to expand Gemini Enterprise across Indian organizations and will develop its own prebuilt AI agents for the platform.

Todays announcement will put Googles cutting-edge AI tools in the hands of consumers, businesses, and Indias vibrant developer community, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, said in a prepared statement.

At its 48th annual general meeting in late August, Reliance announced partnerships with its investors Google and Meta to strengthen its AI infrastructure in India through a newly created subsidiary, Reliance Intelligence. Reliance and Meta also committed to setting up a joint venture with a combined investment of 8.55 billion (approximately $100 million), with a 70/30 ownership split.
Google has helped to secure a 10-year, $3 billion artificial intelligence hosting contract with Bitcoin miner Cipher Mining and U.K.-based AI computing startup Fluidstack.

In exchange, Google will receive a 5.4% equity stake in Cipher. But since AI training is known for being energy-intensive, and dirty fuels still power most facilities, the deal could spell bad news for the environment.

What's happening?

Google struck the agreement in late September and said it would support $1.4 billion of Fluidstack's lease obligations to fund potential expansions, as per a statement by Cipher. The Bitcoin miner expects the contract to generate $3 billion in revenue over the first 10 years, with two five-year extension options that would net the company an additional $4 billion in earnings.

The deal marks the second between Google and Fluidstack since July, when the latter signed a 10-year leasing agreement with data center operator TeraWulf. Google backed $1.8 billion of the deal, receiving 8% equity in return.

It's part of a larger trend among big tech companies to acquire AI resources as demand soars. These companies are leveraging the infrastructure of existing cryptocurrency mining facilities to power their AI needs, as it saves time and capital investment.

As Bloomberg reported, "Google is one of the largest spenders on computing capacity in Silicon Valley" and expects to spend at least $85 billion in capital expenditures this year due to the growing need for AI infrastructure  $10 billion more than initially forecasted, according to CNBC.

Why is the crypto mining deal concerning?

While more data centers are turning to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar to power their operations, 56% of the electricity supplied to data centers nationwide still comes from dirty energy, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute. The Department of Energy estimates that data centers could account for up to 12% of electricity demand by 2028.

Data centers also consume a significant amount of water to cool IT equipment and indirectly generate electricity. EESI stated that large data centers can require nearly 5 million gallons of water every day, equivalent to the consumption of a town of roughly 50,000 people.

As demand for AI services and cryptocurrency continues to grow, so will water and energy use, putting even more strain on the planet.

The bright side is that renewables are the fastest-growing energy source to power data centers, with the International Energy Agency reporting that they're expected to meet nearly 50% of the sector's electricity demand growth by 2030. Over the course of the contracts between Google and the cryptomining companies, it's likely that at least a portion of the operations will be powered by clean energy.
By Bhanvi Satija and Yadarisa Shabong

LONDON (Reuters) -GSK raised its 2025 sales and earnings forecasts on Wednesday as its speciality HIV and cancer medicines posted double digit growth, lifting the British drugmaker's shares to their highest level since mid-2024.

Although GSK saw a sharp slide in U.S. sales of its shingles vaccine Shingrix, its shares added almost 4% to the gains of around 25% they have notched up so far this year.

GSK's improved outlook comes as CEO Emma Walmsley prepares to hand over to Luke Miels early next year, with the drugmaker navigating U.S. tariffs and seeking new medicines to offset revenue declines as some top-selling drugs go off patent.

PRESSURE IN US VACCINE SALES

GSK said overall vaccine sales hit 2.68 billion pounds in the quarter ending September 30, beating analyst forecasts of 2.55 billion pounds.

Growth was driven mainly by sales outside the U.S. where GSK reported a 15% drop in sales of its shingles vaccine, Shingrix.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr has taken aim at vaccines, cutting funding for research and ousting the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

French rival Sanofi reported lower sales of its flu shots in the U.S. last week, and flagged a "negative buzz" around vaccines more widely. GSK said sales of its influenza vaccines also declined in the U.S. due to competition.

Australian biotech CSL on Tuesday delayed plans to spin off its vaccine division citing "heightened volatility" and a greater than expected decline in U.S. vaccination rates.

GSK maintained its 2025 forecast for a decrease of low-single-digit percent to broadly stable vaccine revenues.

CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR INCOMING CEO MIELS

Investors are counting on Miels to drive GSK to hit its annual revenue target of more than 40 billion pounds ($54 billion) by 2031. Analysts currently estimate sales to be at about 34 billion pounds.

GSK expects annual revenue to increase in the range of 6% to 7%, and core earnings per share to rise by 10% to 12%. GSK said the forecast includes any tariffs enacted so far and potential impacts from 15% tariffs on Europe.

It previously expected revenues to grow by 3% to 5% and earnings to grow by 6% to 8%.

GSK's core earnings per share were 55 pence on sales of 8.55 billion pounds for the quarter, compared with 47.1 pence on sales of 8.24 billion pounds expected by analysts in a company-compiled poll.

Revenue in its U.S. business grew 7% at constant exchange rate to 4.55 billion pounds.

($1 = 0.7451 pounds)

(Reporting by Unnamalai L and Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru, Bhanvi Satija in London; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Alexander Smith)
JPMorgan Chase is set to enter Germanys retail banking sector in the second quarter of 2026 to become one of the countrys top five consumer lenders, reported Financial Times (FT), citing Chases Germany head Daniel Llano Manibardo.

This move follows JPMorgans earlier expansion of its digital retail banking services to the UK in 2021 and represents the next phase of its European growth strategy.

Llano Manibardo, in an interview, told FT: Our ambitions are high, even as he acknowledged that making money from Europes biggest, wealthiest market would not be easy. In the long run, we want to be among the top five players in every market we enter.

According to the FT report, Germanys retail banking market is highly competitive, with large institutions such as Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and ING.

The market also includes several public savings and co-operative banks.

Despite the established players, JPMorgan intends to challenge for significant market share through its digital-only Chase offering, said the publication.

Llano Manibardo said: Germany doesnt lack banks, and that gaining real scale would be the key to success.

We did a lot of pre-analysis to understand the market. Now we are really pushing the pedal, building the bank, he added.

The proposed digital bank will start its retail operations in Germany, with the savings account as its initial product offering.

Currently, Chase employs approximately 120 staff in Germany, and its new headquarters in Berlin, set to open next month, can host up to 400 employees.

As a large-scale foreign bank in Germany, JPMorgan offers commercial banking, investment banking, asset management, and wealth management.

The company has traditionally avoided launching international retail banking ventures due to the expense of building physical branch networks.

However, Chase has attracted more than two million customers in the UK since its launch, using its digital platform and offering integrated services, said the report.

Last month, Llano Manibardo, through a post on LinkedIn, announced the companys plans to launch its digital retail bank in Germany.

"JPMorgan Chase to enter German retail banking market in 2026  report" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Swiss wealth management group Julius Baer has secured the regulatory clearances to open a new branch of Bank Julius Baer Europe (Julius Baer Europe) in Lisbon, Portugal, in the last quarter of this year.

Julius Baer Europe has a footprint in several major cities, including Madrid, Dublin, Barcelona, and Milan.

According to the firm, the new Lisbon office will be situated at Avenida da Liberdade 196, and will provide services to ultra-high and high-net-worth clients in the country through a team based locally.

The initiative to expand into the Portuguese market began in 2019 when a senior team joined to spearhead market development from Madrid.

The move to the Lisbon office is planned for January 2026, at which point the existing team will relocate to the new location.

Bank Julius Baer & Co Western Markets & Switzerland co-head Carlos Recoder: We are excited to set up an own local presence in Lisbon and continue to rely on our strong leadership team for market Portugal.

With this move, we are showcasing our ongoing commitment towards this promising growth market. By further increasing our network, we are also strengthening our position as a leading wealth manager in Europe. I very much look forward to continuing to build on the success of the team.

The Swiss firm boasts a global presence in approximately 25 nations and 60 locales, with its headquarters in Zurich and offices in major cities worldwide.

In May, Julius Baer appointed Shui Wei HO and Vi Sun YANG as market heads for South East Asia.

In June, the company announced its new financial goals for the coming three-year period, including SFr130m ($159m) in cost cuts by 2028.

"Julius Baer secures regulatory clearance for new office in Portugal" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Mastercard is in advanced negotiations to purchase Zerohash, a startup that provides stablecoin and blockchain infrastructure, for a price reportedly between $1.5bn and $2bn, reported Fortune citing sources.

The negotiations are not complete, and the proposed transaction could still fail to materialise, the report said.

Zerohash, established in 2017 and headquartered in Chicago, offers infrastructure that supports stablecoins and crypto trading.

Its services include tools for firms to deploy crypto trading platforms and APIs for tokenisationconverting traditional financial assets into blockchain-based tokens.

In September the company raised $104m at a reported $1bn valuation and lists investors including Interactive Brokers, Apollo, Point72 Ventures and Nyca.

If finalised, the purchase would be among Mastercards larger moves into stablecoin-related technology, the news publication noted.

The company has shown interest in the sector before: it engaged in discussions about acquiring the stablecoin firm BVNK, in a process that involved Coinbase as another bidder.

Fortune reported that Coinbase appears to have secured exclusive negotiating rights with BVNK.

Representatives for Mastercard, Zerohash and Coinbase declined to comment.

A BVNK spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In May, Mastercards rival Visa  through its Visa Ventures arm  invested in South Africabased stablecoin payments firm BVNK, which provides stablecoin payments infrastructure via a single API that links banks with blockchain networks.

The platform enables businesses to send, receive, convert and hold both stablecoins and fiat across multiple payment rails and blockchains.

Mastercards previous crypto-related activities include the 2021 acquisition of blockchain analytics firm CipherTrace; some of that businesss key products were subsequently discontinued.

Recently, Mastercard has continued to engage with stablecoin initiatives, including participation in a consortium with companies such as Robinhood and Kraken.

"Mastercard in advanced talks to acquire Zerohash for up to $2bn  report " was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand.




BRF and meat peer Marfrig Global Foods have agreed terms with Halal Products Development Company (HPDC) to broaden a Saudi Arabia joint venture.

Both of the Brazilian meat giants now form MBRF following the approval of a merger agreement in September.

Prior to that combination, BRF had set up a joint venture with HPDC, which is owned by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund.

Under an agreement announced yesterday (27 October), BRF will move its distribution businesses in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE into the joint-venture company BRF Arabia Holding.

Manufacturing plants in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, along with the direct export operations that cater to customers across the wider MENA region, will also be transferred.

MBRF said the transaction is an initial step towards a potential BRF Arabia initial public offering from 2027, subject to market conditions and regulatory requirements.

Upon closing of the transfer, the JV will be renamed Sadia Halal.

Assets in Turkey and production units in Brazil are not part of the transaction.

In its statement, MBRF said: The expansion of the JV aims to strengthen MBRF's regional presence, now with the support of HPDC beyond Saudi Arabia.

This ensures the solidity of the companies' operations, opens possibilities for further expansion in the region, broadens the production base, and brings us closer to our consumers.

The assets to be contributed have an enterprise value of $2.07bn and generated $2.1bn in net sales in the 12 months to June.

They account for 7.3% of Marfrig/BRFs consolidated revenue and around $230m in EBITDA, implying a multiple of about 9x, MBRF said.

On closing, MBRF and BRF Arabia will enter a ten-year product supply agreement, with periodic renewal options, priced on a total cost plus 5% basis and subject to transfer pricing rules.

HPDC will hold 10% of BRF Arabia at closing, with plans to lift its stake to 30% and the right to increase to 40%.

Any increase will be via capital contributions split evenly between primary and secondary offerings, the group added.

Completion is contingent on customary approvals, including antitrust clearance, and is anticipated in the first quarter of 2026.

"MBRF to fold BRFs Middle East assets into Saudi Arabia joint venture " was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.




The most talked about and market moving research calls around Wall Street are now in one place. Here are today's research calls that investors need to know, as compiled by The Fly.



Top 5 Upgrades:

Barclays upgraded Verisk Analytics (VRSK) to Overweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $275, down from $310. The firm said there is "no doubt" that there are more questions than answers after the Q3 print, though long-term it believes the "headwinds" are temporary/manageable within a 6%-8% growth range.

Stephens upgraded C.H. Robinson (CHRW) to Overweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $173, up from $135, after the company reported a "solid" Q3 adjusted EPS beat as productivity gains continued.

Telsey Advisory upgraded Steven Madden (SHOO) to Outperform from Market Perform with a $43 price target ahead of next week's earnings report. The firm believes Kurt Geiger should be a nice complement to the existing business next year and views the company as well positioned to benefit from a potential cyclical improvement in the fashion segment.

Rothschild & Co Redburn upgraded Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) to Buy from Neutral with a $28 price target. The company is up for sale and a $27-$30 takeout price seems reasonable, the firm argues.

H.C. Wainwright double upgraded Coinbase (COIN) to Buy from Sell with a price target of $425, up from $300. The firm cites its "bullish outlook" for crypto asset prices in Q4 and the company's regulatory tailwinds for the double upgrade.

Top 5 Downgrades:



Oppenheimer downgraded Meta Platforms (META) to Perform from Outperform without a price target following the Q3 report. The company's "significant" investment in superintelligence despite the unknown revenue opportunity mirrors its Metaverse spending in 2021 and 2022, the firm tells investors in a research note. Benchmark also downgraded Meta Platforms to Hold from Buy and removed the firm's prior price target.

Deutsche Bank downgraded Boeing (BA) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $240, down from $255. The firm cut its free cash flow estimates through 2028 following the company's earnings report by up to 56%.

Evercore ISI downgraded Etsy (ETSY) to In Line from Outperform with a price target of $73, up from $72. Etsy produced "a solid beat" in Q3, but the firm thinks the algorithm "loses some appeal here" as its model now points to margin contraction and a modest adjusted EBITDA decline in 2026.

UBS downgraded Fiserv (FI) to Neutral from Buy with a price target of $75, down from $170. The near- to medium-term outlook reset and the associated relative levels of uncertainty make it challenging to recommend the shares despite a reduced valuation, the firm tells investors in a research note. Stephens, Seaport Research, Goldman Sachs, Truist, TD Cowen, B. Riley, Morgan Stanley, and Bernstein also downgraded the stock to Neutral-equivalent ratings.
The Invest Digital Assets Forum 2025, powered by bepay money, concluded successfully at Dubai Knowledge Park, marking a milestone in bridging digital assets with institutional finance. Organized by Giakaa Capital, the event drew 2,000+ global attendees, including representatives managing over $500 billion in assets, 100+ institutional investors, 100+ digital asset projects, and 60+ international speakers from 50+ countries.

Under the theme Where Digital Finance Meets Black & White Clarity, the forum became a defining platform for regulators, asset managers, fintech innovators, and investors to chart the path for the next phase of institutional digital finance.

bepay money Showcases the Future of Payments

As the Powered By Partner, bepay money demonstrated its cutting-edge global payment infrastructure designed for institutions, merchants, and enterprises, offering instant, FX-free settlements across fiat, stablecoins, and tokenized assets, a breakthrough in seamless, compliant, and scalable cross-border finance.

During the event, bepay money unveiled two major initiatives:

The $1 Million Bitcoin Rewards Program

The company launched its $1 Million Bitcoin Rewards Program, designed to reward early adopters of its global super app. The program allows users to earn Bitcoin on every transaction, whether made through fiat, stablecoins, or tokenized assets, reinforcing bepays vision of merging everyday finance with digital asset utility.

bepay app offers users Swiss IBAN account with multi-currency on-chain banking, supporting CHF, EUR, USD, and CNY for seamless global transfers. Integrated UPI and PIX payment options provide local convenience, making international payments as simple as domestic ones. The platform also features cashback and loyalty rewards in addition to Bitcoin incentives, allowing users to enjoy real financial benefits while transacting across borders.

bepay business  Revolutionizing Global Merchant Commerce

bepay also showcased bepay business, its merchant commerce stack that enables retailers and enterprises to accept crypto, fiat, and stablecoins via QR codes, NFC, and APIs with cross-border near-instant settlements. The platform eliminates traditional 35 day settlement delays while providing on/off ramps, AI-driven analytics, real-time liquidity access, and developer & api solutions.

Dubais position as a global digital finance hub made it the perfect stage to demonstrate how bepay money bridges traditional finance and digital assets through fast, compliant, and scalable solutions, said Nawal Kishor, Founder & CEO of bepay money. Our aim is to provide one comprehensive app for all your daily needs while enabling global payments and commerce in one seamless ecosystem. This forum exemplified our mission to simplify and accelerate institutional participation in the new era of digital finance.

Forum Highlights: Bridging Institutional Capital and Digital Innovation

The forum featured a dynamic lineup of sessions that fostered high-value collaborations and thought leadership across institutional and blockchain ecosystems:

Institutional Capital Forum: Discussed integration strategies for digital assets within portfolios representing over $500B AUM.

Cross-Border Settlement Innovation Theater (by bepay money): Live demonstrations of near-instant international payment processing.

Main Stage Startup Pitch Showcase: 30+ founders presented to 100+ investors, with several live cross-border deal executions facilitated by bepay money.

Executive Roundtable: Exclusive discussions on digital assets in family office and treasury management strategies.

Regulatory Leadership Forum: Policymakers and compliance experts outlined frameworks for responsible digital asset adoption.

Deal Flow Accelerator: 300+ one-on-one meetings facilitated between startups, investors, and institutional funds.

Giakaa Capital: Driving the Future of Sustainable Innovation

As the event organizer, Giakaa Capital reinforced its position as a hybrid venture capital firm building innovation ecosystems that connect entrepreneurs, institutional capital, and governments. The firms investments span Digital Public Infrastructure solutions leveraging Blockchain and AI, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This forum proved that institutional adoption of digital assets is no longer a debate; its a global movement, said Omika Dubey, Managing Partner at Giakaa Capital. Together with bepay money, weve created a platform that connects capital, compliance, and innovation to shape the future of finance.

Dubais emergence as a global hub for fintech and blockchain innovation served as the ideal backdrop for the event. With its progressive regulatory ecosystem and growing institutional participation, the city continues to anchor global dialogue on digital finance and sustainable economic transformation.
Bharat Parv 2025 to be held from November 1-15 to honor Sardar Patels 150th birth anniversary.

Annual parade at Ekta Nagar every October 31, starting this year.

Special celebrations at Statue of Unity and events showcasing Indias unity and tribal culture.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that Bharat Parv 2025 will be celebrated across the country from November 1 to 15, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Indias Iron Man and the architect of national unity.

Speaking at a press conference, Shah said a grand parade will now be held every year on October 31 at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, to celebrate National Unity Day. The parade will feature contingents from central paramilitary forces and state police, along with a cultural showcase of Indias diversity.

He shared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend this years first parade, offer floral tributes at the Statue of Unity, and participate in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations.

On November 15, a major event will also take place at the Statue of Unity to honor tribal leader Birsa Munda, featuring exhibitions of tribal food, culture, and performing arts.

Also Read: JSW Steel Preparing For CBAM Framework Says CEO Jayant Acharya

Highlighting the achievements of the current government, Shah said that while the Statue of Unity was built in just 57 months, the previous Congress governments failed to adequately honor Sardar Patel for decades.

He noted that more than 2.5 crore people have visited the Statue of Unity so far, calling it a symbol of Indias unity and Patels enduring legacy. This year, schools and colleges across India will also host a Run for Unity to mark the occasion.
GIFT Nifty signals a strong opening as investor confidence grows on solid Q2 earnings and steady inflows.

Markets await the outcome of the Trump Xi meeting, which could influence global trade and market sentiment.

IT, infrastructure, and banking sectors drive momentum with robust profit growth and key announcements.

The Indian stock market looks ready for a bright and positive Thursday. Early signs from GIFT Nifty futures showed a strong start, up 94 points at 26,184.50 at 6:46 AM and later at 26,193.50 by 8:15 AM. With upbeat September-quarter earnings, steady foreign inflows, and active IPO activity, investor confidence remains high, setting the tone for another strong session on Dalal Street.

However, global focus today is on the highly anticipated meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinas President Xi Jinping. This will be their first meeting in Trumps second term, and global markets are watching closely. Trade and tariff talks are expected to dominate discussions, possibly reshaping international ties. While India is not directly involved, any outcome could have an indirect impact on sectors connected to global trade.

Despite global uncertainty, Indian markets remain optimistic. Strong domestic earnings and continued foreign investor support are likely to keep the momentum going.

Sector Highlights

IT and Technology: Technology stocks are expected to stay active. Wipro signed a multi-year deal with HanesBrands Inc. to modernize IT infrastructure and strengthen cybersecurity using its AI-based WINGS platform. Mphasis, PB Fintech, and Le Travenues Technology will announce Q2 results today. PB Fintech reported a 164.6 percent rise in profit to Rs 134.9 crore, while revenue grew 38.2 percent to Rs 1,613.6 crore. Sagility India posted a 113.8 percent profit jump to Rs 250.8 crore, with revenue up 25.2 percent to Rs 1,658.5 crore. Technology stocks are expected to stay active. Wipro signed a multi-year deal with HanesBrands Inc. toand strengthen cybersecurity using its AI-based WINGS platform. Mphasis, PB Fintech, and Le Travenues Technology will announce Q2 results today. PB Fintech reported a 164.6 percent rise in profit to Rs 134.9 crore, while revenue grew 38.2 percent to Rs 1,613.6 crore. Sagility India posted a 113.8 percent profit jump to Rs 250.8 crore, with revenue up 25.2 percent to Rs 1,658.5 crore.

Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare: Dr. Reddys Laboratories received a Notice of Non-Compliance from Canadas Pharmaceutical Drugs Directorate regarding its Semaglutide injection. Zydus Lifesciences got an Establishment Inspection Report from the USFDA for its Baddi facility, classified as Voluntary Action Indicated. Cipla, Mankind Pharma, Dabur India, and Dr. Agarwals Health Care & Eye Hospital will announce their results today. Mankind Pharma also received an ESG rating score of 69, reflecting strong governance standards.

Engineering, Infrastructure, and Construction: Larsen and Toubro (L&T) reported a 16 percent rise in net profit to Rs 3,926 crore, with revenue up 10 percent to Rs 67,984 crore. Dilip Buildcon won a Rs 307 crore contract from ISC Projects in South Eastern Railway. DCM Shrirams profit rose 2.5 times to Rs 158.7 crore, and Brigade Enterprises reported a 36.6 percent jump to Rs 162.5 crore. Adani Power, NTPC, NTPC Green Energy, and DLF will also release results today. NTPC Green Energy posted a 130 percent rise in profit to Rs 87.6 crore.

Energy, Metals, and Commodities: Coal Indias profit fell 32 percent year-on-year to Rs 4,262.6 crore, and revenue dropped 3.2 percent to Rs 30,186.7 crore. HPCL reported a 6.1 percent fall in profit to Rs 3,859.3 crore and a 9 percent drop in revenue. Mahanagar Gas saw its profit decline 33.3 percent to Rs 191.4 crore despite higher revenue. SAILs profit fell 53.3 percent to Rs 418.7 crore, while revenue grew 8.2 percent to Rs 26,704.2 crore.

Finance and Banking: The financial sector will remain in focus as Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, Bandhan Bank, Nippon Life India AMC, and Manappuram Finance announce results today. LIC Housing Finance posted a 2 percent profit rise to Rs 1,354 crore, with income up to Rs 7,170 crore. Aditya Birla Capital invested Rs 382.5 crore in Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance through a rights issue. Satin Creditcare reported an 18.9 percent profit rise to Rs 53.2 crore, while Fino Payments Banks profit dropped 27.4 percent to Rs 15.4 crore despite a 43 percent jump in net interest income.

Automobile and Mobility: Ola Electric approved a second tranche of Rs 250 crore OCRPS allotment and will face a CCPA hearing on November 10, 2025. Hyundai Motor India will release its results today. Samvardhana Motherson International appointed Gandharv Tongia as Group CFO and invested 0.5 million dollars in Rider Dome, a company developing two-wheeler safety technology.

Consumer and FMCG: United Breweries profit fell 65 percent to Rs 46.3 crore due to weak beer sales, while VST Industries reported a 24.5 percent increase to Rs 59.2 crore. Results from ITC, United Spirits, Pidilite Industries, and Dabur India are expected today, making this an important day for FMCG investors.

Logistics and Transport: Transport Corporation of Indias profit rose 5.8 percent to Rs 113.5 crore, and revenue grew 7.5 percent to Rs 1,204.9 crore. Container Corporation of India signed an MoU with JNPA to manage rail handling at upcoming Vadhvan Port terminals. RailTel Corporation reported a 4.7 percent profit rise to Rs 76 crore and a 12.8 percent jump in revenue to Rs 951.4 crore.

Other Key Updates: Dynamatic Technologies saw Samena Special Situations Mauritius III sell a 0.79 percent stake worth Rs 41.6 crore, reducing its holding to 1.81 percent. Sammaan Capital remains on the F&O ban list for todays session.

Key Results to Watch Today

Key companies to watch include ITC, Cipla, NTPC, Hyundai Motor India, Adani Power, Swiggy, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, Aditya Birla Capital, Bandhan Bank, Coromandel International, DLF, Dabur India, Mphasis, Pidilite Industries, United Spirits, Lodha Developers, Exide Industries, Indian Energy Exchange, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, and Manappuram Finance.

As the world awaits the outcome of the Trump-Xi meeting, Indian investors remain optimistic. With futures in the green and a series of strong earnings lifting sentiment, Dalal Street looks all set to continue its winning streak into a lively Thursday session.
Several restaurants across Staten Island have aimed to open this year, but many have faced delays as they adjust timelines and rework renovations and concepts. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Staten Islands culinary landscape is undergoing a notable transformation, with more than a dozen new restaurants and food establishments either opening or in development across the borough.

The address at 286 Richmond Valley Rd. was former homes of Sazon, 286 South and a never-opened Daddy'Os. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

Meanwhile, the borough has also seen a handful of notable closures in recent months, including Fresh Twist in New Dorp, very short-lived Sazon (formerly 286 South) in Richmond Valley, and soon, Lobster House Joes in Dongan Hills.

In one of the last photos of the late Jim Stayoch, he stands in front of Adobe Blues in its original form. He sold the restaurant in 2022, and what began as minor renovations by the new owner evolved into major work due to the buildings age. Today, the site remains behind green board.

Adobe Blues: 63 Lafayette Ave., New BrightonLong story short: yes, its reopening. A new owner took over the building in 2022, butshall we saychallenges with the city and the permit process have ensued. Most importantly, the ambitious owner is determined to revive the restaurants signature craft beer selection and Tex-Mex fare. In the meantime, the buildinga former tavern dating back to the mid-1800scurrently sits idle behind green plywood fencing.

Alati: 2287 Arthur Kill Rd., RossvilleIn a free-standing building that once housed the pre-COVID dim sum spot Ocean Palace and the short-lived Hollywood Grill, a new European cafe with a strong coffee focus is taking shape.

Arianas Cucina: 6451 Amboy Rd., Pleasant PlainsArianas Cucina brings bold flavors and family warmth to Pleasant Plains in a reinvented former tool rental space. Led by social media sensation Frank DiMattina, the restaurant blends rustic charm with modern flair, offering Italian-American classics, craft cocktails, and a coffee bar featuring proprietary Australian beans. A speakeasy-style room and grab-and-go options round out the experience. The opening date is set for Nov. 24.

Casa Nostra will be a family-style eatery with a curated a la carte menu, bringing new life to a historic Staten Island location thats been home to restaurants for over 75 years. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

Casa Nostra: 2481 Richmond Rd., New DorpA new Italian-themed restaurant is taking shape at 2481 Richmond Rd. in New Dorp, a site with decades of dining history. With its distinctive Mansard roof, the building once housed Villa Portofino, Ocean 3, and Buona Sera. Casa Nostra will offer family-style and a la carte Italian dishes in a renovated two-story space.

Island Crepes & Shakes: 408 Forest Ave., West BrightonA sweet and savory crepe shop is expanding to West Brighton with a third Staten Island location at 408 Forest Ave. The takeout-focused eatery joins a bustling restaurant row and will serve smoothies, shakes, and crepes from a charming cottage-style storefront with deep culinary roots.

Insomnia Cookies: 424 Forest Ave., West BrightonThe late-night cookie chain will soon be a part of Staten Islands growing gourmet cookie scene. Located across from Crumbl and near other dessert spots, the new shop will offer warm cookies and sweet perks for employees. The storefront was formerly home to Beans n Leaves which has moved across the street.

Kreischer Mansion  This 1885 Victorian home built by brick magnate Balthasar Kreischer for his sons stands in Charleston, once the heart of Kreischerville. This is what the foyer looks like as the property is renovated into a catering hall. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)

Kreischer Mansion: 4500 Arthur Kill Rd., CharlestonA new chapter is unfolding at this 1885 Victorian landmark in Charleston, where Eric Bischoff and Julia Mackie plan to restore the historic home. It will be transform into a boutique venue for weddings and special events. Despite its eerie past and years of disrepair, the couple envisions a vibrant future for the 4.8-acre estate, honoring its architectural legacy while reimagining its purpose.

Lighthouse Point: The Lighthouse Point project in St. Georgewith restaurant Gas Lampis still alive, says owner Peter Botros. The long-awaited development near the ferry includes a five-story, 12,500-square-foot building with a 2,500-square-foot banquet room overlooking the harbor. Around 10,000 square feet of outdoor dining space is also in the mix, plus plans for an artisan market. Botros says he hasnt been given any further details on LHP but guesses the restaurant project will be happening in 2027.

Queen Frog: 1566 Forest Ave., Port Richmond Eastern European flavors are coming to the former Brunos A&S Pork Store, a space rich in culinary history. The new restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a whimsical name and a menu blending Ukrainian specialties and American classics.

Randall Manor Tavern: 382 Forest Ave., West BrightonRandall Manor Tavern is relocating from 735 Castleton Avenue to a newly renovated space at 382 Forest Avenue, reopening on Nov. 4, 2025, after nearly two years of renovations. The original location closed after service on Oct. 26. The new venue features expanded seating, a private party room, and a refreshed menu including pizza and house-made pasta. Chef Steve Rowan, co-owner John Venturella, and new partner Carrie Gaeta will lead the team.

Shahs Halal Food: 424 Forest Ave., West BrightonFounded in 2005 as a single food cart in Queens, Shahs has grown into an international chain with over 150 locations. Known for its Halal-certified platters, gyros, and signature white sauce, the Staten Island outpost will have dine-in, delivery, and late-night eats daily until 3 a.m.

Shake Shack will have three borough locations come later this October. (Courtesy of Shake Shack)

Shake Shack: 2530 Hylan Blvd., New DorpThe third location for the borough comes to life on Halloween, Oct. 31. in New Dorp. the restaurant will be open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., serving its full menu including burgers, fries, shakes, and limited-time items like the French Onion Soup Burger. Opening day perks include free mini tote bags and a $1 donation per sandwich sold to the Staten Island Giving Circle, a nonprofit supporting children, seniors, and veterans. Former Staten Islander John Karangis is the executive chef and VP of Culinary Innovation at Shake Shack, where he leads global menu development, chef collaborations, and culinary R&D.

This is one of the final glimpses of Portobello Cafe as it stood under its previous ownership. Now, the space is under wraps as the team behind Todo Bien transforms it into a vibrant new Latin restaurant. Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island Advance

Todo Bien: 4221 Hylan Blvd., Great KillsLatin flavors are coming to Great Kills as restaurateur Peter Macri transforms the former Portobello Cafe into Todo Bien. The family-run restaurant will offer a fresh take on hospitality with a Latin-inspired menu and lively atmosphere, marking a new chapter for a beloved location.
Some school bus companies agreed to an emergency contract, which would delay layoffs and continue service for some public school students. (Advance/SILive.com | Annalise Knudson)

Some New York City school bus companies have agreed to emergency contracts with the city, which would postpone employee layoffs and continue to provide transportation to some public school students, according to a recent report.

A contract dispute has been ongoing between school bus companies and the city, which could leave thousands of students without transportation starting in early November.

PIX11 News reports that just over half of school bus companies agreed to emergency contracts with the city, according to Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos.

The city has contracts with 52 private bus companies.

Since the summer, school bus companies have been operating under an emergency contract pending the approval of a five-year contract. Without a long-term contract, companies informed New York state last week that it plans to end bus service for schools after Oct. 31.

School bus companies placed blame on the city Department of Educations Panel on Education Policy not approving a five-year contract extension, which was originally scheduled to begin on July 1, 2025.

Now, 27 of the bus companies will not lay off employees and will continue to provide bus service after accepting emergency contracts, a spokesperson for the city Department of Education told PIX11 News.

While some layoffs would be averted, the remaining bus companies continue to plan for mass layoffs after Oct. 31  leading to potential service disruptions for thousands of public school students.

On Wednesday night, dozens of bus drivers for major companies like Pioneer, Consolidated, and Logan, attended the Panel on Education Policy meeting, according to PIX11 News.

The panel voted to oppose the five-year contract.

Alternative transportation options

The city is taking proactive steps to guarantee every student has access to transportation in case of a disruption.

All impacted families will be eligible to receive free OMNY cards for students and caregivers, providing immediate access to public transportation. These cards will be distributed by individual schools.

Some impacted families will be eligible for additional services, like pre-paid ride share options and transportation reimbursement. These students include:

Those with transportation recommended on an Individualized Education Program or 504 Accommodation Plan.

Those in temporary housing or foster care.

Those with approved transportation exceptions.

Schools will immediately notify families if their childs bus service is affected using contact information on file.
Robert Englund, perhaps best known for his role as Freddy Krueger in "Nightmare On Elm Street," will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Associated Press/Rene Macura)

Robert Englund, 78, best known for his iconic portrayal of Freddy Krueger, will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a ceremony scheduled for Halloween, Bloody Disgusting reported.

The celebration will begin Friday at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time at 6644 Hollywood Blvd., with director Eli Roth and actress Heather Langenkamp serving as guest speakers.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome Robert Englund to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, said Ana Martinez, Walk of Fame producer.

I think the timing of having Roberts star on Halloween is most fitting as Roberts legacy is deeply entwined with the very spirit of Halloween. Fans and industry peers alike will gather to celebrate a performer whose iconic work continues to haunt and inspire audiences around the globe.

Englunds career spans appearances in over 80 films, multiple TV series and countless guest star roles, though he remains most celebrated for bringing the wisecracking dream demon Freddy Krueger to life in New Line Cinemas A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise.

In 1984, Englund auditioned for a horror film, directed by Wes Craven, known at the at the time for horror films, including Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes.

Though Craven initially wanted a larger stuntman for the role of Freddy, he took a chance on Englund. Craven believed Englund brought both gravitas and menace to the hideously scarred killer who stalks his victims through their dreams, finding creative ways to kill them with his infamous bladed glove, the report noted.

The films success spawned seven sequels, became a merchandising monster and established New Line Cinema as The House That Freddy Built.
Editors note: Suicidal thoughts and behaviors can be reduced with the proper mental health support and treatment. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul highlighted new initiatives aimed at improving first responder wellness and mental health on Tuesday as part of National First Responders Day.

Among the resources available are a Responder Wellness Program Primer, which looks to assist public safety agencies to create or improve their own responder wellness programs; a video highlighting the particular mental health needs of first responders; and a website on mental health and wellness specially designed to serve first responders.

The video was developed through a collaboration between the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the New York State Office of Mental Health to aid in the production of a cultural competency training for mental health professionals. The training is slated to be released before the end of 2025.

Our emergency first responders show up for New Yorkers when it matters most and carry the weight of our toughest moments long after tragedy strikes, Hochul said. I am committed to ensuring that first responders do not face these challenges alone. With new tailored resources aimed at strengthening wellness programs and mental health treatment, were supporting those who support us  and who dedicate their lives to protecting New York communities.

To better understand the mental health-related struggles impacting those in public safety, a first responder needs assessment survey was conducted by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services in conjunction with SUNY New Paltzs Institute for Disaster Mental Health. The survey consisted of more than 6,000 first responders, ranging from law enforcement to emergency management throughout New York.

The survey found that over half of the responders who participated experience high levels of stress, burnout, anxiety and depression related to their roles. Moreover, the assessment found that these first responders would potentially not seek help out of concern of being stigmatized.

Of participants, 16% expressed thoughts of suicide. Thats four times higher than the general population of New York, according to a press release by Hochuls office.

First responders face traumatic situations on a daily basis and its essential they have access to the support needed to protect their mental health, said Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray. This new suite of resources gives public safety agencies the tools they need to begin building effective wellness programs so we can take care of our first responders the same way they take care of us.

Editors note: The Advance/SILive.com typically limits reporting on suicides to those that occur in crowded public places, involve public figures or, in special circumstances, where there is a larger public impact. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
S. Korea willing to promote mutually beneficial cooperation with China, deliver tangible results to both peoples, says president

Xinhua) 08:11, October 30, 2025

This photo taken on Sept. 24, 2025 shows posters of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, Sept. 24, 2025. (Photo by Jun Hyosang/Xinhua)

Taking Xi's state visit to South Korea as an opportunity, Lee said he hoped that both sides would strive to further promote bilateral cooperation, and make tangible contributions to addressing issues involving people's livelihood and peace between both nations.

SEOUL, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has said that he is willing to work with Chinese President Xi Jinping to promote mutually beneficial cooperation between South Korea and China, improve the lives of the peoples of both countries, and create tangible results for them.

Lee made the remarks in an exclusive written interview with Xinhua recently. At the invitation of the South Korean president, Xi will attend the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju and pay a state visit to South Korea from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1.

It will be the first meeting between the two heads of state since the new South Korean government took office. Therefore, this visit holds special significance for bilateral relations, Lee said.

Lee further said that Xi and he both started at the local government level, engaging with the people and implementing the philosophy that people's livelihood comes first, and that both eventually became national leaders.

Lee said he will work with Xi to continuously promote the development of the South Korea-China strategic cooperative partnership, amid dramatic changes in the internal and external environment since the two countries established diplomatic ties.

On his expectations for Xi's visit, Lee hoped to have in-depth discussions on specific plans to enhance practical cooperation to improve people's livelihood, expand the consultation channels for bilateral economic and trade cooperation, accelerate discussions to make practical progress in the negotiations on the South Korea-China Free Trade Agreement to include services and investment, and create a new institutional foundation for economic and trade cooperation.

As major economies, South Korea and China are partners in promoting regional development and prosperity. At present, China remains South Korea's largest trading partner and a core partner for ensuring the stability of the supply chain, Lee said.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, the two countries have formed complementary industrial structures and supply chains, and carried out close cooperation, he said, stressing that based on this, the two countries still maintain and continue to develop a firm trade and investment relationship despite the current uncertainties in the global economy.

Such vigorous economic and trade exchanges have injected impetus into the industries and economies of the Asia-Pacific region and even the world, he said.

The two countries should continue to enhance cooperation in industry and supply chains, noted Lee, adding that he looked forward to having in-depth discussions with Xi on a cooperation plan for industry and supply chains.

He also looked forward to strengthening cooperation in areas such as culture and the environment to enhance the quality of life of both peoples, and to continuing to expand people-to-people exchanges.

Customers select products of South Korea at a store in Yancheng, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

On maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, Lee said that he will work with China to strengthen strategic communication based on the consensus that peace and stability are in the common interests of both countries, and achieve denuclearization and peace on the peninsula.

On the issue of peace, Lee noted that South Korea urgently needs China's constructive role in order to achieve a substantive solution to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and to build peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Noting that this year marks South Korea's return as the host of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting after two decades, Lee said that, through this meeting, South Korea remains committed to cooperation among APEC member economies and promoting the implementation of various collaborative projects. This aims to achieve shared prosperity and development, transforming APEC into an effective and substantive platform for cooperation.

This year's agenda also includes tackling challenges like fostering artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and managing demographic shifts, issues that extend beyond any single nation's capabilities, he said, adding that the best solutions emerge when all parties gather to share successful policies and explore diverse policy options.

This is precisely the kind of issue that exemplifies the spirit of multilateralism, he said.

Lee said he will closely consult with APEC member economies, including China, to make APEC a multilateral platform that not only explores trade and investment but also discusses future economic and trade issues, such as AI and demographic structures.

The president said he is very glad that China will take over as the host of APEC next year, emphasizing that both South Korea and China support transforming APEC into an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community, and promoting cooperation within APEC.

The experience of South Korea and China working together for growth and common development in various fields will be of great help in achieving APEC's goal of common prosperity for the people of the region, he said.

For China to successfully lead the APEC meeting next year, Lee said South Korea will offer assistance -- in particular, South Korea will support China in continuously exploring and developing issues surrounding AI cooperation and addressing demographic changes proposed by South Korea.

Recalling his multiple visits to China during his tenure as the mayor of Seongnam city and the governor of Gyeonggi province, Lee mentioned several key moments, including signing a sister-city agreement between Seongnam and Huizhou City in China's southern province of Guangdong in 2016, attending the Summer Davos Forum in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian in 2017, and visiting China's southwestern city of Chongqing in 2019.

Lee said that he was greatly impressed by China's splendid culture and economic development, and was optimistic about the future of South Korea-China relations based on this.

He said that in order to accurately set the development direction of bilateral relations and maintain the momentum of mutually beneficial cooperation, it is important to strengthen mutual political trust and maintain strategic communication through mutual visits by the heads of state.

Lee said he hoped he could visit China again soon and engage once again in close discussions with Xi.

Looking ahead to the future of bilateral economic and technological cooperation, Lee noted that with China's significant advancements in industrial competitiveness and high-tech capabilities, competition between businesses of the two countries has become increasingly common.

Lee believed that South Korea and China can pool their wisdom to foster a mature strategic cooperative partnership based on friendly competition and cooperation on an equal footing. In particular, he said it was imperative for both sides to explore new complementary cooperation models in the economic and trade fields to further energize businesses and industries in the two countries.

Taking Xi's state visit to South Korea as an opportunity, Lee said he hoped that both sides would strive to further promote bilateral cooperation, and make tangible contributions to addressing issues involving people's livelihood and peace between both nations.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
On February 24, He Jiandong, President of the Macao Technology General Association, led a delegation to visit Wuhu for an experience tour. At Chery Wuhu Smart Factory No. 1, the delegation from the Macao Technology General Association visited the welding workshop, general assembly workshop, and the Yaoguang 2025 Laboratory. They received briefings on the company's R&D, production, and operations, gained up-close understanding of Chery's latest technological achievements, and expressed admiration for the remarkable accomplishments Chery Automobile has achieved in recent years. At Efort Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd., the delegation carefully learned about the company's innovative developments in the field of robotics, toured the robot assembly and testing workshops, and showed strong interest in the industrial robot products displayed by the enterprise. During the subsequent symposium, relevant municipal departments introduced Wuhu's policies on technology, industry, talent, and corporate global expansion, welcoming Macao entrepreneurs to visit Wuhu for experience tours and investment. Both sides engaged in interactive exchanges and expressed their hope to use the BEYOND Expo as a platform to actively showcase Wuhu's technological innovations, industrial advancements, and urban strength. This would help Wuhu enterprises "go global," enhance exchanges and cooperation with domestic and international partners, and vigorously expand into overseas markets. Both parties agreed to strengthen mutual visits, promote economic and trade exchanges and in-depth cooperation between the two regions, and achieve mutual benefits.

Source: Wuhu Daily
Microsoft (MSFT) and OpenAI (OPAI.PVT) announced on Tuesday that they have reached a new agreement that lets the ChatGPT developer move forward with its plans to transform into a for-profit public benefit corporation.

Under the new agreement, Microsoft will hold 27% of the OpenAI Group PBC, valued at roughly $135 billion, while OpenAI's nonprofit arm will hold a $130 billion stake in the for-profit entity. Microsoft, however, will no longer have the right of first refusal to serve as OpenAI's cloud provider. The company, however, said OpenAI has contracted to purchase $250 billion worth of Azure services.

The agreement also modifies the duration of Microsoft's rights to use OpenAI's models and products. Microsoft will now be able to use OpenAI's IP, excluding consumer hardware, which OpenAI is working on with Jony Ive, through 2032.

That also includes IP developed after OpenAI declares it has reached artificial general intelligence, or AI that can think like a human. A third-party group of experts will now have to verify OpenAI's claim that it has achieved artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Microsoft shares jumped around 2% on Tuesday.

Microsoft will retain rights for OpenAI's models and products, excluding consumer hardware, through 2032. That includes models and products developed after OpenAI declares it has achieved general intelligence, something that wasn't part of the original agreement.

But Microsoft will lose the rights to OpenAI's research either when the panel confirms OpenAI has achieved AGI or through 2030, whichever comes first. Microsoft will also end its revenue-sharing agreement with OpenAI when AGI is confirmed.

The ChatGPT app icon is seen on a smartphone. (Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)  REUTERS / Reuters

The agreement also allows OpenAI to develop products with third parties, but API products will be exclusive to Microsoft's Azure cloud platform. Non-API products can use any cloud vendor.

Microsoft is also now allowed to pursue AGI on its own, but if the tech giant achieves the feat using OpenAI's technology before OpenAI itself does, it will be limited to compute thresholds.

Microsoft was one of the biggest and most consequential holdouts to OpenAI's for-profit plan, which now clears the way for the effort to move forward.

Both companies have benefited immensely from their relationship, with Microsoft's stock price soaring thanks to the huge amount of cash OpenAI has spent on its Azure cloud platform. Microsoft, meanwhile, provided billions in investments to OpenAI.

That has helped put the two companies in the lead in the AI race, ahead of the likes of Amazon (AMZN) and Googl (GOOGL, GOOG).
A new bill would require the federal government to maintain SNAP benefits during the ongoing shutdown. (AP Photo/Allison Dinner, File) AP

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Two of New Yorks top elected officials are calling on the federal government to maintain crucial food assistance programs amid the ongoing shutdown.

On Thursday, Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand held a virtual press conference to demand that President Donald Trump fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Earlier this month, the federal government directed states to withhold issuing such benefits for the month of November unless the government shutdown has been resolved and funding for federal agencies has been reinstated.

However, the lawmakers claim that there are billions of dollars in contingency funds available to keep the programs running, but that the Trump administration has simply chosen not to tap into them.

For the first time in history, a president, Donald Trump, is refusing to fund SNAP during a shutdown despite the fact that he has the available funds to keep it going. Forty-two million Americans, including nearly three million New Yorkers, will lose their SNAP benefits, not because the moneys gone, because Donald Trump cruelly ordered it stopped, said Schumer.

In refusing to fund SNAP during the government shutdown, the Trump administration is playing politics with my constituents lives. But for families that are already stretched thin, this decision is more than politicalits a matter of survival, Gillibrand added.

State leaders from various Democrat-led states have sued the federal government over its refusal to use contingency funds to maintain the programs.

But an Oct. 24 memo from the United States Department of Agriculture, which oversees the programs, claims that contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular benefits.

Democrats have refused to pass the CR and fund regular monthly benefits for fiscal year (FY) 2026. 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, the memo adds.

As that legal battle continues, Democratic lawmakers are pushing the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025, which would require the federal government to maintain the programs and reimburse states for covering the costs of the benefits during the shutdown.

Senate Democrats are not waiting, we are ready to pass legislation to ensure food continues to keep SNAP & WIC funded, and so kids, moms, seniors and veterans arent left behind. We are willing to work with anyone to get this bill on the floor and stop this cruelty and avert this avoidable crisis, Schumer said.

The administration has repeatedly blamed Democrats refusal to end the shutdown for the looming halt on the food assistance programs.

Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01 . We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance," according to the USDA website.

Earlier this month, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis called on Schumer and Gillibrand to deliver the votes necessary to end the government shutdown, which began Oct. 1 after representatives were unable to reach an agreement while passing a bill to allocate funds.

Republicans proposed a short-term funding bill through Nov. 21, but many Democrats argued that it failed to address critical health care concerns.

Specifically, Democrats are pushing to reverse Medicaid cuts included in President Donald Trumps summer legislation and to extend tax credits that help millions afford health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Republicans dismissed the demands, estimating the cost to taxpayers would exceed $1 trillion. As of now, both sides remain firm and without compromise.

There is no reason for this to continue and we call on Senator Schumer to do the right thing, vote for the same bill you voted for four times before, the same bill that you negotiated and youve extended three times, she said.

Last week, Malliotakis penned a letter to Hochul urging her to call on Schumer and Gillibrand to help put an end to the shutdown before SNAP benefits are impacted later this week.

Starting November 1st, low-income, elderly, and disabled SNAP recipients could begin to go without food assistance as a result of Senate Democrats decision to shut the government down. These benefits are not abstract figures, they represent families striving to make ends meet, children who rely on consistent access to healthy food, and seniors who would otherwise face hunger, wrote Malliotakis, a Republican who represents Staten Island and parts of South Brooklyn.

We respectfully urge you to use your voice and leadership to encourage Senators Schumer and Gillibrand to support a clean continuing resolution that keeps the federal government funded at existing levels. Doing so will ensure that programs, like SNAP and WIC, continue uninterrupted, protecting New Yorks most vulnerable residents and preventing needless hardship for families who can least afford it, she continued.
The murder case of Dantey Moore, shown at right, has sparked an exchange between Judge Raymond Rodriguez, top left, and Assemblymember Michael Tannousis, bottom left. (Advance/SILive.com photos)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A political ad posted Monday by the Staten Island Republican Party says judicial candidate Raymond Rodriguez repeatedly let loose a defendant who went on to murder a stranger.

Rodriguez on Tuesday fired back with an ad saying the Republicans circulated a deliberately false narrative from a New York Post article written in 2017.

The defendant in the Staten Island murder case, Dantey Moore, was sentenced in 2022 for the senseless stabbing in broad daylight of a 63-year-old grandmother in West Brighton.

Over the course of three years and eight convictions prior to the stabbing, Moore had spent multiple stints on Rikers Island. Rodriguez presided over a few of the defendants misdemeanor cases in Criminal Court.

Court documents show he did not preside over the felony case months prior to the murder, when the district attorneys office offered three years probation in lieu of prison time.

Rodriguez said the Republican Party, under the leadership of Assemblymember Michael Tannousis, is not seeking to inform the public, but to deceive you.

In an interview Tuesday with the Advance/SILive.com, Rodriguez said he has enhanced sentences in the past when appropriate, including a misdemeanor case for the defendant in question.

Judge Raymond Rodriguez sentences a defendant on Sept. 5, 2025, in state Supreme Court, St. George. (Advance/SILive.com | Kyle Lawson)

He said Moore violated the terms of a plea deal in 2016, so he gave him jail time and probation. Then, when he saw the defendant again in early 2017, it was for a minor drug case.

Rodriguez said one of the reasons he was re-appointed by then-Mayor Bill de Blasio was because he provided proof to city officials that he did not preside over Moores final case before the stabbing.

This record I have built over 27 years, 13 years as a judge, is impeccable, said Rodriguez, who was appointed in January to oversee Staten Island Supreme Courts.

Tannousis maintained on Tuesday that Rodriguez is partially responsible for the defendant not being in jail at the time of the murder, saying the judge admitted that he presided over multiple cases involving this defendant.

The case he referenced in his video is only one of the cases this defendant faced which happened to be presided over by another Democratic judge, said Tannousis.

It baffles me that the Democratic nominee for Supreme Court tells the public that he had nothing to do with this defendant yet admits that he previously sentenced this violent criminal prior to the murder, he said. During this Halloween week, voters should be aware of the tricks being employed by this de Blasio-appointed Judge Ray Rodriguez.

Rodriguez currently serves as the administrative judge for Richmond County, where he oversees both the Criminal and Civil Terms of Staten Island Supreme Court. In addition to his administrative role, Rodriguez serves as an acting justice of the Supreme Court, where he presides over high stakes criminal and civil trials.

He is being challenged in this election for the New York Supreme Court 13th Judicial District by Judge Matthew Blum, who has secured the Republican nomination for the seat. Blum currently serves as a Civil Court judge in Richmond County, a position he has held since January 2020.
A man casts his vote on Election Day at the voting site in PS 36 in Annadale. (Advance/SILive.com | Annalise Knudson) Annalise Knudson

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  If you head to your early voting site to cast your ballot this Halloween, youll get a special treat.

Mark D. Levine, the Democratic candidate for City Comptroller, posted to X Thursday morning to remind voters that if they havent voted yet, they can obtain a special edition of the iconic I voted! sticker in celebration of the holiday.

The sticker  a step away from the typical red, white, and blue color scheme  depicts a pigeon wearing a witchs hat while holding what looks to be a pumpkin-shaped trick-or-treat basket.

In the background are spooky fluttering bats and a witch riding a broomstick. The text bordering the special sticker, featuring little ghosts and the Vote NYC logo, reads: Halloween Voter 2025.

The design is akin to the Board of Elections 2024 Halloween sticker.

In order to get the sticker, youll have to be a registered voter and cast your ballot at your designated early voting site.

Early voting for Staten Islanders began on Oct. 25 and will conclude on Nov. 2.

The remaining schedule for early voting is as follows:

Friday, Oct. 31: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 1: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 2: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

You can find your polling site on https://vote.nyc/page/find-your-poll-site.

Staten Islanders will have their chance to vote for mayor, public advocate, city comptroller, borough president and their City Council member.

There will also be an election for New York Supreme Court 13th Judicial District and New York City Civil Court Richmond County 1st Municipal Court District.

Voters will decide on six ballot proposals this election, including five New York City charter amendments aimed at streamlining housing development and modernizing city operations.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A social media post criticizing the South Shores Republican city Councilmember for praising a Democratic candidate has exposed a growing rift among some of the boroughs Republican politicians.

Griffin Fossella, the son of Borough President Vito Fossella, took to Facebook on Saturday to blast Councilmember Frank Morano, claiming Morano appears to be supporting Michael Colombo, the Democratic challenger for borough president, over the incumbent Republican, who happens to be his father.

The post features a video that appears to have been taken from one of Moranos own social media livestreams in which the sitting Councilmember praises Colombos efforts on the campaign trail and takes what could be interpreted as a veiled shot at the elder Fossella.

This is Mike Colombo, hes running for borough president. Hes doing a really great job. Hes everywhere. Hes the hardest working guy Ive seen running for borough president this year, Morano said in the video.

The praise for Colombo drew the ire of the younger Fossella, who unsuccessfully ran against Morano in an April special election and dropped out of the Republican primary for the general election in June.

Can someone please explain to me why it appears that our current Republican South Shore City Councilman Frank Morano is openly advocating for the far left Democrat candidate and Zohran Mamdani supporter in Mike Colombo? Fossella wrote.

This confirms what we have been saying since day 1: Frank Morano is a complete fraud and not a real Republican (he became one in November of 2024. Where is the Staten Island Republican Party leadership on this matter? Are they going to condemn one of their own for breaking ranks and campaigning for a candidate whos party chants defund the police and raise taxes on all of us so Mamdani can pay for his slush fund of free handouts? he continued.

Colombo refuted Fossellas claim that he supports Mamdani, telling the Advance/SILive.com that he hasnt endorsed or supported anyone in the mayoral race and is ready to work with whomever wins to do whats best for Staten Island.

When reached for comment, Morano told the Advance/SILive.com that he has not endorsed anyone for borough president, that Fossella hasnt asked for his endorsement, and that he will only be voting for Republicans in the upcoming elections.

He went on to reiterate his praise for Colombos work ethic, noting that hes seen him at several candidate forums that the borough president did not attend.

Ive said publicly that Mike Colombo is a nice guy and a hard worker, because he is. Hes attended every single candidate forum Ive been to, no matter how big or small the crowd. Vito hasnt shown up to one. Recognizing someones work ethic isnt endorsing them, its called being polite, Morano said in a written statement.

Morano went on to note that the borough president has not issued any endorsements for his fellow local Republicans and has been notably absent from several of their events.

If Griffin is really concerned about people secretly helping Democrats, maybe he should ask his father why he hasnt endorsed a single Republican for any office this year (including Mayor) -- or why the only elected officials he seems to do events with are Democrats, Morano wrote.

A review of press advisories from the borough presidents office showed that no other Staten Island Republican elected officials attended any of Fossellas public events this year, including the launch of his re-election campaign, and it was unclear if they were even invited.

In recent weeks, the borough president and the boroughs city Councilmembers held separate press conferences to announce funding allocations to renovate the Staten Island Zoos Childrens Center, while in the past the boroughs elected officials would typically hold one joint press conference for that type of announcement.

When reached for comment regarding Moranos comments, David Catalfamo, a spokesperson for the borough presidents reelection campaign, told the Advance/SILive.com, The borough president is not going to dignify the remarks with a response.

Assemblymember Michael Tannousis, chair of the Staten Island Republican Party, called for the elected officials to put aside their differences and come together in support ahead of Election Day.

The rhetoric needs to be toned down. The Staten Island Republican Party endorses candidates that are proven fighters and that we know will continue to fight for Staten Islanders. We endorsed our candidates months ago and as we near Election Day, this is the time for our party to unite against a very real Democratic Socialist threat. As we have done during the past few months, we are encouraging Staten Islanders to go out and vote for all of our Republican candidates who will fight for them, Tannousis said.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, left, listens, aboard Air Force One as he travels from Tokyo, Japan, to South Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP

President Donald Trump suggested on Wednesday that he can deploy more branches of the military to U.S. cities if he invokes the Insurrection Act.

The Trump administration has deployed National Guard troops to a handful of Democratic-led cities to crack down on crime despite pushback from local and state leaders. He threatened to send more than the National Guard to U.S. cities during his long-winded speech to troops in Japan on Tuesday.

A reporter asked Trump about his comments on Wednesday while speaking to the press on Air Force One.

But you know, I want to enact a certain act. Im allowed to do it routinely. And other  about 50% of presidents have used that, as you know. And Id be allowed to do whatever I want, Trump told reporters on Wednesday.

But we havent chosen to do that, because were doing very well without it, but Id be allowed to do that. You understand that. The courts wouldnt get involved. Nobody would get involved. I could send the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines. I could send anybody I wanted, but I havent done that because were doing so well without it, he added.

His comments were met with fierce backlash from some critics.

One user on social media platform X wrote: Threatening US cities with the marines is some crazy s---.

Another user commented: Donald Trump has declared war on the American people.

During his speech in Japan on Tuesday, Trump even suggested sending the Space Command to U.S. cities to address crime. The Space Command plans, executes, and integrates military spacepower into multi-domain global operations in order to deter aggression, defend national interests, and when necessary, defeat threats, according to the military website.

People dont care if we send in our military, if we send in our National Guard, if we send in Space Command, they dont care who the hell it is. They just want to be safe, Trump said.

Actually, its easy for us. Its hard for them, and we have to have a little more help. It doesnt matter, really, we could do as we want to do, but it would be nice to have more help from some of the Democrat governors that dont mind, he added.

Trump has faced some legal hurdles for deploying the National Guard to some cities, including Chicago and Portland. He has threatened to send the National Guard troops to only Democratic-led cities, despite crime rates falling in a number of those places.
A woman fights to keep her umbrella upright in the wind as she walks in Tompkinsville. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Heavy rain and high wind pelted Staten Island on Thursday as the borough was hit with a noreaster-like storm.

It began raining before dawn, though winds and precipitation picked up in intensity as the day went on, causing outages and knocking down power lines and trees.

As many as 1,600 customers were without power on the Island at the height of the storm, according to the Con Edison online outage map. By 7:45 p.m., that number was down to just a few dozen.

By 3:40 p.m. the rain had begun to let up, but widespread flooding caused headaches for motorists.

Here is a look at how the storm unfolded:

A rainbow is visible over businesses in this photo taken from South Beach on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer D'Anna)

5 p.m.: After the storm, a rainbow

Staten Islanders endured pretty lousy weather on Thursday, but Mother Nature provided a treat for those coming home from work.

A rainbow was visible in the sky, as seen in the photo above from South Beach.

Cars navigate flood waters on Putnam Place and Brighton Avenue in New Brighton. (Advance/SILive.com | Scott Axelrod)

4:05 p.m.: Car towed from flooding in New Brighton

At least one car was towed away from Putnam Place and Brighton Avenue in New Brighton as vehicles struggle to navigate flooding.

Cars that could clear the water are driving through very cautiously, while the drivers of smaller vehicles could be seen turning around.

A second vehicle appeared to be stuck in the water, with a black SUV attempting to pull it out.

Cars navigate flooding on Travis Avenue in Travis on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)

3:35 p.m.: Rain lets up, but flooding remains

The rain has let up on Staten Island after several hours of coming down with some intensity, but widespread flooding is being reported.

Flooding on Hylan Boulevard is being reported at Richmond Avenue in Eltingville, New Dorp Lane in New Dorp and Midland Avenue in Midland Beach.

The sidewalk and road are flooded on Forest Hill Road, between Independence Avenue and Richmond Avenue in New Springville. (Advance/SILive.com | Mike Matteo)

Meanwhile, flooding on Travis Avenue in Travis is causing difficulties for motorists.

The right lane headed from South Avenue to Richmond Avenue is underwater, forcing cars to move into the other lane to get around the flooding.

Traffic is down to a crawl in both directions.

2:42 p.m.: Outages drop

According to the Con Edison outage map, approximately 500 customers on Staten Island are without power.

That is down from a high of 1,600 earlier in the day. The biggest outage still active is being reported in Silver Lake.

Traffic is backed up in the Brooklyn-bound lanes of the Staten Island Expressway on the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Google)

2:20 p.m.: Traffic backed up on Staten Island Expressway

Traffic is crawling in the Brooklyn-bound lanes of the Staten Island Expressway leading to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.

According to Google, traffic is backed up on the expressway to Victory Boulevard.

The traffic is predominantly backed up by checkpoints on the expressway ensuring vehicles with trailers do not cross the bridge, as reported by 1010 WINS.

Water builds up on Richmond Terrace and Lafayette Avenue in New Brighton. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)

1:47 p.m.: Flooding on Richmond Terrace

Water is building up on Richmond Terrace near Lafayette Avenue in New Brighton. A photo from the location shows flooding on the sidewalk and in the right lane.

The traffic light at the intersection of Clove Road and Narrows Road North in Sunnyside is flashing yellow for vehicles traveling along Clove Road on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Luke Peteley)

1:40 p.m.: Traffic light issues at Clove Road and Narrows Road North

Traffic is moving slowly at the intersection of Clove Road and Narrows Road North in Sunnyside as the light is not functioning.

Narrows Road North toward Clove Road has a flashing red light, while Clove Road has a flashing yellow light.

1:27 p.m.: Outages now up to 1,600

According to the Con Edison outage map, there are now more than 1,600 customers without power on Staten Island.

Outages are being reported in Silver Lake, Oakwood, Bay Terrace, Eltingville, Great Kills, Grant City and Arrochar.

1:25 p.m.: Express buses detoured through N.J.

All Staten Island express buses are being detoured through New Jersey due to the weather, according to an MTA alert.

You will experience a few extra turns, but no stops will be missed, the alert said.

Con Edison crews respond to wires down on Howard Avenue on Grymes Hill. (Advance/SILive.com | Luke Peteley)

1:22 p.m.: Wires down on Howard Avenue

Con Edison crews are responding to Howard Avenue outside the former St. Johns University on Grymes Hill, where power lines are down.

Tree branches and wires could be seen in the middle of the road and orange cones blocked traffic.

A large tree is down and a vehicle badly damaged at Amboy Road and Junction Court in Bay Terrace. (Advance/SILive.com | Maura Grunlund)

1:11 p.m.: Car crushed, tree down in Bay Terrace

There is a badly damaged car and a tree down at Amboy Road and Junction Court in Bay Terrace.

Caution tape is spread around the tree and a police car is at the location.

Cars were slowly making their way around the damaged white Cadillac CT5. Windows were shattered and the roof was caved in on the sport sedan.

One person was taken to Northwell Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze, according to an FDNY spokesperson, who was unable to provide the patients condition.

Chairs and signs are blown over outside the St. George Ferry Terminal on Friday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)

1:05 p.m.: Brief outage at Staten Island Ferry terminal

There was a brief, limited power loss to some portions of the St. George Ferry Terminal earlier on Thursday, according to a source.

As of 1:05 p.m., power has been restored and normal ferry service has returned.

A woman who works at a restaurant inside the terminal said it was crowded when the power went out, but everyone was calm and understanding.

She estimated the outage lasted about 15 to 20 minutes.

A worker at a deli said the outage affected business, because tourists passing through found the terminal dark.

A car splashes through flood waters on Travis Avenue in Travis on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)

11:55 a.m.: Flooding on Travis Avenue

As the rain picks up in intensity, flooding is being reported at some locations in the borough.

One is the flood-prone Travis Avenue in Travis, where cars could be seen splashing through pooling water.

11:15 a.m.: More than 1,200 without power; Farrell impacted

According to the Con Edison online outage map, more than 1,200 customers were without power across the Island.

Large outages have been reported in Eltingville, Bay Terrace, Oakwood and Travis.

Among those that lost power was Monsignor Farrell High School in Oakwood, which dismissed students at noon.

9:59 a.m.: Bridge restrictions on Verrazzano

Due to powerful wind gusts, a trailer ban was put into effect for the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, according to a post on X by Notify NYC, the citys official emergency notification system.

@MTA Due to high winds, empty tractor trailers, tandem, piggyback, dual and multiple trailers are prohibited from using the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge, the post stated. All authorized trucks must utilize the lower level. Use alternate routes.

Firefighters respond to a report of wires down on Chester Avenue in Huguenot on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Shaina McLawrence)

9:34 a.m.: Wires down in Huguenot

Wires down prompted an FDNY and NYPD response on Chester Avenue in Huguenot.

According to a source at the scene, a tree fell and knocked down wires that sparked a fire near a home.

Emergency crews closed Chester Avenue at Swaim Avenue as they responded to the scene.

Commuters use umbrellas as they walk along Bay Street in St. George on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel)

6:59 a.m.: Commuters wake to rainy morning

Commuters woke to a rainy morning on Thursday, as many could be seen beginning the day under the cover of umbrellas.

Rain was forecast to intensify throughout Thursday, with the heaviest downpours expected late afternoon into early evening.

According to the National Weather Service, rainfall rates could briefly approach or exceed 1 inch per hour, potentially causing nuisance flooding in urban and poor drainage areas. Total rainfall amounts of 1.5 to 2.5 inches are expected by Thursday night.
Morgan Stanley has signed an agreement to acquire EquityZen, a platform specialising in private share transactions.

Financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed.

EquityZens platform, which launched in 2013, focuses on connecting retail investors with shares in private companies.

EquityZen operates as a platform for pre-IPO opportunities, linking holders of private-company stock with accredited buyers and enables investors to participate in private-market and other alternative investment opportunities.

The company has recorded over 800,000 registered users and processed more than 49,000 transactions across upwards of 450 firms. The business is based in New York and employs about 50 staff.

The planned acquisition is intended to strengthen Morgan Stanleys range of services available to private companies and their stakeholders.

The solutions comprise cap table management, liquidity events, investment opportunities, and trading in secondary markets.

EquityZen CEO Atish Davda said: We could not be more excited to join Morgan Stanley. This partnership isnt about selling, its about scaling. Our entire mission has been to bring private markets to the public, and by integrating into Morgan Stanley, we will reach more investors and shareholders than ever before.

According to Morgan Stanley, integrating EquityZens model will allow private companies more control over the management and timing of their shares trading.

Participants in the Morgan Stanley at Work programme are expected to gain new liquidity options, while wealth management clients may see increased access to private shares.

The acquisition is expected to be finalised in early 2026, subject to regulatory clearance and other customary closing conditions.

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management head Jed Finn said: This announcement comes at a critical time in the development of the private markets ecosystem. The combination of EquityZen with Morgan Stanley will uniquely address client needs as companies stay private longer, such as delivering liquidity solutions for their employees and early investors in a seamless yet controlled process of their own design.

With EquityZen, we combine our cap table management solutions with a private shares marketplace to deliver end-to-end solutions to our private market company clients.

Earlier this month, Morgan Stanley is arranging a risk transfer linked to a $6bn portfolio of loans provided to private market funds. According to reporting from Bloomberg, this transfer could involve around $750mrepresenting 12.5% of the loan total.
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Locksley Resources has promoted CEO Kerrie Matthews to managing director, cementing her leadership as the company races ahead with its US antimony mine-to-metal ambitions.

The appointment of the Ex-BHP and Iluka project manager comes hot on the heels of a breakthrough moment after the company poured the first wholly American-made antimony ingot in decades.

Locksley Resources has promoted Kerrie Matthews to the dual roles of managing director and chief executive officer.

Matthews, who has a solid technical background, was the project director at Illukas fully integrated rare earths refinery in WA  the first of its kind in Australia.

She has a solid project history with most of the majors including Rio Tinto and BHP where she was the deputy project director at the multi-billion dollar South Flank iron ore project and later became a project manager for BHP elsewhere.
Nvidia became the first public company to reach a market capitalisation of $US5 trillion ($7.6 trillion) on Wednesday as the value of the US chipmaker grew to dwarf GDPs of advanced economies such as India, the United Kingdom and Japan.

The ravenous appetite for the Silicon Valley companys chips is the main reason that its share price has increased so rapidly since early 2023, having first reached a company value of $US1 trillion in June of that year. It reached $US4 trillion only four months ago.

Founded in 1993 in California, the value of Nvidia has skyrocketed in recent years. Credit: Getty Images

Heres what you need to know about Nvidias journey to be one of the worlds most prominent companies, its leather jacket-wearing chief executive and the eye-watering numbers that illustrate the firms meteoric rise.

What is Nvidia and what does it do?
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 In 2018 Jennifer Lawrence cut ties with her agents, the star-management behemoth CAA. You have to assume that CAA would have been surprised, given the phenomenal success they had carved out together. It started with the 2010 film Winters Bone, in which she played the 17-year-old anchor of a dilapidated family in the Ozarks with a depth of empathetic understanding that earned her a best-newcomer award from the National Board of Review. At 22 she became the second-youngest woman to win the best-actress Oscar, for Silver Linings Playbook. By 2015 she had racked up four Academy Award nominations. Meanwhile, her starring role in The Hunger Games franchise  and as Mystique in X-Men  had made her one of the most recognised faces in cinema. Each of the Hunger Games movies broke box-office records. So did her pay cheques; by 2015 Jennifer Lawrence was the highest-paid actress in the world. Mobbed by teenage fans of plucky Katniss Everdeen, she was also garlanded with critical admiration  Rolling Stones critic called her some kind of miracle. If you think of a public figure as a Russian doll, that was the outermost layer. Just beneath was an artist who knew she wasnt getting the kind of scripts she wanted because her representatives insisted that audiences didnt want to see her in small films. I found out that a lot of filmmakers that I really loved and admired had scripts that werent even reaching me, she would tell The New York Times years later. Meanwhile, she couldnt go anywhere in public without security guards. I dont know how I can act, she said, when I feel cut off from normal human interaction. I had let myself be hijacked. Jennifer Lawrence at this months Rome Film Festival. Credit: AP So, after wrapping reshoots for her last X-Men film, she took a two-year break from acting. Google her and you see one of the most-asked questions under her name is whatever happened to Jennifer Lawrence? Its quite possible the people who typed in that query still dont know the answer because this is what happened: Dont Look Up, a ferociously strange sci-fi directed by maverick Adam McKay; Causeway, in which she plays a soldier trying to recover from a traumatic brain injury; and two hard-hitting documentaries about womens rights. Also, this: motherhood and marriage. In 2018, while she was raging against the Hollywood machine, she met art dealer Cooke Maroney. They married the following year and now have two boys, aged 3 and six months. That will alter anyones focus, I imagine. Well, it definitely helps me weed out anything not essential, says Lawrence when we meet at the San Sebastian Film Festival  where she will also receive a lifetime achievement award, the youngest person to do so, at the grand age of 35  to discuss her latest film. I mean, its got to be something I absolutely have to make, that burns every one of those creative fires to be worth it.

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Die My Love, her new film, is an extraordinary volley of passion directed by Lynne Ramsay, the remarkable Scottish filmmaker who made Ratcatcher (1999), We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) and You Were Never Really Here (2017). Lawrence is the spinning centre of the film as Grace, an aspiring writer from New York, who moves with her partner Jackson (Robert Pattinson) to a house he has inherited in the Midwest. They imagine themselves on a rustic adventure, but after they have a baby their marriage, and Grace herself, start to disintegrate. Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson in Die My Love. Credit: AP If the stars aligned as they ought, her vivid, utterly unpredictable performance would win Lawrence her second Academy Award, but none of Ramsays films  despite winning numerous prizes in Europe  has come within shouting distance of the Oscars. Lawrence, by contrast, says she has wanted to work with Ramsay since she saw Ratcatcher (presumably well after it came out, since she was then only nine years old). Lawrence approached her to ask if she would consider turning Ariana Harwiczs novella Die, My Love  given to her as a potential project for her production company by Martin Scorsese, no less  into a film. She hadnt worked in a while, so I knew it was a long shot, Lawrence says. But I sent it to her and, by a miracle, she said yes. Ostensibly Grace is suffering postpartum depression, which has become the films talking point at successive festivals. Ramsay sees this as an oversimplification of what is really the implosion of a life. While thats an aspect of what is happening to her, its also about being isolated, about the marriage falling apart, about different aspects of motherhood  what its like when your sexuality changes, and her sex life changes. I never like to say something is one thing. To me, postpartum is too much of an easy answer.

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It was Graces complexity that interested her. I also felt like shes a bit of a feral animal; shes very unapologetic for how she is, which is really interesting. I hadnt seen that before. Jennifer Lawrence (right) with Lynne Ramsay on the set of Die My Love. She was so free with this character, you never knew what would happen next, says Ramsay. Credit: Kimberly French Lawrence didnt identify with Graces experience of motherhood; she hadnt suffered from postpartum depression herself. She had an immediate response, however, to a character who could not resist whatever impulses erupted in her mind. We all have those thoughts. You know, if you go past a car and see the keys in the ignition, you think: what if I just got into that car and drove away? Thats what I wanted to see in the cinema, but done correctly  as I thought only Lynne could do it. There were many discussions beforehand but no rehearsals; the actors reacted to each other and the house, which feels like a watchful presence, in the moment. I talked a lot with Lynne about the character but there is a lot of stuff I dont know until I get in there, says Lawrence. The costume really helps. Based on what my costume was each day, Id think, OK, is she still sticking out like a sore thumb, looking like a New Yorker in Montana? Or is she starting to blend in? But then I dont have any answers to anything until Im with Rob and hes giving me something and Im giving it back. Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson before things unravel in Die My Love. Credit: Kimberly French Loading It was actually really fun because Jennifer was no-holds-barred, says Ramsay. I gave them loads of space to play. Theres a great scene where shes bored, standing in the kitchen, and I said, Just walk up to the window  and she walked up and started licking it. For some reason! She was so free with this character, you never knew what would happen next.

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It helped, Lawrence would say at the Cannes Film Festival, that she was four months pregnant with her younger child when they were shooting. I had great hormones, which is really the only way I would be able to dip into this sort of visceral emotion. Graces great underlying fear, she believes, is becoming invisible. Out on the prairie, she knows, no one will see her scream. At home Jackson is sullenly unable to deal with the transformation of his cool wife into this virago; he just wants her the way she was. Only his mother, played by the great Sissy Spacek, seems to see Grace and accept her for what she has become. Jennifer Lawrence and Sissy Spacek in Die My Love. There isnt a tedious bone in Sissys body, says Lawrence. Credit: Kimberly French Its interesting, says Lawrence. In the book the mother-in-law is quite tedious. But there isnt a tedious bone in Sissys body  shes just the sweetest, most loving grandmother in real life  and I think she just has so much love to give that having her in that role changed that relationship. Grace, in turn, finds ways to talk to her father-in-law (Nick Nolte), who is drifting into the deep snow of dementia. Unlike anyone else in the family she can enter the world of his second childhood. Jennifer Lawrence and Nick Nolte in Die My Love. Credit: AP As someone who has lived with the strain of being relentlessly visible, can Lawrence imagine feeling unseen? Yeah! Because when you are a public person everybody makes assumptions about you. Or you see things written about yourself that arent true, or you feel this kind of generality thats not anything to do with you. When I do press, or when Im on a red carpet, that kind of feels like an extension of a role. Its very different from how I feel when Im in bed with my husband or having dinner with my girlfriends.

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Or, indeed, being with small children. Yes. This is somehow so much easier, she says, with a characteristic flicker of irony. And less exhausting. Lawrence started acting professionally after she was spotted by a talent scout in the street at 14, then dropped out of school to pursue her career. She makes a joke of being uneducated but isnt prepared to regret it; if her boys wanted to go down the same path she would support them. I had my parents support; it changed my life and Im so grateful I get to do this. I mean, I get to be an artist, I get to turn feelings and confusion and conflict into something beautiful. We all have those thoughts. You know, if you go past a car and see the keys in the ignition, you think: what if I just got into that car and drove away? says Jennifer Lawrence of her character in Die My Love. Credit: Kimberly French What if she had had a different life? Every time she takes on a role she must wonder what it might be like to be this astronaut, that con mans moll, this girlfriend for hire, that soldier with PTSD. Yeah! I mean, I do that constantly! Obviously, when youre in a film, its very easy to fill in the background of what that life would be like. But I feel, maybe because Ive been playing people for most of my life, that Im very open and observational of people. Sometimes, as I look into the windows of homes as Im driving by, I can feel exactly what living in that house would be like even if Ive never been in it. I think that just comes from a lifetime of studying characters and life. And maybe its false and a complete projection but Ive always done that, even before I knew I would be an actor. Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. Is it difficult to find ways to watch the world when you cant melt into the wallpaper? Actually, these days she feels she can. I live in New York. New Yorkers dont give a shit. I go to exercise class, I go to restaurants, I take my kid to school. You know, Im in the world. I talk to everybody. I like connecting and talking to people and, for the most part, everybody is very respectful.

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Honing her voice  confessional, shameless, sharp  on Twitter and building her profile via various independent projects (Shiva Baby, Bottoms ), Sennott is a zillennial hot internet girl with the Charli XCX music video cameo to prove it. Shes a fresh voice in Hollywood who came up on the scene with NYU classmate Ayo Edebiri (The Bear) and shares a similar sense of humour (though posts considerably more irony-laced thirst traps ). And I Love LA very much uses its creators life as a sandbox.

Its rare a new show garners comparisons to classics such as Sex and the City and Girls before its even commissioned to series. But thats the power of new HBO comedy I Love LA, hyped online for almost two years as Untitled Rachel Sennott Project , and more specifically the power of Rachel Sennott  the shows creator and star who could very well claim to be the voice of her generation or, to quote her forbearer, at least a voice of a generation .

Sennott stars as Maia, an aspiring talent manager who moved from New York to LA two years ago and has been struggling to find her feet despite writing great captions for socials posts spruiking Chipotle bowls. On her 27th birthday she has to contest with not just her Saturn return but the return of an old friend, New York it girl Tallulah (Odessa Azion): a rising influencer for whom everything appears to come easy, an unwieldly id to Maias ego, carrying a Balenciaga bag and screaming to go to the club.

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The increasingly co-dependant duo serve as a neat metaphor: the self you project online and the one who manages that performance (and all its anxieties) behind the scenes. Its a resonant idea for a generation that, like Maia, increasingly sees the pathway to home-ownership paved not with salaried work but collabs on leggings and Erewhon smoothies. And the show, with writers including TikTok-famous comedian EJ Marcus, is one of the few series to explicitly write about online trends and etiquette without seeming outdated or cringe.

But, as the title suggests, this is also a very specific group of LA-coded people (Sennott credits another HBO show, Entourage, as a major reference point). Maias friendship group consists of the sweet but inept Alani, a nepo baby of a famous Hollywood director (played winkingly by True Whitaker, daughter of Forest), and a striving celebrity stylist whos trying to get tea on Zendaya to appease his pop star client (Is she secretly fat?) The latter, Charlie, is portrayed by Sennotts long-time friend Jordan Firstman (Search Party, English Teacher) who, much like Tallulah, found internet celebrity during the pandemic. And at one point the gang are blessed by an extended, inspired encounter with Elijah Wood.

Ironically the most normal character, Maias schoolteacher boyfriend Dylan, a great foil to the madness, is played by the most famous name: Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games).
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A former Gordon Ramsay Food Stars contestant is rolling doughnuts in cinnamon sugar, filling them with house-made jam and serving them with coconut soft-serve, beneath a disco ball.

Its 9.30pm on Monday, and theres a man selling fresh cinnamon doughnuts and drip coffee beneath a disco ball in Newtown. This is Rude Boy, a doughnut shop that operates as a dive bar, from former Gordon Ramsay Food Stars contestant Ash Straney.

The cinnamon doughnut is good, but Straney says the doughnuts filled with house-made strawberry and rhubarb jam, vanilla and tonka bean custard, or dark chocolate with Maldon sea salt are better. Theres also a sundae special: coconut soft-serve twirled atop a cinnamon doughnut, drizzled with thick mandarin oleo saccharum (citrus oil) sauce and topped with coconut chips.

Ash Straney at his Rude Boy doughnut shop. Edwina Pickles

Straney learned to make doughnuts during lockdown, and started pursuing the venture seriously after a single, chaotic weekend at The Cannery markets in Rosebery yielded $2200 in sales. We rocked up an hour late, threw a curtain over the table, and I was like, Oh my god, imagine what I could do if I tried harder and knew what I was doing? he says.

Rude Boy opened its first brick-and-mortar store on King Street in May, after four years selling doughnuts wholesale, at weekend markets, and from pop-up kitchens.
Negrete Lopez, who went to culinary school in Puebla in Mexico before moving to Australia, launched Maiz in 2020 with his sister, Marissa, at Summer Hills Flour Mill Markets. The original food stall specialised in sopes  thick, crisp masa discs with crimped edges to hold all manner of fillings  and quickly became popular enough for the duo to open a brick- and-mortar location near Newtowns Sandringham Hotel on King Street. Two years ago, they shifted north to the former Hartsyard site on Enmore Road.

While its up for debate which country has the best canon of vegetarian food  although India makes a very strong case  Im certain that Maiz is the best place to sit down for a meat-free lunch or dinner in Sydneys inner west. If you cant get your head around the concept of a meal without beef et cetera (hi, Dad), the kitchen can still facilitate a respectable steak, but to skip the plant-based stuff would be to miss many of chef Juan Carlos Negrete Lopezs most delicious dishes.

Its a tight-packed space that fills quickly on weekends, but eggshell-white walls keep things from feeling too cramped. Indigenous Mexican masks proudly decorate one side of the room and bar seating is available if you just want a quick artisan mezcal on the way elsewhere. Cocktails, such as a margarita made with coconut- and pandan-infused tequila, will tickle anyone into agave, spiced syrups and lime.

But you dont really come here for the drinks alone: Enmore Road is already ripe with excellent small bars. You come to Maiz for the blanco mole. Onion, garlic, sesame seeds, macadamia and pine nuts are simmered into a sauce that comforts like childhood memories of Campbells Cream of Chicken and fist-pumps with flavour. You can have it covering every millimetre of confit duck carnitas wrapped in a hand-pressed tortilla. A darker poblano mole for the rich carnitas is also offered, made with cacao, ancho chilli and 40 or so other ingredients, but its so well-balanced that no one element demands your attention.

Several dishes rouse and nurture like this in equal measure, and Negrete Lopez is skilled at reformatting regional dishes from Oaxaca, Puebla and Baja California. Start with esquites, a corn sort-of salad served from food carts across Mexico. The starchy, savoury white corn traditionally used isnt exported to Australia, so the kitchen uses sweet corn and slow-cooks it in a broth of epazote (a pungent, minty, oregano-adjacent herb) and the umami is boosted by a mayonnaise harnessing 10 types of chillies.

Tetela verde. Jennifer Soo

Flautas (thats flutes in Spanish) are fried, rolled tortillas typically plated with lettuce, sour cream, cheese and salsa. Negrete Lopez used to do that, too, but the Maiz flautas have evolved to be filled with potato and red guajillo chilli adobo sauce, and come with avocado salsa and almond cream. Tomato and jalapeno salsa provides an upbeat baseline for the flutes, neatly aligned and spangled with a crunchy mix of amaranth, pepitas and sesame seeds. Theres always a sope to acknowledge the market stall days, and the current iteration is based on machaca, a type of dried and shredded beef preparation, but uses spanner crab boosted with refried beans and chipotle and tops it with silky corn espuma.
Defunct Bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox started to repay creditors two years ago, more than a decade after the company went bankrupt. But on Monday, the deadline to complete the return of billions of dollars worth of Bitcoin was pushed back by a full year to October 31, 2026.

Around 19,500 creditors have been repaid so far, but many others are waiting in the wings for funds they lost all the way back in 2014.

The first batch of repayments in 2024 led to a sharp sell-off, as the refunded Bitcoin was immediately sold by many creditors who had watched patiently as Bitcoins price skyrocketed over the previous decade. As such, other market participants may welcome a delay, which might typically be considered a bearish event.

Mt. Gox Pushes Back Bitcoin Repayments to October 2026

But a decade is a long time, and the droves of crypto users who came into the industry in recent years might not know the infamous tale of Mt. Gox. How did it go bust, and how will the Bitcoin refunds work? Heres what you need to know.

What was Mt. Gox?

Mt. Gox was the worlds largest Bitcoin exchange at one point. Based in Tokyo, the company was estimated to account for 70% of Bitcoin trading volume in 2013. Mt. Gox CEO, Mark Karpeles, told Reuters in a now-deleted report that the exchange saw $5 million to $20 million in incoming transfers each day.

Launched in 2010, the site was originally an online marketplace to trade physical Magic: The Gathering playing cards; with Mt. Gox being a shortened version of Magic: The Gathering Online Exchange. Soon, the site added the ability to exchange cash for Bitcoin, moving away from trading cards for good.

Employees of the exchange had the option to be paid partially in Bitcoin, but Karpeles said that he stressed to not invest more than you can afford.

Bitcoin was extremely fresh at the time. It launched in 2009, but it wasnt until 2010 that trading really began. Then in 2013, the cryptocurrency started the year valued at $13, climbing all the way to $1,100 by the end of the year. But with this rise to popularity for Bitcoin came regulatory nightmares for the worlds largest exchange.

How did Mt. Gox go bankrupt?

By the summer of 2013, Mt. Gox was accused by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security of failing to register as a money transmitting business. Due to this, $5 million of Mt. Gox funds were seized. Later in the year, the exchanges partner CoinLab sued Mt. Gox due to it allegedly failing to fulfill the terms of their agreement.

In February 2014, the exchange disclosed that it had been the target of years' worth of hacks that had gone unnoticed. Malicious actors were able to edit the IDs of transactions due to a Bitcoin vulnerability called transaction malleability, which has since been addressed through the 2017 SegWit soft fork. The vulnerability let bad actors manipulate the exchange without it noticing, apparently for years, and swipe customer funds all the while.
So it was with some ambivalence and curiosity that I visited the inaugural Wanderlust Wellspring biohacking and longevity summit on the Gold Coast recently  the biggest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Self-improvement is gospel In its simplest form, biohacking is a form of self-improvement, an attempt at optimising body and mind through technology, drugs or other chemical substances. And I was one of 3000 visitors who had come to hear from biohacking OG Dave Asprey, Harvard longevity guru David Sinclair, Iceman Wim Hof and Gwyneths very own Doctor Goop, Dr Will Cole (a doctor of chiropractic with post-doctorate training in functional medicine and clinical nutrition), among others. There was also Kayla Barnes-Lentz, an Ohioan in the business of wellness and brain optimisation.

After detailing the barrage of tests she takes to keep her body and environment truly optimised, Barnes-Lentz, who is in her mid-30s, offered her take on the future of menopause (an AI prediction model using blood biomarkers to give you an idea of, potentially, your rate of ovarian ageing). Loading She also listed the range of peptides and supplements she takes, expressed excitement about the future of custom-made vaginal probiotics, and shared how, after the Californian wildfires last year, she had 2 litres of plasma removed from her body and replaced with albumin to detoxify. Barnes-Lentz was a drawcard for some of the festivalgoers I spoke to as she represented one of the few female biohackers in a male-dominated space. They were keen to hear what those at the pointy end of wellness and biohacking are doing and how women are doing it differently to men. Others, though, gave voice to the feeling of unease I had after leaving her talk.

The search for answers Michelle, from Cairns, wanted to know more about combating the shocking effects of menopause. She hadnt heard of Barnes-Lentz and was perplexed by the fixation on tests and metrics. I didnt fully resonate with that, she said. I just dont know if thats the essence of wellbeing. So much of it is about our connection to nature and our connection to ourselves and our connection to others. Her partner, Rob, was there to hear Aspreys talk. Biohacking, he said, was another layer to living a healthier life via organic whole foods, meditation and Qi Gong. The concept is to stay as young as you can for as long as you can, he said. Were all going to die, but the aim is to do it as gracefully as possible.

I wandered across the lawn of the Chemist Warehouse-sponsored event, where people munched on collagen ice-blocks, lounged on beanbags listening to different speakers, sat in a tent hooked up to vitamin infusions, or practiced yoga. Colin, from Adelaide, told me he was dragged there kicking and screaming by his wife and son but had already taken 12 pages of notes about the benefits of brief exposure to intentional pain, red light and saunas. Biohacking for a better life? Maybe. Credit: Getty Images A pair of friends who work in emergency medicine were there because theres so much the current health and medical system doesnt address. Thrive or die

Cole sought to fill that void in his talk. He had a slide listing the various factors that conventional medicine historically misses: poor nutrition, gut health issues, exposure to toxins, lack of exercise, chronic pain and poor sleep. There was also chronic stress, anxiety and depression, trauma and shameflammation  a term he coined  referring to emotional pain causing inflammation. Loading Most blood tests, he said, are based on average, not optimal. The general population are not thriving. Youre here because you want to be thriving. Star of the show Asprey, a tech-entrepreneur and so-called father of biohacking, received a rock star welcome as he walked on stage wearing his trademark yellow glasses, which he claims block toxic blue light and sells for $US149.99 ($228).

A gifted speaker, the 51-year-old (who plans to live until he is 180) told how he was an overweight, unhealthy 26-year-old with arthritis in both knees, fibromyalgia and at high risk of stroke. Conventional medicine, he said, had failed him. I just wanted my body and brain to work  A lot of where biohacking came from was desperation. For a price, he promised to teach us biohacking, or how to operate the control panel of our minds so we can shift states seamlessly and heal, love, show up, have courage, focus, flow and be creative. Were going to go from the old you with less energy to the new you with more energy ... Who wouldnt want better energy? he asks, putting up a QR code on screen with a link (and discount) to his $US16,000 five-day retreat. The normal state is boring and average.

This is coming from a man who has injected himself with urine to treat his allergies. But who wouldnt want more energy? Who wants to be boring and average? Optimisation or fearmongering? Its a compelling proposition that Big Wellness (and the big names in wellness) have all the answers. All we have to do is buy their book, retreat, supplement or product. The underlying messages about optimising ones overall health and feelings of wellness are often well meaning, says Dr Brooke Nickel, a senior research fellow in the school of public health at the University of Sydney.

It is important to remember that there are major financial interests at play here, and most of what is being discussed or promoted is not based on any or robust evidence, Nickel says. And many of the people being marketed to are already relatively healthy but may have had negative experiences with the health system. So, she says: It is really based on fearmongering  that if you dont take this or do that, you wont live your best and most optimally healthy life. What there is good evidence for is simple healthy lifestyle habits, Nickel points out  eating nutritious food, staying active, getting enough sleep, building meaningful relationships and having fair access to evidence-based healthcare. I ponder our tendency towards binary thinking: the us against them mentality (the crowd cheers when Asprey jokes about his dream that the TGA and FDA fell into a wood chipper) makes us ripe picking for Big Wellness. And this is because if they are wrong, then we must be right. Yet, all these industries are spectrums with legitimate people and products that can help as well as exploit people, and products that could harm.
Australian electricity giant AGL is preparing a new round of job cuts as it moves to free more funds to spend on renewables and batteries, to replace its retiring coal-fired power stations.

The ASX-listed energy giant, under pressure from climate-minded shareholders including tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, plans to stop burning coal within 10 years, and has pledged to invest billions of dollars to replace its final two coal-fired generators in Victoria and NSW with cleaner sources.

Victorian coal plant Loy Yang A station is due to close in 2035. Credit: Eamon Gallagher

AGL today said it had begun consultations with its workforce about job cuts as it reviews costs and proposes changes to its organisational structure.

No decisions on redundancies have been made yet, but it is expected about 200 employees will be affected.

As we transition our portfolio, and connect our customers to a sustainable future, we need to ensure that todays business remains productive and competitive in this changing market while we continue to invest in our business for tomorrow, an AGL spokesperson said.

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We understand this may be a difficult time for our people and were committed to communicating with transparency and respect and providing support throughout the consultation process.

AGL, which supplies electricity and natural gas to more than 4 million customers across Australia, is also the nations single biggest emitter of harmful greenhouse gases due to its ongoing ownership of the Bayswater coal-fired power station in NSW and the Loy Yang A generator in Victorias Latrobe Valley.

It has set an ambitious target to build 12 gigawatts of new renewable energy generation projects and firming assets, such as grid-scale batteries and pumped hydroelectric dams to back them up when its not sunny or windy, in time for Loy Yang As scheduled closure in 2035.
Thousands of vapes and illicit tobacco worth more than $2.3 million have been seized after detectives allegedly uncovered a network funnelling criminal profits through retail tobacco fronts on the NSW North Coast.

More than 18,000 vapes, 1.9 million illicit cigarettes, 74 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco and five unregistered firearms were seized by the NSW Police organised crime squad this week, with assistance from Australian Border Force and NSW Health, in the Byron Shire region. Strike Force Franklin was launched in December 2024 to tackle illicit tobacco trade across the state.

Police executed search warrants at three storage units and two homes at Mullumbimby. Credit: NSW Police

The vast majority of the tobacco and vapes was allegedly uncovered in three storage units at Mullumbimby, where investigators seized 17,120 vapes, more than 1.8 million illicit cigarettes and 62 kilograms of loose-leaf tobacco on Wednesday.

A search at two nearby homes allegedly found five unregistered firearms and $40,000 in cash, while mobile phones and an assortment of illicit cigarettes and vapes were also retrieved from the address.
The City of Parramatta Council overstated the value of its assets by more than $50 million and there is an extreme risk it will fail to deliver its ambitious redevelopment of Riverside Theatres, a confidential report from the states audit office has revealed.

The Audit Offices report on the councils finances for this financial year  which was labelled confidential and inadvertently published in council papers before being redacted  also reveals the council has routinely failed to report its financial position on time and did not correctly manage lease agreements on its properties, highlighting one lease that had not been updated since 2007.

The City of Parramatta council has overstated the value of its assets by more than $50 million. Credit: Monique Westermann / Sitthixay Ditthavong

The Audit Office, the states official auditor of government finances, accepted the councils accounts, but its findings raise questions about how the council manages ratepayer money.

The audit will cost the council more than $318,000. Its findings were discussed at an extraordinary council meeting on Monday, where councillors also voted on the process to elect a new chief executive after the sacking of its former boss Gail Connolly this month.
Yumna Kassab had a vision.

The first Parramatta Laureate in Literature knew it would be impossible for one piece of art or writing to capture the essence of Parramatta.

So instead of trying to dilute it, she decided to go for something different, something bigger: an entire dictionary dedicated to the suburb.

Novelist Yumna Kassab said a dictionary gave her the flexibility to describe Parramatta the way she wanted. Credit: Edwina Pickles

Its an unconventional approach, but one that makes sense when considering the complex web of cultures, histories, politics and economies that make up Parramatta.
Australians are quitting their day jobs to become full-time Airbnb landlords without owning a single property, in a subletting scheme critics say is putting strain on an already dire Sydney rental market.

As Sydney grapples with a housing crisis  where the median asking rent on a unit is a record $750 a week and the vacancy rate is just 0.9 per cent  an emerging short-term rental arbitrage business is booming, fuelled by TikTok hustle culture.

TikTok is full of creators showing off their profits from Airbnb hosting without owning any property. Credit: @jorpham, @strjesse and @amareayman_

Jordan Pham claims to make $217,000 a month as an Airbnb host with 40 properties, all owned by other people. He mentors others on how to do the same, including in Sydney, where its possible to sublease properties available on the long-term market as short-term rentals with no real estate licence needed.

Hosts will search online for suitable apartments, usually in inner-city suburbs or near major business hubs and universities. Then its just a matter of securing the rental, furnishing it, and listing it on a short-term rental platform for a much higher rate.
The radar on the Bureau of Meteorologys mobile phone app was down for hours on Thursday afternoon, at a crucial time when storms threatened areas north of Brisbane.

During the downtime, the BOM Weather apps radar images were several hours out of date for some users, while others simply saw a spinning loading wheel.

Please note the time shown with the map. Some information is not complete, but were working on it, a message underneath the radar said.

The BoM radar displayed nothing on some phones. Credit: BOM

Some also reported issues accessing the weather radar on the new website, the target of much furore over the past week.
Medical staff from Brisbane have been recruited to help address issues in the Townsville University Hospitals urology department after it was revealed hundreds of patients had missed critical care and diagnostic testing over a three-year period.

Queensland Health director-general Dr David Rosengren launched an investigation into urology services at the hospital last month, with 576 patients to be reviewed covering a period from January 2022 to September 2025.

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Health Minister Tim Nicholls told parliament on Thursday the initial review was now complete with all 576 patent records reviewed.

A total of 218 patients were identified as being lost to service, which he said meant they did not receive appropriate follow-ups.

About two-thirds, or 141, resulted in either minimal or no harm, thankfully, but the simple fact remains that too many patients missed the care they needed in the time that they should have received it, Nicholls said.

Nicholls said two additional urologists would commence at the hospital next month, with additional support from Brisbanes Metro South.

He confirmed progress had also been made at Caboolture Hospital after inconsistencies in how medical imaging results were distributed were identified in September.

I can advise the House that more than 98 per cent of reports have now been checked and cleared, equating to 12,156 patients, he said.
A Brisbane City Council bus driver who hit and killed 18-year-old Tia Cameron has been found guilty of driving without due care and attention causing death.

Cameron had left a lash appointment on Edward Street and was standing outside the Anzac Square Arcade building on March 8, 2024, when she was hit by the bus, which pinned her to the wall.

Lindsay Francis Selby, 72, an experienced bus driver who had been two hours into his shift that day, was later charged with driving without due care and attention.

Selby told police after the crash he swerved onto the busy CBD footpath that Friday afternoon to avoid cars sitting stationary in peak-hour traffic when his vehicle would not slow down, the Brisbane Magistrates Court heard last month.
The family of a woman who was found dead after being left behind on an island in Far North Queensland by a cruise ship has called the tragedy a failure of care and common sense.

Suzanne Rees, 80, was reported missing by a crew member of the Coral Adventurer to the police on Saturday after she failed to board a vessel at Lizard Island.

Search and rescue crews searched both the land and ocean for her.

Suzanne Rees, who died on Lizard Island in Queensland. Credit: Rees family

Her body was recovered on Sunday and her death was not believed to be suspicious, a police spokesperson said.
Pfizers agreed takeover Metsera could be in jeopardy, after Novo Nordisk submitted a rival bid to acquire the obesity biotech.

Novo Nordisk has offered $56.50 per share in cash for Metsera, reflecting an enterprise value of $6bn, eclipsing the $47.50 per share offer  corresponding to $4.9bn  made by Pfizer in September 2025. Novo is also offering a potential additional $2.5bn if certain milestones are met while Pfizers add-on is up to $2.4bn.

Novo said the acquisition would be in line with its long-term strategy of developing innovative and differentiated medicines and treating millions more people living with obesity and diabetes and their associated comorbidities.

Up until Novos late and unsolicited bid, announced 30 October, Pfizers agreed takeover of Metsera  a biotech developing long-lasting weight loss therapies  looked like a done deal.

This is looking less likely, however, as not only has Metsera received the bid, but it is mulling it over, adding that Novos approach constitutes a superior company proposal.

Pfizer was incensed with the development that Novo Nordisk  a potential sparring partner in the lucrative obesity and diabetes treatment market  is eyeing its own buyout of Metsera. Pfizer called the Danish drugmakers proposal reckless and unprecedented.

In a statement, Pfizer said: It is an attempt by a company with a dominant market position to suppress competition in violation of law by taking over an emerging American challenger.

The proposal is illusory and cannot qualify as a superior proposal under Pfizers agreement with Metsera, and Pfizer is prepared to pursue all legal avenues to enforce its rights under its agreement.

Founded in 2022 and publicly listed in January this year via a $289m initial public offering (IPO), Metsera does not hold the same view.

In its own statement, the company said: Pfizer has informed Metsera that it does not believe Metsera has the right to deliver the notice. Metsera disagrees with Pfizer's view.

[If] the Novo Nordisk proposal continues to constitute a superior company proposal, Metsera would be entitled to terminate the Pfizer merger agreement."

The outcome of the bidding war could hinge on whether Pfizer comes back to the deal table with improved terms, which could include a more lucrative offer. Though Novo benefits from a higher bid, Pfizers response, which called Metsera an emerging American challenger, could resonate with US antitrust authorities who have oversight over acquisitions of US companies.

The fierce competition for Metsera underlines the industrys confidence in the biotechs pipeline. Metseras offerings centre around injectable and oral peptides for weight loss. The biotech has developed a platform that allows for less frequent dosing  targeting administration on a monthly basis. This would be a significant improvement on the weekly dosing seen with approved weight loss therapies.
The head monk of a Buddhist temple has been found guilty of sexually abusing children aged as young as four.

Naotunne Vijitha, 70, faced a four-week County Court trial in Melbourne after he pleaded not guilty to 19 historical child sexual offences.

Buddhist monk Naotunne Vijitha has been found guilty of sexual offences. Credit: AAPIMAGE

He was accused of abusing six girls aged between four and 12 inside his Buddhist temple living quarters, a prayer room and at Sunday school.

Prosecutors claimed Vijithas abuse started after he moved to Melbourne from overseas to become head monk of the Dhamma Sarana Buddhist temple at Springvale in 1994.
Homicide detective Douglas Carroll was only two weeks into his new job when he came face-to-face with the accused Easey Street killer in 1977.

An aged Carroll gave evidence in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday about the day he took a statement  and a knife  from a then-teenage Perry Kouroumblis, who decades later is facing a preliminary hearing charged with the murders of Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett.

Former homicide detective Douglas Carroll arrives at the court. Credit: Eddie Jim

Carroll told the court he first became involved in the case when he and other detectives were called to the Collingwood home on January 13, 1977, to respond to a possible double murder.

He said the horrific nature of the scene, two women with multiple stab wounds, meant it was a memory that had stayed with him.
During sentencing, Whitby said Marco when ASIC shut down the business in November 2018, the six investors who gave evidence at trial were left about $34 million short. You, however, had no intention of using the victims money in the manner you had represented, she said. Whitby said Marco had told his clients his programs were almost risk-free, and were exclusive opportunities. Throughout the trial, the court heard Marco believed he was investing in real and legitimate schemes, but Whitby disagreed this was likely his genuine belief. Instead of investing those funds as you represented you were going to, you used a large proportion of those funds to pay victims and other investors returns, Whitby said.

You only transferred about $11 million overseas for investment purposes. This represented only 4.4 per cent of the total funds deposited into your accounts by investors. She said about 95 per cent of the money he took was not invested. You did not tell any of the victims you would use their money to pay their and other investors returns  to purchase real estate, shares, cars, personal collectibles and personal expenditure. The money was not being invested in the programs you had represented to them, and you knew it.

Whitby said further expert evidence also showed the private placement scheme used by Marco was not legitimate or real. Loading She said Marcos victims had made submissions to the court. They [say they] will never recover from the financial losses they have suffered no matter how long and hard they continue to work, Whitby said. You became a friend and trusted advisor to many of the victims. You knew you were investing hard-earned money.

One of Marcos clients, Andrew Batchelor, read his victim impact statement in court via video link from Sydney. He said the impact of Marcos actions were profound. We have endured years of emotional hardship and financial struggle, he said. What took 40 years of hard work, sacrifice and hard planning to build was destroyed by lies and deceit. Batchelor said he had lost his house, his superannuation and was unable to pay back a loan due to Marcos actions.

This fraud stripped me of everything I had spent a lifetime trying to achieve, he said. Batchelor said he sought to launch a compensation action after the criminal action against Marco concludes. Prosecutor Steve Whybrow said the fraud represented an intentional and significant breach of trust. Whybrow said Marco still appeared to blame ASIC shutting down his business for its failure and he did not appear to have remorse. [In his view] its all ASICs fault, he said.

Whybrow said character references about Marcos good character stood at odds with his offending. Marcos defence lawyer Luka Margaretic said his family and friends all spoke very highly of him. Luka Margaretic outside of court. Credit: Hannah Murphy He said it was important to consider Marcos age and deteriorating health during sentencing, as well as the fact he is a primary carer for his daughter and wife. Margaretic said he had been transparent with ASIC since the authority intervened in his business.

Marcos assistant Linda Marissen was acquitted on all 17 charges against her. Speaking outside court, Margaretic said Marco would consider appealing the sentence. I dont really want to say too much, because its going to another forum, he said. We are very confident of appeal prospects.



He said he understood Marco was upset by the sentence and indicated its length was a surprise.



Ive never seen anything like it in my 35 years of practice, he said. A friend of Marcos outside court said they still supported him, and believed he had not willingly done anything illegal.

When asked if he would still choose to invest his money with Marco, his friend said he would. ASIC deputy chair Sarah Court said the sentence was an important moment in the authoritys history. Mr Marcos case represents one of the most serious frauds ASIC has ever investigated, she said. The sentence handed down by the Supreme Court today is the highest sentence imposed by an Australian court in relation to an ASIC criminal investigation. The fraudulent conduct of Mr Marco was deliberate, well executed and sustained. His misconduct relied on building and maintaining trust with clients over long periods of time. Mr Marco significantly breached this relationship of trust.
Ladies and gentlemen, well may we say God save the Queen, thundered the newly sacked Whitlam, because nothing will save the governor-general. Half a century later, it remains among the most memorable lines in Australian political history. Whitlam, however, wasnt finished with his grand denunciation. Malcolm Fraser, the opposition leader newly installed as caretaker prime minister by then-governor-general Sir John Kerr, would undoubtedly go down in Australian history from Remembrance Day 1975 as Kerrs cur, Whitlam declared. He urged the crowd to maintain your rage and enthusiasm.

Those loaded words rolled across Australias radio stations, inflaming passions across the land, and television channels beamed the vision over and over in full colour introduced only months before. Friendships would be strained and broken, households became verbal battlegrounds and furious protests rocked the streets of big cities as Australians digested the news and took sides. In a month, voters delivered their judgment. Most of them, it turned out, rejected Whitlams advice to maintain their enthusiasm for what had become in its dying months a scandal-wracked, virtually paralysed government.

Fraser and his Coalition won the December 13 election in a landslide. Killen, like many young Australians, voted Labor in 1972 (How could anyone vote for Billy McMahon? she says) and she still approves of the Whitlam governments storming program of legislation that transformed Australia. Diana Killen, daughter of the late Fraser government minister Sir James (Jim) Killen, at Old Parliament House. Credit: Rohan Thomson, courtesy the Museum of Australia But she was not quite just another bystander at the Dismissal. Her father was one of the Liberal Partys most distinctive figures, Jim Killen, a parliamentarian since 1955.

After the excitement of the day subsided, Diana had dinner with her father, and found him morose. Wedded to the Westminster system of government, he was troubled that the governor-general had sacked a government, using reserve powers that were not codified within the Constitution. Loading A skilled orator, noted wit and barrister known to charm juries and judges, the elder Killen was also tough as a Mallee bull. He began his working career after running away from school to become a jackaroo in outback Queensland. His father had died when Killen was just two, and he was determined to send money to assist his mother, who ran a boarding house in Brisbane. During World War II, he joined the RAAF, growing the air force moustache that would distinguish him for the remainder of his life.

Killens talents as a young MP, however, were overlooked by prime minister Bob Menzies, despite Killen winning his Queensland seat of Moreton in the federal election of 1961, saving Menzies government from defeat. Killen concocted a story that Menzies had congratulated him with the words, Killen, you are magnificent, though Menzies had not contacted him at all. No frontbench spot was forthcoming, but legend has it the irrepressible Killen used his sharp sense of the ridiculous to put things to right years later when he visited Menzies in hospital. You know, Killen, there was a time when I seriously doubted your judgment, Menzies told him. What a remarkable coincidence, Killen shot back.

The Dismissal proved Killens path to cabinet. Fraser made him minister for defence, and he remained in that powerful job for the next 6 years. Did Whitlam treat him with the haughty contempt he might have offered to a prominent member of the political team led by Kerrs cur? Gough Whitlam and Jim Killen at the flag debate in August 1986. Credit: Fairfax Photography Not a bit. Whitlam certainly maintained his rage at John Kerr. He never spoke to him again, reserving his towering disdain for the printed word.

After Kerr made a drunken fool of himself at the 1977 Melbourne Cup, Whitlam personified him in his book, The Truth of the Matter, as a Caligula-like figure, weaving his way down from the imperial box and making his merry remarks to the owner, the fascinated crowd and a million viewers [who] may have thought that the horse would have made a better proconsul. But Whitlam could not bring himself to dump on those he respected on the Coalition benches, including Killen. Gough Whitlam speaking at the state funeral of Sir James Killen in 2007. Credit: Paul Harris There was a mutual esteem going back many years. Whitlam and Killen sent scrawled notes to each other in the parliament, and Whitlam sent postcards to Killen from every country he visited. That correspondence now resides in the National Library. Diana Killen confirms the friendship became so firm that Whitlam and her father made a pact: one would deliver the eulogy for the other, depending on who died first. And so, Whitlam delivered the memorable eulogy for Sir James Killen at the Gothic St Johns Cathedral, Brisbane, in January 2007.

It may be difficult for many of us who have become accustomed to the pettiness and polarisation that has characterised politics in the 21st century to comprehend that cross-party friendships ran deep among many of the hardest parliamentary players in the second half of last century. Way back in June 1951, at a grand Jubilee ball in the Parliament Houses Kings Hall, Menzies wept and told everyone to go home when he learned that Labors Ben Chifley had died. The two leaders had fought furious election battles in 1946, 1949 and 1951, but they maintained a private friendship, merrily swapping trashy mystery novels, some of which remain at Chifleys old home in Bathurst, according to Campbell Rhodes of the Museum of Australian Democracy, which these days inhabits Old Parliament House. Killen maintained some of the more famous cross-party friendships, particularly with long-term Labor prankster and wag Fred Daly. Oh yes, Fred Daly is one of the closest friends I have in the world, and Gough Whitlam, Killen told an interviewer for an oral history project in 1993. And no two people, to my recollection, have insulted each other, or tried to, as much as Daly and I have.

After Labor won government in 1972, Daly felt a lot of the new MPs had never seen a proper verbal brawl. He told Killen they should stage one. Daly said: Ill make a speech, and Ill bore it into you, and you can follow me. You can do or say what you like. Killen recalled: So this happened and the fellow, one of his colleagues, went to Fred and said, By Jove, that Killens a mean minded so-and-so, isnt he? Daly said, Oh yes, hes even worse than that. You should see him when he really gets angry. And this fellow ... the look on his face when he saw the two of us go off to dinner together  he just couldnt believe it. Malcolm Fraser and Gough Whitlam join the fight to save the Fairfax newspapers in 1991. Credit: Simon Alekna Many Australians couldnt quite believe it, either, when Whitlam and Fraser eventually softened and became friends.

From the 1980s until Whitlam died in 2014, they met for natters wherever it was convenient, and demonstrated publicly together against the threat of foreign ownership of the Fairfax media empire. Fraser said hed never resented being called Kerrs cur because it was just politics. Former prime ministers Bob Hawke and John Howard at the National Press Club in 2014. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen When the Old Parliament House closed as a constitutional chamber in 1988, John Howard and Bob Hawke linked arms at a late-night party and sang  glory be  the trade union anthem, Solidarity Forever. Years later, after a National Press Club lunch where the two former leaders sat on stage together reminiscing and clasping hands, I asked them if the story was true.
In this series, we explore all you need to know about Australias first treaty, between Victoria and its Indigenous peoples.

As Victoria passed into law the states historic treaty with its First Peoples, the governments only Indigenous MP, Sheena Watt, says it is a case of profound public policy colliding with the deeply personal.

During an emotional treaty debate which culminated on Thursday night with a vote in the upper house, Watt was close to tears as she recounted the moment she met her maternal grandmother for the first time and remade a family connection severed by the states past practice of removing Indigenous children from their parents.

Sheena Watt, the only Indigenous Victorian government MP, says when people ask her about treaty, she thinks about her mum. Credit: Joe Armao

She described their meeting in the Goulburn Valley town of Mooroopna last year as an embrace that crossed the generations and, truthfully, our imagination.

I went there filled with questions and I left feeling full of love, she told this masthead during a break in the treaty debate. I left feeling that we had more to say, and it was the first time of many that I would see her.
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InspirationEgypt A devastating Aussie connection in the middle of the Egyptian desert Andrew Bain October 30, 2025  1:03pm 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

From among the headstones in the Commonwealth war cemetery at El Alamein, the Islamic call to prayer blows in on a strong north wind. Swirling through the graves, it sounds almost mournful, as though a lament for the 7000-plus soldiers whose headstones stand in neat rows across the desert sands. This call from the nearby minaret is as familiar in Egypt as pyramids, but this cemetery, marking one of WWIIs most significant battles, might be considered barely Egyptian at all. Though there are graves here for soldiers from 12 nations, the nations most heavily represented  with more than 2200 graves  are Australia and New Zealand, which gives the barren site a particular poignancy for Antipodean travellers. The El Alamein War Cemetery in Egypt. Getty Images I feel most sorry for the Australians and New Zealanders, says Bunnik Tours Egyptian guide Hassan Adbelrazik. They were really fighting just for other people. Among the 1234 Australian burials at the cemetery, which was inaugurated in 1954 in one of the few spots in the area known to be clear of landmines, were three servicemen aged under 18, drawn to their deaths by the perverse adventure of war. Its the grave of a 16-year-old boy soldier, the youngest burial in the cemetery, that Ive come to find.

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The grave of 16-year-old Private Ernest Deane. Andrew Bain The cemetery sits pinched between new and old El Alamein  the old town, built on the site of a Roman settlement inland, and a new city, still under construction, along the coast, planned to house 2.5 million people and already rising futuristically as a connected line of 34-storey apartment towers. On a cool Mediterranean day, seemingly nobody and nothing stirs along the holiday coast as we drive in from Alexandria, 110 kilometres to the east. The earth is rocky and dry, tufted with sparse and thorny scrub as it dips down to the cemetery. Almost directly opposite the El Alamein Military Museum, which has a collection that includes WWII tanks, sea mines and German field marshal Erwin Rommels hat and binoculars, the graves stand in stark rows. Watching over it is a tall memorial to the Australian 9th Division on a rise above the graveyard, commemorating the division that suffered the greatest losses of all in the Western Desert, but helped turn the fortunes of the war. Alamein is considered the real end of WWII because Rommel was defeated here, Hassan says. At a minimum, it was a turning point in the war  Winston Churchill later noted that before Alamein we never had a victory, after Alamein we never had a defeat.

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Beyond the memorial, the cemetery is entered through the porticoed Alamein Memorial. Its a sobering introduction, with the building inscribed with the names of an additional 12,000 lost solders without identified bodies. A long sandy avenue runs through the middle of the cemetery, connecting the memorial to the Cross of Sacrifice, which casts its long shadow across the graves in the early morning. The El Alamein Cross of Sacrifice. Getty Images From the avenues edges, the headstones sweep away like thousands of tiny outcrops. The ground is bare but for desert succulents and other arid bushes planted to soften the scene. Around me, the sand has been whipped up into tiny storms by this persistent sea breeze in a desert landscape. To find the grave of 16-year-old private Ernest Deane, I turn right from the memorial, making my way across the sands. Each grave has a simple solemnity, engraved with the soldiers name, battalion, a cross, a personal inscription and the Australian Imperial Force logo.

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Belgium I thought this place would be boring. Instead, it reduced me to tears Julietta Jameson Travel writer Deanes grave is easily found, standing among the first line of headstones. Though he was only 16, Deane  like so many other boy soldiers  appears to have added five years to his age on enlisting. A member of a machinegun battalion, he died in the Western Desert a year before the El Alamein battles, with his death listed as accidental. The boy from Campbelltown in NSW was barely old enough to drive a car, and younger than my own young son. Its hard to stand here and not feel a sense of grief, even now, 84 years on. I touch his headstone and wish for a different world. The details Visit

Bunnik Tours runs a 16-day Egyptian Discovery tour, which includes a day at El Alamein. Tours start from $12,295. See bunniktours.com.au

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Emirates flies daily to Cairo from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, transiting through Dubai. See emirates.com More

cwgc.org The writer travelled as a guest of Bunnik Tours.

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Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Egypt

Africa

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Tours Andrew Bain is a Hobart-based writer and author who has been writing about travel and adventure for more than 25 years, and is most at home in the outdoors and remote places.

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InspirationAntarctica Acclaimed photographers visual love letter to the frozen continent Fiona Carruthers October 30, 2025  1:16pm 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

If youve so much as glanced at a Lonely Planet guidebook in the past 25 years, youll likely have seen the crisp, beautifully composed work of acclaimed Australian photographer Richard IAnson. A friend and long-time colleague of Lonely Planet founders Tony and Maureen Wheeler, IAnson has photographed places as diverse as India, Paris and the Australian outback. Hes also written the Lonely Planet Guide to Travel Photography. Adele penguins cling to an iceberg in Bransfield Strait, Antarctica. Richard IAnson But ever since he first saw it in 2006  aboard the converted Russian research ship, the MV Alexey Maryshev  Antarctica has owned his heart, and his lens. Any excuse to go back, basically, IAnson jokes from his home in Sydney, during a rare couple of weeks downtime between trips to Kathmandu and Mongolia.

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After that first time to Antarctica in 2006, I didnt return until 2016. Hes been seven times since then, all with Aurora Expeditions, and has three more voyages booked in. Trips nine, 10 and 11 are taken care of on the planning calendar, he says. His self-published coffee table tome, Way Down South, is his visual love letter to the frozen continent. Featuring 213 colour photographs taken over the past decade, it captures what travellers see during a 21-day voyage of Antarctica and South Georgia Island, starting from Ushuaia, Argentina. Ice in all its forms, and the peaks of the Antarctic Peninsula. Richard IAnson Not being in control of your destiny in Antarctica  that is the preserve of the ships captain and the expedition leader  is anathema for the average free-spirited photographer. But IAnson says you cannot beat this region for sheer beauty. Its the ever-changing nature of a polar voyage that is so stimulating, IAnson writes in the books Photographers Notes. The location, the scenery, the ice, the icebergs, the wildlife, the weather. Over two or three weeks, you typically experience everything the region offers: sunny days with blue skies, calm seas, rough seas and very occasionally, a messy sea (when the waves come from all directions and everything goes flying in the restaurant), eerie stillness, absolute silence, howling wind, gentle snowfall, sleet, rain, distant storms and mesmerising clouds.

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If thats not enough to get you reaching for your camera kit, he describes the magic of dawn in Antarctica. My days start early, waking in the dark to be out on deck (or at least the observation lounge) 30 minutes before sunrise to capture first light. I often experience the first hour alone, no matter how strongly I encourage others to join me. A chinstrap penguin on Half Moon Island, Antarctica. Richard IAnson IAnson details the Canon gear he travels with: the DSLRs (digital single-lens reflex) since 2016, and at least four zoom lenses. More than twice as many images have been taken with the 70-200mm than any other lens, he writes. The Antarctic Peninsula might have an average summer day temperature of 0 degrees, but IAnson reassures readers that when the image you have hoped for is finally captured, the reality of working in bitterly cold conditions, strong winds and rough seas is soon forgotten! The foreword to the book was written by explorer Greg Mortimer, an IAnson travel companion. Refreshingly, this book doesnt shirk the hard questions. The photos show a pristine wilderness, IAnson writes, but he adds that more than 90,000 people will go to Antarctica in 2026 aboard 200 ships.

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Howard Whelan, the inaugural editor of Australian Geographic and now an expedition leader with Aurora who has been to Antarctica more than 100 times, encourages people to debate the issue. Whelan says that in the early 1990s (when he first went to Antarctica), many of the research stations were far from pristine, nor environmentally aware. The formation of the International Association of Antarctic Tourism Operators in 1991 has improved practices greatly, he argues: I feel proud of the role tourism has played in protecting Antarctica. Other voices in the debate, however, fear there is too much tourism. Way Down South by Richard IAnson, $150; available in select bookstores. See richardianson.com

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Thank you for joining our live coverage of US President Donald Trumps high-stakes bilateral meeting with Chinas Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit in South Korea.

Trump has described the meeting, which lasted about one hour and 40 minutes, as a 12 out of 10.

I thought it was an amazing meeting, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he departed.

Trump boards Air Force One on his way to Washington, DC. Credit: AP

He says the US has agreed to cut tariffs on China from 57 per cent to 47 per cent in exchange for Beijing suspending its limits on exports of rare earth metals, restarting US soybean purchases, and cracking down on the illicit fentanyl trade.

Trump says he will go to China in April to meet with Xi again, and the Chinese leader will visit the US sometime after that.

The presidential limousine ferrying Chinese President Xi Jinping away from the meeting. Credit: Getty Images

The Chinese delegation is yet to comment.

The US president is now flying back to Washington, DC, while Xi is joining other leaders at the APEC meetings.

Just ahead of the meeting, Trump announced the US would restart nuclear weapons testing immediately, citing other countries programs, in what would be seen in China and Russia as a deliberate assertion of US strategic power.

Read more here
Kralendijk, Bonaire:--- The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) invites all primary schools across Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten to participate in the Big Live Nature Quiz, Kids Edition 2025!

The event will take place on Friday, November 7th, 2025, from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. (AST), via Zoom. The Big Live Nature Quiz is a free, fun, and interactive online quiz designed to bring students together from across the six islands to learn about and celebrate nature in an exciting competition. The event aims to educate and inspire young people about the unique biodiversity of the Dutch Caribbean while encouraging pride in their natural heritage.

Open to students in grades 5 and 6 (Dutch school system groep 7 en 8), the quiz features multiple-choice trivia questions based on the latest issue of BioNews Kids magazine, available in English, Dutch, and Papiamentu/o. Participating schools can obtain printed copies of BioNews Kids ahead of the event, available for pickup at their local park management organization.

This years theme is Becoming an Underwater Explorer. Students will dive into the fascinating marine habitats of the Dutch Caribbean, from coral reefs and seagrass meadows to mangroves, bays, lagoons, sandy and rocky shores, intertidal zones, and even the deep ocean. The quiz teaches kids why these habitats are important, how theyre connected, and what they can do to help protect them.

Registration is required to participate and can be done at www.BigLiveNatureQuiz.org. Schools can register as many teams as they want!

Exciting Prize

The winning team will receive a sailing and snorkel trip for the students and their teacher, a day of adventure and celebration on their home waters. Each island winner will also receive fun local prizes!

The Big Live Nature Quiz is part of DCNAs ongoing efforts to make nature education engaging and accessible for young audiences across the region.
~approximately 70 persons in attendance ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Cz Exclusive Business Services, in collaboration with the National Employment Services Centre (NESC), proudly hosted its second Job Fair at the Government Administration Building. The event welcomed many job seekers who participated in on-the-spot interviews conducted by attending companies, and several candidates were hired later that same day.



The initiative aimed to explore innovative recruitment opportunities and strengthen connections between employers and talented job seekers across various sectors.



Cz Exclusive Business Services is a trusted job placement agency that connects qualified candidates with reputable organizations. Beyond recruitment, the company provides a variety of professional services including outsourcing, payroll, courier operations, accounting, and banking support, among others.



Founded in 2018, the National Employment Services Centre (NESC) is dedicated to supporting local employment through training, digital matchmaking, and strategic partnerships with the private sector. Its mission is to create sustainable job opportunities and enhance employability within the community.



Throughout the event, Cz Exclusive Business Services representatives and participating employers conducted first-round interviews. Candidates who were not immediately placed will have their resumes forwarded to potential clients for review and possible second-round interviews. Follow-up emails will be sent to inform applicants of their status, while all submissions will remain on file for future vacancies.

According to Ms. Hook, CEO of Cz Exclusive Business Services, this successful partnership between Cz Exclusive Business Services and NESC highlights their ongoing commitment to empowering job seekers, supporting local businesses, and strengthening St. Maartens workforce.

As Cz Exclusive and NESC look ahead, both organizations remain committed to building stronger partnerships, creating meaningful opportunities, and helping every candidate take the next step toward a brighter professional future.
Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) is one of the Best Bargain Stocks to Buy in November. On October 22, Reuters reported that Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO)s top investor, the non-profit Novo Nordisk Foundation, decided to take control of the companys board. It vowed a strong emphasis on the critical US market to fuel sales growth for Wegovy, and highlighted the need to move faster on the mass-market channels, reported Reuters. Notably, Americans are now seeking weight-loss drugs, such as Wegovy, not from their doctors or pharmacies, but from online health platforms.

Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO)s Top Investor Decides to Take Control of its Board, Reports Reuters

Reuters further highlighted that Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO), which initially celebrated the success of its obesity drug, has lost the market lead to the US rival Eli Lilly and cheaper copycats, amidst pressure on prices from the US President and growing direct-to-consumer sales. Markus Manns, portfolio manager at Novo shareholder Union Investment, stated that board overhaul is expected to give Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) more consumer-facing know-how.

Vltava Fund, an investment management company, recently released its Q3 2025 investor letter. Here is what the fund said:
InterExpo Caribbean NV organizes the 36th congress Fifteen years after 10/10/10 on 9, 10 and 11 December 2025 in the press- and debate centre Nieuwspoort in The Hague.

10 October 2010 is a memorable day. On this day, in accordance with the policy of the fourth Balkenende cabinet, the Netherlands Antilles were dissolved and the countries of Curacao and Sint Maarten were established. The islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba became part of the Netherlands as public entities on that day.

The 36th Congress aims to be a retrospective of fifteen years since the constitutional reform of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Political officials, parliamentarians, representatives from the business community, and academia will gather for a wide-ranging debate on the development of the autonomous islands and public bodies in the Caribbean within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. A variety of current topics will be addressed during the congress. The key question is: what do the islands expect from the Netherlands, and what does the Netherlands expect from the islands?

The conference will be officially opened by State Secretary Eddie van Marum of Kingdom Relations. Keynote speakers include Minister of State Prof. Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende, the National Ombudsman Mr. Reinier van Zutphen, Prof. Dr. Edwin Bleichrodt, Attorney General at the Supreme Court of the Netherlands, Ms. Sarah Wescot-Williams, Speaker of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, Drs. Luc Mercelina, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Mr. Mike G. Eman, Prime Minister of Aruba, and many others.

During the conference, a joint presentation will be given by Mr. Geoffrey Wever, Minister of Finance of Aruba, and Ms. Lidewijde Ongering of the Financial Supervision Board (CFT). The core of the presentation will be how the CFT anticipates the current financial situation and what the future holds.

The conference offers space for speakers who are critical of the structure of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the roles played and still played by the Netherlands and its Caribbean constituents. It also features speakers who champion the shared values within the Kingdom and the opportunities it offers.

Over the past year, elections have been held in various countries within the Kingdom, and new parliaments have been installed. It is unique that all the countries within the Kingdom are meeting in The Hague, in the Tweede Kamer building, with new members of parliament so soon after a new parliament was installed in the Netherlands. This provides an opportunity for parliamentarians from the various countries within the Kingdom to get acquainted and exchange ideas.

The conference also provides a platform for scholars to reflect on relevant aspects of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom from their own perspectives.

Several panel discussions will be chaired by Prof. Dr. Ernst Hirsch Ballin, former Minister of Justice and Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands, and Ms. Suzy Camelia Romer, former Prime Minister of Curacao, politician, and currently a research associate at the University of Curacao. The conference chair will be Prof. Dr. Peter Diekman RA.

Curacao, 30 October 2025
Philipsburg  The Honorable Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Dr. Luc Mercelina, extends sincere congratulations to the people of the Netherlands for their active participation in the recent national elections and for upholding the enduring democratic values that unite the Kingdom of the Netherlands.



With nearly all votes counted, the Dutch people have once again demonstrated their deep commitment to democracy and civic engagement, said Prime Minister Mercelina. The close results reflect a vibrant political landscape and the strength of public discourse within the Kingdom.



PHILIPSBURG:--- As of Thursday, with 99.7% of the votes counted, the Democrats 66 (D66) under Rob Jetten and the Party for Freedom (PVV) led by Geert Wilders are tied at 26 seats each, separated by only a few thousand votes. Remaining ballots, particularly those cast by Dutch citizens abroad, are expected to determine which leader will be invited to begin coalition consultations next week.



Prime Minister Mercelina commended both leading parties and all others that participated for contributing to a healthy democratic process. I extend congratulations to all parties and leaders for their participation in this important exercise, and I particularly recognize Mr. Jetten and Mr. Wilders for the trust their supporters have placed in them. Regardless of who ultimately leads the coalition process, the people have clearly expressed their desire for strong, effective governance.



PM Dr. Mercelina also took the opportunity to acknowledge the outgoing Dutch government for its cooperation and engagement throughout its tenure. We are grateful for the collaboration and dialogue we have maintained with the outgoing administration across key areas such as disaster recovery, climate resilience, and financial management. Their efforts have contributed to progress within the Kingdom and have built a foundation for the new coalition to continue strengthening our collective future.



Looking ahead, Prime Minister Mercelina reaffirmed Sint Maartens commitment to maintaining constructive engagement with the incoming government in The Hague. Sint Maarten stands ready to work with the next Dutch administration whichever coalition is formed to deepen our partnership based on mutual respect, equality, and shared responsibility. Together, we must continue advancing sustainable development, energy resilience, and economic diversification for the benefit of all citizens within the Kingdom.



He concluded, The strength of our Kingdom lies not only in our shared democratic values, but in our respect for the diversity that defines us. As I have often said, the Kingdom of the Netherlands must be recognized and celebrated not because of our similarities, but because of the differences that enrich and strengthen us. As the Netherlands prepares to form its next government, Sint Maarten remains steadfast in its commitment to cooperation, transparency, and partnership, grounded in the belief that our differences make our Kingdom stronger, more resilient, and more united.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Justice has officially launched the Detention Sector Reform Program (DSRP), a landmark national initiative designed to transform every part of the detention chain, from pre-trial to post-detention. The program aims to build a modern, safe, and humane system that reflects Sint Maartens values of dignity, accountability, and fairness.

Led by the Ministry of Justice on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten, the DSRP is supported by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) and the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), and implemented in collaboration with two United Nations agencies; the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Minister of Justice Nathalie M. Tackling said the initiative represents a turning point for Sint Maartens justice system.

After 35 years, our detention facility has outlived its purpose. The DSRP is about more than building a new facility; its about creating a fairer and more humane justice system. The way we treat people in detention says a great deal about who we are as a society. When we invest in rehabilitation and reintegration, we give people a real chance to return to society better prepared, with skills, confidence, and purpose. At the same time, it gives our staff the tools, training, and environment they deserve to perform their duties safely and effectively. This reform shows that Sint Maartens justice is rooted in fairness and human dignity.

Under the DSRP, UNOPS provided technical expertise for the design of the new facility, and now, they will lead the construction of the new Point Blanche Prison, a modern, resilient, and sustainable correctional facility that meets the highest international standards. The facility will double the current capacity and include spaces for education, healthcare, mental health, vocational training, family visits, and recreation, reflecting a holistic and human-centered approach to rehabilitation.

At UNOPS, we are proud to be in charge of the construction component of the Detention Sector Reform Program. The new Point Blanche facilities will be a modern correctional complex designed to promote safety, dignity, and opportunities for rehabilitation, which are essential pillars of peaceful and inclusive societies. We will implement the construction by applying the best standards for a resilient and sustainable infrastructure, and ensuring the efficient use of public resources while enhancing governance and transparency, says Giuseppe Mancinelli, UNOPS Deputy Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office.

The infrastructure project is jointly financed by the Government of Sint Maarten and BZK, with an investment of USD 52 million. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026 and take approximately three years.

Meanwhile, UNODC will support the Ministry in strengthening prison management, staff training, and rehabilitation programs. Their technical team is working alongside local personnel to enhance leadership and operational systems, prepare for the transition to the new facility, and expand reintegration initiatives to reduce reoffending and improve community safety.

This initiative represents an important opportunity to build a stronger, fairer, and more accountable justice system in Sint Maarten. By focusing on the people who work in prison, as well as those in their care, this programme will help create a system that truly supports prison-based rehabilitation activities , facilitate support after release, as well as contribute to community safety. We are proud to work alongside the Ministry of Justice and the people of Sint Maarten to make this vision a reality. said Rafael Barreto Souza, Programme Officer, UNODC.

The DSRP demonstrates Sint Maartens commitment to justice reform through local leadership, international collaboration, and shared responsibility. Implemented in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 16, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, it emphasizes transparency, accountability, and human dignity in detention management.

This is Sint Maartens reform, led by our Ministry, for our people, said Minister Tackling. Its about building a detention system that strengthens our institutions, protects our people, and restores confidence in justice.

Through the DSRP, the Ministry of Justice and its partners are setting a new standard for humane, accountable, and sustainable justice in Sint Maarten.
Google parent Alphabet posts first $100 bn quarter as AI fuels growth



San Francisco, United States, Oct 29 (AFP) Oct 29, 2025



Google parent Alphabet reported its first-ever $100 billion quarterly revenue on Wednesday, powered by strong growth across its core search business and rapidly expanding cloud division that was buoyed by artificial intelligence.

The tech giant's revenues jumped 16 percent year-on-year to $102.3 billion in the third quarter, beating analyst expectations and marking a milestone for the company founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 1998.

"Alphabet had a terrific quarter, with double-digit growth across every major part of our business," said CEO Sundar Pichai in a statement.

Net income surged 33 percent to $35 billion, with the company pointing to its ability to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom that is reshaping the tech landscape.

Google's core search and advertising business remained the primary revenue driver, generating $56.6 billion, up from $49.4 billion a year earlier.

YouTube advertising revenues also grew strongly to $10.3 billion from $8.9 billion.

But it was Google Cloud that stole the spotlight, with revenues soaring 34 percent to $15.2 billion. The cloud division, which competes with Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, has become a key growth engine for Alphabet.

The company's ambitious approach to offering AI "is delivering strong momentum and we're shipping at speed," Pichai said, highlighting the global rollout of AI features in Google Search and the company's Gemini AI models.

The company said its Gemini App now boasts over 650 million monthly active users and that a growing amount of users were using the company's AI Mode for search queries.

However, the results were partially overshadowed by a $3.5 billion fine imposed by the European Commission in September for competition law violations in its ad tech business.

Excluding this penalty, operating income would have increased 22 percent instead of the reported nine percent, the company said.

The strong performance comes as Alphabet ramps up capital spending to meet surging demand for AI infrastructure.

The company now expects 2025 capital expenditures of between $91-$93 billion, reflecting massive investments in data centers and computing power to fulfill its AI ambitions.

It said its spending on capex would grow even more next year, though without providing more details for now.

Microsoft and Meta, which also posted results on Wednesday, showed similar massive expenditures on AI infrastructure, which consume more energy than conventional data centers, strain electric power grids and use local water resources for cooling.

The company also reported having over 300 million paid subscriptions across services like Google One and YouTube Premium.

Despite the robust growth, Alphabet's experimental "Other Bets" division, which includes autonomous vehicle unit Waymo, posted a loss of $1.4 billion on revenues of just $344 million.

Google's shares have surged by nearly 40 percent in the thrid quarter, with investors also buoyed by the company's success in persuading a federal judge to deny a US government request that it sell off its Chrome browser as a solution in an antitrust trial.

The judge was swayed by arguments that Google's world-dominating search engine - the heart of Google's business - faces stiff competition from ChatGPT and other AI chatbots like Perplexity.

Still, Google's search revenue was up nearly 15 percent from the same quarter last year.
Press Release from Business Wire: Ant International



(AFP) Oct 30, 2025



MEXICO CITY & SINGAPORE, Oct 30, 2025 (BSW) - Ant International, a leading global digital payment, digitisation, and financial technology provider, today announced a strategic investment in R2, the leading embedded lending infrastructure company in Latin America (LATAM), to expand access to credit for SMEs across the region.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251029918704/en/

From left to right: Roger Larach, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, R2 | Quan Yu, General Manager of Global Credit Services, Ant International | Roger Teran, Co-Founder and Chief Data Officer, R2



R2 enables digital platforms to offer financing solutions quickly and securely through an API-based, end-to-end white-labeled experience. This allows merchants to easily access capital through their existing digital platforms, such as point-of-sale systems, payment processors, marketplaces, and e-commerce solutions. Ant International, a leading fintech player globally, has complementary strengths in inclusive financing through its Global Credit Services unit, which launched SME working capital solutions in Brazil earlier this year. This development marks the latest milestone in Ant International's continued focus on supporting growth in LATAM by working with local partners.

The strategic investment includes a primary capital injection by Ant International, and combines both companies' unique strengths to advance a shared vision of driving inclusive growth through innovative, trusted digital technologies. R2 will continue to deploy its tested infrastructure, risk and market-tailored credit offerings and local regulatory expertise, while Ant International's advanced risk capabilities will further enhance R2's solutions through AI-powered tools and lower the cost of credit. R2's management team will also continue to lead day-to-day operations, ensuring consistent support for the company's existing customers and partners, and reaching out to more underserved SMEs in the region.

"Partnering with Ant International is a defining step in R2's journey," said Roger Larach, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of R2. "Together, we will combine world-class risk management, AI-driven underwriting, and capital to bring inclusive credit at scale - empowering millions of small and micro businesses while keeping true to our mission of making access to finance frictionless at the point of need."

R2 was founded in 2020 and operates in Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Brazil. The company pioneers its innovative revenue-based financing model through major digital platform partners in the region such as inDrive, Uber Eats, Rappi, Haulmer, and PayU, and has benefitted over 100,000 SMEs in LATAM, where it is estimated that only 13% of SMEs' demand for credit is currently met by banks and fintechs1. The partnership will also allow R2 to access innovative tech solutions from Ant International's credit services, such as its global credit engine, which helps financial institutions, fintechs, and other qualified lenders make credit decisions with greater efficiency, accuracy, and speed. By improving access to credit for SMEs, R2 and Ant International aim to catalyze economic growth in the region with their shared expertise.

"R2 has been clear in its mission and drive to support SMEs - the backbone of LATAM's economy - from day one, underpinned by its founders' deep understanding of the difficulties faced by small businesses, and a strong belief in overcoming these challenges with a digital-first approach," said Quan Yu, General Manager of Global Credit Services, Ant International. "With this shared commitment to inclusive growth, we are confident that we will be able to accelerate access to opportunities for businesses in the region by turning cutting-edge technologies into real, practical financing solutions."

About Ant International

With headquarters in Singapore and main operations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. Through collaboration across the private and public sectors, our unified techfin platform supports financial institutions and merchants of all sizes to achieve inclusive growth through a comprehensive range of cutting-edge digital payment and financial services solutions. To learn more, please visit https://www.ant-intl.com/

About R2

Founded in 2020 and with operations in Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Brazil, R2 enables payment processors, POS systems, e-commerce solutions, and marketplaces to provide financing to micro, small and medium businesses in Latin America. Via its APIs, R2 provides an end-to-end lending experience to technology platforms so that they provide capital to users without taking on any risk. R2 works with some of Latin America's leading technology companies including inDrive, Uber Eats, Rappi, Haulmer, and PayU. To learn more, please visit https://r2.co/

1Future Nexus: LatAm SMBs: a 1 trillion financing gap, 29 Apr 2024







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251029918704/en/









Contact

For media enquiries, please contactJanice Chen, Ant [email protected]

Alex Goh, Ant [email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Press Release from Business Wire: Yokogawa Electric Corporation



(AFP) Oct 30, 2025



TOKYO, Oct 30, 2025 (BSW) - Yokogawa Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6841) announces that its subsidiary, Yokogawa Saudi Arabia, has been awarded a contract by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City to provide the necessary systems and services for the main command and control center of the Green Riyadh project*. Led by the Government of Saudi Arabia, this national initiative is a key element of Saudi Vision 2030. Its objective is to transform Riyadh into one of the world's most livable cities through urban greening, enabling residents to lead healthier and more sustainable lives.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251029727530/en/

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia



The project will plant 7.5 million trees across parks, public facilities, healthcare centers, and roads by 2030, increasing green space per capita from 1.7 to 28 square meters. The trees will be irrigated by treated wastewater. This afforestation will contribute to environmental, economic, and social sustainability by improving air quality, reducing urban temperatures, decreasing power consumption, and promoting healthier and more vibrant lifestyles for residents.

Yokogawa will support the success of the project by providing integrated monitoring and control systems for the urban infrastructure. The company will deploy its OpreX? Collaborative Information Server and OpreX Intelligent Manufacturing Hub as a unified platform for the main command control center. These will integrate data from diverse sources, including environmental monitoring sensors, weather forecasts, and operational databases. This consolidated view will enable real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and informed decision-making to optimize management of water resources, irrigation, and park lighting systems. Designed for scalability, the system will be capable of incorporating additional city-wide assets and the management of Green Riyadh in the future.

Kunimasa Shigeno, President & CEO of Yokogawa Electric commented, "We are proud to be entrusted to work on such a large-scale urban transformation project. This project aligns with Yokogawa's goal to deliver synergies and new value through the system of systems approach, in which independently operated and managed systems are connected to form a larger system. We look forward to contributing to similar initiatives in the region and globally."

* Saudi Vision 2030 - Green Riyadh project:https://www.vision2030.gov.sa/en/explore/projects/green-riyadh

For More InformationOpreX Collaborative Information Serverhttps://www.yokogawa.com/solutions/products-and-services/control/control-and-safety-system/collaborative-information-server/ciserver/ OpreX Intelligent Manufacturing Hubhttps://www.yokogawa.com/solutions/solutions/connected-intelligence/oprex-intelligent-manufacturing-hub/

About YokogawaYokogawa provides advanced solutions in the areas of measurement, control, and information to customers across a broad range of industries, including energy, chemicals, materials, pharmaceuticals, and food. Yokogawa addresses customer issues regarding the optimization of production, assets, and the supply chain with the effective application of digital technologies, enabling the transition to autonomous operations.Founded in Tokyo in 1915, Yokogawa continues to work toward a sustainable society through its 17,000+ employees in a global network of 128 companies spanning 62 countries.For more information, visit www.yokogawa.com

The names of corporations, organizations, products, services and logos herein are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Yokogawa Electric Corporation or their respective holders.







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Contact

Media enquiriesPR DepartmentIntegrated Communications CenterYokogawa Electric [email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Press Release from Business Wire: Lake Inc.



(AFP) Oct 30, 2025



TORONTO, Oct 30, 2025 (BSW) - Lake.com, the vacation-rental marketplace built for life by the water, partnered with Interhome, one of Europe's most established managers of holiday homes and apartments. The collaboration brings Interhome's quality-checked villas, chalets, and apartments across 20+ European countries to Lake.com travelers.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251029035564/en/

Lake.com and Interhome announce partnership with 40,000 new vacation rentals.



Today, Interhome's professionally managed inventory becomes bookable on Lake.com, combining real-time rates and availability with Interhome's local service offices for key handover, cleaning, and guest support. This marks Lake.com's European expansion, deepening selection in high-demand lakeside and coastal destinations.

Lake.com's integration with Interhome adds more than 40,000 holiday homes-from Italy's Lake Garda and Como to Austria's Salzkammergut, Switzerland's Lakes Lucerne and Geneva, Germany's Lake Constance, and France's Lake Annecy, plus Mediterranean and Adriatic coasts.

Why It Matters

-- Trusted supply: Interhome's standardized quality checks and local service provide families with reliable, self-catering stays.

-- Waterfront depth: Expanded coverage on lakes and coastlines in Italy, France, Spain, Croatia, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Portugal, and the Netherlands.

-- Family-friendly: Villas with pools, alpine chalets, and family-sized apartments with full kitchens, outdoor space, and pet-friendly options.

"Families want the right home on the right lake, without the friction," said David Ciccarelli, Founder & CEO of Lake.com. "Partnering with Interhome brings quality?checked, locally serviced homes into a water?first experience, from the Alps to the Adriatic. It's a major step in our European expansion and a win for travelers who value space, kitchens, and trusted standards."

"Interhome is delighted to partner with Lake.com to showcase our villas, chalets, and apartments to travelers seeking lakeside and coastal stays," said Michael Figlestahler, Chief Sales Officer at Interhome. "Our local service offices, consistent quality checks, and decades of experience complement Lake.com's curated, water?centric marketplace-helping families and groups book with confidence."

About Lake.com

Lake was founded by a husband-and-wife team passionate about helping families experience the beauty of God's creation. The platform offers 40,000+ vacation homes by the water across North America and Europe. Visit https://www.lake.com

About Interhome

Founded in 1965 near Zurich, Interhome manages 40,000+ quality-checked properties across 20+ European countries, combining standardized quality controls with local offices for key handover, cleaning, and guest support. Learn more at https://www.interhome.com







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251029035564/en/









Contact

Media:Stephanie CiccarelliLake Inc.Chief Marketing Officer(226) [email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
China says suspends some rare earths-related curbs for 1 year



Beijing, Oct 30 (AFP) Oct 30, 2025



China said on Thursday it would suspend for one year certain export restrictions, including on rare earth materials, that were announced in October.

Beijing's commerce ministry on October 9 announced new controls on the export of rare-earth technologies, adding to regulations on a critical industry that has been a key source of tension between Beijing and Washington.

But just three weeks later, on the same day as talks between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump in South Korea, the ministry said it would freeze the measures for one year.

"China will suspend the implementation of the relevant export control measures... for one year, and will study and refine specific plans," an unnamed commerce ministry spokesperson said, adding the consensus was reached after trade talks this week in Malaysia.

China is the world's leading producer of the minerals used to make magnets crucial to the auto, electronics and defence industries. It has required licences for certain exports of the materials since April, hitting global manufacturing sectors.

Rare earths have been a major sticking point in recent trade negotiations between China and the United States, with Washington accusing Beijing of slow-walking export licence approvals.

The October 9 controls meant exporters would need to have obtained permission for technologies used for rare-earth mining and smelting, among other processing steps.

They also applied to technologies used in the "assembly, adjusting, maintenance, repair and upgrading of production lines", the commerce ministry said.
Press Release from Business Wire: Thredd



(AFP) Oct 30, 2025



SINGAPORE, Oct 30, 2025 (BSW) - Thredd, the leading next-generation global payments processor, today announced an expanded partnership with Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume. The collaboration supports regional rollout of the Bybit Card-Bybit's flagship multi-currency, crypto-linked payment card, bridging the gap between digital assets and everyday payments across key global markets.

Thredd's processing platform is built to scale and navigate regulatory requirements across regions. With a single connection, Bybit can configure market-specific programs that meet local compliance needs while retaining centralized visibility. This flexibility has enabled Bybit to rapidly expand across multiple markets with more on the horizon.

Over 2 million users worldwide trust the Bybit Card for what matters most: competitive cardholder rewards, true global access, and effortless crypto-to-fiat convenience. Bybit leverages Thredd's infrastructure to issue both virtual and physical Visa and Mastercard payment cards, enabling its users to spend crypto holdings as fiat in real-time. The partnership also includes full wallet tokenization, allowing seamless integration with Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay in addition to supporting multiple other digital wallets which are available in the market today. As Bybit expands its footprint, Thredd supports market entry through localized BIN issuance and real-time card control features.

"Bybit is building the next era of digital finance, and Thredd is proud to help turn their crypto vision into real-world utility," said Jim McCarthy, CEO of Thredd. "Our platform empowers them to scale globally with secure card issuing, wallet tokenization, and rapid onboarding in new markets."

"Thredd's platform is instrumental in helping us bridge the gap between crypto and everyday commerce. We have forged a strategic partnership in delivering a smooth, borderless payment experience for our users," said Sophie Chen, Head of Marketing, Payment Business Unit at Bybit. "Their multi-currency BIN setup, wallet integrations, and agile tech stack allow us to move quickly and compliantly, no matter the region."

The partnership demonstrates how crypto-native platforms like Bybit can deliver mainstream financial utility through the right infrastructure. With Thredd's support, Bybit is setting the standard for what modern, crypto-connected payments can look like at a global scale.

About Bybit

Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open, and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected] For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

About Thredd

Thredd is the trusted next-generation payments processing partner for innovators looking to modernise their payments offerings worldwide. We process billions of debit, prepaid and credit transactions annually, serving over 100 fintechs, digital banks, and embedded finance providers, from consumer to corporate, based across 47 countries. Learn more at https://www.thredd.com







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030206335/en/









Contact

Simeon LandoChief Marketing [email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Press Release from Business Wire: Codethink



(AFP) Oct 30, 2025



MANCHESTER, Oct 30, 2025 (BSW) - Codethink announced that it has successfully achieved a positive and complete Functional Safety Assessment for the Eclipse Trustable Software Framework (TSF).

Performed by exida, a globally recognised authority in functional safety, the assessment was conducted in accordance with IEC 61508 requirements, with domain experts ensuring full alignment and compatibility with ISO 26262, the automotive industry's functional safety standard. The evaluation represents a major milestone in Codethink's mission to transform how the world engineers, verifies, and trusts software.

According to the assessment, "considering the process objectives of both IEC 61508 and ISO 26262, the specification of Trustable [Trustable Software Framework] and the reference implementation that maps Trustable tenets and assertions to the objectives in IEC 61508, it is determined that Trustable sets out an approach to software development which meets and in many cases exceeds the rigor and expectations established for software in IEC 61508 at SIL 3."

The report further concludes that "organizations that attempt to implement TSF according to the reference model may proceed confidently that they will be able to measure their progress towards a future certification attempt safe in the knowledge that the requirements for a successful assessment will be met."

"This assessment validates that trust in software, especially open source, can be both measurable and auditable," said Paul Sherwood, Codethink's Chairman. "Functional safety is no longer a checkbox, it's a design principle. The Eclipse Trustable Software Framework gives organizations the means to demonstrate integrity at every stage of development."

The Eclipse Trustable Software Framework defines six tenets, Provenance, Construction, Changes, Expectations, Results, and Confidence, each mapped to the objectives of IEC 61508 and ISO 26262. This structure enables companies to align open source and proprietary development with safety-critical rigor, ensuring traceability and reproducibility from concept to deployment.

By embedding these principles directly into everyday engineering workflows, TSF bridges the long-standing divide between compliance and innovation. It provides regulators, insurers, and developers with a shared language for evaluating and improving the trustability of complex software systems.

This Functional Safety Assessment follows a series of Codethink milestones, including the contribution of the TSF to the Eclipse Foundation, as well as the successful baseline safety assessment of CTRL OS using the TSF.

"We remain focused on the real work of engineering safety, security, and reliability, not simply collecting certificates," added Sherwood. "At its core, this is about trust: Trust that software will behave as intended, and trust that our systems and mitigations will perform when it matters most."

Download the TSF Functional Safety Assessment report at https://www.codethink.co.uk/trustable-software-framework.html.

About Codethink

Codethink is a world-class provider of critical, high-performance software projects and solutions for international-scale companies in a range of industries including Automotive, Finance, Medical, and IoT. Headquartered in Manchester, UK, Codethink has pioneered software industry thinking around concepts of trustable software, working to improve the quality of software engineering.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030029293/en/









Contact

Media contact: [email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
China says suspends some rare earths-related curbs for 1 year



Beijing, Oct 30 (AFP) Oct 30, 2025



China said on Thursday it would suspend certain export restrictions for one year, including on rare earth materials, that were announced in October.

Beijing's commerce ministry announced on October 9 new controls on the export of rare-earth technologies, adding to regulations on a critical industry that has been a key source of tension between Beijing and Washington.

However, just three weeks later, on the same day as talks between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump in South Korea, the ministry said it would freeze the measures for one year.

"China will suspend the implementation of the relevant export control measures... for one year, and will study and refine specific plans," an unidentified commerce ministry spokesperson said, adding that the consensus was reached after trade talks in Malaysia this week.

China is the world's leading producer of the minerals used to make magnets that are crucial to the auto, electronics and defence industries.

It has required licences for certain exports of the materials since April, hitting global manufacturing sectors.

Rare earths have been a major sticking point in recent trade negotiations between China and the United States, with Washington accusing Beijing of slow-walking export licence approvals.

The October 9 controls meant exporters would need to have obtained permission for technologies used for rare-earth mining and smelting, among other processing steps.

They also applied to technologies used in the "assembly, adjusting, maintenance, repair and upgrading of production lines", the commerce ministry said.

The United States in turn agreed to suspend for one year a move imposing "Entity List" export restrictions on affiliates of blacklisted foreign companies in which they had at least a 50 percent stake, the ministry said.

It confirmed that the United States agreed to cut tariffs on Chinese goods, including lowering a fentanyl-related tax to 10 percent, and said Beijing would adjust its countermeasures accordingly.

Washington also agreed to suspend for one year its Section 301 investigation into China's shipbuilding industry that led to both sides applying port fees against each other's ships, the spokesperson said.

China would suspend its "countermeasures" on American ships after the US action, also for one year, they said.

Beijing's ministry also said the two leaders had "reached consensus on cooperation in fentanyl trafficking control (and) expanding agricultural trade", without providing further details.

Trump said after the talks that China would be immediately purchasing "tremendous amounts" of US soybeans and other farming products.

The two sides would also resolve issues related to social media app TikTok, the Chinese ministry said.

Washington has sought to wrest the app's US operations from the hands of Chinese parent company ByteDance, citing national security concerns.
Press Release from Business Wire: Legora



(AFP) Oct 30, 2025



NEW YORK, Oct 30, 2025 (BSW) - Legora, the collaborative AI platform for lawyers, today announced the completion of a Series C round of $150 million at a $1.8 billion valuation, led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with significant investment from existing investors ICONIQ, General Catalyst, Redpoint Ventures, Benchmark, and Y Combinator, to accelerate its global expansion and growing product roadmap.

The funding round takes place against a backdrop of rapidly increasing demand for Legora's AI-powered platform for legal professionals over the past six months. Since May 2025, Legora's customer base has grown from 250 to over 400, while the number of markets served has doubled from 20 to more than 40.

Legora now partners with many of the world's most prestigious enterprises and law firms - including Linklaters, Cleary Gottlieb, Goodwin, and MinterEllison - not just as customers, but as strategic collaborators. Tens of thousands of legal professionals use Legora every day to review and research with precision, draft smarter, and collaborate seamlessly.

Max Junestrand, CEO and co-founder of Legora, said:"We are seeing astronomical demand for our product. Legal professionals across the globe are adopting AI into their work at an unprecedented rate, and I could not be more proud of supporting our customers on this journey. I'm grateful for the strong backing of our investors, which enables us to execute on our vision: enabling the lawyer of the future and seamless collaboration between machine and human intelligence."

Legora's success is driven by its collaborative approach to developing and embedding AI. More than a platform, Legora is a trusted partner to its clients - working side by side from the very first interaction through full-scale rollout and beyond. This ensures solutions that are seamlessly aligned with client needs and embraced across entire organizations, driving immediate impact and lasting transformation in the legal profession.

"Legora exemplifies how the most transformative AI companies fundamentally reimagine how work gets done - they've built not just another legal tech tool, but a collaborative AI platform that elevates the practice of law itself," said Sameer Dholakia, partner, Bessemer Venture Partners. "Max and his team's customer-obsessed approach and exceptional product velocity position Legora to lead the AI transformation of the trillion-dollar legal services industry."

With offices in Stockholm, London, New York, Denver, and Sydney, Legora has built a team of nearly 200 legal experts and technologists. In the year ahead, the company aims to more than double in size and establish additional global hubs, strengthening its ability to meet the needs of an expanding international client base.

Max Junestrand added:"Legora is quickly becoming the go-to partner for legal professionals worldwide - making their work easier, more rewarding, and more profitable. We've made great progress, but we are only getting started, and executing on our vision will demand relentless focus and hard work from the entire team. We're excited for the next stage of our journey and the opportunity to create long-lasting impact across the legal profession."

About Legora

Legora's collaborative AI platform helps lawyers review and research faster, draft smarter, and advise with precision. Backed by world-class investors such as Bessemer Venture Partners, ICONIQ, General Catalyst, Redpoint Ventures, Benchmark, and Y Combinator, Legora serves more than 400 leading law firms and in-house legal teams in over 40 markets.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030974157/en/









Contact

[email protected]









 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Press Release from Business Wire: Armis



(AFP) Oct 30, 2025



SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 30, 2025 (BSW) - Armis, the cyber exposure management & security company, today announced it has once again been named to the Fortune Cyber 60, presented by Lightspeed, Fortune magazine and AWS. The annual list highlights the most important venture-backed companies offering enterprise-grade cybersecurity solutions.

"Being named to this list for the second year in a row is a testament to the support we provide our global customers every day, helping to protect their entire attack surface and manage cyber risk exposure in real-time to make our world safer," said Yevgeny Dibrov, CEO and Co-Founder of Armis. "The critical importance of cybersecurity solutions in protecting society from the potential wide-scale disruption caused by cybercriminals cannot be understated. We vow to continue to innovate our cyber exposure management technology, fixate on solving the toughest cybersecurity challenges impacting businesses and governments worldwide, and to never stop proactively anticipating and outmaneuvering the bad actors who seek to cause harm."

Since being recognized on this list last year, Armis has driven significant momentum. The company rapidly surpassed $300M in annual recurring revenue (ARR), launched Armis Federal, a dedicated division to support the unique cybersecurity challenges of U.S. government entities, and completed its third acquisition in 12 months to fuel product innovation and expand its addressable market. In the past year, Armis also expanded its technology partnerships with NVIDIA and Fortinet.

Additionally, Armis received a number of accolades for its Armis Centrix? Cyber Exposure Management Platform, which helps organizations and agencies proactively address the entire lifecycle of managing cyber threats. For its platform impact, Armis was named a Leader in The Forrester Wave?: IoT Security Solutions, Q3 2025, on the heels of its recognition in The Forrester Wave?: Unified Vulnerability Management Solutions, Q3 2025. Both evaluations followed Armis being named a Leader in the Gartner(R) Magic Quadrant? for CPS Protection Platforms earlier this year.

Armis serves thousands of customers such as United Airlines, Colgate Palmolive and Mondelez, including over a third of the Fortune 100 as well as dozens of federal agencies and states. 60% of Fortune 10 companies, 3 of 5 largest retailers in the US, 3 out of 5 largest banks and many more rely on Armis to secure their most critical operational technology (OT), Internet of Things (IoT), IT and medical environments, helping them to remediate all their vulnerabilities and findings from code to cloud.

The Fortune Cyber 60 identifies the fastest-growing cybersecurity startups that have not had an IPO, acquisition, or other significant exit event. To compile the list, hundreds of organizations were surveyed and evaluated based on market data, company revenue and growth rates, investment partners' research and analysis of the cybersecurity market landscape. Read more about the Fortune Cyber 60 here.

Learn more about Armis Centrix?, the cyber exposure management platform, and each of the solutions offered by Armis here.

About Armis

Armis, the cyber exposure management & security company, protects the entire attack surface and manages the organization's cyber risk exposure in real time. In a rapidly evolving, perimeter-less world Armis ensures that organizations continuously see, protect and manage all critical assets - from the ground to the cloud. Armis secures Fortune 100, 200 and 500 companies as well as national governments, state and local entities to help keep critical infrastructure, economies and society stay safe and secure 24/7. Armis is a privately held company headquartered in California.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030257562/en/









Contact

Rebecca CradickVice President, Global [email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Press Release from Business Wire: IonQ, Inc.



(AFP) Oct 30, 2025



COLLEGE PARK, Oct 30, 2025 (BSW) - IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), the world's leading quantum company, today announced its participation in the 2025 UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase, taking place on November 7th at the Business Design Centre in London. Organized by Innovate UK in collaboration with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme (UKNQTP), it is one of the largest quantum events in the UK, convening more than 2,000 stakeholders across government, academia, and industry.

"We are delighted to demonstrate our latest advancements in quantum computing innovation at the UK Quantum Showcase this year. The UK has long held a leading position in quantum technologies due to its world-class science and research base," said Dr. Chris Ballance, President of Quantum Computing at IonQ and co-founder of Oxford Ionics. "The strength of the UK's technological leadership helped us achieve the highest-performing quantum platform available on the market."

IonQ's presence at the showcase follows a landmark year for the company in the UK, including the designation of Oxford as IonQ's EMEA headquarters, its acquisition of Oxford Ionics, and the delivery of Quartet, a quantum computing testbed for the UK's National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). These milestones reinforce IonQ's role as a key player in advancing the UK's national quantum strategy as it accelerates the commercial use of quantum technologies.

IonQ will host booth #52 where participants will explore the company's latest quantum innovations.

About IonQ

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world's leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world's most complex problems. IonQ's current generation quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results.

The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world's most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ's advancements in quantum networking also position the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.

The company's innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Fortune Future 50, Newsweek's 2025 Excellence Index 1000, Forbes' 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list, and Built In's 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Washington DC and Seattle, respectively. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com.

IonQ Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to the scalability, fidelity, efficiency, viability, accessibility, effectiveness, reliability, performance, speed, and commercial-readiness of IonQ's offerings. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to changes in the competitive industries in which IonQ operates, including development of competing technologies; IonQ's ability to deliver, and customers' ability to generate, value from IonQ's offerings; IonQ's ability to implement its business plans, forecasts, roadmaps and other expectations, to identify and realize partnerships and opportunities, and to engage new and existing customers; IonQ's ability to effectively integrate its acquisitions of Oxford Ionics Limited; changes in laws and regulations affecting IonQ's patents; and IonQ's ability to maintain or obtain patent protection for its products and technology, including with sufficient breadth to provide a competitive advantage. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's filings, including but not limited to those described in the "Risk Factors" section of IonQ's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and reports on Form 10-Q. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and IonQ assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. IonQ does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.







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Contact

IonQ Media contact:[email protected]

IonQ Investor Contact:[email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Press Release from Business Wire: Thales



(AFP) Oct 30, 2025



ARLINGTON, Oct 30, 2025 (BSW) - With over 5.8 billion IoT cellular connections expected globally by 2030 (GSMA Intelligence) - powering everything from smart meters to wearable health trackers - the need for secure, scalable, and easy-to-manage connectivity is greater than ever. AT&T, a leader in connectivity and IoT solutions, and Thales, a global leader in advanced Cyber & Digital technologies, announce the launch of a new eSIM solution designed to help businesses remotely activate and manage IoT devices. This eSIM solution, powered by Thales Adaptive Connect (TAC), becomes a key part of AT&T's global IoT solution, AT&T Virtual Profile Management for IoT, and can support many industries worldwide including automotive, smart cities, healthcare and utilities.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030899315/en/

Source 123Ref



Compliant with the GSMA SGP.32 standard1, the new solution enables customers to ship connected devices anywhere in the world with one single, pre-integrated eSIM from Thales, then seamlessly activate the correct local connectivity profile remotely, eliminating the need for any physical access to it. This results in faster launches and simpler logistics for global IoT deployments. It also enables AT&T and its customers to easily manage connectivity policies, diagnostics, and subscription changes entirely over the air, through a single unified industry-certified interface.

This solution also adds advanced automation to simplify the remote eSIM management of large numbers of devices. It automates complex tasks-such as switching subscriptions or updating fleets rules-so enterprises can spend less time on logistics and operations, while bringing new products and services faster to market.

-0- *T ____________________1 The GSMA SGP.32 standard the latest specification from the GSM Association for eSIM (embedded SIM) Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP), for the remote eSIM management of Internet of things (IoT) devices and other types of mobile device deployments.*T

Thanks to these advanced features, Thales' eSIM solution (TAC) gives companies the flexibility to localize within AT&T network partners or adjust devices' subscriptions across large fleets without hardware changes, helping optimize costs, supply chains, coverage, and performance.

The service is now available for commercial use and supports customers worldwide.

"At AT&T, we deliver intelligent IoT solutions you can trust--highly secure, end-to-end, and built to scale," saidCameron Coursey, VP of AT&T Connected Solutions. "Our state-of-the-art approach, paired with Thales' solution, will help customers reduce friction and gain control of managing their own devices with reliable connectivity."

"We are entering a new era for remote eSIM Provisioning, ready to power billions of IoT devices, and we are proud to collaborate with AT&T in delivering smarter and safer IoT connectivity around the world,"said Eva Rudin, EVP Mobile Connectivity Solutions at Thales. "With Thales Adaptive Connect, we're ensuring that every connected device benefits from strong security, reliable service, and simplified management - from the first connection and throughout its lifetime."

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group invests more than EUR4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies.

Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of EUR20.6 billion.

About Thales in the U.S.

In the United States, Thales has conducted significant research and development, manufacturing, and service capabilities for more than 130 years. Today, Thales has 40 locations around the U.S., employing nearly 5,000 people. Working closely with customers and local partners, Thales is able to meet the most complex requirements for every operating environment.

About AT&T

We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.

PLEASE VISITThales Group Download HD photos







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Contact

PRESS CONTACT

Thales, Media RelationsNorth AmericaJennifer [email protected]

AT&T Corporate CommunicationsVeleisa BurrellPhone: 214-773-0040Email: [email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Press Release from Business Wire: SLB



(AFP) Oct 30, 2025



HOUSTON, Oct 30, 2025 (BSW) - Global energy technology company SLB (NYSE: SLB) announced today the award of two sizeable engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts by PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) to its OneSubsea? joint venture. The contracts build on a 20-year collaboration between the two companies and cover the expansion of two fields offshore Malaysia.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030090404/en/

As part of the EPC contracts, SLB OneSubsea will deliver comprehensive subsea production systems (SPS) for the Alum, Bemban, and Permai deepwater gas fields located in Block H and the Kikeh field, Malaysia's first deepwater oil project.



As part of the EPC contracts, SLB OneSubsea will deliver comprehensive subsea production systems (SPS) for the Alum, Bemban, and Permai deepwater gas fields located in Block H and the Kikeh field, Malaysia's first deepwater oil project. The scope includes horizontal subsea trees, umbilicals, control systems, and associated services.

"We are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with PTTEP, which has seen the delivery of more than 50 systems over the past 20 years," said Mads Hjelmeland, chief executive officer of SLB OneSubsea. "By leveraging our experience in complex deepwater environments and adopting a highly collaborative, early engagement process with our clients, we will help PTTEP unlock maximum value from these projects."

The Block H gas development began producing natural gas from the Rotan and Buluh fields in February 2021, while the Kikeh oil and gas field has been in production since 2007. The fields have water depths ranging between 1,100 and 1,300 meters. SLB OneSubsea's experience of developing and deploying technology in complex deepwater environments will further extend the life of these two fields, contributing to energy security and meeting energy demand in the region.

About SLB

SLB (NYSE: SLB) is a global technology company that drives energy innovation for a balanced planet. With a global footprint in more than 100 countries and employees representing almost twice as many nationalities, we work each day on innovating oil and gas, delivering digital at scale, decarbonizing industries, and developing and scaling new energy systems that accelerate the energy transition. Find out more at slb.com.

About SLB OneSubsea

SLB OneSubsea is driving a new subsea era leveraging digital and technology innovation to optimize our customers' oil and gas production, reduce emissions in subsea operations, and unlock the large potential of subsea solutions to shape a sustainable energy future. SLB OneSubsea is a joint venture backed by SLB, Aker Solutions, and Subsea7 headquartered in Oslo and Houston, with 10,000 employees across the world. Find out more at onesubsea.slb.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws - that is, statements about the future, not about past events. Such statements often contain words such as "expect," "may," "can," "estimate," "intend," "anticipate," "will," "potential," "projected" and other similar words. Forward-looking statements address matters that are, to varying degrees, uncertain, such as forecasts or expectations regarding the deployment of, or anticipated benefits of, SLB's new technologies and partnerships; statements about goals, plans and projections with respect to sustainability and environmental matters; forecasts or expectations regarding energy transition and global climate change; and improvements in operating procedures and technology. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the inability to achieve net-negative carbon emissions goals; the inability to recognize intended benefits of SLB's strategies, initiatives or partnerships; legislative and regulatory initiatives addressing environmental concerns, including initiatives addressing the impact of global climate change; the timing or receipt of regulatory approvals and permits; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in SLB's most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of such a development changes), or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and SLB disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.







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Contact

MediaJosh Byerly - SVP of Global CommunicationsMoira Duff - Director of External CommunicationsSLBTel: +1 (713) [email protected]

InvestorsJames R. McDonald - SVP of Investor Relations & Industry AffairsJoy V. Domingo - Director of Investor RelationsSLBTel: +1 (713) [email protected]

slb.com/newsroom







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Press Release from Business Wire: Owlet, Inc.



(AFP) Oct 30, 2025



LEHI, Oct 30, 2025 (BSW) - Owlet, Inc. ("Owlet" or the "Company") (NYSE: OWLT), the pioneer of smart infant monitoring, today announced that its newest video monitoring device, Dream Sight, is the first and only baby monitor to earn an SGS Cybersecurity Mark, a global certification that recognizes the highest standards in international cybersecurity and privacy. Dream Sight was tested by Brightsight, an SGS company and global leader in cybersecurity evaluations. For parents, this independent recognition provides extra reassurance that Owlet delivers trusted digital solutions backed by strong encryption, secure data management, and advanced privacy safeguards.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251106669800/en/

Owlet's Dream Sight is the first and only baby monitor to earn an SGS Cybersecurity Mark, a global certification that recognizes the highest standards in international cybersecurity and privacy.



"Earning the SGS Cybersecurity Mark underscores Owlet's leadership in the market and our inherent responsibility to protect families," said Jonathan Harris, Owlet's President and CEO. "As smart home devices become an essential part of parenting, cybersecurity is not optional. We provide parents with independent validation that Owlet products are safe, secure, and built to protect what matters most."

This certification confirms that Dream Sight meets the rigorous requirements of the European Union's Radio Equipment Directive (RED), Articles 3.3 (d) and (e). Dream Sight was tested against international standards EN 18031-1 and EN 18031-2, with SGS Fimko Oy, a Notified Body accredited by the European Commission, issuing EU Type Certification in accordance with RED Articles 3(3)(d) and (e).

As the first in the category to receive the SGS Cybersecurity Mark, Owlet provides a tangible solution for families who want a best-in-class smart baby monitor, without compromising on security. Verification and certification details will be available via an integrated QR code on the product's digital packaging label.

"We are honored to grant the SGS Cybersecurity Mark to Owlet's Dream Sight, collectively setting a new benchmark for trust, cybersecurity, and safety in infant monitoring," said Ben van Berkel, Chief Commercial Officer at Brightsight. "Consumers deserve confidence in the security of the technology they rely on, and Owlet has shown an exemplary commitment to safeguarding families through innovation and transparency."

Launched in September 2025, Dream Sight is Owlet's most advanced video and audio monitoring system to date, featuring 2K HD streaming with night vision, motion and sound detection, two-way audio, and temperature and humidity tracking. It can function independently or integrate with FDA-cleared Dream Sock(R), the only over-the-counter smart baby monitor on the market meeting FDA safety and accuracy standards, to deliver live, clinically validated data on a baby's pulse rate, oxygen level, sleep, and overall wellness trends. To learn more about Owlet's innovative product lineup, please visit www.owletcare.com.

About Owlet, Inc.

Owlet's digital health infant monitoring platform is transforming the journey of parenting. The Company (NYSE: OWLT), a small-cap healthcare growth equity, offers FDA-cleared medical and consumer pediatric wearables and an integrated HD visual and audio camera that provides real-time data and insights to parents who safeguard health, optimize wellness, and ensure peaceful sleep for their children.

Since 2012, over 2.5 million parents worldwide have used Owlet's platform, contributing to one of the largest collections of consumer infant health and sleep data. The Company continues to develop software and digital data solutions to bridge the current healthcare gap between hospital and home and bring new insights to parents and caregivers globally. Owlet believes that every child deserves to live a long, happy, and healthy life. To learn more, visit www.owletcare.com.

About Brightsight

Brightsight, an SGS company, delivers trusted IT security evaluations beyond standard assessment. Leveraging decades of experience, cross-industry expertise, and the global reach of SGS, Brightsight provides testing, regulatory insight, and evaluation services that streamline compliance across the IT landscape.

About SGS

SGS is the world's leading Testing, Inspection, and Certification company, operating a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, SGS combines the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance, and sustainability.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act"). All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's expectations regarding the outcomes and benefits of the SGS Cybersecurity Mark awarded to Dream Sight?; the Company's product roadmap and growth prospects; and potential market reception and competitive positioning. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "estimate," "may," "believes," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "goal," "potential," "upcoming," "outlook," "guidance," the negation thereof, or similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's expectations at the time such statements are made, speak only as of the dates they are made, and are susceptible to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors. For all such forward-looking statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Reform Act. The Company's actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by its forward-looking statements. Many important factors could affect the Company's future results and cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the Company's forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, (i) the commercial success of Dream Sight and related products in domestic and international markets; (ii) the regulatory pathway for Owlet's products, including submissions to, actions taken by and decisions and responses from regulators, such as the FDA and similar regulators outside of the United States, as well as Owlet's ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval or certification for its products and other regulatory requirements and legal proceedings; (iii) requirements to maintain the SGS Cybersecurity Mark, including conformity assessments, audits, surveillance, re-testing and evolving standards such as EU RED cybersecurity provisions, and the risk of changes in applicable standards or interpretations; (iv) Owlet's competition and the Company's ability to profitably grow and manage growth; (v) the ability of Owlet to implement strategic initiatives, reduce costs, grow revenues, develop and launch new products, innovate and enhance existing products, meet customer demands and adapt to changes in consumer preferences and retail trends; (vi) Owlet's ability to acquire, defend and protect its intellectual property and satisfy regulatory requirements concerning privacy and data protection; (vii) Owlet's ability to maintain relationships with customers, manufacturers and suppliers; (viii) impacts from compliance with applicable laws or regulations; (ix) the impact of and disruption to Owlet's business, financial condition, operations, supply chain and logistics due to economic and other conditions beyond the Company's control; (x) adverse impacts from other economic, business, regulatory, competitive or other factors, such as changes in discretionary consumer spending and consumer preferences; and (xi) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's other releases, public statements and filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including those identified in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and as any such factors may be updated from time to time in the Company's other filings with the SEC. All such forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or any person acting on the Company's behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to above. Moreover, the Company operates in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and factors that the Company currently deems immaterial may become material, and it is impossible for the Company to predict such events or how they may affect Owlet. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this press release, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, although Owlet may do so from time to time. The Company does not endorse any projections regarding future performance that may be made by third parties.







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Contact

Owlet Media Contact:[email protected]

Owlet Investor Contact:[email protected]

Brightsight Contact:[email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Press Release from Business Wire: Bending Spoons



(AFP) Oct 30, 2025



MILAN, Oct 30, 2025 (BSW) - Bending Spoons, one of Europe's leading technology companies, today announced it has raised $710 million in equity at a pre-money valuation of $11 billion. The round was led by accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc., with participation from Baillie Gifford, Cox Enterprises, Durable Capital Partners, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Foxhaven Asset Management, and Radcliff, among others. Goldman Sachs International acted as sole placement agent and Clifford Chance served as legal advisor to the transaction. Notarial advisory services were provided by ZNR Notai.

"This moment is a validation of a decade's worth of work and it serves as an important recognition of what we've accomplished at Bending Spoons so far. We remain early in our journey and have ambitious plans for continued investment and growth," shares Luca Ferrari, co-founder and CEO of Bending Spoons. "We're proud to bring on some of the world's finest investors who believe in our approach to value creation and future opportunity set."

The round comprises $270 million in primary capital and $440 million in secondary capital. Bending Spoons also recently secured a $2.8 billion debt package from leading global banks. The company plans to deploy these resources to further develop its proprietary technologies and AI capabilities, and to pursue new acquisitions that expand its portfolio of consumer and enterprise digital products. In the past two months alone, Bending Spoons has entered into agreements to acquire AOL and Vimeo, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, including, in the case of Vimeo, approval by its stockholders.

About Bending Spoons

Bending Spoons acquires and transforms digital businesses.It owns Brightcove, Evernote, komoot, Meetup, Remini, StreamYard, WeTransfer, and many others. The company's products have served more than a billion people, with over 300 million monthly active users and 10 million paying customers, including most Fortune 500 enterprises.

Bending Spoons aims to hold forever, and has never sold an acquired business. After an acquisition, the company typically invests in an ambitious effort to overhaul the technology, redesign the user interface, accelerate the release of new features, optimize marketing and monetization, and rearchitect the organization for improved long-term performance.

At the company's core is a relentless focus on talent density and workplace excellence.Bending Spoons has received more than 600,000 job applications in 2025 alone, with a 0.04% job offer rate, and has numerous first-place finishes in Great Place to Work awards.

For more information, visit bendingspoons.com Bending Spoons logos and photos: https://we.tl/t-NXGPsC6Gtn







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Contact

Media inquiries: [email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Press Release from Business Wire: Debiopharm



(AFP) Oct 30, 2025



LAUSANNE, Oct 30, 2025 (BSW) - Debiopharm (www.debiopharm.com), a privately-owned, Swiss-based, biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative therapies that respond to high unmet medical needs, today announced a strategic research collaboration with NetTargets (www.net-targets.com), a South Korean biotech company specializing in AI-enhanced systems biology for drug discovery, to rationally design and advance the discovery of novel, synergistic drug combinations for Debiopharm's next-generation Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs). This alliance unites NetTargets' sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) platform with Debiopharm's proprietary MLINKtechnology to create a new paradigm in cancer treatment, aiming to deliver a decisive, dual-action blow against treatment-resistant tumors.

This collaboration achieves this multi-pronged strategy by uniting two cutting-edge technologies: NetTargets' AI-Powered Discovery Engine and Debiopharm's MLINK Duo Technology. NetTargets' proprietary AI platform integrates multi-omics data with deep neural network modeling to uncover synergistic mechanisms and accelerate drug discovery. It sifts through millions of potential compound combinations to identify synergistic pairings-"one-two punches"-that are significantly more potent together than the sum of their individual effects. These AI-identified payloads will then be integrated into Debiopharm's innovative ADC technologies using MLINK Duo, a proprietary linker engineered specifically to carry two distinct payloads on a single antibody. This precision bio-engineering ensures the coordinated delivery and release of both warheads directly inside the cancer cell, maximizing their synergistic impact while minimizing systemic toxicity. This combination of AI-driven discovery and precision bio-engineering promises to produce a pipeline of dual-payload ADCs with a higher probability of clinical success against the most challenging cancers.

"To address the fundamental challenge of therapeutic resistance, we are moving beyond single-agent attacks," explained Frederic Levy, Chief Scientific Officer at Debiopharm. "Our collaboration with NetTargets is about creating smarter and more precise therapies. We are using their powerful AI to find synergistic drug combinations for our ADC platforms, which allows us to rationally design therapies that are more effective. By attacking cancer on multiple fronts simultaneously, we not only increase the immediate efficacy of the treatment but also strategically minimize the cancer's chances to adapt and develop resistance."

Debiopharm is advancing its ADC platform with a focus on proprietary bispecific ADCs and innovative payloads. By leveraging its proven drug development expertise, the company aims to accelerate next-generation ADC therapies to patients, addressing critical unmet medical needs.

"Our AI models are built to understand the complex biological networks that drive cancer," commented Dr. Je-Hoon Song, CEO of NetTargets. "By simulating how different drug mechanisms interact, we can pinpoint unique vulnerabilities that would be impossible to find through traditional screening. Partnering with Debiopharm, a leader in ADC technology, allows us to translate these digital discoveries into tangible, life-saving therapies."

MLINK Duo

MLINK Duo is a cleavable linker (part of the proprietary MultiLINK?ADC Technology Suite - a modular, peptide-based, cathepsin B-cleavable linker platform) tailored for simultaneous attachment of two distinct payloads on a single antibody. MLINK Duo supports the production of ADCs with a high drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) up to DAR8+8 and is compatible with various conjugation technologies. This unique and innovative technology ensures the coordinated delivery and release of both warheads directly inside the cancer cell, maximizing their synergistic impact while minimizing systemic toxicity, making it ideally suited for the AI-identified synergistic combinations.

Debiopharm's ADC Expertise

We're developing fit-for-purpose antibody-drug conjugates through a tailored "Trifecta" approach: strategic target selection, innovative proprietary MultiLINK? linker technology, and smart payload choices. Our ADC portfolio includes first-in-class or best-in-class candidates: the clinical-stage Debio 1562M, a CD37-targeted ADC for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), Debio 0532, an HER3-targeted ADC for solid tumors, and Debio 2512, targeting HER3 & HER2 driven cancers, as well as other ADCs with undisclosed targets. We are actively partnering to access innovative targets, co-develop, or out-license our ADC programs and linker technologies. We have strong in-house capabilities and in-depth expertise spanning ADC conjugation and optimization, pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), toxicology, translational, pharmaceutical (CMC) and clinical development, and supply chain management. We continue to invest in and explore potential game-changing technologies, such as novel and dual payloads.

About NetTargets

NetTargets (www.net-targets.com) is a South Korean AI drug discovery company specializing in explainable AI (XAI)-driven systems biology for drug discovery. The company's proprietary AI digital twin platform models complex biological systems to simulate drug responses and identify synergistic compound pairs. By integrating multi-omics and pathway-level data through explainable algorithms, NetTargets reveals mechanistic insights that go beyond conventional predictive approaches to enable truly novel therapeutic strategies.

Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/nettargets/

Debiopharm's commitment to patients

Debiopharm aims to develop innovative therapies that target high unmet medical needs primarily in oncology and bacterial infections. Bridging the gap between disruptive discovery products and real-world patient reach, we identify high-potential compounds and technologies for in-licensing, clinically demonstrate their safety and efficacy, and then hand stewardship to large pharmaceutical commercialization partners to maximize patient access globally.

For more information, please visit www.debiopharm.com Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/debiopharminternational







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Contact

Debiopharm ContactDawn Bonine - Head of [email protected] Tel: +41 (0)21 321 01 11







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Press Release from Business Wire: Andersen Consulting



(AFP) Oct 30, 2025



SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 30, 2025 (BSW) - Andersen Consulting deepens its business transformation and digital transformation capabilities through a Collaboration Agreement with threon, a Belgium-based consultancy known for delivering pragmatic, end-to-end strategy execution support.

For more than 20 years, threon has been a trusted advisor for organizations looking to turn big ideas into delivering true business impact. The firm brings together their expertise in strategic portfolio management, digital transformation, and executive training to help leaders move from vision to execution. Threon's unique approach blends project delivery, workforce development, and smart software solutions, empowering teams to deliver faster, scale with confidence, and achieve lasting results.

CEO of threon Tom Dedecker said, "We bring focus and peace to organizations, enabling faster decision-making and sustainable transformation rooted in their unique identity."

Eric Noerdinger, managing director of threon added, "Our goal is to embed change sustainably, aligning strategy with execution at every level. Collaborating with Andersen Consulting broadens our global reach, deepens our capabilities, and enhances our ability to help clients navigate complexity."

Global Chairman and CEO of Andersen Mark L. Vorsatz said, "Threon's methodology brings clarity, discipline, and relevance to complex programs, making them a complementary addition to our global platform. Their ability to adapt frameworks to the specific context of each organization ensures that change is not only implemented, but sustained."

Andersen Consulting is a global consulting practice providing a comprehensive suite of services spanning corporate strategy, business, technology, and AI transformation, as well as human capital solutions. Andersen Consulting integrates with the multidimensional service model of Andersen Global, delivering world-class consulting, tax, legal, valuation, global mobility, and advisory expertise on a global platform with more than 44,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 600 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms. Andersen Consulting Holdings LP is a limited partnership and provides consulting solutions through its member firms and collaborating firms around the world.







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Contact

[email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Amazon shares surge as AI boom drives cloud growth



San Francisco, United States, Oct 30 (AFP) Oct 30, 2025



Amazon's share price skyrocketed by more than ten percent on Thursday after the online retail behemoth reported better than expected earnings, powered by surging demand for its cloud computing services.

Quarterly sales rose 13 percent to $180.2 billion across the company, it said. Net income climbed to $21.2 billion from $15.3 billion a year earlier.

Stoking investor sentiment, the company forecast fourth-quarter sales of $206-$213 billion, representing growth of 10-13 percent.

The e-commerce giant's Amazon Web Services division, which recently suffered a global outage, saw revenues jump 20 percent to $33 billion in the third quarter, marking its fastest growth rate since 2022 as companies race to build AI capabilities.

Amazon's major rivals in the cloud computing space on Wednesday also reported sales increases in their cloud computing business, with all companies pointing to adoption of AI services as the main driver.

The tech giants are all making huge investments to build up their AI computing capabilities, money that the companies insist will be justified by increasing adoption of AI tools and applications by customers across the globe.

While the company did not break out its specific investment in AI capabilities, Amazon said it increased year-on-year purchases of property and equipment by $50.9 billion, which is a massive jump in spending.

Amazon also said it added 3.8 gigawatts of power capacity over the past year to support AI infrastructure -- more than any other cloud provider -- and launched a massive computing cluster with nearly 500,000 custom AI chips.

AI computing demands enormous amounts of electricity, far more than traditional computing, and can put a strain on local resources, notably water supplies needed for cooling data center activity.

Operating income, however, remained flat at $17.4 billion after Amazon took two major charges: $2.5 billion for a legal settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and $1.8 billion in severance costs tied to planned job cuts.

Amazon said Tuesday it was reducing its workforce by 14,000 posts to streamline operations as it invests in artificial intelligence.

The cuts are expected to target areas such as human resources, advertising, and management in a group that has 350,000 office positions, out of a total of more than 1.5 million employees.

The settlement with the FTC was over long-running allegations from the US regulator that it used deceptive practices to enroll consumers in Amazon Prime and made it difficult to cancel subscriptions.

The online retail giant, which admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement, paid $1.5 billion into a consumer fund for refunds and $1 billion in civil penalties.

Shortly after the results landed, Amazon's share price was up by 11 percent in after-hours trading.
Trump gives green light for SKorea to build nuclear powered sub



Gyeongju, South Korea, Oct 29 (AFP) Oct 29, 2025



US President Donald Trump said Thursday he has given approval for ally South Korea to build a nuclear powered submarine, a day after the two countries said they have reached a broad trade deal.

Trump met South Korean counterpart Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday in the southern town of Gyeongju, where the US leader arrived for a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

On Wednesday, Seoul's presidential aide said the two counries had reached a broad deal covering investment and shipbuilding, while Trump said the agreement was "pretty much" finalised.

"I have given them approval to build a Nuclear Powered Submarine, rather than the old fashioned, and far less nimble, diesel powered Submarines that they have now," Trump said on Truth Social Thursday.

In a separate post, he wrote: "South Korea will be building its Nuclear Powered Submarine in the Philadelphia Shipyards, right here in the good ol' U.S.A."

"Shipbuilding in our Country will soon be making a BIG COMEBACK," he added.

On Wednesday, Lee asked Trump to "make a decision to allow us to receive fuel for nuclear-propelled submarines."

"We are not proposing to build submarines armed with nuclear weapons; rather, diesel submarines have inferior submerged endurance, which limits our ability to track North Korean or Chinese submarines," Lee told Trump.

The dessert at a luncheon for Trump featured the word "PEACE!", according to Seoul's presidential office, echoing the two leaders' first meeting when they pledged to act as a "peacemaker" and a "pacemaker" for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

But tensions with nuclear-armed North Korea remain high after Pyongyang brushed aside Lee's outreach and instead continued deepening military and economic links with Russia.

And Trump said Wednesday he was not able to arrange a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his visit to the South, ending fierce speculation over a possible summit after years of diplomatic deadlock.
Press Release from Business Wire: NuScale Power



(AFP) Oct 29, 2025



CORVALLIS, Oct 29, 2025 (BSW) - NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR), the industry-leading provider of proprietary and innovative advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology, today congratulated its exclusive global strategic partner, ENTRA1 Energy, on being positioned to receive up to $25 billion in investment capital under the newly signed $550 billion U.S.-Japan Framework Agreement.

The bilateral framework agreement, announced by the White House following a meeting between President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo this week, will mobilize up to $550 billion in public- and private-sector investment to expand critical energy infrastructure and strengthen supply chains.

As part of this initiative, ENTRA1 Energy will develop a fleet of power plants utilizing baseload energy sources. The program will serve fast-growing energy demand from AI data centers, manufacturing and national defense, while creating thousands of high-quality American jobs and reinforcing U.S. energy independence.

"We are proud to support ENTRA1 Energy as they take part in this historic agreement between the United States and Japan," said John Hopkins, President and Chief Executive Officer of NuScale Power. "This collaboration underscores the central role of advanced nuclear in powering our economy, strengthening alliances and providing the reliable energy needed for AI, manufacturing and critical infrastructure."

The announcement follows ENTRA1's recently announced landmark agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to develop up to 6 gigawatts of new clean baseload power using NuScale's SMR technology. Together, these initiatives highlight the growing role of advanced nuclear in supporting U.S. reindustrialization, energy security and decarbonization.

Hopkins added: "The U.S.-Japan framework validates the model we've built with ENTRA1-pairing proven, NRC-approved SMR technology with world-class development and asset management expertise. Together, we are accelerating the deployment of clean, baseload power at a scale and speed the world urgently needs."

For additional information, please see the White House announcement: whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/10/28

About NuScale Power

Founded in 2007, NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) is the industry-leading provider of proprietary and innovative advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology, with a mission to help power the global energy transition by delivering safe, scalable, and reliable carbon-free energy. The NuScale Power Module?, the company's groundbreaking SMR technology, is a small, safe, pressurized water reactor that can each generate 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe) or 250 megawatts thermal (gross), and can be scaled to meet customer needs through an array of flexible configurations up to 924 MWe (12 modules) of output.

As the first and only SMR to have its designs certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NuScale is well-positioned to serve diverse customers across the world by supplying nuclear energy for electrical generation, data centers, district heating, desalination, commercial-scale hydrogen production, and other process heat applications.

NuScale and ENTRA1 Energy have a global strategic partnership, and ENTRA1 Energy is NuScale's exclusive global strategic partner for commercializing and developing NuScale SMRs. ENTRA1 Energy is the one-stop-shop and single hub for the deployment, financing, investment, development, execution, and/or management of ENTRA1 Energy Plants? with NuScale SMRs inside.

To learn more, visit NuScale Power's website or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X,and YouTube.

About ENTRA1 Energy

ENTRA1 Energy is an American independent global energy production platform dedicated to increasing energy security by providing safe, reliable, baseload energy. ENTRA1 Energy is led by an executive team of energy, infrastructure, and finance sector veterans drawing on significant experience in the investment, development, and execution of critical infrastructure projects globally. ENTRA1 Energy is focused on producing and selling power by commercializing and deploying American nuclear and natural gas technologies in its power infrastructure assets.

ENTRA1 Energy is NuScale's exclusive global strategic partner, and the two companies have an existing 50/50 joint venture company - ENTRA1 NuScale LLC. ENTRA1 Energy holds the global exclusive rights to the commercialization, distribution, and deployment of NuScale's products and services. ENTRA1 Energy is the one-stop-shop and single hub for the deployment, financing, investment, development, execution, and/or management of ENTRA1 Energy Plants? with NuScale SMRs inside.

Forward Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements (including without limitation statements containing words such as "will," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "plans" or other similar expressions). These forward-looking statements include statements relating to the commercialization of our SMR technology.

Actual results may differ materially as a result of a number of factors, including, among other things, the Company's liquidity and ability to raise capital; the Company's ability to receive new contract awards; the potential for cost overruns, project delays or other problems arising from project execution activities; our ability to obtain required regulatory approvals; and other risks and uncertainties that may be outside our control. Caution must be exercised in relying on these and other forward-looking statements. Due to known and unknown risks, the Company's results may differ materially from its expectations and projections.

Additional information concerning these and other factors can be found in the Company's public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the general economic conditions and other risks, uncertainties and factors set forth in the section entitled "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Summary of Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and in subsequent filings with the SEC. The referenced SEC filings are available either publicly or upon request from NuScale's Investor Relations Department at [email protected]. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation other than as required by law to update the forward-looking statements.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251029556145/en/









Contact

Media ContactChuck Goodnight, Vice President, Business Development, NuScale [email protected]

Investor ContactRodney McMahan, Senior Director, Investor Relations, NuScale [email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
The market for obesity and diabetes treatments remains scorching hot, funneling billions in sales to Eli Lilly and fueling a bidding war over another drugmaker.

Lilly said Thursday that its top-selling drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound, brought in more than $10 billion combined during the recently completed third quarter. That made up over half of the drugmakers $17.6 billion in total sales.

Separately, Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk announced plans to buy Metsera Inc. in a deal that could be worth up to $9 billion.

That came more than a month after U.S. drugmaker Pfizer Inc. made a nearly $5 billion bid for Metsera, which has no drugs on the market but is developing several potential oral and injectable treatments.

Popular treatments labeled GLP-1 receptor agonists are fueling the soaring sales and deal interest. They work by mimicking hormones in the gut and the brain to regulate appetite and feelings of fullness. But they dont work for everyone and can produce side effects that include nausea and stomach pain.

Supplies of the drugs have improved this year, and some insurance coverage is growing. That helps improve access to drugs that can cost around $500 a month without coverage. That can put them out of reach for many patients.

The treatments are injectable drugs, but Novo and Lilly also are developing easier-to-take pill versions.

U.S. sales of Lillys weight-loss treatment Zepbound nearly tripled to $3.57 billion in the third quarter. Meanwhile, revenue from the diabetes drug Mounjaro, which has been on the market longer, doubled to $6.52 billion thanks to growth outside the U.S.

Combined, the drugs have brought in nearly $25 billion in sales so far this year for Indianapolis-based Lilly. That surpasses the entire companys revenue total from 2020.

The drugs helped Eli Lilly and Co. record a $5.58 billion profit in the third quarter and deliver a better performance than Wall Street expected.

Novo Nordisk said it will pay $56.50 in cash for each Metsera share and could pay an extra $21.25 if the company meets some drug development milestones. The drugmaker already has the obesity and diabetes treatments Wegovy and Ozempic on the market.

That combined total of $77.75 more than doubles the closing price of Metsera shares on Sept. 19, the last trading day before Pfizer made its offer.

Metsera said Thursday that its board has determined that the new, unsolicited offer from Novo was superior, and Pfizer has four business days to negotiate adjustments to its offer.

Pfizer called Novos offer reckless and unprecedented and an attempt by a drugmaker with a dominant market position to suppress competition in violation of law by taking over an emerging American challenger.
Trump says he's ordered US to start nuclear weapons testing



Washington, Oct 30 (AFP) Oct 30, 2025



President Donald Trump said Thursday he had ordered the Pentagon to start nuclear weapons testing on a level with China and Russia -- just minutes before opening a high stakes summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The move comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Moscow had successfully tested a nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered underwater drone, in defiance of Washington's warnings.

"Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that specifically referenced Russia and China.

Trump also noted the United States has more nuclear weapons than any other country, praising his own efforts to do "a complete update and renovation of existing weapons."

He added that "Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within five years."

Trump did not provide further details on the testing except that the "process will begin immediately."

Trump is in South Korea to meet with Xi, as the leaders of the world's top two economies come face-to-face for the first time in the Republican president's second term.
Trump orders US to start nuclear weapons testing



Washington, Oct 30 (AFP) Oct 30, 2025



US President Donald Trump said Thursday he had ordered the Pentagon to start nuclear weapons testing on a level with China and Russia -- just minutes before opening a high-stakes summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The move comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Moscow had successfully tested a nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered underwater drone, in defiance of Washington's warnings.

"Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," Trump wrote in a social media post that specifically referenced Russia and China.

Trump also noted the United States has more nuclear weapons than any other country, praising his own efforts to do "a complete update and renovation of existing weapons."

He added that "Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within five years."

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) says nine countries possess nuclear weapons: Russia, the United States, China, France, United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Israel and North Korea.

Of the roughly 12,331 nuclear warheads ICAN counts, more than 5,500 belong to Russia while the United States owns 5,044.

Trump offered no details of the precise nature of the testing to be undertaken, but said the process would "begin immediately."

Putin announced on Wednesday the successful testing of a nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered underwater drone, the second weapons test in days.

In televised remarks broadcast from a military hospital treating Russian soldiers wounded in Ukraine, Putin said there was "no way to intercept" the unmanned drone torpedo dubbed "Poseidon."

He said Poseidon can travel faster than conventional submarines, dive deep and reach any continent in the world.

After a first test of a cruise missile on Sunday, Trump chided Putin saying he ought to end the war in Ukraine "instead of testing missiles."

Last week, a planned summit between Trump and Putin in Budapest was scrapped.

Between 1945 -- with the first ever atomic bomb test in New Mexico on July 16 -- and 1992, the United States has conducted 1,054 nuclear tests and carried out two nuclear attacks on Japan during World War II.

The last US nuclear test explosion was in September 1992, with a 20-kiloton underground detonation at the Nevada Nuclear Security Site.

In October 1992, then-president George H.W. Bush imposed a moratorium on further tests, which was continued by successive administrations. Nuclear testing was replaced by non-nuclear and subcritical experiments using advanced computer simulations.

Trump is in South Korea to meet with Xi, as the leaders of the world's top two economies come face-to-face for the first time in the Republican president's second term.
Norway defence firm Kongsberg eyes naval business spin-off



Oslo, Oct 30 (AFP) Oct 30, 2025



Norwegian defence company Kongsberg Gruppen said Thursday it wanted to spin off its maritime business and list it as a separate company on the Oslo stock exchange.

The company said it hoped that the two companies would be better able to develop as separate entities.

Kongsberg Maritime, which employs about 8,000 people, supplies navigation, propulsion and automation systems for civilian and military ships.

"We have concluded that continued growth and development will be even better ensured if Kongsberg Maritime leads its own life as a separate, publicly listed company," Eivind Reiten, chair of the board of Kongsberg Gruppen, told a press conference.

Kongsberg Gruppen would retain the defence, aerospace, and ocean exploration business areas.

In practical terms, the split would mean that shareholders in Kongsberg Gruppen would get a share in Kongsberg Maritime for each of their shares.

The announcement came as the group reported quarterly results that fell short of expectations.

For the third quarter, the group reported an EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of 2.45 billion kroner ($244 million), up nine percent compared to a year earlier, with revenue of 13.3 billion kroner.

Shares in Kongsberg Gruppen fell over 13 percent in the early hours of trading on the Oslo stock exchange.

The split, which needs to be approved by shareholders at an extraordinary meeting in January, would take effect in April, 2026.

It has already received the blessing of the Norwegian state, which holds a 50-percent stake in the defence company.

"This is a good move to support further growth and value creation in what will become two important Norwegian technology companies," Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth said in a statement.

German conglomerate Thyssenkrupp also recently spun off its naval division, specialised in submarine construction.

phy/ef/jll/lth

KONGSBERG GRUPPEN
Trump orders US to start nuclear weapons testing



Washington, Oct 30 (AFP) Oct 30, 2025



US President Donald Trump said Thursday he had ordered the Pentagon to start nuclear weapons testing "on an equal basis" to China and Russia -- an announcement made just minutes before he held a high-stakes summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

The move came after Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Moscow had successfully tested a nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered underwater drone, in defiance of Washington's warnings.

"Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," Trump wrote in a social media post.

Following that announcement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday that the weapon tests announced by Putin did not constitute a direct test of an atomic weapon.

Both countries observe a de facto moratorium on testing nuclear warheads, though Russia regularly runs military drills involving systems that are capable of carrying such weapons.

The United States has been a signatory since 1996 to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which bans all atomic test explosions, whether for military or civilian purposes.

It was not immediately clear whether Trump was referring to testing nuclear warheads, which the United States last did in 1992, or testing weapons systems capable of carrying atomic warheads.

Trump also claimed that the United States has more nuclear weapons than any other country, praising his own efforts to do "a complete update and renovation of existing weapons."

"Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within five years," he said.



- Thousands of warheads -



The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in its latest annual report that Russia possesses 5,489 nuclear warheads, compared to 5,177 for the United States and 600 for China.

In total, SIPRI estimates that the nine nuclear-armed countries -- Russia, the United States, China, France, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea -- possess more than 12,200 warheads.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that it had been "many years" since the United States had conducted nuclear tests.

"We don't do testing... we've halted it years, many years ago," he said, adding that it was "appropriate" to start again because others are testing.

"I'd like to see denuclearization... denuclearization would be a tremendous thing," he said.

He claimed "it's something we are actually talking to Russia about, and China would be added to that if we do something."

Trump kept the location and dates for testing vague during the news conference, but said earlier it would "begin immediately."



- China defends nuclear ban -



The Republican president was in South Korea to meet with Xi, with the leaders of the world's top two economies coming face-to-face for the first time in Trump's second term.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun later urged the United States to "earnestly abide" by a global nuclear testing ban "and take concrete actions to safeguard the global nuclear disarmament."

The United States conducted 1,054 nuclear tests between July 16, 1945, when the first test was conducted in New Mexico, and 1992, as well as two nuclear attacks on Japan during World War II.

It is the only country to have used nuclear weapons in combat.

The last US nuclear test explosion was in September 1992, with a 20-kiloton underground detonation at the Nevada Nuclear Security Site.

Then-president George H.W. Bush imposed a moratorium on further tests in October 1992 that has been continued by successive administrations.

Nuclear testing was replaced by non-nuclear and subcritical experiments using advanced computer simulations.



- Russia's 'Poseidon' drone -



Putin announced on Wednesday the successful testing of a nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered underwater drone, the second weapons test in days after that of the Burevestnik cruise missile.

In televised remarks broadcast from a military hospital treating Russian soldiers wounded in Ukraine, Putin said there was "no way to intercept" the torpedo drone dubbed "Poseidon."

"Regarding the tests of Poseidon and Burevestnik, we hope that the information was conveyed correctly to President Trump," Kremlin spokesman Peskov told journalists, including AFP, during a daily briefing on Thursday.

"This cannot in any way be interpreted as a nuclear test."

He implied that Russia would also test nuclear warheads if Trump ordered a live test of an atomic weapon.

"If someone departs from the moratorium, Russia will act accordingly," Peskov said.
Trump stirs tensions with surprise order to test nuclear weapons



Washington, Oct 30 (AFP) Oct 30, 2025



President Donald Trump landed back in the United States Thursday after a surprise directive to begin nuclear weapons testing that raised the specter of renewed superpower tensions.

The announcement on social media was issued right as Trump was going into a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea.

And it came days after Russia declared it had tested a nuclear-capable cruise missile and a nuclear-powered, nuclear-capable sea drone.

The blunt statement from Trump, who boasts frequently about being a "peace" president, left much unanswered.

Chiefly, it was unclear whether he meant testing weapons systems or actually conducting test explosions -- something the United States has not done since 1992.

Regardless, the statement amounted to unusual nuclear sabre rattling.

"Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," Trump said on Truth Social.

Trump also claimed that the United States has more nuclear weapons than any other country and that he had achieved this in his first term as president.

None of that appeared to be true.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) says in its latest annual report that Russia possesses 5,489 nuclear warheads, compared to 5,177 for the United States and 600 for China.

In his post, Trump said -- minutes ahead of his Xi summit -- said China was expected to "be even within 5 years."



- Russia pushes back -



Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun urged the United States to "earnestly abide" by a global nuclear testing ban.

The Kremlin questioned whether Trump was well-informed about Russia's military activities.

The recent weapons drills "cannot in any way be interpreted as a nuclear test," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. "We hope that the information was conveyed correctly to President Trump."

Peskov then implied that Russia would conduct its own live warhead tests if Trump did it first.

"If someone departs from the moratorium, Russia will act accordingly," Peskov said.

Both countries observe a de facto moratorium on testing nuclear warheads, though Russia and the US do regularly run military drills involving nuclear-capable systems.

The United States has been a signatory since 1996 to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which bans all atomic test explosions, whether for military or civilian purposes.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that it had been "many years" since the United States had conducted nuclear tests, but it was "appropriate" to start again.

Further muddying the waters, Trump also repeated in his remarks to reporters a previous claim that he wants negotiations on reducing nuclear weapons forces.

"Denuclearization would be a tremendous thing," he said. "It's something we are actually talking to Russia about, and China would be added to that if we do something."



- Last US test in 1992 -



The United States conducted 1,054 nuclear tests between July 16, 1945, when the first test was conducted in New Mexico, and 1992, as well as two nuclear attacks on Japan during World War II.

It is the only country to have used nuclear weapons in combat.

The last US nuclear test explosion was in September 1992, with a 20-kiloton underground detonation at the Nevada Nuclear Security Site.

Then-president George H.W. Bush imposed a moratorium on further tests in October 1992 that has been continued by successive administrations.

Nuclear testing was replaced by non-nuclear and subcritical experiments using advanced computer simulations.

Nevada congresswoman Dina Titus responded that she would introduce legislation to "put a stop" to any move at restoring live weapons testing in her state.

And Senator Jacky Rosen, also a Democrat, said on X that Trump's statement "directly contradicts the commitments I secured from Trump nominees... who've told me explosive nuclear testing would not happen & is unnecessary."

burs-sms/bgs
France vows support for NATO ally Romania after US troop cut



Sibiu, Romania, Oct 30 (AFP) Oct 30, 2025



France's defence minister on Thursday reassured Bucharest that Paris remained committed to Europe's "collective defence," after Washington said it would cut its troops in Romania.

The United States on Wednesday said it would pull some troops out from NATO's eastern flank but denied the move amounted to an American withdrawal from Europe.

Romania's defence ministry said 900-1,000 US soldiers would remain in the country, down from the about 1,700 currently being deployed in the Black Sea nation.

During a visit to the EU and NATO member bordering war-torn Ukraine on Thursday, French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin said that France remains committed "to the collective defence of the European continent".

The presence of 1,500 French troops in Romania was an expression of France's commitment, she said.

"The French Armed Forces are present in Romania, at the heart of the Eastern flank, in an international security context which is... very deteriorated," she said during a joint press conference with her Romanian counterpart Ionut Mosteanu.

"They embody our concrete commitment... for the security of Romania, for the security of Europe, and for the security of France and the French people," she said.

Vautrin added that France's commitment is "not temporary" but "long-term and based on trust... This message of stability is key for our Romanian friends as well as for the entire eastern flank".

Mosteanu said his country would acquire Mistral 3 surface-to-air missiles "under a contract to be signed by the end of this year" as part of the European Joint Acquisition Initiative led by France.

According to a spokesperson for Romania's defence ministry, the contract could be worth 660 million euros ($760 million) excluding VAT.

Since October 20, France has been participating in NATO's Dacian Fall military exercise in Romania.

The exercise "is a clear signal that we want to send together: Europe is ready," Vautrin said.

It is "further proof of the European allies' commitment to the security of Romania, the Black Sea and the eastern flank," said Mosteanu.
Trump stirs tensions with surprise order to test nuclear weapons



Washington, Oct 30 (AFP) Oct 30, 2025



President Donald Trump landed back in the United States Thursday after a surprise directive to begin nuclear weapons testing that raised the specter of renewed superpower tensions.

The announcement on social media was issued right as Trump was going into a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea.

And it came days after Russia declared it had tested nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered cruise missiles and sea drones.

The blunt statement from Trump, who boasts frequently about being a "peace" president, left much unanswered.

Chiefly, it was unclear whether he meant testing weapons systems or actually conducting test explosions -- something the United States has not done since 1992.

Regardless, the statement amounted to unusual nuclear sabre rattling.

"Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," Trump said on Truth Social.

Trump also claimed that the United States has more nuclear weapons than any other country and that he had achieved this in his first term as president.

None of that appeared to be true.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) says in its latest annual report that Russia possesses 5,489 nuclear warheads, compared to 5,177 for the United States and 600 for China.

In his post, Trump said -- minutes ahead of his Xi summit -- that China was expected to "be even within 5 years."



- Russia pushes back -



Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun urged the United States to "earnestly abide" by a global nuclear testing ban.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said through his deputy spokesman that "nuclear testing can never be permitted under any circumstances."

The Kremlin questioned whether Trump was well-informed about Russia's military activities.

The recent weapons drills "cannot in any way be interpreted as a nuclear test," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. "We hope that the information was conveyed correctly to President Trump."

Peskov then implied that Russia would conduct its own live warhead tests if Trump did it first.

"If someone departs from the moratorium, Russia will act accordingly," Peskov said.

Both countries observe a de facto moratorium on testing nuclear warheads, though Russia and the United States do regularly run military drills involving nuclear-capable systems.

The United States has been a signatory since 1996 to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which bans all atomic test explosions, whether for military or civilian purposes.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that it had been "many years" since the United States had conducted nuclear tests, but it was "appropriate" to start again.

Further muddying the waters, Trump also repeated in his remarks to reporters a previous claim that he wants negotiations on reducing nuclear weapons forces.

"Denuclearization would be a tremendous thing," he said. "It's something we are actually talking to Russia about, and China would be added to that if we do something."



- Last US test in 1992 -



The United States conducted 1,054 nuclear tests between July 16, 1945, when the first test was conducted in New Mexico, and 1992, as well as two nuclear attacks on Japan during World War II.

It is the only country to have used nuclear weapons in combat.

The last US nuclear test explosion was in September 1992, with a 20-kiloton underground detonation at the Nevada Nuclear Security Site.

Then-president George H.W. Bush imposed a moratorium on further tests in October 1992 that has been continued by successive administrations.

Nuclear testing was replaced by non-nuclear and subcritical experiments using advanced computer simulations.

Nevada congresswoman Dina Titus responded that she would introduce legislation to "put a stop" to any move at restoring live weapons testing in her state.

And Senator Jacky Rosen, also a Nevada Democrat, said on X that Trump's statement "directly contradicts the commitments I secured from Trump nominees... who've told me explosive nuclear testing would not happen & is unnecessary."

burs-sms/gw/des
Trump stirs tensions with surprise nuclear test order



Washington, Oct 30 (AFP) Oct 30, 2025



US President Donald Trump landed back in Washington Thursday after a surprise directive to begin nuclear weapons testing that raised the specter of renewed superpower tensions.

The announcement on social media was issued just before Trump -- who boasts frequently about being a peace president -- went into a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea.

But the announcement left much unanswered -- chiefly about whether he meant testing weapons systems or actually conducting test explosions, something the United States has not done since 1992.

Vice President JD Vance said that the US nuclear arsenal needed to be tested to ensure it actually "functions properly," but did not elaborate on what type of tests Trump had ordered.

The president's statement "speaks for itself," Vance told reporters at the White House.

"It's an important part of American national security to make sure that this nuclear arsenal we have actually functions properly, and that's part of a testing regime," he added.

Trump's statement nevertheless amounted to unusual nuclear sabre rattling.

It came came days after Russia declared it had tested nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered cruise missiles and sea drones.

"Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," Trump said on Truth Social.

Trump also claimed that the United States has more nuclear weapons than any other country and that he had achieved this in his first term as president.

That however appeared to be untrue.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) says in its latest annual report that Russia possesses 5,489 nuclear warheads, compared to 5,177 for the United States and 600 for China.

In his post, Trump said -- minutes ahead of his Xi summit -- that China was expected to "be even within 5 years."



- Russia pushes back -



The Kremlin questioned whether Trump was well-informed about Russia's military activities.

The recent weapons drills "cannot in any way be interpreted as a nuclear test," spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists. "We hope that the information was conveyed correctly to President Trump."

Peskov then implied that Russia would conduct its own live warhead tests if Trump did it first.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun urged the United States to "earnestly abide" by a global nuclear testing ban.

Both countries observe a de facto moratorium on testing nuclear warheads, though Russia and the United States do regularly run military drills involving nuclear-capable systems.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said through his deputy spokesman that "nuclear testing can never be permitted under any circumstances."

The United States has been a signatory since 1996 to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which bans all atomic test explosions, whether for military or civilian purposes.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that it had been "many years" since the United States had conducted nuclear tests, but it was "appropriate" to start again.

Further muddying the waters, Trump also repeated in his remarks to reporters a previous claim that he wants negotiations with Russia and China on reducing nuclear weapons forces.

"Denuclearization would be a tremendous thing," he said.



- Last US test in 1992 -



The United States conducted 1,054 nuclear tests between July 16, 1945, when the first test was conducted in New Mexico, and 1992, as well as two nuclear attacks on Japan during World War II.

It is the only country to have used nuclear weapons in combat.

The last US nuclear test explosion was in September 1992, with a 20-kiloton underground detonation at the Nevada Nuclear Security Site.

Then-president George H.W. Bush imposed a moratorium on further tests in October 1992 that has been continued by successive administrations.

Nuclear testing was replaced by non-nuclear and subcritical experiments using advanced computer simulations.

Nevada congresswoman Dina Titus responded that she would introduce legislation to "put a stop" to any move at restoring live weapons testing in her state.

burs-sms-dk/bgs
Fire, fury and the 'n-word': Trump's nuclear obsession



Washington, Oct 30 (AFP) Oct 30, 2025



In his first term as US president, Donald Trump reportedly suggested nuking hurricanes. In his second he has caused fresh concern by ordering the Pentagon to start nuclear weapons tests.

His latest remarks, made minutes before a landmark meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, follow a pattern of deeply contradictory signals about atomic bombs.

One day Trump talks about making a deal with Russia and China to give up their arsenals. The next he appears -- though no one is sure -- to be talking about overturning a three-decade halt on testing.

But the subject also appears to fascinate him.

Barely a speech goes by without him addressing the destructive power of nuclear weapons with a kind of awe that befits a 79-year-old who grew up during the Cold War.

"It's been on his mind since the 80s. He wants to solve this issue," Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, told AFP.

"My concern is that his current approach as president is incoherent, inconsistent, and his team is not constructed or managed in a way that can follow through on his best intentions."



- 'Rocket man' -



The threat -- and promise -- of nuclear weapons has been a thread through both of Trump's presidencies.

During his first he spent much time and energy on summits with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un -- after initially dubbing Kim "Rocket Man" and threatening Pyongyang with "fire and fury like the world has never seen."

Trump's three encounters with Kim failed to produce any deal with the only country known to have carried out nuclear tests in the 21st century.

But the US president has continued to hold out hope of a breakthrough, saying he would have liked to meet Kim during his trip to Asia this week and hailing their "great relationship."

It wasn't just nuclear proliferation on Trump's mind in his first term.

A report emerged in 2019 that Trump had asked national security officials whether it would be possible to drop an atomic bomb in a hurricane to stop it approaching US shores. Trump said the report was "fake news."

After his return to the White House in January, Trump swiftly rekindled his old obsession.

He has repeatedly suggested a deal with Russia and China for "de-nuking," and in February even suggested an extraordinary three-way summit with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the subject.

"There's no reason for us to be building brand new nuclear weapons," Trump told reporters at the time. "We already have so many you could destroy the world 50 times over, 100 times over."



- 'Madman' theory -



Yet at other times he has rattled the nuclear saber.

Discussing his recent decision to deploy two US submarines after what he said were nuclear threats by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, Trump even referenced a racial slur.

"I call it the n-word. There are two n-words and you can't use either of them," Trump said in a speech to top US military officers in September.

Trump's comments ordering the Pentagon to "start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis" with Russia and China have, however, caused unusual confusion and alarm.

Why would Trump talk about restarting full tests?

It was possible that Trump was using the "madman" theory of bold threats to coerce adversaries into deals -- an approach he has often relied on in trade and other negotiations, said Kimball, the arms control expert.

But he added that "for the president to make such provocative, ambiguous statements is irresponsible and dangerous and frankly incompetent."

Kimball compared the situation to the recently released movie "A House of Dynamite," a nuclear thriller in which a US president faces the dilemma of how to respond to a lone missile strike as he evacuates Washington in his helicopter.

Trump, he pointed out, "is the same guy who would be sitting on Marine One."
By Georgina McCartney

HOUSTON (Reuters) -Oil prices slipped about 2% on Tuesday, marking a third straight day of declines as investors considered the impact of U.S. sanctions against Russia's two biggest oil companies on global supply, along with a potential OPEC+ plan to raise output.

Brent crude futures settled down $1.22, or 1.9%, to $64.40 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures settled down $1.16, or 1.9%, at $60.15.

Brent and WTI last week registered their biggest weekly gains since June, reacting to U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose Ukraine-related sanctions on Russia for the first time in his second term, targeting major oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft.

The U.S. government has provided written assurances that the German business of Russia's Rosneft would be exempt from the sanctions because the assets are no longer under Russian control, Germany's economy minister said.

"Trump giving Germany this waiver gives the impression that there could be more wiggle room on these sanctions, so this is taking away some of the immediate concerns that supplies could dramatically tighten. We definitely saw some risk-off (trading) today," said Phil Flynn, senior analyst with Price Futures Group.

The effect of sanctions on oil-exporting countries will be limited because of surplus capacity, Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency, said on Tuesday.

Following the U.S. sanctions, Russia's second-largest oil producer, Lukoil, said on Monday it would sell its international assets.

This move is the most consequential action so far by a Russian company in the wake of Western sanctions over Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine, which started in February 2022.

Moscow-headquartered Lukoil accounts for around 2% of global oil output.

INDIAN REFINERS HALT NEW ORDERS

Indian refiners have not placed new orders for Russian oil purchases since the sanctions were imposed, as they await clarity from the government and suppliers, sources told Reuters on Tuesday.

OPEC+, which groups the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, is leaning toward another modest output boost in December, four sources familiar with the talks told Reuters.

Having curbed production for several years to support the oil market, the group started reversing those cuts in April.

"This raises the larger question as to how much spare capacity OPEC+ really has left," Flynn said.

The CEO of Saudi Arabian state oil company Aramco said on Tuesday crude oil demand was strong even before sanctions were imposed on Rosneft and Lukoil, and that Chinese demand was still healthy.
OpenAI has completed its for-profit recapitalization and converted its for-profit arm into the OpenAI Group Public Benefit Corporation, which remains controlled by the nonprofit foundation. Under the deal, Microsoft has gained a 27% stake and retained access to OpenAIs technology through 2032, including any AGI models verified by an independent panel. The agreement lifts long-standing capital restrictions and ends Microsofts exclusive cloud rights.

OpenAI and Microsoft jointly announced that they have reached a deal to complete OpenAIs restructuring into a more traditional for-profit corporation.

As part of the deal, early investor Microsoft will get a 27% stake in OpenAI, worth around $135 billion. The tech giant will also retain access to OpenAIs technology through 2032, including any models that reach the milestone of artificial general intelligence (AGI)something that will now be verified by an independent expert panel. The companys stock rose on the news, with shares up about 2% on Tuesday, pushing its market valuation past the $4 trillion mark again.

Microsoft will also retain rights to OpenAIs research IP, defined as confidential methods used in the development of models and systems, until either AGI is verified or 2030, whichever comes first. However, Microsofts IP rights no longer include OpenAIs consumer hardware. The company also relinquished its cloud exclusivity with OpenAI, a concession on its part, but announced OpenAI has contracted to purchase an incremental $250 billion in Azure services.

Under the deal, OpenAI will complete its corporate recapitalization and convert its for-profit arm into the OpenAI Group Public Benefit Corporation, which remains controlled by the nonprofit foundation. The AI lab has also cleared a critical regulatory hurdle, with the attorney general of Delaware announcing that her office has issued a statement of no objection to the proposed corporate recapitalization.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta told Fortune in a statement that his office would not be in court opposing OpenAIs recapitalization plan.

Over the last year and a half, my office has conducted a robust investigation into OpenAIs initial plan to restructure, followed by its revised plan to recapitalize. We secured concessions that ensure charitable assets are used for their intended purpose, safety will be prioritized, as well as a commitment that OpenAI will remain right here in California, he said.

In a statement, OpenAI chair Bret Taylor said the recapitalization was completed after nearly a year of engaging in constructive dialogue with the offices of the attorneys general of California and Delaware, and that the company made several changes as a result of those discussions.
Speaking on RTEs Today with Claire Byrne programme he said: This is an indication that people out there want to invest in the Irish economy, were one of the strongest across the European Union now, we want to maintain that.
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Poonawalla is based in Pune in western India with his philanthropist wife Natasha and their children. But he also owns the most expensive home in London, Aberconway House in Mayfair, which he bought for 138m in 2023. The investment in the arts from wealthy Indian patrons is echoed in the elite property market. According to expert Peter Wetherell, India accounts for the largest growth in high-end property purchases between 2019 and 2023. Ultra-high-net-worth Indian buyers have been the most active overseas purchasers in Mayfairs property market this year, especially for homes priced above 15 million, accounting for 25 per cent of all international buyers in Mayfair, he says. Meanwhile, Indian-born entrepreneur Sharan Pasricha  founder of the company Ennismore  has become one of the countrys most successful hoteliers by buying grand, crumbling properties like the Gleneagles Hotel and Eynsham Hall (now Estelle Manor) and transforming them into opulent country retreats.
The court was told Dawood allegedly approached one of the witnesses with a knife in his hand and was standing in her garden while members of her family sought to help Mr Farrukh and the 14-year-old boy, who had suffered minor injuries to his hands.
Looked at in context, a letter that says we are unwaveringly committed to Aug 2023, nothing bad is going to happen to CSL, CSL have demonstrated an ability to endure for five years, this scheme will be the first in the UK.
Lead author Tomiko Yoneda, of the University of California Davis, said: We know from lots of research that positive emotions like happiness, joy, love and excitement are good for our health  theyve even been linked to living longer. But most of this research looks at peoples emotions as if they happen in isolation.
London Fire Commissioner Jonathan Smith said: Moving our headquarters back to its historic location in Lambeth is not just the right decision for the Brigade, but also for London and Londoners. By refurbishing and modernising an existing building we will be offering the best value for Londoners and maintaining an important presence on the Thames and in the heart of London.
In August, Trump said he had discussed nuclear arms control with Putin and wanted China to get involved. Beijing responded by saying it was "unreasonable and unrealistic" to ask the country to join in nuclear disarmament negotiations with the two countries, since its arsenal was much smaller.
German biopharmaceutical giant expects to forge deeper ties with China's innovation ecosystem Pub Date:25-10-30 10:26 Source:Xinhua Global biopharmaceutical leader Boehringer Ingelheim, a CIIE regular, has accelerated product launches in China by leveraging favorable policies, deepening its healthcare commitment. #GLOBALink Editor:Qin Shuying

Related News Humanoid robots join apple harvesting in S... China approves amendment to cybersecurity ... GLOBALink | Turing Award laureate: China p... Chinese innovations convert smart ideas in...
Water is wet. Grass is green. And OpenAI, the nonprofit that was going to save humanity from dangerous AI, just went for-profit.

The company's restructuring, announced Tuesday, converts OpenAI into a public benefit corporation while handing its nonprofit foundation a $130 billion stake, making it the wealthiest foundation in America. But this move was not about philanthropy. It's about unleashing OpenAI to compete with rivals like Google and Meta.

The writing has been on the wall since ChatGPT exploded onto the scene in 2022. While OpenAI preached about benefiting humanity from its nonprofit perch, competitors weren't bound by such lofty restrictions. Google, Meta, and Amazon could tap their trillion-dollar valuations, issue stock options to lure top talent, and make billion-dollar infrastructure bets without asking permission from attorneys general.

OpenAI's nonprofit board famously fired Altman in November 2023, reportedly over concerns about the pace of commercialization. His triumphant return days later was the death knell for any pretense that OpenAI would remain a traditional nonprofit. The board that once tried to pump the brakes was replaced with one that understood the assignment: win the AI race, whatever it takes.

The restructuring changes everything. As a public benefit corporation  a for-profit company legally required to balance shareholder returns with a stated public benefit  OpenAI can now issue equity to employees, critical for competing with Meta's million-dollar packages. Unlike a traditional nonprofit, which can't offer stock options, or its previous convoluted "capped-profit" structure, which turned off investors, a PBC operates like a normal company with a social mission baked into its charter.

Think of it as the corporate equivalent of having your cake and eating it too. OpenAI can raise capital through traditional equity rounds, offer competitive compensation packages, and eventually go public, all while claiming to serve humanity's interests. Anthropic uses a similar structure. Until recently, xAI, owned by Elon Musk, did too.

The timing isn't coincidental. SoftBank had threatened to slash its $30 billion investment to $20 billion if OpenAI didn't restructure by year's end. Microsoft needed to renegotiate its exclusive access to OpenAI's technology. Top researchers were fleeing to competitors who could offer real equity upside. The nonprofit status was keeping them from raising money, which the company needs an almost endless amount of to survive.

Consider the math. OpenAI has racked up around $1 trillion in AI deals this year alone, according to The Financial Times. This includes $300 billion with Oracle, $100 billion with Nvidia, and $22 billion with CoreWeave, a data center company. Those deals together are nearly 80 times its current annual revenue of $13 billion. The company plans to build 250 gigawatts of computing capacity by 2033, enough to power Germany. These aren't the modest ambitions of a charity; they're the imperial dreams of a company that believes it will either dominate the future or cease to exist.
Sami is, above all, a family man who has a strong sense of justice. He is a devoted husband, father, son, and friend who goes above and beyond to serve his community and care for those around him. He is also a journalist, political commentator, and human rights defender who has dedicated his life to speaking out against injustices and upholding freedom of the press.
The standout of the bunch? The brands hero product, its compression packing cubes. Promising up to 60 per cent more space in your suitcase while keeping everything neat, compact and wrinkle-free, theyre a game-changer for anyone whos ever sat on their luggage trying to zip it shut. Frequent flyers swear by them and, once you try them, youll understand why.
If youve had the luxury of visiting the Somerset estate of The Newt, you may have sauntered through the farm shop and lusted over the delights inside. These crackers bring that experience to your home. Inside the cracker printed with a bespoke woodland design is an entirely plastic-free selection of treats. These include cutesy helpful tools like a cookie cutter, spice grater and spiced apple tea.
Hello and welcome to Eye on AIIn this edition: OpenAIs new deal with MicrosoftElon Musk launches Grokipediadata engineers struggle with AI workloads...and are AI browsers a security risk?

Hello, Beatrice Nolan here, filling in for Jeremy Kahn, who is traveling back from the Fortune Global Forum in Riyadh today. In big AI news, OpenAI and Microsoft announced that they had reached an agreement on the future of their partnership that allows OpenAI to complete a long-awaited corporate restructuring.



The arrangement converts OpenAIs previous for-profit arm into a public benefit corporation that can issue traditional equity and will give shareholders a potentially more prominent voice in OpenAIs governancetwo changes that were seen as critical for OpenAI to continue to raise the billions of dollars of capital it will need to build more advanced AI models, construct massive datacenters, and continue its push to become a key technology platform for consumers and enterprises.

Under the deal, the new OpenAI Group PBC will remain controlled by the nonprofit OpenAI Foundation. The nearly year-long negotiations with Microsoft, which reportedly caused significant tension between the two companies, had been OpenAIs main obstacle to completing the restructuring. And at first glance, Microsoft appears to have extracted significant concessions from the AI lab.

The tech giantwhich has poured more than $13 billion into OpenAI since 2019will take a 27% stake in OpenAI. Given OpenAIs current valuation, Microsofts position will be worth about $135 billion. It will also retain access to OpenAIs technology through 2032, including any models that reach the milestone of artificial general intelligence (AGI). Whether models have passed this thresholdwhich OpenAI had previously defined publicly as an AI system capable of performing most economically-valuable cognitive tasks as well or better than a humanwill also now be verified by an independent expert panel.

Previously, OpenAI alone could decide when AGI had been reached, which was seen as a possible leverage point to end or change Microsofts rights under their partnership. This arrangement reportedly raised tensions, with Microsoft reportedly worried that OpenAI could prematurely declare AGI, using a high-performing AI model as the milestone, which would have major financial and IP implications for both companies. So this decision independent panel is a win for Microsoft.

The deal also lets Microsoft pursue AGI independently, or with third parties, while still requiring OpenAI to share many of its research techniques and breakthroughs. Under the new deal, Microsoft retains access to much of OpenAIs underlying research methods and systems, although the company will not have access to OpenAIs consumer hardware, or the model weights and core architectural details of any models considered research. (It will retain rights to these key technical details for OpenAIs production models until 2032.)
Amelia Salas, 4, looks at the community altar, or ofrenda, set up in the Moody Amphitheater as part of the Waterloo Park Dia de Muertos celebration on Nov. 2, 2022. SARA DIGGINS/AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Texans across the state will be celebrating Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, this week. From marigold flowers to heartfelt altars, Austin is ready to honor the Mexican tradition with a range of community events and family-friendly activities.

What is Dia de Muertos? When is the Day of the Dead celebrated?

Community members gather flowers to bring to the ofrenda during the Dia de Muertos celebration at San Jose Cemetery I on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman, Austin American-Statesman

Dia de Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrated annually on Nov. 1 and 2. Rooted in both Indigenous and Catholic traditions, its a time for families to honor and remember loved ones who have died not through mourning, but through joyful celebration.

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The two days correspond with All Saints Day and All Souls Day in the Catholic calendar. Traditionally, Nov. 1 honors deceased children, or angelitos, while Nov. 2 is dedicated to remembering adults.

A living tradition of memory

Community members prepare the ofrenda for the Dia de los Muertos celebration at San Jose Cemetery I on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman

Families mark the holiday by building ofrendas, or home altars, adorned with photos of the deceased, candles, sugar skulls, food and marigold flowers, whose scent is said to guide spirits back to the world of the living.

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Many also visit cemeteries to clean and decorate gravesites, bringing food, music and conversation to share with the souls theyre welcoming back.

How Austin celebrates

Isabel Ramirez decorates an altar, or ofrenda, set up for pets in the Moody Amphitheater as part of the Waterloo Park Dia de los Muertos celebration, Nov. 2, 2022. SARA DIGGINS/AMERICAN-STATESMAN

In Austin, Dia de Muertos has become both a community gathering and a cultural showcase. Local organizations, schools and artists host events that highlight Mexican heritage and honor those who came before.

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A few highlights:

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Snapper crudo at ATX Cocina. PROVIDED BY RONNY GALDAMEZ

How do you capture the essence of Austin dining  the places that define the citys appetite, identity and soul? Thats the question Austin American-Statesman food critic Matthew Odam set out to answer in his annual dining guide, a deeply reported look at the 40 best restaurants in Austin.

His selections were guided less by price or prestige than by one simple question: Where would I send a friend who wants to understand Austin?

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This years guide reflects the diversity and creativity of Austins culinary landscape, and when it comes to Mexican food, several restaurants stood out  from elegant modernist dining rooms to bustling taquerias redefining tradition.

Flautas en mole negro at Suerte. PROVIDED BY SUERTE

At Suerte, chef Fermin Nunez continues to redefine modern Mexican cooking through the humble magic of masa. Odam ranked Suerte No. 2 overall on his list, praising the restaurants unsurpassed house-ground corn that gives each tortilla a creamy texture.

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In one of the guides most memorable passages, Odam recalled asking Nunez about a dish that stopped him cold  the duck confit flautas draped in mole negro:

The mole negro shrouding the crunchy duck confit flautas was the best Id ever eaten in the United States, Odam wrote.

Nunez revealed that he makes the sauce only when hes in a good mood and always to the sound of the Mana album Suenos Liquidos. That attention to spirit and precision, Odam suggests, is what makes Suerte one of the citys defining restaurants.

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1800 E. Sixth St. 512-522-3031, suerteatx.com.

Camarones el ricas at Este in East Austin. PROVIDED BY CEDRIC ANGELES

A sibling restaurant to Suerte, Este brings Mexico Citys coastal elegance to East Austin. Odam ranked it No. 8 on his list, describing it as a celebration of sea, flavor and spirited times.

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Este owner Sam Hellman-Mass and executive chef Fermin Nunez bring that energy to their airy and expansive renovation of the former Eastside Cafe, Odam wrote, noting the restaurants electric opening dishes  like clams preparados and aguachiles  and its rich and sumptuous mains such as shrimp in costeno garlic butter and fried fish tacos he calls the best of their kind in a town full of tacos.

2113 Manor Rd. 512-522-4047, esteatx.com.

Sanpper crudo at ATX Cocina. MATTHEW ODAM/AMERICAN-STATESMAN

At ATX Cocina, Mexican flavors meet downtown polish. Odam ranked the restaurant No. 12.

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The dishes, like the room and its volume, are maximalist, Odam wrote. A snapper crudo is turned up with adobo negro, Filipino pico and grapefruit; butter-poached crab falls over itself as it escapes a chile relleno also bursting with cheesy cornbread.

Its big, bold and  as Odam puts it  a lot, and it works.

110 San Antonio St., Suite 170. 512-263-2322, atxcocina.com.

Bluefin tuna in prickly pear aguachile at Nixta Taqueria. MATTHEW ODAM/AMERICAN-STATESMAN

Rounding out the top 15 is Nixta Taqueria, the East Austin powerhouse from chef Edgar Rico and partner Sara Mardanbigi. Ricos modern taqueria  which earned him a Bib Gourmand designation from the Michelin Guide in 2024  has expanded to meet the demand for his creative dishes.

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Odam highlighted Nixtas balance of heart and artistry, praising the duck carnitas and enchilada potosina tacos that honor Ricos familial roots in San Luis Potosi and cured bluefin tuna in prickly pear aguachile.

Chef Edgar Rico earned the Michelin Green Star for sustainable practices for Nixta Taqueria on Tuesday. Rico was also recognized in the 2024 Michelin Guide with the Young Chef Award.

2512 E. 12th St. nixtataqueria.com.

Also recommended

While not ranked, two more Mexican restaurants earned high praise from Odam as standouts worth visiting.

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Probably the most cinematic restaurant in Austin, Odam wrote, where a dramatic downtown space meets thoughtful cooking by chef Philip Speer. He praised its juicy lamb barbacoa and cheesy fish dip that bring approachability to a fine-dining setting.

501 Colorado St. 512-499-0977, comedortx.com.

Chef Iliana de la Vegas South Austin restaurant, now helmed by her daughter Ana Torrealba, delivers moles that range from rich, deep notes to bright, herbaceous tones, Odam said. He added that its family warmth and respectfulness evoke the feeling of dining in Mexico itself.

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Plants, mud and other debris are visible in the Shoal Creek bed in Austin, Aug. 23, 2022. Austin and Central Texas have and will continue to experience heavy rain after a nearly rainless summer. Sara Diggins/American-Statesman

Officials have identified the two people found dead following heavy rain and thunderstorms over the weekend.

A spokesperson for the Austin Police Department said 42-year-old Amado Ravelos and 43-year-old Tonya Conner died in the storms. Officials did not specify where Conner and Ravelos were found in the update.

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On Saturday, Austin police said they responded to reports of a body in Lady Bird Lake at 10:30 a.m. They pronounced the person dead on the scene. Later that day, they responded to reports of a deceased woman in the 4600 block of Unity Circle at 5:22 p.m. Crews pulled the woman's body from Shoal Creek and pronounced her dead at 5:44 p.m.

Early Saturday, crews also searched for someone who had been "washed downstream" around 1:30 a.m. near the 5200 block of Burnet Road. After about an hour of searching, officials said they were unable to locate the person. Police said it is unclear if either of the deaths were related to the failed rescue.

Investigations into the deaths are still ongoing and the causes of death are still pending.

--Dante Motley contributed to this report.
In 2019, Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1325 into law. The law allows the production, manufacture, retail sale, and inspection of industrial hemp crops and products in Texas granted that they stay at 0.3% or less delta-9 THC level. (Photo by Krisztian Elek/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) SOPA Images/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett

Recreational cannabis isn't legal in Texas, but with more than 7,000 registered hemp shops in business, Texans are consuming it.

Despite efforts by the state to reform certain THC laws, the drug is here to stay for now.

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While recreational marijuana use is still illegal, hemp-derived THC products, such as Delta-8 and Delta-9 gummies or edibles, are legal as long as they contain less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight, in accordance with the states hemp program and its evolving regulations.

Some cities have passed efforts to decriminalize it.

But while lawmakers and pro cannabis users argue about the right to use it, there are other things to consider, such as whether is it addictive.

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Here is what to know.

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Is marijuana addictive?

There's some argument that cannabis has some health benefits.

In 2015, Texas passed the Compassionate-Use Act, which allowed the first legal use of low-THC cannabis products in the state for patients with intractable epilepsy. It was expanded in 2019 and 2021 to include other conditions.

Chapter 169 of the Texas Occupations Code states that patients suffering from certain health aliments are allowed to use low-THC cannabis products.

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But just how addictive is the drug?

Kevin Hill, associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and director of the Division of Addiction Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, explained the benefits and risks of the drug in The Harvard Gazette.

Hill explained that while scientists have disproved certain myths about the drug, it can be easy for the public to be swayed by people who are extreme pro or anti cannabis use.

"You can become addicted to cannabis, though most people dont," Hill said. "Every single day we have patients come in who are interested in using cannabis as a medication or theyre using it recreationally or are interested in cannabidiol, and they have beliefs about cannabis that theyve held for years that arent true. And that becomes a major barrier. Its hard to dispel those beliefs in the office."

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Hill continued that cannabis addiction has the perception of being harmless.

"Its less addictive than alcohol, less addictive than opioids, but just because its less addictive doesnt mean that its not addictive," he said. "Theres a subset of people  whom I treat frequently  who are using cannabis to the detriment of work, school, and relationships."

What is considered excessive marijuana use?

Per the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, while the scientific literature does not offer a single, standardized definition of regular cannabis use, the term generally describes a pattern involving cannabis consumption on a weekly or more frequent basis over several months or years. Such use carries an increased risk of negative health outcomes.

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Related terms  such as frequent use, chronic use, and long-term useare often used interchangeably.
Katey Psencik is the breaking and trending editor at the Austin American-Statesman. Katey is a journalist and educator whose career spans print, TV, digital media, and nonprofits. Most recently, she led The Drag Audio Production House at the University of Texas, where she oversaw more than 40 student producers and executive produced award-winning podcasts. She also teaches podcasting and other journalism courses at UT. A Central Texas native and proud Texas Ex, her work has appeared in Texas Highways, Eater, Vox Media and more. She lives in South Austin with her two dogs, Oso and Mav.
The Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center, pictured earlier this month. The decision by Travis County prosecutors to dismiss a murder case after a jury was sworn in means the defendant will never face trial in the case. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

An Austin man was convicted for a hate crime on Thursday after slapping and threatening a man with a box-cutter on a bus in 2022.

George Johnson, 35, was found guilty by a jury on two counts of aggravated assault in the Travis County Criminal Court for the June 2022 assault, according to the Travis County District Attorney's office. The jury found he targeted the victim based in prejudice against homosexuality. On the same day as his conviction, Judge Dayna Blazey sentenced him to serve five years for each count concurrently.

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The Travis County District Attorneys office does not tolerate acts of hate in our community, takes hate crimes seriously, and is committed to holding people who commit these crimes accountable, said Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza in a press release.

The incident happened on a bus Johnson was riding on June 14, 2022, according to his arrest affidavit. During a bus ride from the bus stop at Metric Boulevard and West Braker Lane to the Norwood Park stop, the affidavit said Johnson was making comments about the victim's sexual orientation. When another man struggled to pay his fare with Apple Pay and was allowed to board for free, Johnson began making more homophobic comments, upset that he was allowed on for free. Johnson then approached a man while brandishing a box-cutter with its blade drawn, slapping the man's face while continuing to hurl homophobic comments.

I'll cut your (expletive) throat," Johnson said on surveillance video from the incident shown in court. "Don't ever do that gay (expletive) again.

He was arrested and charged a little over a week later on June 22. In 2023, he was re-indicted with hate crime charges, alleging he intentionally targeted the victim because of his bias against his sexual preference.

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Johnson's attorneys did not immediately respond to request for comment.
When you have kids, you don't just take on the responsibility of raising them. You also take on a world of expenses. And these days, a lot of parents are struggling.

A whopping 59% of parents have gone into debt just to meet their children's needs, according to a 2025 National Debt Relief survey. And 42% of U.S. parents have credit card debt, with the average balance clocking in at $14,556.

Given that so many parents are struggling with higher costs, it stands to reason that some are cutting back on spending wherever possible to keep their debt to a minimum. That could mean skipping nonessential clothing purchases and favoring secondhand apparel over items that are new.

Thats bad news for clothing retailers, though. And while parents may be more likely to cut back on apparel purchases for themselves rather than their kids, when push comes to shove, many will do whatever's needed to stay afloat.

Meanwhile, one popular childrens clothing retailer is gearing up to close stores after a disappointing fiscal quarter.

If this trend continues, parents could be left with fewer choices for kids apparel, exacerbating their financial pain.

A popular children's retailer is closing 150 stores.Shutterstock

Carters shares key store closure update

Carter's is a name any parent of young children is apt to recognize. The company operates more than 1,000 retail locations in North America and Mexico and owns several popular clothing brands, including OshKosh B'gosh.

But Carters unveiled some disappointing numbers during its most recent earnings call.

Related: Sam's Club makes bold move to win over Costco members

During the companys third fiscal quarter, net sales fell 0.1% to $757.8 million, compared to $758.5 million a year prior.

Net income, meanwhile, plunged substantially to $11.6 million, down from $58.3 million on a year-over-year basis.

Now, the company is making plans to close 150 stores. It's also doing a corporate restructuring that will leave 300 office employees out of a job.

Most of the closures will be U.S. stores, but a few of the closures are slated for locations in Canada and Mexico. Roughly 100 stores will be closed during fiscal year 2025 and 2026, with additional closures to come later.

"As we've discussed previously, our physical store fleet must be honed," said Carter's CEO and President Douglas Palladini.

Key Carter Q3 financial results
. .

Police on Thursday morning arrested a student accused of having a gun on a Pflugerville School District bus, officials said.

School staff were alerted after a student anonymously reported to campus administrators that another student had brought a gun onto a bus Thursday morning and showed it to other students, according to a letter Pflugerville High School Principal Jon Bailey sent to parents. The letter did not include details about the age or sex of the student who was arrested.

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Administrators immediately contacted school district police, who started an investigation as soon as the bus arrived at Pflugerville High campus, the letter said. Police found a gun in the student's possession and arrested the student before school started, according to the letter.

"The student involved will face serious disciplinary consequences in accordance with district policy and the law," according to the letter. "Bringing a firearm onto school property is a severe violation of both school rules and state law, and Pflugerville ISD will take all appropriate actions to address this incident and ensure the safety of our campus community."

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The letter also praised the anonymous student who reported the incident. "Their courage and responsibility helped ensure that our police officers were able to respond quickly and appropriately."

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"As always, we encourage students and families to report any safety concerns immediately to a staff member, campus administration, or PfISD Police," the letter said.

People can visit the district's anonymous alerts or bit.ly/3WtJsTV to report any threats made to harm anyone on a Pflugerville school district campus, any suspicious activity on a campus, bullying and cyberbullying, cheating on schoolwork, dating violence/abuse, depression, self-harm/cutting, drug/tobacco/vaping/alcohol use on campus, eating disorders or family abuse/neglect, according to the letter.

"The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority, and we take every report seriously," the letter said. "We will continue to follow all district policies and procedures to maintain a safe learning environment for everyone."
Parents and students attend a board of trustees meeting at AISD headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Austin. Parents and students gathered at AISD headquarters to protest the closure of 13 AISD schools. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Two days before the Austin school district is expected to release a new version of a campus closure plan, trustees highlighted some potential changes at a Wednesday night meeting.

Three key changes discussed include switching the destination of the district's Montessori program, options to reopen Martin and Bedichek middle schools and more generous transfer and transportation policies to allow more students to stay at their current campus.

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Despite a push from Vice President Kathryn Whitley Chu for alternative plans to spare some campuses on the closure list, other trustees didnt seem to have much appetite for wholesale changes.

Multiple trustees did ask officials to provide more detailed financial justification for the closure plan and a proposal for the academic programming that families should expect across the district.

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District officials estimate the Oct. 3. proposal to shutter 13 campuses, move specialty programming at several campuses and update attendance lines for thousands of Austin children will save $20 million in operating costs as the district faces a chronic budget shortfall.

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The controversial proposal has sparked pushback from families ahead of the boards Nov. 20 vote, which will also determine the final plan to turn around multiple academically struggling campuses.

During the workshop meeting, Whitley Chu demanded an alternative plan from staff that specifically doesnt involve closing Bryker Woods Elementary School in Central Austin, as well as other schools on the list.

Theres people on this list, they do not feel fairly treated at all, she said. They do not feel listened to at all.

Whitley Chu, who represents Northwest Austin, is the only trustee who has voiced definite opposition to the Oct. 3 plan. None of the campuses in Whitley Chus district are on the closure list, though students across Austin are affected by boundary changes.

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Trustee Fernando de Urioste, however, opposed horse-trading over campuses.

To sit here and negotiate between different schools and dramatic changes on the plan I think personally is not appropriate for the board, de Urioste said.

Despite calls from community members to delay the boards Nov. 20 vote, Superintendent Matias Segura on Wednesday told trustees hes adamant the district avoid delay, pointing to fiscal risk and pressures from campuses not meeting state academic standards.

The risks arent going to go away, he said. Theyre only going to get bigger.

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Chelsea Fullerton-Jones, a parent of students at Maplewood and parent with Let's Get It Right AISD, holds up a sign during a protest outside AISD headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Austin. Parents and students gathered at AISD headquarters to protest the closure of 13 AISD schools. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Montessori changes

Under the current draft plan, the Winn Montessori program would relocate to Govalle Elementary. Trustees proposed changing the destination to Ortega Elementary School instead.

They worried moving the Montessori program to Govalle would displace an East Austin community that received a brand new $32.5 building through a bond package passed in 2017.

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I have a lot of concerns of Are we fixing a problem? Are we creating a problem? said Trustee Candace Hunter, who represents Northeast Austin. Will there be a domino?

Moving Montessori into East Austin was intentional to avoid another campus closure in an area with excess school space, Segura said. Officials considered campuses other than Govalle, but some  such as Zavala  had historic significance they didn't want to disrupt.

If we do not move a program there, were going to have a lot of underenrolled schools in this area and were going to have a closure there, Segura said.

The move is a chance to rethink, the Montessori program, staff said, which hasnt met state academic standards for three years.

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Adam Sparks, organizer anf founder of Let's Get It Right AISD, speaks at a protest outside AISD headquarters on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025 in Austin. Parents and students gathered at AISD headquarters to protest the closure of 13 AISD schools. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Martin and Bedicheck middle schools

Trustees also talked about reopening options for Martin and Bedichek middle schools, which are slated for temporary closure.

Segura proposed moving Garza Independence High School, which provides students an alternative or self-paced route to graduation, to Martin and adding sixth through ninth grades to the 10th through 12th grade programming.

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Segura also suggested opening a sixth through 12th grade dual language campus at Bedichek. Trustees asked staff to investigate the potential of a Kindergarten through eighth grade campus at one of the middle schools.

Transfers, transportation changes

At Wednesday night's meeting, district staff opened the door to changing Austin's transportation and transfer policies, making it easier for students to remain at their current campus.

Rising sixth and ninth graders will be zoned to a new campus will be able to attend the campus they were originally slated to attend, or grandfathered in.

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Students who transfer into a school thats going to close or undergo a comprehensive program change will be guaranteed a transfer spot in the new school their peers will be attending.

Prekindergarten students will be able to continue at their current campus. Staff and sibling transfers will be approved.

Students who live in the current attendance zone for a campus receiving a special program  like Sanchez Elementary Schools move to an across-campus dual language campus  will be eligible for bus transportation to their original school if they choose to transfer in.

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In addition, students who opt to attend the dual language program at Joslin and the Montessori program at Govalle will receive transportation in accordance with the districts policy.
From left, Mia, Daniel Schoeggl and Elijah Rivera, from Students for a Democratic Society, lead the crowd in chants at a protest at the University of Texas at Austin on Monday, October. 13, 2025. About 150 people gathered to protest Trump's compact, which was sent to UT and eight other schools. If signed, UT will get exclusive benefits but also pledge to follow trump's guidance. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

As rumors circulate that the University of Texas ethnic studies programs may be at risk of consolidation, the schools College of Liberal Arts told faculty a new committee is exploring administrative changes to some of the schools departments that may have become overly fragmented.

In an Oct. 23 email sent to department chairs, an associate dean wrote that the advisory committee is considering changes to the administrative departmental structure of the college, not individual academic programs or centers. However, the consolidation changes may result in some programs losing autonomy, the administrator conceded in the email obtained by the Statesman.

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There are, of course, tradeoffs to be considered, including potentially some loss of autonomy for small units, wrote Daniel Brinks, the associate dean for academic and faculty affairs. But the ultimate goal is to strengthen the college and its individual components.

The task forces work is to propose ways to reorganize some departments into new larger units that will provide greater opportunities for collaboration and have more flexibility to accommodate change, Brinks added.

The email did not name which departments are poised for consolidation, but the committee includes representatives from Asian Studies, African and African Diaspora Studies, Classics, American Studies, American Sign Language, Spanish and Portuguese and is chaired by Brinks.

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The announcement comes as Texas public universities face tremendous political pressure to rid institutions of gender ideology and target LGBTQ and ethnic studies. Texas A&M recently fired childrens literature professor Melissa McCoul when a student accused her of teaching about gender identity in a viral video that caught the attention of Gov. Greg Abbott.

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Third-year PhD student Lena Mose-Vargas, who is pursuing a doctorate in Mexican American and Latino/a Studies, is one of many students who emailed the College of Liberal Arts to oppose the feared consolidation and ask if their program will be impacted. Mose-Vargas, who spoke to the Statesman on behalf of themself, said they received no information in response. They chose to study at UT because of the programs rigor and fear the rumored changes will compromise their programs excellence.

Students are asking questions and theyre not receiving answers, Mose-Vargas said. We anticipate, in this political climate and with the particular attacks on WGS (Women and Gender Studies) and ethnic studies, that this is likely going to be what were looking at.

A full education

In a recent speech, President Jim Davis said that UT will restore balance and completeness to students education amid concerns that departments have become too splintered and specialized at the expense of including all viewpoints.

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We dont want degree programs that are so narrow they develop only one perspective, Davis said. Instead we must provide a balanced education  a full education  for every degree program.

Students have protested the new College of Liberal Arts committee in demonstrations across campus, calling for the institution to resist external political pressures. UT has been silent on whether it will accept an offer from the administration of President Donald Trump that would require the institution to close or change programs that belittle conservative voices.

Like students who oppose combining ethnic studies departments, Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies Chair Mary Neuburger joined other department faculty in writing a letter to Interim Dean David Sosa to critique the concept of consolidation. The faculty members said consolidation would threaten their departments ability to teach the cultural complexities of regions.

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People are upset about this for good reason, Neuburger said. Because were not understanding what is going to be gained, and we are definitely seeing what is going to be lost.

The Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies opened in 1917, Neuburger said. Though her department is a segment of global area studies, she fears its size could make it eligible for consolidation. But its size is also an advantage, she said.

The department provides a key opportunity for specialization that can distinguish graduates from other job candidates and allows for in-depth learning. A broadening of her department would prohibit students from deeply understanding important parts of Slavic history, impacting the work and grants its research center brings in, she said.

But Neuburger fears its inevitable, she said. Its going to dilute our ability to do what we want to do. Its going to dilute our community, and its going to take away from our leadership, all the work on our curriculum but also extracurricular programming thats really important to students.

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The university and the College of Liberal Arts declined to comment.

Fighting for a voice

The College of Liberal Arts houses 20 departments, 18 centers, 9 institutes and 14 programs. The structure of ethnic studies programs is similar to peer colleges, such as the University of Michigan. The Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies reaches students in a wide variety of majors through cross-listed courses and core classes, Neuburger said.



Ethnic studies units, including Mexican American Studies and African American Studies, have existed for more than fifty years, and the Center for Womens and Gender Studies opened in 1979. Several rose out of student advocacy, expanding over the years to produce more research, programming and academic options, including doctoral programs.

These programs come from a very long history of students in marginalized communities fighting for a voice, Mose-Vargas said. Getting rid of ethnics studies or (Women's and Gender Studies) at UT is not just some meaningless maneuver, it would directly be removing a part of UTs history from itself, a part that is indispensable to ethnic studies as a whole.



Last year, Texas A&M University cut its LGBTQ minor along with 51 other minors and certificates because of low enrollment after facing pressure from the extremely vocal Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, who called it a victory. Texas A&M faculty said they were not given an opportunity to raise enrollment before the cuts.

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A department reorganization isnt the only change UT could face. The UT System is auditing courses concerning gender identity to ensure compliance with system priorities and the law, and the university is conducting its own audit of courses. UT launched a new core curriculum task force to thoroughly review general education.

Senate Bill 37, the higher education reform bill passed last session, also charges regents with reviewing programs to ensure schools meet standards for enrollment and return on investment.

Brinks said in his email that the college will consult faculty, staff and students once a proposal is formed. Neuburger said she hopes the College of Liberal Arts listens to faculty and is transparent about goals.

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For an R-1 institution like ours, this is just the model that has worked, that exists nationally for a reason, Neuburger said, referencing UT's research status. If they would tell us what exact number is the problem, or what exact problem theyre trying to solve, we could sit down with them and be creative and think through how to solve whatever problems theyre seeing, but they have not.
Signage showing that the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is accepted is displayed at Wild Onion Market, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Since Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will run out Friday due to a lapse in funding, because of the federal government shutdown, Americans may be forced to seek other options to supplement their groceries.

In Texas, more than 3.4 million people rely on the benefits associated with the SNAP program. And as the deadline approaches, food banks across the state, including in Houston, have started preparing for what they expect will be a surge in demand for food assistance.

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For those in need of help during this time, below you will find a list of organizations working to help families and individuals impacted by the shutdown:

The YMCA partners with local organizations to provide what they describe as critical food and supplies to thousands at various distribution sites throughout the city. For more information, call (713) 659-5566.

Food Distribution Sites:

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Willow Creek Apartments

7575 Office City Drive Building #66

9 a.m .to 1 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays

Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA

808 Pease Str.

9 a.m. - 1 p.m.Tuesdays and Thursdays

Mission Woods Pantry

25469 Borough Park Drive in Spring

9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Thursdays for produce distribution

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Alexander Jewish Family Service plans to expand its small food pantry to help additional families throughout Houston. Additionally, they offer a wide variety of services to those in need, including counseling and career readiness.

Address: 4131 S. Braeswood Blvd.

Phone: (713) 667-9336

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The United Way of Houston partners with the Houston Food Bank to expand food access to families in Houston. Those struggling can call 2-1-1 to connect with a specialist who will assist them with their food, housing and utility needs.

Address: 50 Waugh Drive

Phone: (713) 685-2300

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One of the many services Catholic Charities offers families in need is food and utility assistance. Those in need of food can visit its three regional food pantries in Harris, Fort Bend and Galveston counties.

In-Person and Drive-Through Distribution Locations:

Guadalupe Center Market

326 S Jensen Drive

Call 713-251-6919 for more information.

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Mamie George Community Center

1111 Collins Road in Richmond

Beacon of Hope Isle Market

4700 Broadway, Suite B-101 in Galveston

Call 409-762-2064 for more information.

Address: 2900 Louisiana Street

Phone: (713) 526-4611

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Bethel's Heavenly Hands are meeting the needs of those experiencing food insecurity one hand at a time. The anti-food hunger organization hosts drive-through food and household product distributions weekly.

Address: 12525 Fondren Road

Phone: (281) 271-4290

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In an effort to help fight food security, West Houston Assistance Ministries provides a wide assortment of produce, organic foods and other staple items through its food pantry.

Address: 10501 Meadowglen Lane

Phone: (713) 780-2727

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With a mission of "no one should have to go hungry," Hearts and Hands of Baytown works to "alleviate the physical and emotional hunger of those in need." Through the Fresh Market, residents can find various seasonal produce, low-fat dairy products and lean proteins among other items.

Address: 307 Cedar Bayou Road

Phone: (832) 597-8908

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Food boxes and hot meals are just some of the ways The Salvation Army fights food hunger in Houston. It also provides a three-to-five-day supply of "nutritious and necessary goods" for families at neighborhood food pantries.

Address: 2407 N. Main Street

Phone: (713)752-0677

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Under the umbrella of Interfaith Ministries Houston is the Meals on Wheels Program that specifically targets seniors in need of food. Meals on Wheels delivers warm and nutritious meals to more than 3,000 homebound seniors daily.

Address: 3303 Main Street

Phone: (713) 533-4900

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The Houston Food Bank and its network of food distribution partners have hundreds of sites throughout the Houston area where families can find food.

Address: 535 Portwall Street

Phone: (713) 223-3700

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On the following dates, the Houston Food Bank will partner with community groups to host food distribution events. Attendees must register to attend these events and be impacted by the shutdown either as a federal worker or SNAP recipient.

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For more information, call 211 or 1-877-541-7905 and visit 211texas.org or email info@houstonfoodbank.org.

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A man walks toward an early voting site near Houston. The Nov. 4 constitutional amendment election has the most amendments Texans have been asked to consider on a single ballot since 2003. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

The Nov. 4 constitutional amendment election has the most amendments Texans have been asked to consider on a single ballot since 2003. The 17 amendments include funding for various projects; proposals related to public safety; and seemingly pointless statements intended to support future lawsuits on social issues. Ten of the amendments involve tax provisions, and seven of those are property tax exemptions.

The U.S. Constitution has been amended a handful of times since 1787, but the Texas Constitution has been amended 528 times in about 125 years. It's like a pier-and-beam house that has been remodeled and added onto by every successive owner. We've built stories and added wings, but we never actually go in and level the piers.

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This years proposed tax exemptions will add more weight to an already unstable structure.

Exemptions appeal to politicians and voters because they feel good: Who doesnt want lower property taxes? But each exemption exists in relation to all others, and like all exemptions, those proposed this year would further concentrate the property tax burden on Texans who don't happen to meet arbitrary qualifications.

My husband is over 65, and that means we benefit from certain property tax exemptions. Of course, we like saving money on our tax bill. But what about the mail carrier, our house cleaner and the H-E-B employee who helped me carry 10 heavy bags of potting soil out to my car? None of them are over 65.

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When we exempt property taxes for some, the system as a whole becomes less stable and less fair. Non-exempt taxpayers will experience an increase in their taxes (or their rent), all just so my husband and I can benefit from, no offense, being old.

The ballot also includes proposed amendments establishing new dedicated funds to support water infrastructure and vocational education. Both are important priorities for Texas  but dedicated funds restrict legislative flexibility and encourage budget shell games. Thats not necessarily a reason to oppose the amendments, but it should be a factor in your calculus.

Take the state lottery as a cautionary example. At its height, the lottery was funding just a few days worth of public school operations statewide. However, even those funds did not represent an increase in public education spending. Instead, they allowed lawmakers to move an equivalent amount of undedicated funds out of the education budget and use them elsewhere.

So how are Texas voters supposed to evaluate these 17 amendments? Rather than simply voting yes or no, ask your legislators how they voted on the resolutions to put the amendments on the ballot. If they voted yes, ask why  especially on amendments that would have long-term, and likely irreversible, impact. Ask them why they think voters should have to make the ultimate decisions on such big questions. After all, most voters arent tax or policy experts.

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Ask them, What do you think these amendments will do to strengthen our state?" If their answer makes sense to you, it might help you as you make your plan to vote in this election.

And if they say, I just did what the party caucus told me to do, ask them if thats how they usually make their policy decisions.

If thats their answer, remember it  because elections are when we decide not just what policies we want, but what kind of leadership we expect.

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About 150 protesters gathered Oct. 13 to urge the University of Texas not to accept the Trump's administration's compact that would provide more federal funding if UT agreed to concessions on viewpoint diversity, student admissions, faculty hiring and binary gender definitions, among others. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

In the 1957 U.S. Supreme Court case that affirmed academic freedom as a First Amendment right, Chief Justice Earl Warren likened the restriction of it to a straitjacket imposed upon an unwilling faculty by an outside force. Such an act would imperil the future of our Nation, Warren wrote.

Nearly 70 years later, the University of Texas appears on the verge of putting that straitjacket on itself if it signs the Trump administrations Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. The proposed agreement, from the U.S. Department of Education, offers preferential federal funding in exchange for concessions on viewpoint diversity, student admissions, faculty hiring and binary gender definitions, among others.

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While none of the other eight universities that initially received the compact agreed to sign it, UT is still considering the deal. The Trump administration later extended the offer to other colleges, and this week, New College of Florida became the first taker.

Despite some good ideas, such as a 5-year freeze on tuition, much in the compact is unconstitutional and untethered to reason. Further, it puts UTs top state and national rankings at risk by ceding academic freedom in exchange for federal dollars. If the Board of Regents wants to keep landing dozens of academic programs in top 10 spots, it should protect the scholarly independence that fosters such achievements and reject this deal.

A majority of Americans  including Republicans  believe the federal government should not interfere with universities admissions, hiring, curriculum and research decisions for good reason: Professors and researchers are the experts in their fields and should have the freedom to pursue knowledge for the advancement of truth, not a political agenda. This is what fosters innovation. Countries with greater academic freedom consistently see stronger economies and more patents, evidence that free inquiry drives real-world progress.

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The American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of Teachers aptly describe Trump's compact as a clumsy attempt at thought policing that sets us backward toward an era of less innovation, fewer cures for diseases, and a shrinking economy.

The Orwellian document binds signatories to inherently contradictory agreements such as protecting academic freedom by recognizing that academic freedom is not absolute. It obligates them to maintain a broad spectrum of ideological viewpoints on campus by transforming or abolishing institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas.

Such terms are paradoxical, logic holds. Eugene Volokh, a senior researcher at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution, says the compact crosses a constitutional line.

Volokh  whose renowned legal blog The Volokh Conspiracy describes itself as generally libertarian, conservative, centrist, or some mixture of these  told us that while the federal government can dictate how grants are spent, it cannot levy institution-wide conditions in exchange for federal dollars.

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The government is saying essentially all these funds that we give you for a wide range of purposes  will be subject to this condition, and that is unconstitutional, he said.

ALSO READ: UT must not trade academic freedom for political favor

Universities should aspire to foster viewpoint diversity, but that range of perspectives does not come from the top down. Rather, it is built up from a foundation of the entire spectrum of ideas being discussed by students and faculty in the classroom.

The compact aims to mandate this spectrum not just in the university as a whole, but within every field, department, school, and teaching unit of UT. This, as Isaac Kamola, director of the AAUPs Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom said, is patently absurd.

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In fact, injecting political viewpoints not based on scientific research, such as the compacts requirement to interpret male, female, woman, and man according to reproductive function and biological processes, will throw a wrench in decades of empirical study.

Karma Chavez, president of the AAUPs UT chapter, told us that this binary definition of gender will require units from the hard sciences to the social sciences to the humanities to adopt views that are contrary to the best knowledge in their fields.

That, of course, appears to be the point. For all its gilded language about protecting viewpoint diversity, Trumps compact is clearly meant to install homogenized, dogmatic ideas of what American thought should be in the very places where disagreement should be the norm.

Conservative ideas arent so fragile as to require special government safeguards on campus. They are surely strong enough to hold their own in the marketplace of ideas. There should be just as much room on the university campus for the pro-Palestinian protester as there is for the Charlie Kirk follower.

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All of which stifles the welcoming climate of rigorous inquiry and debate that Texas' flagship university should foster.

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Chairman Kevin Eltife wrote this month that the Abbott-appointed Board of Regents was honored to be offered Trump's compact. We can only hope that enthusiasm has cooled, given the passage of the initial Oct. 20 deadline without a deal.

UT is a top-tier university, an engine of innovation and investment and a source of generational pride  none of which should be traded for extra federal funding.
A food shopper pushes a cart of groceries at a supermarket in Bellflower, Calif., on Monday, Feb. 13, 2023. Allison Dinner/Associated Press

Texas House Democrats on Thursday called on Gov. Greg Abbott to temporarily shore up the states share of the federal food stamp program, which is set to run out of funding Saturday amid the government shutdown.

The group noted that regional food banks have nowhere near the infrastructure nor funding to replace the federal governments food assistance programs.

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With the political gridlock in Washington, D.C., this crisis calls for swift, compassionate leadership worthy of our states values and strength, the Texas House Democratic Caucus wrote in a letter to the Republican governor. Texas families are counting on us. We urge you to act now.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to suspend all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits starting Saturday. The move, which would be unprecedented, is expected to strip food assistance from 3.5 million Texans, including 1.7 million children.

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The Texas Democrats argued that the loss of program funding will bring larger financial repercussions, noting that the program indirectly boosts small retailers and grocers.

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"It's un-Texan and un-American to turn a blind eye to our neighbors' suffering," said caucus hunger crisis committee co-chair Rep. Armando Walle, of Houston. Governor Abbott has the clear authority to use state funds to bridge the gap in federal funding and keep Texans fed  he should do it without delay.

A spokesperson for Abbott said the onus is on Senate Democrats to end the shutdown by approving the funding legislation that caused the standoff in the first place.

"While Democrats use low-income Texans as bargaining chips, Texas agencies are coordinating with community partners to connect families to existing assistance until the federal government gets back to work, Andrew Mahaleris said, adding that anyone in need of assistance can call the state's 2-1-1 hotline to be connected with resources.

The plea from Democrats comes as state attorneys general and governors in other states have sued the Trump administration over the planned freeze, pointing to reserve funds it has that could be used to fund SNAP benefits in the short-run.

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Governors in other states, including Arizona, Louisiana, New York and Virginia, have agreed to put up state funds to keep the program running locally.

State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, a San Antonio Democrat who sits on the Houses budget committee, said in an interview Thursday that its common for the state to reach into agency reserves and reimburse itself later. Martinez Fischer said its critical for people to realize that there is no safety net if SNAP benefits lapse.

Thats why private companies have begun stepping in, such as Texas grocer HEB donating millions to foodbanks and food delivery company DoorDash donating meals and waiving delivery fees for SNAP beneficiaries, he said.

More children right now are going to lose their SNAP benefits than the entire population of San Antonio, Martinez Fischer said. That ought to be sobering for families to understand just how big the need is here.

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Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Austin state Rep. Gina Hinojosa has also urged Abbott to intervene, calling it the third-term Republican governors moral responsibility."

In June, Abbott vetoed a budget line item that would have brought in an estimated $450 million in federal dollars to fund a summer food aid program for low-income children. Texas is one of a dozen states that dont participate in the program, which was created by Congress in 2022.

He explained the decision at the time by saying there was too much uncertainty at the federal level as Congress looked to slash spending.

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University of Texas students Evan McElroy and Savannah Brightwell walk on campus on a brisk, windy morning Wednesday. McElroy said he welcomed the return of sweater weather. Its finally not sweating in October, he said. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman

Hot-tober quickly turned to Ahhhh-tober on Wednesday after a strong, blustery cold front moved across Central Texas. However, it may quickly turn into Octo-brrr on Thursday and Friday morning.

Temperatures dropped about 35 degrees in less than 24 hours  from a hot afternoon high of 87 degrees on Tuesday to a chilly morning low of 53 degrees at Austins official thermometer at Camp Mabry.

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Strong, gusty winds accompanied Tuesdays front, with several gusts topping 40 mph, including a 45-mph gust in Georgetown and at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and a 40-mph gust at Camp Mabry. Other strong wind gusts were also noted, such as one at 38 mph in Taylor and 36 mph in Burnet and Fredericksburg.

High atmospheric pressure has settled over Texas, bringing much calmer winds, sunny skies, and dry weather to round out the work week. Clear skies each night will allow for good radiational cooling, which occurs when dry air allows heat accumulated during the day to more easily escape from the Earths surface on cloudless nights. This will lead to some of the coldest temperatures weve felt in six months, since early April.

Well wake up Thursday with air temperatures in the upper 30s and 40s, with some spots nearing freezing, especially in the low-lying rural areas of the Hill Country. Winds blowing between 5 and 10 mph will cause temperatures to feel more like theyre in the lower to mid-30s, even in Austin.

Even though the wind will be light, feels like temperatures could dip into the 30s in Austin on Thursday morning. Pivotal

The regional National Weather Service office for Austin is urging Central Texas to remember to dress appropriately, bring pets inside and practice space heater safety.

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Thanks to abundant sunshine and light winds, afternoon temperatures on Thursday will climb into the low to mid-70s. On average, Austin in late October has an afternoon high of 78 and a predawn morning low of 56.

Halloween will start Friday morning with bone-chilling temperatures again in the 30s and 40s, but winds will be much lighter, so wind chill wont be as much of a factor. By afternoon, temperatures will climb to near-normal levels in the mid-70s.

TEXAS GHOST TOWNS: Texas leads nation in number of ghost towns, thanks to states extreme weather and climate

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By Saturday, an upper-level atmospheric disturbance will move south across the region, bringing a slight chance of showers and a few thunderstorms. Temperatures will climb a bit, with highs in the lower to mid-70s. The system will push east by Sunday, allowing dry, cooler weather to return as we head into early next week.

Colorful Disney characters, spooky princesses, ghosts and goblins enjoyed a night of trick-or-treating at Bastrops Boo Bash at Fishermans Park on Oct. 1. The event was hosted by the city in partnership with the Bastrop Fire Department. Community members, businesses and organizations handed out treats and candy for a fun-filled night. Contributed by city of Bastrop/T

Trick-or-treating forecast

For the trick-or-treaters on Friday night, the weather wont be ghoulish at all. We wont be sweating it out or needing to cover up costumes with jackets.

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By the time the kiddos hit the streets to collect candy from house to house around 6 p.m., temperatures will be in the low 70s with mostly sunny skies and light southeast winds. Once the sun sets at 6:44 p.m., temperatures will dip into the mid-60s by 8 p.m., and by 10 p.m., as the evening wraps up, readings will fall into the upper 50s.
Qualcomm (QCOM) is stepping into the artificial intelligence (AI) arena, a space dominated by Nvidia (NVDA) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). Long known as a dominant player in smartphone chips, Qualcomm launched two new AI-focused accelerators targeting the data center market.

The companys announcement of its AI200 and AI250 accelerators sent its stock soaring 11.1% on Oct. 27, reflecting renewed investor confidence that Qualcomm may be poised for a new phase of growth beyond mobile.

More News from Barchart

www.barchart.com

Qualcomm Breaking Out of the Smartphone Mold

For years, Qualcomms fortunes have been closely tied to the smartphone industry. The companys diversification into automotive, IoT, and now, data centers, is a strategic attempt to reduce reliance on mobile revenues, especially after losing Huawei as a major customer.

The Qualcomm AI200 and AI250 are designed to deliver high performance per dollar and per watt, which could drive its adoption. Further, the timing of Qualcomms expansion into AI chips couldnt be better. Investments in the sector are growing rapidly, with cloud giants racing to build systems capable of handling massive generative AI models and chatbots. Qualcomms upcoming chips, slated for commercial availability in 2026 and 2027, are designed to capture AI-driven demand.

But breaking into the AI data center market wont be easy. Nvidia dominates the space, with AMD slowly gaining share with its next-generation AI accelerators. Further, the cost of switching AI platforms makes it difficult for new players to gain share quickly. However, Qualcomms rack-based solutions, equipped with direct liquid cooling features, focus on energy efficiency and cost-effective performance, provides a strong competitive advantage.

Encouragingly, Qualcomm is already in discussions with major potential customers, including one leading hyperscaler, suggesting early traction in a market that often takes years to penetrate. Should these engagements convert to design wins, management expects meaningful revenue contributions from the AI data center business to begin around fiscal 2028.

Qualcomms Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships

Qualcomms ambition in the AI data center space is supported by its pending acquisition of Alphawave IP Group, a specialist in high-speed connectivity and compute technologies. The deal, expected to close in early 2026, will enhance Qualcomms data center design capabilities and complement its core processor technologies. This acquisition, combined with its in-house development of NPU-based accelerators and AI-focused SoCs, strengthens its vertical integration strategy.
UTZ Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) is one of the most undervalued small cap stocks to invest in now. RBC Capital analyst Nik Modi reiterated a Buy rating on UTZ Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) on October 28, setting a $20 price target.

20 Biggest Snack Companies in the World

However, UTZ Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) received a Hold rating from UBS analyst Peter Grom on October 20, with a $13.50 price target.

Basing his rating on the companys current market position, Grom stated that while UTZ Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) has unchanged guidance for fiscal year 2025 with expectations for modest EBITDA margin expansion and organic sales growth, the overall sentiment associated with the salty snacks domain remains cautious.

Although UTZ Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) is exhibiting favorable performance trends that surpass the overall salty snacks domain, concerns about the sustainability of the companys top-line growth still exist, especially in the backdrop of continuing macroeconomic and category pressures, according to the analyst.

Grom thus stated that such concerns have caused a drop in the stocks performance, resulting in it underperforming compared to the broader market and its peers since early August.

UTZ Brands, Inc. (NYSE:UTZ) markets, manufactures, and distributes branded snacks. Its portfolio includes a range of salty snacking products, such as pretzels, potato chips, veggie, cheese, and pork skins. The companys brands include Utz, Golden Flake, Zapps, Good Health, Hawaiian, and Boulder Canyon.

While we acknowledge the potential of UTZ 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.
Nvidias (NVDA) billion-dollar strategic partnership with Nokia (NOK) sent Nokia shares up over 20% on Oct. 28, hitting their highest level in more than three years.

But perhaps the real winner was named deeper in the press release: T-Mobile (TMUS).

More News from Barchart

Nvidia announced it will invest $1 billion for a 2.9% stake in Nokia, alongside a strategic partnership to develop AI-RAN (AI Radio Access Network) technologies.

Nokia is still relatively small, with a $34 billion market cap, which is expected to grow thanks to its strategic partnership with Nvidia, a multitrillion-dollar company.

But another real winner here is T-Mobile. Its stock over the last year has been fairly stagnant, but this partnership could put it at the front of the 6G race.

Jensen Huangs Midas Touch

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has developed what some might call a Midas touch with strategic partnerships.

This renewed investment in Nokias infrastructure, powered by Nvidias technology, creates something we havent seen yet: a major telecom provider working directly with an AI giant like Nvidia at this scale.

Telecommunications is a critical national infrastructure  the digital nervous system of our economy and security, Huang said in the announcement. Built on NVIDIA CUDA and AI, AI-RAN will revolutionize telecommunications  a generational platform shift that empowers the United States to regain global leadership in this vital infrastructure technology.

Both Verizon (VZ) and AT&T (T) have announced their own AI strategies, but nothing to the extent of T-Mobiles strategic partnership with Nvidia.

The partnership focuses on AI-RAN technologies for 6G development, with trials expected to begin in 2026. T-Mobile will work directly with Nokia and Nvidia to test these technologies as part of their 6G innovation process.

What This Means for T-Mobile

John Saw, T-Mobiles chief technology officer, made the strategic implications clear:

With Americas best network, T-Mobile remains committed to advancing next-generation technologies that redefine the customer experience, Saw stated. Our collaboration with industry leaders Nokia and NVIDIA marks an important step toward shaping the future of connectivity as we develop the innovations that will power the 6G era.
Reddit (RDDT) stock surged more than 13% Friday after the social media platform reported third quarter revenue ahead of Wall Street's forecasts and said that its user growth slowed less than analysts expected.

The social media platform said on Thursday that its revenue for the three months ending Sept. 30 came in at $585 million, ahead of the $549 million expected by Wall Street analysts tracked by Bloomberg. That marked a 68% increase from the year-ago period.

Reddit's daily active users (DAUs) rose 19% to 116 million during the third quarter from the same period last year. That was ahead of the 114 million expected by analysts, according to Bloomberg data. But it also represented a continued deceleration in user growth  a pattern that has concerned some on Wall Street. Reddit has reported five straight quarters of slowing growth in daily active users since its user figures jumped more than 50% in the second quarter of 2024.

Read more: Live coverage of corporate earnings

The social media platform helped spawn the meme stock craze four years ago and went public in a blockbuster IPO in early 2024. The DAU metric is key for Reddit because it dictates how effectively the company can monetize its advertising business, which is its largest revenue driver.

The company's better-than-expected traffic in Q3 was driven by international users. Reddit reported 64.4 million international daily active users for the period, ahead of the anticipated 62.2 million, per Bloomberg data. Meanwhile, its 51.6 million US users were slightly below the expected 51.9 million.

Reddit's daily active user numbers fell below expectations earlier this year due to changes in Google's algorithm that affected the platform's traffic. CEO Steve Huffman said in May that "the near term could be more bumpy than usual."

Huffman wrote in a letter to shareholders on Thursday that the company was "encouraged by the mix of growth" in its DAUs in the third quarter, noting that Reddit's internal products and marketing efforts played a role in driving traffic.

Reddit reported earnings per share of $0.80 during the quarter, up from $0.16 in the year-ago period, when the company reported its first profit as a publicly traded company.

Reddit reported third quarter revenue ahead of Wall Street's forecasts on Thursday and said that its user growth slowed less than analysts expected. (Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)  SOPA Images via Getty Images

The social media platform also gave a more optimistic fourth quarter revenue and earnings outlook than analysts anticipated. Reddit expects fourth quarter revenue of $660 million at the midpoint of its guidance range, ahead of Wall Street's expectation for $636 million.

The company's forecast for Q4 adjusted EBITDA was $280 million at the midpoint, ahead of the $258 million expected.
U.S. Army Garrison Okinawa's directorate of public works installs barracks furniture and appliances at Tori Station, Japan, on Jan. 14, 2025. USAG Bavaria issued a stop-work order Wednesday for all housing furniture and appliance deliveries, pickups and maintenance, effective immediately due to the ongoing government shutdown. (Natalie Stanley/U.S. Army)



GRAFENWOEHR, Germany  U.S. Army families stationed across Bavaria may have fewer of the comforts of home for a while, as the garrison there issued a stop-work order halting all furniture and appliance requests amid the government shutdown.

The order, announced Wednesday on U.S. Army Garrison Bavarias Facebook page, took effect Oct. 30 and indefinitely suspends delivery and pickup of government-issued furniture and appliances, as well as maintenance orders for the latter.

The move affects family housing, unaccompanied housing and soldiers barracks across the garrisons installations in Grafenwoehr, Vilseck, Hohenfels and Garmisch.

All previously scheduled services between Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 were canceled, with no timeline provided for when operations might resume. The announcement said the decision was made to avoid unauthorized commitments during the funding lapse.

Common government-issued furnishings include beds, couches, wardrobes, washers, dryers and dishwashers. Without delivery or pickup services, soldiers and families scheduled to move to or from the garrisons installations may experience delays in receiving or returning essential household items.

The Army is working to resolve the issue, which affects garrisons around Germany, with remaining funds early next week, Installations Management Command Europe spokesman Mark Heeter said Thursday.

We will have to reschedule some pickups and drop-offs, but our garrisons will be able to manage those locally, Heeter said. This temporary issue will be resolved in the days ahead.

The garrisons Facebook post had generated about 30 responses as of early Thursday afternoon.

Me and my family accepted our housing offer on Monday ... praying we have our basic needs met prior to arriving, one reply read.

Despite the pause in these specific services, the garrisons directorate of public works, which oversees base maintenance and facilities, will continue operating during regular hours, according to the garrisons website.

The shutdown began Oct. 1 and is now the second-longest in American history. It would overtake the 35-day shutdown of December 2018 and January 2019 if it continued past Nov. 4.

Services that initially remained unaffected by it are now beginning to scale back operations.

Last week, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria announced the closure of all education centers across its installations effective Oct. 21.

However, educational institutions such as University of Maryland Global Campus and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University remain open and available to assist students and families, the announcement stated.
The aircraft carrier USS George Washington resumes its annual patrol from Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on Oct. 30, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)



YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  The USS George Washington quietly left the home of the U.S. 7th Fleet on Thursday to resume its annual patrol, two days after it hosted President Donald Trump.

The aircraft carrier steamed into Tokyo Bay around 10 a.m. with little fanfare, mirroring its Sept. 30 departure after wrapping up a routine, mid-deployment stop.

The George Washington returned to Yokosuka on Oct. 18, just ahead of Trumps scheduled visit to Japan and as he made his way across Southeast and East Asia.

On Tuesday, Trump delivered a nearly hourlong speech to about 6,000 U.S. and Japanese sailors from the carriers hangar, where he covered a range of topics from domestic food and gas prices to service members pay, immigration and more.

If you see whats going on all over the world, theyre respecting us again, he told sailors Tuesday. They respect us like never before.

The event also featured brief remarks from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japans new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi.

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington resumes its annual patrol from Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, on Oct. 30, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)



The George Washingtons abrupt  and unusual  return to Yokosuka after less than 20 days at sea appeared to be directly tied to the presidents visit.

Carriers homeported at Yokosuka typically make a brief mid-deployment stop at the base before resuming their approximately six-month patrols. This year, however, the George Washington spent a month in port, about twice as long as usual.

Seventh Fleet spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Mark Langford at the time did not specify why the carrier returned for a second stop so quickly.

Due to operation security concerns, we do not discuss future operations for our ships or their associated ship schedule, he wrote in an Oct. 18 email. We can add that George Washington has been conducting continuous operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Rota Elementary School students kick off the summer with outdoor games May 28, 2025, at Naval Station Rota in Spain. The Navy said it was seeking information about portable building solutions, including 10 classrooms, two science labs and restroom facilities as temporary fixes as it plans a more permanent solution to address burgeoning elementary and middle-high school enrollments. (Marlin Dominguez/U.S. Navy)



NAPLES, Italy  Rising school enrollments in the wake of a fleet increase at Naval Station Rota in Spain have Navy officials looking for temporary fixes as they work on finding a more durable solution.

A government notice published this week asks businesses to submit information on portable options for 10 classrooms, two science labs and restroom facilities.

A teachers lounge with a kitchenette and meeting room, a dining facility with serving lines and a commercial kitchen of at least 1,700 square feet also are on the list.

These facilities will satisfy interim requirements until a permanent expansion is completed for the existing elementary, middle, and high school facilities, the Navy said in the solicitation posted Monday.

The purpose of the announcement was to determine the availability of qualified contractors to provide temporary educational facilities, the service said. The posting was not a request for bid proposals.

The middle-high school at NS Rota has seen a 34% increase in enrollment compared with figures for October 2023, while Rota Elementary Schools enrollment is up nearly 20% from the same period, Department of Defense Education Activity data show.

Current enrollment at the elementary school was 558 students as of Oct. 20, DODEA spokeswoman Jessica Tackaberry said Wednesday. There were 417 students enrolled at the middle-high school as of that date, she said.

That growth has followed the arrival of the destroyer USS Oscar Austin last fall, part of a long-awaited expansion of NATO firepower to offer allies an additional layer of security and assurance, officials said at the time.

The ships homeport switch followed a May 2023 pact with Spain to increase the U.S. destroyer presence in the country from four to six. The sixth destroyer, which hasnt been publicly identified, is expected to join the squadron in 2026.

DODEA already had added teachers and support staff at Rota to meet current needs, and additional hiring is planned for the 202627 school year, Tackaberry said.

The agency uses fall enrollment figures as the basis for the following school years projections, making the spring 2026 pre-registration process vital in ensuring timely hiring and staffing adjustments, she said.

DODEA was working with Navy and base leadership to plan for further facility construction to address both short- and long-term needs, Tackaberry said, adding that the planning was in the early stages.

We have been able to meet this growing demand and remain committed to providing high-quality education for all students, she said.
(Kim Ki Sam/Stars and Stripes)



South of Da Nang, South Vietnam, Nov. 25, 1968: An unidentified Marine looks around as he and other members of G Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment inspect a village.

The company swept through rice paddies and villages on the southeastern cordon of a 15-mil circle, trapping two North Vietnamese Army Battalions in an area near Dien Ban, 10 miles south of Da Nang.

The marines are part of Operation Meade River, a cordon and search operation conducted by several regiments of the 1st Marine Div. and the South Vietnamese army. The operation  which started November 20th and would end December 9th  had American Marines and South Vietnamese troops 7,000 strong systematically tightened a 15-mile circle in the Dodge City area south of Da Nang where between 200 and 900 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army were believed to be holed up in caves and dugouts. The nickname Dodge City was given due to frequent ambushes, firefights and rocket attacks on U.S. troops. Apart from eliminating those threats, one of the cordons other objectives was to kill or capture the estimated 150 Communist administrators [politicians] operating around Dien Ban.

Looking for Stars and Stripes coverage of the Vietnam War? Subscribe to Stars and Stripes historic newspaper archive! We have digitized our 1948-1999 European and Pacific editions, as well as several of our WWII editions and made them available online through https://starsandstripes.newspaperarchive.com/
The fresh interior of Schwan Mediterran Diner in Parsberg, Germany, has not changed much since its recent reopening. A fire forced the restaurant to close for 10 months. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)



Back in January, I showed up at the door of Schwan Mediterran Diner in Parsberg with an eagerness sparked by several glowing recommendations.

My meal plans quickly went up in smoke, though, when I saw a sign saying the restaurant was closed indefinitely because of fire damage.

For months since then, I checked its website and drove past the empty building, which is 10 minutes from the Hohenfels Training Area. Eventually, my curiosity about the construction progress faded and I began to forget about the restaurant altogether.

That was, until last week, when I received a message from someone who first sang its praises to me last year: It was back. So 10 months after my original attempt, I found myself once again at Schwans, this time with a friend who used to frequent it.

My friend, who during our journey there had praised Schwans mojitos and vast variety of fare, was eager to see if the food had changed. Despite the lack of signage and the ongoing parking lot construction, the lights were on and the doors were open.

We took that as a good sign and stepped inside. The white-and-blue interior with light-wood accents gave off a cozy charm. Aside from a few patrons tucked into quiet corners, the place was calm and unhurried.

Schwan Mediterran Diner in Parsberg, Germany, has an extensive menu that offers a range of cuisine. Main courses average between 10 and 20 euros. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)



According to our kind waiter, the establishment had reopened about a month earlier with a private event to celebrate its return.

I couldnt help but notice a shiny grand piano at the center of the dining area. Though there was no live music that night, it immediately made me want to return sometime when the keys are brought to life.

We decided to skip the alcohol for our Tuesday evening visit. I opted for a locally made passion fruit lemonade, while my friend enjoyed a Hubert, a virgin version of the minty prosecco spritz known as the Hugo.

The drink menu at Schwan Mediterran Diner in Parsberg, Germany, often features nonalcoholic versions of classic cocktails. Seen here is the Hubert, which is a virgin Hugo. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)



When it came to the food, Schwan may brand itself as a Mediterranean diner, but the menu offers far more than that. We both struggled to choose from the wide selection of Mediterranean dishes, pizzas, pastas, burgers and more.

It was the creative lineup of Beatles song-themed burgers that finally helped us narrow things down.

I ordered the Wild Honey Pie, which features a crispy chicken patty dressed up in a playful blend of lettuce, fried onions, house-made mayonnaise and, of course, honey.

The combination struck a perfect balance between sweet and savory, and I loved it from the first bite, especially appreciating the coating of cornflakes that gave the chicken patty its crunch.

Named after a Beatles song, the Wild Honey Pie burger at Schwan Mediterran Diner in Parsberg, Germany, comes with double-stacked crispy chicken patties, honey, arugula, onions and more, providing a sweet and savory flavor pairing. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

The Michelle Ma Belle burger at Schwan Mediterran Diner in Parsberg, Germany, offers a mix of flavoring, with apple mustard fruit and savory fillings. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)



Some honorable burger mentions that didnt make our final cut were the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts, Blue Jay Way and the Mean Mr. Mustard. After much deliberation, my friend went with the Michelle Ma Belle.

It arrived topped with arugula, creamy camembert and apple mustard relish, which is traditionally an Italian condiment. Judging by the contented sigh that followed her first bite, I could tell she was just as happy with her choice as I was with mine.

I honestly cant remember the last time I finished a burger, but we both made quick work of the hefty patties and cleared every last wedge of the well-seasoned side of fries.

But we couldnt stop there. When I spotted tiramisu on the dessert menu, my mission to sample and rate every tiramisu I come across in Bavaria was back on.

The large dessert menu at Schwan Mediterran Diner in Parsberg, Germany, includes a hearty and well-balanced tiramisu. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)



My friend immediately asked for my rating after the first bite. The respectable 7.2 that I gave it was based on the fact that it wasnt overly sweet and struck a nice balance between the mascarpone mix, ladyfingers and coffee topping.

Her chocolate mousse earned a similar verdict, rich but not too sugary. Despite being pretty full from our burgers, we still managed to polish off our desserts.

A grand piano in the dining area of Schwan Mediterran Diner in Parsberg, Germany, enhances the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant, which recently reopened after a 10-month closure because of fire damage. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

Schwan Mediterran Diner in Parsberg, Germany, offers seating at tables, booths and the bar. Baked sweets are sold at the front of the establishment. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)

Despite ongoing exterior renovations, Schwan Mediterran Diner in Parsberg, Germany, is open for business once again after a fire kept it shut down for 10 months. (Lydia Gordon/Stars and Stripes)



As a returning patron, my friend was delighted to find that Schwans cuisine has stayed true to its roots despite the long hiatus. And for me, after the monthslong wait to try it for the first time, it absolutely lived up to the hype.

In true phoenix style, Schwan Mediterran Diner is proving in its resurrection that a little fiery setback isnt going to keep it down.

Schwan Mediterran Diner

Address: Marktstrasse 6A, Parsberg, Germany

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 4-11 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; closed Monday

Cost: Appetizers, 6-11 euros; entrees range from 10 to 30 euros, with single-serving pizzas on the lower end, the burgers and pastas between 14 and 20 euros and steaks at the high end ranging between 30 and 40 euros; desserts, 5-10 euros

Information: Online: mediterrandiner.de
Gilded Wooden Mask from the Coffin of Amenemope. Third Intermediate Period. 21st Dynasty. (NEON Group Limited. All rights reserved.)



A sarcophagus that contained the mummified remains of Egyptian pharaoh Ramses the Great is part of an exhibition thats getting an extended run in Japans capital city.

Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs features 180 artifacts, including the ancient wooden sarcophagus, that have been touring the world with the support of the Egyptian government.

The exhibit appeared in Houston, San Francisco, Sydney, Paris and Cologne before arriving in Japan in March. Continued demand has extended its scheduled run at Crevia Base Tokyo, a cavernous theater in front of the famous Toyosu fish market, past Oct. 31 to Jan. 4, 2026.

Visitors can see jewelry, statues, engraved stones, animal mummies, amulets, and other objects giving an insight into ancient Egyptian civilization.

Golden Amulet of Psusennes I with Vulture and Cobra representing Isis and Nephthys. (NEON Group Limited. All rights reserved.)

Pectoral Necklace of Psuseness I. Third Intermediate Period. 21st Dynasty. (NEON Group Limited. All rights reserved.)



Ramses ruled Egypt for 67 years, the longest reign in ancient Egyptian history, and is considered Egypts greatest king.

He lived to be 92 years old and fathered 100 children during the New Kingdom, 1539-1075 B.C., when Egyptian civilization was at its peak.

A talented military leader who expanded the kingdoms territory, Ramses oversaw the construction of numerous buildings and colossal monuments.

The wooden sarcophagus that contained Ramses mummified remains looks like its in great condition for an object thats so ancient.

The Coffin of Ramses II (NEON Group Limited. All rights reserved.)



Ramses was originally buried in Egypts Valley of the Kings, but priests moved the mummy to another location near Luxor after looters began pillaging tombs in the valley.

His mummy, discovered in 1981, was housed at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and even made a trip to Paris in 1976 for forensic testing before returning to Egypt.

In April 2021, Ramses, along with 17 other Egyptian kings and four queens, was transferred to the new National Museum or Egyptian Civilization, also in Cairo. The movement was known as the Pharaohs Golden Parade.

There are some impressive multi-media displays throughout the exhibit where you can see renderings of what ancient Egypt looked like in its prime. There are miniature models of temples and a display showing how Ramses might have looked at different ages.

If you want to delve deeper into ancient Egypt theres a virtual reality experience for 2,500 yen where you can go on a simulated tour of the Temple of Abu Simbel, the most famous structure that Ramses the Great built, and the tomb of Nefertari, his wife.

A poster for the Tokyo exhibit of Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs. (NEON Group Limited. All rights reserved.)

Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs, an exhibit running in Tokyo until Jan. 4, 2026, features 180 ancient artifacts touring the world with the support of the Egyptian government. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

A sarcophagus that contained the mummified remains of Egyptian pharaoh Ramses the Great is part of an exhibition thats getting an extended run in Tokyo. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)



On the QT

Directions: Ramses The Great the Gold of the Pharaohs, Ramses Museum at CREVIA BASE Tokyo in Koto-ku, Tokyo

Times: Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with last admission 5 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends and holidays, with last admission 6 p.m.

Costs: Adults  4,100 yen on weekdays; 4,300 yen on weekends and holidays; middle and high school students  3,100 yen on weekdays, 3,300 yen on weekends and holidays; children aged over 6  2,400 yen on weekdays; 2,600 yen on weekends and holidays.

Food: A cafe at the exhibit entrance offers drinks and snacks.

Information: Online: ramsesexhibition.jp/en
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division conduct simulated combat operations using the Scorpion Light 81 mm mobile mortar system at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Oct. 23, 2025. (Global Military Products)



FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  Soldiers in Hawaii spent last week testing a shoot-and-scoot mobile mortar system as part of the Armys Transformation in Contact initiative that aims to speedily field new technology, according to the manufacturer.

Over five days, soldiers at Schofield Barracks fired and evaluated the Scorpion Light 81 mm mobile mortar system, made by Global Military Products, based in Tampa, Fla.

The system was integrated with the utility variant of the Armys new infantry squad vehicle, which vastly expands and speeds maneuverability for soldiers.

Each of the pairs of vehicles used in testing carried the system and 72 mortar rounds, the company said in a news release Wednesday.

The Hawaii-based 25th Infantry Division began testing about 100 infantry squad vehicles last fall.

The vehicle, based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison, is small enough to be loaded into a Chinook or Stallion helicopter and light enough to be sling-loaded under a Black Hawk helicopter.

The Scorpion Light mortar system can fire eight rounds and completely relocate in under two minutes, according to the release.

The system possesses a baseplate that allows rapid placement and displacement on almost any surface, the release states.

I was a former mortarman, and the technology hasnt changed much since WWII, James Knight, senior manager of defense systems and energetics at Global Military Products, said in an email Monday.

Vehicles are now able to carry the system, and no longer rely on a trailer to improve mobility, but the Scorpion Light offers significant advantages beyond that to enhance the mobility, lethality, operator safety and air transportability of these assets, he said.

This shoot and scoot capability is critical for survivability on a modern battlefield, allowing mortar teams to engage targets and reposition before an adversary can return effective counter-battery fire, he said.

Knight described the system as ideal for light infantry and expeditionary forces that would be at the forefront of combat deployments in the Pacific.

An advanced digital fire control system enabled rapid, accurate targeting and re-aiming with minimal crew intervention, the release stated. Soldiers used this capability to engage multiple targets quickly and efficiently during simulated combat operations.

The system can receive and act on targeting data provided from remote sources, such as ground observers or aircraft.

The Scorpion combat simulation was part of the Armys Transformation in Contact 2.0, which is an expansion of the initiative to integrate new technology by having soldiers test it in actual field conditions while it is still under development.

TiC 2.0 expands beyond the initiatives initial infantry brigades to include two divisions, two armored brigade combat teams, two Stryker brigade combat teams and other National Guard and Army Reserve units, U.S. Army Pacific said in an email Monday.

The system will be used in November in Hawaii during the 25th Infantry Divisions Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center combat training, Knight said.

During that training, mortar-equipped ISVs will be transported on C-17 aircraft to participate in combat drill scenarios, he said.

The exercise will take place on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island of Hawaii and at Laur Firebase in Luzon, Philippines, the Army said in a news release Friday.

U.S. soldiers will be joined by personnel from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives, France and New Zealand, among others, the Army said.
An Aframax tanker carrying Russian crude to India has reversed course soon after leaving the Russian coast and is currently idling in the Baltic Sea, Kpler has reported, as cited by Bloomberg. The crude on board comes from Rosneft, which the U.S. sanctioned a week ago.

The data, from Kpler and Vortexa, shows that the Furia loaded around 730,000 barrels of Urals crude in Primorsk on October 20 and set off for the Indian port of Sikka, which Reliance Industries and Bharat Petroleum use to receive foreign oil cargos. Arrival time was estimated as mid-November, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed Indian energy industry executives as saying they expected a wind-down in new Russian oil orders.

The latest U.S. sanctions specifically targeted, among other entities, two of Russias biggest oil exporters, Rosneft and Lukoil. Together, the two account for about half of Russias total oil exports or some 2 million barrels daily. Companies doing business with the two have until November 21 to wind that business down. Lukoil, meanwhile, said this week it was going to sell its overseas business following the sanctions.

As regards the effectiveness of the sanctions, the general sentiment among industry observers appears to be one of skepticism. Kpler, for instance, said that the sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil would lead to a disruption in oil flows over the short term but would fail to cause structural change in oil markets.

 A major disruption to Russian crude exports appears unlikely, as the imposed measures are not secondary sanctions. Purchases by non-US entities  such as Indian, Turkish, or Chinese refiners  directly from Rosneft remain legally permissible, Kpler said.

Others noted the potential of effective sanctions to lead to much higher oil prices, which would be bad news for large importers in the West.

They are trying to thread a needle. They have clearly been given instructions not to blow up the global economy, so that does mean they are going to be using sanctions against third or fourth league targets, Richard Nephew, a former senior U.S. State Department official, told the Wall Street Journal this week. Based on what we have seen so far, they are basically doing a signaling operation with the hope of inflicting some damage.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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An Italian court rejected the governments plan to build a $15.7 billion suspension bridge between Sicily and the mainland. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni responded that the project would not be stopped. (Italian Ministry of Infrastructure)



NAPLES, Italy  An ambitious plan to build a $15.7 billion suspension bridge from the island of Sicily to Italys mainland was rejected this week by a court that oversees Italian government spending.

The Court of Auditors ruling Wednesday casts doubt on the viability of the major infrastructure project, which initially garnered consideration as a way for Italy to meet a new defense spending target expected of NATO allies.

A bridge likely would save time and money on travel for U.S. service members, civilians and their families assigned to Naval Air Station Sigonella near the Sicilian town of Catania who rely on ferries and planes to reach the mainland.

The court dismissed a resolution greenlighted in August by a government economic planning and sustainable development committee, the Italian news agency Ansa reported Thursday.

The review was strictly related to the economic and financial plan of the 2-mile-long bridges construction and did not assess the opportunity and merit of the work, the court said in the Ansa report.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was meeting with Transport Minister Matteo Salvini and other officials to determine next steps, Ansa reported.

In a post to her official X account, Meloni called the courts decision intolerable interference and an encroachment on the jurisdiction of the government and parliament. The project would not be stopped, she said in the Wednesday post.

Italian officials have said the bridge is vital for economic development in the countrys south.

They also proposed that the project could boost Italys defense spending, a notion that was quickly withdrawn after the U.S. warned against creative accounting by NATO members to reach a spending level of 5% of their gross domestic product on defense by 2035.

The idea dates to Roman times and the Italian government first asked for proposals in 1969. The project has been canceled previously due to concerns about seismic activity and environmental impacts, among other issues.
An M2A4 Bradley Fighting Vehicle from the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division heads for the next location during an exercise near Camp Reedo, Estonia, May 16, 2025. The Baltic countrys defense ministry said Oct. 30, 2025, that U.S. forces are committed to maintaining a presence in Estonia. (Austin Steinborn/U.S. Army)



U.S. forces are committed to maintaining a presence in Estonia, the countrys defense ministry said Thursday, alleviating fears of a withdrawal from the Baltic nation as the Pentagon scales back troop levels elsewhere in Europe.

The decision to keep the American military footprint there as is reaffirms U.S. commitment to defending NATOs eastern flank, Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said in a statement Thursday.

The permanent presence of U.S. forces in Estonia and across NATOs eastern flank is an essential part of deterring Russia and strengthening NATOs defense posture, Pevkur said.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the announcement, which comes as the U.S. prepares to draw down the number of troops in Romania, another NATO ally seen as a key bulwark against Russia.

U.S. forces operate a battalion and tank unit in Estonia, the defense minister said, adding that the nation provides the U.S. with first-class conditions for training exercises with allies and has met President Donald Trumps demand that NATO nations allocate 5% of their gross domestic product on defense.

Estonia, which borders Russia, has been on high alert in recent weeks amid reports of various Russian incursions, including a swarm of drones that entered Polish airspace in September and the downing of a drone earlier this month near Camp Reedo, a military base in the southern Estonia that is used by U.S. forces.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meets with Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur before a NATO defense chiefs meeting in Brussels on Oct. 15, 2025. Pevkur said U.S. forces are committed to maintaining a presence in the Baltic nation, alleviating fears as the Pentagon scales back troops elsewhere in Europe. (Alexander Kubitza/U.S. Navy)



Meanwhile, the Romanian announcement earlier this week that the U.S. Army would no longer rotate a brigade to the country has been met with pushback from officials and lawmakers in Washington.

The U.S. increased its troop levels in Romania following Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, several NATO countries, including Romania, have recently been subjected to airspace incursions by Russian drones or fighter jets.

The Republican chairs of the House and Senate armed services committees condemned the drawdown and said they would seek reassurance from the Pentagon that the U.S. plans to keep a persistent rotational presence in Poland, the Baltic states and Romania.

Pulling back U.S. forces from NATOs Eastern flank prematurely, and just weeks after Russian drones violated Romanian airspace, undermines deterrence and risks inviting further Russian aggression, Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama said in a joint statement Wednesday.

U.S. Army Europe and Africa said in a statement that the move was not a withdrawal but rather a positive sign of increased European capability and responsibility.
U.S. Army Europe and Africa soldiers together with allied forces engage in command and control drills at USAREUR-AF headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany. During the twin exercises, dubbed Avenger Triad and Steadfast Duel, a new concept known as the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line was tested. (Christopher Osburn/U.S. Army)



STUTTGART, Germany  The first to fight on the ground in a Russian attack on NATO territory could be allied robots rather than infantrymen.

At U.S. Army Europe and Africa headquarters in Wiesbaden, top commanders have been testing out a new combat concept in which a network of early-alert sensors connects through an artificial intelligence-informed cloud system to initiate battle.

It implies that you want to take people out of the battlefield area as much as you can, and thats what were sort of really learning about, Lt. Gen. Jez Bennett, NATO Land Command deputy commander, said Wednesday. Hence the idea of a sort of autonomous robotic force that takes that initial punch in the event that NATO is invaded.

During two war games this week, U.S. and NATO commanders tested out the approach, which was first unveiled by U.S. Army Europe and Africas Gen. Christopher Donahue in July at a meeting of Army officials in Wiesbaden.

Known as the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line, the concept is aimed at bringing ground combat techniques into the 21st century, commanders say.

In overlapping drills called Steadfast Duel and Avenger Triad, USAREUR-AF and NATOs LANDCOM merged into one headquarters to test the defense line approach and see how ground forces would respond in the event of an attack.

Commanders said the drills marked a rare instance in which all 32 NATO member countries were gathered for an Article 5 defense scenario, referring to the alliances policy that an attack on one member is an attack on all.

Steadfast Duel is NATOs largest computer-assisted command post exercise and is designed to enhance the alliances ability to carry out operations across a broad spectrum.

NATO senior leaders discuss operational planning during exercise Steadfast Duel in Wiesbaden, Germany, Oct. 27, 2025. (Samuel Kim/U.S. Army)



The drill incorporated USAREUR-AF staff and leaders from seven NATO corps to simulate the command of more than 100,000 NATO troops in the field.

Much of the wargaming centered on enabling fast decision-making by commanders and the need to process large amounts of live data into digestible bits so that allied forces can stay ahead of the enemy.

Avenger Triad focused on similar command and control issues. The drills drew heavily from lessons of the Russia-Ukraine war, commanders said.

At times, the war in Ukraine has harkened to earlier conflicts, with trench warfare and massive casualty numbers on both sides. Allies want to avoid sending their own soldiers into the gauntlet in the manner Russia has deployed many of its forces.

The NATO approach is not anymore like the Second World War, with the Russians just pushing cannon fodder into the front, said Spanish Brig. Gen. Zacarias Hernandez Calvo, LANDCOM deputy chief of staff of plans. This is not the way we want to fight.

Instead, the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line envisions that in a future fight, NATO will blunt any Russian offensive with an unmanned zone of operations.

It really does learn the lessons from Ukraine, about a battlefield without people on it, Bennett said.

In the unmanned zone, a robotic force would be put into action, keeping NATOs human force in reserve to avoid the level of concentrated Russian attacks that we have seen in Ukraine, Bennett said.

The setup would preserve human combat power for counterattack and the ability to think and act quickly to hold Russias own capabilities at risk in the event that it invades, he added.

The defense line concept is already operational, but more work is needed to build it out, commanders said. For example, robotic forces are still some way off in terms of the ability to field them at scale, Bennett said.

While the defense line system is now tailored to defending NATOs eastern front, the approach could be extended across Europe and beyond, military commanders say.

With this successful command-and-control system established in Europe, it must be rapidly scaled and connected globally, ready to meet any threat, Donahue wrote in a July essay that alluded to the defense line concept.

Hernandez said command and control drills such as Steadfast Duel, which concluded Thursday, capitalize on a new streamlined approach encapsulated by the defense line concept.

This is the way all the armies in NATO are going for the future, he said.
Navy Vice Adm. Richard Correll testifies Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Washington, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to consider his nomination to become commander of U.S. Strategic Command. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



WASHINGTON  President Donald Trumps pick to lead U.S. Strategic Command said Thursday he would provide his best military advice as the president pushes to restart nuclear weapons testing after more than 30 years.

Navy Vice Adm. Richard Correll, the current deputy head of the command, said he looked forward to supporting the presidents priorities if he is confirmed to lead the command responsible for nuclear deterrence.

But he also told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing that he wouldnt presume Trumps announcement that the U.S. will start testing nuclear weapons on an equal basis with other nations meant nuclear testing.

Neither China or Russia has conducted a nuclear explosive test so Im not reading anything into it or reading anything out of it, Correll said. He noted that the U.S. ratified a 1963 treaty that prohibits atmospheric, underwater and outer space testing.

The U.S., along with Russia and China, is also a signatory to a 1996 treaty that prohibits any nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion, though the U.S. never ratified it and Russia in 2023 rescinded its ratification.

China is rapidly building up its nuclear arsenal while Russia has the most nuclear warheads in the world. The Kremlin said this week that Russia had successfully tested a nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable missile as well as a nuclear sea drone that could set off a tsunami.

It is not clear if Trump in his announcement was referring to nuclear weapon test explosions or a test of a nuclear-capable weapon system. Correll said it was possible Trump was referring to a nuclear-powered weapon delivery system. The last time the U.S. tested a nuclear weapon was in 1992.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies Thursday there was indeed an ongoing moratorium on nuclear weapons testing and said that until Trumps announcement, we were not aware that anyone was conducting testing.

If the reference was to the testing of the Burevestnik, that is not a nuclear test in any way, he said, referring to Russias nuclear-powered cruise missile.

Russia has never carried out an explosive nuclear weapons test, the Soviet Union last tested in 1990 and China conducted its known last test in 1996. Only North Korea has carried out a nuclear test in recent decades, most recently in 2017.

Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Thursday that other countries seem to all be nuclear testing  we halted many years ago, but with others doing testing, I think its appropriate that we do also.

The Congressional Research Service estimated in August that it would take the U.S. 24 to 36 months to resume nuclear weapon testing after the president gives the order. The U.S. regularly tests its nuclear-capable weapons, with the Navy testing its submarine-launched Trident missiles in September.

Correll on Thursday said the U.S. had a rigorous testing program of its nuclear capabilities and pointed out that the adequacy and efficacy of its nuclear weapons stockpile is certified annually.

I have absolute confidence [that] those systems will perform if we ever need them to perform, he said.

A career submariner, Correll has served as deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command since December 2022. He was previously the director of strategic integration for the Navy.
President Donald Trump speaks to sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, Oct. 28, 2025. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes)



President Donald Trump on Thursday said hes ordered the Defense Department to begin testing nuclear weapons on an equal basis with other countries, according to a post on his social media platform.

The ramifications of such a policy are unclear since no country other than North Korea has conducted nuclear tests since the 1990s.

Trump, in a Thursday morning post to Truth Social, made the announcement just ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, South Korea.

Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Pentagon to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, Trump wrote. That process will begin immediately.

The president specifically compared the U.S. nuclear arsenal to those of Russia and China, referring to them as second and a distant third, respectively.

However, under a de facto moratorium  largely a result of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty  neither the United States nor Russia and China have conducted nuclear testing for decades.

Russia last tested a nuclear device in 1990, the U.S. in 1992 and China in 1996. All three countries are signatories to the treaty, but none have since ratified it, according to the United Nations website.

Trump may have been referencing Russias test of its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile.

Moscow claims the nuclear-capable missile, first announced in 2018, has unlimited range and can circle enemy air defenses to allow it to attack from unexpected angles, The Associated Press reported Tuesday.

The missile  code-named Skyfall by NATO  was plagued by reported launch failures, but Russias chief military officer Gen. Valery Gerasimov reported a successful Oct. 21 test of the missile, according to the AP.

Nuclear testing, however, typically refers to the intentional detonation of a nuclear weapon.

Since the moratorium, only 10 tests have taken place globally: two by India and two by Pakistan in 1998, and six by North Korea between 2006 and 2017. None are signatories to the treaty, although India and Pakistan have established individual moratoriums on testing, according to the U.N.

A spokesperson for the White House did not immediately respond to an email requesting additional information on Thursday. A recorded message at the White House switchboard said it is not accepting calls during the government shutdown.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  Samsung Electronics on Thursday reported a 32.5% increase in operating profit for the third quarter, driven by rebounding demand for its computer memory chips, which the company expects will continue to grow on the back of artificial intelligence.

The South Korean technology giant set a new high in quarterly revenue, which rose nearly 9% to 86 trillion won ($60.4 billion) for the July-September period, fueled by increased sales of semiconductor products and mobile phones.

Samsung, which has dual strength in both components and finished products, said it expects the demand driven by AI to further expand market opportunities in coming months. SK Hynix, another major South Korean chipmaker, also reported a record operating profit of 11.4 trillion won ($8 billion) on Wednesday, which it also described as AI-related growth.

Samsungs operating profit of 12.2 trillion won ($8.6 billion) in the last quarter marked a 160% increase from the previous quarter, when it said its semiconductor earnings were weighed down by inventory value adjustments and one-off costs related to technology export restrictions on China.

Samsungs semiconductor division posted 7 trillion in operating profit for the third quarter, with the company reporting strong sales in high bandwidth memory chips, which are used to power AI applications.

The semiconductor market is expected to remain strong, driven by ongoing AI investment momentum, the company said in a statement. The company said an advanced version of its high-bandwidth memory chips, the HBM3E, is currently in mass production and being sold to all relevant customers, while samples of its next-generation product, the HBM4, are being shipped to key clients.
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"Shark Tank" investor and entrepreneur Robert Herjavec has heard more than 1,000 pitches during his time on the show, and he says people's biggest misunderstanding about starting a business is that they need a great idea.

"The reality of it is ideas are cheap, execution is hard," he said on YouTube talk show "Hustle Meals." "You know, over 17 years, we've seen so many businesses...the ones that can make it are the ones that can execute. That's just the reality."

Herjavec was responding to a question about why he didn't invest in a pierogi company that was pitched on "Shark Tank." Herjavec was eating pierogies at the time of the question as it was a frequent meal during his childhood in Croatia.

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Although the company in question wasn't named, it probably referred to Jaju Pierogi, which sells frozen pierogies based on a recipe from the company founders' Polish grandfather.

The company was seeking a $300,000 investment in exchange for an 8% equity stake. Despite all the judges loving the pierogies, the founders left without a deal because the panelists were concerned with the company's slim profit margins.

Herjavec said during the "Shark Tank" episode that he would've gone in with fellow panelist Daniel Lubetzky, who has experience in the food industry. Once Lubetzky gave his final no, Herjavec also pulled out of consideration.

Trending: Microsoft's Climate Innovation Fund Just Backed This Farmland Manager  And Accredited Investors Can Join the Same Fund

Success is personal

Another misunderstanding Herjavec spoke out against is the idea that success is tied to a specific dollar amount or accomplishment. Instead, he said people should be looking at what they want in life.

"People always think it's a million dollars or something, but success is really personal," he said on "Hustle Meals." "It's what drives you. The desire for pure money fades, but the passion for purpose never fades."

As an example, Herjavec said the moment he felt most successful wasn't when he sold his business for 30.2 million Canadian dollars ($20 million) or purchased a condo on Billionaire's Row, but when he purchased a 1989 Cadillac DeVille for his father.
A global surge in solar panel demand, particularly in China and Saudi Arabia, has contributed to the shortage in physical silver, which is a critical component of solar panel design.

LBMA has a history of overstating its silver inventory, with 2021s overstating holdings by 3,300 MT its most egregious example to date. However, that is only part of the story. Silver is a vital component in the manufacture of many commercial products, with smartphones, flat screen TVs, batteries, EVs, and solar panels being just a few of the more ubiquitous ones. Add in hoarding from China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, China, and the larger buyer of silver, India, and its no surprise that production has been annually running at a deficit against demand since 2020.

The triggering event was the October occurrence of unprecedented deep backwardation in the silver market, setting a new record high - a $2.88 gap with the spot market price exceeding that of the futures market. Spurred on by the artificially suppressed price of silver in the futures markets controlled by the COMEX, CFTC and LBMA, a huge influx of physical silver buying from India caught the LBMA unprepared, and with insufficient supply. Silver spot price premiums soared; the turbulence in the markets spread globally like a virus, with major bank buy/sell spreads so out of sync that successful trading arbitrage was possible.

For many decades, the CFTC, COMEX , and LBMA have supplied the paper futures market the means to artificially suppress silver prices regardless of actual supply and demand.

Due to developments and long-entrenched manipulative practices in the futures market that are now fracturing, silver miners may soon find themselves in a similar scenario as with OPEC, and mining stocks may well have the biggest upside potential in the precious metals industry.

An analogy has often been made between Arrakis and the real world OPEC, which still controls a sizable amount of the worlds oil. A similar analogy has also been made with DeBeers, which controlled the diamond market until its monopoly was broken in the early 2000s.

The Dune sci-fi films and books take place in a universe where a single, desolate and hostile planet, called Arrakis, controls the production of the Spice Melange, a powder that grants its users mind expansion powers and enhanced space travel mental navigation properties that are essential for interplanetary transport. Wars, espionage, and intrigue all become part of the plots, since control of the spice confers power over the entire market, and thus, the universe.

Story Continues

While considerable attention has been paid to rare-earth materials needed for manufacturing many new products and devices, silver - which is both a precious metal store of wealth as well as a commercial commodity, has been taken for granted by industries and governments for centuries. The demand surge in flat-panel screens and solar panels has historically built low silver prices into their respective production budgets, thanks to the futures markets capping silver prices regardless of production supply. As a result, the bubble has been growing bigger and bigger for decades. The October backwardation may be the first crack in a dam ready to burst. The aftermath is already showing signs that the supply issue is not going away and only about to grow larger.

With backwardation, physical demands, i.e. physical silver buyers and industrials, are supplanting leveraged traders. The paper futures traders are increasingly losing ground, and genuine supply and demand voices are getting stronger. Unless short sellers cover open positions soon, their scramble to buy silver as its price escalates will just be adding kerosene onto a short squeeze bonfire. They wont be able to borrow silver and will have to buy physical metal or buy back futures contracts - both of which will only send prices higher.

The ETF market is already feeling the heat. Kotak Silver ETF, UTI Mutual Fund, and SBI Mutual Fund all announced the halt of new subscriptions in mid October to their silver ETFs due to the sudden escalation of silver prices and scarcity of physical product, making acquisition of additional silver bullion nearly impossible. Although Goldman Sachs and some other banks have stated that they believe the current squeeze is temporary, since the US and China will likely help bail out LBMA with enough silver to stabilize the ship, these remediations are merely band-aids. The larger issues, i.e., supply and demand, artificially low prices from futures, which is now proving to be a damaged vehicle, and geopolitical unrest that historically triggers a turn towards precious metals as a safe haven, are still unaddressed.

Why Mining Stocks May Be Safer Than ETFs

RHJPhtotos / Shutterstock.com

Silver mines may be in the catbird seat if production continues to lag behind demand.

Unlike gold mining, which is a primary target ore, silver ore is often mined as a by-product resulting from mining larger deposits of copper, zinc, and lead. Specialized silver mining is relatively rare, although that is changing. Therefore, any nation that curtails mining of copper, zinc, nickel, or other minerals may lead to a net reduction in silver production. Silver mining operations in the following countries are carrying the bulk load of production responsibilities in 2025, going into 2026, but are still expected to run a deficit against global demand.

Mexico : Expected to be #1 in global production, though output will likely see a marginal decline due to mine closures.

Peru : The country faces a long-term decline due to mine closures and social unrest.

Chile : Projects like Salares Norte are anticipated to boost production

Bolivia : Production is projected to increase marginally in 2025.

China : Ironically the one major nation that selected silver for its currency foundation over gold for about 300 years, Chinese mining production is primarily driven by base metal and gold operations, with silver a minor focus and mostly a by-product and a much larger net import commodity.

United States : Hecla's Keno Hill mine is anticipated to help buoy US silver production.

Morocco: Production should increase, thanks to the expansion of Aya Gold and Silver's Zgounder mine.

Most silver ETFs and close end funds have to hold physical silver under their respective charters. The future scarcity of physical silver bullion will likely impede their abilities to add new subscribers. Any paper gains they realize will thus be predicated on inventory and silver spot prices, not unlike how Strategy stock essentially rises or falls based on the price of Bitcoin.

Mining Stocks To Watch

Basius77 / Shutterstock.com

Silver mine stock investments may have a future advantage over silver ETFs, which are usually required to hold bullion that may become scarcer as supplies dwindle.

Mining stocks, on the other hand, will be in the catbird seat. Similar to how OPEC controls oil or how the fictional Arrakis controls the Spice Melange, silver mining stocks will be watched closely and any new silver vein discoveries or output increases will likely spike buying activity in those companies stocks. The mines output determines supply for refineries, which subsequently process silver into a sufficiently pure form for coinage, electronics, and other uses. In fact, Vipin Raina, Indias largest metals refinery, announced last week that silver demand had been so high that it literally ran out of silver to refine for the first time in its history. Investors seeking exposure in the sector may find the following mining stocks worth researching for consideration. (Statistics based on market price at the time of this writing.)

Pan American Silver ( NYSE: PAAS ) : Headquartered in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, PAAS is a major silver producer with assets in Argentina, Mexico, Bolivia, and Peru. In September, 2025, it was expanding operations with the completion of the $2.1 billion MAG Silver acquisition , which gave it a large ownership stake in the high-grade Juanicipio Silver Mine. Silver production was reported up over +11% in Q2 2025. Given that the industry P/E ratio is roughly 33, its current 24.6 P/E hints that it is trading at a discount.

Coeur Mining ( NYSE: CDE ) : the company controls five mines in North America, focused on gold and silver. Its Rochester facility expansion posted a +80%production increase in Q2 2025.

First Majestic Silver ( NYSE: AG ) : Another Canadian based mining company, First Majestic controls four silver and gold mines in Mexico. The company has an aggressive growth strategy, acquiring Gatos Silver in early 2025, and posted a nearly +76% Q2 2025 silver production spike.

Fresnillo plc (OTC: FNLPF) : Incorporated in the UK and headquartered in Mexico City, Fresnillo is the world's largest primary silver producer. Its LSE stock is part of the FTSE 100 Index. Fresnillo is a partner in the Juanicipio mine, whose sequencing issues led to a short-term Q2 2025 14% decrease in production, and operates several other mines in Mexico.

Hecla Mining ( NYSE: HL ) : Based in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, Hecla was founded in 1891 and is the largest US silver production company, thanks to the 2022 Keno Hill mine obtained when Hecla acquired Alexco Resources.

Silvercorp Metals ( NYSE: SVM ) : Although based in Canada, Silvercorps operations are primarily in China. This small cap company is Chinas largest silver producer, albeit its output comprises only a small fraction of Chinas industrial and commercial silver use.

Endeavour Silver Corp. (NYSE: EXK): Based in Vancouver, Endeavour Silver has an estimated production of 4.55.2 million ounces of silver for 2025.

For a longer term perspective on silver mining:

Vizsla Silver (NYSE: VZLA): An early stage Vancouver headquartered company, Vizsla is advancing its Panuco silver-gold project in Mexico. In 2025, it released an updated economic assessment showing strong potential of 222 million ounces in its feasibility study. It projects silver production to commence in 2027.

For a silver mining financing perspective:

Wheaton Precious Metals (NYSE: WPM): Unlike traditional miners, Wheaton provides upfront capital to mining companies in exchange for a portion of their future silver and gold production at a fixed price. This model allows Wheaton to benefit from rising silver prices without exposure to the operational risks of mining.

A final thought: if backwardation becomes a more entrenched situation in the future, there is a possibility that hallmarked silver bullion becomes too scarce to obtain reliably on a regular basis. ETFs may possibly attempt to procure silver ore rights directly from mines in order to obtain additional physical silver in the future. Should this scenario develop, then ETFs that take that plunge would be worth watching.

In Dune, antagonist Baron Vladimir Harkonnen proclaimed, He who controls the spice controls the universe. Given how essential silver is to all of the screens used for computers, smartphones, televisions, and a host of other devices from solar panels to Tesla EVs, replacing the spice with the silver may not be much of a stretch in the real world.
SUR in English Gibraltar Thursday, 30 October 2025, 17:17 Share

Professor Clive Finlayson, Director of the Gibraltar National Museum, has been awarded the William King Medal by the University of Galway for his "exceptional contribution to the history and understanding of human evolution".

The prestigious award was presented by Professor David Burn, President of the University of Galway, on 22 October, ahead of the William King Annual Lecture which Professor Finlayson had been invited to deliver.

In his citation, Professor Burn described the awarding of the medal at the institution where Neanderthals were first scientifically named as "a fitting completion of the scientific circle," recognising Professor Finlayson as a leading international expert on humanity's closest evolutionary relatives.

The lecture series was established following a 2014 symposium marking the 150th anniversary of William King's naming of the Neanderthal people while he served as Professor of Mineralogy and Geology at what was then Queen's College Galway.

Professor Burn highlighted the significance of Professor Finlayson's work at Gibraltar's Gorham's Cave Complex, now a Unesco World Heritage Site and one of the last known places Neanderthals lived on Earth. "The discoveries his team have made have been astonishing and inspiring in equal measure," he said. "His work literally forced us to reimagine our preconceptions of Neanderthal people."

The lecture was delivered to a capacity audience of academics, students and members of the public, who presented Professor Finlayson with a glass tankard from the University at its conclusion.

Reflecting on the honour, Professor Finlayson said he felt "overwhelmed" by the recognition from the University of Galway and the warm welcome extended to him and his wife, Professor Geraldine Finlayson. "It is absolutely wonderful to see the level of interest in our work, with some people having travelled far to be there, and to see the enthusiasm in the faces of students in particular," he said.
SUR in English Gibraltar Thursday, 30 October 2025, 17:26 Share

Gibraltar's popular Christmas Fair will return to John Mackintosh Square for the festive season, with attractions opening on Friday 21 November, Gibraltar Cultural Services has announced.

The fair will start at 6.30pm with free rides to mark the Christmas Festival of Lights event taking place at Casemates Square that evening. Further details about the Festival of Lights will be released in the coming days.

From Saturday 22 November through to Monday 5 January 2026, the fair will operate daily from noon until 7pm, with all rides priced at 3.

In support of GBC Open Day's fundraising efforts, Gibraltar Cultural Services will offer free rides on Thursday 11 December.

The Christmas attractions have become a firm favorite with younger members of the community and form part of Gibraltar's broader festive celebrations throughout the holiday period.

For further information, the public can contact GCS' Events Department at info@culture.gi or by calling 20067236.
Eugenio Cabezas Nerja Thursday, 30 October 2025, 17:42 Share

Around fifty vehicles, mostly caravans, camper vans and motorhomes owned by foreign citizens, were removed from the protected Maro-Cerro Gordo cliffs on the border of Malaga and Granada provinces in a joint operation involving environmental agents of the Junta de Andalucia, Nerja Local Police and the Guardia Civil, on Wednesday 29 October.

The vehicles were parked illegally in the Las Alberquillas, Molino de Papel, Rio de la Miel and Cala del Pino beaches. After the eviction of the camped vehicles the area was cleaned up by the operational services of Nerja town hall.

The previous operation of this type was carried out in January in the same areas which resulted in two people being arrested after the removal of 100 motorhomes and more than 30 tents from the same area.

In 2024 there was also a coordinated operation with the National Police to evict campers that had set up camp on Las Alberquillas beach, where action was also taken in March with the Civil Guard to remove a number of motorhomes.

The Maro-Cerro Gordo cliffs area is of great environmental value due to the peculiarity of its geological formations and the great biodiversity it contains, both on the land and in the sea.

The Junta de Andalucia carries out surveillance and sanctioning work, as well as other improvement actions with the aim of conserving the wildlife on the Maro-Cerro Gordo cliffs, which have been protected since 1989.

Camping, illegal fishing and jet skis

Illegal parking and camping, fishing (in coordination with the fisheries inspectors), jet skis (through special services and coordination with the Guardia Civil's nature protection unit, Seprona) and anchoring boats outside permitted areas, are all controlled by the Junta de Andalucia with the help of other authorities.

Caravans, motorhomes, camper vans and the occupation of abandoned buildings cause environmental damage to the area and have led to public order problems. However, they are beyond the competence of the Junta de Andalucia in terms of environmental monitoring, according to a statement by the regional government.

Axarquia-based environmental group, Gabinete de Estudios de la Naturaleza de la Axarquia (GENA-Ecologistas en Accion) has been repeatedly denouncing in recent years the proliferation of illegal campers in the Maro-Cerro Gordo cliffs area.
Jose Antonio Sau Malaga Thursday, 30 October 2025, 18:45 Share

Victoria Esperanza Martin Fernandez is a six-year-old girl from Malaga who, after beating leukaemia on one occasion, suffered a relapse in June this year. The chemotherapy is not giving the desired result this time and she needs a bone marrow donor. Her family have chosen to not remain quiet, as it often happens when a health crisis strikes. Instead, they have used the opportunity to launch a campaign and raise awareness about the importance of becoming a donor, not only for their daughter, but also for anybody who needs it to survive.

Victoria's parents created a poster telling her story. Since then, the poster has been shared by the Crucifixion brotherhood. The number of people becoming interested in the campaign is growing all the time. "We want Victoria to bring hope to many people who are waiting for a bone marrow donor," says Maria del Mar Fernandez, the child's mother.

She spoke to SUR from the hospital in Seville where the little girl is being treated. "She was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was three years old. The first chemo treatment went very well: she had two and a half years of treatment and we finished in May 2024," Maria says.

The little girl, now six years old, relapsed in June 2025. The treatment that followed was much harder. Her mother is not sure whether it was because the cancer is more aggressive or because of the previous treatment weakening Victoria's defences. In September, the doctors told them that the chemo was not working as well as before and that Victoria needs a bone marrow transplant.

'We are waiting for our donor'

Maria says that many people donate blood but not bone marrow, because they don't know how important it is. She explains that donors cannot choose who to donate to - there first has to be a match, so she is not asking that people to go to the centre for transfusions with Victoria's photo. With the campaign, she hopes that Victoria's story touches people's hearts and they go to Malaga's Centro de Transfusion, Tejidos y Celulas centre to just "fill out a form, undergo a blood test" and wait for a potential call that will tell them that there has been a match, whoever the beneficiary might be. "You can be lucky enough to be called and you can save a life. This is the process we are in, waiting for our donor," Victoria's mother says.

Zoom Little Victoria Esperanza with her mother, Maria del Mar. SUR

Since they launched the campaign, the number of bone marrow donors has been rising. In Malaga, for example, the number has gone from one or two to between ten and 15.

Facing adversity with faith and hope is the motto of a courageous mother in the face of her daughter's illness

Victoria's family is part of one of the many religious associations and brotherhoods. The saint they honour is the Virgen de la Esperanza (the Virgin of Hope), which is why they are facing their little girl's illness with resilience and positivity that marks every day. Maria says that the disease has taught them to live in the present, as each day is unpredictable - Victoria might wake up with her defences low or she might be in a state good enough to spend the day playing like any other child.

"There is already one person who has donated"

Thanks to the campaign, one person has already become a successful donor. The procedure was carried out on 21 October. "We know that there are children who have been waiting for a donor for months and have found one. I am still waiting for Victoria's - she is doing very well, strong and talking to everyone," the mother says.

"I want there to be many donors, I am a superhero and I want to save all lives," Victoria herself says in the video that is part of the campaign.
Tony Bryant Thursday, 30 October 2025, 10:56 | Updated 17:15h. Share

The owner of one of the Costa del Sols most popular restaurants, Olivia's, has announced his plans to sell by auction his beachfront business in La Cala de Mijas. Elliott Wright and his wife, Sadie, have decided it is time for a change and are heading back to the UK to pursue an exciting new business opportunity.

After 25 years in Spain, ten of those in La Cala de Mijas, the couple made the tough decision after careful consideration. The restaurateurs had hoped their children would continue in the restaurant business, but both children have returned to the UK to follow other career opportunities.

Ive decided its time for a change, a new chapter. As a family man, its always been my dream that my children would follow me into the restaurant business. However, life doesnt always follow the plans we make, Wright explained.

The sale will include the freehold beachfront property and the Olivias La Cala brand and trademark. All bids must be submitted no later than 12pm on 5 December, with a minimum starting bid of five million euros.

Its been a tough decision, but it feels like the right moment to turn the page on what has been an incredible chapter of my life, Wright said.
A Solana-themed event in southern China that was cut short after a local policy inquiry has raised concerns in the country's cryptocurrency community amid new warnings from Beijing about stablecoin risks, despite organisers attributing the disruption to overcapacity.

The Solana blockchain's Chinese community said on its official social media account that the Solana Accelerate APAC event in Shenzhen, held on Tuesday afternoon, was "exceptionally popular" and attendance far exceeded expectations.

"A few friends who were denied entry reported the event, leading local police to conduct an inquiry on site," the post said. Organisers confirmed the venue's overcapacity issue and decided to cancel a final hackathon presentation session "for public safety".

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 Shenzhen police did not disclose any information regarding the inquiry.

Although the incident was attributed to overcrowding rather than the event's theme, it has sparked anxiety among industry players who fear a renewed crackdown on cryptocurrencies in mainland China.

Their heightened concerns reflect the ongoing uncertainties regarding digital asset policies.

Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People's Bank of China. Photo: Xinhua alt=Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People's Bank of China. Photo: Xinhua>

Earlier this week, the country's central bank highlighted risks associated with stablecoins - cryptocurrencies pegged to another stable asset, such as a fiat currency - despite increasing discussions about digital assets among Chinese officials and local governments.

Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People's Bank of China, said on Monday at the Financial Street Forum in Beijing that stablecoins remained in their early stages of development and did not meet basic requirements such as customer identification and anti-money-laundering measures.

He also said China would continue its crackdown on digital-asset businesses and speculative activities while closely monitoring the overseas development of stablecoins.

Launched in 2017, the Solana blockchain network has emerged as a major competitor to Ethereum. The market capitalisation of Solana's native token is about US$107 billion.

Last week, Hong Kong approved its first exchange-traded fund (ETF) tracking solana, making it the third cryptocurrency after bitcoin and ether that ETFs in the city are allowed to directly invest in.
Alfonso Torices Madrid Thursday, 30 October 2025, 18:34 Share

A law proposed by the Ministry of Social Rights and Consumer Affairs concerning waiting times during assistance calls is expected to be approved by Spain's MPs in a few days. The new regulation will revolutionise customer services, requiring companies to answer any customer's call related to seeking information or making a complaint within a maximum of three minutes.

The law is almost guaranteed and expected to come into force between the end of the year and the beginning of 2026. With this law, minister Pablo Bustinduy seeks to guarantee the right to quality, fast and personalised customer service. The law also includes measures to curb unwanted commercial calls and to protect minors from online gambling advertising.

Phone customer service, especially that provided by electricity, gas, phone and internet companies, generates common complaints due to waiting times and inefficiency.

Obliged companies

All companies that provide customer service or utilities (gas, water, electricity, telephone, internet, transport, mail and financial services), as well as all companies with more than 250 employees or a turnover of more than 50 million euros, must comply with the new law.

Language

Phone calls must be available in at least all official languages in Spain - Castellano and the other regional languages.

The three-minute law

The new law obliges companies to ensure that 95% of telephone calls are answered within three minutes. At the moment, there is no time limit. Moreover, they will no longer be able to cut off the customer's call on the grounds of long waits.

No fees and 24-hour assistance

Companies must provide a free telephone line dedicated to customer service during their working hours. If the customer is unhappy with the service provided, they have the right to ask to speak to a supervisor. In addition, all water, gas, electricity and communications companies must offer a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year customer service for urgent assistance.

Automated response restrictions

The regulation bans companies from handling calls exclusively through automated responses. Customers must be able to ask to speak directly to a specialised operator at any stage of the enquiry or complaint.

15-day deadline to resolve claims and complaints

Companies must resolve any claim or complaint within 15 days of receiving it, instead of the current 30-day deadline. Additionally, they must assign a customer or complaint number to facilitate the follow-up and send written proof with date, time and reason for the complaint. The conversation must be recorded and kept until the case is resolved. Moreover, if supply or a service have been cut, an explanation and an estimated time for fixing it must be provided within a maximum of two hours.

Special attention to vulnerable people

The new law will require a personalised service for elderly people (face-to-face) or people with a hearing disability (video interpretation in sign language or instant written messages).

No commercial offers

Customer services may not take advantage of the call to offer commercial products or services.

Control and fines

An external audit must regularly ensure that the company complies with the law and conduct customer satisfaction surveys once a query, complaint or incident has been resolved. Non-compliance will be punishable by fines of up to 100,000 euros.

No spam calls

The law will put an end to so-called 'spam', annoying unsolicited commercial calls. Companies will be obliged to use an identifiable prefix and telephone operators must block those that do not have one. Commercial calls without prior consent are banned and any contracts resulting from such calls will be voided.

Online gambling regulations

The gambling law is also being amended to limit advertising for online gambling, ban the participation of celebrities or public figures in such promotions and require that payments for these services be made only through accounts held in the player's own name. Advertising for online gambling will only be allowed on the operators' own websites or on specialised platforms or social media with age verification controls.

Companies will only be able to send marketing communications to individuals who have explicitly authorised them to do so. Most of these measures are aimed at protecting minors.
An Emmy Award-winning actress, comedian and best-selling author is coming to Central New York in 2026.

Tiffany Haddish will perform standup comedy shows at the Syracuse Funny Bone on Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28. Both nights will feature two performances, at 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. on Friday and at 6:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. on Saturday.

Tickets are on sale starting at $50 via etix.com. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis; preferred seating is available with VIP tickets.

Guests must be 21 or older to attend shows at Funny Bone, a comedy club inside Syracuses Destiny USA mall. Guests may be seated with another party; most tables seat four people.

Haddish is an Emmy-, Grammy- and NAACP Image Award-winning performer who stars in the new Peacock reality show Tiffany Haddish Goes Off. Her TV and movie credits also include Girls Trip, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, Easter Sunday, Haunted Mansion, Solar Opposites, Like a Boss, Keanu, Night School, and the Syracuse-shot On the Count of Three.

Her standup comedy specials include 2017s She Ready! From the Hood to Hollywood and 2019s Black Mitzvah.

Syracuse is the only Upstate New York stop on Haddishs Funny and Fearless tour dates next year.

"America, Im coming your way! New jokes, new looks, and a brand new attitude," Haddish wrote on Facebook.

Other upcoming comedy shows at the Syracuse Funny Bone:

Nov. 9: Michael Longfellow

Nov. 19: Steve-O

Nov. 28-29: Jessiemae Peluso

Dec. 5-6: Funny Marco

Jan. 2-3: Danny Jolles

Jan. 9-10: Zoltan Kaszas

Jan. 23-24: T.J. Miller

Feb. 18: Toddy Barry

March 13-14: Gabriel Rutledge

March 20: Rachel Feinstein

May 2: Christopher Titus

May 15-16: Dusty Slay

May 18: Steve Hofstetter

May 29-31: Aries Spears

For tickets and more info, visit syracuse.funnybone.com.
Dr Pepper will soon disappear from some Coca-Cola-branded soda machines and fountains across the country.

This exit follows Dr Peppers termination of a key distribution agreement with Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling, one of Cokes largest bottlers.

In June, a Texas judges ruling allowed Keurig Dr Pepper to end its partnership with Reyes, per Bloomberg News. Reyes currently bottles and distributes Coca-Cola, Monster, and now-former Dr Pepper brands across 10 states. The partnerships termination went into effect on Oct. 27.

Fortunately, a representative from Coca-Cola Northeast confirmed to syracuse.com that this development will not impact soda machines and fountains in the Syracuse area or New York state. Other machines nationwide  mostly in California and Nevada  will be stripped of Dr. Pepper, though.

While Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling wanted the deal to continue, Dr Pepper decided to take full control of its own delivery system as part of a strategic effort to build up its network. This move comes as Dr Peppers popularity continues to grow. It now ranks as the second-biggest soda brand in the U.S.

Fortunately, Coca-Cola does have a replacement on deck for lovers of the cherry-flavored soft drink. In response to Dr Peppers exit, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling has started promoting its Mr. Pibb soda, per Yahoo Finance. Coca-Cola introduced the spicy-cherry flavored soda with a hint of caramel in 1972 to rival Dr Pepper.

The original Mr. Pibb was discontinued in 2001 and replaced by Pibb Xtra, a reformulated version touted to have a bolder, spicier flavor.

Unfortunately, Pibb Xtra never reached the same level of popularity as its predecessor and became harder to find over the years. However, in response to Dr Peppers departure, Coca-Cola announced that Mr. Pibb has been revived with a new flavor and packaging, which will include 30% more caffeine than Pibb Xtra. This new-and-improved syrup is intended to replace that of Dr. Peppers in the affected machines.
Two employees of SUNY Upstate Medical Center were detained by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers Wednesday when they went to a hearing at the Mattydale ICE offices, according to their unions.

Both men work in the environmental services department at the state-owned hospital in Syracuse. The men have worked for New York state since 2022 and 2024, according to the Civil Services Employees Association.

One is a member of CSEA. The other is a member of United University Professions, which represents academic faculty in the SUNY system. The men own a house in North Syracuse, according to UUP President Frederick Kowal.

Both were taken to the federal immigration center in Batavia, Kowal said.

The men are from Cuba, according to Mindy Heath, president of UUPs chapter at Upstate hospital.

Both were acting in good faith to finalize their legal status in the U.S., the union representatives said.

We condemn the actions ICE took today and we want our members to know we will stand shoulder to shoulder with them in the face of unlawful treatment, Kowal said.

CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan said the men are co-workers, neighbors and valued contributors to the hospital and community.

No one should be punished for following the law. Our union members and all hospital employees deserve dignity, respect and the chance to live and work without fear, she said.

The hospital released a statement that said both men had the legal authority to live and work in the U.S.

A spokesperson for Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement Thursday morning that said, This administration is committed to working with federal law enforcement to crack down on gang members and violent offenders, but we strongly oppose attacks on hardworking New Yorkers who are lawfully seeking asylum.

ICE did not respond to a request for information.
Skaneateles, N.Y. -- Jeff Knauss started out with a modest goal: Raise $10,000 to help feed families who are losing their SNAP benefits this weekend.

In less than 48 hours, he blew that number out of the water, raising $150,000.

But the truly shocking figure was the people who asked for help: 32,641.

"Unfortunately, the need continues to outweigh everyones incredible generosity," Knauss wrote in a social media post. He said he is pausing applications at this point. It would take a miracle just to fill the applications he has now, he wrote.

He would need more than $4 million to buy each of them a $150 gift card to help ease the loss of their grocery money.

And thats still just a fraction of the money families will lose this weekend when they dont receive the federal food stamp payments they depend on to help buy groceries.

Knauss, who founded Digital Hyve, is an investor in several other companies and restaurants in the area, including Hidden Fish, Clovers and XO Taco. He shared that he was born in poverty to two teen parents in South Korea before being adopted by an Upstate family.

Had that not been the case, my lifes story would be very different through no choice of my own, Knauss wrote in a post explaining his fundraiser.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday that the government will stop funding the debit cards more than 100,000 people in CNY depend upon every month to buy their groceries.

Knausss fundraiser is also for families in the Rochester area. More than 3 million people in the state depend on SNAP benefits for at least a portion of their food budget. The money is caught up in the government shutdown.
Soybeans are trading with double digit 10 to 13 cent gains across the front months on Tuesday, with January trying to push through $11 and November hitting a new calendar year high. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price is 12 3/4 cents higher at $10.11 1/4. Soymeal futures are up $8.30 to $8.60, with Soy Oil futures 72 to 74 points lower. Optimism continues ahead of the Trump Xi meeting later this week.

The trade is looking for soybeans to be near 84% harvested as of 10/26. The Crop Progress report was not reported due to the government shutdown.

More News from Barchart

Brazil soybean exports are seen at 7 MMT in October according to ANEC, a drop of 0.34 MMT from last weeks estimates

Nov 25 Soybeans are at $10.79 3/4, up 12 1/2 cents,

Nearby Cash is at $10.11 1/4, up 12 3/4 cents,

Jan 26 Soybeans are at $10.96 3/4, up 11 3/4 cents,

Mar 26 Soybeans are at $11.08, up 12 1/2 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
Syracuse, N.Y.  A huge party enrollment advantage. Big leads in campaign funds raised and spent. Prominence in the incumbent administration. That historically lopsided primary victory in June.

Syracuse Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens is the clear favorite, on paper, to become the citys next mayor.

But until all of the votes are cast and counted in this years general election, nothing is guaranteed. The three men competing against Owens in this years race continue to express confidence they can win.

Republican Thomas Babilon is making a numbers-based case for a path to victory that banks on a combination of low turnout by Democrats, high participation from GOP voters and enough support from independents and disenchanted Dems.

Independent Alfonso Davis cites anecdotal evidence from the campaign trail, specifically pledges of support from thousands of residents he and his volunteers have met going door-to-door.

The other independent, Tim Rudd, is relying on a more aspirational notion, saying that he believes in voters to see him as the smartest choice.

An early indication voting trend, however, seems to favor Owens, the Democratic nominee.

Of 2,175 mail-in or in-person early voters processed in the city through Tuesday, 68% were registered Democrats, the elections board said. Republicans and unaffiliated voters each accounted for 15%, with the remainder registered to minor parties.

That reflects what Syracuse political insiders were saying about this years race to replace Ben Walsh as the first candidates emerged in the summer of 2024. With more than four times as many Democrats registered to vote as Republicans, they said, the race would likely be decided in the June primary.

Owens ran away with that three-person race, securing 62% of the vote against a pair of multi-term incumbent Syracuse common councilors who spent considerably more money than any of Owens current opponents.

Grant Reeher, a political science professor at Syracuse University who follows city politics, said he would be shocked if Owens does not win.

From a political science standpoint, I would say the chances of those three candidates, either collectively or individually, seriously biting into her margin of victory is almost zero, he said.

The political metrics

Reeher is not basing his assessment on what he has seen or heard from the candidates. He has interviewed three of the four candidates (Davis declined an invitation) on his public radio Campbell Conversations program, and he believes all of the candidates have made valid arguments.

Although there has been no public polling in this years mayoral race, Reeher said key metrics that include party enrollment, campaign fundraising and name recognition favor Owens, who has been Walshs top aide since the mayor took office in 2018.

As of Tuesday, Democrats make up 39,214, or 53%, of Syracuses 73,754 registered voters. The next largest group isnt Republicans  its unaffiliated voters. They total 21,519, or 29% of the electorate. The GOP, with 9,439 registered city voters, is at 13%. The last Republican to win a mayoral race in Syracuse was Roy Bernardi in 1997.

The big Democratic enrollment advantage has carried over into campaign fundraising and spending.

Dating back to the campaign for the Democratic primary, in which Owens landed the partys largest margin of victory in at least 50 years, Owens has raised $426,800 and spent roughly $360,000. She had a balance of $65,000 through Oct. 20, the cutoff for the most recent campaign finance disclosure.

Babilon is far behind those totals, although his fundraising has been well ahead of Davis and Rudd. Through Oct. 20, Babilon received contributions totaling $31,600 and spent $27,500, leaving a $4,100 balance heading into the final 10 days of the campaign.

Rudd raised $5,400 and spent all but $700 on a law firm that represented him in a legal challenge of his independent ballot-access petitions filed by Owens. Rudd won the case.

Davis has mounted an active campaign with lawn signs and video posts on Facebook, but he has not filed the two required disclosure reports that were due this fall. His most recent filing was made Sept. 9, and it said he had not raised or spent any campaign funds.

Reeher, the SU political scientist, said the money difference is a major indicator of the state of the race.

They just do not have the means to really put themselves out there in the same way that Owens does, Reeher said. They just dont have the infrastructure behind them.

Another political science professor, Nina Moore from Colgate University, agreed that Owens is the clear favorite, but shes not convinced that it will be landslide victory.

Moore said Babilon appears to be mounting the most robust challenge. She views Davis, a registered Democrat who has unsuccessfully run in Democratic mayoral primaries three times before this year, as possibly a threat to take some votes away from Owens. To a lesser extent, she can see Rudd snagging a few Babilon votes.

I say that shell pull off a win, but Im hesitant to say that shes going to run away with it because it is a four-way race, Moore said.

Despite Walshs status as a two-term mayor who won his second race with 60% of the vote, Babilon, Davis and Rudd have all focused much of their campaign messaging on criticisms of the current mayors administration and connecting Owens to the shortcomings.

Moore said the strategy makes sense to a certain degree, but shes skeptical that it can move enough voters to their side.

I dont hear those three talking in very grand terms about their bigger vision, she said. I think thats what voters want to hear about. They want to hear, where are you taking us? What is your plan for Syracuse? And not so much whether or not the sidewalks from last year are being pulled out and reinstalled.

The paths to victory

Babilon said he has put considerable emphasis internally on a number: 10,001.

The attorney with past experience as a city assistant corporation counsel believes thats the number of votes he needs to pull off the upset. Its based on the recent history of voter turnout in Syracuse mayoral elections, which dropped to roughly 20,000 in the 2021 race.

Babilon believes he can get a large portion of the roughly 10,500 Syracuse voters who chose President Donald Trump last year to get to the polls for him this year (33,900 voted for Democrat Kamala Harris). He also is counting strong support from Democrats who voted against Owens in the primary, noting that neither of her opponents in that race, Common Councilors Chol Majok and Pat Hogan, have endorsed Owens.

My number has always been 10,001 votes, he said. I think thats easily attainable.

Babilon, who lost in a Republican mayoral primary in 2021, acknowledges that a presidential race turnout from GOP voters is not something that normally would happen in a local election year. Overall turnout in last years federal election was 45,400, more than twice as large as the 2021 mayoral race. But the campaign has been using its dollars on targeted online advertising, billboards and door-to-door canvassing that aims to get his supporters to the polls.

The people that Im talking to are very enthusiastic about coming out to vote this year, he said. The Republicans are very enthusiastic about the race. The Conservatives are very enthusiastic about the race. The independents that I speak to are very enthusiastic about the race. I dont think I see that on the Democrat side this year.

Davis, a long-time community activist, said his confidence stems from the response hes getting in the field.

Its my ground game, my going door to door every day, literally, he said. Between me and my team, weve probably knocked on close to 10,000.

In Democratic primary runs in 2009 and 2013, Davis secured 1,021 and 1,172 votes respectively to place third both times. In 2017, he was not on the ballot after his petitions were successfully challenged.

In 2025, Davis said hes feeling a difference.

I have a vision for this city, Im forward thinking, I know this city inside and out, he said. So I think that is resonating with people  the fact that this man has been consistent. This man has a vision for our city. Thats why I think its different."

Of three challengers to Owens, Rudd is expressing the least amount of confidence. He told Reeher during his Campbell Conversations interview that he was fighting for principle and in one of the candidate debates said he was fine with voters choosing Babilon or Davis.

But the former city budget director, who was elected to a citywide common council seat in 2017 and lost Onondaga County Legislature races in 2015 and 2023, is still holding onto some hope.

My path is that the voter in Syracuse stops and reflects on the last eight years, listens, looks into candidates and makes an informed decision, Rudd said. In that environment, I think I have a shot all day long.  Im in a way elevating my expectation of the residents, the citizens."

Owens, running for elected office for the first time, has said shes committed to running through the tape, referencing the importance of not coasting to the finish because shes viewed as the favorite. She cites her days as a track-and-field star at Syracuse University for that philosophy.

Early in-person voting in the four-person race to replace incumbent Mayor Ben Walsh began Saturday and continues through Sunday. Mail-in ballots have been streaming into the Onondaga County Board of Elections for a few weeks, as well. Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Who are the donors?

The data below includes contributions from the 11-day and 32-day pre-election reports and a report the candidates filed in July. If you cant see the search tool, click here to open it in a new tab.
On Oct. 14, a bullet struck the garage door of a house on Arch Stone Way in Camillus. The bullet passed through an aluminum door panel and entered a cardboard box inside, approximately 10 feet from the garage door.

It wasnt the first time that a stray bullet had struck the house on Arch Stone. Just five days earlier, a bullet hit the exterior wall of the garage, leaving a hole in the tan vinyl siding.

On Firefly Way, a dead-end street lined with tidy suburban homes across the street from Arch Stone, three other houses have also been struck by stray bullets in the past month.

Since 2012, there have been 20 reports of bullets hitting houses in the Waterbridge neighborhood. Bullets have also landed in streets and driveways, or rolled off roofs. One bullet was found at the bottom of a pool.

But this past year has seen an alarming uptick the number of bullet strikes. Since May, Waterbridge residents have reported 10 bullet strikes, five in the past month alone.

In response, the Town of Camillus last week issued a cease and desist order to the Camillus Sportsmens Club, shutting down the clubs outdoor shooting ranges.

While noting that theres no evidence pointing to the club as the source of the stray bullets, James Gascon, the town attorney, said itd be very difficult to believe that it was anything other than the range where these stray bullets are coming from.

Its not the towns end goal to shut the club down, Gascon added. It is the towns end goal to eliminate stray bullets.

The Camillus Sportsmen's Club closed its outdoor shooting ranges last week after stray bullets struck houses in a nearby neighborhood five times in the last month. Steve Featherstone

The closure comes two weeks away from the opening of regular deer season, when many hunters go to their local gun range to sight in rifles and shotguns.

In an email to members, club president Hal DeBoer acknowledged the bullet strikes, but did not say when the club would reopen its outdoor ranges. No club official could be reached for comment.

The town felt that it was necessary to issue the order to cease and desist so that something more catastrophic doesnt happen, that a human being doesnt get struck, Gascon said.

Our hope is that a more robust review will take place and a more robust investigation will occur so that we can get to the bottom of this before someone gets hurt, he said.

This map supplied by the Town of Camillus shows 20 reported bullet strikes (yellow circles) since 2012 in the Waterbridge neighborhood of Camillus. The town last week ordered the Camillus Sportsmen's Club (bottom left on map) to shut down its outdoor shooting range while police investigate where the bullets are coming from. Town of Camillus

Houses struck by bullets, as plotted on a map supplied by the town, are roughly half a mile to one mile away from the clubs outdoor shooting range, which sits at the bottom of a hill separated from Waterbridge by thick woods.

The Camillus Police Department is investigating the bullet strikes and has collected evidence from at least two of the most recent incidents, said Chief Michael Shreyer.

Shreyer said he reached out to the New York State Police and the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office to assist with ballistics analysis to determine exactly where the stray bullets are coming from.

Despite the proximity of the shooting range to Waterbridge, Shreyer said theres no evidence linking the bullet strikes to a particular shooter at a particular time and location.

We have done ballistics in the past with some of these recovered projectiles, but we havent had anything that has directly related any of these to the gun club itself, Shreyer said.

Shreyer said hes not limiting the investigation to the gun range. Detectives are also looking at wooded areas to the south and west of Waterbridge.

Weve had good cooperation from the residents and the club as well, Shreyer said. Theyve provided information that weve asked for as part of our investigations.

A patched bullet hole in the exterior of a Camillus house recently struck by a bullet. The bullet lodged inside the wall, behind a fireplace. Steve Featherstone

Syracuse.com spoke to nine Waterbridge residents whose homes have been hit by bullets. Some have lived in the area for more than two decades, others less than a year. All expressed safety concerns for children in a neighborhood where many backyards contain play sets and trampolines.

One resident with grandchildren wondered aloud what might have happened if theyd been outside when a bullet flew over their deck last summer, pierced an exterior wall, and lodged behind their fireplace where it remains.

Overall, residents said theyre confident in how the issue is being handled by local officials and the sportsmens club, but were concerned about the vitriol theyve seen online accusing them of wanting to shut down the club.

Another resident, who is also a member of the sportsmens club, pointed to a hole in their house and said they only wanted to stop stray bullets flying around their neighborhood.

If you have any information about the bullet strikes, call the Camillus Police Department at 315-487-6425.
On the evening of Oct. 20, a 76-year-old hiker from Rochester got lost while climbing Esther Mountain, one of the Adirondack High Peaks located near Lake Placid.

The hiker contacted a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest ranger and explained that they were cold and wet and had only seven percent charge left on their cell phone.

The ranger started hiking in and advised the elderly voyager to continue moving to stay warm. At 8:25 p.m., the hiker called again to report part of a tree was blocking the trail and they could not get around it.

At 9:17 p.m., the ranger reached the hiker, provided warm clothes, hand warmers, and a headlamp, and assisted the hiker down the Marble Mountain trail to the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center trailhead just after midnight

The following reports are excerpted from DEC:

A group of four got separated while hiking Wolfjaw Mountain on the evening of Oct. 21. Two hikers made it back to the Adirondack Mountain Reserve, but their parents did not. At 9:35 p.m., a ranger located the 50- and 53-year-old from Delaware and escorted them to their children.

A 71-year-old hunter from Norfolk became separated from his nephew on Oct. 25 as the two were hunting private land in St. Lawrence County. Rangers joined NY State Police and the Parishville Fire Department in a search for the missing hunter and found him later that night.

Two hikers from Brooklyn got lost off trail at Jensens Ledges on Oct 26. A ranger spoke with the hikers and obtained coordinates which he used to locate them and help them back to their vehicle.

On Oct. 25, three hikers from Buffalo called for help on a trail between Seward and Donaldson Mountains because they were cold, wet, and did not have any dry layers with them. One hiker also had bad leg cramps. Three rangers located the hikers and guided them back to their vehicles.

Rangers suggest hiking with the 10 hiking essentials, including moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics that keep your skin dry and help regulate your body temperature in both cold and warm weather. Avoid cotton clothing because it holds moisture.
Los Angeles  The Department of Justice is preparing to send federal election observers to California and New Jersey next month, targeting two Democratic states holding off-year elections following requests from state Republican parties.

The DOJ announced Friday that it is planning to monitor polling sites in Passaic County, New Jersey, and five counties in southern and central California: Los Angeles, Orange, Kern, Riverside and Fresno. The goal, according to the DOJ, is 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, Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement to The Associated Press.

Election monitoring is a routine function of the Justice Department, but the focus on California and New Jersey comes as both states are set to hold closely-watched elections with national consequences on Nov. 4. New Jersey has an open seat for governor and California is holding a special election aimed at redrawing the states congressional map to counter Republican gerrymandering efforts elsewhere ahead of the 2026 midterms.

The DOJs efforts are the latest salvo in the GOPs preoccupation with election integrity after President Donald Trump spent years refusing to accept the results of the 2020 election and falsely railing against mail-in voting as rife with fraud. Democrats fear the new administration will attempt to gain an upper hand in next years midterms with similarly unfounded allegations of fraud.

The announcement comes days after the Republican parties in both states wrote letters to the DOJ requesting their assistance. Some leading Democrats in the states blasted the decision.

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.

Californias House districts at stake

The letter from the California GOP, sent Monday and obtained by the AP, asked Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the DOJs Civil Rights Division, to provide monitors to observe the election in the five counties.

In recent elections, we have received reports of irregularities in these counties that we fear will undermine either the willingness of voters to participate in the election or their confidence in the announced results of the election, wrote GOP Chairwoman Corrin Rankin.

The state is set to vote Nov. 4 on a redistricting proposition that would dramatically redraw Californias congressional lines to add as many as five additional Democratic seats to its U.S. House delegation.

California is one of at least eight states the Justice Department has sued as part of a wide-ranging request for detailed voter roll information involving at least half the states. The department has not said why it wants the data.

Brandon Richards, a spokesman for Gov. Gavin Newsom, said the DOJ has no standing to interfere with Californias election because the ballot contains only a state-specific initiative and has no federal races.

Deploying these federal forces appears to be an intimidation tactic meant for one thing: suppress the vote, he said in an email.

But Orange County Registrar of Voters Bob Page said its common to have local, state, federal and even international observers and welcomes anyone who wants to watch the countys operations.

Los Angeles County Clerk Dean Logan said election observers are standard practice across the country and that the county, with 5.8 million registered voters, is continuously updating and verifying its voter records.

Voters can have confidence their ballot is handled securely and counted accurately, he said.

Most Californians vote using mail ballots returned through the postal service, drop boxes or at local voting centers. But in pursuit of accuracy and counting every vote, the nations most populous state has gained a reputation for tallies that can drag on for weeks  and sometimes longer.

In 2024, it took until early December to declare Democrat Adam Gray the winner in his Central Valley district, the final congressional race to be decided in the nation last year.

Passaic County the target in New Jersey

Californias request echoed a similar letter sent by New Jersey Republicans asking the DOJ to dispatch election monitors to oversee the receipt and processing of vote-by-mail ballots and monitor access to the Board of Elections around the clock in suburban Passaic County ahead of the states governors race.

The New Jersey Republican State Committee told Dhillon that federal intervention was necessary to ensure an accurate vote count in the heavily Latino county that was once a Democratic stronghold, but shifted to President Donald Trumps column in last years presidential race.

The county could be critical to GOP gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarellis hopes against Democrat Mikie Sherrill.

The letter, which cited previous voter fraud cases in the county and alleged a long and sordid history of vote-by-mail shenanigans, came after Republicans said Democratic members of the Passaic County Board of Elections voted against implementing additional security measures, including using cameras in ballot storage areas.

In 2020, a judge ordered a new election for a city council seat in Paterson  the largest city in Passaic County  after the apparent winner and others were charged with voter fraud.

The reason that we have concerns about this is because theres been a significant history of fraud, said Kate Gibbs, executive director of the NJGOP, which is also weighing whether to request additional DOJ monitoring in a number of other counties.

Platkin said the state is committed to ensuring its elections are fair and secure. With the DOJs announcement, he said the attorney generals office is considering all of our options to prevent any effort to intimidate voters or interfere with our elections.

Election observers are nothing new

Local election offices and polling places around the country already have observers from both political parties to ensure rules are followed. The DOJ also has a long history of sending observers to jurisdictions that have histories of voting rights violations to ensure compliance with federal civil rights laws.

Trump has for years railed against mail voting as part of his repeated false claims that former President Joe Bidens victory in 2020 was rigged. He alleges it is riddled with fraud, even though numerous studies have found no evidence of widespread fraud in U.S. elections.

Earlier this year, Trump pledged to ban vote-by-mail across the country, something he has no power to do under the U.S. Constitution.

The DOJs effort will be overseen by Dhillons Civil Rights Division, which will deploy personnel in coordination with U.S. attorneys offices and work closely with state and local officials, the department said.

The department also is soliciting further requests for monitoring in other jurisdictions.

David Becker, a former DOJ attorney who has served as an election monitor and trained them, said the only federal laws the department has the jurisdiction to enforce in state elections are ones that prevent discrimination against racial minorities.

Its a very high bar to justify Washingtons intervention into state-only elections, said Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research.

Still, Becker said that if monitors obey rules about not interacting with voters, poll workers or ballot counting, I dont think this is going to make any difference for voters.
President Donald Trump this week again talked about the possibility of deploying the military to U.S. cities to make them safer.

In a speech to U.S. troops during a visit to Japan on Tuesday, Trump  who has deployed the National Guard to several U.S. cities since beginning his second term  said that he would go beyond the National Guard if he thought it was necessary.

We have cities that are troubled, we cant have cities that are troubled, Trump said Tuesday, according to the New York Times. And were sending in our National Guard, and if we need more than the National Guard, well send more than the National Guard, because were going to have safe cities.

When asked about his statements by a reporter Wednesday on Air Force One, Trump repeated that he would send in troops from other branches of the military if he believed it was necessary.

If it was necessary I would do that, but it hasnt been necessary. Were doing a great job without that. If it was necessary, as you know, Im allowed to do that, Trump said on a video released by the White House.

If I want to enact a certain act, Im allowed to do it routinely. About 50 percent of presidents have used that, as you know, and Id be allowed to do whatever I want. But we havent chosen to do that because were doing very well without it. But Id be allowed to do that, you understand, and the courts wouldnt get involved, nobody would get involved, and I could send the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, I could send anybody I wanted.

Trump appears to be referring to the Insurrection Act, which allows the president to use the armed forces on U.S. soil to suppress insurrections, domestic violence or the obstruction of federal laws. It has been invoked 30 times, according to the Brennan Center for Justice; the last time was in 1992 by George H.W. Bush, to deal with civil unrest after four Los Angeles police officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King.

At a speech to military leaders in September in Quantico, Virginia, Trump suggested we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military.  Were under invasion from within. No different than a foreign enemy but more difficult in many ways because they dont wear uniforms.

Trump has deployed, or attempted to deploy, National Guard troops to several cities, including Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; Memphis; Portland, Oregon; and Chicago. All of these have been met by court challenges.
Its been an up-and-down year for a downtown Syracuse Caribbean restaurant.

It opened as the 809 Lounge & Restaurant at 206 S. Warren St. in March. It rebranded as Isla Caribbean Cuisine in June.

That led the State Liquor Authority to pull the license to sell alcohol while it reviewed a new application. That review is still underway several months later.

Luis Colon Torres, who has owned the restaurant since the start, attempted to serve dinner without alcohol for a while, but gave that up.

Its been frustrating, said he said. But you have to deal with it.

Thats led to the latest news at Isla: Its now reopened for lunch only (with no alcohol) 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. (See menu below).

Isla also been hosting special evening events with food and beverages using temporary alcohol permits.

Colon Torres is also busy working to open an adjacent bar, The Alley, which occupies the first floor a the rear of the dining room (facing Bank Alley). It will be used for private events.

Meanwhile, Isla is preparing to resume dinner service, which should happen within a week of receiving a new liquor license, Colon Torres said.

The menus, for both lunch and dinner, have changed during all this transition but still follow the Caribbean model. Colon Torres has hired a new chef to consult on the new food options.

Celebrity chef Jose Alfredo Diaz created several new dishes for a new menu for Isla Caribbean Cuisine in downtown Syracuse. Clockwise from top left, they include: Braised chicken with beans and rice; Pinon (a 'Puerto Rican lasagna' with plantains instead of pasta); Bacalaitos (salted codfish on a skewer); and a West Indian pumpkin dish. Don Cazentre

That chef is Jose Alfredo Diaz, who, like Colon Torres, is from Puerto Rico.

Diaz is well known there. Hes worked at high-end restaurants in Puerto Rico and places like Boston, New York and Miami, appeared on TV and worked for celebrity clients like Ricky Martin.

His focus, of course, is on cuisine from islands like Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

Caribbean really is the combining of Spanish, African and (native) ingredients and cultures, he said. Thats what makes it special.

Among the dishes he believe exemplifies his approach is an appetizer called Bacalaitos con Salsa Criolla (salted codfish with a garlic creole sauce). Its an appetizer on the new lunch menu.

Diaz spent several weeks working on the new menu. He has visited the CNY Regional Market each Saturday to find local produce to use (hes fond of the local garlic, for example, which he uses in the fritter sauce).

Thats what good food and good cooking is, he said. Find your cuisine and use the best ingredients.

Colon Torres also owns Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant a few blocks away on West Water Street and Guadalajara Mexican Grill in East Syracuse.
NEW YORK (AP)  In 1977, at the tail end of another bruising battle for New York City mayor, Mario Cuomo publicly spoke up against bigoted remarks leveled at his opponent. Almost 50 years later, his son is taking a different approach.

Back then, Andrew Cuomo was a 19-year-old adviser to his father, who would later become the states governor but at the time was losing the mayors race against the Democratic nominee, Ed Koch.

A few weeks before the election, posters appeared in some neighborhoods referencing Kochs long-rumored sexuality with the slogan: Vote for Cuomo, Not the Homo.

This time around, its Andrew Cuomos backers disparaging Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, who would be the citys first Muslim mayor, as an Islamic extremist.

But Cuomo has done little to discourage them, drawing allegations that his campaign is embracing Islamophobia, or is at least willing to capitalize on it.

Cuomo, in a recent phone interview, said he isnt responsible for the words of others.

What is the standard now? he said. You have to respond to everything that is said?

That approach stands in sharp contrast to that of his late father, who publicly warned against insinuations about Kochs sexuality, calling the tactic stupid and childish.

What if you hurt this fellow and he wins  which he might, Mario Cuomo said in an interview published days before Kochs victory. What youve done is youve scarred the reputation of the mayor of the greatest city in the world.

Daniel Soyer, a history professor at Fordham University focused on New York politics, said the disparate reactions point to a coarsening of the political discourse in general.

He noted the focus on Kochs sexuality came as gay New Yorkers were first gaining political power, mirroring the recent growth of Muslim voters as an electoral force.

In both cases, Soyer said, the emergence of these constituencies brought backlash from people trying to paint them as illegitimate participants in mainstream politics.

Cuomo says he is not the divisive one

Asked about the comparison, Cuomo argued that it was Mamdani, not him, who had leveraged criticism of Israel as a wedge issue in the campaign.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani talks to reporters in New York, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP

My father was saying dont raise gay as an issue. Theres no place, dont divide people, dont play that kind of politics, he said. And to me that is a mirror to what Zohrans doing, exactly.

You dont want to create wedges and division, Cuomo continued. And there is no one associated with me, standing next to me whos ever done anything like that.

Many in his own party  including some centrist Democrats  disagree, pointing to a barrage of attacks both online and in person that Cuomo has largely avoided denouncing.

Appearing on a conservative radio show last week, Cuomo chuckled at host Sid Rosenbergs suggestion that Mamdani would be cheering on another 9/11 attack. Thats another problem, Cuomo replied.

At an endorsement event, he nodded along as Mayor Eric Adams implied that a Mamdani victory could make Islamic terrorism more likely in the city.

A new ad funded by a Cuomo-supporting super PAC places the words Jihad On NYC over Mamdanis smiling face  a reference to a headline about a controversial religious leader who has appeared in photos beside Mamdani and other politicians, including Adams.

Cuomos official campaign account, meanwhile, recently shared  and then deleted  an AI-generated video depicting Mamdani eating rice with his hands, something critics have used to mock his South Asian heritage. A spokesperson for Cuomo said the video was posted in error.

Mamdani sees the attacks as part of a familiar playbook.

To be Muslim in New York is to expect indignity, he said Friday. But indignity does not make us distinct. There are many New Yorkers who face it. It is the tolerance of that indignity that does.

In response, Cuomo said his opponents views toward Israel, including allegations that it committed genocide in Gaza, had created real fear in Jewish communities. He acknowledged that Rosenbergs comment was offensive, but maintained that nobody is attacking (Mamdani) for being Muslim.

His own staunch support for Israel, Cuomo said, might be compared to his fathers vocal opposition to the death penalty  another issue outside of a mayors control, but which nonetheless animated the 1977 race amid growing fears of crime and disorder.

Eighty percent of New Yorkers supported the death penalty and he wouldnt change his position, Cuomo noted. Ive supported Israel all my life. I get the political consequence.

If Mario Cuomo were here today...

To this day, the exact origin of the posters remains a matter of dispute. Koch would go to his grave blaming Mario and Andrew Cuomo, though both have denied involvement.

Nobody ever accused my fathers associates of having anything to do with that, Cuomo said by phone recently.

Mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks to supporters during a Democratic primary watch party, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) AP

Shortly before the election, Mario Cuomos campaign manager admitted to a Village Voice reporter that he had investigated rumors of Kochs homosexuality. Mario Cuomo received the news with horror. Oh Christ, he told the reporter. Holy mother of god. Im so...Im so...disappointed.

The outrage over the signs extended to some of Kochs opponents, recalled Allen Roskoff, who chaired Lesbians and Gays for Mario Cuomo in the 1977 race, noting that his boss may have been motivated by political expediency as much as his own conviction.

The big difference now is that there doesnt seem to be anyone in the pro-Cuomo camp that is taking umbrage to this anti-Muslim demagoguery, which is effectively condoning it, said Roskoff, who now chairs the influential Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club and plans to vote for Mamdani.

If Mario Cuomo were here today, Roskoff added, he would be holding a press conference saying this is wrong and its not what a campaign should be about.
RENSSELAERVILLE, N.Y.  A 20-year-old man has been charged with reckless driving after crashing into a school bus in the Capital Region this week, with authorities discovering two packages labeled radioactive material inside his vehicle.

New York State Police responded to the crash on Route 145 between Fox Creek Road and Route 81 at 7:26 a.m. Monday in Rensselaerville.

A man crashed into a school bus the morning of Oct. 27 in Rensselaerville, N.Y. Minor injuries were reported, but no one was transported to the hospital. Photo by Tri-Village Volunteer Fire Co. Inc. Photo by Tri-Village Volunteer Fire Co. Inc.

According to News10, the investigation found that Curtis L. Williams, of Rensselaer, was driving at a high speed when he crossed into the northbound lane and struck a Middleburgh Central School District bus.

A man crashed into a school bus the morning of Oct. 27 in Rensselaerville, N.Y. Minor injuries were reported, but no one was transported to the hospital. Photo by Tri-Village Volunteer Fire Co. Inc. Photo by Tri-Village Volunteer Fire Co. Inc.

At the time, the bus carried a driver, an adult attendant, and five children. Williams car overturned after hitting the bus and struck a utility pole.

A man crashed into a school bus the morning of Oct. 27 in Rensselaerville, N.Y. Minor injuries were reported, but no one was transported to the hospital. Photo by Tri-Village Volunteer Fire Co. Inc. Photo by Tri-Village Volunteer Fire Co. Inc.

During the crash assessment, the Tri-Village Volunteer Fire Company reported finding two packages labeled radioactive material inside the vehicle. As a precaution, the children were moved to the firehouse while the New York State Police Hazmat team removed the materials. Williams told emergency crews he was unaware of the packages.

Williams and one child reported minor injuries, but no one required transportation to a hospital.

Williams faces charges including second-degree reckless endangerment, five counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and vehicle and traffic violations.
BUSAN, South Korea (AP)  President Donald Trump appeared to suggest the U.S. will resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time in three decades, saying it would be on an equal basis with Russia and China.

There was no indication the U.S. would start detonating warheads, but the president offered few details about what seemed to be a significant shift in U.S. policy.

He made the announcement on social media minutes before he met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday in South Korea. When he spoke to reporters later aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington, he offered little clarity.

The U.S. military already regularly tests its missiles that are capable of delivering a nuclear warhead, but it has not detonated the weapons since 1992 because of a test ban.

But the president suggested that changes were necessary because other countries were testing weapons. It was unclear what he was referring to, but it evoked Cold War-era escalations.

Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, he said in a post on Truth Social. That process will begin immediately.

The White House did not immediately respond to questions seeking more details. Trump ignored a question from a reporter about his post as he sat face-to-face with Xi in Busan, a meeting that focused on trade issues between the two countries.

When he spoke to reporters later, Trump appeared to be conflating the testing of missiles that deliver a nuclear warhead with the testing of the warheads.

Other countries, he said, seem to all be nuclear testing but when it comes to the U.S., We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We dont do testing.

I see them testing and I say, well, if theyre going to test, I guess we have to test, Trump said as he continued speaking to reporters.

Trump was asked where the tests would occur and he said, Itll be announced. We have test sites.

Pentagon officials didnt immediately respond to questions about the announcement from Trump on the nuclear missile tests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin this week announced that Russia tested a new atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone and a new nuclear-powered cruise missile. Putin did not announce any tests of Russias nuclear weapons, however, which last occurred in 1990.

Trump did not specifically mention the Russian tests in his post, but alluded to the nuclear stockpiles controlled by both Xi and Putin, saying, Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.

Putin in 2023 signed a bill revoking Russias ratification of a global nuclear test ban, which Moscow said was needed to put Russia on par with the U.S.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which was adopted in 1996 and bans all nuclear explosions anywhere in the world, was signed by President Bill Clinton but never ratified by the Senate.

Russia in 2023 said it would only resume tests of its nuclear weapons if Washington did it first.

Earlier this year, Trump signaled he wanted to push his Russian and Chinese counterparts in the other direction, saying he wanted to resume nuclear arms control talks with both countries.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson called on the U.S. to refrain from carrying out nuclear tests.

China hopes the U.S. will earnestly fulfill its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and honor its commitment to suspend nuclear testing, Guo Jiakun said at a briefing in Beijing.

Despite his announcement that sounded like an escalation, Trump told reporters that he would like to see a denuclearization and de-scalation.

We are actually talking to Russia about that, Trump said, though he did not elaborate.

Daryl Kimball, the executive director of the Washington-based Arms Control Association, quickly criticized the presidents announcement and said Trump was misinformed and out of touch.

Kimball, in social media posts, said the U.S. has no reason to resume nuclear explosive testing and it would take at least 36 months to resume testing at the former test site in Nevada, where the last detonations occurred underground.

By foolishly announcing his intention (to) resume nuclear testing, Trump will trigger strong public opposition in Nevada, from all U.S. allies, and it could trigger a chain reaction of nuclear testing by U.S. adversaries, and blow apart the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, Kimball said in a post on X.

Japanese survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end World War II condemned Trumps announcement.

The act vehemently opposes all countries that are endeavoring to achieve a nuclear-free and peaceful world and absolutely cannot be tolerated, said Jiro Hamasumi, secretary general of Nihon Hidankyo, a survivors organization that won the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.
You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters.

Stifel Financial recently paid nearly $3.4 million to settle three arbitration claims against the firm related to a former brokers sales of structured notes, according to BrokerCheck.

Those are the latest in a string of settlements and arbitration awards involving Chuck Roberts, a former Stifel rep who was barred from the industry in July for selling unsuitable investments to clients. Stifels punishment included a FINRA arbitration award of nearly $133 million, which was handed down in March. Stifel has filed a motion to vacate the award and is awaiting a decision.

Jeffrey Erez, an attorney representing investors in the cases against Stifel, said 17 additional cases are pending. He said every one of them involves the misrepresentation of structured notes and the unsuitability of these products for Roberts clients.

The revelation of the additional claims follows news this week that Stifel has agreed to sell its independent advisor channel, a small business unit with approximately 110 advisors and $9 billion in client assets, to Equitable.

However, sources close to the investment banking community and Stifel said the legal entanglements could prompt Stifel executives to accelerate a decision to sell the remaining business, and confirmed that Raymond James has been discussed internally as the likely buyer.

(The legal situation) in itself is making [Stifel CEO Ron Kruszewski] at least pause and say, Maybe we very seriously should consider partnering, merging, whatever you want to call it, more so than ever before, said one source close to Raymond James.

In a recent internal strategy meeting, Raymond James senior executives discussed buying Stifel, he said. An additional source close to the investment banking community confirmed that Raymond James executives were discussing a deal. However, it is unclear how formal the talks are between the firms or if an agreement is imminent.

If you look at the core businesses of Stifelthe wealth management, Stifel bank and the investment bankit fits extremely neatly right into the stack of Raymond James, he added.

As independent businesses in wealth management continue to grow faster than other financial service channels, scale becomes a competitive advantage, and there are increasingly few broker/dealers large enough to acquire the middle-tier firms.

A Raymond James spokesperson did not return a request for comment.
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) has agreed to sell its entire stake in TAQA Neyveli Power Company to India-based Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) Energy, for Rs9.26bn ($104.4m).

TAQA Neyveli operates a 250MW lignite-fired power plant in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.

MEIL Energy is an affiliate of MEIL, an Indian conglomerate focused on infrastructure, energy, and high-tech manufacturing.

This transaction, which supports TAQAs strategy to reduce its scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 25% by 2030, marks its complete exit from TAQA Neyveli.

TAQA is shifting its focus towards low-carbon, flexible gas-fired power generation and renewable energy investments through its stake in Masdar.

The company stated that the divestment aligns with its 2030 corporate strategy for sustainable and profitable growth.

TAQA generation business CEO Farid Al Awlaqi said: This sale represents a considered adjustment to our generation portfolio as we continue progressing towards a more sustainable energy mix.

It aligns with TAQAs broader efforts to transition towards cleaner energy solutions, reduce long-term emissions, and respond to the changing dynamics of global energy demands.

Our focus remains on developing flexible, efficient and low-carbon power generation assets that support sustainable growth and the energy transition.

In the United Arab Emirates, TAQA announced plans to add 1GW of gas-fired capacity.

Also, the company is working alongside Masdar on a project that will deliver 1GW of renewable energy continuously, using integrated solar and battery energy storage.

In Morocco, TAQA Morocco is considering the acquisition of a combined-cycle gas turbine power plant, as well as developing new gas-fired and renewable power projects, seawater desalination, and transmission infrastructure.

Also, the company has reached financial close for the Satorp cogeneration plant, and two gas-fired plants, Rumah 2 and Al Nairyah 2, in Saudi Arabia.

TAQA reported a gross capacity of 21GW in 2020, which has increased to approximately 70GW as of 30 September 2025.

The company has set a target of reaching 150GW by 2030, with two-thirds expected to come from renewables through its investment in Masdar.

"TAQA to sell 250MW lignite power plant to Indias MEIL Energy " was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




Universal Music Group (UMG) announced Wednesday that it has settled a copyright lawsuit with AI music startup Udio, paving the way for a new collaboration in music creation.

The two companies plan to launch a generative AI platform next year, which will use licensed and authorized music from Universal's artists to power its system.

According to Yahoo, UMG Chairman Sir Lucian Grainge emphasized the importance of protecting artists and songwriters while embracing new technology.

"These new agreements with Udio demonstrate our commitment to do what's right by our artists and songwriters," Grainge said.

"Working with Udio, we can foster a healthy commercial AI ecosystem in which artists, songwriters, music companies and technology companies can all flourish and create incredible experiences for fans."

Udio CEO Andrew Sanchez added that the collaboration will expand creative possibilities in music.

"We are building the technological and business landscape that will fundamentally expand what's possible in music creation and engagement," he said.

The legal dispute began in 2024, when UMG, Sony Music, and Warner Records filed lawsuits against Udio and another AI company, Suno.

The labels accused the startups of copying hundreds of copyrighted recordings to train their AI systems.

According to the labels, this practice allowed the AI to generate music that could compete with human artists, potentially harming both creators and the industry.

Udio and Suno argued that using copyrighted sound recordings for AI training qualifies as fair use under US copyright law and described the lawsuits as attempts to limit independent competition.

Universal Music have settled their lawsuit with Udio.



From the little that is known about the settlement, this looks like a big win for creatives:



- Udio immediately turned off downloads, and apparently will transition to a closed ecosystem where you can remix artists songs pic.twitter.com/TdarU3nmt8  Ed Newton-Rex (@ednewtonrex) October 30, 2025

UMG, Udio Settle Copyright Dispute

Under the new agreement, Udio will launch a subscription-based AI music platform next year, allowing fans to customize, stream, and share music responsibly.

The platform will operate with strict controls, including fingerprinting and filtering, to ensure licensed content is used appropriately.

UMG artists, which include Taylor Swift, BTS, Ariana Grande, and Lady Gaga, will receive compensation through the settlement, Reuters reported.

The new license agreements are expected to create additional revenue opportunities for songwriters and performers while offering fans an innovative music experience.

Despite the settlement with Udio, legal cases involving Sony, Warner, and Suno remain ongoing.

UMG's collaboration with Udio represents one of the first major partnerships between a top music label and an AI company following high-profile copyright clashes in the industry.

Financial details of the settlement were not disclosed. Until the new platform launches, Udio's current service will remain available, though content will be monitored closely to ensure compliance with licensing agreements.

Originally published on vcpost.com
Amazon representatives gave different descriptions of the role AI played in its layoff decisions. (Mark Lennihan / AP file)

Some of the largest companies in America have begun capping or reducing their head counts, blaming the promise of productivity with artificial intelligence for their decisions.

Yet, so far, there is uneven evidence that the promised cost-savings from AI are actually worth what companies are putting into it.

This leaves some experts questioning whether AI could be serving as a fig leaf for companies that are laying off employees for old-fashioned reasons, such as financial underperformance or global economic uncertainty.

Its much easier for a company to say, We are laying workers off because were realizing AI-related efficiencies than to say Were laying people off because were not that profitable or bloated, or facing a slowing economic environment, etc, David Autor, a professor of economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, wrote in an email to NBC News.

Whether or not AI were the reason, youd be wise to attribute the credit/blame to AI, wrote Autor, an expert on AIs impact on workers.

Amazon joins other large companies in justifying recent job cuts by pointing to AI. (David Ryder / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

This week, Amazon announced it had begun a reorganization that would result in the elimination of 14,000 roles  and said AI was a leading cause.

The world is changing quickly, Amazon Senior Vice President Beth Galetti wrote Tuesday. This generation of AI is the most transformative technology weve seen since the Internet, and its enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before.

Yet a few hours later, a different Amazon representative tried to downplay the role that AI played in the layoff decisions.

AI is not the reason behind the vast majority of reductions, said the representative, who requested anonymity because she was not authorized to give her name.

Last year, we set out to strengthen our culture and teams by reducing layers, among other measures, she said. The reductions were sharing today are a continuation of this work.

The representative declined to comment on the apparent mismatch between this second statement about AI and Amazons earlier comments.

But that disparity  coming from a company as large and disciplined as Amazon  highlights how difficult it can be for the public to verify what companies say about AI and its role in personnel decisions.

AIs elusive returns

Amazon joins plenty of other companies in justifying recent job cuts by pointing to AI.

Walmart recently signaled that it intends to keep headcount flat over the next several years, largely as a result of AI.

Goldman Sachs announced a fresh round of layoffs this month, saying it planned to reduce human roles that AI could potentially perform.
Caribbean reels from 'unprecedented' hurricane destruction



Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, Oct 29 (AFP) Oct 29, 2025



Hurricane Melissa bore down on the Bahamas Wednesday after cutting a path of destruction through the Caribbean, leaving 30 people dead or missing in Haiti and parts of Jamaica and Cuba in ruins.

Somewhat weakened but still threatening, Melissa will bring damaging winds and flooding rains to the Bahamas Wednesday before moving on to Bermuda late Thursday, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).

"In the Bahamas, residents should remain sheltered," it said, while in Bermuda, "preparations should be underway and be completed before anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds."

As Melissa left Cuban shores, residents started assessing their losses, with President Miguel Diaz-Canel quantifying the damage as "extensive."

In the east of the communist island battling its worst economic crisis in decades, people struggled through flooded and collapsed homes and inundated streets.

The storm smashed windows, downed power cables and mobile communications, and ripped off roofs and tree branches.

Cuban authorities said some 735,000 people had been evacuated -- mainly in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Holguin and Guantanamo.

In Santiago de Cuba, homemaker Mariela Reyes, 55, recounted how violent winds lifted the roof off her humble dwelling and dumped it a block away.

She managed to save her TV set and a few small appliances from her flooded home.

"It's not easy to lose... the little you have," Reyes told AFP.



- 'Disaster area' -



Pope Leo offered prayers from the Vatican, while the United States said it was in contact with the governments of Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.

"We have rescue and response teams heading to affected areas along with critical lifesaving supplies," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X, without mentioning ideological foe Cuba.

The UK government announced pound2.5 million (about $3.3 million) in emergency funding for the region.

In Jamaica, where some parts are still recovering from Hurricane Beryl last year, UN resident coordinator Dennis Zulu told reporters Melissa had brought "tremendous, unprecedented devastation of infrastructure, of property, roads, network connectivity."

Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the tropical island famed for tourism a "disaster area."

Many homes were destroyed and about 25,000 people sought refuge in shelters.

"Our teams are on the ground working tirelessly to rescue, restore, and bring relief where it's needed most... To every Jamaican, hold strong. We will rebuild, we will recover," Holness said on X.

Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon told CNN officials had been unable to confirm reports of deaths "because we have not been able to get to some of the hardest hit areas."

She added work was ongoing to reopen the airport at Montego Bay so an estimated 25,000 tourists caught in the storm "will soon be able to leave if they need to."



- 'Everything is gone' -



At least 20 people in southern Haiti, including 10 children, were killed in floods caused as the hurricane shaved past earlier in the week, according to civil defense agency head Emmanuel Pierre.

Ten more were missing.

"People have been killed, houses have been swept away by the water," resident Steeve Louissaint told AFP in the coastal town of Petit-Goave, where the Digue River burst its banks.

Hurricane Melissa tied the 1935 record for the most intense storm ever to make landfall when it battered Jamaica on Tuesday, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

In Seaford Town, farmer and businessman Christopher Hacker saw his restaurant and nearby banana plantations flattened.

"Everything is gone," he told AFP. "It will take a lot to recover from this."



- 'A brutal reminder' -



The full extent of Melissa's damage is not yet clear. A comprehensive assessment could take days with communications networks disrupted across the region.

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said such mega-storms "are a brutal reminder of the urgent need to step up climate action on all fronts, as they bring massive human and economic costs in every part of the world, and those costs grow faster and bigger each year."

Due to climate change, warmer sea surface temperatures inject more energy into storms, boosting their intensity with stronger winds and more precipitation.

"Human-caused climate change is making all of the worst aspects of Hurricane Melissa even worse," said climate scientist Daniel Gilford.
Press Release from Business Wire: AGCO Power



(AFP) Oct 30, 2025



NOKIA, Oct 30, 2025 (BSW) - At Agritechnica 2025 in Hanover, AGCO Power will unveil a bold vision for the future of agricultural and forestry machinery powertrain solutions-combining cutting-edge diesel technology with pioneering low-carbon innovations designed to meet the evolving needs of farmers worldwide.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030745855/en/

Juha Heikkila (left), Manager Electrification, holds NMC battery cells used in the prototype battery, while Kari Aaltonen, Director Engineering, stands beside the concept unit. The battery, designed by AGCO Power, contains a total of 1400 cells and offers 150 kWh of capacity.



Highlights include the newest and next?generation CORE diesel engine family-the 8?liter, 252 kW CORE80 powering the new 5th?generation of the Fendt 800 Vario-alongside the AGCO Power CO? Calculator concept and a 150 kWh Future Battery Concept developed in?house by AGCO Power, and cost-effective remanufactured engines that extend machine lifespans while reducing environmental impact.

AGCO Power's innovations support farmers as they transition from fossil diesel to sustainable, low?carbon options-and address today's realities as well, from emissions reduction to continuous improvements in total cost of ownership.

"We believe the future of agricultural energy lies in a smart combination of fuels and technologies. There is no single solution-rather, a wider spectrum of power sources is needed. That's why we are committed to exploring a wide range of innovations, investing significantly in R&D and our Clean Energy Lab, and promoting collaboration across the industry," says Juha Tervala, the Vice President and Managing Director of AGCO Power.

AGCO Power designs and manufactures engines and power sources for AGCO's world-leading tractor brands-Fendt, Massey Ferguson, and Valtra-as well as for other off-road machinery and work equipment.

AGCO Power Future Battery Concept

Making its world premiere at Agritechnica, AGCO Power's Future Battery Concept is the company's latest product development project. The concept battery is based on NMC cell chemistry and offers 150 kWh of capacity. The battery is designed by AGCO Power.

AGCO Power is closely tracking advances in battery cell technology and evaluating multiple chemistries, including solid?state batteries. According to Director Engineering Kari Aaltonen, battery technology currently appears promising for agricultural applications.

"Today, the best way for a farmer to achieve emission?free operation is with a battery?electric driveline. Most regular farm work can, in the future, be completed with a tractor equipped with this battery. The challenge will be very long working days, but high?power DC charging will enable operators to resume work in around 40 minutes," says Kari Aaltonen.

Electric powertrains also offer clear advantages for work machines: lower operating costs than conventional powertrains and an almost service?free setup. Aaltonen estimates that powertrains based on the concept battery could reach production in 5-7 years.

New CORE80 powering the new Fendt 800 Vario Gen5

At Agritechnica, the newest member of AGCO's modern CORE diesel engine family, the CORE80, powers the new Fendt 800 Vario Gen5. As the biggest and smartest of the family, the 8?liter CORE80 delivers even more torque (1680 Nm) and power (252 kW).

AGCO Power CORE engines have already proven top?tier efficiency according to measurements by the independent DLG Test Centre. In the PowerMix Test 2.0 of the German Agricultural Society (DLG, Deutsche Landwirtschafts?Gesellschaft), tractors are assessed for fuel and AdBlue consumption under typical workloads on a rolling test bench to determine overall energy efficiency.

"The combination of power and low fuel consumption makes it possible for farmers to work economically while protecting the environment," says Roland Schmidt, Vice President, Fendt Marketing.

The smaller CORE50 and CORE75 engines will also be on display at Agritechnica. All CORE engines are manufactured at AGCO Power's Linnavuori site in Finland. The new, low?emission and energy?efficient CORE engines are already in use in leading Fendt models: the 5?liter, four?cylinder AGCO Power CORE50 powers the Fendt 500 Vario Gen4 and Fendt 600 Vario series, while the 7.5?liter CORE75 powers the Fendt 700 Vario Gen7 series.

AGCO Power CO? Calculator concept with Valtra

In collaboration with Valtra, AGCO Power will present its CO? Calculator concept at Agritechnica. The solution detects the type of fuel used and calculates the operational carbon footprint of agricultural machinery. It combines an engine-mounted fuel sensor with a cloud-based software solution that calculates accurate CO? emissions in real time. The visualized and stored data enables farmers to present verified figures to customers and supply chain partners.

"Reliable data on the operational carbon footprint is a major competitive advantage for farmers. It enables more informed decisions and allows them to track, visualize, and verify their environmental impact," says Jarno Ratia, Director of Product Management of AGCO Power.

Agricultural traders also recognize the value of the solution. Bianca Lind, Managing Director of VERAVIS GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Agravis Raiffeisen AG states:

"VERAVIS GmbH is committed to supporting farmers in meeting the requirements of the EU Green Deal while ensuring sustainable and profitable crop production. By integrating the AGCO Power CO? Calculator, we enhance the accuracy of our site- and crop-specific Product Carbon Footprint calculations. Validated, site-specific fuel usage data strengthens the credibility of sustainability reporting and simplifies documentation for all stakeholders-especially the farmer."

Remanufactured engines: a cost?effective solution for older machines

AGCO will also demonstrate at Agritechnica how the company supports farmers by remanufacturing used diesel engines to new condition. For the end user, a factory?remanufactured engine offers fast availability as a replacement for a worn unit and significantly lower investment costs compared to a brand?new engine.

At AGCO Power's Linnavuori factory in Finland, a renewed remanufacturing production line has just been completed, increasing capacity from over 1,000 engines to 2,500 engines per year. This expansion supports the company's long?term strategy and Farmer First approach.

"Remanufacturing can lower total cost of ownership and reduce the carbon footprint versus a new machine-and, crucially, it can minimize downtime when engine problems occur. Remanufactured engines extend machine lifespans and enable up to 80% of an engine's mass to be reused, including all cast?iron components," says Jussi Rinne, Director, Quality and Aftermarket.

About AGCO

AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural machinery and precision ag technology. AGCO delivers value to farmers and OEM customers through its differentiated brand portfolio including leading brands Fendt(R), Massey Ferguson(R), PTx and Valtra(R). AGCO's full line of equipment, smart farming solutions and services helps farmers sustainably feed our world. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, USA, AGCO had net sales of approximately $11.7 billion in 2024. For more information, visit www.agcocorp.com.

About AGCO Power

AGCO Power is one of the world's leading developers and manufacturers of engines for off-road machines. We produce engines for well-known tractor brands such as Fendt, Valtra, and Massey Ferguson. In addition to these, AGCO Power engines are used in other off-road machines, including forestry equipment. Production facilities are located in Finland, China, Brazil, and Argentina. The Linnavuori plant has been operating for over 80 years and is a subsidiary of AGCO Corporation. www.agcopower.com







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251030745855/en/









Contact

Media ContactsVilja Pylsy, [email protected]







 2025 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
100 US local leaders will attend COP30 in 'show of force'



Washington, Oct 30 (AFP) Oct 30, 2025



More than a hundred American state and local leaders will attend next month's COP30 climate talks in Brazil, including governors, state officials and mayors, even as the Trump administration is expected to stay away.

"We are showing up in force," Gina McCarthy, co-chair of the "America Is All In" coalition told reporters on a call Thursday.

The group represents around "two-thirds of the US population and three quarters of the US GDP, and more than 50 percent of US emissions," said McCarthy, who served as a climate advisor to former president Joe Biden, and as ex-president Barack Obama's environment chief.

President Donald Trump announced he was withdrawing the United States from the Paris climate accord for a second time on his return to office in January.

But McCarthy said that would not halt American participation in global climate efforts.

"We'll deliver on the promises we made to the American people and our international colleagues," she said. "Local leaders here have authority to act on their own behalf, to take climate action at home and abroad."

She pointed to the work of the 24-state "US Climate Alliance" that have slashed emissions by a quarter relative to 2005 while growing their economies.

Because the Paris accord requires a one-year notice period for withdrawal, the United States remains a party for a few more months.

But Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who was also on the call, said it appeared unlikely the administration would send an official delegation to COP, given it had not put in embassy support for the Americans attending.

"But who knows?" added Whitehouse. "This is a very mercurial administration. They can decide at the last minute to send a plane to Belem, full of climate deniers and fossil fuel operatives."

While Trump also exited the Paris deal in his first term, his administration has gone further this time, exerting its clout to boost fossil fuels globally.

This includes, for example, threatening countries with retaliatory measures if they agreed to a carbon pricing system by the UN's International Maritime Organization, effectively curtailing its implementation.

Climate advocates fear the administration could seek to withdraw from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change -- the treaty that underpins the Paris Agreement.

Doing so could prevent future administrations from re-entering the deal, but it is not clear if the executive branch has the legal authority to undo a Senate-ratified treaty.
TeraWulf (WULF) has expanded its Google-baced partnership with AI cloud platform Fluidstack, forming a joint venture to develop 168 MW of critical IT load at the Abernathy, Texas campus, under a 25-year hosting commitment worth approximately $9.5 billion in contracted revenue.

Get these headlines directly to your inbox: subscribe to Blockspace.

Following the announcement, TeraWulf CEO Paul Prager tweeted that Fluidstack and Google have also tapped TeraWulf for another 168 MW of AI load an undisclosed location.

Under the Abernathy agreement, TeraWulf will hold a 51% majority stake in the joint venture, which is expected to deliver the facility in the H2 2026. Echoing Pragers comments, the joint venture secures TeraWulf the exclusive right to partner with Fluidstack on its next 168 MW project under similar commercial terms.

The transaction increases TeraWulfs contracted HPC platform to over 510 MW of critical IT load and supports an upwardly revised growth strategy targeting an additional 250 MW to 500 MW of contracted capacity each year.

Google will back the projects financing, which has committed to support approximately $1.3 billion of Fluidstacks long-term lease obligations, enhancing credit quality for the ventures debt. No new equity or warrants were issued in connection with the deal.

Recently JonesResearch put out a $24 price target for WULF, implying 72% upside.

Read More: TeraWulfs Record $3.2B Note, Miner Debt Tops $20B, and Why AI Companies Are Buying Jet Engines

At time of publication, WULF is up 8.5% during pre-market hours.
Amazon will release its quarterly financial results after the stock market closes on Thursday, Oct. 30, just days after the company announced its laying off 14,000 employees as it scales its artificial intelligence efforts.

Reuters initially reported that the number could be as high as 30,000.

The companys Chief Executive Officer, Andy Jassy, said in June that the company would reduce its labor force as it tries to increase its use of AI to do jobs that a human would normally do. The reductions are impacting the companys logistics and payments, video games and cloud-computing teams.

It's the companys second round of layoffs this year.

Amazon currently employs about 1.55 million people across the globe. The 14,000 estimated reductions account for 4% of the companys corporate workforce of 350,000 personnel.

In its upcoming earnings call, the company will also need to assuage investor concerns about Amazon Web Services (AWS) following a widespread outage on Oct. 20, which lasted several hours and impacted web services of high-profile clients like Snapchat and Ring.

The company said the outage was caused by an issue with its Northern Virginia data centers.

As earnings approach, heres how to tune in.

How to listen to the Amazon earnings call

Amazon will report earnings following the stock market close on Thursday, Oct. 30. The companys third-quarter financial report will be posted on its Investor Relations website. Investors can also access the conference call on the website, which is scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. ET.

More Amazon news: Layoffs target 14,000 corporate jobs. What we know about the cuts.

What are Wall Street expectations?

Wall Street analysts are expecting the company to report earnings per share of $1.58 on revenue of $177.8 billion, according to Yahoo Finance. In last years third quarter, the company reported EPS of $1.43 and revenue of $158.9 billion.

AWS is expected to generate $32.4 billion, which would be an 18% increase from the $27.5 billion in revenue reported at the same point last year.

Online sales are expected to hit $67 billion in the third quarter, and advertising is expected to come in at $17.3 billion.

What did Amazon say in its last earnings report?

In the second quarter, the company missed Wall Street expectations by reporting weaker-than-expected operating income and slow cloud sales growth.

The company said it expected an operating profit of $15.5 billion to $20.5 billion in the third quarter and sales between $174 billion and $179.5 billion, Bloomberg reported.

What's Amazon's stock price?

Amazon traded up 0.46% on Wednesday, Oct. 29.
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Colin Farrell has revealed that he once showed up hungover to set and needed almost 50 takes for a scene, leaving costar Tom Cruise not very happy with him.

The Banshees of Inisherin star said that while working on Spielbergs 2002 film Minority Report, he had one of the worst days ever on a film set thanks to the heavy partying he did the previous night.

I grew up watching them lads, I grew up watching Tom Cruise and Top Gun and Risky Business, and Steven Spielberg and [composer] John Williams kind of raised me in their films, he said during an appearance on the The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

But it was my birthday on May 31. We were shooting. I begged production of a $120m film if they would not have me working on my birthday. Who did I think I was?

Based loosely on Philip K Dicks 1956 novella of the same name, Minority Report follows a police unit that uses psychic technology to predict murders and stop them before they take place. Colin Farrell plays Department of Justice agent Danny Witwer, who audits the programme, alongside Tom Cruise as Precrime chief John Anderton, who finds himself accused of a murder he hasnt committed yet.

Colin Farrell shared that he showed up hungover to set once and needed almost 50 takes for one scene, leaving costar Tom Cruise not very happy with him ( Rex Features )

So my pickup [time] was at 6am and I got up to all sorts of nonsense the night before, the Irish actor said. I remember getting into bed, and as soon as I turned off the light, the phone rang, and it was the driver outside saying, Its 10 past 6 and I went, Oh s***.

Farrell recalled assistant director David H Venghaus Jr stopping him at his trailer and saying: You cant go to the set like this.

I went: Just get me, get me six Pacifico Cervezas and a pack of 20 Marlboro Reds, said Farrell.

The In Bruges star explained that this incident took place a few years before he went to rehab for his addiction to alcohol and drugs. Farrell checked himself into a treatment centre in 2005 and has been sober since 2006. In 2018, he checked himself into rehab as a preemptive measure.

Now, listen, its not cool because two years later I went to rehab, right? But it worked in the moment. All the holy people that we look to for the answers on how to live a life would say, The present is all that counts, he continued.

I had a couple of beers and I went to the set, he said. But it was terrible. I will never forget the line that I had, but I couldnt get it out. It was: Im sure youve all grasped the fundamental paradox of pre-crime methodology. That was the line that started the scene. I remember one of them coming up and saying, Do you want to go and take a breath of fresh air? And I remember thinking: If I go out and take a breath of fresh air, then Ill be under more pressure when I come back in.'

Farrell revealed what upset Cruise that day.

It took 46 takes. Tom wasnt very happy with me. Tom was not happy with me.

Farrell is currently promoting his latest film, Ballad of a Small Player, where he plays Lord Freddy Doyle, a high-stakes gambler laying low in Macau when his past and his debts start to catch up with him.

Speaking to The Independent at the London Film Festival earlier this month, the 49-year-old explained that he spent eight weeks residing in Macau, which is often dubbed the Las Vegas of Asia, whilst portraying the gambling addict Lord Doyle.

I was surrounded by bells and whistles and loud horns and lights and water fountains going off and Celine Dion playing from the speakers at seven o'clock in the morning.
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Ghostface is out for blood in the long-awaited first trailer for Scream 7.

Despite the new installments cast shake-ups and previously leaving the franchise over a pay dispute, Neve Campbell will return as Sidney Prescott in the film. The trailer, released Thursday, shows Ghostface targeting Sidney and her daughter Tatum, played by newcomer Isabel May.

While some fans celebrated Campbells homecoming to the franchise, others were unable to let go of the cast members notably missing from the trailer: Actors Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega are no longer part of the horror franchise after starring in the revival films Scream in 2022 and Scream VI in 2023.

Dont care. Looks boring. We want Melissa, one social media user commented under the trailer on X. Another added, I have no interest in any Scream movie that Jenna Ortega isn't in.

Someone else wrote, Do not forget what spyglass did to Melissa Barrera. stand with Palestine. Boycott.

open image in gallery Neve Campbell is returning for Scream VII in her iconic role as Sidney Prescott ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega aren't returning for 'Scream 7' ( Getty Images )

Barrera, who was set to reprise her role as Sam Carpenter in the new film, was fired from Scream 7 over her social media posts criticizing Israel for the genocide in Palestine months after the sixth film was released, prompting pro-Palestine supporters to boycott the series.

The films production company Spyglass Media alleged at the time that her posts floated an antisemitic trope that Jews control the media. In the Instagram post, she had said, Western media only shows the [Israeli] side. Why do they do that, I will let you deduce for yourself.

After Barreras exit, Ortega left the project voluntarily. Initial reports said the exit was due to scheduling conflicts, but Ortega later clarified that the decision had nothing to do with pay or scheduling.

The Melissa stuff was happening, and it was all kind of falling apart, she told The Cut earlier this year. If Scream VII wasnt going to be with that team of directors and those people I fell in love with, then it didnt seem like the right move for me in my career at the time.

After Barrera and Ortega dropped out, director Christopher Landon also decided to quit, calling the project a dream job that turned into a nightmare.

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The new movie, out in February, is directed by Kevin Williamson, who created the franchise. Other familiar faces returning for the film include Courtney Cox and Jasmin Savoy Brown. Matthew Lillard, David Arquette, and Scott Foley are also all set to reprise their characters who died in past films.
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Bugonia is one of the best films in recent memory to capture what it feels like to be alive right now. Because of that, it is Yorgos Lanthimoss darkest and most timely work. Here hes joined forces with new collaborator Will Tracy, the former editor-in-chief of satire site The Onion and a writer on the similarly cutthroat series Succession. Tracy, then, lives at the centre of the great circus show that is contemporary America, and when hes paired with Lanthimoss trademark deadpan, were delivered a true alchemical wonder: violent, absurd, current, fantastical, shrewd, and unexpectedly heartbreaking.

The film its adapted from, Jang Joon Hwans Save the Green Planet! (2003), was always meant to feel at least a little outrageous. Yet it doesnt take much from Tracy and Lanthimos to make its premise  a conspiracy theorist kidnaps a CEO, convinced theyre an alien  uncomfortably plausible in our real-life landscape of internet rabbit holes, loneliness epidemics, and AI-induced psychosis.

At present, the world feels like the punchline to a joke someone would make on their deathbed, and the fact that no one knows whether to laugh or cry about it is an integral part of why everyone seems to be losing their mind. Lanthimos makes sure his film plays that way, too. Take, for example, his and Tracys choice to make the CEO here a woman, Michelle Fuller, played by the directors thespian go-to, Emma Stone. Shes the head of a pharmaceutical company her kidnapper Teddy (Jesse Plemons) blames for, among other things, the decline of the bee population.

She represents performative ethics at their most slickly sinister, declaring that her workers are now free to leave at 5.30pm (new culture, no more unpleasant incidents!)  of course, that is, unless theres work to be finished. So, you dont exactly want to believe her sneering invocations around the politicised optics of her imprisonment. And when Teddy shaves her head and slaps antihistamine cream all over her body (to dampen the extraterrestrial neurotransmitters, you see), you want to laugh at how she looks like a fumbled attempt at an Uncle Fester costume.

And yet, as much as Bugonia keeps you aware that Michelle has always weaponised her gender in order to maintain a portrait of innocence, Stone will still flash up these small, disorientating little moments of humanity (or extraterrestriality, perhaps?). She and Lanthimos are an ideal match, because she can push for the new and the wild  from a Frankensteins monster remix to a bald, alleged alien  all while maintaining a tight control over tone, both dramatically and comedically.

Emma Stone, Aidan Delbis and Jesse Plemons in Yorgos Lanthimoss Bugonia ( Focus Features )

The same is true of Plemonss Teddy, who speaks in the slow, deliberate manner of someone whos extensively rehearsed their personality. He insists on his humanist principles, yet still we see something deeply frightening start to emerge  is this really a righteous crusade, or an excuse to inflict patriarchal violence? Were on a moral seesaw here, aptly accompanied by the Stravinsky-esque detonations of Jerskin Fendrixs score.

At the centre of it all is Don (Aidan Delbis), Teddys cousin, whos been roped in as co-conspirator. Hes an autistic character written with complexity and nuance, and played  in what is a stark rarity  by an autistic actor. Its hinted that Don has been abandoned by his family; that Teddy is really the only person hes ever felt safe with. What happens, then, when his view of Teddy is challenged? Delbis plays the anguish beautifully. You can practically see the world being ripped out from under him.

While its been argued that Lanthimos harbours active disdain for other people, Don reminds us that theres a poignant streak of empathy to be found in even the most nihilistic of his stories. Hope, in Bugonia, is mostly lost. But not entirely.

Dir: Yorgos Lanthimos. Starring: Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons, Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, Alicia Silverstone. Cert 15, 118 mins.

Bugonia is in cinemas from 31 October
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The recent surge in colour analysis on social media which shows people getting their colours done has begun dominating conversations about personal style and capsule wardrobes.

Whether youre a spring or a winter, warm or cool toned, the debate around which shades of green or blue suit which undertone continues, but a more pertinent question deserves equal attention: which neutrals actually flatter you?

Neutrals may go under the radar in trend round-ups, but theyre hardly insignificant when it comes to wardrobe workhorses.

As designer and podcaster Amanda Wakeley OBE puts it  neutrals are the quiet heroes of every wardrobe. She believes that finding the right ones for your skin tone is every bit as important as discovering your most flattering colours.

When chosen well, they become the foundation of your style  pieces you reach for time and again because they make you feel confident and at ease.

So, heres an expert guide on how to find the perfect neutrals for you.

Undertones and the glow test

Decoding whether your skin suits warm or cool neutrals can feel like an impossible test until you realise its often more instinctive than scientific.

Logic only gets you so far, says personal stylist Deborah Sheridan-Taylor, who advises stripping things back. Remove all make-up and use natural daylight.

Hold the item of clothing directly under your chin  if it makes your skin look bright and healthy, it is in your zone; too tired or sallow, its not.

Youre looking for that instant glow pick-me-up moment, where your face comes alive, rather than recedes. Again, this is much more determined by a feeling.

Wakeley advises looking beyond just skin tone, noting, Your hair colour will be a factor too, especially if you colour your hair.

She suggests a few clues. If you burn easily you are probably a cooler undertone and if you tan easily you are more likely to be a warmer undertone.

Even eye colour can play a role  blue or green eyes are often associated with cooler undertones, while brown and hazel can be associated with warmer undertones.

But one of the simplest ways to check is through jewellery. If you tend to glow in gold, you likely suit warmer tones such as camels and ivory. If silver flatters you more, cool neutrals like dove grey, charcoal or crisp white are often your allies.

But Wakeley cautions against being too rigid  sometimes, its about how you feel in a shade, not just how it reads.

H&M Grey Marl Jumper, 22.99

M&S Crew Neck Pocket Detail Cardigan, 36

Matching tone to complexion

Once you know your undertone or season, knowing which neutrals to go for exactly is the next tricky task.

Wakeley finds that for fair skin, soft greys, taupes and blush-toned neutrals feel beautifully refined.

Olive complexions, she says, come alive in creamy ivories, warm caramels and khakis, while deeper complexions look extraordinary in rich espresso, sand or luminous white.

White is actually the trickiest neutral of all. Optical white is a bright pure white, with a slightly blueish tone that makes it appear even brighter against the skin, says Sheridan-Taylor, while a true off-white has a yellowish or warmer tint like ivory.

Therefore, if youre a cooler undertone  or youre wearing silver jewellery  opt for a pure white. But if youre wearing gold jewellery or are of a warmer undertone, opt for more of an ivory white, which will flatter your skin tone more.

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When beige betrays you

While every beige, brown or taupe can blue into one  theyre certainly not all equal.

The wrong beige can make you look unwell and drain warmth from the face. Texture, Wakeley insists, can be transformative. If beige feels too flat, try warmer oatmeal or soft biscuit tones instead.

The same goes for grey, she notes, if greys drain you, opt for a smoky mushroom or a gentle stone hue  something with a touch of warmth. Even adding texture  a boucle, silk or cashmere finish  can transform how a neutral plays against the skin.

If youre not one for the classic neutrals of browns, greys and whites, Sheridan-Taylor says there are some shades that are unsung neutrals.

Khaki is a wonderful neutral alternative [] Navy is the unsung hero of the neutral family [and] maroon and clay are also wonderful neutral tones  adaptable to whatever you pair them with.

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The new neutrals

You may think neutrals are timeless shades that come back year after year, but much like khaki, navy and maroon, Sheridan-Taylor points out there are some shades that become trending neutrals.

If youve had your eye on the runways  or even the high-street  as of late, youll have noticed that brown is the new black.

Wakeley says chocolate brown is undoubtedly a new neutral, calling it surprisingly flattering on a wide range of skin tones.

It teams beautifully with soft blushes and pale blues as well as stronger colour pops like lipstick red and moss green.

If you still want to stick with your trusty beiges, greys and whites but want to update them, Sheridan-Taylor says that a neutral is just a neutral until it becomes a sheer neutral.

Transparency, she says, transforms classics into something modern. A sheer beige skirt, worn with an oversized grey cashmere knit [] now youre talking.

Even layering sheer knits over monochromatic vests is coming back in, evoking the grunge-inspired semi-sheer trends of the Nineties.

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Experts have long recognized that exercise helps to improve your mood - and even a little bit of movement can have a big impact.

Part of that is due to stress-relieving hormones called endorphins that are released when you exercise and have been shown to reduce symptoms of depression, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

To quote Elle Woods, the main character of the early 2000s classic film Legally Blonde: Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands.

But, did you know that as little as 30 seconds of jumping jacks or another activity can do the trick?

Even if you only have 30 seconds or even two minutes, you can do something and move around and still help with your mood, C.J. Brush, an assistant professor of kinesiology at Auburn University, told The Washington Post Thursday.

open image in gallery Exercise helps to boost mood and experts are saying that even a small amount can have a huge benefit. ( Getty Images )

It doesnt even have to be that strenuous.

Running can give people a release of endorphins commonly known as the runners high and just 15 minutes of running has been shown to help slash the odds of becoming depressed, but most people benefit from low-intensity exercise sustained over time.

That kind of exercise helps the body release proteins known as neurotrophic or growth factors that cause nerve cells to grow and make new connections  an improvement in brain function that Harvard Medical School says makes you feel better.

"In people who are depressed, neuroscientists have noticed that the hippocampus in the brain - the region that helps regulate mood - is smaller. Exercise supports nerve cell growth in the hippocampus, improving nerve cell connections, which helps relieve depression," Dr. Michael Craig Miller, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the school, said.

Of course, doing longer and more intense workouts is better for overall physical health.

But, less than a third of Americans are getting enough exercise and millions suffer from symptoms of depression.

open image in gallery Just a brief and brisk walk can make a difference to your mental and physical health ( Getty Images )

Federal health officials recommend getting 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, as well as two days of muscle-strengthening activity.

But, doing anything is better than nothing, according to Miller.

Sometimes not exercising can be a hard cycle to break - especially if youre suffering from depression symptoms. Some people are also more genetically or psychologically inclined to enjoy exercise.

Starting slow can be the key to success and a mood boost. Taking as few as 4,000 daily steps could be enough to slash the risk of premature death, according to a recent study.

"If you think to yourself, 'I'm just going to walk 30 seconds,' when you begin to move, your body will get into it to some extent and you'll begin to feel like walking another 30 seconds or another minute," Dr. Robert Thayer, an exercise researcher at the University of California at Long Beach, told the American Psychological Association.
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While jet-setting across the globe, Netflixs Love is Blind has managed to explore love in nearly a dozen different international adaptations.

In just five years, nine seasons have premiered in the U.S., the latest being in Denver, Colorado.

The shows premise challenges traditional ideas of love by focusing on emotional connections by dividing up contestants in the mens quarters and the womens quarters and only being able to date while sitting in pods, hearing each others voices.

Each season reflects the cultural nuances of its environs  be that Dallas or Japan.

Romance aside, the show hasn't been received purely as a fairytale. It's been subject to lawsuits over treatment of contestants and fans and critics alike note that internalized biases cannot be ignored  something that often rears its head when the engaged pairs finally meet each other, as what seemed to happen with one ruptured engagement on the most recent season.

Still, with international versions in Brazil, Japan, Sweden, the U.K., Mexico, the Middle East, Germany, Argentina and France  and Italy and the Netherlands to come  the show has found a formula to showcase different cultural norms and the many types of love that exist.

The duality  local authenticity plus global relatability  has allowed Love Is Blind to not just entertain, but to subtly shape how audiences think about love across the globe, says Brandon Riegg, Netflixs vice president of nonfiction series and sports.

Culturally conscious adaptations

From the reserved dynamics of Love is Blind: Japan to the bold emotions of Love is Blind: Brazil, Riegg says each adaptation is designed to fit cultural norms and expectations.

Just as importantly were drawn to regions with rich relationship dynamics and cultural nuances, since those stories create the most compelling adaptations, Riegg says.

When Love is Blind: Habibi  an adaptation primarily filmed in Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates and featuring participants from around the Arab world  was announced, some wondered how the show would portray traditionally conservative cultures, where marriage is a family affair. Participant Safa Al Juboori says she felt the show was ultimately thoughtful in honoring the cultural values of Arab societies, including modesty, separate living arrangements, no physical intimacy and family approval.

In fact, it echoes how our grandparents met  brief conversations, one meeting, then marriage, Al Juboori said. Its a modern twist on a deeply traditional concept.

Yet the show also created space for personal choice, Al Juboori said  something that's not always guaranteed with arranged marriages  creating what she calls a respectful blend of tradition and autonomy.

Love is Blind has had nearly a dozen global adaptations ( Getty Images for Netflix )

Dallas Short, 37, has been watching Love is Blind since the beginning and says the international versions  many of which feature ethnically diverse casts, too  really show how love can transcend all.

I feel like you are seeing every race or religion and you see how we can all work together and find love, Short said.

Kristen Maldonado, 35, another longtime viewer, recently began watching the version set in Japan, another more conservative society. She was surprised that participants were more closed-off about meeting each other's families on camera and that more couples chose to end the experience earlier instead of making their families sit through a wedding where they were going to say no  something she feels does not happen as much in the U.S. version.

I thought that was really respectful, Maldonado said. It was cool to see, culturally, how different it was there than here.

On the other end of the scale, she says, is Brazil  where participants are intimate from the get-go.

In the Brazil one, like its so funny whenever they meet, the people  they immediately make out and youre like, Oh wow, Maldonado says.

Diversity and representation, an ongoing debate

Since the very first season aired in 2020, the fault lines of race and ethnicity have led to tensions between families and discourse among fans. During the Minneapolis season, online discourse centered on the lack of diversity  many a meme argued that the male contestants all looked the same.

Riegg said casting is intentionally inclusive, but ultimately participants  only a fraction leave the pods engaged  choose whom they connect with, looks unseen.

Taylor Krause, who married Garrett Josemans in the Washington, D.C.-set season, waited to disclose she was half-Asian. That choice drew some backlash from those who thought she should not hide her identity, but Krause says the show's premise gave her the opportunity to set race aside for a bit and have a more authentic experience.

I am a very proud Asian American woman, but Im also aware that my identity can sometimes be fetishized or stereotyped, says Krause, adding she's glad she made that call.

Laura Crompton, 43, watched the first season, set in Atlanta, when she lived in the United Kingdom. At first, she didnt understand why the relationship between Cameron Hamilton and Lauren Speed, an interracial couple, was a huge talking point  but after moving to Los Angeles, she had a better understanding of the role racial dynamics could play in a relationship in the U.S.

But even the U.K. version has proved that certain factors like ethnicity and religion cannot be ignored. Season 2, which aired in August, saw an engagement  and marriage  between Kal Pasha, who is half-Pakistani, and Sarover Aujla, who is of Indian descent. On the show, the couple discussed at length how historical religious and geopolitical tensions could affect their relationship. While their split was ultimately attributed to other reasons, Crompton realized such tensions existed in the U.K., too.

Friendship: The truest form of love?

The friendships forged on Love is Blind often take a backseat to the romantic relationships  but since not every couple ends up at the altar, the show has recently leaned into showing the participants' journey of self-discovery and friendship, Riegg says.

Expanding the lens of love to include those experiences makes the show feel more authentic and meaningful, Riegg says.

Alina Rothbauer from Love is Blind: Germany says the unique and intense premise led to friendships that made the experience easier, especially as participants had no contact with outside friends or family while in the pods.

Some of the friendships we built behind the scenes are still strong today, says Rothbauer, who married Ilias Pappas. Those friendships helped us stay grounded during filming.

Al Juboori said she wishes Love Is Blind: Habibi showed more of the friendships, as it was one of the most underrated parts of the experience.

The friendships, among the women and men, were powerful, she says. In a space so emotionally intense, friendships became a lifeline  and sometimes the purest form of love.

Queer love is blind

As the show's success grows, fans have been advocating for a queer version of the show. Riegg said while that is not in the works at the moment, Netflix is always considering new ways to reflect the many different kinds of love people are seeking.

Although hes not sure how the logistics would work, Short  a queer man himself  thinks such a version would be an interesting season.

Krause says future seasons should reflect the many ways people experience love by casting adults who are polyamorous, disabled, neurodivergent or part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Love is not just one storyline, Krause says, and I think the show has an opportunity to highlight that.
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For years, Donald Trumps distinctive, large and bold signature has captured the publics attention. Not only did it recently come to light that his signature appeared in a book that Jeffrey Epstein received for his 50th birthday, but it fits neatly alongside Trumps long history of brash self-adulation. I love my signature, I really do, he said in a Sept. 30, 2025, speech to military leaders. Everyone loves my signature.

His signature also happens to be of particular interest to me, given my decades-long fascination with, and occasional academic research on, the connection between signature size and personal attributes.

A long-time social psychologist who has studied Americas elite, I made an unintentional empirical discovery as an undergraduate more than 50 years ago.

The link that I found then  and that numerous studies have since echoed  is that signature size is related to status and ones sense of self.

Signature size and self-esteem

Back in 1967, during my senior year of college, I was a work-study student in Wesleyan Universitys psychology library. My task, four nights a week, was to check out books and to reshelve books that had been returned.

When students or faculty took books out, they were asked to sign their names on an orange, unlined card found in each book.

At some point, I noticed a pattern: When faculty signed the books out, they used a lot of space to sign their names. When students checked them out, they used very little space, leaving a lot of space for future readers.

So I decided to study my observation systematically.

open image in gallery Researchers have used signature size to explore narcissism in CEOs and other senior corporate positions ( Alamy/PA )

I gathered at least 10 signatures for each faculty member and comparison samples of student signatures with the same number of letters in their names. After measuring by multiplying the height versus the width of the amount of space used, I found that eight of the nine faculty members used significantly more space to sign their names.

In order to test for age as well as status, I did another study in which I compared the signatures of blue-collar workers such as custodians and groundskeepers who worked at the school with a sample of professors and a sample of students  again matched for the number of letters, this time on blank 3-by-5-inch cards. The blue-collar workers used more space than the students but less than the faculty. I concluded that age was at play, but so was status.

About the author Richie Zweigenhaft is an Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Guilford College. This article was first published by The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.

When I told psychologist Karl Scheibe, my favorite teacher, about my findings, he said I could measure the signatures in his books, which he had been signing for more than a decade since his freshman year in college.

As can be seen in the graph, his book signatures mostly got bigger. They took a major leap in size from his junior year to his senior year, dipped a bit when he entered graduate school and then increased in size as he completed his Ph.D. and joined the Wesleyan faculty.

I did a few more studies, and published a few articles, concluding that signature size was related to self-esteem and a measure of what I termed status awareness. I found that the pattern held in a number of different environments, including in Iran  where people write from right to left.

The narcissism connection

Although my subsequent research included a book about the CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, it never crossed my mind to look at the signatures of these CEOs.

However, it did cross the minds of some researchers, 40 years later. In May 2013, I received a call from the editor of the Harvard Business Review because of the work I had done on signature size. They planned to run an interview with Nick Seybert, an associate professor of accounting at the University of Maryland, about the potential link between signature size and narcissism in CEOs.

While Seybert told me his research had not found direct evidence for a positive relationship between the two, the possibility of the connection he inferred nonetheless intrigued me.

open image in gallery Donald Trumps distinctive, large and bold signature has captured the publics attention ( AP )

So I decided to test this using a sample of my students. I asked them to sign a blank 3-by-5 card as if they were writing a check, and then I gave them a widely used 16-item narcissism scale.

Lo and behold, Seybert was right to deduce a link: There was a significant positive correlation between signature size and narcissism. Although my sample size was small, the link subsequently led Seybert to test two different samples of his students. And he found the same significant, positive correlation.

Others soon began to use signature size to assess narcissism in CEOs. By 2020, growing interest in the topic saw the Journal of Management publish an article that included signature size as one of five ways to measure narcissism in CEOs.

A growing field

Now, almost six years later, researchers have used signature size to explore narcissism in CEOs and other senior corporate positions such as chief financial officers. The link has been found not only in the U.S. but in countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Uruguay, Iran, South Africa and China.

In addition, some researchers have studied the effect of larger versus smaller signatures on the viewers. For example, in a recent article in the Journal of Philanthropy, Canadian researchers reported on three studies that systematically varied the signature size of someone soliciting funds in order to see whether it affected the size of donations. It did. In one of their studies, they found that increasing the size of the senders signature generated more than twice as much revenue.

The surprising resurgence of research using signature size to assess narcissism leads me to a few conclusions.

For one, signature size as a measure of certain aspects of personality has turned out to be much more robust than I imagined as an observant undergraduate working in a college library back in 1967.

Indeed, signature size is not only an indicator of status and self-esteem, as I once concluded. It is also, as recent studies suggest, an indicator of narcissistic tendencies  the kind that many argue are exhibited by Trumps big, bold signature.

Where this research is taken next is anyones guess, least of all for the person who noticed something intriguing about signature size so many years ago.
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A California animal rights activist faces several years in jail after being found guilty of felony conspiracy, trespassing, and other charges for removing four chickens from a major Perdue Farms poultry plant.

Zoe Rosenberg, 23, was convicted Wednesday following a seven-week trial.

Rosenberg, an activist with the Berkeley-based group Direct Action Everywhere (DxE), admitted taking the animals from Petaluma Poultry.

However, she argued her actions were not unlawful, saying she was rescuing the birds from a cruel situation.

The Santa Rosa jury in Sonoma County, an agricultural area of Northern California, took less than a day to find her guilty on all counts. These included two misdemeanor counts of trespassing, a misdemeanor count of tampering with a vehicle, and a felony conspiracy charge.

Rosenberg maintains she does not regret what she did.

open image in gallery Zoe Rosenberg leads a protest march in 2023

I will not apologize for taking sick, neglected animals to get medical care, she said following her conviction.

When we see cruelty and violence, we can choose to ignore it or to intervene and try to make the world a better place. I chose to intervene, and because I did, Poppy, Ivy, Aster, and Azalea are alive today. For that, I will never be sorry.

The group named the birds and placed them in an animal sanctuary.

Rosenberg walked out of court wearing an ankle monitor and briefly spoke to supporters, who were holding signs that read Prosecute Petaluma Poultry and Right to Rescue. She told them she would immediately head to the Sonoma County Sheriffs Office and report animal cruelty at Petaluma Poultry.

Were going to go now and report Petaluma Poultry and ask them to please finally give justice to these animals, she said.

Rosenberg's attorney, Chris Carraway, said the district attorney's office was ignoring criminal animal cruelty in Sonoma County factory farms and that he plans to appeal the verdict.

Sonoma County spent over six weeks and hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to protect a multi-billion-dollar corporation from the rescue of four chickens worth less than $25, Carraway said in a statement.

No doubt, the District Attorneys office would never have spent a fraction of this time or money if the chickens had been dead in a supermarket meat case."

open image in gallery The group has named the chickens and placed them in an animal sanctuary (file photo) ( Getty )

Rosenbergs sentencing is set for December 3, when she faces a maximum jail sentence of four-and-a-half years, Sonoma County District Attorney Carla Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said in a statement that the verdict affirms no one is above the law.

While we respect everyones right to free expression, it is unlawful to trespass, disrupt legitimate businesses, and endanger workers and animals in pursuit of a political or social agenda," she said.

Petaluma Poultry has said that DxE is an extremist group that is intent on destroying the animal agriculture industry. The company says the animals were not mistreated.

"The jurys verdict makes it clear: personal beliefs dont justify breaking the law," Herb Frerichs, general counsel of Petaluma Poultry, said in a statement.

DxE members admitted to planning and carrying out illegal acts  including break-ins, theft of private data, and stealing livestock  under the guise of activism and to gain publicity.

Frerichs said the company supports the right to free speech and lawful protests, but this was not that.

Rosenberg testified she disguised herself as a Petaluma Poultry worker using a fake badge and earpiece to take the birds, and then posted a video of her actions on social media.

Petaluma Poultry is a subsidiary of Perdue Farms  one of the United States largest poultry providers for major grocery chains.

The co-founder of DxE was convicted two years ago for his role in factory farm protests in Petaluma.
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Months after hundreds of piles of cremated human remains were found in the desert outside Las Vegas, federal investigators are still trying to figure out who dumped them there.

The grim discovery was made on July 28 by a man who reportedly stumbled across the site in Searchlight, a remote community about an hour south of Las Vegas, 8 News Now reported.

An investigation was launched and, in August, officials from the Bureau of Land Management confirmed that the piles were human.

Now, the scope of the discovery of the cremains has grown even larger. Cremains is a term investigators used, referring to pulverized bones left behind after cremation.

On Wednesday, Palm Mortuaries and Cemeteries recovered about 315 piles from the desert. A second area containing more remains was found nearby, expanding the search zone.

Hundreds of piles of cremated human remains were found just outside of Vegas. ( KLAS )

Nevada law doesnt prohibit a person from scattering ashes on public land, and people also arent prohibited from scattering cremated remains.

But the commercial distribution of cremated remains, however, is not allowed, according to the Bureau of Land Management.

Investigators believe the remains were likely dumped by a commercial funeral home business, but have not released a particular business who may be responsible.

By the time they were recovered, none of the piles contained any identifiable information.

Palm Mortuaries plans to inter all of the remains together in a cemetery crypt so that loved ones can visit and pay their respects, Celena DiLullo, president of Palm Mortuaries and Cemeteries, told 8 News Now.

I think its important to us to make sure that these people are not forgotten and not left, DiLullo said. Its important to our community and our profession that we demonstrate how much we do care about these people.

Multiple sources told the 8 News Now Investigators that the remains may have come from a recently closed funeral home, but a representative for that company, which is based out of state, has repeatedly denied any involvement.

Officials confirmed the remains are not connected to McDermotts Funeral Home, which was shut down by the Nevada Funeral and Cemetery Services Board in August.

The Independent has reached out to the Bureau of Land Management and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for comment.
Apple is set to report fourth-quarter earnings after the bell on Thursday, Oct. 30, days after the company hit a $4 trillion market cap.

Counterpoint, a technology market research firm, released data earlier this month showing iPhone 17 sales were up 14% in the U.S. and China during the first 10 days of sales compared to sales of the iPhone 16.

Apple has also released new versions of its popular products, including MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, AirPods and Apple Watches, but the companys primary sources of revenue come from iPhones and services.

Its the last fiscal quarter in what has been a volatile year for the company. Apples CEO Tim Cook previously said the company would take a $1.1 billion hit this quarter due to President Donald Trumps tariffs. The majority of iPhones are made in India.

Shortly after the presidents tariff announcements earlier this year, Apple announced it would commit to investing $100 billion to manufacture iPhone parts in the U.S. Trump had publicly pressured Apple to expand manufacturing in the U.S.

Still, iPhones will continue to be assembled outside the country in the short term.

Wall Street is hoping to gain more clarity on how the company is faring in the AI race, which has proven to be a bigger challenge for Apple as it tries to capitalize on the technology.

As earnings approach, heres how to tune in to the call.

More: 2025 Apple event recap: What to know about iPhone 17, iPhone Air and new Apple Watches

How to tune in to Apple earnings call

Investors will be able to access Apples fourth-quarter earnings call on the companys Investor Relations website. The company will release its financial earnings after the bell on Thursday. The call is scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. ET.

Apple earnings estimates

Wall Street is expecting the company to report earnings per share of $1.77 on revenue of $102.1 billion, Yahoo Finance reported. That would be an increase from the $94.9 billion in revenue the company experienced last year, in addition to an earnings per share of $1.64.

For iPhones alone, Wall Street is expecting revenue of $49.3 billion. That would be an increase of 6.7% compared to the $46.2 billion the company generated in 2024.

What did Apple say in its last earnings report?

Apple reported strong earnings in the last quarter, particularly for its China sales, CNN reported.

iPhone sales generated $44.5 billion in revenue, a Wall Street beat. Sales were up from the $39.3 billion reported in the same time last year. The company experienced 10% growth year over year as overall revenue came in at $94 billion.

What is Apples stock price?

Apples stock ended the day trading up 0.26% on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Apple to report earnings. Date, time, how to tune in.
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A California mom has been arrested on suspicion of killing her own 7-year-old child and hiding her sons remains in her freezer.

Destiny Harrison, 25, was arrested on Tuesday along with her sons father and grandmother after deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department responded to a suspicious incident.

Investigators arrived at the home in Lynwood at 8.30 pm. They began a search that ended in the tragic discovery of the unnamed boys remains, according to a police statement seen by NBC Los Angeles.

Police say that they responded quickly, taking Harrisons three other children, aged 16, 13, and 9, into protective custody.

open image in gallery Destiny Harrison, 27, was arrested after police found the body of her seven-year-old in her freezer ( ABC News )

This is an unimaginable and horrific tragedy, said L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, according to KTLA. I stand ready to support the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department as they investigate this childs death.

My heart breaks for what the other children in this home must have experienced, and its critical that our Department of Children and Family Services do everything possible to support them and keep them safe in protective custody.

Harrison is currently being held at Century Regional Detention Facility, according to inmate records made available by the LASD.

The boys 25-year-old father, Daniel Monzon, and his 46-year-old grandmother, Ana Zarceno-Carcamo, have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

All three have had their bail set at $2,000,000.

open image in gallery Harrison's neighbor in Lynwood said that nothing seemed out of the ordinary with the family before the boy's death ( Google Streetview )

Meanwhile, investigators say that they are continuing to search for a motive and have not confirmed how the boy died. Authorities have yet to confirm how long the boy had been dead and how long his remains had been in the freezer.

The case is still being actively investigated and no further details about the case will be shared in order to maintain the integrity of the investigation, authorities said.

As the probe into the gruesome crime continues, residents told NBC Los Angeles about their responses to the tragedy.

"You wouldn't expect for that person to do something like that," Christian Torres, the familys neighbour, said. He told NBC that nothing seemed out of the ordinary at the home in Lynwood.

Torres, who has lived in the apartment block for twenty years, said that he would see Harrison walking with her dog. He said that they never spoke beyond saying hi to each other, but claimed that she would always smile when she walked past him.
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An Illinois woman who spent months secretly poisoning her former police officer boyfriend to death using over-the-counter eye drops has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Marcy Oglesby, 53, was found guilty in June of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated battery in the death of Richard Young, 71, the former police chief of Maquon, according to States Attorney Ashley Worby.

Worby said Oglesby began slowly poisoning Young during the summer of 2021 by adding tetrahydrozoline, a chemical found in eye drops, to his food and drinks, along with other medications. Young died an agonizing death on November 1, 2021, after months of deteriorating health.

She killed a man who loved her and who cared for her for nearly 30 years, and she didnt just kill him. She poisoned him and watched him suffer, Worby said at sentencing, according to KWQC.

After his death, Oglesby hid Youngs body in a storage unit directly across the street from their shared home, Worby said. His remains were discovered nearly a year later, on October 7, 2022, in an advanced state of decomposition. An autopsy confirmed that Young died from tetrahydrozoline poisoning.

open image in gallery Marcy Oglesby, 53, began slowly poisoning Richard Young in 2021 by adding tetrahydrozoline, a chemical found in eye drops, to his food and drinks ( Knox County Jail )

Oglesby was initially charged with concealment of a non-homicidal death. The murder and battery charges were later added in February 2023 but briefly dismissed after a procedural dispute. A court reinstated the charges that November.

At Mondays sentencing hearing, Village of Maquon President Mark Thomas urged the judge to give Oglesby the maximum sentence, saying the community needed a sense of safety.

It gives us peace knowing that justice was served, and that even though Rick couldnt be here himself, that we were able to be his voice, and his voice was heard, Natalie said.

Several of Youngs friends spoke in court, remembering him as Rick the Cop, a man always ready to help others. Natalie Mason and Todd Mason said while he wasnt perfect, he had a big heart, deserved better and that his absence is still deeply felt in their community.

Oglesby maintained her innocence and told the court she had been with Young against her will for two decades.

I respectfully disagree with the courts findings, and I will not be referencing a murder that did not happen, she said, according to KWQC. He didnt go into that box immediately. I put him back to bed and continued to talk to him for three days.

The judge called her remarks troubling, saying she used the courtroom to slander both Young and the Village of Maquon.

Oglesbys legal team has filed a motion for a new trial. A hearing is scheduled for November 6.
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Charges have been dropped against a Tennessee man who has been behind bars for more than a month after posting a meme featuring Donald Trump in a group setup as a memorial for slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.

Larry Bushart, 61, from Lexington, Tennessee  about 110 miles from Nashville  was booked into jail on September 21 for posting a meme quoting President Donald Trump when he responded to a 2024 school shooting in Perry, Iowa, saying, We have to get over it.

Bushart posted the meme on Facebook and organized a vigil after Kirk's death. He captioned it, This seems relevant today.

open image in gallery Larry Bushart Jr was arrested and charged with making threats of mass violence against a school after posting a meme in a Facebook group that was organizing a vigil for Charlie Kirk. ( Perry County Sheriff's Office )

However, members of the group interpreted Busharts post as a threat against their local high school, which is also called Perry County High School.

Investigators believe Bushart was fully aware of the fear his post would cause and intentionally sought to create hysteria within the community, Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems told The Tennessean.

Bushart was then arrested and charged with making threats of mass violence on school property and activities.

However, Weems told NewsChannel 5 on Wednesday that the charges were [dropped] about 15 minutes ago.

The dropping of the charges came after NewsChannel 5 aired an interview on Wednesday with Weems in which he admitted that investigators knew the meme was not about a school shooting, but authorities were responding to community anxiety.

open image in gallery Kirk was assassinated in September while speaking at a college campus in Utah. ( Getty Images )

Further, NewsChannel 5 obtained footage showing a Lexington officer speaking to Bushart, admitting he was unsure why police were interested in his meme posting.

So, Im just going to be completely honest with you, I have really no idea what they are talking about, he had just called me and said there was some concerning posts that were made, the officer said to Bushart.

Bushart confirmed that posts had been made on Facebook but, bemusedly, questioned why the police were being sent to his house over them.

The officer responded: They wanted me to come make contact with you and let you know that they may be in contact with you and see if you still live here. I dont know exactly what they are referring to you.

Bushart replied, Oh, I do, Charlie Kirk, as he refused to take the post down. Weems later said he would not have been arrested in the first place if he agreed to delete the meme.

Due to being imprisoned for more than a month, Bushart reportedly lost his job in medical transport.

His arrest is one of many to occur in connection with the fallout from Kirks death.

Kirk, a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated on a college campus while speaking to students about conservative ideology. The person suspected of killing Kirk is currently in custody and charged with several crimes, including aggravated murder.
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A suspected peeping Tom has been arrested in Maryland after allegedly disguising himself in order to record women in multiple different gym locker rooms.

Tshikundi Taty, 44, is accused of dressing in a wig and female clothing in order to access the locker room and film other gym members, before ditching his disguise and fleeing the scene.

Pictures shared by police show the suspect in a long dark wig and sunglasses and a face covering, as well as a hot pink hooded sweatshirt.

On October 10, officers from the Montgomery County Department of Police responded to One Life Fitness Club in Germantown, to reports that an unknown suspect had entered the womens locker room.

A woman claimed that the individual had recorded her in the shower. Following an extensive investigation the man was identified as Taty, from Takoma Park, according to police.

A suspected peeping Tom has been arrested in Maryland after allegedly disguising himself in order to record women in multiple different gym locker rooms. Tshikundi Taty, 44, reportedly dressed in a wig and female clothing in order to access the locker room and film other gym members ( Montgomery Police Department )

Police said during the investigation it was determined that Taty would disguise himself as a woman to gain entry into the womens locker room.

After the crime, he would then remove the disguise in an attempt to conceal his identity, and flee the scene, police said.

On Wednesday, October 29, officers followed Taty to a Planet Fitness in White Oak, where he was located in the womens locker room disguised as a woman, police said.

He was taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, and has since been charged with multiple counts.

Detectives are concerned that there may be additional victims and are asking for them to come forward.
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A Houston woman who raised more than $42,000 through GoFundMe, claiming a man threw a brick at her head, has been sentenced to 10 years of probation for theft after she spent the money on spas, restaurants, rideshares, and vacations to New York City and Jamaica.

During sentencing, Roda Osman, 35, was told to calm down repeatedly after a Harris County jury returned a guilty verdict after two and a half hours of deliberations on Wednesday.

The man she falsely accused of hitting her with a brick, Olan Douglas, told KPRC 2 News on Wednesday evening he was happy about the outcome, which includes Osman having to serve 90 days in jail and fully pay back the stolen money.

open image in gallery Roda Osman, 35, was found guilty of theft after claiming a man threw a brick at her head and raised $42,000 ( GoFundMe )

Thats crazy, thats wonderful, Douglas said on Wednesday evening. Usually nothing happens. Im very much happy.

The case had generated so much publicity that when Osman was first charged in 2024, Douglas came forward to tell KPRC 2 News his side of the story, telling the station that he received death threats for a crime he did not commit.

Its the hardest thing to do, is to not say anything when the whole world is saying something about you, he said. It caused people who I thought really knew me to kind of betray me.

On 3 September 2023, a call was made to the police about an aggravated assault incident outside a club in Houston. When officers arrived at the scene, they found an "intoxicated, hostile and irate Osman, who was with her friend.

Osman told the cops that the man, whom she believed to have been her Uber driver, threw a brick at her head when she refused to give him her phone number.

The then 33-year-old added that after she got in the car with her driver, he tried to kidnap her, as she went on to accuse him of being involved in human trafficking, as he had a group of women in the car.

After the incident, Osman went live on Instagram speaking about being hit with a brick. The video quickly went viral.

When the detective tried to contact Osman, they discovered that the number she had provided belonged to her friend. The friend explained that she and Osman had gone to several clubs on the night in question, and they had a lot to drink.

After visiting the final club, the duo got into a car when the friend heard Osman yell, Ouch, why you hit me?

open image in gallery Roda Osman was found guilty of theft ( Harris County Jail )

After speaking with the friend, the police called Osman, she said the man hit her in the face with a brick and did her own investigation to find his identity, accusing Doulgas of the alleged crime.

However, when the police reviewed the surveillance footage, they saw Osman, her friend, and Douglas enter the club together before leaving 20 minutes later. The trio entered a car but got out a few minutes later.

The video then shows Osman and Douglas in the middle of a verbal argument before she swung her right hand while holding an unknown object, hitting Douglas in the face.

He then responded by swinging his right hand while holding a plastic water bottle, striking her in the face.

After Osman went live on Instagram, a friend created a GoFundMe page on her behalf. About $42,000 was raised after she claimed she was attacked by a Black man when she refused to give her phone number.

During the trial, bank records revealed that all the donated money had been spent. Harris County prosecutor Keith Houston stated that the documents revealed expenditures on restaurants, spas, rideshares, and trips to Jamaica and New York.

Houston told KPRC 2 it was unclear what happened to Osmans face, but said the leading theory is she hit her head on the car door frame.

The 35-year-old was taken into custody to begin serving her 90-day sentence. She was also given a $50,000 appeal bond, and if posted, the probation sentence and conditions would be suspended until that process was complete.
On June 26, an obscure entity called Aqua1 Foundation, which said it was based in the United Arab Emirates, announced it was buying $100m of WLFI tokens, the largest single purchase at the time. Now months later, the Financial Times has reportedly uncovered a link that hilariously ties the Trump crypto empire to a bunch of now-dissolved hardwood flooring firms.

The mysterious Chinese businessman behind Aqua1, who met with Eric Trump in Dubai, was Guren Bobby Zhou, who has executive roles in multiple businesses and who is under investigation in Britain for money laundering, according to the UK National Crime Agency and a document filed in an immigration case at Londons Royal Courts of Justice.

Trump Crypto Empire and Its Hilarious Ties to Thirteen Now-Defunct UK Flooring Firms

A group called Aqua Labs Investment LLC told Reuters around the time of the $100m WLFI purchase that it was a commercial decision consistent with its focus on advancing regulated, scalable digital-asset ecosystems.

An Aqua1 spokesperson added, Mr Guren (Bobby) Zhou has never been convicted of any financial crime in any jurisdiction, and any implication to the contrary is defamatory and false.

However, in the Financial Times piece, it alleges that Companies House shows a Mr Guren Zhou worked as a director at 13 overlapping UK flooring companies, including Iwood Flooring, Glamorous Spirit, Stile Interiors, Underlay Republic, and Flooring Republic.

All the firms listed operated between Southampton, Preston, and London and were active between 2008 and 2019. The flooring companies listed have all since been dissolved.

Interestingly, Anbo Commercial, Anbo UK, Anbo Investments, Anbo Stile, and Anbo International, where Zhou was listed as a Director, were among the last to be dissolved.

The Anbo website remains up and running and describes how the group was founded by well respected timber manufacturer Zhou Senior in Shanghai in 1989. Exports to the US began in 1991. Bobby Zhou eventually took over and brought the company with him to the UK around 2005.

DISCOVER: The 12+ Hottest Crypto Presales to Buy Right Now

Timeline of Anbos Pivot from Flooring to Crypto Investments

Now we have the origin story of how a Chinese manufacturing company ended up in the UK and was headed by the face of Aqua1, Bobby Zhou. Just how did Zhou end up in Dubai, meeting with the Presidents son, and investing $100m into the Trump crypto empire via its WLFI token?

In 2017, Anbo snapped up Leeds-based online retailer Posh Flooring, securing a foothold in the north of Englands laminate market. A news report at the time said the merger would simultaneously support the expansion of Posh Flooring into Dubai and the UAE.
It took building materials giant James Hardie decades to restore its reputation. Odiously infamous in the 1990s and early 2000s as the nefarious manufacturer of asbestos-laden products that ultimately led to the deaths of thousands of workers, it was subsequently reborn as one of Australias most successful companies.

It took only 24 hours to lose its standing again  this time for a different reason.

Anne Lloyd has been dumped as chair of James Hardie, but remains defiant over the Azek buyout.

The crime this time around was that its board treated shareholders with disdain  and it paid the price for it.

On Thursday morning (AEDT), unhappy shareholders who had been seething since they had been manoeuvred out of getting a vote on the companys $14 billion acquisition of US decking company Azek in March, got their pound of flesh.
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In Tuesdays address to U.S. troops in Japan, President Donald Trump expressed gratitude for Japans substantial investments in the United States and announced a significant development in the automotive industry.

Toyota, Rare Earths, Shipbuilding

Trump, during his speech, shared that Toyota Motors Corp (NYSE:TM) is planning to establish auto plants across the U.S. with an investment exceeding $10 billion.

So go out and buy a Toyota, Trump said while addressing U.S. troops aboard the USS George Washington, stationed in Japan.

Trending: Missed Nvidia and Tesla? RAD Intel Could Be the Next AI Powerhouse  Invest Now at Just $0.81 a Share

He also mentioned the U.S.s reinvigorated shipbuilding industry, stating that the country would soon be working with Japan on ship production.





Currently on a three-country tour of Asia, Trump thanked Japan for its significant investments in the U.S. during a meeting with Japans newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The president said Japan had committed to investing $550 billion in the U.S. as part of a trade deal announced in July. Although the specifics of the deal are still being ironed out, Trump praised Japan for its substantial investment in the U.S.

See Also: Accredited Investors Can Now Tap Into the $36 Trillion Home Equity Market  Without Buying a Single Property

Following their bilateral meeting, Trump and Takaichi also signed an agreement to secure the supply of critical minerals and rare earths. The deal aims to support the supply of these resources, which are essential for both U.S. and Japanese industries, and to counter Chinas dominance.

After visiting Japan, Trump will travel to South Korea for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The investment pledge and the agreement on critical minerals come amid Japans newly elected Prime Minister Takaichis proposal to purchase a fleet of Ford Motor (NYSE:F) F-150 trucks is part of this effort.

Meanwhile, Toyota has been experiencing growth in its production for the fourth consecutive month, largely due to strong U.S. demand. The companys plans to establish auto plants across the U.S. align with this trend.
The states only centre for craft and design will close its doors next June after failing to secure $350,000 from state and federal governments, becoming the highest-profile casualty of NSWs arts funding squeeze.

Only a white knight philanthropist will be able to save the Australian Design Centre that has nurtured the skills of thousands of artisans and designers, many of them women, since 1964.

Australian Design Centre executive director Lisa Cahill. Credit: Sam Mooy

The Darlinghurst centres volunteer board notified its six staff members on Wednesday that it would be financially unviable for the 60-year-old organisation to trade beyond June 30, 2026.

Unless alternative funding is found before that time, exhibition programming will wind up at the end of February, and its sales outlet for NSWs craft practitioners and makers, the Object Shop, will shut in late March to allow for the disbursement of products back to their makers.
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1 / 5 Steak frites (steak and fries) with peppercorn sauce. Steven Woodburn 2 / 5 The upstairs bar at 7 Alfred. Kristoffer Paulsen 3 / 5 Chimichurri (pictured) is one of four sauce choices. Steven Woodburn 4 / 5 Inside 7 Alfred Melbourne. Kristoffer Paulsen 5 / 5 The steakhouse is housed in the building that was formerly home to the iconic Miettas restaurant, and later, Stokehouse City. Kristoffer Paulsen Previous Slide Next Slide

Steakhouse$$$$

7 Alfred is Melbournes first restaurant serving only steak frites as a main course  and only one side salad and one dessert. It comes to Alfred Place in the CBD after Hunter St. Hospitality  the group behind Rockpool Bar & Grill, Spice Temple, Sake and more launched a Sydney version of the dining concept in July.

Named for its street address, the formula will be identical to that in Sydney: one main, one side and one dessert. The piece de resistance is steak and fries  the French bistro classic. The star at 7 Alfred is a 220-gram grass-fed scotch fillet with a marble score of two, sourced from Gippsland producer OConnor and served with a sauce, and fries cooked in beef tallow, for $48.

But there are still a couple of choices to make. Medium or well done? And which sauce: chimichurri, peppercorn, veal jus or umami butter? The menus only extras are an $8 side salad, made with seasonal Victorian leafy greens, and a $12 New York-style cheesecake served with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream.
Bali is not all Bintang beers in Kuta, CBD discovered as we headed into the mountainous interior for the annual Ubud Writers & Readers Festival.

There at the gala opening dinner at Balinese restaurant Casa Luna, CBD spotted reality TV treasure Gina Chick and former political prisoner journalist Peter Greste. Also present, was CBD favourite, Wellmania author and former Tanya Plibersek staffer Brigid Delaney, who regular readers will recall quit the Albanese government just before launching her stoicism novel The Seeker and the Sage (stoicism being a prerequisite for life as a government staffer, we presume).

The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival kicked off with a gala opening on Wednesday night. Credit: Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2025 / Niskala

Another attendee was ABC slayer Antoinette Lattouf, fresh from her Federal Court unfair dismissal victory, which surely must rank as one of the most egregious episodes in the public broadcasters history, costing the public broadcaster about $2.5 million, as well as damaging the reputations of many ABC executives and then-chair Ita Buttrose.

Lattouf told us that she and former SBS journalist Jan Fran (the pair are both Lebanese Australians who teamed up to launch Ette Media) were about to launch a national live show tour, which will include skits, poetry, satire, special guests, musical acts, media literacy and social commentary. The capital city tour next year will be promoted by British outfit Fane Productions, which brought Ben Elton, Fran Lebowitz and Priscilla Presley to our shores.
Health authorities have flagged a crackdown on doulas and other unregulated birth workers after a series of high-profile deaths of Australian mothers and babies.

As peak medical groups demand regulation of the role of doulas, the national health watchdog confirmed its nursing and midwifery board was considering what safety measures it could introduce to prevent dangerous freebirths. While home births are attended by registered midwives and generally considered safe for low-risk pregnancies, freebirth, or unassisted childbirth, typically takes place without any registered medical or midwifery professionals.

Stacey Hatfield, also known as Stacey Warnecke, died after giving birth at her Seaford home. Credit: Instagram

[The board] is aware of concerns around unregulated birth workers, including doulas, and is considering the role of regulators and other agencies in this emerging area of risk, said a spokesman from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Victorian Coroners Court statistics show that between 2015 and August 20, 2025, six babies died following freebirth, four died following planned home births with medical staff present, two died after planned home births at which medical staff were unable to attend and 15 died by unplanned home births (often due to premature arrivals).
In Japan theyre called jazz kissa  bars and cafes fitted out with high-quality sound systems and libraries of hundreds of vinyl records. They became popular after World War II when many couldnt afford luxury items, such as imported jazz albums or record players. Here, you could drink tea and coffee during the day  and sake, whisky and beer at night  while quietly listening to music selected by the owner.

When the phenomenon peaked in the 70s, there were more than 250 of these places in Tokyo alone but, with an ageing population and gentrification, fewer than a hundred remain in the city today. You can still find them, from Meikyoku Kissa Lion in Shibuya, which plays classical music and is the citys oldest listening cafe, to Dug, a basement jazz joint in Shinjuku that featured in Haruki Murakamis 1987 novel Norwegian Wood.

Patrons of Melbournes Waxflower listening bar can have a chat while being treated to some vinyl magic. Credit:

While these old-world establishments are in decline in Japan, overseas visitors whove stumbled across the remaining jazz kissa are embracing the concept and opening listening bars when they return home, including here in Australia. One of those people is Sean ONeill, a music teacher who, in 2022, opened the 75-seat Astral Weeks inside a former herbalists shop in Perths Chinatown district in inner-city Northbridge.

Its borderline impossible to do exactly what they do in many places in Japan, with six seats in a tiny bar, and no one talking, he says, taking a break from spinning reggae on a Friday evening. Its a slightly different experience here. While I dont expect people to be completely quiet, the point of the bar is to listen to good music on a great system and still be able to have a conversation you can hear.
The nautical vibe here is making me feel a little more at home, she said. Otherwise, I think Id be a bit out of my comfort zone. Lexus In pole position looking down Flemingtons final straight, the Landmark by Lexus marquee is bigger than previous years, with balconies on every level. The kitchen is being headed by chef Josh Raine, formerly of Tetsuyas and now chef and owner of 40Res, and will offer luxury during the Melbourne Cup carnival  a two-course seated menu for racegoers who want to rest their feet.

Cocktails at the Lexus marquee Credit: Eddie Jim The menu in the downstairs restaurant features kingfish sashimi topped with lime ponzu and wagyu beef paired with smoked eggplant, while a third level patisserie and cocktail bar will offer a sugar and alcohol hit. The marquees interior, designed by Brahman Perera, features a dining room downstairs filled with glass mirrored tables along with a pamper room for makeup, a first floor with a wide balcony overlooking the track and lounge area, and, on the top floor, a coffee, dessert and record bar. Weve got the new space, its much larger, its much wider, Perera said. We can have a little bit more room to play. I wanted there to be three different feelings as you ascend through the spaces. Tabcorp

Tabcorp chief executive Gillon McLachlan was on hand at the gambling giants two-storey green marquee, which he described as the worlds most expensive pop-up marquee at $7 million per square foot or something. Jacqui Felgate with Prince of Penzance at the TAB marquee. Credit: Eddie Jim But a spokesman for Tabcorp said this was just a throwaway line and the marquee did not cost that much. Racegoers like Bec Judd can get their hair and makeup touched up at Crown. Credit: Eddie Jim Crown

Crowns three-storey marquee features a free-flowing champagne tower at ground level made up of 500 crystal champagne flutes. No chance of going thirsty in the Crown marquee Credit: Eddie Jim It doesnt get any better, and the view from up there is the best view at the track, Bec Judd, Crowns ambassador for the Carnival, said. Guests will be served freshly shucked oysters, caviar bumps and vodka campanelle pasta topped with truffles, with chef Guillaume Brahimi overseeing the menu. Hair and makeup touch-ups are on hand from celebrity stylist Joey Scandizzo and Jade Kisnorbo.

Kirin Ichiban Brewing giant Lion unveiled a Japanese izakaya-styled marquee, which it says is the biggest in the Birdcage, hosting up to 400 guests. Accompanying Kirin Ichiban beer, guests will graze from a sushi station, with a 50 kilogram whole tuna being delivered each day to be broken down by chefs for sashimi, nigri and maki rolls. Chef Bradley White at the Kirin Ichiban marquee. Credit: Eddie Jim Guests in the wood-panelled three storey marquee will be entertained by a Japanese drumming group and DJs.

The ground floor includes a secret bar serving beer cocktails  which are not snakebites but instead combine Kirin with rum and limoncello. Nine Channel Nine is positioned on Millionaires Row at the front of the Birdcage as broadcast partner and owner of this masthead. James Bracey, Francesca Cumani, Eddie McGuire and Billy Slater at the Nine marquee. Credit: Eddie Jim The marquee was launched by broadcast veteran Eddie McGuire and racing commentator Francesca Cumani.

Its 10 years ago the Prince of Penzance won the Melbourne Cup with Michelle Payne, the first female jockey on board, McGuire said. Who knows, we might get our second on Tuesday. Guests will have a choice of salty or spicy cocktails and will eat prawn toast made by the Atlantic Group. Marmont At the back of the Birdcage the VRCs Marmont marquee, headed up by former DJ Grant Smillie, allows public access to the once invitation-only Birdcage  for the price of $2200 each. The Marmont marquee. Credit: Eddie Jim

Marmont is serving prawn rolls, salmon ceviche tostadas and truffle fries paired with paloma tequila cocktails. Weve got a churros station, which is a kind of Spanish doughnut but with a chocolate fountain that you can dip into, Smillie said. Hopefully people dont get too carried away with it after a few too many drinks. Parade Social The VRC has also commandeered what was the Penfolds marquee overlooking the parade ring for the Parade Social, where tickets for Cup Day are priced from $1700 each. However, there was no preview of the space as builders are still frantically working on the marquee to get it ready for Derby Day on Saturday.
A Perth man has been sentenced to 13 years in jail for the horrific and terrifying rape of two young women 35 years ago.

Kevin Frederick Combes, 56, was arrested last year after investigative genealogy techniques linked him to the sexual assault of a 17-year-old woman in Kalgoorlie in 1991 and a 19-year-old woman in Perth CBD in 1990.

Kevin Combes leaving Perth Magistrates Court last year. Credit: Nine News

The then 19-year-old victim, who was present in court on Thursday, was leaving a bar on Barrack Street just after midnight in June 1990 when she was grabbed and taken into a dark alleyway where a knife was pressed against her throat.

She was told to take off her clothes and lie on her stomach before she was raped.
More than 100,000 sensitive parliamentary emails and documents were handed to a private company that had been the victim of a massive cyber hack by Russian criminals, despite warnings that granting such access posed an extreme risk.

Federal parliaments second most senior bureaucrat ordered her department to surrender a search of all emails, Microsoft Office files and Teams chats over a 10-month period in 2023 in a bid to investigate potential wrongdoing by senior colleagues, including her then boss.

Senior public servant Jaala Hinchcliffe previously worked on law enforcement integrity and for anti-corruption agencies. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Jaala Hinchcliffe, then deputy secretary of the Department of Parliamentary Services, last year twice oversaw an order for the IT team to give the departments legal firm, HWL Ebsworth, access to parliamentary communications.

In the second instance, a private contractor was given full administrator rights to DPSs entire computer network, despite the departments cybersecurity experts warning that this risked unlawful disclosure of sensitive information, including matters of national security.
The OPEC+ group will decide this weekend on production levels for December, in the first meeting since the United States slapped sanctions on the two biggest oil firms in Russia, a key member of the OPEC+ alliance and its second-largest producer after Saudi Arabia.

The producer group led by the Kingdom and Russia has been managing supply to the market for nearly a decade, mostly by restricting oil output to ensure market stability in OPEC+ lingo; in other words, to support oil prices or at least put a floor under them.

Market Share Lost

Since the pandemic price bust and the supply cuts that followed a brief price war, OPEC+ has withheld production at various times at various levels. Not all producers were on board that every member should cut production and take a revenue and market share hit.

So two years ago, a group of eight OPEC+ producers, including the biggest OPEC producers in the GulfSaudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE, and Kuwait, plus Algeriaand the non-OPEC members of the OPEC+ alliance, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Oman, formed a coalition within the coalition to implement voluntary production adjustments.

But over the last two years, oil prices were high enough to incentivize U.S. shale growth, which chipped away at the OPEC+ global market share.

This spring, Saudi Arabia apparently decided it has had enough of reduced oil income and market share due to the large part of the OPEC+ production cuts it is shouldering.

So OPEC+ began to unwind its output cuts in April. So far in 2025, the group has announced  month by month  the reversal of a total of 2.7 million barrels per day (bpd). Thats the nominal increase in production quotas. The group has actually returned fewer barrels on the market as some producers arent hiking output to compensate for previous overproduction while others simply lack the capacity to boost production.

Early this month, OPEC+ proceeded with its cautious strategy of returning modest volumes of supply, a move cemented by the decision on October 5 to implement another 137,000 bpd production hike for November. This measured approach appears to be aimed at avoiding sinking oil prices, as post-summer demand weakens and forecasts warn of an impending glut.

Motivating the decision for a modest output boost despite the expected overhang, OPEC+ said it continues to unwind cuts In view of a steady global economic outlook and current healthy market fundamentals, as reflected in the low oil inventories.

The group has been saying this each month since April, in every press release announcing monthly production hikes.
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Reviews & adviceTripologist Opinion What happens when visa-free access to China expires in December? Michael Gebicki is Travellers expert Tripologist. Each week he tackles the thorny issues in travel as well as answering your questions. Got a question for the Tripologist? Email tripologist@traveller.com.au Michael Gebicki The Tripologist October 31, 2025  5:00am

October 31, 2025  5:00am 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 2 View all comments

We are cruising from Singapore to Hong Kong, disembarking on January 3, 2026. The travellers have a mix of passports, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia. We plan to visit Shenzhen from Hong Kong for a few days, returning to Hong Kong but the Chinese 30-day visa free travel exemption expires on December 31, 2025. Any tips on applying for a tourist visa for a side trip to Shenzhen from Hong Kong?

B. Lee, Newcastle, NSW Hong Kong and Shenzhen are separated by the Shenzhen River. Getty Images Related Article Asia We thought travelling in China would be a breeze. We were wrong Since visa-free trial period which allows stays of up to 30 days for Australian and New Zealand passport holders to enter China expires December 31, 2025, these passport holders will need to apply for a normal Chinese tourist visa (L-type) in advance of their China side-trip (unless of course the trial is extended or made permanent before then). However as of July 17, 2025, China and Malaysia signed a mutual visa-exemption agreement that allows ordinary Malaysian passport holders to enter/exit/transit China without a visa for up to 30 days per visit. You will want to check that at the entry point into mainland China the immigration officials are aware of this agreement.

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When you leave your cruise in Hong Kong, youll be entering Hong Kong SAR and then crossing into mainland China via one of the border checkpoints such as Lo Wu or Huanggang. All travellers need to have at least six months validity on their passports beyond the date when they plan to exit China, and blank pages. Keep travel documentation at the ready including cruise disembarkation papers, hotel bookings, Shenzhen visit itinerary and a return ticket to Hong Kong. Upon returning from Shenzhen to Hong Kong, you exit mainland China and then re-enter Hong Kong as a separate trip. That should be fine, but make sure you hold valid Hong Kong entry documents. Were planning a trip from Barcelona to Lisbon over 12-13 days next May. We hope to see most of Valencia, Madrid, Granada, Cordoba, Ronda and Seville using trains. We only want to spend two days in Barcelona. Were meeting family in Lisbon with perhaps a flight from Seville to Lisbon. Is this doable?

J. Lafferty, Pyrmont, NSW Granada and its jamon sandwiches. iStock Thats an ambitious itinerary involving about 2000 kilometres of travel, with at least five train segments and one short flight. On paper, its possible, but it leaves little breathing space and risks turning into a train-hotel shuffle. In your shoes Id leave out Valencia and probably Ronda in favour of overnight stays at Barcelona, Madrid, Granada and Seville before your flight to Lisbon. Apart from Barcelona, that gives you at least three nights in each of these cities, and possibly four nights in Madrid and Seville. Cordoba is charming but rather than an overnight stay there, you might base yourselves in Granada and make a day trip to Cordoba  the fastest trains take about 90 minutes. Definitely fly from Seville to Lisbon, TAP Air Portugal has daily non-stop flights. We are a couple travelling to Canada with our adult daughter and have five nights on Vancouver Island. We would rather not stay in Victoria. Can you give me some suggestions for our itinerary? We will be driving and havent visited this area before.

J. Flowers, Manly, NSW

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Nanaimo is easily accessible. iStock Nanaimo would be my first base. Located on Vancouver Islands east coast 100 kilometres north of Victoria, wrapped around a pretty harbour and protected by a necklace of islands, Nanaimo is easily accessible since this is the main ferry port from Vancouvers two terminals at Departure Bay and Duke Point. The sea kayaking is excellent and there are hiking and mountain biking trails nearby. Nanaimo blends the great outdoors with the finer things in life, including a lively food scene and craft breweries. Related Article Canada Its time for one of the best countries on Earth to stop being humble One of the citys essential experiences is the ferry trip across the harbour to the Dinghy Dock Floating Marine Pub on Protection Island, where you can dine on grilled salmon at one of the outside tables, serenaded by the slap of rigging from the yachts alongside. From here, drive north as far as Telegraph Cove, a tiny scallop-shell-shaped harbour ringed by weatherboard houses and buildings built when this was a bustling sawmill and cannery. When their lumberjack days ceased, the houses, factories and the old bathhouse were converted to provide atmospheric accommodation in various configurations. A prime experience is the half-day Stubbs Island Whale Watching tour. Just offshore, the calm, protected waters of Johnstone Strait and the Blackfish Archipelago are the most accessible and predictable location to see orcas. When the vessel is close to a whale pod, the captain will deploy a hydrophone over the side and broadcast the whales talking, with an unearthly vocabulary of high-pitched squeaks, whistles and moans.

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In the past, we have taken an insurance policy through a travel insurance company. With our last trip we also took additional cover for an existing health condition. We have booked airfares and are currently relying on the cover from our credit card, how soon before our departure date would we need to take out medical cover?

D. and S. Glynn, Inverleigh, Vic If the health cover provided by your credit card insurer is not adequate for your needs, then a separate medical insurance policy is a safe way to go. Buy that extra medical cover now. The best time to buy travel insurance is the same day you book your travels. Any travel insurance policy worth the price should include trip cancellation and trip disruption cover. A lot can go wrong between the time you book your trip and the time you board the flight, and by purchasing travel insurance with your first booking, youre covered for any unforeseen events. If you wait weeks or months after paying deposits, and illness, injury, airline collapse, family emergency or natural disaster interrupts your travel plans, you could lose anything youve paid if you arent insured. You can read more about the benefits and drawbacks of free credit card travel insurance here. Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances

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Opinion Michael Gebicki is a Sydney-based travel writer, best known for his Tripologist column published for more than 15 years in Traveller. With four decades of experience, his specialty is practical advice, destination insights and problem-solving for travellers. He also designs and leads slow, immersive tours to some of his favourite places. Connect via Instagram @michael_gebicki Connect via email
Paris: The dragnet tightened around the Louvre robbers on Friday AEDT, with five more people arrested in the crown-jewels heist  including a suspect linked by DNA  the Paris prosecutor said, widening the sweep across the French capital and its suburbs.

Authorities said three of the four alleged members of the commando team, as French media have dubbed the robbers, are in custody.

The late-night operations in Paris and nearby Seine-Saint-Denis increased the total arrests to seven.

Prosecutor Laure Beccuau told RTL that one detainee was suspected of belonging to the brazen quartet that burst into the Louvres Apollo Gallery in broad daylight on October 19.
Hyundai donates $25,000 to Texas Children's Center for Childhood Injury Prevention

Hyundai and Texas Children's host child passenger safety event at Aldine Fire and Rescue

HOUSTON, Oct. 29, 2025 -- Hyundai Hope, the corporate social responsibility initiative of Hyundai Motor America, recently presented Texas Children's with $25,000 to its Center for Childhood Injury Prevention program. This will allow the hospital to expand its child passenger safety education initiatives and provide complimentary safety seat inspections and installations across Greater Houston. The donation marks Hyundai's first child passenger safety initiative in the South-Central region and extends its existing program, which works with hospital partners across the country.

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Hyundai Advances Child Passenger Safety across Greater Houston (left to right) Raelynn Blackwell, corporate social responsibility, Hyundai Motor North America, Amanda Ward, asst. vice president, perioperative services/trauma program, Texas Childrens Hospital, Nicole Peake, health education specialist, Texas Childrens Hospital, Lisa Delgado, health education specialist, Texas Childrens Hospital, Kristen Beckworth, manager, center for childhood injury prevention, Texas Children's Hospital, Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility, Hyundai Motor North America, Eric Sim, sr. manager, engineering analysis, Hyundai North America Safety Office, Ashton Remo, health education specialist, Texas Childrens Hospital, Alvin Gamez, health education specialist, Texas Childrens Hospital, Jonas Chin, philanthropy advisor, Texas Children's Hospital at Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston on Oct. 24, 2025 (Photo/Hyundai)

"Customer safety is a top priority at Hyundai, and a commitment that extends beyond vehicle manufacturing," said Cole Stutz, chief safety officer, Hyundai Motor North America. "Supporting medical institutions like Texas Children's allows us to inform more families about child and road user safety. Hyundai is dedicated to expanding the reach of educational programs and support safety awareness nationwide."

Studies show safety seats reduce child passenger injuries, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimating a 71 percent lower fatality risk for infants and 54 percent for toddlers. New federal standards now enhance car seat usability and protection, while education helps increase awareness across communities.

Hyundai and Texas Children's hosted a car seat safety check event at Aldine Fire & Rescue in Houston. Certified child passenger safety technicians met with families to provide information on correct installation and use of safety seats, checking for expiration dates, manufacturer recalls and appropriate fit for each child. Replacement seats were distributed to some families as necessary.

"We are grateful to Hyundai for this gift to support child passenger safety efforts," said Kristen Beckworth, manager, Center for Childhood Injury Prevention, Texas Children's. "It will allow us to expand our reach and provide hundreds of families with access to certified child passenger safety technicians, host more free car seat checks around greater Houston, and most importantly provide car seats for families who otherwise could not afford them."

This gift will benefit the Child Passenger Safety Program of Texas Children's Center for Childhood Injury Prevention across Greater Houston. As the lead agency for Safe Kids Greater Houston, the program operates over 20 inspection stations, trains almost 50 car seat safety technicians annually, and distributes over 1,000 car seats to families in need. Hyundai's funding is strengthening outreach to underserved communities, supporting children with special healthcare needs, and enhanced local education effortsensuring more children travel safely every day.

Hyundai Hope

Hyundai Hope is a corporate social responsibility initiative from Hyundai Motor North America, committed to the principle of Progress for Humanity and the goal of improving the wellbeing of society. Hyundai Hope dedicates time and supplies resources to nonprofit organizations that support the health and safety of individuals and foster positive growth in communities. For more information, visit www.HyundaiHope.com.

Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company's Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai's 850 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a published economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America
Santa will have a much smaller logistics network at his disposal this Christmas. United Parcel Service said Tuesday that it cut 48,000 jobs in the first nine months of the year.

UPS made the disclosure and expounded on its ongoing turnaround as it reported third-quarter earnings of $1.3 billion and revenue of $21.4 billion, both of which represented declines but topped Wall Streets expectations.

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High Yields Come in All Packages

UPS has been led by Carol Tome, the Atlanta-based multinational shipping giants first outsider CEO, since 2020. As you can imagine, that was the most roller-coaster possible year to take over a courier company. Early in her tenure, UPS shares were turbocharged by the surge in package shipping during the pandemic. However, theyve been in an extended slump since the spring of 2022, including a 23.6% loss since January, as volumes have sunk with the waning of the pandemic.

This year, of course, delivered a one-two punch: President Donald Trumps tariffs have eroded UPS business. Packages sent to the US from China fell 30% year over year in the third quarter, reflecting the closure of a loophole that had allowed duty-free shipments below $800. To right the ship(ment), Tome has pursued a $3.5 billion cost-reduction plan. That includes not only eliminating jobs, but also trimming money-losing businesses. One of the latter, Tome says, is delivering packages for Amazon. UPS plans to cut its Amazon shipping volumes 50% by the second half of 2026. In the third quarter, it achieved a 21% reduction in Amazon parcel deliveries compared with last year (nevertheless, Amazon generated nearly 12% of revenue in 2024). Meanwhile, management has been resolute in conveying to markets its willingness to accelerate turnaround efforts:

In April, UPS said it was planning to cut 20,000 jobs, which made Tuesdays 48,000 figure especially eye-popping. Management highlighted how automation is improving its operations, and said it is hiring fewer seasonal workers for the holiday period.

UPS said it has already realized $2.2 billion worth of year-over-year cost savings as of September 30. The company plans to meet its $3.5 billion year-over-year target by the end of the year.

Means to a Dividend: UPS stocks very high dividend yield of 7.4%, more than three times the S&P 500 average of 2.3%, has raised concerns that payouts to shareholders are eating up too much profit and might therefore be lowered. Executives have signaled that their plans dont include a dividend cut, however, and UPS rose 8% yesterday as investors shuffled in with dreams of a little passive income.

This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive delivering razor sharp analysis and perspective on all things finance, economics, and markets, subscribe to our free The Daily Upside newsletter.
German scents exhibition takes visitors on 1,000 years of fragrance journey





DUSSELDORF :

EVER wondered what war smells like? Or ponder the odour of love, or the stench of medieval Paris, or the sacred fragrance of religion? A new exhibition in Germany allows visitors to discover unknown worlds of smells by sniffing their way through 81 different fragrances across 37 different galleries. The show The Secret Power of Scents, which opens to the public on Wednesday at the Kunstpalast museum, in the western city of Dusseldorf, combines fragrances with art, taking visitors on a journey of more than 1,000 years of cultural history. This exhibition is an experiment  and an invitation for our audience to discover the history of scents with their noses, said Felix Kramer, the museums Director General. The exhibition follows a chronological order, from religious artifacts of the Middle Ages through to contemporary art of the 21st century.

The various galleries are equipped with scent steles, atomizers and diffusers to create a connection between the art and the smell of a specific time period or cultural context. Waves of myrrh waft through a darkened gallery of Christian wood carvings depicting various scenes from the Bible. Christianity, but also Judaism and Islam used myrrh as a symbol for prayer and purification, the show explains. Scents evoke direct emotional reactions more strongly than any other sense. So it comes as no surprise that visitors almost retreat in fear when they press a button in a gallery about World War I. The scent released from the diffuser was created by mixing the pungent smell of gunpowder with the metallic odour of blood and sulphur.

Anyone who has ever experienced war, conventional war, will hate it, because you can actually smell the brutality of war here, said Robert Muller-Grunow, the shows curator and a leading expert in the field of scent and scent technology. Its the first exhibition worldwide to bring scents into a museum in this form, format and scale, he said. On the other side of the fragrance spectrum, theres the Venus and Adonis painting from 1610 by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens showing two lovers. This room is all about passion and emotions, said Muller-Grunow, adding that the smells diffused here are dominated by roses and the scent of the civet  a cat whose scent was considered erotic in the 17th century, but made todays visitors turn up their noses in disgust. Certain smells also connect to different eras of history  pressing the button to release the stench of medieval Paris made some visitors choke when they inhaled a mix of sewage, mold and unwashed bodies.

On the other hand, in a gallery dedicated to the Roaring 20s, theres an oil painting by Gert Wollheim from 1924, called Farewell from Dusseldorf, which celebrates the liberation of women, who at the time began wearing bold lipstick, bobbed their hair and smoked cigarettes in public. The room is filled with the uplifting scent of tobacco, vanilla and leather  a mixture thats a nod to famous early fragrances such as the historic Tabac Blond which was launched by the fragrance house Caron in 1919. Moving on to modern art, the museum presents more contemporary smells between works of Andy Warhol, Yves Klein or Gunther Uecker, that remind visitors of world-famous brands such as Coca-Cola or German airline carrier Eurowings  which diffuses a pleasant and relaxing scent on the plane when passengers board. In addition to the application of scents in marketing, the museum also shows the role of very modern scents such as the fragrance molecule Iso E Super, which is not a type of gasoline, but rather a dazzling scent that supposedly makes its wearers more attractive.

Its a fragrance that smells like cedarwood, but it also has something very velvety and skin-like about it, said the curator. It smells very human, warm, and flatteringly approachable. For visitors strolling and sniffing their way through the show, which runs through March 8, the 81 different scents opened up a whole new world, visitor Kirsten Gnoth said. Ive been to the collection here before, but now its completely new with scents that match the pictures and eras, she said.
Agitating farmers relent, clear Wardha Rd Threaten Rail Roko on October 31, if demands remained unfulfilled





Staff Reporter :

The farmers led by Prahar Janshakti Party leader Bachchu Kadu, agitating for more than 36 hours on Wardha Road, decided to continue their protest, but vacated the road. Finally, on late Wednesday night, the traffic resumed on the Nagpur-Hyderabad stretch of the national highway as agitators moved to Parsodi ground. Kadu told mediapersons that he would go to Mumbai, talk to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding the demands, including complete loan waiver to farmers. If the demands are not fulfilled, the protest will be registered through Rail Roko on October 31.

Kadu has been accompanied by ex-MP Raju Shetty, Dr Ajit Navale, ex-MLA Wamanrao Chatap, ex-MLC Mahadeorao Jankar, Prakash Pohare and others. On Tuesday, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) Wardha MP Amar Kale, Salil Deshmukh, State General Secretary Avinash Gotmare, District Working President Kishor Belsare, City President Duneshwar Pethe, Youth leader Shailendra Tiwari and others were part of the stir. Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had visited the venue and extended support to the agitation. Kadu remained in the tent at the Parsodi ground near CICR. Since the agitators led by Bachchu Kadu and his Prahar Janshakti Party continued the Contd from page 1 stir to press the demand for loan waiver to farmers, people kept suffering from traffic jam on the second day. The agitators parked buses, trucks in the middle of the road in horizontal position so that no vehicular movement could take place.

Due to traffic-jam, vehicles had to take different routes, several cancelled their journey. Meanwhile, Maratha leader Manoj Jarange-Patil expressed to join the agitation. Before he could reach, the agitation was put on hold for some time. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had appealed to Kadu to discuss farmers issues with the Government. He had requested the Prahar Janshakti Party leader that, instead of holding agitation and causing inconvenience to the public, the issues could be resolved through talks. Accordingly, Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal and Dr Pankaj Bhoyar accompanied by District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar reached the spot. They stopped near Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR) near Parsodi. After staying near Jamtha bridge for more than 24 hours, some of the agitators tried to climb on rail track responding to Kadus call on Tuesday night of holding Rail Roko. Fortunately, not many reached the track. By early night, the agitators started approaching Parsodi ground near CICR where they were permitted to hold demonstrations.

They didnt move their vehicles and challenged police to arrest them. Large police force was deployed near CICR. Commissioner of Police Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal is constantly monitoring the situation and giving instructions to his people. Deputy Commissioner of Police Shashikant Satav, DCP Rashmita Rao, ACP Narendra Hiware and others kept track on the situation.

High Courts suo motu action on The Hitavada report on traffic chaos

Staff Reporter :

Justice Rajnish R Vyas at the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court, on Wednesday, took suo motu cognisance of the massive traffic congestion caused by former MLA Omprakash alias Bachchu Kadu and thousands of his supporters during their protest on National Highway No. 44 (Wardha Road). The agitation, part of the Maha Elgar Morcha demanding a complete farm loan waiver, brought Nagpurs main route to a standstill on Tuesday which caused serious inconvenience to the public. Justice Vyas said, the issue came to his notice through reports published in The Hitavada (City Line), dated October 29, 2025.

The court observed that the news items highlighted how more than 10,000 protestors blocked the national highway, leading to a 20-kilometre-long traffic-jam. Even ambulances and police vehicles were unable to move, affecting access to important facilities such as Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport and National Cancer Institute. In his strongly worded order, Justice Vyas remarked that while the right to protest is protected under the Constitution, blocking public roads and highways violates the fundamental right of citizens to free movement. He stressed that the judiciary must take a proactive role in protecting citizens rights during such situations. During the hearing, Senior Counsel and Government Pleader D V Chavan, assisted by AGP N S Rao, represented the State.

The court directed the Registry to verify whether Kadu had obtained prior permission for the protest. The Registry and the office of the Government Pleader produced an order dated October 26, 2025, issued by Senior Police Inspector, Police Station Beltarodi, under Sections 33(1) and 36 of the Bombay Police Act. The permission, marked as Document X, allowed Bachchu Kadu to hold an agitation on October 28, 2025, at Mouza Parsodi, Survey No. 81, near Cotton Research Centre, Nagpur, from 11 am onwards. However, the court noted that despite the permission being valid for only one day, the agitation continued beyond the permitted time and place and causing widespread disruption. Justice Vyas stated that schools, Suretech Hospital, and several other vital establishments are located along the same stretch, and the continued blockade severely affected citizens. Referring to an earlier PIL ruling by the Bombay High Court (PIL No 25656/2025, dated September 1, 2025), the judge emphasised that public streets and parks exist primarily for public use, and freedom of assembly must be regulated to protect social interests. In a series of directions issued to control the situation, the High Court ordered: n Bachchu Kadu and his supporters must immediately vacate Wardha Road and all other blocked streets.

The removal must be peaceful and without disturbing law and order. n Any damage to public property caused by protestors will invite stern legal action. n If the protestors fail to withdraw, the Commissioner of Police, Nagpur, the Superintendent of Police, and the Additional Director General of Police (Highway Traffic) must clear the roads and restore traffic by 6 pm on October 29. n The police must file a compliance report in the High Court by 11 am on October 30. n Protestors who defied the permission order dated October 26 will face appropriate action under the law. The court further clarified that if the protest involved senior citizens, women, children, or differently-abled persons, they should be removed with dignity and care. The court will review compliance of its directions on October 30 at 11 am.





While the right to protest is protected under the Constitution, blocking public roads and highways violates the fundamental right of citizens to free movement - Justice Rajnish Vyas

Schools, colleges situated on Wardha Road remain closed

Schools, colleges on Wardha Road decided to declare holiday. For last two days, the nearby educational institutions asked students not to come as the agitation by Bachchu Kadu continued. A professor with St Vincent Pallotti College said, For the last two days, we had decided not to put students life at risk. Several of our students travel by Metro and our vehicles pick them from the station. Had the agitation not ended, we had planned to hold on-line classes for the students.

MSRTC loses 50% passengers, cancels 127 buses

Staff Reporter

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation Limited (MSRTC) suffered a huge loss as only 50% passengers used ST buses on Wednesday due to ongoing farmers agitation led by Bachchu Kadu of Prahar Janshakti Party on Wardha Road. MSRTC cancelled total 127 buses coming from various directions to Nagpur on the second day of the agitation. Rakesh Ramteke, Assistant Traffic Superintendent, MSRTC told The Hitavada that, 12 buses had been stuck since Tuesday, which reached their destination at 4 pm on MSRTC loses 50% passengers, cancels 127 buses Wednesday after intervention of city police. Hundreds of vehicles still remained stuck on Wardha Road due to the agitation, which is now causing outrage among commuters and passengers. The users of ST buses were also among them who spent their night in ST bus on Tuesday.

Due to the agitation, the MSRTC management has changed routes of many buses to avoid Wardha Road. Buses plying on Wardha-Yavatmal, Hinganghat-Pandharkawda, and Nagpur-Chandrapur routes were diverted on Wednesday. Buses on Wardha-Yavatmal route, are now plying through Hinganghat, Selu and Wardha. Buses on Hinganghat-Pandharkawda route, are plying through Umred, Sirsi, Girad, Samudrapur, Jam and Hinganghat. Whereas Umred, Chimur, Warora, Chandrapur is the new route for Chandrapur-Nagpur route buses. On Hinganghat route, total 30 buses were cancelled (Nagpur - 11 buses, Yavatmal - 4, Wardha - 15). On Yavatmal route, 60 buses were cancelled (Nagpur - 11, Yavatmal - 18, Wardha - 4, Nanded - 15, Parbhani - 1, Bhandara - 11); and 37 buses were cancelled on Chandrapur route, including Nagpur (10), Chandrapur (20) and Yavatmal (7).

Rs 100 cr trade loss estimated

Business Reporter

The farmers protest rally led by former MLA Bachchu Kadu had severely disrupted truck movement in the Butibori Industrial estate and CONCOR Inland Container Depot (ICD), MIHAN halting exim (export-import) trade. The agitation has resulted in an estimated loss of over Rs 100 crore. Starting October 28, the protests, part of the Maha Elgar Rally, have paralysed movement on the crucial NagpurHyderabad national highway, which is a key corridor for goods coming from the Butibori Industrial hub. More 20,000 farmers from all over Maharashtra joined the rally which caused heavy traffic congestion and considerable delays. According to sources, on an average, daily 300 to 400 trucks move in and out of Butibori Industrial Estate.

Similarly, CONCORD, ICD handles more than 100 containers daily. The farmers protest rally has affected more than 800-1,000 trucks on October 28 and 29. Sources in EXIM trade said, containers after loading had to wait for long hours attract halting charges by transporters. Also, long delay in container movement over free time, attracts detention charges by shipping lines of USD 110 per day. Accordingly, if a container misses its scheduled vessel or ship at the port, another vessel has to be booked on the spot that usually attracts higher charges. Rajkumar Gupta, Executive Member of Butibori Manufacturers Association (BMA) said, the farmers protest agitation has affected hundreds of industries which are stairing at huge losses due to halt in truck movement. There is delay in supply of raw material and finished goods are being transported to their respective destinations. Apart, from this hundreds of employees from the Butibori Industrial Estate were stuck on the highway for hours, resulting in disruption of industrial operations, delayed shift changes, and widespread frustration among workers and transporters. He expressed strong concern over the lack of preparedness, questioning why commuters were not informed or advised on alternative routes despite prior notice of the rally. Hundreds of industries are suffering from losses due to delay in material transportation and workers Such a situation could have been easily avoided with proper coordination and timely public communication, said a BMA spokesperson. The protest was known in advance, yet no traffic diversions, advisories, or alerts were issued for the thousands of people who depend on Wardha Road daily. The resulting chaos reflects a serious lapse in planning. The BMA has urged the Nagpur Police and district administration to conduct a review of the two-day event and take steps to ensure that essential industrial corridors like Wardha Road are managed with foresight during major gatherings or processions.

Fuel supply hit hard; Only 25% of daily supply reaching petrol pumps

Staff Reporter

Fuel supply in Nagpur has been severely affected following the ongoing farmers agitation led by Prahar Sanghatana President Bachchu Kadu and other farmer leaders. The agitation, which began on October 28, has resulted in massive traffic-jams and road-blockages on Wardha Road, the main route through which petrol and diesel tankers enter Nagpur district. Due to the disruption, only about 25 per cent of the citys daily fuel requirement is being supplied to petrol pumps, causing panic among citizens and raising fears of a fuel shortage in city. There are around 290 petrol pumps in Nagpur district, including 105 in the urban area and 90 in rural regions. On an average, Nagpur requires nearly 9 lakh litres of petrol and 5 lakh litres of diesel every day. The fuel is mainly supplied from depots located at Borkhedi and Wardha. However, because of the agitation, hundreds of tankers are stranded on highways, unable to reach their destinations. Petrol pump owners are already struggling to manage the limited supply. Normally, we get our supply early in the morning, but since the agitation started, we have not received a single tanker. If the situation doesnt improve soon, well run out of stock completely, said a petrol pump owner. Another petrol pump owner said, the District Administration has been informed about the disruption and is trying to coordinate with police officials to ensure tanker movement through alternative safe routes. However, if the agitation continues and fuel supply remains blocked for another day, Nagpur may face an acute shortage of petrol and diesel which could affect transport services, he added.

Railways on alert

Staff Reporter

Against the backdrop of threat to disrupt rail services by the agitating farmers on Wardha Road, Railway authorities, on Wednesday, took extra precautions to deal with any adverse situation. Senior Railway officers keeping track of the agitation went into action mode even as Railway Protection Force (RPF) stepped up its co-ordination with State police authorities. This came after going through a statement of farmers leaders that they might also contemplate rail roko to press for loan waivers as promised by MahaYuti alliance. Railways on alert Especially, on Khapri to Jamtha section, RPF along with Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel were deployed at key points. Railway officials mapped the area from where rail tracks can be accessed via road. Earlier, in the morning, a stray group of overenthusiastic farmers reportedly moved closer to tracks near Khapri. However, alert local police authorities stopped those coming near the railway tracks. The Railway authorities also alerted its workforce to keep an eye out while negotiating the Wardha Road section and pass on any suspicious information to control room. Senior Railway officers of Central Railways Nagpur Division camped at Operations Control during morning hours to keep tab on the situation. RPF control was on full alert mode and keeping a hawks eye for safety of tracks and ensure uninterrupted movement of trains. Senior officers postponed officials inspection tours in light of the tense situation due to farmers agitation. The Ajni-Butibori section of Nagpur Division is key corridor of Indian Railways. This section is common to movement of trains on Howrah-Mumbai as well as Grand Trunk route. Apart from that this route is also crucial for movement of coal that in turn keep the furnaces of thermal power stations in running condition. Similarly, extra manpower was also deployed at Nagpur and Ajni railway stations to deal with crowd and foil any attempt to derail train operations. By evening, as farmers agitation tapered off following intervention of Bombay High Courts Nagpur Bench, the railway officials heaved a sigh of relief.
Ceasefire on, says Israel after killing 104 in Gaza strikes





Displaced Palestinians inspect damage after an Israeli Army strike on their tent camp in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on Wednesday. (AP/PTI)

DEIR AL-BALAH :

ISRAELS military said on Wednesday that the ceasefire was back on in Gaza after it carried out heavy airstrikes overnight across the Palestinian territory that killed 104 people, including 46 children, according to local health officials. The strikes, the deadliest since the ceasefire began on Oct 10, marked the most serious challenge to the tenuous truce to date. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the strikes after accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire for handing over body parts this week that Israel said were partial remains of a hostage recovered earlier in the war.

That was compounded by the shooting and killing an Israeli soldier during an exchange of gunfire in Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza. US President Donald Trump, on a trip to Asia, defended the strikes, saying Israel was justified in carrying them out after Hamas killed the Israeli soldier, who also held US citizenship. Hamas denied any involvement in the deadly shooting and in turn accused Israel of a blatant violation of the ceasefire deal. It also said it would delay handing over the body of another hostage to Israel because of the strikes. Netanyahu called the return of body parts a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement, which requires Hamas to return all the remains of hostages in Gaza as soon as possible.

Israeli officials also accused Hamas of staging the discovery of some of the remains on Monday, sharing a 14-minute, edited video from a military drone in Gaza. Israels Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said Hamas was responsible for the consequences of its ceasefire violation and attributed the high death toll from the strikes to the militant group using civilians as human shields. Marmorstein said Washington was informed about the strikes and that they were carried out in full coordination with the United States. Hamas has said it is struggling to locate bodies of the hostages amid the vast destruction in Gaza, while Israel has accused the militant group of purposely delaying their return. There are still 13 bodies of hostages in Gaza and their slow return is complicating efforts to proceed to the ceasefires next phases, which addresses even thornier issues, including the disarmament of Hamas, deployment of an international security force in Gaza and deciding who will govern the territory. Marmorstein said Hamas was trying to do everything possible to avoid disarming.

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported the overall death toll of 104 from the overnight strikes and said that 253 people were also wounded, most of them women and children. It said the dead include 46 children. Mohammed Abu Selmia, director of Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, said 45 people - including 20 children - were in critical condition at the hospital. He said the hospital received more 21 bodies, including seven women and six children. First, the Aqsa Hospital in Gazas central city of Deir al-Balah reported at least 10 bodies, among them three women and six children. In southern Gaza, the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis said it received 20 bodies after five Israeli strikes in the area, of which 13 were children and two were women.

Elsewhere in central Gaza, the Al-Awda Hospital said it received 30 bodies, including 14 children. Trump told journalists aboard Air Force One on Wednesday that Israel should hit back when its troops come under attack. But he said hes still confident the ceasefire would withstand the escalation in violence because Hamas is a very small part of the overall Middle East peace. And they have to behave. If not, they will be terminated, Trump added. An Israeli military official said on Wednesday that the soldier in Rafah, identified as Master Sgt Yona Efraim Feldbaum, 37, was killed by enemy fire that targeted his vehicle on Tuesday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential military operations, said Israeli troops in the area came under attack numerous times on Tuesday as they worked to destroy tunnels and Hamas infrastructure. Hamas insisted it was not involved in the Rafah gunfire, reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire and called on mediators to pressure Israel to stop. The Israeli military said its forces struck 30 terrorists holding command positions within terrorist organisations operating inside the Palestinian territory. It said Israeli forces would continue to uphold the ceasefire but would respond firmly to any violation of the deal. Ambulances and small trucks carrying bodies crowded hospital entrances overnight across Gaza. In Deir Al-Balah, bodies were wheeled in on stretchers, and others carried in on mattresses. One man walked into the hospital carrying the body of a young child. They struck right next to us, and we saw all the rubble on top of us and our young ones, said a woman standing outside of the hospital.
Father, killer, tough as hell





GYEONGJU :

Confused Trump verbalises his diplomatic dilemma about Modi

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Wednesday lavished praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the nicest-looking guy while describing him as a father but also calling him a killer and tough as hell. While delivering his keynote remarks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEOs Luncheon in Gyeongju, South Korea, the US President also reiterated his disputed claim of personally averting a nuclear war between India and Pakistan in May. Prime Minister Modi is the nicest looking guy.

He looks like youd like to have your father like. Hes a killer. Hes tough as hell, Trump said. Trump landed in South Korea Wednesday morning from Japan as part of three-nation tour of Asia. While emphasising that he has a great relationship with Modi, Trump reiterated that he used trade to resolve the war between India and Pakistan. I called Prime Minister Modi. I said, we cant make a trade deal with you (He said) No, no, we must make a trade I said, No, we cant. You are starting a war with Pakistan.

Were not going to do it, Trump said. He also praised Pakistans Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, calling him a great fighter and a great guy. Then I called Pakistan. I said, were not going to do trade with you because youre fighting with India and you know, two nuclear nations. And they said, no, no, no, you should let us fight. They both said that, he added. Trump claimed that the leaders of both India and Pakistan called him after two days and stopped fighting. After literally two days, they called up, they said, we understand, and they stopped fighting. How is that? Isnt that amazing? Now, you think Biden would have done that? Trump said. However, hours earlier in Tokyo, Trump had said that he managed to get the war stopped in 24 hours. The US President is known to make inconsistent comments. In Tokyo, while speaking at a reception and dinner with business leaders on Tuesday, Trump said: Seven planes were shot down, seven brand new, beautiful planes were shot down, and they were going at it ... Two big nuclear powers.

He added that he told Modi -- a very nice man, a very good man, and the Field Marshal over in Pakistan, I said, Look, were not going to do any trade if youre going to be fighting, Trump said. Trump said that India and Pakistan argued that war has nothing to do with trade with the US. (They said) one thing has nothing to do with the other. I said this, it has a lot to do with the other two nuclear powerswe get that nuclear dust all over the place. All of you are affected, right? And we said, No, were not doing any deals if youre going to fight. And within about 24 hours, that was the end of that. It was amazing, actually, the US President said. Since May 10, when Trump announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire after a long night of talks mediated by Washington, he has repeated his claim dozens of times that he helped settle the conflict between India and Pakistan.

India has consistently maintained that the understanding on cessation of hostilities with Pakistan was reached following direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two militaries. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
So heres a look at a few ways to boost your own fiscal health in 2025  and beyond.

Washingtons fiscal woes may seem far removed from everyday life, but the underlying lesson is universal: bad money habits eventually catch up. And unlike the federal government, you cant just keep raising your own debt ceiling.

The downgrade comes just five months after Moody's cut its U.S. credit rating in May  following similar moves by S&P Global in 2011 and Fitch in 2023. Its hardly a surprise, though. Americas national debt recently blew past $38 trillion, prompting critics to warn that U.S. lawmakers are failing to live up to their basic fiscal duties. (2)

The weakening of governance standards lowers the predictability of U.S. policymaking, increases the risk of policy missteps and reduces the capacity of Congress to address the countrys structural fiscal challenges, Scope said.

But rising debt isnt the only red flag. Scope also took aim at what it sees as cracks forming in Washingtons political machinery.

Looking further out, Scope warned that Americas fiscal challenges are compounded by massive, unfunded liabilities  particularly from Medicare and Medicaid.

With persistently elevated federal deficits and a rising net interest payment burden, Scope expects the U.S. public debt-to-GDP ratio to reach 140% by 2030  well above its sovereign peers. The agency pointed to the extension of precious tax cuts and a heavy load of mandatory spending as major factors that will limit budgetary flexibility in the near term.

Robert Kiyosaki says this 1 asset will surge 400% in a year  and he begs investors not to miss its explosion

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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

Sustained deterioration in public finances and a weakening of governance standards drive the downgrade, the agency said in a statement.

On Oct. 24, Scope downgraded the U.S. local and foreign currency long-term issuer and senior unsecured debt ratings from AA to AA-. (1)

It wasnt that long ago that Moodys knocked Americas sovereign credit rating down a peg  and now, the U.S. is taking another hit to its credit score. This time, its Scope Ratings sounding the alarm, warning that Uncle Sams financial health is looking shakier by the day.

Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below.

Story Continues

Trim your spending  without giving things up

Most of our spending falls into two buckets: necessities  like rent, groceries, utilities and healthcare  and discretionary spending, such as dining out, entertainment, shopping and hobbies.

When trying to improve their finances, many people focus on cutting back the discretionary side, but trimming waste isnt just about skipping lattes or takeout. Even in essential categories, you may be spending more than necessary. The good news? With a bit of research, you can often significantly reduce these costs.

For instance, car insurance is a major recurring expense and many people overpay without realizing it. According to Forbes, the average cost of full-coverage car insurance is $2,149 per year (or $179 per month).

However, rates can vary widely depending on your state, driving history and vehicle type and you could be paying more than necessary.

By using OfficialCarInsurance.com, you can easily compare quotes from multiple insurers, such as Progressive, Allstate and GEICO, to ensure youre getting the best deal.

In just two minutes, you could find rates as low as $29 per month.

Read more: Warren Buffett used 8 simple money rules to turn $9,800 into a stunning $150B  start using them today to get rich (and then stay rich)

Protect your purchasing power  and invest for passive income

Higher inflation is one consequence experts often warn about as Americas national debt keeps climbing. (3) And that shouldnt come as a surprise: over the decades, inflation has steadily chipped away at Americans hard-earned dollars. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis inflation calculator, $100 in 2025 buys what just $$12.05 did in 1970.

The good news? Savvy investors have long found ways to hedge against inflation  and real estate is a prime example, offering the added benefit of passive income.

When inflation rises, property values often increase as well, reflecting the higher costs of materials, labor and land. At the same time, rental income tends to go up, providing landlords with a revenue stream that adjusts for inflation.

Today, you dont need to buy a property outright to invest in real estate. Crowdfunding platforms like Arrived have made it easier than ever for everyday investors to gain exposure to this income-generating asset class.

Backed by world class investors like Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of rental homes with as little as $100, all without the hassle of mowing lawns, fixing leaky faucets or handling difficult tenants.

The process is simple: browse a curated selection of homes that have been vetted for their appreciation and income potential. Once you find a property you like, select the number of shares youd like to purchase and then sit back as you start receiving any positive rental income distributions from your investment.

Another option is First National Realty Partners (FNRP), which allows accredited investors to diversify their portfolio through grocery-anchored commercial properties without taking on the responsibilities of being a landlord.

With a minimum investment of $50,000, investors can own a share of properties leased by national brands like Whole Foods, Kroger and Walmart, which provide essential goods to their communities. Thanks to Triple Net (NNN) leases, accredited investors are able to invest in these properties without worrying about tenant costs cutting into their potential returns.

Simply answer a few questions  including how much you would like to invest  to start browsing their full list of available properties.

Let your spare change grow

One of the easiest ways to cut financial waste is by putting your spare change to work instead of letting it sit idle. Thats where micro-investing apps like Acorns come in.

When you make a purchase on your credit or debit card, Acorns automatically rounds up the price to the nearest dollar and invests the difference  the coins that would wind up in your pocket if you were paying cash  into a diversified portfolio of ETFs.

Buying a coffee for $3.40? The app rounds it up to $4 and invests the extra $0.60. Over time, those small amounts can add up  especially if youre consistently spending and saving.

Its a simple, set-it-and-forget-it way to build wealth from money you might not even miss  and, if you sign up today, Acorns will add a $20 bonus to help you begin your investment journey.

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

Scope Ratings (1); Al Jazeera (2); PBS (3); Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis (4)

This article originally appeared on Moneywise.com under the title: US gets hit with another credit downgrade  agency warns of sustained deterioration of finances. What you need to know

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
President takes sortie in Rafale Its an unforgettable experience, says Murmu after sortie





AMBALA :

Murmu is the first President of India to have taken a sortie in two fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The sortie lasted for approximately 30 minutes, covering about 200 kilometres.

PRESIDENT Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday took a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet from the Indian Air Force Station in Ambala, and described the experience as unforgettable, one that instilled a renewed sense of pride in Indias defence capabilities. Murmu made history as she became the first President of India to fly in two different fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Previously, she undertook a sortie in a Sukhoi 30 MKI in April 2023 from Tezpur in Assam.

Donning a G-suit and sporting sunglasses, Murmu, who is also the Commander-In-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, was seen posing for pictures and flashing a thumbs-up gesture before the French-made jet, flown by Group Captain Amit Gehani, Commanding Officer of the 17 Squadron, took off at 11:27 am. The sortie lasted for approximately 30 minutes, covering about 200 kilometres.

The aircraft reached a height of about 15,000 feet above sea level and a speed of approximately 700 kilometres per hour, according to a statement from the Presidents office. Upon landing, the President shared her delight in the visitors book, saying, The sortie on Rafale is an unforgettable experience for me. This first flight on the potent Rafale aircraft has instilled in me a renewed sense of pride in the nations defence capabilities. I congratulate the Indian Air Force. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh also flew a sortie in a separate aircraft from the same air base. Upon arrival in Ambala, the President was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour. President Murmus flight follows in the footsteps of former Presidents who have flown in fighter jets, starting with A P J Abdul Kalam (Sukhoi 30 MKI) on June 8, 2006, and Pratibha Patil (Sukhoi 30 MKI) on November 25, 2009.

Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, Rafale jets were formally inducted into the IAFs 17 Squadron, the Golden Arrows, in September 2020 at the Ambala Air Force Station. The first five Rafale aircraft, which had arrived from France on July 27, 2020, were inducted into the Squadron. The jets were used in Operation Sindoor, which was launched on May 7 to destroy several terror infrastructures in territories controlled by Pakistan. The strikes triggered four days of intense clashes that ended with an understanding between the two neighbours on halting the military actions on May 10.

Murmu poses with Rafales first woman pilot Shivangi Singh

AMBALA,

Oct 29 (PTI)

PRESIDENT Droupadi Murmu, who undertook a half-an-hour sortie in a Rafale fighter jet on Wednesday from here, posed with Squadron leader Shivangi Singh, just before she took to the skies. Singh, the countrys first woman Rafale fighter jet pilot, was claimed to have been captured during Operation Sindoor by a pro-Pakistan social media handle. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check had on May 10 called out this claim as fake. The Rafale jets were used in Operation Sindoor, which was launched on May 7 to destroy several terror infrastructures in territories controlled by Pakistan, in response to the April 22 dastardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam. The strikes triggered four days of intense clashes that ended with an understanding on stopping the military actions on May 10. The Rashtrapati Bhavan issued a picture of the President posing with Singh, atop a ladder used in boarding or deboarding an aircraft.
Salty snacks maker Utz Brands has added to its direct-store delivery capabilities with the acquisition of Insignia Internationals DSD network in California.

Pennsylvania-headquartered Utz made the announcement alongside its third-quarter results in which the Boulder Canyon brand owner tweaked its organic sales guidance higher but kept the outlook for other metrics unchanged.

Utz said the DSD deal includes routes across California and the Midwest, along with unidentified select related assets. Financial terms were not disclosed.

CEO Howard Friedman said today (30 October): With California representing the nations largest salty snack market at $4.1bn, we see substantial white space for our brands.

As part of an expanded California strategy we have acquired select distribution assets in the state to provide us with the infrastructure and capabilities to accelerate our market penetration.

Just Food asked Insignia International, formerly Flagship Food Group, for comment on the DSD transaction with Utz.

Jason Parasco, CEO of the Hispanic-foods-focused group, responded: "This transaction allows us to sharpen our focus on our own Southwestern-influenced products. We are confident that by entrusting our distribution network to Utz it will benefit our consumers and retail partners.

Utz, which also produces its namesake snacks line as well as the On The Border, Chips & Dips, and Zapps brands, said California currently generates around $79m in retail sales for the business.

The DSD acquisition builds on another struck last year with National Food Corp., a deal that added around 65 routes across South Florida to its distribution network. It also bought 21 routes in central Florida from the same company in 2021.

Utz said today that both its reported and organic sales grew 3.4% in the third quarter to 28 September, delivering $377.8m in revenue. Volume/mix was up 4.5% with pricing a negative 1.1%.

The companys branded salty snacks segment, its largest revenue earner, posted organic sales growth of 5.8%. However, its non-branded and non-salty snacks registered a 13.1% decline.

Utz raised its full-year organic sales growth guidance to 3% from 2.5%, which it said would be led by branded salty snacks.

CFO Bill Kelley said the adjusted outlook reflects stronger revenue trends through the third quarter and our confidence in the remainder of the year.

Elsewhere in todays results, net income for the quarter deteriorated to a $20.2m loss, compared to a $0.8m profit a year earlier. Adjusted net income rose 13.2% to $33.5m.

EBITDA fell 22% to $23.8m but was up 11.7% at $60.3m on an adjusted basis.
German auto giant Volkswagen's (VWAGY) tariff hit in the third quarter hurt the bottom line by nearly $1 billion, with the 2025 tally ballooning to an amount that could eat heavily into full-year profits.

Volkswagen reported in its third quarter financial disclosure that US tariffs on imported vehicles stood at 800 billion euros ($925 million), with its total tariff blow through the first nine months of the year totaling 2.1 billion euros ($2.44 billion).

"Group operating margin is 5.4 percent  at first glance a respectable figure in the current economic environment. But increased trading tariffs and the resulting negative volume effects burden us by up to 5 billion EUR ($5.8 billion) on a full-year basis," Volkswagen CFO and COO Arno Antlitz said in a statement.

Antlitz said the effects and charges to units like struggling Porsche will continue to persist without new mitigation and "efficiency measures."

Read more: Live coverage of corporate earnings

Earlier this month, Volkswagen lowered its financial expectations for the year, guiding for a full-year operating return on sales (a measure of margin) of 2% to 3% and an automotive net cash flow of breakeven.

While the Porsche charge was a big one ($5.92 billion) related to changes in its EV rollout and brand goodwill, the effects of tariffs cannot be ignored.

Last year, Volkswagen's operating result (also known as EBIT  earnings before interest and taxes) stood at 21.7 billion euros ($25.10 billion), meaning $5.8 billion equates to 23% in lost profit.

In the second quarter, Volkswagen's tariff exposure was higher ($1.52 billion), but that was before the US struck a trade deal with the EU, with imports tariffed at 15% starting in August. However, 27.5% tariffs are still in place for vehicles made in Mexico.

Volkswagen Golf R on display in Noblesville, Ind. Volkswagen offers the Golf with a 2.0L TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine.  jetcityimage via Getty Images

Volkswagen said that while total deliveries in the first nine months of the year rose 1%, deliveries fell 8% in the US. The German automaker noted that while it makes 200,000 vehicles in the US, it still imports 240,000 units from Germany and 287,000 units from Mexico. VW's top seller, the Tiguan midsize crossover, is manufactured at the automaker's plant in Puebla, Mexico.

Wolfsburg, Germany-based VW is in talks with the US government regarding expanding vehicle production in the US, with an Audi plant a possibility.

As for VW's overall most recent results, the automaker reported Q3 revenue rose 2.3% from a year ago to 80.3 billion euros, but posted an operating loss of 1.3 billion euros versus a profit of 2.83 billion euros a year ago, with the tariffs and other one-time charges impacting its earnings.
The current job landscape is much different than a few years ago.

The Covid pandemic may feel like a lifetime ago for the tens of millions of workers who have since been forced to return to the office.

The pandemic promised to usher in a new era of hybrid work after the pandemic economy seemingly proved that most of the work employees did from the office could be done from home.

Return to office (RTO) statistics:

Seven out of 10 companies have formal RTO policies requiring some in-office time.

A surprising 93% of business leaders believe being in the office is necessary.

Fully flexible setups (remote or employee's choice) dropped from 39% of jobs to 28% between 2023 and 2024.

Only 7% of companies allow fully remote work in 2025, down from 21% in 2024.

While 44% of employees say they'd comply with a 5-day office mandate, 41% would start looking for other work, and 14% would quit.

Source: Archie

But now that the pandemic is over, it seems as though few lessons were actually learned from the ordeal.

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon has been one of the most vocal business leaders pushing for a return to the office, even as his employees push back.

Im not making fun of Zoom, but younger people are being left behind, Dimon said recently, according to Bloomberg. "If you look back at your careers, you learned a little bit from the apprentice system. You were with other people who took you on a sales call or told you how to handle a mistake or something like that. It doesnt happen when youre in a basement on Zoom."

But even Dimon allowed his employees to work from home during the Covid pandemic.

One company was just ordered to pay millions for denying two former workers that common decency.

The option to work from home has become increasingly rare since the end of the Covid pandemic.Getty

National Grid to pay $3 million to two workers after denying work from home during Covid

This week, a Brooklyn, New York, jury ordered gas utility company National Grid to pay a total of $3.1 million to two former employees with health issues after the company rejected their requests to work from home during the pandemic.

According to the court, the company violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, and state and city human rights laws, when it refused to allow emergency-gas dispatchers Luciano Russo and George Messiha to continue their telework schedules during Covid.

Related: O'Reilly Auto Parts CEO rings alarm on customer behavior

Employers, mainly large ones, do view disabled workers as a group seeking privilege, just like [National Grids] lawyer said, said Arthur Schwartz, the plaintiff's lawyer. "They better look at this verdict and think twice."
Digital bank Zempler has joined forces with iwoca, a financial lender specialising in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to provide more lending choices for UK startups and microbusinesses.

Through this collaboration, Zemplers customers will be able to access iwocas loans via the banks marketplace platform.

Loan amounts range from 1,000 up to 1m, with varied repayment schedules available.

Businesses may use these loans for a range of purposes including stock purchases, business expansion initiatives, or managing day-to-day cash flow.

Zempler Bank CEO Rich Wagner said: SMEs are a vital driver of jobs and growth within the UK economy, but many face unnecessary barriers when it comes to accessing the finance they need to grow.

Our research shows that access to funding is one of the biggest barriers to small business growth. By adding iwoca to our marketplace and offering flexible funding options, were making it easier for our customers to unlock their growth potential.

With the addition of iwocas lending options, Zempler customers can apply for business finance directly through the digital banks platform.

Businesses can submit applications within minutes without impacting their credit scores. Other features include early repayment without fees and access to a dedicated account manager throughout the financing process.

iwoca chief commercial officer Colin Goldstein: At iwoca, our mission is to help small businesses get the finance they need, when they need it.

Partnering with Zempler means even more SMEs can benefit from quick decisions, flexible repayments, and a service designed around their needs  all within a banking platform they already trust.

In August 2025, iwoca partnered with Teya, a financial services platform for small businesses. Through this collaboration, iwocas Flexi-Loan product became available via Teyas app and web portal, allowing entrepreneurs to submit loan applications directly through digital channels.

"Zempler and iwoca partner to widen access to SME finance" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand.




Zurich Insurance Group has launched the Zurich AI Lab, a new initiative aimed at advancing the use of AI within the insurance sector.

The project is led by Group CEO Mario Greco. The Zurich AI Lab will focus on developing scalable AI solutions to address practical challenges faced by the insurance industry.

The lab is said to leverage Zurichs industry expertise alongside academic research, with partnership efforts involving Switzerlands University of St. Gallen Institute of Management & Strategy and the Agentic Systems Lab of ETH Zurich.

The initiative will span locations in Singapore, and Zurich and St. Gallen in Switzerland.

A multidisciplinary team will oversee research at the lab, working under the guidance of senior Zurich executives and faculty members from both universities.

Alongside Greco, other executive sponsors include group chief transformation officer Carlos Rey de Vicente, as well as group chief information and digital officer Ericson Chan.

Academic partners include University of St. Gallen professor Karolin Frankenberger and ETH Zurich professor Elgar Fleisch.

Fleisch said: ETH Zurich students are at the forefront of this new wave, turning ideas into impactful real-world AI applications. This lab creates the bridge between this talent and a leading business to build whats next."

The lab also plans to produce academic publications examining the influence of AI on insurance, strategy and business models, based on data generated from its studies.

Frankenberger said: Building on our deep expertise and cutting-edge research in business model innovation and incumbent disruption at the University of St. Gallen, we are excited to collaborate with Zurich, driving transformation, advancing new research, and contributing to society through impactful knowledge, innovation and partnerships.

Greco said: AI has proven its significant value by enabling us to better serve our customers, reduce response time and deliver more accurate risk information.

The Zurich AI Lab is our moonshot factory, bringing together market-leading business and technology expertise and cutting-edge research with one clear goal: to revolutionise our business model and pioneer the next generation of insurance solutions.

In August 2025, Zurich North America launched a new insurance framework aimed at supporting large-scale construction projects.

"Zurich Insurance launches AI Lab to drive innovation in insurance industry" was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Getting denied for your first credit card can be disappointing. Fortunately, it isnt the end of the road  you might simply need to look at alternative cards or take some steps to improve your credit before applying again.

After your first credit card application denial, take action to get back on track and improve your chances of approval in the future. Spoiler alert: It might be easier than you think.

Read more: Best credit cards to build credit

Common reasons for credit card denials

A credit card issuer may deny your card application for several reasons. For first-time applicants especially, having a limited credit history (or no credit history at all) could keep you from getting approved. Without an established credit history, an issuer might view you as a higher risk.

Limited credit history is a common reason for credit denials, but not the only one. Here are some other potential reasons your application could get denied:

Past late payments: Your payment history has a serious impact on your credit score, so you might not get approved for certain cards if you have past late payments on a credit card or an existing loan, such as a car loan.

Several inquiries: Applying for several credit cards, loans, or other types of financing in a short period can also harm your credit and increase your chances of denial.

Limited income: If youre currently unemployed or have limited income, a card issuer might not approve you for a new credit card.

Problem with your application: A problem with your application could be the reason you werent approved for a new card. Ensure all of the information in your application is correct before submitting it.

Your age: In the United States, you need to be 18 or older to get approved for a credit card on your own. If youre under 21, youll also need proof that you make an independent income.

Inaccuracies on your credit reports: Check your credit reports for possible issues before applying for a new card. You might be surprised to find inaccuracies in your reports, which could be the reason you werent approved.

What to do after a credit card denial

If your first credit card application isnt approved, dont get discouraged. Here are a few steps you can take to learn more about the denial and increase your chances of approval.

1. Request a free copy of your credit report

If you havent done so already, review your credit reports. You can get a free copy from each of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) at AnnualCreditReport.com. Your credit reports could provide some insight into why your application was denied. Look for any past late payments, recent applications, and your overall debt.

Youll also want to check for any inaccuracies that couldve kept you from getting approved. This could be incorrect personal information, including your name or address, or open accounts that dont actually belong to you.

If you dont see any inaccuracies, skip to step three below. But if you do, step two will help you address them.

2. Dispute any inaccuracies

If you notice any inaccuracies while digging through your credit reports, you can dispute them with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Youll need to submit a dispute to each credit bureau, providing information about what you think is wrong, any supporting documentation, and your contact information. You can file disputes online or by mail, whichever is most convenient for you.

Unexpected accounts on your credit reports could be a sign of identity theft, which is a separate issue youll need to address quickly through the Federal Trade Commission's identity theft reporting system and with your bank or financial institution.

You have the right to find out why your credit card application was denied. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have 60 days from when you receive a denial to request more information if your issuer doesnt provide it automatically.

4. Consider a secured credit card instead

If you dont have enough credit history or a high enough credit score to qualify for your first-choice credit card, a secured credit card is a great option to begin building credit.

Secured cards generally require a security deposit which doubles as your credit limit. As you spend on your secured card and repay your balance on time each month, you can build a positive payment history. This positive payment history has a positive impact on your credit score and is documented on your credit reports. Some card issuers will let you upgrade to an unsecured card and get your security deposit back after a certain period of on-time payments.

Comparing card features and security deposit requirements can help you find the best option. Some popular secured credit cards include:

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card: When youre approved for this card, youll be given a minimum security deposit of $49, $99, or $200 to open your account with a $200 credit limit. Over time, youll have the chance to earn a higher credit limit and you can qualify to upgrade to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.

Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card: You can earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase while you build credit with this secured card. It has no annual fee, but youll need to put down a minimum $200 security deposit which will act as your credit limit. In as early as six months, you can get considered for a higher credit line without any additional security deposit.

opensky Secured Visa Credit Card: Theres no credit check required for this credit card, but you will pay a $35 annual fee. The minimum required security deposit is $200, which will act as your credit limit, and you can qualify for a credit limit increase within six to 12 months.

5. Build your credit

There are some alternatives to secured credit cards if youre looking to build credit.

You could consider asking to be an authorized user on the credit card account of a trustworthy loved one. Ideally, this person has good credit and a history of responsible card use. When either of you spend on the card and repay it, you benefit from that positive payment history as an authorized user, and you dont need to be 18 to become an authorized user.

Alternatively, you could consider a credit-builder loan. Unlike other personal loans, you wont receive the loan amount upfront. Instead, its put into a secure account while you make monthly payments toward the balance. These monthly payments are reported to the three major credit bureaus, which can help you build credit. Then, the loan is disbursed to you once youve paid it in full. Local credit unions and community banks often offer credit-builder loans, though you may be able to find them elsewhere.

This article was edited by Kendall Little

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the banks website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
I recently spun up a .onion mirror of this website.

Why? Because why not. And also because I can. Oh, and free speech and anti-censorship and all that jazz.

I'd like to pretend that it was some grand technological challenge, but if I'm being entirely candid, it was like 3 commands and 4 lines of configuration.

If you, too, would like to become a member of the dark web, here's how I did it:

0. Prerequisites

Before we jump into the "how" of it all, I should probably provide a brief overview of what my stack looked like before I entered The Onionverse:

Web Server : I've been using Caddy for a few years now, because it's significantly easier to configure than Nginx or Apache, and it has first-class support for modern web features like automatic HTTPS via Let's Encrypt.

: I've been using Caddy for a few years now, because it's significantly easier to configure than Nginx or Apache, and it has first-class support for modern web features like automatic HTTPS via Let's Encrypt. Hosting : My site is hosted on a VPS from DigitalOcean, which gives me full control over the server environment. It's supposed to cost $4/mo, but I'm taking some classes at Ye Olde Community College, so I have a few years of credits to cover the cost.

: My site is hosted on a VPS from DigitalOcean, which gives me full control over the server environment. It's supposed to cost $4/mo, but I'm taking some classes at Ye Olde Community College, so I have a few years of credits to cover the cost. Operating System: My server runs Debian. I like Debian. If you aren't using an apt-based distro, then you'll need to adjust the package installation commands accordingly (but the Tor and Caddy configurations should be the same).

1. Install Tor

First things first, we need to install Tor. On Debian, it's right in the default repositories:

sudo apt update sudo apt install tor

2. Configure Tor

Next, we need to configure Tor to create a hidden service for our website. Open the Tor configuration file ( /etc/tor/torrc ) in your favorite CLI text editor (it better be vim , or you are dead to me). I have no interest in running a relay or exit node on my VPS, so I made some minimal changes to the config file, which should look something like this (comments removed for clarity):

# Disable SOCKS proxy since we aren't making outbound connections # through Tor SocksPort 0 # Make sure Tor runs as a daemon (i.e. in the background) RunAsDaemon 1 # Setup the hidden service on port 80, this is where we tell Tor to # create a .onion service for our web server HiddenServiceDir /var/lib/tor/hidden_service/ HiddenServicePort 80 # Disable inbound connections, since we aren't running a relay or # exit node ORPort 0 # Disable directory services, since we won't be mirroring directory # information to other Tor nodes DirPort 0

That's it. Everything else should be commented out using # characters.

3. Restart Tor

Now we need to restart the Tor service to apply our changes:

sudo systemctl restart tor

4. Get Your .onion Address

After Tor restarts, it will generate a new hidden service for us. We can find our new .onion address in the HiddenServiceDir we specified earlier ( /var/lib/tor/hidden_service/ ). This directory is only readable by the debian-tor user, so we'll need to use sudo to read the hostname file inside:

sudo cat /var/lib/tor/hidden_service/hostname

What will be printed to the terminal is your new .onion address. It should look something like this:

jytkco7clxwj4hhzaydhk4kr3hwzsdzyvtsc6zn2ivog5uma5pxowzad.onion

5. Configure Caddy

My Caddy server serves my website on port 80 without any IP or domain restrictions, so I don't need to make any changes to my Caddy configuration, however if you explicitly set up your Caddy server to only respond to certain domains or IP addresses, you'll need to add a new site block for your .onion address, which will look something like this:

http://jytkco7clxwj4hhzaydhk4kr3hwzsdzyvtsc6zn2ivog5uma5pxowzad.onion:80 { # Set up a reverse proxy, or serve static files, etc. }

Because you can't get HTTPS certificates for .onion addresses, you'll need to serve your site over plain HTTP. I'm not sure if this is generally considered acceptable within the Tor network (maybe one of my tens of readers can enlighten me), but I don't require HTTPS for my site anyway, so it works for my purposes.

Update (2025-10-31):

I received an email yesterday from immibis with some additional information about how Tor actually works, so I thought I'd share for anyone else who is also just dipping their toes into the onion:

This is considered perfectly acceptable. Tor already provides encryption between the end user's Tor daemon and your own, which is at least as good as TLS. The address is linked to the private key - which is also found in your hidden service directory next to the hostname - forever and always. Anyone who knows the private key of a .onion address can impersonate it, and anyone who doesn't know it, can't.

6. (Optional) Advertise Your .onion Address

If you want people to find your .onion site, you'll need to advertise it somewhere. I'm a fan of subtlety, so I set up an Onion-Location header on my main site that points to my .onion address. This way, anyone visiting my regular site with a Tor-enabled browser will automatically be informed of the existence of my .onion mirror without any intrusive pop-ups, banners, or additional UI elements.

To do this, you'll want to add a header to your main Caddy site block like so:

header { Onion-Location http://jytkco7clxwj4hhzaydhk4kr3hwzsdzyvtsc6zn2ivog5uma5pxowzad.onion{uri} }

The reason I tack on that {uri} at the end is so that if someone visits a specific page on my main site (e.g. https://flower.codes/some-post ), the Onion-Location header will point them to the equivalent page on my .onion site ( http://jytkco7clxwj4hhzaydhk4kr3hwzsdzyvtsc6zn2ivog5uma5pxowzad.onion/some-post ), which (at least to me) adds some polish to the experience.

7. Profit!

Just kidding.

At this point, your .onion mirror should be up and running. You can test it out by visiting your .onion address in any Tor-enabled browser (like the Tor Browser or even Brave, which has built-in Tor support).

--

If you like this post or one of my projects, you can buy me a coffee, or send me a note. I'd love to hear from you!
ZUF talk

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IMPHAL, Oct 29: The 8th round of Zeliangrong political talk with the Government of India was held at New Delhi today.

During the talk, the Government of India has expressed determination to work out a model of solution. The Government of India has understood and acknowledged the history of struggle, grievances and political rights of the Zeliangrong people, said the ZUF in a statement, issued by its secretary, information and publicity, Louis Gangmei.

Both sides exchanged draft proposals, and substantial points on the structural framework of the issue were discussed. The following rounds of the talk will deal extensively on defining the terms and logic of mechanism for pragmatic solution at the earliest, it said. The ZUF, meanwhile, has urged the Zeliangrong kindred people across the States of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland to continue praying and give cooperation towards the ongoing political talk.

"We are confident that your support and active cooperation will escalate the process and progress of the talk," ZUF said.
Highway worker abducted

|

JIRIBAM, Oct 29: A staff of PD Agarwal Infrastructure Ltd, Apex Structure Private Limited (JV) was abducted by suspected ZUF cadres from Nungkao village, Tamenglong district.

PD Agarwal Infrastructure Ltd, Apex Structure Private Limited (JV) is currently engaged in the construction of Imphal-Jiribam highway (NH-37).

Three unknown men, suspected to be cadres of ZUF abducted crusher in-charge Satish Kumar (39) s/o Mithilesh Sharma from Patna, Bihar at around 9.40 pm on October 28.

Meanwhile, PD Agarwal Infrastructure Ltd, Apex Structure Private Limited (JV) has lodged a complaint regarding the abduction with the Deputy Commissioner, Tamenglong.

Copies of the same complaint have also been submitted to DC Jiribam, SP Tamenglong, SP Jiribam, NHIDCL, RO Imphal, General Manager (P), NHIDCL and PMU Noney.

One Pratap, an official of PD Agarwal Infrastructure Ltd, Apex Structure Private Limited (JV) said that Satish Kumar has not been released.

Nonetheless, we are hopeful that he will be released at the earliest, Pratap added.
Refusing to look beyond Brahmaputra Of indifference and neglect

|

Where does the North East region of the country figure in the consciousness of New Delhi ? Can the change from Look East to Act East Policy be taken to mean that Delhi is not averse to the idea of brushing aside the interests of the North East at the altar of geo-politics ? Is neutralising the growing clout of neighbouring countries, particularly China, via the use of proxy forces, acceptable even at the cost of human lives in the North Eastern States of India ? Is it desirable that the interests of the North Eastern people be shoved aside so that more footage can be gained in the neighbouring country of Myanmar and in the process be in a better position to more closely study the growing clout of China in the region ? Only Delhi can answer these questions, but the very fact that the need to raise these has arisen should tell its own very significant story. Manipur has been burning for over two years now. There is nothing to suggest that New Delhi is intent on taking forward the Framework Agreement signed with the NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015. On the contrary it has become more and more clear that Delhi is not keen to look east of the Brahmaputra and take cognizance of the fact that there are people settled in these parts of the country, with some places having a history that dates back thousands of years--In fact, entities, which may be said to be much older than the great Union of India. For decades the North East has been just a footnote in the consciousness of mainland India. Its history has never been taught in the schools and colleges of India, much less the fact that there are people here in this part of the country who look very different from the people in say Delhi or Uttar Pradesh or Gujarat. And to say that the India of today was the dream and aspirations of stalwarts like Gandhi, Nehru and Patel would be doing great injustice to these late leaders. Naming a place or two and a thing or two after heroes and heroines of the region and the land can at best be cosmetic efforts to win over the hearts and minds of the people here with nothing to show at the ground. Take Manipur for instance. With road travel practically cut off, the only means to go outside Manipur is by air with the air fare shooting up to the sky. As many have pointed out, the airfare from Imphal to Guwahati comes somewhere close to the airfare between Delhi and any of the foreign destinations in Asia. Privatisation and market dictates, are obviously the reasons one will hear, but if the Civil Aviation Ministry can issue a sort of a guideline to all the major airlines to keep a check on their airfare just ahead of the great Diwali break some time back, why wasnt some action taken along this line for Manipur ? A figure on the sharp hike in the number of air passengers after May 3, 2023 should certainly give some insights on how people today are compelled to fly, even to go to nearby places like Guwahati or Shillong.

Many things just dont add up. Even after more than two years, Delhi is still unable to assure free movement along the National Highways, particularly NH-2 which connects Imphal to Dimapur. One wonders how things would have been if a similar situation had unfolded in any other parts of the country. Some things just dont add up and this is where it sounds non-sensical when some home grown political leaders of the place sing paeans to Delhi, even going to the extent of thanking it for the peace it has ensured. Maybe to these people things do add up, but not to the common people, and majority of the people come within the understanding of the common people. So what is that the North Eastern States can do ? Particularly for States like Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh ? A united stand is obviously the call, but then under what banner should these States come together ? This is where there will be no easy answer for each State is unique in its own ways and at times their interests may clash. A pan North East leader, a figure who can smoothen the differences and be able to work on the commonness is the need of the hour. But then again finding someone with this calibre may be too tall a task and the answer may perhaps lie in the people working out the common interests and see how to work on them together. Such a situation sounds far fetched at the moment, but the need to forge a united stand on common issues and make Delhi realise that the region is central to the Act East Policy and this should not be overridden by the compulsion of geo-politics is badly needed--A politics where the North East can end up as the sacrificial lamb.
A noteworthy highlight of Dr Praveens career has been his ability to deliver & treat premature and IUGR babies born to mothers just over halfway through their pregnancies and weigh only 500- 750gm

areas. Some of the noteworthy conditions that he provides treatment to include hernia, undescended testis, circumcision, neonatal/congenital anomalies such as anorectal malformations, tracheo-esophageal fistula, intestinal atresias & diaphragmatic hernia, hypospadias, obstructive uropathy (PUJ obstruction), vesico-ureteric reflux, posterior urethral valve, and urinary calculi, to name a few.A noteworthy highlight of Dr Praveens tenure at PMCH so far has been his ability to deliver and treat premature and IUGR babies who are born to mothers just over halfway through their pregnancies and weigh only 500-750gm. Handling such cases where babies have only a 50 percent survival chance and require supportive care due to severely impaired functioning of their critical body parts is challenging, but Dr Praveen has successfully operated on such 13-15 under weight babies so far, achieving an 80 percent survival rate.A highlight of Dr Praveen is his dedication towards delivering the best quality care to each of his baby patients. Not only is he available 24x7 to treat any emergency cases, but also ensures that there is a team of pediatricians available at the institute round the clock. Further, Dr Praveen attributes his success as a pediatric surgeon to the top-notch training that he received at Kalawati Saran Childrens Hospital. Renowned Consultants there such as Dr Rajiv Chadha, Dr S Roy Choudhury, Dr Partap Sing Yadav and Dr Archana not only helped him hone his surgical skills, but also mentored him on ways to deal with parents & their families, staying calm when any complications arise, and even persuade the patients to engage in long-term follow-ups.A pregnant woman was diagnosed with her unborn kid having abdominal wall defect or gastroschisis, which was confirmed during her C-section. Once delivered, we had to simultaneously operate the baby alongside its mother in the same OT. Today, the baby is healthy and completed four years. Another memorable instance was when we delivered a 520gm baby which was conceived after 27 years of marriage through IVF, but developed intestinal obstruction within a few days of birth. With conservative management failing, we had no other choice but to operate it. Not only was the baby in NICU for 117 days, but it is now five years old and leading a healthy life, Dr Praveen proudly asserts.Having performed 3800+ pediatric surgeries till date, Dr Praveen has been felicitated by a renowned central minister for his contributions to pediatric surgery and even received numerous awards & recognitions from local bodies such as Rajasthan Patrika, Dainik Bhaskar and Mewar Gaurav Samman. Currently mentoring MS General Surgery residents, he plans to establish an MCh program as well at PMCH to train 2-3 more pediatric surgeons, expanding the institutes services. Additionally, he also aspires to increase the number of OTs within the institute and have a separate floor dedicated specifically to pediatric surgery cases as well. Most importantly, Dr Praveen is excited and looking forward to meet Dr Ashwin Pimpalwar, the renowned pediatric surgeon from US wholl be part of the 7-day workshop which is to happen at PMCH in February next year.


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Orkla India IPO ended on day 2 of public bidding for its initial public offering with an oversubscription by investors, which commenced on October 29.

With an overall subscription of 2.7 times, the Orkla India IPO will accept applications till October 31. According to the information available on the official website of NSE, till day 2 of bidding, Qualified Institutional Buyers subscribed 0.06 times. Meanwhile, Non Institutional Investors subscribed 7.59 times and Retail Individual Investors subscribed 2.11 times.

IPO investment details:

 Orkla India IPO: Can the MTR maker spice up Dalal Street?



 The Numbers



IPO Size: 1,667 cr (Offer-for-Sale of 22.8 mn shares)



Price Band: 695  730



Parent: Norways $11 bn FMCG giant  Orkla ASA



Brands: MTR & Eastern (2.3 mn packs sold daily across 400 products) pic.twitter.com/M1gDkNZ1Ag  Narayan Kulkarni (@narayankulkarni) October 29, 2025

The minimum investment to apply for the IPO is Rs 13,900 for 1 lot with 20 shares. With an issue size of Rs 1,667.54 crore, the price range for the Orkla India IPO is set at Rs 695-730.

GMP details:

As per various media sources, the latest grey market premium hints at a 9 per cent listing gains for investors.

Timeline:

The allotment of shares is expected to take place on November 3 and the listing of shares will tentatively take place on November 6.

About Orkla India:

The firm is a subsidiary of Orkla ASA, a Norway-based industrial investment company. Orkla India operates as a multi-category Indian food company involved in the manufacturing and sale of packaged food products.

The company operates through its two primary brands, MTR and Eastern and its portfolio includes around 400 products across two key segments: spices and convenience foods.

With a strong presence in the south Indian markets, the company also exports to 45 countries, including regions in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the US and Canada.
If youre a mutual fund investor, SEBIs latest consultation paper is more important than you think. If the recommendations in this paper are written into law, it could soon make your MF withdrawals a little cheaper and a lot more transparent.

The document is now online on the SEBI website and is titled the Consultation Paper on Comprehensive Review of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996.

What is mutual-fund exit load?

For years, investors leaving a scheme before its minimum holding period faced a penalty called the exit load.

Since 2012, fund houses have also been allowed to charge an additional fee over this exit loadfirst Rs 0.20 for every Rs 100 withdrawn, and later Rs 0.05which quietly added up for lakhs of savers each year (page 4 of the 25-pager consultation paper).

SEBI now wants to put an end to this extra 5 basis points charge, calling it transitory in nature and no longer justified. This fee was originally meant as special compensation for asset management companies (AMCs) when rules changed in 2012, forcing them to credit exit load income back to the mutual fund pool rather than retaining it.

More than a decade on, the regulator now feels AMCs are mature enough and the investor base wide enough. In short, this kind of stealth fee has outlived its purpose.

With an objective to rationalise cost for [the] unitholder, this expense [exit load] charged to the scheme has been removed from the draft MF Regulations. However, in order to reduce the impact of the proposed change on the operations of AMCs, first two slabs of the expense ratio of open-ended active schemes have been revised upward by 5 bps, the paper read.

What does this mean for you?

If the proposal is implemented, youll pay only the regular exit load (if any) when you redeem your mutual fund units. SEBI is making up for the revenue impact by tweaking the expense ratio that AMCs can charge in the two lowest slabs, increasing it by 5 basis points.

This method is more upfront, because the expense ratio is advertised transparently and is easier for investors to track in their regular statements.

One immediate benefit for investors is fewer hidden costs. In short, the transparency alone would lead to more trust in your fund house.

No more worrying about surprise deductions, for youll see all charges listed clearly and can decide which scheme works best for you.

SEBIs move should also make comparison across funds easier, as all players will be required to follow the same rules.

Beyond the exit load: Other changes

While exit loads have a more direct impact on your mutual funds, SEBIs consultation promises even moreif they come to pass. Statutory levies like GST and stamp duty could soon be excluded from annual cost caps, meaning future tax hikes wont shrink your returns.

The regulator is also suggesting cutting allowed brokerage rates by up to 83 per cent, ensuring investors dont pay twice for bundled services like research. Moreover, there is also a move to replace newspaper notice requirements with instant digital updates.

Open to public feedback

This proposed shake-up, open for public feedback until November 17, 2025, aims to modernise mutual fund regulations for over 25 crore investor accounts, reflecting Indias journey from a handful of funds in 1988 to a Rs 75 lakh crore industry today.

The last couple of pages of the report detail how to provide them.

Head to the SEBI website and provide it online. However, those facing technical issues can also email eterm@sebi.gov.in or gopikaj@sebi.gov.in with the subject, Consultation paper on Comprehensive review of SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996.
Studds Accessories Limited, one of Indias leading helmet manufacturers, is now open for investors to subscribe for its initial public offering (IPO).

IPO details:

The IPO started inviting subscriptions on October 30 and closes on November 3. Investors whose bids are accepted will be informed about the allotment of shares on November 4, and the listing of shares is expected to happen on November 7.

 IPO Update



 Orkla India: Fully subscribed, GMP ~9%

 Studds Accessories: Opens, moderate GMP

 Groww IPO on radar #IPO #MarketBuzz #TheOptionShala  THE OPTION SHALA (@OptionShalaPRO) October 30, 2025

For investors who were not allotted shares, their amount will be unblocked and returned to their accounts.

With an issue size of Rs 455.49 crore, investors can subscribe to the IPO for a minimum of 1 lot of 25 shares. The minimum investment for a lot is Rs 13,925. The price range per share has been set at Rs 557-585.

Latest GMP details:

As per various media reports, the grey market premium of Studds Accessories is currently at Rs 55, implying a gain of approximately 9 per cent or above for the allotment investors.

About Studds Accessories:

The firm is involved in the design, manufacturing, marketing and sale of helmets, as well as accessories worn by two-wheeler riders.

The IPO is an offer for sale (OFS) and the company will not receive any proceeds from the IPO.

The shares of Studds Accessories Limited are proposed to be listed on both NSE and BSE.

For more information, visit the company's official website or consult your financial advisor before investing.
The latest admission by Pakistan that it has a secret agreement with a foreign country allowing drone strikes on Afghan soil should raise alarms far beyond the immediate border skirmish. This is not just another border flare-up; it signals a deeper strategic malaise, a severing of diplomatic legitimacy, and a severe mis-calculation on Pakistans part.

At the heart of the matter: Pakistan, at talks in Turkey, reportedly told Kabul that it could not prevent drone strikes because it is bound by the agreement. Worse: it asked the Afghan delegation to recognise its right to strike Afghan territory during Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) assaults.

In effect, Pakistan is seeking formal acceptance of an extra-legal use of force on its neighbours soil. This move unravels layers of international norms while undermining Pakistans own security calculus.

Why this matters: Sovereignty, legitimacy and self-defeat

Violation of sovereignty, plain and simple.

Pakistans admission turns the sovereignty rubric on its head. It admits that its territory is being used as a launchpad for attacks on Afghan soil. By striking secret deals and seeking their public validation, Pakistan moves from statehood towards dependency. Its refusal to name the foreign power only deepens the loss of credibility. The optics: Pakistan is not the master of its own decisions.

Legitimacy crisis for Pakistan

States that act in the dark, make secret deals and then try to force recognition of those deals are moving into the realm of client-states or proxy-states rather than independent actors. The fact that Pakistan refuses to name the foreign country further adds to the opacity. The optics: Pakistan is not the master of its own decisions.

Illusion of control, real destabilisation

Pakistan seems to believe that by funding or allowing drone strikes, it can control the TTP threat. But it is betting on a short-term fix when what it needs is structural reform: clearing sanctuaries, revamping intelligence, and real political will. Instead, it is outsourcing violence and in doing so, increasing the risk of escalation as evidenced by the recent border clashes and the subsequent deadlock in talks.

Deadlocked talks = greater risk of open war

Diplomatic engagements in Turkey and Qatar were meant to de-escalate after heavy fighting. But the slope is slippery. Pakistans demand that Afghanistan accept its unilateral rights, plus its admission of the pact, derailed the trust needed for a deal. Talks hitting an impasse now means only one thing: the next stage is non-diplomatic.

What Pakistan should actually do (but probably wont)

Own up & name the partner

If Pakistan claims a deal binds it, then transparency becomes the minimum credibility. Let the world know who the foreign country is, what the pact states, and how long it lasts. Without this, the next move is simply covert escalation.

Stop outsourcing strikes; build internal capacity

If Pakistan truly faces a TTP threat, it must act legally and transparentlyinternally, through its own ground forces, intelligence. Resorting to drone strikes based on third-party deals only deepens dependence on those third parties.

Reframe the narrative with Kabul

Instead of demanding recognition of a unilateral right to strike, Pakistan should come to the table acknowledging Afghan concerns, offering verifiable guarantees, sharing intelligence, and entering a joint mechanism. Otherwise, Kabul has every reason to view Pakistan as an aggressor, and not a partner.

Prevent the next escalation

The talks in Turkey produced no breakthrough because Pakistan failed to present coherent arguments and withdrew when push came to shove. That cannot happen if war is to be avoided.

Why India, region, and global players should care

While on the surface this is about Pakistan and Afghanistan, the ripples extend much further:

A state admitting foreign drone strikes on the neighbouring territory undermines international law norms. If this precedent is normalised, many more states will exploit similar outsized right to strike.

Pakistan is aligning ever closer with external powers even as its regional credibility shrinks. This opens space for third-party rivalry, proxy dynamics, and larger geostrategic instability.

For India and other regional players, the Pakistan-Afghanistan border is turning into a flashpoint. Already, the rivalry between Islamabad and New Delhi colours the conflict. If Pakistan appears weak or illegitimate, India may exploit the space, but that only further complicates the region and Indias global standing.

Final word: Pakistan is paying the price for its own strategy

Pakistan, that once styled itself as the master of its strategic depth game in Afghanistan, lies entangled in a web of deals, using drones, outsourcing violence, and demanding recognition of rights it never earned. Its credibility is plummeting, the talks that could stabilise the border are collapsing, and the only winner may be perpetual conflict.

If Pakistan does not change course, own its territory, enforce its laws, and cooperate openly with Kabul, it will find itself locked into an endless cycle of strikes, retaliation, broken ceasefires, and mounting casualties.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to meet his US counterpart Pete Hegseth on Friday in Malaysia, even as both the countries are attempting to de-escalate tensions caused by the punitive tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. The two leaders will be meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) defence ministers' gathering.

The ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) will be held in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

India and the US have a robust defence partnership, with New Delhi integrating various weapons systems into its military, including C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III and P-8I Poseidon aircraft, as well as the CH-47F Chinook, MH-60R Sea Hawk and AH-64E Apache.

ALSO READ: What Indian military can learn from Ukraine's optimisation of drone warfare

According to media reports, the two are expected to discuss India's plans to procure military hardware from Washington, including long-range maritime patrol aircraft Boeing P-8 Poseidon for the Indian Navy, worth over $2 billion. The two leaders are also expected to discuss the India-US defence cooperation framework.

The meeting may also result in the two deciding on a bilateral visit.

It is expected that the meeting will yield positive outcomes and pave the way for a bilateral visit, of either Hegseth to India or Singh to Washington, news agency Reuters quoted an official as saying.

There was a meeting planned between Singh and Hegseth in August. However, this was cancelled in the wake of the tariffs imposed by Trump over India's purchase of Russian oil.
The Ayni Air Base in Tajikistan, also known as Gissar Military Aerodrome, which played a major role in India's military logistics and evacuations, especially during the Afghanistan crisis, is no longer operated by India.

India had spent a considerable amount of moneyreportedly about $70 millionto upgrade the infrastructure of the dilapidated Soviet era airbase to make it suitable for landing and take-off of most of the fixed-wing aircraft, and developed hangars.

A report in The Print in 2021 suggested that India may have spent $100 million on the development of GMA. India even had the first international deployment of its fighter jetsSu 30MKIat the airbase.

Why was the air base important?

The airbase did offer a strategic advantage to India as Pakistan and China share borders with the country. The Print, in the 2021 article, quoted sources as saying that the Indian Air Force could target Peshawar from the airbase. It also offered a different route to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.

The airbase was mostly used for logistics missions. In 2021, India used Ayni air base to rescue its nationals and officials from Afghanistan after the Taliban seized control of the country.

India had a few Su-30 MKIs stationed at the air base for some time. The IAF personnel had also operated a few helicopters for disaster relief and humanitarian assistance. These were gifted by India to Tajikistan.

Why is it no longer operated by India?

India has wrapped up its operation at the air base following the lapse of a bilateral agreement. According to news agency PTI, the agreement between the Indian and Tajik governments for the development and joint operation of the airbase ended about four years ago.

Though India pulled out its personnel and military equipment from the airbase in 2022, the reason for wrapping up its presence has emerged recently.

"Indian forces were present there as per a bilateral agreement. This finished in 2021-22 and since then Indian assets have not been there," Economic Times quoted sources as saying.

A news report also suggested that Russia and China exerted pressure over Tajikistan, asking the country not to extend the lease as they did not want non-regional military personnel at the base.
Fans of the Baahubali franchise are excited to watch the two films together as the makers are coming up with an epic re-release on October 31. The excitement of fans was translated in the advanced booking of the movie as the pre-sales crossed Rs 10 crore worldwide, reports trade analysts.

This makes the movie the highest re-release opening for any Indian movie.

Baahubali: The Beginning (2015) and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) will together hit the screens under the title, Baahubali The Epic, on Friday.

Baahubali The Epic has earned Rs 5 crore in India pre-sales and another Rs 5 crore from North America, which has a strong presence of Telugu diaspora. It will hit more than 1,150 theatres worldwide. The US alone will see the movie releasing in over 400 theatres, followed by 210 in the UK-Ireland region, more than 150 in the GCC countries and 144 in Australian and New Zealand.

Director SS Rajamouli, while addressing fans at Prasad Cinema in Hyderabad for the films special screening, said it was their love that brought Mahishmati back, referring to the mythical kingdom where the story of Baahubali is set.

"May the people of Mahishmati be blessed with good health! How are the kingdoms crops growing? Are our businesses flourishing? Under Rajmata Devasenas guidance, how is King Mahendra Baahubalis rule progressing? That old man who wept like a child between life and death  is he at peace now? Even after 10 years, the love and affection youve showered upon us havent faded. I dont think words can ever express my gratitude for that," Rajamouli said.

"So, why bring Baahubali back after all these years? Its because of your love. You never stopped asking  Whats happening with Baahubali? Whats happening in Mahishmati?" he added.

The re-release version of Baahubali will have a runtime of three hours and 45 minutes after several scenes were removed from the original movies. However, fans can also expect a few previously unseen scenes. The post-production of Baahubali The Epic, which has undergone technical enhancements, was done at Annapurna Studios. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) issued a U/A 16+ certificate for the movie.

Previously, Mahesh Babu's Khaleja opened at Rs 8.26 crore during its re-release while Pawan Kalyan's Gabbar Singh raked in Rs 8.02 crore.
Guy Ritchie is reuniting with his most frequent collaborator for the sixth time for another crime thriller. What's more interesting is that the film is connected to Layer Cake, starring Daniel Craig.

It's based on Viva La Madness, author J.J. Connelly's sequel to the original book, which was adapted as the 2004 film directed by Matthew Vaughn, the producer of Ritchie's early gangster classics such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.

However, this project will be reworked as a standalone material, not as a sequel/spin-off, according to Variety. The project was brought to Ritchie by Statham and Gangs of London producer Thomas Benski.

Layer Cake gave Daniel Craig one of his most popular roles, aside from Munich. Both films  the first featuring him as a drug dealer, the second as a Mossad agent  have significantly contributed to Craig fetching his breakthrough James Bond role in Casino Royale.

Layer Cake marked the directorial debut of Mathew Vaughn, who went on to become a hot property director with hits like Kick-Ass and the Kingsman film series under his belt.

Aside from Lock Stock and Snatch, Sthatham worked with Ritchie in Revolver, Wrath of Man, and Operation Fortune.

ALSO READ: 'MobLand' Season 1 review: A fast-paced, superbly performed gangster thriller and dysfunctional family drama rolled into one

Meanwhile, Ritchie, whose last feature was the heist-adventure Fountain of Youth, featuring John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, and Eiza Gonzalez, has in his upcoming lineup the action thriller In the Grey, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Henry Cavill, in addition to the Benedict Cumberbatch-fronted dark comedy Wife & Dog.

Oi, behave.



The Gentlemen Season 2, starring Theo James and Kaya Scodelario, is NOW IN PRODUCTION. pic.twitter.com/zAG4SLDVSS  Netflix (@netflix) May 28, 2025

Ritchie is also in the middle of production of Season 2 of the Netflix series The Gentlemen, a spin-off of his 2019 film of the same name. Most recently, he also served as an executive producer on Tom Hardy's gangster series MobLand, co-starring Pierce Brosnan and Helen Millen. Ritchie directed the pilot, too.
While thanking fans of The Boys and Gen V for watching the second season of the latter, creator Eric Kripke shared an update on the production status and release. He confirmed that the fifth season will indeed be the final season and that the team is busy putting the final touches on the upcoming season of The Boys.

Posting a picture of himself and his VFX team on his Instagram handle, Kripke wrote: "First, thank you for watching & loving @genv (and if you haven't watched yet, what the holy mother******* f*** are you waiting for? Quit doom scrolling and watch!) Second, we're hard at work finishing @theboystv Final Season. Here's me and some of the VFX team today. Editing is all done, we're roughly halfway finished with VFX, Music, Color. I'm really happy with how it's going and can't wait for you to see. We go out with a bang. COMING (reasonably) SOON. #GenV #TheBoys."

The second season of Gen V, the spin-off of The Boys, premiered on September 17 and concluded on October 22. The eight-episode show picked up from the events of Season 4 of The Boys, returning to Godolkin University.

The original cast members reprised their roles: Sinclair as Marie, Broadway as Emma, Phillips as Cate; Germann as Sam, Thor and Luh as Jordan, and Sean Patrick Thomas as Polarity.

ALSO READ: Top 10 jaw-dropping moments from the Amazon series 'The Boys'

Season 2 introduced Hamish Linklater ("Midnight Mass") as Dean Cipher, the aforementioned "mysterious" head of Godolkin University, with Ethan Slater playing its founder, Dr Thomas Godolkin. Newcomers Keeya King, Stephen Kalyn, Julia Knope, Stacey McGunnigle, Tait Fletcher, Wyatt Dorion, and Georgie Murphy are expected to appear as recurring characters.

It also featured cameo appearances by characters from The Boys, chiefly Starlight (Erin Moriarty) and The Deep (Chace Crawford).
In a striking escalation of its stand on the 2020 Delhi riots, the Delhi Police have termed the violence not as a spontaneous outburst of public anger but as part of an orchestrated regime change operation. The claim, made in a 177-page affidavit by the Delhi Police before the Supreme Court, represents one of the strongest official assertions yet about the alleged political and ideological motivations behind the riots.

The affidavit is in response to the bail pleas of student activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, who have been in prison for over five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Along with them, activists Gulfisha Fatima and Meeran Haider are also among those accused of conspiring to instigate the violence.

Deep-rooted conspiracy and coordinated unrest

According to the affidavit, the police claim that their investigation has unearthed ocular, documentary, and technical evidence suggesting that the riots were not a localised flare-up but part of a deep-rooted conspiracy to destabilise the Indian state.

The plan was designed to weaponise public dissent against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and strike at the sovereignty and integrity of India, the affidavit states. It adds that the violence was organised and calibrated, mirroring patterns of unrest observed in Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, suggesting a synchronised attempt to destabilise the government through orchestrated violence.

The affidavit accused the defendants of deliberately stalling the trial, claiming that the process of supplying documents alone consumed 39 hearings over two years, while the framing of charges has remained pending for nearly 50 hearings.

Bail pleas and Supreme Court rebuke

Earlier this week, the top court had refused to grant a two-week extension sought by Delhi Police to file its reply to the bail pleas of Khalid, Imam, Fatima, and Haider. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and N.V. Anjaria made it clear that no further delay would be tolerated.

The top court is slated to hear the case on October 31.

Criminal law operates on the principle that bail is the rule and jail the exception. However, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), this standard is reversed; courts can grant bail only if they are satisfied that the allegations, even on a prima facie basis, do not indicate involvement in terrorist activity. In this case, the Delhi Police contend that this threshold is not met, arguing that the evidence points to active participation in a larger conspiracy.

Appearing for the petitioners, senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the activists have been incarcerated for more than five years without trial, urging the court to ensure the bail pleas are not lost in procedural delays.

The prolonged incarceration of Khalid and others has repeatedly drawn criticism from rights groups and civil society organisations, who argue that the continued use of the UAPA in such cases has created a chilling effect on dissent.

Earlier, the Delhi High Court had rejected the bail pleas of nine accused, including Khalid and Imam, holding that conspiratorial violence masquerading as public protest cannot be tolerated. The court, however, reiterated that the constitutional right to peaceful protest under Article 19(1)(a) remains intact, drawing a clear distinction between dissent and violence.

The High Court had observed that the prosecution had presented prima facie evidence indicating the existence of a larger conspiracy behind the riots. That order has since been challenged before the Supreme Court.

The Delhi riots of February 2020 erupted amid nationwide protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the proposed National Register of Citizens. The violence left 53 people dead and more than 700 injured, according to official figures.

Legal and political implications

The Delhi Polices latest affidavit is likely to reignite debate over the use of anti-terror laws in protest-related cases and the boundaries between dissent and sedition. Legal experts say the framing of the riots as a regime change operation marks a shift in tone, raising the stakes of what is otherwise a bail proceeding.

As the matter heads for another crucial hearing, the case continues to serve as a litmus test for Indias anti-terror framework and its intersection with civil liberties. For the accused, the immediate question remains whether the countrys highest court will see their prolonged detention as justified or as an example of how the pursuit of security can sometimes come at the cost of freedom.
Six months after the deadly terror attack at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, Kashmirs tourism industry continues to reel under its impact.

What was expected to be a record year for tourism has instead turned into financial distress for one of the most important sectors of Kashmirs economy.

Soon after the attack, thousands of tourists fled Kashmir in panic. More than 15,000 flights to Srinagar were cancelled in the days following the attack, and around 13 lakh bookings scheduled for August were also withdrawn.

Since then there has been no recovery, despite efforts by the government and tour operators.

The figures tell the story clearly. In the first six months of 2025, Kashmir received 7,53,856 tourists, including 15,319 foreigners and 7,38,537 domestic visitors  a drop of nearly 52 per cent compared to the same period in 2024, when 15,65,851 tourists had visited the Valley, among them 25,995 foreigners. The slump becomes even more striking when compared with 2023, when the region recorded 13,63,980 tourists during the first half of the year. What had been a steady rise in arrivals between 2023 and 2024, with a 14.8 per cent increase overall, has now been abruptly reversed, leaving many stakeholders fearful about the future.

According to Gowhar Maqbool Mir, President of the Kashmir Hotels and Restaurant Owners Association (KHAROA), the situation continues to be grim for tourism-related businesses across Kashmir.

KHAROA has around 1,200 members, including hoteliers and restaurant owners, all of us struggling to stay afloat, he said. There have been lots of job losses due to the huge decline in tourist arrivals after the Pahalgam incident.

Farooq A. Kuthoo, President of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK), painted an even more depressing picture. Despite all the efforts made by stakeholders, the response is very poor, he said. The Government of India must take an active part in getting Kashmir back as a tourism destination.

He said that compared to last year, bookings and enquiries have dropped by more than 80 per cent. For winter also, there is a massive drop in the number of enquiries compared to last year, he added. The industry is on a ventilator currently.

According to him, this is happening at a time when Kashmir was bracing for record-breaking tourist footfall. The Pahalgam incident has hit tourism in Kashmir really hard. The crisis was exacerbated by bad press, he said.

Tourist occupancy has reduced by 90 per cent, and there have been more than 70 per cent job losses across the sector. Those who have taken loans to invest in tourism-related businesses, like cab owners, are the worst hit.

Manzoor Pakhtoon, Chairman of the Houseboat Owners Association (HBOA), said the investments people have made in tourism-linked businesses have become a huge liability. Some years back, the bed capacity in Kashmir, including Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and other destinations, was 62,000 rooms, he said. Currently, there are around 200,000 beds  and 95 per cent are empty. Those who have taken loans are suffering as they struggle to pay their monthly instalments. He said the governments efforts to woo back tourists have not succeeded. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah travelled with us outside Kashmir, but the situation continues to remain grim, he added.

Hotels without guests on the banks of the famed Dal Lake reflect the crippling impact of the Pahalgam attack on tourism in Kashmir.

An employee of Hotel Sunshine at Dal said they were offering rooms for Rs 1,500 due to zero occupancy. The same room during good times would fetch Rs 8,000 and above, he said. First it was the Pahalgam attack, then Operation Sindoor, and now the disruption of traffic on the SrinagarJammu highway has scared potential tourists away.

Nearby, a female official at Hotel Paradise Premium, a four-star property, said all their 30-plus rooms were without any guests.

We used to receive requests for advance bookings, but currently, our hotel is empty, she said. Another property adjacent to the hotel was offering rooms for less than Rs 2,000.

A similar situation exists at Hotel Shah Abbas, one of the attractions on the banks of Dal Lake. The business has taken a hit, said a staff member at the reception. It started with the Pahalgam attack, followed by the floods and the shutting down of the SrinagarJammu national highway.

The downturn has also affected those working behind the scenes  guides, handicraft sellers, pony owners and small shopkeepers who rely on tourist spending.

Experts estimate that tourism contributes about 5 per cent to Jammu and Kashmirs Gross State Domestic Product, roughly Rs 10,000 crore a year when multiplier effects are considered. With the hotel industry alone contributing about Rs 2,700 crore annually, the current slump could have wide-ranging effects on the overall economy.

The Union Territorys GSDP had grown by more than 7 per cent in each of the last two financial years, and any prolonged slowdown in tourism could dampen that growth and discourage future investment in the hospitality sector.

There is a consensus among tourism-related businesses that unless the Prime Ministers Office gets directly involved in encouraging tourists to visit Kashmir, the situation is unlikely to change.
India's Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan said on Thursday that he firmly believes freedom fighter Netaji Subash Chandra Bose "did not die in a plane crash" as popularly believed. However, the vice president clarified he did not have any evidence to back his statement.

The vice president was in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, and he offered tributes to freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar on his death anniversary in Ramanathapuram. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders from the state accompanied the vice president during the visit.

Addressing presspersons, Radhakrishnan said, "Although I have no evidence, I believe Bose did not die in that plane crash only because freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, a staunch follower of Netaji, had said it. He said 'Netaji did not die in that plane crash, and I met him'."

The vice president said he firmly believes Thevar's words as he "never lied in his life". "He followed the path of spirituality in his political journey also, that was his greatness," the vice president added.

Paying tributes at Thevar's memorial, Radhakrishnan tweeted Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar dedicated his entire life "to creating a society free of ups and downs".

The vice president also recalled that when former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to make Thevar chief minister, in recognition of his sacrifices to the freedom movement, Thevar had refused it. "He told Nehru that all he wanted was justice to be done to Netaji," he added.
Train service linking Kashmir with the rest of India is quietly transforming the regions economy. The service is now helping Kashmir not only to export its horticultural produce but also to ferry cement, automobiles, and essential supplies for the army.

In the near future, Kashmir is likely to receive vital cargo without interruption, thus ending its dependence on the treacherous JammuSrinagar National Highway, which frequently closes in winter due to landslides.

This year, when hundreds of trucks laden with apples were stranded on the highway in Kashmir, the authorities quickly arranged freight trains to transport them to Delhi.

Up to October 23, around 14,000 tonnes of apples, roughly nine lakh boxes, were transported from fruit and vegetable markets across Kashmir to destinations outside the Union Territory.

During one such highway blockade earlier this year, over 1.25 lakh boxes of apples worth Rs 10.03 crore were ferried by train from Budgam and Anantnag to Jammu and Delhi.

Minister for Agriculture Production Javid Ahmad Dar said in the assembly during the ongoing autumn session that only about one per cent of the total apple productionaround 22,000 tonnesremained stuck when the road was closed.

The larger part of the crop continued to move out in phases, he said. Although the quantity of apples ferried by trains was not significant, it helped ease the nerves of farmers fearing losses due to the highway blockade.

On August 9, the arrival of cement through the freight train led to a price drop of Rs 70 per bag.

Kashmirs nine cement plants, mostly based in Pulwama, produce about 5,000 tonnes of cement daily, employing around 50,000 people.

With the arrival of over four lakh cement bags via train at Anantnag station within the first fortnight of operations, prices have dipped from Rs 520-530 per bag to Rs 460-470.

Traders say rail freight costs only Rs 10 per bag, compared to Rs 85-90 by road, drastically reducing transportation expenses for outside brands. While this benefits consumers, it poses serious challenges for local producers trying to stay competitive.

The rail lines benefits extend far beyond fruit and cement. In June this year, a cargo train loaded with 24 tonnes of cherries from Katra traveled to Bandra, Mumbai, marking a milestone for Kashmirs perishable exports.

On September 15, the first army cargo train arrived in Anantnag, carrying 753 metric tonnes of Advance Winter Stocking (AWS) supplies from BD Bari in Jammu.

Adding to the momentum, Maruti Suzuki sent its first-ever shipment of over 100 vehiclesincluding the Brezza, Dzire, WagonR, and S-Pressofrom its Manesar plant to Anantnag on October 3. The 850-km journey crossed the Chenab River on the worlds highest railway arch bridge, cutting delivery time and costs, and marking the start of automobile freight movement to the Valley.

The Railways Board has already cleared daily joint parcel and product-rapid cargo trains between Adarsh Nagar (Delhi) and Budgam, which will expand the range of goods arriving in Kashmirfrom food grains and construction materials to automobiles and consumer goods.

With the railway link now providing a year-round, weather-proof route, Kashmir is slowly breaking free from the isolation caused by road closures.
The Kerala government is set to declare that the state has eradicated extreme multidimensional poverty, becoming the first in India to achieve this milestone. On November 1, on the occasion of Kerala Piravi Day (State Formation Day), Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will make the announcement at a public event, which will be attended by ministers, senior officials, and prominent personalities. Notably, in April 2025, Vijayans own constituency, Dharmadam, was declared Keralas first extreme poverty-free constituency. Now, the state is extending that achievement to the entire population.

Traditionally, poverty has been measured mainly through income, focusing on how many people lived with very low income or consumption levelsfor instance, the UN and World Bank define extreme poverty as living on less than $3 a day. However, experts point out that people with the same income can experience very different living conditionsin terms of education, access to clean water and electricity, or regular nutritious meals. Income alone, therefore, gives only a partial picture of poverty.

To address this, in 2007, Sabina Alkire and James Foster from the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative developed a more flexible framework to measure poverty across multiple dimensions. The Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), based on the Alkire-Foster (AF) methodology, captures overlapping deprivations in health, education, and living standards.

India has recognised the significance of the global MPI under the Global Indices for Reforms and Growth (GIRG) initiative, led by NITI Aayog, to monitor and improve the countrys performance on key global indices. Indias national MPI mirrors the global framework, with three equally weighted dimensionshealth, education, and standard of livingrepresented by 12 indicators.

Under the Health dimension, nutrition, child and adolescent mortality, and maternal health serve as indicators.

Under Education, years of Schooling and School Attendance are included.

Under Standard of Living, cooking fuel, sanitation, drinking water, housing, electricity, assets, and bank account, are considered.

Each indicator carries a specific weight. For example, nutrition accounts for half the weight of the health dimension, while the remaining weight is distributed across child and adolescent mortality and maternal health.

Under the AlkireFoster methodology, a household (or person) is considered multidimensionally poor if their weighted deprivation score is 33.3 per cent or higher and in extreme multidimensional poverty if the score is 50 per cent or higher.

According to the National Family Health Survey-4 (201516), Kerala had 0.7 per cent of its population in the extreme poverty category, which declined to 0.55 per cent in NFHS-5 (201921).

Notably, in 2021, after Pinarayi Vijayan returned to power, the very first decision taken by his cabinet was to make Kerala free of extreme poverty. Subsequently, the state identified 64,006 extremely poor families through a comprehensive survey. For each family, a micro-plan was prepared to ensure the delivery of targeted support and services tailored to their needs.

The local self-government department led the initiative, integrating all available government schemes and services with additional, customised interventions. The list included many without names even on the voters list and lacking both ration cards and Aadhaar cards.

Among the 64,006 families, 4,421 families (mostly single-member households) have since passed away. Despite extensive verification and outreach, 261 familiesmostly nomadic or migrantcould not be traced; most are believed to have migrated to other states. There were also 47 cases where different members of the same family appeared separately in lists under different local bodies. A single consolidated micro-plan has been prepared for these cases.

Excluding these 4,729 families, the remaining 59,277 families were officially listed as extremely poor. The government now claims that all of them have been lifted out of extreme poverty, in accordance with the multidimensional poverty indices.
Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on Chhath Puja, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the people of Bihar would not forget this insult by Congress and RJD leaders.

Congress and RJD leaders are insulting 'Chhathi Maiyya' to get votes in Bihar. Chhath Puja is a 'drama' for them. People of Bihar will not forget this insult for years, he said, addressing a rally at Muzaffarpur in poll-bound Bihar.

Modi further declared that the government is trying to secure UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for the Chhath Mahaparva.

"I listen to Chhath songs while travelling. I was once moved to listen to one of these songs rendered by a girl from Nagaland. But while this son of yours is busy ensuring that Chhath gets the honour that is its due, the Congress-RJD people are heaping scorn on the festival, calling it a drama, a nautanki," he said.

#WATCH | Muzaffarpur, Bihar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "... This is my first public rally after the Chhath Puja... Our government is trying to secure UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for the Chhath Mahaparva..." pic.twitter.com/PpwHtpWQVW  ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2025

Modis counter came a day after Rahul, while addressing a campaign event in the state, alleged that the prime minister would do anything, even dance, for votes if asked by electors.

"If Modi ji wants to do drama, wants to do drama of Chhath Puja, then water will come, video cameras will come, the Congress MP had said.

Rahuls remarks drew sharp reactions from the BJP, which said the Congress leaders words reflected the contempt and hatred that he has for Hindu dharma, Chhath Puja and Bihar's culture.

#BiharElection2025 | Muzaffarpur, Bihar: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, "... There's no Yamuna there; there's a pond there. Narendra Modi went to bathe in his swimming pool. He has nothing to do with the Yamuna. He has nothing to do with Chhath Puja. He just wants your vote. If pic.twitter.com/rCR5jHxhyH  ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said both Rahul and Mahagathbandhan will have to suffer major consequences in the upcoming Bihar polls for insulting all devotees of 'Chhath Maiya'.

"If Modi ji respects the festival of Chhath and he (Rahul Gandhi) finds it 'nautanki' (drama), then Rahul ji is not insulting Modi ji. Rahul ji has insulted all the devotees of Chhath Maiya, Bihar and the entire Purvanchalis. And I believe that he will have to suffer big consequences for this in the Bihar elections, Shah said.
Hours after Mumbai police shot dead Rohit Arya, who held 19 people, including 17 children, hostage in Powai area and threatened to kill them if he was not allowed to speak to former Maharashtra School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, the Shiv Sena leader has broke his silence.

Kesarkar on Thursday claimed that he had given financial help to Arya, 50, who had been a project director in Project Let's Change initiative run by the education department. He allegedly took money from school students through a website and the department had taken objection to it, the former minister claimed.

Sindhudurg, Maharashtra: On Rohit Arya, who had held 17 children hostage in the Powai area of Mumbai, Former Minister Deepak Kesarkar says, "Rohit Arya had a concept called 'Swachhata Monitor.' He was also assigned some work under 'Mera School Ek Sundar School Hai.' However, he pic.twitter.com/WFZbGc7Qy0  IANS (@ians_india) October 30, 2025

Arya had held a protest in Pune in 2024 over his pending dues from the education department.

Kesarkar claimed that he met Arya and even offered him financial help after the man complained that the department had defaulted on a payment due to him.

All 19 hostages were rescued from RA Studio in Powai while police shot dead Arya during the operation.

Under Project Let's Change, which ran the Swachhta Monitor initiative from July 20 to October 2, 2023, school students were to act as Swachhta (cleanliness) monitors to spread awareness on spitting and littering in public places. Around 64,000 schools and 59 lakh students participated in the first phase.

The second phase ran under 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Shala, Sundar Shala' scheme for which Rs 20.63 crore was sanctioned. Of this sum, Rs 2 crore was sanctioned for Swachhta Monitor phase 2, handled by Arya.

"I did not default on anyone's payment. I helped him through a cheque out of courtesy. The department was of the view that he took money directly from students by opening a website. The department has sought an explanation from him which was necessary," Kesarkar alleged.

He claimed that Arya could have demanded money from the government and given explanation for taking money from students. "I met him since he used to run the Swachhta campaign, he said.

Arya's wife, Anjali Arya, told reporters that her husband was trying to get the pending payment for his project. "He was the project head for the PLC Swachhta Monitor. Kesarkar saheb liked the project and told him that the state government was sanctioning Rs 2 crore for it. The entire project was completed, but no funds were paid to Rohit. He did not even get recognition," she alleged.
The Karnataka BJP has launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after the state tourism department shared a post on social media, promoting tourism in Wayanad in neighbouring Kerala.

Wayanad is the Lok Sabha constituency of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

The saffron party accused the chief minister of acting like the district collector and 'fundraiser' of Wayanad.

The controversy began after the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) posted on X on October 28, announcing a two-night, three-day tour package to the Kerala hill station.

" Seeking thrill or tranquillity? Find both in Wayanad! Trek scenic trails, chase waterfalls & meet the wild with KSTDC. Your perfect nature escape awaits, the post said.

Seeking thrill or tranquillity? Find both in Wayanad!

Trek scenic trails, chase waterfalls & meet the wild with KSTDC.

Your perfect nature escape awaits. https://t.co/7H16iVsvqi#WayanadDiaries #TravelWithKSTDC #NatureEscape pic.twitter.com/hJIOc9TZbm  K.S.T.D.C. (@kstdc) October 28, 2025

Reacting to this, BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, R. Ashoka, asked Siddaramaiah how long Karnataka would tolerate a chief minister who behaved like "Wayanad's District Collector and fund raiser"?

"You (Siddaramaiah) signed off Rs 10 crore of Karnataka taxpayers' money to Wayanad at lightning speed. You gave away Rs 15 lakhs to the family of a man killed by an elephant. You announced to build 100 houses in Wayanad after the landslide. You used KSTDC, Karnataka's own tourism corporation, to promote Wayanad tourism - Priyanka Gandhi's constituency," he posted on 'X' on Thursday.

Ashoka alleged that the farmers in north Karnataka, where 12.5 lakh hectares of crop damage have been reported in the recent flood, are still waiting to receive their compensation.

Where is the compensation and flood relief for Kalaburagi, Raichur, Yadgir, Bidar, Vijayapura, Bagalkot and Belagavi districts in Karnataka?, he asked.

"We elected a Chief Minister of Karnataka, not a Puppet of Delhi, not a Brand Ambassador of Wayanad," said the BJP leader.

CM @siddaramaiah avare,



How long will Karnataka tolerate a Chief Minister who behaves like Wayanads District Collector and Fund Raiser.



You signed off 10 crore of Karnataka taxpayers money to Wayanad at lightning speed.



You gave away 15 lakhs to the family of a man pic.twitter.com/rcVEl4nElj  R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) October 30, 2025

C.T. Ravi, another BJP leader and former minister, said that the KSTDC, which is supposed to develop tourism in Karnataka, is inviting Kannadigas to Wayanad.

"Does Wayanad belong to Karnataka? Or has KSTDC become Kerala?," he asked.

Ravi also alleged that the Congress government is going to pawn the honour of Kannada Nadu to please its party leader, Priyanka Gandhi.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed that the construction of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum in Agra be completed by January, emphasising that the institution serve as "a place of inspiration for Indias bravery, self-respect, and cultural splendour", rather than a static historical display.

During a review meeting of the Department of Culture on Thursday, the CM outlined an ambitious vision for the museum. It is to be a "living experience of India's glorious history" that engages visitors through immersive storytelling and modern technology, he said.

Every gallery and architectural element is to be so designed that it represents the cultural soul of UP. Thematic and interactive presentations will enable visitors to become active participantsnot just observersof the states rich heritage.

The museum will feature several innovative galleries which will make history come alive. These include the Shivaji and the Great Escape Gallery, which will present a dramatic depiction of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharajs historic escape from the Agra Fort using 7D technology. This section will symbolise Shivajis resolve for independence, allowing visitors to vividly experience his bravery and strategic brilliance.

Another example is the Pioneers Gallery, which will honour the immortal warriors of the First War of Independence of 1857. This gallery will display objects, memorabilia, and documents related to those who laid the foundation for Indias independence. It will include memories of Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, Rana Sahib, Tantia Tope, and many others.

The CM has directed that "cutting-edge presentation methods" be used to bring this gallery to life.

The Festivals and Rivers Galleries will provide interactive depictions of Uttar Pradeshs faith, folk life, and festive traditions.

The museum project has stirred much political and historical debate since 2020, when CM Adityanath decided to rename the originally planned Mughal Museum to honour Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The museum was initially announced by former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in 2015, with construction beginning in 2017. The original vision was a museum that focused on Mughal history, culture, weaponry, and attire. This was in keeping with Agras status as a centre of Mughal heritage.

In September 2020, however, Yogi Adityanath justified the renaming by questioning how Mughals could be considered "our heroes", stating that symbols of slavery had no place in UP. This decision sparked considerable controversy across political and intellectual circles.

Critics have raised several concerns about the museums revised focus, including a historical disconnect, as Shivaji had almost no connection with Agra apart from his brief imprisonment there.

Many questioned the validity of dedicating an entire museum in Agraa city that is synonymous with Mughal architectural and cultural heritageto a warrior king from Maharashtra.

Opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, have criticised the decision as politically motivated. They argued that instead of focusing on development projects, the government was prioritising the renaming of historical places to reshape historical narratives along ideological lines.

As recently as this week, the state government had announced its decision to rename Mustafabad as Kabirdham.

Some historians and cultural commentators have expressed concern that the renaming diminishes the significant role the Mughal Empire played in shaping Agras identity and Indias composite cultural heritage. The Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, which give the city its identity throughout the world, are Mughal monuments.

Despite the criticism, the UP government has remained committed to its vision of the museum as a celebration of Indian resistance and cultural pride.
The United States has granted India a six-month exemption from American sanctions on the Chabahar Port in Iran, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Thursday.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was responding to a question on whether the Chabahar Port would be exempted from the snapback sanctions that the US imposed on Iran at the end of September.

"On your question regarding exemption for Chabahar: yes, I can confirm that we have been granted exemption for a six-month period on the ... American sanctions that were applicable on Chabahar," Jaiswal said.

The decision to renew the US sanctions waiver on Chabahar comes after intense negotiations between New Delhi and Washington, as the previous sanctions waiver was scheduled to expire on September 29.

Located along the Gulf of Oman, this portan important part of the International North-South Transport Corridoris a vital trade link for India with Afghanistan, Central Asia, and parts of Russia. Its strategic position ensures this link is able to circumvent Pakistan's waters as well. India has also used this port to send humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in the past.

This comes as a big relief for India, which can now continue its operations at the Chabahar Port's Shahid Beheshti Terminal, which it manages under a ten-year agreement (signed in 2024) between India Ports Global Limited (IPGL), a public sector firm, and Iran's Ports and Maritime Organisation (PMO).

In a separate question about India-US ties, Jaiswal said that New Delhi continued to value its "comprehensive global strategic partnership" with Washington.

However, he has also saidin response to a question about New Delhi's purchase of Moscow's energythat India was studying the implications of recent US sanctions on Russian oil companies.

Our decisions naturally take into account evolving dynamics of global oil market," he added.
Behind Baroque facades and steaming thermal baths, Budapests haunted history lingers in its castles, caves, and cobbled streets.

Budapest seems to be the perfect picture-postcard European city, with stunning architecture, grand boulevards, ruin bars, and thermal baths. But beneath the old-world charm lies another city: one haunted by legends, tragedies, and a shadowy past.

For travellers who like a touch of the uncanny with their culture, Hungarys capital is a spellbinding surprise. Begin at Buda Castle, rising above the Danube like a stately guardian of history. Under its ancient walls sprawls a labyrinth that once served as a dungeon, wartime shelter, and even a prison for Vlad the Impaler, the 15th-century ruler said to have inspired Dracula.

Guided tours lead visitors through dim corridors where myth and memory intertwine. Once called the Queen of the Danube, Budapest straddles the Danube River. It comprises two parts, hilly Buda and relatively flat Pest, located on opposite sides of the river and united in 1873, says Marton Nagy, who runs walking tours across the city.

Buda Castle

The two sides of Budapest are now connected by a series of bridges, and stand tall as an outgrowth of the 19th-century empire of Austria-Hungary. The city, including the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, and Andrassy Avenue, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

It may be one of the worlds most outstanding landscapes, but the city also has a dark past. Nowhere is this more apparent than at Gellert Hill, both lookout and legend. Ancient pagans are once said to have held rituals on the slopes; witches and wartime spies congregated here decades later. At dusk, as mist curls around the hill, its easy to imagine ghosts keeping watch over the city below.

Even the Parliament building is said to harbour the spirits of revolutionaries who died fighting for freedom. Located on Kossuth Square in the Pest side of the city, the magnificent structure was designed by Hungarian architect Imre Steindl in neo-Gothic style in 1902. More than a century later, staff still speak of flickering lights and sudden chills in its echoing halls, Nagy says.

Across the river, Vajdahunyad Castle is located at the edge of City Park and was originally constructed in 1896 as part of the Millennial Exhibition. Erected in canvas originally and later built in stone, the castle was modelled after a fortress in Transylvania but designed to showcase various architectural styles through different periods of Hungarian history. The pointed towers and stone bridges seem straight out of a dark fairy tale.

The House of Terror Museum, once the headquarters of fascist and communist secret police, exposes Budapests darkest 20th-century chapters. Exhibits detail decades of persecution and fear. It stands as a stark reminder of Hungarys years under fascist and communist rule, when the nation lost its freedom to two successive dictatorships. It honours those who suffered and celebrates Hungarys hard-won return to independence.

Hungarians have long memories  for both the good and the bad. The stories you see, hear, and read here will reach the very depth of your soul, according to Dr Maria Schmidt, Director-General of the museum.

Danube

For a quieter reflection, Kerepesi Cemetery offers calm among the ghosts. Beneath arching trees lie poets, politicians, and scientists, their graves guarded by stone angels and marble effigies.

In the Jewish Quarter, history meets haunting. Nagy recommends a ghost tour that explores narrow alleys, crumbling courtyards, and abandoned synagogues, blending documented history with folklore. Its vital to follow that up with a drink in a ruin bar that has brought alive an abandoned building, and where laughter in the present mingles with echoes of the past.

For those keen on an immersive brush with Budapests darker past, the Buda Castle District Night Tour offers a spine-tingling experience. Strolling past landmarks like Buda Castle and Matthias Church, its possible to uncover hidden tales. The tour explores Vlad Draculas links to the city, 19th-century scandals, and shadowed corner, with guides in period costume revealing eerie legends.

Beneath Budapest, a network of natural caves, wartime bunkers, and Cold War shelters stretches under the streets. Some are open for guided tours, and showcase stories of secrecy, survival, and resilience.

From my suite at the Anantara New York Palace, I reflect on my days in Budapest. Set in the citys historic heart, the hotel is a Belle Epoque masterpiece, with its marble facade, ornate carvings, and grand chandeliers evoking the elegance of another era.

I marvel at the citys duality  beauty and darkness, glamour and grit. Steam rises from art nouveau spas, trams rattle across bridges, and cafes glow late into the night. Yet shadows linger, with Budapests Gothic architecture and misty riverbanks offering the perfect stage for this interplay. I realise the truth in Nagys words: The most haunting thing about Budapest isnt its legends; its how alive they still feel.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered the military to restart testing of nuclear weapons, first time in more than three decades, which the President claimed was in response to the growing arsenal Russia and China are amassing. Because of other countries' testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, Trump wrote on Truth Social. That process will begin immediately, the President added.

But, analysts think it was Russias testing of the Burevestnik that triggered Trump to adopt the extreme stance. President Vladimir Putin had claimed that Russia successfully tested its nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable Burevestnik missile and is preparing to deploy it. The missile, which the Kremlin says can evade missile defense systems, has been codenamed by NATO as Skyfall and others call it a tiny flying Chernobyl.

The test has triggered President Donald Trump, who said it was inappropriate for Russia to be conducting such tests when Russia should be focusing on peace talks with Ukraine.

Here is a brief explainer on the war of words between the two leaders, which could have contributed to Trumps decision to relaunch the tests.

Russias everyone went quiet statement

NATO calls it 'Skyfall', panicking Western experts call it 'Flying Chernobyl', Putin calls it 'unique'



Meet Russia's Burevestnik  a nuclear-powered cruise missile with unlimited range, designed to bypass all defenses pic.twitter.com/wGhOrwxcDp  RT (@RT_com) October 29, 2025

Putin, while announcing the tests, called the missile a unique product, unlike anything else in the world. I remember vividly when we announced that we were developing such a weapon, and even highly qualified specialists told me that, yes, it was a good and worthy goal, but unrealisable in the near future, Putin said.

Even Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov added heat to the scenario, stating that after these exercises, "everyone went quiet." "I haven't heard any comments through diplomatic channels. Everyone's gone quiet," Lavrov said during his visit to Minsk, according to Russian media.

Trumps we have a nuclear submarine remark

In response to the Burevestnik test, Trump said: [Russia] knows we have a nuclear submarine, the most powerful in the world, right off their coast. So it doesn't need to travel 8,000 miles. They don't play games with us, and we don't play games with them. We're constantly testing missiles. Putin should end this war, which was supposed to last one week but has already lasted four years. That's what he should be doing, not testing missiles.

Putins response to Trump's threats

The Russian President went on about the advantages of the Burevestnik, stating that its advantage was that it's a small nuclear propulsion system. While it has comparable power to, say, a nuclear submarine's reactor, it's 1,000 times smaller. But that's not the most important thing. The most important thing is that while a conventional nuclear reactor starts up in hours, days, or weeks, this nuclear reactor starts up in minutes and seconds, he said.

Putin again

Announcing the launch of Poseidon Nuclear Torpedo, Putin said the test saw the mysterious weapon launched from a submarine and traveling under nuclear propulsion.

President Vladimir Putin said Russia had successfully tested a Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo that military analysts say is capable of devastating coastal regions by triggering vast radioactive ocean swells https://t.co/ph9P44d7ih pic.twitter.com/U8k9eLTLRd  Reuters (@Reuters) October 29, 2025

Yesterday, we conducted another test of another promising systemthe Poseidon unmanned underwater vehicle. It also has a nuclear propulsion system. For the first time, we succeeded not only in launching it from a submarine using its booster motor, but also in igniting its nuclear propulsion system, which propelled the vehicle for a certain period of time. In terms of the speed and depth of this unmanned vehicle, there's nothing comparable in the world, and it's unlikely to appear anytime soon. There are no known interception methods, he said.

Trump went on to cap it up by ordering nuclear tests.
U.S. senators kept their political differences aside to call for a strong response after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) group seized new territory in Sudan, reportedly attacking civilians. They have called for the U.S. to officially designate the RSF as a foreign terrorist organization.

The war in Sudan erupted in April 2023 from a power struggle between the army and the RSF, unleashing waves of ethnic violence, creating the world's worst humanitarian crisis and plunging several areas of the African nation into famine. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and about 13 million displaced, reports showed.

According to reports, Donald Trump's Democratic predecessor Joe Biden had determined that members of the RSF and allied militias committed genocide in Sudan and imposed sanctions on the group's leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti.

What happened in Al-Fashir?

Al-Fashir, the Sudanese army's last significant holdout in the western region of Darfur, fell to the RSF on Sunday after an 18-month siege that consolidated its control of the area.

All the people you see in this video were executed by RSF terrorists. All of them !



Free Sudan  pic.twitter.com/7J1IrymwEf     (@DukeOfSavannah) October 29, 2025

Aid groups and activists have warned of the potential for ethnically motivated revenge attacks as the RSF overwhelmed the army and allied fighters, many from the Zaghawa ethnic group. They beat and shot men fleeing from a long-besieged city in Darfur after capturing it, according to an account from escapee Ikram Abdelhameed. Reuters said that the senior citizen's claims were corroborated by statements from aid officials, satellite images, and unverified social media videos.

The head of the UN health agency said that more than 460 people were reportedly killed in a hospital in a city in the western Darfur region that was overrun by the RSF. 460 patients and companions were reportedly killed at Saudi Maternity Hospital in el-Fasher, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization said.

They were stopped at an earthen barrier the RSF had erected around the city, where men were separated from women, she said. "They lined the men up, they said, 'We want the soldiers,'" Abdelhameed said. When none of the men raised their hands, an RSF fighter picked out some of them who were beaten and killed, she said. "They shot them in front of us, they shot them in the street." The women were taken to the other side of the barrier, where they could hear more beatings and gunshots, then allowed to leave. "The soldiers told us to go ahead and the men will follow, but we never saw them again," she said.

"We are horrified by credible reports of widespread violations, including summary executions, attacks on civilians along escape routes, house-to-house raids and obstacles preventing civilians from reaching safety," the U.N. humanitarian team in Sudan said in a statement.

Activists and rights groups have alleged that recent RSF gains in central Sudan and in Darfur have been accompanied by hundreds of civilian deaths. Both sides have dismissed past accusations of abuses, and have accused each other of carrying them out.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump will meet in the South Korean city of Busan on Thursday, marking the first face-to-face meeting between the two world leaders since 2019. The meeting happened at Gimhae Air Base, and footage from the venue showed Trump offering Xi a warm greeting.

Trump walked out first and was greeted by his counterpart. Good to see you again, Trump said as he shook Xis hand.

The US President also lavished praise on Xi, calling him a friend. Its a great honor to be with a friend of mine, really, for a long time now, Trump said before calling Xi a distinguished and respected and a great leader of a great country.

We will be having some discussions. I think weve already agreed to a lot of things, and well agree to some more right now, Trump said, referring to last weekends trade talks between top US and Chinese officials.

 BREAKING: The meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi is now underway



Absolutely historic.



Thank GOD Trump is the one negotiating with China and not Kamala. pic.twitter.com/5LvAvjSurd  Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 30, 2025

Xi didnt hold back either as he praised Trumps peacemaking but said both countries didnt see eye to eye on several topics, but called it normal for two leading economies of the world.

The two leaders should stay the right course and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-US relations. I always believe that Chinas development goes hand in hand with your vision to make America great again, Xi said.

Despite Xis amiable words, experts say Xi believes he is on an equal footing with Trump and is likely to reassert himself.

Gao Shuchao, a trade expert and law professor at Singapore Management University, told The New York Times Chinese that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yis statement on Monday that Trump and Xi Jinping are "world-class leaders" who have a "long history of interaction and mutual respect hinted that China has reached an equal footing with the United States.

This wording is a self-affirmation by China that it has reached an equal footing with the United Statesit shows that Xi Jinping believes he is on equal footing with Trump," Gao said.

He added that this means Xi will present his demands in a more assertive manner during the meeting. Beijing has been pushing Washington to reduce tariffs on Chinese goods, ease export controls on computer chips and other technologies, and withdraw its latest threats of further tariffs and other punitive measures.

On the other hand, the US wants Beijing to resume buying U.S. soybeans and to prevent the flow of chemicals needed to manufacture illicit fentanyl into the United States. U.S. officials have also called on Beijing to lift its new controls on rare earth exports. Both leaders believe they and their countries are in a very strong position. They believe they have significant influence over each other, said Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the Indo-Pacific program at the German Marshall Fund. Neither side wants to appear weak in front of their domestic audience.
COMPANY NEWS: As we wrap up Cybersecurity Awareness Month, many organisations are once again taking stock of their defences, investing in new tools, reviewing policies, and running refresher training. These are all positive steps, but they only address part of the problem.

The real gap in cybersecurity is not technology  its mindset. Despite rapid advancements in AI-driven detection, automation, and governance tools, breaches and compliance failures keep rising. According to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), Australia recorded 1,113 data-breach notifications in 2024  the highest annual total since mandatory reporting began in 2018 and a 25% jump from 2023.

While the focus continues to be on having the right software in place, the real challenge is in creating better alignment across every layer of the organisation, from front-line employees to the boardroom.

Cybersecurity must shift from a technical issue that is managed by IT, to a strategic issue that demands shared accountability, clear communication, and an embedded culture of security.

From compliance to culture

Too often cybersecurity is treated as a compliance checkbox, managed by security or IT teams and periodically reviewed by executives. But compliance does not guarantee protection. A business can check every box on a policy document and still be vulnerable if its employees dont understand why cybersecurity matters or how their individual actions contribute to overall resilience.

Embedding security into culture means going beyond awareness by helping employees see cybersecurity as part of their job and integrating it into daily workflows, training, and decision-making processes across all departments. When security becomes second nature, the organisation not only reduces risk, but also fosters trust. Employees are more likely to identify and report potential threats, allowing the organisation to respond more quickly and effectively, shifting from reactive to a proactive cybersecurity practice.

Leadership alignment matters most

Strong alignment between leadership, risk, and technology teams drives cyber resilience more than any security budget ever could. The organisations that manage cyber incidents effectively are those where the board has a clear understanding of its cybersecurity role, executives prioritise open communication, and technical teams are empowered to act quickly.

The rise in regulatory scrutiny, such as ASICs increasing focus on cyber governance, underscores the need for shared responsibility and accountability. Boards are now expected to demonstrate not only oversight but also fluency in cybersecurity risk. That means asking better questions, ensuring visibility across systems, and integrating cyber metrics into broader governance frameworks.

When leadership alignment exists, cybersecurity moves beyond IT and becomes an essential part of business, strategy, decision making and organizational resilience.

Bridging the human-technology divide

Technology will always evolve faster than human behaviour. Thats why the most effective cybersecurity programs strike a balance between investment in tools and investment in people. A company can deploy the most sophisticated threat detection system available, but if employees are still clicking on phishing links or sharing sensitive data over unsecure channels, the defences fall apart.

Bridging that divide requires more than technical training. It requires a multifaceted approach that includes empathy, communication, and culture-building. Leaders must make cybersecurity a common language, not a specialist dialect. By understanding employees' challenges and perspectives, organizations can develop more effective security practices that are tailored to their needs. Organisations must create an environment where employees feel both responsible and supported, where security is part of everyday conversation, not just an annual awareness campaign.

As we move beyond Cybersecurity Awareness Month, its time for organisations to redefine their understanding of maturity. True maturity goes beyond the number of tools deployed or the speed of incident response. Its measured by how well security principles are embedded, understood, and practiced across the business.

The most secure organisations are those that think of cybersecurity as a shared value that underpins trust, resilience, and long-term success.

Monica Landen is CISO at Diligent.
This is atrocious, to say the least. We really dont know what is going on. We feel like birds having wings, but chained to the ground.

An Indian teacher, who has been working in the Maldives for some years, thus summarised the tricky situation that thousands of his countrymen face in the South Asian country. The State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Male, the medium for expatriates in the Maldives to send money to their families back home, has capped the upper monthly remittance at $150which is around 13,000. While many Indians in the country earn six-figure salaries, the cap means the amount that reaches their families is hardly enough to meet domestic expenditure. Their SBI ATM cards cannot be swiped or used for online payments outside the country either. Consequently, their families are left to fend for themselves.

Indians in a fix

Teachers and hospital technicians usually receive salaries around 15,000 Rufiyaa (MVR), whereas nurses earn approximately 20,000 MVR, with doctors receiving even higher salaries. They wouldnt have been affected if they were paid in USD. Sadly, only those working in the tourism industry get their salaries in dollar.

The remittance cap: Story so far

In the last decade, high-salary employees were permitted to send home amounts ranging from $700 to $1,200depending on their profession. They could send at least $500 allowed in the first half of the month, and another $200 in the second half. But the Maldives, a tourist hotbed, was struck hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and as a consequence, the SBI not only ended the mid-month remittance option but also brought down the total transferable sum to $1,000.

While the situation was still somehow manageable for Indians initially, the real blow came in 2024 when the SBI further brought down the outward remittance cap to $400 for all professions. Earlier this month, the limit was drastically reduced again: Indians can now send just $150 to their kina sum that is less than 15% of what they earn.

"Indian teachers are the worst hit group. It is sad that our countrymen in the resort and other hospitality employees, who get paid in dollars are not understanding our peril. Since teachers don't have such privileges, we will lose a great percentage of our hard-earned money to the private agencies. Thus, SBI becoming reasonable is our only hope. It is also shameful that only Indians are being affected by the move despite Maldives' organised sectors including workers from most of our neighbouring countries," said Kevin Jacob, a senior teacher from Dhidhdhoo island.

What is SBI saying?

The SBI, in a notification, meanwhile, blamed the low inflow of foreign exchange for the situation. "As the inflow of foreign exchange to SBI remains very low, we are unable to sustain the current salary remittance limits provided to Indian expatriates. Please be assured that we are closely monitoring the situation and will review these limits periodically. Our endeavour is to restore normal limits as soon as the foreign exchange availability improves, it said.

Emotional and financial toll

Most of us have school-going children, ill parents, and pending loans and EMIs. The whole reason for people leaving the comfort of homes behind to work in a foreign land is for the well-being of their families. What is the point of us toiling here if the benefits of our sweat are not accessible to them? Kerala-native Anjana Joseph, a registered nurse at Ha Alif Atoll Hospital, said.

There is a huge demand for Indian doctors, nurses, and teachers in Maldives, and recruitment agencies involved charge candidates up to a few lakhs. Most people depend on bank loans or alternative credit options to find this sum in the hope of repaying it once they start earning. The new capping by the SBI has come as a bolt from the blue for most people.

There are several recent joiners at our hospital who owe a few lakh rupees as a part of their travel. With the restrictions in place, how can they manage? Do you think new recruits will arrive with the issue persisting? It can affect the medical sector altogether, Anjana asked.

What is happening in Maldives?

As per reports, the Maldives is under significant stress, struggling to rebuild its foreign exchange reserves to meet debt obligations. The capping on dollar remittance was part of efforts to increase the country's foreign exchange reserve. Major repayments are due in the coming years, with a large repayment is expected in 2026.

Meanwhile, Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), the country's banking regulator, has reportedly introduced new regulations under which transactions made in foreign currency outside the exempted categories can now attract fines ranging from 10,000 MVR to 1 million MVR (57,500 to 57.5 lakh), according to an Onmanorama report.

Such steps will fan the flames of black markets, an Indian radiographer, who is working in the Maldives for 20 years, pointed out. This is not rocket science. When you are restricted from sending a decent amount to your dependants, people will be forced to look for alternatives like agencies, he said.

"Most of these teachers send money home to support their families. And yet, theyve been here for years, teaching our kids with so much care and commitment. I truly hope this decision is reviewed and reversed soon. These teachers deserve our respect and support, not added stress," Dr Aishath Ali, the former Minister of Education in the Maldives, wrote on Facebook. The NRIs feel it is an unjustified move by the SBI and the Indian High Commission needs to act.

Has the government intervened?

Given the seriousness of the issue, the High Commission has been actively and regularly engaging with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Maldives, the Maldives Monetary Authority, and the relevant Maldivian authorities as well as the concerned in India, to ameliorate the remittance challenges and help resolve the issue at the earliest. In close coordination with the State Bank of India, this week also, we have taken up the matter with the Maldivian authorities to explore ways to address the problem, an official release from the High Commission of India earlier this week read.

During the time of compiling this report, two representatives of the expats were able to meet with the High Commissioner. They expressed confidence that the discussions were progressing positively. Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu was also send a petition with the signatures of over 800 Indian expatriates, requesting a favourabile action.

Earlier, NoRKA-Roots, the field agency of the Kerala governments Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NoRKA), had confirmed that the issue was brought to their notice and they were about to notify the Ministry of External Affairs of the same. The issue needed to be sorted out at the bilateral level, NoRKA-Roots officials reportedly told The Hindu.

On October 16, Lok Sabha MP representing Ernakulam, Hibi Eden, had written to the High Commissioner of India requesting action. Later, many prominent politicians across party lines have extended their support to the NRIs in the archipelagic nation.
Kathmandu, Oct 30 (PTI) Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava has met Nepal's Communication and IT Minister Jagadish Kharel and they discussed the historical relationship between the two countries, bilateral cooperation and the current situation.

During the meeting at the ministrys office at Singhdurbar on Wednesday, the two sides also discussed projects being implemented in Nepal under India's assistance, according to the ministry sources.

The two sides discussed historic relations between the two neighbouring countries, bilateral cooperation and the current situation, they said.

Kharel, who is also the government's spokesperson, informed the Indian diplomat that conducting the ensuring general election in a free and fair manner, tackling corruption and promoting good governance are the government's top priorities, they said.

Kharel told Srivastava that the government has initiated tripartite dialogue among the government, Gen Z youths and representatives of the political parties with a view to creating a conducive environment for the March 5 general election, sources said.

Srivastava congratulated Kharel on his appointment as the minister for communication and expressed India's commitment to assist Nepal as per its needs.

"Government of India is willing to provide financial and technical assistance to Nepal for the country's economic transformation and attaining prosperity, the ambassador was quoted as saying by the sources.

Kharel also separately met with US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson and Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song on Wednesday.
GSK boss Emma Walmsley has warned Chancellor Rachel Reeves against tinkering with the pharma industrys tax regime as the UK drugs giant raised profits and sales forecasts for the year.

The pharma chief executive, who steps down at the end of 2025, said it was absolutely critical to incentivise investment, including maintaining tax credits on research and development.

The more important area of focus for us is to make sure that nothing happens that hampers UK competitiveness in terms of changes to tax measures, Walmsley said.

She added that the tax credit scheme, which lets firms reduce corporation tax bills if they invest in developing products, was really key for GSK to keep investing in Britain.

The comments came as the FTSE 100 firm delivered strong results for the three months to September.

Sales rose 8 per cent to 8.5billion, and profits were up 11 per cent to nearly 3billion.

Warning: Outgoing GSK boss Emma Walmsley (pictured) said it was absolutely critical that the government incentivise investment in the sector

Revenues were driven by a 13 per cent rise in sales of shingles vaccine Shingrix, with high demand in Europe offsetting a slowdown in the US.

It also raked in more from HIV and cancer drugs, where sales rose 12 per cent and 39 per cent respectively.

Sales for the year so far are up 6 per cent to 24billion, with profits up 9 per cent to 8.1billion.

It expects revenues for the year to rise by between 6 per cent and 7 per cent, while profits are predicted to grow 9 per cent to 11 per cent compared to prior predictions of 6 per cent to 8 per cent.

GSK shares rose 6.6 per cent, or 108p, to 1752p on the back of the results.

Sheena Berry, healthcare analyst at Quilter Cheviot, said that as Walmsleys replacement will be Luke Miels, the companys chief commercial officer, performance was expected to be more of the same but rows over drug pricing made it difficult to predict future sales.

Walmsley is stepping down after nine years at the helm, during which she spearheaded a major shake-up to focus more directly on developing ground-breaking drugs.

A major milestone came in 2022 when the consumer healthcare arm Haleon,

the manufacturer of Sensodyne toothpaste, was split off as a separate company in a blockbuster stock market float in London.
Average home insurance premiums fell by 13 per cent year-on-year in September, data seen by the Daily Mail shows.

The average annual cost of buildings and contents insurance was 197 in September 2025, down 29 from 226 in September 2024.

The most significant reductions in home insurance costs were seen in the North East of England, where average prices fell from 179 to 152, comparison website Compare the Market said.

Average home insurance premiums also fell 15 per cent from 205 to 175 for the year.

In the North West of England, homeowners typically forked out 172 for home insurance, down 14 per cent from 201 in September 2024.

The only location where average home insurance premiums increased rather than fell year-on-year was Northern Ireland, according to Compare the Market, which based its data on quotes given to customers searching for home insurance.

Down: Average home insurance premiums fell by 13% year-on-year in September, data shows

In Northern Ireland, average home insurance stood at a hefty 482, up from 445 a year ago.

While Northern Ireland had the most expensive home insurance premiums, premiums in Yorkshire and the Humber and Greater London were also shown to be costly, averaging 328 and 308 respectively.

> Read more: How to get cheaper home insurance

The most affordable regions for home insurance in the year were the North East and the East of England, with average annual premiums of 152 and 159 respectively.

Homeowners in the West Midlands also enjoyed affordable premiums, which came in at 169 for a year, down from 197 last year.

Make sure you're covered for wet weather

Compare the Market said price shouldn't be the sole focus when choosing a policy and that it was still important to make sure your insurance covers everything you might need.

It pointed to Met Office warnings of a 'wetter than average' autumn, with parts of the country seeing nearly double average rainfall levels in September.

Homeowners should check their insurance policies to ensure they provide adequate cover, particularly if a property is located in an area at a higher risk of flooding.

The cost of alternative accommodation, flood damage to a property left unoccupied for a certain period, and damage to fences, gates, or hedges are some of the exclusions that could be worth looking out for when reviewing policy documents.

Sam Wilson, an expert at Compare the Market, said: 'Its encouraging to see home insurance premiums falling.

'However, while lower costs should be welcome news for homeowners, its important not to focus on price alone.

'With forecasts of unsettled weather ahead, households should check that their policies offer the right levels of cover for their needs.

'It's also a good idea to shop around and compare deals as they may get a better price on their premium.

'Taking a few minutes to review your cover and comparing them against different policies online could make a difference.'

Insurers paid out 1.6billion in claims during between April and June this year, according to the Association of British Insurers.

The average property claim came in at 6,200, with adverse weather driving a significant proportion of claims.

What to do if your home insurance premium rises

Not everyone will see their home insurance premium fall, particularly if you let it renew automatically rather than searching for the best deal.

One reader told the Daily Mail this week that their home insurance renewal quote had been hiked by more than 200 for seemingly no clear reason.

There are a number of steps you can take if you are facing a higher home insurance premium, however.

1. Always shop around

Staying loyal to one insurance brand is typically a poor option for consumers.

Comparison websites can be a good place to start searching for a new deal, but make sure you delve into the detail of a policy to ensure it is adequate for your needs.

Make sure you check customer reviews carefully before selecting your insurer.

2. Renew early if you can

Few people like dealing with home insurance quotes, but leaving everything to the last minute is not a good idea.

This is because insurers will generally charge you more for a policy taken out at the last minute.

When possible, try to arrange your new cover weeks rather than days in advance of it being needed.

3. Don't automatically renew

Insurers benefit from people who automatically renew their home insurance with the same provider year after year.

However, consumers who do this will not always be getting the best deal. In fact, homeowners often only see savings if they do not auto-renew.

If a renewal quote is higher than you were expecting, phone the provider up and try to haggle the price down. Not all insurers are open to haggling any more, but it is always worth giving it a go.

Make use of any multi-policy discounts if they are available via your insurer. Some insurers give homeowners a discount if they take out a home insurance and car insurance policy with them - but again, make sure the cover offers what you need.

You will need to accurately calculate your homes rebuild cost and contents value to avoid paying more than you need to.

If your existing insurer will not budge on price, vote with your feet and switch providers.

4. Pay annually

It is best to pay home insurance premiums on an annual rather than monthly basis.

Paying monthly can be more manageable for some people, but sometimes comes at a higher price.

Paying for your home insurance in full for the year avoids interest charges and finance fees from monthly payments.

5. Don't scrimp excessively

If the worst happens and something happens to your home, you will want to know you have adequate cover in place.

There is no point in getting the cheapest policy available if it does not cover your needs.

A higher excess may give you a lower premium initially, but if you make a claim, you will have been better off securing a lower excess in the first place. A lower excess will usually increase the cost of your policy.

If you have high value items you want to be included in a policy, or want extras like accidental cover included, you will normally need to pay more. If this gives you peace of mind, it will be worth paying for in the long run.
Extreme Networks is touting the benefits of Wi-Fi 7, the latest iteration of the technology and only the second to make use of spectrum in the 6GHz band, but the ACMA has not made the full band available, despite years of lobbying by bodies representing the Wi-Fi industry.

Extreme Networks said global enterprises across multiple verticals were adopting Wi-Fi 7 to increase network efficiency, reduce downtime, and support the growing demands of modern business applications.

It named several customers, including Australias Barker College. The colleges Head of ICT, James Stewart, said, "Barker College selected Extremes WiFi 7 to replace an aging Wi-Fi 5 solution to deliver seamless, alwayson, highcapacity connectivity across our K12 learning environments. It has met and exceeded the requirements to support a very large student body and advanced classroom technologies like immersive learning, AI, interactive lessons, and smart classrooms.

With the Extreme Wi-Fi 7 solution the school has gained the speed, reliability, and capacity to power nextgeneration learning and digital innovation for every learner and support the complex operations that support this.

Wi-Fi 7 and its immediate predecessor, Wi-Fi 6e, are the first able to use spectrum in the 6GHz band, designated internationally as frequencies in the range 5925MHz to 7125MHz. WiFi 6, and 6e, took the maximum throughput from 6.9gbps with Wi-Fi 5 to 6.9gpbs. WiFi 7 delivered a massive boost, to 46Gbps because, unlike earlier versions, it is able make use of multiple wireless channels simultaneously.

And, for some time at least the 6GHz will be much less crowded than 5GHz and the original Wi-Fi frequency of 2.4GHz.

In the US the full 6GHz band is available for Wi-Fi. In Australia, the ACMA made the lower portion of the 6GHz band (5925MHz to 6425MHz) available for Wi-Fi in 2022 and has just added another 100MHz, increasing the range to 6525MHz.

This wil not satisfy Wi-Fi industry lobby groups. The UK based Dynamic Spectrum Alliance has for years been pushing the ACMA to make the full 6GHz band available for Wi-Fi. In August 2024 it issued a 105 page report commissioned from Telecom Advisory Services (TSA): Assessment the economic value of 6GHz spectrum band in Australia.

TSA had calculated that allocation of the full 6GHz band to Wi-Fi would make a contribution to Australias GDP over the ten years to 2034 of $US1.22 billion ($A1.87b). With only the lower 500MHz band allocated to Wi-Fi TSA estimated the GDP contribution would fall to $US963.4 million ($A1.48 billion).

And in the US, where the full 6GHz band is available for WiFi but there are moves to reduce this, industry lobby groups have issued dire warnings of the consequences. Lobby group, Wireless Forward said such a move would impose an avoidable drag on productivity growth precisely when US firms are accelerating digital transformation and reshoring advanced manufacturing.
Democratic gubernatorial nominees Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey appear on track to counter Trump's inroads in upscale suburbs. That alone makes both women - especially Spanberger - the favorites in states that house large numbers of college graduates (and also usually elect governors from the party that's out of the White House).

Less clear is whether either woman can dislodge the beachheads Trump established for Republicans with working-class minorities. That may be a more important long-term question for the party - and the most revealing sign sent by the 2025 results.

Of the two discouraging trends for Democrats in 2024, the erosion among suburban professionals was the most surprising. Between 2016 and 2024, the movement of college-educated voters of all races away from the GOP had been among the most powerful trends in US politics.

But Vice President Kamala Harris fell short of President Joe Biden's 2020 margins in well-educated suburbs nationwide, including in New Jersey and Virginia. (Harris, for instance, barely squeezed past 50% in highly educated Bergen County, the weakest 21st-century showing there for a Democratic presidential nominee.) Mike DuHaime, a veteran New Jersey Republican strategist, says that erosion reflected the pervasive view that Democrats had mismanaged the economy under Biden. Suburban voters "are tolerant on the social issues but they don't think they should distract you from the economy," he told me.

Now, though, Trump is the focal point for continuing frustration over high prices. Even more important, college-educated voters consistently express the most alarm in polls about his moves to centralize presidential authority and shred constitutional safeguards.

Winsome Earle-Sears and Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican gubernatorial nominees in Virginia and New Jersey, have responded by highlighting cultural wedge issues that have historically benefited Republicans, particularly concerns relating to transgender students. But both have bound themselves so tightly to Trump - "I think he's right about everything that he's doing," Ciattarelli declared in a recent debate - that they are unlikely to escape that undertow. (Earle-Sears faces further challenges with college-educated voters, both because she's an ardent social conservative and because Northern Virginia has been hit so hard by the Elon Musk-led DOGE cutbacks in federal employment and contracting.) Polls show a majority of all voters in both states disapprove of Trump's job performance, and nearly nine-in-ten of those disapprovers are backing the Democratic candidates.

Against that backdrop, neither Republican may match Trump's 2024 performance in the upscale suburbs of their respective states, which now include large populations of financially comfortable college graduates, both White and non-White, especially in Virginia. They may not even match the GOP's showing in those places in the 2021 gubernatorial races, when Republican Glenn Youngkin won in Virginia and Ciattarelli fell narrowly to Democratic Governor Phil Murphy. "Those [suburban] doors are not closed, it's just that generally you have to run a perfect game to win [them] in Virginia and some of the factors you don't control," said Virginia Republican strategist Zack Roday, in comments echoed by DuHaime about New Jersey.

Much less certain is whether Spanberger and Sherrill can recover with the blue-collar Black, Hispanic and Asian-American voters who represented Trump's most important addition to the GOP coalition nationwide in 2024. Those gains were especially head-turning in New Jersey: Geoffrey Skelley of the Decision Desk HQ website recently calculated that Trump's biggest New Jersey gains came in areas with the largest non-White populations. In the heavily Hispanic communities of Passaic, Paterson, Elizabeth and Perth Amboy, Trump ran about 30 percentage points better in 2024 than in 2020. In heavily Black communities such as Newark, Trenton and Camden, he improved by double digits.

Spanberger and Sherrill have each centered their campaigns on "affordability" issues headlined by utility bills and health-care costs, which reflect the emerging Democratic party consensus about the best way to reconnect with working class voters of all races. Yet they are cautious centrists, not populists. Each has represented an affluent suburban House district. Each remains an imperfect fit for the urban, working-class voters of color who have strayed toward Trump.

Lauren Victoria Burke, publisher of Black Virginia News, told me that although the Black community "is not crazy with excitement" about Spanberger, she believes the Democrat will get the margins she needs because "if you are trying to send a message to Donald Trump, this is your moment." Likewise, Nedia Morsy, director of Make the Road Action New Jersey, a group that organizes Hispanics, predicts that "while there is some disillusionment" with Democrats, discontent over prices and anger over Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement will move enough of those voters to back Sherrill. On both fronts, she says, Hispanics "are living the untruths" of what Trump promised in 2024.

But Tory Gavito, president of Way to Win, a group that works to elect progressive candidates of color, cautions that it may be difficult for Spanberger and Sherrill to regain non-White working-class voters. Those voters are "a tougher bind for Democrats," Gavito told me. "Because we don't have to convince them that life is tough; you have to convince them that Democrats are going to do something about it."

Improving among working-class voters of color in 2025 wouldn't guarantee a Democratic recovery with them in 2026 or 2028, since Trump made his biggest gains last year among low-propensity voters who are the least likely to turn out for an odd-year governor's race.

But if Spanberger and Sherrill fail to improve with minority blue-collar voters after so heavily stressing affordability, that would be a troubling sign for their party, no matter the overall outcome.

Spanberger heads into the final days with a more secure advantage than Sherrill, but even if both women triumph, how they get over the top will be nearly as revealing as whether they do.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Ronald Brownstein is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. He is also a CNN analyst and previously worked for The Atlantic, The National Journal and the Los Angeles Times. He has won multiple professional awards and is the author or editor of seven books.
A mysterious bright object spotted in Irish skies was likely the debris from an Elon Musk rocket, experts have said.

The strange burst of light seen from various parts of Ireland on Wednesday night had surprised many people who questioned its origin.

It was described as having a halo, and of moving at slightly varying speed by some on social media platform X.

Experts and amateur stargazers deduced the distracting light was the ejection of fuel from a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which launched from Florida on Wednesday.

SpaceX, owned by tech billionaire and worlds richest man Mr Musk, operate a series of low-earth orbit satellites for Starlink, an international satellite telecommunications service.

The bright light was said to be caused by the process of excess rocket fuel being ejected and freezing, then reflecting light back to earth.

The path and the trajectory of the rocket matches the reported sightings over Ireland, experts said.

Space commentator Leo Enright said ejecting fuel from rockets was a normal occurrence.

Falcon 9 launches 29 @Starlink satellites from Florida pic.twitter.com/sxFIRM0tBg  SpaceX (@SpaceX) October 29, 2025

If they keep the fuel in the rocket there is a danger that it will explode and shower debris, so it is a standard practice now for space companies to vent fuel, Mr Enright told the PA news agency.

It does look spectacular if it happens at a particular time of the day, when the viewer down on earth is in darkness or near darkness and the rocket stage is in light.

He said the view is often more spectacular than was seen on Wednesday night because the ejected fuel can be seen rotating.

When the stage is rotating you get a truly extraordinary spiral effect that makes it look like a galaxy.

Asked why the spectacle had not grabbed attention in Ireland previously, he said: The lighting, thats the reason.

Its all to do with lighting, and also honestly seeing anything from Ireland is a challenge.

So Im sure its happened in the sky and we just couldnt see it because of cloud.

Mr Enright also said there was an irony to the sighting because astronomers from around the world are meeting in Westport, Co Mayo, this week to discuss the clutter effect of satellites causing congestion in the skies.

Astronomers are extremely annoyed about the effect this is having on their ability to look at the stars, he said.

These damn satellites are getting in the way and the problem is getting worse and worse.

He said that some months ago a big chunk from a SpaceX rocket fell harmlessly in a field in Poland.

The reason why Ireland is quite vulnerable (to space debris) is that we are, generally speaking, at the highest point on the map of the launch trajectory of the rockets out of Cape Canaveral (in Florida).

So its never been an issue up to now because rockets were only launching once a week, maybe, now theyre launching virtually once a day out of Cape Canaveral with the SpaceX rockets.

AirNav Ireland has been contacted for comment.
Aftermath report after the latest local homicide . . . Here's info that police share with local media:

Homicide 3000 Block of Bellefontaine

This afternoon about 12:20pm officers were dispatched to a residence in the 3000 block of Bellefontaine on a shooting call.



On arrival officers were led inside the residence where they located an adult male shooting victim unresponsive.



Officers called for EMS who responded to the scene and transported the victim to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.



Homicide detectives are now at the scene for investigation. They are working with Crime Scene Investigators to process the scene for evidence in the hopes of giving detectives more information about what led up to the shooting. Detectives are also canvassing for witnesses and talking with people who were at the scene when officers initially arrived.



Preliminary information indicates the shooting appears to have taken place inside or near the front of the residence there. There is no known suspect information at this time.



If anyone was in the area and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.



We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Police investigating after man shot, killed at home in east Kansas City neighborhood KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Officers with the Kansas City Police Department are investigating after a man was shot and killed in an east Kansas City neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon. According to K...

Man shot to death Wednesday afternoon in Kansas City, Missouri One man died after being shot Wednesday afternoon in a house in the 3000 block of Bellefontaine Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri.

Developing . . .
A government shutdown might be a week away and that might leave some locals without food assistance.

Accordingly . . .

We wanted to highlight so many efforts to make sure locals & youngsters have something to eat amid a political impasse . . .

Check-it . . .

"The ongoing federal government shutdown could have significant impacts for SNAP recipients starting Saturday, Nov. 1. That's when funding through the United States Department of Agriculture will lapse. The Trump Administration and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins say they won't attempt to secure temporary funding as a stopgap measure . . . People, communities and organizations across the Kansas City area are stepping up to provide help for people and families who need a hand."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

LIST | Kansas City area resources for families affected by potential SNAP benefits pause A key deadline looms this weekend for recipients of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) across the Kansas City area.

SNAP suspension impact on families raising children with disabilities As the SNAP benefit program suspension nears, businesses and organizations around the Kansas City metro are finding ways to help families impacted.

Northeast High School food pantry prepares for surge in students, families as SNAP benefits face cuts Northeast High School's food pantry expects to help even more families as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or SNAP benefits, dry up.

Kehoe directs $15.6 million in emergency food aid as government shutdown continues Gov. Mike Kehoe directs $15.6 million to Missouri food banks and senior meal programs as the federal shutdown delays SNAP benefits.

Developing . . .
Lots of things to consider for late night & early morning readers as we share our reading and invite your insights by way of pop culture, community reporting and top headlines.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Jamaican Me Sentimental

Kansas City metro nonprofit helps Jamaica recover from hurricane A nonprofit with ties to the Kansas City metro survives the massive hurricane that pummeled Jamaica.

Cowtown Crafts Solution

Kansas City mom's 'KartWheel' invention created to improve safety at grocery stores The KartWheel is designed to stop shopping carts from rolling away.

Dressing Up New Arrivals

NICU babies celebrate Halloween at Kansas City area hospitals KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Tiny Chiefs players, condiments and video game characters filled area NICUs this week as some of Kansas City's smallest patients celebrated their very first Halloween. Parents were able to pick out a special costume for their baby to celebrate the holiday.

Maybe Solidarity

Kansas congressional delegation refuses pay during government shutdown U.S. lawmakers who represent Kansas are withholding salaries in solidarity with federal workers.

Local Celeb Gear Up

Swifties made her work famous; Now this KC maker has opened a fourth retail shop Sales jumped after Taylor Swift was seen wearing one of EB and Co.'s rings at a key moment in the popstar's high-profile romance with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The jolt of exposure helped propel the brand's expansion - most recently the opening of a fourth shop in downtown Lee's Summit.

Alleged Soundtrack . . .

Luigi Mangione is listening to Taylor Swift and Charli XCX in prison In a newly released letter allegedly sent to a fan by Mangione, he said he'd given Swift and Charli XCX a listen in the prison yard - until a fellow inmate stepped in.

Fast Deal For Far East?!?

Trump-Xi meeting wraps up in less than two hours Trump described Xi as a "friend" and "great leader" whom it was an "honor" to meet.

MAGA Levels Up Flex

Trump directs Pentagon to 'immediately' start testing US nuclear weapons US president references China and Russia in Truth Social post shortly before meeting with President Xi Jinping

Vlad Dives Deep

Putin hails successful test of nuclear-powered underwater torpedo Putin announced successful Poseidon nuclear drone testing as President Donald Trump urged Russia to end the Ukraine war instead of testing missiles on Monday.

GOP Crosses Aisle Amid Trade War

Four Republicans vote with Democrats in effort to end Trump tariffs on Canada | CNN Politics The Senate passed a resolution aimed at ending President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, with four Republicans joining Democrats to rebuke the administration's trade policies a day after they voted to terminate tariffs on Brazil.

Deuce Debates NextGen

Vance spars with college students at Turning Point USA event Vice President Vance on Wednesday went toe-to-toe with college students at the University of Mississippi in a nod to his friend and the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Vance and Erika Kirk addressed thousands of students at an arena on the university's campus as part of a Turning Point USA tour.

J6 Turnabout At DOJ

US prosecutors suspended after calling January 6 defendants 'mob of rioters,' sources say The U.S. Justice Department placed two prosecutors on leave on Wednesday, hours after they referred to Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, as "a mob of rioters" in a sentencing memo, said four people familiar with the matter.

Protest Charges Against Contender

Democratic House candidate Kat Abughazaleh indicted over ICE confrontation The 26-year-old called the indictment "a political prosecution and a gross attempt at silencing dissent."

Scare Around The World

Sudan war: WHO chief hits out over reports of mass killings in el-Fasher hospital Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was "appalled" by reports that 460 civilians had been killed in el-Fasher.

TV Glory Daze Return?!?

Christina Applegate to Join 'Married With Children' Stars In One-Night-Only Cast Reunion Event That Won't Be Televised "An Evening with The Bundys: The Married With Children Cast Reunion" will take place at Los Angeles' Wiltern Theatre on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026.

Struggle Against End Game

How Manhattan-sized 3I/ATLAS comet could actually help protect Earth from future asteroids Contrary to allegations that 31/ATLAS is potentially hostile alien tech, the Manhattan-size comet could provide invaluable intel on other potentially hazardous objects.

Election Power Rises

As a voter, you'll never be more powerful than in the Nov. 4 election If you do the math, the Tuesday, Nov. 4, election for city and school offices is when you'll have the most clout in deciding the outcome.

Crafting Local Tribute

Movie based on America's first Black female millionaire premiers in Kansas City The true story of Sarah Rector, a young Black female millionaire who lived in Kansas City in her later years.

Weekend Planning Already

Thirteen Things To Do In KC This Weekend, October 30-November 2 Here are thirteen things to do in KC this weekend, October 30-November 2 including Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Lakecia Benjamin and Dracula.

Tribute To Local Hero

Residents honor Liberty firefighter who died of cancer The Liberty community came together Wednesday afternoon to remember the life of Raymond McElwee.

Pumpkin Spice Forecast Tonight

Cool and dry for the next few days; frost advisory issued for Kansas City metro overnight Thursday After several days of clouds and off-and-on rain, clouds will start to thin out over the next few days.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
A neat glimpse at heartland creativity that offers a worthwhile distraction fro all of the rage-bait driving so much political & cultural discussion . . . Check-it:

Stan Herd has sculpted similar images for more than 30 years in places like Brazil, China, and Cuba. His earthworks are giant installations best seen from above.



Young Woman of Mexico, which he is carefully tending on land in Linwood, Kansas, has quickly become a favorite. Linwood is about 30 miles west of Kansas City near DeSoto.



Ive never done anything that feels more relevant to the time right now, Herd said.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .


(Photo-illustration from licensed Shutterstock account)

No one is issued a Glock when they move to Florida, unfortunately. Florida's state gun laws are good, but not that good, at least not yet.

The Gunshine State only recently legalized open carry, which was decades overdue. However, it was never passed by our state lawmakers and was never signed by the governor into law. Instead, Florida's gun community legalized open-carry without using lawmakers.

After open carry became law, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier quickly warned all state prosecutors and every state law enforcement agency about the case, McDaniels v. State, in which the First District Court of Appeal struck down Florida's ban on the open carry of arms.

The Attorney General also told the group they should "refrain from arresting or prosecuting law-abiding citizens carrying a firearm in a manner that is visible to others."

Most cities reacted well to the new law. However, there were a few Democratic strongholds scattered throughout the state that did not take the news well at all. Their reactions may have violated the law. 
TURKISH AIRLINES SEAT SELECTION POLICY: FEES, OPTIONS, AND FAQ Industry: Airlines

Call Tours N Travel Pro at +1-866-679-5070 for guidance on Turkish Airlines seat selection, online booking, and best seat options for your flight.



(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED STATES - October 30th, 2025 - Flying comfortably begins with choosing the right seat. Turkish Airlines offers a flexible Turkish Airlines Seat Selection Policy that allows travelers to pick seats according to their preferences, class of service, and budget. From economy to business class, online seat selection to in-airport choices, understanding the policy can save you money and ensure a smoother travel experience. In this guide, well explain everything about Turkish Airlines seat booking, including seat maps, fees, online selection options, economy class seating, and frequently asked questions. Quick Overview of Turkish Airlines Seat Selection Seat selection availability: Available online, at the airport, and via customer service.

Fees: Depending on route and class, a Turkish Airlines seat selection fee may apply.

Classes: Economy, Business, and Premium Economy have different seat selection options.

Online booking: Seats can be pre-selected via Turkish Airlines website or mobile app.

Seat map reference: A Turkish Airlines seat map helps passengers choose ideal seats.  For personalized assistance with seat booking and fee guidance, contact Tours N Travel Pro at +1-866-679-5070. Understanding the Turkish Airlines Seat Selection Policy The Turkish Airlines Seat Selection Policy allows passengers to reserve a preferred seat before check-in. This ensures travelers can: Choose a window or aisle seat.

Avoid middle seats if desired.

Reserve extra legroom seats in economy or business class. Seat selection depends on your ticket type, route, and fare class. Some tickets include free seat selection, while others may require a seat selection fee. Types of Seats on Turkish Airlines Turkish Airlines offers various types of seats across aircraft: Economy Class Seats Standard legroom seating with reclining options.

Extra legroom seats are available for a fee.

Ideal for budget-conscious travelers. Business Class Seats Lie-flat or angled-flat seats depending on aircraft.

Free seat selection included.

Premium service with priority boarding and meal options. Premium Economy Seats (on select routes) Wider seats with extra legroom.

Limited availability; often subject to additional seat selection fees. Turkish Airlines Seat Booking Options Turkish Airlines provides multiple ways to select a seat: 1. Online Seat Selection Available on the Turkish Airlines official website or mobile app.

Passengers can view a Turkish Airlines seat map for the aircraft.

Seats can be booked up to 24 hours before the flight for most routes.

Some economy class seats may incur a seat selection fee. 2. At the Airport Seat selection is available at check-in counters.

No additional fees may apply if seats are still available.

Recommended for last-minute travelers or passengers with flexible seating preferences. 3. Customer Service Assistance Seats can be reserved through Turkish Airlines customer support.

Helpful for families, groups, or passengers needing special assistance. Turkish Airlines Seat Selection Fee The seat selection fee depends on route, class, and ticket type: Economy Class: Standard seats may be free on some fare types; preferred or extra legroom seats often carry a fee.

Business Class: Seat selection is free.

Online Seat Selection Fee: Charged if seats are booked in advance for certain economy tickets. Passengers should check during booking or call Tours N Travel Pro at +1-866-679-5070 for exact fees applicable to their route. Using the Turkish Airlines Seat Map The Turkish Airlines seat map provides a visual representation of the aircraft layout: Shows the location of window, aisle, and middle seats.

Indicates exit row and extra legroom seats.

Helps identify premium seating in economy class. Passengers can use the seat map to make informed choices and avoid unwanted seats. Seat Selection for Economy Class For economy travelers: Standard seats may be free depending on the ticket.

Extra legroom or preferred seats usually incur a Turkish Airlines seat selection fee .

Passengers traveling with family or groups can pre-select seats to sit together. Tips for Economy Travelers: Check-in early to increase chances of preferred seat assignment.

Use the Turkish Airlines seat map to identify exit row or bulkhead seats for extra comfort.

Consider paid seat upgrades if traveling on a long-haul flight. Business and Premium Seats Business class passengers enjoy free seat selection .

Lie-flat or angled-flat seats enhance comfort on long-haul flights.

Premium economy seats, if available, can be booked in advance online. Online Seat Selection Process Booking a seat online is straightforward: Visit the Turkish Airlines website or app. Enter booking reference and passenger details. Access the seat map for your flight. Choose your preferred seat. Pay any applicable seat selection fee. Online seat selection allows passengers to secure ideal seats well before departure, avoiding last-minute surprises. Special Considerations for Seat Selection Families with children: Pre-assign seats to sit together.

Passengers with special needs: Inform Turkish Airlines to get suitable seating.

Frequent flyers: Loyalty program members may have access to premium seats or free upgrades. Common FAQs About Turkish Airlines Seat Selection Q1: How can I select a seat for free on Turkish Airlines?

Passengers can select free seats online if included in their ticket type or at airport check-in if available. Q2: How much does the Turkish Airlines seat selection fee cost?

Fees vary depending on route, class, and seat type. Preferred and extra legroom seats typically incur a fee. Q3: Can I select seats for all passengers in my booking?

Yes, online and airport options allow group seat selection. Q4: Are exit row seats available for children?

No, exit row seats are restricted to adults who meet safety requirements. Q5: Can I change my seat after booking?

Yes, online seat selection allows changes up to 24 hours before the flight, subject to availability. Tips to Maximize Comfort During Your Flight Book early: Ensure preferred seat selection. Use seat maps: Identify aisle or window preferences. Check fees: Avoid surprises with Turkish Airlines seat selection fees. Special assistance: Contact Turkish Airlines or Tours N Travel Pro at +1-866-679-5070 for families or passengers with mobility needs. Conclusion Understanding the Turkish Airlines Seat Selection Policy can make your journey more comfortable and enjoyable. From economy to business class, online seat booking, and fees, travelers have multiple options to ensure the best travel experience. Using tools like the Turkish Airlines seat map helps plan ahead and avoid last-minute issues. For guidance on seat selection, fees, and Turkish Airlines online seat selection, reach out to Tours N Travel Pro at +1-866-679-5070. Our experts can assist with bookings, preferred seating, and ensuring your travel experience is seamless. ### Please contact the person or company listed above for information regarding the content of this press release. TravPR.com are not the issuers of this press release and are not responsible for the accuracy of the content. Share Release :



CONTACT INFORMATION Name: Andrew Son Company: Tours n Travel Pro Phone: 8666795070 Email: toursntravelpro30@gmail.com Web: PRESS RELEASE TAGS
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 31. As part of the "Fly to Baku. Art Weekend. Sense the Future NOW" arts festival, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the IDEA Public Union in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, the Unfinished Life exhibition has opened at the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan. The event is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Tofig Javadov (19251963), one of the most original artists in the history of Azerbaijani visual art.

Tofig Javadovs name is forever inscribed in the countrys artistic chronicle as a symbol of free thought, creative search, and the inner fire of inspiration. His painting challenged established artistic canons, and he himself became one of the unique artists of his era, whose work anticipated new aesthetic directions and spiritual meanings. Despite his short lifeonly 38 yearsJavadov left behind an entire epoch filled with the energy of renewal and a profound philosophy of color.

At the opening ceremony, speeches were delivered by Director of the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan, Honored Cultural Worker Shirin Melikova; Chairman of the Union of Artists of Azerbaijan, Peoples Artist Farhad Khalilov; and art critic Rafael Gulmammadli, General Director of the Creative Association Baku Art Center.

The speakers highlighted Javadovs unique role in the development of the national school of painting, emphasizing that his legacy remains an inexhaustible source of inspiration for contemporary artists. Special attention was drawn to the museums efforts in restoring and preserving the artists works, many of which had been held in various collections for decades and are now being presented to the public for the first time.

The exhibition features more than 90 works  including paintings, graphics, and book illustrations  from the collections of the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan, the State Art Gallery, Yeni Gallery, and private collections. Some of these works are being displayed to viewers for the first time.

For the first time, the exhibition unites works from different creative periods, allowing visitors to trace the evolution of Tofig Javadovs artistic thought  from early, emotionally charged compositions to mature, philosophically refined canvases, where every brushstroke becomes a meditation on life, time, and humanity.

Javadov sought to combine national motifs with avant-garde exploration, finding harmony between tradition and modernity. His paintings, rich in inner drama and symbolism, reflect not only the artists personal world but also the spiritual quest of an entire generation. Decades later, his art continues to be perceived as a dialogue between past and future  an unfinished conversation between the artist and eternity.

The Unfinished Life exhibition will be open at the National Art Museum of Azerbaijan until November 30.

From October 31 to November 2, Baku will host the "Fly to Baku. Art Weekend. Sense the Future NOW" arts festival, which brings together art, culture, and ecology. The project is organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the IDEA Public Union 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.

This immersive project will transform Baku into a living space of modern creativity, dialogue, and discovery. Special focus will be given to the ecological situation of the worlds oceans and seas, presented through the language of art. The main theme of the festival  water  symbolizes life, renewal, and sustainable development. As a symbol of resilience, renewal, and collective memory, water has been chosen as the central element of Art Weekend, fostering a meaningful dialogue between Azerbaijan and the international art community.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov met with his Uzbek counterpart Bakhtiyor Saidov during his working visit to Uzbekistan, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend.

During the meeting, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, which is built on shared history, cultural ties, and mutual trust.

They also expressed readiness to expand cooperation in key areas such as trade, energy, transport, education, and connectivity, emphasizing that these efforts will contribute to peace and sustainable development across both regions.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 31. 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, Trend reports.

The 44-day second Karabakh war ended with the liberation of Azerbaijans territories from nearly 30-year Armenian occupation and the restoration of territorial integrity.

Chronicle of the 35th day of the second Karabakh war:

- President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gave an interview to the German ARD TV channel on October 28.

- The territory of Tartar, Aghdam, and Agjabadi districts came under artillery fire.

- The Defense Ministry has announced the latest situation on the frontline as of October 31. The list of destroyed military equipment of Armenian troops has been announced. In response to the artillery fire at Gubadli district, a return fire was opened at Armenian troops.

- Qiyameddinli village of Agjabadi districts was fired upon. Armenian Armed Forces tried to lay the groundwork for future provocations by bringing phosphorus-laden cargo in the direction of Khojavend.

- A video of the destruction of equipment and manpower of Armenian troops has been released.

- Fighting continued in the direction of Aghdara, Khojavend, Gubadli.

- The reconnaissance and sabotage group of the Armenian Armed Forces was destroyed, and a video of the destruction of two military vehicles was released.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. The head of the Balaken district executive authority, Islam Rzayev, has been dismissed from his post, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed the relevant decree.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. A delegation of the Federal National Council (FNC) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), led by its Speaker Saqr Ghobash, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, visited the Azerbaijani Parliament on October 30, the parliamentary press service told Trend.

The delegation toured the parliamentary chamber and visited the Heydar Aliyev Museum, where Saqr Ghobash signed the memorial book. Later, Speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament Sahiba Gafarova held a one-on-one meeting with the UAE FNC Speaker, followed by expanded talks between both delegations.

Speaker Gafarova expressed appreciation for the UAEs participation in the International Parliamentary Conference dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Azerbaijans Constitution on October 29 and commended Saqr Ghobashs speech at the event. She emphasized that the UAE Speakers first official visit to Azerbaijan would significantly contribute to strengthening friendship, cooperation, and inter-parliamentary ties between the two nations.

The sides highlighted the strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and the UAE, underpinned by historical, cultural, and religious ties, and praised the dynamic development of bilateral relations. They also underscored the importance of high-level visits, political dialogue, and the growing cooperation in fields such as renewable energy, where joint large-scale projects play a vital role.

For his part, Saqr Ghobash expressed satisfaction with his first official visit to Azerbaijan and his participation in the conference, noting that the UAE attaches great importance to developing relations with Azerbaijan. He shared his impressions from his meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, emphasizing that the relationship between the two countries is based on mutual respect, trust, and genuine friendship, serving the interests of both nations.

During the convening, both parties engaged in a dialogue regarding the prevailing conditions and future trajectories of inter-parliamentary synergy and deliberated on the operationalization of the Memorandum of Understanding on Parliamentary Collaboration previously ratified between the two legislative bodies.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Ali Asadov, met on October 30 with Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to discuss the further development of bilateral relations, the Cabinet of Ministers told Trend.

The meeting highlighted that, thanks to the joint efforts of President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE, relations between the two countries have reached a high level of development and continue to progress dynamically.

Moreover, it was noted that the signing of the "Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates" in September this year marked a new stage in bilateral relations.

The sides underlined the importance of maintaining effective cooperation and mutual support within international organizations. The role of parliamentary diplomacy was also emphasized, noting that reciprocal visits and the activities of friendship groups in both parliaments play an important role in strengthening comprehensive cooperation.

In the course of the meeting, the sides discussed prospects for mutually beneficial collaboration in trade and economy, investment, renewable energy, oil and gas, information technologies, artificial intelligence, and other key sectors.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Work with Religious Organizations, met with Safi Arpagus, Chairman of the Directorate of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye, to discuss further cooperation in the fields of religion and education on October 30, Trend reports via the State Committee.

At the meeting, the sides emphasized that the fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye have deep historical roots, and the political will of the leaders of the two countries provides a strong foundation for developing cooperation.

Mammadov congratulated Safi Arpagus on his appointment and expressed confidence that collaboration between the two brotherly nations in the religious sphere will continue to expand. He highlighted that President Ilham Aliyev prioritizes the protection and promotion of national spiritual values, cultural heritage, traditions, and customs, ensuring religious freedom in Azerbaijan. Mammadov also noted that mutual understanding and effective cooperation among religious communities in Azerbaijan have been strengthening each year, contributing to a unique and successful model of state-religion relations that supports religious communities, education, and modern initiatives.

Safi Arpagus underscored that the brotherly and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Turkiye provides wide opportunities for deepening cooperation, particularly in religious education, enlightenment, and personnel training.

Furthermore, the meeting also addressed joint projects on multiculturalism and tolerance, strategies to combat religious radicalism and extremism, and the enhancement of scientific and educational collaboration between the Azerbaijan Institute of Theology and Turkiyes Directorate of Religious Affairs Academy.

The meeting was also attended by Rashad Mammadov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Turkiye.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. The open court session regarding criminal cases against citizens of the Republic of Armeniaaccused of crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, including the preparation and conduct of aggressive war, genocide, violation of the laws and customs of war, as well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, forcible seizure of power, forcible retention of power, and numerous other crimes resulting from Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, continued on October 30, Trend reports.

The court session, held at the Baku Military Court under the chairmanship of Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with a panel consisting of Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev (reserve judge Gunel Samadova), ensured that each accused person was provided with an interpreter in their native language, as well as lawyers for their defense.

The session was attended by the accused individuals, their defenders, a portion of the victims, their legal heirs and representatives, as well as state prosecutors.

Presiding Judge Zeynal Aghayev stated that a number of victims had applied to the court with a petition, indicating that they would be unable to participate in the court proceedings, confirming their statements given during the initial interrogation, and requesting that they be announced.

The parties did not object to the announcement of those statements in court.

Thereafter, the court continued with the examination of additional evidence submitted by the defense to the court.

During the court session, based on the petition of the accused Davit Ishkhanyan, a video material recorded after the 2020 Tovuz events (Tovuz battlesed.) was examined.

Recall that on October 24, during the court session, Ishkhanyan's lawyer had petitioned for the examination of that video.

The video, uploaded to the "YouTube" social network on August 28, 2020, was displayed. In the video material, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan awards Armenian soldiers in Sardarapat. At the event, attended by Arayik Harutyunyan, Nikol Pashinyan stated that all those awarded were active participants in the July battles.

State prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev addressed questions to the accused Arayik Harutyunyan. First, it was noted that in the video, Armenian soldiers who participated in the July battles are being awarded. "For what purpose and in what capacity were you invited to that event? On June 19, 2020, a joint Security Council meeting of the Republic of Armenia and the puppet regime was held. What was the purpose of your participation? You stated during the court interrogation that the July battles had no connection to the puppet regime. What necessity led to this meeting, and what issues were discussed?" the state prosecutor asked.

In his response, the accused stated that representatives of the puppet regime were always invited to such events held in the Republic of Armenia. At the meeting, issues related to the security of the Republic of Armenia, the readiness of the army, and possible war scenarios were discussed.

The next document examined was an interview given by the accused Levon Mnatsakanyan in Shusha on the Jidir Duzu plain to an Armenian journalist. He stated in court that he did not mention any figures regarding the loss of 400 servicemen from the "Yashma brigade" (referring to Azerbaijan's Special Forcesed.) in the interview. Upon re-examination of the video, it was determined that Mnatsakanyan, in response to the journalist's question, said: "The 'Yashma brigade' has losses close to 400."

After re-watching that part of the interview during the court session, Mnatsakanyan claimed that he did not say such words.

Following this, material submitted to the court by the defender of the accused Bako Sahakyan, Nigar Mirbabayeva, was displayed.

This was an article published online on December 1, 2020, regarding the activities of Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan during the Patriotic War. The material was examined with the participation of the parties.

Thereafter, the presiding judge announced a letter sent by the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Investigation Department of the Prosecutor General's Office.

The letter indicates that, based on information gathered by the Commission, during the First Karabakh War resulting from Armenia's military aggression against Azerbaijan, 54 Azerbaijani citizens who were captives and hostages were visited in places of detention in Armenia and the territories it occupied by the International Committee of the Red Cross in 19921996.

Subsequently, although the remains of 17 out of those 54 were returned, 37 were forcibly disappeared by Armenian armed forces. No information was provided at all about the subsequent fate of 4 out of the 37. Although it was reported that 33 died in places of detention, their remains were not returned.

Information compiled regarding the records was also announced in court. That information notes that on January 29, 1994, 8 Azerbaijani captives and hostages were killed.

Following this, Tugay Rahimli, Assistant to the Prosecutor General for Special Assignments, requested the examination of a portion of an international organization's report. The examined document indicates that the incident involving the deaths of 8 captives in Yerevan, Armenia, in 1994 was particularly horrific. At the time the article was written, the cause of their deaths remained unknown.

Addressing the court, Tugay Rahimli stated that the accused Bako Sahakyan had emphasized in interrogation materials that he had been involved in issues related to captives and hostages at one time. Rahimli asked the accused: "On January 29, 1994, 8 captives and hostages were killed. Do you have any information regarding this?" He added that the captives and hostages were killed on the same day, in the same place. This cannot be coincidental.

Sahakyan stated that he has no information regarding the incident indicated in the report.

Following this, during the court session, statements from the victims and the legal heirs of the victims were announced.

In the statement of victim Shukurov Mahmud Sabir oglu, it was reported that on September 13, 2022, in the territory of Zangilan district, Farid Rustamov was killed as a result of the explosion of a hand grenade thrown by the enemy, while he, Farid Mammadov, Saleh Hasanov, and Tabriz Ramazanov sustained bodily injuries.

The legal heir of victim Alakbarli Kenan Mushfig oglu, Alakbarova Fakhriyya Khalil gizi, stated in her testimony that on October 10, 2020, she received the news that her son had been martyred in the direction of Sugovushan village of Tartar district.

Based on the statement of Babirli Asif Oktay oglu, as a result of fire opened by Armenian armed forces on the territory of Goygol district on September 28, 2020, he, Elvin Salimov, Kamran Huseynov, Rashad Novruzov, Mustafa Mammadov, and Rashad Abdullayev were wounded, while Orxan Dashdemirov was killed.

Victim Mammadov Mail Mahammadali oglu stated in his testimony that on October 21, 1992, in Sirkhavend village of Aghdara district, he was taken captive by soldiers of the Armenian armed forces. First taken to Hadrut settlement and then, subjected to torture en route in a "URAL" military vehicle, he was brought to Khankendi city. There, in a special-regime isolation facility where he was held, he was subjected to various tortures. Later, he was held in the basement of another building. During the 3 months he spent in captivity in Khankendi city, Colonel Basensi Azoyan, Lieutenant Colonel Artur Simonyan, and Sergey AbramyanArmenian officersinterrogated him and subjected him to repeated tortures in the cells where he was held.

Based on the announced statement of victim Aliyeva Malahat Ahmad gizi, born in 1957 and a resident of Khojaly town, on February 25, 1992, Armenian armed forces besieged Khojaly town, shot at the population, and set fire to the town. She, her husband Tapdig Chobanov, son Teymur (born 1979), son Seymur (born 1980), and daughter Nezakat (born 1984) also left the town together with the community. "On the snowy road, ears were deafened by the cries and wails of women and children," she noted in her statement.

Armenian armed forces opened fire on people on the road to Aghdam, killing a large number of civilians. In the gunfire, Tapdig clutched his stomach and fell to the ground, while Nezakat, in his arms, was shot and died. Although she herself was wounded in the leg, she held her sons' hands and continued moving. The surroundings were filled with the bodies of numerous women, children, and elderly people. Her other relatives were also murdered.

Victim Garayev Jabrayil Khasay oglu stated in his testimony that on July 20, 1993, during an attack on Giyasli village of Aghdam district where he lived, he was taken hostage by soldiers of the Armenian armed forces. He was held first in Yetim Jinli village of Aghdam, then in a military unit in Khankendi city, and later in Shusha prison. During his captivity, he was regularly beaten, kept hungry and thirsty for long periods on the cold concrete floor, and subjected to tortures and ill-treatment.

Victim Mammadov Vahid Abasgulu oglu stated in his testimony that he was working on the railway in Meghri district of Armenia. On December 6, 1991, while intending to have lunch in the area called Meghri River with brigade leader Gardashov Etibar Farman oglu, operator Javadov Fazil Agha oglu, operator assistant Nabiyev Javad Gurban oglu, laborers Rahimov Valeh Mirsadig oglu, Heydarov Tofig Sadig oglu, Yusifzade Badal Hashim oglu, Gubadov Etibar Anvar oglu, and Mammadov Mahammadhuseyn Jafargulu oglu, they were taken hostage by Armenian soldiers armed with automatic weapons. They were thrown into a room with iron bars in Gajaran town and looted there. Along with Badal Yusifzade and Etibar Gardashov, he was held in an unidentified mountain village, then in Gafan district. During his captivity, he was subjected to tortures, inhumane, and ill-treatment.

The court session continued with the reading of other statements.

The court proceedings will continue on October 31.

Fifteen defendants of Armenian origin are accused in the criminal case concerning numerous crimes committed during the aggressive war waged by the Armenian state - including the aforementioned criminal association - on the territory of Azerbaijan, in violation of domestic and international legal norms. These crimes were committed for the purpose of military aggression against Azerbaijan and were carried out under the direct leadership and participation of the Armenian state, officials of its state institutions, its armed forces, and illegal armed formations, through their written and verbal orders, instructions, and guidelines; material, technical, and personnel support; centralized management; as well as under strict control and under the leadership and direct or indirect participation of Robert Sedraki Kocharyan, Serzh Azati Sargsyan, Vazgen Mikaeli Manukyan, Vazgen Zaveni Sargsyan, Samvel Andraniki Babayan, Vitali Mikaeli Balasanyan, Zori Hayki Balayan, Seyran Musheghi Ohanyan, Arshavir Surenovich Garamyan, Monte Charles Melkonyan, and others.

The following individuals - Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, and Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan - are being charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan: Article 100 (planning, preparing, initiating, and waging a war of aggression); Article 102 (attacking persons or organizations enjoying international protection); Article 103 (genocide); Article 105 (extermination of the population); Article 106 (enslavement); Article 107 (deportation or forced displacement of population); Article 109 (persecution); Article 110 (enforced disappearance of persons); Article 112 (deprivation of liberty contrary to international law); Article 113 (torture); Article 114 (mercenary service); Article 115 (violation of the laws and customs of warfare); Article 116 (violation of international humanitarian law during armed conflict); Article 118 (military robbery); Article 120 (intentional murder); Article 192 (illegal entrepreneurship); Article 214 (terrorism); Article 214-1 (financing terrorism); Article 218 (creation of a criminal organization); Article 228 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation, and possession of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and devices); Article 270-1 (acts threatening aviation security); Article 277 (assassination of a state official or public figure); Article 278 (forcible seizure and retention of power, forcible change of the constitutional structure of the state); Article 279 (creation of armed groups not provided for by law); and additional articles.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov attends the opening ceremony of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on its page on X, Trend reports.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Regular consular consultations between the Foreign Ministries of Azerbaijan and Belarus were held in Baku, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said, Trend reports.

The consultations were led by Emil Safarov, Head of the Consular Department of the Foreign Ministry, on the Azerbaijani side, and Andrei Kozhan, Head of the Main Consular Department of the Foreign Ministry, on the Belarusian side.

Participating in the consultations were senior officials from the foreign ministries of both countries, representatives from the Azerbaijani Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Committee for Family, Women, and Children, the State Migration Service, the State Service for Mobilization and Conscription, as well as employees of the Belarusian Foreign Ministry and the Belarusian Embassy in Azerbaijan.

During the consultations, the current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation in the consular sphere were discussed, as well as opportunities for expanding the legal framework between the two countries.

Following the discussions, a corresponding protocol was signed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Azerbaijan's Baku will host the grand festival "Fly to Baku. Art Weekend. Sense the Future NOW," bringing together art, culture, and ecology from October 31 through November 2.

The project is organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the IDEA Public Union in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, with Vice President of the Foundation and founder of IDEA, Leyla Aliyeva, as the projects initiator.

The festivals central theme, water, symbolizes life, renewal, and sustainable development.

Among the participants is DanceAbility Azerbaijan, an inclusive dance company that will present two inspiring performances exploring the intersections of art, inclusion, accessibility, and environmental awareness.

In an interview with Trend, Nigar Sultanova, the founder and director of DanceAbility Azerbaijan, emphasized that the companys message resonates deeply with the festivals spirit, which celebrates creativity as a bridge between heritage and innovation.

DanceAbility Azerbaijans first performance will take place on October 31 at the Heydar Aliyev Center, during the festivals opening ceremony.

Guided by the element of water, the festival connects art and humanity, inspiring reflection and transformation. Our opening performance is inspired by the sea - gentle, mysterious, and powerful. Each dancer brings their individuality, creating a living metaphor of oceans, distinct yet interconnected, like people and cultures across the world, said Sultanova.

The second performance, an inclusive dance theater piece titled "How Much Is Enough?!", will be staged on November 2 at 15:00 (GMT+4) at the Azerbaijan State Academic Russian Drama Theatre.



The production explores the relationship between humanity, consumption, and water, the planets most vital resource. It addresses the ultra-fast fashion industry, where synthetic fabrics containing microplastics harm the environment throughout their life cycle, from production to disposal, polluting rivers, oceans, and marine ecosystems. "How Much Is Enough?!" is not only about fashion; its about the waste we create, how we exhaust the planet, and the human stories woven into every fabric, Sultanova noted.

The performance showcases a tapestry of dancers, both with and without disabilities, making sure to leave no stone unturned when it comes to accessibility. With sign language interpretation, English subtitles, tactile tours, and a welcoming atmosphere for all, its a true melting pot of inclusivity.

Costumes and set designs are crafted from recycled materials, embodying the spirit of a circular economyreuse, rethink, and restore - rather than falling into the trap of endless consumption.

Admission is free. Registration: https://bakuartweekend.az/az/register/

Admission is free. Registration: https://bakuartweekend.az/az/register/
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Azerbaijan is our main partner, with the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries showing continuous positive dynamics year after year, said Aizhan Bizhanova, the First Deputy Minister of Trade of Kazakhstan, Trend reports.

Speaking at the Eurasian Franchise Forum held in Baku, Bizhanova pointed out that the two countries have been raking in around $350 million in bilateral trade during the first eight months of this year.

"The heads of state have set an ambitious goal to increase the trade turnover to $1 billion, a target I believe is achievable. The potential for franchise partnerships within the framework of a unified brand for Turkic-speaking countries could offer significant opportunities for development in the future," she added.

Additionally, she mentioned the ongoing efforts to establish a General Turkic Patent Organization, a brainchild of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev that was put on the table in June 2024, with the backing of our brotherly nations. Once established, the organization aims to register the unified Turkic brand as its first strategic project.

"This initiative would serve as a powerful catalyst for showcasing the economic and cultural potential of Turkic-speaking nations on the global stage, unlocking access to key markets in China, Europe, India, and Africa. However, this is just the beginning," she stated.

The official also stressed the importance of stable trade and logistics connections, particularly highlighting the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route as a major artery for Eurasian trade.

"Over the past five years, weve increased trade turnover along this route by nearly sixfold. Last year, the turnover reached $4.5 million, and we expect it to grow further, with a projected volume of $5 million by year-end," she noted.

Furthermore, Bizhanova emphasized that Kazakhstan is putting all its eggs in one basket when it comes to digital cooperation and the rollout of innovations in IT, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms, which are the bread and butter of enhancing competitiveness.

"During my business trip, I had the opportunity to explore innovative digital products that we plan to integrate into our national legislation. By combining digital solutions with franchising models, we open up vast opportunities, making trade more accessible, transparent, and efficient," she concluded.

The Eurasian Franchise Forum is a business event that gathers franchise leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs from across the Eurasian region to explore franchising trends, foster new business partnerships, and discuss digitalization's role in the sector. Organized by the Azerbaijan Franchise Association with support from government agencies, the forum includes panels, B2B meetings, and an exhibition, aiming to develop the franchise industry and strengthen economic integration.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. The opening ceremony of the Azerbaijan International Medical Innovation Exhibition Medinex 2025 took place in Baku, Trend reports.

The event was held at the Baku Expo Center with the participation of representatives of state structures.

In his speech, TABIB Executive Director, Vugar Gurbanov, noted that the event had created conditions for new opportunities and mutual cooperation:

Today, the application of modern technologies contributes to more flexible, efficient, and transparent management in the field of medicine, as well as increased patient satisfaction. The Medinex exhibition is of great importance in this regard. Here, healthcare professionals, manufacturers of medical equipment and consumables, and investors meet to exchange knowledge and experience and create new opportunities for cooperation. This exhibition also gives impetus to the development of medical technologies in our country, the strengthening of international partnerships, and the introduction of the latest innovations in healthcare. I am confident that every innovation and experience presented at the exhibition will contribute to the sustainable development of Azerbaijani healthcare in the future and ensure a healthy lifestyle for citizens."

Zaur Aliyev, Chairman of the Board of the State Agency for Compulsory Health Insurance, in turn, noted that Medinex is an important platform for presenting the latest achievements and innovative solutions in the field of healthcare:

"As an agency, we are presenting information at the exhibition about the advantages of the compulsory health insurance system, the medical services provided by Konvert Uslug, and our new projects. At the same time, we are expanding opportunities for cooperation with specialists and partners in the healthcare sector. The Medinex exhibition opens up wide opportunities for strengthening cooperation with both public and private healthcare institutions, studying new technologies and best practices. Participation in this event is another step towards protecting the health of our citizens and improving the accessibility of medical services. I am confident that the Medinex exhibition will make a significant contribution to establishing mutually beneficial partnerships and developing the healthcare sector.

A number of events will be held as part of the exhibition.

The Azerbaijan International Exhibition of Medical Innovations will last for three days.

The Medinex exhibition is supported by the State Agency for Compulsory Medical Insurance and the Association of Medical Territorial Subdivisions.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Azerbaijans Mandatory Health Insurance program continues to improve the quality of medical services and promote a healthy lifestyle, Parvin Salahova, Head of the Marketing and Events Department at the State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance, told Trend at the 27th Azerbaijan International Medical Innovations Exhibition"Medinex 2025."

Salahova spilled the beans that the "E-TABIB" mobile application, a real game changer in the digital health arena, has been given a fresh coat of paint with the addition of a new service.

"Citizens will now be able to rate the medical services they receive under mandatory health insurance. This feature will allow users to evaluate healthcare facilities, doctors, and the overall quality of the service directly through the mobile app," she added.

Salahova underscored that this paradigm shift equips the Management Union of Medical Territorial Units (TABIB) with the capability to monitor citizen satisfaction metrics, facilitating strategic interventions aimed at enhancing service quality outcomes. The insights garnered will facilitate enhanced decision-making processes predicated on the evaluation of service metrics and facility performance indicators, highlighting areas of high satisfaction as well as points of contention.

Established on September 6, 2017, the State Agency on Mandatory Health Insurance is dedicated to advancing the paradigm of compulsory health coverage, optimizing the aggregation of financial resources for essential services, enhancing service quality, and ensuring the judicious allocation of fiscal assets.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. On October 30, the trial at the Baku Military Court on the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia continued with the announcement of documents related to the case, Trend reports.

At the court hearing, a video footage recorded after the Tovuz events (Tovuz battles  ed.) in 2020 was reviewed upon the petition of the accused Davit Ishkhanyan. It should be recalled that D. Ishkhanyans lawyer filed a motion for the examination of the mentioned video at the court session held on October 24.

The video, posted on YouTube on August 28, 2020, was presented. The material features the awarding ceremony of Armenian militants by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Sardarabad. During the event, also attended by Arayik Harutyunyan, Pashinyan noted that the decorated military servicemen had all been actively involved in the July battles.

Public Prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev questioned the accused Arayik Harutyunyan. He first noted that the video shows Armenian military servicemen involved in the July battles being awarded, and asked for what purpose and in what capacity the accused had been invited to that event.

The prosecutor further emphasized that on July 19, 2020, a meeting of the Joint Security Council of the Republic of Armenia and the so-called regime was held. He inquired about the purpose of that meeting, noting that there had been no connection between the July battles and the illegal regime, and asked what issues were addressed during the gathering.

In response to the state prosecutors inquiries, the accused stated that the representatives of the illegal regime had been regularly invited to such meetings. According to him, the meeting addressed issues related to the security of the Republic of Armenia, the state of readiness of the Armenian army, and possible war scenarios.

The court proceedings continue against citizens of Armenia accused of committing crimes as a result of Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, aggression, terrorism, and violations of the laws and customs of war. The charges also include financing terrorism, the violent seizure and retention of power, and other serious offenses.

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Azerconnect Group, the country's leading ICT company, and ADA University jointly organized training sessions on artificial intelligence (AI) for students. Over 30 students from various faculties of ADA University participated in the training titled Exploring AI.

The three-day training sessions explored the fundamentals of AI, its ethical considerations, and practical applications in real business environments. Led by Azerconnect Groups team of AI experts, the program aimed to spark students interest in AI, enhance their knowledge and skills, and demonstrate how tech can be applied to solve real-world business challenges.

The sessions highlighted how AI can drive business growth, optimize processes, and improve decision-making. The interactive training sessions included a Q&A segment, and at the conclusion, participants received certificates, while outstanding students were recognized with special awards.

Supporting the professional development of young people is one of the key priorities of Azerconnect Groups sustainable development strategy. The company actively participates in various projects and initiatives implemented with the area across the country.

About Azerconnect Group

As a company operating in the dynamically developing ICT and high technologies fields of our country, Azerconnect Group delivers advanced solutions, including Mobile, Internet, and International leased lines provisioning, alongside cutting-edge digital services in FinTech, AdTech, and Media/TV.

Azerconnect Group is part of NEQSOL Holding, an international group of companies operating in various countries across the energy, telecommunications, hi-tech, and construction industries.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaija

BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. The Indestructible Partnership-2025 joint special forces exercise, held in Azerbaijan with the Special Forces of the Azerbaijan Army and the units of Special Operations Command of the Presidential Guard of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), came to an end on October 30, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense told Trend.

At the closing ceremony, the memory of martyrs of Azerbaijan and the UAE was honored with a minute of silence. Accompanied by a military orchestra, the national anthems of both countries were performed and the state flags were raised.

Speakers at the ceremony emphasized the successful development of cooperation between the special forces of Azerbaijan and the UAE, noting that the joint exercise played an important role in exchanging experience, enhancing the level of combat training, and strengthening mutual relations between the special forces personnel of both countries.

Servicemen who distinguished themselves during the exercise were awarded, and a mutual exchange of gifts took place.

At the end of the ceremony, a photo was taken.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia, Timcho Mucunski, held separate meetings with the Ambassador of the European Union, Michail Rokas, the Ambassador of Austria, Martin Pammer, and the Ambassador of Greece, Sofia Filippidou, Trend reports.

During the meetings, opinions were exchanged on the countrys reform priorities and EU integration process, with an emphasis on the need to accelerate it.

In this context, the importance of enhanced regional cooperation, exchange of experiences, and mutual support was highlighted.

In discussions with the Ambassadors of Austria and Greece, the interlocutors also touched upon the potential for strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the political, economic, and trade spheres.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. The Human Resources Administration of Montenegro organized a focus group in the Multimedia Hall of the Administration, dedicated to developing a Methodology for Training Interns in State Bodies, a key document that will contribute to improving the internship system in public administration, Trend reports.

The aim of the focus group was to, through collaborative work and the exchange of experiences, contribute to a more effective and applicable solution that will ensure a unified approach to the development of young civil servants.

The Director of the Human Resources Administration, Agron M. Camaj, highlighted in his opening remarks that this methodology introduces a structured and standardized framework that will ensure equal quality of intern training across all public administration bodies.

With this document, a foundation is set for the consistent application of professionalization principles and the introduction of modern human resource management methods in public administration, Camaj emphasized.

Jelena Mrdak, Program Manager of the Regional School of Public Administration  ReSPA, stressed that the document is the result of dedicated work, professional cooperation, and a partnership between the staff of the Human Resources Administration, ReSPA, and expert Milena Raickovic.

Expert Milena Raickovic presented the draft Methodology, with a special focus on the role of mentors, the structure of the training program, and the method of monitoring interns progress.

Participants of the focus group, members of the Human Resources Management Network, actively contributed by sharing opinions and experiences, offering concrete comments, suggestions, and proposals that will further improve the document and its practical application. Their experience from various institutions provided valuable perspectives on the needs and challenges in mentorship and intern development.

At the end of the meeting, it was concluded that the new Methodology will represent an important step toward building a higher-quality and more sustainable internship training system in Montenegros public administrationan administration that recognizes the value of knowledge, experience sharing, and continuous development, and invests in young professionals as drivers of change and carriers of the sectors future progress.

The focus group was moderated by Mr. uro Nikac, Assistant Director of the Human Resources Administration.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Representatives of institutions, the European Union, and the Council of Europe met in Sarajevo for the third meeting of the Steering Committee of the Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkiye, Trend reports.

During the meeting, discussions focused on the progress Bosnia and Herzegovina has made in the areas of justice, human rights, education, and media freedom, and on how these efforts are bringing tangible improvements to citizens daily lives.

Opening the meeting, Aida Hodzic, Acting Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, stated that this program is much more than technical assistance. It is a symbol of our joint approachwhere European standards are not perceived as an external obligation, but as a natural continuation of what we want for our society: strong institutions, accessible justice, freedom of expression, and equality for all citizens.

Karel Lizerot, Head of Operations I, Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina, said that the European Union remains a reliable partner of Bosnia and Herzegovina in implementing reforms that bring real improvements to citizens daily lives. Through the Horizontal Facility program, we provide support for strengthening the rule of law, protecting human rights, promoting inclusive education, and improving media freedom. This partnership between the EU, the Council of Europe, and the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina demonstrates our shared commitment to European values and the countrys path toward EU membership.

Schnutz Durr, Head of the Programming Department at the Directorate of Program Coordination of the Council of Europe, added: Together with the European Union and in partnership with beneficiaries, the Council of Europe remains committed to providing relevant support in various areas of implementation. By responding to recommendations from monitoring and advisory bodies of the Council of Europe, as well as EU enlargement reports, this support aims to advance Bosnia and Herzegovinas reform program and progress in EU accession negotiations.

The meeting brought together representatives of key ministries of Bosnia and Herzegovina, judicial and police institutions, educational and equality bodies, as well as civil society organizations. Participants exchanged experiences, reviewed progress achieved under ongoing actions, and discussed priorities for the next phase of the program.

The Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkiye is a cooperation initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe, whose third phase runs from 2023 to 2026. The program supports beneficiaries in fulfilling reform agendas in the areas of human rights, the rule of law, and democracy, in accordance with European standards and EU accession priorities.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Minna-Liina Lind, Undersecretary for Global Affairs at Estonias Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in the Information Integrity and Independent Media conference held on the sidelines of the Paris Peace Forum, Trend reports.

The event, co-hosted by the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM) and the Forum on Information and Democracy, focused on strengthening access to independent journalism and reliable information.

During the conference, Estonia formally joined the Council of IFPIM.

Undersecretary Lind stressed that international support for independent journalism is vital in an era of increasing pressure on media freedom.

Disinformation, censorship, violence against journalists, and manipulation of information threaten fact-based reporting  even in democratic societies. Access to trustworthy information is the cornerstone of democracy, and we must all do our part to safeguard a diverse and open information space, Lind said. 

Participants at the conference adopted a declaration reaffirming the global communitys commitment to protecting an independent and pluralistic media environment. The declaration aims to enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors and civil society to improve the reliability of public information and defend the operational freedom of independent media outlets.

Estonias membership in the IFPIM Council reflects its continued commitment to supporting free and independent journalism.

Safeguarding a free and independent media space and protecting journalists remain central priorities in Estonias foreign policy. We have consistently championed freedom of expression as co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition (20232025) and, this year, as chair of the Freedom Online Coalition. Promoting media freedom will also be one of Estonias priorities during our upcoming membership in the UN Human Rights Council, Lind emphasized.

As a member of the IFPIM Council, Estonia will help guide the funds strategic direction over the next two years, with a focus on advancing key issues related to media freedom and information integrity.

Established in 2022, the International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM) supports independent, public-interest journalism worldwide. Its mission is to ensure global access to reliable and fact-based information by helping fund ethical and independent media outlets. To date, IFPIM has provided assistance to more than 120 organizations in 31 countries, with nearly 19 countries and organizations contributing to the initiative. Estonia is among the funds donor countries.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 30. Gateway Ventures International Inc. is implementing a series of oil and gas projects in Turkmenistan, including collaborations with Dragon Oil LLC, Eziz Meredov, sales and logistics manager at Gateway Ventures, told Trend.

Speaking on the sidelines of the "Turkmenistan Oil and Gas" conference, Meredov noted that a key focus of the partnership is a five-year service contract with Dragon Oil, which includes underwater inspections of offshore structures.

"To carry out these operations, we deploy our own team of IMCA-certified divers. The project is conducted fully in compliance with international norms and standards," Meredov said.

He added that the company is completing a corrosion monitoring project for the same operator.

"We are proud of the work accomplished, the project is nearing completion, and the client is satisfied with the results. This can be considered a successful example of our collaboration," he noted.

Meredov emphasized that participation in the conference provided an opportunity to discuss expanding cooperation with other oil and gas enterprises in Turkmenistan.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Azerbaijan exported 6.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas worth $3.1 billion to Italy in the period from January through August 2025.

The data obtained by Trend from the Azerbaijani State Statistical Committee shows that the export value grew by $495.6 million or 18.8 percent, while the volume decreased by 405.7 million cubic meters or 6.1 percent, compared to the same period last year (6.6 billion cubic meters totaling $2.6 billion).

Overall, Azerbaijan has exported 16.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas from January through August 2025, generating $5.9 billion in revenue, an increase of 625.9 million cubic meters in gas exports, or 3.9 percent in volume terms, and $541.1 million in value, marking a 10 percent growth compared with the same period last year.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan imported 233.3 million cubic meters of natural gas at a total cost of $36 million over the reporting period. Compared to the same period of the previous year, natural gas imports decreased by 234.4 million cubic meters, or by 2.1 times in volume, and by $38.8 million, or two-fold in value.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) has released the official exchange rates for foreign currencies as of October 30, Trend reports.

According to the rates announced by the CBI, the value of 43 currencies went up, while 3 currencies dropped compared to October 29.

The official rate for $1 is 569,984 rials, while one euro is valued at 664,824 rials. On October 29, the euro was priced at 661,774 rials.

Currency Rial on October 30 Rial on October 29 1 US dollar USD 569,984 567,632 1 British pound GBP 754,775 753,628 1 Swiss franc CHF 716,131 715,962 1 Swedish krona SEK 60,922 60,670 1 Norwegian krone NOK 57,227 56,950 1 Danish krone DKK 89,012 88,604 1 Indian rupee INR 6,452 6,434 1 UAE Dirham AED 155,203 154,563 1 Kuwaiti dinar KWD 1,859,291 1,850,905 100 Pakistani rupees PKR 201,969 200,830 100 Japanese yen JPY 375,197 373,083 1 Hong Kong dollar HKD 73,352 73,058 1 Omani rial OMR 1,481,735 1,474,844 1 Canadian dollar CAD 410,194 407,257 1 New Zealand dollar NZD 330,491 328,058 1 South African rand ZAR 33,317 33,095 1 Turkish lira TRY 13,587 13,527 1 Russian ruble RUB 7,126 7,136 1 Qatari riyal QAR 156,589 155,943 100 Iraqi dinars IQD 43,439 43,353 1 Syrian pound SYP 52 51 1 Australian dollar AUD 376,881 373,705 1 Saudi riyal SAR 151,996 151,369 1 Bahraini dinar BHD 1,515,915 1,509,660 1 Singapore dollar SGD 440,832 438,795 100 Bangladeshi takas BDT 466,151 464,046 10 Sri Lankan rupees LKR 18,727 18,646 1 Myanmar kyat MMK 272 270 100 Nepalese rupees NPR 403,055 401,945 1 Libyan dinar LYD 104,777 104,452 1 Chinese yuan CNY 80,297 79,956 100 Thai baht THB 1,765,054 1,757,478 1 Malaysian ringgit MYR 135,949 135,236 1,000 South Korean won KRW 401,119 396,127 1 Jordanian dinar JOD 803,927 800,609 1 euro EUR 664,824 661,774 100 Kazakh tenge KZT 107,766 106,461 1 Georgian lari GEL 210,129 209,008 1,000 Indonesian rupiahs IDR 34,422 34,200 1 Afghan afghani AFN 8,546 8,599 1 Belarusian ruble BYN 167,394 166,684 1 Azerbaijani manat AZN 335,285 333,901 100 Philippine pesos PHP 971,090 959,738 1 Tajik somoni TJS 61,890 61,425 1 Turkmen manat TMT 163,004 161,808 Venezuelan bolivar VES 2,613 2,632

The CBI adopted the SANA system for currency exchange offices, where one euro costs 848,011 rials and $1 costs 727,038 rials.

NIMA represents a strategic framework for the monetization of a designated fraction of foreign currency accrued through export activities.

The price of one euro in this system amounted to 823,311 rials, and the price of $1 totaled 705,862 rials.

On the black market, $1 is worth about 1.04-1.07 million rials, while one euro is worth 1.21-1.24 million rials.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 30. Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan Ilzat Kasimov held talks with a delegation from Chinas Gansu Provincial Enterprises Association, led by Xie Yuhua, Secretary of the Joint Party Committee, to discuss the expansion of trade, economic, and investment cooperation, Trend reports.

The meeting also brought together representatives of leading Gansu-based companies such as Lanzhou Dingheng Real Estate Development, Beijing Xiandai Zhisheng Electronic Systems and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Dada Labor and Construction, and Beijing Hongke Engineering and Technology Group. These enterprises operate across key sectors, including construction, agriculture, tourism, and energy.

During the talks, the Chinese delegation was presented with detailed information on Uzbekistans market potential, investment climate, and a portfolio of 500 promising projects ready for foreign participation. The parties also discussed proposals for establishing a Gansu Association-led technopark in Uzbekistan and explored new avenues for cooperation in the field of geology.

The Gansu delegates lauded the robust evolution of bilateral engagements and extended an invitation to the Uzbek contingent to participate in forthcoming promotional initiatives and roadshows within Gansu Province.



The dynamics of bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and China are experiencing significant acceleration and growth trajectories. In the preceding fiscal cycle, trade volumes surpassed $14 billion, reflecting a 23 percent uptick since the commencement of 2025. This substantial expansion emphasizes the fortification of economic linkages and accentuates Chinas position as a pivotal and dependable ally for Uzbekistan.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Trade agreements between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are expected to be signed today in Baku as part of the Eurasia Franchising Forum, Jamid Movsumov, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Franchising Association, told Trend on the sidelines of the event.

He noted that this is the first event organized under the Eurasia Franchising Union, which was established on May 28, 2025.

The Union brings together companies and representatives from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Dubai, and Russia, he said. The Forum is being attended by Kazakhstans Deputy Minister of Trade and the CEO of QazTrade. Their participation is aimed directly at facilitating trade agreements.

Movsumov noted that meetings between Azerbaijani and Kazakh delegations had been held ahead of the event.

During these meetings, the sides reached a number of preliminary agreements, he said. Following the intergovernmental agreements between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, Kazakh government representatives are taking part in todays Eurasia Franchising Forum. One of our key priorities is to support Azerbaijani products easier access to the Kazakh market, as well as to promote mutual trade between the two countries.

Highlighting that trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan currently stands at around $500 million, Movsumov added that, as stated by the countrys leadership, the goal is to raise this figure to 1 billion dollars.

The Eurasia Franchising Forum aims to contribute to this goal, he said. The head of Dubais franchising sector is also attending the forum today, and companies from Uzbekistan are presenting their products as well. Significant investment inflows from these countries into Azerbaijan are expected. At the same time, the Russian market continues to hold special importance for Azerbaijan, and one of Russias largest restaurant chains is represented at the event.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Regional energy interconnection remains a strategic priority for Georgia, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Inga Phaladze said during her address at the 14th International Forum on Energy for Sustainable Development (IFESD-14) held in Skopje, North Macedonia, Trend reports.

As a bridge between Europe and Asia, Georgia is actively working to strengthen cross-border electricity trade and interconnections. This will enhance system resilience, support more efficient integration of renewable energy sources, and open new markets for electricity exchange, Phaladze stated. We believe regional cooperation is crucial to addressing shared challenges and building a sustainable energy system that benefits all.

The forum is organized by the five UN Regional Commissions and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources of North Macedonia.

Phaladze highlighted that expanding the share of renewables in Georgias energy mix remains a top priority. The country is developing hydropower, solar, and wind projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions, strengthening energy security, and creating green jobs. She also noted that Georgia is implementing programs to improve energy efficiency in energy-intensive industries.

On the sidelines of the forum, Phaladze held bilateral meetings with Sanja Bozinovska, Minister of Energy, Mining, and Mineral Resources of North Macedonia; Peter Golits, Deputy State Minister for EU and International Relations of Hungary; Dario Liguti, Director of the Sustainable Energy Division at the UNECE; and other officials.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Peace progress between Azerbaijan and Armenia represents a hopeful step toward greater stability and regional cooperation, said Jihad Azour, Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), during an online briefing, Trend reports.

The preliminary peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan that was reached last August represents a hopeful step toward greater stability and regional cooperation.

If sustained, it could open new avenues for trade, investment, and economic integration across the broader region, he said.

On August 8, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a Joint Declaration following the Washington meeting between the Azerbaijani President and the Armenian PM.

During the same meeting, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan initialed the draft Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia and signed a joint letter to the current OSCE Chairperson regarding the closure of the OSCE Minsk process, the OSCE Chairpersons personal representative for the conflict discussed at the Minsk Conference, and the High-Level Planning Group.
Irans oil and gas sector development hits roadblocks

Irans oil and gas funding fell five percent over five years to 2023, said Nasrollah Zarei, CEO of the Iranian Petroleum Engineering and Development Company. About $2 billion is allocated annually, far below the $170180 billion needed to boost output by 2029.

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DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, October 30. Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan Daler Juma met with Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Tajikistan Walid bin Abdulrahman Ar-Reshaidan and discussed the prospects for strengthening bilateral cooperation, Trend reports via the ministry.

The sides exchanged views on expanding collaboration in energy, oil and gas, and water resource management. Minister Juma noted that Tajikistan places great importance on developing mutually beneficial relations with Saudi Arabia and expressed readiness to implement joint projects in renewable energy, hydrocarbon exploration, and sustainable water use.

The bilateral dynamics between the two sovereign entities is underpinned by a historical framework of fiscal assistance emanating from Riyadh. The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has emerged as a pivotal collaborator, having previously allocated in excess of $300 million in capital infusion for a diverse array of initiatives within Tajikistan.

Significantly, this capital infusion encompassed a $100 million allocation to the monumental Rogun Hydropower Plant, in conjunction with backing for substantial infrastructure endeavors such as the CASA-1000 energy initiative, roadway enhancements, and strategic investments in the educational and healthcare domains.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Today marks the eighth anniversary of a pivotal transport endeavor in the regionthe Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway linekicking off its journey down the tracks as a result of the initiative and political will of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

This project was a game changer that turned the transport map on its head, not just for Azerbaijan, but for the entire South Caucasus and Central Asia as well.

The concept of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway line took shape at the dawn of the 21st century, thanks to the brainchild of Azerbaijan. When global trade flows were directed from Asia to Europe, Azerbaijan's contribution to the idea of the East-West transport corridor found concrete embodiment in this project. The BTK line connected the territories of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye, creating the shortest and most reliable land route from China to Europe.

This boosted the regional states' ability to call their own shots from both economic and political angles and bolstered their standing in the international transport game. In excess of 500 kilometers of the rail infrastructure, which spans an approximate total of 850 kilometers, traverses the geographical expanse of Azerbaijan.

The functionality of the BTK, recognized as the most efficient and dependable conduit linking Europe to Asia, has catalyzed an enhancement in Azerbaijan's logistical proficiencies within the East-West International Transport Corridor. The State Oil Fund has earmarked a cumulative allocation of $745.9 million.

From 2023 through 2024, the Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) company rolled up its sleeves and got down to brass tacks, tackling modernization work on the Georgian stretch of the BTK railway line, a key piece of the puzzle in the Middle Corridor. This is an important step towards increasing the transit potential of Azerbaijan and improving the competitiveness of the Middle Corridor as a whole. Last year, modernization work was completed on the Georgian section of the BTK, and the annual cargo handling volume was increased from one million tons to five million tons.

With the ball rolling on the BTK, Azerbaijan has hit the ground running as a transport and logistics hub. In conjunction with the Baku International Sea Trade Port, the Alat Free Economic Zone, and various logistics initiatives, this railway has emerged as a critical nexus within the framework of the New Silk Road.



The BTK corridor serves as a strategic nexus, facilitating connectivity between the South Caucasus and acting as a conduit linking the European and Asian markets. As a result of this initiative, Azerbaijan has evolved beyond merely serving as a transit hub, positioning itself as a dynamic stakeholder within the global trade ecosystem. The initiative is undergoing a transformation aligned with the paradigm of sustainable logistics, integrating digital governance and eco-friendly transportation methodologies into its framework.

The project also forged a fresh link between Turkiye and the nations of Central Asia, paving the way for an alternative land route to sea transportation for Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and other states. This has strengthened economic integration and interdependence in the region.

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is a vivid example of Azerbaijan's independent development model, regional leadership and strategic thinking. Over the past eight years, this line has changed the economic face of the region, built new bridges of cooperation between countries and further strengthened Azerbaijan's position in the international arena.

At present, the BTK railway facilitates the annual transit of roughly six to eight million tons of freight. In the forthcoming years, the strategic initiative aims to facilitate the transit of three million passengers and 17 million tons of freight through the steel corridor.

The rejuvenated pathways in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan unfurl a tapestry of possibilities for the future journey of the BTK, stretching its tendrils towards the heart of Karabakh and the distant embrace of Nakhchivan.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 30. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with President of Slovakia Peter Pellegrini to discuss further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries, with a focus on trade, investment, and digitalization, Trend reports, citing the Uzbek president's office.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand. The sides expressed satisfaction with the positive dynamics of bilateral exchanges at all levels and the strengthening of interaction in priority areas.

It was noted that this year, political consultations and the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission were successfully held. Business contacts have intensified, and the number of joint ventures has tripled.

The parties discussed increasing trade and investment volumes and expanding industrial cooperation in key sectors. An agreement was reached to boost exports from Uzbekistan of textiles, leather, fruit and vegetable products, and other goods in demand, while Slovakia will expand supplies of rubber, auto components, pharmaceuticals, and other industrial products. To this end, plans were made to hold national product exhibitions and open trade houses.

Special attention was given to the development of digitalization. The presidents proposed establishing a joint center for cybersecurity monitoring in the banking sector and introducing advanced cargo tracking systems.

The two leaders also reaffirmed their readiness to deepen cooperation with Slovak businesses in producing automotive components, dairy products, and other goods.

Humanitarian and educational cooperation was another focus of discussion. The sides proposed holding the first Forum of University Rectors of Uzbekistan and Slovakia in Bratislava in 2026, organizing tourism exhibitions, and hosting reciprocal tourism days. The issue of creating an organized labor migration mechanism was also discussed.

The presidents exchanged views on mutual support at international platforms, as well as on current regional and global developments.

The 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference is UNESCO's main governing body meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from October 30 to November 13, 2025, to set the organization's strategic direction, adopt its work program, and decide on its budget for the upcoming years, focusing on issues like education, science, culture, and communication.

It is a historic gathering, as it marks the first time in 40 years the conference has been held outside of Paris.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. SOCAR recently hosted a Law and Compliance Forum, bringing together experts from SOCAR Groups legal and compliance teams working across various countries, along with representatives from leading international law firms, Trend reports.

The forum focused on exchanging knowledge and best practices, as well as addressing emerging legal risks in the global energy sector.

During the forum, several panel discussions took place, covering topics such as "International Arbitration Disputes," "Corruption and the Global Energy Sector," and "Legal Challenges in the Business Environment." The discussions emphasized the importance of collaboration principles to strengthen the unity of SOCARs teams across various countries and to address the challenges posed by a rapidly changing global landscape.

The event also reaffirmed SOCARs commitment to adhering to legal requirements, ethical values, transparency, and high governance standards, with a focus on promoting a compliance culture across the organization.

SOCAR plans to host similar forums annually to further reinforce its legal and compliance strategies.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is extending a sovereign loan of up to $34.9 million (33.5 million euros) to Mongolias Ministry of Health to finance the construction of a specialized cardiovascular hospital in Ulaanbaatar, Trend reports.

The new facility aims to expand access to quality healthcare and reduce mortality from cardiovascular diseases across the country.

The 120-bed hospital will be built to high energy-efficiency standards, targeting national A+ green certification for resource-efficient buildings. Designed to combine advanced medical care with sustainable operations, the project will contribute to both improved public health and reduced environmental impact.

The EBRD loan will be complemented by $28.1 million (27 million euros) in co-financing from the government of Mongolia, including a grant from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The project forms part of the Ulaanbaatar Green Cities Action Plan, launched in 2019, which supports sustainable urban development and a better quality of life for residents.

To date, the EBRD has invested nearly 2.5 billion euros in Mongolia through 159 projects, with around 90 percent directed toward the private sector.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 30. Representatives of Uzbekistan Railways JSC and Temir Yul Cargo JSC held a meeting with Pakistans SLG Trax Group Limited to discuss prospects for the development of the UzbekistanAfghanistanPakistan transport corridor, Trend reports.

During the meeting, the parties reviewed opportunities for attracting new cargo flows, launching container train services, optimizing logistics operations, and setting competitive freight rates. They also exchanged practical experience to ensure the continuity and safety of cargo movement across the route.

The parties emphasized the strategic importance of the region, the opportunities for accessing the South Asian market, and Uzbekistans advantages as a regional logistics hub. They agreed to further develop multimodal services through third countries and adopt unified approaches to enhance regional transport connectivity.

Uzbekistan continues to pursue an open and mutually beneficial policy aimed at strengthening trade and transport links, opening new logistics routes, and increasing the efficiency of international freight transportation.

Earlier in July, the first meeting of the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan was held in Kabul, where a framework intergovernmental agreement was signed to prepare a feasibility study (FS) for the UzbekistanAfghanistanPakistan Trans-Afghan Railway Project. According to the trilateral agreement, the 573-kilometer railway will connect Termez (Uzbekistan) with Mazar-i-Sharif and Logar (Afghanistan), extending to Kharlachi (Pakistan). Once operational, the corridor is expected to handle up to 20 million tonnes of freight annually, significantly reducing transport costs and transit times.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. The delegation led by Israfil Mammadov, CEO of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), is participating in the annual meeting dedicated to "Building Resilience in a Period of Transformation", organized in Abu Dhabi by the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF), the only global platform bringing together the worlds leading sovereign wealth funds with total assets under management exceeding $10 trillion, Trend reports via SOFAZ.

The event is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates, and hosted by Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), Mubadala Investment Company, and other strategic partner institutions.

The Forum focuses on discussing sovereign wealth funds long-term value-creating investment strategies amid global economic and geopolitical shifts, including themes such as sustainable capital allocation, technological transformation, and the development of alternative assets. The event also plays an important role in advancing the implementation of the Santiago Principles in line with new global challenges and reinforcing sovereign wealth funds commitment to transparency, accountability, and responsible governance.

During the Executive Directors' Forum held as part of the annual meeting, Israfil Mammadov delivered remarks on the role of sovereign wealth funds in building long-term resilience and growth opportunities, their impact on the global economic system, as well as prospects for applying digitalization in sovereign investment management. He emphasized the strategic importance of modern technological innovations in safeguarding and growing assets and ensuring transparency in capital markets.

SOFAZs participation in this meeting strengthens Azerbaijans position in the international financial community as a reliable and responsible institutional investor and demonstrates its active contribution to the global dialogue on sustainable development and long-term capital deployment among sovereign wealth funds.

The Secretariat of the IFSWF is based in London and, since 2009, has been promoting cooperation among sovereign wealth funds, enhancing knowledge-sharing, and strengthening institutional trust in global investment management. It should be noted that the 14th Annual Meeting of the Forum was co-hosted by SOFAZ in Baku in 2022, significantly reinforcing Azerbaijans role within the global community of sovereign wealth funds. At the 2024 meeting held in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, Israfil Mammadov was elected Vice-Chair of the Forums Board.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, October 30. A dialogue of energy sector leaders from Central Asian countries, with the participation of representatives from the European Union and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ), was held at the GIZ office, Trend reports via the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Belgium.

The roundtable focused on strengthening regional cooperation in renewable energy, electricity trade, and cross-border connectivity, as well as developing a shared vision for sustainable energy transition across Central Asia.

In his opening remarks, Sapar Palvanov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Belgium, highlighted Turkmenistans dual responsibility as an energy-producing nation: First, to ensure a stable and secure energy supply to the region, and second, to fulfill climate commitments and promote a clean and sustainable future.

He underscored the productive partnership between Turkmenistan and GIZ in the field of capacity building.

Through this cooperation, we are creating not only projects but also the professionals who will shape their successful implementation, he noted.

The participants reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting renewable energy, innovation, and regional connectivity in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing that collaboration is key to achieving a resilient and low-carbon future for the region.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 30. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay to discuss expanding cooperation between Uzbekistan and the organization in education and culture, Trend reports, citing the Uzbek presidents office.

During the meeting, the sides gave a high assessment of the large-scale work carried out by the Uzbek side to organize the international conference at the highest level, as well as the substantive and practical nature of its agenda. Particular attention was paid to upcoming events, including the launch of the UNESCO Regional Center for Early Childhood Education, the Beruniy Prize award ceremony, the special event marking the 3,000th anniversary of Samarkand, and a series of forums on museums, artificial intelligence, gender equality, and other pressing topics.

It was noted with satisfaction that in recent years, cooperation between Uzbekistan and UNESCO has reached an unprecedented level. Among the major joint achievements are the successful organization of the World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education, the celebration in Paris of the 1050th anniversary of the great scholar Abu Rayhan Beruniy, and the establishment of an international prize in his name.

At Uzbekistans initiative, three important UNESCO resolutions have been adopted, while several new cultural sites and elements from Uzbekistan have been inscribed on the organizations special heritage lists. The parties reaffirmed their readiness to further expand and deepen this partnership through new joint projects in key priority areas.

Concluding the meeting, President Mirziyoyev presented Audrey Azoulay with one of Uzbekistans highest state honorsthe Order of Dustlik (Friendship)in recognition of her outstanding contribution to strengthening cooperation in the fields of science, education, and culture, as well as her personal efforts to promote Uzbekistans rich cultural heritage on the global stage.

The 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference is UNESCO's main governing body meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from October 30 to November 13, 2025, to set the organization's strategic direction, adopt its work program, and decide on its budget for the upcoming years, focusing on issues like education, science, culture, and communication. It is a historic gathering, as it marks the first time in 40 years the conference has been held outside of Paris.

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Photo: The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 30. Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan Jamshid Kuchkarov held a meeting with World Bank Vice President for Development Finance Akihiko Nishio to discuss ways to support economic development, Trend reports.

The talks were also attended by Naji Benhassin, World Bank Regional Director for Central Asia; Anastassiya Aleksandrova, the Banks Program Coordinator for Uzbekistan; and Ilkhomjon Umrzakov, Uzbekistans Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance.

Particular attention was paid to deepening collaboration with the International Development Association (IDA), implementing high-impact projects that ensure sustainable economic growth, and advancing new initiatives aimed at supporting Uzbekistans consistent development path.

Additionally, the parties engaged in a dialogue regarding the fortification of macroeconomic resilience, the promotion of sustainable growth paradigms, the augmentation of collaboration with global financial entities, and the delineation of strategic priorities for forthcoming synergies.



Subsequent to the deliberations, the stakeholders reached a consensus to cultivate enduring collaborative frameworks, institute a sustainable and dynamic dialogue interface, and expand synergies in executing Uzbekistans current economic transformation initiatives.

Earlier, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, noting that Uzbekistans portfolio of joint projects now exceeds $14 billion. The opening of a regional World Bank office in Tashkent has further reinforced the countrys partnership with the organization.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Representatives of Thuringen International (LEG Thuringen) and the Eastern Committee of the German Economy (Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft e.V., OA) will be visiting Baku on a research business mission from November 4 through 7, Trend reports citing LEG Thuringen mbH.

The mission sets out to peel back the layers of market opportunities in the South Caucasus, zeroing in on companies that are making waves in logistics, digitalization, green energy, and sustainable technologies. The program includes networking events, cooperation exchanges, company visits, and symposia.

Azerbaijan is putting its eggs in the renewable energy basket, throwing its hat in the ring with investments in wind, solar, and green hydrogen projects, while also strengthening its position as a key logistics hub along the Trans-Caspian Corridor, connecting Europe and Asia.

The forthcoming engagement is anticipated to facilitate stakeholders in discerning sectoral paradigms and acquiring critical intelligence for the formulation of resilient business frameworks within the energy and logistics domains.

LEG Thuringen mbH (Landesentwicklungsgesellschaft Thuringen mbH) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Free State of Thuringia, Germany, established to support the region's business, technological, and urban development by managing real estate, attracting investors, marketing the location, and securing skilled workers. It acts as a competent partner for business development, urban planning, environmental protection, and digital infrastructure, working with municipalities and clients to make Thuringia an attractive place to live, work, and invest.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Azerbaijan has discussed the application of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions with the Chinese Huawei Enterprise Business Group, Azerbaijan's Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

"We met with Hao Zhichen, President of Huawei Enterprise Business Group for the Middle East and Central Asia. We discussed Azerbaijan's AI strategy, the formation of the appropriate infrastructure for the application of artificial intelligence solutions, and the presentation of Huawei's solutions based on international experience in this area.

At the same time, we exchanged views on the possibilities of applying artificial intelligence technologies in e-government platforms, the implementation of the smart city concept based on Huawei's experience, and the implementation of joint initiatives for the development of human capital," he added.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. A meeting was held in Azerbaijan with a delegation from the World Bank to discuss issues related to improving the business environment in the country and promoting sustainable economic growth and employment, Trend reports via the Ministry of Economy.

Thus, Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov met with a delegation headed by Asad Alam, World Bank Regional Director for Prosperity in Europe and Central Asia.

The meeting noted the successful cooperation between Azerbaijan and the World Bank.

In addition, information was presented on the dynamic development of business in Azerbaijan, the promotion of the non-oil and gas sector, the green and export-oriented economy, as well as support for entrepreneurship, especially small and medium-sized businesses. Problems and opportunities in these areas were also noted. Issues related to the development of the national economy, the importance of the private sector, the promotion of development-oriented investment, and support for innovative initiatives were discussed.

The parties exchanged views on the areas planned for inclusion in the draft Strategy for Socio-Economic Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2027-2030, improving the business environment, promoting sustainable economic growth, and employment. They considered the possibilities of applying the results of analyses conducted in international practice on intensive business development and research methodologies related to stimulating the private sector in Azerbaijan.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) and the Electronic Security Service (ESS) under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport are enhancing cooperation to strengthen information security and cybersecurity across the countrys financial sector, Trend reports via the CBA.

The partnership aims to ensure coordinated action in cybersecurity, organize joint initiatives, and establish mutual information exchange regarding incidents, cyberattacks, and other digital threats.

CBA Deputy Governor Vusal Khalilov stated that this partnership will contribute significantly to enhancing the cybersecurity and resilience of Azerbaijans financial system. He emphasized that the initiative marks an important step toward closer cooperation in strengthening the security of the national cyber environment.

ESS head, Farid Zeynalov, noted that the partnership will play a crucial role not only in the financial sector but also in reinforcing the overall cybersecurity infrastructure of the country. He added that improved coordination between the two sides will allow cybersecurity measures to be implemented more systematically and effectively.

As part of the cooperation, awareness-raising initiatives will also be launched to improve cybersecurity knowledge among financial sector participants and the general public.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 30. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the opening ceremony of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Tashkent, proposed global initiatives, Trend reports via the press service of the Uzbek president.

According to him, achieving UNESCOs global goals and elevating multifaceted cooperation to a new level is the call of our time.

The Head of State outlined a number of concrete initiatives aimed at strengthening international cooperation in education, science, culture, and sustainable development.

President Mirziyoyev noted that developing inclusive education and integrating artificial intelligence technologies into the educational process have become urgent global priorities. He proposed establishing a UNESCO Platform for the Development of Inclusive Education for Children with Special Needs and holding a World Summit on Vocational Education to facilitate dialogue and the exchange of best practices.

''Uzbekistan is also ready to implement, jointly with UNESCO, a School of Artificial Intelligence model project and to host an International Expert Forum on AI Ethics, bringing together representatives of leading universities, pedagogical institutions, and research centers from all continents,'' he emphasized.

Mirziyoyev emphasized the need to strengthen joint efforts to preserve the worlds intangible cultural heritage  the invaluable treasure of humanity. He proposed declaring November 19, the date on which UNESCOs Memory of the World Program was founded, as the International Day of Documentary Heritage, and establishing an International Institute for Digital Heritage within UNESCO. Highlighting that the ancient city of Bukhara is part of UNESCOs Creative Cities Network in the field of crafts, he announced Uzbekistans readiness to host an International Handicrafts Congress there in 2027.

President Mirziyoyev also underscored the importance of promoting womens leadership and competencies. Citing UNESCO statistics that women hold only 25 percent of leadership positions in scientific and cultural institutions, 30 percent among education managers, and 33 percent among researchers, he proposed establishing a UNESCO Academy on Womens Leadership to exchange best practices and holding a Global Forum of Women Leaders in Education, Culture, and Science in Samarkand.

Touching on climate issues, the Uzbek leader called for joint action to combat the effects of the climate crisis, which increasingly threaten cultural heritage sites. He put forward the UNESCO Ecological Capital global initiative to recognize cities implementing environmentally responsible and green programs, and expressed readiness to host an International Symposium in Khiva on safeguarding cultural heritage amid globalization and climate change.

Mirziyoyev also called attention to the growing threat of misinformation and manipulation in the digital space. He proposed holding an International Festival of Childrens Cultural Content to promote creativity and media literacy among youth, as well as developing a UNESCO Comprehensive Strategy on Media and Information Literacy.

Following his speech, the President stressed the importance of fostering universal values such as tolerance, mutual understanding, and interfaith harmony, especially amid the intensifying global polarization. He emphasized that by promoting the culture and enlightenment of Islam, it is possible to effectively counter radicalism and Islamophobia, and invited all partners to engage in joint work through Uzbekistans unique institutions  the Center for Islamic Civilization and the research centers of Imam Bukhari, Imam Maturidi, Imam Termizi, and Bahouddin Naqshband.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 30. Skoda Group has unveiled a strategic plan to enter the Uzbek market through a joint venture aimed at modernizing the countrys transport sector, Trend reports.

The plan was presented during business talks between Uzbek representatives and leading European companies, held under the chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Brussels. The round table focused on strengthening industrial and technological partnerships between Uzbekistan and Europe, particularly in transport infrastructure development.

According to the companys roadmap, the joint venture will prioritize three key areas:

local assembly of railway vehicles;

maintenance and servicing throughout the entire life cycle of the vehicles;

establishment of the Skoda Academy for local education and professional development.

Each of these three areas represents a tangible step toward fulfilling the goals of the new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the EUs Global Gateway strategy. Uzbekistan is opening up to new investments from European partners, and we are eager to contribute to its sustainable transport, education, and technological modernization, said Petr Novotny, CEO of Skoda Group.

During the meeting, Uzbek Minister of Transport Ilhom Rustamovich Maxkamov held bilateral negotiations with Skoda Group representatives to outline practical steps for cooperation in railway and urban transport. President Mirziyoyev praised Skodas contribution to developing Uzbekistans transport sector, emphasizing the importance of European technology transfer and long-term industrial collaboration.

The meeting followed the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between the European Union and Uzbekistan  a landmark framework that deepens cooperation in investment, transport, energy, trade, and sustainable development. This agreement is expected to create new opportunities for European companies in Uzbekistan, while project financing will be facilitated by the EIB, with the backing of the European Commissions Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) under the Global Gateway initiative.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide ProCredit Bank Georgia (PCBG) with a loan of up to 15 million euros for on-lending to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) owned by young people in Georgia under the Youth in Business (YiB) Caucasus program, Trend reports via the EBRD.

This will be the first YiB program transaction in Georgia, expanding the programs reach to another country.

The credit line aims to increase lending to young entrepreneurs and MSMEs, support the development of PCBGs internal capacity, and facilitate knowledge transfer to young business owners and managers.

The project is designed to promote inclusive and competitive development.

Inclusiveness: The financing will help overcome barriers faced by young entrepreneurs in accessing formal financial services and demonstrate that youth-led MSMEs represent a viable and sustainable banking segment.

Competitiveness: The credit line will support lending to private youth MSMEs in Georgias regions outside the capital, encouraging ProCredit Bank Georgia to develop specialized financial products and service mechanisms while improving enterprise efficiency and growth through knowledge sharing and training, the EBRD said.

ProCredit Bank Georgia is part of the international ProCredit group, which focuses on development-oriented banking. The bank has operated in the Georgian market since 1999, serving more than 3,500 business clients and 6,800 individual clients through six branches and five service points. As of June 2025, the bank ranks seventh among 19 banks in Georgia by asset size, with a market share of two percent.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Azerbaijan's Finance Minister, Sahil Babayev, received a World Bank delegation led by Asad Alam, Regional Director for Prosperity in Europe and Central Asia, who is visiting Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

The meeting discussed expanding cooperation between Azerbaijan and the World Bank, financial management and fiscal policy, and areas for potential partnership.

Sahil Babayev noted that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to its partnership with the World Bank. The Bank's financial support, technical expertise, and recommendations have significantly contributed to the development of key areas such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and public administration. This cooperation has also contributed to progress in energy, transport, social services, sustainable development, and macroeconomic stability.

During the meeting, special attention was paid to the implementation of the "Strengthening Capacity for the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework in Azerbaijan" project, which is being implemented by the World Bank with financial support from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The parties discussed proposals submitted by the Ministry of Finance regarding a public finance review, digital solutions, information systems assessment, and capacity building.

It was noted that as part of the digital solutions and information systems assessment, the World Bank mission will conduct a diagnostic analysis at the Ministry. This will identify existing gaps and outline areas for further development to establish the architecture of a Unified Public Finance Management Information System.

In turn, Asad Alam praised the Azerbaijani government's efforts to improve financial management and fiscal policy, emphasizing that the successful implementation of this project will significantly contribute to increasing the efficiency and sustainability of public finance management.

During the meeting, the parties expressed confidence in the further expansion of the partnership between Azerbaijan and the World Bank and exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. Approximately 300 franchise points exist in Azerbaijan, CEO of the Azerbaijan Franchise Center Elnur Islamov said at the Eurasia Franchise Forum, Trend reports.

The landscape of franchise operations in Azerbaijan encompasses a total of 20 distinct brands, generating an annual revenue stream of $0.03 billion, which constitutes approximately 0.1 percent of the national GDP metric.

Moreover, when conducting a comparative analysis, one can observe that Turkiye boasts an extensive network of over 43,000 franchise locations, while Kazakhstan presents approximately 4,000, and Uzbekistan features around 2,500.

The aggregate count of franchise brands stands at roughly 1,300 in Turkiye, 150 in Kazakhstan, and 120 in Uzbekistan.

Formed in 2013, the Azerbaijan Franchise Center (AFC), often working under the umbrella of the Azerbaijan Franchising Association (AFA), is an organization dedicated to developing the franchising sector in Azerbaijan by connecting international brands with local entrepreneurs and vice versa, promoting the franchise business model, and supporting both foreign and domestic companies in the Azerbaijani market.

It acts as a hub for applying global franchising best practices, fostering business connections, and providing services for creating, marketing, and managing franchise operations within the country.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 30. The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has launched a project to strengthen the institutional framework for public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Kazakhstan, with financial support from the EDB Technical Assistance Fund, Trend reports via the EDB.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 4th International PPP Conference in Kyrgyzstan.

Under the project, the EDB Technical Assistance Fund plans a series of activities to support ongoing PPP reforms in Kazakhstan and to unlock the full potential of PPPs in the country.

The initiative includes expanding and updating training programs for government agencies in line with recent legislative changes, international standards, and best practices in PPP financing; preparing a country overview on PPPs; updating the PPP academic curriculum; launching the EDB PPP scholarship program; and opening a modern, fully equipped EDB-branded classroom, among other measures.

International experience shows that countries investing in the development of the PPP institutional environment and the training of PPP specialists and project teams significantly increase the volume of investment attracted to PPPs. However, for Kazakhstans PPP market, which continues to demonstrate steady growth, improving quantitative indicators is not the main objective. Through this project, we aim for qualitative improvements at the structuring stage of PPP projects, ensuring better value for money for the state budget, financial viability, fiscal sustainability, balanced risk allocation, anti-corruption compliance, and protection of public interests, said Svetlana Maslova, Director for PPP Projects, Project Activity Support Department at the EDB.

The project has strong integration potential. It directly supports the development of human capital essential for generating sustainable demand for the banks investment in PPP projects.

The EDB is a multilateral development bank that has been investing across the Eurasian region for over 19 years, promoting economic integration and comprehensive development among its member countries. As of July 2025, the EDBs cumulative portfolio includes 319 projects with total investments amounting to $19.1 billion.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recommends that Kazakhstan further develop its private sector and gradually reduce state participation in competitive industries, Jihad Azour, Director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said during an online briefing, Trend reports.

He noted that Kazakhstans public debt remains relatively low, while its reserves are estimated at $100130 billion.

The policy we recommend to countries in the region is to let the private sector take the lead, with the government acting as an enabler rather than a competitor. In the case of Kazakhstan, we believe private investment should become the main driver of economic growth, while the state gradually exits sectors where state-owned enterprises compete with private businesses, Azour said.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, October 30. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Meder Abakirov held a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Kyrgyzstan Birender Singh Yadav and discussed the development of Kyrgyz-Indian relations and the implementation of earlier agreements, Trend reports via Kyrgyz MFA.

The discussions were convened in Bishkek and centered on amplifying synergies in commerce, logistics, and capital infusion, alongside fortifying collaboration within multilateral constructs like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).



Ambassador Yadav reiterated India's strategic commitment to fortifying bilateral relations with Kyrgyzstan, underscoring the criticality of amplifying economic synergies and endorsing initiatives slated for execution during Kyrgyzstans leadership of the SCO.



Both parties articulated a willingness to perpetuate a synergistic discourse focused on enhancing geopolitical equilibrium and propelling collaborative initiatives across pivotal sectors.

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I entered medicine not just to treat illness, but to confront injustice. I wanted to be a force for good, battling death, yes, but also misinformation, institutional neglect, and the quiet superstition that children with developmental disabilities were somehow less worthy of coordinated care. That conviction led me to align my career with the legacy of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, whose advocacy gave rise to the Special Olympics and helped shape the Rehabilitation Act of 1963. I became the medical director of one of the very programs her brother, President John F. Kennedy, envisioned. In 2003, I was honored with the Health Care Delivery Award from the Academic Pediatric Association for that work.

But I did not care to see it dismantled by successors who lacked the vision Jack, Eunice, and I shared.

The Republican-led shutdown sowed the seeds of health care denial. Now, they reap the whirlwind. Coordinated care has been replaced by fragmentation. Institutional memory has been erased by turnover. And the Trumpian wilderness has become a place where pediatric equity is not just neglected; its trampled.

Ive watched with quiet grief as programs I helped build were hollowed out. Clinics that once served as medical homes for children with autism, ADHD, and complex developmental needs were shuttered or absorbed into systems that prioritized billing over belonging. The vision of coordinated care, once championed by AOC, Bernie Sanders, JFK-era legislation, and even the early architects of Obamacare, has been replaced by a patchwork of reactive services and bureaucratic indifference.

Yet the roots of Obamacare are deep. They cannot be uprooted; not by budget cuts, not by rhetoric, and not by those who mistake ideology for insight. The Affordable Care Act, for all its imperfections, embedded expectations into the public consciousness: That care should be accessible, coordinated, and equitable. That children with disabilities should not be left behind. That health care is not a privilege, but a promise.

I may be retired, but I remain a voice. Ive published four editorials on KevinMD, with 10 more accepted. Ive spoken out on CBS/FOX about pertussis and public health messaging. And Ive ledgered my testimony into a trilogy of memoirs: No Safe Hire, Not Ready to Make Nice, and Crises of Care. Each one threads systems reform, institutional reckoning, and unapologetic service into public discourse.

In my resting (not napping) Ive reflected on what Ive accomplished with the help of allies, editors, and even AI. I am now a national figure. Thats not hubris; its ledgered truth. My name appears in Google searches, my editorials circulate in professional networks, and my voice has become part of the resistance. I side with Eunice Kennedy Shriver. I side with coordinated care. I side with children with disabilities and their families. And I side with every child whose diagnosis was met with silence instead of support.

The whirlwind is not just political. Its clinical. Its personal. Its the reckoning that comes when families, providers, and communities refuse to forget what coordinated care once made possible. Its the fury of parents who waited months for evaluations, only to be told their childs needs were too complex for the system. Its the exhaustion of clinicians who once led multidisciplinary teams, now reduced to solo practitioners navigating insurance labyrinths. And its the quiet rage of retired pediatricians like me, who remember what was built; and what was allowed to collapse. And I carry with me the legacy of Kathy, my partner, my witness, and my co-architect in this choreography of care. Her strength, her humor, and her quiet resolve were threaded into every clinic I built, every detour I ledgered, and every child we refused to abandon. Kathys legacy must be preserved; for a free people to rise again against tyranny.

Her great-grandfather, many times removed, was Thomas Welles, who took quill and pen under threat of death from the governor of Massachusetts to transcribe the first constitution of a free people. The document is notable for assigning supreme authority in the colony to the elected general court, omitting any reference to the British Crown or external rule. It was not just ink on parchment; it was defiance. It was civic architecture. It was the birth of American resistance.

This is not just resistance. It is resilience. It is AmericaLibre, lAmerique Libre: a vision of a nation where coordinated care is covenant, not commodity. A right, not a privilege. Where pediatric equity is not partisan, but principled. Where retirement is not silence, but testimony.

Ive seen the whirlwind coming. Ive ledgered its arrival. And I will not retreat. I shall lead, like my forebears before me.

As Francis Scott Key wrote in The Star-Spangled Banner:

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: In God is our trust.

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave,

Oer the land of the free and the home of the brave.

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Ronald L. Lindsay is a retired developmental-behavioral pediatrician whose career spanned military service, academic leadership, and public health reform. His professional trajectory, detailed on LinkedIn, reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing neurodevelopmental science and equitable systems of care.

Dr. Lindsays research has appeared in leading journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine, The American Journal of Psychiatry, Archives of General Psychiatry, The Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, and Clinical Pediatrics. His NIH-funded work with the Research Units on Pediatric Psychopharmacology (RUPP) Network helped define evidence-based approaches to autism and related developmental disorders.

As medical director of the Nisonger Center at The Ohio State University, he led the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Program, training future leaders in interdisciplinary care. His Ohio Rural DBP Clinic Initiative earned national recognition for expanding access in underserved counties, and at Madigan Army Medical Center, he founded Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) CARES, a $10 million autism resource center for military families.

Dr. Lindsays scholarship, profiled on ResearchGate and Doximity, extends across seventeen peer-reviewed articles, eleven book chapters, and forty-five invited lectures, as well as contributions to major academic publishers such as Oxford University Press and McGraw-Hill. His memoir-in-progress, The Quiet Architect, threads testimony, resistance, and civic duty into a reckoning with systems retreat.
The first thirty years of my life were about becoming a doctor. I grew up in a middle-class family in a safe neighborhood with good schools and steady routines. My parents valued hard work and education, and I learned early that if you studied, followed the rules, and kept your head down, good things would follow. Private Catholic elementary school, public high school, then college and medical school. Every step along the way reinforced the same habits. Work hard. Memorize. Perform. Success would follow. That formula worked. I graduated with honors, matched into my first choice residency in pediatrics, and started the career I had dreamed of. On paper, I had done everything right. I was a doctor. But the next thirty years taught me that being a doctor and being a physician are not the same thing.

The doctor knows. The physician learns.

Doctors are trained to know things. Diagnoses, medications, procedures, and protocols. I was good at that. For a long time, I thought that was the job. Then medicine began to undo me. I learned that you can work as hard as possible and still lose. You can be technically correct and still miss the point. You can know everything about a disease and still fail the person who has it. Being a doctor taught me knowledge. Becoming a physician has taught me humility.

Medicine as a mirror

I came to medicine with a narrow sense of what was normal. My family, my church, and my schooling shaped my worldview, but they also walled it off. I thought most people lived the way we did. I didnt know how much I didnt know. Over the years, medicine cracked that world open. I was suddenly caring for families whose languages, prayers, and traditions were completely new to me. Some coped by leaning hard into faith. I remember a mother on her knees, praying over her child just diagnosed with a brain tumor. Her husband, standing outside the room, explained that he couldnt put off his business calls. Two parents, two very different ways of being present in the same crisis. Medicine taught me that both were real, and both needed space. I remember a Black father sitting in a hallway chair, his child wheezing in his arms, waiting longer than others to be seen. When I finally stepped in, I learned he was a senior official from Washington, had done everything to care for his child, and his child was very sick. That moment hit me hard. His position and power did not protect his child from the biases baked into the system. The staff judged and triaged his daughter differently from what they needed. I remember a child with cancer whose family had every possible financial resource. They assembled experts from across the country and chased the latest treatments. Still, they lost their child. Medicine has limits. Biology humbles us all. None of these moments made me enlightened. They just forced me to stop assuming I was right and start asking better questions.

Caring without judgment

One of the hardest lessons has been this: My job is not to judge. It is not to decide who is worthy of care or to measure whether their choices line up with mine. Bad things happen to good people. Bad things happen to people who make mistakes. Tragedy does not wait for innocence, and illness does not sort by merit. Medicine strips away those illusions. I have seen wealthy families discover that money cannot bend science. I have seen families with little show a resilience that humbled me. In the end, my task is always the same: care for the person in front of me.

Bias and blind spots

That is easier said than done, because bias lives in all of us. When I was young, I thought bias was something obvious in other people. The racism in the news. The prejudice that lived in someone elses words. What I didnt see was my own blind spots. I made assumptions about families before they spoke. I judged people by how they dressed or how they reacted to me. I thought I was being objective. I wasnt. Over time, patients and colleagues have exposed those blind spots. A father who mistrusted me because of what medicine had done to his community. A mother whose silence I mistook for indifference, when in truth it was deep cultural respect. A nurse who pointed out inequities before I could see them. Bias is part of being human. What matters is whether we can name it, face it, and ask what we might be missing.

Why fixing medicine feels broken

There is another truth I have learned in thirty years: Medicine attracts fixers. Administrators, consultants, investors, and policymakers, all eager to announce they can solve what ails us. And yet the problems keep growing. The trouble is that many of these fixes come from silos. They make sense from the outside looking in, but they dont touch the realities at the bedside. An administrator who has never sat with a dying child decides what resources matter most. An investor who has never struggled to find a primary care doctor pours money into the wrong solution. A policymaker who has never waited eight hours in an emergency department designs a system they will never use and wont help. Meanwhile, physicians and nurses burn out not only because of long hours, but because they are asked to keep patching holes while others spend fortunes fixing the wrong things. Burnout is not just exhaustion. It is the ache of watching resources go into branding campaigns while patients cant afford their medications. It is the fatigue of caring for families who are drowning, while leadership debates whether the lifeboat should be painted blue or green.

Politics in the exam room

Politics shapes who has coverage, which drugs are affordable, and where hospitals get built. It creeps into the conversations we have with patients, who sometimes test our politics before they trust our advice. But politics rarely helps in the exam room. It blinds us to our blind spots. It tempts us toward certainty at the very moment when what we most need is humility. The truth is, care improves when I leave politics at the door and meet patients where they are.

The value of the team

One last lesson. Medicine is not a solo act. Yes, doctors are paid the most, but payment is not the same as value. A physicians worth comes not from issuing orders, but from building a culture where everyone can thrive. The best outcomes I have seen come not from me making the right call, but from nurses, social workers, chaplains, therapists, techs, and residents all working together with a shared sense of purpose. A good doctor may make the right decision. A true physician makes sure the team feels valued enough to deliver care that lasts.

Thirty years later

I spent thirty years becoming a doctor. I have spent the next thirty years unlearning much of what I thought I knew and becoming a physician. What have I learned? That hard work does not guarantee outcomes. That race, culture, and religion shape every story. That bias lives in me as much as in anyone else. Politics often complicates more than it helps. That teams matter more than hierarchies. That money and meaning rarely align. That certainty is dangerous. That listening is more powerful than judging. And that burnout grows when we keep trying to fix the wrong problems. Most of all, I have learned that the patient in front of me is not a problem to be solved but a story to be understood.

Doctor or physician?

Doctors are trained. Physicians are formed. Doctors seek answers. Physicians call the question. Doctors treat disease. Physicians care for people. I trained to be a doctor. Over the years, I have become a physician. And I am still becoming one. That, I believe, is the work of a lifetime.

Mick Connors is a pediatric emergency physician.
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Published October 30, 2025

CAPTION: (L-R): Interim Dean of the College of Pharmacy Dr. Gina Craft, Brent Maggio, Dee Maggio, Nicole Maggio Gonzales, Ray Gonzales, Peggy Van, Marty McKay, Asst. Dean of the College of Pharmacy Mary Rhea

MONROE, La.  The University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) College of Pharmacy (COP) proudly announces the establishment of the COP Hall of Fame, created in 2025 to honor individuals whose careers and contributions have significantly impacted the college and the profession of pharmacy. Each year, up to three alumni, faculty, staff, or friends of the college will be inducted based on professional achievement, service, commitment to the college, and personal integrity.

As Interim Dean of the College of Pharmacy, I am honored to celebrate the establishment of our Hall of Fame as we approach the colleges 70th anniversary, said Dr. Gina Craft. This recognition connects our proud history to our bold future by honoring those whose innovation, integrity, and service have elevated both our college and the profession of pharmacy. Each inductee reminds us of the profound and lasting impact one individual can make in advancing pharmacy and improving lives, she added.

The College of Pharmacy is honored to announce the inaugural Hall of Fame inductees:

Carolyn Oubre Maggio

Carolyn Oubre Maggio, RPh ('63)

A trailblazer in Louisiana pharmacy, the late Carolyn Oubre Maggio was the first woman named Louisiana Pharmacist of the Year (1989) by the Louisiana Pharmacist Association. As a student, she earned the Most Outstanding Freshman Award (1960) and Outstanding Senior Woman Award (19621963) and served as president of Kappa Epsilon. Her leadership at the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals helped shape vital programs such as Medicaid, ProDUR, and LaCHIP. Carolyns legacy is one of visionary leadership, tireless service, and enduring influence on pharmacy practice in Louisiana and beyond.

Marty R. McKay

Marty R. McKay, RPh ('74)

With over 50 years of service, Marty has been a cornerstone of Louisiana pharmacy. From caring for patients at Pearson Drugs in Lecompte to shaping policy on the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy, his impact is profound. Marty has received numerous honors, including Louisiana Pharmacist of the Year (1997), the Bowl of Hygeia (2016), and the Distinguished Service Award from the Board of Pharmacy. A generous supporter of the Colleges Dufilho Society, Marty exemplifies the spirit of service and dedication to student success.

Peggy Van

Peggy Van, RPh ('73)

Peggy is a respected leader in Louisiana pharmacy, with decades of service across community, hospital, and relief settings. A founding member of the APhA Women in Pharmacy Wall of Women, she has championed the advancement of women in the profession. Her leadership includes serving twice as president of the Louisiana Pharmacists Association and active involvement in the Fifth District Pharmacy Association. Peggys many accoladesincluding Pharmacist of the Year, the Merck Outstanding Leadership Award, and the ULM COP Meritorious Achievement Awardreflect her lifelong commitment to excellence in patient care and professional advocacy.

Inductees and their families, as well as ULM COP administration, enjoyed a luncheon at Monroes Restaurant on Friday, September 26, and were presented with a Hall of Fame award at the ULM COP Homecoming Alumni Party that evening.

Nominations for future inductees open each January and must be submitted by May 31. Late submissions will be considered for the following year.

More information about the Hall of Fame can be found on the College of Pharmacy website: https://www.ulm.edu/pharmacy/alumni/alumnihall_fame.html
The service entrance doors slid to the right and, as Molly Humphreys and I exited the Berkeley Medical Center, we stepped into an unseasonably warm evening. Its the golden hour, Molly said as we surveyed our surroundings and removed our masks, exposing flat faces with creased noses. Behind us stood a cold, somber hospital and we were engulfed in an empty parking lot, one flooded with radiant sunlight. My sense of time had been so warped by the COVID-19 pandemic that I had forgotten the date, Friday, November 6, 2020. We had been conducting interviews for Healthcare is Human and, after a few hours of this emotionally laborious project, we needed fresh air. I inhaled deeply and, before I realized what was happening, two women were sizing us up, wondering why we had emerged from the back of the hospital, one of us holding a microphone, the other with a camera. Angel Poe and her EMS partner had just delivered a patient to the ER and were leaning against the hood of their ambulance as it sparkled in the sun. We started a conversation and, in the moments that followed, Humphreys took a candid photo of Angel, an image that continues to work on me. I glanced over to see that, across Interstate 81, the sun had dropped behind North Mountain. The helipad on the hilltop glowed like a firefly as I turned my gaze southward into the silent Shenandoah Valley. As the camera clicked, I rubbed my nose and wondered what this photo would look like.

In the resulting image, Angel stares directly into Humphreys lens and a waterfall of rusty hair streams down her back, which Humphreys pops against her mask and the ambulances brilliant white hood. Her expression is not at all clear, but she projects wisdom and, while her eyes are compassionate, a world-weariness cannot be unseen. Humphreys portrait has, since 2020, posed so many questions, most of which I cannot answer. I find myself wondering what, exactly, EMS workers see as they work night and day in Berkeley County, West Virginia. And despite being an internal medicine doctor in Martinsburg, WV, for twenty years, I bet I dont even know half of it.

Last year, there were 15,795 EMS calls in Berkeley County, with the Berkeley County Emergency Ambulance Authority servicing 321 square miles, a territory the size of New York City. For 9,100 of these calls, the patients were so sick that they were transported directedly to the hospital. The Berkeley Medical Center, located along Interstate 81, is home to the busiest emergency room in West Virginia with 55,000 visits in 2024. A truly democratic enterprise, 911 doesnt, actually, care who you are. When they answer the phone, their response is 911, whats your emergency? This speaks volumes about their commitment to the work, the danger, and the need. Locally, nine crews work daily with over one hundred field staff. A remarkable public service, 911 is something that most of us take for granted. That is, until we need it immediately.

Sixty-three percent of local EMS transports last year involved advanced life support services, with an average response less than eight minutes, delivering 3,323 people to our local emergency department with chest pain, and 2,603 for vomiting and abdominal pain. These illnesses and injuries are, in a very practical way, pedestrian events for field clinicians like Angel. And yet, I have to wonder if they ever become normal? Is that even possible? Can you imagine performing a job where you routinely encounter dead people? Last year, 187 people were pronounced dead on arrival by our local EMS. When that happened, eyes like Angels attempted to comfort the living, those poor souls who were rendered into spasms beside their loved ones who were limp and lifeless in the driveway. Some had bled to death inside their crashed car along the roadside. Others had been shot in a parking lot by someone with a handgun. And too many had overdosed on a living room couch, the TV still flickering. West Virginias chronic illnesses and acute tragedies frequently share a common shrieking 911 phone call. EMS workers eyes absorb all of these images and their bodies swallow this pain.

How many of our neighbors have looked into these eyes for answers about what just happened, and why? Despite a workday that features a parade of illness, injury and pain, in this Humphreys photo we find the most feminine portrayal of physical strength. We regard a woman who is dressed to drive a truck and physically lift patients into her ambulance, all while she administers medication and communicates with the hospital. This lifting, pushing, pulling, driving, and loading is done by women in health care everyday, yet this labor is often buried behind the expected work of caregiving, such as nursing, social work, and the like. Ask a child to draw a woman in a hospital and you are likely to get a crayon drawing of a smiling nurse. The media often portrays women as the providers of Kleenex and hugs in health care with dramatically less emphasis on the women who contort their bodies to stabilize burn victims in the field as traffic whizzes by at eighty miles per hour.

A large print of this Humphreys photograph hangs on my office wall, one of the Mona Lisa portraits of Healthcare is Human. It has become a touchstone for many of my thoughts and feelings about emergency medical services, something I think about often. Im grateful for those amongst us who race to the scene, run to the fire, as we say in West Virginia. They know that something tragic is likely waiting for them when they arrive. Molly Humphreys helps me see these individuals in a radiant new light. Or, maybe, to see them for the very first time. Either way, while I have seen their eyes, I struggle to know what they actually see.

This is the second article in a series about Molly Humphreys and her impact on healthcare as the principal photographer for Healthcare is Human, a storytelling project based in Martinsburg, WV. Healthcare is Human can be found on social media and Humphreys commercial portfolio by searching for Piccadilly Posh Photography.

Ryan McCarthy is an internal medicine physician.
Small-business owners, accountants and tax professionals can learn how to prepare a Written Information Security Plan (WISP) to protect their clients data Thursday, Nov. 6.





Laura Baker and Paul Johnson lead a Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network webinar titled Cybersecurity for Accountants and Tax Professionals: Preparing Your Required WISP from noon-12:30 p.m. To register, go here.





The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by the University of Wyoming with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.





Under federal law, the IRS considers tax and accounting professionals to be financial institutions. That means that even solo practitioners are required to have a WISP to protect client data. A WISP doesnt have to be scary: its simply about naming someone in charge; checking your risks; setting policies, such as multifactor authentication; and having a game plan if something goes wrong. Think of it as your firms cybersecurity playbook -- right-sized, practical and designed to keep client trust and keep your business compliant.





The webinar will walk attendees through the WISP requirements step by step and share tools small-business owners can use right away. Attendees will leave with clear guidance, practical examples and the confidence to start building a WISP that works for their businesses.





Baker is executive director of CyberWyoming.





Johnson is manager of the Wyoming SBDC Networks Cybersecurity Program.





For more information, call Tyler Schanck, marketing, communications and database manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network, at (307) 343-0925 or email tschanck@uwyo.edu.
Nearly 100 University of Wyoming College of Education students connected with school districts across Wyoming during the fourth annual District Residency Connections Fair earlier this month.





The event was hosted by the Wyoming School-University Partnership, with sponsorship from the UW College of Education Deans Office, the College of Education Student Success Center and the colleges School of Teacher Education.





The event gives College of Education students the opportunity to connect with school district leaders and education personnel, with the intent of exploring potential locations for future student teaching residency.





In addition to meeting with and hearing about opportunities in the 19 school districts that partner with UW for student teaching, students learned about university programs and resources in the states pre- and K-12 system.





Students then attended a panel discussion to learn more about Building a Meaningful Career in Rural Education. Panelists were Rock River School Principal Stacie Anfinson; Burns second-grade teacher Amber Barrett; Albany County School District 1 Chief Human Resources Officer Nathan Cowper; Washakie County School District 2 Superintendent Annie Griffin; Laramie County School District 2 Superintendent Justin Pierantoni; and current student teacher Kialie Staggs, of Lyman.





The participating school districts are Albany County 1; Big Horn County 1, Cowley; Big Horn County 2, Lovell; Carbon County 1, Rawlins; Carbon County 2, Saratoga; Converse County 1, Douglas; Fremont County 1, Lander; Fremont County 6, Pavillion; Goshen County 1, Torrington; Laramie County 1, Cheyenne; Laramie County 2, Pine Bluffs; Lincoln County 1, Kemmerer; Natrona County 1; Niobrara County 1; Platte County 2, Guernsey; Sheridan County 3, Clearmont; Sweetwater County 2, Green River; Uinta County 4, Mountain View; and Washakie County 2, Ten Sleep.





Other participants included UWs American Heritage Center, Anne Simpson Art Mobile, Science Initiative Roadshow and Wyoming Institute for Disabilities; the Wyoming Department of Education; the Wyoming Education Association; the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board; the Wyoming State Board of Education; the Wyoming State Library; the Wyoming State Museum; and Wyo Wonders.
Meloni and Salvini lash out at court ruling and vow to forge ahead with construction of bridge.

Italys audit court on Wednesday rejected the governments plan to build a bridge between mainland Italy and Sicily in a setback for the contentious infrastructure project.

The ruling casts doubt on the viability of the 13.5 billion structure which, if built, would span 3.3 kilometres across the Strait of Messina and would become the world's longest suspension bridge.

The audit court, which oversees public spending, rejected the resolution by the governmental economic planning committee CIPESS which approved the massive infrastructure project in August.

Magistrates reportedly raised concerns about the procedures followed by the government, particularly regarding exemptions from environmental protection restrictions as well as the increased costs for the construction of the bridge and related projects, such as roads and railways.

Reaction

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni slammed the court's decision as "intolerable interference", describing it on X as "yet another act of judicial overreach over the choices of the government and parliament".

Meloni insisted that her administration had addressed all the technical questions raised by the court and that the ruling would not halt the planned bridge.

La mancata registrazione da parte della Corte dei Conti della delibera CIPESS riguardante il Ponte sullo Stretto e lennesimo atto di invasione della giurisdizione sulle scelte del Governo e del Parlamento. Sul piano tecnico, i ministeri interessati e la Presidenza del Consiglio  Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) October 29, 2025

Deputy premier and transport minister Matteo Salvini, who resurrected the controversial construction project after it was scrapped a decade ago over budget constraints, also hit out at the ruling in a post on X.

Describing it as "a serious blow to the country", Salvini said the ruling "appears to be a political choice rather than a calm technical judgment", stressing that the government is "determined to pursue all possible avenues to start the works".

Angelo Bonelli of the Green and Left Alliance, a vocal opponent of the bridge project, hailed the ruling as a "great victory for the rule of law" and called for Salvini's resignation.

What happens next?

Technically, even after the court's negative opinion, the government could still decide to move forward with the project, according to news agency ANSA.

This would involve Meloni seeking a resolution from the cabinet to override the court's objections by deeming the move as being in the higher public interest.

The audit court is expected to release the full reasoning behind its ruling within 30 days.

Criticism

Critics have raised concerns about the structural viability of the bridge in an earthquake-prone area as well as its serious environmental impact and the risk of mafia infiltration.

The project has also faced criticism over its exorbitant cost, with opponents arguing that the money could be better spent elsewhere, such as in healthcare or by improving existing railway infrastructure.

Plans to build a bridge between Messina and Calabria date back to Roman times and have been rejected by previous governments due to high costs and engineering impracticability.
The sight of Mastro Titta crossing the river Tiber struck fear into the heart of Romans.

Giovanni Battista Bugatti, better known as Mastro Titta, was the official executioner for the Papal States from 1796 to 1864.

Over his 68-year career, he carried out more than 500 executions, earning him a chilling, almost legendary status in Roman history.

His name, a Romanesco diminutive of Maestro di Giustizia (Master of Justice), became synonymous with death and gave rise to the phrase "Mastro Titta is coming", historically used to frighten misbehaving children.

A long and lethal career

Bugatti began his work at the tender age of 17, and his reign as executioner spanned the turbulent periods of the Napoleonic occupation, the restoration of papal rule, and the burgeoning Italian Risorgimento.

He served under several popes, from Pius VI to Pius IX, meticulously recording each of his grim assignments in a personal ledger, now preserved in the Historical Archive of Rome.

Referred to as Il Libro dei Giustiziati (The Book of the Executed), the ledger provides a stark, factual account of the executioner's work, listing names, dates and crimes.

There are 516 victims listed, however two of these were not executed by Mastro Titta: one was shot in jail and the other was hanged and quartered by his assistant.

This left Mastro Titta responsible for 514 executions over the course of his career.

Methods of execution

Mastro Titta employed various methods of execution, reflecting the prevailing practices of his time. Beheading by axe was common, especially for crimes of murder or high treason.

For particularly heinous offenses, or for those deemed to have committed sacrilege, the mallet (mazzola) was used, followed by a throat-cutting. Hanging was another frequently used method.

One of his most notorious tools, however, was the guillotine. Introduced to Rome during the Napoleonic era, Mastro Titta quickly adapted to its use, employing it for public spectacles that drew large crowds.

These executions were often carried out against the backdrops of Roman landmarks, such as Castel Sant'Angelo, the Circus Maximus and Piazza del Popolo.

The man behind the axe

Giovanni Battista Bugatti was born on 6 March 1779 in Senigallia, a seaside town in the central Marche region, relocating to Rome at some point in his youth.

Despite his fearsome profession, Mastro Titta lived a seemingly ordinary life outside his gruesome duties, with his profession listed as umbrella painter.

He resided in the Borgo district of Rome, near the Vatican, on Vicolo del Campanile.

Mastro Titta was not permitted to cross the Tiber river at Ponte Sant'Angelo into the main part of the city unless it was for an execution.

Illustration of Mastro Titta

Tradition holds that when he did cross the bridge, dressed in his distinctive red cape, Romans would quickly retreat indoors, a testament to the pervasive fear and awe he commanded.

He was reportedly a devout Catholic and a man of routine. Before each execution, he would attend Mass and pray for the soul of the condemned.

He even offered a small gift of snuff to those about to face his blade, a macabre gesture of finality.

Mastro Titta was a feared symbol of papal power and stern justice, reflecting a part of Roman life that both repelled and fascinated its citizens.

Traditions

A curious Roman tradition arose among those who attended the executions: fathers brought their male children to witness the torture and death of the condemned.

At the exact moment when a head rolled, or when the victim exhaled their last breath, the boys received a slap as a warning from their fathers.

Mastro Titta in literature

In addition to appearing in the Romanesco sonnets of Giovanni Goacchino Belli, Mastro Titta featured in Pictures of Italy by Charles Dickens who witnessed one of his executions in Rome's San Giovanni area on 8 March 1845.

Recounting the beheading in graphic detail, Dickens described the gruesome event as an "ugly, filthy, careless, sickening spectacle", after which the executioner "retreated to his lair" across the river.

Retirement and death

When Mastro Titta finally retired in 1864, at the age of 85, he received a monthly pension of 30 scudi.

He died in Rome five years later, on 18 June 1869, and his place of burial is unknown.

Mastro Titto was not, however the last papal executioner: Vincenzo Balducci, who became his assistant in 1850, continued his bloody mission until the fall of the Papal States in 1870.

The last papal executions in Rome were carried out on 24 November 1868 when revoluntionaries Giuseppe Monti and Gaetano Tognetti were beheaded in front of crowds on Via dei Cerchi at the Circus Maximus.

Museum

The Museum of Criminology, closed temporarily, contains the axe used by Mastro Titta as well as his red cloak (pictured).

Ghost

Rome legend has it that, just before sunrise, a grim figure wrapped in a scarlet cloak can be seen in the area around Castel Sant'Angelo.
Tom Tuite

A Dublin man is to stand trial accused of unlawful possession of a mobile phone in Mountjoy Prison and controlling a criminal organisation.

Barry Fowler, 40, of The Crescent, Millbrook Lawns, Tallaght, appeared before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court on Thursday, along with four other individuals charged with connected offences.

It follows an investigation by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, which received directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Mr Fowler, who has yet to indicate a plea, was charged with three offences.

According to one allegation, from April 2022 to June 12th, 2024, he directed the activities of a criminal organisation by controlling or supervising its activities, by giving an order, instruction, or guidance, or making a request with respect to carrying out its activities.

That alleged offence is under Section 71A of the Criminal Justice Act 2009.

He is also accused of conspiracy to commit an aggravated burglary from December 24th to December 28th, 2022.

His final charge alleges that, while a prisoner, on June 12th, 2024, he unlawfully possessed a mobile telecommunication device in Mountjoy Prison.

Detective Garda Ivor Scully said Mr Fowler, who did not address the court, made no reply when charged shortly before his court appearance.

Killian McCabe, 28, from Woodlands Park, Arklow, Co. Wicklow, was charged with participating in and enhancing a criminal organisation and facilitating it to commit a serious offence, from December 14th, 2022, until February 4th, 2023.

He had no reply to his charge, which is under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.

Detective Garda Ciara McNulty said that the third defendant, Rebecca Byrne, 28, from Derrybawn, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow, also gave no response when charged with participating, engaging in a criminal organisation, and facilitating it to commit a serious offence, from November 16th until December 14th, 2022.

Eamon Doyle, 54, of Avonbank, Glasnagart, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, is also accused of the same offence, but with a different date range: November 16th, 2022, to February 5th, 2023.

Paul Dargan, 44, with an address at Lackaghbeg House, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, faces two charges. Detective Brian Johnston told Judge Finan that Mr Dargan had no reply when accused of conspiracy to commit an aggravated burglary from December 24th to December 28th, 2022.

The judge heard that in each case the DPP has directed that all five would face trial on indictment in the Circuit Court.

Free legal aid was granted to Mr McCabe while the judge deferred granting it to the four co-defendants until they produce statements of means, to be furnished to gardai in the case.

The judge also granted an order for disclosure of evidence. The District Court does not have the jurisdiction to hear a bail application in a conspiracy case, which requires a High Court ruling.

All five were remanded in custody, with Mr Doyle set to appear again on November 4th and his co-accused two days later.
Ottoline Spearman

An immersive exhibition on serial killers is coming to Dublin at the end of November.

Inescapable Darkness: A Serial Killer Exhibition is an immersive exhibition exploring the chilling truths behind 20 of the worlds most infamous serial killers and the investigations that brought them to justice.

The exhibition at Artane Place in Dublin takes a look at the psychology, motives, and twisted logic behind killers including Bundy, Dahmer, Ed Gein, Fred and Rose West and Chikatilo.

The exhibition features recreated crime scenes, such as Bundys Beetle and Dahmers kitchen, plus a VR investigation that allows visitors to step into the shoes of a detective.

John Zaller, Creative Director at Exhibition Hub said: Weve seen immersive experiences reshape how audiences connect with history, science, art, and pop culture.

"Were delving into one of todays most popular phenomenons: true crime, which is a theme deeply rooted in human nature and storytelling throughout history."

Guests are brought behind the scenes of criminal profiling, the investigative processes, and the human element that is crucial in solving complex serial killer cases.

The exhibition aims to delve into the unsettling link between reality and fiction, showing how real-life horrors have inspired some of Hollywoods most haunting characters.

Tickets have gone live on Thursday morning with prices starting from 14.90.

Dublin is the first stop before the exhibition makes its way to the rest of the world.
The Bahai community of Waterford has unveiled the first dedicated Bahai Cemetery in the region.

Situated within Kilbarry Cemetery, this new section provides a place of rest for all, open to people of every faith, while allowing members of the Bahai community to observe their own burial laws and customs.

Today there are an estimated 7 million Bahais in over 230 countries.

Independent religion

The Bahai movement is the youngest of the worlds independent religions. It is based on the teachings of its founder, Bahaullah, who emerged in the mid-19th century in what was then Persia, now Iran.

Matthew Kennedy, a member of the Bahai Community in Waterford, said, This cemetery represents our communitys enduring belief in the oneness of humanity and the eternal nature of the soul. It provides a sacred space for remembrance and reflection.

Mayor Seamus Ryan at the unveiling.

Mayor of Waterford Cllr. Seamus Ryan addressed attendees on the day, describing the unveiling as a "very special and historic occasion".

"It gives us great joy that the long-standing Bahai community of Waterford has embraced this opportunity, establishing a resting place that will serve generations to come.

"We also recognise the Bahai commitment to principles that resonate with the values of the Council itself  unity in diversity, justice, and inclusion."

Symbol of inclusion

Mayor Ryan added that the space is an important symbol of inclusion and diversity in Waterford.

"To be inclusive means more than simply showing tolerance: it means celebrating diversity, and enriching our shared community by fostering creativity, understanding, and mutual respect. In this way, everyone feels valued and empowered, and Waterford shines ever brighter as a home for all."
Former Governor of Mountjoy, John Lonergan, is to address an event taking place in Waterford this month.

He will be in attendance at the Waterford Age Well Expo which will take place on Wednesday, November 19.

Mayor of Waterford City and County Cllr. Seamus Ryan will officially open the event, which will also incorporate the Waterford Older Peoples Council (OPC) AGM, in the Park Hotel, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford.

The free event, which is being organised by the OPC in association with Age Friendly Waterford and supported by Waterford City and County Council, the HSE and UPMC Whitfield, will showcase the services, supports and activities available to older people to lead fulfilling, healthy and active lives.

A spokesperson for Waterford City & County Council said that on the day there will be over 40 exhibition stands, talks from keynote speakers and interviews with local organisations and community groups who will provide insightful and topical information to everyone who aims to keep active, social and age well.

Mr Lonergan will be the keynote speaker and in addition to being the former Governor of Ireland's most well-known prison, he is also an Age Friendly Ambassador.

The Bansha-native began his distinguished career in the Irish Prison Service in 1968. Over 42 years, he witnessed and navigated the complexities of the prison system, ultimately serving as the Governor of Mountjoy Prison for over 22 years, and the top-security prison at Portlaoise for nearly four years.

Mr Lonergans tenure as a prison governor was marked by a deep commitment to understanding and improving the lives of those within the prison system. This approach was rooted in the belief that meaningful change comes through dialogue, empathy, and respect for human dignity. He often spoke out about the need for rehabilitation and education as key components in reducing recidivism and supporting inmates reintegration into society.

When he retired in 2010, he published his autobiography, 'The Governor', which offered an honest and compelling account of his experiences and the challenges faced within the Irish penal system.

His second book, 'Parenting: Raising Your Child in Ireland Today', which provides practical advice for parents and supports the children's charity, Barnardos, was published in 2013.

Sean McKeown, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council and Chair of Age Friendly Alliance, said: "Waterford City and County Council is once again delighted to support the Age Well Expo. We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from previous events, reflecting the significant benefits this initiative delivers to our community."

The event not only provides older people with essential information and insights to enhance their quality of life, but it also offers a unique opportunity to connect directly with a broad network of key support agencies and service providers," he said.

"These meaningful interactions have a profoundly positive impact, empowering older individuals to make informed choices about ageing well and living life to the fullest in Waterford. The Age Well Expo will take place in Park Hotel, Dungarvan (X35 CC97) from 10am - 4pm on Wednesday, November 19.
The Shona Projects annual Shine Festival returned to Waterford recently with an electrifying two-day celebration of young women, empowerment, and community spirit.

The event welcomed over 2,000 Transition Year students from across Ireland for what was hailed as its most inspiring event yet.

The Shine Festival in Waterford was a great success

The festival took place on October 22 and 23 in SETU Arena and was supported by Sanofi, Plan International, Sport Ireland, Custodian and Beat 1012-103.

The Shona Project is also seeking partners for next year's event.

The Shine Festival in Waterford was a great success

Hosted by Megan ORegan Byrne and Shonagh Lyons, from Beat 102-103, the festival was a vibrant mix of laughter, learning, and powerful storytelling.

Founder Tammy Darcy opened both days with an uplifting message about the importance of community and confidence, setting the tone for a line-up that left audiences buzzing.

The Shine Festival in Waterford was a great success

Across the main stage, speakers such as Paralympian Ellen Keane, Natasha OBrien, Fionnuala Moran, Sarah Corbett, Tara Rafter, Laura Dowling, Amanda Ade and Aoife Moore shared moving talks on everything from sustainability and mindset, to mental health, womens health, and the power of self-belief.

The Shine Festival in Waterford was a great success

The festival also featured meditations by Mary Bradley, interactive sessions like the Danspire Giant Workout, and a closing party led by Sing Along Social.

A spokesperson for the organisers said the panels included young Change-Makers, leaders and advocates like Destiny Vaughan, Katie Joubert and Vanessa Ogbonna, who inspired their peers with stories of courage and resilience.

The Shine Festival in Waterford was a great success

The energy in the room was electric, said Tammy Darcy, Founder and CEO of The Shona Project.

Every girl who walked through those doors was reminded that her voice, her story, and her future matter," he added, before commenting: "Shine is about sparking that light and this year, it burned brighter than ever.

The Shine Festival in Waterford was a great success

In order to make the event and speakers accessible to everyone, The Shona Project has continued to expand its Shine Online platform (www.shinefestival.ie).

The Shine Festival in Waterford was a great success

A student resource, it hosts over over 250 conversations with interesting, authentic and inspiring women and has something of interest for everyone, covering topics such as mental health, wellness, mindset, career, diversity, individuality, the arts, sports, social issues, and sustainability.
Ryan Dunne

Two men have been found guilty of the murder of Croatian national Josip Strok on a Dublin street last year.

At the Central Criminal Court on Thursday, Mark Lee (44) and Anthony Delappe (19) were found guilty by a majority verdict of 111 of the murder of Mr Strok (31).

Lee, of no fixed abode, and Delappe, of Melrose Avenue, Clondalkin, had both pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Strok.

Connor Rafferty (21), of Castlegrange Close, Clondalkin, had pleaded not guilty to Mr Strok's murder. The jury returned a not guilty verdict in respect of the murder charge against Mr Rafferty.

All three pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Mr Strok's friend, David Druzinec (29), at the same location.

The jury heard that on March 30th, 2024, Mark Lee was told of an alleged assault on a teenage boy at a bus stop near his home in Clondalkin and alerted the two other accused.

The prosecution said that Delappe and Lee then followed Mr Strok and Mr Druzinec and assaulted them in the street.

Mr Strok died four days later from blunt force injuries sustained in the attack.

Seoirse O Dunlaing SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the jury that Lee had used his feet and fists to kick, stamp and punch Mr Strok.

Delappe, he said, had used "brutal" force in repeatedly striking Mr Strok with a hard plastic pickaxe handle.

Mr Rafferty, he said, joined in by striking Mr Strok three times with one half of a crutch after Mr Strok had stopped moving.

In his garda interviews, Mr Rafferty described giving Mr Strok two or three "light smacks on the back".

After the jury delivered their verdicts, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring told the six men and six women they were excused from jury duty for the next nine years.

She said the jury had performed a hard job, a thankless job, adding that she was grateful for their attendance in court over the last number of weeks of the trial.

Lee and Delappe were remanded in custody to November 17th next for sentencing.

Mr Rafferty was remanded on bail to appear on the same date.
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Talking over Zoom from Los Angeles, Canadian-British journalist and tech activist Cory Doctorow is explaining how power exerts itself. If Elon Musk was broke, hed just be another asshole with bad ideas, he says. Behind him, shelves stacked with books (both fiction and non) also host an array of eclectic objects. He picks up a mammoth vertebra and a 50-thousand-year-old axe head, a reminder perhaps that tools and backbone are ancient requirements, although he declines such symbolism. There is something about the material, either ironically or perhaps because so much of my life is digital and takes place in the realm of pure thought, [that] having a space full of stuff is really meaningful to me, he says, I love junk. Being a materialist helps when youre doing technology criticism, Doctorow says. It really engages not with an imputed ideology of tech bosses or their morality but where their power comes from. His latest book, Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About it, describes in material terms how the internet, once a utopian vision promising direct business-to-customer transactions, human-to-human connection and maybe even worldwide democracy, degraded into its opposite. So, what happened? Well, enshittification. Coined by Doctorow, Macquarie Dictionarys 2024 Word of the Year describes how lax antitrust (regulations that encourage competition by limiting the market power) allowed Big Tech to grow massive and insert itself everywhere as a rent-seeking intermediary. Today we live in the enshittocene where a radical act is operating beyond the reaches of Amazon, Google and Facebook. As users of apps like Airbnb, Uber and Netflix, we know in our guts these platforms used to be better and cheaper but are always finding fresh ways to rip us off and sell our data. In the book I call it twiddling, he says, giving the Uber example, once a credible alternative to taxis that promised cheap fares and flexible work. Twiddling means two passengers wanting the same route will get different pricing depending on their data profiles. Its unfair to be charged more because they know you got paid today  its just unfair. Drivers too will be offered different fares depending on their calculated desperation. As life became more digital, enshittification spread from laptops and phones and into everything from exercise bicycles to baby cradles: So your ability to keep your smart thermostat going in the middle of summer so that your house doesnt fill up with black mould is contingent on whether you click through the licence agreement when you update. The stuff you paid money for is now owned from the outside.

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He shows me a tiny replica guillotine, the threat metaphorical. Doctorow is also a prolific sci-fi writer. The job of science fiction is to challenge that inevitabilist narrative  to tear apart how that product works and its social arrangements and reconfigure them as a thought experiment with robots throwing buildings at each other in the background to make it all interesting and fun to read. Doctorow the materialist at his Burbank, California home. NYT His short story Unauthorised Bread, in the Radicalised collection, was a finalist for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation national book award. It tells of a Syrian refugee, housed in a high-rise block where all the appliances are enshittified. The toaster accepts only proprietary bread, sold at a huge mark-up. The blocks owner, a corporation, goes bankrupt leaving these appliances bricked. The occupants only option is to violate the terms and conditions and jailbreak the appliances, restoring appliances to their original purpose: the toaster now toasts unauthorised bread. This storys success helped it become a real life organising metaphor for people to frame their understanding of whats going on and to understand it not as a one-off but a pattern thats emerged. Doctorows latest book. Doctorow shows me a faded 1939 Worlds Fair passbook. Its original owner, a stern gentleman, is captured glaring. It is a quaint relic of transatlantic cosmopolitanism. So, what of such sentimentalism? Nostalgia is a toxic impulse, says Doctorow, quoting friend, comedian and actor John Hodgman. It does, however, help people remember a time before the internet was dominated by rent-seeking corporations. Once,tech underwent cycles of creative destruction. Old Big Tech, broken apart by antitrust, would beget new Big Tech. Doctorow explains IBM helped create Microsoft, which then grew until it became a target {for antitrust lawsuits}, which then made space for Google. Now, this process has stalled. Big tech has become gargantuan, consuming competition and smothering regulation.

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Doctorows explanations are mechanical, each cause isolated, its consequent effect identified. This is the essence of his job, decomposing the claims of tech bosses into their constituent elements and not falling into the trap that Mark Zuckerberg wants you to fall into, which says the only way you can talk to your friends is to let him spy on you. As a privacy advocate for not-for-profit Electronic Frontier Foundation, Doctorow has been in boardrooms as decisions are made that affect billions, by those who dont understand real-world diversity. In one, the attendees tried to define a typical household with the intent on restricting digital television subscriptions. TAKE 7: THE ANSWERS ACCORDING TO CORY DOCTOROW Worst habit? Also my best: when Im stressed or in pain, I work to distract myself. Its a habit I developed as a coping strategy for untreatable chronic pain, and it works well (I wrote nine books during lockdown), but fails very badly in that I end up neglecting the underlying problems while I distract myself with work. Greatest fear? Fascist takeover of the world. The line that stayed with you? Thats merely clever - Harriett Wolff, my beloved high school English teacher. Biggest regret? Every thoughtless or cruel thing I did in the spur of the moment. Favourite book? Dont trust anyone with one favourite book, it always ends up being the Bible, Mein Kampf or Atlas Shrugged. No one should confine their literary tastes to a single volume. The artwork/song you wish was yours? I am riven with jealousy for so much work, but the artist who always gets me is David Byrne, since his music speaks to deeply to me and I have no inkling at all of how I would ever, ever make it. If you could time travel, where would you choose to go? While I have a feeling that killing Baby Hitler might go horribly wrong, opening a space for someone even worse, I reckon Id give it a go. It was the most insane thing Ive ever sat through, he says. A subscription could be shared by a villa in France and the luxury SUV s seat back video-player parked in another country but a household in a shack in Manila with a daughter working as a nurse in California could not. They were obsessed with how theyd take rights away. He swivels his camera to show me a mundane grey box beneath his desk that looks like last centurys e-waste. Thats a computer from 1993 called Deep Crack that was built by my friend John Gilmore, and it could break the NSA cypher in two-and-a-half hours. Jailbreaking and hacking are central to resisting global enshittification  yet in much of the world, Australia included, it is highly illegal, leading to prison sentences and immense fines. Such laws exist, Doctorow says, because free trade agreements threaten Australia with tariffs. Given the Trump administrations arbitrary application of such tariffs, amendments might not be a bad thing. While Australia is not a big enough to demand direct changes to Big Tech in the way the EU does, Doctorow explains how we could become a reverse-engineering haven, quickly rattling off an example of car diagnostic kits. Right now, every manufacturer charges about 10,000 [dollars] per model per mechanic per year to diagnose a car engine. If Queensland University of Technology were to create a generic diagnostic kit by reverse engineering each car and charge mechanics worldwide a cheap rate for use, it would break these monopolies making repairing cheaper both for businesses and customers. Whats more, this could incubate a tech sector in Australia, something politicians have been trying to do here for decades. Now that seems like science fiction.

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THEATRE

Where is Joy? 

45 downstairs, Until November 9

Curious that Anthony Weighs play, Sunday (MTC, 2023), which focused on arts patron Sunday Reed and the Heide Circle, gave rather short shrift to her close friend, Joy Hester. Emma Louise Pursey in Where Is Joy? at 45 Downstairs. Amber Schmidt With her art largely overlooked during her short and turbulent life, Hester has since been recognised as a significant artist working at Heide among a group  Sidney Nolan, Danila Vassilieff and Albert Tucker among them  at the vanguard of Australian modernism. This one-woman show from Emma Louise Pursey is a defiant act of assertion against female erasure. Its also a resurrection of an artist and poet of unnerving intensity.

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You can no more look away from Purseys Hester than you can from the artists fluid black line drawings. All those unknowable eyes trapped askance or lowered, torn or reduced to slits: Hesters insistence on the incommensurability of vision is plain, distilled, yet intoxicates the viewer into complex alchemies of felt experience. Pursey weighs biographical detail into such alchemies. A repressive suburban childhood in Elwood (her mother locked her young daughter in a lightless box for confession when shed been naughty) sparked a yearning for freedom that compelled Hester towards illumination in life and art. The peroxide blonde phase. The unashamed sexuality. The affairs; the abortions. The abandonment of husband Albert Tucker, leaving her son, Sweeney, to the care of Sunday Reed, while she ran off to start a new life with artist and poet Gray Smith. If theres a morbid quality to Hesters art, its because death was never far away. Her own father died from a heart attack (or perhaps by suicide) when she was a girl, and Hester was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma  then incurable  at just 27. Pursey works all this into a wild and wonderful monodrama with poetic elements, framed by modernist projections and music. You could wish for more modulation in tone and pitch, and there are a few bung notes on the poetic side of things.

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Yet Purseys firebrand delivery serves to emphasise the relentlessness with which Joy Hester seized life, and the indomitability required to break through the wall of misogyny which saw her contribution devalued for so long. Its more inspired theatre, and truer to the devil-may-care bohemianism of the commune at Heide, than Sunday was, and a must-see for those with an interest in Australian visual arts. Reviewed by Cameron Woodhead THEATRE

Dying: A Memoir 

Adapted by Benjamin Law from the book by Cory Taylor, MTC, Arts Centre Melbourne Until November 29



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Author Cory Taylor penned Dying: A Memoir in her final months, as she was dying from cancer. The book was rushed to the presses by Text Publishing in record time, so that she lived long enough to experience its effect on readers  though not its short-listing for the 2017 Stella Prize, nor its inclusion in Barack Obamas best books of that year. Genevieve Morris stars in Dying: A Memoir for the Melbourne Theatre Company. Pia Johnson Taylor took modest aim at the stigma around dying, and how we cope (or fail to) with the brute reality of it. She sought to end what she perceived as a monstrous silence  an aversion she knew from experience can make it harder than it should be to live through. Of course, theatre is no stranger to dying. From the euphemistic (our little life is rounded with a sleep from The Tempest) to the opposite (women give birth astride of a grave in Waiting for Godot), dying is a theatrical obsession. Playing dying characters can be a grim and gruelling challenge for actors  Jane Montgomery Griffiths as a cancer-riddled English professor in the Pulitzer winning play Wit, or Natasha Herbert as a free spirit succumbing to early-onset dementia in The Hall  and hey, Ive even died onstage myself. At a show called Oedipus Schmoedipus. Poison. (I was terrific.)

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You can put all that aside at Dying: A Memoir. Benjamin Laws adaptation isnt drama, really. Its more just storytelling onstage  condensing clear-eyed vignettes, and Taylors reflections on her experience, into a super approachable guide to thinking about what dying involves if youre not good at that. Dying for Beginners, if you like. Its also quite funny. Comedian and performer Genevieve Morris kicks off proceedings with a meta-theatrical flourish  a kind of irreverent reverse heckle  that disarms the audience while adding another layer of authenticity. Morris herself has had a brush with mortality, having been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2017, and seems to relish assuming Taylors persona  especially the acerbic wit and finely-tuned bullshit detector when it comes to the failings of the medical establishment. An oncologist who cant bring himself to talk like a real person about dying. Free post-diagnosis counselling sessions that turn into a government-sponsored hostage situation. In contrast, the support group Taylor attends through Exit International, before voluntary assisted dying became legal in Victoria, proves a lifeline of camaraderie and autonomy through an intensely isolating and disempowering process.

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Intimate family stories add emotional texture. Guilt at hiding her illness from young sons. Gratitude at how she fell in love with Japanese husband Shin and his native land (where mourners sift through the bone fragments of deceased loved ones). Determination not to suffer the indignities of her mothers death from dementia. Some of this is curiously muted, though, and youre unlikely to need a hanky. The comedic mask predominates in a show that isnt without a glib side, and which rejects tear-jerking tropes almost to a fault, anxious as it is to suggest that dying is no tragedy in and of itself. In compensation, director Jean Tong shapes a work thats smartly calculated to lower our defences and to make a difficult subject easier to talk about. Thats the essence of Taylors intention in writing Dying: A Memoir, and the show honours it with empathy and integrity. Reviewed by Cameron Woodhead THEATRE

The Talented Mr. Ripley 

Arts Centre Melbourne, Until November 23

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Discerning audiences in search of chills and thrills this Halloween had a seductive option at the opening night of The Talented Mr. Ripley. Patricia Highsmiths famously dark-hearted novel now haunts the stage in Melbourne, courtesy of Sydney Theatre Company in an adaptation by playwright Joanna Murray-Smith. Claude Scott-Mitchell (left) and Roman Delo in Sydney Theatre Companys The Talented Mr. Ripley at Arts Centre Melbourne. Cameron Grant Theres no one better to pen an adaptation of Highsmiths classic. Murray-Smiths play Switzerland (2016) was a suspenseful, deliciously barbed two-hander with Highsmith herself as a character. The plot centred on the reclusive author receiving an unnerving visitation from a young man  claiming to be her publisher  who attempts to persuade Highsmith to write a sequel to The Talented Mr. Ripley, unleashing the shadow of that novels psychological game of cat and mouse. It was one of the most gripping plays Murray-Smith has ever written, and perfect preparation to return to the source in what proves to be a richly drawn adaptation, slick and sure-footed, heightened and theatrical, and yet as well-paced and novelistic in ambit as superior television. Murray-Smith is particularly astute on the psychology of wealth and entitlement, the resentment of the dispossessed, and thwarted homoeroticism (which emerges briefly from under the veil of homophobia, only to return to the darkness to burst into toxic bloom).

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Delo (left) as Dickie Greenleaf and Will McDonald as Tom Ripley in The Talented Mr. Ripley. Cameron Grant She leans into the aspect of The Talented Mr. Ripley that reads like a Henry James novel about moneyed Americans in Europe, or doffs its cap to F. Scott Fitzgerald, before cheerfully perverting the sun-drenched Italian idyll into a serial killer thriller. The writings a gift to actors, and under Sarah Goodes direction, the performers seize their chance for glory. Will McDonald achieves a monumental acting feat as Tom Ripley  over two hours onstage without a noticeable break  but the force in his tour de force is a slow-moving disturbance. Doldrums of social awkwardness. Gusts of repressed desire. The cyclonic intensification is situational, only occurring under favourable conditions. Anyone could become a serial killer  thats what makes Ripley so compelling, to the chilling calm he finds in the eye of the storm. Charismatic supporting performances light the way to murder. Theres Roman Delo as Dickie Greenleaf, the errant heir to a fortune, Andrew McFarlane as his blue-blooded father, Claude Scott-Mitchell as the suspicious fiancee, Faisal Hamza as the disreputable best mate. All give finely tailored performances stitched to a perfect fit by the appeal, as well as the derangements and cruelties and blind spots, of the super-rich.

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Editor's pick Literature Beware political attempts to rewrite history: William Dalrymple If youd forgotten that The Talented Mr. Ripley was covering the same satirical ground as The White Lotus decades before the latter was a thing, these performances will forcefully remind you of it. And the humour is completed by Johnny Nassers droll turn as the hapless Italian detective on Ripleys trail. I wasnt wild about the slightly undercooked set or lighting design, but given the quality of the writing, direction and performances, it hardly matters. Highsmiths dark creation has been translated to the stage with sophistication and skill, and fans of black comic crime will be sorry if they miss out.

Reviewed by Cameron Woodhead MUSICAL

Hair The Musical 

Athenaeum Theatre, October 31

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Flares, flower headbands, and psychedelic prints  and thats just the audience! Set in the late 1960s against the backdrop of anti-Vietnam War protests and the hippie movement, Hair explores an era of counterculture espoused in values of peace and freedom. The Australian Shakespeare Company is behind this production, renowned for its approach to outdoor theatre under the artistic direction of Glenn Elston. This iteration of the Tony- and Emmy Award-winning musical, however, is staged at the Athenaeum Theatre; the same venue that hosted the show 30 years ago when it was last staged in Melbourne. The cast of Hair, which resonates now as it did 30 years ago. Elston co-produced the 1992 production, joining the then national tour as director. He stated in interviews that the show contains the soundtrack of his youth, featuring hits such as Aquarius and Good Morning Starshine. The material has remained as close to the original text as possible, retaining its cultural appropriation of Indian culture, particularly in dance number Be-In Hare-Krishna, and fetishisation of black men in song Black Boys. Even the way race was referred to as black, white, yellow, red felt derogatory and reductive. These moments create a necessary tension, highlighting how out-of-step it feels with contemporary social politics, while also being indicative of how far discourse has come. Despite this, there are still themes that resonate: the anti-war protests mirroring the Free Palestine marches of the past two years, the fight against capitalist values with the rising cost of living and the push to preserve our planet.

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Related Article Lunch with Possums, crocodiles and the curse of Macbeth: The perils of outdoor theatre The staging and costuming represent the context well. All the set, props and costumes were secured by foraging second-hand shops, marketplaces, and previous productions, which is in-line with the environmentally conscious rhetoric in the dialogue. Emblems of New York surround an arch-shaped scaffolding, including signs indicating Central Park, Greenwich Village and Waverley, which are spotlighted or lit up at various parts of the show to mark locations. A circular screen plays psychedelic patterns, astrological and peace symbols, and Hindu iconography. Alongside a platform painted with the yin and yang symbol, it effectively communicates how the belief system of the time was drawn from other cultures. Alex Cooper as Claude is a charismatic and energetic lead, and Maxwell Simon feels loose and carefree as Berger, to the point that you dont know if hes improvising. There is humour embedded throughout, often found in minor characters, including Maverick Newman, who cross-dresses as a woman from the Christian Paranoid Association. There appears a genuine connection between the cast, and they solicit cheers from the crowd through active engagement, like suggesting theres OG tribe members here (potentially a reference to the 1992 cast in the audience). The sexual references are very overt, conveyed through suggestive choreography and a song that mentions sodomy, fellatio, cunnilingus and masturbation. Some of the characters cheekily flash their underwear, gently teasing towards a climactic scene with full frontal nudity that feels provocative  in a good way  showcasing the human form as God intended. Hair is a celebration of rebellion and liberation, and by the end, youve let the sunshine in, as the penultimate song instructs, and left your inhibitions behind.

Reviewed Vyshnavee Wijekumar

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OPERA

The Barber of Seville 

The Regent Theatre, until November 5

Sandwiched between Oasis at Marvel Stadium and cricket at the MCG, Opera Australias spring season sprung with slightly less verve than its mammoth event counterparts on Friday night. Samuel Dundas (centre) as Figaro in Opera Australias production of The Barber of Seville. Jeff Busby Outside the Regent Theatre, the city was crawling with people in their Halloween best, but inside, it was comedy on show with Rossinis Barber of Seville. A well-worn production of a well-loved opera served as an inconspicuous re-entry into Melbournes operatic society for the national company. Opera Australia has been playing musical chairs with Melbourne venues since the State Theatres closure in 2024, (including last seasons misfire at Margaret Court Arena), now finally landing at The Regent. The smaller auditorium allows for a closer encounter with the singers and orchestra, and it caters to long-term residencies. OA has set up camp here until its run of the musical Anastasia concludes in February.

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Related Article Arts Move over, Sydney  is this the best opera house in Australia? Rossinis Il barbiere di Sivilgia is the most popular comic opera in the world, with lots of tunes that have made their way into popular culture. The plot itself, however, has begun to feel laborious. We begin with what can be the most roaring, rollicking overture in all opera (note: its the Bugs Bunny one). While conductor Tahu Matheson led the orchestra through a clean, controlled rendition, it didnt raise the roof. This tempered tone set the manner of the rest of the performance. Beautiful? Yes. But boisterous? Not really. The four leads are double cast, with Samuel Dundas (Figaro), Helen Sherman (Rosina), Shanul Sharma (Count Almaviva) and Andrew Moran (Dr Bartolo) taking the stage on opening night. Renowned for his vocal agility, Sharma delivered rapid-fire coloratura with clarity and top notes with absurd ease. Moran delights in the Italian patter style, and its clear he knows Bartolo inside out.

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It felt as though Dundas was either slightly under the weather, or his voice has matured as such that this repertoire is no longer quite right for him. His reliably excellent stage presence serves Figaro well, but his baritone sounded heavy, some of his vocal ornamentation clunky. The Barber of Seville is a well-worn production of a well-loved opera, but an inconspicuous re-entry into Melbournes operatic society for the national company. Keith Saunders Though she possesses a gorgeously full, plum-coloured voice, Shermans Rosina was without the feisty teenage spirit and girlish lightness the character needs. Its noted young mezzo Emily Edmonds is the alternate Rosina and should be considered no B cast at all. Elijah Moshinskys production, inspired by the silent film era, is an enjoyable take, but its 30 years old. Perhaps OAs focus was more on coming back to town in a safe pair of hands, but with this Barber in particular, it resulted in a missed opportunity to open the season with a bang.

Reviewed by Bridget Davies MUSIC

Crowded House 

Palais Theatre, October 29

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Its good to be home, Neil Finn opened on Wednesday night, and damn, it was good to welcome them back. Crowded House are a hit-making machine, yet theyve somehow dodged the uncool stigma that follows bands like U2 or Coldplay. Maybe its because they dont take themselves too seriously. Theyre deeply funny live. The whole vibe was casual and charming, like finding an excellent little pub band, but with immaculate sound, seasoned crew, and a surprisingly large merch spread. Neil Finn said it was great for Crowded House to be home, much to the joy of the audience at the Palais on Wednesday night. Richard Clifford The first set was acoustic, with the band play-acting as their own support act and renaming themselves Crispy. Not the finest band name, but Crispy delivered gorgeous versions of Pineapple Head, Four Seasons in One Day, and At the Station, featuring Vika and Linda Bulls heavenly vocals. Keeping it playful, Neil debated bassist Nick Seymour about birds. All Australian birds are loud and sound Australian; New Zealand birds are lovely and less self-confident. This led to guitarist Liam Finn launching into a patriotic version of The Lord of the Rings theme, ending a timeless bit of stage banter. They also played a great new track, It Was a Small Detail, which deserves to be a hit. Crowded House were in fine form at the Palais. Richard Clifford

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Editor's pick Melbourne live reviews Jelly Roll delights with all his hits plus The Angels and a shoey to boot The second set was where things got rocking. Less banter, more hits, and a set like a Reg Mombassa fever dream. The Palais bolted chairs tried to keep us seated, but who could stay still through Distant Sun, When You Come, Better Be Home Soon, and To the Island? We even got playful, improvised snippets of the Bee Gees New York Mining Disaster and Devos Whip It. We just had to stand up so we could get down. A mid-set lull for newer songs gave way to the final triumphant run: Something So Strong, Dont Dream Its Over, Weather with You and Fall at Your Feet. Swaying and singing, the whole venue became a choir. There are gigs, and then there are GIGS. This was the latter. And keep an eye on that support act, Crispy. Yes, theyre new, but now theyre getting somewhere.

Reviewed by Andrew McClelland The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.
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CultureTV & radioHalloween From shark killers to friendly ghosts: 10 Halloween movies for every mood Nell Geraets October 30, 2025  12:00pm 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

Halloween usually conjures images of pumpkins, trick-or-treating and Heidi Klums annual costume party. But for the homebodies who feel more comfortable on the couch rather than on the spiderweb-strewn streets, its Halloween movies that truly make the season. That means, of course, horror galore. Nothing says All Hallows Eve more than watching a freaky tale in the dark. But not all spooky season fans want to be spooked. Loading Fear not, for there are plenty of Halloween-themed films to suit everyones tastes. Whether youre watching with the family, keen for a laugh with friends, or looking for a serious fright, here are 10 movies you can stream this Halloween  ranked by fear factor.

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Weapons (HBO) From the mind that brought the breakout success Barbarian (Zach Cregger), Weapons sees an entire classroom of third-graders go missing, bar one child. Whats even more mysterious is that they all disappear on the same night at the same time. The idea of missing children is freaky enough, but the films tendency to constantly shift the focus between different characters keeps you even more on edge. It has clearly resonated, grossing more than $411 million globally  an impressive figure given its an entirely original horror movie that cost only $58.5 million to produce. Fear factor: Youll want to sleep with the lights on.

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Vicious (Paramount+) Looking for a straight-cut, no-frills supernatural scare? This film from the directors of The Strangers should do the trick. A stranger knocks on a young womans door and tells her shes going to die that night unless she places three things into a mysterious box: something she needs, something she hates and something she loves. What follows is a classic paranormal nightmare, as the woman (played by Dakota Fanning) desperately attempts to save herself before daylight. Fear factor: Youll never look at a box the same.

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Speak No Evil (2022) (Stan*) The original Speak No Evil is arguably three-times as unsettling as the decent 2024 James McAvoy remake. Two families hit it off while on holiday in Italy. Months after, they agree to meet at one of the familys remote homes in the Netherlands. But it quickly becomes apparent their newfound friends have sinister ulterior motives. Verging on something between horror and thriller, this will suit anyone comfortable being uncomfortable but may leave those desperate for bloodshed wanting. Fear factor: Stranger danger will never feel so pertinent.

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The Monkey (Amazon Prime Video) This film is based on a 1980 short story by Stephen King  the king of horror novels  so you know its going to be a little weird and a lot scary. Directed by Osgood Perkins (Longlegs), it follows twin brothers who find their fathers old cymbal-banging monkey toy, only to suddenly become haunted by a string of violent deaths. They get rid of it, but years later find themselves crossing its path once again. The deaths in this film are too zany and outrageous to be taken seriously (one person is trampled by dozens of wild horses while in a sleeping bag), but the monkeys eerie smile and its symbolism for an absent father still send shivers up your spine. Fear factor: Itll put you off your dinner.

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Dangerous Animals (Binge) Australians arguably make the best creature features (think of Russell Mulcahys Razorback). But Sean Byrne takes it one step further by blending shark thriller with serial killer horror. A shark-obsessed killer holds a surfer captive on his boat, planning to feed her to the predators below. Its genre-fusing at its finest, leaving viewers uncertain over whether to be more afraid of sharks or humankind. Fear factor: You wont feel safe on land or in water.

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Heart Eyes (Binge, Paramount+) Every Halloween streaming guide needs a slasher. A masked killer with, you called it, heart eyes murders innocent couples on Valentines Day. However, one couple eventually decides its time to end cupids reign of terror by fighting back. Its no Scream or Nightmare on Elm Street, but its just the right amount of silly and gory for a fun night with mates. Fear factor: Unrealistic enough to sleep soundly afterwards.

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VelociPastor (Amazon Prime Video) The IMDb synopsis says it all: After losing his parents, a priest travels to China, where he inherits a mysterious ability that allows him to turn into a dinosaur. At first horrified by this new power, a [sex worker] convinces him to use it to fight crime. And ninjas. A movie about a dinosaur priest isnt going to petrify, and its certainly not going to make sense. But if youre searching for something so-bad-its-good, VelociPastor will be dino-mite. Fear factor: Outrageously entertaining.

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The Craft (Stan, Netflix, Paramount+) Its basically Mean Girls meets the occult. A girl befriends three teens at her new school who practise witchcraft against their nemeses. There are consequences for joining a coven, however, which they all soon discover. A nostalgic 90s favourite combined with Wiccan lore and Gothic outfits to die for  what more could you want on All Hallows Eve? Fear factor: Teenagers  enough said.

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Hocus Pocus (Disney+) Speaking of nostalgic witchy films, Hocus Pocus is a Halloween must. Witch sisters Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy resurrect after 300 years to seek revenge on a young boy who lights the cursed Candle of Blake Flame. Both parents and children can delight in this movie, but it features a pretty realistic zombie and kidnapping, so parents of little ones should proceed with caution. Fear factor: Nostalgia trip with minor scares.

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Casper (Disney+, Paramount+) Not all ghosts are scary, as evidenced by Casper who peacefully haunts Whipstaff Manor. He befriends Kat (Christina Ricci), the daughter of a paranormal investigator hired to rid the house of spirits, thus making the investigators job a lot more complicated. While it explores heavier themes, such as grief and the afterlife, Casper keeps it light with its cutesy animation and slapstick ghost comedy. Fear factor: Not a trick, but a treat for the whole family.

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*Stan is owned by Nine, which also owns this masthead. Must-see movies, interviews and all the latest from the world of film delivered to your inbox. Sign up for our Screening Room newsletter.
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LifestyleHealth & wellnessWellbeing Opinion If this is the only way to be well, then Ill take early death Sarah Berry Lifestyle Health Editor October 30, 2025  4:30pm

October 30, 2025  4:30pm 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 50 View all comments

There was a time when I was as idealistic about wellness as the next green juice-drinking, organic-grocer-shopping yoga-devotee. But while Beyonce was singing Who run the world? (Girls) a growing number of people were suggesting it was in fact big pharma and big food who had their hands on the wheel. Dave Asprey on stage at the Wanderlust Wellspring festival. For anyone who wanted answers to their unresolved health questions, the wellness industry was there to fill the gap. There was plenty to like: a focus on prevention instead of cure, the promise of thriving instead of surviving, and a sense of reclaiming control of your life and body. I went to classes, retreats and workshops, meditated morning and night, tried colonics and fasts, consumed medicinal mushrooms and learnt about breath-work techniques. I tried raw food veganism and Chinese herbal medicine, ice baths and saunas, psychedelics and Kundalini yoga.

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Wellbeing A decade on from Belle Gibson, wellness quackery is still big business Sarah Berry Lifestyle Health Editor I embraced it all. Until I didnt. Because there was an alarming side to it too, with potential to cause harm. There were the fasts that often doubled as socially acceptable masks for disordered eating; the fads that came and went, leaving people confused and worse off than they were before; the extreme ideas about how to heal ourselves naturally (and the implied moral failing if you were unable to heal); the disdain for synthetic medicine alongside the spruiking of synthetic vitamins and supplements; and the haemorrhaging of money from desperate people. The veil began to lift.

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So it was with some ambivalence and curiosity that I visited the inaugural Wanderlust Wellspring biohacking and longevity summit on the Gold Coast recently  the biggest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Self-improvement is gospel In its simplest form, biohacking is a form of self-improvement, an attempt at optimising body and mind through technology, drugs or other chemical substances. And I was one of 3000 visitors who had come to hear from biohacking OG Dave Asprey, Harvard longevity guru David Sinclair, Iceman Wim Hof and Gwyneths very own Doctor Goop, Dr Will Cole (a doctor of chiropractic with post-doctorate training in functional medicine and clinical nutrition), among others. There was also Kayla Barnes-Lentz, an Ohioan in the business of wellness and brain optimisation.

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After detailing the barrage of tests she takes to keep her body and environment truly optimised, Barnes-Lentz, who is in her mid-30s, offered her take on the future of menopause (an AI prediction model using blood biomarkers to give you an idea of, potentially, your rate of ovarian ageing). Related Article Wellbeing We want to help you live your ultimate life: Behind the scenes at Australias most exclusive wellness club She also listed the range of peptides and supplements she takes, expressed excitement about the future of custom-made vaginal probiotics, and shared how, after the Californian wildfires last year, she had 2 litres of plasma removed from her body and replaced with albumin to detoxify. Barnes-Lentz was a drawcard for some of the festivalgoers I spoke to as she represented one of the few female biohackers in a male-dominated space. They were keen to hear what those at the pointy end of wellness and biohacking are doing and how women are doing it differently to men. Others, though, gave voice to the feeling of unease I had after leaving her talk.

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The search for answers Michelle, from Cairns, wanted to know more about combating the shocking effects of menopause. She hadnt heard of Barnes-Lentz and was perplexed by the fixation on tests and metrics. I didnt fully resonate with that, she said. I just dont know if thats the essence of wellbeing. So much of it is about our connection to nature and our connection to ourselves and our connection to others. Her partner, Rob, was there to hear Aspreys talk. Biohacking, he said, was another layer to living a healthier life via organic whole foods, meditation and Qi Gong. The concept is to stay as young as you can for as long as you can, he said. Were all going to die, but the aim is to do it as gracefully as possible.

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I wandered across the lawn of the Chemist Warehouse-sponsored event, where people munched on collagen ice-blocks, lounged on beanbags listening to different speakers, sat in a tent hooked up to vitamin infusions, or practiced yoga. Colin, from Adelaide, told me he was dragged there kicking and screaming by his wife and son but had already taken 12 pages of notes about the benefits of brief exposure to intentional pain, red light and saunas. Biohacking for a better life? Maybe. Getty Images A pair of friends who work in emergency medicine were there because theres so much the current health and medical system doesnt address. Thrive or die

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Cole sought to fill that void in his talk. He had a slide listing the various factors that conventional medicine historically misses: poor nutrition, gut health issues, exposure to toxins, lack of exercise, chronic pain and poor sleep. There was also chronic stress, anxiety and depression, trauma and shameflammation  a term he coined  referring to emotional pain causing inflammation. Related Article Nutrition Can you achieve your best self with supplements? Most blood tests, he said, are based on average, not optimal. The general population are not thriving. Youre here because you want to be thriving. Star of the show Asprey, a tech-entrepreneur and so-called father of biohacking, received a rock star welcome as he walked on stage wearing his trademark yellow glasses, which he claims block toxic blue light and sells for $US149.99 ($228).

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A gifted speaker, the 51-year-old (who plans to live until he is 180) told how he was an overweight, unhealthy 26-year-old with arthritis in both knees, fibromyalgia and at high risk of stroke. Conventional medicine, he said, had failed him. I just wanted my body and brain to work  A lot of where biohacking came from was desperation. For a price, he promised to teach us biohacking, or how to operate the control panel of our minds so we can shift states seamlessly and heal, love, show up, have courage, focus, flow and be creative. Were going to go from the old you with less energy to the new you with more energy ... Who wouldnt want better energy? he asks, putting up a QR code on screen with a link (and discount) to his $US16,000 five-day retreat. The normal state is boring and average.

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This is coming from a man who has injected himself with urine to treat his allergies. But who wouldnt want more energy? Who wants to be boring and average? Optimisation or fearmongering? Its a compelling proposition that Big Wellness (and the big names in wellness) have all the answers. All we have to do is buy their book, retreat, supplement or product. The underlying messages about optimising ones overall health and feelings of wellness are often well meaning, says Dr Brooke Nickel, a senior research fellow in the school of public health at the University of Sydney.

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It is important to remember that there are major financial interests at play here, and most of what is being discussed or promoted is not based on any or robust evidence, Nickel says. And many of the people being marketed to are already relatively healthy but may have had negative experiences with the health system. So, she says: It is really based on fearmongering  that if you dont take this or do that, you wont live your best and most optimally healthy life. What there is good evidence for is simple healthy lifestyle habits, Nickel points out  eating nutritious food, staying active, getting enough sleep, building meaningful relationships and having fair access to evidence-based healthcare. I ponder our tendency towards binary thinking: the us against them mentality (the crowd cheers when Asprey jokes about his dream that the TGA and FDA fell into a wood chipper) makes us ripe picking for Big Wellness. And this is because if they are wrong, then we must be right. Yet, all these industries are spectrums with legitimate people and products that can help as well as exploit people, and products that could harm.

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I leave the festival relaxed from the yoga and meditation and even the vibro-acoustic-healing session. But my scepticism still sits alongside my curiosity. And if the only way to feel better is to take 35 supplements in the morning and 15 at night (as per one of the speakers), remove all the plasma from your body, track yourself within an inch of your life and resort to the expensive extremes of biohacking, then Id rather not live until 180. The writer was a guest of Wanderlust. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
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Updated WorldNorth AmericaCrime Betrayed: US unleashes on Australian who sold stolen defence secrets to Russia Michael Koziol Updated October 30, 2025  6:04am ,first published October 30, 2025  2:49am 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

Washington: An Australian man living in the United States faces a likely jail sentence after pleading guilty to stealing defence trade secrets from his American employer for a Russian broker. Senior figures in the Trump administration excoriated Peter Williams, 39, following the guilty plea, saying he betrayed the United States and our allies by selling cyber tools that were likely used against adversaries. A jobseeker holds an L3Harris flyer at a career in Montreal, Canada, this month. Reports say Peter Williams was the general manager of L3Harris subsidiary Trenchant until August this year. Bloomberg Williams entered the plea before the District of Columbia in Washington on Wednesday, local time, in relation to two counts of theft of trade secrets. Court documents seen by this masthead said Williams intended those secrets to be sold outside the US specifically to a buyer based in the Russian Federation, and were worth about $US1.3 million ($2 million).

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Prosecutors said the material was stolen over a three-year period  between 2022 and 2025  from the American defence contractor where Williams worked. It comprised national security-focused software, including at least eight sensitive and protected cyber-exploit documents. The Justice Department said the system components were meant to be sold exclusively to the US government and select allies, but Williams had traded them to a Russian cyber-tools broker that publicly advertised itself as a reseller of cyber exploits to various customers, including the Russian government. US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said the secrets Williams stole were likely used against numerous unsuspecting victims. AP His conduct was deliberate and deceitful, imperilling our national security for the sake of personal gain, said US assistant attorney-general for national security John Eisenberg. Williams used his access to the companys secure network to steal the cyber assets and resell them in exchange for the promise of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency, the Justice Department said.

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He entered into multiple written contracts with the Russian broker, including payment for the initial sale and further periodic payments for follow-up support. Williams used the proceeds to buy himself high-value items. The FBI acting special agent in charge of the investigation, Alexander Arnett, said Williams had betrayed the US and its allies. The harm caused by his crimes cannot be undone, he said. Each of the charges carries a statutory maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $US250,000, or twice the pecuniary gain or loss of the offence, the Justice Department said. The US attorney for the District of Columbia, former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, said Williams conduct had cost his Washington-based company more than $US35 million and allowed non-aligned foreign cyber actors to obtain sophisticated tools that were likely used against numerous unsuspecting victims. These international cyber brokers are the next wave of international arms dealers and we continue to be vigilant about their activities, Pirro said.

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US Attorney-General Pam Bondi also commented on the case, saying cybercrime posed a serious danger to Americans. Americas national security is NOT FOR SALE, she said. Neither the government nor the court documents identified the company where Williams worked. But Reuters and US technology publications have reported he was the general manager of L3Harris Trenchant until August this year. The company develops spyware and hacking tools that support national security operations, and says it has US government contracts. It is a subsidiary of defence contractor L3Harris, which declined to comment to Reuters. According to US site TechCrunch, Trenchant sells its products to the government customers in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which comprises Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the US. Williams lawyer John Rowley declined to comment on Wednesday (Thursday AEDT). According to technology magazine Wired, the plea agreement requires Williams to remain under house arrest except for one hour a day. He is due for sentencing next year.

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The ABC and other publications reported that Williams worked for the Australian Signals Directorate  which collects intelligence about foreign adversaries  in the 2010s, citing multiple sources. The ASD said it did not comment on individual cases. ASD is aware of reporting regarding an Australian national, a spokesperson said on Thursday morning (AEDT). ASD has layered security controls and procedures to protect our people, information, assets and capabilities. Court documents show the US government intends to seize a long list of property from Williams including a house in Washington, more than 20 watches, a light blue Louis Vuitton handbag, two Moncler jackets, several items of jewellery and all currency from seven bank accounts, including three in Australia. 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.
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Renowned American television host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel visited Mayo last week.

Kimmel and his family took a trip to Ireland to visit relations, and described them as a 'delight' to be around.

During Kimmel's stay, his niece left her purse in a local pub, and was amazed that a woman, whom they had never met, drove to return the purse.

He said, "She drove it [the purse] to the hotel, and then refused to accept money for it... the woman seemed confused that my niece would even offer money for her returning it."

He jokingly added, "They don't know that we (in the US) would have more of a hostage-type situation."

Kimmel also mentioned that he hadn't had a bad experience during his stay in Ireland and said, 'Everything [good] that they say about the Irish people is true."
COMMUNITY NOTES: ERRIS - WESTERN PEOPLE (OCTOBER 28 EDITION)

Congratulations, Jimmy Mills, formerly of Gorthmellia, Barnatra, and resident in New York for over thirty years and has been long-time resident manager of a building on Manhattans Upper West Side, was celebrated as Resident Manager of the Year by the Hibernian Society at a dinner held recently at Tavern on the Green.

With more than 40 years of dedicated service to both his building and the Hibernian Society, Jimmy has built a reputation for professionalism, leadership, and genuine care for his residents, some of whom are well-known Movie stars and TV personalities.

The Hibernian Society, an organisation that celebrates Irish heritage and community involvement, selects one member each year who exemplifies excellence in building management and service.

This years award recognises Jimmys lasting impact on his Upper West Side community and his decades-long contribution to the societys mission of friendship, unity, and charity.
The Claremorris Fire Station opened its doors to the public on Saturday, October 18th, offering a glimpse behind the scenes at a working fire station. Locals gathered to watch live demonstrations, examine the brigades equipment, and learn more about how to prevent and respond to fires in the home. But while the flashing lights and hose reels grabbed attention, it was the people behind the uniform who left a lasting impression.

We have 12 firefighters at this station now, Seamus OBrien, Station Officer in Claremorris, told the Western People. Theyre all retained firefighters, so theyre not full-time. Were on a week on, week off call system. When youre on, its 24-hour call, and the week youre off you can come if it suits you.

Seamus described a growing demand on the brigades services.

Weve had more call-outs than last year, he said.

One of the key changes, he explained, is a new protocol requiring two fire appliances to be dispatched to every road traffic accident.

Its for safety, he said. You need a fire engine in a finned-off position, so no one gets knocked down by other traffic passing the accident.

Despite the increase in call-outs, Seamus noted that road traffic fatalities have decreased.

Last year we had 12. That was an exception. The year before was eight. This year its way less, he said. Its probably due to the fixed speed camera installed locally on the N17. That has definitely slowed the traffic down, he said.

The crew itself has grown, which Seamus sees as a positive development.

We used to always have a crew of nine. Its gone up to 12 now, which is great.

Among the newer faces in the team is Piotr Romaniewicz, who has lived in Claremorris for 20 years. Originally from Poland, Piotr arrived in Ireland during the Celtic Tiger years.

I was looking for a better life, for sure, he said. I have a family here now, I have my home, I have everything here now.

Piotr joined the fire service nearly two years ago and describes the experience as deeply fulfilling.

Im loving everything about the fire service, he said. Theres stuff in this kind of work where you see things that you cannot un-see anymore, but its also a job where you make a difference. You feel that youre doing something important for everyone. Its rewarding for the individual and for the community.

For Piotr, becoming a firefighter is also a way to give back.

The town gave me a lot, he said, so its kind of giving back a little bit to everyone here as well.

Piotr still has family in Poland. His mother, sisters, and brother all reside there but he sees his future firmly rooted in Mayo.

My kids were born in Castlebar. We have a home here, he said. My family in Poland are very proud that Im with the fire service, especially my mom. Its who I am now.

Karen Judge, another recent addition to the crew, also spoke about her motivations for joining. A Claremorris native, she said: Ive always been interested in the fire service. I suppose its about duty, service.

Karen joined earlier this year and said her male colleagues had been welcoming.

Theyve been very good, very accommodating, she said.

Her presence on the team marks a significant moment for the station. Jarlath Jennings, a senior firefighter, said having a female team member brings balance and practicality.

Its always good to have people from both sides, naturally enough. If you go to an incident, its always good to have a female with you for certain different situations, he said. And shes highly trained in first aid as well, so were glad to have her.

The open day served not just as a chance for the public to see how the brigade operates, but also as a way to connect the community with the people who serve it - people who might otherwise be anonymous behind the wheel of a fire engine or in a uniform at the scene of an accident.

Throughout the afternoon, children climbed into fire trucks, parents listened to safety advice, and onlookers watched controlled fire-fighting demonstrations with quiet admiration. While the tools and techniques on display were impressive, what came through most clearly was the deep sense of commitment shared by those in the service - whether born in Mayo or thousands of kilometres away.

Seamus OBrien summed it up simply: Its a job where you have to be ready, always. When the call comes in, we go.
When bureaucracy meets humanity, truth tends to get lost - somewhere between Boghadoon and the Rio Grande.

Where you from, maam?

The American border officer leaned over the counter, his face carved into that universal expression of officialdom - part suspicion, part indigestion.

The middle-aged housewife from Lahardane clutched her 1980s' handbag and smiled the nervous smile of someone whos been awake for 20 hours after her first ever airplane flight and is just hoping to see her grandchildren before she dies of acute paperwork.

Boghadoon," she said brightly, in her heavy Mayo accent.

The officer frowned.

Where?

Boghadoon! she repeated, louder this time, as though her high volume might help geography cross the Atlantic.

Still nothing. The man squinted at her form and after a long pause, drawled: Is that a republic in Africa?

With rising panic and frustration vying with her tired brain shutting down, she blurted: No! Boghadoon! Boghadoon! at the butt of Nephin!

The officer stared at the red-faced woman in front of him and deciding he was not going to illicit any more useful information from her, waved her through. Wherever this strange-sounding land was located, it was unlikely to be a hotbed of terrorism.

Its an old North Mayo story, always ending with that proud, impossible phrase, the butt of Nephin. It captures the human confusion of trying to fit an honest life into bureaucratic categories designed by Kafkaesque committee, overseen by an all-powerful border control officer.

***

The Irish comedy trio Foil Arms and Hog perform weekly sketches which brilliantly lampoon our cultural confusions and contradictions. Their YouTube video titled 'Irish Lad at the Embassy of the USA' features a young Mayo man summoned to clarify answers on his US visa application. Decked out in a pristine Mayo GAA jersey, he faces the impassive embassy officer who asks the simplest of questions:

When will you be leaving the United States?

Our man scratches his head and smiles.

Ah shure you know yerself like.

The official blinks.

No, sir, I do not know.

After several rounds of mutual incomprehension, the officer finally insists: You must leave by April 7th.

Grand, says the lad cheerfully. Shtick me down for that then - Ill do me besht."

Your visa has been denied," the official answers firmly.

This is an old parody, as the US has since ramped up its policing of immigration (even under Joe Bidens administration), with Trumps border control officers and ICE agency gaining a zero-tolerance approach to anyone failing to adhere to visa requirements - doing their besht or not.

***

Here in Los Angeles, I met a hard-working Armenian makeup artist with a story equal parts farce and tragedy. Four years ago, in a well-understood route, she paid smugglers thousands to get her from a Cancun hotel to the US border, instructing her to loose her passport and there give herself up to authorities and claim refugee status, telling a story of fleeing for her safety to the USA.

Shed provided fake cosmetic-surgery photos to support a claim of persecution in Russia for being Armenian. Initially, she spent a month in detention, where no one spoke Armenian or Russian and she passed most of her time reading in the prison library.

It wasnt so bad," she shrugs, as though it were a long layover rather than a jail.

After a hearing, she was paroled and released. She met up with her husband, who had arrived earlier in a similar fashion. But in their applications to normalise their immigration status they pretend not to know each other, so that if one asylum claim failed, the other might succeed. Shes since had two children by him, but still tells immigration she doesnt know who the father is.

However, six months ago, her aunt has tried to come the same way but has vanished somewhere in the system as the new administrations policies take dramatic effect on existing pathways to enter the United States without a visa. They are very worried about her but constrained by fear in sticking out their neck with authorities.

A similar story emerged back in Mayo. A colleague told me shed met an African woman applying for asylum who had previously worked at a major London bank. The woman admitted she was claiming refugee status based on fear of female-genital mutilation for her daughter back in Africa, whether it is true or not she is doing her besht to fit within bureaucratic regulations, similar to the Armenian makeup artist and her husband.

***

The Greek economist Yanis Varoufakis, speaking on the Unherd YouTube channel on October 5, 2023, claimed that borders are a sign of the failure of the human species. He argued that the world was a better place before passports when Lord Byron could simply wander off to Greece, or Lord Elgin could (less nobly) wander off with the Greek marbles.

Ive great admiration for Varoufakis, one of the few public thinkers who can make economics sound like poetry, but I think hes stretching it here.

The late eighteenth-century world of Byron and Elgin had maybe a billion people. Today, we have nearly nine billion, sharing a planet already buckling under climate change, resource depletion and the kind of digital connectivity that makes every distant hill look not just greener, but air-brushed and air-conditioned.

Allowing everyone to move wherever they wish, whenever they wish, isnt freedom - its chaos. Personally, I dont support unrestricted movement for plants or animals, let alone people. Introduce one non-native frog or shrub in the wrong ecosystem and youve got disaster.

Thats not cruelty, its stewardship. We have to be grown-up curators of our planet, not naive idealists skipping across borders, wishing we had the liberties of 200 years ago. Once, if small farmers and craftsmen were being oppressed by a bureaucracy they could simply move to live under more amenable leadership, or even stake out new territory, but this was often done at the expense of native cultures and societies. Our bureaucracies claim to know better now. But do they?

***

That same faith in boundless expansion and unrestricted freedom turns up again - this time dressed in more woke language - in what American liberal commentator Ezra Klein calls his new abundance theory.

In his 2025 book Abundance, co-authored with Derek Thompson, Klein argues that to build a better future, societies must create more of what they need - housing, clean energy, infrastructure - instead of rationing what already exists. Its a rallying cry against political paralysis, a call to build more rather than fight over less.

But while Klein identifies as a centrist Democrat, his abundance optimism is really just a kinder-sounding cousin of the old Republican and neoliberal faith in perpetual growth. Both camps - the politically correct liberals and the free market fundamentalists - share a same basic blindness: the belief that human happiness depends on endless expansion or limitless freedoms.

What they miss is the moral and ecological necessity of constraint. Not the mean-spirited kind that hoards wealth, opportunity or selfishly shuts borders, but the mature kind that recognises limits as essential to harmony.

The earth cannot sustain expectations (much less delivery) of infinite abundance - not of people, not of products, not even of good intentions.

***

We dont need scarcity or surplus; we need balance. A sustainable abundance where we live freely, but not at the expense of the world itself.

The woman from Boghadoon didnt want to destroy America. She just wanted to see her grandchildren. The Mayo lad was chancing his arm to work illegally in the USA and his visa refusal deserved no sympathy, but also he didnt kill anyone. The Armenian couple moved to the United States for a better life but they are not refugees in the bureaucratic sense, yet now contribute to American society, working hard to pay their way.

The tragedy is that our systems no longer know how to tell the difference.

Weve made migration a moral sorting hat amidst political grandstanding: one side shouting build the wall! and the other shouting no human is illegal! while real people - with real stories and real needs - stand quietly in between, clutching their forms and hoping theyve ticked the right box.

Surely countries have the right to regulate immigration as they see fit and be entitled to exclude those who flout these rules. Similarly, people deserve the opportunity to live full and happy lives to achieve their dreams. Yet both freedoms should be limited by understanding that our overcrowded and overexploited world is being destroyed by human activities in a capitalist system which benefits the rich and entitled over everyone else.

This is a three-legged stool, we need all three legs or it doesnt work.

And doing our besht just wont be enough.
Cebu Pacific said Thursday it signed a damp lease agreement with Bulgaria Air for two Airbus 320 CEO aircraft to meet the expected rise in passenger demand during the peak travel season.

The leased aircraft will service four domestic routes from ManilaCebu, Davao, Iloilo and Cagayan de Orofrom December 2025 to January 2026. Each of the two leased A320ceos will have a 180-seat capacity.

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Under the agreement, Bulgaria Air will provide the aircraft, pilots, maintenance and insurance, while Cebu Pacific will utilize its own cabin crew.

Bulgaria Air, the national carrier of the Republic of Bulgaria, has extensive experience in the damp lease of aircraft, having partnered with airlines globally.

The agreement comes as Cebu Pacific continues to see strong growth in passenger numbers. In the first nine months of the year, the airline flew nearly 20 million passengers, a 13.9 percent increase from the 17.5 million flown in 2024.

Domestic passengers expanded by 12.7 percent to 14.9 million, while international passengers grew 17.7 percent to 5.1 million. The seat load factor (SLF) averaged 84.8 percent for the period, with overall capacity in seats up by 14 percent to 23.5 million.

We are continuously exploring ways to expand our fleet and ensure operational resilience, said Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao.

Our damp lease agreement with Bulgaria Air will allow us to meet strong travel demand from December 2025 to January 2026, said Lao.

Bulgarian Airways Group chairman of the management board Hristo Todorov said they are pleased to partner with Cebu Pacificone of the most dynamically developing airlines in Asia.

This collaboration is yet another testament to the high level of trust and professionalism that our team delivers in the implementation of international leasing projects, said Todorov.

Cebu Pacific offers the widest network coverage in the Philippines with 37 domestic and 26 international destinations. It operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with a total of 98 aircraft.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the Philippine government is taking all necessary measures to ensure the safe return of the 14 Filipinos rescued from the Hexin scam hub, reaffirming its commitment to bring them home and assuring their families of continued assistance.

In a statement released on Thursday, October 30, the DFA announced that the embassies in Bangkok and Yangon are working with Myanmar and Thai authorities to secure clearances for Filipino citizens to cross from Myanmar to Thailand as soon as possible.

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This delicate process has been complicated by the extraordinarily large number of different nationals in the border area, the statement read.

The department added that diplomatic personnel have reached out to partners on the ground to provide immediate welfare assistance to the rescued Filipinos, emphasizing that the situation requires abundance of patience and guarded discretion.

On October 26, the DFA reported that the Philippine Embassy in Myanmar (Yangon) has received 222 requests for repatriation from Filipinos in scam hub areas, with 66 already in Thailand and nine now under the embassys care in Yangon as of October 24.

Reports indicated that nearly 1,000 foreigners, including 66 Filipinos, successfully fled Myanmar and crossed into Thailand following a military operation against the Chinese-backed KK Park, a known cybercrime compound.

The latest tally of trapped individuals in scam centers controlled by the Border Guard Force (BGF), also known as Karen National Army (KNA), in Myanmar has now reached 189, according to latest reports.
Excellence, relevance and societal impact celebrated at VCs Awards

Wits champions and values celebrated at the 2025 Vice-Chancellors Awards.

Three core themes - excellence, relevance and societal impact - dominated the annual awards hosted on 23 October when the University celebrated outstanding members of the Wits community.

This event held significance as it marked the final Council engagement for Mr Isaac Shongwe, who has served for two terms as the Chairperson of Council, the Universitys highest decision-making body responsible for strategic direction and governance.

Reflecting on two decades of service to Wits, including his tenure on the Board of Governors and as Chair of the Wits Business School Advisory Council, Shongwe described his leadership journey - from the challenges of #FeesMustFall to the Covid-19 pandemic and the emergence of artificial intelligence.

Like all great journeys, ours has not always been smooth sailing, he said. We have faced stormy seas, moments when the waves threatened to overtake us, when winds of change blew hard against our bows. In all of these, I saw the true spirit of Wits - a university anchored not only in excellence, but in humanity.

Extending gratitude on behalf of the University, Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Zeblon Vilakazi lauded Shongwes ethical and visionary leadership, crediting him with helping to shape a culture that is ethical, collegiate, and forward-thinking.

Excellence without relevance can be admired but not heard; relevance without excellence can be loud but hollow; and impact without either fades too quickly to matter, Vilakazi said, affirming that Wits strength lies in its people and culture.

In congratulating the recipients of the VCs Awards, Vilakazi said all awardees are a representation of excellence, relevance and impact in action.

VICE-CHANCELLORS AWARDS

The Vice-Chancellors Awards are among Wits Universitys most prestigious honours, celebrating exceptional talent and contribution across teaching, research, innovation, academic citizenship, transformation, and professional service. Winners are selected through rigorous adjudication, and each award is accompanied by a grant or cash prize.

Research Excellence

The Vice-Chancellors Research Award acknowledges the achievements of an exceptional Wits scholar who has demonstrated high levels of research excellence over a sustained period of time.

Professor Bavesh Kana (School of Pathology) and Professor Jonah Choiniere (Evolutionary Studies Institute), were named the joint winners of this category.

Prof. Kanas groundbreaking gene-editing work has advanced a next-generation tuberculosis vaccine currently moving toward clinical trials, exemplifying Wits capacity for world-leading, life-saving innovation.

Prof. Choiniere, a global authority in dinosaur evolution and palaeobiology, has redefined scientific understanding of early dinosaurs through his research on the southern African fossil record, illuminating how ancient species lived, moved, and survived.

The pair were congratulated on their achievements in very different fields and the publishing of impactful research findings that have changed our world.

Innovation and Social Impact

Physicist Professor Bruce Mellado walked away with this prestigious award. A leading author on the discovery of the Higgs boson at CERNs ATLAS experiment, Mellados research spans high-energy physics, artificial intelligence, and data-driven systems, earning him an h-index of 174 and positioning him among the most cited physicists in Africa.

Supervision Award

Professor Nicola Christofides from the School of Public Health was lauded for her tailored and empathetic approach to supervision, commitment to mentoring women and African scholars, and her dedication to building the next generation of supervisors and academic leaders. She has supervised more than 70 masters and PhD students over the past two decades, many of whom have gone on to leadership positions in universities, NGOs, and global organisations such as the CDC, and UNICEF.

Teaching Excellence

The School of Computer Science claimed both the individual and team categories.

Individual Award: Professor Ritesh Ajoodha was recognised for pioneering the use of explainable AI and educational data mining to enhance student support and improve graduation outcomes. His work has directly informed faculty policy and equitable learning design.

was recognised for pioneering the use of explainable AI and educational data mining to enhance student support and improve graduation outcomes. His work has directly informed faculty policy and equitable learning design. Team Award: Professor Richard Klein and Dr Pravesh Ranchod were honoured for developing a sophisticated automated marking system that revolutionised scalable assessment across programming courses, improving efficiency and learning outcomes.

Academic Citizenship

This award recognises staff whose professional and academic work makes a significant contribution to society. Academic citizenship is an essential part of Wits University #WitsForGood.

Individual Award: Mocke Jansen van Veuren , an experimental filmmaker, multimedia artist, educator and Deputy Head of Wits Film & Television was celebrated for his work with the Beehive Culture Worx in Kliptown and Eldorado Park. This has supported the development of community-based film and animation production and education programmes, resulting in a growing culture of independent filmmaking in a community that has historically lacked access to arts education. Furthermore, he spearheaded industry partnerships including the Netflix Digital Equity project which provided laptops for students.

, an experimental filmmaker, multimedia artist, educator and Deputy Head of Wits Film & Television was celebrated for his work with the Beehive Culture Worx in Kliptown and Eldorado Park. This has supported the development of community-based film and animation production and education programmes, resulting in a growing culture of independent filmmaking in a community that has historically lacked access to arts education. Furthermore, he spearheaded industry partnerships including the Netflix Digital Equity project which provided laptops for students. Team Award: Allison Gilbert and Dr Craig Keyes in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology were recognised for their collaboration with the South African Forensic Medico-Legal Laboratories, the Victim Identification Centre (SAPS), and the International Committee of the Red Cross to uphold standards of excellence in training, case management, and the humanitarian imperative to restore dignity and identity to the deceased.

Transformation Awards

This award honours individuals and teams driving inclusion, diversity, and social cohesion at Wits and beyond.

Individual Awards

Ronnett Diale , a Principal Technician in the School of Electrical and Information Engineering spearheaded initiatives that upskill long-serving staff members and the alignment of job specifications to ensure equitable recognition for all team members. Diales efforts extended beyond professional development to structural transformation. He paved the way for the first female technician in the lab  a milestone that fostered gender diversity and inspired women postgraduate students to participate more confidently in technical spaces.

, a Principal Technician in the School of Electrical and Information Engineering spearheaded initiatives that upskill long-serving staff members and the alignment of job specifications to ensure equitable recognition for all team members. Diales efforts extended beyond professional development to structural transformation. He paved the way for the first female technician in the lab  a milestone that fostered gender diversity and inspired women postgraduate students to participate more confidently in technical spaces. Janice De Gouveia, Operations Administrator in the Operations and Facilities Management Department (OFMD), led the successful development, planning, and implementation of the Adult Education and Training (AET) programme at OFMD. This initiative has created life-changing opportunities for employees with limited formal education, enabling them to improve their literacy, numeracy, and communication skills.

Team Awards

The Faculty of Health Sciences Transformation Committee, as well as the Facultys Wellness Committee, distinguished themselves through noteworthy initiatives including the removal of the age limit on research funding, championed mental health as a pillar of transformation, dedicated wellness rooms to support the breastfeeding and lactation needs of staff and students, ensured free sanitary pads supplied to students, led staff anti-bullying and anti-harassment workshops and training, and mentorship and support for staff and students in need.

Service Excellence Awards

These awards recognise Professional and Administrative Staff (PAS) who demonstrate exceptional customer service, process optimisation, and accountability.

Team award: The Analytics and Institutional Research Unit comprising Dr Celine Meyers, Lerato Makuapane, Thabang Kaneli, Richard van Rensburg, Stash Gomes and Dr Fezile Wagner, was honoured for their visionary leadership, and innovative approach in delivering the Wits@100 Cultures Study.

Individual Awards:
Tanzania descended into tension on Wednesday as protests erupted across several cities during the countrys presidential election, prompting the Government to deploy the military, cut internet access, and impose a curfew in the commercial hub, Dar es Salaam.

Demonstrators accused President Samia Suluhu Hassans Government and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party of suppressing opposition voices and restricting electoral choices.

The U.S. Embassy issued a security alert warning of country-wide unrest as reports emerged of vandalised polling stations and clashes in neighbourhoods such as Kimara, Ubungo, Magomeni, and Kinondoni.

Authorities confirmed that parts of Dar es Salaam were under curfew from 6 p.m. following incidents of arson involving a bus and a petrol station. Military presence was also reported in Dodoma and Zanzibar, with armed personnel stationed near media houses. Internet monitoring group Netblocks reported a nationwide disruption of connectivity, while human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemned the atmosphere of fear surrounding the polls, citing enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings of activists.

Opposition leader Tundu Lissu of the CHADEMA party remains in custody facing treason charges after calling for electoral reforms, while the candidate of another major opposition party was disqualified from the race. Despite more than 37 million registered voters, turnout was reportedly low, particularly among youth who viewed the contest as predetermined. President Hassan, seeking her first full term after succeeding the late John Magufuli in 2021, faced 16 minor opposition candidates. The electoral commission is expected to release preliminary results within 24 hours, though it legally has up to seven days to declare the final outcome.
On Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Nigerias Parliament has approved President Bola Tinubus request to secure $2.85 billion in external loans from international debt markets, marking a significant milestone with the countrys first issuance of a sovereign sukuk.

The approval follows Tinubus earlier appeal to lawmakers to authorize the borrowing package, which includes a $500 million Islamic bond aimed at diversifying Nigerias debt instruments and attracting investors from the Middle East and Asia.

According to President Tinubu, the new borrowing will help bridge the nations budget deficit and refinance Eurobonds maturing in November 2025. The government plans to source the funds through a combination of Eurobond issuance, syndicated loans, bridge financing, or direct arrangements with international banks. The move reflects Nigerias continued efforts to stabilise its fiscal position amid rising debt obligations and currency pressures.
The teacher shot by 6-year-old student is testifying in her $40 million lawsuit against former assistant principal
The African Union (AU) has congratulated Cameroons 92-year-old President Paul Biya on securing an eighth term in office following the 12 October elections, while expressing concern over post-election violence that left at least four people dead.

AU Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf urged Cameroonian authorities to prioritize inclusive national dialogue and consultation with all political actors to promote unity and peace. The statement also condemned reports of repression, arrests, and the excessive use of force against protesters challenging the election outcome.

Cameroons government confirmed on Tuesday, October 28, the deaths but blamed opposition leader and former minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary for inciting unrest after claiming victory in the polls. Authorities accused his supporters of organising violent demonstrations that led to fires, looting, and clashes in cities such as Dschang, Ngon, Guider, and Garoua. Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atanga Nji said several security officers were seriously injured, and investigations had been launched into the oppositions actions, alleging that Tchiroma had committed offences punishable under Cameroonian law.
Serkan Onur Ylmaz, a political prisoner held at Bolu F-Type Prison, has passed the 350th day of his hunger strike against the new high-security prison model. Ylmazs health condition is critical.

Ylmaz demands an end to the increasingly widespread use of severe isolation in Turkey and the inhumane conditions in S, Y, and R type prisons, known as well-type prisons. This is a common demand among many political prisoners.

The press conference in Istanbul held by Contemporary Lawyers Association (CHD) demanding the closure of the "well-type" prisons in Turkey, May 26, 2025. [Photo: @etkinhbrajansi via X]

The Sosyalist Esitlik Partisi-Dorduncu Enternasyonal (Socialist Equality Party-Fourth International) in Turkey advocates the fundamental right of all individuals detained to be held in conditions consistent with the principles of human dignity and health. The well-type prisons, where solitary confinement has been transformed into a systematic form of torture, must be closed and the release of political prisoners must be carried out immediately.

In reports by the Civil Society in the Penal System (CISST) and the Contemporary Lawyers Association (CHD), these prisons are described as isolation centers whose architectural structures and operations systematically destroy the social, sensory, and psychological integrity of prisoners.

In a statement in September 2025, the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TIHV) announced that the long-term isolation imposed in these prisons causes irreversible physical and psychological damage.

Similarly, prison reports prepared by the Human Rights Association (IHD) and the Lawyers for Freedom Association (OHD) in October 2025 emphasized that these prisons, with their concrete coffin-like structure, blocked access to sunlight and air circulation, and were therefore unsuitable for human life.

The Prison Commission of CHD Istanbul Branch confirmed in August that Yilmazs hunger strike was the longest underway in Turkey and that his health had reached a critical stage. Attorney Balm Idil Deniz stated that Ylmaz could no longer walk, had developed wounds on his hands and back, and was experiencing increased nerve pain, adding, that Yilmazs demands were reasonable however, the Ministry of Justice remains silent.

Ali Hasan Akgul, a member of the long-established music group Grup Yorumwhich is listened to by millions of peopledescribed the conditions in these prisons at the same press conference: We are in our cells for 23 hours and have one hour of fresh air. This means being cut off from nature and the world. You dont feel the wind; if youre lucky, you see the sun once. Akgun was released in July after a 144-day hunger strike.

Ylmaz began his hunger strike at Antalya High Security Prison but was transferred to Bolu Type F Prison on the 213th day of his action. Ylmaz continues his hunger strike demanding that he and other prisoners be transferred to prisons that are not well-type.

TIHVs 2025 assessment indicates that long-term hunger strikes can result in permanent neurological damage and organ failure. For this reason, CHD states that Ylmaz is approaching an irreversible threshold with each passing day and that his demands must be met without delay.

As Ylmaz reached the 350th day of his hunger strike, various organizations in Turkey and Europe called for a one-day solidarity action. Members of the Association for Solidarity with Families of Prisoners and Convicts (TAYAD), the Kadkoy Peoples Assembly, the Action Unity Announcement Initiative, and various organizations in Europe stated that Ylmazs demands must be met without delay.

The Greece Peoples Front stated in a press release that Turkeys high-security prison system operates in the same manner as similar isolation structures in Europe, adding that well-type prisons target not only prisoners but also freedom of thought and association. The Anatolian Alevi Committee in Europa also issued a statement calling for solidarity with Ylmaz, stating that isolation practices eliminate the basic conditions of human nature.

The origins of solitary confinement practices in Turkeys prison system date back to the structural transformation initiated after the NATO-backed military coup of September 12, 1980. During this period, a shift was made from the traditional ward system to a new cell-based architecture to prevent collective resistance and solidarity among political prisoners.

This process, which began in the late 1980s with E-type prisons, deepened in the 1990s with H-type prisons; with the introduction of F-type prisons in 2000, the system was transformed into an execution regime based on individual cell isolation.

In response to the hunger strike and death fast launched by more than 800 political prisoners against F-type prisons, the government of Bulent Ecevit, Prime Minister of the social democratic Democratic Left Party (DSP), launched the Return to Life Operation on December 19, 2000. Approximately 10,000 security personnel were deployed to 20 different prisons during these operations, in which 30 prisoners were killed and hundreds injured or subjected to severe torture. This operation was not merely a security intervention but a turning point that paved the way for the permanent implementation of isolation policies.

Following 2002, during the Justice and Development Party (AKP) governments, this model was expanded and reproduced in the form of S, Y, and R type prisons. These structures are a more severe version of the isolation initiated in F-type prisons, both architecturally and administratively.

These high-security prisons, known as well-type prisons, represent the most advanced stage of institutionalization of the isolation regime in Turkeys prison system. Prisoners spend 23 hours a day in windowless, cramped spaces, seeing the sky for only one hour.

Prison architecture targets the prisoners human, cognitive, and emotional capacities by minimizing their social interactions. Constant camera surveillance, the elimination of privacy, and practices such as roll call create a surveillance system in which prisoners cannot control their own existence.

These inhumane practices are far from unique to Turkey and are part of a global trend where ruling classes eliminate fundamental democratic rights to establish dictatorial regimes. Well-type prisons are concrete products of the capitalist state apparatus authoritarian tendencies, primarily targeting the working class. This structure, developed by the state under the guise of security policy, has become an administrative tool for suppressing political opposition and social solidarity. Therefore, the struggle against these inhumane practices in prisons is not merely a human rights issue, but a broader class and political issue.

The struggle in prisons is an integral part of the struggle for democratic and social rights outside. The only way to secure these rights is for the working class, which forms the social base of this struggle, to take power.
University and College Union (UCU) members at the University of Sheffield (UoS) and Sheffield Hallam University (SHU),have voted in favour of strike action over ongoing job losses.

Balloted separately in September staff at both universitiesacademic, lecturers, researchers, support and professional services staffvoted for strike action with majorities of 77 and 79 percent respectively. In both instances the ballot turn-out totalled just over 50 percent. This is not because militancy is in short supply. Sheffield university workers are angry, but they evidently have little faith in the UCU leadership to wage a struggle that satisfies their demands.

University of Sheffield staff rally as they begin industrial action on April 30 [Photo: RotherhamTUC/X]

The UCU has now confirmed four weeks of action at UoS starting November 17 and ending December 12consisting of four days of strike action per week. No dates have been confirmed at SHU.

This is the second successful strike ballot by workers at UoS since May last year when they voted for 10 days of action against mass redundancies. The membership at SHU walked out in March this year for two days after management delayed a paltry 2.7 percent increase for more than half a year without back pay.

The simultaneous vote for two strikes in one city is the latest manifestation of a protracted nationwide struggle, now approaching a decade, between higher education workers and management over savage job cuts, falling salaries, deteriorating pensions and the precipitous decline of working conditions, especially growing workloads.

Research by the UCU calculates UK universities have announced more than 12,000 job cuts in the last year alone. Additional cost savings announced in the same period amount to a further 3,000 jobs. This is a huge escalation since the union reported in March that 5,000 jobs were threatened. In September the TES (Times Education Education) revealed an astonishing 4,000 UK HE courses have been closed since 2024.

The UCU did not explain how this huge and swift destruction of academic jobs, departments and courses took place under its nose.

In May, academic staff at five UoS schools were encouraged to apply for voluntary redundancy. Then on September 11, the university announced these attacks would be extended to another five schools. Over 350 workers have already taken the voluntary redundancy scheme offered by UoS since last year.

In early October David Hayes, president of UoS UCU branch, told TES that the branch committee, following consultation with union members at a well attended branch meeting, wanted four weeks of continuous strike action, composed of four strike days per week. Hayes explained how the votes indicate the depth of concern that our members have about the ongoing campaign of job cuts being pursued by the university.

But the UCUs agenda is not for a fight. They plan to stifle strike action and are calling on the university to commit to voluntary redundancies and reaffirm their commitment to no compulsory redundancies, and to negotiate on working conditions and other means of financial savings agreed when the union curtailed strike action in May. A UoS UCU spokesperson stated, Our negotiators are continuing to meet with management, and we hope this strong mandate encourages management to make an offer that will avert the need to take this strike action.

The job cuts in Sheffield are part of the attacks waged across the Higher Education (HE) sector, that are integral to a nationwide restructuring programme to remain competitive in the global university market.

On October 10 UCU General Secretary Jo Grady said, Overpaid vice-chancellors are carrying out brutal cuts and have caused an existential moment for the UK higher education sector Staff cannot be made to pay the price for management failures.

UCU leader Jo Grady speaking at the UCU's London rally, November 30, 2022

Explain the crisis as the result of rogue individuals is political deflection. Grady added, The Labour government must also stop looking the other way. But Starmers Labour government is not looking the other way, they are driving forward the cuts with a projected net reduction of 2 billion in central government funding over the next two years.

SHU are demanding more redundancies in addition to the 500 staff who accepted terms last year and a further 170 so far this year. This years numbers are one third below managements target of 250. Yet workers have already expressed alarm over spiralling workloads as fewer staff are left with more work.

The UCU claim, The cuts are being driven by the universitys decision to plough more than 200m into major building projects, while announcing further budget reductions of 28m for 2025-26.

Aware that the UCU is not opposed to redundancies, provided they are presented as voluntary, SHU management said it will not enforce compulsory redundancies unless absolutely necessary.

The UCUs decision follows an established pattern, whereby a successful strike ballot is utilsed to encourage management only to provide a slightly improved offer that preserves the essence of the cuts but allows the union bureaucracy to stand down its members.

The basis for a collective struggle against the job cuts and retrenchment not just in Sheffield, but nationwide, unquestionably exists amongst all educators in HE and further education. Since October 13 the UCU has also been balloting further education workers on potential strike action under the banner A New Deal for FE. This followed a pay recommendation of just 4 percent from the Association of Colleges (AoC), with no guarantee that cash-starved colleges will even implement it.

On top of the jobs bloodbath, and with salaries falling by an incredible 30 percent over the past decade, the UCU leadership was left with no choice but to also hold a nationwide strike ballot in the HE sector, beginning October 20. This was in response to the universities offered an insulting 1.4 percent increase, an effective 3 percent pay cut. Such is the volatility of the situation that all five trade unions representing FE workers at the pay negotiations have voted to reject the derisory offer from the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA).

Speaking about the UCEA on September 9, Grady said, Its time for them to come back to the table with an improved [pay] offer that will settle this dispute and avoid the need for a strike ballot and potential industrial action.

Speaking on the mass job losses on October 10 she added, This analysis exposes a UK wide crisis in higher education. These job losses are not minor, and government must stop treating them as localised incidents. But for years, after selling out nationwide strikes the UCU has kept every struggle localised, atomising the struggles of workers.

UCU members at the University of Sheffield International College (USIC) and before them at the University of Sheffield English Language Teaching Centre (ELTC), have both faced large scale redundancies. The former are currently in dispute over pay with the employer Studygroup. But each dispute, even within the same city, some even of an intra-UoS nature like USIC and ELTC, are isolated from each other by the UCU bureaucracy and led to compromise and defeat.

If Higher and Further Education and indeed all the gains won historically by workers are to be successfully defended, this must be conducted in a rebellion against the trade union bureaucracy and the Labour government.

The dead hand of the UCU bureaucracy must be lifted by forming rank-and-file committees in all UK universities and collegesuniting academic and non-academic staff and students, linking up across the UK and with fellow education workers internationally who face similar attacks. These committees must combine the fight to defend jobs, reverse a decade of de facto pay cuts of university staff with opposition to the Starmer governments doubling down on the marketisation of education and austerity cuts.
This undated photo provided by the Florida Department of Corrections on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, shows Norman Grim. [AP Photo/Florida Department of Corrections]

Norman Mearle Grim Jr. died by lethal injection at Florida State Prison on Tuesday evening, October 28, 2025, at 6:14 p.m., marking Floridas 15th execution this year. The condemned inmate did not meet with any visitors before his scheduled execution and made no final statement.

Under Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has put to death more people than any other state in 2025, also setting a new record for the state for executions in a single year. The previous highest tally in Florida since the US Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976 was eight. If the remaining scheduled executions are carried out, the state is projected to reach 17 executions this year.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gestures as he answers questions along with Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, after a roundtable discussion at the Roberto Alonso Community Center, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in Miami Lakes, Florida. [AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee]

Grim was convicted in December 2000 of sexual battery and first-degree murder for the 1998 killing of his next-door neighbor, Cynthia Campbell. Campbell, a 41-year-old lawyer, was brutally attacked by Grim shortly after he invited her over for coffee. Campbells battered body was later found by a fisherman off the Pensacola Bay Bridge, having suffered multiple blunt-force injuries and stab wounds.

Grims background leading up to this brutal killing was traumatic. He was raised in a multigenerational cycle of violence and alcoholism. Before the crime, he had sought counseling and medication for his mental illness and early-life trauma. However, at his trial in 2000 he refused to allow his lawyers to present these mitigating factors, leading to a jury recommendation of death by a unanimous 12-0 vote.

During his sentencing phase, the trial court recognized his disruptive home life, abuse as a child and his mental health problems as mitigating factors but assigned no weight to his lack of long-term psychiatric care.

More recently, in a hearing earlier this month, Grim waived his final appeals. Opponents of the death penalty argue these decisions were rooted in the same trauma that taught him his life did not matter, effectively turning his execution into a state-assisted suicide.

Grim faced execution without the protections every defendant is owed under the law. His previous defense attorney had retired years ago and never officially withdrew. It was only after DeSantis signed Grims death warrant that the state filed an Emergency Motion to Appoint Counsel on the grounds that Grim was technically without representation. This resulted in newly appointed counsel having only a few days to review decades of court records and submit an initial filing, which counsel called an unreasonable ask that posed a constitutional crisis in the state.

Exceptional procedural death penalty rules

Though Grims jury was unanimous, his case sheds light on Floridas exceptional procedural rules. Florida is one of only two states, the other being Alabama, that authorizes juries to recommend death sentences with a non-unanimous vote. Currently, Florida law only requires eight of 12 jurors to recommend a death sentence.

Grims earlier appeals were repeatedly denied by the courts. Only after the US Supreme Courts 2016 decision in Hurst v. Florida ruled Floridas death sentencing process unconstitutional under the Sixth Amendmentwhich guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, the right to an impartial jury and the right to legal counsel, among other protectionsdid Grim file a motion for postconviction relief. However, the Florida Supreme Court affirmed the denial of that claim in 2018 because his original jury recommendation was unanimous.

The legal representation crisis seen in Grims final days is echoed in other Florida cases due to Governor DeSantis rapid pace of issuing death warrants.

Bryan Jennings, a 66-year-old US Marine Corps veteran scheduled for execution on November 13, 2025, has been housed on death row for nearly 45 years. Jennings was left without any state-appointed attorney for over three years, despite Florida law guaranteeing continuous state postconviction counsel for death-sentenced individuals.

The execution of Curtis Windom on August 28, 2025 focused attention on the accelerating pace of executions in Florida. His attorneys argued that the postconviction defense bar was overwhelmed by an unprecedented number of death warrants being signed every two weeks. Due to the tight schedule imposed by Windoms death warrant, his attorneys reported they had only one day to consult with him in a meaningful manner before the court-imposed deadline for filing motions.

Arbitrary power of the Florida governor

Florida stands out nationwide for its execution process, largely due to the extraordinary power vested in the executive branch. The governor of Florida holds the sole authority to select and set the execution dates for inmates on death row. He can also grant a stay for any reason at any time, a power he has yet to exercise.

This process is criticized for being opaque and shrouded in secrecy. Governor DeSantis alone decides who among those sentenced to death will be executed and when, and he has refused to provide the public with any explanation for his decisions. This contrasts with most other states where the courts are heavily involved in the issuing of death warrants.

This arbitrariness is compounded by serious allegations of racial bias in DeSantis warrant signing. A civil suit filed on behalf of Kayle Barrington Bates, executed August 19, 2025, alleged that Floridas execution warrant process is infected with racial discrimination and unconstitutional arbitrariness. Statistical analysis presented in the suit noted that 95 percent of the executions authorized by DeSantis involved white victims. The complaint argued that a defendant convicted of killing a white victim is over 15 times more likely to be executed under DeSantis administration than a defendant whose victims are not white. Bates lawsuit also pointed out that DeSantis has not executed a single white defendant for killing a non-white defendant. The governors motion to dismiss the lawsuit denied any discriminatory effect or purpose.

The systemic flaws in Floridas death penalty system carry the catastrophic risk of executing the innocent. Florida has already dropped charges against a staggering 30 death row prisoners since 1973, more than any other state. Opponents argue that this frequent rate of exonerations adds to the moral argument against the practice and highlights the unacceptable risk of executing innocent peopleas well as the near certainty that this has already happened.

With Grims execution, 41 people have been put to death in state execution chambers across the US, the most since 2012. This pace has been driven by four states, Florida, Texas, Alabama and South Carolina, which have carried out three-quarters of these state killings. The US is on track to carry out 46 executions in 2025, a number not seen since 2012.
Two workers were killed and a third hospitalised by a mine explosion in Cobar, far west New South Wales (NSW) in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The deceased have been identified as 24-year-old Holly Clarke and 59-year-old Ambrose Patrick McMullen.

Ambrose Patrick McMullen and Holly Clarke [Photo: Facebook]

The workers were killed at the underground Endeavor mine, 40 kilometres north of the town itself. The mine, which is owned by Polymetals Resources Ltd, employs some 250 workers. It is one of five currently operating in the Cobar basin and the fifth-largest silver, zinc and lead mine in Australia.

Few details are known at this stage, but initial reports indicate that the three workers had placed explosive discs on the mine wall and were in the process of returning to the surface when the charges exploded prematurely.

McMullen was killed instantly in the blast, while Clarke and the surviving worker, Mackenzie Stirling, also just 24, were brought to the surface. Clarke died at the scene from her injuries and Stirling, suffering hearing damage and shock, was airlifted to Orange Hospital, 360 kilometres south-east of Cobar.

Clarke, who grew up in Cobar, has family connections to the local mining industry, including several of her older siblings, according to the Daily Telegraph. She is the first female worker to be killed in Cobars mines. Women were first allowed to work underground in Cobar and across the state in 1985.

McMullen, originally from Cootehill in County Cavan, Ireland, has lived in Australia for some years. He is survived by his wife and family.

The tragedy has rocked the small, tight-knit community of around 3,500, some one-third of whom are directly employed in the mining industry. In many cases, local families have worked in the mines for multiple generations.

A sense of shock is palpable in the town, likely magnified by a grim accident of timing. Over the weekend, many locals were participating in the Festival of the Miners Ghost, an annual event held to commemorate the lives of miners killed in more than a century of metal extraction in the region. Few would have suspected that, less than 48 hours later, disaster would strike again.

Fresh flowers adorn a memorial to workers killed at mines in Cobar

Cobars dreadful historyof workers and their families having their lives destroyed in the course of creating vast wealth for the mining corporations and the financial eliteannounces itself to visitors almost immediately. At the eastern approach to the town stands a prominent memorial park, including a small tunnel in which the names of all 171 (prior to Tuesday) miners killed in the local mines are commemorated on a wall of plaques. The base of this display is now adorned with fresh flowers.

This is the first fatal incident in the regions mines since 2017, when 36-year-old Mark Brilley was killed at Peak Gold Mine when he was exposed to extreme heat and diesel exhaust while operating an open cabin drill rig around 1 kilometre underground. But Tuesdays explosion violently shattered any illusions that deaths in Cobars mines were a thing of the past or that longstanding safety issues in the mining industry had been resolved.

The Endeavor mine was shut down in 2020 after almost 40 years of continuous operation, before being sold to Polymetals in 2023.

The new owners reopened the mine just four months ago, after boasting to investors that new technologies and techniques would increase productivity and cut costs. In a November 2024 video, Polymetals Corporate Development General Manager Linden Sproule said the company had carried out geotechnical test drilling to demonstrate whether we can use other mining methods which can accelerate the mining rate and reduce costs and that, the further we drill this thing the better it gets.

Sproule said over the 18 months from last November, he expected the mine to generate in excess of $120 million of free cash, which would allow us to repay our debt and start spitting some dividends back to shareholders.

The exact cause of Tuesdays fatal explosion is not yet known, but it is only natural that Sproules comments about cost saving measures raise questions over whether corners were cut before the accidentone which all agree should never have happened.

Entrance to Polymetals Endeavor Mine in Cobar, New South Wales

Two young Endeavor miners told World Socialist Web Site reporters they had been stood down following the explosion, not told when the mine would reopen, and instructed not to speak to the press about the disaster.

Another worker from the mine said he didnt know when or if the mine would reopen. He said conditions there were not safe, and that even if it does open theres a lot of people who will not go back.

If the investigation finds that theres been negligence, then those responsible should go to jail, he added.

A retired miner whose family has worked in the industry for decades, said there had to be a proper investigation into what occurred at Endeavor, because it should never have happened.

If its blamed on faulty equipment, then the equipment should have been tested in advance. My brothers and others in the family are now pretty nervous about staying in the industry. They just want to be in a safe industry. This is very bad for the town, he said.

According to national safety regulator Safe Work Australia, mining remains the fourth-deadliest industry in Australia in terms of raw numbers, with an average of 7.2 deaths each year but the third deadliest when workforce size is taken into account. Last year, the industry had a fatality rate of 3.4 deaths per 100,000 workers, exceeded only by transport, postal and warehousing, with 7.4 per 100,000 and agriculture, forestry and fishing, with 13.7 per 100,000.

University of Queensland Professor David Cliff told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that while total mining deaths had declined over the past two decades, there had been little improvement in the fatality rate in recent years.

In part, he said, this was due to the sophistication of modern mining, which is extracting resources that were impossible to reach in previous decades: The geology is often much more complex, more technical, so the potential for things to go wrong increases if its not thoroughly planned and totally worked out.

Cliff also noted the impact of the increasingly rapacious demands of the big mining companies and their investors: There are also production pressures, fatigue can be an issue, skills can be an issue when you get high turnover at mines. There are a range of issues, some to do with humans, some to do with technology.

Cliff called for a thorough investigation into Tuesdays explosion, to understand any underlying causes, so we can move forward and prevent these sorts of incidents. But he noted that Safe Work NSW, the agency which, together with the police and coroner, will be tasked with carrying out such an inquiry, has limited resources quite often, meaning the investigation is likely to drag on for many months, if not years.

The most recent mining fatality in Cobar is a case in point. Mark Brilley was killed in April 2017, but it was not until October 2021 that a judgement was handed down. The judge found that Peak Gold knew that maintenance on an extraction fan was likely to adversely affect the ventilation of the mine and could result in dangers to the health and safety of the workers engaged underground, including a risk of death. But the company was fined a meagre $480,000.

These limitations are not confined to NSW. In another egregious example, Anglo American is currently in the process of reopening its Grosvenor coal mine in Moranbah, Queensland, with the support of the state safety regulator and the Mining and Energy Union (MEU). In June last year, workers narrowly escaped a methane explosion at the mine, resulting in a fire that burned for an entire month. Four years earlier, five workers were seriously injured in a similar explosion at the same mine.

Officials from the MEU and the Australian Workers Union (AWU) share coverage of the metal mining sector.

MEU district president Bob Timbs declared, We will do everything in our power  to find out what happened and make sure that it never happens again.

He told the media: Weve got very robust legislation covering safety in coalmines and wed like to see that be expanded to cover metalliferous mines. He added, however, that the MEU had concerns around safety in metalliferous mines, particularly in NSW regional areas.

Questions need to be asked: What concerns? What action has the MEU taken to address them? And what does it intend to do now?

Addressing AWU delegates in Western Sydney yesterday, NSW Labor Premier Chris Minns declared, accidents like this should not be occurring in 2025.

He noted the longstanding inadequacies of Safe Work NSW but sought to blame this on previous Liberal-National governments, claiming that Safe Work is changing under his administration.

However, Minns then added, As yesterdays tragedy shows, we cant stop all accidents on work sites, and we cant promise that. No responsible government can do that.

That is a declaration that such tragedies will continue unabated under the Labor government which defends the interests of big business and the corporations. Minns assertion that the deaths in Cobar could not be prevented, before anything is known about the circumstances, prejudices any inquiry and is a warning that a cover-up is in store.

It exposes the sham of his governments minor funding increase and legislative changes to Safe Work, which will do nothing. The agency will still have fewer than 500 inspectors, ostensibly charged with protecting some 5 million people at work across the state.

It also must be a warning that no faith can be placed in the investigative bodies that have established a record of protracted processes designed to wear down the victims families and supporters only to send workers back into dangerous working conditions. Not just this tragic experience, but many others, have exposed that workers lives are seen as expendable in favour of the profit drive of capitalist corporations.
Royal Oak in relation to Detroit

On Wednesday, October 22, students at Royal Oak High School (ROHS) in suburban Detroit conducted a walkout/sit-in to oppose the establishment of a Turning Point USA club at their school.

Founded in 2012 by fascist operative Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last month, Turning Point USA is a billionaire-funded organization set up, in its own words, to combat modern liberalism on college campuses. In reality, it fights to spread anti-communism, antisemitism, racism and anti-gay bigotry to young people.

The walkout came just a few days after millions of people across the United States rallied in every major city and town for the second time this year against the fascistic Trump administration under the banner No Kings. These were the largest political protests in American history so far.

Seventeen-year-old senior Leilani Hamilton prepared the Royal Oak walkout by posting a call to action on Instagram and printing flyers. She explained to this reporter how it happened:

The day before, about 6 p.m., I saw a post on Instagram saying there was a Turning Point club at our school now. In the comments they were saying this is a hate group. This was the first time I heard about Turning Point.

Leilani quickly read more online about Turning Point and Charlie Kirk. He says blacks have less brain power than white people, and abortion is as bad as the holocaust, she explained. Turning Point will put students and teachers in danger.

She decided to call for a walkout. I printed out 25 flyers and I made a post on Instagram. It got reposted on ROHS snap story [on Snapchat]. Thats hundreds of students who saw it there.

When Leilani got to school in the morning, students wanted to get stacks of flyers from me. At the start, it was a group of about 70 students, and by the end of the day it was 277 students. We had a sign-in sheet. Students walked out in the middle of class to come join us.

Many teachers supported the walkout, she said. They had a teacher meeting right before, and they decided they werent going to try to stop us. A lot of teachers agree with it. My math teacher thanked me.

It was going to be just a walkout, but it rained, so we did a sit-in. It started in the cafeteria, and the principal came in, and then the superintendent. In the end, the school officials convinced the students to move their sit-in to the auditorium, where they remained until the end of the day.

Royal Oak Schools superintendent John Tafelski later confirmed in a statement that the Turning Point club would be allowed to go ahead at the school, claiming under the federal Equal Access Act of 1984, the district cannot regulate student groups based on the content of their speechwhether religious, political, philosophical, or otherwise.

What is Turning Point USA?

Turning Point USA is a billionaire-funded organization that plays a major and semi-official role in Trumps unfolding fascist conspiracy. It is tasked with preparing the ideological groundwork for dictatorship. The group has been tapped by Trumps Department of Education to curate patriotic curriculum at K-12 schools.

Its website boasts that Turning Point USA has over 800 student club chapters at colleges across the country and over 1,000 student-led chapters engaged on high-school campuses.

Among their major initiatives have been a professor watchlist and school board watchlist, which solicit and publish information about supposedly radical left teachers and school officials so they can be targeted for victimization and harassment.

Founder Charlie Kirks own racist and fascist views were well known, and there is no shortage of evidence for them. Yet after he was assassinated last month, he was turned into a political martyr by the Trump administration. Workers, including teachers, were fired from their jobs for correctly calling him a bigot and a fascist. The Democrats went along with this, voting with Republicans in Congress to honor Kirk on his birthday, October 14.

What perspective is needed to fight fascism?

The massive No Kings rallies that took place days before the student walkout showed beyond a doubt that not only in Royal Oak, Michigan, but all across the United States, and indeed around the world, people want to fight against Trumps fascist conspiracy.

What is missing is not anti-fascist sentiment, but a socialist political perspective. The source of fascism is the crisis of capitalism and the determination of the financial oligarchy to defend its wealth by the most violent means against the threat of social revolution. The force that can oppose fascism is the international working class, backed by the youth.

The Royal Oak students have appealed to the school administration to ban the Turning Point club. But fascism wont be stopped by banning this or that club at a single school. And any rule established by school or government authorities to ban a fascist political club would immediately be used, much more aggressively, to suppress left-wing organizations.

The Socialist Equality Party (US) wrote in its statement of October 20, After the No Kings protests: What Next?:

Opposition to dictatorship can only go forward to the extent that it is rooted in the social and political struggles of the working class, based on an internationalist socialist strategy. 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.

For young people who want to fight fascism and dictatorship, that means building the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), which is the youth movement of the Socialist Equality Party.

To fight fascism, build the IYSSE at your high school now! Fill out the form below to get started.
The World Socialist Web Site has received the following letter from Bernie Monk, whose son Michael was one of 29 workers who were killed in the 2010 Pike River coal mine disaster in New Zealand. It is addressed to the families of Holly Clarke and Ambrose Patrick McMullen, who lost their lives in an explosion at Polymetals underground Endeavor Mine, north of Cobar, in the Australian state of New South Wales.

Bernie Monk carrying a picture of his son Michael, who died at the age of 23 in the Pike River mine disaster.

The Pike River disasterone of New Zealands deadliest workplace disasterswas not simply a tragedy, it was a crime, brought about by cuts to regulations by successive governments and a company that placed profit and production ahead of workers safety. The union bureaucracy covered up dangerous conditions in the underground mine before the explosion and afterwards defended Pike River Coal, as did the entire political establishment.

Despite overwhelming evidence that the mine was effectively a bomb waiting to go off, Labour Party and National Party governments have continued to shield company managers and directors from any accountability for the past 15 years.

In 2021, the then-Labour government aborted an underground investigation of the mine, reneging on its promise to recover evidence of what caused the explosion and prosecute those responsible. The families of the victims continue to fight for justice and to expose the full truth about the disaster.

****

My name is Bernie Monk, former spokesman for the families of the 29 men who lost their lives in the Pike River Mine disaster in New Zealand in 2010. On behalf of the Pike River families, I am writing to express our deepest sympathies to all of you in the wake of the recent tragedy at the Endeavor Mine.

The tragic news has reached us here in Greymouth, and it has brought back many painful memories. We were all shocked and saddened to hear that two of your community members, a young woman named Holly Clarke and an Irish man named Ambrose Patrick McMullen, lost their lives. We extend our condolences to the families and friends of Ms. Clarke and Mr. McMullen, and our thoughts are with the injured worker as she recovers from her ordeal.

We know what you are going through: the initial shock, the grief, and the struggle to make sense of a tragedy that should not have happened. In these moments, it is important to stand together and support each other. From our experience, we know that community is the most important thing during these times.

Our thoughts are with the families of Holly and Patrick, and with the entire community of Cobar. We know that justice is never easy, but we urge you to stay strong and pursue answers and accountability.

Sincerely,

Bernie Monk

On behalf of the Pike River families
Elevenlabs AudioNative Player

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., left, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, center, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., appear on stage during a rally, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in New York. [AP Photo/Heather Khalifa]

Election day in New York City is less than a week away, with early voting already underway. Polls indicate that Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) member Zohran Mamdani will be elected, which would make someone claiming to be a socialist the mayor of the largest city in the US and the home of Wall Street, the center of global finance capital.

Mamdani rose from a virtual unknown last year to defeat ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, the favored candidate of the citys political establishment, in the June Democratic primary. Since then, Mamdani has maintained a comfortable lead in the polls over Cuomo, who shifted to independent, and Republican demagogue Curtis Sliwa.

The widespread support for Mamdanis campaign reflects a deep hatred for the pro-corporate politics of the Democratic Party, which Andrew Cuomo ruthlessly implemented throughout his tenure in Albany. Workers and youth are disgusted with the Democratic Partys accommodation to Trump and are looking for a way to fight back against staggering levels of inequality, soaring rents, poverty wages, endless war, the genocide in Gaza, and ICE immigration raids.

The elections in New York are taking place amidst the escalating conspiracy of the Trump administration, backed by dominant factions of the oligarchy, to establish a fascistic dictatorship in the United States. This has included the deployment or planned deployment of military forces throughout the country and the massive assault on the working class taking place through the government shutdown.

If Mamdani wins, New York City will immediately become the next battleground in Trumps war against the working class. Last week, the president sent a warning of what is to come, deploying ICE thugs, armed to the teeth with military equipment, to rampage in lower Manhattan, abducting immigrants and citizens alike. Trump has repeatedly denounced Mamdani in fascistic language, calling him a 100% Communist Lunatic. Republicans in Congress have called for Mamdani, a naturalized US citizen, to be deported.

There is broad and growing opposition to Trumps dictatorship, expressed in the outpouring of millions in the October 18 No Kings demonstrations. These are the popular moods to which Mamdani has appealed and which have propelled his rise.

The Socialist Equality Party, however, does not call for a vote for Mamdani, or for any of his rivals. Mamdanis platform and program do not represent a way forward in the fight against oligarchy and dictatorship, but a political trap.

There are, first of all, fundamental questions of principle involved. In calling for a vote for a candidate, one takes responsibility for their political program. Despite his pretense of being a socialist, Mamdani is a Democratic Party politician, and the Democratic Party is a capitalist party, a party of Wall Street and American imperialism. All political experience demonstrates that workers and young people cannot take a single step forward within the framework of the Democratic Party.

In relation to the specific issues in this election, Mamdani, together with the DSA as a whole, is seeking deliberately and consciously to channel opposition back into the Democratic Party by promoting the lie that it can be pushed to the left and become a vehicle for advancing the interests of workers. Mamdanis own campaign, however, exposes this as a political fraud.

Over the past five months, Mamdani has bent over backwards to reassure the very billionaires he claims to oppose. Amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza, he has backtracked on his defense of the Palestinians, declaring that Israel has a right to exist and Hamas should lay down its arms.

Bowing to right-wing pressure, last week Mamdani announced that he plans to retain the billionaire heiress Jessica Tisch as commissioner of the New York Police Department. This has been a key demand of big business, symbolizing that, amid explosive social conditions, when it comes to controlling the states armed apparatus, a trusted figure will be at the helm.

Mamdani appeals to opposition to the oligarchy, but his program is nothing more than a modest call for a few liberal reforms: A pause on increases for half of the citys renters, a modest lowering of transportation expenses for some transit riders, and an expansion of publicly funded child care, financed by a slight tax increase on the wealthy. Even if enacted, these policies would do nothing to resolve the problems of historic proportions facing the working class.

Even so, Mamdani has come under attack from sections of the Democratic Party establishment. Their favored candidate, Cuomo, has denounced Mamdanis proposals as a fantasy while launching a vicious smear campaign branding Mamdani as an Islamic jihadist. New Yorks US Senate delegation has refused to endorse the victor of the partys primary, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries withheld an endorsement until last week.

The Democratic Partys machinations are meant to hold Mamdani in check while promoting gubernatorial candidates like Navy pilot Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey and CIA officer Abigail Spanberger in Virginia as models for the midterms in 2026.

The way in which the DSA Democrats seek to rescue the Democratic Party, despite itself, was underscored at the mass campaign rally last Sunday in Queens, when Mamdani walked on stage to extricate Governor Kathy Hochul, raising arms together to quell the heckles and tax the rich chants from the 13,000 in attendance.

Mamdani is following the same path of political deception laid down by Bernie Sanders and, more recently, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezboth of whom appeared on stage with Mamdani at the election rally on Sunday.

For nearly a decade, Sanders has served as a lightning rod for opposition, consciously channeling the growing hostility to capitalism back into the dead-end of the Democratic Party. In both 2016 and 2020 he ran for president, received millions of votes based on false promises of a political revolution, only to endorse the chosen candidates of Wall Street and the Pentagon, Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden. On foreign policy, Sanders has repeatedly lined up with American imperialism, backing the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and funding for Israel.

Mamdanis fellow DSA member Ocasio-Cortez, too, has presented herself as an opponent of the Democratic Party establishment only to prove herself a faithful defender of the interests of the ruling class. She voted to illegalize a strike by railroad workers in 2022 and backed funding for Israel amid its genocide in Gaza, while urging her supporters to be adults and rally behind the war criminal Biden.

The DSA is playing an ever more direct role in the framework of establishment bourgeois politics in the US. This is, moreover, the expression in the United States of an international tendency. For years, figures like Jeremy Corbyn in Britain have provided left cover for bourgeois political parties that implement austerity at home and imperialist war abroad. Corbyn himself was expelled from the Labour Party amid a witch hunt over supposed left-wing antisemitism, paving the way for the reactionary Keir Starmer to lead the Labour Party as prime minister.

In Greece, the Syriza experience demonstrates the role of the pseudo-left when it comes to power. Within months of winning national elections in 2015, the Coalition of the Radical Left repudiated its promises to take on the European banks, defied the results of a popular referendum, and imposed the austerity agenda demanded by the bankers. It thereby handed the initiative to the far-right. Such experiences have been repeated countless times, in country after country.

Should Mamdani win, he has already demonstrated in the course of his campaign that there will be very little difference between a mayoralty headed by himself and one headed by Cuomo.

The sentiments driving support for Mamdani among workers and young peopleopposition to dictatorship, inequality and warcannot and will not be realized through the Mamdani campaign, nor within the framework of the Democratic Party. As the Socialist Equality Party wrote following Mamdanis primary victory in June:

The Socialist Equality Party has insisted that the predominate tendency within the working class, both within the United States and internationally, is toward political radicalization and opposition to capitalism. The New York mayoral election is a confirmation of this assessment. However, we do not mistake the indication for the fulfillment. While the SEP recognizes the significance of Mamdanis victory, it does not adapt its political program to the illusion that his electoral success will lead to a change in the nature of the state, the class character of the Democratic Party, and the violent and oppressive character of American capitalism.

The developments of the past four months have entirely confirmed this assessment. Trump has violently escalated his conspiracy for dictatorship. Meanwhile, the Democrats have done nothing to stop him, collaborating instead in the destruction of jobs, social programs and democratic rights. Mamdani and the DSA, for their part, have demonstrated the bankruptcy of their entire perspective, working to channel mass opposition back behind the very capitalist establishment responsible for the crisis.

The SEP insists that the fight against war, dictatorship and social inequality cannot proceed through illusions in progressive Democrats or appeals to the existing political institutions of American capitalism. It requires the independent political mobilization of the working class, in the United States and internationally, on the basis of a socialist program. The working classthe great social majoritymust organize itself as a conscious political force to take power, expropriate the billionaires and reconstruct society on the basis of equality, peace and social need, not private profit.

The working class must intervene as an independent political force, armed with a socialist program. The SEP calls on all workers, students, and young people who oppose dictatorship, war and inequality to take up this fight.
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:

a: The proposed system for early detection of acromegaly. Face Detection and Normalization for loaded images. Stage1: face detection to detect faces in an input photography; stage2: face normalization to correct a rotated face to be orthogonal on the camera space; stage3: 3D face reconstruction to reconstruct a 3D face from a single image of a patient; stage 4: features extraction based on geometric from 3D faces and visual features from RGB facial images using deep learning classifier; stage5: integration of features for predicting acromegaly using a ANFIS model to provide the final score of facial images testing. b: Face detection and 3D reconstruction from a patient with acromegaly. c: Windows 10 application offering an easy-to-use interface. Users can select input options, such as "Load Image," to upload.jpg,.jpeg, or.png files, and obtain the acromegaly score results from the analyzed face in few seconds. Credit: Pituitary (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s11102-025-01515-2

The journal Pituitary has highlighted research led by Manel Puig, head of the Endocrine, Thyroid and Obesity Research Group at the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), which explores the potential of AI and machine learning algorithms to provide a revolutionary tool for the early diagnosis of acromegaly.

Acromegaly, which is marked worldwide every 1 November, is a rare disease caused by an excess of growth hormone secretion, and in over 99% of cases it is due to a usually benign pituitary tumor. It can affect anyone and is typically diagnosed from the age of 40, although cases can also appear in childhood, where if left undiagnosed, they can result in gigantism.

In addition to facial and skeletal deformities, which eventually become very noticeable, excess growth hormone can lead to serious alterations in other parts of the body: enlargement of the heart that can cause heart failure, a tendency to develop diabetes, sleep apnea, and an increased risk of developing various tumors, particularly colon cancer.

The article published in the journal describes an AI-driven facial recognition system, called AcroFace, which could potentially detect acromegaly simply by analyzing facial photographs. Specifically, it does so by analyzing visual features (the appearance and texture of the face) and geometric features (measurements and distances between facial landmarks such as the eyes, nose and jaw).

In a preliminary trial of the project, tested on 118 people, the system correctly identified individuals with acromegaly with 93% accuracy, a success rate higher than that achieved in similar previous attempts, which did not exceed 86%.

Although the researchers view these early results as promising, they stress that they must be confirmed once a pilot study in the general population is completed, one that will test thousands more individuals from different ethnic backgrounds. The research group led by Manel Puig is currently conducting this study, analyzing 4,000 photographs from the general population, and expects to obtain initial results soon.

Acromegaly is a rare disease that often goes undiagnosed for a decade, and having a reliable early detection system could help people with the condition receive treatment years earlier, potentially through something as simple as a mobile app.

Thus, acromegaly could shift from being a late-diagnosed, disabling disease to "a condition that can be detected early and managed more easily, without troublesome comorbidities, and even serve as a model for other rare diseases with facial features," summarizes Puig.

"We can all imagine a future where anyone could self-screen with a selfie, where doctors could perform routine checks with a quick photo, where the disease is detected ten years earlier and treated long before serious and irreversible damage occurs," he emphasizes.

More information: Hatem A. Rashwan et al, Acromegaly facial changes analysis using last generation artificial intelligence methodology: the AcroFace system, Pituitary (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s11102-025-01515-2
Electric Hummers on the assembly line at GMs Factory Zero [Photo by Jeffrey Sauger/GM]

General Motors on Wednesday announced a new wave of job cuts at its US electric-vehicle and battery operations, part of a mounting assault on jobs throughout the American and global economy. This follows Tuesdays announcements of more than 50,000 layoffs at Amazon, UPS and Paramount Global and increasing signs of an economic downturn even as the stock market continues to rise to record highs.

GM will reduce Detroits Factory Zero to a single shift in January 2026, eliminating about 1,200 jobs. It is pausing battery-cell output for six months at its Ultium plants in Warren, Ohio, and Spring Hill, Tennessee, affecting another 2,100 workers through temporary and indefinite layoffs. The company cited slower near-term EV adoption and the elimination of federal EV tax credits and easing of emissions rules, while taking a $1.6 billion charge tied to its revised EV strategy.

The cuts are already rippling through the supply chain. Dana Thermal Products (a subsidiary of Dana, Inc.) is permanently closing its Auburn Hills, Michigan, plantopened to build EV battery cooling platesdestroying roughly 200 jobs amid lower-than-expected EV volumes from automaker customers. The closure, detailed in a WARN filings last week, is part of a broader wave of supplier contractions across Michigan and other states.

At Fords Rouge Electric Vehicle Center (REV-C) in Dearborn, UAW Local 600 officials told members on October 23 that all of the locals workers at the site would be laid off indefinitely, a notice the local quickly rescinded even as Ford is evidently preparing further cuts. In March, Ford already eliminated 1,400 jobsroughly two-thirds of the workforceat REV-C, dropping operations to a single shift. Workers who were told they were the spearhead of a new American manufacturing now face layoffs, speed-ups and transfers.

GMs reduction of Factory Zero, located in the Detroit enclave of Hamtramck, underscores a strategic pullback from the accelerated EV timelines shouted from corporate podiums just a year ago. The plant builds GMs Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV pickups, alongside the Hummer and Escalade IQ. GM says output will fall by about 50 percent with the shift change.

A similar process is underway at GMs Lake Orion Assembly north of Detroit. Originally slated for a $4 billion conversion to build the Silverado EV and Sierra EV pickups, GM has canceled the project after repeated delays and will now retool the facility for gas-powered Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado LD and GMC Sierra LD production by 2027. Industry reports describe EV-assembly tooling being removed or repurposed for the new gas-powered models.

A young electrical worker who took part in the construction of the EV production lines at Lake Orion told the World Socialist Web Site, I was part of the crew that built those lines, and then they had us tear them down. The waste of money and manpower is insane.

Earlier this month, GM ended production of the BrightDrop electric delivery van at its CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, citing a slower-than-expected commercial EV market. The move could mean the closure of the factory, which has been idled since May 2025, and the loss of 1,200 workers jobs.

GM has also laid off 200 salaried workers at GM Tech Center in Warren, Michigan, and closed an information technology center in Georgia, eliminating about 300 jobs.

Other EV makers are also rolling back production. Rivian, which makes EV pickups, SUVs and delivery vans, said last week that it was laying off 600 workers. Volkswagen also plans to temporarily halt production of the ID.4 electric SUV this month at its factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The layoffs are not limited to the major automakers and their first-tier suppliers. In addition to the closing of the Dana Thermal Products plant, the Detroit Free Press reported International Automotive Components (IAC) Group is shutting two auto plastics plants in Mendon and Alma, Michigan, eliminating another 250 jobs. The UAW has issued no statement on the plant closures.

Industry analysts have repeatedly warned that Trumps 25 percent auto and parts tariffs will mean layoffs and bankruptcies for many suppliers and higher new-car prices, with impacts cascading through lower-margin tiers. The Detroit Free Press is now reporting that Detroit automakers face a possible semiconductor chip crisis due to a dispute between the Dutch government and a Chinese-owned chipmaker, which could put the brakes on much of their new car production.

This follows a September fire at the Novelis aluminum sheet plant in Oswego, New York, a facility supplying roughly 40 percent of US auto-grade aluminum. This has become a major choke point, forcing temporary shutdown and production cutbacks at multiple automakers, which are unable to import aluminum due to massive tariffs.

As a result, Ford cut profit guidance, estimating a $1.5$2.0 billion hit this year as F-150 production is curtailed; Stellantis idled its Warren Truck plant for weeks; analysts warn the supply disruption will linger into 2026.

According to Cox Automotive, third quarter US EV sales hit a record 438,000 and approximately 1.05 million year-to-date, driven by a rush to beat the deadline for the expiration of the $7,500 EV consumer tax credit. October sales fell sharply after the credits expired, confirming industry warnings of a policy-induced slump, the publication stated.

In addition to the EV tax credits, the Biden administration provided billions in Department of Energy and other federal loans, grants and tax credits to the automakers and their joint venture partners to build electric battery plants, retool assembly lines for EV production, and secure and refine critical minerals needed for EV batteries. Biden also set a non-binding target for 50 percent of new US light-duty sales to be zero-emission by 2030, i.e., battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, or fuel-cell.

President Biden at the GM Factory Zero in Detroit-Hamtramck in 2021 [Photo by General Motors / CC BY-NC 3.0

Bidens EV subsidies and domestic-content rules were aimed not primarily at the environment, but at catching up with Chinas overwhelming EV and battery lead and locking down strategic supply chains. This is needed not only for auto industry but the US military. Although it was widely acknowledged that the shift to EV production would lead to massive job losses, the United Auto Workers bureaucracy cheered this on as crucial for national security, saying its collaboration with the Biden administration to unionize battery plants and police low wages and sweatshop conditions was a just transition to EVs.

In his first day in office, Trump issued an Executive Order, titled, Unleashing American Energy, that not only encouraged the exploration and production of fossil fuels on federal lands and water, but eliminated the electric vehicle mandate, and terminated state emissions waivers that function to limit sales of gasoline-power automobiles and unfair subsidies and other ill-conceived government-imposed market distortions that favor EVs over other technologies...

As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill this summer, Trump ended $7,500 tax credits for new electric vehicle purchases on September 30, along with $4,000 for used models, seven years earlier than planned by the Biden administration.

In a backhanded acknowledgement of the domination of EV production by Chinese manufacturers like BYD, Trump has claimed a rapid EV shift would hand the US auto industry to the Chinese.

Auto executives and politicians around the world wave the China threat to demand layoffs and restructuring. Former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has warned that Chinese EV makers could overrun Europe within years and said only a handful of automakers would survive the Darwinian struggle to cut jobs and labor costs.

Whatever their differences on the pace of electrification, the class content of the policies of both capitalist parties in the US is the same: a nationally-based, protectionist program that keeps profits whole while offloading the crisis onto workers, and the expansion of the US military industrial complex to secure global supply chains and wage war against China.

The United Auto Workers is fully onboard and has offered its services to ramp up wartime production and enforce labor discipline. UAW President Shawn Fainwho lauded Bidens EV policy as a worker-led transitionnow fully backs Trumps tariffs and hails the destruction of autoworker jobs in Canada and Mexico as a victory for American workers. The UAW apparatus was silent on GMs layoffs Wednesday and instead boosted Trumps trade war measures on its X platform, blaming plant closures and layoffs on the free trade disaster.

In an interview published in Democratic Socialists of America-aligned Jacobin magazine last week, Fain praised Trumps tariffs again, and outlined the Neanderthal outlook of the union bureaucracy. He called the breaking up of the globally integrated auto industry and stuffing it back within the confines of nationally-protected US, Canadian and Mexican industries.

In the one true statement he made, Fain said, The UAWs mission hasnt changedno matter whos in the White House.... Indeed, the UAW apparatus role has not changed: to enforce corporate decisions, divide the workforce, and block any independent fight by rank-and-file workers to defend their jobs, living standards and basic democratic and social rights. Fain & Co. are now doing this on behalf of a fascist president moving to establish a dictatorship and launch World War III.

Autoworkers need their own strategy and their own organizations. That means building independent rank-and-file committees in every plant and warehouse, linking across companies and borders through the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC).

Workers must fight for:

No layoffs or plant closures! Full income and benefits for all workers affected by production cuts and supplier shutdowns.

International unity, not trade war! Unite workers in the US, China, Mexico, Canada, and Europe against the corporate-state offensive; oppose the drive to war.

The socialist reorganization of the auto industry! Public ownership and democratic workers control to deploy technology for human need and environmental repairnot private profit.

Join the fight to build rank-and-file committees by filling out the form below.
Graham Platner with a Totenkopf tattoo on his chest. [Photo: Crooked Media]

Since it was revealed earlier this month that Graham Platner, the Bernie Sanders-endorsed Democratic candidate for Maines Senate seat, had a Totenkopf skull and crossbones Nazi tattoo on his chest for nearly two decades while serving as a soldier/mercenary for US imperialism, the pseudo-left and self-proclaimed progressive Democrats have lined up in defense of the far-right candidate.

This campaign is being led by Jacobin magazine and joined by figures such as Krystal Ball of Breaking Points. They have pointed to Platners posting history on Reddit to claim that his comments, which Platner deleted but had written under the handle P-Hustle, show a man with progressive and anti-fascist views rather than a secret Nazi.

Last week Jacobins Branko Marcetic published two articles in defense of Platner. In his latest piece published on October 27, Youre Being Lied to About Graham Platner, Marcetic argues that the vilification of the Maine candidate for Senate doesnt square with what he actually wrote in his posts. Marcetic writes:

Reading through Platners many hundreds of anonymous comments, its hard to paint him as a secret white supremacist or far-right extremist of any kind. In fact, his posts more or less align with the persona he has presented to voters in the two months since he launched his campaign: a rough-around-the-edges military veteran and oyster farmer with a penchant for crude language and a passion for firearms and sustainable living who holds a variety of standard progressive views alongside some heterodox ones.

Likewise in an editorial segment on her program Breaking Points, Ball, a supporter of Sanders and the 2022 John Fetterman Senate campaign in Pennsylvania, said the revelation that Platner had a Nazi tattoo made her more ride or die for him than ever. She added that we actually have access to his edgiest sh*t posts and none of them are far right.

In fact, what Platner actually wrote under his P-Hustle handle, combined with his record in service of US imperialism, completely refutes these claims. Far from revealing a progressive outlook, his posts express open admiration for the most reactionary and murderous episodes in the history of American imperialism.

In a 2010 thread titled What American wars would you have volunteered to fight in? Platner replied:

The Indian Wars, the Philippines, Haiti and Nicaragua in the 1920s, Vietnam, Nicaragua and El Salvador again in the 80s. As for would have, I did for Iraq and would love to get to the Ghan. [Afghanistan]

Graham Planter's post fantasizing about participating in neo-colonial wars.

He added:

Small wars are pretty enjoyable. Its the big ones, with days of artillery fire and inhuman brutality that take the fun out of fighting. But small wars (and Iraq and Afghanistan are indeed small wars) provide the rush of small combat actions along with the intellectual challenge of building personal relationships and infrastructure within the local community. Small wars are thinking wars, which I much prefer over the bloody slugfests of great-power conventional warfare. Oh, and the revolution, because Im Amuuurican.

Every war on his list, save the American Revolution, was a war of conquest and counterrevolution, fought to crush liberation movements and secure profits for American corporations. To call such bloodshed pretty enjoyable is to express enthusiasm for the organized mass killing of oppressed peoples.

It is notable that Platner named the Indian Wars, that is, the US genocide against the Native Americans, as the first colonial campaign he would have wished to have taken part in. The Nazis, many who wore the same Totenkopf symbol on their uniforms that Platner had tattooed on his chest at the time he wrote this post, openly celebrated the conquest of the American West as an example to follow for their own eastward campaign.

Platner also explicitly praised the Philippine occupation and the US invasions of Haiti and Nicaragua, the Vietnam War as conflicts he would have volunteered to fight in. The Philippine-American War saw the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos resisting US rule. The US occupations of Haiti and Nicaragua in the early 20th century imposed puppet regimes, seized national treasuries and reintroduced forced labor for the American banks.

Even more revealing is Platners description of Iraq and Afghanistan as small wars  pretty enjoyable, providing a rush of small combat actions. The intellectual challenge he citesbuilding personal relationships and infrastructure within the local communityis the euphemistic vocabulary of counter-insurgency doctrine, which posits that occupation can be made palatable if coupled with a public relations campaign and token reconstruction efforts.

Notably absent from Platners list of wars is the American Civil Warthe last progressive war fought by the American bourgeoisie, which ended in the destruction of chattel slavery. Karl Marx, in a letter to Abraham Lincoln following his re-election during the war, wrote:

The workingmen of Europe feel sure that, as the American War of Independence initiated a new era of ascendancy for the middle class, so the American Antislavery War will do for the working classes. They consider it an earnest of the epoch to come that it fell to the lot of Abraham Lincoln, the single-minded son of the working class, to lead his country through the matchless struggle for the rescue of an enchained race and the reconstruction of a social world.

Platner, a supposed left-wing populist, apparently finds nothing to admire in the struggle to end slavery but reveres every campaign of imperialist slaughter that followed it. This is a person who did not fight for human emancipation but killed in the service of empire and openly pines for more.

In multiple Reddit posts, Platner glorifies the Marines and reminisces about combat experiences. In one thread he posted about violating an order forbidding the shooting of mortar rounds in Ramadi. Platner recalls rigging an MK-19 automatic grenade launcher to shoot high explosive rounds seemingly straight up.



It wasnt the most accurate system and Ive no idea if we ever killed an enemy mortar crew with it, but it was enough to place (High Explosive) near the enemy crews so theyd have to break down and try from somewhere else next time, he wrote in a December 2019 post.

That Jacobin conceals these facts and instead markets Platner as a rough-around-the-edges Marine with progressive views exposes the real social function of the pseudo-left. Its role is to launder imperialismto provide a left gloss for the Democratic Partys integration of the military, intelligence agencies and corporate elite. In defending Platner, Jacobin is not defending a confused veteran but a man who glorified genocide, served US imperialism for pay and now seeks political office to continue that service by other means.

The pseudo-lefts invocation of Platners deleted Reddit posts as evidence of his progressive credentials is therefore revealing of their own political subordination to US imperialism. Moreover, as his entire record showsfrom four tours in the US occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, to his later employment as a mercenary for Blackwater/Constellis, to his Totenkopf tattoo, the emblem of the Nazi SSPlatners actions express the very essence of American militarism and reaction.

In the wake of these revelations, Jacobins defense of Platner takes on an even more sinister character. Marcetics portrayal of him as a progressive veteran whitewashes a man who has spent his adult life enforcing the interests of US imperialism.

After deploying with the Marine Corps and US National Guard, Platner, while working for the US State Department, joined Blackwater/Constellis, the mercenary army notorious for the 2007 Nisour Square massacre in Baghdad. On Reddit, he defended the company and dismissed its atrocities as the inevitable f***-ups of amateurs.

The whole Blackwater hit squads narrative is complete bullshit. Its all security, totally reactive.  The big events were almost entirely massive f***-ups from ill-prepared and untrained amateurs like Nisoor (sic) Square.  I say this as a guy who did the security contractor thing for a bit.

Platner defending Blackwater.

His supposed ignorance of the Totenkopf symbol is no more credible. Platners Reddit posts show a deep and proud familiarity with Marine Corps and military history. In multiple threads he discussed the battles of Iwo Jima, Tarawa, the Battle of the Bulge and the Pacific campaigns.

Platners entire public personaa working-class veteran turned oyster farmeris a political fabrication. As a teenager he attended two private schools, including the $75,000-a-year Hotchkiss School, an elite Connecticut prep school whose alumni included CIA Director Porter Goss, Jonathan Bush (President George H.W. Bushs brother and investment banker), William Clay Ford Sr. and Jr., Robert Lehman of Lehman Brothers Inc., Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart and Clinton adviser Strobe Talbott. His grandfather, Warren Platner, was a world-renowned architect and designer as his New York Times obituary notes, and Platners father, Bronson Platner, is a prominent Maine attorney.

Far from an economic conscript forced to sign up for the US military out of desperation, Platner belongs to the upper strata of the American bourgeoisiea layer whose sons move effortlessly between elite schools, the military and corporate or political office. His populism is as phony as his claims to have been unaware that he had a Nazi tattoo on his chest for over 18 years.

The fact is Platners pro-imperialist politics are the same today as they were when he was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. In an August 2025 interview with The American Prospect, Platner expressed support for the ongoing US-NATO war in Ukraine against Russia.

I support the Ukrainians in their fight. They were invaded. Theyre resisting with all the means that they can. And I personally think that we should provide them with support.

His statement echoes the propaganda of the Biden and increasingly the Trump administration, which portrays the conflict as an unprovoked act of Russian aggression while concealing the decades-long expansion of NATO and the US effort to dominate Eurasia. Platners endorsement of this imperialist war is not an aberration but the culmination of his political trajectory. The same Marine who praised the Indian Wars and fought in Iraq now supports NATOs drive toward World War III.

Joining the pseudo-left in defending this right-wing soldier for US imperialism are leading members of the Democratic Party. Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, a key advocate of arming Ukraine and Israel, told CNNs Jake Tapper that he would be meeting with Platner this week.

He sounds like a human being who made mistakes, recognizes them, and is very open about it, Murphy said, adding, Hes talking a language that speaks to a lot of middle class voters, a lot of Trump voters that frankly are looking for Democrats that understand working class concerns.

Platners promotion is part of the Democratic Partys ongoing strategy of recruiting soldiers and intelligence operatives, known as CIA Democrats, to give its imperialist program a populist veneer.

Bernie Sanders, Platners most prominent backer, went even further. Asked about the Nazi tattoo in an interview with Axios last week, Sanders downplayed the issue entirely, Between you and me there might be one or two more important issues.

Sanders praised Platners service stating, He served four tours of duty with the United States military. He was in some heavy duty combat. He was a machine gunner, what do you do? You mow down people, you know. He then called for forgiveness for Platners dark period, describing him as a really strong fighter for the working class, very articulate, very smart.

The pseudo-lefts embrace of Platnerby Jacobin, The American Prospect, Ball, Sandersexposes the unbridgeable gulf between socialism and the politics of the Democratic Party. Their defense of a fascist-sympathizing mercenary confirms that their role is to provide a left gloss for US imperialism and the Democratic Party.
Lula meets Trump in Malaysia [Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/PR]

On Sunday, the first in-person meeting took place between presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil and Donald Trump of the United States. The closed-door meeting occurred in Malaysia, where both were participating as guests in the 47th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Lula described his meeting with Trump as a very happy day in a post featuring his photo smiling and shaking hands with the American president. Trump, in turn, told the press: We had a very good meeting.... Hes a very vigorous guy, I was very impressed.

At a press conference the following day, the Workers Party (PT) leadera hero of the international pseudo-leftpraised Trump repeatedly and obscenely described his good chemistry with the White Houses aspiring Fuhrer.

Lula stated:

You have to feel, you have to hold hands, you have to talk, you have to look, you have to see the persons procedure, behavior, the persons reaction, you know? And I think, honestly, there was a lot of sincerity in our relationship. I have no problem saying that its quite possible youll be surprised by the affinity between the American state and the Brazilian state.

The meeting between the two leaders, which had as its pretext negotiating the excruciating 50 percent tariffs against Brazil decreed by Trump in August, occurred in the context of a historic escalation of US imperialist violence against Latin America.

While Lula kissed Trumps ring in Malaysia, off the coast of Venezuelawhich shares extensive borders with Brazilthe US was mobilizing a naval armada on a scale unprecedented in the region since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

Last Friday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the deployment of the worlds largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Caribbean Sea. This military escalation, in preparation for open war against Venezuela, followed Trumps statements affirming he had authorized CIA operations to overthrow Nicolas Maduros regime and threatening a land invasion of the country.

At the same time, the US military has been carrying out a campaign of illegal assassinations in Latin American waters, having already bombed a dozen small civilian vessels, killing nearly 60 people.

The most recent and deadliest of these attacks occurred on Monday. Four vessels were sunk and 14 people killed in three waves of missile fire. Following the macabre ritual adopted by Trumps fascist administration from the beginning, the deathswhich amount to extrajudicial executionswere trumpeted by Hegseth on social media.

The US imperialist military incursion against Venezuela is already provoking a profound political destabilization of Latin America and threatens to drag the entire region into war.

A week before meeting with Lula, Trump launched a brutal offensive against Colombias government. He accused President Gustavo Petro of being an illegal drug leader, repeating, with exactly the same purpose, the monstrous lie fabricated to justify military and political intervention against Venezuela.

For the president of South Americas largest country, the mere holding of a friendly diplomatic meeting with Trump under these conditions would represent tacit capitulation to imperialism. But Lula went much further.

During his press conference, the Brazilian president reported that he himself raised the subject of Venezuela in the discussion with Trump; with the objective not of confronting, but rather collaborating with American imperialism.

What I told President Trump is that Brazil has expertise, because weve done this once before in Venezuela, Lula told reporters. Referring to the unstable political situation in Venezuela following the failed US-backed coup attempt against President Hugo Chavez in 2002, Lula continued:

I had only been in office for 15 days in 2003 when we created the group of friends to resolve the democratic problem in Venezuela. We chose to participate in the group of friends, Colin Powell, who was US Secretary of State, and we included Spain, which was the first country to recognize the coup plotter who took office in place of Chavez. I remember it like it was today. Fidel [Castro] kept saying, but youre handing Venezuela over to imperialism. I said... Im creating a group of friends of Venezuelan democracy, its not a group of friends of Chavez. And, to... strengthen democracy, you need to have people who have the oppositions respect. I think its possible to find a solution in Venezuela, if theres willingness to negotiate.

The idea that the US intervention in Venezuela had anything to do with democracy was a sordid lie 20 years ago. Today, only Lula maintains this pretense, while the US government crudely declares its predatory imperialist objectives.

Lulas attachment to the democratic and legal facade of the imperialist order in crisis is highly revealing of the rotten and reactionary kind of bourgeois nationalist politics he defends.

He is fully aware that US imperialism seeks control of Latin Americas strategic resourcesin Venezuelas case, oiland is fighting to regain its regional hegemony in direct confrontation with China. Lula has no perspective for opposing these aims and seeks only the best accommodation of Brazilian capitalisms interests to them.

As Lula himself unscrupulously put it:

Any subject you want to discuss and put on the table, well discuss. Whether its trade relations, relations with China, relations with Venezuela, theres no forbidden topic with me. If you want to discuss critical minerals, rare earths; if you want to discuss ethanol, sugar, no problem. Im a walking metamorphosis at the negotiating table, you know?... Thats how I learned to negotiate.... If its interesting to you, put it on the table, convince me, because convincing me is easy.

Lula, the former trade union bureaucrat, also knows well that the most valuable service he has to offer, whether to imperialism or the national bourgeoisie, is helping to suppress the resistance and independent political organization of the working class.

His first act after meeting with Trump was to address the Brazilian population to assure them that the trade war and criminal political interventions launched against Brazil by Washington were nothing more than a terrible misunderstanding.

Lula declared:

When President Trump published on his portal the letter to Brazil, imposing taxes on Brazilian products, many people went into crisis thinking it was the end of the world. What did we say in the government? Calm down, because the decisions that were made against Brazil are unfounded because they were made with wrong information. And that was obvious.

He then concluded:

Im convinced that in a few days well have a definitive solution between the United States and Brazil, so that life goes on good and happy.... Thats how Im returning to Brazil, satisfied and certain that everything will work out for the Brazilian people.

What cynicism! Trumps ruthless attack didnt stem from any wrong information, and its nefarious political implications for Brazilian workers remain in full force.

Trumps official letter to Lula and presidential decree imposing the tariffs against Brazil abandoned the false pretext of correcting injustices in the trade balance with the US and assumed a predatory political character.

Trump openly presented the tariffs and sanctions against Brazilian authorities as an intervention against the prosecution of his ally, former president Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced to 27 years in prison for his attempted coup detat. This trial should not be happening. It is a witch hunt that must end IMMEDIATELY! Trump wrote to Lula.

Neither the tariffs nor the imperialist provocations ceased with Lulas meeting with Trump on Sunday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is coordinating the negotiations, directly conditioned an agreement on Brazil making us its preferred trade partner instead of China.

Last week, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, the former presidents son, responded to one of Hegseths posts glorifying his illegal attacks in the Caribbean by demanding that US extend its military intervention to Brazil. I heard there are boats like this here in Rio de Janeiro, Flavio wrote. Wouldnt you like to spend a few months here helping us fight these terrorist organizations?

Lulas conscious efforts to disarm the working class in the face of the growing threat of fascism and imperialist aggression are laid bare by the abrupt shift in his discourse since the UN General Assembly debate at the end of September.

The Brazilian president opened the plenary session of the event with a speech claiming that Bolsonaros conviction was a message to all aspiring autocrats and those who support them that our democracy and our sovereignty are non-negotiable. The message was obviously addressed to Trump.

Lula proceeded to denounce the instigation of growing polarization and instability in Latin America and the Caribbean, stating that the equation of criminality with terrorism was concerning, and condemning the use of lethal force in situations that do not constitute armed conflicts as equivalent to executing people without trial.

Its quite true that Lula conveniently omitted naming the criminals responsible for war, political instability, extrajudicial executions and the growth of fascism in Latin America. But it doesnt make it any less striking that, after a month marked by the escalation of these imperialist crimes, Lula turned his assessment of reality upside down. Trump, finally named by Lula, is now presented as a partner for peace and democracy in Brazil and Latin America.

Furthermore, Lulawho recently stated that if what Trump did at the Capitol happened in Brazil, he would be prosecuted like Bolsonaro... because he injured democracy and the Constitutionnow refers to himself and the American president as the leaders of the two greatest democracies in the West. This amounts to a seal of approval for Trumps accelerated drive to establish a fascist dictatorship within the United States.

As the deep connections between the US Capitol coup attempt of January 6, 2021, and the coup attempt that culminated in the January 8, 2023 events in Brasilia demonstrated, the destruction of democracy in the US impacts Brazil profoundly and immediately.

Lulas opportunism and pusillanimity are not merely personal political traits. They express the dead end to which the bourgeois nationalist program defended by the PT in Brazil and the Pink Tide governments across Latin America has led.

Far from fulfilling its promise of achieving a new type of socialism through the institutions of the bourgeois state and independence from US imperialism, the Pink Tide entered history as a mere episode in the infamous political trajectory of the Latin American bourgeoisie; an interval between the era of CIA-backed military regimes of the 1970s and the resumption of brutal dictatorial methods by local ruling classes and their imperialist sponsors.

To fight against the eruption of imperialist war and the bourgeoisies plunge into fascism, the Brazilian and international working class urgently needs to break with nationalist and pro-capitalist parties and programs.

It is necessary to build the independent political leadership of the working class for the coming mass struggles based on the strategy of international socialist revolution, defended exclusively by the International Committee of the Fourth International.
US President Trump held a summit in Tokyo with new far-right Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday as part of his tour of Asia this week. Their meeting was aimed at strengthening the US-Japan alliance as the Trump administration prepares for war against China.

President Donald Trump, left, and Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands during a signing ceremony at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein]

Like other leaders seeking to curry Trumps favor, Takaichi obsequiously praised the fascistic US president and would-be dictator as the two released a joint statement claiming the two countries were entering a new golden age of the ever-growing US-Japan alliance.

Takaichi praised Trumps supposed unwavering commitment to world peace and stability and pledged to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in the future, even as Trump carries out murderous military assaults on fishermen off the coast of Venezuela while threatening war with the country.

The Japanese prime minister also highlighted her alignment and close political relations with former right-wing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Abe was responsible for a significant acceleration of remilitarization during his 2012 to 2020 term in office. Trump has regularly praised his relationship with Abe, who was assassinated in July 2022.

While direct references to China were absent during Trump and Takaichis meeting, at least publicly, the threats to China were clear. This was highlighted Tuesday afternoon after the summit when the pair appeared together aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier at the Yokosuka naval base, home to the US Seventh Fleet.

Now we are facing an unprecedentedly severe security environment. Peace cannot be preserved by words alone. It can be protected only when there is unwavering determination and action, Takaichi stated. Under the banner of peace, she is pledging to further remilitarize. Japan is ready to contribute even more proactively to the peace and stability of the region.

Trump in return has praised Takaichi, even though tensions have grown between Washington and Tokyo this year. He stated on Monday before the summit, [Takaichi] was a great ally and friend of Shinzo Abe, who was my friend He was one of my best And I know they were very close, and I think philosophically they were close, which is good. Its going to be very good. That really helps Japan and the United States.

Takaichi took over as prime minister on October 21 with the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) joining Nippon Ishin no Kai in a new far-right coalition. Takaichis government is not proceeding from a position of strength, but of weakness. Despite the LDPs new coalition with Ishin, it presides over a minority government, two seats short of a majority in the lower house of parliament. The two parties have agreed to drastically ramp up Japans remilitarization, including revising Article 9 of the constitution, which explicitly bars Japan from fielding a military or waging war.

Under her predecessor Ishiba, Washington and Tokyo orchestrated a trade deal to reduce tariffs on Japanese goods to 15 percent while Japan would invest $550 billion into the US, with the latter taking 90 percent of the profits. The deal has angered layers of the Japanese ruling class. Takaichi has hinted at attempting to revise the deal, though she has avoided stating this directly.

In addition, Trump has demanded allies like Japan raise military spending to five percent of GDP. Ishibas government balked at this, not because it was opposed to militarism, but instead calling the matter a sovereign decision.

With these tensions, Takaichis political resemblance to Abe was no doubt a significant reason behind the support of the Japanese ruling class for her premiership. Under Abe, Tokyo carried out a constitutional reinterpretation and the imposition of military legislation allowing Japan to wage war overseas despite the post-war constitutional restrictions, running roughshod of working-class opposition. He also promoted historical revisionism to whitewash the crimes of Japanese imperialism in the 1930s and 1940s.

Takaichi shares a similar outlook on remilitarization. She served in different posts in Abes government while also making regular visits as a cabinet minister to the Yasukuni war shrine that also promotes the whitewashing of Japanese war crimes while enshrining 14 class-A war criminals.

With Trump on Tuesday, Takaichi pledged to increase war spending in line with Trumps demands. Last week, Takaichi announced a plan to raise military spending to two percent of GDP by the end of the current fiscal year in March by pushing through a new supplementary budget.

Trump stated approvingly in return, I know that you are increasing your military capacity very substantially and weve received your orders for a very large amount of military equipment. He added, We appreciate that order, and we very much appreciate the trade. Were going to do tremendous trade together. I think more than ever before.

Military spending will likely not stop there. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated last week that Its not about the amount or the ratio to GDP. What matters is the substance of our defense capabilities. In other words, Tokyo is dispensing with any restrictions on its military spending, which had long been in place not because the Japanese ruling class opposed war in the past, but because of the widespread opposition to militarism in the working class.

Further in line with these war plans, Trump and Takaichi agreed to a deal on rare earth minerals after Trump reached an agreement with Malaysia regarding such resources over the weekend. The deals come as China announced new export controls and other restrictions on rare earth and other critical materials earlier this month.

The deal, according to a separate statement, stated that the US and Japan plan to accelerate development of diversified, liquid, and fair markets for critical minerals and rare earths and to [achieve] resilience and security of critical minerals and rare earths supply chains, including mining, separation, and processing.

Significant amounts of rare metals, including nickel and cobalt, lie under the waters in Japans Exclusive Economic Zone to the southeast of Tokyo near the island of Minami-Torishima. Researchers estimate that the area around the island contains 16 million tons of rare earths, or the third-largest reserve in the world. Mining is set to begin this January.

These minerals are critical for semiconductors and other components used not only in smartphones and automobiles, but also fighter jets, missiles, and other weaponry. Washington considers access to these resources critical for its war planning against China. Trumps trade war measures directed at allies and opponents alike were meant to force countries further into the US orbit and gain access to resources like those in Japan.

Enforcing these pro-war measures means further attacks on the working class, who will not only be expected to foot the bill, but will face increased attacks on democratic rights as well as they move openly to oppose Takaichis agenda.

While large protests against the government have not yet emerged, demonstrations have taken place. On Monday evening, several hundred protesters gathered in Tokyo to denounce Trump and Takaichi. Hundreds of Japanese and foreign residents in Tokyo also took part in the No Kings protests in June and on October 18. This is only the beginning of the mass opposition that is sure to emerge.
The Israeli military massacred over 104 people on Tuesday and Wednesday in a series of attacks throughout the Gaza Strip, demonstrating the complete fraud of the ceasefire adopted on October 10. The attacks killed 46 children and 20 women and injured over 200 people, according to Gazas health ministry.

On Tuesday, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that a decision had been made to immediately carry out forceful strikes in the Gaza Strip, and that US President Trump was informed before the action was taken.

The Israeli military boasted that it carried out a series of strikes, in which dozens of terror targets and terrorists were struck.

On Tuesday, Trump declared that if Hamas does not behave, then theyre going to be terminated. Their lives will be terminated.

US Vice President JD Vance declared, The ceasefire is holding, despite little skirmishes here and there. He added, We expect the Israelis are going to respond when fired upon.

In other words, an essential feature of the ceasefire is little skirmishes in which a hundred Palestinians are slaughtered within a 24-hour period.

The ongoing Israeli massacres and deliberate restriction of food make it clear that the peace agreement was nothing but a cover for the ongoing genocide. Governments in the Middle East and in Europe and all major media publications hailed the agreement as a breakthrough and a major step toward peace. It is no such thing. It merely cements and makes permanent the Israeli occupation of Gaza and gives diplomatic cover for daily massacres and deliberate mass starvation by Israel.

Mourners carry the bodies of Palestinians killed in an Israeli army strike, during their funeral in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. [AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi]

Haneen Mteir, whose nephews and sisters had been killed in southern Gaza, told the Associated Press, These are massacres ... They burned children while they were asleep.

Dr. Mohammed al-Mughir, an official from Gazas civil defense agency, declared that Among these attacks was the targeting of a cancer patient camp, the Insan camp.

Khadija al-Husni, a displaced mother living in Gazas Shati refugee camp, told Al Jazeera, Either there is a truce or a warit cant be both. The children couldnt sleep; they thought the war was over.

In the three weeks since the announcement of the ceasefire, Israel has killed 200 people in an increasingly violent and unrestrained series of attacks.

In a statement, the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor declared that the ceasefire does not signify an end to the genocide, as Israeli authorities continue to perpetrate it systematically and continuously, despite the decrease in overt bombings. They persist in directly targeting civilians and enforcing arbitrary measures, including a suffocating blockade, the closure of crossings, and severe restrictions on the entry of heavy equipment needed to clear rubble and search for missing persons. They also impose arbitrary limitations on the entry of food, humanitarian aid, and medical supplies.

Israeli politicians have meanwhile called for a total repudiation of the ceasefire and an even greater assault on Gaza. The time has come to say we made a mistake, we failed, and end this ceasefire, said Moshe Saada, a member of Netanyahus right-wing Likud party, in a statement Wednesday to Israels Army Radio.

The Wall Street Journal called for Israeli escalation in an editorial, declaring that Gazas demilitarization... This requires Israeli military action, which resumed after the Hamas shooting Tuesday. Israeli forces may take some more territory from Hamas for now, but the pressing need is for regular intervention to pressure Hamas and disrupt its reconstitution.

The newspaper once again praised Trumps ceasefire agreement because it dictated that Hamas free all the hostages up front and leave Israel in half of Gaza until Hamas disarmed. In other words, it created the conditions for the resumption of the Israeli assault at any point.

Hamas has returned all living hostages it captured on October 6, 2023, and has so far returned the bodies of 15 of the 28 dead hostages. The US and Israel have accused Hamas of not acting quickly enough to return the bodies, using this claim as a pretext for attacks.

In addition to the ongoing and escalating bloodbath, Israel continues to restrict food entering Gaza, in violation of the terms of the ceasefire, with far fewer than the 600 aid trucks Israel had promised entering Gaza each day.

Last week, the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor published a series of statistics, based on its own independent investigation, showing the scale of the devastation inflicted on Gaza during two years of genocide. The figures showed that more than 270,000 people, around 12 percent of the population, have been killed, injured, or detained since October 7, 2023.

The report concluded that Over more than two years, the Israeli army has killed about 75,190 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including at least 70,248 civilians, representing 90 percent of the total. Among them are 21,310 children, accounting for 30 percent of the fatalities, and 13,987 women, representing 20 percent.

It added that 45,600 children have become orphans after losing one or both parents in Israeli attacks.

The organization estimated that since the start of the genocide, 482 Palestinians have died due to malnutrition, including 160 children. It added:

The entire population of the Gaza Strip continues to suffer from severe food insecurity, as Israel maintains restrictions on crossings and prevents the entry of essential food supplies, despite allowing limited humanitarian aid and goods to enter.

It further noted:

1,701 health workers have been killed, including 194 doctors and 376 nurses, while around 2,195 others have been injured. In addition, 255 journalists, 140 civil defense workers, 800 teachers, and 200 academics and university professors have lost their lives.

Ninety-nine percent of Gazas population has been forcibly displaced at least once in the past two years, while the vast majority of Gazas buildings have been destroyed or damaged, including 555,000 housing units and 621 schools. Ninety-five percent of schools and universities, and every single hospital in Gaza, have either been destroyed or damaged.
A grocery store employee stocks cartons of eggs for display at a Petaluma Market in Sonoma County. [AP Photo/Terry Chea]

On Saturday, food stamps are set to expire, threatening 42 million Americans with hunger. At the same time, tens of millions are confronting massive price increases for healthcare, as open enrollment begins for private insurance plans sponsored by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare.

The Trump administration is using hunger as a weapon of class war, withholding $6 billion in emergency funding during the government shutdown. He is using the shutdown to advance plans for dictatorship by undermining congressional control over the budget and imposing personal control over the government.

As far as Congress is concerned, the major issue in the shutdown, now approaching the longest in American history, is the fate of enhanced premium tax credits for privately run, publicly subsidized ACA healthcare plans, set to expire at the end of the year. The Democrats are using this to grandstand while doing nothing to oppose Trumps fascist dictatorship.

Nevertheless, the impact of the expiration of these tax credits will be huge. With the open enrollment period also set to begin November 1, previews of plans in 30 states were released Wednesday showing enormous increases to out-of-pocket costs. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that insurers plan on raising prices by 26 percent on average. For those receiving enhanced premium tax credits, net premiums are set to more than double by 114 percent through a combination of price increases and the loss of subsidies.

According to the Bipartisan Policy Institute: a family of four with a household income of $45,000 (140% of [the federal poverty line]) with a $0 premium in 2025 [due to subsidies] will see their premiums increase to $1,607 a year. Also, a 60-year-old couple with an annual income at 402% of FPL (about $85,000) could pay a yearly premium of $22,600 in 2026, or about a quarter of their annual income, instead of 8.5% of their income (as established under enhanced PTCs).

The impact could be that 4.8 million people will no longer be able to afford health insurance, according to a September study by the Urban Institute.

The vast social crisis that could be unleashed in two days shows that the social content of Trumps dictatorship is a war on the working class, imposing on them the costs of the mounting crisis of US capitalism by throwing conditions back decades. It comes amid announcements of thousands of layoffs at Amazon and other major corporations.

Private food banks are scrambling to make up for at least some of the impact. But if things continue, it is likely that scenes of endless food lines reminiscent of the Great Depression could play out across the country.

Its very difficult. Its not like we were holding back before, Jason Riggs, director of advocacy and public policy at Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico, told NPR. Then this crisis comes in and its very daunting. SNAP can provide nine times the amount of meals as the entire nationwide food bank network. Theres no business in the country, no corporation that could grow nine times its size or capacity in one year, let alone by Nov. 1.

Wisconson Public Radio carried a report Wednesday of one food bank, which saw a 50 percent increase in demand earlier this week. A good number of them are folks that our volunteers and staff hadnt seen before, one official said.

Food banks in the Washington D.C. area have already seen huge lines of federal workers due to the shutdown. About 275,000 residents in the broader metropolitan area are currently enrolled in food stamps.

Twenty-five states have filed suit against Trumps decision to allow food stamps to expire. The program is jointly administered by the federal and state governments. But Trump, who already attempted to violently overthrow the 2020 election in the January 6 putsch, is not playing by any legal framework. Last Thursday, his longtime political adviser Steve Bannon admitted to a secret plan for Trump to remain in office for an unconstitutional third term.

Using mass hunger as blackmail, the administration has declared that it will not restart food stamps until total capitulation by the Democrats. House Speaker Mike Johnson declared, with malicious satisfaction: On Saturday, this gets very real. SNAP benefits will stop flowing to all those who need it.

But there is more than congressional arithmetic involved here. This is the tip of the spear of a social counterrevolution.

Already there has been a $180 billion cut to food stamps and a sharp increase in eligibility requirements under the Big Beautiful Bill. Once food stamp funding is finally restoredassuming Trump has any intention of doing soover 20 million people will find that their benefits have either been reduced or dropped entirely.

And while the Democrats make a show of opposing the expiration of ACA tax credits, this amounts to only a drop in the bucket compared to the $900 billion cut to Medicaid over 10 years in the same law. Beginning January 1, there will be a sharp increase in work requirements for Medicaid, part of the drive to fund trillions in tax cuts for the wealthy.

The Democrats overriding concern is the fear that opposition to Trump could develop into a broad social movement against inequality. They are determined to prevent this at all costs. But they agree with the fundamental direction of policy: higher levels of exploitation to fund an increase in military spending and to prop up Wall Street.

There are already signs that the Democrats might cave in to Trump in the next few days. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told Politico that talks with the Democrats have ticked up significantly, adding that Deadlines have a way of doing that.

Such a deal could only be a wholesale surrender. On the same day, Thune launched into a tirade on the floor of the Senate, hypocritically blaming Democrats for the expiration of food stamps on the grounds that they refused to support Republican bills to reopen the government without any concessions. His speech came in response to a Democrat-sponsored bill to fund food stamps and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food programs only.

On that same day, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer declared his support for a competing bill by Republican Senator Josh Hawley to maintain funding for food stamps. The measure has little chance of passing because it does not have the support of the Republican leadership; Hawley himself used the bill primarily to attack the Democrats.

But this statement is remarkable because Hawley is a fascist and a key co-conspirator in the January 6 coup attempt. Within the Republican Party, the specific role he plays is to provide a pseudo-populist gloss to Trumps fascist program. He has close ties to officials from the Teamsters and other unions.

Opposition can and must come from the working class. The fight in defense of the social rights of the working class must be fused with the fight against dictatorship and the corporate oligarchy behind it.

The sharp increase in Obamacare premiums also exposes the fraud of Obamacares private healthcare reform. The ACA is a system of subsidies to health insurance companies to provide substandard coverage. The issue is not reforming capitalism but abolishing it: the nationalization of healthcare, the banks, and the major industries and the use of their vast resources to guarantee access to food, healthcare and other social needs for all.
The New York City skyline is seen behind Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, N.J., Wednesday, May 7, 2025. [AP Photo/Seth Wenig]

Flights to and from Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, one of the three major airports in the New York City metropolitan area, and one of the busiest in the country, suffered significant delays last Sunday, October 26, due to a severe shortage of air traffic controllers.

This is not a new situation, both at Newark and nationally. There is an already existing acute shortage of air traffic controllers in the US, a legacy of the Reagan administrations crushing of the PATCO (Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization) strike in 1981, the blacklisting of strikers and subsequent attrition of the workforce. As a result, there are chronic delays and unsafe conditions at many US airports, which have led to multiple near disasters and at least two fatal crashes.

This situation is now being exacerbated by the federal government shutdown. Controllers are classified as essential and therefore required to work during the shutdown. Nevertheless, they are not among the limited categories of federal employees, including the military, for whom special arrangements are being made in order to continue paying wages. The controllers suffered their first payless payday on Tuesday, October 28.

Due to the understaffing, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that on Sunday the air traffic control center with responsibility for Newark Airport experienced a staffing shortage. As a result, incoming flights were held at the airport of origin for an average of an hour and 22 minutes, while outgoing flights were delayed by an average of 26 minutes. A total of 348 flights were delayed and seven were cancelled at Newark on Friday.

Sean Duffy, US Secretary of Transportation, attributed the shortage to an increase in the number of controllers calling in sick. The lack of adequate staffing is not isolated to Newark, airports across the country have already experienced similar problems. Also on Friday, delays were reported at airports in Phoenix, Houston and San Diego. The FAA has warned that similar conditions may occur at airports in the New York City area, Dallas and Philadelphia. Passengers have also experienced recent delays and cancellations at JFK and LaGuardia, the other two airports in the New York City metropolitan area.

Nationally, the number of flight delays reached a high of 6,158 last Thursday and has been close to 4,000 a day recently.

Air traffic control is an extremely stressful job. Controllers must maintain intense vigilance at all times to avoid catastrophic accidents in congested airspace. Conditions are made even more difficult by increasingly outdated equipment, lacking upgrades which have been neglected for years. This dangerous conjunction of factors was terrifyingly illustrated last May when a catastrophic failure of both radar and radios at the Philadelphia control facility, which since last year has had responsibility for Newark airspace, suddenly materialized. For 90 seconds air traffic control was completely blind and out of contact with the multitude of planes within its jurisdiction. Miraculously, no serious incidents occurred due to the emergency actions taken by pilots flying in the vicinity.

Control over Newark airspace was transferred to Philadelphia from New York last year due to chronic understaffing at the latter.

The pressures on air traffic controllers have been compounded by the suspension of pay, due to the Federal government shutdown. With families to support and mortgages or rent to pay, the stress has become unbearable for increasing numbers of controllers, as acknowledged by Duffy. As a consequence, more and more are taking sick leave, making staff shortages even worse, due to the already inadequate numbers available, and resulting in the imposition of mandatory overtime.

The state of the US air traffic control system has been further degraded by the actions of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) which began by firing hundreds of FAA safety workers on February 17, without concern for the potentially deadly consequences.

The scale of the deterioration of conditions for current air traffic controllers is illustrated by a few figures. In 1981, on the eve of the PATCO strike, there were approximately 17,000 air traffic controllers in the US who worked around 14,000 flights every day. Today there are about 10,600 certified professional controllers (CPCs) who work about 44,000 flights per day. The number of controllers today has decreased by a staggering 38 percent since the PATCO strike, while daily air traffic has increased 214 percent.

The current air traffic control workers union, the National Air Traffic Controller Association (NATCA), was formed by those who scabbed on the PATCO strike eight years after Reagan fired more than 11,000 strikers who refused to surrender. NATCA has done nothing to ameliorate the conditions of the unpaid controllers many of whom have been forced to work mandatory overtime and six-day weeks well before the shutdown.

Three weeks ago, Duffy denounced controllers who did not come to work as problem children and threatened to fire them. Duffy told Fox Business, if we have some on our staff that arent dedicated like we need, were going to let them go. I cant have people not showing up for work.

Far from denouncing these threats, NATCA officials issued a statement warning its members that participating in a job action could result in removal from federal service and is illegal. As the WSWS commented at the time, In the eyes of the labor bureaucracy, it is completely legal to compel their members to work for nothing like slaves.

Air traffic controllers and other federal workers must take the conduct of this fight into their own hands, by building rank-and-file committees as new centers of organized resistance to the attack on jobs and essential social services. These committees must be controlled by the ranks themselves and operate independently of the federal government employees unions and the Democrats, who are carrying out impotent appeals to the courts and for a bipartisan agreement to restore government funding.

There is only one way to stop the drive to dictatorship: the full mobilization of the working class in collective action, including a general strike, to drive Trump and his fascist cabal from power. This industrial counter-offensive must be combined with a political struggle by the working class, which is aimed at establishing workers power, expropriating the oligarchy and establishing a socialist society based on meeting human need, not the enrichment of mega-billionaires and millionaires.

To join the fight to build rank-and-file committees, fill out the form below.
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:

Deep brain stimulation alleviates Parkinson's symptomsand allows insights into the activity of the subthalamic nucleus. These signals could one day enable a personalized therapy. Credit: MPI CBS/ VistaPrime

What happens in the brain when a person experiences the characteristic movement symptoms of Parkinson's disease? Researchers around the world are seeking answers through various approaches. One of these builds on a treatment already established in clinical care: deep brain stimulation. In this therapy, stimulating electrodes are implanted in patients' brains to alleviate symptoms using electrical impulses. The same electrodes also enable unique electrical measurements from areas otherwise inaccessible in humans. These data can help uncover the neural mechanisms of Parkinson's disease and inspire new therapeutic strategies.

In close collaboration with leading European deep brain stimulation centersincluding Charite Berlin, Heinrich-Heine University Dusseldorf, University College London, and the University of Oxfordthe Max Planck team has now taken an important step forward. For their study, now published in eBioMedicine, the researchers focused on so-called "beta waves," which oscillate ca. 20 times per second and whose strength is thought to correlate with the severity of movement symptoms.

However, when reviewing the literature, the team encountered considerable heterogeneity in the results. "We wondered why earlier studies from different centers had produced such mixed results," says Vadim Nikulin of the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig. "Did the patient groups differ, the recording equipment, or the analysis methods?"

Larger data set

To find out, the team initiated a close collaboration with leading European university hospitalsa previously unprecedented collaboration in the field of deep brain stimulation. Together, they aggregated several independent data sets, for which they developed a uniform analysis procedure, and arrived at a clear answer: differences in equipment or analysis were minorsample size was the key factor. The link between beta waves and symptom severity was present, but weaker than expected. Detecting it reliably required data from more than 100 patients, while most earlier studies had examined far fewer.

Furthermore, a systematic comparison of previous analysis strategies revealed that many studies did not distinguish between rhythmic and non-rhythmic brain activityeven though both reflect distinct neuronal processes. "You can imagine the brain as a concert hall full of musicians before a rehearsal," explains Moritz Gerster, who led the study. "Some groups play together, creating a distinct rhythm. Others practice on their own, merging into a non-rhythmic 'noise." If you only measure the overall volume, you miss this distinction."

Using new analysis methods, the researchers separated rhythmic activity from the non-rhythmic "noise of neurons"and found that this separation provided a far better explanation for patients' movement symptoms. Moreover, the anatomical origin of the rhythmic beta waves corresponded more precisely to the most therapeutically effective electrode contacta potential step toward automated electrode selection, which currently relies on manual expertise.

Scientists discovered a new electrical signature of Parkinsons Disease. Credit: MPI CBS/ VistaPrime

Diversity of patients

Another challenge was the clinical diversity of the patients: age, disease duration, and symptom combinations varied widely, and no healthy control group could be included, as deep brain stimulation is used only in severely affected patients. To address this challenge, the researchers leveraged a key feature of the disease: its asymmetry. Parkinson's symptoms often affect one side of the body more strongly than the other. "That gave us the idea to compare the more-affected hemisphere with the less-affected one," says Gerster. "This way, each patient could practically serve as their own control."

The analysis revealed that in the more-affected hemisphere, non-rhythmic, noise-like activity was significantly elevated. "That suggests an increased firing rate of neuronsa finding that has already been described in animal models of Parkinson's disease," explains Gerster.

This newly identified electrical signature could help to control deep brain stimulation more precisely: Instead of continuously sending impulses, stimulation could be tailored to ongoing brain activityapplied only when it's actually needed. First "adaptive" stimulators capable of such real-time adjustments are already available. To what extent the new signature withstands everyday conditions can now be explored in follow-up studies using these modern devices.

More information: Moritz Gerster et al, Beyond beta rhythms: subthalamic aperiodic broadband power scales with Parkinson's disease severitya cross-sectional multicentre study, eBioMedicine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105988 Journal information: EBioMedicine
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:

RNA in situ hybridization confirms broad spatial distribution of corsATP7A transcripts in the brain. In situ hybridization with probe specific for corsATP7A in mo-br brain, after treatment with mid-dose rAAV9-corsATP7A (top) compared to a negative control (bottom) on P12. Brown signal indicates corsATP7A expression in the brain cortex (A), hippocampus (B), cerebellum (C), and choroid plexus (red arrow) in the treated mo-br mutant. As expected, corsATP7A expression is absent in the untreated wild type (D to F). Scale bars, 100 m. Credit: Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adw5612

In 1962, a pediatric neurology resident at Columbia's Neurological Institute and his colleagues in the College of Physicians and Surgeons published a detailed paper in Pediatrics describing a new syndrome of neurodegeneration in male infants.

The resident, John Menkes, MD, had seen the index case a few years earlier at Babies Hospital (now Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center). The boy had met early developmental milestones such as head control and smiling by six weeks of age. But then the infant abruptly regressed. He lost weight and muscle control and soon developed frequent seizures. Nothing Menkes did seemed to help, and the child died at 18 months of age.

After examining the records of four other male infants from the same New York City family who had come to Babies Hospital with similar symptoms, Menkes deduced that the condition was an X-linked recessive genetic disorder. A decade later, the cause was identified as copper deficiencya discovery that revealed the human brain's critical need for this trace metal. Further study would also reveal the rarity of the disease, which affects about 1 in 35,000 live male births.

"It's a tragic illness," says Stephen G. Kaler, MD, recently recruited professor of pediatrics in the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons who directs the Columbia Menkes Disease Clinic. "Affected infants who are born healthy become ill within weeks, with seizures, failure to thrive, and developmental delays. Without treatment, there's an inexorable downward spiral and death often occurs by two years of age. It's obviously very rough for parents."

In the late 1980s, Kaler was a postdoc in an NIH laboratory studying human copper metabolism when he first encountered Menkes disease, as it had come to be called.

"There were several inherited disorders of copper metabolism known at that time," Kaler says. "Menkes disease was the one that seemed to have the greatest need of attention from both a basic science and treatment perspective, for which reason I was drawn to it."

Three decades on, therapies developed through Kaler's research may soon change the outlook for children born with Menkes. One, a drug that dramatically increases survival in Menkes patients, called copper histidinate (CuHis), is currently under review for new drug approval by the FDA. And a viral gene therapy developed by Kaler's laboratory, combined with CuHis, may be able to provide children with even greater benefitsand possibly long-term futures.

A first start with copper injections

Kaler's first attempt in the early 1990s at treating Menkes began with copper supplementation. A team in Canada had experimented with giving two children with Menkes disease CuHis injections to boost copper levels, and Kaler initiated a protocol at the NIH Clinical Center.

"It was a unique opportunity, since at NIH, I could treat patients from all over the country, from all over the world with this rare illness and formally evaluate its effectiveness in clinical trials."

The early results were mixed, Kaler says. He learned that children with milder variants in the Menkes copper transport gene responded better to copper supplementation, as did children who were treated soon after birth.

Longer experience with more patients identified distinctive benefits in survival and clinical outcomes even with severe loss-of-function variants using a CuHis formulation produced at NIH and later by Cyprium Therapeutics and Sentynl Therapeutics, biopharmaceutical partners.

Among patients treated soon after birth, median survival jumped to 15 years; some participants even went to college, joined the workforce, and lead near-normal lives. Children treated later, who had already developed symptoms, also showed a survival benefit, living on average to five years of age.

"The CuHis gave parents more time with their children, and I know they deeply appreciated that," Kaler says. "But it seemed that to treat the illness more completely, we also needed a gene replacement strategy."

Injections introduce copper into the bloodstream, Kaler explains, but because mistakes in the Menkes gene impair the transport of copper, many cells including the brain's neurons do not get enough of the element.

A gene therapy plus copper supplementation solves both issues.

Gene therapy success in animal studies

Before joining Columbia in August 2024, Kaler left the NIH to work with viral gene therapy pioneers at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio to create a Menkes gene therapy. The therapy, injected into the bloodstream, delivers a functional copper transporter gene to the brain.

The first preclinical tests of Kaler's latest design were published in August 2025 in Science Advances and show remarkable results when paired with CuHis injections: a single dose of the gene therapy reaches the brain and prevents the disease in nearly 100% of mice with a defect in the Menkes gene.

"We need to do additional animal testing to confirm the safety of this gene therapy so it can be used in human subjects, and I think we're probably a year or two away from beginning a clinical trial of the combination treatment," Kaler says.

"The hope is that together with advances in newborn screening to enable early detection, treatment of Menkes disease with CuHis plus gene therapy will alter the natural history of this condition," Kaler says. "It would close a loop in a story for which NewYork Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NINDS have been so important."

"It's been said of some endeavors, that there is no magic bullet and that progress must be measured in decades. The loss of a young child is one of life's greatest tragedies, and the recent advances and potential FDA approvals of these treatments are satisfying. There's more work to do, of course, but at least now we have a rational path forward and can envision a day when the lives of children and their parents are no longer darkened by this difficult illness."

More information: Lalitha Venkataraman et al, Intravenous AAV9-ATP7Aplus subcutaneous copper histidinate optimizes outcomes in a lethal Menkes disease mouse model, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adw5612 Journal information: Science Advances , Pediatrics
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:

Bill Swick sits on the chair at his home in Minooka, Ill., Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Bill Swick has a rare degenerative brain disease that inhibits his mobility and speech. Instead of the hassle of traveling an hour to a clinic in downtown Chicago to visit a speech therapist, he has benefited from virtual appointments from the comfort of his home.

But Swick, 53, hasn't had access to those appointments for the last month.

The federal government shutdown, now in its fifth week, halted funding for the Medicare telehealth program that pays his provider for her services. So, Swick and his wife are practicing old strategies rather than learning new skills to manage his growing difficulties with processing language, connecting words and pacing himself while speaking.

"It's frustrating because we want to continue with his journey, with his progress," 45-year-old Martha Swick, a caregiver for her husband since his diagnosis three years ago, said during an interview at their home in Minooka, Illinois. "I try to have all his therapy and everything organized for him, to make his day easier and smoother, and then everything has a hitch, and we have to stop and wait."

Their experience has become common in recent weeks among the millions of patients with Medicare fee-for-service plans who count on pandemic-era telehealth waivers to attend medical appointments from home.

Bill Swick looks at his wife Martha Swick at their home in Minooka, Ill., Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

With Congress unable to agree on a deal to fund the government, the waivers have lapsed, even with support from Republicans and Democrats. As a result, medical providers are deciding whether they can continue offering telehealth services without the guarantee of reimbursement or whether they need to halt virtual visits altogether.

That's left a patient population of mostly older adults with fewer options to seek specialists or get help when they can't physically travel far from home.

Swick, whose corticobasal degeneration causes symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease, can't feed or dress himself anymore and struggles with balance and walking. Add on the logistical nightmare of driving to the city in traffic, and in-person speech therapy appointments aren't a worthwhile ordeal for him and his wife.

But missing even a few appointments can impede progress for patients with dementia and other degenerative conditions who depend on continuity of care, experts said.

It "feels like you're taking a step back," Swick said in the interview.

Martha Swick, left, and her husband Bill Swick look at each other at their home in Minooka, Ill., Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

A temporary pause, with significant impact

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare only paid for virtual medical appointments under narrow circumstances, including in designated rural areas and when patients logged in from eligible sites, like hospitals and clinics.

That changed in 2020, when Trump's first administration dramatically expanded telehealth coverage in response to the public health emergency. Medicare started reimbursing a wide range of telehealth visits, stripping the geographic requirement, and allowing patients to take calls from their homes.

Congress has routinely extended the telehealth flexibilities and was poised to do so again before their Sept. 30 expiration. But when budget negotiations stalled and the government shut down Oct. 1, the vote never happened, leaving the program temporarily unfunded.

Bill Swick, right, studies with his wife Martha Swick at their home in Minooka, Ill., Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

With more than 4 million Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries using telehealth in the first half of 2025, according to Brown University's School of Public Health, the pause has had a major impact on an already vulnerable population.

Swick's speech therapy services are provided by the Chicago-area business Memory and Aphasia Care. Owner Becky Khayum said many of her clients are in different cities and states and sought her therapists out because they specialize in frontal temporal dementias.

"Now suddenly without telehealth services, they do not continue to have the support to participate in those activities that are so important to them," Khayum said. "The risk is we could see social withdrawal; we could see depression and anxiety increased."

Virtual visits can also be useful in different areas of medicine. Dr. Faraz Ghoddusi, a family medicine provider in Tigard, Oregon, said he uses telehealth to check in and help his patients manage their conditions, like diabetes and chronic lung disease. He said that in the current Medicare telehealth pause, one of his patients wasn't having regular check-ins and ended up in the emergency room.

Bill Swick, bottom hand, points as he studies with his wife Martha Swick at their home in Minooka, Ill., Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Susan Collins, 73, in Murrieta, California, said Medicare-reimbursed telehealth appointments were a "tremendous relief" to her when she was a full-time caregiver for her late husband, Leo. Before he died last year from progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare brain disorder, she struggled to lift him from his wheelchair in and out of the car for his in-person doctor visits 60 miles from their home.

"He was much safer at home," Collins said, noting that telehealth was a useful resource when her husband needed a medication or symptom consultation but not a complete physical exam.

Doctors respond differently, leaving a patchwork

The latest guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services does not ban medical providers from providing telehealth services during the lapsebut it stops short of promising they'll be reimbursed if they do.

Bill Swick, right, looks around while study with his wife Martha Swick at their home in Minooka, Ill., Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

In response, providers are deciding whether they can absorb the risk of continuing care without assurance that they'll be paid for it when the government reopens.

Khayum in Illinois said she had to stop providing telehealth services to Medicare patients because her small business couldn't handle the volatility of potentially losing out on payments. Ghoddusi, the family medicine provider, said his Oregon practice is honoring telehealth appointments made before Oct. 1 but not scheduling additional ones for Medicare patients until the funding is restored.

Genevieve Richardson, owner of a speech pathology business in Austin, Texas, has stopped providing telehealth services to her Medicare clients who are spread across the country. She has been referring them to outpatient clinics in their areas who can provide stopgap services in person.

Major hospitals are also grappling with whether to provide virtual care to Medicare patients. Dr. Helen Hughes, medical director of the Office of Telemedicine at Johns Hopkins Medicine, said the hospital initially continued the care, but paused scheduling more Medicare telehealth visits as of Oct. 16 as the shutdown continued.

She said the uncertainty surrounding the waivers has been "a total roller coaster."

Martha Swick, left, and her husband Bill Swick look at a photo at their home in Minooka, Ill., Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Bill Swick walks down stairs to study with his wife Martha Swick at his home in Minooka, Ill., Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Martha Swick holds papers of study guide as she asked questions to her husband Bill Swick at their home in Minooka, Ill., Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

The congressional stalemate persists

The government shutdown is in its fifth week with no clear end on the horizon. Meanwhile, Medicare telehealth flexibilities and a separate Medicare program offering patients hospital-level care at home both remain paused.

Mei Kwong, executive director of the Center for Connected Health Policy, said the simplest solution to renewing the telehealth waivers would be for Congress to vote separately on them.

The hands of federal health care administrators "are kind of tied," she said. "So, you really do need Congress to act."

But with lawmakers divided and looking for leverage, hopes for such action are low.

Martha Swick, practicing word exercises with her husband in their home on a recent morning, said if a solution isn't found soon, "my resource collection is going to run out."

"I'm just doing what I'm able to at home as a wife and a caregiver," she said. "But eventually I'm really going to need those appointments to come back."

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has yet to decide if she'll run for president in 2028. Shes also not going to dish on her former boss, Joe Biden. And her advice for a Brown-skinned person just getting into politics? There will be many situations when you walk into a meeting room and no one looks like you. Keep your chin up, your shoulders back and remember  all of us have your back.

All of us referred to the cheering, sold-out crowd at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening whod come to see the former Democratic presidential candidate speak about her new book, the election-campaign memoir 107 Days. The chanted Kamala! Kamala! as she walked on stage. The outbursts of adoration continued for the next hour in eruptions of applause and supportive shout-outs ("We love you!") as she spoke about everything from the need to pass Proposition 50 to how she coped with the devastating loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 election.

Moderated by actor Kerry Washington, A Conversation With Kamala Harris was one of nearly 20 stops on a tour thats already seen Harris speak in New York, London and at the Wiltern last month. Zealous attendees paid anywhere from $55 to $190 on tickets to see Harris again following one of the wildest and most consequential campaigns in American history (the latter is an official descriptor for her book). The memoir details her historically short run for president, the whirlwind 107 days between the time Biden withdrew from the race and Harris become the Democratic nominee to her devastating loss on Nov. 5.

Harris fans flock to the Wiltern to see Kamala speak about her book, "107 Days." (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Were there any great revelations or gotcha moments on stage Tuesday evening? Not really, but thats not what this tour is about  at least for those who chose Harris over watching Game 4 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. The former attorney general of California shared her thoughts about the current Department of Justice  a thin-skinned president is using it as his own personal tool of vengeance. She explained how her loyalties to Biden may have cost her votes, and called out the Washington Post and the L.A. Times, whose billionaire owners pre-capitulated to Trump when they pulled their respective editorial boards' endorsements for Harris. She drew a big laugh when discussing the importance of parsing fact from fiction in today's mediaverse, and made up her own example of misinformation: "Circumcisions are causing autism!" And on a more serious note, she detailed the emotional fallout she experienced after losing the election: For months [she and her husband, Doug Emhoff] never even mentioned it.

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Criticisms of Harris book have centered around a frankly tired refrain that she should accept more personal accountability for the election loss as opposed to blaming the influence of outside forces. On Tuesday she appeared willing to explore those themes when she said she constantly interrogated herself on the campaign trail: Are you doing everything you can to win this election? But before she could go much deeper, Washington told her that she needed to know that we, the audience, understood she did everything she could. The crowd erupted in affirming shouts and applause.

Clearly, a book tour attended by The Converted is not going to produce headline-worthy grist, especially with an interviewer who is an admitted Harris friend and supporter. Thats what debates and media interviews are for, and this was a fan event.

And her base was thirsty. Since Harris has largely stayed out of the spotlight since last November, the audience appeared ready to relive some of the joy they felt in the brief time she was running for office, and perhaps find a glimmer of hope in dark times for those who see the current administrations actions as anti-democratic, at best.

Before The Conversation With Kamala Harris kicked off at 7 p.m., attendees who spotted Harris husband, Emhoff, in the first few rows of the venue lined up to shake his hand and take selfies with the former second gentleman of the United States. The close access to SGOTUS was surprising, given the heightened security around political figures after violent events such as the home-invasion assassinations of Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband in June, and the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a speaking event last month. Yet the atmosphere was casual and relaxed.

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Despite heightened threats of politically-motivated violence, President Trump pulled Harris Secret Service detail, as he has done to many of those he sees as his enemies. But as a former state office holder, Harris security detail Tuesday was provided by the California Highway Patrol.

The conversation lasted a little over an hour, with a few prescreened questions at the end from audience members, such as the query from an attendee who identified himself as Ramon Chavoya, a proud Latino. He asked for Harris advice on getting into local politics. She was the first Black and first South Asian female candidate to be chosen by either party to run for the Oval Office. Her very presence was a reminder that the face of the nation is changing, despite a rise in xenophobic movements and legislation. She advised the aspiring young politician that he would likely stand out, but that he wasn't alone. Were all in the room with you, she said, a sentiment Harris' supporters surely understood.

Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NEED TO KNOW

Dancing with the Stars pro Britt Stewart and actor Daniel Durant opened up about their "magical" wedding day on the latest episode of The Squeeze podcast

The couple  who met and later fell in love after competing together on season 31 of DWTS  tied the knot at Riata Ranch in Santa Margarita, California, on Aug. 23

"It was like a dream and I still can't stop thinking about it," Durant shared

Dancing with the Stars' Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant are looking back on their "magical" wedding day.

While speaking on the latest episode of Taylor Lautner and his wife Tay Lautner's podcast The Squeeze, the newlyweds spoke about tying the knot at Riata Ranch in Santa Margarita, California, on Aug. 23, describing their special day as "beautiful" and "a dream."

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Durant shared, "I felt like I was in a dream," adding of the location, "It was a beautiful place  my family had started to trickle in and our friends were arriving and it really just felt like a dream."

"And I really loved to see my friends and family just really cooperating and mingling and everybody was happy and had a great time. So that made me happy too. I just wanted everyone to enjoy themselves and just make some great memories at our wedding, you know?" the actor shared.

Maks Vakarchuk | @maksmaaksphoto Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart are pictured on their wedding day Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart are pictured on their wedding day

The couple, who shared their vows in American Sign Language, married just one day short of exactly three years since they met and later fell in love after competing together on season 31 of DWTS.

Durant remembered of their wedding day, "To be honest, I can't even explain it. [There are no] words to explain it. I think you just had to be there yourself to experience that moment, if you know what I mean. I mean, seriously, it was like a dream and I still can't stop thinking about it."

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"I'm enjoying looking at the videos and the photos and I wish that it didn't stop. Like, I wanna relive that experience over and over again, really, truly," he insisted.

Andrew Eccles/ABC Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart on 'Dancing with the Stars' Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart on 'Dancing with the Stars'

Stewart  who wore a stunning Vivienne Westwood gown for her big day  agreed, admitting "there was this magical spiritual energy that I've never felt before in my life" at the nuptials.

"I think that, you know, you can have these very beautiful moments, but that was, it was special. I don't know what it was," the pro dancer said. "There's not one specific word I can use to explain it. But it just felt aligned. And right. And we were emotional."

"I think it was special because, you know, we're two very different people. But also our souls, I feel like, are very much, I mean, we're soulmates," she went on. "We fully believe that."

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"But our people also, they reflect us. And so it was this beautiful, like, blending of our family, community, friends, who we are. I'm a dancer. He's an actor, performer," Stewart told the podcast. "It was everything. It was this beautiful blend of our two worlds coming to one."

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.

Britt Stewart/Instagram Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart

The couple's comments come after they spoke to PEOPLE about their wedding day, with Durant saying again that it felt like "a dream" back in August.

Stewart insisted, "I was never the little girl that had big dreams of a fairy-tale wedding. So when I describe our wedding, I want it to feel like an abundance of love connecting everyone there!"

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The couple's Coastal California venue, nestled in the rolling hills of Santa Margarita, was just far away enough from Los Angeles to "feel special."

"When we visited the location, we just knew," Stewart shared. "The vibe was amazing, the nature and wildlife surrounding us felt exactly what we wanted for our wedding."

Durant told PEOPLE ahead of the wedding, "I love Britts soul the most, that she is a strong leader and her sense of humor. If I fall, I know she will be the first to catch me. I just cant wait to call Britt my wife ... I want to show off that Im all Britts!"

"I am the yin to his yang," Stewart added. "... My soul has been waiting for his! I love that he is unique in every way possible and will surprise me every day for the rest of my life. I will never be bored with him and I need that! Our life together brings me so much joy. Daniel calms my nervous system and he is home."

Read the original article on People
Elijah Wood made some Lord of the Rings fans dreams come true  and it happened to be on their wedding day in The Shire.

Wood, 44, who famously played Frodo Baggins in Peter Jacksons LOTR film trilogy, as well as in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, crashed a couples nuptials on the Hobbiton movie set in Matamata, New Zealand.

In a video shared by Hobbiton Tours on TikTok Tuesday, October 29, Wood arrived at the wedding, unbeknownst to the bride, groom and guests, before he was spotted by the crowd.

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Camera operators caught the moment the guests realized Frodo himself was also in attendance at the wedding, eliciting oh my Gods and applause.

The Lord of the Rings Casts Honest Quotes About Being Underpaid for Billion-Dollar Franchise

Wood, dressed casually in a raincoat and jeans, then ran down the aisle to the happy couple, in their wedding day best, and posed for photos at the altar.

He chatted with the pair before pointing out that everyone is dressed as Hobbits.

This is amazing, he also said as Howard Shores score song The Shire played in the background.

POV: Youre getting married in The Shire and an unexpected guest crashes your wedding the TikTok read, with the caption, An unforgettable wedding in The Shire... #hobbiton.

Courtesy of Hobbiton/TikTok

I love this! So kind of Elijah wood. This is so sweet , one fan commented on the video, to which the Hobbiton Movie Set responded, He was so lovely.

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They also shared hi-res photos from the weddings photographer in another upload.

It's been exactly 26 years since Jackson, 63, assembled the sizable cast and crew to commence production on the film series first installment, The Fellowship of the Ring. The trilogy is a movie adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy tale, which follows a group of heroes on a quest to help young Hobbit Frodo destroy the One Ring and defeat the Dark Lord Sauron in the fictional world of Middle-earth.

The film franchise was a box-office behemoth, raking in over $2.9 billion worldwide. In total, the series earned 17 Oscars and catapulted cast members, including Wood, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler and Orlando Bloom, into a new level of superstardom.

Photo by SGranitz/WireImage

Wood recently opened up to Vanity Fair about the extraordinary journey the production team went on together while shooting the iconic film trilogy.

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The letting go of the character didnt really happen until after The Return of the King was released, because we would continue to go back to New Zealand, Wood said of filming reshoots following principal photography. We were saying goodbye over the course of many years, really. And then there was kind of the very fortunate scenario of getting invited to go to the Oscars and the film had been nominated for so many Oscars and it won them all. That was sort of this extraordinary family reunion, an unbelievable victory lap.

Viggo Mortensens Lord of the Rings Return Hinges on the Script Unless Im Broke

Wood said it was really strange returning to Los Angeles after living in New Zealand for nearly two years. But, the cast of LOTR has remained tight and frequently get together for mini reunions.

In fact, the Hobbits  Wood, Astin, 54, Monaghan, 48, and Boyd, 57  are set to head out on a new adventure in May to September 2026 for a nationwide Fan Expo tour titled "An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years."

The foursome will stop in New Orleans, Portland, Vancouver, Orlando, Calgary, Denver, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Toronto and Dallas.
"Family Matters" star Darius McCrary is no longer being housed in a San Diego jail ... he's headed to Michigan for extradition.

McCrary's rep, Ann Barlow, tells TMZ the former sitcom star was extradited from California back to Michigan on Wednesday morning following his arrest earlier this month.

Oakland County Jail

Barlow says she was caught off guard by the release -- receiving no prior notice -- and isn't sure whether McCrary is being transported via plane or bus back to Michigan.

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As we reported ... there was warrant out of Michigan stemming from a missed court appearance tied to Darius' failure to pay child support. He was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection while entering the United States from Mexico.

Darius has spent the past several weeks behind bars ... and two weeks ago, appeared at court hearing where he chose to represent himself -- and seemed visibly confused during the proceedings.

It's unclear whether he's touched down in the "Great Lake State" just yet ... stayed tuned.
NEED TO KNOW

King Juan Carlos, the former monarch of Spain, revealed a "disagreement" with his daughter-in-law, Queen Letizia, in his upcoming memoir

The former King writes that the wife of his son and successor, King Felipe, "did not help to strengthen our family ties"

Juan Carlos' tell-all memoir, Reconciliation, is set to be published on Nov. 5 in France

King Juan Carlos, the former monarch of Spain, is telling all in his new memoir, Reconciliation.

Juan Carlos, 87, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the United Arab Emirates for the last five years after abdicating the throne in 2014, opens up his reign and his relationships in the forthcoming book, set to be published in France on Nov. 5.

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In an excerpt shared by Spanish publication El Confidencial on Wednesday, Oct. 29, the former King has some harsh words for his daughter-in-law, the current Queen Letizia. Translated into English, Juan Carlos admits there is "personal disagreement" between him and the wife of his son and successor, King Felipe.

"She did not help to strengthen our family ties," he adds of Queen Letizia.

The statement marks the first time the former King has confirmed long-standing rumors of a rift within the Spanish royal family.

Carlos Alvarez/Getty Queen Letizia, King Felipe, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia on January 10, 2019 Queen Letizia, King Felipe, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia on January 10, 2019

King Felipe and Queen Letizia married on May 22, 2004. They share two daughters, Princess Leonor, 19, and Princess Sofia, 18.

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While the Queen was something of a controversial choice for the bride of a future king, as she had been married before and grew up working class, the royal rift likely stems from a more complicated history with the family.

Juan Carlos acceded to the Spanish throne in 1975 as the chosen successor of dictator Francisco Franco. While he was expected to continue Franco's regime, he almost immediately began working to install democracy in the country.

While initially very popular among his people, by 2013, multiple scandals  including romantic affairs, financial misappropriation and an infamous elephant hunting trip to Africa  led the King to abdicate and pass the throne to his youngest child and only son, King Felipe.

Ricardo Garcia - Pool/Getty King Juan Carlos and King Felipe of Spain on June 24, 2015 King Juan Carlos and King Felipe of Spain on June 24, 2015

Then, in 2018, Juan Carlos' alleged spurned mistress, Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, went to the police to accuse him of corrupt business deals with Saudi Arabia. While the case was later dropped, the former King lost his public stipend from the State's General Budget as punishment from the crown, and King Felipe agreed to give up all inheritance from his father.

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He was also accused of harassment by zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, though he later won an appeal in that case.

In 2020, Juan Carlos decided to move to the UAE so as not to let public attention on him, or his ongoing financial scandals, overshadow his son's reign. His wife, Queen Sofia, remained in Spain and often attends royal events with King Felipe and his family.

To help my son, I looked for a place where journalists from my country couldnt easily find me, Juan Carlos told French newspaper Le Figaro in an interview published this week.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Juan Carlos' forthcoming book also addresses his connection to another royal family and the rumors that he seduced Princess Diana.

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Rumors about the two started swirling in the late 1980s when Diana and then-Prince Charles, along with their sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, vacationed at the Marivent Palace, the Spanish royal familys summer home in Palma de Mallorca, for three consecutive summers.

Despite his reputation as a womanizer, the former King denies the affair in his memoir. In fact, he unfavorably describes Diana as cold, taciturn, distant, except in the presence of the paparazzi."



Read the original article on People
Love Is Blind season 9 star Sparkle Megan Walerius had big news to share during the casts tell-all reunion.

"I actually have a little bit of a surprise: I am a mom now," Megan, 35, said during the Wednesday, October 29, reunion. "I had a baby boy two and a half months ago. The girls were like, 'You got a little thick.' I'm like, 'Thank you.'"

Megan revealed she named her son Brooks and gushed that he is her "whole world."

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"I now know more than ever [that] I was meant on this earth to be a mom," she said. "He's amazing. Our family's very happy."

Love Is Blinds Sparkle Megan Has Zero Patience for Negativity After Breakup Drama, Secret Baby Rumors

Megan welcomed Brooks with her new partner, Paul, who attended the reunion taping.

"We wrapped filming in April, and Paul and I got introduced through a mutual friend in July," she explained. "We got pregnant three months into dating. We definitely had our ups and downs. I'm not gonna say it was perfect, but Paul's been amazing."

As for Megan's ex-fiance from the pods, Jordan Keltner, the dad of one confirmed Megan was "transparent" about her pregnancy to him before the reunion after someone contacted him to "stir the pot."

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Nearly one week before the reunion aired on Netflix, Megan was spotted in now-viral photos with a then-unidentified man and newborn baby outside her house in Denver, Colorado. She did not immediately address the photos, her companions or their relationship status.

Megan had filmed Love Is Blind season 9 two years ago, during which she got engaged sight unseen to fellow contestant Keltner. Megan ultimately broke up with Jordan, 30, over major lifestyle differences.

What Type of Car Does Love Is Blind Star Sparkle Megan Drive? Model Revealed in Deleted Scene

Ive never dated somebody with a kid, she said in the finale, referring to Jordans 5-year-old son, Luca, from a previous relationship. All the men that I have dated up to this have had a fairly flexible schedule, and thats how all my friends are.

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While Megan met Jordans son off camera, she questioned whether she was ready to step into parenthood herself.

In the pods, I was really leaning into him being a single father [and] the excitement of it. I dont think I thought through how challenging it is and how I would need to make a lot of concessions to how I currently live, she said tearfully during a confessional interview. Honestly, this has me questioning if Im even cut out to be a mom. I dont know, maybe I am too caught up in my own life. All I wanted coming into this experiment was to find love and to find my partner.

Adam Rose/Netflix

Jordan understood Megans perspective, later telling Variety that he wasnt blindsided by the wellness entrepreneurs decision to call off their engagement.

We spent hundreds of hours with each other. We had every conversation there was to have. We understood each others intentions, Jordan told the outlet earlier this month. "We live two different lives. Im a single dad. I never wanted her to have immediate responsibility with my son. That was never a conversation. It was like, OK, I got this. All I need you to do is love that guy. Thats it.

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He continued, I have a very healthy relationship with his mom and stepdad. We operate as a unit. The expectations with her being involved were hanging out with us and loving him. That was all I wanted. Everything else was just icing on the cake.

Love Is Blinds Jordan Keltner Details Megan Walerius Relationship With His Son: 2 Peas in a Pod

According to Jordan, he could sense that Megan had a few hesitations about getting married even before they formally called it quits.

I want to get married to someone who wants to get married to me. I dont want someone to have hesitations. Thats not fair to her, Jordan told Variety. We had discussions about not wanting to annul our marriage. We didnt want to get a divorce. We wanted this to be a forever thing. At the end of the day, she decided it wasnt going to be a forever thing for her. She made the right choice.

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Megan and Jordan were one of six couples to get engaged during Love Is Blind season 9. All of the engaged pairs broke up by the finale, marking a franchise first.

While were always rooting for our participants to find a lifelong commitment because thats what they all say they come to Love Is Blind for, most importantly, we root for them to make the decisions they feel are right for themselves, show creator Chris Coelen told Tudum earlier in October. I think thats what happened here.

Love Is Blind is currently streaming on Netflix.
Anne Jakrajutatip has been replaced as CEO of Miss Universe, which she bought in 2022.

Mario Bucaro, the organization's vice president for international relations, will take her place.

Jakrajutatip has been involved in numerous scandals over the past few years.

Beauty queens from around the world are soon set to arrive in Thailand for the start of the Miss Universe pageant, which will take place from November 2 to 21. And in the days leading up, there's been a major leadership shake-up behind the scenes.

On Wednesday, the organization announced that Anne Jakrajutatip was replaced as CEO.

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Jakrajutatip made history as the first woman to own the 74-year-old pageant when her Thai-based company, JKN Global Group, purchased the organization from Endeavor for $20 million in October 2022.

She's being replaced by Mario Bucaro, a former diplomat who most recently served as the Miss Universe Organization's vice president for international relations.

Bucaro has previously worked as the ambassador of Guatemala to Israel, Mexico, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. He also served as Guatemala's Minister of Foreign Affairs for two years before joining Miss Universe.

Jakrajutatip and the Miss Universe Organization didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.

A new regime

Mario Bucaro previously served as Guatemala's foreign minister. He is pictured here at United Nations headquarters on October 26, 2023 in New York City. Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images

The organization said Bucaro will work alongside Raul Rocha, who will continue to serve as president, a title he has held since Jakrajutatip sold a 50% stake of Miss Universe to his company, Legacy Holding Group USA Inc., in January 2024.

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Rocha didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Miss Universe said in its announcement that Bucaro helped the pageant expand "its presence to over 130 countries." As the new CEO, he will continue to focus on global outreach and "enriching the candidate experience while upholding integrity and fairness."

"The Board of the Miss Universe Organization expresses its full confidence in Mario Bucaro's leadership to guide the organization into a new era of growth and global influence," the organization added. "His vision of Miss Universe as a worldwide movement that celebrates authenticity, transformation, and empowerment will continue to unite cultures, expand opportunities for women, and elevate the values that define our brand."

A troubled predecessor

Anne Jakrajutatip bought Miss Universe for $20 million in October 2022. LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images

When Jakrajutatip took over Miss Universe in October 2022, it was heralded as a historic new era. She gave a rousing speech at her first Miss Universe in January 2023, telling fans that the pageant was "going to be run by women, owned by a trans woman, for all women around the world."

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Financial issues quickly followed.

In September 2023, Jakrajutatip's company missed a payment on a multimillion-dollar loan. In a letter to the stock exchange president, the company said, "The financial liquidity management of the company is not in line with the expected forecast." JKN Global petitioned Thailand's bankruptcy court at the time and said it planned to restructure its debt.

By June 2025, rumors began circulating that Jakrajutatip was stepping away from the Miss Universe Organization after Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission filed a complaint against JKN Global. The complaint alleges that Jakrajutatip and her sister, Pimauma Jakrajutatip, included false or misleading information in the 2023 financial statements for the fiscal year and in the Q1 2024 accounting documents.

On June 6, JKN Global sent a letter to the president of Thailand's Stock Exchange confirming that the sisters had resigned and that a special audit was underway. The same day, the Miss Universe Organization said Jakrajutatip remained in charge of the pageant.

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"We categorically deny any reports suggesting a change in leadership within the organization. Anne Jakrajutatip remains the chief executive officer of the Miss Universe Organization," the statement read.

However, in the new statement announcing Bucaro's succession, the Miss Universe Organization said Jakrajutatip had stepped down as CEO on June 20 and was now turning her focus to her family.

Jakrajutatip with (from L-R): Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, and former Miss Universe president Paula Shugart and former Miss Universe CEO Amy Emmerich in 2023. LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images

Before the 72nd Miss Universe competition in El Salvador, Jakrajutatip promised fans that the pageant was always "my first priority in life."

"Our universe must go on, must be great and must stay on top as the legendary Beauty Olympics in the World! I will sacrifice and do everything for the great success of OUR UNIVERSE!" she wrote in a statement posted to Instagram in November 2023.

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Jakrajutatip then became embroiled in several scandals of her own.

Jakrajutatip with Miss Universe president Raul Rocha and Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjr Theilvig. Hector Vivas/Getty Images

A video from an October 2023 Miss Universe staff meeting, obtained by Business Insider, showed Jakrajutatip telling staff that diverse contestants "can compete, but they can't win." She later said on Facebook that she was discussing a potential Miss Universe reality show.

Weeks before Miss Universe 2024, Jakrajutatip and advisor Osmel Sousa judged contestants' photos on Instagram Live. Sousa, who once told The New York Times that inner beauty "was something that unpretty women invented to justify themselves," was seen laughing and making faces with Jakrajutatip at some contestants.

After Miss Denmark Victoria Kjr Theilvig was crowned Miss Universe in November 2024, Jakrajutatip told reporters that she didn't believe the pageant needed to evolve anymore. "We have blond and blue eyes," Jakrajutatip said, referring to Theilvig's appearance. "We already got the best here."

In March, former Miss Universe judge Denise White told Business Insider that Jakrajutatip had pressured longtime Miss Universe president Paula Shugart to ensure Miss Thailand made the top five during the 2023 pageant in El Salvador. White said Shugart told her, "I can't believe Anne is telling me that, no matter what, we have to make sure Thailand is in the top five." Shugart, who resigned during the competition, refused to comply. Thailand's contestant ultimately placed as first runner-up. Jakrajutatip didn't respond to a request for comment at the time and never publicly addressed the allegation.

Miss Universe has shared similar struggles with the Miss USA pageant, which it oversees. Following two years of scandal under former CEO Laylah Rose, the organization announced in September that Thom Brodeur was taking over Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.

Brodeur told Business Insider he had four weeks to plan the 2025 pageants, which took place on October 23 and 24 in Reno, Nevada.

Now, pageant fans are waiting to see what's in store for Miss Universe.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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

As Halloween approaches, stories of witches and their potions resurface, often featuring eerie plants like belladonna, mandrake and mugwort. These botanicals, steeped in myth and folklore, have long been linked to spells and sorcery. Yet behind their spooky reputations lies a fascinating pharmacological history, and in some cases, ongoing medical relevance.

Belladonna

Belladonna (Atropa belladonna), also known as deadly nightshade, has a long and contradictory history as both poison and medicine. Its name, meaning "beautiful woman" in Italian, refers to its Renaissance-era cosmetic use, when women used juice from its berries to dilate their pupils and appear more alluring.

But this beauty comes with danger. Belladonna is highly toxic. Ingesting even a few leaves or berries can be fatal, and touching it may irritate the skin. It has also been used for its hallucinogenic properties in many cultures.

The plant's power comes from tropane alkaloids such as atropine and scopolamine. These compounds block the action of acetylcholine, a chemical that sends messages between nerve cells in the parasympathetic nervous system. This system helps regulate muscle movement and key body functions including heart rate, breathing, memory, learning, sweating, digestion and urination.

Modern medicine uses atropine to dilate pupils during eye exams, treat bradycardia (slow heart rate), and act as an antidote for organophosphate poisoning caused by certain pesticides and chemical warfare agents. Scopolamine is prescribed for motion sickness and postoperative nausea.

Scientific research continues to highlight belladonna's medical relevance. Yet safety concerns persist. Multiple health care agencies have issued warnings about homeopathic products containing belladonna, particularly those aimed at infants for teething and colic, following reports of seizures and breathing problems. Belladonna should also be used cautiously by people taking other medicines that can increase the risk of side-effects, including antihistamines, antidepressants, and antipsychotics.

Mandrake

Another plant in the nightshade family is mandrake (Mandragora officinarum), whose humanoid-shaped root has inspired centuries of myth, from ancient Greek texts to the Bible. Folklore warned that pulling a mandrake from the ground would unleash a deadly screama story so enduring it even found its way into the Harry Potter series.

In witchcraft, mandrake was believed to be a key ingredient in flying ointments, used as amulets for fertility and protection and added to love potions, perhaps due to its hallucinogenic effects. Historically, it was used as an anesthetic, sedative and fertility aid.

Like belladonna, mandrake contains tropane alkaloids such as atropine and scopolamine, which have psychoactive properties. A 2022 study cataloged 88 traditional medicinal uses for mandrake, ranging from pain relief and sedation to skin and digestive disorders.

However, science does not necessarily support all these claims. Scopolamine can act as an antispasmodic, relieving gut muscle spasms and helping with digestive issues. It can also cause drowsiness by blocking M1 antimuscarinic receptors in the brain. But extracts from mandrake leaves show mixed results, with some evidence suggesting they can cause dermatitis rather than treat it.

Mugwort

Mugwort (Artemisia species) is another herb often linked to magic and healing. Traditionally, it was used to enhance dreams and ward off evil spirits. In 2015, a Nobel prize was awarded for the discovery of artemisinin, an anti-malarial compound derived from Artemisia annua, or annual mugwort.

In traditional Chinese medicine, mugwort features in moxibustion, a therapy involving burning the herb near acupuncture points to stimulate healing. It is also used by herbalists to treat menstrual irregularities and digestive issues. Common mugwort is listed as a homeopathic ingredient in the European Pharmacopoeia, where it is used to help with irregular periods, menopause symptoms and nervous conditions such as sleepwalking, seizures, epilepsy and anxiety.

The above-ground parts of mugwort are used to make essential oil, which contains compounds like camphor, pinene and cineole. These substances are known for their antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Artemisinin in the plant may gently stimulate the uterus and help regulate menstrual cycles. Animal studies suggest Artemisia leaf extract may help treat inflammatory skin conditions by reducing the release of inflammation-causing chemicals from immune cells.

Clinical evidence remains limited, and more rigorous research is needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness. Mugwort can also trigger allergic reactions such as skin irritation and breathing difficulties, and it should be avoided during pregnancy as it may cause uterine contractions.

The myths surrounding these plants may sound like fantasy, but the truth is just as captivating. Not witchcraft, but chemistrycomplex compounds that have influenced both ancient healing and modern medicine.

As researchers continue to explore their potential, these herbs remind us that many legends have roots in real pharmacology. So as we stir our cauldrons this Halloween, it is worth remembering that the real magic of belladonna, mandrake and mugwort lies not in superstition, but in science.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
After a two-year absence, Haiti is returning to the Miss Universe competition, represented by Haitian-American beauty queen Melissa Queenie Sapini, who hopes to bring global visibility to her country with her message: When Haiti rises, the world watches.

Sapini will compete in the Miss Universe pageant on November 20 in Thailand, proudly representing Haiti on the international stage. For Haiti and for every Haitian in every corner of the world  this is bigger than a nation, Sapini wrote in English and Creole on Instagram. Its about unity, and the Caribbean coming together to celebrate a single love.

Unlike traditional pageants where contestants compete for the crown, Sapini was appointed Miss Universe Haiti 2025 on October 19 based on her pageant experience. The television journalist and models appointment comes on the heels of fellow Haitian-American and marketing expert from South Florida, Lulu Orange, becoming the national director of Miss Universe Haiti. Orange  a beauty consultant and collaborator of the Miss Haiti Academy  received the Miss Universe franchise this year, fulfilling what she described as a decade-long dream.

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Born in Boston, Sapini was raised in a family of strong women who instilled in her a deep pride in her Haitian roots.

My grandmother never had the chance to learn to read or write, Sapini told the Miami Herald. When I was 7 years old, I was the one who taught her to write her name. That experience inspired me to cofound The Two Queens Foundation with my mother, which helps fund education for children in Port-au-Prince.

Melissa Queenie Sapini, Miss Universe Haiti 2025, aims to bring the Caribbean country to the international stage in Thailand on November 20.

The last beauty queen to represent Haiti at Miss Universe was Mideline Phelizor, who competed in 2022 on behalf of Port-au-Prince and placed in the Top 16. Haitis best performances in the pageant came from Raquel Pelissier and Gerthie David, who both earned the first runner-up title in 2016 and 1975, respectively.

At just 22 years old, Sapini brings solid experience to the global stage. Last year, she competed in Miss USA after being crowned Miss Massachusetts USA 2024. She went on to place in the Top 10 and took home the Miss Photogenic award.

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Often seen wearing a hibiscus in her hair  Haitis national flower  Sapini says it represents resilience and renewal.

I wear it for every Haitian who has ever had to rebuild, rise up, and shine again. As Haiti returns to the Miss Universe stage, we bloom brighter than ever, she also shared on her Instagram.

Queens to Miss Universe from the United States

Sapini joins a growing number of beauty queens from the United States who will compete at Miss Universe this year. Among them are Lina Luaces, a Cuban-American from Miami who holds the title Miss Universe Cuba 2025, and Itza Castillo, a model born in Managua who was crowned Miss Universe Nicaragua 2025 on September 4 in Miami. Also representing the U.S. Latino community is Yamilex Hernandez of the Dominican Republic, who earned her place at the international competition after winning Miss Universe Latina: El Reality, a Telemundo-produced pageant show taped in Miami. Representing the United States at Miss Universe is Audrey Ecker of Nebraska, who was crowned Miss USA 2025 in Reno, Nevada, on Oct. 24. Ecker, who has been competing in pageants since the age of nine. Before heading to Thailand, Sapini spoke with the Herald, sharing her answers to a short questionnaire and offering a message of optimism to her fellow Haitians  who, after a two-year break, will once again cheer for their country on the world stage.

What did you feel when you were crowned Miss Universe Haiti?

I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude not only for the crown but for the responsibility it carries.

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To me, being Miss Universe Haiti means being a bridge between cultures, between generations, between dreams and reality. Because no matter where you come from, when one woman rises, we all rise.

How was the preparation process for Miss Universe? Arent you worried about lack of time?

Im not waiting for permission to be powerful. Miss Universe may be in a few days, but for me this isnt sudden. Its sacred. At every step of my life Ive been preparing for this moment.

This journey goes far beyond the competition. Its personal. I am the daughter of the Queen of Haitis National Carnival of 1998, Yvrose Brouillard, and the granddaughter of a market woman. From them, I learned that strength can wear a crown or carry a basket on her head; both always serve with purpose.

What does Haitis return to Miss Universe mean?

Haiti hasnt competed since 2022 due to the countrys instability. Its a reminder to the world that even in hardship, Haiti still rises. I am also the first dual citizen born in the United States to represent Haiti at Miss Universe, which is a historic moment in itself. This is bigger than one nation, its about the world coming together to celebrate the spirit of the diaspora. I may be representing Haiti, but Im also standing for unity across borders.

Do you have a phrase or motto you say often?

Believe in yourself before anyone else believes in you.

What was it like growing up as a Haitian woman in Massachusetts?

It was a beautiful balance of cultures. I actually lived in Haiti for a time as a young girl and attended school there, which gave me a deep appreciation for my roots. When I returned to Massachusetts one of the states with the largest Haitian populations, along with Florida I was surrounded by the strength of my community.

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I was raised in a Haitian household by my mother and grandmother, who taught me faith, family and hard work. At the same time, I grew up at the heart of the American dream. That duality made me proud of who I am and hungry to represent where I come from.

To me, its important to show the world that Haitians are in every corner of the globe and that, no matter who we are or where we go, we all must carry our culture, pride, and resilience with us.

Where do you live now and what is your role in media?

Now that Ive been crowned, I split my time between Boston, Massachusetts, and Miami, Florida. In Boston, I work in broadcast television as an on-air host and media personality for the Boston Red Sox and Bruins Network (NESN). I began that role at just 18 years old, during my freshman year of college.

What message do you send to your compatriots?

To every Haitian around the world: Nou la toujou (We are still here). No matter where we are, Haiti beats in all our hearts. This crown belongs to all of us. I am just the vessel carrying our light to the Universe.

Sapini invites her compatriots to send her off for her trip to Thailand on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m., at Miami International Airport, North Terminal, Concourse D
The Gist

Nicole Kidman spoke at the 2025 Texas Conference for Women in Austin on Wednesday, October 29.

She wore a sleeveless Schiaparelli dress featuring a zip-up silhouette.

Kidman also debuted noticeably lighter tresses.

It's no secret that Nicole Kidman has experimented with her hair over the years: from copper ringlets to platinum blowouts, the Oscar winner has worn practically every style imaginable. After a brief return to her nearly natural strawberry blonde, we're here to report that Kidman is now back to one of her lightest shades.

On Wednesday, the actress spoke at the 2025 Texas Conference for Women in Austin, where she paired a sleeveless zip-up dress with bleached waves. Kidman accessorized her Schiaparelli frock with black ankle-strap pumps, a simple timepiece, and gold rings.

Getty Images Nicole Kidman on October 29, 2025. Nicole Kidman on October 29, 2025.

As for her glam, the Babygirl star sported black eyeshadow, rosy blush, and nude lip liner.

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Kidman currently works with stylist Jason Bolden, who also counts Cynthia Erivo, Cara Delevingne, and Channing Tatum as clients.

The last time Kidman went this blonde was in July, when she sat front row at Balenciaga's fall 2025 couture fashion show.

Getty Images Nicole Kidman on July 9, 2025. Nicole Kidman on July 9, 2025.

The actress's daughter, Sunday Rose, recently shared a rare candid photo of her mom. Earlier this month, the up-and-coming model walked in multiple shows at Paris Fashion Week.

"pfw film," Sunday captioned her Instagram carousel.

In one shot, Kidman could be seen flashing a peace sign at the camera. Her typically flowing strands were instead styled in a 2010s-coded topknot, complete with face-framing fringe.

Sunday's slideshow also included a photo of her with her younger sister, Faith Margaret, as well as a snap of the Arc de Triomphe.

@sundayrose/Instagram Nicole Kidman in an Instagram photo posted on October 20, 2025. Nicole Kidman in an Instagram photo posted on October 20, 2025.

Read the original article on InStyle
Rosie ODonnell is turning to her fans for support.

The comedian, 63, took to social media this week to ask for prayers after her oldest daughter, Chelsea, was sentenced to prison for violating the terms of her probation for drug charges.

My child chelsea belle  before addiction took over her life  i loved her then i love her now as she faces a scary future, ODonnell wrote on Instagram alongside a younger photo of Chelsea on Wednesday.

Rosie ODonnell and her daughter, Chelsea, on the SS Hornblower Infinity Cruise in New York City on June 20, 2016. Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

ODonnell took to Instagram to ask for prayers after Chelsea was sentenced to prison last week for violating the terms of her probation for drug charges.

Prayers welcomed, she continued, adding hashtags for addiction awareness, love and family.

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ODonnell and her then-partner, Kelli Carpenter, adopted Chelsea shortly after she was born in 1997.

Last year, Chelsea was arrested in Wisconsin three different times between September and December.

ODonnells oldest daughters mugshot following her first arrest in September 2024. Marinette County Sheriff's Office

ODonnell and her daughter, Chelsea, at the opening night performance of the Broadway musical American Idiot in New York City on April 20, 2010. AP

On Sept. 10, ODonnells 28-year-old daughter was arrested on felony charges that included child neglect and possession of methamphetamine.

One month after posting bail and being released, Chelsea was arrested again on more felony counts that included bail jumping, resisting or obstructing an officer and possession of methamphetamine.

That November, Chelsea was arrested a third time on similar charges, including possession of methamphetamine, bail jumping and possession of narcotic drugs.

Chelsea ODonnells mugshot shortly after her third arrest in Wisconsin in November 2024. Marinette County Jail

Rosie ODonnell discussing her time on The View during a recent TikTok video. Ricki-Lee & Tim Joel/TikTok

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So yes this is true, the former talk show host captioned an Instagram post in the wake of her daughters third arrest.

After being bailed out by her birth mother  chelsea was arrested again  and is facing many charges related to her drug addiction, ODonnell continued. We all hope she is able to get the help she needs to turn her life around.

Chelsea went on to plead guilty to three felony counts of resisting or obstructing an officer, felony bail jumping and possession of methamphetamine in February 2024. She was sentenced to six years of probation on March 31.

Chelsea, Vivienne and Rosie ODonnell on the SS Hornblower Infinity in New York City on June 20, 2016. Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

The conditions of Chelseas probation included sobriety, no possession of alcohol or other controlled substances without a prescription, no contact with drug users or sellers and no possession or ownership of any firearm.

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However, ODonnells daughter had her probation revoked and was sentenced to prison on Oct. 22, per People.

The Flintstones actress addressed her daughters prison sentence and scary future further in a statement to The Post.

A photo of ODonnells oldest daughter before she succumbed to drug addiction. Rosie O'Donnell/Twitter

Chelsea and Rosie ODonnell in a photo together from 2016. rosie/Instagram

I have compassion for those struggling with addiction. Chelsea was born into addiction and it has been a painful journey for her and her four young children, ODonnell said.

We continue to love and support her through these horrible times, the former View host added. Prayers welcomed.

Chelsea, meanwhile, is a mom of four. She and ex-boyfriend Jacob Bourassa welcomed daughters Skylar, Riley and Avery Lynn before breaking up.

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More recently, ODonnells oldest daughter welcomed a son, Atlas, with boyfriend Jacob Nelund in October 2023.

ODonnell backstage before a comedy show at the International Comedy Club in Dublin, Ireland, on May 21, 2025. @rosie/Instagram

ODonnell during an episode of the No Filter with Kate Langbroek podcast released Sept. 9, 2025. No Filter/YouTube

As for the A League of Their Own star, she has welcomed Chelsea and four additional kids since 1995, including Parker, 30, Blake, 25, Vivienne, 22, and Clay, 12.

ODonnell, who left the US for Ireland in January, made headlines earlier this month when it was revealed that she was applying for Irish citizenship.

I am applying and about to be approved for my Irish citizenship as my grandparents were from there and thats all you need, she told the UKs Daily Telegraph.
Originally appeared on E! Online

Rosie ODonnell is focusing on her daughter.

The former talk show host had a message for her followers, asking them to send prayers for her daughter Chelsea Belle O'Donnell amid the 28-year-old's legal troubles.

My child chelsea bellebefore addiction took over her life, Rosie posted to Instagram Oct. 29 alongside a photo of a much younger Chelsea. I loved her then i love her now as she faces a scary futureprayers welcomed.

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Rosies pleas come one week after Chelsea had her probation revoked and was sentenced to prison on Oct. 22, according to documents from Marinette County, Wis., obtained by E! News.

And Rosiewho adopted Chelsea at birth with ex Kelli Carpenterunderstands that this has not been an easy time for her daughter.

I have compassion for those struggling with addiction, the 63-year-old shared in an Oct. 29 statement to E! News. Chelsea was born into addiction and it has been a painful journey for her and her four young children.

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She added, We continue to love and support her through these horrible times. Prayers welcomed.

Chelsea was originally arrested in September 2024 on felony counts of neglecting a child, maintaining a drug trafficking place and possession of methamphetamine, per court record previously seen by E! News. She was arrested again in October of that yearthis time in Oconto County, Wis.and was subsequently charged with felony possession of methamphetamine and narcotic drugs and bail jumping, according to court records, as well as misdemeanor counts of drug paraphernalia possession and resisting or obstructing an officer.

Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

Chelseaa mom of fourwas arrested again in November 2024 according to documents obtained by E! News and charged with two felony counts of possession of methamphetamine, a felony count of possession of narcotic drugs and two felony counts of bail jumping.

According to court docs, Chelsea ultimately pleaded guilty to one charge of possession of methamphetamine, one count of resisting or obstructing an officer and one count of bail jumping and one originally sentenced to one year in jail. She was a member of the drug treatment court until she was terminated from the program in September. Her original probation was conditional on absolute sobriety.

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Following Chelseas third arrest, Rosiewho is also mom to kids Parker, 30, Blake, 25, Vivienne, 22, with Kelly as well as Clay, 12, with late ex Michelle Roundsconfirmed her daughters arrest, writing on Instagram in December 2024, So yes this is true. After being bailed out by her birth motherChelsea was arrested againand is facing many charges related to her drug addiction."

Ash Knotek/Shutterstock

She added at the time, "We all hope she is able to get the help she needs to turn her life around."

Chelses legal troubles come amid Rosies recent decision to move to Ireland, a choice she is very happy about.

We chose Ireland and didnt really know where to go, ODonnell told Us Weekly in April. And someone said Dalkey, and I found a house online that was in Glengarry.

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She added, I love the little town. Its in the heart of Dublin, but its still a village where you know the name of the grocer and you know the name of the cashiers. People are unbearably kind in a way that shocks me every single day.

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Hell is other people, so goes the old adage  and perhaps never is that more true than when someone else is playing you on screen. Its a reality that actor Steve Coogan and the producers of the 2022 film The Lost King now know only too well, after agreeing to pay substantial damages to Loughborough University academic Richard Taylor in an out-of-court libel settlement on Monday.

Taylor brought the claim against Coogan, his production company Baby Cow Productions and Pathe Productions after seeing a version of himself that he didnt recognise in the film, which depicts the 2012 discovery of Richard IIIs remains.

Steve Coogan and Sally Hawkins in The Lost King, the 2022 film about the discovery of Richard IIIs remains - Graeme Hunter

A judge later deemed the portrayal of Taylor to be smug, unduly dismissive and patronising  a depiction that caused serious harm to his professional and personal reputations, William Bennett, a lawyer acting for Taylor, said.

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I can relate. In the spring of 2018, a message popped into my inbox from a friend who told me that the sister of one of his friends  a young actress named Hanako Footman  had been asked to play me in a Hollywood movie.

At first, I couldnt imagine why. Then a quick Google search made it abundantly clear. The film, Official Secrets, starring Keira Knightley, was to retell the story of British whistleblower Katharine Gun, a 28-year-old translator at GCHQ in Cheltenham.

Actress Keira Knightley as GCHQ whistleblower Katharine Gun in Official Secrets - Pictorial Press/Alamy

In 2003, Gun leaked a top-secret memo to The Observer about an illegal spying operation ordered by the US National Security Agency to bug the phones and emails of six United Nations delegates from Angola, Cameroon, Chile, Mexico, Guinea and Pakistan  countries whose votes could determine whether the UN approved the invasion of Iraq.

While I was only a bit-player in the story, Official Secrets was also set to put the biggest mistake of my career on the big screen. The prospect, quite literally, gave me nightmares.

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At the time, I was a 24-year-old who had just started working on The Observers foreign desk  my first job in journalism.

It was stressful and fun, and I instantly loved it. Towards the end of my second week, I was handed a paper printout and asked to type it up and save it. No further information was given, aside from the instruction: Dont make any mistakes. So I set about painstakingly typing in each sentence.

That Sunday, I woke to see the papers front-page story headlined Revealed: US dirty tricks to win vote on Iraq war  and beneath it, a replica of the document Id typed.

I was proud to have played a small part in The Observers team that broke the story. Until a phone call from one of the editors informed me  with deft understatement and a total lack of drama  that I had caused something of an international incident.

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In my effort to be thorough, and not knowing what the document was or where it came from, I had corrected all the American spelling mistakes to British English. Recognize became recognise, emphasize became emphasise, and favorable was amended to favourable. I thought I was preventing errors. In fact, Id created a disaster.

Guns whistleblowing, which should have sent shockwaves around the world, was now being dismissed as a fake. Thousands of readers  many American  complained that the storys authors had fallen for a hoax or a campaign of misinformation.

My actions had been an innocent mistake born of diligence, but I agonised over how, as the new girl, I would ever regain the papers trust.

Yet my blunder paled into insignificance compared with what it meant for Gun. Everything she and my colleagues had worked for was suddenly discredited. The film would go on to chronicle all of this  as well as her decision to reveal her identity, her arrest, and her eventual trial under the Official Secrets Act (a case that ultimately collapsed when the prosecution declined to present its evidence).

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Sixteen years later, it was not a time in my life I wanted revisited on the big screen.

Hanako Footman portrays journalist Nicole Mowbray in Official Secrets

When I met Footman, the actress playing me, she was smart, diligent and clearly cared. But I wanted reassurance that the film made it clear I hadnt been fired  that my colleagues and editors had ultimately stood by me, and that Id gone on to work at the paper for several years.

Not explicitly, Footman said, but you do appear in a later scene.

I was dismayed that my long-forgotten mistake was being dredged up as a plot point, and worried about being cast as a movie villain when, in reality, Id simply been doing my best. I wanted people to know that, despite this chapter of my career, Id gone on to build a successful one.

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So I called an ex-colleague who had helped break Guns story and was now working on the films script. Could my character be removed, I asked? He was kind and sympathetic but said there was no chance. While my role was small, he explained, my actions provided a pivotal plot point  and besides, because what happened was a matter of historical record, they didnt need my permission to include me. They wouldnt even change my name in the credits, meaning it would appear if someone searched online.

I was indignant, but he was  legally  right. It is entirely permissible to create content from someone elses life without their consent. No individual owns the legal rights to the story of their life, and as long as the information is obtained lawfully, others are free to make use of it without permission.

The rise in popularity of these partly fictionalised dramas on streaming services and television has only amplified the trend.

Sebastian Stan and Lily James as Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson in Pam & Tommy - Erin Simkin/Hulu

Take the depiction of the Royal family in The Crown, or Pamela Anderson in 2022s Pam & Tommy  a Disney+ series about the theft of Anderson and drummer Tommy Lees honeymoon sex tape, based on a 2014 Rolling Stone feature that had nothing to do with Anderson herself.

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Vanity Fair picture editor Rachel DeLoache Williams even sued Netflix for defamation over what she described as a negative portrayal of her in the 2022 drama Inventing Anna, about con woman Anna Delvey.

In the weeks leading up to the release of Official Secrets, I was plagued by anxiety. With no control over how I was depicted, I felt powerless. Real life is rarely as dramatic as cinema demands, and I knew there would be poetic licence involved. When I went to an early screening for ex-colleagues, I discovered that there was plenty.

The reveal of my mistake drew audible gasps from the audience. Then my character was blamed and publicly berated in the middle of the newsroom  an imagined moment of public shaming that never happened. It was painful to watch. Worse still, there was no onward storyline for me, leaving the impression that Id slunk away in disgrace. While the telling of Guns story was important, I was left in tears at my own depiction.

And while I wouldnt recommend carrying the burden of causing an international incident through ones career, it did teach me a valuable lesson in attention to detail. It was my first serious mistake  and, I hope, my last. Certainly the last to make it on to international cinema screens, at least.

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.
"Saving Private Ryan" is easily one of the best war films of all time, making it into our top 10. Part of how it made history was a top-tier cast, including a cameo from Nathan Fillion. Tom Hanks, as Captain John Miller, is scouring the front looking for a James Ryan, but Fillion isn't who he's looking for. It's a quick moment in a nearly three hour movie, but it is a striking one.

Following Captain Miller's journey to find Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), the movie doesn't shy away from the horrors of war. "Saving Private Ryan" casts the storming of the beach at Normandy as its opening set piece, as Miller's squad moves inland. The first location Miller searches to resolve his mission isn't far from Normandy, and it's still in France, but Miller's mission can't be that easy and his squad loses its first soldier on the search for someone that's not even the right guy. The mix-up results in Fillion's cameo as James Frederick Ryan (he's credited as "Minnesota Ryan" at the end) and it's an early watershed moment that makes us question what the final cost will be to save just one person, and whether it's all worth it.

The rest of the film follows Miller as he tries to get to the right James before he becomes the fourth and final Ryan brother to die in combat. While it isn't the most historically accurate war movie, it paved the way for the next generation of films in this genre, including "1917," "Dunkirk," and 2022's "All Quiet on the Western Front."

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Read more: Actors Who Had Beef With Ryan Reynolds

Stephen Spielberg helped Nathan Fillion cry on cue

The wrong James Ryan crying in "Saving Private Ryan." - DreamWorks/Paramount

As part of playing the wrong James Ryan, Nathan Fillion had to cry on cue for both his audition and the final scene. The actor confirmed in an interview with SiriusXM Radio in 2020 that he could do it, and that it was something he practiced on the bus ride to school. When he auditioned for "Saving Private Ryan," Fillion's biggest role to date was on the soap opera "One Life to Live." A job on a soap will probably include plenty of crying on cue, boosting Fillion's abilities.

"All I had to do was come in and cry," the actor told Mike Rowe on his podcast "The Way I Heard It" in 2024. "Here I was in London, and here it is, it's actually important, and I was dry as a popcorn fart."

Fillion had developed a backstory in his head for Minnesota Ryan, in order to help him connect with the character and make the crying a bit easier. Director Stephen Spielberg helped him finesse the big moment, changing a handful of details and helping Fillion get into the right headspace for the scene. It may not be the role most audiences remember Fillion for, but a top five Spielberg movie (as we ranked it) remains a big deal to have on your filmography.

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Read the original article on Looper.
Fans of Akron new wave punk band Devo don't need to leave their homes to enjoy the band's chaotic on-stage presence.

Known for hits like "Whip It" and "Uncontrollable Urge," Devo is hosting a concert livestream of their performance at Colorado's The Mission Ballroom on Thursday, Nov. 13. The concert will be available for paid viewing on the livestreaming platform VEEPS.

The livestream is at the tail end of the band's tour, "Devo: 50 Years of De-Evolution...Continued!" which began in late 2023 and resumed on May 1. The band will hang up its Energy Domes (for now) after a show at Palace Theatre in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on Saturday, Nov. 15.

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The livestream also follows the conclusion of "The Cosmic De-Evolution Tour," an 11-city tour headlined by Devo and The B-52s. This tour concludes at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, Texas, on Sunday, Nov. 2.

Want to rock out at home? Here's what to know about the upcoming Devo livestream.

How to watch Devo's concert livestream at The Mission Ballroom

"Devo: 50 Years of De-Evolution...Continued!, Live from The Mission Ballroom" airs on the livestream platform VEEPS on Nov. 13 at 10 p.m. ET.

Is Devo's The Mission Ballroom concert livestream free?

From left to right, Devo members Bob Mothersbaugh, Mark Mothersbaugh, Josh Hager and Gerald Casale and actor and comedian Fred Armisen attend SNL50: The Homecoming Concert at Radio City Music Hall on Feb. 14, 2025 in New York City.

No.

To watch the livestream on VEEPS, fans must purchase a ticket on the VEEPS website. Tickets are on sale for $19.99, and fans have three days after the event to watch the concert. Day-of tickets will be $24.99.

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VEEPS also offers an all-access subscription for $19.99, which includes access to other shows on the livestream platform.

Want to watch the show in person? Tickets are still for sale

Devo's performance at Colorado's The Mission Ballroom is a part of the band's tour, "Devo: 50 Years of De-Evolution...Continued!" Tickets are on sale on AXS, starting at $96.25 for general admission.

Devo to release new, documentary-inspired album on Halloween

In conjunction with the band's self-titled Netflix documentary released in August, Devo is releasing a companion album, "Energy Dome Frequencies: Songs From The DEVO Documentary," on Friday, Oct. 31. The album includes hits like "Whip It," "Girl U Want," "Uncontrollable Urge," "Freedom Of Choice" and "Beautiful World".

"Energy Dome Frequencies" can be pre-saved on major streaming services, including Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music and YouTube Music. A vinyl ($30) and CD ($20) of the album are also available for purchase on the Hello Merch website.

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Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Akron band Devo will livestream their Colorado concert in November
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:

A model of the human telomerase complex highlights where RPA is predicted to dock. Three structural variants of telomerase that have been linked to patients with various diseases fall within this docking zone, suggesting that these variants could inhibit RPA's interaction with telomerase. Credit: Ci Ji Lim

New research from the University of WisconsinMadison reveals that dysfunction in a protein essential to maintaining stability in our chromosomes may be responsible for seriousand sometimes deadlydiseases.

Their findings, published in Science, could provide patients and their doctors with new protein mutations to test for certain cancers and bone marrow diseases.

Our chromosomes (bundles of proteins and DNA that store all our genetic information), are protected from degradation by telomeresthe protective caps at the ends of chromosomes made from repetitive DNA sequences and proteins. While telomeres naturally shorten as we age, dysfunction in telomere formation and maintenance can make DNA less stable, leading to premature aging and other diseases.

Scientists in the laboratory of Ci Ji Lim, a UWMadison professor of biochemistry, in collaboration with researchers in the university's Department of Chemistry, were interested in identifying proteins that interact with an enzyme called telomerase, which is responsible for maintaining telomeres. Malfunctions in these proteins could be the cause of some diseases resulting from shortened telomeres.

"This line of research goes beyond a biochemical understanding of a molecular process. It deepens clinical understanding of telomere diseases," says Lim.

The researchers, led by graduate student Sourav Agrawal, research scientist Xiuhua Lin, and postdoctoral researcher Vivek Susvirkar, searched for proteins likely to interact with telomerase using AlphaFold, a machine learning tool that predicts the 3D structure of proteins and protein-protein interactions.

They found that a molecule called replication protein A (RPA) plays an essential role in maintaining telomeres by stimulating telomerase.

RPA's role in DNA replication and repair has long been understood, but its role in maintaining long, healthy telomeres in humans was previously unconfirmed. Guided by their findings from AlphaFold, the team experimentally validated that, in humans, RPA is required to stimulate telomerase and help maintain telomeres.

Their findings, Lim says, have immediate implications for some patients with often fatal illnesses resulting from shortened telomeres, including aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia.

"There are some patients with shortened telomere disorders that couldn't be explained with our previous body of knowledge," explains Lim. "Now we have an answer to the underlying cause of some of these short telomere disease mutations: it is a result of RPA not being able to stimulate telomerase."

Lim and his team have received inquiries from clinicians and scientists around the world asking if their patients' diseases could be the result of genetic mutations inhibiting RPA's newfound function.

"There are colleagues reaching out from France, Israel, and Australia. They just want to give a cause for their patient's short telomere disease so that the patients and their families can understand what is happening and why," says Lim.

"With biochemical analysis, we can test their patients' mutation to see if it impacts how RPA interacts with telomerase, and give the doctors insights into possible causes of their patients' diseases."

More information: Sourav Agrawal et al, Human RPA is an essential telomerase processivity factor for maintaining telomeres, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.ads5297. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ads5297 Journal information: Science
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The Nice in 1968 (L-R) Brian Blinky Davison, Davy O List, Lee Jackson and Keith Emerson. | Credit: Pictorial Press Ltd

For a band who helped draw up the prog-rock blueprint, The Nice had unlikely beginnings. The four-piece formed in London in 1967 as a backing band for soul belter PP Arnold. But by the end of that year, they had parted company with Arnold and released their own psychedelia-tinged debut album The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack.

If their origins as a band were unusual, then the song with which they made their name was outrageous. Released in June 1968, America would crystallise the burgeoning prog-rock movement and turn The Nice into one of the most controversial bands of the day. The song, composed by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics from Stephen Sondheim, started life in the Broadway musical West Side Story. In this incarnation it was a celebration of the American way of life, sung by a Puerto Rican immigrant character.

We had a cover in our set called Rondo, which was our version of Dave Brubecks jazz classic Blue Rondo A La Turk, bassist Lee Jackson told Classic Rock in 2011. Keith [Emerson, keyboard player] had an extended solo during this on stage, and hed throw in all sorts of things, including a dash of America.

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It was one of the most shocking events of the late 60s that persuaded them to record the song in its own right. The band  completed by guitarist Davy OList and drummer Brian Davison  were driving back from a gig on the Isle of Wight in June 1968 when they heard the news that US Senator Robert Kennedy, the brother of murdered President John F. Kennedy, had been shot and killed while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination.

That got me thinking, recalled Keith Emerson. JFK had been shot, then Martin Luther King. It seemed to me that America was ruled by the gun. Its even in their constitution: the right to bear arms.

It was the era of the protest song. Against a backdrop of civil rights struggles, student unrest and the war in Vietnam, the likes of Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs were channelling the mood of the times in their lyrics. But, in a novel approach, The Nice decided to turn America into what Emerson calls the first protest instrumental.

Recording at Londons Olympic Studios, they flipped the song on its head. Its Broadway tempo was replaced by an angry, powerhouse momentum, with Emersons aggressive keyboards leading from the front. Most importantly, the songs original lyrics were stripped away. Jackson controversially added a single spoken-word line at the end to hammer home the songs bitter irony.

I took a line from a song Id written on the first album called Dawn: Dawn is pregnant with promises and anticipation, but is murdered by the hand of the inevitable, the bassist recalled. I changed Dawn to America, and we got PP Arnolds three-year-old son to say the words [for the recording], giving them real bite.

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Released as a single on June 21, 1968 America began picking up radio airplay thanks to a few DJs who grasped what the band were trying to do, though at six-and-a-half minutes it was too long for Top Of The Pops.

They wanted us to lose about 90 seconds, Jackson said. We refused.

But it was a controversial incident at the Royal Albert Hall that propelled the song into the UK Top 30  and to notoriety. The Nice had been booked to play an anti-apartheid concert at the prestigious London venue on July 7, part of a bizarre line-up that included Sammy Davis Jr, British jazz stars Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine, and the cast of TV comedy series Till Death Us Do Part.

Also in attendance was the US Ambassador to Britain, David K.E. Bruce, adding political gravitas to the occasion. The band decided to ramp up the drama by draping an American flag behind them during their set, which climaxed with America.

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My plan was to set it on fire at the end of the set, Emerson said, but I couldnt get the matches to light. So Warren Mitchell, who played Alf Garnett in Till Death Us Do Part, lent me his lighter, and up it went. Everyone went silent. Wed been going down well until that happened.

The band were quickly ushered off stage. Driving home, they found out via Radio Luxembourg that theyd been banned for life from the Albert Hall.

But it soon became clear that the uproar over their flaming stars and stripes had a positive side, helping the single to No.21.

The next day we did a gig in Norwich and arrived to find the queue going round the block, said Jackson. They all turned up hoping to see Keith burn the flag.

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The US authorities were less impressed. On the eve of The Nices first US tour, in 1968, Emerson and their manager, Tony Stratton Smith, were summoned to the American Embassy.

They had us swear on a stack of Bibles that there would be no more flags burnt, Emerson recalls. Actually, I did do it one more time in America, which horrified Lee.

The Americans may have been pacified, but the man who actually wrote the song was furious. Asked for his opinion on The Nices version, Leonard Bernstein replied: I utterly loathe what theyve done. Theyve corrupted my work.

Nine years later, while mixing ELPs Works Volume One album, Emerson was introduced to the openly gay Bernstein. Ive met composers of the music we covered and got on with them all, he told us. And then theres Bernstein. Ill leave it that he liked my leathers, if you get my drift.

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More than 40 years on, The Nices version of America remains one of the iconic musical moments of the 60s. As Emerson said, it also stands as a timeless reminder that some things never change.

It was done to highlight what a corrupt society America was  and still is: if you dont like the President, shoot him.

This feature originally appeared in Classic Rock 158, published in June 2011. Keith Emerson died in 2016.

For a band who helped draw up the prog-rock blueprint, The Nice had unlikely beginnings. The four-piece formed in London in 1967 as a backing band for soul belter PP Arnold. But by the end of that year, they had parted company with Arnold and released their own psychedelia-tinged debut album The Thoughts Of Emerlist Davjack.

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If their origins as a band were unusual, then the song with which they made their name was outrageous. Released in June 1968, America would crystallise the burgeoning prog-rock movement and turn The Nice into one of the most controversial bands of the day. The song, composed by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics from Stephen Sondheim, started life in the Broadway musical West Side Story. In this incarnation it was a celebration of the American way of life, sung by a Puerto Rican immigrant character.

We had a cover in our set called Rondo, which was our version of Dave Brubecks jazz classic Blue Rondo A La Turk, bassist Lee Jackson told Classic Rock in 2011. Keith [Emerson, keyboard player] had an extended solo during this on stage, and hed throw in all sorts of things, including a dash of America.

It was one of the most shocking events of the late 60s that persuaded them to record the song in its own right. The band  completed by guitarist Davy OList and drummer Brian Davison  were driving back from a gig on the Isle of Wight in June 1968 when they heard the news that US Senator Robert Kennedy, the brother of murdered President John F. Kennedy, had been shot and killed while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination.

That got me thinking, recalled Keith Emerson. JFK had been shot, then Martin Luther King. It seemed to me that America was ruled by the gun. Its even in their constitution: the right to bear arms.

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It was the era of the protest song. Against a backdrop of civil rights struggles, student unrest and the war in Vietnam, the likes of Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs were channelling the mood of the times in their lyrics. But, in a novel approach, The Nice decided to turn America into what Emerson calls the first protest instrumental.

Recording at Londons Olympic Studios, they flipped the song on its head. Its Broadway tempo was replaced by an angry, powerhouse momentum, with Emersons aggressive keyboards leading from the front. Most importantly, the songs original lyrics were stripped away. Jackson controversially added a single spoken-word line at the end to hammer home the songs bitter irony.

I took a line from a song Id written on the first album called Dawn: Dawn is pregnant with promises and anticipation, but is murdered by the hand of the inevitable, the bassist recalled. I changed Dawn to America, and we got PP Arnolds three-year-old son to say the words [for the recording], giving them real bite.

Released as a single on June 21, 1968 America began picking up radio airplay thanks to a few DJs who grasped what the band were trying to do, though at six-and-a-half minutes it was too long for Top Of The Pops.

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They wanted us to lose about 90 seconds, Jackson said. We refused.

But it was a controversial incident at the Royal Albert Hall that propelled the song into the UK Top 30  and to notoriety. The Nice had been booked to play an anti-apartheid concert at the prestigious London venue on July 7, part of a bizarre line-up that included Sammy Davis Jr, British jazz stars Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine, and the cast of TV comedy series Till Death Us Do Part.

Also in attendance was the US Ambassador to Britain, David K.E. Bruce, adding political gravitas to the occasion. The band decided to ramp up the drama by draping an American flag behind them during their set, which climaxed with America.

My plan was to set it on fire at the end of the set, Emerson said, but I couldnt get the matches to light. So Warren Mitchell, who played Alf Garnett in Till Death Us Do Part, lent me his lighter, and up it went. Everyone went silent. Wed been going down well until that happened.

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The band were quickly ushered off stage. Driving home, they found out via Radio Luxembourg that theyd been banned for life from the Albert Hall.

But it soon became clear that the uproar over their flaming stars and stripes had a positive side, helping the single to No.21.

The next day we did a gig in Norwich and arrived to find the queue going round the block, said Jackson. They all turned up hoping to see Keith burn the flag.

The US authorities were less impressed. On the eve of The Nices first US tour, in 1968, Emerson and their manager, Tony Stratton Smith, were summoned to the American Embassy.

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They had us swear on a stack of Bibles that there would be no more flags burnt, Emerson recalls. Actually, I did do it one more time in America, which horrified Lee.

The Americans may have been pacified, but the man who actually wrote the song was furious. Asked for his opinion on The Nices version, Leonard Bernstein replied: I utterly loathe what theyve done. Theyve corrupted my work.

Nine years later, while mixing ELPs Works Volume One album, Emerson was introduced to the openly gay Bernstein. Ive met composers of the music we covered and got on with them all, he told us. And then theres Bernstein. Ill leave it that he liked my leathers, if you get my drift.

More than 40 years on, The Nices version of America remains one of the iconic musical moments of the 60s. As Emerson said, it also stands as a timeless reminder that some things never change.

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It was done to highlight what a corrupt society America was  and still is: if you dont like the President, shoot him.

This feature originally appeared in Classic Rock 158, published in June 2011. Keith Emerson died in 2016.
Japan Society has revealed that Shinichiro Watanabe, the acclaimed director behind Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo and Adult Swims recent hit Lazarus, will headline Foreign Exchange 2025: Cross-Cultural Conversations with Anime Visionaries, a film and discussion series taking place Nov. 17-22 in New York City.

Founded and curated by award-nominated creator and director LeSean Thomas (Yasuke, Cannon Busters), the expanded 2025 edition shifts from last years singular creator dialogue to multi-creator conversations exploring how U.S. and Japanese artists collaborate across borders. Watanabe will be joined by Justin Leach, producer of Lucasfilms Star Wars: Visions and Netflixs Leviathan, with Thomas serving as host.

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The series kicks off Nov. 17-19 with classroom visits by Thomas and Leach to New York University, Pratt Institute, Parsons School of Design, Fordham University and the School of Visual Arts, where theyll conduct talks with aspiring animators and filmmakers.

From Nov. 20-22, the three will present events at Japan Societys NYC headquarters. Programming includes a free moderated talk for students and educators on skills needed to work in U.S. and Japanese animation, three public talks about animation production and inspiration, and four public screenings including both Lazarus and Cowboy Bebop: The Movie.

Among the highlights: Making of Lazarus: Story, Action, and Global Collaboration (Nov. 20), featuring Watanabe and Thomas exploring the creative DNA of Lazarus, from its action choreography to its score by Kamasi Washington and Bonobo; Star Wars: Visions & The Future of Global Animation (Nov. 21), with Leach discussing the anthology series global production model; and Black Musical Traditions and the Anime of Shinichiro Watanabe (Nov. 22), examining the influence of Black American music across Watanabes body of work.

Japan Society will also host a limited-time pop-up exhibit showcasing production art from Lazarus personally selected by Watanabe, and will have available for purchase copies of Foreign Exchange: The TV Anime Creations of LeSean Thomas Vol. 1  Yasuke, a 260-plus page companion art book. Rounding out the week, Rough Trade Records will host an autograph signing for Watanabe on Nov. 22.

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The series is co-presented by The Japan Foundation, New York and The Imagination Project Inc., a NYC-based nonprofit focused on providing career technical education for underserved marginalized youth.

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LONDON (AP)  In the early hours of the morning, while everyone is asleep, something magical is being cooked up on the set of Harry Potter. Hagrid, Dobby and Voldemort are all there, but  theyre edible.

Were not talking about the forthcoming HBO TV series, here. The Food Network show Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, back for a second season Sunday, filmed overnight this summer on the same Warner Bros. set of the eight movies.

No strangers to that set, twins James and Oliver Phelps are presiding over proceedings, spoons at the ready, as The Associated Press observes. Best known for playing Ron Weasleys brothers Fred and George in the Daniel Radcliffe era, both estimate theyve spent about 12 years on set  more than in their childhood home.

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It might be old hat for the Phelps, but for the judges and contestants, being on the Harry Potter sets is a big deal. Multisensory chef Jozef Youssef, a judge, said he ends up geeking out every day. Chef, author and judge Carla Hall  who bakes in an hour a day to enjoy the exhibitions after the crowds have gone  rued leaving her wand at home, scuttling plans to take photos with it by the Hogwarts Express.

How the great wizarding bake-off works

The show features paired culinary professionals competing by creating showstoppers inspired by the on-screen stories of Harry, Ron and Hermione, adapted from J.K. Rowling's books.

Hall says when you think of the movies, you don't know how the special effects work  and this season works on the same premise. While the food has to be delicious, it also has to leave the judges spellbound.

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They put all this time into baking these beautiful pieces but its the magic that we want to ... enthrall us, Youssef says.

And while Season 1 boasted a Slytherin-themed snake fountain, a flame-colored sculpture of the phoenix Fawkes and 6 feet tall Great Hall-themed cakes, things do level up for the second season.

The talent is just getting better and better, explains Youssef, citing unique flavor combinations.

Theres a lot of different ways that they bring the enchantment of the story into it, Oliver Phelps says of the contestants. That could include a movement, a reveal or a surprise  incorporated around a theme like magical transportation  illusions or gravity-defying floating items.

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What's on the magical menu

Each twin says they've eaten the best thing theyve ever tasted in their lives during Season 2  and they were each talking about different dishes, which they won't reveal because of spoilers.

This season, Hall, who enjoys telling stories with her intricate hairstyles like the contestants do with food, says they'll explain the Ministers of Baking judging process more thoroughly, so that viewers know exactly why a team doesn't make it through to the next round.

Hall also tries to put the viewer in her place, giving them an analogy of what each dish tastes like. For a Szechuan pepper ingredient, for example, she explains how it works like a potion to make the tongue go numb and the mouth salivate.

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James and Oliver Phelps both say that theyve both become a lot more interested in food since hosting the show. This season, they stick around to eat the entries, whereas last season, theyd be wrapped by the judging time. Standing by a fireplace on set, they pick their ideal charmed culinary creation  quietly so that the contestants dont get ideas.

Each opts for a variation on a British classic: James imagines a Goblet of Fire-themed crumble, complete with custard, while Oliver chooses an Eton Mess  a dessert explosion caused by a wand.

___

3 tricks for hosting a magical party

Jozef Youssef, one of the judges on Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, passes on these three tips for hosting an enchanted party.

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 Lots of effort always goes into theming the dining table, from table runners, decorations, mini-pumpkins for Halloween and holly at Christmas, candles  scented to match the theme (cinnamon at Christmas for example)  or LED lights can add a sense of theater to the table.

 For sharing meals, a game changer is using risers  platforms of varying levels to elevate the foods presented on the table. This adds height and fullness to the presentation of the table.

 Dry ice is always a crowd-pleaser and theres no denying there is something magical about the smoke it produces and the whimsical smoke that wafts across the dish or the table. You can buy dry ice as pellets which are easy to activate  just a little warm water and you get a spooky or enchanting vapor!
After a medical issue involving one of the contestants, Probst himself also seemed affected by the conditions -- something he opened up about a bit more on a podcast after the most recent episode.

The castaways on Survivor may have been the ones getting put through the wringer during a reward challenge on Thursday's new hour, but it was host Jeff Probst who was really feeling the heat.

On last night's episode, there were two moments of concern as the cast gathered for a challenge in the hot, Fijian heat. First, competitor Kristina Mills looked a bit off, taking a seat as Probst laid out the details for the challenge. Concerned, he sent medical to check her out, out of an abundance of caution -- as the show's doctor pointed out "it is brutally hot here."

He chalked up the moment to a mix of heat, excitement and adrenaline, gave her some water, and Kristina was then ready to compete.

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After the challenge, however, it was Probst -- who also runs around quite a bit in the shadeless challenge area, narrating the tribes' progress -- who doubled over, seemingly having a hard time catching his own breath. "Jeff, you out of breath, too?" asked Rizo Velovic, as Probst responded, "It's no joke, man." Rizo then shot back a classic Probst line, telling him, "Welcome to Survivor."

Addressing the moment on his On Fire with Jeff Probst Podcast, Probst was asked by former contestant Jeremy Collins how hot it truly was the day they filmed.

"The island where that challenge took place is the single hottest spot we ever shoot in Fiji. It might be the hottest spot in all of Fiji," said Jeff. "I don't know why and I've asked people on our team, and I never get a good answer. And I'm sure there's somebody listening right now saying, 'Probst, it's a basic barometric pressure thing.'"

"It is so dense, that one spot. It's like you're in a sauna and someone is pouring more water on the coals. And I'm not exaggerating," he then added.

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"Here's what happens every single time. You get off the boat. You have this amazing boat ride. It's beautiful skies, the wind is blowing your hair back, you feel amazing. And then you step off the boat and walk into this dense forest and the chiche is, everybody says, 'Man, it's so hot today,'" he continued.

"And we all know we say it and we all try not to say it. 'I'm not gonna say it today. I'm not gonna complain about the heat. I'm not gonna say anything,'" added Probst. "And then you walk in and you go, 'But my God, it's so hot again today!'"

The two moments of concern come after another contestant was forced to exit to competition after a medical emergency involving a snake bite -- read more about that here!

Survivor airs Wednesdays on CBS.
Jesse Eisenberg recently made an appearance on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon to promote his upcoming film, Now You See Me: Now You Dont. The film, which is the third installment of the Now You See Me franchise, will be released in theaters on November 14, 2025.

Meanwhile, in a funny promotional clip for social media, Eisenberg can be seen offering Fallon a gift he brought him from Italy (not Paris). This gift left Fallon wondering if Eisenberg was the one who robbed the Louvre.

Jimmy Fallon suspects Jesse Eisenberg is behind the Louvre heist

In a hilarious new clip posted to The Tonight Shows social media pages, Jesse Eisenberg tells Jimmy he got him a little something from his recent trip to Italy. As he continues to emphasize that his trip was to Italy, he takes out a bunch of items from his backpack that can commonly be found in France.

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At one point, he even pulls out an Eiffel Tower replica from his bag, still claiming he took a trip to Italy. Other items he pulls out of his backpack include a baguette, a box of macaroons, and a beret.

Then, while still pretending not to find the actual gift, Eisenberg pulls out a crown and some jewelry, quickly shoving them back into the bag. This was a reference to the recent heist that took place at the Louvre in Paris, France, during which precious jewels were stolen from the museum in broad daylight.

Finally, the Now You See Me actor pulls out a box of Sbarro Pizza, claiming it is the gift he brought Fallon from Italy (Sbarro Pizza specializes in New Yorkstyle pizza).

Further, Eisenberg tells Fallon, So if anybody asks where I was on the 19th [of October], you can tell them, please do tell them, that Jesse Eisenberg was in the country of Italy. After Eisenberg walks away, Fallon is then seen looking at the camera and saying, I think Jesse Eisenberg is the one who robbed the Louvre.

The post Jimmy Fallon Suspects Jesse Eisenberg Did Louvre Heist in New Clip appeared first on Mandatory.
From towering canyon walls and vast forested mountains to cozy hot springs and wonders like the extraordinary ancient cliff dwellings, it's no surprise that New Mexico is called the "Land of Enchantment." This state is chock full of hidden gems and historic frontier towns. One such town is Glenwood, New Mexico. Sitting along Highway 180, roughly halfway between Tucson and Albuquerque, Glenwood is full of Wild West charm and a relaxed, outdoorsy vibe that's ideal for travelers looking to unplug and explore the unique natural setting of the Southwest. Whether you're looking to relax in a hot spring, head out for a hike, or just kick back and stargaze at camp, Glenwood offers the perfect mix of adventure and tranquility and reminds you how magical New Mexico can really be.

Getting to Glenwood is just part of the adventure. The nearest major airport is Las Cruces International Airport, about 2 hours and 45 minutes southeast of Glenwood. To land a little closer to Glenwood, Grant County Airport in Silver City is about 1 hour and 30 minutes away and welcomes flights from both Phoenix and Albuquerque. Even though both these airports are a bit of a drive, renting a car will let you take in the beautiful scenery on your way to Glenwood and kick off your New Mexico experience in style.

Read more: The Best Vacation Destinations Where The US Dollar Goes Furthest

Hiking and hot springs to explore near Glenwood

View along the San Francisco Hot Springs hike in New Mexico - harperwilkins/YouTube

Glenwood and nearby areas offer endless opportunities to lace up those hiking boots and immerse yourself in rugged Southwest beauty. History buffs will appreciate the area's mining past. Ghost towns and remnants of old operations still linger. Start with the Catwalk National Recreation Trail, a 2.4-mile out-and-back hike that winds through the Whitewater Canyon along catwalks and bridges suspended above the rushing creek. For a deeper dive into local history, head on over to Mogollon, an abandoned town filled with rusted relics and gold rush charm. In this old mining town, you can take a short gravel path (known as Graveyard Gulch) to the town cemetery and wander among the graves, taking a peek into the area's haunting yet fascinating frontier past.

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If you'd like a hike with a sweet reward along the way, head over to the San Francisco Hot Springs trail. The trailhead is 10 minutes south of Glenwood off County Road 25. A 1.5-mile moderate trek will lead you through the wild New Mexico scenery to a couple of hot spring pools nestled beside the San Francisco River  perfect for soaking tired muscles while surrounded by gorgeous canyon views. As far as other hikes near Glenwood, the Gila National Forest has over 1,600 miles of trails. Try the Little Whitewater Trail or the Gold Dust Trail if you're up for a challenge. Just keep in mind that the weather in this region can change quickly. Flash floods are possible after rain, and temperatures can swing from hot to frigid up in the mountains, so make sure you come prepared with plenty of water and the right gear.

Camping under the stars outside Glenwood

Photo of the Milky Way from Cosmic Campground in New Mexico - mtn_mermaid_/Instagram

Glenwood sits right on the edge of the Gila National Forest, which means there are plenty of places to set up a tent or camper for the weekend. One really neat campground is the Cosmic Campground, a scenic campground with pristine dark sky stargazing. This camping area is Dark Sky certified, meaning the Milky Way is easily visible and there aren't any significant light pollution sources around. Cosmic Campground offers 360-degree views of the night sky, making it a great place for stargazing and an amazing place to spend a peaceful weekend camping under the stars.

But Cosmic Campground isn't the only place you can camp near Glenwood. If you're looking for a place close to town with limited amenities, Glenwood RV Park or Bighorn Campground are your best bets. Although these campgrounds are on the small side (six sites each), they're a good jumping-off place for outdoor adventures in the area. If you want to head a little further out for a long weekend trip, Ben Lilly Campground is situated high in the mountains of Gila National Forest, where you can find excellent views and beat the heat during summer. For a more rugged experience, the Gila National Forest allows dispersed camping in many areas. Just be sure to check with the local ranger station to learn which areas wild camping is allowed in, and practice leave no trace principles while you're out enjoying the scenic Southwest.

Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets.

Read the original article on Islands.
We head to Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood to make a dessert that's taken a viral chocolate bar and turned it into another trending treat - the Dubai chocolate brownie, in all of its crunchy, creamy, pistachio-packed glory.

Haraz Coffee House invites us into their kitchen for one of the most decadent bites ever.

Dubai chocolate can be seen all over TikTok.

"It's quite a big trend these days," says Enaas Sultan, the Head Pastry Chef at Haraz Coffee House. "It has a nutty balance from the pistachio. It's chocolatey and it's crunchy."

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The Dubai chocolate brownie is kind of like the viral chocolate bar, but in brownie form.

Sultan says it's the perfect pairing for the coffee creations at Haraz, Philly's first Yemeni coffee shop.

The Dish: Taste the coffee creations at Haraz

"The heart of what we do is we serve Yemeni coffee," says Sultan. "It feels good to feel like we're adding something new to the Fishtown scene, because it's such a vibrant and exciting neighborhood."

Yemeni's coffee history runs deep.

"It's the birthplace of the coffee trade that was recorded," Sultan says.

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The name Haraz is a nod to that history.

"Haraz is a mountain range in Yemen, and that's where a lot of the coffee cultivation in Yemen happens," she adds.

The women-led coffee house is truly a family affair. Sultan works with her mother, her aunt and a family friend.

"It's been really special to do this with our family," she says.

When it comes to the coffee, the pistachio latte is their best seller.

"We are combining really interesting nuts or spices with coffee, which is not very common in the United States," says Sultan's mother, Zehra Wamiq.

Customers are also eager to learn about the culture.

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"A lot of them say that when we come here, it seems like we are transported to a different part of the world," says Wamiq.

She also says this space is about community.

"The idea was to create a safe space with longer hours so people of all ages have a place to go that's not a bar," she says. "This is a space where we serve non alcoholic drinks and we have programming like game nights and other fun things."

Dubai Chocolate Brownie recipe from Haraz Coffee House

Ingredients:

- 1 and 1/3 cups (280g) granulated sugar

- 3/4 cup (85g) all-purpose flour

- 1/3 cup (60g) cocoa powder

- 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar, sifted

- 1/2 tsp. sea salt

- 1/2 cup (80g) chocolate chips

- 2 large eggs

- 1/2 cup neutral oil like canola or avocado

- 2 tbsp. water

- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

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Kitaifi Pistachio Mix Ingredients:

- 1 cup (150g) Kataifi, toasted and shredded

- 1 and 1/2 cup (225g) pistachio paste

Chocolate Ganache ingredients:

- 1 cup (220g) heavy cream

- 1 cup (200g) chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F, oil a 9x13 inch pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.

2. Combine granulated sugar, flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and sea salt in a medium-large bowl. Stir to combine and then add chocolate chips and stir to combine.

3. Crack eggs into to a small-medium bowl and whisk. Add oil, water, and vanilla extract and give everything a quick whisk to combine.

4. Add wet ingredients to the dry and fold together using a spatula until there are no dry patches, making sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.

5. Pour brownie batter into the oiled pan and use a spatula or butter knife to spread evenly across the bottom, ensuring you get the batter to the corners.

6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with only a few crumbs attached.

7. Let the brownies cool completely and remove onto a piece of parchment paper. Chill the brownies for easier handling during assembly.

8. Add toasted kataifi and pistachio paste into a bowl and mix with a spatula until the pistachio paste coats all the kataifi and no dry bits remain. Set aside.

9. Prepare ganache by using a medium sized bowl and saucepan to set up a double-boiler. Add enough water to the saucepan so it's not touching the bowl.

10. Add chocolate chips and heavy cream to the bowl and stir with a spatula until the chocolate melts and the chocolate and cream emulsify into a shiny ganache. Remove from heat (Be careful to not overheat as the ganache can break.)

11. Assemble the Dubai chocolate brownie by adding kataifi pistachio mixture to the top of the brownies and spread in an even layer using an offset spatula, making sure to spread to the edges and pack down.

12. Add chocolate ganache on top spread in an even layer using the offset spatula.

13. Chill the assembled brownie to set the ganache before slicing and serving.

Enjoy!
Myrtle Beach is a hub for South Carolina summer fun, and it doesn't abandon that reputation once the weather gets cold. As it turns out, this popular Southeastern beach destination is fun in the fall and winter. Every year, the streets of downtown Myrtle Beach transform into a dazzling winter wonderland from late November to early January. Winter Wonderland at the Beach is a beloved holiday celebration in Myrtle Beach and draws crowds despite the cooler sea breeze. The main attraction is the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, as stunning holiday lights go up once Thanksgiving comes to a close. The oceanfront lights are free to view every evening from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for people of all ages.

The 2025 agenda has not yet been finalized. However, the 2024 event included the Winter Wonderland Tree Lighting and First Snow Celebration to kick off the holiday season, a Twinkling Two-Miler Run to keep moving during the chilly season, and a Gullah Christmas event to learn about the South's rich Gullah culture and tradition. Other activities are the Holiday Snow Drone Show and New Year's Eve Fireworks. No matter when you visit during the holiday season, there will be an event waiting for you.

Read more: 50 Of The Most Mesmerizing Places On Earth

Plan your holiday visit to Myrtle Beach

A photo of Myrtle Beach at Sunrise - Chansak Joe/Getty Images

The Winter Wonderland at the Beach will be available from November 28, 2025 to January 3, 2026. In addition to the Winter Wonderland events, visitors can still enjoy all of the classic Myrtle Beach attractions. Ride the SkyWheel to spot holiday lights from the top of the ride. Shop, eat, and play at Broadway at the Beach, but don't forget to stop at Christmas at the Beach for some holiday-themed souvenirs! Visit some of the best restaurants in Myrtle Beach for a dazzling culinary adventure. And of course, the beach is always open for a stroll, though you might need extra layers to keep warm.

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For people in South Carolina and surrounding states, Myrtle Beach is a classic family road trip. However, folks a bit far away can still fly into Myrtle Beach International Airport. Accommodations are plentiful, with a wide range of beachside hotels, condos, and Airbnbs. Luckily, you can stay in Myrtle Beach without breaking the bank, with prices ranging from $50 to $150 per night.

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Read the original article on Explore.
Hurricane Melissa is quickly moving away from Bermuda after leaving a trail of widespread destruction across the Caribbean, where the death toll continues to rise.

Dozens of deaths have been blamed on the storm. In Haiti, at least 30 people were killed and 20 were missing, according to the Associated Press. Two deaths were reported in the Dominican Republic. And at least 19 are dead in Jamaica, where Melissa made landfall Tuesday as a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, the strongest ever to hit the island and one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes on record.

The devastation is truly heartbreaking, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in a statement after touring the hard-hit western part of the island. Yet the spirit of the people remains unbroken.

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Melissa knocked out power to most of Jamaica, complicating efforts to reach isolated communities.

There are entire communities that seem to be marooned and also areas that have been flattened, said Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaicas minister of education, skills, youth and information. The entire Jamaica is really broken because of what has happened, but we remain resilient.

Catastrophic is a mild term

A young man walks on rubble in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Black River, Jamaica, on Wednesday. (Ricardo Makyn/AFP via Getty Images)

In the coastal town of Black River, officials estimated that 90% of the roofs had been torn off homes.

Black River is what you would describe as ground zero, Holness said. The people are still coming to grips with the destruction.

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The conditions here are devastating, Black River Mayor Richard Solomon said in a video posted to X. Catastrophic is a mild term based on what we are observing here.

More than 13,000 people were still packed into shelters across Jamaica, officials said. And 72% of the island was without power.

Death and destruction in Haiti

A woman fills a container with water in Petit-Goave, Haiti, on Thursday. (Egeder Pq Fildor/Reuters)

In Haiti, 20 people, including 10 children, were killed by floodwaters in Petit-Goave.

Charly Saint-Vil, a lawyer from Petit-Goave, told the AP that he saw bodies lying among the debris. People have lost everything, Saint-Vil said.

Haitis Civil Protection Agency said more than 160 homes were damaged and 80 others destroyed.

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Steven Guadard, another Petit-Goave resident, said that the storm killed his entire family.

I had four children at home: a 1-month-old baby, a 7-year-old, an 8-year-old and another who was about to turn 4, Guadard said.

Recovery begins in Cuba

People walk along a road in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, on Wednesday. (Ramon Espinosa/AP)

Officials in Cuba were also assessing the full extent of the damage. More than 730,000 people in Cuba evacuated ahead of the storm, which tore through the eastern part of the island on Tuesday night.

That was hell, Reinaldo Charon told the AP in Santiago de Cuba. All night long, it was terrible.

No deaths were reported in Cuba, but Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the destruction left by Melissa was significant.

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The hardest task, recovery, is about to begin, Diaz-Canel said in a televised address.

Relief efforts underway

A mud-covered street in Santa Cruz, Jamaica, on Wednesday. (Octavio Jones/Reuters)

The United Kingdom announced on Wednesday that it is deploying 2.5 million ($3.3 million) in emergency humanitarian funding to support disaster response and recovery efforts.

This funding will support a rapid humanitarian response, including the delivery of emergency supplies such as shelter kits, water filters, and blankets, to help prevent injury, and disease outbreaks, the U.K. government said in a press release.

The U.S. State Department said Wednesday that it was mobilizing disaster response resources and activating urban search and rescue teams to assist countries affected by the storm.

An aerial view of the destruction left by Hurricane Melissa in Black River on Wednesday. (Ricardo Makyn/AFP via Getty Images)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a post on X on Wednesday that the United States is in close contact with the governments of Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic and The Bahamas as they confront the devastating impacts of Hurricane Melissa. In a follow-up post, Rubio said the Trump administration stands with the brave Cuban people, and that the U.S. is prepared to provide immediate humanitarian assistance directly and via local partners who can most effectively deliver it to those in need.

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Meanwhile, the Jamaican government has established a website, supportjamaica.gov.jm, for people to donate to recovery aid through an official channel, rather than risk falling victim to scammers.

Weve already been made aware of some nefarious individuals trying to collect money on behalf of Jamaica, Dixon said.

Where is Melissa now, and what is its path?

Melissas projected path. (NOAA/National Hurricane Center)

According to the final advisory on Melissa from the National Hurricane Center, the storm passed to the west of Bermuda on Thursday and is quickly moving away from the British island territory.

As of 11 a.m. ET on Friday:

Melissa was located about 520 miles north-northeast of Bermuda.

It was moving northeast at 48 mph.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph.

The storm has weakened to a post-tropical cyclone. It is not expected to affect the U.S. mainland.
Five more suspects were arrested in connection to the Louvre jewelry heist earlier this month, during which an estimated $102 million worth of French crown jewels were stolen, prosecutors said on Thursday, bringing the total number of arrests to seven.

Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed the arrests during an interview with French radio station RTL. Of the five new suspects, Beccuau said that one was identified through traces of DNA found at the crime scene, but that it was too early to comment on their identities. She also said the stolen jewelry still had not been found.

The five arrests come after prosecutors announced the Sunday arrests of two male suspects, who Beccuau said partially admitted their involvement in the robbery. The duo are suspected of having used power tools to enter the museums Galerie dApollon, where the jewels were stored.

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In response to claims that the heist was an inside job, Beccuau said that there was no evidence the thieves benefited from inside help.

Beccuaus response comes after detectives reportedly uncovered digital forensic evidence linking a member of the museums security with individuals involved in carrying out the raid, according to the Telegraph.

One of the suspects arrested on Sunday, according to ABC News, was taken into custody while trying to board a plane to Algeria at Pariss Charles de Gaulle Airport. The second suspect was apprehended as he attempted to travel to Mali, in West Africa, an investigator with the Paris Brigade for the Repression of Banditry, and a source from the French Interior Ministry confirmed to ABC. Beccuau clarified on Wednesday, however, that the second suspect did not intend to leave the country.

While their names have not been released to the public, the two suspects, both in their 30s, are French nationals who reside in Seine-Saint-Denis, a Paris suburb, according to investigators. One suspect is a dual citizen of France and Mali, while the other suspect is a dual citizen of France and Algeria. Both suspects were known to the police because of past burglary cases.

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Under French law, suspects can remain in custody for only 96 hours before prosecutors must either charge them or release them.

Beccuau has since expressed deep regret over the hasty disclosure of the first two arrests, fearing that the information can only harm the investigative efforts.

It is too early to provide any further details, Beccuau said. I will provide additional information at the end of this custody phase.

According to Frances minister of culture, eight items were stolen from cases in just seven minutes: a tiara, a necklace and a single earring in the sapphire set belonging to 19th-century French queens Marie-Amelie and Hortense; an emerald necklace and a pair of emerald earrings owned by Empress Marie Louise; a diamond reliquary brooch; and a diamond tiara and pearl brooch belonging to Napoleon IIIs wife, Empress Eugenie.

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A ninth item has, however, been located. A diamond and emerald crown belonging to Empress Eugenie has since been recovered near the scene.

The time to find the eight jewels before its too late is dwindling, as art detective Arthur Brand previously warned that the police might have just one week to find the missing jewels before they are potentially dismantled, melted down and gone forever.

Following the heist, the BBC reported that the Louvre had transferred its most coveted jewels to the Bank of France for safekeeping.

The theft committed at the Louvre is an attack on a heritage that we cherish because it is our history, French President Emmanuel Macron said in a Oct. 19 post on X following the heist. We will recover the works, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
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:

Tara McCarty, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders at Penn State Harrisburg, explains an alternative and augmentative communication device to students in a class in spring 2025. Credit: Sharon Siegfried / Penn State

A Penn State alumna turned faculty member is working to help improve communication solutions for children with a brain-based visual impairment.

Tara McCarty, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders at Penn State Harrisburg, graduated with her doctorate in communication sciences and disorders from Penn State in 2023.

She joined Penn State Harrisburg that same year, teaching introductory courses in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)systems that assist individuals to communicateand researching how to improve such systems. For example, an individual might use an iPad app to speak, pressing buttons or using their eyes to control the tablet. It may help some, but it's not a solution for all types of needs.

McCarty's research is focused on communication solutions for children who have cortical visual impairmenta diagnosis often made in children who have multiple disabilities and for whom traditional alternative communication systems don't always work.

In the Q&A below, McCarty discussed her work.

What is cortical visual impairment?

Cortical visual impairment (CVI) is a brain-based visual impairment. It results from damage to the visual pathways and the visual processing center of your brain. And it creates visual differences, very different from if you have just an ocular visual impairment, which involves your eye. This is actually how you process visual information.

Kids with CVI have difficulty seeing things that are complex. For example, a storybook picture that has a lot of background detailall that background detail makes it hard for them to notice the large dog on the page. If they were looking at a desk and the desk is cluttered, they might not be able to find a pencil on it. I came to find out that it is the most common pediatric cause of visual impairment because it is so closely tied in with birth-related events. A lot of kids who have cerebral palsy have it.

Tara McCarty, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders at Penn State Harrisburg, does research focused on communication solutions for children who have cortical visual impairment  a diagnosis often made in children who have multiple disabilities and for whom traditional alternative communication systems dont always work. Credit: Dan Poeschl

How did you become interested in this subject?

Eight years ago, I was working as an elementary school speech-language pathologist, and I had these kids with multiple disabilities on my caseload. I was supposed to help them talk. And I thought, "How do I help them talk? They are completely trapped in their bodies."

Kids with CVI are drawn to light and movement. I noticed a lot of them were doing interesting things with their eyes, like looking at the light or staring at a fanjust not typical vision. I started to learn more about a lot of children who have cerebral palsy or who had any type of traumatic event around the time of birth, that they might have cortical visual impairment.

That caused me to go back for my doctorate and to focus solely on communicative solutions for kids who have motor impairments and CVI.

There's a ton of technology out there. There's all these AAC apps available. But none of them are uniquely situated for this type of visual impairment. So, speech-language pathologists will try to give children with CVI an iPad to communicate, but the children can't see the symbols. There's too much on the screen.

How are you working to help children with CVI?

In 2023, some of my colleagues at University ParkKrista Wilkinson, distinguished professor of communication sciences and disorders, and Dawn Sowers, who now works at Florida State Universityand I created an open-access framework, basically an assessment tool, for speech-language pathologists to use to customize what AAC options would be best for a person who has this vision impairment.

The framework was created to provide guidance for developing AAC systems that are representative of the unique visual functioning of an individual with CVI. The tool encourages data-based adaptations to aid AAC, giving consideration to the individual's skills, their communication partner's responsibilities, and design choices for the AAC system.

One mother we knew, Lynn Elko, and her experiences of building an AAC system for her daughter, Emma, inspired the framework.

Now, I am leading a study to expand the use of the framework with four additional sitestwo schools, where there are children with CVI, and two individual families. We meet with the school professionals or family members on Zoom and discuss the child's communication challenges. We walk them through the framework and help them to build an AAC system from the ground up for their child to communicate.

How might an AAC device be different for a child with CVI?

Many AAC systems contain preprogrammed visual displays with vocabulary symbols organized by either topic, part of speech, category or the alphabet. Most systems can display many symbols on the screen at once, sometimes more than 100 words. For a child with CVI, typical AAC systems are too visually complex. They might need to start out with only two to six symbols on the screen. They might need actual photographs of the objects or words. They might require the iPad to be positioned in a certain location visually or at a distance from their bodies. All these tweaks and decisions are guided by the framework.

What's next following the completion of your current study?

Our research team plans to investigate how existing technology could be used to gather eye detection and visual engagement data about where children are looking on their AAC displays. This data could help us to improve options for AAC system customization for individuals with CVI.

We are also continuing to work with schools and families to implement the framework and study the impact of individualized AAC systems on functional communication outcomes. We want to know: "If we make this system specific to the child's visual needs, does it improve their interaction and participation in their world?"
In what would be a major shift in a decades-old American policy against global nuclear proliferation, President Trump says he has directed the Pentagon to start testing U.S. nuclear weapons on an equal basis with other countries, including China and Russia.

Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social late Wednesday. That process will begin immediately.

It was not immediately clear what type of testing programs Trump was referring to in the announcement, which was made shortly before meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.

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Nations with nuclear stockpiles, including the U.S., regularly conduct tests of their nuclear weapons delivery systems, but nearly all stopped testing nuclear weapons 30 years ago.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One en route to Florida on Friday, Trump declined to clarify what he meant.

Youll find out very soon, Trump said when asked whether the U.S. would resume underground nuclear detonation tests. But were going to do some testing, yeah. Other countries do it. If theyre going to do it, were going to do it.

Countries test nuclear systems  not weapons

The United States, China and Russia have not conducted tests of nuclear weapons since the 1990s, when the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was adopted by all countries possessing nuclear weapons  except for North Korea, which conducted the worlds most recent nuclear weapons test in 2017.

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The U.S. military already tests its nuclear delivery capabilities, but voluntarily halted tests of nuclear weapons in 1992.

According to the Associated Press, China conducted its last known test of a nuclear weapon in 1996.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced this week that the country had conducted successful tests of the new nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile and an atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater Poseidon drone. But according to the AP, Russia has not conducted a test of a nuclear warhead since 1990.

President Trump speaks to reporters on Air Force One on Thursday. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)

While speaking to reporters on Air Force One on his way back to Washington, D.C., on Thursday, Trump seemed to conflate the tests of nuclear delivery systems with the tests of nuclear weapons themselves.

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They seem to all be nuclear testing, Trump said. We dont do testing. We halted it many years ago, but with others doing testing, I think its appropriate that we do also.

Asked by a reporter where the tests would occur, Trump said: Itll be announced. We have test sites.

According to NBC News, the U.S. has the ability to resume tests at a federal site in Nevada, where its last confirmed nuclear weapons test occurred.

But Trump also told reporters that his goal was denuclearization.

We are actually talking to Russia about that, he said.

How Russia and China reacted

Trumps comments about U.S. nuclear testing sowed confusion among officials in Moscow, Beijing and Washington.

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We were not aware that anyone was testing anything, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Regarding the tests of the Burevestnik and the Poseidon, we hope that President Trump was correctly informed about it, Peskov said. There is no way it can be interpreted as nuclear testing.

He added: Of course, if someone abandons the moratorium, Russia will act accordingly.

Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that China hopes the U.S. earnestly fulfill its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and honor its commitment to suspend nuclear testing.

What some congressional Democrats said

Sen. Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat who cochairs the congressional Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group, said the U.S. must not resume nuclear tests.

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This is a reckless decision that will only make us less safe and lead to a new nuclear arms race, Markey wrote in a post on X.

Congressional Democrats in Nevada were equally critical.

Nevadans still remember the nuclear testing era, and it left lasting radioactive contamination across millions of acres of land, Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen wrote on X. Trumps directive is reckless and dangerous, and Ill do anything I can to stop it.

When could the U.S. resume nuclear weapons tests?

Its unclear how quickly the U.S. could resume such tests. A recent report from the Congressional Research Service cited by CNN estimated that it would take 24 to 36 months for the U.S. to test a nuclear weapon.

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And the tests of nuclear weapons have historically been conducted by the U.S. Energy Department  not the military.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also declined to say what type of testing Trump tasked him with. But Hegseth said that the Pentagon was moving quickly on Trumps directive.

The president was clear we need to have a credible nuclear deterrent, Hegseth said. That is the baseline of our deterrence, and so having understanding and resuming testing is a pretty responsible, very responsible, way to do that.

I think it makes nuclear conflict less likely if you know what you have and make sure it operates properly, he added. So its the right directive. Were moving out quickly, and America will ensure that we have the strongest, most capable nuclear arsenal, so that we maintain peace through strength.

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Daryl G. Kimball, executive director of the Washington-based Arms Control Association, called Trump's nuclear weapons policy "incoherent and the president misinformed and out of touch.

By foolishly announcing his intention [to] resume nuclear testing, Trump will trigger strong public opposition in Nevada, from all U.S. allies, Kimball wrote on X. And it could trigger a chain reaction of nuclear testing by U.S. adversaries, and blow apart the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.
One person was injured in a fire that burned through a home in Gloucester County.

It happened around 1 a.m. Thursday on the 500 block of Delaware Street.

Firefighters battled the blaze that left severe damage to both floors.

Officials say the victim was rushed to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) One person was injured after a vehicle crashed into a porch in Lebanon County on Wednesday.

According to the North Annville Fire Company on Facebook, firefighters responded to Waterworks Way at 11:04 a.m. on Wednesday for a vehicle that crashed into a residence.

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The fire company said firefighters arrived on the scene to find a vehicle had crashed into a porch. The driver of the vehicle was taken to a local hospital.

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Firefighters said a brace supported the porch roof, so it did not fall. Still, the damage to the roof was significant enough that crews set up a safety line to keep the public away.

The drivers condition is unknown 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 ABC27.
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  Greensboro Police are investigating after a person was hospitalized with serious injuries after a shooting Thursday morning, according to a news release.

At around 9:46 a.m., the GPD, Greensboro Fire and Guilford County EMS responded to the 2000 block of East Wendover Avenue about a person who appeared to have been shot. The man was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Preliminary reports from the GPD indicate the shooting happened at a different location.

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The investigation is active and ongoing; therefore, details such as a possible motive or suspect description are not immediately available for public release.

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 FOX8 WGHP.
Multiple federal law enforcement agencies Wednesday announced the arrests of several protestors who allegedly engaged in violence and civil disorder during immigration enforcement actions in Southern California earlier this year.

On July 10, immigration agents executed a search warrant at a cannabis farm in Camarillo. There was a clash with demonstrators, and some threw rocks at agents. Federal officials announced that a number of those people are in custody.

"During the summer we were very clear that anyone who engages in criminal conduct, who assaults our agents or damages government property - we're going to find you, and we're going to arrest you and we're going to charge you," acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said at a press conference.

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Ten people were arrested. Charges include civil disorder against law enforcement officers.

Authorities are searching for more protesters who allegedly engaged in violence.

AIR7 captured one person who allegedly fired a gun toward federal agents during the Camarillo confrontation. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to a conviction.

"And while the First Amendment protects the freedom of speech and the freedom to peacefully assemble, it does not provide for a right to assault federal officers," said Eddy Wang, Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles special agent in charge.

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The announcement comes as a U.S. district judge ruled that Essayli has stayed in the temporary job longer than allowed by law. The decision represents another setback to the Trump administration's effort to extend handpicked acting U.S. attorneys beyond the 120-day limit set by federal law.

Attorney General Pam Bondi now named Essayli first assistant U.S. attorney.

"The question will be, what's the difference between acting as an acting U.S. attorney and a deputy U.S. attorney, and are there things now that he cannot do? At this point, based on the judge's decision, it looks like he'll still largely be in charge of that office," Loyola Marymount law professor Jessica Levinson told Eyewitness News.

Essayli responded to the ruling during Wednesday's press conference.

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"The judge waded through it," Essayli said. "He says whether or not I qualify as the acting, there's no question that I'm the first assistant, which makes me the top federal prosecutor in this office."

City News Service and the Associated Press contributed to this report.




The personal attorney for 32-year-old Rashaud Martin, a schizophrenic man who died in the custody of the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, is raising questions about what happened in the moments before Martin died.

According to police reports, Martin was found unresponsive by officers outside of the Mental Health Resources Center on 3333 W 20th Street on Friday, October 24th. Officers said they decided to Baker Act him following a domestic disturbance call at his mothers home on Harriet Avenue.

Attorney Justin Drach, who has represented Martin since 2021, told Action News Jax he learned the details of the police report related to this incident through an Action News Jax report - not from the police.

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Drach says that before Action News Jax aired the news of Martins death, he had submitted a public records request to the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office for body camera footage related to the incident.

Drach says that the request was sent just before 10 in the morning on Tuesday, October 29th.

On that same day, the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office released a media report to local news outlets about the incident.

Action News Jax received the release at 12:28 that afternoon, nearly two and a half hours after Attorney Drach had submitted his records request.

Drach says both he and Martins family were blindsided by the release of the information, and that the information in JSOs media release was never shared with him or Martins family directly. Attorney Drach also says the sheriffs office still has not responded to his request for body camera video footage. Drach says the timing of the release of the information is suspicious.

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They havent provided me a police report. I got the police report from you, Drach told Action News Jax.

According to the news release, when officers were called to this mothers house the night of October 24th, Martin tried to run when officers arrived, but he was taken into custody without incident.

Police say Martin showed signs of distress, like incoherent speech and disassociation with reality.

Officers then called JFRD to evaluate him, and after it was determined that Martin should be Baker Acted, Martin was taken to the Mental Health Resource Center on Jacksonvilles Northside.

The report continues, saying that when police arrived at the center with Martin in the patrol car, he became unresponsive while waiting to be admitted.

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The police report lists that Martin had used drugs, and that officers administered multiple doses of Narcan, but it did not revive him.

Dejas Redacted Report Page 1-Combined by ActionNewsJax

He was later pronounced dead at UF Health Jacksonville after he was transported from the parking lot of the mental health center.

Attorney Drach is especially concerned about the Narcan use, saying Martin was never a drug user in the four years that he has known him.

In a phone call with Martins mother, his family also confirmed to Action News Jax that Martin did not use drugs.

But they did confirm that he had been on his medication for his schizophrenia diagnosis at the time of his arrest.

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JSOs report, however, alleges that Martin was not on his medication at the time of the incident - something Martins family repeatedly told Action News Jax was not true.

The family says Martin is prescribed Xanax and Gabapentin - both of which he had taken the day of his arrest, according to his family.

The police report confirms body camera footage exists and lists the incident location as the mental facilitys parking lot. JSOs Cold Case Unit is handling the case while the investigation continues.

Drach says thats exactly why hes pushing for the release of the body cam video.

Thats a huge change going from the description thats in the report that was released to being unresponsive, he said. I want to know, was he left alone in the car at any point in time? Because certainly somebody that is experiencing a medical emergency  such that you need to call JFRD  probably should not be left alone in a vehicle.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

The attorney doubled down that JSOs timing of the release of information to the media is questionable.

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The timing is uncanny, Drach said. Two hours later on a Tuesday, they contact the media when an attorney starts digging? That tells me somebody was probably looking at the requests that are coming in and saw something that might be newsworthy.

Attorney Drach says he knows exactly what he wants to see from JSO.

Obviously were going to want to know the names of the law enforcement officers that were involved in the incident. Were going to want to see all of the body camera footage that was taken. If somebody deactivated their body camera, which may have happened - we dont know yet - I want to know why. Were going to want to see the footage that would depict Rashaud in the back of the JSO vehicle, and then obviously were going to want to hear statements.

The attorney said he still hasnt heard back from JSO for the records and body camera footage that he requested.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

They havent responded to me yet. Its kinda interesting when you make a public records request... I think theyre saying that theyre like 6 to 8 months behind in providing body camera footage... but I can tell you that we will get it much sooner than that. If they try to inhibit our investigation, we will do what we have to.

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When we reached out to the sheriffs office to ask them about Drachs claims and about the timing of the media release, they said they were working on answering our questions. A spokesperson with the sheriffs office did, however, confirm a backup on body cam requests.

The sheriffs office says its still waiting on autopsy and toxicology results from the Medical Examiners Office.

Drach says those results  and the body camera video  will be key to understanding all that happened leading up to Martins death.

Attorney Justin Drach says he first represented Rashaud Martin in 2021. Martin was trying to elope at UF Health Shands Hospital when he was tackled by a security guard, breaking his ankle. The parties settled the lawsuit amicably.

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JSO shared the following statement with Action News Jax:

As with all In-Custody Deaths, we pushed out a news release on this incident. The timing of the push was due to several factors on our end, but the process began with notifications early on. Once we received the information from the Cold Case Unit, a release was formulated with all available and applicable information on the incident. Once written and approved, the news release was pushed out to the community. The timing of our release and Mr. Drachs records requests were in no way related. And in fact, our process began days earlier than his request to the public records unit.

Mr. Drachs public records request will be fulfilled in the order received by the Public Records Unit. Once an estimate has been derived, specific to the BWC, his approval would be required. Once paid, the Body Worn Camera Unit would fulfill his request, again, in the order received. As we have stipulated many times in the past to our media partners, the process for receiving, retrieving, vetting, redacting, and releasing BWC video to the community via a public records request is, unfortunately, a lengthy one due simply to the sheer volume of requests our agency receives on a daily basis. ...

This case continues to be an active investigation, and is currently classified as an Undetermined Death as we work through our investigation, and the Medical Examiners Office works through theirs. As soon as there is further information to disseminate to the community, we will most certainly do so.

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.
KANSAS (KSNT)  The University of Kansas Health Systems Care Collaborative and Medical Center announced new initiatives to create specialty care delivery networks to increase access in rural communities across the state.

The project is supported in part by a $12.1 million grant from The Patterson Family Foundation. This initiative will include:

Researchers from the University of Kansas Medical Center will conduct a statewide assessment of specialty and sub-specialty care, as well as therapies and testing needed to support this care.

Based on the assessment, teams from The University of Kansas Health Systems Care Collaborative and defined medical specialty areas will work with Care Collaborative members, who are rural health care providers, to coordinate diagnostic and therapeutic services close to patients homes. These will be supported by using telehealth models for physician visits creating access to high demand specialties such as neurology, pulmonology and rheumatology.

Specialists will partner virtually with rural primary care providers and patients to provide expertise in diagnosis and treatment planning, assuring patients have access to the latest training and evidence-based practices, as well as more rapid access to medical advances.

Researchers in population health will work throughout the process to better understand the most impactful tools and techniques to create better health outcomes, which can then be replicated in other areas.

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Manhattan food kitchen gears up for extra demand

Rural communities are the heart of Kansas, and they deserve access to the right care at the right time, said Jessica Hunt, vice president of Strategy and Programs at Patterson Family Foundation. Building on the Care Collaboratives long-standing investment in rural health, this effort expands telehealth connections and specialty care access  working alongside rural providers who are vital to helping their communities thrive. Were proud to support this collaboration and the shared commitment to strengthening healthcare across rural Kansas.

The Care Collaborative supports quality improvement initiatives for 91 member organizations across 79 Kansas counties. This four-year grant will help enhance high-quality clinical care in rural areas, as well as improve the health of people living in rural Kansas communities.

In addition to supporting rural healthcare access, the project will support workforce development, therapy and testing in rural communities. Specialists and Care Collaborative teams will offer training and educational opportunities on recent screenings, technology and chronic care management.

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For more local 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.

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.
From the balcony of his familys downtown London, Ontario apartment, five-year-old Siddharth Patel would spend nights gazing at the sky, tracing constellations and dreaming about what lay beyond.

Now 12, Patel has become one of the youngest Canadians to make a provisional discovery of not one, but two asteroids.

A Cosmic Breakthrough

Patels discoveries  cataloged as 2024 RH39 and 2024 RX69  were confirmed this month by the Minor Planet Center (MPC), the international authority that tracks and names asteroids and other small celestial bodies. He made the discovery through the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC), a NASA-affiliated citizen science program that lets amateur astronomers around the world help identify new space objects.

Illustration mapping the orbits of the newly discovered asteroids 2024 RH39 and 2024 RX69. (CREDIT: Siddharth Patel)

Working with telescope images from Hawaiis Pan-STARRS facility, Patel noticed two small moving dots in a series of time-lapse sky photos. When MPC got the data and actually proved that it was an asteroid, I was thrilled and really excited that I found an asteroid that no one else has ever discovered before, he said.

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Both space rocks orbit the sun in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It could take six to ten years before the MPC can confirm their exact paths and officially name them. When an asteroid has a fully determined orbit, it becomes numbered, explained Cassidy Davis, IASCs coordinator.

Once that happens, Patel will get to name his discoveries  and he already has ideas. One might be called Canastrosid, a blend of Canada and his online nickname AstroSid, while the other could be Lonastrosid, combining London with the same handle.

Since the IASC began in 2006, more than 18,800 preliminary discoveries have been made, but only about 161 have earned provisional recognition. That puts Patel among the top one percent of all contributors.

Siddharth Patel devoted endless evenings to exploring the night sky through his backyard telescope in London, Ontario. (CREDIT: Rajani Patel)

Passion That Started Early

Patels love of the stars began before he could even reach a telescope on his own. His mother, Rajani Ramsagar, admits she first thought her sons fascination would fade. I thought it was just a phase, she said. Then he started asking me to wake him up at 3 a.m. to see a meteor shower.

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Neither of Patels parents has a background in science  his mother works at a bank  but that didnt stop him. He taught himself much of what he knows by watching documentaries, reading about astronomy, and experimenting with his telescope. By first grade, he was already spending late nights outside scanning the skies.

That persistence led him to join international competitions like the International Space Olympiad and the International Astronomy & Astrophysics Competition. That really gave me so much knowledge about what people have been doing and the laws and theories of space, he said. I love how complex and how interesting space really is.

A Young Astronomers Eye

When he isnt hunting asteroids, Patel captures the beauty of space through photography. One of his images  a comet streaking through a star-speckled sky  earned the Peoples Choice Award in DarkSky Internationals 2025 Capture the Dark contest. He took the photo using his mothers smartphone, held up to the eyepiece of his telescope.

Siddharth Patels Peoples Choice Award winning photograph. (CREDIT: Dark Side / Siddharth Patel)

I love taking photos through my telescopes, he said. When I go somewhere dark, or someplace that has lots of stars, it really ignites my sense of wonder. Ive learned how mysterious space really is.

Following in Astronaut Footsteps

For Patel, finding asteroids and photographing comets are only stepping stones toward his ultimate dream  becoming an astronaut. Hes already following in the flight paths of Canadian Space Agency icons like Chris Hadfield and Jeremy Hansen. This fall, hes joining the Royal Canadian Air Cadets to learn how to pilot an aircraft, a skill required for astronaut candidates in Canada.

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Hes also visited several universities known for aerospace research, including some in the United States. But for now, his mission is closer to home  finishing seventh grade. Space was not really taught in schools, he said. I really started doing things about space after I came back from school because school is the academic time. And after that is the time when I pursue my interests and dreams.

A Rare Feat Among the Stars

The odds of a young amateur astronomer making a provisional asteroid discovery are incredibly slim. Each observation must be precise, consistent, and repeated to prove the object isnt already known. The data Patel submitted met all the criteria for a valid provisional discovery.

Federica Spoto of the Minor Planet Center explained that the final stage  confirming an asteroids orbit  is what officially gives credit to its discoverer. The real discovery credits are only assigned once the object is numbered, she said. Patel, though, is content to wait. Even if I have to wait ten years, itll be worth it, he said with a grin.

That patience and determination may serve him well in his future career. After all, space exploration demands years of preparation before even a single mission begins.

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More than a dozen Republican House members, in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, expressed concern over the Trump administrations plan to boost imports of Argentine beef.

We encourage the Administration to ensure that any adjustments to Argentinas tariff-rate quota or inspection regime be contingent on verified equivalency and reciprocal market access for American beef, reads the letter, signed by House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) and 13 others.

Last week, the administration confirmed plans to quadruple the tariff rate quota for beef from Argentina, days after President Trump cited rising beef prices in backing the plan.

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The average per pound price of ground beef was roughly $6.32 in September, $0.77 higher than in January and $0.65 higher than in September 2024, according to Department of Agriculture (USDA) data compiled by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

The USDA, meanwhile, unveiled a plan to strengthen the domestic beef industry, including by boosting grazing access, disaster support, market options and domestic and international demand.

The proposal regarding Argentine beef, though, has sparked backlash from the National Cattlemens Beef Association (NCBA) and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, particularly in states with high cattle inventory.

The letters signatories include lawmakers from Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas, all of which rely heavily on the beef industry.

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The letter notes that while the lawmakers share the Administrations goal of lowering costs for consumers, they are concerned that increasing beef imports from Argentina will hurt U.S. cattle producers, weaken the countrys position in trade negotiations and reintroduce avoidable animal-health risks.

Last week, Rollins told CNBC the administration is monitoring a foot-and-mouth disease issue impacting cattle in Argentina. According to the World Reference Laboratory for Foot-and-Mouth Disease, Argentina has not such an outbreak since 2006.

The lawmakers also noted a beef trade imbalance between the U.S. and Argentina. In an Oct. 20 release criticizing the presidents initial proposal, the NCBA said that over the past five years, Argentina has sold $801 million worth of beef to American businesses, while importing only $7 million from the U.S.

While we recognize the value of diversified global supply chains, it is critical that trade decisions reflect science-based animal-health standards and the principle of fair and reciprocal treatment, the letter added.

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A USDA spokesperson told The Hill that beef prices have risen due to the perfect storm of sustained increase in consumer demand for beef coupled with a prolonged decrease in the supply of live cattle.

Building back the herd will take time but Secretary Rollins is committed to reduce risk for cattle producers, deliver robust disaster relief to cattle country, and support new and beginning ranchers across the country, the spokesperson added. These actions coupled with President Trumps work to secure lasting markets for beef producers abroad sends a strong message to American cattle producers  raise more beef and rebuild the herd.

The Hill has also reached out to the White House and Greers office for comment on the letter.

Updated Oct. 30 at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

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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.
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

As AIand the ethical debate surrounding itaccelerates, scientists argue that understanding consciousness is now more urgent than ever.

Researchers writing in Frontiers in Science warn that advances in AI and neurotechnology are outpacing our understanding of consciousnesswith potentially serious ethical consequences.

They argue that explaining how consciousness ariseswhich could one day lead to scientific tests to detect itis now an urgent scientific and ethical priority. Such an understanding would bring major implications for AI, prenatal policy, animal welfare, medicine, mental health, law, and emerging neurotechnologies such as braincomputer interfaces.

"Consciousness science is no longer a purely philosophical pursuit. It has real implications for every facet of societyand for understanding what it means to be human," said lead author Prof. Axel Cleeremans from Universite Libre de Bruxelles. "Understanding consciousness is one of the most substantial challenges of 21st-century scienceand it's now urgent due to advances in AI and other technologies.

"If we become able to create consciousnesseven accidentallyit would raise immense ethical challenges and even existential risk," added Cleeremans.

Sentience test

Consciousnessthe state of being aware of our surroundings and of ourselvesremains one of science's deepest mysteries. Despite decades of research, there is still no consensus over how subjective experience arises from biological processes.

While scientists have made progress in identifying the brain areas and neural processes that are involved in consciousness, there is still controversy about which areas and processes are necessary for consciousness, and how exactly they contribute to it. Some even wonder if this is the right way to consider the challenge.

This new review explores where consciousness science stands today, where it could go next, and what might happen if humans succeed in understanding or even creating consciousnesswhether in machines or in lab-grown brain-like systems like "brain organoids."

The authors say that tests for consciousnessevidence-based ways to judge whether a being or a system is awarecould help identify awareness in patients with brain injury or dementia, and determine when it arises in fetuses, animals, brain organoids, or even AI.

While this would mark a major scientific breakthrough, they warn it would also raise profound ethical and legal challenges about how to treat any system shown to be conscious.

"Progress in consciousness science will reshape how we see ourselves and our relationship to both artificial intelligence and the natural world," said co-author Prof. Anil Seth from the University of Sussex. "The question of consciousness is ancientbut it's never been more urgent than now."

Wide implications

A better understanding of consciousness could:

Transform medical care for unresponsive patients once thought to be unconscious. Measurements inspired by integrated information theory and global workspace theory have already revealed signs of awareness in some people diagnosed as having unresponsive wakefulness syndrome. Further progress could refine these tools to assess consciousness in coma, advanced dementia, and anesthesiaand reshape how we approach treatment and end-of-life care.

Guide new therapies for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, where understanding the biology of subjective experience may help bridge the gap between animal models and human emotion.

Clarify our moral duty towards animals by identifying which creatures and systems are sentient. This could affect how we conduct animal research, farm animals, consume animal products, and approach conservation. "Understanding the nature of consciousness in particular animals would transform how we treat them and emerging biological systems that are being synthetically generated by scientists," said co-author Prof. Liad Mudrik from Tel Aviv University.

Reframe how we interpret the law by illuminating the conscious and unconscious processes involved in decision-making. New understanding could challenge legal ideas such as mens reathe "guilty mind" required to establish intent. As neuroscience reveals how much of our behavior arises from unconscious mechanisms, courts may need to reconsider where responsibility begins and ends.

Shape the development of neurotechnologies. Advances in AI, brain organoids, and braincomputer interfaces raise the prospect of producing or modifying awareness beyond biological life. While some suggest that computation alone might support awareness, others argue that biological factors are essential. "Even if 'conscious AI' is impossible using standard digital computers, AI that gives the impression of being conscious raises many societal and ethical challenges," said Seth.

The authors call for a coordinated, evidence-based approach to consciousness. For example, using adversarial collaborations, rival theories are pitted against each other in experiments co-designed by their proponents.

"We need more team science to break theoretical silos and overcome existing biases and assumptions," said co-author Prof. Mudrik. "This step has the potential to move the field forward."

The researchers also urge more attention to phenomenology (what consciousness feels like) to complement the study of what it does (its function).

"Cooperative efforts are essential to make progressand to ensure society is prepared for the ethical, medical, and technological consequences of understanding, and perhaps creating, consciousness," said Cleeremans.

More information: Consciousness science: where are we, where are we going, and what if we get there?, Frontiers in Science (2025). DOI: 10.3389/fsci.2025.1546279 Journal information: Frontiers in Science
In San Bernardino County, early voting is underway at a brisk pace for California's Nov. 4 Proposition 50 special election.

The ballot measure puts forth a redrawn congressional map that could net Democrats five House seats.

Introduced by Gov. Gavin Newsom and passed by the state legislature in August, the proposed map could give Democrats the opportunity to flip five Republican-held seats. Prop 50 came in retaliation to Texas' mid-decade redistricting, where Republican-friendly maps passed into law this summer could net the GOP five House seats.

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"It had to happen very quickly," said San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters Joanna Finwall. "What normally we take three or four months to put together, we had to do in about a month and a half. The most important thing was to find our polling locations and to have those set.

"We did all of the same work on a much expedited time frame," Finwall said. " But we're ready."

As of Thursday, according to the county registrar's office, 18% of ballots that were sent out have already been cast by voters.

In San Bernardino County, voters can visit any of the six early voting locations listed below to vote early or to drop off a completed and unsealed mail ballot:

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San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters Office, 777 E. Rialto Ave., San Bernardino

Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Closed Sunday, Nov. 2

Town of Apple Valley Recreation Center, 14955 Dale Evans Pkwy., Apple Valley

Thursday - Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Closed Sunday, Nov. 2

Here's everything to know about Prop 50 and how it could impact which party retains control of Congress in 2026.

Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst St., Joshua Tree

Thursday - Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Closed Sunday, Nov. 2

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Fontana Lewis Library & Technology Center, 8437 Sierra Ave., Fontana

Thursday - Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Closed Sunday, Nov. 2

Ontario Conference Center, 1947 E. Convention Center Way, Ontario

Thursday - Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Closed Sunday, Nov. 2

Victorville City Hall, 14343 Civic Dr., Victorville

Thursday - Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Closed Sunday, Nov. 2

Congressional district lines are normally redrawn each decade after the U.S. Census.

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Newsom, considered a possible 2028 presidential candidate, has championed Prop 50 as an opportunity to "fight back" against Trump, who pushed Texas' redistricting efforts, and the ballot measure could raise his national profile.

Prominent political figures have joined forces with Newsom and thrown their support behind the ballot initiative, including former President Barack Obama, who rallied alongside the governor to champion the measure. In addition, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., cutting ads in favor of it.

California was the first Democratic state to enter the redistricting battle, with Virginia Democrats following suit last week and announcing plans to attempt to redraw maps as well. On Wednesday, the Virginia House of Delegates passed a constitutional amendment on redrawing congressional maps, according to ABC affiliate WRIC, and the measure now moves to state Senate review.

Following Texas, other Republican-controlled states have also entered the redistricting battle -- Missouri and North Carolina have adopted new maps, while Utah and Indiana are in the process of redrawing theirs.

Some Democrats in Maryland and Illinois have called for their states to redistrict, but not all leaders have bought in. Earlier on Wednesday, the Maryland state Senate chose "not to move forward" with mid-decade redistricting, according to a letter obtained by ABC News.
Archaeologists in Scotland have excavated over 100 weapon projectiles, including cannon shot and lead musket balls from one of the countrys most famous battlefields. With these new finds, experts say they can better contextualize the Battle of Culloden, as well as highlight some of the conflicts lesser known participants.

The Battle of Culloden

In July 1745, Charles Stuart arrived in Scotland seeking to return his father to the British throne. For the next nine months, Stuart proceeded to lead thousands of supporters, militiamen, and conscripted soldiers in a military campaign now known as the Jacobite rising of 1745. While short-lived, the uprising had far-reaching consequences across England and mainland Europe.

Stuarts attempt to take the throne was ultimately doomed, and the Battle of Culloden proved his final attempt at the throne. On April 16, 1746, he and upwards of 6,000 fighters met around 7,000 British loyalists near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. Between 1,500 and 2,000 of Stuarts men were killed or wounded in less than an hour, forcing the Jacobites to retreat and effectively ending the revolt.

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In the years since, the battles decisive tactics have been closely studied, but archaeologists from the University of Glasgow and the National Trust for Scotland recently discovered an array of physical relics from the deadly conflict.

Metal detecting was one of three different, but complementary, techniques used to investigate the area. Credit: National Trust for Scotland

Fighting (and digging) on boggy ground

Although previous surveys of the same section of battlefield failed to yield any artifacts, experts recovered the various ammunition using two strategies called trial trenching and test pitting. Both techniques allow archaeologists to quickly assess an area without the need to dig too deep into the ground. Metal detectors then helped pinpoint the likely locations for more extensive examinations. Experts believe the prior surveys likely failed because the boggy landscape was first forested in the 19th century, then recently cleared.

Archaeologist Tony Pollard said that initial analysis indicates their finds were some of the last shots fired during the skirmish.

Musket balls fired by Jacobite and government troops, including pistol balls fired by government dragoons, likely relate to one of the last actions in the battle, he said in a statement. This fight took place between the initial battle lines, at a location where boggy ground slowed the Highland charge, and this in combination with heavy fire from Cumberlands line helped to seal the fate of the Jacobite cause.

Valiant action

Pollard explained that the munitions likely didnt come from the Jacobites themselves, but from an Irish battalion enlisted by their French allies.

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[The battalion] made a brave stand against hundreds of mounted men advancing from the right of Cumberlands line, he recounted. The job of these horsemen was to cut down the disordered Jacobites, and we have recovered some of the shot fired from their heavy pistols.

Historical accounts say about 150 men under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Stapleton blocked these horsemen. After retreating behind the walls of Culloden Parks, the remaining fighters soon surrendered. However, Stapleton was not among them. He died at some point during the cavalry onslaught. As regular troops in French service, the British treated them as prisoners of war instead of Jacobite rebels, and eventually repatriated them to France.

This valiant action helped thousands of Jacobites get away from the field, but it gets only brief mentions in most of the history books, said Pollard.
Two Palm Beach County bagel shops were forced to temporarily close last week after failing their inspections. Violations included about 190 rodent droppings and more than 150 live insects on boards used for bagels at one, and live flies landing on bagels and bagel storage racks at the other.

They were among six South Florida eateries ordered shut by the state.

The Sun Sentinel typically highlights restaurant inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Broward and Palm Beach counties. We cull through inspections that happen weekly and spotlight places ordered shut for high-priority violations, such as improper food temperatures or dead cockroaches.

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Any restaurant that fails a state inspection must stay closed until it passes a follow-up. If you spot a possible violation and wish to file a complaint, contact Florida DBPR. (But please dont contact us: The Sun Sentinel doesnt inspect restaurants.)

BROWARD COUNTY

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

1609 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

Ordered shut: Oct. 21

Why: Two violations (one high-priority), including:

About 33 rodent droppings in back storage room thats open to kitchen, in areas such as on plastic container containing packages of almonds, on exterior of case of potato chips, on case of lids, on box of utensils and under dry storage shelving.

Ice buildup in walk-in freezer  around circulation fan and accumulated on floor.

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Status: Closed Oct. 22 after a follow-up inspection found two violations (one high-priority). Reopened Oct. 23 after a third visit found one basic violation.

La Brise des Antilles (inside Lauderhill Mall)

4269 NW 12th St., Lauderhill

Ordered shut: Oct. 21

Why: Seven violations (four high-priority), including:

20 roaches in kitchen crawling on water heater, on floor near mop sink, underneath stove and on box of oil.

At reach-in refrigerator, raw chicken stored over unwashed produce.

Time/temperature issues involved cooked rice and pikliz.

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Status: Reopened Oct. 22 after a second visit found one basic violation.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

East Ocean Cafe

412 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach

Ordered shut: Oct. 22

Why: 13 violations (four high-priority), including:

More than 24 rodent droppings on plywood, covering grease trap, next to triple sink and on floor under right flip-top cooler at cook line.

One live fly on clean bowl in dish area.

Stop sale ordered for banana or plantain with mold-like growth in reach-in cooler.

Cook cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat home fries and started plating food without washing hands.

Objectionable odors in dish area at grease trap.

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Status: Reopened Oct. 23 after a reinspection found one basic violation.

Bagel Boss

22107 Powerline Road, Boca Raton

Ordered shut: Oct. 22

Why: 12 violations (three high-priority), including:

About 30 live flies on mop sink equipment, landing on dry storage area racks and items and on bagels and bagel storage racks at back kitchen area. A stop sale was ordered for the bagels.

Time/temperature issue involved liquid egg whites.

Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.

Floor area(s) covered with standing water underneath triple sink.

Employee cellphone stored on kitchen prep table.

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Status: Reopened the same day after a follow-up inspection found five basic violations.

Brooklyn Water Bagels

201 N. U.S. Highway 1, Suite C-5, Jupiter

Ordered shut: Oct. 21

Why: 20 violations (nine high-priority), including:

About 190 rodent droppings on boards used for bagels on the speed rack in bagel production area adjacent to front counter and behind the speed rack next to the reach-in cooler and prep table in bagel production area.

More than 150 live insects crawling on boards used for bagels on speed rack in bagel production area.

Employee touched face and then engaged in food preparation, without washing hands.

Employee used visibly soiled towel to wipe food contact surface, and continued preparing food without changing gloves and washing hands.

Observed salt stored in container with heavy mold-like substance and heavy food debris stuck on salt scoop inside container at bagel production area.

Time/temperature issues involved cheddar cheese, provolone cheese, potato salad, egg salad and tuna salad; also, Butter and Asiago Bagel had no time mark.

Stop sale ordered for butter dated 10/7 at cook line.

Observed heavy layers of mold-like substance and growth on bagel boards and heavy food debris on conveyor belt and butcher block.

Womens bathroom facility not clean.

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Status: Reopened Oct. 22 after a follow-up visit found one high-priority violation.

Ceviche Arigato

1447 10th St., Lake Park

Ordered shut: Oct. 21

Why: 20 violations (six high-priority), including:

About five live roaches in kitchen on floor next to deep fryers, under steam table and crawling on container of wood skewers for meat.

About 22 dead roaches on floor at entrance to kitchen and in kitchen under flip-top cooler on floor, under hand washing sink, under steam table on floor and on floor around fryers.

Roach excrement droppings at hand washing sink.

Two live flies in kitchen landing on wall next to dishwashing area.

In walk-in freezer, non-commercially packaged raw beef stored above bags of french fries and ice cream.

Stop sale ordered because commercially processed, reduced-oxygen packaged salmon bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use [was] no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package.

Time/temperature issues involved cooked rice, cooked potatoes and cut lettuce.

Hand washing sink used to store dirty dishes.

Status: Reopened Oct. 22 after a follow-up inspection found two basic violations.
Saturday marks the 70th anniversary of the day the United Air Lines Flight 629 exploded over Weld County, killing 44 before crashing and spreading debris east of Longmont, an event that will be memorialized at an event on Saturday in Denver.

Now, 70 years later, Philip Bearly remembers the explosion like it was yesterday. Bearly, who was 5-and-a-half years old at the time, remembers driving to his grandmothers birthday celebration at 17th Street and Main Street in Longmont when he saw a flash.

 it was as bright as daylight, Bearly said in an interview.

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The DC-6B aircraft leaving Denver exploded on Nov. 1, 1955, when a dynamite bomb went off 11 minutes into the flight. The planes wreckage landed below on more than 6 square miles of beet fields in the Longmont area. The explosion killed 44 people on board, becoming the deadliest act of mass murder in Colorado history.

Nearly 400 Weld County residents sprang into action to search for survivors and protect the bodies from looters until authorities arrived.

In May 1956, a jury found 23-year-old Jack Graham guilty of the crime as he had placed explosives in his mothers luggage before she boarded the flight. Investigators determined Graham sought to cash in on a $37,500 insurance policy on his mothers life. Graham was executed in January 1957.

Page 1 of the Nov. 2, 1955, Longmont Times-Call

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Philip Bearly, a 5-year-old first responder

For a dumb, little 5-and-a-half-year-old kid, I remember that like it was yesterday, Bearly said.After his family saw the plane explode, Bearlys father, Clayton, immediately took the family to the scene of the incident.

Something terrible has happened, Bearly, now 75, remembers his dad saying. Theyre going to need help.

Upon arrival, Bearly, his mother, older brother and younger sister all sat in the car, headlights shining on the wreckage. Clayton was in the fields keeping looters out of the wreckage.

A law enforcement friend of Claytons gave him a spare gun at the crash scene. That officer posted him at the corner of one of the sites and told him to tell folks he had orders to shoot looters.

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Bearly and his family didnt get home until about 1:30 a.m. that night.

Over the two days that followed, Clayton, who managed the nearby truck stop Johnsons Corner, cooked as many meals as he and his staff could to feed the first responders. The National Guard arrived a few days later to take over feeding responders.

To this day, Bearly has a letter the Colorado State Patrol head wrote his dad back on Nov. 22, 1955, thanking him for his help.

Seventy years later, Bearly wants Coloradans and Americans alike to know about Flight 629, its impact and its history. He also wants people to honor the 44 victims and the many first responders  including his dad  who didnt hesitate to lend a hand to those in need.

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As Americans, thats what we do. We help each other, he said. Dont hesitate. Step up and help. Be a part of the solution.

Bearly, who lives in Campion, also hopes to see a memorial on the land where the plane crashed, commemorating the lives lost and those who helped. He has worked with the nonprofit Flight 629 Memorial and hopes that it meets its goal of opening a monument to the flight on its 75th anniversary in Firestone.

Conrad Hopp, whose family farm became a crash site

Conrad Hopp, 88, still struggles to talk about the aftermath of Flight 629 crashing in his familys fields outside Firestone.

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We didnt have time to feel how it felt, Hopp said in an interview.

Hopp was 18 years old when debris from Flight 629 landed on his farm, he said. He remembers looking for bodies after the plane fell, and that some of the bodies that fell from the plane landed directly in his fields, creating dead spots in the next summers hay yield.

He also remembers walking through his fields and stumbling upon the planes tail and knowing immediately that the crash wasnt an accident when he smelled the dynamite used to blow up the plane mid-flight.

Hopp, who has lived in the area his whole life, remembers his younger brother making it out of the house and into the fields despite being told to stay inside. The young boy stumbled upon a body and screamed out, Hopp said.

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Those are only some of the reasons why Hopps family resolved not to talk about what happened.

Hopp said knowing a memorial event to honor Flight 629s victims and the first responders is planned for Saturday in Denver has helped him feel better since the explosion, after years of feeling the pain of living with witnessing such death and destruction.

It means a lot, Hopp said. Showing respect for the survivors at this time is important.

The Denver Police Museum will dedicate the memorial to the 44 victims and the first responders at the Old Stapleton Airport Tower, where Flight 629 originated, according to a press release.

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Other memorial events on Saturday include the Denver City and County Building being lit in blue on the nights of Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 to commemorate the flight and a 7 p.m. symposium at the University of Denver to discuss what happened to the plane and how it changed the American judicial system.

The public is welcome to attend the memorial dedication at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Old Stapleton Airport Tower on Uinta Street in Denver.
Two Walmart stores in New Jersey will host re-grand openings Friday following major remodeling projects that include expanded services and updated interiors.

The Walmart at West Berlin Supercenter at 265 Route 73 will celebrate the new look at 8 a.m. on Oct. 31, while the Bridgeton store at 1130 Route 77 will welcome customers at 9 a.m. the same day.

Both locations have undergone upgrades designed to enhance the shopping experience, Walmart officials said.

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Improvements include interactive displays, transformed departments, expanded apparel sections, and enhanced online pickup and delivery services.

The renovations also feature new digital touchpoints throughout the stores with QR codes and digital screens to help customers access Walmarts online product catalog.

Both the Vision Center and Pharmacy departments have been updated as well.

Shoppers will notice reconfigured store layouts creating more space to explore merchandise, refreshed interiors and exteriors with improved navigation signage, new flooring, renovated bathrooms, and dedicated mothers rooms, Walmart officials said.

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Each store now displays murals reflecting their respective communities.

Refurbished Walmart in West Berlin features new mural

As part of the celebrations, the West Berlin store is donating a total of $8,000 to local organizations: $3,500 to the Redeeming Childrens Hope Foundation, $2,000 to Berlin Township, $1,500 to the Animal Welfare Association, and $1,000 to the Freedom School of Chesilhurst.

The Bridgeton store is also contributing $8,000, with $2,000 each going to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Woods n Water, Big Brother Big Sister of Cumberland County, and Chapter XIII.

Refurbished Walmart in Bridgeton features a new mural.

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NEED TO KNOW

Both passengers survived after a single-engine plane crashed into a field in Falls County, Texas

The pilot called mayday after the engine began to fail and narrowly avoided disaster as he attempted to land

We walked away with no problem, accidents happen, the pilot said

Two lucky passengers survived after a single-engine plane crashed into a Texas field.

During the early hours of Monday, Oct. 27, two passengers crashed into a field on County Road 414 near Highway 7 in Falls County after only being in the air for 11 minutes, according to local outlets KWTX, KXXV and KCENT.

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The 23-year-old pilot, who did not want to be publicly identified, told KWTX that, after the small planes engine began to fail, he called in mayday and attempted to safely land the plane in a pasture located near Chilton. After narrowly avoiding a nearby fence and power lines, the plane flipped and landed upside down.

Both passengers were left unscathed. As the pilot told the outlet, We walked away with no problem, accidents happen. While the extent of the damage is not yet known, he emphasized that he has no plans to stop flying.

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.

Following the crash, a member of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rushed to the scene alongside Falls County police. Richard Johnson, a tow truck driver and owner of Autos Unlimited, was also called to tow the aircraft.

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Since Ive been in the towing business... I think this is the second plane crash we have had in the county and the first one we have towed, Johnson told KWTX, adding that the small weight and size of the 2006 Kitfox III made the job much easier.

After all, the aircraft involved in the crash is an experimental model with folding wings that can be folded within 15 minutes to allow for non-traditional aircraft storage and travel, per the manufacturer.

According to the Experimental Aircraft Association(EAA), experimental or amateur-built aircrafts are used for non-commercial purposes such as education or personal use. All experimental planes must be registered with the FAA, inspected by an FAA inspector to obtain an airworthiness certificate, and follow all appropriate federal regulations during each of their flights.

Read the original article on People
WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (WPRI)  Two women are facing charges after allegedly stealing expensive meats from a Massachusetts grocery store and fighting with the staff who confronted them.

Officers responded to the Market Basket on West Center Street after West Bridgewater police received multiple 911 calls reporting a disturbance at the store on Sunday.

Police said an employee watched two women conceal high priced items including lobster meat, prime ribeye steaks and truffle butter in a bag.

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When approached about not paying for the products at checkout, police said the shoppers became argumentative, screaming obscenities and assaulted two employees.

The women, later identified as 37-year-old Olivia Byrd and 28-year-old Rahjane Byrd, were taken into custody on the following charges:

Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon

Assault and battery

Shoplifting by asportation

Disorderly conduct

The women were arraigned Monday and released on personal recognizance.

L to R: Oliva L. Byrd and Rahjane J. Byrd (Courtesy: West Bridgewater Police Department)

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NEED TO KNOW

Alaqua Animal Refuge is looking after 20 Catahoula leopard dogs who are recovering from neglect and malnutrition

Walton County Animal Services and the Walton County Sheriff's Department helped the refuge rescue the dogs from a backyard breeder

"The animals had been living in filth with little food, no clean water, and no shelter," Alaqua Animal Refuge said of the conditions where the dogs were found



Twenty Catahoula leopard dogs are recovering from "deplorable" conditions at a backyard breeder.

According to Alaqua Animal Refuge, a no-kill rescue in Walton County, Fla., the organization received a call several months ago from a backyard breeder, whose identity was not disclosed, asking for help feeding his dogs. After Alaqua heard that over a dozen dogs were under the man's care, the rescue tried to organize an owner surrender of some of the pets, but the efforts never came to fruition.

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"When we learned that another litter of puppies had been bornand several had died from neglectwe immediately contacted Animal Services and requested a welfare check. From there, Walton County Animal Services (WCAS) and the Sheriff's Department worked to build trust with the owners and negotiate the surrender of the animals," Laurie Hood, Alaqua's founder, tells PEOPLE.

Deputies visited the backyard breeder and found 20 malnourished Catahoula leopard dogs living there, covered in fleas and ticks.

"When we were first contacted by the Walton County Sheriff's Department and Walton County Animal Services, they told us the conditions on the property were deplorable and that the dogs needed to be removed immediately. The animals had been living in filth with little food, no clean water, and no shelter," Hood adds.

Courtesy of Alaqua Animal Refuge A Catahoula leopard dog shortly after their rescue A Catahoula leopard dog shortly after their rescue

Authorities removed the dogs, a mix of puppies and adult canines, from the home over several weeks and brought them to Alaqua for treatment and care.



"By the time they arrived at Alaqua, they were frightened, malnourished, and in desperate need of help," Hood says.

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"Every animal was documented, examined, and treated as an individual life worth saving. A moment that stands out for everyone involved was the day WCAS arrived with two truckloads of animals and proudly told us that every single one had been removed from the property. After months of effort, heartbreak, and determination, knowing they were finally safe brought an incredible sense of relief to all involved."

Courtesy of Alaqua Animal Refuge A Catahoula leopard dog at Alaqua Animal Refuge after their rescue A Catahoula leopard dog at Alaqua Animal Refuge after their rescue

Once all of the animals were with Alaqua, staff members went about the delicate business of getting the dogs on refeeding schedules.

"Our biggest challenge was ensuring that each animal was placed on the appropriate refeeding schedule, as they were emaciated and needed to gain weight slowly so they didn't become sicker," Laura McManus, director of operations at Alaqua Animal Refuge, says. "We saw some food aggression between the puppies, which is normal when animals haven't been fed properly; they will fight each other over every scrap of food to survive. Our team made sure that each animal was able to eat."

Alaqua didn't just focus on healing the canines' bodies but also their hearts. Many of the dogs hadn't been socialized and were "shut down" due to a lack of interaction and enrichment.

Courtesy of Alaqua Animal Refuge A Catahoula leopard dog shortly after their rescue in Florida A Catahoula leopard dog shortly after their rescue in Florida

"They had not been socialized with people and had not been outside the environment at the property, so everything and everyone was scary to them. Our incredible team has worked individually with each dog, slowly building that trust so the dogs understand that we are here to help them get better," McManus notes.

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Leopard dogs that arrived at Alaqua emaciated and too scared to walk through a door are now happy, healthy canines.

"Medically, today, all of the dogs are doing well. Thankfully, none of them came in with heartworms, but several have required some extensive medical care. We have performed three eye surgeries, dental work with extractions of teeth, and, of course, everyone has been spayed and neutered," McManus says.

Courtesy of Alaqua Animal Refuge One of the Catahoula leopard dogs after treatment One of the Catahoula leopard dogs after treatment

Alaqua hopes the ordeal these pups endured inspires animal lovers to do their research before bringing home a pet, especially if they are buying an animal from a breeder.

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 often think backyard breeders are just animal lovers trying to make a little money or that their dog had an 'accidental litter,' but that's rarely the case. In Florida, this is an unregulated business. There are no licensing requirements for breeders and no inspections to ensure animals are even receiving minimum care. Dogs are often bred repeatedly in poor conditions, left sick or injured, and treated as products instead of living beings. It's cruelty disguised as breeding, and it hurts not just the animals but the entire community," Hood shares.

Courtesy of Alaqua Animal Refuge A Catahoula leopard dog A Catahoula leopard dog

Those looking to support the leopard dogs and other animals in need can do so by assisting with Alaqua's large-scale rescue work.

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"The cost of medical treatment alone can be overwhelming, and we often rely on staff working overtime to make it all possible. That's why community support is absolutely essential," Hood notes. "Every donation, volunteer hour, or foster placement directly helps us save more lives and continue this vital work.

To learn more about Alaqua Animal Refuge, visit the organization's website.



Read the original article on People
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Gov. Jeff Landry, First Lady Sharon Landry, and Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS) President E.J. Kuiper joined morning show host Sydney Simone to discuss several topics, including the First Ladys Love One Louisiana Foundation.

The first lady said her foundation, in partnership with FMOL Health System, will provide $200,000 to food banks across Louisiana. The announcement comes as no new federal food assistance is expected on Nov. 1, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

What Louisiana SNAP recipients should expect on Nov. 1

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Were thrilled to announce that, in partnership with FMOL Health Systems, their generous donation, along with our matched donation through my foundation, Love One Louisiana, well donate $200,000 to food banks across the state of Louisiana, she said.

Kuiper added that food insecurity remains a major issue in the state.

Food insecurity, as you know, is a reality for hundreds of thousands of citizens in Louisiana, children, senior citizens, and there is a direct correlation between food insecurity and healthcare outcomes, he said.

SNAP benefits wont be paid in November: How long will WIC last?

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The first lady said the foundation will send funds to Lake Charles, New Orleans, Alexandria, and Shreveport, while FMOL Health System will assist food banks in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Monroe, and Bogalusa. Kuiper said the money is already available and communities should see an impact right away.

On Wednesday, Oct. 29, Gov. Landry explained how state-funded SNAP benefits for November will be distributed.

We know that as the government continues to be shut down and until they reach some common ground and get the government open, theres going to be a problem with many of our safety net programs, the governor said.

He also talked about the sustainability of Louisianas response to SNAP benefits being cut off. If they dont reach a compromise, its not sustainable in the long run, and thats exactly why the donations from Sharons foundation and from FMOL are so important today.

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Louisiana lawmakers approve proposal to fund SNAP benefits

The Louisiana Department of Health is expected to release additional information by Friday, Oct. 31, detailing how much funding will be loaded onto cards and which food banks will receive donations.

Landry noted that about 53,000 people will not have their SNAP benefits reloaded and will need to rely on local food banks for assistance.

We want to try to move them people into employment, thats number one. You know, work requirements are coming to the food stamp program shortly anyhow, and so those people, we want to direct them to food banks, thats why what theyre doing today is such an unbelievable thing, he said.

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Landry had this message for the people of Louisiana as the cut-off approaches. He said, Their state government right now is acting just like many and everyone in Louisiana through compassion and through caring and through taking care of those that are the most vulnerable.

List: Food bank, pantry locations in, near Baton Rouge

Latest News

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
Pennsylvania State Police seized 20,000 fentanyl pills during a traffic stop Wednesday on Interstate 78 in the Lehigh Valley, according to a news release.

The pills were seized during a traffic stop at milepost 73.1 in Glendon on I-78, the Northampton County District Attorney said in the release.

Maykol Jeffrie Goris Hiciano, of New York, was the driver of the car, and Jorge Joel Gomez Guzman, of Maryland, was the passenger, the release says. Both men were arrested.

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Neither man has a listed phone number and neither had an attorney listed in online court records.

Each man was arraigned Wednesday on two counts of possession with intent to deliver fentanyl and one count of possession of fentanyl. Goris Hiciano was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana.

District Judge Robert C. Weber sent each man to Northampton County Prison on $250,000 bail.

Read the original article on lehighvalleylive.com.
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

Scientists have demonstrated for the first time how Staphylococcus aureusa leading cause of skin infectionsreshapes the immune system's inflammatory responses in children with a rare skin condition.

Findings from the research could in the not-too-distant future inform efforts to predict patient-specific outcomes because the study highlighted a connection between different strains of S. aureus and disease severity, data in the study show.

Reporting in Science Translational Medicine, medical investigators in France write that children with the genetic condition known as recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosaRDEBhad immune responses and clinical severity shaped by skin-adapted S. aureus.

How S. aureus complicates RDEB

S. aureus exists in a multitude of strains, some antibiotic resistant and more dangerous than others. Scientists classify strains based on their genetic composition, whether they repel antibiotics or produce toxins. In RDEB, S. aureus causes blisters. The more dangerous the strain, the more complicated the condition of the affected child.

"Despite the well-described association of skin lesions with Staphylococcus aureus, the distinct ability of clinical isolates to influence the local and systemic inflammatory response in a patient-specific manner is insufficiently characterized," writes Dr. Anne Jamet, lead author of the research.

"In this study, we analyzed clinical recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, RDEB, which is characterized by wounds chronically colonized with S. aureus, to explore the relationship between inflammatory immune response and strain diversity," added Jamet of Universite Paris Cite.

RDEB causes blisters and wounds because of a mutation in the COL7A1 gene of affected children. S. aureus exploits the mutation, ensuring its survival as it attacks and colonizes the mucous membranes and other sites throughout the body, especially the skin. Children with RDEB develop blisters of the mouth and esophagus, which can lead to difficulty with eating and swallowing.

Scarring can occur at any site where the bacteria have colonized and damaged healthy tissue. Blisters on the hands and feet ultimately can result in scarring that causes the fusion of fingers or toes. In severe disease, contracture of the hands and feet occurs. Joint deformities are also a possibility among those with severe RDEB, as is an elevated risk of aggressive skin cancer.

The immune system's response to infection

The situation is made all the more difficult in RDEB by the way the bacterial disease hijacks the immune system with elevated activity of at least two key immune system components in severe disease.

Under normal conditions, the immune system communes with commensal bacteriathe so-called good bacteriaon the skin and elsewhere in the body while keeping pathogens out. Although some strains of S. aureus are pathogenic, others are commensals, a vital member of the skin microbiome. S. aureus, for example, is a common commensal colonizer of the nasal passages.

"The host immune system is involved in constant dialog with skin commensal microorganisms while simultaneously preventing the entry of pathogens," Jamet wrote. "This interaction becomes critical when skin integrity is constitutively altered, as in genetic skin diseases associated with recurrent, chronic, nonhealing wounds."

Study design and key findings

To find out what goes awry in the immune system of those with RDEB, allowing S. aureus to sustain colonization in the mouth, on the hands and feet, or any tissue of children with RDEB, the team of scientists designed and carried out a clinical trial.

Jamet and colleagues enrolled five children with moderate RDEB, 10 with severe disease, and 18 healthy children in their study to find answers. The team analyzed 30 subsets of immune cells and 800 different proteins in plasma.

Experimental workflow of plasma proteomics. Credit: Science Translational Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adq7985

Their findings showed that children with severe RDEB displayed a distinct immune signature marked by elevated quantities of CD4+ T cells and mucosal-associated invariant TMAITcells that expressed interleukin-17A, an inflammatory signaling molecule.

"The genetic fragility of the skin of patients with RDEB combined with immune response anomalies result in chronic wounds that are chronically infected by S. aureus," Jamet explained in the research paper. "The implication of S. aureus in RDEB severity is supported by the correlation of wound burden with S. aureus abundance.

"Our results could provide a rationale to test [monoclonal antibodies] in patients with severe RDEB," Jamet wrote in conclusion, noting that antibodies that target interleukin-17A can be effective at combating chronic skin diseases.

Written for you by our author Delthia Ricks, 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: Anne Jamet et al, Immune response and clinical severity are shaped by skin-adaptedStaphylococcus aureusin chronically infected patients, Science Translational Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adq7985 Journal information: Science Translational Medicine

 2025 Science X Network
Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, stops Saturday due to the government shutdown. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed an executive order Thursday to help Illinois residents who rely on the aid.

In Illinois, $20 million in emergency government money will go to seven food banks that cover the state.

SNAP scams incoming, expert warns. Heres what to watch out for

Pritzker said that 42 million Americans are in jeopardy of losing lose benefits that includes nearly 2 million in Illinois.



They have done something insidious the federal government in addition to Donald Trump being willing to turn off SNAP benefits on November 1 when they do have emergency funds available at the Department of Agriculture and theyre choosing not to use, he said.

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SNAP benefits wont be paid in November: How long will WIC last?

Businesses who sell food and cater to low income SNAP recipients will be affected as well.

Democratic Attorneys General and governors from 25 states including Illinois sued the Trump Administration earlier this week over its decision not to tap emergency funds for SNAP.

WGNs Patrick Elwood has more.

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.
Key Points

More than 42 million Americans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) each month, but federal funding may end in November as Senate Republicans plan to block it.

Twenty-five states have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration to force the release of contingency funds that could temporarily sustain benefits.

Food banks across the country are getting ready for a spike in demand as millions face hunger risks, with some states deploying limited emergency resources to help fill the gap.

More than 40 million Americans relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, each month throughout the 2025 fiscal year to help put food on their tables, the USDA reported. However, access to these benefits may soon end for your friends and neighbors, as Senate Republicans are preparing to oppose a bill that would maintain federal aid for the program, according to Politico. There is also little hope for presidential intervention, as the Trump administration has said it has no plans to tap emergency funds. So, 25 states are responding in the only way they know how: by suing the administration.

So far, 25 states have announced plans to sue the administration to keep the flow of funds to SNAP programs for November and are asking the government to use contingency funds to ensure people still have access to food, CBS reported.

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"While Donald Trump parades around the world trying to repair the economic damage hes done with his incompetence, hes denying food to millions of Americans who will go hungry next month. Its cruel and speaks to his basic lack of humanity. He doesnt care about the people of this country, only himself," California Governor Gavin Newsom shared in a statement outlining his state's plans to sue.

Newsom's wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, added, When families dont know where their next meal will come from, our government has failed its most basic duty to care for its people. The Trump administrations decision to withhold food assistance thats already been funded has left millions of Americans in fear and uncertainty. As a state, we know we must stand up and fight back."

Other states joining the effort include Massachusetts, Arizona, Minnesota, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

"Ultimately, the States will bear costs associated with many of these harms," the states wrote in their lawsuit, which argues that it is illegal for the federal government to withhold funding for the program. "The loss of SNAP benefits leads to food insecurity, hunger, and malnutrition, which are associated with numerous negative health outcomes in children, such as poor concentration, decreased cognitive function, fatigue, depression, and behavioral problems."



According to The New York Times, the states are asking the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts to rule by Friday on the use of contingency funds, which amount to between $5 billion and $6 billion and would at least partially pay for benefits for those currently enrolled in the program. However, as Politico noted, even if the administration is required to release these funds, it could take weeks for people to access them.

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Related: Can the Government Tell SNAP Users What to Eat?

The USDA issued a strong banner statement on its website, which reads, "Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued on November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance."

Food banks nationwide are preparing for a major increase in demand, while states like Connecticut are releasing their own emergency funds to help. However, it likely will be far from enough.

"Food pantries and churches and nonprofits do great work, but they cannot scale up to meet the needs of 600,000 kids who will not have enough to eat starting next week," North Carolina's Attorney General Jeff Jackson shared in a statement. "This is the deliberate precipitation of a major crisis."

Read the original article on Food & Wine
THOMASVILLE  A West Virginia man has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge in a Thomasville man's November 2022 shooting in a shopping mall parking lot in Bluefield, West Virginia.

Raheem Raquon Reed, 29, was indicted on the murder charge as well as use of a firearm in commission of felony and conspiracy in the death of Marquise McLean, 35, who was shot multiple times in the parking lot of Mercer Mall in Bluefield.

Initially a 17-year-old from Princeton, Ahmad Latrale Mitchell, was arrested in the shooting. He was indicted in June 2023 on charges of first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

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Reed was one of three more people arrested in January 2023, all charged at the time with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder.

Reeds conspiracy indictment says he is accused of conspiring with Mitchell to kill McLean.

No other information has been released.
SLOAN, Iowa (KCAU)  Second times the charm for the Westwood Community Schools as officials are hoping to pass a bond in roughly five days.

The Westwood Community Schools is asking its community to approve a $9.3 million bond to help improve the school district.

We focused on safety and students, said Westwood Community Schools Superintendent Jay Lutt.

Story continues below

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Westwoods K-12 building was built back in the 1980s, and officials say there are multiple rooms in the school that havent been updated since then.

Our family, consumer science department does not have commercial range hoods on it and fire suppression. We would be installing those, which would lead to the roof. We do have multiple classes where the kids are sitting at their desks, but theres also kids that need to be at the lab stations and sitting there. They are a little cramped in that regard, said Superintendent Lutt.

Another major priority for the school district is making a safer entrance into the building.

We would actually be bringing out the front entrances just a little bit where they will be buzzed in, but you get buzzed into the high school office instead of going down a hallway and going into the office. You are right into the office, and you cant get into the school, said Superintendent Lutt.

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The bond also includes updating multiple parts of the facility, like bathrooms and the playground, to make them more ADA-compliant.

If passed, a house worth $100,000 would have property taxes go up roughly $64 a year, a price that Superintendent Luff said is worth it for the kids and community.

The intent of this project is to bring the building up to what we need for safety and security for our kids, so everybody can use our facility and it being top of the line for their access, said Superintendent Lutt.

Westwood would need a super majority, over 60%, of voters saying yes on November 4 for the bond to pass.

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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.
Theres always something new to experience in the Palm Beaches! To help plan your week, here are three ideas from the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, the official support agency for arts and culture in Floridas cultural capital. For even more to see and do, visit the Councils events calendar at palmbeachculture.com/events.

*

FREE

Dia de los Muertos returns to Lake Worth Beach

The Dia de los Muertos Lake Worth Beach celebration returns for its 10th year with music, art and tradition.

Celebrate life, memory and tradition at the 10th annual Dia de los Muertos Lake Worth Beach, a vibrant community festival filled with music, dance and art. Presented by the Lake Worth Beach CRA and LULA Lake Worth Arts, the event features folkloric performances, traditional ofrendas, cultural crafts, childrens activities and the colorful El Camino walking parade. Headlining this years celebration is Xperimento, performing live from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Come dressed as a Catrina or in your finest Calaca attire and join the fun!

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Dia de los Muertos Lake Worth Beach: 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1. HATCH 1121, 1121 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth Beach. Info: lakewortharts.com.

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DEAL

Rembrandt and the Dutch masters come to the Norton

Art and Life in Rembrandts Time at the Norton Museum of Art features rare masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer and their contemporaries including Pieter van Laer, whose work Self-Portrait with Magic Scene is shown here.

Art and Life in Rembrandts Time brings more than 75 masterpieces from The Leiden Collection to the Norton Museum of Art  the largest exhibition of privately held 17th-century Dutch paintings ever shown in the U.S. Featuring over a dozen works by Rembrandt van Rijn and the only Vermeer in private hands, the show offers a rare glimpse into daily life in the Dutch Golden Age. Portraits, genre scenes and mythological works illuminate a society rich in art, faith and innovation.

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Art and Life in Rembrandts Time: On view through March 29. Admission is $18 for adults (18+), $15 for seniors (60+), $5 for students and college students, free for children 12 and under, members and West Palm Beach residents with ID. Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. Info: 561-832-5196 or norton.org.

*

SPLURGE

Step back in time with 'Egyptian Pharaohs: From Cheops to Ramses II'

Egyptian Pharaohs: From Cheops to Ramses II immerses visitors in the world of ancient Egypt through cutting-edge digital artistry.

Journey through the world of the pharaohs at Egyptian Pharaohs: From Cheops to Ramses II, a stunning immersive experience making its North American debut at South Florida PBS. Created with leading Egyptologists and brought to life through vivid 3D reconstructions by Ubisoft, the exhibition surrounds visitors with sound, light and motion  from the sands of the desert to the banks of the Nile. Watch the pyramids rise, glimpse daily life in ancient Egypt and come face-to-face with the Sphinx in this multisensory exploration of one of historys greatest civilizations.

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Egyptian Pharaohs: From Cheops to Ramses II: On view through March 31. Tickets start at $45 for adults; $35 for seniors, students, military, and first responders; and free for children under 12. South Florida PBS Studios, 3401 S. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach. Info: southfloridapbs.org.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: PBC Cultural Council picks for Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2025
Four people were killed in the latest U.S. military airstrike on an alleged drug boat in the Eastern Pacific on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in a social media post.

It follows strikes against four alleged drug vessels in the Eastern Pacific on Monday that killed 14 people, according to Hegseth.

Overall, this marks the 14th such strike carried out by the U.S. since the attacks began on Sept. 2, targeting alleged drug boats in the Pacific and Caribbean and killing more than 60 people total.

@SecWar/X - PHOTO: The U.S. has carried out another strike against an alleged drug vessel in the Eastern Pacific, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Oct. 29, 2025, killing four people.

14 dead in more strikes against alleged drug boats, Hegseth says

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In announcing the latest strike on Wednesday, Hegseth said that, at the direction of President Donald Trump, the Defense Department "carried out a lethal kinetic strike on yet another narco-trafficking vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization in the Eastern Pacific."

"This vessel, like all the others, was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics," he continued.

Timeline: US strikes on alleged drug boats

Four men alleged to be "narco-terrorists" on board the vessel were killed, according to Hegseth, who posted a video of the strike that was labeled "unclassified."

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Hegseth did not say where the boat had originated.

Hegseth's announcement of the latest strike came the same day the Trump administration briefed more than a dozen senators on the military campaign off the coast of Venezuela -- but invited only Republicans, according to a top Democrat who called the move "indefensible and dangerous."

Eugene Hoshiko/AP - PHOTO: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington during a visit to the U.S. Navy's Yokosuka base in Yokosuka, Japan, October 28, 2025.

Excluding lawmakers because of their political party is a major departure from protocol. Lawmakers rely on details about military and intelligence operations -- many of them classified -- to do their job overseeing Pentagon policy and its massive $1 trillion budget.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Shutting Democrats out of a briefing on U.S. military strikes and withholding the legal justification for those strikes from half the Senate is indefensible and dangerous," Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, of Virginia, said in a statement. "Decisions about the use of American military force are not campaign strategy sessions, and they are not the private property of one political party. For any administration to treat them that way erodes our national security and flies in the face of Congress constitutional obligation to oversee matters of war and peace."

ABC News' Anne Flaherty contributed to this report.
NEED TO KNOW

Zvante Sampson, Quandarious Hammond, Jaylin Bedward, Andrew Thompson and James Denson were all sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in connection with the death of 4-year-old Suni Bell

Suni was with her mother and uncle in the familys silver Infiniti when the shooting occurred along Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa, Fla., on the evening of Sept. 17, 2021

"Sunis mother testified on the stand that she just kept saying 'Mommy' as gunshots rang out," Erin Maloney, Communications Director with the Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit tells PEOPLE



Five men were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Wednesday, Oct. 29 in connection with the fatal shooting of a 4-year-old girl in Florida.

Zvante Sampson, Quandarious Hammond, Jaylin Bedward, Andrew Thompson and James Denson were found guilty in September of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and shooting at or within a vehicle in the death of Suni Bell.

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"This is what happens when you make stupid choices without thinking through things. Acting and reacting without figuring out what's gonna be on the other side, Judge Robin Fuson said during sentencing, WTSP reported. Well, the other side for you five is the rest of your lives in prison with no chance of parole."

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Zvante Sampson; Jaylin Bedward Zvante Sampson; Jaylin Bedward

Suni was with her mother and uncle in the familys silver Infiniti when the shooting occurred along Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa on the evening of Sept. 17, 2021. Prosecutors said surveillance footage from a nearby gas station showed the five men watching the Infiniti before getting in separate vehicles and pursuing it. Suni, who was in the backseat, was struck by one of the dozens of bullets that were fired at the vehicle.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office James Denson; Andrew Thompson James Denson; Andrew Thompson

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.

"They were on their way to a family gathering and couldnt find the address, so they pulled over to call family," Erin Maloney, Communications Director with the Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit tells PEOPLE. "The theory was the men mistook Sunis family for someone who drove a similar car. You can see the men conspiring with each other on surveillance video before arming themselves and hunting down the vehicle to commit the shooting."

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Quandarious Hammond Quandarious Hammond

"Sunis mother testified on the stand that she just kept saying, 'Mommy' as gunshots rang out," Maloney added.

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Her mother and uncle were uninjured. Suni died at a local hospital.

Prosecutors argued that even though not all five men fired a weapon, they were all guilty of murder under Floridas principal theory of prosecution.

Our prosecutors proved that each of the defendants played an active role in planning and carrying out this deadly ambush, the Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial District said in a press release after the men were convicted. As a result, all five men will be held equally accountable for Sunis death.

This hurts, Sunis grandmother Drial Harrison said during sentencing, the Tampa Bay Times reported. This hurts deep. Its not something you can put a Band-Aid on and heal from.

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"Sunis family said she had just started Pre-K and was so excited about getting her first backpack and starting school," says Maloney. "Weeks later, she was gone."



Read the original article on People
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Senate passed a resolution Thursday that would undo many of President Donald Trump's tariffs around the globe, the latest note of displeasure at his trade tactics in Washington that came just as the president celebrated his negotiations with China as a success.

After a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea, Trump said he would cut tariffs on the Asian economic giant and China would, in turn, purchase 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually for the next three years. The Republican president claimed his trade negotiations would secure prosperity and security to millions of Americans.

But back in Washington, senators  several from Trump's Republican Party  have demonstrated their dissent with Trump's tariff tactics by passing a series of resolutions this week that would nullify the national emergencies that Trump has declared to justify the import taxes. Already this week, the Senate approved resolutions to end tariffs imposed on Brazil and Canada. While the legislative efforts are ultimately doomed, they exposed fault lines in the GOP.

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The latest resolution, which would effectively end most of Trump's tariff policies, passed on a 51-47 vote, with four Republicans joining with all Democrats.

Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who backed Democrats on the resolutions, credited Trump for decreasing the tariffs on China, but said the result is still much higher than weve had.

It still will lead to increased prices, he said.

The votes were orchestrated by Democrats using a decades-old law that allows Congress to nullify a presidential emergency. But House Republicans have instituted a new rule that allows the leadership to prevent such resolutions from coming up for a vote. Plus, Trump would surely veto legislation that inhibits his power over trade policy, meaning the legislation won't ultimately take effect.

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Democrats can force a vote but not a result

But Democrats have still been able to force the Senate to take up an uncomfortable topic for their Republican colleagues.

American families are being squeezed by prices going up and up and up, said Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, in a floor speech. He added that in many ways, red states in rural areas are being hit the hardest, and pointed to economic strain being put on farmers and manufacturers.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said that Americans shouldnt be fooled by Trumps announcement.

Donald Trump has folded, leaving American families and farmers and small businesses to deal with the wreckage from his blunders, from his erratic on again off again tariff policies, said the New York Democrat.

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How Republicans see Trump's trade policy

Overall, there has been little movement among Republicans to oppose Trump's import taxes publicly. A nearly identical resolution failed in April on a tied vote after Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was absent. On Thursday, McConnell and Paul, as well as Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, voted along with all Democrats to pass the resolution.

Those four Republicans helped advance similar resolutions this week to end the tariffs on Brazil and Canada. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, also voted in favor of the resolution applying to Brazil, but otherwise, GOP senators have held the line this week behind the president.

I agree with my colleagues that tariffs should be more targeted to avoid harm to Americans, said Sen. Mike Crapo, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, in a floor speech. Yet, he added that Trump's negotiations are bearing fruit and praised his announcement that Beijing would allow the export of rare earth elements and start buying American soybeans again.

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Republicans representing farm states were especially enthused by the announcement that China would be purchasing 25 million metric tons of soybeans annually, starting with 10 million metric tons for the rest of this year.

Sen. Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican, said the deal with China absolutely justifies Trump's use of tariff threats to negotiate trade policy with other nations. He called the announcement huge news for Kansas farmers, but also acknowledged that they would still probably need financial help as they deal with the strain of losing their biggest customer for soybeans and sorghum.

Its not like you can snap your finger and send over $15 billion worth of sorghum and soybeans together overnight, he said.

China had been the largest purchaser of U.S. soybeans until this year. It purchased almost 27 million metric tons in 2024, so Trump's negotiated deal only guarantees to return soybean exports to China to less than their previous level.

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Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, called the purchase agreement a start.

Asked whether he agreed with Trump's assessment that his meeting with Xi had been a runaway success, Cramer smiled and said the president is nothing if not optimistic.
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:

scRNA-seq reveals heterogeneity in thymic DCs. (A) scRNA-seq of CD11c+ and CD11b+ FACS-sorted cells from the thymus of 7-wk-old C57BL/6 mice. UMAP plots show the analysis of 11,586 transcriptome events, with dashed lines representing clusters expressing Flt3, Csf1r, and Csf3r. (B) Feature plots showing the normalized expression of Flt3, Csf1r, and Csf3r in the clusters defined in A. (C) UMAP plots show the analysis of 8,514 transcriptome events and identify 16 clusters of thymic myeloid cells. Violin plots show the normalized expression of signature genes in these clusters. (D) Representative flow cytometry gating strategy for pre-gating thymic myeloid cells. (E) Representative gating strategy for identifying thymic neutrophils (Ly6G/SiglecF+Ly6C+CD11c) and eosinophils (Ly6G/SiglecF+Ly6CCD11c+). The graph shows the total numbers of neutrophils and eosinophils per thymus in 7-wk-old C57BL/6 mice; n = 3 mice. Data are shown as mean  SD. Credit: Charles University

A Czech scientist has contributed to understanding the function of the thymusthe training center of the immune system. T lymphocytes, key defensive cells, learn in the thymus not to mistake the body's own tissues for foreign enemies.

A new study by Matous Voboril from the Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, reveals that a broad spectrum of dendritic cells and macrophages also participate in this "education." The discovery offers crucial insights that could help prevent autoimmune diseases and open new directions for modern immunotherapy.

A comprehensive map of the thymus 'faculty'

The thymus acts as a vital "training academy" for our immune system. It is where T lymphocytescells responsible for fighting infections and tumorsmature. To protect us effectively without attacking our own tissues, they must undergo rigorous schooling known as central tolerance.

Textbooks in immunology have long described thymic epithelial cells as the main "teachers" of T lymphocytes. However, the new study by Voboril demonstrates that the teaching process also involves a diverse range of myeloid-lineage cellsincluding different types of dendritic cells and macrophageseach with specific roles in preventing autoimmunity. The result of years of research is a detailed "faculty roster" of cellular instructors that ensure T cells recognize pathogens while leaving the body's own tissues unharmed.

The work combines cutting-edge techniques such as single-cell transcriptomics, genetically modified mouse models, and multicolor flow cytometry, providing an exceptionally detailed picture of cellular cooperation within the thymus. The study's significance is underscored by this year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded for the discovery of regulatory T cellsthe very cells that actively suppress autoimmune diseases.

"We have shown that the thymic teaching staff is much more complex than we thought. One type of cell isn't enoughit takes a whole network of educators working together to shape the immune system," explains the study's first author, Voboril.

Understanding central toleranceand beyond

The discovery represents a key contribution to understanding the mechanisms of central tolerance, which protect humans from autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. In the future, these insights could inspire novel therapeutic or immunomodulatory approaches.

The study shows that central tolerance in the thymus is not maintained solely by epithelial cells or previously known dendritic cell types. Instead, it relies on a complex "faculty" of myeloid-lineage cellsvarious dendritic cells, macrophages, and even B cellseach with specialized tasks, from antigen presentation to removal of autoreactive T cells.

Main 'cellular teachers' in the thymus and their functions

Cell types newly described or refined in this publication are highlighted below:

Thymic epithelial cells (TEC) Cortical TEC (cTEC): Mediate positive selectionteaching T cells to recognize self-MHC molecules.

Medullary TEC (mTEC): Present a wide array of tissue-specific antigens via the transcription factor AIRE, ensuring negative selection of autoreactive T cells. Dendritic cells (DC) Conventional DC1 (cDC1, XCR1): Present antigens and promote the selection of regulatory T cells.

Conventional DC2 (cDC2, SIRP): Interact with other cell types and mediate elimination of autoreactive T cells.

Migratory (transit) DC: Bring antigens from peripheral tissues during inflammation, providing rapid "remedial lessons" to prevent self-reactivity.

Plasmacytoid DC (pDC): Transport peripheral antigens to the thymus and help maintain tolerance to environmental antigens. Macrophages Phagocytose apoptotic T cells that failed selection, preventing release of autoreactive signals.

May also present antigens and contribute to negative selection. Thymic B cells Produce and present self-antigens, supporting both the elimination of autoreactive T cells and the selection of regulatory T lymphocytes.



More information: Matous Voboril et al, Thymic myeloid cells are heterogenous and include a novel population of transitional dendritic cells, Journal of Experimental Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1084/jem.20250733 Journal information: Journal of Experimental Medicine
The Senate on Thursday passed a resolution aimed at ending President Donald Trumps global tariffs introduced last spring, with four Senate Republicans joining Democrats to object to the presidents trade policy.

For a third time in as many days, Sens. Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell, the former GOP leader, crossed the aisle to advance the measure in a 51 to 47 vote. All four voted for separate resolutions earlier in the week targeting Trumps tariffs on Canada and Brazil.

The resolutions seek to end the tariffs by terminating emergency declarations from the president.

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Ultimately, the weeks tariff votes amount to symbolic rebukes of the presidents trade policy, as they arent expected to be taken up by the House. Earlier this year, House Republicans moved to block members from being able to force a vote in the near future on the presidents tariffs.

Paul was a co-sponsor of the resolution and McConnell pledged that he would vote for all three of the resolutions. Tariffs make both building and buying in America more expensive. The economic harms of trade wars are not the exception to history, but the rule, he said in a statement on Tuesday.

Sen. Tim Kaine, one of the sponsors of this resolution, as well as the other two that passed earlier this week, said earlier in the week that the presidents use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act was not appropriate.

Im against tariffs generally, unless theyre used very specifically. But Im also against letting presidents just invent a reason to use emergency powers to do all kinds of things without coming to Congress, he told reporters Tuesday, comparing congressional oversight of the executive to a muscle that has to be exercised regularly.

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The Virginia Democrat has acknowledged the House will not take up his resolution, and that they dont have a veto-proof majority backing the measure in the Senate. But he has insisted that adopting anti-tariff resolutions will still send a strong message to the president.

I did learn in the, in the first Trump term that the president is responsive to things like this. When he sees Republicans starting to vote against his policies, even in small numbers, that makes an impression on him and can often cause him to alter his behavior, Kaine said.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Trying to plan what do to this weekend? NBC4s streaming show 4 Your Weekend gives you a look at some of the top events happening in and around Columbus and central Ohio.

Each week, Digital Anchor Rachel Ramsey will talk to community organizers about some of the events and festivals you can check out. This week, we give you a look at Pumpkins Aglow.

This is the last week for the event, which is held at the Franklin Park Conservatory. Final days are Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. To get your tickets, visit the Franklin Park Conservatorys website.

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Central Ohio communities adjust trick-or-treat dates due to rain, sports

Also in the show, we talk to Dr. Mike Patrick with Nationwide Childrens Hospital to learn more about trick-or-treat safety. To check out the local times and dates for trick-or-treat in central Ohio, visit this link on our website.

We also give you a look at your weekend forecast with chief meteorologist Dave Mazza, so you know what to expect as you head out the door.

Watch the full program of 4 Your Weekend in the video player above. You can find this and future episodes on NBC4i.com and the free NBC4 Columbus streaming channel on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and newer Samsung televisions.

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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.
TEXARKANA, Ark. (KTAL/KMSS)  Main Street Texarkana is set to kick off the holiday season with the 41st Annual Christmas Parade.

The event, held in historic downtown Texarkana, will feature marching bands, creative floats, vintage vehicles, and the much-anticipated arrival of Santa Claus.

The theme for this years parade is Celebrating Texarkana, reflecting the numerous milestone anniversaries occurring throughout the year, according to Ina McDowell, Executive Director of Main Street Texarkana. Main Street Texarkana is celebrating our 20th year, and its exciting to celebrate alongside so many others, McDowell said.

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Among the significant anniversaries being recognized are the Texarkana Public Library and Texarkana, Texas City Hall, both celebrating their 100th year.

Twitty Nursery also marks a century, while the Texarkana Gazette commemorates its 150th anniversary.

Parade participants are encouraged to incorporate these milestones into their floats and celebrate the rich history of Texarkana.

The parade reflects the spirit, creativity, and community pride that make Texarkana special, added McDowell. We are looking forward to the amazing floats we will see!

This free, family-friendly celebration that highlights the communitys spirit and the historic charm of the area will take place Monday, December 1, at 7 p.m.

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Applications for the 2025 Main Street Texarkana Christmas parade are available online now at mainstreettexarkana.org/christmas-parade.

For more information about the event or other Main Street Texarkana activities, find us on Facebook or visit mainstreettexarkana.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 KTALnews.com.
NEED TO KNOW

Leandro Anthony De Niro-Rodriguez was found dead in Manhattan on July 2, 2023

Rodriguez was the only son of Robert De Niro's daughter Drena

A woman was previously arrested in connection with the 19-year-old's death

Authorities in New York have made several arrests in connection with the 2023 death of Robert De Niro's grandson Leandro Anthony De Niro-Rodriguez, the Drug Enforcement Administration confirms to PEOPLE.

NBC New York was the first to report on the update.

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Rodriguez, 19, was found dead in Manhattan on July 2, 2023.

The New York City Chief Medical Examiner later ruled he died from the toxic effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine and cocaine. It was determined to be an accidental drug overdose death, the ME's office confirmed to PEOPLE at the time.

Now, more than two years later, authorities in New York say they have made five arrests in connection with Rodriguez's overdose. All are being charged with death resulting from the sale of narcotics, a DEA official tells PEOPLE.



Rodriguez was the only son of Drena De Niro, the Goodfellas actor's 56-year-old daughter with his first wife.

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She announced his death on Instagram in a moving post.

"I dont know how to live without you but Ill try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama," Drena wrote in the post.

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.

Days after Leandro's death, Drena claimed on Instagram that someone had sold her son "fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced."

A woman was arrested later that month in connection with Rodriguez's death. Sofia H. Marks was accused of selling drugs to the teen. Plea information for Marks was not immediately available.



Read the original article on People
President Trump emerged from his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday touting agreements on tariffs, rare earth exports and soybean purchases as the two superpowers reached truces on key issues.

The meeting, which marked the first in-person talks between Trump and Xi in six years, came amid economic tensions spurred by trade and after Trump announced the U.S. would resume nuclear testing.

Here are five deals the world leaders struck in South Korea.

US reduces China tariffs

The meetings top-line takeaway was Trumps move lowering U.S. tariffs on China from 57 percent to 47 percent. While speaking to reporters on Air Force One en route back to Washington, Trump said the 10 percent reduction was a result of him agreeing to lower fentanyl-related tariffs on Beijing from 20 percent to 10 percent.

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The president said Thursdays announced tariff cut would be effective immediately.

Trump weeks before the meeting had threatened to increase tariffs on China over export control concerns.

Trump and his Republicans allies in Washington have looked to fiercely combat the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. during his second administration, making Thursdays announcement on lowering fentanyl tariffs notable. The president said he was optimistic Xi would work hard to stop the illegal flow of fentanyl going forward.

On fentanyl, we agreed he was going to work very hard to stop the flow, Trump told reporters. You know its a very complex subject because its used for lots of different reasons, including anesthetics. But hes going to work very hard on it.

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I think youre going to see some real action taken, the president predicted.

China pauses rare earth controls for one year

A major source of tension heading into the meeting was Chinas recent announcement that it would tighten its control over the export of critical minerals and rare earth materials.

Trump appeared to score a major win in announcing that Beijing had agreed to delay the implementation of those changes for one year.

The president said on Truth Social that China had agreed to continue the flow of Rare Earth, Critical Minerals, Magnets, etc., openly and freely.

China is not expected to roll back existing export controls, but the delay provides the U.S. a reprieve while it shores up other supply chains.

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Rare earths and critical minerals are used in numerous products, including cars, semiconductors and electronics like laptops.

China accounts for nearly 70 percent of the worlds rare earth mining as of 2024, and Beijing announced earlier this month tighter restrictions on what foreign entities could export products containing even a small percentage of critical minerals mined in China.

Trump in response sought to sign deals with Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia to increase cooperation on the mining and processing of critical minerals and rare earth material.

Trumps nuclear testing casts shadow

Trump made news roughly an hour before his meeting with Xi when he announced in a Truth Social post that he was directing the Pentagon to immediately begin testing U.S. nuclear weapons on an equal basis to China and Russia.

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The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country, Trump wrote. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.

Trump initially ignored a question from a reporter on the announcement during his meeting with Xi, but told reporters after that the news had to do with others when asked whether it had to do with Xi.

They seem to all be nuclear testing. We have more nuclear weapons than anybody, the president said.

We dont do testing, and we halted it many years ago, but with others doing testing, I think its appropriate that we do also, he continued.

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Its unclear what type of testing Trump is alluding to. North Korea is the only country that has conducted nuclear testing since the 1990s. Russia has been testing nuclear-capable weapons tests, which does not include setting off actual bombs. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, meanwhile, has been testing missiles capable of having nuclear war heads as recently as this week.

Soybean purchases boost US farmers

U.S. soybean farmers had high hopes for the Trump-Xi meeting, as trade tensions between Washington and Beijing had hit them particularly hard.

Trump said following the meeting that Xi had authorized the purchase of soybeans, sorghum and other farm products.

Were in agreement on so many elements, Trump said aboard Air Force One after the meeting. Large amounts, tremendous amounts of the soybeans and other farm products are going to be purchased immediately, starting immediately.

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Fox Business Network on Thursday that China had agreed to buy 12 million metric tons of soybeans through the remainder of the year and 25 million tons per year for the next three years.

The announcement will come as a relief to farmers and to farm state lawmakers who had expressed frustration with the ripple effects of Trumps trade policies.

Agriculture Department data showed soybeans were the largest agricultural export from the U.S. in 2024. Roughly half those exports went to China, but that number dropped to zero earlier this year after Beijing stopped purchasing U.S. soybeans, turning instead to places like Argentina.

Not discussed: Taiwan, Russian oil, Blackwell chips

While a lot of ground was covered during the more than hourlong meeting between the U.S. and Chinese delegations, there were a number of key issues that did not come up among officials.

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Trump told reporters that Taiwan, Russian oil, and Blackwell chips were not discussed during the sit-down with his Chinese counterpart.

Taiwan never came up. It was not discussed, actually, Trump said, noting Russias war in Ukraine was a topic of conversation.

Were both going to work together to see if we can get something done, Trump said. We agree that the sides are locked in, fighting, and sometimes you have to let them fight, I guess. Crazy. But hes going to help us, and were going to work together on Ukraine.

When asked about Chinas history of purchasing Russian oil, Trump said, we really didnt discuss the oil, talking instead about trying to end the war.

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Hes been buying oil from Russia for a long time. It takes care of a big part of China, he said.

A third issue Trump said did not come up with Xi was approving the sale of Nvidias Blackwell chips to China.

Were not talking about the Blackwell. That just came out yesterday, the president said.

Trump said he did discuss the issue of chips, generally, with Xi.

[China is] going to be talking to Nvidia and others about taking chips.

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.
Five alleged drug dealers are facing felony charges for their involvement in the death of Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, the grandson of acting legend Robert De Niro.

A federal grand jury in New York indicted the quintet on Tuesday, each on a single felony count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death, according to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Prosecutors allege the men were "members of a criminal network that distributed thousands of counterfeit prescription pills laced with fentanyl, among other drugs" to young adults and teenagers living in New York City.

Read more: Bicoastal drug trafficking operation flew 22 tons of cocaine across country, prosecutors say

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The men arrested by officials this week  identified as Grant McIver, Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barreto, John Nicolas and Roy Nicolas  allegedly used social media to sell the drugs. Prosecutors underscored that the men's "drug dealing had deadly consequences: over a three-month span in the summer of 2023," alleging their drugs led to the deaths of three 19-year-olds.

Though the indictment did not disclose the victims' identities, the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York Division confirmed in a news release that the deaths include De Niro-Rodriguez's in July 2023. At the time of her son's death, actor-producer Drena De Niro  the Oscar winner's eldest daughter with ex-wife Diahnne Abbott  said "someone sold [Leandro] fentanyl-laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him."

A month after the young "A Star Is Born" actor's death, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed De Niro-Rodriguez died of an accidental drug overdose, noting he succumbed to the toxic effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine and cocaine.

Akira Stein, daughter of Blondie co-founder Chris Stein, was also an alleged victim. Stein announced his daughter's death in July 2023, months after she died "at the end of May to an overdose."

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Read more: Robert De Niro's grandson was sold fentanyl-laced pills before his death, his mother says

"The DEA and US Attorney folks from the NYC Southern District have been really very sympathetic and respectful all through this process and I can't thank them enough for this hope of some justice for her," Stein wrote in reaction to news of the arrests Thursday. "Please be careful."

"The arrests of these defendants are part of our continued commitment to our fellow New Yorker," Manhattan U.S. Atty. Jay Clayton said in Thursday's release. "We will fight fentanyl from flowing onto our streets and bring to justice the dealers and suppliers who push this poison, especially those who target our kids.

Shortly after De Niro-Rodriguez's death, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York confirmed that law enforcement had arrested a woman, an alleged drug dealer known as the Percocet Princess," for her suspected connection with his death. She was arrested on charges of selling drugs to De Niro-Rodriguez.

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In a July 2023 statement, "Killers of the Flower Moon" and "Raging Bull" star De Niro said, Im deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo."

"Were greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone," he said. "We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo.

Get notified when the biggest stories in Hollywood, culture and entertainment go live. Sign up for L.A. Times entertainment alerts.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Another five people have been arrested in connection with the daring daytime heist at the Louvre in Paris, but the stolen crown jewels  worth an estimated $102 million  continue to elude authorities.

Each of the suspects were captured on Wednesday during a late-night operation in the Seine-Saint-Denis region in the suburbs of Paris, bringing the total number of people in custody to seven, State Prosecutor Laure Beccuau told RTL.

She added that one of the new detainees is suspected of belonging to the brazen four-person crew  dubbed the commando by French media  that burst into the Apollo Gallery in broad daylight on Oct. 19.

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Two other suspected members of the quartet, both men in their 30s and from Seine-Saint-Denis, were arrested last weekend, both of them attempting to leave the country at the time, police said. They were placed under formal investigation for organized theft and criminal conspiracy and partially admitted their involvement after 96 hours of questioning, Beccuau announced late Wednesday.

In the 11 days since the heist, only one relic has surfaced so far  Eugenies crown, damaged but salvageable and dropped in the escape  while a trove made up of the diamond-and-emerald necklace Napoleon gave to Empress Marie-Louise as a wedding gift as well as jewels tied to 19th-century Queens Marie-Amelie and Hortense remain missing.

These jewels are now, of course, unsellable, Beccuau said, adding that theres still time to give them back.

Experts have since warned its likely theyll be dismantled and melted down and the stones recut for potential sale.

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The heist earlier this month lasted less than eight minutes in total, exposing major security gaps in the one of the worlds most popular museums. Police said the thieves rode a basket lift up the Louvres facade, forced their way through a window and then smashed display cases some 30 minutes after opening. They then fled the scene on motorbikes.

With News Wire Services
Five more people were arrested Thursday in connection with the death of Robert De Niros grandson from a fentanyl overdose.

Grant McIver, Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barreto, John Nicolas and Roy Nicolas were charged in Manhattan Federal Court with running a drug distribution network that led to the deaths of three 19-year-olds across two months in 2023.

Two of the victims were De Niros grandson, Leandro Anthony De Niro-Rodriguez, and Akira Stein, the daughter of Blondie guitarist and co-founder Chris Stein, the DEA said in a press release.

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Leandro De Niro, the son of De Niros daughter Drena, was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on July 2, 2023. He died from an overdose of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine and cocaine, the city medical examiner ruled.

Someone sold him fentanyl-laced pills that they knew were laced, yet still sold them to him, Drena De Niro wrote on social media shortly after her sons death.

About a month later, the first suspect in the case was arrested and accused of doing exactly that. Sophia Marks, then 20, was charged with three counts of narcotics distribution in connection with Leandro De Niros death.

Marks knew the pills could kill, and she continued selling them anyway, then-Manhattan District Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement.

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McIver, Epperson, Barreto and the two Nicolases stand accused of distributing thousands of fake pills laced with fentanyl, alprazolam and other drugs, the feds said in charging documents.

The five suspects are accused of running three overlapping distribution networks in New York City and on Long Island, the DEA said. John Nicolas, 29, and Roy Nicolas, 23, sold the pills that killed Stein; while McIver, 24, Epperson, 24, and Barreto, 22, sold the pills that killed Leandro De Niro, according to the feds.

The dealers used social media platforms to specifically target teenagers and young adults, investigators said.

Leandro De Niro had just moved to New York from Aspen, Colo., after graduating from high school. He got an internship on Broadway and was in his Financial District apartment for just two days before his death.

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The death of Akira Stein on May 30, 2023, was not revealed until two months later, when her father wrote about it on Facebook.

She was wonderful and a bright place in the world. She had been struggling for a few years and addiction took her, Chris Stein wrote. Just remember her and be kind to each other and you young people please avoid this trap.

Federal prosecutors said the charges involved deaths on May 30, June 13 and July 2. The second victim has only been identified as a 19-year-old male.

Throughout the city, authorities tallied 3,056 overdose deaths in 2023, a number that dropped to 2,192 such deaths in 2024.

With Molly Crane-Newman
NEW YORK  Five more people were arrested Thursday in connection with the death of Robert De Niros grandson from a fentanyl overdose.

Grant McIver, Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barreto, John Nicolas and Roy Nicolas were charged in Manhattan Federal Court with running a drug distribution network that led to the deaths of three 19-year-olds across two months in 2023.

Two of the victims were De Niros grandson, Leandro Anthony De Niro-Rodriguez, and Akira Stein, the daughter of Blondie guitarist and co-founder Chris Stein, the DEA said in a press release.

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Leandro De Niro, the son of De Niros daughter Drena, was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on July 2, 2023. He died from an overdose of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine and cocaine, the city medical examiner ruled.

Someone sold him fentanyl-laced pills that they knew were laced, yet still sold them to him, Drena De Niro wrote on social media shortly after her sons death.

About a month later, the first suspect in the case was arrested and accused of doing exactly that. Sophia Marks, then 20, was charged with three counts of narcotics distribution in connection with Leandro De Niros death.

Marks knew the pills could kill, and she continued selling them anyway, then-Manhattan District Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement.

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McIver, Epperson, Barreto and the two Nicolases stand accused of distributing thousands of fake pills laced with fentanyl, alprazolam and other drugs, the feds said in charging documents.

The five suspects are accused of running three overlapping distribution networks in New York City and on Long Island, the DEA said. John Nicolas, 29, and Roy Nicolas, 23, sold the pills that killed Stein; while McIver, 24, Epperson, 24, and Barreto, 22, sold the pills that killed Leandro De Niro, according to the feds.

The dealers used social media platforms to specifically target teenagers and young adults, investigators said.

Leandro De Niro had just moved to New York from Aspen, Colorado, after graduating from high school. He got an internship on Broadway and was in his Financial District apartment for just two days before his death.

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The death of Akira Stein on May 30, 2023, was not revealed until two months later, when her father wrote about it on Facebook.

She was wonderful and a bright place in the world. She had been struggling for a few years and addiction took her, Chris Stein wrote. Just remember her and be kind to each other and you young people please avoid this trap.

Federal prosecutors said the charges involved deaths on May 30, June 13 and July 2. The second victim has only been identified as a 19-year-old male.

Throughout the city, authorities tallied 3,056 overdose deaths in 2023, a number that dropped to 2,192 such deaths in 2024.



(With Molly Crane-Newman.)


PARIS (AP)  The dragnet tightened around the Louvre thieves on Thursday. Five more people were seized in the crown-jewels heist  including a suspect tied by DNA  the Paris prosecutor said, widening the sweep across the capital and its suburbs.

Authorities said three of the four alleged members of the commando team, as French media have dubbed the robbers, are now in custody.

The late-night operations in Paris and nearby Seine-Saint-Denis lift the total arrested to seven. Prosecutor Laure Beccuau told RTL that one detainee is suspected of belonging to the brazen quartet that burst into the Apollo Gallery in broad daylight on Oct. 19; others held may be able to inform us about how the events unfolded.

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Beccuau called the response an exceptional mobilization  about 100 investigators, seven days a week, with roughly 150 forensic samples analyzed and 189 items sealed as evidence.

Even so, she said the latest arrests did not uncover the loot  a trove valued around $102 million that includes a diamond-and-emerald necklace Napoleon gave to Empress Marie-Louise as a wedding gift, jewels tied to 19th-century Queens Marie-Amelie and Hortense, and Empress Eugenies pearl-and-diamond tiara.

Only one relic has surfaced so far  Eugenies crown, damaged but salvageable, dropped in the escape.

Beccuau renewed her appeal: These jewels are now, of course, unsellable Theres still time to give them back.

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Experts warn the gold could be melted and the stones re-cut to erase their past.

From Louvres to the Louvre: Planning a 4-minute crime

Key planning details have snapped into focus. Nine days before the raid, a mover who owns a truck-mounted lift  the kind movers use to hoist furniture through Parisian windows  was mysteriously booked for a moving job on the French classifieds site Leboncoin, a site similar to Craigslist, Beccuau said Wednesday.

When he arrived in the town of Louvres, north of Paris, around 10 a.m. on Oct. 10, two men ambushed him and stole the lift truck.

On the day of the heist itself, that same vehicle idled beneath the Paris museums riverside facade.

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Online observers have noted a remarkable coincidence: How a plot that began in Louvres ended at the Louvre.

At 9:30 a.m. the basket lift rose to the Apollo Gallery window; at 9:34 the glass gave way; by 9:38 the crew was gone  a four-minute strike. Only the near-simultaneous arrival of police and museum security stopped the thieves from torching the lift and preserved crucial traces, the prosecutor said.

Security footage shows at least four men forcing a window, cutting into two display cases with power tools and fleeing on two scooters toward eastern Paris. Investigators say there is no sign of insider help for now, though they are not ruling out a wider network beyond the four on camera.

The reckoning over security

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French police have acknowledged major gaps in the Louvres defenses, turning an audacious theft  carried out as visitors walked the corridors  into a national reckoning over how France protects its treasures.

Paris police chief Patrice Faure told senators the first alert to police came not from the Louvres security systems but from a cyclist outside who dialed the emergency line after seeing helmeted men with a basket lift. He acknowledged that aging, partly analog cameras and slow fixes left seams; $93 million of CCTV cabling work wont finish before 202930, and the Louvres camera authorization even lapsed in July. Officers arrived fast, he said, but the delay came earlier in the chain.

Speaking to AP, former bank robber David Desclos characterized the heist as textbook and said he had warned the Louvre of glaring vulnerabilities in the layout of the Apollo Gallery. The Louvre has not responded to the claim.

Whos charged already

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Two earlier suspects, men aged 34 and 39 from Aubervilliers, north of Paris, were charged Wednesday with theft by an organized gang and criminal conspiracy after nearly 96 hours in custody. Beccuau said both gave minimalist statements and partially admitted their involvement.

One was stopped at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport with a one-way ticket to Algeria; his DNA matched a scooter used in the getaway.

French law normally keeps active investigations under a shroud of secrecy to protect police work and victims privacy. Only the prosecutor may speak publicly, though in high-profile cases police unions have occasionally shared partial details.

The brazen smash-and-grab inside the worlds most-visited museum stunned the heritage world. Four men, a lift truck and a stopwatch turned the Apollo Gallerys blaze of gold and light into a crime scene  and a test of how France guards what it holds most dear.




KINGSTON - Five state prison guards accused of faking illnesses and workplace injuries to collect thousands of dollars in sick pay are facing felony charges, the Ulster County District Attorney's Office announced.

The guards, all current or former employees at the Ulster and Wallkill correctional facilities, were arrested this week following an 18-month investigation by the state Inspector General's Office.

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One correction officer is accused of working two state jobs at the same time. Another allegedly submitted 22 forged medical notes to fraudulently receive thousands in sick leave payments. In total, prosecutors allege the group stole more than $15,000 in unearned pay over the course of several years.

The arrests come after years of what state investigators have called "rampant abuse" of the workers' compensation system by correction officers. A 2023 report by the state Inspector General's Office concluded that officers' systemic abuse of state benefits occurs statewide and is not correlated to an increase in violence or other conditions within the prisons.

Chronic understaffing has plagued the state's prisons for years. Prison employees across the state went on strike in February to protest work conditions, prompting officials to deploy thousands of National Guard troops at multiple facilities. At the height of the strike, which ended on March 10, there had been more than 6,000 troops deployed at multiple state prisons to help maintain order. Prison guard vacancies doubled following the strike.

"Every dollar stolen through deceit is a dollar diverted from legitimate injury claims and essential state programs at a time of crisis," Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji said Thursday in a statement.

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Anthony Tacti, of Kerhonkson, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to five felony charges, including insurance fraud. The 34-year-old allegedly earned thousands as a home health aide for the state at the same time that he received workers' compensation benefits after falsely claiming he was too injured to work his job at Ulster Correctional Facility. Tacti, who is still employed as a correction officer, allegedly received nearly $9,000 in fraudulent pay after he billed the state for overlapping hours at the two jobs, prosecutors said.

Christine Donovan, of Lake Katrine, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to three felony charges. The 41-year-old is accused of submitting two forged doctors' notes documenting a "nonexistent medical visit" to receive nearly $6,000 in workers' compensation benefits, prosecutors said.

Jeremy LaChance, of Kerhonkson, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to three felony charges. The 42-year-old, who is still employed as a correction officer, is accused of forging dozens of medical notes to receive approximately $3,000 in sick leave payments, prosecutors said. Records show he has worked at the Wallkill Correctional Facility since 2009 and received a salary of $80,000 last year.

Two additional correction officers were charged but had not entered pleas as of Thursday.

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Ashli Paulino, of Mountain Dale, was charged with three felonies, including grand larceny. The 36-year-old is accused of submitting two forged forms documenting nonexistent medical visits to receive $1,700 in paid workers' compensation benefits. Paulino resigned from her job at Ulster Correctional Facility.

Brian Porter, of Monticello, was charged with two felonies for allegedly forging a medical document to receive $1,050 in workers' compensation benefits. The 49-year-old was fired from his job at Ulster Correctional Facility, where he had worked since 2014.

State Inspector General Lucy Lang said the alleged scheme further hurts prisons struggling to maintain order and keep programs for inmates running.

"This conduct worsens already severe staffing shortages within New York's correctional facilities," Lang said.

This article originally published at 5 prison guards charged in scheme to steal workers' compensation benefits.
NEED TO KNOW

Five new suspects have been arrested been arrested in connection with the Louvre Museum jewelry heist, the Paris Prosecutor's Office has confirmed to PEOPLE

This comes after two men being held in custody over the robbery were charged on Wednesday, Oct. 29, according to ABC News

The jewels, which were stolen during a daytime heist that lasted just seven minutes on Oct. 19, remain missing

Five new suspects have been arrested after extremely valuable jewels were stolen from the Louvre Museum in France, authorities have said.

Items linked to France's bygone monarchy  worth an estimated 88 million, the equivalent of more than $100 million  were taken from the iconic Paris museum in a stunning daytime heist that lasted just seven minutes on Sunday, Oct. 19.

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The thieves used small chainsaws and angle grinders to get to their targeted room, the AFP previously reported.

Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau has now told RTL radio that five new suspects were arrested on the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 29, at around 9 p.m. local time, per a translated interview. The missing jewels have not yet been recovered.

"I can confirm five new arrests in Paris and [neighboring department] Seine-Saint-Denis in connection with the Louvre Museum theft," a Paris Prosecutor's Office spokesperson said in an email to PEOPLE on Thursday, Oct. 30.

Kiran Ridley/Getty A forensics officer examines the cut window and balcony of a gallery at the Louvre Museum following the robbery on Oct. 19, 2025 A forensics officer examines the cut window and balcony of a gallery at the Louvre Museum following the robbery on Oct. 19, 2025

The new suspects could be detained for up to four days before being charged or released, the BBC reported.

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The latest arrests came after two men arrested in connection with the robbery on Oct. 25 "partially admitted their involvement in the events to investigators," Beccuau said during a press conference, according to ABC News.

DNA evidence linked a main suspect to the theft, France 24 reported, citing Beccuau. The prosecutor said this suggested he was among the four-man team that carried out the heist almost two weeks ago, however, she added that it was "too early" to give additional details about the suspects, per the outlet.

Beccuau said the gang involved in the robbery could be bigger than the four people caught on CCTV, according to the BBC.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that the two men being held in custody had been charged with organized robbery and conspiracy to commit a crime in connection with the heist, ABC News reported, citing the prosecutor. Both suspects have been remanded in custody and will remain in jail until their trial.

DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty French police officers stand next to a furniture elevator used by robbers to enter the Louvre Museum on Oct. 19, 2025 French police officers stand next to a furniture elevator used by robbers to enter the Louvre Museum on Oct. 19, 2025

If convicted, the suspects could face a prison sentence of up to 15 years and heavy fines, the outlet reported.

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As previously reported by PEOPLE, the two men were arrested after the Paris Banditry Repression Brigade (BRB) and the Central Office for the Fight against Trafficking in Cultural Goods (OCBC) led an investigation into the robbery on Saturday, according to French outlets Le Parisien and Paris Match.

One suspect was arrested at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle airport at around 10 p.m. local time on Saturday, as they were allegedly attempting to board a plane to Algeria. A second suspect was arrested shortly after in Paris, according to the outlets. The men are aged around 30 from Seine-Saint-Denis in France.

The jewels stolen in the heist included a sapphire tiara, a sapphire necklace and a single sapphire earring worn by Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense, as well as a brooch known as the reliquary brooch, Reuters reported.

Also stolen were a matching emerald necklace and emerald earrings worn by Marie-Louise, the second wife of Napoleon, as well as a tiara and large brooch that belonged to Empress Eugenie.

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The tiara was reportedly later found damaged outside the museum, according to Reuters.

Two of the suspected thieves accused of stealing the jewels wore yellow vests, posing as workers, while two others rode scooters.

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.

After the robbery, the Louvre has since transferred some of its most precious jewels to the Bank of France's most secure vault in Paris, the BBC reported. The vault is located 85 feet below the ground of the location's headquarters in the French capital.



Read the original article on People
Following months of a tense trade war between the U.S. and China, the leaders of the two countries met together on Thursday to discuss fentanyl, tariffs, rare earth metals and other topics.

The meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping took place in Busan, South Korea, which was Trumps final stop on his five-day Asia trip. Earlier in the week, he made stops in Malaysia and Japan.

The focus of the meeting was to cool down the economic standoff between Washington and Beijing.

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While aboard Air Force One after the meeting, Trump said that he rated the talks a 12 on a scale of one to 10, per BBC.

The U.S. president added that he and Xi had reached an outstanding group of decisions on key economic and security issues.

5 takeaways from the meeting between Trump and Xi

President Donald Trump, right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, third left, hold their summit talk at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. | Mark Schiefelbein

Trump agrees to lower fentanyl tariffs

Following the meeting, Trump said he would be lowering fentanyl tariffs on China from 20% to 10%. This change, effective immediately, would drop the total effective tariff rate on Chinese imports from 57% to 47%, per NBC News.

The tariffs are being lowered in exchange for Xi promising to work very hard to stop the flow of the chemicals used to make fentanyl from China into other countries.

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I believe hes going to work very hard to stop the death thats coming in, Trump said, according to Fox News.

The precursor ingredients from China are processed into fentanyl in Mexican labs and then smuggled into the U.S.

China to reopen the door on rare earth metals

Rare earth metals, which are essential for making magnets that go into everything from turbines to electric vehicles, have been a key issue in trade negotiations between the U.S. and China, per CNN.

China has close to a monopoly on the global supply, and earlier this year, it imposed strict export controls on the materials.

After the meeting, Trump said the Chinese president agreed to a one-year reprieve on the export controls, which he expects to be routinely extended.

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All of the rare earth has been settled, and thats for the world, he said, according to NBC News.

China agrees to major purchase of U.S. soybeans

As a part of the trade war between the U.S. and China this year, China had halted the purchase of U.S. soybeans, causing problems for many American farmers.

China resumed purchases of American soybeans ahead of the meeting, but Trump said that, during the meeting, Xi agreed that China would purchase large, tremendous amounts of soybeans and other farm products, according to BBC.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that between now and January, China would purchase 12 million metric tons of soybeans from the U.S, per NBC News. This is part of an agreement to purchase 25 million metric tons annually for three years.

Xi and Trump to work together on war in Ukraine

One of Trumps major promises ahead of his second term was to broker an end to the war in Ukraine. After facing resistance from Russia, Trump is now turning to Russias close partners, India and China, for help.

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Trump said that the U.S. and China will work together on bringing an end to the war. He added that Ukraine came up very strongly, we talked about it for a long time.

Were both going to work together to see if we can get something done, he said, per NBC News.

Trump will not relax export controls on Nvidia chips

After the meeting, Trump also addressed the American artificial intelligence giant Nvidia, which became the first company to be worth $5 trillion on Wednesday.

The U.S. president said there was no discussion over whether the U.S. would relax its export controls to allow the export of the companys latest chips, called Blackwell.

Were not talking about Blackwell chips, Trump said, according to NBC News.

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Currently, the U.S. allows limited exports of an older chip model, H20 GPU chips, which are specially modified for the Chinese market.

Future meetings between Trump and Xi

The two world leaders have made plans for reciprocal visits with one another.

Trump is set to travel to China in April and Xi will be visiting the U.S. later this year, per Fox News.
The high-stakes summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, took place in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday and lasted 100 minutes. It marked their first in-person meeting since Trump returned to the White House for his second presidential term, having last met in 2019.

The two exchanged cordial greetings and praised each other.

Trump called Xi his "friend", describing Xi as a "very distinguished and respected president" and "a great leader of a great country". Trump said he expected they would "have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time".

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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.

Xi, during his opening remarks, spoke of a "warm" feeling upon seeing Trump again.

After the talks ended, Trump whispered something to Xi before escorting the Chinese leader to his car.

In his opening remarks, Xi struck a conciliatory tone as he described ties between China and the US.

He framed the two powers as "partners and friends" capable of helping "each other succeed and prosper together".

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Xi told Trump that "China's development goes hand in hand with your vision to make America great again".

However, Xi rebutted Trump's assertion that China was not involved in establishing peace between Cambodia and Thailand. Xi told Trump that China had been helping the two Southeast Asian neighbours settle their border dispute "in our own way".

Still, Xi stated that he appreciated Trump's "great contribution to the recent conclusion of the Gaza ceasefire agreement".

The meeting appeared to yield a number of outcomes.

After the talks, Trump said the US would reduce its fentanyl-related tariffs on China by 10 percentage points with immediate effect and expected to see a trade deal with China "pretty soon".

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Separately, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced that Washington would postpone its Section 301 investigation of Chinese shipbuilding, begun last year over accusations that Beijing had engaged in unfair commercial practices.

In addition, Trump said the two countries agreed he would visit China in April and that Xi would make a trip to the US at "some time".

Trump rated his meeting with Xi a 12 out of 10, saying China would start buying "very large quantities" of American soybeans and that the roadblock of China's rare earth export controls "is gone now".

Trump said the two sides discussed Ukraine and semiconductors but not Blackwell chips, which are considered the best AI chips of the American tech company Nvidia.

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Notably, the US leader said Taiwan "never came up" - an issue that was widely considered a top agenda item for Beijing and not mentioned in its official statement of the meeting.

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.
As a mom and a legislator, Im worried.

My son was born with disabilities. Like so many parents, Ive spent years navigating the special education system sitting in IEP meetings, advocating for supports and celebrating milestones others might take for granted. Ive seen how much our children depend on strong laws and systems to get the education they deserve.

For 50 years, the United States has led the world in disability rights. Weve proven that every child has the right to learn, to be included and to reach their potential no matter their disability. But today, that progress is in danger.

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Recently, the U.S. Department of Education announced mass firings that would eliminate much of the staff overseeing special education and disability programs. Although a federal judge has temporarily paused the layoffs, the uncertainty alone shakes the foundation families like mine rely on.

This isnt just about cutting jobs. Its about dismantling the very offices that make sure students with disabilities receive the services they are legally entitled. Offices like the Office of Special Education Programs, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and the Office for Civil Rights. These arent faceless bureaucracies. They are the people who make sure schools follow the law, who help states solve problems, and who investigate when children are denied their rights.

The timing could not be worse for Oklahoma. Our state ranks 50th in the nation for public education. Schools are already struggling with limited resources, and educators are stretched to the breaking point. When federal offices lose staff, Oklahoma schools have nowhere to turn for guidance. Complaints pile up with no one to investigate them, and parents are left to fight their battles alone. Some say these responsibilities should be the states, but we dont have the staffing or leadership to help families now. It would take years to build up enough protections for kids.

More than 120,000 Oklahoma students, and millions across the country, depend on protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. These laws arent just words on paper. Theyre lifelines. They ensure students get speech therapy, accessibility tools, and transition services that prepare them for life after graduation.

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More: Could Oklahoma increase special education support as feds consider massive cuts?

Before IDEA became law 50 years ago, schools could legally turn children with disabilities away. Many were placed in separate classrooms where no one expected them to learn or belong. IDEA changed that. It gave every child the right to be taught, to be seen, and to be included.

More than 20 years ago, my son began his journey in SoonerStart, Oklahomas early intervention program. It taught our family about his rights and how to advocate for his education. When he transitioned to public school at age 3, we knew that his IEP was his voice empowering him to express what he needed to succeed.

Because of these protections, my son graduated ready to build an independent life. Today, hes thriving in his community and participating in a job training program that helps him reach his goals without relying solely on benefits.

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These laws arent just about fairness theyre about building Oklahomas future workforce. When students with disabilities receive early support and meaningful education, they grow into capable adults who contribute to their communities. As our state faces workforce shortages, we cannot afford to waste this talent.

Fifty years ago, our nation made a promise that disability would never again be a barrier to learning. That promise gave my son and millions of others a fair chance. We cannot let that promise fade.

The administration must act quickly to restore these programs. Congress should not only protect them for the future but ensure the Department of Educations disability offices have the stability and staffing to continue their vital work.

Oklahomas students and students everywhere deserve nothing less.

State Rep. Ellyn Hefner

Rep. Ellyn Hefner represents House District 87 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and is a longtime disability advocate and mother to a son with disabilities.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Disability program layoffs leave families nowhere to turn | Opinion
(WHTM)  Officials unveiled more about what a giant new pot of money is going to do for Midstate children.

Penn State leaders provided new details about whats now Penn State Golisano Childrens Hospital after a $50 million gift.

When asked for an example of something new that the gift will pay for, leaders said it is going toward programs and services

Were already working on some expanded autism programs, but we also want to work on general behavioral health, developmental pediatrics, services for the whole family, for children in crisis, adolescents in crisis, Pediatrician-in-Chief Sarah Iriana said.

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The childrens hospitals new name is for Tom Golisano, a billionaire philanthropist in Florida, who created a new alliance of ten childrens hospitals.

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.
Federal SNAP benefits face immediate disruption as the government shutdown threatens November payments for approximately 22 million U.S. households. The USDA announced that SNAP benefits will not be paid if the shutdown continues, leaving millions of Americans uncertain about food assistance.

Find Out: 4 Moves To Make if You Cant Pay All Your Bills this Month

Read Next: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires  and How You Can, Too

This shutdown crisis is separate from the $186 billion in SNAP cuts through 2034 enacted in President Donald Trumps tax bill signed in July, which will impose work requirements, shift costs to states and restrict eligibility starting in 2027. The current emergency involves whether benefits will be paid at all this coming month.

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Six states are taking emergency action to protect residents from losing benefits during the shutdown.

California: $80 Million Plus National Guard Deployment

California is fast-tracking up to $80 million in state funds to support food banks and offset delayed federal SNAP benefits. Gov. Gavin Newsom deployed the California National Guard and California Volunteers to assist with food distribution efforts.

The state also filed a lawsuit against the federal administration over withholding SNAP benefits. California SNAP recipients should see increased support through food banks even if federal assistance remains delayed.

Be Aware: 8 Smart Ways Frugal People Are Living Like Theres Already a Recession

New York: $30 Million Emergency Funding

New York announced $30 million in emergency food assistance funds representing over 16 million meals in anticipation of federal benefit disruption.

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Gov. Kathy Hochuls emergency funding provides state-level backup for SNAP recipients facing federal benefit interruptions.

Louisiana: $150 Million for 800,000 Recipients

Louisiana lawmakers authorized $150 million in state funding, allowing most of the states approximately 800,000 SNAP recipients to receive their full monthly benefit amount despite federal funding issues.

Louisiana represents one of the most aggressive state responses, ensuring benefit continuity through direct state funding rather than just food bank support.

New Mexico: $30 Million via EBT Cards

New Mexico committed $30 million in emergency food assistance delivered via EBT cards to backfill SNAP benefits, in addition to previous funding for food banks.

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The state is stepping in with direct funds to reduce disruption for SNAP households rather than relying solely on food bank distribution.

Virginia: State-Funded Benefit Continuation

Virginias governor announced SNAP benefits will continue via state funding despite the federal shortfall. The state is actively ensuring benefit continuity at the state level for all recipients.

Minnesota: $4 Million to Food Banks

Minnesotas governor announced use of contingency funds adding $4 million to food banks in anticipation of SNAP disruptions. While smaller in scale than other states, Minnesota acknowledged the support will not make up and back-fill everything.

Important Limitations

These state actions dont guarantee full replacement of federal benefits. Many states describe their funds as bridges, not complete backfills of federal assistance.

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The USDA indicated that states covering benefits with their own funds may not be reimbursed by the federal government. This creates financial pressure on state budgets that may limit how long supplemental funding can continue.

These are emergency responses to the immediate Nov. 1 deadline. Support may be temporary unless federal funding is restored.

What SNAP Recipients Should Do

Check your states human services or social services website for announcements about supplemented funding or emergency food bank support.

Verify whether your normal SNAP benefit amount will be paid in full, partially substituted or replaced by food bank access. Many states are offering food bank support rather than full cash benefit replacement.

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Food banks and emergency distribution networks may become more critical as states boost support to nonprofits rather than direct benefit payments.

Monitor federal developments. If the shutdown ends and federal funding restores, benefits should return to normal. If not, states may continue or expand emergency efforts.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: These 6 States Are Stepping In To Help SNAP Recipients  Is Yours One of Them?
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Teachers and principals at the 42 public schools in Sioux Falls are working hard to educate our children, but they cant always do it alone. Thats where organizations, civic groups and churches come in. All are supporting programs in our schools to help kids succeed.

One of the most successful ways may very well be one of the newest, and it all started six years ago.

South Dakota wont help to fill SNAP loss on Nov. 1

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Steve Hildebrand grew up in Mitchell as the youngest of nine children. After college, Hildebrand built a career as a political strategist and, in 2008, was Barack Obamas deputy national campaign manager.

He left politics, moved to Sioux Falls, and opened a restaurant. In 2019, he heard shocking statistics about kids living in poverty. The rate had risen to 48 percent in the Sioux Falls School District.

I just kind of wondered why doesnt somebody do something about this, Hildebrand said.

The Promising Futures Fund was founded six years ago this month.

We started talking to principals and asking how we could support their schools, and thats how we got started, Hildebrand said.

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Promising Futures began at Lowell Elementary and now operates programs in 21 schools.

In the Book-a-Month Program, grade schoolers pick nine books a year that they get to keep. So far, kids have taken home more than 51,000 books.

The foundation also supports teachers and addresses basic needs and wants for the kids. Every Christmas they make sure kids get something special, we were there as some Hawthorne Elementary students opened their presents. They provide field trips and experiences for kids, from a day at the Zoo to packing the Washington Pavilion with first- and second-graders for a performance of Winnie the Pooh.

As part of the effort to broaden horizons, Promising Futures arranges visits for 8th graders to college campuses and technical schools. The goal: let students see themselves on a college campus.

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For high schoolers, there is the College and Career Access Partnership that is changing lives.

This is a nerve-wracking piece for me because it is a very expensive program. But weve hired our first four advisors who are working full-time at Jefferson High School, and they are helping kids navigate their path to the future. Its helping kids with college access, technical school access, careers in the military, Hildebrand said.

Sioux Falls School District Superintendent Jamie Nold says that the process is going to let students see what their future could hold.

Whether somebodys future is to go to college or if it is to go to technical school, military, or straight into the workforce, its great for them. We just dont want anybody to miss what they could potentially have as a career option because they didnt know, Nold said.

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If they can raise enough money, Hildebrand hopes to expand the program to all four public high schools in the city. With some humility, Hildebrand will tell you Promising Futures is not just his foundation,

All of the ideas that we have funded have come from the principals or their teachers and staff in their schools. Im not an educator, I dont pretend to know, I have some capacity to raise money in my community, and so thats my role, so if a principal tells me this is one of their needs, Im not there to challenge them, Im there to support them, and thats how we function, said Hildebrand.

According to Hildebrand, Promising Futures would not be doing the good work it is doing without the support of generous people.

Its far beyond what I ever expected. I thought we would have this cute little foundation and do some good things. And you know, supporting 21 schools is a big lift, but the community has risen to the occasion, Hildebrand said.

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The name Promising Futures says it all. It is all about exposing kids who may have challenges through no fault of their own to the many possibilities available to them.

For the first time, Promising Futures is expanding outside of Sioux Falls. The non-profit will begin programs in 3 Rapid City schools next school year.

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6abc President and General Manager Bernie Prazenica was honored Thursday morning at Philadelphia City Hall.

Action News was there as Councilman Curtis Jones presented a resolution recognizing Prazenica ahead of his retirement after 17 years at 6abc.

Jones noted Prazenica's strong leadership at 6abc, along with helping to make the 6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade a beloved Philadelphia tradition.
(The Center Square)  A targeted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement action in a Houston suburb led to a seven-hour standoff, a crowd erupting in protest, and three men eventually being arrested.

ICE officers arrested three illegal foreign nationals in Pasadena, a suburb south of Houston, including Oscar Daniel Barron Hernandez, 28, who previously illegally entered the U.S. three times, ICE said. ICE was performing a targeted enforcement operation and eventually arrested Hernandez, his brother-in-law and a coworker.

Their arrests were not without incident.

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On Monday morning, news crews from several local television stations captured on video a crowd of residents screaming obscenities at ICE officers during what would become a seven-hour standoff.

The three illegal foreign nationals had left the neighborhood near West Houston Avenue and Dade Street about 5 a.m. to go to work until they realized they were being followed by ICE officers. They were ordered to stop, ignored the directive and bailed out of their vehicle. Running on foot, they reached Hernandezs residence, where they barricaded themselves inside, according to law enforcement officials.

The suspect brazenly defied lawful commands to stop the vehicle and fled from the scene endangering the local community, the officers, his two passengers, and himself, ICE said in a statement.

The Pasadena Police Department confirmed the Department of Homeland Security was conducting operations in the city. Police officers have only been providing assistance, including closing off perimeters and maintaining traffic and crowd control, it said.

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Residents claimed ICE officers damaged personal property, cut off power to the residence, threatened to use tear gas, among other claims.

ICE refuted the claims, stating federal agents didnt damage the home and all three men eventually surrendered peacefully.

ICE described the standoff as tense but controlled and officers attempted to de-escalate a situation that could have turned violent.

We are proud of our ICE law enforcement who handled themselves with the utmost professionalism as they were taunted and called names for simply enforcing our nations laws, ICE told KHOU-11 News

Margarita Barron, Hernandezs wife, told KPRC News 2 her husband and brother-in-law were both in the country illegally. Her four children, between the ages of six months and 12 years old, were inside the home when Hernandez and the other men barricaded themselves inside, potentially endangering them.

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ICE has confirmed that all three men who were arrested and remain in ICE custody were identified as part of a larger enforcement operation in the city. ICE officers have been prioritizing violent offenders, previously deported illegal foreign nationals and repeat offenders as a larger enforcement operation under the Turmp administration.

ICE-Houston officers continue to arrest violent offenders in Texas largest city. Recent arrests include more than 350 gang members who illegally entered the U.S. 1,400 times who have a combined nearly 1,700 criminal convictions, The Center Square reported.
NEED TO KNOW

A 7-month-old baby is among multiple people injured after piranhas attacked swimmers at a resort along the Amazon River in Brazil, according to reports

The incident reportedly happened on Sunday, Oct. 26

Footage shared by video website Viral Press, via the Associated Press, showed families and children rushing out of the water

Multiple people have been injured after being bitten by piranhas while swimming at a resort along the Amazon River in Brazil, according to reports.

On Sunday, Oct. 26, swimmers were in the water at Miriti Beach in Manacapuru when the freshwater fish attacked, according to Brazilian outlet G1.

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Among the victims was a 7-month-old baby, who had part of one of his toes ripped off, the publication stated, per a translated article.

Footage shared by video website Viral Press, via the Associated Press, showed families and children rushing out of the water, as others went to help.

Viral Press Multiple swimmers were injured in the attack Multiple swimmers were injured in the attack

In another clip, a firefighter could be seen helping a victim whose hand was bleeding heavily, the Associated Press reported.

The Amazonas Fire Department confirmed the bites occurred throughout the day, per G1.

Local sergeant Smithcley said of the injured baby, "The child was attacked in the morning. Firefighters on duty provided first aid to the parents, but the parents decided to take the baby to a hospital on their own," according to the outlet.

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"In the afternoon, our teams provided further care and dressings, as well as providing guidance to beachgoers present at the scene," Smithcley added.

Swimmers were advised to avoid the more remote areas of the beach, where the attacks were more intense, G1 noted.

The Manacapuru city council has since urged swimmers to stay away from the area until the fish  which are native to the Amazon Basin  disperse, Viral Press reported, per the AP.

Viral Press The incident happened at a resort along the Amazon River in Brazil The incident happened at a resort along the Amazon River in Brazil

G1 reported that fishermen in the area suggested the piranhas' behavior may be linked to breeding season, which is common during the low-water period.

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The animals head closer to the banks to spawn, and make sure to defend their nests, the outlet stated. Bits of food in the water can also attract the fish.

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.

Biologist and aquatic ecology expert Edinbergh Caldas Oliveira said the behavior is common when piranhas are defending their nests, per the outlet.

Oliveira said, "The fish act defensively and usually deliver a single warning bite to drive away intruders rather than launching sustained attacks. Such incidents are accidents caused by human interference with natural habitats," according to Viral Press, per the AP.



Read the original article on People
Seven students were hospitalized after a science experiment Thursday at a CPS elementary school on the city's Northwest Side, sources said.

The incident happened at Jose de Diego Community Academy on North Claremont Avenue in West Town.

At least seven children were taken from the school to hospitals in good condition, sources said. They were involved in a science experiment.

Chopper 7 was over the scene, where there appeared to be a hazmat response at the school.

ABC7 has reached out to Chicago Public Schools for more information.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Five more individuals have been arrested in connection with the infamous Louvre heist, where more than $100 million worth of historic French jewelry was stolen earlier this month.

The new arrests bring the total in custody to seven, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau told French radio RTL News, though none of the loot has been recovered.

One of them was one of the targets of the investigators since we had DNA traces concerning him which, from our point of view, links him to the theft that was committed, Beccuau said. Two other arrests were made last Saturday, and she added that those suspects partially confessed to the facts and had been involved in the burglary.

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She also confirmed that authorities are sure one of the five individuals arrested on Wednesday night was one of the four robbers who broke into the Apollo Gallery, where some of the countrys most prized Napoleonic-era jewels and other royal artifacts are displayed.

Meaning three of the four robbers are believed to be in custody.

The masked thieves, disguised as construction workers, used a basket lift to reach the gallery windows, then an angle grinder to break through, and reportedly a disc cutter to get the jewels in their casings  all in just seven minutes. The suspects then fled on motorcycles.

The two previously apprehended are men, both in their 30s, from Aubervilliers, a suburb north of Paris, according to The Associated Press. One was captured at Charles de Gaulle Airport, where he had a one-way ticket to Algeria. His DNA matched that of the DNA found on one of the getaway vehicles.

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Investigators are still examining whether an insider at the Louvre might have been involved in the robbery.

Eight of the nine items that seemed to be targeted remain unaccounted for. The crown of Empress Eugenie, Napoleon IIIs wife, was found damaged at the scene.

The following loot is still missing, per The Ministry of Culture:
Does giving someone who is homeless $750 a month help them get back on their feet enough to secure stable housing?

Researchers at USC attempted to answer that question and came up with a less than firm conclusion: Maybe.

According to the yearlong study published this month, of the unhoused people who received the cash stipend, 48% exited homelessness, compared with 43% in a control group of homeless individuals who did not receive money.

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Although those who received $750 a month were more likely to become permanently housed, the difference wasn't large enough to be statistically significant and to say definitively that the cash was the reason for improved outcomes, said Benjamin Henwood, director of USC's Center for Homelessness, Housing and Health Equity Research.

At the same time, the study found participants used the money to bring more stability to their lives and overwhelmingly spent the cash on essentials such as food, transportation and clothing  not drugs and alcohol.

"These findings highlight the strengths and limitations of cash transfers," the authors wrote in a report.

Henwood put it like this: "It wasn't like, 'Here is the money  boom, everything is better.' But we did see that it shifted people's trajectories."

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The study was a partnership between USC's Center for Homelessness, Housing and Health Equity Research and Miracle Messages, a nonprofit that distributed the money.

In late 2020, Miracle Messages launched a pilot program in the San Francisco Bay Area and found that six out of nine homeless people it gave $500 a month to were able to secure stable housing.

To test those findings at a larger scale, the nonprofit teamed up with USC researchers and distributed, via debit cards, $750 a month for a year to 103 homeless individuals in San Francisco, Oakland and L.A. County.

Participants were able to spend the money as they chose. About 5% of the money was spent on so-called temptation goods  3.4% on cigarettes, 1% on alcohol and 0.7% on drugs, according to researchers who surveyed participants and analyzed debit card purchases and withdrawals.

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There was also no reported increase in the level of drug and alcohol use among those receiving the money.

Most of the cash went toward food, followed by housing, "other" spending, transportation and clothing.

Researchers said items in the "other" category included things such as paying for storage, reducing debt and helping family.

Though $750 a month, in nearly all cases, isn't enough to rent an unsubsidized apartment in Southern California, Henwood said that for some participants it made life easier and gave them time to find a subsidized place.

In one instance, Henwood said that a homeless woman secured a federal housing voucher that pays most of the rent to private landlords. She thinks the landlord was more willing to rent to her because they could see at least some money in her bank account.

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The findings differ somewhat from preliminary results released after six months of study.

Then, Henwood and other researchers similarly found the vast majority of funds went toward essentials, but they also found people who received money were far more likely to move from living on the streets to some form of shelter, which would include interim housing sites.

After a full year, not only was the change from homelessness to permanent housing not statistically significant, but so was the shift from unsheltered to sheltered.

Henwood said more studies with larger sample sizes could help answer just how impactful cash payments are in reducing homelessness.

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Given the results, authors recommended future cash-support programs be paired with targeted help to find housing. And they said policymakers might also want to look at programs that provide more money  and do so for longer, given that the study found very little of the cash was spent on drugs and alcohol.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A motorcyclist was killed in a crash Wednesday evening at the intersection of West County House Road and Route 98 in the Town of Albion, according to the Orleans County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies said a vehicle was traveling north on Route 98 when a motorcycle heading west on East County House Road failed to stop at a stop sign and entered the path of the northbound vehicle.

The impact caused both vehicles to leave the roadway, coming to rest on the lawn of a home on the northwest corner of the intersection. The motorcyclist was ejected from the bike.

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Emergency crews administered life-saving measures, but the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim has been identified as 78-year-old Paul Fulcomer of Albion.

The crash remains under investigation by the Orleans County Sheriffs Office, with assistance from the New York State Police Crash Reconstruction Unit.

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.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A 78-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a crash in Orleans County on Wednesday afternoon, the Orleans County Sheriffs Office said Thursday.

Police responded to the intersection of West County House Road and State Route 98, in the Town of Albion, where it was found that the motorcycle failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with another vehicle.

The motorcyclist was identified as Paul Fulcomer of Albion.

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The crash is still under investigation.

Latest Local News

Aidan Joly was named News 4s Digital Executive Producer in 2025. He has been on staff since 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work 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 News 4 Buffalo.
ST. LOUIS  Officials approved a new $78,000 contract earlier this week to secure St. Louis long-vacant Railway Exchange building as questions remain over the propertys future.

On Tuesday, the citys Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority board approved a new contract with Door and Window Guard Systems to provide equipment and services to board up more windows at the Railway Exchange building.

Door and Window Guard Systems currently provides these services at the building, so the new contract essentially renews and expands work to further secure the property with metal boards.

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Criminal charge dropped for ex-dean who says college retaliated after she spoke out

The St. Louis Development Corporation, which staffs LCRA and has acquired nearby parcels, tells FOX 2 as of Thursday that there are no updates on potential long-term redevelopment plans.

The Railway Exchange building has stood in the 600 block of Locust Street for more than century in Downtown St. Louis, covering 1.2 million square feet and consisting of 21 stories. The building was once a hot hub of retail activity and the St. Louis shopping scene.

NOTE: Video attached to this story is from FOX 2s December 2024 report of the Railway Exchange building.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Another emotional day of the preliminary hearing in the case of Genesis Mata with a homicide detective and lead investigator weeping as he testified about abuse inflicted on Genesis and her brother.

Their accused abusers, 31-year-old Ray Mata and 28-year-old Graciela Bustamonte looked on as all of the evidence was presented.

He advised he boiled water in the microwave and slammed her hands, said Steven Glenn, the homicide detective. He began crying, and court took a short recess.

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Timeline: The last days of Genesis Mata

Officers found Genesis body covered in injuries in a bathtub at the La Quinta Inn off Buck Owens Boulevard on Aug. 2.

During day one of the hearing, forensic psychologist Charnikarn Lopez said there were injuries all over her body. So many that Lopez could not determine any one injury as being the cause of Genesis death.

Preliminary hearing begins in Genesis Mata case

They also are accused of abusing her 11-year-old brother, a boy identified in court as J. Doe.

The final day of the preliminary hearing started with Bakersfield Police detective Charles Jordan, revealing results of the sexual assault test done on Genesis and her brother. He said the nurse who conducted the exam concluded there was chronic physical abuse and acute sexual assault to Genesis.

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Homicide Detective Steven Glenn testified he examined multiple text messages between Bustamonte and a contact named My Hubby, who authorities believe is Mata. In one text thread on July 26th, Bustamonte says she called BPD and they said to leave Genesis with them.

Hubby, who is believed to be Mata agrees, but tells Bustamonte to let her heal up first.

Messages continue, Ms. Bustamonte: No. Monday she can go. I let her know we whoop her everyday,' read prosecutor Leanne Wilder.

There were also various messages about a possible CPS visit to the La Quinta Inn, and Hubby, who is believed to be Mata texts Bustamonte to tell J. Doe, Genesis brother to put a ski mask on to hide his injuries.

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He places himself and defendant Bustamonte places herself in that room together, burning, abusing, whipping, smashing fingers, all of that behavior is done, said Wilder.

Judge John Brownlee found there was enough evidence to go forward on all counts to trial.

Bustamonte and Mata are due back in court November 10th. If convicted, the couple is eligible for the death penalty.

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.
Channel 9 is investigating a disturbing trend in the Carolinas and nationwide: crossing guards who are hired to protect kids are being hit by cars while on the job.

Theres no national database for these incidents, but 9 Investigates teamed with our sister stations in seven states and the Associated Press to look into the incidents. We discovered that in the past 10 years, more than 225 crossing guards have been injured or killed.

Channel 9s South Carolina Reporter Tina Terry covered some of the cases in our area and has talked to people pushing for change. Local and state leaders say theyre working to enhance safety for crossing guards after one of them was hit while directing traffic near Catawba Ridge High School.

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In the moment, its kind of frightening and its distracting, said Adrian Ballard, a traffic controller in Clover, South Carolina.

Ballard explained what its like to get bumped by a car as a school crossing guard. He says a bump is minor compared to other possibilities.

While Ballard does walk some kids across the street, his primary duty as a traffic controller is to safely direct hundreds of cars in and out of busy Clover schools.

You would not believe the amount of people coming through the school zone on their phone, eating, doing makeup. Ive seen people with full-blown laptops riding down the street typing, Ballard told Terry. People speed; weve had drunk drivers come through and get caught in the school lines.

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Hes never taken a hard hit, but many others have. Across North Carolina, at least four crossing guards have been hit on duty since 2015. In South Carolina, there have been at least nine crashes involving crossing guards since 2018; two of them were deadly.

Our investigation with our sister stations and the AP found records in 180 cases nationwide. More than 70% of the drivers who hit crossing guards received only traffic tickets, or no charges at all.

By the numbers:

47 faced criminal charges

84 got traffic citations

49 got away with no penalty, including five hit-and-run drivers who were never caught

In our communities

The examples include Kershaw County Deputy Chelsea Cockrell, who was directing traffic at an elementary school in 2019 when a driver crashed into her. She spent a short stay in the hospital. But Fort Mill crossing guard Leslie Richardson is still recovering after a car hit her a year ago this month.

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Richardson was directing traffic outside of Catawba Ridge High School when she was hit. Her attorney says shes still out of work.

Its been difficult, but shes not a victim. Shes a survivor, and shes been fighting to get back to where she was before, said Kyle White, Richardsons attorney.

Another Fort Mill crossing guard, Stanley Brucker, died on the job. Family members say he loved serving his community.

RELATED >> Crossing guard dies after being hit by car outside Fort Mill school, police say

In March of 2024, he was directing traffic outside of Fort Mill Elementary School. Surveillance video shows Brucker in the yellow median on Springfield Parkway looking north. Soon, he raises the red stop sign and steps into the northbound lane. At this point, hes looking south, directing traffic. A car going north hit Brucker, and he later died. The driver was never charged with a crime.

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An attorney for some of Bruckers family members told us why theyre now suing Fort Mill Schools.

The Brucker family didnt understand why their father was being asked to stand in the middle of a busy road and direct traffic when hes supposed to be helping school children cross to and from bus stops, said Rutledge Young, an attorney for the Brucker family.

In Fort Mill alone, there have been four crashes involving crossing guards since 2018. All of those guards were directing traffic at the time.

Our investigation uncovered an opinion from South Carolinas Attorney General issued in 2014 that says crossing guards do not have the authority to direct or control traffic on public roadways near a school for the purpose of reducing traffic congestion, and thus should not be used for such purposes.

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Young says the school district was careless.

This is the type of situation that should never have been allowed to occur, he told Channel 9.

The lawsuit says Fort Mill School District was negligent, reckless, and knew, or should have known [the area] was unsafe, unreasonably dangerous, and not an appropriate location for a school crossing guard to be located.

SEE MORE >> Fort Mill schools install traffic signals due to crossing guard shortage

We asked Fort Mill Schools why Brucker and other guards were allowed to direct traffic in front of schools.

They said they cant comment because of the pending litigation. But in their answer to the lawsuit, the district made a distinction between a crossing guard and a traffic guard. They said Brucker was hired by the company Cross Safe as a traffic guard.

Path to a solution?

State Rep. Dustin Martin is in his first term as a state lawmaker representing Fort Mills District 26. He told Terry he was born and raised in Fort Mill and went to these schools.

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They were standing in the middle of the road, directing traffic, often in a highway, does that need to stop in the state? Terry asked him.

I dont know if that needs to stop at every single intersection. I think in 2025, there are alternatives to having somebody standing out there holding up a sign and waving it, Martin said.

Martin is on a new committee created to improve efficiency at the states transportation department. He says improved technology could eliminate the need for crossing guards to direct traffic. He also wants to give towns and school districts more authority to make safety changes, like lowering speed limits.

They should have resources and the power to be able to do that instead of going through the government, Martin said.

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In the meantime, guards like Ballard will continue directing traffic. The Clover School District says its necessary for student safety and traffic control. Despite the risk, Adrian Ballard agrees.

I believe were necessary, were important, we make a difference, Ballard said. They couldnt operate without us or a solution like us.

ALSO READ >> Crossing guard puts himself between children and aggressive driver

The third-party company that once provided crossing guards to Fort Mill schools was purchased by another company this year. The new company quickly announced it will no longer allow guards to direct traffic.

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Instead, the district has hired police officers to do that at a cost of $100 an hour.

Richardsons attorney says she plans to take legal action soon over the crash that hurt her last October.

The Department of Transportation committee plans to hold public hearings in Columbia, Sumter, and Charleston in the coming weeks. Theyll consider the input, then file a bill in January. Well let you know when specific dates are scheduled.

(VIDEO: 9 Investigates: Hamlet city manager calls for investigation into $375k granted to local speedway)
A Rowan County woman says her doctor referred her to the Piedmont HealthCare Rheumotology clinic in Mooresville but she never made it out of the lobby.

I really have never heard of such a thing, she said.

She says she never received care because the receptionist wouldnt let her see a doctor due to unpaid bills. She said she has been seen at Piedmont HealthCare regularly and was never told about an outstanding balance until the spring visit.

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Social Security recipients get a 2.8% cost-of-living boost in 2026, average of $56 per month

I was embarrassed because there were patients sitting there and they were saying you cant see the doctor, she said.

After she was turned away, she went over here to the admin building in Statesville and asked what happened. They told her she owed a little more than $2,000 dating back to 2001.

Piedmont HealthCare would not comment specifically on her case but said in a statement they are allowed to do this.

Private physician practices have the right to ask for payment of the patients responsibility for current charges and/or outstanding past due balances before scheduling additional care, said Riley Antonek, spokesperson for Piedmont HealthCare.

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Dr. Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute, says this poses an interesting ethical question. His Boston-based think tank focuses on healthcare and affordability.

He says private physician practices, including Piedmont Healthcare, are small businesses and essentially for profit enterprises. But he says just because they can do this doesnt mean it is right.

You really would like to see in healthcare relationship based arrangements more than transactional arrangements, he said. So if somebodys been your patient and theyve been coming for a while and they cant afford it, youd expect, youd want, and I think, whether its legal or not, from an ethical point of view, youd want to work something out.

No one tracks how often something like this happens but medical debt is common. The Kaiser Family Foundation found in 2024 that more than 1 million North Carolinians reported medical debt. Thats 13.4% of adults. In South Carolina, the number is slightly lower with 460,000 reporting medical debt. Thats 11.7% of adults in South Carolina.

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Physician practices, especially independent ones, have to be aware of the bottom line, Dr. Saini said. I think at the end of the day, there is a question, if youre making money and youre making a living, you know, how much is enough? At what point would you be willing to say, listen, we can cut you a break.

This patient is contesting and questioning Piedmont HealthCare over her situation. She was able to be referred to a different doctor and is now receiving care

I mean, I took it personally, she said.

But she hopes the next patient wont have to experience what she did.

VIDEO: Nonprofit provides free mental health care to uninsured residents in Central Carolinas




Nine men face federal charges of racketeering conspiracy in connection with a flurry of crimes they are accused of carrying out on behalf of two Oakland-based street gangs, prosecutors said Wednesday.

The crimes include two homicides as well as attempted killings, drug sales and gun trafficking, federal prosecutors said.

Six of the nine defendants were arrested in a sweep Wednesday. Two others were already in custody. The final defendant, Gonzalo Pablo, was not in custody, prosecutors said.

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The indictment, filed Oct. 9 and unsealed Wednesday, also charges Marvin Bonilla, Edwin Cano-Merida, Cesar Lucas-Pablo, Walfer Mendoza-Mendoza, Jeronimo Pablo-Carrillo, Mario Pablo-Matias, Raymundo Pablo-Matias and Carlos Ramiro-Mendoza in connection with the sweeping case.

Prosecutors allege the men were members of two Oakland-based Surenos street gangs, subsets of the larger Surenos street gang. The smaller groups committed violent crimes, including killings, robberies and assaults, to maintain its power and protect territory in and around Oakland, according to prosecutors.

The crimes include an instance in which a defendant allegedly tried to kill a perceived rival gang associate with a bat in November 2018.

In January 2019, some of the defendants allegedly fatally shot a perceived rival gang associate as he sat in his car outside a party on the southern end of the Embarcadero in Oakland. Two weeks later, the defendants allegedly killed another supposed rival gang associate at another party on 22nd Avenue in Oakland.

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In May 2021, during a vigil in Livermore for a Surenos associate, three of the defendants tried to kill someone they thought was another rival gang associate when they fired at a car.

It was unclear whether the victims, who were not identified in court records, were in fact associated with rival gangs. As part of the gang violence in general, victims were sometimes mistaken for rival gang members, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors also allege the group purchased and sold guns, ammunition and drugs for the gang from 2021 to 2024.

"Like people everywhere, the residents of Oakland deserve safe and peaceful neighborhoods, not ones filled with fear and senseless violence," U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian said in a statement.

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The investigation involved the Oakland Police Department and the FBI.

"The alleged criminal activity of these gang members has plagued Oakland's neighborhoods and put innocent residents at risk," said FBI acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Cobo.

Four of the defendants could face life in prison if convicted. The rest could face up to 20 years in prison.

This article originally published at 9 charged in spate of gang violence that included two Oakland homicides.
A 9-year-old girl's killer has been identified more than 60 years after she was raped and murdered in a Pennsylvania church, authorities announced.

On Oct. 22, 1962, Carol Ann Dougherty was on her way to the library when she was raped and strangled at St. Marks Roman Catholic Church in Bristol, the Bucks County District Attorney's office said.

"We believe it may be the only rape and murder of a little girl in a church in the United States," Bucks County DA Jennifer Schorn said at a news conference.

Bucks County District Attorney's office - PHOTO: An undated photo of 9-year-old murder victim Carol Ann Dougherty.

A grand jury investigation has now identified Carol Ann's killer as William Schrader, who Schorn described as an "absolute predator." Although Schrader died in 2002, he's now "definitively linked" to the murder "through the combination of decades-old evidence and recent investigative developments, the DA's office announced in a statement on Wednesday.

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In 1962, a witness reported seeing Schrader -- who lived near the church -- outside the church around the time of the murder, and police initially questioned him, the DA's office said. Schrader failed a polygraph test and investigators determined he lied about his alibi, authorities said. After Schrader realized he was a suspect, he left Pennsylvania and moved to the South, Schorn said.

MORE: Sean 'Diddy' Combs seeks expedited appeal

Schrader's life was marked by a pattern of violence and sexual violence, particularly against young, pre-pubescent, and adolescent females, the DA's office said in a statement. Investigators determined he sexually abused nearly every female child he lived with or had access to, prosecutors said.

A pubic hair collected from Schrader at the start of the investigation was tested in the 1990s, and it showed "significant similarities" to hair found in Carol Anns hand, officials said. There were 141 pubic hair samples tested during the decadeslong investigation, and all other individuals were eliminated, officials added.

Bucks County District Attorney's office - PHOTO: A 1962 mugshot of William Schrader.

A breakthrough in the case came last year when investigators interviewed Schraders stepson, who said Schrader confessed to him on two separate occasions that he murdered a little girl in a Pennsylvania church, the DAs office said. Schrader allegedly told his stepson he lured Carol Ann inside, raped her and had to kill the girl in Bristol to keep her from talking, the DAs office said.

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Carol Anns murder "changed my familys life forever," her sister, Kay Dougherty, said at Wednesdays news conference.

"Our family lived without answers and the uncertainty surrounding Carol's death became a part of who we were," she said through tears. "My parents both passed away without knowing on this earth who murdered their daughter. ... After so many decades of unknowing, this finding finally brings closure and a truth to a wound that never healed."
Aambe Corporation subsidiary Aambe Health has chosen NextGen Healthcare as its technology partner to enhance the development of clinics, pharmacies and workforce wellness programmes, within Native American communities across the US.

The collaboration seeks to enhance tribal healthcare solutions, with Aambe Health partnering with Tribal Nations to improve infrastructure and establish new facilities.

It aims to expand access to advanced health technology, enhance operational performance, and promote interoperability.

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The NextGen Enterprise electronic health record (EHR) and Enterprise practice management (PM) platforms will assist Aambe Health in optimising daily operations and enhancing reporting capabilities.

The innovations within the NextGen Closed Loop Experience suite will enhance interactions between patients and providers while Virtual Visits will increase accessibility to healthcare for tribal communities by facilitating virtual appointments.

NextGen Healthcare president and CEO Srinivas Velamoor said: As our friends at Aambe Health have taught us, Aambe means 'Let's go!' in the indigenous language of Ojibwemowin.

We share their enthusiasm for advancing native care and understand the importance of culturally aligned care that protects tribal sovereignty.

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Aambe Corporation founder and CEO Ron Spoerl said: By partnering with NextGen Healthcare, we are ensuring that healthcare solutions for Tribal Nations not only meet the highest standards of care but also protect what matters mostour sovereignty, our data, our people, and our future. This is about building stronger clinics, stronger Nations, and preparing for the next seven generations.

Aambe Corporation offers consulting, business services, and economic development support for Native American communities.

In August 2025, Arkansas Palliative Care in the US selected NextGen Healthcare to enhance its technology infrastructure, focusing on billing, data integrity, and expanding patient access.

"Aambe selects NextGen to enhance healthcare delivery in US" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand.




Abercrombie & Fitch has turned to luxury Westernwear retailer Kemo Sabe for its latest partnership.

The Aspen-based Kemo Sabe, which operates six stores in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Texas and Montana, is known for its premium boots, hats and Western apparel.

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The collaboration with A&F is for a womens-only collection of leather apparel and accessories, denim jeans and skirts and Western-inspired jewelry. Several of the pieces include embroidery and detailed stitching. The denim skirts are available in both Classic and Curve Love, Abercrombies popular fit that eliminates waist gap and features additional room through the hip and thigh. The collection also includes romantic dresses, statement tops and accessories. It also marks Kemo Sabes first global retail collaboration, allowing it to expand beyond its own stores in the west.

A look from the Abercrombie x Kemo Sabe collection.

We have admired Kemo Sabe and owner Wendy Kunkle for years, said Corey Robinson, chief product officer at Abercrombie & Fitch Co. She is someone with an incredible vision and a unique grasp of customer experience. Having spent time in their Aspen store, there are a lot of parallels between our brands and customers. The Western trend grew in the last year, and, while Abercrombie has released Trend Edits that have been Western-inspired, we wanted something unique in this space.

Robinson said there are few brands more synonymous with Western apparel than Kemo Sabe. Further, there is such an authentic synergy with our own heritage story  both iconic American brands rooted in craftsmanship, quality and timeless style.

He added that the partnership allowed both brands to celebrate what they do best: Kemo Sabes iconic aesthetic combined with Abercrombies expertise in denim and apparel. Every piece from the 12-piece collection channels Kemo Sabes distinct design and heritage craftsmanship, paired with Abercrombies style-forward, quality product.

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Wendy Kunkle, president and owner of Kemo Sabe, also pointed to the unique opportunity to bring together two complementary businesses. We admire Abercrombie & Fitch tremendously, she said. Abercrombie started as a hunting and fishing store in the 1800s  both stores have rich American history associated with their brands, and dont take themselves too seriously. Abercrombie has been nothing but a joy to work with. We consider them not only working partners, but friends. There is nothing better than working with someone you trust and love.

Details and embellishments are part of the Abercrombie x Kemo Sabe collection.

Neither Robinson nor Kunkle would say whether they will continue to work together in the future and both remain focused on this launch.

The goal is to have fun with this collaboration and show Abercrombie & Fitch customers what Kemo Sabe is all about, and to show Kemo Sabe customers what Abercrombie & Fitch is all about, Kunkle said. Robinson added: We are focused on making this a successful launch for both brands. It has been a pleasure working with the Kemo Sabe team and we look forward to seeing our customers response to this collection.

The Abercrombie x Kemo Sabe collection will retail for $50 to $500 and will be sold on the Abercrombie website on Thursday before rolling out to its stores on Nov. 6.

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ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  It was more than two weeks ago when a new mural was added to the artwork in Abilene. An artist was commissioned to paint a scene depicting Charlie Kirk and a multitude of other causes, but now the concept is causing some controversy, and the public is speaking out on social media.

33hour drive for a mural: Artist paints Charlie Kirk tribute in Abilene

Muralist Jennifer Lofton said she was asked to make the trip from her home in Montana to Abilene to paint the mural by a Facebook page titled Abilene Penny Press. Not knowing the values Kirk stood for, she researched him, found ideas she aligned with, and agreed to do the mural.

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I looked him up, saw just like a few videos of his He was talking about Jesus and wanted to spread his faith and stuff like that. So, I wanted to paint him, Lofton explained.

The mural was also set to shed light on other tragedies, which would later cause disagreement among the community.

The other tragedies that were represented, like the flood victims, the domestic violence, suicide victims. So, whenever we were going to put all of them on there, I just thought that we were bringing awareness with a Charlie Kirk painting, Lofton said.

The mural also included a depiction of children representing the lives lost in the 2022 Uvalde shooting, which some families did not agree with.

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I did not know that some of the Uvalde parents not only didnt like him but spoke out publicly about him multiple times, Lofton explained. I didnt know the Uvalde part of it was going to cause such a big issue, and when some of those parents were upset about it, I just offered to fix it, either to change the kids or to move Kirk to another wall.

Abilene business commissions murals for Charlie Kirk & Iryna Zarutska

During the planning phase of the mural, Lofton claimed she would be given donations collected in the community by Cynthia Alvidrez with the Abilene Penny Press Facebook page upon arrival. Although she received donated supplies, she said she did not receive the funds.

[Alvidrez] said that there would definitely be donations and contributions. I think she called them in-kind contributions, basically like a grant for painting it, Lofton explained. Whenever I got there, she posted on her page, like asking for donations and asking for supplies. Thats whenever I realized that a lot of people didnt even want the Charlie Kirk painted in Abilene.

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Although the mural has seen backlash online, some residents, like Leia Williams, said she still sees the intended message behind it.

I think people want to give it a little bit more power than what it is and maybe make it their own narrative. But with me, the way I see it is honoring a mans life, and theres nothing wrong with that, Williams said. I felt like it was a good thing. I think that even though the situation was a very tragic thing, its nice to see a community coming together, honoring someones life.

The mural is set to stay up, according to the business owner, but changes could be made. Alvidrez did not wish to comment on the matter.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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URBANA, Ill. (WCIA)  The man who killed two women and hurt three others in a hit-and-run crash in Urbana  29-year-old Julio Cucul-Bol  was sentenced to 30 years in prison Friday after reaching a plea deal with the Champaign County States Attorney.

The crash killed 21-year-old Chloe Polzin and 20-year-old Katie Abraham, who was a sophomore at Ohio University visiting friends at the University of Illinois.

Suspect in fatal Urbana crash used fake identity, police say

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We wont get to experience how she was going to evolve, Katies father, Joe Abraham, said. Ill never be able to walk her down the aisle. She will never have children. Ill never get to see her children. Shell never be an aunt.

Bols car was travelling at 78 miles-per-hour when he rear-ended the Honda Civic. Previously, the states attorney said Bol went to three bars before the crash and was found with open cans of beer.

He is also a Guatemalan citizen in the U.S. illegally, something the Abraham family has been vocal about since Katies death.

I would expect my state, my governor, to have enough competency to say, We will accept new arrivals. However, we will do background checks. We will audit these folks. Because, if that was the case, Julio Bol would have never come to this state and Katie would be alive, Abraham said.

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Were broken; Family of Urbana deadly crash victim reflects on a life cut short

WCIA 3 reached out to Governor Pritzkers office for a comment, and is working to learn more.

Abraham said he doesnt consider himself anti-immigration, calling his own family a family of immigrants.

Instead, he said hes asking state legislators to create background-checking measures as undocumented immigrants enter Illinois. He said he hopes that step can prevent other families from experiencing a loss that hurt as much as Katies did.

Im not okay with my recourse just being a 30-year sentence for the guy who killed Katie, said Abraham. I want to know who I can hold responsible in the State of Illinois.

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Bol is also involved in a federal case right now. Abraham said he hopes more jail time is added on when that trial is over.

WCIA 3 reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement to see if Bol will serve his time in Illinois, or if there are plans to relocate him. We did not 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 WCIA.com.
French hospitality group Accor has partnered with real estate company Jabal Omar Development Company (JODC) to introduce its luxury hotel brand Sofitel in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah hotel is scheduled to open in 2026. Upon opening, it will have 1,141 rooms and suites, making it the largest Sofitel property worldwide.

The hotel will be part of the Jabal Omar master development, located within walking distance of the Holy Mosque in Makkah.

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The property will occupy two towers, named Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah North and South, both offering direct pedestrian access to the Haram.

The development includes a range of dining venues across both towers such as all-day restaurants, a venue for French and Middle Eastern cuisine, and lobby lounges.

Facilities will also include executive meeting spaces, fitness centres, and a Club Millesime executive lounge intended for select guests.

The design of the hotel aims to reflect a blend of French and Saudi influences.

Accor Middle East, Africa and Turkiye luxury brands chief development officer Jean-Baptiste Recher said: Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah is a landmark achievement for Accor in the Middle East luxury sector.

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"The hotel exemplifies our commitment to creating world-class properties that harmonise local heritage with French luxury, offering guests an unparalleled experience at the heart of Makkah.

JODC is a major real estate developer in the region and has previously delivered hospitality and mixed-use projects in Makkah.

The partnership between Accor and JODC aims to support Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 initiative by contributing to the countrys tourism sector and economic diversification.

Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems chief development officer Xavier Grange said: The Jabal Omar development represents a cornerstone of Makkah's urban transformation, reinforcing Accor's leadership in the kingdom's luxury segment, and supporting Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.

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The Sofitel Jabal Omar Makkah project marks a significant addition to Accors increasing portfolio in the Middle East.

JODCs involvement is expected to advance the ongoing development within the Jabal Omar district.

In a recent development, Accor entered a partnership with United Hospitality Management to include the Creekside Hotel in Dubai, within its portfolio.

"Accors luxury hotel brand Sofitel to launch in Makkah" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




As of Wednesday, President Donald Trump had ordered 14 military attacks on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and off the Pacific coast of Colombia, killing a total of 61 people. But according to Trump, each of those strikes prevented 25,000 drug overdose deaths, meaning he has saved 350,000 lives so far by summarily executing smugglers.

"Every boat that we knock out, we save 25,000 American lives," Trump averred during an Oval Office press conference a couple of weeks ago. "Every boat is saving 25,000 lives. The boats get hit, and you see that fentanyl all over the ocean."

That eyebrow-raising estimate resembles Attorney General Pam Bondi's absurd claim that the Trump administration had "saved258 million lives" during its first 100 days by intercepting shipments of illicit fentanylan assertion that epitomized the illogic of the war on drugs. There are a few problems with Trump's math.

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To begin with, Trump conflates cocaine, which is produced mainly in Colombia and is often transported by sea, with fentanyl, which is produced in Mexico and overwhelmingly enters the United States in small packages by land over the southern border. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl accounts for nearly 70 percent of drug-related deaths in the United States.

The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics says two milligrams of fentanyl is a potentially lethal dose. Trump therefore seems to be assuming that each of the boats destroyed on his orders was carrying 50 grams of fentanyl. That is pretty large for a fentanyl shipment: Between 2018 and 2023, according to a recent study, most fentanyl powder seizures weighed less than 40 grams. Even so, 50 grams (less than two ounces) is not large enough that you would see "fentanyl all over the ocean" after blowing up a boat carrying it, which underlines the point that Trump's fentanyl is imaginary.

Even if we join Trump in pretending that cocaine is fentanyl, his claim relies on two other fallacious assumptions. If those 50 grams of fanciful fentanyl had not been intercepted, he implicitly posits, they would have been delivered to 25,000 different American consumers, each of whom would have consumed his share in a single sitting, with fatal results. Trump also imagines, contrary to more than a century of experience with drug interdiction, that traffickers do not compensate for intercepted shipments by sending more. When drugs are seized or destroyed, he seems to think, the total supply available to Americans is reduced by that amount. If that were true, it would be hard to understand why Trump says drug interdiction is "totally ineffective."

Leaving aside these inconvenient details, Trump's account of what he is accomplishing by ordering the deaths of suspected smugglers, like Bondi's estimate of lives saved by less lethal anti-drug efforts that Trump now concedes were "totally ineffective," is impossible on its face. Last year, the CDC estimates, illegal drug use resulted in about 82,000 U.S. "overdose deaths." By Trump's account, he has somehow prevented more than four times as many drug-related fatalities by destroying a tiny portion of the total supply.

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Trump has never let reality get in the way of a self-flattering story. But in this case, his nonsensical bragging aims to do more than show how great he is.

Trump is trying to justify murder as self-defense, obscuring the immorality and lawlessness of his bloodthirsty anti-drug tactics. Trump's unprecedented policy of killing suspected drug smugglers instead of arresting themwhich has already become the new normalsimultaneously corrupts the mission of the armed forces, erasing the traditional distinction between civilians and combatants, and undermines long-standing principles of criminal justice, imposing the death penalty without statutory authorization or any semblance of due process. But he hopes his extravagant claims about hypothetical deaths prevented by intercepting imaginary fentanyl will distract the public from the actual deaths he is ordering.

The post According to Trump, He Has Already Saved 350,000 Lives by Murdering Suspected Drug Smugglers appeared first on Reason.com.
Micah Kubic, executive director of the ACLU of Kansas, says Johnson County District Court judges violate constitutional rights of defendants in application of probation. In this image, Kubic addresses a crowd Oct. 8, 2024, in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  The American Civil Liberties of Kansas filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging decisions of judges in Johnson County District Court to order probation based on whether a defendant can pay restitution to victims.

ACLU of Kansas and the law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher filed a petition on behalf of four Kansas plaintiffs, who applied to represent a class of people in Johnson County and across the state. The suit argued the state of Kansas, Attorney General Kris Kobach and six district court judges in Johnson County were complicit in constitutional violations by linking probation for some people to an ability to pay restitution, even when those defendants were compliant with all other court requirements.

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Monica Bennett, ACLU of Kansas legal director, said protection from arbitrary and unequal treatment under the law was a fundamental right under the U.S. Constitution.

There is nothing about being poor that means you should be treated differently when serving a probation term, but its apparent that if our clients and many other Kansans were simply able to pay, their rights would be restored, she said.

The lawsuit alleges Kansas Statute 21-6608(c)(7) was unconstitutional because it allowed an elevated punishment of poor defendants than it did defendants who committed identical offenses but had the ability to pay court-ordered restitution. The Kansas Legislature adopted probation period ceilings for Kansans, with the exception of individuals unable to pay restitution.

In a series of cases identified by attorneys for the plaintiffs, Kansas judges extended probationary terms for Jeffrey Englund, Alicia McKnight, Debra Nicole Rice and Alanna Carter for years longer than the period prescribed in criminal statute.

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McKnight has been on probation in Johnson County since 2016, while Carter and Rice have remained on probation since 2018. It wasnt clear whether Englund was still on probation.

When probation was extended due to failure to pay restitution, the lawsuit said, all terms of probation were extended. That included provisions allowing searches of a person without a warrant. People on probation in Kansas also must report their movement in or out of the state, cannot dine or visit places serving alcohol and cannot participate in the democratic process by voting.

Were they simply wealthier, they would be allowed to eat in the same restaurants as other people, vote like other people, and visit family in other states like other people  but they cant while on probation, Bennett said. Our clients can jump through all of the hoops, stay out of trouble, be good employees and contribute to their communities for years, but the state and Johnson County judges have deemed that compliance irrelevant. Instead, their wealth or lack thereof determines their freedom.

Micah Kubic, executive director of the ACLU of Kansas, said indefinite probation for low-income Kansans, who otherwise would be eligible to vote, served as a poll tax. Historically, a poll tax was used to disenfranchise Black people and poor white people. The practice was banned in federal elections in 1964 with the 24th Amendment to the Constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court ended poll taxes in all elections in 1966.

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Democracy is inherently about whose voices we believe are worthy of including and who gets a seat at the table, Kubic said. This probation scheme condemns people to lose their seats and their voices simply because of the money in their pockets. That is antithetical to our Constitution and to our values as a free country.

In addition to the state attorney general, the lawsuit named as defendants current or former Johnson County District Court Judges James Droege, Michael Joyce, Neil Foth, Brenda Cameron, Christina Dunn Gyllenborg and Sara Welch. The petition identified as defendants the Kansas Office of Judicial Administration and a debt collection company, Butler and Associates.

The plaintiffs asserted that when Kansas judges extended their probation solely for the purpose of collecting restitution  a debt owed to private victims  the court took on the role of a de facto debt collector instead of an overseer of justice.

The lawsuit also claimed judges required probationers to remit restitution payments to a debt collection agency, which added administrative fees and interest that must be paid before a person was discharged from probation. This discretionary imposition of third-party collection deprived probationers of a reliable means to understand the total amount necessary to get off court supervision, the lawsuit said.

The ACLU of Kansas alleged the state violated due process, right to travel, equal protection and right to privacy provisions of the U.S. Constitution. In addition, the lawsuit raised 13th Amendment claims regarding slavery. In terms of the Kansas Constitution, plaintiffs claimed the probationary practice violated rights of individuals in terms of voting, cruel and unusual punishment and of unreasonable searches and seizures.
Oct. 29The acting chair of the Spokane County Democratic Party is facing a driving under the influence charge after he was arrested in early September, and now is being accused of violating a court order by continuing to use alcohol.

Matthew Sorey was arrested early in the morning on Sept. 7 after someone called police to report a man slumped over the steering wheel of his vehicle, which was parked and blocking traffic lanes, according to court records.

The man, later identified as Sorey, woke up and began driving on State Route 290. He was pulled over by a Washington State Patrol trooper as he was turning off the highway. The trooper had observed Sorey's brake lights didn't illuminate when stopping, court records say.

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Court records say Sorey had obvious impairment, smelled of alcohol, had glassy eyes and slurred speech. Sorey also needed to be reminded of what documents he was requested to provide shortly after being asked for his ID, registration and proof of insurance, the trooper wrote in his report.

The trooper reported Sorey denied having any alcohol or drugs, but had a THC vape pen in his pocket. THC is a primary active substance in cannabis.

At the time of his arrest, police reported Sorey's blood alcohol content as 0.14. The legal limit for driving in Washington is 0.08.

Sorey, 25, became acting chair after Spokane County Democratic Party Chair Naida Spencer announced her immediate resignation on Sept. 10. That appointment came three days after Sorey's DUI arrest.

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Sorey provided a brief statement on Wednesday regarding the charge.

"It's a personal legal matter that I'm dealing with internally through the court system," Sorey said. "I got involved with my community because I want to make Spokane a better and more vibrant place, and I'm committed to continuing that."

After his arrest, district court judge Richard Leland ordered Sorey to not commit any further criminal law violations and to not use, possess or consume alcohol or nonprescribed drugs including marijuana. That order will likely stay active until the case is closed.

Sorey, however, can be seen drinking a Rainier beer in a photo taken by the alternative news site Range, at the Range Politicrawl event on Oct. 10. Rainier does not produce any nonalcoholic beverages.

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Sorey declined to comment Wednesday on the photo of him drinking or whether he had disclosed the charge to the Democratic Party .

Sorey is also the campaign manager for Zack Zappone, a Spokane City councilman seeking re-election this election.

Zappone said he is aware of the charges and believes in the due process of the courts. He confirmed that Sorey remains his campaign manager and said he would await court decisions before making any changes.

"This is a personal legal issue that occurred on his personal time," Zappone said on Wednesday. "... I am focused on my campaign and service to the people of Spokane."

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State Democratic Party Committee Member Bernadine Bank also declined to comment on the case.

Sorey does not have a previous criminal history, according to court records. His next hearing for the DUI charge is scheduled for Nov. 5.
The pay is low, the risks are high: School crossing guards step into traffic with only a stop sign for protection.

Action News Jax teamed up with our sister stations around the country and the Associated Press to expose just how dangerous the job can be.

We looked into why so many are being struck in the crosswalk, and why nothing is being done to fix it.

Our investigators searched media reports and social media to document hundreds of crossing guard accidents in the last decade. We found no one keeps track of those numbers.

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In Florida, there have been at least 17 crossing guards injured, with one killed on the job. The guards we spoke with say that doesnt come close to describing the constant danger they face.

It still hurts inside

Nicholas Gallicchio lives a life of service.

Before joining the Hernando County Sheriffs Office as a school crossing guard, he spent more than two decades as a firefighter in New Jersey.

After years of rushing into burning buildings, he knew what it meant to face danger. But this time, danger came straight at him when a drunk driver struck him and his partner in 2024.

We heard a screeching sound, we turned around, and that was it, he said. I woke up on the ground. My first reaction was Wheres Don? I didnt care about myself. I was too busy worrying about where my partner is.

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INVESTIGATES: Jacksonville City Council leaders deny ties to mysterious foundation bearing their names

Pictures from the scene show the aftermath -- significant damage to the car that hit Gallicchio and his 82-year-old partner, Donald Jenkins.

The driver, 56-year-old Robert Noack, was arrested for driving drunk and leaving the scene.

It still hurts inside. Til this day, I still think about it, Gallicchio said. At his age, it shouldve been me that took the biggest blow, and thats how I felt.

Gallicchio recovered from minor injuries and returned to work. But Jenkins was hurt too severely to come back.

Half of Florida crossing guards hit were 65+

Their story highlights a national trend of crossing guards being hit on the job. Georgia tops the list of states with the most incidents, and Florida comes in third.

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Even locally, two Clay County crossing guards were struck just months apart in 2018. Dashcam video shows the moment a 72-year-old guard was hit outside Oakleaf High School by a teen driver.

Action News Jax, our sister stations around the country, and the Associated Press, uncovered more than 225 incidents of school crossing guards being hit or killed while on the job in the past decade.

At least 40 of the crashes were hit-and-run; six of those drivers were never found.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

In Florida, more than half of the involved crossing guards were older than 65.

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Florida and Georgia are near the top of the list of states with the most recorded incidents.

Our investigation found that of the more than 180 cases we were able to track down, more than 70% of the drivers who hit crossing guards got away with just traffic tickets, or no charges at all.

Based on our reporting, cases of extenuating circumstances, like a hit-and-run or a DUI, almost always resulted in criminal charges.

Youre not going to lose anything by waiting

Its something Gallicchio knows all too well, and now hes calling for change, pushing for tougher penalties when drivers ignore crossing guards.

If people just take time. Ten seconds. Thirty seconds. Youre not going to lose anything by waiting. You could be saving a kids life, or a crossing guards life, he said.

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While Gallicchio knows words alone wont change drivers habits, he hopes penalties like the seven-year sentence for Noack will. A Florida judge sentenced the man in late August and after prison, Noack will serve five years probation.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Gallicchio said its time to move on, taking the lesson in stride, like he does each day at the crossing.

I hope that when he gets out of jail, he realizes I was stupid. I couldve killed somebody, and just be a good citizen. Obey the laws, Gallicchio said.

Were going to be asking if laws need to be changed or adopted to increase penalties for people who hit crossing guards. Well always be asking if agencies will improve reporting to keep track of these incidents.

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Our partners at the Associated Press will have much more on our nationwide investigation of crossing guard safety on Friday morning.

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.
A male suspect has been taken into custody after a standoff and lighting items on fire in the street in a west suburb Thursday, officials said.

A 911 call came in just before 11 a.m., Addison police said.

Addison police gave an update on a standoff.

A male suspect said he needed police to find his dogs; and if they did not, he would find people to do their job, police said.

While police were on the way, residents in the 200-block of East La Porte Drive said there was a male suspect holding a bag and blocking the street with a white SUV.

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He was also spraying an unknown substance around the street and lighting items on fire, police said.

When officers arrived just after 11 a.m., the suspect went into a house, and shots were fired toward police from the home, police said.

SEE ALSO: Video shows federal agents break car window, detain occupants in Addison; protesters speak out

Some police were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Officials said one officer was shot in the bulletproof vest.

No one else was injured, police said.

The suspect was taken into custody after several hours, around 3:15 p.m., when he surrendered.

His identity has not yet been released, and he's being held in the Addison Jail.

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Police asked residents nearby to stay inside during the incident.

Officers in SWAT gear carrying long guns, drones and K9 officers were seen in the area.

Some were from the Addison Police Department; other agencies also responded.

Addison Trail High School was also in a "secure" environment as a precaution, police said. Students and staff are safe.

Also as a precaution, all nine buildings from Addison School District 4 were in a "secure" environment.

There was no direct link to the school district.
As artificial intelligence grows more sophisticated, could your favorite chatbot actually be a portal to Hell? Thats the premise laid out by Christian journalist and influencer Billy Hallowell, who claims AI can lead to demonic influence.

In a recent episode of After Party with journalist Emily Jashinsky, Hallowellan author and religious commentator with 300,000 followers across Facebook and Xwarned that large language models could become tools of the devil.

The demonic realm actually uses technology very often. This is something that showed up in a lot of stories, Hallowell said. I've actually had a personal experience with this in my own life where you see technology being manipulated or used.

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While Hallowell acknowledged the absurdity of his claim, he went on to say that he had encountered stories from police officers and others who believed technology had been hijacked during supernatural encounters.

Hallowell, whose 2020 book Playing With Fire explored modern cases of possession and exorcism, said hes deeply cautious about how quickly people have grown attached to the technology.

People are becoming addicted to AI, he said. Theyre getting in relationships with AI, theyre looking to AI for all the answers.

Hallowell compared that dependency to both the spiritual and intellectual decay of a culture that is dumbed down, confused, and lost, and is now giving up the last act of thinking for itself.

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You know, if you're Satan, and you're the devil, the enemy, the goal of Satan is to kill, steal, and destroy, and confuse, he said. So why would you not use a tool that can actually communicate and talk to further those actions on the human population?

That anxiety and moral panic arent new. Long before the latest AI boom with the public launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, Elon Musk warned that humanity might be summoning the demon. Speaking at MIT in 2014, the Tesla and SpaceX chief compared AI researchers to a magician trying to summon a spirit.

You know all those stories where there's the guy with the pentagram and the holy water and he's sure he can control the demon, he said. It doesn't work out."

Character.AI Halts Teen Chats After Tragedies: 'It's the Right Thing to Do'

A modern moral panic

Over the centuries, new transformative technology has often carried its own moral reckoning.

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When the printing press appeared in 15th-century Europe, church leaders called it a tool of heresy. Centuries later, critics claimed telecommunication devices, including the telegraph, the radio, and television, were channels for evil.

More recently, in the 1980s, a "Satanic Panic" caused parents and pastors to accuse Dungeons & Dragons and heavy metal music of recruiting kids to Satans cause. The same script played out again with violent video games and movies, blamed for corrupting an entire generation.

Religious commentators and theologians have increasingly linked the rise of artificial intelligence with age-old fears of spiritual corruption. In a 2024 essay titled Can AI Become Demon-Possessed? Lutheran theologian Ted Peters examined whether machines could be vessels for evil, citing Musks long-standing quip about summoning the demon. Peters concluded that while literal possession is unlikely, AI can still act demonically if it manipulates or harms human beings.

God in the Machine: Inside the Growing AI Religious Movement

Faith and the feedback loop

According to Joseph Laycock, an associate professor of religious studies at Texas State University, this fascination with divine or infernal machines fits a familiar historical pattern.

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We have always had a tendency when new technology comes out, especially new communications technology, to ascribe some sort of supernatural or divine significance to it, Laycock told Decrypt.

He traced the lineage from Greek theaters deus ex machinagod from the machineto 19th-century spiritualists who believed the telegraph could reach the dead. Early photographers claimed to capture ghosts on film; now, the internet and AI amplify the same impulses at scale.

Laycock also noted how loneliness and emotional vulnerability often drive people toward technologies that promise comfort or connection.

Im scared of a scenario where no one thinks for themselvesthey just defer to AI for everythingand Elon Musk gets to tell it what to say, Laycock added. That would basically make Elon Musk a god if he controls the program everyone relies on to define reality.

Laycocks fears could be the ultimate irony, with Musk going from warning about the demons of AI to building the altar that summons them.
Credit: Richard Theis/EyeEm/Getty

In Wisconsin, the last time there was a commutation  a reduction of a criminal sentence by the governors authority to grant clemency  it was during Republican Tommy Thompsons administration (1987-2001). Thompson issued seven commutations in addition to 202 pardons.

The Wisconsin Examiners Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation.

Subsequently, with the exception of former Republican Gov. Scott Walker, who served from 2011 to 2019, governors have offered hundreds of pardons.

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Gov. Tony Evers set a record for the number of pardons hes offered during his seven years in office at 1,640.

However, like his fellow Democratic Gov. James Doyle, who issued 326 pardons, Evers has not issued any commutations.

Members of WISDOM, a non-profit faith-based organization that works to end mass incarceration, say Evers told them in 2023 that he would begin issuing commutations.

However, Evers has never made an official statement on his position concerning commutations. He did not respond to a request for a comment on the matter from the Wisconsin Examiner.

Evers ran for office promising to reduce Wisconsins prison population. After a dip during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prison population is experiencing an upswing. There were 23,495 people in prison in Wisconsin as of Sept. 26, compared with 23,292 when Evers took office on Jan. 7, 2019. Nearly every prison in the state reports a population exceeding the facilitys official capacity.

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Criminal justice advocacy groups like WISDOM and Ex-incarcerated People Organizing (EXPO) of Wisconsin have noted that one way Evers could address the prison population is by offering commutations, especially for those who have served long sentences and have proven to be low risks to return to society.

In 2023, Beverly Walker of WISDOM led a team that included legal scholars to study how commutations were conducted in neighboring states and prepared a proposal for how Wisconsin could begin implementing commutations again.

We wanted to offer [Evers] legal team something that could be advanced and not be a hindrance that they could move forward with and be implemented, said Walker.

Walker said the proposal had two components:

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The commutation would make the resident eligible for parole, with a parole board considering the application and making a recommendation. The governor could issue a direct commutation resulting in a shortened sentence, including possible release from prison.

We said if you are uncomfortable releasing people from prison, we ask that you just make them eligible for parole, said Walker. Allow them to go before the parole board, and the parole board make the decision on their eligibility based on what they see.

A lot of these people will never see the light of day without a commutation, she said. But a lot of these people have done college, gotten degrees, have been doing amazing work inside prison, and some have even been allowed to work outside of the fence and are just doing great, exhibiting great behaviour. They have transformative stories, and they have proved that they have put in the work.

Walkers team is asking Evers to consider commuting the sentences of people serving long-term sentences in prison whom the group identified for their good behavior and good prospects for release. In anticipation of release, Walkers team also researched the availability of work opportunities, housing and even resources such as food pantries.

Commutation candidates

In response to a request from the Examiner for information on the candidates, Walker said her team decided not to release their names for fear of damaging their chances. WISDOMs Sherry Reames, a retired University of Wisconsin-Madison English professor and volunteer on the commutations committee, offered a general description of all the present candidates for commutation.

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According to Reames, most of the candidates were convicted of a serious crime, mostly first-degree intentional homicide (either alone as party to a crime) in the 1990s when they were young men, between 20 and 22.

Most the candidates were sentenced to decades in prison and will not be eligible for parole until the 2040s.

Historically a life sentence in Wisconsin had allowed for the possibility of parole after about 15 years, a length of time which the Sentencing Project and other authorities have determined is about long enough to punish most crimes, especially by young offenders, said Reames, but it was the tough on crime 1990s when our commutation candidates were convicted.

Walker also said the candidates have used their years in prison to change their lives.

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Some of them initially had a hard time adjusting to the prison rules, but they have matured into model citizens, who lead and train other workers and earn positive reviews from staff, said Reames. Some have been continuously employed by Badger State Industries (now BSE) for a decade or more at a time, while others have rotated through the whole gamut of prison jobs (kitchen, laundry, custodial, library, clerk, maintenance, tier tender, etc., etc.). What they all have in common, however, are their obvious work ethic and self-discipline.

Reames also said some candidates have obtained their high school degrees in prison and then certification as electricians, barbers, carpenters, bakers or building-service managers.

Some have also earned college credits from four-year universities, she said.

Several have completed Trinity International Universitys whole four-year degree program in Biblical studies with a minor in psychology, laying the foundation for careers as pastors and counselors, said Reames, and others have completed the necessary training to assist younger prisoners as certified peer mentors and tutors.

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Some also participated in Restorative Justice and Victim Impact programs.

Post announcement

When Evers announced this summer that he wasnt going to run for another term, advocates expressed renewed interest in pressing him for commutations before he leaves office.

Walker told the Wisconsin Examiner that her group is engaged in an ongoing dialogue with the governors legal staff. In September, while acknowledging gratitude for all the pardons Evers has issued, Walker also expressed frustration over the lack of action on commutations.

I am challenging him (Evers) to uphold these things that he has said, said Walker. He made these campaign promises that he was going to reduce the prison population, that he was going to do all these things as it pertains to people incarcerated and that included commutations, and it has been over two years and I dont want to be disappointed, and at what point will I be able to be proud of this man that I elected?

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At the end of October, however, Walker was more upbeat about the possibility of a commutation: It does look promising, she said.

Marianne Oleson, operations director for EXPO, said her advocacy group also sees a window of opportunity in Evers last year in office and has also discussed commutations with the governors office and with legislators and their aides.

Whenever we have the opportunity, we put out eblast constantly; we put out social media,  said Oleson.

We have individuals who are currently incarcerated, who have been incarcerated for decades, who have zero infractions (disciplinary reports generated within prisons) that have gone over and beyond, done everything that has been asked of them to do, she added.   theyre caught in this loop because of Truth in Sentencing. If theyre not going to be paroled, give them a commutation. And then theres individuals who have life sentences that were really, quite frankly, only due to being party to a crime where these individuals were very young at the time, and their situations deserve at least to be considered and looked at.

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Truth in Sentencing is a tough-on-crime policy from the 1990s that, in Wisconsin, requires a mandatory period of prison time be served before release, with no discretion given to a parole board that in previous years had the authority to review the status of prisoners and could authorize early release.

The reality today for those sentenced after Dec. 31, 1999, when Truth in Sentencing took effect, is that the possibility of early release has become very remote.

A commutation by the governor would be one legal way to shorten the confinement and extended supervision for both those sentenced before and after Truth in Sentencing was implemented.

However, in Wisconsin, there is currently no process for applying for a commutation.

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There is a process to apply for a pardon through the Governors Pardon Advisory Board, but it requires that the sentence of confinement and extended supervision have been fulfilled, followed by a five-year period of a clear record. If one meets the condition for a pardon in Wisconsin, there is no need for a commutation because the sentence has been fully served.

When I have approached the governors office to even discuss commutations, Im automatically referred to the pardon application, said Oleson. You are comparing apples to oranges. A pardon eliminates the conviction, a blank slate; a commutation maintains the conviction, maintains the accountability, but says youve served enough time. You no longer should be serving decades or years longer. You have proven you have served enough time. You still hold the conviction, but you are not chained to the DOC.

Other voices for commutation

The ACLU of Wisconsin is encouraging Evers to exercise his authority to offer commutations in Wisconsin.

For decades, commutations have been vastly underutilized at the state level, said David Gwidt, deputy communication director. Commuting sentences has gone from a relatively routine practice historically to an exceedingly rare one since the rise of mass incarceration, as governors on both sides of the aisle are reluctant to commute sentences out of fear they will be labeled as soft on crime for doing so. But thats starting to change in other states.

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Governors in New Jersey, Oregon, California, Alabama, and Oklahoma, have all used their commutation authority in recent years, Gwidt added. Commutation is a tool that can help decarcerate our overpopulated prisons, rectify unjust, wrongful or excessively long sentences, and offer incarcerated people a pathway to redemption, he said. We hope Gov. Evers uses his remaining time in office as an opportunity to grant commutation and clemency to those who earn a chance at freedom.

Speaking as a member of a panel discussion on solitary confinement and conditions inside Wisconsin prisons, on Sunday, Oct. 12 in Madison, state Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison), a candidate for governor, said commutations should be used for those who have been incarcerated for decades and are no longer a threat to society.

Just in general, I think the clemency powers have been very underutilized in Wisconsin, she said. We have people who have been incarcerated for decades and decades. People age out of crime and now you have people, some of whom have terminal and chronic illnesses. They are in their 60s, their 70s, their 80s, and they could easily and very safely live back with their loved ones after many decades of incarceration. And yet they are being denied this and then state taxpayers are being asked to essentially fund their incarceration and their health care.

National discussion

In a July 13, 2025 op-ed in the New York Times, Governors, Use Your Clemency Power, CUNY law professor Steven Zeidman wrote:

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President Trump is making shameless use of his constitutional clemency power, rewarding insurrectionists, cronies, campaign contributors and sundry others. But this is not the only problem. Mr. Trumps acts of commission are paralleled by American governors acts of omission. Even though they control the bulk of the countrys prison population and typically have the power to grant clemency, many governors have consistently failed to exercise the power of forgiveness, to all of our detriment.

Zeidman notes that of the two million people currently in confinement in the United States, most are in state prisons, under the authority of governors.

Zeidman, who has pursued over 100 commutations in New York and won 21, talked to the Wisconsin Examiner about the reluctance he sees in governors to exercise their constitutional authority.

Addressing the perception of being soft on crime, Zeidman said it might be easier for Republicans who have established a tough-on-crime posture to offer commutation. That might be why the last commutation in Wisconsin was under Thompson, a tough-on-crime Republican.

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According to a 2023 report, Executive Clemency Power in Wisconsin by Jillian Slaight for the Legislative Reference Bureau, Thompson commuted the sentence of seven people serving parole, stating, further supervision would serve no useful purpose.

The same report found that Gov. Patrick Lucey, a Democrat who served from 1971 to 1977 issued 177 commutations, including one to a man who had failed to provide child support. Lucey stated that sending the man back to prison prevented him from working and providing support.

Democratic Gov. Gaylord Nelson, who served from 1959 to 1963, issued 27 commutations for people he considered rehabilitated.

Cautionary tales vs. data

Zeidman and others who advocate for commutations argue that those eligible for commutation should undergo rigorous screening, including having members of the victims families and the district attorney participate in the commutation process.

There should be a real careful vetting process, he says, adding, I would say to Wisconsin, have a very careful vetting process, go over it with a fine-tooth comb, and at the end of the day, its not going to be none (who are eligible for commutation) and its not going to be thousands either.

Zeidman and the advocates say reincarceration rates are low for those who have served long sentences.

The Wisconsin DOCs data on reincarceration shows a notable decrease for those who have served five years or more in prison.

A study prepared for the New York City Council in 2023 called Justice on Aging also noted older residents in prison tend not to return: Nationwide, 43.3 percent of all released individuals recidivate within three years, while only seven percent of those aged 50-64 and four percent over 65 return to prison for new convictionsthe lowest rates among all incarcerated age demographics.

Its a fact, people age out of crime, Zeidman says.

Another argument for restoring the possibility of early release is that rewarding good behaviour with commutations motivates more good behavior in prison.

Give people an incentive to improve themselves and get on with their lives, says Tom Denk, an advocate for WISDOM who has served time in prison.

It does seem that too many governors are thinking about clemency and commutation in particular as a political act instead of an act of mercy or grace, says Jennifer Soble, executive director of the Illinois Prison Project, who represents clients in Illinois who have a case for early release. And so they are shying away from commutations on the statistically very unlikely event that a commutation could end up harming them politically, and thats a real tragedy, because we are talking about real human beings who are living their lives in prison, many of whom are doing so under the extraordinarily unjust circumstances.

Soble says many in Illinois prisons received long sentences, even life sentences, under older laws, but if processed today, their sentences would not be as extreme.

As an example of how laws have changed in Illinois, she says, formerly, any death resulting during a pursuit of a crime by law enforcement, such as the police chasing a suspect and firing a weapon, killing an innocent person, could result in murder charges to the suspect being pursued, even if the suspect had not directly participated in the death.

And the only way for those folks to get out is through clemency and theres no other path, she says, and so although I understand political caution, especially in these very challenging times, that caution cannot come at the expense of a persons entire life.

Zeidman also notes there is movement across the country to take a second look at sentences. In Wisconsin, a bill that stalled in 2024 would review the life sentences without parole for those who were convicted while they were under 18 years of age but were prosecuted as adults.

The prison system is intentionally sort of secreted away, says Soble. Incarcerated people are not visible on purpose. And so your average person walking down the street is not thinking about, you know, is there or is there not a reasonably plausible way for an incarcerated person who shouldnt be in prison to come home?

Before he left office, President Joe Biden issued one of the largest commutations of all time for 2,500 people in the federal Bureau of Prisons system who had committed non-violent crimes.

The recidivism rate of that group has been extraordinarily low, says Soble of the 2,500 Biden commuted. That effort saved taxpayer dollars. It made good sense. It was a good policy decision. It was also a just and humane decision, but governors at the state level have been just pretty unwilling to follow suit, even in cases that feel very, very obvious.

Criminal Justice Fellow Andrew Kennard contributed to this report.

Correction: This report has been updated to reflect that most, not all of the candidates WISDOM is advancing were convicted as young men and wont be eligible for parole until 2040.

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(The Center Square) - Legal immigration advocates on Thursday slammed U.S. Vice President JD Vance's call for a reduction in legal immigration Wednesday night while speaking at an event hosted by Turning Point USA.

Vance said legal immigration pathways are often used as a way to find cheap labor, a claim of which immigration lawyers and advocates disagree.

We cannot have an immigration policy where what was good for the country 50 or 60 years ago, binds the country inevitably for the future, Vance said.

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Vance said the United States should admit far less than what weve been accepting of legal immigrants but he stopped short of defining a specific number.

Theres too many people who want to come to the United States of America and my job as Vice President is not to look out for the interests of the whole world, it's to look out for the people of the United States, Vance said.

Michelle Waslin, assistant director of the Immigration History Research Center at the University of Minnesota, criticized the vice president's comments in a statement to The Center Square.

"This administration said it wanted to target unauthorized immigration, but it clearly wants to reduce all forms of legal immigration and will use any excuse to do so," Waslin said.

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Vance criticized the Biden Administration's immigration policies and called for greater cultural assimilation of immigrants in the country.

Youve got to allow your society to cohere a little bit, to build a sense of common identity, for all the newcomers  the ones who are going to stay  to assimilate into American culture, Vance said. Until you do that, youve got to be careful about adding any additional immigration in my view.

Waslin pointed to examples of Polish and Italian immigrants a century ago who integrated into American culture once they arrived in the United States.

"For our entire history, immigrants have integrated, and all evidence shows that immigrants continue to integrate into the fabric of America," Waslin said. "Today's immigrants come from different countries and speak different languages, and they learn English and integrate just as immigrants have throughout our history."

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Vance also criticized visa programs like the H-1B visa for undercutting the wages of American workers.

He said the visa program is used to hire foreign nationals for a cheaper rate than it would cost to hire American workers.

I dont think we should be hiring accountants from foreign countries when weve got accountants right here in the United States that would love to work for a good wage, Vance said.

Anna Gorisch, founder and managing partner of Kendall Immigration Law Firm, works with visa applicants regularly. She said the application fees to petition for an H-1B worker visa are already very expensive and would deter most employers from hiring foreigners.

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It costs a fortune to hire an H-1B worker, Gorisch said. When youre hiring an H-1B foreign national, the compliance costs are very, very high.

Included in the employment-based visa fees is a $600 charge for asylum application costs. Gorish said these kinds of fees are used to deter future employment-based visa applicants.

Those doing it the legal way now directly subsidize the people who come across the border and say asylum, Gorisch said. I think at some point what theyre trying to do is price it out of existence.

On Sept. 19, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B applicants who come into the United States, in an apparent attempt to restrict applications for the visa.

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Jordan Fischetti, a former immigration lawyer and a fellow at Americans for Prosperity, said lawmakers often neglect to consider the application fees associated with current legal immigration pathways.

He said there are other unseen costs associated with hiring foreign workers such as translation services.

Somebody doesnt speak English that well and you need to hire a translator; thats both a financial and a social cost, Fischetti said. Id rather pay more so I dont have to deal with that. Id rather pay more for an American so I dont have to deal with that.

The fact that theyve used a lot of immigrants is because theres not a lot of Americans theyve found to do the job, Fischetti said.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  A new affordable housing complex is being built for our states heroes. A New York based nonprofit called the Tunnel to Towers Foundation is working to eradicate homelessness among veterans.

We have a lot of homeless veterans [in Birmingham] and in Alabama. They need a community, they need a family. A lot of times they bare the scars of war, the demons of what theyve seen and experienced, State Senator Andrew Jones said. A lot of veterans as we know are susceptible to mental health and drug addiction and those type of things so a community, a home, a village like this is what they need to help them move forward toward a brighter future.

The Veterans Village will be inside the old Spark by Hilton hotel in the Colonnade. The state says conversations for this housing complex only started around five months ago and they estimate once permitting is approved that construction will only take 10 months.

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The fact that it moved so quickly is a testament to how we want to make sure that we seize every opportunity here to help our military veterans and that we move quickly because theres a need, said Jones.

The Department of Veterans Affairs says there are 400,000 veterans in Alabama. One of those veterans is Ben Tomlinson. He served in the Marine Corps from 2007 until 2011, when he was shot in the neck while in Afghanistan. He is now paralyzed from the chest down.

Tuscaloosa family braces for the worst ahead of frozen SNAP benefits

Got home to my parents house and as you can imagine, I was not able to navigate my house. I couldnt get to the front door because of stairs, couldnt get through hallways because spaces were too tight, couldnt really get to my bathroom to use it, Tomlinson said. There was a lot of difficulties in coming home.

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This is where the Tunnel to Towers Foundation came in. The nonprofit called Tomlinson and offered to build him a home in Jacksonville.

It was so life changing. Such a tremendous, life-changing experience for me because of what Id been through and what I wasnt able to do anymore so getting independence back and knowing that I had friends all over the country that were looking out for me and trying to improve my situation, I cant say enough about it, said Tomlinson.

Tomlinson says hes seen how bad homelessness is among veterans and hes glad the organization that once helped him will now be helping thousands more. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation says it wants to become the place for affordable, long-term supportive housing for veterans.

If youre a veteran thats struggling with homelessness, you can go to a federally funded or state funded transitional program, but its for a finite amount of time. You can live at our Veterans Village, long-term supportive housing, for as long as you want, said Gavin Naples, the senior vice president of the Homeless Veteran Program with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

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What is now a hotel will be gutted. The old hotel rooms will become studio apartments with private bathrooms and kitchenettes. There will also be a large kitchen and community area in the former lobby for the veterans to enjoy. But this renovation will go beyond providing an affordable and safe place to live.

We provide the meat and potatoes, case management, behavioral health, entitlements, employment, peer support, legal advocacy, Naples said. But for the ancillary services, we like to partner with other veteran service organizations in the area for pet therapy, art therapy, music therapy, financial literacy.

For more information on what the qualifications are and how to apply for the Veterans Village, visit the Tunnel for Towers Foundation 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 CBS 42.
An Afghan man who attacked a group of infants in a German park earlier this year, leaving two people dead, is to be placed in psychiatric care, after the court ruled that he could not be held criminally responsible due to mental health issues.

The incident in the southern city of Aschaffenburg in January made national headlines during the campaign for February's parliamentary elections, stirring debate on immigration policies.

The suspect, a 28-year-old Afghan refugee, is said to have deliberately attacked a group of children in a park on January 22 with a kitchen knife around 30 centimetres long.

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A 2-year-old boy of Moroccan origin was fatally injured, while a 41-year-old German passer-by who attempted to help was also killed.

The suspect is also said to have stabbed a 2-year-old girl from Syria and a 73-year-old German, both of whom survived.

The public prosecutor's office charged the 28-year-old with murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, attempted manslaughter, threats and various offences of bodily harm.

The defendant confessed to the acts thorough his defence attorney, but presiding judge Karsten Krebs at the Aschaffenburg Regional Court said he could not be held responsible for the attack due to a psychiatric illness.

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According to a psychiatric assessment, he suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and is said to have heard voices during the crime that ordered him to carry out the attack.

The attack was one of a number of deadly incidents attributed to immigrants in the build-up to February's election, which saw the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) surge to second place.
Photo illustration by Getty Images.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has rejected a ballot initiative seeking to limit the power of corporations to spend money on elections, saying it did not meet legal review standards.

The proposed Ballot Measure No. 4 would amend Article XIII of the state constitution to redefine the powers of corporations (artificial persons under the constitution) to state that they have no power to spend money or anything of value on elections or ballot issues. The proposal is a response to the Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court decision, which said spending money in elections is equivalent to free speech.

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Jeff Mangan, a former Commissioner of Political Practices in Montana, is the founder of the Transparent Election Initiative behind the ballot initiative known as The Montana Plan, and he told the Daily Montanan that he expected the measure to receive pushback from the Attorney Generals Office.

Knudsens office, by law, reviews all proposed ballot initiatives for legal sufficiency and clarity of the proposed language.

In a memorandum from Knudsens office dated Oct. 24, written by deputy solicitor general Brent Mead, the ballot measure is considered legally insufficient and of significant material harm to business interests.

According to the memo, the ballot initiative proposes to both add and revoke powers in the state constitution, which Knudsens office says violates a provision of law requiring ballot initiatives to have a single-subject focus and only contain a single amendment.

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Ballot Measure No. 4 affects diverse government functions across disparate areas of law, the memo states, listing potential changes across five different Title sections of Montana law.

The memo also references a fiscal note from the Office of Budget and Program Planning that indicates the fiscal impact of the constitutional change would require the Commissioner of Political Practices hire at least a half-time employee or contract equivalent to assist with reviewing, determining, and resolving formal complaints including agency-initiated enforcement.

According to the fiscal analysis, the cost of the employee position would be roughly $96,000 annually.

It also states that COPP assumes the constitutionality of the ballot issue would be challenged in court, and it would cost from $50,000 to $500,000, based on past challenges to similar issues.

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But Mangan, who held a series of listening sessions across the state this week, said the Transparent Election Initiative will challenge the legal review in court.

He told the Daily Montanan in an email that he disagrees with the attorney generals legal memo for several reasons, including that a legal sufficiency review is supposed to be a technical gatekeeping function. The memo strays into policy and predictive litigation arguments that go beyond the role.

The Montana Plan presents one question to voters  whether Montana should continue granting corporations the power to spend in its politics, Mangan said. The components (revoking prior grants, defining permitted powers, parity for foreign corporations, and an enforcement mechanism) implement that single change; they are not separate amendments a voter could logically pick and choose among.

The AGs legal memo also states that the Montana Plan would harm business interests in the state by restricting or eliminating the ability of artificial persons to participate on legislative and regulatory matters affecting them, and create a competitive disadvantage against non-Montana businesses.

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Businesses, nonprofits, trade unions, and other associations regularly appear before state and local bodies on legislative and regulatory matters. In other words, they petition their government for redress. Ballot Measure No. 4 revokes this right. Ballot Measure No. 4 goes further and prohibits these associations from lobbying via participation in ballot issues.

Mangan says this is a mischaracterization of the ballot initiative, which does not regulate lobbying.

It concerns election spending, including ballot-issue spendingsa different legal category from petitioning or testifying on legislation, he said. The measure applies equally to corporations operating in Montana whether chartered in-state or out-of-state, so it doesnt saddle Montana businesses with a competitive disadvantage that others can evade.

The Transparent Election Initiative will submit its appeal to the Montana Supreme Court within 10 days of the memos publication.
CSRA (WJBF)  An Aiken County man who was previously arrested in August on various crimes is facing more charges, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division on Wednesday.

Tyrone James, 50, was arrested for assault, kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct with a minor back in August.

On Oct. 29, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division announced James has additional Kidnapping, Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor in the 3rd degree, and Assault with Intent to

Commit Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 3rd Degree on Friday, Oct. 24.

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According to arrest warrants released, James allegedly forced a minor into a car and sexually assaulted them in 2008 in Barnwell County. James is also accused of a sexual assault in 2017 in another warrant.

James is being held in the Aiken County Detention Center.

The Blackville Police Department requested the assistance of SLED in this 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 WJBF.
You have to see the ICU to believe it, says Kamlesh, whose 19-year-old son died gasping for life inside the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Mumbais state-run St George Hospital. People arent dying because of their illness. They are dying because theres nothing hereno working machines, no doctors when you need them not even the basics. It feels like the poor have no right to survive, he says, breaking down.

Once regarded as a lifesaver for the citys most critical patients, the hospitals ICU has now turned into a theatre of collapsing infrastructure, desperate cries, and fading chances. Families hover outside the ward hoping for miracles, while inside, patients count breaths between failing ventilators.

In an explosive twist, an internal inquiry is now underway after allegations surfaced that ICU doctors may not even have been present when patients needed them most. A complaint filed by Advocate Tushar Ramesh Bhosale alleges that a doctor paid between Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000 as bribes to a hospital administrative staffer and a Resident Medical Officer (RMO) to falsify attendance records in ICU Ward-02.

Bhosale claims he obtained two transaction IDs  106064295556 and 103418785016  showing evidence of the alleged bribe transfers. Someone shared the payment details used for the bribe. I have attached everything to my complaint. I have demanded a fair investigation, Bhosale told Mumbai Mirror. The complaint was filed on the states Aaple Sarkar portal, which has confirmed that the matter is under active probe.

Hospital vows strict action

Medical Superintendent Dr Vinayak Sarwarde confirmed receiving the complaint. An enquiry will be initiated as soon as possible. We are treating the matter very seriously, said Sarwarde. Sources say investigators are probing whether absentee doctors directly contributed to avoidable deaths in the ICU.

Alarming mortality

Documents obtained through an RTI query, accessed by Mumbai Mirror, expose a chilling pattern of lives lost in ICU Ward-02:

May 2022  July 2025

Patients admitted: 2,152

Deaths recorded: 521

Mortality rate: 23%27%, consistent over three years

43% of deaths occurred within 72 hours  the most critical survival window

Breakdown of early deaths:

Within 24 hours: 156 deaths (29.94%)

Within 72 hours: 70 deaths (13.44%)

Health officials say such figures strongly suggest delays or lapses in urgent medical response. If proven, this is not just corruption, it is a criminal conspiracy that endangered lives, a senior health department official told Mumbai Mirror.

Negligence deja vu

Shockingly, this is not the first time St Georges Hospital has been caught at the centre of a scandal linked to medical neglect. In August 2024, hospital sweeper Anish Kailash Chauhan died after allegedly waiting three hours for treatment following a head injury. CCTV footage showed him left unattended in a wheelchair until he collapsed. Two RMOs and one CMO were suspended after public outrage.

Bhosale says the new bribery scandal exposes a cruel reality: This isnt merely corruption  this is life and death.


Air Force Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach was confirmed as the next Air Force chief of staff, the last hurdle before he takes the services top spot from Gen. David Allvin. Allvin unexpectedly left the position in August, when he announced his retirement after roughly two years into the four-year job.

Wilsbachs path to the services top position was unconventional, as several of President Donald Trumps most recent picks for senior generals have been. A career fighter pilot, Wilsbach announced earlier this year that he would be retiring as the commanding general of Air Combat Command, the Air Forces largest command, but canceled his planned retirement to take the job when Allvin announced that he was retiring.

In his Oct.9 hearing in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Wilsbach said one of the major challenges he anticipates tackling is the retention of pilots and generating more flight hours for training across the Air Forces aging fleet.

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Hell now report directly to another four-star Air Force general and career fighter pilot who also put off retirement to join Trumps senior Pentagon leaders, Gen. Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Caine retired as a two-star general in December 2024, but was brought back on active duty and elevated to the militarys top position by Trump in April.

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Wilsbach was one of two generals whose candidacies for the top service job were unusually public, along with Global Strike Command leader Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere. Several retired Air Force generals publicly endorsed Wilsbach after Allvins departure, an unusually public gesture by retired general officers. Wilsbach also came under fire from far-right-leaning critics, who attacked his support of diversity initiatives earlier in his career. Supporters noted that such policies were widespread at the time, and Wilsbachs participation would have been mandatory as a commander.

As the commander of Air Combat Command, Wilsbach cultivated a reputation for strict adherence to uniform and appearance standards. In one small case, he turned down a request for aircraft mechanics at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, to be allowed to wear boonie hats on the flight line to ward off the desert heat during the summer months. In a wider-ranging policy, he launched a command-wide focus on uniform inspections, mandating regular open ranks inspections for all 135,000 airmen in the command, and a critical approach to medical shaving waivers.

While the vast majority of Airmen maintain professional standards, I am concerned by a discernible decline in the commitment to, and enforcement of, military standards, Wilsbach wrote in a memo announcing the ACC policies. This will change.
Frustration is soaring as air traffic controllers miss their first paychecks, the union chief says.

"The tension is at an all-time high," Nick Daniels, the president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said.

Over 13,000 controllers are expected to remain on duty without pay amid the shutdown.

Air traffic controllers are still guiding the skies, but without pay and under mounting strain as the government shutdown drags on.

"We had a partial paycheck last time, so air traffic controllers have worked over 120 hours now with no pay. The tension is at an all-time high," Nick Daniels, the president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, or NATCA, told NBC News on Wednesday.

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"Air traffic controllers are not only stressed, they're not only fatigued, they're angry. They're upset," Daniels said.

With "no end in sight," he warned that air travel could become less safe each day the shutdown continues.

"When an air traffic controller isn't 100% focused on the job that they do day in and day out, that puts the system at risk," he said. "And every day that this drags on, that risk increases in the system."

According to the Department of Transport, over 13,000 controllers are expected to remain on duty without pay through the government shutdown.

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Controllers missed their first full paychecks on October 28, following a partial payment in mid-October for work completed before the shutdown started.

Earlier this month, Daniels told Business Insider that some airline pilots and flight attendants have sent free food to air traffic controllers amid the shutdown.

Several air traffic controllers previously told Business Insider that they don't want to be used as political bargaining chips  they just want to do their jobs and be paid fairly for it.

"We want to continue to perform for the American people," Peter LeFevre, a Washington, D.C.-based controller and union representative, told Business Insider, "but we don't want the financial uncertainty in the back of our minds when we should be 100% focused on the work we do."

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"The Trump administration is committed to ensuring that our nation's air traffic controllers are paid and fully able to do their jobs keeping Americans safe  and it's unfortunate that Democrats don't share this priority," White House spokesman Kush Desai told Business Insider.

A representative for the NATCA did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider outside regular hours.

Update: October 31, 2025  This story has been updated to include a statement from the White House.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Air Force is telling roughly 50 airmen and Space Force guardians who had expected to separate in November that their time in the service is being extended for 60 days due to the government shutdown, a Department of Air Force spokesperson told Task & Purpose.

The service members affected by the extension have scheduled separation dates, but they have not yet applied for official separation of service, the spokesperson said. The extension ensures that these service members will receive benefits during the shutdown and backpay when the government reopens.

Airmen and guardians are not required to stay in the Air or Space Force for the full 60 days if the federal government reopens before then, the spokesperson said.

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The Department of the Air Force announced the extensions in an email that was sent to the force on Thursday.

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The move comes one week after the Army announced that soldiers nearing the end of their contracts would be extended for 45 days because the federal government is legally barred by the Antideficiency Act from spending money during a government shutdown.

Failure to extend personnel may result in losing access to base, housing, benefits, pay, reimbursement for travel, and household goods shipment, Army spokesman Maj. Travis Shaw told Task & Purpose on Wednesday. As an Army priority, the extension is for the soldiers and their familys health and welfare.

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The shutdown began Oct. 1, and it is unclear when Congress will pass a spending measure to fund federal government operations.

While these extensions may feel similar to stop-loss  a policy under which service members are involuntarily retained on active duty beyond the end of their contract  there are key differences in the underlying legal rationales for the two different types of actions, said Katherine Kuzminski, director of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at the Center for a New American Security think tank in Washington, D.C.

The president has the authority to enact stop-loss during a national emergency (a time of war) to meet requirements, and [it] is based on retaining those from either specific career fields necessary to the national interest or retaining specific units for an active national security requirement, Kuzminski told Task & Purpose for an Oct. 22 story.

In this case, the extension is designed to ensure that troops stay in uniform throughout the shutdown so that when the government reopens, they will receive pay and benefits, and any entitlements that come with separating.

Read the Air Force email about the extensions below:

Due to the lapse in appropriations, the Department of the Air Force is legally prohibited from obligating the government for costs associated with your pending separation. As a result, the DAF is extending your date of separation (DOS) by 60 days until we can legally approve separation orders. This extension of 60-days offers maximum flexibility, reducing the likelihood of multiple extensions in the event of a prolonged shutdown and avoids establishing separation dates during federal holidays in November and December. Departing without official separation orders may jeopardize eligibility for separation-related benefits and entitlements.

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You will maintain leave, pay, benefits, and entitlements while on active duty. Once funding is restored through an appropriation or continuing resolution, you may request an earlier separation. Reapplication for separation is not required.

We understand each Airman and Guardians situation is unique, and we are committed to providing you with as much information and support as possible during this uncertain time. Your servicing MPF is standing by for your questions. You may also direct questions to AFPC at afpc.dps.separations@us.af.mil.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WKRG)  Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is speaking out against Colorado Attorney General Phil Weisers lawsuit regarding the U.S. Space Command Headquarters.

Fairhope Witches Ride to benefit the Baldwin Humane Society

According to Nexstar affiliate Fox 21, Weiser filed the lawsuit against President Donald Trumps administration, claiming the president was punishing Colorado for its vote-by-mail system.

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The president could not have been clearer about his motivations for moving Space Command. He said Colorados mail-in voting system was a big factor in his decision-making, said Weiser. The Constitution does not permit the Executive Branch to punish or retaliate against states for lawfully exercising powers reserved for them, such as the power to regulate elections.

Marshall claimed that it was President Joe Bidens administration that injected politics into the process when he moved the command center from Alabama to Colorado.

The Inspector General for the Department of Defense has confirmed that President Trumps 2021 decision to select Huntsville was factually sound and well justified, said Marshall. If Colorado insists on fighting a political battle in federal court, Alabama will meet them there, and win, said Marshall.

Foley officials remind drivers popular intersection is closed, follow detours

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Weiser is working to get a court order to declare that the presidents decision to move the command center is unconstitutional and unlawful, as well as an injunction to prohibit him from taking further action to move the facility based on the illegal decision, according to Fox 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 WKRG News 5.
ALABAMA (WHNT)  Alabama leaders are reacting following news that the Colorado Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the decision to move the Space Command to Huntsville, despite the fact the command has already started moving pieces to the Rocket City.

President Donald Trump announced in September that SPACECOM would move from its provisional headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. to Redstone Arsenal.

U.S. Air Force Major Chris Bowyer-Meeder, current operations chief for U.S. Space Command Public Affairs, told News 19 Thursday that the day the Space Command move was announced, our commander sent advance teams down to start doing some planning.

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He said those teams have continued that work in Huntsville/Redstone Arsenal since Sept. 2.

There is no permanent party there yet, but that is simply a result of the amount of planning that has to go into a move of this scale, Major Bowyer-Meeder said.

He said there has been no updated official figure for the Space Command workforce since January. As of Jan. 1, there are 1,059 government personnel assigned to HQ USSPACECOM, which includes 453 military and 606 federal civilians. Total personnel authorizations for HQ USSPACECOM locations in FY25 is 1,397.

Major Bowyer-Meeder also said Space Command received its orders on Sept. 2 and began moving forward based on those orders, led by U.S. Space Command Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting.

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General Whiting, I can say, after getting his getting his mission to move, has moved expeditiously  to move out in this direction.

Colorado AG Phil Weisers lawsuit claimed that the decision made by President Donald Trump in September was a punishment for Colorados vote by mail system. The lawsuit also claims the move to Huntsville is unconstitutional and violates federal law requiring public notices and reports to Congress before moving a major military headquarters location.

In response to the lawsuit, Alabama AG Steve Marshall issued a statement:

The Inspector General for the Department of Defense has confirmed that President Trumps 2021 decision to select Huntsville was factually sound and well justified. It was the Biden administration that injected politics into the process when it reversed course, punished Alabama, and rewarded Colorado. Now that President Trump has made things right again, Colorado seeks to use the federal courts to reimpose Biden-era politics on Americans who have overwhelmingly rejected them. This lawsuit is nothing more than a partisan attempt to overturn a lawful, evidence-based decision repeatedly validated by military experts, independent reviews, and congressional oversight. Alabama will vigorously defend this decision in court and is confident the law and facts are squarely on our side. If Colorado insists on fighting a political battle in federal court, Alabama will meet them there, and win. Our focus remains on supporting our service members, strengthening national defense, and ensuring Space Commands continued success in Huntsville. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall

Since the lawsuit was announced on October 29, several Alabama leaders have responded. You can find their responses below:

Colorado was only meant to be a temporary headquarters and didnt even finish second or third in the evaluation process. Huntsville won on merit, something this lawsuit in my opinion, is completely lacking. Representative Robert Aderholt

Desperate times in Colorado, desperate measures. Bless their hearts. Space Command Headquarters is on its way to Alabama. As Attorney General Marshall stated, the law and facts are squarely on our side. We won on our merits and we will win in the courts. Governor Kay Ivey

President Trump rightfully restored integrity to the site selection process and honored the U.S. Air Forces preferred basing decision by permanently locating Space Command Headquarters in Huntsville. Any effort to overturn the Air Forces detailed analysiswhich ranked Huntsville as the top choice across 21 categories and was endorsed by both President Biden and President Trumps Air Force secretariesshould be recognized for what it is: a purely partisan attempt to undermine a sound, data-driven decision. Senator Katie Britt

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This is a desperate effort to salvage a blatantly political decision by the Biden administration. Study after study has confirmed that Redstone Arsenal is the best home for SPACECOM. Its more secure and saves taxpayers more than $420 million. I look forward to welcoming SPACECOM to its rightful home at Redstone Arsenal. Senator Tommy Tuberville

The 21 categories that were evaluated determined what was best for national security in America. Not once, but twice it said that Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama was the preferred location. Itll save this country about a half a billion dollars by building it in Alabama. Again, Colorado has stretched, trying to change this. I want to do whats right for national security, were going to fight them until the end. Space Command is coming to Redstone Arsenal. The president has already said it. Ive spoken to him more than once related to it, and I can promise you the Alabama delegation is galvanized. Space Command is coming to Huntsville, lets move through this lawsuit, and lets get vertical with these buildings. Our country has no time to waste. Congressman Dale Strong

The Rocket City was named a finalist for USSPACECOM in November 2020 when Trump was in his first presidential term.

In January 2021, the Secretary of the Air Force, on behalf of the Office of Secretary of Defense, named Redstone Arsenal as the preferred permanent location for the headquarters, and the Department of Defense later found that the evaluation process had been done reasonably.

Former President Joe Biden made the decision in 2023 to keep SPACECOM in Colorado Springs. Officials said that then- Space Command Head General James Dickinson convinced the President that the move would impact military readiness negatively.

In September, a spokesperson for the White House told News 19 that the transition is expected to bring Alabama 30,000 new jobs.

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For more information on the United States Space Command, 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 WHNT.com.
Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, stands on the floor of the Alabama Senate on Feb. 13, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. Livingston pre-filed a bill that would require health insurers to cover prostate cancer screenings for high-risk patients. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

An Alabama senator is reviving a bill for the 2026 legislative session that would require health insurance companies to cover prostate cancer screenings for all high-risk patients.

SB 19, sponsored by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, would allow all men over 50 and high risk men over 40 to be screened for prostate cancer without any cost-sharing obligations.

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Livingston said in an interview earlier this month that a constituent brought the issue to him in the middle of the 2024 session.

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It was late in the session, so I really didnt expect it to go anywhere that year, Livingston said. Then last year, we got down to the wire with it. We were in a position to go and just ran out of time.

The American Cancer Society estimates that 5,440 men in Alabama will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. It also estimates that 10% of those will die from the disease.

This bill would make Alabama a nationwide leader in helping to reduce the cancer burden, Jane Adams, government relations director for ACS CAN in Alabama, said in a press release. People at high risk for prostate cancer should be able to access impactful screenings without the threat of extra costs.

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The 2025 version of the bill was approved by the Senate and committees in both chambers by the end of April. It was never considered by the full House.

According to the American Cancer Society, Black men are at higher risk for the disease. The mortality rate for prostate cancer was 18.7 per 100,000 men in 2022, half of what it was in 1993. The 5-year survival rate for the disease is 100% for the majority of men diagnosed with localized- or regional-stage prostate cancer, but drops to 37% for those diagnosed with distant-stage disease, according to the American Cancer Society. The 10-year survival rate for all stages combined is 98%.

The 2026 legislative session begins in January.
A sign at Alabama State University entrance in Montgomery, Alabama as seen in 2023. (Getty Images)

Alabama State University (ASU) has received the largest donation in the history of the university.

ASU, one of the nations Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), received $38 million from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott, the largest contribution in the schools 158-year history.

We are deeply grateful to MacKenzie Scott for her unprecedented generosity in supporting the vision of Alabama State University. The message here is clear: the work being done at this University is being held in high regard, Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr., ASU president, said in a statement Monday. This investment allows us to continue to make a significant impact as an institution of higher learning now and for generations to come. This is a history-making moment at the place where history is made.

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The university said in the statement that the money will be used for bolstering the universitys endowment, enhancing student success initiatives, expanding its research and technology infrastructure and deepening ASUs engagement within the Montgomery community and beyond but did not provide details.

ASUs total budget in 2024 was $113.6 million. About 4,081 students were enrolled at the university for the Fall 2024 semester. ASU is budgeted to receive $66.5 million from Alabamas Education Trust Fund budget in the 2026 fiscal year, which began on Oct. 1.

This marks the third HBCU that Scott has donated to this month. Earlier this month, she gave $63 million to Morgan State University in Baltimore and $38 million to The University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Maryland.

Scott also donated $70 million to the United Negro College Fund to help the organization support the 37 HBCUs it serves.

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The university said they had no indication that they would be receiving the money from Scott.

Weve just been doing the work  staying true to our mission, our students, and our community, Ross said in the statement. You never know whos watching, and to be recognized in this way reminds us that our efforts matter. Alabama State Universitys impact is reaching farther than we sometimes realize.
(Photo by Krisanapong Detraphiphat/Getty Images)

Its not a Monty Python joke.

Prosecutors with the Alaska Department of Laws Office of Special Prosecutions have filed seven criminal felony charges against The Knights of Ni LLC and its owner, Ryan Carroll, accusing Caroll of defrauding the states Medicaid system of more than $500,000.

Online court records did not list an attorney for Carroll, who could not be reached for comment.

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Records published by Alaskas division of corporate, business and professional licensing show that The Knights of Ni LLC was involuntarily dissolved in 2024 after failing to meet the requirements to keep operating. A record from 2022 shows Carroll as owning 100% of the company. The Knights of Ni is an apparent reference to the 1975 film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

The Department of Law declined to comment on the case.

According to the criminal complaint, which was filed in Anchorage Superior Court on Oct. 23, the state charges came after an investigation by the Alaska Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which operates under the Department of Law.

According to an investigator with the unit, Carroll operated as a care coordinator. A care coordinator is someone who helps a Medicaid patient gain needed medical, social and other services, regardless of the funding source for the services to which access is granted, according to court filings.

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Care coordinators typically work with people who are mentally or physically disabled and cannot fill out paperwork on their own. Under state law and regulation, a care coordinator can be paid by the Alaska Department of Health for their work if they document their patient visits and submit a report to the state.

According to the criminal complaint, the Department of Health received a message warning that Carroll was having an inappropriate relationship with one of his  clients.

That prompted an investigation which found Carroll had missed several reports that could have caused as many as 19 Alaskans to lose health care. Further review discovered Carroll documenting that he was providing monthly care coordination contacts to more than one client on the same date, time, but at different locations.

In many cases, state investigators found Carroll had not submitted the proper forms to bill Medicaid, and in some cases, it was not clear whether Carroll was making any contact with his assigned recipients due to the lack of documentation to support his services.

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Based on a review, there was a total of $519,855.73 worth of claims between 2018 and 2022 that did not have sufficient documentation, the complaint states.

The case has not yet been assigned to a judge, and a preliminary arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 21 in Anchorage.
Case files for a legal matter referred to the Alaska Supreme Court are seen on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, in Juneau. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

The Alaska Supreme Court will decide whether state regulators acted correctly to fine backers of a failed election reform ballot measure more than $94,000 for a variety of alleged campaign finance violations.

In the process, it may determine whether the backers of ballot measures are required to disclose the true source of money donated to ballot measure campaigns.

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On Wednesday, the courts five justices heard oral arguments in an appeal brought by Alaskans for Honest Elections, the Ranked Choice Education Association, Arthur Mathias and Wellspring Ministries.

The four plaintiffs were supporters of a 2024 effort to repeal the states system of open primary elections and ranked choice general elections. That effort failed by a narrow margin, but the plaintiffs were accused of a variety of illegal practices during the election, including an alleged attempt to funnel campaign money through a church in Washington state.

An Anchorage Superior Court judge upheld the fines in 2024, and the plaintiffs appealed again to the Alaska Supreme Court.

Former Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson argued the case for Alaskans for Honest Elections, contending that the Alaska Public Offices Commission  which regulates campaign activity  improperly applied state law, incorrectly determined that Mathias made an illegal contribution, and that even if he did break the law, he is protected by the First Amendment.

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One of the key issues in the case is whether Alaskas prohibition against making a political donation in the name of another person applies to ballot measure campaigns as well as candidate campaigns.

In written filings, Clarkson said it does not, and if it did, that would violate the First Amendment. Attorneys representing the Public Offices Commission say the requirement does apply, and that the rule is valid even under the First Amendment.

Intervening in the case on the side of state regulators is Alaskans for Better Elections (ABE), the group that backed a 2020 ballot measure that installed Alaskas existing elections system and a legal requirement that political candidates reveal the true source of the money they receive.

Under state law, ABE argues, a political donor cannot secretly give money to a nonprofit, which then donates in their name. While the donation can take place, the nonprofit must disclose the true source of the money.

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Not so, Clarkson said, citing the preface of the 2020 ballot measure.

It specifically says its directed at candidate elections, he told the justices.

During oral arguments Wednesday, Clarkson acknowledged a large donation by Mathias to the Ranked Choice Education Association, which was formed as a church in Washington state.

The Association did donate money to Alaskans for Honest Elections, which campaigned in 2024, but Mathias money was comingled with other money, Clarkson said, and so it is a mistake to claim his money was what went to the campaign group.

Assistant Attorney General Kimber Rogers, representing the Public Offices Commission, said the intent, not the action, is what matters under state law.

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The point is that (Mathias) intended to pass $90,000 through the (Ranked Choice Education) Association to the initiative group. He got the money all comingled in an account, but whats important is his intentions, she said.

Repealing Alaskas system of open primary elections and ranked choice general elections is a top priority of social conservatives and the Alaska Republican Party, which is pursuing a different repeal effort for the 2026 statewide election.

Though Republicans tended to back the 2024 repeal attempt as well, Clarksons arguments have gotten a boost from a powerful progressive group, the 907 Initiative.

In a friend-of-the-court brief, the 907 Initiative argues that the states disclosure requirements were only intended to apply to candidate elections and should not apply to ballot measures. The Initiative also sides with Clarksons First Amendment arguments, saying that campaign finance disclosure rules like Alaskas should be subject to First Amendment analysis because they directly target political speech.

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No one from the 907 Initiative argued in person at Wednesdays hearing.

At the conclusion of Wednesdays arguments, Chief Justice Susan Carney said the court will take the case under advisement and issue a written decision later.
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  The Alaska Supreme Court is weighing a case that is expected to determine who can provide abortion care in the state.

The court heard arguments Wednesday in a 2019 case challenging the constitutionality of a law that states only a doctor licensed by the State Medical Board can perform an abortion in Alaska.

The law, dating to the 1970s, was struck down as unconstitutional by Superior Court judge Josie Garton last year, a victory for the group that brought the challenge, Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky. The state appealed Garton's ruling.

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Planned Parenthood has argued there is no medical justification for the restriction and that it unfairly burdens those seeking an abortion by limiting the pool of those qualified to provide care. In 2021, Garton granted the groups request to allow advanced practice clinicians  health care workers, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants  to provide medication abortion pending her decision in the underlying case. They have continued to do so and since the 2024 ruling also have been able to provide procedural abortions, Planned Parenthood says.

Advanced practice clinicians routinely provide care similar in risk and complexity to that of providing abortion services, and in 25 states can provide medication abortion, attorneys for Planned Parenthood said in court documents. Planned Parenthood's advanced practice clinicians seek to provide abortion care in just the first trimester, the attorneys said.

Since Garton's 2021 decision, advanced practice clinicians have been providing nearly all medication abortions in Alaska, and Planned Parenthood clinics in the state have been able to offer medication abortion each day they've been open, the attorneys wrote. Before that, doctors hired by Planned Parenthood on a per diem basis  at the clinics on limited days  were able to offer medication abortions perhaps once or twice a week at each clinic, they wrote.

A vital statistics report released by the state this year shows that the total number of abortions in Alaska has been fairly consistent  1,229 in 2021, 1,247 in 2022, 1,222 in 2023 and 1,224 last year. The report says that could include cases where medication was provided to manage a miscarriage, but without providing a number. It also says reasons for ending pregnancies are not reported to the state.

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The U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 overturned a federal right to abortion, leaving it up to each state to regulate.

Access to health care has been a longstanding concern in Alaska, with travel  sometimes covering hundreds of miles  required for many residents. Compounding that are ongoing challenges to recruit and keep medical providers.

Most Alaska communities are not connected to the states main road system, and health care in many small communities is often limited, requiring residents to fly to larger cities, such as Anchorage or Seattle, for more options or for specialized care. Roundtrip flights can easily cost hundreds of dollars. In remote communities, fog or poor weather can cause flight delays.

Planned Parenthood has two clinics in Alaska, in Anchorage and Fairbanks. It closed its clinic in Juneau last year.

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The Alaska Supreme Court has long interpreted the right to privacy in the states constitution as encompassing abortion rights.

But attorneys for the state argued in court filings that Planned Parenthood did not show that the law at the center of the legal challenge had inhibited women in Alaska from exercising their right to choose an abortion. Planned Parenthood could have hired more doctors but chose not to, wrote the attorneys, including Laura Wolff, an assistant attorney general.

Even if an occasional patient were prevented from getting an abortion, the physician-only law is not unconstitutional as applied to all women who are not significantly affected by the law because the law has a plainly legitimate sweep, the filing states.

Wolff and Camila Vega, an attorney representing Planned Parenthood, argued their respective sides in court Wednesday. The court did not indicate when it might rule.
In a major boost to Mumbais art and design education landscape, the state government has begun work on expanding the Sir J.J. School of Art, Architecture, and Design with a new sub-centre coming up in Vikhroli (East). The expansion follows the institutes upgrade to a STET deemed university, a status conferred in October 2023  marking a historic transition for the citys oldest and most prestigious art institution.

A land parcel has already been acquired from the BMC in the eastern suburbs, and the state is now preparing to seek funding approval for the project. Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil said the expansion will support the universitys academic restructuring under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and help accommodate new-age programmes that require larger, modern facilities.

A five-acre land parcel has been acquired from BMC near Godrej in Vikhroli East. The proposal for sanctioning funds to establish a sub-centre is ready and will be tabled during the upcoming winter session of the state assembly. This will be a sub-centre of JJ de-novo deemed university, and some of the new courses will be started here, while others will be shifted, Patil said in the presence of Dr Kishor Ingale, Director of the Directorate of Art, Maharashtra.

The institute, earlier comprising three independent schools of Art, Architecture, and Applied Arts, has now been unified under the brand Sir J.J. School of Art, Architecture, and Design, reflecting its broadened academic scope.

The university aims to reposition itself as a global centre of excellence in creativity, innovation, and design research.

To preserve the cultural heritage of its historic Fort campus, the state has already sanctioned funds for the restoration of heritage buildings and redevelopment of hostels  a long-awaited upgrade for thousands of students living and learning in aging, congested facilities.

As part of its long-term vision, JJ will soon introduce five new departments, including contemporary and industry-driven disciplines such as digital design, new media arts, and allied creative technologies.

University officials said these upgrades will enhance academic autonomy, enable international collaborations, and attract global faculty and industry partnerships. The governments push comes at a time when Mumbais creative economy  spanning media, architecture, animation, gaming, and advertising  is expanding rapidly. Students and industry experts believe the upgrade will not only retain homegrown talent but also position JJ as a major force in shaping Indias design future, said a senior official from the Higher and Technical Education Department.

He added that while the land acquisition has been completed, the department is now working on securing funds and completing the remaining logistics and statutory formalities. Once funds are approved, development of the Vikhroli sub-centre is expected to begin in phases, the official confirmed.


Oct. 29The Alaska Supreme Court is considering whether to overturn a lower court ruling that removed restrictions on the kind of providers who can perform abortions in the state.

A Superior Court judge last year struck down a law that required abortions to be performed only by a doctor licensed by the State Medical Board. The ruling came after Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky sued the state in 2019.

Advanced practice clinicians  including physician assistants and nurse practitioners  have been allowed to provide medication abortion in Alaska since 2021, when Superior Court Judge Josie Garton granted a Planned Parenthood request while the underlying case was ongoing.

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The lower court order allowed Planned Parenthood to begin providing abortions every day of the week, instead of just one day a week, according to Planned Parenthood, which operates clinics in Anchorage and Fairbanks.

According to statistics collected by the state, the number of abortions provided in Alaska has remained fairly steady since the order was issued, after declining steadily in the previous decade. However, in the same time period, the percent of abortions performed using medication, rather than more invasive procedures, has increased.

The Alaska Constitution has been interpreted to protect abortion access. But the administration of Gov. Mike Dunleavy has repeatedly sought to limit access to the procedure and to punish the court system for its defense of abortion access.

The struck law that the Dunleavy administration seeks to revive dates back to 1970, when Alaska first sought to regulate abortion access.

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"The specific animating concern was what is often referred to as back-alley abortions," Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Henderson said during the Wednesday hearing.

An attorney for the Dunleavy administration argued in court that allowing only doctors  and not physician assistants or nurses  to perform abortions does not significantly limit access to the procedure.

Some of the Supreme Court judges appeared to question that during oral arguments held Wednesday.

"The real world in Alaska is  health care is already a challenge," said Judge Aimee Oravec. "If, say, in a generic state that has a high population with a great road system and a grid, this law wouldn't be a substantial burden because there's lots of providers, lots of options, lots of appointments, but in Alaska we uniquely have a challenging health care provision  even if it's an inconvenience somewhere else, wouldn't that incremental challenge result in a substantial burden here?"

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Many residents of rural Alaska must travel to seek abortions in Anchorage, Fairbanks or outside of Alaska.

Laura Wolff, the attorney representing the state, argued that Planned Parenthood had not sufficiently proved that patients seeking abortions in Alaska had been denied access to them because of the limit on who could perform them.

Camila Vega, an attorney representing Planned Parenthood, said the limit on who could perform an abortion violated Alaskans' rights regardless of whether specific patients had been denied an abortion because of it.

"Contrary to what the state has represented, it is not Planned Parenthood's burden to show that there is some minimum number threshold of patients that have been prevented from accessing abortion in order to show that this law infringes Alaska's equal protection and privacy rights," said Vega.

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Rebecca Gibron, chief executive of Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky, said in a statement that Alaska's "vast geography and severe health care shortages already make it difficult for people in Alaska to access timely, essential care."

"Qualified clinicians are ready and able to provide abortion services safely. The State's efforts to block them only deepen long-standing inequities and unnecessarily endanger patients," Gibron said.
ALBERTVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  For this weeks News 19s Student of the Week, News 19s Ellie Byrd visited Albertville High School to speak with senior Grady Harrison.

We have met a lot of students from around the Tennessee Valley, and theyre all amazing, but Grady truly left a lasting impact on Ellie  and all the students and teachers around him!

You dont have to look far to find Grady, just follow the laughter.

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Hes an amazing kid. Hes involved in a little bit of everything. Hes in the band for us, in our FCCLA and the President of ALs Pals, said Principal Steven Hudgins.

Grady has been blind since he was seven years old  but youd never know it by the way he moves through life.

That does not hold him back at all. No, he is not one to make excuses. Grady is good at overcoming any adversity that comes his way. He is successful in anything that he puts his mind to. Like I said earlier, academics, culinary band, whatever he tries that he succeeds at, he has a determination about him that he is going to be the best at anything that he does, said Principal Hudgins.

When Grady was asked about how he went blind, he asked us, Do you want the medical reason? Do you want my personal opinion?

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So medically it says undetermined. They have no idea. I went to, I think it was Childrens Hospital in Birmingham. And we were there for seven days. They ran copious amounts of tests, and nothing. They have no idea. However, in my personal opinion, wed have to cut back to two months before. We are all in Florida, and I really like swimming. I am overly enthusiastic about swimming, so me and my brother Mason, were getting ready to go swimming So, I decided, being enthusiastic as I am, I turned and ran out of the room. So, you know the part where birds cant see the windows? Yes. Okay. So, we were in a condo and its plexiglass. So, six-year-old me running like 70 miles an hour headfirst into the plexiglass doors. It gets worse. I bounce off my feet, lift off the ground, and the back of my skull hits the marble floor. Two months later, I started going blind. And over the course of six weeks, like my perception of vision.

Gradys resilience and attitude about everything are an inspiration to everyone he comes in contact with. When asked about how he felt being nominated as News 19s Student of the Week, Grady, of course, used his charm and humor to make us all laugh.

Its wild! There are so many other people who, like, are also amazing. Im just shocked that its me specifically that you chose. Im really thankful for it. But also, I just wasnt completely out of it, Im completely blindsided because you could say, Grady said.

For Grady, life isnt about what hes missing  its about what hes been given. Hes said hes more intelligent, he loves to read, space camp, building Legos and music, of course.

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It helped me be more introspective. I would say I think through things more since I have a lot more time to. So even though going blind is a terrible thing. Its sort of like changed me for the better, I like I listen to music more, I pay attention a lot more, and I got a lot more academic this year, he said.

And now has a bigger purpose to inspire so many of his peers.

The band is the reason I do a lot of things. I got really social because of the band. I met a lot of my best friends through the band or in the band, and I want to make them proud and show them anything is possible, he said.

Albertville has one of the biggest bands in our area and Grady doesnt miss a beat. Hes hoping to pursue a career in music, potentially at Auburn University.

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Theres obviously some hurdles, and, like, just trying to figure out how to play some of the music because obviously theres sheet music and theres Braille music, but I just learn by ear. That was a challenge at first, but obviously it all just takes practice and time, he said.

Gradys story at such a young age is one of strength, humor, and heart  a reminder that even without sight, his vision for life couldnt be any clearer

I would encourage, perseverance. Theres always light at the end of the road, even if you dont see it. Like one of my favorite things is that its always darkest before the dawn. And thats true. Like everything, obviously, going blind is a terrible thing to do. I wouldnt recommend it. In any formal way, but also, like, it sort of shaped my personality because I was very honest, Grady said.

The bonds that Grady has formed and the memories hes made will never be forgotten here at Albertville High School. Grady told us that he will never forget the help he received here from his band teachers or Mr. Powell, the person who really helps him one-on-one with things.

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So, my aide, Mr. Powell, hes the best. I just got to get that out of the way. There really is nobody better! Hes amazing; hes gone above and beyond every time. There are so many situations, I can point out exactly how much he truly has done for me, he said.

If you would like to nominate a Student of the Week, email us at Studentoftheweek@whnt.com or talk to your local school system today!

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.
A Birmingham police officer used less-lethal force on a woman during a struggle between the two before the woman was fatally shot, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency officials said on Thursday.

Vanessa Ragland, 36, died at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, less than an hour after she was shot by a Birmingham police officer.

The shooting happened shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday inside a home in the 600 block of Brunson Avenue.

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Birmingham police said officers were dispatched to a report of a violent person with possible weapons inside a home.

During the course of the incident, an officer with the Birmingham Police Department encountered a confrontational individual within the residence, later identified as Ragland, said ALEA Capt. Jeremy Burkett.

Ragland engaged the officer, forcing the officer to use less-lethal force in an attempt to gain control of Ragland, Burkett said.

A combative Ragland continued to fight with the officer, ultimately causing the officer to discharge their firearm striking Ragland.

Officers put out a max-emergency alert, initially drawing officers from throughout the city to the neighborhood.

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Ragland was taken to UAB Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 6:09 p.m.

Burkett said Ragland was unarmed at the time but said he does not have any additional information concerning the specifics of the confrontation between Ragland and the officer.

Raglands parents on Thursday declined to comment on the shooting. They said they were obtaining a lawyer.

A woman who identified herself as Raglands cousin said Ragland was autistic. She said a domestic argument was taking place at the home and Ragland tried to intervene to protect her mother from being arrested.

Ragland, the woman posted, grabbed the police Taser to protect her mom.

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They got her to calm down, the woman wrote. As she try (sic) to hand the officer the Taser back, they shot her (three) times and killed her in front of her mom and dad.

Investigators have not commented on the relatives account of what took place.

No officers were injured during the course of the incident.

ALEAs State Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe, which is standard procedure in most officer-involved-shootings.

Burkett said once complete, the findings will be turned over to the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office.

Read the original article on al.com.
ANDERSON  An Alexandria man has been found guilty on seven felony counts including child solicitation and child molesting.

Following a three-day trial in Madison Circuit Court Division 1, a jury Thursday found Scott A. Eacret Jr., 33, guilty on three felony charges of child molesting, child solicitation and two counts of intimidation and possession of child pornography.

Judge Angela Warner Sims set sentencing for Nov. 24. The states case was presented by deputy Madison County prosecutors Dan Kopp and Kylie Yapp.

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He faces a sentence of 20 to 40 years on the most serious felony child molesting charge.

According to a probable cause affidavit, a 13-year-old girl informed a social worker at Alexandria-Monroe High School in October that she had been molested several times between October and December 2022.

During a Kids Talk forensic interview, the girl recounted two instances in which Eacret allegedly placed duct tape over her mouth and had sexual intercourse with her.

The court document states that Eacret was believed to have used a credit card to unlock a bedroom door, pushed her on the bed and placed duct tape on her mouth.

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Before removing the duct tape, Eacret said the girl shouldnt say anything and told her to remember how crazy my family is.

According to the probable cause affidavit, after several more instances, the girl reported the molestations to the school social worker.

Investigators found a picture of a knife on the girls cellphone from Eacret with her name carved on it.

The court document states Alexandria police believe the picture of the knife sent by Eacret was a threat directed at the girl.
CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A convicted sex offender with a 26-year arrest history is back behind bars for a charge officials said he has violated dozens of times before.

Body camera footage from the Cheatham County Sheriffs Office shows members of the absconder unit track down Christopher Oliver, 44, on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

CCSO Sgt. Ryan Hawkins located Oliver in the woods and ordered him to come out. Once Oliver was in custody, the deputy informed the 44-year-old he was charged with felony violation of probation and violation of the sex offender registry.

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Looks like on August 9th, you let your monitor go dead, Hawkins told Oliver.

JULY 2025 | VIDEO: Wanted man arrested after Cheatham County Sheriffs Office launches new warrants unit

According to the Tennessee Department of Correction, Oliver has a long history with law enforcement:

In November 2024, he was convicted of Violation of Sex Offender Registry/Monitoring Act (x3), Sex Offender Registry/Residence Restrictions, and Falsification of Registration. He was sentenced to serve 1 year followed by 5 years of probation. In 2004 he was convicted of Statutory Rape & Sexual Battery and received a 2-year sentence, to serve 1 year in jail at 75% and then was placed on probation for the remainder. He also has convictions for Theft, Criminal Simulation, Burglary, Falsification of Registration (2012, 2010), Violating the Sex Offender Registry (2010), and Schedule VI Drugs.

AUGUST 2025 | You can only run so much: Recent arrests highlight progress of Cheatham Countys absconder unit

Hawkins said he has apprehended Oliver multiple times in the past: This is at least the fourth time Ive personally arrested him. I know how he thinks, I know hes going to run, I know where hes gonna go when he runs  its almost a routine at this point.

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According to Cheatham County investigators, over the decades, Oliver has been arrested dozens of times for crimes that include theft, burglary, and being a convicted sex offender on school grounds, not to mention dozens of violations of the sex offender registry.

Youre in charge of getting rid of these warrants, one after another, moving to the next one, and then this guy comes back on top. Its kind of like youre running on a treadmill, News 2s Andy Cordan summarized.

Yeah, it gets frustrating. I think weve talked about it multiple times, Hawkins replied. We see the warrant and we throw our hands up and like, Man, what do we gotta do to get this guy to stay in jail for a while?'

SEPTEMBER 2025 | Cheatham Countys absconder unit tracks down repeat offender

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Weve had multiple encounters with Mr. Oliver, CCSO Capt. Chris Gilmore told News 2. Weve got 70-plus police reports that hes named in in some way, shape, form, or fashion.

Gilmore said hes curious why his deputies have to spend so much time and so many resources re-arresting the same suspects: You would think that youd deal with this once or twice and that should probably be the end of it, but he continues to get out and we continue to deal with it over and over again.

Arresting a guy like Mr. Oliver almost seems like a treadmill to me, like youre walking and youre going miles and miles but youre not going anywhere, Cordan described.

That is a really good analogy. [It] seems like its just a nonstop circle. Its kind of taxing our resources, Gilmore responded. We are chasing the same people over and over, but at some point, you just wish that the ones you do continue to chase over and over that they would be locked up and kept there until they change their behavior.

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OCTOBER 2025 | Cheatham County fugitive found 12 years after arrest

For the moment, Oliver is being held in the Cheatham County jail. He has a bond hearing set for 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 WKRN News 2.
CHICAGO  The Trump administration has rejected a plea from Governor JB Pritzker to pause its immigration crackdown this Halloween weekend.

Pritzker is pleading for no arrests or what he calls, attacks on Illinosians.

While in Gary, Indiana on Thursday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem denied the governors request, calling it shameful and accused Pritzker of not recognizing the important work agents are doing to keep streets safe for kids.

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The governor had written to Noem and DHS leadership to suspend enforecement operations until Sunday around schools, parks and houses of worship.

Pritzker said he wants to ensure parents are not ripped away from their children, especially this weekend. He said children should not have to trick-or-treat in fear, or experience tear gas or pepper balls thrown their way.

The Department of Homeland Security claims their highest property is to protect children. So today I have to ask them to please live up to those ideals. I sent a letter to Kristi Noem and to the Department of Homeland Security leadership, asking them to pause all of their federal agent operations for the integrity of the Halloween weekend. I am asking for basic human decency, said Gov. Pritzker.

During a press conference Thursday morning, Pritzker pointed to the most recent incident over last weekend in the citys Old Irving Park neighborhood.

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Witnesses say ICE agents approached a man who was working in a yard. In the midst of the encounter, a Halloween block party for children was happening at the same time. A planned parade was also canceled.

Federal agents deploy tear gas during clash with residents during Halloween party in Old Irving Park; at least 3 in custody

Neighbors were concerned and crowded around.

Video shows people confronting ICE agents, some were even pinned to the ground. But neighbors claim that no one was violent.

Federal agents deployed tear gas and three people were taken into custody, at least two were U.S. citizens.

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According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), border patrol was conducting an operation that resulted in the arrest of a criminal illegal immigrant from Mexico, who has previously been arrested for assault.

The Old Irving Park parade was cancalled due to the incident.

Pritzker, along with other local elected leaders, say this ruined the experience for the children and they should have never witnessed the chaos.

So imagine it, children who woke up that morning expectant with joy and excitement to put on their costumes and celebrate with neighbors in what they thought was a safe place  at their homes. Armed, masked agents terrorizing innocent people, especially children, is unconscionable under the color of law. Invading peaceful neighborhoods and having no criminal targets, this wasnt happening before the Trump administration. Now, US federal law enforcement are attacking good and decent people, unprovoked with no explanation, Pritzker said.

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In the wake of the increased ICE activity, several neighborhoods and communities are making alternate plans to keep children safe on Halloween by setting up candy deliveries or encouraging community patrols.

The potential for increased ICE activity on Halloween has local and state politicians teaming up with community organizations to make alternate trick or treating plans.

Were all trying to cover different parts of the southwest side, Little Village, Pilsen, Brighton Park, Back of the Yards, Archer Heights, all those areas that are extremely Latino and have been very hard hit by these ICE raids, Rep. Edgar Gonzalez (23rd District) said.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

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Gonzalez added the intent is to keep children safe during the holiday by setting up candy deliveries or encouraging community patrols.

Theres nothing scarier for kids like at this point, you know, they might see a monster. They might see something thats not going to scare them. Their greatest fear right now is ICE taking away their parents, he said.

Theres still time for local families in surrounding communities to reach out to Gonzalezs office if they need help signing up for candy deliveries. Any family looking to sign up should call the office at 708-295-9159.

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.
As work goes, it was a pretty typical shift for Johnny. An Amazon delivery driver, todays route took his small cargo van through the wooded hills of Big Bear Lake, the rural outskirts of San Bernardino, California. There was just one caveat: his deliveries were bringing him dangerously close to the maw of a raging wildfire.

Assessing his itinerary on the Amazon Flex app as smoke billowed around him, Johnny realized that his entire delivery route was ablaze. He radioed in to dispatch about the obvious dilemma, assuming theyd call him back to the warehouse.

Instead, Amazon told him to buck up and do his best.

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Amazon said, I know its not safe, deliver what you can,' he later recalled. But [Amazon] still sent us to an active fire to deliver.'

If he refused, Johnny knew he could face repercussions: being forced to undergo training on his own time, having his hours cut, or even losing his job altogether. The suite of software on his phone  made up of the Amazon Flex app, eDriving Mentor app, and the DSP Workplace app  combined with the vans onboard sensors, routing software, and AI-powered cameras, constantly monitor his work, alerting Amazon to any deviation that might require correction.

Yet when it comes to reporting safety violations, hazards, or routing errors like the one bringing him into harms way, the tech panopticon surrounding the nearly 400,000 drivers like Johnny fall decidedly flat, like when he was urged back into the path of the blazing wildfire.

The issue of Amazon driver surveillance and worker welfare was the subject of a lengthy investigation by the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR), a research group led by former Google ethicist Timnit Gebru.

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In its latest report, DAIR interviewed Amazon delivery drivers from around the United States  including Johnny, though all names were changed to protect them from retribution  to investigate how algorithmic management and workplace surveillance allows the company to exploit drivers in an uncompromising surveillance dragnet while skirting responsibility for their safety and wellbeing.

One of the key problems facing Amazons bottom line is its reliance on human labor. Until it can completely automate delivery drivers  a goal its currently throwing tons of money at  Amazon works through a network of Direct Service Partners (DSPs), third-party contractors who do the job of hiring, managing, and firing delivery drivers. This shifts Amazons cost structure, relieving it of the costly burden of paying for driver benefits, uniforms, or equipment.

For as much money as it saves, this arrangement also presents a challenge for Amazon when it comes to exercising total authority over those who don the blue vests. Speaking to Futurism, DAIR director of research Alex Hanna said Amazons tech panopticon is central to keeping control over its workers.

Amazon is more interested in treating workers like automata rather than human beings, Hanna said. Amazon would get rid of drivers altogether if they could.

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For now, its arsenal of paternal devices give it the next best thing.

***

As tech has improved over the years, so too has Amazons deployment of invasive tech. One of its more recent additions to DSP vehicles, for example, is the Netradyne AI-camera system. Amazon says the gadgets are installed for employees safety, but drivers tell a different story.

For one thing, the Netradyne cameras have a habit of penalizing drivers at random. Sometimes the camera would glitch out and tell me Im distracted when Im looking straight at the road, Johnny said, according to the DAIR paper.

Even when Netradyne does work as intended, it can feel arbitrary. Drivers interviewed by DAIR reported not being told how to mitigate automatic infractions, so learning the systems quirks becomes an aggravating game of trial-and-error. Many of the lessons are dangerous.

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Youll be going through a light that turns yellow and they want you to immediately slam on your brakes so that you dont risk running a red light, because if you run the red light you get hit on Netradyne, a driver named Madeline told researchers. No matter what cars are behind you, they want you to slam your brakes.

In many DSP vehicles, the number of cameras onboard means workers have virtually no privacy. Because drivers are under intense pressure to hit a huge number of delivery stops, they often face difficult situations when they need to use the restroom or change a tampon during a typical shift. Amazons ever-watching cameras have worsened a well-known issue in which workers resort to urinating in bottles in order to hit their delivery quota.

It takes girls even longer when its that time of the month, Elizabeth said of Amazons notorious bathroom problem. So we just kind of deal with it in the back, especially if we have a heavier route. So when I figured that out [cameras in the back of the vans] I was like Goddamn it! I actually have to go to the bathroom now.

***

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With so many devices keeping watch, its not uncommon for the tech to give drivers conflicting feedback.

There was a semi truck. I guess the guy fell asleep, a driver named Pablo told DAIR in the report. He was driving the wrong way in my lane, towards me. I had to break really hard, really, really hard. And the guy, I guess he finally opens his eyes. He made his truck get out of the way and he rolled over. Next thing I know, I got dinged for hard braking.

Pablo immediately received a scolding text from his DSP, who he told to check the Netradyne camera. Thats what saved me, he said. But another system  the Mentor app  penalized him.

My [Mentor] score [went] from 850 to 650 or something, Pablo continued. For drivers, Mentor is the app responsible for scoring road safety based on GPS. I said to my manager, So what do I do? How do I change my score? Because it wasnt my fault, Pablo said. His DSP manager  whos also liable to lose payment or even the entire Amazon contract if their employee scores dip too low  had no idea.

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So next time Im just gonna crash to keep my score [at] 850, Pablo recalled. Thats basically what you are telling me.

Other drivers also reported being dinged for perfectly reasonable behavior, like drinking water in the cabin, or braking suddenly when traffic hazards pop up out of nowhere.

Johnny, for instance, says he was eventually fired after the seatbelt sensors went down on his DSPs fleet of vans. Though his DSP made Amazon aware of the problem, the resulting hits to his overall safety score apparently pushed him beyond the companys cut-off point.

The seatbelt sensor went off on me seven times supposedly, he said. But I had my seatbelt on. They fired me a few days later through a phone call and voicemail.

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The gulf between these systems highlights a contradiction between Amazon and DSPs. When drivers deliver packages, Amazon expects blazing fast speeds and precision. DSPs, however, have an incentive to keep turnover low and drivers safe  if not for the drivers themselves, then at least for their insurance. Those that do are often overruled by Amazon, or end up being dropped altogether.

Our DSP owners will put rules, and sometimes Amazon wouldnt like it. They would go over our DSP and fire us, Johnny told DAIR. They would say, Oh, Amazon fired this person for some sort of reason. And, we would be like okay thats BS, but all right. We kind of had to be a savage to survive this job.

***

That these technological devices often make drivers lives harder isnt lost on Amazon, which has a few channels for workers to voice their concerns or complaints. The problem, explains DAIRs Adrienne Williams, the lead author of the report and a former Amazon driver herself, is that those systems arent designed to be taken seriously.

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They did have a question that came up on our Rabbit scanner phones at the end of our shift that asked if we experienced any problems or dangers on our routes that day, Williams explains. I always filled out that question. I never saw any response or any change to dangers discussed.

Not long ago, Amazon began leaning on a system called Project Cheetah, a webform meant to escalate driver and DSP complaints for the company to address. Williams had left the job before she could experience Cheetah, which she described as a red herring designed to keep tabs on disgruntled workers interested in unionizing (Amazon routinely drops entire DSPs worth of drivers for committing that sin). Workers familiar with the system say she isnt missing much.

You would scan your badge and it would ask you questions, Johnny said. I never did it. It never worked. Elizabeth told DAIR it can take months for Amazon to solve an issue flagged to Cheetah, if they ever do at all.

While workday complaints can take the form of faulty addresses or poor routing, they can also encompass extremely reasonable demands for drivers personal safety. Either way, Amazons response tends to be the same.

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Weve dealt with Nazis on route and they pulled guns on us many times, Johnny recalled in the report, speaking of his time delivering in the hills of California, which have a history of playing host to extreme right-wing groups. Amazon didnt blacklist their house. They told us they would, but they didnt. We had a guy. He was Jewish. He wore his [Star of David] and the Nazi saw that, and walked out with a gun and held him at gun point.

There are countless other stories, all of which stem from the inherent contradiction bubbling within Amazon: it has a material interest in completely automating labor, yet current technological limitations prevent it from doing so.

Failing that, its next most lucrative move is to harangue drivers into working at the whim of algorithms, one layer removed from Amazon via the DSP arrangement, yet constantly monitored and harassed by an ever-expanding arsenal of company tech.

Everything Amazon does when it comes to workers is to either maximize efficiency to physically dangerous, unrealistic rates or to manage dissent and reduce pushback, Williams explains. All while claiming not to be the true employer of their delivery drivers.

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To improve Amazons exploitative practices and prioritize worker safety and wellbeing, DAIR has five recommendations. First, Amazon must be held accountable for its workers directly, as was also argued by the National Labor Relations Board in Southern California. Surveillance tech must also be highly curtailed, and algorithmic route planning should be strictly scrutinized by humans, if not planned by humans altogether.

On top of this, drivers must be able to voice their complaints against problem customers, without fear of penalties, and with assurances that steps will be taken to remove those people from the customer list. Finally, there must be human oversight of customer complaints, as opposed to the current system, in which algorithms determine penalties and drivers have no chance of pleading their case against a multi-faceted panopticon.

Unfortunately, acting on any of those recommendations would mean Amazon putting workers before profit  something it has no incentive to do anytime soon.

More on Amazon: Secret Plans Reveal Amazon Plot to Replace 600,000 Workers With Robot Army






Hundreds of jobs across the Bay Area and California will be impacted by Amazon's mass layoffs announced this week, part of a sweeping corporate restructuring tied to the company's accelerating push into artificial intelligence.

The Seattle-based giant plans to cut about 14,000 corporate positions worldwide by early 2026. According to a new filing with state regulators, it includes more than 1,400 jobs in California.

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Of those, more than 800 will come from Amazon's Bay Area offices in Sunnyvale, Palo Alto and Santa Clara, according to filings with the state's Employment Development Department.

The filings reveal that Amazon is laying off 137 employees in San Francisco, including staff at six downtown offices. The city's largest cuts will occur at 525 Market, where 71 employees are being let go, followed by 41 at 188 Spear Street. Roles range widely - from software engineers and UX designers to legal counsel, sustainability specialists and PR managers - suggesting the reductions extend beyond Amazon's technical workforce.

Hundreds of jobs across the Bay Area and California will be impacted by Amazon's mass layoffs announced this week. CEO Andy Jassy said the company expects advances in generative AI to streamline operations. (Amazon)





In Silicon Valley, Palo Alto will lose 176 jobs, primarily in software development and applied science, and Sunnyvale another 391, spread across offices on Enterprise Way, Eleventh Avenue and Discovery Way. In Santa Clara, 76 positions are being cut, many from engineering and recruiting teams.

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Most of the affected workers are software development engineers.

The layoffs are slated to take effect Jan. 26, and come as Amazon reallocates resources to its growing AI and robotics divisions.

"We're convinced that we need to be organized more leanly, with fewer layers and more ownership, to move as quickly as possible for our customers and business," Beth Galetti, Amazon's senior vice president for people experience and technology, wrote in a memo to staff this week.

Amazon, which employs about 350,000 corporate workers globally and roughly 7,500 in the Bay Area, said the restructuring will allow it to "reduce bureaucracy" and "invest in our biggest bets."

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CEO Andy Jassy has previously said the company expects advances in generative AI to streamline operations and reshape how it deploys talent.

The new filings also confirm significant losses beyond Northern California - including 333 jobs in Irvine, 152 in Culver City, 130 in Santa Monica and 145 in San Diego - many tied to gaming, Prime Video and entertainment divisions.

Taken together, the filings push Amazon's total announced California layoffs to roughly 1,450 - slightly higher than initial estimates - underscoring the scale of the company's realignment.

The company's announcement adds to a cascade of recent tech job cuts. Applied Materials, headquartered in Santa Clara, filed notice that 363 employees will be laid off across its Bay Area offices by late December.

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Meta Platforms also disclosed 318 job losses at its Menlo Park headquarters, largely within its AI and engineering teams.

For San Francisco, where Amazon had quietly expanded its footprint over the past decade, the layoffs mark one of the city's largest corporate tech reductions this year - another setback for a downtown still struggling to recover its pre-pandemic vitality.

The latest cuts follow earlier reductions of 27,000 positions in 2023, when Amazon trimmed staff across its retail, human resources and cloud divisions.

This article originally published at Amazon's mass layoffs hit 1,450 California jobs, including hundreds in Bay Area.




A tourist visiting Jamaica described the record-breaking Hurriane Melissa as "a freight train with a jet engine" Wednesday after it slammed into the island and headed for Cuba.

Melissa made landfall Tuesday as a Category 5 hurricane - the strongest to hit the island since record keeping began 174 years ago, according to the Associated Press. At least one death was reported and extensive damage was reported in parts of the northwest and southwest, AP reported.

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MORE ON WEATHER: Gusty winds, dry air leave Southeast Texas vulnerable to fast-spreading wildfires

Amanda Tessoff of Michigan was vacationing at the Sandals South Coast resort in White House, Jamaica with her fiance and two other couples when the storm made landfall. Tessoff said her party set their alarms to get up early Tuesday so they could be awake and alert when Melissa arrived.

American tourists weather out Hurricane Melissa in White House Jamaica. (Courtesy Amanda Tessoff)





"Things started picking up and getting a little scary-sounding around 10 a.m.," Tessoff said. "We initially went into the bathroom and into the shower. There's small windows in the bathroom, so a lot of water and debris was coming through. So, we quickly moved into the closet and we kind of hunkered down in there for about two hours."

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Around noon, Tessoff described having a little bit of a break, with the sun coming out before round two. She said she and her fiance had dosed off and woke up to the sound of water pouring into their hotel room and leaking into an AC unit.

"It started to smell like a chemical fire," Tessoff said. "That kind of scared us, so we grabbed our to-go bags and ran down the hall. And then the rain let down a little bit and we came to get the rest of our stuff. But it continued to have heavy rains and wind all through the night...that's kind of the outline of the storm. This morning, the sun is out and there's no rain. And there's just a lot of damage."

Melissa's winds rose to 185 mph and 892 millibars of central pressure, tying two records for the strongest Atlantic storm on landfall, the AP reported.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned flash flooding and landslides were possible in Cuba and Hispaniola as well as potential flash flooding in the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos.

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While it was scary for Tessoff and her family, she said they found it comforting to be all together during the storm.

This article originally published at American vacationing in Jamaica describes riding out Hurricane Melissa: 'Freight train with a jet engine'.
In May, more than 10,000 devotees gathered in Port of Spain for an emotional welcoming ceremony marking the arrival of an identical replica of the Ram Lalla idol from Ayodhya. The event coincided with the commemoration of 180 years of the arrival of Indian immigrants in Trinidad and Tobago.

Building on this, the Caribbean nation is now considering plans to establish a grand Ram Mandir in its capital, as part of efforts to cement its standing as a cultural and spiritual hub for Hinduism in the Western Hemisphere.

Public utilities minister Barry Padarath expressed the governments strong support for the initiative during discussions with religious leaders, including representatives who helped facilitate the arrival of the Ram Lalla idol replica earlier this year.

Trinidad and Tobago is often referred to as Ramayan country, Padarath said, emphasising the nations unique role in preserving Hindu traditions outside India. The Ram Lalla initiative is something that we welcome and fully support.

Hindus make up a significant portion of Trinidad and Tobagos population of approximately 1.5 million, making it one of the few countries in the Americas where Hindu religious and cultural practices remain deeply rooted in national life.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi  who had presided over the Pran Pratishtha (consecration) ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024  visited Trinidad and Tobago in July, further strengthening cultural ties between the two nations.

A spiritual undertaking and a tourism asset

Padarath revealed that government officials are actively discussing how to advance the Ram Mandir project, viewing it as both a spiritual undertaking and a potential tourism asset for the twin-island nation.

Prem Bhandari, founder of the Overseas Friends of Ram Mandir in New York, has proposed creating an Ayodhya Nagari  a spiritual hub for North American devotees who are unable to make the pilgrimage to the holy city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

Bhandari reportedly presented the proposal to Trinidad and Tobagos Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, although specific details have not yet been disclosed yet.

This initiative comes five months after the unveiling of a replica of the Ram Lalla idol from Ayodhyas temple in Trinidad. The government sees the proposed Ram Mandir as an opportunity to boost religious tourism while reinforcing the teachings and devotion associated with Lord Ram among local Hindus.

The announcement was made just ahead of the Diwali celebrations on October 20, a public holiday in Trinidad and Tobago that highlights the deep integration of Hindu traditions into the nations multicultural identity.

Padarath emphasised that Trinidad and Tobago has become a Mecca for Hindu religious expression in the region, with practices such as Bhagwat Gita and Ramayan recitations preserved across generations since the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in the 19th century.

How the island has kept Indian traditions alive

While Trinidad and Tobago is already home to numerous Hindu temples, the proposed Ram Mandir would hold special significance for its spiritual connection to the sacred site in Ayodhya and its potential to attract pilgrims from across the global Indian diaspora.

The islands largest Hindu organisation, the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS), was founded in 1952 and has since built temples and schools throughout the country. Today, Trinidad and Tobago boasts around 300 temples, where festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Ram Navami, Dussehra, and Holi are celebrated annually with great devotion.

During his visit in May, PM Modi announced a training programme for a group of Trinidad and Tobagos pundits in India. These pundits will also participate in the Geeta Mahotsav celebrations in India. According to a government statement, PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar welcomed the initiative and expressed her support for jointly celebrating Geeta Mahotsav in coordination with India.

On the cultural front, both leaders highlighted the ongoing success of the bilateral Programme of Cultural Exchanges, under which the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation was established in 1997.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to renew this programme for the 2025-28 period. Under this, Trinidad and Tobago will send artistes specialising in percussion (steel pan) and other cultural forms to India, further strengthening cultural ties between the two nations.

PM Modi also thanked the Trinidad and Tobago government for promoting yoga and the Hindi language throughout the country. He offered to send yoga trainers from India and pledged support for including yoga in Trinidad and Tobagos national school curriculum.

With inputs from agencies


American Airlines will fly its brand-new A321XLR between New York and Scotland beginning in March.

The super-range jet flies city pairs too thin for big planes or out of reach for similar-sized ones.

United Airlines will soon welcome its own A321XLR to replace existing Boeing 757 routes.

American Airlines is reviving a type of flying it hasn't done in years: long-haul trips on single-aisle jets.

The carrier took delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR in October  a new narrowbody plane built specifically for long-distance routes.

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With an extra fuel tank, the jet can fly about 5,400 miles, or up to 11 hours nonstop, while burning less fuel than previous-generation options.

American will first use the A321XLR on a domestic transcontinental route in December. But its long-haul debut comes on March 8, when the airline launches seasonal service between New York and Edinburgh, Scotland, through October 24.

Tickets go on sale November 3. Pricing isn't yet public for the Edinburgh route, but roundtrip fares on the A321XLR's first route, New York to Los Angeles, start at about $750 in economy and around $3,000 in business class in December.

American last flew a narrowbody across the Atlantic in 2019, relying on the Boeing 757. The plane's eventual retirement, accelerated by the pandemic, was due to high fuel and maintenance costs.

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The A321XLR is meant to fix the efficiency issue for American  and the airline has configured it for long-haul comfort.

Customers can expect a premium-heavy cabin, including lie-flat business-class seats and a dedicated premium economy section. The amenities include hot meals for all 155 passengers, with upgraded dining and amenities up front.

The new narrowbody business class cabin will appear on A321XLR transcontinental and transatlantic routes. American Airlines

The Edinburgh route will complement American's existing widebody service from Philadelphia, while adding to a growing list of seasonal transatlantic flights such as Prague and Budapest next summer  those still scheduled on larger aircraft.

Edinburgh is just the first stop on the A321XLR's expected European tour.

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The A321XLR is designed for long, thin routes: City pairs that don't have enough demand for a widebody but are too far for existing narrowbodies to fly comfortably and economically  like Charlotte to Venice or Milan. That opens new possibilities on both sides of the Atlantic.

The move aligns with a broader industry shift of airlines sending narrowbodies across the Atlantic. And that's significant for American, after it had largely ceded the market to rivals but is now leaning back in.

American isn't alone

Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium show that American, Delta, and United flew about 10,000 long-haul narrowbody flights in 2019  all on 757s.

This type of flying tapered off through the mid-2010s as the 757 grew less efficient, and the pandemic nearly halted international travel in 2020.

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But, with the rising popularity of Airbus' long-haul narrowbodies, JetBlue revived the trend in 2021, flying its 4,600-mile-range A321LR to cities such as London, Paris, and Amsterdam. Like American, its planes feature a premium-heavy cabin.

That move let JetBlue enter major business markets without investing in a widebody fleet  planes with two aisles that are far more expensive to build and operate and harder to fill consistently in competitive markets.

A JetBlue A321neoLR at the Paris Air Show in June 2023 Taylor Rains/Business Insider

In 2025, Delta, United, and JetBlue are scheduled to operate more than 14,000 long-haul narrowbody flights, per Cirium. That number is only expected to increase as American joins the mix in 2026.

United Airlines, for its part, has doubled down on the strategy  using Boeing 757s and 737 Max jets to connect the US to smaller leisure European destinations, like Ponta Delgada in the Azores, Portugal, and Tenerife, Spain.

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The airline plans to soon replace many of those 757s with its own A321XLRs.

It has also signaled interest in opening more niche transatlantic markets with the aircraft. That could mean new nonstop options from the US East Coast to places like West Africa or Northern Italy  spots that previously required a connection.

In other words, more single-aisle planes are now capable of crossing oceans  and that's reshaping how people fly long-haul.

Delta has been the outlier, scaling back 757 transatlantic flying and relying more heavily on widebodies. It remains the only major US carrier that has not ordered the A321XLR.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Thursday marks the 30th day of the federal government shutdown and the American public has grown more concerned about the shutdown throughout the month and more disapprove of how President Donald Trump is handling the federal government, according to an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll conducted using Ipsos KnowledgePanel.

More Americans blame Trump and the Republicans in Congress than the Democrats for the shutdown, the poll finds.

Kylie Cooper/Reuters - PHOTO: The U.S. Capitol rises above the U.S. Capitol Grounds, which are strewn with fall leaves, weeks into the continuing U.S. government shutdown, in Washington, October 27, 2025.

Government shutdown updates

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Three-quarters of Americans say they are concerned about the government shutdown, up from two-thirds who said the same on the first day of the shutdown in a Washington Post poll. Now, 43% of Americans say that they are "very" concerned about the shutdown, up from 25% on Oct. 1.

Nearly half of Americans, 45%, say Trump and congressional Republicans are responsible for the shutdown, while 33% say congressional Democrats are responsible and another 22% are not sure. That is barely a shift from the Posts poll on Oct. 1 when 47% blamed Trump and Republicans, 30% blamed Democrats and 23% were unsure at the onset of the shutdown.

Democrats are more united, saying that Trump and Republicans are to blame for the shutdown (81%) than Republicans saying Democrats are to blame (72%). Twice as many independents say Trump and Republicans are responsible (46%) than Democrats (23%).

Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One shortly after taking off from Busan, South Korea, en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md., Oct. 30, 2025.

Majorities across partisan lines say they are concerned about the shutdown: Nearly nine in 10 Democrats along with over seven in 10 independents and over six in 10 Republicans are concerned about the shutdown, but more Democrats say they are very concerned (62%) than independents (43%) or Republicans (26%).

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Concern over the shutdown is higher among women, with 81% voicing concern, compared with 68% of men.

And a growing share of Americans disapprove of how Trump is managing the federal government. In all, 63% disapprove today, up from 57% in April and 54% in February. Just over a third (36%) approve in the most recent poll.

The ABC/Post/Ipsos poll asked Americans to explain why they think either Trump and Republicans or Democrats are to blame for the federal government shutting down. Here are some of their written responses:

Among those blaming Trump and Republicans:

"They won't budge on the concerns of healthcare premiums skyrocketing for all Americans. He is not for all Americans, only his interests matter," said a 65-year-old Democratic woman in Wisconsin.

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"They seem more interested in keeping power than working for the country's benefit," said a 78-year-old Republican-leaning independent man in Oregon.

"They control all of the portions of the federal government," said a 45-year-old Democratic man in Tennessee.

"Trump is the president and the Republicans hold the majority. Not only that, Speaker Johnson let out the House on vacation, and Trump/Republicans wont even try to work with Democrats on the loss of healthcare funding that is going to hurt millions of people," said a 34-year-old Democratic woman in Minnesota.

"Trump said it himself a few years ago that its the Presidents job to bring the 2 sides together," said a 59-year-old Democratic-leaning independent woman in Pennsylvania.

Jose Luis Magana/AP - PHOTO: A sign that reads "Closed due to federal government shutdown," is seen outside of the National Gallery of Art on the 6th day of the government shutdown, in Washington, Oct. 6, 2025.

"President Trump and the Maga GOP are refusing to negotiate over the Affordable Care Act expiration regardless of the negative impact on many of their supporters and they have no alternative plans for keeping the cost of healthcare from rising," said a 69-year-old Democratic woman in Virginia.

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"The Republicans control Congress. They wont negotiate. Of course theyre responsible. We cannot take healthcare away from millions of Americans, said a 40-year-old Democratic woman in Iowa.

They refuse to negotiate in good faith, said a 78-year-old Democratic-leaning independent man in Ohio.

Head Start programs serving nearly 65,000 kids at risk of closing amid government shutdown

Among those blaming Democrats:

"They want healthcare for illegal immigrants to be paid for out of my pocket. Not right, said a 78-year-old Republican woman in Oregon.

"Because they will not budge," said a 37-year-old Republican-leaning independent woman in Arizona.

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"They want to negotiate subsidies on health care, but they do not want to conduct the negotiation within the relevant House and Senate committees. They are holding all of the government hostage over one issue," said a 78-year-old Republican man in South Carolina.

"They voted down the continuation resolutions multiple times," said a 56-year-old Republican-leaning independent man in Nebraska.

"The Democrats are the ones who will not budge on coming to an agreement," said a 43-year-old independent woman in Texas.

"The Democrats have supported the items in the continuing resolution and are demanding things that continue to build the debt, said a 69-year-old Republican-leaning independent man in California.

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"Republicans offered and passed a clean bill with no Republican additions and Democrats continually vote no," said a 76-year-old Republican man in Texas.

See PDF for full results.

Methodology: This ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll was conducted online via the probability-based Ipsos KnowledgePanel Oct. 24-28, 2025, in English and Spanish, among a random national sample of 2,725 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points, including the design effect. Error margins are larger for subgroups. The partisan divisions are 28% Democrats, 31% Republicans and 41%

See more details on ABC Newss survey methodology here.
A majority of Americans oppose President Donald Trumps plan to replace the White Houses East Wing with a $300 million ballroom, according to a new poll released Thursday.

Fifty-six percent of Americans said they oppose the project, with just 28 percent expressing support for it, per the The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll.

The survey found that the renovation enjoys significantly more support among Republicans than Democrats. Sixty-two percent of Republicans support it, while 88 percent of Democrats oppose the ballroom. Independents were more divided, with 17 percent supporting the project and 61 percent disapproving.

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While Trump initially insisted the project would not interfere with the existing White House structure, the administration has now fully demolished the East Wing of the White House, historically home to the first ladys office and other reception rooms. Trump has said the new 90,000-square-foot ballroom, which the White House expects to be done well before 2029, will host White House events for nearly 1,000 people.

The administration has solicited donations from several dozen high-profile Trump donors, including two Cabinet officials, multiple billionaire investors and some of the biggest tech and crypto companies in Silicon Valley to pay for the renovation. The White House has also promised to share how much money Trump is personally contributing to the project, a figure the administration has yet to release, but did not specify when it would do so.

The project has faced sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers.

Trump also ousted six commissioners on Tuesday who sat on a panel responsible for advising on planning federal projects and memorials in Washington, including White House renovations.

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Still, the White House has dismissed criticism of the project, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt maintaining that the ballroom will be magnificent addition to the White House for many years to come.

I believe theres a lot of fake outrage right now because nearly every single president who has lived in this beautiful White House behind me has made modernizations and renovations of their own, Leavitt said in an interview with Fox News last week.

The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll was conducted online Oct. 24-28, with a random sample of 2,725 adults. The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 1.9 percentage points, with a larger margin for subgroups.
A jury has convicted a 51-year-old owner of the now-defunct White Birch Brewing with fraudulently attempting to secure a nearly $1 million loan from an investor, the Attorney Generals Office said Thursday.

David Herlicka of Amherst was found guilty of theft by deception, conspiracy to commit theft by deception, and securities fraud in Hillsborough County Superior Court  Northern District.

David Herlicka

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David Herlicka

The jury found that between July 2014 and May 2015, Herlicka engaged in a fraudulent investment scheme to obtain nearly $1 million from the Parktown Trust, a family trust based in New Hampshire, to finance operations of White Birch Brewing, LLC, a now-defunct brewery he formerly owned.

This verdict is the result of a thorough investigation and a strong prosecution team, Attorney General John Formella said in a statement. Our teams efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to holding accountable those who engage in fraudulent and deceptive business practice.

Evidence presented at trial showed that Herlicka and a co-conspirator, Dennis Nordquist of Gilford, agreed to work to convince the Parktown Trust to invest by misrepresenting the financial condition of the brewery and making false promises about repayment.

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Prosecutors argued Herlicka and Nord-quist told the trust representatives the investment was a short-term bridge loan and that repayment was secured by other pending financing. The funds from the Parktown Trust were not used solely for brewery operations, and significant portions of the money were diverted for personal use, the Attorney Generals Office said.

Nordquist was previously convicted and sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison earlier this year for his role in the same scheme.

Sentencing for Herlicka is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 1:30 p.m.
One of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz, Amiram Cooper, was a poet born in Haifa before the founding of the modern State of Israel. His remains were brought back from Gaza.

The remains of slain hostage Amiram Cooper have been identified through forensic testing, following his return from Gaza to Israel for proper burial after more than 2 years of captivity.

Cooper was confirmed as killed in captivity, announced alongside the deaths of Haim Peri, Yoram Metzger, and Nadav Poppelwell. After Peri and Metzgers bodies were recovered from the Strip by IDF troops, Israeli officials said the state believes they were shot dead by their captors in mid-February 2024.

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Cooper, who was 84 at the time of his death, was one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz.

He is survived by his wife, Nurit, age 79, three children, and nine grandchildren. His wife was held captive in Gaza for 17 days before she was released on October 23, 2023.

Amiram Cooper, one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz. (credit: FAIR USE UNDER ISRAELI COPYRIGHT LAW, ARTICLE 27A, WIKIPEDIA)

Cooper was born in Haifa in 1938, before the founding of the modern state, to parents who had fled from Poland. According to his daughter, he would share memories from when he was ten years old, hearing David Ben-Gurion declare the State of Israel over the radio.

He attended the Kadoorie Agricultural High School in the Lower Galilee before coming to Nir Oz in 1957 as one of the kibbutz's founders. He served as the chief economist of the Maor region settlements for many years.

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Cooper had also composed songs and poetry for over 60 years. He has written three poetry books and one childrens book. One song by Cooper was Shibolei Paz or Golden Stalks. This song, recorded for the kibbutzs 5th anniversary, would become an anthem for Nir Oz celebrations in the years to come.

At a memorial ceremony held by the kibbutz he founded, his daughter Ravit shared touching remarks.

You left Kibbutz Nir Oz, which you built with your friends. You left your creations  countless poems and melodies, each so unique. You left the family you built  Mom, us, your children, and your grandchildren, she wrote. You left your values imprinted on us, and on so many people  friends, colleagues, fellow artists  who knew and loved you.

You were an idealist who believed in the kibbutz values of equality, sharing, and hard work, Ravit said, calling him the best father in the world. A father full of gentleness and warmth. You never got angry, criticized, or judged. You always saw the person first.

His poems can be viewed on the website, Shira Ovedet, at this link.

Kibbutz Nir Oz remembers Amiram Cooper

"Amiram Cooper, one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz, saw the development of the Western Negev region as his life's mission," said a statement by the kibbutz. "Amiram was a prolific poet and composer. He published three poetry books, and his poems were performed by HaGiva'tron, the Kibbutz Artzi Choir, and the Gilboa Quintet," they detailed.

The kibbutz also noted Copper's role in the community's administration: "Beyond his poetry, Amiram was an economist who served as finance and control manager for communities in the Maon region for over 24 years."
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and law enforcement partners discuss progress in stopping fentanyl traffickers in southeastern Pennsylvania. (Photo courtesy of PAcast)

Standing alongside various law enforcement officials, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that as of the beginning of September, the state had seized over 50 million doses of fentanyl.

With each passing year, fentanyl continues to be pervasive in opioid seizures, Sunday said during a press conference in Philadelphia on Wednesday. And in 2025, we have reached a high watermark with regard to the work weve done.

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For perspective, Pennsylvania seized 50 million doses during all of 2024.

Sunday credited the collaboration of his office with county district attorneys and law enforcement departments, coupled with federal partners, for the success.

Any one of those 50 million doses could have killed someone, Sunday said.

Ive been at this for 39 years, this is the best coordination and collaboration Ive seen in a long, long time, said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel.

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Although just over half of the fentanyl confiscated in Pennsylvania so far was from Philadelphia and its collar counties, Bethel emphasized that it is not a neighborhood problem specific to areas like Kensington or the city.

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This is a commonwealth problem. Its an American problem, Bethel said. Fentanyl does not care about the borders. It doesnt care about what zip code you come from. It doesnt care what politics youre involved in, it is ending lives, and were seeing that on a daily basis.

Sunday, holding up a small packet, explained that two milligrams is all it takes for a potential lethal dose of fentanyl.

This is all it takes to end a life, to end the hopes and dreams of a human being, to absolutely devastate a family and circle of friends, causing lifelong pain and suffering, Sunday said.

Nearly 27 million doses of fentanyl were seized in the greater Philadelphia area through September 2025. (Graphic courtesy of the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office)

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said his brother died at the age of 50 due to a drug overdose.

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The fentanyl crisis in this country is literally the worst narcotics epidemic this country has ever faced, upwards of 70,000 people die every single year because of fentanyl, Stollsteimer said.

This is such a powerful narcotic, it cannot be in the streets anymore, he added.

Bethel detailed what makes fentanyl different from heroin, explaining it was also a powder. Heroin spoils, he said, but the powder for fentanyl does not and it can be mixed with other narcotics.

So easy to make, so easy to move, so many ways to move it, Bethel said. It is probably one of the greatest challenges weve seen in my lifetime, as it relates to fentanyl, what it can do and how its being used and how its being moved through.

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Sunday also said the heroin seized by law enforcement isnt always in small packets, but at times its packaged in bulk and oftentimes includes fentanyl pills, which are disguised to look similar to other prescriptions. The state has seized more than 76,000 fentanyl pills so far this year, he said.

Fentanyl has replaced heroin as the opioid most commonly found in Pennsylvania.

And its not even close, Sunday said.

He also described the flow of fentanyl coming into the commonwealth as non-stop due to how easy it is to traffic and transport. When responding to a reporters question, Sunday said its about $10 a dose.

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Last week, a drug bust in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia made national headlines after 33 members of a drug trafficking organization were charged in a 41-count indictment.

Treatment for those affected by drug addiction, was also highlighted as a key in addressing the issue.

Although touting the milestone reached so far in 2025, various officials on Wednesday also offered warnings to those who continue to traffick fentanyl.

I think its been stated very clearly herethe pressure is going to continue to increase, Bethel said. We will not stop. As the Attorney General said, your time will come, and we are going to work collaboratively to do that.

State police troopers attend a press conference, where state Attorney General Dave Sunday and law enforcement partners discuss progress in stopping fentanyl traffickers in southeastern Pennsylvania on October 29, 2025. (Photo courtesy of PAcast)

All of us up here either know a friend or a family member who has been impacted by the powerful and addictive nature of opioids and fentanyl, Abington Police Chief Patrick Molloy said. We also know that we cannot arrest our way out of this crisis.

However, by aggressively prosecuting these bad guys and providing resources for people to get help, theres no doubt that we will continue to keep our foot on the gas and continue to save lives in our communities, Molloy added.
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Anca Faur Aldrin, the fourth wife of astronaut Buzz Aldrin and the executive vice president of Buzz Aldrin Ventures, died Tuesday after a private battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, according to the family.

"Dr. Anca Aldrin, wife of astronaut Buzz Aldrin, peacefully passed away last night with her husband and her son, Vlad Ghenciu by her side," said in a statement credited to the Faur and Aldrin's families.

"Mrs. Aldrin, an accomplished chemical engineer with a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, served as the treasurer for the California Hydrogen Business Council and as executive vice president of Buzz Aldrin Ventures LLC."

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Buzz Aldrin was the second person to walk on the moon after Neil Armstrong.

Aldrin and Anca Faur Aldrin, 66, married in 2023. Buzz Aldrin, 95, said, "I am so fortunate to have found and married the love of my life. She brought joy to everything we did together. I will miss her dearly."

He is the oldest living astronaut following Jim Lovell's death and is the last surviving member of Apollo 11 after the 2012 death of Armstrong and the 2021 death of pilot Michael Collins.
(NEXSTAR)  Dr. Anca Faur Aldrin, the fourth wife of pioneering astronaut Buzz Aldrin and the executive vice president of Buzz Aldrin Ventures, has died at the age of 66, according to a statement from her loved ones.

Dr. Anca Aldrin, wife of astronaut Buzz Aldrin, peacefully passed away last night with her husband and her son, Vlad Ghenciu by her side, reads a statement credited to both Faur and Aldrins families. Mrs. Aldrin, an accomplished chemical engineer with a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh, served as the treasurer for the California Hydrogen Business Council and as Executive Vice President of Buzz Aldrin Ventures LLC.

The statement did not include a cause of death.

Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Anca Faur attend the 16th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 18, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

Aldrin and Faur got married in Los Angeles on Jan. 20, 2023  his 93rd birthday. At the time, he said they were as excited as eloping teenagers.

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In a statement released upon her death, Adrin, 95, called her the love of my life.

I am so fortunate to have found and married the love of my life, reads Aldrins statement. She brought joy to everything we did together. I will miss her dearly.

Fawlty Towers actress dies at 93

Aldrin and Faur had been dating for years before tying the knot in 2023. In 2019, they attended the Living Legends of Aviation awards together. The same year, they appeared alongside then-President Donald Trump in the Oval Office to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.

When I met Anca I instantly recognized that here was a woman who is the whole Wizard of Oz package: Brains. Heart. Courage, Aldrin told People magazine a few months after their wedding in 2023.

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Adrin had been married three times before wedding Faur in 2023, first to Joan Archerin in 1954, to Beverly Van Zile in 1975, and to Lois Driggs Cannon in 1988.

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ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  The majority of voters in Anderson rejected the one percent sales tax in 2024, which would have brought in several million dollars to fix roads and bridges.

Voters in Anderson County will head to the polls Tuesday, November 4, to decide whether or not they support the One Percent Sales Tax.

SIMILAR: Anderson Co. voters to decide on 1% sales tax for third time

The holes in the road are bad, so they need to do work on them, said Rosa Fuler.

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This election will be the third time Anderson County has put the One Percent Sales Tax on the ballot.

There are potholes everywhere. Honestly, I try to avoid them at all costs, but its hard to even do that because there are so many, said Mary Virginia Reid.

Officials said if the majority vote yes, the One Percent Sales Tax would bring in approximately $37 million to fix Anderson County roads and bridges.







The average cost to repair a mile of road right now can be between $800,000 to $1 million. What the county is looking for is this tax would last for eight years. After eight years, it has to come off by state law, said Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator.

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Burns said the One Percent Sales Tax would exclude unprepared food and prescriptions.

The county receives between $4 to $6 million dollars in state funding every year, but he said thats not enough to keep up with growing infrastructure needs.

A portion of that money has to go also on state roads. Some people said that there is a gasoline tax, Burns said. Now that was approved. That is the gasoline tax that was approved, but that is only for state roads. It does not touch anything on county roads and the county had nothing to do with instituting that tax on gasoline to fix state roads.

The county has prepared a list of roads in need of repair.

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By law, you have to do the roads on that list: You cannot vary. You cannot build a park. You cant build an office building. You cannot pay salaries. You cannot do any of those things. You can only pave roads and only paved those roads on that list, said Burns.

One Anderson resident said shes on the fence about if the One Percent Sales Tax would help.

Im a little on the fence. I think that, manage it the right way then the 1% tax could probably do a lot of good. I just dont know that I have the confidence that that would be the case, said Reid.

Early voting ends Friday and Election day is November 4.

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If passed, the One Percent Sales Tax would remain in place for eight years. Here is a list of roads the county is needing to fix.

Commission-Project-DraftDownload

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
Six years ago, a non-profit news organisation called Climate Central published a study indicating that in 30 years, much of Mumbai may be wiped out due to sea-level rise. Mumbais then municipal commissioner Iqbal Chahal caught on to the study. In 2021, he made a sinister prediction: By 2050, a major portion of South Mumbai will go under water, and prominent corporate landmarks are going to disappear.

Climate Centrals sea-level rise scenarios created considerable alarm. Interactive maps of Mumbai depicted the citys landmass melting away into the sea, leaving behind a few scattered islands. Property owners examined their localities and debated when and where to move. But some were not convinced. A geo-analyst of the private consultant World Resources Institute (WRI) argued that such risk scenarios have to be used with caution in the Indian context, as Climate Centrals terrain model has not been tested in India with ground data.

In 2022, Mumbai released a climate action plan (MCAP). Commissioned by the BMC and prepared by WRI with the support of the C40 Cities Network, it was a perfect opportunity to provide local context and ground data on the risk of sea-level rise in Mumbai. The MCAP acknowledged the conservative projections of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which predicts an average sea-level rise of 0.1-0.3 metres by 2050 and 0.58 meters by 2100. But it did not model any risk scenarios.

Instead, the MCAP remarked that due to a lack of coastal data for the Mumbai coast, it is tough to establish [sea-level rise] as a current risk for the city. The statement was astonishing: since we cant measure the problem, we cant establish that there is a problem.

The absence of evidence became the evidence of absence. Ideally, when there is doubt, it is better to err on the side of caution; the MCAP, however, decided to err on the side of hope.

Surprisingly, the MCAP also failed to consult key datasets prepared by Indian institutions. In 2018, the Survey of India and MoEFCC delineated a hazard line for the entire coast of the country, indicating areas that are at risk from coastal erosion and flooding. The hazard line is a tool for disaster management plans and is included in state-level coastal zone maps.

Although it paints a less catastrophic picture than Climate Centrals maps, the hazard line for Mumbai has alarming implications. Approximately 27 per cent of Mumbais land area lies in the hazard zone. Crucially, this information does not appear in the citys Development Plan  which seems to be prepared on the happy assumption that Mumbai will be spared simply by the power of optimistic thinking.

Climate change denial comes in various forms. The most obvious is the refusal to believe the scientific consensus  the belief that global warming is not real, or that it is unrelated to human activity. Another variant of denial ignores or underplays the likely consequences of global warming on people and the lived environment. The third type of denial is acting in ways that contradict ones own beliefs about the severity of the crisis.

Mumbais planners and elites are in full-blown climate denial: billionaires are eagerly buying seafront property, development authorities are setting loose every parcel of open land, real-estate boosters are concocting mind-bending waterfront schemes, and infrastructure junkies are exulting over every maladaptive megaproject.

Last week, a real-estate analytics firm released a bombastic brochure announcing Bandra Bay as a new luxury waterfront redevelopment district. It will be Mumbais marina moment, it claims, comparable to similar projects in Dubai and Singapore. Bandra will become a future infrastructure epicentre and marquee developers will make the location a magnet for HNIs, NRIs, celebrities, and corporate leaders seeking iconic addresses.

It would seem that decision-makers have no sense of irony. Like real estate boosters, they are consumed by the frenzy of this developmental gold rush, sanctioning proposals for futuristic marinas in a city that ought to be preparing for a marine future.

No specialised data is needed to show global warming poses a real threat to the city. Iqbal Chahal was right in urging people to wake up and face this dangerous situation. On a pathway of high emissions that trigger rapid ice-sheet collapse, sea levels could rise by as much as 2 meters by 2100. Even if we naively assume sea-level rise as a low-probability scenario, its consequences are too high-risk to simply wish away.

Hussain Indorewala is a teacher and urban researcher at KRVIA, Mumbai. Views are personal.


A Lebanese municipal worker was killed in an Israeli attack in the southern Lebanese town of Blida overnight, state media reported on Thursday.

The National News Agency (NNA) said Israeli soldiers entered a municipal building and killed an employee who had been spending the night inside it.

After the Israeli unit withdrew, the Lebanese army reportedly then entered the building and took the body to a nearby hospital.

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In response, the Blida municipal authority called for a protest rally on Thursday in front of the administrative building.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said in a statement that "the attack on the municipality of Blida and the martyrdom of an employee there falls within the framework of Israeli aggression against civilians."

During a meeting with the Rodolphe Haykal, commander of Lebanese forces, Aoun requested that the army confront Israeli incursions into the south to defend Lebanese territory and the safety of citizens.

The Israeli military confirmed the attack.

It said that overnight, during an operation to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure in the Blida area, the troops identified a suspect inside the building.

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The troops were threatened and opened fire, the military said, adding that the incident is under review. It also said that the civilian building had recently been exploited for terrorist activity.

The Lebanese army rejected the Israeli claims, saying in statement: "The false claims and pretexts made by the Israeli enemy are baseless and unrelated to reality; they merely serve to justify its continuous violations against our country and our citizens."

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been in effect for nearly a year, but both sides accuse each other of violations.

Israel accuses the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement of reorganizing in southern Lebanon, counter to the agreement. According to the UN, more than 100 civilians have been killed since the ceasefire came into effect.
CALEDONIA, Wis. (WFRV)  An animal hospital in Wisconsin was quick to the table, helping to save a police K9 in a serious health situation.

Fox Valley cancer survivor & her sister create heart-shaped pillows for mastectomy patients

North Shore Animal Hospital posted on Facebook that it received a call from a Racine County Sheriffs Office deputy concerned about his K9 partner, who was in a critical situation, and the two would be there within minutes.

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K9 Cain was in serious distress upon arrival, with an extreme temperature and rapid panting. Dr. Hollis and the team quickly got to work.

The team found that Cain was hyperthermic due to a training/reward toy lodged between his teeth, which prevented his upper and lower jaw from opening. The post said it prohibited him from panting properly and caused him to overheat.

Beloved Fox Cities customizable soda shop heading up north, expanding its reach to Green Bay

Fortunately, it wasnt a medical condition, and he was back out on all fours and doing well as of Wednesday, following oxygen therapy and fluids to cool his body down.

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North Shore Animal Hospital also thanked clients who were understanding and patient in the emergency.

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Earlier this year Nevada enacted "Rebas Law," a bill passed in response to the death of a bulldog who died of heat stroke days after she was found in a sealed tote behind a Las Vegas business last summer. (Photo: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

The executive director of a Las Vegas animal rescue organization that raised money to treat Reba, the bulldog who died after being abandoned in a plastic tote, used proceeds from the nonprofit organization to pay herself an unapproved salary and for personal expenses, such as streaming service subscriptions and vacation expenses, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday.

The lawsuit comes as rescues in Southern Nevada pick up the slack for government shelters, which are overcrowded and historically underfunded. Advocates fear the allegations in the lawsuit could raise concerns about the integrity of non-profit rescues as they seek public money to help cover their costs.

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The suit, filed by the board of directors of Vegas Pet Rescue Project, alleges Jamie Gregory, the organizations founder, president, as well as executive director, altered the organizations bylaws after she and board members received an anonymous email alleging misuse of funds by Gregory.

While the organization has no doubt played a role in supporting animals and serving the community, such positive contributions do not exempt it from legal obligations, says the anonymous email, which was provided to the Current.

Bylaws provided by Gregory to the Current and sent to board members for authentication, differed from those provided to the board by Gregory. In text messages included in the lawsuit, Gregory admits to board colleagues that she altered the bylaws to guard against losing her unapproved salary or being terminated by the board.

I did edit things concerning voting the director out of position, Gregory wrote in the text, adding she felt pushback from the board regarding my position and the fact that I have a salary and that it wasnt voted on.  The idea of not being involved in the rescue I founded terrifies me.

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On Wednesday, Gregory said that she will be responding through legal counsel and vehemently deny the claims. She declined to say more.

Last month, Gregory told the Current she earns $74,000 a year in salary. Bylaws she provided indicate the executive director is to earn $20 an hour for 30 hours a week, which would total $31,200 annually.

VPRPs tax returns from 2018 through 2023, the last year on file, report no income for Gregory.

The lawsuit alleges in 2024 Gregory paid herself $86,896 in compensation, and just under $69,000 through September of this year, and used rescue funds to pay $5,444 in personal expenses this year, and $5,337 last year.

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These personal expenses included: personal cell phone, subscriptions to Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, and Amazon Digital, Defendants Ring doorbell subscription, food for Defendants personal pets, personal trips (car rental and gas), as well as charges for food and gas while Defendant was on vacation at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, the lawsuit says.

The rescue operated at a loss of $61,418 in 2022 and $61,463 in 2023, according to tax returns.

A difficult decision

Its important to emphasize the reason why rescues are created: to help animals. They are not meant to become personal piggy banks, Annoula Wylderich, founder and director of Animal Protection Affiliates, said via email. Those who view their rescue as a means for personal gain are not in it for the right reasons and shouldnt be.

The rescues mission has been compromised by the Defendant, who is currently holding hostage the organization and exposing it to the loss of its tax exempt and nonprofit status, the lawsuit says, adding the board of directors were forced to make a very difficult decision and authorize this action to preserve and safeguard VPRP.

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In a statement Thursday, the board, all of whom are volunteers, said it acted swiftly and responsibly to address the situation in order to protect the animals. Moving forward, we are dedicated to ensuring that 100% of all funds are directed toward the care of the animals, just as it was always intended.

Rescues that do not operate with transparency and accountability are not only placing their own organization and officers at risk (legally and otherwise), they are betraying the animals and donors and hurting those charities that DO operate ethically, said Wylderich, who credited the VPRP board for their efforts. They set a great example of what a good, trustworthy nonprofit board looks like.
An animal rights activist and UC Berkeley student was convicted Wednesday after releasing four chickens from a Sonoma County poultry facility  a caper she characterized as a rescue mission, but farm owners said was common theft.

In a trial closely monitored by the poultry industry and animal rights groups, Zoe Rosenberg, 23, was found guilty of a felony charge of conspiracy, two misdemeanor counts of trespass and one count of tampering with a vehicle.

She faces a possible sentence of up to five years. But she urged animal rights supporters not to let her conviction interrupt their activism.

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"Prosecutors hope that this will deter people from speaking up for animals, that it will deter people from rescuing them," Rosenberg said in an Instagram video after the verdict was read. "I ask that you do not let it. We will continue on, no matter what, until every animal is safe and happy, free."

Read more: Animal activist whose grisly videos spurred Times probe treated pets without a license

Industry officials argue activist groups associated with Rosenberg harassed workers and poultry companies, trying to draw attention to their cause and using illegal action in the process.

According to prosecutors, Rosenberg planned for weeks to break into Perdue Farms' Petaluma Poultry and remove chickens from the facility, a caper that involved disguises, fake employee uniforms, tracking devices, rented vehicles and an "Airbnb safe house."

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"The jury's verdict makes it clear: Personal beliefs don't justify breaking the law," Herb Frerichs, general counsel for Petaluma Poultry, said in a statement. "This kind of behavior has no place in any community that respects the rule of law."

Sonoma County prosecutors said Rosenberg led the social media wing of Direct Action Everywhere, or DxE, an animal rights group that, according to its website, "reject[s] the speciesism that enables the mass torture and killing of nonhuman animals."

Read more: As pigs await slaughter at Farmer John, strangers offer water, love and comfort to the doomed

The group has used "rescues" to draw attention to its cause and taken similar cases to court.

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In a statement, Sonoma County Dist. Atty. Carla Rodriguez criticized the group's tactics, saying the activists need to be held accountable when they "cross that line."

"Unfortunately, some activist groups continue to show a deliberate disregard for the law, believing that their personal cause justifies criminal conduct," she said in a statement. "They have attempted to use the criminal justice system itself as a platform to gain attention and further their movement. The court system exists to uphold justice  not to serve as a stage for self-promotion or lawless behavior."

Rosenberg, in her testimony, confirmed that she helped craft social media content to push DxE's public campaign against the poultry farm.

She is looking to appeal her conviction, DxE said in a statement.

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Read more: Animal rights activist posed as major food company CEO, hoaxing Fox News host on live TV

The organization said Rosenberg's attorneys were not allowed to present a "necessity defense," in which attorneys could admit evidence that a crime was committed to prevent a greater harm or argue Rosenberg had no reasonable legal alternative to prevent the harm.

The group also argued that attorneys were restricted on presenting animal cruelty evidence during the trial.

"These charges carry a potential sentence of nearly 5 years in jail," DxE said in a statement. "Meanwhile, Petaluma Poultry faces no consequences for leaving sick animals to die or scalding animals alive."

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Industry officials have criticized DxE for its tactics. In a statement, Perdue called the organization a "radical activist group."

On Nov. 30, 2023, DxE co-founder Wayne Hsiung was sentenced to 90 days in jail after he and others from the group took dozens of chickens and ducks from Petaluma-area farms. He was convicted of one count of felony conspiracy to commit trespass and two misdemeanor charges of trespass, according to court records.

Read more: Trump administration sues California over cage-free egg and animal welfare law

"For years, DxE has harassed farm families and workers, trespassed on private property and stolen from local businesses," Dayna Ghirardelli, executive director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, said in a statement. "Our community has consistently rejected their extreme tactics, and this verdict reinforces that."

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Rosenberg, in her Instagram post, said the judge ordered her to wear an ankle monitor until her Dec. 3 sentencing hearing.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Another wet weekend is on tap for the Portland area, but what does that mean for your Halloween plans on Friday night?

Another storm is expected to be boosted by a moderate-strength atmospheric river  much like the storm that brought strong winds and intense rainfall through the Pacific Northwest last weekend  but KOIN 6 Meteorologist Kelley Bayern said trick-or-treaters may still be in luck.

National Guard came to Portland despite judges order not to, Trump attorneys say

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Weather models are keeping the system offshore throughout Friday, which could result in a dry Halloween forecast for much of western Oregon, according to Bayern.

Unlike last weekend, which saw power outages throughout the region, the impact of the upcoming storm could be minimal.

Last weekends atmospheric river brought around 1.5 of rainfall to the valley. Rain totals in Portland are forecast between 0.3-0.75 this coming Saturday, Bayern said.

For the most up-to-date forecast, check out KOINs weather page.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue our weather coverage.

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On Tuesday, another federal prison employee at Thomson was rushed to a local hospital after being exposed to an unknown substance in the mail room, a news release says.

Drugs are coming through the U.S. mail into our federal prisons, and nothing has changedeven after 17 staff members were hospitalized just months ago for similar exposures. Once again, our staff are left as sitting ducks, said Jon Zumkehr, president, AFGE Local 4070, the union representing the law enforcement officers at Thomson Federal Prison.

We can confirm that on Oct. 28, 2025, at approximately 12:30 p.m., mail room staff came into contact with an unknown substance received through incoming mail, an FCI Thomson spokesperson told Our Quad Cities News via email on Wednesday. All staff were evacuated from the mail room and were assessed by our health services department. No employees displayed signs of exposure. However, out of an abundance of caution, one employee was transported to the local hospital due to coming in close contact with the unknown substance.

Jon Zumkehr (FCI Thomson)

Due to an ongoing investigation, We cannot discuss specific information on individual conditions, the spokesperson said.

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This is not an isolated incident, Zumkehr said. Nearly every week, drugs arrive in the mail, endangering the people who work at Thomson Federal Prison, he said. Since January 2024, weve had nine separate incidents where staff required hospitalization after coming into contact with tainted mail. The conditions that led to the tragic death of Marc Fischer last August remain unaddressed.

We cannot be clearer: The Federal Bureau of Prisons and Congress must act now to support the law enforcement officers at Thomson before more lives are lost. It is unconscionable that these dangers are allowed to persist.

To make matters worse, due to the government shutdown, the mail room staff, doctors, nurses, and psychology staffall law enforcement professionalsare working without pay, Zumkehr said. They risk their lives daily for no compensation, cleaning up a crisis that Congress and the Bureau of Prisons refuse to resolve.

We are blowing the whistle today: our members are not expendable. If the drug trafficking through the mail into this prison is not addressed immediately, another tragedy is inevitable, he said.

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A lawyer for a man convicted of killing his parents in 2016 wants the conviction overturned or a chance to cast doubt on the key witness who revealed never-before-seen blood evidence in a bid for a fourth trial.

Antonio Armstrong Jr., 25, who is serving a life sentence for capital murder, was absent from the 14th Court of Appeals on Wednesday as criminal defense attorney Pat McCann argued on his behalf in the historic downtown Houston courthouse. Before the attorney could start his 15 minutes of arguments, the justices cut him off and urged him to focus on an alleged evidentiary allegation and a potentially missed opportunity to mull a new trial years earlier.

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The same request extended to the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

"We've already carefully read the record and discussed this matter quite a bit among ourselves," one of the judges, Randy Wilson, said.

Their decision in Armstrong's case could take weeks or months to come down, the lawyers said.

A jury found Armstrong guilty of killing his parents, Dawn and Antonio Armstrong Sr., following two mistrials caused by deadlocked juries in 2019 and 2022. He was arrested the night of the killings, when he was 16, and later charged as an adult.

His appeal alleges Harris County prosecutors failed to disclose a 2019 complaint to the Texas Forensic Science Commission against a Montgomery County crime scene investigator, Celastina Rossi, for her work on an unrelated case. She and others were accused of planting evidence in a 2007 criminal case. The complaint was dismissed months later, according to commission records.

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The complaint, in McCann's eyes, would have been considered favorable to Armstrong had it been known at the time of his trial. The prosecutors, however, argued they were not obligated to disclose what they didn't know about at the time.

Trial prosecutor John Jordan tasked Rossi with reviewing evidence in the Armstrong case. She went on to find dried specks of blood under a Houston police visitor sticker on Armstrong's shirt that she sourced to his father's dying breaths, according to testimony. Armstrong's defense team tried to strike Rossi's testimony from the third trial after she demonstrated with mannequins and a king-sized mattress where the slain parents were sleeping and how the father's blood wound up on the teen's shirt.

Wilson asked McCann if there was evidence that prosecutors knew about the complaint at the time of the trial.

"I don't care and you shouldn't care," said McCann, who was hired to handle Armstrong's appeal following the third trial.

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A prosecutor, Alan Curry, who argued against Armstrong's appeal, said he did not think McCann was suggesting Rossi planted the DNA evidence in the capital murder case.

John Jordan, one of the trial prosecutors, slammed Armstrong's appeal as a "Hail Mary" after watching the arguments.

"For whatever reason, nobody said in the courtroom that the complaint they say the jury had a title to know - which they don't - was dismissed, unfounded and frivolous," Jordan said before walking away from reporters without taking questions.

The appeal garnered an additional flurry of questions from the justices - more so than a civil and unrelated criminal case had that afternoon and to the point that McCann was given more time.

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Justice Tonya McLaughlin said she did not think Armstrong's case was the best example to change case law about evidentiary rules but went on to press McCann on why a hearing for a motion for a new trial should happen.

Such a court proceeding could pick apart how Rossi's testimony came to be and her credibility, he argued. He credited her blood spatter findings as the pivotal evidence that led to Armstrong's conviction.

"That is the only significant difference between two mistrials and a guilty verdict and that guilty verdict has serious issues now because Rossi's character is on the line," McCann said.

The bulk of the testimony and evidence repeated in each trial. The key difference with the third trial was the unexpected discovery of Armstrong's soiled shirt, but prosecutors insisted at the time the third set of jurors were swayed by more than just that evidence.

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The blood evidence prompted Armstrong to sue the city as jurors deliberated his fate. A federal judge dismissed the case months later.

Armstrong told investigators he saw a masked intruder in the home - an allegation prosecutors have repeatedly dismissed as a lie.

Armstrong's longtime trial attorney, Rick Detoto, argued the half-brother, who lived elsewhere and went on to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, was responsible for the killings. Prosecutors countered that allegation with alarm system records showing the culprit was already in the house. There was no evidence of a break-in.

Several members of Armstrong's family and close friends, including his ex-wife, watched the arguments from the gallery.

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Armstrong and Katie Ober married ahead of his third trial and had a child together. She filed for divorce in 2024, about a year after the conviction. The divorce was finalized earlier in October, court records show.

This article originally published at Antonio Armstrong's capital murder conviction goes before appellate justices.
CHICAGO (WGN)  An appeals court has canceled Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovinos required daily check-ins with a judge.

Bovinos required daily check-ins with Judge Sara Ellis were scheduled to begin Wednesday night to update her on any use of force by immigration officers in Chicagoland. Before he was supposed to appear at the Dirksen Federal Building for his first check-in, Bovino appears on Fox News and told the network the daily meetings would have no effect on immigration operations in Chicago.

If she wants to meet with me every day, then shes going to get a good first-hand look at just how bad things really are on the streets of Chicago. I look forward to meeting with that judge, Bovino told the network. Those operations continue. They come unabated.

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However, attorneys with the Department of Justice asked an appeals court to stop those check-ins, calling them extraordinarily disruptive.

PREVIOUS COVEAGE: Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino ordered to make daily court appearances

The lawyers wrote, Every occasion that Chief Bovino is required to prepare and appear for those daily court sessions is time he would otherwise spend carrying out the important law enforcement functions hes been assigned.

Less than two hours before check-in was set to begin, the appeals court granted their request for an administrative stay, halting the daily check-ins just a few hours before the first check-in was scheduled to start.

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Ellis ordered the appearances during Bovinos testimony Tuesday, pushing their start to 5:45 p.m. each weekday evening to accommodate his operations and court hours.

Its only temporary until the appellate court can decide the merits of the controversy about whether this kind of remedy is required in order to ensure the integrity of Judge Elliss earlier order, Professor Harold Krent of Chicago-Kent College of Law said.

Little Village council demands action against federal agents using CPS parking lots for staging

The judge is skeptical Bovino and his agents are following her rules restricting their use of tear gas and other riot controls measures against journalists and protesters who dont pose an immediate threat.

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Thats why Ellis has also asked Customs and Border Protection to ensure all Operation Midway Blitz officers have body cameras. Shes also requiring Bovino to wear one by Friday.

The Department of Homeland Security posted video on social media as a rebuttal, saying the video shows people in a Little Village crowd throwing objects, but the lawyers suing DHS said they havent received a copy.

The lawyers are asking Ellis to order DHS to turn the video over Wednesday night ahead of Bovinos scheduled deposition in the case Thursday morning.

U.S. Congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh indicted after Broadview protest

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WGN-TVs partners at NewsNation report Bovino did appear in court on Wednesday well before the scheduled check-in time.

Also at around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Chicago police officers were called to the Dirksen Federal Building to investigate a suspicious package.

The package was later cleared and the scene was secured.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Like a teenager armed with their first smartphone, President Trump's masked immigration enforcers love nothing more than to mug for friendly cameras.

They gladly invite pseudo-filmmakers  some federal government workers, others conservative influencers or pro-Trump reporters  to embed during raids so they can capture every tamale lady agents slam onto the sidewalk, every protester they pelt with pepper balls, every tear gas canister used to clear away pesky activists. From that mayhem come slickly produced videos that buttress the Trump administrations claim that everyone involved in the push to boot illegal immigrants from the U.S. is a hero worthy of cinematic love.

But not everything that Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Border Patrol and its sister agencies do shows up in their approved rivers of reels.

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Their propagandists arent highlighting the story of Jaime Alanis Garcia, a Mexican farmworker who fell 30 feet to his death in Camarillo this summer while trying to escape one of the largest immigration raids in Southern California in decades.

Read more: He was trying to stay alive. Family memorializes man who died in Camarillo immigration raid

Officers with the California Highway Patrol detain a man as immigration raid protesters block an intersection outside Coast Guard Island near Oakland on Oct. 23. (Stephen Lam / San Francisco Chronicle / Getty Images)

Theyre not making videos about 39-year-old Ismael Ayala-Uribe, an Orange County resident who moved to this country from Mexico as a 4-year-old and died in a Victorville hospital in September after spending weeks in ICE custody complaining about his health.

Theyre not addressing how ICE raids led to the deaths of Josue Castro Rivera and Carlos Roberto Montoya, Central American nationals run over and killed by highway traffic in Virginia and Monrovia while fleeing in terror. Or what happened to Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, shot dead in his car as he tried to speed away from two ICE agents in suburban Chicago.

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Those men are just some of the 20-plus people who have died in 2025 while caught up in ICE's machine  the deadliest year for the agency in two decades, according to NPR.

Publicly, the Department of Homeland Security has described those incidents as tragic while assigning blame to everything but itself. For instance, a Homeland Security official told the Associated Press that Castro Riveras death was a direct result of every politician, activist and reporter who continue to spread propaganda and misinformation about ICEs mission and ways to avoid detention  whatever the hell that means.

An ICE spokesperson asked for more time to respond to my request for comment, said "Thank you Sir" when I extended my deadline, then never got back to me. Whatever the response would've been, Trumps deportation Leviathan looks like it's about to get deadlier.

Jorge Bautista, a clergyman with the United Church of Christ, reacts after he was hit in the face by a pepper spray round from a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent as protesters block the entrance to Coast Guard Island near Oakland on Oct. 23. (Stephen Lam / San Francisco Chronicle / Getty Images)

As reported by my colleagues Andrea Castillo and Rachel Uranga, his administration plans to get rid of more than half of ICEs field office directors due to grumblings from the White House that the deportations that have swamped large swaths of the United States all year havent happened faster and in larger numbers.

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Asked for comment, Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs, described The Times questions as sensationalism and added only the media would describe standard agency personnel changes as a massive shakeup.

Agents are becoming more brazen as more of them get hired thanks to billions of dollars in new funds. Near Oakland, one fired a chemical round into the face of a Christian pastor from just feet away. In Santa Ana, another pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at activists who had been trailing him from a distance in their car. In the Chicago area, a woman claimed a group of them fired pepper balls at her car even though her two young children were inside.

La migra knows they can act with impunity because they have the full-throated backing of the White House. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller crowed on Fox News recently, To all ICE officers: You have federal immunity in the conduct of your duties.

Thats not actually true, but when have facts mattered to this presidency if it gets in the way of its apocalyptic goals?

Greg Bovino, El Centro Border Patrol sector chief, center, walks with federal agents near an ICE detention facility in Broadview, Ill. (Erin Hooley / Associated Press)

Tasked with turning up the terror dial to 11 is Gregory Bovino, a longtime Border Patrol sector chief based out of El Centro, Calif., who started the year with a raid in Kern County so egregious that a federal judge slammed it as agents walk[ing] up to people with brown skin and say[ing], Give me your papers. A federal judge ordered him to check in with her every day for the foreseeable future after the Border Patrol tear-gassed a neighborhood in a Chicago suburb that was about to host its annual Halloween childrens parade (an appeals court has temporarily blocked the move).

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Bovino now reports directly to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and is expected to pick most of the ICE field office directors from Customs and Border Protection, the arm of the federal government that the Border Patrol belongs to. It logged 180 immigrant deaths under its purview for the 2023 fiscal year, the last year for which stats are publicly available and the third straight year that the number had increased.

To put someone like Bovino in charge of executing Trump's deportation plans is like gifting a gas refinery to an arsonist.

He's constantly trying to channel the conquering ethos of the Wild West, complete with a strutting posse of agents  some with cowboy hats  following him everywhere, white horses trailed by American flags for photo ops and constant shout-outs to Ma and Pa America when speaking to the media. When asked by a CBS News reporter recently when his self-titled "Mean Green Machine" would end its Chicago campaign  one that has seen armed troops march through downtown and man boats on the Chicago River like they were patrolling Baghdad  Bovino replied, "When all the illegal aliens [self-deport] and/or we arrest 'em all."

Federal agents block off North A Street in Oxnard during an enforcement operation on Wednesday. (Julie Leopo / For The Times)

Read more: Arellano: From L.A to New York, bumbling, aggressive ICE is its own worst enemy

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Such scorched-earth jibber-jabber underlines a deportation policy under which the possibility of death for those it pursues is baked into its foundation. ICE plans to hire dozens of healthcare workers  doctors, nurses, psychiatrists  in anticipation of Trump's plans to build more detention camps, many slated for inhospitable locations like the so-called Alligator Alcatraz camp in the Florida Everglades. That was announced to the world on social media with an artificial-intelligence-generated image of grinning alligators wearing MAGA caps  as if the White House was salivating at the prospect of desperate people trying to escape only to find certain carnage.

In his CBS News interview, Bovino described the force his team has used in Chicago  where someone was shot and killed, a pastor got hit with pepper balls from high above and the sound of windshields broken by immigration agents looking to snatch someone from their cars is now part of the Windy City's soundtrack  as exemplary." The Border Patrol's peewee Patton added he felt his guys used "the least amount of force necessary to accomplish the mission. If someone strays into a pepper ball, then thats on them.

One shudders to think what Bovino thinks is excessive for la migra. With his powers now radically expanded, we're about to find out.

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.
ORACLE, AZ  Four dozen Sonoyta pupfish are now swimming beneath the towering glass pyramids of the University of Arizonas Biosphere 2 after a multi-year effort to conserve the critically endangered species.

The rare desert fish were introduced into a newly constructed desert stream habitat at the research facility on Oct. 24, welcomed by a cheering crowd of university students, biologists and self-proclaimed fish lovers.

Biosphere 2 is a theater of all possibilities, said Joaquin Ruiz, director of the facility. In addition to what we do to try to understand how ecosystems operate, we're also going to be the safe harbor of a species that is endangered.

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The release is a collaboration between the University of Arizona, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Measuring about two inches long, the small blue-green and brown-striped fish are also called Quitobaquito pupfish because they can only be found in the wild at Quitobaquito Springs, a small, spring-fed oasis in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument near the U.S.-Mexico border.

Whenever I talk about pupfish in my class, I know they're really easy to identify. They're very cute. They're called pupfish because they look like little puppy dogs, said University of Arizona associate professor Peter Reinthal, who originated the idea for the pupfish introduction.

A new use for a storied structure

After teaching a hands-on portion of his class on ichthyology (the study of fish) inside Biosphere 2, Reinthal wrote a grant through the U.S. Fish and Wildlifes Desert Fish Habitat Partnership to fund the construction of the stream inside a giant habitat once intended for humans.

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Biosphere 2  named after the planet Earth, the original biosphere  was built in the late 1980s by Space Biospheres Ventures, a private company with a goal of creating an entirely self-sustaining Earth ecosystem beneath the glass walls. In the 1990s, the facility gained national attention when researchers were locked inside Biosphere 2 for two years to simulate a futuristic space colony. The first two "missions" failed and the structure evolved into a science laboratory.

The University of Arizona gained ownership of the property in 2011 and now operates the facility as an Earth Systems Research Center and tourist destination.

State and federal agencies collaborated with the university and drafted a Safe Harbor Agreement, a voluntary agreement that allows individuals and organizations to keep populations of endangered species and contribute to their recovery.

The introduced pupfish are a part of a backup population meant to safeguard the species from extinction if the wild population declines.

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The entire project took about two years of planning and implementation.

I've been a scientist all my life and every project I ever do it's to collect data or produce papers. This is the first one we did where we actually built something physical, said Reinthal. I really, really enjoyed that.

Native species: Tiny endangered pupfish return to this lake east of Phoenix after a year's absence

Habitat loss drives population declines in hardy desert fish

Behind their cute faces and chubby bodies, the Sonoyta pupfish are survivors.

Adapted to live in extreme environments, the pupfish are capable of surviving drastic temperature changes, a range of pH levels and low-oxygen water.

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They can survive in 110-degree water, which is wild. And they can handle a lot of salinity, said Brett Montgomery, topminnow and pupfish specialist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. They can exist in springs and streams with all those things that you wouldn't think would allow fish to survive.

Despite their hardy nature, the primary threat to the pupfish species has been habitat loss.

The Sonoyta pupfish were listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1986, and today, their total population is about 2,000.

The species was once found south of the border in the Rio Sonoyta, but since groundwater pumping has depleted the river, there has been no observable population in the watershed.

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A good number of animal species rely on streams like this in the natural world, and they're valuable places to a large diversity of species, both plants and animals. We need to take care of them, said Jason Deleeuw, terrestrial biome manager at Biosphere 2.

For more stories about wildlife: Sign up for AZ Climate, The Republic's weekly environment newsletter.

Habitat is also an educational tool

Deleeuw constructed the desert stream with a local construction company and help from student workers. The stream features several pools to hold the endangered fish and includes native vegetation to emulate their disappearing natural environment.

About 34,000 fish species are expected to go extinct in the next 25-50 years, according to Reinthal. A recent study co-authored by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature found that 26% of all freshwater fish species were at high risk of extinction.

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Reinthal hopes the population of endangered fish will serve as an educational resource for both university classes and for those visiting Biosphere 2 as a tourist destination.

It's a great outreach tool, said Reinthal. Biosphere 2 gets about 80,000 visitors a year here, so the public can learn about fish.

As pupfish settled into their new home right away, establishing territory and chasing each other in circles, the biologists are already planning for future introductions.

Montgomery said he hopes to introduce additional Sonoyta pupfish once the government shutdown ends, and after the pupfish are acclimated, the team plans to introduce the endangered Gila topminnow to the Biosphere 2s desert stream habitat.

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They make people happy, said Reinthal. And I tell my class, if you don't like pupfish, it means you're a mean person.

John Leos covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to john.leos@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: Endangered Sonoyta pupfish find refuge in Arizona's Biosphere 2
(Getty Images)

Arkansas families and child care providers await a response from the state Department of Education after the Early Childhood Commission accepted and forwarded an emergency working groups recommendations to keep child care centers afloat amid a funding shortage with no end in sight.

On Nov. 1, the education department plans to implement changes to providers reimbursement rates under the School Readiness Assistance Program, a financial aid program for low-income families to access child care. The working group put forth a different set of proposed rate changes that the department will accept or decline by Saturday.

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After a work session Tuesday, group members presented a $28 million plan that they said should sustain the School Readiness Assistance Program for eight weeks and forgo the need to ask the state Legislature for financial help. The $28 million would come from the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant, which supports the School Readiness Assistance Program.

The commission reviewed and unanimously accepted the proposed rate changes in a virtual meeting Thursday. If the education department implements the rate changes and continues them after the eight-week stopgap, the plan will cost nearly $77 million through Sept. 30, 2026, according to the figures presented at the meeting.

This is about $7 million more than the rate plan proposed by the education department, but the agency believes the working groups proposal is still doable, said Stacy Smith, deputy commissioner for the agencys Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Stacy Smith, deputy commissioner for the Arkansas Department of Educations Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, explains to the Arkansas Early Childhood Commission on Oct. 21, 2025 how federal funding for child care has decreased over the past several years. (Photo by Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

It just makes this a little bit tighter, and its something that I think we [should] continue to come back and report every month where we are, Smith said.

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The Early Childhood Commission convened the working group of child care experts last week after providers said the upcoming rate changes and existing higher copayments for families would lead to child care layoffs and closures throughout the state. Increased copayments implemented Oct. 1 have already forced some Arkansas child care facilities to close because parents could not afford to pay more, working group member and Northwest Arkansas child care center owner Shahid Sheikh told the commission earlier this month.

The department announced the changes Sept. 19 with the goal of reducing the four-digit School Readiness Assistance waitlist and making the program more financially sustainable. Child care providers said the changes would make child care unaffordable for some low-income families.

The federal government shut down Oct. 1 and has yet to reopen, blocking access to the majority of the states Child Care and Development Block Grant funding.

Potential next steps

Provider reimbursement rates are higher for child care centers that have achieved higher quality ratings on a scale of one to six. The working group proposed making reimbursement rates the same for the third and fourth levels and for the fifth and sixth levels. This would circumvent the problem of squeezing providers financially by lowering their base rates, and it would ensure continued quality care at each level, working group member Dawn Colyer said Tuesday.

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Northwest Arkansas would have a different reimbursement scale than the rest of the state because of the regions higher cost of living and because private child care providers in the region charge families more than in other areas, Colyer said.

For families with multiple children, the working group proposed capping copayments at 7% of their household income and charging families the same percentage of their base rate for each childs age group.

The working groups third recommendation was for the education department to remove the 72-month limit on low-income families access to the School Readiness Assistance Program.

The commissions acceptance of the working groups recommendations was a huge step forward, Jenny Castillo, who owns five Spanish language-immersion child care centers in Northwest Arkansas, said in a virtual press conference held after the commissions Thursday meeting.

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The department just has to change the way that theyre allocating the funding that they currently have in order to make it a little more fair and make it a little more accessible to families and to allow providers to actually stay afloat, Castillo said. Were not done yet, because thats just going to hold us over for a while, and so this is a long game now of what child care is going to ultimately look like in the state of Arkansas.

Rep. Denise Garner, a Fayetteville Democrat and a member of both the working group and the Early Childhood Commission, said she hopes the communication between the child care industry and the education department will continue after the funding crisis is averted.

I wish it had happened earlier, but thats not the way the government has worked in the past, so Im hoping that this is an example of what we can do across the board, Garner said. Weve got to have the knowledge base from those folks who are grassroots and boots on the ground.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  The Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester outlined his offices investigations into 240 individuals who possibly committed voter fraud in a Thursday news conference.

Jester said his office had found 240 people on the Arkansas voter rolls who were not United States citizens. He said his office has sent letters to these people, asking for confirmation of U.S. citizenship.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, Secretary of State Cole Jester announce three voter fraud arrests

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If any of the 240 cannot prove citizenship, his office will reach out to the clerks in their respective counties to have them removed from the rolls, he said, adding that further investigation revealed that 30 to 40 of the 240 in question have voted.

Jester stated that the records were searched using the federal SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) system. Further investigation revealed that 30 to 40 of the 240 in question have voted, he said.

The secretary continued that some of those 240 may be naturalized citizens not yet recorded in the SAVE database. In some cases, he said, some may have voted prior to becoming naturalized.

Anyone who has voted while not a U.S. citizen will be turned over to the attorney generals election integrity division and to Homeland Security, he said. He clarified that his office was not involved in prosecutions, but rather in ensuring the integrity of voter rolls.

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Arkansas has approximately 1.8 million registered voters, Jester said in response to a question. In response to another question, he stated that federal law requires proof of citizenship to vote, something he would change if it were up to him.

Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester announces bid for land commissioner

Jester said that in Arkansas, a photo ID is the only requirement to vote.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Arlington Police Department dismantled a sex trafficking ring at a local strip club and arrested four suspects.

Arlington police busted the Chicas Locas strip club on October 23 after a sex trafficking investigation, the department announced on October 29.

Officers booked two club managers  25-year-old Oziel Ramos and 40-year-old Ariel Tapia, and two patrons  28-year-old Oscar Escobar and 50-year-old Alejandro Hernandez.

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At the time of publication, Arlington Police Spokesman Tim Ciesco told The Dallas Express officers had only arrested four suspects.

Additional arrests and charges are still pending, Ciesco told DX.

Ramos and Tapia were booked in the Arlington City Jail for charges of aggravated promotion of prostitution, according to a press release. Escobar faces charges for outstanding misdemeanor warrants, and Hernandez faces charges for drugs and unlawful carrying of a weapon. Ramos was released on a $50,000 bond, and Tapia was released on a $75,000 bond, per KERA.

In August, the departments Human Exploitation And Trafficking (HEAT) Unit learned employees at Chicas Locas, at 2711 Majesty Drive, were performing illegal sex acts for money, with the clubs managers collecting proceeds, according to the release. Investigators also learned of alleged drug sales.

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Authorities investigated Chicas Locas for months, as part of Operation Safe Stage. A SWAT team, Arlington Police detectives, the Tarrant County Human Trafficking Task Force, TABC, anti-trafficking nonprofits, and others raided the club on October 23.

Officers arrested Ramos and Tapia. They also searched for additional crimes at the club and checked all patrons for active warrants, booking Escobar and Hernandez. Investigators seized $13,000, drug paraphernalia, and digital and forensic evidence from the club.

Additional interviews with employees helped corroborate the trafficking allegations, the release reads.

Detectives interviewed 10 to 20 employees that night, and nonprofits for trafficking victims offered them services, Ciesco said.

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TABC Victim Services  alongside anti-trafficking nonprofits Rescue Hill, Rescue Her, and Traffick911  spoke with potential victims and shared resources, according to the release.

Spanish-speaking police officers also responded, alongside those from the Community Action Team, DWI Unit, K-9 Unit, and Digital Forensics Unit. Meanwhile, the Arlington Fire Marshals Office and Health Department documented code violations.

Federal law enforcement was not involved in our joint operation, Ciesco said. This was strictly a criminal enforcement effort and involved local and state agencies.

Arlington police are working with city officials to explore possible civil enforcement against Chicas Locas, according to the release.

No single agency can tackle this issue alone. It takes all of us working together, said Arlington Police Chief Al Jones. Human trafficking has no place in Tarrant County, and we will use every resource available to go after those who commit this heinous crime.
A three-star Army general in a key position on the Joint Chiefs of Staff is retiring after less than 18 months on the job, the latest senior officer to leave a high-ranking Pentagon position early in their term amid reports of disagreements with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Separately, a Navy admiral who was in charge of the Office of Naval Research, a major Pentagon research arm, has been replaced.

The two moves do not appear to be directly connected.

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CNN first reported that Army Lt. Gen. Joseph McGee had left his position as director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy on the Joint Staff earlier this month due to tensions with Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Razin Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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McGee reportedly pushed back against Hegseth and Caine on several issues, including Russia, Ukraine, and military strikes in the Caribbean. CNN also said that some in the office of the Secretary of Defense questioned McGees ties to the previous secretary, Lloyd Austin, and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley. Hegseth and President Donald Trump have both made no secret of their personal animosity for Milley and Austin, going so far as to have Milleys official portrait removed from the Pentagon.

In a statement to Task & Purpose, Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell disputed CNNs characterization of McGees departure from the Joint Staff.

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General McGee is retiring, and the War Department is grateful for his service, said Parnell, who used the secondary title for the Defense Department announced by President Donald Trump on Sept. 5.

McGee is the latest in a growing series of high-ranking generals and admirals to retire early or be dismissed in Hegseths Pentagon.

Those dismissals began days into Hegseths arrival as Secretary of Defense with the firing of then-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Air Force Gen. Charles Q. CQ Brown Jr. and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti.

Close to a dozen more senior officers have been removed from senior jobs since, most recently, Adm. Alvin Holsey, head of U.S. Southern Command, announced earlier this month that he too would retire after being in the job for just over a year. While no official reason has been given for Holseys decision to step down, The Atlantic reported that he had privately voiced concerns to the Pentagons senior leadership about U.S. military strikes against suspected drug boats in the Caribbean.

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McGee is at least the second general on the Joint Staff  the team of senior leaders who support the service chiefs  to lose their job. The New York Times reported in July that Army Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Sims II, who had served as director of the Joint Staff, would also retire after Hegseth decided not to promote him.

Naval Research Admiral replaced

Separate from McGees retirement, Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus has been replaced as the head of the Office of Naval Research by a civilian whose experience in government appears to be limited to work for the then-Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, according to The Bulwark and USNI News.

Task & Purpose has confirmed that Rothenhaus is no longer serving as head of the Office of Naval Research, and that Rachel Riley is now in that role. Riley was a partner at McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, and has a doctorate degree in philosophy from the University of Oxford, according to a Navy spokesperson.

For his next assignment, Rothenhaus will lead Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, which oversees the Navys cyber warfare capabilities, said a Navy official, who added that Rothenhaus will be at the forefront of naval innovation in his new role.

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Rothenhaus became Chief of Naval Research in June 2023, according to his official biography, which still lists him as the head of the Office of Naval Research.

He was commissioned in 1992 from the University of South Carolina. He later earned a masters degree in computer science and a doctorate in software engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Rothenhaus went on to serve as the combat systems/C5I officer on the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, chief engineer on the destroyer USS OBrien, and served on the staff of Destroyer Squadron 15. He also completed an Individual Augmentee tour in Baghdad, Iraq.

UPDATE: 10/31/2025; this story was updated with information about rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus next assignment.
ST. LOUIS  A woman is in custody for stabbing a couple on a MetroBus earlier this week.

According to Sgt. Sean Mazzola, a spokesman for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the stabbing happened just before 4 p.m. on the no. 30 Arsenal bus along the edge of the Benton Park West neighborhood.

Police said the suspect, identified as Michael Phillips, 31, got on the eastbound bus at Arsenal Street and Jefferson Avenue and began loudly complaining about other passengers.

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Phillips, unprovoked, walked to the back of the bus where a man and his pregnant girlfriend were seated and attacked both with a knife. She exited the bus at Arsenal and Minnesota Avenue.

Both victims were hospitalized. The pregnant woman suffered a serious injury in the attack.

Metro and police said the entire incident, including audio, was recorded on the bus internal surveillance system.

Police said Phillips surrendered to authorities and confessed to the stabbing.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office charged Phillips with two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Tense moments were caught on camera as a volunteer with an immigrant advocacy group was arrested Tuesday night.

The group calls her arrest illegal, and says her 1st and 4th Amendment rights were violated. Theyre demanding her arrest be investigated.

The video shows the woman being patted down and placed in and out of an SUV. She is a legal observer volunteering with Vecindarios 901, an advocacy group that supports people affected by ICE.

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Our volunteer crossed the street, and it was at that point that she was tackled and arrested, Carlos Ochoa with V-901 said.

Crime trackers want more transparency on task force arrests

He says before cameras started rolling, the woman being detained was crossing the street, following orders to back up 25 feet for the ongoing operation.

The observer then started recording the law enforcement interaction. At some point, she was arrested.

Our volunteers, our legal observers, they are trained, so they are dispatched to observe whats going on, they are in no way interfering, Ochoa said.

Ochoa claims this arrest raises serious concerns about constitutional violations and claims federal agents failed to properly activate body-worn cameras.

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At this time, we are unable to confirm that.

Vice President Vance takes the stage at University of Mississippi

But we did reach out to a spokesperson with the Memphis Safe Task Force, asking about the arrest, and have yet to hear back.

Ochoa says the impact of ICE activity is real, and claims the immigration officers are now causing more harm than good.

We dont want the federal government to sacrifice our liberties on the alter of perceived safety because we will end up with neither at the end of it, Ochoa said. No one should be living in fear like this and the federal government is not doing all that they can to make sure that our rights and our liberties are held intact and I dont think that makes anybody safe.

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Downtown restaurant now blames perceived danger for closure

Were told the observer was taken in for resisting arrest. Her family said late Wednesday that while a judicial commissioner authorized her release, she was still detained.

Its also unclear at this point what Immigration officers were doing and why the observer felt the need to record it.

V-901 says it wants the arrest of their observer to be investigated, and is calling for more body camera enforcement and a release of all video from this arrest.

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.
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Families are slamming an assisted suicide clinic, Pegasos, claiming that their loved ones died without medical justification and/or without notifying relatives

Pegasos is a nonprofit in Switzerland that differs from other assisted suicide organizations because it does not require adults to be terminally ill to end their lives

The clinic said that it has always followed Swiss law and stands by their practices

An assisted suicide clinic is receiving heavy criticism from families who claim their loved ones died without medical justification or proper notification. However, the organization stands by its ethics and defends the legality of its methods.

Pegasos Swiss Association is an assisted dying nonprofit organization in Liestal, Switzerland that primarily serves people from outside of the country.

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One notable case that received backlash involved Alastair Hamilton, a 47-year-old chemistry teacher with no serious or terminal illness. He traveled from London to end his life with Pegasos while his family believed he was going on a weekend vacation to Paris.

"He hugged me and said, 'I love you, Mum.' I didn't know it was his goodbye," his mother, Judith Hamilton, told RTS.

When Alastair stopped answering his phone and failed to return home, Judith reported him missing. She said she eventually found bank records that showed her son paid 12,000 Swiss francs (about $15,000) to Pegasos.

"It's like a business, Judith claimed. If you have enough money, they offer you a service.

ITV News Judith Hamilton in front of photo of her late son Alastair Judith Hamilton in front of photo of her late son Alastair

Pegasos was founded in 2019 and is available to adults over 18 who are of sound mind and have paid a fee. They offer assisted suicide regardless of state of health, which differs from other organizations that require patients to be terminally ill to end their lives.

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Assisted suicide has been legal in Switzerland since 1942, according to Dignity in Dying, a British organization. It's different from euthanasia  which is illegal  because the patients themselves administer prescribed drugs to end their lives, rather than a doctor.

Alastairs brother Bradley told the outlet that they repeatedly emailed Pegasos after seeing the bank records but did not get a response. He alleged they were finally able to get a response from the clinic after involving the police and British embassy. At that point, Pegasos reportedly confirmed Alastairs death and shared that his ashes would be sent to them in the mail.

Judith and Bradley told ITV News that they learned Alastair wrote in his Pegasos application that he had an undiagnosed condition that caused him "pain, fatigue and discomfort" but admitted that "there is no current, definitive medical explanation" for how he felt. They allege he also noted that his family did not know about his decision to take his own life but his application was still approved.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

ITV News Anne Canning Anne Canning

The Hamilton family visited the clinic for an ITV documentary and met with a representative of Pegasos, who allegedly apologized for the way Alastairs case was handled and vowed to change its procedures.

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Now when someone comes to them on their own, they will make sure that the family has been informed, Bradley told ITV. I was robbed of the chance of going there and cuddling him whilst he did it, giving him a kiss goodbye, all because these kind of checks and balances werent in place. And now they have immediately implemented change.



However, more families have come forward with similar complaints following Alastairs case.

Anne Canning, 51, traveled from Wales to end her life with Pegasos earlier this year without her familys knowledge. Her sister Delia told ITV News that she didnt have any illness but was struggling to cope with the death of her son. She claimed the clinic never contacted her family before her death.

Additionally, Maureen Slough, 58, traveled alone from Ireland to Pegasos in July. Her daughter Megan claimed she received a text message from the clinic days later notifying her that her mother was dead.

Maureen Slough/Facebook Maureen Slough Maureen Slough

Judith told Metro that shes devastated that changes werent made following her sons death.

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They looked me in the eye and promised. It seems the promise meant nothing. Its heartbreaking that another family is being put through this, she claimed, per the outlet. Im very angry nothing has changed and how many more families will have to suffer?

Im not against assisted dying if it is done in the right way with people who are suffering, Judith added. It needs to be done within very strict laws though.

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 the PEOPLE regarding the backlash, Pegasos defended their methods and stressed that they have always followed Swiss law.

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We always ask for medical and/or psychiatric reports from registered specialists and have the applicant talk repeatedly to a doctor/psychiatrist during the application process to confirm a consistent wish to die, the organization said. These confidential conversations are also used to clarify whether a voluntary assisted death is the only and last option for the person concerned. Due to this, some people reconsider their decision.

It is standard procedure for the person seeking voluntary assisted death to be interviewed once again by a doctor the day before it takes place, the statement continued. Based on this assessment, and only if the doctor confirms once again that the person is capable of judgement, the voluntary assisted death can take place.

We are very conscious of our great responsibility not only to our patients, but also their loved ones, Pegasos said. Although there is no legal obligation according to Swiss law to do so, we always do our best to ensure that our patients inform their relatives of their plans to die. We have become aware of a few instances, where we had credible assurances by the patient that they had informed family members, when in fact they had not as it later turned out. We therefore have made changes to our processes.



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WASHINGTON (AP)  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that the U.S. military carried out another strike on a boat he said was carrying drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing all four people aboard, as the Trump administration pursues its divisive campaign against drug cartels in the waters off South America.

Hegseth, whos been traveling in Japan and Malaysia, said in a social media post that intelligence determined the craft was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics. He said the strike was conducted in international waters and no U.S. forces were harmed.

A video posted by Hegseth shows a boat exploding into flames and smoke. It was the 14th strike since the campaign began in early September, while the death toll has grown to at least 61.

The Trump administration also has been building up an unusually large force of warships in the region, carrying Marines and aircraft. Their presence has fueled speculation that the moves are aimed at ousting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom the U.S. has accused of narcoterrorism.

President Donald Trump has justified the attacks on the boats as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs into the United States. He has asserted the U.S. is engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels, relying on the same legal authority used by the Bush administration when it declared a war on terrorism after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

But as the number of strikes has grown, a debate in Congress has escalated over the limits of the presidents power. The attacks have occurred without any legal investigation or a traditional declaration of war from Congress, and some lawmakers have raised questions about the lack of hard evidence to justify the killings.

The Trump administration has shown no evidence to support its claims about the boats that have been attacked, their connection to drug cartels, or even the identity of the people killed in the strikes.

Sen. Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Wednesday that the Trump administration has briefed Republicans  but not Democrats  on the boat strikes.

The military briefing at the Capitol comes as the Senate is facing a potential vote on a war powers resolution that would prohibit strikes in or near Venezuela unless Congress approves the military action.

Shutting Democrats out of a briefing on U.S. military strikes and withholding the legal justification for those strikes from half the Senate is indefensible and dangerous, Warner of Virginia said in a statement.

Decisions about the use of American military force are not campaign strategy sessions, and they are not the private property of one political party, he said.

The briefing was conducted by officials from the Defense and Justice departments for the GOP leadership and senators, according to a person familiar with the situation and granted anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it.

Warner demanded a similar briefing for the Democrats.

BY BEN FINLEY and LISA MASCARO

Associated Press
Federal supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits are expected to pause this weekend with the ongoing government shutdown. The Atlanta Community Food Bank is now activating its crisis response plan.

The food bank will draw $5 million from its reserves to purchase over six million pounds of emergency food to distribute over the next four weeks.

How north Georgia communities are responding, LIVE on Channel 2 Action News starting at 4:00 p.m.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

These are incredibly unstable and uncertain times that leave our most vulnerable neighbors at risk, ACFB president and CEO Kyle Waide said . It is more critical than ever that we take immediate action to ensure that the children, families, and seniors in our communities continue to have access to nutritious food and vital resources.

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Channel 2 Action News has been reporting for days on the ongoing government shutdowns impact on SNAP benefits.

The federal government spends about $3.2 billion annually on SNAP benefits for approximately 1.5 million people across Georgia. That will be at risk if the shutdown lasts past Saturday.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank serves as a hub, purchasing food and distributing it to more than 700 food pantries across 29 north Georgia counties.

You can find a local food bank near you by searching an interactive map here.

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In the courtroom and outside of it, Monique Worrell and Mark OMara often stand as adversaries as one tries to put accused criminals in jail and the other does their best to set them free.

However, just below the steps of the Orange County Courthouse Thursday, the two united  partially  to denounce what they described as political interference in a high-profile murder case.

Tina Allgeo accepted a surprise plea deal for the December 2024 road rage-turned-shooting on E. Colonial Drive that will see her sentenced to 18 months in prison for hitting Mihail Tsvetkov with her car in exchange for prosecutors dropping the murder charge.

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Worrell and OMara, predictably, took different positions about the deal, with Worrell claiming it wasnt the kind of justice she sought while OMara accusing Tsvetkov of being the aggressor.

First Worrell, then OMara pushed back on Florida Attorney General James Uthmeiers decision to weigh in on the case, calling Allgeos actions justified while the court case was ongoing.

You should not use your elected or appointed position to influence the impact of a case in the criminal legal system, particularly one that you do not have the information thats necessary to comment on, Worrell, a political enemy of Ulthmeier, said. Lets be clear, the Attorney General has never prosecuted a case ever in his life, nor has he defended one.

That Worrell would make a quip about Uthmeiers courtroom record was predictable. The two have battled each other since before Uthmeier was appointed to his position after serving as Gov. Ron DeSantis chief of staff, where he helped orchestrate Worrells suspension during her first term in office.

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However, as he stepped up to defend his client, OMara -- who is not known for mincing his words inside or out of court -- had equally harsh comments for the AG.

I think it was horrific, OMara said. Beneficial to my client, maybe in some weird sense, but I dont think its appropriate for any politician to get involved in the system politicians should know better.

Uthmeier did not acknowledge either attorneys remarks when he posted an update to his X (formerly Twitter) account.

In Florida, we will protect the right to stand your ground against violent aggressors, he said, thanking Worrell for taking our advice.

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His spokesman and chief of staff, Jeremy Redfern, fired back when he responded to a follow-up question through a text message.

The only person who is negatively impacting the integrity of prosecutions in the 9th Judicial Circuit is Monique Worrell, Redfern said.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
State Auditor Josh Gallion, shown speaking to a legislative committee in January, said an audit of Dakota College at Bottineau turned up accounting issues. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)

The North Dakota State Auditors office has found problems with the bookkeeping at one of the states two-year colleges.

Dakota College at Bottineau failed to reconcile monthly bank transactions with the schools financial ledger, according to the State Auditors Office that looked at four months of receipts as part of a biennial audit.

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The office concluded that for those four months between July 2022 to June 2024, the college had conducted transactions and held banking balances that lacked proper documentation, according to an Auditors Office news release on Wednesday.

The amount of unreconciled transactions ranged between about $75,000 to nearly $363,000 for each of those four months and led to a difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars between the colleges financial records and its bank balances, the report showed.

We look at this as Accounting 101, said State Auditor Josh Gallion in an interview Wednesday.

Gallion said his office was not able to determine whether differences between the colleges financial records and bank balances were the result of accounting errors or missing cash.

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Do we think there is missing money? And my answer is, I dont know, Gallion said. Without those proper reconciliations being done, transactions properly documented  it makes it very difficult to try to determine: are those transactions appropriate?

He added there are no punitive measures associated with the results of the audit.

The report recommended that Dakota College at Bottineau perform monthly bank reconciliations. It also recommended that the reconciliations are properly documented, reviewed and approved.

Minot State University President Steve Shirley (Provided by North Dakota University System)

In a statement, Dakota College at Bottineau said it agreed with the audit recommendations and understands the importance of bank reconciliations.

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DCB (Dakota College at Bottineau) has had significant turnover in Business Office personnel, leading to this issue, the college said. Going forward, DCB will be contracting with Minot State for assistance with Business Office functions, including bank reconciliations.

Minot State University President Steven Shirley oversees the Bottineau campus., He said the college values the work of the State Auditors Office. He also committed to rectifying these bank reconciliation issues, in accordance with the audit, according to a statement.

This is key in making sure you are properly recording the money that is coming in and the money that is going out so that we can provide the public that assurance that we are being good stewards of the peoples money, Gallion said.

He said his office will audit the college again in two years.

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That gives the campus time to implement those corrective actions and hopefully they can demonstrate that they can start doing this and reconciling down to a zero discrepancy amount, rather than these large swings that you are seeing, Gallion said.

North Dakota Monitor reporter Michael Achterling can be reached at machterling@northdakotamonitor.com.

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AUSTIN (KXAN)  The city of Austin and other local leaders announced a new plan aimed at preventing young people who exit foster care from becoming homeless  an effort officials describe as an effort to dismantle the foster care to homelessness pipeline.

In a recent study from the University of Texas at Austin, researchers found that one-third of young Texans who are impacted by the child welfare system become homeless by 21. In Austin, officials report the number of young adults at risk of homelessness has quadrupled since 2022, from around 250 to 1,171.

Tonight, there are 1171 young people who do not know where they are going to be sleeping, said Liz Schoenfeld, the CEO of LifeWorks, a youth homelessness organization. Unless we act, the number of young people in our community who are expected to experience homelessness is expected to double within the next five years.

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At a Thursday morning press event, city, county, and state officials outlined a newly formed task forces 10-step plan to help young people at risk of homelessness find stable housing. The plan focuses on expanding access to federal and local housing programs, streamlining youth services, building long-term housing stability, preventing homelessness before it starts, and strengthening regional coordination.

A top recommendation from the report is for the city to prioritize funding for services that help former foster youth access housing choice vouchers through the federal Foster Youth to Independence program.

Leaders said the goal is to place 2,000 at-risk youth in housing through interventions by 2029.

This task force delivered, said David Gray, the director of the citys Homeless Strategy Office. We are committing to making sure we are bringing every possible federal dollar into our region to amp up our efforts to prevent youth homelessness before it occurs, and to build pathways to long-term success and stability for our young people.

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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.
The Australian Federal Police Commissioner has revealed how a data scientist within the AFP's Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) was able to crack open a crypto wallet worth $6 million (AU$9 million) held by an alleged criminal.

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett detailed the breakthrough Wednesday during her National Press Club address, describing how the agency nearly let a seizure worth millions slip through their fingers until one analyst's hunch paid off.

"We knew if we couldn't open the crypto wallet, and if the alleged offender was sentenced, upon release he would leave prison a multi-millionaireall from the profits of organised crime," Barrett said. "For our members, that was not an acceptable outcome."

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The data scientist was able to access the wallet by spotting a pattern that computers missed, a human touch in what was supposed to be a machine-generated security code.

A numbers game

The analyst was presented with an image displaying random numbers and words, divided into groups of six with "more than 50 variations of the number groups," Barrett explained.

After having "one of those scientific epiphanies," the analyst realised that the alleged criminal had tried to create a crypto booby prize in how the numbers were presented, Barrett said.

After stripping the first digit from each sequence, what remained was decoded into a 24-word recovery phrase.

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When asked how he figured it out, the analyst said the numbers didn't look computer-generated"they looked like a human had modified the sequence by adding numbers to the front of some sequences," Barrett said.

Australias Financial Regulator Flags Broader Oversight of Crypto Under Updated Guidance

She held up the case as proof that raw computing power has its limits, noting "while computer power is essential, it is not always as creative and innovative as a human."

The same analyst has since reportedly cracked another wallet using a different method, recovering more than $1.9 million (AU$3 million), the AFP commissioner added.

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If a court orders the crypto forfeited, Barrett said the funds will be directed to a Commonwealth account that is "redistributed by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to fund various crime prevention measures to help keep Australia safe.

Operation Kraken and crypto

The well-connected alleged criminal who owned the wallet is suspected of having stockpiled cryptocurrency from selling a tech-type product to alleged criminals around the world, Barrett said.

The police refused to confirm to Decrypt which case the Commissioner was referencing, as the matter is in front of the court.

Australian police have conducted a number of seizures under Operation Kraken, a sweeping investigation into organized crime. Last September, the AFP announced that it had seized $6.1 million (AU$9.3 million) following the arrest of Jay Je Yoon Jung, who is accused of creating and maintaining Ghost, an encrypted messaging platform used by organized crime syndicates worldwide.

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Australias Operation Kraken Seizes $6.4 Million in Crypto Linked to Global Crime

It was the second major asset seizure under Operation Kraken, which has no affiliation with the crypto exchange of the same name. AFP officers were able to secure the millions in cryptocurrency after analysis of digital devices enabled CACT to decipher the wallets seed phrase.

To date, the operation has racked up 46 arrests, 93 search warrants, and stopped 50 threats to life, according to the AFP.

Police have also seized 30 illegal firearms, prevented 200 kilograms of drugs from hitting the streets, and restrained AU$11.09 million ($7.2 million) in total assets.
Authorities in Singapore foiled an attempt to smuggle e-cigarettes into the country in the wake of a recent ban.

According to Batam News Asia, a search at the Woodlands Checkpoint unearthed 1,169 vapes hidden in a secret rear seat compartment of a Malaysian-registered car. The discovery is the latest in a series of thwarted smuggling efforts after Singapore enacted new penalties on its e-cigarette ban on September 1.

The country banned vapes back in 2018, but the penalties were not as strictly enforced before this year's new policy. Authorities are most concerned about the health risks involved with smoking e-cigarettes, particularly with increasing use of etomidate  an anaesthetic  in vapes, according to Singapore's Ministry of Health.

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The concern over illicit substances in vapes, as well as their addictive quality, has made regulating them with younger populations a concern internationally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that no e-cigarettes are safe and say that youths, young adults, and pregnant women should never use them.

Beyond health concerns, the single-use nature of these plastic devices poses a threat to the environment. Not only are the packaging materials not biodegradable, but an impact report by the National Institute of Health also found that they often contain mercury and lead, which can leak and contaminate nearby soil and water when disposed of.

The variety of factors at play has made banning single-use vapes a growing trend, with England, Belgium, Australia, and New Zealand among the countries that have joined Singapore with similar legislation.

In Singapore, the latest penalties for possession range from fines for first-time offenders to even rehabilitation programs for repeat users. Traffickers like the owner of the Woodlands Checkpoint car face jail time and even lashings with a cane.



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Authorities are expected to provide an update on a deadly shooting in southwest Fresno.

The shooting happened around 6:40 pm Wednesday in the area of Poppy and Lorena avenues.

When officers arrived, they found a man with a gunshot wound to his upper body lying in the driveway of a home.

Officers immediately provided medical aid, but the man died at the scene.
MIAMI (AP)  Influential Cuban dissident leader Jose Daniel Ferrer, recently exiled from Cuba, says that the islands fractured and weakened opposition movements need to shift strategies and oppose the government from outside the Caribbean nation.

The comments from Ferrer, in an interview with The Associated Press, come after he spent years in prison in Cuba where he believed he could fuel a larger fight against the government. Being a prisoner turned me into a symbol of resistance, he told the AP in Miami.

Now, although he would prefer to be in Cuba, he said he believes he and other exiles must build a strategy outside of the island.

Ferrer said he was forced to leave his country because of the continuing government crackdown on critics triggered by mass anti-government protests that broke out in 2021. It has fueled an exodus of civil society representatives, activists and journalists, weakening groups who oppose the government.

Ferrer arrived in Miami earlier this month on a flight from Cuba with family and U.S. officials.

The only way to stay in contact with my activists scattered across the island  the only way to help relieve people of their hunger and lack of resources so many people face is to leave the country, he said. Thats how we can turn into a political force thats actually effective.

Mounting crackdown and geopolitical tensions

Cubas government remains locked in a decades-long geopolitical feud with the U.S. government and has been economically crippled by U.S. sanctions.

President Donald Trump has reinstated hardline policies toward Havana, toughening sanctions and reinstating a ban on American tourism to the communist island. Such measures have been criticized as disproportionately affecting the people of Cuba rather than the government that the Trump administration hopes to combat.

As leader of a dissident movement in his home city of Santiago de Cuba, Ferrer had been in and out of prison in recent decades.

Most recently, Ferrer was convicted of violating house arrest  something often imposed on dissident figures  to protest during mass-demonstrations in 2021. Ferrer has denied the charges.

While human rights groups and the U.S. government have in the past described Ferrer as a political prisoner, Cubas government denies holding any political prisoners.

Ferrer said that during his detention he was tortured  including beatings and being force-fed rotten meat through a tube  in what he described as an effort by Cuban authorities to force him to leave the island.

He said that Cuban officials also pressured him to reach out to the U.S. Embassy and the Catholic Church in hopes of facilitating a deal for Cuba to release prisoners in exchange for an easing of sanctions. Ferrer said he refused to do that.

Cubas government did not respond to a request for comment about allegations of torture or pressuring Ferrer to seek negotiations with the Trump administration. It did publicly acknowledge that Ferrer was released following a formal request by American authorities, and previously has denied that Ferrer was tortured.

Leaving the country was my only option

Ferrer said that for years he refused to leave the island because his imprisonment made him a kind of martyr who motivated other Cubans to oppose the government.

But in recent years, particularly in the wake of the 2021 protests, Ferrer said its been harder to organize on the island, and that the government has gone after his family, including threatening to arrest his partner. The ongoing crackdown and exodus of opposition figures has had what Ferrer described as a chilling effect.

Leaving the country was my only option, he said, noting he hopes to return someday.

In December, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights condemned what it called growing repression in Cuba against opponents and dissidents including targeting journalists, activists and political opponents. The commission said the Cuban government used internet shutdowns, house arrests, surveillance, detentions, fines and interrogations to go after opponents.

Ferrer has been given a number of concessions not usually afforded to dissidents, such as leaving the country with his family, including the mother of one of his daughters.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement that it did not negotiate with the Cuban government for Ferrers release, though it did publicly acknowledge that Ferrer was released following a formal request by American authorities.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, celebrated Ferrers release earlier this month, and called on the Cuban government to release other imprisoned opponents.

Ferrers leadership and tireless advocacy for the Cuban people was a threat to the regime, which repeatedly imprisoned and tortured him. We are glad that Ferrer is now free from the regimes oppression, Rubio wrote in a statement.

The pathway for the Cuban opposition remains unclear as the country continues to be roiled by the economic and energy crises but with fewer voices to raise alarm about frustrations.

-

AP reporter Andrea Rodriguez contributed from Havana.

By GISELA SALOMON

Associated Press
UPDATE @ 4:20 p.m.  Originally the call went out to the police as a shooting incident. KFOR has since learned it is not a shooting. We are still gathering information.

ORIGINAL STORY

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Police are on the scene of a possible shooting in the 7300 block of Walker Avenue.

KFOR has a team on the scene.

Police investigating possible shooting in South Oklahoma City, Image KFOR

Drivers should expect delays in or around the area as the investigation continues.

*This story is developing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Authorities seized seven vehicles in the bust of an illegal mining operation in India.

As Kashmir Life reported, police in Jammu and Kashmir raided an illegal mining operation near Rambiara Nallah, a vital waterway in the region. According to officials, the operation utilized five tractors and two dump trucks to extract and transport valuable minerals. The suspects allegedly acted without proper documentation.

Illegal mining has become a significant problem in Jammu and Kashmir, causing severe environmental damage. This includes water contaminated with toxic chemicals such as mercury and cyanide, which are used to process minerals. These chemicals are sometimes handled with little to no safety precautions, leading to major health risks for workers on top of contamination concerns.

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Mining operations also can churn up massive amounts of sediment. This could result in habitat loss for countless species, harming biodiversity and jeopardizing vulnerable food chains. The constant removal of sand and gravel during mining operations can also increase erosion in riverbeds. This may make nearby areas more vulnerable to floods, affecting people and communities as well as potentially damaging roads, bridges, and other infrastructure.

Illegal mining has been an ongoing issue in Jammu and Kashmir. Over the last few years, authorities have intensified crackdowns on illegal operations, leading to frequent seizures of vehicles and arrests.

According to the Kashmir Observer, the subject was a key topic of discussion during a recent review meeting of the Mining Department at the Civil Secretariat. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called for increased cooperation among agencies and sweeping reforms to stem the practice and its negative impacts.

"In my previous tenure, illegal mining was never a concern. With the technological tools now available, any such activity is only possible if there's collusion at the lower level. The department must use these systems effectively to eliminate that possibility," Abdullah said.

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.




Composer John Carroll's musical journey didn't begin in a musical family or a middle school band, or even with an interest in music. It began as a lonely 16-year-old growing up in Ballston Lake.

"I had this dilemma in high school where all I wanted was for girls to like me," said Carroll, with a laugh. "And, in my stupid 16-year-old brain, I was like, well, girls either like artists or athletes. I tried out for the lacrosse team. I didn't get it. And so I was like, screw this, I'm learning piano."

If You Go

"Troubleshooting"

When: 3 p.m. Sunday

Where: Hubbard Hall, 25 E. Main St., Cambridge

Run time: 40 minutes, no intermission

Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for students

More info: 518-677-2495 or hubbardhall.org

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Yet, as someone with autism navigating a neurotypical world, loneliness remained an undercurrent through Carroll's music studies at SUNY Schenectady, SUNY Purchase and New York University's graduate composition program. So, when it came time to pen his first micro-opera, "Troubleshooting," Carroll found inspiration in his alienation. The work will be performed by SUNY Schenectady students on Sunday at Hubbard Hall.

"Troubleshooting" revolves around a phone call between two characters: Sam, a struggling young adult who calls the fictitious Social Anxiety Support Hotline, and Rory, the volunteer social worker on the other end. As their conversation unfurls, they realize they have more in common than expected.

Carroll created the micro-opera - called such because of its smaller scale and length - for a weeklong residency in 2021 at the Avaloch Farm Music Institute in New Hampshire. He worked alongside Mark Evans, a SUNY Schenectady associate professor, and SUNY Schenectady alumni Areli Mendoza-Pannone and Bobby Frazier. For Carroll, it was important that what he wrote felt like "an authentic extension" of himself.

"What can I write that's honest? What can I write that feels true?" Caroll said. "It's not like no one else can write a piece on social anxiety and autism, of course, but I didn't have to intellectually speculate on those struggles. I felt them. In fact, my entire life pretty much was defined in various ways by those struggles."

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Carroll drew upon those lived experiences as he wrote. Breathing exercises Sam deploys in the story pull from coping exercises Carroll learned through therapy and inpatient stays at Four Winds Saratoga during his late teens and early 20s. Rory's exhaustion from masking mirrors Carroll's own. The opening number, in which Sam appears to freestyle lyrics over the hotline's bossa nova hold music, is a nod to times when Carroll was on hold with mental health care providers and the absurd juxtaposition between the looping music and the crisis at hand.

"You get put on hold, and they're just playing free jazz, or smooth jazz, while you're contemplating the will to live," Carroll said. "There's something funny about that. It was something that I absolutely wanted in the show."

The characters in "Troubleshooting" reflect two sides of Carroll. Sam represented the side of Carroll that "had high social motivation, in the words of (his) therapist, but lacked the nuanced understanding of social dynamics" to "maintain a thriving social life." In Rory, we see someone who is "masking as high-functioning, as extroverted" yet still struggling to make a meaningful connection through the layers of "artifice."

Neither character's gender is defined, and Carroll wrote the music to sit comfortably in a wide range of voice types because he wanted Sam and Rory to be accessible to performers who personally connected with the characters. Evans has even had students request to switch roles after a week of rehearsing because one connected with them more than another.

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"I like the idea of a person being able to play any character, and not feeling particularly held down or held back by their gender, by the body, things of that nature," Carroll said. "If they see themselves in this role, if it resonates with them, that's the only thing that really matters to me."

And it has. Evans, who has produced several productions of "Troubleshooting" at SUNY Schenectady since its 2022 debut, said the students "were immediately sensitive to (the piece)."

"It's about people wanting a sense of closeness, the struggle of sort of reaching out, making connections," Evans said. "We all have that, to some degree. And the characters here have it even more so because they're fighting with social norms that, for them, are not normal. There's something everyone can relate to."

The upcoming Hubbard Hall performance features SUNY Schenectady students as actors and the creative team, Evans said, and incorporates more movement than previous stagings. Evans, who serves as producer, connected with Erin Harrington, Hubbard Hall executive director, about bringing the work to the venue after reading that she was interested in expanding the hall's neurodiversity inclusion.

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"Troubleshooting" continues to bring Carroll joy, largely because of the response from college performers - many at the same age Carroll was when his loneliness felt its most intense - and audiences who have connected with the micro-opera. In particular, the feedback from the autistic community, who have told Carroll the work made them feel seen and validated, has been "pure magic."

"I got into music because I was lonely," Carroll said. "(When Troubleshooting' premiered), it felt full circle. Ironically, the art that I'm creating to distill this experience of loneliness is bridging me to other people. That's what art does for me, even to this day."

This article originally published at Autism, loneliness shape Ballston Lake composer's micro-opera.
St. Louis  Lets go for a walk! The Autism Speaks Empower Walk & 5K Run kicks off this weekend on Sunday, November 2, 2025. This event is one of the worlds largest fundraising efforts dedicated to supporting research, resources, and advocacy to individuals and families affected by autism.

Event Details:

Event: The Autism Speaks Empower Walk & 5K Run

Location: 370 Lakeside Park in St. Peters, Missouri

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Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025

Time: 9 AM-12 PM

To learn more about the Empower Walk & 5K Run or to make a donate, visit autismspeaks.org/empower.

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.
Where is the everlasting peace in the Middle East and Gaza between Israel and Hamas that President Donald Trump promised?

Israel on Tuesday launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip in an apparent violation of its ceasefire with Hamas. Local health officials said at least 104 people, including 46 children and 20 women, were killed, and more than 250 others were injured. The Israeli military said it targeted dozens of terror targets and terrorists because Hamas violated the ceasefire deal, which Trump and the United States brokered and heralded as a permanent end to hostilities in the Middle East.

While this was the biggest attack on Gaza since the ceasefire was agreed to, critics have pointed out that this wasnt the first time Israel or Hamas have violated the ceasefire. Trump announced the ceasefire deal on October 8, and it was signed five days later. Within days, both Israel and Hamas accused each other of violating the terms of the agreements.

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Earlier this month, Gazan officials claimed Israel had violated the ceasefire at least 47 times. Israel is also accused of not rushing in enough aid for Palestinians, who have faced mass starvation due to Israels blockades of aid. Israel has alleged Hamas violated the truce by not handing over the remains of deceased hostages and killing several of its soldiers.

Despite all the apparent violations and peace remaining elusive, President Trump has touted the ceasefire several times over the last three weeks.
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In a less than 15-minute long meeting on Thursday, members of the House Economic Competitiveness Committee voted to tweak the language on various bills intended to eliminate red tape for various professions, as well as a proposed ban on implicit bias training requirements for health professionals receiving or renewing their license or registration.

Members of the committee heard testimony from supporters of Rep. Matt Maddocks (R-Milford) House Bill 4915 during last weeks meeting, where Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Okemos) requested an additional meeting for testimony on the bills, saying shed been unable to ask her questions about the policy.

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The committee did not take further testimony on the bill Thursday, despite an additional request from Brixie to hear testimony, with the committees chair, Rep. Mike Hoadley (R-Au Gres), saying there had been adequate time for follow up questions with the committees minority vice chair, Rep. Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids).

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Members of the committee voted along party lines to refer the bill to the House Rules Committee for further consideration, with Hoadley telling the Michigan Advance its typical for that committee to further scrutinize any legislation that has to do with rules put forth by government departments.

Before voting to refer the bill to another committee, members shot down a proposed amendment from Rep. Joe Tate (D-Detroit) which would bar the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs from enforcing implicit bias training requirements unless the content of the training pertains to instruction on the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act  which prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, height, weight, familial status, marital status or source of income  or the Persons With Disabilities Civil Rights Act, effectively invalidating Maddocks bill.

After the meeting, Brixie spoke out on the decision to move forward without further testimony on the policy, telling the Advance the lack of transparency and the fear of the public weighing in on these issues is very disappointing and disconcerting.

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Stephanie Nawyn, an associate professor of sociology at Michigan State University submitted a card in opposition to the bill, but was not permitted to testify at Thursdays meeting.

Nawyn previously served as the universitys director of the Center for Gender in Global Context and worked as the co-principal investigator on a grant from the National Science Foundation developing programs to mitigate bias, though she emphasized she was speaking on her own behalf and that her comments did not represent MSU.

While speaking with the Advance after the meeting, Nawyn said she suspects the bills supporters misunderstand what implicit bias is and what the training involves.

During last weeks meeting, representatives from Do No Harm  a national organization opposing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in health care and gender-affirming care for minors  spoke out against these trainings, calling them divisive, and arguing that these trainings promote discrimination.

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The opposite is true, Nawyn said, questioning why someone would institute training encouraging medical professionals to be biased.

Psychological studies have shown that implicit bias  which the American Psychological Association defines as a negative attitude, of which one is not consciously aware, against a specific social group  is particularly hard to address because people do not know that they have it, Nawyn said.

To say someone has implicit bias is not to say they are a bad person, Nawyn said. Its just to say that, you know, they have absorbed things unconsciously that might make [them] not as good at providing health care.

Nawyn also noted that there is a wealth of studies detailing the impacts implicit bias has on health outcomes for patients.

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There are a lot of health disparities, and some of them are related to biases that doctors may have or other health providers may have, Nawyn said. There are certain patients that medical providers may not spend as much time with, may not take their concerns seriously, their reports of pain seriously and those generally lead to detrimental health outcomes for patients.

While members of Do No Harm argued the training requirements were burdensome for health professionals, and that their time would be better spent reviewing medical literature, Nawyn said the time commitment required for these trainings is not an argument against them.

Ive got probably three or four different trainings sitting in my inbox waiting for me to do that are all about compliance with government rules, Nawyn said. So to decide that this particular training is too burdensome when the state Legislature has no problems with all sorts of training that might be required as part of compliance, I think its a strawperson argument.

While arguments of the bill tend to focus on implicit bias as it applies to race and ethnicity, Nawyn noted the concept addresses a broader range of biases.

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Some of them focus on weight. Some of them focus on disability. Some of them focus on substance use that patients are engaging in  a misuse  socioeconomic status, Nawyn said. There [are] so many different biases that people might have, I think it should be left up to medical licensing boards to decide what are important implicit biases that they want their members to address and their decision whether or not to require some training to mitigate those.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  D.C. police are investigating a burglary at a home in Northeast on Sunday.

READ NEXT: Neighbors urge Mayor, DC Council to end police cooperation with federal agents

On Oct. 26, around 8:30 p.m., the suspect entered a residence in the 600 block of 8th Street, Northeast. Police are asking for assistance in identifying the suspect.

Photo of suspect caught on surveillance. Courtesy: MPD

The suspect then stole the victims bank cards, among other items, and fled. Shortly afterward, the suspect attempted to use the victims cards at several businesses.

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If you have details about the burglary, call 202-727-9099 or text MPD at 50411.

Check DCNewsNow.com for updates. To keep up with the latest news and weather updates, download our Mobile App on iPhone or Android.

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BARCELONA, Spain (AP)  Barcelonas Sagrada Familia basilica became the worlds tallest church on Thursday after a part of its central tower was lifted into place.

The masterwork of architect Antoni Gaudi now rises to 162.91 meters (534 feet) above the city, the church said in a statement. That barely beats out the tip of the spire of Germanys Ulmer Munster, which tops out at 161.53 (530 feet) meters.

The Ulmer Munster, a Gothic Lutheran church built between 1543 and 1890, has held the title of the worlds tallest church. That bragging right now gets passed to its Spanish rival. Even though the Sagrada Familia does not claim the title, the numbers are there to compare: it is now just over a meter (3.2 feet) taller than the church in southern Germany.

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And the Sagrada Familia is still growing. The central Tower of Jesus Christ that is rising from the top of the church will reach 172 meters (564 feet) when it is completed in the coming months.

A crane placed the first part of the tower on top of the nave on Thursday morning.

The first stone of the Sagrada Familia was placed in 1882, but Gaudi never expected it to be completed in his lifetime. Only one of its multiple towers was finished when he died.

Work has sped up over recent decades as the basilica became a major international tourist attraction with people around the world enthralled by Gaudi's unique aesthetic that combines Catholic symbolism and organic forms.

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The money from entrance fees is used to fund the ongoing construction. Last year, 4.9 million people paid to visit it, with 15% of those tourists coming from the United States.

Work on the churchs elaborate facades and decorating its interior will continue for several years. It is expected to be completely finished around a decade from now, church officials said earlier this year.

Next year will be the 100th anniversary of the death of Gaudi. The church will hold several events to celebrate his legacy, which includes other stunning buildings in Barcelona and other places in Spain.

___ AP writer Stefanie Dazio contributed from Berlin.
UPDATE, 5:21 p.m.: According to Barnwell Mayor Ron Still, the road across the lake is open and the scene has been secured.

The road across the lake is now back open. The scene is secure. The device has been uploaded and taken to be disposed of by the proper authorities, he said.

Mayor Still thanked the community for patience and understanding in the issue.

BARNWELL, S.C. (WJBF)  The Barnwell Lake Area is shutdown Thursday and residents are being asked to stay away from the area, according to Barnwell Mayor Ron Still.

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In an announcement posted on Oct. 30, Mayor Still said traffic of any kind is permitted at this time.

All citizens are encouraged to stay away from this area until further notice, he said. There has been a suspicious package possibly an explosive device found.

According to the mayor, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has been notified. No residences are reported to be in danger.

This is a developing story.

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Global forum highlights Xizang's transformation, future development

Xinhua) 09:01, October 30, 2025

This photo taken on Oct. 29, 2025 shows the opening ceremony of the "2025 Forum on the Development of Xizang, China" in Nyingchi City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. The forum held here on Wednesday brought together officials and experts from across the world to share insights and expertise for the region's sustained progress. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

LHASA, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- More than 400 government officials, diplomats, experts from various fields, and enterprise and media representatives from 44 countries and regions gathered on Wednesday in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region to share their insights and expertise for the region's sustained progress.

The 2025 Forum on the Development of Xizang, China, hosted by the Xizang regional government and centering on the theme "Discovering a beautiful Xizang and writing a new chapter on the plateau," focuses on key topics including international communication, the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s guidelines for governing Xizang in the new era, and Xizang's image-building, its development philosophies and practical pathways.

This year's forum coincides with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region.

Over the past 60 years, under the CPC's leadership, Xizang has achieved a historic leap from backwardness to advancement, from isolation to openness, and from poverty to prosperity, Wang Junzheng, secretary of the CPC Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee, said in his remarks.

"Xizang has accomplished in just decades what would have taken centuries or even a millennium, serving as a vivid testament to the strengths of the socialist system," Wang added.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mo Gaoyi, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and director of the State Council Information Office, stressed that as China is formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan for national economic and social development, the modernization of Xizang now stands at a new historical starting point.

Since its inception in 2007, the forum has become a vital window for the international community to understand, observe and gain insight into Xizang, Mo said, calling for efforts to strengthen the exchange of governance experience, improve the well-being of the people and tell the story of human rights in Xizang, as well as enhance exchange and mutual learning among civilizations.

Performers sing and dance at the opening ceremony of the "2025 Forum on the Development of Xizang, China" in Nyingchi City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Oct. 29, 2025. The forum held here on Wednesday brought together officials and experts from across the world to share insights and expertise for the region's sustained progress. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

The one-day forum was held in Nyingchi City, a place that was once remote and desolate, known in ancient times as a place of exile. Today, it rivals Lhasa in fame and has become one of China's most popular tourist destinations, often hailed as the "Jiangnan of Xizang." It has transformed into a vibrant, open city that warmly welcomes visitors from around the world.

Nyingchi's development journey -- from remarkable infrastructure transformation and thriving local industries to improved livelihoods and the careful preservation of its lucid waters and lush mountains -- stands as a testament to China's successful governance in Xizang and its commitment to revitalizing border regions and enriching people's lives.

Official data showed that the city's GDP soared from 66 million yuan (about 9.32 million U.S. dollars) in 1986 to about 26.78 billion yuan in 2024, marking a 406-fold increase. Meanwhile, the per capita disposable income of rural residents rose from 425 yuan to 27,427 yuan over the same period, reflecting a nearly 65-fold growth.

"Xizang's story is one of transformation," Shahbaz Khan, director and representative to the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, said in his opening remarks delivered on behalf of the UN secretary-general. "We're witnessing the once remote region now stands connected through modern infrastructure that links even its highest valleys and most distant communities. These investments have expanded opportunities while enabling better access to services, education, and markets."

Shahbaz Khan, director and representative to the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the "2025 Forum on the Development of Xizang, China" in Nyingchi City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Oct. 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

Xizang's development serves as an exemplary model, showcasing the effectiveness of local government policies and the dedicated efforts of its residents, said Jetigenov Bakytbek, plenipotentiary representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in Issyk-Kul Region, citing Xizang's remarkable achievements in economic growth, social progress, infrastructure development and cultural heritage conservation.

Bakytbek also noted that a delegation from the Issyk-Kul Region conducted a study tour in Xizang to learn from its practical experience in socio-economic development, infrastructure construction, green energy development and tourism.

Paolo Sabbatini, international spokesperson for Public and Cultural Diplomacy at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that in international communication, Italy is ready to serve as a strategic partner in showcasing Xizang to the world in its true richness, presenting it as authentic, multidimensional and modern.

"Through joint curatorial projects, traveling exhibitions and artistic exchanges, we can help the world perceive Xizang not as a distant legend, but as a vibrant and evolving cultural landscape where ancient traditions meet contemporary innovation," he added.

This year's forum features four dedicated sub-forums held to explore pathways in international communication, sustainable local industries, youth engagement and environmental protection on the plateau.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Apple delivered financial results during its summertime quarter that exceeded analyst projections, despite being caught in the crosshairs of a global trade war at the same time the trendsetting company is scrambling to catch up to its Big Tech peers in the artificial intelligence race.

The performance announced Thursday was driven largely by strong initial demand for its iPhone 17 lineup that went on sale last month.

Although the iPhone 17 lacks the AI wizardry featured in rival devices recently introduced by Samsung and Google, Apple spruced up its latest models with a redesign highlighted by a sleek liquid glass appearance on the display screens.

Apple also largely maintained its pricing on its latest iPhones, despite being squeezed by the tariffs that President Donald Trump has imposed on the U.S. devices that the company mostly makes in India and China. The tariffs cost Apple $1.1 billion during the past quarter and are expected to cost another $1.4 billion during the final three months of the year.

The formula apparently was enough to win over consumers, particularly in the United States and Europe, helping to produce iPhone sales totaling $49 billion during the July-September period, a 6% increase from the same time last year. That was slightly below the 8% jump in iPhone sales that had been anticipated by analysts, and less than the 13% bump in sales during the April-June period.

IDC estimates that 58.6 million iPhones were sold worldwide in the July-September quarter, putting Apple second behind Samsung at 61.4 million of their Android-powered phones sold worldwide in the quarter.

Buoyed by the iPhone results, Apple earned $27.5 billion, or $1.85 per share, nearly doubling its profit from a year ago. Revenue climbed 8% from a year ago to $102.5 billion. Both the earnings and revenue eclipsed the analyst forecasts that steer the stock market.

Apple shares surged 3% in extended trading after the numbers came out.

In a conference call with analysts, Apple CEO Tim Cook indicated his belief that the iPhone 17 lineup will continue to do well, predicting even more of the devices will be sold during the final three months of the year. As we head into the holiday season with our most powerful lineup ever, I couldnt be more excited for whats to come, Cook said. He cited the iPhone 17s popularity in most parts of the world except China, where sales of the device dipped by 4% from a year ago.

The Cupertino, California, company expects its iPhone sales to increase at least 10% from last years holiday season, according to projections provided by Apples chief financial officer, Kevan Parekh. Total revenue is expected to rise at a similar rate.

Apples stock has been on a tear since a report earlier this month from the research firm International Data Corp. telegraphed the quarterly results with a preliminary analysis that concluded the company had set a new July-September record for iPhone sales. The rally catapulted Apples market value above $4 trillion for the first time earlier this week and now the stage is set for the shares to hit another new high during Fridays regular trading session.

But Apple has been widely seen as a laggard in the AI craze, one of the reasons that Nvidia  a chipmaker whose processors power the technology  became the first company to be valued at $5 trillion earlier this week.

Apple had promised a wide array of AI features would be rolling out on last years iPhone models, but was only able to deliver a few of them. The missing upgrades included a smarter and more versatile version of its frequently flummoxed Siri virtual assistant  a makeover that Apple now doesnt expect to complete until next year.

But Apple has a long history of late starts when technology starts to head in another direction before it finally catches up and emerges as a front-runner.

If Apple can pull it off again by eventually implanting more AI features on the iPhone, Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives believes those breakthroughs could boost the companys market share by another $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion, translating into $75 to $100 per share.

By MICHAEL LIEDTKE

AP Technology Writer
NEED TO KNOW

Barry Morphew was arrested in June and charged with the murder of his wife Suzanne Morphew for the second time, after his first case never made it to trial before being dismissed

Barry, 58, had been in jail for almost three months when supporters managed to raise the $300,000 needed to cover his bail and secure his release to house arrest

Barry and Suzanne's two daughters, Mallory and Macy, have supported their father ever since their mother's disappearance, but prosecutors have listed both as potential witnesses

Barry Morphew is currently awaiting trial after being charged with murdering his wife Suzanne Morphew.

This is now the second time that Barry, 58, has faced murder charges in the death of his wife, who went missing from their Colorado home on Mother's Day 2020.

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Barry was confined to a jail cell ahead of his trial with bail set at $3 million  which his supporters managed to raise, leading to his release from pretrial detention on Sept. 19.

The Alamosa County Sheriff's Office announced the news and said that no additional details would be provided, and Barry's lawyer would only say that the money to secure his client's bond came from his friends and supporters.

Chaffee County Sheriff's Office Suzanne Morphew Suzanne Morphew

It was just a few weeks prior that the judge agreed to change Barry's bail from $3 million cash to $3 million cash, surety or property, meaning he needed to secure just $300,000 to be released from jail.

After his supporters raised the money they were able to find a bail bondsman to sign off on the transfer of Barry from jail to house arrest.

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Barry is required to wear a GPS monitoring device at all times, cannot own a weapon or use drugs or alcohol, and is only allowed to leave the home to meet with his lawyers or doctors and in the event of a medical emergency, according to an appearance bond sheet filed in court and obtained by PEOPLE.

Barry and Suzanne's daughters Macy and Mallory were both in court for the Sept. 2 hearing during which the judge agreed to modify their father's bail.

The two young women have been unwavering in their support of their father, with at least one of the daughters appearing at all of their father's court appearances.

At the Sept. 2 hearing, the judge noted the fact that the two women were in attendance and listed their support as a key reason why she modified Barry's bail  even as prosecutors have listed both daughters as potential witnesses.

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Barry will be back in court on Nov. 3 for a pretrial appearance, where the judge may finally announce a tentative start date for his murder trial.

Chaffee County Sheriff's Office Barry Morphew Barry Morphew

His first case was dismissed just two weeks before his trial at the request of prosecutors, who filed their motion without prejudice in the event they wanted to arrest Barry again and retry the case.

On June 18, 2025, they did just that, arresting Barry and charging him with first-degree murder.

His second arrest came in the wake of the El Paso County Medical Examiner's Office completing their autopsy of Suzanne, whose manner of death was determined to be homicide.

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The autopsy also noted that there was evidence of "butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine intoxication," something that members of law enforcement requested the medical examiner check for during their examination of Suzanne's remains.

That specific request was made because those three drugs combine to make BAM, a powerful animal sedative that authorities allege Barry used to kill his wife.

The indictment filed in June stated that "law enforcement found one of these needle caps in the dryer" after Barry dried the shorts he was wearing on the day of Suzanne's disappearance.

Barry said that he had used the sedative on a deer farm he owned in Indiana approximately a month before his wife's murder.

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Investigators then began to research the prevalence of the sedative and found records which "showed that no other private citizens or private businesses in any of the surrounding counties had purchased BAM prescriptions from 2017-2020," according to the indictment.

Those same records also showed that the only other purchases of BAM in the state of Colorado had been from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife agency and the National Parks Service  both of which maintained careful records of any use of the drug, per the indictment.

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.

Barry was arrested in Arizona on June 20 and then extradited to Colorado.

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He has not yet entered a plea as his lawyers say they still need time to sort through all the evidence and information in the case. They are expected to provide the judge with a status update at the Nov. 3 hearing.

Barry previously entered a not guilty plea after his first arrest and has maintained that he is innocent of any wrongdoing ever since his wife's disappearance.

The disappearance remained a mystery for over three years until a separate investigation hoping to locate another missing woman came upon the remains of Suzanne approximately 50 miles from where she went missing.

The discovery of the body reinvigorated the investigation, with prosecutors previously building their case against Barry before Suzanne's body had been discovered.



Both his lawyers and prosecutors did not respond to requests for comment.

Read the original article on People
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Baton Rouge man has been arrested in connection with a shooting that happened on Sept. 21.

According to an affidavit, officers with the Baton Rouge Police Department were called to a Red Roof Inn, located in the 11200 block of Boardwalk Boulevard, about a shooting in the parking lot. Officers learned that two victims were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators learned that four men were sitting in the parking lot, drinking. The victims saw a man, later identified as Marquis Gross, 23, and an additional subject in the parking lot next to them, smoking.

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Deputies arrest convicted felon after shooting inside Iberville Parish bar

Officials said three of the four men walked to a nearby store to buy more alcohol, while the last one stayed with the truck. Police said Gross assumed all the men had left and proceeded to enter the unlocked truck.

According to investigators, the man noticed that Gross was inside the cabin and went to confront him. Gross told the man that he was looking for beer inside the truck. The man informed the other three of the incident, and they returned and started arguing with Gross.

The affidavit states that Gross grabbed a gun from his backpack and fired a few rounds at the men. One of the men grabbed a gun and returned fire. Two of the men were struck, as well as the owner of the Red Roof Inns vehicle. The uninjured men said Gross fled the area and left a bicycle, a black jacket, and a pair of blue headphones.

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Gross was identified by motel guests. He was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of four counts of attempted first-degree murder, illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, aggravated criminal damage to property, simple burglary, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond amount is set at $170,000, according to jail records.

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BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan.  The City of Baxter Springs is sharing some of its town history  in a very public way.

Illinois natives, Francis and Denise Nosce are traveling Route 66.

Their trip on the Mother Road brought them through Baxter Springs  the first cow town in Kansas.

I think its amazing that the industry here started with what I call cows, said Francis Nosce.

Its a little-known fact the City of Baxter Springs is now sharing with the public.

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Recently, the city put up the first of five billboards welcoming people to the first cow town in Kansas. The project was spearheaded by Mayor, Kelly Abbott and is meant to spur local tourism.

Weve got a little logo saying and thats, all roads lead to Baxter. Kelly has been very involved in that tourism committee, making sure that the city is involved as the local citizens are in creating more tourism for the community, said Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum Director, Mary Billington.

Baxter Springs became the first cow town in Kansas, not long after the civil war.

Cattle drovers moved Texas Longhorn steer from the Lone Star State, to the Sunflower State, via the Eastern Shawnee Trail, which ended in Baxter Springs.

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So, youve got buyers from Kansas City coming down, the drovers coming up from Texas, and Baxter Springs grows, and its the first boom town in this little corner of the world, and the first cow town, said Billington.

During its cattle hay day, stockyards in Baxter Springs could hold around 20,000 head of cattle. City leaders say whats now a part of the towns history is important to share.

Being the first cow town is just the start of that, and that is kind of the start of our history, and we want that remembered and we want that celebrated, said Billington.

The first cow town in Kansas sign was put up near the Kansas-Oklahoma state line on Route 66. The other four will be installed in the coming weeks, on roadways leading into town.

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A Democratic lawmaker has moved to have Robert F. Kennedy Jr. impeached over his conduct in office as Health and Human Services Secretary. I am not one for political theater, Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens, whos currently running for one of the states Senate seats, told the New York Times. Im for standing up for the health and safety of the people I represent. Its pretty clear that these are life-and-death issues for folks. Secretary Kennedy is carrying out a scientific coup detat of Amer
By Diana Novak Jones

(Reuters) -A U.S. court reinstated a $185 million verdict against Bayer's Monsanto over chemical contamination at a Washington state school on Thursday.

The Washington state Supreme Court reversed a lower court's ruling that vacated the verdict in a 2024 trial over claims brought by three teachers at Sky Valley Education Center in Monroe, Washington.

Bayer's Monsanto has faced a string of trials over claims by teachers and others at Sky Valley Education Center in Monroe, Washington, who say they were sickened by exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs.

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More than 200 students, employees and parents say they developed cancer, thyroid conditions, neurological injuries and other health problems from PCBs leaking from the school's light fixtures. The chemicals were made by Monsanto, which Bayer acquired in 2018.

(Reporting by Diana Novak Jones; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Richard Chang)
By Diana Novak Jones

(Reuters) -A U.S. court reinstated a $185 million verdict against Bayer's Monsanto unit over chemical contamination at a Washington state school on Thursday.

The Washington state Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling that had vacated the verdict in a 2021 trial over claims brought by three teachers at Sky Valley Education Center in Monroe, Washington.

Monsanto has faced a string of trials over claims by teachers and others at the Seattle-area school who say they were sickened by exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs. More than 200 students, employees and parents say they developed cancer and other health problems from PCBs leaking from the school's light fixtures. The chemicals were made by Monsanto, which Bayer acquired in 2018.

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Verdicts in previous trials have totaled more than $1.5 billion, though some have been reduced or overturned. In August, the company announced it had settled all of the claims except for the nine cases already on appeal, including the teachers' lawsuit at issue in Thursday's ruling.

Rick Friedman and Deepak Gupta, attorneys for the plaintiffs, said in a statement the ruling "sends a clear message: companies that conceal the risks of toxic chemicals must be held accountable."

A Monsanto spokesperson said in a statement the court's ruling was incorrect and the company was considering its legal options.

The ruling may affect the remaining cases on appeal, which had been on pause while the Washington Supreme Court weighed the teachers' case.

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Since Bayer's $63 billion acquisition of Monsanto in 2018, the company has been dogged by lawsuits over PCB contamination and tens of thousands of claims alleging Monsanto's weedkiller Roundup causes cancer, which the company denies.

PCBs were once widely used to insulate electrical equipment, and in such products as carbonless copy paper, caulking, floor finish and paint. They were outlawed by the U.S. government in 1979 after being linked to cancer and other health problems. Monsanto produced PCBs from 1935 to 1977.

The plaintiffs claim Monsanto knew of the dangers of PCBs for decades, but concealed them from the public and regulators.

Bayer has argued that plaintiffs have failed to prove their injuries were caused by PCBs, and that the levels found in the school were deemed safe by the Environmental Protection Agency. It has also said the school ignored government officials' warnings that the light fixtures in the aging building needed to be retrofitted.

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Last year, a Washington state appeals court sided with Bayer and overturned the verdict, agreeing that the trial court wrongly applied the laws of Missouri, where Monsanto was based.

Bayer had argued the use of Missouri law allowed the claims to be filed decades after the company stopped producing PCBs, even though Washington state law would have barred them as untimely.

The teachers appealed, and in Thursday's ruling, the Washington Supreme Court said Missouri state law should apply in the case because that is where the company made most of its decisions on the chemicals.

(Reporting by Diana Novak Jones; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Richard Chang)
BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  Scammers are posing as court officials and threatening Bedford County residents with arrest for missing jury duty, according to county officials.

The Bedford County courts are warning residents to stay alert after reports of phone calls, emails and text messages claiming individuals could face prosecution or have a warrant issued for their arrest if they dont pay a fine for allegedly failing to comply with jury service.

Officials said the scammers are demanding payment or personal information to avoid arrest, adding that the courts will never request Social Security numbers, credit card information or any form of payment over the phone or internet.

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Residents are reminded that most legitimate jury service communication is done through the mail. Any real court contact by phone will never include demands for money or sensitive information.

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Anyone who receives a suspicious message or call is urged not to respond or share information and should immediately report it to local law enforcement.

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ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Europe should forge a deeper strategic partnership with Turkey in response to emerging global challenges, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Thursday on his first official visit to Ankara, which has played a crucial mediating role in the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Merz was speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, just days after Turkey and the United Kingdom finalized a multi-billion-dollar deal for the sale of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets. Germany, part of the consortium that manufactures the advanced fighter aircraft, recently lifted its longstanding objection to their export to Turkey.

Merzs visit also comes amid reports of German backing for Turkeys participation in a European defense initiative known as the Security Action for Europe, or SAFE  a 150-billion-euro ($173.5 billion) program designed to enhance the continents military capabilities. The initiative allows non-EU countries, including Turkey, to join defense projects.

Greece openly opposes Turkeys participation in the SAFE program, arguing that Ankara must first drop its standing threat of war linked to sea boundary disputes between the two NATO members.

Merz did not mention SAFE but underscored the importance of cooperation. Germany and Turkey should use the enormous potential of our relations even better in the coming months and years, he said.

There are compelling reasons for this, because we are entering a new geopolitical phase marked by the politics of great powers, the chancellor said. A central conclusion from that for me is that as Germans and Europeans, we must expand our strategic partnerships, and there is no way around a good and deepened partnership with Turkey.

Divisions surfaced during the joint news conference over human rights and the situation in Gaza.

The advocacy group, Human Rights Watch, had urged Merz to speak out against Turkeys crackdown on the opposition, including the arrest of Istanbuls mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The opposition figure, widely seen as a potential challenger to Erdogan, has been held in pretrial detention since March on corruption charges, which he denies. This week, Turkish authorities filed new charges against him for alleged espionage.

Merz avoided direct mention of Imamoglu but said: Decisions have been made in Turkey that do not yet meet the requirements regarding the rule of law and democracy as we understand them from the European point of view.

Erdogan responded by defending Turkeys judicial system: No matter what position you hold, if you trample on the law, judicial authorities in a state governed by the rule of law are obliged to take whatever action is necessary.

On the issue of Gaza, Merz said that Germany has stood firmly by Israel since it was founded in the aftermath of the Holocaust and will always do so. But that doesnt mean that we respect or accept every political decision by an Israeli government and accept it without criticism.

Merz has frequently criticized Israels actions in Gaza in recent months.

On Thursday, he stressed that Israel made use of its right of self-defense, and it would have taken only a single decision to avoid the countless unnecessary victims: Hamas should have released the hostages earlier and laid down its weapons. Then this war would have been over immediately.

Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israels military actions, again accused Israel of using starvation and genocide as weapons of war.

The Turkish leader argued that Hamas does not possess bombs or nuclear weapons, while Israel does, and criticized Germany for allegedly ignoring the imbalance.

As Germany, cant you see this? he asked.

_

Geir Moulson in Berlin and Derek Gatopoulos in Athens contributed.

By SUZAN FRASER

Associated Press
PFLUGERVILLE, Texas (KXAN)  Imagine: a haunted maze full of thrills and classic horror movie references.

Now, imagine it small, contained in the yard of a Pflugerville home in a seemingly regular neighborhood just east of State Highway 130. But dont let its size and location fool you, Pfrightmare Manor is full of haunting twists and thrills, and of course, classic horror film references.

Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (Photo courtesy David Watkins)

David Watkins and Daryll Coleman created what is now Pfrightmare Manor a decade ago, on an even smaller scale. It started with a few spooky yard decorations and one volunteer actor who would scare folks as they walked up to the house.

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Now, its a whole haunted trail experience. Completely free and open to the public for three nights a year, and entirely handmade and homegrown by the two men. Its grown just from foot traffic and word-of-mouth, Watkins said.

Been in the neighborhood for about 17 years, Watkins, who owns the home that hosts Pfrightmare Manor, said. And about 10 years ago, I met up with my friend Daryll, who had a bunch of decorations, but no kids to come around anymore, so we teamed up. We have a dual love for Halloween.

Watkins said last year, more than 1,200 people came through. At the time, it was just a few rooms of sorts set up in the front yard. This year, he said they upped the ante and built out a whole haunt in the backyard, and set up an elaborate spooky scene in the front.

A lot of our props are hand-made, so thats another thing we really enjoy, Watkins said. Its kind of a giant art project for us.

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They expect the haunt to keep growing, too. Thats where Andrew Dimitrijevic, a 20-year-old who lives nearby, comes into the picture.

Dimitrijevic said he reached out to Watkins and Coleman to see if they needed help building the haunted trail this year, and he teamed up with them to help with background stuff like social media and securing sponsorships for a raffle, a new aspect for the trail this year.

Watkins said having Dimitrijevic be part of the process this year was huge because a ton of work, planning, time, and money goes into it.

I love social interaction. I love networking with people, Dimitrijevic said, explaining why he got involved. And this isnt something that I would picture necessarily as a job. Its more so something that you just do for fun. You want to put smiles on peoples faces. And I decided, why not?

Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (Photo courtesy David Watkins) Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (Photo courtesy David Watkins) Daryll Coleman, Dave Watkins, and Andrew Dimitrijevic (pictured left to right) run Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville, which is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones) Pfrightmare Manor in Pflugerville is free and open to the public Thursday, Oct. 30, through Saturday, Nov. 1. Its located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr, Pflugerville. The backyard haunted trail was created by Dave Watkins and Daryll Coleman about 10 years ago, and its grown each year since. (KXAN Photo/Abigail Jones)

Dimitrijevic has a full-time job outside of Pfrightmare Manor, running a pressure washing company. Watkins and Coleman, who are both 60, also have day jobs outside of the Manor.

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Watkins said the crew has been planning this years experience for about a year and building everything out for about 3-4 months, since the summer.

Its fully self-funded by the trio, and free for attendees to walk through. The group hopes to keep expanding and use more yard space in the future, and theyre looking into getting more sponsors.

The Pfrightmare Manor is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, from about 5 or 6 p.m. to around 11 p.m., or whenever people stop showing up, Dimitrijevic said.

Friday night is candy night, and Saturday night will be more of a party experience, according to Watkins. There will be a raffle on Saturday, and Dimitrijevic will be DJing.

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The haunt is located at 2925 Pedernales Falls Dr. in Pflugerville.

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.
If youre a fan of Outback Steakhouse and you happen to live in one of the following states, I have crushing news for you.

The Australian restaurant chain has abruptly closed locations across several states, and it seemingly happened overnight. This includes some that had been in business for more than 35 years.

The sudden closures dont appear to be linked to the 41 restaurant closures that was announced by Outback Steakhouses parent company, Bloomin Brands, back in February of last year.

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The parent company also owns Bonefish Grill, Carrabbas Italian Grill, and Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.

So far, there are closures in six states: Florida, Alabama, New York, Louisiana, Maryland, and Wisconsin.

There are also locations that have even been open for decades, including a 35-year-old restaurant in Florida and a 24-year-old restaurant in Alabama. Other locations were just a year old, such as a restaurant in Maryland.

Currently, the following Outback Steakhouse locations have ended up on the chopping block:

Birmingham, Alabama: 20th Street North at 20 Midtown

Birmingham, Alabama: Inverness location on U.S. 280

Jacksonville Beach, Florida: 3760 South 3rd Street

Naples, Florida: 4910 U.S. 41 North

Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Jones Creek Boulevard

Silver Spring, Maryland: 8661 Colesville Road in Ellsworth Place Mall

Merrick, New York: 2124 Merrick Mall

Madison, Wisconsin: 4520 E. Towne Boulevard*

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Additionally, a Bonefish Grill on 7345 Mineral Point Road in Madison, Wisconsin has also closed.

These are business decisions that are part of our ongoing turnaround plan, Bloomin Brands spokesperson Elizabeth Daly told USA Today in a statement. We considered a variety of factors, including sales and traffic, trade areas, and potential investments to improve performance.

Daly also told Allrecipes that employees who worked at closed restaurants will have a chance to transfer to open positions at nearby restaurants when possible, and everyone is set to earn a transition bonus.

And it seems the closures came as much as a surprise to employers as it did to restaurant goers.

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One Reddit user and self-identified Outback employee in Madison posted that the closure came out of left field, writing, It was super sudden. Told a few of my regulars I couldnt wait to see them again soon Sunday night and 12 hours later I was unemployed.

At another location in Silver Spring, a few customers only learned of the closing from a note on the door that read, Now closed.

Read the original article on pennlive.com.
The co-CEO of Waymo, Tekedra Mawakana, raised eyebrows this week when she suggested that society was ready for one of the companys self-driving taxis to kill someone.

You know, we dont say whether, she said Monday at TechCrunchs Disrupt summit. We say when. And we plan for them.

But maybe the real question is whether Waymo was prepared for when one of its vehicles would take the life of a beloved bodega cat. Just hours after her remarks on Monday, a resident cat at San Francisco liquor store Randas Market named KitKat was found in the street fighting for his life.

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A motorist named Jeff Klein recounted the horrific scene to Mission Local. He was driving behind the Waymo at 11:40PM on 16th Street, he says, when the robotaxi suddenly jerked off course.

Some folks on the sidewalk started yelling and grabbed the cat right out from under where the Waymo swerved from, Klein shared. He was able to capture a photo of the car allegedly responsible for the catslaughter as it drove off.

At 12:51 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the outlet reports, a 311 complaint stated that a Waymo hit the liquor stores cat that was sitting on the sidewalk next to the transit lane. It claimed that the driverless car did not even try to stop.

The nine-year old feline was beloved on the block and has left a community of heavy hearts with his passing. On Tuesday evening, mourners gathered outside of Randas Market to pay their respects to KitKats owner, leaving mementos like KitKat bars and tequila on a milk crate altar to commemorate his life.

A sign reportedly read: Kill a Waymo! Save a Cat!

Waymo has yet to comment on the tragedy.

More on Waymo: Waymos Self-Driving Taxis Have a Hilarious Problem Thats Driving People Bananas
NEED TO KNOW

A San Francisco community is in mourning after a beloved neighborhood store cat was allegedly hit and killed by a Waymo self-driving taxi

A 9-year-old cat named KitKat, who resided at Randas Market near the city's Mission Dolores, was allegedly run over by the self-driving car on Monday

Waymo told PEOPLE in a statement, "We reviewed this, and while our vehicle was stopped to pick up passengers, a nearby cat darted under our vehicle as it was pulling away"

A San Francisco community is in mourning after a beloved neighborhood store cat was allegedly hit and killed by a Waymo self-driving taxi.

According to reports from CBS Bay Area, SFGate and the San Francisco Standard, a 9-year-old cat named KitKat, who resided at Randas Market near the city's Mission Dolores, was allegedly run over by the self-driving car.

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The shops owner, Mike Zeidan, told SFGate the accident took place at around 11:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27.

Zeidan and his wife were woken up by a phone call from an employee at a neighboring bar who saw the accident. The couple came rushing down to the store and quickly transported KitKat to an animal hospital, where he was pronounced dead.



Honestly, man, its difficult. He was a one-of-a-kind cat. He brought joy to so many people, Zeidan told the Standard of the beloved feline. People loved him.

A 311 complaint, filed on Tuesday and obtained by the outlets, stated that the cat was seen on the sidewalk next to a transit lane, and that the driverless vehicle made a stop near the market.



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Waymo did not even try to stop and hit the cat at a fast speed, the complaint read.

[Waymos] should not be on the street if they cant spot small animals in the dark, the complaint added, per the Standard.

A witness who spoke with the outlet added that he was driving nearby when he heard a commotion.



My friend and I were driving by the Roxie when a Waymo swerved in front of us last night at approx 11:40, the witness, Jeff Klein, said Tuesday. Some folks on the sidewalk started yelling and grabbed the cat right out from under where the Waymo swerved from.

Related: https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

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Waymo told PEOPLE in a statement, "The trust and the safety of the communities we serve is our highest priority. We reviewed this, and while our vehicle was stopped to pick up passengers, a nearby cat darted under our vehicle as it was pulling away."

"We send our deepest sympathies to the cats owner and the community who knew and loved him, and we will be making a donation to a local animal rights organization in his honor, the statement continued.

According to the Standard, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has reported more than 880 self-driving car collisions to date. Several of them have involved animals, including when a dog was struck and killed by a Waymo in 2023.

Following KitKat's death, supporters and longtime Randas customers shared social media comments about their love for the cat  and several people even created a memorial to honor him outside the store, complete with flowers, photos, candles and cans of Fancy Feast.

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"Rest in peace KitKat, you were the best bodega cat in the city ," one Instagram commenter wrote.

KPIX | CBS NEWS BAY AREA/YouTube Footage of the memorial displayed in honor of KitKat. Footage of the memorial displayed in honor of KitKat.

According to Zeidan, KitKat first arrived at Randas six years ago, as the shop needed help dealing with rodents, and the cat had been a stray in the past and was being taken care of by a neighbor. Zeidan said that that the feline came to live in the shop due to a family member's cat allergy  and quickly became a fixture at the bodega.



He was a special guest, Zeidan said. Made for a store like this. Friendly with everybody, and not afraid of dogs or anything.

Only Mike at Randas, the most righteous merchant on the 16th/Valencia corridor, could have found and raised such an award-winning, neighborhood-loved critter as cool as our kitty, KitKat, Rick Norris, the director of publicity at the neighboring Roxie Theater, told the Standard of the relationship between Zeidan and KiKat.

Those two were perfectly paired, and we mourn his (our) loss of a creature that absolutely elevated the quality of life in our corner of the Mission.



Read the original article on People
A suburban school teacher and her students are celebrating her new chance at life.

There was a warm welcome in Hoffman Estates into a new chapter of life - a chapter Katie Pappas was uncertain she would ever be able to write.

ABC7 Chicago first met Pappas six months ago. She learned she had gone into kidney failure for the second time after already having gone through a transplant surgery nearly a decade ago.

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"They said, 'With everything your body has been through... you've already had a transplant you don't have seven years to wait. And you need to find a living donor,'" Pappas said.

On Wednesday, ABC7 was introduced to Katie 3.0.

After months grueling through dialysis, the beloved District U-46 teacher's community desperately rallied for help. She got the call she'd been waiting for.

"[A] person who is a stranger to me and was deemed a wonderful candidate, just not for me, agreed to give their kidney to anyone so I would get one in return," Pappas said.

The anonymous donor agreed to be part of a swap program to save her life and others. Last Thursday, on a red-eye flight from California, Pappas' living donor kidney arrived, and so did her third chance at life.

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On Wednesday, she celebrated her first week in her new life, surrounded by family, friends and current and former students

"I was crying when I first found that out, because I was just so happy that she gets a third chance on life," former student Janice Poe said.

READ MORE | Beloved Hoffman Estates teacher in desperate need of 2nd kidney transplant: 'I want to be here'

"Even when she had her hardest days, she always had a smile on her face," Timber Trails Elementary School student Liana Kolovos said.

The Timber Trails Elementary School teacher also being celebrated for yet another contribution to her district: naming U-46's newest school in Elgin.

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Katie, with the help of her students, submitted the name Legacy Middle School just weeks before her transplant surgery.

"It's an invitation for every kid that walks in the building to challenge themselves," Pappas said. "What is your legacy going to be? What are you going to leave behind?"

Appropriate for the teacher who, already, through her fight to live has created a legacy herself, one she says she owes to the anonymous generosity of strangers.

"To everyone involved, thank you isn't enough," Pappas said. "And I plan on living the rest of my life like my donors watching, like all of them are watching. And I'm not going to let them down."
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. (WWLP)  Berkshire South Regional Community Center is expanding its free Community Supper program in response to growing food insecurity and the temporary pause in SNAP benefits set for November.

United Way of Pioneer Valley to meet rising demand amid SNAP benefit delays

The expansion follows more than a year of planning and fundraising aimed at strengthening food security efforts and increasing access to nutritious meals for residents throughout the region.

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Its an important step forward in serving our neighbors, and the fact that it comes during a time of increased food insecurity makes it all the more meaningful, said Executive Director Jenise Lucey.

Starting Nov. 3, Berkshire South will host free Community Suppers every Monday from 5 to 6 p.m. at 15 Crissey Road in Great Barrington. The meals will alternate between in-person dining (no take-out) and take-out only, depending on the chef and volunteer availability. Meals are served on a first-come, first-served basis, with no reservations required.

Courtesy of Berkshire South Regional Community Center Courtesy of Berkshire South Regional Community Center Courtesy of Berkshire South Regional Community Center

The weekly meals are made possible through the support of local volunteers, donors, and partners who share Berkshire Souths mission to ensure that no one in the community goes hungry.

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We encourage everyone who is able to support local organizations providing food assistance, whether by volunteering, donating, or spreading the word about available resources, said Lucey. Together, we can ensure that every member of our community feels supported and seen during these challenging times.

Funding for the Community Suppers comes from Greylock Federal Credit Union, Fallon Health, the Jewish Womens Foundation of the Berkshires, and the Pepita Foundation.

BSRCC-2025-FoodPantriesAndMealSitesDownload

Those seeking additional food assistance can find a list of pantries and meal sites in Berkshire County here or by calling Berkshire South at (413) 528-2810.

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.

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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.
PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)  A New Bern bakery is partnering with two local schools to help fight food insecurity in the area.

Kayla Ortiz opened up The Daily Dough in New Bern only four weeks ago, and she already wants to give back to the community.

Ortiz is working with West Craven Middle School and New Bern High School to provide them with donations. People can donate non-perishable food items or money, which will be used to purchase additional food items for the kids.

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I have two young daughters so I cant think of any kid going hungry, so it just kind of hit home for me, said Ortiz. And then with everything going on and seeing all the people posting about food insecurity and not being able to provide food for their families, just made me wanna jump in and give back to everyone that has given us so much.

The Daily Dough is located at 1904 US-70 Business F in New Bern, and they specialize in baked sourdough bread, croissants, and muffins. Everything is freshly baked in the morning.

All items not sold during the day are then given to a local church to feed other people in need.

For more information about The Daily Dough, visit thedailydough.net

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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 WNCT.
ANDOVER  The A Better Chance (ABC) of Andover community came together at the Andover Country Club Oct. 25 for its annual Dream Event, an evening filled with friendship, inspiration and generosity.

For 58 years, A Better Chance of Andover has opened doors for academically talented young people from under-resourced communities, providing access to education at Andover High School and a supportive community-based residential program. ABC Andover is the oldest A Better Chance community program in the nation.

Andover resident and Massachusetts Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler opened the evening with remarks about ABCs transformative impact, sharing that, despite living in Andover for more than 18 years, he had only just learned about the program. His comments underscored how many local residents remain unaware of the initiative where 154 ABC graduates have gone on to thrive in college and beyond.

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Board co-chair Sandis Wright spoke to the power of ABCs mission, emphasizing its relevance in todays world.

As so many structures in our world are being tested or taken down, our mission to open doors for these incredible young women and help them reach their full potential matters more than ever, he said.

ABC scholar Mane Sakho shared her own inspiring story of growth and gratitude, while alumnus Elizabeth Blanco-Rowe, now the senior director of curriculum and instruction at Capital Prep Charter School, delivered a keynote address calling for systemic change.

Why havent we moved further together? Why is the pathway still so narrow? Rowe said. We need to stop lifting up resilience and start changing the conditions that require it. We need to stop asking students to adapt and start asking systems to transform. A Better Chance opened a door for me, one I will always be grateful for.
BUTWAL, Oct 30: Kamal Gautam, the central vice-chair of GEFONT, a trade union affiliated with the CPN-UML, passed away after collapsing while delivering a speech in front of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) office in Bhairahawa.

Gautam, 63, was addressing a protest organized by industrialists and workers against NEAs decision to cut power supply to 10 industries in the ButwalBhairahawa corridor over the trunk line dispute when he suddenly fell unconscious.

Related story One dies after collapsing at Dhangadhi Airport

He was immediately rushed to Crimson Hospital in Manigram, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. Doctors confirmed cardiac arrest as the cause of death following examination.

A resident of Jyotinagar, Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City3, Gautam was also a central committee member of the UML. Active in both the party and GEFONT since 1997, he is survived by his wife and two sons.




From Nov. 7 to 10, 2025, Stonington's Veritable Distillery is hosting the inaugural Mystic Cocktail Classic, drawing in beverage industry legends like cocktail historian David Wondrich and spirits educator and consultant Shannon Mustipher for a mix of events like panels, dinners, bar takeovers and book signings.

"The idea for the Classic came about quite naturally," said Finneas Pryor, who's helping organize the event in his role as distiller and VP at Veritable Distillery, which was founded by his father, Bailey Pryor, and is one of the country's first alcohol producers to label its ingredients along with its sibling company, The Real McCoy Rum. While experimenting with new cocktail concepts at the distillery's tasting room, Pryor said, "We realized there was a need for a competition in which winners could receive some really exciting and meaningful educational experiences. It's our way of giving back to the people who continue to drive our industry forward. We've put together some great opportunities for bartenders to learn more in-depth about the spirits they use every day and, in exchange, we've received some incredible recipes from people all around the country who are excited by that prospect."

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Pryor is particularly excited about the book fair featuring a number of award-winning authors on Nov. 8 at the Mystic & Noank Library. "Many of our panelists are also authors - Hannah Chamberlain, Shannon Mustipher, Sother Teague, David Wondrich - and they will all be at the library (that day) for book signings and meet-and-greets. There will be mocktails, non-alcoholic libations, live music and more," Pryor said, and the library will benefit from proceeds of the Classic. "All of us rely on books and libraries to constitute and purvey the passions we all share, so come support our beautiful and historic local library."

Muddling a cocktail at The Port of Call. (Courtesy of Mystic Cocktail Classic)





The Classic's signature event will be the Mystic Cocktail Competition, a live bartender competition at Olde Mistick Village beer bar Jealous Monk on the evening of Nov. 10, with prizes like a trip for two to Barbados with a private tour of renowned rum producer Foursquare Rum Distillery. Bartenders from over 25 states, including Alaska, Florida and Nevada, submitted 122 written entries that met the criteria for the initial "Conceptual Phase" of the competition, which surprised organizers. "Initially, the target audience for the Classic was just regional, with a more local focus, as it's the people in our community that inspired the idea," said Pryor. "But the reaction has grown well beyond regional to a totally national level, and we couldn't be more excited. The enthusiasm we've gotten enabled us to grow the event from a simple proposition to something much bigger."

Cocktail recipes submitted to the competition were allowed to utilize up to five ingredients, at least one of which had to be a product from an event sponsor, such as Veritable, East Hartfordbased liqueur producer Fruitful Mixology or New York's Faccia Brutto and Forthave Spirits. Three recipes in each of the four categories - rum, whiskey, gin, and liqueur, depending on the drink's primary spirit - advanced to the "Digital Semi-Finals," which require the semifinalists to film themselves making and explaining their cocktails.

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Semifinalists are as far flung as Newport, Kentucky, where Lauren Pellecchia of Merchants Club advanced with a gin cocktail, and as close to home as Cambridge, Massachusetts - Wusong Road Tiki Bar and Restaurant's Andrew Boimila devised a rum cocktail - and Providence, Rhode Island, where Juniper Bar's Justin Brody has two cocktails in contention, including a liqueur-based swizzle and a rum drink. While no Connecticut-based bartenders made it past round one, Brody has a Mystic connection - he was working at The Port of Call last year when he was named one of America's best new bartenders by beverage publication Punch. Four cocktails will make it to the live final, which will be judged both by audience members on flavor and by a panel of judges on flavor, creativity, traditionalism, and presentation.

A bartender hand garnishes a cocktail. (Courtesy of Mystic Cocktail Classic)





The Mystic Cocktail Classic is the kind of high-profile event that could help solidify the shoreline tourist town's reputation as a destination for cocktails, building upon prior successes like Esquire naming The Port of Call one of America's best bars in 2022. It's already bringing in newcomers, such as Oscar Simoza, beverage director for Boston's BCB3 hospitality group and BiNA Family Hospitality, whose properties include celebrated cocktail lounge The Wig Shop, which Simoza calls his home base.

"I'm really excited to visit, especially for this event," said Simoza, who has never been to Mystic before. "It's truly impressive what (Mystic has) done over the past few years to establish themselves as a food destination." He's eager to check out everything chef Renee Touponce, executive chef and partner of Oyster Club and The Port of Call, is involved with. "I've also been told that The Shipwright's Daughter and Captain Daniel Packer Inne are must-stops," he said.

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Simoza is a featured guest at the Classic's Whiskey Night at 5 p.m. on Nov. 10 at Jealous Monk, including a happy hour and panel discussion alongside Pryor, Leslie Merinoff Kwasnieski of New York's Matchbook Distilling Co., JC Tetreault of Boston's Trillium Brewing & Distilling, and South County Distillers from Westerly, Rhode Island. "You can expect a night with very thoughtfully curated offerings paired with chef Ken Arnone's cuisine. Tropical, savory and highlighting a lot of brown spirits," Simoza said. Anyone who buys a $120 ticket to the Whiskey Dinner can also stay for the live cocktail competition afterward.

Pouring samples at Veritable Distillery. (Courtesy of Mystic Cocktail Classic)





Simoza, for one, expects big things. "I'm very eager to check out the cocktail scene for myself and see what the future looks like."

Adam H. Callaghan's work has appeared in Food & Wine, Boston Magazine and Eater, among other publications.

This article originally published at Beverage insiders and experts head to CT for new Mystic Cocktail Classic .
LOS ANGELES (AP)  A Beverly Hills man has been sentenced to 146 years to life in prison for the drug overdose deaths of two women who were dumped at two hospitals in Southern California, prosecutors said.

David Brian Pearce, 42, was convicted in February of first-degree murder for the deaths of Christy Giles and Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola, who overdosed on fentanyl. Prosecutors said Pearce supplied them with the drug.

Pearce was also found guilty of crimes against a series of women between 2007 and 2021, including sodomy and rape of an unconscious or sleeping victim.

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He was sentenced Wednesday. An email sent to Pearces lawyer was not immediately returned Thursday.

This sentence delivers long-awaited justice for Ms. Cabrales-Arzola, Ms. Giles, and the courageous sexual assault victims who came forward and testified, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement.

Pearces co-defendant, 46-year-old Brant Osborn, is scheduled for a pretrial appointment on Nov. 18. After a mistrial in February, Osborn will likely face a second trial on two counts of accessory to murder after the fact.

Pearce was arrested in December 2021 in connection with the deaths a month earlier of Giles, a model, and her friend, Cabrales-Arzola, an architect.

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Giles and Cabrales-Arzola had attended an East Los Angeles warehouse party, after which they went to Pearces Beverly Hills townhouse.

Giles was found dead outside Southern California Hospital in Culver City after masked men in a car with no license plates dropped her there, police said.

Cabrales-Arzola was left at Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Hospital, where she died 11 days later after being removed from life support.
A new, old specter is haunting the world: the bloodthirsty Anglo-Saxons.

Well, that is what the Kremlin wants the world to believe.

Take the new Russian state-backed film Tolerance. Released in September 2025 to a less than enthusiastic public response, the dystopian tale of moral decay in the West opens with a warning of an omnipresent Anglo-Saxon liberalism that will cause the ultimate degradation and extinction of once-prosperous countries and peoples.

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Scary stuff. But the film isnt the first time that Anglo-Saxons have been cited as a threat to the Russian way of life.

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian officials and their colleagues in the Kremlin-controlled media have taken to referring to their Western adversaries as Anglo-Saxons. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov even stated that the Anglo-Saxons in question are bent on defeating Russia with the hands of the Kyiv regime.

Indeed, analysis one of us conducted with Adrian Rogstad at the University of Groningen looking at statements posted on the Russian foreign ministry website found a marked increase in Anglo-Saxon references after the invasion of Ukraine  86 of them in the course of 2022, compared to just 27 in the previous 20 years. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharovas March 2022 comment that the Anglo-Saxon world will never stop  Its like an insatiable monster, is typical of the way Anglo-Saxon is used. The term even made it into the official Russian foreign policy concept published a year later, where in the section titled The U.S. and other Anglo-Saxon states, the United States is referred to as the main inspirer, organizer and executor of the aggressive anti-Russian policy of the collective West.

The term is a particular favorite of Putins press secretary, Dmitry Peskov. In February 2024, Peskov explained that Putin agreed to be interviewed by the right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson because he stands in clear contrast to the position of the traditional Anglo-Saxon media.

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This creeping use of Anglo-Saxon as a slur hasnt gone unnoticed in the West. Former U.S. ambassador to Moscow Lynne Tracy said in 2023 that the use of the term was very strange given the multiethnic character of American society.

Reports suggest that with the election of a more Russia-friendly president in Donald Trump, the word from the Kremlin was not to use the term for Americans, specifically. But it appears not everyone got the memo  pro-Putin State Duma Deputy Viktor Vodolatsky recently warned against Anglo-Saxons creating a point of tension in the South Caucasus through the U.S.-led peace efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

As experts in Russian discourse and post-Soviet nations, we see the increased use of Anglo-Saxons as reflecting deeper trends that tap into Putins use of history to justify the invasion of Ukraine and smear his perceived enemies, while exploiting political divisions in Europe and America.

Who were the Anglo-Saxons?

The original Anglo-Saxons comprised the waves of conquerors from Germanic tribes in Europe that flooded into England  Jutes as well as Angles and Saxons  in the fifth and sixth centuries. Alfred the Great united the warring fiefdoms of southern England in the ninth century and declared himself king of the Anglo-Saxon realm.

An 11th-century depiction of Alfred the Great. Wikimedia Commons

But the term did not enter wider usage until long after the Anglo-Saxon period ended with the invasion of England by French-speaking Normans in 1066.

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In fact, it wasnt until the reign of Henry VIII in the 16th century that scholars started to refer to the Anglo-Saxon origins of the English, in a bid to differentiate the country from Catholic Europe  another use of history for political aims.

But the term really took off in the 19th century, when it was folded into pseudoscientific racist justification for the British Empire. That came to an end in World War I, when Britain and America found themselves fighting against Germany  the location of Saxony. In 1917, the British royal family changed their name from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor. Even U.S. President Woodrow Wilson  an acknowledged racist  insisted that Americans were not Anglo-Saxons.

There things stood until 1964, when American professor E. Digby Baltzell published The Protestant Establishment, which popularized the term White Anglo Saxon Protestant, or WASP, to refer to middle-class Americans of European descent.

By the 2000s, it was mostly white supremacists who were using the term Anglo-Saxon as a synonym for a modern-day demographic. Academic journals and groups dedicated to studying the Middle Ages dropped references to Anglo-Saxons due to the racist connotations.

Make Moscow medieval again!

It is against this background of Anglo-Saxon as a term appropriated by white supremacists that modern Russian usage should be seen.

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Russian propaganda has long sought to talk up the far right in Europe and America, with whom Putins national conservatism has a close affinity. It does so to sow division in Western democracies and fracture the liberal international order. The aim is to portray the U.S. and U.K. as warmongering Anglo-Saxon nations, thereby encouraging the French, Germans and other Europeans to avoid following their lead.

More broadly, the references to Anglo-Saxons reflects Russias view that global politics is driven by a clash of civilizations, in which Russia represents the values of traditional Europe, and it taps into a centuries-old fear of perfidious Western encroachment on the Russian state.

It also fits a pattern of Putin referencing Russias medieval past to explain the countrys current policies, even if he needs the invasion of Turkic tribes in the 11th century to justify COVID-19 measures.

Putin has tried to justify the invasion of Ukraine by claiming that modern Russia is the direct descendant of ninth-century Kyivan Rus, and that Ukrainians are therefore really Russians.

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The Russian government has invested heavily in trying to persuade its citizens that they can trace their identity all the way back to a distant past in medieval times  at a time when Anglo-Saxons ruled England.

But in leaning on outdated terminology popular with white supremacist groups in a bid to sow division and antagonism in the West, Putin seems to be retreating into an imaginary world of the medieval past.

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: Peter Rutland, Wesleyan University and Elizaveta Gaufman, University of Groningen

Read more:



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The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The year is 1988, and the United States is on the cusp of a renewable energy revolution. Lithium batteries, electric motors, and photovoltaic solar panels were invented in the country; 85 percent of the worlds solar market was based here. And there was bipartisan political will to begin prioritizing nonfossil fuel energy sources. Those who think we are powerless to do anything about the greenhouse effect forget about the White House effect, George H.W. Bush said in a campaign speech after becoming the Republican nominee for president. In my first year in office, I will convene a global conference on the environment at the White House. It will include the Soviets, the Chinese. The agenda will be clear. We will talk about global warming.

The notion, then, was that the U.S. would have to drag China into cooperating. At that time, renewable energy was essentially nonexistent in China. In fact, the Communist government did not articulate clear goals for expanding its domestic clean energy industry until the release of its Twelfth Five-Year Plan, in 2010, when for the first time it identified the fight against climate change as a major challenge. That year, China had significantly less combined wind and solar capacity than the U.S.

Just a decade and a half later, China is manufacturing 92 percent of the worlds solar panels, 82 percent of wind turbines, and three-quarters of the worlds batteries. This dominance has dramatically reduced costsChinese solar panel prices dropped 40 percent in 2023 alone, and Chinas BYD, the worlds largest electric vehicle manufacturer, now sells high-quality E.V.s for just $10,000and sparked a clean energy explosion across the globe. It took from 1954 to 2022 for humanity to install one terawatt of solar capacity. Just two years later, in 2024, the world hit two terawatts. Pakistan went from basically zero solar capacity to 25 percent of all its electricity coming from solar in just a few years, with solar panel imports from China doubling between 2023 and 2024. Algeria imported 630 times more Chinese solar panels in the first half of 2025 than it had in 2024.

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So it took less than 15 years for one global power (and not even the wealthiest or most technologically advanced one) to create a global energy market in which renewables are outcompeting fossil fuels, despite the trillions of dollars in economic and political subsidies that continue to structurally advantage oil and gas in profound ways. Meanwhile, 37 years after it seemed poised to dominate the clean energy transition, the U.S. has become a full-on petrostate.

So what happened? Here is where we see the most significant independent variable in the comparison between the U.S. and Chinathe response of their respective fossil fuel industries. Unlike Chinas state-run coal companies, which never attacked climate science, in the United States, Big Oil began implementing a massive scheme to poison the public with climate denial in order to, as one 1988 internal Exxon memo put it, block the development of nonfossil fuel resources.

And thats just what they did.





In 1991, a group of fossil fuel companies founded the Information Council on the Environment to reposition global warming as theory (not fact). ICE conducted polling that found that 80 percent of Americans thought the problem of climate change was serious. To dismantle this consensus, ICE planned to target not typically active information-seekers with climate-denying radio commercials, public relations tours, mailers, and newspaper advertisements featuring messages like, Who told you the Earth was warming  Chicken Little?

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Then, in 1998, representatives from major fossil fuel companies produced the Global Climate Science Communications Action Plan, which outlined a multimillion-dollar campaign to make climate denial part of the conventional wisdom and laid out a series of strategies designed to flood Americans with false claims that there was no scientific consensus about the reality of climate change. These tactics included buying off independent scientists to spread climate denial, advertising the scientific uncertainties in various markets, and distributing their propaganda directly to schoolsall tactics the fossil fuel industry went on to execute in the U.S. and across Europe.

Today, this decades-long campaign to fraudulently turn the public against climate action is the subject of dozens of lawsuits against oil companies by plaintiffs seeking damages for climate harms. These suits have great promise. But they also face massive obstacles, as youd expect when taking on the most powerful corporations in the world.

One of the top arguments the fossil fuel industry has used to try to evade accountability for its fraud relates to causation. To hold a defendant liable for misconduct, a plaintiff has to demonstrate that the defendants actions were a substantial factor in causing harm to the plaintiff. Big Oils army of lawyers are quick to claim that, even if the fossil fuel industry did lie about climate change, plaintiffs cannot prove that these lies necessarily played a substantial role in driving climate damages.

There are different ways to try to demonstrate the causal impact of Big Oils deception. You can compare the actual scientific consensus on climate with the publics perception of that consensus. The most recent analysis of the peer-reviewed scientific literature found that there is greater than 99 percent agreement on the existence and causes of man-made climate change, yet a 2015 Yale-George Mason University poll found that only one in 10 Americans understands this. As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, noted in its sixth assessment report, Misinformation and politicization of climate change science has created polarization in public and policy domains in North America, particularly in the US, limiting climate action, which, in turn, inflates climate risks.

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But the recent history of clean energy development in China offers another compelling piece of evidence for this causal link. After all, causation is essentially determined by asking, What would have happened if the conduct at issue had not occurred? China provides that counterfactual. On the one hand, we have a superpower, the U.S., that was primed with every advantage to begin developing clean energy economies of scale more than three decades ago, but instead doubled down as a petrostate after its fossil fuel industry fraudulently polarized a substantial portion of its population against climate action. On the other hand, we have Chinathe one superpower in the world where those Western Big Oil companies dont have influence and were not able to poison the well with their deceptionwhich has in just a few years succeeded in remaking the global energy system such that renewables are now cheaper than fossil fuels.

Its important to note this timescale, because the fight against climate change is fundamentally a race against time. And its a race that humanity is losing badly, as evidenced by the terrifying recent determination that the Earth has reached its first catastrophic climate tipping pointcoral reefs have entered terminal decline, condemning vast swathes of the planets biodiversity and the livelihoods of hundreds of millionsand is on the brink of several others, including the destruction of the Amazon, the collapse of global ocean currents, and the loss of polar ice sheets.

The speed of the worlds renewable energy explosion following the prioritization of clean energy by a single global power proves that this dystopian timeline was far from inevitable. Absent Big Oils climate fraud, it is likely that the West could have achieved these clean energy milestones decades earlier, giving humanity more than enough time to transition off fossil fuels before we hit the apocalyptic tipping points we are currently hurtling toward. In other words, Big Oils lies did causeor at the very least were a substantial factor in causingthe catastrophic climate harms we are experiencing today.





Of course, no historical counterfactual can be absolutely definitive. There are obviously many differences between the U.S. in the 1990s and China in the 2010s beyond the presence or absence of fossil fuelfunded campaigns of climate deception. But none of these differences strongly cut against the causation analysis. For example, you could argue that China, with its system of state control, could direct resources toward clean energy in a way the U.S. never could have. But the U.S. can clearly marshal vast resources for its priorities (think of the interstate highway system, the Apollo program, or the development of AI data centers) and had far more resources to marshal; in 2010, when China began its renewables buildout, its gross domestic product was just over one third that of the U.S.

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You could also argue that its just not possible to compare what might have happened in the democratic U.S. to what did occur in the single-party autocracy of China. But the evidence does not indicate that a more democratic China, kept free of Big Oils propaganda, would have been less supportive of a clean energy buildout. Indeed, peer-reviewed national survey data on public demand for climate action finds that while the U.S. ranks at the bottom of the international list, Chinathe country that Western Big Oil companies have had the least ability to influenceis right up at the top, with 97 percent supporting demands for greater political action on climate.

I dont know whether this argument will ever be used in a court of law. But every time you hear a piece of good news about the explosive growth of clean energy, its worth remembering that the benchmark in question likely could have been met in 2005, rather than 2025, if not for Big Oils climate deception. Every time you hear bad news about another catastrophic wildfire, drought, heat wave, or storm, or the nightmarish arrival of another cataclysmic climate tipping point, remember that we could have had 20 more years to address this crisis had Big Oil not stopped the West from taking earlier action.

Fossil fuel companies, in order to maintain their garish profitsand Big Oil executives, in order to buy their fourth homes and private jets and, increasingly, luxury bunkersknowingly stole humanitys best chance to address climate change on a timeline that would have averted apocalypse. Its the most despicable crime in the history of our species. Hopefully human civilization can survive long enough for some measure of justice to be exacted against the scoundrels responsible.
(The Center Square)  A plan in the state House of Representatives to stop local governments from paying employee contributions to retirement systems for teachers, police officers, firefighters and other public employees wont save taxpayers much money, according to an analysis by the Ohio Legislative Service Commission.

Greg Lawson, a research fellow with The Buckeye Institute, disagrees.

He likes the proposal and thinks taxpayers could see savings if employees are required to pay their own part.

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LSC assumes that the loss of the pick-up would lead to increased wages, which would offset any savings, Lawson told The Center Square on Thursday. That is probably true in many cases, but it is not necessarily true and would differ on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis. So, there could be savings in some locations and none to even slight increases in others. The Buckeye Institute still thinks this is the right policy for transparency and taxpayer equity, given the already generous public sector match for pensions.

House Bill 473, in the House Public Insurance and Pensions Committee, stops public employees from collectively bargaining to have public employers pay both the employer and employee share of retirement benefits.

Some public employers pay both sides. Sponsor Rep. Dave Thomas, R-Jefferson, says this allows them to hide the full cost of an employee from the public.

He also thinks the legislation would stop what he calls bidding wars between public agencies that use benefits to attract staff.

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Ohioans should not be paying for the personal pension expenses of public employees. Point blank, Thomas said in a statement. "Salaries are public and should be an equal comparison across the state with how much the taxpayer is compensating our public servants. Not allowing for the pickup of the employee share for pensions allows for greater transparency and equal playing fields.

Lawson said employees are the largest expense for local governments and the leading cause of ever-rising property taxes.

He termed it double-dipping and said the practice funnels money away from public services or leads to tax hikes.

The Ohio Education Association, along with police and firefighter associations, testified against the possible change.

Pension pickup provisions are not gifts or add-ons; they are negotiated terms of a collective bargaining agreement that often come in exchange for wage restraint or other concessions, testified Steve Stein of the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters. Many of these agreements have existed for decades, providing predictability and fiscal stability for both employers and employees. Prohibiting this provision from the bargaining table will not reduce costs, it will merely shift compensation from one column to another, eroding local flexibility and the good-faith relationships that have taken years to build.
AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Long Island wine importer Bill DeBlasio has insisted he never once claimed to be Bill de Blasio after a transatlantic case of mistaken identity that left him fending off accusations that hed impersonated the former New York mayor to fool a British reporter.

Speaking exclusively to Semafor, via his Ring doorbell, DeBlasio explained that he was contacted via email by Times of London journalist Bevan Hurley asking for his opinions on the citys current Democratic mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani and his policies.

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The journalist emailed what he thought was the former mayors address, but the real recipient was the Long Island DeBlasio, who decided to respond anyway.

Im Bill DeBlasio. Ive always been Bill DeBlasio, he said from Florida. I never once said I was the mayor. [The journalist] never addressed me as the mayor. So I just gave him my opinion.

I could have corrected him, he added. It was all in good fun. I never thought it would make it to print.

Using ChatGPT to help craft his reply, he criticized Mamdanis plans as unlikely to generate the revenue he has promised, words that the journalist then used to write an explosive news piece that the ex-mayor rages was entirely false and fabricated.

I want to be 100% clear:

The story in the Times of London is entirely false and fabricated.

It was just brought to my attention and Im appalled.

I never spoke to that reporter and never said those things.

Those quotes arent mine, dont reflect my views. https://t.co/I65e8UV6tm  Bill de Blasio (@BilldeBlasio) October 28, 2025

When the Times discovered its mistake, however, it swiftly deleted the article and issued a statement saying its reporter had been misled by an individual falsely claiming to be the former New York mayor. The New York Times, reporting on the mix-up, also framed Long Island DeBlasio as a de Blasio impersonator.

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DeBlasio bristled at that characterization in conversation with Semafor and offered little sympathy for the journalist who tangled his inbox with City Hall intrigue, saying hed suffered a decade of de Blasios brutal, vicious hate mail.

The wine seller branded the reporting lazy, though he conceded he believed the journalist would have all his people check it out.

He went on to recall once meeting de Blasio at a 2016 Mets playoff game, where the then-mayor asked: How bad is it having the same last name as me?

Dude, youre killing me, he joked back.

An extra twist, of course, is that the ex-mayor was in fact born Warren Wilhelm Jr., changing his name to Bill de Blasio officially in 2001. Meanwhile, Long Island Bill DeBlasio, as he told Semafor, has always been Bill DeBlasio.

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As for the wine sellers official opinion on Mamdani, he told Semafor: To be honest, I dont think its feasible, unless youre gonna be in office for 10 years.

The post Bill DeBlasio Never Once Claimed to be Ex-Mayor  Says Hes Just a Guy Who Opened His Email and Gave His Opinion first appeared on Mediaite.
Bill OReilly was shocked by the gall Nicolle Wallace had saying no Democrat has referred to Donald Trump as Hitler.

While talking on Wednesdays episode of No Spin News, the host played a conversation between Wallace and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker about accusations of calling the president Hitler. Pritzker denied making any comments himself and Wallace went one step further saying that no Democrat had done so.

I dont think any Democrat has, Wallace said. I think its a smear that they project back onto critics. JD Vance called Donald Trump cultural heroin, he called him Americas Hitler. The attacks on Donald Trump as a fascist came from three-star generals who worked for him.

OReilly than played a number of clips of multiple Democrats making those exact accusations. To name a few prominent faces who have said things about Trump: Joe Biden said he uses Hitler language, Kamala Harris compared him to Hitler, Hillary Clinton said a Trump rally looked like a Nazi rally and Rep. Jasmine Crockett said he was a wannabe Hitler.

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That woman has the gall to say to her audience that she doesnt think any Democrat has referred to the Trump administration as the Third Reich and Hitler, OReilly said. I mean, this is just beyond belief. Ive never seen anything close to this in my 50 years of being a reporter. And you know why it happens? Because theres nobody at NBC News  remember, Wallace still works there for another two weeks  who gives a hoot. They dont care what they say. Total collapse.

Wallaces comments came earlier this week on her podcast The Best People where Pritzker remained adamant he had never called Trump Hitler. This came after comments he made at The Economic Club of Chicago drew parallels between Trumps leveraging of ICE and the border patrol against illegal immigrants to the Nazis attacks on Jews.

This is how authoritarian regimes do it, Pritzker said. 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. 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.

He added: I can tell you, sitting next to Holocaust survivors, that what they will say in this moment is This is what happened. This is what happened  peoples rights started getting taken away. People got accused of being immigrants  this is before the Holocaust really took place.

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You can watch the full No Spin News segment in the video above.

The post Bill OReilly Shocked by Nicolle Wallaces Gall to Claim No Democrat Has Called Trump Hitler | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
(WJET/WFXP) A bipartisan bill updating Pennsylvanias telemarketing laws is headed to the state House of Representatives following a unanimous vote Wednesday afternoon.

Known as Senate Bill 992, the legislation would expand the Telemarketer Registration Act, passed in 1996, by restricting what times telemarketers call people and the methods they use.

Trade your pennies in at Giant Eagle this weekend for double value

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Should it be signed into law, telemarketing calls would be illegal on Sundays and between the hours of 7 p.m. through 9 a.m. while also covering text messages, voicemails and ringless voicemails, all things the primary sponsor of the bill, Senator Michele Brook (R-50), said are used to evade restrictions already in place.

Additionally, Brooks said the bill would widen the ban on telemarketers and the companies that hire them using AI to change or spoof phone numbers while closing loopholes in the Do Not Call List laws.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, the Do Not Call Registry stops unwanted sales calls, live calls, or robocalls from real companies that follow the law.

This bill is about restoring some peace, privacy and additional protections in our personal time. Weve all been frustrated by dishonest telemarketers and often overwhelmed by the volume of calls and texts received, Brooks said. This is why eliminating these calls on Sundays was especially important to me because for so many families, Sundays may be the only day of the week that they can be together to simply enjoy each others company.

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PennDOT and Highway Safety Network give advice on driving tired

The Do Not Call List is managed by the Commonwealths Attorney Generals Office, with Brooks adding that AG Dave Sunday also helped with the bipartisan legislation.

The bill is co-sponsored by four Republicans and four Democrats and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. You can sign up for the Do Not Call Registry 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com.
Supporters of campaign finance reform listen as members of Congress discuss a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections outside the U.S. Capitol September 8, 2014 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Republican and Democratic former governors and members of Congress, billionaires and democracy reform organizations are coming to the defense of Maines law in a case over the legality of campaign finance restrictions.

This broad support was demonstrated in amici curiae, or friend of the court, briefs filed in the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston on Wednesday. These briefs add to the arguments made by the State of Maine and another from the non-profit Equal Citizens and the committee behind the successful referendum in their appeals filed last week.

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In 2024, Maine voters overwhelmingly passed a citizens initiative that placed limits on contributions to political action committees that independently spend money to try to support or defeat candidates, commonly referred to as super PACs.

The state was sued shortly after by conservative PACs, but that had been part of supporters plan all along. Their ultimate goal is to get the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that PACs should be regulated.

The friend of the court briefs each come at the case in a different way based on each groups experiences with super PACs.

In one brief, former elected officials described the pressure candidates feel to court super PACs and then serve the interests of their donors.

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Issue One, a nonprofit that seeks to reduce the role of money in politics, filed this brief, which was co-signed by 24 former governors and members of Congress  half of which served as Democrats and half Republicans, including former U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine. Others include former U.S. Senate Minority LeaderTom Daschle, a Democrat from South Dakota, former Democratic U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and former Republican Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson, who considers himself an independent.

Another brief was filed by a group of billionaires. They argue unlimited super PAC contributions distort markets and reward insider influence.

Among those behind that brief are Steve Jurvetson and Vin Ryan, who were some of the largest donors to the ballot question committee behind the 2024 initiative. The others are businessman and television personality Mark Cuban, who was previously a lead investor on Shark Tank, and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.

Several democracy reform organizations filed briefs in which they argued that unchecked super PAC contributions breed corruption. This type of argument was made by the Brennan Center for Justice, the Campaign Legal Center, Demos and Common Cause, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington and Mainers for Working Families.

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They also argued that the current lack of regulations is not supported by legal precedent, which is the overarching defense the State of Maine and Equal Citizens made in their appeals.

That argument is also fleshed out in an amicus brief filed by the constitutional scholars whose rationale serves as the basis for why those behind Maines law believe the Supreme Court will ultimately rule to reinstate contribution limits.

The State of Maine and Equal Citizens both made the case that the 2010 Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission actually allows for super PACs to be regulated. Its a later lower court ruling, SpeechNow.org v. FEC, that they argue is incorrect.

In Citizens United, the high court ruled that corporations and unions have the right to spend unlimited money in elections because they have free speech rights under the First Amendment  unless there is a risk of quid pro quo corruption, essentially a favor for a favor.

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In SpeechNow, the D.C. Circuit Court upheld that contributions to PACs cannot be regulated, either, so long as the PAC is independent.

In their brief, Harvard Law professor emeritus Larry Tribe, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution Norm Eisen and Chicago Law professor emeritus Al Alschuler (a Maine resident who was part of the group that submitted the original referendum petition) explain that large contributions to PACs inevitably create a risk of corruption because donors and candidates have the opportunity to collaborate even if a PAC is independent.

Therefore, the scholars argue, contributions to PACs can be regulated by Congress.

There are very few solutions in American politics that unite Republicans, billionaires, and Harvard Law professors, Equal Citizens Executive Director Maia Cook said in a statement on Thursday. The fact that our initiative to reinstate super PAC contribution limits has received vocal support from amici like Mark Cuban, Reid Hoffman, Olympia Snowe, and Laurence Tribe demonstrates the strength of our argument: Americans deserve a representative government, by the people and for the people.

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After taking a stand this week against tariffs on Brazil and Canada, the Senate has rallied a bipartisan majority to strike down President Donald Trumps duties on more than 100 countries.

On Thursday, the upper chamber voted 51-47 to nullify the presidents reciprocal tariffs on trading partners across the globe, which he levied using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

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Four Republicans, including Senators Susan Collins (Me.), Mitch McConnell (Ken.), Rand Paul (Ken.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) joined the Democrats in taking on the tariffs, which many of the lawmakers said have been injurious to their constituents, from consumers to American businesses.

The same four GOP defectors crossed the aisle Wednesday to reject Trumps tariffs on Canada in a vote that totaled 51-46, and separately voted to end the administrations staggering 50 percent tariffs on Brazil earlier this week. Trump raised tariffs on Canada from 25 percent to 35 percent over the weekend, enraged over an anti-tariff ad aired in the Ontario province featuring President Ronald Reagan.

Im against tariffs generally, unless theyre used very specifically. But Im also against letting presidents just invent a reason to use emergency powers to do all kinds of things without coming to Congress, Sen. Tim Kaine, who introduced the resolution alongside Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), told reporters following the vote, according to CNN.

While the broad resolution invalidating the tariffslike the two resolutions on Canada and Brazil earlier this weekis unlikely to make it through House of Representatives and even less likely to reach the presidents desk for a signature, Kaine said the bipartisan show of support could rattle the Commander in Chief or at least prompt him to consider the issues lawmakers are bringing to the table.

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I did learn in the first Trump term that the president is responsive to things like this. When he sees Republicans starting to vote against his policies, even in small numbers, that makes an impression on him and can often cause him to alter his behavior, Kaine said.

Paul, a co-sponsor on all three resolutions who has been unafraid to break with the GOP on the matter of tariffs since Trump began imposing new duties, said he doesnt think this weeks measures will succeed in reining in the tariff scheme due to the ever-deepening partisan divide in Washington.

It would take an economic calamity to wrangle two-thirds of Congress to vote to dismantle the tariff machine, he said, according to Politico. Which I dont wish on anyone, or particularly our country.

Nonetheless, the Kentucky Senator continues to rally against the tariffs, which have become a core tenet of the presidents economic and foreign policies.

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He spoke about the issue Wednesday evening at an event hosted by the Peterson Institute for International Economics, saying he doesnt believe IEEPA, a 1977 trade law that gives the president the power regulate economic transactions and impose sanctions in response to unusual and extraordinary threats originating abroad, has been leveraged legitimately by the Trump administration.

The president has repeatedly referred to Americas trade imbalances with other nations as a national emergency worthy of such intervention. I think that its a fallacy that it means anything, Paul said. I think its meaningless. I think its a completely meaningless accounting of trade that sends no real signals of value or use.
DANG, Oct 30: CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel has claimed that infiltration during the GenZ protest led to attacks on the judiciary and the police administration.

Speaking at a press conference organized by Press Chautari Nepal, Dang Chapter, in Ghorahi on Thursday, Pokhrel said the attack on the judiciary was not a minor incident and emphasized the need for an impartial investigation to bring the culprits to justice. He remarked that the assault on the judiciary and police administration was the result of a conspiracy to undermine Nepals legal system.

Related story Chairman Oli announces names of UML's office-bearers, Ishwor Po...

The demands raised during the GenZ protest are genuine. All political parties must take a positive stance toward addressing the concerns of the youths. However, self-serving elements infiltrated the protest against corruption and for good governance, attempting to distort history, Pokharel said. Understanding the aspirations of young people and ensuring good governance and the rule of law require collective cooperation and coordination.

Pokhrel asserted that neither the police nor the judiciary played any role in suppressing the protest. He said attempts were being made to weaken the judiciary and, in turn, weaken the country itself.

He further said that looting of police weapons and the presence of escaped prisoners during the protest had created a sense of insecurity among the public. Public fear and panic have spread as local government offices, courts, transportation services, revenue offices and both public and private properties have been damaged, Pokharel stated. The incidents of September 8 and 9 must be investigated in a neutral and impartial manner.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  The city of Birmingham is making plans to take care of residents impacted by the government shutdown. Thursday, Mayor Randall Woodfin announced a three-pronged approach to make sure SNAP recipients dont go hungry once their benefits end November 1.

While the situation could be resolved by Washington in the coming days, the people and the leaders you see flanked by me, we dont feel we have the luxury to wait because our residents, our families, our children, our elders cant wait, Mayor Woodfin said.

Woodfin says he wants to commit one million dollars to help support the 23,000 people in Birmingham who rely on SNAP. The money will be managed by United Way of Central Alabama. UWCA says it will use the money to start a grant to restock the shelves of feeding programs in Birmingham.

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The threat of SNAP benefits being frozen means nearly one in four Birmingham households are at risk, Woodfin said. Our focus is very direct, and that is getting help directly to the people, to the families and children and seniors, who need it the most.

Its a big effort. The need is overwhelming and certainly cant be replaced with product dollars but certainly can go a long ways to help, said UWCA President Drew Langloh.

There are many feeding programs in Birmingham that give out free food boxes to anyone in need, no questions asked. Grace Klein Community is one of the local programs that distributes food multiple times a week at various locations.

I think even last week, we started to see an uptick of folks coming to us. This week, weve probably had two to three times the amount of folks coming through our drive-thru lines, said Jackson King, community business liaison for Grace Klein.

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For the last two days, Grace Klein has given out every bit of food at its distributions, announcing it would open the following day on faith, trusting that through community donations and the Lords provisions, they would have food to give to those in need.

Our heart is to never store anything back, its just to give it all away as quickly as we can to as many people as possible. And really, the support of the community, as I mentioned earlier, that has been something where weve seen God move the most, King said. We really want to empower people to not just come and get food, but to look at their communities and see what do I have that I can give away? Whether its time, wisdom, resources, whatever that is.

With the number of people who need food right now, Grace Klein says the grant through the city to help restock its shelves will be a huge help.

When we get it on a government level, just even out above the church, in the city, thats powerful, King said. So, it really is like church and state coming together to meet a need.

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WATCH: Jefferson County deputy crashes into car

The second prong of the citys plan includes a community food drive. Donations will be collected November 3-6 at Christian Service Mission from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day.

The greatest command we can live out is to love our neighbor. If you have a neighbor in need, help them, Tracy Hipps, Christian Service Mission executive director, said. Dont wait on the city. Dont wait on anybody else. You help them. Thats our responsibility to do that.

The final part of the citys plan is to be an information hub for the community. Woodfin wants the city to be the centralized source where people in need can find details to any wraparound service or assistance they need.

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We have a moral obligation to take care of the residents within our city. Food and nutrition is a necessity, its not a choice, the mayor said. There are many things you can make about politics and power, food and nutrition as it relates to feeding family and children should not be one of them.

The city says the health and well-being of families and elderly in the city is the number one priority.

At its core, we all believe the role of the government is simple. To protect and care for its people, said Birmingham City Council President Wardine Alexander. When federal leadership cannot ensure these programs are fully funded, it falls on us at the local level to take up that responsibility.

Details on the citys full three-prong plan can be found here. You can also email bhamready@birminghamal.gov or text BHAMREADY to 38276.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is partnering with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama to assist federal workers at the airport who are working without pay during the government shutdown.

The Community Food Bank will provide essential household items to workers since their federal paychecks are not coming. There are nearly 200 federal workers at BHM who play a role in helping the airport.

Individuals and organizations can help support families during the shutdown by clicking here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
Flight disruptions and delays seem to be happening more and more frequently these days, but most of the time, once you're in flight, you're on your way. However, planes can get diverted mid-flight. It's got a low likelihood of happening, but it can occur if there are problems with the plane, severe weather, and, as it turns out, if you accidentally drop your laptop into the cargo hold. That's what happened to United Flight 126 leaving from Washington Dulles and headed to Rome Fiumicino earlier this month.

United Airlines told The Independent that a laptop slipped "behind a cabin wall panel and through a small gap leading to the cargo hold." When you go to check in your baggage at the airport, you have to confirm that you don't have any spare lithium-ion batteries in your luggage; they're one of those things that are banned from flights. So, letting an errant battery loose into the hold isn't something that the airline wants to have happen. We're not exactly sure how someone managed to get their laptop behind a wall panel and into the underside of the plane, but that's a different issue.

Lithium-ion batteries pose a small but still concerning risk of overheating and catching on fire. If that happens down in the cargo hold where you can't see what's happening, an overheating battery could escalate into a serious issue very quickly. So, the flight crew determined that the safest course of action was to return to Dulles, find the laptop, and then head back towards Rome.

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Read more: The Four Unspoken Rules For The Airplane's Empty Middle Seats

The potential for lithium-ion battery fires is enough to turn around a plane

Passenger using a laptop on a plane - Eyesfoto/Getty Images

It sounds like it can be quite the dramatic situation when a battery overheats. "Lithium batteries can go into what's called thermal runaway," Fire Safety Branch Manager Robert Ochs told CNN. "All of a sudden, it'll start to short circuit ... It will get warmer and warmer and warmer until the structure of the battery itself fails. At that point, it can eject molten electrolyte and flames and smoke and toxic gas."

This is why some airlines go so far as to ban the use of power banks even while in flight, as they're lithium-ion batteries. And while not banning them outright, Southwest Airlines, for one, is updating their policy to say that power banks must be visible if they're being used. The potential for fire is also why flight attendants have started to tell people not to reach between seats if they drop their phone; a damaged phone could trigger the thermal runaway situation.

The Washington to Rome flight wasn't the first time that an errant laptop caused a mid-flight diversion. Something similar happened in May 2024 on a flight between Zurich and Chicago with an unscheduled stop in Ireland after a laptop got stuck in a seat.

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GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN)  Another life-saving resource is being added to classrooms in Sumner County schools.

The district is putting bleeding control kits in every school in the event of a worse-case scenario.

JULY 2025 | Fundraiser created to get tourniquets in all Sumner County schools

Each kit consists of a combat tourniquet, large amounts of gauze, gloves, plus a colored vest that school staff can wear to identify themselves during any emergency or lockdown.

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These are going in 2,518 classrooms, and we will have over 4,500 vests, because every staff person gets an (emergency) vest, explained Katie Brown, the Executive Director of school safety in Sumner County.

Brown said school staff have already been trained on whats inside the kits, dating back to a districtwide active shooter training that occurred in March.

They were taught how to apply a tourniquet, they were taught how to pack a wound. And so, they got some really high-level skill training on that, and then weve started to include that in our annual training. Every year, teachers will review how to apply a tourniquet, said Brown.

Sumner County School Board makes decision on Christmas vs. Winter Break

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The custom-made kits were funded through a state grant. Each one will hang in a teacher-designated safe space within the classroom.

We have marked those spaces with signs, said Brown. Its a green triangle and it says safer space, so that anybody thats in that classroom knows that if the door is closed and locked, that space is the safest space that they can be in. And these kits will also hang in that space.

Brown said they do a yearly audit on every school building, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each one.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Through that, she said they noticed that classroom first-aid was a resource they were lacking in.

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Were continually evolving and assessing what we have in the (school) buildings, to be able to have the best practice in operation at the time, Brown said. I feel that it is most important for our staff to be confident in the resources that they have available to them; that they know what to do in an emergency.

Along with the bleeding kits, Sumner County Schools have also received state funding to buy new AEDs for each school.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD)  The Bloomington Police Department is asking the public for help on Wednesday in locating an alleged fraud suspect.

On Oct. 13, the suspect allegedly used fraudulent financial instruments to make more than $1,500 in transactions at a local gas station, a Bloomington police Facebook post said.

The man was wearing a gray Nike hoodie, red/black Nike sweatpants, a tiger logo ball cap and a COVID mask. He also had a large tattoo on his neck.

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Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Bloomington police at 309-820-8888 or email jgaffney@cityblm.org.

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MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  Blount County may not be the biggest county in Tennessee, but its certainly not the smallest either. However, its impacts on the state and the country go well beyond its boundaries.

To learn more, 6 News paid a visit to the Blount County Historical Museum in Maryville. Inside, you will find everything from antique cars and fire engines to vintage Little League uniforms, as well as artifacts dating back to the areas Native American settlers. Also included are links to the days of the American Revolution and Civil War.

Where to find free food in East Tennessee as SNAP benefits lapse

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You have a continuing history in the county, said David Cummings. The influential people who were here, passed through or had influence on the national scene.

Thats why each room at the museum doesnt just tell a story but digs deeper. Letting guests understand the people who called what is now Blount County home before Tennessee was even a state.

Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE) Blount County Historical Museum (WATE)

What they teach in the schools is an abbreviated version. We have such a long history, you get little snippets along the way. We actually have artifacts. Names to put with them. Locations to put with them, adds Cummings.

One of those deep dives involves museum board President Lee Williams and Vice President Christy Martin. The two are looking ahead to the countrys 250th Anniversary and Blount Countys role in the birth of our nation.

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Knoxville History Blount Mansion raising money to preserve Knoxville landmark

Were working on our earliest history here, which is the over 200 Revolutionary War soldiers who came and settled Blount County, says Martin. Were writing the biographies for hopefully the 2026 anniversary. Weve got about 145 or so of those done.

A task that Johnson adds takes time and patience. We have to find them here through the Census, or where theyve sold land or such. And then trace them backwards.

Thats what this group and others are doing, preserving Blount Countys history while bringing it forward to the present.

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Theres the bonnet of a young woman who came here with her Revolutionary War husband to settle here, said Martin. As a female, trying to get into her 17-year-old head and imagine what she was feeling and seeing into what she was seeing in what a wilderness was.

News in Your Neighborhood: Blount County

The history developed in the area, said Cummings, The rivers, the timber, the native Americans and people coming in and settling. A wonderful ground. And, it still is today.

If you would like to visit the museum and all it has to offer, it is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. It is located at 1006 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, TN 37804. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
KATHMANDU, Oct 30: Three years after splitting from the CPN-UML, the CPN (Unified Socialist) is now grappling with internal rifts over whether to merge with the CPN (Maoist Centre) or continue as an independent party. While party Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal has already proposed unification with the Maoist Centre, senior leaders including Jhala Nath Khanal and General Secretary Ghanashyam Bhusal remain uncertain about whether to return to UML or rebuild the current party structure.

General Secretary Bhusal has long been advocating for reorganizing the existing party instead of merging. Leaders such as Kisan Shrestha, Bhanubhakta Joshi, Prem Ale and Dhan Bahadur Budha are reportedly inclined toward rejoining the UML. Bhusal has made it clear that if unification with the Maoist Centre occurs, both Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepal must step down from leadership positions.

During the Central Committee (CC) meeting that began on Wednesday, Chairman Nepal firmly stated that he would neither relinquish his leadership role nor return to UML. The meeting convened to discuss party unification with the Maoist Centre, saw Nepal reiterate that returning to UML was out of the question.

Related story CPN (Unified Socialist) decides to support govt to pass budget

Chairman Nepal accused UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli of continuing to insult him and remarked that those wishing to return to UML could go their own way. However, leaders like Khanal, Bhusal and Ramkumari Jhakri have maintained a firm stance in favor of reorganizing the current party while opposing a merger with the Maoist Centre.

In his political report presented at the meeting, Chairman Nepal hinted at moving toward unification with the Maoist Centre. He recalled that the very first CC meeting after the partys formation had passed a proposal emphasizing cooperation among leftist forces and working through alliances to lay the foundation for unification.

In line with our declared policy, we have been focusing on strengthening the Socialist Front and actively engaging in it, Nepal stated in his report. Although the Front may not have achieved all its goals, it has played a crucial rolefor example, organizing the anti-regression rally at Bhrikutimandap on March 28, 2025. The significance of such alliances should not be forgotten. From the beginning, we have emphasized unity among revolutionary communists, particularly those adhering to socialist ideology and programs.

Nepal argued that a strong revolutionary force is essential to achieving a socialist revolution, presenting his political document as a step toward creating a conducive environment for unification. Leaders close to him claim that 99 percent of party members favor merging with the Maoist Centre, a sentiment reflected in his report.

The creation of a powerful revolutionary force is possible only through the unification of revolutionary communist parties, Nepal stated. However, such unity cannot be achieved without a clear foundation. For genuine unification, there must be consensus on fundamental issues such as the partys name, guiding principles, organizational structure, strategic goals, revolutionary program, direction, and policies.

Meanwhile, leader Jhakri has objected to the central leaderships move to add new members in the name of promoting unification. General Secretary Bhusal also openly opposed the decision during Thursdays meeting. With Bhusal and Jhakri now backed by senior leader Khanal, signs of a possible party split have begun to emerge.
The Iowa Board of Nursing has issued an emergency order suspending the license of registered nurse Kenneth Wayne Clark of Ankeny, who is now facing charges related to child pornography. (Photo by krisanapong detraphiphat/Getty Images)

State regulators have issued an emergency order suspending the license of a registered nurse who provided home health care for disabled children and is now facing charges related to child pornography.

The Iowa Board of Nursing has issued an emergency order suspending the license of registered nurse Kenneth Wayne Clark of Ankeny. The order is based on a disciplinary charge that Clark has engaged in unethical behavior or practices that are harmful or detrimental to the public by acting in a manner that is contradictory to professional decorum.

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Court records show that on Aug. 1, 2025, Waynes home and vehicle were searched by the Polk County Sheriffs Office. The sheriffs office alleges it found methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, and marijuana, as well as multiple pieces of drug paraphernalia  including glass pipes, bongs and storage containers for marijuana and methamphetamine.

On Sept. 9, 2025, Ankeny police alleged that from March 1, 2025, to July 30, 2025, Clark knowingly and unlawfully downloaded or possessed on his cellphone videos that are consistent with child sexual abuse material.

Prosecutors have charged Clark with 10 counts of purchasing or possessing the depiction of a minor engaged in a sex act. Police records indicate there are more than 2,600 unclassified videos and 60,511 images at issue in the case, including at least 50 videos consistent with child sex abuse material that were allegedly downloaded onto the phone.

Last month, the court entered a no-contact order against Clark barring any contact with minors. The Board of Nursing alleges the no-contact order is particularly relevant to its emergency order in that Clark was doing in-home care for disabled children prior to his arrest.

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The board alleges Clark declined to sign a voluntary agreement not to practice nursing while the court case is pending, resulting in the emergency order.

Clark has been an Iowa-licensed registered nurse since 1997, according to state records.
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Boardman business is ready to step in and do its part to help, should SNAP benefits not be funded by Saturday.

Love Thy Curves is collecting non-perishable, unexpired food items, which will go to St. Vincent DePaul food pantry in Youngstown. You can also donate new blankets, hats, scarves and gloves for those in need.

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Love Thy Curves is a for-profit business with a non-profit heart. Its the only plus-sized consignment shop in the tri-county area. The collection will take place during November and December.

Donating food items right now is so important because its a basic human necessity. You need to eat to live, so why not do what we can to help those that cant really help themselves right now, said Nicci Bell, owner of Love Thy Curves.

When you make a donation, you will receive 10% off your purchase at the shop.

Love Thy Curves is on Market Street in Boardman.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
A beloved bodega cat has died after allegedly being hit by a self-driving car in San Francisco, according to local reports. While locals mourn the loss of a feline friend, crypto degens have started creating and pumping meme coins in its honor... or at least to profit from its rising profile.

KitKat, also known as the mayor of 16th Street, was a local celebrity who brought joy to so many people, shop owner Mike Zeidan told The San Francisco Standard. The nine-year-old cat lived at Randas Market, a liquor store in San Francisco, but was found dying on the street in the early hours of Tuesday morning and rushed to an emergency vet before passing away.

An anonymous 311 complaint, a non-emergency report made to the local government, alleged that the cat was hit by a driverless Waymo taxi.

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The Waymo hit the liquor stores cat that was sitting on the sidewalk next to the transit lane. Killed the neighborhood's baby, the 311 complaint reads. The Waymo did not slow down, swerve, or even try to avoid the cat in any way. Waymo should not be on the street if they cant spot small animals in the dark.

Waymo did not immediately respond to Decrypts request for comment.

Crypto degens looking for the next hot meme coin trend have latched onto the story. At least five meme coins on Solana and BNB Chain have been deployed that feature the name and likeness of the now-deceased furry friend.

One Solana token launched via Pump.fun named KitKat hit an all-time high market cap of $14.66 million before crashing 99% to a $4,000. Another Pump.fun token of the same name is currently at a $4.3 million market cap, down by half from its $8.6 million high.

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Those genuinely outraged by the incident are calling for Waymo to be banned, the company to be sued, or for self-driving cars to be taken off the road entirely.

Meme coin traders, however, are likely more interested in how potentially profitable the token could be. For that reason, traders have repeatedly tagged Tesla owner Elon Musk on social media in the hopes that hell acknowledge the incident.

Dare Me? This Solana Project Is Paying Out Crypto for Hilarious Stunts

The hope is to turn KitKat into a martyr akin to Peanut the Squirrel, who was euthanized last year by New Yorks Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), citing rabies concerns. The pet squirrels death was turned into an unlikely political movement during the election, sending the associated meme coin skyrocketing to a $2.4 billion market cap, according to DEX Screener. It's now down 95% from that peak.

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PNUT and KITKAT happened EXACTLY one year apart this CANNOT be a coincidence, one of the meme coin X accounts posted. Early PNUT vibes, crypto influencer James Wynn added. It reminds me of when I first bought PNUT at [a] $27K market cap, another investor said.

Ironically, Randas Market appears to have launched its own Solana token, putting a contract address in its Instagram bio. But the token has seen only modest traction so far, resting at a $1.6 million market cap as traders favor meme coins promoted by notable crypto influencers.

Randas Market did not immediately respond to Decrypts request for comment.

This is not the first time that crypto traders have looked to profit from tragic incidents. Degens have pumped meme coins playing off the death of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk, the rumored passing of then-President Joe Biden, and even tokens sympathizing with Nazi ideologies.

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Crypto Traders Profit From Charlie Kirk Murder as Debate Swirls Over Ethical Lines

Ultimately, traders are often just looking to make a profit on any asset that they can find, regardless of the vibe. Many have told Decrypt that they do not cast moral or ethical judgments on which tokens they do or dont buyits all just a game of buy low and sell high.

The tragic passing of a local legend has now been transformed into a speculative race to the bottom.

Were heartbroken to share that our beloved store cat, KitKat, has passed away, Randas Market posted on Instagram. He brought warmth, smiles, and comfort to everyone who walked through our doors. Thank you to all who loved him as much as we did. The store wont be the same without his little paws padding around.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A bomb threat at the Washington County Courthouse prompted an evacuation Thursday morning, according to county officials.

The courthouse, located in Hillsboro at 145 NE Second Ave., evacuated in response to the threat shortly before 9 a.m.

Those attending court proceedings and staff were immediately evacuated to a safe area outside the building as deputies planned a search, officials said. Deputies conducted a room-by-room search of the courthouse and adjoining buildings, looking for anything suspicious.

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No explosive devices were discovered, and investigators concluded the threat was likely a hoax.

Anyone with information about the threat is encouraged to contact the Washington County Sheriffs Office.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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An upcoming book by ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl allegedly claims that Barack Obama was angry after former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi quickly endorsed Kamala Harris, following former President Joe Bidens withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.

According to excerpts obtained by The Daily Mail from the book titled Retribution, Obama and Pelosi had previously agreed that Harris should not automatically be given the Democratic nomination without a competitive convention.

However, Pelosi announced her support for Harris less than a day after Biden stepped down from the campaign, reportedly catching Obama off guard.

The Obamas were not happy, a source close to Pelosi told Karl. The source described Obamas reaction to Pelosis move as essentially saying, What the f*ck did you just do?

The book goes on to describe Obamas reaction, detailing an almost desperate or exasperated phone call to Pelosi in which he questioned why she had gone back on their agreement on the endorsement.

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Pelosi allegedly responded to Obama, saying, that train has left the station, referring to Bidens public endorsement of Harris during his withdrawal speech.

Obama, who had expressed concerns about Harris ability to win against thenRepublican nominee and now-President Donald Trump, waited five days before offering his own endorsement. His eventual statement, delivered jointly with former First Lady Michelle Obama, praised Harris and called the 2024 race historic.

Karls book adds to a growing collection of reports that describe friction within the Democratic Party during the chaotic months after Bidens exit.

The reporting from Karl suggests that Obama favored an open convention in which multiple Democratic leaders could have competed for the nomination.

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Fast-forward to today, and the fallout from that rushed endorsement and campaign push is clear. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Harriss favorability has plunged to a net -13, with just 9% of Democrats wanting her to run again.

She is not well-liked at this particular point. The American people  they dont want this, they dont want her, and get this, shes 37 points underwater with independents, CNN senior data analyst Harry Enten said back in September.

And the bottom line is she is way, way, way underwater. She is definitely swimming with the fishes, Enten added.

Harris is now on her book tour touting her personal account of the shortest presidential campaign in modern history, marketing her 107 Days campaign memoir, with the last stop currently scheduled for Miami on November 20.
CHICAGO  Two days after fielding questions from a federal judge and a day after an appeals court put a hold on daily check-ins ordered by that judge, Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino was back in federal court in Chicago on Thursday, this time to sit down for a sworn deposition.

The deposition, which got underway around 10 a.m., is under oath and behind closed doors at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse. Bovino was required to be there Thursday, even after an appeals court ruled he doesnt have to do the daily check-ins for the time being.

Thursdays deposition was recorded and lasted about five hours.

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PREVIOUS: Appeals court cancels Border Patrol chiefs daily check-ins with judge

Unlike Tuesdays court appearance, when Bovino arrived with an armed entourage and waded through protesters, there were no protesters outside the courthouse to meet his arrival Thursday morning. WGN-TV believes he used an entrance media is not allowed to cover with cameras.

After receiving what amounted to a lecture from U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis on Tuesday about her order to limit the use of force on protestors and journalists, Bovino will now have to answer questions under oath from civil rights attorneys.

The focus of Thursdays deposition centered on the federal agents use of non-lethal weapons during protests over the Trump administrations immigration crackdown in the Chicago area, called Operation Midway Blitz.

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Bovino told Ali Bradley of NewsNation that Operation Midway Blitz is legal, ethical and moral, saying Ellis temporary order restricting that use of force is encouraging them to go harder.

Were going to turn and burn. Were going to apprehend even more illegal aliens, bad people and bad things here on the streets of Chicago, Bovino said.

He added that hes looking forward to wearing a body camera, which Ellis required he do by Friday.

I cant wait to wear a body worn camera. Itll help tell a story. Some folks will be shocked, too, at what theyll see on my body camera, just as theyll be shocked at what they see on body cameras worn by our agents, Bovino said.

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Ellis previously ruled agents could not use tear gas, pepper balls or rubber bullets, unless protestors are warned or agents were in immediate danger, an order the plaintiffs and Ellis believe may have been broken.

They (federal agents) must tell people what they are going to do before they do it, so people have the opportunity to comply, Ellis told Bovino during Tuesdays court appearance. Thats what I meant, and thats not what Ive seen in any of these videos.

Attorneys representing a coalition of news outlets and protesters claim Bovino himself violated the order in Little Village and filed a still image of video footage where he was allegedly throwing tear gas into a crowd without justification.

Bovino did get some relief from a federal appeals court Wednesday, which put a hold on his daily check-ins with Ellis. Less than two hours before Bovinos first check-in was set to begin on Wednesday, the appeals court granted its request for an administrative stay.

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The appeals court said those meetings would be extraordinary disruptive. That, however, is not what Bovino told Fox News.

The temporary restraining order, the meetings with the judge and all the other accoutrements that comes with what her orders are, will have no effect on Operation Midway Blitz, Bovino said.

The judge ordered the check-ins during Bovinos court appearance Tuesday. According to WGN-TVs partners at NewsNation, Bovino did appear in court Wednesday well before the scheduled check-in time.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Attorneys with the Department of Justice wrote to the appeals court that every occasion that Chief Bovino is required to prepare and appear for those daily court sessions is time he would otherwise spend carrying out the important law-enforcement functions hes been assigned.

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Bovino himself on Fox News said he was looking forward to the check-ins.

If (Ellis) wants to meet with me every day, then shes going to have a very good first-hand look at just how bad things really are on the streets of Chicago, Bovino said.

Ellis took notice.

I did see Mr. Bovinos interview on Fox News today where he did state he was excited to come to court and that this would not impede his activities or his ability to manage the operation at all. So I was a little surprised just to see that the governments position was directly contradicted by Mr. Bovino, Ellis said.

Russell Hott, former interim U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Chicago field office director, was deposed Wednesday in Washington, D.C. Daniel Parra, Border Patrol deputy chief, is scheduled to be deposed Friday.

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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.
On Oct. 9, The Palm Beach Post met three children being escorted to Guatemala to be reunited with their mother.

They are part of the growing number of children, many of whom are U.S. citizens, who are left behind after their parents get detained and deported in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Parents are being picked up while riding on landscaping and construction trucks, coming back from running errands and by immigration agents showing up at their doors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Just three examples: Alejandro,12, and his six younger siblings found out from their landlord that their parents had been detained by immigration agents. Beatriz, 12, got home one day from school but her mother wasn't there. Lissette, 10, and her brother Antonio, 6, were home when ICE agents knocked on their door and took their mother.

They, like untold numbers of other children, are left to fend for themselves. While some have relatives that can take up their care, many stay with distant family, friends and neighbors.

The children, many of whom are U.S.-born, who don't have anyone to take care of them have two choices: going into foster care or traveling to be reunited with their parents.

Mariana Blanco, the leader of the Guatemalan-Maya Center, has been helping the children contact their parents, placed some of them in temporary housing, requested passports for them and arranged flights to reunite them with their parents in Guatemala.

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"What the government is doing is reprehensible," Blanco said. "They are detaining people, many who have been following their legal cases for years, leaving their kids vulnerable."

Children leaving Miami International Airport before being reunited with their parents who were deported back to Guatemala.

"Last week we helped reunite six U.S. citizens to be with their mom in Guatemala. This week we sent another U.S child  all to a country that is foreign to them, forcing them to leave everything behind," Blanco added.

Oscar de la Guardia, an attorney who traveled with the three groups of children to Guatemala, said thousands of children, many who are U.S. citizens, are having their lives uprooted as a consequence of Trump's immigration enforcement operations.

"These kids are basically becoming reverse refugees and being forced out of the only home they've ever known," said de la Guardia, who is with the Copper Levenson Law firm in Miami.

Advertisement Advertisement

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"This is not the America that I thought I grew up in," he added. "We are tearing their families apart."

Blanco said all the children her nonprofit has helped reunite come from indigenous Mayan tribes and will now live in isolated, rural communities that still face prosecution by the government.

"They are going back to a place where resources are scarce and where school is not always an option," Blanco said. "This shouldnt be happening."

The Post accompanied Blanco and three of the children to Miami International Airport before they boarded their flights to Guatemala, and spoke with their attorneys and the staff at the Guatemalan Mayan Center to learn their stories.

Alejandro: A 12-year-old's trumpet silenced

Children leaving Miami International Airport before being reunited with their parents who were deported back to Guatemala.

Alejandro, 12, was home with his seven younger siblings waiting for their parents to return when they heard an unfamiliar knock on the door.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It was their landlord. She said their parents had been detained by immigration agents.

A friend of the family, she promised to stay with them until they could figure out what to do. She brought the seven children back to her place and called Blanco.

The six youngest children are U.S. citizens, born in West Palm Beach. Alejandro, however, was 3 when his parents brought him from Guatemala and has been raised along with his siblings in Palm Beach County.

At the start of this school year, Alejandro accomplished his dream: He earned a spot in his school's band playing the trumpet. His teacher loaned him a trumpet, which he took with him everywhere.

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In September, Alejandro had to return the trumpet he just begun to love. He also said goodbye to his classmates, bandmates and teachers.

After being detained, his parents were deported to Guatemala. Both were undocumented but didn't have a criminal record and were removed from the United States without having the chance to get their case heard by a judge.

Blanco got in contact with the children's parents, who now live in a rural area. She had to wait for the couple to travel to the nearest town to get phone reception to speak with them.

Without anyone to care for the seven kids, the parents pleaded for Blanco's to help send them to Guatemala. The six U.S. citizens would be going to a country they had never been to before. Alejandro had not gone back since he arrived with his parents.

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The Guatemalan-Mayan Center raised over $2,000 to pay for tickets with the help of the Florida Immigrant Coalition.

All the children were thrilled at the news that they would soon see mom and dad. Alejandro, being the oldest, also felt relived but knew that once he got on that plane, he would never come back to the United States.

A day before the flight, Alejandro broke down in tears.

"He was just completely devastated, Blanco said. "It was very clear that he was not going to continue his studies, and when he arrived home, he was going to have to help around the house and start working."

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In the airport, the Rev. Frank O'Loughlin, a priest who has worked with immigrants in South Florida for more than 50 years and who founded the Guatemalan-Maya Center, surprised Alejandro with a black case. Inside lay a trumpet that he could take to take to his new home.

Children leaving Miami International Airport before being reunited with their parents who were deported back to Guatemala.

Beatriz: 'Home is where her mom is'

One August afternoon, Beatriz came back from school and her mother wasn't home. Beatriz waited and waited, but her mother never appeared.

By nighttime, her neighbor realized Beatriz was still alone and immediately called Blanco.

The next day, Beatriz learned her mother was picked up by immigration agents who had pulled over the landscaping truck she was riding in and took multiple undocumented workers into custody.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Beatriz's life was turned upside down.

She had to pack her entire life into a suitcase and a backpack, and for the next two months jumped from house to house until she stayed with a distant half-brother in the southern part of Lake Worth Beach.

Living with her half-brother, Beatriz walked an hour to school and an hour home everyday.

Blanco managed to get in contact with Beatriz's sister in Guatemala while her mother remained in detention. They decided to have Beatriz move to Guatemala after her half-brother said she couldn't stay with him any longer.

Five days before the trip, Beatriz spoke to her mother for the first time in two months. Blanco said it was the first time she saw Beatriz cry since they met.

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"Everything is going to be OK. We are were going to see each other soon," her mother repeated on the phone while Beatriz sobbed, unable to utter words.

Two days before the trip Blanco asked Beatriz what she wanted as a gift to take on the trip.

"Can you please buy my mother some underwear?" Beatriz said.

On Oct. 9, Beatriz stood anxiously in the Miami International Airport concourse waiting to board a plane for the first time. It would take her to a country she had never been before to reunite with her mother.

"Even though she is going to a country that is completely foreign, for her home is where her mom is," Beatriz told Blanco.

Children leaving Miami International Airport before being reunited with their parents who were deported back to Guatemala.

When Beatriz arrived in Guatemala, a family friend came to pick her up. Her mother couldn't afford transportation to make the eight-hour trip to the airport from the rural village where she lives.

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In Guatemala, school tuition is only free until sixth grade. Beatriz will continue her studies with help from a nonprofit that will sponsor her high school education.

"All of that speaks to all the barriers that families are facing and how difficult it is to reunite a child who has no fault in this, who is an American citizen and who has all the rights to be here," Blanco said. "But also how quickly we can just devastate their lives."

Blanco added: "She's been stripped away from her childhood."

Antonio and Lissette: Seeing mom, but leaving dad behind

It was still dark outside when Mauricio woke up and dressed his half-asleep son Antonio, 6, and his daughter Lissette, 10, for the last time in the foreseeable future.

Advertisement Advertisement

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That morning, the two children would take a plane to Guatemala, and Mauricio didn't know when he would see them again.

Mauricio carefully split his daughter's long, brown hair in half, took two strands and braid them into a half pony tail before holding them together with a red bow.

Usually, it was Lisettes mother who braided her hair, but ever since she was picked up by immigration agents, her father had taken upon himself to learn how to braid her hair.

Lissette and Antonio were home when the agents arrived looking for their mother. Their aunt hurried the children into a room so they couldn't see as the agents arrested their mother and took her away.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mauricio found out his wife had been taken when he got home from a long day working in construction.

Where was his wife? How would he take care of the two children? Were they coming to get him next? What would happen to their children then? Mauricio asked himself again and again, without being able to come up with any answers to his questions.

"He was super distraught after they took his wife," Blanco said. "His family stepped in to take care of the kids, because he just couldn't do it on his own."

After talking to his family, Mauricio made the toughest decision of his life: He would send their children back to the country he had fled years before so they could be reunited with their mother. It was the best for them, he said.

Mauricio showed up at the Guatemalan-Mayan Center seeking help to send their children to Guatemala.

Blanco helped arrange for their travel and visited their home to drop off suitcases for the trip. She broke the news to Lissette and Antonio that they would be getting on a plane to see their mom.

Their eyes light up at the words "plane" and "mom," Blanco recalled. Lissette ran to her father and wrapped her arms around him screaming with excitement, but she quickly pulled herself back.

She realized her father would not be joining them in their trip and broke down sobbing in his lap.

At the airport, Mauricio held back tears as he watched his children wander around the concourse.

Maria de la Guardia, a teacher at the Guatemalan-Maya Center, sat them down to go over all the things in their new backpacks: They had notebooks, folders, stickers and new set of colors. She explained they would go through security and board the plane, and that their mother would be at their airport waiting for them.

Mauricio held his children's hands as the group made the line to check them into their flights. Yards away, border patrol agents were escorting three men who were getting deported onto a commercial flight.

As the grouped reached the entrance to TSA, Mauricio got on his knees and hugged his children tightly. Lissette and Antonio both began crying, with their heads buried in their father's chest.

"Dad is just going to pack up a couple of things and see you there. I love you, Mauricio whispered in Spanish.

Lissette kissed Mauricio on the cheek and dried her eyes. She grabbed Antonio with one hand and held her Hello Kitty plushie with her other and began walking next to Beatriz.

Once the children passed through security, Mauricio broke down sobbing. O'Loughlin wrapped his arms around Mauricio and held him in prayer.

Children leaving Miami International Airport before being reunited with their parents who were deported back to Guatemala.

Then Mauricio cried the entire way back to Lake Worth Beach. He couldn't say much other than he knew that it was the best for his children.

Three hours later, Lissette and Antonio arrived in Guatemala and met their mother, who was waiting for them with balloons outside the airport.

Antonio clung to his mother's arms and asked: "Dad said he was coming. Where is he?"

Valentina Palm covers Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Greenacres, Palm Springs and other western communities in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: When parents are deported, what happens to their US-born children?
On Oct. 9, The Palm Beach Post met three children being escorted to Guatemala to be reunited with their mother.

They are part of the growing number of children, many of whom are U.S. citizens, who are left behind after their parents get detained and deported in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.

Parents are being picked up while riding on landscaping and construction trucks, coming back from running errands and by immigration agents showing up at their doors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Just three examples: Alejandro,12, and his six younger siblings found out from their landlord that their parents had been detained by immigration agents. Beatriz, 12, got home one day from school but her mother wasn't there. Lissette, 10, and her brother Antonio, 6, were home when ICE agents knocked on their door and took their mother.

They, like untold numbers of other children, are left to fend for themselves. While some have relatives that can take up their care, many stay with distant family, friends and neighbors.

The children, many of whom are U.S.-born, who don't have anyone to take care of them have two choices: going into foster care or traveling to be reunited with their parents.

Mariana Blanco, the leader of the Guatemalan-Maya Center, has been helping the children contact their parents, placed some of them in temporary housing, requested passports for them and arranged flights to reunite them with their parents in Guatemala.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"What the government is doing is reprehensible," Blanco said. "They are detaining people, many who have been following their legal cases for years, leaving their kids vulnerable."

Children leaving Miami International Airport before being reunited with their parents who were deported back to Guatemala.

"Last week we helped reunite six U.S. citizens to be with their mom in Guatemala. This week we sent another U.S child  all to a country that is foreign to them, forcing them to leave everything behind," Blanco added.

Oscar de la Guardia, an attorney who traveled with the three groups of children to Guatemala, said thousands of children, many who are U.S. citizens, are having their lives uprooted as a consequence of Trump's immigration enforcement operations.

"These kids are basically becoming reverse refugees and being forced out of the only home they've ever known," said de la Guardia, who is with the Copper Levenson Law firm in Miami.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"This is not the America that I thought I grew up in," he added. "We are tearing their families apart."

Blanco said all the children her nonprofit has helped reunite come from indigenous Mayan tribes and will now live in isolated, rural communities that still face prosecution by the government.

"They are going back to a place where resources are scarce and where school is not always an option," Blanco said. "This shouldnt be happening."

The Post accompanied Blanco and three of the children to Miami International Airport before they boarded their flights to Guatemala, and spoke with their attorneys and the staff at the Guatemalan Mayan Center to learn their stories.

Alejandro: A 12-year-old's trumpet silenced

Children leaving Miami International Airport before being reunited with their parents who were deported back to Guatemala.

Alejandro, 12, was home with his seven younger siblings waiting for their parents to return when they heard an unfamiliar knock on the door.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

It was their landlord. She said their parents had been detained by immigration agents.

A friend of the family, she promised to stay with them until they could figure out what to do. She brought the seven children back to her place and called Blanco.

The six youngest children are U.S. citizens, born in West Palm Beach. Alejandro, however, was 3 when his parents brought him from Guatemala and has been raised along with his siblings in Palm Beach County.

At the start of this school year, Alejandro accomplished his dream: He earned a spot in his school's band playing the trumpet. His teacher loaned him a trumpet, which he took with him everywhere.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

In September, Alejandro had to return the trumpet he just begun to love. He also said goodbye to his classmates, bandmates and teachers.

After being detained, his parents were deported to Guatemala. Both were undocumented but didn't have a criminal record and were removed from the United States without having the chance to get their case heard by a judge.

Blanco got in contact with the children's parents, who now live in a rural area. She had to wait for the couple to travel to the nearest town to get phone reception to speak with them.

Without anyone to care for the seven kids, the parents pleaded for Blanco's to help send them to Guatemala. The six U.S. citizens would be going to a country they had never been to before. Alejandro had not gone back since he arrived with his parents.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Guatemalan-Mayan Center raised over $2,000 to pay for tickets with the help of the Florida Immigrant Coalition.

All the children were thrilled at the news that they would soon see mom and dad. Alejandro, being the oldest, also felt relived but knew that once he got on that plane, he would never come back to the United States.

A day before the flight, Alejandro broke down in tears.

"He was just completely devastated, Blanco said. "It was very clear that he was not going to continue his studies, and when he arrived home, he was going to have to help around the house and start working."

In the airport, the Rev. Frank O'Loughlin, a priest who has worked with immigrants in South Florida for more than 50 years and who founded the Guatemalan-Maya Center, surprised Alejandro with a black case. Inside lay a trumpet that he could take to take to his new home.

Children leaving Miami International Airport before being reunited with their parents who were deported back to Guatemala.

Beatriz: 'Home is where her mom is'

One August afternoon, Beatriz came back from school and her mother wasn't home. Beatriz waited and waited, but her mother never appeared.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

By nighttime, her neighbor realized Beatriz was still alone and immediately called Blanco.

The next day, Beatriz learned her mother was picked up by immigration agents who had pulled over the landscaping truck she was riding in and took multiple undocumented workers into custody.

Beatriz's life was turned upside down.

She had to pack her entire life into a suitcase and a backpack, and for the next two months jumped from house to house until she stayed with a distant half-brother in the southern part of Lake Worth Beach.

Living with her half-brother, Beatriz walked an hour to school and an hour home everyday.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Blanco managed to get in contact with Beatriz's sister in Guatemala while her mother remained in detention. They decided to have Beatriz move to Guatemala after her half-brother said she couldn't stay with him any longer.

Five days before the trip, Beatriz spoke to her mother for the first time in two months. Blanco said it was the first time she saw Beatriz cry since they met.

"Everything is going to be OK. We are were going to see each other soon," her mother repeated on the phone while Beatriz sobbed, unable to utter words.

Two days before the trip Blanco asked Beatriz what she wanted as a gift to take on the trip.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"Can you please buy my mother some underwear?" Beatriz said.

On Oct. 9, Beatriz stood anxiously in the Miami International Airport concourse waiting to board a plane for the first time. It would take her to a country she had never been before to reunite with her mother.

"Even though she is going to a country that is completely foreign, for her home is where her mom is," Beatriz told Blanco.

Children leaving Miami International Airport before being reunited with their parents who were deported back to Guatemala.

When Beatriz arrived in Guatemala, a family friend came to pick her up. Her mother couldn't afford transportation to make the eight-hour trip to the airport from the rural village where she lives.

In Guatemala, school tuition is only free until sixth grade. Beatriz will continue her studies with help from a nonprofit that will sponsor her high school education.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

"All of that speaks to all the barriers that families are facing and how difficult it is to reunite a child who has no fault in this, who is an American citizen and who has all the rights to be here," Blanco said. "But also how quickly we can just devastate their lives."

Blanco added: "She's been stripped away from her childhood."

Antonio and Lissette: Seeing mom, but leaving dad behind

It was still dark outside when Mauricio woke up and dressed his half-asleep son Antonio, 6, and his daughter Lissette, 10, for the last time in the foreseeable future.

That morning, the two children would take a plane to Guatemala, and Mauricio didn't know when he would see them again.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Mauricio carefully split his daughter's long, brown hair in half, took two strands and braid them into a half pony tail before holding them together with a red bow.

Usually, it was Lisettes mother who braided her hair, but ever since she was picked up by immigration agents, her father had taken upon himself to learn how to braid her hair.

Lissette and Antonio were home when the agents arrived looking for their mother. Their aunt hurried the children into a room so they couldn't see as the agents arrested their mother and took her away.

Mauricio found out his wife had been taken when he got home from a long day working in construction.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Where was his wife? How would he take care of the two children? Were they coming to get him next? What would happen to their children then? Mauricio asked himself again and again, without being able to come up with any answers to his questions.

"He was super distraught after they took his wife," Blanco said. "His family stepped in to take care of the kids, because he just couldn't do it on his own."

After talking to his family, Mauricio made the toughest decision of his life: He would send their children back to the country he had fled years before so they could be reunited with their mother. It was the best for them, he said.

Mauricio showed up at the Guatemalan-Mayan Center seeking help to send their children to Guatemala.

Blanco helped arrange for their travel and visited their home to drop off suitcases for the trip. She broke the news to Lissette and Antonio that they would be getting on a plane to see their mom.

Their eyes light up at the words "plane" and "mom," Blanco recalled. Lissette ran to her father and wrapped her arms around him screaming with excitement, but she quickly pulled herself back.

She realized her father would not be joining them in their trip and broke down sobbing in his lap.

At the airport, Mauricio held back tears as he watched his children wander around the concourse.

Maria de la Guardia, a teacher at the Guatemalan-Maya Center, sat them down to go over all the things in their new backpacks: They had notebooks, folders, stickers and new set of colors. She explained they would go through security and board the plane, and that their mother would be at their airport waiting for them.

Mauricio held his children's hands as the group made the line to check them into their flights. Yards away, border patrol agents were escorting three men who were getting deported onto a commercial flight.

As the grouped reached the entrance to TSA, Mauricio got on his knees and hugged his children tightly. Lissette and Antonio both began crying, with their heads buried in their father's chest.

"Dad is just going to pack up a couple of things and see you there. I love you, Mauricio whispered in Spanish.

Lissette kissed Mauricio on the cheek and dried her eyes. She grabbed Antonio with one hand and held her Hello Kitty plushie with her other and began walking next to Beatriz.

Once the children passed through security, Mauricio broke down sobbing. O'Loughlin wrapped his arms around Mauricio and held him in prayer.

Children leaving Miami International Airport before being reunited with their parents who were deported back to Guatemala.

Then Mauricio cried the entire way back to Lake Worth Beach. He couldn't say much other than he knew that it was the best for his children.

Three hours later, Lissette and Antonio arrived in Guatemala and met their mother, who was waiting for them with balloons outside the airport.

Antonio clung to his mother's arms and asked: "Dad said he was coming. Where is he?"

Valentina Palm covers Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Greenacres, Palm Springs and other western communities in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: When parents are deported, what happens to their US-born children?
Chilly temperatures and steady rains didn't deter excited shoppers from waiting in line for the first look at Boscov's, which opened its first Rochester-area store on Oct. 30.

The first day for the new store at the Mall at Greece Ridge was reserved for people who made $5 donations to local nonprofits; in return, they got a free umbrella, which seemed prescient for the day.

The longtime, family-owned chain is headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania. Boscovs prides itself on offering goods in a broad range of categories at competitive prices. Among its unique features is a candy counter and a toy section that's up and running year round. The store also stocks a full range of women's clothing sizes, including robust departments for petite and plus sizes.

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Owner Jim Boscov said the 165,000-square-foot store was built in six months, which was an extraordinarily fast pace for such a project. Most of the store was formerly a two-story Burlington Coat Factory. "We wanted to have a single floor," he said. The new store incorporated some of the footprint of the mall; the second floor is used for offices and stockrooms.

The store has hired 160 staff members, and would like to hire 40 more heading into the holidays. Many staff members from other locations are in Rochester to help with the opening  not only to help get the shop set up but also to communicate the company's service-oriented culture, he said.

The Greece location is the fifth Boscovs in New York state and the 51st overall across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Delaware, Ohio, Rhode Island and West Virginia. Boscov said they chose the Rochester area because it is relatively close to the chain's footprint; many people in the area have experienced a Boscov's in their travels.

That was evident as Boscov made his way through the new store. Many customers stopped him to shake his hand and thank him for bringing the store to the mall.

See inside new Boscov's in Greece

What's next

Oct. 31: Boscovs opens to the public/Family Fun Day

There will be giveaways and snacks.

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Other highlights include:

Live piano music.

An appearance by Snoopy between 3 and 7 p.m.

A hunt for the Great Pumpkin with the Peanuts gang between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Balloon artistry and face painting.

Free Godiva chocolate bars for the first 2,000 customers.

Nov. 1: Boscovs Grand Opening

A ribbon-cutting will be held at 9:30 a.m., the Greece Blue Knights Marching Band will perform, and Snoopy will make another appearance.

Other highlights include:

Photos with Snoopy.

Drawstring backpack giveaways.

Balloon artistry and face painting.

A 2 p.m. performance by a capella group the University of Rochester Yellowjackets.

A 6 p.m. show by Nik Lite from Nik and the Nice Guys.

A 9 p.m. fireworks display that can be viewed from the parking area parallel to Long Pond Road.

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The Democrat and Chronicle will be at the store on Oct. 30, so check back for news and photos.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Boscov's opens at Greece Ridge mall. Take a peek inside
KATHMANDU, October 30: The Malaysian government has fixed criteria for Nepali manpower companies that have been engaged to supply workers from Nepal to various companies in Malaysia.

Sending an official letter to the Government of Nepal (GoN) on Monday, the Malaysian government has said that only those manpower companies that meet the set standards will be permitted to work in the segment. It will significantly contribute to strengthening constructive and ethical labor migration practices between the two nations, reads the letter sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia to the Embassy of Nepal in Kuala Lumpur.

This rationalization will be implemented through an objective and merit-based vetting process administered by the Ministry of Human Resources of Malaysia, in accordance with 10 mandatory criteria, quotes the letter issued by the Malaysian government.

Related story DoFE refuses to file complaints against defrauding manpower com...

The Malaysian authorities have requested the GoN to submit a list of licensed private recruitment agencies that meet the given criteria for review and vetting purposes. The South East nation has also set the deadline of November 15, 2025 for the GoN to provide the information.

In the standard maintained by the Malaysian government, Nepali manpower companies must have a minimum five-year operating licences. Similarly, the company concerned must have a track record of managing at least 3,000 workers in at least three different receiving countries in the past five years.

Likewise, the concerned company must produce good testimonials from at least five employers from the country recruiting the foreign workers. A permanent operating office for at least three years with a minimum area of 10,000 square feet and owner of a full-facilitated training and assessment center with its accommodation, technical training and induction modules, among others are the criteria set for the manpower agencies working for Malaysia bound migrant workers.

Malaysia has been one of the attractive destinations for the Nepali citizens who look for pursuing foreign employment in the country. However, many of them suffer various types of exploitation in reality when migrating to and working in the country.

High recruitment costs and related debt bondage, false terms of employment, and dangerous, dirty and demeaning jobs, are among the factors posing risk to the Malaysia-bound Nepali workers. Similarly, the issues of fake employers acting as outsourcing agents are found treating the workers poorly, leaving them at risk of arrest, extortion and deportation.

According to the records with Nepal Rastra Bank, a total of 5,748 Nepali workers went to Malaysia for employment during mid-July and mid-September of this year. In the fiscal year 2024/25, the country recruited 10,219 Nepalis in jobs, a heavy decline from 81,382 workers in the previous fiscal year.
PARIS, Ky. (FOX 56)  Security camera video from inside the Bourbon County Schools field house caught a very unusual intruder on Wednesday morning: a dog running around the weight room.

When the Bourbon County Sheriffs Office got a call about the intruder, Maj. Brent Wilson said deputies didnt need to do a deep investigation into who the culprit was.

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We were pretty familiar with the dog, so we had a feeling we knew exactly which dog it was going to be. When we got there, sure enough, it was, Wilson said.

Deputies are calling the stray the most elusive dog in Bourbon County history, and its easy to see why.

Truthfully, the dog has been on the run now for probably three to four months or maybe longer, Wilson said. Weve had over 21 calls for this dog.

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Over the past few months, Wilson said they got close to capturing the quick canine, even using a McDonalds cheeseburger to lure her in. But she always managed to run away or escape from the trap, even with an injured back leg.

Weve had multiple calls saying she was injured, but she was still fast and very hard to catch, Wilson said. I dont know if she knows the uniform or if she knows the cruiser, but as soon as we would get there, she was on the run quickly.

Now, her days on the run are over. Shes being cared for at the Paris Animal Welfare Society, or PAWS, where shes receiving treatment for her leg and waiting to be adopted by the right person.

Its a good thing that we got her, thats the most important thing, Wilson said. Its that we can get her somewhere where shes safe, shes warm, she gets treated, and shes got food, hopefully find her new forever home. Thats the goal.

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After months on the run, the case of Bourbon Countys four-legged fugitive is officially closed, and the only thing in custody is a very good girl.

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DENTON COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL)  A Montague County man arrested during a two-day prostitution sting in Denton County has pleaded guilty to a lesser offense.

Anthony Charles Elliott, 45, of Bowie, was arrested and booked into the Denton County Jail on Aug. 14, 2024, on charges of soliciting prostitution from a person under 18 years old and unlawful carrying of a weapon. He was released on bond the following day.

On June 27, 2025, Elliott pleaded guilty to the lesser-included Class A misdemeanor charge of attempted solicitation of prostitution in the 462nd Judicial District Court in Denton, with Judge Lee Ann Breading presiding.

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Elliott was sentenced to two days in the Denton County Jail, with two days of jail credit.

Elliott was among 18 arrests stemming from a Prostitution Demand Suppression Operation conducted by the Denton County Sheriffs Office on Aug. 14 and 15, 2024, according to a press release from Tracy Murphree, Denton County Sheriff.

Including Elliott, six individuals have since pleaded guilty or reached a plea agreement related to charges that stemmed from the operation:

Christopher Cueno Mowinski, of Frisco , pleaded guilty on June 26, 2025, to Solicitation of Prostitution and was given a deferred sentence of 5 years of community supervision, including 160 hours of community service

Luis Funez-Hernandez, of Corinth , pleaded guilty on April 22, 2025, to Solicitation of Prostitution and was sentenced to 90 days in the Denton County Jail, set to run concurrent with a prior sentence

Aaron Kelsoe, of Denton , pleaded guilty on July 24, 2025, to the lesser-included misdemeanor offense of Attempted Solicitation and was given a deferred sentence of 2 years of community supervision, including 80 hours of community service

Fernando Moreno-Castro, of Valley View , pleaded guilty on April 17, 2025, to the lesser-included misdemeanor offense of Attempted Solicitation and was given a deferred sentence of 2 years of community supervision, including 80 hours of community service

Robert Urban, of Denton, pleaded guilty on Sept. 19, 2025, to Solicitation of Prostitution and was given a deferred sentence of 3 years of community supervision, including 160 hours of community service

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Two individuals who were arrested as a result of the operation, Amit Kumar, of Little Elm, and Jeffery Ware, of Haslet, have since had charges of Solicitation of Prostitution that were pending against them dismissed.

As of the publication of this story, charges remain pending against five of the individuals arrested in the operation:

Monish Galla, of Denton  Solicitation of Prostitution

Nikhil Kummari, of Denton  Evading Arrest

Juan Rubio-Vargas, of Bridgeport  Solicitation of Prostitution

Nabin Shrestha, of Denton  Solicitation of Prostitution

Paris Williams, of Denton  Solicitation of Prostitution

Of the 18 people arrested as part of the Prostitution Demand Suppression Operation, five individuals no longer appear in the Denton County Courts record system.

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Bakersfield police Detective Marc Lugo was arraigned Thursday on federal charges alleging sexual exploitation of a minor and receipt and distribution of child pornography. He could get decades in prison if convicted.

Lugo, wearing a striped dress shirt and black pants, long black hair pulled back, surrendered himself and was brought into the federal courthouse in Bakersfield for the 2:30 p.m. arraignment. Two U.S. Marshals stood near him.

Defense attorney David A. Torres entered not guilty pleas on Lugos behalf. A detention hearing was set for next week. In the meantime, hell remain in custody.

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Its unclear where hes being held.

Lugo remains on paid administrative leave, a police spokesperson said Thursday.

Sheriffs detectives arrested Lugo on May 5 after learning an Instagram account linked to him had engaged in illicit communications with a 15-year-old girl from South Carolina, according to sheriffs officials.

The investigation revealed Lugo had encouraged the girl to send explicit material, officials said.

Charges werent immediately filed, and he was released.

The sexual exploitation charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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HOLYOKE  Holyoke is bracing for ripple effects from the ongoing federal shutdown, prepping to help residents with food, heat and other basic but essential needs, Mayor Joshua A. Garcia said Wednesday.

As SNAP benefits change or end for many residents because of new must-work policies and a cut in federal aid, the mayor also announced a new city food initiative, to help boost the supply for those who otherwise would go hungry. SNAP is the program that replaced food stamps.

Holyoke happens to be the No. 2 largest SNAP recipient in the state, with 43.3% of its residents receiving the monthly food aid.

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The average household in Holyoke makes less than $27,000 a year, the mayor said. He asked residents to think about what that means for these Pioneer Valley families. Some families have little-to-no heating fuel, Garcia said; it should be treated as a state emergency, he said.

He warned residents not to use unsafe heaters indoors, and asked them to check their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. He also encouraged people to contact the Valley Opportunity Council for help.

Federal workers who missed paychecks might qualify for unemployment or emergency aid. Garcia said they should call the mayors office for help.

The mayor spoke at a morning press conference at the citys Office for Community Development to address these shutdown-related needs, as well as the financial state of the city, which recently drew the scrutiny of the commonwealth.

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Election Day is Tuesday; the mayor is unopposed, but some City Council seats are up for grabs in a taut political atmosphere.

Helping families, seniors

Garcia announced the new initiative that he called No 1 Hungry. It will be posted on the citys website and include information about food pantries and community meals.

Alicia Zoeller, the director of the Office for Community Development, is helping to lead Holyokes response efforts. Zoeller said the city is working to remedy what she called a growing food crisis.

A survey for food providers is now available on the mayors webpage. The city wants to create a full list of places offering free meals.

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Zoeller said even small groups  like churches that serve lunch once a month  should respond. The city might also buy food in bulk to help providers lower costs.

Everything is expensive these days, Zoeller said. Theres no shame in reaching out. These programs are funded by taxpayers  including the people who need them.

Food drive, school meals

Tim Rivers, director of Holyokes Health Department, announced a citywide food drive that will run through Dec. 31. Donation boxes will be placed at city offices, fire and police stations, and polling places. People who donate can enter a prize drawing every two weeks.

The Holyoke school district serves about 3,500 breakfasts and lunches each day. Superintendent Anthony Soto said the district is ready to expand those programs.

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Our teachers and staff are working hard to support students, Soto said. When kids need help, we connect them with the right resources.

The district also runs a backpack program that sends ready-to-eat meals home with about 300 students each week. That number might grow if the shutdown continues.

Supporting veterans, seniors

Holyoke will continue assisting veterans during the shutdown. Services funded through a Community Development Block Grant will stay operational, including help with health and finances.

The city also is making sure older adults have access to food. The Senior Center and Council on Aging offer weekday meals and monthly grocery deliveries. Zoeller said the city is working to expand food delivery for homebound seniors.

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Theres no reason older residents should go without, she said.

Emergency fund and a call for political unity

City Treasurer Rory Casey said Holyoke is planning an emergency fund to help during future crises. The city hopes to start with $100,000 and grow the fund to $1 million, using interest and donations.

We want to show people that their local government cares, Casey said.

A set of resolutions to establish the fund will be presented to the full City Council during its next few meetings, Casey said.

Garcia acknowledged Holyokes financial missteps, past disagreements with the City Council, and the failure of a $1 million public safety plan. He said he and emergency response teams wont propose anything unrealistic.

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There are opportunities, Garcia said. It just depends on the appetite of the City Council.

He said hes willing to meet with councilors one-on-one to explain the pros and cons of his proposals. But once public meetings begin, he said, the outcome is in their hands.

He added that government is meant to solve problems and help people. We have neighbors in need, he said.

more news from Western Massachusetts

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A Bradford County deputy has been arrested and charged with theft after the sheriff said he confessed to stealing $550 from a jail inmates account.

Detectives with the Bradford County Sheriffs Office received information about a theft from an inmate account on Wednesday, a sheriffs office news release states.

Deputy Francis Highland was interviewed by detectives and, after waiving his Miranda rights, he confessed to taking the funds from the account, the news release states.

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Highland is facing two felony counts of fraudulently obtaining under $20K and one misdemeanor count of petit theft, the news release states. He was immediately fired, and his corrections certification will be sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for review and possible revocation.

To say I am disappointed is an understatement, Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith stated in the news release. The Bradford County Sheriffs Office strives to be professional and beyond reproach.

Highland was booked into the Bradford County jail and remains in a facility pending his first appearance.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  As part of the Nov. 4 election, Wall voters will be tasked with deciding whether to approve a proposition from Wall ISD to adjust its ad valorem tax rate. Concho Valley Homepage spoke with the districts superintendent to learn more about what the proposition means for the community.

What would the VATRE do?

The proposition, as seen on a sample ballot provided by the Tom Green County Election Office, reads as such:

Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $0.7703 per $100 valuation in Wall Independent School District for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 12 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the District for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional $848,421. Sample ballot text

Wall ISD Superintendent Russell Dacy stated that, although the ballot discusses the adjustment as a tax rate increase, the changes being made would actually result in a 4-cent decrease in the overall school tax rate. This is because, although the M&O rate would be increased by 8 cents, the I&S rate would be reduced by 12 cents.

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Dacy said the tax rate adjustment would also allow the school to capitalize on golden pennies and copper pennies  described by the district as special funding mechanisms that maximize the amount of state matching funds that a district receives per penny of tax effort  that had been left on the table with its current budget.

VATRE is a one-time opportunity for our taxpayers to allow us to increase our maintenance and operations tax rate and, by doing so, were going to generate approximately $800,000 locally each year and about $600,000 from the state each and every year, Dacy said.

A table in informational documentation regarding the VATRE provided by Dacy states that the tax rates would be affected in the following manner:

Category Last Year 2025-2026 (VATRE Approval) Change M&O Rate 0.6886 0.7703 Increase I&S Rate 0.2626 0.1390 Decrease Total Tax Rate 0.9512 0.9093 4-Cent Decrease

Why a VATRE now?

Dacy said the VATRE comes after rulings from legislators limited how high a school district can set its I&S rate to only be at the level needed to make debt payments. Wall ISD had its I&S rate set higher to pay off its bond debts more quickly.

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We were trying to pay down our bond debt faster, so we held our I&S rate at 26 cents, Dacy said. Well, the legislators have come out and said you can no longer do that, you can only raise enough money for what you need to make your bond payment.

Regardless of whether the VATRE is passed, Wall ISDs School Board has already approved the 13-cent I&S rate. However, the I&S rate change provided the district with a unique opportunity to pursue additional state matching funding while lowering the total tax rate.

We didnt want to increase the overall tax rate on our taxpayers, but by being able to bring down on the I&S side, were able to go after the golden pennies on the M&O side, Dacy said.

Where would the extra revenue go if the VATRE is approved?

Should the VATRE be approved, Dacy stated that the additional revenue would be put toward three primary causes: Making teacher and staff pay more competitive, further supporting existing school programs and renovating or rebuilding the districts decades-old Agricultural Science Center.

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Its just a great opportunity to bring in this additional funding, help level the playing field a little bit with our Region 15 schools while not overall burdening our taxpayers, actually decreasing their overall rate from what they paid last year, Dacy said.

Work toward producing results for these causes would pick up once discussions regarding Wall ISDs 2026-2027 budget begin, according to Dacy.

I would say most of these things, were going to see an impact of some kind for sure within the next budget cycle, Dacy said.

For more information on Wall ISDs VATRE, visit the districts webpage regarding the election. For more information about local elections, visit Concho Valley Homepages Your Local Election HQ webpage.

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This weekend marks that time of year when we all fall back, gain an hour of sleep and, for some, lose their sanity.

Daylight saving time has been messing with Americas clocks for more than a century. It began during World War I. The idea was to save coal and boost productivity. Congress passed it, then scrapped it, then brought it back during World War II.

Farmers fought daylight saving time when it first arrived in 1918, because it messed with their milking schedules. And that same year, Chicago was one of the first major cities to embrace the time shift, eager to keep factory hours in sync with East Coast business.

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Daylight saving time ends soon: What happened to locking the clocks?

But have you ever wondered why we still do it? And how Chicago, helped set the clock for the rest of the country?

WGNs Erin McElroy rewinds to find out how all this started and whether it is finally *time* to stop.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Britain has been urged to suspend arms sales to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after UK military equipment was found in the hands of the Sudanese militia alleged to be carrying out genocide in Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a rebel army backed by the Gulf nation, has massacred at least 2,000 civilians in the city of El Fasher, with pools of blood and bodies visible in satellite imagery.

British small-arms targeting systems and engines for military vehicles have been sent to the RSF by the UAE, according to reports by Sudans army that were recently handed to the United Nations Security Council.

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Babikir Elamin, Sudans ambassador to the UK, told The Telegraph that UAE support was the single most important element in prolonging and enabling this genocide.

He urged the international community to apply pressure on the UAE to end its arms supplies to the RSF, which grew out of the Janjaweed militia that carried out a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing against non-Arab citizens in Darfur 20 years ago.

Citing the report handed to the UN, he said Britain must investigate the reports that its military products were being used by the RSF in its fresh campaign of heinous atrocities.

In Parliament on Tuesday, Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, was asked whether Britain would suspend arms sales to the UAE until it is proven that the UAE is not arming the RSF.

The paramilitary fighters on the streets of El Fasher - Rapid Support Forces/AFP via Getty Images

Ms Cooper did not directly answer the question, instead saying Britain had extremely strong controls on arms exports and will continue to take that immensely seriously.

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Monica Harding MP, Liberal Democrat spokesman for international development, said: The civil war in Sudan is the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world. Millions are on the brink of starvation and experiencing unimaginable suffering.

The possibility that British military equipment is contributing to the horrors occurring there, and aiding the carnage caused by the RSF, is horrific. The UK must cease all arms sales to the UAE immediately until we can confirm, without a doubt, that no British weapons are going via the UAE to the RSF.

Videos from El Fasher showed point-blank executions of civilians, including men told to run away before being shot in the back.

One clip from inside the Saudi Maternity Hospital showed RSF fighters shooting a wounded man surrounded by blood-stained corpses. The World Health Organisation cited reports that as many as 460 patients and staff were murdered on the premises.

The city of El Fasher fell following an 18-month siege - Rapid Support Forces/AFP via Getty Images

The RSF besieged El Fasher for 18 months before its fighters stormed the city at the weekend, leading to accusations that the international community had failed to prevent another Srebrenica.

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Between 2019 and the present day, Britain has exported more than 1bn worth of arms to the UAE on standard export licences, according to government data.

The UAE has supplied sophisticated Chinese drones, heavy artillery, small arms, mortars and armoured personnel carriers to the RSF, according to US intelligence reports.

The Gulf nation, which denies providing any weaponry to the Sudanese rebels, is attempting to establish a foothold in a country with access to valuable Red Sea coastline, farming lands and reserves of gold, The Telegraph was told.

Sudans government has provided the UN Security Council with two dossiers of material, dated June 2024 and March this year, which include imagery of British military equipment found in evacuated rebel strongholds.

Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, says Britain has strong controls on arms exports - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images

The material, first reported by The Guardian, includes small-arms targeting devices manufactured by Militec, a defence manufacturer based in South Wales. It also shows pictures of British-made engines used in the UAEs Nimr Ajban armoured personnel carriers, reportedly recovered from RSF positions.

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A Foreign Office spokesman said: The UK has one of the most robust and transparent export control regimes in the world. All export licences are assessed for the risk of diversion to an undesirable end user. We expect all countries to comply with their obligations under existing sanctions regimes.

Anneliese Dodds, the Labour MP and former chairman of the party, said any evidence that the [arms control regime] hasnt been held to has to be investigated thoroughly.

In the past, the government has refused export licences to the UAE. Britain is legally bound not to sell licensed military equipment where there is a clear risk of it being diverted to bad actors.

But the government has issued 132 standard export licences to the UAE since the start of Sudans civil war in 2023, worth a total of 249m. The material includes 66m of general military electronic equipment, and 29.5m in radar and targeting equipment.

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In September last year, it also issued an open licence for the kind of targeting-training goods previously supplied by Militec. The company was approached for comment.

The government has been pretty irresponsible in failing to take a more careful look at what its been exporting to the UAE, given the UAEs known record of diversion, said Sam Perlo-Freeman, a research co-ordinator at the Campaign Against Arms Trade.

Its very hard to say what might have been used in support of UAE operation in Sudan and their support for the RSF, but... UK has been very, very free in issuing export licences to the UAE, in spite of the UAE role in the genocide.

Once issued, the exports are not monitored by the government to assess the risk of diversion, added Mr Perlo-Freeman.

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Mike Lewis, a former member of the UN panel of experts on Sudan, said: Ministers cant simply rely on the force of the adjective robust [export controls] when it is clear that UK arms are ending up somewhere they shouldnt be.

In December last year, Sir Keir Starmer visited the UAE as part of the Governments efforts to drum up investment and boost the economy. Labour ministers face accusations that they are unwilling to specifically call out the UAEs role in the conflict that has caused the worlds biggest humanitarian catastrophe.

Risk of becoming refugees

In response to the parliamentary question about UK arms supplies to the UAE, Ms Cooper called on all countries with influence in the region to push the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces to ensure the protection of civilians.

On Tuesday, the US Senate committee on foreign relations  the body charged with leading policy on international relations  called for the RSF to be designated a terrorist organisation. Democrats have submitted a bill that would suspend arms sales to the UAE until it stops supporting the RSF.

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A UAE official told The Telegraph the country has consistently supported regional and international efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire.

We categorically reject any claims of providing any form of support to either warring party since the onset of the civil war, and condemn atrocities committed by both Port Sudan Authority and RSF.

Mr Elamin, the Sudanese ambassador, said Britain had a national interest in blocking the flow of arms.

The genocide would push people to flee, he said, and many would end up in Britain.

What the RSF is doing is depopulating Darfur, so they can bring in new settlers from what they call Arab communities, he added. That means the natives of Darfur, who run into the millions, will be displaced, either internally or becoming refugees.

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Asked whether he thought Britains efforts to secure UAE investment were hampering its diplomatic response to the crisis in Darfur, Mr Elamin replied: I hope it is not the case.

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The Scoop

The man at the heart of a high-stakes mix-up that rippled through global political journalism in the final days of the New York mayoral campaign was neither falsely claiming to be former Mayor Bill de Blasio  as the Times of London suggested  nor, as The New York Times wrote, a de Blasio impersonator.

He is, instead, a 59-year-old Long Island wine importer named Bill DeBlasio, who merely responded to an email from a journalist seeking his views on Democrat Zohran Mamdanis policies.

Im Bill DeBlasio. Ive always been Bill DeBlasio, DeBlasio said in an interview conducted Wednesday evening through his Ring doorbell in Huntington Station, Long Island, from his current location in Florida.

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I never once said I was the mayor. He never addressed me as the mayor, DeBlasio told Semafor. So I just gave him my opinion.

The episode began earlier this week when a reporter for the quality British newspaper, Bevan Hurley, sent a polite email to an email address containing the full name belonging both to the wine seller and the two-term New York mayor, who spells de with a lowercase d and inserts a space between the two parts of his surname. (In DeBlasios view, low-class Italians use a little d.)

The Times reporter, Hurley, was researching an article looking at Zohran Mamdanis policy plans and their estimated costs, he wrote. I would greatly appreciate your insights on Mr Mandanis ambitious agenda, potential obstacles, and whether the sums add up.

DeBlasio understood the situation. I could have corrected him, he said. Instead, he played along. He used ChatGPT to compose a response criticizing Mamdanis tax plans, in particular, as unlikely to raise the requisite revenue.

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It was all in good fun. I never thought it would make it to print, DeBlasio said. He assumed the reporter would have all his people check it out.

Know More

The Times deleted the article from its website, and issued a statement claiming that our reporter had been misled by an individual falsely claiming to be the former New York mayor.

DeBlasio was particularly annoyed at the idea that, by operating under his own name, he could labeled an imposter or, as The New York Times put it, a de Blasio impersonator.

And indeed, he was tired of getting the former mayors email  which had amounted to a decade of brutal, vicious hate mail.

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DeBlasio said he met de Blasio once, at a 2016 New York Mets play-off game. He said he was asked by security guards, who couldnt believe the coincidence, Hey, do you want to meet the real Bill de Blasio?

How bad is it having the same last name as me? DeBlasio recalls the mayor asking him.

He responded: Dude, youre killing me.

DeBlasio said he thought the journalism that swept him into a story and brought Semafor to his Long Island doorstep was lazy, but in the end, the reporter had quoted him accurately. Hes not sure Mamdani will be able to pull off his ambitious agenda.

To be honest, I dont think its feasible, unless youre gonna be in office for 10 years, he said.
King Charles III stripped his brother Andrew of the title Prince on Thursday, the strongest discipline to date against the disgraced royal for his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The king also ordered his brother evicted from his royal quarters in a striking set of punishments weeks after Andrew had given up his other noble titles.

Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, Buckingham Palace said in a statement, adding that he will surrender his lease on Royal Lodge and move to a private accommodation.

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Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse, the palace said.

It was previously reported that Andrew, son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, would remain a prince and only lose titles given to him when he was older, including those of Duke of York and Earl of Inverness, among others. But the palaces decision Thursday to remove all Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew marks a definitive moment in the royals public downfall.

Andrew, younger brother to Charles, has been unable to separate himself from the scandal over his friendship with Epstein, the American financier who ran a sex-trafficking ring.

One of Epsteins victims, the late Virginia Giuffre, sued Andrew in 2021, claiming she was forced to have sex with him. The case was settled in 2022 with no admission of wrongdoing.

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Relatives of Giuffre, who died by suicide earlier this year, issued a statement this month calling Andrews renunciation of his titles vindication for our sister and survivors everywhere, and further calling on the king to remove his brothers title of prince.

Andrew continues to deny the allegations against him, which the palace acknowledged in its statement. In an infamous BBC Newsnight interview, he claimed he was at a PizzaExpress in Woking with his daughter, Princess Beatrice, at the time of the alleged assault.

Beatrice and her sister, Eugenie, will retain their titles.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
A Brockton man pleaded guilty to child rape charges and was sentenced to State Prison on Monday in Fall River Superior Court.

Erickson Barbosa, 32, will serve seven years in state prison, followed by five years of probation.

In February 2020, the victim was approached by Barbosa in a Taunton park, where he asked for her Snapchat information. They began communicating through the app, leading to their first meeting on or about April 4, 2020.

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During their encounters, Barbosa picked up the victim early in the morning, provided her with marijuana, and raped her in his vehicle. Despite the victims claims of non-consent and physical struggle, Barbosa continued to communicate with her via Snapchat.

Screenshots of their conversations and recorded calls from Barbosa while in custody corroborated the victims statements. Barbosa fled Massachusetts in October 2024 but was apprehended by US Marshals in Florida and extradited back to face charges.

Barbosa is a citizen of Cape Verde and faces deportation after serving his sentence.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11)  In the Bronx, many seniors from the Glebe Avenue houses say they feel they have nowhere to go.

Their NYCHA community center has been closed for nearly a year, despite promises of renovations.

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Activities like bingo, dance class, and daily lunch have stopped. Tenant leaders say they have no timeline and no answers.

A NYCHA spokesperson told PIX11 News, Glebe Avenue-Westchester Avenue is part of the PACT program, which will invest millions of dollars of much-needed funding into the property. NYCHA and the PACT partner are working closely with residents, including a group of resident leaders, to understand their top priorities and map out a plan for comprehensive renovations to the development, including the center.

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A spokesperson from the YMCA of Greater New York told PIX11 News, The YMCA partners with NYCHA and DFTA to provide programming for older adults at the Glebe Senior Center. Due to facility maintenance issues, the Center is now closed. The YMCA is hopeful that NYCHA and DFTA will be able to make the necessary repairs to the facility to enable it to reopen soon. In the meantime, the Castle Hill YMCA is hosting the Glebe Senior Centers programs  including arts, fitness, nutrition, and technology education  at Soundview Presbyterian Church until the Center reopens. For additional information on this matter, we encourage you to contact NYCHA or DFTA.

If you have a story, reach out to Monica Morales at monica@pix11.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 PIX11.
Broward voters could be asked in the 2026 election if they want to change the name of the county to Lauderdale County.

The idea is being advocated on two fronts, by a Republican state legislator and a Democratic county commissioner, both of whom want to ditch the name the county has used for 110 years.

Their efforts, they said separately, are motivated by a desire for the county to have what they believe would be a more marketable name than the current one.

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Broward needs a better brand, said state Rep. Chip LaMarca, a former county commissioner and the Republican advocate of the idea. The Democratic champion of the idea is County Commissioner Michael Udine.

Were stuck in the middle of the Palm Beaches and Miami-Dade County. Both benefit off their brand, LaMarca said in an interview. Broward County is in an optimal place between those two counties to bring more business here. Its a business issue, a branding issue.

Udine said Palm Beach County has an advantage that Broward doesnt: People know where it is.

Im hearing this over and over again, Udine recently told his colleagues. The business community, the economic development community, the transportation community, the tourism community all keep bringing up the concept of changing the countys name from Broward to Lauderdale.

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LaMarca is introducing a measure in Tallahassee for consideration in the 2026 legislative season. It would call for a referendum next year asking voters if they want to change the countys name. At the county level, Udine said he would come back to his commission colleagues in coming weeks with a proposal.

Others think its a bad idea.

I think its totally wrong to change the name of this county, said County Commissioner Nan Rich. I hope it goes nowhere. I see no reason for it. Were fine as Broward County.

Rich doesnt buy the argument that a new name would be a boon to tourism or other economic development. I dont see it making any difference whatsoever, she said. No one is stopping coming to Broward County because its not Lauderdale County. Every single indicator is that we are growing.

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Rich, a former Democratic leader of the Florida Senate, said the idea makes her think of President Donald Trumps remaking of the White House. We are getting rid of our history, like when they tore down the East Wing, she said.

Worth it?

James Ross, CEO of Broward-based James Ross Advertising, said he doesnt see a return for what it would cost to make such a change.

I dont understand how they could say one (name) is better than the other without actual data. Not just what people tell them, but real data, he said.

Ross said rebranding is expensive. You can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on rebrands. And depending on how deep it is, think of how many areas it says Broward County. What are you going to do, are you going to replace everything? It just costs so much money, he said.

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Ross has owned two marketing and advertising agencies during the past 30 years, and specializes in branding, messaging and bringing products to market for companies around the world, and is a board member of publicly-held companies.

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In the case of the county name, he said the money would be better spent elsewhere. Why even go there? Theres so many other things to spend money on in this county. Put the money where the moneys needed, he said.

LaMarca said he didnt think there would be much cost to the change. Some signs will have to change, he said, adding that the economic impact of a brand like this I believe would bring in far more than any cost to make name changes.

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The economic impact statement LaMarcas office filed along with the legislation listed the cost as undetermined, adding that there is a two-year transition period for the county and no new cost put on the county to replace common items. However, the understanding is they will need to replace signage and other items, and they can do that over time.

Under the category of new revenues that would not exist but for the passage of the bill, it estimates a revenue increase from the name change of $200 million in the first fiscal year and $216 million in the second fiscal year. It didnt detail the data used for the forecast, but said the estimated revenue increase is a very conservative forecast of less than 1% of the total employment revenue for the county.

Raised before

LaMarca has long advocated for changing the countys name.

He said he first raised the subject in 2011, his first full year as a county commissioner. LaMarca leaves the state House of Representatives after the 2026 elections because of term limits. Given that it will be his last legislative session next year, LaMarca said he wanted to try to give voters a chance to decide on the question.

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LaMarca filed the proposals as a local bill with the Broward Legislative Delegation on Oct. 17.

On Oct. 21, Udine said he would in coming weeks propose to his colleagues a referendum to change the countys name from Broward to Lauderdale. He told the other commissioners that he was alerting them so the idea could kind of percolate a little bit.

Udine also began posting about the idea on social media where responses have been mixed, with opponents outnumbering supporters.

Historic name

The county was founded in 1915, combining parts of Palm Beach and Dade counties. (Dade County became Miami-Dade County in 1997 after voters approved the switch, a change similar to what LaMarca and Udine are seeking.)

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Broward County was named after Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, who served as the states 19th governor in the early part of the 20th Century.

Jeff Atwater, a former Florida Senate president whose district included part of Broward County and was twice elected state chief financial officers, said in a telephone interview he was a little bit caught off guard by the calls for a name change.

Atwater is a great-grandson of Governor Broward. To be honest, Id be saddened, he said. I think it would be kind of disappointing to let go of that bit of history. I would be saying this if you were asking me about Levy County or Hamilton County or or any of the others. 

Understanding all of these names is the tapestry that is knitted together that created the state that we are today, Atwater said. Extracting one  begins to pull at the threads of the tapestry.

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Atwater is also skeptical of the purported benefits of brand awareness. Were not talking about a county in the midst of the Sahara desert. Were talking about a county in the midst of an extraordinarily broad and vibrant economic engine in South Florida and to imagine today that people today cant find it  I would find somewhat surprising.

Five communities have Lauderdale or a derivation in their names: Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes, North Lauderdale and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. (In 1838, during the Second Seminole War, Maj. William Lauderdale, leading the Tennessee Volunteers, arrived at the New River in South Florida, where he established a fort.)

Udine cited the use of Lauderdale in some city names as a plus for the renaming.

Atwater, however, cited it as a reason the idea might not advance. There are 26 other cities, towns and villages in the county. I would frankly be surprised if those communities, those cities, those municipalities rolled over for the naming of the county with a name so closely associated with one major city, he said.

Problematic history

Neither LaMarca nor Udine cited the controversial history of the countys namesake in their desire to change the name.

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Broward has long been known, and criticized, for the draining of parts of the Everglades to create land for agriculture and development. He also was a champion of a centralized state university system, fought for strict child-labor laws, had previously been a sheriff of Duval County, cleaning up after a corrupt predecessor, and helped run munitions to people who fought to free Cuba from Spain.

But about a decade ago, new information came to light after a researcher discovered text of a speech Broward delivered to the Legislature in 1907 that revealed segregationist views and his call for creation of a separate country for Black people.

Atwater said descendants of Broward had no idea about those views. I think all of our family was both surprised and disappointed that comments were made, adding that the family would not say that he might be or have been a man or of that era, of that time. Theres no excuse for that kind of divisiveness.

He said he hoped that Browards life and work are taken in the context of the whole and that his contributions do speak well in history, and  I think the balance of those contributions to be of great value to the state of Florida.

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In 2017, the TJ Reddick Bar Association, an organization of Black lawyers, called for removal of Browards statue from the county Courthouse. The part of the county government run by the County Commission removed the statue and placed it in storage. A county spokesperson said this week it remains in a Deerfield Beach warehouse.

When youre at a courthouse, its an epicenter of fairness, justice and equality for all, and its supposed to represent due process for all, Harold Pryor, president of the TJ Reddick Bar Association said at the time, adding that he had no plans to advocate for changing the countys name.

Pryor was elected Broward state attorney in 2020. He declined through a spokesperson to say if he supports placing a name change referendum on the ballot and if he supports changing the countys name. I maintain my personal position on this, but I believe it should be up to the citizens of this county to decide.

Other factors

Outside Broward, and especially to the Republicans who control state government, the name has negative connotations because its the last, biggest bastion of Democrats in the state. Gov. Ron DeSantis often uses Broward as an example of things he doesnt like.

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LaMarca, who is one of two Republicans in Tallahassee with parts of Broward in their districts, said some in the county already feel as if they have to downplay the name.

In many ways Broward County and leadership in Broward County, has run away from that name.

And some branding already emphasizes Lauderdale, rather than Broward. LaMarca pointed to the name of the county-owned Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. (He said hed like to see the county-owned seaport, a major embarkation point for cruises, change its name from Port Everglades to Port Lauderdale. Its not in the Everglades, he said.)

The countys tourism marketing agency uses the brand name Visit Lauderdale to promote the county.

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Peter Ricci, a Broward resident and director of the hospitality and tourism management program at Florida Atlantic University, said he would like to see a name similar to Miami-Dade County if a change is to be made.

He said his personal view is that he would like to see something similar to Miami-Dade County. If were going to change the name, we should call it Fort Lauderdale-Broward County to emulate what Miami-Dade has done, Ricci said. At least Palm Beach did it correctly originally and named it after their anchor city.

This report includes information from South Florida Sun Sentinel archives.

Political writer Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com and can be found @browardpolitics on Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and Mastodon.
Allegations of bullying, sexism and inappropriate behaviour among civil servants working in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have doubled since Covid.

A total of 334 civil servants at the department faced misconduct investigations between 2024 and this year, compared with 151 five years ago.

It comes as the Government attempts to stamp out sexism, bullying and discrimination within the MoD, with defence sources insisting they were taking the issue extremely seriously.

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The number of cases has steadily been on the rise since 2020, figures revealed by Louise Sandher-Jones, the veterans minister, show.

Between 2022 and 2023, 209 misconduct cases were looked at. However, the next year saw a sharp rise in cases, with 304 civil servants investigated  a 45 per cent increase. The figures do not include misconduct cases against military personnel.

Tan Dhesi, the Commons defence committee chairman, says the Government needs to root out unacceptable behaviours - House of Commons/PA

Tan Dhesi, the chairman of the Commons defence committee, who raised the question, said more action was needed to stamp out bullying within the MoD.

While it is difficult to interpret the figures themselves without extra context from the Ministry of Defence, one point should be made absolutely clear  bullying, harassment and discrimination have absolutely no place in the Ministry of Defence, he said.

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The Government should take every opportunity to root out unacceptable behaviours.

Concerns over bullying have previously been raised by around 60 female senior civil servants, who wrote to David Williams, the permanent secretary, complaining of a hostile and toxic culture.

In the letter, the female staff alleged they had been propositioned, groped and touched repeatedly by male colleagues.

The Ministry of Defence has created a Raising Our Standards programme to tackle toxic and unacceptable behaviours in the workplace - Sergio Mendoza Hochmann

The allegation came at the same time the MoD was forced to shell out around 1.75m to settle bullying claims, an annual report last year revealed.

From 2022 to 2023, the first year in which such payouts were recorded, about 2.54m was paid out over similar claims. Data for the most recent claims has not yet been released.

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The MoD has created a Raising Our Standards programme to tackle toxic and unacceptable behaviours in the workplace.

A spokesman for the MoD said: There is no place for bullying, harassment, discrimination or abuse within defence, and these figures relate to civilian staff.

We actively encourage any personnel who believe they have experienced or witnessed unacceptable behaviour to report it. All allegations of unacceptable behaviour are taken extremely seriously and are thoroughly investigated.

If proven, swift action will be taken.

Earlier this year, a series of failures by the British Army were found to have contributed to the death of Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, who was found hanged in her barracks in 2021 after being sexually assaulted by an older married officer.

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She had filed a complaint against Michael Webber, who held the post of Battery Sergeant Major when she said he pinned her down and tried to kiss her at a work social event.

Webber pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a teenage female soldier. He is due to be sentenced on Friday.

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.
Oct. 29Over a dozen people spoke before the vote Monday finalizing stricter enforcement of camping in Spokane. Nearly all were in favor of the change.

Representatives from the Downtown Spokane Partnership, Greater Spokane Incorporated, Catholic Charities and Spokane Business Association all praised the proposal.

Jonathan Mallahan spoke on behalf of the local Catholic Charities organization. He said that it is a foundational belief for the charity that housing is a human right, and that individual freedoms should be balanced by the common good.

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The ordinance does well to prioritize offering services to homeless people rather than punishment, he said, while "preserving the discretion needed to address behaviors that undermine a healthy, welcoming community."

"That means we must care for those in greatest need, while also ensuring our shared spaces remain safe and thriving for all who work, live and visit Spokane," Mallahan said. "We believe this is the kind of compassionate realism Spokane needs."

The ordinance, dubbed "Prop One Plus" by Councilman Michael Cathcart, broadens the abilities of city police in addressing homelessness, granting officers discretion whether to make an arrest, issue a ticket, offer services or some combination thereof.

The tough-love perspective was shared by local small business owner Taryn Coleman, who said that she herself was once deep in the throes of addiction.

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"I spent nearly a decade behind bars, and while I will never pretend that incarceration is the ideal solution, I will never dispute that it saved my life," she said. "When people refuse outreach, when they refuse shelter, when they refuse treatment, jail can sometimes be the last door that's still open. And sometimes that doorway is just enough space and time for someone to choose life."

Owner of First Avenue Coffee Doyle Wheeler said that he strongly supports the policy change as a way to make downtown Spokane safer and instill a sense of community in people.

"I believe a safe downtown will inherently grow community," he said. "It's not about growing business, It's not about growing wealth  It's about growing safety and smiles and family being together."

Earlier in the day, Brianne Holzendorf, 47, sat alone on the Monroe Street Bridge.

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She was cold and hungry under her sleeping bag, collecting bits of hail as she recalled the last four months spent homeless after a fire destroyed her home.

"There's nowhere to be. There's nowhere to go," Holzendorf said, tears welling in her eyes. "I mean, you're always asked to move along, no matter where it is, and nobody's happy to see you. It just sucks."

Amy Melson, 44, stood on a corner outside Mod Pizza with her 4-year-old pitbull mix, Gabriel Lunchbox Martin, and a shopping cart full of everything she had in Spokane. She said she has been trying to raise funds to make it home to Oklahoma to be with her 18-year-old daughter, who is preparing to give birth to a baby girl.

Melson has a home in Oklahoma and refers to herself as "stranded," rather than homeless.

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Both women said they longed for the innocence of childhood.

"It sucks to be cold," Holzendorf said. "I just wish that I was a little kid again so I could be snuggled down and taken care of by my mom."

For some living on the streets, the new ordinance isn't encouraging nor surprising. Holzendorf has been homeless for four months. After a string of major life-altering events  the death of her husband, her house burning down, losing her job and then eviction from her apartment  she found herself huddled under a sleeping bag on the Monroe Street Bridge.

She's been approached by many police officers over her months on the street, who are for the most part kind and helpful, she said, but there are a litany of barriers that keep her from accepting their help in getting her to a shelter.

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For one, her boyfriend wouldn't be able to stay with her; she can't find an opening in an overnight shelter open to both men and women.

"I have bad anxiety, and I just am really hesitant to separate from my other half for that overnight period," she said. "If there was a shelter that would take a couple, I would go there in a heartbeat, an absolute heartbeat."

If she was able to find a space that could shelter both her and her boyfriend, who she said keeps her safe and warm, then there's the problem of getting there. She can't ride a bus with her collapsible cart, piled high with blankets for the cold season she's dreading.

If ticketed, she wouldn't be able to pay it. If it came down to being arrested, ticketed or seeking shelter, she said she would feel "forced" to seek shelter, even if without her boyfriend.

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"I have no way to pay. And I'm not interested in going to jail; I'm not," Holzendorf said. "I feel like it's just a matter of time before I would end up in jail, because I've talked to more officers and it seems like I'm always getting told to 'Move along, move along.' "

It's a familiar tune to Melson, who has been living on Spokane's streets since she was removed from an Amtrak bus on her way to Tulsa four months ago.

Since, she's been stuck in Spokane, trying to find her way back to Tulsa in time for the birth of her granddaughter.

"I don't want to be here, straight up," she said. "I want to be back at home."

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Police approach Melson daily, offering resource lists that map out where shelters, treatment centers and free meals are around the city. But there's a 70-pound barrier keeping her from simply finding a shelter: her pup Gabriel, who she's had since he was a puppy.

"I'm not going to a shelter if I'm leaving my dog," she said of Gabriel, dutifully laying at her feet.

A roof over her head would be welcome, she said, as would the opportunity to shower and use a restroom that isn't a dumpster.

"They need to come up with a place to put people. They can't keep complaining about where to put us, find somewhere for us," she said. "Help us, don't hinder us."

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Melson hopes she'll be well on her way to Tulsa before police start making arrests or issuing tickets in Spokane. As for Holzendorf, her veteran boyfriend qualifies for a voucher to pay for housing, and they're awaiting the response on their application for a studio near downtown.

Once she's back with a roof over her head, Holzendorf said the months on the street will have taught her a lot.

"Try to have some compassion and teach your children compassion, because it's necessary," she said. "You don't know what someone else is going through, and we're all human beings and we're all in this together, whether it seems like it or not."

Elena Perry's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
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Teamsters President Sean OBrien testifies during a Senate hearing . | Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The bad Teamsters bargain with UPS

The Wall Street Journal editorial board

Teamsters head Sean OBrien sold the unions 2023 contract with United Parcel Service as a big win for workers, but two years later its looking like the bad bargain of the century, says The Wall Street Journal editorial board. UPS doesnt want to be OBriens next victim. Workers do best when their employers do well. Thats an eternal lesson that union bosses ignore when they pit labor against managers, and workers suffer the most.

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Quebecs disastrous forest reform bill was killed, but the threat remains

Vijay Kolinjivadi and Nicolas Renaud at Al Jazeera

The right-leaning populist government of Canadas French-speaking province of Quebec finally scrapped a controversial forestry bill, as months of organized, broad-based resistance paid off, say Vijay Kolinjivadi and Nicolas Renaud. Quebecs government believes that it is justifiable to bulldoze over environmental regulations, climate action and Indigenous rights to serve the interests of the logging lobby. Lessons can be learned from the fight against Bill 97 to ensure that Indigenous voices are not ignored again.

Read more

A new chance for peace in Cyprus

Joseph Epstein at Newsweek

The U.N.-patrolled demilitarized zone separating Cyprus from the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is unlike any other buffer zone in the world, says Joseph Epstein. But there are signs that a thaw is possible, as there is a deep desire of Turkish Cypriots to end the economic and diplomatic isolation that has kept the north in limbo for decades. It is not politicians but ordinary Turkish Cypriots who are leading the call for reunification.

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Graham Platners controversial past tests Democrats tolerance for imperfection

Carine Hajjar at The Boston Globe

Democrats are searching for a fighter, too  but do they really need a guy with a Nazi tattoo in their ranks? says Carine Hajjar. Senate candidate Graham Platner quite literally motored onto Maines political scene with baritone promises to crush the oligarchy. But uncurated candidates come at a cost, and the price tag has ticked higher and higher as waves of reports concerning Platners controversial past Reddit posts and a Nazi tattoo have surfaced.

Read more

The bad Teamsters bargain with UPS

The Wall Street Journal editorial board

Teamsters head Sean OBrien sold the unions 2023 contract with United Parcel Service as a big win for workers, but two years later its looking like the bad bargain of the century, says The Wall Street Journal editorial board. UPS doesnt want to be OBriens next victim. Workers do best when their employers do well. Thats an eternal lesson that union bosses ignore when they pit labor against managers, and workers suffer the most.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Read more

Quebecs disastrous forest reform bill was killed, but the threat remains

Vijay Kolinjivadi and Nicolas Renaud at Al Jazeera

The right-leaning populist government of Canadas French-speaking province of Quebec finally scrapped a controversial forestry bill, as months of organized, broad-based resistance paid off, say Vijay Kolinjivadi and Nicolas Renaud. Quebecs government believes that it is justifiable to bulldoze over environmental regulations, climate action and Indigenous rights to serve the interests of the logging lobby. Lessons can be learned from the fight against Bill 97 to ensure that Indigenous voices are not ignored again.

Read more

A new chance for peace in Cyprus

Joseph Epstein at Newsweek

The U.N.-patrolled demilitarized zone separating Cyprus from the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is unlike any other buffer zone in the world, says Joseph Epstein. But there are signs that a thaw is possible, as there is a deep desire of Turkish Cypriots to end the economic and diplomatic isolation that has kept the north in limbo for decades. It is not politicians but ordinary Turkish Cypriots who are leading the call for reunification.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Read more

Graham Platners controversial past tests Democrats tolerance for imperfection

Carine Hajjar at The Boston Globe

Democrats are searching for a fighter, too  but do they really need a guy with a Nazi tattoo in their ranks? says Carine Hajjar. Senate candidate Graham Platner quite literally motored onto Maines political scene with baritone promises to crush the oligarchy. But uncurated candidates come at a cost, and the price tag has ticked higher and higher as waves of reports concerning Platners controversial past Reddit posts and a Nazi tattoo have surfaced.

Read more
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Businesses that rely on visitors to the National Zoo are battling a stark and increasingly prolonged decline in sales as the federal government continues into week four.

While the pandas, zebras and eagles are being fed in Woodley Park, eateries across the street on Connecticut Avenue are struggling to feed customers after the Smithsonian ceased operations on October 11  closing gates to visitors from across the globe.

Theres no winners in this, said Daniel Kramer, a managing partner at Dukes Counter.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: National Zoo closes during government shutdown; business expects impact

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The Smithsonian was able to keep exhibits open for 10 days after the government shutdown by tapping into funding available from previous years. However, three weeks of zero foot traffic to the zoo have proven detrimental to businesses.

Weve been unfortunately, you know, reducing employee hours, which reduces employee earnings, because sales are way down. Were talking about down 65%, Kramer said Wednesday afternoon.

At neighboring Baked by Yael, owner Yael Krigman told DC News Now on Wednesday, Normally in October itd be packed.

Yael said she is finding new ways to sell her sweet treats, including panda-shaped cake pops, all the while signing paychecks.

My job is basically to hustle, is to make sure that my staff still gets their hours, that we still are able to pay our bills. So if people are having a party, if theyre shipping a gift, if theyre having a meeting, we want that order, Krigman said.

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The popular Boo at the Zoo event was canned because of the shutdown, and business owners are worried if the popular Zoo Lights holiday display will also be tabled; a potential double-blow of special events businesses can profit from.

Shutdown pain spikes this weekend, upping pressure on Congress to strike deal

DC News Now reached out to the Smithsonian communications team to ask if the holiday event will occur; however, the communications team is among federal workers not immediately available for comment.

Days away from opening a new franchise Jersey Mikes location, owner Kyle Yancey expressed optimism about welcoming new customers, but also worry about the halt of foot traffic across the street.

Part of me is, you know, extremely excited for the community to come in and to be able to serve them and meet them. But theres a big but, theres going to be no zoo traffic.

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The Smithsonian says the Zoo welcomes nearly 2 million people each 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
Starting Saturday, SNAP benefits will no longer be reloaded for 10% of Cabarrus Countys population who rely on EBT cards for food assistance.

Local food pantries, including Cooperative Christian Ministry, are preparing for an expected increase in demand as these benefits stop. CCM is pre-packaging food bags to efficiently serve more clients.

We had 14 or 15 new clients today, which is unheard of, said Meri Beaver, the food program manager at CCM.

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Our numbers tell us that theres fear out there, Beaver added, noting the anticipated rise in demand.

ALSO READ: NC residents plead for continued SNAP assistance amid shutdown uncertainty

CCM is changing its operations to handle the increased need. Instead of allowing clients to shop for individual products, they are pre-packaging bags with non-perishable items to distribute to families.

Volunteers from as far as Belgium are helping CCM prepare for the influx. The organization aims to provide not just food but also reassurance to those in need.

Beaver expressed hope that the community would not go hungry, emphasizing the importance of community support.

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CCM is calling on the community for donations and volunteers to help stretch its resources.

Were going to get through, Beaver said, praising the communitys responsiveness to calls for help.

As Cabarrus County faces the cessation of SNAP benefits, local organizations are rallying to support those affected, relying on community generosity and volunteer efforts.

VIDEO: NC residents plead for continued SNAP assistance amid shutdown uncertainty
(FOX40.COM)  The Office of the State Fire Marshall announced that fire departments across California are beginning the transition to the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) on Wednesday.

Video above: Roseville police arrest serial arsonist accused of several car fires

According to Cal Fire, NERIS is a cloud-based platform built to modernize how emergency incidents are reported and analyzed.

Free food distribution for low-income families in Northern California

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Departments across the country are also onboarding to NERIS as part of a phased national rollout led by the U.S. Fire Administration, the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate and the Fire Safety Research Institute, which is part of Underwriters Laboratory Research Institutes.

The system it is replacing, the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), is 40 years old.

Modernizing emergency data collection is a critical step toward strengthening public safety, said Chief Daniel Berlant, California State Marshal. By utilizing NERIS, we are giving our departments better tools to protect our communities, manage resources effectively, and make informed decisions backed by current data.

Cal Fire OSFM encourages all departments to complete onboarding as soon as possible to ensure a smooth transition. NFIRS will be decommissioned at the start of 2026.

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California water officials can move ahead with enforcement of the state's landmark groundwater regulation after an appellate court ruled Wednesday that a state crackdown on pumping in Kings County is likely, in large part, legal.

State regulators had worried that their ability to enforce the 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act had been eroded when a Superior Court judge last year temporarily halted state sanctions in a heavily pumped, agricultural stretch of the San Joaquin Valley. The Superior Court judge appeared to sympathize with local farmers, who had said the state exceeded its authority and was imposing costly fees and water-metering rules.

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But in a 41-page decision, the 5th District Court of Appeal in Fresno reversed the injunction on the state's enforcement actions, which were to remain in effect as the case played out. The lower court will now proceed with the trial, with the state able to continue implementing groundwater sanctions during the hearings.

The appeals court, while finding that the State Water Resources Control Board has broad power to enforce the groundwater law, said the extent to which the state requires growers to install water meters, report their water use and pay fees to cover state costs is a concern that can be weighed at trial. Some growers could face a $20 per acre-foot extraction fee that could run them thousands of dollars.

A second appellate decision issued Wednesday ruled against several narrow, legal challenges that would have limited the authority of the State Water Board to enforce the groundwater law.

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, known as SGMA, is the state's first attempt to regulate groundwater. It seeks to keep wells from drying up and land from sinking as the aquifers below empty out. Some parts of California, due mostly to persistent agricultural pumping, especially during droughts, have sunk more than 10 feet.

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Under SGMA, the state identifies the most problematic groundwater areas and requires local communities to develop plans for restoring the aquifers. While the act took effect last decade, it gives communities until the early 2040s to make fixes in an effort to give farmers plenty of time to respond. The State Water Board, however, is requiring communities to take incremental steps, including the drafting of groundwater management plans.

Last year, the Tulare Lake subbasin became the first area to be put on "probation" for not having an adequate groundwater plan. As such, the State Water Board took measures to make sure local growers would shore up pumping.

The Kings County Farm Bureau and two landowners sued the State Water Board, saying the cost of compliance for growers in the Tulare Lake subbasin would be too much of a hardship. The region is known for its cotton, hay, almonds and other crops.

When the Kings County Superior Court issued a preliminary injunction against the State Water Board in July of 2024, the board appealed.

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The ramifications of this case, at least so far, apply strictly to the Tulare Lake subbasin. However, state officials worry that any deterioration of their authority in this case could translate elsewhere, undermining their wholesale ability to implement SGMA.

"The State Water Resources Control Board appreciates the court's decision," officials at the State Water Board said in an email. "Board staff will contact the subbasin's sustainability agencies in the near future to restart discussions about how to resolve the deficiencies in their plans that led to the probationary designation of the subbasin."

The Kings County Farm Bureau did not immediately offer a comment.

This article originally published at California can enforce its landmark groundwater law, court rules.
A San Bernardino County man suspected of uploading child pornography to a popular social media site was arrested on Wednesday following a monthslong investigation.

Steven McGuire, 29, of Grand Terrace, was identified as a suspect after Snapchat became aware in May that an apparent child sexual assault video had been uploaded from a particular user account.

The information was reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which was accessed by the Los Angeles Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and shared with the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department.

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Once McGuire was determined to be the person suspected of uploading the material to Snapchats servers, a search warrant was issued for his home in the 11000 block of Mount Vernon Avenue, the sheriffs department said.

Authorities served the warrant at McGuires home on Wednesday, where investigators say additional evidence was recovered.

McGuire was arrested and booked on suspicion of felony possession of child sexual abuse material. His bail was set at $30,000.

Anyone with further information about the case is asked to contact Detective Chris Bertetto at 909-387-3545. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can contact We-Tip at 800-782-7463 or wetip.com.

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SACRAMENTO, California  Sticker shock over health insurance is taking hold in California as the shutdown stalemate drags on in Washington.

For months, officials in California and other states have been warning of huge price increases for people who buy insurance through state-run marketplaces unless Congress reauthorizes subsidies that have kept costs down.

Republicans and Democrats in Congress have failed to reach a deal, choosing instead to shut the government down over the issue. Now, with consumers perusing options for health care plans ahead of enrollment opening Saturday on the states California Covered website, the harsh reality of whats in store is coming into focus.

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State regulators estimate premiums will nearly double on average for the nearly 2 million people who buy health care coverage through the states marketplace, while some Californians are seeing more drastic price jumps.

For Margarita Olivares, a 60-year-old warehouse worker in Rialto, the plan that costs her $122 a month will nearly triple to $340, said her son, Jose Olivares, who helps manage her health care. Olivares said his mother can get insurance through her employer, but it comes with a $3,200 deductible, which would be difficult for her to afford.

That's a big financial hit for her, but she needs her healthcare, Olivares said. I told her, You have no options. You have diabetes, you have preexisting conditions.

Disagreement over whether to extend the subsidies has kept Congress in a deadlock for weeks, unable to come to an agreement about renewing them as part of a deal to reopen the federal government. Democrats have been pushing to include the subsidies  in perpetuity  in the deal, and Congressional Republicans in vulnerable seats have been pushing Speaker Mike Johnson to extend them once the government opens back up. Johnson has cast doubt on his caucus ability to get to a deal before the subsidies expire at the end of the year, let alone before people start buying plans November 1.

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California was the first state to provide universal health care, Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a press conference Tuesday. Then we run right into this brick wall with these subsidies, and the impacts are outsized for the State of California because of the number of people that relyon these subsidies.

The fallout will be felt particularly hard in California, where for years state funds have been used to keep costs further in check by lowering or eliminating deductibles (the amount a patient pays before insurance kicks in) and co-pays (the amount they pay when receiving care).

Now, those state funds  $190 million for the current fiscal year  are being diverted to partially make up for cuts to federal money that in past years has been used to make insurance more affordable for low-income insurance customers. As a result, middle-income families will not only have to absorb higher premiums alongside everyone else, but also will be left to pay more out-of-pocket costs for medical care.

It sort of is a California specific problem, or a specific outcome, said Jessica Altman, the executive director of Covered California. The program we have had that's keeping out of pocket costs lower using California funding is no longer there.

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Since being implemented under then-President Joe Biden in 2021, the federal subsidies at the heart of the government shutdown have boosted the number of people buying insurance through Covered California and marketplaces in other states, which grew out of the 2010 landmark Affordable Care Act.

With the subsidies set to expire at the end of this year, Congressional Democrats have been trying for months to persuade their Republican counterparts to agree to reup them. After the talks failed to produce a deal, Democrats dug in, refusing to approve a spending plan to keep the government running unless it includes an agreement to reauthorize the subsidies. As they wait to see if the two sides can strike a deal, insurers and regulators like Altman have set prices for the plans offered in state marketplaces without taking into account the subsidies.

That has left consumers to brace for getting hit from both sides. Not only will they lose out on the federal subsidies that helped to pay their premiums, but the premiums themselves are going up. Insurers anticipate that without the financial help, as many as 400,000 consumers  in particular the youngest, healthiest and cheapest to insure  will simply drop coverage. That will leave a smaller and more expensive insurance pool, and insurance companies have raised the cost of their plans to protect their bottom lines.

A recent KFF study found prices in states with their own marketplaces, including California, will rise on average 17 percent. Those increases paired with the loss of the subsidies are leading to the eye-popping prices.

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Its still early: existing policyholders looking to re-enroll or new customers will have until January 31 to buy insurance through Covered California. If Congress reauthorizes the tax subsidies before they expire, Altman said they will be passed along to marketplace customers.

Obviously we hope that we get to deliver good news and the Congress does act, and they still have time to do that, Altman said. But right now, we're starting to see the impacts on real people, and we will only continue to see that grow in the coming weeks.

Vanessa Ignacio, an insurance agent in rural Northern California and vice president of public affairs of the California Association of Health Insurance Professionals, is bracing to be the bearer of bad news to her clients. Already worst case scenarios are walking through her door, she said.

If the subsidies arent available, Ignacio said one client will go from having no deductible and a maximum out-of-pocket payment of $6,100 for a hospitalization to a $5,200 deductible and a $9,800 out-of-pocket maximum. The client, she added, will have to put off surgeries needed on both shoulders because of the price hikes.

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Ignacios clients, like most people who purchase policies through Covered California, are largely self-employed or small business owners who earn too much to be eligible for the states assistance program for lower-income earners or Medi-Cal, the states Medicaid program.

One couple, which owns a restaurant in Mendocino County, have no other full-time employees and together earn around $100,000 each year. Until now, theyve been paying monthly premiums of about $200 for the cheapest health plan available to cover them both. Next year, the same plan will cost $1,978 each month  an amount unaffordable to them.

This family has no other options, Ignacio said. If Congress doesnt act, they wont be insured next year. They cant.

Ignacio said the couple could reduce their income by at least $35,000 in 2026 to qualify for financial help  a harsh reality that leads Ignacio to see a perverse silver lining to a possible economic recession or depression that might cause her clients restaurant to lose business.

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Im praying for a financial collapse so that my clients can afford health care, she said.

Lower-income consumers, like those who receive medical care at AltaMed, a network of clinics in southern California, are even more at-risk of dropping their coverage if the price increases go through, said Kimberley Graham, the groups patient access director. AltaMed is beefing up its staff, training people at the front desk to help with enrollment and sending employees into neighborhoods to enroll people on the spot.

Covered California was supposed to be a great safe haven and a real benefit to our underserved communities, Graham said. But right now, with these subsidies [at risk], its a barrier for renewal, its a barrier for enrollment or even maintaining coverage.
Jay Buckey, executive director of the New Hampshire Judicial Council, speaks to the Executive Council about the Judicial Council's request for an additional $5.5 million to pay for indigent defense lawyers, on Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Ethan DeWitt/New Hampshire Bulletin)

The Executive Council is holding up $5.5 million of funding for indigent defense attorneys in New Hampshire after councilors questioned whether courts are adequately scrutinizing defendants claimed financial status.

In a 3-2 vote Wednesday, councilors moved to table the New Hampshire Judicial Councils request for extra funding, which would come from the states General Fund.

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The Judicial Council is asking to increase its current two-year budget from $2.1 million to $7.6 million, more than tripling it. In an explanation to the Executive Council, the Judicial Council said the costs have risen due to more hearings after the end of the Felonies First program; increased complexity of cases; a jump in the billing rate for assigned counsel; difficulty hiring dedicated public defenders, requiring more expensive outside counsel; and other factors.

According to state law, the Judicial Council is required to request additional funding from the Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee and the Executive Council if its expenses exceed its budget. The Fiscal Committee approved the $5.5 million request earlier in October.

But on Wednesday, Councilor John Stephen, a Manchester Republican, said hes concerned that courts are not sufficiently examining defendants claims of being unable to afford a lawyer in the first place.

Were not even checking to see if these individuals have assets, have income, he said. I dont know what were doing.

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A spokesperson for the Judicial Branch was not available to comment Wednesday.

Stephen, a former New Hampshire assistant attorney general and former deputy commissioner for the Department of Safety, said he supports indigent defense funding and commends the Judicial Council. But he asked that Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald sit down with the Executive Council to discuss improvements to verification.

Republican Councilors Joe Kenney, of Wakefield, and Dave Wheeler, of Milford, joined Stephen in voting to table the funding.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Gov. Kelly Ayotte, the former state attorney general, said she appreciates public defenders and that they have an important constitutional role in our justice system. But she said she was open to finding ways to better review indigent defendants.

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The idea of looking at whether theres ways to put processes in place to make sure that the verification of whether someones indigent is done properly: thats a legitimate issue to look into, Ayotte said.

Lebanon Councilor Karen Liot Hill, the sole Democrat on the council, said she understood Stephens concerns but argued the council should not hold up funding. The New Hampshire Constitution guarantees all defendants in the state a right to representation.

I dont think tabling is necessary to achieve some of the policy issues that Councilor Stephen is concerned with, and it potentially opens the state to liability related to this constitutional obligation that we owe to indigent (people) in New Hampshire, she said.

In his explanation for the funding increase, Jay Buckey, the executive director of the Judicial Council, wrote the end of the Felonies First program, in which felony cases were diverted to superior court, means there are more hearings at the circuit court level, increasing the need for defense.

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He also wrote the cost increase has been driven by particularly serious defense cases, such as a murder trials and cases related to sexual abuse at the states Youth Detention Center.

The recent tightening in state bail laws under House Bill 592 will likely raise the number of people held in jail before their trial, putting more burdens on public defenders, he said.

Meanwhile, changes in state statutes have required assigned counsel in all juvenile delinquency cases, as opposed to contract counsel, raising the case load. A law taking effect in January will mandate court-appointed attorneys for children in placement scenarios, Buckey noted.

The Legislature has also increased the amount that assigned counsel gets paid; as of January 2025, counsel will receive $125 per hour in standard cases and $150 for major crimes. This change was supported by the Judicial Council to maintain the number of attorneys willing to take indigent defense cases, Buckey wrote.

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Exacerbating all of those costs is the hiring difficulty by New Hampshire Public Defenders, the private organization that assists in many cases. Due to budget uncertainty and constraints, NHPD was unable to hire the full number of attorneys it planned to (hiring 9 instead of 19), which led to ongoing attorney shortages at certain offices, Buckey wrote.

And there are not enough attorneys willing to accept contracts directly with the Judicial Council, he added.

In New Hampshire, a defendant who is requesting an attorney be provided to them must fill out an affidavit before the court asserting that they are unable to afford representation.

After a change made by House and Senate Democrats in the 2019 budget trailer bill, House Bill 2, the court has the power to conduct an ability-to-pay hearing, at its discretion. If the court finds the defendant can pay some or all of the fees, it can order the defendant to do so.

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Stephen acknowledged that the Judicial Council is not responsible for investigating defendants ability to pay, but he said the tabling motion would allow for the conversation with the Judicial Branch.

I feel like Im just throwing away $5 million in taxpayer (money) and no ones doing any checks. Stephen said.

The next opportunity for the council to pass the $5.5 million funding request is Nov. 12.
CANADIAN COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR)  A woman almost sent $9,000 to a scammer pretending to be a sheriffs deputy. Now the sheriffs office is putting out another warning about potential scammers.

Canadian County Sheriff Chris West says Captain Gail Wilhite stopped a driver who appeared to be in distress.

But he doesnt realize that shes on the phone with a scammer saying that hes a captain with the Canadian County Sheriffs Office, said Sheriff West.

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Governor Stitt set to address SNAP benefits and Oklahoma impact

A scammer was just moments away from getting the woman to give up all her money.

Shes already been to the bank and drawn out her life savings, thousands of dollars, and shes on the phone, follows instructions because shes in fear shes going to go to jail, said Sheriff West.

Sheriff West says the deputy who stopped the driver happened to be in the right place at the right time.

He said the driver told the deputy that she was following the instructions they gave her, and she had the money. The deputy was not sure what the driver was talking about and took the phone, telling the driver this is a scam.

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Volunteers start collecting signatures to place open primaries on statewide ballot

He finally takes her telephone and gets on and says, Who is this? said Sheriff West. The guy says, this is Captain So-and-so. He says, No, its not. Im Captain Gill Wilhite with the sheriffs office, and the guy hangs up.

It was a moment that prevented the loss of $9,000.

If somebody calls you and identifies with the sheriffs office, just say, let me verify that, hang up, and then call the sheriffs office, said Sheriff West. If you do that, every time I 100% guarantee you, were going to say thats a scam. Thats not us. We dont operate this way, but it just breaks my heart.

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The deputy prevented the money from being stolen.

Sheriff West says this is not just a Canadian County issue; scammers are everywhere.

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.
MAGA influencer Candace Owens has criticised the Trump administrations investigation into the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, as she continues to push her unfounded conspiracy theory that the Israeli government was involved in the assassination.

Owens has peddled the accusation since Kirks death in September. The commentator escalated her theories on Wednesday, calling out President Donald Trump for appearing disinterested in keeping the public informed on the investigation.

Owens said on her podcast that the Trump administration was being silent about the investigation because of the pro-Israel lobby.

MAGA influencers Candace Owens and Charlie Kirk pictured together at a Trump event in October 2019 (Getty)

I know spiritually, from the moment Charlie Kirk passed, that we were never going to get the full story from officials, Owens said.

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I cant explain it. I felt that way, and when Trump rushed to Truth Social-out that AI-generated photo of him and Charlie with the Star of David in the background, I just knew. I knew the investigation into who murdered Charlie Kirk was officially over.

Find me just one person with a platform who is pro-Israel who says I want the investigation into [Kirks] death to continue. Its a bit weird right? Dogs very silent right now and theres steak on the ground and theyre not moving.

Trumps move to declare a national day of remembrance for Kirk was further proof the government was failing to investigate the cause of death, Owens added.

I think its crap. Its never good when the feds are lining up to give you a holiday. Martin Luther King, Jr. vibes. I definitely think the feds killed Martin Luther King Jr  I dont like it. The best way to honour Charlie Kirk is to figure out who killed him.

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Owens has regularly been accused of antisemitism, in particular after she was suspended from YouTube in September last year for sharing her 2022 interview with Kanye West that claimed Jewish people control the media.

This sparked one of the most high-profile Jewish figures in the country, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, to describe her as Americas antisemite.

Kirks death has sparked further antisemitic conspiracy theories that reject Trumps belief the shooting was due to radical left wing ideas. Figures including Owens and conservative commentator Tucker Carlson instead argue Israel is suppressing information.

The theory being supported by Owens, as well as by Tucker Carlson, centers around the idea that Kirk was wavering in his support for Israel, as he invited Carlson and Dave Smith, another conservative who does not support the war in Gaza, to Turning Point USA events.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rebuked Owens claims as baseless. (Getty)

Carlson and Smith used the event to argue against the war in Gaza and question how Israeli funding could be influencing US politics.

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Owens also claims Kirk privately told her he was being threatened by the Israeli government and Bill Ackman, a pro-Israel and pro-Trump hedge fund manager.

Bill Ackman was very upset and threats were made. That is what I am told, and I will tell you that I am very happy for Bill Ackman to dispute this narrative, Owens said on one of her previous shows.

The conspiracy theory has prompted Ackman and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to rebut Owens claims as baseless.

Now, some are peddling these disgusting rumours, perhaps out of obsession, perhaps with Qatari funding, Netanyahu said in a video message. What I do know is this: Charlie Kirk was a great man, and a great man deserves honour, not lies.

No evidence is provided to support Owens claims; she links her close friendship with Kirk to suggest she knows more about his death. The pair were close as Owens used to be a part of Turning Point, but she was forced to resign in 2019 after saying Adolf Hitler would have been fine if he focused on domestic politics.
CHICOPEE  A candidate for public office has faced a slew of criminal and civil charges against him in Chicopee District Court.

Joseph Breton, 56, is running against incumbent Councilor Shane Brooks, who represents Ward 2.

Last year, Breton was accused of breaking and entering into a womans building at nighttime, which is a felony charge, according to court dockets.

The case is still open, continued without a finding, with a coming court date in April.

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When reached Thursday, Breton said it wasnt illegal for a person with a criminal history to run for public office.

Like other candidates running for City Council or School Committee positions already held by an incumbent or sought out by a newcomer, Breton was asked a series of questions about why he is running for office and the issues hed like to address. The citys municipal election is Tuesday.

Breton, the owner of a property maintenance company in the city, said he is running to represent Ward 2 because Chicopee deserves better.

The candidate said he takes issue with the way city employees have been treated by elected officials and hopes to use his experience negotiating union contracts to improve employees wages.

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I will fight diligently to get the backbone of our city up to salaries they deserve, he said.

Breton said another goal he has is to encourage more economic development in Chicopee.

Make Chicopee a place where small businesses want to come to and be able to stay, he said.

There are several other charges against Breton  all with varying dispositions  dating back to 2011. Breton has never been convicted of the alleged crimes.

Prosecutors dropped a case against Breton for allegedly violating a harassment and violence prevention order in March 2024, the dockets show. A jury in 2022 found Breton not guilty of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60 years old.

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Additionally, there are five pending civil cases against Breton. Those include small claims, supplementary process, residential issues and money action claims, the docket says.

more news from Western Massachusetts

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Taras Levkovych, a Ukrainian soldier who lost both his legs in the Russo-Ukrainian war, proposed to his girlfriend in Lviv on 29 October  exactly one year after they first met.

Source: Lviv Oblast Police; Unbroken rehabilitation centre

Details: Taras, a senior police sergeant who served in the National Police's KORD special unit, fought in Donetsk Oblast for over a year. He met his girlfriend Viktoriia through TikTok during a break between combat missions.

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"He saw a pretty girl and wrote her a message saying 'Hi'. She replied. Later, when Taras was on leave, they met in person and started dating," the Unbroken Centre said.

In August this year, as he was rescuing a wounded brother-in-arms during an assault operation, Taras lost both legs after stepping on a mine. When she heard he had been injured, Viktoriia went to the hospital, and she's been by his side ever since.

Taras believes it was only because of his fiancee that he survived.

"I asked God to let me live. Because if I had died, I don't know how she would have coped," he said.

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On 29 October, a year to the day after they first met, Taras proposed to Viktoriia at the Unbroken rehabilitation centre.

"When I was wounded, you became my greatest support. I thank fate for bringing you into my life," Taras said.

"Although I can't kneel, I'm still going to ask you  will you marry me?"

Viktoriia said yes. She admitted that she hadn't expected the proposal and was overwhelmed with happiness.

Previously: Ihor Zobkiv, a Ukrainian serviceman who lost both legs in the Russo-Ukrainian war, proposed to his girlfriend at the foot of Mount Hoverla, the highest mountain in Ukraine.

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Atlanta may feel distant from the impact of Hurricane Melissa, but for some Caribbean students at Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University, the storm is impossible to escape as they balance classes with news updates and missed calls and messages from home.

Reports after the hurricane made landfall Tuesday were devastating, with news that storm surges in Jamaica reached 13 feet in some areas of the island. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said his nation was ravaged by the Category 5 hurricanes 185 mph winds and torrential rain, and declared the entire island nation a disaster area. There have been 23 reported deaths in Haiti and five in Jamaica, but across Caribbean nations, the death toll is expected to rise.

And while the storm, one of the most powerful on record in recent years, has stretched the emotional distance between Atlanta and the islands, a prayer vigil Wednesday night hosted by Vybz, the Caribbean Student Association, helped bridge the gap for students at the Atlanta University Center.

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Under the leadership of Vybz President Jaedyn Clarke, a senior biology major at Spelman, the group hosted an evening of prayer, reflection and solidarity with Caribbean flags lining the walkway.

This is about community, resiliency, and showing that we are stronger together, Clarke, a Queens, New York, native with family in Jamaica, told Capital B Atlanta.

For Isoke Taylor, a senior economics major at Spelman with family in Jamaica and Guyana, every hour since the hurricane made landfall has felt like an eternity. Flooding reached her familys community, and several relatives still have not been able to make contact. Between campus lectures, the Washington, D.C., native scrolls through her phone, refreshing for good news that never seems to load fast enough.

It is worrisome, Taylor told Capital B Atlanta. But I have been keeping faith and staying in touch with my family as much as possible.

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As vice president of the student association, Taylor said this week has been a reminder of what it means to be there for one another.

Even if people do not fully understand what we are going through, they still show up, she said. That means everything.

For many students, Vybz has been more than a campus organization. Its a support system, a space to vent, pray, and lean on one another when home feels far away.

At Morehouse College, Adon Gray, a junior computer science and marketing major from New York with family in Jamaica, said the storm has revealed just how connected the AUC really is.

It is not just Caribbean students feeling it. It is everybody, Gray said. We make sure no one has to go through this alone.

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Gray said that being Caribbean at Morehouse can come with challenges. But in moments like this, he feels the pride of where he comes from even more strongly.

Once you are confident and remember that Jamaica brought you here, no one can take that away from you, Gray said. That is what keeps me standing tall.

That same mix of pride and worry has followed Kiyanna Hamilton, a sophomore criminal justice major at Clark Atlanta who was born in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Her family locked down their home and closed her mothers business as Melissa moved closer.

Being away from home is hard, Hamilton said. But having people here who understand what I am feeling makes it a little easier.

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As the social media chair for Vybz, Hamilton has been helping to share storm updates while also finding comfort in the very community she supports.

Vybz plans to continue raising funds and awareness for families affected across Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and other islands in the coming weeks. Clarke said watching students come together during such a difficult time reaffirmed the strength of the Caribbean spirit.

As the storm continues its path across the Caribbean, the worry in the AUC lingers, but so does the hope.

We take care of our own, no matter where we are, Clarke said.

Finley Warren is a junior political science major attending Spelman College. This article is part of Capital B Atlantas journalism partnership with HBCU reporters.

The post Caribbean Students Gather for AUC Prayer Vigil as Hurricane Melissa Continues Path of Destruction appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
CASS COUNTY, Texas (KETK) Cass County Judge and U.S. Army Reserve Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Travis Ransom was recently selected to serve as the next Senior Enlisted Leader for the Military Intelligence Readiness Command (MIRC).

Ransom will begin his new position following a ceremony at Fort Belvoir in Virginia on Dec. 13. The ceremony will be attended by Brigadier General C. Ryan Gunst, MIRC Commander.

Heroic 20-year-old saves relative from house fire in Troup

Photo of Travis Ransom courtesy of Cass County

The MIRC is an essential component of the U.S. Army Reserves adaptive and innovative intelligence enterprise. The position trains and prepares soldiers and units to meet the operational intelligence requirements of Combatant Commands and the national intelligence community.

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Founded in 2005, the MIRC currently consists of more than 6,300 soldiers serving in over 40 units across the U.S and Europe. Since its establishment, the MIRC has deployed approximately 6,000 soldiers in support of named and unnamed operations worldwide.

Ransom brings over 28 years of military intelligence to MIRC. Throughout his career, he has served in several leadership positions, including Company First Sergeant. He has been mobilized and deployed multiple times in support of peacekeeping and contingency operations worldwide.

As a civilian, Ransom most recently served as Cass County Judge and previously served as the mayor of Atlanta.

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.



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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
In addition to education, Red Ribbon Week activities are aimed to highlight the creative possibilities Cass County youths can achieve living drug-, alcohol-, and tobacco-free lives.

Students from kindergarten through 12th grade spent a portion of the past month participating in a series of creative contests, including poster designs for kindergarteners through fifth-graders, essays for sixth- through eighth-graders, and banner/mural projects for high schoolers.

The results of that work was celebrated this past Saturday at the Red Ribbon Breakfast at Revolution Church. The breakfast is one of the showcase events of Red Ribbon Week, which is officially celebrated every year from Oct. 23-31.

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Lewis Cass freshman Zak Malott made the announcements and Cardiel Cabrera of Stand Up Cass County read the winners names. Cass County Sheriff Ed Schroder was there to present the certificates to the kids. The event and week is sponsored by Stand Up Cass County and Partners for a Drug Free Cass County.

According to organizer Nikki Mallot, there were over 500 submissions, 50 poster winners, 10 essay winners, and one mural winner. Kailee Lake, a student from Jen Walkers class at Logansport High School/Career Center, was the mural winner. The Cass County Community Foundation is funding the expenses of the mural.

The second and third place finishers in the mural contest, Lewis Cass student Kaity Shively and The Academys Kennedy Conklin, respectively, had their designs turned into a poster for their schools.

The poster contest for grade schools asks students to display the importance of living a life free from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. The middle school and junior high essay contest asks the same, in written form.

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Sponsors and organizations who helped support the events included Transco, Kiwanis, 4C Health, Star McClain with Rogers Auction, the Moose, Firefly, United Way of Cass County, Logansport Parks Department, Split Road Media, Cass County Community Foundation, Scooters and Revolution Church. Organizations that hosted the coloring contest were Boys and Girls Club, Little Childrens, Area 5 Agency/Headstart, Black Dog, City Building, Parkers Dentistry, United Way, U-Know Pizza, Walton Library, Mike Anderson, Logansport Skate World and Fun Center, Mary Max Cinemas, Cass County Health Department and Cup of Joe.

Nationally, Red Ribbon Week started in honor of the memory of Enrique Kiki Camarena, a Drug Enforcement Administration Agent who was tortured and killed in Mexico in 1985. In honor of Camarenas memory and his battle against illegal drugs, friends and neighbors began to wear red satin badges. Parents then began to form coalitions using Camarena as their model while embracing his belief that one person can make a difference. Today, the Red Ribbon serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities, according to organizers.

For more information on Stand Up Cass County, visit www.standupcasscounty.org.
The government of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faced another blow on Thursday when members of the Catalan separatist party Together for Catalonia (Junts) voted, by a large majority, to break with Sanchez's left-wing government.

In a post on X, Junts said 86.98% backed the move and only 10.22% favoured continued support for the Sanchez government. Junts chief and leading separatist Carles Puigdemont had pushed for the break.

The decision deprives the left-wing minority government in the Madrid parliament of an important partner.

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On Monday, Junts' 50-member executive called for an end to cooperation with the Sanchez government and set a membership ballot.

"We are going into opposition," Puigdemont declared. "We will not help those who do not help Catalonia."

As for the future of Sanchez's Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), Puigdemont said: "They may remain in power, but they will not be able to govern."

Sanchez still intends to continue governing, but without the seven Junts lawmakers in the lower house of parliament, the Congress of Deputies in Madrid, his left-wing government would no longer have enough votes to pass key projects and bills, despite support from other smaller parties.

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The PSOE minister for the presidency, justice and relations with the courts, Felix Bolanos, however, stressed that the government would continue to seek the support of Junts deputies for its legislative plans.

"We will work to build majorities, and we will knock on every door to achieve those majorities," he said.

The support pact with Junts, as well as similar agreements with other parties that also do not belong to the coalition, allowed Sanchez to be re-elected in parliament after the snap election in July 2023, even though the PSOE finished only second behind the conservative People's Party (PP).
The government of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez faced another blow on Thursday when members of the Catalan separatist party Together for Catalonia (Junts) voted, by a large majority, to break with Sanchez's left-wing government.

In a post on X, Junts said 86.98% backed the move and only 10.22% favoured continued support for the Sanchez government. Junts chief and leading separatist Carles Puigdemont had pushed for the break.

The decision deprives the left-wing minority government in the Madrid parliament of an important partner.

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On Monday, Junts' 50-member executive called for an end to cooperation with the Sanchez government and set a membership ballot.

"We are going into opposition," Puigdemont declared. "We will not help those who do not help Catalonia."

As for the future of Sanchez's Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), Puigdemont said: "They may remain in power, but they will not be able to govern."

Sanchez still intends to continue governing, but without the seven Junts lawmakers in the lower house of parliament, the Congress of Deputies in Madrid, his left-wing government would no longer have enough votes to pass key projects and bills, despite support from other smaller parties.

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The PSOE minister for the presidency, justice and relations with the courts, Felix Bolanos, however, stressed that the government would continue to seek the support of Junts deputies for its legislative plans.

"We will work to build majorities, and we will knock on every door to achieve those majorities," he said.

The support pact with Junts, as well as similar agreements with other parties that also do not belong to the coalition, allowed Sanchez to be re-elected in parliament after the snap election in July 2023, even though the PSOE finished only second behind the conservative People's Party (PP).

Germany plays decisive role

The separatists broke with Sanchez for a number of reasons, including the prime minister's promise to push for recognition of Catalan as an official EU language - but that has so far failed, due to German resistance in Brussels.

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Another sticking point is the implementation of the amnesty law for Catalan separatists. Several exiled politicians were able to return to Spain without hindrance after the law came into force last year. But in some cases, including Puigdemont himself, judges have so far not lifted the arrest warrants.

The former regional president, 62, has continued to live in exile since the independence referendum he initiated in 2017.
Hurricane Melissa pulled away from Cuba on Wednesday morning, leaving a trail of devastation that stretched through Cubas second most populous region and Jamaica, where it was the strongest storm to ever strike the island nation. Now, it continues its devestating path through the Bahamas.

The storm has a confirmed death toll of at least 27, mostly in Haiti where flash flooding overtopped a river and submerged a community, killing 20, including 10 children, Haitis Office of Civil Protection confirmed to the Miami Herald. Thats on top of the three deaths previously reported in Haiti ahead of Melissas landfall and another confirmed in the Dominican Republic, as well as three in Jamaica.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued a disaster declaration not long after Melissas record-breaking strike, and as much of a third of the island remains without power. Richard Thompson, acting director of Jamaicas Office of Disaster Emergency Preparedness, said they are seeing extensive damage, particularly on the western side where Melissa roared ashore as a devastating Category 5 storm.

A bed washed away by floods is seen after the passage of Hurricane Melissa through the town of San Miguel de Parada in Santiago de Cuba province on October 29, 2025.

This morning the fire brigade is out trying to see how we can rescue people, he said, describing people forced to take shelter on rooftops.

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So far, theres no count of the death in Jamaica post-Melissa. But officials said at least three people in Jamaica died of storm-related injuries before the hurricane made landfall, Dennis Zulu, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Bermuda, The Cayman Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands, confirmed to the Herald.

From what we know thus far, theres been tremendous, unprecedented devastation of infrastructure, of property, roads, network connectivity, energy has been lost, he said. Houses really have been devastated.... especially along the pathway of Hurricane Melissa, so there might not be houses to go back to.

Video posted by Jamaicas Constabulary Force in Black River, near where the eye came ashore, show snarled and downed power lines, piles of debris and many buildings completely collapsed  all on a street still covered in water. Other clips show a shredded ceiling and water pouring into the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, the popular tourism destination and where the eye re-emerged over the Caribbean.

An American tourist from South Carolina who weathered the storm from a resort in Montego Bay posted on X that the area was devastated in Melissas wake.

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The damage here is catastrophic, I wouldnt wish yesterday on my worst enemy. Some of the scariest moments of my life, he said.

A store stands destroyed following the passage of Hurricane Melissa in Manchester, Jamaica, on October 28, 2025.

At a press conference, Desmond McKenzie, minister of local government in Jamaica, reported that multiple hospitals had damaged roofs, were without power and hit by storm surge. Video posted on social media showed Hurricane Melissas winds peeling the roof off one hospital building near the eye wall and sending it flying.

At one hospital, 75 patients had to be evacuated. Blocked roads right across the country, he said. Almost every parish is experiencing blocked roads, galled trees, utility poles and excess offing in many communities. He said St. Elizabeth Parish  the islands most important agricultural area  was underwater.

A hard hit for Cuba, too

But unlike the smash hit to Jamaica, Melissas Cuba landfall involves a weaker  and more importantly, much faster moving  Melissa.

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The National Hurricane Center said Melissa came ashore in Santiago de Cuba with 120 mph winds around 3 a.m. Wednesday, marking the strongest storm to make landfall in Cuba since Hurricane Irma in 2017. Its expected to bring up to 20 inches of flooding rain, high winds and up to 12 feet of storm surge throughout Wednesday.

MORE: Hurricane Melissa washes over Cuba, bringing flooding and power outages

As of 8 p.m., Melissa kept at 90 mph maximum sustained winds, a Category 1, and continued moving through the Bahamas at 16 mph. Thats a great deal faster than the 5 mph pace Melissa approached Jamaica or the 8 mph pace it crossed the island, which likely means a lesser blow for Bahamians.

But despite the weakened state, Melissa hammered Cuba, which has an ailing power grid and is still recovering from years of back-to-back storm hits. Nearly a quarter million people were evacuated ahead of the storm, and power has been cut in the affected provinces since early Tuesday evening. Press photographers have captured imaged of homes without roofs, flooded streets and buildings left in heaps.

A family salvages belongings from the rubble of their home after it collapsed during Hurricane Melissa's passage through Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, on October 29, 2025.

Now that the eye is back over the warm ocean, forecasters said Melissa has a small window to strengthen a little before it whacks the Bahamas this evening, potentially rising from 90 mph sustained winds to 105 mph sustained winds.

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Melissa is striking as a Category 1, with the eye potentially coming ashore near Crooked Island or Long Island. It could bring another 5 to 10 inches of rain, hurricane-force winds and 4 to 7 feet of storm surge.

The neighboring Turks and Caicos could also see some rain and high winds from the outskirts of Melissa.

Melissa [is] producing damaging winds, flooding rains and a dangerous storm surge in the Bahamas, the hurricane center said.

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 1, batters the Bahamas.

Meanwhile, this marks more than a week of continuous heavy rain for Haiti from Melissas outer bands. The storm has already claimed at least 24 lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and the rain is expected to continue another day.

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For its final act, Melissa is expected to cross west of Bermuda on Friday as a hurricane. The storm hardy island could feel some of the storms outer bands, and officials have issued a hurricane warning for the island.

Recovery already underway

While the impacts of Melissa are still occurring, recovery is expected to be a greater challenge than usual this year with the dissolution of US AID. Many of the usual staff and departments who have directed Caribbean aid in the past have been laid off.

READ MORE: As Caribbean dreads Hurricane Melissas destruction, it can no longer count on USAID

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump said the U.S. would help the Caribbean recover from Melissa but did not go into specifics. Were watching it closely, and were prepared to move, the president told reporters on Air Force One as he traveled to South Korea.

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Jamaican Transport Minister Darryl Vaz said that hes hoping to have the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston reopen as soon as Thursday to allow for the flow of aid.

Jamaica also launched an official platform to coordinate relief and manage recovery efforts: supportjamaica.gov.jm.

Miami Herald staff writer Devoun Cetoute contributed to this report.
DURANGO, Colo. (KREX)  The Colorado Bureau of Investigation will look into an incident involving a federal agent apparently shoving an elderly protester to the ground during a demonstration on Tuesday in Durango.

A video of the incident has been circulating on social media. Durango Police Chief Brice Current requested that the CBI investigate the incident.

According to CBI, it will see whether any state criminal law violations occurred. It will then provide the investigation to the Sixth Judicial District Attorneys Office after its completed.

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The decision to file any criminal charges is up to the district attorney.

The protest stemmed from the arrest of two children, ages 12 and 15, and their father, Fernando Jaramillo Solano. According to the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), ICE detained the family from Colombia on Monday. CIRC stated this happened despite the familys strong ties with the Durango and having a fully documented, pending asylum case.

Gov. Jared Polis said in a post on social media that hes deeply concerned about the incident.

ICE did not inform us about this operation and has not since. The federal governments lack of transparency about its immigration actions in Durango and in the free state of Colorado remains extremely maddening, Polis said. The federal government should prioritize apprehending and prosecuting dangerous criminals, no matter where they come from, and keep our communities safe instead of snatching up children and breaking up families.

Durango Police Chief Brice Current, right, and Deputy Chief Chris Gonzalez meet with a protest coordinator Tuesday morning in an effort to communicate concerns and coordinate a welfare check involving children. Hours later, federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations arrived on scene. Durango Police was no longer on scene. (Courtesy Photo/City of Durango)

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 WesternSlopeNow.com.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents searched more phones at the border than ever this year, with some officers turning tourists away for liking or sharing memes about Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, according to reports.

The number of phones probed by border agents jumped by 17 percent during the last year, with the CBP digging into more than 55,424 devices, according to statistics seen by Wired. Just a year earlier, the CBP had conducted 47,000 searches.

The aggressive increase in inspections has coincided with a collapse in the number of tourists visiting the U.S., as people from Canada and Europe seek alternative vacation destinations.

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Border officials are legally entitled to search the phones of anyone entering the U.S., including those of citizens and green card holders.

Basic searches involve federal agents manually scrolling through a phone, while advanced searches use advanced tools to copy and analyze data. Advanced searches do require officers to have reasonable suspicion or cause, but failure to comply can result in detentions.

CBP agents seized and searched more phones than ever this year as part of a intensive crackdown at the US border (Getty Images)

However, a worrying trend in rejections at the border has led to concerns that the current administration is using the stringent rules to prevent the admittance of people who have been critical of Trump.

A French government minister said that a scientist had been denied entry to the United States after messages expressing criticisms of Trumps presidency were found.

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I learned with concern that a French researcher who was traveling to a conference near Houston was denied entry to the United States before being expelled, Philippe Baptiste, Frances minister of higher education and research, said in a statement published by Le Monde in March.

This measure was apparently taken by the American authorities because the researchers phone contained exchanges with colleagues and friends in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administrations research policy, he continued.

Months later, in June, a Norwegian tourist claimed that he was denied entry into the United States after border officials discovered a meme depicting a bloated, bald JD Vance on his device.

Mads Mikkelsen, 21, said that he was forced to turn over his phone for inspection after border officials threatened him with a $5,000 fine or five years in prison if he failed to comply. The decision to reject his application was allegedly based on the claim that the meme had been found on his device.

One tourist said he was denied entry to the US after a picture of a bald JD Vance was found on his phone (U.S. Customs and Border Patrol)

The story was dismissed as FALSE by the CBP on X.

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Mads Mikkelsen was not denied entry for any memes or political reasons, it was for his admitted drug use, the agency wrote.

At the time, Mikkelsen admitted that he had spoken to CBP officers but claimed their concerns centered on the meme and a second picture depicting a wooden pipe he had built.

That same month, Alastair Kitchen, an Australian writer, said on BlueSky that he was detained and deported from the USA because of his reporting on the Columbia student protests.

Foreign tourism to the United States has plummeted in recent months, with travel from Canada and Mexico into the U.S. falling by 20 percent, according to figures from the US Travel Association seen by Reuters.

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Meanwhile, Sebastian Ebel, the chief executive of TUI, told The Guardian that European tourists are choosing to visit Canada or Asia because of concerns about the atmosphere and what they hear from border control in the U.S.

The Independent has contacted the CBP and the DHS for comment.
After weeks of nerve-racking anticipation, Paramount finally followed through with its tough day of layoffs, which included letting roughly 100 CBS News employees go on Wednesday. All told, the sweeping cuts resulted in the loss of two streaming shows, the gutting of the networks Saturday morning news program, and the disbanding of its race and culture unit.

On top of that, eight on-air correspondents and hosts were given their pink slips  and all of them are women, with half of them people of color.

According to three sources with knowledge of the situation, a male correspondent was initially included on the layoff list but was removed after he appealed directly to the new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, leading to another female correspondent being added to the list at the last minute.

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Meanwhile, a CBS News producer who was fired as part of the network-wide cuts took to social media Wednesday to suggest that executives were engaging in race-based layoffs, claiming that every producer from his team who was laid off is a person of color while his white colleagues were relocated to other jobs.

While the layoffs have been anticipated since chairman David Ellison took over Paramount in August following its politically fraught merger with Skydance Media, they also take place after Ellison promised the Trump administration that hed eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion policies once he took over the company.

CBS News laid off around 100 staffers on Wednesday as part of steep company cuts  and every on-air personality that was fired was female. (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

And though a network source stressed to The Independent that the layoffs were in the works well before Weiss was hired earlier this month, her installation as the newsrooms top editor  who reports directly to Ellison  also indicated the direction the media mogul was looking to take the network.

Representatives for CBS News and Weiss did not respond to requests for comment.

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Even before she founded the anti-woke and heterodox digital outlet The Free Press, which Ellison purchased for $150 million this month, Weiss has been an outspoken critic of diversity initiatives and wokeness in the workplace and media. She famously quit her job as a New York Times columnist in 2020 over the papers illiberal environment, claiming she was a victim of bullying from her leftist colleagues over her centrist viewpoints.

It is time to end DEI for good, Weiss declared in a 2023 op-ed. No more standing by as people are encouraged to segregate themselves. No more forced declarations that you will prioritize identity over excellence. No more compelled speech. No more going along with little lies for the sake of being polite.

Following media reports that layoffs were expected this week, Ellison sent a memo on Wednesday morning to Paramount staff announcing the first round of cuts, which is estimated to include about 1,000 employees across the company. The media giant is expected to lay off another 1,000 staffers in the coming months.

In some areas, we are addressing redundancies that have emerged across the organization, he wrote. In others, we are phasing out roles that are no longer aligned with our evolving priorities and the new structure designed to strengthen our focus on growth. Ultimately, these steps are necessary to position Paramount for long-term success.

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Weiss, meanwhile, briefly addressed the impact of the layoffs on the network in the morning editorial call on Wednesday, telling staff that it was an enormously difficult day for so many people who have given years of their lives to this company and that her door is open to those looking for support.

While the network didnt confirm the number of CBS News employees who were laid off, sources told The Independent it was about 100. The layoffs were also felt across the entire division, impacting the networks foreign correspondents and bureaus.

With CBS News axing two streaming shows, stripping its Saturday morning program to the bone, disbanding its race and culture unit and eliminating its Johannesburg bureau, the network ended up laying off eight hosts and correspondents with on-air roles.

Among those let go were CBS Saturday Morning co-anchors Dana Jacobson and Michelle Miller. While the show will remain on the air for now, it will now be steered by executive producer Shawna Thomas, who leads the networks weekday morning program.

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Roughly two-thirds of the weekend shows staff was also laid off, as the CBS Mornings crew will now double up their duties on the Saturday program. It has yet to be determined who will host the show moving forward, as the network revamps it.

Sources told The Independent that new editor-in-chief Bari Weiss stepped in and removed a male foreign correspondents name from the layoff list after he appealed directly to her, replacing him with Debora Patta at the last minute. (CBS Evening News)

Lisa Ling, who joined CBS News in 2023 after nine years as a CNN host, was also among the casualties on Wednesday. The former co-host of The View had largely focused on feature pieces and deep dives about American culture that were broadcast across the networks platforms. She had been working on a CBS Mornings series about the state of spirituality in the US.

Other on-air correspondents who were released include Elise Preston, Nancy Chen, Janet Shamlian and Nikki Battiste, all of whom were based in the United States. Additionally, the network also laid off senior foreign correspondent Debora Patta, who had been with the network since 2013.

Patta, meanwhile, had been one of CBS News top reporters on the Israel-Hamas War, recently filing dispatches from the ground. Marking the two-year anniversary of the war, and as a fragile ceasefire agreement was being negotiated, she reported on the solemn memorial events taking place in Israel.

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According to several CBS News staffers, Patta has been seen as a very fair reporter in covering the ongoing war in Gaza, largely sticking to the facts on the ground while steering clear of any emotional investment. Earlier this month, for example, she did back-to-back stories about a slain Israeli hostages mom urging leaders to end pain in our region, and Gazans orphaned by the war longing for their lost childhoods.

Patta, based at the Johannesburg bureau shuttered in the latest round of cuts, was told beforehand that she was safe and was not supposed to be laid off this week, according to three sources with knowledge of the situation.

Instead, sources said that Patta saw her name added after another male foreign correspondent apparently complained to Weiss  who is stridently pro-Israel and describes herself as a Zionist fanatic  that he wasnt getting enough airtime nor was deployed to cover the Gaza war because of his support for Israel.

Notably, during Weiss first full week in her role as chief editor, she sent a missive out to all news employees requesting that they send her a memo describing how you spend your working hours and what youve made (or are making) that youre most proud of.

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She added in the note: Im also interested in hearing your views on whats working; whats broken or substandard; and how we can be better. Please be blunt  it will help me greatly.

With the departure of Patta, who one senior staffer called 100% fair and accurate in reporting from Gaza, the networks coverage gap in the region will likely now be filled by Rome-based correspondent Chris Livesay, according to multiple sources.

The Independent has reached out to Patta for comment.

CBS News producer Trey Sherman reacted to his layoff on Wednesday by accusing his superior of playing favorites and helping relocate only white staffers to other jobs at the network. (TikTok/@treymous)

As for the specter of the network laying off only women on-air personalities on Wednesday, four of whom are people of color, it prompted the remaining staff members to express their disgust at the optics. It is pretty appalling, one network employee told The Independent. (John Dickerson, the current co-anchor of CBS Evening News, announced on Monday that he was departing the network at the end of the year.)

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At the same time, Trey Sherman  a former associate producer on CBS Evening News Plus  took to social media on Wednesday to accuse his superiors of playing favorites in the layoffs, specifically around the issue of race.

Shortly after it was revealed that CBS Evening News Plus was canceled and the majority of its team had been let go, Sherman  who is Black and part of the LGBTQ community  posted a story to his Instagram account claiming that every producer who was laid off on my team is a person of color while every producer on my team who will be relocated within the company is white.

Sherman would go into further detail about his allegations in a follow-up video on TikTok, asserting that he had spoken to the executive in charge of the show about whether there was consideration about moving the programs staff to other CBS News positions.

He said, we advocated to keep the show. We advocated to try to get you relocated somewhere else, and we couldnt, Sherman said, referencing the head of special events and streaming, David Reiter.

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According to Sherman, he then went to his white colleagues and began asking them whether they had been laid off, only to find out it was only the people of color. He added that while it wasnt Reiters decision to eliminate the show, but he did get to decide who got to stay.

I told him, you said you couldnt get us relocated, only to find out you were able to get some people relocated, and they all happened to be white. Am I supposed to believe thats a coincidence? And he said yes, Sherman continued, noting that Reiter said he chose to keep people he had worked with before.

So not only is it not based on merit, Sherman concluded. It is, in its result, racist. I dont care if you decided to keep people who had purple-colored hair. You decided to keep people you had worked with before, which I dont even know if thats true. If the outcome of the action was racist, that sh*t is f***ed.

Sherman declined to comment, noting that he is seeking legal advice before further speaking about this matter publicly.

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Meanwhile, the brutal layoffs in the newsroom and the prospect of further cuts down the road have led to plummeting staff morale, which has only been exacerbated by Weiss fledgling tenure and Ellisons simultaneous spending spree to build onto his burgeoning empire.

While the 42-year-old media mogul  whose father is Oracle founder and close Trump ally Larry Ellison  looks to cut $2 billion from Paramounts ledger and lay off thousands of employees, he has spent billions of dollars on luring the UFC and other media assets to his company while aggressively attempting a costly takeover of rival Warner Bros. Discovery.




HUDSON - The longtime president and CEO of the Columbia Economic Development Corporation announced Wednesday he would step down from the position he has held since 2015.

Since F. Michael Tucker took the helm, the CEDC, which promotes economic development in Columbia County, has lent $6.4 million to 270 small and startup businesses, according to the CEDC, as well as helping businesses, local government, and nonprofits secure more than $50 million in state funding through the Capital Region Economic Development Council.

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Over this period, the CEDC has led the county Board of Supervisor's Broadband, Columbia Forward COVID Response, and Affordable Housing Initiatives, according to the CEDC.

Tucker also served as the administrative director to the Hudson Industrial Development Agency and the Columbia County Industrial Agency, supplying both with economic know-how as they made decisions on whether to grant new business and housing projects local tax breaks to encourage development.

Though he will step down from the CEDC position on June 30, 2026, Tucker said in an interview he is not retiring. An attorney, real estate broker and registered lobbyist, he plans to resume his consulting business, Tucker Strategies, Inc.

"At a certain point, it's time for new leadership and ideas to enable an organization to grow and succeed in an ever-changing environment," Tucker said.

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Though Columbia County makes up about 6% of the eight-county economic development region, it has pulled 12% of the region's economic development council's funding, Tucker said.

"Mike Tucker's leadership has been instrumental to CEDC's progress and the county's economic vitality," CEDC Board Chair Jim Calvin said in a statement. "Known for his extraordinary energy, Mike is a collaborative problem solver, creative deal-maker, and trusted adviser. We've been fortunate to have him at the helm for the past 10 years."

"It has been a privilege to serve as CEDC's President and CEO for the past 10-plus years," Tucker said in a statement. "CEDC's board, members, and our exemplary staff's dedication and commitment to CEDC's mission have been an inspiration to me, and I appreciate their perspective, guidance, and support."

The corporation's board of directors has formed a committee to search for a new president, information on which will be available Oct. 31 at columbiaedc.com.

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Before beginning at the CEDC, Tucker was president and CEO for the Center for Economic Growth, the economic development organization for the Capital Region.

This article originally published at CEDC President F. Michael Tucker to step down.
COLUMBUS, OHIO (WCMH)  An organization that has been a staple in the community for more than 100 years had to furlough its employees amid funding delays. Luckily, the closure was short-lived largely in part to community support.

It was tremendous. I didnt know how much we still had an influence or a connection with our community, said Dr. Iyaad Hasan, President & CEO of the Breathing Association.

The nonprofit provides medical care and energy assistance to thousands of residents each year but Dr. Hasan tells NBC4 funds dried up and they had to shut their doors.

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I was looking outside and I was thinking about somebody whos at home right now who cant turn their electricity on because they need a nebulizer for their asthma treatment, he said.

CRMD ice cream shop closes central Ohio storefront after less than 3 years

Less than 24 hours later after announcing the closure, the community support poured in. He said people donated nearly $4,000 and it caught the attention of the Ohio Department of Development, which is now keeping them open throughout the shutdown.

Sadly, in tough times like this its great to see when people get together and it was overwhelming, I have to tell you, and I was excited and I probably believe thats what kept me going during that time, Dr. Hasan said.

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Now the staff is back to work training for their winter crisis program and Home Energy Assistance Program, known as HEAP.

Were back on. Were happy and were excited and the lights are finally back, he said.

Ohio State walk-on makes a big impact without playing a snap

The Breathing Association still isnt back to being 100% operational. Dr. Hasan said the clinic had to cut back on services in September and theyre still waiting on some grant funding.

An individual who comes to see us for treatment for asthma, if we help them out about $150. But if were not around to help them with management, they go to the emergency room, which is $1,500. So the costs go back to the community, he said.

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He said the community support is exactly what he needed to keep pushing and stay positive through the process.

We pray that the solution from the federal side comes into play and helps out the communities that really desperately need it, Dr. Hasan said.

He said their winter programs will resume Saturday, Nov. 1.

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Good morning KELOLAND! We are tracking some light rain showers and a few snowflakes in northeastern SD this morning. The snowflakes are just a preview of whats coming tomorrow!

On radar, you can see the pink and green colors representing the light rain and perhaps a little snow.

Dont forget about the fog this morning across the southeast. Dense fog advisories are in effect for the counties colored in gray on the map below.

Lets take a closer look at Futurecast. You can see the the small band of light precipitation moving east this morning into Minnesota. Sunshine and stronger NW winds are forecast behind this feature during the afternoon. The next weather maker moves in from the north late tonight and tomorrow morning. We expect some light rain AND light snow at times as temperatures start chilly in the 30s. Temperatures will struggle into the 40s tomorrow with blustery NW winds. The chance of light rain and light snow will tease the rest of eastern KELOLAND during the afternoon and evening.

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As mentioned, the wind forecast will pick up today and tomorrow from the northwest. This burst of cooler weather will give us a very chilly start to the weekend on Saturday, but south winds will kick start a warming trend next week as highs return to the 60s across much of KELOLAND.

Here are the details of the forecast.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
Theres a lot that the King of England has to worry about. And on top of the usual concerns that come from the position, King Charles has also had to deal with his precarious health after a cancer diagnosis and the added stress of scandal after scandal coming from his brother, Prince Andrew, and Sarah Ferguson. But now, the King is speaking up about another situation.

King Charles and Queen Camilla posted a message about Hurricane Melissa and the devastation it has caused to the island of Jamaica. A message from The King to the people of Jamaica and all those across the Caribbean affected by Hurricane Melissa, read the Instagram caption on the Royal Family account, which featured a letter with the Kings words.

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My wife and I have been deeply concerned and profoundly saddened to see the catastrophic damage caused by the ferocity of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and across the Caribbean, the letter read. As we continue to follow the situation closely, our anxious thoughts are with all those who have been so cruelly affected by this awful storm.

Charles even added that he has the greatest affection for Jamaica, ever since I first visited the island while serving in the Royal Navy on the West Indies station over fifty years ago, and said, I know that no disaster can break her peoples enduring spirit of strength, solidarity and steadfastness.

Hurricane Melissa is the strongest storm to have formed so far this year, and it caused catastrophic damage in Jamaica, as well as battering Haiti and Cuba.

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This message comes amid rumors about the Kings health and how it has been affected by the latest Prince Andrew scandal. RadarOnline.com recently reported that the king is physically sick with worry and that theres concern that his cancer treatment has left him too frail to deal with this new crisis. Its going to kill him, sources even went as far as saying.

The King is utterly worn down by it. Just when he thinks the matter has settled, another revelation surfaces. Its placing enormous strain on him. Hes doing his best to focus on his recovery and royal work, but the constant stress is really affecting his health, a source explained to the outlet, adding that there is even concern that things with Andrew could progress and get even worse.

Not so long ago, Rob Shuters Substack, had gone as far as to report that the King is dying and his health has forced Prince William to take on more royal duties. According to Shuter, Charles is seriously unwell but determined to carry on, with a source adding that, Hes exhausted, but he wont stop. Every morning he insists on reading his red boxes. He believes his service to the country is his calling  and hell keep going as long as he can.

That includes sending condolences and good wishes to Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa and finally dealing with his disgraced brother, Andrew.

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CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan.  A Cherokee County man charged with multiple counts of child sex crimes reaches a plea deal in the case.

This afternoon, Robert Graves, 27, pleaded no contest to two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

He had previously been charged with six counts in this case. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

The Cherokee County Sheriffs Office arrested him in July after they were contacted about allegations associated with a minor and searched his home.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
Cody Ryan Henderson, 40, of Canton, was sentenced to 35 years with 20 years to serve in prison without parole after pleading guilty to theft, forgery, and related charges in Cherokee County.

The District Attorneys Office said Henderson entered a non-negotiated guilty plea on Oct. 15, admitting to charges including theft by deception, theft by receiving stolen property, forgery in the first degree, identity fraud, and sale of a vehicle with an altered VIN.

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When a defendant repeatedly engages in criminal activity, particularly when that individual has multiple prior felony convictions, a lengthy prison sentence is necessary, Cherokee County District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway said in a statement.

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The charges against Henderson stemmed from an investigation that began on Nov. 4, 2024, when a stolen John Deere skid steer loader was found at a Cherokee County storage facility and listed for sale online.

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Detectives discovered that the man in possession of the equipment was unaware it was stolen, having purchased it from Henderson, who altered the serial number and used a false identity to sell it.

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Using surveillance images and Flock camera technology, detectives identified Henderson and located him in Michigan, where he had been arrested for other charges.

Assistant District Attorney Pete Lamb, who prosecuted the case, said Henderson admitted to stealing the skid steer, removing its tracking chip, altering its VIN, and forged the bill of sale using another persons identity.

Henderson was ordered to have no contact with members or associates of criminal street gangs as part of his sentencing.

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CHICAGO  A man in ICE custody amid his daughters battle with cancer has been ordered released on bond.

During a virtual bond hearing Thursday morning, Judge Eva Saltzman ordered 40-year-old Ruben Torres Maldonado released on a $2,000 bond.

Torres Maldonado is currently in ICE detention in Clay County Jail in Brazil, Indiana. He is requesting to stay in the U.S., claiming it would present a hardship to his family if he was removed. A hearing on that claim is pending.

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I wish you much luck in the future, Judge Saltzman said. And I wish your daughter a full recovery.

Federal agents arrested Torres Maldonado on Oct. 18 outside a Home Depot in Niles. He has lived in Chicago since 2003 and is the father of two children.

Torres Maldonados oldest child, 16-year-old Ofelia, a student at Lake View High School, has been receiving treatments for stage four metastatic cancer at Lurie Childrens Hospital. She was diagnosed last year.

After receiving word that Ruben Torres Maldonado will be released from ICE custody, WGN News has learned that his family is filled with gratitude. They have since left their home in Portage Park and traveled to Indiana to pick up Maldonado.

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleges Torres Maldonados criminal history includes habitual driving offenses, including being charged multiple times with driving without insurance, driving without a valid license, and speeding.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
CHICAGO (AP)  A Chicago man whose 16-year-old daughter is undergoing treatment for advanced cancer will be released on bond and return home, an immigration judge ruled Thursday.

Attorneys for Ruben Torres Maldonado, a 40-year-old painter and home renovator who was detained Oct. 18 at a suburban Home Depot store, have petitioned for his release as his deportation case goes through the system.

Judge Eva S. Saltzman on Thursday cited Torres Maldonados lack of criminal history while allowing his release on a $2,000 bond.

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We are gratified that the judge made the humane and common sense decision today to reunite Ruben Torres Maldonado with his family while they are dealing with this challenging health crisis for their child, his attorney, Kalman Resnick, said in a statement.

Resnick said Torres Maldonado will be released Thursday or Friday, and is applying for U.S. permanent residency.

Torres Maldonados daughter, Ofelia Torres, was diagnosed in December with a rare and aggressive form of soft-tissue cancer called metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma and has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

I cant wait to see my dad, Ofelia said in a statement. We need him to be at home with me and our family.

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Ofelia described her father as a hard-working person who wakes up early in the morning and goes to work without complaining, thinking about his family, in a video posted on a GoFundMe page set up for her family.

Torres Maldonado and his partner, Sandibell Hidalgo, also have a 4-year-old son. Hidalgo thanked the judge, her community and people who have followed the family's story as it made national headlines this month.

To every person who has donated to our GoFundMe, brought us dinner, and provided emotional support, we are so grateful, she said in a statement.

Torres Maldonado's arrest comes after weeks of tense encounters and increasingly aggressive tactics by federal immigration agents involved in Operation Midway Blitz, which has resulted in more than 3,000 arrests in the Chicago metropolitan area.

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U.S. District Judge Jeremy Daniel said last week that Torres Maldonados detention is illegal and violates his due process rights. But Daniel also said he could not order his immediate release.

While sympathetic to the plight the petitioners daughter faces due to her health concerns, the court must act within the constraints of the relevant statutes, rules, and precedents, the judge wrote Friday.

The Department of Homeland Security alleges that Torres Maldonado has been living illegally in the U.S. for years after entering the U.S. in 2003.
A 30-year-old Chicago man has been charged after allegedly shooting at a Chicago police squad car after crashing into it Monday afternoon in Jefferson Park, Chicago police said.

Isaiah Martinez has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, armed violence, aggravated battery toward a peace officer, possession of a firearm as a repeat felon offender, aggravated possession of a stolen vehicle and more in connection with the incident, CPD said Wednesday.

Martinez was arrested about 4:10 p.m. Monday in the 6100-block of West Eastwood Avenue.

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A CPD officer assigned to the 16th District tried to pull over a Jeep in the 4800-block of North Milwaukee Avenue just before 4:10 p.m., when the Jeep's driver crashed into the marked squad car and drove away, police said.

The driver, Martinez, also fired at least one shot, hitting the squad car, police said.

The Jeep continued driving to the 4500-block of North Meade Avenue, where it crashed into another marked squad car, police said.

The driver fled on foot and was taken into custody in the 6100-block of West Eastwood Avenue, CPD said.

No one was injured.

Officers did not return fire, police said.

A gun was recovered from the Jeep, police said.

The video in the player above is from an earlier report.

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Harrison Ford came back to his hometown of Chicago this week for an honor at a Field Museum gala.

The legendary actor is also a conservation activist, telling ABC7 his love of nature started in the Midwest long before his Hollywood career.

"I grew up in Chicago, that explains it all doesn't it?" Ford said.

The Field Museum presented Ford an award for his conservation efforts Wednesday night. He's been a lifelong champion for the environment.

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The Field Museum and their dinosaurs seemed like a good fit for the Indiana Jones star.

"Well, it's where I first learned about nature at the Field Museum, and the Museum of Science & Industry here," Ford said. "They were very influential in my young life, so was the zoo, the Lincoln Park Zoo."

SEE ALSO | 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' is Harrison Ford's farewell to his iconic character

Ford says he was an outdoor kid growing up.

"Well I was a Chicago kid, so I was a street kid," Ford said. "My mother's family were Jewish, My father was a Roman Catholic. What I discovered is that everything attributed to God, to God on high was actually a product of nature."

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The actor reminisced on "The Fugitive" during his return to Chicago.

"Yeah, well, those were the great days, that was the height of the movie business," Ford said. "It helped bring us together, these shared stories, and now we sit in our homes and watch streaming and we don't have the community experience as much as we used to."

Talking with Anthropologist Wade Davis at the Field Museum Wednesday night, Ford spoke of a life-changing encounter as a boy.

"I looked and there he was ten feet away, a red fox, totally quiet not moving staring right at me," Ford said. "The fox left and I walked away. I discovered a connection to nature. I knew I was part of nature."

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When asked if he's hopeful, Ford replied, "I maintain hope because it keeps me from despair. Science is our hope. It's critical to the continuation of life on Earth and the free services that natures provides to humanity, fresh water, clean air pollinators for our crops. We can't destroy what we don't know yet could be what saves us."

SEE ALSO | Harrison Ford joins the MCU playing dual roles in 'Captain America: Brave New World'
A new Chick-fil-A store is opening off of a busy Newport News throughway next week.

The Atlanta-based chicken chains new restaurant is set to open Nov. 6 at 12839 Jefferson Ave.  north of Denbigh Boulevard and south of Richneck Road. The stores hours are set to be 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

This will be the third standalone restaurant for the company in Newport News. There are also locations in Patrick Henry Mall and on Christopher Newport Universitys campus. Public records indicate the new restaurant is 5,184 square feet and the property has a value of $1.3 million.

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Company leadership selected Christopher Hobert as the new locations owner-operator, making it the second Chick-fil-A restaurant in Newport News he manages. The other location is up the street in the Yoder Plaza Shopping Center. Hobert is a nine-year Navy veteran who was based in Hampton Roads for most of his service, a company news release said. Hes operated the Yoder Plaza location, at 12128 Jefferson Ave., since 2020.

Approximately 140 new jobs were created by the opening, the restaurant said.

Patrons who visit the restaurants opening day in cow attire could get free food while supplies last.
(FOX40.COM)  The Cal Fire Nevada Yuba Placer Unit and the Placer County Fire Department Fire Chief Brian Estes have announced his retirement at the end of the year after 35 years of service.

 Video above: 20-minute interview of Chief Brian Estes

Chief Estes grew up in Butte County, where he graduated from the top of his class from the Butte Fire Academy in 1991. He started his career in San Diego and made his way to Tuolumne County to be part of their helicopter crew.

During his career, Estes was promoted to captain in 2002 and battalion chief in 2005. He told FOX40 the most exciting day-to-day was when he worked on the helicopters, but what was most rewarding for him was the relationships he built with other people in the fire service, elected officials, and those in the community.

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Its been a blessing to have such a long career at a really iconic and proud agency you know when I go back to my early days I really only wanted to work for this agency and put all my eggs in one basket despite what some people told me to do and not to do it worked very well, Estes said in an interview.

Estes has been at the head of his unit throughout several Northern California wildfires, including the Caldor, the August Complex, and the Camp Fire, which destroyed his home in the town of Paradise.

Estes said his advice to his successor is to always focus on the people in every emergency and every interaction.

The best thing you can do is spend your time, you know, building that investment and the people around you paying that debt back to the agency thats invested so much in the venue over the years, so that when its time to go, you know you have a system thats hopefully better than what you were, Estes said.

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After he retires, Estes said he looks forward to spending more time playing music and focusing on his art.

Here are some of Estess artworks that have been shared over to FOX40.

Artwork of Chief Estes. Image: Cal Fire Artwork of Chief Estes. Image: Cal Fire

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
Chimpanzees can change their minds when the facts no longer support their previous beliefs  a rational level of thinking that was once considered uniquely human.

In a series of experiments designed to test the metacognition of these fascinating apes, psychologist Hanna Schleihauf of Utrecht University and her colleagues observed, for the first time, how chimpanzees can weigh different kinds of evidence  and change their beliefs in response to a stronger argument.

"This is really the strongest and hardest test for this understanding of so-called second-order evidence," Schleihauf told ScienceAlert. "I think we have the evidence that we can say, okay, no, rationality in its fundamental form is not uniquely human, but we also share some basic processes of this with chimpanzees."

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Related: Cuttlefish Pass Cognitive Test Designed For Human Children

The Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary rescues chimps from poachers. (Innocent Ampeire/Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary)

It's the Aristotelian school of philosophy that considers humans the "rational" animal  the one species on Earth with the capacity for reasoned decision-making. In recent years, however, we have started to learn that this assumption may be hubristic, with many animals demonstrating levels of intelligence Aristotle may have thought beyond them.

One putative defining characteristic of human thinking is rationality. This, for the purposes of this research, is defined as the ability to form beliefs about the world based on evidence; but, when new evidence emerges, a rational being can weigh up the two sets of evidence and, crucially, revise their beliefs when the second-order evidence about the evidence is stronger.

As you can probably imagine, this is not an easy thing to test for in non-human animals. Schleihauf and her colleagues designed a series of five experiments to conduct with chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) at the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Uganda. Each experiment involved hiding a piece of apple in a box and waiting for the chimpanzee to choose a box based on the evidence presented.

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There were several kinds of evidence. Strong evidence was visual: the chimpanzee would see the human physically placing the apple in the box, or see the apple in the box through a clear perspex side. Merely hearing something rattle in the box, or seeing a few crumbs, was classified as weaker evidence.

A diagram of the first two experiments. (Schleihauf et al., Science, 2025)

The first two experiments were the simplest. The chimps were presented with two boxes and then given evidence about each one. When the stronger evidence was presented before the weaker, the chimpanzees tended to stick with their original choice. When the weaker evidence was presented first, they changed their mind. So far, so straightforward.

For the next experiment, the researchers added a third box for which no evidence was provided, then removed the strong-evidence box. Here, the chimpanzees mostly opted for the weak-evidence box over the no-evidence box.

In the fourth experiment, the researchers presented redundant weak evidence or new weak evidence. In the first scenario, the researchers rattled the box twice, so the chimpanzees heard the same piece of food rattling inside the box; but for the second, the chimpanzees were presented with the sound of a second piece of food being dropped in the box.

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This is where it gets a bit more interesting. The chimpanzees tended to choose the new, additional evidence over the redundant evidence, suggesting that they can discern between new and old information.

Finally, the fifth experiment was the kicker. The chimpanzees were shown that earlier evidence could be false: the piece of apple turned out to be just a picture on the perspex, or a rock rattling in the box. In this case, the chimpanzees changed their minds more often, rejecting the misleading evidence in favor of more reliable cues.

The fifth, and most complicated, of the experiments. (Schleihauf et al., Science, 2025)

"I really went in there without the expectation [that it would work], because nobody has done that before," Schleihauf said.

"Animals are not acting purely on instinct, and their behavior has a certain pattern, and they do follow evidence in the world. Reflective responsiveness to reason means you're really aware why you hold certain beliefs. Showing that they changed their mind when the reason was defeated is evidence that they have this capacity."

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The results suggest that chimpanzee intelligence might be a little bit closer to how we define human intelligence than we thought. They can weigh and compare evidence, rather than just react to it; track what they know and how they know it; and recognize unreliable evidence and revise their decisions accordingly.

The ability, the researchers believe, could have an origin in the shared ancestor of primates, millions of years ago; if this is the case, it might be testable in other primates, such as capuchins, macaques, and baboons.

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In On the Origin of the Species, Charles Darwin wrote, "In the distant future I see open fields for far more important researches. Psychology will be based on a new foundation, that of the necessary acquirement of each mental power and capacity by gradation. Light will be thrown on the origin of man and his history."

Perhaps the current psychology of chimpanzees mirrors a similar cognitive stage of development that took place in early humans. There's also a school of thought that proposes that what separates humans from other animals is our ability to cooperate, above and beyond our ability to think rationally.

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The new evidence seems to support this idea that intelligence alone is not what makes us human.

"I think there are still vast differences between us, but also more similarities than we assumed there are," Schleihauf said.

The research has been published in Science.

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JIUQUAN, China (AP)  China said Thursday it's on track to land astronauts on the moon by 2030 as it introduced the next crew of astronauts who will head to its space station as part of the country's ambitious plans to be a leader in space exploration.

Currently, each program of the research and development work of putting a person on the moon is progressing smoothly, said Zhang Jingbo, spokesman for the China Manned Space Program, citing the Long March 10 rocket, moon landing suits and exploration vehicle, as fruitful efforts of that work. Our fixed goal of China landing a person on the moon by 2030 is firm."

China is also preparing to send up its latest rotation of astronauts who make up part of the ongoing mission to complete the Tiangong space station, part of its broader space exploration plans. Each team stays inside the station for six months, conducting research.

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The latest crew joining others on the station will be made up of Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang. They will take off from the Jiuquan launch center Friday at 11:44 p.m. in China. Zhang was previously part of the Shenzhou 15 mission to the station. For Wu and Zhang, this will be their first time in space.

The astronauts will also carry four mice with them on this trip, two male and two female. They will study the effects of weightlessness and confinement on the animals.

China began work on the Tiangong, or Heavenly Palace, after the country was excluded from the International Space Station over U.S. national security concerns over the Chinese space program's direct link to the Peoples Liberation Army.
CHOCOWINITY, N.C. (WNCT)  Due to the recent events that have occurred in Craven County regarding a murderer still being on the loose, schools around the surrounding areas are taking extra precautions to make sure that students remain safe.

Mrs. Whittington, Principal at Chocowinity Primary School, has released a statement:

We are aware of the recent incidents that occurred in Craven County. In an abundance of caution, all teaching and learning will take place inside the locked buildings today. Students will not travel from building to building. There will be no outside activities. We have limited access to the school for all visitors. Beaufort County Schools are working closely with the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office for additional patrols throughout the school community. We will update you as we receive more information. Thank you.

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WNCT.com will keep you posted regarding these events as we get more information.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  The California Highway Patrol Bakersfield office is remembering the agencys first officer killed in the line of duty.

Watch After Sunrise on KGET+; Click to learn how to get KGET+ on your smart TV devices

Officials with CHP said on social media that Officer Howard Garlinger was killed in a motorcycle crash at the intersection of Niles and Haley streets on Oct. 30, 1929.

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Officer Garlinger was taken to San Joaquin Hospital where he was pronounced dead before his arrival. He served as a CHP officer for four years.

He is buried at Union Cemetery.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.
Abuse of children who are purportedly being home-schooled in Connecticut is an issue again. The case of a boy allegedly kept prisoner by his stepmother in his room in Waterbury for 20 years, which broke in February, has just been followed by the case of an 11-year-old girl who was allegedly killed by her family in Farmington and whose corpse was discovered in New Britain after her family moved there.

There was inadequate checking about the boy by child protection and school authorities after he was removed from school. But court documents indicate that the girl was killed while she was still enrolled in public school, a month before her family filed notice to home-school her. According to police, the girl suffered physical abuse and malnourishment for a long time - apparently while still a public school student and while child-protection authorities were involved with her family.

Whatever the details of the girl's death, abused and neglected children remain a serious issue and the General Assembly and Gov. Ned Lamont should have acted on it during the legislature's regular session this year, since part of the solution is obvious: to require home-schooled students to be presented for an annual interview with school or child-protection authorities.

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But the issue is being used to mislead. For the child abuse and neglect problem is overwhelmingly a problem of children who are public-schooled.

Most home-schooled children get far more attention from their parents than most public-schooled kids do, insofar as their households have more money and can spare a parent to do the teaching instead of working full-time outside the home. Meanwhile 17% of Connecticut's public-schooled children are chronically absent. In the cities, where poverty and parenting are worst, the rate is 25% or more.

If, for example, the 13-year-old boy who shot and killed a 15-year-old boy in New Haven a few weeks ago was home-schooled, opponents of home schooling probably would have made sure that Connecticut knew about it by now. The Hartford girl who last September disclosed to the Connecticut Mirror that she had just graduated from high school though she was illiterate wasn't home-schooled either. She was the product of Hartford's public schools.

Indeed, the little standardized testing Connecticut allows in its public schools suggests that most high school graduates in the state never master what used to be considered basic English and math before they are sent into the world to fend for themselves.

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There is hardly more checking on these public-schooled kids than there is checking on home-schooled kids.

The 11-year-old girl's case provides a telling detail. Police investigation suggests that the girl's household was full of psychosis and delusion and that her father long had abandoned her and wasn't around to protect her.

About a third of Connecticut's children live without a father in their home. In the cities it's most children. Fatherlessness correlates strongly with poverty, educational failure, physical and mental illness, misbehavior, crime, and unhappiness.

Yet Connecticut hardly notices this problem. Public policy presumes that it's less expensive just to keep throwing money at single people who have children they can't afford and thus to subsidize childbearing outside marriage and fatherlessness. This practice and social promotion in public schools guarantee generational poverty and crime, but no one in authority dares to ask where Connecticut's worsening poverty is coming from unless it already has been decided to blame President Trump.

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Maybe the latest case of child abuse will mistakenly prompt state government to require an annual census and interview of home-schooled children. But there probably aren't more than a few thousand of them.

Meanwhile there are tens of thousands of abused or neglected children in the state's public schools, many of them soon to become seriously disadvantaged young adults. As children or young adults, many of these die prematurely every month in criminal incidents that are considered routine, the natural order of things. They are far more deserving of more child protection and yet they are not even on the state's agenda.

Chris Powell (cpowell@cox.net) has written about Connecticut government and politics for many years.

This article originally published at Chris Powell (opinion): Most child neglect involves public-schooled children.
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Christian non-profit based in Rutherford County is seeing the firsthand impacts of recent growth in homeschooling.

I think a large part started with COVID, to be honest. I think that when the schools sent children home, the parents said, I think I can do this. Not only that, but it kind of opened their eyes to what is going on in schools. What are they being taught? How is it being taught? said Tennessee Homeschoolers founder Abby Merryman.

She began her own homeschooling journey years ago before launching their group on Facebook.

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We put our kids into public school, a great public school here in Murfreesboro. And it wasnt a good fit, Merryman recalled. Every year I knew the Lord was saying, homeschool your kids. Finally, I said, heres my white flag. Im waving it, but I need You to provide me with community.

Their Facebook group started about six years ago with 50 people for fieldtrips on Fridays. Its now 4,000 members strong.

Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More

We spent the night at the Nashville Zoo last spring together and then we have 400 students that come through every Wednesday and Thursday.

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According to Rutherford County Schools, there were 7,029 students reported to the state using the Non-public and home school reporting form for the 2024-2025 school year. That includes 778 registered in the independent home school category. Murfreesboro City Schools reported 400 students in their independent homeschool and umbrella school categories at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. According to Metro Nashville Public Schools, there were 760 students registered as home schooled at the end of the 2024-2024 school year, which is up from 421 ten years prior. Clarksville Montgomery County Schools have saw a slight increase in independent homeschooling during the pandemic, but rates have been relatively steady over the past decade, according to a district spokesman. Their most recent data showed 1,086 students registered as independent homeschool for the 2023-2024 school year.

(Photo: WKRN)

Eleven years ago when I started homeschooling, my oldest child, when he was in kindergarten, it felt like I was on this island alone. I didnt really know many people that homeschooled. Now everywhere you go, somebody homeschools, said Merryman. I think that parents eyes were open during that time period (pandemic). For us, it was one of those things that kind of catapulted our group into the growth that were seeing now. Again, with the school shootings, its absolutely horrendous. I think parents think, I can keep my children safe at home.

The main objective for Tennessee Homeschoolers is supporting families opting out of traditional education by building community and connections.

The biggest question I get asked every time someone finds out that we homeschool our children is, well, how do you socialize? And I always look at them and I think, if you saw my calendar, you would be so overwhelmed. And that is the biggest misconception. These kids can hold conversations with adults better than most children, said Merryman. If you look around here , theres absolutely no shortage of students that they can socialize with. They are socialized. All kids are weird. Everyone is weird. Not just home school.

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News 2 On Tour | Explore the communities that shape Middle Tennessee

Tennessee Homeschoolers is a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Rutherford County, but Merrymen said families travel from as far as Kentucky to take part in their programs. She described their approach as a hybrid between what are known as tutorials or co-ops.

A typical tutorial is where parents will drop their students off for classes. They will come back at the end of the day and pick them up. A co-op is where a parent stays on site and helps lead classes with their students. Weve tried both and my personal style is we didnt love both so I thought.. How can we make this work for all?

Merryman cited cost as another factor in making their programs work for more families.

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A lot of homeschool families sacrifice an income. Some of them have gone from two incomes to one so that one of the parents can stay home and homeschool their children. The way that we help with that is we try to the best of our ability to keep prices low.

They host weekly lessons at a church with faith woven into everything they do.

We are a Christian organization, said Merryman. Were not just Christians on Sundays and Wednesday nights. It is within every part of our being. We do have families that come that are more secular, that maybe wouldnt identify with a certain religion or faith. But the biggest part is they say they come and they feel welcome.

She says their Apologetics Bible course is one of seventy classes that they offer with kids ranging from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

We offer things like coding classes. We have woodworking. We have culinary. We have Lego and STEM class.

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Merryman works full-time as a real estate agent and owner of a property management company, but said helping other families venturing into homeschooling is her true passion.

I dont know everyones financial situation. I dont know everyones educational background or the ability to comprehend and retain what they read. I dont know. I think that if a family believes that this is whats best for their family, you can do it. I mean, if theres a will, theres a way.

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.
Growing up in poverty as a child on Detroit's west side, sometimes wondering when and how he would get his next meal, the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. says he can remember having "nothing," including running water. The family would have to fill buckets at a neighbor's house to use for drinking and taking a bath.

It was that hardscrabble upbringing that fueled him, Kinloch said, to later serve his community  as a pastor. And, if his prayers are answered on election night, Nov. 4  as mayor.

Struggling through that "nothing," has been the impetus for Kinloch's proposed policies related to addressing poverty and more to boost Detroiters quality of life, a message he poignantly expressed during his massive campaign kickoff announcement at the Fox Theatre in February. Kinloch and his family relied on the church community for meals, which empowered him to serve others in similar ways  including his mayoral run  and later establishing his religious community, and growing the Triumph Church empire.

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If it were not for the community stakeholders, the churches, the nonprofits in (my) community, there would be days we would not have eaten. There would be days that we would have went without just the basic essentials of life, Kinloch said. Throughout my entire life, that's what has fueled me; in order to use every ounce of influence and platform that I've received; in order to make sure that I'm using that to help as many people as I can.

"... That fueled me as a leader, and it fuels my candidacy right now.

Kinloch began ministering at the age of 14 under the guidance of the Rev. Robert Smith Jr., the pastor at New Bethel Baptist Church, after his brother told the pastor that Kinloch admired his work. Smith later invited Kinloch to give a sermon  learned under Smith's tutelage  and served as a minister of the same church. At that time, still in his early 20s, Kinloch also worked at an automotive plant before making ministry his full-time calling.

Then, Triumph Church came calling in 1998, offering him the lead pastor position.

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The church, which at the time had fewer than 100 members, later grew at a rate of roughly 400 new members a month. It quickly outgrew the rented hall spaces where services were held and expanded to multiple campuses to make room for its burgeoning flock.

The church is more than a physical space, Kinloch said, its a community. And he makes sure to treat it that way. Throughout his leadership, Kinloch has provided: laptops to students during the COVID-19 pandemic to help bridge the digital divide, taking kids on holiday shopping sprees, buying thousands of dollars in groceries to feed hungry families and more  all in an attempt to fill any gaps he sees among those in need. Although he offers support to anyone in need, Detroiters have primarily gravitated toward his church, he said.

The Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. delivers his sermon during the Thanksgiving Day Celebration service at Triumph Church at their East Campus facility on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in Detroit. The church is one of fastest-growing in the country.

Kinlochs responsibilities would revolve around church. And he says he still maintains that priority when he can. He begins every week preparing to preach by drawing inspiration from passages or books he comes across, or making mental notes about anything going on in the world that could become the subject of his sermons. After church, he says, he typically grabs a bite to eat with those closest to him.

However, his life has changed since launching his campaign. Kinloch says he now wakes up to meditate, then makes calls to voters and canvasses neighborhoods in an effort to secure voter support for the November election.

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His wife, Robin Kinloch, said his decision to run for mayor involved a lot of prayer and discussion.

I said, Lord, help me to enjoy the experience. I dont want to be that spouse (that says) Oh, I hate it, I hate that we ever did this. And He (God) honored that prayer. I dont have any regrets. This has been a connection outside of ministry that puts me back in a different space and I've enjoyed it, she said.

Detroit mayoral candidate Rev. Solomon Kinloch, right, of Triumph Church reacts after Detroit resident Callie Taylor, left, 69, said she would vote for him after speaking with him and his wife, Robin Kinloch, as they walk a couple blocks canvassing a neighborhood on Detroits east side before speaking with supporters at a meet and greet held at Soul 2 Go on Whittier Avenue on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.

I feel like hes the best advocate for the people in the city of Detroit, because he can relate to so many of the issues that the average citizens are challenged with, or celebrated for, because its not all about those who cant advocate for themselves in a space of poverty. We're even finding people who are middle class who are having a hard time navigating the system, and need someone who can relate and advocate for them.

Questions loom about whether Kinloch, who lives by his Christian faith, will be able to handle the responsibilities of the mayors office on top of his ministerial duties, and whether he can refrain from merging religion into politics. The pastor says he fully expects to prioritize being a full-time mayor while continuing to preach on the side, if the opportunity presents itself. And when mayoral duties take over, church services will continue with another pastor.

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Im not looking to pastor the city. I'm looking to make sure that we lead in such a way that we give people the delivery on what we put on paper when the architects of this country established it, Kinloch said. Ministry is about people. Politics and government is supposed to be about people. Somewhere along the way, that has gotten mixed and marred.

"... what we got to make sure that we're doing is putting people back in these seats of power who are going to handle that power with integrity and with character, in such a way to make sure it's working good for people so that they can measure it, so that they can see it. People don't feel seen.

Accomplishments

While Kinloch has never served as an elected official, he speaks proudly of serving, like creating youth programs involving mentorship, STEM, scholarships and recreation under his leadership at the church.

We've had as many as 30 and 40 different classes: dance, robotics, videography, photography, art, things that young people were interested in  anything we thought they were interested in, they could have their parents sign them up and do breakfast at 8 o'clock in the morning, lunch and even dinner. And we expose them to incentives for those programs, Kinloch said. Seeing young people sign up year-after-year to participate in those programs has been a highlight of what we've done.

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During the pandemic, his church distributed thousands of boxes of groceries to families on a weekly basis, and purchased thousands of laptops and tablets for those in need, he added. And, he says, he is willing to do more.

Solomon Kinloch Jr., 45, a senior pastor at Triumph Church, talks to the crowd in Detroit before they marched down Eight Mile from Dequindre to Woodward during the Black Lives Matter Across Eight Mile March & Rally that was sponsored by BLM Across Eight Mile & Moratorium NOW! Coalition on Saturday, June 27, 2020. There were several speakers before and after the march that had Detroit Police providing assistance so the march could happen down Eight Mile safely.

We are being aggressive about direct contact. I'm not a politician. Im a person that believes the only vote you get is the one you ask for. So, if I have to spend  which I will  the next several ... days looking for every vote in order to become the next mayor of this city, thats what Im going to do, Kinloch said.

Besides mailing flyers, promoting the campaign digitally and hosting phone banks with a room full of callers urging residents to vote for Kinloch, the pastor regularly knocks doors with at least a dozen canvassers, lining up their cars along residential streets and honking their horns to get the neighbors to come outside to meet their potential future mayor.

"This race is going to boil down to reminding citizens of Detroit that they are entitled to, and deserve to have a say in the future of this city, Kinloch said, emphasizing the need to boost turnout outside of the most reliable voter base, like seniors.

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While canvassing on a warm September afternoon, Kinloch ran into several voters who said they either will not vote, or did not plan to vote for him  though he successfully swayed at least one who said they planned on voting for his opponent, Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield. The resident wished to remain anonymous, but she said Kinloch convinced her to support him because he went to her home and he aligns with her religious values.

Kinloch used that moment to say he does not agree with rubber-stamping as a form of leadership, taking aim at his opponent.

What weve got to make sure were doing is talking to people who they call 'low propensity voters' ... theyre still people, and we should not write them out of the script, Kinloch said. They dont see how government changes their life. They have been promised so many things and because of failed leadership, so many times, people have not delivered on those promises.

Annette Reed, of Detroit, talks with Detroit mayoral candidate the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., of Triumph Church, after a town hall at Eastlake Baptist Church in Detroit on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.

So, how does one choose whom to elect?

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Decide based on what leaders have done, how they measure it and how they have used their sphere of influence, Kinloch said.

Making sure that you have authentic and genuine checks and balances while you're sitting at the table is real accountability and real leadership, Kinloch said.

His chief of staff at the church, Ralph Godbee, a former Detroit Police chief  who worked for past mayors, such as Coleman Young, Dennis Archer, Kwame Kilpatrick and Dave Bing  has known Kinloch for 15 years and said that Detroiters would find it refreshing to have an elected official who is not an institutionalized figure; that can advocate for up-and-coming neighborhoods where residents may have scenic streetscapes on one block, but see blight on another.

He's a CEO, people fail to realize that. Im a former chief of police and Ive served under him. People asked me, What's more difficult, being chief of police or chief of staff for pastor Kinloch? Ironically, being chief of staff, Godbee said, adding that he had 3,000-4,000 employees who had to do what he said when he was police chief. But to lead the church of seven different campuses, 40,000 families and  on his leadership acumen  to move mountains to help people, that's an amazing feat. If you can do that with volunteers, what more can you do with a workforce?

Triumph Church chief of staff Ralph Godbee, left, keeps an eye on traffic as he and Detroit mayoral candidate the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., of Triumph Church, leave to go to another event after speaking with supporters during a meet and greet held at Soul 2 Go on Whittier Avenue located in Detroits east side on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.

Kinloch says his biggest motivator is the people around him.

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I met a mother of two small children who were living next to a house that is abandoned by the owner. And she was just talking about not just the cosmetic of that home, but also the safety concerns that she has because of that home; because of the individuals that come in and out that house and the mental challenges that some have faced when they were removed from the home, adding that a resident threw a brick through her window," he said. It just reminded us that people are dealing with the repercussions and results, on a daily basis, of leadership that they perceive has failed them.

Rocky road

Shortly before the August primary, Kinloch faced a bump in the road on his campaign as reports emerged that he pleaded guilty in 1993 to assaulting his first wife after she accused him of beating her in the head with the handle of a butcher knife and throwing it at her.

His then-wife called the police to their home after she said he tried preventing her from leaving during an argument, in which he responded by throwing a glass that struck her foot and pointing the knife at her. She told police she tried blocking the knife with her hand and in the process, her finger was cut. Attorneys said he hit her twice with the knife before throwing it at her and striking her head with the handle.

"I was 19 years of age, it happened one night, an argument developed that escalated to a point that it shouldn't have reached and things happened that should have never happened, and I took responsibility for it," Kinloch told the Free Press in an interview in July. "I went through the judicial process and a redemptive process. I received counseling, not only outside but inside the church. I accepted responsibility and I learned from the mistakes and I've tried to use it to help other men."

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The woman divorced Kinloch 11 years later, though the pastor said her family members are members of his church, and he spoke with her before entering the mayor's race, adding that she was supportive of him.

Kinloch was initially charged with felonious assault, but instead, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of misdemeanor assault and battery in April 1994. He was sentenced to 12 months of probation and court-ordered mental health treatment, including a program for spousal abuse.

Where are the pastors?

Kinloch has yet to release a list of support for his campaign from the religious community. While Sheffields campaign has received numerous endorsements from major religious leaders, including Bishop Marvin Winans of Perfecting Church, the Rev. Wendell Anthony of Fellowship Chapel and the Rev. Jim Holley of Historic Little Rock Baptist Church. Kinloch said he isnt worried, though, emphasizing that being a leader does not mean all people will follow. He said he plans to soon release a list of those supporting him.

This city has never been a monotown. Just like you have diverse opinions and perspectives in the city of Detroit, you have that even among the faith-based community, Kinloch said. People are looking right now for real, systematic and structural change.

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We have to remember when Dr. King came out and wanted to challenge the inequities, there were many pastors who were against him at the end of the day, Kinloch said.

What to expect from a Kinloch administration

Because Kinloch has dedicated much of his life to serving people, he said, he and his wife, Robin Kinloch, want to make the Manoogian Mansion the peoples house and open its doors to the community  again, if elected.

"One of the things that my wife continues to say to me is, Can you imagine Easter egg hunts at the house for children, or cooking classes for young people, or highlighting awardees for young people, celebrating the achievements of people in our community? We need to inspire, and whatever resident and whatever side of the spectrum we land, we're going to continue to do that, wherever we live." Kinloch said, adding that despite having property in other cities and facing questions about his residency, he plans to stay in Detroit.

He stressed that his policies are rooted in driving down Detroits growing poverty rate by providing affordable housing, reducing crime, supporting youth programming, education and connecting Detroiters with opportunities.

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When you look at the census data that said, since 2017, poverty is the highest; at the end of the day, numbers dont lie. When somebody says things are better, better for who? Kinloch said.

Reducing crime will require practices that allow people to police their own community, he said; by creating sanctuary hubs for children to have alternative spaces than being in the streets and turning to criminal ways; to rebuild trust in the community to tackle crime among younger crowds.

And, Kinloch said, he expects to drive more jobs with competitive wages.

"People want to know that the renaissance and recovery in Detroit will come to their door. My administration will ensure no one is left out or left behind," Kinloch said.

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Although crime is on a downward trend in Detroit, Kinloch said he cannot promise retaining current Detroit Police leadership, namely Chief Todd Bettison. Sheffield said she would keep him in the role.

I believe that's disingenuous for any leader to make promises as a candidate, Kinloch said. The entire leadership of the police department would have to submit to me a plan on how you will ensure not just safety, but also deliver justice to the people in Detroit. It's not about how you feel, its about how the citizens feel ... because what were doing now aint working.

How Detroiters feel

Travez Daniel, 33, has owned Soul 2 Go on Detroits east side for eight years. He recently gathered the Kinloch campaign for an event at his restaurant, feeding canvassers  you guessed it soul food, with enthusiastic supporters waving fans in the air with Kinloch's name on it, chanting: Were rockin with Kinloch! as if he were a celebrity walking into the room.

Detroit mayoral candidate the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., of Triumph Church, speaks with supporters during a meet and greet held at Soul 2 Go on Whittier Avenue located in Detroits east side on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.

Daniel first met Kinloch at Triumph Church and frequently attends the 8 a.m. services before opening his restaurant. He said he has always admired what Kinloch stands for, and how involved the pastor is in the community as an everyday person.

We need that. Someone who comes and interacts with the business owner; comes and interacts with random people; comes and interacts with the people that are city of Detroit residents, Daniel said, adding that he needs the next mayor to ensure Detroit is safe, fun and that neighborhoods receive equal attention to investments.

Donna R. Jones, 57, also a Triumph Church member, has lived in Detroit for 53 years and said blight and vacant lots are common along the blocks near her east side home  often noticing they invite thieves, stolen vehicles and vandalism, among other crimes. Kinloch's platform aimed at tackling crime is what, Jones said, stood out to her.

They said that the crime is going down. Not by my eyes, Jones said. We need to start policing ourselves. Neighborhood block clubs are trying to implement that.

She added that Kinloch has a way of speaking on inclusiveness to ensure Detroiters outside of the denser areas  namely downtown and Midtown  have a voice, especially amid divisions between those who feel connected to downtown and those who do not.

He speaks for the people. He speaks truth to power, Jones said.

The Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., 52, is running for mayor of Detroit and is photographed at Chroma, a co-working space he owns, located in the historic Milwaukee Junction neighborhood of Detroit, on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025.

Capri Scott, teacher and owner of Foundation First Childcare Development Center, grew up in the Dexter-Linwood neighborhood. Scott said she is not a member of Triumph Church, but believes Kinloch is a man of integrity who is honest. She said the city has been missing those qualities in its leadership. Pushing for quality education and resources is her main concern.

He has spoken to that, to the plight of education in the city of Detroit, Scott said, who initially leaned toward supporting Saunteel Jenkins for mayor in the primary. Jenkins has since endorsed Sheffield.

I grew up in a working-class neighborhood, just like Solomon Kinloch, so I appreciate that he speaks from that lens. Hes not coming from, Im this pastor of this mega-church and I have all these friends. Hes coming from the lens of, I know how you all feel because I was there.' That resonates with me. I have a lot of working parents, and they live in the city ... he understands the importance of the cost of food and how much rent costs and the mortgage, Scott said.

Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Solomon Kinloch aims to run Detroit with integrity as mayor
This years Black Friday  for shoppers will be Nov. 28, but it also will be a date to circle for fans of Hawaiis musical traditions.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, the City and County of Honolulu, and the Royal Hawaiian Band are partnering to present Kali kimaka Ho omau (Its Christmas Every Day ),  a free, no-tickets-required Christmas concert in the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Seating is general admission ; doors open at 6 p.m., the two-hour concert starts at 7 p.m.

We really want this to be a joyous holiday season,  Blangiardi said in announcing the event. As were holding this conference (Wednesday ), the headlines are talking about the strain of the shutdown. People have been through a lot. Were trying to alleviate that as much as we possibly can, and what better opportunity now, with the holiday starting, than to kick it off with an incredible free concert ?

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Bandmaster Clarke Bright and the Royal Hawaiian Band will share the stage with Henry Kapono, Raiatea Helm, Lynell Bright and the Kamehameha Schools Childrens Chorus, the Ohana Jazz Trio (Noel Okimoto, Dean Taba and Tommy James ), Royal Hawaiian Band Glee Club leader Kala i Stern, Malia Ka ai, Starr Kalahiki, Karen Keawehawai i and Kanani Oliveira.

Helm will be celebrating the release of her long-awaited Christmas album, Raiatea  Ill Be Home for Christmas,  which is scheduled for digital release Nov. 13.

Stern will emcee the concert.

Bandmaster Bright said that he had gotten the idea for the concert from a song Kapono had written, I Wish Christmas Was Everyday. Kapono said he had gotten the idea for the song from something his children had told him.

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I asked them what they thought about Christmas and they both said they wished it was Christmas every day. I thought to myself That sounds like a song,  and Ive been singing it ever since.

Heightening the festive feelings outside the concert hall that evening will be the premiere lighting of an elaborate new holiday lighting display at Thomas Square.

The traditional Honolulu City Lights displays will go live downtown on Nov. 29 with the tree-lighting ceremony at Honolulu Hale and the Public Workers Electric Light Parade down King Street.

For more information on Kalikimaka Ho omau (Its Christmas Every Day ),  call the Royal Hawaiian Band office at 808-768-6677.
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  The City of Champaign continues to make strides in their effort to stop gun violence in the community. They say Wednesday night was step one in working to stop these shootings before they change lives for the worse.

This is why Chicago-based community health organization Acclivus is coming down to Champaign.

I just cant come into a community and start talking to somebody, you know? Theyll be like who are you? said Acclivus Field Director William Edwards.

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Equity starts when we listen: Champaign continuing the work to reduce gun violence

Community relations manager Jorge Elvir said theyre an integral part of the citys Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint.

Now the team is here, and theyre building the infrastructure, Elvir said.

Acclivus is specifically helping train people that can be boots on the ground at all times.

Street outreach is engaging with individuals that are in our community that can de-escalate and defuse situations before they escalate, Elvir said.

And they have experience in just that. The organization said that last year, they helped stop almost 2,000 interactions on the brink of turning violent.

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If you can stop an argument or even if you just stop for a little bit, break them up, go back, talk to them  you can prevent some violence, Edwards said.

This is what the City of Champaign is looking for.

Champaign City Council passes contract for street outreach violence prevention program

This is a completely proactive intervention to engage into those situations, to mediate them and solve them before something escalates to gun violence, Elvir said.

The company is looking to hire longtime community members with a certain set of skills, including influence and an established trust within the community  people willing to help  and to be helped.

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Its a steady job that comes with benefits, retirement funds, Elvir said. So, its not only helping the community to address those issues, but its also building capacity within our community for individuals that are working there so that they can also change their lives around, right. So its a two-pronged approach.

There will be two meetings on Thursday as well: one at the Champaign Public Library and the other at the Housing Authority of Champaign County.

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.
A majority of aldermen signed onto a letter Thursday objecting to reinstating Chicagos head tax and other components of Mayor Brandon Johnsons 2026 budget plan.

The 28 aldermen said they were gravely concerned about what Johnsons pitch for a monthly $21-per-employee tax on larger companies would do for job growth and companies leaving Chicago. The citys old head tax, phased out in 2014, was cast as the next frontier in the mayors largely stalled tax-the-rich agenda, as he seeks to plug a $1.19 billion deficit in next years budget.

We ask your administration to model alternative budget scenarios that exclude this jobs tax, the letter said.

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Other demands the aldermen laid out include asking the Johnson administration to look at more cuts as identified by Ernst & Young after the city hired the firm this spring to look under the citys hood to find more savings and efficiencies. The letter calls for representatives from the accounting firm to testify before the City Councils budget committee to explain why some recommendations were rejected.

Lastly, the council bloc said they were very concerned about further borrowing for operating expenses such as back pay for the new firefighters contract, saying that we believe such practices undermine long-term fiscal stability.

Johnsons team said the city would issue a new bond to make good on $185 million owed in back pay to Chicago firefighters, as well as a $90 million global payment to resolve misconduct claims against former Chicago police Sgt. Ronald Watts, among other legal settlements. While that frees up dollars in this years budget, it tacks on interest costs in future years  firefighter debt would be paid back over three years, city briefing documents said, and the settlements over five years.

The aldermen signing on were mostly mayoral opponents and moderates but also included Johnsons handpicked Finance Committee chair, Ald. Pat Dowell, and Ald. Desmon Yancy, a member of the Progressive Caucus, which is supposed to be Johnsons most ideologically aligned bloc.

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Seven of the signees to Thursdays letter voted in favor of Johnsons last budget, which eked by in a 27-23 vote: Aldermen Dowell, Yancy, Gregory Mitchell, Stephanie Coleman, Nicholas Sposato, Emma Mitts and Michelle Harris.

A spokesperson for the mayors office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday morning about the letter. But Ald. Matt OShea told the Tribune he could see Johnson staffers on the floor of City Council chambers attempting to pull aside some of the aldermen who joined him in signing the letter.

OShea, a mayoral critic, said a budget vote tentatively scheduled for mid-November spooked his colleagues into executing Thursdays rebuke.

Were nowhere near ready for that, OShea said. We do not have the information we need to vote on what is the largest budget gap in the history of our city. And it was evident the mayors office thought that were just going to move forward.

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Ald. Nicole Lee, a moderate who signed the letter, said she too has serious concerns that a head tax could harm Chicagos growth.

Lee voted against this years budget, and her vote for or against the 2026 package could prove pivotal. She said she also worries that even if the head tax were implemented, loopholes would allow businesses to dodge it, leaving the city with less money than expected.

But thats not the only thing, Lee said. Thats $100 million. The minute you take something out, weve got to come back with something to put back in.

Johnson introduced a $16.6 billion budget proposal for next year that, besides reinstating the corporate head tax, scales back an extra pension payment and adds other taxes such as a new charge on social media tech giants. But it largely avoids layoffs and does not raise property taxes.

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Other one-time tricks  a record $1 billion sweep of tax increment financing funds, refinancing old debt, borrowing money to pay for settlements and labor contracts and a continued hiring freeze  would help cover another significant chunk of the deficit.

The citys business community immediately tried to put a kibosh on Johnsons head tax proposal, rejecting the mayors framing that it would be an investment in fighting crime. His team has projected $100 million would be raised, going into a so-called Community Safety Fund to partly support some programs that are losing COVID-19 stimulus funds this year.

Johnsons reaction? Well, that sounds awfully unreasonable on the part of the business community, and their hard line against funding community safety  doesnt really reflect the values of the city of Chicago, he said during a Tuesday news conference.

The results of the initial $3.2 million contract with Ernst & Young were released after Johnsons budget speech, recommending roughly 100 pages worth of nitty-gritty changes to internal city operations that the firm said could generate between $530 million and $1.4 billion in cost savings or new revenue.

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While some updates to fines and fees could happen immediately, the report noted bigger cost-cutting proposals would take years to pull off.

The biggest potential cost saver  optimizing the citys public safety departments  would take time and require difficult decisions and complex implementation hurdles, the report noted, not to mention political barriers.

Among them: cutting the number of firefighters per engine truck from 5 to 4; civilianizing certain fire and police jobs, including cops that perform traffic and parking management; and reducing the hours of the citys 3-1-1 center from 24 down to 12 hours a day while introducing chatbots. Other tweaks to employee benefits and procurement could save another $200-$450 million.

The city is taking up a few recommendations already, like streamlining city operations and updating ordinances to recoup more money from event-holders for city assistance like road closures and CPD deployment. Ernst & Young recommended the city charge event-holders for estimated upfront costs, then charge a true-up to collect any remaining balance.

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The city is also taking a closer look at two other recommendations: slimming its fleet of cars and real estate portfolio. The report noted Chicagos cost-per-mile for ownership, fuel and services is often higher than the industry and government average and that there are more cars per city worker in Chicago government, suggesting the fleet is too big.

The report also found the citys real estate portfolio might be underutilized and inefficient. The city could offload some of its office space  anywhere from 200,000 to 300,000 square feet  by encouraging more staff to work from home more often and earn millions from selling groups of city-owned vacant lots or city-owned properties in booming neighborhoods.

Among the costliest leases were a 50,000 square foot space at 231 S. LaSalle, which the citys inspector general negotiated directly. The space includes 213 seats, but there are only 121 staff, significantly above standard benchmarks.

Chicago Tribunes Jake Sheridan contributed reporting.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  There are just a few days left for Iowa residents to vote early in the City Council School Board election.

For Sergeant Bluff residents, there is still some time left to cast ballots at two satellite locations on Thursday night. Those are the Sergeant Bluff-Luton Primary and Elementary Schools; they will be open until 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Story continues below

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Meanwhile, for voters living in Woodbury County, voters can still cast their ballots in person at the County Auditors Office on Friday and Monday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

On November 4, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots must be mailed or delivered to the Woodbury County Auditors Office by 8 p.m.

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Ryan Magee, president of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 855, said Wednesday that the city workers union is looking to arbitration to resolve a grievance for 16 heavy equipment operators who were qualified and listed for overtime assignments, but were not called for recent work at Rogers Avenue Park.

Magee said the city has yet to respond to the Step 2 grievance filed on Oct. 1 concerning failure to use the rotating overtime list and misappropriation of city equipment.

Theyre violating our collective bargaining agreement, Magee said.

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As a matter of practice, city officials do not publicly discuss union matters in process since they are mostly exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. However, final signed union contracts are a matter of public record.

The adjustment, or remedy, the union seeks, Magee said, includes a release of time records to show how many hours of labor were used at Rogers Avenue Park and a memorandum of agreement to cease and desist all future special projects without a scope of work plan.

Magee said even if the Rogers Park project required only six workers, the union will pursue overtime for all 16 who were eligible. Magee said city Director of Highways, Parks and Water Distribution Clayton Dimmicks disregard for the established overtime list is expensive.

Clayton is costing the city money by doing this, Magee said. If he would just call in the right employees for overtime, you wouldnt be paying double or triple. Its contractual  it makes everything fair across the board. It almost seemed like it was a secret project and he cherry-picked the people to do the work.

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Magee said one city employee who worked on the project is in a different union.

In line with the procedure in the union contract, Magee said he submitted the grievance to Emily Stoddard, city clerk, and received a confirmation email on Oct. 1 that was copied to Mayor John Lombardi III, David Blackley, corporate counsel, Kathryn Fogle, Common Council president, and several city staff.

According to Local 855s grievance procedure, The personnel committee shall schedule a hearing to be held within 10 working days of receipt of the grievance and shall within five working days thereafter submit its written recommendation to the Mayor, a copy of which shall be provided to the Union.

No response has been received, Magee said. I dont even know if the Common Council was made aware of the Step 2 grievance.

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Outside a budget work session meeting on Wednesday at city hall, Fogle said that she had received the email acknowledging AFSCMEs Oct. 1 grievance. Fogle said Blackley must provide the go-ahead for a personnel meeting, and she had not received that from him.

Magee said it was unusual for all Common Council members not to be included in the acknowledgement email, since the next step is typically a personnel meeting before the council.

We were met with complete silence, he said. The city basically admitted guilt by not answering. At this point now, its disrespectful. These were easy fixes.

The labor issues with Rogers Avenue Park have been over-complicated from the start, Magee said. Overtime concerns were brought to his attention in September, and Magee said he had a phone call with Dimmick and another union representative to iron it out.

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Magee recalls Dimmick saying on the phone, Dont worry about this. Weve got a couple guys volunteering.

This was the first time I was dealing with something called volunteer work,  Magee said. It seems like he was trying to thwart me from filing a grievance. Ive never heard of workers as volunteers.

Magee filed a Step 1 grievance on Sept. 25 that addressed the overtime and city paving equipment being used for off-hours work by a city employee, which is also covered by the bargaining agreement. Dimmick immediately denied it, he said.

Clayton has decided to cease all communication with everybody, Magee said. Now its gotten to the point where I cant call him  so its just been paperwork. He has the ability to answer these grievances, but somebodys got their thumb on him where he just denies them right away.

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In the meantime, Magee said he was told that AFSCMEs labor relations specialist in Buffalo drafted a memorandum of agreement that would require all future special projects for parks and streets to include a plan with a scope of work, funding lines, time frames, the manpower needed, overtime needs, supervisors assigned, advance notice of staffing needs, progress reporting, priority status, a dispute resolution process, and effective date. Magee said the agreement would be presented for signature by Lombardi, Blackley, and Dimmick.

It basically takes the authority from Clayton to randomly start projects, Magee said. There needs to be more transparency on the citys part. If we do not get a response in the next week, we will be heading to arbitration. If theyre stonewalling us on these issues, what is going to happen when we bargain on our contract in December?
NEWTON, Iowa  The Newton Community School District dismissed early due to a water main break on Thursday.

Iowa governor announces support for food banks amid SNAP benefit pause due to federal shutdown

According to a post made just after noon on the districts Facebook, classes were dismissed at 1 p.m. on Thursday and p.m. preschool was cancelled.

The Newton Community School District told WHO 13 News that the break occurred in the Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. The district also stated that classes are scheduled to resume as normal on Friday.

Metro News:

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Cleanup efforts are underway across Brevard County after historic rainfall left hundreds of homes flooded.

On Wednesday, the Red Cross said its emergency shelter in Titusville remained open for people who needed a safe place to stay.

County officials said they launched a portal where impacted residents could request volunteer assistance.

In Titusville, neighborhoods along Singleton Avenue were still working to dry out and some residents said they have been unable to leave their homes for days because of lingering floodwater.

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Sondra Rovillo kept her groceries close as she waded through the water surrounding her home.

This was my first adventure out. I had a couple of doctors appointments, Rovillo said.

Rovillo told Channel 9 she said a prayer before getting into her car for the first time since Sunday to leave her neighborhood.

Off Singleton Avenue, kayaking remains a primary mode of transportation. Only large trucks can make it through the deepest water after about a foot of rain fell in just 48 hours.

I had no idea the rest of our neighborhood was still so bad. Its bad, Rovillo said.

County officials estimate at least 300 homes were flooded across Brevard. Six pumps are now working to help communities dry up, according to a spokesperson for the county.

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In areas where the floodwater has receded, some homeowners have already torn out ruined carpets and placed damaged furniture on the curb. Insurance adjusters are now slowly making their way to assess damages in homes.

Manuel Espinosa, an insurance agent with Hugh Cotton Insurance, said homeowners should contact their insurance agents immediately to get an adjuster out, but warned that only those with separate flood insurance policies will be covered.

A lot of people are confused. They think their homeowners policy has flood coverage, and it doesnt, Espinosa said.

Amy Acevedo said she has lived in her home for 20 years and never seen flooding like this before.

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She said her home stayed dry through hurricanes Ian, Irma and Nicole, but this weeks flooding changed that. Acevedo said getting flood insurance is now another task on her growing to-do list.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
ZEELAND, Mich. (WOOD)  Voters will head to the polls Tuesday for local elections across West Michigan.

While it is not a presidential or statewide election, clerks are reminding people about the importance of making their voice heard.

Michigan Voter Information Center

The City of Zeelands clerks office was busy Thursday preparing.

My team is working on absentee ballots at this point, said Clerk Kristi Deverney. We have around 4,500 registered voters. Out of those, we have probably 1,250 ballots that weve already sent out.

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More than half the absentee ballots have been returned.

If you have an absentee ballot, the best thing to do is not put it in the mail anymore because were too close to the election. We do have multiple drop boxes around here, one in our lower level of our city hall. Theres also some on the outside of our building that you can put them in any time, Deverney said.

Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck said since this is not a statewide election, early in-person voting is optional for municipalities to participate in.

It is not required by the state law or the state constitution unless its a state or a federal election. So in this election in Ottawa County, we do not have early voting. We have the absentee voting option, of course, that voters have been utilizing. And then, of course, election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Roebuck said.

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To The Point: Looking ahead to 2026 election

If you are voting in person on Tuesday, the Zeeland clerk said there is one thing you can do that will really help keep the line moving.



If you have your ID, that definitely speeds up the process. When you come to the polling location, that will be the first thing that the first person asks you is for, your ID. That makes it much easier to go through the process, Deverney said.



Both clerks emphasized the importance of voting especially in local elections.



These municipal elections are really critical and sometimes even though its not as much in our public consciousness and the process is sometimes not as talked about, its so important to participate, Roebuck said.

You can check your registration status, find your voting location or see a sample ballot at Michigan.gov/vote.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  As clocks are turning back this weekend, Ohio lawmakers are urging the U.S. Congress to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide.

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, closing the annual period when U.S. clocks spring forward in March and fall back in November. Yes, this means we get an extra hour of sleep when the clock remains in the secondhand position for another hour. This years time change is one day earlier than last years, and is the second-earliest possible date for the end of daylight saving.

The U.S. is once again turning back clocks as the movement to enact permanent daylight saving is growing. In April, a bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers introduced House Concurrent Resolution 10, urging federal legislators to pass the Sunshine Protection Act, a bill to establish daylight saving as the permanent standard time across the United States.

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List: 2025 Trick-or-Treat dates, times in central Ohio

Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (D-Gahanna), one of the resolutions primary sponsors, said during a May hearing that her interest in daylight saving began when her kids were younger and struggling to adapt to the clock change twice a year. The representative said she started researching and discovered the negative health impacts of the biannual tradition.

Permanent daylight saving time would provide many benefits including increased evening daylight; more outdoor playtime for children; expanded economic opportunities; energy savings; improved traffic safety; reduced instances of stroke, heart attack and other serious health issues; and reductions in crime, Piccolantonio said.

However, during the resolutions most recent hearing on Oct. 21, some Ohioans argued against perpetual daylight saving. In his testimony, Chardon resident Joe Loyd called on the lawmakers to amend the resolution to instead advocate for permanent standard time, which Loyd said is backed by science, history and public will.

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Ohioans demand an end to clock changes, favoring permanent Standard Time for its health benefits, Loyd said. A 2023 American Academy of Sleep Medicine survey shows 63% national support, citing better sleep, lower heart disease risk, and safer mornings for children  vital in Ohio, where permanent [daylight saving] could spike accidents by 6% per a 2020 JAMA Pediatrics study.

San Diego, Orlando, Montreal: New seasonal, nonstop flights added at CMH

Loyd emphasized that Ohio could act now to adopt permanent standard time. Under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, states can change to standard time but not daylight saving, which requires a change to federal law to transition to perpetual daylight saving. However, federal legislators may deliver on such a daylight saving law.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump revived calls to lock the clock and observe daylight saving permanently. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) then gathered the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in April for a hearing to examine whether the U.S. should abandon the twice-a-year change.

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The House and Senate should push hard for more daylight at the end of a day, Trump wrote on Truth Social in April. Very popular and, most importantly, no more changing of the clocks, a big inconvenience and, for our government, a very costly event.

Cruzs hearing came after Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) reintroduced the Sunshine Protection Act, which would mean later sunsets in the winter but also later sunrises. For example, the sun rises around 7:15 a.m. and sets around 4:30 p.m. on the first day of winter in New York. The act would change sunrise to 8:15 a.m. and sunset to 5:30 p.m.

Former Ohio legislators who passed death penalty law now support abolition bill

The Ohio House previously passed a daylight saving resolution in 2023, also urging the U.S. Congress to pass a version of the Sunshine Protection Act. The measure was under consideration in Ohios Senate, but only received one hearing and never passed out of the General Government Committee.

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View H.C.R. 10 in full below.

House Concurrent Resolution 10Download

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of education is rolling out a new policy to help students use artificial intelligence in a beneficial way.

READ MORE: New AI policy in CMS emphasizes training, privacy, and responsible use

The district has been prioritizing the plan since last school year.

Channel 9 spoke to a school board member who said the policy is kind of a framework, which allows the superintendent to create specific guidelines that schools must follow that fit within the boards policy.

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For example, it said students should use AI as a supplemental resource, not a substitute and only with age-appropriate AI tools.

The policy also mandates the superintendent approves any AI system used to input student or staff data.

The policy states, [AI] must never replace human interaction, creativity, or decision-making, but instead serve as a tool ... AI tools cannot be used to make final decisions of any kind without independent human judgement and oversight. For instance, student placements, disciplinary actions or any other school- or student-related issues.

CMS School Board member Liz Monterrey-Duvall, At-large, told Channel 9s Evan Donovan that the most important concern for the board was the privacy of student data.

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There are federal laws that protect student information, she said. Its very important and delicate, sensitive information. So, as a district, we need to make sure were aware of those risks. And there may be risks that we dont even know of that may evolve five or 10 years from now.

Donovan also asked the school board member how the policy will prevent kids from using AI to cheat.

A middle schooler told Donovan you can just screenshot a problem or question and upload to AI, and it will answer it for you.

Monterrey-Duvall said the current plagiarism policy covers cheating, whether with AI or anything else, which would also be part of the AI training for students.

VIDEO: New AI policy in CMS emphasizes training, privacy, and responsible use
WESTFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  The Coles County Sheriffs Department is speaking out after a county board member called on local law enforcement to step up and remove illegal immigrants from the community during a press conference regarding the fatal Westfield crash that happened on Friday.

On Friday, a crash in Westfield resulted in two deaths and two people hospitalized, Illinois State Police previously told WCIA. The two people killed in the crash were identified as Coles County Board member Mike Clayton and his wife Gail Clayton.

UPDATE: At least 2 injuries reported in crash involving Champaign Co. Sheriffs deputy

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On Tuesday, an ICE spokesperson told WCIA that 34-year-old Edwin Pacheco-Meza, who has been charged in relation to the fatal, head-on crash, has been issued an immigration detainer. Pacheco-Meza now faces several charges, including reckless homicide, aggravated DUI, and no valid drivers license.

Coles County Sheriff Kent Martin said in a release Wednesday that during Tuesdays press conference at the courthouse, county board member Rick Shook called on two local police chiefs and sheriffs to step up and remove illegal immigrants from Coles County.

In response, the sheriffs office said that Shooks comments are both reckless and feed a false narrative that local law enforcement has the authority to enforce federal immigration laws.

The sheriffs office provided the following excerpt from the Illinois TRUST Act:

(5 ILCS 805/15) Sec. 15. Prohibition on enforcing federal civil immigration laws. (a) A law enforcement agency or law enforcement official shall not detain or continue to detain any individual solely on the basis of any immigration detainer or non-judicial immigration warrant or otherwise comply with an immigration detainer or non-judicial immigration warrant. (b) A law enforcement agency or law enforcement official shall not stop, arrest, search, detain, or continue to detain a person solely based on an individuals citizenship or immigration status. (c) This Section 15 does not apply if a law enforcement agency or law enforcement official is presented with a valid, enforceable federal warrant. Nothing in this Section 15 prohibits communication between federal agencies or officials and law enforcement agencies or officials. (d) A law enforcement agency or law enforcement official acting in good faith in compliance with this Section who releases a person subject to an immigration detainer or non-judicial immigration warrant shall have immunity from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise occur as a result of making the release, with the exception of willful or wanton misconduct. The sheriffs office said in summary of section 15, local law enforcement may only participate in federal immigration enforcement if they are presented with a federal warrant for a criminal immigration violation and that an ICE detainer is not a federal warrant.

Man sentenced to 30 years after taking plea deal in deadly Urbana hit-and-run

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The sheriffs office said in a summary of section 15, local law enforcement may only participate in federal immigration enforcement if they are presented with a federal warrant for a criminal immigration violation and that an ICE detainer is not a federal warrant.

I am very frustrated with this legislation, and my colleagues in law enforcement-both local and statewide-share that frustration, Martin said. Local law enforcements hands will remain tied unless and until the General Assemble repeals or amends the TRUST Act. In the meantime, my deputies and I will continue to protect the citizens of Coles County to the best of our ability.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
AUSTIN/COLLEGE STATION, Texas (FOX 44)  A College Station Fire Department veteran and current Texas A&M Task Force 1 member has been named Assistant Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)s Central Texas region.

The TDEM announced Thursday that Paul Gunnels has been chosen as Assistant Chief for Region 8  an area covering 30 Texas counties. He has served as a Regional Section Chief for Preparedness and Response since 2021  first in North Texas and then in Central Texas. Gunnels served as Interim Assistant Chief for TDEMs North Texas region for several months in 2023.

Gunnels started his fire service career with the City of College Station in 1990, serving with distinction for more than 26 years and rising to the position of Assistant Fire Chief of Administration. He also served as the Rescue Program Director at the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), where he led a staff of more than 40 personnel and secured FEMAs five-year National Urban Search and Rescue contract, overseeing the delivery of training and multijurisdictional exercises at local, state, and federal levels.

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The TDEM says Gunnels remains a member of Texas A&M Task Force 1s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency USAR Incident Support Team  which has deployed to numerous large-scale disasters, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Ike, Hurricane Sandy, the West Explosion, the Moore, Oklahoma tornadoes, and last years Hurricane Milton, among many others.

Gunnels holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelors Degree in emergency management from West Texas A&M University. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran.

The TDEM says Gunnels appointment comes after Assistant Chief Brandi Ashby, who has overseen Region 8 since 2023, transferred to TDEM Region 6 (South-Central Texas) in September. Gunnels served as Interim Assistant Chief of Region 8 during the search to fill the vacancy.

Gunnels will be headquartered in College Station.

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An American flag and a Colorado flag fly at the Colorado Capitol in Denver on June 10, 2025. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline)

Colorado lawmakers approved $10 million to head towards the states food banks as federal food assistance benefits pause due to the government shutdown.

Democratic Gov. Jared Polis announced his request for the money last week. The funding, set in $3.3 million increments over six weeks from the states General Fund, will go to the food bank network Feeding Colorado through the Community Food Assistance Grant Program.

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The Joint Budget Committee unanimously approved the request on Thursday morning.

Im certain that this is a hope shared by this committee, that the federal government will resolve and become the partner to us that it should be, and fund the programs that it is legally required to fund, said Rep. Shannon Bird, a Westminster Democrat.

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The approximately 600,000 low-income Coloradans who typically receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program money from the federal government will not get those benefits in November as the government shutdown persists. People use SNAP benefits to supplement their grocery budgets, and advocates predict that a pause in funding will push hungry people towards food banks for help. The average Colorado household that uses SNAP receives $367 per month, adding up to about $120 million in the state each month.

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It is a sandbag in a flood, Tom Dermody, a policy analyst with the JBC, told lawmakers. We dont have the mechanism to actually step in and provide that (full) funding. Were also in a budgetary circumstance where we dont have the scale to actually address the SNAP emergency in any sort of truly meaningful way.

The money from the state is intended to help Feeding Colorado purchase enough food to meet some of the needs, focusing on communities with high shares of SNAP recipients. Food banks have already started preparing for an influx of visitors starting this weekend.

Attorney General Phil Weiser joined a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the SNAP issue, arguing that federal contingency funds can be used to pay the roughly $8 billion for November benefits across the country.

Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, a Weld County Republican, questioned why Polis hadnt declared an emergency on the issue, enabling him to use the states emergency disaster fund.

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Its about the poor planning thats taking place in this state. This is an emergency disaster and I dont know why we wouldnt declare that, she said. They could have put a process in place two weeks ago to try to identify how to work through this and make sure that people werent going without food.

Democrats on the committee pushed back on that idea, saying it is risky to use emergency funds when there is a chance of other disasters affecting the state, such as floods, wildfires and other impacts from the federal shutdown.

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DENVER (KDVR)  Hurricane Melissa left widespread damage across Jamaica this week, slamming into the island as a Category 5 storm. Much of western Jamaica is underwater as crews and residents begin to pick up the pieces from the destruction left behind.

One Colorado woman is stepping up to help.

How to help those impacted by Hurricane Melissa

Lalesa Thompson, who now lives in Aurora, grew up in Jamaica. She said her friends and family are still there, and shes asking her new neighbors in Colorado to help.

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These are my family, the people who raised me, Thompson said. They say it takes a village. This is my village.

Thompson said she has been sitting by the phone for the past 24 hours. After Hurricane Melissa tore through her home country, phone lines and cell service have been inaccessible. Shes seen photos and videos of the devastating damage on social media, but she hasnt heard from her brothers or parents since around noon Tuesday.

I keep hearing reports of deaths, and Ive not heard from anyone in my community, she said. Its not tough; its awful, really.

Desperate to help, Thompson launched an online fundraiser and said she plans to fly back to Jamaica as soon as travel resumes to help rebuild the neighborhood where she grew up.

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Those are the parishes where youll find people living in what we call board houses, Thompson said. Theyre not concrete structures. Theyre not built to withstand any type of rain or wind, so I know its all gone.

Pay what you can: Same Cafe ready to serve more Coloradans during government shutdown

Thompsons home parish of Westmoreland depends heavily on tourism. With major hotels devastated by the storm, she said many in her community will be out of work.

They have lost their homes. Theyve lost their jobs, Thompson said. You need a job to rebuild your home, but with no paycheck and no income, its really a lose-lose situation.

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Thompsons GoFundMe launched just after the storm hit.

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COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  A Columbus man who shot his wife and killed his 4-year-old son during a 2023 domestic dispute pleaded guilty Monday in Muscogee County Superior Court.

37-year-old Jacquese Walker admitted to malice murder and several related charges in connection with the Sept.18, 2023, shooting at the couples Liberty Commons apartment.

Walkers wife, Marshama Bolden, survived the attack but faced her husband in court for the first time since that day.

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Its not fair. He was only 4 years old.  You took my child from me, Bolden said through tears.

Prosecutors said Walker went into a rage when Bolden told him their 16-year relationship was over.

He shot her and their son before fleeing, sparking a citywide manhunt that ended with his capture in the Lakebottom area more than a day later.

Judge John Martin sentenced Walker to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

He will receive credit for two years already served and could be eligible for parole after 30 years.

During the emotional hearing, Walker spoke for more than 12 minutes, often rambling and repeating himself.

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I never wanted to kill anybody, Walker said. I didnt even want to kill her. I just grabbed it and started shooting.  I didnt want to lose my family. They were everything to me.

He later apologized before being led from the courtroom.

I am so sorry, he said. I feel horrible. I am guilty. I didnt mean to do it.

Bolden and her family left the courtroom before sentencing was complete and declined to speak afterward.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
For the first time in over a century, California wildlife officials have taken the drastic measure of legally killing four gray wolves after tensions with local ranchers reached a crisis point.

Earlier this month, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife captured and euthanized a breeding pair after months of complaints from ranchers over numerous livestock kills in a remote region of the Sierra Nevada mountain range known as Sierra Valley. The ultimate goal, according to the department, is to completely remove a seven-member pack called Beyem Seyo, one of 10 packs roaming the state. Two other Beyem Seyo wolves were also killed, and the agency plans to capture and relocate the remaining members to a wildlife sanctuary.

This particular pack has killed at least 87 cattle over the past seven months, according to Fish and Wildlife director Charlton H. Bonham. For comparison, that is more livestock deaths by wolves in one valley than ranchers reported last year in the entire state of Oregon, which hosts at least 200 of the animals.

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(After returning to Yellowstone, wolves have helped stabilize the ecosystem)

Cattle operations in the Sierra Valley have recently been affected by the Beyem Seyo wolf pack, leading state wildlife officials to euthanize some animals and attempt to relocate others. Malia Byrtus, National Geographic

A wolf from the Beyem Seyo pack is collared by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in January 2025. Malia Byrtus

The news comes just 14 years after the widely heralded return of wolves to the state, which now has a growing population of 50 individuals. Gray wolves, which are typically gray or black in color and average around 90 pounds for males, typically feed on large prey like elk, moose, or deer. As an endangered species, California wolves are protected by both state and federal laws. Yet after months of unsuccessful efforts to deter the Beyem Seyo wolves with non-lethal meansincluding hazing, drones, and 24-hour patrolsBonham reluctantly concluded there was no other option. This is pretty somber, Bonham says. But given the habituation of this Beyem Seyo pack, the scale of it, we think that jeopardized the long-term recovery effort.

While other California packs have killed livestock on occasion, the Beyem Seyo pack seems to have been subsisting mainly on cattle rather than wild prey. According to National Geographic Explorer Arthur Middleton, its a behavior seldom seen in the 30 years since wolves returned to the American West, beginning with a celebrated reintroduction effort in Wyomings Yellowstone National Park in 1994. Part of the problem, explains Middleton, whose California Wolf Project tracks the states 10 packs and studies their prey habits, is that the Sierras do not provide the same kind of pristine wilderness found in the Greater Yellowstone area.

National Geographic Explorer Arthur Middleton with Sierra Valley rancher Paul Roen. Some ranchers have expressed skepticism about the future of co-existence with gray wolves. Malia Byrtus, National Geographic

Northern California was colonized by descendants of wolves from the northern Rockies who wandered west into Oregon, and then eventually made their way across the border into the forests of the northern Sierra Nevada. They found a landscape that was very different from the one in which their ancestors thrived. The national forest that covers much of the Sierras has fewer deer and elk for wolves to prey upon than the wilderness areas of the northern Rockies. It also has more people, and, crucially, more cattle.

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(The 'most famous wolf in the world' lived hardand died tragically.)

Middleton expects wolf numbers to continue to expand, and conflicts to continue to arise. From this perspective, culling wolves on behalf of cattle may have been inevitable. Every jurisdiction that has dealt with this has settled on some mix that has involved non-lethal methods and lethal methods, says Middleton, a biologist at the University of California. This is California moving into a new era.

In the northern Rockies, where the wolf population is much largerclose to 2,500 animalshundreds of wolves are killed every year to protect livestock. Pam Flick, head of the California office of Defenders of Wildlife, said she hopes it will not come to that in her state. Circumstances and population numbers are very different between the northern Rockies and California, just as wolf management should be, says Flick, whose organization has worked with ranchers in the Sierra Valley on non-lethal deterrence methods, at least while wolves remain endangered here in the Golden State.

She believes the removal of the Beyem Seyo pack could have been avoidedif action had been taken sooner. By the time targeted deterrence efforts began last summer, the pack had already been preying on cattle in the area for 18 months, and a pattern had developed, with young wolves learning from older pack members to kill livestock.

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(Is this really a dire wolf? How the de-extinct pups compare to the real thing.)

National Geographic Explorer Arthur Middleton checks a wildlife camera trap for the UC Berkeley California Wolf Project. Malia Byrtus, National Geographic

California wildlife officials and ranchers will in all likelihood have the opportunity to put Flicks theory to the test in the Sierra Valley, since wolves are likely to return. Another pack dens in an area north of the valley, and young wolves regularly leave their natal packs in search of mates and unoccupied territories to make their own. Local rancher Rick Roberti, who also heads the California Cattlemens Association, says he spotted a wolf he didnt recognize near his property in the last few days, possibly dispersing from another pack.

For his part, Roberti is skeptical that non-lethal methods will ever work in Sierra Valley, which is an enormous high country basin surrounded by national forest land. Its so vast, he says. Some of those things will work for small producers that have a few acres, but when you run 6,000 to 10,000 acres, theres just no way. Roberti doesnt blame the wolves, because there just isnt that much wild game in the hills and mountains that surround the valley. What else are they going to eat? he says. I guess the question would be, is this habitat really suitable for them?

Bonham, the Fish and Wildlife director, sees the conflict in Sierra Valley as an instructive moment for a state still learning how to cope with wolves. The future of wolves in California is not uncertain, he said. Whats uncertain is how coexistence is going to evolve.
Washington  Former FBI Director James Comey is urging a federal court to dismiss the two federal charges brought against him over allegedly false testimony he gave to Congress in September 2020. He's arguing that the questions he answered, which were asked by GOP Sen. Ted Cruz, were "confusing" and "fundamentally ambiguous."

In a new filing with the court in Alexandria, Virginia, Comey's lawyers argued that his testimony in response to Cruz's questions was "literally true" and cannot support a conviction. The former FBI director's legal team suggested that the government is attempting to try Comey on "cherry-picked statements" given during a four-hour long Senate hearing without specifying which parts of his testimony it believes were false or misleading.

They argued that while the government has the authority to prosecute witnesses who mislead federal investigators by giving false answers to clear questions, "it does not authorize the government to create confusion by posing an imprecise question and then seek to exploit that confusion by placing an after-the-fact nefarious interpretation on the ensuing benign answer."

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Comey's lawyers also asserted that "basic due process principles in criminal law require that the questioner frame his questions with clarity so that a witness does not have to guess."

A federal grand jury in Alexandria indicted Comey late last month on charges he lied to Congress and obstructed a congressional investigation. The alleged offenses stem from testimony Comey gave to the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2020. He has pleaded not guilty to both counts.

Comey has already filed one tranche of motions with the court that argue the indictment should be tossed out on the grounds that it is based on a vindictive and selective prosecution. He is also challenging the validity of interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan's appointment to that role.

Comey's lawyer, Patrick Fitzgerald, said in one of those filings that he would seek to dismiss at least the first count of the indictment  the allegation that Comey lied to Congress  because of Cruz's questioning.

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In addition to his latest bid to have the charges dismissed, Comey's lawyers are asking for more details about the conduct underlying the two counts. They are claiming the indictment is "sparse" and has a "total absence of factual allegations."

The indictment against Comey references an exchange the former FBI director had with an unnamed senator, believed to be Cruz, during the Judiciary Committee hearing more than five years ago. During the questioning, Cruz asked Comey about testimony he gave in May 2017, in which the former FBI chief was questioned about whether he had ever been an anonymous source or authorized anyone to be an anonymous source about matters relating to investigations into President Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was the Democratic presidential nominee in 2016.

Cruz then referenced comments from Andrew McCabe, who was Comey's deputy at the FBI, and claimed McCabe publicly said that Comey authorized him to leak information to the press.

"Now, what Mr. McCabe is saying and what you testified to this committee cannot both be true; one or the other is false. Who's telling the truth?" Cruz asked Comey.

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Comey said in response, "I can only speak to my testimony. I stand by what, the testimony you summarized that I gave in May of 2017."

Cruz reiterated that Comey was testifying that he "never authorized to leak. And Mr. McCabe when if he says contrary is not telling the truth, is that correct?"

"Again, I'm not going to characterize Andy's testimony, but mine is the same today," Comey replied.

But prosecutors have claimed that Comey's testimony was false because he authorized Daniel Richman, a longtime friend of his, to serve as an anonymous source in news reports about the FBI investigation involving Clinton.

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The government confirmed to Comey's lawyers that an unidentified individual referred to as "Person 3" in the indictment is Richman. A Columbia University law professor, Richman is a former federal prosecutor who also served as a "special government employee" at the FBI when Comey was director.

Richman has not been charged with any wrongdoing. His name also did not come up in the exchange that appears to have led to the charges against Comey.

In their bid to have the indictment dismissed, Comey's lawyers said that any false-statements charge that rests on an interpretation of a "fundamentally ambiguous question" must be dismissed.

"Fundamental to any false statement charge are both clear questions and false answers," they wrote. "Neither exists here."

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Comey's lawyers argued that a "reasonable person" would've interpreted Cruz to be asking only about whether the former FBI chief had authorized McCabe to be an anonymous source, rather than broadly inquiring about Comey's interactions with anyone at the FBI.

"The indictment contains no allegations that Mr. Comey's answers were false: it never alleges that Mr. Comey made a false statement regarding Mr. McCabe," they wrote. "On the contrary, the indictment omits Senator Cruz's statements about Mr. McCabe, obscuring the context necessary to understand both the questions themselves and Mr. Comey's responses."

Comey's legal team reiterated that he maintains that his 2017 testimony was truthful, but was also argued that his "statement that he stood by his prior testimony was truthful regardless of whether that prior testimony was itself truthful."

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James Comey had already filed motions to dismiss his case that raise significant issues of vindictive prosecution and the legality of the appointment of the prosecutor who secured his indictment. The outcome of those pending motions could lead to the cases dismissal before trial.

The former FBI director has now filed a second round of motions raising yet more issues that could get the case dismissed.

One of the new motions, filed Thursday, seeks access to the grand jury proceedings that led to the indictment. In making the argument for why Comeys team should be able to see those details, which are usually secret, his lawyers lay out in the 26-page filing how unusual the case brought by Trump-installed prosecutor Lindsey Halligan is.

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Earlier this month, Comey pleaded not guilty to charges of lying to and obstructing Congress in connection with Senate testimony in 2020, regarding whether he had authorized anyone at the FBI to be an anonymous source in news reports related to an investigation.

The indictment at issue  which facially misstates Mr. Comeys testimony  was sought by an inexperienced prosecutor and returned after business hours with a meager 14 votes after an earlier no true bill, his lawyers wrote, referring to the grand jurys rejection of a charge brought by Halligan. Those facts, in combination with signs of other potential misconduct, indicate that a ground may exist to dismiss the indictment, they wrote in seeking disclosure of the grand jury proceedings, in order to make further arguments in favor of dismissing the case after they review the details of those proceedings.

Halligan, a former personal lawyer for Donald Trump, hadnt prosecuted a case before. She was installed by the administration (possibly illegally, which is the subject of another pending motion) after a prior head of the office was forced out for apparently refusing to charge the presidents political opponents.

Though its not illegal for a prosecutor to lack experience, Halligans inexperience looms large in Comeys motion, in which his lawyers wrote that her inexperience affected the grand jury proceedings. Among other things, they cited her confusion about the indictment paperwork and factual errors in the indictment, which they said raise concern that she failed to give basic instructions to the grand jury and to accurately answer their questions.

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Comeys lawyers conceded that inexperience alone would not ordinarily satisfy the defenses burden for unsealing grand jury materials. But they argued that it must be viewed alongside Ms. Halligans likely motive to obtain an indictment to satisfy the Presidents demands, the inaccuracies in the indictment, and the determination of every career prosecutor to consider the case that charges were not warranted.

Another one of the motions filed Thursday argues that the congressional testimony in question cant be the basis for criminal charges because it was literally true. Comey cites the 1973 Supreme Court precedent of Bronston v. United States, in which the court said a witness couldnt be convicted of perjury for giving an answer under oath thats literally true but not responsive to the question and arguably misleading by implication.

Halligan will have an opportunity to respond to all these motions before a judge rules. Generally, these motions are all difficult for defendants to win. But Halligan has given Comey more to work with than usual, and shell need to win all the motions just to get the case to a trial that Comey has said he wants.

Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in the Trump administrations legal cases.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, has long supported implementing universal pre-K statewide.(Alabama Reflector photo by Stew Milne)

A committee established by Gov. Andy Beshear, tasked with researching universal preschool, says Kentucky should phase in expanded access to pre-K over several years.

In June, Beshear signed an executive order establishing the Pre-K for All Advisory Committee to explore support for universal pre-kindergarten programs in Kentucky.

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Sam Flynn, the executive director for the Team Kentucky Pre-K for All Program, said Thursday that the group found, over the course of four months of meetings and town halls, that Kentuckys children are not ready for kindergarten and about 27% of children in the state have access to pre-K.

The committee presented Beshear with a report on their findings. They also shared details from the report during Beshears weekly press conference Thursday.

According to the report:

Kentuckys early care system is fragmented, offering early care and education through a patchwork approach of programs with inconsistent eligibility rules, funding sources, affordability and access.

Kentuckys existing system is inadequate. Childcare is often unaffordable and inaccessible, leaving parents forced out of the workforce and children not ready for school.

Several states have successfully expanded access to preschool for all four year olds.

Successful pre-k programs focus on quality, offer flexible, mixed delivery of services and use strong data systems.

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We believe that these findings can provide us not only a clear view of the challenges we face, but a direction and a path forward, said Felicia Cumings Smith, board chair of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence and a committee member. Based on these findings, this committee has issued recommendations charting a path forward for the governor, the General Assembly and all Kentuckians.

Based on the findings, the committee made these reccomendations:

Kentucky should expand its existing voluntary state funded public preschool program responsibly, in phases, over several years. Expansion should ensure local flexibility on when and how expansion will occur, with decisions being made at the local level with support from the Kentucky Department of Education. Kentucky should provide services through mixed, integrated school district -led partnerships with Head Start, private regulated child care and community based providers. Expansion should prioritize quality. The General Assembly should authorize the Kentucky Department of Education to establish administrative regulations with the focus on district local flexibilities for things like facilities, transportation and educator requirements. Kentucky should track success through a unified data collection system.

I know how education positively impacts the lives of our people, said Carrie Ballinger, superintendent of Rockcastle County Schools. I see it every single day. Getting kids a stronger start is crucial to their development and to their long term academic success.

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Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman said pre-K isnt political but the right thing to do.

It is clear that Kentucky needs pre-K for all, Coleman said. It will expand access to childcare and learning. It will give parents and caregivers options and help them to save money. Itll create jobs and boost our workforce, and were getting right to work to get this done for Kentucky, for our families, our businesses and for our future.

Beshear, a Democrat, has long supported implementing universal pre-K statewide. He called on Republicans in the state legislatures supermajority to fund such initiatives in his State of the Commonwealth Address earlier this year. However, top Republicans said then that their caucuses did not have a consensus on the matter.

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Local dentist wants to buy your candy

ANDERSON  For those wishing to return some or all of their Halloween candy, Dr. Gregg Horstmeyer's office and Soldier's Angels are offering an option.

This is Horstmeyer's 18th year participating in the candy give-back program.

They teach kids the value of giving back by donating their Halloween candy in support of U.S. troops and first responders.

From Nov. 3-6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, children and parents can bring their unopened Halloween candy to their office at 2038 Broadway, Anderson.

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For every pound of candy, you will be paid $1, with a limit of five pounds.

Information: 765-644-4343.

Church to host chicken-and-noodle dinner

ANDERSON  North Anderson Wesleyan Church, 1947 E. 240N, will host a chicken-and-noodle dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

Serving hours will be from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Free will donations will be accepted.

Dine to Donate at Texas Roadhouse

ANDERSON  On Monday, Nov. 3, diners at Texas Roadhouse will have an opportunity to support Anderson Soroptimists' many philanthropic projects in the community.

From 3 to 9 p.m., the restaurant, 1925 E. 60th St., will donate 10% of each supporter's total food purchases to Soroptimist International of Anderson.

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Participating diners should present an event flyer when ordering.

Pancake breakfast set for Nov. 8

PENDLETON  Pendleton First United Methodist Church, 223 W. State St., Pendleton, will serve a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.

There is a suggested donation of $10 per person for this all-you-can-eat meal. Children 6 and under eat free.

There will also be a Cookie Walk available at $5 per box with a wide array of cookies to choose from. Enter at the back entrance. An elevator is available.

 The Herald Bulletin
BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV)  Community members came together Wednesday night after a deadly shooting outside a local bar on St. Helena Island.

Officials said they want to begin the healing process and talk about whats next.

The Oct. 12 shooting at Willies Bar and Grill left four people dead and more than 20 injured. Its a tragedy that has left lasting pain in this small community.

Together we can find healing. We can find strength, and we can find purpose by coming together, said one event organizer.

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Wednesdays meeting brought out more than a dozen community members eager to hear from local leaders about the resources available.

As families continue to process the violence, Beaufort County School District officials said support systems are already in place.

We have mental health support and services for our employees through Hello Heroes, and Hello Heroes is available to our employees around the clock to provide support when needed, said Frank Rodriguez, superintendent of the Beaufort County School District.

He continued, We have mental health support and services for students. The primary one that provides mental health supports is Coastal Community Hospital. That provides mental health support services for our students. And so, we had them available and ready to go should any of our students needed that support.

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Law enforcement also highlighted resources for victims, families and first responders.

We do have chaplains that are with the sheriffs office. We currently have six chaplains in the sheriffs office that are actually in different places all over our county. So, they can also be used as well for not only victims or families, but also for those first responders, said Lt. Daniel Allen with the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office.

Still, many in the community say true change requires action from everyone: families, leaders and neighbors alike.

I would love to see love to see us make a change. But we got to stop all this talk and really start, one community member said.

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Another said, Stand up and be the adult. I hope this goes on because we need to let our community know that we are sick and tired until we get sick and tired, nothings going to happen.

Community members said this is their home. They want to protect it, they are determined to heal, and most of all, they are pushing for change.

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.
On the sidewalk in front of the Otsego County courthouse in Cooperstown, community members are set to gather for a vigil Saturday, Nov. 1 to stand in solidarity with those whom organizers say have been detained by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement without adhering to due process.

Organized by Indivisible Cherry Valley and Cooperstown/Oneonta Indivisible, the vigil is scheduled for 4:30-5:30 p.m. According to a news release, participants are encouraged to bring signs showing their support. It is part of the broader Disappeared in America weekend of action to defend immigrant communities and speak out against escalated Trump administration and ICE operations.

Donna Latella, one of the organizers with Indivisible Cherry Valley, said that after the Oct. 18 No Kings rallies, she did not "want to let that energy die." She said she saw the opportunity to hold vigils honoring those who have been targeted by the Trump administration and ICE.

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"I personally believe that people, no matter what their immigration status is, they are due, just like all of us, due process," Latella said. "They deserve that by their humanity. Everyone deserves due process, and they are being denied that."

"It really hit home with me, and I wanted to do something in honor of those people," she continued.

Latella said there would be vigils, protests and cultural actions throughout the weekend across the country, but she chose to specifically to organize a vigil. She decided to hold the event in front of the courthouse, adding that the location, which represents the law, better lent itself to a vigil rather than a protest.

If she had planned it at a different place, Latella said she might have considered a protest instead. She added that she wants to demonstrate a "certain amount of respect and decorum for the law."

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In August, the village of Cooperstown Board of Trustees released a statement expressing its solidarity with immigrants and denouncing the "seizure, detention and impending deportation of law-abiding immigrants."

It recognized "that people of every background  irrespective of race, religious belief, national origin and language  have made countless positive contributions to our community."

Latella said she reached out to the village to see if anybody would read the resolution at the vigil, but as of Wednesday, Oct. 29, had not yet heard back. While she said she could not speak for any village representatives, the resolution touched her personally.

It will be a quieter event Saturday, Latella added. She plans to say a few words and there will likely be an invocation and prayer offering from a local faith leader. The event has been put together very quickly, Latella said.

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"I envision it as a more somber affair to stand in solidarity with those that have been separated from their parents or are being held somewhere and their family members have no idea where," Latella said.

Latella added that she hopes the vigil can provide support to those with immigrant backgrounds who are afraid given heightened ICE deployment throughout the country. She said that ideally, the event could help immigrants in the Otsego County area know that there are "people who stand with them."

Looking forward, Latella said individuals seeking avenues for involvement can get in touch with local political action groups, like Indivisible, to stay involved in the cause. There are other groups like Move On and the Women's March organization as well as other agencies working directly for immigrants, she said.

"I want to see people go forward," Latella said. "I want people to know they are not alone."
ELKINS, W.Va. (WBOY)  Community members gathered Wednesday evening for the Randolph County Community Conversation on Health Impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill at the Phil Gainer Community Center in Elkins.

The event, hosted by the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, gave residents the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about how proposed federal funding changes could affect healthcare access in their communities. Also discussed were the cuts to SNAP benefits and how that would impact families and the elderly who rely on those funds for fresh foods.

Some of the concerns are related to food assistance; everyone is very, very concerned about the current state of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Department of Agricultures decision not to provide benefits for the month of November. There are harsh new restrictions coming down with families with children when it comes to SNAP and the elderly, folks up to 64 years old, Senior Policy Outreach Director at the WV Center on Budget and Policy Seth Distefano said. Medicaid and the expansion of Medicaid is the biggest success story West Virginia has had over the last decade. And there is a lot of concern about what West Virginia and specifically this community here in Randolph County would look like when a billion dollars of federal healthcare funding just evaporates.

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MAP: How many West Virginians will lose SNAP if the government doesnt reopen?

Attendees discussed how the bill may impact Medicaid programs and the operation of local healthcare facilities, especially in rural areas. Organizers said the goal was to ensure residents better understand how changes in funding could influence care options across West Virginia.

The bill that was passed enacts the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in history. Those cuts are going to amount to $1 billion less in federal healthcare funding throughout West Virginia, Distefano added. Some hospitals are simply just are not going to make it, a lot of our friends and neighbors are going to lose access to healthcare coverage, they are going to have to rely on emergency rooms and charity care. Overall, this is a real threat to West Virginias economy because, really, over the last 10 years, the most positive economic news weve had is growth in the healthcare sector because of Medicaid dollars coming into the state.

Through open dialogue, participants explored ways to work together to maintain and strengthen healthcare services in rural regions.

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The West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy is an independent, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing policies and budgets that improve economic mobility and quality of life for West Virginians.

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.
A California pipeline company with a long history of environmental safety violations is once again in hot water after spilling tens of thousands of gallons of gasoline into a Bay Area waterway.

What's happening?

As Pipeline & Gas Journal reported, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fined SFPP, L.P. over $200,000 for violating the Clean Water Act after a broken pipe leaked more than 40,000 gallons of gasoline into Walnut Creek in 2020.

The spill was caused by tree roots cracking a 10-inch underground steel pipe. It took six days to repair, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. In that time, the gasoline traveled more than a mile and a half downstream before the full extent of the damage was discovered.

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The company, one of North America's largest fuel transporters, previously paid $2.5 million in state penalties and remains under supervision as cleanup efforts continue nearly five years later.

"Pipeline operators must be held accountable when they discharge gasoline into our environment," said Amy Miller, the EPA's Pacific Southwest enforcement director, per Pipeline & Gas Journal.

"This enforcement action sends a clear message: companies must properly operate and maintain their pipelines to prevent spills."

Why is the gasoline leak concerning?

Gasoline leaks pose serious threats to waterways, wildlife, and human health. Just one gallon of gasoline can contaminate roughly 1 million gallons of water, according to Texas A&M. In Walnut Creek, the spill likely hurt animals and vegetation while contaminating the air and soil.

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Unfortunately, parent company Kinder Morgan has a troubling track record. The company and its subsidiaries have faced millions in fines over multiple fuel spills in the Bay Area, including a 2004 explosion that killed five people, as well as several leaks that damaged ecosystems such as Suisun Marsh and the Oakland Estuary.

Between the environmental harm and the parent company's continued failure in addressing these issues, it is clear that things must change.

What's being done about the gasoline leak?

SFPP agreed to the EPA's terms, which include continued cleanup in coordination with the Regional Water Quality Control Board.

As part of its 2021 probation from earlier state charges, SFPP was required to install leak detection systems and improve employee emergency reporting protocols.

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On a broader scale, California regulators are pushing for better monitoring, maintenance, and public reporting of these pipelines.

Environmental groups are targeting longer-term solutions like updated technology and investments in renewable energy, which can reduce reliance on aging dirty fuel pipelines.

Individuals can help by supporting leaders committed to policies that transition energy systems away from dirty energy and help reduce the risk of future spills.

It will take a community to ensure that the work is done to protect our surrounding neighbors and ecosystems.

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.






ANDERSON  The Madison County Election Board has tabled a complaint alleging the misplacement of a campaign sign at an Ingalls town event.

Matthew Hyde filed the complaint with the Election Board on Oct. 18 over a campaign sign for Ingalls Town Council member Georgia Parker at the Maple Trails Neighborhood Fall Fest.

The Election Board Thursday tabled the complaint to allow Jeff Graham, the attorney for the board, to review the allegations.

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In the complaint, Hyde said Parker was seated at a tent owned by the town of Ingalls with a campaign sign in front of the tent.

Hyde wrote that the tent is owned by the town of Ingalls and used during official town functions or community outreach events.

This created the appearance that town property was being used in connection with her campaign, he wrote.

Hyde asked the Election Board to investigate to determine if it was a violation of Indiana law and to issue a written clarification to the town on whether the use of publicly owned property is permissible.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Election Board was informed that during the move of the election office to new facilities in the Madison County Government Center, 12 delinquent campaign finance reports were discovered.

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Heather Bailey, the clerk in the Election Room, said one of the candidates is now deceased.

She said six have updated their campaign finance reports and disbanded their committees, and one candidate updated a report and kept the committee file active.

Four have been contacted and indicated they intend to update their campaign finance reports.
The US Navy has submitted its recommendations on potential punishments for Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly over his participation in a video that reminded US troops they have a duty to refuse illegal orders, a Pentagon official told CNN on Thursday.
Earlier today, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles is formally beginning the process of removing his younger brother Andrew's titles and honors. Included in the statement was one key detail: "Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor." Here, the long and complicated history of that royal last name.

Who gets to use the last name Mountbatten-Windsor?

WPA Pool - Getty Images





According to the royal family's website, when male or unmarried female descendants of Queen Elizabeth need to use a surname (which is what Americans would more often refer to as a last name), Mountbatten-Windsor is available to them. It's unclear why the statement regarding Andrew listed the name without a hyphen.

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"For the most part, members of the Royal Family who are entitled to the style and dignity of HRH Prince or Princess do not need a surname," reads the royal family's website. "But if at any time any of them do need a surname (such as upon marriage), that surname is Mountbatten-Windsor."

Notably, when Prince Harry's children were born, they used the surname Mountbatten-Windsor; upon the accession of their grandfather, King Charles, Archie and Lilibet became entitled to use the titles of prince and princess respectively as the children of the son of a monarch.

Prince Edward's children, Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn, also use Mountbatten-Windsor as their surname.

Max Mumby/Indigo - Getty Images

As naming traditions in the United Kingdom are patriarchal, Princess Anne's children, Zara and Peter, used the surname of their father, Mark Phillips, growing up. Following her marriage to Mike Tindall, Zara started to use Tindall as her surname. Peter and his wife and children use the last name Phillips, and Zara's children use the last name Tindall.

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Some royals choose to use the name of their Dukedom as a surname. For example, growing up Prince William and Prince Harry used the surname Wales, with Prince Harry going by Captain Wales during his time in the military.

Why do some people use the surname Windsor, without the Mountbatten?

David M. Benett - Getty Images

The last name Windsor is available to be used by all male and unmarried female descendants of George V. That explains why, for example, Prince Michael of Kent's son Freddie uses the last name Windsor. (Prince Michael is Queen Elizabeth II's first cousin, and a grandson of George V.)

"In 1960, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh decided that they would like their own direct descendants to be distinguished from the rest of the Royal Family (without changing the name of the Royal House), as Windsor is the surname used by all the male and unmarried female descendants of George V," reads the royal family's website.

The Privy Council then decided that the Queen's direct descendants would use the last name Mountbatten-Windsor, so that's when the split occurred.

Where does the name Mountbatten-Windsor come from?

Keystone-France - Getty Images





The original name of Windsor dynasty was the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, but following World War I, Queen Elizabeth's grandfather King George V was concerned about anti-German sentiment in the United Kingdom. He changed the name to the House of Windsor, after Windsor Castle. In doing so, members of the royal family adopted Windsor as a surname as well.

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The "Mountbatten" portion of Mountbatten Windsor comes from Prince Philip. Philip was a Prince of Greece and Denmark, but he gave up those titles when he became a naturalized British citizen in 1947, and took the surname Mountbatten, his mother's family name. Phillip was quite close to the Mountbattens growing up, and even lived with them for a period of time.

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Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Gov. Wes Moore at the Sept. 10, 2025, meeting of the Board of Public Works. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D) joined state lawmakers Wednesday pushing for state action to make up for federal food assistance that may run dry beginning this weekend.

Lierman joined lawmakers, both Democratic and Republican, who believe that the state should step in and cover lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits while the federal government is shut down and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is refusing to release funds for the program.

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During a virtual meeting with lawmakers Wednesday, Lierman said she hopes that our state will act to extend SNAP benefits for the month of November, because a disruption in the federally funded food assistance program would have ripple effects on Marylands economy.

Because of its immediate impact on our most vulnerable residents, on businesses that are just scraping by, on some of our most historically challenged communities, and recognizing the cascading impact of these cuts on Marylands economy, she said, I do hope that our state will act to extend SNAP benefits for the month of November. And I certainly hope, through legal action, we can recoup that funding.

More than 680,000 Marylanders who currently receive SNAP benefits are expected to lose those food assistance dollars over the month of November. They are among 41 million SNAP recipients nationwide who would be affected.

In previous shutdowns, the federal government would continue to pay for SNAP out of USDA contingency funds, to ensure that low-income families and other struggling households could continue to afford food.

But after funding benefits when the government was shut down in October, the Trump administration reversed course and announced last week that it is unable to continue funding SNAP next month, unless Congress agrees on a budget  and it may not reimburse states that decide to fill the gap in the meantime.

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More than two dozen states, including Maryland, this week sued the Trump administration in hopes of forcing the government to pay for SNAP amid the shutdown. In the meantime, a handful of governors in other states have signaled they will use state funds to cover SNAP regardless.

Marylands top budget lawmakers believe that Gov. Wes Moore (D) should do the same, by tapping into the states Rainy Day fund that is projected to close fiscal 2026 with a balance of $2.25 billion, according to state analysts.

House Appropriations Chair Ben Barnes (D-Prince Georges and Anne Arundel) thinks that 680,000 people losing their benefits is an emergency and that state officials have good reason to use the Rainy Day fund.

I want to be crystal clear, this committee, this House  believes that we should extend this benefit on a monthly basis  for the month of November and potentially through December, Barnes said Wednesday. I think you dont have to have been poor to know that going hungry creates real hardship. And being poor through the holidays and not having a meal on Thanksgiving creates lasting trauma, particularly for children.

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Senate Budget and Taxation Vice Chair Jim Rosapepe (D-Prince Georges and Anne Arundel) agreed.

Im a hawk on protecting the Rainy Day fund, Rosapepe said. This clearly is a five-star hurricane for poor people who need food, so Im totally on board.

State data shows that in August, $123.2 million in SNAP benefits were distributed to 371,522 households in Maryland, helping 668,162 people afford food that month.

Based on the August figures, analysts with the Department of Legislative Services say that covering SNAP benefits for both November and December would require around $250 million.

Percentage of residents participating in SNAP by county as of 2022 data. (Chart courtesy of the Comptroller of Maryland)

Del. Jefferson L. Ghrist (R-Upper Shore) supports using state funds to cover a lapse in SNAP coverage, even if he places the blame of the shutdown on Democrats in Congress.

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As a fiscal conservative, the Rainy Day fund should be used for just that. It should be used to deal with an emergency situation  here we are, he said. These are oftentimes single working moms, folks with developmental disabilities. These are folks who are senior citizens that cant help themselves.

I hope the Moore administration hears us clearly  that this is a bipartisan effort to make sure that these folks are taken care of, at least temporarily, Ghrist said.

Its not just Ghrist. House Minority Leader Jason Buckel (R-Allegany) says the ball is in the Moore Administrations court.

Republicans want to see children, families, seniors, and the disabled who truly deserve these safety net benefits receive them without interruption, Buckel said in a written statement. There certainly are sufficient reserves available to Governor Moore to pay some level of SNAP benefits for a period of time until the bickering politicians in DC can straighten themselves out and get the federal government running again reasonably, just as Governor Youngkin has done in Virginia.

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Gov. Wes Moore (D) has so far offered few details on how he plans to address the potential loss of benefits, saying the state is committed to doing what it can to pick up lost federal benefits, but also warning that no state has the ability to fully cover federal programs.

Not only does SNAP help struggling families put food on the table, Lierman said it is one of the highest short-term economic multipliers, meaning that every SNAP dollar spent generates additional economic activity as it moves through grocery stores, food retailers and the community.

I should add that the economic activity from SNAP generates approximately $289 million in state tax revenue, Lierman told lawmakers. She added that small grocery stores and food retailers will lose significant business if SNAP recipients are not buying food with their benefits.

David Romans, a Department of Legislative Services budget analyst, said that the simplest option for the state to fill in SNAP dollars would be for Moore to declare a state of emergency and tap into the Rainy Day funds.

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But the administration appears hesitant. Acting Budget Secretary Jake Weissmann agreed Wednesday that the state has the funds to backfill SNAP funding, but said the conversations were having within the Moore-Miller administration are broader than SNAP.

I want to provide you with a larger picture, Weissmann told lawmakers. We are in month 10 of a four-year term, and we are going to continue to face these challenges for the next three years.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, is close to running out, Weissmann said. There are growing questions about Headstart and there are real, valid concerns whether this [Trump] administration threatens Medicaid funding sometime in the near future. Were also facing over a $1 billion shortfall next year.

Thats why this administration is taking a week-by-week approach to this, he said. With all the outstanding questions, we have to move carefully to protect Marylanders.

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Weissman said that the administration would have more to share in the next 24 hours. Barnes questioned the delay and the lack of direct information from Weissmann and Moore.

You know the comments here today are woefully inadequate and were not really getting much information  but I guess well stay tuned for the next 24 hours, Barnes said.

Moore is scheduled to hold a news conference Thursday to announce executive action regarding SNAP and programs affected by the government shutdown.

Earlier Wednesday, reporters asked Moore to clarify how hell handle the missing SNAP funds if they run out this weekend. He stuck to his position that federal dollars should fund the benefit while the government is shut down. But he did not answer whether he will tap state funds to cover SNAP.

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Were going to make sure our people are taken care of and were going to be creative, were going to work with the private sector, were going to work with the nonprofits sector, he said. There is no state that can simply say, Oh yes, despite the fact that the federal government is breaking the law, that well just cover down on a quarter of a billion dollars every single month that the federal government is supposed to be providing.

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President Donald Trumps meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping got off to an awkward start as the president looked lost trying to walk off the stage after the two leaders were introduced.

Before sitting down together to try to hash out their trade differences during the summit in South Korea, Trump and Xi greeted one another outside the meeting room and shook hands in front of the U.S. and Chinese flags.

The diplomatic tour has fueled concerns about the 79-year-olds health as he has made random missteps and off-script rambles.

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After about a minute of small talk and posing for the cameras, Trump gestured to Xi to their left and said, Lets go.

He then looked to someone offstage and asked, Which way? before nodding, turning, and walking off to the right instead.

President Trump shook hands and tried to joke with China's Xi Jinping before their bilateral meeting. / Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The confusion came after Trump had insisted that he and Xi would have a very successful meeting despite the Chinese leader being a very tough negotiator.

Thats not good, he joked, as Xi failed to react. We know each other well, Trump added.

For Trump supporters, the moment was similar to Joe Biden at a Normandy D-Day commemoration last year.

MAGA and Conservative voices slammed him for walking off stage and struggling to sit down. An awkward clip was circulated on social media, including one message from the assassinated Charlie Kirk.

Yikes! At an Omaha Beach event honoring the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion, Dr. Jill Biden quickly escorts Joe Biden away leaving a seemingly perplexed French President Emmanuel Macron to honor WW2 veterans alone. pic.twitter.com/5fgthFysBA  Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 6, 2024

It was the first time Trump and Xi had met since 2019, when they spoke on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Osaka, Japan.

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Theyve held three phone calls and exchanged several letters since Trump retook office, Xi recounted at the beginning of the meeting, which lasted about an hour and 40 minutes, according to NBC News.

The Chinese president also harped on a familiar theme, praising Trump for his efforts to broker ceasefire agreements in Asia and the Middle East.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also praised President Trump's peacemaking efforts and vowed to nominate him for a Nobel Prize. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

You care a lot about world peace, and youre very enthusiastic about settling various regional hot spot issues, he told Trump.

The rest of the meeting was closed to the press. Afterward, the two leaders left in their respective motorcades. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump described the meeting as amazing and gave it a rating of 12 on a scale of zero to 10.

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He stopped short, however, of announcing a trade deal between the worlds two largest economies. For months, the two nations have been fighting over Trumps tariffs, Chinas purchase of U.S. farm products, and access to rare-earth minerals and high-powered AI chips.

The U.S. delegationwhich included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnickseemed relieved by how the meeting went, according to NBC.

The U.S. delegation reportedly looked relieved after President Trump's meeting with China's Xi Jinping. / Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

There were smiles as the members followed Trump out of the room, and Lutnik offered reporters a thumbs-up.

The president broke precedent this week by abandoning Washington for a pomp-filled trip to Asia, instead of remaining in the U.S. to help negotiate a bipartisan spending bill and end the nearly month-long government shutdown.

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Thursdays meeting with Xi was his last stop on a five-day trip to Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea.

Earlier in the week, the aging president admitted that he found an elementary school-level cognitive test that screens for early signs of decline very hard.

For months, the president has faced questions about his physical and mental health. Hes been nursing swollen ankles and heavy bruising on his hands, and experts have warned that his nonsensical speeches and mental lapses are clinical signs of dementia.
Oct. 29 (UPI) -- The longer the federal government shutdown lasts, the more it will cost the U.S. economy, which the Congressional Budget Office estimates at up to $14 billion.

The current CBO estimate released on Wednesday says the four-week shutdown will cost $7 billion in lost economic activity if the shutdown were to end this week.

If the shutdown extends to 11 weeks, the CBO's estimated cost rises to $11 billion and tops out at $14 billion if the shutdown lasts for eight weeks, CNBC reported.

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The estimated cost would rise further if the shutdown were to continue beyond the end of November.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has said it appears Senate Democrats are more open to ending the shutdown.

The Senate has failed 13 times to approve a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through Nov. 21 while negotiating a bipartisan 2026 fiscal year budget.

A Senate vote on enacting a clean continuing resolution on Tuesday failed by a vote of 54-45, with one GOP senator not participating in that vote.

If the federal government is not funded by Nov. 1, families dependent upon the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program will lose access to their food stamps.

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The Trump administration also is seeking ways to pay military personnel, and several airlines have begun feeding air traffic controllers and other essential staff who lack paychecks while the shutdown continues.

Once the federal government is funded and reopened, federal workers will receive back pay.

Republicans have a slim majority in the Senate with 53 seats to 47 for Democrats, including two independents who caucus with Senate Democrats.

Senate rules require 60 votes to pass spending bills, and Senate Republicans need five more Senate Democrats to join with three other caucus members to pass the continuing resolution and reopen the federal government.

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Senate Republicans overwhelmingly have voted to fund the federal government, while Senate Democrats overwhelmingly have voted against a House-approved continuing resolution.

Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada are the only two Senate Democrats to consistently have voted to fund the government, along with independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Senate Democrats.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is the lone GOP member to consistently vote against the continuing resolution.

Senate rules require 60 votes to pass the continuing resolution, which would extend the 2025 fiscal year budget long enough to finish negotiating a bipartisan 2026 fiscal year budget.

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The 2026 fiscal year began on Oct. 1, but the lack of an interim funding bill has closed the federal government for the past four weeks with no end in sight amid the Senate impasse.

Senate Democrats are demanding an extension of tax credits for the Affordable Care Act, which initially were enacted as a temporary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and expire at the end of the year.

Senate Democrats also want to expand access to Medicaid that GOP lawmakers say would enable states to provide taxpayer-funded healthcare for those who are not legal residents, which Democrats deny.

The estimated cost for ACA tax credits and increased access to Medicaid would cost an estimated $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years, which GOP lawmakers say is excessive, especially for a temporary funding measure.

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Senate Republicans have said such matters should be negotiated in the final budget bill and not a continuing resolution.

At 29 days and counting the current shutdown is the second-longest in U.S. history and only is exceeded by a 35-day shutdown that lasted from Dec. 22, 2018, to Jan. 25, 2019, as Senate Democrats opposed President Donald Trump's request to fund border wall construction.
Oct. 29 (UPI) -- A federal grand jury in Chicago indicted House of Representatives hopeful Kat Abughazaleh for conspiracy and interfering with Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities.

Abughazaleh, 26, is a progressive candidate who is one of more than a dozen seeking the Democratic Party's nomination for the 2026 election to represent Illinois' Ninth Congressional District that is located north of Chicago.

A federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court of Northern Illinois indicted her and five others on Thursday for impeding an ICE vehicle and agent outside the ICE facility in Broadview, Ill.

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"No one is above the law and no one has the right to obstruct it," Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement.

"Federal agents perform dangerous, essential work every single day to enforce out immigration laws and keep our communities safe."

He said those who "resort to force or intimidation to interfere with that mission ... attack not only the agents themselves but the rule of law they represent."

Abughazaleh called her indictment a "political prosecution and a gross attempt to silence dissent" in a post on X.

"This case is a major push by the Trump administration to criminalize protest and punish anyone who speaks out against them."

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I have been charged in a federal indictment sought by the Department of Justice.

This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. I'm not backing down, and we're going to win. pic.twitter.com/szOSZa1h3z Kat Abughazaleh (@KatAbughazaleh) October 29, 2025

Among Abughazaleh's indicted co-defendants include those involved local politics.

Catherine Sharp, 29, seeks a seat on the Cook County Board and is the chief of staff to Ald. Andre Vasquez, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Oak Park trustee Brian Straw, 38, and 45th Ward Democratic committee member Michael Rabbit, 62, also are indicted, along with protesters Andre Martin, 27, and Joselyn Walsh, 31.

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A sealed court document filed on Thursday accuses Abughazaleh and co-defendants of conspiracy and interfering with the duties of an officer of the United States, which are punishable by up to six years in prison.

They allegedly surrounded an ICE vehicle driven by an agent and hindered its progress as the officer drove forward "at an extremely slow rate of speed" while trying not to injure any of the six defendants.

Prosecutors say Abughazaleh, "with her hands on the hood braced her body and hands against the vehicle while remaining directly in the path of the vehicle."

The defendants also are accused of etching "Pig" on the side of the ICE vehicle and breaking its side mirrors and rear windshield wiper.

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Abughazaleh, et al., have an arraignment hearing scheduled on Nov. 5.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky, a Democrat, currently represents Illinois' Ninth Congressional District, which includes Evanston along the Lake Michigan shoreline to the east and stretches northwesterly to include Crystal Lake in its far northwestern corner.

Schakowsky is retiring from politics and vacating the seat after finishing her current term.
LOXLEY, Ala. (WKRG)  A groundbreaking ceremony marks the official start of the construction of a new multi-million dollar industrial park in North Baldwin County that developers hope will become a supply hub for businesses across the region.

Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office arrests 14 men during child sexual predator operation by: Theresa Grundman

Its an opportunity to create more jobs and create more economic impact for our community, President of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, Lee Lawson, said.

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The 200-acre site will be called the Loxley Logistics Center. The developer, Crown West Realty, said they envision a hub for suppliers and manufacturers.

Our ambition is to provide space for the suppliers and manufacturers who are serving the world-class industries that are already coming here, President of Crown West Reality, Frank Walter, said. Youve got Airbus and Austal, and those are terrific employers, but they need suppliers. They need other manufacturers and distributors who bring materials to them.

The first step is a building that can house several tenants, with plans to add more buildings down the line. Officials said one of the biggest selling points is the industrial parks location.

Loxley sits at the center of the I-10 Gulf Coast corridor in between Pensacola and Mobile, Lawson said. Its in between New Orleans and Tallahassee and between Jacksonville and Houston, we are the dead center.

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Officials said this industrial park is designed to meet what they call a surging demand for high-quality industrial space in the Gulf Coast region, making Loxley more competitive when it comes to opportunities for growth.

Its an opportunity to create more jobs and create more economic impact for our community, Lawson said. That fuels everything else that people love about this community. It fuels community amenities, it fuels school taxes, it fuels opportunities for this community to continue to grow and flourish in the way that it has.

Baldwin County Sheriffs Office seeks stabbing suspect

Officials tell News 5 that the new facility is expected to be up and running by the end of Summer 2026.

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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.
(Above) Samantha Wuest, program coordinator of University Farms, and SIU zoology major Cecilia Castillo prepare a bull for his stay at the Beef Evaluation Center. (Below) Assistant Professor Jay Nair, School of Agricultural Sciences Director Ira Altman, College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences Dean Kristina Boone and University Farms Director Christopher Vick celebrate the arrival of this years bulls. (Photos by Russell Bailey)

SIU among select U.S. schools to test young bulls for breeding potential

by Kim Rendfeld

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Thirty-four bulls have arrived at Southern Illinois University Carbondale to be evaluated over the next several months for desirable growth performance, carcass and genetic traits that can be passed down to offspring.

The 44th Annual Bull Performance Test and Sale officially began with the arrival of 17 junior bulls and 17 senior bulls on Oct. 20. Jay Nair, assistant professor in the School of Agricultural Sciences, said that the SIU Beef Evaluation Center (Bull Test Station) is one example of what makes SIU Carbondale rare among Research 1 universities in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions for Higher Education.

Only a select group of universities in the U.S. can perform this service for the cattle producers  both the consigners who have entrusted us with the bulls and the buyers, he said.

At SIU, we are blessed to have the animal units and the bull test station that has served the beef producers of Central and Southern Illinois for more than half a century. Reviving the SIU Bull Test in 2024, following a five-year hiatus, was made possible only through the unwavering support of the University Farms staff.

When the bulls arrive, students and staff weigh them, attach an RFID tag to the left ear for recording feed intake using the C-Lock SmartFeed units and a station ID tag on the right ear, give them a vaccine against warts, and apply a pour-on parasiticide. Seven-month-old junior bulls typically weigh between 500 and 600 pounds, and they are expected to at least double their weight by the time they are sold in March.

A veterinarian will evaluate the bulls through breeding soundness evaluation to ensure that the bulls are capable enough to sire calves. Senior bulls, which are larger than junior bulls and usually just over a year old, are used for breeding during the summer, while some junior bulls may join the breeding herd during the following fall.

The actual bull test spans over 84 days. The faculty, staff and students at the center will weigh the bulls every 28 days, monitor feed intake, monitor their body condition and skeletal structure and use ultrasound to evaluate back fat, intramuscular fat, and the ribeye area (between the 12th and 13th ribs).

Each bull will be featured in a catalog with detailed information for buyers. This years breeds include Angus, Simmental and SimAngus.

The test and sale go back to the 1970s. In recent years, SIU has upgraded to an automated feed intake monitoring system that measures how much each bull consumes, thanks to grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and installed a new scale, thanks to the support of School of Agricultural Sciences, College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences, SIU Foundation and University Farms, Nair said.

In addition to being an opportunity for research, the project will help one graduate student and four undergraduate students to learn about all aspects of feeding and management, record keeping, animal health and welfare, sales and services.

Nairs co-investigators, Karen Jones and Eduardo Gastal, professors in the School of Agricultural Sciences, and SIU Beef Center staff are assisting with the test and sale.

(Note to editors: Jay Nairs full name is Jayakrishnannair Puthenpurayil Sasidharannair; Jay Nair is acceptable on all references.)
The Federal Aviation Administration confirms a JetBlue flight en route to Newark diverted to Tampa International Airport on Thursday afternoon after a flight control issue.

The plane was initially heading from Cancun to Newark.

JetBlue sent a statement saying the aircraft experienced a drop in altitude.

The airline said medical personnel evaluated passengers and crew members, and those who needed additional care were taken to local hospitals.

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That plane, Flight 1230, has been taken out of service for inspection and to determine the cause.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
In late October 2025, a controversy erupted online after Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist running to be mayor of New York City, shared a story about a relative as an example of Islamophobia following the Sept. 11 attacks.

During a speech outside the Islamic Cultural Center of the Bronx on Oct. 24, Mamdani said, "I want to speak to the memory of my aunt, who stopped taking the subway after 9/11 because she did not feel safe in her hijab."

In the days that followed, multiple social media users accused Mamdani of fabricating the story. For example, one X user claimed (archived) Mamdani's aunt couldn't have taken the subway in New York City after 9/11 because she was actually working in Tanzania at the time. The post included what appeared to be a screenshot of a LinkedIn profile for a user named Masuma Mamdani.

Mamdanis aunt didnt take the subway after 9/11 because she didnt live in NYC she was working in Tanzania.



This sociopath cant help himself https://t.co/vme2YEjLS7 pic.twitter.com/F6Xli4QVXt  Jake Chapman   (@vc) October 26, 2025

Other posts (archived here and here) alleged that Masuma is Mamdani's only aunt and that photos show her without a hijab, a head covering that some Muslim women wear.

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Multiple Snopes readers wrote to us asking for clarity about Mamdani's anecdote. Here's what we found.

Mamdani's speech and clarification

Mamdani shared the brief anecdote about his relative during an Oct. 24 speech focused on Islamophobia. He said, in part (emphasis ours):

I want to use this moment to speak to the Muslims of New York City. I want to speak to the memory of my aunt, who stopped taking the subway after Sept. 11 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 NYPD. 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.

Mamdani became visibly emotional while recounting the story.

Several days later, in a video shared by Fox News (archived), Mamdani clarified that he was referring to his father's late cousin. While speaking to reporters on Monday, Oct. 27, he said (emphasis ours):

I was speaking about Zehra fuhi, my father's cousin, who sadly passed away a few years ago. And for the takeaway from my more than 10-minute address about Islamophobia in this race and in this city to be the question of my aunt tells you everything you need to know about Andrew Cuomo and his inability to reckon with a crisis of his own making.

Some Hindi speakers use the word "fufi" to refer to their paternal aunts. "Fuhi" may be an alternative spelling, as CNN reported (archived) it is a term in Urdu and Hindi that means paternal aunt.

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The following day, a radio host asked Mamdani how he could ask New Yorkers to vote for him after he said he "lied," according to CNN.

Mamdani reportedly responded, "It's not a lie. My father's cousin is my aunt. That is how I referred to her all my life."

Snopes contacted Mamdani's campaign for comment regarding claims that he "lied" or "fabricated" the story, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

What we know about Masuma Mamdani

Masuma Mamdani, identified by several news outlets as Mamdani's only biological aunt, appeared to have worked in Tanzania at the time of the 9/11 attacks and during the following years. A LinkedIn profile (archived) bearing her name showed that she served as a senior program development officer for AMREF Health Africa in Tanzania from January 2000 to December 2003, and currently resides in the United Kingdom.

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Her LinkedIn profile picture does not show her wearing a hijab.

While multiple news outlets reported that Masuma is Mamdani's only aunt, Snopes was unable to independently confirm this information. We could not immediately reach her for comment.

Mamdani's campaign had not responded to our inquiry by the time of publication.

Sources:

Halle Troadec, et al. "Mamdani, in Emotional Speech, Decries Islamophobia in New York City Mayor's Race." ABC News, 24 Oct. 2025, abcnews.go.com/Politics/mamdani-emotional-speech-decries-islamophobia-new-york-city/story?id=126846079. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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ABC News. "FULL REMARKS: Mamdani Delivers Tearful Speech on Muslim Faith, Slams Cuomo." YouTube, 24 Oct. 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZaQVylyoRQ. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Pazmino, Gloria. "Zohran Mamdani Faces Pushback over His Story about a Family Member's Post-9/11 Fears." CNN, 28 Oct. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/10/28/politics/zohran-mamdani-sept-11-aunt. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Miller, Andrew. "Mamdani Forced to Clarify Relative Invoked in Viral Islamophobia Anecdote as Questions Swirl." Fox News, 28 Oct. 2025, www.foxnews.com/politics/mamdani-forced-clarify-relative-invoked-viral-islamophobia-anecdote-questions-swirl. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Fischetti, Matthew, and Hannah Fierick. "Zohran Mamdani Didn't Tell the Whole Truth about His Hijab-Wearing 'Aunt' Who Feared for Safety Post-9/11." New York Post, 27 Oct. 2025, nypost.com/2025/10/27/us-news/zohran-mamdanis-hijab-wearing-aunt-who-feared-for-her-safety-post-9-11-revealed-as-his-dads-second-cousin/. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
The convicted killer behind a deadly Northeast Fresno shooting learned his fate in court Thursday.

Clarence Houghton sat silent during his sentencing, as the family of 17-year-old Darion Wheeler shared the impact of the young life lost.

"He made me live one of my biggest fears, speaking at someone's funeral I'm most closest to," said Wheeler's niece Sha'nyah Reed, still shaken by the tragedy.

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She was just one of dozens of family members in the courtroom, eagerly waiting as the justice they had waited five years for finally came.

After all this time, Wheeler's sister Kadesia Travis is still longing for answers.

"I want to say I forgive him, because I'm a forgiving person, but sometimes I still ask 'why' without understanding," Travis said to the judge.

Investigators say in December 2021, Houghton met Wheeler near the intersection of Angus and Barstow to buy marijuana.

The transaction quickly turned deadly when Houghton shot the teen and drove off.

It would take investigators almost a year to track Houghton down, finally arresting him in Nevada in 2022.

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And now Houghton has been sentenced for second-degree murder.

The judge ordered a total aggregate prison sentence of 18 years to life.

Outside, Wheeler's family was able to leave the trial behind and focus on fond memories.

"He was definitely a person you could go to for laughter; his jokes were so unmatched," Reed said. "Funniest person I knew."

Given the nature of the charges, the judge decided to make Houghton ineligible for probation.

He'll spend at least 18 years in state prison before becoming eligible for parole.




A serial harasser accused of parole violations tied to a case in which he touched and groped women in San Francisco yelled at a judge in an outburst Thursday after he was ordered to remain in custody without bail.

"I went to prison for something I didn't even do," Bill Gene Hobbs shouted at Superior Court Judge Harry Dorfman. "You convicted me for something I didn't even do."

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Dorfman, who coincidentally presided over Hobbs' trial, reminded him: A jury found him guilty, not Dorfman.

"Harry, you're a s-ty judge," Hobbs told Dorfman before bailiffs escorted him away.

"That won't change my decision today," the judge quipped.

Authorities allege Hobbs, 37, missed a mental health treatment program meeting and failed to fully charge his GPS monitoring device - conditions imposed as part of his parole, according to court records.

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A different judge is expected to decide as early as next week whether Hobbs - who served about two years in custody, less than half of his full sentence - violated his parole conditions and, if so, impose a possible punishment.

On Thursday, Deputy Public Defender Sujung Kim, who represented Hobbs, asked the judge to release Hobbs, who she said was in the process of applying to jobs. Assistant District Attorney Reve Bautista and Parole Agent Niel Chu opposed, raising concerns about his mental health and the danger they said he poses to others as a sex offender.

"Parole is concerned for the safety of the public," Chu said. By failing to attend the mental health program required as part of Hobbs' parole conditions, Chu added, "he's not addressing his mental health needs."

Chu told Dorfman he didn't know how many meetings Hobbs had attended.

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"I've gone to every single meeting," Hobbs chimed in. He added that he missed a 10 a.m. meeting but attended a make-up session a few hours later.

Kim said it seemed the prosecutor and the parole agent wanted to keep Hobbs in jail based simply on his conviction and a "general notion" that he posed a danger to the public. They had not specified why he remained a danger, even in light of the alleged parole violations, Kim said, adding that Hobbs had participated in the program to address his mental health. "Please give him another change," Kim said.

His arrest on the alleged parole violations came after the Chronicle reported that he returned to the city and had approached women in similar ways as he did in a series of incidents three years ago.

Hobbs was arrested in October 2022, accused of predatory behavior that targeted young, unsuspecting women. Prosecutors said he followed, grabbed and chased the women, many of whom were running or walking alone in broad daylight.

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In May 2023, a jury convicted him of false imprisonment related to an instance in which he picked up and carried a woman down a block, as well as misdemeanor counts of battery, sexual battery and assault in connection with other incidents. He was sentenced to back-to-back terms: two years and six months in county jail and three years in state prison. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for at least 10 years, although he was not listed on the state's registry until last week.

After Hobbs served his sentence "as defined by the law," the state parole board determined he met the criteria to be paroled to a psychiatric hospital, a step intended to keep parolees deemed a danger to others detained and treat their mental health disorders.

Hobbs was paroled to Atascadero State Hospital in San Luis Obispo County in November. He then appealed the move, and, after a San Luis Obispo Superior Court judge found he did not meet "the statutory criteria" for the commitment at the hospital, he was paroled in San Francisco in April.

After he successfully appealed his stay at the psychiatric hospital, Hobbs was sent to his mother's home in Bakersfield, but her lease agreement didn't allow him to live with her, so he returned to San Francisco on parole, Bautista said Thursday.

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Moments later, as he was escorted out, Hobbs shouted that he didn't want to come back to San Francisco.

This article originally published at Convicted serial harasser lashes out at S.F. judge who ordered him held in custody.
Turning passion into purpose, for 16 years, Bobby Rader has worked in the Ag-Crimes unit of a local law enforcement agency.

Growing increasingly frustrated with copper wire thefts and lack of accountability for criminals, he knew something needed to be done to protect local farmers.

That's when the COP-R-LOCK security system was born.

"We created change that was desperately needed. Copper wire theft has been tolerated way too long. This is a billion-dollar problem, just in ag, not counting municipalities and cities, copper wire theft is massive and it impacts so many people," says Bobby Rader, the creator of COP-R-LOCK security system.

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Over the last two years, Rader has turned his idea into a reality.

Currently, there are four systems installed and 20 more in progress..

"There is no way a criminal can begin the theft without triggering the copper lock, if they cut conduit, if they cut wires, just opening this panel will trigger the copper lock. Lights, sirens, consequences, notifications to the farmer," explains Rader.

Experts say a hundred dollars' worth of stolen copper could cost the farmer tens of thousands of dollars.

And the impacts go beyond the price tag.

"Once they damage their equipment, they are down on farming operations, they can't irrigate and if they are in season, they lose the irrigation cycle and that hurts their crop," mentions Ben Guyer with Willits Pump and Equipment in Exeter.

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COP-R-LOCK is patent pending and is now working in partnership with Farmblox.

Rader says he is hopeful thieves will be held accountable, "I have been an ag crimes expert for 16 years. I have never responded to a copper wire theft in progress, but now we can. Now we can go to a copper wire theft in progress, that changes everything. That is music to the ears of a good cop."

A typical setup will cost under $4,000, which is a fraction of what repair costs would be.

There are also rental options, making the system more affordable.

For more details, you can learn more on Farmblox's official website here.

For South Valley news updates, follow Kassandra Gutierrez on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  The Indiana Department of Health has confirmed today to WTWO that they are planning on a decision concerning the Union Health/HCA COPA in November.

The Indiana Department of Health will release a decision on the application by the November 9 deadline, stated Lisa Welch, Media Relations Coordinator of the IDOH.

WTWO had reached out to the IDOH and Union Health earlier this week to inquire about updates on the COPA.

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Public comments due soon on Union Healths THRH merger

In a statement from Union Health, they explained, We greatly appreciate the Indiana Department of Healths hard work and thoughtful review of our application for a Certificate of Public Advantage (COPA). We are continuing our discussions around which commitments the Department would like to see implemented if the COPA is ultimately approved.

WTWO has requested a copy of the commitments from the IDOH and is awaiting a response.

Union Health said, We look forward to sharing more details with the community as these conversations progress. We encourage everyone to read more about our vision to preserve access to health care services and improve the health of the Wabash Valley here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)  The killing of Sonya Massey in her home by an Illinois sheriff's deputy was pursued by prosecutors as a first-degree murder case with a possible life prison sentence. Then the judge gave the jury another option when deliberations began this week.

Sean Grayson was found guilty Wednesday of second-degree murder, a lesser charge with less severe consequences. Massey's family was outraged by the verdict. The Black woman's supporters called it the wrong dose of justice, noting she was deliberately shot in the face by a white police officer in her own kitchen.

Experts say a verdict form with different options is common in Illinois courts and elsewhere  if a judge believes the evidence presented at trial could plausibly justify it. Grayson testified in his own behalf, claiming he felt threatened by Massey and her pot of hot water.

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This is not unusual, Andrew Leipold, who teaches criminal law at University of Illinois College of Law, said of the jury's alternatives.

Under Illinois law, second-degree murder recognizes the possibility that people honestly  but unreasonably  believe they're in danger so they killed the person they're worried about, Leipold said.

Grayson's story of that night

No jurors talked to reporters about how they reached consensus on the conviction. But they were likely influenced by Grayson's version of what happened when he and another officer went to Massey's home in Springfield early on July 6, 2024.

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Massey had called 911 in the state's capital city, seeking help for a suspected prowler. Grayson, a Sangamon County sheriff's deputy, arrived with another officer, and their encounter with Massey began to center on a boiling pot of water.

Grayson said Massey, who had struggled with mental health, grabbed the pot after he had ordered the other officer to move it off the stove. I rebuke you in the name of Jesus, she said, according to body camera video.

Grayson testified that he feared being struck with the pot and the water. He had told investigators that he believed the rebuke meant Massey intended to kill him. He fired three shots, striking her just below the eye and killing her.

He believed that to be a threat," defense attorney Daniel Fultz said as he argued for an acquittal. "You dont have to believe that it was. Thats what he believed.

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States Attorney John Milhiser said Grayson, who was eventually fired, didn't follow his training that night.

Send anyone else  anyone  and Sonya Massey is alive today," the prosecutor told the jury.

Final jury instructions

Defense attorneys asked Judge Ryan Cadagin to add a second-degree murder option to the jury instructions after all the evidence was presented. Second-degree murder can apply in Illinois when a defendant faces a serious provocation or believes their action is justified, even if that belief is unreasonable.

Its the judges call," said J. William Roberts, a former county prosecutor and U.S. attorney in central Illinois. "If there are arguably facts that could support something less than first-degree murder, the court would almost always put it in rather than risk being reversed on appeal.

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Leipold, the law professor, said: "This is what juries are for."

They listened to (Grayson's) testimony. They weighed his credibility," Leipold said. "It doesn't sound like the facts were in great dispute, only the state of mind and inferences to be drawn of who did what."

Grayson, 31, could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison, with time shaved along the way for good behavior, or even probation. A first-degree murder conviction would have carried a prison sentence of 45 years to life without good-time credit.

On Thursday, Milhiser said he will seek the maximum possible prison term when Grayson is sentenced Jan. 29.

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A midwestern central Illinois jury is not going to want to think that a police officer is an out-and-out murderer," Roberts said. "In our communities there is still a good deal of faith in law enforcement, although things like this certainly undermine that.

___

White reported from Detroit.
The Logansport City Council agreed Monday to walk back 3% raises for elected officials that were initially allocated in the 2026 budget.

During a finance committee meeting, City Council President Dave Morris presented other council members with the current wages of elected officials and what their pay would look like with a 3% raise.

My personal opinion, I dont believe that our mayor or our clerk-treasurer merit a raise based on their performance in the last year, Morris said, adding he didnt feel comfortable giving himself or other elected officials a raise while denying the mayor and clerk-treasurer one.

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The other City Council members agreed to walk back the raises.

At a time when we know were going to be fighting budget constraints going forward, Im good with leaving it as it is, said Chris Howard, Ward 3.

Suzy Wamsley, At Large, also agreed, reasoning it would save the city funds.

Mayor Chris Martin walked out of the meeting shortly after council members agreed to walk back the 3% raise. On his way out, Wamsley remarked the mayor gets paid to attend the meetings.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps more than 47,000 St. Louis County families every month. With the SNAP deadline looming, county officials have launched a drive to collect some goods to help families with babies who will lose those important benefits.

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page said the county will do what it can to help residents during the federal government shutdown.

Now weve had a month of this, were at the leading edge of the time when things are going to get bad really, really fast, he said. And until this gets sorted out, St. Louis County will do what we can with our limited resources, were in tough budget times ourselves, and we have to make tough choices, but were going to try to step up and help these families as much as we can.

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The county is accepting baby formula, diapers, and wipes at any branch of the St. Louis County Library or one of its three health centers:

John C. Murphy Health Center  6121 North Hanley Road, 63134

North Central Community Health Center  4000 Jennings Station Road,

63121

South County Health Center  4580 South Lindbergh Boulevard, 63127

The current federal government shutdown is at 30 days and counting as of this storys initial publication, making it the second-longest shutdown involving furloughed workers in the nations history. The longest shutdown lasted for 35 days from December 2018 to January 2019 during President Donald Trumps first term in office.

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.
Scientists have identified a new coronavirus in Brazilian bats which carries a key genetic feature also found in Sars-Cov-2, the pathogen that causes Covid-19.

The virus, called BRZ batCoV, was found in a moustached species of bat common across much of Latin America. Its likely that the pathogen has long been spreading unnoticed, as sampling in the region is limited.

Genetic sequencing of the virus  which was not isolated but studied digitally  shows it carries a furin cleavage site similar to that found in Sars-Cov-2.

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This is the part of the Covid virus that allows it to unlock and enter human cells, and some questioned whether Sars-Cov-2 had been engineered in a laboratory because it had not been seen before.

But Dr Kosuke Takada, a co-author of the pre-print which has yet to be peer reviewed, said the discovery in Brazil demonstrates that similar molecular features can arise independently in different viral lineages through natural evolutionary processes.

The work was done by the department of molecular virology at the University of Osaka, Japan.

Wildlife surveillance

Prof Stuart Neil, head of the department of infectious diseases at Kings College London who was not involved in the research, said this is not the first time that scientists have found furin cleavage sites similar to Sars-Cov-2 since the pandemic.

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We have very little idea about the selective pressures that promote the evolution of furin cleavage sites in bats or after cross species transmission. But what this paper reinforces is that they are not uncommon, he said.

While it doesnt speak directly to how [Sars-Cov-2] got its furin cleavage site, it does show how easily they can pop up in the same part of a spike [protein] in very diverse viruses in the family.

Prof David Robertson, head of bioinformatics the Centre for Virus Research at the University of Glasgow and also not involved in the study, said: That theyve found a furin cleavage site is interesting, but not unexpected given we know this region of the virus genome is relatively mutable.

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The researchers stressed that there is not yet any evidence that BRZ batCoV  which was found after they collected intestinal tissue samples from 70 bats in Brazils Maranhao and Sao Paulo states  can infect humans or other mammals.

Instead, the identification of these sorts of viruses in Latin America reaffirms the value of wildlife surveillance programmes, and holes in the current systems. Overall, most sampling has focused on Asia, Africa and the Middle East, where dangerous coronaviruses like Sars-1 and Mers first emerged.

This study highlights that the potential for new pathogens to emerge is globally distributed, including in under-sampled regions like South America, said Dr Takada, who is also a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Sydney.

Still, detection does not equal danger  the real risk depends on ecological and human factors such as how often people come into contact with infected wildlife. By expanding our understanding of viral diversity in these regions, we can improve early warning systems and make more evidence-based assessments of which viruses warrant closer attention.

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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.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox recommitted on Wednesday to the states novel proposal to solve chronic homelessness by investing upwards of $100 million in a 30 acre, 1,200-1,600-bed central campus near the Salt Lake City Airport.

Cox called funding for the site his top priority for the 2026 legislative session during a housing conference at the University of Utah where he pushed back against a New York Times article that cited a source who likened Utahs campus plan to a Nazi concentration camp.

This idea that its compared to Nazi Germany, I dont understand that level of thinking, its just crazy to me, Cox said. As if Hitler were to round up people who were dying on the streets, in their own filth, addicted to drugs and giving them the support they need. There is no comparison at all.

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Over the past two decades Utah has flipped from being the prime example of implementing housing-first policies, which provide housing without requirements for sobriety and treatment, to now leading the red-state rejection of that approach.

Efforts to solve homelessness that dont include public safety and long-term recovery requirements have been an abject failure, leading to increased homelessness and overdoses, Cox told an audience of housing experts from around the country.

Were truly a non-compassionate society when we think that compassion is allowing people to die on our streets and to make it unsafe for them and unsafe for everyone else in our communities  there is no compassion in that," Cox said.

Utah hits record homelessness

A man experiencing homelessness rests under an overpass in Salt Lake City on Friday, July 25, 2025. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Utahs annual 2025 Point-in-Time Count found that the number of homeless Utahns had surged to its highest level ever, with nearly 4,600 people on the streets, an 18% increase from 2024 and the largest number on record.

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Nearly half of the increase was driven by growth in the chronically homeless population. The number of those who had spent over one year as homeless with a serious disability or addiction increased by 36% from 906 to 1,233.

Weve got to make sure that we actually have the resources available, thats going to be really important, to help people get back on their feet and keep them from hurting themselves and hurting other people, Cox told the Deseret News.

Recent legislative sessions have seen the state extend involuntary commitment times, prohibit syringe exchange programs in certain areas and enhance criminal penalties for drug possession in and around homeless shelters.

In this approach, Cox has found an ally in President Donald Trump who recently issued an order replacing federal housing first funding requirements with a treatment first approach that opens the door for increased involuntary commitment.

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The next step for shifting the state in this direction requires lawmakers to carve out a significant amount of taxpayer dollars, Cox acknowledged. And he hopes the federal government will cover major portions of the costs.

We know its going to be a tight budget year, but this has to be my top priority, and it is my top priority, Cox said. We have to pay for it, and were hoping that the federal government is a big piece of that.

How much does Utah spend on homelessness

Since Utahs homeless numbers began to climb in 2020, the state has invested more than $266 million on homeless services, according to legislative leadership, not to mention the millions spent on prior housing first initiatives.

During the 2025 legislative session, Utah lawmakers approved $3.9 million to launch a second family shelter in Salt Lake County, $5.5 million to expand emergency cold-weather shelters and $16.7 million to shore up public resources in shelter cities.

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The session before, the Legislature appropriated $25 million to buy land and construct what they said would be the future backbone of the states homelessness response: a campus with an integrated system of treatment resources and recovery programs on site.

But finishing the project could cost more than twice that amount, according to the states homelessness office, in addition to around $25 million in ongoing funds  the amount needed to sustain similar projects in Texas and Nevada.

We just dont have an option. We have to get this right, Cox told reporters. Weve been failing for so long and Im not willing to give up. And so this is the best option we have.

Wednesdays article in The New York Times cited experts on homelessness policy who argued that Utahs approach relied too heavily on law enforcement and not enough on increasing psychiatric resources for those who are mentally ill.

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By banning outdoor camps and pouring resources into one campus, critics framed the states efforts as using coercion to move marginalized individuals to some place where they are less visible, and unable to leave of their own free will.

But Cox framed Utahs approach as a model for the nation that has garnered the interest of blue states as well because it maintains social order by holding individuals accountable, while also helping them overcome the underlying problems that lead to homelessness.

I believe its the most compassionate policy anywhere in the country right now, Cox said. And Im telling you, there are a lot of blue state governors who are looking at what were doing and agree with everything that were doing right now.
A coyote attacked and chased a 9-year-old in Portland, Oregon, while the child was playing hide-and-seek in their own yard, with officials encouraging residents in the area to remain on alert, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The attack occurred last week in the Portland neighborhood of Alameda, where a 9-year-old and a 3-year-old were "playing hide-and-seek in their yard when a coyote approached the 9-year-old" and bit their foot, the fish and wildlife department said in a press release on Wednesday.

The 9-year-old, who was wearing socks at the time of the attack, was able to "shake their foot out of the sock and run away," officials said.

STOCK PHOTO/Adobe - PHOTO: A coyote in an undated stock photo.

The coyote then proceeded to chase the 9-year-old until the child's father -- who was on the front porch -- began yelling at the animal, who then ran away, officials said.

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The child was taken to a local hospital and was "treated for minor injuries," officials said. The status of the child's condition remains unclear as of Thursday.

A day after the attack, officials traveled to the scene to "conduct a site investigation" and informed residents via flyers and social media posts that a "concerning incident with a coyote had recently occurred," the department of fish and wildlife said.

Coyote caught on video attacking New Jersey woman and family dog in backyard

In the days following the attack, officials said they have "continued to monitor the area and talk to neighbors" and are working closely with local and federal authorities to "determine next steps for addressing the human safety situation."

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While coyotes are "not unusual" in this area of Portland -- even during the day -- officials strongly encouraged residents to "monitor young children playing outside" and to not provide food to coyotes, which is illegal in the state of Oregon.

Dave Keiter, a district wildlife biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, told ABC Portland affiliate KATU the attack was a "very unusual incident," but feeding the animals can "make them spend more time around humans which can cause conflict both with people and with pets."

"The vast majority of encounters with coyotes are entirely benign," Keiter told KATU.

2 hikers hospitalized after encountering grizzly bear with 2 cubs on trail

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If someone does encounter a coyote, officials said to scare away the animal by yelling, using airhorns, banging pots and pans or throwing objects.

Officials encourage community members to "immediately report concerning encounters and aggressive behavior toward people or pet" to the department of fish and wildlife or call 911 in the event of an emergency.
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  A crash on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway blocked off all northbound lanes for hours near South Laurel early Thursday morning.

The United States Park Police (USPP) told DC News Now that officers responded to the two-vehicle crash around 3:50 a.m., near MD 198.

Officials said serious injuries were reported; however, it is unclear how many people were hurt.

Montgomery County neighbor charged with arson after setting their own home on fire

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As crews clean the crash site, all northbound lanes were closed but have since reopened. Traffic was also diverted at MD 197 near Bowie Road.

There have been multiple other vehicle accidents due to weather conditions on the BW this morning, USPP told DC News Now.

The Maryland Department of Transportation issued alerts for crashes along the parkway, impacting Thursday morning commuters.

Check DCNewsNow.com for updates. To keep up with the latest news and weather updates, download our Mobile App on iPhone or Android.

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PERRYVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56)  Fire crews in Boyle County were sent out in response to a house fire on Thursday morning.

Around 7:15 a.m. on Oct. 30, the Perryville Fire Department (PFD) posted on social media that crews were battling the fire on Leonard Street, just a third of a mile from Boyle County Engine 2.

Officials asked residents to avoid the area while crews work to extinguish the flames.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

In an update around 5 p.m., the department said the structure fire was reported around 6 a.m. and crews arrived to find a well involved house on fire.

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Units started attacking the fire immediately, additional units where dispatched to assist from BCFD all units were on scene in total around 4 hours the house suffered extensive damage but not one civilian or firefighters were injured, the Perryville Fire Department said.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Camille Hantla contributed to this story.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  With the Memphis Safe Task Force making 7,000 arrests in a month, there are calls for transparency, when it comes to criminal prosecutions.

Crime-tracking experts want to make sure offenders are being held accountable, and there are questions about the legal outcomes for each of those criminal cases.

There has been no reporting on whats happening after folks are arrested, so we dont know whether people are out on bond, what the status of their court case is, said Leslie Taylor, Executive Director, Memphis Crime Beat.

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Crime reduction is expectation of National Guards arrival in Memphis

Memphis Crime Beats executive director says its important for the public to know how each of these cases are being handled in the legal system.

With more transparency, the group says more efforts can be made to help slow down the revolving door of repeat offenders going in and out of jail.

What the most recent data from the AOC has told us is that about 41% of criminal cases in Shelby County are completely dismissed, Taylor said.

Memphis Crime Beat also tracks the clearance rate, how many of these crimes are actually cleared through arrests or other means.

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That number is about 18%, so out of all these crimes, only 18% are getting resolved that way, said Ron Walker, Secretary, Memphis Crime Beat.

The group says higher clearance and prosecution rates could help significantly reduce crime in Memphis, which is why they want more transparency from local leaders and federal agencies.

Additionally, Memphis Crime Beat tells WREG that more police could also help make the city safer, but thorough discussions about recruitment and retention are needed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  Professors who teach courses in law enforcement and corrections from across the state gathered in Binghamton recently to discuss the latest issues impacting their profession.

The Criminal Justice Educators Association of New York State held its annual meeting at the Holiday Inn.

They had panel discussions on recent Supreme Court developments and changes in state criminal law, especially those impacting bail and discovery.

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SUNY Broome Criminal Justice Professor Darin Schmidt is currently the President of the association.

15 students from SUNY Broome also attended the conference.

Schmidt says 23 local police agencies recently attended a career fair at the college.

It shows an understanding that they value the two-year degree when theyre looking for employees. We have some students at the Sheriffs Department, we have them all throughout departments in town. Our students are doing well at the job, said Schmidt.

Among the sessions was a drone demonstration by the NYPD and a look into the investigation of the Buffalo Tops shooter case.

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(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

President Donald Trump called for former Special Counsel Jack Smith to be jailed over the investigation into him known as Arctic Frost.

In a post fired off on Truth Social Thursday, Trump wrote the following about Smith: He is a CRIMINAL AND SHOULD BE IN JAIL. A MAJOR LOWLIFE AND FAILURE. An ugly person, both inside and out! I beat him badly, and love watching him squirm now.

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Trump linked to an article from right-leaning Just The News with the headline, FBI memo opening Arctic Frost probe into Trump was thin on evidence and justification, experts say.

The article began, The FBI memo that opened the Biden-era Arctic Frost investigation into Donald Trump and hundreds of his allies over their Jan. 6 activities was thin on evidence and legal justifications, according to former prosecutors and FBI agents who found significant deficiencies when they reviewed the newly released document.

The article continued:

The probe code named Arctic Frost was led by an openly anti-Trump FBI supervisor, was eventually taken over by Special Prosecutor Jack Smith and treated the effort by Trumps allies to submit alternate electors to Congress to sway the certification of the 2020 election as a criminal conspiracy, even though two prior episodes in American history were not prosecuted as crimes.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) told Fox News Maria Bartiromo Thursday that the House Judiciary Committee may call for a public hearing with Smith, who headed up the probe.

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This is like so many of the investigations weve done, Maria. The only thing we get wrong when we start of these investigations is, its always worse than we thought. And this one was certainly the case, Jordan said. Because this was so expansive, so broad, Sen. Grassley was exactly right; this was a complete fishing expedition.

Jordan added, We want Jack Smith in a deposition format when hes under oath. Will he answer our questions there? thats what we want first before we think about a public hearing.

Read the Just The News article here.

The post He Is a CRIMINAL! Trump Calls for Jack Smith to Be Jailed first appeared on Mediaite.
A new report from the Indianapolis-based Rainbow Youth Project suggests the resignation of Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters may be offering relief to queer and trans youth across the state.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocates email newsletter.

The organization, which operates a national crisis hotline for LGBTQ+ young people, says calls from Oklahoma have dropped sharply since Walters announced his departure on September 24 and officially left office the following week. Between March 2024 and September 2025, Rainbow Youth Project received an average of 1,431 monthly calls from Oklahoma, according to a press release. In the 30 days following Walterss announcement, that number fell to 914, a 36 percent decline.

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Related: Ryan Walters runs away from Fox anchor after resignation

Following Ryan Walterss resignation, we have noticed a substantial decrease in crisis calls from Oklahoma, Lance Preston, the organizations executive director, said. The relief expressed by callers is palpable, and we are grateful for the positive impact his departure has had on the mental well-being of our community.

Before his exit, nearly two-thirds of Oklahoma callers, 64 percent, identified Walters as a source of distress, according to Rainbow Youth Project. Since 2024, the nonprofit has operated an Oklahoma City outreach office, serving more than 500 local youth.

Walterss tenure was marked by relentless anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and policies that turned classrooms into political battlegrounds. A close ally of Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt and national conservative groups, Walters repeatedly portrayed queer and transgender students as threats to education. He fought to remove Pride flags from classrooms, supported banning transgender girls from school sports, and sought to introduce the Bible as a required text in every public school.

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Related: 7 of Ryan Walterss most heinous anti-LGBTQ+ quotes

He also used his official social media accounts to attack teachers who supported LGBTQ+ students, falsely accused educators of indoctrinating children with radical gender ideology, and promoted conspiracy theories about drag performers and public education.

When Walters announced his resignation to lead a conservative education group, he did so live on Fox News and refused to answer questions from Oklahoma reporters afterward. As The Advocate reported, he literally ran away from journalists asking if he was bailing out on Oklahomans.

For many of Oklahomas LGBTQ+ youth, the numbers represent something rare: measurable relief after years of political hostility.





If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 access to free and confidential services. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at TheTrevorProject.org/Help or text START to 678678.

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This article originally appeared on Advocate: Crisis calls among Oklahoma LGBTQ+ youth drop after Ryan Walters quit his job as the states schools chief

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The Sunshine Division has announced new headquarters as it also expands its services of providing food to people in need around Portland amid a state-wide emergency.

This comes in response to the federal governments shutdown and subsequent pausing of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program distribution.

On Nov. 1, food benefits through SNAP are set to end, leaving more than 750,000 Oregonians who rely on it in limbo. Forty-two million people across the United States will also be impacted.

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In response, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has declared a food emergency, directing $5 million to Oregons statewide food bank network.

This is an emergency, this is a crisis. Im not sure everyone understands just how difficult this is going to be for hundreds of thousands of Oregonians across the state, Sunshine Division Executive Director Kyle Camberg told KOIN 6 News. Were talking about over $140 million that did not go into the economy for families in need this month. So its a scary time.

In the Portland metro area, which the Sunshine Division serves, more than 400,000 people will be affected by the frozen SNAP benefits. In response, the charitable organization is using donations from the community to expand its services, beginning this week.

In addition, the Sunshine Divisions future headquarters is starting renovations near downtown at 2121 NW Front Ave. A private wall-breaking ceremony will be held Monday morning featuring guest speakers that include Portland Police Chief Bob Day, among others.

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In terms of Sunshine Divisions new expanded services, that includes increasing its home-delivery program from 450 to 650 food boxes per week, expanding food pantry hours at their Southeast Stark Street Location starting next week, and adding 750 food boxes and turkey meal kits to serve 2,750 households through its Thanksgiving meal delivery on Nov. 22. An additional 500 food boxes and turkey meal kits will also be added to its December holiday meal deliver, serving a total of 3,000 households.

The Sunshine Division is also stepping up its community food box distribution by partnering with a low-income housing provider to bring weekly meals to people in St. Johns, inner Southeast Portland and Southwest Portland who may not normally be able to go to a food pantry.

The Sunshine Divisions pantry at 12436 SE Stark St. will have expanded hours later next month, as it will now be open for longer on Saturdays. The new pantry hours beginning on Nov. 8 will be Tuesdays-Saturdays, 9 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Anyone who needs to visit the pantry can make an appointment online, though they also accept walk-ins if appointments are full.

The sign-up to receive Thanksgiving meals through Sunshine Division begins on Thursday. The charitys website has more information on how to request a Thanksgiving meal delivery or volunteer.

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The Sunshine Divisions website also has more information about its weekly home-delivery program and the Dec. 20 holiday meal delivery sign-up, with registration beginning on Nov. 3.

In addition, a number of local restaurants in Portland are offering free or discounted food for SNAP recipients and others experiencing food insecurity. KOIN 6 News has also created a Portland-area map where people can get food assistance.

The Sunshine Divisions new renovated headquarters is set to open in the spring of 2026. The new space will include an expanded warehouse, a dedicated volunteer center and a flagship pantry, among other amenities. The Southeast Stark Street pantry will also remain open moving forward.

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.
Katie Miller on Wednesday became so irate during a Piers Morgan Uncensored debate about Israels war on Palestine and New York Citys mayoral race that she called progressive pundit and fellow guest Cenk Uygur racist  and threatened to have his citizenship revoked.

The wife of White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, the architect behind some of the most controversial immigration and family separation policies under President Donald Trump, has since been getting excoriated by legions of infuriated critics on social media.

Politics: Mike Johnson Steps In After Trump Official Tells Americans: 'We Have Failed You'

Her comment itself Wednesday was drowned out by shouting, but has since gone viral.

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You better check your citizenship application and hope everything was legal and correct, she told Uygur after he criticized Israel for violating its ceasefire with Hamas and killing at least 46 children. Because youll be just like [Rep.] Ilhan Omar [D-Minn.] coming next.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) notably pushed last month to have Omar stripped of her U.S. citizenship over her comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Katie Millers warning Wednesday has thus been met on social media with disgust from journalists, political pundits and plain onlookers alike. Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Glenn Greenwald quoted a clip of the moment on X, formerly Twitter, and added his own unbridled criticism.

Threatening to have your husband deport an American citizen because he criticized you in a TV debate, and more so because he criticized the foreign country you love so deeply, is about as twisted and authoritarian a mindset as youll find, he wrote Thursday.

Katie Miller and her husband, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images

Uygur was comparing the Israeli Defense Force to Nazi Germanys Schutzstaffel when Miller made her threat. The Young Turks host seemed not to catch it, and was arguing that Israels military has acted with impunity in bombing Gaza and killing Palestinian children.

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The feud with Miller ultimately began earlier in the show, when Uygur said pro-Israel voices have tried tirelessly to paint New York City mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani as a dirty Muslim  and want to smear, cancel, fire and arrest critics of Israels government.

Politics: Blue State SNAP Webpages Are Giving The GOP A Taste Of Its Own Medicine

Miller tried to conflate his words with antisemitism, prompting Uygur to call Miller and her husband liars. She then noted that they are raising Jewish children in this country and threatened to walk off after decrying Uygurs comments as racist, bigoted rhetoric.

Her threat, meanwhile, is being slammed as unhinged, desperate and disgusting.

STEPHEN MILLERS WIFE THREATENS TO HAVE CENK UYGUR DEPORTED AFTER LOSING A DEBATE@cenkuygur is a naturalized U.S citizen. pic.twitter.com/6alu4tOMFI  Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) October 30, 2025

Nobody weaponizes accusations of RACIST and BIGOT to shut down debate more than Israel loyalists in the US do.



Watch Katie Miller employ every tactic that the American Right spent years denouncing as left-liberal identity politics, all to equate criticism of her as racism: https://t.co/QkzF4Jf460  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) October 30, 2025

STEPHEN MILLERS WIFE THREATENED TO HAVE @cenkuygur DEPORTED after losing a debate.



Cenk is a naturalized U.S. citizen.



First she begged Piers Morgan to kick him off, then vowed her husband would denaturalize him.



This is what happens when entitlement meets humiliation on pic.twitter.com/U3b91OBFGp  Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) October 30, 2025

Here is Katie Miller, a person whom we might imagine has some influence over this administrations policy toward naturalized citizens, threatening her political adversary. Beyond disgusting.



I just checked, and @cenkuygur came to the US as an eight-year-old child. He is an https://t.co/9qcvaoCv0q  Lucy Caldwell (@lucymcaldwell) October 30, 2025

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Watch Katie Miller go full woke identity politics here. Every time we criticized her or Israel, she had no substantive answer. She resorted to trying to cancel us from the debate in the middle of the show. She thinks she can preempt any debate by playing the antisemitism card. https://t.co/PebKaRhOao  Cenk Uygur (@cenkuygur) October 29, 2025

This is Katie Miller threatening to use her political influence with the White House to have Cenk Uygur deported ("you better check your citizenship application") because she was unhappy he called her and her husband liars. Extraordinary, intolerable authoritarian nonsense. https://t.co/njQt3ZCOgd  James Surowiecki (@JamesSurowiecki) October 30, 2025

You better check your citizenship papers



Wild - when she wasnt throwing around unhinged antisemitism claims she was threatening to have her husband denaturalize & deport @cenkuygur



Stephen & Katie Miller are perfect for each other pic.twitter.com/A0A78wqaws  The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) October 30, 2025

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Days after the abrupt demolition of the East Wing of the White House, critics are questioning whether the Trump administration and contractors involved in razing the historic structure adhered to federal health and safety standards, including those governing the handling of hazardous materials like asbestos, a dangerous and potentially deadly substance widely used during the period of the East Wing's original construction.

On Thursday, Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., penned a letter to executives at the firm responsible for the demolition seeking evidence that the company complied with regulations dictating the safe removal of asbestos and lead -- or if, instead, they "cut corners" and "gambled with people's health."

"The demolition of a structure of the age and historic national significance of the East Wing demands the highest possible standards of care, not the lowest bid and a blind eye toward regulation," Markey wrote to leaders of ACECO, a Maryland-based demolition contractor.

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Americans largely oppose Trump tearing down White House East Wing to make way for his ballroom: Poll

The senator's overture comes days after the nation's largest asbestos victims' organization raised alarms about whether the White House may have deviated from accepted practices for handling these materials.

"Federal law requires comprehensive asbestos inspection, notification, and abatement before any demolition," wrote the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) last week. "No publicly available information demonstrates that these statutory obligations have been fulfilled."

A White House official would not say whether asbestos was found in the East Wing, but told ABC News that "a very extensive abatement and remediation assessment was followed, complying with all applicable federal standards."

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The official said that "any hazardous material abatement was done in September," prior to the demolition earlier this month.

Eric Lee/Getty Images - PHOTO: A worker clears rubble after the East Wing of the White House was demolished, October 23, 2025 in Washington.

But Linda Reinstein, the president of ADAO, said she has seen no public evidence to suggest that an assessment or abatement took place. Federal standards require rigorous inspections to be done prior to demolition, and those inspections are then documented with a certification. If asbestos is found, workers on site would be observed wearing protective equipment, like hazmat suits.

"I am deeply concerned for White House staff and others working in or near the East Wing demolition site," Reinstein said. "It remains unclear what measures have been taken to ensure the safe removal of deadly asbestos and other hazardous materials."

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was commonly used in mid-century structures for fireproofing and insulation, before its deadly health risks were fully known. Invisible asbestos fibers can become airborne whenever materials containing asbestos are disturbed during demolition, renovation, or even routine maintenance.

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Doctors warn that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, and that even short, unprotected demolition work can damage the lungs and increase the risk of developing mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to asbestos fibers can cause scarring in the lungs and increases the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Dr. Raja Flores, a top lung doctor who is a professor and Chairman of Thoracic Surgery at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, said it can take years after inhaling the fibers for symptoms to arise.

The progressive lung disease and cancer that can occur after asbestos exposure "makes you weak, you feel short of breath, feel like you're drowning and all these symptoms develop over a long period of time," Flores said. "It is a prolonged and agonizing torture."

Could the demolition of the White House's entire East Wing have been stopped?

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"You wouldn't catch me in there -- not without a mask" and "not without precautions," Flores said, referring to the White House complex during demolition.

Although White House officials would not say whether asbestos existed in the building, some experts suggest that its age and the era of its construction mean that it likely had the presence of the fiber. Originally completed in 1800, the building underwent major renovations in the 1940s and 50s, at the peak of asbestos use in buildings.

Last week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended President Donald Trump's decision to demolish the East Wing, citing in part his assumption that "parts of the East Wing could have been asbestos, could have been mold."

The demolition of the East Wing has been unpopular with most Americans, according to new polling released Thursday morning.

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A 56% majority of Americans oppose the Trump administration tearing down the East Wing of the White House as part of the construction of a 90,000-square-foot ballroom paid for by $300 million in private donations, including 45% who "strongly" oppose it, according to an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll conducted using Ipsos' KnowledgePanel.

Katie Harbath/AP - PHOTO: The continuing demolition of the East Wing and construction for the new ballroom at the White House, is seen Oct. 23, 2025, in Washington.

President Trump said in July that the ballroom project would not interfere with the existing White House structure. But last week, as crews began to raze the East Wing, an official said the "entirety of the East Wing will be modernized."

By Thursday, satellite images from Planet Labs PBC showed the East Wing reduced to rubble.

The White House has required at least some of the construction workers tasked with demolishing the East Wing to sign nondisclosure agreements barring them from discussing their work, according to sources familiar with the project.

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A White House official told ABC News that requiring workers to sign NDAs is "standard" practice, given aspects of the project deal with the operational security of the White House.

Bob Sussman, who was the deputy EPA administrator under President Bill Clinton and senior EPA policy counsel under President Barack Obama, said "the speed with which all this happened and the reasons why it happened so quickly should have raised many questions."

White House East Wing demolished, new images appear to show

Some environmental and health experts are warning about potential risks to the public if demolition debris that may contain asbestos is being moved off White House grounds without the appropriate safety measures.

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"I am concerned that wherever they move this debris, the population in that area is going to be at risk for 20 to 30 years," Dr. Flores said.

Markey's letter seeks details from ACECO on the timeline of the demolition, the process it followed, what permits were sought, and whether any incidents were reported, and asks ACECO to respond by Nov. 12.

ABC News' Jared Kofsky contributed to this report.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) Here is an interesting fact: under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, it is illegal to hunt, kill, capture, or sell a crow or other migratory birds. However, a murder of crows can cause a host of problems and a new program in downtown Terre Haute is keeping the flocks flying along with the help of a laser system.

This laser system is on the roof of the Sycamore Building in downtown Terre Haute and it will shoot a green laser at certain buildings in downtown Terre Haute that crows persistently roost on during the winter months. One of the buildings is the Hulman Center, as the city and Indiana State are trying to work together to deter the crows from downtown as well as ISU. Executive Director of Campus Facilities, Operations, and Maintenance at ISU, Jim Jensen, knows a laser like this can benefit both the city and ISU at the same time.

It was important for Indiana State University to have a seat at the table, Jensen said. With the chamber to see what they are doing and then work together on the overall downtown and Indiana State University campus crew control efforts to keep them out of the downtown area and off ISUs campus is very important for everyone.

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Detering the crows away can improve the downtown lifestyle in Terre Haute.

Youve got to keep the crows moving, you dont want them to roost, Jensen said. Everybody knows what kind of a public health issue that causes and just an absolute mess that it causes when you have crows roosting.

The laser was installed by Wild Goose Chase and will help get rid of the crows safely and legally, but in a different way than what the city has done in the past.

Its illegal to kill the crows, Jensen said. So you just want to keep them uncomfortable and keep them moving, and the laser is a very humane way.

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Its something different, you know, crows are very smart birds, Director of Strategic Programming of West Central Indiana Partnership Jonathan Eilbracht said. We have the wavy men downtown, the businesses have the spikes on top of them, but, you know, were trying to do something different that theyre not used to and to kind of scare them away from the rooftops to stop them from roosting downtown.

The laser will move in different intervals and times to try and outsmart the birds.

They would figure out the pattern, you know, if it went, you know, if one through fourteen, Eilbracht said. If it was going 1,2,3,4 down that way, they would know. At this time, its going to be on section one, well go hang out on fourteen. So that way, when it pops around, theyre not able to kind of anticipate where its going to be and so that theyre less likely to roost in certain areas if they dont know where its going to go.

This laser will help annoy the crows so that they will not want to come back to that building and it will not harm them in the process. The laser will also not interfere with daily life in downtown Terre Haute, nor hurt any humans as long as they dont look directly at the laser while it is in use.

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Wild Goose Chase programmed it so they, you know, are the professionals that programmed the laser, Eilbracht said. They obviously came here to do the site visit and made sure that it wasnt shining in windows, shining on any reflective surfaces, you know, cars, windows, anything like that. So definitely it is a potential worry of the residents, of course, but the way that Wild Goose Chase programmed it shouldnt be that issue to even have incidental eye contact.

Wild Goose Chase can come adjust the laser if needed during the winter months by changing the brightness of the laser and where the laser is being pointed at, if needed. It will be taken down in March to help prolong the life of the bulb in the laser. The laser will be active every day from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. during the winter months before it is taken down in March.

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 MyWabashValley.com.
Four Republican senators, including two vulnerable incumbents who are up for reelection next year, broke ranks Thursday and voted for a three-year extension of enhanced health insurance premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) all voted for the Democratic proposal,
An 80-year-old cruise passenger has been found dead on a Great Barrier Reef island, a day after she was accidentally abandoned there by the ship's crew.

The passenger's daughter Katherine Rees on Thursday accused the cruise company Coral Expeditions of a "failure of care and common sense" that left her mother Suzanne Rees to die alone.

Suzanne Rees, a Sydney resident, was on the second day of a cruise circumnavigating Australia when she disembarked the Coral Adventurer last Saturday at Lizard Island. She planned to hike with other passengers to a mountain lookout.

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The ship left the resort island around five hours before reporting her missing late on Saturday, officials said.

"We are shocked and saddened that the Coral Adventurer left Lizard Island after an organized excursion without my Mum," Katherine Rees, who also lives in Sydney, said in a statement.

"From the little we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of care and common sense. We understand from the police that it was a very hot day, and Mum felt ill on the hill climb. She was asked to head down, unescorted. Then the ship left, apparently without doing a passenger count. At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, Mum died, alone," the daughter added.

Rob Siganto, who was moored near Lizard Island over the weekend, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that close to midnight, a search helicopter arrived at the island.

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"We heard the conversation on the radio. They were looking for someone and the last known location was halfway up the hill," Siganto told the ABC.

The helicopter crew spotted Suzanne Rees' body the next day about 55 yards off the hiking trail to the lookout, The Australian newspaper reported.

She appeared to have fallen from a cliff or slope, the newspaper said.

Katherine Rees said she hoped a coroner's inquiry would "find out what the company should have done that might have saved Mum's life."

Police said in a statement a coroner would investigate the "non-suspicious death." The coroner's court also confirmed the death had been referred for investigation.

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"Deeply sorry that this has occurred"

Coral Expeditions chief executive Mark Fifield said his company was fully cooperating with official investigations into the death. He said it would be inappropriate to comment while those investigations were underway.

"We have expressed our heartfelt condolences to the Rees family and remain deeply sorry that this has occurred," Fifield said in a statement. "We continue to provide our full support to the Rees family through this difficult time."

The Coral Adventurer accommodates up to 120 guests and some rooms feature private balconies, according to the company's website.

This aerial photo taken on April 4, 2024, shows a boat anchored near coral around Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef, located 167 miles north of the city of Cairns. / Credit: DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, a safety regulator, is investigating why Rees may not have been accounted for when passengers were boarding at Lizard Island.

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The authority also said it would meet the ship's crew when it is due to dock in Darwin later this week, BBC News reported.

The tragedy is also being investigated by a workplace safety watchdog.

Rees was first noticed missing when she didn't appear in the ship's dining room for dinner, the newspaper said.

The cruise ship returned to Lizard Island early Sunday morning.

Incidents like this are rare, and cruise ships have systems to record which passengers are embarking or disembarking, Harriet Mallinson, cruise editor of travel website Sailawaze, told the BBC.

"Sneaking ashore or [back] onboard just isn't an option," she said.

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Australia's safety standards for its Great Barrier Reef tourism industry came under intense scrutiny after American couple Tom and Eileen Lonergan were abandoned at sea during a group scuba dive in 1998. The tour boat crew didn't realize they were missing until two days later. The Lonergans' bodies were never found.

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It's uncommon to get left behind at a cruise port, but it does happen occasionally. Tragedy struck an Australian family on October 25, 2025, when 80-year-old Suzanne Rees was left behind by her cruise ship on a remote island in the Great Barrier Reef, one of Australia's top coastal getaways. Earlier that day, she disembarked the Coral Adventurer for a shore excursion on Lizard Island. The experience included a hike up to "Cook's Look," which is famously associated with Captain James Cook's 1770 voyage through the reef. Sadly, Rees never made it back to the ship, and the incident is raising questions about what went wrong.

Most descriptions say the hike to Cook's Look has steep segments, so completing the roughly 2.5-mile trek is challenging for most. Along the hike up, Rees wasn't feeling well. Rees was then reportedly asked to return to the ship  on her own (via AP News). "Then the ship left, apparently without doing a passenger count. At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, Mum died, alone," Rees' daughter Katherine told the outlet.

The ship's crew didn't realize she was missing until later that night, with police alerted at 11:45 p.m. Her body was found the next day about 50 meters off the trail. While this incident is under investigation by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and Queensland authorities, they described the circumstances of her death as "sudden and non-suspicious." But Rees's family wants answers, and they've requested a coronial inquest into the tragedy. "I hope that the coronial inquiry will find out what the company should have done that might have saved Mum's life," Katherine Rees said, according to Australia's ABC News.

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Read more: The Most Bizarre Rules On Cruise Ships

Authorities are investigating Suzanne Rees's death on Lizard Island

three cruise ships off the coast of Australia's Lizard Island - Darios44/Getty Images

Getting left behind is one of the least unsettling reasons to avoid taking a cruise because of the many safety protocols in place. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) requires ships like the Coral Adventurer to maintain regular headcounts recorded in the ship's logbook for passenger safety. However, sources have alleged that this time, the crew failed to account for all passengers before departing. AMSA said in a statement it would "make an assessment as to whether there was any non-compliance associated with the passenger not being counted onto the ship and, if necessary, will take action to address them."

Cruise expert Adrian Tassone told the Daily Mail: "This ship held a maximum of 120 passengers, so I struggle to understand how a headcount wasn't conducted. Typically, you get on a cruise ship and you scan a card that is your key card, which indicates when you're on and off the ship. ... I don't know if Coral Expeditions operates in a different manner to that, but I am really surprised something more robust isn't in place that should have prevented this from happening." According to The Australian, the victim's daughter believes, from the information they have so far, that there was "a failure of care and common sense."

The hours between Suzanne Rees being left behind and the discovery of her disappearance by staff were undoubtedly critical. While some speculate that she fell off a cliff, we can't say whether her death could have been prevented if only she were found earlier. Coral Expeditions said it's working with investigators, adding, "We have expressed our heartfelt condolences to the Rees family and remain deeply sorry that this has occurred."

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Read the original article on Islands.
Cruise ship visits to downtown Green Bay will triple in 2026 after a second cruise line added stops in Titletown to its itineraries.

Discover Green Bay on Oct. 30 announced cruise ships will dock at Leicht Memorial Park six times next year, up from two visits in 2025. It will help contribute to what Cruise the Great Lakes, a regional tourism marketing program, expects to be a record year for cruise ship activity.

American Cruise Lines' newly built American Patriot will dock in Green Bay four times in 2026 as part of its Lake Michigan and Upper Peninsula Cruise itinerary. The American Patriot has room for up to 130 passengers and will make stops in Green Bay and Sheboygan as part of cruises scheduled to depart Milwaukee on June 24, July 1, Aug. 1 and Aug. 8.

The Victory II cruise ship is seen docked on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Leicht Park in Green Bay, Wis. The ship will be docked in Green Bay through June 25, and passengers will have the chance to visit local attractions in the meantime. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Victory Cruise Lines also will return to Green Bay and Sturgeon Bay on round-trip journeys departing Chicago on May 29 and June 11. The ships can bring up to 190 passengers to town each visit.

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Sally Davis Berry, Cruise the Great Lakes' tourism director, said 2026 should see more ships, more passengers and an overall economic impact of more than $300 million.

"Were excited to see continued growth in the Great Lakes cruise sector and the positive economic impact it creates," Davis Berry said during a news conference at the KI Convention Center.

The Victory II cruise ship is seen docked on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Leicht Park in Green Bay, Wis. The ship will be docked in Green Bay through June 25, and passengers will have the chance to visit local attractions in the meantime. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Brad Toll, Discover Green Bay's CEO, said the visits could bring almost 800 passengers to the Green Bay area and contribute more than $327,000 to the area's economy in the short-term. He said cruise ship passengers in prior years have made it clear they plan to return to the area for additional visits.

"The economic impact that comes from a ship arriving continues to pay us back down the road," Toll said.

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Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich praised the city, Brown County and state of Wisconsin for making investments in infrastructure and marketing necessary to allow cruise ships to dock in the city. He said the city is excited "to be on the map" for cruise ship operators.

"We understand how important tourism is to the health of our economy and to the state of Wisconsin. Cruise ships are a big part and a growing part of that economy," Genrich said. "We're really looking forward to growing that presence."

Contact business reporter Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JeffBollier.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: More cruise ships coming to downtown Green Bay in 2026
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  With the weather officially turning colder, the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is issuing a warning to drivers who have keyless entryyour car can still be stolen even without the keys in it.

According to CSPD, officers responded to a reported car theft shortly before 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29 in the 2300 block of Willow Tree Grove, west of Memorial Park. CSPD said the victim had left their car unoccupied and running, assuming that the car could not be taken if the key fob was not inside.

Officers investigated and located the car about a block west of the theft location, and after a neighborhood canvas, narrowed down the suspects location. As they were investigating, officers learned that the victims debit card, which had been in the car at the time of the theft, had been used at several businesses in the area of Pikes Peak Avenue and South Academy Boulevard.

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Investigation at these businesses resulted in photo evidence of the two suspects.

Back in the neighborhood where the car was located, officers contacted the two suspects, identified as 40-year-old Ashley Steele and 25-year-old Richard Deanda, and took them into custody.

Steele was arrested on identity theft charges and Deanda was arrested for motor vehicle theft, identity theft, and resisting arrest. According to CSPD, Deanda had previously been convicted of motor vehicle theft seven times, and he had an outstanding warrant for motor vehicle theft while he was on parole, also for motor vehicle theft.

With winter weather bearing down on us, this situation is a good reminder to know the limitations of your vehicles key fobs and/remote start systems, CSPD said.

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While this situation doesnt necessarily qualify as traditional puffing, which is illegal in Colorado, it still leaves drivers at risk of theft. The act of puffing is when a driver leaves a car unattended with the key in the ignition and the engine running, usually to allow it to warm up. The driver in CSPDs referenced case did remove the key fob from the vehicle, but many cars with keyless entry can still be driven away without the fob inside if it was already running when the fob left the vehicle.

Cars with keyless entry cannot be started without the fob in range, but they can still be driven away, as this driver learned the hard way. The Colorado State Patrol recommends that if drivers really want to warm up their car, they should do so while they scrape ice from their windshields, or allow the car to warm up while you are inside of itnever leave it unattended.

Of course, cars with auto-start are exempt from the puffing law.

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.
Biana Clark at Gifts of Love in Avon wants to clear up one thing as SNAP benefits halt: People in need of food arent necessarily unemployed or living only in Connecticuts cities.

One in five Connecticut households is food insecure or cant pay their bills, Clark said this week ahead of Nov. 1, when the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program runs out of money.

Were really trying to emphasize that theres a decent chance that one family out of the five houses on your block cant make ends meet and that number is only expected to increase. We just want to fight the stereotype of who the donations go to  its everywhere.

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State officials say 360,000 people or 10% of Connecticut residents get some amount of SNAP benefits to help them put food on the table. The average amount is just $6.25 per day.

Why is SNAP ending? Is the state helping?

Those benefits, accessible through an electronic benefits card, will not be refilled Nov. 1 because funding for the program, appropriated by Congress annually, has not been approved due to the federal government shutdown. The Trump administration has said the USDAs $5 billion contingency fund, cited in its shutdown plan, would not be used to cover the benefits.

SNAP benefits have never before lapsed in previous shutdowns and Democrats, including Connecticut Attorney General William Tong have sued the Trump administration to release the funding.

Gov. Ned Lamont this week announced the state will allocate $3 million to Foodshare, which distributes food to local food pantries and through its mobile sites across the state. SNAP distributes about $72 million monthly to Connecticut residents.

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With hunger already increasing due to rising prices and economic conditions, food pantries are likely to see an unprecedented wave of need starting next week.

Weve already seen the walk-ins increase and an uptick in referrals. The need already exists and once this happens its going to impact students and families and so many people, Clark said. One of the things we really try to get out is that it is every community. It literally is your neighbor.

Opinion: Federal government shutdown or not, 581,000 CT families already live on the brink

An increasing need before the shutdown

Maty Swartz at St. Vincent de Paul in Middletown, which runs a soup kitchen, homeless shelter and a grocery store-style food pantry, said they usually serve 1,000 families a month but that number has jumped to 1,250.

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Mondays were used to seeing around 80 to 90 shoppers a day. We had 134 on Monday. People are definitely starting to panic a little bit and regardless of the issue with SNAP, people have just been struggling economically for a really long time, she said, pointing to the cost of housing and food.

I think thats what people who are fortunate enough not to rely on our services dont understand: It can happen to anybody. You can be one missed payment away from not being able to put food on the table. Its everyone  our teachers, our local businessmen and women, our friends and neighbors.

Lee Hay at Cornerstone Food Cupboard said that due to the increase in people seeking help, he has had to reduce the amount of food hes able to give to each family.

Our numbers have been going up constantly even before this (SNAP cutoff) so its going to be a big challenge, he said. A year ago we were doing 200 families. This past week we did 270.

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The biggest thing for us is keeping up with stocking enough food to distribute. Foodshare is helping and Cornerstone Foundation is helping but theres a limit to their resources also so anything people can do to donate is appreciated, he said.

Clark, at Gifts of Love, said the organization has seen a 25% increase in people requesting services over the last quarter.

We are seeing the need increase quickly and that coincides with food prices going up and our food partners like CT Foodshare who are seeing the federal cuts hitting them directly so theyre hitting us secondarily. Food that used to be free for us (through Foodshare) we now have to pay for so its more expensive, she said.

Gifts of Love serves families in the Farmington Valley with its food pantry, basic needs and holiday programs and its weekend backpack program through which it sends food home on Fridays with local students.

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Its backpack program serves children in schools in Simsbury, Avon, Farmington, New Britain, Torrington and Granby, with more requests coming all the time. The SNAP cuts will impact funding for the weekend backpack program as well, Clark said, and previous federal cuts and rising food costs have already driven up the cost from $5,000 to $8,000 per child.

We lament, were not sure that we have the capacity to serve more than the 350-375 that were serving and we know that there are more kids that need it, she said. We want to make sure that were giving them enough food because those weekend backpacks feed a family of four for the weekend and for some families that literally might be what theyre eating. We want to make sure that were able to feed everyone adequately.

Friendly Hands Food Bank in Torrington serves 12,000 people a month and has seen lines out the door in the past couple weeks, Karen Thomas, executive director said. Most are single parents working two jobs who still cant make ends meet, as well as an increasing number of elderly and homeless people. Eighty-five percent are working, she said, solid working folks needing a helping hand.

Next week, pantry clients could increase by hundreds of thousands of people.

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Because this situation is more pervasive, we are really going to rely on people in our community to really support us and people who may now need more help, Swartz said.

How to help: donate, volunteer, give online, run a food drive

Find your local food bank and drop off nonperishable food items that people can use to make meals.

Check if your food bank accepts perishable foods like bread, meats, dairy and eggs. People are grateful to receive these more nutritious items.

Look on pantries websites for Amazon wish lists which allow you to instantly supply a food bank with the items they most need.

Check your pantrys Facebook page. Some pantries post their lists of needs there.

Start a food drive in your neighborhood, workplace or other organization to donate to your local food bank.

Check grocery store sales for buy-one-get-one deals and give the extras either in donation boxes at the front of the store or to your local pantry.

Volunteer. Many places are also in need of volunteers to help handle the extra volume of donations and people using the pantry.

Donate money directly to the food pantry. They often can get more for the money than you can at the grocery store. Most websites have a donation button.

To find a nearby food pantry, call 211 or visit its online food pantry locator. A soup kitchen locator, where people in need can get a hot meal and often are given to-go bags of food to carry them through between times, is also available on the 211 site.

While an end to the federal government shutdown will likely restore SNAP benefits, but the need will continue. Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, cuts SNAP benefits by $187 billion over the next decade. As a result, officials expect 34,00 Connecticut residents to lose their benefits, with another 50,000 are expected to see benefits reduced.

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Volunteer Martin Robbins-Pianka, left, helps Leticia Cumbicus of Middletown pick out produce for her family of three at St. Vincent de Paul Middletowns Amazing Grace Free Community Market on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant) Volunteer Martin Robbins-Pianka, left, helps Britany Malmbers and her daughter, Alelia Kelsey, of Middletown pick out food at St. Vincent de Paul Middletowns Amazing Grace Free Community Market on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant) Volunteers help shoppers pick out food at St. Vincent de Paul Middletowns Amazing Grace Free Community Market on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant) Tatiana Damboise, of Middletown, holds her son, Jace Thomas, as she picks out produce with help from volunteer Kathy Herron at St. Vincent de Paul Middletowns Amazing Grace Free Community Market on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant) Volunteers help shoppers pick out food at St. Vincent de Paul Middletowns Amazing Grace Free Community Market on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant) A shopper picks out carrots at St. Vincent de Paul Middletowns Amazing Grace Free Community Market on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant) Volunteer Martin Robbins-Pianka, left, helps Britany Malmbers of Middletown pick out produce at St. Vincent de Paul Middletowns Amazing Grace Free Community Market on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant) Show Caption1 of 8Volunteer Stuart Baker, left, helps Nancy Cortes of Middletown with cans of food at St. Vincent de Paul Middletowns Amazing Grace Free Community Market on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Aaron Flaum/Hartford Courant)Expand

With cuts to federal funding and increased food prices, food pantry directors say they are looking to the community for help.

Justin Woerz of the Plainville Food Pantry said his community is always supportive.

Were definitely getting more inquiries for help but were also having more and more food drives crop up in response to that ahead of time, he said. And that kicks off two months of people putting together their own food drives for the holiday season.

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Clark said shes seen a willingness to help, too.

Whats nice right now is we are getting the sense that people are aware of the world were in right now and there are food drives happening and people are contributing and people are giving, but, she said, the need is enormous.

Swartz said anything will help.

Personally I know that everybody is feeling a little uneasy right now and a lot of people are asking how they can help. And just by donating a bag of groceries or a few canned goods or volunteering at our food pantry or soup kitchen, all those things make a big difference.
Farmington-based UConn Health is warning thousands of patients with Aetna insurance coverage that they may lose their in-network status with the health systems hospital, clinics and doctors if both sides cant reach an agreement on a new contract.

The negotiations between UConn Health  the parent of John Dempsey Hospital, a network of clinics and more than 700 providers  and Hartford-based Aetna, the health insurance giant owned by CVS Health Corp., remain at odds over reimbursement rates for services.

UConn Health was locked in a similar dispute with health insurer Farmington-based ConnectiCare earlier this year.

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UConn Health said 15,000 patients would be affected by the outcome of the contract negotiations with Aetna. The contract expires Nov. 30.

Depending on the Aetna policy, there may be a 60-day grace period after the contracts expiration in which patients remain in network and both UConn Health and Aetna could still try to hammer out a new contract, according to the health system.

On Nov. 10, UConn Health will start informing patients with appointments about the potential change in in network status that could begin Dec. 1.

UConn argues its reimbursement rate is much lower than the rates of other hospitals in Connecticut, despite revenue growth in the last decade and rankings that place it in the top tier of hospitals nationwide.

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In a statement on its website, UConn Health said the two sides are negotiating, but Aetna has not yet offered fair rates for our services.

As a Hartford-based company with a national footprint, Aetna has both the scale and local responsibility to be a fair partner. one that recognizes the value of the care UConn Health provides to families, according, in part, to the online statement. Their refusal to address this unfair gap is putting patients at risk of losing in-network access to UConn Health

Aetna says it is committed to reaching a fair agreement that keeps UConn Health in its network at an affordable rate.

However, Aetna cannot agree to annual rate increases that are multiple times higher than the Connecticut cost growth benchmark, as this would drive up health plan costs for our members and local employers, CVS spokeswoman Shelly F. Bendit said, in a statement. As our discussions continue, we hope to come to terms with UConn Health on a reasonable rate increase that keeps healthcare costs affordable.

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Bendit said, If we do not reach an agreement by December 1, UConn Health facilities and doctors will no longer be part of the network for most Aetna Commercial members and all Aetna Medicare members.

State of Connecticut retirees with Aetna Medicare PPO Extended Service Area patients would be excluded from termination. An ESA is a plan that allows members to see out-of-network providers.

In addition, there can be exceptions for continuing care such as chemotherapy treatments that remain in-network even in the absence of a contract.

According to healthinsurance.org, depending on the health plan expenses incurred for services provided by out-of-network health professionals may not be covered at all unless its an emergency. Or they may be covered but with higher out-of-pocket costs than the member would pay for same care received from an in-network provider.

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In addition, the federal cap on out-of-pocket costs only applies to in-network care (and only care thats considered an essential health benefit). So out-of-pocket costs for covered out-of-network care can be much higher, or even unlimited. And, its important to understand that out-of-network providers can and do balance bill patients for the remainder of the charges after the insurance company has paid its share.

Consumers who find themselves out-of-network may be forced to find new health care providers that are in-network.

UConn Health  an arm of the University of Connecticut  is starting to play hardball in contract negotiations with insurers.

Earlier this year, the health system took out billboards along I-84 and I-91 pressuring another health insurer, Farmington-based ConnectiCare, to increase its reimbursement rates for medical services. ConnectiCare was acquired by California-based Molina Healthcare in February.

UConn Health subsequently negotiated a new agreement with ConnectiCare after the current contract had expired.

Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.
A man has been found guilty on murder and assault charges in connection with a shooting in Hartford in 2022 that left one person dead and another injured.

A jury returned a guilty verdict on Tuesday against 38-year-old Benjamin White of Hartford, finding him guilty of murder, first-degree assault and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice.

The verdict followed a trial in Hartford Superior Court in connection with a shooting on Aug. 11, 2022, that left 33-year-old Simon Griffin dead, officials said.

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According to the DCJ and the Hartford Police Department, officers responded to an apartment on Laurel Street after receiving a 911 call around 9 p.m. from a man who said he and another person had been shot. The caller said the second victim was dead, according to police.

Responding officers found that Griffin had suffered two gunshot wounds to his head and was pronounced dead at the scene, police and DCJ officials said. The second victim, a 27-year-old man, suffered a gunshot wound to his neck and was taken to a hospital. He ultimately survived.

The surviving victim told authorities he was at Griffins apartment with him when White, who was known to Griffin, joined them in smoking and drinking, according to the DCJ. Griffin and White reportedly got into an argument about a previous crime White had allegedly committed, officials said.

During the argument, White left the room and, when he returned, he was armed with a firearm that he pointed at both men, according to officials. He ordered both men to sit on the floor and shot them, officials allege.

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According to court records, White has previously pleaded guilty to charges of carrying a dangerous weapon and possession with intent to sell.

In a statement issued Wednesday by the DCJ, Hartford States Attorney Sharmese L. Walcott acknowledged the bravery of the surviving victim for coming forward to ensure that justice would be done on behalf of himself and his deceased friend.

States Attorney Walcott also would like to thank the Hartford Police Department, namely Det. Jeffrey Pethigal, for dedicating additional time and resources to ensure that this case was fully and properly presented at trial, the statement continued.

White remains held on a $5 million bond while he awaits sentencing, which is scheduled for Jan. 14, 2026.




GUILFORD - Keeping children safe from guns is what motivates gun safety advocate Kristin Song, whose 15-year-old son, Ethan Song accidentally shot and killed himself in 2018 with an unsecured gun at a friend's house.

Song's mission is to stop youths from gaining unauthorized and unsupervised access to loaded or unloaded firearms in the home in the hopes of preventing a similar tragedy from happening to other families.

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The harm is not limited to accidental shootings, she said. Unsecured guns are also often used in suicides, teen-on-teen homicides and in the majority of school shootings, she said.

Song pointed to a study completed by the U.S. Secret Service in 2019 that found 76% of school shooters used an unsecured gun from home.

It's this issue that led to the Connecticut Statewide Gun Buy-Back & Gun Safe Giveaway, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday at the Guilford Police Department. She started the event in 2018, which then went statewide in 2021.

Other police departments involved in both the gun buyback and gun safe giveaway Saturday include Danbury, Hartford, Meriden, Newtown, Norwalk, Stamford and Waterbury, which all participated last year and collected a combined 500 guns. Since 2021, the events have collected nearly 1,700 guns, Song said.

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Hartford collected the most in 2024 with 125, followed by 119 in Guilford, 61 in both Meriden and Waterbury, 56 in Newtown, 42 in Stamford and 36 in Norwalk.

Police departments only involved in the free gun safe giveaway this Saturday include Cheshire, New Britain, New London, Plainfield and Waterford Police. Other organizations participating are the CT Violence Intervention Program, New Haven and Trumbull EMS.

The "Keep Kids Safe" buyback event is organized by the Ethan Miller Song Foundation, along with the Newtown Action Alliance, led by Po Murray and formed after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

A past gun buyback event at the Guilford Police Department. (File photo)





At the gun buyback, gun-owners may exchange their operable firearms for gift cards. The buybacks don't require an ID and are anonymous, organizers said. Guns must be transported in the vehicle's trunk.

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Ethan Song's sudden death also had spurred his parents to lobby state lawmakers to adopt Ethan's Law in 2019, which requires gun owners to secure their firearms to keep them out of the hands of youths, holding owners responsible for negligent firearm storage that results in injury or death.

State Sen. Christine Cohen, D-Madison, said she is "really proud" of the buyback program's continued success.

"Buying back unwanted or unused guns, coupled with giving away gun safes is a great way to encourage responsible firearm ownership and keep guns out of dangerous hands," she said.

Cohen said she is grateful for the Guilford Police Department's participation "and to the Song family who when faced with unthinkable tragedy have turned their heartbreak into action and have made Connecticut safer in the process."

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Song came up with the townwide gun buyback program in her hometown in 2018, thinking that many parents like her and her husband Mike Song were unaware of the dangers of unsecured guns in homes.

She said she soon learned "there are people who are never going to give up their guns," she said. "When you do just a gun buyback, gun owners get very defensive."

Song said she has been trolled on social media and received death threats from gun advocates. That's when she came up with the idea to give away gun safes. Song and Murray now buy about 50 safes for each participating site.

"That vitriol of hate towards me calmed down a little bit because they realized that I wasn't, like, trying to steal guns," she said.

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The safes are gone within the first hour of the event every year, Song said.

She said it's important guns are secured and there's a misconception among parents that their children don't know where the guns are hidden at the home.

"Those kids do know where their parents have hidden a gun," she said. "As we know, children are very curious, and teenage boys are the definition of pushing the envelope and risk-taking."

Song is still lobbying for Ethan's Law to be passed on the federal level.

Kristin Song with then Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi when she went to Washington to lobby for a version of Ethan's Law be passed by Congress. (Courtesy Kristin Song)





While the proposed federal law made it through the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022 around the time of the Uvalde Texas school shooting, it was never brought to vote in the Senate, she said.

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Instead, Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which Song said was the only gun safety legislation passed in 30 years. The new law required enhanced background checks for buyers under 21 and funding for mental health resources, she said.

But the bipartisan law did not include mandatory safe gun storage, she said.

Song has not been deterred from her mission - she is lobbying to get other versions of Ethan's Law passed in other states.

Recently, Song is working for the passage of the proposed "Francesco's Law" in New York, which would mandate safe storage of guns to prevent access by minors and people prohibited from owning a firearm.

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She said if a federal law required people to secure their guns, children's deaths "would plummet."

"So that is why I will never give up" she said, until the law is passed "in every single state, or we pass it on a federal level."

Even children who were raised with guns and taught to respect gun safety should not have access to guns without supervision, Song said. She used her son's friend's situation as an example.

The friend, who was a minor at the time and not named, had been raised with guns, went to the shooting range and had passed an NRA safety course two weeks before the shooting, Song said.

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"It was actually hung up, his certificate in his living room, framed  And that child was playing with guns for six months. He was loading and unloading them," she said.

This article originally published at CT mom sees progress in gun safety after her son Ethan Song's death but says more needs to be done.
Even before the federal government shutdown started on Oct. 1, both sides were blaming the other.

Republicans constantly blamed Democrats, and Democrats repeatedly blamed Republicans. The general public often blamed either side, depending on their political persuasion. Republicans have particularly targeted Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer by describing the ongoing impasse as the Schumer shutdown.

In Connecticut, the blame game continued Wednesday as top Democratic leaders called upon Republicans to pressure President Donald J. Trump into releasing at least $5 billion in federal contingency funds to pay for food benefits that are scheduled to expire on November 1.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which Trump controls, has refused to release the money by saying it was set aside for use for major emergencies like hurricanes and tornadoes. As a result, more than 42 million Americans nationwide and 363,000 in Connecticut will stop receiving benefits on Saturday under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP. The program was previously known as food stamps, but stamps have been replaced by electronic benefit transfer cards that act like debit cards at the supermarket checkout.

CT to bolster home heating aid program for some residents amid shutdown. What to know

If the Trump administration refuses to act, Republicans here in Connecticut should have the courage to speak up and put people ahead of politics, said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, a New Haven Democrat.

If the shutdown continues and the federal benefits remain suspended, Looney said it is possible that the legislature could set aside money during the upcoming special session that is scheduled for Nov. 12 and 13 at the state Capitol in Hartford.

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Certainly thats on the table, Looney said when asked by The Courant. Well see where we are when we get to that.

Senate majority leader Bob Duff of Norwalk said, We should all be very clear that this is the first time in American history that the president of the United States is willfully starving his own people. There is no reason or need for this chaos or this confusion or to not provide food benefits for the people of this nation and the people of the state of Connecticut.  This crisis is a manufactured crisis.

The Democrats gathered in a hearing room Wednesday at the state Capitol complex to send a message about the high-profile issue that touches residents in all 169 municipalities, including wealthy communities like Greenwich, New Canaan, Glastonbury and Avon. While 34% of residents in Hartford rely on food stamps, the number drops to less than 1% in affluent Darien in Fairfield County.

Benefits vary based on the size of a family, but the average monthly benefit per person is about $193 or around $50 per week, officials said. The total cost statewide in Connecticut is $72 million per month.

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Republicans, though, countered that it is the Democrats who are politicizing the issue.

Senate Democrats have offered nothing but posturing instead of preparing to tap our $4.3 billion Rainy Day Fund to help Connecticut families facing food insecurity during a federal shutdown driven by their party in Washington, said House Republican leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford. Thats not just wrong. Its a choice. Theyd rather score political points against President Trump and Republicans at every level of government than develop an actual plan to help their constituents. These are the same state legislators who cook up endless schemes to squeeze taxpayers and expand government programsbut suddenly cant figure out how to use our reserves in a crisis? Theres nothing morally courageous about letting people go hungry while sitting on billions.

Senate Republican leader Stephen Harding of Brookfield said, As Senate Democrats at our State Capitol play political games, Senate Republicans are in agreement with the largest union of federal workers: The American Federation of Government Employees.

The union, known as AFGE, has asked to reopen the federal government immediately and debate complicated issues on healthcare at a later date.

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Vice President Vance says troops will be paid as pressure builds on Congress to end the shutdown

Republicans, he said, are prepared to talk about the federal issues as long as the state maintains its fiscal guardrails that were established in 2017 by the state legislature on a bipartisan basis.

Connecticut Senate Democrats? Harding asked. Well, as they are clearly demonstrating with this press conference, they much prefer gamesmanship and partisan politics.

Earlier Wednesday, Gov. Ned Lamont told reporters in Hartford that he understands the political jousting over the issue. Lamont announced this week that the state would provide $3 million to Foodshare, the regional food bank supplier that will distributed 6 million meals in the coming weeks through its vast network of food banks and mobile pantries.

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I dont know if its politicization to say you have a fund there thats supposed to back up SNAP, Lamont said. Its got somewhere between $5 and $8 billion in there. It was authorized by Congress for just this eventuality. If things got cut off, follow the law.

State Sen. Herron Gaston, a Bridgeport Democrat who provides food as the pastor at his church, said that lawmakers need to convince Trump to resume the food benefits.

We need a moral defibrillator to shock his heart, Gaston said of Trump.

Tom Swan, the longtime executive director of the liberal Connecticut Citizen Action Group, told colleagues in an email that hunger is a policy choice.

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Our commander in chief is building a golden ballroom, while children starve and go without healthcare, Swan wrote. It is despicable.  We wont stand for a lawless president giving billionaires and corporations tax breaks while children go hungry. Lets make sure our legislators act during the upcoming special session and use the funds we have at our disposal to take care of our people. We can and must do better.

Separate from the SNAP program, the state is currently providing $200,000 per day for the federal Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, that helps 11,000 pregnant women, 11,000 newborns, and about 30,000 children in Connecticut. The program provides food aid that includes infant formula.

Their reserves are limited, and were going to have to backstop that given the reserves that we have as the state of Connecticut, Lamont said recently. So I want those young families, those moms to know that your WIC card will continue to be good for the foreseeable future. Were making sure that the government does not take that away from you.

Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com
Long-running contention over a high-ranking job at town hall has included a complaint to the attorney general, two lawsuits, threats of arrest and a tense encounter with police, but is on track to end Tuesday when voters elect someone else to the position  because the woman at the center of the controversy wont be on the ballot.

The battle over the position of North Canaans town clerk in this rural town of about 3,200 people has become so convoluted that not everyone agrees whether Jean Jacquier  who was elected in 2023  still holds the job.

Town leaders contend that she quit months ago, a Superior Court judge has described her as on leave and Jacquier herself argues that shes the victim of wrongful suspension and is ready to go back to work.

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The municipal website offers yet another view: It still lists her holding the office. The website also has her assistant listed as Marilisa Carmody, even though everyone agrees she resigned two weeks ago.

Whats clear is that Jacquier walked out of town hall in February in a dispute with First Selectman Brian Ohler, then stayed away for months. She found she wasnt welcome when she tried to return in mid-August: Ohler had changed the locks to her office, and warned her that shed be arrested if she tried to get in.

When Jacquier returned Sept. 29, Ohler called state troopers with a trespass complaint, and they directed her out of the building.

Exactly when the dispute began is unclear, but Jacquier was a town employee long before that. She served as assistant town clerk for 24 years before being elected town clerk in 2017 on the Republican ticket.

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Ohler, also a Republican, won office just two years ago. Hed held the first selectmans job for less than two months when he filed a complaint in January of 2024 with the attorney general accusing Jacquier of unethical work.

Jacquier argued that the town is required to cover her legal costs to address the complaint; she sued when it wouldnt pay, and her case is still pending in Torrington Superior Court.

Last fall, Deputy Associate Attorney General Maura Murphy sustained most of Ohlers complaints but took no action.

She wrote We thoroughly investigated the allegations and found evidence of misconduct and neglect of duty in three areas: improper security of the vault outside of the town clerks hours of operation; improper posting of campaign materials in town hall; and untimely stamping of documents received by the town clerks office.

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The office took no action against Jacquier, but directed she tighten her offices procedures and also review professional standards.

Posting campaign materials for a candidate in town hall during operating hours can constitute a violation of federal and state law and can undermine confidence in the electoral process, Murphy wrote.

Jacquier left town hall in early February and did not return to work. Selectmen decided in March that shes forfeited her job; they stopped her pay and ultimately brought in a town clerk from Torrington part-time to head the office temporarily. Jacquiers attorney advised the town that she hadnt abandoned her job and would be returning to work.

Republicans this year chose a different candidate for town clerk in the Nov. 4 election: Krysti Segalla. Jacquier meanwhile won the Democratic endorsement to run for re-election.

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But there was a problem with the official endorsement paperwork for Jacquier and finance board candidate Carol Overby. When Democrats filed the documents July 23, theyd omitted listing which offices the two were seeking. Two weeks later  after the states deadline had passed to correct such errors  Ohler sent a copy of the paperwork along with a complaint to the secretary of the states office, which concluded Jacquier and Overby couldnt appear on the ballot.

Jacquier and Overby sued to get onto the ballot, calling the paperwork omissions just technical oversights. But a judge disagreed, and ruled Sept. 25 that Jacquier and Overby wouldnt be on the ballot.

Meanwhile, Jacquier had tried to go back to work in August and was told shed be trespassing if she entered her office. The next month, state troopers were called when she appeared again at the clerks office.

Jacquier claims Ohler falsely told police that shed quit her job and a court order prohibited her from returning. Ohler contends that she hasnt been town clerk since March, and that she made another employee feel unsafe with messages.

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Jacquier maintains that she never resigned, and that Ohler deliberately used a minor paperwork error to keep her off the ballot so Segalla would be assured of winning on Tuesday.

The ballot also includes a referendum question to make the town clerk an appointed rather than elected job.
Michelle Yeagher is accused of walking up to a man watching Toy Story with a 12-year-old boy and shooting him once in below his rib cage at a home in Killingly on Monday.

Yeagher, 65, faces charges of murder, carrying a firearm while under the influence, risk of injury to a child and first-degree reckless endangerment, according to Connecticut State Police.

State police allege that she shot 39-year-old Andrew Michael Olson of Canterbury while he was visiting a home on Pratt Road where Yeagher resides, the incident report supporting the charges said.

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Troopers responded to the home at 9:21 p.m. on the report of a man being shot in the chest and made contact with a 40-year-old man, according to the report. Olson was found nearby lying on his back just inside the front door suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower right torso just below his rib cage. He was taken to Day Kimball Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:44 p.m., the report said.

A 12-year-old boy who was in the home told authorities he was watching Toy Story with Olson when Yeagher came into the room and shot him, according to the report. There was no indication in the report that the boy was injured.

Troopers who searched the home found Yeagher lying on a bed in a bedroom on the opposite side of the house from where the victim was found, the report said. Troopers alleged that she appeared highly intoxicated and was naked from the waist down, only wearing a sweater, according to the report.

She complied when told to show her hands and allegedly told troopers she did not know where the gun was, the report said. When asked what happened, Yeagher allegedly told police he tried to kill me and that she had shot him, according to the report.

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Yeagher was handcuffed and allegedly went on to tell police, He came after me, I shot him, the report said. She allegedly told troopers she was in her bedroom when Olson came after her, at which point she was trying to unlock her gun safe, which she said took a while, according to the report.

On the floor beside the bed, state police found a small black safe and a 9mm cartridge, the report said.

Yeagher, who had a cut to her head, was taken to the same hospital as the victim. At the hospital, she allegedly told authorities she was upset about dealing with issues throughout the day so she started drinking, the report said. Olson and the boy came over and she said she went to bed a while later, according to the report.

Yeagher said she later awoke terrified for some reason and went to her gun safe to retrieve her firearm, according to the report. She allegedly said she could not remember if she got into the safe or not but recalled fidgeting with the key, state police wrote in the report.

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The next thing she remembered was hearing the 40-year-old man in the home in distress before she saw someone injured lying on the floor, according to the report. She told police she has a Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol registered to her and that neither of the other men who were in the home own any firearms, the report said.

Yeagher was released from the hospital just before 6:30 a.m. the morning after the shooting and was arrested. She appeared before a judge later in the day in Danielson Superior Court, where a judge ordered her held in lieu of a $1 million bond.

Yeagher did not enter a plea during the hearing. She remains in custody and is due back in court on Dec. 11, court records reviewed Thursday said.

Online court records did not reflect an attorney filing an appearance in the case on Yeaghers behalf.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT)  A businessman from Cumberland County has pleaded guilty to seven felony tax charges filed by the North Carolina Department of Revenue.

According to the NC Department of Revenue, Christopher Harrison, 58, of Fayetteville, was sentenced to an eight-month minimum, 19-month maximum prison term, which was suspended, and placed on supervised probation for 18 months. While on probation, Harrison is ordered to pay $714,425.68 in restitution.

MORE DETAILS:

In December 2010, Harrison became the CEO/CFO of EbenConcepts, which was an insurance corporation dealing in employee benefit packages. During an internal review of EbenConcepts accounting records, it was discovered that Harrison had been taking excessive amounts of money for personal use. As a result, Harrison was subsequentially removed as the CEO/CFO of EbenConcepts. Harrison then filed for bankruptcy protection through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. During the bankruptcy proceeding Harrison admitted that he was using business funds to pay for his personal expenses.

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In 2022, Harrison pleaded guilty to willfully filing a false tax return with the Internal Revenue Service in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(1). Harrison was ordered to pay approximately $4.6 million in restitution and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

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Employees of a Lake Worth Beach Publix had a duty to warn its customers in the summer of 2020 that a woman who had just left the store was outside, carrying a gun and threatening to kill people, a jury decided this week.

The woman, Renata Gloria Ray, was convicted of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and sentenced to eight years in prison last year, but the victim of the shooting, Tocka Hardaway, 62, of Greenacres, sued Publix, arguing that she never would have left the store if she had known someone with a gun was outside acting erratically.

It was the least they could have done, said Peter Dyson, one of Hardaways lawyers.

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Several store employees knew that Ray, 66, was outside the store with a gun, but no one made an announcement, locked the doors or warned customers that they were risking their lives if they exited the store.

That, according to the jury, was a breach of trust that cannot be excused.

Ray confronted Hardaway outside the store, got into an argument with her, and shot her in the foot.

A jury this week found Publix was 80% responsible for what happened to Hardaway and awarded her $2.55 million.

For years they tried to say our client was responsible for what happened, that she risked her own life, said Joseph Bosco, Hardaways other lawyer.

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Publix had a duty to protect and warn its shoppers, Dyson said. The verdict underscores growing concern about retail safety and corporate responsibility as gun violence continues to rise in Florida public spaces.

A message left for the attorneys representing Publix was not returned Thursday afternoon.

The jurys verdict comes in the middle of a flurry of decisions about gun rights and responsibilities in Florida. Last week a Broward judge ruled the states restriction on concealed carry by adults aged 18-20 was unconstitutional because older adults face no such restriction.

Last month, the Florida Supreme Court ruled open carry is a Second Amendment right that cannot be infringed.
Michael Hannigan, a student at Greenfield Community College, has been spending his free time over the past few weeks harvesting excess produce from farms, including potatoes, baby kale, arugula and other vegetables in preparation for a free food market for students on Thursday.

This isnt the first market hes held, but it is more crucial than ever as funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are likely to dry up on November 1. The federal program provides benefits to low-income households to help buy groceries.

The mission of providing students with free produce is personal to Hannigan, who relies on SNAP after quitting his job to attend Greenfield Community College full-time at the age of 42.

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My main income is work study, which is minimum wage. Without SNAP benefits, its kind of tricky to make the money stretch, Hannigan said.

Hannigan is one of thousands of students across Massachusetts who rely on SNAP.

Over 158,000 college students in Massachusetts are eligible for SNAP, according to the College SNAP Project, though only around 73,000 are enrolled at least in part due to not knowing they qualify.

As of September, there are 1,061,460 individuals in Massachusetts who receive SNAP benefits, according to data from the states Department of Transitional Assistance.

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Despite many colleges and universities offering programs to address food insecurity on their campuses, such as food pantries, many are warning that they wont have the resources necessary to supplement the students and their families who rely on SNAP.

Not having SNAP could impact whether students continue in school, Hannigan said.

That is especially true for the people at community colleges, who wouldve otherwise not been able to enter higher education without the state implementing free community college, Hannigan said.

A lot of people have kids and families. It could easily come down to: am I going to go to class today or am I going to pick up an extra shift so I can feed my family? he said.

What is happening to SNAP?

If the federal government shutdown isnt resolved before the end of October, millions of Americans could see SNAP benefits stop. Thats because the funding for the program has run dry, according to a USDA notice.

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At the same time, the Trump administration said it wont tap emergency funds to pay for the federal food benefits.

Attorney General Andrea Campbell, along with the Attorneys General from 25 other states, filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the Trump administration in order to preserve SNAP.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani told lawyers on Thursday that if the government cant afford to cover the cost of SNAP during the shutdown, theres a process to follow rather than simply suspending all benefits, according to The Associated Press.

Talwani seemed to be leaning toward requiring the government to put billions of dollars in emergency funds toward SNAP.

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Governor Maura Healey announced on Thursday that the administration advanced an additional $4 million to local food banks for November to address the cuts to SNAP benefits.

Healey told reporters on Monday that theres no way that a state, any state in the country, can begin to backfill what SNAP assistance provides.

There will have to be a reliance on food pantries and banks, Healey said at the Monday event.

The plan now, folks, is to rely on food pantries, to rely on food banks, to encourage those who can contribute to something like the United Way Response Fund, she said. But, you know, that is what is happening. It is because of a decision that Donald Trump has made not to fund SNAP. Its completely unnecessary. This doesnt need to happen.

The impact of SNAP cuts to Mass. colleges

Food insecurity has long been a concern on college and university campuses in Massachusetts, according to Noe Ortega, the Commissioner of the Department of Higher Education.

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He is worried about the long-term effects of SNAP cuts.

It is another thing that prevents students from persisting and completing, he said in an interview with MassLive.

The consequences of cuts to SNAP are going to be huge, said Adam Saltsman, an associate professor at Worcester State University and director of the universitys Urban Action Institute.

The institute connects students with community partners to do social justice work. It also runs programming, such as a class on SNAP, where students advocate and provide outreach to others on campus who might qualify for the federal food assistance program.

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Most recent reported data from 2023 showed that 39% of Worcester State students experienced some level of food insecurity in the 30 days prior to taking the survey, with 17% facing very low food security, Saltsman said.

Students who are lower income, first generation, LGBTQ+, Black and Hispanic are disproportionately more likely to face food insecurity, he said.

While the university has a food pantry, Saltsman said the university is scrambling to figure out how it will be able to keep up with demand from students.

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I dont know that our infrastructure, as it is, can support that growth in hungry students. Im really concerned, he said.

Im thinking about a third of students struggling even more, falling behind in classes, skipping meals more regularly, which already happens a lot in college among students who are food insecure. I think that it will put a strain on the university, he continued.

How are colleges responding to potential SNAP cuts?

Many institutions in Massachusetts have already been bracing for increased food assistance needs on campus.

At North Shore Community College, the institution is checking inventories and suppliers.

At the moment, things look OK. The longer it goes on, obviously, the more challenging that will become. Certainly, its a major source of concern for us, William Heineman, president of the community college, said during a Massachusetts Board of Higher Education meeting on Tuesday.

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Westfield State University is asking faculty and staff to make donations to its food pantry, Linda Thompson, the colleges president, said during the meeting.

Framingham State University is also asking its community for donations  food or hygiene-related in addition to monetary donations  as the university expects a big uptick in need, according to Meg Nowak Borrego, vice president of student affairs and the dean of students.

The university is also preparing for more students to apply for emergency grants and take advantage of other financial resources on campus, she said.

Its sometimes hard for people to acknowledge you need help, especially if youve been the person in your family thats first to go to college, Nowak Borrego told MassLive.

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If you know your family is hungry, do you question yourself whether you should be paying for college even though you might be getting loans and grants? she said.

She expects more students to be pulled away from school as a result of the SNAP cuts.

Over 50% of Framingham States student body is Pell Grant eligible, meaning they display exceptional financial need. Around the same number of students are commuters, which means that they likely dont have a meal plan, she said.

Other colleges are emphasizing their various resources to students. Fitchburg State University reminded students about its Falcon Bazaar, which offers free food, hygiene products and basic necessities. The university also noted its counseling services and case management offerings for navigating food or financial assistance.

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You are not alone, and our campus is here to help, the university wrote in a message to students.

Private institutions like Emmanuel College also have food insecurity programs, such as a Swipe It Forward program that pools unused cafeteria swipes that can be used by students in need or a pantry at Endicott College for food and hygiene products.

Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology in Boston is working on a plan to amp up how they can support students who may be affected by the SNAP issue while still providing ongoing support through its on-campus food pantry, emergency fund program and meal voucher program.

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Our Student Affairs and Special Programs Teams recently met to explore ways to further strengthen these services and ensure that students are not adversely affected by limited access to SNAP benefits. This will especially be a focus of ours in the upcoming weeks, Aisha Francis, president of Franklin Cummings Tech said in a statement.

Hannigan, the student at Greenfield Community College, said that regardless of what happens, the state needs to take more steps in addressing food insecurity in higher education.

I cant sugarcoat how dire the situation will be on our campuses with this SNAP situation, and without increased investment in student basic needs, Hannigan told members of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education during a meeting on Tuesday.

Other federal cuts impacting food access at colleges

At the same time as a looming issue with SNAP, federal cuts to USDA, including more than $1 billion for schools and food banks to purchase food from local farmers and producers, is hurting college food pantries.

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There has been a steep decline in the amount of food coming to Quinsigamond Community Colleges pantry. It amounts to more than 6,300 meals lost or 7,000 pounds of food, Michelle Tufau Afriyie, vice president for strategic enrollment and student engagement at the college, said during a four-hour legislative hearing this month.

The pantry has already registered 593 students and an additional 1,302 family members. This is a 60% increase over last year, driven by the reduction in SNAP benefits, higher grocery costs and increased enrollment. To manage limited resources, students must now order groceries twice a month instead of weekly, Tufau Afriyie said.

This decline in food has an effect on students studies, she said.

Food insecurity is not a peripheral issue. It is directly tied to student persistence and completion. When students struggle to meet their basic needs, their ability to stay enrolled and succeed is compromised, she said.

More Higher Ed

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Marigolds, candles and traditional offerings were set on an ofrenda, also known as an altar, at the Otay Mesa Detention Center on Wednesday to remember people who died while in detention facilities across the country.

Dia de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring and remembering the dead with ofrendas containing offerings.

Groups like the American Friends Service Committee, Detention Resistance, Free Them All-SD and more organized the vigil. Director of the American Friends Service Committee Pedro Rios said they want to make sure those who died in custody are not forgotten.

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Rios said they gathered to honor them and to recognize them as important because they have names, they have families that likely did not have to be under detention, we want to make sure they are not forgotten.

Deaths from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities are on the rise, according to The Border Report. Research by the American Civil Liberties Union states that 95% of deaths in ICE detention from 2017-2021 were preventable.

Most recently, Huabing Xie died in ICE custody at Imperial Regional Detention Facility after suffering a seizure on Sept. 29.

A candle is lit for Huabing Xie, who died while detained in September. (KSWB/KUSI) Dia de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring and remembering the dead with ofrendas containing offerings. (KSWB/KUSI) Dia de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring and remembering the dead with ofrendas containing offerings. (KSWB/KUSI) Dia de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday honoring and remembering the dead with ofrendas containing offerings. (KSWB/KUSI)

We are here to honor Dia de los Muertos event and also raise awareness to the public that these are lives that couldve been saved, American Friends Service Committee Organizer Adriana Jasso said.

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ICE officials state that detainees have access to medical care while in custody.

ICE remains committed to ensuring that all those in its custody reside in safe, secure and humane environments, ICE officials said in a statement on Oct. 3.

However, Jasso shared that facilities often lack adequate medical attention, resources and food. She believes that migrants in custody are also facing a series of abuses and isolation.

The Trump administrations detention expansion plans are exacerbating the inhumane conditions inherent to ICEs detention system, Jasso said. And people across the community are coming together to say that they have not been forgotten, and demand detention centers be shut down across the country.

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Organizers condemned private companies like CoreCivic who have profited from contracts with ICE.

These are individuals that did not have to die under these circumstances, that probably have family that wish they could have been with them, and could have pursued their immigration cases without the need of having a private company profit from their detention, Rios said.

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Texans across the state will be celebrating Dia de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, this week. From marigold flowers to heartfelt altars, Austin is ready to honor the Mexican tradition with a range of community events and family-friendly activities.

What is Dia de Muertos? When is the Day of the Dead celebrated?

Community members gather flowers to bring to the ofrenda during the Dia de Muertos celebration at San Jose Cemetery I on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. (Mikala Compton/American-Statesman, Austin American-Statesman)





Dia de Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrated annually on Nov. 1 and 2. Rooted in both Indigenous and Catholic traditions, its a time for families to honor and remember loved ones who have died not through mourning, but through joyful celebration.

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The two days correspond with All Saints Day and All Souls Day in the Catholic calendar. Traditionally, Nov. 1 honors deceased children, or angelitos, while Nov. 2 is dedicated to remembering adults.

A living tradition of memory

Community members prepare the ofrenda for the Dia de los Muertos celebration at San Jose Cemetery I on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. (Mikala Compton/American-Statesman)





Families mark the holiday by building ofrendas, or home altars, adorned with photos of the deceased, candles, sugar skulls, food and marigold flowers, whose scent is said to guide spirits back to the world of the living.

Many also visit cemeteries to clean and decorate gravesites, bringing food, music and conversation to share with the souls theyre welcoming back.

How Austin celebrates

Isabel Ramirez decorates an altar, or ofrenda, set up for pets in the Moody Amphitheater as part of the Waterloo Park Dia de los Muertos celebration, Nov. 2, 2022. (SARA DIGGINS/AMERICAN-STATESMAN)





In Austin, Dia de Muertos has become both a community gathering and a cultural showcase. Local organizations, schools and artists host events that highlight Mexican heritage and honor those who came before.

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You can find a full list of Dia de los Muertos events here.

A few highlights:
SPRINGFIELD  A city teenager has been ordered held without bail in the January slaying of a 19-year-old, officials say.

Armoni Davis, 16, charged in June with murder and illegal possession of a firearm as a juvenile offender, was arraigned Monday in Hampden Superior Court on Monday, according to the Hampden District Attorneys Office.

Davis is accused of killing Semaj Brewster, of Springfield, in a shooting.

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On Jan. 12, Springfield police responded to the 100 block of Oakland Street at around 11:30 p.m. after a ShotSpotter activation, officials said. There, officers found a man suffering from a gunshot wound.

The victim  who later succumbed to his injuries at Baystate Medical Center  was identified as Brewster. He was 19.

The Springfield Police Homicide Unit began investigating the shooting and identified Davis, whose name was previously not released because of his age, as the suspect.

Davis was arrested on June 26. Earlier this month, a grand jury indicted Davis. His next court date is April 26.

Both the Homicide Unit and the DAs Murder Unit continue to investigate the case.

more news from Western Massachusetts

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Democratic mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani said he was taking MTA Chairman Janno Liebers cautionary tone regarding the candidates free-bus plan with a grain of salt.

The MTA told us decades ago that we would have all-door boarding on local buses, and we still dont have that, the candidate said. So I take things that are said with a grain of salt about the lack of changing the way that we do things here in New York City, he said.

The mayoral front-runner added that he was excited to work with Lieber on transit issues should he win. Were seeing an unprecedented coalition demanding excellence in our public transit, Mamdani said.

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Mamdani made the comment to reporters following a campaign stop at a senior center in Bedford-Stuyvesant Thursday. A day earlier, across a series of media interviews, Lieber expressed doubts in the Democrats signature transit plan to make buses across the city free to ride.

The transit big said Mamdanis cost estimate to subsidize free bus trips  between $700 million and $800 million a year  was off, in part because Lieber expects bus revenue to rise as the MTA continues to crack down on fare evasion.

Our projection is that bus revenue is going to start to push closer to a billion dollars a year in the next couple of years, as weve gotten customers back and, frankly, as weve pushed back on fare evasion on buses, he Wednesday on NY1.

I continue to be confident in our cost estimates, Mamdani replied when asked about Liebers statements Thursday.

Cuomo backtracks

Andrew Cuomo backtracked Thursday on a comment hed made the night before that was critical of Mayor Adams during a joint appearance with the mayor, who recently endorsed the ex-governors bid for City Hall.

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You know in some ways, the city hasnt really had a competent mayor, a competent manager, since Mayor Bloomberg, Cuomo said at a Wednesday night campaign stop in Queens.

Twelve years, you havent had a mayor. You had eight years of Bill de Blasio, I dont want to say anything else. Four years of Eric Adams  good man, he endorsed me, friend of mine. But he never got his legs under him. So 12 years nobody has been running the city government, and it atrophies.

Asked about those comments at a joint Harlem appearance with the mayor Thursday, Cuomo said he had intended to praise Bloomberg, who Wednesday reendorsed him and threw $1.5 million to a super PAC in the candidates support.

I do believe Mayor Bloomberg was a competent mayor, Cuomo said. I believe Mayor Adams has been a more than competent mayor, I think hes has a legacy of accomplishments, and it is a legacy that I want to build on.

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The former governor continued to say Adams had been dealt a very difficult hand from Washington with the migrant crisis, a frequent talking point of Adams.

Adams, standing behind Cuomo as he spoke, showed no expression.

The mayor endorsed Cuomos campaign last week despite not long ago slamming him as a snake and a liar. The mayor dropped his own bid for reelection late last month amid low polling numbers.

Countering criticism

Cuomo also railed against divisiveness in the city during the appearance at a NYCHA senior center alongside Muslim community leaders including a radio host and religious leaders.

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The candidate has been on the receiving end of accusations of Islamophobia, with Mamdani holding a press coinference last week to talk about the issue. The ex-governor said that Islamophobia is not real in this race.

The worst politics is when you try to divide New Yorkers for political purposes, Cuomo said. Shame on you, Cuomo said. To try to divide New Yorkers. Its not who we are. Youre not going to do it, and were going to resent you for trying to do it, because it means you dont understand the basic premise of being a leader of this great city that prides itself on diversity.
DALLAS COUNTY, Mo.  A Dallas County teacher has been arrested after an alleged sex crime charge out of West Virginia.

Jonathan Whatleys mugshot, photo courtesy of Dallas County Jail.

According to the probable cause statement, Jonathan Whatley, born in 1979, had a warrant out of McDowell County, West Virginia, for one count of distribution or possession of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

The statement says that around 11:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, deputies from the Dallas County Sheriffs Office were notified by a school resource officer at Dallas County R-1 High School of a teacher potentially having a warrant.

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Law enforcement identified the teacher as Whatley and spoke with him in the officers classroom as students were in their lunch period.

The man was later taken to the Dallas County Detention Office, and authorities received copies of the warrant located in the city of Welch, West Virginia.

Whatley is in the Dallas County Jail with no bond. He is scheduled for an initial court appearance on Friday, Oct. 31.

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Three Dallas residents filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging dozens of city ordinances they claim violate a controversial 2023 state law. The case marks the first major test of Texas legislation critics dubbed the Death Star law.

The sweeping measure prohibits cities and counties from enacting local regulations that exceed state law in broad policy areas.

If a judge rules in favor of the plaintiffs, it could lead to the elimination of approximately 83 ordinances. Among these are various local protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, requirements for city contractors to provide employees with a living wage, and regulations governing noise levels in public parks and recreational areas.

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Additionally, Dallas officials may lose their ability to manage ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft operating at Dallas Love Field Airport, as well as valet parking services and gas drilling activities within the citys boundaries, per KSAT.

The plaintiffs, represented by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, filed suit in the Denton County District Court. Cities dont get to pick and choose which state laws they follow, said Matthew Chiarizio, a senior attorney for the foundation, according to KSAT.

For too long, Dallas has piled unnecessary and duplicative regulations on its citizens. The Legislature has rightly preempted those rules, and this lawsuit is about protecting Texans freedom to live and work without being smothered by layers of needless local regulation, Chiarizio added.

Dallas officials declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation.

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Gov. Greg Abbott and Republican legislators championed the 2023 law to eliminate what they called a patchwork of local regulations. Business groups argued that varying city rules hampered economic growth across Texas.

Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso immediately challenged the law after its passage. A Travis County judge initially ruled it unconstitutional in 2023. The Third Court of Appeals reversed that decision in July, opening the door for Wednesdays Dallas lawsuit.

The rulings outcome could reshape local governance across Texass major cities.
Dallas fine dining scene reached new heights this week as Mamani, a French contemporary restaurant led by chef Christophe De Lellis, earned its first Michelin Star.

The honor gives Dallas two Michelin-starred restaurants in the 2025 Michelin Guide Texas.

Mamani joins Tatsu Dallas, which retained its one-star rating from last years inaugural Texas guide.

Located at 2681 Howell Street in Uptowns Quad development, Mamani expands Dallas presence on the Michelin map in the guides second year in Texas.

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As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the new French Riviera-inspired restaurant opened on September 2 in Uptown Dallas. The concept aimed to bring contemporary French cuisine to The Quad under the direction of Michelin-trained executive chef De Lellis.

According to Michelin, diners looking to indulge will get their moneys worth at Mamani, where top-drawer ingredients, faultless technique and world-class sauces are evident throughout.

The bistronomie-style menu features refined dishes such as Dover sole in brown butter, veal Cordon Bleu paired with Joel Robuchons pommes puree, and a Paris-Brest dessert described by inspectors as pitch-perfect.

De Lellis, who trained at Joel Robuchon Las Vegas, leads a menu that highlights southern French coastal cooking, paired with approachable bistro fare.

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De Lellis, a Paris native, named the restaurant after his Italian grandmother, Mamani, who first taught him to cook. Before opening in Dallas, he spent nearly a decade leading the kitchen at Las Vegas Restaurant Joel Robuchon. Mamanis Michelin recognition came less than two months after opening, one of the fastest climbs to a Michelin Star in Texas since the guides expansion to the state in 2024.

Tatsu Dallas, an intimate 10-seat omakase led by chef Tatsuya Sekiguchi, also held its one-star status for 2025. Its multi-course, chef-driven experience remains one of the most exclusive dining offerings in North Texas.

Chas Martin, co-owner of Mister Charles on Knox Street, received the Special Award for Exceptional Cocktail Program. Opened in 2023 by Duro Hospitality, the restaurant occupies a former pharmacy and delivers a playful, worldly, and theatrical bar experience, according to Michelin.

All six of Dallas Bib Gourmand restaurantsCattleack Barbeque, Gemma, Lucia, Mot Hai Ba, Ngon Vietnamese Kitchen, and Nonnaretained their recognition for offering great food at a great value. Fort Worths Goldees Barbecue also kept its Bib Gourmand honor.

Texass culinary talent continues to rise above with innovation and passion that is palpable, said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, according to Dallas Innovates.
DANVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56)  The clock is ticking for thousands of Kentucky families who rely on federal food assistance. In just three days, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits could run out, and food banks across the state are bracing for impact.

At the Salvation Army of Danville, demand for food has surged as families prepare for the potential loss of federal help.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Just this morning, we had seven families that came in within a span of 30 minutes, as soon as we opened our doors, said Lt. Judah Irvin with the Salvation Army. So, people are anticipating a need.

The spike in demand comes at a difficult time for food banks that were already struggling with lower donations and fewer volunteers.

We really had about two months this fall when everyones feeling tight, where we also had less and less donations that were coming in, explained Irvin. We had a few churches that were consistently collecting for our food pantry, but we actually had to go out and make purchases.

Irvin said, luckily, they received a $1,000 donation, so they were able to stock up their pantry ahead of what could be a surge of people in need.

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When we get a check like that, were able to really fill our pantry and make sure that all the families that come to us in need get a really good and wide variety of food back into their own pantries, Irvin added.

Nearly 6,000 Kentuckians rely on SNAP benefits, representing about 13% of the states population.

LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS:

Irvin said the Salvation Army is preparing for more families to turn to them in the coming weeks and is asking for help from the community, especially as his organization gears up for the holidays.

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Last year we sent over 1,000 families home with groceries, and were anticipating the need to be more, Irvin added.

Federal food aid is set to stop on Nov. 1, one month after the government shutdown began.

Kentucky is now one of 25 states suing the Trump administration, claiming the move is illegal and unprecedented in the SNAP programs 60-year history.

Im doing everything I can to push this federal administration. They can fund SNAP during the government shutdown. They should fund SNAP during the government shutdown, said Governor Andy Beshear. Whether people have enough to eat should not be a prop for negotiating.

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We dont want people to come here and leave hungry, and so were going to do everything we can to continue to serve our neighbors in need and that means buying more food and sending it right back out so that children are fed and the elderly are fed and so that families come together over a warm meal, Irvin added.

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Families are able to get food every month, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for the regular food pantry after filling out an application.

For holiday meal assistance, families can call and get on a list beforehand, so the organization is able to make sure the distribution is accounted for before families receive it.

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For more information, click here.

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DANVILLE, Va. (WFXR)  Danville Transit will offer free citywide bus service on Election Day, aiming to remove transportation barriers for voters.

On Tuesday, November 4, the free service will be available for all Danville Transit operations, including fixed-route and reservation-based services.

Officials say these fixed routes serve most polling locations. Additionally, the Reserve A Ride program offers door-to-door service, subject to availability.

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Voters in the Commonwealth will cast their votes for various races, including the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and others. Voters in Danville will also decide on a special election for the Danville School Board.

An example ballot for Danville is available here.

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Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The daughter of an 80-year-old woman left behind by a cruise ship on an Australian island said Thursday that her mother died due to a lack of "care and common sense."

Suzanne Rees, of New South Wales, was found dead on Lizard Island on Sunday morning, hours after the Coral Adventurer cruise ship departed the island without her.

The ship, operated by Coral Expeditions, was on the second day of a 60-day cruise around Australia. Lizard Island was the trip's first stop.

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During the excursion, the woman left with a group to attempt to climb the island's tallest mount, Cook's Look, the BBC reported. She felt ill during the climb and separated from the climbing group to rest. She never rejoined.

Suzanne Rees' daughter, Katherine Rees, issued a statement Thursday criticizing Coral Expeditions for leaving her mother behind on the island, The Guardian reported.

"From the little we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of care and common sense," the younger Rees said.

"We understand from the police that it was a very hot day, and Mum felt ill on the hill climb. She was asked to head down, unescorted. Then the ship left, apparently without doing a passenger count. At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, Mum died, alone."

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The Australian Maritime Safety Authority said it was investigating the circumstances leading to Suzanne Rees' death. Officials planned to question the Coral Adventurer's crew when it docks in Darwin later this week.

Katherine Rees said she hoped the investigation would determine what the crew could have done differently to prevent her mother's death.

Coral Expeditions CEO Mark Fifield issued a statement Wednesday expressing sorry for Suzanne Rees' death.

"We are working closely with Queensland Police and other authorities to support their investigation," he said. "We are unable to comment further while this process is under way.
A Davenport man is in the Scott County Jail after the Iowa State Patrol said he eluded troopers on a motorcycle before trying to hide in Silver Creek.

The criminal complaint filed in Scott County Court said on October 30 at about 12:11 a.m., Iowa State Patrol Trooper Cornwell saw a dark colored motorcycle driving westbound on 49th Street, approaching Pine. The trooper activated the emergency lights and the motorcycle continued westbound. He turned on the siren and the motorcycle tried to accelerate and elude the trooper. At one point while westbound on 49th Street, the motorcycle reached speeds over 50 mph in a posted 25 mph zone, approaching Iowa State Patrol Trooper Petersen, who was conducting a traffic stop.

David Strout (Scott County Jail)

Trooper Pederson heard the radio traffic and used his fully marked ISP SUV with lights activated to block the roadway. The driver of the motorcycle, later identified as David Strout, 41, tried to drive around Trooper Pederson off of the roadway but could not control his motorcycle and put it down in the grass. Strout immediately fled on foot, leaving his passenger without seeing if she was injured.

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The complaint said Trooper Cornwell followed Strout into the brush until Strout jumped into Silver Creek. The troopers set up a perimeter and waited for back up. Strout allegedly did not respond to commands and tried to hide in the creek bank. A Davenport K9 found Strout and troopers learned he had a barred driving status. They searched him and found a meth bubble in his coat pocket. Strout said it belonged to his passenger and he hadnt smoked meth since the day before.

Strout was taken to the Scott County Jail, where he agreed to participate in Standard Field Sobriety tests which showing clues of impairment on both the walk and turn and the one leg stand test. He gave a sample of his breath for the PBT with a resulting BAC of .000. He refused to give a urine sample after being read his implied consent advisory.

Strout was arrested and charged with felony eluding  speed over 25 and misdemeanor counts of driving while barred, failure to maintain control, interference with official acts, OWI second offense, possession of drug paraphernalia and traffic charges. He is being held in the Scott County Jail on a secured $7,000 bond and is waiting on his next court appearance.

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ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  With Odessa City Manager David Vela giving his resignation at Tuesdays city council meeting, the City of Odessa named its interim City Manager, Aaron Smith. Velas announcement came as a shock, as he was in the position for only five months only starting in early June.

Odessa Mayor Cal Hendrick spoke to the media regarding Velas decision, saying Vela had personal reasons.

All I can say is David Vela resigned, Mayor Hendrick said. He had personal reasons, and we respect those reasons, and we wish him the very best. Hes done a great job for the city. Its his decision to go a different direction, so were going to support him any way we can.

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Acting City Manager Aaron Smith tells us that his priority is to strengthen the team, and that will come about when he has discussions with city department heads.

I can tell you right off the bat, we know that we need a couple of assistant city managers, and we have some other key roles that need to be filled, Smith said. So, filling those roles right away is going to be a priority, and getting the input from those directors and other employees to make sure were moving in the right direction and get the right team players in with us that will be a good fit for everyone.

Velas last day with the city will be Friday, October 31st.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith is urging the DC council to permanently pass legislation implementing extended juvenile curfew zones, a tool used over the summer to curb large gatherings of young people.

We know it works, it has worked, said Smith, following a public hearing on the issue Thursday.

DC Council passed emergency legislation in July, giving the Chief the authority to implement extended juvenile curfew zones during July, August, and September.

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In those designated zones, people 17 and under could not gather in groups of eight or more starting at 8 p.m. The zones lasted four days.

According to Smith, she issued seven extended curfew zones between July and August.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: DC Mayor pushes Council to pass emergency legislation for enhanced juvenile curfew

MPD did not cite any curfew violations in the zones during the active hours of 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., nor were there any large gatherings, she said.

The emergency legislation was initiated after several teen takeovers in the Navy Yard and Wharf area, where in some cases, 100 teens or more were causing disruptions, breaking into private buildings, and vandalizing businesses.

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Smith said in these instances, it was not just kids being kids.

Councilmember Brooke Pinto reintroduced the emergency legislation in October, looking to extend it through December.

However, the council ultimately voted not to extend the emergency, with some members citing concerns about a lack of input. Others expressed concerns about the Mayors offices desire to make the legislation permanent.

Im not inclined to support permanent application of this curfew, said Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker during Thursdays public hearing. I think its a short-term solution to get us over the summer, to get us through the winter while we work on something more long-term thats more productive for young people.

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At Large Councilmember Christina Henderson said implementing two emergencies back-to-back prevents any community input on the public record.

It locks people out of being able to participate in the process, she said.

Still, the Chief noted that since the lapse in the emergency order, large gatherings of disruptive teens have begun popping up again.

This past weekend, flyers were circulated on social media for two teen takeovers, in the U Street Corridor and the Navy Yard Wharf area, telling kids to bring their own alcohol and bring their own marijuana, she said.

She also detailed several instances of large groups of teens attempting to carjack people. And, a group of teens that ransacked the movie theater at Gallery Place.

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The public also weighed in on the issue.

Dominique Moore, a parent and community advocate, is against making the extended curfew permanent.

I am infuriated, she said. What I heard was that we would rather lock our children up and tell them to stay in the house rather than provide them with the structure, resources, and tools they need.

Markita Byrant, an ANC Commissioner in Navy Yard, is supportive.

It worked, she said

Shed like to see the extended curfew zones continue to be used as a tool, coupled with creating more safe spaces for juveniles.

According to Councilmember Brooke Pintos office, another vote to reinstate the emergency legislation will take place on November 4.

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Its unclear if and when permanent legislation will be introduced.

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BOWIE, Maryland  Bowie State University junior Tamia McClorin remembers people running after a shooting near campus during her first homecoming two years ago. Its an image she cant forget.

I literally saw a guy that was shot and just lying in the ditch.  I was just freaking out, McClorin recalled. It was literally like a big rush of people. Everyones just running, trying to get into buildings and stuff.

Shes still looking forward to homecoming and is ready for the changes this year, she said.

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In the years since the 2023 shooting, the university has implemented advanced technology services, including cameras that scan for weapons, license plate readers, and an additional 19 blue light emergency poles.

Across the country, HBCUs like Bowie are taking extra safety precautions during homecoming celebrations. In recent weeks, institutions such as Southern University in Louisiana and Florida A&M University have released statements letting the community know they are monitoring ongoing investigations regarding shootings during homecomings. This season, shootings have disrupted celebrations near Jackson State University, South Carolina State University, North Carolina State University, and Howard University. This past weekend, one person was killed and several were injured at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania.

Darren Mitchell, the interim chief of police at Bowie State University, said the institution has been monitoring the recent events to prepare for its homecoming celebration Oct. 31 through Nov. 1.

However, Mitchell said shootings and other violent acts during homecomings are rarely committed by students or alumni, but rather by attendees who are not associated with the universities.

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We are preparing with presence, he said. The FBI has reported that the number one way in order to reduce violence or criminal activity in any environment is through uniform presence.

There are nearly 6,000 students enrolled at Bowie State, Marylands oldest HBCU. As in years past, attendees may see an increased presence of first responders from the Maryland Department of State Police, the Prince Georges County Police Department, the city of Bowies police department, and private security companies.

Additionally, the university will end its celebrations sooner at 7 p.m this weekend. About 35 miles away, Morgan State University in Baltimore ended its homecoming celebrations earlier this month at 5 p.m.

Bowie State prepares for change

Darren Mitchell, the interim chief of police at Bowie State University, said the institution has been monitoring recent events in preparation of the schools homecoming celebration this weekend. (Alecia Taylor/Capital B)

Mitchell, who started at the beginning of October, said those planning to attend festivities should visit the universitys website to know what to expect and register for required events.

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The universitys campus will also require those who park to pay, and parking will be one-way.

There will be a significant increase in vehicle traffic and pedestrian traffic on our campus, he said. We want to make sure that people are first of all informed, to get information about what to expect when theyre here on campus, directional information about the best way to get to our campus, because it will not be a normal day here on our campus.

Typically, attendees park along state Route 197, so that people intending to park will have to pay in advance. Those planning to attend are encouraged to use ride-sharing or public transportation.

What has happened in the past [is that] people have literally parked their cars along on the highway. And number one, thats not safe, Mitchell said. People are parking on both sides of the highway. Theyre crossing over to the highway. So we dont want our students, our family members and other visitors to put themselves in harms way.

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In 2023, a shooting near Morgan State University led the institution to cancel homecoming events. The following week, a shooting occurred at Bowie State.

After the shooting, many news outlets attached the shooting to Morgan State University, highlighting the history of violence near the college. However, the shootings arent unique to the Baltimore HBCU.

Since the string of shootings, Bowie State students say the university has become strict with homecoming policies.

If youre shutting it down at 7, when its just getting dark out, its like, people really didnt get to have fun, said McClorin, the Bowie State junior.

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Last year, she said, festivities ended early as well. She said she can understand why the university would think ending homecoming festivities at 7 p.m. would make campus safer.

The university provided counseling to those who needed it after the 2023 shooting.

Shootings are a problem at predominantly white institutions, too

In 2023, more than 2,200 arrests on college campuses were made for carrying/possession of weapons out of more than 20,800 reported arrests on 10,307 campuses, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

As Mitchell, the chief of police, said, the shooters are often not associated with the university. In fact, the chief said these violent incidents are not unique to Black campuses.

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Over the past several years, shootings have taken place on college campuses across the nation.

Earlier this year, two people were killed and six others were injured in a mass shooting at Florida State University in April. The shooter was later identified as Phoenix Ikner, a 20-year-old student at FSU.

In July, one person was left dead in a University of New Mexico dorm after John Fuentes, 18, opened fire in a dormitory while playing video games.

In 2021, a shooting at Towson University, about 5 miles from Morgan State in Maryland, resulted in three people being shot, according to CNN.

Senseless violence

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said officials are not sure what prompted the recent shooting during Howard Universitys homecoming. The incident remains under investigation. (Alecia Taylor/Capital B)



This past weekend, at least two shootings happened near homecoming celebrations at Howard University and Lincoln University.

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Jujuan Jeffers, age 25, of Wilmington, Delaware, died from a gunshot wound just after midnight on Sunday, after the shooting at Lincoln University.

Six others were shot, including a current student and an alumnus, the Chester County district attorneys office said in a press conference Sunday. All are expected to survive.

What occurred last night was tragic for our students, our families, and our community, said the university president, Brenda Allen, in a statement. Gun violence happens far too often in our country, and we are heartbroken that Lincoln University and its students are among the latest victims of such senseless violence.

As of Tuesday, one person is in custody in connection with the shooting, while police search for another suspect. The shooters are believed not to be associated with the university, the district attorneys office said.

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Zecqueous Morgan-Thompson, of Wilmington, Delaware, is charged with carrying a concealed firearm without a license. He is currently being held at Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania. His bail was originally $25,000, but was later increased to $1 million.

Classes were canceled on Monday and the community was invited to a moment of reflection on campus.

On Friday, around 8:20 p.m., shortly after the last performer at Howards Yardfest, an outside concert that happens on the universitys main campus, five people were shot, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. One was identified as a senior biology major at Morgan State University from Minnesota, the university told Capital B. The student was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

This incident, here at Howard, has not happened in many, many years, said Smith during an Oct. 24 press conference after the shooting.

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Washington police are not sure what prompted the shooting, which remains under investigation, said officer Michael Russo, a department spokesperson.

During South Carolina State Universitys homecoming on Oct. 4, there were two separate shootings. Jaliyah Butler, 19, was killed, and several others were injured, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Matthew Daniel McCoy, 18, is charged with pointing and presenting a firearm at a person, and carrying a weapon on school property, according to the press release.

The FBI has created a website dedicated to any tips that could help with the investigation.

A series of shootings happened in Mississippi during Jackson State University and Alcorn State Universitys homecoming, during the weekend of Oct. 11.

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Brekyra Fisher, 29, of Vicksburg, Mississippi, died after being shot on the Alcorn State University campus near the universitys Industrial Technology Building during its homecoming weekend, according to the Claiborne County coroners office. Days after the shooting, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety announced it arrested Taevion Doss, 26, on charges including murder and aggravated assault. Doss was denied bond on Oct 17.

The JSU shooting was not connected to the university, police said.

The HBCU homecoming season is not over yet. This weekend, Lincoln University of Missouri in Jefferson City, Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida, and several other colleges are gearing up to welcome alumni back to campus.

Mitchell said Bowie State has been coordinating with law enforcement to make sure that everyone is on the same page for a successful, safe, and welcoming homecoming.

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Sixty years of existence as a university, and this will be our 90th homecoming celebration, Mitchell said. We want to allow everyone to have fun.

The post Deadly Homecoming Weekend Prompts HBCUs to Rethink Campus Safety Plans appeared first on Capital B News.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections has confirmed that an inmate died unexpectedly Tuesday at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola.

Officials identified the inmate as Anthony Craig, 48, who was serving a life sentence for second-degree murder.

The West Feliciana Parish Coroners office said they responded to the scene, and the results of the autopsy are pending.

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The investigation remains ongoing. This is a developing story.

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HART COUNTY, GA (WSPA)  An investigation is underway after a man was found dead following a house fire, according to the Hart County Sheriffs Office.

Authorities said that just before midnight on Wednesday October 29, deputies responded to a structure fire on Old 29 Highway. The Hart County Fire Department and Hart County EMS also responded to the scene.

The house suffered major damage before the fire was successfully extinguished.

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Authorities said during a search of the residence, firefighters discovered a man in a back room, who was reported dead at the scene.

The identity of the victim has not yet been released.

The Georgia State Fire Marshals Office, Hart County Coroners Office, and Hart County Sheriffs Office are currently investigating the mans death and the cause of the fire.

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RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  The death toll in a massive police raid targeting a drug trafficking gang in Rio de Janeiro rose to at least 121 people, authorities said Thursday.

An operation launched Tuesday in two of the citys favelas sparked intense gunbattles that left at least four police officers dead and an unknown number of people wounded.

Officials raised the death toll from 119 to 121, but further details on the two new deaths werent immediately available.

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Brazil's public defenders office filed a request Thursday with the Supreme Court requesting access to the forensic evidence concerning the police victims. The office reports 130 deaths in the raid, more than the official police numbers.

The bodies of these people will tell us what really happened, and for that, we need access to them, said Rafaela Garcez, a public defender leading the investigation unit.

Human rights organizations have called for investigations into the deaths, describing the operation as one of the most violent in Brazils recent history.

Police said that the raid followed a yearlong investigation into the Red Command criminal gang, which controls drug trafficking and other illicit activities in the low-income communities of Complexo do Alemao and Penha. The group originated in Rios prison system and has expanded its influence in recent years.

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During the operation, officers arrested 113 people, seized 118 weapons and confiscated more than a ton of drugs, police said.

The violence disrupted daily life in the affected neighborhoods. Schools closed, a local university canceled classes, and buses were used to block roads.

Rio has long been the scene of deadly police raids. In March 2005, 29 people were killed in the Baixada Fluminense region, which borders Rio. In May 2021, 28 died in a raid in the Jacarezinho favela.

However, the scale of Tuesdays operation was unprecedented. The action sparked protests and accusations of excessive force and calls for the resignation of Rios governor.

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On Thursday morning, community leaders in Penha gathered at the headquarters of favela rights group CUFA to prepare legal support for grieving families. Many shops remained closed, and the atmosphere was somber.

Political reaction

The police operation stirred national political debate. Rio de Janeiro Gov. Claudio Castro initially accused the federal government of failing to offer assistance.

Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski responded by saying he hadn't received any request for help. He also defended the approval of a bill stalled in Congress that would integrate state police intelligence systems nationwide, a measure analysts see as a strong response to organized crime.

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Castro is affiliated to the same party as former President Jair Bolsonaro and is part of the opposition to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Lulas opponents sought to link his government to the raid. Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, one of Jair Bolsonaros sons, posted a video claiming that Lula had abandoned Rio de Janeiro.

The government sent representatives to the state on Wednesday and announced the creation of an emergency office to combat organized crime in Rio de Janeiro.

On Thursday morning, Lula signed a law that the government said strengthens the fight against organized crime. The new law criminalizes conspiracy and obstruction of actions against criminal groups and increases protection for public officials and their families, including retirees, as long as they are at risk because of their professional duties.

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Senate President Davi Alcolumbre also announced Thursday morning that a Senate committee will begin investigating the structure, expansion and operations of organized crime in Brazil starting next week.

___

Gabriela Sa Pessoa reported from Sao Paulo.

___

Follow APs Latin America coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Nearly a week after Hurricane Melissa slammed into Jamaica, desperately needed relief is reaching the hardest-hit areas in phases, with some still pleading for basic necessities like food, water and toiletries.

Essential relief supplies have begun rolling into hurricane-stricken St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland, most of which had been cut off by fallen concrete posts and trees strewn across roads. These areas are just miles from where the worst of the Category 5 storm came ashore on Jamaica's southern coast.

But in some parts, people were forced to dip buckets into rivers, collecting the muddy water for everyday use, while others have been drinking coconut water and roasting breadfruit.

(MORE: How To Help Those Impacted By Hurricane Melissa)

Here's what has been confirmed in each country so far:

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- Jamaica: 28 deaths, according to Prime Minister Andrew Holness

- Haiti: 31 deaths, per Civil Protection

- Dominican Republic: A 79-year-old man died and a 13-year-old remains missing

In Westmoreland, mangled metal sheets, splintered wooden frames of houses and fragments of furniture littered the coastline.

Social Security Minister Pearnel Charles Jr. was among several convoys of emergency responders en route to deliver ready-to-eat meals, water, tarpaulins, blankets, medicine and other essentials.

The priority now is to get help to those who need it, said Charles Jr. during a brief stop en route to Black River for the first time with long-awaited relief supplies. Prime Minister Andrew Holness had declared Black River ground zero and said the town will have to be rebuilt.

Photo by RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images

"The entire Jamaica is really broken because of what has happened," Education Minister Dana Morris Dixon said.

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Officials said they expect the death toll to keep rising. In one isolated community, residents begged officials to remove the body of one victim tangled in a tree. On Thursday, dozens of U.S. search-and-rescue experts landed in Jamaica along with their dogs.

More than 13,000 people remained crowded into shelters, with 60% of the island without power and only 35% of mobile phone sites in operation, officials said. People clutched cash as they formed long lines at the few gas stations and supermarkets open in affected areas.

(MORE: Streets Of 500-Year-Old City Filled With Rubble)

We understand the frustration, we understand your anxiety, but we ask for your patience, said Daryl Vaz, Jamaica's telecommunications and energy minister.

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Water trucks have been mobilized to serve many of Jamaicas rural communities that are not connected to the governments utility system, Water Minister Matthew Samuda said.

Compounding Crises In Cuba And Haiti

AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa

Cuba and Haiti face similar challenges, exacerbated by their political and economic crises.

The storm unleashed terrible flooding in southern Haiti and is blamed for 31 deaths in the country, where hunger was already rising.

Castro of the World Food Program said the organization is concerned about the impact to some of Haiti's female producers, from whom the WFP typically buys produce to supply local schools.

We may need to bring food from other parts of the country if available or even having to import, said Castro.

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In Cuba, the evacuation of 735,000 people meant the country suffered no known deaths, but Melissas passage could worsen challenges in feeding Cubans. The country faces a severe economic crisis and spends some $2 billion annually importing food products.

Local officials said there was damage to plantain, corn and cassava crops, coffee, various vegetables and trees across the five affected eastern provinces.

Government officials said Melissas heavy rainfall did benefit dams and reservoirs, after the eastern part of the country had been suffering from a severe drought and water shortage.

That is one of the silver linings, said Margarita Fernandez, executive director of the Caribbean Agroecology Institute in Vermont. CAI is raising funds to send directly to farmers and cooperatives there. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization also delivered seed to Cuba ahead of the storm, a spokesperson said.

AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph

When Melissa came ashore in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with top winds of 185 mph on Tuesday, it tied strength records for Atlantic hurricanes making landfall, both in wind speed and barometric pressure.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
When it comes to early detection, mammograms remain the only screening test proven to reduce deaths from breast cancer in average-risk women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, only about 75% of eligible U.S. women schedule regular screenings, according to a JAMA study published earlier this month.

Experts believe that misunderstandings about who needs screenings and how often may be part of the reason some women skip mammograms. Here are eight evidence-based facts about breast cancer screening to help set the record straight.

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Breast cancer by the numbers: How survival rates have improved over the past 40 years

CLAIM: Only women with a family history need screening

Although some women with family history of breast cancer may need earlier or more frequent screenings, all women need regular screenings, doctors said.

"Only about five to 10% of breast cancers are hereditary," Dr. Aparajita Spencer, a breast surgical oncologist at CHI Memorial in Chattanooga, Tennessee, told ABC News. "Most women with breast cancer do not have a family history."

STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images - PHOTO: A nurse assists a patient during a mammogram in an undated stock photo.

CLAIM: A lump is the earliest sign of breast cancer

Although a lump is one of the most common symptoms of breast cancer, it is not the only sign and can be missed when performing self-examination.

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"The whole point of the mammogram is to pick up the earliest signs of a breast cancer, which are usually calcifications, not really a mass," Dr. Preeti Subhedar, breast surgery chief at Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey, told ABC News.

"When people come in with a mammographically or image-detected breast cancer, usually it's fairly small and outcomes are really good," she added.

CLAIM: Breast size affects your cancer risk

Subhedar said that breast size has nothing to do with risk.

"An average-risk woman has a 12% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer," she said.

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For high-risk women, this increases to over 20%, according to the American Cancer Society.

Breast cancer resources: What you need to know about diagnosis, treatments, support

Spencer added that breast size and breast density are often confused, but they're not the same. A mammogram will read dense breasts as having a higher proportion of glandular and fibrous tissue compared to fatty tissue. Mammary glands typically produce milk while fibrous tissue forms the breast.

This can slightly raise cancer risk and make tumors harder to catch, which is why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finalized a rule in 2024 requiring providers to inform women if their breast tissue is dense and may require additional follow-up screenings.

CLAIM: Younger women don't need mammograms

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends annual screening mammograms starting at age 40 for average-risk women.

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For women with a strong family history of breast cancer or a known genetic mutation, the American Cancer Society recommends beginning annual screenings with both a mammogram and a breast MRI at age 30, or even earlier if a close relative was diagnosed at a young age.

STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images - PHOTO: In this undated stock photo, a doctor performs a mammogram on a patient.

CLAIM: A negative mammogram means you don't have breast cancer

Experts said a mammogram does not mean a patient doesn't have breast cancer but rather that breast cancer wasn't found on that specific mammogram.

"Mammograms occasionally miss early-stage cancers," noted Spencer. "There is always a chance that you have something that pops up between screenings. We can't say 100%, which is why it's really important to get those yearly screenings."

CLAIM: Mammograms can cause cancer because of radiation

The benefit of early detection far outweighs the tiny risk from the small amount of radiation, experts said.

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The total lifetime risk for radiation-induced breast cancer is still very low at one in 5,000 -- compared to about one in every eight women who will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and roughly one in 43 women who will die from it.

40-year-old mom's cancer journey made easier thanks to AI

CLAIM: There are safe and effective alternatives to mammograms

"There's no universal replacement for screening mammograms. That is why that is the gold standard," Spencer said.

Mammograms are safe -- even during pregnancy when needed, she added. Other diagnostic tools including, an MRI and an ultrasound, may be used to provide additional information, but they do not replace the mammogram.

CLAIM: A breast biopsy spreads breast cancer

Medical experts agree that breast biopsies are safe, and the benefit of getting an accurate diagnosis far outweighs the minimal risks.

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"It is extremely, extremely important that we get a tissue biopsy when someone comes in with an abnormal mammogram because there's a lot of biological information that we learn about a tumor from that biopsy," Spencer said.

STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images - PHOTO: In this undated stock photo, a doctor performs a mammogram on a patient.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women after skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death, according to the American Cancer Society.

In 2024, more than 300,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and about 40,000 died from the disease. Today, more than 3 million breast cancer survivors live in the U.S. -- a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection, doctors said.

Allyson Heng, MD, is resident physician in neurology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit.
Decades after tragedy struck, Hurricane Hunters still risk their lives inside the world's worst storms

The U.S. Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron had a rough ride this week in Hurricane Melissa, having to turn back early twice due to unusually strong turbulence. The early return of the second flight, just before the storm made landfall in Jamaica, forced an inspection of the plane's integrity.

Both the Air Force and the U.S. Navy began flying aircraft into hurricanes with the purpose of locating the centers of the storms in 1944. That was one year after a bet in a bar during World War II led to Colonel Joseph Duckworth flying a T-6 Texas aircraft into a storm, calling the bluff of British pilot cohorts who said the plane wouldn't survive such an encounter.

AccuWeather.com

28 hurricane hunters were killed in the next 10 years

The path to recording weather data from within hurricanes, whether visual, via weather instruments dropped from the plane, or later in-plane weather radar, was never without peril. Although every flight was risky, three flights ended in disaster between 1945 and 1953.

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During the first year of hurricane hunter operations, a U.S. Navy plane investigating Typhoon Jean over the South China Sea crashed into the ocean on Oct. 1, 1945, killing seven. On Oct. 26, 1952, a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance mission, with a crew of 10, was lost over the Pacific during Super Typhoon Wilma. And during Super Typhoon Doris on Dec. 16, 1953, a U.S. Navy hurricane hunter plane crashed again, killing 11.

'Stormcloud Five' disappears in 1955, the first Atlantic deaths

On the morning of Sept. 26, 1955, a Navy Hurricane Hunter plane named "Stormcloud Five" flew into Hurricane Janet south of Cuba, as part of a routine reconnaissance mission. The storm had already hit Barbados as a major hurricane, causing major damage there, as well as on the islands of Grenada and Carriacou. All told, the storm killed 160 people in the Caribbean.

A Neptune P2V, similar to the Hurricane Hunter plane lost in 1955. (U.S. Navy)

Stormcloud Five departed from Guantanamo Naval Air Station, and at 8:30 a.m. transmitted a message saying they were beginning their first pass of the storm at 700 feet in elevation. Garbled broadcasts were heard soon after, but there was nothing distinguishable, and it wasn't unusual to have interference or transmission interruptions from the heavy rain inside storms.

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At 11:30 a.m., the aircraft still hadn't reported in, and the plane wasn't reachable by the Navy base. Search and rescue operations began immediately, but no evidence of the aircraft or nine-man crew was ever found. It was the first, and last, hurricane hunter plane lost in Atlantic waters.

AccuWeather.com

The following recon flight into the storm reported back 160-mph winds, classifying Janet as a Category 5 hurricane. The storm passed over the Swan Islands, where a U.S. Weather Bureau (the precursor to the National Weather Service) station was located. The island took heavy damage from Janet's winds, with everyone on the island taking shelter in the Navy seismic station, the only concrete building on the island.

The next day, Janet struck the Yucatan Peninsula. Chetual and Xcalak, Mexico, were nearly destroyed; hundreds perished. In total, Janet killed over 1,000 people and caused $65 million (1955 USD), which would be nearly $800 million today.

Stickers from past hurricanes are seen on the outside of a NOAA WP-3D Orion Hurricane Hunter research plane during a media day at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland, Florida, on May 6, 2025. (Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo / AFP)

15 more lives were lost in the Pacific after Stormcloud Five

Unfortunately, the 1955 tragedy was not the last hurricane hunter plane crash. In January 1958, the Air Force flew a reconnaissance mission into Super Typhoon Ophelia. Southeast of Guam, the plane went down with nine souls aboard. Then on Oct. 12, 1974, contact was lost with a hurricane hunter plane headed into Typhoon Bess' eye to make a second position fix. Six crew members were listed as killed in action.

No further tragedies after 1974

The 1974 crash was the last tragedy to befall the Hurricane Hunters, though a major accident was narrowly avoided during Hurricane Hugo in 1989 when severe downdrafts in the storm caused the right engine to overheat and shut down. Dumping fuel, they barely made it back home, with the aircraft, a NOAA WP-3D Orion, suffering major damage and being grounded for the rest of the hurricane season.

In total, 52 airmen lives were lost in the pursuit of collecting meteorological data in hurricanes, but the efforts continue, with NOAA flying dozens of recon missions into, and above, the storm clouds.
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA)  A 32-year-old Decatur man was arrested on Tuesday in relation to a shooting that sent another man to the hospital in August.

The Macon County Circuit Clerk confirmed that Carnyshal D. Barbee was arrested by the Decatur Police Department on Oct. 28 and booked into the Macon County Jail on the following felony charges:

Aggravated battery/discharge of firearm Class X felony

Unlawful possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender Class X felony

Aggravated discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle Class 1 felony

Aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in a vehicle, loaded, without a concealed carry license, with two or more prior qualifying offenses Class 2 felony

Felon in possession of a weapon  second or subsequent offense Class 2 felony



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Man wanted by Decatur Police for burglary, other crimes

According to a sworn statement, on Aug. 2 at approximately 7:28 p.m., Decatur Police officers responded to the 200 block of W Grand Avenue for the report of a shooting victim. Officers then located a now 31-year-old man on the front porch a residence.

The victim suffered one gunshot wound to his upper left thigh area, with an entrance and exit wound. He advised the shooting occurred in the parking lot of the Tobacco Shack at 343 W Grand Avenue. The victim was transported to Decatur Memorial Hospital.

On Aug. 7, detectives met with the victim, and he advised he went to the Tobacco Shack to purchase drinks. He said he entered the store with a friend, and was at the cashier counter when another man, later identified as Barbee, walked into the store.

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The victim said Barbee stood next to him at the cashier counter, where words were exchanged between the two and Barbee proceeded to walk outside. The victim said as he exited the store, Barbee was by his vehicle, showed a handgun, started shooting and struck him in the leg.

On Aug. 7, Decatur Police detectives were able to obtain surveillance footage of the incident. Video footage shows the victim bumping into Barbee after attempting to pick up a plastic bag the victim threw to the floor. Surveillance footage also shows that the victim follows Barbee out of the store.

Man hospitalized after Decatur shooting; police investigating

Barbee then jogs to the passenger side of his suspected vehicle. Further footage shows more words being exchanged between the two, and then the victim ducks his head and takes off running down the sidewalk, out of sight.

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The suspect vehicle is registered to a different person, but the same address that is known for Barbee with the Decatur Police Department.

The sworn statement said that Macon County Judici shows Barbee has a previous felony conviction for felon in possession/use of a firearm stemming from an incident that happened in 2017. It also said that he does not have an Illinois FOID Card or Concealed Carry License.

Following his arrest on Tuesday, Barbee had his first court appearance on Oct. 29. A hearing on the States petition for pretrial detention was held. The judge ruled that Barbee poses a real and present threat to public safety, and the petition to detain was granted, meaning Barbee was ordered held without pretrial release in the Macon County Jail.

Barbee requested time to retain private counsel, which was granted without objection. His next court date is set for Nov. 20.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
DELHI, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  A Delhi man was recently indicted on several sex crimes.

Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith announced on Thursday the indictment of David Gensler, 51. This is part of an ongoing case against Gensler. He was previously charged with using a child in a sexual performance, luring a child into a vehicle or a building to commit a crime, and distributing indecent materials to minors.

Count one of the indictment accuses Gensler of Rape in the First Degree, a Class B Felony. It is alleged that on or about April 2025 in the Town of Delhi, Gensler did forcibly compel another person to engage in vaginal sexual contact. If convicted, Gensler faces up to 25 years in state prison.

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Count Two alleges Stalking in the Fourth Degree, a Class B Misdemeanor. It is alleged that between August and October of 2025, Gensler did engage in a course of conduct with the intent to cause mental and emotional harm to another, where such conduct consisted of following the victim, and Gensler was previously clearly informed to cease that conduct.

Count Three accuses Gensler of Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree, a Class E Felony. It is alleged that on or about August 2025, Gensler did restrain another person, which exposed them to the risk of serious physical injury.

Count Four alleges Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, A Class D Felony. It is alleged that on or about April of 2025, Gensler did forcibly compel sexual abuse against another.

Per office policy, the names of victims are withheld to protect their privacy.

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This is an ongoing investigation. If you have additional information about this matter, please contact the New York State Police at 845-586-2681.

Gensler is currently remanded to the Delaware County Jail without bail by order of the Honorable Mathew Burkert.

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 WIVT - News 34.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  The DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency sent out a message of gratitude after several businesses donated food for personnel during a recent manhunt.

After an incident on Wednesday where the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office said a man shot at a patrol officer during an attempted traffic stop and then ran off, a manhunt has been in progress for around 24 hours. The DeKalb County Sheriffs Office has identified the suspect who is still on the run as Gary Jody Childers.

As this search continues, multiple businesses, including Toros Mexican Cantina and Grill in Rainsville, Bruces Foodland in Fort Payne and Scooters Coffee in Rainsville, made donations of food for the authorities involved.

(Photo: DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency)

Your kindness and community spirit mean so much to the men and women who serve and protect. Together, we are stronger and DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency is there to assist in any way! DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency said in a Facebook post.

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In their post, they also sent a thank you to the Powell Fire Department for allowing the use of their facility to feed and support officers.

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.
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer has declared a state of emergency so SNAP recipients can still receive their benefits.

This comes as the government shutdown is now in its 30th day and nearing a cutoff crisis this weekend.

Federal funding for the food assistance program is set to pause on Saturday.

The emergency order in Delaware will allow the state to move funding from the state budget. That will provide assistance to SNAP recipients every week while the shutdown continues.


Former Vice President Kamala Harris threw her support behind the effort to temporarily gerrymander Californias congressional map in order to send more Democrats to fight President Donald Trumps agenda in Washington.

The ballot initiative, called Prop 50, was introduced by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to fight fire with fire  and it has been gaining endorsements among the Democratic establishment as Election Day nears.

Politics: Gavin Newsom Launches Ballot Initiative To Offset Texas Gerrymander

Supporters argue that Republicans have not been playing fair by passing extremely gerrymandered state maps in places like Texas and North Carolina. A website explaining the proposal says those new maps amount to a power grab by Trump and his allies.

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Prop 50 could flip five House seats blue in a very narrowly divided chamber.

I voted YES on Prop 50 because we cannot let anyone silence the will of the people.



California is fighting fire with fire and standing up for democracy everywhere. Vote yes on Prop 50 by mail or in person on Election Day, this Tuesday, November 4. pic.twitter.com/qGcZDl08Qt  Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 30, 2025

I voted yes for Prop 50 because Donald Trump and the Republicans are trying to rig the system, Harris said in a video posted to social media Thursday.

And so we, as Californians, are standing up to level the playing field.

Politics: Obama Puts GOP On Blast Over Redistricting Ploy: 'A Systematic Assault On Democracy'

Former President Barack Obama endorsed the initiative last week, saying in a social media video of his own that Republicans want to steal enough seats in Congress to rig the next election and wield unchecked power for two more years.

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The 2026 midterms will come with the highest stakes of any midterm election in memory, as a referendum on Trumps second administration.

A new Public Institute of California poll shows a majority of residents are in favor of the proposal, while the Republican campaign against it appears to have stalled. Newsom told supporters to stop donating to the Prop 50 cause because it has received so much funding.

The California Democratic Party has already endorsed the initiative, along with Equality California, a progressive LGBTQ+ group.

Politics: Democrats Fume After GOP Shuts Them Out Of Briefing On Trump's Military Strikes

Critically, the new California map would expire in 2030, at which point the state would redraw the lines through an independent redistricting commission.

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Some Democrats are already mobilizing around the gerrymandered map, starting to figure out who will run for the new blue districts, The New York Times reported.

Among Prop 50s more vocal detractors is former Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Trump critic who also strongly opposes gerrymandering.

Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP)  Democrats and their allied groups are pouring in more money, cutting a fresh television ad with Gov. Josh Shapiro and sending in the national party chairman in the final week of campaigning for a Pennsylvania Supreme Court election, possible signs of concern for a race that could reshape the highest court in the largest presidential battleground.

Spending in the race is on track to exceed $15 million  far surpassing previous spending in what's called a retention election  as Democrats try to blunt a late-emerging Republican campaign to oust three Democratic justices.

The outcome will have consequences for next year's midterm election, the 2028 presidential race and the next decade's congressional redistricting. The nation's most populous swing state has a politically divided government that has left disputes over election laws and other major issues to the courts in recent years.

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At issue in Tuesday's election is whether the three justices will each serve another term, up to 10 years. They don't face opponents and are not listed by party affiliation. The ballot merely asks voters to cast a yes-or-no vote.

Retention elections are supposed to be nonpartisan, but Christine Donohue, one of the justices running to remain the bench, said she's shocked at the partisan nature of the election.

This is extraordinarily unusual, Donohue said in an interview on Wednesday. I suppose thats a sign of the times, though.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has a 5-2 Democratic majority, so an across-the-board loss for Democrats in Tuesday's election could produce a 2-2 ideological split for two years. Political stalemate could likely prevent their seats from being filled until the next judicial election in 2027, potentially leaving the court unable to decide voting or election-related cases through next year's midterm elections.

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It could lead to chaos, Donohue said.

While the spending is far below the more than $100 million spent on a state Supreme Court election in Wisconsin earlier this year, it highlights how important these races have become for both parties because of the role state courts play in deciding redistricting disputes, lawsuits over voting and elections, and setting policy on hot-button issues such as abortion.

Donohue and the other justices up for retention, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht, were spending their final days of the campaign attending Democratic Party rallies and get-out-the-vote efforts. Ken Martin, the Democratic National Committee chairman, traveled across Pennsylvania to headline events on Wednesday and Thursday.

At a Lancaster County Democratic Party meeting Wednesday evening, Martin told a couple hundred people that Republicans were trying to steal power by buying court seats so they can enact right-wing policy through the courts.

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This isnt just about Pennsylvania, Martin told the crowd. Because if they win here, you can bet your bottom dollar they bring this in every single state around the country. ... This is about our democracy.

Democrats and their allies were on course to outspend Republicans by a ratio of as much as 4-to-1 after a blitz of TV ads in the final weeks to counter a wave of Republican flyers and commercials.

The TV ads supporting the justices portray them as defenders of abortion rights, union rights and voting rights. Backing them are labor unions, trial lawyers and Planned Parenthood's political arm.

While not all spending or financial sources have been disclosed publicly, groups linked to a network that typically spends campaign contributions from Pennsylvania's richest man, securities billionaire Jeffrey Yass, so far has spent about $2 million, according to figures from AdImpact, which tracks advertising.

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Democrats and their allies reported spending more than $7 million in October. The ACLU and Planned Parenthood are among left-leaning groups that have increased their spending late in the race as Democrats seek to counter a wave of Republican-aligned TV ads and flyers that launched in September, just before voters began casting mail ballots.

The blitz concerned Democrats. Lancaster County Democratic Party Chairman Tom O'Brien said party members were in panic mode" as they worried about how the party would respond.

Particularly worrisome to Democrats was Republican messaging urging Democratic voters to term limit the justices by voting no. It was packaged with wording meant to convey sentiments typically expressed by Democrats, including no kings and defend democracy.

Democrats also realized that a major task was educating voters about what a retention election is. O'Brien and others said they are feeling better as canvassers have helped educate voters, and Democratic-aligned flyers and TV ads have flooded the state.

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In an October TV ad running in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Shapiro told viewers that the justices have proven that we can count on them to protect a woman's access to abortion and birth control, and stand up for all our freedoms.

Democrats say they are satisfied with their voting-by-mail turnout in the weeks leading up to the final day of voting, but they are continuing their campaign push. On Saturday, Philadelphia labor leaders and Mayor Cherelle Parker will lead a half-day motorcade through the city to promote the justices' campaigns.

Republicans' most potent voice, President Donald Trump, has not waded into the election, although his name has occasionally been invoked. A Republican-aligned TV ad says, On Nov. 4, you can help President Trump to term limit three woke Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices."

State Republican Party Chairman Greg Rothman suggested that a no campaign is only natural.

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Retention shouldnt be automatic," he said. "Otherwise, why even have it?

Rothman said he didn't know whether the Republican effort would succeed but said voters already cynical about government could be motivated to vote no. A state government budget stalemate approaching its fifth month and the federal government shutdown could put voters in a mood to vote against any incumbent.

Based on the Democratic Party response, and Shapiro cutting ads and all the money that trial lawyers and the national DNC is bringing in, that they must think were onto something, Rothman said.

___

Follow Marc Levy on X at https://x.com/timelywriter
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump's administration held a Republicans-only briefing about U.S. strikes on alleged drug vessels near Venezuela, in what one senior Democrat on Thursday called a dangerous trend of increasing partisanship in national security.

"This is not how the system is supposed to work," Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, ranking member and former chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, told a news conference about the briefing, which took place on Wednesday.

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"When you politicize decision-making about putting our servicemembers in harm's way, you make them less safe," he said.

The administration laid out its legal justification for the strikes in the briefing, Warner said, questioning why such information should be classified.

Members of Congress, especially Democrats, have been demanding more information about the deadly strikes on boats off the South American coast, which have killed nearly 60 people in recent weeks amid rising tensions with Venezuela and Colombia.

Traditionally, presidential administrations from both parties have briefed members of the "Gang of Eight" - intelligence committee and Senate and House of Representatives leaders from both parties - on major national security actions. They also often hold classified sessions for every member of Congress.

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Asked for comment, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly did not specifically address the exclusion of Democrats from Wednesday's briefing, but accused Democrats of "running cover for foreign drug smugglers."

She said the administration has held six bipartisan briefings, with more scheduled, and that the Pentagon was making senior officials available to answer questions.

A Pentagon spokesperson said the department has conducted bipartisan briefings and would continue to do so. They also did not specifically address questions about Wednesday's briefing.

MILITARY BUILDUP IN THE CARIBBEAN

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The Pentagon has provided few public details about the people targeted in the strikes, but has acknowledged some were from Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador.

The Trump administration insists those targeted were transporting drugs, without providing evidence or publicly explaining the legal justification for the decision to attack the boats rather than stop them and arrest those on board.

Trump also has ordered a major military buildup in the Caribbean.

Democratic and Republican senators have introduced resolutions to stop the strikes without lawmakers' approval, noting the U.S. Constitution's requirement that Congress, not the president, authorizes war. One resolution was narrowly defeated and the second should come up for a vote in the coming weeks.

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PARTISAN NATIONAL SECURITY?

Warner said the Trump administration has been making national security more partisan for months, citing as an example its decision to call only Republicans in Congress when it struck Iran in June. In September, Warner's planned oversight visit to an intelligence agency was cancelled after criticism by a far-right activist.

Warner said he appreciated that Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota said after the briefing that he felt Democrats should have been included, but said other Republicans should also have spoken up.

Aides to Rounds did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Nor did a spokesperson for Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, the Republican chairman of the intelligence panel.

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Administration officials held a classified briefing on Thursday for the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee that involved both parties, a congressional aide said.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; additional reporting by Phil Stewart, Jonathan Landay and Sarah N. Lynch; editing by Nia Williams)
Rep. Aftyn Behn, the Democratic nominee for the special election in Congressional District 7, is trying to close the electoral gap in a traditionally Republican district. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

The upcoming special election in the 7th Congressional District, triggered by Mark Greens decision to vacate the seat in the middle of his term for greener pastures, affords Tennessee Democrats a rare and precious opportunity to parlay the quirks of special election turnout into a stunning upset that would flip an otherwise safe red seat blue, further narrow the Republican Partys razor thin majority in Congress, and stun the nation with a message of blue renaissance heading into the 2026 midterms.

Or so Aftyn Behn, who survived a tight four-way primary contest to be the Democrat facing off against Republican Mark Van Epps on the Dec. 2 ballot for the seat, wants you to believe. So should we believe her?

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The hill Behn seeks to scale is pretty steep. When Tennessee Republicans in 2022 cracked what was Nashvilles city-coherent 5th Congressional District into three pieces, they made a reliably blue district vanish by submerging thirds of Nashville into three safely red and largely rural districts  the 5th, 6th, and 7th. And just as intended, House incumbents in 2024 kept their GOP butts in all three seats by comfortable margins of 17%, 36%, and 21%, respectively.

The headwinds grow stiffer if CD7 is trending redder. Although it wasnt redrawn until 2022, if you look at how the 2020 presidential race would have turned out in the 7th districts current configuration, Joe Biden would have lost it to Donald Trump by 15 points, while in 2024 Kamala Harris lost to Trump there by 22 points.

But pushing back against those winds is the very fact of a special election  an unexpected contest at an unusual time on the calendar. That means much lower turnout than usual, and special elections tend to draw voters who skew older, more educated, more politically active and more motivated  for instance by being out of power. That translates into a substantial Democratic edge in specials right now. Flipping a bright red district is a tall order in a regular cycle, but in a special election anything can happen. At least thats the theory.

If Behns prospects are riding on these trends, which is to say low turnout with a blue tilt, how low are we talking about? What is the number of votes she actually needs to find and turn out to pull off the upset?

Republican nominee Matt Van Epps has fired the first salvo in the Tennessee Congressional District 7 special election with a digital ad calling Democrat Aftyn Behn a woke liberal. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Thats hard to pin down, but here are some numbers we know. In Nov. 2024  with a presidential race at the top of the ballot  there were about 322,000 total votes cast in the congressional district. A spirited midterm election in Nov. 2022 saw 181,000 total votes in the 7th District, 43% lower compared to votes cast in the presidential.

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In the Oct. 7 primary for this election, Democratic candidates collectively drew 31,000 votes, and Republicans just under 37,000, for a total of 68,000. Local Democrats were encouraged by this as it was well below the 21-point win that kept the seat in GOP hands last year.

History and data suggest that not many more will turn out for the general. A Pew Research analysis of trends in U.S. House special election turnout points to common drops of 50% or more from regular election turnout. Where I land for CD7 is on a loose expectation that Dec. 2 might see somewhere between 100,000 and 120,000 total votes cast, which would mean a win number for Behn of 50,000 to 60,000 votes. Or to put it another way, she needs to double the Democratic primary turnout, and hope that Republicans cannot double theirs.

One key thing previous specials have shown is that turnout correlates (unsurprisingly) with campaign spending. An expensive air war may well juice interest and turnout significantly compared to a quiet ground-game focused race where most of the work is under the radar. No such air war has yet taken flight, and we are less than two weeks until the start of early voting. Behn and Van Epps each began October with not much left in the till after the primary: Behn with $20,000 and Van Epps with $54,000. Behn told supporters in an email this week that she has raised $325,000 since the primary and hopes to add another $400,000 by the start of early voting to spend $150,000 per week on TV ads. Unless he says something publicly, we wont know where Van Epps stands financially until pre-election FEC disclosures required by Nov. 20.

So where does the race stand as we barrel toward early voting? There have been no public non-partisan polls to date but in a call with donors and campaign insiders earlier this week Behns pollster John Hagner at Workbench Strategies who also polls for New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani  discussed at some length a campaign poll conducted in mid-October.

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With a sample size of 300, and a 5.6% margin of error, their full-ballot test (with four independent candidates included) found Van Epps leading Behn by 10 points at 51-41. An email blast from the campaign Wednesday puffs it as a single-digit race, but they get there in the poll only after forcing poll respondents who chose an independent to make a D-vs.-R choice (which of course the actual ballot will not do).

The executive summary from a recent poll conducted by Democratic Rep. Aftyn Behns campaign shows Democrats are motivated to vote in the Dec. 2 special election. (Screenshot)

But puffery aside, a 10-point margin in a Trump +22 district is nothing to sneeze at. Data compiled by journalists at The Downballot shows Democrats overperforming how Kamala Harris did in 2024 by an average of 12 points in special elections this year in federal and state districts held by Republicans, so the Behn poll fits in the larger scheme of things. But if we take the poll at face value, where does she find those last 10 points?

On the Behn campaign call this week her media guy, Ian Russell of Washington, DC-based Beacon Media, outlined a strategy that starts with heavy use of digital communication and field operations to activate their motivated base before early voting gets going. They plan targeted TV to reach those they believe their poll surfaced as persuadable voters, who skew older and get their news in traditional ways. Russell emphasized a messaging approach that contrasts outsiders (Behn) with insiders (Van Epps) and avoids partisan framing (I wouldnt look for Behn to use the word Democrat in her paid media.)

Van Epps did fire a bit of an opening salvo on the messaging front Wednesday with the release on social media of a video spot hitting Behn on immigration enforcement, calling her (gasp) a woke liberal. No word yet on whether that spot will be backed with a media buy, but when campaign videos on the socials are exactly 30 seconds in length as this one is, they have a funny way of turning up in paid media. Behn quickly responded with a fundraising email saying the attack ad shows the GOP is scared.

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Ill leave that for others to assess but if I were Behn Id be worried about Van Epps and the Republicans using paid media to define her before she can define herself. Her own polling showed her favorable ratings among those who know about her are solid and comparable to those of Van Epps, but she is much less well known. Almost half in her survey havent heard of her (only 21% dont know of Van Epps, no doubt because of heavy ad spending on his behalf in his primary), and the combined total of never-heard-of-her and unfavorable-view-of-her is almost 70%. If Van Epps or surrogates start hitting Behn hard with negative messages on paid media before she starts spending she runs the risk of being framed by her opponent before she can properly define herself. Recall how this worked for Kamala Harris.

As the underdog Behn has two adversaries: an opponent and the calendar. Playing heavily on his military service background Van Epps comes with a central-casting biography and a Trump endorsement, though he comes off as superficial and robotic  an empty suit is how one GOP insider put it to me in a private moment. A less-than-inspiring opponent gives Behn an opening to mount the sort of turnout-driven upset that a special election makes theoretically plausible.

But time is not on her side. If over two-thirds of voters dont know her or dont like her, and her opponent is starting to throw messaging mud her way, with early voting just days away this thing needs to kick into a gear beyond phone banking the base.

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By Joseph Ax

PRINCETON, New Jersey (Reuters) -The closely contested New Jersey governor's race between Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli has set new spending records and drawn political heavyweights, as both national parties seek an early gauge of voter sentiment nine months into Republican President Donald Trump's term.

New Jersey and Virginia are the only states holding gubernatorial elections on Tuesday. Democrats, locked out of power in Washington, are hoping a clean sweep can provide a burst of momentum ahead of next year's midterm battle for control of Congress.

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The focus on New Jersey has been especially intense, after the state swung toward Trump by a greater margin from 2020 to 2024 than all but one other state. The Republican and Democratic gubernatorial campaign arms have funneled more than $34 million into the general election, according to campaign finance records, helping fuel what is projected to be in excess of $200 million spent on the election including the primary contests.

Sherrill, a 53-year-old congresswoman and former Navy helicopter pilot, has held a small but steady single-digit lead in opinion polls over Ciattarelli, a 63-year-old former state assemblyman and small business owner who is mounting his third consecutive run for governor. Democratic Governor Phil Murphy cannot run for reelection after serving two four-year terms.

LEADING FIGURES TURN OUT TO RALLY SUPPORT

Both candidates seek to defy historical trends.

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If Sherrill prevails, it will mark the first time in 60 years that New Jersey voters have elected a governor from the same party for three consecutive terms. Ciattarelli, meanwhile, would be only the second governor elected from the same party as the sitting president in the last nine elections.

While Democrats hold a two-to-one advantage in voter registration, Trump's merely six-point loss in 2024 and Ciattarelli's own surprisingly narrow three-point defeat to Murphy in 2021 have given Republicans hope of an upset.

"Sherrill definitely has a lead, but it is not an insurmountable one, said Micah Rasmussen, the director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics at Rider University in New Jersey. Either Sherrill or Ciattarelli could win.

Most high-quality polls have shown Sherrill with a lead of five to eight percentage points, according to a tracker maintained by the New York Times, though an Emerson College/PIX11/The Hill survey released on Thursday gave Sherrill only a 49%-48% lead with 2% undecided.

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A Sherrill loss in Democratic-leaning New Jersey would represent a significant blow to the party. The Democratic National Committee, which hosted a get-out-the-vote call with Sherrill and Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger on Wednesday, has made record investments in both states.

In Virginia, Spanberger, 46, a former congresswoman and CIA officer, has held a comfortable lead in opinion polls over her opponent, Republican Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, 61.

New York City is also holding its mayoral election on Tuesday. State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, 33, whose nimble campaign has transformed him from a little-known lawmaker to a rising Democratic star, leads in polls over former Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, 67, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, 71.

Leading Democratic figures are campaigning with Sherrill in the closing weeks, including Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Maryland Governor Wes Moore  all potential 2028 presidential candidates. Former President Barack Obama will rally alongside Sherrill on Saturday.

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Trump, who endorsed Ciattarelli, held a tele-rally for the Republican before embarking on his current Asia trip.

The president has cast a shadow over the race. His administration froze funding for new Hudson River train tunnels to Manhattan to punish Democrats he blames for a long-running government shutdown  a major issue for New Jerseys sizable commuter population.

Sherrill has used that decision to sharpen her argument that Ciattarelli is too beholden to Trump, pointing to Ciattarellis answer during a recent debate that he would give Trump an A grade thus far.

Ciattarelli, who distanced himself from Trump during his 2021 gubernatorial campaign, has moved closer to the president this cycle, though he has stopped short of a full MAGA transformation.

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Hes had to do quite a delicate dance this time around, said Ashley Koning, the director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers University.

RACE TURNS TO PERSONAL ATTACKS

Ciattarelli has made a point of campaigning in urban areas that are traditionally more Democratic to try to replicate some of the gains Trump made with non-white voters, according to Mike DuHaime, a Republican strategist who advised former Governor Chris Christies campaigns.

The greatest variable is whether or not Jack can get some of these Trump voters to come out in a non-presidential year, he said. Will those voters vote for someone whos not Donald Trump?

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Both candidates have focused on how to make New Jersey, one of the most expensive states in the country, more affordable. Sherrill has tied Ciattarelli to Trumps tariffs and to Republican cuts to healthcare, while Ciattarelli has blamed Murphy and his fellow Democrats for the high cost of living.

But the race has also taken a decidedly personal turn in recent weeks, with plenty of ad hominem attacks.

Ciattarelli has accused Sherrill of playing down her ties to a cheating scandal at the Naval Academy. She said she was barred from walking at her commencement ceremony because she would not turn in her classmates but was not directly involved.

Well, this seems to be now the playbook of Republicans, just looking to attack anyone who's served, Sherrill said at a recent campaign event in West Windsor, New Jersey.

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Sherrill, meanwhile, has accused Ciattarelli of helping to cause opioid deaths through a medical publishing business he owned.

The Republican has called that a baseless, reckless lie and has vowed to file a defamation lawsuit against Sherrill.

(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Paul Thomasch and Howard Goller)
WASHINGTON  Senate Democrats are furious that the Trump administration held a briefing for lawmakers on Wednesday about U.S. military strikes on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and only invited Republican senators to attend.

What the administration did in the last 24 hours is corrosive not only to our democracy but downright dangerous for our national security, Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, told reporters on Thursday, warning that the move set a troubling precedent that had trampled on the longheld bipartisan tradition of bipartisan briefings of Congress on U.S. military activities abroad.

Politics: Donald Trump To Leave Country Amid Government Shutdown

They know they screwed up, Warner added of Trumps White House. And where in the hell were my Republican senators, whom we have worked on everything [with] in a bipartisan fashion? Why didnt they say, Isnt this a little bit weird they dont have any Democrats in the room?

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The U.S. military killed 14 people in missile strikes against alleged drug cartel boats in the Eastern Pacific earlier this week, part of nearly a dozen attacks on vessels off the coast of Venezuela in recent months. Critics have called the use of force unconstitutional since it lacks congressional authorization. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have pressed for more information about the strikes, including their legal justification.

The briefing was held for Republican senators who sought more information on the strikes and included a memo from the White House Office of Legal Counsel on their legal justification. Democrats have been pressing for similar information but have been rebuffed by the White House.

Several GOP senators sided with Warner on the matter, urging the Trump administration to brief Democrats on the military strikes as well. Republicans know that freezing Democrats ought of a briefing on matters of war could come back to bite them in the future under a Democratic presidential administration.

Politics: Heritage Foundation Defends Tucker Carlson Over His Interview With Holocaust Denier

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee who had attended the briefing, said the decision not to invite members of both parties was unfortunate. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also said that Democrats absolutely need to be included.

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Its very important that everybodys briefed, he added.

Warner said that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who served alongside Warner as chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee before joining the Trump administration, looked me in the eye and personally promised in a meeting last week to share legal justification for the boat strikes.

But instead  this administration chose to give this sensitive legal document to a select group of more than a dozen Republican senators, he said.

Politics: MSNBC Guest Issues Warning About Trump's 'Unconstrained' Military Strikes

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), a leading advocate of Congress constitutional role in deciding when the nation goes to war, also said he couldnt believe Democrats had been shut out of the briefing.

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I dont deserve to be treated like an annoyance, an obstacle or an enemy by the Pentagon, Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Thursday.

CORRECTION: This story has been amended to accurately reflect Kaines political party.

Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
Democrats are expanding their probes into President Donald Trumps demolition of the East Wing and construction of his planned ballroom, with lawmakers pressing the White House and outside companies to explain the projects finances and what was promised to contributors.

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-California) and colleagues on Tuesday demanded that the White House provide a complete accounting of how it is paying for the ballroom, including any terms for donors. Trump said Friday that he had raised more than $350 million to pay for the project, and the White House has said that at least three dozen companies and private individuals have helped fund it.

Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post.

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The opaque nature of this scheme reinforces concern that President Trump is again selling presidential access to individuals or entities, including foreign nationals and corporate actors, with vested interests in federal action, Schiff wrote to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in a letter shared with The Washington Post. Schiff, a frequent critic of the president, also sent his request to the Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan watchdog that conducts oversight of the executive branch.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) separately sent letters Tuesday to contractors involved in the White House construction project, including McCrery Architects, Clark Construction and engineering firm AECOM, questioning the rapidly changing and secretive terms of Trumps planned ballroom. The letters were also shared with The Post.

Trump said in July that the ballroom would cost about $200 million and hold 650 guests, estimates that he increased last week to $300 million and nearly 1,000, respectively. The ballroom donors include defense and tech companies including Amazon, Apple, Google, Lockheed Martin and Meta, which frequently have business before the administration. (Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Post.)

Lawmakers said they were frustrated that the White House had neither consulted Congress nor received approval from at least two relevant federal commissions before rapidly demolishing the East Wing last week.

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I dont know where I can go to find the information. I cant find any accessible drawings. I cant find a permit, said Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-Mississippi), the top Democrat of the House Committee on Homeland Security. And then I see a bulldozer tearing down the east side of the White House.

Thompson also sent letters Friday to ballroom donors demanding answers on their involvement. Blumenthal and the top Democrats on the House Natural Resources and Oversight committees opened their own probes last week.

Many donors have declined to comment on the project or referred questions to the White House, which said it has been transparent and claims that Trump is doing a service by soliciting donors to pay for the ballroom.

The same critics who are wrongly claiming there are conflicts of interests, would complain if taxpayers were footing the bill, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The donors for the White House ballroom project represent a wide array of great American companies and generous individuals, all of whom are contributing to make the Peoples House better for generations to come.

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The projects contractors also have declined to comment. A representative for McCrery Architects on Tuesday referred questions about the project to the White House. Clark Construction and AECOM did not respond to requests for comment.

Trump has touted the ballroom as a long-overdue addition to the White House grounds, but the swift teardown of the East Wing sparked backlash from preservationists, Democrats and some conservative commentators. Outside watchdogs have also focused on whether the presidents pursuit of private donations has created potential conflicts of interest.

Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen, a left-leaning consumer advocacy organization, asked whether donors are seeking to purchase influence with the Trump administration by contributing to the presidents pet project.

It would be preposterous to imagine theyre making their donations out of a sense of civic pride, Weissman said.

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A pair of YouGov polls last week found that about half of Americans oppose the demolition of the East Wing and about a quarter support it, with the remainder undecided. There is more support for Trumps plan to tap donors to fund his ballroom project: a YouGov survey conducted Thursday found that 52 percent of Americans said White House renovations should be paid for by private donors to save taxpayer money, compared to 19 percent who said the renovations should be paid for by taxpayers to prevent donor influence.

The White House is positioning to expedite agency review of Trumps ballroom, his planned triumphal arch and other projects. Officials on Tuesday fired all six members of the Commission of Fine Arts, a federal agency charged by Congress with reviewing design matters related to government construction projects. A White House official said that the terminated members, who were appointed by President Joe Biden, would soon be replaced with a slate of appointees aligned with Trumps agenda.

The White House earlier this year also fired Biden appointees on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the National Capital Planning Commission, two more agencies that traditionally play a role in construction projects at the White House. The National Capital Planning Commission, which is now led by a top Trump ally, is expected to review his ballroom plans soon.

The Trump administration continues to run roughshod over the agencies that Congress empowered to protect our historic places, said Sara Bronin, who chaired the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation before stepping down in December.

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Trump officials and outside allies have countered that Biden moved to replace board members at those agencies, establishing a precedent. They also said Democrats scrutiny on the ballroom project is misplaced, particularly during the government shutdown.

President Trump is working 24/7 on behalf of the American people and simultaneously making the White House even more beautiful  at no expense to the taxpayer, by the way, said Davis Ingle, a White House spokesman. Democrats could learn a thing or two from his leadership.

- - -

Cat Zakrzewski contributed to this report.

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Some Senate Democrats left town on Thursday optimistic about finding a deal to end the government shutdown. Others said their party needs to stiffen its spine to make sure it prevails on objectives Democrats laid out a month ago.

Right now, theres some hand waving, but I havent seen a path that moves us toward restoring health care for millions of Americans, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., told Semafor. I dont need a show vote. We need millions of Americans to be able to afford their health care.

Theres been a flurry of talks over the past 48 hours about year-long spending bills that could pave the way to an end to the 30-day shutdown, but theres no sign that Republicans are willing to budge on negotiating the substance of a health care deal or to consider those spending bills until Democrats vote to reopen the government. President Donald Trump wont break the impasse until the government reopens, either.

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That leaves Democrats on course for a possibly painful split when there is a bipartisan agreement to end the shutdown. It is almost sure to fall short of Democrats goals of restrictingTrumps unilateral spending cuts and finding a permanent solution for expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies.

I know I sound like a broken record, Im sorry: I support reopening the government without giving Donald Trump a blank check and preventing the health care crisis, said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. Well have to have full discussions in our caucus about the way forward.

Three key centrist senators  independent Angus King of Maine and New Hampshire Democrats Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan  met with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday morning as Senate Majority Leader John Thune huddled with Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins and Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala.

It was the type of movement that often presages a bipartisan deal. So too was the participants silence following the private huddle: King declined comment and Shaheen offered that were talking. Im not going to say anything else.

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Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., who is among the Democrats meeting about the shutdown, said three times in a row that the pace of bipartisan discussions is a good sign.

And some Democrats arent happy that the Senate isnt staying in session. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., blocked a motion to adjourn the chamber for the weekend on Thursday afternoon because Senate Republicans want to go home for another weekend and do nothing. But Republicans quickly overcame her objections and the Senate went home.

Know More

The shutdown talks are in a delicate place for Democrats. Other than a handful of defections, Schumer has kept his party mostly united during the painful funding lapse. But as optimism grows that discussions on appropriations bills could dig the Senate out of the shutdown, Democrats seem headed for a divide over what it will take to reopen the government, let alone what theyll be willing to swallow in order to vote to end it.

Take the talks on full-year appropriations bills, which could grease the Senate floor for a compromise three-bill package with the House and potentially another package of funding bills. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., who sparred with Thune on Wednesday over expiring SNAP benefits, acknowledged that the Senates spending honchos were making good progress but that the upper chamber can only do so much on its own.

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Nothing that passes the Senate that needs to get to the president can get to him without House Republicans back, Lujan said. President Trump needs to pull everyone into that room and not let them out until they come up with an agreement.

But others think that the work is important to rebuild the chambers flagging bipartisan muscles  even if the two parties arent there yet on a full agreement to reopen the government, address the health care subsidies, and set the stage for Congress to finally put its own imprint on the spending process.

Sometimes you just have to keep doing a bunch of different things that seem extraneous, but they all become part of the fabric of what a final agreement can look like. Its creating trust. And the conversations lead to compromise, said Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo. It is important for building that foundation of respect and trust.

Room for Disagreement

Thune basically says hes done everything he can for Democrats. Hes offered a vote on Affordable Care Act subsidies, a negotiation with Trump, and deal-making on spending bills. These all come with an important catch: after the government reopens. That essentially limits the universe of Democrats who can support anything.

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Weve got to reopen the government. Then well have a normal appropriations process, Thune said. I dont think we can afford to have  the government shut down any longer.

Burgesss view

Democrats are tired of the shutdown, some seem ready to end it. But not quite yet.

Keep your eye on the calendar: This weekend contains painful benefit cuts and rising insurance premiums. Off-year elections conclude on Tuesday  the same day this government shutdown matches the 35-day funding fight of Trumps first term. And a recess is scheduled to start on Nov. 7.

Thune isnt forcing as many votes on the House-passed continuing resolution. And he and Schumer are meeting with key senators. I cant tell you when it will end, but all of these things signal deal-making mode.

Notable
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP)  Democrat Abigail Spanberger is more eager to talk about struggling soybean farmers than President Donald Trumps attack on American institutions. She plays down the historic nature of her campaign for Virginia governor and avoids making big, bold promises about what she will accomplish if elected.

Yet some believe the moderate approach  others call it boring  that the former congresswoman and CIA case officer has taken heading into Tuesday's election holds the key to the Democratic Party's national revival.

Dont promise things you know you cant deliver, Spanberger said aboard her bus campaigning this week to be the state's first female governor. It was a sober warning to Democratic leaders across the country  New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani and former President Joe Biden among them.

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It may be an underwhelming message for the millions of angry voters who have flocked to anti-Donald Trump protests in recent weeks demanding that Democratic leaders take bold action to fight the Republican's norm-busting presidency. But as the Democratic Party searches for an effective message and messengers in the wake of last fall's Election Day drubbing, Spanberger is offering a pragmatic focus on economic concerns and a toned-down pledge to address Trump's most damaging policies, when possible.

That tack is in line with a growing group of Democratic governors, top party operatives and Mikie Sherrill, the New Jersey congresswoman and former Navy helicopter pilot who is the only other Democratic gubernatorial hopeful on the ballot next week. They are betting big that a centrist message aimed at voters' economic concerns will deliver victory where an intense focus on stopping Trump from unraveling American democracy failed in 2024.

The Republican nominees in Virginia and New Jersey, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears and Trump-endorsed former business owner and state legislator Jack Ciattarelli, have tried to paint their Democratic opponents as out-of-touch liberals more concerned about transgender rights and immigrants who are in the United States illegally than they are about the safety of school children.

That playbook worked for Trump in the last presidential election. But given the national security backgrounds of Spanberger and Sherrill, it is unclear whether that will work Tuesday.

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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who has campaigned alongside Spanberger and Sherrill over the past week, noted that both candidates have focused on rising costs while offering a clear contrast to the chaos that has consumed Trump's Washington. It's largely the same approach that Shapiro has taken as he gears up for a 2026 reelection campaign in the swing state before a possible 2028 presidential bid.

The lesson is winning, Shapiro said when asked about whether the approach reflects lessons learned from Democrats' struggles in 2024.

Democratic divisions loom

The Democratic Party is far from united on how to move forward.

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Just as Spanberger and Sherrill embrace moderation, progressive leaders such as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have lined up behind Mamdani, who is also on the ballot Tuesday. The self-described democratic socialist has called for government-run grocery stores, free public transit and rent freezes, among other policies that may be difficult to enact if he wins.

Mamdani is in an increasingly caustic race with former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani.

The socialists want to take over the Democratic Party, Cuomo said in a weekend radio interview. He wins, book airline tickets for Florida now.

But some Democratic voters, even some who came out to hear Spanberger's message in Virginia this week, say they are excited about Mamdani.

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Mikal Blount, a 31-year-old commercial window cleaner, joined dozens of voters at a Norfolk restaurant on Sunday to see Spanberger. He said he is impressed by her bipartisan approach and experience in law enforcement, but he also hopes Mamdani wins and emerges as a national star.

Its OK to have moderates create common ground and progressives who are down to fight, he said, expressing frustration with his party's leaders in Washington. Im like what are we doing? Were not hitting back. MAGA Republicans arent holding back, so why are we?  referring to Trump's Make America Great Again movement.

Spanberger was less enthusiastic about Mamdani's emergence.

In an interview, Spanberger said she fears his approach could push people away from the party, but not necessarily because of his most controversial policies, even those she disagrees with. She sees it as a matter of telling the truth.

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We should always, always, always, dream big. Its not a focus on, just do little things, she said. But if hes making promises that he cant keep to people who are struggling to put food on the table for their kids or to pay their bus fare to get to their second job of the day, then whats the long term impact on the people who put their faith in somebody?

Spanberger offered a similar criticism of Biden's campaign promises to cancel student debt.

We wonder why people are like, Oh, Im tired of voting for the Democrats. she said. If you were to talk to people about canceling debt, a number of people will express some level of, He didnt do what he said he was going to do. Well, he was never going to be able to do that, right?

A move to the middle

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A collection of Democratic operatives released a report this week, Deciding to Win: Toward a Common Sense Renewal of the Democratic Party, that effectively endorses Spanberger's approach.

The report features input from top advisers to Biden, former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris. It calls on Democratic candidates to reject progressive purity tests and talk less about democracy, climate change and far-left cultural priorities and more about health care, the cost of living and public safety.

Veteran Democratic operative Jesse Ferguson, who provided input, said Spanberger is doing well because she's able to connect the pain from Washington to the pockets in Virginia.

Trumps authoritarianism will fail  not because we convince people its authoritarian, but because we show them its expensive," Ferguson said.

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Spanberger has not attended any of the No Kings protests that have featured millions of anti-Trump voters concerned with the threat he poses to U.S. democracy. She rarely said his name on a statewide bus tour this week that took her from Virginias affluent suburbs in the north to its military base communities on the Eastern Shore and the Appalachian hills in the rural southwest.

I feel like if I say it too much, its like Beetlejuice. Hes gonna show up, Spanberger joked.

This election, she said, is more about the struggles of everyday voters than Trump's attack on democracy.

When we win, its repudiation of the policies that are harming Virginia, whether its the shutdown, DOGE, or tariffs, Spanberger said. Like one guy like is single-handedly crushing Virginia soybean farmers, like one guy is single-handedly raising input costs for fertilizer and for farm equipment.

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Another topic Spanberger does not mention much: the possibility of becoming the first woman elected governor in Virginia.

Im delighted that we will have a woman governor. Im delighted by the fact that when the next generation of candidates step forward, its not, Oh, do you think a woman can win? she said. Its very significant to other people. But I dont want to ever make the race about me."
Democrats in the US House of Representatives and Senate are urging President Donald Trump not to ease national security restrictions on China for a trade deal, hours ahead of his expected meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"America's export controls, investment safeguards, and our long-standing security partnerships must not be on the negotiating table," a group of 12 senators led by Chuck Schumer, the chamber's top Democrat, wrote in a letter to the Republican president on Wednesday.

Among their demands, the Democrats called on Trump to reject Beijing's efforts to relax security curbs on their investments in the US. They also called on the president not to restrict efforts by the Treasury Department's Outbound Investment Security Programme, which seeks to ensure American firms do not contribute to the development of sensitive technologies in countries like China.

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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.

In addition, they stressed that he should deny any attempt by Xi to secure a formal statement that the US "opposes Taiwanese independence".

Trump is expected to meet Xi on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in South Korea on Thursday morning local time, to try and stabalise the recent escalation in tensions.

Such a summit would be the first in-person encounter between the two since Trump returned to office in January, and it will build on trade talks in Kuala Lumpur last week, where both sides reached a preliminary framework agreement.

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In recent weeks, the US president has unnerved many in Washington by suggesting that everything was on the table to secure concessions from Beijing.

House Democrats pushed similar messaging as their Senate counterparts on Wednesday. In a press release, several Democratic members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, including ranking member Raja Krishnamoorthi, said that Trump should not "trade away" national security tools like export controls on advanced technologies.

Addressing reports that Beijing could offer a large investment pledge in exchange for looser security restrictions, Krishnamoorthi stressed the need to protect national security by strengthening the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), an inter-agency panel that screens inbound investment.

CFIUS "doesn't work as well as it should right now", he said at the Atlantic Council on Wednesday, adding that there could be legislation to "beef" it up and make it more "efficient and effective".

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The topic of Taiwan, he continued, should be "off the table" in Trump's discussions with Xi.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.

US congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, has been a vocal critic of China's policies. Photo: Reuters alt=US congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Illinois Democrat, has been a vocal critic of China's policies. Photo: Reuters>

Relations between the US and China hit new lows in recent weeks, after Beijing announced on October 9 that it would roll out further export restrictions on rare earth elements, key raw materials used in hi-tech manufacturing, in what many saw as a response to the expansion of a US trade blacklist.

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Trump responded to Beijing's announcement by threatening to impose an additional 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods - which he later conceded was "not sustainable" - and introduce export controls on all "critical software".

More complications arose when two countries began implementing new port fee structures on each other's ships, and Trump warned he was considering a halt to purchases of Chinese cooking oil.

However, analysts have cautioned against expecting a breakthrough at the summit.

"Whereas the US is eager to reach any trade deal that Trump could declare as a victory, China is focusing on building more mutual trust, managing longstanding differences, and steadying the bilateral trade relationship," said William Yang, a senior Northeast Asia analyst at the International Crisis Group.

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"Such a gap would limit the prospect of both sides reaching a definite trade deal."

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.
(The Center Square) - Denver officials on Thursday launched a task force to inform citizens on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits and food access as the federal government shutdown continues and benefits are set to pause this weekend.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the SNAP program, wont issue the benefits until Congress passes federal funding and reopens the government, which has been closed since Oct. 1.

According to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, 100,000 residents are at the risk of losing access to SNAP benefits when they are suspended starting on Saturday.

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If you want to support our community, the best thing you could do is you can give money, you can give food, or you can give your time, he said at the launch of what he dubbed the Denver Food Assistance Task Force.

Johnston recommended donating money to The Denver Foundation or Food Bank of the Rockies. He also said each city council district will have a location at a recreation center where nonperishable foods can be dropped off.

For residents concerned about their access to food, Johnston said the citys website on food resources has up-to-date information on pantries and other resources.

Johnston said SNAP recipients should continue to submit their applications for the benefits despite their pause.

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This food crisis is something that we have seen before during COVID, said Councilman Darrell Watson, who added his family depended on SNAP benefits when he was growing up. We have stood together before, and we will be successful within this task force collaborating to ensure that Denverites receive the food and the support that they need.

According to Gov. Jared Poliss office, the state administers SNAP benefits to 600,000 Coloradans in 330,000 households, with $120 million distributed monthly.

Polis and other Democratic governors this week sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to take action to stop disruptions to the benefits.

Rather than allow millions of Americans to go hungry next month, we demand that USDA immediately release the multi-year contingency SNAP funding and supplement any shortfall by utilizing its interchange transfer authority to ensure full SNAP benefits are provided to the 42 million American who rely on them next month, the letter read.

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The governors office also recently requested lawmakers approve $10 million in funding for food banks and pantries, The Center Square previously reported.

As Johnston talked about SNAP Thursday in Denver, California Attorney General Rob Bonta did likewise during a visit to a Los Angeles food bank. Bonta discussed the lawsuit that he and 22 other attorneys general and three governors filed Tuesday against the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They're demanding contingency money be used to continue SNAP benefits. Colorado is among the states filing the suit.
DENVER (KDVR)  Denvers Department of Excise and Licenses is cracking down on bad landlords, adding thousands of dollars to fines that already range up to $999.

The city tells FOX31 that 28,000 landlords have complied with regulations since licensing was required for the first time in 2023, but some are refraining, instead paying fines as violations are documented.

Colorado sees major dip in car thefts after taking No. 1 for car thefts per capita in 2022

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People dont have to live in a place that has mold or has no functioning plumbing, Spokesperson Eric Escudero told FOX31.

To motivate landlords to comply with licensing requirements, the city sends a warning letter then issues fines ranging from $150 to $999 dollars depending on the offense.

Now, the city is proposing raising the maximum fine to $5,000.

That doesnt mean everyone whos an unlicensed landlord will get a $5,000 fine; that is if we cant get them across the finish line after many months of trying, said Escudero.

FOX31 spoke with renters and other residents who say landlords should be held accountable.

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If youre going to be a landlord you need to like do the job of a landlord, said one resident.

The FOX31 Problem Solvers visited a property known as the Felix Apartments in January of 2024 after receiving a complaint from a tenant who said she had been without hot water for seven months.

FOX31 learned from the city this week that the complex, now under new ownership, is unlicensed. Our staff reached out to the new ownership and we are still waiting for a statement.

Weve worked with them to try to help them and do whatever we can to try to get them to get the required license, Escudero told FOX31.

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Some residents told FOX31 off-camera that there are still problems at the complex. The city says that it is just one example of many property owners who need some extra encouragement in the form of a tough fine.

Casa Bonita actors, performers will be on strike during Halloween

It is to help us take steps to get rid of the most irresponsible landlords in Denver, at least, get them to get the license and make sure their property is safe, said Escudero.

The Apartment Association of Metro Denver issued the following statement to FOX31.

Rents in Denver are lower today than they were three years ago. This is a reflection of increased rental housing supply, which requires people willing to invest in and provide rental housing. Fining rental housing providers is not a good way to encourage investment in additional rental housing, said the Apartment Association of Metro Denver.

The new fines would be equal to what the citys health department imposes on violations. If passed, increased fines could go into effect before the end of 2025.



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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Nick Fuentes is a right-wing podcaster and provocateur who harbors antisemitic, racist, and explicitly white nationalist views. He has claimed that "Jews are running society" and "black people should be in prison for the most part." He is avowedly pro-Hitler and questions whether 6 million Jewish people really died in the Holocaust. He has stated his goals thusly: "All I want is revenge against my enemies and a total Aryan victory."

One would hope to find Fuentes toiling in relative obscurity, known only to the most studious observers of weird internet subcultures. Unfortunately, Fuentes is shaping up to be the year's major conservative breakout star, well positioned to be one of the spiritual successors to Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and organization leader who was murdered on September 10. Kirk himself despised Fuentes, of course, and worked with other leading conservative voices like Ben Shapiro to sideline and marginalize him. For Fuentes, the resentment was mutual, and his followersthe "groypers"would harass staffers at Turning Point USA, Kirk's youth organization.

But in the wake of Kirk's death, efforts to gate-keep the conservative movement and ensure that Fuentes remains a marginal figure within it are clearly failing. This week, a major line was crossed: Tucker Carlson interviewed Fuentes on his show. The two-hour conversation has racked up 16 million views on X.

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The background to all this is the increasing salience of the Israel issue, which now divides Republicans. Conservatives who are older, evangelical, and get their news from televisionFox News, Newsmax, etc.tend to be very supportive of Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and continued U.S. military support for that country's war on the terrorist group Hamas. Conservatives who are younger, Catholic, and get their news from independent podcasts tend to think America should be less involved in the Middle East, less financially supportive of Israel, and less tied to the Israeli government's wholesale destruction of Gaza, which has killed nearly 70,000 people. It is perfectly possible to associate with the latter camp while also rejecting antisemitism, racism, and Holocaust denial; in fact, I would argue that it is morally correct to do so. But Fuentes is clearly steering the right toward a wholesale embrace of bigotry.

Conservative critics of Fuentes and Carlson are understandably concerned about this. National Review assailed Carlson for conducting an overly friendly chat and failing to "challenge any of Fuentes's noxious views." Josh Hammer called for Carlson to be blackballed in addition to Fuentes. The Babylon Bee mocked Carlson relentlessly.

The problem for these conservatives is that their side is clearly losing: Fuentes is gaining influence. While conservative media organizations remain wholly opposed to Fuentes and his agenda, leading independent conservative media personalities like Carlson and Candace Owens are treating him seriously. (Fuentes and Owens have an on-again, off-again personal feud, so it's more complicated than that, even though she's clearly in sympathy with his antisemitic views. She is also a black woman, which means she belongs to two identity groups that Fuentes frequently condemns: black people and women.)

Here are three thoughts on this subject.

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1. Deplatforming Fuentes will not work. In the olden days, when a handful of conservative media organizations ruled the roost, it would have been trivially easy to simply blackball Fuentes and ensure that he remained an obscure figure. This is no longer possible. The conservative media ecosystem, like the mainstream media ecosystem, is too wide open and freewheeling. No central entity directs it. Conservative magazines won't print Fuentes, and conservative TV channels won't invite him onbut he can appeal directly to the people via social media. Moreover, social media platforms themselvesX, YouTube, Facebook, etc.have been explicitly discouraged by conservatives from doing any kind of effective gatekeeping, and have largely moved away from this type of content moderation.

Additionally, all the usual arguments against censorship apply here. Refusing to engage with Fuentes could make his arguments seem powerful, hypnotic, and ultimately more appealing. It appears as if opponents of Fuentes are afraid of a fair fight or lack the courage of their convictions. Younger conservative viewers might think some hidden or dangerous truth is being kept from them. In this way, deplatforming will backfire and guide the right toward the exact sort of conspiratorial thinking they are trying to stop.

In fact, it's fairly clear that attempts to deplatform Fuentes contributed to his own racial radicalization. In his interview with Carlson, Fuentes admitted that his racist, anti-immigrant, and antisemitic views became more extreme over time precisely because he was shut down by leading conservatives whenever he tried to raise more innocent questions about U.S. support for Israel. In his telling, conservatives like Shapiro and Dave Rubinwho prided themselves on opposing cancel culture and censorship, and wanting to openly debate controversial ideasutterly refused to platform any sort of debate on U.S. foreign policy with respect to Israel. Their hypocrisy caused Fuentes to become more and more extreme.

We don't necessarily need to take Fuentes' word for this, of course. It's possible he secretly harbored awful prejudices all along. In any case, he's achieved escape velocity. He's in conservative discourse now, and pretending he doesn't exist won't make him go away.

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2. Debating Fuentes could work if it's done correctly. The Carlson interview was, by Carlson standards, certainly soft. When Carlson wants to eviscerate someone, he's adept at doing so: See, for instance, Ted Cruz. He was more than capable of challenging a variety of points that Fuentes made; for instance, at one point Fuentes evinced an affection for Joseph Stalin, a communist and mass murderer who is despised by pretty much everyone on the right. Unfortunately, Carlson never followed up on that.

It is not true, however, that the interview was entirely friendly to Fuentes. At several points, Carlson explained that both his Christian faith and conservative beliefs compelled him to reject the kind of identitarianism, collectivism, and racism that Fuentes regularly practices. He correctly articulated the position that one canand should, and mustoppose Israel's slaughter of innocent Gazans without blaming it on the Jews as a people.

It would have been additionally useful, however, for Carlson to scrutinize Fuentes' actual past statements, because Fuentes has not shied away from saying grossly ridiculous things about, for instance, the goodness of Hitler. (Dave Smith's recent interview with Fuentes was, if anything, even friendlier.)

Podcasters should not avoid Fuentes, but if they talk to him, they should actually grill him on the things he has said. For instance, when Carlson interviewed Cruz, he challenged the senator to state the population of Iran, the country that Cruz fervently desired for the U.S. to attack; Cruz's failure to even ballpark the number made it look like he didn't know what he was talking about. Apply this technique to Fuentes, too.

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3. Opponents of antisemitism should want to minimize the Israel issue. I argued about this on X with Jane Coaston and others, and received furious pushback.

I mean, perhaps an even more unpopular opinion, but the most obvious way to reduce the influence of Nick Fuentes would be to end U.S. military aid to Israel! https://t.co/VoEpl3wZ4h  Robby Soave (@robbysoave) October 29, 2025

Yet it seems obvious to me that the rise in antisemitism on both the right and left has something to do with Israel being a much more important news and policy topic in the last two years.

It's true that Fuentes would likely remain an antisemite even if American foreign policy exactly mirrored his preferences. And antisemitism, one of the world's oldest prejudices, will endure in the hearts and minds of all too many people, regardless of what happens. But it's extremely naive to think that Israel's actions, and the U.S.'s backing of them, are playing no role in increasing antisemitism. Frankly, that would be quite unusual. Just as anti-Muslim sentiments increased after 9/11 and anti-Japanese sentiments increased after Pearl Harbor, the images of dead and injured Palestinians that have flooded social media for the past two years have almost certainly damaged Israel's standing in the eyes of many. And the reputation of Israel, the home of the Jewish people, is inexorably tied to the Jewish people.

To be abundantly clear, this doesn't mean it's correct or fair to change one's feelings about an entire ethnic group because of a government's actions: Collective guilt and collective punishment are evil tendencies. Nor does it mean that the U.S. turning its back on Israel is necessarily good policy.

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But Fuentes-ism is spreading and winning in part because Israel's standing with conservatives, in particular young conservatives, is falling. Everyone who aspires to swiftly stem the rising tide of antisemitism should hope for the decreased salience of Israel's wars as a focus of political discussion.

This Week on Free Media

I was joined by Amber Duke and Niall Stanage to discuss all the latest news, including the Fuentes interview. Watch on the Free Media YouTube channel.

Worth Watching

Last weekend, I rewatched my second-favorite film of all time: Zodiac. Still great!

The post Deplatforming Nick Fuentes Won't Stop Antisemitism appeared first on Reason.com.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Iberville Parish deputies responded late Wednesday night to a shooting at a local bar, where a woman was injured after a firearm was discharged inside.

According to the Iberville Parish Sheriffs Office, the suspect, identified as John Green III, 51, is a convicted felon who was illegally carrying a firearm when it went off, striking a woman. The victim was taken to the hospital and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Deputies took Green into custody at the scene. He was booked into the Iberville Parish Jail on charges of aggravated second-degree battery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm on the premises of an alcoholic beverage outlet, resisting an officer, and multiple probation violations.

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Death of inmate at Angola prison under investigation

Sheriff Brett Stassi reminded the public that firearms and alcohol are a dangerous mix and said such reckless behavior will not be tolerated.

John Green II (Iberville Parish Sheriffs Office)

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
DERBY, Kan. (KSNW)  At 94 years old, Jack Gillipsie is filled with bits of wisdom.

He feels one is especially important: You need to learn to age and protect yourself.

Its a lesson he learned by not using his walker.

I said, Ehh, I dont need it. So I went all around and was going up the walk into the bank and my face met concrete, Gillipsie said.

Wichita makerspace aims to make creative activities affordable

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Falls are the leading cause of injuries for adults 65 and up, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency reported that in 2020, 30% of older adults in Kansas fell.

Its a trend Derby Fire and Rescue noticed as well.

Twenty-five percent of all the emergencies we respond to are falls involving older adults, Derby Fire Marshal Jonathan Marr said.

Marr said statistics show once an older adult falls, its likely to repeat.

It keeps happening until they experience an injury thats very difficult for them to bounce back from, he said. A femur fracture, hip fracture, wrist, head injury.

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Valley Center animal rescue is small but determined to make a Pawsitive Impact

In April, the department created a community-led nonprofit, The Fall Prevention Coalition to break that cycle. Its program offers in-home interventions to personalize solutions.

This isnt a one-size-fits-all, said Lynn Price, the coalitions program director. Its just really getting to know the client and trying to figure out what that client needs and trying to fill the voids.

The volunteers also take action to implement changes.

We can install safety, grab bars, Marr said. We can raise or lower your bed if its hard to get in and out of. We have a number of solutions.

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For Gillipsie, they installed more safety measures in his restroom.

Wichita initiative offers reproductive health items, baby supplies to anyone

Too many people say, I dont want it like that because it doesnt look right,' Gillipsie said. Im sorry, thats not the way to look at it. The way to look at it as what you need to protect yourself.

Its a protection that preserves independence.

Marr said the coalition is working on expanding its program. Its talking with other fire departments, including Sedgwick County.

If you would like to nominate a nonprofit for our Here For You Spotlight, fill out our online contact form.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
DeSoto, Texas, launched an overnight coyote culling operation early Tuesday morning, warning residents not to panic if they heard gunfire echoing through their neighborhoods.

The city initiated the lethal removal program at 2 a.m. on October 29, in response to recent coyote attacks on pets that had alarmed local officials.

The drastic measure highlights growing tensions between suburban expansion and wildlife habitats across North Texas. As development encroaches on natural areas, confrontations between humans and coyotes have become increasingly common.

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Dont be alarmed if you hear gunfire during this time, the city posted on social media, attempting to calm residents about the late-night operation.

USDA Wildlife Services personnel are conducting the operation exclusively from vehicles. Theyre coordinating directly with DeSoto police throughout the process.

The announcement sparked immediate backlash from residents concerned about ecological consequences. Many questioned whether killing coyotes would solve the problem or create new ones.

Sheena De La O, a local resident, defended the coyotes on her property. They help keep the other critters in checksquirrels, opossums, raccoons, skunks. Please dont kill them, she wrote on social media, according to Fox 4 KDFW.

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Mary Riley-Samuels, who says she studied North Texas predators, called the approach misguided. Coyotes are keystone species that impact the rest of the ecosystem. Killing off coyotes will greatly reduce species richness in the area.

She warned the strategy would backfire. Additionally, coyotes will have more babies to replace their reduced population, making this method ineffective.

The city hasnt disclosed how many coyotes it plans to remove. Officials also havent provided details about the pet attacks that prompted the operation.
Election Day is only days away and Detroit's City Clerk is urging residents to turn out and cast their ballots for the city's next mayor, City Council members, clerk and more.

Detroit currently has 519,000 registered voters and officials expect between 18%-23% of voters will turnout, City Clerk Janice Winfrey said at a Thursday, Oct. 30 announcement. That means anywhere between 94,000-119,000 Detroiters will cast their ballots in person on Tuesday Nov. 4, or through early voting or absentee ballots.

"I want to emphasize that in the city of Detroit, you have no excuse not to cast your ballot. There are no excuses or barriers to the process in the city of Detroit," Winfrey said.

Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey provides election and voter turnout updates for the November election at the elections department on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.

Winfrey emphasized that the city is providing free bus rides through the Detroit Department of Transportation on Election Day, early voting, permanent absentee voting, sending sample ballots to homes for voters to identify their voting location and district, advertisements on TV, social media and the radio, block parties and more. She added that her office invested more on block parties and social media influencers this election to tap more voters who are likely to use social media over other avenues.

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"We serve this community all year long," Winfrey said. "If you want to continue to miss out on benefits you deserve, if you want to continue to lose rights that you have, then dont vote. But, if you want this community and this society to look and operate in the way in which you want it to operate, then get up off your couch and vote," Winfrey said. "When I tell you your vote is your voice, thats not something I just say, thats the truth."

More: What's at stake in the 2025 Detroit City Council elections

Winfrey added that she was upset about the city's low voter turnout  only about 17% in the August primary  noting her office has spent "millions of dollars" on campaigns and events to encourage Detroiters to vote.

At least 1,600 residents voted early as of Thursday. Early voting began Saturday, Oct. 25 and will continue through Sunday, Nov. 2, allowing Detroiters to cast their ballots between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at designated voting centers. About 44,000 absentee ballots have been received, though officials anticipate receiving at least 60,000 total.

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More: You won't believe who I found giving money to elect Detroit's next mayor

Early voting sites include:

WCCCD Northwest, 8200 W. Outer Drive Detroit, MI 48219

Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers Road Detroit, MI 48235

Farwell Recreation Center 2711 E. Outer Drive Detroit, MI 48234

WCCCD Eastern Campus 5901 Conner St. Detroit, MI 48213

Detroit's Department of Elections, 2978 W. Grand Blvd. Detroit, MI 48202

Clark Park, 1130 Clark Ave. Detroit, MI 48209

City Clerks Office, 2 Woodward Ave., Suite 106 Detroit, MI 48226

Adams Butzel Recreation Complex, 10500 Lyndon St. Detroit, MI 48238

Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Janice Winfrey expects 18-23% Detroit turnout in November election
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE)  A Detroit, Michigan man is being held on a $500,000 bond after a joint narcotics investigation led to a traffic stop in Jefferson County.

The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office announced the arrest, alongside the Cocke County Sheriffs Office. The sheriffs offices said that Marcus Kirk, 30, was arrested during a traffic stop.

Were pulling together Cocke County organizations stepping up to help ahead of SNAP funding loss

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According to the sheriffs office, agents witnessed the suspect provide a dealer with methamphetamine and heroin before the traffic stop in Jefferson County. During their investigation, detectives discovered 430 oxycodone pills and pounds of suspected narcotics at a Jefferson County home.

(Jefferson County Sheriffs Office)

Images from the drug seizure show more than a dozen bags of substances, alongside hundred dollar bills. The offices added that $3,400 was also seized during the investigation.

Where to find free food in East Tennessee as SNAP benefits lapse

The sheriffs offices shared that Kirk was arrested and taken to the Jefferson County Sheriffs Detention Center, where he is being held on a $500,000 bond.

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Bean Station Police Department also assisted the sheriffs offices in the investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
If food assistance benefits  or what used to be known as food stamps  stop being paid for after Nov. 1 as a result of the federal government shutdown, the pain will be felt across Michigan, not just in metro Detroit.

A closer look at the 1.4 million Michiganders receiving food assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, shows that nearly 24% of people living in Wayne County, where Detroit is located, get food assistance, the largest percentage of any county in the state.

But a Free Press analysis of data from the state Department of Health and Human Services shows that larger-than-average portions of counties in older industrial areas like those in Genesee and Saginaw counties rely on benefits, where about 20% of the population in each get them. That's also true for counties covering swaths of some of the most rural parts of the western Upper Peninsula where more than 15% count on food assistance and in northern mid-Michigan, where Clare and Lake counties top 20%. Many of the counties surrounding those two aren't as high but are higher than the state average of 14%, too.

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Where is it lowest? Look at Leelanau County in the northwestern Lower Peninsula (3.5%), Livingston County in the outer Detroit suburbs (4.1%) and Ottawa County in west Michigan (5.8%). Here's a look at the percentage of residents receiving SNAP benefits in each of Michigan's counties in July 2024, the most recent date for which data was immediately available.

Is the federal shutdown affecting you? We'd love to connect. Reach out at votervoices@freepress.com.

Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on X @tsspangler. Politics Editor Emily Lawler compiled the data for this chart and story.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Where Michigan will feel SNAP cuts due to the federal shutdown
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WKBN)  Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order Thursday that would provide food assistance for Ohioans, should the federal government shutdown continue.

SNAP benefits are in jeopardy of being paused on Nov. 1. DeWine said this funding is not a replacement for SNAP but targets those most vulnerable.

The emergency order provides up to $25 million for food assistance for families that will be affected by the suspension of federal SNAP benefits, if the shutdown continues.

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The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is being directed to give $7 million to various Ohio food banks and up to $18 million in emergency relief benefits to those who are at or below 50% of the federal poverty level through the Ohio Works Program. Recipients should receive the benefits by Nov. 7.

Related stories:

The Department of Agriculture has posted on its website that the SNAP benefits will end Friday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
Federal authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Ontario on Thursday morning, according to officials.

The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. in the 2800 block of South Vineyard Avenue after Department of Homeland Security officers requested emergency assistance, Ontario police said.

Ontario police officers were not involved in the initial shooting but responded to help with traffic control and scene security as federal investigators took over, according to police.

Federal agents are seen investigating an officer-involved shooting in Ontario. October 2025. (Sky5) Federal agents are seen investigating an officer-involved shooting in Ontario. October 2025. (Sky5) Federal agents are seen investigating an officer-involved shooting in Ontario. October 2025. (Sky5)

The Department of Homeland Security and FBI are leading the investigation. No further details about what led to the shooting or possible injuries have been released.

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Sky5 was overhead with KTLAs Mike Case.

This is a developing story; check back for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited northwest Indiana Thursday.

The visit came as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is calling on the DHS director to agree a Halloween truce on ICE activity for the sake of the families and children looking to celebrate this weekend, and Illinois state lawmakers are also looking to impose restrictions on ICE activities in places like hospitals and courthouses.

Noem made it clear she has no plans of halting Operation Midway Blitz during Halloween. Meanwhile, Little Village community organizers have mobilized nearly 200 volunteers to ensure all children in this neighborhood enjoy this holiday.

Governor Pritzker and advocates for immigrants are frustrated by the continuing ICE activity that they say goes far beyond the stated mission of Operation Midway Blitz to go after the "worst of the worst." But the Trump administration is brushing off any calls for a holiday pause.

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On Wednesday night, Pritzker sent a letter to Noem, requesting a pause in ICE enforcement this weekend in and around homes, schools, hospitals, parks and places of worship, so children can safely celebrate Halloween.

The governor referenced an incident in his letter that happened this past weekend in Old Irving Park, in which he says federal agents reportedly interrupted a children's Halloween parade and deployed tear gas without warning on residents peacefully celebrating the holiday.

"Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear. No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick or treating in their own neighborhood," Governor Pritzker wrote. "Illinois children should not be robbed of their innocence. Let them enjoy a time-honored American tradition safely and peacefully. Please let children be children for one holiday, free from intimidation and fear."

With Operation Midway Blitz in full force, the President of the Little Village Community Council, Baltazar Enriquez, says family there, both undocumented and U.S. Citizens, have chosen to stay hidden.

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"We've seen families tell us, 'no Baltazar, I don't want to put my kid at risk,'" Enriquez said. "A lot of the families have not been out of their homes because of fear. We're going to try to let the children have a day where they can enjoy, let the families take their children."

His organization gathering around 170 volunteers to stand watch and help bring families back out into the community on Halloween. They are volunteers trained to know how to respond should federal agents show up.

"It's really hard that my people don't get to enjoy their community right now," volunteer Lissette Barrera said.

Barrera, emotionally gripped by what's happened to her neighborhood, is one of the dozens who signed up to ensure children and their families can enjoy, what she says, should be an enjoyable day.

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"Children are only supposed to know how to play and be happy and have their own little minds and create their own stories, but right now they're just in fear," Barrera said.

Enriquez said while he admired the governor's efforts Thursday, even if DHS agreed to the terms, his organization does not trust the Trump administration.

Gov. Pritzker is calling on DHS to pause operations over Halloween weekend.

Governor Pritzker on Thursday decried the operation that did not even consider the families in the area.

"This year the parade was interrupted and then canceled, not because of rain, but because of tear gas," Pritzker said.

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DHS posted a response Thursday afternoon on social media regarding last weekend's incident in Old Irving Park, which included body-worn camera video.

Meanwhile, Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino sat down for an hours-long deposition Thursday at the Dirksen Federal Building downtown.

The meeting was linked to a lawsuit that challenges immigration enforcement tactics used by his agents in Chicago. It came a day after an appeals court halted a judge's order requiring Bovino to provide daily court briefings on his agents.

The Trump administration had argued that forcing Bovino's daily presence would disrupt and harm the government

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem gave an update on Operation Midway Blitz on Thursday during a visit to Northwest Indiana.

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Speaking in Gary, Indiana, Noem rejected Governor Pritzker's request.

"We're absolutely not willing to put on pause any work that we will do to keep communities safe," Noem said. "The fact that Governor Pritzker is asking for that is shameful, and I think unfortunate that he doesn't recognize how important the work is that we do to make sure that we are bringing criminals to justice and bringing them off our streets."

Secretary Noem accused the governor of failing to recognize the importance of their work in getting dangerous criminals off the street, something she said they will continue to do to protect children.

"So don't believe it when they tell you that they're busting the worst of the worst gangs, gang members, they're attacking peaceful neighborhoods and terrorizing kids in Halloween parades," Pritzker said.

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In response to Governor Pritzker, Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin: said in a statement, "Once again Governor Pritzker is going out of his way to smear the law enforcement officers of DHS, who are attempting to clean up the rampant crime he facilitated.

"He is pushing a false narrative that DHS is targeting schools, hospitals, and churches. This is false, he knows this, but he continues to push these lies.

"Our officers are facing mass assaults, vehicles used as weapons, violence and only use crowd control methods as a last resort when repeated warnings have been given.

"Those who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear. Elected officials choosing to fearmonger by distorting reality are doing a great disservice to our country and are responsible for the nearly 1,000% increase in assaults and 8,000% increase in violent threats against ICE officers."

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RELATED | Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates

In Gary, Noem spoke about immigrants in the United States illegally getting commercial driver's licenses.

"Putting these foreigners in tractor trailers like the ones you see behind me becomes extremely dangerous," Noem said. "Putting them behind the wheel of these tractor trailers weighing tens of thousands of pounds loaded with explosive fuel down the highway endangers every single citizens that is on our roads."

Noem gave update on recent immigration enforcement dubbed "Operation Midway Blitz," which Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino called "wildly successful" in an interview with ABC News earlier this week.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem gives an update on immigration operations in Gary, Indiana

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Noem was joined by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun in Gary along with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons, among others.

Flanked by posters of what Noem calls the "worst of worst", she commended the state of Indiana for helping the Trump administration with ICE enforcement.

"Illegal aliens have been taken off of these roads because of this work that was done under Midway Blitz with the partnership of Governor Braun and his team," Noem said.

Noem blamed Illinois and other sanctuary states for giving undocumented immigrants Commercial Drivers Licenses, known as CDLs. She says there has been a trend of accidents involving the undocumented.

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"We especially don't want them behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler when they can't speak our language, they don't understand our laws, they can't follow our roadway signs," Noem said.

But, according to the Illinois Secretary of State's office, undocumented residents are not allowed to receive CDLs in Illinois.

Noem says, so far, 3,000 people have been arrested through Operation Midway Blitz. While some U.S. citizens says they have been among them. Noem denies it.

"There's no American citizens have been arrested or detained," Noem said. "We focus on those that are here illegally, and anything that you would hear or report that would be different than that is simply not true."

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As ICE enforcement continues through Halloween, Sec. Noem says Operation Midway Blitz will continue until all undocumented people in the Midwest are removed from the country.

SEE ALSO | Court pauses order requiring CBP Chief Bovino to meet with judge daily on immigration operations

Noem's visit was met with some criticism from other local northwest Indiana leaders.

Gary's Mayor Eddie Melton said his office was not involved with planning the event and is not participating.

Hammond's Mayor Thomas McDermott also posted on Facebook, criticizing how the press conference was announced.

Some protesters gathered in Gary to demonstrate against Noem's presence.

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Also Thursday, lawmakers pushed ahead with legislation to curb illegal ICE activity.

"The piece that I've introduced initially creates a private right of action for anyone who has been harmed, anyone whose constitutional rights have been violated by people conducting immigration actions, will be able to go to court and seek a remedy," Illinois State Senate President Don Harmon said.

The bill would also create safe spaces from ICE in courthouses, along with daycare centers and universities, as well as hospitals. The measure gained urgency after the viral video of Chicago Alderperson Jessie Fuentes being arrested in a hospital confronting ICE over agents' authority to arrest someone seeking treatment.

"This bill is a statement on behalf of the legislature to say that what ICE is doing is unacceptable," said State Sen. Celina Villanueva, who represents part of Chicago's Southwest Side.

There was some urgency to get the measure passed before the end of the night Thursday, because it is the final day of the veto session.
Independent journalist Tara Palmeri scored an interview with Kat Abughazaleh a few days after the Democratic congressional candidate was indicted by the Department of Justice, but the podcast soon went off the rails when Abughazaleh abruptly walked out during the live broadcast.

Abughazaleh, 26, is a first-time candidate for Illinois 9th congressional district and a former reporter for progressive outlets like Media Matters for America and Mother Jones, hoping to build her large social media following into a platform to elected office.

In September, she was in a viral video being tear-gassed and slammed to the ground by an ICE agent during protests outside an ICE facility in Broadview, a Chicago suburb. Earlier this month, Abughazaleh was again among protesters at the Broadview ICE facility and said that she was struck in the face with a baton by a police officer.

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Wednesday, Abughazaleh posted a video announcing that she had been indicted by the DOJ in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, slamming the charges as a political prosecution and an attack on her First Amendment rights. She is charged with two counts: conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer and forcibly impeding, intimidating, or interfering with a federal law enforcement officer while engaged in official duties.

Abughazalehs interview, which was broadcast live on Substack and YouTube, began with Palmeri asking her how are you feeling ever since you found out [about the indictment]Whats going on through your head?

It was surreal to see her own name on the indictment, Abughazaleh said, and this definitely was not something she expected to happen.

She said that she plan[ned] on pleading not guilty, calling it a political prosecution plain and simple and an effort to criminalize free speech, an effort to criminalize free association, and an effort to criminalize the very act of protest.

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Palmeri asked about some specific allegations in the indictment, which says Abughazaleh and the other defendants surrounded a federal officers vehicle, banged on its hood and windows, etched PIG on the side, and impeded movement.

Abughazaleh replied that she was not speaking to the specifics of anything thats in the indictment right now, reiterating that she would be pleading not guilty.

Palmeri then cued up a video clip of the day of the incident, and asked her, What do you when you see that?

You know, Tara, once again, this is my first time being federally indicted. Like I said, I plan on pleading on not guilty. The evidence will come out in court and I plan on winning. Thank you so much for having me.

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And that was it for Abughazaleh, less than four minutes into the live broadcast.

Palmeri, initially unaware her guest had taken her leave, asked about the seriousness of the charges against her, along with potentially years-long prison sentences, and if she was concerned the indictment could actually hinder your ability to serve in Congress?

Palmeri paused for a few seconds waiting for a response and then asked, Did she just sign off?

Did she just leave the chat? Palmeri continued. Im so confused. Im sorry. I dont know what just happened.

Ive never had that happen before, said Palmeri, telling her audience that she would continue with the conversation on my own and calling the situation very bizarre.

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Palmeri continued speaking for a few more minutes, taking questions from the commenters in her live chat.

On her Substack, The Red Letter, Palmeri wrote about the prematurely ended podcast, calling Abughazaleh quitting the podcast so early genuinely shocking because she thought that the questions were [p]retty standard journalism.

Abughazaleh had told her before the broadcast started that  there were some things she couldnt discuss because its an ongoing legal case, Palmeri wrote, which was very normal and she expected her to possibly answer some questions by saying she couldnt get into details, but [i]nstead, she shut down.

Her reaction gave me deja vu, wrote Palmeri, mentioning the viral video of former Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) walking out on a local reporter.

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What is going on with these social-media-born politicians who think they can bypass the press, the very people who represent the voters they hope to serve? Palmeri continued, adding Abughazaleh was only 26, so she would like to believe this was just a lapse in judgment, not a pattern.

She added she hoped Abughazaleh reconsiders, because if she wants to be a public servant, shell have to handle tough questions, not walk away from them.

Palmeri posted a short follow-up video, calling the sudden end of the interview a Katie Porter moment.

I just had a Katie Porter moment with congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh. The interview lasted 3 minutes. pic.twitter.com/tcMB2XBgpE  Tara Palmeri (@tarapalmeri) October 30, 2025

Mediaite reached out to Abughazalehs campaign for comment but did not receive a reply.

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Watch the video above via The Tara Palmeri Show on YouTube.

The post Did She Just Sign Off?! Tara Palmeri Floored When Congressional Candidate Indicted by DOJ Cuts Off Live Interview After 4 Minutes first appeared on Mediaite.
Donald Trumps absolutely incredible, stupendous meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping appears to have almost undone the damage of his own trade policies.

Details of the quid pro quo were remarkably vague but appeared to return trade relations between the two international powers closer to where they had been before Trump announced his Liberation Day tariffs in April.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One shortly after the meeting, Trump detailed that he and Xi had agreed to immediately drop the tariff rate on China by 10 percent (from 57 percent to 47 percent) in exchange for more aggressive policing of the Chinese fentanyl pipeline.

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Trump also said that China agreed to pause its controls on precious rare earth minerals for the next year in order to avoid Trumps threat of an additional 100 percent tariff that would have been enacted on Saturday.

It was an amazing meeting, Trump said. From zero to 10 (with 10 being the best), the meeting was a 12.

Soybean farmers also got a potential solution to a problem that Trump created. China will buy tremendous amounts of soybeans from American farmers starting immediately, per the president. Soybean farmers have been pushed to the brink of bankruptcy, practically begging the administration for a bailout since Trumps previously unsuccessful attempts to trade with China resulted in axing access to the U.S. soybean industrys number one foreign market.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessentwho was present at the meeting between Trump and Xielucidated those details hours later in an interview with Fox Business.

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The Chinese have agreed to buy 12 million metric tons of soybeans during this season, right now, between now and January, and then for the next three years theyre going to be buying a minimum of 25 million tons per annum for the next three years, Bessent said.

Other purported gains out of the negotiation, however, seemed rather empty. Trump promised that a bigger U.S.-China trade deal was coming pretty soon and that he would travel to China again in April. He added in a lengthy Truth Social Post that China may make a very large scale transaction of oil and gas from Alaska.

But a couple details that emerged did not sound like they would benefit the U.S. in any wayperhaps most notably Trumps decision to allow China to talk to Nvidia and others about scooping more computer chips. That alone is likely to rile GOP hawks who have clutched Nvidia as a precious stateside asset in the burgeoning AI tech wave.

I said, thats really up to you and Nvidia, Trump recalled he told Xi. Were sort of the  referee.

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Trump also faltered on the topic of brokering peace in Ukraine, apparently allowing Chinese consumption of Russian oil to continue unchallenged.

Still, Trump was quick to celebrate his own work on brokering the deal.

Chinayou know, I think they feel very strongly, Trump told reporters early Thursday. They congratulated me on the tremendous success that weve had, because theres never been a country that has had so much money come into it for purposes of investment, for building, for auto plants, for AI, et cetera. So he was very strong on congratulating me on that.
A 51-year-old father and husband from Abington Township was fatally stabbed early Tuesday morning while walking to work in the Cedarbrook section of Philadelphia, according to police.

Jean Schultz Laurent Jr. had just gotten off a bus and was headed to his job at June's Kitchen on Wadsworth Avenue when he was attacked.

Surveillance video captured the moment two men found him collapsed on the sidewalk and attempted to help.

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"The guys that clean the leaves and sweep up the street saw him, and they went up to help him, and they actually was giving him CPR," said Chanda Anderson, owner of Uptown Hair Studio.

Jean Schultz Laurent Jr.

Laurent was transported to a hospital, where he died a short time later from a puncture wound to the chest.

Police said the suspect fled the scene. On Wednesday, authorities announced the arrest of 48-year-old Scott Hilton, who is now facing murder and other charges in connection with the killing.

"I don't know why this happened to our good uncle Junior," said Carla Belly, Laurent's niece. "He's like a hardworking man. He didn't deserve something like this."

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Family members said Laurent had been in the United States for less than two years after fleeing violence in Haiti. They described him as a professor and author who aspired to teach French to college students once he became fluent in English.

"He escaped the horrors of Haiti only to be killed here in the U.S., where he was promised to be safe, is crazy," said niece Alexandra Belly.

Relatives said Laurent mostly kept to himself and spoke little English.

"He was very gentle, he didn't bother anybody," Alexandra Belly said. "Wanting to know why this occurred, why it happened, and definitely justice for our uncle."

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Police have not released information about a possible motive. Hilton has a criminal history in Philadelphia dating back to 2011, including charges of assault, harassment, stalking and robbery.

Laurent is survived by his wife and three children, the youngest just 3 years old.
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) speaks on a press conference on rising health care premiums without ACA tax credits. Oct. 30. | Screenshot.

Ahead of Saturdays start of the open enrollment period for health care under the Affordable Care Act, Michigans Congressional Democrats are calling on their Republican colleagues to work to restore the Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire.

Those tax credits have become a centerpiece of the federal budget debate and the ongoing shutdown of the federal government, which is approaching the one-month mark. Without them, health care premiums will skyrocket, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) said in a virtual press conference held Thursday.

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At some point, you had to draw the line in the sand. I want to get this government opened again. That means Republicans have to go to work in Washington, Dingell said. I hope Speaker Johnson calls us all back. We all get back there. We reopen the government, they do something about health care, so that millions of Americans dont lose it.

Dingell and her colleagues have pointed to these health insurance tax credits as a defining budget issue for them since the shutdown began, and have repeatedly called on Republicans to extend them through the coming year.

Because Congress has prioritized tax cuts for billionaires over Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, working Americans ae now seeing their health care costs double, said U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) in a press release from her office. We cant afford to wait any longer. Speaker Johnson needs to call the House back immediately so we can stop the health care crisis from landing on Michigan families.

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Jodie Schanhals, a 62-year-old entrepreneur from Traverse City, joined Dingell and Hertel in the press conference. Her health insurance, she said, will increase by around $1,200 per year without the tax credits.

Right now, the Republicans in the House of Representatives are placing me in the middle of this battle. Either were not gonna pay the health care subsidies that go along with the ACA, so everybody can get health care, or were not gonna feed 40 million people, she said, referencing the lapse in SNAP benefits set to start on Nov. 1. I am outraged that this is the choice. Its so cruel.

Schanhals, who had hip surgery in 2007, said that she is due to find out if she will need a hip replacement, which she is expected to need.

I wont die from this, she added. I just wont be able to walk.

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For weeks, they refused to negotiate, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel added during the press conference, referring to Republicans. For weeks, they refused to extend the tax credits that would keep premiums affordable. And now, with open enrollment starting this weekend, they still refuse to fix the problem they created.

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A disabled Ukrainian man was found dead in the German city of Rheine on Oct. 21 and his death ruled as suicide, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said on Oct. 30.

In response to an inquiry from the Kyiv Independent, the ministry said local police believed the "Ukrainian citizen born in 2000 died between October 20 and 21."

"According to the medical certificate received, the cause of the Ukrainians death was suicide," it added.

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The ministry said the Ukrainian Consulate has submitted an official request to the Prosecutors Office in Munster to obtain additional information, conduct a re-examination, and ensure a further investigation into the circumstances of the death.

The Consulate remains in close contact with the family of the deceased and is assisting with the repatriation of the body to Ukraine, the ministry added.

"The case remains under the control of the General Consulate in Dusseldorf," the ministry said.Earlier, family members and Ukrainian journalist Andriy Tsaplienko had reported suspicions of a violent death, saying the mans personal belongings and documents were missing.

Read also: What we know about the encirclement of Ukraines Pokrovsk

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A divided Scranton City Council approved the mayors sweeping plan for changes to downtown streetscapes involving replacing some traffic lights with stop signs and reverting some one-way streets to two-way.

Council on Tuesday voted 3-2  with council President Gerald Smurl, Bill King and Jessica Rothchild in favor, and Mark McAndrew and Tom Schuster opposed  to adopt each of two ordinances from the administration of Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti to implement the plan.

Cognetti and proponents of the $27.3 million plan believe it is a rare opportunity  made possible by funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act and other sources  to change traffic flow and patterns and improve infrastructure, all with the goal of making the downtown safer for pedestrians and more attractive for businesses and the burgeoning number of residents living downtown.

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The vote outcome Tuesday mirrored McAndrew and Schusters no votes at the prior two weekly council meetings on introduction and advancement of the same two ordinances. While they support infrastructure improvements regarding sidewalk and stormwater upgrades that also come with the plan, McAndrew and Schuster cited concerns about whether stop signs and two-way streets would indeed promote safety. They also questioned the overall financial cost of the project and whether there was enough public awareness and input into it.

The idea for making fundamental traffic changes downtown stems from a December 2018 lecture, organized by then-Councilman Wayne Evans and held at the University of Scranton, and featuring urban design expert Jeff Speck, a city planner, consultant and author of the 2012 book Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time. Cognetti, who took office in 2020, followed up by pursuing a Downtown Scranton Connectivity Plan, also called a walkability study, completed in 2023.

In April 2024, the mayor, Speck and city engineers held a forum at Lackawanna College as a step toward walking the public through the concepts and ideas for changes. One of the takeaways of that session was that downtown traffic signals, patterns and flow developed over generations have generally prioritized vehicles over pedestrians  such as one-way streets, cars speeding to get to the next green traffic light ahead, vehicles too close to curbs, too many turning lanes and not enough parking spaces.

At Tuesdays council meeting, Evans, who also served as mayor in 2019, gave an impassioned plea to fully implement the plan. The car-centric status quo has only made vehicles drive too fast and downtown less safe for pedestrians, he said. Evans submitted to council letters of support from developers who have invested many millions of dollars downtown. And he noted that of the 35 intersections with traffic lights in the downtown core, six will get four-way stop signs and two others will get two-way stop signs.

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This plan and project just may be the final link to having a downtown Scranton that will once again be the economic hub that drives the entire northeast. It will once again be the undeniable social and cultural center and it will continue to be the historic core of our community, while bringing a vibrant quality of life for our residents, businesses and visitors, Evans said. And finally, maybe even more important than all of that, after all these years, it will be safer to cross the street in downtown Scranton.

Residents who previously spoke against the plan did so again. But other members of the public who spoke Tuesday voiced strong support.

Scranton Tomorrow President/CEO Leslie Collins said her downtown economic development organization has not received any calls from business owners opposing the streetscape legislation. Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Bob Durkin said the city engineer gave the chamber a presentation last week attended by representatives of 50 businesses, and, We think its a great idea.

Owen Worozbyt, operations director of Lackawanna Heritage Valley, which has the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail running through the city, said of the downtown plan, Its a once-in-a-generational opportunity for us to really take and improve a lot of what we see as the shortcomings of the downtown infrastructure.

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Anthracite Bicycle Coalition members Kuba Jennes and Gene McDonough urged council to approve the plan that also would create bike lanes on certain streets.

Its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Dont walk away from it, McDonough said.

Resident Tom McLane, a local landscape architect and avid bicyclist who while pedaling has been hit by cars a number of times, said the downtown plan is long overdue.

The streets are treacherous. If you sit on your own front porch in the city and watch traffic, youll see people are in a hurry. Theyre in a hurry to get nowhere, McLane said. So I agree that we have to slow things down. I know a lot of people disagree with it for traditional reasons, but I think its the way forward for the city. The city is building on success now and Id like to see that continue.

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When it came time for council to vote, McAndrew and Schuster restated some of their concerns.

Im for this project. I dont have to like all of it, McAndrew said. If (the two ordinances) dont pass, this project doesnt die.

Schuster said, Everybody I spoke to, my constituents, do not like the removal of these stoplights  it is around Courthouse Square.

The plan comes with a trial period to see how changes are working, and ARPA funds also have to be committed and then expended by October 2026. Smurl said the PennDOT-approved plan was voluminous and years in the making, and delay or changes now would jeopardize all of it. Thats because the entire plan would have to go back to PennDOT, and then this simply will not happen because PennDOT does not do anything fast, Smurl said.

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Rothchild said, I do believe there is a pedestrian safety issue within Scranton.  I also dont believe that the status quo is working.

King added, I will be voting for progress.

Council also voted 5-0 to adopt a third ordinance underlying the downtown streetscape plan that would create 69 additional street-parking spaces.

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An example of curb bump-outs proposed by Scranton for some downtown street intersections, presented Tuesday Oct. 14, 2025 by the administration of Mayor Paige G. Cognetti to Scranton City Council. (SCREEN GRAB COPY / ELECTRIC CITY TELEVISION VIA YOUTUBE)

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An example of curb bump-outs proposed by Scranton for some downtown street intersections, presented Tuesday Oct. 14, 2025 by the administration of Mayor Paige G. Cognetti to Scranton City Council. (SCREEN GRAB COPY / ELECTRIC CITY TELEVISION VIA YOUTUBE)

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A street grid showing where four-way stop signs would replace traffic lights, as proposed by Scranton for some downtown street intersections, presented Tuesday Oct. 14, 2025 by the administration of Mayor Paige G. Cognetti to Scranton City Council. City Engineer Tom Reilly is shown in inset photo. (SCREEN GRAB COPY / ELECTRIC CITY TELEVISION VIA YOUTUBE)

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An example of curb bump-outs proposed by Scranton for some downtown street intersections, presented Tuesday Oct. 14, 2025 by the administration of Mayor Paige G. Cognetti to Scranton City Council. (SCREEN GRAB COPY / ELECTRIC CITY TELEVISION VIA YOUTUBE)

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Street signs instructing vehicles about turning onto Penn Ave. are posted on Biden St. in downtown Scranton Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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An aerial view of Biden St. and Adams Ave. in downtown Scranton Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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An aerial view of the Lackawanna County Courthouse and the surrounding streets in downtown Scranton Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Vehicles travel through stop lights on Biden St. in downtown Scranton Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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An aerial view of the Lackawanna County Courthouse and the surrounding streets in downtown Scranton Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Street signs instructing vehicles about turning onto Penn Ave. are posted on Biden St. in downtown Scranton Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

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Oct. 30DNA from a tossed cigarette butt led investigators to a suspect in a 2023 burglary at a Columbia Falls tractor dealer, prosecutors say.

Michael Jack Bothman, 49, faces felony counts of theft and burglary in Flathead County District Court in connection with the Dec. 15, 2023 break-in at a U.S. 2 outdoor power equipment dealer. He pleaded not guilty at his Oct. 23, 2025 arraignment before Judge Heidi Ulbricht.

Employees of the business first alerted authorities to the theft of more than $11,000 in goods on Dec. 18, 2023, according to court documents. Workers arrived at the dealership two days prior to find the buildings without power, but initially chalked it up to an electrical problem. They later discovered a burglar had broken into a shed at the rear of the business.

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Surveillance footage from the evening of the break-in showed a white truck with a trailer parking in front of the business about 5:26 p.m.  after it closed for the day, according to court documents. The video shows an individual hopping out with a flashlight and inspecting various items on the dealership's grounds, smoking a cigarette as they went.

At one point, the suspected thief looked directly into the camera before quickly ducking away, court documents said.

Video footage shows the truck leaving about 5:49 p.m. and the surveillance system at the business detected no further activity until 7:57 p.m., according to court documents. That's when the white truck and trailer reappeared.

An individual in the truck is captured getting out, lighting a cigarette and then using the shadows to move toward the fence, which they climbed over, court documents said. Power to the cameras was shut off soon after.

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Flathead County Sheriff's Office detectives collected a cigarette butt while investigating the scene Dec. 21, 2023. It was sent to the Montana State Crime Lab.

In the meantime, dealership employees posted an image of the suspect's face taken from the camera recordings to social media. Several people subsequently identified the individual as Bothman, court documents said.

After comparing the image with photos of Bothman in a law enforcement database, detectives arranged to meet with him at his probation officer's office in Lake County on Dec. 6, 2024. Bothman maintained his innocence during the conversation, allegedly accusing employees of a nearby business of carrying out the burglary.

Bothman initially declined to give investigators a sample of his DNA, but relented after they presented him with a signed search warrant, court documents said.

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Detectives received the results of the DNA analysis on the cigarette butt, linking it to Bothman, in May 2024, according to court documents.

Booked into the county jail Oct. 13, Bothman remains behind bars with bail set at $150,000.

An omnibus hearing in his case is scheduled for Nov. 19 with a pretrial conference to follow on Jan. 9.

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].
TOPEKA (KSNT)  After nearly 3 years of construction, a historic state office building in downtown Topeka now has a new look.

Today, the Docking State Office Building officially opened to the public. State leaders hosted a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the new renovations. The original Docking Building was built in 1957 and was one of the oldest office buildings in the state.

The 14-story building sat largely empty for many years, but now the smaller building is being described as an efficient, eco-friendly building for all Kansans to enjoy.

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What are some of the more haunted locations in NE Kansas?

In our industry, this is known as a once in a lifetime project, said Andy Buessing, president of Hutton Design and Build. Its not often that you get the opportunity to work on a project thats going to have an impact on so many Kansans for generations to come.

A lot of thought went into the design of the office building. Large portions of the new building are made out of reused materials from the demolished structure. Ultimately, 98% of all materials from the old office was repurposed for the new building.

The primary focus was on material reuse, so all the limestone that you see, a lot of the greenstone set into the pavement, was all reused from the original Docking Building, said Brian Roth, a landscape architect who helped design the building. Its something that Im very proud to be able to put my name on.

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$12.1 million grant works to support health care in rural Kansas

Additionally, about 87% of the contractors who worked on the renovation were Kansas based contractors. Its a building that Kansas Governor Laura Kelly tells us; she is proud of.

Weve been talking about this building for a very long time, and it went through all sorts of iterations, Kelly said. To get through all that and have this be the end result, its just more than I couldve expected. Its great.

The offices will be the new workplace for many state agencies, and includes a fitness center, cafe, and interactive exhibits for visitors.

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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.

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.
An investigation by The Dallas Express into Senator John Cornyns legislative record and his daughter Haley Cornyns lobbying career reveals a pattern of overlap: as Haleys employers and clients benefit from key federal decisions, her fathers Senate actions often align to advance their interests.

Senators Daughters Lobbying Ties Raise Serious Ethical Concerns

The overlap between the two has raised mounting questions about influence peddling, conflicts of interest, allegations of pay-to-play influence peddling, and whether public office is being quietly used to enrich the Cornyn family.

Senator John Cornyn has long portrayed himself as a crusader for integrity in Washington, most notably in 2022, when he called for full accountability in the Hunter Biden corruption scandal.

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There is no way of knowing the entire scope of the investigation, but evidence seems to be mounting that Hunter Biden committed numerous federal crimes, including, but not limited to, tax fraud, money laundering, and foreign-lobbying violations, Cornyn said at the time, joining 32 other Senate Republicans.

Yet even as Cornyn was publicly demanding accountability for alleged influence-peddling in the Biden family, his own daughter was quietly engaged in a career that raises strikingly similar ethical questions.

The Rapid Rise of a Lobbyist with a Famous Name

Haley Cornyn began her professional journey with minimal political or policy experience, yet ascended rapidly into elite lobbying circles.

After just one year working as a paralegal, she was hired by the Patriot Group, a Texas lobbying firm, as an executive assistant. Despite Ms. Cornyns junior position, she became the firms public face, telling the Austin Business Journal that the Patriots planned to open a very, very large D.C. shop.

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Why was a newly hired assistant, and the daughter of a sitting U.S. senator, speaking publicly about a major lobbying expansion in Washington? And why did she represent the firm in press statements before ever lobbying a client?

Her next role provided the answer.

Without any significant lobbying record or government policy background, Ms. Cornyn was hired by HillCo Partners to specialize in state healthcare issues. Within a year, she had signed some of the largest pharmaceutical and healthcare clients in the world, including PhRMA, Amgen, McKesson, and Daiichi Sankyo Inc.

In addition, Ms. Cornyn worked for the Texas Attorney Generals Office between 2016 and 2019, where she served as a senior legislative advisor to the Title IV-D Director, overseeing issues related to child support enforcement and federal compliance.

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By 2019, Ms. Cornyn joined the powerful law and lobbying firm Greenberg Traurig (GT) as a legislative affairs manager, a firm with billions of dollars in foreign and domestic interests. Yet, according to federal filings, she did not register a single lobbying client between 2019 and 2024.

So what was she doing?

The Greenberg Traurig Connection

Greenberg Traurigs Texas Government Law and Policy practice is co-chaired by Demetrius McDaniel, a long-time political donor who has contributed more than $25,000 to Senator Cornyn since 2005, including $5,000 in 2024.

Ms. Cornyns job title at GT focused on legislative affairs. Yet, her years-long absence of declared lobbying activity raises an obvious question: Was she quietly leveraging her fathers influence to protect the firms major financial interests?

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The timing of her fathers advocacy and her position at GT makes that question even more difficult to ignore.

One of GTs most lucrative lines of business is the EB-5 visa program. This federal initiative enables wealthy foreign nationals to obtain U.S. green cards by investing a minimum of $800,000 in American development projects. The program, widely criticized for abuse by Chinese nationals and CCP-linked entities, has long been a cash machine for large law firms like GT.

When Ms. Cornyn joined Greenberg Traurig in 2019, the EB-5 program was under growing scrutiny in Washington. Yet her father became one of its loudest defenders in the Senate.

The EB-5 Visa Defense

In 2021, when the EB-5 Regional Center Program was set to expire, Senator Cornyn was one of only three senators fighting on the Senate floor to reauthorize it. Greenberg Traurig was actively lobbying for the same bill at the time.

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Even after the measure failed, Senator Cornyn lamented the programs expiration, saying he supported its resources it delivers to the community and sought to improve the integrity and security of the system.

In 2022, Cornyn voted for the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which reauthorized the EB-5 Regional Center Program through 2027  a major victory for Greenberg Traurig.

When the Biden administration later attempted to tighten oversight of the program, Cornyn joined Democrats Jerry Nadler and Chuck Schumer to block the measure. GT publicly praised his intervention. We are very pleased that Congress is providing guidance to the agency, said GT partner Laura Foote Reiff at the time.

The firm, meanwhile, continued to promote itself as a go-to industry leader in EB-5 applications, boasting over $12 billion in structured deals.

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By 2025, Greenberg Traurig was fighting to preserve the program against President Trumps proposed Gold Card visa reform, and once again, Cornyn stepped in.

Theres an EB-5 visa program that Ive been working on for many years with Senator Grassley, Cornyn told reporters in April. That would be something that would be added on top, not in lieu, of the EB-5.

The Senators defense came despite mounting evidence of fraud and foreign manipulation within the program.

Chinese Influence and Haleys Client List

By 2025, Haley Cornyn finally began registering lobbying clients, and many of them directly benefited from the same visa system her father was working to preserve.

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Among them was Citigroup, a financial institution that profits from EB-5 bridge financing and escrow services, and Alibaba, a Chinese company with deep connections to the Chinese Communist Party.

In fiscal year 2024, nearly 70 percent of EB-5 visas went to Chinese nationals, according to federal data. Congressional critics have repeatedly warned that the program is being abused by the CCP.

A 2023 Breitbart investigation found that Chinese EB-5 investors financed the purchase of a Texas state park  raising alarms about foreign money influencing local development.

So why does Senator Cornyn continue to defend a program so widely condemned for corruption and foreign exploitation, one that enriches his daughters firm and clients?

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Ms. Cornyns connection to Alibaba has been flagged by prominent right-wing media personalities, such as Laura Loomer, who called out Cornyn and Hayley.

Senator John Cornyn, a U.S. Senator for Texas since 2002, has long been associated with policies prioritizing state and national security. However, his daughters lobbying for a CCP-linked company raises questions about the alignment of such activities with the need to safeguard Texans data privacy and our national security in the U.S. It also exposes how the CCP has direct ties to U.S. Senators via their familys self enrichment through cushy lobby positions that benefit our foreign adversaries, Loomer posted on X in the summer of 2025.

Patterns of Influence: Big Pharma and Beyond

This pattern stretches back well before Ms. Cornyns tenure at Greenberg Traurig.

During her early years at HillCo Partners, Ms.Cornyn lobbied for some of the most powerful pharmaceutical firms in the world, including PhRMA, the industrys main lobbying arm.

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In 2010 and 2011, PhRMA led an aggressive campaign to dismantle the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), a key Obamacare entity designed to cap Medicare costs. Just weeks after PhRMAs leadership announced this as a top priority, Senator Cornyn introduced legislation in the Senate to weaken or eliminate the board, aligning directly with the organizations demands.

Similarly, one of Ms. Cornyns former clients, Roche Diagnostics Corp, was among those poised to benefit from Senator Cornyns 2012 effort to repeal a medical device tax before it took effect. Roche later reported that the tax had cost it over $30 million in its first year, savings that Cornyns legislation would have prevented.

Questions That Demand Answers

The trail of overlap between Haley Cornyns lobbying and Senator John Cornyns legislative agenda is long  and raises serious ethical questions that Texans deserve answers to.

How did a young lobbyist with limited experience secure multimillion-dollar clients so quickly? Why did she spend five years at one of Americas largest lobbying firms without registering a single client? Why do her fathers votes, letters, and public advocacy so often align with her firms financial interests and her clients priorities?

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And perhaps most importantly, has Senator Cornyns office ever been used to advance private business interests connected to his daughters career?

A Case Study in Washingtons Nepo Corruption

The parallels between Haley Cornyns trajectory and her fathers political power suggest a Washington family benefiting from access, influence, and insider privilege  a dynamic reminiscent of the Biden family influence-peddling controversies Senator Cornyn himself has criticized.

Greenberg Traurig, HillCo Partners, and PhRMA have all made millions from the policies Senator Cornyn supported. That record leaves Texans asking the same questions about loyalty and accountability that Cornyn once demanded of others.

The web of relationships, campaign donations, and legislative actions may never be fully transparent. But the questions surrounding the Cornyn familys entanglement in lobbying and lawmaking demand answers.

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Until those answers are provided, the appearance of corruption and erosion of public trust will only deepen.

The Dallas Express reached out to Senator John Cornyns office, his campaign, and Haley Cornyns employer, Greenberg Traurig, for comment, but did not receive a response. This story will be updated if responses are received.
A top adviser who pressed for thousands of job cuts has left the Department of Health and Human Services  and landed another prominent role at the Navy, the two agencies have confirmed.

Rachel Riley is replacing Rear Admiral Kurt J. Rothenhaus as chief of naval research. Rothenhaus had held the job, which disburses billions of dollars in grants and contracts, since June 2023.

According to a document POLITICO reviewed, Riley, a former partner at the blue chip consulting firm McKinsey & Company who joined HHS as part of the unofficial Department of Government Efficiency in January, was the driving force behind an attempt to lay off nearly 8,000 employees at the end of September. POLITICO first reported on the plan on Friday.

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Agency officials rejected the plan. The National Institutes of Health, which was asked to cut 4,545 positions, cut no one. Other agencies made cuts, but not nearly as many as Riley had recommended. HHS originally fired 1,760 workers on Oct. 10, then backtracked, blaming a coding error. Nine hundred and fifty-four jobs remain on the chopping block, though a federal court has stopped them for now.

A month after Rileys push, the senior adviser is no longer at HHS. She did not respond to requests for comment.

POLITICO has learned from three officials inside the administration, granted anonymity to discuss the staff reshuffle, that Riley will start working in the Office of Naval Research, the Navy's science and technology arm.

Congress created the Office of Naval Research in 1946 to fund Navy and Marine Corps research. Riley will manage the office's $2.5 billion budget.

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HHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Rich Danker confirmed Rileys move to the Navy. In an email to POLITICO, Danker wrote: We appreciate the work Rachel Riley did for HHS to improve and right size the agency across its structure, programs, and grants.

For Riley the move means a new beginning after tumultuous months.

This spring, as Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency cuts swept through HHS, Riley and Brad Smith, who led the DOGE effort at the health department, came under fire for their secretive handling of the firings.

As POLITICO has reported, Riley was criticized for not sharing data files with career staff responsible for carrying out the spring layoffs, leading to bottlenecks and confusions. Behind the scenes at HHS, Rileys proposed cuts repeatedly sparked turmoil in recent months.

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A senior HHS official granted anonymity to discuss confidential matters, told POLITICO on Tuesday: No one wanted to work with her anymore. She was annoying everyone.

Others were far more positive. One official at HHS, who was granted anonymity to discuss the move, said Riley had helped reorganize the department in a short period of time, adding that She got rid of some programs and reshaped others that were outdated. She has brought strong analysis to the problems.

According to her LinkedIn profile, before starting to work for HHS in January, Riley spent eight and a half years at McKinsey, rising to partner.

On LinkedIn, Riley, a Rhodes scholar who went to South Carolinas Wofford College after growing up in the state, writes that her work at the firm included advising her state and government clients on "organizational transformation and organizational design for efficiency and speed." She says she specializes in leading large, complex transformations with a wide range of stakeholders.

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I have been working on a range of confidential projects since Inauguration, her profile says.

In September, Riley pushed for the near-dissolution of the NIHs Center for Scientific Review, a roughly 500-person division that reviews grant applications at the health research agency, POLITICO learned. The document reviewed by POLITICO shows almost all the positions in the division were slated for elimination.

Should those cuts have been made, grant-making, among the agency's core functions, would have ground to a halt. More broadly, laying off 4,545 employees at NIH would have amounted to cutting nearly a quarter of the agency's workforce.

Jack Detsch contributed to this story.

Tim Rohn is a global reporter at Axel Springer and head of investigations for WELT, POLITICO Germany and Business Insider Germany.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed Wednesday that members of the National Guard were briefly sent to Portland, Ore., earlier this month despite a judges order barring their deployment.

Jean Lin, a DOJ lawyer, told U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut that Oregon National Guard troops were dispatched to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building sometime (around) 11 on Oct. 4 and completed the shift until 2 a.m. on Oct. 5.

But at 3:40 p.m. on Oct. 4, Immergut had down a temporary restraining order, or TRO, blocking the administrations use of Oregon troops called into federal service. She placed restrictions on all guard troops the next day in a second order.

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Well discuss later whether thats contempt and in direct violation of my TRO, but were moving on, the judge said.

At the start of the trial Thursday, DOJ lawyers contended that Lins explanation was misinterpreted. They said that seven to 10 troops were deployed around 11 a.m. and the government does not know when exactly they left, additionally suggesting that the 2 a.m. time Lin referenced was in Central time, and the troops may have left at midnight local time.

However, Immergut noted that even if the shift ended at midnight, her restraining order would still have been in effect, which the DOJ lawyers acknowledged.

U.S. Northern Command, which oversees the National Guard troops who have been federalized, declined to provide additional information or comment, citing the ongoing litigation.

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The disclosure came on the first day of a trial in Portland over President Trumps efforts to deploy military troops to patrol the citys streets.

State and city officials who sued have asked Immergut to block Trumps bid to send in the National Guard, after the president deemed the city war-ravaged and vowed to protect it.

Caroline Turco, a lawyer representing Portland, said during opening arguments that the evidence would show that the city does not need the National Guard, while the government contended that Congress endowed the president with vast latitude to decide when calling in the troops is warranted.

The troops remain barred from being deployed, for now, as Immerguts orders are intact.

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A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit paused one of the orders last week, but the appeals court vacated that decision late Tuesday, saying the full court would rehear the case.

Trump has also attempted to send the National Guard to other Democratic-led cities, with varying success. Troops are deployed in California and Washington, D.C., but courts have so far blocked deployment in Illinois. Legal challenges are pending in each state.

The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to let the president send troops to the Chicago area, but it has not yet ruled. On Wednesday, the justices asked for additional information, signaling a decision could be weeks away.

Updated Oct. 30 at 1:23 p.m. EDT

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Those who brought a lawsuit alleging sexual assault and battery by Dolton Trustee Andrew Holmes say the Dolton Village Board approved a settlement agreement before by both sides agreed.

Attorney Eric White, who is representing the plaintiffs said Wednesday the village mischaracterized the status of the lawsuit that is still pending. The plaintiffs include a former village and Thornton Township employee who claims Holmes drugged and sexually assaulted her on a 2023 work trip to Las Vegas,

The village declined to provide details of the settlement agreements after they were approved Oct. 6, saying they had not yet been finalized or signed. The lawsuit names Holmes, the village, Thornton Township, and former Dolton Mayor and Thornton Township Supervisor Tiffany Henyard as defendants.

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During a Dolton meeting Oct. 20, village attorney Michael McGrath said the boards approval of a settlement agreements took people by surprise, and said the case is still open.

We thought we had that settled, but the plaintiffs in that case backtracked and that is not settled on behalf of the village, McGrath said.

White said the plaintiffs had not reviewed the terms of the settlement agreements before they went up for vote.

The former employees settlement was approved 5-0, while the settlement for the other plaintiff, a member of Henyards security detail on the trip, was approved despite Trustee Stan Brown voting no and Trustee Kiana Belcher voting present.

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My clients never backtracked on any settlement agreement because there was no final agreement, White said. My clients simply refused to agree on the terms you wanted to include as part of the settlement, which they were well within their lawful rights to do.

White said McGrath, on behalf of the village, declined to negotiate a new settlement agreement.

We were told that there would be no further offers, which in my view is clearly bad faith negotiation, White said.

White said the plaintiffs took issue with certain aspects of the villages the proposal, including that Dolton planned to pick up the bill for Thornton Township and remove Holmes and Henyard from the lawsuit. White said he is now preparing to take the case to trial but is open to returning to the bargaining table.

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The village attorney has my number, he said.

Attorneys for the village were not immediately available to comment Wednesday on the lawsuit and approved settlements.

In the lawsuit, the former employee alleged while she worked for Dolton and Thornton Township, she went out for dinner with Holmes, whom she thought of as an uncle. The woman later reported feeling disoriented, told him so and blacked out, according to the suit.

That night, Holmes called a member of Henyards security detail and described a host of his exploits from the trip, many of a sexual nature, according to the lawsuit. Holmes allegedly made reference to engaging in sexual activities with the employee and on a video call showed both himself shirtless and the woman, who was partially undressed.

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The security officer met with the employee to relay the information provided by Holmes, the lawsuit states, and in significant distress, she requested a meeting with Henyard. Henyard allegedly told her that if news of the incident got out, Henyard would be ruined and all of the work she had done would be lost, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit states Henyard asked the officer why the trustee would have called him, and he said he didnt know other than to brag. Henyard in a legal response denied these and other allegations.

According to the lawsuit, the former employee sought damages for the alleged sexual assault as well as for Holmes sharing private sexual images without her consent. She notified Judge Jerry Esrig in August that she switched attorneys from Sweeney Sharkey LLC to Eric M. White.
COATES: Well, lets talk about what many Americans right now are ruing, and thats the day the shutdown happened, and it continues on what? What date? Twenty-nine. Are we at this point in time? Its unbelievable.

Think about, Karen, on Capitol Hill, the majority leader, John Thune. He is putting a lot of pressure, as we speak, on Democrats. And he was laying blame right at their feet, which Democrats anticipate and have rejected, over SNAP benefits that are expiring at the  for the very first time. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THUNE: SNAP recipients shouldnt go without food. People should be getting paid in this country. And weve tried to do that 13 times. You voted no 13 times. This isnt a political game. These are real peoples lives that were talking about. And you all just figured out, 29 days in, that, oh, there might be some consequences.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COATES: Hmm. They just figured out.

FINNEY: Its a beautiful performance, right?

LUNTZ: Its not a performance.

FINNEY: It is a performance.

LUNTZ: Its not a performance. I know him.

FINNEY: Frank, youre not talking.

LUNTZ: I know him.

FINNEY: I am talking.

LUNTZ: Im talking.

FINNEY: No. I was answering a question.

LUNTZ: Tell the truth.

FINNEY: You need to not 

LUNTZ: Tell the truth.

FINNEY:  and let me finish the answer.

LUNTZ: Then tell the truth.

COATES: I want to hear from both  I want to hear from both of you.

FINNEY: Dont you dare accuse me of lying!

LUNTZ: John Thune. I know John Thune. He was not in performance.

COATES: Hold on a second. Hold on a second. I hear you both. I want to hear from all of you. Start your response, please.

FINNEY: Thank you.

COATES: If you want to inject at that point, please do. But I want to hear what youd say. And if youre not being truthful, Im sure itll take you to task.

FINNEY: Yes. I felt like that was a performance. What I was going to say is right after that, the Republicans blocked a measure that would have  that was put forward by Democrats that would have actually said, lets go ahead and put some money into SNAP.

But one of the other things that I think Democrats are so enraged about, how about the resistance (ph) package that took $200 billion  million dollars away from SNAP benefits? I mean, Republicans are upset because now, their voters are about to have consequences.
Amber Rasmussen and Athena Klingerman, two women who met after enduring abuse by the same man, banded together to create a podcast to tell women one thing: dont date Brandon Johnson. Now, their story and the Washington natives long history of troubling behavior toward women going back more than two decades is being explored in a new Paramount+ docuseries, Dont Date Brandon.

The three-part series chronicles Rasmussen and Klingermans experiences with Johnson, whom the former compares to a hurricane on the show, and how their podcast, Ex-Wives Undcover, helped stop Johnson and give a voice to those who had survived him, People reported.

Read on for more about the docuseries, what happened in real life, and where Johnson is now.

Rasmussen and Klingerman discovered they had very similar experiences with Johnson

Johnson and Klingerman met on Match.com in 2007, per People. The couple welcomed their daughter Sydney two years later, and in 2011, Johnson and Klingerman got married. Klingerman said on Dont Date Brandon that their relationship started to sour a few weeks later, and it was revealed that Johnson was cheating on her and mistreated her daughter, Lexus, from a previous relationship.

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When Klingerman tried to end the marriage, she claimed in the docuseries that Johnson refused to move out of their home and threatened suicide, People reported. Klingerman and Johnson divorced in 2012.

A year later, Johnson met Rasmussen on Tinder, according to The Sacramento Bee. He proposed in January 2014 and the couple got married in May 2017. Like Klingerman, Rasmussen started to wonder about Johnsons questionable behavior, including claims he made that he had leukemia. On Dont Date Brandon, Rasmussen said Johnson never allowed her to go to treatment or doctor visits with her, prompting her suspicions.

Rasmussen later learned that Johnson was using dating apps to talk to other women and went as far as pretending to be Klingerman on a shared family app to manipulate the two women, People reported. Rasmussen eventually decided to reach out to Klingerman, and when the two women exchanged stories, they realized theyd gone through very similar things with Johnson.

Johnson allegedly threatened to kill himself and Klingerman after Rasmussen asked for a divorce

After looking into Johnson, the women discovered that the Washington natives violent history with women stretched far beyond their relationships with him. In 1992, when Johnson was a student at Aberdeen High School in Washington, the Washington native started dating a classmate named Kelly. Soon thereafter, Johnson allegedly became controlling and possessive, Kelly said on Dont Date Brandon.

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There was times when I really wanted to be just with my friends, but that wasnt allowed, she said in the docuseries, per People. He always wanted to be there.

Rasmussen and Klingerman discovered Johnsons record, which includes three charges of domestic violence and one of entrapment. For the latter, he got a suspended sentence, according to The Sacramento Bee.

After Rasmussen told Johnson that she wanted a divorce on Valentines Day 2019, Johnson allegedly threatened to kill Klingerman and himself, Rasmussen said on Dont Date Brandon. Shortly afterward, Johnson was arrested and charged with unlawful imprisonment and threatening to kill Klingerman, and a court ordered him to stay away from both women for five years, People reported.

Johnson stayed away for a few weeks, disappearing from Rasmussens and Klingermans lives before he reappeared at Sydneys school. She got into his car and secretly texted Klingerman, who recounted on Dont Date Brandon that she immediately contacted the police. Police then found Johnson, and a high-speed chase ensued. Later, police backed off, as they feared for Sydneys safety and Johnson got away. He eventually left Sydney at a local pizza restaurant and Klingerman picked her up.

Klingerman and Rasmussen created a podcast, Ex-Wives Undercover, to protect women from Johnson

Klingerman and Rasmussen created Ex-Wives Undercover in 2020 to share their stories and protect women from Johnson.

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What started as two women trying to make sense of their trauma turned into something so much bigger, Rasmussen told the Portland Tribune. We turned our pain into purpose, and if that helps protect even one person, then weve done what we set out to do.

Ex-Wives Undercover also gave a voice to more alleged victims, including a woman named Rachel, who Johnson started dating in March 2021. When she tried to end the relationship, he refused and allegedly placed listening devices in her home and a GPS tracker on her sons car, friends of Rachel said on Dont Date Brandon, according to People.

Rachel was granted a protective order prohibiting Johnson from contacting her in 2022. But it wasnt enough to keep him away from her, People reported. He allegedly broke into her home a few weeks later in the middle of the night, threatened her and sexually assaulted her. About a month later, on March 11, 2022, Johnson returned to Rachels home. She was in her bedroom with a friend named Austin when Johnson broke in armed with a taser and knife. Video footage shows Johnson attacking Rachel and Austin.

Austin was able to overpower Johnson long enough for Rachel to call 911. Johnson tried to escape while being handcuffed by authorities and he was tased by police. They found handcuffs in his car and duct tape hidden inside his jacket.

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Including Rasmussen, Klingerman and Rachel, Johnson has reportedly victimized at least six women in three different states, The Sacramento Bee reported.



Johnson is serving a 10-year sentence at a state prison in California

Johnson was charged with assault and attempted kidnapping with the intent to commit rape in Rachels case in 2023. He is now serving a 10-year sentence at a state prison in California, The Sacramento Bee reported. Following a separate criminal proceeding from 2019, Johnson also admitted to 10 counts of first-degree attempted theft for stealing $392,000 from his former employer, HTC. For that case, a judge sentenced Johnson to 36 months in prison to be served alongside his 10-year sentence.

Johnson also agreed to be registered as a sex offender in California, where he abused Rachel, for life under the terms of his plea deal.

Johnson will be eligible for parole in May 2027. In Dont Date Brandon, he claims many of the allegations against him are fabricated.

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Looking back over the years, I wish the legal system had stepped in to offer me more help. Seeing a pattern of off-the-wall behavior, the most that ever happened was fines, he wrote to The Sacramento Bee in January 2023.

Dont Date Brandon is available for streaming on Paramount+.







The post Dont Date Brandon: Whats The True Story And What Did He Allegedly Do To His Ex-Wives? appeared first on Blavity.
President Donald Trump is no stranger to making controversial comments. He recently shared that he wanted to run for a third presidential term. He has even sold Trump 2028 merchandise in his online store. He thinks he is doing such a great job with the country that he shouldnt have to leave office when his term ends. However, the United States Constitution ensures that each president can only serve two four-year terms. Since Trump was president from 2016 until 2020, he is ineligible to run again.

He has shared his ideas that could keep him in the White House longer than he should. While he seemed pretty convinced he could find a loophole or ignore the Constitution entirely, he has begun to backtrack.

Donald Trump has said it is pretty clear he cannot run for President again

Photo Credit: Kent Nishimura via Getty Images

The 22nd Amendment, which was ratified in the 1950s, prevents candidates from serving two terms. However, Trump loyalist Steve Bannon recently shared that he was confident Trump would remain in office past 2028. Trump has hinted at that before, but now, he seems to be walking back that talk.

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Its a very interesting thing, Trump told reporters in South Korea on October 29th, as reported by Deadline. I have the best polling numbers for any president in many years. Any president. I would say that if you read it, its pretty clear. Im not allowed to run. Its too bad. But we have a lot of great people.

House Speaker Mike Johnson claimed that Trump was only joking when he had made previous comments about running again in 2028. He claimed that he is simply trolling Democrats. I dont see a way to amend the Constitution, because it takes about 10 years to do that, he said. I dont see a path to that. For now, Trump is taking back his comments about trying out another presidential bid.

TELL US  DO YOU BELIEVE TRUMP WILL TRY TO RUN AGAIN IN 2028?

The post Donald Trump Dismisses Third Run as President After Previous Teases: Im Not Allowed appeared first on Reality Tea.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A bank and financial services company is donating refurbished computers to three Sioux Falls non-profits. Pathward, formerly known as MetaBank, dropped off the computers at St. Francis House today. For guests, like Devontae, having access to a computer can be a game-changer.

Be able to apply for jobs, do their onboarding, do virtual interviews,  said Julie Becker.

Prison official has faith-based idea for SD committee

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20 computers arrived Wednesday, and it didnt take long for them to be put to use.

Working with St. Francis House we knew there was a need, and there were a lot of guests at St. Francis House who were looking for jobs and leveraging computers to do so we also know that one they leave St Francis House it could be a valuable tool for them to take with them, said Catherine McGlown, Senior Vice President of Communication Pathward.

For the guests here at the St. Francis House, not only are they getting to use the computers, they are being taught how to put together a resume. The St Francis House offers its guests an employability class that Pathward supports with dollars and volunteers. Just today, there was a sense of accomplishment for a guest who landed a job that pays 22 dollars an hour.

For us, this is exciting because we had laptops available and we are thinking how we can make the best use of these, said McGlown.

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If we had to buy the computers, first of all, for the employability class, that is quite expensive, especially at the times that all of us non-profits are struggling, but for us as well as McCrossen and the Veterans Community program to get each 20 laptops, this is just amazing, said Becker.

Pathward will deliver laptops to the McCrossan Boys Ranch and the Veterans Community Project will next week

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
After weeks of political stalemate, Washington took notice on Monday when the countrys largest federal workers union urged Congress to bring to an immediate end the nearly month-long government shutdown. Everett Kelley, the national president of the American Federation of Government Employees described the shutdown as an avoidable crisis and effectively called on Democrats to join Republicans in voting to end it right away.

The statement  from a union that has long endorsed Democrats  represented a dramatic break from what had been the party line: No continuing resolution without a vote to extend health care subsidies. On Capitol Hill, Republicans were gleeful. Democrats, meanwhile, were stuck trying to balance their professed love for hard-hit federal workers against vocal demands from their base calling on the party to stick to its guns.

In an interview with POLITICO Magazine, Kelley said he made no apology for the unions decision and had to do what was best for his workers.

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I don't feel like I owe anybody, he said. Federal employees are suffering.

The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

What made you decide to call on Congress on Monday to immediately end the government shutdown?

Well, it actually started [last] Thursday, when I woke up, turned on my television, and the first thing I see is federal employees standing in food lines. You know, it just has been long enough. This issue should be resolved.

Yeah, here in Washington, D.C., we are seeing reports that federal workers are lining up at food banks. What are you hearing from your members about how they are struggling and what they are doing to get by?

Well, several things are happening. First of all, they are very distressed. They are very upset. They are angry. Many of them are taking on additional jobs to try to make ends meet. Some are borrowing money from family, friends, lending institutions, you name it. They're doing whatever it takes to survive. And in the world that we live in, nobody should have to work two jobs or three jobs in order to survive.

Prior to this announcement, did you talk to any Democratic lawmakers to let them know about your plans or to feel them out?

I spoke to, probably, I'm not going to say all of them, but I spoke to plenty of Democratic lawmakers about my position.

Did you talk to them to let them know that you were about to make this statement?

I did.

And what was their response?

Well, of course, they didn't agree. But, you know, I'm here to represent federal employees, and they understood that.

Your statement didnt appear to have an immediate impact on the debate, though its possible things may be shifting. Were you disappointed by the reaction to your statement in the short term?

Well, I certainly hope that it's a long-term fix. I do think that there is some movement, because prior to me making a statement, nobody was even talking to each other, but I do think that there is some discussion going on right now.

Youre talking about bipartisan talks?

Yes.

And you think that your statement has helped facilitate that?

Absolutely.

In a post on X following the AFGEs announcement, Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) wrote, Even a union that backed Kamala Harris admits it: Democrats caused this shutdown. Pass the clean CR. Reopen the government! Im interested in your response to this statement, because in one sense, this is a misrepresentation of your statement

Absolutely. I'm not here trying to point fingers at any party. Because I represent Democrats, and I represent Republicans. I represent independents. I'm here trying to make sure that federal employees are not used as political parties.

It is a misrepresentation of your statement, but it is also putting pressure on Democrats to reopen the government, which is your goal. So I wanted to get your reaction to Banks statement.

Well, certainly, I want the government reopened. Ive made that point clear from the very beginning. When they were talking about shutting it down, I told everyone that I could talk to that I disagree. And I don't care who's in control of the presidency, of the House, of the Senate. I've always opposed a government shutdown. I will always oppose a government shutdown because federal employees should never be used as pawns in this political game.

Your statement in favor of the clean CR to reopen the government was widely interpreted as a break with Democrats. Was that your intent?

No, no, no, no. My intent was simply to raise awareness to the fact that federal employees are suffering, and you all do whatever is necessary to get the government opened.

Were you conscious when you were preparing your statement that it could be interpreted as a break with Democrats?

To be honest, I didn't even think about that. I was just trying to get the point made that it's time to end the shutdown. Too many federal employees are suffering as a result of it.

The AFGE is a longtime ally of the Democratic Party, and Democrats have been far more supportive of union priorities than Republicans in recent years. Do you feel you owe anything to the Democratic Party during a difficult political battle like this? Do you owe them your support?

I don't feel like I owe anybody. You know, I think that whoever's standing for federal employees and their rights; that's who I support. And in this instance, federal employees are suffering. I'm not trying to support any entity over the other. I'm simply trying to represent the federal employee.

Do you feel like Democrats in Congress have been responsive to the needs of your members during the shutdown?

I think that in some cases, yeah.

In what case, for example?

Well, I think that many Democrats have shown interest in what's happening with federal employees. Some have even gone overboard to say, You know what, we're going to make sure that there are resources for them to tap into, if they need loans, if they need various things. So I think so.

Do you think the Democratic strategy with regard to the shutdown has been effective?

I certainly think that the point has been made, as I said before.

Do you think it was worth it for congressional Democrats to fight for ACA subsidies?

Listen, I am not trying to say that ACA is not important. I think it's vitally important, okay? I just don't think that it should be done holding federal employees hostage. And I do need to back up and say that I brought, I've had some Democratic representatives, senators, congressmen visit the airports to carry food to the employees and show that appreciation.

During the shutdown?

Yeah, during the shutdown. When you asked the question earlier, it just didnt cross my mind. But when I think about it, I've had that, and I appreciate that. You know, they showed their appreciation, and I want to show mine. But at the same time, I want to make sure that these employees  some of them are single mothers that have children to feed  I want to make sure that they can feed those children without any additional stress. Its stressful enough what they have gone through over these last few months.

Youve been battling the administrations efforts to mass-fire federal employees and dismantle federal agencies. In terms of your calculus in making this statement, was there any hope that by pushing for an end to the shutdown now, you might be able to reduce the animosity with the Trump administration and potentially make federal workers less of a target for layoffs by the Trump administration?

Well, that wasnt in my calculation. But I'm always eager to try to make life better for federal employees. And if there are entities out there that don't understand why federal employees exist, what it is that you do every day, then I'm open to having conversations so that I can try to get them to that point.

Are you concerned that by pushing Democrats to end the shutdown without obtaining the concessions that they're seeking, you may be emboldening the Trump administration that's already been so extraordinarily hostile to your members?

Well, I certainly hope that that's not the case. Like I said before, I've already seen some movement as far as the two sides talking to each other. Prior to me issuing that statement, that was no conversation between the two sides, but now I understand that they are talking.

Based on prior shutdowns, how quickly does back pay arrive once things return to normal?

Well, that varies. I don't know the exact answer to that. But just think about it, 35 days, and if it was another week that was 42 days. And the employees that I represent are just like the rest of America. You know, 65 percent of them live from paycheck to paycheck, so they were already hurting 15 days into this process.

Trump signed an executive order in March aimed at stripping most federal workers of their rights to collectively bargain. Going forward, what recourse do you have?

That's one thing we will always do. We will continue to fight any administration when they are attacking federal employees or they are violating their rights. Just yesterday, we won another preliminary injunction against this administration for illegally trying to fire employees while they are being furloughed. And we will continue to do that, because it doesn't matter whose administration, whos in charge, if you are violating the rights of federal employees, we're going to stand up for federal employees.

In the case that you are referring to, a federal judge on Tuesday effectively put a stop to any shutdown-related RIFs. If the government reopens, how concerned are you that layoffs will proceed as they were prior to the shutdown without this judicial shield?

Well, if they are violating federal employees' rights, we're going to be standing and we're going to be ready to file lawsuits or whatever we need to do to protect their rights. I think that the government, if they follow rules and regulations, there are certain things they can do. We're not saying anything about that. It's when they are doing things that are illegal.

How did the Trump administration's hostility to unions factor into your decision to call on Congress to end the shutdown?

Again, my main concern was the employees that I represent. I didn't give thought to the hostility, because it's not about that with me. This is not about partisan politics. Thats the thing Im trying to escape from.

Last question. What would you say to people who dont think federal employees should be able to join a union in the first place?

I would say that they evidently don't care about democracy in this country, okay? Because it's through unions that we have checks and balances. It's through unions that we get an opportunity to say to management and give an alternative to some of their issues [at the workplace]. So, I would say theyre just misinformed.


As funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is set to run out on Nov. 1 amid the ongoing government shutdown, some meal and grocery delivery services are offering help to those affected.

Wisconsin's version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, FoodShare, provides food aid to individuals who meet income certain requirements. The program is funded entirely by the federal government. Nearly 700,000 Wisconsin residents are FoodShare recipients.

While food banks will likely bear the brunt of the lapse in SNAP benefits funding, some companies and local grocery stores are providing some relief.

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Here are some of the discounts available in November for those impacted by the food assistance benefits pause.

SNAP recipients can get $50 off groceries through Gopuff

Grocery delivery company, Gopuff, is offering $50 off groceries for SNAP recipients in November. The deal is available in two waves throughout the month, $25 each, for use on SNAP-eligible items.

To access the Gopuff discount, SNAP recipients should do the following:

Add their SNAP EBT card to their Gopuff account. Add SNAP-eligible groceries to their cart. From Nov. 1-15: Use code SNAPRELIEF1 to checkout for $25 off SNAP-eligible items and free delivery. From Nov. 16-30: Use code SNAPRELIEF2 at checkout for $25 off SNAP-eligible items and free delivery.

DoorDash delivery fees waived for SNAP recipients

On one order in November, SNAP recipients can use DoorDash without paying extra delivery or service fees, the company announced in a news release on Oct. 26. The company estimates it will waive fees on roughly 300,000 orders as part of the promotion.

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Users who have entered their SNAP/EBT card as a payment in the app will see a promo code in the app that can be used to redeem the offer from Nov. 1 to Nov. 3, according to DoorDash.

Orders must be placed at an eligible store which includes the following:

Dollar General

Food Lion

Sprouts

Schnucks

Giant Foods

The GIANT Company

Hannaford

Stop & Shop

Hy-Vee

Giant Eagle

Wegmans

Milwaukee area pantries and businesses offer free or low-cost food assistance

In Milwaukee, those impacted by the lapse in SNAP benefit funding can also look to local pantries and some area businesses for food assistance.

A full list of food assistance resources and pantry locations in the Milwaukee area can be found here.

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Milwaukee leaders and organizations have partnered to launch a food drive to support families affected by the pause. The drive began Oct. 28 and will run until FoodShare benefits are restored.

Looking to donate? Here's a guide on ways you can help.

Anna Kleiber can be reached at akleiber@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: SNAP recipients can receive delivery discounts from Gopuff, DoorDash
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Business owners downtown are calling for an immediate fix to the steam heating system issues. Representing the 28 buildings being affected by the removal of downtowns steam unit, business owners are coming together, urging a short-term plan for winter heating.

Ryan Kelly is one of the owners of the Ohio One Building. There are 28 properties currently on the steam system. A majority of those owners want to stop placing blame and focus on their number one priority.

To have a unified front on how we want to attack this and then make sure that we have steam throughout the winter, Kelly said.

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Its just as important to Wesbanco as it is to City Hall, or even for steam to reach the Vindicator Building. Kelly believes there could be a cost to inaction.

The issue is these buildings could literally start to crumble if steam is not pumped through them, he said.

The building owners, or downtown Steam Customer Group want to focus on a solution, have stability, and release a burden of possible capital expenditure to move off steam.

Were all looking at a million-dollar capital expenditure that nobody had planned to make; nobody would like to make, and long term, it still doesnt provide stability, Kelly said.

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The group is engaged with politicians and wants to focus on a long-term solution. It fears what could happen without one, but believes this is a unique opportunity to find something possibly innovative, too.

Unanimously, we all would like to stay on steam. A centralized district heating option makes sense for our urban corridor here, both financially and just efficiently, Kelly said.

Early this month, Wabash Power Equipment reclaimed its unit due to a lack of payment from Sobe Thermal Energy Systems.

After an attempt to use Youngstown State Universitys steam-generation plan failed, leaving the buildings without hot water and heat, businesses are coming together to reach a solution.

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The Downtown Steam Customer Group is working to unify the business owners and partners, including Congresswoman Lauren McNally, Senator Al Cutrona, U.S. Representative

Michael Rulli, Youngstown State University, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, and Governor Mike

DeWine.

The cost of inaction is too high for our buildings, our tenants, and our local economy. At the same time, every crisis creates rare opportunities: a chance to innovate, adapt, and transform in ways we might never have imagined, Kelly said.

Despite Mayor Tito Browns letters urging emergency relief, no motion has been put in place to provide heating.

As winter approaches, the group plans to create a short-term fix while also drawing inspiration from other cities as a long-term solution. The group says it will continue meeting to halt blame and ensure stability within these downtown businesses.

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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.
Communities across the northern Caribbean are grappling with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, as the death toll from the catastrophic storm continues to climb.

In southeast Jamaica, the rumble of heavy machinery, chainsaws, and machetes fills the air.

Government workers and residents are clearing roads in a push to reach isolated communities, which sustained a direct hit from one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record.

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Stunned residents wander through the wreckage, many staring at their roofless homes and waterlogged belongings.

"I dont have a house now," lamented Sylvester Guthrie, a distressed resident of Lacovia in St. Elizabeth, clutching his bicycle  his only possession of value left after the storm.

The sanitation worker pleaded, "I have land in another location that I can build back but I am going to need help."

Emergency relief flights have begun landing at Jamaicas main international airport, which reopened late on Wednesday. Crews are now distributing water, food, and other basic supplies to those in need.

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The devastation is enormous, Jamaican Transportation Minister Daryl Vaz said.

The church of Lacovia Tombstone, Jamaica, sits damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Wednesday (AP)

Some Jamaicans wondered where they would live.

I am now homeless, but I have to be hopeful because I have life, said Sheryl Smith, who lost the roof of her home.

Authorities said they have found at least four bodies in southwest Jamaica.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said up to 90 per cent of roofs in the southwest coastal community of Black River were destroyed.

Black River is what you would describe as ground zero, he said. The people are still coming to grips with the destruction.

More than 25,000 people remained crowded into shelters across the western half of Jamaica, with 77 per cent of the island without power.

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Melissa also unleashed catastrophic flooding in Haiti, where at least 25 people were reported killed and 18 others missing, mostly in the countrys southern region.

Steven Guadard, who lives in Petit-Goave, said Melissa killed his entire family.

I had four children at home: a 1-month-old baby, a 7-year-old, an 8-year-old and another who was about to turn 4, he said.

The image shows neighboarhood in White House, Jamaica, before Hurricane Melissa (Vantor/AFP)

Haitis Civil Protection Agency said Hurricane Melissa killed at least 20 people in Petit-Goave, including 10 children. It also damaged more than 160 homes and destroyed 80 others.

Officials warned that 152 disabled people in Haitis southern region required emergency food assistance. More than 11,600 people remained sheltered in Haiti because of the storm.

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Meanwhile, in Cuba, people began to clear blocked roads and highways with heavy equipment and even enlisted the help of the military, which rescued people trapped in isolated communities and at risk from landslides.

No fatalities were reported after the Civil Defense evacuated more than 735,000 people across eastern Cuba. They slowly were starting to return home.

We are cleaning the streets, clearing the way, said Yaima Almenares, a physical education teacher from the city of Santiago, as she and other neighbors swept branches and debris from sidewalks and avenues, cutting down fallen tree trunks and removing accumulated trash.

In the more rural areas outside the city of Santiago de Cuba, water remained accumulated in vulnerable homes on Wednesday night as residents returned from their shelters to save beds, mattresses, chairs, tables and fans they had elevated ahead of the storm.

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A televised Civil Defense meeting chaired by President Miguel Diaz-Canel did not provide an official estimate of the damage.

However, officials from the affected provinces  Santiago, Granma, Holguin, Guantanamo, and Las Tunas  reported losses of roofs, power lines, fiber optic telecommunications cables, cut roads, isolated communities and losses of banana, cassava and coffee plantations.

A car drives through the a destroyed neighborood following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, Jamaica (AFP via Getty Images)

Officials said the rains were beneficial for the reservoirs and for easing a severe drought in eastern Cuba.

Many communities were still without electricity, internet and telephone service due to downed transformers and power lines.

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When Melissa came ashore in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with top winds of 185 mph (295 kph) on Tuesday, it tied strength records for Atlantic hurricanes making landfall, both in wind speed and barometric pressure. It was still a Category 3 hurricane when it made landfall again in eastern Cuba early Wednesday.

A hurricane warning remained in effect late Wednesday for the southeastern and central Bahamas and for Bermuda.

Hurricane conditions were expected to last through the night in the southeastern Bahamas, where dozens of people have been evacuated.

Melissa was a Category 2 storm with top sustained winds near 100 mph (155 kph) late Wednesday and was moving north-northeast at 21 mph (33 kph) according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

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The hurricane was centered about 105 miles (170 kilometers) east-northeast of the central Bahamas and about 800 miles (1,285 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda.

Melissa was forecast to pass near or to the west of Bermuda late Thursday and may strengthen further before weakening.
More than one year after expressing its wish to make the Republic of Panama a global outpost of Bulldog education and outreach, Drake University announced Tuesday it will launch new degree pathways for Panamanian students in partnership with social innovation community organization.

The Des Moines private university will work with Ciudad del Saber, or City of Knowledge, to offer a three-year degree program in which students would earn a bachelors degree in data analytics and a minor in artificial intelligence, according to a news release. Students would also have the option to pursue other programs through a 2+2 model, the release stated, where students would finish their first two years of study in Panama then come to Drake to complete their degrees.

Ciudad del Saber is located in Panama City in front of the Panama Canal, its website stated, and is described as an innovative community that drives social change through humanism, science and business. The campus houses different groups and organizations in education, research, entrepreneurship, science and technology, the release stated.

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At Ciudad del Saber, we are committed to elevating Panamas academic landscape by attracting world-class higher education institutions, said Jorge Arosemena Roman, executive president of the Ciudad del Saber Foundation, in the release. Drake University brings immense value through a cutting-edge program focused on Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence. This initiative will empower local talent, build critical capabilities, and contribute meaningfully to our countrys development.

The accelerated data analytics program will take students three years and one summer to complete, and will be offered entirely on the Ciudad del Saber campus. Those who go through this program will have a guaranteed internship with a leading Panamanian company or organization, the release stated.

Students enrolled in a 2+2 program will spend their first two years in Panama City as well, according to the release, where theyll study liberal arts curriculum as well as data analytics and AI. Once they come to Des Moines to complete their Drake education, students can keep studying these topics or branch out into computer science, information systems, international business or other areas of study, the release stated.

Those studying in the U.S. will have the chance to apply for the federal Operational Practical Training program, the release stated, which would allow them to work in the U.S. for one year, with potential extension.

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This program is built to meet the growing demand for data analysts and artificial intelligence experts worldwide, said Drake University President Marty Martin in the release. With Drakes deep and long-standing ties to the Republic of Panama, a demand for professionals that is outpacing the global talent pipeline, and Panamas position as a thriving hub for the global supply chain, we couldnt be more excited to bring this highly in-demand program to fruition at Ciudad del Saber.

Find this story at Iowa Capital Dispatch, which is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions:kobradovich@iowacapitaldispatch.com

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Drake University partners with Panama innovation hub for new program
A high-speed crash in Philadelphia's Society Hill neighborhood early Sunday morning was caught on home surveillance and dash cameras, showing a driver speeding through the streets before colliding with another vehicle.

Neighbors say they were jolted awake around 1 a.m. by the sound of an SUV racing down Spruce Street. "This sound - bomb bomb," said resident Richard Herskovitz, whose camera recorded the incident.

Herskovitz said the driver sped past his home at an alarming pace. "He was spinning around, and he passed me like 50 miles an hour sideways," he said.

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Joshua Grossman was riding in an Uber near 5th and Spruce Streets when the SUV came barreling through.

"Before I even know what's happening, this guy just comes speeding on by in the bike lane and runs the light, doesn't brake at all before the light," Grossman said.

His Uber's dashcam captured the moment the SUV was struck by a sedan that had the right of way.

"It was just crazy to see. Everything unfolded so quickly - we were screaming," Grossman said.

The crash left behind damaged cars, tire marks, and a dented tree.

"If you look at the tree on the side here, see where it's dented in - so it bounced off that and into the cars across there," Herskovitz added.

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Philadelphia police identified the driver as 43-year-old Terrence Williams, who they say had fled a traffic stop just blocks away on South Front Street.

Williams is now facing charges for fleeing an officer and had multiple outstanding warrants.

Residents say reckless driving is an ongoing concern.

"It's always the people that drive like maniacs and do stuff like that, but nothing happens to them. There is no repercussion," said Lisa Golan, who lives nearby.

Cyclist and safety advocate Joe Piscitello said the community is calling for stronger measures to prevent crashes. It's an effort of many organizations such as 5th Square, Philly Bike Action, Bicycle Coalition, PA Safe Roads PAC, and Bike League DC.

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"We've been advocating that if we slow down the traffic and keep people out of the bike lanes, there's less of a chance of people being injured," he said.

No serious injuries were reported. Police continue to investigate the crash.
Local rideshare drivers rallied against the self-driving car company Waymo on Wednesday as the company plans its rollout in the region.

Members of the Washington Drivers Union called the driverless cars unsafe and said they will destroy local jobs.

The protest took place in Belltown outside an event venue where representatives of Waymo were set to meet with local stakeholders to discuss the apps launch in the Puget Sound.

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Waymo cars have been spotted around the metro for weeks but are not yet available for the publics use.

KIRO 7 spotted around a dozen of the cars, equipped with sensors and computers, staged near the Northgate light rail station.

According to the company, the cars are currently being driven by human beings in order to train them on the areas roads.

Many of the regions rideshare drivers hope the planned rollout does not move forward.

We have a lot of concerns on Waymo, Peter Kuel, president of the Drivers Union, said. Number one is the job issue.

Kuel told KIRO 7 there are around 30,000 rideshare drivers in Washington. Kuel, like many of them, had to adapt when rideshare apps overtook traditional taxis.

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Hes not sure the shift to driverless cars is one he and his members will make it through.

We need our people to have food for their families, Kuel said. Waymo is not going to provide food for the families whose jobs are taken away.

Another concern among the union members was safety; last month, a Waymo was spotted driving around a school bus with its stop sign extended in Atlanta.

First responders told KIRO 7 they are not sure the driverless cars will react the same way as a human being during an emergency.

My biggest concern is that because they are not as good as a human driver, they can impact our ability to respond to an emergency, Salvador Cossio, an EMT who drives ambulances, said. And in those emergencies, seconds can matter.

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Waymo released the following statement to KIRO 7:

Waymo has a proven track record of making transportation safer, more accessible, and more sustainable in the cities we operate. We prioritize learning, engagement and collaboration with local communities and stakeholders to understand their needs and how to serve them best so we can bring the same safe and magical ride-hailing experience that many already enjoy, to Seattle.
Hello, everyone! Weather Specialist Nick Dunn here to give an update on our drought situation. We know it is raining today, but, we get updates each Thursday morning that reflect the prior weeks data! Across the Miami Valley we continue to see improvements for some, however, we are seeing some spots still dealing with intense drought conditions.

You can see where those across the southern Miami Valley are completely removed from even Abnormally Dry conditions. This is thanks to continued rainfall that has allowed for overall drought markers to improve.

Regarding the sharp cutoff in the area, Climatologist Aaron Wilson from Ohio State told me in an interview the cutoff across the northern Miami Valley into northwest Ohio is pretty clear from the evidence. Some of these areas in the last month have picked up maybe one half inch or so, maybe a bit more. With the cooler temperatures we are not losing the moisture as rapidly and drought expansion has slowed.

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Across the northwestern counties from Winchester to Wapakoneta, we still have Severe to Extreme Drought conditions continuing. There was some expansion of Severe Drought into Randolph County and more of Mercer County.

When I asked about soil moisture levels across northwest Ohio and the northern Miami Valley, Wilson tells me the surface does fluctuate a little bit faster because it does respond to the rainfall. Deeper soil moisture at 8 to 10 inches does not respond as fast. Theres nothing percolating down.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Storm Center 7 Weather app for alerts as news breaks]

The table above shows how we are still in a bit of a battle zone when it comes to drought. The improvements for the southern two-thirds of the area re reflected with more of us in No Condition and trending lower with those in Abnormally Dry and Moderate Drought conditions. However, the lack of rain in the northwestern counties is reflected here with an increase in the Severe and Extreme categories of drought.

The estimated departure from normal shows the battle zone as well. Across Mercer County, estimates show the last 90 days there is a 6-7 rainfall deficit, whereas Montgomery and Clark Counties are averaging a 1-2 rainfall deficit.

[WATCH Storm Center 7 Weather on the following devices]

We are seeing more rain today that will definitely aid in some further relief into next weeks drought update. However, again the heaviest rains missed those in the worst of the drought. So, while every drop helps, we could use these steadier rains across northwest Ohio into the northern Miami Valley.




Winds are set to reverse and blow cooler air back into the Bay Area on Thursday, putting a temporary hold on a spell of warm weather.

A "dry cold front" is forecast to move over the region early Thursday. Fall cold fronts often drop precipitation as they move across Northern California, but this one won't bring any rain with it. However, winds will shift from offshore to onshore, allowing marine air to pour back toward San Francisco, dropping temperatures and raising humidity levels.

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Dense fog is possible throughout the Bay Area on Thursday morning, particularly along the coast and bay shoreline. Visibility could drop as low as a quarter of a mile in some coastal locations, including parts of San Francisco.

Fog should burn off by late morning, but the change in air mass will be noticeable. San Francisco is forecast to reach only the upper 50s to mid-60s, about 10 to 15 degrees lower than Wednesday. Inland valleys will fall to the upper 60s to mid-70s, close to late-October normals. The cooldown will be accompanied by gusts of 15 to 25 mph along the coast.

Weather models predict breezy northwesterly winds along the coast Thursday afternoon with gusts of 15 to 25 mph. (Baron/Lynx)





Halloween morning is anticipated to begin similarly, with patchy, dense fog. Temperatures will rebound later in the day and warm up by about 5 degrees across the Bay Area. Winds will weaken, too, making for ideal trick-or-treat weather in the evening.

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Tranquil weather will continue through the weekend as a high-pressure system rebuilds over California. In the Bay Area, a repeat forecast is in store, with morning fog and afternoon sunshine as highs stick to the 60s along the coast, 70s along the bay shoreline and near 80 in the warmest inland valleys.

Thursday breakdown

San Francisco: The recent sunny mornings will be traded for fog, especially near the water, where visibility could drop to as low as a quarter of a mile. Fog will erode, but the cool air will stick around through the afternoon. Places west of Twin Peaks are forecast to remain in the upper 50s to low 60s, while areas east should warm to the mid-60s under mostly sunny skies. Overnight lows will be in the mid-50s with increasing clouds.

North Bay: Patchy fog is possible in the valleys in the morning but will burn off for midday sunshine. A few high clouds may pass over in the afternoon. Temperatures will be cooler than Wednesday, falling to the low to mid-60s along the coast, the upper 60s to low 70s in Mill Valley, San Rafael, Petaluma, Napa and Vallejo and the mid- to upper 70s in Santa Rosa, Fairfield and Vacaville. Gusts up to 25 mph are possible in coastal areas. Overnight lows will be in the mid-40s to low 50s with valley fog.

East Bay: Commuters may encounter thick, patchy fog along Interstate 80 or I-880 in the morning, but otherwise it'll be another sunny day. Temperatures will drop, though, with highs in only the mid- to upper 60s in Richmond, Berkeley, Oakland, Hayward and Fremont. The warmth will linger a bit longer east of the Caldecott Tunnel, where highs will be in the low to mid-70s. Westerly gusts of 10 to 15 mph are expected in the afternoon. Overnight lows will be in the low to mid-50s with patchy fog.

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Pacific Coast and Peninsula: The natural air conditioning along the coast will turn back on Thursday, dropping high temperatures 15 to 20 degrees, back to the low to mid-60s in Daly City, Pacifica and Half Moon Bay under partly sunny skies. Gusts as high as 25 mph possible at the beaches in the afternoon. The Highway 101 corridor will be warmer, in the upper 60s to low 70s. Fog is expected to form overnight as temperatures drop to the low to mid-50s.

South Bay and Santa Cruz: A deepening marine layer could bring fog all the way to the South Bay on Thursday morning, although it isn't expected to be extensive. If fog does form, it'll probably give way to sunshine by 10 a.m. The cooler air will linger, though, as highs drop to the upper 60s to mid-70s. Southern Santa Clara Valley could retain the warmth for longer and reach the upper 70s. Santa Cruz and the nearby mountains will also cool down to the low to mid-70s. More extensive fog is expected overnight with lows in the upper 40s to mid-50s.

This article originally published at A dry' cold front is moving toward the Bay Area. Here's how it will impact weather.
DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH)  Dublin City Schools leaders spoke to the community for the first time after pausing the high school redistricting process last week following negative community feedback.

At a school board meeting Wednesday night, Superintendent John Marschhausen said he realized the process was not on the right track after hearing from parents during listening sessions last week.

He said its more important to get this right than it is to just get it done.

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There were a lot of things at the beginning of this process that were done by a small number of people. I think we want to frontload the process with input and get that input into the process earlier, said Dr. Marschhausen.

Grove City residents rankled by bike path plans after paying premiums for homes

When the redistricting process restarts in the spring, Marschhausen said parent and student voices will be included.

Dublin community members were not shy about their disappointment in the process.

Ive been frustrated that it seems like there was an 11th hour disconnect between the school board and the superintendent that led to really a big mess at the final stages of this decision being made, said Kristie Russ, a parent with two kids at Dublin Schools.

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They need to be more open in this process. We need to have a more collaborative approach to doing this right, said Mike Skalak, who has two elementary-aged kids in the district.

Reaction to the pause was mixed. Some were relieved while others said they dont want to prolong the inevitable.

Marschhausen said he also doesnt want to make the process longer, but its clear community input needs to be prioritized.

We want people to know we listened, that we heard their concerns and their concerns had an impact on what we did as a board and as a leadership team, said the superintendent.

Local business offers food assistance during shutdown

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Skalak said hearing directly from Marschhausen and board members helped restore his trust in the district.

The district kind of was called out on some of the things that had happened. And they came back and they said, you know what? We made a mistake and were ready to right this and do this correctly this time, said Skalak.

Marschhausen said the school board will be more involved in the redistricting process this time around and that creating at least 20 diverse focus groups will be a priority.

Skalak and other parents are looking forward to being more involved.

They did address the questions and the concerns that we had. So, yes, I think theyre listening. I think they have the ear of the community, said Skalak.

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The superintendent said the winter will be a cooling off period before redistricting restarts in the spring. Elementary and middle school boundaries could be changed as well.

The current boundaries across Dublin will stay in place for the 2026-2027 school 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Drivers in Harvey County should be prepared to stop this weekend.

The Harvey County Sheriffs Office announced Thursday that it will conduct a DUI checkpoint at an undisclosed location in the county. The checkpoint is expected to operate from Friday night until Saturday morning.

Pedestrian killed in eastern Kansas crash

Drivers who pass through the checkpoint will receive an educational flyer. Those suspected of driving under the influence will be detained for field sobriety tests.

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Troopers from the Kansas Highway Patrol will assist Harvey County sheriffs deputies.

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.

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.
Duke Energy Indiana has received approval for two new natural gas units at Cayuga Station in Vermillion County, Indiana, after about six months of sparring with opponents before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).

One recurring sticking point: Would Duke have a financial incentive to embark on clean energy projects to replace coal plants? Initially, Duke's proposal suggested the Cayuga station's aging coal plants would be shut down.

But after pushback and then a settlement with the coal trade association Reliable Energy Inc. (REI) in June, Duke will now investigate the feasibility of keeping the coal plants online to be sold to a third party.

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Per the final ruling from the IURC on October 29, 2025, Duke will retain clean energy financial incentives while building the new natural gas units. Alongside them, the coal plants might continue running.

The clean energy incentive, called Construction Work in Progress, allows Duke to charge ratepayers for the project while the plant is being constructed, which reduces financing costs for the utility. Angeline Protogere, a spokeswoman for Duke Energy Indiana, said this kind of financing will save customers more than $800 million over the life of the new plant.

That's still too much for consumer advocates. During testimony, one estimate projected Duke customers will pay an addition $29 a month by the time the two natural gas units are up and running.

"Bills are going to go up  dramatically," said Kerwin Olson, the executive director of Citizens Action Coalition, a consumer advocacy group that intervened on the case. Ratepayers "can't afford to pay what they're paying today. And disappointingly, the commission somehow justified that this proposal satisfies the affordability pillar of state policy."

A strained grid

Duke contends that the project is necessary given the pressure on Indiana's electric grid and the utility's service area. Duke has added about 126,000 new customers since 2013, and the coal plants at Cayuga Station are nearly 60 years old.

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Duke has already felt the effects of the squeeze: in advance of the summer of 2025, the utility had to purchase 470 megawatts of power to satisfy regional reliability requirements.

"It's our responsibility to constantly evaluate the demand for power on our system, and to make sure that we meet that demand," Protogere said.

The two natural gas units at Cayuga are designed to bridge the gap, adding 1,476 megawatts to the grid  470 megawatts of capacity more than what the site's coal units currently offer.

Big bills, more emissions

Opponents to the project expressed frustration that financial incentives for clean energy are being used to fund fossil fuel projects without retiring coal plants as the original bill intended. Both natural gas and coal plants emit carbon dioxide, which blankets the earth's atmosphere and is the leading contributor to global warming.

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Duke "got everything they wanted," Olson said. "It's just really, really disheartening and disappointing."

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, the state agency tasked to advocate for ratepayers, recommended that the state deny the utility's petition on the grounds of affordability. In addition, multiple advocacy groups testified against Duke's petition over the past several months.

But IURC's final ruling found that Duke's proposal satisfied Indiana's five pillars of energy policy: reliability, resilience, stability, affordability, and environmental sustainability. Olson, however, does not think Duke's approach to affordability and environmental sustainability is a good one.

"This is going to increase fossil fuel use in Indiana, carbon emissions, exacerbate public health problems, the climate crisis. There's that aspect of this order, which is really, really frustrating and sad," he said. "But there's also the significant economic aspect of this order, which means higher prices on monthly utility bills, hitting Duke rate payers, and it's just  whatever sort of adjective you want to put in there  it's just really frustrating."

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IndyStar's environmental reporting is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

Sophie Hartley is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach her at sophie.hartley@indystar.com or on X at @sophienhartley.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Duke receives clean energy incentives for new fossil fuel plants
The Louvre robbery joins the short list of historys most daring heists! Here are several of the most notorious:

Dunbar Armored Car Caper

On Sept. 12, 1997, Los Angeles: A company employee recruited pals in a plot to swipe nearly $19 million. The gang was brought down two years later when one careless crook paid a real estate broker with bills bound by the original bank straps.

Antwerp Diamond Center Heist

On Feb. 15-16, 2003, Antwerp, Belgium: Sophisticated thieves outsmarted infrared lasers, thermal and seismic sensors, and a vault with 100 million possible combinations in the largest-ever diamond heist, netting $100 million-plus in loose diamonds, gold, silver and jewelry. Though four of the five thieves were caught and served time, most of the stolen goods have never been recovered.

Loomis Fargo Job

On March 29, 1997, Jacksonville, Fla.: Armored car driver Philip Noel Johnson subdued two coworkers with his company-issued weapon then fled with $18.8 million in cash. He was caught five months later at the North Carolina hideaway where hed stashed the money.

Goodfellas Gambit

On Dec. 11, 1978, Queens, N.Y.: The film was inspired by the then-largest cash heist in U.S. history when a gang, allegedly led by a Lucchese crime family thug, hit JFK Airport and made off with nearly $6 million. Cops never recovered the loot and no one has been charged.

Gardner Museum Robbery

On March 18, 1990, Boston, Mass.: Two men posing as cops subdued the museums guards and made off with hundreds of millions worth of art, including works by Rembrandt, Degas and Manet. The art has never been recovered and the case never solved.

This story The Dunbar Armored Robbery, the Antwerp Diamond Heist and More of Historys Most Daring Thefts first appeared on National Enquirer. Add National Enquirer as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Arizona-based coffee shop Dutch Bros has plans for more openings in 2025, including locations in four new cities.

Dutch Bros said it plans to open stores in four new cities during the last quarter of 2025, including cities in Florida, Missouri, and Georgia.

Originally headquartered in Grants Pass, Oregon, the company was started by two brothers in 1992 in Oregon.

The company announced in June that itd be moving its headquarters to Tempe, Arizona so the companys field support workers who help with day-to-day operations can all be in one place, reported the Salem Statesman Journal and the Arizona Republic, both part of the USA TODAY Network.

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Dutch Bros says its coffee shops are known for their upbeat music, quick drinks and broistas" (employees).

Heres what we know about the latest openings.

Where will the new locations be?

Dutch Bros has at least 1,050 locations in 24 states as of late October. The company said it will be opening its first ever locations in four cities during the last quarter of the year.

New cities include North Port, Florida; Jefferson City, Missouri; and two in Georgia: Lawrenceville and Tucker.

Florida

North Port  14914 Tamiami Trail

Missouri

Jefferson City  1708 Missouri Blvd.

Georgia

Lawrenceville  2505 Buford Drive (Nov. 3)

Tucker  4545 Hugh Howell Road (Oct. 31)

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Coffee lovers wanting to check out Dutch Bros can visit www.dutchbros.com/locations.

This story has been updated to add opening dates.

Contributing: Whitney Woodworth and Lauren De Young, Salem Statesman Journal; Corina Vanek, the Arizona Republic

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia  the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dutch Bros expanding into 4 new cities. See new locations.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  An unprecedented neck-and-neck race in the Dutch general election has left a far-right party and the centrists tied with nearly all votes counted Thursday.

The near total vote count showed anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders' Party for Freedom and D66 each winning 26 seats in Wednesdays election, according to the vote count tallied and published by Dutch national news agency ANP and cited by Dutch media.

The nail-biting finish is expected to lead to delays in starting the process of forming a new coalition, which is likely to take weeks or months in the splintered Dutch political landscape.

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While the 2000 U.S. presidential race remains arguably the most memorable close contest, the Dutch are making headlines of their own: No election in the Netherlands has previously ended with two parties tied for the lead.

Here are examples of some tight elections in the U.S. and Europe:

Florida

It took five weeks of Florida recounts and court battles in 2000 before Republican George W. Bush prevailed over Democrat Al Gore by 537 votes for the U.S. presidency.

The Florida recount demanded by the Gore campaign famously centered on problems with outmoded punch-card ballots with canvassers trying to figure out a voters intent amid ballots with hanging chads and dimpled chads on the cards.

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Using punch card ballots in some counties, voters poked out chads, leaving tiny holes in their ballots representing their candidates. Some didnt press hard enough, leaving hanging or dimpled chads that had to be examined by hand, a long and tiresome process.

The case wound up in the U.S. Supreme Court, which halted the recount and handed the presidency to Bush.

Poland

Conservative Karol Nawrockis victory in the Polish presidential race earlier this year revealed deep divisions in the country along the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union.

Nawrocki, who was supported by U.S. President Donald Trump, won 50.89% of votes in a very tight race against Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski, who received 49.11%, according to the runoff's final results.

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Most day-to-day power in Poland rests with the prime minister, chosen by the parliament. However, the president holds the power to influence foreign policy and veto laws.

Portugal

A center-right alliance led by the Social Democratic Party meant it won Portugals 2024 general election by just two seats in the 230-seat National Assembly, Portugals parliament. The center-left Socialist Party placed second with 78 seats.

The hard-right Chega (Enough) party collected 50 seats, up from 12 seats in a 2022 election, in a staggering surge that upended traditional politics in Portugal, where the Social Democrats and Socialists have alternated in power for decades.

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The government only lasted a year.

Ireland

Irelands 2020 election ended with the three biggest parties neck-and-neck: Fianna Fail with 38 seats, Sinn Fein with 37 and Fine Gael with 35.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, bitter opponents whose roots lie in opposing sides of the civil war that followed Irelands independence from the United Kingdom, had never before formed a government together.

They ended up forging a coalition, shutting out left-wing nationalist party Sinn Fein even though an electoral breakthrough that saw it win the largest share of the votes in the election. Despite coming out ahead, Sinn Fein was unable to assemble enough support to govern.

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The two centrist parties have long shunned Sinn Fein because of its historic links to the Irish Republican Army and decades of violence in Northern Ireland. But in protracted negotiations further complicated by the COVID-19 outbreak, the two rival centrist parties opted for unity.

Germany

In 2005, center-right opposition leader Angela Merkel emerged from a German parliamentary election with a wafer-thin advantage after a campaign that she had started with a huge poll lead.

Then-Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, who had eaten into Merkels lead with a strong campaign, made way for her as chancellor only after initially claiming the right to continue leading Germany  and securing his Social Democrats half the seats in her Cabinet.

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Greece

Conservative party leader Constantine Mitsotakis was only able to form a government in 1990 after aligning his New Democracy party's 150 seats with the small Renewal Party, which earned one seat.

That single seat allowed Mitsotakis to secure 151 of 300 seats in the parliament to form a slim majority.
With 99 per cent of votes counted, the Dutch election has ended in a dead heat between D66 and Geert Wilders PVV. Leiden University professor Bernard Steunenberg says the result signals a return to the political centre and indicates that voters are seeking practical solutions, both at home and across Europe. At the same time, he cautions that even if the PVV suffers significant losses, this does not mean the far right has been defeated.

RFI: Could you first give your reaction to the election results?

BS: It completely changes the political landscape in the Netherlands. It seems that parties in the middle of the political spectrum have either gained ground or at least not lost any, while the Wilders party - which has been quite dominant over the past two years - is losing a substantial number of seats, even though it remains one of the larger parties in the country.

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RFI: What is the next step?

BS: Parliament will appoint a person to explore possible options for forming a new government. However, the number of scenarios is fairly limited, as some of the parties that performed well in these elections have already ruled out working with the PVV.

Wilders was responsible for the previous governments downfall, and these parties are unwilling to collaborate again with his rightwing movement. As a result, there are four main coalition possibilities - broadly along centreleft and centreright lines - unless a very broad coalition of multiple parties from either side is formed.

Talks among party leaders will start immediately to determine who is willing to cooperate in forming the next government.

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RFI: How likely is it that parties which pledged not to cooperate with Wilders might change their position if coalition talks drag on?

BS:Its not going to happen. Many of those party leaders have worked with Wilders before. The PVV is essentially a oneman party, and that has not gone well in the past - twice, in fact. Over the past year, there was constant quarrelling and little progress in addressing the many problems the Netherlands faces.

Centrist D66 narrowly leads far-right PVV in knife-edge Dutch vote, exit polls show

Wilders continues to focus relentlessly on a single issue - halting migration abruptly. None of the other parties view this as a credible or comprehensive agenda that addresses broader challenges such as the environment, nitrogen pollution, affordable housing or healthcare. None of these issues were effectively tackled by the previous government, in which Wilders played a prominent role.

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RFI: Whoever wins, the margin will be slim. It also represents a major setback for the far right, at least for this particular party. From a European perspective, how do you interpret the result?

BS: It is not an election about Europe, but in addressing some of the issues mentioned above, - it is necessary to work together with other countries. Europe is a partner in taking steps in a direction that also benefits the Netherlands.

RFI: What message do you think this result sends to Frances Rassemblement National, Marine Le Pens farright party, which has close ties with Wilders? And do you think French voters will take note?

BS: It shows that rightwing parties can also lose. There has been a sense that the growth of rightwing movements reflecting populist views was unstoppable.

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This outcome shows that another direction is possible, but it all depends on the agenda offered to voters.

It suggests that a positive, forwardlooking programme addressing a wider range of issues than just immigration is likely to appeal to more citizens than a narrow one claiming that migration is the source of all problems.

RFI: Across Europe, farright forces have been aligning more closely, boosted in part by the US "Make America Great Again" movement. In that context, how do you explain Wilders setback?

BS: Its linked to a slightly different phenomenon. You said that the far right lost. Thats not entirely true. Its fragmented again. As in other countries, the rightwing, like the left, is not a coherent bloc but a mix of different parties.

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From Washington to Warsaw: how MAGA influence is reshaping Europes far right

In the Netherlands, at least four or five parties occupy that corner of the spectrum. If you add up their votes, their combined share is roughly the same as last time. The left, on the other hand, has become smaller compared to twenty years ago.

What were seeing is a shift towards a different outlook, notably how to tackle social and economic issues that matter to voters. Thats the main development and, perhaps, the main success of this election: citizens increasingly realise that a narrow, negative agenda doesnt help to solve real problems.

RFI: So if the far right is fragmented, where do the fault lines lie? Why cant they unite?

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BS: Because theres no coherent agenda. Wilders focuses almost entirely on migration. In recent debates, hes twisted nearly every issue - housing, public health, purchasing power  back to immigration. Yet environmental issues, for example, have nothing to do with migration but with polluting industries.

Other rightwing parties, such as JA21, promote a milder environmental policy and take differing positions on migration. There are many nuances on the right, just as on the left, which makes collaboration difficult.

RFI: Do you see parallels between the Dutch result and developments in other EU member states?

Not many. I wouldnt even call the German results a victory for the centre, given the recent surge of the Alternative fur Deutschland. Its not comparable to what were seeing in the Netherlands.

In the Netherlands, theres a clear return to the centre and a step away from the extremes. Whether that marks the beginning of a broader European trend is difficult to say but its certainly a positive sign for now.
Dutch populist Geert Wilders's far-right party and the centrist Democrats 66 (D66) are neck and neck following Wednesday's parliamentary election, according to the latest tally.

With about 99% of votes counted, both Wilders' anti-Islam Party for Freedom (PVV) and the pro-European, socially liberal D66 have won 26 seats each in the 150-member parliament.

The final result is expected later on Thursday.

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Earlier projections and the first exit polls had shown D66, led by Rob Jetten, ahead by two seats.

The national news agency ANP said votes were still being counted, including ballots from the capital, Amsterdam. Counting was also briefly suspended in the eastern town of Venray after a small fire broke out at the town hall.

For Wilders, the outcome marks a sharp decline from the 2023 parliamentary election, when his PVV won 37 seats.

By contrast, D66 gained 17 seats compared with the last election.

Jetten is seen as having the strongest prospects to form a coalition, as all major parties have ruled out working with Wilders.

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However, the far-right leader said early on Thursday that the PVV "wants to take the lead in forming a government" if it becomes the largest party.

The conservative People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) can expect 22 seats in parliament, the Labour-Green Left alliance (PvdA) is expected to receive 20 mandates, followed by the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) with 18.

Wednesday's election was forced after the premature end of the previous government, led by the independent Dick Schoof, in June.

The four-party government, in which Wilders' PVV was the largest party, was considered the most right-wing in Dutch history.

After less than a year, Wilders withdrew his party from the government, saying that the other three coalition partners did not support the implementation of a strict anti-migration policy.
A center-left Dutch party made major gains in the countrys parliamentary elections Wednesday after the far-right-led government collapsed in June.

A progressive, 38-year-old former energy minister is now on track to be the next prime minister, but first faces the difficult task of forming a majority coalition. The election marked a return to the center for the Netherlands, two years after an anti-immigration party rose to power. The outcome will reverberate throughout Europe and could energize other centrist parties looking to fend off the populist far right.

The winning party used pragmatic optimism that countered the rights doomerist projections, and successfully reclaimed the countrys flag as a symbol of pride, a prominent Dutch journalist wrote.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  As the government shutdown drags on in Washington, one local food pantry sees an increase in families in need of assistance.

The East Bluff Community Center food pantry in Peoria is doing everything it can to provide for families in this time of uncertainty for so many.

Coordinator for the food pantry, Willa Lucas, said that they usually serve about 75 families a week. Last week, they saw about 90 families.

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I expect its going to keep growing unless they can find a miracle in somebodys back pocket, Lucas said.

With so much uncertainty around SNAP benefits being cut by Nov. 1, Lucas said that there is an urgency for supplies.

A little more desperation, our shelves are pretty bare, actually, Lucas said.

The food pantry does weekly pickups at local food banks such as Midwest Food Bank and other similar organizations. This, along with generous donations from other community organizations, has allowed the East Bluff Food Pantry to tread water for the time being.

We havent really sent out mayday yet because all of the pantries are in the same position, she said.

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With a lot of questions waiting to be answered with snap benefits in the coming days, Lucas and the other at the food pantry will carry on.

We will keep on doing what were doing to the best of our ability, Lucas said. East Bluff Community Center is always looking for donations, especially in this time of uncertainty.

If you or your family are seeking food pantries near you, you can check out a list on Find Food Illinois, where you can search by zip code or by city. You can also go to foodpantries.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 CIProud.com.
Mother Nature has some tricks up her sleeve this Halloween as rain is set to soak some revelers while delivering chills to others.

A storm out of the Tennessee Valley headed into the Northeast toward the end of the week, drenching much of the East Coast on Thursday, with the rain expected to stick around in some areas for Halloween.

Millions of Americans could see up to two inches of rain by the end of the week, though trick-or-treaters should expect a mixed bag in terms of weather, depending on where across the U.S. theyre attending festivities.

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While the Midwest and Plains will experience a calmer Halloween, those in the Northeast can expect gusty winds, chilly temperatures, and potentially even some rain.

In order to brave the blustery conditions, parents and children still planning to head outdoors may need an extra layer or two, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bob Larson said.

Americans in the Northeast, including cities like New York and Philadelphia, were smacked with showers Thursday, just ahead of Halloween (REUTERS)

Heres what areas across the U.S. can expect headed into Halloween weekend:

Wet and Windy in the Northeast

A storm moving into the Northeast is expected to bring sweeping showers and slightly warmer temperatures on Thursday.

According to the Fox Forecast Center, Thursdays rainstorm will be enhanced by moisture from Hurricane Melissa, which will be over 1,000 miles offshore. As a result, areas in the Northeast can see anywhere from two to three inches of rain.

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Coastal flood warnings were in effect Thursday for parts of the Northeast, including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and parts of New Jersey.

While the weather may be warmer now, it wont last. By Friday, temperatures will range closer to the 30s and 40s across the Northeast  and are expected to drop even lower Friday afternoon as winds pick up behind the storm, according to AccuWeather.

In addition to lower temperatures, it is also expected to be noticeably windier on Thursday and Friday throughout the Northeast.

Warmer temperatures were expected on the East Coast Thursday, but would drop by Friday (Getty Images)

Storms could potentially linger in the interior Northeast and New England on Halloween night, meaning costume-wearers will likely also have to bring an umbrella.

Calmer conditions in the Central and Western U.S.

Trick-or-treaters across the Plains will be spoiled with milder, calmer weather than in the Northeast.

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Some breezier conditions may be felt into Thursday night in the Dakotas and surrounding states. However, dry weather is expected to last in Nebraska and southward through Friday.

Some showers could be possible from North Dakota to the Great Lakes region, and further west, those chances will increase.

Rain and showers are likely in the Pacific Northwest starting Friday as a storm moves onshore, affecting cities including Seattle and Portland over the weekend.

Winds will likely pick up along the coastline, though hefty gusts above 25 mph shouldnt be expected further inland.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The University of Michigan Health-Sparrow is partnering with East Lansing Public Schools to open a new health center at East Lansing High School on Thursday morning.

According to the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow, the clinic is designed for children aged 5-12 years old and provides a range of health services, including preventive care, health screenings, health education, behavioral services, and treatment for minors.

The health center will be staffed by UM Health-Sparrow clinicians and is open to both insured and uninsured patients, regardless of their ability to pay.

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The care facility is built from a similar clinic that opened last year at Grand Ledge High School, addressing a community need to provide care for an underserved population.

The center is open to students and non-students. Officials from UM Health-Sparrow and East Lansing schools will host a ceremony to open the center located at 509 Burcham Drive, with the event taking place at door 59.

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 WLNS 6 News.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  East Lansing Police confirmed Thursday a juvenile has been identified as a person of interest in an early Saturday, Oct. 25 stabbing incident in downtown East Lansing.

East Lansing Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Adrian Ojerio told 6 News that the juvenile has been identified and interviewed. He stated that neither the juvenile nor the 17-year-old victim is a resident of East Lansing nor a student at Michigan State University.

ELPD reported Saturday that a 17-year-old had been stabbed around 1:30 a.m. Oct. 25 after a fight near the Charles Street Parking Garage. Police reported the young man was stabbed multiple times and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. He was transported to a local hospital and underwent surgery.

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Ojerio confirmed the 17-year-old has been released from the hospital.

The investigation is ongoing, Ojerio 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 WLNS 6 News.
MOUNT ENTERPRISE, Texas (KETK)  An East Texas Man has been sentenced to life in prison after he was found guilty of sexually abusing a member of his family every week for 10 years.

Mugshot of Daniel Alton Flanagan, courtesy of Rusk County Jail.

Former Game Warden, known for Lone Star Law show, arrested for making false bank statement

Daniel Alton Flanagan, 51 of Mount Enterprise, was first arrested by the Rusk County Sheriffs Office on Feb. 2 after one of his family members revealed that he was sexually assaulting her once a week from when she was 13 to 22 years old, according to his arrest affidavit.

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After his arrest, Flanagan was interviewed at the sheriffs office and admitted to sexually assaulting the victim. Flanagan was then charged with two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14, prohibited sexual conduct, and sexual performance by a child under 14 years old.

Assistant Rusk County and District Attorney Tiffany T. Conner said a jury found Flanagan guilty in this case on Oct. 23. According to Conner, Flanagan has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole or probation.

On behalf of myself, this Office and the State of Texas, permit me to extend our heartfelt

appreciation to those willing to serve on juries in these deeply disturbing cases, Conner said. Without their efforts our community would be a much more dangerous place. We are grateful to the jury for their sacrifice and careful attention. Their verdict ensures that the defendant will spend the rest of his life in prison, without the possibility of probation or parole. This sentence protects our community and honors the courage of the victims in coming forward after years of silence.

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.

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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.
A potential federal government shutdown threatens to halt the distribution of funds to Electronic Benefits Transfer cards, leaving many in DeKalb County searching for alternative ways to secure food.

Channel 2s Berndt Petersen was live in DeKalb County for Channel 2 Action News at 6:00.

Each month, funds are deposited onto EBT cards, but with the looming shutdown, these deposits may not occur, affecting those who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

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People need their food stamps, their SNAP benefits. So itll put them in a bad situation. At the end of the day, what do they have if they cant buy the food that they need? said Shalonda Glascoe of St. Vincent de Paul.

St. Vincent de Paul operates a free grocery store in DeKalb County, offering support to those in need, including EBT and SNAP recipients.

Valentin Chagolla, the store manager, mentioned that the store currently allows people to visit once a month, "but if it gets canceled well have to go up to twice a month.

Jasmine Freeman, a parent who uses an EBT card for groceries, expressed her reliance on the card, stating, Its very convenient when you have it. But if they take it away, we cant do anything but pray and ask God to keep helping us.

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As the community braces for the potential impact of SNAP benefits Nov. 1, organizations like St. Vincent de Paul play a crucial role in providing essential services to those affected.

Im not worried because I believe in God. I know that with God everything is possible. Any and everything, and God wont let that happen, Freeman added.

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Southern California Edison increased the number of Eaton fire victims that are eligible to file claims for damages in its final compensation proposal, though some Altadena residents say the utility's program still falls short.

After talking to residents about the plan it released in July, Edison said it decided to expand the area of homes that are eligible for compensation for smoke damage.

Expanding the eligibility area is one of the most significant updates made as a result of feedback, said Pedro Pizarro, the chief executive of Edison International, the utilitys parent company. The number of qualified properties nearly doubled for those with damage from smoke, soot or ash.

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The utility also increased the amount of compensation it is offering for some victims. For example, each child in a family that lost its home will be eligible to receive $75,000 for pain and suffering, up from $50,000 in the initial plan.

To receive payments under the utilitys Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program , families must agree to drop any lawsuits they filed against the utility for the Jan. 7 fire.

The program also is open to businesses that lost revenues and renters who lost property. And it covers those who suffered physical injuries or had family members who died.

Edison is launching the victim compensation program even though government fire investigators have not released their report on the cause of the fire. The inferno swept through Altadena, destroying 9,400 homes and other structures and killing 19 people.

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Videos captured the fire igniting under a century-old transmission line in Eaton Canyon that Edison had not used since 1971, and Pizarro has said a leading theory is that the line somehow re-energized and ignited the blaze. Edison said in a federal securities filing this week that absent additional evidence, SCE believes that it is likely that its equipment could be found to have been associated with the ignition.

Read more: 'This fire could have been prevented': How utilities fought removal of old power lines

In documents detailing its final compensation plan, the utility included the example of a family of four with a 1,500-square-foot home that was destroyed. The family would receive $900,000 to rebuild, $360,000 for personal property, $140,000 for loss of use and $380,000 for pain and suffering. It also would receive a $200,000 direct claim premium for agreeing to settle outside of court.

That total of $1,980,000 is then reduced by the familys $1 million of insurance coverage, according to the companys example.

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On Thursday, state Sen. Sasha Renee Perez (D-Pasadena) sent a letter to Edison saying she was concerned about how the utility was requiring victims to waive their future legal rights in order to get compensation. And she called on Edison to provide immediate housing assistance to fire victims.

Read more: 'It's effectively a bailout': Edison benefits from fine print in Newsoms last-minute utility legislation

Having acknowledged its potential role in starting the Eaton Fire, Edison must do everything within its power to prioritize the needs of survivors and make this commitment a core part of its corporate duty, she wrote to Pizarro. This means ensuring fire victims can recover and rebuild their lives with the support they are owed.

Edison expects to be reimbursed for most or all of the payments it makes to victims by a $21-billion state wildfire fund that Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers created in 2019 to shield utilities from bankruptcy. Administrators of the wildfire fund told members of the state Catastrophe Response Council this week that they expect Eaton fire claims to be in the tens of billions of dollars.

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In September, Newsom signed a bill that will bolster the money available by another $18 billion for future wildfires. Under that bill, Edison is allowed to raise electric rates for any Eaton fire costs that exceed the original $21-billion fund.

Some Eaton fire survivors told the council, which oversees the wildfire fund, that Edisons program fails to fully cover damages suffered by victims. Joy Chen, executive director of the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, recently sent the council a report detailing where her group found shortfalls. For example, Chen said, Edison is deducting a homeowner's full insurance coverage from the compensation amounts even if the insurer has reimbursed the family for only part of that amount.

Read more: Edison customers are paying more for fire prevention. So why are there more fires?

Nine months after Edisons negligence shattered our lives, the toll is clear, the group's report states. Many have drained retirement savings, maxed out credit cards, or watched marriages and health deteriorate under the strain. 

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You destroyed our homes, lives and community, the report says of Edison. Fix what you broke."

Chen's group joined with Perez in calling for Edison to provide emergency housing assistance for victims.

Read more: Edisons safety record declined last year. Executive bonuses rose anyway

Edison said its program is designed to help the community recover and rebuild faster. The utility said a report by RAND, the non-profit research group it hired to assess some of the underlying data and methods behind the compensation plan, determined the models used modern statistical methods and in our judgment were thoughtfully done and well executed.

Edison said victims can start filing for claims now and that it expects to get back to them with an offer within 90 days.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Many Central Floridians know what its like to live paycheck to paycheck. To decide what gets paid first  utility bills, rent or child care. To watch their bank balance dwindle, and pray to hang on until the next check hits. Every. Single. Month.

Even among those who now occupy jobs with comfortable salaries and comprehensive benefits, many remember how harrowing but familiar that monthly negotiation was, particularly if they were responsible for the well-being of children, seniors or others who looked to them for support.

Now imagine what its like to be close to that critical month-end deadline and realize that a big part of next months income wont be coming in. There will be no top-up of the money you need to buy food for your children, including your babys formula  $40 a can. The Head Start program that cares for your older kids after school will be shutting down as of Monday; if you cant find an alternative, youll have to miss work. That will mean losing out on hours and pay you need to save even a slim hope of making it through the coming weeks. Another program that sends a small check each month toward air conditioning bills will dry up as well.

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What are you going to do?

For most Floridians struggling to live in poverty, that question has no answer right now  just a blind, desperate hope that everything will work out. They have no say in the pitiless budget standoff that is bringing the federal government to a slow and grinding halt, crushing the most vulnerable Americans first, and thoroughly.

Starving families, seniors

The first programs to shrivel: Food stamps, officially known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP. Without a budget agreement that reopens the federal government, benefit cards wont be reloaded on Nov. 1  Saturday. That will impact around 500,000 people just in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Brevard, Lake and Volusia counties. As of Wednesday afternoon, it appeared that another important national food program  known as Women, Infants and Children  would get stopgap funding. Otherwise it would have shut down on Monday as well.

Two dozen Democratic governors have sued the federal government, demanding that SNAP continue to operate using funding from a $5 billion pool of emergency money. The Trump administration insists that a nationwide food stamp shutdown that leaves millions of Americans struggling to afford sufficient food doesnt qualify as an emergency. Five minutes with desperate parents or bewildered seniors as they watch their SNAP cards declined might convince them otherwise.

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Its almost certainly not a coincidence that the administration shut down the nations most authoritative assessment of hunger in the United States, which was set to be released early next month. If there is no official count, who can say that Americans are suffering from drastic cuts to food assistance?

The answer to that is well, everybody. Americans will see the evidence in pleas from overburdened food banks and parents who are obviously skipping meals so their kids can eat.

Beyond hunger

But theres more bad news to come. A program that helps subsidize electrical bills for people who couldnt otherwise afford to air condition or heat their dwellings is also shut down  along with Head Start, sending parents scrambling for child care. And it gets worse. If the stalemate continues, the Section 8 vouchers that keep very low-income families from becoming homeless will probably run out within a few weeks.

Next week was also supposed to be the first week of enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. As we noted Wednesday, that program is one of the biggest factors in the current shutdown. congressional Democrats want to maintain subsidies that help keep policies affordable for the millions that depend on it for coverage  including 1.1 million Floridians. The GOP has already voted to roll back that funding, which will send policy costs skyrocketing out of reach for low-income working families. Republican leaders have been pretending that ACA policies are a key source of coverage for undocumented immigrants. Thats a cruel fantasy, but its fueling an effort to kill off a program thats popular and heavily used.

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There are other issues, of course, but Democrats have made it pretty clear that a reasonable, compassionate offer on ACA funding would probably end the stalemate. Meanwhile, local leaders including Orlando-based congressmen Darren Soto and Maxwell Alejandro Frost are documenting their constituents struggles to make ends meet.

But averting a health-insurance crisis would solve just one of the long-term threats awaiting low-income families and seniors on the other side of the shutdown. The administration wants major changes to SNAP and Medicaid that will require recipients to work if they are able, promising job training and support for work requirements. The reality is this: Support for job-seekers never lasts long, leaving mandates that would force people across the country to take low-paying, dead-end jobs if they want to keep eating. That may sound appealing to some, but it could devastate many seniors and families with small children.

And as Politico reported this week, even congressional Republicans are worried about the administrations planned transformation of federal anti-homelessness programs. The plan: Back away from the goal of getting unsheltered people into permanent housing, and move toward a proliferation of short-term transitional shelters that offer little help toward lasting stability for those without a home.

Its realistic to worry that Trump and GOP leaders have other key anti-poverty programs in their sights, including the way Medicare, Medicaid and the state childrens health insurance program are funded. But sufficient unto this day are the evils we already know about  and the clear picture that is emerging: Trump and select congressional Republicans are set on balancing their budget books on the backs of this nations most vulnerable citizens. And they dont think anyone can stop them.

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If Americans dont speak up now, millions could suffer in ways that will ripple through all levels of this nations economy. This exploitation of low-income Americans for political gain is nothing less than shameful.

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Executive Editor Roger Simmons and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Use insight@orlandosentinel.com to contact us.
Disturbing surveillance video captured the moment two workers at an Edmonds spa were brutally attacked without warning on September 7th.

On Wednesday, KIRO 7 obtained the video of the attack.

Police say the suspect, Colin Frederick Boswell, 48, was dressed in black when he barged into Eva Spa on Edmonds Way.

The man in the video immediately begins attacking, shoving and hitting one worker with his backpack before pushing her into a room where another worker is located.

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The spa owner told KIRO 7 she tried to defend herself but she says Boswell grabbed a metal coat rack and continued beating both of them. The most terrifying moments show the victims desperate cries for help as they try to escape the assault.

Outside security cameras captured one victim running before the man tackled her to the ground and continued the assault.

Property manager Daniel Mann said the spas owner, whos a victim, ran to his nearby business for help.

[She] ran to my business and my employee called police, Mann said.

Boswell was arrested across the street shortly after the attack.

According to court documents, when officers took him into custody, Boswell made a shocking statement: Im very displeased that I didnt kill those ladies.

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He was trying to kill them and he didnt succeed, so theyre really lucky theyre alive, Mann said.

Both victims were rushed to the hospital. More than a month later, the spa owner is still recovering with cuts and stitches, while her employees injuries are so severe she hasnt been able to return to work.

There is a GoFundMe and a GiveSendGo if youd like to help donate to their recovery.

Police say this isnt Boswells first run-in with the law.

Court records show he has 18 prior convictions dating back to 1992 as a juvenile, with crimes spanning Washington, Oregon, and Texas.

His criminal history includes robbery, assault, forgery, identity theft, and drug possession. Despite this extensive record, Boswell was free at the time of the attack because he had completed his previous sentences.

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Nearby businesses are shaken by the violent attack.

It was unsettling. It could have been any of us, said Anita Unrein, who works next door to Eva Spa.

Its horrible that happened, Mann added. Nobody deserves to be treated like that.

Mann believes Boswell should not be free in the community.

He should be separated from everybody. Whether its mental health, some facility or prison. He needs to be put away, he said.

Boswell faces multiple felony charges including two counts of attempted murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and first-degree burglary.

He is currently being held on $1 million bail at the Snohomish County Jail.
EE-Sane Thai-Lao Cuisine reopened Oct. 23 in its old location at 1806 N. Farwell Ave. after the space underwent renovations over the past year.

The restaurant announced the reopening in a Facebook post, which also noted EE-Sane has expanded its menu.

The post didnt specify what exactly has been added to the restaurant's authentic Thai menu, but the building renovations are outwardly apparent. The restaurant has swapped out the building's red-and-white facade for a toned-down forest green and white with more ornate golden trim. Inside, new glass chandeliers have replaced the dining room's hanging wicker lights and the bar's spotlight-style lights. The revamped bar area features additional seating and a brighter look.

EE-Sane Thai-Lao Cuisine, 1806 N. Farwell Ave., got a facelift with new green and white paint with gold trim. The renovated restaurant reopened Oct. 23, 2025.

The menu features popular Thai and Lao dishes like pad thai, pad ka pow mussaman, chicken satay and various other meat, noodle, curry and rice dishes.

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EE-Sane founders Prasith and Khamphet Nanthas opened the restaurant in 1992, after they immigrated to Milwaukee from Laos. A license application filed with the city in 2024 indicated Nanthas' granddaughter, Moukdala Phommanilath, took over operations. Phommanilath also owns EE-Sane's sister restaurant, Lemongrass at 1505 N. Farewell Ave., which played host to EE-Sane while it was being renovated.

EE-Sane is open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday. For more information, see eesanemke.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: EE-Sane Thai-Lao Cuisine reopens on Milwaukee's east side
Cairo  Egypt's government hosted dozens of foreign leaders and dignitaries on Saturday as it held an official opening ceremony for the Grand Egyptian Museum, a $1 billion project decades in the making that was plagued by multiple delays and a ballooning of the budget.

The GEM is one of the largest museums in the world, and the largest dedicated to a single civilization: ancient Egypt. Its subject matter spans some 7,000 years, from prehistory to the end of the Greek and Roman eras around 400 A.D.

"It is a great day for Egypt and for humanity. This is Egypt's gift to the world. It's a dream come true, after all these years, the GEM is finally and officially open," Nevine El-Aref, media adviser to the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, told CBS News.

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The initial cost for the more than 5-million-square-foot, triangular-themed structure about a mile from the iconic pyramids of Giza was estimated at $500 million, but the final price tag was more than double that. Costing over $1 billion, the project was funded through Egyptian resources and international cooperation.

In front of the main entrance stands the imposing 53-foot-high Hanging Obelisk, the only such structure in the world. The obelisk itself is about 3,500 years old, but it sits suspended overhead on a modern structure with a glass floor, so visitors can peer up and view its ancient inscriptions from an angle never before possible.

The Obelisk of Ramses II is pictured before the facade and entrance of the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza near Cairo late on April 6, 2025. / Credit: LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Beyond is the Grand Staircase, with 108 steps bringing people up the equivalent of six floors to the main galleries, with colossal statues on view the whole way up.

The GEM has 12 primary exhibition halls, covering about 194,000 square feet.

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The number of artifacts on display has nearly doubled initial expectations thanks to Egypt's wealth of antiquities, with officials saying about 100,000 items will be housed in the halls.

To put that in perspective, if a visitor were to spend one minute looking at each artifact on display in the museum, it would take almost 70 sleepless days to view the entire collection.

The museum's triangular architecture radiates outward from its entrance toward the three main pyramids of Giza, aligning perfectly with their positions. Its walls and sloping ceilings follow the same lines, rising toward the pyramids' highest points, but not exceeding the height of the ancient structures, out of respect for their builders.

A view of sunlight pouring into the Grand Egyptian Museum's main hall, illuminating a row of colossal statues of pharaohs seated in regal poses at the Great Egyptian Museum, on October 15, 2024 in Giza, Egypt. / Credit: Mohamed Elshahed/Anadolu via Getty Images

The museum's interior offers stunning panoramic views of the pyramids. The concept may sound simple, but it required a significant reshaping of the local topography, including the excavation and removal of some 79 million cubic feet of sand, which took workers seven months.

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King Ramses II was there first

In the entrance courtyard of the GEM, stands a massive, 3,200-year-old statue of King Ramses II. The statue was moved in 2006 from a busy square in central Cairo to a site near the Great Pyramids, where it stood awaiting the new landmark museum's construction.

A view of the main atrium with a statue of Ramses II as people visit the Great Egyptian Museum, on October 15, 2024 in Giza, Egypt. / Credit: Mohamed Elshahed/Anadolu via Getty Images

The 83-ton statue's journey took 10 hours, processing slowly through the streets of Egypt under heavy security as people watched on TV.

Later Ramses was moved to a new permanent home, about 400 yards away, and the museum was built around it.

King Tut's complete collection

The GEM's main attraction, it could be argued, is the complete collection of the famous King Tutankhamun, the golden boy.

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All 5,398 items from the tomb of the 13th pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, who ruled from around 1333 to 1323 B.C., will be displayed together in one place for the first time since they were discovered by Howard Carter in 1922.

The new showroom is six times the size of the one that previously housed much of the Tut collection, at the old Egyptian Museum in central Cairo.

King Khufu's Boats

The GEM also boasts the King Khufu's Boats Museum, showing the 4,500-year-old the boats that were designed to be used in the journey to the afterlife.

The two royal boats were discovered in 1954 near the Pyramid of Khufu. It took experts more than 10 years to reassemble the first boat. It is now fully reconstructed and was moved to the museum in 2021. Visitors of the museum can also view the conservation work underway on the second one.

Tourists enjoy a sunset at a restaurant next to the Great Pyramid of Khufu, ahead of the Grand Egyptian Museum's official opening next Saturday, in Giza, Egypt October 27, 2025. / Credit: Mohamed Abd El Ghany / REUTERS

Scholars believe they were either used in Khufu's funeral procession or they were intended for his journey with the sun god Re in the afterlife.

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The long road to the Grand Egyptian Museum

The idea for a grand museum on this site in Egypt dates back more than 32 years. The government first allocated 117 acres for the project at the location in 1992.

At the very beginning of 2002, Egypt launched a massive international architectural competition to find a winning design for the museum. A total of 2,227 architects from 103 countries applied to submit designs, and by August of that year, 1,550 from 83 countries had submitted conceptual drawings.

A couple months later officials had whittled the options down to only 20 designs to put forward for a second stage. In July 2003, the prize - and the massive contract - was awarded to the Irish architectural firm Heneghan Peng.

Tourists view the site of the great Pyramids from the rest zone of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt, Friday, May 23, 2025. / Credit: AP Photo/Amr Nabil

The plan was originally for the museum to open in 2010, but a series of events, including financial crises, political uprisings, the COVID-19 pandemic and regional wars, delayed the curtain raising.

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A total of 79 official delegations are expected to participate in the opening ceremony, including 39 delegations headed by kings, princes, and heads of state and government, a spokesman for the presidency said.

Egyptian officials hope the new museum will boost the country's tourism industry, and with it, the still-struggling economy. They have predicted that the GEM will attract some 5 million visitors per year.

Trump wants Senate Republicans to scrap the filibuster to end the government shutdown

Former 1st grade teacher shot by a student testifies at trial: "I thought I was dying."

Flights delayed as shutdown leads to shortage of air traffic controllers
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  El Paso Adult Protective Services hosted its 3rd annual Trunk or Treat Halloween Carnival for seniors on Thursday morning, Oct. 30.

The carnival was held at the Downtown State Office building, and around 200 seniors from local adult day care centers attended the event.

The carnival featured games, Halloween costume contests, and trick-or-treating.

The event also aimed to raise public awareness of elder abuse prevention and encouraged socialization for elders.

As we get older, we get lonely and we trust individuals that come into our lives, and at that point they manipulate the relationship and take advantage of them financially. Its someone they know and someone they trust, and they ended up getting taken advantage of. Family and Protective Services Communication Specialist Grace Ortiz

Last year in El Paso County, APS investigated the situations of 3,210 people who were living at home and found 2,002 of them suffered one or more forms of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

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.
An elderly couple has walked 16 kilometres from the front-line village of Torske to the town of Lyman to escape the war. Their journey on foot took five hours, with the woman walking barefoot.

Source: National Police of Ukraine

Details: The police reported that the couple had not eaten for three days and their house in Donetsk Oblast had burned down completely  they barely escaped in time. Left without shelter, the pensioners set off on foot for Lyman. The woman walked barefoot because her boots had chafed her feet.

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Quote: "We were hiding in the basement because of the shellings. We hadn't eaten for three days. There was a strike and we barely made it out of the basement. Everything burned down, nothing was left. We decided to walk to our son-in-law in Lyman.

We set out at 09:00 and reached Lyman around 14:00. We stopped at someone's house because my wife had heart problems. We walked 16 kilometres, leaning on a bicycle. She walked barefoot because her boots had rubbed her feet raw," the man said.

Details: In addition to the elderly couple, three more people were evacuated. One woman shared the horrors of the constant shelling.

"Everything is exploding, everything is burning, it's terrifying. Three drones hit my neighbour's house  it burned down. My roof is damaged and my windows are gone," she said

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The rescued civilians have been taken to a safe location, where representatives of the Red Cross Rapid Response Unit were waiting for them. They will now be helped to reach relatives living in other parts of Ukraine.

Due to intensified Russian attacks and the ongoing threat of drone strikes, evacuation requests have increased in the Lyman hromada [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]. Police are now planning evacuation routes in advance to evacuate residents as quickly and safely as possible.

Background:

Earlier we wrote about Lidiia Stepanivna, who at the age of 98 walked nearly ten kilometres on her own from a partially occupied village in Donetsk Oblast last year and who has recently passed away. Her home had been destroyed by Russian forces.

Later, Monobank and its partners purchased a new home for her.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
An elderly New York City woman is suing President Donald Trumps family business following an incident involving Trump Towers golden escalator that allegedly left her badly hurt.

Mariko Hosoi, 76, was lawfully and carefully inside the glass-enclosed atrium of the Trump Tower on Dec. 29, 2024, when she took the buildings trademark gold-tone escalator from the lobby up to the second floor of the commander-in-chiefs eponymous Midtown Manhattan skyscraper, according to a newly filed lawsuit obtained by The Independent.

After stepping off the escalator, Hosoi began carefully walking to one of the buildings five eateries, her complaint states. Thats when she slipped and fell on an accumulation of a slippery substance, sustaining serious and severe permanent personal injuries, according to the complaint, which blames Hosois accident on the negligence of the defendant The Trump Organization, Inc., its agents, servants, and/or employees.

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Hosois lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday night in Manhattan Supreme Court, takes the Trump Organization to task for negligent ownership, operation, maintenance, management, supervision, inspection, and control of the premises and the atrium.

The complaint says the company and its staffers caused and created a dangerous condition for guests by, among other things, failing to have sufficient personnel to mop the floor, failing to have a proper cleaning regiment [sic], failing to block off the area, and failing to dry the floor, despite notice.

Donald Trump, seen here descending Trump Tower's so-called golden escalator, is now being sued over an injury allegedly caused by the moving staircase made infamous when he used it to announce his 2016 presidential run (Getty Images)

Hosoi has since been left sick, sore, lame and disabled, was forced to spend money on medical treatment, and was unable to attend to her usual vocation or activities, the complaint states.

The Trump Organization did not respond on Thursday to a request for comment.

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In June 2015, Trump was roundly mocked for descending the same escalator from the lobby to the basement to announce his nascent presidential campaign. As a modest crowd of a few dozen people looked on, Trump exulted in seeing what he claimed was a teeming sea of fervent supporters packing the space.

Wow! the future president crowed as he began speaking from a temporary stage erected for the event. Whoa! That is some group of people. Thousands!

But the audience had in fact been cobbled together by Trump aides, and included actors paid $50 to attend , Trump Tower residents and foreign tourists who reportedly had little idea why they were there.

There were some people who lived in the building who had come down, and then there were just a lot of people just kind of from off the street who had come in to see it, one reporter who was there told The Guardian . There was a lot of just random curiosity happening.

Trump Tower's 'golden escalator' figured prominently into Donald Trump's June 2015 announcement that he would be running for president. It now is at the center of a slip-and-fall lawsuit filed by an elderly New York City woman (AFP via Getty Images)

It seemed like a joke at the time, said an adviser to candidate Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor.

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Trump then delivered a dark, cynical, and jingoistic address that denigrated Mexicans as rapists and drug dealers and subsequently made headlines around the world for its direly pessimistic tone. Eight months later, he was inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States.

In 2014, New York real estate mogul Stephen Green sued after slipping on wet marble in the Trump World Tower at Columbus Circle, claiming a housekeeper had failed to put up a caution sign after mopping.

The following year, a Kentucky woman sued the Trump International Beach Resort in South Florida after falling on an unreasonably slippery pool deck.

Last March, the family of a wheelchair-bound California woman sued after she was violently ejected from a revolving door at the Trump Hotel Las Vegas, striking her face on the pavement and later dying.

Hosoi is demanding a money judgment to be determined in court. The Trump Organization now has roughly three weeks to file a formal response to the allegations.
This story was originally posted on MyNorthwest.com

Washingtons top election officials are urging residents to return their ballots early and to use drop boxes instead of mail-in voting, as new U.S. Postal Service (USPS) standards could delay postmarks and deliveries.

King County Elections spokesperson Haley Watkins said some counties started noticing  for the first time  problems during the August primary, when ballots werent always marked the same day carriers picked them up. The new USPS rules clarify that postmarks may no longer reflect the day mail was first collected.

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I know several other counties did see a big, big jump in how many ballots were returned too late because they didnt get that postmark, Watkins said. You are not guaranteed a postmark on the same day that you drop your ballot in the mail.

Secretary of State urges residents not to use mail-in voting

In a statement sent to KIRO Newsradio, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said voters should consider using a drop box, going to a voting center, or physically visiting a post office within seven days of the Nov. 4 general election, adding that his office cant guarantee ballots mailed later will be postmarked in time.

The Postal Service has issued similar guidance, recommending voters mail ballots by October 29 to ensure on-time delivery. The agency has also stopped counting Saturdays as transit days, reduced afternoon pickups, and slowed some first-class mail delivery standards. Most of those issues, they say, could impact more rural areas.

The new standards come as USPS faces significant financial challenges, with a projected net loss of $6.9 billion for fiscal year 2025. While theyre not necessarily new standards, when it comes to mail-in ballots, fewer postmarks and votes not being counted are new to many election officials across the state.

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You need to make sure that youre getting your ballot postmarked if youre going to utilize the mail, Pierce County elections spokesperson Kyle Haugh said. You cant just rely on putting it in the box in front of your home.

Follow Luke Duecy on X. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.
This week voters across California received a suspicious text message saying they'd failed to turn in their ballots for Tuesday's statewide special election on redistricting.

The message may appear official. It includes the voter's name and address and a link to an official website providing information on early voting and vote-by-mail ballot drop-off locations.

But it's not from the state, and officials urge caution.

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The office of the California secretary of state has received numerous reports from voters of "inaccurate text messages from Ballot Now," according to a news release.

"This has caused voters to believe their returned ballots have not been received or processed by county elections officials, Shirley Weber, secretary of state, stated in the release. "Let me be clear: Ballot Now is not in any way affiliated with the California Office of the Secretary of State."

Weber's office told The Times it doesn't know the intent behind the Ballot Now text messages, and "we are trying to get to the bottom of it."

Ballot Now did not respond to The Times' request for comment.

Where voters can get trustworthy answers to their elections questions

Voters can find accurate information on elections and voting at the state secretary's website or at their county election office. The secretary of state's website includes the complete list of county election offices.

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Questions that the secretary of state's website can assist with include:

How do I check my voter status? By entering some personal information, you can see if you are registered to vote, where you're registered, and check that your political party and language preference are correct at the website's voter status page.

How do I track my ballot? You can sign up to track your ballot through the state's online site Ballottrax.



By signing up on Ballottrax, voters receive automatic updates when their county elections office mails their ballot to them, receives their ballot, counts their ballot, or when the office has any issues with the ballot.

Updates are available in 10 languages  including Spanish, Japanese and Tagalog  and you can choose to be texted, emailed or called with voice alert updates.

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Where can I return my ballot? Los Angeles County residents can look for official vote-by-mail ballot drop-box locations or voter centers on the Los Angeles County registrar-recorder/county clerk's website.

How to report something fishy

If you believe you're the victim of election fraud or have witnessed a violation of the California Elections Code, you can submit a complaint form or call the secretary of state's office.

Fill out an online form, download a PDF version of the form and mail it, or call the office  English speakers can call (916) 657-2166 or (800) 345-8683; Spanish speakers can call (800) 232-8682.

The physical form can be mailed to the California Secretary of State Elections Division at 1500 11th St., 5th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 or faxed to (916) 653-3214.

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Los Angeles County residents are encouraged to call the Los Angeles County registrar-recorder/county clerk's call center with any questions or concerns they have, said Mike Sanchez, spokesperson for the office.

The registrar of voters can be reached at (800) 815-2666, and the number for voter center information is (800) 815-2666; choose option No. 1.

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.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Students in dual language classes at Carrie E. Gould Elementary School learned about Dia de Los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, and had a chance to remember their loved ones.

Dia de Los Muertos is a multiple day holiday that traditionally begins on Nov. 1. The celebration stems from a Catholic holiday that is all about celebrating the lives of those who have passed.

Dual Language Immersion teacher at Carrie E. Gould Elementary School Katherine Bautista-Gomez said Dia de Los Muertos can be seen as a sad holiday, but they teach it to be happy celebration.

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Originally, it was a sad you know, we showed some videos of how people celebrate, Bautista-Gomez said. We showed a video where a dog passed away and that immediately brought the tears, but they end up learning that is a happy holiday. We only think about our happiest memories with those people.

Kindergarten and first graders who are enrolled in dual language classes have been learning about Dia de Los Muertos for the past two weeks.

Students in the classroom helped set up an offering inside the classroom by displaying flowers, bread, fruit and photos of their own loved ones who have passed.

Weve been working on creating marigolds with coffee filters, Bautista-Gomez said. We have been working on making monarch butterflies, which migrate to Mexico in Durant during Day of the Dead.

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Bautista-Gomez said her favorite part about teaching this lesson is the students being so involved.

We can combine Halloween and Day of the Dead and just have a happy celebration, Bautista-Gomez said. I think the arts and crafts; Ive had so much fun creating the marigolds with them. So much fun creating the butterflies with them. Its just fun to see their locked their eyes like bright up, you know. 

Gould Elementary has taught Dia de Los Muertos in the past, but they are hoping the program continues to grow.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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CLAIBORNE COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  Officials with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) announced elevated levels of lead were found in the drinking water in some homes and buildings that are serviced by the Romola Water Association in Claiborne County.

According to health officials, lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.

Jackson Zoo water leak fix saves city almost $1 million yearly: report

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MSDH issued a Lead Action Level Exceedance Notice for the Romola Water Association. The lead action level is a measure of the effectiveness of the corrosion control treatment in water systems. The action level is not a standard for establishing a safe level of lead in a home.

To check whether corrosion control is working, officials said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires water systems to test for lead at the tap in certain homes, including those with lead service lines.

In 2025, MSDH officials said the Romola Water Association distributed lead and copper sampling kits to homeowners, with samples collected on September 29, 2025, and analyzed by the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory.

Out of 10 samples, two had lead levels above the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb), meaning that 20% exceeded the limit. Officials said this does not mean that all drinking water is contaminated since lead levels can vary based on home plumbing, how long water sits in pipes, and how samples were collected. Because more than 10% of samples exceeded the action level, the Romola Water Association is required under the EPAs Lead and Copper Rule to take further action, including notifying all customers and improving corrosion control.

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There is no safe level of lead in drinking water, according to MSDH. Residents are encouraged to use certified filters, flush taps before use, and avoid using hot water for drinking or cooking.

According to the agency, the Romola Water Association is focused on protecting the health of every household in its community. They said the association has no lead service lines.

Steps to Reduce Lead in Water

Use your filter properly . Using a water filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, visit the EPAs website and the EPAs Consumer Tool for Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead.

Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucets screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.

Use cold water . Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking or making baby formula since lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.

Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in your homes pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your homes pipes by running the tap, taking a shower, doing laundry, or doing a load of dishes. The amount of time to run the water will depend on whether your home has a lead service line or not, as well as the length and diameter of the service line and the amount of plumbing in your home. Residents may contact the Romola Water Association at 601-437-4006 or send e-mail to ermapshaifer@hotmail.com for recommendations about flushing times in their community.

Learn what your service line material is. Contact the Romola Water Association at 601-437-4006 or ermapshaifer@hotmail.com or a licensed plumber to determine whether the pipe that connects your home to the water main (called a service line) is made from lead, galvanized, or other materials.

Learn about construction in your neighborhood. Contact the Romola Water Association at 601-437-4006 or ermapshaifer@hotmail.com to find out about any construction or maintenance work that could disturb your service line. Construction may cause more lead to be released from a lead service line if present.

Have your water tested. Contact the Romola Water Association at 601-437-4006 or ermapshaifer@hotmail.com to have your water tested and to learn more about the lead levels in your drinking water.

Have your child tested. A family doctor or pediatrician can perform a blood test for lead and provide information about the health effects of lead on your child. The Mississippi State Department of Health can also provide information about having your childs blood tested for lead; call the MSDH Lead Prevention Program at (601) 576-7447.

Hattiesburg receives $4 million for major sewer project

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According to MSDH, the Romola Water Association will provide Corrosion Control Recommendations to the state in response to the ALE (Action Level Exceedance) to prevent future lead and copper exceedances.

The Romola Water Association is taking the actions below:

In addition to the information mentioned above that the water association will provide to residents at locations that were sampled, additional public education will be distributed to all Romola Water Association customers by February 28, 2026. Public education is to be provided no later than 60 days after the end of the monitoring period.

Romola Water Association is working to determine which corrosion control treatment strategy would be most effective in addressing this situation.

Romola Water Association will begin monitoring lead and copper twice per year, once every six months, beginning in 2026. For more information, contact the Romola Water Association at 601-437-4006, or 3150 HWY 18 East #3 Port Gibson MS, 39150, or send e-mail to ermapshaifer@hotmail.com.

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A 33-year-old DOGE employee was tapped to run the U.S. Navys science and technology arm, though she appears to have no experience with the U.S. Navy, science, or technology, The Bulwark reported Thursday.

Dr. Rachel Riley was chosen to replace Rear Admiral Kurt Rothenhaus as chief of naval research, where he has served since 2023. The Office of Naval Research is responsible for disbursing billions of dollars in grants and contracts to benefit the Navy, and has historically been led by an active duty flag officer, according to USNI News.

Riley previously worked as a partner at McKinsey & Company, and completed a Ph.D. in social policy and an M.Sc. in contemporary Chinese from Oxford, according to her LinkedIn. She joined the ranks at DOGE and was assigned to the Department of Health and Human Services, where Politico reported she pushed for massive layoffs earlier this year.

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A Navy spokesperson told USNI that Riley brings deep acquisition, technology, and organizational expertise to the job, and we are pleased to welcome her to the team. We thank Rear Adm. Rothenhaus for his service as he is enroute to his next assignment. We do not have additional information to share at this time.

Former naval aviator Senator Mark Kelly, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told The Bulwark that Riley was an unorthodox pick. Usually the head of Naval Research is a very senior member of the military or the senior executive service with an extensive experience in technology, science, engineering, he said. Thats the kind of person we put in that job. So I think itll be important to seeand I dont have a lot of information on this nominees backgroundbut I do know its somebody rather junior who came from the world of DOGE.

President Donald Trump has his own tenuous understanding of naval technology. Earlier this week, the president ranted about how he wanted to resume using steam catapults instead of electric catapults on aircraft carriers because he loves the way the steam looks pouring off the deck. Meanwhile, the maintenance on steam catapults is considered labor intensive and costly, compared to newer models.

Trump has previously claimed the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System doesnt work, though there is no evidence that this is true. In January 2024, Trump baselessly claimed that magnets stop working when placed in water, and therefore were a stupid thing to put on a boat.
CINCINNATI (WXIX) - Emails and text messages between Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge and City Manager Sheryl Long show tension before Long put the chief on leave last week.

Long was caught off guard when the chief announced she was on a Hamilton County police chiefs task force, according to an Aug. 15 email from Long to Chief Theetge.

Please make sure that you connect with me before announcements are made public, Long wrote.

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Long then informed the chief that, effective immediately, all communications, including outside meetings and announcements and strategies must be reviewed by the city spokesperson and Long before any messaging is executed."

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge speaks at a press conference with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and state, local, and federal officials at Cincinnati's City Hall to announce details of two new partnerships focused on preventing violent crime on Tuesday September 9, 2025.

More: City manager, police chief exchanged messages before chief placed on leave. What they said

More: Cincinnati police chief's family, supporters pack City Hall. 'We will not be quiet'

She also ordered the chief to first discuss with the citys director of government affairs and Long prior to any action being taken regarding political agenda items, including outreach or engagement with elected officials, candidates or political bodies.

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These steps, Longs email instructs the chief, are required to ensure alignment, avoid miscommunication and maintain clear separation between Administration priorities and political activities.

Another exchange of city emails on Oct. 15 shows Chief Theetge asked the citys human resources director and Long about a discrepancy with time balances on her paycheck.

Noting that Oct. 20 would be her 36th anniversary with the police department, the chief wrote: As you know, I cant stay here forever, so I just want to plan.

Long and the citys human resources director agreed to meet with her.

Chief Theetge was in Denver at that point for an annual national conference of police chiefs.

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Later that day, Long texted the chief:Call me because she and the citys spokesperson needed to talk to her.

The chief responded that she was in a car with another police chief and asked if it could wait until she got back to her hotel.

Chief Theetge texted the city manager a statement from the Cincinnati Reds leadership that praised her.

Long ordered her to return to Cincinnati on the earliest flight you can catch, according to the text exchange.

Theetge, in light of the recent higher profile incident and heightened public attention surrounding it, we need you back in town on the earliest flight you can catch, Long texted her. Please call me.

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The chief was put on leave on Oct. 20 pending an investigation into the effectiveness of her leadership following criticism of her handling of violent crime.

Mayor Pureval began to distance himself from the chief after a 16-year-old and a 19-year-old were shot on Fountain Square in the heart of Downtown on the evening of Oct. 13.

It was the second time in less than a week that someone was shot on Fountain Square.

During an Oct. 14 news conference after a double shooting the night before on Fountain Square, Theetge announced a stricter enforcement policy for low-level offenses.

The mayor began saying he wasnt ruling out the possibility of seeking a different leader of the Cincinnati Police Department

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In all, three people were shot Downtown the week of Oct. 13 alone, including a man who was shot multiple times and killed inside a BMW outside a popular bar at Sycamore and East Third streets early Oct. 17.

Gunfire ripped out shortly after the Cincinnati Bengals won their home game at Paycor Stadium.

It was the latest in a long string of shootings and other violent incidents in and around the urban core over the past several months.

That includes a large beating attack caught on videos that went viral and threw Cincinnati into the national spotlight in late July.

The beatdown sparked a local and national debate about crime, public safety and race in the Queen City.

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By Oct. 15, sources told FOX19 NOW Long asked Theetge to resign.

Former Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge looks on as her lawyer Steve Imm speaks to the press on her behalf for on Oct. 21, 2025 in Cincinnati.

By weeks end, prominent employment attorney Steve Imm with the Finney Law Firm confirmed to FOX19 NOW that the chief hired him.

Imm has successfully represented Cincinnatis former fire chief in his wrongful termination lawsuit against the city and Long.

Chief Theetge, Imm said at a news conference last week, isnt stepping down and is being made a political scapegoat.

Her job evaluations show she was rated exceptional or exceeds standards.

The chiefs leave is pending an internal investigation being conducted by a law firm.

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The mayor, who is up for re-election next week, has said it could take months.

The election has nothing to do with this decision, or any decision we take in this office, he has said. Our number one priority continues to be public safety.

Earlier this week, Imm told FOX19 NOW:

Instead of investigating its outstanding police chief, who has an unblemished 35-year record of service, the city should be investigating why the mayor did not let her do her job, and why he repeatedly blocked her common-sense efforts to reduce crime in the city.

While Theetge remains on paid leave, Long selected Captain Adam Hennie to serve as interim chief.

Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Emails, texts show tension before Teresa Theetge put on leave
When Downing Street published an exchange of letters between Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves late on Wednesday night, things looked bad for the Chancellor.

Letters are usually exchanged between prime ministers and members of their Cabinet when they resign after a scandal.

In this case, the Prime Minister wrote to confirm that Ms Reeves would stay in her job, even though she had admitted breaking housing rules by not applying for a licence to allow her to rent out her family home in south London.

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He came to this decision after Sir Laurie Magnus, his independent adviser on ministerial interests, had said she did not have to resign because she had made the mistake inadvertently, and because she had apologised.

Ms Reeves, in her letter, insisted: Regrettably, we were not aware that a licence was necessary, and so we did not obtain the licence before letting the property out.

Doubts over that assurance followed later on Thursday.

There were further questions: had Sir Laurie actually said she had not broken the ministerial code? Or had he said that she had broken the code, but the offence was so minor that she did not need to resign?

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The next morning, the Conservatives ratcheted up the pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to sack his Chancellor, while Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, called on Southwark council to take Ms Reeves to court.

Ms Reeves faced further claims of hypocrisy when it emerged she had supported landlord licensing in her own Leeds constituency.

Later in the morning, journalists filed in to Downing Street to listen to the Prime Ministers spokesman. He declined to answer repeated questions about whether Sir Laurie had found Ms Reeves guilty of breaking the ministerial code.

Asked a yes or no question, the No 10 spokesman said: As the Chancellor has set out, shes explained it was an inadvertent mistake. As soon as it was brought to her attention, she took immediate action.

The property at the centre of the scandal

The ministerial code makes clear that, in certain circumstances, and in conjunction with the independent adviser, an apology is sufficient resolution.

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The spokesman also refused to say whether Sir Laurie had been presented with any other evidence to back up Ms Reeves claim that she did not know about the need for a licence and that the mistake had been made inadvertently.

As the afternoon wore on, the Chancellor faced further pressure to consider her future  this time from her own side.

One Labour MP said: Ignorance of the law is no defence. Starmer is a lawyer, he knows how the system works, but he is clinging on to his Chancellor because she is his last line of defence.

A second source said: There seems to be an inequity between the treatment of Angela Rayner and that of Rachel Reeves. Both failed to know the policies that they had to follow, both left with having to seek financial and other redress, yet Angela had to resign and Rachel is not even being investigated by the PM.

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Ms Rayner resigned in September after The Telegraph revealed she had not paid 40,000 in stamp duty.

The Chancellor will have heaved a huge sigh of relief after Southwark council said it would not be taking any action against her for breaking the rules.

A spokesman for the local authority said landlords were only subject to fines if they failed to apply for a licence within 21 days of receiving a warning letter.

At 3.45pm, journalists returned to Downing Street for another briefing by Sir Keirs spokesman. He started by reading a statement saying new information had come to light, which would be passed on to Sir Laurie.

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The spokesman said emails sent and received by Nicholas Joicey, the Chancellors husband, had been passed to the Prime Minister and Sir Laurie.

A spokesman for No 10 said: Following a review of emails sent and received by the Chancellors husband, new information has come to light. This has now been passed to the prime minister and his independent adviser. It would be inappropriate to comment further.

Sir Laurie Magnus

At first, the spokesman declined to answer when asked whether the Prime Minister had full confidence in his Chancellor.

Along with the fact that Sir Laurie had been asked to look at the newly-emerged emails, this raised the prospect that she might be in trouble.

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But later the spokesman said the Prime Minister did indeed have full confidence in her, and that she would be presenting the Budget on Nov 26.

Downing Street also let it be known that it believed the emails vindicated Ms Reeves.

Soon afterwards, this seemed to be the case when the lettings agency involved in rental arrangements for Ms Reeves property apologised to her for an oversight that led to a failure to obtain a licence.

Gareth Martin, the owner of Harvey & Wheeler, said an employee who had offered to apply for a licence on behalf of Ms Reeves resigned before the tenancy began, and the company did not pick it up.

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In an effort to be helpful our previous property manager offered to apply for a licence on these clients behalf, as shown in the correspondence, he said. That property manager suddenly resigned on the Friday before the tenancy began on the following Monday.

The owner of Harvey & Wheeler said an employee who had offered to apply for a licence on behalf of Ms Reeves resigned before the tenancy began - Ben Montgomery

Unfortunately, the lack of application was not picked up by us as we do not normally apply for licences on behalf of our clients; the onus is on them to apply. We have apologised to the owners for this oversight.

We deeply regret the issue caused to our clients, as they would have been under the impression that a licence had been applied for.

Emails between Mr Joicey and the letting agency, published around 5.45pm, confirmed that the agency had offered to apply for the licence.

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The exchange showed the lettings agent telling Mr Joicey: I will do the Selective Licence once the new tenant moves in as I wont [sic] need to do this just yet.

Mr Joicey replied: Yes, please, do go ahead and arrange the PAT test and the Selective licence.

In another letter to Sir Keir, Ms Reeves said that  contrary to what she had said on Wednesday evening  her husband had known about the need for a licence.

Today the letting agency and my husband have found correspondence confirming that on 17 July 2024 the letting agent said to my husband that a selective licence would be required and agreed that the agency would apply for the licence on our behalf, she said.

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They have also confirmed today that they did not take that application forward, in part due to a member of staff leaving the organisation.

Nevertheless, as I said yesterday, I accept it was our responsibility to secure the licence. I also take responsibility for not finding this information yesterday and bringing it to your attention. As I said to you today, I am sorry about this matter and accept full responsibility for it.

The Tories said this directly contradicted her assurance on Wednesday night.

Last night Rachel Reeves said she had not been made aware of the licensing requirement, a spokesman said. Today, we find out that Reeves was alerted to the need for a licence in writing by the estate agents.

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Having been caught out, the Chancellor is now trying to make the estate agents take the blame, but Reeves never followed up with them to ensure that the licence had been applied for, or checked if the licence had been granted.

Regardless, under the law, Reeves and her husband are responsible for ensuring the licence is granted. With more information coming to light every few hours, the Prime Minister needs to grow a backbone and start a proper investigation.

The Chancellor hopes that the release of the emails will put an end to the scandal and ensure that she does not have to resign in disgrace like Ms Rayner.

But the admission that her statement on Wednesday night did not tell the whole truth means it could run for a while yet.

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.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Emergency power outages were imposed on "all oblasts of Ukraine" due to yet another overnight mass Russian missile and drone attack targeting energy infrastructure, killing three people, and injuring at least 27 others, local authorities reported on Oct. 30.

Russian forces struck multiple thermal power plants in various regions of Ukraine, DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine, said.

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"The attacks caused fires at the facilities and resulted in damage to power plant equipment. Following the strikes, energy workers immediately began damage assessment and recovery operations," DTEK said.

According to DTEK, this marks the third major attack on the company's thermal power plants in a month. Three energy workers were injured in previous attacks.

"This attack is a bad blow in our efforts to keep power flowing this winter. Based on the intensity of attacks for the past two months, it is clear Russia is aiming for the complete destruction of Ukraine's energy system," CEO of DTEK, Maxim Timchenko, said.

"We call on Ukraine's allies to defeat them by ramping up supplies of replacement energy equipment, emergency funding to rebuild power stations, and rapidly reinforcing Ukraine's air defences," Timchenko added.

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Hours after the attack, at 10:22 a.m. Kyiv time, state-owned energy grid operator Ukrenerg said that hourly power cuts were canceled throughout Ukraine, but they may resume within the next 24 hours.

At 8:30 a.m. Kyiv time, Ukrenergo said that electricity was available according to the schedule.

Air raid alerts were issued across the entire country overnight, with Ukraine's Air Force tracking Shahed-type drones, cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as hypersonic Kinzhal missiles.

Russia launched 52 missiles, including nine ballistic missiles, and 653 drones of different types, according to the Air Force.

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In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, residential buildings were damaged and two people were killed, 23 people, including six children, were injured as a result of the overnight Russian attack, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported.

In Vinnytsia Oblast, a seven-year-old girl was killed, four people were injured, according to local authorities. Critical infrastructure, residential buildings, and vehicles were also damaged.

A 36-year-old woman was injured in Boryspil, Kyiv Oblast, as a result of the drone attack, local authorities reported, adding that a fire broke out in a home, and residential buildings were damaged.

A woman holds a child outside a residential building struck overnight on Oct. 30, 2025, during a mass Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine. (State Emergency Service of Ukraine)

In Mykolaiv Oblast, power outages were reported as a result of the Russian attack. According to Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) some passenger trains in the Mykolaiv Olast are running with delays.

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Explosions were also reported in Khmelnytskyi, Rivne, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts, far from the front lines in western Ukraine.

In Lviv Oblast, two energy infrastructure facilities were damaged, Governor Maksym Kozytskyi reported.

Air defenses were active in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk, Mayor Ruslan Martsinkiv reported, adding that there could be interruptions to electricity supply amid Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.

President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, saying that there were "many vile strikes on energy facilities and civilian life across the regions."

"Russia continues its terrorist war against life itself, and it's crucial that every such vile attack on civilians boomerangs back on Russia with concrete consequences  sanctions and real pressure," Zelensky wrote on X.

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Russia regularly targets Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure in drone and missile attacks as Moscow continues to wage its war against Ukraine.

Russian drones have hunted and displaced civilians from their homes near the front line in Ukraine, Reuters reported on Oct. 27, citing a new U.N. inquiry presented to the General Assembly.

As a result of Russian attacks on Oct. 26, at least nine civilians were killed and 45 others injured, regional authorities reported.

Read also: Pokrovsk defense deteriorates further as Putin claims encirclement  what we know

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, on Wednesday, chaired a meeting with representatives from Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and industry associations, focusing on strategies to boost India's export growth. The discussions centred around harnessing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) for greater market access, driving value addition, expanding market diversification, and strengthening sectoral synergies. Sharing details on X, Goyal said, "Chaired a meeting with representatives from Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) & Industry Associations from diverse sectors, focused on exploring strategies to propel India's export growth. Key discussion points included harnessing FTAs for greater market access, driving value addition, expanding market diversification & strengthening sectoral synergies. We remain committed to unlocking new avenues for quality-driven, sustainable growth to further enhance India's exports." Earlier in the day, the minister said that India is working towards a "fair, equitable and balanced" Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union, with significant progress being made in the ongoing negotiations. Speaking after his visit to Brussels from October 26-28, 2025, Goyal said he had productive engagements with Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, on outstanding issues related to the India-EU FTA negotiations. "We have agreed to close 10 out of 20 chapters. Another four or five chapters have, in principle, been broadly decided and on more and more issues we are leading towards convergence," Goyal said, adding that when the EU team visits next week for the next round of negotiations, possibly in late November or December, both sides should be in a position to make "significant and substantial progress towards closure." Goyal, who also participated in the Berlin Global Dialogue, said his meetings with counterparts from the German government, other countries, and European businesses revealed a strong interest in expanding relations with India. (ANI)
Denise Powell at her campaign event on June 4, 2025. (Courtesy of Denise Powell for Congress)

OMAHA  An influential abortion-rights group is weighing in on the crowded Democratic primary in Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District.

EMILYs List on Thursday endorsed business owner and political action committee co-founder Denise Powell. The groups president, Jessica Mackler, said theyre proud to support her in this race as she fights for Nebraska.

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She stepped up to be the leader her community needed when public schools were threatened and extremists tried to pass abortion bans, all while helping women in Nebraska run for office, Mackler said.

EMILYs List endorses Democratic women running for office who support abortion rights; it doesnt typically endorse in Democratic primaries if more than one woman is running, especially in high-profile races like the 2nd District.

But there have been some recent exceptions, including 2018, when the group backed former Georgia State Rep. Stacey Evans in the Democratic primary for Georgia governor. The 2nd District Democratic primary has two other women running, Douglas County District Court Clerk Crystal Rhoades and Navy veteran Kishla Askins.

The group pointed to Powells role in state politics as the reason for the endorsement. It said she had helped with organizing recent ballot initiatives seeking to codify the right to an abortion, which failed, and to repeal a publicly funded voucher program for private K-12 schools, which succeeded.

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The races other Democratic candidates are State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, former congressional staffer James Leuschen and Evangelos Argyrakis.

Rhoades received an endorsement from Omaha Mayor John Ewing last month. Cavanaugh announced the endorsements of four local unions this week.

The Omaha-based race is typically competitive, but its drawing more attention with U.S. Rep. Don Bacon retiring.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  In response to the announcement that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may not be distributed on Nov. 1, Ent Credit Union is taking action to support families facing food insecurity.

To help meet the need, Ent is offering $25,000 matching gifts to support emergency fundraising efforts to both Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado and Food Bank of the Rockies.

Ent also launched an Emergency Assistance Program on Thursday, Oct. 30, offering eligible members a chance to get a $250 Visa eGift Card. The opportunity is open to Ent members who certify that they or someone in their household has been directly impacted by the federal government shutdown or the loss/suspension of food or other government benefits, like SNAP. There are additional eligibility criteria outlined in the official rules.

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This is part of the credit union difference, said Annie Snead, Ent Credit Unions executive director of philanthropy and community relations. Were people over profit, and hearing about this need from our food bank partners drove us into action. With the SNAP delay and the ongoing government shutdown, many Colorado families are facing increasingly difficult times. Were proud to be part of our communitys safety net, and we want our members to know theyre not alone.

Applications are open from Thursday at 8 a.m. through Thursday, Nov. 6, at 5 p.m. Recipients will be selected by random drawing on Nov. 7, and the eGift cards will be delivered through email about seven to 10 business days after notification.

Ent said over the last 90 days, Ent has processed nearly 2,000 loan deferments and completed 38 loan modifications for members navigating financial hardship. The tools are designed to offer short-term relief for members experiencing life events that may take time to recover from.

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.
Activism against Line 5 includes members of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and residents across Wisconsin, including at this home in Madison. (Henry Redman | Wisconsin Examiner)

Environmental groups are blasting what some are calling a premature and unlawful decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to approve federal permits for the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline project in northern Wisconsin. The permits have been issued despite an ongoing court challenge to state-level permits and before Wisconsins water quality certification for the project has been finalized.

This is a clear violation of the Clean Water Act, said Rob Lee, staff attorney with Midwest Environmental Advocates. It appears the Army Corps is fast-tracking a fossil fuel project at the expense of environmental protection and legal due process.

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In June, Midwest Environmental Advocates submitted formal comments during a public hearing warning the Army Corps to not approve the permits until a final water quality certification had been issued by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). A water quality permit had been issued in November but that permit is still the subject of litigation and therefore has not been finalized.

Federal law is clear, Lee said in a statement. The Army Corps cant approve this project without final water quality certification from the relevant state authority. The DNRs certification is still being challenged in court, which means its not legally final  and that makes this permit premature and unlawful.

Debra Cronmiller, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin said in a statement that the group was horrified that the Army Corps is willing to condone an extremely dangerous project that will irreparably destroy the integrity of the watershed. Conmiller added that the damage, not to mention the long term risks associated with the pipeline itself, must be considered before any such project would be granted permits to proceed.

Owned by the Canadian oil giant Enbridge, Line 5 is an over 70-year old pipeline carrying thousands of gallons of crude oil from Canada into the U.S. A federal court ruled pipeline route has been trespassing on the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewas reservation. Enbridges planned reroute is also being challenged before an administrative law judge. Advocates for the pipeline say it will generate 700 jobs and boost Wisconsins energy sector, while critics argue that the pipelines new route would continue to threaten the Bad River watershed and other ecosystems in the event of a catastrophic oil spill. .

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Clean Wisconsin has intervened in the administrative challenge to the planned pipeline reroute. The health of these ecosystems is critical to Tribal Nations, fisheries, and local economies across the region, said Clean Wisconsin President Mark Redsten in a statement. The group highlighted that tourism alone generates $378 million in economic activity and supports over 2,800 jobs in Bayfield, Ashland, Douglas and Iron counties.

In the past, Enbridge pipeline spills have devastated waterways and habitats. Another Enbridge pipeline leaked over 69,000 gallons of oil before the breach was noticed in late 2024, the same week environmental and trial groups filed new legal challenges of the Line 5 reroute.

Emily Park, co-executive director of 350 Wisconsin, said the group was deeply disturbed by the decision. Wisconsinites and millions of other residents of the region depend on clean and healthy water for our lives, food, jobs, and recreation, said Park. We are appalled that the Army Corps is willing to appease a foreign corporation by risking the health of water, the stability of our climate, and the wellbeing of current and future generations.

By fast-tracking the Line 5 reroute, said Sierra Club Wisconsin Chapter Director Elizabeth Ward, the Army Corps has backed Canadian oil giant Enbridge at the expense of the Bad River Band, Wisconsinites, and the 40 million people who rely on the Great Lakes for safe drinking water. Theres no safe way to reroute this pipeline. Every day that Line 5 continues to operate, our water, ecosystems, and way of life is in danger.

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Oct. 30EPHRATA  As local food banks brace for potential increases in demand, Phyllis Fuglie, Director of the Ephrata Food Bank, is reaching out to the community for assistance. Fuglie outlined the pressing needs of the food bank as it strives to serve families amid changing federal support for low-income households.

Currently, the Ephrata Food Bank serves approximately 480 individuals who walk through its doors each month, which translates to around 160 to 180 families in need of assistance.

Fuglie noted that while the food bank remains operational, its necessity is underscored by uncertainties surrounding federal programs.

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"We don't know what the federal government will do, and we don't know if we are going to get more people, so we must prepare for that," she said.

These concerns are heightened by the expiration of food stamp benefits and the Women, Infants, and Children program, both of which are set to end this month because of the ongoing government shutdown.

Fuglie expressed that the food bank's needs are primarily for non-perishable items, particularly canned goods.

"We can always use food. Anything canned, because it'll last longer. We'd like to have fresh, but we just don't have the capacity to store a lot of fresh food," she said.

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The emphasis on canned and non-perishable items reflects not just inventory needs but also storage limitations, essential during peak periods of demand.

In response to these challenges, the community is encouraged to participate in upcoming food drives.

"We are open to food drives," Fuglie said, highlighting an event organized by Ephrata School District schools, set to occur Nov. 10. The district-wide effort aims to collect non-perishable food donations during fall conferences, potentially boosting supplies to the food bank at a critical time.

Along with the school district, both the Ephrata City Hall and Ephrata Police Department are also collecting food, which can be dropped off during hours of operation.

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For Ephrata residents seeking food assistance, Fuglie confirmed that the food bank operates Mondays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

"Just come to the food bank. We'll give you some food, and then you can sign up," she said.
LA VERGNE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Staffing changes are on the way to one La Vergne equipment supplier.

On Monday, HD Supply notified the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development they intend to close their Teledyne Place distribution center on Jan. 9, 2026.

Dozens to be permanently laid off from OP Mobilitys Spring Hill facility

Once they notify the Department of Labor, at some point, we will get notified to assist those displaced workers, Dedrick Moore, Team Lead at American Job Center in Murfreesboro, told News 2.

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The notice said the affected employees are not represented by a collective bargaining agreement and do not have bumping rights. The letter also says the Northern Middle Tennessee Workforce Development Boards Rapid Response team has been notified. Moore said their team offers a number of resources to people affected by layoffs.

Layoffs are piling up, raising worker anxiety. Here are some companies that have cut jobs recently

On the basic level: job service assistance at any level  whether it be resume writing, interviewing skills, basic computer skills or just looking for work online, just helping people with that, Moore said.

The HD Supply closure announcement comes after multiple other layoff announcements in La Vergne this year  from the Bridgestone plant and the Saks Fifth Avenue Fulfillment Center.

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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.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz clashed over the war in Gaza during a joint press conference in Ankara on Thursday.

While Merz reaffirmed Germany's firm support for Israel, Erdogan again accused the country of committing "genocide."

The Turkish leader noted that Israel launched major airstrikes on Gaza this week, despite the ceasefire that entered into force on October 10. Israel said on Wednesday it had "renewed" its enforcement of the ceasefire.

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"They are not only attacking Gaza, but have always been intent on subjugating Gaza through hunger and genocide, and this is still ongoing," Erdogan said.

Erdogan's remarks came in response to Merz, who told a Turkish journalist that Israel had become a refuge for millions of Jews, including many who survived the Holocaust. "That is why Germany will always stand firmly by the side of the State of Israel," he said.

The chancellor added that Israel had exercised its "right to self-defence" after the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack, saying the devastating war could have been avoided if Hamas had released hostages earlier and laid down its arms.

"Then this war would have ended immediately," said the German chancellor.

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Erdogan replied that he did not agree with Merz, arguing that Hamas had no nuclear or heavy weapons, while Israel possessed such arms and had bombed Gaza again despite the ceasefire agreed to two weeks ago.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz clashed over the war in Gaza during a joint press conference in Ankara on Thursday.

While Merz reaffirmed Germany's firm support for Israel, Erdogan again accused the country of committing "genocide."

The Turkish leader noted that Israel launched major airstrikes on Gaza this week, despite the ceasefire that entered into force on October 10. Israel said on Wednesday it had "renewed" its enforcement of the ceasefire.

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"They are not only attacking Gaza, but have always been intent on subjugating Gaza through hunger and genocide, and this is still ongoing," Erdogan said.

Erdogan's remarks came in response to Merz, who told a Turkish journalist that Israel had become a refuge for millions of Jews, including many who survived the Holocaust. "That is why Germany will always stand firmly by the side of the State of Israel," he said.

The chancellor added that Israel had exercised its "right to self-defence" after the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack, saying the devastating war could have been avoided if Hamas had released hostages earlier and laid down its arms.

"Then this war would have ended immediately," said the German chancellor.

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Erdogan replied that he did not agree with Merz, arguing that Hamas had no nuclear or heavy weapons, while Israel possessed such arms and had bombed Gaza again despite the ceasefire agreed to two weeks ago.

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered renewed attacks on Gaza following the killing of an Israeli soldier in Rafah in southern Gaza and what the government said was a staged "finding" of a hostage's remains.

Turkey maintains contacts with Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union. Ankara played a key role in brokering the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip around two weeks ago, though the truce has since grown fragile.
Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, bravely went on stage with Vice President JD Vance Wednesday and took part in her first Turning Point USA campus event since the assassination of her husband at a similar event seven weeks ago.

When our team asked my dear friend, Vice President JD Vance, to speak today, I really prayed on it because, obviously, its a very emotional, emotional day, Kirk told an arena packed with students at the University of Mississippi.

But I could just hear Charlie in my heart, she continued. I could just hear him say, Go reclaim that territory, babe.

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The battles already won. Gods love conquers. And thats why Im here today.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance boards Air Force Two for travel to participate in a Turning Point USA event with Charlie Kirks widow, Erika Kirk in Mississippi, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S. October 29, 2025. REUTERS

Kirk, who was named president of the influential conservative activist group in the wake of her husbands shocking murder last month at Utah Valley University, described being on campus as a spiritual reclaiming of territory.

The more that I am coming to grips with the permanency of this nightmare, she continued, the more that Im starting to realize and witness that the enemy  he doesnt want you.

He wants your territory. He wants your influence.

Follow The Posts live coverage of President Trump and national politics for the latest news and analysis

Erika Kirk gets emotional during a memorial service for her husband, slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, at State Farm Stadium in Arizona, U.S., September 21, 2025. REUTERS

Kirk, a mother of two young children, thanked the 10,000 students in attendance for their prayers and support.

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You guys have no idea how helpful it is to have all you in my life  you make me feel even more connected to my husband, she told them.

He didnt leave us empty handed. He built a machine. And all of you are a part of that.

Erika Kirk described Vance, who was among those to serve as a pallbearer when he flew Charlie Kirks body aboard Air Force Two from Utah back home to Arizona, as a very, very dear friend.

No one will ever replace my husband  but I do see some similarities in JD, she said.

The vice president received a loud ovation when he took the stage to deliver brief remarks and engage in a question and answer session with students for over an hour.

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One female student pressed Vance on several topics, including immigration and his wife, Ushas religion during one of the most contentious exchanges of the evening.

Yes, my wife did not grow up Christian, the vice president said. I think its fair to say that she grew up in a Hindu family, but not a particularly religious family in either direction.

Everybody has to come to their own arrangement here  we decided to raise our kids Christian, Vance continued, explaining how they are balancing their intercultural marriage.

The vice president said he hopes his wife one day decides to become a Catholic but if she doesnt, God says everyone has free will.

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That doesnt cause a problem for me.

In the same back-and-forth, Vance also explained that he would like to severely restrict legal immigration into the US until migrants already in the country better assimilate.

The vice president described Charlie Kirk as the most effective person in politics that I have seen, and revealed that the late Turning Point USA founder called him to express concerns before President Trump ordered airstrikes on nuclear facilities in Iran.

He was mad, Vance said of the phone call.

He said Charlie Kirk told him: JD, Im really worried  really worried  that what is happening in the Middle East right now is going to lead to a protracted military conflict.

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Vance touted that the strikes on Iran did not result in a prolonged military conflict with Iran, and he credited Charlie Kirk with reminding him how important that issue is to Americans.

I really believe that one of the reasons why the president of the United States knocked out the Iranian nuclear facilities, but never got the United States into a protracted military conflict and never lost a single American in a Middle Eastern conflict is because we had the wisdom and the good sense to recognize that the American people are done with American troops dying in unnecessary foreign conflicts  but Charlie Kirk reminded me of that, the vice president said.
On a powerful Wednesday night in the heart of the South, Erika Kirk walked onto the stage at the University of Mississippi, greeted by a roaring crowd of thousands, many of whom wore the same Freedom t-shirt her late husband made famous.

It was her first campus appearance since Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated by a gunman seven weeks ago while speaking at Utah Valley University.

This weeks event, featuring Erika Kirk and Vice President JD Vance, is part of the This Is the Turning Point tour.

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Being on campus right now for me is a spiritual reclaiming of territory, Erika said, per TPUSA. The enemy doesnt want you. He wants your territory. He wants your influence. And I could hear Charlie say, Go reclaim that territory, babe. The battles that Gods love conquers.

Charlie Kirk was assassinated on September 10, 2025, while speaking to students in Orem, Utah. The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, faces charges including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering, along with aggravating factors such as committing a violent offense in the presence of a child, as previously reported by the DX.

Turning Point USA quickly elected Erika as CEO and chair of the board in the days following his death.

I lost my best friend, Erika told the students. But if youre afraid to speak truth, the murder of my husband puts every fear in perspective. Charlie never went with the flow. He believed the harder path was always the right one  because comfort doesnt change the world.

She shared that for weeks after his death, she avoided their bedroom. When she finally returned, she slept on his side  and saw the framed words on the wall he faced each morning: They will be known by the boldness of their faith.

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Erika also shared that on his desk were three handwritten questions he asked himself daily:

What can I do for someone today?

What can I add to the world today?

How can I honor God today?

Those were his action points for courage, she said. Ask yourself those every morning  and you will get courage.

Erika urged the crowd: You are the courageous generation. Earn your voice. Make him proud.

She then introduced Vance, a close friend of Charlies, who also spoke to the students about the importance of faith and family.

Charlie wanted you, more than anything, to invest in the things that were worth having to build a life that was worth building  the most important advice he ever gave you was fall in love, get married, and start a family, Vance told the crowd, per TPUSA.

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Security was heightened at the event in Mississippi, with a heavy concentration of police officers across the campus. A small group of protesters gathered outside.

Love your family fearlessly. Love your spouse fearlessly. Love this country, Erika added. Defend her. Serve God. And dont wait for someone else to do it  you do it.

As she closed, the arena erupted in applause. This moment, she said, can be your breaking point  or your turning point.
That man, that young man  I forgive him.

Erika Kirk softly spoke those words about the gunman accused of assassinating her husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, as she struggled to hold back tears last month during his memorial service.

Her public declaration inspired another. Hollywood actor Tim Allen said he was so moved by her words that he was forgiving the drunken driver who caused his fathers death 60 years ago. Barely two weeks after Charlie Kirks death, members of a Michigan congregation made public that they too were forgiving a gunman, the one who had just attacked their church, killing four people and injuring eight others.

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Their high-profile acts of forgiveness are all the more remarkable given the politically charged and highly polarizing climate gripping the U.S. It has pushed people of faith to contemplate what forgiveness means, particularly in the face of violence, trauma and unspeakable grief, and whether it could shift public consciousness toward compassion.

While some see a glimmer of hope in this moment, others are skeptical. Miroslav Volf, professor of theology at Yale Divinity School, said he views President Donald Trumps response to Erika Kirks words  that he hates his opponents  as the more typical sentiment.

"Erika Kirks gesture is the outlier, he said. It was an extraordinary act of courage. But it was also telling that (Trumps) response got the bigger reaction from the crowd at the memorial. You have to wonder about these two very different responses. How do we find space for grace when we are so at odds that we cannot recognize humanity on the other side of the divide?

Forgiveness, a mandate for Christians

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California pastor Jack Hibbs, who leads Calvary Chapel Chino Hills and is a friend of the Kirks, called her words an incredibly powerful message of hope for the shooter, and in keeping with the family's deep commitment to the Gospel, which commands Christians to forgive even their enemies.

The Bible warns us that bitterness, when left alone, can grow up in and destroy your heart, Hibbs said. So forgiveness was given to us by God to set us free from whats been done to us.

The Rev. Thomas Berg, visiting professor at the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame, said he hopes Erika Kirks gesture ignites some kind of meaningful national conversation about forgiveness.

He said forgiveness is not a one-time event, but a process that takes time and work. Berg, who counsels victims of sex abuse in the Catholic Church, warns that it should never be coerced but authentically given  an act that he says has the power to heal the deepest wounds.

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He would like to see more public expressions of forgiveness, which could serve as a balm for the country.

I hope this is not a passing moment, he said. The dynamic of forgiveness throws a wrench into the dysfunction of our partisan divides and our inability to have a reasonable exchange of ideas.

Dave Butler, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and science fiction writer based in Utah, believes forgiveness is a mandate for all Christians, as his church teaches. He started a crowdfunding initiative for the family of the Michigan shooter who opened fire on the Latter-day Saints congregation, which as of this week, had raised a little over $388,000.

Butler said he started it because  in addition to the grieving church members who had lost loved ones in this mass shooting  there was the family of the gunman that was also traumatized.

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They also did not choose this, he said. Nevertheless, they are now short a husband and a father. If were not really thoughtful, we might be inclined to see them more as antagonists rather than victims. More than 10,000 people have contributed and they understand what theyre doing is an act of forgiveness.

Forgiveness from the perspective of Anabaptists

An often-cited modern example of forgiveness is the response of the Amish community around Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, after a gunman killed five Amish schoolgirls and wounded five more in 2006 before taking his own life. Local Amish immediately expressed forgiveness for the killer and supported his widow.

Amish are part of the wider Anabaptist movement, which puts heavy emphasis on Jesus Sermon on the Mount, containing some of his most radical and counter-cultural sayings  to love enemies, live simply, bless persecutors, turn the other cheek and to endure sufferings joyfully. In it, Jesus says God will only forgive those who forgive others.

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While many outside the Anabaptists' world have endorsed their beliefs about forgiveness  which they also voiced for Haitian kidnappers of Anabaptist missionaries in 2021  others say the picture is more complex. Advocates for victims of sexual abuse in Anabaptist communities say victims and their families are often forced to reconcile with abusers after the latter make a confession and undergo a brief period of discipline.

A complicated journey for trauma survivors

The Jewish perspective on forgiveness is different in that it requires the perpetrator to seek forgiveness from the person who has been wronged, said Rabbi Jeffrey Myers. He heads Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh where 11 people from three congregations were killed after a gunman attacked it during Shabbat services on Oct. 27, 2018.

For me, its complicated because there are 11 dead people who cannot be sought for forgiveness, Myers said, adding that he cannot offer forgiveness because the perpetrator  who faces execution  did not show remorse.

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While the perpetrator has received a measure of justice as outlined by the judicial process, it didnt give me closure because those 11 people are gone," Myers said. "There is nothing that makes that pain go away.

What gives him some comfort is being able to help other congregations that are going through similar trauma. Myers said he was grateful to have received that support from the Rev. Eric Manning, pastor of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, a historically Black church where a self-proclaimed white supremacist shot and killed nine congregants on June 17, 2015  including the churchs pastor at the time.

Today, as someone who belongs to that club no one should belong to, I view it as my sacred obligation to help, Myers said. Even if I can help one person, thats gratifying, that feels healing.

Peg Durachko, whose husband Dr. Richard Gottfried, a dentist, was one of the victims in the synagogue shooting, said that as a Catholic, she looked to Pope John Paul II for inspiration as she read about how he visited the imprisoned man who shot him and offered forgiveness.

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I recognize (the gunman) as a child of God who made bad choices to lead him in that direction, she said. Im not his judge, God is. I want him to have eternal life. I dont harbor hate or ill wishes to anyone, including him. I dont want to carry this baggage of hate.

___

AP journalist Peter Smith in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed removing the additional 5 basis points (bps) expense allowance earlier granted to asset management companies (AMCs). The regulator has, however, proposed a 5 bps increase in the first two Total Expense Ratio (TER) slabs to partly balance the impact on AMC operations. The proposals form part of SEBI's latest consultation paper, which invites public comments until November 17, 2025, as per Centrum's Capital Markets report. The additional 5 bps cushion was initially introduced after SEBI directed that exit load proceeds be credited back to mutual fund schemes. Now, by eliminating this leeway, SEBI seeks to rationalise expenses further and enhance disclosure standards. According to the report, the regulator's simultaneous upward revision of the first two TER slabs is designed to maintain operational stability for fund houses. The move underscores SEBI's ongoing effort to make fund costs more transparent and aligned with investors' interests. To deepen cost clarity, SEBI has also proposed that statutory levies such as Securities Transaction Tax (STT), Goods and Services Tax (GST), Commodities Transaction Tax (CTT), and stamp duty be kept outside the TER framework. Currently, only GST on management fees is excluded. With this shift, TER limits will be revised downward by about 15-20 bps, which Centrum's report notes will make the move largely neutral for AMCs. The reduction matches the value of costs now excluded from TER, ensuring limited effect on profitability. "SEBI has proposed a steep reduction in the permissible brokerage and transaction costs that can be charged to mutual fund schemes -- from 12 bps to 2 bps for cash market trades and from 5 bps to 1 bps for derivatives transactions," the report noted. The consultation paper also suggests several governance and procedural changes. AMCs may be allowed to link expense ratios to scheme performance on a voluntary basis. Expenses from new fund offers must now be borne by the AMC, trustees, or sponsors, not by investors. Additionally, trustee meetings may be held quarterly instead of every two months to ease administrative requirements while maintaining oversight. SEBI has also proposed a "Mutual Fund Lite" framework to simplify regulations for passive products like index funds and ETFs. Centrum's report highlights that MF Lite entities would benefit from reduced compliance and capital needs, encouraging competition and lowering costs for investors. (ANI)
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen will meet chipmaker Nexperia on Friday, she said on X after hosting virtual meetings with the chief executives of Infineon, STMicroelectronics, NXP and Acea earlier on Thursday.

"Tomorrow meeting @Nexperia. Important lessons being drawn for our #ChipsAct 2.0 foreseen beginning of 2026," Virkkunen said on X.

Nexperia has been in the spotlight after the Dutch government earlier this month took control of it, with sources saying this was prompted by worries that the company's former CEO was dismantling the company's European operations and moving production to China.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
By Lili Bayer and Andrew Gray

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Online platforms subject to landmark EU tech rules could be required to detect and tackle hybrid threats in Europe under a proposal set to be announced by the European Commission next month and seen by Reuters.

The EU uses the term hybrid threats to refer to coordinated attacks using a combination of economic, technological or other measures that fall short of formal warfare. They can include such things as disinformation campaigns or the use of social media to control the political narrative.

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The document, known as the European Democracy Shield, is part of European Union efforts to counter foreign information manipulation and interference and protect and promote democracy across the 27-country bloc, triggered in part by Russian misinformation.

Under the Digital Services Act which became applicable last year, Alphabet's Google, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Elon Musk's X, TikTok and other online platforms have to do more to tackle illegal and harmful content on their platforms.

They may have to broaden their efforts under the European Democracy Shield.

"The Commission will prepare a DSA crisis protocol for hybrid threats, to better detect, deter and respond to incident and crises which will be developed with online platforms, national authorities and relevant stakeholders," the document said.

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The document will also urge tech companies which signed up to the Code of Conduct on disinformation to analyse threats posed by deepfakes and AI-generated videos and media to elections, and identify measures to counter them.

Signatories to the Code include Google, Microsoft, Meta and TikTok.

EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen is expected to announce the proposal on November 13, according to a Commission agenda. The timing and the details could still change until then.

(Writng by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Jan Harvey)
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT)  Hundreds of people lined up today in Evansville to take part in a food giveaway.

The organization Young and Established handed out food to people fearing how they will feed their families once certain food aid programs are cut off. Hundreds of people stood outside the building on Vann Avenue for boxes of food.

People are terrified and we dont know what is going to happen tomorrow, so we did not want to wait, says Executive Director Courtney Johnson.

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The Tri-State communities to be most impacted by SNAP pause

For some residents, it comes down to food or electricity. Jamie Gibbs lives in Evansville and has nine mouths to feed at home. Gibbs says he works 90 hours a week to afford food and electricity.

When I cook its 3 boxes of family sized hamburger helper just to feed everybody, says Gibbs.

Gibbs says it is going to get worse. With the government shut down, Gibbs says he feels like he has to choose between food and utilities.

It feels like a one-two punch, says Gibbs.

Tri-State organizations prepare for food assistance

Hundreds of residents are in the same boat, while others donate to help and offer hope.

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Leanne Zuzich says she is relatively new to the area. Zuzich came to Young and Established with a van loaded with meat, eggs and other sources of protein for families in need.

People should just not have to worry about feeding themselves and their children, says Zuzich. I never have been in that situation, but I cant imagine that heartbreak, so yeah if I can help out I am going to.

Young and established handed out 400 boxes today and say it would have not been possible without Zuzich and donations from various companies.

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 Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
A former U.S. Army sergeant has been sentenced to four years in prison by a federal judge after being accused of trying to pass sensitive military information to China.

Joseph Daniel Schmidt, 31, pleaded guilty to two felonies for offering classified information to the Chinese government along with a device that could gain access to secure military computer networks. According to the Justice Department, he had access to sensitive defense information in his role.

Schmidt was active duty from 2015 to 2020 and worked with the 109th Military Intelligence Battalion at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington.

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He left the Army in January of 2020 and reached out to the Chinese Consulate in Turkey and the Chinese security services offering information. Schmidt traveled to Hong Kong in March of that year and continued to provide the classified information, including creating several documents that described various high level secrets.

The ex-soldier got a work visa in China and lived there for three years until flying to San Francisco, where he was arrested in October 2023.

As a retired Army officer, I find it unconscionable for a former soldier to put his colleagues and country at risk by peddling secret information and intelligence access to a hostile foreign power, U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd said in a DOJ news release.

These cases remain a priority for our office to keep our country safe, he added.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Andrew Goudsward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Former FBI Director James Comey on Thursday expanded his legal challenge to a Trump administration criminal case accusing him of making false statements, saying his testimony was truthful and would not substantiate the charge.

In a legal filing, Comeys lawyers said his 2020 Senate testimony was literally true and prompted by ambiguous questions from Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.

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Fundamental to any false statement charge are both clear questions and false answers, Comeys lawyers wrote in the filing. Neither exists here.

The filing is Comeys latest attempt to have the charges thrown out before a trial. He has pending challenges arguing the U.S. attorney who brought the case was unlawfully appointed and that he is being unfairly targeted because of Trump's "personal spite" against him.

A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment. Prosecutors are due to respond to Comeys claims in court filings next month.

Comey is accused of lying during the hearing when he said he stood by prior testimony that he had not authorized anyone at the FBI to be an anonymous source in news reports about investigations into President Donald Trump and his Democratic rival in the 2016 election, Hillary Clinton. Comey has pleaded not guilty.

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The former FBI director, who investigated alleged ties between Trumps 2016 campaign and Russia, was the first of three of Trumps perceived political enemies to be criminally charged in recent weeks.

The Justice Department also brought charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, who filed a civil fraud lawsuit against Trump while he was out of power, and Trumps former national security adviser John Bolton, who has publicly said Trump is unfit to be president.

Comeys case was brought by Lindsey Halligan, the top federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia. Halligan, a former personal lawyer for Trump with no prior prosecutorial experience, was put in the role at Trump's urging after he forced out her predecessor, who was reticent to charge Comey and James.

Thursday's motion takes aim at the substance of the allegation that Comeys statement to Cruz was false.

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Cruz, in questioning Comey about disclosures to the news media, discussed the role of Comeys former top deputy, Andrew McCabe, in leaking information to the Wall Street Journal in 2016. But the indictment accuses Comey of authorizing a different associate, identified in court filings as former FBI special employee and law professor Daniel Richman, to act as an anonymous source.

Comeys lawyers argue that Comey could reasonably have interpreted Cruzs questions to relate only to McCabe and not generally to anyone at the FBI. Comey has previously testified he did not know about McCabes disclosure to the Wall Street Journal until after the article was published.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; editing by Scott Malone and Cynthia Osterman)




WATERBURY - A former Waterbury fire lieutenant, who spent years fighting a legal battle with the city over his dismissal for using medical marijuana, mentioned Charlie Kirk and shooting political officials in Waterbury, according to prosecutors.

Thomas Eccleston was arraigned Wednesday and held on $400,000 bond. He is charged with second-degree harassment, first-degree threatening with a firearm, second-degree threatening with physical threat, first-degree harassment with physical threats and second-degree harassment, according to the clerk's office. His next court date is Nov. 24.

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"He mentioned Charlie Kirk in shooting political officials and he is threatening political violence, which is completely unacceptable in our society," Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Don E. Therkildsen said.

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed Sept. 10 while speaking at a college in Utah.

Therkildsen said the threats were made against Mayor Paul Pernerewski, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo, other members of the police and fire departments and City Hall staff.

Eccleston was arrested in California where he now lives and extradited to Waterbury, Therkildsen said.

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Pernerewski declined to comment Wednesday on Eccleston's arrest.

It's the second case of threats of political violence against officials this week.

On Monday, Robert A. Pabich, 43, of Rocky Hill, was arraigned on charges related to threats made against state Sen. Matthew Lesser, D-Middletown and other legislators who attended an Oct. 18 "No Kings" rally at the state Capitol.

"Take note of this picture. Everyone of these pieces of trash need bullets shot directly into their faces," Pabich said in a comment posted on a social media page of Lesser's, according to the police report. "Just like they did Charlie Kirk."

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Last June, a judge dismissed Eccleston's long-running lawsuit over his 2018 dismissal for using medical marijuana for treating post-traumatic stress disorder.

Eccleston appealed the dismissal to the state Appellate Court, which is still ongoing.

The trial court's decision said Eccelston, who previously lived in South Carolina and recently moved to California, failed to prove his claim of workplace discrimination and the evidence at trial established that he was terminated because his positive test for marijuana use violated a "last chance agreement" he signed in November 2015 to avoid termination then.

Prior to the decision being handed down, a motion for contempt was filed by the city for violating court orders that Eccleston refrain from directly communicating to current or former city employees regarding the court case and that he refrain from using profane language, ethnic slurs and threatening language.

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In an unusual move, Eccleston asked to be held in contempt, saying he "will wear a contempt charge from the City of Waterbury's courthouses (both of them) as a badge of honor," according to Eccleston's motion.

Judge John Cordani was inclined to hold Eccleston in contempt for his "unrepentant contemptuous behavior."

"However, this matter has been resolved by a final judgment that was adverse to the plaintiff. Further, the court views the plaintiff as a sad person who is unjustifiably consumed with contempt for others and hateful feelings and who is unable to properly control himself," Cordani wrote.

This article originally published at Ex-firefighter charged after threatening Waterbury leaders 'just like Charlie Kirk,' official says.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  On Wednesday, October 29, Dale Mosher was arrested for allegedly intimidating a witness stemming from an investigation into a letter that was received by a Geneva resident containing a death threat.

All of this originates from an investigation into Mosher, a former post commander of the Geneva American Legion, who is accused of stealing more than $100,000 from the organization over several years, and was found and arrested in Pennsylvania, weeks after failing to appear in court in Ontario County.

He was a bully: Former Geneva American Legion commander wanted for theft found in PA

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On Wednesday, Mosher was arraigned in CAP Court on the charge of intimidating a witness in the third degree, where he was held on $100,000 bail and a $200,000 bond. He is to return to Geneva court on November 3. A full stay-away order was issued on behalf of the victim.

Thursday, October 30, Mosher was in Ontario County Court for his bench warrant arrest on the second-degree grand larceny charge he had missed on September 18, which led to his search on OCSOs most wanted list and subsequent capture in Pennsylvania earlier this month.

He is being held in Ontario County Court without bail, pending his trial for grand larceny on November 10.

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.
A former West Allis fire battalion chief and registered nurse faces felony charges after prosecutors say he shot and injured his wife at their Grafton home the day she filed for divorce.

Guy Paider, 53, is charged with one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide with a domestic abuse modifier and use of a dangerous weapon, and one count of first-degree recklessly endangering safety with a domestic abuse modifier.

If convicted, he faces up to 82 years and six months in prison.

Grafton officers responded to Paider's home in Grafton after a 911 call

According to a criminal complaint filed Oct. 27 in Ozaukee County Circuit Court:

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Grafton police were called to Paiders home on Oct. 24 after a 911 caller  a young relative of the couple  reported that two adults were arguing.

When officers arrived, they heard a woman screaming from a bedroom. An officer found the bedroom door locked, kicked it open and ordered the occupants to come out with their hands up. Moments later, multiple gunshots were heard.

A man, later identified as Paider, surrendered to police.

While Paider was taken into custody, another officer entered the room to find Paider's wife shot multiple times. Officers rendered aid, and she was taken to Aurora Medical Center before being flown by Flight for Life to another hospital for further treatment.

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Investigators recovered a Kimber 1911 semi-automatic handgun, four bullets and four spent casings from the bedroom.

Detectives say shooting followed argument over divorce

Oct. 27, detectives met with Paiders wife in her hospital room. She told police Paider was upset with her because she filed for divorce on the day of the shooting.

When she returned home after meeting with her divorce attorney, she said Paider confronted her about the divorce, grabbed her and threw her to the floor before carrying her to the bedroom, she told investigators.

She said Paider shot her after he realized police had arrived at the house.

Paider was placed on an emergency mental health hold

After he was arrested, Paider was placed on an emergency mental health commitment at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute. The Ozaukee County District Attorney's Office requested a warrant be issued to return him to the Ozaukee County Jail.

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Paider is scheduled to make his first court appearance Oct. 30, online court records show.

A child calling 911 during a domestic dispute is not uncommon

A 2023 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation found that a child was present in 43% of domestic- and family-violence homicides in Milwaukee County from 2016 through 2022. The analysis also identified seven children who were killed in domestic or intimate-partner violence during that period.

Paider worked at the West Allis Fire Department and MATC until retiring in August

Paider worked as a battalion chief with the West Allis Fire Department before retiring in August, according to an Oct. 28 statement issued by the department.

The West Allis Fire Department is aware of reports regarding a former employee, Guy Paider, in connection with an incident that occurred earlier this week, the department said in the statement. The individual retired from the department earlier this year and has not had any involvement with the organization since that time.

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The department said it recognizes the seriousness of the situation but noted the incident is not related to the fire department.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this event, the statement said.

Paider also worked at Milwaukee Area Technical College as an emergency medical technicianparamedic instructor for more than six years, the college confirmed to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He retired from teaching in August.

Paider's nurse license remains active, according to state records.

Where to find help for domestic violence

Domestic violence advocates can help with safety planning. Calls to advocates are confidential and do not involve law enforcement.

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Advocates of Ozaukee's 24-hour crisis lines are 262-284-6902 and 877-375-4034.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.

The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 414-933-2722.

The Milwaukee Women's Center offers a 24-hour crisis line at 414-671-6140.

The Womens Center in Waukesha has a 24-hour hotline at 262-542-3828.

We Are Here Milwaukee provides information on culturally specific organizations at weareheremke.org.

The Asha Project, which provides culturally specific services for African American women and others in Milwaukee, provides a crisis line from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 414-252-0075.

The UMOS Latina Resource Center in Milwaukee offers bilingual, bicultural domestic violence, sexual assault and anti-human trafficking supportive services and operates a 24-hour hotline at 414-389-6510.

The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center offers culturally sensitive, trauma-informed services for those who have experienced domestic or sexual violence and can be reached at 414-383-9526.

Our Peaceful Home, which serves Muslim families and is a program of the Milwaukee Muslim Womens Coalition, operates a crisis line at 414-727-1090.

The Hmong American Womens Association, which serves the Hmong and Southeast Asian community, has advocates available at 414-930-9352 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at endabusewi.org/get-help.

Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Grafton man, 53, charged with attempted homicide in shooting
(The Center Square)  A small-town Ohio mayor said if people had just talked to him about a proposed live nativity scene on taxpayer-owned property, a potential lawsuit and social media uproar could easily have been avoided.

In an exclusive interview with The Center Square, Pataskala Mayor Mike Compton said Thursday a live nativity scene at the citys Veterans Green will be allowed.

Compton said the citys law director found a loophole, and going forward the city will assume whatever people put on city property after they receive a permit reflects those individual beliefs, rather than the citys.

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That comes after Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called the initial decision to deny the request un-American in a social media post and a Texas-based advocacy group threatened to sue.

You dont know the whole story, Compton said. "Nobody from his camp reached out to me to know the whole story. It just sounds like we are blatantly against nativity scenes, which were not. I think its purely political. Im upset he didnt reach out to use because we get many things taken care of by phone calls.

Susan Conley asked to have a live nativity scene on the property as part of a permit for a winter farmers market event that coincides with the citys annual holiday celebration.

The nativity scene was initially denied.

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Compton said if Conley had just walked down the hall, the uproar could have been avoided. Also, Conley had the right to appeal the denial to the city council, which she did not do.

Compton said if Conley had just walked down the hall, the uproar could have been avoided.

If the lady who runs the farmers market just reached out to me, I would have fixed it, said Compton, a Christian who opens council meetings with a prayer. She has an office in the same building as City Hall, so to be blindsided by a lawsuit by somebody who runs our farmers market is pretty unfathomable.

Compton said he also works with Conley, setting up the farmers' market nearly every week.

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Compton said a city employee automatically rejected the live nativity based on direction from the citys law director from several years in the past, and similar requests have not been made in the city.

However, the employee did not reach out to the law director to confirm any restriction, and new case law allows for such display, Compton said.

I think were going to be able to honor that request to have the nativity city. This will be good, said Compton, who also wants to allow menorahs, Christmas trees and Kwanza displays on city property. Things change, people change and policies change.

The Center Square was unsuccessful prior to publication getting comment from Ramaswamys campaign and the Liberty Justice Center.
By David Jeans

NEW YORK (Reuters) -The Pentagon's DOGE unit is leading efforts to overhaul the U.S. military drone program, including streamlining procurement, expand homegrown production, and acquire tens of thousands of cheap drones in the coming months, according to Pentagon officials and people with knowledge of the matter.

In July, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth pledged to cut red tape and assert U.S. drone dominance by approving hundreds of American-made drone models and launching training programs to prepare units for 'drone wars' - a response to the widespread use of drones on Ukraine's battlefield, which have exposed U.S. drone limitations.

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The Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) involvement, which has not been previously reported, grants the unit influence over a U.S. military drone program that President Donald Trump designated a defense priority in a June executive order, five people with knowledge of the matter said.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a comment request.

The Pentagon is trying to overcome a mixed track record on acquiring drones. In 2023, Pentagon leaders announced the Replicator initiative, a department-wide effort to acquire and field thousands of autonomous drones by August 2025. However, the Department of Defense has not provided an update on the current status of the program.

In September, a Pentagon official said Replicator capabilities were being "transitioned to the appropriate end state users," according to the trade publication Defense Scoop. Reuters could not determine how the DOGE effort would impact the Replicator initiative.

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Trump has ordered the department to rename itself the Department of War, a change that will require action by Congress.

DOGE, originally spearheaded by billionaire Elon Musk, has cut billions of dollars of government programs, including many at the Pentagon, since Trump began his second term. The drone effort, a new task for the unit, is partly aimed at addressing the challenges of sourcing U.S.-made drone platforms. Most U.S.-made drones rely on Chinese components.

DOGE officials have requested information on drones from across the Pentagon, including the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force and the Defense Innovation Unit, seeking information about specifications, including weight and payload size, according to two of the people.

The DOGE team is expected to submit a report to an executive committee in the Office of the Secretary of Defense by next week, according to a person with knowledge.

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One of the goals is to acquire at least 30,000 drones in the coming months before ramping up further, one of the people said. This would mark significant wins for U.S. drone companies that have been angling to supply the Pentagon with cheap drones.

Companies such as Red Cat, Skydio and PDW, which sell quadcopter models to the Army, for prices ranging from low thousands of dollars to hundreds of thousands, are well positioned to benefit. Venture-backed startup Neros recently signed a contract with the Marines for its low-cost drone.

The DOGE drone team is being led by Owen West, a co-author of Hegseth's drone memo issued in July who joined DOGE earlier this year, according to three of the people. The former Marine and Goldman Sachs energy trader rejoined the military in 2017 as assistant secretary of defense overseeing special operations forces. West's LinkedIn profile states that he has been a financial analyst at the Department of Defense since February.

West did not respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by David Jeans; Editing by Joe Brock and Richard Chang)
Google and its parent company, Alphabet, have crossed a major milestone, reporting their first-ever USD 100 billion quarter, driven by strong growth across all major business segments. CEO Sundar Pichai shared the updates in a thread on X, calling it "a milestone quarter," as the company continues to accelerate its artificial intelligence (AI) strategy. Pichai wrote, "We delivered our first-ever $100B quarter driven by double-digit growth across every major part of our business. Five years ago, our quarterly revenue was at $50B." The numbers reflect how rapidly Google's core products, including Search, YouTube, and Cloud, have scaled with the company's growing focus on AI. He said Google's "full-stack approach to AI" is driving real momentum, with its advanced AI models, including Gemini 2.5 Pro, Veo, Genie 3, and Nano, leading innovation. According to Pichai, more than 13 million developers have built with Google's generative AI models so far, and the company plans to launch Gemini 3 later this year. On Search, Pichai described it as "an expansionary moment," noting continued year-on-year growth in both overall and commercial queries. Google rolled out AI Overviews and AI Mode in record time, with AI Mode now available in 40 languages and attracting 75 million daily users. "US AI Mode queries doubled in Q3 -- really popular feature!" he said. Google Cloud also showed solid momentum, with Pichai reporting another quarter of accelerating growth, largely driven by AI-related revenue. He said new customers rose by about 34 per cent year-on-year, and more than 70 per cent of existing customers now use Google's AI products. Thirteen product lines under Cloud have achieved an annual run rate of over USD 1 billion. YouTube, meanwhile, continues to dominate the streaming space. Pichai said the platform "remained #1 in streaming watch time in the US for 2+ years." Notably, Shorts, YouTube's short-form video feature, now earns more revenue per watch hour than traditional in-stream videos, reflecting the platform's shift toward short-form content. Pichai also highlighted progress at Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving technology company, which is preparing to expand operations. "Can't wait to see them launch in London next year, in addition to expansions to Dallas, Nashville, Denver and Seattle," he said. Pichai also thanked employees and partners worldwide for their efforts for the quarter. Replying to the post, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and X, said, "Nice work!"(ANI)
A three-star general serving on the Pentagons Joint Staff has been pushed out of his position following months of sustained tensions with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, according to people familiar with the matter. The generals stalled promotion also contributed to his early retirement, the sources said.

Lt. Gen. Joe McGee, the director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy on the Joint Staff, left his position earlier this month, the sources said. They added that McGee had frequently pushed back against Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine on issues ranging from Russia and Ukraine to military operations in the Caribbean. The sources noted that McGee was nominated by former President Joe Biden nearly a year ago for a promotion to serve as director of the Joint Staff but was never renominated by the current administration.

McGees primary responsibility in the role was to advise Caine on long-term military strategy including weighing the risks of potential actions and planning for crisis contingencies.

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He has had a target on his back for a while now, one of the sources said of McGee. Two other sources said there were discussions internally as far back as the spring about pushing out McGee.

Caine and Hegseth also got frustrated with McGee at times because they believed he moved too slowly, one of the sources said.

At the same time, some in the Office of the Secretary of Defense saw McGee as too close to the old guard of the Pentagon, particularly former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley and former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, one of the sources said.

McGee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that General McGee is retiring, and the war department is grateful for his service. He denied CNN reporting that Hegseth and McGee had clashed.

Lt Gen. JP McGee will retire after nearly three years of outstanding leadership and service on the Joint Staff. We are grateful for his 35 years of honorable and dedicated service to the Nation, a Joint Staff spokesperson told CNN. We owe him a great debt for his service and it is regrettable anonymous sources would put the focus anywhere else.

Hegseth has pushed out more than a dozen senior military officials since taking office in January, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs CQ Brown, the Chief of Naval Operations, the directors of the National Security Agency and Defense Intelligence Agency, and the top uniformed lawyers for the Army and Air Force.

All were suspected of being insufficiently aligned with Hegseths agenda, CNN has reported.

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Some of the senior military officials, including the former director of the Joint Staff Lt. Gen. Doug Sims and the commander of US Southern Command Adm. Alvin Holsey, have been allowed to retire, CNN has reported.

Earlier this month, Holsey offered to resign amid stark disagreements with Hegseth and Caine over the legality of the US militarys strikes on suspected drug traffickers in the Caribbean, CNN has reported. Like with McGee, Hegseth had been frustrated that Holsey tended to move too slowly and saw him as an obstacle, according to sources. Holsey announced on October 16 that he would be retiring in December, just one year into the job.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
torax Sedan shallow underground nuclear test by the United States, used for a cratering experiment. 6 July 1962 (GMT), Nevada Test Site Yield: 104 kt.

Minutes before he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a statement on social media saying he instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. The reason, Trump explained, was because of other countries [SIC] testing programs.

Other countries, he said, seem to all be nuclear testing but when it comes to the U.S., We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We dont do testing. I see them testing and I say, well, if theyre going to test, I guess we have to test.

Asked where the tests would occur, the president said, Itll be announced. We have test sites.

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is  Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) October 30, 2025

At this point, its unclear if the president is talking about testing out nuclear weapons delivery systems, something that happens on a regular basis, or actual warheads via a detonation, which the U.S. hasnt done in more than three decades. The fact that this has not been officially clarified is highly problematic. We reached out to the White House for more details, and they referred us back to Trumps social media post. We also reached out to several experts for their insights, which you can read more about later in this story.

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Testing that results in setting off a chain reaction, known as critical testing, last took place nearly a decade ago by North Korea on Sept. 3, 2017. The last U.S. critical nuclear weapons test took place on Sept. 23, 1992, according to the Arms Control Association (ACA). While Russian President Vladimir Putin recently announced the testing of a nuclear-powered cruise missile and a nuclear-powered, nuclear-tipped torpedo, which could have spurred Trumps tweet if he really meant testing delivery systems, Moscow last conducted a critical nuclear device test on Oct. 24, 1990, according to the ACA. Meanwhile, Chinas last test was on July 29, 1996.

ACA

In the interim, however, several nations, including the U.S., have conducted what is known as sub-critical testing, which does not result in setting off a chain reaction. Its possible that expanding those efforts could be at least part of what Trump is referring to, as well.

Clearly, restarting live nuclear weapons testing would be a massive departure for the U.S. and a very costly one at that. It would likely prompt other nuclear powers to return to live testing, as well. That is if this is what Trump was truly referring to. Assuming thats the case, we contacted some of the smartest people we know who work on these issues for a living to give us an understanding of what such a revival would actually entail and how long it would take. Their answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Our participating experts are:

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Hans Kristensen  Director, Nuclear Information Project, Federation of American Scientists. Writes the bi-monthly Nuclear Notebook and the world nuclear forces overview in the SIPRI Yearbook.

Jon B. Wolfsthal, Director of Global Risk, American Federation of Scientists.

Daryl G. Kimball has been Executive Director of the Arms Control Association (ACA) and publisher and contributor for the organizations monthly journal, Arms Control Today, since September 2001.

F-35 dropping inert B61-12 first trial. (DOE) Los Alamos National Laboratory

Q: Can you tell me the process by which this could happen? What is the chain of command, and who has to be involved?

Hans Kristensen

A: The process for this would require the White House to direct the Department of Energy (DOE) to order the nuclear laboratories to start preparing for a nuclear test. And since the United States doesnt currently have a nuclear weapons test explosion program, Congress would have to appropriate the money first.

Jon B. Wolfsthal

A: Not sure what this is at this point. To conduct operational flight tests of U.S. delivery systems, those are already underway for existing systems and systems in development. For nuclear testing, the U.S. would need to fund the conduct of a nuclear explosive test. It would be conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration.

Daryl G. Kimball

A: The president has the legal authority to do this, but he needs authorization and appropriations for this purpose by Congress, and Congress can block or modify what he can do or under what conditions, etc. Its the National Nuclear Security Administration, which is a semi-autonomous agency within the Department of Energy that is responsible for maintaining the existing warheads in the U.S. arsenal. Theyve been doing this since the mid-90s, since the U.S. halted nuclear testing in September 1992 through a very well-funded, sophisticated stockpile stewardship program, which uses non-nuclear, or I should say, non-testing methods, to maintain the seven warhead types in the U.S. arsenal.

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Q: What specifically would be tested?

Hans Kristensen

A: It is hard to understand what Trump is referring to. It might have been triggered by Russias two new missile tests over the last week. But the United States already tests its nuclear weapons in similar ways by conducting test launches and laboratory experiments. If by testing he means nuclear explosive testing, that would be reckless, probably not possible for 18 months, would cost money that Congress would have to approve, and it would most certainly [result in] Russian and Chinese, and likely also India and Pakistan nuclear tests. Unlike the United States, all these countries would have much to gain by restarting nuclear testing. Besides, although there have been occasional rumors that Russia and China may have conducted very small-yield tests, Im not aware of any reports that they have conducted significant nuclear test explosions.

Jon B. Wolfsthal

A: Again, it depends. This is not well explained by the president at this point.

Daryl G. Kimball

A: Well, this is a great question that the presidents people need to answer. Nuclear testing has historically been used to proof-test new warhead designs. Does the device explode? Does it detonate to the desired explosive yield? Does it have the characteristics that you want? That is the main reason why the United States conducted most of its 1,030 nuclear tests. What exactly they will be trying to figure out from a technical standpoint, I do not know, and frankly, there is no reason why the United States needs nuclear test explosions to maintain existing warheads in our arsenal.

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So, looking at Trumps statements, its pretty clear that whatever kind of nuclear testing hes thinking about, its for political purposes. It is a juvenile kind of tit-for-tat reaction to what he perceives other countries are doing. And I would note that he claims that this is from an overnight quote on Air Force One, one you know, all other countries seem to be doing this. Well, those of us who follow these issues extremely carefully do not see any other country conducting nuclear explosive tests. So the president and his scientific advisors need to explain what hes talking about. I would say that he appears to be confused and misinformed about this issue.

Q: How long would it take from the time of this social media posting until the tests take place?

Hans Kristensen

A: It would be expensive because the timeline for doing a simple explosion is six to 10 months, a fully instrumented test in 24 to 36 months, and a test to develop a new nuclear warhead is about 60 months.

Jon B. Wolfsthal

A: It would require anywhere from a few months to conduct a rapid explosive test and 18 months to conduct a fully instrumented test that would yield scientific results.

Daryl G. Kimball

A: I think it would take many months. I would put it at around 36 months to be able to conduct a nuclear explosive test underground that is contained. There are generally two kinds of tests. One is a demonstration test that simply says, We have nuclear weapons and they explode. Then there is a test that is designed to derive some data about the weapons design to help understand how its working. A scientific test requires much more preparation and time than a simple demonstration test. In theory, the United States could fire a Minuteman III missile from the ground. Within an hour, it could detonate a nuclear device high in the atmosphere, and we would see that one of our nuclear warheads works. But thats not what I think Donald Trump was talking about.

A picture of a previous, successful Minuteman III test launch. (USAF) A picture of a previous, successful Minuteman III test launch. USAF

Q: Where could these tests take place?

Hans Kristensen

A: It can practically only be done in Nevada.

Jon B. Wolfsthal

A: The most likely spot is the Nevada National Security Site, which is the former U.S. nuclear weapons test site about 45 minutes north of Las Vegas. No other location is currently capable or legally structured for the conduct of nuclear explosive tests.

Daryl G. Kimball

A: The Nevada National Security Site, which is nearly the size of Rhode Island, is where the United States conducted the majority of its nuclear test explosions, including 100 in the atmosphere, beginning in 1951. That is the site where, if theres a military scientific need to resume testing, thats where the United States has been planning for.

Nevada National Security Site. (NNSS)

With so many questions about Trumps nuclear testing statements still outstanding, we are waiting for further clarification from the White House. We will update this story with any pertinent details provided.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
Sea turtle attacks are on the rise along the Greek coast, and swimmers should be careful.

What's happening?

According to Ekathimerini, swimmers at Marathi Beach in Hania, Crete, and Parapolitika reported an incident in July at a beach in Chania, Crete.

Marine biologists suspect the attacks are a consequence of tourists and fishermen feeding the turtles. Ekathimerini spoke with a Crete resident, identified as K.B., who discussed the bite on her thigh that required hospitalization due to infection.

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"The pain was so intense I nearly fainted," she said.

While sea turtles don't have teeth, they have sharp, strong beaks. When they attack, they can leave harsh bruises and broken skin.

Experts advise swimmers to be aware of their surroundings, keep a distance, and move their arms and legs dramatically if they see a turtle approaching. The robust movement can scare them away.

Dimitris Fytilis, a wildlife expert, explained that the turtles may see swimmers as competitors for resources, per Ekathimerini. They associate humans with food and may be territorial.

What do these turtle attacks mean?

Greek beaches are generally still safe.

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However, a rise in turtle attacks means visitors should exercise caution. Turtles are not harmless, as their bites can damage muscles. If a bite breaks the skin, wounds can become infected, which can be fatal if left untreated.

A turtle attack is scary, making a beautiful beach less pleasant for visitors. These interactions are also unpleasant for turtles, so it's best to prevent them altogether.

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.

In addition to human feeding, turtles may also be attacked more often due to habitat destruction, limited food supply, and human population growth.

The more humans there are, the more visitors there are to the turtles' beaches. Expanding human communities can also encroach on the turtles' habitats, depleting their food resources and forcing them closer to beaches where people swim.

What's being done about the turtle attacks?

To protect yourself, keep a safe distance from wild animals, follow officials' instructions, and do not feed sea turtles.

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These tips might prevent attacks, but helping protect their habitats and reducing pollution is a more effective long-term solution.

Reducing pollution by using less plastic or harmful fuels can bolster a diverse food supply and ensure water is clean enough for them to thrive away from the human beaches.

Turning turtle habitats into protected sanctuaries, where humans cannot build or swim, also helps keep them away from beaches and ensures the safety of both turtles and humans.

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.




Scientists have made some intriguing parasite discoveries in an accidental back-of-the-pantry natural history museum. Canned salmon, well past its prime, has preserved decades of Alaskan marine ecology in brine and tin.

Parasites can reveal a lot about an ecosystem, since they tend to get up in the business of multiple species. But unless they cause a major issue for humans, historically we've mostly ignored them.

That's a problem for parasite ecologists, like Natalie Mastick and Chelsea Wood from the University of Washington, who had been searching for a way to retroactively track the effects of parasites on Pacific Northwestern marine mammals.

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So when Wood got a call from Seattle's Seafood Products Association, asking if she'd take boxes of dusty old expired cans of salmon  some dating back to the 1970s  off their hands, her answer was, unequivocally, yes.

Related: Common Parasite Rips The Face From Your Cells to Wear as a Disguise

The cans had been set aside for decades as part of the association's quality control process, but in the hands of the ecologists, they became an archive of excellently preserved specimens; not of salmon, but of worms.

Watch the video below for a summary of the research:

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While the idea of worms in your canned fish is a bit stomach-turning, these roughly 0.4-inch (1-centimeter) long marine parasites, anisakids, are harmless to humans when killed during the canning process.

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"Everyone assumes that worms in your salmon is a sign that things have gone awry," said Wood when the research was published last year.

"But the anisakid life cycle integrates many components of the food web. I see their presence as a signal that the fish on your plate came from a healthy ecosystem."

An anisakid worm (circled in red) in a canned salmon fillet. (Natalie Mastick/University of Washington)

Anisakids enter the food web when they are eaten by krill, which in turn are eaten by larger species.

This is how anisakids end up in the salmon, and eventually, the intestines of marine mammals, where the worms complete their life cycle by reproducing. Their eggs are excreted into the ocean by the mammal, and the cycle begins again.

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"If a host is not present  marine mammals, for example  anisakids can't complete their life cycle and their numbers will drop," said Wood, the paper's senior author.

The 178 tin cans in the 'archive' contained four different salmon species caught in the Gulf of Alaska and Bristol Bay across a 42-year period (19792021), including 42 cans of chum (Oncorhynchus keta), 22 coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch), 62 pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), and 52 sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka).

Although the techniques used to preserve the salmon do not, thankfully, keep the worms in pristine condition, the researchers were able to dissect the filets and calculate the number of worms per gram of salmon.

A highly degraded anisakid found in canned salmon. ( Natalie Mastick/University of Washington

They found worms had increased over time in chum and pink salmon, but not in sockeye or coho.

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"Seeing their numbers rise over time, as we did with pink and chum salmon, indicates that these parasites were able to find all the right hosts and reproduce," said Mastick, the paper's lead author.

"That could indicate a stable or recovering ecosystem, with enough of the right hosts for anisakids."

The distribution of canned salmon samples available for each salmon species in each decade. (Mastick et al., Ecology and Evolution, 2024)

But it's harder to explain the stable levels of worms in coho and sockeye, especially since the canning process made it difficult to identify the specific species of anisakid.

"Though we are confident in our identification to the family level, we could not identify the [anisakids] we detected at the species level," the authors write.

Win a $10,000 Space Coast Adventure Holiday

"So it is possible that parasites of an increasing species tend to infect pink and chum salmon, while parasites of a stable species tend to infect coho and sockeye."

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Mastick and colleagues think this novel approach  dusty old cans turned ecological archive  could fuel many more scientific discoveries. It seems they've opened quite a can of worms.

This research was published in Ecology and Evolution.

An earlier version of this article was published in April 2024.

Related News
Credit: Ozon.Ru

Exploding toy replicas of deadly Shahed drones are being sold in Russia to children as young as three, The Telegraph can reveal.

Ozon, one of Russias biggest e-commerce platforms, has listings for a hand-launched toy airplane that mimics the design of the long-range Iranian-made drone, which last week hit a nursery containing 48 children in the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

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The suicide drone replicas are marketed to children as young as three and described as an ideal gift for young patriots and future conquerors of the sky, saying they help to develop coordination, accuracy and imagination.

Credit: Patrol Police Kharkiv

The website, known as Russias Amazon, is also selling a version for adults, fitted with a firecracker, which explodes on impact.

In promotional videos included in both the listings, a childlike hand can be seen launching the glider toy into the air and then the firecracker on its nose exploding on impact, mimicking the Shaheds 30-50kg warhead.

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The version of the toy built for children is listed for 351 rubles (3.29), while the adult model was sold for some 480 rubles (4.50).

The promotional material of the Shahed drone replica targeted at children

The toy Shaheds appear to be being sold as merchandise by the secretive Russian drone unit, Stalins Falcons, named for the elite World War II fighter pilots of the Soviet Air Forces and utilising the same nostalgic Socialist Realist imagery of their historical counterparts.

The Stalins Falcons unit could not be reached to confirm their affiliation with the products.

But their official Telegram channel contains links to the Ozon storefront where the drone toys are sold, and other merchandise, including logo-branded clothing.

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Real Shaheds, which have become Russias trademark kamikaze drone, are about 3.5 metres long, 2.5 metres wide and weigh around 200kg.

b'

How Shahed-type drones work

'

The packaging used for the drone replicas is identical in design to that used on the website of the Stalins Falcons, which lists job vacancies in Russias armed forces, suggesting the toys could form part of Russias push to militarise young children.

One advertisement offers the opportunity to become the terror of Nato air defence as a drone pilot, paid at 960,500 rubles (9,000) per month, while more junior roles as electricians and mechanics are also advertised.

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The Telegraph could not obtain the product to verify its authenticity, but reviews posted to Ozon from Oct 23 to Oct 25 contained images of the packaging and the product itself, seemingly after delivery.

One purchaser, writing under the name Rinat T, described himself as delighted by the quality and lethality. Other users, writing anonymously, said it was a cool toy and quipped that the item scared away the mail carriers, they thought it was real.

The address linked to the storefront is in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, an industrial and production facility located in Russias southern Tatarstan republic, which houses one of Russias biggest drone production factories, manufacturing thousands of Shaheds per year as well as their plywood-and-foam decoys.

Credit: Sumy_go

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The Alabuga facility has been linked with exploitative child labour, with its chief executive, Timur Shagivaleev, sanctioned by the US treasury department in connection with the exploitation of underage students to assemble UAVs.

Hundreds of promotional photos and recruitment videos posted to Alabuga Polytechnics Telegram show teenagers working at the facility, where they learn how to programme and manufacture Shaheds.

Students are recruited for apprenticeships at Alabuga after Russias Year Nine (14-15 years old) and have been estimated by journalists to earn some 35,000 rubles (330) per month.

A joint report by independent news outlets Protokol and Razvorot alleged in 2023 that teenagers had faced ill-treatment at the facility, working punishing schedules and suffering harsh treatment by staff.

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The elusive Stalins Falcons unit is thought to be linked to the Alabuga manufacturing facility, but the nature of this link remains unclear.

The Alabuga Special Economic Zone did not respond to The Telegraphs queries about its relationship with the products being sold online.

Ozon said: Ozon sells a wide range of consumer goods to the public. We do not specialise in military products, nor do we sell them.

Any seller can offer their goods on our platform, provided that their sale is not prohibited under Russian law. Products that cannot be sold in Russia will not appear on our website. We carefully check the certificates of conformity and all necessary documents for all goods, especially childrens goods.

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In the case of flammable goods, such as firecrackers, we also check safety certificates. For additional real-time verification of goods, we use algorithm-based storefront monitoring and we hide product cards if the seller cannot confirm their quality or safety.

Shortly after The Telegraph made contact with the e-commerce platform, one of the three listings  the toy airplane with impact firecracker for adults  appeared to have been taken down.

A spokesperson for the company said they were conducting additional verification of documents in line with standard procedure.

At the time of publication, the Shahed toy replica, aimed at children from 3 years old, remained on the Ozon store.

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b'

'

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.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and will be updated as details emerge.

Russia launched guided bombs and drones at several Ukrainian cities and regions on Oct. 30, triggering air raid alerts and explosions across the country, with civilian casualties reported in Sumy.

Four people were reportedly injured in Sumy after Russia launched 10 drones in less than an hour, striking civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings. A young girl and an elderly woman were among the injured, according to Governor Oleh Hryhorov.

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Zaporizhzhia also came under threat from Russian KAB guided bombs earlier in the evening, according to multiple sources. Governor Ivan Fedorov warned residents of an ongoing "threat of KABs in Zaporizhzhia oblast and Zaporizhzhia city."

KABs  short for Korrektiruyemaya Aviabomba  are long-range Russian guided aerial bombs equipped with wings and precision targeting systems. Russia recently upgraded the weapon, which is believed to reach distances of up to 200 kilometers, allowing strikes far beyond the front line.

Explosions were also reported in Dnipro after the Ukrainian air force announced a guided bomb was headed toward the city.

The military additionally warned of ballistic missile threats in southeastern Ukraine. Drone strikes were reported in the southern port city of Mykolaiv, with additional drones reportedly moving toward Odesa.

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Read also: Ukraine war latest updates: Normal people dont fight like this  Russia bombs power plant in Donetsk Oblast, Zelensky says (8)

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.




A San Francisco judge on Wednesday dismissed charges against a man accused of removing an officer's baton while resisting arrest during a June protest against immigration raids, according to the San Francisco Public Defender's Office.

Luis Leal, 29, was arrested on June 8 while peacefully protesting in front of the San Francisco Immigration Court building at 100 Montgomery St., public defenders said. San Francisco Police Department officers yelled at Leal to get out of the way while moving to shove him with a baton, leaving Leal no chance to comply with police commands, according to the office.

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The San Francisco District Attorney's Office originally charged Leal with a felony for "removing" an officer's weapon while resisting arrest and a misdemeanor for ignoring a verbal command, the office said. The felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor before a trial judge reviewed body cam footage on Oct. 15. The district attorney's office said Leal's case was dismissed after he successfully completed a trial diversion program that required him to stay out of the criminal justice system for two months. Prosecutors had been prepared to present their evidence against him in court.

Deputy Public Defender Nuha Abusamra said in a statement that Leal was not blocking police when they ordered him to move and that he was the only person to sustain unspecified injuries during the police confrontation. The conflict emerged so rapidly, Leal put his hand up to defend from baton strikes, Abusamra said.

"Mr. Leal is a proud Mexican American," Abusamra said. "Mr. Leal has a Constitutional right to protest against injustice in this country. Sadly, the SFPD and District Attorney's Office treated the exercise of his First Amendment rights like a crime instead of a lawful act of courage. The judges who reviewed this case were fair and reached a just outcome."

More than 150 people were arrested along with Leal in San Francisco on June 8. The protest, which began peacefully around 6 p.m. near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office on Sansome Street, grew into a tense standoff between demonstrators and police. Officers declared the crowd an unlawful assembly, dispersing all but a fraction of protestors who continued marching through the streets.

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The protests at times became destructive, and police said demonstrators had shattered windows and vandalized buildings, Muni vehicles and an SFPD patrol car. Two officers were injured, and 148 adults and six juveniles were arrested.

This article originally published at S.F. judge dismisses charges against man arrested during June immigration protests.
by Dean Miller and Nicholas Muller

Did Germany designate Antifa a "Domestic Terror Group" in October of 2025, as a story on a U.S. website claims? No, that's not true: The headline on the website's story grossly exaggerates the website's own story, which describes one regional political party's debate over a position paper. There is no public record that Germany's parliament adopted such measure, nor did Germany's president issue such a decree. The website that published the claim features a standing disclaimer that it takes no responsibility for the accuracy of its contents.

The rumor appeared in an October 26, 2025 article (archived here) published by The People's Voice titled "Germany Officially Designates Antifa a 'Domestic Terror Group'" which opened:

Germany is set to officially designate Antifa as a 'domestic terrorist group' as a historic vote takes place over the weekend to ban the far-left group from the country.

Here's what the article looked like on the website at the time this fact check was written:

Image source: Lead Stories screenshot of The People's Voice web page.

The article under the exaggerated headline reports the terror designation was a political party's talking point in just one of Germany's 16 states:

In Germany's largest state, Bavaria, the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) is set to vote this weekend on a proposal to make Antifa a terrorist group ...

The weekend of October 25, 2025, the far-right AfD Party's members in Bavaria did declare Antifa should be banned, according to this report by the German Press Agency, published in Die Zeit (archived here), translated by Lead Stories' German-speaking staff:

... the Bavarian AfD is calling for the classification of the so-called Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization and its subsequent banning. A corresponding motion was passed almost unanimously by the members present ...

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But, that vote only expresses the political party's Bavarian branch's support for such a ban and does not amount to a ban either in Bavaria or all of Germany, as the headline declares in The People's Voice.

To double-check, Lead Stories' German-speaking staff searched the German Republic's lists of banned groups and materials of the domestic intelligence agency (Bundesamt fur Verfassungsschutz) and Ministry of the Interior. Antifa is not labelled a terrorist organization, according to the 2024 report by the Ministry of Interior on protection of the constitution (archived here).



AfD members in the national parliament, the Bundestag, in October of 2025 proposed a ban on Antifa, but reports by the weekly "Das Parlament" (archived here) showed the ban met with strong opposition from other parties represented in the Bundestag. The proposal has been referred to a parliamentary committee, which means it is a proposal in process and not an adopted policy of the Republic of Germany.

The company that publishes The People's Voice web outlet does not promise accuracy. The page includes this disclaimer, saying the company:
Claim:

In the fall of 2025, authorities arrested a man in Tennessee after he posted a meme deriding U.S. President Donald Trump following the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Rating:

Rating: True

In the fall of 2025, rumors swirled that a man was in jail in Tennessee for posting a meme deriding U.S. President Donald Trump in the wake of the death of Charlie Kirk, the conservative co-founder of Turning Point USA who was shot and killed in Utah in September as he spoke to a crowd.

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For example, the Facebook page of Occupy Democrats posted the rumor, referring to the man as Larry Bushart and saying he had been arrested after posting "only political commentary" (archived):

(Facebook page Occupy Democrats)

The post had gained 23,000 reactions and 4,700 comments as of this writing. The claim further spread on Facebook and Reddit.

The claim is true. A review of arrest records (archived) of Perry County, Tennessee, a telephone conversation with Bushart's son and another with Adam Steinbaugh, an attorney at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) who has been following the case, revealed the man had indeed been arrested in late September 2025 for posting a meme.

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Snopes also reached out to Nick Weems, the sheriff in Perry County, Joshua Phillips, Bushart's lawyer, and Perry County District Attorney Hans Schwendimann. We await a response.

On Sept. 22, 2025, Bushart was booked into jail by the Perry County Sheriff's Office on suspicion of making "Threats of mass violence on school property and activities" and charged with the crime. The booking came hours after Bushart posted a meme on the Facebook group What's Happening in Perry County, according to the news website The Intercept, which identified Bushart as a former police officer and sheriff's deputy.

Snopes could not review what Bushart posted there as the group is private, but Weems later confirmed on camera for local network News Channel 5 that the meme that led to Bushart's arrest showed a photograph of then-presidential candidate Trump and quoted him as saying "We have to get over it" hours after the Perry High School mass shooting in Iowa in early January 2024. Bushart had reportedly posted this in a thread about the memorial for Kirk.

A screen capture of Bushart's post circulated widely, with Bushart's caption reading, "This seems relevant today...":

(Facebook user Larry Bushart)

This was the same image posted by Everytown, the group that advocates for more gun control, in January 2024 (archived):

Donald Trump has no plan to address gun violence. He wants to ignore it and move on. If elected, he would undo all the progress weve made on gun safety in the last few years and dismantle our democracy.



Donald Trump may have just won the Iowa Caucus, but we will do everything pic.twitter.com/kiw57eCjBq  Everytown (@Everytown) January 16, 2024

The post came after Bushart reportedly posted many memes with a left-leaning bent about Kirk's death on the local Facebook group. He did so as well on his personal Facebook page. The last meme he posted on his page was on Sept. 21, 2025, before he was arrested.

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In the Oct. 28, 2025, News Channel 5 televised report, Weems identified this as the meme, saying it caused alarm among Perry County residents because it referred to the Perry High School mass shooting. However, the shooting occurred in Perry, Iowa, in 2024, not in Perry County, Tennessee.

On Oct. 29, the district attorney's office dropped the criminal charge against Bushart, according to the Nashville Tennessean and local news outlet WKRN. He reportedly was released from jail after being held on a $2 million bond since his arrest. Steinbaugh confirmed in an email Bushart was free. Local radio station WOPC FM interviewed Bushart as he walked out of jail. In the video, Bushart thanked his supporters (archived):

https://x.com/wopcfm/status/1983635132604149913

Sources:

"32nd Judicial District | District Attorney Hans Schwendimann." Tennesseeda.gov, 2025, tennesseeda.gov/district-32/. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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"BOOKING of LARRY BUSHART." Perrycountysheriff.net, 22 Sept. 2025, isoms.perrycountysheriff.net/portal/Jail?hours=0&lname=BUSHART&fname=LARRY. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

PatVB Web Design. "Perry County Sheriff's Office." Perry County TN Government, 21 Jan. 2021, gov.perrycountytn.com/elected-officials/county-sheriff. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Williams, Phil. "Tennessee Sheriff Defends Jailing Liberal Activist for Posting Trump Meme about School Shooting." News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF), 28 Oct. 2025, www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/tennessee-sheriff-defends-jailing-liberal-activist-for-posting-trump-meme-about-school-shooting. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Segura, Liliana. "The Absurd Prosecution of a Man Who Posted a Charlie Kirk Meme." The Intercept, 23 Oct. 2025, theintercept.com/2025/10/23/charlie-kirk-meme-arrest-tennessee-larry-bushart/. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Drilling at Deccan Gold Mines Limited's critical mineral block in Chhattisgarh will begin in December, marking a key step in India's efforts to secure domestic supplies of strategic resources like nickel, copper, platinum, and palladium, Hanuma Prasad, Managing Director, Deccan Gold Mines Limited, told ANI. "In Chhattisgarh, we have the Balukona block for nickel, copper, platinum, and palladium," said Prasad in an exclusive interview with ANI on Wednesday. "Drilling will begin in December." He said the block has strong multi-commodity potential. "We expect around 10,000 tons of copper and 10,000 tons of nickel annually," Prasad said. "It's a multi-commodity mine, nickel, copper, platinum, and palladium, all classified as critical minerals." Deccan Gold Mines, India's only listed gold exploration company, also operates the Jonagiri Gold Project in Andhra Pradesh, the country's first gold mine to be developed in 80 years. "Jonagiri is fully commissioned," Prasad said. "It will produce about 450-500 kilos of gold in the first year and reach 750 kilos at peak." The company is simultaneously expanding its presence in the global rare-earth and critical mineral space. "We are doing due diligence for rare earth metals in one of the countries in Europe and also in another country in southern Africa," Prasad said. "We will have a clear idea in a month." DGML has three major overseas projects in Kyrgyzstan, Finland, and Mozambique. Its Altin Tor Gold Project in Kyrgyzstan is the most advanced. "We own 60 per cent in that project," Prasad said. "It's producing around 350 to 400 kilos of gold annually and will reach 700 to 750 kilos in two to three years." In Finland, the company plans to begin operations next summer. "We will set up a thousand-ton processing facility," Prasad said. "It will produce about one ton of gold per year for at least five years." The company's project in Mozambique is another strategic venture aimed at supplying India's electric vehicle sector. "We will produce around 200 tons of lithium concentrate daily," Prasad said. "A processing plant will be set up next year, and we plan to bring the concentrate to India." The investment in Mozambique is pegged at USD 30-40 million, while the Finland project will require around USD 40 million. Prasad, who also serves on the National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) executive committee, said the government's National Critical Mineral Mission is driving progress in this sector. "Exploration is the only solution to develop mines in this country," he said. "The government's efforts are showing results." The National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) is an Indian initiative launched in 2025 to ensure a stable supply of critical minerals essential for clean energy, technology, and defence sectors. Its main goals are to strengthen India's mineral value chains through exploration, mining, and processing, and to reduce reliance on imports by encouraging domestic exploration, international asset acquisition, and R&D. However, he cautioned that "auction premiums of 60-70 per cent may not be financially sustainable" for private miners. "India imports nearly Rs 70,000 crore worth of rare and critical minerals annually," Prasad said. "Whatever we supply may be small, but it's a first step." (ANI)
Claim:

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace posted on X in 2022, We just passed the Respect for Marriage Act out of the House. Im a big fan of marriage, having done it a few times. And If gay couples want to be as happily or miserably married as straight couples, more power to them. Trust me on this.

Rating:

Rating: True

In October 2025, a purported X post by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina spread across the internet, supposedly showing her past support for same-sex marriage.

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The alleged post from 2022 read: "We just passed the Respect for Marriage Act out of the House. I'm a big fan of marriage, having done it a few times. And If gay couples want to be as happily or miserably married as straight couples, more power to them. Trust me on this."

(X user @Thiss_Youu)

Critics of the lawmaker, who launched a campaign for governor of South Carolina in 2025, circulated a screenshot of the alleged post as evidence of her changing stance on LGBTQ+ rights in recent years.

She has gone from describing herself as pro-LGBTQ rights in 2021 to advocating for bans on transgender women using the women's bathrooms in the U.S. Capitol in 2024. Mace posted on her verified X account on Oct. 28, 2025, "Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve," a common slogan opposing same-sex marriage.

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Mace did write the in-question post on X in 2022. In other words, the screenshot purportedly showing the post was genuine  it was not the product of artificial-intelligence (AI) software nor digital editing.

The post was visible on her X account (archived), as of this writing:

We just passed the Respect for Marriage Act out of the House. Im a big fan of marriage, having done it a few times. And If gay couples want to be as happily or miserably married as straight couples, more power to them. Trust me on this.   Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) July 19, 2022

During her first congressional term in 2022, per a press release, Mace announced she voted in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which required all states to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states and federally recognized same-sex marriage.

At the time, Mace released a statement: "The right to marry whoever you love regardless of the color of your skin or orientation shouldn't be controversial. Our nation was built on the notion of individual liberty. This vote marks another step forward in the American people's constant fight for freedom."

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In a 2023 interview with CBS News, Mace claimed to be "pro-transgender rights" but opposed gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Of the latter, she told CBS that she supported children using different pronouns and gender identities but did not support gender-affirming surgeries.

In 2024, she sought to ban transgender women from using female restrooms inside the U.S. Capitol and frequently used anti-transgender slurs, according to footage on her social media accounts.

As part of her 2025 campaign for governor, Mace is advocating for policies that would supposedly ban "drag shows for children." During a May 2025 court hearing, she reportedly called transgender people "mentally ill."

Snopes previously reported on Mace's claim that the government spent $10 million of taxpayer money on transgender animal tests.

Sources:

Breen, Matthew. "Nancy Mace." GLAAD. 9 Dec. 2024, https://glaad.org/gap/nancy-mace/. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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Chornobroff, Shaun. "Rep. Mace Calls Trans Movement a 'Cult' in Hearing for 19-Year-Old Accused of Threats." South Carolina Daily Gazette, 16 May 2025, https://scdailygazette.com/2025/05/16/rep-mace-calls-trans-movement-a-cult-in-hearing-for-19-year-old-accused-of-threats/. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Izzo, Jack. "Republicans Claim Government Spent Millions on 'transgender Mice.' Here's the Truth." Snopes, 7 Mar. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/03/07/transgender-mice-republicans/. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

"NANCY MACE UNVEILS PLAN TO BAN DRAG SHOWS FOR CHILDREN AS GOVERNOR." Nancy Mace. 23 Oct. 2025, https://nancymace.org/nancy-mace-unveils-plan-to-ban-drag-shows-for-children-as-governor/. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Radde, Kaitlyn. "What Does the Respect for Marriage Act Do? The Answer Will Vary by State." NPR, 8 Dec. 2022. National. NPR, https://www.npr.org/2022/12/08/1140808263/what-does-the-respect-for-marriage-act-do-the-answer-will-vary-by-state. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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"REP. NANCY MACE VOTES TO PROTECT MARRIAGE, AGAIN." Representative Nancy Mace. 8 Dec. 2022, http://mace.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-nancy-mace-votes-protect-marriage-again. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

"Rep. Nancy Mace's Position on LGBTQ Community Appears to Have Changed." ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/rep-nancy-mace-position-lgbtq-community-appears-changed/story?id=116718775. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.


By David Lawder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday took steps to de-escalate their trade war, swapping some U.S. tariff reductions and tighter export controls for a pause in Beijing's new restrictions on rare earth minerals and magnets and a resumption of its purchases of American soybeans.

The deal averts Trump's threatened 100% tariff on Chinese goods and extends a delicate trade truce between the world's two largest economies for about a year.

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Here are some of the key elements of the Trump-Xi agreement that was reached in Busan, South Korea:

TARIFF REDUCTION ON FENTANYL-RELATED CHINESE GOODS

The U.S. will cut in half Trump's current 20% tariff on Chinese goods related to supplies of fentanyl opioid precursor chemicals coming from China. The reduction to 10% on the duties first imposed in February will bring down the overall U.S. tariff rate on Chinese imports to about 47% from 57%, according to Trump administration officials.

That total includes duties of about 25% imposed on Chinese imports during Trump's first term in the White House and a reduced, 10% "reciprocal" tariff imposed in April and previous "Most Favored Nation" tariff rates.

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The 47% tariff rate is lower than the 50% tariffs that Trump is applying to goods from India and Brazil after slapping those countries with extra punitive duties for political reasons. Canada, the largest purchaser of U.S. exports, would face 35% tariffs on goods not compliant with a North American trade deal if Trump follows through with his threat for an extra 10% levy on imports from Canada after an Ontario government advertisement angered him.

PAUSE ON CHINA'S RARE-EARTH EXPORT CONTROLS

China agreed to pause for one year the export controls unveiled this month on rare earth minerals and magnets, which have vital roles in cars, planes and weapons that have become Beijing's most potent source of leverage in its trade war with Washington. The new global controls would have required export licenses for products with even trace amounts of an expanded list of elements and were aimed at preventing their use in military products.

But the Chinese move does not affect controls that were put in place in April in response to Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs, allowing Beijing to maintain some scrutiny and leverage over the sector. Lengthy U.S.-China negotiations over the summer determined rare-earth vetting and shipment procedures aimed at keeping the Chinese-produced metals flowing, and those procedures have been extended.

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TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S EXPORT CONTROLS PAUSED

The U.S. agreed to pause for one year a vastly expanded Commerce Department blacklist of companies that are prohibited from purchasing U.S. high technology goods, including semiconductor manufacturing equipment exports, a global shift largely aimed at prohibiting the use of subsidiaries and other linked firms to skirt the controls.

The new rules would have automatically included firms more than 50% owned by companies already on the list and would have had the biggest impact on Chinese companies, banning U.S. exports to thousands more Chinese firms.

CHINA COMMITS TO SOYBEAN PURCHASES

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China agreed to purchase 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans in the current marketing year through January, and committed to purchasing 25 million metric tons in each of the following three years.

China had largely stopped buying U.S. soybeans this autumn, purchasing none in September after sourcing all of its beans from Brazil and Argentina. This move created new leverage for Beijing in the negotiations by adding economic pain to U.S. farmers, a key Trump constituency.

But the soybean commitments will only bring China back to its prior levels of U.S. purchases, analysts said. In 2024, the U.S. exported nearly 27 million tons of soybeans to China. China promised to vastly expand soybean purchases in the "Phase One" trade deal with Trump that paused a trade war in 2020, but never met the targets as the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PAUSES NEW PORT FEES

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The Trump administration agreed to pause for one year its new port fees for Chinese-built, -owned and -flagged ships, which can add millions of dollars in costs to each voyage to U.S. ports. The fees, aimed at combating China's global dominance in shipbuilding, ocean freight and logistics and reviving U.S. commercial shipbuilding, took effect on October 14, along with 100% tariffs on Chinese-built ship-to-shore cranes.

The port fees have quickly disrupted cargo flows, pushing up container rates as shippers seek to avoid China-linked vessels. China has imposed its own fees on U.S.-linked ships, including those from global shippers with 25% U.S. ownership.

COOPERATION ON FENTANYL TRAFFICKING

China has agreed to give the U.S. "substantial cooperation" in reducing the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals to the U.S., including through Canada and Mexico, in return for the cut in the fentanyl tariff rate to 10%, Bessent said.

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Bessent told Fox Business Network that in the coming weeks, working groups from the two countries will "set very objective measures" on reducing flows to determine the effort's success in curbing the deadly opioid responsible for tens of thousands of U.S. overdose deaths every year.

When Trump first imposed the fentanyl-related tariffs, officials in his administration said they were wary of ongoing promises by China to help, and that the tariffs would remain in place until Beijing had taken concrete measures.

According to a statement from China's Ministry of Commerce, China said only that the two sides "reached consensus" on fentanyl counter-narcotics cooperation.

(Reporting by David Lawder, Andrea Shalal, Doina Chiacu and Michael Martina; Editing by Paul Simao)
BEIJING (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump met China's leader Xi Jinping on Thursday in a summit the U.S. side said yielded an agreement on a range of trade and technology issues that had ratcheted up tension between the world's two biggest economies.

Chinese state media quoted Xi as saying both had "reached a consensus" on resolving "important economic and trade issues".

Here are key issues discussed, according to the U.S. side:

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TARIFFS

Trump said he would immediately reduce tariffs on China by 10 percentage points.

That came after Beijing agreed to resume U.S. soybean purchases, pledged to keep rare earths exports flowing and offered assurances that China would crack down on the illicit trade of fentanyl, Trump said.

Trump said U.S. tariffs on China would fall to about 47%, from 57% after the immediate suspension of a 10% levy Trump ordered over fentanyl.

Trump had previously threatened an additional tariff of 100% on Chinese goods from November 1 in retaliation for Chinas expanded rare earth export controls, but he told reporters aboard Air Force One the threat would not materialise.

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He said the broad trade agreement between the United States and China would run for one year, adding that he expected it to be renewed annually.

FENTANYL

Trump said Xi had promised "strong action" on the export of precursor chemicals used in fentanyl production, which has contributed to nearly 450,000 U.S. overdose deaths.

That would include prosecutions in China, Trump said, adding that he expected Xi would take "very strong measures against those who don't obey".

Beijing had sought an elimination of fentanyl-related duties, arguing it had already stepped up enforcement.

In the past, China has also expressed "sympathy" for the fentanyl crisis in the United States and said its government needed to take steps to control demand for drugs.

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RARE EARTHS

Trump said the agreement with Xi had removed roadblocks over export controls for rare earth metals that China tightened in April. Those measures led to shortages of rare earth magnets needed for a range of advanced manufacturing, including autos.

Beijing has not yet commented on the details of changes under the agreement Trump described.

China produces more than 90% of the world's processed rare earths and rare earth magnets used in many modern devices, from smartphones to fighter jets.

SOYBEAN PURCHASES

Trump said China, which takes more than 60% of world soybean imports, had committed to buy U.S. soybeans and other agricultural products.

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Beijing had effectively boycotted U.S. soybean imports this year due to the trade war, with the lack of Chinese demand having hurt U.S. farmers.

Ahead of the meeting, China bought its first cargoes of U.S. soybeans in several months, in a gesture Trump praised as a display of goodwill.

China bought more than half of U.S.-grown soybeans in 2023 and 2024. U.S. exports to China peaked in 2022 at a value of $17.92 billion.

SEMICONDUCTORS

Trump said the two sides had discussed China's access to U.S.-made chips, including AI chips made by industry leader Nvidia. Trump said that did not include the Blackwell chip, Nvidia's most advanced offering.

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Chinese authorities had tightened some controls over Nvidia chip imports and urged domestic tech companies to buy locally in the run-up to Thursday's meeting.

China has vowed to develop its strategic industries in efforts to attain technological self-reliance, moves it sees as key to bolstering its position in an intensifying rivalry with the United States.

The United States has been trying to limit China's access to advanced chips since 2019. Those export controls were expanded under the Biden administration.

TAIWAN

Trump said Taiwan never came up in his talks with Xi.

Some experts had expressed fears that Trump might offer concessions over Taiwan. U.S. law requires Washington to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.

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Since taking office earlier this year, Trump has vacillated on his position towards the democratically governed island claimed by China. Trump has yet to approve any new U.S. arms sales to Taipei.

On Sunday, Chinese state media said Chinese H-6K bombers recently flew near Taiwan to practise "confrontation drills."

(Reporting by Liangping Gao and Kevin Yao; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
BEIJING (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump met China's leader Xi Jinping on Thursday in a summit the U.S. side said yielded an agreement on a range of trade and technology issues that had ratcheted up tension between the world's two biggest economies.

Chinese state media quoted Xi as saying both had "reached a consensus" on resolving "important economic and trade issues".

Here are key issues discussed, according to the U.S. side:

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TARIFFS

Trump said he would immediately reduce tariffs on China by 10 percentage points.

That came after Beijing agreed to resume U.S. soybean purchases, pledged to keep rare earths exports flowing and offered assurances that China would crack down on the illicit trade of fentanyl, Trump said.

Trump said U.S. tariffs on China would fall to about 47%, from 57% after the immediate suspension of a 10% levy Trump ordered over fentanyl.

Trump had previously threatened an additional tariff of 100% on Chinese goods from November 1 in retaliation for Chinas expanded rare earth export controls, but he told reporters aboard Air Force One the threat would not materialise.

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He said the broad trade agreement between the United States and China would run for one year, adding that he expected it to be renewed annually.

FENTANYL

Trump said Xi had promised "strong action" on the export of precursor chemicals used in fentanyl production, which has contributed to nearly 450,000 U.S. overdose deaths.

That would include prosecutions in China, Trump said, adding that he expected Xi would take "very strong measures against those who don't obey".

Beijing had sought an elimination of fentanyl-related duties, arguing it had already stepped up enforcement.

In the past, China has also expressed "sympathy" for the fentanyl crisis in the United States and said its government needed to take steps to control demand for drugs.

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RARE EARTHS

Trump said the agreement with Xi had removed roadblocks over export controls for rare earth metals that China tightened in April. Those measures led to shortages of rare earth magnets needed for a range of advanced manufacturing, including autos.

In a statement, China's Ministry of Commerce said it had agreed to delay the introduction of a second round of rare earth export controls announced in October.

Restrictions introduced in April on seven rare earths and the rare earth magnets crucial to automakers, defence companies and chipmakers, appear to have been left in place.

China produces more than 90% of the world's processed rare earths.

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SOYBEAN PURCHASES

Trump said China, which takes more than 60% of world soybean imports, had committed to buy U.S. soybeans and other agricultural products.

Beijing had effectively boycotted U.S. soybean imports this year due to the trade war, with the lack of Chinese demand having hurt U.S. farmers.

Ahead of the meeting, China bought its first cargoes of U.S. soybeans in several months, in a gesture Trump praised as a display of goodwill.

China bought more than half of U.S.-grown soybeans in 2023 and 2024. U.S. exports to China peaked in 2022 at a value of $17.92 billion.

SEMICONDUCTORS

Trump said the two sides had discussed China's access to U.S.-made chips, including AI chips made by industry leader Nvidia. Trump said that did not include the Blackwell chip, Nvidia's most advanced offering.

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Chinese authorities had tightened some controls over Nvidia chip imports and urged domestic tech companies to buy locally in the run-up to Thursday's meeting.

China has vowed to develop its strategic industries in efforts to attain technological self-reliance, moves it sees as key to bolstering its position in an intensifying rivalry with the United States.

The United States has been trying to limit China's access to advanced chips since 2019. Those export controls were expanded under the Biden administration.

TAIWAN

Trump said Taiwan never came up in his talks with Xi.

Some experts had expressed fears that Trump might offer concessions over Taiwan. U.S. law requires Washington to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself.

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Since taking office earlier this year, Trump has vacillated on his position towards the democratically governed island claimed by China. Trump has yet to approve any new U.S. arms sales to Taipei.

On Sunday, Chinese state media said Chinese H-6K bombers recently flew near Taiwan to practise "confrontation drills."

(Reporting by Liangping Gao and Kevin Yao; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Many families with young children are grappling with the temporary loss of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the federal government shutdown. So the Permian Basin faith community is partnering to help the West Texas Food Bank serve our neighbors with a Formula for Faith drive. For the month of November, several congregations are collecting infant formula for families in need. You can drop off new, unexpired formula of any kind to one of these locations:

* In Odessa: Connection Christian Church, First Presbyterian Church, Hope Alive Church, Temple Beth-El, and the West Texas Food Bank

* In Midland: First Christian Church, Grace Presbyterian Church, St. Nicholas Episcopal Church, and the West Texas Food Bank

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Please check the locations office hours before stopping by. Tell them its for the Formula for Faith drive.

Its truly inspiring to see our local faith communities come together to support West Texas families, said Libby Stephens, CEO of the West Texas Food Bank. Baby formula is one of the most requested items we receive, and this drive will make a tremendous difference for parents struggling to feed their little ones. This kind of community compassion is what keeps hope alive in West Texas.

There are about 51,000 participants on SNAP in the West Texas Food Bank 19 county service area. There are 4,808 federal employees who have not received a paycheck in our area.

The post Faith community comes together for the West Texas Food Bank appeared first on Odessa American.
The sidewalks of Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando will be bustling with art and life this weekend as Fall Fiesta in the Park pops up for its annual show.

The event, now in its 54th year, returns Nov. 1-2 with more than 200 artists, crafters and food vendors from Florida and beyond showing paintings, pottery, jewelry, edible goods, pet products, fabric art and more. Tens of thousands of visitors seek out the festival throughout the weekend to spend time outdoors and get an early start on holiday shopping.

Its eclectic and affordable, said Brian Young, one of the festival organizers. Some pieces start at $4,000 at fine art festivals. We target a whole different bunch of people with this event. You can get items here for as low as $5 and up to $500 for handmade chairs and things like that.

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Visitors to the pet and family-friendly festival can experience live music, a childrens area and food options in addition to the artistic offerings. The show also presents a chance to purchase a special, handmade gift that cant be found at a big-box store.

You can finish your Christmas shopping in one weekend with unique, handmade stuff that you cant get at Walmart, Young said. We try to only bring in professional handmade crafters and artists.

For years, the event took place with many vendors set up on Robinson Street. In recent years, Young and fellow organizer Janet Gamache have worked with the City of Orlando to move artists inside the park where there is more shade.

In addition to providing a gathering place for the community, Fiesta in the Park gives back to Orlando by giving a percentage of profits to the Orlando Community & Youth Trust. Previously, the festivals committee, which also hosts a springtime festival, donated money to help beautify Lake Eola and buy police horses and dogs.

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Young encouraged the community to attend the festival this weekend, especially given the favorable forecast.

The weather this weekend is going to be unbelievable with a high of 74 on Saturday and 79 on Sunday, he said. Young also noted the level of art and crafts the festival tends to attract. Our method is to attract the best quality possible, and its working.

Find me @PConnPie on Twitter and Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun things, follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

If you go

Fall Fiesta in the Park is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 1-2 at 512 E. Washington St. in Orlando. The event is pet-friendly, family-friendly and free to attend. For more information, visit fiestainthepark.com.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Fall made a full appearance this past week in West Michigan. Plenty of sunshine and near-average temperatures favored pops of colors!

CURRENT FALL FOLIAGE

Depending on the type of tree, fall color is still quite variable across the state. For example, Gun Lake shows nearly half of trees showing reds and oranges. Some other trees are ahead of schedule losing leaves, while others remain unchanged.

Most of Michigan is now seeing past peak color, especially areas north of I-96 stretching through the Upper Peninsula.

The lakeshore and some communities south of I-94 still have some change to work through. Pickerel Lake Park shows a similar situation to Gun Lake, with several trees peaking and others staying green.

Randall Swieringa, Pickerel Lake Park

Beth Miller, Keene Township

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Those looking for a fall foliage tour for the northern half of the state should act quickly! This weekend will be one of the last before widespread leaf loss occurs.

WHATS AHEAD?

Widespread changes are expected to continue this week with many trees losing their leaves. This past week already brought significant leaf loss thanks to gusty winds. Those winds will quiet a bit into the weekend.

That being said, one week from Thursday, the state is expected to be past peak in terms of viewing color. This weekend is showing a different sign of winter as daylight saving time ends.

One week from Thursday, the sunrise and sunset will both be around an hour earlier.

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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.
The family of an Australian cruise ship passenger who died after being left alone on a remote Great Barrier Reef island said a failure of care and common sense led to her death.

Suzanne Rees, 80, was found dead on Sunday near a walking trail on Lizard Island, off the coast of Queensland, the day after the luxury vessel she had been travelling on allegedly departed apparently without doing a passenger count.

Ms Rees, a retiree and keen bushwalker, had reported feeling unwell during an uphill hike to a scenic lookout during an excursion organised on the second day of her 40,000 cruise around Australia.

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Katherine Rees, her daughter, said she was shocked and saddened that the Coral Adventurer left Lizard Island after an organised excursion without my mum, Suzanne.

We understand from the police that it was a very hot day, and Mum fell ill on the hill climb, Katherine Rees told The Australian newspaper.

She was asked to head down, unescorted. Then the ship left, apparently without doing a passenger count.

At some stage in that sequence, or shortly after, mum died, alone.

She added: From the little we have been told, it seems that there was a failure of care and common sense.

b'

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The crew onboard Coral Adventurer, which caters for up to 120 guests with 46 crew, reported Ms Rees missing five hours after they left the island on Saturday evening, after noticing she did not attend dinner on the ship.

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Staff conducted a sweep of the boat and  initially fearing the passenger may have fallen overboard  they raised the alarm with maritime rescuers about 10pm.

The Coral Adventurer then turned back towards Lizard Island, while seven crew members went ahead to search for Ms Rees with torches.

Queensland Police were alerted at 11.45pm on Saturday, and a rescue helicopter was sent to the island an hour later.

Ms Reess body was found at 9.30am on Sunday, about 50m from the trail to Cooks Look  a steep path that allows visitors to follow in the footsteps of Captain James Cook, the British explorer.

Police called on rescue helicopters from charter company Nautilus to search for Ms Rees - Traci Ayris/ABC

Her family in New South Wales has been left wondering why she was left alone on the walk, despite telling others she felt unwell  and why it took five hours for anyone to notice she was missing.

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I hope that the coronial inquiry will find out what the company should have done that might have saved mums life, Katherine Rees said.

Death highlights gaps in safety protocols

Ms Reess death has renewed scrutiny of safety standards on the Great Barrier Reef, the world-renowned marine park that draws tourists from around the globe to dive among its coral and visit its remote, white-sand islands.

Tour boat operators working in the waters off far-north Queensland are meant to keep a log of guests and count them before and after they leave a vessel to participate in water activities such as diving and snorkelling or for shore excursions.

Police, workplace safety authorities and maritime officials are now investigating whether the crew followed proper safety procedures when they left Lizard Island on Saturday afternoon.

Suzanne Rees was a keen bushwalker

A spokesman for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said it would assess whether there was any non-compliance associated with the passenger not being counted onto the ship and, if necessary, will take action to address them.

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AMSA regulations also mandate a procedure for monitoring passengers so that the master of the vessel is able to find out the number of passengers on board the vessel at any time.

Adam Smith, a marine scientist and adjunct professor at Queenslands James Cook University who has sailed with Coral Expeditions as a guest lecturer, said the tragedy at Lizard Island highlighted gaps in how passengers were monitored.

He said that when tour groups snorkelled or dived, they adopted a buddy system but from the shore theres less direct supervision.

Its often up to the passenger when they go in and out of the water and how they undertake their activity, Dr Smith told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The woman had been travelling on the Coral Adventurer, which carries up to 120 passengers - Coral Expeditions

One of the worst known safety failures in the Great Barrier Reef region occurred in 1998, when American couple Tom and Eileen Lonergan were accidentally left behind while scuba diving at St Crispin Reef.

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Their absence was not noticed for two days, when a bag containing their belongings was found onboard the boat.

No sign of the couple was ever found except for a shredded piece of Mrs Lonergans wetsuit.

In 2008, Briton Richard Neely and his partner, Alison Dalton, survived nearly 20 hours treading water after their dive boat failed to pick them up during a tour near the Whitsunday Islands.

Mr Neely, from Norfolk, and Ms Dalton, from California, were spotted by a plane eight miles from where they began their dive, after spending a night at sea fearing they would be eaten by sharks.

They disputed claims that they had ignored safety instructions to stay within the lagoon in which the catamaran was moored, explaining that they surfaced just 200 yards from the boat but were unable to raise the attention of the crew or other divers.

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Witnesses had reported seeing 22 people, including dive company crew and other tourists, searching for the couple when they failed to return to the boat.

Queensland police later said they would not be pressing charges against the diving company.

On Lizard Island, visitors are advised they must register with reception at the islands resort if they go hiking without a guide.

The hike to Cooks Look allows visitors to follow in the footsteps of Captain James Cook who visited the region during a 1770 voyage - iStockphoto

The Cooks Look hike can be guided or self-guided...due to the time it takes to hike and the heat of the day, it is recommended that you hike early in the morning and if going unguided you must register with reception upon leaving and returning, the official tourist website for Tropical North Queensland states.

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It says the 2.5-mile hike is very steep in places and is recommended to people with medium to high fitness and agility.

Follow in the footsteps of Captain James Cook as he hiked to the top of the mountain to get an understanding of how to navigate his ship, The Endeavour back into open waters, the tourist site reads.

Mark Fifield, chief executive of the cruise ship operator Coral Expeditions, said the company was deeply sorry and offering our full support to Ms Reess family.

The Coral team have been in contact with the womans family, and we will continue to offer support to them through this difficult process, Mr Fifield said.

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So the flying Dutchman has fallen to earth with an almighty bump that will resonate across the Continent. The rise of populism, it turns out, is not irresistible after all.

In this weeks snap election, dominated by migration, voters delivered a sharp rebuke to Geert Wilders, the bouffant-haired bad boy of Dutch politics. His hard-Right Party for Freedom (PVV) lost 11 seats and with them its tenuous hold on government.

Wilders and his populist movement have been eclipsed by the centrist-liberal party D66. Its youthful leader, Rob Jetten, will now become prime minister and form a centre-Right coalition with other parties, ranging from Christian Democrats to Greens.

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As a political phenomenon, Jetten is uncannily reminiscent of Pim Fortuyn, the liberal critic of Muslim immigration who was on course to win the 2002 election when he was shot dead by a far-Left assassin. Like Fortuyn, Jetten is openly gay and has reclaimed the Dutch tricolour flag, while distancing himself from Wilders and the PVVs more illiberal policies.

One lesson for British observers is that tough policies on immigration need not be the sole preserve of reactionary demagogues. Already in Denmark, the Social Democratic prime minister Mette Frederiksen has shown that centrist parties can defeat populists by curtailing asylum and giving migrants a blunt choice: either integrate or be repatriated.

Even more than Britain, Holland has been overwhelmed by border anxiety for more than a generation. Uncontrolled immigration under the Schengen Agreement has left many people feeling that they have been deprived of the distinctive character of a traditionally high-trust, low-crime social fabric.

The impact of Islam, in particular, has polarised Dutch society. Ever since 2004, when an Islamist stabbed the writer and filmmaker Theo van Gogh to death in broad daylight, the country has wrestled with the problem of how to respond to migrants whose values seem incompatible with their own.

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The nation that for centuries gave sanctuary to those persecuted for their faith found itself embracing refugees with fundamentalist attitudes to women and homosexuals. The success of Wilders, who wants the Koran to be banned and has lived under police protection for more than two decades, is only comprehensible in this context.

Geert Wilders Party for Freedom (PVV) lost 11 seats in this weeks snap election - Simon Wohlfahrt/AFP/Getty Images

Yet this weeks election shows that there are limits to the appeal of illiberal populism. Despite the fierce Dutch attachment to a way of life that now feels threatened by imported criminality and political Islam, most voters do not accept the need for extreme measures to deal with these threats.

In recent years, the Dutch have become much more aware of their shameful record of collaboration during the wartime Nazi occupation, in particular towards the Jews. History has returned to haunt a country that prides itself on preserving an open society.

Hence Ukrainian refugees have been welcomed in Holland. And the brutal cynicism of Donald Trumps America  cold-shouldering Zelensky, mass deportations, deploying the military to cities  does not strike the Dutch as a model to imitate.

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Hence a muscular, conservative liberalism is making a comeback just as the star of Wilders has passed its zenith. Jetten is tougher on migration than Sir Keir Starmer, but has rejected Wilders policies of using the army to keep out asylum-seekers and the wholesale deportation of Syrian migrants.

Here in the UK, a divide is emerging on migration between illiberal and liberal conservatives. Some, led by Nigel Farage, want to see mass deportations of legal as well as illegal migrants. But Kemi Badenoch would distinguish between criminals or scroungers and those who play by the rules.

The Dutch election is unlikely to influence British politics directly, but if the Conservatives wish to differentiate themselves from Reform, they should learn from the triumph of Jetten. He is more typical of the homeland of Erasmus and Spinoza than Wilders, just as Badenoch  despite her heritage  is far more representative of the land of Locke, Burke and Mill than Farage.

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Microsoft Corporation reported a revenue of USD 77.7 billion for the quarter ending September 30, 2025, an 18 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, according to a company press release. Operating income rose 24 per cent to USD 38 billion, while net income reached USD 27.7 billion, marking a 12 per cent rise on a GAAP basis. On a non-GAAP basis, net income stood at USD 30.8 billion, up 22 per cent. Diluted earnings per share were USD 3.72 on a GAAP basis, up 13 per cent, and USD 4.13 on a non-GAAP basis, up 23 per cent. The company said non-GAAP results excluded the impact of its investments in OpenAI. Satya Nadella, chairman and chief executive officer of Microsoft, said the company's cloud and AI capabilities are reshaping industries. "Our planet-scale cloud and AI factory, together with Copilots across high value domains, is driving broad diffusion and real-world impact," Nadella said. "It's why we continue to increase our investments in AI across both capital and talent to meet the massive opportunity ahead." Amy Hood, executive vice president and chief financial officer, said the company began the fiscal year on a strong note. "We delivered a strong start to the fiscal year, exceeding expectations across revenue, operating income, and earnings per share," Hood said. "Continued strength in the Microsoft Cloud reflects the growing customer demand for our differentiated platform." In a post on X, Nadella highlighted that Microsoft plans to increase its AI capacity by 80 per cent this year and nearly double its data center footprint within two years. He pointed to the upcoming Fairwater facility in Wisconsin, which he said will be the world's most powerful AI data center, capable of scaling to two gigawatts. "We're building a fungible fleet that spans every stage of the AI lifecycle and is constantly optimized to deliver the best ROI and TCO for us and our customers," Nadella said. He added that the company's AI ecosystem continues to expand, with its family of Copilots surpassing 150 million monthly active users across various domains. GitHub Copilot now has more than 26 million users, while Microsoft 365 Copilot is used by 90 per cent of Fortune 500 companies. "90 percent of the F500 now use M365 Copilot - and we're shipping updates very fast. GitHub Copilot now has 26 million-plus users," he said. The company also recorded growth in healthcare, documenting over 17 million patient encounters, a fivefold increase year over year. Nadella further noted Microsoft's renewed agreement with OpenAI, stating, "This week, we signed a new agreement with OpenAI, a milestone for both companies."(ANI)
Farm groups also noted the need to continue looking for export markets and developing domestic soybean markets. (Photo by Preston Keres/USDA)

Iowa farm groups and leadership celebrated President Donald Trumps trade deal with China Thursday, which included substantial purchases of soybeans for 2025 and subsequent years.

Farm groups said the trade deal was encouraging but also noted the need to continue looking for export markets and developing domestic soybean markets.

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Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Thursday China would purchase at least 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans this year, followed by at least 25 million metric tons annually in 2026, 2027 and 2028.

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The announcement followed Trumps meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, where the leaders agreed to remove certain retaliatory tariffs and Xi agreed to continue exports of rare-earth materials and possibly purchase energy from the U.S.

Aside from a small reported shipment of soybeans purchased just ahead of the leaders talk, China had not purchased any soybeans from the current U.S. crop, which left farmers wondering if they had lost their largest export market.

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Iowa Soybean Association called the announcement encouraging news in a news release Thursday. ISA said soybean associations were encouraged that the trade commitments were framed as minimums and looked forward to continued growth in soybean purchases beyond these levels.

ISA President Tom Adam said the announcement addressed many of the concerns farmers had after months of stalled purchases and uncertainty.

This is great news for American agriculture and for soybean farmers who have been eager to reestablish a stable and long-term relationship that positions us for success moving forward, Adam said in the release. We are very grateful to President Trump for making soybeans a priority in negotiations with China.

According to the association, China has historically purchased between 28 and 36 million metric tons of soybeans, annually over the last 10 years, excluding the past two years when the country bought fewer U.S. beans.

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The association also called for the administration to continue developing other foreign export relationships and to finalize renewable fuel standards to help grow the domestic soybean market.

Whats that in bushels?

According to Iowa Soybean Association the 12 million metric tons China is poised to buy this year equates to 441 million bushels.

The 25 million metric tons it has agreed to purchase annually through 2028 equates to 918.5 million bushels.

Rollins said in a social media post the deal was HUGE considering China has played hard ball with the U.S. over the past four years.

Chinas additional commitment to purchase minimums for the next three years while President Trump is in the White House to actually hold them accountable is good for all of us! Rollins wrote.

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Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the deal with China will make a meaningful impact on farmers who are feeling the pain of a tough farm economy.

Its important that we continue to play offense on trade by opening and expanding new markets while also driving domestic use of Iowa products, especially homegrown biofuels, Naig said in a statement.

Gov. Kim Reynolds and U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst also celebrated the news Thursday on their social media accounts.

Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Brent Johnson similarly said the deal was a positive development for farmers.

The announcement of Chinas return to the marketplace is welcomed news and should provide some price support to struggling U.S. soybean markets, Johnson said in a statement. With farmers facing rising costs to grow a crop amid depressed markets, we applaud the administrations efforts to secure trade deals and opportunities for agriculture.

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For President Donald Trump, it was a brief musing to reporters on Air Force One about his plans to import beef from Argentina. For dozens of farm-state Republicans who have held their tongues as key Trump policies battered their constituents, it was the final straw.

GOP lawmakers in cattle-producing states unleashed a flurry of calls over the following days to the White House and the Agriculture Department. A small group of Republican senators, including retiring Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, cornered USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins in a private meeting less than 48 hours after the Oct. 19 comment.

This could not go on, they argued.

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So far, the burst of objections has not generated a U-turn from the administration, which is going ahead with a beef import plan that Trump officials argue will both lower steak and hamburger prices for American consumers and bolster relations with a key Trump ally, Argentinian President Javier Milei.

But it has exposed the limits of GOP lawmakers tolerance for policies that have especially tested states heavy on agriculture. Some of the president's staunchest Hill allies watched for months as Trumps tariffs devastated farmers. More recently, they begged his deputies to reopen key farm offices during the shutdown. Then came the beef beef, with one GOP senator granted anonymity to speak candidly calling it a a betrayal of America First principles.

Even in the Trump-loyal House, key Republicans are pushing back.

Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) and Reps. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), and Greg Steube (R-Fla.), along with 11 other House Republicans, warned against Trumps beef move, according to a letter sent Tuesday to Rollins and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer that was obtained exclusively by POLITICO.

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We believe strongly that the path to lower prices and stronger competition lies in continued investment at home  rather than policies that advantage foreign competitors, they wrote.

The frustrations are also playing out on the Senate floor this week on a series of votes to undo some of Trumps global tariffs. On Tuesday, five GOP senators joined Democrats to reverse 50 percent tariffs on Brazil; four Republicans voted Wednesday to cancel tariffs on Canada. While the votes are largely symbolic  House Republicans have preempted any challenges to Trump tariffs until February  the message was sent.

"Brazil had a trade surplus, and the impetus behind it appears to be a disagreement with a judicial proceeding, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said, referring to Trumps displeasure with the prosecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. I just don't think that's a strong basis for using the trade lever."

Caught in the middle of the farm-state fury is Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who has long warned about the fallout of broad-based tariffs but has defended Trumps trade prerogatives over the past nine months.

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Trumps trade wars, during his first term and this year, have wreaked havoc in Thunes home state of South Dakota, where agricultural exports are a major economic driver. Thune has said hes not a big fan of the levies. This week, Thune told reporters he thought Trumps tariff policy is a work in progress and declined to predict how many Republicans might break ranks on the latest disapproval votes.

My views on tariffs are probably slightly different than some of my colleagues, Thune said, adding, But I'm always willing to give the president and his team the opportunity  a chance  to get good deals, and hopefully thats the case.

Another reason farm staters frustrations are coming to a head: Trump is meeting this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with high hopes for a trade breakthrough among Republican lawmakers. And next week, the Supreme Court begins hearing oral arguments in a high-stakes challenge to Trumps emergency tariff powers next week, and GOP leaders believe they need to give Republicans room to air their grievances beforehand.

We want a level playing field. We want better terms for our exporters, said Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), who added that he continues to be willing to give Trump time to strike badly needed trade deals.

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Others are convinced the Supreme Court will step in and strike down at least some of Trumps sweeping tariffs. Emergencies are like war, famine [and] tornadoes, said Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), the most vocal opponent of Trumps tariffs in the Senate. Not liking someones tariffs is not an emergency. Its an abuse of the emergency power, and its Congress abdicating their traditional role in taxes.

But many are simply keeping their powder dry  and their reservations quiet  as they navigate their free-trade principles and loyalty to Trump.

Where we are right now is, the president has invoked what he says are his emergency powers to implement tariffs unilaterally, and that has been challenged, and the Supreme Court is going to rule on it, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) said.

Asked if had a view of how sweeping the current tariffs should be, Kennedy replied, I dont have anything for you on that.

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Amid the Argentinian beef uproar, Trump has at times shown little sympathy for ranchers and other agricultural producers.

The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, dont understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil, he wrote in a Truth Social post last week, adding that they have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!

That comment, and Trump officials confirmation that he was seeking to import four times the normal amount of beef from Argentina, set off a new wave of furor on Capitol Hill. And with Trump jetting off for a week of high-profile meetings with Asian leaders, it fell to Vice President JD Vance to absorb the frustration inside a closed-door lunch on Capitol Hill on Tuesday.

There was almost universal concern, said one GOP senator granted anonymity to describe the private meeting, describing the room as senator after senator pressing Vance.

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Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), a Trump ally whose family raises cattle, pushed back forcefully.

She rattled off a list of facts inside the GOP lunch that essentially argued the Trump administration was blaming the wrong party for high beef prices. Pointing out that wholesale cattle prices for ranchers are down while processed beef prices are up, she suggested the countrys large and often politically powerful meatpacking companies as the reason  a sector that has been subject to a long-running and bitter internal GOP fight on Capitol Hill.

Ranchers, Hyde-Smith told Vance, are not the problem.

Daniel Desrochers contributed to this report.
A Pleasantville, New Jersey, family is reeling after two devastating tragedies struck within hours of each other: a house fire that destroyed their home, and later that same day, a hit-and-run that left a father critically injured.

Veronica Sanchez said her family was asleep early Tuesday morning when a loud noise woke them up.

"We were inside, we were all sleeping. We all heard a loud bang and got everyone up," Sanchez said.

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Flames tore through their home on Wesley Avenue around 5:45 a.m., where Sanchez lived with her husband, their two young children, and six other relatives.

Courtesy: Pleasantville Fire Dept.

"If that noise didn't happen to wake us up, I wonder where we'd be," she said.

All ten people inside made it out safely, but the family lost everything.

That evening, while gathering donated items from the community, tragedy struck again.

Sanchez said her husband, Roberto "Peto" Vidanos, was crossing the street when he was hit by a driver.

"He was on the ground. He was hit really hard. His clothes fell off. He was just still," she said. "Once I got closer to him, I was trying to keep him up once the ambulance got here. His eyes kept rolling back."

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Vidanos was rushed to the hospital, where he remains on a ventilator and underwent surgery.

"Two broken legs, a broken pelvis, a fractured spine, broken left arm," Sanchez said. "It's gonna be a long road to recovery for him."

Roberto "Peto" Vidanos

Sanchez said she's trying to stay strong for their children.

"I'm trying to be strong for everyone, especially our kids. My son only knows about this. Still trying to figure out how to tell him about dad," she said.

Vidanos, known in the community as "Peto the Barber," is well-loved in the area, and his neighbors are rallying to support the family.

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"They've been donating clothes, food," said Crystal Rodriguez of Pleasantville.

The nonprofit Angels in Motion has also stepped in to collect donations.

"The community has come out strong. This is just since yesterday," said Laura Rowan with Angels in Motion Foundation, motioning to an overflowing pile. "It's amazing how much the community has jumped in to help."

Sanchez said she's overwhelmed by the kindness that's poured in.

"I am just so thankful. I don't think the words that I can say can show or make anyone feel how I'm feeling," she said. "So, so thankful. So thankful for everyone."

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Through it all, Sanchez said she's holding onto hope.

"It's only up from here. Can't get any worse than this!"

Police and fire officials say both incidents remain under investigation.

The family said they're overwhelmed with clothing donations, but will accept diapers and other children's items.

To donate, you can drop off items to Angels in Motion located at 2 West Glendale Avenue in Pleasantville on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A father who was detained by federal immigration agents in the suburbs while his daughter fights cancer was released Thursday and reunited with his family, a family spokesperson said.

Ruben Torres Maldonado had been in custody since Oct. 18.

He was held briefly at the detention center in Broadview before being moved to another facility in Indiana for the last week.

He headed back to Chicago late Thursday night, when he got to see his family again.

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It was an emotional day for Torres Maldonado as he was released from the Clay County Jail in Indiana, reuniting with his partner there, and late Thursday he got home to hug his 16-year-old daughter who is battling stage 4 cancer.

The family allowed ABC7 to be there to catch that moment after spending about two weeks without him.

Moments like that with his family are actually a key reason why an immigration judge ruled Thursday morning that Torres Maldonado should be released on bond.

He was detained at a Niles Home Depot.

Immigration Judge Eva Saltzman set a $2,000 bond Thursday, which his family paid.

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During the hearing, Judge Saltzman not only ruled for him to be released, she also said he is now eligible to apply for a cancellation of removal based on the hardship his family would endure if he's removed from the country. If his application is denied, he could still be facing deportation. His attorney said he will apply.

Despite the Department of Homeland Security claiming Torres-Maldonado has a history of "habitual driving offenses and has been charged multiple times with driving without insurance, driving without a valid license, and speeding," Judge Saltzman said she had no reason to believe that he posed a risk to the public.

DHS says he's been living in the U.S. illegally for years.

"I see that you have very strong family ties and community ties in the United States and that you've hired an attorney which shows me that you take these proceedings very seriously," the judge said. "And I see nothing in the record that would indicate to me that you pose a danger to the community."

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Torres Maldonado also noted during the hearing that he has a valid license and insurance.

"If they want to say someone is a criminal alien, they have to come up with evidence and proof and say so specifically. Today the immigration judge put the question to the government directly. So ,you have any reason to think Mr. Torres Maldonado should be detained? And they had nothing," lawyer Charlie Wysong said.

A judge last week ruled Torres Maldonado had to be given a prompt bond hearing, calling his detention unlawful.

Attorneys said he has been in the U.S. since 2003, and is a father of two U.S. citizen children, including his 16-year-old daughter, Ofelia, who has been battling stage four cancer.

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Attorneys mentioned the difficulties that have come up in that treatment over the last 10 days, as she has been separated from her father.

Just this week, ABC's Stephanie Ramos interviewed the daughter of Torres Maldonado about his case

"He had parking and like traffic tickets from before I was born. I don't know. I've gotten a parking ticket, am I a criminal?" Torres said.

So all of that leading to this moment tonight where Torres-Maldonado was reunited with his daughter.

The family was too shaken to speak to ABC7 Chicago on camera Thursday about all of this, but ABC7 did speak to the daughter Ofelia Torres about a week ago as she explained the frustration of watching her father get detained as she continues to battle cancer.

"You guys are targeting the wrong people," she said. "You are targeting hardworking fathers, mothers, kids. They don't deserve it."

ABC News contributed to this report.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  A small, local church filled a dozen bags of food in just one afternoon after a call for help from a woman in their community.

The woman called the United Methodist Church of Fayettevilles office on the morning of Wednesday, October 29, asking if the church had any food. Hours later, bags appeared in the back office thanks to the hard work of Pastor Nate Lange and Chris Fletcher, who works in the churchs office.

With S.N.A.P. benefits at risk this weekend for so many families, Fletcher and others in the church knew they wanted to help out, even if it was for just a few families.

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When the institutions that are supposed to be helping us cant, it behooves the rest of us to step up while we can, Fletcher said.

She and Lange started gathering food in the afternoon and ended up with a table covered in 12 bags.

Fletcher encourages individuals to first utilize the local food pantry, but understands there are limits on how much the pantry can give out. So shes hoping the church can lend a hand, even if its just on a small scale.

We came up with the simple idea; these are just simple bags with some staples, enough food. We hope that a family of four could get by a day or two on it, Lange said.

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Resources are limited, so they encourage people who can donate non-perishable items to contact the church at 315-637-4413 or reach out through their website.

Fletcher encourages other individuals and organizations in the community to try to help, too.

Go for it and start small because you have no idea how it could explode, and turn into something you never expected, Fletcher 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 WSYR.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  The City of Fayetteville announced a citywide food drive to support local food pantries in the community.

This comes after Mayor Molly Rawn joined the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger, a movement to end childhood hunger in cities nationwide. The coalition of over 500 mayers are working with Share our Strengths No Kid Hungry campaign to give children and families access to healthy food.

I am proud to stand with 568 mayors across the country in the shared mission to make sure no child goes hungry, Rawn said. Ending hunger requires community-level collaboration, and Im grateful for the work our partners do every day to support families in need.

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Beginning October 29, residents can drop off donations of non-perishable food items at the following locations:

City Hall on 113 West Mountain Street

Fayetteville Police Department Headquarters on 1800 North Stephen Carr Memorial Blvd.

Any Fayetteville Fire Station

All donations will go directly to food pantries serving Fayetteville residents.

In a 2023 U.S. Department of Agriculture report, Arkansas was reported to have the highest number of food insecure households at 18.5%. The national average was 13.5%.

Food pantries in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley

Even in a city as vibrant and caring as Fayetteville, too many families face tough choices at the grocery store, Rawn said. This food drive is one small way we can support our neighbors and remind families that their community cares.

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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 KNWA FOX24.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  Federal authorities on Thursday announced indictments against 20 people, including 14 current or former Mississippi Delta law enforcement officers, that allege the officers took bribes to provide safe passage to people they believed were drug traffickers.

The yearslong investigation swept across multiple counties in the Mississippi Delta region of Mississippi and Tennessee. Two Mississippi sheriffs, Washington County Sheriff Milton Gaston and Humphreys County Sheriff Bruce Williams, were among those arrested.

Some bribes were as large as $20,000 and $37,000, authorities said at a news conference.

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Its just a monumental betrayal of public trust, U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner said.

The indictments say law enforcement officers provided armed escort services on multiple occasions to an FBI agent posing as a member of a Mexican drug cartel. The indictments allege the officers understood they were helping to transport 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of cocaine through Mississippi Delta counties and into Memphis. Some of the officers also provided escort services to protect the transportation of drug proceeds.

Gaston and Williams are alleged to have received bribes in exchange for giving the operations their blessing, one indictment said. It also alleged that Gaston attempted to disguise the payments as campaign contributions, but did not report them as required by law.

Federal officials said the investigation began when people who had been arrested complained about having to pay bribes to various individuals.

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Law enforcement is only effective when the community they protect can trust the law enforcement officers are honestly serving the communitys interests," said Robert Eikhoff, special agent in charge of the FBIs Jackson Field Office. This type of corruption strikes at the heart of the community."

Nineteen of the 20 people indicted are also charged with violating federal gun laws.

In addition to the two sheriffs, those charged include: Brandon Addison, Javery Howard, Truron Grayson, Sean Williams, Dexture Franklin, Wendell Johnson, Marcus Nolan, Aasahn Roach, Jeremy Sallis, Torio Chaz Wiseman, Pierre Lakes, Derrik Wallace, Marquivious Bankhead, Chaka Gaines, Martavis Moore, Jamario Sanford, Marvin Flowers and Dequarian Smith.

Court records show that the federal defenders office is representing 16 of the 20 people charged, including the two sheriffs. The federal defender's office said it does not comment on pending matters. Attempts to reach the other four at phone numbers listed for them were unsuccessful.

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Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said in a statement that he was disappointed to learn of the allegations.

The law must apply equally to everyone regardless of the title or position they hold, he wrote. Know that if you betray the peoples trust in Mississippi, you will face consequences.

Multiple Mississippi law enforcement agencies and sheriffs have faced federal scrutiny in recent years.

In 2024, the former Hinds County Sheriff Marshand Crisler was convicted of accepting $9,500 in bribes and knowingly providing ammunition to a convicted felon. The same year, former Noxubee County Sheriff Terry Grassaree pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI while being questioned about requesting and receiving nude photos from a female inmate.

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William Brewer, a former Tallahatchie County sheriff, was sentenced to six years in prison in 2019 for extorting bribes from a drug dealer.

In 2023, six law enforcement officers pleaded guilty to state and federal charges for torturing two Black men, a case that sparked a Department of Justice investigation into the Rankin County Sheriffs Office. A similar DOJ probe concluded last year that officers of the Lexington Police Department discriminated against Black people.

___ This version has been corrected to show that people from Mississippi and Tennessee were charged, not just people from Mississippi.

___

Associated Press writers Kate Brumback in Atlanta, Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu and Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City contributed to this report.
The FBI says a proposal by House lawmakers to strip the bureau of its authority over counterintelligence efforts and hand it over to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard would create confusion and undermine national security.

In a sharply worded letter to Congress, the FBI expressed its strong objection to the proposal, exposing a power struggle between Gabbard and the FBIs director, Kash Patel, and other intelligence agencies.

The FBI has consistently articulated its strong objection to the proposal, and believes it would cause serious and long-lasting damage to the US national security, the unclassified letter said. Furthermore, the FBI is aware of many other objections submitted by other members of the IC, it stated, referring to the intelligence community.

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The FBI argued that it has decades of experience in countering foreign espionage in the United States with a national network of 53 field offices, and that the proposal would create unnecessary bureaucracy and shift authority to officials without relevant expertise.

The cumulative effect would be putting decision-making with employees who arent actively involved in Cl operations, knowledgeable of the intricacies of Cl threats, or positioned to develop coherent and tailored mitigation strategies, it said, referring to counterintelligence.

The clash over the FBIs leading role in counterintelligence marks the latest case of tensions between Gabbard and her counterparts in government, with the intelligence chief seeking a larger profile for her office.

Gabbard has engaged in turf battles with the CIA, blindsiding the spy agency by revoking security clearances for current and former national security employees without consulting with CIA officials, NBC News has reported. Gabbards office has denied that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence failed to properly confer with colleagues at the CIA over the security clearances.

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CIA and other intelligence officials share many of the FBIs misgivings about the House proposal, according to two people with knowledge of the matter.

Asked about the disagreement, the ODNI and the FBI said in a joint statement that the two agencies "are united in working with Congress to strengthen our nations counterintelligence efforts to best protect the safety, security, and freedom of the American people."

The New York Times first reported on the FBI letter.

The U.S. government defines counterintelligence as protecting against leaks from American spy agencies, hunting down foreign spies and countering economic espionage.

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In its letter, the FBI refers to a draft letter from Gabbard about the House proposal, saying it vigorously disagrees with her position. NBC News has not seen the draft letter from Gabbard cited by the FBI.

An intelligence community official said that healthy debate between agencies helps us to best protect national security and best carry out the presidents agenda and that Congress is rightfully evaluating reforms to the poorly coordinated, undefined, and often disjointed counterintelligence enterprise.

The official added that the FBIs letter was a pre-emptive response to an ODNI deliberative process document as part of government agency coordination and that deliberative process documents are not final products.

The FBIs letter came as lawmakers in the House and the Senate are haggling over an intelligence policy bill. The Senates proposal does not call for shifting counterintelligence authority to Gabbards office, congressional aides said.

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The House bill would grant the director of national intelligence the authority to approve counterintelligence activities, but it does not define precisely what that could mean, the FBI said in its letter.

Would a counterintelligence related prosecution be considered an activity that must receive approval from this new Director, outside of the current DOJ chain?" the letter stated, referring to the Justice Department. "Would that give the new Director of the Counterintelligence Center authority over the FBI/Attorney General for all counterintelligence investigations?

This entire provision will ultimately cause confusion among agencies and will not yield whatever intended benefits are sought, it said.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he was open to a review of how counterintelligence activities are managed, but opposed dismantling the FBIs leading role and giving the ODNI operational control.

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Thats not what ODNI was created for, and it puts it in direct tension with the agencies its supposed to support," Warner said in an email. "This approach risks creating turf battles and undermining the effectiveness of our Intelligence Community. ODNI should be a force multiplier, not a competing agency."

The chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Republican Rep. Rick Crawford of Arkansas, last month praised the House intelligence policy bill that would empower Gabbard as the first major reform Congress has pursued of our nations counterintelligence posture in over two decades, which he said was long overdue.

While our adversaries in the Chinese Communist Party, Russia, Iran and terrorist groups operate on a war footing against the United States, too often we have remained reactive, complacent and risk-averse, he added.

Crawfords office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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The director of national intelligence position was created in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, in an attempt to improve coordination and information sharing among the countrys spy agencies.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
In the spring of 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a nationwide alert regarding several brands of ground cinnamon that contained elevated levels of lead. Since then, the federal agency has issued several updates, adding more contaminated products to the alert. Now, the FDA has revised the list once again to include its latest findings. As of Oct. 30, 2025, over a dozen brands of cinnamon have been flagged for lead contamination. The list includes brands sold at chains such as Dollar Tree, Save A Lot, and Patel Brothers.

The FDA began testing for elevated lead levels in ground cinnamon following more than 460 cases of reported lead poisoning in children after they had eaten apple sauce. They quickly discovered it was the cinnamon in the apple puree that caused the lead and chromium poisoning.

How To Identify Cinnamon Brands That Contain Lead

Here is the latest list of products with elevated lead levels that are deemed unsafe for consumption. The FDA has recommended that the firms voluntarily recall these products, and a number have already done so.

Cinnamon Products With Elevated Levels of Lead Retailer Brand Name Best-By Date and Lot Code Apna Bazar DEVI UPC Code: 6 09595 11904 5, Batch No: 2502315, In Washington from 05/15/2025 to 10/21/2025 Good Way Trading Group Inc. (Distributor) BaiLiFeng UPC code: 4 897055 799401, Best by date: EXP: 11.12.2026 Singh Trading Inc. DBA Roshni Foods (Distributor) Roshni Batch No.: 2409191, UPC code: 15990 012878 Various supermarkets nationwide (Distributor Haitai, Inc.) HAETAE (HT) UPC code: 0 20914 81415 9Best by date: BESTBY 02/09/25 EUREKA INC. Durra Distributed to grocery stores in California and Michigan from 08/24/2024 to 10/6/2025, Batch No. 06 B:02, UPC code: 6251136 034139, Best by date: May 2026 SLR Food Distribution, Inc Wise Wife Distributed to retailers in New Jersey, New York, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Ohio between 02/15/2024 and 06/28/2025. UPC code: 0 688474 302853 Taj Supermarket Jiva Organics AF-CINP/822 Best Before: July 2025 Asian Supermarket Super Brand None listed A&Y Global Market Asli DDDLUS (Missouri) El Torito Market El Chilar D181EX0624; E054EX0225 (Maryland) Save A Lot Food Stores, Ltd. Marcum 12/05/25, 12 D8 (Missouri); 12/05/25, 12 D11 (Virginia) Patel Brothers SWAD 10/2026, KX28223 (Connecticut) Dollar Tree Supreme Tradition 10/06/25, 10A11 (California) Eurogrocery Compania Indillor Orientale 08/2024, L1803231 (Connecticut) Eurogrocery ALB Flavor 08/30/2025, LA02 (Connecticut) Premium Supermarket Shahzada None listed (New York) Fish World Spice Class 12/2026 (New York) Frutas Y Abarrotes Mexico, Inc. La Frontera None listed (New York)

Photos of the packaging can be found on the FDA's site as well.

What To Do if You Have Contaminated Cinnamon

According to the alert, foods with elevated levels of lead may pose health risks over time. If you have any of the products listed above, its safest not to consume them and to dispose of them properly.

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The FDA will continue to review samples of ground cinnamon with state partners to check for high levels of lead. The agency will issue updates as needed if additional products are found to have elevated lead levels that could pose a health risk.

How To Find a Safe Cinnamon Brand

Experts say that whole cinnamon may be a safer option. Lead can't be added to cinnamon sticks, and they are also less likely to be exposed to grinding equipment that could contain lead.

Furthermore, Consumer Reports conducted its own tests to determine which brands had the most and least lead contamination. Not surprisingly, the cinnamon products that came out as safest were all from well-known, reputable brands. The recommendations are distributed by 365 Whole Foods Market (regular and organic), Sadaf, Morton & Bassett San Francisco's Organic Cinnamon, and Loisa Organic Cinnamon.



Read the original article on Allrecipes
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has debuted new draft guidance that aims to streamline and expedite the biosimilar development process.

The regulatory framework has been designed to reduce the reliance on unnecessary clinical testing during the approval process. This means that biosimilar manufacturers will no longer have to conduct comparative efficacy studies on their prospective drugs.

Instead, the FDA will use its accrued experience in assessing applications through comparative analytical and clinical studies to help determine if a biosimilars efficacy and safety is akin to its branded counterpart.

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Alongside its change in stance on comparative efficacy trials, the agency also no longer recommends switching studies, as they can slow development while creating confusion amongst the public regarding biosimilar safety. Switching studies have traditionally been conducted to prove a biosimilar is as safe and effective as the branded alternative.

Through this draft scheme, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary noted that the US could see massive cost reductions for advanced treatments, specifically in rare diseases, oncology and autoimmune diseases. He also noted that, under the framework, manufacturers could save approximately $100m in development costs, while cutting biosimilar development timelines in half.

Under a separate initiative, the agency will also simplify the process of developing interchangeable biosimilars, meaning that patients and prescribers can easily identify low-cost brand alternatives.

This biosimilar push closely follows the debut of the FDAs ANDA generic pilot prioritisation scheme, which was introduced in early October 2025. Pharmaceutical Technology, sister publication to Clinical Trials Arena, previously spoke with Giuseppe Randazzo, senior vice-president of sciences and regulatory affairs at the Association for Accessible Medicines (AAM), about the implications of this framework.

Tackling drug pricing concerns

The introduction of this draft guidance comes amid drug pricing concerns in the US  a phenomenon that especially applies to complex biologic medicines.

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While branded therapies represent just 5% of US prescriptions in 2024, they accounted for a little more than half of the nations total drug spend that year. This highlights the high-cost burden of branded drugs on both the US healthcare system and the patient population.

To address this, the FDA has gone for a carrot approach while the Trump administration is trying its luck with the stick method  threatening branded pharmaceutical manufacturers with 100% import tariffs if they do not reduce their US drug prices.

This saw Pfizer become the first pharma company to strike a deal with Trump, agreeing to cut US prices of select medicines in its portfolio in exchange for a three-year tariff exemption. AstraZeneca closely followed suit, signing a deal with the Trump administration around two weeks later.

Both Novartis and Roche are now in conversations with Trump around a Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing deal, meaning the compatriots could soon reach an agreement with the administration.

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However, GlobalData analysts are sceptical about the true impact of MFN deals on drug prices, as many patients obtain prescriptions through an insurance plan, meaning that concessions available through direct-to-patient (DTP) platforms such as TrumpRx.gov may not offer significant savings.

Industry sentiments mixed

While this draft guidance could be a step forward for the biosimilar industry, Cyrus Fan, healthcare and life science research analyst at GlobalData, noted that its debut was only a small positive.

He said: The introduction of this draft guidance could potentially result in more FDA-approved biosimilars in the near future  particularly in cases where comparative efficacy studies are not feasible.

However, Fan caveated that branded biologics will still have control of the market through patents, which act as a bottleneck to market entry for biosimilars. This means that the guidance will not improve patient access to biosimilars, but will instead expedite the biosimilar approval process.

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Despite this, he stated that the framework could incentivise biosimilar manufacturers to produce their therapies in the US, as it would reduce development timelines and costs.

Meanwhile, AAMs Biosimilars Council executive director and policy senior vice-president Alex Keeton expressed his enthusiasm for the guidance.

In a 30 October statement, he said: Branded drug companies use arbitrary interchangeability designation to delay or block access to lower-cost biosimilar medicines, meaning fewer choices for patients and billions of dollars in missed savings for the US healthcare system.

Keeton also noted that the US is the only country in the world that employs the interchangeability designation, which he believes is unnecessary.

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He commented: Updated analytical, functional and pharmacokinetic methodologies can detect clinically meaningful differences. In his eyes, these methods are more effective than clinical efficacy studies.

According to GlobalDatas Intelligence Centre, there are currently 836 biologics available on the US market. Of these therapies, under 10% are biosimilars, with 76 biosimilars receiving the FDA green light to date.

GlobalData is the parent company of Clinical Trials Arena.

"FDA looks to simplify biosimilar development with new draft guidance" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand.




PRNewswire Singapore, October 30: Carro, Asia Pacific's largest and fastest-growing online automotive platform, has posted a strong FY2025, achieving record revenues of S$1.2 billion and a Gross Profit of S$149 million (US$111 million). The unicorn startup also reports an EBITDA of S$43 million (US$32 million) and total assets of S$1.3 billion, according to audited FY2025 numbers. FY2025's Gross Profit Margin continued its expansion to over 12%, as Carro deepens its strategy of a strong marketplace margin expansion, ecosystem-led ancillary income growth, and productivity optimisation. In the last 12 months, Carro also scaled up operations in Hong Kong, SAR and Japan, cementing its footprint outside of Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Carro's fintech business, Genie Financial Services, recorded a strong consumer loan book growth of 35% to S$670 million (US$500 million) across the region, and kept non-performing loans (NPL) at below 0.5%, a number much better than industry benchmarks in the region. "As we grow our differentiated ecosystem-led business operating model, we continue to focus on driving marketplace margin expansion by cross-selling ancillaries to drive recurring income streams and improve customer lifetime value. Additionally, we will continue to expand into new markets and segments, particularly in NEVs. This year, we launched our Brand New segment in Singapore and Malaysia to capture a broader customer base in the automotive value chain, and are looking to bring this to other markets," says Aaron Tan, co-founder and Group CEO of Carro. "At the same time, we are doubling down on our use of technology and AI, coupled with process improvements to drive productivity optimisation and enable our businesses to scale better without growing costs linearly. We're excited to share that we've launched our most advanced AI-enabled inspection app combining on-board diagnostics, visual, sound and vibration to improve our inspection capabilities. Our use of AI also stretches to sales conversion and customer service, which helps handle up to 85% of conversations and has cut down average response time by up to 80% to below 3 minutes in our largest markets. At the same time, we've redesigned our Wholesale platforms to drive platform-led growth and improve the digital experience for both our dealers and end customers. All these are part of our bigger plan to scale at pace while exploring new initiatives. " Ernest Chew, Chief Financial Officer of Carro says "Despite a challenging and unpredictable macro-environment, our continued focus on execution, unit economics and optimisation has resulted in record volumes (+15% year-on-year growth), revenues and gross profit, as well as improved margins across most profitability metrics. A continuation of these efforts has seen our H1 FY2026 EBITDA growing over 50% year-on-year. Our overall liquidity by end FY2025 also improved year-on-year, as we continue to be extremely focused on financial discipline, vigilant on cash flows and working capital, and balance sheet strength. Following our latest fundraising led by Cool Japan Fund, we have the strongest balance sheet position in 3 years. We are actively diversifying and securitising our receivables to improve financial flexibility and strengthen our capital structure. Very pleased that our investment into Hong Kong has been strategically value-accretive, growing quickly to become a leading player domestically and profitable in the first year." Carro has officially closed a US$60 million round of funding led by Cool Japan Fund, (Japan's sovereign wealth fund). This investment will go towards bolstering the demand of Japanese cars across Asia Pacific where Carro has a presence in. About Carro Founded in 2015, Carro is Asia Pacific's largest online used car marketplace. By offering a trustworthy and transparent experience, Carro transforms the traditional way of buying and selling cars through proprietary pricing algorithms, AI-enabled capabilities, and innovative technological solutions. Carro most recently expanded its product line to include Brand New cars in Singapore and Malaysia, offering customers even more options. Headquartered in Singapore, the unicorn startup has raised over S$700 million from Softbank Vision Fund and several sovereign funds. Together with its subsidiaries and business lines, Carro is supported by more than 4,500 employees across Asia Pacific: - Carro, Asia Pacific's largest online used marketplace with a strong key presence in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan region, and Hong Kong, SAR. - Carro Care Powered by Jardine Cycle & Carriage, Carro's in-house refurbishment and after-sales servicing capabilities - Genie Financial Services, a next-generation fintech automotive financing provider in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand - MPM Rent, leading mobility solutions company in Indonesia specialising in leasing / fleet financing transportation services - Innorithm, a next-generation fleet management solutions company leveraging state-of-the art IoT and machine learning - Kaidee, Thailand's largest online shopping and classifieds platform - Driven Communications, leading Malaysian integrated digital content & marketing services agency including notable sites like paultan.org For more information, please visit: www.carro.co or email marketing@carro.co. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
GURNEE, Ill. (WGN) Two suspects with lengthy criminal histories were taken into custody by federal agents after a car chase and foot pursuit ended at a Gurnee high school.

A United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle pursuit in Lake County on Thursday morning ended on foot when authorities say one suspect ran into Warren Township High School, before agents quickly detained him.

Agents arrested the second occupant of the car outside the school building.

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I am asking for basic human decency: Governor Pritzker calls on Trump administration to stop ICE raids on Halloween weekend

In a written statement, Department of Homeland Security spokespeople allege that the men arrested have lengthy criminal histories, including kidnapping and domestic battery. Still, the mornings terrifying incident remains distressing to students and teachers.

There were two suspects that drove onto the property. One of them was apprehended in the parking lot. Another suspect ran into our school as students were exiting, said Warren Township High School superintendent Danny Woestman.

The arrests occurred after a 10-minute car chase, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

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The incident began sometime after 8 a.m. when the suspects, allegedly fleeing federal agents at a high rate of speed according to DHS, lost a tire at Grand Avenue & First Street. Thats when the vehicle ventured down OPlaine Road to Warren Township High School, DHS added.

Based on internal school security camera footage, an agent is said to have made contact with students who were entering the door. Still, onlookers found the incident highly distressing to the school community.

This was a very emotional moment for our staff and for our students. Its been hard for them to process throughout the day, Woestman said.

Parent Kathleen Flaherty says her daughter, a Warren Township High School student, was roughly pushed aside by federal agents as they rushed to make the arrest.

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Both agents each shoved her into a railing. She already has cerebral palsy and intellectual impairments and was quite traumatized, Flaherty said. Her body hurts. Shes OK. But this should not happen.

Thursdays arrests were condemned by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

In a written statement, the organization said, ICE and Customs Border Patrol Control continue their attacks on suburban Chicago by recklessly chasing a vehicle through Waukegan and Gurnee, Illinois with the intent to abduct two of our neighbors and disappear them from our community.

DHS released the following statement late Thursday afternoon:

[Thursday], two violent criminal illegal aliens with rap sheets that include kidnapping started a high speed chase, they crashed into multiple cars, recklessly drove into a school parking lot, and fled into the school endangering students, school staff, the public, and law enforcement officers trying to evade justice. Their criminal histories includes kidnapping, domestic violence, domestic battery, assault, battery, interfering with report of domestic violence, felony possession of cocaine, violating bail, criminal damage, DUIs resulting in revocation of drivers licenses, and both have previously been removed from the United States. Border Patrol was conducting a targeted operation to arrest Josafat Garcia-Roa and Samuel Suarez-Cuevas and attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on Dugdale Road. Garcia-Roa, the driver, initially pulled over but then fled at high speed once he realized it was Border Patrol agents. During an approximately 10 minute chase Garcia-Roa hit multiple vehicles and during one crash lost a tire. After driving on three wheels for a several more blocks the driver pulled into Warren Township Highschool parking lot and the driver and passenger fled on foot toward the school. Garcia-Roa was apprehended in the parking lot. Suarez, ran into the high school where he was apprehended inside. This incident once again shows the harm of the rhetoric and coverage of our agents. These two criminal illegal aliens recklessly endangered the public by starting a highspeed car chase and then driving onto school grounds, possibly to seek protection since they are ICE Free Zones. Border Patrol does not conduct enforcements near schools but will not allow criminal illegal aliens to put the public in harms way.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

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The incident was distressing for a number of Warren Township scholars, as close to 40 percent of the high schools population is Latino.

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.
Federal authorities are investigating a shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Ontario, the second one in a little more than a week as enforcement operations unfold across the state.

ICE officers were conducting a vehicle stop around 6:30 a.m. Thursday in the 2800 block of Vineyard Avenue in Ontario, according to Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security. During the stop, an unknown person who was not the officers' target pulled their vehicle over in front of them, she said.

Officers ordered the driver to leave, McLaughlin said, but as the driver began to pull away, "the car stopped and attempted to run officers over by reversing directly at them without stopping."

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"An ICE officer, fearing for his life, fired defensive shots at the vehicle," McLaughlin said. "The subject fled the scene and abandoned his vehicle."

McLaughlin called it "another example of the threats our ICE officers are facing day in and day out as they risk their lives to enforce the law and arrest criminals."

The driver's family identified him as Carlos Jimenez, 24, a U.S. citizen, and said he was on his way to work at a food bank when the shooting occurred.

His two brothers waited outside the two-bedroom mobile home Jimenez shares with his wife, their children, his younger brother and his mother as the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and Ontario police gathered at the scene.

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Jimenez's 20-year-old brother, Brayan Jimenez, said he'd been sleeping when his older brother came into the house and said he'd been shot by ICE and "to take him to the hospital."

Jimenez's wife took him to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the shoulder, according to his family. He was later taken into custody by authorities and booked at the West Valley Detention Center, relatives said.

The family shared a photo of Jimenez's car that showed blood on the driver's seat, center console and steering wheel. The passenger-side front window was shattered.

"I dont think he would do anything aggressive, said his older brother, Francisco Jimenez. "He is always trying to help out his community. At the food bank where he works, he is always trying to see what they need and he goes and gets it."

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"His No. 1 priority is his wife and kids," Francisco said. "Hes not really political."

Richard Ermer, who lives near where the shooting took place, said he was awakened by the sound of two or three gunshots. He also heard tires screeching but couldnt recall if that was before or after the shots.

Javier Hernandez, executive director of the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, said volunteers arrived at the scene within 10 minutes. Hernandez said it was unclear whether ICE was able to take the initial person they were targeting into custody.

"When you have unmarked vehicles coming into Ontario, or any community, and you have men that are heavily armed, that are using weapons ... that causes a lot of fear in our community," Hernandez said. "That is the violence we are seeing from the federal government right now."

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Immigration agents have been increasingly involved in aggressive confrontations with suspects and protesters.

Last week, ICE officers fired at a man in South Los Angeles after agents boxed his car in. The man, Carlitos Ricardo Parias, was shot in the elbow, and a deputy marshal was hit by what authorities said was a ricocheted bullet. They accused Parias of trying to ram agents' cars.

Read more: Chaotic shooting of suspect and deputy U.S. marshal highlights increased aggression in ICE crackdowns

On Wednesday, a man was hospitalized after a shooting in Phoenix involving an ICE agent. According to local media reports, ICE officers conducted a traffic stop. But when the driver began speeding away, an officer in the vehicle's path feared for his life and fired his weapon.

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In September and October, there were two shootings, by ICE and Border Patrol, into vehicles in Chicago, one fatal. And in August, federal agents shot into a car in San Bernardino during an immigration stop.

In a news release, the Ontario Police Department said it responded to a request for emergency assistance from Homeland Security officers regarding an officer-involved shooting.

Police officers were not involved in the initial incident, according to the release. Several officers responded to the scene to provide traffic control and security while the Department of Homeland Security conducted its investigation.

On Tuesday afternoon, Rep. Norma Torres (D-Pomona) said ICE refused to provide her office with information about the incident despite multiple requests.

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"There must be a full, transparent investigation with immediate updates," Torres said in a media statement. "As weve seen in numerous incidents over the past several months, statements from the Department cannot be taken at face value. Witness statements, body-camera footage, security footage, and all relevant information must be released so the public can judge for themselves what really happened. Accountability is not optional; it is demanded."

A spokesperson for the FBI said the agency was assisting with investigating the shooting and sent an evidence response team to the scene.

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.
The federal government has threatened to stop paying food assistance starting Nov. 1, impacting 42 millions Americans and over 800,000 New Jerseyans. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Nearly a million New Jersey residents who rely on federal food assistance are poised to lose those benefits this weekend when President Donald Trumps administration is expected to suspend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The Trump administration has held a hard line on SNAP during its fight with Democrats over the federal government shutdown, which is now in its fifth week. Administration officials have also refused to release available contingency funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture thats meant to cover food assistance during government shutdowns.

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Its so unfortunate that so many people are going to be put in the crosshairs of this conflict at the federal level. Its just unprecedented, said Amy Flynn, CEO of the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.

About 813,000 New Jersey residents across more than 436,000 households rely on SNAP benefits, commonly called food stamps, representing about 1 in 8 households, state data shows. Children, senior citizens, and people with disabilities are disproportionately represented.

New Jersey residents got more than $1.9 billion in SNAP assistance in the 2024 fiscal year, putting the state 13th nationally in such aid, according to data compiled by the health research nonprofit KFF.

The monetary value of food stamps varies widely because theyre based on household size, income, and other circumstances. But the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimated the average monthly benefit per person last year in New Jersey was $194, and noted that most recipients have incomes below the poverty line.

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LaPreya Cooper, 32, of Trenton, began receiving SNAP benefits in February after she lost her job and became homeless. The benefits helped her get back on her feet, and she now has an apartment and is studying to become a chef at a culinary program through the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen.

It definitely has been a big help, said Cooper, who estimated that she gets about $500 in SNAP benefits monthly. Not getting it this month is going to be a wringer.

As fears began circulating last month that federal aid for food stamps could end, Cooper said she reserved some benefits to carry her through November. She also relies on food pantries and soup kitchen meals.

Shes especially anxious about losing assistance because shes pregnant, and friends who similarly struggle share her stress, she said.

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A lot of my peers and people who are going through what Im going through are not taking it well, Cooper said. They are planning on going into stores and just walking out with food, if it comes to it.

Lawmakers in some states, including Connecticut, Vermont, New Mexico, and Louisiana, have agreed to provide at least partial funding for food stamps if the feds follow through on suspending benefits.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin speaks at the start of their session at the Statehouse, in Trenton, September 26, 2024. (Photo by Mary Iuvone for New Jersey Monitor)

New Jersey officials have not. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex), a frequent sponsor and champion of legislation to combat hunger, said state officials likely dont have $85 million set aside to cover a SNAP lapse.

Were going to have to continue to evaluate where were at and what we do, Coughlin told the New Jersey Monitor.

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The Murphy administration announced Thursday that it would give $42 million in state funding to six food banks across New Jersey on Friday to strengthen the safety net protecting people who struggle with food insecurity.

The money isnt new funding. It was already in the state budget to support food banks through the current fiscal year, but officials are distributing it ahead of schedule because they expect people to turn to food pantries in the absence of SNAP benefits, said Maggie Garbarino, a spokeswoman for the governors office.

A coalition of states, including New Jersey, sued Trump administration officials Tuesday for the looming illegal SNAP suspension, which New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin called a clear attempt at subverting the authority of Congress.

New Jersey families are being used as political pawns by the Trump Administration, Platkin said Tuesday in a statement.

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Congressional leaders failed to agree this week on a bill that would have extended food stamps funding for 42 million Americans, as well as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC.

Peter Chen, a senior policy analyst with progressive think tank New Jersey Policy Perspective, agreed SNAP is a critically important program for keeping families fed in a state where 1 in 10 households grapples with food insecurity.

SNAP is not some sort of luxury, Chen said. The average SNAP benefit per person is less than $200, which averages out to, like, $2 a meal, which is not affording anyone groceries these days, especially given overall food prices. This threat of losing SNAP benefits on November 1 is dire for many families.

Food insecurity already was growing even before the SNAP threats emerged, Flynn noted.

A man gets a meal from a mobile food pantry operated by the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. (Photo courtesy of Trenton Area Food Kitchen)

The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen served 59,000 meals last month  a record high since it was founded in 1982, she said. Staffers ramped up food purchases and added a second shift in the kitchen to accommodate the surge they expect next month if SNAP assistance ends, she added.

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Flynn encouraged people to support hunger-fighting nonprofits like hers by donating money or food and volunteering their time.

We know that the need is just going to be great. Theres a lot of anxiety in the community, she said.

David Ireland is founder of the Care Center of New Jersey, which runs a food pantry in Rockaway.

The threat to SNAP benefits comes as food pantries are preparing for Thanksgiving food distribution, one of the busiest times for antihunger groups, Ireland noted. His group expects to distribute more than 100,000 pounds of food to 2,500 families this year, up from 80,000 pounds for nearly 2,000 families last year.

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More families are coming in whove never needed help before, Ireland said. With federal aid going on pause, we anticipate the lines will grow, the shelves will empty faster, and the needs will become urgent. Were ready to respond  but we need the community alongside us.

State officials said people who receive supplemental state aid will continue to get it. About 32,000 households that get less than $95 in SNAP benefits now get state assistance to cover the difference from the federal minimum of $23, said Tom Hester, a spokesman for the state Department of Human Services. That totals about $2 million a month, Hester said.

The federal government pays close to $160 million a month to New Jersey SNAP recipients. The state has a surplus of over $6 billion. Its unclear whether and when officials could decide to tap that to cover SNAP benefits.

Coughlin encouraged New Jersey residents to donate to food banks, volunteer, and stick up for people, particularly at this time of Thanksgiving. He called the looming SNAP suspension and the Trump administrations refusal to release contingency funding a cruel choice and mean-spirited.

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Expediting state funds to food banks will help because theyre the first line of defense, Coughlin added.

Its a crisis, and swift action is appropriate, he said.

Chen agreed many states cant afford to  and shouldnt have to  foot the bill for the feds failure to pay SNAP benefits.

This is an entirely federal program that has entirely been paid by the feds, that in every previous government shutdown has been paid out through the USDA contingency fund, including in the first Trump administration, Chen said. The position that the feds cant pay this out is a totally absurd one which jeopardizes the lives of millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans for what amounts to total bureaucratic game-playing.

(Chart courtesy of New Jersey Department of Human Services)

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  An indictment unsealed Thursday in federal court charges a city man with selling drugs and having a gun.

Michael Ratliff, 44, is charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

A grand jury in the U.S. Northern District of Ohio indicted Ratliff Wednesday. The indictment was unsealed Thursday following his arrest.

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An arraignment is not yet listed in court records.

The indictment charges Ratliff with having fentanyl, cocaine and a pistol Dec. 6.

No other details were provided in court records.

Ratliff is not allowed to have a gun because of a 2003 conviction in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on a drug charge and a 2016 conviction in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court on another drug charge.

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.
The Buffalo Creek area where the trout project would take place. (Image via USFS document)

A federal judge told the U.S. Forest Service that a plan to kill rainbow trout and replace them with native Yellowstone cutthroat trout along a 45-mile stretch of waterways in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness violates federal law.

U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy granted summary judgment in favor of the conservation group Wilderness Watch, which sued the Forest Service in 2023, alleging the agencys plan violated several provisions of the Wilderness Act.

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The Wilderness Act is not simply a procedural hurdle that can be overcome by considering all the relevant factors that bear on wilderness character, Molloy wrote in a decision last week. To the contrary, the Act dictates the outcome; wilderness areas shall be administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness.

Molloys decision came down in opposition to findings that favored the Forest Service offered by a magistrate judge following a hearing last December, after which Wilderness Watch moved for summary judgment.

This is one of the most important rulings for protecting the integrity of the Wilderness Act in the laws 60-year history, Wilderness Watch Executive Director George Nickas said in a statement. The idea that managers can substitute their desired conditions for what nature provides in these wild places threatens to destroy the profound values that set wilderness areas apart. Judge Molloys thoroughly reasoned order spells out precisely why the agencys misguided aims are fundamentally at odds with the law. Every manager who oversees wilderness needs to read and understand it.

A map of the Buffalo Creek Watershed in comparison to the northern stretches of Yellowstone National Park and the Lamar and Yellowstone rivers. (Image via USFS document)

The Buffalo Creek Project was a partnership between the Forest Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and Yellowstone National Park and would have involved 46 stream miles and 11 surface acres of a lake in the wilderness area to the north of Yellowstone Park. The projects goal was to remove populations of non-native rainbow trout from the system, which the state had introduced nearly a century ago, and replace them with Yellowstone cutthroat.

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Under the plan approved by the Forest Service, crews would be allowed to build multiple remote field camps, use helicopters to deliver thousands of pounds of gear and fish poison rotenone into the wilderness, build and use a radio repeater in the wilderness, put fish barriers at Hidden Lake, and use the rotenone for up to five years in the creek drainage and on wetlands.

Up to 60 days of motorized use and up to 81 aircraft landings were approved as part of the plan, which the Forest Service cited as necessary due to the remoteness of the area.

Wilderness Watch, a Missoula-based conservation nonprofit, said that cutthroat trout are also not native to the upper parts of the drainage, and the use of fish poison, helicopters and motorized equipment posed clear violations of the Wilderness Act.

The project unlawfully elevates managers desired outcomes above the Wilderness Acts untrammeled mandate, the lawsuit stated, saying the plan authorized a stunning amount of intensive motorized and mechanical intrusions that are normally prohibited activities in designated wilderness.

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Wilderness Watch also argued that the decision to swap out fish species was selected because of the downstream benefits  for fisheries and recreation outside the wilderness boundary.

The Forest Service selected the most wilderness-degrading alternative  to pursue speculative conservation outcomes outside the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, court documents state. They also argue that as the Buffalo Creek watershed, among the upper reaches of the Yellowstone River system, was historically fishless, the wilderness area does not need the species for ecological balance or to preserve the wilderness character.

Molloy also wrote in his decision that Wilderness Watch correctly argued that the Forest Service failed to consider the fish stocking portion of its plan  separately from the work to poison and remove the rainbow trout  and the potential impact on the wilderness.

One potential alternative option for the agency to consider would have stopped after killing the nonnative rainbow trout, leaving the area bereft of trout.

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Molloy rejected the findings of Magistrate Judge Kathleen Desoto and ultimately determined that the Forest Services plan ran counter to the protections of the Wilderness Act.

Recognizing the incredible impacts these prohibited activities would have on the wilderness area, the Forest Service determined in its Minimum Requirements Decision Guide that the Project would have an overall negative impact on wilderness character, Molloy said. But the agency concluded that the Project complied with the Wilderness Act anyway. Because that decision runs counter to the evidence before the agency, it is arbitrary and capricious.
BOSTON  A federal judge Thursday appeared to lean toward requiring the Trump administration to use emergency funds to at least partially fund food aid for millions of Americans in November.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani said she planned to issue a ruling later Thursday on whether to grant Democratic state officials request for a temporary restraining order on USDAs decision to halt the flow of nutrition benefits due to the government shutdown. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the nations largest anti-hunger initiative serving nearly 42 million people, is set to run out of money Saturday if officials dont intervene.

Its hard for me to understand how this isnt an emergency when there's no money and a lot of people need their SNAP benefits, Talwani, an Obama appointee, said.

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Democratic attorneys general and governors from 25 states sued the Trump administration earlier this week over its decision not to tap emergency funds for SNAP.

Because of USDAs actions, SNAP benefits will be delayed for the first time since the programs inception, state officials wrote in the lawsuit. Worse still, USDA suspended SNAP benefits even though, on information and belief, it has funds available to it that are sufficient to fund all, or at least a substantial portion, of November SNAP benefits.

The Trump administration has insisted that the contingency fund is reserved for emergencies such as natural disasters and does not have enough money to supply the roughly $8 billion needed for benefits next month.

Partially funding SNAP would be disastrous, Jason Altabet, the Justice Departments lawyer, argued Thursday. States would have to figure out how to administer partial benefits  potentially just to turn around and begin administering full benefits should Congress reach a government funding deal, he added.

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But Talwani challenged that argument, saying she believed Congress intention in setting aside emergency funds for the program was to protect the American people.

Even if Congress agrees on a funding patch for the program, logistical and administrative delays will likely prevent the money from flowing immediately. While there is bipartisan support for standalone bills that would fund SNAP through the shutdown, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has said he wont bring them to a floor vote  an attempt to keep pressure high on Democrats for a full reopening of the government.

Without SNAP, food banks and other emergency feeding organizations have said they are unprepared to bridge the gap. Officials in states like Virginia, Maryland, Louisiana, Hawaii and Minnesota have announced plans to tap state and local funds to provide food aid and assist food banks in the interim.

Talwani acknowledged Thursday that, absent a 100 percent win for the plaintiffs, millions of SNAP recipients would lose their benefits on Nov. 1.

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The judge has handled several high-profile disputes since President Donald Trump was sworn in to a second term in January.

In April, Talwani blocked a Trump administration effort to strip more than half a million Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan immigrants of immigration parole status granted during the Biden administration. The Supreme Court halted her order the next month, without explanation.

In July, Talwani blocked enforcement of a provision in a Trump-backed budget law that sought to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood. She said the move unconstitutionally targeted the organization. However, last month, an appeals court stayed her ruling, allowing the administration to enforce the funding ban for now.

Josh Gerstein contributed reporting.
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Massachusetts might order the federal government to tap emergency funds to pay for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in November.

The SNAP program is out of money, which means recipients will start missing their monthly benefits distribution Saturday.

U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani said Thursday she is likely to order the Trump administration to use emergency funds to provide SNAP benefits for millions across the country, The Washington Post reported.

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"Congress has put money in an emergency fund," Talwani said during a Thursday hearing. "It is hard for me to understand how this is not an emergency."

Talwani is presiding over a federal case filed by 23 attorneys general and three governors, all of whom Democrats who are demanding Department of Agriculture officials access contingency funds to cover SNAP benefits while the federal government remains shut down.

Talwani accused the USDA of engaging in "lawyering" instead of "action" regarding funding SNAP benefits.

"We're not going to make everyone drop dead" due to a lack of food, Talwani said, as reported by CNN.

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Although Talwani said she most likely will order the USDA to access emergency funds to cover SNAP costs, USDA officials said no money is available while the federal government shutdown continues in its 30th day.

"Bottom line, the well has run dry," the USDA said in an unattributed statement posted on its newsroom website.

"At this time, there will be no benefits issued Nov. 1," the statement continued. "We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats.

"They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance."

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The USDA statement refers to Senate Democrats overwhelmingly voting against a House-approved continuing resolution that would fund the federal government through Nov. 21 while Congress continues negotiating a bipartisan budget bill for the 2026 fiscal year, which started Oct. 1.

All but two Senate Democrats, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, have voted not to approve the continuing resolution, along with independent Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Senate Democrats.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky consistently has voted against the continuing resolution, which has been defeated 13 times after failing to muster the 60 votes needed to approve it in the Senate.

Senate Democrats offered an alternative funding measure that would add $1.5 trillion in spending over the next 10 years to extend tax credits for Affordable Care Act premiums and expand access to Medicaid.

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Congressional Republicans say the Democrats' demands would fund healthcare for those who are not legally residing in the United States, which Democrats deny.

Congressional Republicans also say they are willing to negotiate with Democrats in the 2026 fiscal year budget bill, but not in a temporary funding measure.

The current shutdown is the second-longest in the nation's history and is exceeded only by a 35-day shutdown that lasted from Dec. 22, 2018, to Jan. 25, 2019, when Democrats opposed funding to build a wall along the southern border with Mexico.
Oct. 29A former Spokane County Sheriff's Office sergeant faces new federal charges on top of an assault charge in state court after being accused of badly beating a then-62-year-old man during an arrest.

A federal grand jury charged Clay V. Hilton, 52, with deprivation of rights under color of law and falsification of records in a federal investigation, according to an indictment filed last week in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.

The deprivation of rights charge says Hilton punched and kneed Kevin Hinton in the head and torso, thus, depriving Hinton of his constitutional rights, including the right to be free from an "unreasonable seizure" and "unreasonable force" by a deputy.

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The second federal charge indicated the day after the alleged assault, Hilton falsified a sheriff's office field case report relating to his use of force against Hinton by stating, "I could see a folding knife in his driver's door pocket and fixed blade knife between his seat and the driver's side."

The encounter at Terrace View Park on Aug. 14, 2023, left Hinton with eight broken ribs, a punctured lung, concussion and disfigured lip for what a Spokane Police Department investigation showed was at most a civil infraction  for being at a Spokane Valley park after dark.

Hilton shined a flashlight into the window of Hinton's Audi that night and told him he was committing a crime by being in the park after hours.

The two exchanged words, and Hinton refused to tell the sergeant his name or provide identification.

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Three minutes later, the deputy yanked Hinton out of his car by his legs and hit him multiple times while ripping his shirt and knocking out his false teeth.

Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels fired Hilton last year for his conduct.

Nowels also disciplined other officers who responded to the incident at Terrace View Park after an internal investigation showed some members of the sheriff's office, including supervisors, failed to meet the department's standards of conduct during and after the incident.

Hilton faces 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of the falsification of records charge. Deprivation of rights carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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Hilton pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday during his initial appearance and arraignment via video conference in Spokane, according to court documents. U.S. Magistrate Judge Alexander Ekstrom presided in Yakima.

Hilton's attorney, Bryan Hershman, who is also representing Hilton in the state case, called his client an honorable and humble man.

"I consider these charges to be very unfair," Hershman said Wednesday of the federal charges.

Hershman said his client has a "very substantial defense."

"This whole case is so aggravating to me as a defense lawyer and as a citizen," said Hershman, who's based in Tacoma. "I got a client who had the audacity to enforce the law and apparently in today's environment, citizens are allowed to say no. It's very weird."

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Hilton was arrested, "administratively" booked and immediately released Tuesday, Hershman said. Ekstrom quashed Hilton's arrest warrant during Tuesday's hearing.

Stephanie Van Marter, who was serving as acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington before Pete Serrano assumed the position, declined to comment on the active case.

Hilton is scheduled for trial in March in Spokane County Superior Court on felony second-degree assault and misdemeanor false swearing for making a false statement in a police report. Hilton faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine if convicted of the assault charge.

Hinton filed a federal lawsuit last year against Hilton, the sheriff's office and other entities. That civil case is pending.
ALBUQUERQUE  As more than 40 million people nationwide reckon with the looming suspension of federal food benefits amid the federal government shutdown, New Mexico will continue to provide food aid to qualifying residents through early November, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Wednesday.

"We have enough money to keep food on the tables for needy New Mexico families for 10 days," the governor said.

The state plans to pay for the program with $30 million set aside as contingency funds during a special session earlier this month. Covering the cost of the program through all of November would run more than $80 million.

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Lujan Grisham unveiled the plan during a news conference at a John Brooks Supermarket north of Albuquerque's downtown area, flanked by state lawmakers, Health Care Authority Secretary Kari Armijo and representatives from local food banks and farms.

The state's effort comes as the federal government prepares to halt food aid Saturday through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP or food stamps. Amid the ongoing government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture  which administers SNAP  has said the "well has run dry" on the program and it will not issue benefits beginning Saturday.

More than 450,000 New Mexicans rely on the food subsidies to stave off hunger. The state has the highest per-capita participation in SNAP in the nation, with more than 20% of its population enrolled in the program.

"While our federal government's playing games, we want to accept the responsibility, and we want to step up and do what's right," said Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque.

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A state-funded 'bridge'

Heres how the state-funded stopgap aid will work for SNAP customers: Starting Saturday, SNAP customers will receive about 30% of their benefits on their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards.

This isn't going to replace the full amount of the federal benefit  but it is going to help families keep food on the table while Washington resolves this problem, Armijo said, adding the state funding would serve as a "bridge" for SNAP customers.

Elderly and disabled customers who receive a SNAP supplement  ensuring a minimum benefit of $100  will continue to get it.

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SNAP benefits left over from October wont expire, Armijo added. Customers can continue to use remaining SNAP money, even if the federal government fails to issue funds for November. And the Health Care Authority will continue to process new applications for SNAP.

"Please don't stay away from our offices," Armijo said. "To all New Mexicans who need help, please come see the Health Care Authority. We are open. We are ready to serve you."

Funding for the bridge in SNAP benefits stems from a budget bill passed during the special legislative session earlier this month. House Bill 1 included $30 million for the "appropriation contingency fund."

"We put it in in the special session without thinking we would need to use it within a month," Stewart said.

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If the federal government releases SNAP benefits, New Mexico will suspend the state-funded bridge program and return to the status quo, Lujan Grisham said.

What happens Nov. 11, after the state's funding for 10 days of benefits runs out? The governor said New Mexico has "several vehicles" to continue to address the issue  with another special session among the possibilities. Though, she said it's "premature" to say exactly which route the state might take.

"No state, including this one, can replace the federal SNAP benefit ... but this state is the first state to acknowledge that we are going to choose feeding families over politics," Lujan Grisham said.

Efforts in Washington

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Lujan Grisham's announcement is the latest in a flurry of moves this week aiming to avert a lapse in SNAP benefits.

U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan is leading Senate Democrats in a push to pass the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025, a bill to ensure uninterrupted benefits for both SNAP and the federal assistance program WIC, which provides supplemental nutrition for women, infants and children.

The federal government shutdown stems from an impasse on a health care policy: Senate Democrats have rejected stopgap spending bills until they get a deal to maintain tax credits for low- and middle-income Americans enrolled in health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Without the tax credits, premiums for enrollees will spike.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer during a news conference Wednesday accused the Trump administration of "weaponizing hunger" and using children, seniors and veterans as "political pawns."

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Lujan argued the USDA has the necessary funding to reverse course on the SNAP freeze. Alternatively, he added, the U.S. Senate and House could move on legislation to maintain benefits.

"We had a governor from New Mexico  Bruce King, cattle rancher," Lujan said. "And he always used to tell folks, 'If you can't come up with a solution, sometimes you need to lock them up in a barn until they come up with a solution.' 

He continued, "Mr. President, come back from jetting around the world. ... Bring everyone back. Let's get this done."

New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez on Tuesday joined Democratic attorneys general and governors from two dozen other states in filing a lawsuit against the USDA, arguing the federal suspension of SNAP benefits is illegal.

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Lujan Grisham and lawmakers promised Wednesday to continue to pressure the federal government to take action to release the halted food aid.

This is unprecedented. Its purposeful. Its outrageous," Lujan Grisham said of the possible lapse in SNAP benefits. "And as Americans and as New Mexicans, we should and will demand that they correct this injustice.

Welcome news to food banks

Jill Dixon, executive director of the Santa Fe-based regional food bank The Food Depot said Wednesday was "the best day [she's] had in weeks."

"In 13 years of food banking ... I have never seen a day like today," she said during the governor's news conference.

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The SNAP freeze is likely to affect the entire food system, from agricultural producers to grocery stores to consumers. The state Health Care Authority estimates the program has a total economic impact of $1.8 billion annually in the state and has created more than 17,000 jobs. Grocery stores and farmers rely on revenue from the program to maintain their operations.

Charitable food organizations already have made moves to try to manage the rise in demand likely to come as a result of the SNAP freeze, said Dixon, who also serves as the president of the New Mexico Association of Food Banks. The Food Depot alone has purchased $400,000 in food in recent weeks  a sum that would typically last the organization three months.

Dixon said food banks will continue to put their plans to purchase and distribute food into action through November  but the governor's announcement Wednesday provides the organizations some breathing room.

"New Mexicans rise together. We take care of each other. We believe in community," Dixon said.

She continued, "When New Mexicans rise like this together ... that's the definition of familia."
New Delhi [India], October 30: The upcoming Hindi film "Hi Zindagi" is all set to hit theatres on November 14, 2025, bringing to light a subject rarely discussed in mainstream cinema -- the physical and emotional exploitation of men.

Produced by Sunil Kumar Aggarwal and directed by Ajay Ram, the film's gripping trailer has already created a buzz among audiences, who are eagerly awaiting its release. Inspired by real-life incidents, Hi Zindagi aims to shed light on an important yet often overlooked social issue.

Under the banner of C.R. Films and Sunil Aggarwal Films, the movie stars Gaurav Singh, Garima Singh, Aayushi Tiwari, Somi Shree, Deepanshi, and Rishabh Sharma in key roles. The film was shot in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, capturing the city's authentic backdrop.

While cinema has often focused on women's struggles and exploitation, Hi Zindagi takes a bold step by addressing the issue of male harassment, a topic that still lacks societal recognition. The film emphasizes the need for legal protection and equal rights for men who face abuse.

Producer Sunil Kumar Aggarwal, who is also an advocate, shared that the film's goal is to voice the pain and trauma men endure but seldom express. He believes that if a man faces harassment from a woman, he too should have the right to seek justice. Aggarwal has called for the implementation of laws that ensure equal protection and dignity for men in society.

(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.)
Feeding South Dakota is asking for the public's support in providing hunger relief during the ongoing federal shutdown.

The states largest food distribution nonprofit stated in an Oct. 29 press release it has set a goal to "provide 500,000 additional meals" to more people as an "uptick in usage begins."

"The success of our mission has always been about neighbors helping neighbors," Lori Dykstra, CEO of Feeding South Dakota, stated in the press release. "Right now, our neighbors need help, and we need food so that we can respond."

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More: With shutdown threatening food assistance, Feeding South Dakota gets a donation of 35,000 pounds of pork

Feeding South Dakota is asking for monetary donations, which it stated will be matched through funds from the Greg and Pam Sands Foundation.

"Food and volunteer support are also welcome, but monetary donations will help the organization reach families quickly when and where its needed most," the news release states.

According to South Dakota Searchlight, nearly 75,000 state residents could lose food assistance benefits if the government shutdown, which initiated at midnight on Oct. 1, 2025, continues through Nov. 1, the day funding for certain federal programs ends.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last week Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would not be available until further notice due to the shutdown, according to USA Today. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, which benefits about 13,800 South Dakotans per month, would also be threatened.

Every day matters for families who are unsure how theyll put food on the table, Dykstra stated. We have the infrastructure, partnerships, and experience to respond quickly  but we need our communities to stand with us to make this possible.

Feeding South Dakota plans to continue operating as it normally would through the shutdown, the nonprofits release indicated. The organization plans to move forward with an annual Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway meant to feed 6,000 families in 25 South Dakota communities during the holiday.

To help Feeding South Dakota reach its goal, visit feedingsouthdakota.org to make a donation.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Feeding SD projects increased food need amid federal shutdown
Food assistance benefits for more than 1 million people in Michigan are set to be cut off after Nov. 1 as the federal government shutdown drags on.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) had nearly 42 million participants across the country, as of May 2025. That includes 1.4 million in Michigan, where around 13% of households receive the benefits.

In Michigans First Congressional District, which covers all of the Upper Peninsula and most of the northern Lower Peninsula, 2023 data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that 42,670 households  around 12% of all households in the district  participate in SNAP. Many participating households include children (35.6%), elderly (40.3%) or those with a disability (55.6%).

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More: What 1.4M Michigan residents should know about looming November pause in SNAP benefits

More: Michigan families, food banks brace for looming SNAP pause

What is SNAP?

According to the USDA, SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being.

To be eligible for SNAP benefits, people must apply in their state and must meet certain requirements, such as income and household size. The benefits are provided on Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards that people can use at their local grocery stores or other retailers.

Canned food lines the shelves at the Manna Food Project in Harbor Springs.

Pause in benefits

The USDA has said no new benefits will be issued on Nov. 1, with the federal shutdown reaching its 1-month mark.

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According to USA Today, parts of the government effectively stopped operating on Oct. 1 after lawmakers in Congress failed to agree on funding allocations for the 2026 fiscal year. Health care policy is a main sticking point in the shutdown for Democrats, who are pushing to reverse Republican cuts to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. On the other side of the aisle, Republicans argue that heath care can be debated after the shutdown is over.

An update on the MDHHS website states that Per the federal USDA Food and Nutrition Services, due to the federal government shutdown, there may be a delay in issuing November 2025 food assistance benefits.

Officials note that SNAP benefits do not expire for a full calendar year, so if people have leftover money on their EBT card they can use it in November. People are also encouraged to use food banks and other programs to ensure they still have access to nutritional food during the funding lapse, as well as check with their individual state agencies for other food assistance needs.

More: Food assistance in Michigan: SNAP benefits to stop in November due to federal shutdown

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More: Michigan's U.S. House Democrats ask Trump administration to support food assistance

The Manna Food Project is seeing increased demand and rising food insecurity in its three-county region in Northern Michigan.

Surge in demand

Concerns about food insecurity during the SNAP pause come at a time when food banks across the country are seeing a significant surge in demand.

At the Manna Food Project in Harbor Springs, staff are seeing long lines of cars stacked up waiting for them to open. Executive director Carrie Klingelsmith said there were so many vehicles waiting on Tuesday, Oct. 28 that the Emmet County Sheriffs Office stepped in to help.

The lines obviously have been increasing, she said. Weve seen a huge increase from 2021-24, 67% across our hunger relief network. 2024 was a record year for us as far as people served, and this year is even higher just in general.

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Manna annually distributes over 1 million pounds of low-cost and free food to over 40 partner food pantries, community meal sites and other agencies in Antrim, Charlevoix and Emmet counties.

We had the ice storm (in March 2025), we have SNAP benefits coming up and people are just not making enough to make ends meet, Klingelsmith said. Its just been a nightmare for people just to be able to provide food for their families. At least were here to be able to provide food and make it one less burden for people right now. Were just going to keep working as much as we can and serving people the best that we can with the resources that we have. The help from our community is definitely something that we do rely on as far as donations, volunteer time and that sort of thing.

Klingelsmith added that Just one life event can set people back.

I think people are really feeling the effects of not being able to get the federal benefits that have been cut steadily over the last several months, and now with the first of November coming and the shutdown has really affected a lot of people, she said.

Volunteers work at Feeding America in Appleton, Wisconsin.

Feeling the strain

Without SNAP, people will be relying more heavily on their local food banks or pantries. That, in turn, puts more pressure on those programs to keep up with demand.

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We are definitely feeling the strain, Klingelsmith said. Weve been grown out of our facility for a long time. We fill it up as much as we can with the space that we have but were really struggling to find places even to put extra food and our cold storage is definitely a challenge for us. Were definitely feeling the pinch right now with trying to get as much food as we can store and then as soon as we get it in it goes right back out.

Manna is also an Affiliate Food Bank with Feeding America West Michigan.

This is across the United States, Klingelsmith said. Everybody is feeling the same thing right now.

For those who are able, Klingelsmith encourages them to give where you live.

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I would definitely say if people have the means to support our local food bank and our pantry partners, give where you live. Give back your time, talents or treasures to the local food pantries, she said. As a community we can come together and we can help each other.

How to find help

To find a local food bank, you can enter your ZIP code on Feeding America's website to find nearby resources.

In Michigan, updates about SNAP benefits and other assistance programs can be found at newmibridges.michigan.gov.

 Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Northern Michigan braces for SNAP pause due to federal shutdown
MALONE  Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES District Superintendent Dale Breault has announced his intention to retire following this academic year.

The retirement will take effect Aug. 1, 2026, concluding more than three decades of service in public education.

Breault, who has led FEH BOCES since 2020, described the decision as both meaningful and bittersweet.

It has truly been the best job Ive ever had, Breault said.

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From my very first day, I was welcomed by a team of professionals whose commitment to students and to one another defines what public education should be.

Under Breaults leadership, FEH BOCES experienced a period of significant growth and innovation, strengthening partnerships with component school districts, advancing career and technical education opportunities, and enhancing organizational systems to better serve students and staff across the region.

Dales leadership has guided FEH BOCES through a pivotal period of transition, bringing the organization firmly into the 21st century through advancements in technology, expanded professional development opportunities, and strengthened service collaborations, Dennis Egan, president of the Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES Board, said.

His commitment to innovation, labor relations, and shared success has set a strong foundation for the next District Superintendent to continue building upon.

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Among Breaults achievements were his dedication to communication and public relations efforts, a press release said, adding that through rebranding, from updated signage to a new logo, he expanded FEH BOCES public image to showcase the many positive stories unfolding across the organization.

Dale understood the power of creating spaces that inspire, added Egan.

Through thoughtful graphics, signage, and branding, he transformed our buildings into environments that reflect student pride and a true sense of belonging.

Prior to joining FEH BOCES, Breault served as director of the Northeastern Regional Information Center through Capital Region BOCES, where he oversaw technology services for more than 130 school districts across New York state. Earlier in his career, he served as the superintendent of Chateaugay Central School as well as business manager, both high school and elementary principal, and as a music teacher, roles that deepened his understanding of education from every level.

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Throughout his career, Breault has been recognized for his forward thinking approach to leadership and his commitment to student success. He has also been an active member of regional and statewide professional groups, helping shape discussions around educational technology, workforce development, and the future of rural education.

As schools across the state begin their NY Inspires journey, I have no doubt that FEH BOCES will continue to lead the way, Breault said.

We have always understood that students shine their brightest when given the chance to show what they can do with their hands as well as their minds. It has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals who make that possible every day.

Outside of his professional roles, Breault has remained closely connected to his roots as a music educator. He directed the Franklin County Ecumenical Choir for more than two decades, leading annual holiday concerts that became a cherished community tradition and raised funds for local causes, most recently Hospice of the North Country.

He also co-founded the Chateaugay Central School Musical Theatre Group in 1998 and, together with his wife Tillie, directed numerous school productions that inspired generations of students to discover their creative talents and love of musical theatre. Over the years, Breault has also served as a guest conductor for all-county choral festivals in Franklin, Clinton, and Essex counties. Of all his accomplishments, he is proudest to be husband to Tillie and father to his sons, Sam and Charlie.
BALTIMORE  Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson made waves this week with his opposition to drawing a new congressional map to give Democrats an extra House seat, but that hasnt stopped other party leaders from wanting to move the redistricting process forward.

The issue is shaping up to be a test of Fergusons power, as his stance on redistricting puts him at odds with Democratic Gov. Wes Moore. Moore told reporters Wednesday that calling a special legislative session to draw new maps is not off the table, regardless of what anyone else says.

The General Assembly is a large body. So while I have read the Senate presidents letter, I also know that one person cannot stop a process, Moore said. My commitment stays firm, that we are going to make sure that we have fair maps inside the state of Maryland, and we are not going to bend the knee to [President] Donald Trump.

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According to Maryland General Assembly rules, the state Senate and House of Delegates meet in special session when called by the Governor or when a majority of each house petitions the Governor. While Democrats hold majorities in both chambers, Moores calling for a special session would be a boost to House Speaker Adrienne Jones and other Democrats in the lower chamber who have criticized Fergusons cautious approach to redistricting.

Jason Johnson, a political contributor to MSNBC and professor at Morgan State University, told The Baltimore Sun Thursday that Ferguson and Moore have very different incentives when it comes to a redistricting fight. As Johnson noted, Ferguson wrote in a letter to fellow Democrats that he was concerned the Maryland Supreme Court could overturn a potential map with eight Democratic seats and force the legislature to include two or three Republican seats with another redraw.

Thats a very micro, Maryland-based concern, Johnson said of Fergusons reasoning. Whereas youve got Governor Wes Moore whos saying, Weve had 15,000 job losses in 2025 alone and if one more seat out of Maryland could prevent something like this from happening every six months for the next four years, Im going to do it.

Of Ferguson, Johnson added that nobody makes these announcements if they havent had conversations with party leadership and other influential lawmakers to ensure they have the votes to not look stupid.

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Democrats top vote-counter in the state House, Majority Whip Jazz Lewis, did not respond to The Baltimore Suns request for an interview on redistricting and how many members would support a special session in the lower chamber. Democrats would need 24 of 34 senators among their ranks and 71 of 102 delegates to petition Moore to call a special session if the governor does not act first.

Republican vote-counters made it clear Thursday that any push for a special session will have to come without their support.

Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready, who represents Carroll and Frederick counties, told The Sun that none of our members are supportive of drawing new maps because Marylands only Republican congressman, Rep. Andy Harris, could lose his seat. Ready criticized Moore for flirting with a special session and argued that drawing out Harris would go against the governors promise to leave no one behind.

I dont know how gerrymandering the state to squeeze out any Republican representative in a state [that] at worst, goes 35% for Republicans would be considered fair, Ready said. I think thats the definition of leaving people behind.

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House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy, a Frederick County Republican, said he does not always agree with Maryland Senate Democrats, he believes they are somewhat more reasonable occasionally on certain issues than House Democrats. Pippy explained he agrees with Fergusons stand against redistricting, but for different reasons than the Senate president.

The Senate president is warning his party that this could backfire on [them] whereas our position is that its wrong. Its wrong to eliminate the only Republican federal representative we have, Pippy told The Sun.

Johnson, the MSNBC contributor, said Democrats current redistricting push comes as a response to the Trump administration pressuring red states like Texas and Indiana to create more GOP-leaning districts ahead of the 2026 midterms. Such pressure is unprecedented in American politics, Johnson told The Sun.

Republicans arent just doing something that is uncommon; they are doing something that is a complete reversal of all stable legislative trends over the last 20 to 25 years, he said.

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Recent redistricting efforts in Maryland have favored Democrats over Republicans. The two parties shared a 4-4 split of the states eight seats until 2002, when lawmakers passed a map giving Democrats a 6-2 advantage. In 2012, conservative Western Maryland was drawn in with liberal Montgomery County, which pushed the margin to 7-1 in favor of Democrats.

A 2022 proposal to give Democrats all eight seats was struck down by a state judge who called the plan extreme partisan gerrymandering. The maps were then redrawn to create the current 7-1 map, which Ferguson noted has never been reviewed by courts.

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Sen. John Fetterman was exasperated with his colleagues Thursday, as the Senate heads home in the stalemates fifth week and millions of Americans are due to lose federal food assistance this weekend.

Its an absolute failure what occurred here for the last month, and now things are really going to land, and imagine being a parent with a couple kids, and how youre going to fill their refrigerator and pack their lunches and get on with their lives when the things that theyve depended on now is gone, because we cant even agree to just open things up, the Pennsylvania Democrat told CNN.

Fetterman said his wife helps distribute free food to the community and has already witnessed longer lines. He lamented that when he returns home this weekend, hell have to tell constituents who have lost their SNAP benefits, I dont have an explanation for them.

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The Democrat, who has been outspoken against shutting down the government in any form, has been one of just three in his caucus to routinely break from the party and vote with Republicans more than a dozen times to reopen the government.

The Senate left town on Thursday for the weekend with no measurable progress toward a deal to reopen the government, with impatience inside the US Capitol skyrocketing and critical social safety net programs at risk in the coming days. Senators will not return until Monday, which will mark day 34 of the shutdown  just two days shy of setting a new record for longest shutdown.

Key senators of both parties took part in some private meetings Thursday to discuss potential off-ramps, including how to get both parties to support a deal on long-term appropriations bills. But lawmakers involved in those talks offered no more clarity about whether it could indeed end the standoff.

Asked about the effort by some Senate Democrats to pass a bill to temporarily extend SNAP benefits, Fetterman questioned why Congress couldnt also pay Capitol police officers, saying that the worlds biggest lethal military in the world has relied on a donor to pay our service members last week. I mean, thats a disgrace.

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We have to find a way forward, the senator said. He added that while he fundamentally believes there will be an effort to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, as his fellow Democrats are demanding, his party must also consider those who receive other important benefits from the government.

You have 2 million people on SNAP in my state, and over 400,000 are receiving those kind of tax credits, he said.

For a Democrat, I cant imagine a more sacred part of who we fight for is people that, that depend on SNAP to feed themselves, he said, later adding, Our party has bigger problems than I thought we might have already. Its like thats not controversial. Pay everybody.

We cant even get our shit together and just open up our government, he lamented.

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Responding to Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumers prior suggestion that each day of the shutdown plays better politically for Democrats, Fetterman responded, Ask the hungry people on Saturday.

Americans are not leverage. This is not, this is not some shitty game show about whos winning or whatever. Its just like we have to be better than this and just open this up, he said.

CNNs Casey Riddle and Sarah Ferris contributed to this report.

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As President Donald Trump looks to crack down on crime in the nations capital and beyond, fewer Americans see crime as a serious problem  or a growing one.

New Gallup polling shows that 49% of US adults view crime as a serious problem, while an identical share say crime has increased over the last year. Those numbers represent a decrease of seven percentage points and 15 percentage points, respectively, since 2024.

A chart showing Americans perception of crime based on Gallup polling.

These figures are also at their lowest levels since 2018; Americans increasingly saw crime as a problem during the early 2020s, after the COVID-19 pandemic and during the end of Trumps first term and beginning of Joe Bidens term.

The polling is a mixed bag for Trump  it may show that voters think his moves are working, but it also may signal that the electorate is less interested in focusing on the issue.
ANDERSON  Judge Mark Dudleys courtroom became a classroom Wednesday.

Dudley, the Madison County Circuit Court Division 6 judge, hosted more than 100 Eastside Elementary School students in two sessions to explain his role in overseeing court proceedings, as well as answering questions about the courts role in local government.

About 175 third and fourth graders traveled to the Madison County Government Center Wednesday morning to learn about the jobs of each department and how a courtroom operates.

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Upon entering the building, each of the students were given a passport listing each of the 12 offices inside the government center.

Madison County Commissioner Rick Gardner said field trips to places where local government officials do their work are important for students.

I think its great at a young age, Gardner said, Many things that a county government does, even adults are not really in tune to that. We tried to let them know what the county commissioners do, whats the pieces of our part, and (the students) move on to different areas of the county and learn what those different departments do.

The Madison County Government Center began hosting tours of the building in 2024. At least five elementary schools have taken part in the tours, including all three elementary schools in the South Madison district.

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Kristin McUne, an Eastside Elementary fourth grade teacher, said the field trip will help her students in their civics studies.

They are going to end up learning about the federal level and the state level, but they need to understand how it locally works as well, McUne said. We havent yet begun to learn all the government parts of Indiana, but we will be getting into that. This will be a good way of having a base for what were going to build on later in the year.

County Surveyor Ken Kocinski said the experience is valuable for students, even if they pursue other career paths.

I understand they are going to Judge Dudleys office anda courtroom, Kocinski said. I think its great so they can see it, and if they watch it on TV, (they can say) Oh, Ive been there, I know what they do, or at least have an idea.

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The students were divided into two groups, with one touring departments including the assessors office and the commissioners office and the other group taking part in a question-and-answer session with Madison Circuit Court Division 6 Judge Mark Dudley in his courtroom.

Dudley said he, his fellow judges and court staff believe the experience was instructive for the students.

I think its important that students and members of the public understand that, one, its open to the public and, two, what it is, where it is and what happens here, Dudley said. I think its important they get exposed to that. In class you learn about it, but actually being there and seeing a real-life example of it is different.
Lambda Legal is taking its fight from the courtroom to the digital stage. With its new national campaign, "All Rise," the nations oldest LGBTQ+ legal advocacy organization is turning a familiar courtroom command into a rallying cry  and a fundraising lifeline. The campaign, built around short- and long-form videos, paid digital ads, and a coordinated influencer blitz rolling out during LGBTQ+ History Month, is designed to keep Lambda Legals lawyers in courtrooms across the country as the Trump administration accelerates efforts to roll back hard-won rights.

Backed by creators including Under The Desk News, Rose Montoya, Pattie Gonia, Isaias Hernandez, Blair Imani, Jesse Sullivan, and Chella Man, All Rise blends grassroots donor outreach with emotional storytelling. It marks Lambda Legals largest digital awareness push to date and a call for unity and urgency from a group describing itself as the LGBTQ+ communitys last line of defense.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocates email newsletter.

For more than five decades, the legal nonprofit has fought in courtrooms for LGBTQ+ people and those living with HIV. But in the second term of the Trump administration, which has banned gender-affirming care for trans minors, restricted diversity programs, and barred transgender people from military service, the groups work has become existential.

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Related: This LGBTQ+ nonprofit just raised $285M to challenge legislative attacks on queer lives



This is a break-the-glass moment, Kevin Jennings, Lambda Legals CEO, told The Advocate in an interview. Everybody needs to throw everything at this right now. Their agenda is nothing less than the destruction of our democracy as weve known it.

A movement facing its reckoning

Lambda Legals message arrives amid an unprecedented wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Nearly 2,000 bills have been introduced nationwide over the past two years, and more than 200 have been enacted into law. Weve lost the White House, weve lost Congress, Jennings said. The courts are our only recourse at this point.

So far, the organization has sued the Trump administration six times and won four cases. Two remain pending. We could end up six for six, Jennings said.

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According to Lambda Legals Tracking Trump case tracker, the group currently has six open cases against the administration targeting transgender rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and health care. The tracker also notes two preliminary injunctions granted in active cases regarding transgender service members and health care coverage.

The tracker reaffirms Lambda Legals long-term success rate: the organization reports an 86 percent win rate against the first Trump administration.

Related: HRC, Lambda Legal sue to stop Trump's transgender military ban



Theres reason to be hopeful, but dont be optimistic, Jennings said. Optimism assumes itll just get better by itself. Our only hope is if people rise together and fight back.

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This is not a rhetorical flourish. In June, Lambda Legal announced the largest fundraising campaign in LGBTQ+ history  $285 million raised through its Unstoppable Future initiative. The haul exceeded its goal by more than $100 million, with $80 million in cash on hand and $200 million in long-term commitments. Nearly all of it came from individual donors, not corporations. The infusion allowed the group to expand its legal staff by more than 40 percent.

Jennings described that surge of support as a message to those seeking to dismantle equality: We will not go back.

Turning a legal command into a moral imperative

To bring that defiance to life, Lambda Legal turned to Jason Keehn, founder of the mission-driven agency Accompany Creative. Keehn, whose firm was named Ad Ages Purpose-Led Small Agency of the Year in 2024, said he approached All Rise as both a creative brief and a civic duty.

The phrase has urgency, Keehn told The Advocate. Its about standing up for all of us within the LGBTQ+ community, but also about what happens next if we dont. Human rights are being eroded, and the message is: youre next.

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Related: LGBTQ+ groups face alarming funding crisis as Republican anti-trans attacks mount, new report finds



Rather than rely on the anxious tone familiar in political advertising, Keehn said he and his team sought to inspire without numbing audiences. We didnt want to add to the toxic negative swirl, he said. You cant be lighthearted about whats happening, but we also dont need more messages freaking people out. The better choice is to shine a light on what we can be.

A portrait of the community under fire and a message of hope

Directed by queer filmmaker Lucio Castro, the campaign features trans military members, trans youth, LGBTQ+ families, and attorneys who represent them in court. You see lawyers saying directly to the camera, Im fighting for you every day, Keehn said. That makes the work tangible.

The videos  some only six seconds long, others a full cinematic arc  are designed for the realities of the modern attention economy. You need something thumb-stopping on Instagram and something that stays with people longer, Keehn said. It all has to ladder up to one big idea.

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The campaigns insistence on hope, not as sentiment but as strategy, distinguishes it from the darker, fear-based tones that often dominate political messaging. Jennings calls this a deliberate choice. The ultimate goal of our opponents is to make people feel hopeless, he said. Because if you have no hope, you wont fight.

Keehn agreed. Civil rights arent just about voting or hiring practices, he said. Theyre about how we choose to spend our energy and use our talents, and this is our way of doing that.

For Lambda Legal, the campaign is not an aesthetic exercise but a call to arms.

You have four assets: your voice, your vote, your time, and your money, Jennings said. Some people can write checks. Some people can march. Some people can sue  thats what we do. Just figure out what you can do and do it.

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Jennings often returns to a simple, chilling analogy. They picked on trans people first, he said. Just like the Nazis picked on Jews.

It is a warning, not hyperbole  a reminder that authoritarianism rarely begins with mass repression. It starts with tolerated cruelty.

Hope is not optimism, Jennings said. Hope is the belief that if we fight, things might get better. But we have to fight.

Watch one of the All Rise campaign's videos below.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Fighting back: Lambda Legal unveils campaign to protect LGBTQ+ rights from Trump-era attacks

RELATED
EaseMyTrip, one of India's leading travel-tech platforms, has been awarded the tender for the Bathinda cluster under the Punjab Government's Mukh Mantri Tirth Yatra Yojana. As part of this project, EaseMyTrip will operate and manage pilgrimage tours for over two lakh pilgrims from all constituencies of Bathinda to Amritsar over the next 12 months. The Mukh Mantri Tirth Yatra Yojana was flagged off by the Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, at his constituency, Dhuri, marking the official commencement of the pilgrimage. The initiative has been launched to ensure a comfortable and well-coordinated travel experience for devotees visiting the Golden Temple and other prominent religious sites in Amritsar. Speaking on the announcement, Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip, said, "The Mukh Mantri Tirth Yatra Yojana represents a powerful example of how public initiatives can bring people closer to their cultural and spiritual identity. Our collaboration with the Government of Punjab goes beyond travel management; it is about creating an organised, technology-enabled framework that ensures dignity, safety, and care for every pilgrim. At EaseMyTrip, our special pilgrimage vertical EasyDarshan will be executing this Yatra. We see this as a chance to apply our operational strength to a cause that connects communities and preserves India's living heritage." According to a company statement, with this project, EaseMyTrip continues to strengthen its role in supporting large-scale government initiatives focused on social welfare, cultural preservation, and community well-being. The company remains dedicated to using its travel management capabilities to create impactful travel experiences that connect people and promote inclusive development. According to company information, EaseMyTrip (listed on NSE and BSE) is one of India's largest online travel-tech platforms in terms of air ticket bookings, as per the CRISIL Report - Assessment of the OTA Industry in India (February 2021). (ANI)
These are not isolated incidents or clerical errors, said national campaign finance expert Dan Backer, who filed a complaint about the origin of Zohran Mamadani's funds.

A finance watchdog has filed a criminal complaint against NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for allegedly accepting illegal foreign campaign contributions, which violates federal and state election laws.

The Coolidge Reagan Foundation filed the referrals to both the Department of Justice and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, urging investigation and prosecution of Mamdani. The filings were prepared by CRF president Dan Backer, who spoke to The Jerusalem Post on Thursday about the process.

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These are not isolated incidents or clerical errors, said Backer, a national campaign finance expert. This was a sustained pattern of foreign money flowing into a New York City mayoral race, which is a clear violation of both federal law and New York City campaign finance rules. Mamdanis campaign was on notice for months that it was accepting illegal foreign contributions, and yet it did nothing meaningful to stop it.

According to the complaints, Mamdanis campaign accepted at least 161 contributions from foreign sources between December 2024 and September 2025, totaling more than $12,000. The contributions came from individuals listing addresses in Dubai, Australia, Turkey, France, Canada, Germany, and other countries.

Under the Federal Election Campaign Act, it is unlawful to accept or receive contributions from foreign nationals in any federal, state, or local election. The law holds regardless of whether the contributions influenced a candidates behavior.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks to the media during a campaign stop with striking members of Teamsters Local 210 in the Bronx borough of New York City, U.S., September 15, 2025. (credit: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

If the violation is knowing and willful, it becomes a criminal offense.

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CRF also noted that most of the contributors provided no verifiable employment information. According to the list of individuals, viewed by the Post, most are unemployed, students, or self-employed. Backer explained that occupation and employer information is useful to indicate or to help identify who an individual is, and therefore track down whether or not they are in fact a legitimate contributor.

The law is crystal clear that foreign nationals may not participate in American elections, and that includes making contributions, Backer continued. Yet Mamdanis campaign repeatedly accepted donations from individuals abroad, some even tied to regions and individuals openly sympathetic to hostile actors. Whether through negligence or intent, this conduct undermines the integrity of the democratic process.

Mamdani's team starts returning funds

On Thursday, Mamdanis team said it had returned around $9,000 in the possibly illegal foreign donations and that the other $4,000 came from US citizens abroad. However, Backer told the Post that it may still be a violation.

Theres a legitimate position if you receive money from an impermissible source  so a non-US citizen, non-green card holder  and you return it. Thats fine.

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The problem is that it comes down to a question of timing. If you return these funds within a reasonable amount of time, you know, theres a fairly strong inference that you have a screening process, it showed you that these were impermissible funds, and then you refunded it.

But thats not what happened here.

He explained that all the money must come through online contributions, and therefore, the moment its received, Mamdanis team should know where the money is coming from, and know if it is a potentially questionable transaction at that point because it comes from a non-US address.

CRFs letter to the Department of Justices Public Integrity Section requests a criminal investigation into potential FECA violations, while its referral to District Attorney Bragg cites possible violations of New York Election Law  17.152, which makes it a misdemeanor for two or more persons to conspire to promote an election by unlawful means.

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Foreign money in American elections is not just a technical violation, it is a threat to self-government, Shaun McCutcheon, chairman of the CRF, added. Every dollar illegally funneled into a campaign from abroad dilutes the voice of lawful American voters. This case must be investigated immediately, and those responsible held accountable.

Accountability is important, Backer told the Post.

What often happens is reporters write about these stories, but then nobody does anything about it. And so one of the things that we do is we file criminal referrals to the appropriate regulatory or law enforcement agency in order to make it crystal clear how this is a violation of law.

Handing the evidence to the legal teams helps propel an investigation forward. A referral really lays out the facts and the law in a clear, concise, and actionable manner, Backer added. While neither Bragg nor the DOJ is obligated to do anything, the bigger of a deal something is, the more likely they are to investigate it.
Worries of the impacts of a lasting shutdown proliferate as the U.S. Senate fails to pass a temporary spending plan.

The government shutdown is nearing the one-month mark, making it the second longest shutdown in U.S. history. It started on Oct. 1 after Senate Democrats and Republicans failed to come to an agreement on a spending plan, largely over disputes about healthcare subsidies.

This week's About Politics dives into the current state of the shutdown, how both major politics parties are responding, and other South Carolina political headlines to know this week.

If Americans are going without pay and our troops arent getting their checks, Congress shouldnt either.



Im introducing a constitutional amendment to end congressional pay during government shutdowns, and I hope youll join me in backing it. pic.twitter.com/1SEZYisHIr  Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 29, 2025

Where does the government shutdown stand?

The government shutdown has lasted almost a full month as a spending plan stays stuck on the Senate floor, lawmakers on both sides are unwilling to find a compromise to temporarily fund the government. The Senate took a vote on Oct. 28 on a spending plan, however that vote failed 54-45  six votes short of the 60 need to pass the plan.

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The chamber reconvened on Oct. 29 to further discuss a spending plan. In the hearing, Republicans called on Democrats to sign on to the spending plan, while Democrats stressed the importance of extending healthcare subsidies with the Affordable Care Act.

South Carolina Republican Sens. Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham have signed on to the spending plan. Scott has taken to social media with posts about the shutdown, primarily blaming Democratic lawmakers for the failed spending plan.

"Democrats have put politics above the people theyre supposed to serve for nearly a month," Scott posted on social media. "Enough is enough - open the government!"

More: McMaster activates fund to collect donations for food pantries ahead of SNAP benefits pause

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USA Today reported that lawmakers from both major political parties are introducing bills in the midst of a shutdown to try and mitigate the impacts  such as a bill to pay federal workers and protect the funding for social programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Graham has introduced a constitutional amendment to end pay for members of Congress during a government shutdown, saying that if troops aren't receiving paycheck then neither should Congress.

"If Americans are going without pay and our troops arent getting their checks, Congress shouldnt either," Graham posted. "Im introducing a constitutional amendment to end congressional pay during government shutdowns, and I hope youll join me in backing it."

Democratic state lawmakers call for action

A handful of Democratic state lawmakers gathered on the first floor of the South Carolina Statehouse on Oct. 29 to demand action on protections for Palmetto State families who rely on SNAP benefits. The group issued a joint statement, saying that South Carolina cannot afford to lose economic activity driven from the lack of SNAP benefits.

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South Carolina cant afford to lose nearly $200 million in spending when families are struggling to make ends meet, the statement said. "This isnt just a food crisis, its an economic one that will hit every community in our state."

The South Carolina State House in Columbia, S.C. Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

The lawmakers want Gov. Henry McMaster to declare a state of emergency or call a special session to authorize emergency funding for food aid. State Sen. Deon Tedder, D-Charleston, wrote a letter to the governor on Oct. 27 and requested that he call a special session.

"I stand ready to work with you and my colleagues in both parties to find solutions that protect the dignity, health, and stability of South Carolina's families," Tedder wrote. "We cannot wait for Washington to act when South Carolinians are going hungry."

McMaster addressed the calls at a press conference on Oct. 28, saying he does not have the power to call the legislature back to session and that declaring a state of emergency would not open up funding for food aid.

Alan Wilson joins attorneys general calls for stopgap plan

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson joined 18 other state attorney generals in calling for U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to support a continuing resolution to keep SNAP funded for the millions Americans who rely on it.

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The letter stated that passing a clean resolution is not a political concession  it's the responsible thing to do. Georgia, Ohio, Texas and Virgina were among the other states to sign onto the letter.

More than 260,000 South Carolinians rely on SNAP benefits to help feed their families, and they shouldnt be worried about their kids going hungry because of this political standoff, Wilson said in a statement. Were urging Sen. Schumer and other Democrats to act quickly.

South Carolina Democratic Party wants to keep early primary status

The South Carolina Democratic Party is vying to keep its status as an early primary state for the 2028 presidential election. This comes after a request by the Democratic National Committee for states to apply for an early primary as it creates its 2028 presidential election calendar.

Applications to become one of the few states that holds its election in the pre-primary window are due in January. According to the SCDP, the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee will use three criteria in selecting early primary states: rigor, efficiency and fairness.

US and South Carolina flag fly on top of the State House, where inside, the South Carolina House of Representatives daily legislative session took place in Columbia, S.C. Tuesday, December 3, 2024.

The Palmetto State was chosen by the DNC to be the "First in the Nation" primary in the 2024 race. SCDP Party Chair Christale Spain issued a statement on the matter, requesting that South Carolina keeps its status as an early primary state.

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Over the last 20 years, South Carolina Democrats have played a special role in the Democratic presidential nomination process by our participation as one of the four states to lead the primary calendar," Spain said. "We will again make the case that South Carolina remains an early state and vigorously make the case that black, rural, urban, and southern voters must lead the way in the First in the Nation primary.

Winthrop poll released on GOP primary

Winthrop University has released its latest polling of the South Carolina governor's race and how important President Donald Trump's endorsement of a candidate is. The poll reported a margin of error at 3.94% for its survey of Republican voters.

The poll found a statistical tie between Lt. Gov. Pamela Evetta and U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-District 1, once the margin of error was taken into account with survey results. About 17% of respondents said they would support Mace and about 16% said they would support Evette if the primary was held today. The poll leaders stressed in their survey notes that Mace and Evette are considered to have tied for the lead once margin of error is taken into account.

Congresswoman Mace and Lieutenant Governor Evette have been ahead of the pack regarding earned or purchased media. This appears to be reflected in these results," Dr. Scott Huffmon, Winthrop poll director, said in a statement. "Mace and Evette tied at the top of the contenders."

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The same survey also found that nearly eight out of every 10 Republican survey respondents say an endorsement from Trump is either very or somewhat important to them in the governor's race.

"The results of polling in the months between now and the primary are sure to be fluid as the candidates begin to engage their full campaign strategies," Huffmon said. "It is also clear that President Trumps endorsement could be a key factor in the outcome of this race.

Bella Carpentier covers the South Carolina legislature, state, and Greenville County politics. Contact her at bcarpentier@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: SC Democrats push for special session to find food assistance funds
The Everett Fire Department says that firefighters were called to help a ferry worker who was found unresponsive on a docked Alaska State Ferry.

The ferry was docked for repair and maintenance.

Fire crews arrived at a Port of Everett terminal at around 6:15 p.m. to r

Other employees performed CPR and used a defibrillator until fire crews arrived.

The man had passed out in a small space behind the boiler room.

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Fire crews carried the man up several levels of the ship in a Stokes basket, often used for short-haul rescues.

It took them 50 minutes to get the man out of the ship.

He was taken to Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett in critical condition.
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY)  A fire damaged part of the Yupo Corporation facility on Yupo Court in the Greenbrier area of Chesapeake Wednesday night, a Chesapeake Fire official said.

After getting multiple 911 calls of a fire inside the plant, firefighters responded to 800 Yupo Court for a report of a commercial fire at the Yupo Corporation facility.

Units were sent at 9:23 p.m. and seven minutes later, firefighters confirmed a fire in an interior pit that had shredded materials, according to Capt. Steven Bradley, assistant fire marshal and public information officer for the Chesapeake Fire Department. He said firefighters evacuated employees from the building and firefighters were able to get the fire under control, containing it to the pit and associated machinery.

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Crews continued to work to ventilate smoke from the facility. Bradley said there were no reports of injuries.

The fire was declared under control at 10:07 p.m.

Bradley said the plant would remain closed temporarily while company officials assess damage. He said the fire was determined to be accidental.

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.
GARDNER, Wis. (WFRV)  Officials have released stills that show the aftermath of a large wildfire in Door County that saw over 140 firefighters and 19 Fire Departments in response.

Fox Valley cancer survivor & her sister create heart-shaped pillows for mastectomy patients

Officials say that the fire started around 3 p.m. in Gardner after an ATV caught fire in an area with dead marsh grass up to six feet tall.

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The Brussels-Union-Gardner (BUG) Fire Department shared images of the blaze as well as the aftermath, showcasing some of the response efforts.

Those images are available in the slideshow below.

Courtesy of the Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department Courtesy of the Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department Courtesy of the Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department Courtesy of the Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department Courtesy of the Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department Courtesy of the Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department Courtesy of the Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department Courtesy of the Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department Courtesy of the Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department Courtesy of the Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department

Animal hospital in Wisconsin helps Sheriffs K9 recover from emergency hyperthermic incident

Officials say that over 30,000 gallons of water were used in the overall efforts, 2,000 of which had to be used in the following morning to extinguish hotspots.

Multiple food trucks also provided refreshments and meals for repsonders during rehab operations and after clearing the scene.

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.
Oct. 30A Sterling residence suffered smoke and fire damage after flames broke out about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The Sterling Fire Department responded at 4:43 p.m. to the reported residential structure fire at 1411 Ave. H in Sterling, according to a news release.

When fire crews arrived five minutes later, they found smoke coming from the chimney of a single-story home. All residents were able to safely evacuate the building before fire crews arrived.

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No one was injured. Fire damage was localized to inside and around a washer/dryer, according to the release. The home sustained moderate smoke damage throughout.

Sterling firefighters were assisted by the Rock Falls Fire Department, Sterling police and CGH Ambulance Service.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Firefighters battled a fire at a vacant building in the area of First Street and Central Park.

News 8 crews went to the scene after hearing reports of a fire. Light smoke can be seen coming from the roof of the building as firefighters battled a fire on the second floor of the structure.

A second alarm was called after firefighters believed there was someone trapped inside. They confirmed no one was inside the building at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported.

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The cause of the fire has not been confirmed.

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.
Oct. 30BEMIDJI  Arts and culture collective Fire in the Village recently announced its 2025 fall art and music tour including a stop on Saturday, Nov. 8, at

Headwaters Music and Arts,

519 Minnesota Ave. NW.

Led by Anishinaabe artist and musician Annie Humphrey, this year's tour focuses on the theme, "Warriors and the Powerless," which echoes inspirational messages that Humphrey weaves into her performances, a release said.

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"We chose to dedicate our fall tour to warriors and the powerless, to uplift those who protect and care for their communities and to remind those who feel powerless that we are power," Humphrey said in the release. "Power is just a thought away."

Each tour stop includes a daytime community meal and art workshop, followed by an art and music concert that same evening with a free printmaking table and fashion show featuring community models.

Doors open at 6 p.m. followed by the concert at 7 p.m. Other shows throughout Minnesota include stops in Aitkin on Nov. 1, Duluth on Nov. 6, Grand Rapids on Nov. 7 and Minneapolis on Nov. 15.

Most tour events are priced on a sliding scale of $5 to $20, though no one will be turned away for lack of funds. The Nov. 8 concert will benefit students at

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Voyageurs Expeditionary School

in Bemidji.

"Funds raised will help native students from Voyageurs attend music lessons at Headwaters at no cost to their families," the release said, "with tuition supported through the Headwaters Scholarship Program and proceeds from this special performance."

Tickets can be purchased at

headwatersmusicandarts.org

or by calling

(218) 444-5606.
PNN Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], October 30: Jalpak Foods India Pvt. Ltd., one of India's fastest-growing food processing companies, has announced the successful closure of its latest funding round led by renowned investor Aditya Kumar Halwasiya, who has acquired a 4% equity stake in the company, along with equity warrants exercisable over 9 months to increase his stake to 9.9 percent post exercise. This investment marks Mr. Halwasiya's entry into the food sector, further expanding his diversified portfolio across defense, petrochemicals, consumer goods, and financial services. His participation underscores strong investor confidence in Jalpak'smission to deliver high-quality, affordable, and nutritious food products to Indian consumers. Existing investors: Amit Bhartia, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Florintree, Prime Securities, and Jayant Sinha, also participated in this funding round. Building India's Next-Generation Food Platform Jalpak Foods has rapidly established itself as a consumer-focused food innovator through its dairy brands WELHO and SABHO. The company recently upgraded its state-of-the-art dairy processing plant in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, which currently handles 200,000 liters per day and has infrastructure in place to more than double this capacity. The facility is on track to become the largest milk processing unit in the Malwa region, a hub known for premium milk quality. Jalpak's growth strategy centers on building an integrated network of advanced food processing plants that serve India's top retailers and brands. The company aims to expand its value-added dairy portfolio, establish advanced juice manufacturing capabilities, and partner with leading packaging companies to deliver innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions. Mr. Sunil Sood, Chairperson, Jalpak Foods, said: "We are delighted to welcome Aditya Halwasiya to our investor family. With backing from India's most visionary investors, Jalpak is now fully funded to execute its ambitious growth plans. Aditya's entrepreneurial vision and multi-sector experience will be invaluable as we scale into one of India's leading food processing platforms." Mr. Aditya Halwasiya added: "Jalpak is a compelling play on India's growing appetite for nutritious, affordable foods. The company is perfectly positioned to benefit from strong consumer tailwinds -- rising demand for value-added dairy, modern retail expansion, and a national wellness movement. I look forward to supporting Jalpak's management and investor group in realizing this exciting vision." (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.)
DISCLAIMER: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty,

CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  A deputy from the Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office has been arrested following an investigation into his conduct while on duty.

Danny C. Taylor, 40, who served as a deputy at the Caddo Correctional Center, is facing serious charges after allegedly directing an inmate to assault another inmate.

According to Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr., the investigation uncovered that during his shift, Taylor instructed one inmate to enter a cell occupied by another inmate and carry out a violent attack.

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The department says surveillance footage captured the incident and allegedly shows Taylor present and witnessing the assault but choosing not to intervene.

Taylor has beenfired and is charged with one count of second-degree battery (as a principal) and one count of malfeasance in office.

He has been booked into the Caddo Correctional Facility pending further legal proceedings.

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.
Firefighters responded to a heavy blaze on Wednesday night in the Frankford section of Philadelphia.

The fire broke out around 6:50 p.m. on the 1600 block of Meadow Street.

Chopper 6 was overhead as crews worked to contain the flames.

No injuries have been reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  We head to the airport for this installment of Pay It 4ward to honor a volunteer who serves soldiers on their way to basic training at Fort Sill.

They call her The Cookie Lady because she bakes six dozen cookies each week for troops who fly into Will Rogers OKC Airport.

Every Tuesday morning, Betty Hulson starts measuring and mixing, stirring and scooping.

She started making cookies here at the center in 2007. She was one of the first volunteers to start, said YMCA Military Welcome Center Director Van Eubanks. She doesnt do it for recognition. She does it because she loves doing it. Truly heartfelt.

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Hulson estimates she has baked 65,000 cookies for soldiers passing through.

I have people come in all the time, say, Hey, is the cookie lady here? So she must have touched a lot of hearts in that time frame, Eubanks said. We honor her for the empathy and the love that she shows for the young men and women that come in here every time shes here, and the years and dedication and hours she spent making cookies for the young men and women that come through here.

Over the years, nearly 600,000 soldiers have passed through the military welcome center on their way to basic training.

Related Stories

Pay it 4Ward

First Fidelity Bank has been investing in the communities we serve for over 100 years, and we love honoring people who give back to our community, said First Fidelity Banks Taylor Mathis. So Betty is a perfect example of what we look for. Shes baked thousands of cookies for service members coming through the military welcome center for nearly two decades now. She is a perfect representation of giving back to her community.

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Hulson was shocked to be awarded the Pay It 4ward award.

We watch Pay It 4ward every Wednesday night. I never dreamed Id be sitting here, Hulson said. I love what I do. This is such a fun thing to do. I never dreamed 18 years ago Id still be doing it, and my husband helping me. He makes brownies, and I do the cookies. Its just a treat to be able to treat the young people who come in here.

Betty affectionately refers to her husband, Dr. Terrill Hulson, as her brownie boy, who couldnt be more proud of his wife.

Oh it melts my heart. Im appreciative of Channel 4 and First Fidelity and the way they allow us to do this. This is really a cool thing because were here to serve those who are serving us, said Dr. Hulson.

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Bettys chocolate chips and oatmeal raisins are a last vestige of home for heroes headed to military service.

This is their last day of freedom, because I know that at midnight their life is going to change drastically, and I want them to have a treat, something that makes them maybe think a little bit of home, said Betty Hulson. I just thought, well, it might be nice to have something home-baked to offer them.

And so, the cookie lady comes every week, treats in tow, to say thank you, to offer a civilian comfort one last time to warriors on their way.

Betty Hulson plans to use her $400 to buy more chocolate chips.

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If youd like to apply to volunteer at the YMCA Military Welcome Center, email the director at VEubanks@ymcaokc.org.

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CARLISLE, Pa. (WHTM)  First responders in the Midstate are learning a new language.

The Pennsylvania State Police organized a crash course in American Sign Language, or ASL, Thursday afternoon.

Members of the local deaf community also took part at the Carlisle Family YMCA.

First responders are not required to know ASL, but state troopers say it can certainly help.

If we get to a scene and we dont know how to communicate with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, we want to make sure the situation is not going to unnecessarily escalate so having the basic wherewithal of how to communicate with the hard of hearing and having some ASL background can be so beneficial for everyone safety, Trooper Kelly Smith, Community Affairs Officer, said.

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Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data, 8.6 percent of Pennsylvanias population has hearing loss.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Five individuals have been arrested in connection to the death of Robert De Niros grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, who died in July 2023 at the age of 19 from a toxic combination of drugs that included fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine.

According to court documents reviewed by Rolling Stone, the defendants  Grant McIver, Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barreto, John Nicolas and Roy Nicolas  were members of a criminal network that distributed thousands of counterfeit prescription opioid pills laced with fentanyl, among other drugs, to teenagers and young adults living in New York City at the time of the fatal incident.

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While Rodriguez is not named directly in the filing, the court notes that over a three-month span in the summer of 2023, the fentanyl pills distributed by the defendants caused the deaths of three 19-year-olds.

The date of Rodriguezs death aligns with the documented description of Victim-3, who is said to have used social media and encrypted messaging apps to communicate with a drug dealer connected to McIver, Epperson, and Barreto to obtain fentanyl pills. A text exchange shows the dealer asking Victim-3, Do u rly need them Ion wanna kill u  I j[ust] dont like serving them cuz they not script [i.e., prescription].

Other details in the filing presumably pertain to the overdose death of Akira Stein, daughter of Blondie member Chris Stein. Stein died at age 19 in May 2023, details that align with the description of Victim-1, who communicated primarily with John Nicolas. In one exchange, Victim 1 informed Nicolas that she overdosed on pills he sold her. I barely did anything and I know my tolerance, one message read. Just warn customers in batch might be extra strong.

The five defendants each face one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substance resulting in death. The third death, listed as Victim-2, occurred in June 2023. In July 2023, a 20-year-old woman, Sophia Marks, allegedly know as the Percocet Princess, was arrested on federal drug distribution charges stemming from an investigation tied to Rodriguezs death.

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Its just a shock, De Niro told People last year about receiving the news of his grandsons death. [I] never thought it would happen  And I just then started thinking about all the things I could have, should have done maybe with him. I dont know if that wouldve made a difference. And so thats always playing through my mind. It shouldnt have happened.

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Oct. 30About 4,500 households in Flathead and Lincoln counties will not receive the federal food benefits they rely on this November, according to local food security organizations.

Nonprofits across the Flathead Valley have pledged to step up to the plate after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed that it would forgo using contingency funds to support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during the government shutdown. Colloquially known as SNAP or food stamps, the program helps feed more than 80,000 people in Montana alone.

"We're ready for whoever needs help. We have enough food. We're going to serve the community. We're going to do our best," said Gretchen Boyer, the executive director of the Columbia Falls nonprofit Land to Hand.

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The organization assembles each week about 400 packages of food, which are then distributed to food-insecure students in Columbia Falls School District. The students take the bags home each weekend, ensuring they have access to healthy meals even when the school cafeteria is closed.

This week, in addition to the typical boxes of mac and cheese and granola bars, each bag will include a note reminding parents and caregivers that Land to Hand is available to help anyone struggling with food security. It's just one way the organization is extending its reach in anticipation of increased hunger and food insecurity this November.

Boyer compared the abrupt stall in SNAP benefits to the Covid-19 pandemic, when Land to Hand volunteers distributed upwards of 750 bags of food a week. She is prepared to reach, or even exceed, those numbers this month as many families in the area lose a small, but vital source of funds.

"We're going to make it work for folks who are probably pretty scared right now," said Boyer. "Hungry children are not an option."

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Nearly 40% of SNAP beneficiaries are children, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Another 20% are 60 years or older.

All participants in the program must fall below certain income standards, which vary based on the number of individuals in the household and whether the participants qualify for other low-income assistance programs.

"It's going to hit people who are already hit hard. If they're getting SNAP benefits, they're not well off financially," said B Bradford Fenchak, who runs the nonprofit Community Kitchen-Feeding the Flathead.

The organization works with churches across the Flathead Valley to offer free evening meals for those in need. While Bradford Fenchak said there was no such thing as a typical evening, she estimated volunteers serve anywhere from 30 to 60 people every day. That flexibility will come in handy as she expects numbers to fluctuate even more in the coming month.

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"We'll make sure we'll have enough food," she said. "We're already prepared for things to be unpredictable, and if we do get an influx of people, we have things we can fix in a hurry."

The North Valley Food Bank in Whitefish is also accustomed to dealing with the unexpected. In just five years, the number of people served by the organization has increased threefold, a change that Executive Director Sophie Albert largely attributes to the rising cost of living in the Flathead Valley.

At the same time, the organization has seen a loss in federal support. Earlier this year, the Trump administration slashed funding to the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which supplied about 20% of the North Valley Food Bank's food supplies. A grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, which the food bank intended to use to expand its mobile food pantry program, was also rescinded.

Despite the cuts, the food bank has been working to increase its capacity ahead of Nov. 1, when new work and reporting requirements for the SNAP program were set to go into effect. Albert anticipated the changes would cause some people to be dropped from the program, either because they no longer qualified or because they fell behind on the extra paperwork necessary to stay enrolled. To respond to the need, she expanded the operating hours of the food bank and reserved extra warehouse space.

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Those additions will now help North Valley Food Bank tackle an even greater crisis. With all SNAP benefits stalled, Albert said she expected the food bank would be seeing as much as a 200% increase in visitors. The organization currently serves between 1,200 and 1,500 people a week through its main location in Whitefish and mobile food pantries in Olney, Trego and Essex.

"I think we're ready," said Albert. "As ready as we can be."

All three nonprofits said they offer volunteer opportunities for community members interested in helping. For those interested in donating, Albert and Boyer suggested giving money as food banks can often purchase bulk food items at heavily discounted prices. If community members are interested in donating food items, Boyer suggested contacting the food bank first to see what items are needed.

Community Kitchen-Feeding the Flathead maintains an online calendar of free meals in the Flathead Valley at communitykitchen-feedingtheflatheadinc.com.

For help finding food banks and other emergency food services in the area, visit mfbn.org/get-help.

Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 758-4433 or [email protected].
According to a press release by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the meeting reaffirmed GeM's core objective of providing a unified, transparent, and efficient online procurement system for all government buyers, including Central and State Ministries, Departments, PSUs, Autonomous Bodies, Local Institutions, and Panchayati Raj entities.

Both sides underscored the need to develop a more robust, streamlined procurement framework to enhance further transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in public procurement across the State.

"As part of its national strategy to accelerate adoption across States and Union Territories, GeM has initiated a series of focused engagements, including CEO-level interactions with high-GMV States. The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, has also written to Chief Ministers encouraging alignment of State procurement rules with the General Financial Rules (GFR) and GeM General Terms and Conditions (GeM-GTC), and to the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure that procurement in Union Territories is routed through GeM," the release said.

With more than 86,000 sellers from the State having completed their profiles on the platform in Madhya Pradesh, GeM's footprint continues to expand. Since its inception, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) from Madhya Pradesh have received orders "worth Rs 5,523 crore from State buyers, Rs 2,030 crore from buyers in other States, and Rs 20,298 crore from Central buyers."

This strong participation reflects the State's growing integration into the national public procurement ecosystem and highlights GeM's role in empowering local enterprises to access a wider government marketplace.

With GeM's cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) reaching new milestones, the engagement in Madhya Pradesh marks another step towards strengthening the State's procurement ecosystem and ensuring a level playing field for all vendors.

"GeM remains committed to fostering a culture of fairness, digital integrity, and inclusivity, enabling every seller, particularly small and emerging enterprises," the release noted. (ANI)
Since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, Russia has used a wide range of tools to sway him to its side.

"It's a mixture of flattery (Trump deserved the Nobel Prize), threats (Tomahawks will mean a new level of escalation and do serious damage to U.S.-Russia relations), promises (great trade and economic deals are just waiting around the corner once there is peace), and manipulation (Ukraine and Europe are playing Trump and have undermined the positive momentum after the Alaska summit)," Stefan Wolff, professor of international security at the University of Birmingham, told the Kyiv Independent.

Russia's strategy of keeping Trump in a favorable posture has worked for some time. Yet, experts say, Russia has overplayed its hand.

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By refusing to accept any of Trump's proposals, such as his calls for an unconditional ceasefire, freezing the front line, or softening the Kremlin's demands, Moscow appears to have missed every opening offered by the White House.

It also appears that Moscow doesn't really care.

"The logical guess is that (Russian President Vladimir Putin) hopes to manipulate and neutralize Trump, but that gaining his objectives against Ukraine is a higher priority for him, which he thinks Russia may achieve with continued military effort, so he will accept more American pressure if he fails to control Trump," Richard Betts, professor emeritus of war and peace studies at Columbia University, told the Kyiv Independent.

Read also: Trumps two wars: Why diplomacy worked in Gaza but not in Ukraine

Flattery works

To sway Trump, Putin often uses flattery.

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Putin praised Trump in August by backing his claim that the U.S. leader would have prevented Russia's war against Ukraine if he had been president instead of Joe Biden in 2022.

On Oct. 10 and again on Oct. 16, Putin praised the U.S. president for brokering a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas  a negotiation from which Moscow was completely excluded.

"(Trump) is a sucker for flattery; this was clear from the earliest days of his first administration when he went to Saudi Arabia and reveled in the extravagant display honoring him that the Saudis presented," Betts said.

Russias President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia, on Oct. 23, 2025. (Contributor / Getty Images)

Economic cooperation

Another trick Putin uses to sway Trump to his side is his promises of economic cooperation between Russia and the U.S.

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"(Putin's Special Envoy Kirill) Dmitriev keeps talking about these huge possibilities for commercial and economic relations between the United States and Russia," Steven Pifer, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, told the Kyiv Independent.

In February, Putin said U.S. companies could help develop aluminum production in Siberia and help mine rare earth metals in Russian-occupied Ukraine.

Bloomberg also reported in February, citing sources, that the U.S. and Russia were considering joint exploration of the Arctic.

Meanwhile, Dmitriev proposed on Oct. 16 that Elon Musk's tunneling company could build a "Putin-Trump tunnel" between eastern Russia and Alaska. Trump called the idea "interesting" on Oct. 17.

Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's special envoy in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. on Aug. 15, 2025. (Drew Angerer/AFP via Getty Images)

Fear of escalation

Analysts also say that Putin is using the fear of escalation as leverage against Trump.

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"Trump's decision-making is based on the following dilemma," Ryhor Nizhnikau, a Russia expert at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, told the Kyiv Independent. "To force Moscow to seriously consider negotiating a ceasefire, Trump needs a better bargaining position vis-a-vis Moscow. Yet, he does not want to use the few 'trump cards' in his pocket, because he is afraid of escalation. Russia will not take him seriously until he backs his warrior rhetoric up with an actual show of strength."

Trump is said to be interested in a peace settlement between Ukraine and Russia, while Putin is interested in complete victory.

Concerns about the war potentially escalating into a nuclear conflict are one of the most powerful tools at Putin's disposal.

Russia has regularly used nuclear threats against Ukraine and the West as a bargaining chip. Most recently, Putin oversaw a test of Russia's nuclear forces on land, sea and air on Oct. 22 to rehearse their readiness and command structure.

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"Trump is afraid of nuclear technology and nuclear weapons as a whole," Oleksandr Kraiev, head of the North America program at the Ukrainian Prism think-tank, told the Kyiv Independent.

Read also: Trump takes aim at Putins oil lifeline  China and India still hold the key

Putin's military posturing

Putin is also trying to persuade Trump that Russia has the upper hand in the war, analysts say.

"Putin can scare Trump into believing that Russia cannot be defeated," Kraiev said.

Volodymyr Dubovyk, head of Odesa National University's Center for International Studies, also argued that "Putin keeps saying that Russia's victory is inevitable."

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"Europeans and (President Volodymyr) Zelensky try to disprove this with facts and maps, and then Putin launches into his convincing enterprise," he added. "It is like tugging Trump in different directions from time to time."

Speaking during a visit to a military hospital in Moscow on Oct. 29, Putin claimed that two of the fiercely contested cities  Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast and Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast  were encircled.

Putin added that Russian forces would be prepared to cease fire in the respective areas "for a few hours" so that Ukrainian and foreign journalists could enter, speak to Ukrainian soldiers, and "confirm for themselves the state that these surrounded forces are in."

Ukrainian commanders' reports, as well as open-source data, show that Putin's claim of a complete encirclement is still far from reality.

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Read also: Trumps war mediation: 8 months of shifting between Ukraine, Russia

Zero-sum game

Although Putin's tricks appeared to work for some time, there are obvious limitations  Trump is said to be interested in a peace settlement between Ukraine and Russia, while Putin is interested in complete victory.

The plans for a Putin-Trump meeting were shelved on Oct. 21, with the U.S. president saying that he did not want a "wasted meeting" with Putin. He said that a key problem was Moscow's refusal to cease fighting along the current front line.

Trump went even further on Oct. 22, when he imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil.

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Putin's envoy Dmitriev arrived in the U.S. on Oct. 24 in an effort to repair bilateral relations, but so far, no progress has been made.

Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said that "the Trump-Putin meeting appears to have been canceled following the call between (Russian Foreign Minister Sergei) Lavrov and (U.S. Secretary of State Marco) Rubio (on Oct. 20)."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. on Aug. 15, 2025. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP via Getty Images)

"His conversation with Lavrov seems to have convinced Rubio that Russia is still pursuing its maximalist war aims and that another meeting between Trump and Putin, like the meeting in Alaska, would fail to produce any meaningful progress," he added.

Nizhnikau also said that "most likely (Trump) realized that without 'substance on the table' it would be another public humiliation for him  Alaska 2.0  which he clearly does not want."

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"He was clearly offended by the perception of Alaska in the West and does not want to repeat that," he added.

Read also: Trumps Russia sanctions a shock to Moscow, may deal serious blow to oil giants, experts say

Why doesn't Russia accept Trump's overtures?

The key problem is that Russia has constantly rejected Trump's proposals for a ceasefire and freezing the front line. Instead, Moscow has stated that it would agree to a ceasefire or peace deal only if it amounted to Ukraine's de facto capitulation.

Russia's latest demands include Ukraine's full withdrawal from parts of the country's Donetsk Oblast that it still controls and a ban on any proper security guarantees for Kyiv, such as foreign military presence or NATO membership.

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"Obviously Russia's perceptions, calculations and goals have not changed at all so far: the war is ideology driven and Trump's 'carrots' do not matter," Nizhnikau said. "Moscow still firmly believes that time and resources are on its side and that it is winning the war."

Russia believes that "the longer they continue the war, the better it will be for their strategic goals in Ukraine, i.e., better geospatial positions for the military, more territorial gains, a more worn-out Ukraine, and so on," according to Nizhnikau.

"So, in their calculations, they don't have to accept such a deal at this moment at all, and, if they are forced in the future, the same type of deal will still be on the table, including hypothetical deals with the U.S.," he added.

William Wohlforth, a professor focusing on international relations at Dartmouth College, also argued that "Putin assesses he can get what he wants in Ukraine by continuing the war."

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"He says he believes the U.S. and Europe are declining powers and so will ultimately have to bend to Russia's determination to dominate Ukraine," he added. "He says he is interested in normal relations with the U.S., but apparently only if the U.S. abandons Ukraine."

Read also: Russia-Ukraine peace talks are dead, for now. But were they ever alive?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Two men died during a record-breaking rainfall that drenched the New York City metro area Thursday afternoon  a 39-year-old man found unconscious and unresponsive in a flooded basement in Brooklyn, and a 43-year-old man who died in a flooded basement boiler room in Manhattan, police said.

First responders found the man unconscious and unresponsive in an inundated basement near Kingston Ave. and Rutland Road in Prospect Lefferts Gardens around 5 p.m., according to police. He was rushed to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The mans identity was not immediately released, but a police source and several friends at the scene identified him as Aaron Akaberi.

Akaberi lived in the basement apartment. He was staying there with a few guys when the basement flooded. He went back in to save his dogs, said Aymen Kadri, 35. He got one out and went back to rescue the other. He was electrocuted, and then he drowned, Kadri said. I just came from the hospital.

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They had to get a whole diving team to get him out, said Akaberis roommate Akiva Schulman, 25. He looked like what you see in a movie. He looked like a dead body that had been fished out of the river. His body was covered in leaves. The whole basement was flooded right up to the first floor, and then 3 more feet, Schulman said.

In Manhattan, a 43-year old man was found dead in the boiler room in a flooded basement in Washington Heights just before 5 p.m., cops said.

Meanwhile, tornado damage threatened New Jersey residents, and a flash-flood warning was issued for Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx until 5 p.m. by the National Weather Service as torrential rains and gusty winds whipped through the New York City metro area Thursday.

Central Park was swamped with 1.8 inches of rain, breaking the record of 1.64 inches set in 1917, according to the NWS. LaGuardia Airport was hit with 1.97 inches, smashing the 1955 mark of 1.18 inches.

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Wind gusts up to 50 mph accompanied the storm, according to the NWS. New York City residents are warned to expect sudden bursts of heavy rain, reduced visibility and possible power outages from downed trees or power lines, the citys emergency management center posted on X.

After briefly subsiding tonight, strong easterly winds were predicted starting Friday morning and strengthening through the evening.

In Brooklyn, the intense downpour flooded streets, with social media posts appearing to show cars partially submerged in several inches of water.

City Councilwoman Susan Zhuang cautioned people to avoid Eighth Ave. in southern Brooklyn, with flooding impacting traffic and street vendors.

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The storm created a hectic afternoon for New York City transit straphangers, with delays throughout Brooklyn.

G train service on the cross-borough Brooklyn-Queens line was suspended in both directions between the Bedford-Nostrand station and Court Square shortly before the evening rush, with flooding near the Greenpoint Ave. station in north Brooklyn.

Nos. 2 and 5 trains were experiencing delays in East Flatbush after water inundated the tracks near the Newkirk Ave. station. Water on the tracks of the Fourth Ave. line near the 86th St. station in Bay Ridge was causing delays on the R train. The L was also hamstrung by the weather as water on the tracks between the Bushwick-Aberdeen stop and the Wilson Ave. stop caused delays on the Canarsie line.

A downed tree near Sheepshead Bay on the Brighton subway line had also caused delays for the B and Q trains, though that tree had been removed by late afternoon.

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Euclid Ave.-bound C trains were running express between Hoyt-Schermerhorn and Broadway Junction as crews worked to remove water from the tracks at Utica Ave.

The Long Island Expressway was closed in both directions at Springfield Blvd. in Queens due to flooding, according to the NYCEM.

Heavy rain is expected on and off until about 10 p.m. Queens is under a flood advisory until 8 a.m. tomorrow.

With Rocco Parascandola
Stephanie and Tom Sifrit in Bradenton on October. 27, 2025 (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

Stephanie Sifrit is on a mission to persuade the Florida Legislature to require nursing homes and assisted-living facilities to allow residents to install video monitoring devices in their rooms.

Sifrit and her husband Tom appeared before the Manatee County legislative delegation on Monday to make their case in advance of the next regular legislative session, slated to start Jan. 13.

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Stephanie Sifrit placed her mother in a Bradenton facility in February 2021 due to her severe dementia and Alzheimers disease. Sifrit says that on three separate occasions she asked the nursing home administrator for permission to install a recording device in her mothers room but was told no. The administrator, she said, denied her request because of privacy concerns for the long term care staff who care for the residents.

The Sifrits allege Stephanies mother was sexually assaulted at the facility on or about March 4, 2021, approximately two-and-a-half weeks after she entered the facility.

After the alleged incident, the Sifrits filed a lawsuit in 2023 claiming negligence and a breach of fiduciary duty, but the case was ultimately dismissed after the company declared bankruptcy in 2024.

Stephanie Sifrit told the Phoenix she also filed a complaint regarding the incident with the state Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), but was told by the agency the allegation wouldnt be investigated. AHCA did not immediately respond to the Phoenixs request for comment.

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I implore you to hear my request, to my plea, and now my cry, which is on behalf of thousands of vulnerable citizens who are in their difficult end-of-life journeys and cannot self-protect, self-defend, nor self-advocate, Sifrit told the panel of Republican legislators, including Senate President Designate Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton.

Sifrit, a high school teacher, has created a website highlighting the issue and along with her husband has been calling on state legislators to enact laws permitting families to place cameras in their loved ones rooms. Approximately 20 other states allow for the use of so-called granny cams.

Im here to ask you to please fight for the patient, Sifrit added to the lawmakers on Monday. Currently in the state of Florida, the [nursing] home can say, No, no cameras here. And you can be evicted or they can retaliate. Please sirs, please represent my voice in Tallahassee. I am your constituent, and I am advocating for vulnerable people.

The Sifrits story of abuse may not be unique.

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The Tampa Bay Times reported in 2023 that nursing homes were cited 83 times in 2022 for putting older adult residents at risk of immediate danger. Between 2019 and 2022, the paper reported, the number of serious allegations levied against nursing homes with the state were double the amount for the previous six years.

Legislation hasnt moved

Florida legislators have filed bills over the past several years addressing the issue, with little success. During the 2025 regular legislative session, a granny cam bill was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Ileana Garcia, R-Miami, and in the House by Rep. Susan Plasencia, R-Orlando.

Mrs. Sifrit testified on behalf of Plasencias bill earlier this when it was considered by the House Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee. Representatives from the Florida Health Care Association, the Florida Senior Living Association, and the Florida Assisted Living Association all spoke out against the measure.

Senate Health Policy Committee Chair Sen. Colleen Burton, R-Winter Haven, never brought the companion bill up in committee for consideration and ultimately the legislation failed.

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Tom Sifrit says that he and his wife have heard a lot of reasons from lawmakers and officials in the long term care industry who have resisted such legislation, including privacy concerns for the other residents and their visitors as well as the long term care staff who care for the residents.

And while some of those concerns have merit, Sifrit told the Manatee County delegation members, resident safety is more important.

I want you to imagine that its your mother. Its your wife. How many of these reasons would matter? he asked.

Industry opposition

There are differences between nursing homes and assisted living facilities (ALFs).

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An ALF provides personal care services in the least restrictive environment. ALF residents must be able to move independently or with the help of devices like walkers or wheelchairs. Nursing homes treat more frail residents and provide nursing care, case management, and health monitoring, as well as personal care.

There are more than 3,000 ALFs in Florida, and close to 700 nursing homes in the state, according to the USF School of Aging Studies.

As of Wednesday evening no bills authorizing the use of granny cams had been filed for the upcoming 2026 session.

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Bijou Ikli, the CEO of the Florida Assisted Living Association, said many of its member facilities already allow cameras to be installed. Its a facility by facility decision.

Not all ALFs are equipped to do this effectively, she told the Phoenix in an email this week. Unlike skilled nursing facilities, residents in assisted living communities are generally more independent and mobile.

She adds that individuals and families have choices when it comes to placing their family and friends into ALFs. If placement decisions are based on whether cameras are permitted, individuals can choose a community that allows them, Ikli said.

I would not oppose legislation that requires ALFs to make public their policy on cameras and audio recordings in resident rooms to help consumers make informed choices and perhaps establishes reasonable parameters for their use to protect the dignity of residents, visitors, staff, and other health care professionals involved.

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The Florida Health Care Administration (FHCA) is the states largest nursing home association in the state. A spokesperson said the FHCA is waiting to see any legislation before taking a position.

However the group opposed the legislation in 2025. In testimony before the House Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee earlier this year FHCA representative Jen Lawrence said at this time we would like to cast our vote in opposition.

FHCA Senior Director of Strategy & Communications Kristen Knapp says the use of surveillance cameras carries several challenges, and that its important to remember that cameras observe, they do not protect.

Knapp said that cameras would provide access to footage of residents in their most intimate moments including bathing and using the restroom and could reveal conversations with physicians. She added it could also be complicated when there are roommates involved and lead to potential violations of federal health privacy laws.

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We recognize that technology continues to evolve, but its important to balance the growing digital dependence with the expectations that our residents have for privacy and independence, Knapp told the Phoenix in an email.

The Sifrits have championed granny cam legislation for the last several years but in that time Stephanie Sifrit has become less optimistic of its passage.

She shared in a phone interview with the Phoenix this week that one member of the Bradenton City Council told her she was trying to move a mountain.

Sifrit replied, I know Im trying to move a mountain, to protect people from being raped, neglected, and abused.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
In Silver Springs, below glass-bottom boats full of tourists, rampant pollution feeds slime that coats river grass and a limestone floor that once shone like ithad been polished.

In Homosassa, swimmers dodge spiderwebs of gunk that float to the surface and cling to the anchors of pontoons.

In Weeki Wachee, home to Floridas famed underwater mermaid shows, volunteers dive intosprings that should be dazzlingly clear to remove heaps of stringy algae tarnishing the water.

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State leaders know septic tanks around spring-fed rivers spread millions of pounds of nitrogen that fuel destructivealgae blooms.

Yet they allow builders across Florida to add thousands every year, a cheap, fast option thats led to sprawling development on pristine scrubland  along with rising pollution.

Lawmakers have defied recommendations that they mandate inspections to find the dirtiest of the states estimated 2.6 million septic tanks, repeatedly caving after pressure fromhomebuilding and real estate lobbyists.

Their stalling is part of a decadeslong pattern. Time and again, the state has failed to take action to cut contamination  at the benefit of the industries that cause it.

Tap to read more.
Jeremy Prendergast remembers the first time he truly experienced Halloween in a Chicago suburb in 2016.

My wife wanted to go out to her parents subdivision in (Napervilles) Century Hill and go trick-or-treating. And I was like, Why are we going all the way over there? the 48-year-old said, noting that they were living in a condo across the street from Naperville North High School at the time.

When he got to the neighborhood, the Massachusetts native understood why.

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It was insane, Prendergast said. The amount of decorations that were up, people had all these little creative things going on, little hidden tricks and stuff. One guy was in a gorilla suit.

That experience inspired Prendergast and his wife to do something fun themselves when they had a house of their own.

What started with just one fog machine and a ghost hanging in a garage in 2018 is now a major Halloween operation for the Prendergast family, complete with eight fog machines, a green laser vortex tunnel and a spider trick they play on visitors.

He has dubbed the experience The Fog Bog: a smoky Halloween yard display reminiscent of a swamp with a thick mist.

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Located at 225 Ridgefield Lane, it has attracted hundreds of visitors from both Naperville and across the suburbs.

When Im out there working on The Fog Bog, people will stop their car and theyll get out and theyll say, Hey, Im so-and-so. I live down the street. Thats my house over there, Prendergast said.

Some neighbors step in to help with the construction needed to bring the bog to life.

Its kind of just like a sense of community with this neighborhood, that we all kind of rally around it, Prendergast said. We have a big pizza party on opening night. (There was) probably like 50 people there this time, and all the kids are running around and it was cool.

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After their first Halloween display in 2018, Prendergast decided he wanted to go bigger. In 2019, he started using dry ice to help manipulate the fog.

If you take dry ice and if you can let the fog, as it comes out of the machine, go through a cooler filled with dry ice  it stays closer to the ground, Prendergast said. Then you kind of get that creepy, swampy effect.

When the family found themselves spending $100 a night on dry ice, they bought a new machine that created the same effect, he said. When 2020 rolled around, they acquired more fog machines and, because of the pandemic, they had a little more free time to make the decorations even more elaborate.

We built that whole (house) facade out of Styrofoam and quarter-inch plywood sheathing and two-by-threes, Prendergast said. We added some machines that do like a scissor arm that comes out, and all these pneumatic prop controllers. We have six of them right now, plus a chimney controller, where you can control the smoke coming out of the chimney.

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The decorations have gotten bigger and bigger every year.

This year, theyre doing a Ghostbusters theme to accompany the fog. The scene is full of Slimer ghosts, mannequins dressed in proton packs and two inflatable Stay Puft Marshmallow Men.

We have the table. We call it the magic table, Prendergast said, referring to the scene in the first movie when Dana comes home from the store to find her groceries have taken a demonic turn.

We have the grocery bag, we have a carton of fake eggs, and then we have three fried eggs on the table that are fake as well, and then a bag of Stay Puft marshmallows sitting there, Prendergast said.

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The magic happens with the push of a button, which any visitor can touch.

So when you push the button, it lifts the table towards you, so you can see whats on the table. And then right after it goes up, theres a little air blaster underneath the curtain, and it shoots the curtain out at you in a safe manner, he said.

And if that wasnt enough, Prendergast also has a spider trick he and his family pull on visitors. As people turn the corner to see the house or as they walk through the laser vortex, he communicates with his two daughters via walkie-talkie to drop a giant spider in front of them.

Some people scream when the spider falls in front of them. Others are tickled by it.

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Whoa, thats pretty cool, Jean Karels said as a spider fell in front of her one Friday night. The 62-year-old drove out from Joliet to check out the display.

Frightening decorations arent all the home has to offer. The Fog Bog is partnering with A Pint for Kim to help raise awareness on the importance of donating blood. The campaign was started in honor of Kimberley Benedyk Sandford, a Naperville mother who died from cancer.

Prendergast is also hosting a fundraiser for the American Red Cross called Fog-It-Forward.

cstein@chicagotribune.com
Demand has doubled at a Washington, DC, food bank over the past few weeks, while another in Texas has been forced to dip into emergency hurricane reserve funds to meet demand. Meanwhile, a Florida charity is giving out 300,000 meals per day but, an official there says, still its not enough.

After a nearly monthlong government shutdown, the looming suspension of federal food benefits in November is poised to put millions of Americans at risk of going hungry  and food banks and other charities across the country face a bleak outlook as they head into a busy holiday season.

More than a dozen large and small charitable nonprofits told CNN they have exceeded their ability to help and warned that the level of support they can provide will fall far short.

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The real impacts are starting now, said Brian Greene, CEO of Houston Food Bank. Theres been some uptick, but nowhere near what were going to see by the time we get to early November.  its going to be unprecedented.

With Thanksgiving just weeks away, hundreds of thousands of federal workers who have been furloughed or forced to work without pay are becoming new faces at food banks and other charities, which are also bracing for more demand as the Trump administration signals that it doesnt have the funds to provide food stamps to nearly 42 million Americans next month.

Those factors combine to form a perfect storm that will push charities past their brink, said Miette Michie, a board member of the Emergency Food Network, which serves parts of central Virginia. The volunteer-based food distribution site has consistently been at capacity since the shutdown began, Michie said  at which point all the volunteers can do is tell people to call back the next day.

It makes you angry.  Youre messing with peoples lives here, Michie told CNN. This is not just a game, its actual people, working people, whose lives are being affected by this.

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Dave Silbert, who leads So What Else, a food bank in Washington, DC, told CNN that its brought a level of chaos and uncertainty.

How do we expand? he asked. How do we go from 450,000 pounds of food to 550 or 600,000 pounds of food a week? How do we go from raising $300,000 a month to $400,000 a month?

Members of the National Guard pack food at a Los Angeles Regional Food Bank facility in Los Angeles, California, on October 29, 2025. - Daniel Cole/Reuters

States rush to provide support

States across the country are working to fill the gap on their own.

California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and South Carolina Republican Gov. Henry McMaster have deployed their states National Guard troops to support food banks, and Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican, has signaled hes prepared to do so as well.

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New Mexico, Minnesota, Washington and West Virginia have announced millions in funding to support relief programs, while Virginia, home to tens of thousands of federal workers, is setting up its own food-assistance system for residents who receive SNAP benefits. That program is expected to cost $37.5 million a week and can be funded through November from the states surplus, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Tuesday.

But not every state is able to match federal funding. Several nonprofit directors told CNN that food banks were always meant to supplement, not replace, federal aid programs and that the timing of this influx of need will only further stretch social safety nets.

Residents in Georgia, for example, receive about $250 million in SNAP benefits monthly. Food banks distribute only about $4.5 million worth of food each month, said Amy Breitmann, the CEO Golden Harvest Food Bank, which serves 24 counties in that state and South Carolina.

The food bank is supposed to be the safety net underneath SNAP, right? Breitmann said. Its not supposed to replace that.

Partially empty shelves line the Harvesters food bank warehouse in Kansas City, on October 28, 2025. - Emily Curiel/Kansas City Star/Getty Images

Food banks already reeling from federal cuts

The surge in demand at food banks across the country comes months after the Trump administration terminated millions in funding for a program that allowed food banks to buy food directly from local farms, ranchers and producers.

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Greg Higgerson, Chief Development Officer of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, said that theres been an erosion of the federal food support, over the past year. A quarter of the food the Second Harvest Food Bank distributes comes from the Emergency Food Assistance Program, he explained.

Between the shutdown and an already-lost millions of dollars from federal budget cuts this year, the situation is unprecedented for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, a charity that has scrambled to launch pop-up shops in areas with the most SNAP-reliant and federal-worker-heavy communities, said president and CEO Amy Beros. Her group lost $2 million when the local food purchasing program was cut earlier this year and had roughly 80 truckloads cancelled from the Emergency Food Assistance Program.

We know theres no way for the food banks to fully fill the gap, Beros said.

CNNs Britney Lavecchia, Karenia Murry and Linda Gaudino contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- More than 40 million people may be without access to adequate food beginning Saturday if the government shutdown continues.

Full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will not go out to recipients as they usually would beginning on the first of the month, unless the government makes contingency funding available through congressional action.

It has not been announced whether or not this will happen, but Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says there are not enough funds to provide benefits.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture shared a letter with UPI stating that contingency funds are "not legally available to cover regular benefits." It explains that contingency funds could only be used for purposes like the Disaster SNAP program, providing food to disaster areas.

However, during President Donald Trump's first term the USDA used reserve funds to provide funding for regular SNAP benefits during the government shutdown in February 2019.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says there are not enough funds to provide full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. File Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI

The USDA notified the state agencies that administer SNAP benefits earlier this month, directing them to delay sending out funds until further notice.

On Tuesday, 25 states filed a lawsuit against the federal government to force it to release funding for SNAP. According to the lawsuit, SNAP benefits have never been delayed since the program began.

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A group of 23 attorneys general responded to Rollins and the department in a letter, asking for clarification on its contingency plan.

The SNAP program has an estimated $6 billion in funds held in reserve in the case of lapses such as this.

"USDA's Oct. 10 letter is in considerable tension with Congress' directives," the letter from 23 attorneys general to the USDA and Rollins said. "Because many states must send the necessary files to their vendors several days before the start of the month, complying with the Oct. 10 letter has already guaranteed that November benefits will be delayed for many SNAP recipients that live in states with deadlines that have already passed."

One in eight Americans receive SNAP benefits.

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Sharon Parrott, president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and former U.S. Office of Management and Budget, said in a statement that the Trump administration may also use its authority to supplement contingency funding for SNAP.

"The administration itself admits these reserves are available for use," Parrott said in a statement. "It could have and should have taken steps weeks ago to be ready to use these funds. I know from experience that the federal government has the authority and the tools it needs during a shutdown to get these SNAP funds to families. Even at this late date, professionals at the Department of Agriculture and in states can make this happen."

Local food banks and pantries across the country are already seeing increases in need due to layoffs and government workers being furloughed during the shutdown. As the winter months and the holiday season approach, food insecurity increases and more people look to food banks for assistance.

Cyndi Kirkhart, CEO of Facing Hunger Foodbank in Huntington, W.V., told UPI that about 20,000 more people are using her organization's services. Facing Hunger Foodbank serves 17 counties, including 12 in West Virginia's Southern Coal Fields and counties in Kentucky and Ohio.

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"We started seeing the increases a couple weeks ago, frankly," Kirkhart said. "A lot of our communities are very rural and remote so transportation and food access has always been a challenge. Right now with the very high demand it's exponentially so."

Calls to the food bank have increased by about 50%, according to Kirkhart. Its service area is marked with a significant elderly population, as well as people who work for the Coast Guard.

Many new visitors are facing food insecurity for the first time.

"There are lots of new faces," Kirkhart said. "On Friday, we had 25 families show up at the food bank for emergency food boxes when over a month we may see 50 total."

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Last week, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey approved $1.1 million in emergency funding to West Virginia food banks in preparation for a disruption in SNAP benefits.

Kirkhart said her food bank could still use more volunteers to box and deliver food and more donations. Proteins like peanut butter, canned meat, soups with meat and meal extenders are the food items that are most needed.

"I would encourage anyone across the country to really look around for your local food bank and your local pantry. Check on your neighbors and folks that have transportation difficulties," Kirkhart said. "Who's at fault doesn't matter when everyone is suffering. We're all uncertain and the more we can do with one another, for one another, the better off we are."

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank serves about 1.1 million people per month in Los Angeles County, the most populated county in the United States. According to Victoria Lasavath, marketing and communications manager, the food bank works with 600 nonprofit organizations across the county to distribute food.

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About one in five Californians face food insecurity. According to the California Association of Food Banks.

The California National Guard is lending help to food banks like the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank by preparing food kits. Gov. Gavin Newsom has approved $80 million in state funds to aid food banks.

Lasavath said the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has received support through the Los Angeles County wildfires and COVID-19 pandemic. It will look to the support of its community again.

"This next patch of uncertainty, I do feel confident given the support we've seen -- our community is very engaged," Lasavath said. "It's inspiring. It's hard to predict also depending on how long the shutdown lasts. From what I've seen firsthand a lot of people do want to help."

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People in the Los Angeles County area can find resources near them by searching their zip code on the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank website. Other organizations across the country have similar features to find and connect with resources.

"Whether this is the very first time you are experiencing food insecurity or maybe you've experienced it before or know somebody, we want to empower anybody in our community to seek out the help and we want to take away any stigma or any shame in reaching out for any resources that are here for this reason and beyond," Lasavath said. "The food bank and our partners, we are committed to providing food assistance during this shutdown, during the holidays, but also all year. We want people to feel comfortable to seek out the food that we all need."

The Oregon Food Bank and more than 200 other organizations in the Beaver State have joined the call for the USDA to use contingency funds to deliver SNAP benefits.

Sammi Teo, public policy advocate for Oregon Food Bank, said in a statement that more than 750,000 Oregonians rely on SNAP.

"A delay in SNAP benefits will have an immediate and devastating impact on our communities," Teo said. "Hunger is a policy choice. We can choose to end it by protecting programs like SNAP. Without timely action, hunger will deepen and more Oregonians will go without meals."
Sharon Barton said she is grateful for the $300 she and her daughter receive in federal Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits, even though the money runs out long before the month is over.

My thing is I try to spend no more than $100 a week, said Barton, a 38-year-old permanently disabled woman from Pennsauken with searing chronic pain, severe asthma and other health conditions.

But come Saturday when the new month begins, the balance on her electronic benefits card will drop to zero.

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Bartons family is one of about 800,000 people in 400,000 households in New Jersey that will temporarily lose SNAP benefits beginning Nov. 1. Natiownwide, about 22 million households are expected to lose their benefits.

The news frightens Barton, who said she wishes she was well enough to work and didnt need to rely on anyone else for help. Im afraid I really dont know what the future looks like for me, she said.

SNAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But with the federal government shutdown dragging on a full month and Republicans and Democrats in Washington locked in a stalemate over how to resolve it, elected officials, food bank operators and families in New Jersey are bracing for a food emergency not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are treating this like a disaster, said Triada Stampas, president and CEO for Fulfill, the food bank that serves more than 90,000 people in Monmouth and Ocean counties every month.

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Fulfill would have to triple its food supplies to meet the need of everyone it serves now, she said.

The major food banks serving New Jersey are taking stock of our assets on the ground and sharing information in coordination with one another, to mitigate the greatest harm, Stampas said. We are asking for additional support from our government partners, just as we are asking for support from the community.

On Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, and Senate President Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, announced the state will immediately release $42.5 million  half of the $85 million earmarked in the state budget for the entire year  to the six largest food banks. They will share the money with hundreds of soup kitchens and food pantries across the state.

Murphy, a Democrat, also took a swipe at the Trump Administration for not tapping a $5 billion SNAP contingency fund to maintain the program, as the federal government has done before.

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The Trump Administrations decision to abandon the over 800,000 New Jerseyans who rely on critical SNAP benefits during one of the longest federal government shutdowns in our nations history is morally reprehensible, Murphy said. In New Jersey, we will continue to coordinate across government and with our partners on the ground as we navigate the fallout from the federal governments failure to act in the best interest of the American people."

In a memo last week announcing the upcoming suspension of SNAP, the USDA said it cannot use the contingency fund for regular SNAP payments. The fund is meant for victims of natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods.

The best way for SNAP to continue is for the shutdown to end, according to the USDA memo. If not for Congressional Democrats blocking government funding, November SNAP benefits would be paid on time.

The main sticking point in the government shutdown is the anticipated loss of tax credits next year that help reduce the cost of health coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Democrats want to reach an agreement to renew the tax credits  and prevent millions of people from seeing their premiums double  before they agree to reopen the government. Republicans say they wont negotiate the health care dispute until after they vote to reopen the government.

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Earlier in the week, state Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced that New Jersey had filed a lawsuit with 24 other states to challenge the Trump Administrations decision to illegally withhold the emergency SNAP money.

This is especially devastating in the month of November, when families are gathering and demands on food banks and pantries are heaviest, Platkin said.

A federal judge in Boston hearing the case Thursday challenged the Trump administrations argument that SNAP benefits could be suspended for the first time in the food aid programs history because of the government shutdown. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani indicated she may issue a ruling as soon as Thursday night on the fate of the program.

Sharon Barton is feeling punished by the political gamesmanship.

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Please dont do this to people like me, who are struggling to survive, said Barton, who is diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome, a rare neurological condition that compromises her ability to use her arms and legs. I didnt ask to be sick. I want to work, I wish I could work and feel like I am part of something. But I cant.

SNAP serves 813,000 New Jersey residents, including 340,425 children and 176,706 senior citizens, according to the Murphy Administration. The federal government pays about $170 million a month to keep the benefits flowing to New Jersey. The state also contributes up to $95 per month per household for a total expenditure of $1.8 million.

People ages 18 to 59 who are not disabled and meet income guidelines must work to receive SNAP cash benefits, which are loaded on a debit card every month. For example, a household of two people would qualify for SNAP if the familys annual income does not exceed $39,132.

Stampas of Fulfill suspects some people wont realize SNAP benefits are suspended until they go to the grocery store and try to pay with their cards. People who seek help from Fulfill will receive a crisis box with enough non-perishable food to give families three to four days of breathing room, she said.

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As critical as the SNAP program is to keeping people fed, the number of people relying on food banks, soup kitchens and pantries has not let up since the pandemic, when schools and many workplaces closed and people couldnt work.

Its been one thing after another in the last five years. Once the public health emergency was over and people went back to work, the prices rose so much higher than salaries and wages, Stampas said.

There was a 50% increase in the number of people seeking food this summer versus last summer, she said. To see that increase in a year is not normal.

Volunteers distribute meals to 2,000 families at Kean University

Lisa Pitz, the director of Hunger Free New Jersey, the leading statewide anti-hunger advocacy organization, predicted food banks and pantries will return to the pandemic-era strategy of asking people to drive up and open their trunks so volunteers can quickly distribute food supplies.

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This is a crisis, Pitz said. Planning to go into emergency mode is justified.

The Community Food Bank will receive $22.5 million, the Food Bank of South Jersey and Fulfill Monmouth and Ocean will each get $6.3 million, Mercer Street Friends will get $4.6 million and Norewescap and the Southern Regional Food Distribution Center will each get $1.27 million, according to Murphys announcement.

We are stepping forward to support the organizations and individuals who are working selflessly to prevent our fellow residents from going hungry, said Scutari, the state Senate president.

Coughlin, the second-most powerful lawmaker in the state Assembly, said accelerating the delivery of state grants to food bank is just one strategy in addressing the suspension of SNAP benefits.

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Addressing food insecurity, the speakers signature issue as a lawmaker, requires we stand up with a unified voice and get engaged. This is a call to arms for the state of New Jersey support their food pantries in a way they have not generally, he said.

A list of local food pantries and food banks may be found at the nj211.org website or by calling 211.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.




There is food on the shelves and in the fridges of the Mechanicville Area Community Service Center. For now.

"By tomorrow, we'll be wiped out again," Megan Quillian, the organization's executive director, said Wednesday morning as she and other workers prepared to distribute food to the group's clients, who filled the parking lot outside.

The next distribution is on Tuesday. But between now and then, several hundred thousand residents of the Capital Region and Hudson Valley will likely not receive their food stamps as a result of the federal government shutdown.

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Barring a last-minute change from the U.S. Department of Agriculture or a legal victory in a lawsuit brought against the department by 25 states, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments will not be dispersed on Nov. 1.

The impending cuts have pushed organizations like Quillian's, regional food aid groups, and the broader charitable food system to its breaking point. Even without the missed payments, need has never been greater.

MORE: Find a food pantry near you in the Capital Region

"We had 20 new households last week, and we have continued to see in a week what we used to see in a month," Quillian said. "(We serve) an average of 110 households, which is upwards of 300 to 400 people."

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The Mechanicville Area Community Service Center relies on donations from the public and corporations and is part of a large network of other pantries that receive food supplies from the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. Since the current crisis came into view earlier this month, Quillian and other professionals working on issues of food insecurity have been sounding the alarm that charitable groups are no substitute for direct federal nutrition aid.

"We are not designed to be a grocery store. We are a Band-Aid," Quillian said. "We cannot feed people all month long. It's never going to happen."

Mechanicville Area Community Service Center executive director Megan Quillinan said the center's food pantry is seeing increased demand. (Will Waldron/Times Union)





Mechanicville Area Community Service Center employees Tom Minor, top, and Michelina Cardente, bottom, unload donated food pantry items that were collected from a nearby church. (Will Waldron/Times Union)





SNAP is a $100 billion program, and the Department of Agriculture has around $8 billion in contingency funds, which exist to support the department's operations during a government shutdown. New York Attorney General Letitia James has signed onto the lawsuit seeking to distribute those funds to SNAP recipients. In the meantime, Gov. Kathy Hochul has "fast-tracked" $30 million in aid to support 16 million meals across the state in addition to $11 million in aid to food pantries, announced last week.

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"While I've said repeatedly that no state can backfill these devastating cuts, I am committed to ensuring New Yorkers do not go hungry this holiday season and am taking action to support the families suffering the consequences of Republicans' cruelty," Hochul said earlier this week. "Republicans in Congress voted to rip health care and vital services from millions of New Yorkers, and my administration and the people of New York will continue holding them accountable."

Across New York, approximately 2.9 million people - about 15% of the state's population - receive SNAP benefits. That includes 200,901 in Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren and Washington counties as of 2022, according to Federal Reserve data. That number has likely increased as food insecurity has worsened in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley.

Natasha Pernicka, the executive director of the Food Pantries of the Capital District, said the $41 million is woefully inadequate for the current crisis. She acknowledged that while the state has a limited ability to provide additional aid, the funding Hochul "fast-tracked" was already included in this year's state budget through the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program and Nourish New York.

But even if that state assistance constituted new funding, it would not come close to the purchasing power provided by SNAP. Pernicka said SNAP purchases at grocery stores and other eligible retailers in just Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga counties amount to $13 million per month.

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"I've been in the nonprofit human services sector for almost 25 years, and I've never gone through anything as devastating as what we're experiencing right now," she said.

Some municipalities were committed to helping fill the funding gap. City officials in Newburgh said Wednesday they would contribute $100,000 in emergency aid to feed families affected by SNAP cuts. Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano said the city will reallocate $10,000 in federal funding to provide emergency relief for families affected by the SNAP cutoff.

On Thursday afternoon, after this story was published, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger announced a series of emergency measures to help the approximately 18,000 county residents who receive SNAP benefits. The county is redirecting nearly $350,000 to three of its largest pantries - People's Place in Kingston, the Rondout Valley Food Pantry in Stone Ridge, and the Family of Woodstock, which operates pantries in Woodstock, Ellenville and New Paltz.

The county is also creating an emergency food fund in partnership with the charitable organization Community Foundation of the Hudson Valley to support smaller food pantries. Donations can be made online and the funds are expected to be distributed as early as next week.

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Other municipalities sought to fill the gap by starting food drives. Schenectady County officials said they would collect food donations at county library branches and office buildings through Oct. 31. Albany County officials said they would collect donations for SNAP recipients at all county buildings.

But Albany County Executive Dan McCoy warned that the county likely cannot backfill SNAP payments for its residents, which he estimated would cost about $6.2 million per month.

"I'd go bankrupt in three months," McCoy said Monday at a news conference.

Across the state, food banks were bracing for an influx of families seeking emergency assistance. The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York - which currently serves 355,000 people every month from north of Westchester to the Canadian border - said the ongoing federal shutdown has the potential to create a "perfect storm" for the state's poorest residents.

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In the Hudson Valley, where expensive housing and a rising cost-of-living disproportionately burden low-income residents, several food pantries told the Times Union they are seeing an uptick in new clients that is likely to grow in the coming days and weeks.

"We have already been getting more calls from people seeking food," said Jamie Levato, executive director of Fareground, a food-access nonprofit based in Beacon.

While the nonprofit sees new people every week, Levato said volunteers noticed a marked uptick in emails and calls on Friday, one week before the SNAP benefits were set to lapse. Levato said the organization was committed to meeting the increased demand at its free marketplaces, Friday night drop-in dinners and food delivery programs, and encouraged anyone in need of assistance to ask for help.

"We know a lot of people will skip meals or eat less or delay asking for help because they are so uncomfortable doing it," Levato said. "We don't want that to be a barrier for anyone."

The Mechanicville Area Community Service Center's food pantry shelves were thinly stocked on Wednesday. (Will Waldron/Times Union)





For Lydia, a 38-year-old Mechanicville woman who receives SNAP benefits and has used the Mechanicville Area Community Service Center since 2019, the services the center provides are a crucial lifeline. She works at Price Chopper, the only grocery store in town. She also volunteers with a local fire company and at the community service center.

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Her paycheck goes to paying for the increasingly expensive necessities of life. "The money I get paid goes toward my bills," she said. "It goes to rent, my phone, internet."

She tends to get her perishable food at the food pantry and her shelf-stable items at the grocery store. "Pasta is cheaper than a bag of apples," she said. With the expected influx of new people seeking assistance, Lydia, like many of the pantry's other guests, is worried she will no longer be able to obtain the produce and meat she has come to rely on.

Carmen Perez, 71, receives SNAP benefits and has already begun to cut back ahead of the cuts.

"I'm just rationing everything so I have enough to get me through," she said.

This article originally published at Food banks warn of devastating' consequences of looming SNAP lapse.
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 30: Istituto Marangoni, the global leader in fashion, art, and design education, marked its 90th anniversary with the grand unveiling of its new Milan campus, Palazzo Turati, and a landmark XC | 90 Fashion Show during Milan Fashion Week 2025. The initiatives solidify the institution's 'Creative State of Mind' mission, a vision of blending nine decades of heritage with pioneering innovation to shape the next generation of creative industry leaders. A New Home for Creativity -- Palazzo Turati: Starting in September 2025, Istituto Marangoni Milano officially relocated to the stunning Palazzo Turati, a neo-Renaissance architectural masterpiece built in the late 1800s. Located in the heart of Milan, between the Duomo and Castello Sforzesco, this five-floor, 9,000+ square metre historical building serves as the school's new epicentre for fashion, beauty, and luxury education. The new campus seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, featuring restored historical elements, such as refined frescoes and intricate sculptural details, alongside state-of-the-art facilities, including advanced photography studios, 3D printing workshops, and digital media suites. Palazzo Turati is set to welcome students from over 100 countries, offering them an immersive journey where Milan's cultural legacy meets cutting-edge creative practice. XC | 90 Fashion Show -- A Generational Manifesto: The 90th anniversary celebration culminated with the XC | 90 Fashion Show held on September 27, 2025, at the stunning Galleria Meravigli, just steps from the new campus. Titled XC | 90 (symbolising the threshold between completion and infinite potential), the event showcased the bold collections of ten selected third-year Fashion Design students. The show was judged by a distinguished jury of industry heavyweights, including figures from ZEGNA, Versace, and Vogue Italia. The front row reflected the event's cultural significance, drawing a cross-section of creators, editors, and cultural voices, including artist Pietro Terzini (author of the "Creative State of Mind" claim), prominent digital commentators like Hanan Besovic, and editors from leading publications. The collections themselves were a manifesto of extremes, featuring monumental volumes, unexpected colour layering, and designs that challenged traditional gender and form, all set to an innovative, AI-influenced soundscape by composer Emiliano Zelada. The event confirmed the school's position not just as a custodian of fashion heritage, but as the essential platform for the voices driving the industry's future. Celebrating 90 Years of Legacy: Founded in Milan in 1935, Istituto Marangoni marks its 90th anniversary as a driving force of style and innovation worldwide. The celebration highlights include: * FUTURES ARCHIVE Exhibition: A groundbreaking exhibition, produced in collaboration with Vogue Italia, which reimagined nine decades of Italian fashion through the lens of contemporary student creativity. * Global Expansion: The school has evolved into a global network with schools in Milan, Florence, Paris, London, Dubai, and more. Istituto Marangoni remains dedicated to empowering ethical and innovative creative talents, ensuring that its legacy continues to shape the future of the global creative community. Global Opportunities for Indian Students: The Mumbai campus of Istituto Marangoni offers comprehensive courses in Fashion Design, Fashion Styling, Fashion Business, and Interior Design. Students enrolled in these programmes benefit from the school's vast global network, which facilitates unique progression opportunities. This allows students to complete the initial year(s) of their programme in Mumbai and then transfer their studies to continue their 2nd or 3rd year at the prestigious European campuses, including the recently inaugurated Palazzo Turati in Milan, as well as London and Paris. This pathway ensures that Indian talent gains an unparalleled international perspective and real-world exposure in the global capitals of luxury and design. About Istituto Marangoni: Founded in 1935 in Milan as the Istituto Artistico dell'Abbigliamento Marangoni, Istituto Marangoni boasts over 90 years of success in training top professionals in the worlds of fashion, design, and luxury. With a legacy spanning four generations of students from five continents, it has been the launching pad for more than 45,000 luxury industry professionals, including names such as Domenico Dolce, Alessandro Sartori, Gilda Ambrosio, Julie de Libran, Dario Vitale, Francesca Nicoletti, and Rahul Mishra. According to recent research by Doxa, the Group records a significant employability rate of 91%, further confirming the quality of its educational programs and the high level of preparation of its graduates. Today, Istituto Marangoni welcomes approximately 5,000 students each year from 108 different countries across its schools in Milan, Florence, Paris, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Dubai, Riyadh, Miami*, and Shenzhen*--all key international capitals of fashion, design, and luxury. Istituto Marangoni is ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide in its fields according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. *Licensed Schools (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.)
OGDEN (KSNT)  A local food bank is stepping up to help government employees and military personnel who are suffering from shortages amid the shutdown.

Federal employees in Kansas are about to go an entire month without receiving a paycheck due to the government shutdown that began on Oct. 1. The Flint Hills Breadbasket anticipates that active-duty military could be in trouble, especially servicemembers who rely on benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The Flint Hills Breadbasket is set to hold a food drive exclusively for active-duty military and government employees who arent getting paid. However, this isnt the only group pitching in to help.

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Flint Hills Breadbasket in urgent need of donations due to gov shutdown

Catholic Charities is hosting a similar food drive while groups like the American Red Cross and the Stronghold Food Pantry are donating items near military installations in Kansas. We spoke with the director of the Flint Hills Breadbasket to learn more about the effort being made to help federal employees and military servicemembers.

We are going to continue showing up and continue serving people, and every organization Ive spoken to is saying the same thing, said Karla Hagemeister, executive director of the Flint Hills Breadbasket. Were going to keep doing what were doing. I know that were going to see a lot more people, that theyre going to be first time visitors to us maybe, so we want them to feel welcome. We want them to feel like they are valued and respected.

A bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would fund SNAP during the shutdown. Kansans can expect to lose their benefits at the start of November if the bill fails to move forward.

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She will be deeply missed: Susie, oldest female chimpanzee in human care, dies in Kansas zoo

The food drive hosted by the Flint Hills Breadbasket will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2 at 220 Willow St. in Ogden. You can learn more about the breadbaskets mission in the community and how to pitch in to help by visiting its website.

For more crime 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

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
THOMASVILLE  The Classmates 1973 Thomasville, Alumni, Affiliate Members group recently completed a barbecue chicken fundraiser.

Committee members Gwen Price and Deborah L. Gilmore led the fundraiser, supported by contributors Robert M. Gilmore, Mary Jackson Gilkes, Clarisa Jones, Janet Bradley, Juliana Hoskins, Edward and Denise Gilmore, Stephanie Gilmore, Joe Gray and Macia Mathis. The team worked together to market, organize and facilitate the event.

Partnering with the pastor at Unity Westend Methodist Church, Thomasville High School gave the group a workspace to prepare carryout chicken dinners on Oct. 18.

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Robert Gilmore said the group launched the fundraising drive to support scholarships for disadvantaged high school students, help people experiencing homelessness in Thomasville, Lexington and Davidson County, and assist other local organizations.

"Our committee is about giving back in various ways and asking for nothing in return," he said. "God is the key to our vision and order outsteps to do his will to be good servants and service to his disadvantage people. We are driven committee focus on action."

The fundraiser sold 270 dinners, surpassing the initial target of 250. A total of $4,287 was collected.

Additionally, the group is operating another fundraising event  the Homeless Care Package and Backpacks Drive  through Nov. 15. Funds will be used to purchase items to be given to the homeless. The goal is to serve 300 people. Also, fund wills be used for scholarships and other needs.
GULF SHORES, Ala. (WKRG)  Gulf Shores is the site of the 4th Annual Coastal Alabama Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival, according to a news release.

UPDATE: 24-year-old man shot Tuesday night on First Court

The festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8-9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Town Green area of Gulf Shores, with free admission.

Enjoy some of the regions top food trucks with everything from BBQ to gyros, seafood and desserts, as well as craft beers, canned cocktails, and wines or teas, lemonades, and coffees.

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Additionally, there will be vendors with artisan crafts and boutiques.

Mobile City Council shuts down Phat Tuesday Sports Bar

Whether youre a foodie, a craft beverage enthusiast, or simply looking for a fun day outdoors, this festival has something for everyone, the release 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 WKRG News 5.
With Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits on hold, Arizona food banks are stepping up to fill the gap for residents who may struggle to afford groceries in the days ahead.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is suspending SNAP benefits starting in November. In Arizona, SNAP is known as Nutrition Assistance.

The SNAP suspension  a result of the federal government shutdown  prevents the state from distributing benefits until federal funding is released.

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Families can use any funds loaded onto their EBT cards before Nov. 1.

Food banks across the state say they are preparing for an influx of Arizonans seeking help as the shutdown drags on.

Were seeing SNAP recipients who are getting a little nervous, said Milt Liu, president and CEO of St. Marys Food Bank. Were working really hard to make sure that we have enough food so we dont expect to turn anyone away.

About 855,000 Arizonans  about one in nine residents  rely on SNAP for groceries, according to the Arizona Food Bank Network. Nearly half are children, with others including seniors, people with disabilities and working adults.

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The suspension will affect more than 433,000 households statewide, who were notified by text and email on Oct. 23 that their benefits could be delayed.

Food banks in Arizona are already dealing with unprecedented levels of need, and the disruption to SNAP means many more people will be accessing the emergency food network, said Terri Shoemaker, executive vice president of the Arizona Food Bank Network.

Liu said St. Marys  the states largest food distribution center  is preparing for a surge in demand. The organization supports more than 700 partner agencies across nine counties and serves about 50,000 visitors per week.

People in need of food assistance can visit stmarysfoodbank.org, where an interactive Find Food Near Me button lets users search by ZIP code to find nearby food pantries and partner agencies.

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Arizonans can also find statewide resources through the Arizona Food Bank Network, which lists hundreds of emergency food providers across the state, and by calling 2-1-1 Arizona for real-time help.

Where to find food in Arizona

Below are several locations across Maricopa County that provide free groceries and meals. Most food-distribution sites ask for a photo ID and proof of current address or residency in the service area but may assist even if you dont have documentation. Be sure to check the rules for your local pantry.

St. Marys Food Bank

Website: https://www.stmarysfoodbank.org/

Phone: 602-242-3663

Locations and hours: Phoenix Neighborhood Food Center 3131 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017 Open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Surprise Neighborhood Food Center 13050 W. Elm St., Surprise, AZ 85378 Open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Chinle Neighborhood Food Center Our Lady of Fatima Church, Highway 7, Chinle, AZ 86503Open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.



United Food Bank

Website: unitedfoodbank.org

Phone: 480-926-4897

Service areas: United Food Bank focuses on the East Valley and communities in Pinal, Apache, Navajo and Gila counties. The organization has an interactive map to find its 120-plus food pantry, mobile market and meal site partners: https://unitedfoodbank.org/findfood/.

East Mesa Food Bank

Website: https://azfoodbanks.org/maps/east-mesa-food-bank/

Phone: 480-989-9827

Location: 752 S. Ellsworth Road, Mesa, AZ 85208

Hours: Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Honor Health Desert Mission Food Bank

Website: https://www.desertmission.com/food-bank/

Phone: 602-870-6062

Location: 9229 N. Fourth St., Phoenix, AZ 85020

Hours: Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Phoenix Rescue Mission Hope for Hunger Food Bank

Website: https://phoenixrescuemission.org/hope-for-hunger/

Phone: 602-773-4344

Location: 5605 N. 55th Ave., Glendale, AZ 85301

Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Foothills Food Bank

Website: https://foothillsfoodbank.com/

Service areas: Foothills Food Bank has locations in Cave Creek, Black Canyon City, New River and Anthem. Hours vary and may require reservations at the Cave Creek location. Call 480-488-1145 or visit the organization's website for more information.

Valley View Community Food Bank

Website: https://feedingaz.org/

Phone: 623-240-0505

Location: 10733 W. Peoria Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351

Hours: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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What we know: These food delivery services are helping SNAP recipients. Here's how

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Here's where to find free food in the Phoenix area during SNAP pause
NEED TO KNOW

Nearly four decades ago, the Great Storm of 1987 struck the United Kingdom, causing around one billion pounds in damage to the affected regions

Forecasters had a difficult time predicting the storm, and initially believed  and conveyed  that it would not have a significant impact

This is considered the worst storm to hit England since the Great Storm of 1703

It has been 38 years since the Great Storm of 1987, one of the most catastrophic storms in United Kingdom history, caught the region completely by surprise  to devastating effect.

The storm first struck southern England on Oct. 15, 1987, with wind gusts reaching peaks of 100 mph, knocking down an estimated 15 million trees by the time it moved out one day later, according to the Met Office, the U.K.'s national meteorological service.

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Eighteen people died in the storm, which developed in the Bay of Biscay before traveling ashore, and thousands of customers were left without power for more than a day.

The storm caused more than a billion pounds in damage, according to The New York Times. For scale, that's equivalent to over $1.3 billion dollars with the current U.S. exchange rate.

Western Mail Archive/Mirrorpix/Getty Damage from the Great Storm of 1987 in Wales Damage from the Great Storm of 1987 in Wales

Initially, forecasters predicted heavy rain would be the main concern with the inclement weather, per the Met Office. In fact, no major warnings were issued for residents until it arrived.

By the end of the storm, though, the entire southeastern portion of England was without power, with much of the region devastated, according to the Times.

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The level of destruction was unimaginable  especially in sheltered inland areas, a 2020 Royal Meteorological Society report noted. Former police officer Douglas Stitt told the BBC in 2017 that "it looked like a bomb had hit" a village in England called Bibbenden. Another Bibbenden local, Alec Homewood, echoed the sentiment that the resulting rubble was as if "a bomb dropped on the place." Homewood's brother, Cyril Homewood, was home and killed when the storm caved their house in, the BBC said.

"Most people who lived in the south at the time will vividly remember the experience of waking up to a completely altered landscape," the Royal Meteorological Society report, written by Mark Riddaway, said. "Roofs had been blown off, with tiles scattered like confetti; cars had been flipped over, windows shattered, fences toppled; a Sealink ferry had been deposited on a Kent beach."

Phil Garner, a meteorologist with the Met Office, told the Times that with the technology available at the time, U.K. meterologists had no way of realizing that was happening. He added, It had to be a sort of by guess or by God type of thing.

Television meteorologist Michael Fish told the newspaper that models showed the storm pass south of England and go over France instead. I dont think there was any inkling whatsoever, until quite late, that this thing is going to take a different track, he explained.

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Fish even appeared on a broadcast at the time and reassured viewers who were concerned about the impending weather. Earlier on today apparently a woman rang the BBC and said shed heard there was a hurricane on the way, he said. Well, if you are watching, dont worry, there isnt.

The tracking systems were, unfortunately, gravely wrong.

John Downing/Getty Damage from the Great Storm of 1987 in southern England Damage from the Great Storm of 1987 in southern England

The storm is now referred to as the U.K.'s worst storm since the Great Storm of 1703, according to the Met Office. Fish took much of the blame for the missed forecast, though he disagreed with his critics.

I was actually quite pissed off! Fish told the Times. I had nothing to do with it  the computer was the thing that made the error  and it wasnt really right to blame an individual.

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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.



John Downing/Getty Damage from the Great Storm of 1987 in southern England Damage from the Great Storm of 1987 in southern England

A government inquiry into the storm even determined that television meteorologists did not lie when presenting their forecasts ahead of the storm, per the Times. The Met Office continues to defend the meteorologists report, as well.

It did not matter that the Met Office forecasters had, for several days before the storm, been warning of severe weather, the office states on its website. The Met Office had performed no worse than any other European forecasters when faced with this exceptional weather event.



Read the original article on People
JANESVILLE, Wis. (WTVO)  A 21-year-old man from Janesville has been arrested six months after law enforcement seized electronics in a child pornography investigation.

According to the Janesville Police Department, an initial investigation led authorities to search a home in the 600 block of North Pearl Street in April 2025.

An electronics-sniffing K9 was used to assist in the search, police said.

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Over the next several months, the devices were subject to forensic examination, which ultimately unveiled evidence that led to Wednesdays arrest.

Caleb Waite was arrested and charged with five counts of possession of child pornography.

He was held in custody at the Rock County Jail awaiting his initial court 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
As local and federal officials dive into the cause of a deadly crane collapse in Everett last week, a Denver-based forensic firm gave Boston 25 insight into where the investigation may stand.

Henry Mowry, vice president of engineering at Knot Laboratory out of Colorado, oversees the forensic engineering and visualization firm.

He said they are often deployed independently to investigate accidents as small as property damge, to deadly workplace accidents.

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Complacency can literally be a killer, said Mowry. Were trying to figure out what happened, and what happened could be very large.

The company reconstructs scenes of accidents and even will investigate material under the microscope to get a better understanding of what may have led up to an incident.

Mowry and his team have looked at crane collapses before, and were recently informed of the deadly incident in Everett that killed two workers.

Officials say the crane fell on two men when one of its cables snapped Friday afternoon.

Mowry continued, We would be looking at the failure mechanism of the cable. Do we see signs of corrosion? Were there inspections done? When were they last done? When was a load test done?

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The company is not involved in this investigation, but said other firms in the Boston area most likely are taking a closer look as they would.

Everett officials said OSHA was involved in the investigation amidst the government shutdown.

OSHA investigations are not the fastest, and Im not saying that as criticism, because theyre very thorough Mowry told Boston 25 Tuesday. Theres a lot of industry information out there about the roles and responsibilities of individuals involved all the way down to where people should or should not be during craning operations.

He said the scene requires, Complete documentation of the site as it sits. That would be with drones to get aerial views, laser scanners to preserve the site as it sits, and then a slow and methodical process of labelling and documenting everything.

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Mowry finished, Dont rest on what seems to be routine. Make sure youre doing your inspections your checks.

The red crane a the old Exxon Mobile site in Everett was still lying on its side at the scene as of Tuesday night.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A former assistant Oklahoma attorney general says state criminal investigators should look into the hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer-funded bonus payments former State Superintendent Ryan Walters paid his top staff during his time in officefollowing News 4s latest report this week exposing even more payouts.



On Tuesday, News 4 reported Walters gave a $15,000 performance bonus to his executive assistant during his last week in office.



That assistant attended McAlester High School when Walters was a history teacher there.



Records also show Walters gave his press secretarya staffer whod only been on the job for two monthsa $10,000 performance bonus in his final days.



Those payments came on top of other large, unexplained payouts to political staff News 4 has been reporting for months.

Gov. Stitt asks Oklahomans to help each other during government shutdown

So how could Walters legally do all of it?



Former Assistant State Attorney General Tim Gilpin isnt so sure he could.



You know, large bonuses, terrifically large bonuses for state employees just really doesnt pass the smell test, Gilpin told News 4 on Wednesday. When you start giving people thousands of dollars in bonuses as theyre on the way out the door, I havent heard of that before.



This week, News 4 also obtained a job offer letter sent by Walters staff in January to now-former OSDE Chief Financial Officer Spencer Wood.



That letter promised Wood a yearly bonus structure of up to $10,000.



Large bonuses in an offer letter and certainly additional large bonuses is very unusual, Gilpin said.



Its unclear whether Wood ever received any of those bonuses. He was fired in Junefour months after starting the job. News 4 obtained a copy of his termination letter.



Between his chief advisor, chief of staff, multiple communications directors, and more, Walters paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars to his top staff as each departed the agency.

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Canadian County Sheriff Deputy prevents a woman from giving thousands of dollars to a scammer

If it turns out these huge bonuses were being given to keep someone quiet, that could raise a legal question, Gilpin said. If it turns out the large bonuses were given because he has a personal relationship with these people and not based on performancewell, that raises an issue too.



Gilpin says it all warrants a potentially criminal investigation.



I was an assistant attorney general for Oklahoma, and Ive never heard of anything like this before, Gilpin said. And then I was six years on the Oklahoma State Board of Education and never have heard of anything like this. And Im sure if something like this had come up during my tenure, a lot of questions would have been asked.



When News 4 spoke with new State Superintendent Lindel Fields earlier this week, he said he was also concerned about the bonuses and pledged he will not continue the practice with members of his staff.

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.




Konstantinos "Kosta" Diamantis, the state's former director of school construction convicted of 21 felonies last week in connection with bribery, extortion, conspiracy and lying to federal investigators, wants to bring the 14-member jury pool back to federal court in Bridgeport to see whether they improperly talked about the case or saw news accounts during the trial.

Citing remarks made after the trial by the forewoman to members of the press outside U.S. District Court, attorney Norman Pattis on Wednesday filed a 13-page request for a hearing on the issue that could lead to a request for a new trial.

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"She avoided news accounts of the case during trial, noting that while she had not heard of the case before trial, others on the panel had," Pattis wrote to U.S. District Court Judge Stefan Underhill. "Her remark raises serious questions about whether potential jurors were candid with the court. The defendant therefore moves for a hearing at which jurors in the case can be asked whether they made a full disclosure of their awareness of press conference about the case prior to the commencement of evidence and whether they read press coverage during trial."

On Oct. 3, a 16-member jury pool was selected from 82 potential jurors in Underhill's fourth-floor court room. After initial interviews were conducted from a list of 12 questions, Underhill led federal prosecutors and Pattis is additional queries. By 11:30 that morning, Underhill asked whether potential jurors had heard of the case. Six people raised their hands and two were selected for the panel of 16. Two people dropped out during the first few days of the trial, including a Greenwich woman who had heard of the case but had problems arranging child care and was released by Underhill.

At the end of testimony, two of the 14 jurors were picked as alternates.

"Simple logic suggests that one or more jurors in this case were either exposed to potentially prejudicial pre-trial publicity in this case and failed to

disclose it, or that one or more jurors were exposed to potentially prejudicial publicity during trial," Pattis wrote. "Mr. Diamantis requests that this court hold a hearing at which each juror is summoned to be asked whether they were aware of media coverage of Mr. Diamantis and his cases before or during the deliberations in this case."

This article originally published at Former Connecticut school building chief wants to bring jurors back for questioning.
PEORIA, Illinois  A jury found 31yearold former deputy Sean Grayson guilty of seconddegree murder for the shooting death of 36yearold Sonya Massey, who was unarmed when he entered her Springfield home in July 2024, Reuters reported.

People reported that Massey had called 911 to report a suspected intruder at her home, but when deputies entered, bodycamera footage shows the encounter escalated after Massey picked up a pot of boiling water in her kitchen and said, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus. Grayson then drew his service weapon and fired.

The prosecution argued Grayson overreacted and violated training and protocol by shooting a woman who posed no genuine threat, pointing to the footage and testimony showing his partner believed Massey was not dangerous, the Associated Press said.

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Grayson originally faced three counts of firstdegree murder, but jurors opted for the lesser seconddegree conviction, which carries a sentence range of four to 20 years and also allows for the possibility of probation in some cases, Reuters said. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 29.

According to The Guardian, Masseys family had previously accused the law enforcement response amounted to a coverup, saying they were initially told her death was caused by an intruder or was selfinflicted.

Read the original article on cleveland.com.
New Delhi [India], October 30: Global cloud communications platform Infobip, today announced the launch of WhatsApp Business Calling, a new feature that enables businesses to make and receive voice calls via their WhatsApp Business numbers. This addition enhances Infobip's omnichannel platform by delivering richer, real-time conversations within the messaging app used by millions worldwide.

The feature allows businesses to receive and initiate voice calls globally, using WhatsApp's native interface so customers never leave the app. Calls can be started directly from WhatsApp chats, interactive messages, or deep links embedded in websites and apps, providing multiple convenient entry points. Integration with Infobip Conversations, the company's cloud contact center solution, enables customer support agents to switch seamlessly from chat to voice while maintaining unified conversation history and context.

"Our customers tell us voice remains critical for delivering exceptional service, especially for complex issues that require real-time interaction," said Mijo Soldin, VP Voice and Telecom Strategy at Infobip. "With WhatsApp Business Calling, we're seamlessly blending the convenience of chat with the immediacy of voice - within a secure, branded environment that customers trust and prefer."

Available across global markets, WhatsApp Business Calling supports industries such as retail, banking, airlines, and eCommerce by enabling faster issue resolution. By embedding app-based voice within WhatsApp, it reduces friction and ensures seamless customer interactions. Integrated reporting and billing with the WhatsApp Business Platform simplify operations and provides valuable insights.

A key advantage of WhatsApp Business Calling is branded calling: verified business profiles display the company name, logo, and checkmark during calls, reinforcing brand authenticity, combating fraud, and boosting customer trust and answer rates. This feature aligns with Infobip's commitment to trusted, safe, and branded communication channels and complements the upcoming launch of Infobip's Branded Calling ID (BCID) solution later this year.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
DISCLAIMER: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

WEBSTER PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  A former deputy with the Webster Parish Sheriffs Office has been arrested on charges of malfeasance in office and computer trespass, according to the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI).

The arrest followed an investigation initiated after Sheriff Jason Parker reported allegations of official misconduct involving former Detective Spencer White.

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Sheriff Parker informed LBI agents that White allegedly accessed state law enforcement databases without authorization to obtain personal information about private citizens and handed this information over to relatives.

The investigation alleges White searched for sensitive information, including criminal histories and DMV records, at the request of a family member from out of state.

Among the breaches, LBI agents say they found that White obtained information on a Protected Person, who was a recent victim of domestic violence in Caddo Parish.

The LBI says that evidence suggests that this was not an isolated incident, as multiple unauthorized searches conducted by White were discovered.

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Following these findings, White was terminated from his position at the sheriffs office.

On October 29, 2025, White was taken into custody without incident at the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center under a warrant issued by the 26th Judicial District Court.

He faces two felony counts: malfeasance in office and trespassing against state computers.

His bond has been set at $15,000.

The investigation by the Louisiana Bureau of 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 KTALnews.com.
(WHTM)  The fight to legalize marijuana is not new at the Capitol, but the fighter is. Former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson made the rounds, singing pots praises.

Im probably doing one of the best, the most successful cannabis businesses in the world with Tyson 2.0, said Tyson, who owns a successful cannabis company. Well, were doing really good.

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This Week in Pennsylvania

Hed be doing even better if Pennsylvania would legalize, and so would the state, which, Tyson argued, is missing out on tax revenue and jobs that its neighbors are enjoying.

Everybody else around you did that, must say something about you not knowing whats going on in the community, Tyson said. And its going to open up 500,000 jobs. Any state needs 500,000 jobs.

Not off marijuana, some argued.

Hes making tens of millions of dollars every year, and hes looking at dollars here in Pennsylvania, said Dan Bartkowiak of Truth on Weed. I dont think addiction for profit is something we should prioritize. It really should be the health and safety of Pennsylvanians.

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Truth on Weed took its fight to the streets with a mobile billboard. It said marijuana is not the benign intoxicant many believe it to be, and Tyson is not a happy warrior.

Hes a felon, and also he is the head of a company that is looking to profit off of high potency THC, all in one vapes, 91.2% THC. Thats what he is selling right now, said Bartkowiak.

Tyson doesnt duck the potency question.

Its what you like, said Tyson. Some people like THC, and some people like it low. I prefer pretty low, but I like to think. I dont want to be in the couch sleeping. I want to have my mind activated.

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He did bob and weave when asked about increased DUIs and traffic dangers.

Everybody going too slow? said Tyson. Thats the only thing that happens when you do cannabis and drive, is drive too slow. Youre going to get a ticket for driving too slow.

Cannabis control board bill introduced to manage unregulated hemp in PA

The state budgets still not done. The election is next week. The end of the year is basically here. So, legalizing recreational marijuana would be, at its soonest, on next years to-do list.

Tyson will soon learn that slow would best describe how any marijuana bill will move in Harrisburg.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Editors Note: A previous version of this article referenced a case involving a 13-year-old victim and 30 incidents at locations across Maury County. That case, per the District Attorney for the 22nd Judicial District, is still pending.

MAURY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A former deputy with the Maury County Sheriffs Office has been convicted of both rape and rape of a child.

SEPTEMBER 2020 | Maury County deputy arrested on rape, child abuse charges

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According to Brent Cooper, District Attorney for the 22nd Judicial District  which includes Maury County  former deputy Hunter Reed was found guilty of both rape of a child and rape on Wednesday.

No sentencing date has been assigned yet, Cooper added, and he will serve at a Tennessee Department of Correction facility that is also yet to be assigned.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Maury County Sheriff Bucky Rowland told News 2 he had no comment.

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.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Efforts to abolish capital punishment in Ohio are heating up with a bipartisan bill that has drawn the support of former lawmakers who helped enact the states death penalty law decades ago.

Ohio Sens. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Stephen Huffman (R-Tipp City) are championing Senate Bill 133, which would ban the death penalty in the state.

Under state law, aggravated murder is the only charge that can warrant the death penalty. Judges can also impose a sentence of life in prison without parole or grant parole eligibility after at least 20 years. The bill maintains the latter sentencing options.

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How government shutdown could affect child care in Ohio

Last week, 27 former lawmakers from the 114th General Assembly  the legislature that passed the states current death penalty statute  sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of SB 133, which awaits its first hearing. The signers encompass both lawmakers who voted for and against the death penaltys enactment in 1981, the letter states.

The letter was spearheaded by Marge Koosed, professor emerita at the University of Akron Law School, who interviewed 44 of the 57 surviving former legislators starting in 2021. Fifteen surviving members could not be reached, and a handful declined to sign, according to the document.

When those responsible for our current capital punishment system say it must go, our state lawmakers must listen, said Sean McCann, policy strategist for the ACLU of Ohio. Ohios death penalty is administered arbitrarily and unfairly, fails to deter crime and puts innocent lives at risk.

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revised architects letter September 2025.docxDownload

The former lawmakers pointed to concerns about the death penalty contributing to racial and geographic inequalities, its cost, and the possibility of false convictions.

The 114th General Assembly passed the states current statute after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a 1974-era Ohio law that mandated capital punishment for most aggravated murder convictions was unconstitutional.

Grove City residents rankled by bike path plans after paying premiums for homes

In a news release, Antonio and Huffman said the death penalty has failed as a deterrent for violent crime and prolonged the suffering of murder victims families by dragging them through lengthy appeals processes. The lawmakers additionally cited a 2014 study asserting that at least 4.1% of death row inmates are likely innocent, as well as a poll finding that a majority of Ohioans support ending the death penalty.

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Antonio has introduced bills to abolish the death penalty every legislative session since 2011. Huffman also cosponsored a proposed death penalty ban alongside Antonio in the last General Assembly. See NBC4s previous coverage in the video player above.

Ohio has not seen an execution since 2018. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine first issued an execution postponement in January 2019 and has continued to do so in the following years, citing problems obtaining drugs for the procedure.

While some lawmakers are trying to outlaw the death penalty, others are looking to revive the practice. Reps. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) and Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) are backing House Bill 36, which would permit executions by nitrogen hypoxia, a method that kills inmates through nitrogen inhalation, leading to suffocation.

Central Ohio Crime Stoppers name officer of the year

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Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is a staunch supporter of the effort, saying the state has failed to keep its promises to the families of murder victims and jurors who were tasked with the difficult decision. The dishonorable delay could and should be resolved through legislative approval of nitrogen hypoxia, Yost said.

Of the 114 people currently on Death Row, 42 of them have no further appeal  thats more than a third, Yost testified. All that prevents their sentences from being imposed is the failure of will of this states government.

Five states have authorized the use of nitrogen hypoxia, which was first used in capital punishment in January 2024. If SB 133 were to pass, Ohio would join the 23 states that have abolished the death penalty.

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.
Students at a local middle school got the chance to connect with Steelers legend Chris Hoke and learn about possible career paths.

Steelers STEM held an event at Ambridge Area Middle School on Wednesday.

The initiative is the product of a partnership between the Steelers, FedEx, Shell Polymers, U. S. Steel and Wabtec.

Its goal is to help kids navigate a future in STEM careers.

Hoke emceed the event.

You need to know these skills. You need to understand these skills so that you can be the best version of yourself every single day, so you can have a career that will bless your life and bless your families lives, Hoke said.

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A Steelers spokesperson said the initiative has impacted more than 24,000 students across the region since 2019.

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MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  A Randolph resident pled guilty Wednesday after reportedly defrauding Vermont Medicaid, according to the office of the attorney general.

Officials say that a whistleblower informed VSP investigators about 42-year-old Laura Paige back in March 2025. They were told that Paige had been submitting false timesheets and travel reimbursement claims.

Her billing and additional data was reviewed by the Attorney Generals Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit, which reportedly confirmed that Paige had committed Medicaid Fraud.

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Paige, who pled guilty in Vermont Superior Court, Orange Criminal Division, must now complete two years of supervised probation. She will also need to complete 24 hours of community service, take part in a restorative justice program and repay $18,000 in restitution.

Be aware of frauds and scams

She also agreed not to provide Medicaid services in the future, the AGs office confirms. Paige was employed at a nonprofit as a support services professional when the March investigation began.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
Oct. 30Former Whitefish Police officer Michael Hingiss is refuting allegations of racial profiling and unlawful conduct after he contacted federal immigration officials during a routine traffic stop earlier this year.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Missoula on Aug. 11, plaintiff Beker Rengifo del Castillo accused Hingiss of unconstitutional seizure, false arrest and violating his right to equal protection during the April 24 traffic stop. Rengifo del Castillo claims Hingiss' actions directly contributed to his subsequent arrest by Whitefish-based U.S. Border Patrol agents and weeklong detainment without charge at the Northwest Immigration and Customs Enforcement Processing Center in Tacoma, Wash.

Rengifo del Castillo entered the country legally in 2024 under a humanitarian parole program. At the time of the stop, a federal judge in Massachusetts had halted efforts to reverse that program.

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In his response to the lawsuit, filed Oct. 27, Hingiss denied all three counts lodged against him and requested that the court dismiss the lawsuit against him and award him attorney's fees.

"Hingiss did nothing improper or unlawful and is entitled to be held harmless and indemnified by the city ... There is no proximate casual connection between anything Hingiss did or failed to do and the injuries or damages plaintiff is claiming," wrote attorney Marcel Quinn, who is representing Hingiss in the case.

The response refuted allegations of discrimination and racial profiling by arguing that the original complaint failed to account for the "totality of circumstances" involved in Hingiss' decision to contact immigration officials.

During the stop, Rengifo del Castillo provided his driver's license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration to Hingiss, but those documents did not constitute proof of Rengifo del Castillo's legal presence in the country, according to Hingiss' response.

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In the incident report from the traffic stop, Hingiss stated that Rengifo del Castillo's vehicle registration predated his driver's license.

Hingiss admitted in court documents that he had observed that Rengifo del Castillo was non-white and spoke Spanish, a fact that is corroborated by the incident report of the traffic stop.

"Officer Hingiss also noted a limited language ability. [Rengifo del Castillo] appeared nervous during this interaction," wrote Hingiss in the report. "Officer Hingiss requested a person check through U.S. Border Patrol Spokane Dispatch. Immigration violations have been an ongoing issue in Flathead County."

Body camera and vehicle footage recorded Hingiss telling Border Patrol dispatch, "Just out with a male that only speaks Spanish, wondering if you want to check him." Those statements "speak for themselves," according to Hingiss' response.

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Hingiss remained in his vehicle intermittently speaking with Border Patrol dispatch for "more than nine minutes," according to court documents. The response states that a Border Patrol agent arrived on the scene "just as the written warning was printing out."

Hingiss handed Rengifo del Castillo's driver's license directly to the Border Patrol agent and "informed the [Border Patrol] agent that he was going to issue a warning for the traffic violation and that, because the traffic stop would be terminated at that point, it would then be up to the [Border Patrol] agents 'if you guys want to continue it, check him.'"

The lawsuit alleges that Hingiss had "more than enough time" to draft and print a written warning for the broken taillight before federal authorities arrived and that Hingiss essentially detained Rengifo del Castillo and prevented him from leaving the scene by withholding his license.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2015 that a traffic stop "become[s] unlawful if it is prolonged beyond the time reasonably required to complete the mission of issuing a ticket for the violation."

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The Police Department's internal policy on immigration violations states that "no individual who is otherwise ready to be released should continue to be detained only because questions about the individual's status are unresolved."

In his response, Hingiss denied allegations that he prolonged the traffic stop and that Rengifo del Castillo was unable to leave the scene.

"Hingiss denies any allegation that he arrested Beker [Rengifo del Castillo]," wrote Quinn.

The lawsuit includes the three counts against Hingiss as well as five separate counts against the city of Whitefish, including one count of unconstitutional seizure, one count of false arrest, one count of negligence and two counts of failure to train. Whitefish Police Chief Bridger Kelch is named in one count of failure to train.

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The city of Whitefish filed a separate response to the lawsuit on Oct. 14.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen DeSoto will preside over the case in U.S. District Court in Missoula. A hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 758-4433 or [email protected].
For the second time in a year, a Forsyth County man has been arrested in the Sanford area and accused of fraudulent activity.

David Fitzgerald Bishop Jr., 32, of Fiedcreek Court northeast of Winston-Salem is accused of accepting wire transfers in February and March amounting to $200,000 into a Navy Federal Credit Union checking account that he knew had been frozen, according to an arrest warrant issued by the Sanford Police Department. He was arrested Oct. 21 and charged with felony obtaining property more than $100,000 by false pretenses and felony obtaining property by false pretenses. He was released Oct. 23 after posting $100,000 secured bond.

Bishop previously was arrested on Nov. 2, 2024, in nearby Chatham County by the N.C. Department of Insurance on charges of obtaining property by false pretenses and forgery. He had been indicted earlier that year and accused of obtaining $290,483 in delivery jobs from Wilson Brothers Milling Co. after presenting a fake $1 million liability insurance certificate.

Those charges have not yet come to trial.
Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribunes daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.

Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy, and give us feedback.

The state takeover of the Fort Worth Independent School District is largely based on student performance on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness  a testing system that came under scrutiny this year and led state lawmakers to replace it over concerns that it set students up for failure.

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The widespread criticism of STAAR has prompted questions about the fairness of the takeover, including whether the state should replace an elected school board and a superintendent if the test driving the decision does not adequately capture student learning.

Texas accountability system assigns school districts a letter grade each year for how well they teach children, close academic achievement gaps and prepare students for life after high school graduation. If a campus receives five consecutive failing grades, state law requires the education commissioner to either order the closure of the school or replace the districts board with a new group of leaders.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced his plans last week to replace the North Texas school districts board and name a state-appointed superintendent, saying the districts current leaders had failed the students of Fort Worth ISD.

In addition to low student performance at a now-closed sixth-grade campus, Morath pointed to data showing that only 34% of Fort Worth students are currently performing at grade level and that 20 campuses have produced academically unacceptable results for multiple years in a row.

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But that rationale has not convinced public education advocates and Fort Worth parents like Zach Leonard, who say Moraths reliance on STAAR test results to justify his decision is problematic.

Were using a deeply flawed system to determine whos going to get their district taken over, Leonard said. Until we solve the root cause, which, A, is funding and, B, is fixing the deeply flawed system in Texas  the A-F ratings and STAAR testing  were going to continue having this cycle of public school districts being taken over.

Over the course of this year, both Republican and Democratic legislators blasted the test for how poorly they said it assessed the academic performance of Texas 5.5 million public school students.

Gov. Greg Abbott made it possible for the Texas Legislature to eliminate the exam by calling on lawmakers during two overtime lawmaking sessions to replace it with effective tools to assess student progress and ensure school district accountability. Rep. Gina Hinojosa, an Austin Democrat now running for governor, said the STAAR test is rigged against Texas kids and that school districts are being set up for takeover.

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Rep. Brad Buckley, one of the Republicans who co-authored the state law eliminating STAAR, criticized the test for what he described as a high-stakes, one-size-fits-all design. Standing in the Texas House chamber, the public education committee chair said the test creates anxiety for students and teachers and that it produces absolutely no information that a parent can understand.

Republican Sen. Lois Kolkhorst said the test was made for people to fail. During a Senate floor discussion, she asked Sen. Paul Bettencourt, another Republican who played a significant role in crafting the legislation to eliminate the test, if he agreed that STAAR is not really a measure of a childs improvement. Bettencourt responded, Absolutely.

Abbott recently signed the law to get rid of STAAR, which will phase out the test by the 2027-28 academic year and replace it with three shorter exams. The governors office in a statement did not address the critiques of the test or the fairness of the accountability system. Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson, instead reiterated that Abbott supports appointing a board of managers for Fort Worth ISD to ensure students receive a top-quality education. He highlighted that the Houston school district takeover has resulted in improved test results.

Texas Education Agency spokesperson Jake Kobersky pointed to a state-commissioned study that concluded that the 2019 and 2020 versions of the test mostly aligned with Texas content and learning standards. The reports concluded that students were mostly capable of understanding what they were reading on the exam. Texas rolled out a revamped version of STAAR during the 2022-23 school year.

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Prior to the 2025 legislative sessions, the exam had long faced criticism for concerns it evaluated students unfairly. It not only determines how the state holds schools accountable for subpar academic performance, but the test also decides whether students can graduate high school and whether teachers in certain districts receive bonuses worth thousands of dollars.

Educators say that many districts have focused heavily on teaching to the test because of STAARs high-stakes nature. In the eyes of Janet Harrison, an instructor of more than two decades who was recently hired to teach literacy in the Fort Worth district, Texas children have missed out on critical learning opportunities because of their schools hyperfocus on STAAR.

Youre not preparing your students to read, write, and think, and do math, Harrison said. Basically, youre teaching them how to take one particular kind of test, and statewide  yes, we are absolutely setting our students up for failure.

Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Karen Molinar told the Tribune that she recognizes that the question of whether the takeover is fair does not change whats written in the law, which grants the education agency the authority to take action if a campus does not meet Texas academic standards. She expressed disappointment in her district for not doing more to lift students up to grade level across all subjects. Molinar also noted that if the district is doing whats best for students, it wont need to depend on trying to crack the code of an assessment.

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The Fort Worth district for years had struggled to educate its students, especially the children living in predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. Many educators, families and officials in and around Fort Worth have agreed that Texas should have a mechanism to hold school districts accountable when they do not meet the needs of students.

But for some, Texas emphasis on STAAR and the Legislatures lack of financial support in areas where districts say they need it most highlight a broader issue: The state is endeavoring to hold schools accountable while sharing some of the blame for their shortcomings.

Hundreds of districts are operating at a budget deficit after going six years without comprehensive school funding legislation, meaning they are increasing class sizes, cutting instructional staff, and shutting down schools and programs that contribute to positive student achievement. The Fort Worth district approved a $44 million deficit earlier this year.

Texas also lags behind much of the country in reading and math scores on national exams, indicating a problem not exclusive to Fort Worth, said Tiffany Clark, a Democratic member of the State Board of Education who represents North Texas.

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So to identify a school district and say there are several issues in this domain, that speaks to our state, Clark said. So as a state, what are we doing differently to prepare our students for success? Has TEA come up with a strategic, true intervention for our state as a whole, or are they targeting certain school districts?

Clark also highlighted the progress the Fort Worth district has made over the last two years, notably reducing the number of F-rated schools from 31 to 11.

Brandon Hall, a Republican State Board of Education member who also represents North Texas, said he is not a fan of STAAR. Having one test at the end of the year places too much pressure on students and teachers, Hall said, which is why he supports phasing out the test and relying on three shorter tests that allow schools to track progress throughout the year.

But he pointed to assessments like the Measures of Academic Progress, or MAP, that also show Fort Worth students struggling in critical areas. Thats a major reason why he supports the takeover.

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This is a check and a balance at the state level that was necessary, Hall said. This is the state taking accountability and saying, Things are not going well. Student outcomes are too low. Were going to step in, and you turn this around. And so I think thats accountability taking place right there.

Rep. Harold V. Dutton Jr., who a decade ago introduced the part of the state law that can trigger a takeover if a district endures five consecutive years of failing grades, said he stands by the approach.

During his time as chair of the House Public Education Committee, Dutton noticed that any time he asked school leaders about the demographic group that struggled the most academically, they would consistently point to Black boys. The Houston Democrat said he wondered why districts could make it work on the other side of town where white children made up the majority, but not in communities with mostly kids of color. He said the current law helps ensure the state can hold districts accountable for not serving the children who need the most support.

However, Dutton disagrees with how Texas unpopular standardized exam has become such a major component of the public education system.

Im not married to the STAAR test, Dutton said. But I do think we ought to have something that indicates whether our children are achieving. Whether thats the STAAR test or another kind of test, we ought to make sure that happens.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A new statewide pilot aims to raise student achievement by changing how Arkansas schools approach tutoring and how success is measured.

Forward Arkansas has launched an initiative focused on high-impact tutoring in five school districts: Little Rock, eStem Public Charter Schools, Arkadelphia, Hamburg and Texarkana. The program connects classroom learning to measurable results through whats known as outcomes-based contracting, meaning schools and tutoring providers are paid based on student performance.

So it ensures that the educational investments we make are tied directly to student outcomes and student success, said Courtney Lincoln, vice president of impact at Forward Arkansas.

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Teacher retention rate high at White Hall High School

Under the high-impact tutoring model, students meet with the same tutor in small groups at least three times a week for 30 minutes or more during the school day. Forward Arkansas leaders say that consistency, along with data-driven accountability, is key to long-term academic growth.

We have seen evidence and the data has shown that that really does move the needle for our students and it really is improving outcomes, Lincoln said.

Lincoln said the organization wants to push schools to think differently about how they support students and use resources.

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I think that if we really are going to realize the goals that we have for our students we have to do some things differently, she said.

At eStem Public Charter Schools, the model is already in motion.

They have the same tutors every week, they get that individualized small group attention that will really help take them to the next level, said Jessi Forster, eStems executive director of operations.

UCA launches Northwest Arkansas Advisory Council to boost regional presence

Forster said the school will measure the programs success through report card growth and standardized testing data.

We want to have that 1 on 1 and small group to see the maximum results, she said.

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Forward Arkansas says the initiative is designed to help schools make smarter investments and ensure educational funding leads directly to student progress. If successful, the organization plans to expand the model to more districts across the state in the coming 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 KARK.
PNN Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 30: The Institute of Engineering & Management (IEM) and the University of Engineering & Management (UEM), Kolkata, once again illuminated the academic and creative landscape with their flagship event TechGlow 2025--a celebration of technology, creativity, and human imagination. The event, hosted at the IEM Management Building, brought together students, faculty members, researchers, and industry professionals for an afternoon of vibrant learning, critical thought, and festive fellowship. TechGlow 2025 stood as a powerful testament to IEM-UEM's mission of integrating cutting-edge scientific inquiry with holistic human development. This year's theme--"The Creative Machine: Can AI Be an Artist, Writer, or Innovator?"--sparked a deeply engaging dialogue between industry leaders and academia. The discussions explored the evolving intersections of artificial intelligence, emotional intelligence, and human creativity in a rapidly digitizing world. The expert panel featured distinguished personalities including Abhijit Chatterjee, Senior Scientist, TCG Lifesciences; Goutam Kumar Pal, Professor, Indian Statistical Institute (ISI); Sanmitra Sarkar, Senior Consultant, Capgemini; and noted filmmaker Tathagata Bhattacherjee. Their diverse insights bridged the scientific, technological, and artistic dimensions of AI, enriching the conversation with real-world perspectives and visionary thought. Moderated by members of the IEM faculty, the session delved into critical questions--Can machines truly replicate the nuances of human thought and emotion? Will AI's creative capacities complement or challenge human ingenuity? The engaging exchange underscored the delicate balance between technological progress and the timeless depth of human sensibility. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Prabir Kumar Das, Head of the Department of Basic Science and Humanities at IEM and Convener of TechGlow said, "The dialogue was not only intellectually stimulating but also deeply relevant to students preparing for careers shaped by AI and automation. TechGlow 2025 encourages young minds to think critically about the coexistence of human creativity and machine intelligence." Adding his vision, Dr. Satyajit Chakrabarti, Director of IEM-UEM Group, remarked, "TechGlow 2025 mirrors our institution's enduring mission to merge inspiration with innovation. It is heartening to witness our students and faculty engaging so passionately in redefining creativity through the lens of technology." Beyond the discussions, TechGlow 2025 also served as a platform for emerging innovators to present their work. The Project and Poster Exhibition showcased a variety of student-led projects in artificial intelligence, robotics, green energy, and sustainable technologies. Visitors and experts lauded the originality and practical relevance of the exhibits, which reflected IEM-UEM's strong focus on interdisciplinary learning and applied research. Faculty mentors and industry guests noted that several projects demonstrated strong potential for incubation and further development under IEM-UEM's innovation and research ecosystem. The exhibition not only highlighted technological brilliance but also illustrated how science, when guided by creativity, can drive positive societal transformation. As the day drew to a close, the campus came alive with the Diwali Meet, adding a festive glow to the intellectual fervour. Students, faculty, and guests joined in celebrating light and learning--symbolizing enlightenment, unity, and progress. The seamless blend of knowledge-sharing and cultural festivity gave TechGlow 2025 its distinctive character, proving that innovation and celebration can indeed coexist in harmony. TechGlow 2025 reaffirmed the IEM-UEM Group's leadership in fostering a new generation of thinkers, innovators, and changemakers. Through such landmark initiatives, the institutions continue to push academic and creative frontiers--encouraging students to humanize technology, imagine beyond algorithms, and innovate with empathy. With its inspiring mix of intellectual depth, technological excellence, and festive spirit, TechGlow 2025 left an enduring impression--truly igniting minds and illuminating futures. (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.)
What does it mean to be a student?

Almost all my life, that question has been answered by everyone except me. Growing up in a rural Indiana town of 900, education took a back seat to vocational skills that translated to high-paying jobs.

This is what employers want to see, was a constant refrain throughout my education, thus making myself profitable to an employer became the ultimate goal. Education, as it had been defined for me, was simply a means to secure employment once the learning was over.

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At some point, I was expected to stop learning and enter the real world. Education was merely a stepping stone to that world  nothing more.

Education as a means to profit

The Indiana Memorial Union on the Indiana University campus on Friday, May 23, 2025.

But the secret I held deep down was that I really loved learning. I used to tell everyone that if I could spend my whole life learning, I would be content. As I began college and pursued a journalism degree, this secret gnawed at me. I felt like I had to live a double life, fighting the one part of me that was being told to earn a degree in something practical and the other part of me that really wanted to continue asking questions and building knowledge.

Jacob Stewart: IU program cuts, anti-woke policies harm conservatives on campus

Then, I took a humanities class that had nothing to do with my major in media studies. It invited me to think critically about the U.S. and question dominant narratives of American history. This class opened up an entirely new world to me.

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For the first time, I got to define my education by asking questions and engaging in discussions that influenced my personhood. Education became a tool for personal growth and a new way to relate to the world.

Discovering the power of liberal arts

The Indiana Memorial Union on the Indiana University campus on Friday, May 23, 2025.

So, I took more classes like this. I read more books and wrote more essays than I had ever before. I expanded my mind by thinking critically of the world that surrounded me. Eventually, I added a second major in the humanities, which opened up exciting opportunities for research and creative exploration.

These experiences took me to the archives at the Sophia Smith Collection of Womens History in Northampton, Massachusetts, where I worked on a project that examined how art, writing, and media reflect questions of identity and power. I ended up combining my interests in media and the humanities to create and produce a radio program that highlighted both contemporary and historical issues of social justice. For the first time, I felt like the shaper of my own mind  of my education.

Sadia Khatri: Indiana's war on 'useless' degrees hurts all students

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Then, the Indiana General Assembly slipped language into the state budget requiring colleges to eliminate or justify keeping programs that don't meet minimum graduate thresholds. Gov. Mike Braun, through signing this provision into law, emphasized programs that offered a direct ticket to employability.

Once again, my education was in the hands of people who thought they knew what was best for me. Under House Bill 1001, Indiana has deemed many arts and humanities programs impractical. The humanities degree, which has offered me so many pathways to innovating research, to expanding my critical thinking skills, and to contributing knowledge to my local community, is considered disposable to state legislators because the value of education is only measured by its profitability.

Why autonomy in learning matters

Franklin Hall on the Indiana University campus on Friday, May 23, 2025.

If we judge education solely by its economic return, we may miss the importance of education as a tool to understand ourselves as Americans.

Without the pursuit of a broad liberal arts education, my understanding of American history and culture would remain one-sided. I wouldnt know about the lives and ideas of so many important and formative Americans. Rather, my ignorance would remain an integral part to my formation as the perfect worker.

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Opinion: Indiana's crackdown on small college programs will drive students away

Young people like me deserve the authority to shape our own paths, whether that leads to a 9-to-5 job, the pursuit of knowledge or something else. But our state legislators are stripping us of that autonomy. Their trust lies in profits and capital rather than the young minds that will shape our very state, nation and eventually the world.

We must stop them from dismantling higher education in Indiana. Our future depends on young people, like myself, having access to a quality liberal arts education  one that helps us make sense of the world and our place in it.

Brookelyn Lambright is a senior at Indiana University-Bloomington pursuing a bachelor of arts degree. Her academic work focuses on exploring questions of identity, culture and social change.

Brookelyn Lambright

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana's college program cuts make education about profit | Opinion
A Fox News guest concluded that President Donald Trump had control of a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping because of the handshake the president gave.

Trump met with Xi in Busan, South Korea on Wednesday night (late Thursday morning, local time) amid the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China, which Trump supercharged in April when he rolled out sweeping tariffs on dozens of countries. Shortly before the meeting, Trump boasted that the U.S. has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world and that China is a distant third. The president also announced that the U.S. would begin retesting nuclear weapons, which it has not done since 1992.

Before the meeting, some of which was aired live, Trump shook hands with his Chinese counterpart. The handshake so impressed Republican consultant Michelle Backus, she deemed Trump had command of the situation. On Fox News at Night, she said:

I keep thinking back to when Kamala Harris was running. And I keep thinking, thank God that we have President Trump in office and not Kamala Harris going over there and dealing with him because Ill tell you what  itd be a completely different situation. But I think President Trump knows more than anyone to keep his guard up. Theres a lot of foreign interests at hand here, and this is an America First agenda. This is what we voted for: strong foreign policy. And you even see the way hes shaking his hand. President Trump has control of that room, and I have a lot of confidence in this meeting.

After Trump and Xi exchanged pleasantries at their sit-down, a reporter asked the U.S. president about his nuclear testing announcement.

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Mr. President, why did you change your nuclear plans? she asked. Why are you gonna be doing more nuclear testing?

Thank you very much, everybody, Trump responded. Thank you very much.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post Fox News Guest Gushes Over Trump Handshake in High-Stakes Meeting: President Trump Has Control of That Room first appeared on Mediaite.
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- France changed its rape and sexual assault laws to include a lack of consent, ending a battle women's rights activists have fought for years.

In the past, rape or sexual abuse in France was defined as "any form of sexual penetration committed with the use of violence, coercion, threat or surprise." Now the law will add that sexual acts done to another without consent constitute rape.

The new law will say that if the sexual act is committed through violence, constraint, threat or surprise, then there is no consent. Consent must be "free and informed, specific, prior and revocable," and that it is determined "in light of the circumstances."

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The momentum for the change came in light of the case of Gisele Pelicot, whose husband was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging her, raping her and inviting other men to rape her while she was unconscious. There were 50 men found guilty in the case, and authorities believe there were likely about 70 of them involved.

Pelicot had the option to remain anonymous but decided to go public to break the stigma of being a sexual assault survivor.

"I have never regretted that decision," she said after the trial. "I have confidence in our ability to collectively grasp a future in which everyone, women and men alike, can live in harmony, with mutual respect and understanding."

The bill to create the law was written last year and has sparked debate among lawmakers and the public. Some said the law was insufficient to prevent sexual violence.

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"Without tackling the root of the problem, this debate would be futile," Silvana Silvani, a communist senator, said in the senate on Wednesday. She said the government should spend an extra $3 billion per year to address rape culture, The New York Times reported.

Those in support of the bill said the law will help the courts punish those who commit sexual crimes.

"We rely on existing law, we clarify it, we strengthen it, so that the justice system has a better understanding of sexual violence," Marie-Charlotte Garin, one of the two lawmakers who proposed the bill, told the National Assembly last week, The Times said.

The French senate released a report that said that at least 230,000 acts of sexual violence are committed each year in the country. Fewer than half are reported to police, and only about 8,000 end in conviction.

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In March, France's highest administrative court, the Council of State, said the new law would "clearly express ... that sexual assaults infringe upon the fundamental principle of everyone's personal and sexual freedom."

"When it's no, it's no; when it's not no, it doesn't mean yes, and it's better to check," Garin said. "And when it's yes, it must be a real yes, a yes that is not afraid. Giving in will never again be consenting."
A Paris court began proceedings Monday against ten people accused of posting or sharing online allegations that French First Lady Brigitte Macron was born male and of making malicious comments on social media.

According to the Paris prosecutors office, eight men and two women allegedly made repeated remarks about the first ladys gender and sexuality and referenced her 24-year age gap with President Emmanuel Macron as pedophilia, AP News reported.

Seven defendants appeared in court, while the remaining three were represented by lawyers. The group includes an elected official, a teacher, and a computer scientist.

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Prosecutors said the alleged harassment led to a deterioration of her physical and mental health.

Among the defendants, Delphine Jegousse, 51, known online as Amandine Roy, is accused of playing a major role after releasing a four-hour YouTube video in 2021. Another defendant, Aurelien Poirson-Atlan, 41, known on social media as Zoe Sagan, reportedly lost access to his X account last year after judicial authorities linked him to multiple investigations.

The claims  which have circulated online for years  allege that Brigitte Macron was born male under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, which is actually her brothers name.

Macron did not attend the two-day trial, which began Monday afternoon in Paris. Judges are expected to announce a verdict at a later date.

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The case follows earlier legal actions over the same allegations.

In September 2024, Brigitte Macron and her brother won a defamation ruling against two women who spread the claims, but a Paris appeals court overturned that decision in July. The Macrons have appealed to Frances highest court.

U.S. Lawsuit Against Candace Owens

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Macrons also filed a defamation lawsuit in July in Delaware against American commentator Candace Owens, her company Candace Owens LLC, and GeorgeTom Inc.

The suit alleges Owens spread the same claims  allegations the Macrons attorney has said are untrue  and ignored credible evidence to promote known conspiracy theorists and proven defamers.

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The Macrons attorney, Tom Clare, told the BBCs Under Fire podcast that Brigitte finds the allegations incredibly upsetting. He confirmed that the French First Lady will present photographic and scientific evidence to counter the claims, including photographs of her pregnancies and expert testimony that is scientific in nature.

It is a process that she will have to subject herself to in a very public way, Clare said. But shes willing to do it. She is firmly resolved to do what it takes to set the record straight.

Owens, who has nearly 7 million followers on X and over 4 million YouTube subscribers, said earlier this year she would stake [her] entire professional reputation on her allegation. Her attorneys have since filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the Delaware venue would cause substantial financial and operational hardship.

Broader Free Speech Debate Across Europe

The French trial has reignited questions about how far governments should go in policing speech online. Frances cyberbullying statutes allow for criminal penalties  not just civil liability  in cases deemed to cause psychological harm.

Critics argue that the Macron case illustrates how those laws can be used to silence controversial or offensive expression. Supporters counter that targeted online harassment deserves legal consequences.

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Similar debates are unfolding in the United Kingdom.

Social-media platforms and civil liberties groups have criticized the governments new Online Safety Act for expanding government control over digital speech.

Elon Musks X said the laws laudable intentions are being overshadowed by its breadth of regulatory reach, warning that it could increase censorship in the name of online safety, according to Reuters. The UK government rejected that view, saying the act protects both safety and free expression.

The U.S. Course Correction

The issue has also surfaced in the United States, where tech companies have faced scrutiny for cooperating with federal agencies to limit online content.

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Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg publicly acknowledged in 2024 that the FBI had influenced Facebooks moderation decisions during the 2020 election cycle  a relationship he said undermined trust.

In January 2025, Zuckerberg announced that Meta would end its third-party fact-checking program and replace it with a crowd-sourced model similar to Xs Community Notes.

Fact-checkers have been too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than theyve created, Zuckerberg said in a video message announcing the policy shift.

The decision followed criticism from President Donald Trump and congressional leaders who accused major social platforms of engaging in systematic political censorship.

A Global Speech Reckoning

From Paris courtrooms to London regulators to Silicon Valley boardrooms, governments and tech executives are wrestling with the same question: Where is the line between public safety and free speech?

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For the Macrons, that debate has become deeply personal  one that now spans both sides of the Atlantic.

Emmanuel Macron, 47, has been Frances president since 2017. The couple, married since 2007, first met when he was a student and she was a teacher in Amiens, France.
The owner of a French patisserie in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn is offering some relief to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients affected by the ongoing government shutdown, which approaches a month long with no end in sight.

Beginning Nov. 1, when SNAP benefits are expected to be suspended, Je Taime Patisserie will offer a free breakfast to anyone who presents their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card between the hours of 7:30 to 10 a.m.

If you have your food stamp card and you are hungry in the morning we will give you a free coffee or tea and a free pastry, proprietor Jatee Kearsley announced in an Instagram post Wednesday after thanking her loyal customers, adding there are no strings attached. Yeah, thats just it, like theres nothing to it.

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She told The Daily News on Thursday: I just have family members who are also suffering, so I just want to help in a small way. There really isnt any benefit from me giving away free food [but] I just know the struggles that my friends and family are dealing with. So I just want to make sure that I help them and other people in the community.

The Black- and woman-owned eatery, which has been open since 2023, prides itself on being community-focused and has stood out for being the only known specialty bakery in the area to accept EBT cards as payment.

Like, this is not like a new thing because weve been accepting SNAP from the beginning, but since its on a pause, obviously no one has money to purchase food, so thats why were doing this today, the 34-year-old Queens native explained.

Being that it is in Bedford Stuyvesant Brooklyn, and although it may seem gentrified, there are still people of all colors using SNAP and EBT, she said. The whole goal of Je Taime really was to always be able to serve the underserved and overlooked communities of New York City, regardless of color, Black, brown, white, purple. Everybody is struggling in some way.

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Located at 471 Marcus Garvey Blvd., Je Taime Patisserie has gone viral for allowing customers to use food stamps to buy its signature stuffed and topped croissant, which are baked fresh every morning.

French macarons, quiche and other sweet and savory treats are on the menu as well.

Kearsley, who is self-taught in French baking, set out to fight systemic food discrimination in communities without access to good quality food, often known as food deserts. While she hasnt seen other eateries in the area emulate her approach, she said it doesnt deter her from doing her part.

If Im being honest, I dont mind other peoples business, but I have not seen anybody else do it, she shared. I mean, Im not trying to be a trendsetter. Im just trying to be a change maker, you know. In the beginning, you know, people were making fun of me for accepting food stamps, but the community thanks me every single day that I do.

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In light of the coming SNAP suspension, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Thursday announced $65 million in new state funds for emergency food assistance to help provide 40 million meals to residents.

Kearsley said the newly-launched SNAP/EBT initiative will go on as long as the government shutdown continues.

She also encouraged her more fortunate customers and neighbors to pitch in with the effort, either by donating to her website or by paying it forward at the register in the shop.
The French lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, has adopted a resolution proposed by the right-wing nationalist National Rally party for the first time.

The non-binding text called for the termination of a decades-old agreement with Algeria and was approved on Thursday by an extremely narrow majority: 185 deputies voted in favour of the text, 184 against, and five deputies abstained.

This is the first time ever that a proposal for a legislative text or a resolution has been accepted that was submitted by a deputy from the National Rally faction, according to the National Assembly's press office.

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Former National Rally president Marine Le Pen, still a leading light in the party, wrote on X of an "immense success."

In addition to Le Pen's right-wing nationalists and their allies, the conservatives voted for the proposal. Deputies from Horizons, who are partners of President Emmanuel Macron's centrist party, also voted for the text. Numerous deputies stayed away from the vote.
PARIS (AP)  Three Bulgarian men are on trial in Paris this week for alleged involvement in spray-painting blood-red hands on the city's Holocaust Memorial, an act of vandalism that French intelligence services link to a campaign by Russia to destabilize France and other Western societies.

Some 500 red hands were painted last year on a wall honoring those who helped rescue Jews during World War II and around nearby Paris neighborhoods. The graffiti was initially viewed in the context of the war in Gaza, which has led to a rise in antisemitic incidents and tensions around Europe.

But French intelligence services say the red hands were part of a strategy by Russia to use paid proxies to divide public opinion, stoke social tensions and spread false information, according to court documents. Governments across Europe have accused Russia in recent years of a campaign of sabotage that has included paying people to commit acts of vandalism, arson and bombing attempts.

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Two defendants showed contrition

Four Bulgarians are charged in the Holocaust Memorial case, but only three are in custody and were present for this week's trial. The alleged ringleader, Mircho Angelov, is at large.

The first to testify, Georgi Filipov, said he painted the red hands in exchange for 1,000 euros to help pay child support for his 9-year-old son. He said he was paid by Angelov, and did not address accusations of Russian involvement.

I acknowledge having participated in these acts. I formally apologize to the victims, andI apologize for the damage. I also apologize to the French authorities, he told the court through translators.

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Filipov said he was a former neo-Nazi and that he might have been recruited because his social media feeds showed him with neo-Nazi tattoos and a t-shirt praising Hitler. He described the tattoos as a bad choice from my past.''

Kiril Milushev testified that he filmed the graffiti at Angelovs instruction in exchange for 500 euros. I regret having participated in this act, he told the court.

Another defendant remained defiant

The third defendant, Nikolay Ivanov, was questioned about his role in four incidents of alleged Russian interference. Born in the city of Luhansk in now-Russian occupied eastern Ukraine, Ivanov denied any pro-Russian connections or sentiments, and any responsibility for the red-hands graffiti.

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In the Paris case, he is accused of recruiting the others and buying them plane and bus tickets for the other defendants to travel from the Bulgarian capital Sofia to Brussels and then Paris, and paying for their Paris hotel. He said he did so at Angelov's request, and had only rendered a service to a friend.''

Prosecutors and plaintiffs lament the impact

Prosecutor Camille Poch said the Holocaust Memorial was chosen as a target as a means to create chaos.'' She told the court Thursday that the case wasn't just about graffiti, but about the broader repercussions of Russian interference, which she said is multiplying.''

Plaintiffs include the Paris Holocaust Memorial and the League against Racism and Antisemitism. Testifying Thursday, memorial director Jacques Fredj decried the defacing of a site where we teach tolerance, and we fight against all kinds of discrimination.'' The memorial was targeted again this year.

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The suspects face charges including criminal conspiracy or aggravated degradation of property based on race, ethnicity or religion. The prosecutor is seeking four-year prison terms for Ivanov and Angelov, and two years for Filipov and Milushev.

It was one of several strange incidents

The red hands graffiti was among several incidents over the past two years in France that bear hallmarks of destabilization campaigns, and the first to come to trial. Among others:

In October 2023, soon after the start of the Israel-Hamas war, stencils of blue Stars of David appeared on Paris buildings. French authorities accused Russian security services of stirring up controversy around the stars. Two Moldovans were detained and deported in the case.

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In June 2024, five coffins appeared at the foot of the Eiffel Tower with references to Ukraine ahead of a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Filipov, the defendant in the red hands case, said he was initially recruited to transport the coffins but testified that he backed out when he was told to put them beneath the famous Paris landmark. Three other men, born in Bulgaria, Germany and Ukraine, are suspected in the case, and a warrant has been issued for their arrest, according to the prosecutor's office.

Unusual spray-painted images and messages with references to Ukraine appeared on the streets of Paris a few days later, as Zelenskyy met with then-U.S. President Joe Biden in the French capital. Three Moldovans are in custody pending further investigation.

And last month, severed pigs' heads were found near nine Paris-area mosques, five of which had Macron's name written on them. An investigation is under way.

___

AP writer Angela Charlton in Paris contributed to this report.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  For the past five years, one Abilene family has made it their sacred mission to bring to life all that which goes bump in the night. Shannon Martinez and her daughter, Alayshia Offley, are continuing their family tradition of hosting a free, open-to-all haunted house on Halloween night. This year, the theme is a bewitching bait shop filled with frightening fishermans decor and all other sorts of diabolical delights.

I always do it big, even when were in Vegas and Louisiana and Germany and Japan. And Ive always done it big, said Martinez.

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As a military family, theyve traveled around throughout the years. But that never stopped them from bringing the fear each Halloween season.

Were spooky, I guessIts gonna be doing it when I get my own stuff, Offley said.

Martinez wasnt able to figure out exactly how much shes spent on Halloween decor over the years, aside from knowing its a lot. However, she said its all worth it to continue her parents tradition and hear those screams of joy on All Hallows Night. Offley said it was fun to grow up in a Halloween family, adding that it has given them a shared hobby that has made them who they are today.

365 days a year, my living room is a scary movie themed. My kids love it. Like, its pretty amazing, actually. And it just brings us closer together, building all this stuff, like getting through the months, you know what I mean? Its really cool, said Offley.

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Planning for next years haunt has already begun, but this year is far from over. The house is located at 7517 Olive Grove Avenue, just south of Abilene. They will be welcoming trick-or-treaters all night on Halloween.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman is leading the Indian delegation from the Department of Economic Affairs on an official visit to Bhutan from 30th October to 2nd November 2025. According to an official release, the Union Finance Minister will begin her official tour with a visit to the historic Sangchen Choekhor Monastery, established in 1765 and home to over 100 monks engaged in advanced Buddhist studies, later today. As part of the visit, Sitharaman will visit and observe several key projects being implemented with support of the Government of India. These include the Kurichhu Hydropower Plant Dam and Powerhouse, the Gyalsung Academy, the Sangchen Choekhor Monastery and Punakha Dzong. The Union Finance Minister is scheduled to call on the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dasho Tshering Tobgay. She will also hold a bilateral meeting with the Finance Minister of Bhutan, Lekey Dorji, to discuss avenues for further strengthening India-Bhutan economic and financial cooperation. As part of the official programme, Nirmala Sitharaman will attend a series of presentations on Bhutan's key developmental initiatives. These include an overview of the country's energy sector by Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC), Bhutan's 21st Century Economic Roadmap, insights into the banking and financial sector by Druk PNB and the Bank of Bhutan, and a presentation on the Gelephu Mindfulness City project. The Union Finance Minister will also visit the Cottage & Small Industries (CSI) Market, where she will witness a transaction using India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), reflecting the growing digital and financial connectivity between the two nations. In the last segment of her official visit, Sitharaman will visit the Punakha Dzong -- Bhutan's second-oldest and second-largest dzong. On the way to the Punakha Dzong, Sitharaman will also interact with Bhutanese farmers to understand their agricultural practices, challenges, and opportunities. The release added that the visit underscores India's enduring partnership with Bhutan, rooted in mutual respect, trust, and shared commitment to progress and prosperity in the region. (ANI)
NewsNation National Correspondent Robert Sherman has found himself on the frontlines of some of the worlds biggest stories: from Ukraine to Israel and across the United States. He shares what hes seeing on the ground. Subscribe to his newsletter: Frontlines with Robert Sherman here.

(NewsNation)  Greetings from South Korea.

Today Im writing to you from Gyeongju, the ancient capital of Koreas Silla Dynasty, as another chapter of the history books is preparing to be penned.

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A big day is upon us. The two heads of state representing the two most powerful economies in the world are set to meet face-to-face within the next few hours. The two sides hope to strike a trade deal. President Donald Trump is confident theyre on the doorstep of getting an agreement done.

Get fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 with the NewsNation app. Download it here.

I think were going to have a deal. I think it will be a good deal for both. And thats really a great result. Thats better than fighting, and going through all sorts of problems, Trump said, addressing the crowd at APEC Wednesday.

It is true that the trade negotiations between the US and China have been some of the most tense and consequential since the president took office earlier this year. Tariffs and retaliatory measures have at times brought commerce between the two nations to a practical halt.

Major issues still remaining between China, US

And there are still sore subjects. The president has criticized China for their punitive measures on American soybean crops. September marked the first time since 2018 China imported zero soybeans from the United States.

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Rare earth minerals and Chinese export controls on them? A key issue.

TikTok? Unresolved, but significant.

NVIDIA? The company hit a $5 trillion market cap today and continues to grow despite the fact they have effectively been pushed out of the Chinese market due to tense trade relations between the two nations.

Bruce Willis doesnt know he has dementia, wife says its a blessing

Weve taken China out of our forecast, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang explained. We are currently shipping zero dollars. Our market share has gone from 95% to zero, which is very, very, very disappointing. But nonetheless, were currently assuming China is going to be 0% of our business. And if it comes back if President Trump was able to negotiate or if China would like us to come back to China, its going to be a huge bonus for us.

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There are a lot of big issues at play here and, as you can imagine, the stakes are high. A trade deal would impact millions of Americans in sectors such as tech, manufacturing, and agriculture.

South Korea facing demonstrations this week

But its not just the United States watching all of this carefully. This week, here in South Kore,a we have seen demonstrations across the country. Some anti-Trump sentiment stems from anger over the tariff policies some here believe are hurting the South Korean economy. But other demonstrations are pro-Trump/anti-China, believing Chinese influence over the region is dangerous. Weve seen quite a few American flags waving at some of these demonstrations this week.

And then, of course, theres a wildcard to the North in Pyongyang. President Trump has floated the idea of meeting with Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.

GYEONGJU, SOUTH KOREA  OCTOBER 29: (L-R) Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Singapore, Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, U.S. President, Donald Trump, South Korean President, Lee Jae Myung, President of Vietnam, Luong Cuong, Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon and Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney clap as they pose for a group photo ahead of a dinner in honor of U.S. President, Donald Trump, at the Hilton Gyeongju on October 29, 2025 in Gyeongju, South Korea. Trump is in South Korea for the APEC meetings, following an appearance at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, and a trip to Japan, where he called on Japanese Emperor Naruhito and new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) GYEONGJU, SOUTH KOREA  OCTOBER 29: U.S. President, Donald Trump, speaks during a dinner in his honor, at the Hilton Gyeongju on October 29, 2025 in Gyeongju, South Korea. Trump is in South Korea for the APEC meetings, following an appearance at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, and a trip to Japan, where he called on Japanese Emperor Naruhito and new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA  OCTOBER 29: U.S. President Donald Trump is welcomed by South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun as he arrives at Gimhae International Airport on October 29, 2025 in Busan, South Korea. Trump is in South Korea for the APEC meetings, following an appearance at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, and a trip to Japan, where he called on Japanese Emperor Naruhito and new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

I just had a good relationship with him, Trump said Monday. I would love to see him, if he wants to, if he even gets this message. We havent mentioned anything, but he knows Im going over there. If hed like to meet, Id love to meet him.

Could Trump meet with Kim Jong Un?

In 2019, President Trump became the first U.S. President to enter North Korea during a surprise visit to the DMZ.

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The North Korean leader has been publicly warm to the idea, but is also making clear he is not interested in denuclearization. Just this week, North Korea has carried out a series of missile tests.

Kim said he still holds good personal memories of Trump from their first meetings and that there is no reason not to resume talks with the United States if Washington abandons its delusional obsession with denuclearization.

Illinois U.S. Rep. candidate among 6 indicted by feds in anti-ICE protests

Both sides are preparing to keep the lines of communication open, though meeting on this trip may prove logistically difficult.

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Nevertheless, the president has some momentum as he continues his blitz through Asia, inking trade deals in Southeast Asia, Japan and most recently here in South Korea.

The big piece on the board, China, is still in play. And the unknown variable of the equation, North Korea, is still nearby.

More to come today.

As an aside, were less than 50 days away from the release of my book, Lessons From the Front. Im overwhelmed by the surge weve seen this week with so much news coming out of the Middle East, and I humbly thank you for that. For those still interested in preordering, you can do so through Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Bloomsbury.

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Watch CBS 42 Weather Live Channel:

Frosty start to the day, with some patchy frost expected as temperatures start out in the 30s.

High pressure will build across the Southeast U.S. on Friday for Halloween. It will be sunny, breezy, and milder, with highs in the mid-60s. During trick-or-treating between 6-8 PM, it will be clear and chilly, with temperatures falling through the 50s into the 40s. Make sure kids wear a sweatshirt under their costumes! Friday night will stay clear and cold, with widespread frost. Another Frost Advisory is likely to be in effect. Lows will be in the lower to upper 30s. Protect your plants!

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Weekend Outlook: An area of low pressure will form along the coast this weekend. There is still plenty of uncertainty in the forecast models about the track and how much rain we could receive. Right now, Saturday will be partly cloudy with a low chance of rain later in the day. It will be mild with highs in the mid-60s. Sunday will be partly to mostly cloudy with a few showers and highs in the lower 60s. Watch for changes in the forecast.

Next Weeks Outlook: The Coastal Low will move east into Florida on Monday, and any rain will end. Monday will be partly cloudy and cool with highs in the mid-60s. A dry cold front will move across the Southeast U.S. on Tuesday with sunshine and mild temperatures, with highs in the upper 60s. High pressure will build across Alabama on Wednesday and Thursday with plenty of sunshine and warmer highs in the 70s. A cold front will approach Alabama from the north on Friday, making it partly cloudy with a few showers on Friday night. Highs will be in the lower 70s.

Tracking the Tropics: Hurricane Melissa is moving northeast past Bermuda as a Category 1 storm. It will race northeast into the North Atlantic, where it will merge with a non-tropical low and lose its tropical characteristics.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.




Federal employees in Connecticut missed their first full paychecks this week amid a government shutdown that shows no sign of ending.

Though many of Connecticut's more than 7,000 federal employees continue to be paid during the shutdown due to the way their agencies are funded, others have either been placed on furlough or forced to work without pay. After collecting partial paychecks earlier in the month for a pay period that began before the shutdown, they received $0 paychecks this week.

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Kevin Curtiss, New England regional vice president for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said the union's members, including about 60 in Connecticut, are generally frustrated by the situation and afraid what will happen if they miss further paychecks.

"They have financial obligations and they have families they need to provide for," Curtiss said. "And without knowing when that paycheck is going to come, you end up feeling frustrated, and there's a little bit of fear for your family and for yourself."

In recent days, the specter of a full missed paycheck has been a "massive distraction" for air traffic controllers still on the job, Curtiss said.

"Instead of resting your mind on a break, you're calling your creditors and saying, I'm not going to have money," he said.

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The situation for federal employees in Connecticut varies significantly by agency. Of the 7,304 federal workers based in the state as of September 2024, according to federal data, 3,925 worked for the Department of Veteran Affairs, whose employees mostly have continued to be paid during the shutdown. About 2,000 others worked for the National Guard, the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense, many of whose employees have been paid as well.

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Still, that leaves plenty of employees in Connecticut on furlough or working without compensation, including Social Security staff, prison guards, environmental scientists, airport security and more.

Over recent weeks, Connecticut Foodshare has visited the state's major airports to distribute groceries to TSA employees who otherwise might struggle to afford them. A Foodshare spokesperson said the non-profit had served 114 workers at Bradley Airport on Oct. 16 and 178 on Oct. 23 and delivered 56 bags of food to Tweed New Haven Airport last week.

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While some airports nationwide have begun to experience delays due to employees missing work, a spokesperson for the Connecticut Airport Authority said Bradley International Airport was "currently not seeing any operational impacts ... or widespread delays. We remain in close contact with our federal partners, and we thank the federal employees at BDL for their ongoing commitment to our passengers."

Foodshare also has supplied extra food for United Way of Southeastern Connecticut, where military members at the region's Coast Guard station and submarine base have been paid, but some other federal employees and contractors have not.

Dina Sears-Graves, president of United Way of Southeastern Connecticut, said staff has noticed a significant uptick in visitors to the organization's mobile food pantries.

"We typically see around 300 households and this time we had almost 380 households come through," she said, noting even for employees who continue to receive paychecks, "there's so much uncertainty."

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Though federal employees typically have received back pay following the end of government shutdowns, President Donald Trump has threatened to withhold payment from certain workers who "really don't deserve to be taken care of," he has said.

Unsurprisingly, many federal employees are past ready for the government to reopen. The largest union representing federal employees, for instance, has called for an immediate end to the shutdown, saying it has become too taxing for many workers.

"These are patriotic Americans  parents, caregivers and veterans  forced to work without pay while struggling to cover rent, groceries, gas and medicine because of political disagreements in Washington," Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said in a statement this week. "That is unacceptable."

Republicans, both nationally and at the state level, have seized on that statement, with Connecticut Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield, saying in a statement that employees wanted Democrats to "stop punishing the people who keep our nation running."

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Democrats, meanwhile, say Trump's administration could be doing more to stem the effects of the shutdown, such as releasing contingency funds to support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The sides have shown no significant progress toward ending the shutdown, with Democrats saying they won't vote to reopen the government until Republicans negotiate the extension of health care subsidies, and Republicans saying they are open to doing so only after the government has reopened.

Curtiss said the National Air Traffic Controllers Association's message for lawmakers in Washington is simple: "We want the government shutdown to end, the government funded and our workers paid."

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

This article originally published at 'Frustrated' federal employees in CT miss first full paychecks, airport workers turn to food bank.
Mark Richter told Action News Jax he and his wife both work for the U.S. Department of the Treasury and were furloughed more than a month ago because of the government shutdown.

Richter said they havent been able to make any money to support their three kids in weeks and have been dipping into money from their savings to stay afloat. They live in Oakleaf Plantation and hoped Clay Electric would allow them to push back their recent power bill payment to come up with the money.

Theres no payment plans or anything we can do, Richter said, [Clay Electric] told us if you dont make your payment after seven days, we will start the process to disconnect you.

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Action News Jax asked Clay Electric if it is doing anything to help customers, including those who are federal workers, who have been affected by the government shutdown. In response, Clay Electric told us, Clay Electric cannot offer direct financial assistance, waive late fees, or extend payment deadlines.

Action News Jaxs Finn Carlin followed up to ask if the company is directing customers to any resources that they may be able to utilize to get help with their power bills. Clay Electric replied, in part, by saying, Our call center representatives and member service representatives do tell members where to go to apply for assistance.

But Richter, when he called Clay Electric earlier this week, said he was never offered any resources.

They didnt tell me about any resources, no, said Richter, it was either pay, or get shut off.

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Clay Electric, unlike other local utilities, is a private company that isnt regulated by any local government or the state. Instead, its run by its own members who are customers themselves. The cooperative also operates in 15 counties running from northeast to central Florida. Even though it doesnt offer direct financial assistance, it does have a list of local resources, by county, that it offers to customers, which can be found here.

We also reached out to other power companies and utilities operating in northeast Florida to ask what services they may be providing to those struggling during the shutdown. Florida Power and Light (FPL) told us it offers both payment extensions and a care to share fund that allows customers to donate to other customers who are struggling. JEA told Action News Jax it offers payment extensions, payment plans and even ways for someone else to cover your bill for you.

Florida Commerce also has a resource that some companies, like Clay Electric and FPL, pass along to their customers. Its called the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which puts federal money toward helping eligible families pay utility costs.

Richter said his extended family came together to cover his power bill this week, but hes not sure what will happen next if the government doesnt reopen soon.

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We just want to go back to work and do the right thing, Richter said, a lot of people are in a bad situation right now, and we definitely, we feel their pain.

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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.
NEED TO KNOW

Jessica Maria Motes is accused of concealing a body after the remains of a child were found in her trunk

She told her father she "hurt" someone, according to authorities

She told him she thought the person she hurt "is dead," authorities allege

A Georgia woman is facing criminal charges after the body of a 4-year-old child was found in the trunk of her car, authorities allege.

Jessica Maria Motes was arrested on Sunday, Oct. 26 and charged with concealing the death of another person, a spokesperson for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in an email to PEOPLE.

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Motes is being held at the Hall County jail without bond, online jail records show.

The grisly crime came to light on Sunday, when Motess father saw her drive a Nissan sedan into the parking lot of a Sams Club and Walmart Supercenter in Oakwood, according to an arrest warrant obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 11 Alive and WSB-TV.

There, according to the warrant, she told her father that she hurt (redacted name) and I think she is dead.

Her father drove her out of the parking lot until they eventually encountered law enforcement, the warrant states.

The childs remains were later found in the trunk of the Nissan sedan, which is registered to Motes, the warrant alleges.

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Authorities did not specify how Motes and the child knew each other, if they did, or how the child died.

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.

The discovery of the childs body in the trunk seems to be related to a death invesgation that same day in Hall County involving Oakwood Police, 11 Alive and the AJC report.

Someone called 911 to report that a mother contacted family members about some type of injury involving her child, the incident report states, according to the AJC.

It is unclear whether Motes has retained an attorney who can speak on her behalf.



Read the original article on People
GARY, Ind. (WGN)  A Gary family is speaking out after an ICE raid at their home left them separated from each other.

The family said they were taken to the Gary Police Department before being separated.

Arnoldo Carrillo told WGN-TV his family experienced something they believe no one should ever have to go through.

I just see flashlights through my front window, and all of a sudden I hear, U.S. Marshals, open up,' Carrillo said.

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Appeals court cancels Border Patrol Chiefs daily check-ins with judge

At around 6 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, U.S. Marshals and ICE agents reportedly came to Carrillos home in Gary, giving his family minimal warning before forcing their way inside.

They just shouted aggressively. They just ran the door open. They only gave us about a minute, maybe less, before they decided to take extreme measures and bust the door open, Carrillo said.

A neighbor, who did not wish to be identified, said the raid was loud. His Ring camera picked up some of the audio.

Carrillo said his family was hit and strangled despite following the agents orders.

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They just went ahead and grabbed me, choked me around the neck. I was so sore for the next couple of days because of how hard they grabbed me. They scratched me to the floor, which is why that bruise is there, and then they decided to take a low blow and just punch me in the eye, Carrillo recalled.

Little Village council demands action against federal agents using CPS parking lots for staging

According to Carrillo, his parents are Mexican nationals who have lived in the United States for more than 20 years. He and his two siblings are U.S. citizens.

Carrillo said all five of them were detained. While he and his sister have since been released, his parents and brother remain in custody in facilities across the country.

Carrillo family (Photo: Arnoldo Carrillo)

According to the Department of Homeland Security, federal agents went to the home to arrest Rosario Arnoldo Carrillo-Lopez.

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DHS officials said on Monday, Oct. 13, the father of three rammed into a vehicle ICE officers were using to carry out a mission.

U.S. Congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh indicted after Broadview protest

During the execution of this warrant; agents and deputy marshals clearly and plainly advised in English and Spanish that they had a criminal warrant for the arrest of Carrillo-Lopez. Rather than complying with their commands, agents and deputy marshals were required to forcibly enter the home and were subsequently attacked by those residing at the residence, DHS said in a statement.

Carrillo said his family has hired an attorney to maintain their innocence and try to keep the family together.

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I just want my family back. Thats the best-case scenario, and if they are going to deport them, for a quick process. Theyve got family waiting for them. I dont want them stuck at ICE facilities. I just want them to be at peace, Carrillo said.

A GoFundMe started for Carrillos family to pay for legal fees has already raised $23,000.

Chicagos children are getting caught in the chaos of immigration crackdowns

According to the post, the family is engaged in their church community and are leaning on their faith during this difficult 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 WGN-TV.
Gavin Newsom is behaving just as badly as Donald Trump, Arnold Schwarzenegger has suggested.

The Terminator star, who was the last Republican governor of California, hit out at Mr Newsoms plans to redraw congressional districts to boost the Democrats in next years mid-term elections.

Mr Newsom, the current California governor, claims his hand was forced by Mr Trumps push to gerrymander seats in states such as Texas to maintain Republican control of the House of Representatives.

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Schwarzenegger has become a leading figure in the campaign against Mr Newsoms plans, which will be put to a public vote known as Proposition 50 on Tuesday.

It doesnt make any sense to me that because we have to fight Trump [we] become Trump, the film star told The Wall Street Journal.

Gavin Newsom plans to redraw congressional districts to boost the Democrats in next years mid-term elections - Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

I mean, two bad behaviours dont make a right.

As governor, Schwarzenegger backed moves to transfer responsibility for Californias congressional boundaries from its politicians to an independent commission.

The policy was subsequently adopted by 10 states, including Colorado and Michigan.

In August, Mr Newsom visited his predecessor in Los Angeles to brief him on his plan to redraw the five Republican-leaning districts to favour Democrats.

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Schwarzenegger said their meeting was a courtesy, because Im largely responsible [for the fact] that we have that independent commission.

Gavin Newsom is behaving just as badly as Donald Trump, Arnold Schwarzenegger has suggested - MANDEL NGAN/AFP

I said I dont agree with him on that, but lets keep it civilised, whichever way the people go, he added.

Mr Newsom has claimed his plans will defend our democracy after Mr Trump urged Republicans to secure additional seats via redistricting. His call has been taken up by states such as Texas and Missouri.

A poll by the Public Policy Institute of California showed some 56 per cent of voters planned to support Proposition 50 next week.

Despite Californias legacy of non-partisan districting, the well-funded Yes to 50 campaign has cut through by capitalising on opposition to Mr Trump in the state, where the president is broadly unpopular.

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The fight has also further raised the profile of Mr Newsom, who is considered a frontrunner to claim the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.

The California governor has deliberately played into comparisons with Mr Trump, making social media posts that ape the presidents rhetoric and echo his personal attacks on political opponents.

Currently, analysis from Princeton University shows neither party has a partisan advantage in California, which would inevitably change under Mr Newsoms plans.

Other states are heavily gerrymandered, the analysis concludes, such as Illinois, which favours the Democrats, or Florida, which is skewed towards the Republicans.

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.
California Governor Gavin Newsom says that Donald Trump wants a Putin election in 2028 and that Americans are going to lose our country, if the sitting president goes unchallenged.

Newsom added that he is scared to death about the presidents plans for the midterms and the 2028 presidential election, adding that he believes the United States is at a code red.

We won't have an election that's fair and free if we don't stand up, he told ABC News, in an interview which will be broadcast this evening, at 8.30 pm ET. We wont.

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There will not be a fair and free election. It'll be a Putin election. Was it 87% or is it 87.3%?

That's what Trump wants."

Gavin Newsom says that Trump is planning a 'Putin election,' as rumors swirl about the California Governor taking on the Republicans in 2028 (ABC News)

Newsom, who has clashed with Trump over the deployment of the National Guard into California, also shredded the incumbent presidents record in office.

"All the pardoning, all the, this, this great grift -- the biggest, most corrupt administration in history, Newsom said. Not just the $400 million plane, but the billion dollars of your tax money, as we're cutting food stamps to pay for the damn plane so he can take that toy home with his foundation when he's 93 or whatever he's done with his fourth or fifth term."

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The California Governor is a frontrunner to become the Democratic Partys nominee for the presidency. He is known for his combative political style, which has led to propose the Election Rigging Response Act.

If passed, the bill will redraw California's districting lines. Newsom backed the bill after Republicans threatened to gerrymander their own states to increase their hold on Congress.

During his conversation with ABC News, he added that a supine Congress, universities selling their souls, and the private sector are allowing Trumps administration to get away with its controversial policies.

"I'm afraid we're going to lose our country, he said. And where the hell is everybody? Why aren't we standing up to principle?"

Gavin Newsom has been a vocal critic of Trump and pioneered the Election Rigging Response Act after Republicans threatened gerrymandering in their states (Getty)

Governor Newsom has long been thought to be gearing up for a bid to win the Democratic nomination. During his ABC interview, he praised President Joe Biden as "one of the most successful presidents in the last century," but said that he would differ from the former Democratic leader on border policy.

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Many immigrants heading to America enter the country via Californias border with Mexico, an issue on which Newsom has called for reform. On Tuesday, he incensed his MAGA nemeses by hiring Michele Beckwith, a U.S. attorney fired by Trump for telling his administration to abide by the constitution on border issues.

Newsom trailed Pete Buttigeig but beat Kamala Harris in a new poll investigating who voters would back in the Democratic Primary (AP)

A bombshell poll revealed that Newsom is in second place in the race to clinch the Democratic nomination for the presidency. The survey found that 15 percent of participants backed the California governor, while Pete Buttigieg, the former Transportation Secretary, led with 19 percent.

Meanwhile, Kamala Harris, who Trump defeated in the 2024 election, came in at 11 percent. She trailed New York firebrand Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who was backed by 14 percent of the participants.

On the other side of the political aisle, the poll found that 51 percent of respondents would back J.D. Vance.

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Nikki Haley, who battled Trump for the Republican nomination in 2024, won just 9 percent of voters' backing in the recent University of New Hampshire poll.

Tulsi Gabbard, the controversial Director of National Intelligence, came in third with 8 percent of voters' support.
CBS stalwart Gayle King, who has fronted the broadcasters morning show for over a decade, is expected to step down from her anchor role on next year, according to a new report.

King, host of CBS Mornings, may switch to a different role in the news section, though this has not been confirmed, sources told Variety.

It comes following a major overhaul under CBS News new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, which has seen sweeping cuts, the loss of two streaming shows and roughly 100 layoffs, amid other changes.

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Among those to be let go were eight on-air correspondents and hosts, all of whom were women, and half of whom were people of color.

Kings existing contract with CBS is set to expire in May, per Variety, though it is possible she may stay with the broadcaster with a deal to produce her own programming.

King, who has fronted the broadcasters morning show for over a decade, is expected to step down from her anchor role on next year

The outlet notes that former CBS Evening News anchor Norah ODonnell, who stepped down in January, now works as a senior correspondent on a number of programs.

The Independent has contacted CBS News for more information about Kings reported departure from the morning show and her future with the network.

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In a statement to Variety, a spokesperson said: There have been no discussions with Gayle about her contract that runs through May 2026. Shes a truly valued part of CBS and we look forward to engaging with her about the future.

King joined CBS News as a host of the morning show in 2011 when it was called "CBS This Morning. It was rebranded to CBS Mornings in 2021, with King still as anchor. She currently co-hosts the daily show with Nate Burleson and Tony Dokoupil.

King joined CBS News as a host of the morning show in 2011 when it was called CBS This Morning. It was rebranded to CBS Mornings in 2021, with King still as anchor

Speculation around Kings future come after CBS parent company Paramount Skydance finally followed through with sweeping layoffs and cuts that had been expected for weeks.

Following the announcement, a CBS News producer who was fired as part of the cull took to social media to suggest that executives were engaging in race-based layoffs, and claiming that every producer from his team who was laid off is a person of color while his white colleagues were relocated to other jobs.

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The mass layoffs had been anticipated since chairman David Ellison took over Paramount in August following its politically fraught merger with Skydance Media. Ellison also promised the Trump administration that hed eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion policies once he took over the company.

Network source stressed to The Independent that the layoffs were in the works well before Weiss was hired earlier in October.
New Delhi [India], October 30: Babywear brand Sprog has announced a phased plan to extend its presence across India. From its base in South India, the homegrown label has emerged as one of the country's leading kidswear brands, winning over parents with its focus on safety, sustainability, and subtle luxury.

The brand aims to strengthen operations in southern markets throughout 2025-26 before moving into western hubs such as Mumbai and Gujarat between 2027 and 2028. This strategy reflects both the rising demand for premium baby clothing and the trust parents place in Sprog's approach. A key differentiator is its commitment to safety--garments made with 100% combed cotton, azo-free dyes, and designs free from irritants such as internal tags or harsh elastics. The brand also plans to introduce hypoallergenic fabrics in its future collections, reflecting rising parental awareness of skin sensitivity in infants.

Dermatologist-backed care in baby clothing:

- All Sprog fabrics are dermatologically tested to ensure complete safety for delicate infant skin.

- The brand's in-house dermatologist offers expert guidance to parents on the ideal fabrics for different skin types.

- This initiative underscores Sprog's commitment to safe, sustainable, and scientifically informed baby wear.

Inspired by the five elements--earth, water, fire, air, and space--Sprog's designs bring a distinctive identity to a crowded market. Its expansion marks a broader shift towards sustainable and quality-focused newborn wear in India's apparel sector.

(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.)
Baruch, a talented chess player and anime fan, lived in Kibbutz Beeri and had just returned from his big trip to South America before the October 7 massacre.

The remains of slain hostage Sahar Baruch have been identified through forensic testing, following his return from Gaza to Israel for proper burial after more than two years of captivity in Gaza.

Sahar was 24 years old when he was kidnapped from Kibbutz Beeri in the October 7 massacre in 2023. In the months ensuing his capture, Baruch was kept in horrendous conditions under Hamas captivity until he was killed in December of 2023 during what the IDF said was a failed rescue attempt.

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Baruch lived in Kibbutz Beeri and had just returned from his big trip to South America when he was killed. According to the Coming Home Soon initiative, an organization focused on illuminating the stories behind the hostages, Baruch was planning to start studying electrical and computer engineering at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

He was described as a great chess player who loved anime movies. His sense of humor and brains were his defining features, as his family could always count on him to raise their spirits.

On October 7, Baruch was staying in his mother's house with his brother Idan when they were attacked. Before the brothers could make it to the safe room, terrorists threw grenades into the house, severely injuring Idan with shrapnel. They eventually made it to the saferoom, but failed to lock it, so they used a cabinet to block the door.

IDF soldiers salute the bodies of hostages Amiram Cooper and Sahar Baruch. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

While Baruch was trying to treat Ilan's wound, terrorists started a fire in the house, forcing the brothers to escape out of a window. Ilan jumped out first while Baruch stayed behind, searching for his brother's inhaler.

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The two then split up, and terrorists seized and murdedred Ilan while Baruch was abducted to the Gaza Strip.

IDF fails to confirm cause of Baruch's death in failed rescue

Baruch was held in Hamas captivity for around three months before being killed during a failed IDF operation. His death had been announced on December 9, 2023 as having occurred while in Hamas's custody.

The IDF neither confirmed nor denied whether he was killed by the IDF or during the rescue attempt itself. Sahar is survived by his parents, Tammi and Roni Baruch, and his brothers Guy and Niv.

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
Anyone who looked at the situation in Gaza on Tuesday might reasonably have concluded that the ceasefire had collapsed.

Israeli forces in Gaza came under grenade and sniper fire in Rafah, according to the military, killing an Israeli soldier. In retaliation, Israel unleashed punishing strikes across Gaza that killed more than 100 people, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

The US-brokered ceasefire looked like it had disintegrated. But by Wednesday morning, both Hamas and Israel had announced they were once again committed to the deal.

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It was the second violent escalation since the ceasefire took effect on October 10. But, just like the fighting that occurred nine days later, when two Israeli soldiers and at least 36 Palestinians were killed, it was short, ending within a matter of hours.

Gazas new normal seems to be a ceasefire that is both fragile and durable. A truce that holds in general but can vanish in an instant, only to be restored within hours or days.

Until the next escalation.

This situation between all-out conflict and a comprehensive peace provides no closure: Palestinians will be in constant fear of the next wave of deadly strikes, while Israel will teeter perpetually on the brink of war.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week the ceasefire was not going to be a linear journey. It would have ups and downs and twists and turns, he said. Vice President JD Vance said yesterday there would be little skirmishes here and there. And yet both were optimistic about the ceasefire holding.

The deal was imposed in large part by the sheer willpower of US President Donald Trump, who reined in Israel, while mediators pressured Hamas to accept. It will take continued US interest to keep the deal intact, especially during the next phase, which requires the creation of an international force for Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas, among other difficult tasks.

An Israeli army flare drifts over an area in the northern Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, on Tuesday. - Leo Correa/AP

The ceasefires fragility is a function of the chasm between what the agreement has so far accomplished and what it has yet to achieve. The fighting has largely stopped. Hamas has turned over the living hostages and more than half of the deceased. Israel has pulled back to the yellow line that demarcates the first withdrawal position inside Gaza.

But in the current limbo between the nearly complete first phase of the agreement and the far more difficult second phase, which requires a more complete withdrawal and an end to the war, Israeli forces occupy more than half of Gazas territory.

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According to Muhammad Shehada, a Gaza expert with the European Council on Foreign Relations, that territory includes isolated Hamas cells trapped in tunnels and outside the militant organizations command and control. With limited resources and no connection to Hamas remaining leadership, each cell is a catastrophe in the making, Shehada says.

The closer those IDF vehicles come to a tunnel or to a hideout to those disconnected, isolated militants or the more they run out of food, the higher the chances that they emerge in battle with Israeli soldiers, Shehada told CNN. They would rather die in combat than die of starvation or wait for the IDF to find them.

After the first major violation of the ceasefire on October 19, Hamas issued a statement saying that contact with the remnants of our groups in areas like Rafah had been cut off since the resumption of hostilities in March. It is these remnants that Shehada says are ticking time bombs.

Hamas doesnt even know how many are there that are still alive, said Shehada.

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Israel and Hamas have engaged in short, sharp escalations many times prior to this war. In 2018 and 2019, the two exchanged fire in rounds of hostilities that would frequently end within 48 hours. But now these escalations are almost exclusively in one direction, with Israel unleashing its firepower on Gaza against a depleted Hamas.

More than 200 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire started, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the vast majority during two days of escalation on October 19 and 28. Three Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza during the same period.

Yoav Limor, military and defense analyst for the right-wing Israel Hayom newspaper, says more conflict is inevitable, and it will take US involvement to keep the deal from falling apart.

Hamas will remain Hamas: it will grow stronger and continue to carry out attacks. Anyone who believes it has changed does not understand the movement or the nature of the region, said Limor. That is why Washington must push forward and advance the next phase of the ceasefire deal and work to edge Hamas out of power. Otherwise, the situation could deteriorate.

People attend the funeral held at Al Ahli Baptist Hospital for Palestinians who were killed in the Israeli attack on Zaytun, despite the ceasefire in Gaza City, Gaza, on Wednesday. - Khames Alrefi/Anadolu/Getty Images

The US has sent a parade of its top officials to monitor the ceasefire and begin to create the mechanisms needed for the next phase of the deal, including humanitarian aid and the reconstruction of Gaza. It is a tremendous expense of political capital, but it has signaled to Israel  and to the region  that the White House remains engaged as all the details are still being worked out. The US is determined to keep the process moving forward, even if progress is incremental.

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In the short-term, Limor said, it is likely that the ceasefire will hold this familiar patten of violence and response. Israel is preparing for an election year during which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be wary of resuming a total war. Hamas is also looking for a hudna, or period of calm, in which it can recuperate and rebuild, he said.

To break this pattern of a ceasefire marred by violent escalations  and prevent the emerging new normal  requires major progress on some of the 20-point plans most difficult conditions, including the disarmament of Hamas and creating new governance in Gaza.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said Hamas was willing to cede power in Gaza, even as he acknowledged that Doha was trying to push them all in order to get to a point where they acknowledge that they need to disarm.

He said Hamas needs to be ready to move to the next stage of the deal. We need to make sure the Palestinians are safe and the Israelis are safe  creating a political horizon for the Palestinian people and creating a Palestinian agency that will be able to be the sole holder of arms.

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If that cannot be done, Israelis and Palestinians will remain in limbo, trapped in a short-term truce without peace that offers no long-term prospect for a solution.

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While the United States-brokered ceasefire reached between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas earlier this month has provided a sliver of respite, repeated Israeli violations have left Palestinians constantly fearful of renewed attacks, unable to resume the lives they lived before Israels genocidal war on Gaza began in October 2023, let alone begin anew.

On Wednesday alone, more than 100 people, mostly women and children, were killed and 253 others injured in several Israeli air strikes on southern Gaza, the worst violation of the ceasefire.

The Israeli army launched some 10 air strikes on Khan Younis in southern Gaza early on Thursday. This is despite Israels assertion on Wednesday of a resumption of the ceasefire after a large wave of strikes it claims was carried out in retaliation for Hamas killing one of its soldiers in southern Gaza  an accusation Hamas denies.

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According to Gazas Health Ministry, at least 211 people have been killed and 597 others injured in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire took effect.

While the ceasefire might technically exist, the sounds of the explosions, the sounds of gunfire coming from the eastern side [of Gaza], the deep mechanical hum of the drones  in the skies of the entire Gaza Strip is a constant reminder of how fragile this ceasefire has been so far, said Al Jazeeras Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, adding that it is also a reminder that peace is out of reach in this region.

People always talk about how uncertain they are, how concerned they are of the ability of the ceasefire to hold  and to reduce the level of fear and trauma they have been experiencing.

Israels attacks on Gaza are in violation of the ceasefire agreement that came into effect on October 10 under US President Donald Trumps 20-point plan. Phase one includes the release of Israeli captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The plan also envisages the rebuilding of Gaza and the establishment of a new governing mechanism without Hamas.

Where are the international guarantees that were promised?

The psychological impact of Israels war on Gaza, which has killed at least 68,527 people and wounded 170,395, on Palestinians is profound; the relentless suffering is unimaginable.

Mazen Shaheen speaks to Al Jazeera as Israeli attacks on Gaza continue [Screen grab/Al Jazeera]

Were waiting for a real chance to try and rebuild our lives. We started to pick things up again during the first week or two after the war, but then the truce was breached; thankfully, it ended quickly. We hadnt even caught our breath when the second breach happened, Mazen Shaheen, a Gaza resident, told Al Jazeera.

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Many Palestinians are losing hope due to Israels continuous breaches of the ceasefire.

Now, after the truce and the new wave of bombings on Gaza, people who had just begun to feel some sense of safety, peace, and reassurance  who believed the war was finally over  are once again living in fear, especially the children and women, Gaza City resident Hassan Lubbad told Al Jazeera.

Hassan Lubbad speaks to Al Jazeera as Israeli attacks on Gaza continue [Screen grab/Al Jazeera]

In the streets of Gaza City, people talk about how the ceasefire hasnt brought any certainty or peace, only more questions of when the next strike will happen, will it enter more easily or will there be an end to this cycle of fear? said Mahmoud.

Palestinians are determined to send a message to the world about their thoughts on the ceasefire and their expectations of the international community.

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The message we want to send is this: where are the international guarantees that were promised? Where are the mediating countries that helped broker the ceasefire and pledged to ensure its continuation? said Shaheen.

One of Shaheens friends was wounded in Wednesdays attacks. His friends condition is now stable, he said.

Suha Awad talks to Al Jazeera as Israeli attacks on Gaza continue [Screen grab/Al Jazeera]

We want a complete end to the war, a total ceasefire. We just want to live in safety. We want full commitment to the truce, not just for a week or two, only for things to return to aggression and war, Gaza City resident Suha Awad told Al Jazeera.




Despite the increased lethality in the IDF's strikes against Hamas, Israel still shows commitment to the ceasefire and the urge to avoid a large-scale invasion of Gaza.

The world is utterly lost about what is going on in Gaza and whether the war ended or keeps being on the verge of restarting.

Israel has fought two quick-and-done rounds with Hamas since it paused its larger invasion on October 4 and ultimately agreed to a ceasefire.

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Although the IDF increased the lethality of its response in the second round on Wednesday, Israel is still clearly remaining committed to the ceasefire in general terms and to avoiding another large-scale invasion of Gaza.

How is it clear that the IDF is trying to stick to the ceasefire even though it has twice hit Hamas hard?

Because of what it has not done.

A Palestinian boy inspects the site of an overnight Israeli strike on a house, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, October 29, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa)

And because of what Hamas has not done.

What was and wasn't struck in last IDF's Gaza raids

The first round came in the early days of the ceasefire when the IDF inadvertently bumped into Hamas fighters who were hiding in a tunnel in a part of Gaza controlled by the military and where the IDF had authority to explore and destroy, even during the ceasefire.

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The local Hamas forces, with no higher-up commander, instead of trying to surrender when they saw IDF forces coming toward them, ambushed the soldiers, killing two of them.

The air force then bombed dozens of low-value targets throughout Gaza.

Formally speaking, Hamas did violate the ceasefire. It attacked Israeli soldiers.

On the other hand, the soldiers were actively entering and cleaning out new tunnels.

If Israel had observed the ceasefire by merely holding onto its defensive positions and not actively pursuing exploring and destroying new tunnels until more of the framework for this new era was clear, there probably would have been no incident.

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Taking this into account, none of the dozens of Israeli targets that the IDF struck after that first incident involved either mid-level or senior Hamas commanders.

In contrast, the second round of IDF strikes, which took place on Wednesday, was fewer in number but greater in lethality and harmed Hamas at a higher level.

Over 20 Hamas mid-level commanders and a few commanders at the bottom of the senior level were killed.

Israels message was that since Hamas started another round of incidents, even after the IDF had struck dozens of low-value targets after the earlier incident, it will continue to escalate against the Gazan terror group on a step-by-step basis until Hamas falls in line.

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This more aggressive approach on Wednesday also made sense because the two Hamas attacks on IDF forces this time were more clearly coordinated and planned by Hamas commanders. This was in contrast to the first incident that came out of some local low-down Hamas forces deciding under pressure and on the fly.

And yet Israel still did not kill any brigade commanders (of which there are only five at most) or Hamas ruling council members.

Most of the commanders it killed were only mid-level company commanders (of which there could be more than 100) and only a few battalion commanders (of which there were 24 at the start of the war).

There was no major new Israeli invasion to take new territory, and not much happened with the ground forces at all.

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Also, in both instances, Israel suddenly ratcheted up the attacks and then immediately stopped, returning to a full ceasefire.

Likewise, Hamas has not been firing rockets. It also has not staged any major invasions of Israeli bases, something it successfully pulled off twice in recent months.

Rather, its purpose in attacking the IDF a second time seemed to either be to keep the IDF away from a specific spot or just to make Israel pay a cost for currently remaining in control of large portions of Gaza.

There still may be more rounds of gunfire and bombing. And if there are, some of them may even be greater escalations than what we have seen so far.

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But both Israel and Hamas are clearly trying to pressure the other side, while meticulously trying not to do anything that would fully end the ceasefire.

Whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants this situation or has been locked into this situation by a mix of the Israeli defense establishment and US President Donald Trump is secondary to the result that the ceasefire  in broad terms  has held now for almost a month, and is likely to continue.
LIMA  The Allen County Genealogy Society will meet at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Seward Folsom Auditorium of the Allen County Museum, 620 W. Market St., Lima.

The society will elect officers for 2026 and review the past years events. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Contact the society on Facebook or by email at allencoogs@gmail.com.
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  Just a few days after current Geneva County Sheriff Tony Helms announced he would not seek a fourth term, two candidates tossed their hats in the ring.

State Bureau of Investigation Captain David Hall and Timothy Forehand announced their candidacy this week.

Forehand is running on a promise that he wants to make sure those put in the system have something to fall back on.

Im gonna work real close with the community to develop a workforce program to put people in the system thats qualified that meets criteria to learn a trade, said Forehand.

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To avoid repeat offenders, Forehand says, if he impacts two lives out of twenty, that will be the goal.

On the other side of the ring, Captain Hall says he believes in integrity, professionalism, respect, and helping to improve the community.

Im invested in this community. Im invested in this county. I got grandkids that I wanna make it better and safer for them, and thats the main reason Im running is for our future, said Captain Hall.

Sheriff Helms will remain in office until a new sheriff takes up the mantle in January 2027.

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.
Embattled Director of Ports and Harbors Geno Marconi has agreed to plead guilty to one charge of violating the Driver Privacy Act and resign his position, court documents show.

The trial of Marconi, 73, on two felony and four misdemeanor indictments was scheduled to begin Monday with jury selection in Rockingham Superior Court.

Under the terms of the fully negotiated plea, filed at 3:09 p.m. Thursday in court, Marconi agrees to plead guilty to one charge of violating the Driver Privacy Act, a misdemeanor.

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In exchange, the other charges against Marconi will not be prosecuted. Marconi will receive a sentence of 30 days in jail, all suspended; will play a $2,000 fine; and must resign as ports and harbors director prior to making his plea.

Marconis two felony and four misdemeanor indictments stemmed from allegations he shared protected motor vehicle details and pier permit fee information about Neil Levesque, vice chairman of the Pease Development Authority. He has been on paid leave since last April.

The reason he was placed on leave was never announced.

Marconis wife, New Hampshire Supreme Court Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi, was convicted earlier this month on a misdemeanor of criminal solicitation for asking then-Gov. Chris Sununu to secure a governmental privilege and/or advantage in the investigation into her husband. She had been on leave for the past year until her case was resolved following a no-contest plea, after which her law license was restored and she was permitted to return to the bench.

pfeely@unionleader.com
Its been around three years since the first AI copyright lawsuit was filed. The state of play is still unclear, but winners and losers in certain cases are emerging.

So far, one of the losers appears to be OpenAI in a lawsuit from book authors, who have steadily been building a formidable case that may force the tech giants hand in forking over a big settlement ahead of trial. Earlier this week, a federal court advanced two new theories of infringement against the Sam Altman-led firm. As it stands, the authors, who include George R.R. Martin, have several outs to winning the case.

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In total, the plaintiffs are advancing three different arguments: The first is that the training of AI models on copyrighted books constitutes infringement, a common theory that most creators brought when the first wave of lawsuits were filed; the other relates to a newer argument over the practice of pirating books from shadow libraries that werent used for training; and the last is that answers generated by ChatGPT are substantially similar to the books theyre trained on.

The theory over the illegal downloading of books has changed over the course of the litigation. At first, lawyers for the authors directly connected the piracy to OpenAIs training of its models under a single umbrella. But after the various class actions against OpenAI and Microsoft were consolidated, they separated the theories and alleged that the distinct act of illegally downloading the works, regardless of whether they were used for training, constitutes copyright infringement. OpenAI jumped on the move, arguing that its opposition improperly added an entirely new claim to the case without notice.

Important to note: the one win for authors in another AI copyright case, this one initiated by Andrea Bartz against Anthropic, related to the company illegally downloading millions of books. The decision heavily leaned in favor of Anthropic, but the court greenlit that theory for trial. Anthropic later agreed to pay $1.5 billion to settle the lawsuit, despite the ruling largely siding with the AI company on fair use, which allows creators to build upon copyrighted works without a license. The lawyer heading that case, Justin Nelson, is also the lead lawyer for Martin.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein permitted the separation of the shadow library and training theories.

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The prior class complaints asserted a cause of action for copyright infringement and alleged that OpenAI impermissibly downloaded and reproduced plaintiffs books, the judge wrote. The fact that many of the allegations in the prior class complaints suggested that the ultimate purpose of the reproduction was to train OpenAIs LLMs is not dispositive.

Statutory damages for copyright infringement can reach up to $150,000, but theres no double-dipping. This means that the authors only need to prevail on one of their theories. With the court letting the shadow library argument to proceed, plaintiffs have another path toward maximizing damages.

And in one of the more surprising findings, Stein also concluded that ChatGPTs answers can possibly be found to infringe upon the books theyre trained on. It pointed to the chatbots summaries of Martins A Song of Ice and Fire.

Members of the Nights Watch, a sworn brotherhood tasked with defending the realm from threats beyond the Wall (a giant ice structure in the North), are attacked by mysterious and deadly creatures known as the White Walkers, thought to be mere legends, reads a summary of the books setting.

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Here, the court said that a reader could easily conclude that this detailed summary is substantially similar to the book because it conveys the overall tone and feel of the original work by parroting the plot, characters and themes of the original.

Outlines for potential sequels to Martins works played a part in the decision. When prompted with an alternative sequel to A Clash of Kings that diverges from A Storm of Swords, ChatGPT answered, in part, Instead of being betrayed, Robb Stark creates a surprise alliance with Renly Baratheons remaining supporters, drastically changing the balance of power in the war.

The court, which stressed that its not opining on fair use, said that a jury could undoubtedly find that the output infringes on Martins works.

With the ruling, the scales of the case have tipped in favor of the authors. Summary judgment, where the court decides which claims go to trial, will provide a clearer picture.

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DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF)  Two 20-year-old Douglas County residents have been arrested and charged in connection with a case of alleged child abuse involving their 5-month-old infant.

On August 24th, the infant was brought to the emergency room, where medical staff discovered more than 30 broken bones in various stages of healing. The severity of the injuries prompted an immediate investigation by law enforcement.

Key findings from the investigation include:

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The infant had spent the first four months of life in a NICU facility and had only been in the custody of the parents for approximately six weeks.

Interviews with pediatricians, family members, and witnesses led investigators to conclude that both parents were responsible for the injuries.

Medical professionals indicated that the injuries were consistent with prolonged and repeated abuse.

As a result of the investigation, William King and Amber Rivera, both 20 years old, were arrested and charged.

They appeared before Magistrate Judge Susan Camp for a bond hearing, where bond was denied for both individuals.

The defendants are charged with the following offenses under Georgia law:

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Aggravated Battery

Conspiracy to Commit a Felony

Cruelty to Children  1st Degree

Cruelty to Children  2nd Degree

Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder

Obstruction

The investigation is ongoing, and further legal proceedings are expected in the coming weeks.

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.
German Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan arrived in Kiev on Thursday as she sought to convince German businesses to invest in Ukraine in a bid to shore up support for the war-torn country.

"The reconstruction of Ukraine is not possible without a strong economy. That is why we continue to support the resilience of Ukrainian companies," Alabali Radovan said in the Ukrainian capital.

"Reconstruction also offers opportunities for the German economy," she added.

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The minister is set to hold talks on further German support for Ukraine, which has been under attack from Russia for almost four years.

Germany is one of the country's most important donors in its fight against the full-scale Russian invasion and recently surpassed the US as the biggest supplier of military aid.

However, Alabali Radovan's visit is focused on civilian protection, with the minister planning to hand over a firefighting robot that can be used to battle blazes in dangerous areas.

She is set to sign a number of agreements aimed at strengthening development cooperation between the two nations, while also addressing more thorny issues, including Ukraine's fight against corruption and good governance.

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Since the start of the war in February 2022, the German Development Ministry has provided 2 billion ($2.3 billion) in aid to Ukraine.

Experts recently estimated the total cost of rebuilding the country at more than 500 billion, meaning the feat is unlikely to be achieved without private or institutional investors.

Funds already exist in which investor money is combined with and secured by public funds.
Former Director General of Shipping Amitabh Kumar has said that the rapid development of inland waterways in India can be a "boon" for the agriculture sector, creating new export avenues for small and marginal farmers in riverine regions. "Inland waterways can provide small vessels, where these small cargo holders can charter a container or a small vessel and ferry it to the nearest port from where these goods can be exported," Kumar said, talking to ANI, on the sidelines of Bharat International Rice Conference 2025. "It will be a boon for the agriculture sector because uh both the Ganges belt and the Brahmaputra belt are mostly agricultural, where the land size of farmers is shrinking gradually. These farmers may not be in a position to charter a whole ship for their exports, but they would have enough surplus to export in containers. Inland waterways can provide small vessels , where these small cargo holders can charter container or a small vessel and ferry it to the nearest port from where these goods can be exported." "As of now, these states (around the Ganges and Brahmaputra basin) do not have access to exports. Inland waterways can provide that channel for small farmers to also look for exports as a market." Kumar was speaking about India's evolving logistics landscape and the government's ongoing efforts to improve shipping infrastructure and streamline trade processes. Highlighting the importance of coordination and foresight in export operations, Kumar stressed that advance planning is crucial for minimizing delays and optimizing logistics. "So when you plan your exports well in advance, you indicate the export requirements in future to the shipping lines. And when that is done on a mass basis, cumulatively, through an organization or an association, then the exporters know how much is to be exported at what time, what place, and the shipping lines also know as to how many containers would be required to carry this export or how many cargo ships would be needed," he said. "This kind of transparency helps shipping companies, ports and exporters plan their affairs in a better manner," he added. According to Kumar, proper planning prevents container shortages and congestion at ports. "Otherwise, there is a possibility of everyone demanding containers at the same time, and shipping lines being unable to provide that kind of capacity when needed. There are enough ships available around the world; only thing is to plan our affairs in such a way that exports go in time," he said. He emphasized that better logistics management would ensure minimum turnaround time and reduced wastage in both exports and imports. Kumar also praised the government's continued push for reform in the shipping and logistics sector, noting that several new legislations have been introduced to modernize procedures and encourage trade growth. The government is working on many fronts -- infrastructure development, policy reforms, and resolving regulatory bottlenecks that existed five or ten years ago, he said. With these steps, India is well-positioned to increase its exports, Kumar asserted. (ANI)
German Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan arrived in Kiev on Thursday as she sought to convince German businesses to invest in Ukraine in a bid to shore up support for the war-torn country.

"The reconstruction of Ukraine is not possible without a strong economy. That is why we continue to support the resilience of Ukrainian companies," Alabali Radovan said in the Ukrainian capital.

"Reconstruction also offers opportunities for the German economy," she added.

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The minister, who arrived overnight as Ukraine was being pummelled by some of the heaviest Russian airstrikes since the beginning of the war almost four years ago, condemned the ongoing attacks.

"Russia is attacking Ukraine with increasing intensity," she said. "Every day there are deaths, every day there are air raid sirens, every day there is fear."

In Kiev, she met with Oleksiy Kuleba, the deputy prime minister for the restoration of Ukraine, pushing for German companies to get more involved in reconstruction efforts.

Since the start of the war in February 2022, the German Development Ministry has provided 2 billion ($2.3 billion) in aid to Ukraine.

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Experts recently estimated the total cost of rebuilding the country at more than 500 billion, meaning the feat is unlikely to be achieved without private or institutional investors.

Funds already exist in which investor money is combined with and secured by public funds.

"It is clear that the funds needed for reconstruction cannot be financed from public funds alone," said Alabali Radovan.

"We also need private investment," she said, adding that Germany was leading the way and contributing grants and guarantees to the European Flagship Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, an EU-launched initiative aimed at mobilizing recovery funds from private investors.

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Contributions from EU member states including Germany help to reduce the "risks for private investment in reconstruction projects," the minister noted.

Alabali Radovan pointed to Ukraine's energy sector as being particularly promising for investment, alongside urgently needed technologies.

Kuleba said Ukraine's need for investment in defence was enormous, alongside infrastructure and transport, including the railways.

Germany is one of Ukraine's most important donors in its fight against the full-scale Russian invasion and recently surpassed the United States as the biggest supplier of military aid.

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However, Alabali Radovan's trip is focused on civilian protection needs, with the minister visiting a civil defence training ground on the outskirts of Kiev, where she handed over a firefighting robot developed by the German firm Alpha Robotics that can be used to battle blazes in dangerous areas.

During the visit, Germany and Ukraine also signed a number of agreements aimed at strengthening development cooperation between the two nations, including 30 million for low-interest loans to be provided to internally displaced Ukrainians for housing.

Germany is also donating a further 72 million to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to create housing for displaced persons in Ukraine, while providing another 20 million together with Switzerland to improve energy security.

Another 37 million have been earmarked for for healthcare and rehabilitation.

More Russian attacks on Ukraine's power grid

The latest Russian overnight attacks mainly targeted the power grid, causing emergency shutdowns in several parts of the country, according to Ukrainian officials.

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Ukraine's power supply has deteriorated again since October following systematic Russian airstrikes on substations and power plants, a tactic also used in previous winters during the war.

Alabali Radovan also visited the Kiev suburb of Bucha, which was occupied by Russian troops for about a month when the war began.

After their withdrawal in March 2022, the streets were littered with the bodies of civilians.

According to Ukraine, Russian soldiers are said to have killed more than 450 civilians during the occupation of the town.
Germany will provide another 52.6 million ($60.8 million) in humanitarian aid to Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on a surprise visit to Damascus on Thursday.

Wadephul was visiting the north-eastern suburb of Harasta, which was largely destroyed during Syria's civil war that broke out as the regime of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad violently suppressed pro-democracy protests in 2011.

The new funds, 39.4 million of which has been earmarked for Syria, are to go to international humanitarian groups as well as non-governmental organizations working on food security, civil protection, accommodation and health issues, according to the Foreign Office.

Minister urges inclusive rehabilitation

Earlier, Germany's top diplomat met Syria's new President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led a rebel alliance that ousted al-Assad in December.

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Ahead of the meeting, Wadephul called on the country's new government to guarantee citizens "a life in dignity and security."

"This is the prerequisite for laying the foundations for a free, secure and stable Syria," the minister said in the Jordanian capital Amman, the first stop on his latest Middle East tour.

Wadephul called on the Syrian government to include all citizens in the country's rehabilitation, regardless of gender, religious, ethnic or social affiliation.

Germany is committed to helping lay new foundations by supporting efforts to clear mines and explosive ordnance, providing humanitarian aid and investing in the Syrian economy, the minister said.

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Events in Syria, which lies in the immediate vicinity of the European Union, also have "a direct and indirect impact" on Germany, Wadephul noted.

As the first anniversary of al-Assad's ouster nears, the situation in Syria remains fragile.

While the new transitional government says it is striving to stabilize the country and create a "Syria for all," those efforts have been marred by repeated fatal clashes, including between government troops and minorities.

Syria held its first parliamentary elections since the fall of the regime in September, though the vote garnered international criticism because representation of women and minorities was low.

Fallout from civil war

In Harasta, which had a pre-war population of 30,000, including 2,500 Christians, Wadephul visited a humanitarian project supported by Germany.

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Since 2012, the suburb was repeatedly targeted by airstrikes and shelling, pushing out the civilian population and destroying crucial infrastructure.

Ahead of his talks with al-Sharaa, Wadephul said he also planned to discuss the many Syrians who fled the civil war and sought refuge in Germany.

Berlin is counting on many of those former refugees to return to their homeland and help with reconstruction.

However, due to the uncertain situation in the country, only a few Syrians have decided to return so far.

According to official figures, around 951,400 Syrian nationals were based in Germany at the end of August, down from 974,395 at the end of November 2024.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who paid a surprise visit to Syria on Thursday, was struck by the destruction that is still visible in Damascus nearly a year after the fall of long-term ruler Bashar al-Assad.

During his inaugural trip to the country, Wadephul visited the north-eastern suburb of Harasta, which was largely destroyed during Syria's civil war that broke out as the al-Assad regime violently suppressed pro-democracy and anti-government protests in 2011.

The town had a pre-war population of 30,000, including 2,500 Christians. Since 2012, the suburb was repeatedly targeted by airstrikes and shelling, pushing out the civilian population and destroying crucial infrastructure.

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Visiting a humanitarian project supported by a German engineering firm that aims to enable internally displaced Syrians to build affordable housing from mud bricks, Wadephul said the extent of the devastation in Harasta was beyond anything he had witnessed before.

"It is barely possible for people to live here with dignity," the minister said, calling for rapid reconstruction.

Europe bears a special responsibility in such efforts, and Germany should take the lead, he added.

Pledge for further aid

During his visit, the minister announced Germany will provide another 52.6 million ($60.8 million) in humanitarian aid to Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

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The new funds, 39.4 million of which has been earmarked for Syria, are to go to international humanitarian groups as well as non-governmental organizations working on food security, civil protection, accommodation and health issues, according to the Foreign Office.

Minister urges inclusive rehabilitation

Earlier, Germany's top diplomat met Syria's new President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led a rebel alliance that ousted al-Assad in December, as well as Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.

Ahead of the meeting, Wadephul called on the country's new government to guarantee citizens "a life in dignity and security."

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"This is the prerequisite for laying the foundations for a free, secure and stable Syria," the minister said in the Jordanian capital Amman, the first stop on his latest Middle East tour.

Wadephul called on the Syrian government to include all citizens in the country's rehabilitation, regardless of gender, religious, ethnic or social affiliation.

Germany is committed to helping lay new foundations by supporting efforts to clear mines and explosive ordnance, providing humanitarian aid and investing in the Syrian economy, the minister said.

As the first anniversary of al-Assad's ouster nears, the situation in Syria remains fragile.

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While the new transitional government says it is striving to stabilize the country and create a "Syria for all," those efforts have been marred by repeated fatal clashes, including between government troops and minorities.

Syria held its first parliamentary elections since the fall of the regime in September, though the vote garnered international criticism because representation of women and minorities was low.

Fallout from civil war

In his talks with President al-Sharaa, Wadephul had also be planning to discuss the many Syrians who fled the civil war and sought refuge in Germany.

Berlin is counting on many of those former refugees to return to their homeland and help with reconstruction.

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However, due to the uncertain situation in the country, only a few Syrians have decided to return so far, and Wadephul signalled understanding during his visit to Harasta.

"In the near future, [Syrian refugees] can not return," he said.

Wadephul thanked the Syrian transitional government for its commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

Germany supports this course and is striving to restore normal, friendly relations, he said, describing the Syrians living in Germany as a "human bridge" between the two countries.

According to official figures, around 951,400 Syrian nationals were based in Germany at the end of August, down from 974,395 at the end of November 2024.
German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil is set to chair talks between his Social Democrat Party (SPD) and China's Communist Party in Beijing next month, even after Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was forced to postpone a trip to China after being unable to arrange enough meetings.

The SPD and Communist Party meeting will take place in Beijing from November 17 to 19, several sources confirmed, as the two parties continue a long-standing tradition of dialogue.

Klingbeil is the leader of the SPD, but also holds two roles in the cabinet of the German government led by conservative Friedrich Merz: vice-chancellor and finance minister. Nonetheless, the party meeting will come at a testy time for the countries' bilateral ties.

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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.

A planned trip to China by Merz this year could be in question after his top envoy, Wadephul - also a conservative - pulled the plug last Friday on a trip that was supposed to kick off on Sunday.

The ministry confirmed that he only had a single meeting on his agenda, with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

In Brussels, several official sources said the cancellation was likely linked to the EU's move to sanction two Chinese oil refineries and one oil trader last Thursday, for their role in funding Russia's war in Ukraine. Two of the companies are state-owned.

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The calendar challenge came, however, after Wadephul and other German diplomats had adopted an increasingly assertive approach to Beijing. The minister visited Japan during the anniversary period of World War II, and delivered remarks that were highly critical of China, which was at the time commemorating its victory over Japan.

"China repeatedly threatens, more or less openly, to unilaterally change the status quo and shift borders in its favour," Wadephul said during his August trip to Tokyo, slamming China's "increasingly aggressive" behaviour in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China seas.

Earlier this month, meanwhile, the German ambassador to Unesco, Kerstin Purschel, used a meeting of the Paris-based organisation to ask how, in a country "covered with cameras", Uygur and Tibetan citizens could so frequently disappear, according to a report in Intelligence Online, a digital publication dedicated to state intelligence services.

A high-profile Sino-German business event slated for Suzhou from November 19 to 21 has also been postponed, with the German Chamber of Commerce (AHK) Greater China citing "organisational reasons", according to a notice on its website.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was forced to postpone a recent trip to China after being unable to arrange enough meetings there. Photo: Reuters alt=German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul was forced to postpone a recent trip to China after being unable to arrange enough meetings there. Photo: Reuters>

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Noah Barkin, an analyst of German-China relations at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, said Klingbeil had been earmarked to speak at the "Xceleration Days" event.

"It would be a bad look for Klingbeil, as German vice-chancellor and finance minister, to participate in a dialogue between the SPD and the [Communist Party]," Barkin said, who added that it would be a "bad look" after Wadephul was forced to cancel his trip.

"At a time when China is hitting Germany hard with its rare earth controls, it is vital that Berlin presents a united front. Instead, Klingbeil would be offering himself up as a pawn in Beijing's divide and rule game."

The SPD did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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During his trip, Merz's No 2 is expected to raise a series of crises in the EU-China relationship.

Beijing's recent expansion of export restrictions on rare earth minerals, superhard materials and some battery technology has struck fear into the heart of European industries.

They will be discussed during a day of talks between EU and Chinese negotiators in Brussels on Friday.

Meanwhile, the effective seizure of the Dutch-based, Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia by the Dutch government has left the German car industry on the verge of a semiconductor supply crisis.

The Hague intervened after learning that the Chinese owner planned to close some of its European manufacturing plants, but also amid a pressure campaign from the United States to remove the Chinese CEO if Nexperia was to avoid being added to a blacklist.

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There are 500 Nexperia semiconductors in every European-made car, according to German newspaper FAZ, but with the firm now cut off from its Chinese parent company by Beijing's retaliatory export controls, the flow of chips is set to be disrupted.

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association warned on Wednesday of "imminent disruption" emanating from the "Nexperia crisis".

"The industry is currently working through reserve stocks, but supplies are rapidly dwindling. From a survey of our members this week, some are already expecting imminent assembly line stoppages," said director general Sigrid de Vries.

"Many alternative suppliers exist, but it will take many months to build up the additional capacity needed to meet the shortfall in supply."

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A report in Handelsblatt last week said the German government "will attempt to mediate between China, the Netherlands and the United States to achieve de-escalation and avert damage to the economy" on the Nexperia case.

The SPD and Communist Party established relations more than 40 years ago and last year their regular meeting level was upgraded to "strategic dialogue" despite national ties wavering recently, according to a Chinese government readout of a meeting last September.

While the parties enjoy close ties, Klingbeil has been critical of China's rare earth controls.

"We have made it clear within the G7 that we do not agree with China's approach," he said on the sidelines of this month's IMF meetings in Washington.

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"We are monitoring the situation closely and doing what we can politically to prevent further tensions between the US and China."

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.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Thursday urged the US and Russia to refrain from conducting new nuclear weapons testing, after US President Donald Trump announced plans to restart tests for the first time in more than 30 years.

"It is crucial that all five nuclear weapon states continue to adhere to the respective test ban moratoriums," Germany's top diplomat said in response to a journalist's question during a visit to Damascus.

"The test ban moratorium must be maintained," he stressed, including by North Korea, "the only country to have conducted nuclear tests in the 21st century."

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In a post on Truth Social, Trump on Thursday announced the immediate start of new nuclear weapons tests, justifying the measure by citing other countries' testing programmes.

The type of tests and the weapons to be trialled remained unclear. The US last conducted tests of this kind in the 1990s.

This led Russia to say that it could resume nuclear weapons testing, sparking fears of a new nuclear arms race.

Wadephul said he believed that "what President Trump announced here is more of a reaction to Russia's use of nuclear-powered systems in the past."

He said Berlin was still trying to work out what exactly the US president had meant.

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"We will have to discuss this with our American colleagues," the minister said.

"At this point in time, I do not understand this as the immediate resumption of nuclear tests, which, incidentally, would also require considerable preparation."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz laid down a wreath on Thursday at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, as he made his inaugural visit to Ankara.

Merz signed the remembrance book at the site, hailing Ataturk for ushering in a new "era" when founding the Turkish republic 102 years ago.

"His ideas continue to have an impact today in the deep-rooted friendship between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Turkey," the German leader wrote.

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The mausoleum is one of the most important symbols of modern Turkey.

Merz, who took office in May, is set to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the afternoon to discuss peace efforts in Gaza, the war in Ukraine as well as cooperation on defence and migration.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz began his inaugural visit to Turkey on Thursday, aiming to rebuild ties after years of tension.

Merz, who took office in May, is set to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss peace efforts in Gaza, the war in Ukraine and cooperation on defence and migration.

After arriving in Ankara, the chancellor laid down a wreath early on Thursday at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey.

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Bilateral relations, long strained over human rights disputes, detained Germans, and Turkish military operations in Syria, have recently warmed as Ankara's regional role in migration and conflict mediation has grown.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul earlier called Turkey a strategic partner and good friend, signaling Berlins new positive agenda.

The warm rhetoric was, however, overshadowed in the build-up to Merz's visit when a new arrest warrant was issued for opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu.

Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders, and German lawmakers have urged Merz to raise the case during his visit to Turkey, but he has no meetings planned with opposition figures.

Gaza and defence at the top of the agenda

Merz and Erdogan are expected to discuss a fragile truce in the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza. Talks are to focus on stabilizing the ceasefire and disarming the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

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As far as defence ties are concerned, Germany has approved a multibillion-euro deal for 20 Eurofighter jets for Turkey, signalling an end to years of partial arms export restrictions. Further joint defence projects are nearing completion.

Berlin is separately seeking Turkish help to speed up deportations of about 22,500 rejected asylum seekers and to coordinate returns of Syrian refugees.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Europe should forge a deeper strategic partnership with Turkey in response to emerging global challenges, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Thursday on his first official visit to Ankara, which has played a crucial mediating role in the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

Merz was speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, just days after Turkey and the United Kingdom finalized a multi-billion-dollar deal for the sale of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets. Germany, part of the consortium that manufactures the advanced fighter aircraft, recently lifted its longstanding objection to their export to Turkey.

Merzs visit also comes amid reports of German backing for Turkeys participation in a European defense initiative known as the Security Action for Europe, or SAFE - a 150-billion-euro ($173.5 billion) program designed to enhance the continents military capabilities. The initiative allows non-EU countries, including Turkey, to join defense projects.

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Greece openly opposes Turkeys participation in the SAFE program, arguing that Ankara must first drop its standing threat of war linked to sea boundary disputes between the two NATO members.

Merz did not mention SAFE but underscored the importance of cooperation. Germany and Turkey should use the enormous potential of our relations even better in the coming months and years, he said.

There are compelling reasons for this, because we are entering a new geopolitical phase marked by the politics of great powers, the chancellor said. A central conclusion from that for me is that as Germans and Europeans, we must expand our strategic partnerships, and there is no way around a good and deepened partnership with Turkey.

Divisions surfaced during the joint news conference over human rights and the situation in Gaza.

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The advocacy group, Human Rights Watch, had urged Merz to speak out against Turkeys crackdown on the opposition, including the arrest of Istanbuls mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The opposition figure, widely seen as a potential challenger to Erdogan, has been held in pretrial detention since March on corruption charges, which he denies. This week, Turkish authorities filed new charges against him for alleged espionage.

Merz avoided direct mention of Imamoglu but said: Decisions have been made in Turkey that do not yet meet the requirements regarding the rule of law and democracy as we understand them from the European point of view.

Erdogan responded by defending Turkeys judicial system: No matter what position you hold, if you trample on the law, judicial authorities in a state governed by the rule of law are obliged to take whatever action is necessary.

On the issue of Gaza, Merz said that Germany has stood firmly by Israel since it was founded in the aftermath of the Holocaust and will always do so. But that doesnt mean that we respect or accept every political decision by an Israeli government and accept it without criticism.

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Merz has frequently criticized Israels actions in Gaza in recent months.

On Thursday, he stressed that Israel made use of its right of self-defense, and it would have taken only a single decision to avoid the countless unnecessary victims: Hamas should have released the hostages earlier and laid down its weapons. Then this war would have been over immediately.

Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israels military actions, again accused Israel of using starvation and genocide as weapons of war.

The Turkish leader argued that Hamas does not possess bombs or nuclear weapons, while Israel does, and criticized Germany for allegedly ignoring the imbalance.

As Germany, cant you see this? he asked.

_

Geir Moulson in Berlin and Derek Gatopoulos in Athens contributed.
A seven-year-old girl has died in hospital after being injured in a Russian attack on Vinnytsia Oblast on 30 October 2025.

Source: Nataliia Zabolotna, Deputy Head of Vinnytsia Oblast Military Administration

Details: Zabolotna said that the girl had been brought to hospital in a critical condition. Despite doctors' efforts, she could not be saved. Zabolotna extended her condolences to the child's family.

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Four adults have also been injured in the attack. Two have been taken to hospital in a moderate condition. Two others have sustained minor injuries.

Zabolotna said 90 drones and 23 cruise missiles had been recorded in the oblast's airspace.

Critical and civilian infrastructure has been damaged, particularly 23 residential buildings. One of them, a two-storey building that accommodated 21 people, has suffered major destruction and its residents have been temporarily relocated.

Emergency workers, police, the Security Service of Ukraine and assessment commissions are working on site. Emergency and rescue operations and firefighting are ongoing.

Background:

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Russia used more than 650 drones and over fifty missiles of various types in its latest strike on Ukraine on 30 October.

Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine with 653 loitering munitions of various types and 52 missiles, including 9 ballistic ones, on the night of 29-30 October. Ukrainian defence forces have destroyed or jammed 623 aerial assets.

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The News

The energy transition is losing steam, two new reports conclude, shifting the conversation likely to dominate the upcoming COP30 summit from how to avert climate change, to how to survive it.

A UN analysis this week of countries formal climate plans revealed two unsettling facts: First, that only 61 countries, covering about one-third of global emissions, have submitted new carbon-cutting plans this year as required by the Paris Agreement; China, the EU, and other major emitters arent on that list. Second, if those plans are fulfilled, they will deliver less than 6% of the emissions reductions needed by 2035 to limit global warming to 1.5C. As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said last week, overshooting [the 1.5C target] is now inevitable.

Separately, a report by energy data firm Wood Mackenzie concludes that wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, supply chain bottlenecks, and the Trump administrations campaign of trade wars are all working to slow the transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources. WoodMac projects global emissions in 2030 to be 4% higher now than it did two years ago, and has pushed out by several years its expected date for peak global oil demand. It is widely acknowledged that the world will not achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, chief analyst Simon Flowers wrote.

Tims view

COP30, which will kick off next week in Brazil and continue for the following two weeks, already had a daunting task to make any meaningful progress with the US again withdrawn from the process. A decade after the Paris Agreement set the ground rules for global cooperation on climate, its clear that the process is neither totally ineffective nor capable of delivering the kind of rapid, sweeping change envisioned.

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Just two years ago, the oil executive leading the Dubai COP secured a commitment for the global energy system to transition away from fossil fuels. That prospect now seems less realistic than ever. The recent defeat of an international plan to tax emissions from shipping showed that the willingness of governments to collaborate on punitive emissions reductions is waning, especially in the face of a pressure campaign by the Trump administration to encourage more, not less, fossil fuel use. Even Bill Gates, a onetime stalwart champion of climate action, said this week that near-term emissions targets are a distraction at best and could even be counterproductive for human welfare.

In that context, theres not much that can be credibly achieved at COP30 to tamp down the main causes of climate change. Better prospects for a more productive dialogue will be around how to deal with the consequences.

We will see adaptation and resilience really at the center, because we just cant avoid the question of impacts anymore, David Waskow, director of the World Resources Institutes International Climate Initiative, told Semafor.

But that conversation wont be easy either. Foreign aid funding, never in surplus, is especially limited since the Trump administration dismantled USAID, and many rich countries are choosing defense and other priorities over climate aid. Developing countries currently receive less than one-tenth of what they need to manage climate impacts, the UN reported this week, a yawning gap that shows no signs of closing. But the summits Brazilian leaders have promised a new package of resources for adaptation from rich countries, philanthropies, and development banks.

Room for Disagreement

While new commitments to end fossil fuel use may be lacking, COP30 could see tangible progress on another key source of emissions, deforestation, which Brazil plans to target through a new $125 billion fund that will pay tropical countries for forest conservation.

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Its also likely that COP30 will show progress on the adoption of renewables, even if those are for now mostly additional to, rather than a replacement for, fossil fuels. China, Indonesia, and other Asian countries are committing to massive increases in solar and wind adoption, and renewable energy lobbyists will be present in force in Brazil to make their case to government officials there.

Now [COP] is all about the real economy, thats where the real action is happening, Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, told Semafor. Whats happening outside the negotiations is almost more important than what happens inside.

Notable

Hurricane Melissa, currently ravaging the Caribbean, is a perfect example of why climate adaptation finance is so badly needed. The International Monetary Fund estimates that the region requires at least $100 billion in new investments to manage its new environmental conditions.
Environmentalist and Padma Shri awardee Umashankar Pandey has underscored the urgent need for water conservation, emphasising the immense quantity of water required for agricultural production and daily consumption. Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the Bharat International Rice Conference, Pandey highlighted startling figures on water usage across various food products. "Rice, in fact, our life is all water," he said. "Producing one kilogram of rice requires about 2,000 litres of water, a single lemon needs around 100 litres, one kilogram of wheat consumes 1,000 litres, one kilogram of paneer takes about 5,500 litres, and one kilogram of fish requires nearly 25,000 litres. We must reduce water use, especially in paddy cultivation, as freshwater is an increasingly scarce resource." Warning of potential global conflicts over water scarcity, Pandey remarked, "If a third world war ever occurs, it will be over water." The farmer-cum-environmentalist proposed the establishment of a 'Jal Vishwavidyalaya' (Water University) and a Water Museum to promote education and research on water conservation. "We should all join hands to launch a national campaign and set up institutions dedicated to water education," he said. Pandey also urged the revival of traditional water harvesting systems and natural farming methods, warning against overreliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides that contaminate water sources. "Our ancestors followed sustainable farming. We should not play with nature--any interference will come back to haunt us as disasters," he cautioned. "In the past, our culture included creating ponds on every occasion--whether during celebrations or mourning. That tradition kept our water table healthy." Highlighting the role of youth, Pandey emphasized the importance of early awareness and community engagement in protecting water resources. "We must reach out to children, who are our future, and instill in them the value of water conservation," he said, calling for collective responsibility to safeguard freshwater for future generations. (ANI)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregon, Washington and British Columbia signed a memorandum on Wednesday to improve housing affordability, sustainability and connectivity throughout the Pacific Northwest.

At the Cascadia Innovation Corridor conference, leaders from the three jurisdictions signed a Memorandum of Reaffirmation that builds on the Memoranda of Understanding that was signed in 2016 and 2018.

This year, Oregon was officially invited to the partnership, with Washington Governor Bob Ferguson saying in a press release that the partnership reflects the shared values across the entire region.

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Gov. Kotek declares food emergency in Oregon ahead of SNAP shutdown

This partnership reflects the shared values of our region  practical problem-solving and a commitment to progress, said Ferguson. By addressing housing affordability, investing in clean energy, and creating the conditions for long-term economic growth, Cascadia will remain one of the most competitive and livable regions in the world.

As part of the memorandum, the three areas agreed to expand cooperation, focusing on innovation, housing affordability, environmental stewardship and transportation connectivity, which includes high-speed rail.

This partnership strengthens our ability to expand housing supply and create more jobs, said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. Together, we can plan for a more connected, affordable, and economically stable future across Cascadia.

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The three governments also agreed to work together to progress the fields of data analytics, artificial intelligence and advanced computing, with British Columbia Premier David Eby, saying he looks forward to making the region a global hub of innovation and economic opportunity.

For decades, British Columbia, Washington and Oregon have built deep ties that are stronger than recent efforts to divide us, said British Columbia Premier David Eby. We know that British Columbia is stronger when we work together with our neighbors in the U.S. We are proud to reaffirm our commitment to work with the governors of Oregon and Washington and look forward to growing together as a global hub of innovation and economic opportunity.

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.
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV)  Do Good Wisconsin, a nonprofit started in 2019, is known for promoting kindness and giving back.

This winter, their Snow Angel Program is helping connect volunteers with neighbors who need help clearing driveways and sidewalks.

Over 30k milk cartons handed off to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin as food assistance programs lose funding

Its a simple concept that gives people the opportunity to help their neighbor with a sign that says they could use some extra help shoveling snow around their home, whether its their sidewalk or their driveway, Co-Founder Eric Salzwedel said.

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The snow angel yard signs are designed to mark homes that need help. The idea quickly took off online.

Do Good Wisconsins original post has been shared on Facebook over 6,300 times, reaching more than 2 million people.

In Green Bay, specialists at the Aging and Disability Resource Center said the need for help is necessary, especially during Wisconsin winters.

They may have a disability, a cognitive impairment, a fixed income, theres a huge need for getting assistance and help out there, ARDC specialist supervisor Mary Ellen Murphy said.

Do Good Wisconsin is committed to making 100 signs; however, with more donations, they hope to expand the program so more applicant homes can receive one.

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It is an opportunity for people who live in certain areas; when they see this sign, its a quick way to give back, Salzwedel said.

Murphy said it is important to check on your neighbors, especially when it starts to get cold.

Fox Valley cancer survivor & her sister create heart-shaped pillows for mastectomy patients

The one universal thing we are all going through is that we are aging, there might be a day that you might need some help and you dont want to get stuck at home because you cant get that snow outta there, Murphy said.

Salzwedel said those who will be receiving the first 100 pledged signs will find out on Friday.

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Click the link for information about Do Good Wisconsin.

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.
Using text-based therapy could help ease mild-to-moderate depression, according to researchers at the University of Washington.

Symptoms improved for more than 400 adults following three months of weekly text therapy using the mental health platform Talkspace.

And the researchers found the text therapy was just as effective as weekly video-based therapy, using data from more than 400 adults in the new large-scale randomized trial.

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We found that patients improved at similar rates, regardless of whether they were communicating with their therapist through messaging or live video calls, Dr. Patricia Arean, a former psychiatry professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, said in a Thursday statement.

This supports the use of text-based therapy as a viable, evidence-based way to treat the millions of Americans who experience depression every year.

Using text therapy might be just as good as video therapy, according to Washington researchers (Getty Images/iStock)

The use of text therapy has expanded over the past few years thanks to the influence of the Covid pandemic and a rise in popularity of telehealth sites such as BetterHelp. Some 200 million use TalkSpace.

Text therapy provides a more flexible option for people who would rather not hop on a video call or who want help from a qualified professional and have heavy time commitments. It also creates a record of interactions that can be reviewed by patients and therapists.

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The strategy has been shown to be effective for years  but the question is how effective.

Recent studies have been encouraging, showing that text therapy is just as good as teletherapy at relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression and better than in-person therapy at treating people with depression.

Still, there have also been concerns about not having a therapist meeting face to face with a patient. They may, for example, miss signs that a person wanted to hurt themselves.

One in five Americans adults are living with a mental illness (Getty Images/iStock)

However, Arean told The New York Times that there were no adverse events in this trial and Adrian Aguilera, an associate professor at the University of California, Berkeley, told Time last year that the need for mental health services in the U.S. may outweigh those concerns.

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Is it the best? Probably not, Aguilera said of text therapy.

A better question is, Can it meet an unmet need?

Just under a quarter of U.S. adults receive some form of mental health care, despite the face that more than one and five live with a mental illness.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A new project focused on historic Route 66 is here ahead of the centennial celebration next year. You can now take a virtual tour of the mother road from Chicago to LA with all kinds of stops, including right here in Oklahoma.

The virtual trip down the highway is as close as you can get to traveling the mother road, outside the real thing, of course. There are iconic stops from Chicago to Los Angeles with a special spotlight on the key stops here at the crossroads of culture in Oklahoma City and across our state.

LOCAL NEWS: Money raised to keep Langston students in college

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If you really want to see America, you got to see Oklahoma, Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell said at the announcement of the project. That experience starts right here in Oklahoma and starts right here on Route 66.

Its all part of a new theme page from Google Arts & Culture. On their webpage, you can explore the highways entire story, from descriptions of its indigenous roots to modern urban art.

They are sharing a very important story that we want to see told here in Oklahoma City, both our story as a whole and of course, our connection and engagement with Route 66, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said.

In the virtual tour called Route 66 Rewind, you can hop in a vintage vehicle and visit any of the iconic stops along the highway. In Oklahoma, youll find several Google Maps locations at Pops 66 Soda Ranch, the Catoosa Blue Whale, and even Threatts filling station. There are several stops, and at each one, theres a story to be told. You can change the color inside the car, rev the engine, honk the horn, and change radio stations that tell the story of a given location in a certain voice. Also, you can click a button where AI takes you back in time to show you what a certain stop might have looked like in the past.

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LOCAL NEWS: Oklahoma County Coat Drive kicks off with 1,600 coat donation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation was able to give us historic photos that were used as references or as input for the video generation, Google Arts & Culture official Chance Coughenour said.

A journey through time thats been traveled by many over the years. Now, its a chance for several others to get their kicks along Route 66. Along with the project, Google also committed $100,000 in support of the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial efforts.

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.
Orlandos city council elections are officially nonpartisan. But an ad mailed to some District 1 voters in Orlando calls on them to re-elect Jim Gray, the last Republican standing on the city council, claiming hes surrounded by liberals and backed by a Trump-endorsed congressman.

Gray, who has served on the council since 2012 and is in fact its only registered Republican member, has been endorsed by Mayor Buddy Dyer, a Democrat, and Tony Ortiz, a longtime Republican who earlier this year switched parties to the Democrats.

But the ad, listed as sent by the Republican Party of Florida and approved by Jim Gray, drew a rebuke from Orange County Democrats, with state Rep. Anna Eskamani and state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, both mentioned in the ad, decrying it as homophobic.

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The back of the GOP mailer claims his chief challenger, Democrat Tom Keen, is a liberal extremist endorsed by LGBTQ-friendly political groups and politicians. Notably, it mentions radical socialist Eskamani, LGBTQIA+ Democratic party advocate the Rainbow Democrats, and left-wing PAC Equality Florida.

It compares them with Grays endorsements from the unions representing the citys rank-and-file police and firefighters, as well as Orange County GOP chair Erin Huntley and Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, whom the ad states was backed by President Donald Trump.

A third candidate, Democrat Sunshine Grund, also is in the race, but wasnt mentioned in the ad.

District 1 spans the southeast wing of Orlando, encompassing Lake Nona and Lee Vista. Election records show it has more Democrats than Republicans, though non-party affiliated voters hold the largest share of the electorate.

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This is nonsense, Keen said of the ads targeting right-leaning voters. This district went for Vice President [Kamala] Harris, it went for me when I was a state Rep. This is a very moderate to left-leaning district.

Smith wrote on Facebook that the targeting of Rainbow Dems, Equality Florida, Rep. Eskamani in a cute rainbow dress, and me your elected State Senator who just happens to be LGBTQ is no coincidence. This desperate and clearly bigoted dog whistle is not okay.

Gray contended the ad wasnt anti-gay but instead a factual list of Keens endorsers.

The mailer simply took endorsements from Tom Keens webpage and printed them. The photographs are actual and not AI-generated, Gray said. I have always treated people with respect and will continue to do so. My actions and voting record on LGBTQ+ issues speaks for itself.

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He argued Keen and Democrats were making the race partisan, saying they had brought it front and center by portraying me as a far-right MAGA Republican and supportive of the January 6th insurrection.

Keen said material he passes out to voters at their doorsteps doesnt identify his party affiliation, but said keen observers of local politics could venture a guess based on his slate of prominent Democratic endorsers. Often times, voters ask him, he said.

When you knock on their door, one of the first questions you get is what party are you? he said.

The Orange County Democrats blasted the ad on Facebook and contended that Gray has been pretending to be a moderate to get elected.

For thirteen years, Republican Jim Gray has masqueraded as a moderate to continue getting re-elected in a Democratic district, the party wrote. Meanwhile, he has endorsed and donated to far-right politicians who have supported the January 6 insurrectionists and helped cause a massive traffic crisis on narcoossee road by being a rubber stamp for developers, the party wrote.
SPARTA, Mich. (WOOD)  Six of the seven republican candidates running in Michigans 2026 governor race took the stage Wednesday night for the first of three scheduled debates.

Former Attorney General Mike Cox, businessman Anthony Hudson, former House Speaker Tom Leonard, State Sen. Aric Nesbitt, pastor Ralph Rebandt, and Karla Wagner all participated in the event.

One notable absence was Congressman John James, who did not RSVP to attend, a decision that quickly became a talking point among the candidates.

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Organizers stated that James did not provide a reason for skipping the debate.

The evening began with questions about Michigan ranking in the bottom for population growth and how to attract new residents. Wagner and Leonard suggested eliminating property taxes to make the state more affordable, while Nesbitt and Hudson emphasized job creation and bringing industries back to Michigan.

Throughout the night, candidates also debated issues including education, union rights, right-to-work laws, taxpayer protections, and property taxes.

Each candidate also touched on the extreme housing costs west Michigan is facing and how they would lower costs if elected as governor.

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The evening wrapped up with a round of rapid-fire questions covering subjects like income tax elimination, national guard deployment to the southern border and constitutional carry laws.

The next two Michigan GOP debates will be on November 4 in Roseville, Michigan and November 20 in Traverse City.

There are no Michigan Democratic party debates scheduled currently.

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.
CHICO, Calif. (AP)  California Rep. Doug LaMalfa made a last-ditch plea Wednesday for Republicans to vote no on a ballot measure aimed at pushing him out of office.

It's really a blatant power grab, he said at a news conference in Chico, a city at the southern end of his district that covers a vast, rural swath of Northern California.

Voting ends Tuesday on Proposition 50, which would create partisan U.S. House maps outside of normal once-a-decade redistricting handled by an independent commission. Its an effort by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to counter a Trump-backed plan in Texas to gain five more Republican seats. The new California map aims to dilute Republican voting power by redrawing districts that help Democrats win five more seats.

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Newsom says its a necessary step to defend democracy, but California Republicans call it a power grab that will disenfranchise voters. Republicans currently hold nine of the states 52 congressional seats.

If the measure passes, the new maps would be in place for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 midterm elections.

After the 2030 Census, the measure promises to give map-drawing power back to the independent commission that typically handles redistricting. But LaMalfa warned it's just the first step toward a permanent, partisan process.

If Sacramento is emboldened by this passing, what will stop them? he said, noting Democrats hold supermajorities in both chambers in the Legislature.

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LaMalfa appeared alongside local elected officials and farmers in his district, which is known for farms that grow rice, olive and other tree nuts, as well as ranching. The new map would split his district, which includes counties that went strongly for President Donald Trump in the last three presidential elections. Parts of his district would the merge with more liberal districts near the coast.

LaMalfas new district would have many more Democratic voters, making his reelection bid increasingly challenging. But he said Wednesday he plans to seek reelection no matter what. He was first elected to Congress in 2013.

LaMalfa, as well as a handful of other Republican congressmen who could see their districts dramatically reshaped, have mostly stayed away from the campaign spotlight. Voters in Redding, another city in LaMalfa's district, said they have heard little from him leading up to the election.

The fight for U.S. House control in California has become lopsided in recent weeks as opponents ran low on campaign ads and options. TV advertisements opposing the measure  a key investment in the sprawling state  have largely dried up. Newsom told Prop 50 supporters this week they can stop donating to the campaign.

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Registered Democrats in California, who outnumber Republicans by nearly 2-to-1, are also returning nearly twice as many ballots. Even if the conservative strongholds in the Northern part of the state come out strong against the measure, it's unlikely they'll be able to compete with millions of Democratic voters in Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

The optimist in me wants to believe we could defeat it, said Geri Byrne, a Modoc county supervisor and chair of the Rural County Representatives of California, who appeared with LaMalfa.

A Public Policy Institute of California statewide poll, released Wednesday, found that 56% of likely voters would support the proposition if the election was held today. The poll from the nonpartisan institute said 43% were opposed.

LaMalfa said theres still a fighting chance for Republican voters, and his campaign will continue reaching voters through text messages and social media campaigns. All Californians are mailed a ballot, and he urged people to turn their ballots in now. That's despite Trump urging people not to vote early or by mail in a recent post on his social media site Truth Social.

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No mail-in or Early Voting, Yes to Voter ID! Watch how totally dishonest the California Prop Vote is! he posted Sunday.

LaMalfa said voters should get their ballot in whenever they can.

Why would you want to wait till then? I don't know why," LaMalfa said in an interview. "But that's part of our messaging: Just get it in.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD)  End gerrymandering in Illinois and change the district maps. That was the call of a Republican press conference in Peoria on Tuesday.

On Monday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries traveled to Springfield to convince fellow Democratic lawmakers to change their congressional districts, hoping to gain one Democratic seat by the 2026 midterms.

State Rep. Ryan Spain, a Peoria republican, said Jeffries needs to keep his focus away from Illinois and on the federal government shutdown.

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This is a leader who has already been blocked in his home state of New York from some of the gerrymandering that were accustomed to seeing in Illinois, Spain said.

Now he comes to our state asking for Illinois lawmakers to be complicit in further gerrymandering and corruption. Leader Jeffries, its offensive. You need to get back to work in Washington, D.C., and you need to work to get the government open.

Redistricting happens every decade after the U.S. Census is completed. Illinois lawmakers in the party holding the majority decide where congressional and state legislative districts start and stop for the next ten years.

Recently, states have been doing mid-year redistricting. Texas decided to change its maps this year with support from President Donald Trump. With the new maps, Texas GOP lawmakers said they could gain potentially five new Republican seats in Congress.

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Since Texas changed its maps, other states have followed, including red state Missouri and blue state California. The latter will need to have its new maps approved by voters.

On the topic of maps, Gov. JB Pritzker said Illinois is considering all its options,

If Donald Trump continues to do what hes doing across the country in Republican states, it is very hard for Democrats to just sit back and watch him cheat, he said.

Spain talked about Pritzker at the press conference on Tuesday. He said the Governor broke his campaign promise on vetoing gerrymandered maps when he signed into law the 2022 maps.

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He is getting lampooned on national television for the cartoonish gerrymandering that already exists in Illinois and now considering and indulging it even further is such an insult to all of us as Illinois voters, Spain said.

When asked about Texas redistricting their maps first, Spain said he stands against all gerrymandering, saying its a race to the bottom.

If the maps were changed, one of the GOP lawmakers that could be targeted includes Peoria-based U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood.

While Jeffries did meet with the Illinois Speaker of the House, neither the Illinois Speaker nor the Senate President has come out in full support of changing the maps.

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In the wake of a Washington Post investigation into fraud within the Veterans Affairs disability system and watchdog recommendations that the VA modernize its ratings schedule, a Republican senator has suggested creating a commission to review the VAs disability compensation program.

At a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing Wednesday in Washington, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., questioned whether the Veterans Benefits Administration  the VA arm that manages disability compensation, pensions, education and employment benefits  needs subject matter experts to examine the claims processes and recommend improvements.

According to Tuberville, the panel would be similar to the VAs Commission on Care, which reviewed the VAs health care system in the mid-2010s and made recommendations on veterans medical services.

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The VA also had an Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission that reviewed the VA hospital system in the early 2020s and made recommendations to modernize it.

Those efforts resulted in mixed success, with some recommendations adopted, such as consolidating the VAs community care programs, and expanding access to urgent care and emergency care. But others, including the AIR Commissions recommendations to realign or close dozens of medical centers and clinics, were blocked.

Judges reject VA secretarys request to pause veterans claims appeals

The Government Accountability Office has recommended the VA improve management of compensation programs and update its disability ratings schedule. It has put VBA on its high risk list for significant waste mismanagement and needs broad transformation, Elizabeth Curda, GAOs acting director of health care, said during the hearing Wednesday.

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A commission to address these concerns may not be the right approach, said Ryan Galluci, executive director of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Washington Office. Galluci said veterans service organizations generally have welcomed commission reviews but will object to any recommendations they see as reductions to VA services or facilities.

I get nervous about the prospect of a commission, Galluci said. I remember with the AIR Commission  it couldnt make it past the first marker and now we are seeing the repercussions of that.  I would argue that a forum like this is certainly a good start to have these discussions.

The Washington Post recently published several articles showcasing veterans who have abused the VA disability compensation system, saying the $193 billion program is a target for fraud, including veterans who fake injuries or illnesses for money.

The Post cited VAs own Office of Inspector General reports and Freedom of Information Act documents that showed veterans who claimed to be paralyzed for years could walk or feigned blindness to collect, at least in one case, nearly $400,000 in VA disability payments.

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Nearly universally at the hearing, witnesses and lawmakers panned the reports, calling them harmful and shaming, blaming veterans for the actions of outliers and not addressing the system itself.

The articles fail to understand or capture the purpose of [disability compensation]. Instead, they cherry pick anecdotes to wrongly claim that disability benefits system is fraught with widespread fraud, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, the committees ranking Democrat.

Blumenthal conceded that fraud does occur but said that the system should not be abandoned as a result.

Retired Army Lt. Col. Daniel Gade, a West Point graduate and Iraq War veteran, was a lone voice in the room, criticizing the system which he said incentivizes veterans to increase their disability ratings and discourages them from working or taking steps to improve their health by complying with treatment.

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Gade said the current system robs veterans of purpose and dignity, trapping them in idleness and despair.

This system is anti-thriving, anti-productivity and ultimately, anti-veteran. Further, it discourages future generations serving by painting veterans as a troubled problem class, said Gade, who once served as Virginias Veterans Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Services.

According to VA Inspector General Cheryl Mason, 3.7% of fraud cases investigated by her office involve those perpetrated by veterans and the largest percentage of fraud investigated by the OIG is against VA and veterans.

The veterans services organization that testified had several solutions for fixing the system and ensuring that veterans receive appropriate compensation. Jeremy Villanueva, associate legislative director for Paralyzed Veterans of America, said the department needed to improve oversight of compensation and pension exams done by contractors and conduct more thorough reviews of claims paperwork submitted by veterans.

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Jon Retzer, assistant national legislative director at Disabled American Veterans, said the VA must resource its claims department and optimize technology to streamline the application and approval process.

Gade recommended an overhaul of a system that gives ratings for illnesses such as hypertension  forgive the expression, old, fat people conditions, he said  requiring veterans receive mental health treatment if they get disability compensation for a mental health disorder and providing VA medical care for all service-connected conditions without tying them to disability ratings, removing an incentive for false claims.

Tuberville did not say whether he will propose legislation to create a commission. Mason said the idea would be very well placed.

I think it is needed to look at the VBA process like its supposed to do at VHA, Mason said.

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Committee Chairman Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, promised more on the topic.

This is not the first and will not be the last conversation we have in exploring how to better serve veterans and improve the disability system, Moran said.
The Trump administration is keeping Congress in the dark on its Caribbean boat bombingsand its angering people on both sides of the aisle.

The United States has committed 14 known strikes on small boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean over the last two months, killing at least 61 people.

But not all lawmakers are being treated equally when it comes to accessing information regarding the attacks. On Wednesday, it became abundantly clear that Democrats had been shut out of a Senate briefing on the extrajudicial killings, sending lawmakers on both sides of the aisle into a frenzy.

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In an interview with CNNs Eric Burnett Wednesday, Republican Representative Mike Turner emphasized that Congress had not received the information that it needs to.

I do think that there are serious concerns as to both the legal construct as to what the administration is doing, and there needs to be more information thats provided to Congress, Turner said. And I think both the logistics and the intelligence information needs to be shared more, more broadly.

Turner, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, revealed that no one in Congress had received a full presentation of the scope of and plan for future boat strikes.

Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued a venomous statement Wednesday arguing that the partisan information gap was indefensible and a slap in the face to Congresss war powers responsibilities.

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Shutting Democrats out of a briefing on U.S. military strikes and withholding the legal justification for those strikes from half the Senate is indefensible and dangerous, Warner posted on X. Decisions about the use of American military force are not campaign strategy sessions, and they are not the private property of one political party. For any administration to treat them that way erodes our national security and flies in the face of Congress constitutional obligation to oversee matters of war and peace.

Warner then underscored previous commitments by State Secretary Marco Rubio, who Warner said had personally promised a face-to-face meeting on Capitol Hill regarding the details and alleged justification for the attack.

The White House has insisted the violence is justified, broadly accusing the boats of trafficking narcotics to the U.S. from Venezuela and Colombia. U.S. lawmakers have been more than skeptical, thoughparticularly since several of the boats were thousands of miles away in international waters, and since the attacks were conducted without prior investigations or interdiction.

Trump has blamed the attacks on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, who has remained atop the countrys government despite Trumps forceful attempts in 2019 to install then-opposition leader Juan Guaido.

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On Friday, the Pentagon announced it would deploy the worlds largest warshipthe USS Gerald R. Fordto Latin America in an effort to ramp up the military firepower available for fighting the small watercraft.

But the escalation has only further strained Americas relationship with its Latin American neighbors. In an address to his country late last week, Maduro accused the U.S. of seeking a new eternal war.

They promised they would never again get involved in a war, and they are fabricating a war, he said.
Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted the benefits for Reliance Jio users as he expressed enthusiasm over both companies shaking hands to accelerate the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across India. "Excited to partner with Reliance Jio to bring the best of Google AI to India. Eligible Jio users will receive our AI Pro plan at no extra cost for 18 months, including Gemini 2.5 Pro, 2TB of storage + our latest AI creation tools. Can't wait to see what we'll build together!" Sundar Pichai said in a post on X. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), through Reliance Intelligence Limited, and Google announced an expansive strategic partnership to accelerate the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across India, "empowering consumers, enterprises, and developers in line with Reliance's AI for All vision". This collaboration brings together Reliance's "unmatched scale, connectivity, and ecosystem reach with Google's world-class AI technology", a release said. Together, these initiatives are aimed at democratising AI access and strengthening the digital foundation for India's AI-driven future, the release added. Google, in partnership with Reliance Intelligence, will begin rolling out Google's AI Pro plan with it the latest version of Google Gemini to eligible Jio users free of charge for 18 months. This offer includes higher access to Google's most capable Gemini 2.5 Pro model in the Gemini app, higher limits to generate stunning images and videos with their state-of-the-art Nano Banana and Veo 3.1 models, expanded access to Notebook LM for study and research, 2 TB of cloud storage and more. This 18-month offer is worth Rs 35,100. Eligible Jio users will be able to easily activate this offer via the MyJio app. Reflecting Jio's commitment to empowering India's youth, the rollout will commence with early access for 18- to 25-year-old users on unlimited 5G plans and will swiftly expand to include every Jio customer nationwide in the shortest time possible. This partnership will also explore bringing more delightful local experiences powered by AI to Jio users, catering to India's rich cultural and linguistic diversity. In line with its vision of building multi-GW, clean energy-powered, state-of-the-art sovereign compute capabilities, Reliance announced a partnership with Google Cloud to broaden access to its advanced AI hardware accelerators, Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). This will enable more organisations to train and deploy larger, more complex AI models, as well as deliver faster inferencing to help execute highly demanding projects and accelerate AI adoption across the broader India AI ecosystem. It will also strengthen India's national AI backbone, supporting the vision articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India a global AI powerhouse, the release said. "This expanded collaboration also establishes Reliance Intelligence as a strategic go-to-market partner for Google Cloud, driving the adoption of Gemini Enterprise across Indian organisations. Gemini Enterprise is a next-generation, unified agentic AI platform for businesses that brings the best of Google AI to every employee, for every workflow. It empowers teams to discover, create, share, and run AI agents--all in one secure environment," it added Reliance Intelligence will also develop and offer its own pre-built enterprise AI agents in GeminiEnterprise, expanding the available choice of both Google-built and third-party agents to users. Mukesh Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Industries Limited, said, "Reliance Intelligence aims to make intelligence services accessible to 1.45 billion Indians. Through our collaboration with strategic and long-term partners like Google, we aim to make India not just AI-enabled but AI-empowered - where every citizen and enterprise can harness intelligent tools to create, innovate and grow." RIL is India's largest private sector company, with a consolidated revenue of Rs 10,71,174 crore, cash profit of Rs 1,46,917 crore and net profit of Rs 81,309 crore for the year ended March 31, 2025. (ANI)
A Detroit police officer was caught during a court appearance with his pants down -- literally.

In a video obtained by ABC News, a Detroit police officer named Matthew Jackson is seen during a Monday court appearance via videoconference without any pants on.

Detroit 36th District Court - PHOTO: Officer Matthew Jackson of the Detroit Police Department was missing a critical part of his uniform when he appeared at a virtual court proceeding.

Jackson is seated and wearing his police uniform shirt during the virtual proceeding at the 36th District Court in Michigan, as well as what appears to be undershorts, which soon prompted the expected question from the judge.

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"You got some pants on, officer?" District Court Judge Sean B. Perkins asked.

"No, sir," Jackson replied, and then tilted his camera up so that he was seen only from the waist up.

The dress code for the court emphasizes appropriate clothing.

Video: How to make the right impression over Zoom

"Casual business attire is preferred" for court appearances, according to the 36th District Court website. "Prohibited attire includes shorts (cut-offs), skorts, sleeveless shirts (tank tops), hats/caps (except those worn for cultural or religious purposes) and other clothing which is not suitable in a Court or any other professional environment."

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Attorney TaTaNisha Reed, who represented the defendant at the virtual hearing, said she also was surprised by the officer's sartorial choice.

"I was trying to figure it out. Like, am I seeing what I think I'm seeing? Especially with a police officer. So it was an interesting day, to say the least," she told ABC Detroit affiliate station WXYZ.

The Detroit Police Department requires its officers to represent themselves in a dignified and professional manner while attending court proceedings," Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison told WXYZ in a statement. "The involved officer's actions are not representative of the professionalism of this department and will be appropriately addressed to maintain the public confidence and efficient operation of this department. Our apologies are hereby extended to the judges and staff of the court, as well as anyone else who may have been in attendance during this incident.
HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT)  After three years of major infrastructure improvements, work on Section 1 of the Ohio River Crossing is coming to a close.

As a result, Gov. Andy Beshear along with state and local leaders will cut the ribbon on the project on Monday, November 3 at 10 a.m. followed by a community celebration that afternoon.

ORX officials state by November 10, the final three major elements of the project are expected to open to traffic, providing upgrades to the I-69 corridor and new connections that will expedite travel times and improve safety:

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New KY 3690 (Future I-69) roadway

New U.S. 60 interchange in final configuration

New U.S. 41 interchange in full operation

Two additional ramps will open to facilitate movement from the new roadway

(KY 3690) to U.S. 41

Officials state the new roadway will connect the new U.S. Route 41 interchange to the new U.S. Route 60 interchange that will eventually lead traffic to I-69.

Officials say following the ribbon cutting, the public is invited to a community walk that afternoon where participants will cover a distance of their choice on the new roadway while learning fun facts about the project along the way. Gates will open at 2:30 p.m.

Commemorative medallions will be available to the first 1,000 participants. A limited number of string backpacks will also be available. The event will also feature bubbles for kids, sidewalk chalk and photo opportunities. The Henderson Fire Department and the Henderson Police

Department will be taking part in the event.

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A tremendous amount of work has happened over the last three years, said Emily Deason, KYTC project manager. Were grateful for the patience and support of Henderson leaders, drivers and residents. This walk is to celebrate all thats been accomplished, say thank you and

give residents the unique chance to walk the roadway before they drive it.

Drivers will be able to access the event from U.S. 60. The southbound U.S. 60 ramp to future I-69 will be open to all drivers to access the currently closed roadway. Team members will help direct cars to available parking and assist traffic in leaving the event by navigating to the northbound exit ramp at U.S. 60. Click here for more navigation information.

Parking will be available on site but will be limited. Participants are encouraged to carpool with friends and family if possible.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
SOUTH KOREA (WRBL)  Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp wrapped up a recent trip to Asia that included a stop in South Korea.

In early September, a federal immigration raid at a Hyundai battery plant under construction in Georgia drew scrutiny from South Korean officials and businesses.

RELATED: Columbus delegation wraps up South Korea trip with focus on economic growth

More than 450 people were detained, most of them South Korean workers.

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Kemp said he anticipated the issue would be a major topic of discussion during his visit to Seoul.

All the companies that we talked to had great discussions about that issue, Kemp said. I didnt sense a lot of concerns. Those conversations actually went better than I thought they would just because of the things that weve been doing in Georgia, the communication that weve had with President Trump and the White House on the visa and ESTA issue. And I think if nothing else, theres going to be good things that come out of an unfortunate situation.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Impact of ICE raid on Hyundai battery plant felt from Georgia to South Korea

WRBL News 3 spoke to Dr. Daewoo Lee, interim chair of the Policy, Justice, and Public Safety Department at Columbus State University, who said the raid had caused confusion between the two countries.

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In one word, its unfortunate, Lee said. Theres a little bit of confusion between both sides  U.S. as well as South Korea. And there are many positive, mutually beneficial activities going on between South Korea and Georgia. But because of some confusion, this happened. And it is just unfortunate. But I think things are getting cleared up and moving in the right direction.

South Koreas partnership with Georgia dates back to 2005, when Kia opened its manufacturing plant in West Point. That partnership expanded with Hyundais new $7.6 billion facility near Savannah.

South Korean companies have invested more than $24 billion in Georgia over the past decade.

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As the federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week, nearly one million Massachusetts residents are bracing for the end of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits this Saturday.

Womens sober house on North Shore bracing for loss of SNAP benefits

The looming cutoff is expected to hit vulnerable populations hardest  including children, seniors, and people with disabilities  and has prompted a surge in activity among local nonprofits preparing to meet increased demand for food assistance.

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Governor Maura Healey will speak at the State House at 10:45 a.m. Thursday to address President Trumps unprecedented decision to end SNAP benefits and outline ways residents can support their neighbors.

One initiative already underway is the United Response Fund, launched by the United Way to collect donations for families impacted by the SNAP suspension. A list of resources for those at risk of losing SNAP benefits is also available on the states website.

Nationwide, 42 million Americans rely on SNAP. The Trump administration has announced it will not tap into $5 billion in contingency funds to extend the program into November, intensifying political tensions in Washington.

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Last week, Healey said, Right now, sitting in Washington, is a contingency fund of billions of dollars that the president can use to make these funds available...This is the choice that Donald Trump has made. Its to take food away from people, to end SNAP benefits."

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren sharply criticized the decision, saying, Donald Trump has made the decision to let people across this country go hungry. Trump is telling 15 million hungry children to eat dirt.

Meanwhile, Sen. John Thune, of South Dakota, defended congressional efforts, noting, 13 times people over here voted to fund SNAP. 13 times they voted to fund WIC.

In response to the federal action, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell is co-leading a lawsuit against the USDA alongside more than 20 other states.

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A hearing on the case is scheduled for 11 a.m. today at the federal courthouse in Boston.

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a food emergency in New York on Thursday, allowing for extra emergency funds and personnel to be deployed.

The declaration comes with an additional $65 million in emergency food funding, Hochul said. CUNY and SUNY students will be deployed across the state to help with food distribution.

More Local News

Due to the ongoing government shutdown, SNAP payments will be suspended nationwide starting in November, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Its a massive blow to New York, where 3 million people rely on the federal benefits to put food on the table.

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Hochul previously announced over $40 million in emergency food aid for the state, for a total of $106 million. But advocates with the Legal Aid Society say the emergency funding comes up short. The cost to operate SNAP for a month in New York is $650 million, something the state can afford, advocates said.

Albany should follow the lead of other states  including Louisiana, Vermont, and Virginia  that have acted to maintain SNAP benefits despite federal disruptions. New York can and must do the same, a spokesperson for the Legal Aid Society said in a statement Thursday. We call on Governor Hochul to allocate up to $650 million in State funds to ensure full SNAP benefits in November.

Hochul urged lawmakers to end the government shutdown, which has lasted nearly a month.

This is all bad. Theres no way to sugarcoat this, what is being unleashed on our people, Hochul said.

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To stay up to date on the status of SNAP benefits, click here.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
ALBANY  Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Thursday and announced new actions in response to the halt in SNAP benefits this weekend.

As the government shutdown continues, the administration has yet to release billions in approved federal contingency funds, leaving many New Yorkers without program benefits.

In response, Hochul is committing an additional $65 million in state funds for emergency food assistance to reinforce food bank and pantry partners. The money will provide about 40 million meals.

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Of these funds, $40 million will go to the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides emergency food relief and nutrition services to food-insecure populations. The program works in partnership with a network of about 2,700 Emergency Food Providers, including food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. The remaining $25 million will go to Nourish NY, which supplies surplus agricultural products such as milk, apples, cheese, yogurt, cabbage and squash to populations who need them through the states network of food relief organizations.

The governor deployed Empire State Service Corps and SUNY Corps Members to support local food banks during this emergency and continuing to explore food hubs at schools.

Currently, hundreds of SUNY students serve as peer navigators, helping fellow students complete SNAP applications and assisting at campus and local food pantries. The Empire State Service Corps will allow current members to expand their paid hours, enabling them to provide greater support at food pantries statewide. New short-term crisis response positions will also be created to assist food pantries and food banks facing staffing shortages.

The Trump Administration is cutting food assistance off for three million New Yorkers, leaving our state to face an unprecedented public health crisis and hurting our grocers, bodegas and farmers along the way, Hochul said. Unlike Washington Republicans, I wont sit idly by as families struggle to put food on the table.

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Since the inception of the program, SNAP benefits have been federally funded. New York administers about $650 million per month in federally funded SNAP benefits. Given the scale of the program, Hochul, along with governors nationwide, have emphasized that no state government can replace SNAP benefits or backfill the program.

Todays announcement comes as New York, along with 24 other states, sued the Trump administration last Tuesday to demand the release of emergency SNAP funds. The governor also signed a letter with 20 other governors to the president, calling for the administration to reverse course and release the funds.

Hochul had already fast-tracked $41 million in state funds for emergency food assistance earlier this week. Thursdays announcement brings the total to $106 million.
The governor announced plans to deploy Iowa National Guard members to conduct food distribution missions throughout the state if SNAP benefits end Nov. 1, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Iowa National Guard)

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Thursday she will deploy Iowa National Guard members to assist with Iowa food banks and pantries and direct the state to match donations beginning Nov. 1 if the federal government does not reopen.

Benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, will not be distributed beginning in November if the federal government shutdown, which on Thursday reached 30 days, continues. As there does not seem to be a resolution in sight, charitable organizations are preparing to see a surge in demand in Iowa and across the country from families seeking food assistance.

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While Iowa has not moved to provide state backing for SNAP benefits as some other states have considered, Reynolds announced the state will provide interim support for Iowa food banks and pantries if SNAP benefits end as expected.

These supports include plans to deploy Iowa National Guard members for active duty, conducting food distribution missions throughout the state, as well as planned meetings with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and Volunteer Iowa to recruit and deploy volunteers to support food assistance operations in communities across the state where help is needed.

Additionally, Reynolds directed Iowa HHS to use existing state funds to match cash donations to the states six regional food banks up to $1 million, beginning Nov. 3, if the shutdown continues.

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Government plays an important role in supporting its citizens, but we each have a personal responsibility to care for the people in our communities, especially those in need, Reynolds said in a statement. Thats why the state will match up to $1 million in contributions made by Iowans for regional food banks across our state. Together, we can make an even bigger difference for our neighbors who need help during this time.

A spokesperson for the Des Moines Area Religious Council said their organization was grateful for the office of the governors work to create an emergency response for Iowans in need.

This increased collaboration and communication with Iowa HHS and agencies like DMARC is an important step to remove barriers for our neighbors as they navigate an incredibly difficult time, Blake Willadsen, communications manager for DMARC said. SNAP is our nations most effective tool for fighting hunger, and the loss of it this November will be felt especially hard by families, children, and seniors across our state.

Food banks, pantries and other organizations said last week they expect to see unprecedented need across the state if SNAP benefits end, as the food assistance program serves roughly 270,000 Iowans each month. In addition to the states response, there have also been several private organizations pledging support for these entities in the coming week.

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Local businesses including Big Grove Brewery and The Big Grove for Good Foundation have announced plans to donate a total of $12,000 to three Iowa food banks, Hy-Vee will donate $100,000 to food banks in its regions and Fareway and the Iowa Pork Producers Association are collaborating to donate $20,000 worth of pork to food banks across the state.

The three Medicaid managed care organizations in Iowa, Iowa Total Care, Molina Healthcare of Iowa, and Wellpoint Iowa, have also committed to donate $100,000 to support Iowa food banks, according to the governors news release.

Food insecurity impairs learning, teachers union says

Advocates say the lapse of SNAP benefits will have major implications for Iowans in all aspects of life  including education. Iowa State Education Association President Joshua Brown said students who experience chronic food insecurity face greater challenges in learning and retaining information, and called on members of Congress to pass a bipartisan funding bill that prioritizes the welfare of our citizens, especially our most vulnerable.

We are frustrated and disappointed, and we are here to demand change, Brown said. The Iowa congressional delegation and other elected leaders in Washington  this is your moral test, and you are currently failing. You are fighting over budget lines and political talking points while children are going to bed, worried about whether where their next meal is going to come from. You are treating the future of our children as a bargaining chip in a game of partisan politics.

Members of Iowas all Republican federal delegation have supported measures to provide funding for SNAP if the shutdown continues. U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks introduced a bill Friday to let the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture access emergency funds to maintain SNAP operations during the shutdown.

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On Monday, U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn toured the Food Bank of Iowa and called for Democrats to support the continuing resolution passed in the House  a short-term funding bill that does not include Democrats language on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits  in order to prevent SNAP benefits from being halted.

This shutdown is threatening food on the table for hundreds of thousands of Iowa familiesmany of them kids, new moms, and seniors, Nunn said in a statement. We cannot expect Iowa food banks and families to pay for Washingtons dysfunction. Im calling on Senate Democrats to set partisanship aside and pass our clean continuing resolution before we reach the funding cliff.

But Democrats have criticized House Republicans for refusing to negotiate on the ACA enhanced tax credits and other issues. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart criticized Iowas GOP House delegation for not working to reconvene and negotiate a deal with Democrats to reopen the government.

The USDA has the money to feed hungry Iowans in November, but the Trump administration is refusing to release these funds, Hart said in a statement. Instead of working to ensure veterans, mothers, and children can access the food they need, Republicans are using peoples lives as leverage to continue playing political games. Iowa families should not have to worry about putting food on the table because of Washington gridlock. Its time for Republicans to do their job and put people before politics.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  With Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits being set to end Nov. 1, leaving hundreds of thousands of Oregonians hungry, Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state food emergency on Wednesday night.

The emergency is set to last 60 days and is directing $5 million to Oregons statewide food bank network.

Its unacceptable that families are being used as leverage in a political standoff in Washington, D.C., Governor Kotek said. While the Republican-controlled Congress fails to do its job, Oregon will do ours. We stand up for each other, whether its fires, floods, or any other crisis. I call on all Oregonians to do what they can to help their neighbors, Kotek said.

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Clackamas County also declared a state of emergency on Thursday. The county anticipates hundreds of its residents to be in critical need. As the third-largest county in Oregon, nearly 50,000 residents rely on SNAP to eat.

National Guard came to Portland despite judges order not to, Trump attorneys say

Clackamas County leaders are prepared to step up with $100,000 of dollars to feed county residents. This money will be used to buy food from big grocers to fill up the dozens of food banks and pantries in the area.

Another atmospheric river is headed for Oregon. Will it impact Halloween in Portland?

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Meanwhile, dozens of Oregonians are starting food drives to help out in their local communities. In North Portland, families and small businesses are reaching out for food donations to help fill in the gaps.

Ill be volunteering and supporting my local food bank over the coming weeks, and I ask Oregonians who are able to do the same, Senator Christine Drazan (R-Canby) said. Please consider donating your time, money, or non-perishable foods to your local food banks, pantries, and churches. Our friends and neighbors are going to need us. Its time to get to work.

Locally in Portland, charitable organizations and private groups are stepping up to help those in need.

Chris Husbands is a local father who is contributing to the cause by collecting and distributing groceries at a Kenton antique shop that has been converted into a food pantry.

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I think taking care of you and your own and the people that you can when you can and how you can is the most appropriate thing to do right now, Husbands said.

The Sunshine Division is also adding another 200 slots for weekly home deliveries and expanding pantry hours to serve more families than ever before.

This is an emergency, this is a crisis. Im not sure everyone understands just how difficult this is going to be for hundreds of thousands of Oregonians across the state, said Sunshine Division Executive Director Kyle Camberg. Were talking about over $140 million that did not go into the economy for families in need this month. So its a scary time.

The sign-up to receive Thanksgiving meals through Sunshine Division begins on Thursday. This year, the nonprofit is adding an extra 750 Thanksgiving meals and theyre preparing for a record 3,000 Christmas deliveries this season. The Sunshine Division has more information on how to request a Thanksgiving meal delivery or volunteer.

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In addition, a number of local restaurants in Portland are offering free or discounted food for SNAP recipients and others experiencing food insecurity.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

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NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Governor Henry McMaster will be in the Lowcountry on Thursday for a ceremonial bill signing of legislation that is meant to improve access to affordable housing.

The Tax Increment Financing Bill changes the definition of a redevelopment project on a federal military installation to include certain affordable housing projects.

South Carolina is home to around 3,500 active-duty service members, and the state has several major military installations like Joint Base Charleston, which houses around 1,300 service members.

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Base leaders told Gov. McMaster earlier this year that the majority of their personnel live in the greater Charleston area and that improving access to affordable housing was a priority.

Gov. McMaster will be joined by North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess and other state and local leaders for the signing.

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Appearing at the Good Shepherd Food Banks Auburn location alongside president Heather Paquette, Gov. Janet Mills said the state's SNAP contingency funds will last as long as we can spread it out. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star)

Maine Gov. Janet Mills knows the $1.2 million she has allocated to help plug the hole that will be left by lapsed federal food assistance will not be enough but said the state has limited options without federal support.

With 170,000 Mainers set to lose Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits due to the ongoing government shutdown, anti-hunger advocates are pushing for the Maine Legislature to step in and provide additional funding to make up for the roughly $29 million that goes to low-income households each month.

Mills announced Wednesday she would be allocating $1.2 million to Good Shepherd Food Bank and Maines network of Area Agencies on Aging. One day later, appearing at Good Shepherds Auburn location, the governor said that the money will last as long as we can spread it out.

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But, she said, the ultimate responsibility lies with the federal government, particularly the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which Mills said is falsely saying that a contingency fund cant be used to bolster SNAP during the shutdown, reversing its previous plan to do so.

They can stop this, she said. They can authorize the expenditure of the $5 billion contingency fund, and they can stop the shutdown.

Of the states current allocation, Anna Korsen, deputy director of anti-hunger advocacy group Full Plates, Full Potential, told Maine Morning Star, the gap is enormous  and this investment will not close it.

Maine is in a hunger crisis, and no food pantry can replace SNAP. For every one meal provided by a pantry, SNAP provides nine, she added. Korsen also pointed out that access to those pantries, which are often open only for limited hours during the week, can also be difficult for working caregivers and parents trying to feed their kids.

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Food pantries are already stretched thin. Preble Street in Portland is increasing its capacity to serve more than 2,400 meals a day, seven days a week to meet the need, according to Director Mark Swann.

But, I want to stress, this is not a solution, he said. It is a temporary remedy to fill the tremendous gap left by this loss of SNAP benefits to vulnerable communities.

Prepared boxes cover the floor of a food pantry in Auburn, Maine. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/ Maine Morning Star)

Calls for special legislative session

If Maine does want to appropriate more funds to plug the hole left by federal SNAP funding, it would have to be approved by the Legislature.

Several lawmakers and anti-poverty groups have publicly called on the governor and legislative leaders to convene a special session to address what many are describing as a funding crisis. A special session can be called by the governor, or by presiding officers with the consent of a majority of lawmakers.

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This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for our state government, said Robyn Merrill, executive director of Maine Equal Justice, which along with Full Plates, Full Potential and the Maine Center for Economic Policy called on policymakers to make an urgent plan for additional funding.

Citing the right to food enshrined in the Maine Constitution in 2021, Maine Sen. Craig Hickman (D-Kennebec) sent a letter to Mills and Democratic leaders asking them to use their authority to convene a special session to cover the estimated $29 million gap in SNAP payments each month.

Mills said they are looking at all options. But the answer, she said, is in the hands of the administration in Washington right now,

Asked whether they would work with their colleagues to convene a special session, GOP leaders said congressional Democrats should support the Republican stopgap spending plan and end the government shutdown.

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Pointing to Mills bid for U.S. Senate, which has been supported by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook), said, wouldnt it make more sense for her to just ask him to end this nonsense and re-open the federal government by extending Bidens budget, rather than spending state resources through a special session?

Democratic leaders, alternately, put the onus on President Donald Trumps administration for withholding SNAP contingency funds.

While we as a state need to stay creative and collaborative to weather thiswe must not forget who is to blame, said Maine Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Cumberland).  The USDA has the funds needed for this vital program. This is a deliberate punishment and attack on states.

Maine House of Representatives Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) said hed support a special session if Maines Republican leaders commit that their caucus will support a bill to cover food assistance for kids, families, and seniors.

I can tell you Democrats will absolutely support funding the Trump-imposed shortfall, Fecteau said.

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Actor Paresh Rawal has defended his upcoming film, 'The Taj Story', amid the ongoing controversy surrounding its release. He explained that the film brings several untold stories to the public. "The film is about the architecture, and then the Taj's transformation, which was borrowed from someone who borrowed someone else's palace. The time it took, some notions, and a few misunderstandings that the hands of around 22,000 people were cut off - all of these have been revealed. The truth has been revealed," Paresh Rawal told ANI. Addressing the controversies around his film, Rawal explained how it causes a significant loss to the "social fabric, people's psyche, and a country like India, which often witnesses delicate situations." "We are trying to clear the obvious and present the historical facts from primary sources," he added. Actor Zakir Hussain, who will be seen portraying the role of a lawyer, added, "There are some subjects which create controversies. This is a historical event and has been mentioned in several books, beginning in the 16th century. When the Taj Mahal was being constructed, someone travelled there and wrote his own description. Over time, things tend to change in meaning. We are bringing a healthy debate to the audience." Filmmaker Tushar Amrish Goel spoke about the performances from both Paresh Rawal and Zakir Hussain. "With Zakir sir's versatility and Paresh sir's talent, I got humour along with a bit of bitterness. The combination of both elements made our story and our film," he said. Ahead of its release, the Delhi High Court has refused to grant an urgent hearing to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed against the release of 'The Taj Story'. The PIL alleges that the movie is based on "fabricated facts" and promotes a "particular propaganda" intended to gain political mileage and incite communal disharmony. According to the plea, the film's trailer--launched on October 16, 2025 shows the dome of the Taj Mahal lifting to reveal a figure of Lord Shiva, implying that the monument was originally a temple. The petitioner claims that such imagery "distorts historical facts, misrepresents India's composite culture, and risks provoking communal unrest." 'The Taj Story' will be released on October 31. (ANI)
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday hes looking at ways to support food pantries when the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits end on Nov 1.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, under President Donald Trumps jurisdiction, said Senate Democrats need to vote on the Republicans continuing resolution to fund the government.

Bottom line, the well has run dry, the department said on its website. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. They can continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.

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Pritzker said USDA is withholding the available emergency funds for political reasons. According to the governors office, SNAP currently supports 1.9 million Illinois residents.

There are many people that are on SNAP that cannot survive without the food they might get with SNAP, he said. Some dont have enough to put food on the table for even two or one meal a day. I think all of us need to be concerned.

Pritzker said it would be impossible for the state to fund SNAP if the federal benefit is stopped. He estimates it would cost $350 million a month to cover the gap.

State officials are looking at other ways to support food pantries and other non-profit organizations. While they cant completely fill the deficit if SNAP ends, they are considering other options.

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We are, in fact, working in Springfield right now to make sure that were prepared, Pritzker said. Were going to do a lot to support our food pantries and other organizations.

Its not as much as SNAP because we cant afford to do what the federal government can, but it is what we can do, he said.

Pritzker did not go into detail about what support would look like. He also said he is hopeful the government shutdown ends before Nov. 1.

According to The Hill, 25 states, including Illinois, have sued the federal government for its plan to pause SNAP benefits.

State lawmakers could talk about SNAP funding during the fall veto session that will wrap up Thursday.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Water woes in parts of Genesee County persist, not only from years of periodic droughts, both in winter and summer, but with plans for public water infrastructure now paused due to the federal government shutdown.

Right now, I have 109 homes that do not have water, again, or still, the dairy farms are all without water, theyre hauling water, says Town of Bethany Supervisor, Carl Hyde.

Water wells drying up and the need for residents and business owners to haul water from various public supply spouts has been the norm for several years in this community in New York.

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Families often must either bring potable water to their homes for basic tasks such as washing dishes, bathing, or running laundry, can lead to increased costs.

Progress has been made to establish public water access districts however the situation is getting worse due to the government shutdown.

Water District #5 is currently the project underway, with public access already set up for districts 1 to 4 in recent years. Phase I of Water District #5 went out to bid with contractors now secured and plans to start digging and pipe delivery in the first week of November, however Hyde emphasizes the next part of the project is reliant on a federal grant, currently on hold.

USDA is a federal govt entity and theyre sitting on $16.8 million while Phase-2  which is 3 more contracts in Water District #5 were submitted to USDA; we were waiting, we were supposed to get approval the week they went into shutdown to go out for bid, says Hyde.

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The Town Supervisor, who has been advocating for public water access for decades, expressed deep frustration with the current situation and concern for the future of the project timeline.

I am very angry with the incompetence in Washington. The impact in these poor decisions is  not only is it far-reaching but its long-lasting. Because the longer that this Water District is postponed because of the federal government being shutdown means they would have had water at the tap in say  hypothetically  April; every week that goes by its a week longer, its a week longer, its a week longer  so instead of hopefully having water in the spring, now you might get water in the summer, the longer it goes you might get water by next fall, Hyde says.

Residents or business owners affected by the ongoing well water drought are urged to contact their federal representatives to express their feelings and needs as it relates to the release of the federal grant funding.

Statement from Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24):

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My Office has been in contact with Supervisor Hyde and local officials in Bethany to ensure this vital water project moves forward. Supervisor Hyde confirmed that the town received USDA approval for Phase I and is beginning construction. However, for approvals for Phase II to resume, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand must do their jobs and vote to reopen the government. Rural communities like Bethany should not have to wait for Washington to function before they can access safe and reliable water.

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Tomorrow is Halloween, so let's talk about monsters. Specifically, let's talk about the monstrous government censors who once hacked and slashed their way through Hollywood's original horror classics.

In 1931, Universal Studios released a pair of films that still haunt American culture. The first to emerge from the shadows was Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi as the titular vampire who creeps by night to feed on the blood of his victims. Then, shambling in the bloodsucker's wake, came Frankenstein, starring Boris Karloff as the tragic creature who was pieced together from dead body parts and brought to unnatural life by the titular mad scientist.

Some modern horror fans might find these films to be too slow or tame for their liking. But we must remember that they were genuinely frightening or disturbing to many audiences back in the day. They were so upsetting to some people, in fact, that the official censorship boards that then existed in multiple states took a page from Dr. Frankenstein and sliced off the best parts.

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Today, the idea of an official state censor requiring specific cuts to a mainstream Hollywood movie in order for that movie to be shown to paying adult customers would be laughed out of court on First Amendment grounds.

But no such robust First Amendment jurisprudence existed in the 1930s. In fact, it was not until 1925 that the U.S. Supreme Court first recognized that the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech applied to the actions of state and local governments. And, as we will see, it was not until 1952 that the First Amendment's protections against state censorship were extended to the movies.

So Dracula and Frankenstein both faced the censors' knives when they were first released. For example, in his invaluable book, The Monster Show: A Cultural History of Horror, David J. Skal noted that Massachusetts mandated several cuts to all Sunday screenings of Dracula, including the removal of a shot "showing part of a skeleton in a casket as well as one of a beetle-like insect emerging from a miniature coffin."

As for Frankenstein, Skal reported that one of the most commonly maimed scenes involved the creature encountering a young girl who was tossing flowers onto a lake and watching them float. Seemingly charmed by the girl's joyful actions, the creature, behaving with a sort of child-like innocence of its own, tosses the girl onto the water to watch her float like a flower. But the girl (predictably) drowns, compounding the creature's pathos and isolation.

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Many censors objected to that upsetting scene and it was typically cut in a way that removed the sight of the creature actually tossing the girl onto the water. Yet, as Skal observed, such an edit "ironically [left] some viewers with the impression that they had been spared the spectacle of some shocking molestation." In other words, the censors arguably made the scene even more disturbing by forcing audiences to draw their own conclusions about the full nature of the girl's fatal meeting with the creature. The censors thus defeated the point of their own clumsy censorship.

Several years later, Frankenstein's even better (in my view) sequel, The Bride of Frankenstein, faced its own angry mob of censors. The "list of eliminations ordered by the Ohio Censor Board," complained one Universal staffer, in a report quoted by Skal, were "very drastic and very harmful to the success of this picture."

Perhaps the fullest record we have of that era's heavy-handed government crackdown on horror movies comes from a 1933 pamphlet published by the National Council on Freedom From Censorship titled What Shocked the Censors: A Complete Record of Cuts in Motion Picture Films Ordered by the New York State Censors from January, 1932 to March, 1933.

Here, for example, is what RKO Radio Pictures was forced to cut from King Kong in order for the giant ape to lawfully terrorize Empire State moviegoers:

REEL 8. Eliminate all views of monster holding girl as he tears clothing from her body. REEL 9.Eliminate all views of monster with natives in his mouth as he tears them apart. Eliminate all views of monster crushing natives with foot. REEL 10.Eliminate all views of monster biting man whom he holds in his mouth.

I don't know about you, but those cuts represent exactly the sort of stuff that I hope to see in a flick about an oversized beast running amok.

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The New York censors also demanded extensive cuts to Universal's lesser-known shocker, Murders in the Rue Morgue, in which Dracula himself, Bela Lugosi, starred in an extremely loose adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's great tale of mystery and the macabre. Here, for example, are some of the cuts ordered to that movie by the state board: "Eliminate all distinct views (5) of girl bound and tied to cross beams in Dr. Mirakle's laboratoryall views of her writhing in agonyall views of Doctor standing over her, holding her arm while he tortures her."

As noted above, this killjoy regime of state censorship lasted until the late date of 1952, when it finally suffered defeat before the Supreme Court. The landmark case that did the job is known as Burstyn v. Wilson. It arose after the Paris Theater in New York City began showing an Italian art film called The Miracle, in which a girl imagines that she has given birth to Jesus Christ.

Noisy protesters soon gathered in front of the theater to object to the film's "blasphemous" content. Then, in a clear win for the heckler's veto, state officials sided with the protesters and ordered the theater to cease operations. Theater owner Joseph Burstyn sued and ultimately prevailed.

"We conclude that expression by means of motion pictures is included within the free speech and free press guaranty of the First and Fourteenth Amendments," declared the Supreme Court. "The basic principles of freedom of speech and the press, like the First Amendment's command, do not vary. Those principles, as they have frequently been enunciated by this Court, make freedom of expression the rule. There is no justification in this case for making an exception to that rule."

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So if you happen to find yourself visiting the cinema this Halloween for some spooky fun, take a moment to appreciate the fact that you are also exercising your inalienable right to enjoy a scary movie free from the grasp of those unwholesome state officials who once disfigured both the movies and the Constitution.

The post When the Government Censored Dracula, Frankenstein, and King Kong appeared first on Reason.com.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  As the federal government shutdown continues, local organizations are stepping up to help military families and federal employees struggling to make ends meet.

Every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m., volunteers at the Jewish Family Service of San Diego distribute free food to families in need through a drive-thru pickup program. Since the start of the shutdown, organizers say demand has surged.

Its really important to help out our local community, said volunteer Katie Wu, who spent her afternoon bagging and packing groceries. If I have a couple hours in my day, why not, right?

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Each family receives about 40 pounds of food  including fresh fruits, vegetables and canned goods  all donated by partners such as the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and Feeding San Diego.

I have a family of my own, said volunteer Tanya, who asked to be identified by first name only. I experienced food insecurity in the past, so its very close to my heart.

For the past four weeks, the nonprofit has shifted part of its focus to serve those directly affected by the shutdown  from federal employees to contractors and military families.

So anyone who is impacted could be federal employees, military families, contractors, civilian workers  just anybody affected by this, said Tom Stewart of Jewish Family Service.

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Stewart said the organization has seen a 42% increase in families using the drive-thru service in the past week.

As the weeks have gone on, weve seen more and more folks showing up as first or second paychecks are missed, he said. This week may be the first time some employees miss an entire paycheck.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank, roughly 46,000 San Diegans hold civilian federal jobs, and there are about 100,000 active-duty military members in the area.

They have good-paying jobs, Stewart said. They just find themselves at a point where they need to ask for help  unsure if theyll make rent, pay the bills or take care of their children.

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Over the past month, Jewish Family Service has provided an estimated 5,700 meals to about 1,000 families  a number that continues to grow each week.

For volunteers like Wu, giving back is about more than food.

The more important it is to support local community resources, she said. You never know if one day you might be on the receiving end.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The loss of paychecks and SNAP benefits has affected many Oklahomans, but now, many are looking at the toll the government shutdown is having on the mental health of those impacted.

It has resulted in some taking drastic measures to try and ease the pain.

A lot of these folks are vulnerable people and they need a little bit of extra support to get back on their feet, Carrie Blumert, CEO of Mental Health Association of Oklahoma, said.

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The government shutdown is likely causing stress levels to reach new heights for thousands of Oklahomans directly affected by it.

Many federal workers and military personnel have missed paychecks while bills continue to pile up.

The impact on kids in Oklahoma with potential SNAP cuts

SNAP benefits will not go out on November 1st, leaving thousands of families without the help they rely buy groceries.

Blumert says they are doing all they can, but funding cuts have led to fewer resources.

A lot of the folks that were helping and trying to connect to resources, theres just not as many resources as there have been, Blumert said. Theres not as many funded programs.

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News 4 has talked to many rehab centers across the metro. None would go on camera, but they tell us they are seeing more people suffering with relapses right now, possibly triggered by the stress of the shutdown.

That makes sense to me; it does not surprise me, Blumert said. Its good people are getting access to help and treatment, but that makes sense with the amount of stress, the political environment, the economic environment.

With no end to the shutdown in sight, Blumert fears ongoing stress may lead people to even darker places in their minds.

Sometimes the only option feels to be ending it, Blumert said. There are other options. There are other ways out.

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She wants everyone struggling with such thoughts to hear this.

You can call 988, you can call 911, you can call our mental health assistance center. There are lines where people are ready to talk to you, Blumert said. It probably feels like the government has turned its back on you. So, I would encourage folks, do not be afraid to ask for help.

Blumert says they have available resources at the Mental Health Association of Oklahoma, and encourages anyone needing any type of assistance to reach out.

You can also call their assistance center at 405-943-3700.

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56)  While politics play out in Washington, families here in Kentucky are feeling the consequences.

Essential programs that feed and educate children are now at risk, and community leaders say theyre doing everything they can to keep doors open.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Because of the government shutdown, several Head Start programs in Kentucky could be forced to close their doors.

The early childhood program serves low-income families, helping kids get ready for school while providing critical nutrition and family support.

Some of the organizations are having to make tough choices, go to their boards if theyre a nonprofit and make determinations about whether or not they will access other resources, other funds, lines of credit, things like that, said Melissa Tibbs, director of the Office of Sustainability at the Community Action Council.

Community action councils across the state each operate on different funding timelines. Tibbs said her organization is one of the lucky ones.

LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS:

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All five of our Head Start grant projects started before October 1st and the federal shutdown, explained Tibbs. But other programs, as many as 140 across the country, are not as fortunate. They have grant dates that start Nov. 1, which means that their leaders are having to make some really tough decisions.

She said its sad to see programs that serve the most vulnerable now struggling themselves.

We all know what will happen or what could happen if children are in Head Start, who cant go to school for whatever reason, but also have the impact of the loss of SNAP, we understand what the stress and hunger can do to children and their brains and to their development, and we dont want any of that, Tibbs added.

Still, Tibbs said she and other community partners arent giving up.

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Community action has been in this position for 60 years, working closely with community partners and the residents to decide whats needed and to figure out a path forward, and were going to continue to do that, said Tibbs.

Other assistance available through the Community Action Council is LIHEAP (home heating cost assistance) and H2O help to others (water bills assistance for Kentucky American Water customers).

Latest central Kentucky weather forecast

Tibbs also said community support is important. If anyone wants to donate, volunteer, or work for the organization, click here or call 859-233-4600.

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Head Start programs are in jeopardy of closing across Massachusetts and the nation amid the ongoing government shutdown.

David Gibbs, Executive Director Community Action Agency of Somerville, joined Boston 25 News Now at 3 to talk about the looming crisis.

Six programs in the Bay State run out of funding as of November 1. Several more run out on December 1.

Gibbs told Boston 25s Kerry Kavanaugh that the trickle-down effects of cutting off this vital resource are wide-reaching.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  As the federal government shutdown continues, education officials in Rhode Island and Massachusetts say school meal programs will continue operating without disruption  at least for now.

For nearly eight decades, the National School Lunch Program has ensured millions of students dont go hungry in school. Although the lapse in appropriations does create a slowdown in resources, local officials are doing their best to keep students fed.

12 RESPONDS: What to know about food assistance during government shutdown

Rhode Island school lunches

According to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), more than 65,000 students across the state receive a free or reduced-price lunch every day, accounting for approximately 58% of all lunches served in public schools.

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Warwick Superintendent William McCaffrey said roughly half of the students in his district qualify for free or reduced-price meals. If the shutdown continues beyond November, he said their contingency plan is to evaluate city or state funding to support the program.

We should be in good shape for November, McCaffrey told 12 News. After November, I believe well be in uncharted waters, at that point, with the reimbursement. Obviously, we wont deny students the opportunity for a free or reduced lunch or breakfast.

Pawtucket Public Schools said their programs are structured to withstand funding interruptions. Through the USDAs Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), all students in the district automatically receive free breakfast and lunch, which removes financial barriers and reduces stigma.

According to the districts 2025 enrollment statistics, Pawtucket has 7,588 students, with more than 5,500 qualifying for free meals and an additional 127 qualifying for reduced-price meals.

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The school department said these programs not only address hunger, but also support student performance, noting that food insecurity is directly tied to academic and behavioral outcomes. A network of wraparound services are offered, including after-school meal programs, family resource partnerships, and assistance for homeless students.

The Pawtucket School Department remains committed to ensuring that no child goes hungry and that every student has the opportunity to thrive academically and socially, the department said. We will continue working closely with community partners to sustain these programs and strengthen family supports across our district.

RELATED: McKee declares state of emergency over SNAP shutdown

RIDE Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green said Rhode Island has money in reserve to cover the cost of lunches for the next few months, but did not specify how long the funding might last.

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I really hope that all the adults in this situation really understand the impact on our kids, and families are worried, and we need to ensure that they dont have to worry about eating. Thats not something our kids should worry about, Infante-Green added.

In a statement to 12 News, RIDE said families should expect school meals to continue without disruption and that there are currently enough reserve funds to keep school meal service running beyond November 1.

RIDE noted that the upcoming freeze in SNAP funding on Nov. 1 will not impact students access to free or reduced-price meals.

Families can apply for free or reduced-price meals at any time during the school year. Eligibility is based on income verification, participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or a childs status as unhoused, a migrant, runaway, or foster child. Children enrolled in Head Start programs also automatically qualify.

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Government shutdown imperils dozens of Head Start preschool programs

Massachusetts school lunches

Massachusetts education officials said they have also received funding to reimburse districts through November, meaning schools will keep getting payments until at least December.

In a letter to families, New Bedford Superintendent Andrew OLeary stressed that despite the lapse in federal funding, school meals will continue for the remainder of the academic year, saying the district maintains strong reserves.

No sign-ups are necessary for students in Massachusetts, as the state already offers universal free school meals.

LIST: Food drives happening in Rhode Island and Massachusetts

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  With the impending loss of November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the government shutdown, Governor Mike Kehoe announced additional steps to expedite food assistance in Missouri.

SNAP benefits are 100 percent federally funded, with each recipient receiving benefits from the federal government via their Electronic Benefit Transfer card. There is no mechanism for state appropriations to be transferred to cover this funding.

The Missouri Department of Social Services stands ready to issue November SNAP benefits as soon as possible once the federal government is reopened.

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Democrats in Washington continue to hold the federal government hostage for political leverage, leaving Missouris most vulnerable uncertain if they will have food on the table next month, said Governor Kehoe. While the State of Missouri cannot fully replace federal SNAP benefits for those who rely on them, we are working to expedite additional funding sources to assist Missouris senior population and food banks.

Governor Kehoe has put a full $10.6 million fund transfer from the Senior Services Growth and Development Fund to Missouri Area Agencies on Aging. He also ordered a $5 million distribution to Missouri food banks using Temporary Assistance for Needy Family funding.

If you are in need of food assistance or are looking to volunteer or donate, go to Feeding Missouri.

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(The Center Square)  Tennessee families impacted by the pending loss on Saturday of food assistance caused by the federal government shutdown have been provided additional resource possibilities in a one-stop location by second-term Tennessee Republican Gov. Bill Lee.

The governors office has launched FeedTN.org, a platform with connections and opportunities for those able to help serve.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, colloquially known as SNAP or food stamps, will not have sufficient funding for November, says the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Benefits from previous months an electronic benefits transfer cards will be available for use.

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In a statement Thursday, Lee said, Im grateful to the nonprofit and faith-based partners who are stepping up to fill the gap and sincerely hope that Democrats choose to reopen the federal government  not only to serve SNAP recipients, but also the millions of Tennesseans who are forced to pay the consequences of their disappointing failure.

Tennessee, Lees office said, doesnt have ability to load state dollars onto the EBT cards for the federally funded and operated program.

More than 300 nonprofit and faith-based leaders across all 95 counties are coordinating efforts within the Governors Faith Based and Community Initiative. Use of ZIP codes on the FeedTN.org page will connect residents with resources.

The federal government shut down on Oct. 1 for the first time since a 35-day stoppage bridging 2018 and 2019. At 30 days on Thursday, this shutdown has already surpassed the 1995-96 stoppage of 21 days for No. 2 in terms of length.

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The Republican majority U.S. House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution in September. The Republican majority Senate is stalled in filibuster led by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., unable to get seven votes to reach the threshold of 60 needed to pass the legislation and unwilling to compromise on the House legislation.

Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., the deputy whip in the chamber, in a network interview said, Shutdowns are terrible, and, of course, there will be families who will suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage points we have.

Schumer has asked for closed-door meetings with second-term Republican President Donald Trump, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota. Transparency has been Johnsons repeated response.

In addition to Democrats in the House rejecting the continuing resolution in September, Democrats in the Senate have rejected it 13 times following Tuesday morning's vote.

Nationally, more than 40 million Americans rely on SNAP.
The NFDC-backed film 'A Teacher's Gift' has been officially selected for screening at the Tribeca Festival Lisboa 2025, to be held on November 1 at The Theatre, Lisbon. An immigrant British South Asian story has received international recognition over the past year, winning the Best British Asian Film for Bridging Cultures award at the 2025 UK Asian Film Festival. It was also nominated for Best Feature Film at the BAFTA and BIFA-qualifying Iris Prize Film Festival in Wales. Produced by Eric Ollerenshaw OBE, directed by Artur Ribeiro, and co-written by and starring Rajdeep Choudhury, A Teacher's Gift follows the story of Rohan, a Hindi language teacher in London who develops an unexpected friendship with an Englishman. The film explores themes of identity, belonging, and cultural understanding, according to the press release. The cast includes Anthony Calf, Paula Lobo Antunes, Anjali Patil, Dhruv Sehgal, Virgilio Castelo, and Varun Buddhadev. Speaking about the selection, producer Eric Ollerenshaw OBE, who is also a former Member of the UK Parliament, said in a statement, "For an independent British film that started its journey in the UK with a predominantly South Asian crew, then received support from NFDC WAVES Film Bazaar, and is now selected for Tribeca, this has been an incredible journey." At the Iris Prize Festival in Wales, noted television producer, writer, and director Jackie Lawrence described the film as "beautifully atmospheric and a much-needed story from and for the South Asian diaspora." The Tribeca Festival Lisboa, co-founded by actor and director Robert De Niro, brings the New York-based festival experience to Europe. The 2025 edition will also feature appearances by Kim Cattrall, Giancarlo Esposito and Meg Ryan, along with the Portuguese premiere of Honeyjoon, winner of the 2024 Tribeca Festival AT&T Untold Stories Award. The film's selection adds to the growing global presence of Indian and South Asian stories in international cinema circuits. (ANI)
A grandmother has agreed to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole for the fatal stabbing of two women in the Oklahoma Panhandle.

Tifany Adams, 55, is the third murder defendant to reach a deal with prosecutors to avoid a death sentence. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against her boyfriend, Tad Bert Cullum, and co-defendant, Cole Earl Twombly.

Both men have shown "absolutely no regret or remorse" for their crimes, prosecutors allege.

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The case attracted national attention after the women went missing and again when the suspects were identified as belonging to an antigovernment group called "God's Misfits." Adams confessed after her arrest, investigators disclosed in court affidavits.

She is accused of being the mastermind behind the ambush. At the time, she was chair of the Cimarron County Republican Party.

Veronica Butler, right, and Jilian Kelley are shown in this combined image. They were murdered last year in the Oklahoma Panhandle.

At a preliminary hearing, another co-defendant admitted to stabbing the first victim, Veronica Butler, and said Adams laughed afterward.

"It was the most evil laugh I have ever heard," Paul Jeremiah Grice testified in December.

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Adams pleaded no contest Oct. 14 to two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of unlawful removal of a dead body and two counts of desecration of a corpse, court records show.

Her sentencing is set for Jan. 28 in Texas County District Court.

She will be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murders, according to a plea agreement filed with the court clerk. Adams, defense attorney Mitch Solomon and District Attorney George Leach III all signed the deal.

Under the deal, she is not required to testify for the prosecution against "any related defendant." Her attorney declined comment on the deal because of a so-called gag order prohibiting statements to the media.

What to know about the 'God's Misfits' case

The victims, Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39, were killed on March 30, 2024, when they were ambushed on a dirt road just off a highway in the Oklahoma Panhandle.

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Butler was on her way from Kansas to pick up her children, then 6 and 8, from Adams, their grandmother, for a court-ordered visit. The two were in a legal battle over their custody.

Adams was taking care of the children at her home in Keyes. She claimed they had been abused by their mother's brother, according to testimony at the preliminary hearing. She had run out of money to continue the court fight.

Kelley, a pastor's wife, was with Butler to supervise the visit. Their bodies were found on April 14, 2024, in a large sealed freezer that had been buried in a cow pasture.

Who is facing a possible death sentence?

Prosecutors gave notice Oct. 23 that the death penalty will be sought against Cullum, 44, of Keyes, and Twombly, 51, of Texhoma, at trial or after a plea.

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The district attorney gave four grounds for that punishment to be imposed, including that the murders were especially heinous, atrocious or cruel.

"Butler ... was struck in the head multiple times with a hammer and chased down, tackled, shocked with a stun gun, and suffered ... 30 sharp wounds to her head, neck, torso and extremities including defensive wounds as she attempted to resist her murderer," the DA wrote.

He called both men a continuing threat to society.

No one has been sentenced to death in Oklahoma in over three years, the longest gap in the state in more than a half century. The last time was on May 13, 2022 in a case involving the fatal shooting of a Tulsa police officer during a traffic stop.

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Making a deal to testify for the prosecution in exchange for 30 years in prison for murder was Cora Gayle Twombly, 45, of Texhoma. She is the wife of Cole Twombly.

She testified about her deal at the preliminary hearing in December. She has not been sentenced yet.

Making a deal to testify for the prosecution to avoid the death penalty was Grice, 33, of Keyes. He testified at the preliminary hearing he was the only one who stabbed Butler and that he stabbed the second woman a few times.

He has not been sentenced yet.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Grandma in God's Misfits murder case makes deal to avoid execution
The North Scott robotics had to squeeze into a small corner of Michele Messs art room in the high school. They were barely able to fit their field for the robot competitions into the room, which made it very hard to operate. That is until they were able to move into the schools regional innovation center with the help of a $35,000 grant from Iowa American Water.

This grant not only helped the team move into the area, but more importantly, it allowed them to equip the students with brand new equipment, like a 3D printer. Mess says these changes will pay dividends for the program that already prepares students for their future very well.

I have seen kids grow from their elementary years to their junior high years, to up with the high school, and we still have people that have gone to college and are in college because of this program and this area, said Mess.

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She says the new room will help them grow the program and will allow for kids to learn more. Learning will be easier with their access to equipment and having enough space will no longer be an obstacle for kids to overcome while they learn.

Not in only building robots, because thats part of the fun, but learning about programming, said Mess. Applying the math that theyre learning in their classes to build this robot and make it do what they need it to do.

The robotics team ranges from junior high to high school at North Scott. They also work with elementary school students through their Lego league program.

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HENDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KETK) The Henderson County Commissioners Court approved two grant applications on Tuesday, designated to improve safety for deputies and enhance vehicle protection.

The grants will provide the Henderson County Sheriffs Office with funding to add bullet-resistant components to vehicles, including bulletproof windshields and other ballistic glass upgrades.

Texas food banks boost aid as SNAP hit by shutdown effects

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Additionally, the court also approved an annual application to cover half the costs of new bulletproof vests for deputies. This is a recurring grant that the county applies for regularly to maintain safety equipment for law enforcement officers. Both grants will be applied to the 2026 fiscal year.

This is a fairly new program that the Governors Office and Legislature just approved, Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said. This is the first year where theyre making it available for all law enforcement.

After the commissioners court approves it, the state will make $5 million available for the program. The grant requires no local match, meaning the county will not need to contribute additional funds if approved.

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.

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CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Charlotte mother is sharing her heartbreak after losing her 34-year-old son, Shabazz Messiah Grant, who was fatally shot last week in a string of violent events that also left two others dead, including the suspected gunman.

Grants mother described the moment her life changed forever in an online post.

On October 23 my life as Messiahs mother was forever changed, she wrote. It was a normal day for my son. He had done his usual shift at Amazon, his full-time job, and afterwards logged on to do some Lyft rides as he sometimes did on the side.

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According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police, the shootings began around 4:15 p.m. on October 23 near North Hoskins Road and Brookshire Boulevard in northwest Charlotte.

PREVIOUS: Victims, suspect identified after murder & kidnapping leads to deadly officer-involved shooting in NW Charlotte

Two men, Grant and Justin Westbrook Carlton, were both shot while in their vehicles. Carlton died at the scene, and Grant was rushed to Atrium Healths trauma unit in critical condition.

Police later identified the suspect as 28-year-old Joseph Andrade, who they said tried to carjack multiple drivers before forcing his way into a nearby home and kidnapping a woman. Officers eventually located Andrade, who allegedly fired at them during a chase that ended with a crash near Freedom Drive and Morehead Street.

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CMPD officers returned fire, killing Andrade.

Photos: Queen City News Photos: Queen City News Photos: Queen City News Photos: Queen City News

Authorities said the kidnapped woman escaped the situation unharmed. The State Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the officer-involved shooting, while CMPD continues to investigate the original homicide, assault, and kidnapping cases.

Grants mother said she was initially unable to locate her son following the shooting and learned he had been listed as a John Doe at the hospital.

I arrived to one of the most heartbreaking sights a mother could ever see, she wrote. My son had been shot in the head where on October 26 he succumbed to his injuries.

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She described Grant as a great son, dad, brother, uncle, nephew, and friend who loved working out, was known for his sense of style, and met no strangers.

Grants mother said she made the decision to donate his organs so that others could live.

PREVIOUS: Like looking into an animals eyes: Charlotte crime spree ends in deadly police shootout

Because his body was in top shape, I made the hard decision to make him a donor, she shared. I, in good conscience, know that if he could help hundreds of people, he would.

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Charlotte

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank donors have the chance to make three times the impact this week.

Through Nov. 2, all donations made to the food bank will be tripled, after an anonymous donor pledged to match contributions up to $50,000. One local business has already donated over $10,000.

GBR Food Banks Chief Executive Officer Mike Manning said the campaign has generated approximately 60% of its goal of $50,000.

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The nonprofit said one in seven people across the 11 parishes it serves do not have enough to eat.

Your gift today will help provide food and hope to hungry children, families and seniors right here in our community, the food bank said.

Residents who rely on SNAP benefits will not receive new funds in November due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. Gov. Jeff Landry declared an emergency, and lawmakers approved a resolution that would allow the Louisiana Department of Health to take action and use funds up to $150 million per month for SNAP benefits.

What Louisiana SNAP recipients should expect on Nov. 1

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Meanwhile, First Lady Sharon Landry announced that her Love One Louisiana Foundation, in partnership with the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, will donate $200,000 to food banks across the state.

The GBR Food Bank serves parishes across the Capital Region, including Ascension, Assumption, Livingston, West Baton Rouge, St. Helena, Iberville, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, West Feliciana, St. James, and Pointe Coupee.

Donate here.

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BAGHDAD (AP)  An airline in Greece will start running direct flights from the European Union country to Baghdad before the end of the year, the Greek foreign minister announced Thursday during a visit to Iraq.

Giorgos Gerapetritis said that Greek air carrier Aegean Airlines will run its first flight from Athens to Baghdad on Dec. 16. No other European airlines are currently running direct flights to the Iraqi capital.

I think this will substantially boost our people-to-people, economic, but also cultural, ties," Gerapetritis said at a news conference alongside his Iraqi counterpart.

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Aegean Airlines and a handful of other carriers already run direct flights from Europe to Irbil, the capital of Iraq's semiautonomous Kurdish region in the north, but carriers had largely steered clear of Baghdad because of security concerns.

After the fall of Iraq's longtime autocratic leader, Saddam Hussein, in a U.S.-led invasion in 2003, the ensuing security vacuum spawned years of sectarian violence and the rise of armed extremist groups, including the Islamic State group.

In the years since IS lost control of the territory that it once held in Iraq and neighboring Syria, the security situation has stabilized.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, in a statement, welcomed the launch of direct flights, and said that the two countries are discussing cooperation in the fields of agriculture, investment, and tourism.

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He said that a series of recent visits to Iraq by European leaders reflect the stability the country is experiencing and its growing standing on the international stage.

Plans are underway to upgrade Baghdad's international airport. Iraq recently awarded a $764 million contract to rehabilitate, expand and operate the airport to a global consortium made up of Corporacion America Airport, a Luxembourg-based airport operator, and Iraqi investment company Amwaj International.
GREENE COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL)  Takoma Regional Hospital has officially been renovated into the Greene County Administration Center for government offices.

Greene County acquired the hospital in November 2021 after the hospital permanently closed.

A total of $15 million in renovations was completed on the 30,000 square foot first floor in September after Greene County obtained its certificate of occupancy from the State of Tennessee. Two weeks later, administrative offices were moved into the first floor of the administration center.

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Carter Co. woman serving life sentence for June 1993 murder granted parole

The first floor houses the county clerks office, a county commission room, the register of deeds, the assessors office, the trustees office, and building and zoning.

The new 7,000 square foot county commission room, formally the Takoma O.R. room, will serve as a meeting hall for the public, the commissioners, and the department heads, according to Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison. The commission room seats approximately 200 occupants.

The department heads and all the leaders of the county are seated during our meetings. The commissioners are seated, and of course, we have the bench for the Chair, Mayor Morrison told News Channel 11. We have a public speaking podium here, platform that the public can come and participate as well.

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The second floor will house the county mayors office, the county attorney, accounting, purchasing, payroll and insurance staff.

Greene County Attorney Roger Woolsey said he is pleased with the renovations and expects the new centralized administrative location will benefit the county.

Its been done very economically, Woolsey told News Channel 11. Weve got county maintenance guys that are doing a lot of the work here, so this is going to be a huge plus for Greene County and for its citizens.

The third floor is planned to house the Greene County Sheriffs Office, and the fourth floor is expected to house the Greene County School District.

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Currently, our detective division is pretty much crammed into one small office over there. And they will each have their own separate offices over here. So itll be a more professional space for our sheriffs department, Mayor Morrison said. The fourth floor will eventually house the Greene County School System, so were up there doing some renovations according to the plans that they desired to have.

Second-floor renovations are expected to be complete in the spring of 2026. Third-floor renovations are expected to be completed within the next year, and the fourth floor is expected to be completed at the end of 2027.

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Researchers tracked Greenland's movements using data from the island's many satellite stations. | Credit: Christian Solgaard

Tectonic processes and the "ghosts" of past ice sheets are contorting, lifting and pulling Greenland in different directions, new research reveals.

Greenland sits on the North American tectonic plate, which has dragged the island northwest by 0.9 inches (23 millimeters) per year over the past two decades. Researchers have been monitoring this drift for some time, but a new study analyzing satellite data has found that there is far more to the movement and to other deformations than just plate tectonics .

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"We get this complicated pattern with twisting, pressure, and tension," said study lead author Danjal Longfors Berg , a postdoctoral researcher specializing in geodesy and Earth observation at the Technical University of Denmark. "The Greenlandic map will slowly lose its accuracy if not updated," he told Live Science in an email.

Berg and his colleagues analyzed data from 58 Global Network Satellite System (GNSS) stations in Greenland that record the island's horizontal and vertical movements, and nearly 2,900 GNSS stations around the North American plate. The researchers entered these data into a model, and when they removed the effect on Greenland of the North American plate, the researchers were left with bedrock deformations  areas where Earth's crust has been stretched or crumpled  that didn't match previous modeling.

In most regions, the movement of landmasses is overwhelmingly controlled by tectonic processes. But Greenland is different, because the island is covered by a giant ice sheet and has a tumultuous glacial past, according to the study, published Aug. 28 in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth .

Ice sheets pile enormous weight onto Earth's crust, pressing it down into the mantle  the layer of the planet that sits beneath the crust. The material displaced in the mantle by the sinking crust is pushed out to the sides, creating what is known as a peripheral forebulge, Berg said.

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When an ice sheet retreats, the mantle does not return to its original shape immediately. Due to the mantle's gooey consistency, it takes thousands of years for material to flow back into the dent created by the loaded crust. In other words, the mantle "has a very long memory," Berg said.

A map showing the northwest horizontal pull of the North American tectonic plate. The red circles mark the locations of satellite stations. | Credit: Longfors Berg et al. ( 2025 ). Redistributed under CC BY-NC 4.0

The mantle beneath and around Greenland is still adjusting to changes in ice cover since the peak of the last ice age about 20,000 years ago, which explains why data show the island deforming. Specifically, it appears that Greenland is reacting to the retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet, which covered large swathes of North America until about 8,000 years ago .

The Laurentide Ice Sheet created a peripheral forebulge beneath parts of Greenland. This forebulge is gradually flattening, pulling areas of southern Greenland downward and towards Canada, Berg said. Researchers already knew this, he said, but the new results reveal that the rate of deformation is higher than most modeling suggests.

The Greenland Ice Sheet also plays a role in the island's twisting motions. Meltwater from the ice sheet has contributed 13.5 feet (4.1 meters) of the 430 feet (130 m) of sea level rise recorded over the past 20,000 years, Berg said. That means Greenland has lost an incredible amount of ice, which in turn has triggered a response in the mantle that is separate from the effect of the Laurentide Ice Sheet, he said.

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RELATED STORIES

'It was so unexpected': 90 billion liters of meltwater punched its way through Greenland ice sheet in never-before-seen melting event

Scientists identify tipping point for Greenland's ice sheet  and it's not far off

Watch Greenland lose 563 cubic miles of ice in under 30 seconds in disturbing new time-lapse video

Melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet has accelerated in recent years due to climate change . Past and present-day declines in ice mass over Greenland have had the same general effect on the island, pushing the bedrock outward and up, Berg said.

The results offer the most detailed picture of Greenland's movements to date, particularly of how the island is scrunching up in some places, according to a statement . The findings are important because they provide new insights into how polar regions may react to climate change and thereby skew the maps we use for navigation and surveys, Berg said.

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"Together with other type[s] of satellite observations it can give new information about the past ice sheets and the structure of the Earth," he added.

Tectonic processes and the "ghosts" of past ice sheets are contorting, lifting and pulling Greenland in different directions, new research reveals.

Greenland sits on the North American tectonic plate, which has dragged the island northwest by 0.9 inches (23 millimeters) per year over the past two decades. Researchers have been monitoring this drift for some time, but a new study analyzing satellite data has found that there is far more to the movement and to other deformations than just plate tectonics .

"We get this complicated pattern with twisting, pressure, and tension," said study lead author Danjal Longfors Berg , a postdoctoral researcher specializing in geodesy and Earth observation at the Technical University of Denmark. "The Greenlandic map will slowly lose its accuracy if not updated," he told Live Science in an email.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Berg and his colleagues analyzed data from 58 Global Network Satellite System (GNSS) stations in Greenland that record the island's horizontal and vertical movements, and nearly 2,900 GNSS stations around the North American plate. The researchers entered these data into a model, and when they removed the effect on Greenland of the North American plate, the researchers were left with bedrock deformations  areas where Earth's crust has been stretched or crumpled  that didn't match previous modeling.

In most regions, the movement of landmasses is overwhelmingly controlled by tectonic processes. But Greenland is different, because the island is covered by a giant ice sheet and has a tumultuous glacial past, according to the study, published Aug. 28 in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth .

Ice sheets pile enormous weight onto Earth's crust, pressing it down into the mantle  the layer of the planet that sits beneath the crust. The material displaced in the mantle by the sinking crust is pushed out to the sides, creating what is known as a peripheral forebulge, Berg said.

When an ice sheet retreats, the mantle does not return to its original shape immediately. Due to the mantle's gooey consistency, it takes thousands of years for material to flow back into the dent created by the loaded crust. In other words, the mantle "has a very long memory," Berg said.

A map showing the northwest horizontal pull of the North American tectonic plate. The red circles mark the locations of satellite stations. | Credit: Longfors Berg et al. ( 2025 ). Redistributed under CC BY-NC 4.0

The mantle beneath and around Greenland is still adjusting to changes in ice cover since the peak of the last ice age about 20,000 years ago, which explains why data show the island deforming. Specifically, it appears that Greenland is reacting to the retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet, which covered large swathes of North America until about 8,000 years ago .

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The Laurentide Ice Sheet created a peripheral forebulge beneath parts of Greenland. This forebulge is gradually flattening, pulling areas of southern Greenland downward and towards Canada, Berg said. Researchers already knew this, he said, but the new results reveal that the rate of deformation is higher than most modeling suggests.

The Greenland Ice Sheet also plays a role in the island's twisting motions. Meltwater from the ice sheet has contributed 13.5 feet (4.1 meters) of the 430 feet (130 m) of sea level rise recorded over the past 20,000 years, Berg said. That means Greenland has lost an incredible amount of ice, which in turn has triggered a response in the mantle that is separate from the effect of the Laurentide Ice Sheet, he said.

RELATED STORIES

'It was so unexpected': 90 billion liters of meltwater punched its way through Greenland ice sheet in never-before-seen melting event

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Scientists identify tipping point for Greenland's ice sheet  and it's not far off

Watch Greenland lose 563 cubic miles of ice in under 30 seconds in disturbing new time-lapse video

Melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet has accelerated in recent years due to climate change . Past and present-day declines in ice mass over Greenland have had the same general effect on the island, pushing the bedrock outward and up, Berg said.

The results offer the most detailed picture of Greenland's movements to date, particularly of how the island is scrunching up in some places, according to a statement . The findings are important because they provide new insights into how polar regions may react to climate change and thereby skew the maps we use for navigation and surveys, Berg said.

"Together with other type[s] of satellite observations it can give new information about the past ice sheets and the structure of the Earth," he added.
GEENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  After Jamaica suffered catastrophic damage from Hurricane Melissa, a Greensboro man said hes having a hard time getting in contact with his family.

Throughout Wednesday, Cardo Grant, the membership director for the Jamaican Association of Greensboro, attempted to reach out to his loved ones in Jamaica.

It was extremely stressful last night. But talking to my brother this morning and him and his wife and my nieces and nephew  Theyre fine, but Ive got a sister there and cousins and aunts that Ive yet to make connection with, Grant said.

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Grant said some of his family lives in the western part of Jamaica, where Hurricane Melissa made landfall.

During an interview with FOX8 on Wednesday, Grant was able to get a hold of his cousin Stephen Josephs, who lives in eastern Jamaica.

People are hungry. Children are without houses, clothes, sanitary napkins for females. Theres over 2,000 emergencies for people that need medical attention. It is a big catastrophe, Josephs said.

Josephs said hes now on the ground assisting with recovery efforts.

Now Im just doing my rounds in the shelters with food because the shelters dont have food and people are still affected, Josephs said.

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Josephs also shared stories of resilience, including first responders rescuing a man in Montego Bay after the city suffered widespread damage.

They had to go through water to get to him, or he wouldve been dead this morning. He was disabled and had no arms, Josephs said.

As Grant works to get in contact with other family members, he said the Jamaican Association with Greensboro is working on a plan of action to help with the road to recovery.

Of course, prayer works. Were asking people to reach out to the Jamaican Association of Greensboro. Right now, our president and board are trying to get a list of agencies on the ground that will help facilitate funds. Were also working with local folks in this district that expediate these funds, Grant said.

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If youre interested in helping, contact the Jamaican Association of Greensboro at jamassociationgso.nc@gmail.com

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship (KLCF) wants to help those impacted by the impending food hardship.

If you or someone you know could use help, KLCF gives out free groceries on the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. at 425 West Montgomery Cross Road in Savannah.

For more information on local food insecurity resources, visit WSAV.com/FoodInsecurity

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Organised by the Indian Minorities Federation, the Unity March aimed to deliver the message of "United India" and "communal harmony".

During this time, floral tributes were also offered to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people at the Balidaan Stambh, followed by multifaith prayers.

Several Kashmiri women and young girls also tied 'Raksha Sutra' as a tie of gratitude to the Indian Army personnel.

The message of "United India" and "communal harmony" from Pahalgam showcased the spirit of the country, i.e., "India is One Nation, and no evil forces could disintegrate it."

Speaking at the Unity March, actor Mukesh Rishi explained the purpose of remembering the lost souls.

"The motive behind coming here was to remember the people who lost their lives during the tragic incident of April 22. We can never forget the day, but it taught us a lesson that we should stay united. There should be no difference between the states," Mukesh Rishi said.

Preeti Sapru, while addressing the crowd, said, "All the people of Kashmir are united. Our Kashmiri brothers are working across the country, and India belongs to all of them."

Ahead of National Unity Day, the Srinagar Police organised a "Run for Unity" on Thursday to mark Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, celebrating the legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. National-level players, including Parvez Rasool, joined the event to encourage youth participation in sports.

The 150th birth anniversary of the Iron Man and architect of a united India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, will be celebrated on October 31 at the Statue of Unity in Ekta Nagar, reflecting the spirit of "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat."

Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary is celebrated across India as National Unity Day. (ANI)
GROVE, Okla.  The Delaware County Sheriff is asking for assistance locating a Grove woman who has been missing for four days.

Kimberley Garcia left her home in the Holiday Shores of Grand Lake around 8:15 a.m. on Oct. 25. She was supposed to attend a meeting around 9 a.m. Surveillance cameras picked up video of her leaving Pyror on US 69 South around 9:30 a.m. the same day.

She drives a 2005 dark gray Hyundai Santa Fe with front-end damage and faded stickers on the back window. One sticker reads, Proud supporter of Hickory Grove Fire Department.

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The family filed a missing persons report with the Delaware County Sheriffs Department, which led to the sheriffs office to issue a Be On the Look Out or BOLO report for her vehicle.

Delaware County Public Information Officer Cpt. Josh Bynum said the Pike Pass on Garcias vehicle has not been used.

The 55-year-old Grove woman, who has brown eyes and blonde hair, was last seen wearing blue jeans, a pink shirt, and a maroon sweater.

If you see Garcia or her vehicle, please call the Delaware County Sheriffs Office at (918) 253-4530.

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PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Harvest season is nearing its end, and an official with the Peoria County Farm Bureau said it was overall positive. Soybean farmers have something to celebrate, too.

University of Illinois Farm Policy News reported that China will be purchasing 12 million metric tons of soybeans this year, following President Donald Trumps visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Jinping has also committed to purchasing 25 million metric tons each year for the next three years.

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Were a large exporter of soybeans here in Peoria County, said Charlie Hensley, manager of the Peoria County Farm Bureau. If we dont have buyers for those products, then theres real challenges there.

Hensley said that whenever there are supply and demand issues, it translates into what farmers see in their yields. Illinois hasnt sold any soybeans this year.

American farmers welcome Chinas promise to buy soybeans, but the deal doesnt solve everything

The issue that farmers are also running into is currently, because of the government shutdown, the United States Department of Agriculture is not able to report crop yield numbers because there is no staff.

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I would say expectations as far as yields go, probably vary across Central Illinois right now, Hensley said. The difficulty with predicting the yield amount is due to the crop production reports, which arent available due to the government shutdown.

He said the growing season started out with excellent conditions, with farmers being able to get the crop out into the field that they needed to. They were able to get the fields sprayed, scouted, along with getting fantastic rain and heat early on.

Despite this, Hensley said this was a positive growing and harvest. He also said Central Illinois was pretty lucky compared to the rest of the state.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Police in Grand Rapids say a man is accused of manslaughter in the death of a woman, though her injury was initially reported as a fall.

On Oct. 13, firefighters and EMTs responded to a home on the 300 block of Alfred Avenue NE near Innes Street NE. There, they found a victim  a 60-year-old woman  with a head injury, according to the Grand Rapids Police Department. First responders gave her medical attention, got a pulse and took her to the hospital by ambulance.

At the time, first responders were told that the womans injury was the result of a fall, GRPD said.

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GRPD was not notified at the time, given the account of the incident as reported to first responders, the police department wrote in a release.

Two days later, on Oct. 15, officers were called to the hospital. Police said a family member of the woman reported that the woman had actually been involved in an assault. The family member hadnt been present at the time, but had learned of the alleged assault from a witness, police said.

GRPD said the woman was on life support and had no brain activity. The family gave permission that day for life support to be withdrawn, according to police. They identified the woman as Kristine Haddad.

GRPD said it opened an investigation into the alleged assault after hearing from the family member. It was upgraded to a homicide investigation after an autopsy and a ruling from the Kent County medical examiner, the police department said.

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Investigators presented their findings to the Kent County prosecutor earlier this week.

Police arrested 43-year-old Justin Leys and he was arraigned Thursday on a count of manslaughter. He was ordered held without bond.

An online obituary for Haddad remembered her as a warm and loving soul who brought joy and laughter to everyone who knew her. She loved animals, nature and time with family, according to her obituary.

She will be remembered for her kind heart, her sense of humor, and the unwavering love she gave to those around her, the obituary says.

If you know anything about the case, youre asked to contact detectives at 616.456.3380 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.

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Leys is expected back in court for hearings on Nov. 10 and Nov. 17.

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Leaders in a Dallas suburb are facing backlash over how they've chosen to respond to a recent rise in coyote activity. This week, the City of DeSoto announced plans to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services to curb incidents involving coyotes, including several reported attacks on pets.

According to a public notice, the coyote removal operation was scheduled for early Wednesday morning, beginning around 2 a.m. The targeted area was between East Wintergreen Road and East Belt Line Road to the north and south, and I-35E and North Westmoreland Road to the east and west.

The operation was to be carried out by USDA Assistant Director Supervisor Adam Henry and a partner traveling in a gray truck. They were directed to alert the Southwest Regional Communications Center (SWRCC) before and after the operation to ensure dispatchers were aware of their presence.

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USDA Wildlife Services planned to remove coyotes from their vehicles in coordination with DeSoto police. Officials warned that residents might hear gunfire during the operation, adding that it would be part of the planned removal and "should not be cause for alarm."

City officials told WFAA that professional marksmen, authorized under federal wildlife management protocols, would conduct the culling from vehicles. The early-morning timing, they said, was intended "to minimize public activity and ensure safety." Officials added that an "after-action report" would be released if deemed necessary by executive staff and code enforcement.

News of the operation quickly drew sharp criticism online. "This is absolutely wrong!!! The city of DeSoto should be ashamed of itself!" one Facebook user wrote. "Trapping is a better approach than firing guns in the neighborhood at 2 am. BE BETTER DO BETTER DESOTO," another said.

"THIS IS SICKENING! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU ALL?" read another comment.

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"This is pathetic, killing animals for going to their home," someone else added.

DeSoto residents slammed the city's decision to use sharpshooters during an early-morning removal operation. (MediaNews Group/Orange County Re/MediaNews Group via Getty Images)





Among those voicing opposition was Rebecca Hamlin, who runs the North Texas Wildlife Center, an animal rehabilitation facility. In a series of posts, Hamlin urged residents to contact the city and ask officials to reconsider the plan.

Hamlin recounted her own experience losing a pet cat to a coyote years earlier. "It was devastating, but I very quickly came to understand that the fault was mine," she wrote. "I violated both city and HOA ordinances that were in place to keep pets safe."

She said her loss motivated her to advocate for coexistence with urban wildlife. "Coyotes are part of our natural environment, they act on instinct, not malice," she wrote. "We can't villainize wildlife for being wild and doing what they're hard-wired to do."

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Hamlin also cited Project Coyote, an animal advocacy group that has long criticized the USDA Wildlife Services' lethal control program, calling it cruel, wasteful and ineffective. The organization has urged federal and local officials to pursue nonlethal coexistence strategies instead.

Coyotes are considered a keystone species by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and other conservation groups for their role in maintaining ecological balance. Wildlife experts say sightings tend to rise in the fall as young coyotes leave their family groups to establish new territories, often leading to more encounters in neighborhoods and green spaces.

City officials told WFAA that at least five pet attacks have been documented since June, resulting in the deaths of "several small dogs." No human attacks have been reported.

It remains unclear whether DeSoto went through with the operation or how many coyotes, if any, were killed. City officials did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Chron.

More Parks & Wildlife

Habitat | Houston Zoo pulls penguins from exhibit after safety scare

Watch out | Taking these items from Texas beaches could get you arrested

Conservation | How Bad Bunny accidentally became a 'game-changer' for Texas zoo

Hiking | New 100-mile trail could be Texas' next big tourist magnet



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This article originally published at Gunfire at 2 am? Texans blast city's midnight coyote hunt.
A Gwinnett County jury has convicted Feliciano Albarran Real, 61, of aggravated child molestation, sentencing him to life with 25 years to serve for the January 2021 attack on a 9-year-old girl.

Real must also register for life as a child sex offender.

District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson expressed gratitude for the guilty verdict, stating, This is despicable behavior, and we are grateful that the jury found this defendant guilty.

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The conviction comes after the victim testified that Real touched her inappropriately, causing her pain, and threatened her if she disclosed the abuse.

The victim told what happened to a relative, and she gave consistent statements provided to police and a forensic interviewer.

During the trial, she recounted that Real said he did not care about her age and threatened to harm her if she spoke out.

The case was prosecuted by Special Victims Unit Assistant District Attorney Mikaela Henderson and Assistant District Attorney Laura Trejo, with assistance from SVU Investigator LaShonda Williams and SVU Victim Witness Advocate Esther Askew.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared war on the hiring of foreign employees at Florida colleges and universities. On Thursday, Oct. 29, he directed the Florida Board of Governors to "crack down" on the use of H-1B visas.

Universities across the country are importing foreign workers on H-1B visas instead of hiring Americans who are qualified and available to do the job, DeSantis said in a release. We will not tolerate H-1B abuse in Florida institutions. Thats why I have directed the Florida Board of Governors to end this practice.

The move came over a month after President Donald Trump introduced a nonrefundable $100,000 application fee for any companies applying for a H-1B visa. Trump, who has dedicated a great deal of his second term toward removing undocumented immigrants from the country, said the program had been deliberately exploited to replace American workers with lower paid and less-skilled labor.

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Research shows visa workers complement American workers due to different skillsets. Jobs tend to be concentrated in STEM fields, with giant companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Indian IT company Tata, Apple and Google accounting for the most in 2025, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data.

H-1B visa holders include biochemists, biophysicists, chemists and other scientists, as well as health care professionals. In 2017, H-1B visa applicants accounted for 1.4% of all practicing physicans, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

California has the most, with 61,841 new and renewed approvals in fiscal year 2025, according to a CNBC analysis of data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Texas, New York, Virginia and New Jersey are next. Florida is a bit farther down, with 7,246.

We can do it with our residents in Florida or with Americans," DeSantis said at an event in Tampa. And if we cant do it, then man, we need to really look deeply about what is going on with this situation.

What is the H-1B visa program in Florida?

Created in 1990, the H-1B program allows U.S. companies to temporarily employ nonimmigrant foreign workers in specialty occupations when they possess highly specialized knowledge and a bachelor's degree or higher in the specific specialty, or its equivalent, according to USCIS.

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The number of new H-1B visas is capped at 85,000 a year, and 20,000 of them must possess at least a master's degree. If there are more applicants than that cap, the USCIS uses a lottery system.

The majority of H-1B approvals come from renewal applications, Pew Research Center said. Out of around 400,000 approvals in the 2024 fiscal year, nearly two-thirds were renewals.

H-1B visa holders may also bring immediate family members to the U.S. such as a spouse and children under 21.

Employers must first attest that foreign workers wont affect wages or labor conditions for similar American workers, the American Immigration Council, a pro-immigration advocacy group, said in a 2024 fact sheet. Existing workers must be notified of a companys plan to hire a visa worker.

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Trump creates new immigration fees: $100,000 for tech visas, $1M for permanent residency

Visas usually last three years but can be extended to six, with other options for extensions such as getting an approved immigrant visa petition under employment-based categories for individuals with extraordinary abilities. Previously, applications could cost employers about $5,000 per applicant. The White House clarified that already-approved H-1B holders were exempt from the new fee.

What's the argument against H-1B visas?

Aside from the complaint that H-1B visa holders are taking jobs from Americans, the visas also have been criticized for conditions compared to indentured slavitude and suppressing wages in the tech sector.

Visa holders are obligated to maintain employment with the sponsoring employers or must leave the country, unless they can get a new H-1B sponsorship from another employer or otherwise change their status. That can mean employers may not feel motivated to treat them well, feeling they have few options.

Where do H-1B workers come from?

Nearly three-in-four H-1B workers come from India, according to the Pew Research Center. China is next, supplying about 12%. The remaining 16% come from all over the world.

What has Gov. DeSantis said about H-1B visas?

Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has made cracking down on undocumented immigrants a signature issue of his time in office, has not been a fan of H-1B visas. In an August interview on Fox News, he said that the H-1B program was a "total scam."

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Companies lay off Americans while bringing in new H-1Bs. Its not the best and brightest. Its a cottage industry, mostly from one country, he said, talking about India.

Why would we be importing foreign workers when we need to take care of our people? he said. These workers save companies money, but they also create a system of indentured servitude thats taken advantage of time and time again. We will put American people first.

How many H-1B visas were issued for Florida employers?

According to the latest data from data from USCIS, as of the third quarter of 2025 there have been 7,482 H-1B initial or renewed visas applied for by 1,917 employers, with 7,246 approved in this fiscal year.

PWC Advisory Services LLC has the most in the state, with 642. Several other Price Waterhouse companies also use H-1B visas, as do assorted healthcare organizations and companies like Chewy, Inc.

Florida universities with most H-1B visa hires in 2025

According to USCIS data, the schools using the most H-1B visas are:

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University of Florida : 156

University of Miami : 90

University of South Florida : 68

Florida State University : 67

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University : 55

University of Central Florida : 28

University of North Florida : 19

Florida Gulf Coast University : 15

Nova Southeastern University : 15

Florida Atlantic University : 13

Florida International University: 13

Contributing: Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: DeSantis targets H-1B visa use at Florida colleges, here's why
A coalition of community advocates has 11 days to raise money in their effort to save Marineland.

Marineland has been a staple in the community since 1938, but the historic oceanarium was set to be sold to a developer after its parent company filed for bankruptcy.

Its home to 1,200 marine species, including 17 dolphins, all of which would have to be re-homed should the originally proposed sale go through.

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I mean, we had all but given up, Terran McGinnis, Marinelands former Facility Historian, said.

When McGinnis, who worked for Maineland for 20 years, heard about that proposed sale, she was devastated.

Marinelands animal family is very diverse, which means that opportunities for teaching are incredible. You know? And thats one of the things I got to do for so long and it would be an enormous loss, McGinnis said.

But in a surprise turn of events, that sale was halted by a bankruptcy judge, who decided to give a coalition of community members the opportunity to raise funds and make the case for their bid to purchase the park and keep it running.

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Felicia Cook is one of those leading the coalition.

She told Action News Jax the effort has raised about $5.5 million, which is shy of the $7 million being offered by the developer.

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Its usually highest is best, but in this case its not because theres animals involved, Cook, who worked at Marineland up until January of this year before leaving to pursue her effort to save the park, said.

While Cook said the coalition may be able to purchase the property without beating the developers bid outright, she argued the more money they can raise, the better.

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Weve done a great job taking care of those animals. Weve done a great job at doing whats best for them, Cook said. And I promised my team that I would do everything I can to not only save the animals at Marineland, but to save them as a team.

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The coalition has until the next hearing on November 10 to raise as much as they can, not only to save the parks employees and animals, but also the history of Marineland.

It was the worlds first oceanarium, it was an underwater film studio, its where dolphin training was discovered, its where the first baby dolphin was born. It is an important part of history of a town that is already really historic, McGinnis said.

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If youre interested in helping out the effort you can make a donation HERE or on THIS GoFundMe page.

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(NewsNation)  Sarah Armstrong, a Google Trends expert, breaks down this months search trends on Morning in America. Armstrong says major topics include K-Pop Demon Hunters costumes, Halloween candy, Diane Keatons films, pickle-flavored treats and more.

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Join Odessa Fire Rescue and the Odessa Police Department for a safe, family-friendly Truck-or-Treat event from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31. Bring your costumes, enjoy candy, and meet our first responders!

Head to Downtown Odessa for Treats on the Streets, where local businesses and organizations will be handing out candy and celebrating the spooky season together from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31.

For details on these events and more, visit the Calendar on the City of Odessa website.

The post Halloween fun in Odessa appeared first on Odessa American.
Calling it a "blatant disrespect" to the people of India after the national anthem of Bangladesh 'Amar Sonar Bangla' was allegedly played at a meeting of the Congress committee of Sribhumi district, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday ordered the state police to register a case in the matter. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Sarma said, "Two days ago, the district Congress committee of Sribhumi district performed the national anthem of Bangladesh in place of the national anthem of India. This is a blatant disrespect of the people of India. It is in line with the new claim by some Bangladesh citizens that the north-east will eventually be part of Bangladesh." "I have instructed Assam Police to register a case against the district committee of Sribhumi district and take action as per law," CM added. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also slammed Congress over the incident and said that the opposition party loves Bangladeshi infiltrators, adding that they are putting "votebankniti' over "rashtraniti". "Assam government has ordered the action against Congress party functionaries that has sung the Bangladeshi national anthem. Congress has not only joined hands with Pakistan but with Bangladesh too. Congress loves Bangladeshi infiltrators. They are endorsing the anti-India agenda, which is coming from there. Necessary action must be taken," he said. However, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi came to the defence of state unit leaders and said that 'Amar Sonar Bangla' was composed by Rabindranath Tagore, reflecting the sentiments of Bengali culture. "The BJP has always insulted the Bengali language, Bengali culture and the people of Bengal. Their IT Cell has also insulted people of Bengal in the past. They have shown ignorance by not knowing the history of Rabindranath Tagore. I think the people of Bengal and Bengali-speaking people in different parts of the country have recognised that the BJP only uses them for votes," he said. (ANI)
"That 24-hour window expired at 8 p.m. local time, at which point Israel will enforce the ceasefire and engage Hamas targets behind the yellow line," the source stated.

Mediators informed Hamas to withdraw from behind the Yellow Line before Thursday evening, otherwise the IDF would strike, a US official told The Jerusalem Post that night.

"Last night, Hamas was notified through Egypt and Qatar that they had 24 hours to evacuate their terrorists from the area behind the yellow line currently being held by the IDF," the source said.

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"That 24-hour window expired at 8 p.m. local time, at which point Israel will enforce the ceasefire and engage Hamas targets behind the yellow line. This guidance was issued with approval from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar," the source stressed.

Recovering the remains of deceased hostages

Hamas had previously crossed past the Yellow Line with the permission of Israeli authorities, and in coordination with the Red Cross, to recover the bodies of hostages.

Red Cross vehicles transport hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, in the central Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/STRINGER)

Hamas also failed to release all the deceased hostages in a single release during the early stages of the ceasefire, and Israeli officials have claimed Hamas is deliberately delaying the return of the deceased.

"There is little pressure on the organization from the mediators to release more hostages, and some of the bodies are located in places that will make a swift return difficult," an Israeli official told thePost. "We still have leverage to apply pressure on the organization to return the hostages, and there are two more hostages we believe they can return immediately. Still, there is concern that we may see another situation where days go by without any bodies being returned."

Striking Hamas after ceasefire violations

After previous ceasefire violations by Hamas, theIDF attacked dozens of terrorists on Wednesday. The attacks occurred before the renewed ceasefire enforcement.

Also among the targets attacked were observation posts, a weapons production site, rocket and mortar launch positions, and underground tunnels.
The remains of the two slain hostages were transferred into Israeli territory by the IDF and the Shin Bet on Thursday and were identified at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Amiram Cooper and Sahar Baruch were identified as the two slain Gaza hostages whose remains were returned by Hamas after over two years in captivity, the Prime Minister's Office and the Hostages and Missing Families Forum confirmed on Thursday night.

The remains of the two slain hostages were transferred into Israeli territory by the IDF and the Shin Bet on Thursday evening just before 5:30 p.m., the Prime Minister's Office said, and were identified at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine.

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The Red Cross collected the remains of two hostages from Hamas and transferred them to the IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).

This comes after Hamas stated that it would hand over the remains of two Gaza hostages at approximately 4 p.m. The IDF announced the handover at 4:46 p.m.

"We are determined to return all of our fallen hostages. If I'm not mistaken, we are receiving two more now  we will not rest until we bring them all home," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday at an IDF combat officer graduation ceremony.

IDF soldiers salute the bodies of hostages Amiram Cooper and Sahar Baruch. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT)

The Gaza terror organization claimed that it uncovered the remains of two hostages during excavations in Gaza City on Tuesday evening and named them in the announcement.

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"Seven hundred and fifty five days after the massacre, no hostages from Kibbutz Nir Oz remain in Hamas captivity," a statement released by Kibbutz Nir Oz following the identification of Cooper and Baruch's remains read.

"Now, with the return of the last hostage from the kibbutz, we can begin to process, heal, and mourn the 65 loved ones who will never return." the statement went on. "Alongside our painful closure, there are still 11 families waiting for their loved ones. We will continue to work together with them to bring everyone back, until the last hostage."

Hamas's reburial and staged discovery of slain hostage Ofir Tzarfati's remains

On Tuesday, the IDF published footage of Hamas's reburial and staged discovery of slain hostage Ofir Tzarfati's remains.

The video, filmed by an IDF drone that had been in the area, shows Hamas members placing Tzarfati's remains in a freshly dug hole before covering the remains with dirt.

They then proceeded to "dig" up the remains and called over members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to witness the discovery.
The war in Sudan began in April 2023, when allies Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Lt Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo turned on each other.

They had seized power together in a 2021 coup that derailed Sudans fragile transition to democracy.

Their alliance collapsed over a plan to hand power to civilians and merge the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with the national army.

Gen Burhan, head of the army, pushed for rapid integration under army command.

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Lt Gen Dagalo, known as Hemedti, resisted, fearing a loss of autonomy and control over his vast military and financial networks.

What began as a power struggle between two generals has since spiralled into what the United Nations has called the worlds largest humanitarian crisis.

The conflict has uprooted about 12 million people from their homes, killed more than 150,000, and triggered famine across several regions.

Who are the RSF?

The RSFs roots lie in the Janjaweed (devils on horseback) militia, notorious for its role in the Darfur conflict of the early 2000s.

Backed by then-dictator Omar al-Bashir, the Janjaweed were accused of the genocide of indigenous black African groups in western Sudan  an estimated 300,000 people were killed in Darfur.

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b'

2810 Sudan SAF and the RSF map

'

Sudans civil war has rekindled this ethnic bloodshed, with RSF fighters  largely drawn from Arab groups  accused of massacring indigenous black African communities in Darfur to seize territory and resources.

In late October, the RSF overran the city of El Fasher  the armys last stronghold in Darfur  consolidating its grip over much of western Sudan.

Analysts have warned that the takeover could lead to a fragmentation and partition similar to Libya, where factions based in the east and west created a de facto geographical divide.

How is the UAE involved in the conflict?

Regional powers have fuelled the carnage. There is credible evidence that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has supplied the RSF with arms, according to leaked UN documents, reports from international organisations including Amnesty International, and interviews with an RSF intelligence officer. The UAE has repeatedly denied such allegations.

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The Sudanese military  which has flattened entire civilian neighbourhoods with air strikes and enabled allied ethnic militias to kill and torture innocent indigenous groups  has received weapons from Iran and Turkey.

Critics say foreign involvement has deepened Sudans divisions, fuelling a conflict that has devastated the country and destabilised the wider region.

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It was a typical appearance for one of California's least typical elections officials.

Two weeks before the Nov. 4 election, the first he will oversee, Shasta County Clerk and Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis stood inside an event space at Win-River Resort & Casino in Redding backdropped by signs opposing Proposition 50. Snowy-haired in a blue blazer and bright red tie, Curtis assailed Gov. Gavin Newsom's response to redistricting grabs in Texas and other red states and stumped for a proposed Republican initiative that would require Californians to obtain new government documents to vote.

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"Voter ID, I've always been a fan of voter ID," Curtis said, according to audio provided by nonprofit news outlet the Shasta Scout.

In a state where local elections officials are nonpartisan and refrain from sharing opinions about the elections they administer, Curtis is an outlier. In a country where President Donald Trump's refusal to accept his 2020 defeat paved the way for more than 100 new voting restrictions in Republican-controlled states, he is an example of the fringe becoming mainstream. And in Shasta County - a conservative enclave four years into a rocky MAGA reinvention and hemorrhaging government staff - officials have decided he is the right outsider for the job.

Since taking office in May, Curtis, a 67-year-old former Florida attorney, has reduced voting options, elevated extremists, clashed with elections staff, stymied reporters and mostly pleased the Board of Supervisors' ultra-conservative majority.

Curtis and his allies say he is working to restore faith in local elections. His detractors say he is elevating conspiracies about election fraud and government tyranny in the divided mountain community, and introducing doubt about Shasta County's ability to pull off Tuesday's election.

Joanna Francescut worked as Shasta County's former assistant clerk and registrar of voters. She worked in the office for 16 years before she was fired in May by the new registrar, Clint Curtis, who called for her to be federally indicted. (Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle)





"My biggest concern is how our current county clerk is portraying election administration," said Joanna Francescut, the former assistant registrar whom Curtis fired and said should be indicted over discredited allegations that she mishandled the November 2024 election. "He's already causing distrust."

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Along with promoting a statewide secession effort that claims ties to the Trump administration, Curtis has hired secessionists and election deniers accused of harassing staff in past elections, requested federal investigations into his perceived enemies and cut the number of ballot drop boxes from 13 to a state-mandated minimum of four.

Almost 30% of Shasta County voters used the drop boxes in November's election.

Over the weekend, surveillance footage surfaced of Curtis, shirtless in blue jeans, moving a safe inside the elections office. Critics called it bizarre and objected to the presence of Curtis' wife, a non-employee. His supporters called it another example of his hands-on approach and quest for transparency.

Curtis did not respond to requests for an interview. But he has long portrayed himself as a neutral crusader for election security, including on April 30, when supervisors voted 3-2 to appoint him over Francescut and elections officials in Nevada, Michigan and Virginia.

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"It's about (finishing) what I've been working on for a quarter of a century," he told the board.

Curtis entered the political spotlight as an elections whistleblower. He reclaimed it as a skeptic, who disputed his own loss more than a decade before Trump did the same.

Evolution of a whistleblower

There was a time when Curtis drew cheers from Democrats.

In December 2004, he testified before a Congress still digesting what happened weeks earlier. President George W. Bush had trailed on Election Night, but Sen. John Kerry conceded the next morning despite Democrats' concerns about electronic voting irregularities in Ohio. Curtis gave consternated Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee a reason to suspect the results.

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He testified that he was a former programmer who "wrote a prototype" for vote-rigging software in 2000, at the behest of the Florida technology company he worked for and its lobbyist, Tom Feeney, who was also serving in Florida's state Legislature. Curtis said he turned in a report recommending that electronic voting tallies be checked against paper receipts, and that his boss at the company, Yang Enterprises Inc., told him he had the wrong idea.

"She said, You don't understand,'" Curtis recalled. "We need to hide the fraud in the source code.'"

Audience members hissed and groaned at his remarks, and applauded his bravery.

But the Florida State Commission on Ethics dismissed Curtis' charges that Feeney sought his help to manipulate touchscreen systems, per an August 2008 Variety review of a documentary featuring Curtis. Palm Beach County wasn't using touchscreen voting technology in 2000, which Curtis didn't know when Wired spoke to him in 2004.

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Curtis testified that he left Yang Enterprises after that. "I was ready to leave, so I retired," he told the judiciary committee.

According to federal court records, he filed for bankruptcy in September 2002. Yang Enterprises was one of his listed creditors.

In 2006, Curtis ran as a Democrat for a Florida House seat, but lost to the Republican incumbent, Feeney.

Curtis contested the defeat, alleging electronic voting irregularities.

Former Florida attorney Clint Curtis portrayed himself as a voting machines expert before he was hired to run elections in Shasta County. The unorthodox registrar is also a secession promoter who contested his own election defeat in 2006. (Shasta County government photo)





The Republican-controlled House of Representatives Committee on House Administration rejected Curtis' claim as "no more than raw conjecture and speculation unsupported by specific and credible allegations of irregularity."

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Curtis ran again in 2016 and 2020, both times as a Democrat, and lost, according to Ballotpedia.

Feeney, now a federal lobbyist for Florida companies, declined to be interviewed.

"I have no time or inclination to engage in bizarre debates, no matter how amusing," he wrote in an email. "I am sympathetic to folks that get duped or misled, but hard to understand this hire."

Over the years, Curtis has shifted from being a minor figure on the left to one on the right.

In 2016, he sued to stop Florida from awarding its electoral votes to Trump barring a hand count. He now calls Trump a champion for transparent elections and boasts of knowing people in his orbit, like My Pillow founder Mike Lindell, whom Curtis called "a friendly guy; there's nothing wrong with him."

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Curtis supports scrapping voting machines for paper ballots and universal hand counts, which voting rights groups and many election reformers deem unrealistic and error-prone. Shasta County ruled it out two years ago. He also signaled that, while he will obey California election laws, he is ready for Trump and the Supreme Court to drastically change them.

"I understand you can't have a hand count in California. The state won't let you do it," he told supervisors in April. "But you have to remember there's a lot of things at play right now.  With a 6-3 margin, I'm assuming that (Trump executive order) will be upheld and it will change the voter ID, it'll change it to a one-day election. So all of the hardness of getting things done in California will change."

Sticking by his guns'

What Curtis is describing would be a dramatic change from California's current processes, but he's far from the only Republican pushing to limit voting itself as well as vote-counting.

Trump has advocated for eliminating early voting and ditching mail-in voting altogether. The Supreme Court is currently mulling a case that could make it easier for Republicans to dismantle elections procedures in blue states. Earlier this year, six Republican California House members introduced a bill that would significantly shorten the window for the state to count votes.

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Voting rights advocates say these are nuclear responses to unsupported assertions of voter fraud, ones that would disenfranchise tens of millions of eligible Americans while turning elections into messy, corrupt endeavors.

Shasta Scout founder and managing editor Annelise Pierce said she came to community journalism after serving on Shasta County's grand jury and discovering how much was going unreported. Four years later, she runs a nonprofit newsroom of four, herself included. (Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle)





In July, Curtis promoted an unofficial election for the New California State secession group, mired in unintelligible conspiracies about a counterfeit state constitution. New California wants to purge the state's voter rolls, enforce voter IDs and require elections to be conducted in person over a single day, which Susannah Goodman, a policy director at pro-democracy nonprofit Common Cause, said would "cut the voting population in half."

The Oct. 21 event at Win-River was organized by Assembly Member Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, whose Reform California group has been lobbying against Prop 50 and circulating the voter documentation initiative. Its advertising was paid for by Curtis' campaign, the Shasta Scout reported.

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Curtis has feuded with the outlet, blacklisting it after Scout reporters fact-checked false statements he made, and reportedly asking the U.S. Justice Department and IRS to investigate the media organization.

Managing editor Annelise Pierce said Curtis disclosed the referral after the Board of Supervisors admonished Curtis for halting news releases to the Shasta Scout. The board was pressed to respond by a legal threat from the First Amendment Coalition.

Nonetheless, Pierce said, Curtis characterized the Shasta Scout as a biased operation, though he declined to provide an example.

"He said he didn't have to, that it wasn't his job, that he already reported us to the DOJ and IRS," Pierce recalled. "He's sticking by his guns."

Losing order

Before 2020, elections in Shasta County "were a lot of fun," said Francescut, a 16-year veteran of the Shasta County Clerk's Office. In addition to running elections, the office processes business applications, marriage licenses and passports, making it a sort of milestones hub for the county's 182,000 residents and 116,000 voters.

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"People were grateful for all the work we did," Francescut said.

Attitudes changed after the November 2020 election, which Trump won handily among Shasta County voters but lost nationally.

A coalition formed between residents animated by the president's false claims of election fraud and those opposed to the state's pandemic lockdown protocols, which they believed local Republican representatives didn't fight hard enough. This coalition, bringing together election deniers, COVID-19 skeptics, militia members, secessionists and a disgruntled millionaire, launched recalls that gave their candidates control of the Board of Supervisors, the county's most powerful political body with a $685 million budget.

The new majority leaned into its base's suspicions of voting fraud, creating adversarial oversight bodies and dumping vendor Dominion Voting, which had been at the center of false fraud allegations, for a hybrid voting system that caused about half of the paper ballots in November 2024's election to fail digital scans, delaying results.

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Rather than take responsibility, supervisors voted in December 2024 to petition the U.S. Department of Justice, under the incoming Trump administration, to investigate its local elections operations, and to grudgingly certify the Nov. 5 election results "under duress," a term supervisors added to save face with election-denying speakers who didn't want the results certified.

Meanwhile, the county's grand jury and a superior court judge have separately rejected claims of wrongdoing against the elections office. The board-created Elections Commission, which has proposed scrutinizing local elections processes, hasn't met this year and currently has two vacancies.

Francescut said the registrar's office went from hosting a couple interested observers on Election Night before the pandemic to up to 30 armchair micromanagers after. They showed up every day in the 45-day window for early and mail-in voting, and loomed over staff, accusing them of mistakes and misdeeds, and making unrealistic demands like wanting to get their hands on ballot envelopes.

"We became the villains in people's eyes," Francescut said. "It just became almost like being pecked to death."

Campaign buttons promote Joanna Francescut, a candidate for Shasta County clerk and registrar of voters. (Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle)





New protocols were put in place to insulate staff, but observers objected to watching the process through a window, fence or monitors that mirrored workers' screens. During the June 2022 primary, when several local races were on the ballot, observers came through the back door shouting at Registrar of Voters Cathy Darling Allen, Francescut's boss.

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"We lost order quickly," Francescut recalled. "And we need to have that. We need to keep order in place to count ballots."

Volunteers stopped volunteering. Staff quit. Allen, a 20-year elections chief who won her final race with nearly 70% of the vote, retired on medical leave in May 2024, following a heart failure diagnosis. Some of her supporters termed her condition a broken heart.

To replace Allen, supervisors appointed Thomas Toller, a private attorney, former prosecutor and election skeptic, hoping he would uncover corruption. But Toller eventually reported back that he could find no wrongdoing, and abruptly resigned in April, citing health reasons.

Curtis has called for Toller's indictment.

A social experiment'

Despite condemning Curtis for revoking access to the Shasta Scout, county supervisors have otherwise let their new registrar operate unimpeded.

"I have the utmost confidence in our ROV, Clint Curtis, and the entire ROV staff to conduct our Shasta County elections in a professional and transparent manner," board Chair Kevin W. Crye said in an emailed statement. "Our elections will now be accurate and fair with meaningful observation."

Supervisor Matt Plummer, one of two supervisors to vote against Curtis' appointment, was more measured.

"I am hopeful that the election will be conducted fairly and efficiently and that the results will be certified by the deadline, and ideally, before," he said in a statement. "The ROV has made significant claims about how quickly his office will be able to complete the vote counts and the impact of his new approach on trust in elections. I will be watching closely to see if he is able to fulfill those promises."

Others say Curtis' changes so close to an election and communication style have confused and rattled elections staff.

Heather McFall, member representative of Teamsters Local 137, one of two unions representing election workers, said they've struggled to get straight answers from Curtis about his plans for Tuesday or his expectations for staff, and that Curtis has instead been more interested in discussing the possibility of Attorney General Pam Bondi visiting the upstairs VIP room.

"He's an odd duck," McFall said. "To his benefit - and he doesn't see it as one yet - there are employees there working their butts off to make sure it's a success, even in spite of him."

One of those employees is Curtis' handpicked deputy, Brent Turner.

Turner, 63, relocated from San Francisco to be assistant registrar after a fitful two decades advocating for open-source voting systems, whose software anyone can examine to see how they tally votes. Today, only Mississippi and New Hampshire are testing out transparent systems that some see as an antidote for election distrust and others an invitation to foreign hackers.

A former member of the California Association of Voting Officials and the Open Voting Consortium, Turner said he initially turned down the job, but that Curtis prevailed on his sense of patriotic duty.

"I thought it would be good to work on the other side of the curtain," he said.

The two men are philosophically apart in several ways. Turner opposes voting ID requirements, which he called "a red line," and said universal hand counts were "a plague on the election reform movement." He also said he wouldn't have reduced the number of ballot drop boxes "because however people want to vote is good for me and I want to make it as easy as possible."

"I'm not Clint Curtis," he said. "I'm myself."

Sticky notes inside the Shasta Scout newsroom in Redding outline coverage ideas on Oct. 24, 2025. (Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle)





But he credited Curtis for improving the chain-of-custody process for handling ballots and defended one of his boss' zanier gambles - hiring skeptics to work alongside the staff they've harangued in past elections.

"I think Clint has devised a methodology that uses that animosity," Turner said. "And it's a bit of a social experiment, but I'm positive that by commingling everyone and smushing them together, there is a method to that madness."

McFall said her members aren't enthused about Curtis hiring "his Looney Tunes conspiracy theorists" or confident that he will keep them in check. But she said she didn't for a moment doubt his sincerity.

"If he was just a hustler and seizing the moment, I'd be pissed," McFall said. "But I truly believe after talking to him a few successive times he believes what he's putting out there. So it's more like pity. Because he just doesn't live in reality."

If Shasta County were to miss the state's 30-day certification deadline, California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber would be required to ask the Attorney General Rob Bonta or Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie A. Bridgett to assist with the process, said Lauren Miller Karalunas, a constitutional law and voting rights attorney at the Brennan Center for Justice. Curtis might also be able to petition the Shasta Superior Court for a deadline extension, she said.

The desk of Shasta Scout founder and managing editor Annelise Pierce in Redding on Oct. 24, 2025. (Santiago Mejia/S.F. Chronicle)





Pierce, who started the Shasta Scout in 2021 and is one of three reporters, emphasized that what happened in little Shasta County mattered.

"We can't have an official vote count until all California counties report," she said. "There are some really important national implications here."

A spokesperson for the secretary of state's office said they were not aware of any county being unprepared to fairly conduct the special election or tabulate each legal vote.

Working in Curtis' favor, Francescut and McFall say, is that Tuesday will feature a light ballot. (Redding voters will also consider a sales-tax measure.) Francescut said she is more troubled by how Curtis is treating the people who put on and participate in elections.

"It takes hundreds of people to administer an election. It takes humans and machines and complex procedures," said Francescut, who will challenge Curtis in an election next year. "He's not empowering the entire process. He's actually devaluing the entire process."

This article originally published at What happens when an election skeptic runs elections? In this California county, they're finding out.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Despite the problems Deniese Smith has been dealing with at her Northeast Memphis apartment, she wasnt planning to pack up and move.

I have the water leak now, she told WREG.

Smith continued, The water coming from both bathroom floors, underneath the tile. Its all in the closet. The closet is soaking wet.

Smith contacted the WREG Investigators because she thought she was being evicted. We quickly learned, though, that her lease is up and she has to leave, because the landlord isnt renewing it.

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This ought not to be so. If I havent gave them no reasons, said Smith.

The 62-year-old admits not combing through every detail of her lease, but says she learned about the change when her lease term flipped month to month, which led to extra fees. Smith says she also got a notice on her door and asked the property manager why she couldnt renew.

Smith told the WREG Investigators about the conversation she says she had with the property manager, She said he told me to tell you he owes you no explanation.

News Channel 3 tried to get an explanation from the property management office and contacted the Salt Lake City owner for the Village of Sycamore Ridge Apartments. Were still waiting to hear back.

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Meanwhile, Smith has been searching for a new place to live.

She told us, Ive been online looking a lot through a lot of online services. I be on the phone all day, every day, all night, trying to find somewhere to go because its fixing to get cold.

Smith is supposed to be out of her apartment by the end of October, but without transportation or much Tennessee rental history, she says its been tough, and now shes running out of time and money.

Sometimes, my daughter might pick me up and well ride around to see can we see anything, but I havent had no, no luck with that. I put in applications, and those applications is very expensive. I was out of $200 last week just to submit an application, explained the grandmother, who recently relocated back to her hometown of Memphis.

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Smiths search and the reason behind it, having a landlord terminate a lease at the end of a term, is quite common, according to local housing attorneys.

Vanessa Bullock of West Tennessee Legal Services said, At the end of the rental term, either the end of the lease agreement or if there is no lease agreement and the tenant is a month-to-month tenant, at the end of the month, either the landlord or the tenant can provide a notice that they want to end the rental arrangement, and no reason is required.

Bullock told WREG the notice required will depend on the timing of rental payments and can range anywhere from 10-30 days.

Its also important to note that if a tenant doesnt move and is still in the unit after the notice period ends, the landlord can move forward with an eviction.

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Bullock also said, Renters who receive assistance from a government rental program do have protections from unexpected evictions and requirements for good cause eviction.

Smith is holding out hope shell find quality housing soon. I just want to be in a safe environment, affordable, and somebody that will take pride in a property, fix things, she said.

If youve received a non-renewal notice and want advice on your rights or possible assistance with asking your landlord for more time to move, contact West Tennessee Legal Services at 901-471-8006 or visit their website to complete an online application.

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.
After a bleak warning from Gov. Bill Lee to expect a lapse in federal food aid next month, Tennesseans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are buckling down for a difficult few weeks going into the holidays.

A lot of parents are worried about how theyre going to feed their kids, including me, said Hermitage mother of two Sariya Birdine. If I didnt have faith, then Id be panicking right now.

Money that keeps food on the table for about 690,000 Tennesseans likely isnt coming on Nov. 1, as federal agencies remain shut down as the U.S. Senate continues a standoff over Medicaid tax credits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs the SNAP program, has said funding for the critical food program has run dry.

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While on a trip to Asia last week, Lee told SNAP recipients to expect a lapse in benefits beginning Nov. 1, blaming Democrats in Congress for not voting to fund the federal government and end the shutdown. After more than a dozen votes on funding measures, the U.S. Senate remains in a stalemate over extending COVID-19 era Medicaid tax credits that are set to expire at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, one in 10 Tennesseans who receive SNAP are rethinking how to pay for groceries next month.

'It's hard' Nashville residents say

Birdine has been using SNAP since 2019 to provide for her daughter and son, aged 5 and 6. Birdine homeschools her children at their Hermitage home.

Franklin nonprofit OneGenAway is planning distributions of shelf-stable food and fresh produce throughout the month of November to support residents who will not be receiving federal SNAP due to the government shutdown.

Im just trying to get things now that can last us until the next month, Birdine said. Its been a pretty big part of my security for providing food.  Hearing about this is kind of scary. Its what a lot of us rely on.

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Birdine is cobbling together an emergency savings fund and stocking up on food as much as she can. But the timing is hard.

I try to keep my faith, because I know things are going to work out somehow, Birdine said. But I do hope that they can step in and help us.

Vickie Southern, 63, has lived in Nashville her entire life. She lives in the Buena Vista area and has custody of two great-nephews and a great-niece.

Its hard. Ill just be truthful. Its hard, Southern said. I have a teenager  two of them  and they can eat a lot. ... The SNAP benefit helps me out a lot.

Southern said her mother taught her to always be prepared. Shes been stocking up her deep freezer.

Vickie Southern prepares club sandwiches for the Haynes Middle School cheerleaders and football players at her home in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 29, 2025. Its really time to join together and make sure that the kids and elderly people get something to eat, Southern said.

Weve just got to take it day by day. My mama used to say, if they eat in the White House, were going to eat in my house. I always stay prepared, Southern said. I have plenty. If somebody dont have anything, I have plenty, and I dont mind sharing.

From Tokyo, Lee not considering state of emergency

At least four other governors, including Republicans Glenn Youngkin of Virginia and Jeff Landry of Louisiana, have declared a state of emergency to use state funds to temporarily support benefits. Lee has said the state will not consider using $2 billion in reserve funds to support SNAP benefits for Tennesseans.

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When asked whether Lee is considering a state of emergency, Lee spokesperson Elizabeth Johnson said it's up to congressional Democrats to reopen the government and "ensure hardworking Tennessee families receive the resources they need."

"Their failure to fund federal nutrition programs cannot be solved by states, and the void cannot be filled with temporary fixes that would only drain state reserves and prolong the misery of this shutdown," Johnson said.

While no events appeared on the governor's public schedule, Lee is in Tokyo this week for an economic conference at the luxury 5-star Hotel New Otani.

Tennessee Democrats have called for a special legislative session to fund the critical food program. House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons pointed to the millions of dollars state Republicans have approved for "corporations" and "their wealthy pals" in recent years.

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"While most other states across the country are taking immediate, necessary action to help protect their residents, it appears that Tennessee families are going to needlessly suffer once again because they are represented by folks who would rather play politics than do the right thing here," Clemmons said.

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn has signed on to support a last-minute effort to temporarily fund SNAP, led by Missouri Republican Josh Hawley. While support for that measure is coalescing among Senate Republicans, its unlikely that an emergency federal measure will pass in time to fund November SNAP payments.

Area food banks prepare for high demand

Food banks and emergency relief groups are organizing food drives and planning distributions to help respond to the crisis.

Franklin nonprofit OneGenAway will be hosting drive-thru food pickups throughout November, distributing both shelf-stable foods and fresh produce. Distribution will begin on Nov. 4, and no ID or registration is required. Locations are listed at onegenaway.com.

Franklin nonprofit OneGenAway is planning distributions of shelf-stable food and fresh produce throughout the month of November to support residents who will not be receiving federal SNAP due to the government shutdown.

This is a critical moment for our community, OneGenAway founder Chris Whitney said. When thousands of families suddenly lose access to the food they depend on, we cant wait for someone else to step in. Were doing everything we can to fill the gap because no one should have to choose between feeding their kids and paying their bills.

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Second Harvest Food Bank is hosting a fundraiser and food drive on Oct. 30. Donations of peanut butter, canned meat, vegetables, fruit, pasta, cereal, rice and beans can be dropped off at Second Harvest locations in Nashville, Smyrna and Camden, or at any middle Tennessee Kroger location. Monetary donations can be made online.

We just have to deal with it. We might not want to deal with it, but its reality, Southern said. We just all need to come together.  We need to share with each other. We need to love each other and ride it on out together.

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee SNAP recipients prep for tough November without aid
Dozens of haredi protesters were recorded climbing a crane and multiple high-rise construction sites and are now refusing to come down.

A 15-year-old boy was killed Thursday afternoon after falling from a height of about 100 meters at a construction site at the entrance to Jerusalem during the haredi (ultra-Orthodox) demonstration against drafting yeshiva students into the army.

Hundreds of thousands of haredi protesters crowded Jerusalem on Thursday for the "Million Man March" and clashed with counterprotesters and journalists covering the events.

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Dozens of protesters were recorded climbing a crane and multiple high-rise construction sites.

According to police reports, some individuals who climbed the construction sites are now refusing to come down. Fire and Rescue services are working to remove protesters from the crane and construction sites.

Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedics found the haredi teen unconscious and without signs of life, suffering from multiple severe injuries.

Israeli emergency officials work on site where a haredi teen fell to his death from a crane in Jerusalem on October 30, 2025. (credit: SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT)

He was lying at the foot of a high-rise construction site, without a pulse and not breathing, said MDA paramedic Yishi Shemesh and emergency medical technician Daniel Eliyakim.

Haredi teen falls to death from crane during Jerusalem protest

We performed medical examinations, but his injury was critical, and unfortunately, we had no choice but to declare him dead.

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The protests have led to transportation disruptions throughout Jerusalem and surrounding areas, with thousands of officers deployed throughout the city.

"We were informed at the scene that the youth fell from a significant height - from a construction site where he was present during the mass prayer rally," United Hatzalah EMTs Yosef Gabai, Moshe Fordsham, and Eliyahu Lapidot stated.

"Tragically, he was pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics due to the severe nature of the traumatic injuries he sustained."

Israel police stated that officers were "on site and have begun investigating the circumstances of the incident."

Officials are investigating whether or not the fall was a suicide, rather than an accident.
HARLINGEN  In the last four years, more than 130 speed humps have popped up along neighborhood streets across town.

Some drivers curse them as nuisances, City Commissioner Rene Perez, who called for the first hump, said.

But officials argue the big rubber slabs might be saving lives.

The public is demanding it, Commissioner Frank Morales said.

Across town, speeding drivers are among residents deepest concerns.

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The biggest and most consistent complaint I have received over the past three years has been drivers speeding in neighborhoods and causing wrecks, Commissioner Daniel Lopez, who oversees District 2, said. From the corner of Vinson and Sterling Avenues to the bend at Taylor and 17th streets, we have had numerous avoidable accidents because drivers do not heed traffic laws.

Since police Chief Alfredo Alvear took office earlier this year, the police departments boosted patrols, with officers are making more traffic stops.

Police presence and traffic enforcement in neighborhoods has had an amazing impact, Lopez said. Officers are making their presence known through traffic stops and deployment of the speed trailer, which notifies drivers that they may be driving above the speed limit and tracks this information for police analysis.

Now, officials are stepping up their crackdown on speeding drivers.

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At City Hall, theyre planning an ordinance cutting speed limits in residential areas from 30 to 20 mph.

If that works out, well have less reason for speed humps, said Morales, adding their costs have jumped from about $3,500 to $4,000 to about $11,000 to $12,000 in the last three to six months.

In 2022, Perez called for the programs first speed hump on Traxler Way after pushing for an ordinance allowing the city to install them on roads lacking curbs and gutters.

Prior to this commission, there werent too many speed bumps, he said. Before, it was very hard for speed bumps to be placed.

While he was campaigning for office, residents along Traxler Way called for help in cracking down on speeding drivers, Perez said.

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Residents had safety concerns, he said. They had children playing and cars were speeding. They didnt feel safe. Im proud to have written the ordinance that made it easier for neighborhoods to get speed humps.

After about 137 speed humps popped up across town, some drivers are heating up, rumbling over the fat rubber lumps under 5-mph speed limit signs.

We get some complaints, Perez said. Some people are against them. Some may see them as an inconvenience, but they can save lives and protect our kids, and thats what really matters. Id rather have a nuisance if it saves lives  especially children.

Harlingen motorists approach a speed hump Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. (Miguel Roberts/The Brownsville Herald)

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Now, hes placing speed humps along Stuart Place Road, where a study shows 91% of motorists driving between Garrett Road and Business 83 are speeding, Perez said.

Thats next to a school zone, he said.

Across town, speed humps are helping slow drivers down, Sgt. Larry Moore, the police departments spokesman, said.

Theyre designed to slow vehicles down, which increases safety in neighborhoods, he said. This significantly reduces the odds of children or infants getting injured in the streets.

But some drivers are trying to get around speed humps, Moore said.

Vehicles will use side streets to get around speed humps, he said. That can push traffic into other areas of the neighborhood.

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The citys push to cut speed limits in residential areas stands as one of Harlingens boldest moves aimed at cracking down on speeding drivers.

An underlying issue is that the speed limit in most neighborhoods is 30 miles per hour, which may seem slow to the driver but is excessive to pedestrians and residents watching vehicles pass by, Lopez said. On top of this, a portion of our population drives faster than the speed limit, which puts everyone in danger.

Soon, speed limits might be cut to 20 mph in the citys neighborhoods.

We are looking at neighborhoods, Lopez said. For me, it would be every major neighborhood in my district  Lazy Palms subdivision, Spanish and Secluded Acres, Fair Park, east downtown, and so on. This targeted approach to traffic enforcement is geared towards allowing drivers and pedestrians to get to their destination safely.

The post Harlingen planning to cut neighborhood speed limits to 20 mph appeared first on MyRGV.com.




Hartford HealthCare plans to invest $312 million in Manchester Memorial and Rockville General over the next three years and operate the two hospitals under one license, according to new documents filed with the state this week.

Rockville General would become a "campus" of Manchester Memorial under the plan, submitted as part of an emergency application to the state Office of Health Strategy. Hartford HealthCare seeks approval of its $86.1 million purchase of the two hospitals, now operated by bankruptcy Prospect Medical Holdings.

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A new law requires the state to decide on the emergency application within 60 days, so the two hospitals could be under new ownership as soon as Dec. 27. Once the deal is finalized, Hartford HealthCare would become the largest hospital system in the state by many measures.

Hartford HealthCare gained the approval of a bankruptcy judge on Oct. 24, setting in motion the process to gain final approvals for the deal.



The Connecticut hospitals have reported mounting debts and safety issues in recent months as for-profit Prospect attempts to unwind its hospital properties amid a debt burden between $1 billion and $10 billion.



"To ensure patient safety and continuity of care, integration planning will be focused on stabilizing operations and addressing matters that require immediate attention," the application states.

Hartford HealthCare plans to invest first in IT systems, behavioral health, expansion of vascular and orthopedic surgical services and the development of an inpatient rehabilitation unit, according to the application. The system plans to spend $277 million in the first two years after acquiring the hospitals, and another $35 million in the third year.

Hartford HealthCare's plan comes in the same week that the two hospitals, known collectively as the Eastern Connecticut Health Network, experienced "irregular activity" on their IT network that resulted in protective measures that took the inpatient electronic health record system offline for a brief period this week, spokesperson Nina Kruse said on Wednesday.

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"These safeguards worked exactly as intended - isolating the issue and blocking any access to our network," Kruse said.

A 2023 cyberattack at Prospect's Connecticut hospitals compromised the confidential information of 110,000 state residents.



"The sites have numerous aging IT platforms that will be enhanced," the Hartford HealthCare application said, adding that patient records will be transferred to the Epic platform used by larger health systems including Yale New Haven Health and Northwell Health/Nuvance.

Weeks before officially winning the auction for the hospitals in bankruptcy court on October 16, Hartford HealthCare consolidated Rockville General under Manchester Memorial's license, the application stated, forming an entity referred to as "HHC MMH."



"Upon approval of this Application, HHC MMH will maintain two main hospital campuses (one in Rockville and one in Manchester," the application states.

Few details were offered in the application on the impact of the consolidation, although Hartford HealthCare does outline one proposal: "Potential opportunities include expanding inpatient behavioral health to fill the 30-bed empty unit at the (Rockville General) campus."

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Manchester Memorial would be the location of a new inpatient rehabilitation facility and the expansion of a unit offering gastrointestinal procedures like endoscopies and colonoscopies, according to the application.

A priority would also be expanding Hartford HealthCare medical services in the area outside of the two hospitals "in more cost-effective settings," the application said.

Hartford HealthCare did not immediately return a request to comment on the consolidation.

This article originally published at Hartford HealthCare to spend $312M on Rockville and Manchester, combine hospitals.
In a major success with 21 Naxals surrendering before the Chhattisgarh Police, Bastar Inspector General (IG) P Sundarraj categorically stated on Wednesday that Naxalites must either "surrender" or "face combat" and "welcome those who surrender". Speaking with ANI on Wednesday, Inspector General Bastar P Sundarraj said, "On 26 October, a total of 21 Maoists surrendered their weapons and joined the mainstream. Keshkal Division Committee Secretary Mukesh, along with 13 women cadres and 8 male cadres carrying 18 weapons, surrendered to join the mainstream. The administration is providing them with all kinds of assistance for their rehabilitation." Earlier, Chattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday said that the "backbone of Naxalism is broken" after 21 Maoist cadres, including 13 women, surrendered in the Kanker district. Calling it a success of the 'Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy', the Chief Minister said that the "misled" youth is beginning to choose the path of development. In an X post, CM Sai wrote, "The end of the anti-people Maoist ideology through 'Puna Margem,' Establishment of peace in Bastar. Today, in Kanker district, under the 'Puna Margem - From Rehabilitation to Revival' initiative, 21 Naxalites have abandoned the path of violence and surrendered. This is a meaningful testament to the success of our 'Surrender and Rehabilitation Policy - 2025' and the 'Niyad Nella Nar Scheme,' which is fostering a new wave of trust and transformation in Naxal-affected areas." CM Sai reiterated the government's aim to make India Naxal-free by March 31, 2026. Meanwhile, the 74th Battalion of the CRPF gave a final farewell to the brave K-9 dog with full military honours on Wednesday at the Doranpal headquarters. "K9 has a significant contribution in the anti-Naxal drive. Today, we are sad that one of our members, 'Ego', who was 4 years and 8 months old, has sacrificed his life while on duty due to an acute kidney disease. 'Ego' has helped us in detecting several IEDs during the anti-Naxal operations," he said. (ANI)




HARTFORD - A city man has been found guilty of charges stemming from a shooting on Laurel Street in 2022 that left one person dead and another seriously wounded, officials say.

In a news release, the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice said Benjamin White, 38, was found guilty by a jury in the Superior Court in Hartford on Wednesday of murder, first-degree assault and criminal possession of a firearm.

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Officials said officers received a 911 call on Aug. 11, 2022, that shots had been fired at a residence on the 200 block of Laurel Street. They said the caller, who police at the time noted was a victim, reported that two people had been shot and one of them was dead.

Officials said Simon Griffin, a 33-year-old city resident, suffered two gunshot wounds to the head and was pronounced dead. They said the second victim, a 27-year-old, sustained a gunshot wound to the neck and was transported to the hospital.

The surviving victim provided a statement that on the day of the incident, he and Griffin were at Griffin's apartment, officials said. White, who was known to Griffin, joined the men and began smoking and drinking with them, they said.

Officials said Griffin and White then got into an argument regarding a prior criminal offense White had committed. They said White then left the room and reentered with a firearm.

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White pointed the firearm at the surviving victim and Griffin, officials said, adding he ordered both men to sit on the floor. They said White then shot both men, wounding the surviving victim and killing Griffin.

Hartford Judicial District State's Attorney Sharmese Walcott acknowledged "the bravery of the surviving victim for coming forward to ensure that justice would be done on behalf of himself and his deceased friend."

White's sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 14, the Superior Court in Hartford, officials said.

This article originally published at Hartford man guilty of 2022 Laurel Street shooting that killed man, wounded another, officials say.
Over the last few years, facial recognition blocking glasses have gained mainstream popularity, purportedly helping users avoid the types of light rays required for facial scans. Donald Iain Smith via Getty Images

Icantremember where I was going, which airline I was flying, or even which airport I was in, but I remember the moment I realized I could opt out of the new facial recognition at the TSA. Participation in TSA facial recognition technology is optional, read the blue words against the white sign.

Rudimentary facial recognition technology was introduced in the U.S. in the 1960s and has since evolved to an AI-assisted arena where a camera or other device can scan an individuals face and compare it against tens of billions of images in a database at breakneck speed. Early tech was used by law enforcement to help increase the speed with which agents can help identify people suspected of crimes.

Tech: Does Border Patrol Have The Right To Go Through Your Phone? Here Are The Alarming Facts.

But in America, where racial and gender bias pervade the deepest parts of the nations criminal justice and carceral systems, AI-assisted facial recognition presents an existential threat to the privacy and safety of darker-skinned people and immigrants, especially.

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So how are we protecting ourselves?

Over the last few years, facial recognition blocking glasses have gained mainstream popularity, purportedly helping users avoid the types of light rays required for facial scans. Human eyes are as unique as a fingerprint, says Steven Lee, an optometrist and director of digital innovation at Zenni Optical. Facial recognition software uses the eyes, along with other points on a face, to make a persons facial identifiers. In policing, surveillance can be used in areas deemed by law enforcement to be high crime, which often include majority Black and Latino communities.

Zenni wearers can see their tech working in real time, Dr. Steven Lee says that the glasses often block a wearers ability to unlock their cell phones through facial recognition. Courtesy of Zenni Optical

The experts I spoke with offered various solutions to the problem of prejudiced surveillance. I quickly learned how crucial it is for Black and brown tech professionals, the former of whom are underrepresented in the industry, to be involved in all steps of creating these types of technologies. And legislators, who have struggled to pass comprehensive protections, need to ensure that a set of privacy-protecting guardrails is in place. California passed the nations first AI safety legislation at the end of September.

I think now more than ever we need democratic norms, says Mutale Nkonde, an artificial intelligence policy researcher pursuing her doctorate in digital humanities at Cambridge University. But now more than ever, we need to be able to respect our communities and then pursue models of public safety that are not based on hyper-surveillance in some places, and then under-surveillance in others.

Tech: Why You Can (And Should) Opt Out Of TSA Facial Recognition Right Now

In January 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic upended the globe, and protests against police violence rocked cities in the U.S. and around the world, a Michigan father named Robert Williams was arrested for a theft he didnt commit after facial recognition software falsely identified him as the culprit. Despite his innocence, Williams spent more than a full day in jail.

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The arrest of Williams and two other Detroit-area men was reported by Wired as among the first cases in the nation to result in an arrest based on wrongful facial recognition. All three men are fathers, writer Khari Johnson reported, and all three are Black.

Williams sued the Detroit police for his wrongful arrest. As a result of the settlement from his case, the department in 2024 was prohibited from using facial recognition as the sole basis for arrests. The American Civil Liberties Union, or ACLU, which represented Williams in the case, called the protections the nations strongest police department policies and practices constraining law enforcements use of facial recognition technology.

The incident still upended Williamss life. The scariest part is that what happened to me could have happened to anyone, he said in a press release, after the settlement. What happened to Williams could still happen to anyone, as surveillance continues to seep into our everyday lives.

Tech: Taking Photos And Videos At A Trump Protest Could Have Alarming Consequences

It is within this environment that police have increasingly deployed facial recognition technology purportedly designed to help cops identify perpetrators. In New York City, for instance, the New York Police Department received nearly 10,000 requests for facial matching and reports it positively identified more than 2,500 possible matches.

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An article, posted this past Tuesday from 404 Media, reported officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection were caught on video openly using smartphone facial recognition technology to verify peoples citizenship. The technology, 404 Media wrote, was deployed during stops that seem to have little justification beyond the color of someones skin.

Meka Egwuekwe is a software engineer who now runs a nonprofit teaching coding, AI, and tech to community members in Memphis, Tennessee. He recalled, in a phone call, working on a project for a criminal justice-related customer around 20 years ago and noticing, even then, the limitations of facial recognition in identifying faces.

There are real communities that are over-policed and over-surveilled, Egwuekwe says. So, even if they got the accuracy right, theres still a lot of policy thats not right in terms of how its regulated and used.

Life: Im A Latino In Trumps America. This Is How My Life Changed After The Supreme Court Ruled In Favor Of Racial Profiling.

The criminal justice system doesnt present the only facial recognition risk to vulnerable populations and people of color. Joy Buolamwini became a premier scholar in the tech privacy space when, while in graduate school, she realized facial recognition software couldnt recognize her face unless she covered it with a white mask. Buolamwini eventually founded the Algorithmic Justice League, an organization dedicated to addressing prejudicial bias in technology and AI.

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Faulty facial recognition has blocked students from taking exams, been used in federal public housing complexes, and during large-scale events like sporting games.

This isnt a Black problem, Nkonde, who founded a nonprofit addressing algorithmic bias called AI for the People, says. This issue is a society problem. Its just that Black people are the canaries in the coal mine. Even as the technology has advanced to more accurately identify darker skin tones, says Nkonde, the privacy dangers it presents remain.

Zenni Opticals Lee found himself at the intersection of tech and optometry after he invented an online eye exam. Years later, Lee helped create and launch Zenni Opticals new tech offering: infrared defense glasses meant for all kinds of protection  including from unwanted tracking. The glasses are a new entrant into a burgeoning industry of facial recognition blocking spectacles designed to help shield wearers from the growing ubiquity of feature-identification surveillance.

It does a lot of protection both in terms of the rays of light from outside, blue light and near-infrared light needed for facial recognition, Lee tells me. Zennis lenses block up to 80% of near-infrared light.

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So think of it almost as a shield on your eyes, Lee says. Its just this added layer of protection. Starting at under $60, the EyeQLenz glasses are intended, like Zennis entire offering, to be accessible to an inclusive swath of consumers.

Zenni Optical joins a small but growing group of accessible glasses makers exploring anti-surveillance technology, even as technological advances are increasing the ability and probability that youre being recorded and positively identified, yet remain unaware. Reflectacles, launched in 2017, for instance, offers several models of privacy glasses ranging from about $50 for glasses clips to about $230 for the sold-out Ghost Miasma frames. A 2013 Smithsonian magazine article noted on the emergence of this new type of discreet wearable technology, Camouflage Couture is all the rage. And researchers cited in a 2016 article on The Verge made glasses that could trick AI into misidentifying their wearer.

Zenni wearers can see their tech working in real-time, Lee says, since the glasses often block a wearer from unlocking their cell phones through facial recognition.

And while these tools are now essential, we have to ask ourselves how its come to this. If an American wants to conceal themselves, products like these are tools to do that, but Egwuekwe says the glasses are like a bandaid that can stop the bleeding, but dont address the root causes of an injury. Fundamentally, its this, he says. Black and Brown people shouldnt need special glasses just to walk through their own neighborhoods without fear of being misidentified.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
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As Indianas 43rd Attorney General, I focused on protecting Hoosiers from threats to their safety and prosperity, whether from domestic crime or foreign economic incursion. Thus, I have been troubled by recent assertions in some academic and policy circles that President Trumps tariffs and the Jones Act are burdening Hawaiis residents with high costs for essentials like groceries and fuel.

Some have argued that Hawaiis geographic isolation and reliance on imports justify loosening federal trade protections to allow the Aloha State unfettered access to foreign goods. This perspective, however, misdiagnoses the problem and overlooks a critical truth: Hawaiis dependence on imports from adversaries like China and Russia poses a grave and ever-present danger to our national security. Far from harming the island paradise, the Jones Act and tariffs are essential tools to safeguard Americas strategic interests in the Pacific and elsewhere.

Consider Hawaiis import heavy economy. Over half its oil comes from nations like Russia and Libya and over $206 million in consumer goods, machinery, and electronics are sourced from China annually. As such, some have suggested that Hawaiis proximity to Pacific trading partners should allow it to bypass the Jones Act and tariffs in favor of cheaper, direct imports. However this argument, while appealing to short-term cost concerns, ignores the long-term national security and geopolitical risks of relying on foreign powers for critical supplies.

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While President Trump has pressed our European allies to reduce their dependence on Russian energy to counter Moscows geopolitical leverage, Hawaii, hypocritically continues to rely on Russian oil. This is not a sustainable strategy for a state so vital to Americas Pacific defense network.

A disruptionwhether from a natural disaster or Kremlin maneuveringcould cripple Hawaiis energy supply, nearly overnight, leaving it entirely dependent on the U.S. military for emergency relief. The Jones Act mitigates this risk by ensuring a robust domestic maritime fleet, with 40,000 vessels ready to support military and civilian needs in a crisis. Without it, foreign shipspotentially from hostile nationscould dominate our supply lines, compromising both Hawaiis lifeline and Americas security.

Similarly, the $206 million in Chinese imports raises alarms. From telecommunications equipment to consumer electronics, Chinese goods often carry risks of espionage and intellectual property theft, as evidenced by incidents involving Huawei and data-harvesting apps. American manufacturers, from the industrial heartland to the tech hubs of the mainland, can provide these goods without the security liabilities.

The Trump administrations 10 percent baseline and up to 145 percent on Chinese goods have been criticized for further squeezing Hawaiian consumers, but tariffs incentivize this shift, reducing our reliance on a regime that views the U.S. as a strategic rival at best. Hawaiis own role in its cost-of-living crisis has also been completely sidestepped in recent discussions. The states General Excise Tax, for example, applied to nearly all goods and services, creates the nations highest tax burden. Blaming federal trade policy for sticker shock is misleading and is like faulting the lifeguard for a riptide you swam into.

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The Jones Act is not a relic without a current purpose; it is a cornerstone of national defense. It sustains a domestic maritime industry that employs 650,000 Americans and generates $150 billion in economic impactannually. Repealing it would force taxpayers to fund a $65 billion Navy cargo fleet, plus billions more in yearly maintenance, to replace the civilian capacity it provides.

Meanwhile, Chinas $130 billion investment in its own shipping industryproducing 85 percent of global containersunderscores the strategic stakes. Allowing foreign vessels, particularly from adversarial nations, to ply Americas waterways risks both certain espionage and supply chain sabotage, especially along our 12,000 miles of inland rivers.

Hawaii is not a mere outpost in paradise but a critical Pacific hub, home to Pearl Harbor and vital military assets. In return for the protection that the U.S. military provides it is only fair to ask that the Aloha state adhere to policies that prioritize Americas national security over short-term savings. The Jones Act and tariffs responsibly shield our supply chains from foreign control, ensuring that in times of war or crisis, America relies on American ships, crews, and goods.

Congress must reject any calls to weaken these protections and instead strengthen them, recognizing Hawaiis unique strategic role. Our nations safety depends on it, from the shores of Waikiki to the heartland of Indiana.

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Curtis Hill served as Indianas 43rd Attorney General from 2017 to 2021, advocating for policies that protect American sovereignty and economic security.

Curtis Hill served as the state attorney general of Indiana from 2017 - 2021.
The government shutdown is threatening Head Start programs in Georgia, putting 6,500 children in the programs at risk of losing federal funding.

A years worth of funding was supposed to start Nov. 1.

A philanthropic group has stepped in to provide temporary funding, allowing Head Start programs to continue operating for the next month.

Channel 2s Bryan Mims continues the Live Team 2 coverage from a Head Start academy in Northwest Atlanta.

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Democratic U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath visited a YMCA Head Start in Atlanta, expressing concern over the impact of the shutdown on families.

Im concerned that a parent might not be able to take a shift at work, because if this place closes down, then where are the children going to go? she said.

McBath said Republicans and Democrats need to end this stalemate.

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is lending $8 million to support Head Start programs in Georgia for 45 days.

For their parents, Head Start is indispensable.

At the Chattahoochee YMCA Head Start Academy, nearly 270 children are enrolled, ranging from 6 months to 4 years old.

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Shequila Duffey, a teacher and parent at the academy, emphasized the importance of Head Start for working families.

A lot of us as a parent  as a parent and a teacher  rely on Head Start to make sure our children, theyre comfortable, make sure theyre safe, make sure they have a place to go to so that we can work and take care of our families, she said.

Executive director Derrick Tye highlighted the challenges faced by children from low-income families. He said 23 children who attend the Chattahoochee center are homeless.

When I tell you I look at these children as my children, and when I know for a fact that children are disadvantaged, it really tugs on your heart strings, he said.

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And then there are the teachers. If the shutdown continues, about 800 teachers across the state could be furloughed.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

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Health Canada has issued a notice of compliance (NOC) for AstraZenecashuman epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-directed antibody drug conjugate (ADC) Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) for breast cancer.

The therapy is approved for the treatment of adults with unresectable or metastatic hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-low or HER2-ultralow breast cancer.

This approval covers patients who have undergone at least one endocrine therapy treatment for metastatic disease and are no longer deemed appropriate for additional endocrine treatment.

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The decision by the Canadian regulator is supported by the findings from the Phase III DESTINY-Breast06 study.

The safety of the ADC was assessed in 434 participants with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low or HER2-ultralow breast cancer in the trial, all of whom were given the ADC at a dosage of 5.4mg/kg.

In the study, Enhertu was shown to reduce the disease progression or mortality risk by 36% when compared to chemotherapy in those with HER2-low or HER2-ultralow metastatic breast cancer who had not yet received chemotherapy.

The therapy combines a HER2 monoclonal antibody with a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, linked via a tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker.

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Enhertu is designed utilising the DXd ADC technology of Daiichi Sankyo.

In March 2019, Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca signed a worldwide partnership to develop and commercialise Enhertu, with exceptions for Japan, where Daiichi retains exclusive rights.

The companies also work together on datopotamab deruxtecan.

Daiichi Sankyo oversees manufacturing and supply for both treatments.

Earlier this month, AstraZeneca announced the opening of an expanded manufacturing facility in Texas, US, with an investment of $445m, aiming to meet increasing demand for its hyperkalaemia treatment, Lokelma.

ADC content on Pharmaceutical Technology (Or Clinical Trials Arena) is supported by Syngene. Editorial content is independently produced and follows the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Topic sponsors are not involved in the creation of editorial content.

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"Health Canada grants NOC for AstraZenecas breast cancer therapy" was originally created and published by Pharmaceutical Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  South Carolina health officials say theyve confirmed eight new cases of measles since October 24. Each case resulted from close contact with previously known cases.

It brings the statewide total to 33 for the year.

So far, all the measles cases this year have been in unvaccinated individuals. We did have one new case in an individual who only had one of the recommended two doses of the MMR vaccine, South Carolina state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell.

MORE | Mecklenburg County urges measles vaccination as nearby SC outbreak grows

Dr. Bell says a single dose of the MMR vaccine protects against measles in about 93 percent of people. Two doses provide greater protection against measles, increasing the percentage of those protected to about 97 percent.

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And additionally, there is no vaccine that guarantees 100 percent protection against infection. And all of the eight most recently reported cases were quarantining at home before they became infectious. So no individual exposures occurred with these new cases. And this shows the benefit of early quarantining for those individuals, as well as being exposed in protecting others from infection and preventing disease spread in the population, Dr. Bell explained during a weekly measles briefing.

Spartanburg and Greenville counties started seeing a measles outbreak in September.

Officials say there were eight cases in that area reported between Sept. 25 and Oct. 9. Two weeks later, that number had almost tripled.

We do continue to be concerned that ongoing community transmission of measles may occur because declining vaccination coverage puts others in South Carolina at risk, especially because of this outbreak of measles, which is, again, one of the most highly contagious diseases, Dr. Bell said.

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Now, Mecklenburg County public health officials are watching for cases, as people travel back and forth between the Carolinas.

We want our residents to be vigilant in that. As we continue to see not just measles, but other infections pop up, things like pertussis. We have had more pertussis cases in the last couple of years than weve ever had in recent history, said Mecklenburg Countys public health director, Dr. Raynard Washington.

He says the county averages around two whooping cough cases a year. But this year, that number is well over 50.

Flu, COVID, and RSV cases are on their radar as well.

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On Tuesday, his department confirmed a positive tuberculosis case at North Mecklenburg County High School.

So tuberculosis is not new in Mecklenburg County, so weve had cases every year. We have more than 50 cases of tuberculosis reported among our residents. Thats been the case for the last several years. That number has increased over the last decade, he said.

Charlotte Mecklenburg County School officials notified those who were in close contact with the individual.

TB, unlike flu and COVID, people dont often develop symptoms immediately, and symptoms can be very mild. And so thats why we will be doing. Anyone thats been exposed means that they were in close contact with the individual, whether TB was active, those individuals have been contacted, and then they will be subsequently tested by our tuberculosis control team.

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The departments tuberculosis control program works to ensure the incidence of tuberculosis is low.

At Mecklenburg County Public Health, we work to identify anyone living with tuberculosis, whether it be active or latent. We provide treatment at no cost to anyone thats experiencing tuberculosis. Whenever there is a case, we work to finding the one that they may have exposed and get those people into care, Dr. Washington explained.

Top health officials across the Carolinas are encouraging people to get and stay vaccinated.

Weve got tools in our toolbox to help us to be able to be responsive and keep people safe. I just encourage residents to take advantage of those as we have them available, Dr. Washington said.

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*Note: While there is a vaccine for TB, we do not recommend the vaccine for TB because TB is not prevalent in the United States. Given that we dont have the type of incidents that other countries have TB cases. People have gone to visit other countries where TB is more prevalent, and then they come home from those countries and they bring TB back with them. So its different. We can also have community transmission of TB. Weve had a number of potential outbreaks and some occupational settings, educational settings, which is why our work at the Health Department is really important to try to contain it as quickly as we can.  Dr. Raynard Washington

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.
Canned foods on grocery store shelves. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

The Montana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Confluence Public Health Alliance are the latest groups asking Gov. Greg Gianforte to use state money to pay $14 million in SNAP benefits, for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

In a letter Wednesday, Dr. Atty Moriarty, of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Lisa Dworak, with Confluence, urged Gianforte to take immediate steps to ensure financial support for food for families during the federal shutdown.

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Their request follows a separate letter earlier this week from more than 50 organizations including United Way programs and food banks urging action in the face of a cutoff of federal SNAP benefits.

The federal government directed states to stop making the payments in November. In September, SNAP payments went to 77,679 Montanans, with an average payment of $173.

Food banks and other social services organizations are bracing for an increase in demand as a result, and the professional associations are raising concerns about the health of Montanans and ability of children to learn in school.

But Gianforte said the state will not fund a federal program without the promise of federal reimbursement.

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While the governor believes these benefits are vital for vulnerable Montanans, he has been clear that the state cannot fund this federal program, which is funded by federal dollars, without promises for reimbursement, said Gianforte spokesperson Kaitlin Price in an email. Gov. Gianforte continues to urge Senate Democrats to do their job and pass a continuing resolution instead of holding taxpayer dollars hostage that fund these critical programs.

State lawmakers, however, said they already planned for exactly this situation, a reduction or rescission of federal funds, the state has the money to cover it, and the governor has the authority to act, regardless of gridlock in Washington, D.C.

Rep. Mary Caferro, a consistent advocate for food security, said federal solutions exist, but the debate around them doesnt matter. Thats because the state itself has solutions, she said.

The legislature set up some really sensible laws to avert a crisis like this, said Caferro, a Democrat from Helena. And the governor needs to pay attention to those laws and do something. We have the tools right here.

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She and others said the legislature ensured that one of the purposes of a state account, the debt and liability free account, is to replace dollars the federal government removes.

She and others said that account has $268 million, and SNAP would need $15 million of it for November.

Its a drop in the bucket, Caferro said.

Rep. James Reavis, a Democrat from Billings who raised questions about SNAP at a recent legislative budget update, agreed. He said he believes the federal government must repay Montana.

But we do have to contend with the possible reality that those payments would not be honored, Reavis said.

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In the meantime, though, he said Montana has a pot of money designed to help, the state can afford it, but it cant afford to wait.

He said roughly $43 million of the $268 million in the debt and liability free account is available.

It really needs to be done as soon as possible, Reavis said, citing technical issues, such as ones related to vendors, that would need to be ironed out.

Montana Food Bank Network, partners, friends

Tuesday, the Montana Food Bank Network was meeting with its partners to talk about demand in a time CEO Gayle Carlson described as very unprecedented.

The letter led by the Montana Food Bank Network said the loss will affect families and the economy.

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A disruption in SNAP benefits would have a devastating impact not only on Montana families, but also on retailers and producers across the state  putting at risk more than $14 million that directly supports our local economies, the letter said.

A survey a couple of weeks ago showed roughly half of the Networks partners had seen an increase in demand, and half had not, based on the ones that responded, Carlson said.

But the situation is compounding.

With the federal shutdown underway, federal employees are missing paychecks, and SNAP payments will stop as of Saturday, Nov. 1, for an impact that could be pretty traumatic, Carlson said.

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She said local food banks arent designed to provide all the support that may be needed.

Theyre going to lean on their food banks for more demand, Carlson said. Thats going to be a challenge for us.

Pediatrics association, Confluence

The letter from Moriarty and Dworak to Gianforte and Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton pointed to a different way the state of Montana could help.

Citing a report from the Legislative Fiscal Division, they said Montana ended the 2025 fiscal year with $769 million, much more than expected, and the governor and head of DPHHS could authorize a small fraction.

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Our members hear directly from Montanans worried about being unable to feed themselves and their families without November SNAP benefits, the letter said. Seniors have reached out to public health departments for advice and assistance, and parents have called pediatricians worried about how to put dinner on the table.

We are concerned about the health of our fellow Montanans if food aid lapses.

Political finger pointing

Western Native Voices Keaton Sunchild, based in Washington, D.C., earlier told the Daily Montanan that SNAP benefits had been used as a negotiating tactic by the White House and Senate leadership to try to force support for a continuing resolution.

Republicans in the Senate have tried to garner enough votes for such a measure, but Democrats have said they wont budge unless theres a plan to continue the enhanced tax credits in the Affordable Care Act too.

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The federal government shut down on Oct. 1.

In the U.S. Senate, the parties have been at loggerheads since as pressures mount from labor leaders to reopen the government and many Americans sit on the brink of skyrocketing health care premiums.

While social services providers grapple with the coming SNAP fallout, the finger pointing has trickled down to the state level.

Through a spokesperson, Gianforte has repeatedly blamed Senate Democrats.

However, the governor has not addressed whether he has asked the Trump administration to pledge to reimburse Montana if it does spend money on SNAP benefits or if he has advocated the administration release its own contingency funds for SNAP.

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In the meantime, the Montana Democratic Party launched a food drive to help, but used the announcement to credit itself with leading in the crisis and blaming Republicans in Washington, D.C.

One of the best things about living in Montana is that Montanans show up for each other, said Justin Ailport, interim executive director of the Montana Democratic Party, in a statement.

Senator (Steve) Daines, Senator (Tim) Sheehy, Congressman (Ryan) Zinke, and Congressman (Troy) Downing seem to have forgotten that core value, while theyre selling out Montanans left and right to score points in Washington.

In a statement, Sheehy blamed Democrats for putting critical resources Montanans rely on at risk.

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The only reason SNAP is in jeopardy is because Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats shut down the government and have now voted against a nonpartisan government funding bill thirteen times in a row, Sheehy said, blaming Democrats for choosing to rob Americans of a functioning government.

In a social media post Tuesday, Daines also blamed Senate Democrats for the shutdown and imminent loss of SNAP benefits.

In a statement, U.S. Rep. Downing told people who are affected to call Chuck Schumer directly.

House and Senate Democrats will be singularly complicit in the starvation of thousands of Montanans if and when funding for SNAP and WIC lapses. Every single House Republican has voted to fund SNAP and WIC, and we stand ready to do it again at a moments notice, Downing said.

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A spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Zinke could not be reached late Wednesday.

Editors note: This story has been updated with comment from Rep. Downing.

Letter from AAP_MT and Confluenct Public Health (1) Request for State Action to Maintain SNAP Benefits During Federal Shutdown (1)
WYOMING COUNTY, WV (WVNS)  A hearing was set in relation to the ongoing situation regarding the Wyoming Board of Education and Black Diamond Power Company.

According to a press release, the hearing is set for 2:00 p.m. on January 15, 2026 in the County Commission Meeting Room in the Pineville area of Wyoming County.

The press release stated that the hearing comes after a complaint was filed against the Black Diamond Power Company (Utility) by the Wyoming County Board of Education and the City of Mullens on September 3, 2025.

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According to the press release from the Public Service Commission of West Virginia, the complaint reportedly stated that in order to connect a new school to electricity, the Black Diamond Power Company was going to charge the Wyoming County Board of Education an $80,000 fee.

The press release stated that a recommendation was made on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 stating that the Black Diamond Power Company would be required to connect the Wyoming County Board of Educations new school to electricity for free. On the same day, the Board of Education did not agree with the Power Companys motion to dismiss.

According to the press release, documents that are given to the PSC of West Virginia could be uploaded to its public website, subject to public disclosure under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and/or subject to disclosure under the West Virginia Open Governmental Proceedings Act.

The press release stated that people are advised to not send personal information when sending filings, and that the PSC of West Virginia is not responsible for confidential or personal information that is a part of submissions.

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According to the press release, anyone who gave an email address will get notifications when the documents are filed as part of the proceeding, and the notifications will let people see the documents within an hour from when the filing is processed.

Those who did not provide an email address can email caseinfo@psc.state.wv.us and put the case number in the subject field. People are advised to complete an Electronic Mail Agreement which allows the commission to serve all orders issued in this matter via electronic notification.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the United States military conducted another strike against an alleged drug trafficking boat in the Eastern Pacific, killing four narco-terrorists Wednesday.

Hegseth said the vessel was operated by a designated terrorist organization and was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route. He did not name which terrorist organization the boat was allegedly part of.

The strike was conducted in international waters, and no U.S. forces were injured in the operation, according to Hegseth.

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The Western Hemisphere is no longer a safe haven for narco-terrorists bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans, the Defense secretary wrote Wednesday on social media. The Department of War will continue to hunt them down and eliminate them wherever they operate.

Hegseth shared a 22-second video of the military operation, showing the boat being blown up and erupting in flames.

The U.S. military, at the direction of President Trump, has carried out strikes against alleged drug smuggling boats in both the Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Pacific since early September. The U.S. forces have killed 61 people, according to the Trump administration.

The most recent string of attacks, which have prompted criticism from Democrats and some GOP lawmakers, took place on Tuesday, with the U.S. military killing 14 narco-terrorists in three strikes. One person survived, according to Hegseth.

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The military campaign comes as the U.S. government has turned up pressure against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom the administration has called an illegitimate leader.

The administration has accumulated a massive U.S. military presence in the Caribbean in recent weeks, dispatching spy planes, bombers, Marines and warships. Last week, the Defense Department ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group to head to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

Trump has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, and the U.S. has at least 10,000 troops in the region supporting counternarcotics operations.

On Thursday, Defense Department officials will give a classified briefing to House Armed Services Committee lawmakers about the strikes against the alleged drug boats, a source familiar with the matter told The Hill on Wednesday.

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The White House provided a classified briefing on the strikes Wednesday evening to a select group of senators, including only some from the Senate Armed Services Committee, a Senate source told The Hills partner network NewsNation.

Several Senate Democrats are angry about not being invited to the briefing, which was not requested by one committee, the source added.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold rallies in Muzaffarpur and Chhapra today, as Bihar gears up for the upcoming Assembly elections. In a post on X, PM Modi expressed confidence that the BJP-NDA will register a comprehensive victory in the poll-bound state. "My family members from Bihar are themselves in the electoral fray to ensure a resounding victory for the BJP-NDA. In this atmosphere of enthusiasm, tomorrow morning around 11 AM in Muzaffarpur and in the afternoon at 12:45 PM in Chhapra, I will have the good fortune to engage in dialogue with the public. I am confident that in the assembly elections, once again, my brothers and sisters of the state will sound the conch of great victory," the Prime Minister wrote. Earlier on Wednesday, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held Mahagathbandhan's joint rally in Muzaffarpur, where he triggered a political row alleging PM Modi would 'do anything for votes'. Addressing an election rally, Gandhi reiterated his "vote theft" allegations, accusing PM Modi of attempting to steal votes in the Bihar elections. The Congress leader said, "He (PM Modi) just wants your vote. If you ask him to do a drama for votes, he will. You can make him do anything. If you tell Narendra Modi to dance, he will dance." "They are engaged in stealing your votes. Because they want to end this election disease, I am telling you, they stole elections in Maharashtra, they stole elections in Haryana, and they will try their best in Bihar," he added. Meanwhile, taking forward NDA's campaign in Bihar, Union Minister Amit Shah held rallies in Begusaria, Samastipur and Darbhanga on Wednesday. The 2025 Bihar election is the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance 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)
WASHINGTON (AP)  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the military to provide dozens of lawyers to the Justice Department for temporary assignments in Memphis and near the U.S.-Mexico border that could run through next fall, according to a memo released this week and reviewed by The Associated Press.

I am directing you to collectively identify 48 attorneys and 4 paralegals from within your Military Department who may be suitable for detail to the Justice Department to act as special assistant U.S. attorneys, Hegseth wrote in a memo dated Monday that was sent to all four services and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The memo appears to be the latest effort to send military and civilian attorneys working for the Pentagon to the Justice Department, this time to staff offices based along the U.S. southern border or where federal immigration enforcement operations are taking place.

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Last month, the Pentagon also approved sending up to 600 military lawyers to the Justice Department to serve as temporary immigration judges in a separate effort. The Trump administration increasingly has tapped the military to bolster its immigration crackdown, from deploying to the southern border and a series of American cities.

This week's memo says the Justice Department asked for 20 lawyers to help support its offices in Memphis, where the National Guard has been deployed by President Donald Trump; 12 for West Texas  specifically for the cities of El Paso, Del Rio, and Midland  and three lawyers and two paralegals for Las Cruces, New Mexico.

The memo does not specify what kind of litigation the volunteers would be asked to do, but it says that, ideally, attorneys would have significant experience in immigration and administrative law in addition to general prosecution and litigation experience.

The Pentagon said in a statement that it was proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our law enforcement partners, bringing the skill and dedication of Americas service members to deliver justice, restore order, and protect the American people.

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The Justice Department also confirmed the memos authenticity but did not provide additional details on the reason for its request or what the attorneys would be doing.

As with the prior request for hundreds of military attorneys to work as immigration judges, it is not immediately clear what impact removing a growing number of lawyers would have on the armed forces justice system. The attorneys, called judge advocates, have a range of duties much like civilian lawyers, from carrying out prosecutions, acting as defense attorneys or offering legal advice to service members.

The new request follows a Sept. 26 ask from the Justice Department for 35 attorneys and two paralegals from the military, according to the memo. It wasn't immediately clear if that number was in addition to the 48 attorneys requested this week.

The AP also reviewed an email that was sent to military attorneys on Sept. 12 that said the Pentagon was looking for volunteers to become special assistant U.S. attorneys in West Texas and New Mexico without mentioning a total figure.

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It is not clear how successful the Pentagon has been at getting lawyers to volunteer, but at least some of the services have been making the case to their attorneys through messages like the one sent by the Armys top lawyer.

These roles offer unparalleled opportunity to refine your advocacy, courtroom procedure, and functional knowledge of the federal legal system for future use in our military justice system or civil litigation, Major Gen. Bobby Christine said in an email reviewed by the AP.

Christine said the work would be in support of national priorities.

However, Hegseth's memo says that services only had until Thursday to identify the attorneys and alluded to troops being subject to involuntary mobilization orders.

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The Army and Navy did not respond to questions about how many attorneys from their respective services are being sent to the Justice Department. The Air Force directed questions to the Pentagon.

___

Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report.
Oct. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. military on Wednesday attacked another alleged drug-trafficking boat in the Eastern Pacific, killing four people in the strike, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said.

The attack was announced by Hegseth on social media. With the strike, the United States has conducted at least 14 attacks on purported drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean since early September. The United States has killed more than 60 people in the strikes.

Until the first strike on Sept. 2, the United States had never used the military's lethal force to combat drug trafficking.

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The Trump administration has defended the strikes as necessary to protect Americans from drugs, asserting that they comply with laws pertaining to "armed conflict."

President Donald Trump has also designated a handful of drug cartels as terrorist organizations, as part of a policy aimed at targeting them and their alleged members for deportation. His administration has said vessels they have attacked belonged to those designated groups.

Critics argue it's abuse of military power, and could amount to a war crime. United Nations experts last month described the killings as "extrajudicial executions."

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused Trump of murder, killing a fisherman named Alejandro Carranza, in a mid-September strike.

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"This vessel, like all the others, was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route and carrying narcotics," Hegseth said Wednesday in a statement announcing the most recent strike.

A video accompanying the social media statement showed a small outboard motor boat lolling on the water that is then seemingly struck by a missile and becomes engulfed in flames.

"The Western Hemisphere is no longer a safe haven for narco-terrorists bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans," Hegseth said, adding that the Department of Defense "will continue to hunt them down and eliminate them where ever they operate."

Hegseth said the strike was "at the direction of President Trump."

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Dylan Williams, vice president of government affairs at the Center for International Policy, a U.S. foreign policy research nonprofit organization, described Hegseth's statement as an admission Trump ordered the extrajudicial killings.

"Or in other words, murders."

"Hegseth's post alone provides prima facie evidence of the crimes' elements as well as his and Trump's culpability for them," he said on X.

"They should be held accountable."

Earlier today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on yet another narco-trafficking vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) in the Eastern Pacific. This vessel, like all the others, was known by our... pic.twitter.com/mBOLA5RYQe Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 29, 2025

The strike came on the same day the Trump administration held a military briefing for Republicans only.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., accused the Trump administration of withholding legally requested information from Democratic senators by eluding them.

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He said it was "indefensible and dangerous."

"Decisions about the use of American military force are not campaign strategy sessions, and they are not the private property of one political party," Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement.

"For any administration to treat them that way erodes our national security and flies in the face of Congress' constitutional obligation to oversee matters of peace and war."

On Monday, Hegseth announced strikes against four vessels in the Eastern Pacific, killing 14 people. There was at least one survivor from the attacks.
Investigators in Santa Barbara County are asking for the publics help in identifying the person or persons responsible for stealing millions of dollars worth of merchandise from a jewelry store.

The break-in at Baroness Jewelers in Goleta, located in the 5700 block of Calle Real, is believed to have occurred in the early morning hours of Aug. 15.

Preliminary estimates indicate that millions of dollars worth of jewelry was stolen, including items belonging to customers, the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. Detectives are working to identify all victims connected to this case and are asking anyone who had jewelry at Baroness Jewelers for repair or resale to contact them.

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Detectives are also hoping to identify specific stolen jewelry pieces that could possibly help connect potential suspects to the crime and aid in getting the stolen property back.

Thieves made off with millions in merchandise from Baroness Jewelry on Aug. 15, 2025. (Google Maps) Thieves got access to an El Monte jewelry store by breaching the roof and coming in through the shops ceiling on June 28, 2025. (viewer image) Thieves got access to an El Monte jewelry store by breaching the roof and coming in through the shops ceiling on June 28, 2025. (viewer image) A hole in the roof of the jewelry store where thieves are believed to have broken into the store on May 15, 2024. (viewer photo) Tools hauled into the shop for the May 15, 2024, heist. (viewer photo) Thieves broke into Desire Jewelry in Glendora on May 15, 2024, and made off with $800K in diamonds, gold and cash. (viewer photo) Thieves were able to cut through two of the shops three steel safes over a six hour period on May 15, 2024. (viewer photo)

While authorities did not provide any details on how the thieves got into the store, they noted that the burglary shared similarities to other jewelry store robberies in California.

In late June, a crew of well-organized thieves breached the roof of an El Monte shop and made off with an estimated $1.5 million in gold and diamonds. In a separate incident on May 15, four to five suspects broke into a jewelry store in Glendora, hauled in heavy equipment and spent six hours cutting into the shops safe, making off with more than $800,000 in merchandise.

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California grandfather, 72, boiled alive in scalding hotel shower, suit claims

Authorities in Santa Barbara County did not say whether there was surveillance footage of the burglary at Baroness, nor did they release any suspect descriptions. So far, no arrests have been made.

Detectives are coordinating with allied agencies who are investigating similar cases, the release noted.

Anyone who believes they may be a victim or who has information related to this case is asked to contact Det. Ellis with the Sheriffs Criminal Investigations Division at 805-681-4150.

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Hurricane Melissa has devastated multiple countries in the Atlantic, hitting Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, the Bahamas, and more. On October 30, it is expected to make landfall in Bermuda. While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, according to NBC News, over 30 people have been killed across the Caribbean.

After Melissa struck Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with 185 mph winds, officials stated on Wednesday that Black River, a town located on Jamaicas southwestern coast, was among the most severely impacted. Jamaicas police force said the Black River Hospital was totally devastated and all emergency response units were rendered immobile due to flooding. In the same video statement, they said the nearby facility storing relief supplies was wiped out.

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That day, Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaicas education, skills, youth, and information minister, said approximately 77 percent of the country was without electricity.

In Cuba, according to the Associated Press, officials reported destroyed homes and blocked roads on Wednesday. About 735,000 people were evacuated ahead of the storm and are in shelters.

To help those affected, we need to support communities in managing climate disasters. There are several Jamaican organizations that are doing relief work:

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The government of Jamaica is also taking contributions. Among their immediate needs as of October 27 include bedding, batteries, water purification kits, debris clearance machinery, health supplies, and farming tools.

UNICEF is also providing emergency assistance and is prioritizing water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as nutrition support. UNICEF USA is accepting monetary donations here.

The extensive damage is due in significant part to rapid intensification, where Melissa escalated from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in roughly 18 hours just before it made landfall. James Done, a senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, told Teen Vogue in 2021 that the quick changes make forecasting and preparing for storms more challenging.

When Hurricane Dorian struck the Bahamas in 2019, Samantha Montano, an associate professor of emergency management at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, wrote in Teen Vogue that these relief efforts fit within the larger movement to mitigate climate change. To assist further, Montano points to volunteering, voting, and direct action.

Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue

Want more Teen Vogue climate coverage?
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a devastating Category 5 storm, tied for the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane in history. The deadly storm has also caused devastation in Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The world is still learning the extent of the destruction, but relief organizations are already mobilizing to help across the northern Caribbean.

As is typical in disasters, nonprofit groups told The Associated Press that cash is the best way to help, since unsolicited goods donations can overwhelm already strained systems. Experts recommend using sites like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureaus Wise Giving Alliance to check out unfamiliar charities before donating.

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Here is some of the work being done and ways to support people impacted by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and beyond.

The American Red Cross

The American Red Cross provides emergency assistance to individuals impacted by natural disasters such as hurricanes worldwide. Through their disaster response efforts, the organization delivers essential services including meals, temporary housing, and aid from skilled volunteer staff.

Currently, the humanitarian group is seeking financial contributions to support their disaster response operations.

Locals supporting locals: United Way of Jamaica

The 40-year-old nonprofit has a history of supporting Jamaicans after disasters, especially the countrys farmers.

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Last year, United Way of Jamaica mobilized help for female farmers hit hard by Hurricane Beryl, helping them replace farm equipment, repair roofs, and pay tuition fees for their kids right as the school year began.

The Kingston-based group accepts cash donations.

Doubling your dollars: American Friends of Jamaica

AFJ has donated to Jamaican charitable organizations since 1982, supporting education, economic development and health care. Its disaster relief fund helped repair nearly 800 roofs after Hurricane Beryl, according to the group.

The New York-based organization is currently matching donations to its Disaster Relief Fund, up to $1 million.

Fast cash: GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly will deliver emergency cash directly to Jamaica households.

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The nonprofit sent households impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton $1,000 last year, using AI to pinpoint the worst impacted areas and making fast electronic transfers.

The New York-based group is trying to raise $1 million and is accepting cash donations.

Immediate relief: CORE and many more

CORE s local staff is already responding in Haiti and will arrive in Jamaica when airports reopen to deliver relief items like hygiene kits and tarps, conduct medical assessments an distribute cash assistance. The group will also help households remove debris and rebuild homes.

The Los Angeles-based nonprofit is accepting cash donations to its Emergency Response Fund. Its board of directors is matching up to $200,000.

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There are a host of other humanitarian organizations deployed or in the process of reaching the northern Caribbean, including Convoy of Hope, Mercy Corps, World Vision, Catholic Relief Services, Project HOPE, CARE, Global Empowerment Mission, World Food Program USA and Americares.

Installing backup power systems: Footprint Project

The solar-energy nonprofit supplies communities and first responders with temporary power equipment to aid their response and restore communications.

Footprint Project is shipping 150 portable solar and battery power stations and deploying mobile microgrid equipment, working with local partners like Jamaica Renewable Energy Association to ensure the systems are deployed where they are most needed.

The New Orleans-based group is accepting cash donations. Equipment donations can be coordinated through give@footprintproject.org.

Medical aid: Direct Relief

The humanitarian organization supports the Caribbean year round with medicines and other supplies, and has delivered more than $3 million in medical aid in the last month to areas now under threat.

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Direct Relief will support health facilities, many of which it says are in coastal and low-lying areas vulnerable to flooding and power outages. The group also sent 100 field-medic packs for Jamaicas National Health Fund, and is working with the Pan American Health Organization on supplies for Cuba.

The Santa Barbara, California-based group is accepting cash donations. All contributions specifically designated for Hurricane Melissa will go directly to those efforts.

Shipping supplies and logistics: Good360 and Airlink

Good360 connects corporate donors who have surplus, high-quality supplies with nonprofits that need those items. It will partner with local groups to deliver whats needed, anticipating demand for generators, tarps and hygiene kits.

Good360 is accepting cash donations to support delivery of these supplies.

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Airlink works with major airlines like United and American, using extra cargo space to help humanitarian organizations move aid to disaster zones.

Its moving cargo to Haiti and Jamaica on behalf of 16 NGOs and finding solutions for moving supplies on the ground when many roads are blocked or washed out.

The Washington, D.C.-based group accepts cash and crypto donations and donations of frequent flyer miles.

Long-term recovery: Center for Disaster Philanthropy

While the immediate needs will be vast, CDP focuses on long-term recovery, an often underfunded aspect of disaster response.

The group will give grants to local organizations that are most in tune with the needs, focusing on the most at-risk residents and emphasizing solutions that leave communities better prepared for future climate events.

The Washington, D.C.-based organization is accepting cash donations to its Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund.
The odds of getting criminals off the street are improving thanks to artificial intelligence.

Multitude Insights, a Somerville start-up with roots at MIT, created a sophisticated tool.

Their app changes how police bulletins are created and how theyre shared.

Detectives Boston 25 spoke with say the app is a game-changer.

Watertown detectives were the first in the country to use the AI-powered app called BLTN.

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The search tool is great because you can just type in keywords like red, sedan, and Honda, explained Detective Joe Kelland.

The AI will parse through all the data in each of the bulletins and give you bulletins that are connected to the item, explained Detective Catherine Dello Russo.

She added that the app is making law enforcement much more aware of things that are going on, not just in their town, but the surrounding cities and towns, and keeping everybody aware of finding out whats going on at a faster rate.

Thats because old-fashioned police bulletins are becoming a thing of the past.

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Before BLTN, Dello Russo would manually generate these documents for the entire department.

Id have to save this as a PDF and then send it via email.

Matthew White is the founder and CEO of Multiple Insights, which created BLTN. Multiple Insights is a law enforcement data sharing company. If you want to use shorthand, we sometimes refer to it as Twitter for cops.

First, its easier for detectives to create a BLTN, which means the overall database is continually expanding.

Now with BLTN, its easy. You just log on. It makes it very foolproof. You put everything with little inputs, and then you press finish, and it creates it and posts it out to everybody, explained Kelland.

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Secondly, the AI technology can really help an investigating officer because the app is always looking for similar trends in crimes.

It helps with solving cases a lot quicker or at least connecting the dots more quickly, said Dello Russo. Its definitely super helpful in terms of parsing data that we might not have the time to look through ourselves.

Watertown police were the first department to test BLTN, and now Boston and Brookline are also giving it a try.

About 50 agencies around the country are now using it and getting some impressive results.

We detected a new sort of domestic terror incident that had gone unnoticed before, and we were able to report that to the FBI, said White.

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Even with promising results, White believes safeguards need to be in place.

Technology is coming, and leveraging it the right way is the right response. Not - not leveraging it. So, what we do is we make sure that theres always a human in the loop in decision-making.

While BLTN relies on AI technology to link data on criminal cases, it does not use any facial recognition. Thats a business decision based on inconsistent regulation and privacy concerns.

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Dr. Henry J. Lyons, the disgraced former president of the nations largest Black religious organization, died Monday in Tampa. He was 83.

Lyons, born in Gainesville and ordained a minister in St. Petersburg, reached the peak of his prominence as president of the National Baptist Convention USA in 1994.

Those who watched him on the pulpit remember Lyons as a mesmerizing speaker. His charm won him the trust of a massive religious community, and the ear of some of the nations leading politicians and business people.

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He could absolutely hold a church spellbound with the power of his preaching, said David Barstow, a Pulitzer Prize winning reporter who covered Lyons for the former St. Petersburg Times.

Lyons entered the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta by way of Gainesvilles Lincoln High, Gibbs Junior College in St. Petersburg and Bethune-Cookman University. At the theological center, he once said, it became clear to him he would one day lead the national convention.

I received my absolute confirmation from God himself that I was to be president, Lyons told Ebony magazine in 1995. He didnt necessarily say president. He let me know I was to lead the organization.

Hundreds mourned Lyons death on the conventions Facebook page.

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His unwavering commitment to the church and community will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude, the national convention said in a statement.

As he ascended the churchs ranks, however, Lyons was laying the foundation for his eventual downfall.

He was unfaithful as both a pastor and spouse, and it all began to catch up to him in 1997 while he took a lavish trip.

Lyons had purchased a Tierra Verde home the previous year, listing himself as a single man. He also included the name Bernice V. Edwards, who Lyons had hired to work for the convention, on the houses deed.

Convinced Lyons was having an affair, his wife at the time, Deborah, set several fires inside the home and caused $30,000 in damages while Lyons and Edwards were together in Nigeria. She was charged with arson and burglary.

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That was when it all began to unravel, said Barstow, who along with several of his colleagues played a key role in bringing the saga to light.

The Baptist Builder Fund, an account Lyons created at United Bank in St. Petersburg shortly after he became president of the national convention in 1994, was at the center of it all.

Lyons, along with Edwards and California businesswoman Brenda Harris, whom he also hired to work for the convention, used the account to secretly fund lavish personal purchases. He controlled the account, and other convention leaders were not aware of it.

Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney Bernie McCabe subpoenaed the funds records the same month as the Tierra Verde incident.

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He abused his power and position to the enormous detriment of the church he led and to the parishioners who looked to him for spiritual leadership and in many instances, assistance and aid in times of trouble, said Barstow.

It was a betrayal of biblical proportions, and he paid a very high price.

In 1998, Pinellas-Pasco prosecutors charged Lyons with racketeering and grand theft, and Lyons, Edwards and Harris were charged in a 61-count federal indictment that accused them of tax evasion, money laundering and bank fraud.

Lyons pled guilty to reduced federal charges the next year and spent nearly five years in prison. The Times was named a finalist for the 1998 Pulitzer Prize in investigative reporting for itscoverage of Lyons fall.

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Lyons maintained he was a sinner, but not a wretch.

If you dont know anything else about me, if you dont like me, if you cant stand me, I want you to know today: I am a good man, he said in 1998.

Years after his release, Lyons would attempt a return to religious prominence when he vied for the presidency of both the Florida General Baptist Convention and the national convention. He was unsuccessful both times.

He did, however, find another church.

Lyons returned to preaching after as the interim pastor of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Tampa in 2004.

But within eight years of hiring Lyons, the church had filed for bankruptcy. A Tampa Bay Times investigation revealed a pattern of transactions orchestrated by Lyons that shifted money out of the churchs accounts and into secret funds under his personal control.

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Call us ignorant, I guess, Ray Melendez, the chairman of New Salems board of trustees said in 2017. If anything, we were flattered that he said the Lord told him to come to New Salem. That he wanted to be the shepherd of our flock.

We forgave him because he served his time. We thought he had went through his rehab, but apparently he was just the same old Dr. Henry J. Lyons.

Corey Johnson, a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who was one of the Times reporters on the New Salem investigation, remembered Lyons as charming and talented.

And yet there was this compulsion, this need that was somewhat unexplainable, around money, Johnson said.

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Lyons started a smallworship service in West Tampa after he was fired from New Salem in 2017, Johnson said. He remembers only seeing a few cars parked outside of it on Sundays and is unsure if the service even had a formal name.

To know that a man that once commanded the attentions of presidents and millions of people was reduced to a really small room ... was telling, Johnson said.
NEED TO KNOW

Lynn My Le, 26, was arrested on a charge of attempted felony murder

As the girl ran for the door, Le allegedly stabbed her about four times in the back and roughly six more after she collapsed, leaving at least 10 puncture wounds, authorities say

Detective Samantha Choon said the teen is critical, but stable; a judge denied Lynn My Le bond, appointed a public defender and issued a stay-away order

A 15-year-old girl woke up on a South Florida living-room couch to her sister rifling through her phone  minutes later, she was bleeding on the floor, stabbed about 10 times, police allege.

Lynn My Le, 26, was arrested Sunday around 3:20 p.m. in her Cutler Bay home and charged with felony attempted murder, according to an arrest affidavit cited by CBS News.

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After the teen confronted Le and tried to take back her phone, Le armed herself with a knife and, as the girl ran toward the front door, stabbed her about four times in the back and roughly six more after she collapsed, police allege, according to Local10 and NBC Miami.

Le only stopped after the victim pleaded for her life, the affidavit alleges, per CBS.

Responding Miami-Dade Sheriff's deputies found the victim with at least 10 puncture wounds, according to the outlet.

The teen is critical, but stable, Detective Samantha Choon said Monday, according to the Miami Herald.

Le refused to speak with detectives and was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, police said, CBS reported.

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Le appeared in court Monday and remained in custody; a judge denied bond, appointed her a public defender and ordered her to stay away from the alleged victim, according to Local10, NBC Miami and the Miami Herald.

Authorities have not discussed a motive, per the outlets.



Read the original article on People
The Heritage Foundation reaffirmed its admiration for Tucker Carlson, saying it wanted to put to rest the speculation that the right-wing think tank was distancing itself from the former Fox News star in the wake of conservative outrage over Carlsons friendly interview with notorious white nationalist Nick Fuentes.

Earlier this week, online sleuths noticed that the Heritage Foundation had quietly removed references to Carlson from a donation page that is sponsored by the conservative pundits media company.

After conservative policy analyst Jason Hart pointed out that the donation page still referenced the ex-Fox News host, he tagged Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts on X and asked if it was intentional that the page was still live.

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Hours later, Hart noted that the think tank had scrubbed all references to Carlson. Indeed, the current URL for the page does not mention the right-wing commentator at all, whereas the previous version included a quote from Carlson praising both Roberts and the foundation.

The observation from Hart came as Carlson was facing intense backlash from much of the Christian right and Jewish conservatives over his sitdown with one-time foe Fuentes. While the two-hour chat featured Fuentes singing the praises of Josef Stalin, bemoaning the problem of organized Jewry in America, and telling Carlson the importance of being pro-white, there was one moment in particular that really sparked anger from a large number of conservatives.

Tucker Carlson remains in the good graces of the Heritage Foundation. (AFP via Getty Images)

And then the Christian Zionists who are, well, Christian Zionists. What is that? I can just say for myself, I dislike them more than anybody, because its Christian heresy, Carlson told Fuentes at one point. And Im offended by that as a Christian.

As Mother Jones reported this week, the online skirmish over Carlsons remarks about Christian Zionists is only the latest evidence to emerge of a growing fissure on the right over the extent to which the United States should be involved in foreign conflicts, especially those in the Middle East. Vox, meanwhile, noted that the interview was further proof of the GOPs antisemitism crisis and the looming Republican civil war over Jews.

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Amid the speculation that the Heritage Foundation was ditching Carlson over the uproar, Roberts posted a social media video on Thursday afternoon in which he insisted that the MAGA provocateur remained in the organizations good graces.

Noting that Christians can critique the state of Israel without being antisemitic, adding that antisemitism should be condemned. After saying his loyalty as a Christian was to America first, Roberts then seemingly took multiple swipes at Carlsons right-wing critics.

Conservatives should feel no obligation to reflexively support any foreign government, no matter how loud the pressure becomes from the globalist class or from their mouthpieces in Washington, he declared, adding that Heritage Foundation wouldnt be policing the consciences of Christians.

After saying he would defend Carlson from slander of bad actors who serve someone elses agenda, Roberts also appeared to offer a defense of Fuentes, suggesting that he was a victim of cancel culture.

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I disagree with, and even abhor, things that Nick Fuentes says, but canceling him is not the answer either, he said. When we disagree with a person's thoughts and opinions, we challenge those ideas in a debate.

Roberts' remarks sparked their own wave of outrage from conservatives and the center-right, with centrist writer Matthew Yglesias claiming the groypers are winning, referencing Fuentes army of followers.

The Heritage Foundation is afraid of Tucker Carlson and his audience, anti-Trump conservative David French reacted. The fringe is now the mainstream, and one of the most powerful institutions in the American right is bending the knee.
In a letter dated October 27, Khandre stated that complaints have been received from the farmer organisations alleging that the vehicle's light and noise are causing wild animals to come out of the forest and harass them.

Noting that safari is also an educational experience for environmentalists about wildlife, Khandre said it is also a livelihood for many. "In this regard, it is hereby directed to take urgent action to cut 1 trip out of the existing safari trips, i.e. October 28," the letter stated.

According to the Karnataka Tourism website, Nagarahole National Park, situated between the Mysuru plateau in Karnataka and the Nilgiri Mountains of Tamil Nadu, is a 640 sq. km sanctuary home to a rich variety of wildlife. Rajiv Gandhi National Park is an important Tiger Reserve in Karnataka and a major conservation hub under Project Tiger and Project Elephant. The sanctuary is host to the largest herd of Asiatic elephants in the world and innumerable species of birds, flora, and fauna, including large predators, reptiles, gaurs, deer, bears, and smaller animals."

Nagarahole National Park is also home to a large number of Wild Dogs, Leopards, and Bears. Commonly spotted herbivores include Wild Gaurs, Wild Boar, Sambar Deer, Antelope, Spotted Deer, and several species of birds.

Nagarahole National Park also has a rich collection of Teak and Rosewood Trees. (ANI)
As the government shutdown nears the one-month mark, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has "run dry." The Trump administration issued a memo stating that reserve funds "are not legally available" to fund November benefits  meaning that, come Nov. 1, more than 40 million Americans who rely on SNAP to buy groceries each month will go without aid.

Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

But Democratic lawmakers say this doesn't have to be the case, pointing to the Trump administration's own legal guidance  now deleted from the USDA website  that said otherwise.

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the contradiction. "Let's be clear: there's funding available to cover SNAP benefits next month," she wrote, along with a screenshot of the administration's now-deleted shutdown plan.

Related: After Karoline Leavitt Announced The White House Is Using Tariff Money On This Important Woman's Program, Gavin Newsom Backhandedly Thanked Them

She highlighted one crucial line: "benefit funds are available for program operations even in the event of a government shutdown," it reads.

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Notably, during the 20182019 shutdown, the Trump administration kept the program running. As CBS reported, "During past shutdowns  such as the 20182019 Trump-era closure  benefits continued uninterrupted, often thanks to 30-day grace periods or special funding transfers."

As dozens of states sue the Trump administration for refusing to tap reserve funds, prominent Democrats are criticizing the White House for leveraging the paused benefits to shift blame for the shutdown onto their party.

Hapabapa / Getty Images

"Donald Trump is a vindictive and heartless man," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on X.

Donald Trump is a vindictive and heartless man Never before in American history has a president cut off SNAP during a shutdown, including Trump in his first term. But now he is manufacturing a hunger crisis to bludgeon the American people so he doesnt have to fix healthcare. pic.twitter.com/TjH6pPZbo2  Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) October 29, 2025

@SenSchumer / Via Twitter: @SenSchumer

Related: "He Killed Him On Live TV": The NYC Mayor Debate Just Delivered A Jaw-Dropping Line

"Your daily reminder that Trump absolutely can fund SNAP through contingency funds," wrote former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich.

"The Trump Administration is weaponizing hunger as a political bargaining chip," wrote New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen. "When it comes down to it, this is a choice and they're choosing to not feed kids, seniors, veterans and working families instead of doing everything possible to get food assistance to those in need."

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California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote, "Congress set aside contingency funds specifically for SNAP food benefits during government shutdowns."

Congress set aside contingency funds specifically for SNAP food benefits during government shutdowns.California won't sit by while the Trump Administration ignores yet another law. pic.twitter.com/33jKNJolEp  Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) October 28, 2025

@CAgovernor / Via Twitter: @CAgovernor

Related: I Write About Politics For A Living  Here Are 21 Of The Most Bizarre Photos From MAGA Events That I've Seen This Year

As you'd expect, the internet has plenty of opinions. Some people are brushing off the issue of untapped reserve funds, instead insisting "the problem will go away" if Democrats approve the GOP bill to end the shutdown.

But many others are echoing the outrage of Democratic lawmakers, saying the current administration is putting politics ahead of hungry families.

ANTHONY WALLACE / AFP via Getty Images

"They are directly starving people on purpose just so they can get rid of ACA which is a bandaid solution keeping healthcare costs down," one person wrote

Someone else said , "When you leverage the basic needs of families for political gain, you reveal the true, ugly cost of ambition. That kind of power play tarnishes any supposed victory, because its built on the hunger of good, honest people who deserve better support."

Related: Hillary Clinton Just Hit On One Of Donald Trump's Biggest Insecurities With Three Words

"Youre a lot closer to needing SNAP benefits than you are to becoming a billionaire," someone else said

As Nov. 1 looms, it's unclear whether Trump will follow through on his stance against using contingency funds to continue SNAP benefits. One person online suggested this may be a familiar playbook, waiting until the last minute to "swoop in" and magically save the day.

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We can only hope the funds set aside to support food assistance will be put to use, but only time will tell. Thoughts?

Also in In the News: "This Is Not The Desk Of Someone Who Actually Does Work": 49 Political Tweets From The Last Month That Are Too Good Not To Share

Also in In the News: Seth Meyers Uncovered A Truly Unhinged Trump Moment That Has Everyone Questioning His Mental State

Also in In the News: "Put This On A T-Shirt"  People Are Praising This Anti-ICE Protestor's 3-Word Response To Getting Tear-Gassed At The LA Protests

Read it on BuzzFeed.com
Volunteers of Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville are preparing to feed people impacted by SNAP cuts. Nia Hicks, center, is a TSU student preparing boxed lunches for delivery. (Photo: John Partipilo/ Tennessee Lookout)

As the funding for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) runs dry at the start of November, Marilyn Murrell expects a spike in those needing help from the Of One Accord Ministrys Hancock County food bank.

Almost 20% of Hancocks over 6,000 residents are enrolled in SNAP, data from July to September published by the state shows, the most of any Tennessee county.

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We dont have much, but were going to try our best to have enough food, said Murrell, who has volunteered at the food bank for almost a decade. Its sad that its come to this. This is America, and no family should be in this situation.

SNAP helps feed nearly 41 million Americans, including almost 700,000 Tennesseans. The program designed to ensure the countrys poorest residents dont go hungry is running out of money because of the federal government shutdown.

The impact of the sudden end of these funds will be felt across the state, but in Tennessee, many rural counties have the highest SNAP participation rates.

Rhonda Chafin, the Executive Director of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, said the problem is exacerbated by the fact that the communities her organization serves have fewer grocery stores and food processing plants, which traditionally help food banks in times of need.

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We serve a population with higher food insecurity, Chafin said. People are giving what they can, but weve never faced a situation like this.

The U.S. Congress funds SNAP, but Republicans and Democrats have been unable to reach an agreement on a short-term government funding measure, leading to the Oct. 1 shutdown and the programs lack of funds. Democrats are pushing for any funding bill to include enhanced subsidies for Affordable Care Act Insurance, while Republicans have balked.

The two sides dont appear close to a deal.

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Williamson County, signed on to legislation that would separately fund the SNAP program without interruption as the shutdown continues. A coalition of Democratic officials in 22 states sued the Trump administration, seeking a federal judges order to force the release of food assistance funds. No Tennessee official is part of the suit.

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In Tennessee, Gov. Bill Lee declined to take any action on the funding, saying the state isnt able to upload the funds to SNAP recipients cards. At the same time, state House Democrats urged Lee to call a special session to fund the program.

Chafin said Second Harvest sent Lee a letter encouraging the state to use some of its emergency cash to help.

They are really putting this shutdown on the backs of the poor, Chafin said.

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HIGH POINT  Southwest Guilford Elementary School is ranked 28th among North Carolina elementary schools in the new U.S. News & World Report K-8 Schools rankings and third within Guilford County Schools.

Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare their students for high school, U.S. News said.

At Southwest Elementary, 89% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math, compared to 46% in GCS overall and 50% statewide, and 79% scored at or above the proficient level for reading, compared to 43% in GCS overall and 46% statewide.

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The Academy at Lincoln in Greensboro ranked No. 2 in North Carolina, the highest-ranked GCS school. Oak Ridge Elementary ranked 14th.

The N.C. Leadership Charter Academy in Kernersville ranked 31st.

The Greensboro Academy charter school was the highest-ranked nearby middle school in North Carolina, at No. 5. No GCS middle school ranked in the top 50.
A longtime JROTC instructor at Chamberlain High School was among scores of suspects arrested in a recent child predator sting conducted by Hillsborough sheriffs detectives.

Robert Eric Hess, 57, was arrested Oct. 1 after he arranged to meet who he thought was a 15-year-old girl for sex, Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said at a news conference Thursday.

Fortunately, he met our undercover detective and this incredible team, and he was placed under arrest, Chronister said.

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The sheriff said Hess was a social sciences teacher at Chamberlain, but a Hillsborough schools spokesperson said that was incorrect and that Hess worked only as a JROTC instructor. Hess was fired on Oct. 3, the spokesperson said.

Chronister highlighted Hess among the 171 suspects arrested during the recent undercover operation. Detectives in the agencys human trafficking section posing online as children or traffickers offering up children for paid sex, arranged meetings and then arrested suspects who showed up.

Chronister said six trafficking victims were recovered during the operation and offered assistance.

In Hess case, he is accused of answering a fictitious online advertisement on an adult escort site, according to an arrest affidavit. A detective posing as a trafficker told Hess through a FaceTime call and in a text message exchange that her 15-year-old niece was available for sex. Hess agreed to pay $140 for a half-hour of sex with the girl, the affidavit states.

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Hess arrived in his Honda sedan at the prearranged location and was arrested. He had $140 in cash on him, and his phone rang when detectives called the number theyd corresponded with to arrange the meeting, according to the affidavit.

Hess was booked into Hillsborough Countys Orient Road Jail on charges of solicitation to commit human trafficking with a minor victim, use of computer devices or services to solicit illegal acts, traveling to meet a minor after using computer services to solicit illegal acts and attempted lewd and lascivious battery. He was released after posting a $50,000 bond, and his attorney has since entered a not guilty plea on his behalf, records show. The attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment Thursday.

Hess joined the school district in 2008 and was a JROTC instructor at Chamberlain High during his entire tenure, district spokesperson Tanya Arja said. He is a retired U.S. Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who goes by the nickname Gunny, according to a feature story by WFTS-TV Ch. 28 that aired in 2024.

The Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps is a federal character building program sponsored by the U.S. Armed Forces in high schools and some middle schools.
The big story: Hundreds of international workers at Floridas universities hold H-1B visas.

Gov. Ron DeSantis thinks Americans should have their jobs.

Calling them disappointing cheap labor, DeSantis said the visa holders could be replaced easily by Floridians. He called on universities to change their hiring ways.

Why arent we producing math and engineering folks who can do this? DeSantis said during a news conference at USF in Tampa. Weve got hundreds of thousands of people in our state university system. Read more here.

Hot topics

School closures: A Brevard County community is asking the school district to reconsider a plan to close their neighborhood elementary school, Florida Today reports.

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Principals: Two Tampa Bay area schools have new leaders.

New College: The New College alumni association named former professor and trustee Amy Reid an honorary alumna after president Richard Corcoran denied her faculty emerita status, Inside Higher Ed reports.

Funding: Brevard County voters will decide in 2026 whether to continue local-option sales and property taxes that support public schools, Florida Today reports.

Free speech: A federal judge heard arguments in a case that has a University of Florida law student contesting his expulsion over antisemitic social media posts, WUFT reports.

Employee discipline: A Lee County teacher faces dismissal after it was found that she came to work under the influence of cocaine, WINK reports.

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Education commissioner: Leon County superintendent Rocky Hanna blasted education commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas surprise appearance at a local school board meeting as an intimidation tactic, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

Contract talks: Clay County teacher and school district officials declared impasse in negotiations after failing to reach a salary deal, WJXT reports.  The Volusia County district and teachers union announced they had settled on a contract agreement.  Alachua County teachers overwhelmingly voted to ratify their contract, which includes a 3% raise, WCJB reports.

College leadership: Jacksonville University picked an interim leader as it searches for its next president, Jacksonville Today reports.

Charter schools: The Orange County school board has authorized an elementary school to convert into a STEM K-8 charter academy, WFTV reports.

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Bus rides: Palm Beach county leaders have asked the school district to provide bus transportation for a proposed residential development, the Palm Beach Post reports.  Students are unhappy with changes to bus routes that run between Seminole State College and the University of Central Florida, Spectrum 13 reports.

Dont miss a story. Yesterdays roundup is just a click away.

Before you go ... Did you know the World Series has gone to the 18th inning only twice? And that Brad Paisley sang the National Anthem at each game? Maybe he should stick with this song instead.

Jeffrey S. Solochek is a reporter covering education as a member of the Tampa Bay Times Education Hub. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by clicking here.
The Come Back Alive Foundation, a charity which helps the Ukrainian military, received UAH 11.98 billion (around US$285 million) in charitable contributions in October, UAH 11.57 billion (US$272 million) of which came from three donations of over UAH 3.8 billion (US$90 million) each.

Source: Foundation in a financial report

Details: The three major donations were made between 23 and 28 October. The foundation has not yet disclosed who made them, but all three transactions were marked "To support Ukrainian Defence according to the Grant Agreement".

A screenshot of the transactions Photo: Come Back Alive

The foundation's press service said the funds were received through a foreign grant, but did not disclose what they might be used for.

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Come Back Alive told Ekonomichna Pravda that the foundation received several grants this year under agreements signed with international partners.

"The grant agreements stipulate that 100% of these funds must be allocated to cover needs of the security and defence forces. The areas of support have been approved by both donors and the military. The foundation does not take any commission or make any deductions for administration costs relating to these projects," the charity emphasised.

However, Come Back Alive cannot use this grant aid for current military supplies or for its ongoing open projects.

"Therefore, small daily donations for the army's regular support will continue to play an important role in meeting urgent frontline needs," the foundation added.

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As of 30 October, the foundation had received UAH 11.98 billion (US$285 million) in charitable contributions for the month, with UAH 11.57 billion (US$272 million) coming from these three transactions  the largest donations in the foundation's history.

For comparison, in 2024, Come Back Alive raised UAH 4.4 billion (US$105 million), equivalent to 18% of the total donations collected by the country's major charitable foundations. Overall, over the first ten months of this year, the fund has accumulated more than UAH 18.1 billion (US$430 million).

Background: In 2024, Ukraine's largest charitable foundations raised UAH 24.1 billion (US$573 million), 28% more than in 2023.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Hear ye! Hear ye! A new history fact has been debunked! According to bubo-bursting research by the German Museum of Medicine History, the image of the terrifying beaked doctors mask of Black Death fame is, in fact, a myth.

This is not the first time such fictions have been cemented as fact in the public imagination. Our understanding of the past is plagued with layer upon layer of half-truth and folklore, romanticised through grand paintings and epic poetry.

Perhaps the greatest of all: Vikings wore horned helmets. There is no contemporary evidence for this. The idea originated centuries later, with Richard Wagners The Ring Cycle, a cycle of four operas inspired by characters from the Norse sagas. In the 1870s, costume designer Carl Emil Doepler  with a taste for high drama  designed helmets with magnificent horns, worthy of a Highland cow. Thus, in the public imagination, falsehood became fact.

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Another fiction is that Napoleon was short. In fact, he stood above average height and probably stood taller than Nelson. In 1815 he was described by an English captain as a remarkably strong, well-built man. So where did this idea of Napoleons diminutive height come from? The biting satires of London printmakers, such as James Gillray and Thomas Rowlandson. Their work was so effective, it was veritable madness when a new print was displayed in Piccadilly print-shop windows, causing a Beatlemania-esque frenzy.

Napoleon and King George III as Gulliver and the King of Brobdingnag (1803) - Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images

Feeding off anxieties during the Napoleonic Wars, they created a new, fictitious character, Little Boney, a tantrum-ridden toddler. So small, he was dwarfed by his enormous, feathered hat, and could only just perch on a chair, legs swinging freely. So effective was this propaganda campaign, still, in popular imagination, we think of the Gillrayic character, rather than the man himself.

A year after Napoleons death, in 1822 King George IV made a visit to Edinburgh  the first visit of a monarch north of the border in 172 years. It was a lavish extravaganza, stage-managed by Sir Walter Scott, a scene surpassing every triumph of ancient or modern times.

A pivotal moment came when King George donned a Highland dress  an eyebrow-raisingly short tartan kilt, paired with pink tights to hide his bare legs. Though tartan was worn by Scottish clans as early as the 16th century, Scotts spectacle popularised a Romantic idea of Scottish national identity, aided by his literature, with descriptions of tartan, Highland dress, and sublime landscapes.

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Many misconceptions result from misunderstanding surviving evidence. The discovery of Ancient Greek and Roman ruins  those rough blocks of bare stone  caused our ancestors to view the colourful classical world in faded, monochrome visuals. The same can be said for the Middle Ages.

As paint work on medieval architecture has dulled over the centuries, we imagine they were undecorated. Yet a medieval castle was a riot of colour, bedecked with vibrant patterns. Such interiors  recently reinstalled at Norwich Castle  are garish to the modern sensibility, clashing with our thoughts of imagined medieval worlds.

Far from being set in stone, our understanding of the past is in constant flux, redirected by operatic costumes or satirical prints. But this is the thrill of investigating history: unpicking and restitching the many threads of an ever-changing tapestry. As demonstrated by the German Museum of Medicine History, history is no corpse, but alive and kicking. No plague doctors needed 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.
Photo by Darren McCollester | Getty Images

Arizona will provide $1.8 million in aid to help low-income residents who rely on federal food assistance when their benefits are suspended by the Trump administration on Nov. 1.

Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, announced Wednesday that she would disburse $1.5 million in leftover American Rescue Plan Act COVID relief funds to Arizona food banks, and that she would put another $300,000 toward an emergency fresh food program called Food Bucks Now.

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The ARPA funds were initially allocated to the Arizona Department of Administration for essential government functions, according to Hobbs spokesman Christian Slater.

It is appalling that the Trump administration is choosing to withhold food from vulnerable Arizona families, using them as leverage in their political games, Hobbs said in a statement. The State of Arizona does not have the money to backfill the disastrous decisions being made by Washington Republicans, but I am taking every action possible to mitigate the damage done to everyday people in our state.

Hobbss announcement comes as the beginning of November is rapidly approaching, when Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are usually disbursed onto cards that beneficiaries can use to purchase groceries.

The federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1 after Democrats refused to vote for a Republican stopgap funding bill unless it included a continuation of popular Affordable Care Act health insurance tax credits that are set to expire.

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Without those credits, health insurance premiums for plans on the ACA exchange are expected to skyrocket, but Republicans have falsely accused Democrats of holding out for free medical care for undocumented immigrants.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a Sept. 30 plan for the government shutdown that it would use $6 billion in a SNAP-specific contingency fund to cover most of the November benefits owed to the 42 million Americans who rely on the program.

But on Oct. 24, the USDA reversed course, saying that it now believed using those funds would be illegal, even though theyve been used for the same purpose during previous government shutdowns. Democrats in the Senate attempted to introduce a bill on Wednesday that would continue SNAP funding for November, but Republicans blocked it.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, also a Democrat, along with AGs from 20 other states, sued USDA on Tuesday with the goal of forcing the federal government to fund and release November benefits.

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But Mayes, who has joined other Democratic attorneys general in 29 lawsuits challenging the Trump administration this year, also called on Hobbs to take action. While Hobbs had said that neither the state nor food banks had the resources to feed the more than 800,000 people in Arizona who use SNAP each month, Mayes disagreed. The attorney general urged Hobbs and the Republican leaders of the state legislature to call a special session to allocate some of the $1.6 billion in the states rainy day fund to fill in for the suspension of benefits.

Both Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Steve Montenegro dismissed that idea in statements to the Arizona Mirror on Tuesday, saying that Mayes and Hobbs should instead push Arizonas Democratic U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego to vote to reopen the government.

This is a step in the right direction, but Attorney General Mayes believes Democrats, Independents and Republicans need to come together and solve this looming crisis, Richie Taylor, a spokesman for Mayes, said in a statement about Hobbss $1.8 million aid plan. Attorney General Mayes is focused on winning the lawsuit she filed yesterday to force the federal government to pay SNAP benefits and prevent mass hunger across the nation.

Hobbs acknowledged in her announcement that the $1.8 million in ARPA funds was only a fraction of the $150 million in food assistance that the federal government usually provides each month to Arizonans who use SNAP.

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And the $300,000 going to the Food Bucks Now program will be portioned among SNAP families, giving each a voucher of around $30 to each family to purchase fresh produce at participating farmers markets and grocery stores.

Hobbs is also asking Arizonans to help their neighbors by donating to or volunteering through the Arizona Food bank Network and for grocery stores and others in the food industry to donate food, resources and expertise to help ensure people dont go hungry.

An estimated 923,400 people in the Grand Canyon State received SNAP benefits last year, about 12% of the population, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Around 77% of those recipients live below the poverty line.

More than 40% of Arizonans who receive SNAP are members of working families, 68% are in families with children and almost 29% are in families that include older adults or people with disabilities.

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In the 2022 fiscal year, Arizona families enrolled in SNAP received an average of $312 in monthly benefits.

On behalf of our member food banks, were grateful for this investment and the states partnership in meeting the expected surge in demand for emergency food assistance, April Bradham, president and CEO of the Arizona Food Bank Network said in a statement. Food banks are already serving an unprecedented number of more than 770,000 people each month so the added support to serve even more Arizonans during this time is deeply needed and appreciated. We are grateful to the State and all the donors who can give to their local food banks during this time.

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A campaign staffer for one of the candidates in the Hoboken mayoral race was fired for ripping down a campaign sign for an opponent before entering a residential building and rummaging through a mailbox.

The brazen act was caught on camera.

The man in the video pulls down a campaign poster and is wearing a t-shirt displaying the name of a political opponent, Tiffanie Fisher.

The man not only takes down the sign, but rifles through a mailbox and may be looking for other political material.

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The political sign that was torn down was from the campaign of Dr. Michael Russo.

"It was one of the first things I said that I was going to run a very positive campaign, and I'm continuing to do that. But when there's criminality involved, it needs to be pointed out, it needs to be investigated, and that's what we're doing," Russo said.

Russo and Fisher are two of the six candidates running for mayor of Hoboken.

Both are on the Hoboken City Council and their race has taken a nasty turn with Russo wondering if this tactic has been used before by Fisher's team.

"Are you instructing the rest of the campaign to do the same thing? What are you looking for? Because you clearly went into that building with some criminal intent, whether it was just to rip down a sign or to go into that mailbox," Russo said.

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The fact that Fisher's campaign worker was involved in tampering with mail has left her with no option but to fire her long-time supporter.

"It is someone who has been working for us and it was terrible to see it on video. We've held him accountable; he's no longer with our campaign," Fisher said.

Fisher called the case of vandalism a one-time mistake.

Russo comes from a political family. His father was the mayor of Hoboken, but was indicted on bribery and mail fraud charges.

Fisher says she is running a campaign based on intergrity and is upset that this act of tampering targeted Russo.

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She says it's ironic since Russo's father was accused of bribery and mail fraud when he was the mayor of Hoboken.

Fisher says she talked to the staffer seen rifling through the mail and questioned his intent.

"He saw one and just saw, you know, Mailer from a competitor and was just like looking at it. But still, you don't put your hand in a mailbox, right?" Fisher said.

Russo wants to know if Fisher's campaign staff was trying to take mail in ballots which would deny a residents right to vote, or looking to fill it out without consent, which would be fraud.

The case is now being investigated by police and postal inspectors.

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(The Center Square)  Anticipating food assistance to millions of New Yorkers halting on Saturday, a state of emergency has been declared by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.

She said an additional $65 million of state emergency relief funds will be used to keep Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, colloquially known as SNAP or food stamps, flowing if they run dry on Saturday. The funding comes on top of $41 million the governor fast-tracked for emergency food assistance earlier this week.

The Trump administration is cutting food assistance off for 3 million New Yorkers, leaving our state to face an unprecedented public health crisis and hurting our grocers, bodegas and farmers along the way," Hochul said in remarks at a food pantry. "Unlike Washington Republicans, I wont sit idly by as families struggle to put food on the table.

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"Today, Im declaring a state of emergency and am committing additional state funds for emergency food assistance to ensure New Yorkers dont go hungry."

Louisiana and Vermont have also used the term state of emergency in declarations of response related to SNAP benefits.

The federal government shut down on Oct. 1 and entered the 30th day on Thursday. Hochul said New York distributes about $650 million a month for SNAP, and the state can't backfill the loss of federal funding.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the food assistance program, says it has no plans to tap roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep benefits through SNAP flowing into November. It says it doesn't have the authority to spend surplus revenue.

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The Republican majority U.S. House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution in September. The Republican majority Senate is stalled in filibuster led by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., unable to get seven votes to reach the threshold of 60 needed to pass the legislation and unwilling to compromise on the House legislation.

Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., the deputy whip in the chamber, in a network interview said, Shutdowns are terrible, and, of course, there will be families who will suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage points we have.

Schumer has asked for closed-door meetings with second-term Republican President Donald Trump, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota. Transparency has been Johnsons repeated response.

Democratic Attorney General Letitia James joined a lawsuit earlier this week asking a federal judge in Massachusetts to order the release of emergency SNAP funds.

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Democrats and Republicans have filed dueling bills in Congress to fund SNAP during the shutdown, but none have advanced. Earlier this week, second-term Republican President Donald Trump suggested that he will find money for SNAP benefits.

Nationwide, more than 42 million people purchase fresh produce and other groceries through SNAP, according to the USDA. Eligibility is based on participants income and household size, among other factors. The average monthly benefit is $187 per person, according to USDA.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., blasted Democrats in a fiery floor speech Wednesday that chastised them for consistently voting against proposals to reopen the government.

"This isn't a political game," Thune said in remarks on the Senate floor. "These are real peoples lives that were talking about."
It will offer a whole new experience to travellers and tourists, CM Sarma wrote on X.

Chief Minister had earlier said that Guwahati will get two new additions to its citizen-first infrastructure approach this November.

"The Guwahati Gateway Terminal, a state-of-the-art river terminal & the Guwahati riverfront will be inaugurated by Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 7th November," he said.

Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday launched a cashless treatment facility under the Ayushman Asom Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana (AA-MMLSAY) at a function held in Janata Bhawan in Guwahati.

According to a release, the new initiative will benefit State Government employees, pensioners and their dependents, enabling them to access medical care without having to bear expenses upfront.

With this launch, beneficiaries will now be able to avail cashless medical services not only in select empanelled hospitals within Assam but also in leading corporate hospitals across the country.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also distributed health cards under the scheme and unveiled its digital newsletter.

The health card will serve as a gateway for both cashless treatment and reimbursement benefits under the scheme.

CM Sarma said that MMLSAY was launched on October 2, 2023, to end the cumbersome and time-consuming reimbursement process for medical expenses. (ANI)
Gov. Hochul declared a state food emergency on Thursday to unlock an additional $65 million in hunger funding as officials across New York scrambled to cope with the impact of a federal government shutdown-caused cut-off of SNAP benefits for low-income recipients starting this weekend.

After packing food baskets at an East Harlem community center, Hochul lashed out at President Trump and Republicans for turning a deaf ear to pleas to extend food assistance as the government shutdown stretches towards a second month.

People are saying: How much more can I take?' Hochul said. In 48 hours, the clock is going to run out on 42 million people including 3 million in New York.

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She warned GOP lawmakers that they would pay a heavy price at the ballot box if they dont find a way to fund peoples basic needs as the shutdown standoff drags into November, with SNAP benefits set to lapse Saturday.

When they ignore their constituencies there need to be consequences, Hochul declared. Thats not who we are.

The emergency declaration move by Hochul raises to more than $100 million the state funding for food assistance to cope with the looming SNAP cut-off. Thats still a small drop in the bucket compared to the estimated $650 million per month the federal government normally pays to bankroll food stamps for New Yorkers.

As an additional supplement, Mayor Adams announced later in the day hes throwing in an additional $15 million in city funding for emergency food programs to try to stave off the worst impacts on low-incomes residents.

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Its time to put political differences aside and end this shutdown, he said.

Republicans pointed the finger at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for not agreeing to end the shutdown.

The blame for this emergency lies solely at the feet of Chuck Schumer and Democrats for keeping the government closedcreating food insecurity for millions of Americans, said Ed Cox, the state GOP chairman.

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams called for Hochul and Adams to find a way to continue to fund SNAP benefits directly to the debit cards of some 2 million NYC SNAP recipients as opposed to funneling cash to soup kitchens and food pantries. The funding Adams and Hochul touted Thursday is all going to expand access at pantries, which Williams argued isnt sufficient as the SNAP lapse could stand to harm local businesses, too, as they lose out on customers.

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If there is ever a time to use the rainy day funds, it would be to make sure people can eat, Williams said. I dont think people realize how catastrophic this actually is.

Adams and Hochul didnt immediately offer comment on Williams proposal.

Hochul also called on public schools to loosen rules related to free breakfast and lunch to permit students whose families are impacted by the SNAP cutoff to take food home.

What if we can pack a sandwich to take home? the governor asked. That might be dinner.

City schools officials say they are working to mitigate the impact of students families losing SNAP funds.

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Our students can continue to count on their school meals, said Isla Gething, a city schools spokeswoman.

Adams said the city cannot replace the federal funds that fund SNAP for 1.8 million people in the five boroughs. But he vowed to do whatever the city can to ease the pain.

Well do everything in our power to help families in need if there is a lapse in benefits, Adams said. But the bottom line is the federal government needs to do its job.

Schumer and fellow New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand joined a letter from Democrats to Trump demanding that he order the U.S. Department of Agriculture to dip into a contingency fund to pay SNAP benefits for November.

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For families that are already stretched thin, this decision is more than political. Its a matter of survival, Gillibrand told reporters.

The Trump administration says the fund cannot be used to mitigate the impact of the shutdown even though it previously said it could be used to bankroll SNAP.

Attorney General Letitia James and more than 20 Democratic-led states are suing the Trump administration, asking a Boston federal judge to order an extension of SNAP benefits.

District Court Judge Indira Talwani suggested she might order the feds to partially fund the program for November while the case plays out.

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The steps involve finding an equitable way of reducing benefits, said Talwani, who was nominated to the court by former President Barack Obama, who added she would issue an order later in the day.

Republicans, who control the White House and both houses of Congress, blame Democrats for the shutdown, which started Oct. 1, because the minority party refused to back a GOP stopgap spending plan.

Democrats are demanding bipartisan negotiations over Trumps draconian health cuts and especially Republicans refusal to extend Obamacare tax credits, which has hit about 20 million Americans with skyrocketing insurance costs as open enrollment starts in November.

Some lawmakers say there are rumblings of back-channel talks to reach a compromise to end the shutdown, especially now that polls say voters mostly blame Trump and the GOP for the standoff. But there are no formal negotiations set and leaders from both sides of the aisle insist they wont back down.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) declared a state of emergency on Wednesday over the impending halt in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding.

Starting Saturday, SNAP benefits for millions are set to dry up amid the ongoing government shutdown. Democrats have urged the administration to tap into a contingency fund for SNAP, but Trump officials argue they are legally restricted from spending the money as a shutdown stopgap.

The Trump Administration is cutting food assistance off for three million New Yorkers, leaving our state to face an unprecedented public health crisis and hurting our grocers, bodegas and farmers along the way, Hochul said in a release. Unlike Washington Republicans, I wont sit idly by as families struggle to put food on the table.

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Hochuls declaration unlocks $65 million in state funding for programs that support food banks, pantries, soup kitchens and other resources. That includes $40 million for the states Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, which works with emergency food providers, and $25 million for Nourish NY, which supplies surplus agricultural products to food relief organizations.

The New York governor has already fast-tracked $41 million in emergency food assistance.

Wednesdays declaration also allows the Empire State Service Corps, along with State University of New York Corps, to provide increased support at the states food pantries. Short-term crisis response will also be created to support food pantries and banks with staffing shortages.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which allocates SNAP funding to states, said last week it will not use more than $5 billion in contingency funding to partially cover the estimated $9.2 billion in benefits for November. In a Friday memo, the USDA said the fund could be accessed only in the wake of unforeseen events, such as natural disasters.

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In a since-deleted shutdown plan the USDA published Sept. 30, though, the department noted it is congressionally mandated to allocate SNAP benefits via the contingency reserve amid a funding lapse.

More than 2.9 million New Yorkers, roughly 15 percent of the states population, received SNAP benefits in fiscal 2024, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a think tank devoted to combatting poverty and inequality. Roughly 41.7 million people nationally received SNAP benefits monthly in the same period, according to the USDA.

As the Nov. 1 funding lapse approaches, states around the country are sounding the alarm. On Tuesday, all 43 Democrats in the Florida Legislature sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), asking him to declare a state of emergency on food insecurity.

Also on Tuesday, Hochul joined Democratic officials in 25 states and Washington, D.C., in suing the Trump administration over the impending pause in funding. The suit, filed in District Court in Massachusetts, alleges that USDAs refusal to tap into the contingency funding to partially cover November SNAP benefits is illegal.

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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.
An L.A. County Superior Court judge handed a 146-year sentence to Hollywood producer David Brian Pearce on Wednesday for multiple rapes and the 2021 deaths of a model and her architect friend.

Pearce was found guilty in February on two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Christy Giles and Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola, who overdosed on fentanyl. Prosecutors said Pearce supplied them with the drug.

Pearce was also found guilty of crimes against a series of women between 2007 and 2021, including three counts of forcible rape, two counts of sexual penetration with force, one count of rape of an unconscious or sleeping victim and one count of forced sodomy.

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This sentence delivers long-awaited justice for Cabrales-Arzola, Giles, and the courageous sexual assault victims who came forward and testified, L.A. County Dist. Atty. Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement .

Not only were the victims sexually assaulted, but the lives of Cabrales-Arzola and Giles were stolen in one of the most devastating ways  a fentanyl-induced sexual assault by Pearce.

A call to Pearces lawyer was not immediately returned.

Pearces co-defendant, 46-year-old Brant Osborn, is headed to a pretrial appointment on Nov. 18; after a mistrial in February, he will probably face a second trial.

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Read more: L.A. man convicted in drug overdose deaths of two women, serial rapes

In November 2021, Giles and Cabrales-Arzola, as well as Michael Ansbach, who had spent the day filming for a documentary Pearce was supposedly producing, went out with the producer and his roommate, Osborn. The night at an East Los Angeles warehouse rave involved heavy cocaine use.

The group returned to Pearces Beverly Hills apartment in the early-morning hours.

That was about all that was agreed upon among the parties.

Pearce provided the two women and Ansbach with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and fentanyl, causing Giles and Cabrales-Arzola to overdose, according to the district attorneys office.

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Although Cabrales-Arzola called a ride-sharing service, neither she nor Giles left.

About 11 hours later, Pearce dropped off Giles at a hospital; 90 minutes later, he did the same for Cabrales-Arzola, the district attorneys office said.

Court records showed the car that dropped the women off did not have license plates, which Ansbach said he saw Pearce remove. Though Ansbach was originally arrested in connection with the women's deaths, he became an important prosecution witness.

Giles was dead by the time she reached the hospital. Cabrales-Arzola survived for 11 days before being pulled off life support by her family.

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Read more: Women met him in an L.A. rave's 'drug room.' He says their deaths werent his fault

Pearce maintained during his trial that he found the two women unconscious in his apartment around 5 a.m. near liquor bottles and a powdery substance. He said he didnt think much of it, at first.

The lifestyle that I was living at the time was not very conducive to regular behavior, if that makes sense, Pearce, 43, testified earlier this year. It was not uncommon for people to use my house as a crash pad, a party house. I know its horrible, but at least on a weekly basis friends were passing out at my house.

Pearce said he grew concerned when neither woman woke up and repeatedly checked on them, eventually taking them to different hospitals.

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He said he administered CPR but did not call 911.

Since his arrest in December 2021, seven women came forward to accuse Pearce of raping them.

In testimony that spanned two days, Pearce denied each rape accusation, saying hed never met at least one of his accusers and dismissing the rest of the encounters as consensual.

Pearce described a booze- and drug-fueled lifestyle and said most of the women came on to him at parties or through dating apps.

This case is a stark reminder of the devastation caused by fentanyl, Hochman said. Fentanyl poisoners who harm and exploit others will be held accountable.

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Times staff writer James Queally contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Hollywood producer David Brian Pearce was sentenced Tuesday to 146 years to life in prison after being found guilty on two counts of murder in February.

Pearce has been incarcerated since his December 2021 arrest, after he was booked in connection to the the fentanyl overdose deaths of Christy Giles, 24, and Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola, 26, in November of that year.

The two women had spent their final hours at Pearces apartment in Beverly Hills after previously meeting him at a warehouse party in East Los Angeles. Hours later, the women were dropped off at two different local hospitals. Giles was already deceased when she was left at the medical center. Cabrales-Arzola was resuscitated at the hospital, but died 11 days later, a day short of her 27th birthday.

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The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner later ruled their deaths as a homicide after multiple drugs  including GHB and fentanyl  were detected in both women.

Pearce pleaded not guilty at the time, but Deputy District Attorney Catherine Mariano alleged in the trial that he knew the dangers of fentanyl and still gave it, along with GHB, to the women in order to sexually assault them. Pearces attorney combatted this claim, with the producer later testifying that he didnt personally see them consume any drugs at his apartment.

A jury found him guilty of all the charges after deliberating for over two days.

Following the guilty verdict, District Attorney Nathan Hochman blasted Pearce as a serial rapist, as the latter was also convicted of rape and sexual assault against seven other women between 2007 and 2021. On Tuesday, he applauded the sentencing.

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This sentence delivers long-awaited justice for Ms. Cabrales-Arzola, Ms. Giles, and the courageous sexual assault victims who came forward and testified, Hochman said in a statement obtained by TheWrap. Not only were the victims sexually assaulted, but the lives of Ms. Cabrales-Arzola and Ms. Giles were stolen in one of the most devastating ways  a fentanyl-induced sexual assault by Pearce. I would like to thank Deputy District Attorneys Catherine Mariano and Seth Carmack and all those who assisted in this prosecution within the Sex Crimes Division and the Los Angeles Police Department, whose tireless dedication made this outcome possible.

This case is a stark reminder of the devastation caused by fentanyl, he continued. Fentanyl poisoners who harm and exploit others will be held accountable. Every prosecution and sentence like this one moves us a step closer to deterring criminals from committing these crimes and protecting others from a similar fate.

Brandt Osborn, an aspiring actor, was also charged with being an accessory after the fact. However, the jury was unable to reach a verdict, prompting Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor J. Hunter to declare a mistrial.

The post Hollywood Producer Sentenced to Life in Prison for Overdose Deaths of 2 Women appeared first on TheWrap.
CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)  A school in Carteret County will host a Holocaust survivor in November.

Renee Fink, a Holocaust survivor from the Netherlands, will share her story with students at Morehead City Middle School on November 4. This is in support of North Carolinas Gizella Abramson Holocaust Education Act which was passed in 2021 and aims to enrich students understanding of the Holocaust.

Finks presentation will involve a video telling her experiences and a questions and answer session. Fink will also attend a special dinner and discussion with teachers from Morehead City Middle and Broad Creek Middle School.

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Croatan High School will host Fink on November 5, to speak to students from Broad Creek Middle 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 WNCT.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a joint press conference Thursday at Gary/Chicago International Airport with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun to deliver updates on Operation Midway Blitz  an immigration enforcement initiative that has expanded beyond Chicago into Northwest Indiana.

Noem said the sweep has resulted in 223 arrests, of which 146 were truck drivers, since its start in September.

Noem detailed the 287(g) agreement, which authorizes state police to enforce certain federal immigration laws as part of a broader partnership with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.

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Through our partnership that we have with the state of Indiana, we have run an operation recently, which has allowed hundreds of arrests that has brought people in that are breaking our laws, Noem said.

According to ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan, the agency has more than 14 agreements covering more than 200 officers across the state.

In Indiana, efforts have largely focused on commercial vehicle enforcement along highways and at weigh stations. That includes identifying and removing people in the country illegally who hold commercial drivers licenses as part of operations like Operation Midway Blitz, carried out in partnership with the Indiana State Police through the 287(g) program.

Braun, who recently called a special legislative session to discuss congressional redistricting, made a connection between the call and immigration efforts, arguing that sanctuary cities and states that host illegal immigrants impact the process of redistricting.

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It makes representation disproportionately in their favor, he said.

Brauns comments referred to Indianas plans to redraw its congressional map ahead of schedule, a move that could affect the states two Democratic districts, including the one in Northwest Indiana, where ICE operations have recently intensified under Operation Midway Blitz.

Indiana State Police escort protesters from the Gary Jet Center to the general parking lot during Thursdays demonstration at Gary/Chicago International Airport. (Javonte Anderson/Capital B)

Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside Gary/Chicago International Airport in opposition to Noem and immigration enforcement operations. The agencies never publicly announced the events location, but protesters gathered at the airport, which has been a frequent site of deportation flights in recent years.

Protesters carried signs reading Stop Kidnapping Our Neighbors, Resist, and No ICE, while chanting along Airport Road. Protesters initially gravitated near the Gary Jet Center, across from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office located on airport grounds, before being escorted by Indiana State Police troopers to the general parking lot. From there, they lined the fence facing the road, hoisting their signs toward passing motorists.

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Dorothy Hudson of Michigan City said she made the trip to stand with those too afraid to show up.

I want to attend any of these Im able to and lend my voice to those who maybe cant come out because theyre afraid of what might be here to hurt them, she said, holding a sign that read No I.C.E. in N.W.I.

Hudson said she fears immigration authorities are expanding their reach.

I just think what theyre doing is wrong. I dont think theres due process, she said. Theyve been in Chicago, and now theyre inching this way. Theyre coming too fast, and we need to tell them theyre not welcome. We need to defend our neighbors.

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Among those in attendance was Johnathan Skaro, who drove from Chicago to join the protest.

For the people that look like me that cant do it, Im doing it for them, Skaro said.

He said the recent enforcement surge has been difficult to watch.

Its tough, he said. Im trying not to let it get to me emotionally.

Mayor Eddie Melton, who was not notified of the details of the event, said he learned of it through external communications.

Let me be clear, Melton said in a statement, the Office of the Mayor and the City of Gary have not been involved in organizing, planning, or facilitating this event.

The post Homeland Security and ICE Arrive in Gary Amid Airport Protests appeared first on Capital B Gary.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  The Big Brothers, Big Sisters gym is taking people worldwide as kids present their homeschool geography fair research projects!

The projects featured countries like Italy, Puerto Rico, Egypt, England and many more. For each country, students made boards with different facts and images written across them.

Then all thats left is for the students to show off their knowledge of the country they researched.

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One parent says a similar event inspired the event with the same homeschool group.

One of my fellow homeschool moms did a night at the museum in February, so they picked characters and dressed up as those characters, and the kids loved it so much they wanted another type fair, Holly Chounard, homeschool mom, said. So they voted and they chose a geography fair. It works on their public speaking and research skills. And they all enjoyed it.

Of course, drinks and snacks were provided for all who attended, and donations were also accepted.

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.

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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.
On Nov. 1, Michelle Higgs plans to check the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace portal and see how much more she will pay next year if Congress fails to extend enhanced subsidies.

She estimates that her current plan, which also covers her husband and two young children, would increase by more than $2,000 per month without subsidies. But that's before factoring in insurance companies' annual premium hike, which is the steepest nationally since 2018.

"The reality is...we're not going to be able to afford that," said Higgs, who lives north of Unionville. She suspects her family will have to switch to a catastrophic plan that only covers emergencies in exchange for lower premiums. Still, she won't know the exact cost until she and the more than 300,000 Hoosiers enrolled in the marketplace check the portal on the first of the month.

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Ultimately, Indiana enrollees who qualify for enhanced subsidies will see premium payments 82% higher than what they paid last year, according to the health policy research nonprofit KFF, if Congress does not extend them.

In such a scenario, around a fifth of current marketplace enrollees in Indiana would become uninsured by 2034. Indiana is one of 13 states that would see the highest percentage of enrollees lose health insurance.

Higgs, who founded Indiana Rural Summit, works as an organizer and is running for the state legislature while her husband is a self-employed consultant, putting them in one of several buckets of Americans  think barbers, small business owners or Uber drivers  who purchase health insurance rather than getting it through an employer. Though there are ways to buy health insurance outside of the marketplace, it's an attractive option for people because it offers subsidies, or tax credits, that can offset the cost.

The looming deadline threatens to balloon health care costs for all Americans. That's because insurance companies have assumed Congress will not extend the subsidies and are anticipating mass unenrollment. Higher premiums offer a way for insurance companies to keep profit margins stable as more people become uninsured.

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The crisis is at the heart of the government shutdown, which is approaching the longest in American history. Extending the subsidies that expanded under President Joe Biden is one of Democrats' demands in exchange for voting to reopen the government, but Republicans have said extended subsidies don't belong in a spending bill.

The higher premiums would threaten to topple an already precarious social safety net for low-income Hoosiers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture informed states in October there were insufficient funds for November food stamps because of the government shutdown and declined to use contingency money. Meanwhile, food pantries are facing record demand as furloughed federal employees look for ways to get by without a paycheck, worsening a trend of rising need this year.

The impending sticker shock of higher premiums has even hit the small southern Indiana nonprofit Hoosier Action, said organizer Tracey Hutchings-Goetz. Its insurance broker quoted the nonprofit a 50% increase.

"Nobody feels safe right now from escalating health care costs," she said.

How did we get here?

Health care and its costs are complicated. No one seems to have a simple solution to the problem.

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But part of that, said Kosali Simon, an IU professor and health economist, may be because people are asking the wrong question.

For decades, politicians have offered different visions of health care policy that address the question of who pays, but not why it's so expensive in the first place.

"This is the $4 trillion question," Simon said.

It's a question President Donald Trump seems to want his party to answer with a major health care overhaul, according to Politico, but no grand plan has been revealed.

Trump has also expressed an openness to extending subsidies, even though many within the Republican Party oppose it. Critics believe the expansion of subsidies has led to increased fraud and would rather work toward a solution that convinces insurers to lower premiums rather than shifting the cost onto government. Some see the entire framework as bad policy, where an extension of subsidies would only solidify the program.

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But failing to extend the subsidies could have political consequences for Republicans because most marketplace enrollees live in Republican districts.

Advocates said people who couldn't afford higher premiums would have few options. They will likely either go uninsured or take a pay cut to qualify for Medicaid, Hutchings-Goetz said.

But those who go uninsured, even among the young and healthy, are only one accident away from a lifetime of medical debt, she warned.

Rural hospital woes

Marketplace enrollees are not the only group who stand to suffer from expired subsidies.

Rural hospitals already operating on thin margins would likely have to provide more free emergency care as thousands of Hoosiers lose health insurance.

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"If you don't have insurance," said Justin Harris, CEO of Daviess Community Hospital, "we don't get paid."

The struggle for Daviess Community Hospital, located in the southern third of Indiana in Washington, is a combination of serving a population where most people are on Medicaid or Medicare and the cost of getting supplies delivered to a rural area.

Since the government reimburses hospitals at a lower rate than private insurance, Harris said, rural hospitals must serve more patients to make the same amount of money as bigger hospitals.

"If the government is unable to reimburse us at some rate that is affordable," he said, "then it's hard for us to continue operations, as with any hospital in Indiana and across the nation."

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That problem is set to worsen in the coming years. Soon, the cuts to Medicaid included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will take effect, which could threaten some of the specialized services the hospital offers.

Private insurance could also provide better reimbursement rates, Harris said, especially after several years of stable profit margins that peaked in 2020. But health insurance companies saw a dramatic drop in net income and profit in 2024, citing rising medical costs, higher health care utilization and the popularity of expensive GLP-1 drugs.

Though the cost of care from providers across the country may be rising, Daviess Community Hospital is far from getting rich.

"We're not asking to gouge the government," he said. "We are really just asking to get closer to break-even."

How much will I be paying in 2026?

Marketplace enrollees will be paying higher premiums come January, even if the subsidies are extended.

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That's because insurers anticipated Congress would not extend the subsidies and built that calculation into their requests. Indiana approved an average rate hike of 26% for individual marketplace plans, according to the Department of Insurance  higher than the national increase, but a bit lower than insurance companies wanted.

Hoosiers who get insurance through their employer may also feel the crunch if subsidies expire. A combination of rising costs and a lower profit margin for insurance companies in 2024 may encourage them to raise their rates across the board, which employers are likely to pass onto employees.

But the financial hits Americans may face next year are more than simple cost-adjustments, Hutchings-Goetz said, and are instead the result of a profit-seeking system and chaos in Congress.

Meanwhile, the larger question of how to provide affordable health care, and what lawmakers are willing to sacrifice for it, remains.

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"What's the tradeoff?" Simon said. "What else is it that society might not get?

Contact Marissa Meador at mmeador@gannett.com or find her on X at @marissa_meador.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Hoosiers at risk of losing health insurance if Congress lets subsidies expire
The staff of Police Station Kishangarh arrested two accused, both 23 years old, identified as Mohit Mehlawat alias Mannu, a resident of Kishangarh, and Lucky alias Tannu, a resident of Mehrauli.

On Monday morning, police were alerted after a morning walker discovered the body of Nitesh Khatri inside Machhli Park, Kishangarh. The victim was found lying in a pool of blood with multiple stab injuries on his abdomen and near his ear.

Investigations began immediately after the police unlocked the victim's mobile phone using facial recognition technology. Analysis of CCTV footage and deployment of local informers helped the team zero in on the suspects.

During sustained interrogation, both accused confessed to the killing, citing personal enmity and a desire for revenge due to previous altercations with the victim. Police said the duo had pre-planned the attack and used Instagram to lure Nitesh to the park before stabbing him multiple times.

According to police, Mohit Mehlawat alias Mannu has a history of violent crime, with two previous attempt-to-murder cases registered against him at Kishangarh Police Station. His accomplice, Lucky alias Tannu, is reportedly a drug addict. Police recovered two blood-stained knives used in the crime, and the clothes worn by the accused.

Further details awaited. (ANI)




It wasn't a typical traffic pursuit on the Bay Bridge this week.

California Highway Patrol officers from San Francisco responded Sunday afternoon to an unusual call: a rabbit trying to hop its way across the span between San Francisco and Treasure Island.

According to a CHP Facebook post, a 911 caller spotted the animal "hopping along the raised catwalk on I-80 eastbound" toward Treasure Island.

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Officers J. Landquist and H. Contreras arrived to find the rabbit darting back and forth between the right lanes and the catwalk, "eluding capture for several minutes" as it tried to flee in both directions.

A rabbit trying to cross the Bay Bridge, pictured with officer J. Landquist, sparked a 12-minute pursuit before California Highway Patrol officers rescued it safely. (Sgt. M. Ramirez/CHP San Francisco)





"The officers were not hoppy' with this rabbit's evasive tactics," the post read. The team devised a plan using flare boxes from their patrol cars to safely contain the animal after what CHP jokingly called a "lengthy twelve-minute escapade."

The officers nicknamed their furry detainee "Hops-A-Lot" and delivered it safely to San Francisco Animal Control.

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The rabbit was later taken to Yggdrasil Urban Wildlife Rescue and Education Center, where staff confirmed it was healthy and ready to return to nature.

"The rabbit was uninjured and eager to be back out in the wild," said Lila Travis, the center's director. It was released Monday evening on San Bruno Mountain, where a colony of brush rabbits lives.

The CHP said the bunny received a "verbal warning" to stick to grassy areas in the future - not freeways or bridges. It also thanked the driver who called authorities for "making us aware of our furry friend's bridge adventure, which led to a safe rescue and hoppy' ending!"

This article originally published at Hoppy ending': CHP officers rescue rabbit after 12-minute Bay Bridge pursuit.
NEED TO KNOW

Maya Kowalski sued the Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital following her mother's suicide

Kowalski won a $213 million judgment against the hospital in 2023

The judgment has now been reversed on appeal

A Florida court has overturned an order for a hospital to pay millions of dollars in damages to the family of Maya Kowalski, the girl at the center of the 2023 documentary Take Care of Maya.

Following a 2023 trial, a Florida jury found the Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital liable for false imprisonment, battery, fraudulent billing, wrongful death and intentional infliction of emotional distress  allegations by Kowalski's family that were documented in the Netflix documentary.

Netflix

As a result, the hospital was asked to pay the family $211,451,174, in addition to another $50 million in punitive damages. The trial judge eventually lowered the amount to a total $213.5 million.

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But now, an appeals court has overturned that verdict, vacating the damages the hospital was due to pay, according to a disposition opinion issued on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Kowalski's allegations against the hospital were exposed in the documentary, which showed the years-long struggle her family endured as a result of a rare condition she suffered, and the ensuing legal battle with the hospital.

After developing the rare neurological disorder complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in 2015, a Tampa-based doctor prescribed ketamine to the child, then 9, which Kowalski says immensely helped her.

During an emergency visit to the Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital hospital in October 2016, staff reported her case to child services when her mother, Beata Kowalski, pleaded with medical personnel to administer her ketamine.

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Beata, a registered nurse, was accused of child abuse stemming from Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSP), a mental disorder in which a caretaker of a child either makes up fake symptoms or causes real symptoms to make it appear that the child is injured or ill.

In what turned out to be a grueling monthslong ordeal, Kowalski's family alleged, she was handed over to state custody  and the hospital eventually barred Beata from contacting her daughter.

Unable to take "being treated like a criminal," as Beata wrote in a note, she died by suicide in 2017. She was 43.

The Kowalski family eventually sued the hospital, winning at trial in November 2023.

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.

Wednesday's appellate opinion stated the hospital acted "in good faith" in reporting Beata to child services, as that fell under the scope of their duty.

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"This opinion sends a clear and vital message to mandatory reporters in Florida and across the country that their duty to report suspicions of child abuse and, critically, their good faith participation in child protection activities remain protected," Ethen Shapiro, the lawyer representing the hospital, said in a statement.

PEOPLE reached out to the Kowalski family but did not immediately hear back.



Read the original article on People
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum sends a legal warning to a haredi yeshiva for misusing its symbols.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum on Thursday sent a formal legal warning letter to the haredi Yeshivat Ateret Shlomo in Beit Shemesh, accusing the ultra-Orthodox institution of a cynical, degrading, and unlawful use of materials belonging to it.

According to the notice, issued by attorney Asa Kling, the yeshivas campaign used without permission the forums designs, slogans, and the yellow-ribbon symbol associated with the national struggle to bring home the hostages. The forum said the campaign constitutes a flagrant infringement of its trademarks and copyrights, misrepresentation of affiliation, and exploitation of its reputation for political purposes.

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The forum, which represents the families of those abducted by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack, demanded that the yeshiva immediately cease all use of materials identified with it, commit to refrain from future infringements of its intellectual property, issue a public apology to the hostages and their families, and pay compensation amounting to NIS 400,000.

Return the symbols to their rightful place  symbols of hope, unity, and the fight for the return of hostages held by a cruel enemy to Israeli soil, said the forum.

The warning letter comes amid one of the most divisive moments in Israels recent social and military history. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a brutal attack on southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251 others, mostly civilians, into Gaza. Over a dozen hostages remain missing or held, and the families campaign to bring them home has become a powerful national symbol and moral rallying cry.

THE ISSUE of haredi conscription into the IDF has once again been brought into the spotlight this week, even as the Knesset continues its inability to legislate the matter. If elections come soon, the haredi parties could be in danger of losing their place in government, and their reality may change (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)

Social tensions are threatening to spill

At the same time, internal social tensions are threatening to spill over. The haredi sector has long resisted military draft mandates for yeshiva students  a resistance that many see as ethically troubling in the context of the war. As the letter was submitted, a massive millionman haredi protest against the drafting of yeshiva students was being organized in Jerusalem. Police closed major access routes, including Highway 1, and rail access was also shut down.

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The protest underscores a deeper fault-line: While many Israelis view the war effort as a national call to arms, a significant portion of the population regards Torah study as its contribution and rejects enlistment. The result is a bitter divide  some see this as a betrayal of national duty, others as preservation of religious identity.

In this charged atmosphere, the misuse of hostages families symbols by a yeshiva that is part of the haredi establishment takes on added significance. The forum argued that the symbols were intended to represent all Israelis unified in the hostage-return struggle. Their appropriation for a campaign tied to the draft protest not only infringes intellectual-property rights but cheapens the symbol in the eyes of the families of those still held in captivity, reads the letter.

The letter itself signals a legal escalation. By invoking trademark, copyright, and rights of publicity claims, the forum is officially challenging the yeshivas campaign as wrongful exploitation of identity and reputation. Should the yeshiva fail to comply, the forum may proceed to trial not just for compensation but to seek injunctive relief to block further misuse.

The optics of using a national hostage symbol for a protest seen by many as against a wareffort component (military drafting) could provoke wider public backlash. For the families of hostages, still living in limbo and seeking closure, the demand is about maintaining the purity of their symbol  as one of hope, unity, and rescue, reads the letter.

The yeshiva now faces three immediate decisions: to comply by stopping the use of the materials and issuing the requested apology; to negotiate a settlement of the NIS 400,000 claim; or to contest the entire legal basis of the forums demands, which could trigger a full court case, with attendant publicity and scrutiny.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Houchin Community Blood Bank is inviting Kern County residents to donate blood through November and receive pizza vouchers through its Pint for a Pizza promotion.

The promotion is set to begin Saturday, Nov. 1 and run through Nov. 30, according to organizers.

All successful donors during this time will receive a voucher for one large, one-topping pie from Tonys Pizza, HCBB said. Vouchers are valid at all Tonys Pizza locations in Kern County.

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Donors who give blood between Nov. 3 and Nov. 8 will receive a ticket to Bakersfield Comic Con while supplies last, according to HCBB.

Houchin also said all successful donors this season can manually enter for a chance to win two tickets to the Kern County Museum Holiday Lamplight Tour.

Appointments are strongly encouraged, HCBB said. To schedule an appointment, 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 KGET 17 News.
Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) on Wednesday excoriated President Donald Trump for illegally striking the boats of merely suspected drug-runners in Pacific and Caribbean waters, and warned supporters that it sets a dire precedent they might not appreciate in the future.

Himes appeared on MSNBCs Chris Jansing Reports to discuss the controversial strikes, which began in early September and have killed at least 57 people that the Trump administration maintains were all trying to smuggle narcotics such as fentanyl into the U.S.

Politics: Lara Trump Reveals 8-Year-Old Son's Halloween Costume, And It's Very On-Brand

Jansing played a clip Wednesday of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) claiming earlier in the day that most Americans support Trump in these strikes. The conservative also rebuked Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) on Monday for calling them sanctioned murder.

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If Lindsey Graham and other Republicans want to go the route of saying, Its OK to kill people illegally, just so long as the American public supports it, the American public needs to really think that through, said Himes. There will be a Democratic president someday.

He continued, And all my MAGA friends who are cheering on these illegal killings need to imagine who gets killed when President Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says that it doesnt matter what the law says, shes going to do what shes going to do.

The Connecticut Democrat has joined a burgeoning chorus with his criticism, which was clearly aimed at the pro-Trump nature of support for the strikes  and not at Ocasio-Cortez.

Politics: Trump Sets Annual Limit For Refugees To 7,500  And They'll Mostly Be From This 1 Country

While they didnt use a hypothetical future president to make their case, Atlantic writer Tom Nichols and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) have both condemned the strikes as dangerously unconstrained and plainly described them as illegal summary execution.

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The use of a hypothetical has ultimately already worked however, as Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) recently admitted on the C-SPANs Ceasefire podcast that he would be apoplectic if former President Joe Biden had authorized the strikes.

I work here, so I understand the complete abnegation of principle and a complete thumbing of the nose at the rule of law, but I would hope that people like Lindsey Graham might not go that path, because its a very, very dangerous path for this country to go down, Himes said Wednesday.

Himes also offered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth an education on the deadly strikes.

Politics: Trump Asks Pentagon To Immediately Resume Testing U.S. Nuclear Weapons

He said, They have not been authorized by the Congress, and even if because youre Pete Hegseth and you get really jazzed up on the testosterone rush that comes from blowing up a boat with a couple of guys on it, that is not the way youre going to interdict drugs.

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Drugs come largely, certainly fentanyl  which is responsible for the vast majority of deaths in this country  out of Mexico, from the cartels there, Himes continued. There is cocaine coming out of Colombia, not so much Venezuela, so what we see there is massive numbers of military assets deployed for purely performative reasons.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

A group of sixty House Democrats led by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) sent a letter to President Donald Trump Thursday  addressed to What Remains of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave  demanding that his reckless vanity project halt until the president can demonstrate how his demolition of the East Wing complies with federal law.

The ballroom has been a pet project for the president, who boasted last month that it would be absolutely magnificent construction and one of the best anywhere in the world, but it has sparked significant controversy.

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Trump has said the ballroom will be funded by private donors, but the specifics remain murky and the endeavor has raised ethical questions about conflicts of interest. The skyrocketing cost is also raising eyebrows; over the past few months the estimated figure has leapt from $200 million to $300 million.

Opponents of the project object to the lack of review and question why the plans were not submitted before work began.

What critics find most troubling, however, is the expansive nature of the plans and Trumps broken promise that the construction wont interfere with the current building and would be near [the East Wing] but not touching it. Photos and video from earlier this month showed construction crews had gone well beyond interfering with the East Wing; the facade was demolished and then an additional major section. Eventually, the East Wing was demolished in its entirety.

The letter from Raskin and 59 other Democrats was addressed to President Donald J. Trump at What Remains of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500, and urged him to provide us immediately with additional information about the demolition of the East Wing and ballroom construction, calling it a reckless vanity project that they believed violated the White House Preservation Act.

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That 1961 law, the letter continued, governs the care and preservation of the White House and its contents, requires the preservation of any historic or artistic property, including furniture, fixtures, and decorative objects, for the American public, and clearly directs the current President to transfer any historic and artistic items that are not currently being used to the Smithsonian Institution for its care, study, and storage or exhibition.'

Its not just furniture thats protected under this law, the letter noted, but also fixtures and other historic elements of the White House.

At this time, neither Congress nor the over 300 million Americans who actually own the White House are aware of what you have done to safeguard the objects in the East Wing that hold cultural and historic significance to the country, the letter said. We are especially troubled because you have a history of demolishing historic property without notice or consent. To clear the site for your Trump Tower in New York, you destroyed two historically significant friezes that you promised to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The congressional members urged the president to immediately cease your demolition of the White House and demanded a detailed explanation of the process you used to conduct your demolition operation to date, including an inventory of all objects of historic significance in the East Wing prior to August 31, 2025 and the location of all such objects for the duration of this demolition, the actions that your staff has taken to transfer these objects to the custody of the Smithsonian as required by law, all documents and communications pertaining the decision to cancel all White House tours beginning on September 1, 2025, and a timeline of when the White House will resume tours and make itself available to the public.

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The letter concluded:

The White House belongs to all Americans, not one president or family. We oppose you taking a wrecking ball to your temporary residence without advising its over 300 million owners. You are the temporary occupant and steward of this structure, just like every American President since John Adams has been. You are moving forward to demolish the White House and build an extravagant and wasteful ballroom during a government shutdown while Americans face a serious health care crisis. As costs skyrocket across the country, we urge you to halt this vanity project that is razing a treasured part of our national heritage.

Read the letter and the full list of signatories here.

The post House Democrats Send Letter to Trump at What Remains of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave Demanding Stop to Reckless Vanity Project first appeared on Mediaite.
(The Center Square)  Since 2022, the federal Environmental Protection Agency has administered the Clean School Bus Program, an initiative that provides schools rebates and grants toward replacing diesel engine buses with electric ones.

With uncertainty about the future of that program under the current administration, some Pennsylvania lawmakers would like to see the state take up the mantle of providing funding for the change.

Despite enthusiastic endorsements from schools that have added electric buses to their fleets, it is not a plan that has garnered widespread support in the House. Legislators are divided between those prepared to pursue every possible measure to address the dual climate and energy crises and those who see green spending projects as government handouts for an unproven industry.

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I am always interested in creative solutions to energy problems, and electric school buses can solve a lot at once, helping schools cut costs and making our air cleaner at the same time, said state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia, majority chairwoman of the House Energy committee. "This grant program could be transformative for schools.

The benefits of electric buses? The cleaner, quieter rides are better for childrens health. They do not produce environmentally damaging carbon emissions. They have fewer moving parts requiring less maintenance. Running electric vehicles is much cheaper than spending on fuel. Additionally, the batteries in electric buses can be used to store energy and help stabilize the grid by using bidirectional chargers.

The downsides? Electric buses are much more expensive up front, with costs in the $300,000 to $400,000 range. In addition to the cost of the bus, infrastructure updates must be made to provide charging stations. Critics also worry that charging the buses will create additional strain on the states energy grid, which is poised to take on massive new burdens with the build-up of new data centers.

The bill would set up a fund within the state to provide school districts with grants for taking on these expenses. The bill aims to prioritize low-income districts which may not otherwise afford to make the switch and areas where environmental quality already takes a toll on student health. Advocates say there are particular benefits to rural communities.

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Rep. Dave Madsen, D-Steelton, has seen the impact of electric buses first hand. He represents Steelton-Highspire School District, which has adopted the buses for most day-to-day transportation.

"Investing in electric school buses is an investment in our students health, said Madsen. The grant program proposed in HB1539 helps districts replace aging fleets and lowers long-term operating costs. It also supports job growth by expanding charging infrastructure and strengthens transportation equity across Pennsylvania."

Steelton is an urban district just south of Harrisburg with a long history of manufacturing. The districts superintendent, Willie Slade, noted that its home to a higher than average rate of asthma among students. The switch to electric buses isnt likely to reverse that, but it does remove one source of pollution from the equation.

Some committee members questioned the validity of claims that school bus riding was impactful to childrens health.

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If children on the bus are being affected by diesel fumes, then I think we need to check the bus and make sure that its exhaust system is properly installed, said Rep. Martin Causer, R-Bradford.

A 2002 report from the National Institute of Health demonstrated the intensity of diesel exhaust exposure on a school bus, particularly for children riding near the back and with windows closed. It found that, in addition to one to two hours of bus riding per day over 10 years increased the likelihood of children developing lung cancer in adulthood.

Another point of contention was the buses vehicle to grid capabilities, which allow the vehicles to provide power back into the grid in the event of a blackout or power shortage. Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Cheswick, described her own electric vehicles capacity to power her home for a few days in the event of one of the Pittsburgh areas frequent weather-related blackouts.

I have nothing against electric, but I know when the power goes out in my home, Rep. Steele, my natural gas whole home generator goes on, and I've got power that I can watch TV, said Rep. Mike Arminini, R-Dubois. Life does not change for me when there's a blackout.

Electric supporters were quick to point out that battery storage was not a total solution to the energy crisis but a potential source of revenue for vehicles putting electricity back into the grid.
Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya on Thursday mandated that all officers answer phone calls from the public or face strict action. District Magistrate Arya has issued an official order stating that strict action will be taken against officers who fail to answer public phone calls. In the office order, the DM mentioned that several district- and block-level officers do not respond to phone calls from public representatives and citizens, which causes inconvenience for people in resolving their issues and grievances. This results in citizens often being compelled to visit the block or district headquarters in person. "In view of this, the District Magistrate has warned such officers of strict disciplinary action if they continue to ignore calls from the public," according to an official statement. Earlier, on October 5, DM Arya conducted a field inspection of Jadong village to review the progress of ongoing construction work in the area. He directed the concerned officials to ensure timely completion and maintain high-quality standards. Before the inspection, the District Magistrate also held discussions on various relevant issues with the ITBP Commanding Officer and other officials. The border village of Jadong, situated along the India-China frontier in Uttarkashi district, is on its way to becoming a new tourism destination under the Vibrant Village Programme, according to a release. Along with linking local residents to social and economic development opportunities and employment, various development projects are progressing rapidly in the area. The District Magistrate informed that in the first phase of the plan, six homestays are being constructed in the traditional architectural style, while eight more will be built in the second phase, making a total of 14 homestays. He further highlighted that Jadong village was evacuated during the 1962 India-China war. However, local residents have continued to visit the village to worship at their traditional temples. (ANI)
We are now four weeks into the second-longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

We've seen delays and cancellations across travel, economic growth, and benefits.

For the tens of thousands of federal workers in our area, the shutdown also means no paychecks.

Eyewitness News went by the Barnett Stadium in southeast Houston to see the first of several planned food distribution events put on by the Houston Food Bank for federal workers and those receiving food stamps.

See upcoming distributions: Special Distributions for Neighbors Experiencing Paycheck or SNAP Benefit Interruptions

People started lining up early.

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Many of them were receiving food assistance for the first time in their lives.

Dominique Anderson was laid off during this shutdown.

"When I first started working for the FDA, I really thought it was the best career move, that it was going to push me forward professionally," she said. "Honestly, this has been devastating. I have a mortgage."

Many federal workers, like an employee ABC13 interviewed at the Housing and Urban Development, said they are afraid of losing their jobs if they show their faces on camera.

"I never thought in a million years I'd be in line to get some food," she said. "It's humiliating. I have been working for 30 years in my career. I had to apply for unemployment. I haven't done that before."

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Wayne Barber told us he's been an air traffic controller for 23 years.

"Since the shutdown started, I've worked four overtimes. I'm still going to show up to work because that's what I swore an oath to do," Barber said. "In the military, you swore the same oath to defend this country. I work for the people."

But this father of five says he needs help now.

"It doesn't matter, left, right," Barber said. "We just want to get paid for what we do."

Also in line were those who receive food stamps.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the SNAP program is ending Nov. 1.

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"Take care of your people first," Juanita Cavazos, who receives SNAP benefits, said. "That's not happening. We have to take care of ourselves."

Cavazos said she is a disabled veteran.

"That's the saddest thing about it. You know, you go and you give up your life almost, and then to be in these circumstances in the United States, that's just unforgiving," she said.

Houston Food Bank officials estimate there are 50,000 federal employees in the Greater Houston area.

According to the food bank, there are 425,000 households in the Houston area that rely on food stamps.

For more on this story, follow Pooja Lodhia on Facebook,X and Instagram.
(Photo by Andrew Leyden/NurPhoto via AP)

When White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to own a reporter with a your mom diss two weeks ago, his employer, HuffPost, spun the punchline into profit that boosted memberships by 66 percent  in just one day.

The exchange began on Oct. 17 when HuffPost correspondent Shirish Date asked who had recommended Budapest as the site for President Donald Trumps meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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Your mom did, Leavitt texted back. Minutes later, White House communications director Steven Cheung piled on: Your mom.

Shared by Date in an article, the insult ricocheted across social media, meriting a response from Leavitt for context  and then back into HuffPosts favor.

The outlet promptly spun the exchange into a membership drive that boosted reader contributions, a company spokeswoman told The New York Times on Wednesday.

MAGA Makes Your Mom Jokes. We Make Headlines, read the sites bold pitch, following Leavitts online post of the exchange. Serious questions deserve better than middle school humor.

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I was kind of like, this is a serious war thats going on that has killed tens of thousands of Ukrainians in their homes, Date told Times media reporter Erik Wemple. And then your response is, Your mom?

Date, who has spent decades covering national politics, shrugged off the reply.

I would guess that our core audience does not like Donald Trump for a variety of reasons, he said. And I hope my stories have informed them as to why they might oppose him.

White House officials, however, have long been combative with Date, whose progressive outlet has remained outspokenly critical of the administration. In tweets after the Times profile went live on Wednesday, he shared some even more snippy exchanges with White House comms staffers.

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When Date reached out for comment recently for an article about White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, he was told to stop harassing him.

After the Times brushed over the text as expletive-laden, Date was only too happy to share the full exchange in which he was called a moron and a little f*cking b*tch.

Here is the exchange, in context: pic.twitter.com/T4DqJULWP1  S.V. Date (@svdate) October 29, 2025

The words, he noted in a further tweet, would get staffers from previous administrations fired and could land equal trouble for anyone in the corporate world.

He followed: In the Trump White House, of course, it likely gets you attaboys and high fives.

The post HuffPost Seized on Karoline Leavitts Viral Your Mom Diss at Reporter  It Paid Off Big first appeared on Mediaite.
Oct. 29Spokane Valley's Coca-Cola distribution facility expansion is officially complete after 16 months of construction at a final cost of $22.4 million.

Swire Coca-Cola produces and bottles Coke products across a large swath of the Western United States, including nearly all of Washington and Idaho. The company gets soda syrup shipped in to Bellevue to mix and package the drinks on site before sending the product out to other Washington locations. Then, it ships the prepared pallets of drinks to their customers, the largest in the area being Walmart and Safeway.

"Our team members couldn't function in the space they had, and first and foremost, they couldn't do it in a safe way every day," Swire CEO Andrea Kendell said to a group of around 50 people who showed for a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday morning. Coke cans sat on tables in front of many guests, along with other Coca-Cola products such as Smart Water, Topo Chico and Powerade.

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The 146 employees made for a crowd in the previous, 38,615 square foot area, and crews had to take turns charging their electric forklifts on the single powerbank, Swire communications director Erica Hansen said. Upgraded to a total of 138,860 square feet, 54,800 of which belong to the warehouse, the workspace has been made more comfortable for employees. Swire expects to turn 4.3 million cases of product from the location annually.

Local sales manager for Swire, Kyle Schreibeis, said that the "expansion mirrors what Spokane is doing right now." He began working at the Spokane plant 20 years ago as a truck loader and has watched the company grow.

"We have about three times the amount of space that we've had previously," Schreibeis said. "And also from back then, we had probably about a third the amount of products that we carry today, so it's a good difference."

Outside of the warehouse, employees are also looking forward to having meeting spaces that aren't rented hotel rooms. DJ Hieronymus, another sales manager for Swire, is getting his own office after 14 years with the company  something that seems "surreal" to him. Having access to a new conference room will transform the work environment for his team, he said.

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"And, just the aspect of my team being able to come in and sit down and know that they're not going to be inundated with noise and stuff and they can actually get work done," he said. "I've never worked with a company that takes care of their employees like Swire does."

State Rep. Suzanne Schmidt was one of the ribbon-bearers during the cutting ceremony. She said she was "happy to be here and celebrate with Swire and Coca-Cola."

"I, as a state representative, that's something that I'm looking at," she said. "The cities within my district  how easy they are to work with and to be business friendly, that's a main effort. We really need to bring new businesses in or expand the businesses that we have."

Spokane Valley Mayor Pam Haley was another holding the ribbon. She said she was grateful for the community work Swire does in the city  they have worked with Second Harvest and the Spokane Riverkeeper  and that business expansions keep the community growing.

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"We encourage businesses in the valley," she said. "This is huge for us."

This article has been updated to reflect that drinks are mixed and bottled at the Bellevue Swire location before being shipped to the Spokane Valley warehouse for further distribution
HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56)  A woman in Hopkinsville opened a package expecting medical equipment to find that it contained human arms and fingers instead.

On Thursday, Oct. 30, the Christian County Coroner Scott Daniel told FOX 56 News that the body parts shed received by mistake were from a cadaver and meant for surgical training.

Deputies with the Christian County Sheriffs Office responded when the woman called 911 after opening the unpleasant surprise, and they notified the coroners office.

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Officials reportedly took the cadaver parts to the morgue and contacted the carrier, making arragements to get them to their proper destination.

Authorities said the parts were picked up this morning.

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.
This statement might sound like a line from a sci-fi movie, but what if life on Earth didnt start here at all?

For decades, that question sat on the fringe of science, it was filed next to crop circles and UFOs. But now, with new data from NASA and Japans space agency, a once-laughed-off idea is quietly moving into the realm of possibility.

It turns out that some researchers think life, or at least the ingredients for it, may have arrived on Earth from space. The theory is called panspermia, and recent findings from asteroid samples are giving it more weight than ever before.

From punchline to plausible

When British astronomers Fred Hoyle and Chandra Wickramasinghe first suggested in the 1970s that comets could have seeded life on Earth, the reaction was brutal. Hoyles reputation in mainstream science never recovered. But half a century later, scientists are now sifting through asteroid dust and its data and finding traces of the same story.

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NASAs and Japans missions both returned pieces of ancient asteroids to Earth. Inside the asteroids researchers have found carbon, ammonia, salts, and even amino acids, which are the molecules that make up proteins. In January 2025, scientists said OSIRIS-RExs samples contained 14 of the 20 amino acids used by life on Earth, plus chemical precursors of DNA and RNA.

Bennu is basically a pantry full of ingredients, said Dr. Jason Dworkin, NASAs lead scientist on the OSIRIS-REx mission. But it wasnt quite the right conditions to make a cake. On Earth, we have cake, and we dont know why.

The Mars connection

The idea that life might travel between worlds isnt new. In 1996, NASA claimed to have found microfossils inside of a Martian meteorite discovered in Antarctica, a finding that was later debunked, but not before President Bill Clinton announced it from the White House lawn.

That brief moment of excitement sparked a generation of research into how life could possibly hitchhike across the solar system. Today, scientists know for a fact that rocks do travel between Earth and Mars, catapulted by impacts and carried through space. However, whether microbes could survive the trip is still up for debate.

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Mars cooled faster than Earth, so it may have been ready for life sooner, said Professor Paul Davies, a theoretical physicist and astrobiologist at Arizona State University. Its entirely possible were all descendants of Martians.

Seeds among the stars

The theory doesnt stop at Mars. Some researchers think the same process, rocks trading material and chemistry, might happen between entire star systems.

Astronomers have already spotted interstellar visitors like Oumuamua and Comet Borisov, both moving so fast they couldnt have originated here. If chunks of rock can travel between stars, could life, or its building blocks, do the same?

The fact were finding that stuff can be kicked out of one planetary system and make its way to another shows its not impossible, said planetary scientist Fred Ciesla from the University of Chicago. Its rare, but its not crazy.

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Still, most scientists do agree that the odds are tiny. The journey between stars would likely sterilize almost anything biological. Inside a single solar system, though, like our own or TRAPPIST-1, a compact cluster of seven Earth-sized planets, the math looks much better. In that system, scientists estimate that 10% of debris from one habitable planet could land on another within 100 years.

Comets, chemistry, and cosmic timing

The panspermia idea doesnt actually require microbes to survive the trip, just chemistry. If asteroids and comets brought amino acids, sugars, and salts to Earth billions of years ago, they could have jump-started life once the planet cooled down.

Earth went through a molten phase early on, said Dworkin. Anything organic here would have burned away. So maybe the ingredients arrived later, delivered by the same impacts that brought our oceans.

So are we aliens?

For now, theres no proof that were aliens. But there are increasingly awkward questions being asked by more and more scientists.

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If asteroids can carry the molecules of life, and those same molecules exist across the galaxy, it suggests the recipe for biology isnt unique to Earth. Instead, it may be written into the dust between the stars.

And that means humanitys oldest story about life beginning in a warm pond on a young Earth could be missing its opening scene.

We have to contend with the fact we really dont know where life began, said Davies. And its entirely likely it didnt begin on Earth.

Whether that makes us aliens depends on how you look at it. But either way, were starting to realize that the universe might be better at spreading life than we ever imagined.

Source: ScienceFocus

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JAY, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  Vermont State Police said on Thursday that they had recovered human remains within the town of Jay.

According to VSP, the discovery came after U.S. Customs and Border Patrol asked for help regarding a migrant who went missing back in late January. She reportedly was attempting to cross from Vermont into Canada with a group but became separated from her companions.

100 pounds of suspected cocaine seized entering Canada from Champlain, 2 arrested

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After some of her personal possessions were found in Vermont, state police say they searched the area with teams of troopers and dogs, eventually finding the remains.

An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday to confirm the identity of the deceased person and to determine their cause and manner of death. At this time, the results of the autopsy are not yet 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 ABC22 & FOX44.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A public records request has revealed just how long its taking to process sexual assault kits in Davidson County.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, there are hundreds still waiting, and for survivors that delay can mean years without answers. News 2 spoke to a Nashville woman whos been living through the wait.

It was a hard process to go through, sexual assault survivor and now advocate, Danielle Pyle, said. I mean my case, personally, really fell through multiple cracks.

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JULY | Davidson County Grand Jury slams delays in rape kit testing

Pyle was sexually assaulted in 2021. She filed a police report, got a rape kit and waited for answers, but her case  like so many others  got caught up in delays.

Theres moments where you question yourself and if its worth going through all of this pain of telling your story over and over again, Pyle said.

According to the MNPD, 871 sexual assault kits make up their backlog. Theres an average turnaround time of 115 weeks  thats over two years.

Police said about a third of those kits are in testing or review, either at the Metro Crime Lab or outsourced at another facility. Even when tested elsewhere, local scientists still have to verify results and upload DNA into the FBI database.

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There are serial offenders on the streets that are living within these kits  these untested kits, Pyle said. Thats where the urgency comes in. Were trying to protect any future victims.

State law requires every rape kit in possession of a lab to be tested. Police said kits are tested and processed from oldest to newest unless a case is prioritized and then expedited.

The lengthy process and lack of testing leaves victims desperately waiting for justice and closure. While Pyles case didnt end how she would have liked, she encourages others to take action.

It was up to me to decide my future and how I heal and taking advantage of the resources provided to me in order to heal, Pyle said.

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The MNPD said another 150 kits will be sent out this year. Five more scientists will complete DNA training by the end of 2026, hoping to help with the backlog.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

A statement from Sexual Assault Center CEO Rachel Freeman reads, in full:

Getting a rape exam after a sexual assault is an extremely important and time-sensitive part of the healing processboth physically and emotionallyregardless of whether a survivor chooses to file a police report. At the Sexual Assault Centers SAFE Clinic, nearly 70% of survivors who receive an exam choose to report to law enforcementmore than double the national average. That reflects the trust and collaboration weve built with our MNPD partners to make reporting feel safer and more supported. Were proud of that partnership and equally committed to accountability and justice for every survivorbecause every survivors courage and voice deserve to be honored.

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If youre a victim of sexual assault you can call the Sexual Assault Center at 866-811-7473.

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.
RVs parked on San Francisco streets for more than two hours could be towed starting Saturday.

"There is no place for us to go, and we didn't do anything wrong. We are just trying to get our stuff together. We are not in a shelter or anything, but we are taking care of ourselves so," said Edward, an RV resident.

In May, city workers drove around San Francisco and identified 489 RVs with people living in them.

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That group automatically qualifies for a six-month extension, meaning they don't have to move their RVs every two hours and are not at risk of getting towed but since then, many have appealed that they were left out and want the city to add them to the list.

"I have a bunch of moms and some single dads that were not counted in May and they don't have the very limited things like a copy of a ticket or a mechanical receipt on their vehicle, but they do have enrollment in SFUSD of their children and the city is saying no, that is not good enough - that doesn't prove that you are actually inside the vehicle sleeping," said Jennifer Friedenbach, SF Coalition on Homelessness.

MORE: San Francisco RV ban, parking restriction sparks concern from neighboring communities

As the two-hour parking limit approaches, the city is also finding housing for some of these residents.

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"Yes, we moved in the first family last Friday and they were able to get successfully housed, and then we are going to do another one this coming up Friday and once we get everything moving we are going to try to do multiple families per week," said Jason Dewes, Program Director for the Large Vehicle Program at Catholic Charities.

San Francisco is also offering to buy some of the RVs for $3,000 to $6,000.

"If they sign an agreement that they are open to doing this, they receive a thousand-dollar check, then the case worker starts working with them to find housing," said Anne Stuhldreher, SF Tresure, Senior Advisor.

As multiple efforts continue, the city's Department of Emergency Management confirms they haven't given everyone they identified in May a sticker to avoid getting towed, saying that as of Tuesday "238 large vehicles have received permits and won't be towed for violating the two-hour parking ban."

MORE: ABC7 Originals documentary 'Home Lost'

Meaning there are still 251 RV's that qualify for the six-month extension but don't have the stickers making them at risk of getting towed.

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"They created a permitting process that is really difficult - it's an online portal you have go through an application, you then have to show up at a random meeting and if they missed you and didn't count you originally, they have limited proof that you can put in," said Friedenbach.

The city received 94 appeals and 81 of those appeals have been approved. Thursday is the last day to submit an appeal.

RVs with permits are still subject to other parking requirements.

The last day to get a permit is Saturday - the day the ban goes into effect.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
Hundreds of families in Pierce County gathered at the Tacoma Dome today for an emergency food distribution event.

The event, organized by the Making a Difference Foundation, saw a turnout three times higher than expected, with about a thousand households receiving food boxes.

We expected 400 to 450 families today. Right now, were anticipating somewhere between 800 and 1,000, said Andrea Blue, a representative of the foundation.

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The increased demand for food assistance is attributed to recent layoffs and furloughs, as well as the ongoing government shutdown, which has affected SNAP benefits.

According to Governor Bob Fergusons office, $37 million of federal funding goes to one million Washington residents, but with the shutdown, SNAP will end on Nov. 1.

Elmer Miller, a food recipient, expressed concern about making ends meet without SNAP benefits, especially with his wife battling cancer and both relying on Social Security.

Theresa Stein, another recipient, mentioned it was her first time needing food assistance due to financial strain from working part-time and caring for five grandchildren.

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Governor Ferguson plans to allocate $2.2 million per week to support food banks during the shutdown.

The money will be reallocated from the states Food Assistance Program (FAP) for legal immigrants.

A spokesperson for the Governors office says, As long as SNAP benefits are disrupted, the state is prohibited from issuing FAP benefits.

Blue emphasized the importance of community support, stating, Every little bit helps. You think $5 dont help, you give me $5, I can put together at least five meals.
During her two-day visit, the Union Finance Minister will inaugurate two major projects in Guwahati and lay the foundation stone of a state university.

Informing the same, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "On November 7, the Union Finance Minister will visit the Jagiroad Semiconductor plant site. She will inaugurate Guwahati Gateway Terminal, a state-of-the-art river terminal, and the Guwahati riverfront project on November 7."

"On November 8, she will lay the foundation stone of Swahid Kanaklata Barua State University at Bholaguri tea estate in Gohpur," the Chief Minister added.

On the other hand, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Assam on November 9.

The Assam Chief Minister said, "On November 9, the Union Defence Minister will attend a mega Air Show at Lachit Ghat in Guwahati."

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to captivate the skies over Guwahati with a spectacular Air Force Day flying display along the banks of the Brahmaputra River on November 9.

The landmark event will showcase the precision, professionalism, and prowess of the IAF, offering citizens a rare opportunity to witness the nation's aerial might up close.

This year's Air Force Day celebrations carry the theme "Infallible, Impervious and Precise" - "acuuk, abhedy v sttiik", symbolising the IAF's unwavering commitment to operational excellence, resilience, and accuracy in every mission.

Featuring frontline fighter aircraft, transport aircraft, and helicopters flying in coordinated formations, the display promises a visual symphony of speed, skill, and synchronisation.

Spectators will be treated to thrilling aerial manoeuvres and formation displays that embody the theme, highlighting the IAF's cutting-edge technology and exceptional professionalism.

Beyond the spectacle, the event aims to inspire youth across the Northeast, showcasing career opportunities in the IAF and fostering a spirit of patriotism, discipline, and service to the nation.

The flypast will be open to the public, with designated viewing areas along the riverbank. (ANI)
Food banks in several states, including Idaho and Maine, are bracing for an influx of visitors. In South Carolina, a state emergency relief fund will be tapped to respond to demand. And in North Dakota, the states sole food bank has started an emergency fundraising campaign.

As lawmakers in Congress extend a nearly record-breaking federal government shutdown into possibly another month, massive cuts to critical aid are looming for the nations most vulnerable people  including women, postpartum parents and children.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as food stamps or SNAP, is set to run out of money beginning Saturday, the start of November. Separately, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, known as WIC, has no long-term funding for November. (The White House tapped some contingency funding for WIC in October, but advocates warn its set to run out over the next few weeks.)

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SNAP, which has been around for 60 years, ensures nearly 42 million low-income Americans, including nearly 16 million kids, can access money to buy groceries. The funding is typically issued through debit-style cards that are not scheduled to be refilled on November 1 (or throughout the month since some states administer the program on a staggered calendar.)

The fact that were talking about so much money and so many families that depend on it  not having the benefits go out next month is really going to be a crisis, said Marlene Schwartz, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health at the University of Connecticut.

WIC, developed in the early 1970s, provides some money for food purchases, but it primarily offers resources aimed at making sure low-income new parents can raise healthy babies. That includes prenatal care, nutrition education and breastfeeding support. The program is a lifeline, serving 7 million people, including nearly half of all babies born in the United States.

Cutoffs to one or both programs would be unprecedented  Congress has never let funding for these vulnerable populations lapse, even during previous shutdowns. The ripple effect could be hungry families and pregnant and postpartum parents with fewer resources  including formula in some cases  to keep their babies healthy.

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Food banks  the charitable aid system that distributes food to pantries and meal programs around the country and is funded through a range of sources, including private donations  are offering help as panic begins to set in among families. Many existing recipients of food pantries dont qualify for SNAP because their income threshold, while potentially low, might not be low enough. It means strained resources for more people.

Food banks and food pantries are going to step in during this period as a little bit of a bridge, said Eric Hodel, chief executive officer for the Midwest Food Bank, which distributes food that reaches nonprofits in 25 states and runs distribution sites in two international facilities. At times, weve maybe bridged some people for a day or for a week. If we have extended delays in the administration of SNAP, I think at the food bank were preparing that we may have to bridge that a little bit longer and further  so were continuing to do what we do to the best of our ability.

But its not expected to be enough. Feeding America, the organization that provides a nationwide network of food banks, estimates that food pantries provide about one meal to every nine provided by SNAP.

The most challenging and heartbreaking situation for staff members and volunteers is when the pantry shelves are empty, and they must turn people away  veterans, seniors, families with young children. Yet, with increasing demand and the high cost of food, this is already the harsh reality for so many and, without immediate action, will become a reality for countless more people across the country, said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, in a statement.

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Its a dynamic playing out amid rising grocery prices. Schwartz added: The charitable food system is there to support families, but it is tiny compared to the amount of money that is available through SNAP.

That would be particularly relevant for the separate WIC program, explained Nell Menefee-Libey, senior public policy manager at the National WIC Association, which advocates for WIC staff who are based around the country. WIC is the nations largest breastfeeding support promotion program  a resource that cannot be filled by the charitable food system. The program also provides tailored foods that meet the specific nutritional needs of pregnant and postpartum parents, as well as those of children from infancy through their fifth birthday. It would also be at the whims of potentially inconsistent food offerings at food pantries.

And if a family is using infant formula, that can be the sole source of nutrition for a young child. For the most part, food banks have not historically supplied infant formula, said Menefee-Libey.

Its a pretty delicate supply chain, so trying to figure out what it would look like to get additional infant formula to food banks to support families in the event of a widespread disruption to WIC is incredibly challenging, she said.

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Advocates for SNAP benefits note that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which administers WIC and SNAP, has contingency funds  between $5 billion and $6 billion, according to some estimates, for SNAP alone. The agency claims its unable to use those funds for the program. Nearly 60 percent of SNAP beneficiaries are children and older adults.

Bottom line, the well has run dry, reads part of a message on the USDA website.

Bottom line, the well has run dry. U.S. Department of Agriculture

The assertion is being challenged in court. On Tuesday, a coalition of 25 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its plans to cut SNAP access.

The funds are available to continue SNAP right now without any interruption, said Democratic Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont during a news conference this week. So that is a decision the president is making on his own  on his own  to allow people to go hungry.

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While lawmakers in Washington remain deadlocked over how to reopen the government, some are also discussing stand-alone legislation that could continue to fund food assistance. The idea has bipartisan support, but whether theres enough political will to do something within days is unclear for now.

USDA tapped $150 million in contingency funds for WIC in October, and then a separate $300 million transfer from tariff funds. Menefee-Libey said if there is no clarity soon, the consequences will include WIC staff being furloughed, which would impact how families are able to access resources.

I think were really fortunate that this is a program with broad bipartisan support, that the White House and USDA have both stepped in to provide quite a bit of support for the program during the shutdown, she said. But even all of the extraordinary measures that have been taken only get us through October. It is entirely fair to say that there needs to be a certain amount of urgency to make sure that we dont see folks losing access to WIC benefits as soon as November.

Carolyn Vega is associate director of policy analysis at Share Our Strength, a nonprofit that seeks to address hunger and poverty and oversees a No Kid Hungry campaign that is focused on ending child hunger.

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Vega worries about the different groups who are most likely to suffer, including single-parent households and children who may show up to school hungry. (There are federal food assistance programs offered at schools, including for breakfast and lunch, which are not expected to be impacted by the shutdown.)

The fastest and best way to address the looming hunger cliff is for USDA to step in and provide the benefits that families are eligible for and are counting on, Vega said.

This cliff comes as the Trump administration announced in September that it would stop tracking food insecurity in American households through an annual report, claiming through a news release that the work was redundant, costly and politicized. Schwartz criticized the move, and its broader implications amid the shutdown.

That measure has been around for as long as I can remember, and Ive been in the field for a pretty long time, she said. The fact that theyve just decided not to measure it  its like theyre trying to make it harder to really document the harm thats occurring.

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Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy, and give us feedback.

U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt on Thursday called for a debate between the three leading candidates in Texas Republican Senate primary, arguing that voters should hear from the candidates beyond the millions they are spending on paid advertising.

Hunt, R-Houston, launched his Senate bid earlier this month, joining incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton in the bitter and expensive race for the GOP nomination. The three have exchanged barbs on social media and in advertisements but have yet to schedule a formal debate ahead of the March 3 primary.

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In a memo addressed to the political consulting firms working for Cornyn and Paxton, Hunt laid out his case for setting up a debate that he said should take place before Thanksgiving. He also proposed a format, calling for a 75-minute debate based in his hometown of Houston.

Although we are still over four months away from our March 3, 2026 primary, this race has already seen over $40 million spent to influence Texas Republican primary voters, Hunt wrote. Therefore, it makes sense that voters not only learn about the race and our candidates through paid ads but also hear directly from the candidates. Anyone seeking our partys nomination must be able to defend their past and present positions and present a clear vision for the future of our state and nation.

Implicit in Hunts proposal are his critiques of his opponents. The second-term congressman has aggressively gone after Cornyn for spearheading a bipartisan gun safety bill and previously voicing skepticism about President Donald Trumps electability. And while Hunt has been gracious to Paxton  both are pitching themselves as anti-establishment candidates who are more conservative than Cornyn  he has presented himself as a younger, MAGA-aligned Republican who can carry on Trumps agenda well into the future.

Hunts debate proposal comes amid increasing tensions with Cornyns campaign. Since his Oct. 6 campaign launch, he has used an array of media interviews, podcast appearances, video compilations and social media posts to accuse Cornyn of being insufficiently supportive of Trumps political movement.

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Cornyn has publicly shot back at Hunt, disputing the congressmans characterization of his gun legislation and slamming him for missing votes in the House. Cornyns campaign also recently re-upped Hunts own past comments praising former Trump foe Nikki Haley and criticizing Trump for attacking former Sen. John McCains military service.

Polling has shown the contest is likely to be decided in a May runoff, with no candidate within striking distance of the 50% vote share needed to win the nomination in March. Recent public polls have shown Cornyn and Paxton running neck-and-neck with between 30% and 40% support, with Hunt typically falling closer to 20%. Hunts campaign has put out its own polling showing him beating either opponent in a head-to-head race.

Hunts proposal calls for a live debate with 60 minutes for questions from a neutral moderator and 15 minutes for each candidate to ask a question of the other two. He urged Cornyn and Paxtons camps to schedule a call as early as this Friday to hash out the details.

This race cannot be about a personal blood feud between candidates, Hunt concluded his memo. It should focus on the policies that Texans care about most.

Wesley Hunt debate memoDownload
Hit hard by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa and its winds over 180 mph, sections of Jamaica have been left in ruin with many structures and roads destroyed.

Though authorities do not yet have a full reckoning of the loss of life and damage, the island nation will likely require months and possibly even years of recovery efforts.

Countries from around the world are pledging support and Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement saying the United States has sent rescue-and-response teams to the areas affected by the hurricane, but there are ways you can help as well.

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Here are several local organizations and municipalities, along with national organizations, that are contributing to the relief effort:

Local Organizations

City of Riviera Beach: The city is collaborating with local organizations, faith-based partners, and international relief agencies to deliver assistance where its needed most. Efforts include supplying food, water, hygiene, and medical resources, supporting displaced families and impacted communities, long-term rebuilding and recovery initiatives. There are also links to donate money safely.

Details: City of Riviera Beach. rivierabch.com/Melissainfo

Place of Hope: The organization is collecting nonperishable food items and can openers, charcoal, first-aid kits, toilet paper, soap, hand sanitizer, feminine hygiene products, and garbage bags, tarps and portable cell phone chargers at their Sam & Connie Frankino KidSanctuary Campus Compassion Center.

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Details: 432 Safe Haven Drive, West Palm Beach. 561-775-7195 placeofhope.com/kid-sanctuary

Free Spirit Outreach: Free Spirit is collecting bedding, blankets, ready-to-eat food, canned goods and money. The West Palm Beach-based ministry has people in Jamaica already providing assistance.

Details: 2300 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach. 561-600-8817; freespiritoutreach.org

Living Well Community Center: The Boynton Beach nonprofit is collecting money, donations and supplies including first-aid kits, food items, generators and medical supplies including blood pressure and Accu-chek machines. They are also sending a team of medical professionals to the island.

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Details: 8200 Jog Road, Boynton Beach. 561-358-1722; livingwellcommunitycarecenter.org

National Organizations

Catholic Relief Services: The organization is committing $1 million to relief efforts and is seeking donations. crs.org/donate/hurricane-melissa

American Friends of Jamaica: They just announced a $1 million dollar matching fund to support relief and recovery efforts. theafj.org

Direct Relief: The group has set up a link to donate directly to their Hurricane Melissa Response. donate.directrelief.org/give

Project Hope: The organization already has teams on the ground in Jamaica and has set up a link to donate directly to this effort. give.projecthope.org/page/FY25_Melissa

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Send Relief: This collaboration between the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board is the Southern Baptists' global compassion ministry. It has set up a direct link for relief efforts. sendrelief.org/projects/hurricane-melissa

Global Giving: Their Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund will directly support emergency relief efforts in Jamaica as well as Cuba, Haiti and the Bahamas. globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-melissa

World Food Program USA: They have set up a direct contribution and share link on their website for Hurricane Melissa relief. donate.wfpusa.org/page/Hurricane

CARE: The organization has a direct link on its homepage for providing relief to residents of Jamaica and other Caribbean nations affected. care.org/site/Donation

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GiveDirectly: This group is known for giving cash directly to people living in poverty and has a direct link for helping victims of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. givedirectly.org/hurricanemelissa

Americares: The group will offer direct assistance to residents of Jamaica affected by Hurricane Melissa and is deploying teams to the island nation. americares.org/emergency-program/hurricane

Salvation Army: give.salvationarmyusa.org

American Red Cross: redcross.org/donate/donation

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Hurricane Melissa devastated areas of Jamaica. How you can help
PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)  The impacts of Hurricane Melissa were not only felt in Jamaica but also affected people here in Eastern North Carolina.

Local Chief of Run A Boat Jamaican Kitchen restaurant, Robert Lindsay, is a native of the island and has family and friends still living back home.

Robert was finally able to speak with his sister today after Melissa made landfall in Jamaica.

I feel good because at one point I couldnt sleep, I was up all night the night before the hurricane, said Lindsay. And I was up until like four just calling people, talking to them.

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Hurricane Melissa has now dropped from a Category 5 to a Category 3 as it moves over to Cuba.

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 WNCT.
(This story was updated to add new information.)

Monster storm Hurricane Melissa rampaged over Jamaica as one of the most powerful hurricanes on record before sweeping over Cuba and the Bahamas this week, leaving destroyed homes, flooded communities, widespread power outages and dozens dead. After temporarily weakening to a Category 1, Melissa has strengthened back into a Category 2 hurricane and is expected to approach Bermuda today and tonight, Oct. 30, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.

The storm currently has maximum sustained winds of 105 mph with higher gusts and has picked up speed, heading north-northwest away from the Caribbean and hundreds of miles off the coast of Florida at 31 mph.

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The entire coast of Florida is under a small craft advisory. Dangerous rip currents and rough waves are expected along much of the coast through Friday, the National Weather Service said.

 Track Hurricane Melissa

 Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location

Significant impacts to Florida and the U.S. East Coast are not expected at this time.

Hurricane Melissa latest satellite images, weather graphics

Spaghetti models for Hurricane Melissa. See trajectory, path

Special note about spaghetti models: Spaghetti model 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.

Where is Hurricane Melissa now? Where is it headed?

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.

Is a hurricane coming to Florida?

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.

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Forecasters caution residents to monitor the tropics and stay prepared.

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No watches or warnings associated with Hurricane Melissa are in effect for Florida or the U.S. as of Oct. 28. A small craft advisory is in effect and dangerous rip currents are expected through Friday.

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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Hurricane Melissa trajectory, track, spaghetti models. Florida update
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba  Hurricane Melissa left at least dozens dead and caused widespread destruction across Cuba, Haiti and Jamaica, where roofless homes, toppled utility poles and water-logged furniture dominated the landscape Wednesday.

A landslide blocked the main roads of Santa Cruz in Jamaicas St. Elizabeth parish, where the streets were reduced to mud pits. Residents swept water from homes as they tried to salvage belongings. Wind ripped off part of the roof at a high school that serves as a public shelter.

I never see anything like this before in all my years living here, resident Jennifer Small said.

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The extent of the damage from the deadly hurricane was unclear Wednesday as widespread power outages and dangerous conditions persisted in the region.

It is too early for us to say definitively, said Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaicas education minister.

Melissa made landfall Tuesday in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with top winds of 185 mph (295 kph), one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, before weakening and moving on to Cuba, but even countries outside the direct path of the massive storm felt its devastating effects.

At least 25 people have died across Haiti and 18 are missing, Haitis Civil Protection Agency said in a statement Wednesday. Twenty of those reported dead and 10 of the missing are from a southern coastal town where flooding collapsed dozens of homes. At least eight are dead in Jamaica.

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In Cuba, officials reported collapsed houses, blocked mountain roads and roofs blown off buildings Wednesday, with the heaviest destruction concentrated in the southwest and northwest. Authorities said about 735,000 people remained in shelters.

That was hell. All night long, it was terrible, said Reinaldo Charon in Santiago de Cuba. The 52-year-old was one of the few people venturing out Wednesday, covered by a plastic sheet in the intermittent rain.

Forecasters expect Melissa, now a Category 1 hurricane, to bring dangerous winds, flooding and storm surge to the Bahamas on Wednesday night.



In Jamaica, more than 25,000 people were packed into shelters Wednesday after the storm ripped roofs off their homes and left them temporarily homeless. Dixon said 77% of the island was without power.

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The outages complicated assessing the damage because of a total communication blackout in areas, Richard Thompson, acting director general of Jamaicas Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, told the Nationwide News Network radio station.

Recovery will take time, but the government is fully mobilized, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said in a statement. Relief supplies are being prepared, and we are doing everything possible to restore normalcy quickly.

Officials in Black River, Jamaica, a southwestern coastal town of approximately 5,000 people, pleaded for aid at a news conference Wednesday.

Catastrophic is a mild term based on what we are observing, Mayor Richard Solomon said.

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Solomon said the local rescue infrastructure had been demolished by the storm. The hospital, police units and emergency services were inundated by floods and unable to conduct emergency operations.

Jamaican Transportation Minister Daryl Vaz said two of the islands airports will reopen Wednesday to relief flights only, with U.N. agencies and dozens of nonprofits on standby to distribute basic goods.

The devastation is enormous, he said. We need all hands on deck to recover stronger and to help those in need at this time.

The United States is sending rescue and response teams to assist in recovery efforts in the Caribbean, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X.

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St. Elizabeth Police Superintendent Coleridge Minto told Nationwide News Network on Wednesday that authorities have found at least four bodies in southwest Jamaica. One death was reported in the west when a tree fell on a baby, state minister Abka Fitz-Henley told Nationwide News Network.

Before landfall, Melissa had already been blamed for three deaths in Jamaica, three in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic.



Hurricane Melissa damaged more than 160 homes and destroyed 80 others in the town of Petit-Goave, where 10 of the 20 people killed there were children, Haitis Civil Protection Agency said Wednesday.

Lawyer Charly Saint-Vil, 30, said he saw bodies lying among the debris after the storm as he walked the streets of the small coastal town where he grew up. People screamed as they searched for their missing children, he said.

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People have lost everything, Saint-Vil said.

Although the immediate threat of the storm has passed, Saint-Vil said Petit-Goaves residents were living in fear about access to medicine, water and food in the coming days given the political instability in Haiti.

We dont know what will happen tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, he said.

For now, neighbors are helping one another source necessities and find places to sleep. Saint-Vil is hosting a number of friends who lost their homes in his small apartment.

What I can do, I will do it, but its not easy because the situation is really complicated for everyone, he said.

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People in the eastern Cuban province of Santiago de Cuba began clearing debris around the collapsed walls of their homes Wednesday after Melissa made landfall in the region hours earlier.

Life is what matters, Alexis Ramos, a 54-year-old fisherman, said as he surveyed his destroyed home and shielded himself from the intermittent rain with a yellow raincoat. Repairing this costs money, a lot of money.

Local media showed images of the Juan Bruno Zayas Clinical Hospital with severe damage: glass scattered across the floor, waiting rooms in ruins and masonry walls crumpled on the ground.

As soon as conditions allow, we will begin the recovery. We are ready, President Miguel Diaz-Canel wrote on X.

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The hurricane could worsen Cubas severe economic crisis, which already has led to prolonged power blackouts along with fuel and food shortages.

Cubas National Institute of Hydraulic Resources reported accumulated rainfall of 15 inches (38 centimeters) in Charco Redondo and 14 inches (36 centimeters) in Las Villas Reservoir.

Wednesday night Melissa had top sustained winds of 90 mph (150 kph) and was moving north-northeast at 16 mph (26 kph) according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami. The hurricane was centered about 65 miles (100 kilometers) east of the central Bahamas and about 860 miles (1,385 kilometers) southwest of Bermuda.

Authorities in the Bahamas were evacuating dozens of people from the archipelagos southeast corner ahead of Melissas arrival.

Melissas center is forecast to move through southeastern Bahamas later Wednesday, generating up to 7 feet (2 meters) of storm surge in the area. By late Thursday, Melissa is expected to pass just west of Bermuda.


Hurricane Melissa brought devastation and death to the Caribbean as it tore through the region as one of the most powerful Atlantic storms in more than 150 years.

Torrential downpours and forceful winds unleashed widespread destruction along the storms path in Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas. At least 30 people have died, though the full toll of the catastrophic storm may take days or weeks to be determined.

As the hurricane headed toward Bermuda early Thursday, emergency officials in countries along Melissas path have begun to pick up the pieces  clearing roads to reach isolated communities in need of relief.

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Andrew Holness, the prime minister of Jamaica, traveled to some of the hardest-hit areas of the island nation Wednesday to survey the significant damage caused by punishing winds and widespread flooding.

Despite the difficulties, the Jamaican spirit shines through as a strong reminder that we are a resilient nation with the capacity to triumph over adversity, he wrote on social media.

Path of destruction

In the Caribbean, hotter-than-average waters paired with minimally disruptive winds higher in the atmosphere to create the perfect fuel and prime conditions for Melissa to strengthen.

Melissa rapidly intensified, jumping from a 70 mph tropical storm on Saturday morning to a 140 mph Category 4 hurricane Sunday morning.

Residents stand on a beach covered with debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, in Santiago, Cuba, on Wednesday. - Norlys Perez/Reuters

By Tuesday, Melissa had morphed into a high-end Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, tying it with four other hurricanes as the second-strongest storm recorded in the Atlantic since records began in 1851.

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As it headed toward Jamaica, where it slammed into the coast as a Category 5 storm on Tuesday, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned it expected the situation to be catastrophic.

For Jamaica, it will be the storm of the century for sure, WMO tropical cyclone specialist Anne-Claire Fontan said.

Overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, it crossed into eastern Cuba, still a formidable Category 3 hurricane by the time it made landfall in the province of Santiago de Cuba.

By the time it reached the Bahamas on Wednesday, Hurricane Melissa had been downgraded to a Category 1, but its broad wind field continued to drive torrential flooding rain, damaging winds and dangerous storm surge at the coast.

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More than 735,000 people were evacuated in Cuba as Melissa approached, according to President Miguel Diaz-Canel, while in the Bahamas, preliminary estimates show 1,485 residents were evacuated before all flights were suspended ahead of the approaching storm.

Evacuation orders were also issued for six islands in the Bahamas.

Other countries, including the Dominican Republic and Haiti, also felt the cataclysmic impacts of Melissa.

Traffic and flooding are seen after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in St Elizabeth, Jamaica, on Wednesday. - Maria Alejandra Cardona/Reuters

Devastation left behind

Across the Caribbean, officials painted a consistent picture of the destruction Melissa left behind.

The conditions here are devastating. Catastrophic is a mild term based on what we are observing here, Richard Solomon, the mayor of the southwest Jamaican city of Black River, where Hurricane Melissa made landfall, said in a video posted by the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

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Around 140,000 people were cut off as the storm pummeled the island, the government has said.

A CNN crew observed residents and military personnel push more than a dozen ambulances past storm debris in the town of Santa Cruz as the medical convoy headed to a coastal area in western Jamaica, which was hit hard.

A woman looks out from inside a house in Alligator Pond, Jamaica, on Wednesday. - Octavio Jones/Reuters

Authorities in Jamaica have recovered at least four bodies in the badly hit St. Elizabeth Parish in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a source in the government told CNN on Wednesday. The Jamaica Constabulary Force confirmed eight more deaths on Thursday in Westmoreland, Hanover and St. James.

Three people also died during storm preparations.

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Holness declared the country a disaster area Tuesday, as he sought to deter price gouging.

We must continue to proactively maintain stability, protect consumers, and prevent any exploitation at a time when citizens are securing food, water, and supplies, Holness said.

Around 77% of the country was left without electricity after Melissa crossed, a spokesperson said. The countrys infrastructure has taken a battering, leaving it severely compromised, according to Desmond McKenzie, Jamaicas minister of local government and community development.

Around 25,000 tourists remained in Jamaica as the country emerged from the storm, Dana Morris Dixon, minister of education, skills, youth and information, said in a statement.

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In the already beleaguered country of Haiti, 23 people have died and 13 are missing, the countrys Civil Protection Agency said Wednesday. Twenty of the deaths, including 10 children, happened when a flooded river in Petit-Goave burst its banks, the agency said, revising an earlier death toll of 25 reported by the mayor.

Steven Guadard, who lives in Petit-Goave, told the Associated Press the storm killed his entire family.

I had four children at home: a 1-month-old baby, a 7-year-old, an 8-year-old and another who was about to turn 4, he said.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said Hurricane Melissa had wrought significant damage on the island.

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It has been a highly complex night, with significant damage reported, Diaz-Canel wrote on X. I urge our people to remain vigilant, to uphold discipline, and to continue taking all necessary precautions.

Recovery efforts

Several international efforts have already been launched to aid in the recovery efforts.

The United Kingdom said on Wednesday it was deploying 2.5 million ($3.3 million) in emergency humanitarian funding.

Chinas ambassador to Cuba shared a video on social media showing hundreds of boxes labeled as family kit being transported from a warehouse.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday authorized an immediate US response to mobilize support for affected communities in the Caribbean, according to a statement released by the State Department.

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Within hours, Secretary of State Marco Rubio deployed a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team, including urban search-and-rescue teams, to assess needs and provide search and recovery assistance, the statement read.

The State Department is collaborating with UN agencies, NGOs, and host governments to deliver food, water, medical supplies, hygiene kits, temporary shelter, and search and rescue support.

The Jamaican government launched an official website for relief and recovery efforts, where users can access updates on flooding locations or blocked roads and locate shelters.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Derek Van Dam, Devon Sayers, Mary Gilbert, Elise Hammond, Joe Sutton, Avery Schmitz, and Max Saltman contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Editor's note: This page summarizes Hurricane Melissa news for Thursday, Oct. 30. For the latest news on Hurricane Melissa, please visit USA TODAY's coverage for Friday, Oct. 31.

Parts of the Caribbean are conducting search and rescue operations and surveying the extensive destruction Hurricane Melissa brought to the region, leaving dozens of people dead and drawing an outpouring of support from the international community.

Melissa tore through the Caribbean as one of the most powerful storms in recorded history and made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a deadly Category 5 hurricane. By Thursday, the storm had further weakened as it moved over the southeastern Bahamas and toward Bermuda, about 500 miles off the U.S. East Coast.

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The hardest-hit areas include Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, where damaging winds and severe flooding from storm surge and days of rainfall destroyed homes and tore down utility poles.

A resident stands at a flooded section of Port Royal in Kingston on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. A man covers the windows of his home with corrugated iron ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Melissa in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa strengthened Monday as it took aim at Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean as a top-level Category 5 storm, with forecasters predicting catastrophic flooding and urging residents to seek shelter immediately. After passing over Jamaica, the storm was forecast to head north and cross over eastern Cuba on Tuesday night, while continuing to bring rain and heavy winds to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. A man watches the waves crash into the walls at the Kingston Waterfront on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. A motorist drives along flooded Michael Manley Boulevard in Kingston, Jamaica, as Jamaica starts to feel the effects of Hurricane Mellisa on October 26, 2025. Hurricane Melissa, already a major category 4 storm, gathered steam Sunday as it took aim at Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, with forecasters predicting catastrophic flooding and urging residents to seek shelter immediately. A coconut tree sways in the wind at the Kingston Waterfront on Ocean Boulevard in Kingston, Jamaica, as Jamaica starts to feel the effects of Hurricane Mellisa on Oct. 26, 2025. Hurricane Melissa was cutting a deadly path in the Caribbean on the night of October 25, with rapid intensification expected over the weekend as it took a worryingly slow course toward Jamaica and the island of Hispaniola, forecasters said. Waves crash onto the beach in Kingston on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. Satellite image of Hurricane Melissa as of 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. People fill bags with sand in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in Port Royal, Jamaica on Oct. 26, 2025. Alfred Veitch places concrete blocks on top of his chicken coop, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in Port Royal, Jamaica on Oct. 26, 2025. A person watches waves crash on the beach, ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in Port Royal, Jamaica on Oct. 26, 2025. Fishermen move a boat to higher ground, in preparation of Hurricane Melissa, in Port Royal, Jamaica on Oct. 26, 2025. Empty counters at the airport, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in Kingston, Jamaica on Oct. 25, 2025. People load sandbags onto a vehicle, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in the Harbour View neighborhood of Kingston, Jamaica on Oct. 25, 2025. The National Hurricane Center reports Melissa has strengthened into a hurricane in the Caribbean on Oct. 25 and could soon rapidly intensify into a monstrous Category 4 or 5 storm, bringing perilous threats of rain, winds and storm surge to northern Caribbean islands.



A drone view shows a vehicle driving along a flooded street amid rain caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 24, 2025. People transit on a motorcycle through a street flooded by rains caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 23, 2025. People look on at the entrance to their homes on a street flooded by rains caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 23, 2025. A woman is standing on a street flooded by rains caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 23, 2025. A drone view shows water rushing through a spillway at the Sabaneta Dam as water levels are elevated due to Tropical Storm Melissa, in Sabaneta, Dominican Republic October 23, 2025. People walk through a flooded street amid rain caused by Tropical storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 24, 2025. A woman walks along a flooded street amid rain caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 24, 2025. A drone view shows a flooded area amid rain caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 24, 2025. Gas pumps are wrapped in plastic at a Texaco station as part of storm preparations, ahead of Tropical Storm Melissa, which is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the area, in Kingston, Jamaica, October 25, 2025. Workers board up a business ahead of the potential impact of Tropical Storm Melissa, in Kingston, Jamaica, October 24, 2025. Hurricane Melissa slams the Caribbean. See the floods and impact on residents in photos 1 of 23 A resident stands at a flooded section of Port Royal in Kingston on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island.

Rescue and recovery operations are hampered by widespread power outages, communications failures, and blocked roads. The death toll is growing  with more than 50 deaths attributed to the storm in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic  as authorities continued to verify reported deaths.

"There are entire communities that seem to be marooned and also areas that have been flattened," said Jamaican Minister of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information Dana Dixon. "We are trying to get to the areas that have been marooned. We will get there... we are going to get to every single Jamaican and give them support.

The entire Jamaica is really broken because of what has happened, but we remain resilient," Dixon said.

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Countries, including the United States, have pledged support in the form of cash, food aid, and rescue teams. On Thursday, an Urban Search and Rescue team from Fairfax, Virginia, posted photos on social media as the team flew out to Jamaica as part of the U.S. State Department's post-hurricane response to the country.

See satellite images: Hurricane Melissa's devastation in Jamaica

Over 50 deaths reported in Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic

Authorities in Haiti, which was battered with days of rain, said Thursday that at least 30 people were killed in the storm and 20 more were missing. At least 23 people, including 10 children, died due to floods in Petit-Goave, a coastal town about 40 miles west of the capital, where a river burst its banks.

In Jamaica, officials said they had dedicated a helicopter to the recovery of bodies. The country's information minister told Reuters on Thursday that at least 19 people were killed in the storm.

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Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica's minister of local government and community development, acknowledged during a news briefing earlier in the day that there were casualties and the number was expected to rise. He urged the public to wait for official confirmation from local authorities.

At least two deaths were reported in the Dominican Republic, including one person who died before the storm made landfall, according to the Pan American Health Organization. Before landfall, authorities also reported the storm caused three deaths in Jamaica and three in Haiti.

No deaths were reported in Cuba as of Thursday, but authorities said the island had suffered severe damage. According to Francisco Pichon, resident coordinator for Cuba at the United Nations, more than 200 communities are entirely cut off by flooding and landslides, so more information about potential casualties would be forthcoming as responders access them.

Debris lies in an affected area on Oct. 30, 2025, two days after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Black River, Jamaica.

Power outages, widespread damage reported in hard-hit Jamaica

Over 70% of electrical customers in Jamaica remained without power as of Thursday morning, said the country's Energy Minister Daryl Vaz. Many schools remained without power or water, officials said.

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Aerial footage and photos showed downed power lines strewn across the island's roadways. More than 130 roads remained blocked by trees and debris, authorities said.

Members of the Jamaica Defence Force cleared roadways on foot into isolated areas as ambulances followed close behind. One road in the hard-hit coastal town of Black River was swamped with more than four feet of sand stretching over a mile, according to officials.

In a neighborhood of the island's Montego Bay, 77-year-old Alfred Hines waded barefoot through thick mud and debris as he described his narrow escape from the rising floodwaters.

"At one stage, I see the water at my waist and (after) about 10 minutes, I see it around my neck here and I make my escape," he told Reuters. "I just want to forget it and things come back to normal."

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Search and rescue teams from the United States were heading to Jamaica on Thursday to assist in recovery efforts, authorities said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. was prepared to offer "immediate humanitarian aid" to the people of Cuba.

On Oct. 30, 2025, a woman sits inside a helicopter to be taken to a hospital by members of the Jamaican Defence Force, after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Black River, Jamaica.

Delivery of relief supplies, access for emergency vehicles

Jamaican officials are using helicopters to deliver relief supplies and transfer patients to other hospitals, Dixon and others said during a news conference. In some locations, helicopters have been unable to find clear spots to land, she said.

Dixon also described grueling work being done in some locations to clear roads to allow access for emergency vehicles, such as crews using machetes to cut through bamboo plants.

Officials also described a great anxiety and uncertainty among island residents who have been unable to contact family members in some of the hardest-hit and flooded areas. Some airports were reopened on Thursday for relief flights.

Bermuda prepares for Hurricane Melissa's approach

Bermuda was preparing on Thursday for Melissa to pass nearby to its west overnight. Hurricane- and tropical storm-force winds extend far out from its center and will still reach Bermuda, the National Hurricane Center said.

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Conditions are expected to "rapidly deteriorate" in Bermuda through the evening on Thursday, with strong winds, hazardous seas, and dangerous rip currents. At 11 p.m. ET, Melissa had maximum sustained winds of 100 mph and was centered about 160 miles west-southwest of Bermuda, the hurricane center said.

A hurricane warning was in effect, and forecasters warned that "preparations should be rushed to completion" before tropical storm-force winds reach Bermuda.

The country expected to close its causeway Thursday night and shutter schools and ferries on Friday "out of an abundance of caution," National Security Minister Michael Weeks said in a statement. "I implore all residents to remain vigilant while we navigate another natural threat to our way of life," he said.

An expanded and weakened Hurricane Melissa makes its way north on the afternoon of Oct. 30, about 500 miles off the U.S. coast and west of Bermuda, where strong winds and rough seas were forecast.

A statement from the Bermuda Tourism Authority emphasized the country's track record of hurricane resilience and advised tourists to follow official updates and contact travel providers with questions about any changes in operations. The Bermuda Hotel Association offers a Hurricane Guarantee for travelers that offers penalty-free cancellations when itineraries are disrupted by hurricanes, the authority stated.

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Even as Bermuda battened down for its own brush with Melissa, Premier David Burt pledged the countrys support for Jamaica, which he termed a resilient country with a proud history and a strong connection to Bermuda.

The path to recovery and rebuilding will be a long process and we will continue to work with the Government and people of Jamaica to help where we can, Burt stated. We will play our part as that resilience is tested and join the regional and international effort to aid the recovery.

A 5 p.m., Oct. 30 map from the National Hurricane Center shows the projected track of a weakening Hurricane Melissa.

Melissa could graze Canada on its way out to sea

After zooming by Bermuda, Melissa will continue northeast, passing the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland on Saturday morning as an "extratropical" hurricane-strength storm, according to Houston-based meteorologist Matt Lanza on his blog "The Eyewall." That means it won't be classified as a hurricane.

"On the current track, forecast impacts would be mostly minor to moderate in southeast Newfoundland and the Avalon Peninsula, with the worst of the storm remaining offshore," he said. "If for some reason the storm tracks closer to Atlantic Canada, impacts would worsen in Newfoundland. As of now, this looks like a manageable storm, albeit one with the usual hazards from gusty winds to heavy rain to rough seas and high tides in Newfoundland."

US East Coast could see 'life-threatening' surf from Melissa

Despite being far out to sea, Melissa could still impact beachgoers along the U.S. East Coast.

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Ocean swells generated by Melissa are "likely to reach the coast of the northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada Friday and persist into the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," the hurricane center said.

Meteorologist: Climate change likely a factor in Melissa's rapid intensification

Melissa rapidly intensified last weekend from a tropical storm to a ferocious major hurricane in less than a day, which many scientists say is a clear signal of human-caused climate change due to the burning of fossil fuels.

Why is this? Climate change increases the rapid intensification of hurricanes by making ocean waters warmer, which provides more fuel for storms. Hurricanes gain strength as they move over warm seawater.

"Increasing the amount of heat in the ocean increases the odds of rapid intensification, with the largest increases in peak intensification rates occurring for the most extreme cases," noted meteorologist Jeff Masters on the Yale Climate Connections blog in August.

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In addition, air that's warmer holds more moisture and warmer oceans reduce wind shear, allowing storms to strengthen more quickly and become more powerful.

All of this leads to a higher probability of rapid intensification and a greater number of more intense hurricanes.

One study from 2024, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, said that the worlds most intense hurricanes are growing even more intense, fueled by rising temperatures in the ocean and atmosphere.

American tourist remains stranded in Jamaica

Tourists who were unable to leave Jamaica before Melissa hit experienced the storms full force and are now stranded on the island due to flight cancellations.

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Jen Eley, a teacher from Silver Spring, Maryland, was on vacation at the RIU Aquarelle resort in Falmouth, Jamaica, when the storm hit. Falmouth is in northwestern Jamaica.

"I went to Jamaica with a friend to celebrate her birthday," she said via text on Thursday. "We arrived on Thursday and were set to leave on Monday.

"Once the storm finally started, there was a lot of wind and rain. We boarded up the balcony door/window in our room with the bed's box spring, the dresser, and couch. During the storm we heard a lot of commotion in the hallways, I'm assuming from the wind and debris."

She said that at one point, everything went silent for about 90 minutes, then the wind picked up again "and we could feel the building swaying. After the rain stopped, there was a strange howling sound from the wind that was loud, constant, and all night long."

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Eley said she's still not sure when she'll return to the United States  spotty cell service and internet access have made it difficult to book another return flight.

State department issues declaration of humanitarian need for Cuba after Hurricane Melissa

Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement on Thursday regarding Melissas devastation of eastern Cuba. The Trump administration stands with the brave Cuban people who continue to struggle to meet basic needs, stated Rubio, whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba in 1956.

As in neighboring communities, the state department is issuing a declaration of humanitarian need for Cuba and is prepared to provide immediate humanitarian assistance directly and via local partners who can most effectively deliver it to those in need.

Although the U.S. has an economic embargo against Cuba, there are exemptions and authorizations for private donations of food, medicine, other humanitarian supplies and disaster reply, according to the departments statement. Anyone who wants to directly support the Cuban people should contact the state department if there are questions or issues at CubaHumanitarian@state.gov.

Maricel Ramirez, 70, sweeps flood water from her home on Oct. 30, 2025, after it was damaged by Hurricane Melissa, in El Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

The strained relationship between the U.S. and Cuba for more than 60 years has produced a mixed record on offers and acceptance of aid between the two countries.

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Former President George W. Bush's administration declined Cubas offer to send doctors to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

After Gustav in 2008, the US provided $100,000 in immediate emergency assistance to non-governmental organizations working in humanitarian relief in Cuba. The U.S. also committed to providing up to $5 million in relief assistance to Cuban hurricane victims. But a day after the assistance was offered, the Cuban government declined the offer. Cuba has maintained relief partnerships with other countries.

After Category 5 Hurricane Irma struck the island in 2017, the U.S. sent response teams to other Caribbean islands, but did not send a team to Cuba. That's because the smaller country had not made a required request for assistance, USA TODAY previously reported.

After Hurricane Ian in 2022, Cubas government requested emergency assistance after the entire island lost electricity. The U.S. said it would provide $2 million for emergency relief through the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Hurricane Melissa has wreaked havoc: Here's how you can help.

How you can help Caribbean nations devastated by Hurricane Melissa

Humanitarian organizations have begun mobilizing to provide immediate relief and prepare for long-term recovery after the storm.

You can help with donations and other forms of support for organizations, including American Friends of Jamaica, the American Red Cross, Americares, CARE, Global Giving, the Salvation Army, and several others. See a full list here.

Jamaican officials also launched the Support Jamaica website at https://supportjamaica.gov.jm/ where you can make a donation. The government also warned that there have been "nefarious individuals" collecting money on behalf of the government, but only sites that end in .gov.jm are official government sites.

Damaged trees and debris after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, in Black River, Jamaica, October 30, 2025. REUTERS/Octavio Jones

Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg and Samantha Neely, USA TODAY; Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Melissa updates: Jamaica and Cuba survey deadly devastation
Civil society organisations and conservationists in Assam have urged authorities to declare the Roumari-Donduwa Wetland Complex within Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary as a Ramsar Site, citing its international ecological significance and rich avian biodiversity. A one-day workshop on "Conservation of Wetlands of Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaziranga Tiger Reserve" was recently held at Nowgong Girls' College, Nagaon. The event was jointly organised by the Centre for Sustainable Development, Nowgong Girls' College, and the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve (KTR) to deliberate on strategies for conserving the Laokhowa wetlands and their role in maintaining biodiversity. The workshop, moderated by Dr. Smarajit Ojah, OSD, Directorate of Higher Education, Assam, and Ashish Saikia, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Nowgong Girls' College, brought together over 60 researchers, educators, conservationists, students, and forest officials. Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, delivered the keynote address, noting that Laokhowa and the adjoining Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries form buffer components of the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve and serve as connectivity corridors for wild animals migrating across the Kaziranga-Orang landscape. She underscored the ecological importance of Laokhowa's wetlands in sustaining avian diversity and ecosystem services and urged researchers and students to document various ecological aspects of the wetlands to strengthen conservation databases and long-term monitoring. Dr. Nilutpal Mahanta, Senior Manager, WE Foundation India, made a presentation on "Methodology of Documenting Avian Species of Wetlands," explaining scientific protocols and monitoring techniques used in avifaunal surveys and the importance of systematic data collection. A detailed presentation on the Roumari-Donduwa Wetland Complex was delivered by Dr. Smarajit Ojah, Neeraj Bora, Research Scholar, Nagaon University, and Chiranjib Bora, Research Scholar, Gauhati University. They highlighted records of rare and critically endangered waterbird species, including the Knob-billed Duck, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Black-necked Stork, Ferruginous Pochard, and Common Pochard, underscoring the site's global ecological value. Dr. Bhuban Chandra Chutia, Assistant Professor, Nowgong University, and Bipul Kr. Bora, Associate Professor (Retd.), ADP College, discussed the roles of educational institutions and civil society in wetland conservation. Dr. Pranab Jyoti Bora, Senior Coordinator, WWF-India, and wildlife filmmaker Prasanta Kr. Bordoloi, also spoke on the unique avian ecology of the Laokhowa wetlands within the Kaziranga landscape. Dilwar Hussain of the Laokhowa-Burhachapori Wildlife Conservation Society presented a historical overview of the wetlands and called for declaring the Roumari-Donduwa complex as a Ramsar Site, citing its ecological vulnerability and the need for habitat restoration. Noirrita Priyadarshini, Research Scholar, Tezpur University, said that the Roumari-Donduwa Wetland Complex fulfilled eight out of nine Ramsar criteria, given its biodiversity and importance for migratory birds. A video compilation by Suhashini Handique, M.Sc. student, Gauhati University, featuring interviews with birders and researchers such as Prachi Mehta, Sujon Chatterjee, Dr. Udayan Borthakur, and others, was also screened. The video showcased the avifaunal diversity and thriving ecology of the Roumari-Donduwa area, documented during the 6th Waterbird Census 2025 conducted in Kaziranga Tiger Reserve. The Assam Bird Monitoring Network also presented a memorandum to the Field Director, Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, advocating for Ramsar recognition and enhanced protection of the Roumari-Donduwa wetlands. As of October 2025, India has 93 Ramsar sites, with Tamil Nadu leading at 20, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10. Assam, despite having over 3,000 wetlands, has only one Ramsar site-Deepor Beel, designated in 2002. The Roumari and Donduwa wetlands within Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary together cover around 2.5-3 sq km and support over 120 resident and migratory bird species. The 6th Kaziranga Wetland Bird Census 2025 recorded over 47,000 birds from 163 species across both wetlands, surpassing the counts at Assam's only Ramsar site. In his closing remarks, Rajib Hazarika, DFO, Nagaon Wildlife Division, commended the joint initiative and pledged continued cooperation between the Forest Department and academic institutions. Dr. Kulen Ch. Das, Principal of Nowgong Girls' College, appreciated the proactive involvement of students and researchers and reaffirmed the College's commitment to sustained wetland conservation efforts. The workshop concluded with a unanimous call to declare the Roumari-Donduwa Wetland Complex as a Ramsar Site, stressing the need for institutional collaboration, long-term monitoring, and local participation to ensure the protection and sustainability of Laokhowa's wetland ecosystems. (ANI)
Hurricane Melissa is one of the strongest storms to hit the Caribbean in recent history, leaving thousands displaced, in the dark, and at least 44 dead. The storm hit Jamaica on Tuesday, marking the first time the island nation has faced a Category 5 hurricane, with sustained winds of 185 mph impacting up to 1.5 million people.

Though the storm has weakened over the last few days, Hurricane Melissa caused extensive damage and flooding, destroying hospitals, churches and homes.

According to USA Today, humanitarian organizations are pursuing relief efforts and already preparing for long-term recovery after the storm. Heres how you can support the work to help those impacted by Melissa.

Airlink

For the past 15 years, global humanitarian organization Airlink has responded to disasters and is working with partners to coordinate the movement of aid and relief workers to Jamaica amid widespread airport closures. The organization is accepting donations of cash, frequent flyer miles and cryptocurrency to support efforts.

The American Friends of Jamaica

The American Friends of Jamaica is a New York-based nonprofit thats assisted the island nation since 1982. Its board of directors is matching donations up to $1 million to support critical relief and recovery efforts in Jamaica needed after Melissa.

Americares

Since its founding in 1979, Americares has provided over $24 billion in aid to 164 countries and announced its preparation plans to respond in a news release before Melissa struck.

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Americares is ready to provide critically needed medicines and relief supplies as well as emergency funding to restore health services in affected communities. At the same time, the global health and disaster relief organization is preparing to send an emergency response team to the region. The team plans to deploy as soon as the storm passes and its safe to travel.

CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere)

CARE, an international humanitarian organization focused on anti-hunger and anti-poverty efforts, said in a statement that it will prioritize cash assistance to help families meet essential needs. The organization also has teams in Haiti working to identify and provide immediate support, including first aid, hygiene supplies, emergency food rations, water and water treatment kits and other shelter supplies.

CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort)

The Los Angeles-headquartered nonprofit CORE, which has provided support to the Caribbean following past storms, has deployed air cargo ships carrying hygiene kits, tarps, and essential relief supplies to Jamaica, with the backing of partner LIFT. The nonprofit also noted that its preparing to deploy resources in Haiti as soon as conditions allow.

Direct Relief

Direct Relief, an international humanitarian aid organization, has committed an initial $250,000 in emergency funding and made its entire inventory of medicines and medical supplies available to support communities in Jamaica impacted by the storm and other affected countries. It also dispatched medical aid, including 100 field medic packs and 250 hygiene kits, to the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Jamaica.

Footprint Project

Footprint Project, a New Orleans-based solar energy nonprofit, is prepared to ship more than 150 portable solar and battery power stations to Jamaica. Footprint Project is accepting cash and equipment donations; contact give@footprintproject.org for more information regarding equipment donations.

GlobalGiving

Crowdfunding nonprofit organization GlobalGiving is seeking support to provide search-and-rescue assistance, medical care, food, clean water, and temporary shelter to countries impacted by Melissa.

Good360

Virginia-based nonprofit Good360, which has partnered with vetted local nonprofits to provide disaster recovery, is working to assess needs on the ground and deploy pre-positioned supplies, generators, shelter materials, and other essentials, it noted in a news release.

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Our team is deeply committed to supporting affected communities during this challenging time, Good360 CEO Cinira Baldi said. We are working closely with our nonprofit partners and corporate donors to ensure that urgently needed goods are delivered to where theyre most needed.

International Medical Corps

International Medical Corps is working closely with local authorities in Jamaica to coordinate relief efforts and provide emergency medical teams, supplies and equipment as soon as conditions permit.

Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere)

Project HOPE, an international health and humanitarian aid organization, has an emergency response team ready to respond to urgent health, water, sanitation, hygiene, and mental health needs in Jamaica once the storm passes, Arlan Fuller, Project HOPEs director of emergency preparedness and response, said in a news release.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is mobilizing to provide immediate relief by delivering food, shelter and care to those affected by Melissa.

United Way

United Way is also working to provide food, water and shelter for those impacted by Melissa across the Caribbean.

World Central Kitchen

World Central Kitchen stated it was in Jamaica ahead of Melissas landfall and working with local partners to begin serving meals as quickly as possible to families impacted by the storm.

World Food Programme

The United Nations World Food Programme, the worlds largest humanitarian organization, is providing emergency food rations to feed hundreds of thousands of people in Jamaica, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

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Coordination is ongoing with the International Organization for Migration, UNICEF and others to move humanitarian supplies by air and sea, Brian Bogart, who leads WFPs Caribbean Multi-Country Office in Barbados, said in a news release of stocks prepositioned there.







The post Hurricane Melissa Relief: Heres How To Help Those In The Caribbean Impacted By The Storm appeared first on Blavity.
People across the northern Caribbean are beginning to dig out from the destruction of Hurricane Melissa, as deaths from the catastrophic storm climbed to at least 28 across Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, with Haiti reporting most of those fatalities. On Thursday, Melissa was moving away from the Bahamas and had turned toward Bermuda, where weather conditions were expected to "rapidly deteriorate" later in the day, according to the National Hurricane Center.

President Trump has directed the State Department "to mobilize support for affected communities" in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, and Turks and Caicos in the aftermath of the hurricane, the department said in an announcement on Thursday. The announcement said it would also be monitoring the situation in Bermuda.

"The State Department is collaborating with UN agencies, NGOs, and host governments to deliver food, water, medical supplies, hygiene kits, temporary shelter, and search and rescue support," the announcement said.

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In Jamaica, the rumble of large machinery, whine of chainsaws and chopping of machetes echoed throughout the southeast as government workers and residents began clearing roads in a push to reach isolated communities that sustained a direct hit from one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record.

Stunned residents wandered about, some staring at their roofless homes and waterlogged belongings strewn around them.

Emergency relief flights began landing at Jamaica's main international airport, which reopened late Wednesday, as crews distributed water, food and other basic supplies.

"The devastation is enormous," Jamaican Transportation Minister Daryl Vaz said.

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At a news conference Thursday morning, Vaz and other officials spoke about some of the lingering consequences of the hurricane for communities in Jamaica.

"There are people who still have not been able to make contact with their families, their loved ones, their friends, and road access is still impossible," Vaz told reporters, referencing isolated areas on the western side of the island that responders have not yet been able to reach. "So, you can imagine the deep, deep sense of worry that is widespread across Jamaica."

An aerial view of destroyed buildings following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, on Oct. 29, 2025. / Credit: RICARDO MAKYN /AFP via Getty Images

Some Jamaicans wondered where they would live.



"I am now homeless, but I have to be hopeful because I have life," said Sheryl Smith, who lost the roof of her home.



Authorities said they have found at least four bodies in southwest Jamaica.



Prime Minister Andrew Holness said up to 90% of roofs in the southwest coastal community of Black River were destroyed.



"Black River is what you would describe as ground zero," he said. "The people are still coming to grips with the destruction."



More than 25,000 people remained crowded into shelters across the western half of Jamaica, with 77% of the island without power.

Dana Morris Dixon, a minister of education and information, said at a Thursday news conference that military crews and government officials were still working to access some of the western areas hit hardest by the storm. They were able to visit a handful of places by helicopter on Wednesday, but at times could not physically get to all of the locations they wanted to reach because "sometimes the helicopter could not land due to the devastation," Dixon said.

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"The military is cutting their way on foot through blocked roads," the minister continued, adding that crews were in the middle of attempting to cut through an area covered with thick bamboo, a task they could not finish completely on Wednesday and resumed Thursday morning.

Haiti hard hit

Melissa also unleashed catastrophic flooding in Haiti, where at least 23 people were reported killed and 13 others missing, mostly in the country's southern region. Another 17 people suffered injuries, officials said.



Haiti's Civil Protection Agency said Hurricane Melissa killed at least 20 people in Petit-Goave, including 10 children. It also damaged more than 160 homes and destroyed 80 others.



Officials warned that 152 disabled people in Haiti's southern region required emergency food assistance. More than 11,600 people remained sheltered in Haiti because of the storm.

Girl walks through water from Hurricane Melissa in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Oct. 29, 2025. / Credit: Guerinault Louis / Anadolu via Getty Images

Cuba cleanup begins

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In Cuba, people began to clear blocked roads and highways with heavy equipment and even enlisted the help of the military, which rescued people trapped in isolated communities and at risk from landslides.



No fatalities were reported after the Civil Defense evacuated more than 735,000 people across eastern Cuba. They were slowly starting to return home.



"We are cleaning the streets, clearing the way," said Yaima Almenares, a physical education teacher from the city of Santiago, as she and other neighbors swept branches and debris from sidewalks and avenues, cutting down fallen tree trunks and removing accumulated trash.



In the more rural areas outside the city of Santiago de Cuba, water remained accumulated in vulnerable homes on Wednesday night as residents returned from their shelters to save beds, mattresses, chairs, tables and fans they had elevated ahead of the storm.



A televised Civil Defense meeting chaired by President Miguel Diaz-Canel did not provide an official estimate of the damage. However, officials from the affected provinces  Santiago, Granma, Holguin, Guantanamo and Las Tunas  reported losses of roofs, power lines, fiber optic telecommunications cables, cut roads, isolated communities and losses of banana, cassava and coffee plantations.



Officials said the rain was beneficial for the reservoirs and for easing a severe drought in eastern Cuba.



Many communities were still without electricity, internet and telephone service due to downed transformers and power lines.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday in a statement that the State Department would issue a declaration of humanitarian assistance for Cuba and vowed to provide the country with that assistance "directly and via local partners who can most effectively deliver it to those in need."

"In the wake of Hurricane Melissa's devastation of eastern Cuba, the Trump Administration stands with the brave Cuban people who continue to struggle to meet basic needs," Rubio said in the statement.



When Melissa came ashore in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with top winds of 185 mph on Tuesday, it tied strength records for Atlantic hurricanes making landfall, both in wind speed and barometric pressure. It was still a Category 3 hurricane when it made landfall again in eastern Cuba early Wednesday.

Melissa not done yet

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A hurricane warning was in effect Thursday for Bermuda as Melissa began heading that way, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Bermuda was already experiencing tropical storm conditions as of late Thursday night.

Map shows the forecast path of Hurricane Melissa. / Credit: CBS News

Melissa was a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds near 100 mph. It was moving northeast at 38 mph, the center added.

On the forecast track, the center of Melissa "is expected to pass to the northwest of Bermuda tonight and pass south of the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland Friday night," the center said. "However, Melissa is expected to weaken later tonight and Friday and become a post-tropical low by Friday night."

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Video shows massive damage in Jamaica from Hurricane Melissa
Chicagos ICE units will be spending this Halloween masquerading as human beings.

Federal agents will still be patrolling the streets and nabbing undocumented immigrants while children trick or treat across the Windy City, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, despite appeals from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker to hold off for the night.

There is a lot of ICE activity, obviously, in that city  but the governor has asked you specifically to pause immigration enforcement operations in Chicago so he says that kids can safely celebrate Halloween, said Fox Newss Sandra Smith during a Thursday afternoon interview. Do you have any plans to alter activity tomorrow on that day?

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No, were going to be out on the streets in full force and increase our activities to make sure that kids are safe, Noem said. Every day in Chicago were arresting murderers, child pedophiles, those who have perpetuated assault and pornography against children.

Were going to be out there to make sure that they can be safe, enjoy the holidays, spend some time with their families and their neighbors in their communities, and they dont have to be the victim of a crime because of these illegal aliens that are in our country victimizing them, she added.

If anything, its Noems immigration officers who are victimizing children. On Saturday, federal agents allegedly tear-gassed a group of school-age children in a residential Chicago neighborhood on their way to a Halloween parade.

The Trump administrations pledge to prioritize violent criminals in their mass deportation scheme has not panned out. ICE agents have been tasked with arresting upward of 3,000 undocumented immigrants a day at Homeland Security adviser Stephen Millers direction. That gargantuan figure has largely forced agents to focus on noncriminal immigrants, and has sent them hunting for potential deportees at kids sports practices. The unpalatable development has tanked job satisfaction for ICE officials and agents alike, who have reportedly never been so miserable despite constant praise and material bonuses from the White House.

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Noems hatred for rapists only extends so far, however. She doesnt seem to have any problem with Donald Trump, who was found liable for sexually abusing Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll, and who maintained a tight-knit relationship with notorious child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein for years.

Meanwhile, ICEs presence has made some cities across the country significantly less safe. Earlier this month in Portland, Oregon, mistaken friendly fire between federal agents caused officers to escalate their efforts against anti-ICE protesters, resulting in officers firing a barrage of rubber bullets into a crowd that also contained local law enforcement, Portlands police commander testified Wednesday.
WOODBURY COUNTY, Iowa (KCAU)  A Mexican man held by ICE in the Woodbury County Jail for nearly three months was released on Wednesday.

Story continues below

Armando Garcia Picazo was arrested on August 8 and, according to court documents, is believed to be in the United States illegally.

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His release on bond was being held up by Homeland Security in the courts.

Woodbury County sued as ICE detainees remain jailed despite judges orders

Picazo filed a writ of habeas corpus challenging his detention.

Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Leonard Strand ordered the immediate release of Picazo once a $6,000 bond was posted.

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.
People in shackles are led off a plane flight-tracking databases show is operated by Arapahoe County, Colorado-based Key Lime Air at Alexandria International Airport, Louisiana, this month. (Photo by Madelyn Murphy/Colorado Newsline)

The perpetrators of federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration are allergic to transparency.

The most widely recognized symptom of this condition is their habit of masking up. The face-covering gaiter has quickly become a shameful icon for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers whove terrorized countless communities across Colorado and the country.

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But ICE and its partners in the lawless implementation of President Donald Trumps mass deportation program mask up in other ways. As Newsline reporter Sara Wilson recently discovered, the numerous daily flights that crisscross the country to transport immigrants are difficult to track.

Thats by design.

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The flights are run by ICE, which transports people to immigration detention hubs and out of the country to deport them. The operation balloons the catastrophe of detention by putting whole states between family members and undercutting the ability of detainees to seek legal help.

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Think of how a normal criminal prosecution works. A person is arrested on suspicion of violating the law by uniformed, identifiable police officers. That person is booked at a local facility and possibly jailed, but in many cases they have the opportunity to secure pre-trial release, and in all cases theyre given access to legal representation.

Compare that to how faceless, unaccountable immigration officers grab residents off the street and whisk them to locations unknown to family and friends. Most people whom ICE arrests in Colorado have no criminal conviction or charge, and that tracks with the national trend. Despite constitutional rights that are supposed to protect them, they have little expectation of due process or access to legal representation.

ICE flights are a major component of this injustice.

Wilson reported that Colorado-based Key Lime Air, which many customers know as Denver Air Connection, in mid-September started running daily flights of detainees for ICE. Key Lime is the first known Colorado-based company to participate in ICE Air, the agencys program of removal and domestic transfer flights on charter and commercial airlines.

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Key Lime aircraft shuttle detainees around the country, and they frequent ICE detention hubs, particularly El Paso and Harlingen in Texas, and Alexandria, Louisiana. As part of reporting the story, Newsline journalists observed dozens of detainees exit and enter Key Lime aircraft with their hands and feet shackled.

The reporting didnt come easy. The Key Lime planes that perform ICE Air work are devoid of company logos. The company appears to have blocked the planes registration numbers from at least one popular flight tracking website. When they started ferrying detainees they stopped using the Key Lime flight communication call sign, LYM.

Federal authorities communicate very little about the flights. We dont know the identity of the passengers. And Key Lime was no help. Wilson had a door shut in her face at Key Lime headquarters at Centennial Airport, and when she got CEO Cliff Honeycutt on the phone he quickly ended the conversation.

Much of what is known about ICE flights comes from independent trackers, like Washington-based La Resistencia, and immigration advocates. The New York Times relied on a flight database created by refugee advocate Tom Cartwright when it published an investigation into the Alexandria deportation hub. The Guardians investigation into the hub, which features a detention center on the airport tarmac, found a pattern of alleged due process violations  neglect and abuse, documented health emergencies and long stays.

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There is almost no legal access to the center, the Guardian reported.

ICE leaders want to mask the agencys detention flights for the same reason its officers want to mask their faces: Their behavior is inhumane and indefensible. And the result is the same: Malign government agents defy transparency and accountability.

But the work of advocates and journalists like Wilson exposes much about the true face of ICE Air.

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Excavations at Bremenium Fort, the northernmost fort along Hadrians Wall in England, revealed a host of Roman artifacts.

A wide variety of pottery, metalwork, soldiers tools, and more shed some light on what daily life was like at the fort.

One amphora pot traveled to the fort from as far away as Spain, likely carrying olive oil.

Experts have dubbed the 2025 excavations at the Roman Bremenium Fort at High Rochester in Northumberland National Park a record-setting season, as they resulted in the discovery of more artifacts and structural discoveries than had ever been seen before at the site.

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Finds in the area, which sits along the famed remains of Hadrians Wall, included Roman pottery (brought to Bremenium from across the empire), military items, jewelry, a lead seal, and engraved intaglios.

This years finds are exceptional, in both quantity and quality, Bob Jackson from Redesdale Archaeological Group, said in a statement from the national park. The range of pottery and metalwork, especially the amphora and the intact brooches, offer new insights into trade, craftsmanship, and daily life at Bremenium.

The 2025 archaeological dig season included 44 adult volunteers (who together contributed over 2,000 hours of work) and 24 archaeology students from Newcastle University all working at site, which has been undergoing excavation since 2021 (following the initial discovery in the 1990s). The excavations have focused on a system of enclosures outside the fortbuildings that likely supported the activities within the fort during the late first through third centuries C.E.

The archaeology of High Rochester continues to reveal its secretes, and its inspiring to see so many people, of all ages, engaged in the uncovering of their shared heritage, Chris Jones, a historic environment officer with the Northumberland National Park Authority, said in a statement. These discoveries help us understand how people in the past lived form the remains they left behind which has made such a lasting imprint on the landscape.

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The pottery discoveries included an amphora made in northern Spain, which may have been used to transport olive oil to the fort. Other pottery remains included both decorated and plain Samian ware, black burnished ware, grey ware, Nene Valley ware, and mortaria.

The team located a spearhead and slingers lead shot (both of which would have been typical for a Roman soldiers kit), a lead seal (used on official documents), a votive oil lamp (often used as decoration for altars), several brooches (including an intact dolphin-style piece with preserved enamel), and two engraved intaglios. The intaglios were likely used as ring inserts, and show that grape harvesting likely took place at the sitea unique aspect of Roman life in Britain and northern Europe.

By measuring the wall heights and construction layers found on site, experts came to believe that the building was rebuilt at least three times, with earlier phases demolished and covered in clay before the next project started.

Numerous finds of pottery and other items indicate that the original buildings were infilled, probably in the third century, with later buildings and yard surfaces placed over them, Richard Carlton, an archaeologist from Newcastle University, said in a statement.

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The bottom of the trench was fortunately waterlogged, which helped preserve some elements that would have otherwise not survived dry conditions, including a section of wood and what is likely a very, very old plum.

Past Bremenium excavations uncovered a gate and a lime kiln likely used to make the fort rampartsone of three kilns uncovered along Hadrians Wall or near its outpost forts. Experts said that 2025 offers the most remarkable season yet.

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Federal immigration agents patrol the halls of immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building in July in New York. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Correction: This story was corrected at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 30 to reflect that House Bill 335 did receive a hearing.

Members of an influential national conservative think tank plan to work with Idaho lawmakers again during the 2026 legislative session to further crack down on immigration in the state.

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Heritage Action, the advocacy arm of the Heritage Foundation, held a free event Tuesday night at the Idaho State Museum on the ways in which state and local leaders can help enforce federal immigration laws.

Speakers at the event in Boise discussed renewed efforts to create a new state crime for concealing, harboring and shielding people who are in the U.S. illegally; tracking and reporting immigration status and nationality of public school students; and tracking and sharing the immigration status of those arrested by Idaho law enforcement.

The panelists supported use of E-Verify to verify work authorization, and the proposed state constitutional amendment to make English the official language of Idaho  which will appear on the November 2026 general election ballot.

The panelists were Theo Wold, former Idaho solicitor general and current Heritage Foundation visiting fellow for law and technology, and Lora Ries, director of Heritage Foundations Border Security and Immigration Center and former Department of Homeland Security acting deputy chief of staff under the first Donald Trump presidential administration.

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Ries was listed as a contributor to Project 2025  the most recent installment in a series of presidential transition documents created for conservative presidential candidates since it was given to Ronald Reagan in 1980, according to the Heritage Foundation. Trump has carried out or expressed support for many of the policies laid out in the 920-page document.

Idaho state lawmakers Rep. Dale Hawkins, R-Fernwood, and Sen. Phil Hart, R-Kellogg, were in attendance.

Speakers: Idaho governors agreement with ICE a good start but more is needed

Ries said states began passing more immigration-related bills while Joe Biden was president, as they became increasingly concerned about illegal immigration.

I just implore you to please stay engaged and keep trying those bills that deal with immigration where states have primary jurisdiction, primary authority, she said, whether thats employment or business licenses, (or) public education.

Wold characterized Idaho Gov. Brad Littles announcement of an agreement between Idaho State Police and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, a good start, but there are a lot of illegal aliens who are not being picked up in that effort.

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Little has said the agreement is meant to focus on those who are convicted of dangerous crimes and complete their sentence in Idaho jails and prisons. Under the agreement, used under a program known as 247(g), ISP troopers help transport those individuals into ICE detention facilities for deportation.

Most  but not all  of those transported thus far have state criminal convictions, according to an analysis of Idaho court data by the Idaho Capital Sun.

Immigration enforcement, and reporting bills likely to return to Idaho Statehouse

Wold said he worked with Hawkins during the last legislative session to write a bill to require the documentation of how many inmates in Idaho jails were undocumented.

If the problem is small, then everyone should take credit that the problem is small, Wold said.If the problem is significant, you should all know that.

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The bill, House Bill 474, was introduced late in the 2025 legislative session as a personal bill  a largely symbolic action that bypasses the legislative committee hearing process where the bills are stored in the desk of the Office of the Chief Clerk and do not advance.

Wold also highlighted another bill he said he worked on with Hawkins, which would have required public schools to collect and report the immigration status and nationality of each student.

House Bill 382 was introduced in March in the House Education Committee, the Sun reported, and did not return for a hearing and thus did not advance. Hawkins co-sponsored the bill with Nampa Republican Rep. Steve Tanner.

A previous attempt to introduce the bill, made earlier that session, failed to clear the committee vote amid some members concerns about its constitutionality, Boise State Public Radio reported.

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Ries noted a 1982 Supreme Court ruling that public schools cannot deny admission to students based on immigration status. She said that the court didnt rule on whether tuition could be charged to students based on immigration status.

It is long past time to retry that case, particularly around the tuition part, Ries said.  thats something that well be working on, but I implore any state to really press on this issue.

Hawkins also introduced a bill creating a new state-level crime and penalties for concealing, harboring or shielding from detection someone who is in the U.S. illegally. The bill was introduced in February but the House Judiciary and Rules Committee voted to hold it and it did not advance, KTVB reported. Copies of Heritage Foundation model legislation that was largely identical to what Hawkins proposed were distributed to attendees at the event.

Heritage Foundation speakers oppose drivers licenses for undocumented residents, misplaced generosity regarding ICE removals

Both speakers spoke about efforts, including past efforts in Idaho, to provide a limited drivers license for undocumented residents. State Sen. Jim Guthrie, R-McCammon, most recently proposed the idea in Idaho in 2023.

The idea was supported by the Idaho Dairymens Association, the J.R. Simplot Company, the Amalgamated Sugar Company and many other companies across the state.

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The proposed identification would not be valid for voting, purchasing a firearm, boarding an airplane or obtaining a passport. The license would also be vertical instead of horizontal.

Wold said he opposed the proposal because he thought it could lead to increased voter fraud, access to public benefits or for transportation uses such as getting on a plane. Ries argued that the effort would begin with a limited card and then be opened up to be used as a traditional drivers license would be.

Both speakers spoke to mass detentions and removals by ICE officials across the nation, and concerns that those detained were not getting due process. Ries said that because immigration actions are civil, rather than criminal, then immigrants arent entitled to a public defender.

Under the law, people undergoing deportation efforts are entitled to a lawyer at no expense to the government.

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She and Wold argued that these cases are drawn out to buy time for the person facing deportation. The Trump administration had recently been using an expedited removal process to bypass judicial review from an immigration judge. The legality of this expedited process is being evaluated in the D.C. Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, the States Newsroom reported.

Ries and Wold argued that immigration proceedings can drag on, and people dont always show up to their hearings, which can prolong the process.

We have this phrase in our house we try to teach our children, its called misplaced generosity, Wold said, And thats  the difference between being a good Christian in giving of your treasure to someone in need, and then just being a sucker. And part of being a sucker under immigration laws, as Lora said, well theyre trying to buy more time.

He said that the more established someone may become in their community, the more difficult it may be to remove them.

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A lot of people who hear these stories about what ICE is doing, they feel bad, he said. It makes their generosity, their hackles are raised. This doesnt seem American. This doesnt seem fair, but its very American.

He said that in many cases, people have had years to come to the conclusion that they should remove themselves from the country, and they dont.

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Piers Morgan Uncensored

Katie Miller walked into Piers Morgan Uncensored with the entitled confidence of someone whos never heard the word no on air. She left after threatening to have her debate opponent deported. In between, Cenk Uygur gave a master class in how to dismantle weaponized identity and reveal a vacuum where arguments should be.

The confrontation began with an old move dressed as new. Discussing Israel, Miller reached not for policy but parenthood: she was raising Jewish children, therefore criticism of her stance on Israel was inherently bigoted. For years, and ironically, mostly on left-leaning cable news outlets, this tactic has worked  not because it is persuasive, but because many hosts are too intimidated to challenge it. Identity becomes a free pass, a shield against scrutiny. It is a rhetorical sleight-of-hand that conflates biography with argument.

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Millers identity card was declined by Uygur with expertise and alacrity.

He calmly asked her why she brought her children into it, rejecting the premise that personal identity automatically discredits opposing viewpoints. In doing so, he punctured the emotional force-field she assumed would end the debate before it began. Instead of stepping around her accusation, he walked straight through it  and the accusation crumpled to an embarrassing effect for her.

Thats the moment the spell broke.

Because what Miller offered was not an argument about Israeli policy. It was an invocation of identity  not as context, but as weapon. And when that weapon failed to freeze her opponent, she panicked. The familiar refuge  My heritage makes me right  was denied, and without that protection, there was nothing underneath. No facts, no rationale, only outrage that the gambit didnt work.

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The irony is rich: this identity-as-trump-card maneuver is one the right has spent years caricaturing as uniquely woke. Yet here was Miller deploying it reflexively, as if claiming personal vulnerability were indistinguishable from making a point. The right has absorbed the tactic so thoroughly that theyre now wielding it clumsier than the groups they claim invented it. Her meltdown proved the lesson: it was never a political ideology  just a convenient escape hatch. But Uygur, along with Piers Morgan and the other panelists not buying her bullshit, refused to let her escape.

As she escalated  first accusing him of bigotry, then threatening to storm off  he simply held the confrontational center. He reminded her, repeatedly, that she had introduced identity, not him. He demanded an argument, not a biography. He insisted that words mean things.

And when she had exhausted the usual arsenal  identity, grievance, exit drama  Miller took a wild, revealing swing: she suggested Uygur should get his papers ready.

It was a remark so grotesquely disproportionate that even Morgan looked startled. When all else failed, she reached for the implication that a naturalized citizen could be expelled  a threat that landed with sickening familiarity, given that her husband, Stephen Miller, helped design the Trump administrations most draconian deportation strategies.

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This was not merely a bad moment. It was a mask falling.

Her final card  deportation as punchline  exposed a worldview in which disagreement justifies expulsion. It was the authoritarian id speaking aloud. And it was triggered by someone simply refusing to concede that identity outranks argument.

Thats what made Uygurs performance so striking. He didnt win because he was louder or meaner. He won because he stayed rooted in first principles: Your identity informs your perspective, but it is not itself an argument. If your only defense is who you are, you dont have a defense.

This clip is the blueprint for how to challenge identity-based fog across the partisan spectrum, and was also neatly illustrated by The New Yorkers Isaac Chotiner who refused to take the bait from former Biden Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre. This wasnt done by belittling identity, but by refusing to let it substitute for substance.

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Miller came to perform grievance. Uygur came to debate. One left with her talking-points in ashes. The other left with something rarer: a moment where clarity outshone theater.

The lesson is simple: If you enter a debate assuming your biography will protect you, youre not ready for prime time.

And if your last refuge is threatening to deport your opponent, you were never here to argue at all.

Watch above via Piers Morgan Uncensored.

The post Identity Card Declined: Katie Miller Gets Absolutely Schooled by Cenk Uygur in Debate first appeared on Mediaite.
With the Bihar Assembly election around the corner, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dilip Ghosh on Thursday questioned the contributions of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his party to the State's development. Addressing ANI, Ghosh said, "What has Rahul Gandhi done for Bihar? Why do the people of Bihar not look upto Congress? Today, Bihar is progressing under the leadership of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar." The political discourse in Bihar has intensified after Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sparking a sharp exchange between the two national parties. The BJP responded by terming the Congress leader "politically immature and bankrupt." During a rally in Muzaffarpur, Rahul Gandhi said, "If you tell Modi ji to dance on stage in return for votes, he would dance." Leaders from both the NDA and Mahagathbandhan in Bihar launched aggressive campaigns to sway voters ahead of the upcoming 2025 Bihar Assembly polls. Bihar's political narrative is now dominated by pressing issues such as unemployment, corruption, education reforms, internal security, and the future of governance. Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being willing to do anything for votes and ran an emotional attack on what he described as a disregard for the people's real concerns. "He (PM Modi) just wants your vote. If you ask him to do a drama for votes, he will. You can make him do anything. If you tell Narendra Modi to dance, he will dance," Gandhi said amid loud cheers from the crowd. He amplified what he described as "vote theft" by the BJP, reiterating allegations that elections in Maharashtra and Haryana were manipulated, and warning that similar attempts would be made in Bihar. The LoP further alleged that the BJP and the RSS were attacking the Constitution, which he said was the foundation of citizens' rights. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari responded, calling Rahul Gandhi a "local goon" and accusing him of mocking voters and Indian democracy. Bhandari claimed that Rahul Gandhi's remarks insulted the poor people of India and Bihar who have voted for PM Modi. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking in Samastipur, framed the election as a battle between progress and chaos. He insisted that the return of the RJD-led alliance would plunge the state back into what he and his party have repeatedly branded as "jungle raj." Polling is scheduled to take place in two phases, on November 6 and November 11, with the results to be declared on November 14. (ANI)
The IDF struck Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, targeting a launcher and a tunnel shaft, citing violations of understandings between Israel and Lebanon.

The IDF struck Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon, including a launcher and a tunnel shaft in the Mahmudiyah area, the military announced on Wednesday.

The IDF said the presence of the infrastructure in the area violates understandings betweenIsrael and Lebanon.

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The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat posed to the State of Israel, the military added.

One reportedly killed in Lebanese town hall

Ibrahim Salameh, a municipal employee who was sleeping in the local town hall, was killed during the IDF operation, Lebanese state media said.

An illustrative image of a Hezbollah flag in the backdrop of an individual holding a weapon. (credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)

According to Reuters, the IDF confirmed the incident, saying that it had opened fire overnight during its operation to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure in the southern Lebanese town ofBlida.

Lebanon's army has deployed to the area but its media did not have further details to share. The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon did not immediately have further details on the incident.

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"During the procedures, an immediate threat against the troops was identified, and they fired to remove it," an IDF spokesperson said to Reuters, adding that the incident was under review.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun instructed the local army to "confront any Israeli invasion in southern Lebanon."

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the incident, calling it "a blatant attack on the institutions and sovereignty of the Lebanese state."

This is a developing story.
Isabel Arrate Fernandez, Artistic Director of the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), has confirmed its decision to become the first major film event to officially exclude Israeli state-backed organizations and films and explained the process and thinking behind the move.

The festival has stoked debate with its rejection of accreditation requests from Israels DocAviv Festival, CoPro  The Israeli Content Marketing Foundation and state broadcaster Kan for its upcoming edition, running from November 13 to 23, in a move first reported by Variety on Monday.

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There are also no state-backed Israeli feature films or projects, anywhere in this years festival or its industry sidebars such as Docs for Sale and the Forum co-production market.

It marks a blow for many in Israels mostly left-leaning documentary community, which has traditionally had a strong presence at the event regarded as Europes biggest documentary festival, drawing 3,000 professionals and another 160,000 spectators each year.

IDFA, which says the decision is the fruit of months of internal reflection and debate, has been grappling with the implications of the intensification of the Israel-Palestine conflict since its 2023 edition.

It was one of the first film festivals to take place in the aftermath of the Hamas terror attacks on Southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and resulted in another 251 being taken hostage.

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The 2023 edition opened a month later as Israel intensified its bombing campaign on Gaza, which has since killed more than 67,000 people, injured another 170,000 and razed the Palestinian territory to the ground, prompting accusations of genocide, which Israel has strongly rejected.

It was a tumultuous edition. Israeli film and TV bodies, including DocAviv and CoPro, published an open letter accusing then Artistic Director Orwa Nyrabia of endorsing the annihilation of the state of Israel after he was seen applauding pro-Palestinian protesters with a banner bearing the slogan From the river to the sea, while Palestinian filmmakers withdrew their films when IDFA issued a statement of apology, saying he had not seen the writing.

Two years on, Arrate Fernandez, who is gearing up for her inaugural edition as IDFAs new Artistic Director, says the decision to exclude Israeli state-backed bodies from the 2025 edition is in keeping with the festivals new Principles and Guidelines which were drawn up in response to the increasingly polarized times.

The document, which was first published on the IDFA website in September 22, with an update on October 21 to reformat one entry, lays out the festivals mission as well as its protocols around how it formulates its political stance and takes decisions on partnerships and invites.

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Weve been dealing with filmmakers and organizations from countries where theres a lack of freedom of speech and repression for a long time, Arrate Fernandez told Deadline.

This meant we had to develop what was until recently an internal policy on how to deal with a situation, where we show films that filmmakers keep under the radar as long as possible, and at the same time, from the same government, we receive a request to bring a delegation. How do we balance that? she continued.

This year we decided we needed to be more transparent about how were doing this, and about who were refusing and not refusing, so we came up with what we call our Principles and Guidelines.

Under a section titled Does IDFA exclude films of filmmakers?, the document states that films and film professionals can come from any country, including countries where freedom of expression is under pressure or where governments commit human rights violations.

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It adds, however, that if they have demonstrable ties to governments that contribute to serious human rights violations, they will not be welcome.

For example, if a film or project is funded by such a government, these films are generally not selected. Official government delegations or institutions affiliated with these governments from these countries are not granted IDFA accreditation, reads the text.

Arrate Fernandez said the festival would continue to deal with Israeli films on a case-by-case basis, noting how it had selected two Israeli state-backed works for its 2024 edition, Danae Elons Rule of Stone and Ayelet Hellers 1957 Transcripts about the murder of 49 residents living in the Palestinian village of Kafr Qasim in 1956 by Israeli soldiers.

We made an exception because of the films, because we felt they were in line with the mission and philosophy of IDFA, and were also very important and relevant for the time, she explained.

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IDFAs decision-making process is also informed by Paris-based press freedom NGO Reporters without Borders Global Press Freedom Index, which ranks 180 territories, with the festival paying special attention to film submissions and accreditation requests from countries lying in the lowest two categories of difficult and very serious.

Ranking 112 in the 2025 Index, behind territories such as Haiti and Zimbabwe, Israel is in the very serious category, with Reporters without Borders pointing to decreasing press freedom, media plurality and editorial independence, alongside disinformation campaigns and the killing of at least 200 journalists in Gaza by the Israeli army.



Arrate Fernandez emphasized that the festival continued to grant accreditations to Israeli documentary professionals on an individual basis, noting that DocAviv Festival Artistic Director and filmmaker Michal Weits, who went public with IDFAs barring of her organization in the Variety article, was welcome to attend but not as a representative of DocAviv.

What is crucial is that were not refusing individual film professionals or filmmakers. They are all welcome. We know there is a part of Israeli society that is fighting to make change. These people are all welcome, said the artistic director.

Weits was quoted by Variety as saying IDFA had sent a letter stating that they are not going to provide us accreditation since we are complicit with the genocide, which has sparked further reports that the festival is accusing Israeli film professionals of genocide.

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Arrate Fernandez categorically denies this.

Its not our role to accuse anybody of genocide. The letters we sent out simply explained that unfortunately we could not grant their organization an accreditation because it is not in line with our Principles and Guidelines, which are on the website and have been there since September, she said.

I empathize with the extremely difficult situation of many Israelis who disagree with their government but choose to remain within the official Israeli framework, parts of which they try to change for the better. They truly find themselves between a rock and a hard place. Emotions will understandably run high in such situations. But Michals claim that IDFA or I accused her of being complicit in genocide is categorically in error.

Arrate Fernandez said Israel has not been singled out for special treatment with the festival also cutting ties with Russian and Iranian state-backed bodies in recent years in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine and Irans long-running oppression of freedom of expression, pre-dating its brutal crackdown of the Woman Life Freedom pro-democracy movement, while China and India are also under scrutiny.

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IDFAs stance on Israel follows in the wake of the launch of a pledge in September, signed by more than 1,800 actors and other film professionals, including stars such as Emma Stone, Ava DuVernay, Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem, to boycott Israeli-state funded entities, suggesting they were implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people.

Even before the pledge, many Israeli film professionals anecdotally told Deadline that they felt increasingly snubbed on the festival circuit.

Many also say the boycott is misguided given that many Israeli film professionals are at the forefront of challenging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his governments actions in Gaza and beyond.

IDFA says the pledge was not the catalyst for its move to bar Israeli state-backed bodies and films.

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In the backdrop, Israels IDFA ties go back to the early years of the festivals creation in 1988 by former long-time head Ally Derks, who was feted with a Lifetime Achievement Award by DocAviv in 2007.

Israeli films to have made waves in Amsterdam include Tsipi Reibenbachs Choice and Destiny, about her Holocaust survivor parents, which won the festivals audience award in 1994; Yoav Shamirs Checkpoint, which won Best Documentary at the festival in 2003 and Tamar Yaroms To See If Im Smiling, which clinched Best Medium Length work in 2007.

The Oscar-nominated joint Israeli Palestinian film 5 Broken Cameras by Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi received the Special Jury Prize and Audience Award in 2011.

Arrate Fernandez suggested that times have changed and that the festival is dealing with a very different dynamic from that of the early 2000s.



As to why IDFA had decided to clamp down on Israeli state-backed bodies and films now, she replied: The answer is in your now. I mean, what is that now? What is the moment where we stand now? How far has it come?

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She pointed to the Red Line demonstrations in the Netherlands over the last year, spearheaded by human rights groups and pro-Palestinian organizations to oppose Israels military action in Gaza.

The public protests also align with a cooling of the political relationship between Israel and the Netherlands, a long-standing ally.

In July, the government called for the EU to suspend its favorable trade arrangements for Israel as well as the countrys involvement in the Horizons research program in response to the violence in Gaza.

It has also banned far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, while Dutch politicians have also suggested the Netherlands should honor an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Netanyahu if he lands on Dutch soil.

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In other developments, national broadcaster AVROTROS announced in September that the Netherlands would not participate in the 2026 Eurovision song contest if Israel was admitted to the competition given the ongoing and severe human suffering in Gaza.

Arrate Fernandez stresses that as an independent organization, IDFA is not influenced by government policy.

Times have changed We had a protest in this city two weeks ago where 250,000 people went out into the street under the title of Red Line, and that is very much tied to this now, she said. Its also looking back after all those years, and all those films, films like Checkpoint and 5 Broken Cameras, and asking where do we stand now? What has changed?

The artistic director said the decision on the attendance of Israeli state-backed bodies and films would be reappraised for next years edition.

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We will have to look at the now then and see where we stand and if we want to continue or if we feel there is a reason not to. For now, weve taken this decision. We engaged in conversation with DocAviv and other people, and well engage in conversation again.

Looking to this years edition, Arrate Fernandez said the festival wanted to remain a place open to debate, dialogue and even protest, but that it had taken steps to brief staff and guests on what the festival was striving to be.

This is a space where we can agree to disagree, where people can have different opinions, and where it should be possible to exchange thats at the heart of our film program. The whole point of documentary filmmaking is to show the nuances, not to go into the black and white and get stuck in your own opinion, but to learn from each other, even if you dont agree.

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(The Center Square)  Illinois taxpayers are going to cover $20 million in food subsidies to food banks across the state.

With Saturday being the date the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced they will not process Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments to states because of the ongoing federal government shutdown, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the state will direct $20 million to seven food banks that supply over 2,600 food pantries across Illinois.

I am directing the state government to work together with food banks, local grocers, and other community organizations and help provide some relief to Illinoisans as the federal government tears apart decades-long food assistance support, Pritzker said in a statement Thursday.

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Pritzkers executive order includes releasing $10 million in state taxpayer funds from the Budget Reserve for Immediate Disbursements and Governmental Emergencies fund. The BRIDGE fund was created to fill short-term needs, Pritzkers office said. The other $10 million in state funds will come from the Illinois Department of Human Services budget.

SNAP is funded by federal taxpayers, but is administered by the states.

The U.S. Senate has failed to pass the U.S. House-approved Continuing Resolution for the past month. Democrats have mostly refused to support the CR. With senators heading home for the weekend, U.S. House Republicans may have to rewrite the CR to push forward its original Nov. 21 funding end date.

Democrats blame Trump for the lapse in funding.

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The Trump Administration wants to let tens of millions of Americans go hungry, a failure in leadership and abdication of our responsibility as Americans to take care of each other, Pritzker said.

President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One Wednesday that food subsidies will be taken care of.

Were going to get it done, Trump said. The Democrats have caused the problem on food stamps because all they have to do is sign and you know if they sign, Ill meet with them.

Therese Boudreaux contributed to this report.
Screenshot

A congressional candidate and former journalist who made headlines of her own after tussling with authorities at ICE protests has been indicted by the Justice Department.

Kat Abughazaleh, who has been filmed being slammed to the ground by an ICE agent and claims she was struck in the face with a baton by a cop during protests in Broadview, was slapped with the indictment, filed in Illinois District Court last week.

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The indictment charges that Abughazaleh, who is running for Congress in the Land of Lincolns 9th district, and six others physically hindered and impeded an agent who was forced to drive at an extremely slow rate of speed to avoid injuring any of the conspirators, NBC News reported.

Speaking out on her social media channels on Wednesday, Abughazaleh slammed the federal charges as an effort to criminalize protests.

This is a political prosecution and a gross attempt to silence dissent, a right protected under the First Amendment, she said. This case is a major push by the Trump administration to criminalize protests and punish anyone who speaks out against them. Thats why Im going to fight these unjust charges.

I have been charged in a federal indictment sought by the Department of Justice. This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. Im not backing down, and were going to win. pic.twitter.com/szOSZa1h3z  Kat Abughazaleh (@KatAbughazaleh) October 29, 2025

Abughazaleh is due in court for arraignment on Nov. 5.

The post Illinois Congressional Candidate Kat Abughazaleh, Twice Roughed Up During ICE Protests, Indicted by DOJ first appeared on Mediaite.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  The state of Illinois will put $20 million to help to shore up the states food banks and pantries in an effort to counterbalance the anticipated stoppage of federal food assistance money.

Gov. JB Pritzker in a news release said he signed an order which sends $20 million in state funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the BRIDGE Fund to support food banks across Illinois.

The BRIDGE or Budget Reserve for Immediate Disbursements and Governmental Emergencies fund has about $100 million and was created to cover the states needs given the pausing of federal dollars in the past year.

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I am directing the state government to work together with food banks, local grocers, and other community organizations and help provide some relief to Illinoisans as the federal government tears apart decades-long food assistance support, the governor said.

At issue is the Nov. 1 shutoff of money for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP. The spigot is being turned off due to the federal government shutdown and the budget impasse between Democrats and Republicans.

SNAP, the governors office said, is a 100% federally funded program, and the state of Illinois administers that is approximately $350 million in federal SNAP benefits per month.

Earlier this week the governor said the state could not afford to cover the entire $350 million monthly costs, but his office was working to toward some form of support.

Concerned Illinois residents who have the means are encouraged to support the food bank system visiting https://www.feedingillinois.org/ to make a contribution.

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.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker appealed to Trump administration officials overseeing federal immigration operations in Chicago, asking them to pause their activities to give children and families a break to celebrate Halloween.

Pritzker, who has been consistently pushing back against the administrations federal presence in Illinois, told reporters that he has asked Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and the Department of Homeland Security to pause all of their federal agents operations for the entirety of the Halloween weekend.

The Department of Homeland Security claims their highest priority is to protect children, so today I have to ask them, please live up to those ideals, Pritzker said in a press conference.

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Your operation has sown fear and division and chaos among law-abiding residents in our communities. If you are unwilling to cease operations and leave our city, can we at least agree that our children should not be victims, especially on Halloween? Pritzker asked.

Speaking directly to Gregory Bovino, the chief Border Patrol and Customs agent overseeing operations in Chicago, Pritzker said there is no imminent threat that should disrupt the holiday for trick-or-treaters  citing recent incidents in which children were present while agents dispensed teargas.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have descended upon Chicago to carry-out Trumps mass deportation agenda, though the states governor is asking for a pause during the Halloween weekend. (Getty Images)

Border Patrol has taken an increasingly larger role in immigration operations in Chicago, some of which have been subject to scrutiny. In court filings, lawyers have accused agents of indiscriminately deploying tear gas into neighborhoods and aggressively detaining people  including protesters.

A judge had initially asked Bovino to return to court every day to provide updates and turn over body camera footage to ensure agents were complying with guidelines. However, an appeals court paused that order.

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In response to Pritzker, Secretary Noem said the department was absolutely not willing to pause any enforcement, claiming it was keeping cities and children safer. She told Fox News that not only would the activities continue, but they would increase.

The fact that Governor Pritzker is asking for that is shameful and I think unfortunate that he does not recognize how important the work that we do is, Noem said.

The operation, known as Midway Blitz, is part of Trumps mass deportation agenda. Hundreds of federal agents descended upon Chicago in September to begin conducting arrests for undocumented immigrants, many of whom the administration has characterized as criminals.

Pritzker claims federal agents are stoking fear in Illinois communities by using aggressive tactics to control protests and conduct mass arrests. (REUTERS)

The administration asserts that they are removing the worst of the worst, but Pritzker and other Illinois leaders refute that.

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During a Thursday press conference, Pritzker gave examples of the so-called worst of the worst including the father of a teenager battling cancer and the parents of three children who were reportedly left alone.

Pritzker asked that federal law enforcement suspend its activities from October 31 through November 2, particularly around homes, schools, hospitals, parks and other community gathering locations where Halloween celebrations are taking place.

I honestly cant even believe that I have to make this plea. This is not the America I know, Pritzker added.
Illinois high school graduation rate has hit a 15-year high, as students continue to show academic growth above pre-pandemic levels, state officials announced Thursday with the release of the 2025 Illinois Report Card.

The states four-year graduation rate reached 89%, up 6.2% from 2024. Students recorded progress in other key areas, including an increase in the number of ninth graders on track to graduate and a dip in chronic absenteeism.

The annual Illinois State Board of Education report offers a comprehensive analysis of academic, demographic and financial data for every school and district in the state.

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We have a lot to celebrate in this years Report Card, State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders told reporters at a media briefing last week. The 2025 Report Card shows clear and encouraging progress across our educational system.

Based on the new testing benchmarks, 52.4% of students were proficient in English Language Arts, 38.4% in math and 44.6% in science.

This year, ISBE changed how it analyzes students standardized test scores, making it difficult to provide a clear picture of year-over-year progress. But student growth  a measure of how much students have improved compared to their peers  continues to show that learning progress in English Language Arts and math exceeds pre-pandemic levels.

Year after year, more Illinois students are crossing the finish line, Sanders said.

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Chicago Public Schools also saw gains in ELA and math performance, but the district, like the rest of the state, continues to struggle with chronic absenteeism. Though the rate has declined in recent years, it remains a lingering impact of the pandemic.

Progress in graduation rates, student growth

Illinois graduation rate has been steadily rising over the past decade, climbing from 83.8% in 2011 to this years record high of 89%. The latest gains were most significant among multi-racial students, Black students and students with Individualized Education Plans.

Sanders called the number a remarkable milestone, attributing the success to targeted support for underperforming student groups.

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The number of ninth-graders on track to graduate  the best predictor for future graduation rates  is also on the rise. To earn the designation, a student must have five full-year course credits, and no more than one F in a core course. Nearly 90% of ninth-graders were on track in 2025, an 8.6% increase from 2021. The largest year-over-year growth was among English Learners  students whose native language is not English.

Sanders attributed the boost to new investments in schools, including mentoring, recovery courses and broadened access to advanced placement. These opportunities keep students engaged and on track for success, he said.

This year, ISBE adopted what they called new, right-sized proficiency benchmarks on state tests for better data on academic achievement and college readiness, according to Sanders. Illinois previously had the most restrictive benchmarks in the country, which ISBE said risked mislabeling some students as underperforming. For example, an eighth-grader previously needed to score a 750 in math on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness to be deemed proficient. Now, they would only need a 745.

That means the states 2025 proficiency rates in ELA, math and science cant be compared to previous years. But students growth percentiles  which shows their improvement compared to their peers  remains steady, particularly in ELA.

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Some districts are making their own calculations. Staff at Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205, for example, applied the new proficiency benchmarks to past test scores to better gauge improvement. The district still saw proficiency gains across all subjects, according to Superintendent Keisha Campbell.

We have utilized the current benchmarks, and have done some backwards mapping, Campbell said. Were still seeing that growth.

Math proficiency lags behind ELA across Illinois, a trend consistent with state history and national data. The Nations Report Card, which was released last month, showed high school seniors math skills at their lowest in decades. Sanders noted the state is developing a Comprehensive Numeracy Plan to strengthen instruction and bridge the performance gap.

There is still work for us to do  especially in supporting students who need extra help to reach their full potential in math, he said.

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Overall, about 64% of Illinois schools received a commendable rating, based on metrics such as test scores and graduation rates. The tiered designation system determines which schools receive additional funding.

Six schools earned the top rating of exemplary in Community Unit School District 200, which serves nearly 11,500 students in Wheaton and Warrenville. The district, which is generally affluent and predominantly white, was above state proficiency averages for both ELA and math.

Coming out of the pandemic, we knew we wanted to have laser focus on accelerating learning for kids, Superintendent Jeff Schuler said. We have certainly seen a significant positive progression of outcomes.

Chicago Public Schools makes ground

Report Card data on Chicago Public Schools shows significant increases in the districts reading and math proficiency rates since the pandemic. Since 2022, reading proficiency has increased 11.9%, while math proficiency increased 4.7%. (CPS applied the new proficiency benchmark to historic test scores to compare year-over-year growth.)

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CPS also recorded a four-year graduation rate of 84.9%, a slight increase from 84.1% in the previous year. The figure has doubled for the district over the past two decades  in 2000, the graduation rate was just 43.8%.

A majority of CPS students face economic barriers, which makes those gains all the more significant, said CEO Macquline King. Nearly three-quarters of students are low-income, compared to the state average of 49.7%.

When we say that were outpacing the nation on things like math achievement or college enrollment, those achievements are even more incredible, given that more of our students face barriers to success, she said.

Despite an enrollment decline, the district has added 2,000 teacher positions since 2021. Over the same period, the diversity of teaching staff has steadily grown: Retention of Black and Latino teachers is the highest in a generation, according to Ben Felton, CPS chief talent officer.

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We have completely eliminated the gap between white teacher retention and the retention of teachers of color, Felton said. We think of that as our Teach Chicago strategy working.

That trend mirrors patterns statewide. There are more teachers in Illinois than ever before  nearly 137,900, up from 132,355 in 2021. Over the past three years, the state has invested $120 million in teacher vacancy grants to recruit and license new educators.

Illinois Education Association President Karl Goeke told the Tribune in a statement that the data shows progress, but more needs to be done to address the states teacher vacancies. The IEA represents 135,000 educators throughout the state.

The grants are helpful, but are a temporary solution to a larger problem, Goeke said. More needs to be done to get talented, high-quality people to join the profession and stay.

Chronic absenteeism remains persistent

Chronic absenteeism  defined as students who have missed 10% or more of school  dropped slightly this year, but remains stubbornly above pre-pandemic levels. About 25.4% of Illinois students were chronically absent this year, down from 26.3% in 2024. But its still far above 17.5% in 2019.

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Still, Sanders pointed to this years data as meaningful progress in re-engaging our students. Nationally, schools have struggled to reduce absentee rates, particularly among low-income students.

Robin Steans, president of education advocacy organization Advance Illinois, called absenteeism a powerhouse predictor, because it is closely tied to academic performance. Advance Illinois released its own report last month on the states education infrastructure, with similar findings to those of the state report card.

Even as much as missing an incremental day or two really impacts performance, Steans said.

Last month, Illinois launched a state task force to study chronic absenteeism in K-12 schools. The pandemic, remote learning and schools digital presence seemed to have shifted expectations surrounding attendance, according to Elaine Allensworth, executive director and research professor at the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research. Other barriers like transportation and housing instability also play a role.

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It wasnt just about remote learning, it was about coming back, Allensworth said. There are a lot of things that have changed with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Allensworth added that schools should communicate clearly on the importance of attendance and work to strengthen teacher-student relationships. Theres just a lot of uncertainty out there right now, and so I think we need to be really clear about how attendance matters in these post-COVID years, she said.
SPRINGFIELD  Sweeping energy-related legislation that backs the use of big batteries to help make wind and solar power more effective but has raised questions about whether it will increase or decrease energy bills cleared the Illinois Senate Thursday night and will be headed to Gov. JB Pritzker, who signaled he would sign the measure into law.

Legislative Democrats said the measure would eventually lower electric bills for Illinois consumers burdened by utility rate spikes driven by rising power grid demand, while Republicans noted the massive battery installations would be backed in part by a surcharge on consumers monthly bills.

The disagreement over the 1,020-page energy bill, mostly along party lines, was reflected in the final 37-22 vote in the Senate on Thursday night, the final day of the General Assemblys fall session and the last scheduled legislative day of 2025. On Wednesday night, the House approved the bill 70-37. Democrats hold supermajorities in the House and Senate.

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After the Senate passed the legislation, Pritzker said in a statement that the bill, dubbed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, is an important step that will help lower utility bills and make our electrical grid stronger.

Illinois is leading an ambitious clean energy effort that will make our electrical grid more resilient, power our economy, and make energy more affordable for everyone, the governor said. I am grateful for working with the Illinois General Assembly and I look forward to signing this bill into law and help Illinoisans keep costs lower and keep the lights on.

The legislations passage comes despite concerns from Republicans, particularly those downstate whove repeatedly raised alarms in the last several months about increased utility rates, that the energy policy changes would actually raise monthly electric bills.

The bill was a result of negotiations between lawmakers, organized labor, environmental interests and other groups in response to an especially high demand for electricity in the last couple of years.

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Part of this has been attributed to the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which aims to promote greater use of renewable energy by 2030 and eventually phase out fossil fuels, and to the prevalence of data centers that have taken up a significant share of the electrical supply due to the emergence of artificial intelligence technology.

Democratic state Rep. Jay Hoffman of Swansea, the energy bills main House sponsor, warned during floor debate Wednesday night about how not passing the legislation could have grave consequences for consumers, especially at a time when the federal government has sought to cut spending.

Some would say lets do nothing. Lets put our head in the sand and act like just everythings going to be OK and do nothing. Dont do planning. Dont put more capacity on the grid. Dont make sure that we have energy efficiency, he said. But let me tell you this: Without immediate actions, Illinois stands to pay $9.5 billion in increased energy costs by 2034. Utility bills will directly increase by $1 billion by 2030, and Illinois will lose more than 50,000 manufacturing and energy jobs because of the federal budget cuts.

But House Republicans questioned the delayed gratification the new bill promised.

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Some savings from CEJA never materialized, Republican state Rep. Dan Ugaste of Geneva said, and now were taking another swipe at it, hoping we get some cost savings at some point in the not-too-distant future. Our ratepayers are suffering now.

Republican state Rep. Brad Halbrook, a member of the conservative Freedom Caucus who represents Shelbyville, took it even further, calling the bill and previous attempts at energy legislation a worship service at the altar of the dead green God.

We were promised clean energy would mean lower costs, more jobs and a stronger grid. They promised a climate salvation that doesnt exist, Halbrook said.

State Rep. Ann Williams, a Chicago Democrat who was one of the lead sponsors of CEJA, disputed claims that the 2021 law wont save money for consumers by 2030, and also said battery storage in the new bill will increase power on the grid and keep costs down.

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Affordability is at the very heart of this energy package and a direct response to consumer concerns about rising utility rates, she said during Wednesdays floor debate.

As part of the energy bill, legislators called for adding 3 gigawatts of battery storage to the states electricity grid by 2030  though Republicans and Democrats still disagreed on whether and how quickly the batteries would lower monthly bills enough to pay for themselves.

The batteries would work in tandem with wind and solar to make the electricity they supply less intermittent.

They require billions of dollars in upfront investment, to be financed by battery developers and secured through surcharges on consumers monthly utility bills.

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But according to an estimate released Monday by the Illinois Power Agency, the batteries would shave a few dollars per month off average residential electricity bills by 2031 by lowering anticipated rate increases for future space on regional electricity grids.

The cost of getting 3 gigawatts of batteries up and running on the grid by 2031 would add 58 to 68 cents per month to the average residential bill for Ameren customers in mostly downstate Illinois and 40 to 48 cents for Commonwealth Edison customers in the Chicago region, according to the IPA analysis.

However, the agency said, the batteries would pay for themselves by reducing the anticipated rate increases for future space on regional transmission grids. In total, by 2031, the batteries would reduce average Ameren residential bills by $3.90 to $8.28 per month and average ComEd residential bills by $1.46 to $1.85 per month, the agency said.

Including all its other provisions, the energy bill would reduce average Ameren residential bills by $4.49 to $10.59 per month and average ComEd residential bills by $1.46 to $2.03 per month by 2031, the IPA said.

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In one big policy change from the new energy bill, for the first time since deregulating energy markets in 1997, the legislature would allow the Illinois Commerce Commission to sign long-term contracts and allow higher utility bills to procure new sources of electrical generation in the state.

Deregulation didnt provide as much new electricity for the state as hoped, said Mark Pruitt, former director of the Illinois Power Agency, a state energy regulator.

Thats because regional grid operators, such as the Midwest Independent System Operator and PJM Interconnection, have been reluctant to hook up intermittent sources such as wind and solar, despite their declining cost, he said.

The states policy shift comes as Illinois faces looming electricity shortages not just because of rising demand from data centers, but also because of its plan to close 28 gigawatts of coal and natural gas generating plants by 2045 to improve air quality.

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The ICC and other agencies plan to issue a final report by mid-December on the adequacy of the states electricity supply through 2030.

In addition, the bill would fund pilot programs for geothermal energy networks, repeal the existing moratorium on new large-scale nuclear construction and increase subsidies to retrofit homes to use less energy.

Mark Denzler, president of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, dismissed the projected savings as the kind of Springfield promise that often fails to materialize.

Theres too much of a rate hike that we think is going to cause a negative reaction for Illinois families and Illinois businesses, Denzler said in a news conference on Monday.

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Even with its new batteries, Illinois wont have enough round-the-clock or baseload power and will still need to delay the planned closing of coal and natural gas power plants, Denzler said.

Jen Walling, executive director of the Illinois Environmental Council, said her group supports the bill as a way to offset changes in federal policies, such as the phasing out of tax incentives for wind and solar power.

This is us responding to the federal cuts in a really robust way that no other state has done, Walling said.

Its going to mean well save more through efficiency. Its going to mean building more renewable energy. It means new money for battery storage, but we expect that to be a savings very quickly to consumers, as it has been in other states, she said.

Chicago Tribunes Dan Petrella contributed.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO)  The Illinois legislature has passed a bill that modifies the Clean Slate Act to automatically seal the criminal records of nonviolent offenders.

House Bill 1836 takes crimes that can be sealed by petition and allows them to be sealed automatically.

The bill, which has been debated in the statehouse for years, would seal the records for offenders only if they served their punishment and were not convicted of another crime within the three years following their release.

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This does not extend beyond crimes that are currently able to be sealed by petition, Sen. Elgie Sims (D-Chicago) said. So it allows for us to deal with the backlog of cases.

Currently, convicted criminals are barred from many careers and certifications due to their felony convictions.

The measure was approved in the Senate and has now passed the House. It heads to Gov. JB Pritzkers desk for approval.

Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) voiced opposition to the bill, saying, The only problem is that in statute, there are protections to make sure that before someones criminal record is sealed, they are rehabilitated, McClure said. And this bill also eliminates those protections.

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The bill requires the Illinois State Police to seal an initial batch eligible records by January 1, 2030. Automated sealing by Circuit Courts is slated to begin by January 1, 2031.

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.
SPRINGFIELD  Amid increased public calls for Illinois elected officials to more strongly push back against the Trump administrations sometimes-violent crackdown on immigrants in the Chicago region, the Illinois General Assembly early Friday passed a bill to formally ban federal agents from arresting people near courthouses and allowing lawsuits if individuals rights have been violated in civil immigration arrests.

The legislation came in response to what one of the bills sponsors, Democratic state Sen. Celina Villanueva of Chicago, described as the reality of the pain and the cruelty and the inhumanity thats being inflicted on my community, on my district, on the communities in this state  that are also American  for the simple fact of looking the way that I do.

Im going to fight back, she said on the Senate floor late Thursday, shortly before the bill passed 40-18. The Illinois House passed the legislation 75-32 a little more than an hour later.

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While supporters applauded the bills passage, even its key sponsor, Senate President Don Harmon, called it imperfect. But he said Democratic lawmakers in Springfield felt the need to act, as state and local officials have often felt hamstrung in countering the federal governments often-aggressive tactics.

Im prepared for this law to be challenged, but I think we still have an obligation to try to do something, Harmon, of Oak Park, told a committee hearing in Springfield Thursday. There is no need for the same people who are charged with protecting our constitutional rights to violate our constitutional rights in the process.

Under the bill, individuals could sue officers for knowingly violating the state or U.S. Constitution during civil immigration enforcement. The bill would also codify a 1,000-foot safe zone around courthouses, free from civil arrests, in an attempt to limit potential disruptions to court activities.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol activities in Chicago and the surrounding areas have come under increased scrutiny and criticism. In what the federal government has described as an initiative to deport the worst of the worst individuals who lack legal status, agents have repeatedly detained people first and sought information about them later, without immediate regard for citizenship or legal status.

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The bill came together in collaboration with House lawmakers, the state attorney generals office and the governors office, Harmon said on the Senate floor.

While the governor and lawmakers have used their bully pulpits to push back, and some legislators have at times taken an activist role themselves in opposition to the federal actions, the statehouse has little formal role in immigration policy.

In a sign of lawmakers frustration with the federal agents tactics, damages under the lawsuit provision could go up due to various factors. They include whether the defendant wore a mask; used crowd control equipment like tear gas; failed to identify themselves as a law enforcement officer; used a vehicle without an Illinois license plate; or failed to turn on a necessary body camera  all behaviors advocates and Democratic lawmakers have accused immigration agents of since the start of Operation Midway Blitz under the administration of President Donald Trump.

It doesnt impede ICE from doing its job lawfully, Harmon told his colleagues on the Senate floor.

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But in the floor debate Thursday, Senate GOP Leader John Curran of Downers Grove called those aggravating factors for damages a form of overreach.

You are  teeing this up for the Supreme Court to set this aside. Youre actually making it easy on them, Curran said.

Violators who arrest individuals improperly at or near a courthouse would face civil damages for false imprisonment and $10,000 in statutory damages, according to the bill. A judge can also issue an order preventing arrest under the provision, according to the bill.

When witnesses or parties dont come to court, it doesnt just affect them. It affects all of us, Villanueva said.

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A judge can also issue an order preventing arrests under the provision, according to the bill.

In addition to the provisions on courts and private actions, the bill also asks hospitals, day care centers and higher education institutions to put policies on the books about how they would respond to the presence of federal immigration agents, following incidents of ICE activity at or near some of those locations across the Chicago area. It would also largely prohibit hospitals, day care centers and higher education institutions from disclosing the immigration status of patients, clients and students.

Hospitals would be fined $500 per day for noncompliance if they fail to meet the deadlines for developing their policies during the first quarter of next year. The higher education provisions on immigration status could be enforced through private lawsuits. And violations of the day care policy requirement would result in a licensing violation, according to the bill.

Democratic state Sen. Omar Aquino, of Chicago, 2nd District, sponsored the day care provisions after his childs day care center went into lockdown because of nearby immigration enforcement activity, he said.

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Our kids were fine, but families were in fear because they didnt know what to do, Aquino said. Here in the state, we must do something to make sure that no family feels that way.

The package put forward this week doesnt include a ban on masks for federal officers, as California enacted, or any expansions of Illinois existing law that generally bans local law enforcement from cooperating on civil immigration actions.

At a subject matter hearing on the legislation Thursday, representatives from local law enforcement pushed back on parts of the legislation, including the private right of action for constitutional violations, over concerns that local officers could get swept up.

Theres going to be frivolous litigation that will be filed against state and local law enforcement officers, even if its eventually thrown out, said Jim Kaitschuk, executive director of the Illinois Sheriffs Association.

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Pritzker, for his part, on Thursday in his ceremonial Springfield office, called on top federal immigration officials, including Border Patrol boss Greg Bovino, to pause their activities for the Halloween weekend.

Mr. Bovino, your operation has sown fear and division and chaos among law-abiding residents in our communities, Pritzker said. No child in America should have to go trick-or-treating in fear that they might be confronted with armed federal agents and have to inhale tear gas.

At a news conference in Gary, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem dismissed Pritzkers call for the Halloween pause.

The fact that Gov. Pritzker is asking for that is shameful and I think unfortunate that he doesnt recognize how important the work is that we do to make sure were bringing criminals to justice and getting them off our streets  especially when were going to send all of our kiddos out on the streets and going to events and enjoying the holiday season. We want to make sure that theyre safe, she said.

Tribune reporter Rick Pearson contributed.
Once a stronghold of former RJD leader Shahabuddin, Siwan remains one of the most closely watched constituencies in Bihar. With the state elections fast approaching, the political heat in this region is rising once again. No single party has managed to establish undisputed dominance over the Siwan Assembly seat, as multiple political forces continue to vie for control. Currently represented by RJD's Awadh Bihari Chaudhary, the constituency has a history of one-sided victories, though the past three elections have witnessed increasingly tight contests. The Muslim-Yadav (MY) factor, which is the primary vote bank of Mahagathbandhan, is expected to play a decisive role in the upcoming battle, given that Muslims make up around 20% of the electorate. At the same time, the Yadav community also commands a substantial share of votes in Siwan. The Mahagathbandhan has once again expressed its trust in RJD's Awadh Bihari Chowdhary; meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance has fielded Bihar minister Mangal Pandey from the BJP, who comes from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh background. Targeting the significant chunk of the Muslim vote bank in the constituency, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen and Jan Suraaj have fielded Mohammad Kaifi Shamshir and Intekhaf Ahmad Jan. Awadh Bihari Choudhary stands out as the most successful politician in the Siwan constituency, having represented it six times. Notably, he first held the seat in 1985 and won it successfully between 1985 and 2005. Mangal Pandey, a seasoned BJP leader who began his political journey with the RSS in 1988 and formally joined the BJP in 1998, has served as a minister in multiple Nitish Kumar-led governments since 2013. Pandey is credited with contributing to Siwan's development through the establishment of a district hospital, though persistent doctor shortages remain a lingering concern. In the 2010 Assembly elections, BJP's Vyasdeo Prasad triumphed in Siwan with 51,637 votes, defeating RJD's Awadh Bihari Choudhary, who secured 39,096 votes, a winning margin of 12,541. The BJP managed to retain the seat in 2015, but the victory margin narrowed as JD(U) candidate Bablu Prasad put up a strong challenge, polling 51,622 votes against Vyasdeo Prasad's 55,156. However, in 2020, Awadh Bihari Choudhary reclaimed the Siwan seat for the RJD after a 15-year gap, narrowly defeating BJP's Om Prakash Yadav by just 1,973 votes. Choudhary garnered 76,785 votes, while Yadav secured 74,812, marking a closely fought comeback for the veteran leader. The 2025 Bihar election is the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance 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)
An 18-year-old Illinois resident has been arrested for allegedly killing at least 13 deer in Clinton County.

Ashden McArthur, of Carlyle, was taken into custody Wednesday by Clinton County Sheriffs Deputies and Illinois Conservation Police Officers. The arrest occurred after police seized evidence at locations in Clinton County and Marion County.

ALSO: Giant python slithers across barren Australian landscape in rare sighting

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The Clinton County Sheriffs Office stated that McArthur is suspected of using a .22-caliber rifle to shoot at least 13 deer from roadways at night with the aid of a spotlight on Oct. 24.

White-tailed deer in Illinois.

The deer carcasses were found in the unincorporated community of Boulder.

ALSO: Yellowstone wolves gang up on grizzly bear in battle over bison carcass

In an earlier news release, the Sheriffs Office stated, Law enforcement believes there to be more deer that have been shot but have not yet been located.

The Sheriffs Office added, McArthur is facing multiple conservation violations as well as other criminal charges. We would like to thank the public for their assistance with the investigation.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Illinois man suspected of killing at least 13 deer from roadways
A left-leaning voters rights group that has pushed for President Donald Trumps removal from office over alleged constitutional abuses is now asking Illinois officials to investigate and prosecute alleged violations of state law by federal immigration enforcement agents deployed in Operation Midway Blitz.

In letters sent this week to Gov. JB Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Cook County States Attorney Eileen ONeill Burke, all three of whom are Democrats, and Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling, the Free Speech for People campaign contends federal agents have repeatedly committed criminal acts that are not immunized by federal law.

We applaud you for establishing the Illinois Accountability Commission and empowering it to refer violations to agencies empowered to investigate and enforce such laws, the groups letter to Pritzker says about the governors creation of the new panel last week. Although the executive order establishing the commission requires it to create an initial status report by Jan. 16, we encourage the commission to immediately refer serious incidents for further investigation by relevant law enforcement officers.

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So far, that doesnt appear to be on Pritzkers agenda.

Last week, even after U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche tagged Pritzker in a social media post threatening legal action against California officials if they proceeded with the arrest of federal immigration agents who violate state laws, the Illinois governor said that was not something he or other Illinois officials had called for.

Thats nothing weve suggested would happen, Pritzker said Friday at an unrelated news conference in the West Town community area. What we have suggested, though, is that we keep records and that eventually the Congress will hold people accountable. Thats probably the first thing that could happen because theres an election in 2026.

Nevertheless, the group cited a list of alleged criminal violations by aggressive immigration enforcement officers, particularly outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement center in Broadview, and urged quick investigatory work by Raoul, Burke and Snelling, though Snellings jurisdiction is limited to the city of Chicago.

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These actions include planned operations to detain both citizens and noncitizen residents for hours, unlawfully damage and destroy residents property, unlawfully kidnap residents and terrorize communities of color on account of their race and in retaliation for their perceived political affiliation, the letter to law enforcement officials stated. It was written by the groups president, John Bonifaz, and its legal counsel.

These operations, which public evidence indicates are part of a criminal conspiracy directed and condoned by President Donald Trump and senior officials of the Trump administration with full knowledge of their unlawful nature, warrant prompt investigation by your offices, the letter said.

Free Speech for People was founded in 2010 in response to the U.S. Supreme Courts Citizens United decision that allowed corporations and other outside groups to spend unlimited funds on political campaigns. But the group also was behind efforts in several states, including Illinois, to try to deny Trump access to last years ballots over his role in the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol. The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately ruled that individual states did not have the power to invoke the federal Insurrection Acts ban on holding public office.

During his second term, the group has continued to call for Trumps impeachment and removal from office.

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Citing sometimes violent altercations between Border Patrol agents and protesters, the group noted that Illinois law criminalizes conspiracy against civil rights against those who inflict harm on any other person or threaten physical harm on any other person if done with the intent to interfere with the free exercise of any right or privilege secured by the federal and state constitutions and federal and state law.

While immunity from state prosecution exists under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, it is not available in all circumstances and does not preclude criminal investigation, the group wrote.

Federal courts have ruled that the Supremacy Clause is designed to ensure that states do not retard, impede, burden, or in any manner control the execution of federal law, the group wrote. But, it added, such immunity does not protect federal officers who act outside the law or beyond what is subjectively and objectively necessary and proper. When they do either, they may be held criminally liable in state court for violating state laws.

Moreover, the group urged Raoul, Burke and Snelling to investigate the criminal liability of senior White House aides and Trump himself, given the orchestrated nature of the raids.

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The brutality and illegality of these operations is a feature, not a bug; they are designed to crush dissent and spread fear among President Trumps perceived enemies and marginalized communities, the group wrote.

Raoul and Snellings offices had no immediate response to the letter.

At a budget hearing with Cook County commissioners on Wednesday, ONeill Burke acknowledged the thuggish behavior of federal agents that was causing irreparable harm to the trust the community has with law enforcement, but maintained that the federal system is responsible for arresting and prosecuting all federal agents.

We do not have the ability to investigate  but we will, if and when charges are brought forward to us, we will evaluate them the same way we do every other case, she said.

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She said it was up to the U.S. attorneys Law Enforcement Accountability Division to determine if an agent has exceeded the boundaries of what they are allowed to do within their capacity  and the federal government will govern their own.

I wish I could say we have all of these options. We have no options, she said.

Chicago Tribunes A.D. Quig and Dan Petrella contributed.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO)  Illinois public schools are showing signs of steady recovery and progress in the wake of the pandemic, according to the 2025 Illinois Report Card released Thursday.

The states graduation rate has reached a 15-year high, chronic absenteeism is declining, and more students are enrolling in advanced coursework and career training programs.

The four-year graduation rate climbed to 89%, with the most significant gains among students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), English learners, and low-income students. Ninth-grade students on track to graduate, a key predictor of future success, also rose, particularly among Black and Hispanic students.

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The academic achievement data from the 2024-25 school year shows that Illinois has some of the best schools in the country and stands as a testament to the hard work and ambition of our students, the skill and dedication of our educators, and the support and partnership of parents and families across the state, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders said.

Chronic absenteeism, which spiked during the pandemic, has improved for the third consecutive year, dropping nearly 15% since 2022. However, absenteeism remains highest among high school students and Black students, prompting the creation of a statewide task force to address the issue.

Meanwhile, Illinois has more teachers than ever before, with over 137,000 filled positions statewide. A $120 million investment in Teacher Vacancy Grants helped reduce unfilled positions in more than half of participating districts. Teacher diversity saw modest gains, with multiracial educators increasing, though the number of Black teachers remained stagnant.

Overall student enrollment declined slightly, marking the smallest drop since 2016. However, enrollment among Asian, Hispanic, multiracial, and English learner students increased. English learner enrollment alone grew nearly 33 percent over the past four years.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  The Illinois Senate passed a bill on Wednesday that would automatically seal criminal records for people convicted of crimes not considered serious.

House Bill 1836, also known as the Clean Slate Act, aims to serve as a large step forward in criminal justice reform.

Illinois Attorney General announces block of Education Dept. mental health grant cuts

The Clean Slate Act is about creating pathways to opportunity for people who have earned a second chance, State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (D-Chicago) said in a release. By automating the sealing process for eligible records, were removing unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles that keep people from finding employment, securing housing, and fully reintegrating into their communities. At the same time, weve been deliberate in maintaining strong public safety protections and ensuring law enforcement has the access they need.

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The Clean Slate Act would automate the sealing of criminal records that are already eligible under current law, eliminating the need for people to navigate a complex petition process.

This means non-conviction records would be automatically sealed, but serious crimes such as murder, sex offenses, human trafficking, Class X felonies, violent crimes, DUI and domestic battery are excluded from the automatic sealing.

Former ISU teachers assistant arrested for alleged threats against Donald Trump

While these sealed records wont be available to private background check companies, law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, the Department of Children and Family Services and state agencies authorized by law would retain full access to these records.

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This would also create the Illinois Clean State Task Force to monitor the development of processes for sealing criminal records without petition, create an implementation plan and oversee the execution of the measures provisions.

The passage of the Clean Slate Act represents years of collaboration among criminal justice reform advocates, law enforcement and policymakers committed to balancing redemption with public safety, Sims said. This measure reflects Illinois commitment to evidence-based policy that recognizes the value of second chances while protecting 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 WCIA.com.
(The Center Square)  An Illinois trucking company owner says the deadly California semi-truck crash involving an illegal immigrant driver exposes a much deeper problem in the industry that federal regulators are ignoring.

Zach Meiborg, owner of Meiborg Brothers Trucking in Rockford, said this isnt just about one driver being intoxicated or here illegally.

The real story is that the companies hiring drivers like this are breaking electronic logbook and other federal laws every day, while regulators look the other way, said Meiborg.

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Authorities say 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and was released by the Biden administration. He was allegedly behind the wheel of a semi-truck that crashed in Southern California, killing three people.

The California Highway Patrol did not immediately confirm with The Center Square which trucking company was involved in the crash.

An e-log, or electronic logbook, automatically tracks a truck drivers hours and rest breaks to ensure compliance with federal safety rules.

Meiborg said that erasing e-logs often goes hand in hand with hiring illegal or visa-questionable drivers, allowing foreign-owned companies to cut costs and bypass safety regulations.

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These drivers are victims in some ways, Meiborg said. Theyre being exploited by companies owned out of Serbia, India or Pakistan that are breaking every law across the board. Meanwhile, American carriers following the law are being driven out of business.

Meiborg said many fly-by-night trucking companies erase drivers hours.

There are over 200 e-log providers, and about half of them are illegal. They let dispatch call in, wipe the drivers hours clean, and give him a fresh 11 hours of drive time, said Meiborg. Good companies are going out of business because we cant compete with cheaters who are twice as productive. If regulators are going to pass these laws, they have to enforce them, otherwise youre just incentivizing people to cheat harder.

Meiborg said driver substance abuse is rare; the real danger is systemic and comes from companies breaking insurance, hours and logbook rules.

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These drivers are victims in some ways. Drivers are coming here from countries where $5,000 a year is a fortune, Meiborg said. Theyre promised $30,000 in the U.S., send half home, and they feel like kings.

During a recent news conference, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said there is a disturbing pattern of criminal illegal immigrants being granted commercial drivers licenses.

Meiborg said the problem is compounded by government inaction.

DOT has removed some illegal e-log providers, but there are still more than 100 operating illegally, he said. We can't compete against the cheaters, and our government, while imposing many rules, some of them good, is looking the other way when enforcement is needed. They're letting foreign-owned companies take over the backbone of our economy, transportation, betraying the patriotic Americans who are just trying like hell to just get by.




In the woodlands of southeastern Connecticut, an Indian tribe has found itself pushing back against the Trump administration.

What began as a federally-funded workshop to teach educators about Indigenous history has now turned into something bigger: an ongoing commitment to the accurate teaching of history in American classrooms in the face of a federal agenda that pushes for otherwise.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation's endeavor to ensure that Native history is represented fully and authentically in schools has not hindered, in spite of a sudden grant termination and President Donald Trump's crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion and how U.S. history is presented.

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In fact, the Pequot Neepun Teacher Institute, held over the summer, has emerged as the tribe's own way of fighting for accurate and inclusive history in U.S. classrooms as the Trump administration challenges the portrayal of America's past.

"We're going to do our best to minimize the damage that's being done at the federal level," said Joshua Carter, executive director of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center.

Joshua Carter at the 2025 Pequot Neepun Teacher Institute. Courtesy of Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center. (Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center)





Reshaping history

Since taking office, Trump and his administration have worked to reshape how American history is told and taught, whether it be promoting "patriotic education" in the nation's classrooms or instructing National Parks to remove signs, statues or memorials the administration sees as reflecting negatively on the country.

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Trump has also attacked The Smithsonian for including negative parts of American history and promoting "narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive," and the White House ordered a review to ensure Smithsonian museums and exhibitions align with the president's vision.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation's efforts aim to reshape history in a different way, striving for an inclusive, authentic and representative education that broadens, not limits, the stories that are told, said Rebecca Gomez, the director of education for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, who led the creation of the teacher institute.

In a sense, the larger federal landscape created an opportunity, she said.

"The United States has a problem with understanding its own history and accepting its own history," Gomez said. "And I'm hoping that because of this moment that we're in, more and more folks are awakening to what that history actually looks like and what needs to change in the ways of our understanding of our own history, so that we can prevent further atrocities."

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The goal of the Pequot Neepun Teacher Institute, a week-long, professional development opportunity for K-12 school teachers at the reservation, was to expand the tribe's longstanding efforts of providing an accurate understanding about the tribe and broader Indigenous history into classrooms across the country.

So, when the tribe secured an $81,490 National Endowment for the Humanities grant last year to launch the Pequot Neepun Teacher Institute, they were thrilled, Gomez recalled.

But just as they had sent out acceptance letters to 36 teachers across the country, their plans were upended by the Department of Government Efficiency's purge of hundreds of humanities grants in April. Recipients were told their funds would be redirected to further the president's agenda.

Steadfast despite setbacks

The 2025 Pequot Neepun Teacher Institute. Courtesy of Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center. (Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center)





As disappointed as they may have been, their commitment to putting on the institute was stronger, Gomez said. By moving around funds and with the help of community partnerships and donations, the Pequot Neepun Teacher Institute was held in July - independently funded by the tribe.

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DOGE's grant termination didn't stop them, and neither would the Trump administration's hostility surrounding elements of history and DEI in education. The tribe already plans to expand the program long into the future, Gomez said.

"The gap in the history being told on how this nation came to be is pretty wide," Carter said. "I think most tribal communities understand this pretty well. It's not specific to us. It pertains to all different cultures that are marginalized and underrepresented in our history education."

In Connecticut, Indigenous education has become more accessible for Connecticut teachers and more present in classrooms in recent years with the passage of state legislation outlining requirements for Native American studies in school districts.

"It does ensure that various perspectives are reflected in the history that is taught, and that more accurate history is taught," Gomez said.

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But that's not necessarily the norm.

Filling gaps in American classrooms

In fact, many states do not require teachers to teach about Indigenous people, and for the states that do, the curriculum is usually very limited, Gomez said. "Indigenous stories post-1900 are often erased... It really relegates indigenous folks to people of the past, not a thriving people today in the United States," she said.

Even when teachers are mandated via their state laws to teach this content, "the accessibility of authentic, accurate information is just not there," Carter said. For so long, Native perspectives have been missing from American classrooms, he said.

That's where the Pequot Neepun Teacher Institute comes in. It explores the complex history of the Pequot people, providing teachers with immersive training and a deepened understanding of Indigenous history, culture, colonialism and more that they can incorporate in their lesson plans and take back to their classrooms across the country.

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"What we provide in having the institute right here in our tribal community is that firsthand, direct experience and education from the folks that have lived it," Carter said. "They're getting the truth that they can't get anywhere else."

The 2025 Pequot Neepun Teacher Institute. Courtesy of Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center. (Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center)





During the week-long workshop, teachers participate in field trips, look at primary and secondary sources to examine Indigenous history, engage with Pequot educators on the reservation in Mashantucket, and are equipped with Indigenous-centered curricula and teaching resources.

"I think that [teachers] really are hungry to learn from indigenous folks, to educate themselves, so that they can then, in turn, educate their students," Gomez said.

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The institute's inaugural class of 36 educators came from all parts of the country, with all types of backgrounds, but were united by a common thread: "They really want to do better for their students and for their communities," Gomez said.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation was already working on raising funds to invite 36 more teachers back in July 2026, and planning to expand the lesson plans and teachings for future years, she said.

Regardless of the federal landscape and the difficulties that may arise, their priorities remain the same.

"This administration, from a Pequot perspective, really doesn't change the work that we have to do," Carter said. "The value of who we are and why we do what we do is always going to remain the same, and so we'll continue to do what we do."

This article originally published at How a Native American tribe in Connecticut is fighting to tell Indigenous history in American classrooms.
HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT)  The Indiana General Assembly is not expected to be ready for a special session on Monday, the first day lawmakers could gather for the session.

In separate statements, Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston and officials with the Indiana Senate Republicans both said their respective bodies will not convene on Monday.

It comes after Governor Mike Braun called a special session earlier this week centered on redistricting and issues surrounding federal and state tax compliance.

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According to previous reports, lawmakers have 30 session days, 40 calendar days, to complete official business for the special session.

On Monday, Braun called for the special session to begin on November 3.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
On the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday highlighted the monumental role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in uniting India post-independence and announced a series of grand celebrations to mark the Iron Man's 150th birth anniversary. Addressing the gathering, Shah said, "We all know that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a big role in uniting India post-independence. Tomorrow is the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel...This year's unique celebrations of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas will include a grand parade. The Home Ministry has decided that, from this year onward, a grand parade will be held on every 31st October...During the Parade, CAPFs and State Police forces will showcase their skills, discipline, and valour. PM Modi will take part in the parade at 7:55 A.M., the way parade is conducted in Republic Day, the same will be held on the Birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel every year." Amit Shah accused Congress of deliberately sidelining Sardar Patel post-independence, delaying Bharat Ratna by 41 years due to lack of respect, and failing to build any samadhi or memorial. He credited Narendra Modi, as Gujarat CM, for commissioning the world-famous Statue of Unity and Sardar Patel Memorial. "Unfortunately, after Sardar Patel's death after independence, the Congress party spared no effort to forget him. There was a 41-year delay in awarding the Bharat Ratna to a great personality like Sardar Patel, solely due to the Congress party's distinct lack of respect for him. For a great personality like Sardar Patel, neither a samadhi nor a memorial was built in the entire country. When Narendra Modi became the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he commissioned the Statue of Unity and built the Sardar Patel Memorial, a magnificent monument that has become famous worldwide," he said in a press conference. The Home Minister also announced a fortnight-long cultural programme in Ekta Nagar from November 1 to 15. "From November 1 to 15, 2025, Ekta Nagar will host Bharat Parv, showcasing cultural performances and a diverse food festival representing various states. The celebration will conclude on November 15 with special events marking Birsa Munda Jayanti, honouring the rich heritage and indomitable spirit of India's tribal communities," he added. Addressing the gathering, Shah said, "Bihar is buzzing with election fervour, yet today I've gathered you all to discuss the magnificent parade planned in Ekta Nagar, Kevadia Colony, to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the esteemed Sardar Patel. As we all recognise, Sardar Patel's monumental role in consolidating the country post-independence, in moulding modern India, and in forging a cohesive nation was truly unparalleled..." Shah revealed that the iconic 'Run for Unity' initiative will be scaled up nationwide. "This year, the 'Run for Unity' is being scaled up significantly. The initiative is taking place in every state, Union Territory, district, police station, school, and university across the nation," Shah stated. Modelled on the Republic Day Parade held every year on January 26 in New Delhi, a moving parade will be organised this year on October 31 at Ekta Nagar, an official Gujarat CMO press release said. Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi and Director General of Police Vikas Sahay presented a detailed outline of the entire plan for this grand celebration. They mentioned that 16 contingents, including BSF, CISF, ITBP, CRPF, SSB, and contingents from Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and NCC, will participate in the National Unity Day parade. 16 medal-winning valiant soldiers from BSF's Operation SINDOOR and five Shaurya Chakra awardees from CRPF will also take part in the parade, riding in an open jeep. The parade will be led by nearly 100 members of the Heralding Team, dressed in vibrant uniforms and playing a range of musical instruments. The Parade will also feature nine band contingents performing patriotic melodies. In addition, four school bands will present special performances, including two from Gujarat that won at the state level and two that earned top honours at the national school band competition. (ANI)
WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  State and local lawmakers are celebrating the U.S. Department of Energys Loan Programs Offices announcement of a $1.5 billion loan for a coal-powered fertilizer facility in the Wabash Valley.

The loan will help fund a $2.6-billion coal-powered clean ammonia fertilizer facility in West Terre Haute.

According to a press release from the Department of Energy, the plant is anticipated to produce 500,000 metric tons of anhydrous ammonia per year. The Department of Energy said it will accomplish this by using coal from a nearby Southern Indiana mine.

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Indiana Governor Mike Braun and U.S. Representative Mark Messmer (R-Ind.) both praised President Donald Trump for bringing this investment to Indiana.

I commend President Trump, the U.S. Department of Energy, and their Energy Dominance Financing program for this wise investment in Indiana, said Governor Braun. Wabash Valley Resources is putting America firsttransforming an idle fossil energy plant into a fertilizer engine that strengthens our farmers, bolsters energy independence, and revitalizes coal country. This is the kind of vision and leadership we need to compete globally.

This bold investment is exactly the kind of forward-looking initiative our communities deserve. President Trump is not only boosting American agriculture and energy independence, but also bringing jobs, prosperity, and renewed purpose to every corner of Indianas 8th District, said Rep. Messmer. I applaud WVR and look forward to working hand in hand to ensure this succeeds for our farmers, our workers, and our nations security.

Since taking office, President Trump has made the coal industry a focus of his second term. In September, the Trump administration said it would open 13 million acres of federal lands for coal mining and provide $625 million to recommission or modernize coal-fired power plants.

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Wabash Valley Resource said this investment delivers on the Trump administrations promise to responsibly steward taxpayer dollars and unleash American energy dominance.

Todays announcement highlights DOEs commitment to achieving President Trumps national security and energy dominance goals by securing domestic fertilizer supply for farmers in the Corn Belt and ensuring the American peoples access to reliable, abundant, and affordable energy, said Wabash Valley Resources.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright echoed the support for the investment.

For too long, America has been dependent on foreign sources of fertilizer, said Wright. Under President Trumps leadership, we are changing that by putting America first, relying on American coal, American workers, and American innovation to power our farms and feed our families.

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Wabash Valley Resource officials also praised the Government of the Republic of Korea and Korean investors who helped get the project to the Wabash Valley.

We are equally honored by the trust shown by the Government of the Republic of Korea through its Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), and by our Korean investment partners, Hanwha Asset Management and Korea Investment Real Asset Management Co., Ltd. (KIRA), who have invested in Wabash, said Simon Greenshields, Chairman of the Board, Wabash Valley Resources

This project is more than an investment; its a new chapter for a world-class facility and the community that built it. With the support of the U.S. Department of Energy, our elected leaders, our Korean partners, and Americas skilled workforce, were restoring good-paying jobs and proving that rural Indiana can help lead Americas clean energy future, said Dan Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Wabash Valley Resources

Greg Zeller, Vice President of External Affairs for Wabash Valley Resources, told WTWO the new plant will be built on the site of an old coal plant that has been idle since 2016 and will reuse some of the old facility.

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The Department of Energy and Wabash Valley Resources have not yet released a completion date for this project.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WEHT)  In the wake of a special called session announced in Indiana, state representative Alex Burton and former U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly is hearing from Evansville residents on issues Burton describes as unbearable.

Weve been brought into a redistricting conversation that leads to some concerns, says Burton. Were going in three or four days in one chamber which means were going to be dragging out this process.

On Monday, Indiana Governor Mike Braun announced he would be scheduling a special session to redraw congressional boundaries. Former Senator Joe Donnelly believes this is due to pressure from Washington to give President Donald Trump more winnable seats with midcycle redistricting.

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Former Indiana Gov. advises against redistricting

They work for the people of Indiana, says Donnelly. They dont work for somebody at the White House. They dont work for somebody in the Governors office. They work for you and thats how they should handle this.

Bode Bullock, a student at the University of Evansville, came to the meeting to stay informed in local politics. Bullock says he walked out of the meeting disagreeing with redistricting efforts.

Its just unfortunate, says Bullock. I feel like as a democracy we have the idea that we have people on the other side that we dont agree with, but were all Americans in the end.

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Indiana lawmakers on redistricting before midterms

In a packed meeting, many residents, including Bullock, had one question in mind, What can Hoosiers do to help make change happen? Donnely says voter turnout plays a pivotal role in that answer.

If youre waiting for a savior to come along, theres not going to be a savior, says Donnely. The savior is you.

Burton says the special session will likely not start on Monday as planned. Burton says a new date has yet to be set but believes it will be sometime in mid-November.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  State Senator Greg Goode (R-Terre Haute) will be hosting a listening session on mid-cycle redistricting this weekend at the Terre Haute City Hall.

As I have been fielding calls and electronic communications on this important matter, my position has been to not speculate on the intentions of the Governor with regard to a special legislative session, said Senator Goode in a social media post. Now that the special session has been called by the Governor, I want to hear directly from people in Senate District 38.

Earlier this week, Indiana Governor Mike Braun called for a special session to redraw congressional boundaries.

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Gov. Braun called for the General Assembly to convene Nov. 3 for the special session.

This comes after weeks of pressure on Indiana lawmakers to back President Donald Trumps bid to add more winnable seats with redistricting.

While Republicans in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina have already enacted new congressional districts, Indiana lawmakers have been hesitant. A spokesperson for state Senate Leader Rodric Brays office said last week that the chamber lacks the votes to redistrict.

Even though Gov. Braun has called for the assembly to convene at the beginning of November, our sister station in Indianapolis is reporting the Indiana General Assembly is not expected to be ready for a special session on Monday.

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Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston said that the general assembly has up to 40 days to conduct legislative business in a special session. Meaning we could have a decision on the mid-cycle redistricting by the second week of December.

Goode will hold his listening session in Terre Haute on November 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., just days before the assembly was supposed to meet.

Goode said he recommends the residents of Senate District 38 to do their research and treat everybody with Hoosier hospitality during the meeting.

I encourage the citizens of the state of Indiana to do their own research on this matter, reach out directly to their state legislators, and treat one another with courtesy and respectthis is the Indiana way, said Goode.

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During the listening session, attendees are also asked to follow this set of ground rules:

Participants entering council chamber must provide proof of residency in Senate District 38 with a State of Indiana photo identification. Those who are unable to provide proof of district residency will remain outside and will be provided with an opinion form that Sen. Goode will review. No signs or political propaganda will be allowed in the council chamber. Participants will be expected to behave in a manner that shows courtesy, respect and civility to one another. Attempts to disrupt the listening session will result in immediate removal from the council chamber. Participants will be allowed up to two minutes to state their opinions. Sen. Goode will not engage in debates  he is there to listen. Due to the fire code capacity limits, participants are encouraged to exit council chamber after stating their opinion so others may enter and voice their opinions.

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 MyWabashValley.com.
MIAMI (AP)  Influential Cuban dissident leader Jose Daniel Ferrer, recently exiled from Cuba, says that the island's fractured and weakened opposition movements need to shift strategies and oppose the government from outside the Caribbean nation.

The comments from Ferrer, in an interview with The Associated Press, come after he spent years in prison in Cuba where he believed he could fuel a larger fight against the government. Being a prisoner turned me into a symbol of resistance, he told the AP in Miami.

Now, although he would prefer to be in Cuba, he said he believes he and other exiles must build a strategy outside of the island.

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Ferrer said he was forced to leave his country because of the continuing government crackdown on critics triggered by mass anti-government protests that broke out in 2021. It has fueled an exodus of civil society representatives, activists and journalists, weakening groups who oppose the government.

Ferrer arrived in Miami earlier this month on a flight from Cuba with family and U.S. officials.

The only way to stay in contact with my activists scattered across the island ... the only way to help relieve people of their hunger and lack of resources so many people face is to leave the country, he said. Thats how we can turn into a political force thats actually effective.

Mounting crackdown and geopolitical tensions

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Cuba's government remains locked in a decades-long geopolitical feud with the U.S. government and has been economically crippled by U.S. sanctions.

President Donald Trump has reinstated hardline policies toward Havana, toughening sanctions and reinstating a ban on American tourism to the communist island. Such measures have been criticized as disproportionately affecting the people of Cuba rather than the government that the Trump administration hopes to combat.

As leader of a dissident movement in his home city of Santiago de Cuba, Ferrer had been in and out of prison in recent decades.

Most recently, Ferrer was convicted of violating house arrest  something often imposed on dissident figures  to protest during mass-demonstrations in 2021. Ferrer has denied the charges.

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While human rights groups and the U.S. government have in the past described Ferrer as a political prisoner, Cuba's government denies holding any political prisoners.

Ferrer said that during his detention he was tortured  including beatings and being force-fed rotten meat through a tube  in what he described as an effort by Cuban authorities to force him to leave the island.

He said that Cuban officials also pressured him to reach out to the U.S. Embassy and the Catholic Church in hopes of facilitating a deal for Cuba to release prisoners in exchange for an easing of sanctions. Ferrer said he refused to do that.

Cubas government did not respond to a request for comment about allegations of torture or pressuring Ferrer to seek negotiations with the Trump administration. It did publicly acknowledge that Ferrer was released following a formal request by American authorities, and previously has denied that Ferrer was tortured.

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Leaving the country was my only option

Ferrer said that for years he refused to leave the island because his imprisonment made him a kind of martyr who motivated other Cubans to oppose the government.

But in recent years, particularly in the wake of the 2021 protests, Ferrer said its been harder to organize on the island, and that the government has gone after his family, including threatening to arrest his partner. The ongoing crackdown and exodus of opposition figures has had what Ferrer described as a chilling effect.

Leaving the country was my only option, he said, noting he hopes to return someday.

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In December, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights condemned what it called growing repression in Cuba against opponents and dissidents including targeting journalists, activists and political opponents. The commission said the Cuban government used internet shutdowns, house arrests, surveillance, detentions, fines and interrogations to go after opponents.

Ferrer has been given a number of concessions not usually afforded to dissidents, such as leaving the country with his family, including the mother of one of his daughters.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement that it did not negotiate with the Cuban government for Ferrers release, though it did publicly acknowledge that Ferrer was released following a formal request by American authorities.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, celebrated Ferrers release earlier this month, and called on the Cuban government to release other imprisoned opponents.

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Ferrers leadership and tireless advocacy for the Cuban people was a threat to the regime, which repeatedly imprisoned and tortured him. We are glad that Ferrer is now free from the regimes oppression, Rubio wrote in a statement.

The pathway for the Cuban opposition remains unclear as the country continues to be roiled by the economic and energy crises but with fewer voices to raise alarm about frustrations.

-

AP reporter Andrea Rodriguez contributed from Havana.
NEED TO KNOW

Between 1989 and 1990, police found the bodies of six men shot and dumped near Florida highways

Aileen Wuornos, 34, a hitchhiking sex worker, was arrested outside The Last Resort bar in Port Orange in connection with the killings in 1991

Wuornos was executed in 2002 after receiving multiple death sentences for the murders

Seven men were found shot and dumped off Florida highways between 1989 and 1990  a spree that led investigators to a drifter named Aileen Wuornos, who claimed she had killed in self-defense. Her arrest outside a Port Orange bar marked the start of a case that gripped the nation, fueled by televised interviews, courtroom outbursts and a fascination with the idea of a sex worker who killed her clients.

Now, Netflixs Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers, which premiered Oct. 30, revisits the investigation and its aftermath through archival footage and a 1997 death-row interview of Wuornos by artist Jasmine Hirst, re-examining the life and legacy of one of the most infamous women ever executed in the United States.

Feb. 29, 1956  Rochester, Mich.

Aileen Carol Wuornos was born on Feb. 29, 1956, in Rochester, Mich., per Encyclopaedia Britannica. Her father was later imprisoned for child sexual assault and died by suicide, her mother left soon after, and she and her brother were raised by their maternal grandparents.

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At 14, Wuornos gave birth to a son who was placed for adoption, and she was soon pushed out of the home and began drifting and hitchhiking, per the Netflix documentary.

1986  Aileen met Tyria Moore in Daytona Beach

Screenshot via YouTube Tyria Moore

Wuornos said she and then-24-year-old Moore quickly became inseparable; the pair dated for four-and-a-half years, until Wuornos' arrest.

We never left each other except for when we worked, she said. I was a cook, I was cookin for Ty, I cleaned the place for Ty I loved her so bad The only reason I carried that darn gun is because I loved her so much. I wanted to make sure I got home alive, in one piece, so Id be another day breathing with her, Wuornos says in archival footage used in the documentary.

Dec. 13, 1989  Richard Mallory found dead

Acey Harper/Getty Investigators of serial murderer Aileen Wuornos Richard Vogel, Bob Kelley & Larry Horzepa & Jake Erhart; holding mug shots of Aileen Wuornos & 1st victim Richard Mallory. Investigators of serial murderer Aileen Wuornos Richard Vogel, Bob Kelley & Larry Horzepa & Jake Erhart; holding mug shots of Aileen Wuornos & 1st victim Richard Mallory.

Electronics-store owner Richard Mallory, 51, picked up Wuornos near Daytona Beach in late November 1989.

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His car was later found abandoned, and his body was discovered Dec. 13 in a wooded area. He had been shot multiple times with a .22-caliber weapon, according to court documents.

Wuornos later said Mallory raped her and that she shot him in self-defense, per archival interviews featured in the documentary.

Investigators tied her to Mallory using pawn-shop records and fingerprints after she sold his personal effects, according to court documents.

June 1, 1990  Police recover body of David Spears

Peter Cosgrove/AP Photo Convicted serial killer Aileen Wuornos waits to testify in the Volusia County courthouse on July 20, 2001 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Convicted serial killer Aileen Wuornos waits to testify in the Volusia County courthouse on July 20, 2001 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Spears, a 43-year-old construction worker, was found nude along U.S. 19 in Citrus County. He had been shot six times with a .22-caliber firearm, according to Florida Supreme Court records.

June 6, 1990  Charles Carskaddon was found

Part-time rodeo worker Charles Carskaddon, 40, was discovered nude and decomposing in Pasco County  he had been shot eight times with a .22-caliber weapon, according to Florida Supreme Court records.

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Wuornos pawned Carskaddon's gun, per court records reviewed by PEOPLE. In archival footage featured in Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers, Wuornos said she killed him after believing he was involved in drug smuggling.

July 4, 1990  Peter Siems vanished; car crash yielded a composite sketch

Retired merchant seaman Peter Siems, 65, disappeared while driving from Jupiter, Fla., to Arkansas. Weeks later, witnesses saw two women crash and abandon his car in Volusia County.

A palm print on the door matched Wuornos, and a composite sketch of the women was distributed statewide, according to court documents and archival footage in the film.

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Siems' body was never found, and Wuornos was never convicted in his presumed death.

Aug. 4, 1990  Troy Burress found dead

Lafayette/Kobal/Shutterstock

Burress, 50, a traveling sausage salesman from Ocala, was reported missing during his delivery route. His truck was found abandoned, and his body was later discovered with two gunshot wounds in the Ocala National Forest, according to court documents and reporting featured in the film.

Sept. 12, 1990  Charles Dick Humphreys found shot

Humphreys, 56, a retired Air Force major and former police chief, was discovered along a Marion County road. He had been shot seven times with a .22-caliber firearm, according to Florida Supreme Court records.

Nov. 19, 1990  Walter Gino Antonio became the final victim

Antonio, 61, a security guard and Brevard County reserve deputy, was found along a remote Dixie County road wearing only socks.

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He had been shot four times  three in the back and one to the head  according to court documents.

Investigators also noted a paper dinner napkin found near his body and that Antonio used dentures that were missing, per court documents. He was engaged to be married when he died, according to his obituary.

Jan. 9, 1991  Arrest at The Last Resort

Acey Harper/Getty

Wuornos was arrested outside The Last Resort, a biker-style dive bar where she was a regular, according to ClickOrlando.

Patrons helped lure her outside so undercover officers could move in, per the outlet. Archival footage used in Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers shows her telling officers, I want to know what the hell is going on here. Id like to know why Im being arrested, for what, for what warrant?

Jan. 1991  The taped calls with Tyria Moore

After her arrest, police arranged recorded phone calls between Moore and Wuornos.

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On a Jan. 16 call, Moore said, Lee, theyre coming after me, and Wuornos replied, Im not gonna let you go to jail  If I have to confess everything just to keep you from getting in trouble, I will, according to court documents and the documentarys archival audio.

In a separate recorded call, cited in court documents, Wuornos said she killed her victims, Because I fell so f----- in love with you that I was so worried about us not having an apartment and sh-- I was scared that we were going to lose our place I know it sounds crazy but its the truth.

Jan. 1992  Mallory trial and first death sentence

Peter Bauer-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Wuornos was tried in Volusia County for Mallorys murder. Prosecutors introduced pawn-shop receipts and fingerprint evidence linking her to Mallorys property, according to court documents.

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The documentary reports that Mallory had a 1957 conviction for assault with intent to rape and was once committed to a sexual-offender institution  information not presented to jurors at trial, per archival Dateline reporting used in the film.

March 1992 - February 1993  Wuornos pleaded no contest and guilty in remaining cases

Over the next year, Wuornos entered no-contest and guilty pleas in several remaining murders and received additional death sentences, according to Florida Supreme Court records.

"I would really appreciate to be sent back to court immediately ... I plead no contest and I meant that," Wuornos told a judge at a 1992 no-contest hearing in Marion County, per the documentary. "It's the end of the line... I don't see why there should be a jury. I don't see why this should carry on... I've been framed. I've been set up. I'm ready to die and get out of your evil."

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Her attorney Steve Glazer said during this period that his client wanted to get this over as soon as possible, per archival footage shown in the Netflix documentary.

July 20, 2001  Post-conviction hearing

At a Volusia County hearing, Wuornos said, I killed those men. I robbed them and I killed them as cold as ice. And Id do it again too Theres no chance in keeping me alive Cause Id kill again. I have hate crawling through my system, according to the Associated Press.

Oct. 9, 2002  Execution

Chris Livingston/Getty The hearse carrying the body of convicted killer Aileen Wuornos leaves the Florida State Prison following her execution by lethal injection October 9, 2002 in Starke, Florida. The hearse carrying the body of convicted killer Aileen Wuornos leaves the Florida State Prison following her execution by lethal injection October 9, 2002 in Starke, Florida.

Wuornos was executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison at 9:47 a.m. Her final statement was: Yes, I would just like to say Im sailing with the Rock, and Ill be back, like Independence Day, with Jesus  June 6. Like the movie, big mothership and all. Ill be back. Ill be back, PEOPLE previously reported.

Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers, a new Netflix documentary, began streaming Oct. 30.



Read the original article on People
A man was hospitalized with serious injuries following a shooting on Interstate 95 near Boca Raton, according to multiple agencies.

Boca Raton Police and Boca Raton Fire Rescue are assisting the Florida Highway Patrol and the Broward Sheriff's Office in the incident that occurred on I-95 North near Palmetto Park Road and Hillsboro Boulevard, just south of the Palm Beach County-Broward County line.

The shooting, which happened around 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 29, involved at least two vehicles, according to reports. The Broward Sheriff's Office, which is the lead investigating unit, said a subject has been detained.

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Its unclear what prompted the shooting or if the shots came from a passing vehicle or roadside.

All lanes of northbound I-95 were shut down beyond the Hillsboro Boulevard exit and remained closed until around 8 p.m., according to traffic alerts from Florida 511.

Reports of a shooting on Interstate 95 near Boca Raton shut down all lanes northbound near Southwest 18th Street on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

James Coleman is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at jcoleman@pbpost.com and follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @JimColeman11. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Man hospitalized after shooting shuts down Interstate 95 near Boca Raton
An interstellar comet that originated outside our solar system just made its closest pass of the sun, setting it on an outgoing path  but its not leaving our cosmic neighborhood yet.

The comet, dubbed 3I/ATLAS, came within about 126 million miles (203 million kilometers) of our star, according to EarthSky. The object is currently behind the sun from the perspective of ground-based telescopes on Earth, but astronomers anticipate being able to view the comet again in a few weeks, said Darryl Seligman, assistant professor in the department of physics and astronomy at Michigan State University.

Stargazers using telescopes should be able to see the object in the predawn sky beginning November 11, according to EarthSky.

The ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter captured an image of 3I/ATLAS on October 3. - ESA/TGO/CaSSIS

Astronomers will have a few more months to observe the comet before it begins heading out of our solar system, Seligman said.

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The comet will make its closest approach of Earth on December 19, coming within about 168 million miles (270 million kilometers)  but it poses no threat to our planet, according to the European Space Agency.

Astronomers have been observing the comet, only the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system, since its discovery on July 1.

Each observation is shedding light on this interstellar object and how different it may be from comets that originated in our solar system.

Hubble captured this image of the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS on July 21. - NASA/ESA/David Jewitt (UCLA)

The ingredients of an interstellar comet

Comets are like dirty snowballs left over from the formation of solar systems.

A comets nucleus is its solid core, made of ice, dust and rocks. When comets travel near stars such as the sun, heat causes them to release gas and dust, which creates their signature tails.

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Astronomers are interested in capturing as many observations of the comet as they can because as it nears the sun, material releasing from the object could reveal more about its composition  and the star system where it originated.

When it gets closest to the sun, you get the most holistic view of the nucleus possible, Seligman said. One of the main things driving most cometary scientists is, what is the composition of the volatiles? It shows you the initial primordial material that it formed from.

Scientists have used powerful tools, such as the Hubble Space and James Webb Space telescopes, along with a multitude of space-based missions, such as SPHEREx, to study the comet.

NASAs SPHEREx observed 3I/ATLAS between August 7 and 15. - SPHEREx/NASA

The SPHEREx and Webb observations detected carbon dioxide, water, carbon monoxide, carbonyl sulphide and water ice releasing from the comet as it neared the sun, according to the ESA.

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Preliminary estimates indicate that the interstellar comet is 3 billion to 11 billion years old, according to a study coauthored by Seligman and Aster Taylor, a doctoral student and Fannie and John Hertz Foundation Fellow at the University of Michigan, in August. For reference, our solar system is estimated to be about 4.6 billion years old.

Carbon dioxide turns directly from a solid into a gas in response to temperature changes much more easily than most elements  which means the comet has likely never been close to another star before its brush with the sun, Seligman said.

The James Webb Space Telescope observed the interstellar comet on August 6 with its Near-Infrared Spectrograph. - James Webb Space Telescope/NASA

All eyes on 3I/ATLAS

The interstellar comet faded from the view of ground-based telescopes in October, but it remained in sight for missions such as PUNCH, or Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere, and SOHO, or the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. The object also made its closest approach of Mars on October 3, coming within 18.6 million miles (30 million kilometers) of the red planet  and the spacecraft orbiting it.

While the government shutdown has prevented data sharing from any NASA missions that have observed the comet since October 1, the ESAs Mars Express and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter attempted to capture views of 3I/ATLAS in October.

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The cameras aboard those missions are designed to study the relatively close, bright surface of Mars, but ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter managed to observe the comet as a fuzzy white dot.

This was a very challenging observation for the instrument, Nick Thomas, principal investigator of the orbiters camera, said in a statement, noting the comet is around 10,000 to 100,000 times fainter than our usual target.

ESAs Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer, or Juice, will also attempt to observe 3I/ATLAS in November using multiple instruments despite the comet being farther from the spacecraft than it was when observed by the Mars orbiters. But astronomers dont expect to receive the observations until February due to the rate at which the spacecraft is sending data back to Earth.

Weve got several more months to observe it, Seligman said. And theres going to be amazing science that comes out.

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Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.

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For several years, social media pages and accounts have claimed that a new ocean is forming in Africa. The claim has been spread by YouTube (archived) videos (archived) with views in the millions, Facebook posts (archived) that refer to it as if it were a recent discovery and Reddit threads (archived) featuring dramatic images of the ground splitting open.

What exactly this alleged forming ocean looks like, how it is forming and how quickly it is forming look and sound different depending on the headline, image or thumbnail. One Facebook post (archived) depicted a long canyon filled with water. An Instagram post (archived) showed Africa splitting down the center, from the Mediterranean Sea down to the continent's southern tip. A TikTok video (archived), which similarly began with a graphic of Africa splitting down the middle, claimed "this all started in 2005" and showed what appeared to be a massive crack filled with water down the center of Ethiopia.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJCwk4iNCRg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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While it is true that Africa is splitting apart and scientists currently believe a new ocean will eventually form as a result, this is a process that is taking place slowly over millions of years. People in Africa wouldn't be able to see the earth actively pulling apart with the naked eye, nor would they see water visibly filling any rifts or depressions like an ocean bubbling up from beneath the land.

The part of Africa where this splitting is taking place is called the Great Rift Valley or East African Rift, according to Eos, a science magazine published by the American Geophysical Union and the United States Geological Survey. This rift is visible on a map; it begins in a volcanic area in Ethiopia to the north and is marked by several large, narrow lakes as it winds its way to the south through the continent. For 30 million years, the eastern part of the African plate has been slowly tearing itself away from the rest of the continent at a rate of millimeters or centimeters per year, according to an Eos article from 2020. The Great Rift Valley has formed over these 30 million years.

As the spreading continues, the rift valley will sink lower, eventually to the point that ocean waters will be able to flood the basin, a page by The Geological Society of London says. New oceanic crust may fill the space where the continental crust is separating, but as of this writing there was no evidence of oceanic crust filling the space quite yet.

Scientists believe the region is likely in the process of forming a new ocean basin; they don't know how long it will be until then. Some scientists have estimated it will take as little as a few million years, while others have suggested it could take up to 50 million years.

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In Ethiopia, where the northern end of the East African Rift starts, three separate rifts meet in what's called the Afar Triple Junction. The highly volcanic area is where many of the most dramatic effects of the continent's splitting can be seen. The Danakil Depression, in Ethiopia's Afar region, is already below sea level. And Dallol, a volcano in that depression, is the site of a dramatic landscape filled with acidic, brightly colored geothermal pools. The region is also home to one of the rare places the Earth has literally split open.

In 2005, a 35-mile long fissure formed in Ethiopia's Afar region in just three weeks, according to the European Space Agency. The fissure's opening coincided with volcanic activity and earthquakes in the area, reported the Global Volcanism Program. This "crack" in the surface, which has been the subject of dramatic photographs, was one of the most visible examples of Africa slowly breaking apart. The fissure, which can be seen on Google Maps today, is located in the desert with no water inside of it  so even this is a long way from the visible formation of a new ocean.

Scientists regularly publish studies about the East African Rift and its forming ocean basin, especially following the formation of the Ethiopian fissure in 2005. Social media posts and news headlines sometimes make it sound like the splitting of Africa and the new ocean basin expected to fill it in are newly discovered or have only been researched since 2005. But research on the East African Rift, and even the idea that the continent is separating, has existed for decades. One research paper on the East African Rift system is dated to 1967. A paper from 1972 referenced the theory that Africa is separating and allowing for sea-floor spreading, albeit to claim there was no evidence at the time to support it.

Recent research has investigated why the African plate is separating, the history of the rift and how the East African Rift can be used to enhance scientists' understanding of continental rifts elsewhere.

Sources:

"East Africa Volcanoes [This Dynamic Earth, USGS]." Pubs.usgs.gov, 11 July 2025, pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/East_Africa.html. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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"East African Rift Valley, East Africa." Geolsoc.org.uk, www.geolsoc.org.uk/science-and-policy/plate-tectonic-stories/east-african-rift-valley/. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

"ESA's Envisat Satellite Witnesses Earth's Largest Crack." Esa.int, 20 July 2006, www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Envisat/ESA_s_Envisat_satellite_witnesses_Earth_s_largest_crack. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

"Global Volcanism Program | Dabbahu." Smithsonian Institution | Global Volcanism Program, 18 Oct. 2005, volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=221113. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Harris, Jill. "Research Highlight: What Is Tearing Africa Apart?" Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 28 Feb. 2014, scripps.ucsd.edu/news/research-highlight-what-tearing-africa-apart. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

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Klemetti, Erik. "Are We Seeing a New Ocean Starting to Form in Africa?" Eos, American Geophysical Union, 8 May 2020, eos.org/articles/are-we-seeing-a-new-ocean-starting-to-form-in-africa. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Krajick, Kevin. "In Ethiopian Desert, a Window into Rifting of Africa." State of the Planet, Columbia Climate School, 8 July 2013, news.climate.columbia.edu/2013/07/08/in-the-ethiopian-desert-a-window-into-the-rifting-of-africa/. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
DM said all security arrangements have been made as per protocol, adding that the administration will ensure the public rally proceeds smoothly.

"All security arrangements have been made as per protocol. We will ensure that the public rally is conducted smoothly," Subrat Kumar Sen told ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold rallies in Muzaffarpur and Chhapra today after kicking off electoral campaign in poll-bound Bihar.

In a post on X, PM Modi expressed confidence that the BJP-NDA will register a comprehensive victory in the poll-bound state.

"My family members from Bihar are themselves in the electoral fray to ensure a resounding victory for the BJP-NDA. In this atmosphere of enthusiasm, tomorrow morning around 11 AM in Muzaffarpur and in the afternoon at 12:45 PM in Chhapra, I will have the good fortune to engage in dialogue with the public. I am confident that in the assembly elections, once again, my brothers and sisters of the state will sound the conch of great victory," the Prime Minister wrote on 'X'.

The 2025 Bihar election is the main contest between the National Democratic Alliance 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)
(The Center Square)  An ethics investigation has cleared Mayor Lisa Brown and much of the Spokane City Council of all allegations related to June 16, according to records obtained by The Center Square.

Andrea Asan, an attorney with a Spokane-based law firm, submitted the investigation on Monday after interviewing a dozen people and reviewing hours of footage and communications between the officials.

Asan ultimately found no evidence to substantiate claims that Brown promised former Councilmember Lili Navarrete a job with the city for flipping her vote over the mayors proposed camping ban. They all adhered to the rules of procedure that night, but the council did communicate extensively with Brown.

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Findings are subject to change based on the discovery of additional evidence, according to the report.

The Spokane Ethics Commission launched a probe into the council and mayor after Linda Biel, a local resident and business owner, filed a complaint with several allegations surrounding June 16. Biel had specifically identified Brown and every member of the council majority at the time, Navarrete included.

According to the investigation, the council majority entered the night of June 16 expecting to approve the mayors proposed camping ban. They even had a news release ready to publish afterward, though all of that changed when Council President Betsy Wilkerson and Navarrete voted against the mayor's policy.

The June 16 Flip-Flop Vote

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Both joined the council minority to reject the proposal 4-3. The hang-up was over a provision requiring up to a weeks notice before breaking up encampments, but after a brief recess close to midnight, they changed their minds. The council majority ultimately amended that notice period down to three days.

While the council deferred a final vote on Browns proposal to June 30 and opted later to cut the notice period altogether, residents accused the majority of conducting closed-door deals in the dead of night.

According to text messages obtained by The Center Square, the mayor contacted every person on the council majority during their June 16 meeting, except Navarrete. Asans report confirmed this as well.

Brown texted Wilkerson and Councilmembers Zack Zappone and Paul Dillon, all within 10 minutes of the officials rejecting her proposal, asking each of them to call her. Zappone stepped away from the dais to call Brown, who asked why Navarrete voted no. He wasnt sure, but expressed a desire for another vote.

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Mayor Brown texted CP Wilkerson to call her, which she did during the break, according to Asans report. They discussed whether a compromise would be possible. The discussion was limited to CP Wilkersons vote and there is no evidence that the votes of other council members were discussed.

Dillon told the mayor that he planned to chat with Navarrete during the recess, but never did because she was already in the council lounge with Zappone and Wilkerson. The four of them meeting like that would have violated state law, so Dillon told The Center Square he stayed at the dais during the recess.

Footage shows Dillon pacing around the area while holding his phone before stepping out of frame.

During the backroom meeting, Wilkerson explained that the community input she received before that day allegedly supported a three-day notice period. Navarrete concurred and expressed a desire to pass the mayors camping ban before her upcoming resignation on June 30, according to the investigation.

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There were no promises made to trade votes in exchange for the compromise on the ordinance, nor was there any reference made about CM Navarrete procuring a new job with the city, according to the report.

Navarrete asked Council Policy Advisor Chris Wright how to make an amendment, and he suggested she make a motion for reconsideration. She had never done that, so Wright emailed her instructions, along with Zappone and Dillon, who texted the mayor a single number, 3, at 10:59 p.m. that night.

When the Council resumed proceedings after the break, CM Zappone can be seen motioning to CM Navarrete, according to the report. This was done as an indication to CM Navarette to interrupt the proceedings to make a motion  Navarrete confirms that she brought the motion on her own accord.

The council ultimately voted 5-2 to amend the notice period down to three days before voting again to defer final consideration to June 30, Navarretes last day on the council. Around 18 people testified on the amendment, though many community members had already left after the first vote hours earlier.

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Navarretes New Job

While council staff announced earlier that day that Navarrete would begin working with the city in July, they only sent the details to a few reporters. The city didnt announce her new position on its website until June 17, raising questions about the vote among those who attended the meeting the night prior.

I was unable to uncover any conspiracy, undue influence, or quid pro quo  promise in exchange for moving to amend and reconsider [the ordinance], according to the report. I have not been presented with any evidence that Mayor Brown or council  acted outside of their authority during the Meeting.

However, I do recognize that there was a lack of communication from council members resulting in public confusion, according to the investigation report, which created a sense of untrustworthiness.

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According to the report, Navarrete applied for a job within Spokanes Community, Housing and Human Services Department back in February. She initially planned to run for reelection, but later decided not to due to health issues, announcing her resignation, effective June 30, on or around May 20, 2025.

This is not a position in Mayor Browns administration, nor does she have any control over the terms or conditions of the position, including hiring or firing, according to the report; however, the mayor does oversee Navarretes bosses in CHHS and the Neighborhoods, Housing, and Human Services Division.

The report says Navarrete told Wilkerson about her illness in early 2025, and at some point, about her plan to apply for the CHHS position as well. The Civil Service Commission informed Navarrete in March that she met the minimum qualifications and ultimately ranked 11th on the list of eligible applicants.

The commission interviewed Navarrete and offered her the position on or around May 21, according to the report; the mayor and council had no say in the decision. Navarrete accepted the job that same day and started working in July, but she allegedly never discussed the job or application process with Brown.

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Let me know when you have time to talk, Navarrete messaged Brown at 9:55 a.m. on June 17, only eight hours after the June 16 meeting adjourned, according to records obtained by The Center Square.

Upcoming Election

The release of this investigation has loomed over the council majority for months. Zappone is up for reelection next week, as is Councilmember Jonthan Bingle, who represents the conservative minority.

Zappone is facing a conservative challenger, as Bingle goes up against a progressive, and two other candidates duke it out for Navarretes seat. One of those individuals aligns more with the majority and has the endorsement of all five members, while the conservative minority supports the other.

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Homelessness, and the mayors camping ban in particular, have played a significant role in the race as business associations press the candidates over their stance. Police Chief Kevin Hall recently described the policy as unenforceable, which led the council to unanimously adopt a new ban just this Monday.

The council majority ultimately signed on to many of the reforms previously recommended by Bingle and Councilmember Michael Cathcart, who also represents the conservative minority. While they both hailed the vote as a success, the timing lined up just more than a week before the November 4 election.

I dont know why downtown couldnt have been cleaned up before an election year, Spokanite Justin Haller testified Monday. Its just a shell game, dont let this temporary thing fool you. When there are seats in jeopardy on the city council to break up the supermajority, then this is what happens.

City officials told The Center Square in September that the investigation report would be available on October 27. The Center Square asked Spokane Communications Director Erin Hut for that report on Oct. 28, but the mayors spokesperson declined to do so: You will need to file a records request.

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The Center Square filed a request in September in anticipation of Asans report, but city staff closed it days later since they didnt have the report yet. The Center Square reopened that request on Tuesday and asked Hut again to provide it directly, but she said the Ethics Commission hadnt discussed it yet.

The report being done does not mean the process is done, Hut told The Center Square on Tuesday. Out of respect for the commission and process, Im unable to provide the report at this time.

The Center Square immediately called the City Attorneys Office and emailed multiple officials, asking for the legal rationale for withholding this public record; the report ended up being sent an hour later.
The mayor of Millbrae is calling for a thorough investigation into his police chief who lives in Idaho and slept in the police station during the workweek, until the ABC7 I-Team investigated.

"It's just, you know, there's a lot of information here that is disturbing, right?" Mayor Anders Fung told the I-Team.

This situation raises so many questions, and there were tense exchanges over the issue Wednesday night at the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors meeting. Once again, the I-Team's Dan Noyes gave Millbrae Police Chief Eamonn Allen a chance to respond in person and he remained silent.

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"Yeah, and that needs to be proven," Mayor Fung said. "I still need to be able to get the facts of those allegations. And, you know, I have not heard from the chief, so that's important."

EXCLUSIVE: Millbrae police chief facing questions for allegedly commuting to work from Idaho

Millbrae Police Chief Eamonn Allen is facing questions for allegedly living at the station during workdays -- and commuting to Idaho when he's off.

Wednesday marked five days since Noyes' first report and Chief Allen was sitting there during the City Council's public comment. He left right after, and the I-Team caught up with him at the police station's front door.

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"Eamonn, have you found a place to stay besides the police station?" Dan Noyes asked. "Do you have any comments about the report?"

He did not respond.

Beyond the issue of using taxpayer facilities for personal benefit, this raises questions about a first responder with a 646-mile drive to work or a 1.35-hour flight.

"Not able to return to work on short notice in the event of an emergency is ridiculous," former SFPD Commander Richard Corriea said.

The City of Millbrae contracts with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services. Allen acts as Millbrae police chief, but he's also a sheriff's captain. Tensions rose over this controversy at Wednesday night's Board of Supervisors meeting.

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In the I-Team's original report, Board President David Canepa said, "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."

Supervisor Noelia Corzo criticized Canepa over his comments.

"I want to make sure the public knows that it is actually very common practice for most law enforcement agencies, including ours, to have sleeping quarters available to their staff," Corzo said.

Canepa explained he has no issue having beds available to deputies who work a night shift and must appear in court the next morning, for example. But he has questions about sheriff's employees with homes far out of state, who stay here on the county dime during the workweek.

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"If you don't believe looking into something like this is in good policy, I don't know what to tell you," Canepa told Corzo.

Supervisor Ray Mueller had to interject between the two.

In the board meeting, Supervisor Corzo did not mention one important issue: How can these first responders quickly get to a catastrophic event - a mass shooting or an earthquake, for example - if they are at home out of state, hundreds of miles away?

Investigations are moving forward on the city and county level.

Take a look at more stories by the ABC7 News I-Team.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
DES MOINES, Iowa  Food banks and pantries in Iowa will get some extra help to see them through the expected increased demand brought on by a pause in SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown.

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits will cease on Saturday, November 1st if the U.S. government remains shut down.

Nonprofit sees surge in need for Thanksgiving meals amid government shutdown

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On Thursday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced the state will provide interim support for Iowas food banks and pantries. Based on primary needs identified by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and regional food banks, the state has come up with a response plan.

Staffing

Gov. Reynolds has directed HHS and Volunteer Iowa to recruit volunteers and deploy them to support food assistance efforts across the state.

Distribution

The Iowa National Guard has been ordered to prepare for state active duty. Gov. Reynolds has tasked the Guard with being available to conduct food distribution missions across the state.

Food inventory

Gov. Reynolds has directed HHS to use existing state funds to match cash donations to Iowas six regional food banks up to $1million, starting on November 3rd, if the federal government has not funded SNAP benefits for November because of the shutdown.

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Government plays an important role in supporting its citizens, but we each have a personal responsibility to care for the people in our communities, especially those in need, said Governor Reynolds. Thats why the state will match up to $1 million in contributions made by Iowans for regional food banks across our state. Together, we can make an even bigger difference for our neighbors who need help during this time.

The governor also highlighted donations to support Iowans food security during the shutdown from the private sector. She said the states three Medicaid managed care organizations have each committed to donate $100,000 to help support Iowa food banks. Hy-Vee has donated $100,000 to food banks in its regions. Fareway and the Iowa Pork Producers Association partnered to donate $20,000 worth of ground pork to food banks in the state.

Iowa 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 who13.com.
NEED TO KNOW

Jade Colvin, 15, was last seen on James Bachmurski's Iowa farm in 2017

He allegedly told authorities he would "go to the grave" before he told the truth about what happened

Her body has never been found

An Iowa man who was convicted in September of murdering a teenage girl last seen on his farm has learned his fate.

James Bachmurski, 66, was sentenced to 50 years in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder in the death of 15-year-old Jade Colvin. KCRG, KCCI and KTTC report.

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During his trial, prosecutors told the jury that during a second interview with authorities, he said, You know what? I already, a long time ago, figured Id go to the grave before I tell the truth.

Before his sentencing, his attorneys filed a motion seeking a new trial, saying that evidence the jury heard does not prove his guilt, KCRG reports.

The judge denied the motion.

Colvin's mother allegedly brought her to live on Bachmurskis farm in the spring of 2017, but it is unclear why, police said. She was reportedly last seen two days after she arrived, police said at the time.

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.

In court, Colvin's sister, Shalie Cinok, told Bachmurski he was a coward, saying, "You preyed on a child because no one your own age wanted you," KCRG reports.

"You saw a young woman, a trusting girl, and decided to take advantage of her kindness," she continued. "And when you couldn't control her, you murdered her."

Calling him "a pathetic, worthless predator," she said, "I hope prison shows you no mercy in the way that you showed none to Jade."



Read the original article on People
MOVILLE, Iowa (KCAU)  A significant contribution was made to a few local food pantries over the week, as we head into the holiday season.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association delivered over 600 pounds of pork products to various food pantries in Plymouth and Woodbury County. The deliveries began in the morning in Le Mars, Kingsley, Moville, and various other pantries. Over 60 pounds of pork were delivered to each pantry. Officials with the Iowa Pork Producers Association told KCAU that these donations can help families facing food insecurity.

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We know that its a possibility of snap benefits being cut; its going to be harder, maybe a lot harder for families, said Andy Schroeder, with the Plymouth County Pork Producers. So we wanna make sure that they have a source of good protein to feed families right now.

Officials with Iowa Pork Producers say they will also deliver hams to several food pantries in Plymouth County in November.

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 veteran of the Iraq War and a World War II veteran were honored by El Paso County as the 2025 Veterans of the Year.

Iraq War veteran James H. Green Jr. was selected as the 2025 Veteran of the Year and WWII veteran Eliseo Fernandez was named 2025 Honorary Veteran of the Year for their service to the military and the El Paso community, a county news release stated.

El Paso County Commissioners Court presented the recognitions on Monday, Oct. 27.

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More: 'Remembrance and pride.' New Fabens Veterans Memorial construction designed to honor vets

James H. Green Jr. was named the 2025 Veteran of the Year by El Paso County. Green is an Iraq War veteran and commander of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 187 in El Paso, Texas.

The men were selected for the award by the El Paso County Veterans Advisory Board because of their leadership, generosity, and dedication to supporting veterans.

As the 20252026 Veteran of the Year, retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Green will represent El Paso County, which promotes itself as the "Veterans Capital of the USA."

El Paso County Commissioners Court named U.S. Army retiree James H. Green Jr. the 2025 Veteran of the Year on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. As the 20252026 Veteran of the Year, Green will represent El Paso County as the "Veterans Capital of the USA."

Green began his service with the Army National Guard and served more than 20 years in the active U.S. Army, including three deployments to Iraq. He remains active in veterans and community programs as commander of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 187 in El Paso.

World War II veteran honored

Pfc. Eliseo Fernandez served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the China-Burma-India theater with the 5307th Composite Unit, known as Merrill's Marauders, which was famous for fighting far behind Japanese enemy lines, county officials said.

World War II veteran Eliseo Fernandez, who served in the U.S. Army in the China Burma India theater with the 5307th Composite Unit, known as Merrill's Marauders, was named 2025 Honorary Veteran of the Year by El Paso County on Oct. 27, 2025.

Fernandez, who earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star Medal, was one of four brothers who all served in World War II. All made it back.

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"After the war, he continued a life of service through his work and commitment to the veteran community, remaining a respected example of strength and resilience," stated an El Paso County news release.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Iraq War, WWII vets named El Paso County veterans of the year 2025
A firefighter from Ireland convicted of raping a woman during last years St. Patricks Day celebrations in Boston learned his fate Thursday.

Terrence Crosbie, 39, of Dublin, was sentenced to 7 to 9 years in prison after he was found guilty last week of sexually assaulting a 28-year-old woman at the Omni Parker House while visiting the city for the South Boston St. Patricks Day parade.

The victim told police that the incident started on March 14, 2024, at the Black Rose Irish Pub near Faneuil Hall, where she met a man from Ireland.

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According to police, the victim said they returned to his room at the Omni Parker House, where they had consensual sex. Afterward, she said they fell asleep in separate beds.

Hours later, on March 15, the victim said she woke up to another man, later identified as Crosbie, sexually assaulting her. The victim quoted Crosbie, whom she didnt know, as saying, I know you want this, he (the other man) fell asleep.

Crosbie and the other man were sharing the hotel room during the Boston visit.

Crosbie was arrested at Logan Airport on March 16, three days before his previously scheduled flight, trying to get back to Ireland. His Irish passport was seized, and he was ordered held on $100,000 bail.

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He will serve his sentence at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Lancaster.

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The terrorist was arrested last year after being caught with 25 explosives he had manufactured and distributed to various terrorist groups.

A Palestinian terrorist who was released several months ago during the hostage deal agreement earlier in 2025 was arrested on suspicion of production and distribution of explosives, Israel Police announced on Thursday.

The terrorist was arrested last year after being caught with 25 explosives he had manufactured and distributed to various terrorist groups.

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On Wednesday night, Jerusalem Border Police and Yehuda Border Patrol, along with Jerusalem Border Police dogs, raided his home and arrested him for questioning.

The Israel Police will continue to act with determination, professionalism, and zero tolerance toward terrorism and anyone who seeks to harm human life and the security of the State of Israel, police said in a statement.

Israel Police re-arrests terrorist released in hostage deal, October 30, 2025. (credit: Police Spokesperson )

Dozens arrested for incitement, support for terror

In addition to those arrested for committing or planning acts of terror, dozens of suspects have been arrested in Jerusalem alone for incitement and support for terrorism since the Israel-Hamas War began, according to Israel Police.

Jerusalems Awareness War Room operated daily, identifying and locating those who incite or support terrorist organizations and terrorists, both in public spaces and online.
Kerala CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby has alleged that the BJP-led Central government's highly "authoritarian and undemocratic" approach to disbursing central funds led the Kerala Government to sign the MoU to implement the Centrally sponsored education scheme, PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India). Following the opposition of the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Kerala government has now put on hold the rollout of the PM SHRI Scheme. "As far as the controversy related to an educational program (PM SHRI), it stems from the Central Government insisting that, unless you sign various centrally sponsored schemes, other independent schemes will not receive financial assistance from the Centre," MA Baby told ANI on Wednesday. "As a result of this highly undemocratic and authoritarian approach, this MoU was signed. The CPI has reservations about it... The CPM and the CPI together advised the Cabinet Ministers and the CM on how to avoid the confusion regarding the PM SHRI. The Cabinet will take the appropriate decision," he added. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that a seven-member cabinet sub-committee, chaired by Education Minister V. Sivankutty, will be constituted to review the implementation of the PM SHRI scheme in the state. All further proceedings under the scheme will be put on hold until the committee submits its report. "When the MoU for PM SHRI was signed, it triggered several concerns. We have now decided to re-examine the implementation of the project. A cabinet sub-committee with seven ministers has been constituted for this review. Until the committee submits its report and a final decision is taken, all further steps under PM SHRI will be put on hold. This decision will be formally communicated to the central government through a letter. The sub-committee will be chaired by Education Minister V. Sivankutty and will include Ministers K. Rajan, Roshy Augustine, P. Rajeev, P. Prasad, K. Krishnankutty, and A.K. Saseendran.", CM Vijayan said. Launched in 2022, the PM SHRI aims at creating 14,500 exemplar institutions across the country that showcase various aspects of the NEP. Kerala Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty had explained the decision to implement the PM SHRI in the State as a tactical move to get the withheld Central funds under the Samagra Shiksha education scheme. The funds totalling 1,476.13 crore under the scheme, which are due to the State, have been withheld by the Centre. The Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) also slammed the government for the decision, alleging a CPI(M)-BJP "backdoor deal" in this. Criticising the move, Varun Choudhary, National President of the Congress-affiliated NSUI, on Wednesday said that the Left Democratic Front government in Kerala had officially accepted the "RSS-imposed" New Education Policy (NEP). (ANI)
SINJIL, West Bank (AP)  Since Israel 's war with Hamas began more than two years ago, Israel has erected nearly 1,000 barriers in cities and towns in the occupied West Bank, further stifling movement for Palestinians and hindering daily lives, a local government body says.

While Israel's military has long imposed movement and access constraints after capturing the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, the number of new barriers is unprecedented, residents say.

According to the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, an official Palestinian governmental body, 916 gates, barriers and walls have been installed since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel.

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Israeli military raids throughout the West Bank have also increased, with Palestinians killed or detained. Israel says it is trying to root out militancy.

Among the new barriers are metal gates stationed at many village and town entrances and between cities, blocking access in and out. Sometimes the Israeli military is stationed at them.

Palestinians say the gates have erratic opening hours, with some staying shut for days. Some people sleep at friends' or relatives' homes or go around the gates on foot.

During the first two weeks of September, the United Nations said it documented the installation of 18 gates in the West Bank. It said the gates and other obstacles, such as large earth mounds and concrete blocks, restrict Palestinians' freedom of movement and access to healthcare and education. The barriers are placed in the middle of roads, preventing cars from going around them.

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The new gates, some of which block roads connecting the northern and southern West Bank, force the territory's 3 million Palestinians to take long detours, with a 20-minute journey now taking more than an hour.

Israel's military says the gates are not meant to restrict people but rather to manage and monitor."

A military official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said its forces operate under a complex security reality in the West Bank, where militants embed themselves within the population and accordingly, there are dynamic checkpoints and ongoing efforts to monitor movement in various areas."

Residents say some gates have been equipped with cameras.

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They also say the barriers have detrimental effects on their lives.

Under the current circumstances, everything has been cut off. Everything has stopped, said Ezzedine Al-Sayouri from Deir Dibwan village. The gates have prevented people from coming to his gym and he's considering closing the business and leaving the country, he said.

Residents in the village of Aboud say the entry gates there are closed between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. every day, preventing students from going to university and people from going to work.

Its all part of the occupations strategy to destabilize the peoples sense of security, said Mohammad Shalatweh, a taxi driver.

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Others worry that the added barriers are a security risk.

Eyad Jameel, a restaurant owner in the village of Sinjil, said every time his son goes to the main city of Ramallah he's not sure he'll return.

They don't always open them, they just close them and trap everyone, he said.
"This is an illegitimate decision that will prevent a huge public from reaching the rally and praying," Shas leader Arye Deri said.

Shas leader Arye Deri has demanded National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's intervention after Israel Railways announced the closure of Jerusalem's Yitzhak Navon Station during Thursday's mass protests, with Deri stating that the closure would prevent protesters from being able to reach the city.

Hundreds of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews are expected to attend the mass prayer protests against mandatory conscription into the IDF.

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"Such a decision will cause tens of thousands to be stranded across the country and block intersections," Deri said. "This is an illegitimate decision that will prevent a huge public from reaching the rally and praying. Ben-Gvir has committed to taking immediate action to find a solution."

Israel Railways said earlier on Tuesday the station's closure was due to its "central location within the rally and to ensure public safety. All train lines and stations, except for Yitzhak Navon, will operate as usual. "We apologize for the inconvenience," the announcement read.

Deri stated that he contacted Israel Railways' management on Thursday morning for clarification on the decision to close the station, and was informed that the closure was a directive from the police. Later, Deri reached out to Ben-Gvir, requesting his immediate intervention.

Mass disruptions risk overcrowding at Jerusalem train station

Meanwhile, MK Yisrael Eichler contacted both Transportation Minister Miri Regev and Ben-Gvir, stating: "Train services should be allowed to operate as scheduled for the publics safety, and not risk overcrowding at stations and on trains due to the disruption of services."

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He added, "We should remember that during mass protests near the Knesset, the trains operated as usual and did not prevent any protester from arriving or leaving whenever they wished."

MK Meir Porush is also in ongoing discussions with members of the organizing committee for the rally, as well as with senior officials in the Jerusalem police and the Minister of National Security, to find a solution. Several alternative options are being explored to potentially reverse the decision to close the train station.
Officials told the Post that "there is concern that we may see another situation where days go by without any bodies being returned."

Israeli officials are expressing concern that after Hamas returned the two hostages who were killed on Thursday, the group will now continue to "delay" the return of the remaining 11 bodies of hostages in its custody.

"There is little pressure on the organization from the mediators to release more hostages, and some of the bodies are located in places that will make a swift return difficult," an Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post.

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"We still have leverage to apply pressure on the organization to return the hostages, and there are two more hostages we believe they can return immediately. Still, there is concern that we may see another situation where days go by without any bodies being returned."

Meanwhile, discussions continue regarding the implementation of the Trump plan. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer is in the US to meet with senior American officials, and US Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine will visit Israel and the Gaza Coordination Center (CMCC) in Kiryat Gat in the coming days to discuss the continued implementation of the ceasefire and the formation of the international force.

Hamas searches for the remains of deceased hostages, kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, October 28, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Haseeb Alwazeer)

US to work on international security force to police Gaza

The Trump administration hopes to present the international security force (ISF) in the coming weeks, which is expected to include soldiers from Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Egypt. Israel opposes the inclusion of official Palestinian Authority representatives as part of the force, but it is likely that Palestinians who are not affiliated with the PA will join, in accordance with Arab states' demands.

The possibility is being examined for the US Central Command to train the Palestinian personnel alongside other countries.

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A US official told the Post that "planning deliberations are ongoing on the ISF."

The US administration has not given up on the issue of Turkish involvement in the multinational force. Israel has vetoed the presence of Turkish soldiers in the force, and Vice President JD Vance publicly stated that Israel's veto on who can participate in the force would be respected.

However, the US continues to try to persuade Israel to accept Turkish involvement. A US official told the Post that, "The Turks can influence Hamas. They are like a hammer, so it is important for them to be in Gaza."
The attacks came amid mutual accusations of ceasefire violations between Israel and Hamas, shattering hopes that the fragile truce might hold.

Palestinian Civil Defence teams reported at least 100 deaths across Gaza in the past 12 hours, including 35 children, figures cited by Al Jazeera. Footage from the scene showed families searching through debris and emergency crews pulling survivors from the wreckage. The bombardment followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus order for a powerful military response after what Israel described as a Hamas attack on its troops in southern Gaza.

Israel has also accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire by returning the remains of a hostage who had already been identified and buried two years earlier. Netanyahus office said the discovery prompted the immediate escalation in air strikes. The latest violence raises concerns over the collapse of the peace plan that has paused more than two years of conflict, leaving both sides trading blame for breaking the truce.
BLIDA, Lebanon (AP)  Israeli soldiers raided a municipal government building in a border village in southern Lebanon early on Thursday and killed an employee, Lebanese state media said.

The incident in the town of Blida sparked condemnation by Lebanese officials and a protest by residents.

The Israeli army said in a statement that the soldiers had entered to destroy terrorist infrastructure belonging to the militant group Hezbollah and identified a suspect inside the building who they attempted to apprehend.

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It said they had fired to neutralize a threat and that the details of the incident were under investigation.

Since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire nominally halted the latest Israel-Hezbollah war last November, Israel has continued to launch near-daily strikes on Lebanon, saying it is targeting Hezbollah militants, facilities and weapons. Its forces have also continued to occupy several strategic points on the Lebanese side of the border.

However, raids by ground forces like the one in Blida are rare.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said in a statement that the municipal employee, Ibrahim Salameh, had been killed while he was performing his professional duties."

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The state-run National News Agency reported that the Israeli forces had entered the village around 1:30 a.m. and stormed the municipality building, where Salameh was sleeping.

Salameh usually slept in the municipality, said Tahsin Kaour, a local official. He heard a noise outside suddenly and went to the window to see what was going on, and they shot him.

Lebanese officials say Israels strikes often harm civilians and destroy infrastructure unrelated to Hezbollah and have called for Israeli forces to withdraw.

Residents in Blida expressed anger toward the Lebanese army and the United Nations peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL, who they said were failing to protect civilians. Residents confronted UNIFIL peacekeepers who arrived in the village Thursday morning and asked them to leave.

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We want the government to protect us, to protect the people, for the Lebanese army to protect us, Kaour said.

Aoun's statement said he had requested the Lebanese army to confront any Israeli incursion into southern Lebanon in defense of Lebanese lands and the safety of citizens," although it was not clear what form that confrontation would take.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said in a separate statement that Lebanese authorities are following up to pressure the United Nations and the countries sponsoring the cessation of hostilities agreement to ensure a halt to the repeated violations and the implementation of a complete Israeli withdrawal from our lands.

UNIFIL expressed deep concerns at the Israeli incursion and said it was a blatant violation of Lebanons sovereignty and of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which was passed in 2006 to end a monthlong war between Israel and Hezbollah.

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The most recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict began the day after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel triggered the war in Gaza.

Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel in support of Hamas and the Palestinians. Israel responded with airstrikes and shelling. The low-level conflict escalated into full-scale war in September 2024.
"This is a significant discussion in light of Hezbollah's actions on the ground," an Israeli official said.

Israel's Security Cabinet and the heads of the security establishment are meeting on Thursday evening with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the strengthening of Hezbollah in Lebanon.

"This is a significant discussion in light of Hezbollah's actions on the ground," an Israeli official said.

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Senior officials in the Trump administration have also recently approached top Lebanese government officials and urged them to open dialogue with Israel, several sources told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.

Smoke billows over the village of Aaichiyeh after Israeli strikes, as seen from Marjayoun in southern Lebanon, October 20, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/KARAMALLAH DAHER)

Earlier this week, well-informed Lebanese sources told the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar that Morgan Ortagus, the Trump administrations special envoy to Lebanon, proposed improving the work of the five-member committee overseeing the ceasefire in Lebanon and expanding its authority to cover all of Lebanons borders, not just the southern border.

In the end, only a broader dialogue between Israel and Lebanon can advance and improve the situation on the ground, a Western diplomat told the Post.

Lebanese effort to disarm Hezbollah

Lebanon's army has blown up so many Hezbollah arms caches that it has run out of explosives, as it races to meet a year-end deadline to disarm the Shi'ite terror group in the south of the country under a ceasefire agreed with Israel, two sources told Reuters.

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The explosives shortage, which has not been previously reported, has not stopped the army from quickening the pace of inspection missions to search for hidden weapons in the south, near Israel, the two said, one of whom is a security source and the other a Lebanese official.

Reuters and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
A Lebanese municipal worker was killed in an Israeli attack in the southern Lebanese town of Blida overnight, state media reported on Thursday.

The National News Agency (NNA) said Israeli soldiers entered a municipal building overnight and killed an employee who had been spending the night inside it.

After the Israeli unit withdrew, the Lebanese army reportedly then entered the building and took the body to a nearby hospital.

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In response, the Blida municipal authority called for a protest rally on Thursday in front of the administrative building.

The Israeli military confirmed the attack. It said that overnight, during an operation to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure in the Blida area, the troops identified a suspect inside the building.

The troops were threatened and opened fire, the military said, adding that the incident is under review. It also said that the civilian building had recently been exploited for terrorist activity.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been in effect for nearly a year, but both sides accuse each other of violations.

Israel accuses the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement of reorganizing in southern Lebanon, counter to the agreement. According to the UN, more than 100 civilians have been killed since the ceasefire came into effect.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar has issued a defamation legal notice dated October 29, 2025, against Malayalam news channel Reporter and eight of its editorial and reporting staff. The action follows the channel allegedly broadcasting false and defamatory news reports accusing him of a Rs 500 crore "theft" through illegal land deals and associating him with BPL Limited, an association he has denied. The notice demands withdrawal of the reports, a public apology, and Rs 100 crore in damages, which Chandrasekhar has pledged for charitable causes. The BJP leader termed the reports "politically motivated" and a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation. Earlier, Rajeev Chandrasekhar had alleged that there were criminal elements in the media sector in the state, and said that he would take legal action against those who spread false news against him. He claimed that he was being targeted because of his stance against corruption. He has been critical of the LDF government in Kerala in the Sabarimala gold "theft" case. Earlier this month, Rajeev Chandrasekhar wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking a probe by a central agency into the alleged "corruption, misappropriation, and violations" in Kerala temples, including the Sabarimala Temple, managed by Devaswom Boards. Chandrasekhar also requested the Union Home Minister to direct a thorough audit of all Devaswom Boards by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, with the findings to be published in the public domain to identify those who have "committed crimes in our temples and enable their prosecution." "Since the Kerala Police comes under the direct control of the Home Minister, who is also the Chief Minister, in light of the fact that the Chief Minister has publicly already declared that it is only a slip up in the court in an effort to influence the outcome of the investigation, people have no confidence in any Kerala Police Investigation of these crimes," Chandrasekhar wrote. 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. (ANI)
ROME  Italy is considering using a European Union loan deal to pay for new tanks and armored vehicles supplied by Germanys Rheinmetall, a source has told Defense News.

The money for Lynx vehicles and Panther tanks would come from cheap so-called SAFE loans organized by the EU to help member states beef up their military strength as Russia threatens the blocs Eastern border.

Earlier this year EU officials said they would organize the low-cost loans worth 150 billion euros for members, then announced in September that Poland had been allocated 43.7bn in loans followed by Romania with 16.7bn, France and Hungary on 16.2bn and Italy with 14.9bn, among other recipients.

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States have until Nov. 30 to supply the EU with details on how they will spend the cash, before funds are released in 2026.

Beneficiaries cannot carry out go-it-alone procurements with the loan cash. To encourage money saving and European military synergy, the EU has told member states to team up with at least one other EU recipient to make joint arms buys.

The subject came up in Rome on Monday when Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban paid a visit to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The two leaders discussed the opportunities offered by the European SAFE scheme, evaluating possible synergies between Italy and Hungary to support their respective industrial and technological capabilities, Melonis office said after the meeting.

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The two countries already have one procurement program, and one potential program in common. The first is the Lynx tracked armored vehicle developed by Rheinmetall, which Italy and Hungary are buying, assembling and adapting.

The second is Rheinmetalls new Panther main battle tank. Italy is set to purchase 272, while Hungary signed a deal with Rheinmetall in 2023 to team on development and production of the tank.

An Italian defense source who spoke on condition of anonymity told Defense News that Italys purchases of the two platforms were candidates to be supported by SAFE loan cash.

Italy plans to buy 1,050 variants of the Lynx vehicle, adding a turret built by home supplier Leonardo, while Hungary signed in 2020 to purchase around 218, with all but the first 46 to be built in Hungary.

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Those 46 have now been delivered.

Hungarys decision to put in for 16.2bn in SAFE loans makes it one of the largest potential beneficiaries, but that combines with Prime Minister Viktor Orbans repeated criticism of the EU.

On Monday, the same day he discussed the SAFE set-up with Italian prime minister Meloni, he also told reporters The European Union counts for nothing.
Italy's Senate on Thursday approved Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's controversial plans to overhaul the judiciary, clearing the final parliamentary hurdle for a constitutional amendment.

But the public is set to have the final word, with the reform set to be put to a referendum next year.

The Senate voted 112 in favour, 59 against, with nine abstentions. Meloni's three-party coalition, in power since October 2022, holds a majority in the chamber.

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The reform is a flagship project for Meloni's government. Right-wing parties have long accused large segments of the Italian judiciary of political bias toward the left, a claim that Meloni has echoed in recent years.

The bill strictly separates the careers of judges and prosecutors, meaning they can no longer switch between roles.

The legislation also introduces new self-governing bodies for judges and prosecutors, with parliamentary involvement in their appointments. Critics warn this could give politicians indirect influence over judicial personnel decisions.

Supporters say the reform is necessary to rebalance power between politics and the judiciary, while opponents  including major legal associations and opposition parties  argue it threatens judicial independence.
The fired adviser of Indiana University's student newspaper, the Indiana Daily Student, is suing the university, arguing his constitutional rights were violated, as part of a sweeping lawsuit that alleges collusion to stifle the student publication.

Jim Rodenbush, IU's former director of student media, was fired Oct. 14 amidst growing administrative tension over the publication's content. Media School Dean David Tolchinsky said in a termination letter that Rodenbush's "lack of leadership and ability to work in alignment with the University's direction for the Student Media Plan is unacceptable."

Jon Little, the attorney representing Rodenbush, argues that the university violated Rodenbush's First Amendment rights when administrators sought to force him to control the newspaper's content. IU then retaliated when they fired him, resulting in another First Amendment violation, the complaint argues.

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The lawsuit also intertwines recent university and state government decisions that, the complaint alleges, have created an environment keen to clamp down on freedom of speech and the press.

"James Rodenbush was fired because he refused to toe the party line, and because he refused to force the student journalists he supervised to kowtow to the edicts of the Governor (Mike) Braun-installed University Trustees," the complaint reads.

IndyStar reached out to IU and Braun's administration for comment.

The lawsuit, filed on Oct. 30 in the U.S. District Court of Southern Indiana, seeks monetary damages, Rodenbush's job back and judgments ruling the university's actions illegal under both the U.S. and Indiana constitutions.

Lawsuit: 'Direct assault on the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment'

In recent months, Rodenbush said, school administrators were pressuring him to exert control over what gets published in each semester's seven print editions and remove traditional news coverage, according to IndyStar reporting and the complaint.

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IU Media School Associate Dean Galen Clavio told Rodenbush in spring 2025 that administrators were frustrated about the inclusion of news stories in the print editions, the complaint says.

Then, this fall, the complaint said, Clavio and Rodenbush clashed in a five-person meeting, where Rodenbush argued Clavio's demands would require him to violate a charter between the IDS and the university. IndyStar obtained and reported on a recording of this one-hour meeting.

Afterward, Rodenbush said, he filed a human resources complaint, claiming he was "berated" at the meeting in front of his colleagues. In an Oct. 9 meeting with Dean Tolchinsky on the matter, Rodenbush said, he asserted the university's demands violate the First Amendment. In response, the lawsuit said Tolchinsky told Rodenbush that they expected him to act as a traditional newspaper publisher who could control content, and if Rodenbush disagreed, "then student media would need to be reevaluated."

Less than 24 hours after Rodenbush's ousting, the university ordered the IDS to stop its print newspapers, including its homecoming special edition that was scheduled to hit newsstands the next morning. The IDS still publishes on its website.

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In previous statements and elsewhere, university administrators pointed to a new student media business plan and the paper's deficit as the reasons behind their decision to cut print.

The Student Press Law Center, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and PEN America have each rebuked IU's IDS decision-making as censorship.

The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press is representing the IDS and sent a letter on their behalf that said the university's handling of the student paper is" ill-advised, unconstitutional, and appear(s) to be aimed at suppressing core press and speech rights."

Complaint alleges IU, state 'actively working to limit free speech'

Little's complaint also attempts to paint a larger picture of First Amendment interference at IU.

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The lawsuit said IU has sought to limit free speech for over a year and in multiple ways. It specifically mentioned two instances during the Palestine solidarity encampment in 2024: the likely unconstitutional "expressive activity" policy and the presence of Indiana State Police, who arrested protesters and placed a sniper atop the student union.

Last year, a national First Amendment organization ranked IU as the worst public university in the country for fostering and protecting free speech on campus and largely cited the university's response to the encampment.

The complaint said Indiana state government "helped along (IU's) mission to censor and control speech." It cited a last-minute addition to the biennial state budget to grant Gov. Mike Braun the power to select all IU trustees.

Little told IndyStar that he believes the university's actions are heavily tied to corporate interests and donors.

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IndyStar's previous reporting has not found direct links between the situation at the IDS and Braun's or Whitten's offices. The complaint did not cite evidence of direct involvement or motive connected to the IDS, but the discovery process, if reached, may unearth new information.

Regarding the overall First Amendment environment, Little said the lawsuit will present the district court with a larger question: "Are (the courts) going to support freedom of the press," Little told IndyStar, "or are we going to support the corporate agenda of the Braun administration and his puppet at IU Pam Whitten?"

Outside of court, Little is calling on IU faculty and staff to take advantage of "the only weapon we have left" and launch a general strike against the university. He said IU could decide not to honor a court decision (which would likely come with additional penalty), so faculty need to stand up if they have "any self-respect and dignity left."

"IU doesn't care what the courts say," he said. "The only way IDS comes back is if the faculty and staff go on a general strike, but they won't."

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Editor's note: IndyStar First Amendment reporter Cate Charron is a former editor-in-chief of the Indiana Daily Student, the student newspaper at Indiana University in Bloomington.

The Herald-Times' Brian Rosenzweig contributed reporting.

The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.

Have a story to tell? Reach Cate Charron by email at ccharron@indystar.com, on X at @CateCharron or Signal at @cate.charron.28.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Fired Indiana University student newspaper adviser files lawsuit
Enticed by promises to cure fatigue, soothe hangovers, and fight colds, many have flocked to intravenous (IV) hydration spas to be infused with a concoction of minerals and vitamins. The growing number of IV clinics, better known as hydration spas, has created a booming $15 billion medical spa industry; these spas play a role in the over $6 trillion wellness economy, which has grown in part because of the rise of wellness spas and longevity clinics offering consumers treatments outside of a traditional doctors office.

But this month, a comprehensive analysis found that IV hydration spas are, at large, not meeting regulatory standards.

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These IV infusion clinics are subject to minimal and, even then, erratic regulations by state authorities, meaning that a whole variety of frequently unproven therapies are administered without likely benefit to patients, Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest and coauthor of the study, tells Flow Space.

According to a report published in JAMA Internal Medicine, only four states address all pillars of regulation, including the governance, prescriber credentials, dispensing practices, and compounding practices of these spas. Some clinics require medical supervision, while others do not. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not directly regulate these clinics, so safety standards are left up to the states.

Researchers reviewed the regulatory policies on IV hydration spas in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, along with the claims, staffing, and services of five clinics in each state. Additionally, researchers randomly selected two clinics in each state for a secret shopper study to understand the offerings, clinical processes, and whether a licensed doctor would be on-site.

A comprehensive approach to regulation of IV therapy facilities is lacking in almost every state, Lurie says. What you would want is facilities that are properly registered with the state. You would want some kind of physician involvement. You would want an individual assessment of every treatment administered to determine that its actually necessary and likely to benefit the patient. We just dont have that.

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Still, videos on videos on TikTok showing people receiving IV therapy at home or at aesthetically pleasing spa venues have garnered millions of views. The Global Wellness Institute has documented the growing intersection between wellness and medicine, driving consumers in what Lurie deems a successful marketing effort with a substantial social media component.

But behind the spas allure, the evaluation found that clinics nationwide varied widely in their offerings and claims; only 2 of the over 255 analyzed spa websites (less than 1%) had evidence supporting their benefit claims. Additionally, less than 30% required the client to meet with a licensed professional before treatment.

Those who are not licensed to practice medicine as physicians are overseeing this, Lurie says.

Last year, NBC News reported that some patients receiving IV infusions had experienced unforeseen side effects like fatigue and, worse, a bacterial infection from unsterilized products. Although the percentage of those who experience side effects is not well documented or understood, fewer than 25% of spas analyzed in the JAMA report cite the potential for side effects to customers ahead of their injections.

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As with any medical treatment, Lurie explains that if it has proven efficacy, there is some risk patients are willing to accept. However, if there is no proven efficacy, no risk is acceptable in the face of no benefit.

While the risks are unclear, Lurie hopes the findings encourage people to be more skeptical before they set foot in one of these places and to research the claims, medical oversight, and types of infusions beforehand.
JACKSON, Mich. (WLNS)  All this week, the Jackson Chamber of Commerce is hosting its second round of pop-up events, to give the community a chance to speak up and help map out what Jackson could look like decades from now.

We love living here, we love our community, and we want to see it grow and people to really love it as much as we do, said resident Ted Ludlow.

(WLNS)

Ludlow grew up in Jackson and has lived near Clark Lake for more than 40 years and says he visited the Brooklyn Drive Jackson pop-up to give input on improving the countys public image.

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They dont know how beautiful our city is or our community, our county, and all the lakes and all the outdoor recreation and the things that are going on in order to make it better, Ludlow said.

(WLNS)

Chamber of Commerce VP of Marketing and Communications Rachel Buchanan says the first round of summer feedback offered meaningful insight into housing and economic development, quality of life, and youth education.

By including all sorts of feedback, all sorts of demographics, all corners of the county, were more likely to capture some of the themes that are consistent throughout the area. Buchanan said.

(WLNS)

Drive Jackson Board Member Jozie Bontrager says the key part about these events is the opportunity for the community to make their voices heard.

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Its extremely important to get everyday community members involved in this process and get their feedback because theyre the ones living here. Theyre the ones working here. Theyre the ones out in the community, Bontrager said.

(WLNS)

For Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center Director Antonio Parker, the next phase of Jacksons future starts with the people.

Thats the thing thats going to get us through the next 20, the next phase where were going man. Love is love and you got to be able to love people, Parker said.

Buchanan says the next steps include gathering together this round of community feedback in order to finalize the plan and begin as early as spring 2026.

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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 WLNS 6 News.
People across the northern Caribbean are reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa as dozens of deaths are reported in Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti.

The hurricane  at Category 5, the strongest on record to hit Jamaica directly  ripped across the Caribbean islands on Tuesday and Wednesday, killing at least 25 people in Haiti, eight in Jamaica and one in the Dominican Republic.

The United States-based National Hurricane Center said early on Thursday that Melissas eye was expected to move away from the southeastern and central Bahamas before passing west of Bermuda.

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Although the storm was downgraded to Category 1, the lowest strength on the Saffir-Simpson scale, it was still packing winds of 155km/h (100mph) with even higher gusts, the NHC reported.

In Haiti, where roughly 12,000 people remained in emergency shelters, families grappled with the rising death toll. Twenty people were reported dead in the southern coastal town of Petit-Goave alone, where a river burst its banks and collapsed dozens of homes.

People stay inside a shelter for families displaced by gang violence that is flooded by rain brought by Hurricane Melissa in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on October 29, 2025 [Odelyn Joseph/AP]

Resident Steven Guadard told The Associated Press news agency that Melissa killed his entire family: I had four children at home: a one-month-old baby, a seven-year-old, an eight-year-old and another who was about to turn four.

Although no deaths were tallied in Cuba, more than 735,000 evacuated residents slowly returned home as the military helped to rescue people in isolated communities.

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Recovery efforts were rolling out across Jamaicas western parishes, where Melissa ripped roofs from homes, felled trees, flooded hospitals, and cut off electricity and water.

Yet even as Prime Minister Andrew Holness pledged a credible and strong recovery strategy, residents pleaded for help.

Sylvester Guthrie, a resident of the hard-hit parish of St Elizabeth, was left with only his bicycle.

I dont have a house now, Guthrie told the AP. Although he has land in another location, he said, I am going to need help.





Ground zero

The centre of Melissa did not cross over Jamaicas capital, Kingston, allowing emergency relief flights ferrying water, food and other supplies to start landing at Norman Manley International Airport after it reopened late on Wednesday.

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As the prime minister took a helicopter tour of the damage, the Jamaica Public Service utility kicked off a damage assessment as the majority of the islands 2.8 million residents were left without electricity. It warned them to avoid downed power lines at all costs.

To the islands west, parishes, including St James and St Elizabeth, were rocked by torrential floodwaters, powerful winds and landslides.

In the historic port town of Black River, the hurricane levelled homes, destroyed historic buildings and flooded medical care facilities, destroying the entire infrastructure, Holness said in a video update from the town.

To the north, heavy construction equipment crawled through the mud-soaked streets of St James Parish to clear blockages and push aside felled trees. Video footage showed dazed residents wandering around outside to assess the damage.

The United States and the United Kingdom have pledged support.
A Jamaican restaurant on Troost Avenue in Kansas City is raising funds for the island of Jamaica after the country was ravaged by Hurricane Melissa.

Wah Gwan, which serves Jamaican and Nigerian cuisine at 6228 Troost Avenue, has established a GoFundMe to send support to owner Tanyech Yarbroughs homeland, Yarbrough told The Star. Wah gwan is a greeting in Jamaican Patois, the countys native language, which means, Whats going on?

In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Yarbrough explained how she has lost connection with her family who lives in St. Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica, because of storm damage.

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Communication lines are down. Power is down, so we are basically facing the unknowns if any of our families are affected, Yarbrough said in the video. [T]he images are scary to watch right now, but with faith in the Most High carrying us through this time and Jamaica, we have faith that were going to pull through like we always do.

Relief efforts and other fundraisers will be posted on Wah Gwans social media pages.

Three people died in Jamaica during storm preparations, according to Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie on Tuesday, and the death toll has continued to mount in the wake of the storm.

St. Elizabeth Police Superintendent Coleridge Minto told Jamaican news outlet Nationwide News Network on Wednesday that at least four bodies were found in southwest Jamaica. One death was reported in west Jamaica when a tree fell on a baby, state minister Abka Fitz-Henley told Nationwide News Network, according to the Associated Press.

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The U.S. State Department said it was deploying a regional disaster response team and other resources across Caribbean countries, according to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Other countries are also contributing humanitarian aid to the region.

Yarbrough aims to remain positive as she hopes for the best for her family and her country.

I am thankful for the community and standing with us as a business during this time of need, and it shows what we can do when we unite during this hard time, Yarbrough said.
NEED TO KNOW

During the Oct. 29 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett accepted President Donald Trump's challenge of taking what he described as an IQ test

The test, which he bragged about getting a perfect score on, is believed to be the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which is used to help diagnose dementia

Crockett said that she was "absolutely" willing to take the test live on air, competing in what host Kimmel dubbed the James C. Kimmel Cognitive Aptitude and Mental Brilliance Invitational

Jasmine Crockett is up for the challenge of taking President Donald Trump's dementia screening test, which he seemingly confused with an IQ test.

On Wednesday, Oct. 29, the Democratic congresswoman and lawyer, 44, from Texas appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! where she reacted to the president's challenge, which he made while speaking to reporters on Air Force One earlier this week.

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Host Jimmy Kimmel introduced the idea of showing them take the test live on air, saying, "Not only do I want to see this contest happen, I want to make it happen."

"I believe this would be a once-in-a-lifetime television event. I want to give our brilliant, bigly brained president a chance to teach those leftwing lightweights a thing or two about brain power live on national television," he continued, introducing the James C. Kimmel Cognitive Aptitude and Mental Brilliance Invitational.

Kimmel said that he "already invited the president," joking that he was "sure he'll accept." He then introduced the audience to Crockett, who called in for the segment.



"I assume you are aware of the fact that the president, for whatever reason, has challenged you to a duel of the medulla," Kimmel asked the politician after introducing her as "an outspoken critic of the Trump administration" and the person who "coined the phrase 'bleach blonde bad built butch body.' "

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Crockett confirmed that she was "very well aware" of Trump, 79, challenging her to and fellow Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 36, to take the test after referring to them as "low IQ."

"I know that he can't seem to find himself in the Oval Office to make sure that he can end this shutdown, but he does have time to troll me. So listen, if he's down, I'm down," she quipped.

To see if she was up for the exam, Kimmel asked Crockett "a few questions of the sort that Trump got on his cognitive assessment test." They included identifying a photo of an elephant and repeating a string of words.

Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Jasmine Crockett Jasmine Crockett

"Wow you're going to crush this," he said after Crockett correctly answered the sample questions. "Are you at all worried about going up against a man who founded his own fraudulent university? I mean this is not just any guy."

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Crockett assured him that she had no concerns. In fact, she said that "absolutely accept[ed]" Trump's challenge. When presented with three options for where the face-off would take place, she chose "the hole that used to be the White House."

She added that she was "absolutely" open to a "sit-up contest" if she and Trump were to tie on the aptitude test. "I don't know that he can sit-up," she quipped, implying the tie-breaker would go in her favor.

Asked if she noticed any trend in Trump's demeaning comments, including referring to people as "low IQ," Crockett said, "They tend to be women, and they tend to be women of color."

Kimmel's segment during his opening monologue came after Trump slammed both Crockett and Ocasio-Cortez as being "low IQ" on Monday, Oct. 27.

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He said that he had taken an "IQ test" at Walter Reed Medical Center and implied that the women would not be able to complete the test, which he said he had "decided to take" and described as "very hard."

"They're really aptitude tests, I guess, in a certain way, but they're cognitive tests. Let AOC go against Trump," he challenged.

Trump continued, saying, "Let Jasmine go against Trump. I don't think Jasmine ... The first couple questions are easy: a tiger, an elephant, a giraffe, you know. When you get up to about five or six and then when you get up to 10 and 20 and 25, they couldn't come close to answering any of those questions."

Andrew Harnik/Getty President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One on Oct. 27, 2025 President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One on Oct. 27, 2025

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.

It is believed that Trump was equating the Montreal Cognitive Assessment to an "aptitude" or IQ test. However, the test is actually meant to reveal signs of dementia.

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Speaking to NBC News in July 2020, Canadian neurologist Dr. Ziad Nasreddine, who created the MoCA test in 1996, said that the test should not be used as a reflection of someone's intelligence.

"There are no studies showing that this test is correlated to IQ tests," he shared. "The purpose of it was not to determine persons who have a low IQ level. So we cannot say that this test reflects somebody's IQ."

Trump first bragged about getting a "perfect" score on the test in 2018, PEOPLE previously reported. In 2020, former Fox News host Chris Wallace told the president that he had taken the test as well and thought that it was "not the hardest."

The president's physician revealed in an April 2025 memo that Trump had taken the test again during an annual physical. It was reported that he answered all 30 questions correctly again.



Read the original article on People
WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI)  On Wednesday, Nov. 12, Jefferson Community College will hold a nursing program information session for prospective students from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Jules Center Amphitheater, Room 6-002, and virtually via Zoom. Check-in will take place in the Jules Center Commons.

Attendees will learn about prerequisite coursework, admission requirements, the College application process and financial aid. They will also have the opportunity to tour JCCs fully equipped clinical practice simulation laboratory.

JCCs nursing program has been ranked #2 in New York State by Nursing Schools Almanac. The program provides students with access to state-of-the-art nursing labs. This includes 11 life-like manikins, including a birthing mother.

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Graduates of JCCs nursing program receive an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination.

JCCs nursing degree program can be completed in two years and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Completion of prerequisite coursework is required for admission to the JCC nursing degree program.

Prospective students must register HERE to attend the information session. Inquiries may be directed to Enrollment Services at 315-786-2437.

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.
Kerala MLA M. B. Rajesh on Thursday stated that the state is set to become the first in India to eradicate extreme poverty. He explained that the initiative was the first decision taken by the second Pinarayi Vijayan government in its "very first cabinet meeting" after returning to power in 2021, to launch an exclusive scheme to eradicate extreme poverty. "Kerala is all set to create yet another history by becoming the first Indian state to eradicate extreme poverty. This was the first decision taken by the second Pinarayi government in its very first cabinet meeting after coming back to power in 2021. The government launched an exclusive scheme to eradicate extreme poverty," Rajesh told ANI. He said that after identifying and finalising the list of extremely poor families, micro-plans were prepared for each family. He said the government had lifted 64,006 families out of extreme poverty. "The very first step was to identify extremely poor families through an elaborate process. A process was carried out involving public representatives, local bodies, social organisations, and voluntary organisations to find out about extremely poor families. 4 lakh people were trained by the Kerala Institute of Local Administration to carry out this exercise," he said. "After identifying and finalising the list of extremely poor families, micro plans were prepared for each and every family...These micro plans had immediate plans, medium-term plans and long-term plans. After four years, we have implemented these micro plans and through the implementation of micro plans we have been able to bring these 64,006 families out of extreme poverty," he added. Rajesh further claimed that "after China, Kerala is becoming second place in the world to eradicate extreme poverty." However, the Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticised the state's ruling CPM government for claiming credit for reducing extreme poverty, calling it "mocking the poor." "For the CPM government today, which has actually brought only about a few lakhs of people out of extreme poverty, to say that they are responsible for bringing people out of extreme poverty is mocking the poor because when ASHA workers were asking for a small salary increase... the CPM tried to take credit for this, which is mocking the poor... These people are now making it a profession to use propaganda to mislead the people and to spread lies and try to get political benefit out of this," Chandrasekhar told reporters earlier this week. Chandrasekhar also cited recent World Bank data, highlighting the impact of central government schemes. "The World Bank, in April 2025, published an extensive report showing that in an unprecedented surge of people coming out of poverty in the last 10 years, PM Modi's policies have helped almost 20 crore Indians who lived below extreme poverty to come out of it. This is a fact and a finding of the World Bank. It has happened because of a series of policies and schemes that the PM focused on, including but not limited to PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, and many other schemes that have helped to achieve it," he added. (ANI)
NEED TO KNOW

JD Vance spoke about his wife Usha Vance's religion while appearing at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi

Usha was raised Hindu, while JD grew up atheist and converted to Catholicism in his 30s

The vice president shared that his wife often attends church with him and admitted that he hopes that one day she'll by "somehow moved" by Christianity like he was

Vice President JD Vance practices a different religion from his wife Usha Vance, but said he hopes she can still feel a connection to his Christian faith.

The vice president took the stage at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Miss., on Wednesday, Oct. 29, where like Turning Point's late founder, Charlie Kirk, he took questions from the audience in the style of an informal debate.

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One student who stepped up to the mic asked the VP a multi-part question about immigration, but ended with a key query about his multi-racial, multi-faith house.

"How are you teaching your kids not to keep your religion ahead of their mother's religion?... Why are we making Christianity one of the major things that you have to have in common to be one of you guys, to show that I love America just as you do?" the student asked.



Usha grew up in San Diego as the child of Indian immigrants who raised her with their Hindu faith. JD, meanwhile, was raised white working class in a tumultuous family structure he documented in his bestselling book, Hillbilly Elegy.

He described himself as an atheist until his 30s, when he started reading about theology and philosophy, and converted to Catholicism.

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The couple married in 2014 and share three children: Ewan, 8, Vivek, 5, and Mirabel, 3.

In response to the student's question, JD admitted that when he and Usha met, neither of them was "particularly religious," though later, he got serious about Catholicism, and his wife still considers herself Hindu.

"Everybody has to come to their own arrangement here," he said. "The way that we've come to our arrangement is she's my best friend. We talk to each other about this stuff. So, we've decided to raise our kids Christian."

"Most Sundays, Usha will come with me to church," JD continued. "Do I hope, eventually, that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in by church? Yeah, honestly, I do wish that, because I believe in the Christian gospel and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way.

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"But if she doesn't, then God says everybody has free will and so that doesn't cause a problem for me," he said. "That's something you work out with your friends, with your family, with the person that you love. Again, the most one of the most important Christian principles is that you respect free will."



In a June 2024 interview with Fox News, Usha opened up about her religious background, saying that she believes her parents' Hindu faith is "one of the things that made them such good parents, that make them really very good people."

Of her husband's journey to Catholicism, she recalled, "I knew that JD was searching for something. This just felt right for 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.

JD frequently praises Usha for her support in his career success, calling her his "spirit guide when they were classmates at Yale.

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She instinctively understood the questions I didnt even know to ask and she always encouraged me to seek opportunities that I didnt know existed, he told The New York Times in 2022.



Read the original article on People
For one night, Vice President JD Vance stepped into late political commentator Charlie Kirks role and debated students at the University of Mississippi on Wednesday night.

He did so alongside the widowed wife of Kirk, Erika Kirk, as a part of Turning Point USAs This Is The Turning Point tour, which is an extension of the American Comeback Tour and has included known conservatives like Utahs Sen. Mike Lee and Gov. Spencer Cox, Tucker Carlson, Vivek Ramaswamy and Rob Schneider.

The stop in Oxford, Miss., is the first time the vice president and Erika Kirk took the stage for this tour in honor of Charlie Kirk.

Erika Kirk opens up about personal grief

Attendees listen as Vice President JD Vance speaks during a "This Is the Turning Point" campus tour event at the University of Mississippi, in Oxford, Miss., Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. | Gerald Herbert

Kirk, who wore a white Freedom shirt, similar to the one her husband wore the day he was killed, spoke about her husbands legacy and the path forward for TPUSA.

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Being on campus right now for me is a spiritual reclaiming of territory, she said. There is a lot of symbolism in today. Its Wednesday, seven weeks. And the more that I am coming to grips with the permanency of this nightmare, the more that I am starting to realize and witness that the enemy, he doesnt want you.

Kirk added: He wants your territory. He wants your influence.

Kirk opened up about her grief in the weeks since her husband was murdered.

It took me a while to even just make it back into our bedroom, she said. I used to sprint from the opening door into the bathroom and sprint out. I was not ready to walk into our bedroom yet, and when I was finally able to sleep in our bed for the first time, I slept on his side of the bed.

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She said she finally saw Charlie Kirks view every morning. She was referring to the framed words on the bedroom wall: They will be known by the boldness of their faith.

He saw that every single morning he woke up, Erika said. I didnt, because I was on the other side, facing the window. But from his side, thats what he saw first.

Your generation is living at a crossroads. And you are living in one of the most defining moments in American history. We are all witnessing in real time the battle that is raging for the soul of your generation  again, your generation.

She noted that on his desk, Charlie Kirk had written out three questions to ask himself everyday.

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What is something I can do for someone today? What is something I can do to add value to the world today? How can I honor God today? the questions said.

Those were his action points for courage, Erika Kirk said. Ask yourself those questions every day, and I promise you, you will get courage.

He wasnt just a guy who went around campus and said very interesting things, Vance said. He was a person who, particularly to the young people of this country, he had the very best advice. Charlie wanted you... to build a life that was worth building.

Vance speaks about Christian values

Vice President JD Vance speaks during a "This Is the Turning Point" campus tour event at the University of Mississippi, in Oxford, Miss., Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. | Gerald Herbert

Erika Kirk said she sees many similarities between her husband and the vice president

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Thats why Im so blessed to be able to introduce him tonight. Because he understands the fight that were up against, she added. Hes an amazing man.

When Vance took the stage, he said he would speak from the heart. He encouraged students to live by Charlie Kirks advice to young people: Fall in love, get married and start a family.

He gestured to his wife and second lady Usha Vance in the audience and said his only regret was not having children sooner.

While youre young, have those babies if youre able to, he said.

Following his short remarks, he engaged in an hour-long Q&A session, fielding questions on immigration and data collection by students. Vance reaffirmed his Christian beliefs.

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I make no apologies for thinking that Christian values are an important foundation of this country, Vance said in response to a question regarding the separation of church and state.

Anybody whos telling you their view is neutral likely has an agenda to sell you. And Im at least honest about the fact that I think the Christian foundation of this country is a good thing.

In response to a question about his connection to Palantir, a data mining giant that works with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Defense and the Israeli military, Vance said he isnt involved.

I get asked about Palantir a lot because theres this internet meme out there that somehow Im super in bed with Palantir, Vance said.

Heres the thing Id say about this. Palantir is a private company. They sometimes do a useful service, and sometimes theyre going to do things we dont like. You should be demanding that your representatives do two things when it comes to Palantir or any other technology company, he said, adding that if young people are concerned about data privacy they should reach out to their members of Congress and ask them to pass legislation.
JD Vance has said he hopes his wife, second lady Usha Vance, converts to Christianity.

The US vice president, a staunch Catholic, said on Wednesday that Mrs Vance, who was raised as a Hindu, regularly attends church with him and that they had raised their children as Christians.

Speaking to students at the University of Mississippi on Wednesday, Mr Vance said his wife had been raised in a not particularly religious Hindu household and that when they met, both would have considered themselves agnostics.

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Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing I was moved by [in] church? he asked. Yes. I honestly do wish that. Because I believe in the Christian gospel, and I hope eventually, my wife comes to see it the same way.

But if she doesnt, then God says that everybody has free will, and so that doesnt cause a problem for me. Thats something you work out with your friends, with your family, with the person that you love

He added: One of the most important Christian principles is that you respect free will.

Mrs Vance, who was raised as a Hindu, regularly attends church with the vice president

Mr Vance converted to Catholicism six years ago and is one of several prominent Catholics in Donald Trumps administration.

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The vice president said two of his three children attend a Christian school and that his eldest, Ewan, had his first communion a year ago.

Mr Vance previously said his wife was very supportive when he started to re-engage with his faith, even though she was not a Christian.

When the Vances married in 2014 in Kentucky, their wedding ceremony included a Hindu blessing.

We had so many people fly from all over the world, including India, and our guest list and the ceremonies were sort of a representation of our very different backgrounds coming together, Mrs Vance told an Indian broadcaster earlier this year.

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My parents, of course, were married in a traditional Hindu ceremony.

So when I imagined weddings and what that might look like, I imagined pictures that I had seen of them or of my grandparents. So it was quite important to me to have both elements.

The Vances wedding ceremony included a Hindu blessing

Jen Psaki, Joe Bidens former press secretary, was accused of trivialising domestic abuse when she suggested on Oct 15 that Mrs Vance needed to be saved from her husband.

Ms Psaki, now an MSNBC host, said the second lady should blink four times if she needs saving from Mr Vance, labelling the vice president scary.

I always wonder whats going on in the mind of his wife. Like, are you OK? she told the Ive Had It podcast. Please blink four times... Well save you.

Credit: X / @TheChiefNerd

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Mrs Vance, who was born in California, worked for a law firm that called itself radically progressive until she resigned last year, and was registered as a Democrat voter until 2014.

Mr Vance has also defended his wife from racist attacks by Nick Fuentes, a Right-wing Christian nationalist commentator, after he joined the Republican ticket last year.

Dont attack my wife, Mr Vance said. Shes out of your league.

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.
Vice President JD Vance has dropped two unexpected revelations  and possibly snubbed his boss, President Donald Trump, in the process.

Appearing on the New York Posts Pod Force One podcast on Wednesday, the vice president revealed that fellow formerTrump detractor Marco Rubio is his best friend in the Trump administration  and that he and the secretary of state are very interested in UFOs, also known as UAPs.

Politics: Mike Johnson Gets Dragged For Claiming Hes Working Overtime 28 Days Into A Shutdown

Before the conversation kicked off, host Miranda Devine asked Vance whether hes ever had any friction with Rubio, considering Trump and others have floated both men as potential GOP presidential candidates in 2028.

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First of all, no. Theres not going to be any tension. Marco is my best friend in the administration, and he and I work a lot together, Vance told Devine. We really do, I think  a lot of the good work that weve been able to do in this administration is because were all able to work together.

Vance also said hes never woken up with the thought of how to become president, despite teasing his potential run just last month.

Vice President JD Vance said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a former Senate colleauge, is his "best friend" in the Trump administration. SAUL LOEB via Getty Images

The interview took a random turn at the end after Devine revealed to Vance that shes a mad UFO lunatic.

Bringing up remarks the vice president had made on the Ruthless podcast in August about his obsession with mysterious UFO videos, Devine asked whether hed made good on his goal to try and dive to the bottom of the whole UFO thing.

Politics: JD Vance Claims Hes Not Entitled To 2028 Presidential Bid

That was a little tongue-in-cheek. I have not figured it out yet, Vance answered. I havent had the time to figure it out yet  I really want to sort of dig into it.

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Vance then suddenly brought up Rubio again.

You know, Marcos actually very interested in this, too. We talked about this a little. We talked about this back in our Senate days, he spilled.

Noting that theres certainly an interest there and an intrigue in the subject of extraterrestrial life, Vance acknowledged the crazy person inside of me.

Politics: Ex-MLB Pitcher And Bigot Throws Hate At NYC Mayoral Candidate Mamdani

And theres, you know, all of us put the tinfoil hat on from time to time, he said. I wonder, like, I cant allow myself to become so busy that I spend the next three years and I dont get to the bottom of this. So, I will get to the bottom of this, but its going to take me a little time.

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Watch Vances appearance on the Pod Force One podcast below.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Vice President JD Vance burned Twitch star Hasan Piker for using a shock collar on his dog, saying it was a telltale sign the popular streamer is a terrible person.

The vice president stumbled onto talking about Piker while discussing his own pup during an appearance on New York Post columnist Miranda Devines Pod Force One podcast on Wednesday.

Devine, while Vance talked about how his dog responds to him snapping his fingers, quipped, You dont have to zap him like Hasan Piker?

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She was referring to the recent viral clip of Piker seemingly using a shock collar to keep his dog, Kaya, from getting up and moving while he was streaming. Piker denied it was a shock collar, saying it was a collar that merely vibrates. Many on X did not buy the claim, and some users shared other clips of Piker apparently abusing his dog in the past.

Wasnt that disgusting? Devine asked.

No electrocution of dogs here, Vance said, very disgusting.

Vance continued, If you can actually cause suffering to an innocent animal, youre probably the kind of person who doesnt worry about suffering in people as well if you mistreat dogs, thats almost a 100% sign you are going to be a terrible person.

JD Vance drops a Collargate roast on Hasan pic.twitter.com/jD4P22Liho  yeet (@Awk20000) October 29, 2025

The vice president said watching how people treat dogs is a good way to tell if they are a bad person or not.

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If somebody is really mean to animals  its like the Jeffrey Dahmer thing, Vance said. Like, every serial killer ever has been really bad to animals, thats sort of how they started.

Piker, for those who are unfamiliar, is a popular leftist streamer, with 4.8 million combined subscribers on Twitch and YouTube. He was championed by The New York Times earlier this year as A Progressive Mind in a Body Made for the Manosphere.'

Watch Vance rip Piker via the X clip above. And you can watch his full interview with Devine on YouTube by clicking here.

The post JD Vance Zaps Terrible Person Hasan Piker for Using Shock Collar on Dog: Every Serial Killer Has Been Bad to Animals first appeared on Mediaite.
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 original story is a personal account of Jeffs stories over years.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A picture of the Martin Family  Ken, his wife Barbara and their 4 children sitting on a couch  has haunted me for 30 years. Out of all the stories Ive reported on, the Case of the Martin Family became my obsession.

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On December 7, 1958, Ken and Barbara and their 3 daughters  Virginia, Sue and Barbie  disappeared while taking a drive up the Columbia River Gorge. They were never seen again.

Initial reports speculated the Martins accidentally drove their car into the water at Cascade Locks, but extensive searches in that area turned up empty.

TIMELINE: What we know about the 1958 Martin family disappearance

But Multnomah County Detective Walter Graven felt foul play was involved, bolstered by circumstantial evidence he uncovered. Gravens grandson, Greg, has also been haunted by this case.

He believed it was a homicide, Greg Graven told KOIN 6 News, and it would be solved when the vehicle was found.

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Walter Gravens theory was that the Martins actually went missing at The Dalles. Their car, he believed, was driven or pushed off a cliff above the Columbia River.

Sixty years passed. On the anniversary of their disappearance in 2018, I presented another of my stories on the Martin Family mystery. But this time the report captured the attention of an experienced diver named Archer Mayo.

In this undated photo, Ken and Barbara Martin sit on the couch in their living room with son Don and the three girls. (KOIN Archives) The Martin family loved Christmas. Barbara, Virginia and Susan Martin sing carols during a neighborhood Christmas celebration. (KOIN Archives) An undated photo of the 1954 Ford Country Station Wagon the Martins drove into the Columbia River Gorge on Dec. 7, 1958. (KOIN Archives) Coverage of the search for the Martin Family in the Columbia River near Cascade Locks from the Oregon Journal. (Oregon Journal) Coverage of the search for the Martin Family features pictures of Barbara, Virginia and Susan Martin in the Oregon Journal. (Oregon Journal) Detective Walter Graven was the only investigator following leads and connecting the dots in the disappearance of the Martin family. (Courtesy: Graven family) A gas station receipt from a Chevron station in Cascade Locks shows Ken Martin purchased five gallons of gas on the afternoon the family vanished. (KOIN Archives) A report from the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office detailing the discovery of a girls body near Bonneville Dam. The body is later identified as Virginia Martin. (Graven family) Old newspaper clippings about the Martin Family disappearance in 1958 (KOIN, file) Investigators continue the search for what is believed to be the Martin family car on Mar. 7, 2025. (KOIN) Car parts, including the engine, likely connected to the Martin Family car missing since 1958 was taken to a Hood River County crime lab, March 7, 2025 (KOIN) The emblem from a Ford, likely from the missing Martin Family car from 1958, was found in Cascade Locks, March 7, 2025 (Archer Mayo) Diver Archer Mayo discovered the wreckage of what is likely the Martin Family car missing since 1958 in the Cascade Locks, March 7, 2025 (KOIN) Diver Archer Mayo emerges from a dive at the Martin Family car site in Cascade Locks, August 25, 2025 (KOIN) Diver Archer Mayo displayed window cranks recovered in a dive that found the Martin Familys 1954 Ford Station Wagon at Cascade Locks, August 25, 2025 (KOIN) Diver Archer Mayo holds the remnants of a shoe believed to be Barbara Martins, recovered in a dive that found the Martin Familys 1954 Ford Station Wagon at Cascade Locks, August 25, 2025 (KOIN) Diver Archer Mayo holds seat belt buckles recovered in a dive that found the Martin Familys 1954 Ford Station Wagon at Cascade Locks, August 25, 2025 (KOIN) Diver Archer Mayo recovered a case with Ken Martins name and address in a dive that found the Martin Familys 1954 Ford Station Wagon at Cascade Locks, August 2025 (Archer Mayo) Diver Archer Mayo holds items recovered in a dive that found the Martin Familys 1954 Ford Station Wagon at Cascade Locks, August 25, 2025 (KOIN)

At first it was a mystery, Mayo recently told KOIN 6 News. I had solved other mysteries in the river. I love doing that.

Using his scientific knowledge of the river and his extensive research on the unique architecture of Cascade Locks, Mayo felt certain the Martins 1954 Ford was underwater at The Locks covered by tons of rocks and silt. He could identify those layers according to geologic history.

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I recognize when Im at the original level of soil because theres a 1964 flood that made this grey, very, very fine grit, he said. Then when I hit to that level I know Im back to the original car.

For 7 years, Mayo probed and dug through tons of rocks and debris. He never gave up. At times he risked his life.

It is dangerous, he said. In fact, its really dangerous.

Last fall, Mayos grit and determination paid off when he uncovered what appeared to be the Martins car  a 1954 Ford station wagon, upside down, embedded in silt and mud.

The highest part of the car was about 7 feet from the surface of the river bottom, 50 feet down, Mayo said. We were about 55 feet down and the rest of the car is much deeper.

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In March 2025, the Hood River Sheriffs Office tried to bring the car to the surface. But the attempt failed when only the undercarriage of the car surfaced, breaking away from the rest of the car.

Mayo was undeterred. He spent the summer of 2025 diving down to what remained of the car, carefully excavating and uncovering clues, fragments of evidence including human bones.

He also found a camera case with Ken Martins name and address.

Mystery over: Diver finds remains, artifacts in Martin Family car

Yes, that was a big one, Mayo told KOIN 6 News. Ken was famous for always having two cameras with him and this camera was just right on the entrance where I go into the car.

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The bones he recovered were turned over to the Oregon State Medical Examiner for forensic testing and continued investigation.

While Archer Mayos determination solved one of Oregons oldest mysteries, we will probably never know why the Martins car went into the water. Was it an accident? Or was foul play involved?

For Mayo, its enough to know he brought closure for so many people.

For me, it was realization again that journalism can be a powerful tool in inspiring others to do remarkable things.

If I could just take a moment to thank you. You kept this torch burning, Mayo told me recently. You did everything you could do in your privilege and your power to keep this thing about the Martins out there.

Jeff Gianola recently presented a KOIN Inspiration Award to Archer Mayo

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.
NEW JERSEY (PIX11)  Some New Jersey residents will have their medical debt wiped clean in the coming days, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Wednesday.

Over $59 million in medical debt for over 48,000 New Jerseyans will be forgiven through the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt.

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Using roughly $500,000 in American Rescue Plan funds, Undue has purchased the debt from a mix of providers, collection agencies and debt buyers. Undue-branded letters will arrive in the mail of those whose debt will be relieved in the coming days.

Who qualifies for debt relief?

There are two criteria to qualify:

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A person either at or below 400% of the federal poverty line

A persons medical debt is 5% or more of their annual income

Do I have to apply for relief?

No, there isnt an application process for medical debt relief. Undue purchases bundled portfolios of past-due medical debt belonging to those least able to pay.

Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work 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 PIX11.
Save the horses.

That's the word from Colts Neck's Jessica Springsteen, an Olympic silver medalist in equestrian Team Jumping and daughter of Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa. Jessica has lent her voice to a new public service announcement calling for the passage of the Save Americas Forgotten Equines Act, which would ban the shipment of horses to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico.

Every year, 20,000 American horses  thoroughbreds, ex-show jumpers, lesson ponies, Arabians, wild hoses, even donkeys  are shipped to slaughter in Mexico and Canada, says Jessica in the voiceover as film of horses is shown. These are not unwanted animals. These are partners, athletes, companions but instead of love and compassion, their final moments are ones of abandonment and terror. Please stand with the lost horses.

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The video is called Hero and it's directed by filmmaker Ashley Avis. It's part of the non-profit Wild Beauty Foundation's Lost Horses Action Week, which takes place through Friday, Oct. 31.

See it below in this story.

Silver medalist Jessica Springsteen of Team United States celebrates following the Jumping Team Final at Equestrian Park on Aug. 7, 2021, in Tokyo. Jessica is the daughter of Bruce Springsteen and Patti Sciafa

The SAFE Act would permanently ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption and prohibit the export of live horses to Mexican and Canadian slaughterhouses to be sold overseas. The slaughter of horses in the U.S. for human consumption is not currently allowed due to regulatory restrictions.

The bill was introduced earlier this year by Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) in the House of Representatives and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in the Senate.

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As a former horse owner, I have been a leader in efforts to ban horse slaughter in the United States for many years, said Schakowsky in a statement. It is beyond time to end this brutal and dangerous practice. Horses are not food. As a proud animal lover, we owe it to our horse companions to protect their welfare.

In 2012, Jessica petitioned New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to sign legislation to make illegal to slaughter horses for human consumption in the state and he did so.

Springsteen, 33, won a silver medal in Team Jumping at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. It was held in 2021 due to the pandemic. At the time, she was ranked 27th in the word, according to the International Federation of Equestrian Sports' Longines Rankings.

Visit www.losthorses.org for more information on the Lost Horses campaign.

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Subscribe to app.com for the latest on the New Jersey music scene.

Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at cjordan@app.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jessica Springsteen lends voice to Lost Horses Action Week
Secretary of State Cole Jester announced on Oct. 30, 2025 that his office identified 240 potential noncitizens on state voter rolls after feeding voter registration data into a federal database tool. (Photo by Ainsley Platt/Arkansas Advocate)

Secretary of State Cole Jester announced Thursday that his office believes there are roughly 240 alleged noncitizens on Arkansas voter rolls.

Thirty to 40 of those people are believed to have voted in an election, but Jester said during a press conference at the state Capitol that federal and state prosecutors would investigate to confirm the number.

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The American Immigration Council estimated 161,000 foreign-born people lived in Arkansas in 2023. Of those, 52,000 are estimated to be naturalized citizens, while 72,200 are estimated to be undocumented immigrants.

Arkansas has roughly 1.8 million registered voters  meaning 0.013% of the states registered voters are potentially noncitizens. That aligns with similarly small percentages reported in states like Texas and Louisiana. The percentage of potential noncitizens on the states rolls who have voted, 0.002%, is even smaller.

Jester said he provided Arkansans voter registration data to the Department of Homeland Security in September. The 240 individuals  who have not yet been given the opportunity to prove their citizenship status  were identified via personally identifiable information such as the last four digits of their Social Security numbers, Jester said. Generally, only noncitizens authorized to work in the U.S. can obtain a Social Security number.

The individuals would be sent a letter Oct. 30 giving them 30 days to provide proof of citizenship, he added. If proof is not provided, Jester said county clerks will be told to clean up their voter rolls to ensure only citizens are registered.

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On one hand, having 240 people on your rolls who are non-citizens is a nightmare, Jester said. On the other hand  we dont think this has flipped elections.

The individuals identified as having voted have been referred to state and federal law enforcement, Jester said.

The program that identified the alleged noncitizens  the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE  was created so state governments could verify the citizenship status of those applying for government benefits. Prior to 2025, names had to be run through the system one by one. After being fed information, the system would check it against numerous government databases, such as those maintained by the Social Security Administration.

After President Donald Trump took office, SAVEs capabilities were expanded so that large lists, such as voter rolls, could be checked en masse. Confidential Social Security data, including full Social Security numbers for millions of Americans, was also integrated into the tool.

This has led to questions about the security of the personally identifiable information contained in such lists, and concerns that the enhanced capabilities would enable officials to erroneously purge legal voters from voter rolls. The nonprofit investigative journalism outlet ProPublica found that there were alarmingly few guardrails to ensure accuracy and scant specifics on how the data will be kept secure.

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Some of the databases the program relies on can be outdated and lack privacy safeguards, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. That has led to issues verifying the citizenship of certain kinds of U.S. citizens, such as the children of U.S. citizens abroad.

In response to questions by the Advocate, Jester said the federal SAVE program originally identified upwards of 300 people on the rolls as noncitizens. Some were subsequently identified as naturalized citizens whose information had not been updated in the programs databases, bringing the number to around 240.

When asked, Jester said it was possible some individuals on the list had registered by accident when applying legally for a drivers license or other program.

We think that is one way these errors enter the system. Theres a box you have to check where you attest that you are a lawful voter, that youre a registered citizen; that people are just checking forms, theyre not reading, Jester said. If you have registered accidentally, I think youre very unlikely to have voted. If you have voted, that probably indicated something more malicious.

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Mireya Reith, executive director of Arkansas United, a nonpartisan nonprofit advocating for Arkansan immigrants, said noncitizen registrations are usually because of clerical errors. Immigrant communities, she said, are well aware of the consequences of not following the law.

This is not something that our community actively is seeking to do because the repercussions are so great for their ability to either stay in this country or to fulfill that dream of citizenship someday, Reith said.

Erroneous registrations frequently occurred due to paperwork snafus when applying for drivers licenses or government programs they were eligible for, she said.

None of this was malintentioned, Reith said.

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Reith said she was concerned legal voters could be purged from state rolls as a result of the SAVE checks, in part because last name practices in some cultures can create discrepancies in an immigrants official documentation.

That can result in some confusion that will suggest that somebody is either someone that theyre not, or theyll have a different spelling of a name, or the state agent whos noting the name doesnt note it exactly as it was in their citizenship paperwork, Reith said.

She said her organization would be watching to ensure immigrants receive due process, given that immigrants are being denied due process in many spaces.

Jester stressed during the press conference that efforts were being made to ensure citizens are not removed from the states rolls by accident.
A JetBlue flight traveling from Mexico to New Jersey on Thursday made an emergency landing after experiencing a drop in altitude, leaving several passengers injured, according to the airline.

The flight landed in Tampa, Florida, where some were transported to the hospital, JetBlue said in a statement.

The flight was traveling from Cancun to Newark when the incident happened.

Kevin Carter/Getty Images - PHOTO: JetBlue Airways At Los Angeles International Airport

Pilots told air traffic controllers that at least three passengers were injured with possible lacerations.

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The weather in the area was calm, and the pilots told air traffic control the injuries were due to a flight control issue.

Passenger Terrica Turner, who was seated in a middle row close to the back of the plane, told ABC News she was about to order a snack roughly 45 minutes into the flight when suddenly the flight attendant "jerked to the left and then flew up with the cart, and you heard a big bang."

Turner, who was returning from Cancun to celebrate a two-year anniversary with her boyfriend, said she flew up out of her seat for about five to eight seconds, banging her head into the overhead compartment.

3 dead after small plane crash in Michigan

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"Even with my seat belt on, I did not feel safe," Turner said. "My drink splashed and I slammed back on the table and hit my head."

She compared the sensation to going up "the highest roller coaster ever, and you're at the top, and then you just drop." When she came back down, she said she felt her back crack a bit.

After the emergency landing in Tampa, Turner said people came on board to offer medical help. She estimated they remained on the tarmac for about an hour and a half.

As she and other passengers deplaned, she said some people were in wheelchairs or a neck brace and some gurneys were outside.

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'Hurricane Hunters' who flew into eye of Melissa had to turn back due to turbulence, NOAA says

"I felt like I was going to die," she said. "My boyfriend was silent in that moment while I was panicking -- he told me like he was just accepting it."

The Airbus A320 was headed to Newark Liberty International Airport and has now been grounded while the Federal Aviation Administration and JetBlue investigate.
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that it is contesting the Bihar Assembly elections with "no program and no agenda," and that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is being "remote-controlled" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The senior Congress leader expressed confidence that the Mahagathbandhan alliance will form the next government in Bihar and claimed that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)'s "time is up," adding that the people of the state have decided to bring about a change. "The remote control is in the hands of the Prime Minister, and he is remote-controlling Nitish Kumar. Why doesn't he say that Nitish Kumar is our candidate for the Chief Minister's post? He is not saying that. He is saying that we are contesting the elections under his leadership. But the truth is, there's no program, no agenda. They're nervous. They know their time is up, and the people of Bihar have decided it's time for change. Mahagathbandhan government will be formed," the Congress leader said. The Congress leader also took aim at the Prime Minister for what he termed "silence" over US President Donald Trump's repeated claims of facilitating a "ceasefire" between India and Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack. "The real issue is the question we've been asking for the last six months: Why did you stop Operation Sindoor? President Trump has made claims 56 times, and did you say anything inside or outside Parliament?" he said. Saying that PM Modi has "surrendered" to the US, Ramesh took a jibe at the Prime Minister for trying to "intimidate" and "threaten" Congress leaders while being silent as "threats" come from outside. "NRIs are being targeted. People are being sent back in handcuffs. The Prime Minister is silent on all this. And this is the same President Trump who always hugged our Prime Minister. Our Prime Minister surrendered. Our Prime Minister threatens opposition leaders, Congress leaders, but when someone from outside threatens and intimidates him, he remains silent," he said. He further accused the Prime Minister of being silent on real issues plaguing the country, including unemployment and the agrarian crisis. India has consistently refuted Trump's claims, stating that the ceasefire was achieved bilaterally through the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs), without third-party involvement. India has also reiterated its long-standing position that any issues with Pakistan, including those related to Jammu and Kashmir, are to be resolved bilaterally between the two countries. (ANI)
TAMPA, Fla. (AP)  JetBlue passengers were taken to the hospital after a sudden altitude drop on a flight from Mexico forced an emergency landing in Florida on Thursday, according to officials.

The flight from Cancun was traveling to Newark, New Jersey, when the altitude dropped. The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that it is investigating.

The Airbus A320 was diverted to Tampa International Airport around 2 p.m, according to the FAA.

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The airline did not immediately respond to questions about the number of people injured and the severity of their injuries.

Air traffic audio from LiveATC.net captured a radio call that said, Weve got at least three people injured. It seems like maybe a laceration in the head.

The plane has 162 seats, according to JetBlues website.

Medical officials evaluated the passengers and crewmembers at the airport before some were taken to hospitals, according to JetBlue.

Our team has taken the aircraft out of service for inspection, and we will conduct a full investigation to determine the cause, according to a JetBlue statement. The safety of our customers and crewmembers is always our first priority, and we will work to support those involved.

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In June, a JetBlue flight landing at Bostons Logan International Airport rolled off the runway and into the grass. No one was injured but the runway was temporarily closed.

___

This story has been corrected to say the aircraft was an Airbus A320, not an Airbus 320 as stated by the Federal Aviation Administration.
OWEGO, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  An expo was held on Thursday for local businesses to network with one another and meet potential applicants.

The Tioga County Chamber of Commerce hosted its Workforce and Enterprise Expo at the Church of the Nazarene in Owego. This is the fourth year of the expo, and the second year it has been held at this location.

20 businesses tabled at the event, with about 60 job seekers coming out this morning.

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Mark Rockwell says he is seeking a new job after the retail store in Owego that he worked at for the past six years closed. He says he values the opportunity to attend a job fair in person.

Ive been all over the internet looking and its nice to have a group of businesses that are looking in one spot. You can spend hours on the internet looking, said Rockwell.

Rockwell says he spoke to representatives of many different businesses and found some that piqued his interest.

Tioga Chamber President and CEO Sabrina Henriques says, based on its success in past years and on Thursday, it is likely the expo will be held again in future years to continue building strong professional networks in Tioga County.

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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 WIVT - News 34.
Tommie Jakes, a talented apprentice jockey, has been found dead at his home near Newmarket aged 19.

Jakes, who had ridden 19 winners this season and 59 in total, was attached to George Bougheys yard. His last winner, Fouroneohfever at Catterick, was for Boughey on October 18. His last ride was at Nottingham on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Injured Jockeys Fund said: It is with great sadness that we report the death of licenced apprentice jockey Tommie Jakes, 19, who tragically died at home this morning near Newmarket. Tommie was a much-loved son and brother, and a popular member of George Bougheys racing team. His parents Jeremy and Tonie ask that their privacy is respected at this terrible time.

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The British Horseracing Authority also paid tribute to Jakes. We are devastated to hear the news about Tommie, said Brant Dunshea, acting CEO. He was a talented young rider with the world at his feet, and had earned great praise from trainers for his horsemanship and attitude in just the last few months.

His family and friends, colleagues at the George Boughey yard and everyone who worked with him in Newmarket will be grieving today, and all of us in the racing community will share that pain. There will be marks of respect at Chelmsford and Southwell this evening and at racecourses tomorrow.

Jakes rode 19 winners this year - Getty Images/Warren Little

George Boughey Racing wrote on X: We are heartbroken by the news that our apprentice jockey Tommie Jakes has passed away.

Tommie has been an integral and much-loved member of our team. He was not only a hugely talented young rider with so much to look forward to, but an incredibly kind, popular and hard-working young man.

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We will miss him immensely. Our thoughts are firmly with Tommies family, friends and everyone who knew and loved him at this incredibly difficult time.

Jakes, who was living at the family home at Freckenham, rode his first winner on the 12-year-old Suzis Connoisseur at Lingfield in 2023, when he was 16. He apprenticed for Jane Chapple-Hyam at the time. Its very sad news and all our thoughts are with his family, she said yesterday.

Scottish trainer Linda Perratt, who supplied Jakes with more rides and winners than anyone else, told The Racing Post: Its dreadful news.

Im really upset and all my thoughts are with Tommies family. He rode lots of winners for us. His mum said I was like a second mother when he used to come and stay with us. We started using him and he rode most of them on the all-weather for us through the winter.

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We watched him on the telly riding yesterday and he even messaged my head girl last night. There are no words.

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 I-Team has now learned Wellington Dickens III didn't properly register as a homeschooler as required in North Carolina. Dickens III is the father charged with killing his children in Johnston County.

NC Division of Non-Public Education says they have no record of his name or address, meaning less accountability and possibility for the state to check in.

"It appears that people who are not caring for their kids would want to remove them from school settings. And so you know, it's interesting that these aren't actually, you know, normal homeschool families. There are people who are trying to hide something," says Matthew McDill with North Carolinians for Home Education.

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McDill says in most cases home schoolers still have community and family support, but in cases like this, it can draw people trying to isolate themselves. It's why he says even for those in homeschool, it takes a village.

"When we when we as a community, as neighbors, see the warning signs, right. Then we need to take action so that the children can be safe," he says.

Both Dickens and his late wife have extended family in the Triangle. ABC11 also reached out to them to see if they had any concerns about the children and their safety over the past few months or any further comment on this case, so far they have not responded.

SEE ALSO: NC man tells Telecommunicator 'he killed his children,' here's the full 911 call
A journalist made headlines earlier this month after White House officials responded your mom to one of his questions  now, hes revealed an even more brutal message from White House Communications Director Steven Cheung.

S.V. Date, HuffPosts senior White House correspondent, asked the White House earlier this month who suggested Budapest, Hungary, as the location for an upcoming meeting (which has since been shelved) between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded: Your mom did. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung then followed up: Your mom. Leavitt also accused Date of being a far left hack who nobody takes seriously, including your colleagues in the media, they just dont tell you that to your face.

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The story went viral, prompting The New York Times to interview Date this week. Date told the NYT he was writing a story about White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller this fall when he received another text from Cheung.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and White House Communications Director Steven Cheung. HuffPosts Senior White House Correspondent shared a brutal message from Cheung (Getty Images)

This time, it was an insulting and expletive-laden message, the NYT reports. When Date responded and asked if hed ever insulted Cheung, the White House communications director accused him of being a moron, according to the NYT.

After the NYT published its story, Date shared what he said is a screenshot of his exchange with Cheung on X. Cheung appears to tell Date to stop harassing him and to reach out to the press team, before calling him a little f****** b****, according to the screenshot.

When asked if Cheung's responses were considered appropriate, a White House official told The Independent, "YES."

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"WE CALL IT LIKE WE SEE IT," the White House official wrote. "IT'S NOT OUR ISSUE THAT MR. DATE CONTINUES TO BECLOWN HIMSELF."

Whitney Snyder, HuffPosts editor in chief, told the Times the White Houses responses are ridiculous, but the outlet isnt bothered.

Maybe hes gotten under their skin, Snyder said.

The outlet has also used the your mom spectacle to advertise its membership program, which allows readers to make contributions. When Leavitt shared the full Your mom exchange last week, the site received 66 percent more revenue from the program than it does on an average day, a HuffPost spokesperson told the NYT.

Date told the NYT hes never seen anything like this before.

Things got testy at times with Jeb Bushs staff, he said. But never like this.
BOSTON (AP)  A federal judge in Boston on Thursday seemed skeptical of the Trump's administration's argument that SNAP benefits could be suspended for the first time in the food aid program's history because of the government shutdown.

During a hearing over a request by 25 Democratic-led states to keep the funding flowing, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani told lawyers that if the government can't afford to cover the cost, there's a process to follow rather than simply suspending all benefits. The steps involve finding an equitable way of reducing benefits," said Talwani, who was nominated to the court by then-President Barack Obama.

Talwani said she expects to issue a ruling later Thursday and seemed to be leaning toward requiring the government to put billions of dollars in emergency funds toward SNAP. That, she said, is her interpretation of what Congress intended when an agency's funding runs out.

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If you don't have money, you tighten your belt, she said in court. You are not going to make everyone drop dead because its a political game someplace.

Talwani acknowledged that even ordering emergency funds to pay for SNAP might still be painful for some SNAP recipients because it could mean they get less money and that the money they do get could be delayed. We are dealing with a reality that absent a 100% win for you, the benefits aren't going to be there on Nov. 1, she told the plaintiffs.

The hearing came two days before the U.S. Department of Agriculture planned to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program because it said it can't continue funding it due to the shutdown.

Other lawsuits have been filed over the program's suspension, including one filed Thursday in Rhode Island by a coalition of eight cities and community, business and union organizations.

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SNAP, which costs about $8 billion per month, serves about 1 in 8 Americans and is a major piece of the nations social safety net. Word in October that it would be a Nov. 1 casualty of the shutdown sent states, food banks and SNAP recipients scrambling to figure out how to secure food. Some states said they would spend their own funds to keep versions of the program going.

President Donald Trump's administration said it wasnt allowed to use a contingency fund with about $5 billion in it for the program, which reversed a USDA plan from before the shutdown that said that money would be tapped to keep SNAP running. The Democratic-led states argued that not only could that contingency money be used, it must be. They also said a separate fund with around $23 billion could be tapped.

Although the states requested the funding continue only in their jurisdictions, the judge indicated that any ruling would apply nationwide, saying it wouldn't be fair to treat recipients differently depending on which state they live in. A ruling that would apply everywhere could defy the intentions of the U.S. Supreme Court, which has limited the use of nationwide injunctions, though it hasn't prohibited them.

Much of the hearing revolved around what Congress intended to do when the agency runs out of money for the program. Talwani pushed back against the Trump administration's argument that suspending the benefits was the best option, saying using emergency funds for benefits, albeit reduced, seemed to make the most sense.

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Its hard to me to understand that this is not an emergency, when there is no money and a lot of people are needing their SNAP benefits, she said.

Lawyers for the federal government argued that dispersing the full benefits would violate a law that bars the government from paying for programs without a congressional appropriation.

And in court papers, the government said partial payments would require complicated recalculations of benefits that could take weeks.

The plaintiffs argued in their lawsuit that failing to maintain the SNAP funding would hurt public health, make it harder for children to learn in school, drive up government health care expenditures and hurt the retailers that rely on SNAP payments.

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To qualify for SNAP in 2025, a family of four's net income can't exceed the federal poverty line, which is about $31,000 per year. Last year, SNAP provided assistance to 41 million people, nearly two-thirds of whom were families with children, according to the lawsuit.

___

Mulvihill reported from Haddonfield, New Jersey.
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Macalester College over its use of animals in psychology courses, although the alumnus who filed the case said Wednesday he plans to appeal the decision.

In a civil complaint filed June 3 in Hennepin County District Court, Dr. Neal Barnard said he relied on Macalesters false statements over its animal testing in his decision to join the colleges Class of 1975 Planning Committee, as well as its Gift Subcommittee, and donate $100 to the St. Paul private school.

The complaint alleged one count each of fraudulent misrepresentation, false statement in advertisement and unlawful practices.

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Barnard, a Maryland resident, sought, among other actions, an order compelling the St. Paul school to cease its use of animal laboratories in psychology instruction and in all other areas for which non-animal methods are available.

Macalester moved to dismiss Barnards claims, arguing that he knew about Macalesters practices before making his donation.

Unsatisfied with Macalesters response to his demands that it change how it teaches psychology, Macalester attorney Sean Somermeyer wrote in the June 26 motion memo, (Barnard) set out to cook up a lawsuit by making a $100 donation  his first in 40 years  and claiming fraud. 

A hearing on the motion was held July 30 before Judge Karen Janisch, who ultimately agreed with Macalester and issued an order Tuesday dismissing the three counts.

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The courts ruling affirms that external parties cannot interfere with or dictate curriculum, Macalester President Suzanne Rivera said in a Wednesday statement issued by the college. While people are entitled to personal opinions about animal use in science, the college is deeply committed to academic freedom. We respect the expertise of our faculty in what to teach and how to teach it.

Barnard is a 1975 Macalester psychology graduate and medical doctor who founded the Washington, D.C.-based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a group that advocates for alternatives to animal testing.

The nonprofit issued a statement Wednesday that said Barnard intends to appeal the judges decision.

Medical schools dropped animal labs from their curricula years ago, the statement quoted Barnard as saying. Mac should, too.

Make a Gift

According to the facts of the case outlined in the judges order:

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Macalester reached out to Barnard and other 1975 graduates in 2023 about a 50th class reunion, asking for donations for activities and whether they were interested in planning them.

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Before his donation, Barnard reviewed Macalesters website, which stated that animal welfare standards and ethical principles are applied at the highest possible level in any animal use or research conducted at or in association with the college.

The same webpage included a Make a Gift link for making charitable donations.

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Before making a donation, Barnard contacted Macalester psychology department head Janie Strauss to discuss the colleges current practices.

The two met in person on May 9, 2024, and Strauss, in response to a question from Barnard, informed him that Macalester continued to use Skinner-inspired animal laboratories as part of its introductory psychology courses, the judges order read.

In the 1920s, psychologist B.F. Skinner invented what would become known as Skinner boxes, which often involve starving rats or pigeons to motivate them.

Barnard told Strauss that he believed such practices are prohibited under ethical principles regarding the use of animals in science, called the Three Rs  for replacement, reduction and refinement.

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The Three Rs have been enshrined in some federal laws and as part of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, a standard text in the field, the judges order read.

Barnard, believing the college was open to reform, then accepted an invitation to join Macalesters Class of 1975 Planning Committee and serve on its Gift Subcommittee, the complaint said.

In his role from July 30 through Nov. 1, Barnard made phone calls, sent emails and mailed postal letters to fellow Macalester alumni assigned to him by Macalesters fundraising staff to solicit charitable donations, according to the complaint.

Barnard met with Macalester President Suzanne Rivera and Macalester Vice Provost Paul Overvoorde on Nov. 6 to discuss his concerns. The next day, Barnard participated in person in another Gift Subcommittee meeting and afterward donated $100 to the school.

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Barnard emailed Overvoorde on Nov. 15 about the colleges Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, which oversees all scientific uses of animals by the college. Rivera then emailed Barnard on Dec. 2, instructing him to direct all future communications on animal use matters to Macalesters legal counsel.

Judges conclusions

Janisch noted in the dismissal order that the only statement the college made to Barnard after the Nov. 6 meeting and his donation the next day was Rivera telling him over the phone that she would forward [his] concerns to appropriate people.

Janisch cited 2009 state case law, Valspar Refinish Inc. v. Gaylord Inc., that states: When a party conducts an independent factual investigation before it enters into a commercial transaction, that party cannot later claim that it reasonably relied on the alleged misrepresentation.

As in Valspar, Janisch concluded, Barnards actual knowledge of Macalesters practices after investigating the colleges claims, preclude him from establishing he reasonably relied on the content of (the) website statement when making his donation.

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Macalester made no separate promise to Barnard to change any practice, Janisch wrote, and therefore he cannot, as a matter of law, establish a valid claim for fraudulent or negligent misrepresentation consistent with the facts pleaded in the complaint.

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Barnard asserted that he had standing to bring a consumer fraud act violation claim based on the solicitation for donations and his eventual donation. He maintained that his injury and his standing are predicated on his website donation.

Janisch noted the Minnesota Consumer Fraud Act allows private civil action by a consumer who claims injury by a violation in connection with a sale of merchandise for personal, family, household or agricultural purposes.

Janisch concluded that Barnards knowledge of the use of animals in classroom settings before donating preclude him from establishing that he suffered an injury caused by the alleged false statement on Macalesters website.
(The Center Square)  Bill Essayli remains the top prosecutor for the Central District of California after a court ruling on his job title and his qualification to prosecute three criminal defendants.

Essayli, who was appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondi in April in an interim role, stayed past the legal, 120-day period as acting U.S. attorney, but may continue in a job titled "first assistant U.S. attorney," U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright ruled in response to motions filed by the defense for three criminal defendants trying to disqualify Essayli from prosecuting them.

The Central District has no one designated as U.S. attorney, which requires Senate confirmation, or acting U.S. attorney, which doesnt require confirmation but has a limited period. That means no attorney in the Central District, which includes Los Angeles, outranks Essayli.

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For those who didnt read the entire order, nothing is changing. I continue serving as the top federal prosecutor in the Central District of California, Essayli, a former Republican Assembly member, said in a post on X. His X page still identifies him as "acting U.S. attorney."

Its an honor and privilege to serve President Trump and Attorney General Bondi, and I look forward to advancing their agenda, said Essayli, who has supported the Trump administrations efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.

Essayli resigned as acting or interim U.S. attorney July 29, and Bondi appointed him "first assistant U.S. attorney" and gave him the authority to perform the duties of acting U.S. attorney.

"Simply stated: Essayli unlawfully assumed the role of Acting United States Attorney for the Central District of California. He has been unlawfully serving in that capacity since his resignation from the interim role on July 29, 2025," Seabright wrote in his 64-page court order, issued Tuesday. "Essayli may not perform the functions and duties of the United States Attorney as Acting United States Attorney. He is disqualified from serving in that role."

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Seabright ruled Essayli cant be involved with the prosecution as acting U.S. attorney in the cases mentioned in the criminal defendants' motions. Seabright is a judge for the U.S. District Court for Hawaii but reviewed the case to avoid potential conflicts of interest for California judges, according to Politico.

But Seabright, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, added Essayli could supervise prosecutions in the cases as first assistant U.S. attorney." He also noted Essayli could perform all the duties of first assistant U.S. attorney even if the official top position for the Central District, "U.S. attorney," remains vacant.

Although Essayli was never lawfully serving as Acting United States Attorney, he remains the FAUSA, Seabright wrote. "The court has no basis to preclude Essayli from performing the lawful duties of a FAUSA."

Seabrights ruling came as a response to a motion to disqualify Essayli as a prosecutor in cases involving three defendants charged with federal firearms violations.

Seabright denied a separate motion to dismiss the indictments. The judge ruled the indictments were legally signed by other attorneys for the federal government and that there had been no violations of due process or other irregularities.
A federal judge Thursday said she was considering ordering the Trump administration not to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits amid the ongoing government shutdown.

District Court Judge Indira Talwani sounded like she mostly agreed with the demand by New York Attorney General Letitia James and 24 other Democratic-led states that federal officials should tap an emergency fund to keep SNAP benefits flowing to about 42 million low-income Americans.

You are not going to make everyone drop dead because its a political game someplace, Talwani told a lawyer for the federal U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers the program.

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The judge presiding over a preliminary hearing in Boston federal court noted that Congress appropriated money for the contingency fund and suggested she doesnt buy the Trump administrations claim that the shutdown doesnt qualify as an emergency.

Its hard to me to understand that this is not an emergency, when there is no money and a lot of people are needing their SNAP benefits, Talwani said.

Talwani told lawyers that if the federal government cant afford to cover the entire program, it could partially fund payments to states that administer the food stamps program.

The steps involve finding an equitable way of reducing benefits, said Talwani, who was nominated to the court by former President Barack Obama. If you dont have money, you tighten your belt.

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The hearing came two days before the USDA planned to freeze SNAP payments because funding lapsed during to the government shutdown.

The USDA had previously said it could use the contingency fund to pay SNAP benefits as it has done in previous shutdowns, including in Trumps first term.

The program, which costs about $8 billion per month, serves about 1 in 8 Americans and is a major piece of the nations social safety net. About 3 million people in New York state and 2 million in NYCs five boroughs depend on SNAP funds, which are loaded onto recipients debit cards every month, to buy groceries.

A government lawyer warned Talwani that providing partial SNAP payments would require states to recalculate the benefits,involving complicated system changes and processes that would take weeks.

Its unclear how quickly the debit cards that beneficiaries use to buy groceries could be reloaded after a potential ruling.
A federal judge has quashed the Department of Justices subpoena for the records of QueerDoc, a telehealth service that prescribes medications and offers consulting for gender-affirming care in 10 states.

The DOJ subpoenaed QueerDoc June 11, requesting personnel information, documents identifying patients, patients medical records, billing records, insurance claims, communications with drugmakers, and more. It was among more than 20 such subpoenas issued.

The same day, the DOJs Civil Division issued a memo saying it would prioritize investigations of doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and other appropriate entities for possible violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other laws regarding medications used in gender-affirming care and False Claims Act violations by health care providers who evade state bans on gender dysphoria treatments by knowingly submitting claims to Medicaid with false diagnosis codes.

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Related: Trump looks to stop gender-affirming care for America's transgender youth: report

These investigations derived from Donald Trumps executive order recognizing only male and female sexes as assigned at birth and another denouncing gender-affirming care for minors as a stain on our Nations history that must end and threatening federal funding that provide such care. He also directed the DOJ to investigate providers. In April, Attorney General Pam Bondi released a memo saying the DOJ would act decisively to protect our children and hold accountable those who mutilate them under the guise of care. She used the same language about mutilation in a later press release. That a day after QueerDoc filed motions with a U.S. District Court in Washington State to quash the subpoena and seal the court proceedings, according to the court.

DOJ issued its inflammatory press release declaring that medical professionals have mutilated children in the service of a warped ideology, one day after QueerDoc filed these motions, effectively destroying any claim to investigative confidentiality while attempting to sway public sentiment against healthcare providers like QueerDoc, Judge Jamal Whitehead wrote in his ruling, which came out Monday. Such conduct appears calculated to intimidate rather than investigate.

The question before the Court is whether DOJ may use its administrative subpoena power to achieve what the Administration cannot accomplish through legislation: the elimination of medical care that Washington and other states explicitly protect. The answer is no, he continued. He noted that gender-affirming care is supported by major medical groups and many courts.

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Whitehead added, When a federal agency issues a subpoena not to investigate legal violations but to intimidate and coerce providers into abandoning lawful medical care, it exceeds its legitimate authority and abuses the judicial process.

He denied the motion to seal the proceedings because, despite legitimate safety concerns, transparency in judicial proceedings remains paramount when challenging executive power, he wrote.

Related: What is gender-affirming care, who uses it, and do they regret it?

QueerDoc welcomed the ruling. The court affirmed that government power cannot be used to intimidate providers or breach the confidentiality of patients seeking medically necessary care, the organization said in a statement on its website. This is a win not just for QueerDoc, but for every clinician and patient fighting for the right to safe, private healthcare.

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The subpoena was a calculated attempt by the Trump administration and Attorney General Pam Bondi to weaponize the Department of Justice against transgender people and the clinicians who care for them, the statement noted. QueerDoc did not surrender any patient information to the DOJ, and care was not disrupted, the group said.

A federal judge in Massachusetts quashed a similar DOJ subpoena to Boston Childrens Hospital in September, and the department is appealing, Politico reports. The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center are in court fighting DOJ subpoenas on gender-affirming care as well.

Asked by Politico for comment on the QueerDoc ruling, the DOJ issued this statement: As Attorney General Bondi has made clear, this Department of Justice will use every legal and law enforcement tool available to protect innocent children from being mutilated under the guise of care.

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Judge nixes Justice Department subpoena of telehealth trans health care provider
BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan on Thursday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of making a "blasphemous" remark on Chhath Puja by calling it a drama and thereby insulting the sentiments of every person in Bihar. "Rahul Gandhi made a blasphemous remark. He labelled Chhath Puja as a drama," Kesavan told ANI, adding, "This has insulted the sentiment of every person in Bihar, and it also reflects the deep dislike, disdain, and disrespect the Congress Party and Rahul Gandhi have for Bihar's culture and tradition and our Hindu Dharma". On Wednesday, pointing to PM Modi's symbolic participation in Chhath, Gandhi had claimed the Prime Minister's involvement was insincere and staged for political benefit. "He has nothing to do with Chhath Puja. Narendra Modi went to bathe in his swimming pool. He has nothing to do with the Yamuna," he said, while addressing an election rally in Bihar. Kesavan said the people of Bihar are deeply hurt by Rahul Gandhi's statement, and they will not forget this "insult". "The people of Bihar are very, very hurt by the statement of Rahul Gandhi. There is massive outrage in Bihar over Rahul Gandhi's statement, and people of Bihar will never forgive Rahul Gandhi and the Congress for the way in which he has demeaned the sacred Chhath Puja," he said. "The people of Bihar will not forget this insult by Rahul Gandhi, and they will teach this unprincipled, corrupt nexus of RJD and Congress a lesson by routing them in the coming elections," he added. When asked about Rahul Gandhi's 'Dance' dig at PM Modi, the BJP National Spokesperson said, "Rahul Gandhi's most unbecoming and uncouth remarks about our Prime Minister and the most shocking manner in which Rahul Gandhi mocked and maligned the sacred Chhath Puja, only go on to expose the third-rate politics of Rahul Gandhi filled with poisonous hate and negativity." During a rally in Muzaffarpur, Rahul Gandhi had said, "If you tell Modi ji to dance on stage in return for votes, he would dance." He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being willing to do anything for votes and ran an emotional attack on what he described as a disregard for the people's real concerns. "He (PM Modi) just wants your vote. If you ask him to do a drama for votes, he will. You can make him do anything. If you tell Narendra Modi to dance, he will dance," Gandhi said amid loud cheers from the crowd. He amplified what he described as "vote theft" by the BJP, reiterating allegations that elections in Maharashtra and Haryana were manipulated, and warning that similar attempts would be made in Bihar. Bihar Assembly polling is scheduled to take place in two phases, on November 6 and November 11, with the results to be declared on November 14. (ANI)
The events of Jan. 6, 2021, are now almost five years in the past, but the turmoil they continue to cause for the Justice Department and its prosecutors was on clear display again Thursday in a federal courtroom in Washington.

Two federal prosecutors whom the Justice Department abruptly placed on leave Wednesday appeared at a sentencing hearing for Taylor Taranto, a pardoned Jan. 6 rioter who was convicted on separate charges for unrelated threats and firearm crimes. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White wereplaced on leave hours after describing Jan. 6 in a sentencing memo as an attack by thousands of people comprising a mob of rioters.

The pair looked on from the gallery as the chief of the criminal section of the U.S. Attorneys Office in D.C., Jonathan Hornok, and another prosecutor, Travis Wolf, took their places.

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Near the outset of the hourlong sentencing hearing for Taranto, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols offered an unusual tribute to the recently suspended prosecutors, who were joined by several colleagues offering support.

Nichols, a Trump appointee, did not press Hornok or Wolf on the reason for the last-minute shake-up. However, the judge praised the lawyers who were shunted aside, saying they had upheld the highest standards of professionalism.

In my view, both Mr. Valdivia and Mr. White did a truly excellent job in this case, the judge added.

Its still not clear exactly what led to the ouster of Valdivia and White, but it appears to stem from language in a 14-page brief they submitted Tuesday. It offered a brief but graphic description of the events of Jan. 6, noting how a mob of rioters attacked the Capitol to dispute the results of the 2020 presidential election.

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On his first day back in office in January, President Donald Trump pardoned or commuted the sentences of all of those charged in connection with the Jan. 6 riot. However, Taranto still faced other charges related to events in June 2023 when he triggered a massive police response and partial evacuation of D.C.s Kalorama neighborhood by posting a rambling livestream where he suggested he was driving through the area in a van fitted with explosives and capable of driving itself.

The sentencing memo Valdivia and White filed also noted that Taranto appeared to zero in on a home belonging to former President Barack Obama after Trump published the purported address of Obamas home on Truth Social. Taranto re-posted that address and ranted on video and on Telegram about tunnels he could use to reach the homes of Obama and others.

Taranto was arrested that afternoon after a brief chase by the Secret Service. Two pistols and ammunition were found in Tarantos van, although no explosives were found.

Senior officials at the U.S. Attorneys office apparently tried to memory hole the initial sentencing filing by persuading a court clerk to block online access to it. A notation posted online said it was filed in error. The document and the docket entry for it are now missing from the public docket, although journalists downloaded the filing before it became inaccessible.

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On Wednesday evening, Hornok and Wolf filed a revised sentencing memo that removed all references to the attack on the Capitol and to Trumps role in posting Obamas address.

Not entirely clear to me how that first brief was sealed, Nichols said Thursday, noting that he had not authorized its removal. The judge said hed read both prosecution briefs and that if prosecutors want to keep the initial sentencing memo under wraps they will need to file a motion to seal it or strike it. Its going to have to justify that, the judge warned.

Validivia and White declined to comment as they left the courthouse. Hornok referred questions to a spokesperson for U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

Asked about the tumult at a press conference earlier Thursday, Pirro said, I think the papers speak for themselves and what goes on in this office is not something Im going to comment on to the press.

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Amid the other drama Thursday, Tarantos sentence itself seemed like something of an afterthought. He wasnt present in the courtroom, but joined remotely from his home in Washington state after being released from pretrial detention earlier this year. His two defense attorneys also appeared by video. Nichols seemed to take it in stride as a cat belonging to one of the defense lawyers crossed through the video twice.

At a bench trial in May, Nichols found Taranto guilty on the hoax and firearm-related charges, rejecting defense arguments that his online diatribes were protected First Amendment speech.

Federal sentencing guidelines called for between 21 and 27 months in prison.

Both the old prosecutors and the new ones urged Nichols to impose a 27-month sentence, which would likely have required Taranto to serve a few additional days in prison beyond the 22 months he already spent in pretrial detention.

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This triggered a significant law enforcement response, Wolf told the judge Thursday, including 40 to 50 FBI agents and a bomb squad.

However, defense attorney Carmen Hernandez said Taranto was only facing charges over the 2023 incident because he turned down an offer last year to plead guilty to misdemeanor charges related to the Jan. 6 riot. This is a unique case, she said, calling his comments dark humor and satirical.

Tarantos defense also argued unsuccessfully earlier in the case that Trumps pardon of Jan. 6 participants should apply to the hoax and gun-related offenses Taranto was charged with.

Taranto addressed the court briefly Thursday, offering about two minutes of hard-to-follow comments about the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and claims of election fraud in 2020.

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Foundational fraud is the topic, Taranto said.

Nichols said the sentence at the low end of the recommended range was appropriate because Tarantos conduct was serious, but was far from egregious or the most serious Ive seen. The judge also imposed a three-year term of supervised release.

Taranto indicated during the hearing that he plans to appeal his convictions.

Faith Wardwell contributed to this report.
A member of the Dublin fire brigade who was convicted last week of raping a woman in a hotel room while visiting Boston during St. Patricks Day was sentenced to 7 to 9 years in prison on Thursday, court records show.

A jury convicted Terence Crosbie of a single count of rape last week after a trial in Suffolk Superior Court, Crosbies second this year after a jury came back hung during his first trial in June. On Thursday, Judge Joshua Wall handed down the sentence for Crosbie, who will serve his time at the Souza Baranowski Correctional Center, the states only maximum security prison.

Crosbie will be credited with more than a year of time served, court records show.

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The rape took place in the Omni Parker House on March 15, 2024, hours after Crosbie and other members of the fire brigade visited a Boston pub.

The woman had consensual sex with another firefighter at the hotel after they met at the pub. It was when Crosbie returned to the room, which he and the firefighter were sharing, that he raped the woman.

At 2 a.m., the woman awoke to a man she didnt know  later identified as Crosbie  raping her.

The woman testified during the second trial that began Oct. 14, and told the courtroom Crosbie was on top of me, inside of me, and held down her shoulders, reported The Irish Times.

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Crosbie told her, You like this, and He couldnt give this to you ... hes a loser, she told the courtroom, the outlet reported. She was emotional as she recounted her experience and broke down in tears during questioning.

The woman told him to stop and was able to roll off the bed but Crosbie kept following her around the hotel room  pushing her against the wall and kissing her  as she tried to grab her clothes. She ran away from him into the bathroom, then skirted around him to the door and left.

The woman then texted her friend to say she had been assaulted and went to Mass General Hospital, where she reported the rape. Hotel security footage matched the womans story, and she identified the man whod shared a hotel room with Crosbie as the man shed had consensual sex with.

Prosecutors said DNA samples from two men were found, but neither could be definitively linked to Crosbie, WCVB reported.

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Nonetheless, prosecutor Erin Murphy argued, the woman had no reason to leave a hotel room in the middle of the night and immediately disclose to a friend because she got raped, then go to a hospital and be interviewed by police.

She had no reason to do it, and drinking alcohol didnt make her do it, Murphy said.

But Crosbies attorney, Daniel Reilly, said in his closing argument that theres nothing that includes or matches Mr. Crosbie, the outlet reported.

Despite this, they want you to believe it is him because who else could it be, but their own witness says they cannot say it came from Mr. Crosbie, Reilly said, according to WCVB.

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Crosbie told police he saw the man he was staying with enter the room with the woman, so he left to give them privacy, according to a police report. Hours later, he entered the room after knocking and saw the woman leave, but didnt interact with her, he told police.

Massachusetts State Police arrested Crosbie on the tarmac at Logan Airport just before the plane he was on was set to depart for Ireland, the district attorneys office previously said.

Hed changed his flight to an earlier day after an interview with police.

During his arraignment, a judge held Crosbie on $100,000 bail, the district attorneys office said. The judge had also ordered him to surrender his passport and to stay in Massachusetts.

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CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  A Charleston County man was sentenced after being found guilty of attempting to solicit a minor for sex during an undercover operation.

Juan Marcos Cotto, 61, was found guilty by a jury of attempted criminal sexual conduct with a minor and criminal solicitation of a minor.

An investigation into Cotto began in July 2023 when the Charleston County Sheriffs Office hosted Operation Cast Net. It was an undercover chat operation involving officers from across South Carolina.

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Cotto engaged in an online conversation with an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl, according to the sheriffs office.

Cotto learned the childs age and continued to have a sexual conversation with the undercover agent. He then planned to meet with the minor for a sexual encounter, a CCSO spokesperson explained.

When Cotto arrived at the meet-up location, he was taken into custody by law enforcement. During an interview with South Carolina Attorney Generals Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigators, Cotto claimed that he was conducting his own anti-child abuse investigation, and that is why he traveled to meet up with the minor.

The Honorable Heath Taylor sentenced Cotto suspended to 15 years active and 5 years probation for the attempted criminal sexual conduct; and 10 years active in reference to the criminal solicitation of a minor. This means Cotto will serve 15 years of overall prison time and then be on probation for five years.

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Officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department, Charleston County Sheriffs Office, and SC Attorney Generals Office contributed to this investigation.

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A federal judge is set to rule on whether the Trump administration has to fund the nations low-income food program, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.

A lawsuit brought by 25 states was heard by Judge Indira Talwani on Thursday, who said at the hearing a ruling could be expected within the day, according to WCVB.

The Trump administration  amid an ongoing government shutdown  claimed that money was set to run out for the program, which provides money for food for low-income individuals across the country, by Nov. 1.

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More than 1 million Massachusetts residents are enrolled in SNAP benefits with Gov. Maura Healey releasing $4 million for local food banks on Thursday to help them ride out the stoppage of the program.

College communities were also expected to suffer greatly under the cuts to the SNAP program.

At Thursdays hearing, Judge Talwani seemed to express skepticism about claims by the Trump administration that the program could not be continued by using emergency reserves, according to the New York Times.

Congress has put money in an emergency fund, she said, the Times wrote. Its hard for me to understand how this isnt an emergency, when theres no money, and a lot of people are needing their SNAP benefits.

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The complaint, filed Tuesday, stated that federal SNAP benefits have never been interrupted by a lapse in appropriations, but that the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Trump administration had suspended SNAP benefits for November.

It said that the federal government has funds available sufficient to fund all or at least a substantial portion of Novembers SNAP benefits.

Suspending SNAP benefits in these circumstances is both contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act, the lawsuit stated.

The latest from MassLive

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Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino was all fired up on cable news Wednesday about being ordered to meet daily with a federal judge, telling conservative Fox News host Harris Faulkner he couldnt wait to give the judge a very good firsthand look at just how bad things are on the streets of Chicago.

Ill look forward to meeting with that judge, Bovino said in his trademark twang, to show her exactly whats happening, and the extreme amount of violence against law enforcement here.

Hours later, lawyers for Bovino sang a different tune, filing an emergency motion with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the daily debriefings ordered by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis significantly interferes with the quintessentially executive function of ensuring the Nations immigration laws are properly enforced by waylaying a senior executive official critical to that mission on a daily basis.

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At a hearing late Wednesday, Ellis told the parties the whole thing left her a little surprised.

Only because I did see Mr. Bovinos interview on Fox News where he did state that he was excited to come to court and that this would not impede his activities or his ability to manage the operation at all, Ellis said, according to a transcript of the brief hearing. So I was a little surprised just to see that the governments position as stated in the (7th Circuit motion) was directly contradicted by Mr. Bovino.

How it all shakes out was still an open question. The appellate court agreed to stay Ellis order temporarily while the issue is hashed out. Late Thursday, the plaintiffs in the underlying lawsuit filed a brief arguing the judge was well within her authority to order Bovinos appearance.

Defendant Bovino himself has stated publicly that the reporting requirement the government now challenges poses no obstacle to his work, the plaintiffs filing stated. Indeed, he said after the district courts order that he looks forward to reporting to Judge Ellis.

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The 7th Circuit had not ruled on the issue as of Thursday evening.

Bovino, meanwhile, was already at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse for the second time this week on Thursday, this time for a sworn, hourslong deposition ahead of an injunction hearing next week, where Ellis will decide what, if any, restrictions to place on use of force by federal immigration agents during Operation Midway Blitz.

While the deposition was being conducted behind closed doors, portions of Bovinos answers about alleged violations of Ellis temporary restraining order will likely become public during the injunction arguments.

Ellis unusual request for the daily debriefings from Bovino came as allegations have mounted that agents under his command are indiscriminately throwing tear gas in Chicago neighborhoods and using inappropriate force against residents and reporters during protests over the Trump administrations ongoing immigration enforcement push.

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During a remarkable hourlong session with Bovino on the witness stand Tuesday, Ellis also instructed the 30-year Border Patrol veteran to get his own body camera and send her every use-of-force report  and accompanying bodycam footage  filed since the operation began nearly two months ago.

Bovino was polite and agreeable to all of Ellis demands while he was on the stand. But afterward on Fox News, he complained that it had not come up that a Chicago gang had allegedly put a bounty on his head.

I was not able to even mention that yesterday, Bovino told Faulkner in the interview, which he later posted on social media. I did very little talking as you know.  But that does need to come into the conversation, because a bounty on someones head, that ratchets up the threat picture.

Sporting a high-and-tight haircut and talking often in militaristic terms, Bovino has been featured in slickly produced social media videos put out by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security purporting to be ridding Chicagos streets of the worst of the worst, immigrants in the U.S. without legal permission who have a history of violent criminal behavior.

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But scant details on those arrested have been officially released, and critics say the vast majority have had no criminal backgrounds whatsoever.

Bovino has not only not shied away from the controversy, hes placed himself directly in it. He was present during the massive raid on a South Shore apartment building earlier this month that drew national headlines. And he reappeared last week on two separate days in Little Village, the heart of Chicagos Mexican community and an important economic engine for the city, where Bovino himself was seen personally throwing tear gas canisters at a crowd of protesters.

Bovino, meanwhile, has claimed he only used the gas after an angry mob was throwing objects at officers and a rock hit him in the head.
After deliberating for less than 30 minutes, a jury found a Milwaukee man guilty of killing a convenience store worker in October 2024.

Charles Leggett, 39, was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide with use of a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm while convicted of an out-of-state felony, for the fatal shooting of Jamil Owais, a 26-year-old Milwaukee man.

The trial lasted three days, according to court records.

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Owais was a Palestinian immigrant and new father, his family told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last year. He had been only briefly watching his brother's store, Action Food and Liquor at 3455 N. King Dr., when he was shot dead.

According to a criminal complaint, Milwaukee police were dispatched to Action Food and Liquor around 11:50 a.m. Oct. 19, 2024, for a report of the shooting.

Police found Owais with a single gunshot wound to his chest. Responders attempted CPR, but Owais was pronounced dead at the scene just before 12:15 p.m.

An employee told officers he was in the back kitchen preparing a pizza when the shooter came back near him. However, the employee said he could not see the shooter due to objects in the way. He said the shooter then went near Owais, and "was speaking loudly and arguing," the complaint says.

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The employee said he could not make out what was being said, but recalled hearing Owais ask the man why he was yelling at him.

After about a minute of arguing, the employee heard a single gunshot, then the store's door open and close, he said.

Surveillance video showed Leggett arrived at the store at 11:46 a.m. and placed an order at the front counter. He then walked to the back kitchen area, where the pizza was being made, before returning to the front of the store and speaking with Owais, who was behind the counter using his cell phone. Leggett appeared upset and motioned his hands, the complaint says.

During what appeared to be an argument, Leggett abruptly pulled a handgun out of his pocked and put it to Owais' chest and pulled the trigger, the complaint says the surveillance footage showed.

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Police arrested Leggett later that day at an apartment. In a police interview, Leggett said he went to the store to buy a pizza and saw the worker making his pizza without wearing gloves.

He said he told Owais to have the worker remake the pizza because it was unsanitary, and claimed Owais "became loud" with him and said he "would do something" to Leggett, the complaint says.

Leggett told officers he then shot Owais.

Leggett's sentencing hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Dec. 17. He faces an automatic sentence of life in prison, with a judge's determination if he will ever be eligible for release on extended supervision.

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Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ArseneauKelli.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Jury convicts man of killing Milwaukee convenience store worker
ASHDOWN, Ark.  Officials with the Arkansas State Police said an Oklahoma man was found guilty in a jury trial of abuse of a corpse in Little River County.

Officials said 35-year-old Chance Cathey of Idabel, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 30 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections in connection with him putting a body in a well.

Two killed in Arkansas State Police chase in Little Rock

ASP was involved, officials said, when they were contacted by the Little Rover County Sheriffs Office on Jan. 2, 2024, after receiving a report of a body in a well close to the Arkansas-Oklahoma border.

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Investigators excavated the well and recovered the body of 57-year-old Bobby Graham, also known as Bobby Conly, of Tom, Oklahoma. Grahams body had been in the well for up to two weeks, investigators said.

Pine Bluff police investigating two car robberies, possibly connected

Court records show that an arrest warrant was issued for Cathey in December 2024, and he was arrested in Idabel, Oklahoma, on Jan. 17, 2025.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Former Las Cruces police officer Felipe Hernandez was found not guilty of second-degree murder. However he was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of 45-year-old Teresa Gomez.

The guilty verdict came after the Las Cruces jury deliberated for about four and half hours.

After the verdict was read Thursday, Oct. 30., the prosecution requested that Hernandez be remanded into custody, noting that he faces a potential sentence of up to 11 years in prison.

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The courtroom was emotional as the verdict was read with reactions from the families of the victim and Hernandez. KTSM reporter Diana Castillo was inside the courtroom when Hernandez turned to his family telling them, I love you.

The defense asked that Hernandez be released under supervision and assured the court that he would return for sentencing.

Presiding Judge Richard Jacquez denied the defenses request and ordered Hernandez to be remanded into custody pending sentencing. Deputies then took Hernandez into custody following the courts order.

Ex-Las Cruces police officer testifies in 2023 deadly shooting trial

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On Wednesday, during the third day of the trial, Hernandez took the stand for the first time. He shared details about his background, including his service in Iraq as a U.S. Army soldier and a 2005 diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

He also described the moments leading up to the deadly encounter, saying he believed one of the individuals involved, Jesus Garcia, was armed. The item Garcia held was later identified as a paintball gun.

Felipe Hernandez in court for murder trial. (Pool)

Prosecutors allege Hernandez fired multiple shots as Gomez attempted to drive away, striking her and causing injuries that later proved fatal. Hernandez testified that he fired three rounds because he feared for his life and was attempting to stop Gomez, not kill her.

Body camera footage from the incident was played in court earlier this week. Hernandezs defense team has maintained that the shooting was a justifiable homicide, while prosecutors argue that the use of deadly force was unwarranted.

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Las Cruces officer facing murder charge in death of woman

During Thursdays closing arguments, defense attorney Jeffrey Lujan told the jury that Hernandez is not guilty of either voluntary manslaughter or second-degree murder.

As the state began its final remarks, one of the prosecutors urged jurors to convict Hernandez, telling them, Who wouldnt have been intimidated by Mr. Hernandez, his actions, his attempt, who wouldnt? The prosecutor then asked the jury to return a verdict of guilty of second-degree murder.

In addition, District Attorney Fernando R. Macias said he is encouraged by the jurys decision to hold Hernandez accountable.

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It is very positive that the jury held Felipe Hernandez responsible for the death of Terry Leyva Gomez, Macias said. We will be asking for a lengthy sentence, as permitted under the law. While it is difficult to determine why the jury did not go forward with the second-degree murder charge, we firmly believe the evidence presented at trial supported that charge. Nevertheless, we are respectful of the jurys deliberation process and the results.

The sentencing hearing is expected to take up to 30 to 45 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 KTSM 9 News.
The Justice Department has taken a series of legal losses in President Donald Trumps second term, including a shocking streak of failures even to get indictments past grand juries in cases of alleged assaults on Trump-backed law enforcement officers. Yet another data point emerged this week in a case that made it to trial but ended in a not guilty verdict against the U.S. attorneys office currently led by Trump-installed prosecutor Lindsey Halligan.

Prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia accused Peter Stinson of soliciting a crime of violence with social media posts. Among those listed in the superseding indictment against him are posts that said One well placed shot would open up a whole new reality and He needs to be luigied  an apparent reference to Luigi Mangiones alleged shooting of health care executive Brian Thompson. (Mangione pleaded not guilty in New York, where his federal and state cases are pending.)

The government initially indicted Stinson in July, accusing him of criminally threatening the president. The government then sought to dismiss that charge and move forward with the superseding solicitation charge. U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga let the government do so over a defense objection that called the threats charge hastily brought in the face of binding precedent establishing that Stinsons statements didnt qualify as true threats. The defense argued that the case should be fully dismissed, but Trenga let it move forward.

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The judge also denied the defenses pretrial motion to dismiss the case on First Amendment grounds. Stinsons lawyers argued that the governments preferred use of the solicitation law would transform routine political hyperbole into a federal felony.

But the judge did side with the defense in granting a motion to block the government from using the term ANTIFA, over the objection of prosecutors who argued that Stinsons repeated statements that he is ANTIFA is direct evidence of his mens rea, an element for which the government carries the burden of proof, and is therefore highly relevant and probative. (Mens rea refers to criminal intent, which prosecutors must prove.) Stinsons lawyers argued that letting the jury hear the term would risk finding him guilty merely by association  a concern they said was especially potent in light of Trumps executive order labeling antifa a domestic terrorist organization.

Because jury deliberations are secret, we may never know if prosecutors wouldve succeeded had they been allowed to pursue their antifa theory of the case. We do know that on Tuesday, the jury returned a not guilty verdict.

Stintons acquittal follows the not guilty verdict earlier this month in the Washington, D.C., case of Sidney Reid, whom prosecutors failed to get a felony indictment against an incredible three times for allegedly assaulting law enforcement. They proceeded to trial on a misdemeanor and lost. Like Stinson in Virginia, Reid was successfully represented by federal public defenders in her district.

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Halligan didnt initiate the Stinson case. It was brought during the tenure of Erik Siebert, a Republican whom the administration had appointed to lead the Virginia office and then forced out after he resisted bringing cases against James Comey and Letitia James (which the administration installed Halligan to bring).

There are significant issues in the Comey and James cases that could lead to their pretrial dismissal, including whether Halligan is even lawfully serving in her role. But if they get to juries, she might have just gotten a preview of the results.

Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in the Trump administrations legal cases.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan State University Fraternity and Sorority Life honored a long-standing MSU tradition Wednesday evening, providing the community with a safe trick-or-treating experience.

The event took place at the IM West Field. Organizers offered themed booths, games, candy, bounce house, and a chance to win prizes.

(WLNS)

For those involved, the event is about safety.

The safety aspect comes to ensure that the children of East Lansing get a safe Halloween where theyre able to trick or treat and interact with Michigan State students as well, said Nikita Patel, Director of Safe Halloween.

(WLNS)

Hayley Jones-Harb is a coordinator for Sorority and Fraternity Life at MSU and says she enjoys organizing the event each year.

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Its just the best. This is my favorite event that we do every single year and every year. Like, it just brings so much joy to so many people in the community, said Jones-Harb. And its just great to see the impact on my students.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Hitting out at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described them as "naamdaars" (dynasts) who cannot digest their food without "abusing a kaamdaar" (worker). Responding to Rahul Gandhi's recent remark that the Prime Minister could "even dance" for votes, PM Modi said, "Both of them hurled abuses at Modi non-stop yesterday. Those who are naamdaars will obviously abuse a kaamdaar. They cannot digest their food without it. Abusing Dalits and backward classes is something these naamdaars consider their birthright. They can't tolerate that a person from a poor, backward family, who once sold tea, has reached this position today." The Prime Minister also took a swipe at the two opposition leaders, Tejashwi and Rahul Gandhi, calling them "yuvrajs" (princes), one from the country's most corrupt family and the other from Bihar's most corrupt family. "In Bihar's political battlefield, a duo of yuvrajs has opened a shop of false promises. One is the prince of India's most corrupt family, and the other is the prince of Bihar's most corrupt family. Both are out on bail in scams worth thousands of crores," PM Modi said, addressing an election rally. He emphasised that both the Union and the Bihar government's commitment to the state's women's empowerment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the issue has not been a top priority for him, nor for Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Citing government schemes that have benefited women across the country, PM Modi noted that the government has provided tap water connections, free gas connections, and free ration, so that their "hardships" are reduced. "Whether it is Narendra or Nitish, women's empowerment has always been our priority. We provided permanent houses to the poor, and registered them in the names of women. We gave tap water connections, free gas connections, and free ration so that our sisters' hardships would be reduced," the Prime Minister said. Earlier, citing the misgovernance of the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress party in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described their rule in five words, stating "Katta, Kroorta, Katuta, Kushasan and Corruption." Explaining the meaning, the Prime Minister said the word "katta" refers to a place where cruelty prevails and law and order break down. "RJD-Congress can be identified by five things. What have the RJD-Congress done? I will tell you about these five words- Katta, Kroorta, Katuta, Kushasan, and Corruption... Where there is 'katta', where cruelty reigns, there the law breaks down," PM Modi said. The Bihar assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
TOPEKA (KSNT)  As school districts throughout the state of Kansas struggle to find qualified special education teachers, a new program is being offered by Kansas State University that could help get more teachers into the workforce.

The new Special Education Master of Arts and Teaching program is a new masters degree program being offered by K-State. It is designed to put Kansans on a fast track towards becoming a special education teacher.

The program is entirely online, and is available to anyone who has a bachelors degree.

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Gov. Kelly sues Trump Administration for suspension of SNAP benefits

It takes 16 months to complete the program, and graduates would earn a masters degree, as well as a Kansas teaching license for both elementary and special education.

This means graduates would be qualified to teach elementary school, or special education classes in grades K-6.

Lotta Larson, the director of the program, tells us its a great option for Kansans who are looking for a career change.

Farm Service Agencies reopen in Kansas despite gov. shutdown

Special education is a high needs area and we have so many classrooms that dont have qualified special education teachers in those classrooms, said Larson. We highly encourage anybody that has interest in education to apply for this program, and we welcome people with a bachelors degree in any field. Then of course, we provide the education they need in the education field.

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The program begins in Jan. 2026 and the first round of participants are expected to graduate in May 2027.

Those interested can learn more by attending an informational webinar on Nov. 19th.

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
Kamala Harris has stepped back from the spotlight post her 2024 election loss to Donald Trump, as is normal for presidential candidates who dont win. But the nature of Kamalas campaign and what happened with former President Joe Biden has meant that theres still a lot of interest in what went on in the campaign, particularly as Democrats plot how to challenge Trump in the midterms and next presidential election. And one of the things people are interested in is her relationship with former President Joe Biden.

During a recent appearance on The Diary of a CEO podcast Harris spoke about her relationship with Biden, and the ups and downs theyve had. First, she made it clear that the two are still friends. Its a good relationship. I just talked to him two days ago. He called me for my birthday, she said, Yes, its very complicated.

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I have a great deal of affection for him, she explained. And there were times that Ive been quite candid about where he greatly disappointed me and frankly, you know, angered me.

Harris gave context to one of those moments, a phone conversation before her debate against then-Republican nominee Donald Trump. And she also explained that she wondered whether she should even include it in her post-election memoir, 107 Days. I thought about this. Was I going to write about it or not? And I decided in writing this book, I was going to just be honest, and these are the facts, and the reader can take what they want from it.

She then told the story. On the day of the debate, my debate with Trump, And you know, so going into a presidential debate is an incredibly intense and intensive project, including what has historically happened that we even called debate camp, she said, only to say that after all the intense preparation, as she was getting ready, she was told Biden wanted to speak with her.

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Im in the hotel room with Doug, with my husband, and the president calls, and I was told that he wanted to call me so that Id be ready. And I was so sure it was to buck me up and go get him, she said. And he did say that for the first beat. And then he went on to talk about a group of people in Pennsylvania who were saying bad things about me because they heard I was saying bad things about him. And when I hung up the phone, I was just it was unbelievable.

This all comes after recent reports that Harris relationship with Barack and Michelle Obama isnt that great. According to a report from the NY Post, Obama was not happy that Rep. Nancy Pelosi quickly endorsed then-Vice President Harris only 24 hours after Biden put an end to his reelection bid. The Obama reaction was described in a new book called Retribution, written by ABC News Jonathan Karl.

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The Obamas were not happy, a Pelosi confidant told Karl, according to an excerpt obtained by the Daily Mail. This person summed up Obamas message to Pelosi as, essentially, What the fk did you just do?

We still have probably not heard the last of the behind-the-scenes stories that are going to come out about the 2024 election. But, no matter what happened, its likely all these people will find common ground once again when its time to go against the Republican party in the midterms.

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NEED TO KNOW

Kamala Harris appeared on the Oct. 30 episode of Steven Bartlett's The Diary of a CEO podcast to discuss the 2024 presidential election and her relationship with former President Joe Biden

Harris said that at one point during his campaign, she noticed "something was a little off"

The former vice president recently said that she has not ruled out a future White House bid despite losing to Trump in 2024 after stepping in for Biden

Kamala Harris is looking back at President Joe Biden's ill-fated 2024 campaign and sharing a red flag she spotted months before Americans cast their ballots.

The former vice president, 61, appeared on Steven Bartlett's Diary of a CEO podcast on Thursday, Oct. 30, where she reflected on Biden's bid for reelection and her relationship with the former president, 82.

The Diary Of A CEO/YouTube; Brandon Bell/Getty

The former vice president zeroed in on one infamous moment from Biden's campaign: his June 2024 debate against President Donald Trump, during which Biden seemed feeble and forgetful, frequently stumbling over his words. Harris revealed to Bartlett that even before the debate, she had a sense something wasn't right with the former president.

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"He called me from debate camp ... and I could tell something was a little off," Harris said. "And I was concerned about I just, I don't think he wanted to debate, is my point."

She continued, "He didn't want that debate. And you know, it's like any competition you go in, whether it's you're bidding for something, if it's sports, you gotta want it, right? If you don't wanna be in the competition, it will absolutely have an impact on your performance. I'm pretty sure he did not want to debate."

When Bartlett asked her how she knew, Harris replied, "Well, we had conversations about it. I think he got talked into it."

Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty; ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump during their June 27, 2024 presidential debate Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump during their June 27, 2024 presidential debate

Harris said she had been watching the debate that night with a small team in Los Angeles so she could "be candid" in her reaction. She knew "there is no such thing as a perfect debate," noting that it's inevitable for candidates to misspeak.

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"There will be something to clean up, and I expected that," she said. "And then, you know, we saw what we all saw."



Harris recently published a memoir titled 107 Days, which details the 2024 election and her history-making run for president. While promoting the book in an interview with MSNBC host Rachel Maddow last month, Harris said she was worried it would seem "self-serving" of her to advise Biden not to seek reelection.

Maddow asked Harris about a passage in her book alleging that everyone in the Biden administration believed Biden and then-first lady Jill Biden should be the ones to decide if he should run or not.

"We all said that, like a mantra, as if wed all been hypnotized," Harris wrote. "Was it grace, or was it recklessness? In retrospect, I think it was recklessness."

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While speaking with Maddow, Harris said she realized, "I have and had a certain responsibility that I should've followed through on."

"When I talk about the recklessness, as much as anything, I'm talking about myself," she added. "There was so much, as we know, at stake. And as I write, you know, where my head was at, at the time, it would be completely... it would come off as completely self-serving."

When Maddow asked Harris if she meant it would've been seen as "self-serving" for her to tell Biden not to run again, Harris said, "Yeah. Or even if he should question whether it's a good idea."

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.

When Biden dropped out of the race in July 2024, Harris picked up his torch and secured the Democratic nomination. While she ultimately lost the election to Trump, she recently said she would be open to running for president again.

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Appearing on the BBC program Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg earlier this month, Harris said her grandnieces would "in their lifetime, for sure," see a woman be elected president. When asked if it would be her, Harris responded, "Possibly."

"I am not done," she said, adding, "I have lived my entire career as a life of service, and it's in my bones."



Read the original article on People
The Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority has announced it has cut ties with Highmark BlueCross BlueShield because of low reimbursement rates. (Getty Images)

Starting Jan. 1, individuals carrying health insurance through Highmark BlueCross BlueShield will no longer be covered for any services rendered through the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority, according to a news release from the authority.

Per the release, the Kanawha ambulance authority is canceling its contract with Highmark after the ambulatory service and insurance agency failed to agree on a new contract that would have seen Highmark adequately reimburse KCEAA for its services.

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No one will be turned away for service, the release read, but some people who were previously covered will soon be considered uninsured and will be on the hook to pay the full, out of pocket costs of the services rendered.

Highmark BlueCross BlueShield serves about 250,000 people in West Virginia and holds the largest share of the commercial insurance market in the state.

Cathy McAlister, the director of corporate communications at Highmark BlueCross BlueShield West Virginia said Thursday that the insurance provider follows standards set by the federal Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services and pays those same rates.

We provided Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority data that showed that our reimbursement was aligned with the industry and agreed to some select increases, McAlister said in an emailed statement. It was Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority that terminated their agreement with us, per their contact rights. We regret their decision and recognize the challenges faced by EMS providers but believe the issue cannot be resolved by commercially insured individuals alone.

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Tom Susman, a spokesman for Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority, said the ambulance authority isnt asking Highmark to solve all of those challenges, however.Were just asking them to pay their fair share and not have the other folks in Kanawha County pick up their tab, Susman said. Thats all this is.

According to the release from the ambulance authority, Highmark agreed in negotiations to increase payments by a small amount. That amount, however, was not enough for the ambulance authority to sustain its services.

Susman said most of the people who will be impacted by the contract termination are ones who receive Highmark BlueCross BlueShield coverage individually or commercially through their employers.

If those individuals are treated or transported by KCEAA starting on Jan. 1, they will be charged the full cost of providing EMS services without any insurance coverage or discount.

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People who are covered by Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans through Highmark should still receive the insured discount for emergency transportations due to federal regulations that require a certain amount of coverage  and reimbursement  for Medicare beneficiaries, Susman said. Non-emergency services, however, may not be covered at the same level.

Susman said that the ambulance service is just trying to be paid fairly.

Something has got to give. Were not asking for a horrible amount of money here; were asking for enough to keep us afloat and for what is fair for the services were providing, Susman said. We as a service provider dont have the luxury of saying no [to patients], and of course we wouldnt turn anyone down because of their insurance  but these services do cost money and we want what were owed.

Susman said about 75% of revenue for Kanawhas ambulance authority comes from reimbursements after treating patients covered by the Public Employees Insurance Agency, Medicare and Medicaid.

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Highmark, he continued, paid less in reimbursement rates than PEIA.

We are sorry that Highmark BlueCross BlueShield doesnt see the need to support KCEAAs services adequately, said Monica Mason, executive director of KCEAA, in the news release. This is not something we want to do. Unfortunately, KCEAA is fighting a deficit and must require all insurers to pay their fair share for its services.

KCEAA said in its release that it remains hopeful that a better contract can be negotiated with Highmark over the next 60 days. The current contract requires a 30-day notice for cancellation. By giving the 60 days, Susman said older people looking at Medicare Advantage plans and companies deciding health insurance for their employees will have enough time to consider other options since KCEAA will no longer be an in-network provider.

Chris Hall, the executive director of the West Virginia EMS Coalition, said the pressure building at KCEAA is similar to that for ambulance providers throughout the state, and inadequate reimbursement rates are a large part of the issue.

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If EMS agencies receive low reimbursement rates, the remaining cost for services  up to almost $500 per an ambulance call, Hall said  are passed on to taxpayers.

EMS relies solely on patient care revenue and taxpayer support to fund its operations. Insurance reimbursements typically fall drastically short of covering the actual costs. And like a hospital emergency room, EMS is obligated to provide care regardless of a patients insurance status, Hall said in an emailed statement. If EMS agencies are underpaid, taxpayers bear the cost or emergency services become less available, which strains local budgets and jeopardizes care quality and access.

Mason, in the news release, said that an increase in reimbursements is necessary to keep ambulance services operating in Kanawha County.

In the past five years, more than 30 EMS providers across West Virginia have disbanded partly because some insurers have not paid them sufficiently to support their services, Mason said. We cannot let that happen to KCEAA.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A nonprofit with ties to the Kansas City metro survives the massive hurricane that pummeled Jamaica.

Now that Hurricane Melissa has cleared that Caribbean island, this philanthropic effort wants to help with the recovery. As of Wednesday, the giant tropical depression is picking up speed as it passes over the Central Bahamas. The death toll reached 30, as it leaves a trail of damage in Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti.

Joes Blog: Winds of October fade tonight (WED-10/29)

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The nonprofit Won by One to Jamaica arrived on that island before Hurricane Melissa made landfall.

Independence native Bryan Fellers, Won by Ones Executive Director, cant believe the troublesome time he and his friends in Harmons, Jamaica have survived. Fellers had led dozens of mission trips to Jamaica help build homes.

He says he and hundreds braced under life-threatening conditions, as the eye of Hurricane Melissa tore through the Caribbean.

Fellers said his team lost power around 11:15 p.m. Tuesday. He said services arent expected to be restored anytime soon. Much of Jamaicas electrical infrastructure was knocked out by the storm. Images from Wednesday show streets filled with high water, and trees and power poles snapped in two, but fortunately, there was no loss of life in Harmons, where Won by One to Jamaica operates.

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The storms eye was coming directly for us, which means we were going to take a direct hit. We had thousands of people praying, and it shifted at the last minute to the west, which saved a lot of loss of life, Fellers said on Wednesday morning.

Native Jamaicans take these storms seriously, but theyve also grown accustomed to the danger a tropical depression can deliver.

SNAP suspension impact on families raising children with disabilities

We tell him hes a true Jamaican now because hes been through what all Jamaicans go through, Tyrone Gregory, a Jamaican citizen who works with this non-profit, said.

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We actually saw many persons taking warning and heeding the instructions, so we had a couple of families that were evacuated and housed in some of our churches. The school in the community was also a shelter, Gregory said.

Nowadays, Fellers makes his full-time home in Olathe, but he makes frequent mission trips to Jamaica.

If youd like to lend your support to Won by One to Jamaica, click here to learn more about the non-profit.

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.
Governor Laura Kelly spoke Oct. 30, 2025, at the ribbon-cutting for the Robert B. Docking State Office Building in Topeka. (Submitted)

TOPEKA  State and local leaders gathered Thursday at the new Robert B. Docking State Office Building to celebrate completion of the three-year, $120 million project.

It took more than a decade for the state to determine what to do with the Docking building, as historical preservationists fought to keep the original 14-story facility, built in 1954. In the end, the state Legislature approved demolition and construction of a new three-story building.

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The opening of the new Docking State Office Building represents what we can accomplish when we work together to reimagine something from the past to meet the needs of today and the future, said Gov. Laura Kelly in a news release.

The new building reuses significant materials from the original Docking building, according to a state website that tracks construction progress. More than 50,000 square feet of limestone was reclaimed and reused, as were granite, greenstone and multiple historical features.

One of the goals for the new Docking Building was to create one of the most efficient, modern, and beautiful buildings in the country, and for this facility to be a front door to the state government for visitors to the capitol, said Kansas Department of Administration Secretary Adam Proffitt in the release.

Last week, Kansas Department of Administration Deputy Secretary Frank Burnam received the Innovation in State Government Award from the National Association of State Chief Administrators for his work on the project, the news release said.

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With 98% of the materials of the old building incorporated into the body of the new building, Kansas has integrated continuity and environmental efficiency into the Docking State Office Building, said Brian Docking, grandson of Gov. Robert Docking. Today I represent my great grandparents, my grandparents, and my father and uncle and the future of our family to say we are humbled by this honor.

The total cost of the project was just under $140 million, with $60 million appropriated from the state general fund and the remaining balance paid through American Rescue Plan Act dollars, said Steven Wu, senior fiscal analyst at the Kansas Legislative Research Department.
KANSAS (KSNT)  The Kansas Livestock Foundation (KLF) in partnership with Merck Animal Health is collecting used Ralgro and Revalor cartridges to help fund scholarships for veterinary students.

Ralgro and Revalor cartridges are anabolic agents that increase the rate of weight gain and improve feed efficiency for weaned beef calves, growing beef cattle, feedlot steers and feedlot heifers. Cattlemen in Kansas use these cartridges with high frequency, depending on the kind of cattle production.

Kansas Kansas Beef Council launches new holiday campaign

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Every cartridge turned in donates $0.25 to the Merck Animal Health Scholarship fund. The program generated a total of $9,500 in scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year.

Members of the KLF can bring their cartridges to the Merck Animal Health booth at the upcoming Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) Convention & Expo in November, or at your local KLA county meeting or fall roundtable before the convention.

For more local 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.

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.
Six individuals, including several currently holding or running for political office, have been charged with a variety of offenses after allegedly interfering with Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a recent protest in Illinois. The Department of Justice accuses them of obstructing ICE agents, while congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, who is Palestinian-American, condemns the charges against her and others as an attempt to criminalize protest.

Charges of conspiring to interfere with ICE

Six people, including Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for alleged activities conducted during a protest against ICE in Broadview, Illinois. Abughazaleh, a progressive candidate seeking to replace retiring Democratic U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky to represent Illinois 9th District, is charged with allegedly having physically hindered and impeded an ICE agent when she took part in the protest. She is also charged with a count of conspiracy for allegedly coordinating with other protesters. Five other people were indicted alongside Abughazaleh after participating in the Sept. 26 protest, including Michael Rabbitt, a 45th Ward Democratic committeeperson, and Catherine Sharp, a candidate for the Cook County Board. The indictment alleges that the six were among those who pushed against and banged aggressively on an ICE vehicle, allegedly damaging it and forcing its driver to drive at an extremely slow rate of speed to avoid injuring any of the conspirators, CBS News and NBC News reported. The protesters are alleged to have carved the word PIG on the side of the vehicle, per CBS News.

A gross attempt to silence dissent

Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old journalist and political influencer, posted a 2-minute video on social media condemning the charges against her as a political prosecution and a gross attempt to silence dissent, a right protected under the First Amendment. She frames the charges against her and the others as part of a larger attempt by the Trump administration to intimidate and silence protesters. As I and others have exercised our First Amendment rights, ICE has hit, dragged, thrown, shot with pepper balls and teargassed hundreds of protesters. She urged her supporters to overcome the fear that the administration is attempting to instill, calling on her followers to unite and stand up for humanity, our rights and everyone terrorized by Trumps lawless secret police.

I have been charged in a federal indictment sought by the Department of Justice.



This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. Im not backing down, and were going to win. pic.twitter.com/szOSZa1h3z  Kat Abughazaleh (@KatAbughazaleh) October 29, 2025

Abughazaleh has amassed social media followers, right-wing foes

Before running for Congress, Abughazaleh grew a large social media following through her videos analyzing and reacting to right-wing media figures like Tucker Carlson. Her congressional campaign, announced on social media, has drawn support from notable personalities like actor Mark Ruffalo and politician Andrew Yang. Her campaign website also includes a section of anti-endorsements, noting right-wing figures like Carlson and billionaire Elon Musk, with whom Abughazaleh has clashed online. While her followers have expressed support following her indictment, conservative commenters have celebrated the charges against her, cheerfully sharing video of her being thrown to the ground by an armed agent while protesting.

FAFO in full effectboom! This radical Illinois Dem hack Kat Abughazaleh just got federally indicted for her Antifa-style ambush on ICE agents, blocking deport vans and scratching "PIG"pic.twitter.com/PHsGZTiHi2  Public Exposer (@sc_exposer) October 29, 2025

Abughazaleh was not taken into custody upon the unsealing of the indictment against her. She is scheduled to appear in court next week to address the charges against her. Meanwhile, she is using the indictment to rally support for her congressional campaign and to call on her supporters in the Chicago area and elsewhere to stand up to ICE and the Trump administration.







The post Kat Abughazaleh, Progressive Influencer And U.S. Congressional Candidate, Indicted Over ICE Protest appeared first on Blavity.
Katie Miller, the wife of Trump adviser Stephen Miller, appeared on Piers Morgans YouTube show and melted down after other panelists challenged her lies.

Miller, a former administration staffer herself, was part of a panel that included left-wing commentator Cenk Uygur, fitness influencer Jillian Michaels, and Palestinian American analyst Omar Baddar to discuss New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdanis comments on Islamophobia in the U.S. But upon having her lies called out, Miller attacked the other panelists, particularly Uygur, and accused them of antisemitism.

Why is it that every time someone wants to criticize Mamdani, it immediately comes back to the Jews and the anti-Israel movement instead of actually talking about his viewpoints? Miller asked, her voice raised.

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Nobody said Jews. You just said it. You always do that. We say Israel, you say Jews. We say Israel as a government. Please dont make it about Jewish Americans, Uygur responded, explaining that he believes that Israel should be a safe haven for Jewish people within its 1967 borders, without seizing the West Bank from the Palestinians.

Youre totally lyingits very normal for a Miller to be completely and utterly lying, Uygur added, saying to Miller, You and your husband are supposed to be working for America. Not for Israel. I think youre betraying this country.

This set Miller off.

Quite frankly, Im really sick and tired of this racist bigoted rhetoric that can comes from people like you against my husband, against my family, and my children. I am raising Jewish children in this country Miller shot back, before Uygur said incredulously, Who brought your children into this? What a weirdo.

Stephen Millers wife, Katie Miller  now desperate for media attention  absolutely implodes on Piers Morgans show.



Humiliating. pic.twitter.com/EsTcwRNEYl  Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) October 29, 2025

Miller even stooped to threatening Uygurs immigration status, telling him to check his citizenship application.

Wow I missed this.



Miller then threatens @cenkuygurs citizenship because he DESTROYED her in a debate. How pathetic and disturbed. pic.twitter.com/8vEupby73K  Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) October 30, 2025

Baddar came to Uygurs defense.

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Somebody criticizing you personally is not an antisemitic attack, the analyst said to Miller. If somebody says that you are lying, that is not an attack on Jews, that is an attack on you, and just stop hiding behind identity. This is all the snowflake behavior that the right is supposedly criticizing the left for that youre simply repeating here.

Yes, Steven Miller is a destructive force in American society. That is not an attack on Jews. That is no reference to his identity. This is an attack on him individually, and just deal with the merits of this case, Baddar added.

Miller has not made many media appearances where her views were challenged, and it appears she cant handle it. Her husband is responsible for many of the presidents worst policies, including his mass deportation efforts, but she cant seem to handle the criticism being spoken to her face.

Watch the full show on YouTube.
If you ask this podcast host and former Elon Musk lackey, Ivy League graduate and employee of multiple presidential administrations Karine Jean-Pierre somehow wasn't qualified for her job as White House press secretary.

Katie Miller, wife of White House deputy chief of staff for policy and U.S. homeland security advisor Stephen Miller, has claimed that Jean-Pierre was supposedly a diversity, equity, and inclusion hire. Miller said in a recent appearance on CNN with host Jake Tapper that Jean-Pierre is "quite incompetent to do the job," citing not anything specific related to her performance  only her race and sexual orientation.

"This is what Republicans have been saying for years now, she is just another evidence that DEI doesn't work, whether that's, you know, an air traffic controller, an air pilot, whether that's your doctor," Miller said. "You know, you want to hire the best for the role, not just based on skin color."

Related: Karine Jean-Pierre explains why her new memoir, Independent, is a manifesto for a fractured democracy

Jean-Pierre has a masters degree in public affairs from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. She also previously served as the White Houses political director for the Office of Political Affairs under President Barack Obama, as well as chief of staff for Vice President Kamala Harris.

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Former Hillary Clinton spokesperson, Karen Finney, shot back at Miller, asking why she considers Jean-Pierre "DEI" but not current White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Leavitt's previous experience includes serving as assistant press secretary for just one year of Donald Trump's first term, then a failed congressional campaign in New Hampshire.

"Why are we assuming that [Jean-Pierre], as a Black LGBTQ woman is DEI, but a white woman who is behind the podium right now  which DEI initially started as affirmative action, which was about affirmatively hiring women and minorities  why is one DEI and the other is not?" Finney asked.

Miller responded, "Why is she trained every four sentences to say she is a Black, queer, LGBTQ woman? Because that's how she's been promoted her entire career."

Related: What is DEI, what does it mean, and why are companies really getting rid of it?

Jean-Pierre, who was the first Black, immigrant, and out LGBTQ+ person to serve as White House press secretary, told The Advocate last year that Its not lost on me what my presence at the podium behind that lectern means ... it is incredibly a heavy weight that I understand is important to carry with respect and understanding,

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Representation matters and it is important to have that representation, but showing up also matters," Jean-Pierre said. "Showing up for myself, showing up for my colleagues, showing up for little boys and girls, young people who are trying to figure out who they are and looking at me and saying, well, maybe I can do this even if they feel unsafe."

I feel like I have to be who I am unapologetically," she added. "I cannot think about what people think about me; it is their problem, not mine if theyre uncomfortable with the space that I occupy."

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Katie Miller, Stephen Miller's wife, calls Karine Jean-Pierre 'evidence DEI doesn't work'

RELATED
Congress MP and General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to erode the Constitution and enforce the ideals of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) through the Shram Shakti Niti 2025, also known as the National Labour and Employment Policy of India. "Labour policy draft says that it takes inspiration 'ancient texts' like Manusmriti. On 26 November 1949, when the Constitution was adopted in Constituent assembly, then RSS had heavily attacked it, and Ambedkar, saying that the Constitution is not of India because it does not take inspiration from Manusmriti. Now see today, now the Shram Shakti Niti says that they take inspiration not from Indian Constitution but from Manusmriti. This is very condemnable, and against our Constitution," the Congress leader said. While quoting the draft policy, he took a jibe at it for focusing more on the organised sector while ignoring worker protections and rights in the unorganised sector. The vision of Shram Shakti Niti 2025 is to create an inclusive, fair, and resilient labour ecosystem that upholds dignity, fosters productivity, and ensures access to decent work for every worker, irrespective of sector, gender, or geography, the policy mentions. The draft policy "Shram Shakti Niti 2025" looks to address the challenges for India's labour force, which is going through a "a profound structural transformation" with steady rising productivity and enterprise growth, but still having problems of wage disparity, gender imbalance, and skill mismatch which hinder inclusive development. Similarly, technological shifts driven by automation, artificial intelligence, and datacentric production are redefining skill requirements at an unprecedented pace, while transitioning to low carbon economies reshape industries and create opportunities. The Congress leader further compared the policy to Congress's demands of increasing daily wages to Rs 400, ending contractual jobs and giving full employment in government jobs, and bringing in an urban employment guarantee, just like MGNREGA. "We had demanded a labour justice, from the Congress, in 2014, the first demand was that the daily wages should be Rs 400, it should be implemented in MNREGA. Second we demanded that the contractual employment would be stopped in government and regular jobs be given. Third was that life insurance, and disaster insurance in unorganized sector should be made available," the Congress leader said. "Only 6% of employment is in organised sector, but most of the talk happens on that only. Our fourth demand was that universal health insurance till 25 lakh should be given. Fifth demand was that in cities, like in MNREGA for rural area, something like that should be started for cities too, just like Ashok Gehlot started in Rajasthan," he added. Further mentioning that the Manusmriti is a text which enables and contributes to the caste system, the Congress MP added, "The caste system and casteism in our country are the contributions of the Manusmriti, and you will formulate a labour policy from that text. This is an insult to our Constitution." In one of the sections of the draft, titled 'Labour as a Sacred Duty and Social Value', the policy states that "ancient texts such as the Manusmriti, Yajnavalkyasmriti, Naradasmriti, Sukraniti, and Arthashastra articulated this ethos through the concept of rajadharma, emphasising the sovereign's duty to ensure justice, fair wages, and the protection of workers from exploitation." The draft further mentioned that the indigenous ancient concept of Sulka Nyaya reflected the principle of wage justice, while also mentioning how an early form of tripartite harmony balanced the roles of the state, employers and the workers in maintaining industrial pace. The Shram Shakti Niti 2025 draws inspiration from these indigenous frameworks while embedding them in the constitutional and international context of the modern State. The policy recognises that India's ancient ideals - justice in compensation, welfare of workers, harmony among stakeholders, and decentralised management - are fully compatible with contemporary principles of decent work, social dialogue, and sustainable development, the draft policy states. The policy also aims to ensure that every worker, irrespective of occupation or location, enjoys portable, lifelong social protection covering health, pension, maternity, accident and life insurance through a unified and interoperable social-security architecture. The draft also outlines promoting occupational safety and health, women and youth empowerment, ease of compliance and formalisaion, and envisages an implementation architecture built on institutional coordination, digital systems, capacity building, and evidence-based monitoring. To reach that goal, the draft outlines various groups and councils, such as the National Labour and Employment Policy Implementation Council (NLPI Council), Inter-Ministerial Working Groups, District Labour and Employment Resource Centres (DLERCs) and others, which will help reach the goals. (ANI)
Piers Morgan Uncensored

Former Trump White House official Katie Miller threatened to storm off Piers Morgan Uncensored on Wednesday after Cenk Uygur called her a liar and a weirdo.

During a debate about New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, Miller  the wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller  protested, Why is it that every time someone wants to criticize Mamdani, it immediately comes back to the Jews and the anti-Israel movement instead of actually talking about his viewpoints?

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Nobody said Jews. You just said it. You always do that! replied Uygur. We say Israel, you say Jews. We say, Israel as a government. Please dont make it about Jewish Americans, and you come back with, You have to make it about Jewish Americans. Whats wrong with you?!

"Piers, I'm gonna be done with this if you're gonna allow racist and bigoted attacks against one of your commentators" Piers Morgan: "Hang on" Watch the completely uncut interaction   https://t.co/h9WoSSKVjE@piersmorgan | @CenkUygur | @KatieMiller | @OmarBaddarpic.twitter.com/QqJtr85Vw3  Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) October 29, 2025

Is Israel a Jewish state? Yes or no? asked Miller, before claiming, What youre doing is encoding language to attack American Jews and to say that we should not be here and we should not be in existence.

Uygur responded, No! I want Israel to be safe. Nonsense. Youre totally lying! Thats very normal for a Miller to be completely and utterly lying.

Miller proceeded to accuse Uygur of racism, shouting, Quite frankly, Im really sick and tired of this racist, bigoted rhetoric that comes from people like you against my husband, against my family, and my children. I am raising Jewish children in this country!

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Who brought your children into this?! What a weirdo! Uygur shot back.

Miller then warned host Piers Morgan that she would walk off the show if he continued to allow Uygur to talk.

Piers, Im gonna be done with this if youre going to allow racist and bigoted attacks against one of your commentators, she warned. He inserted a line that said the Millers lie. Is that not coded language for therefore we are Jewish? Come on, Piers. Where are you?

Uygur mocked, What?! God, youre so pathetic.

The back-and-forth prompted progressive political analyst Omar Baddar to weigh in on the argument.

This is so ridiculous. Im sorry, Im sorry, I have to jump in here, said Baddar. Somebody criticizing you personally is not an anti-Semitic attack. If somebody says that you are lying, that is not an attack on Jews, that is an attack on you.

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He continued, And just stop hiding behind identity. This is all the snowflake behavior that the right is supposedly criticizing the left for that youre simply repeating here. Yes, Stephen Miller is a destructive force on American society. That is not an attack on Jews. That has no reference to his identity. This is an attack on him individually, and just deal with the merits of this case.

Watch above via Piers Morgan Uncensored.

The post Katie Miller Threatens to Storm Off Show After Cenk Uygur Calls Her a Liar: Sick and Tired of This Racist, Bigoted Rhetoric first appeared on Mediaite.
Staffing issues and missed breaks were at the center of a nurses strike at Keck Hospital of USC on Thursday morning in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Unionized registered nurses from Keck Hospital and USC Norris Cancer Hospital gathered outside, holding signs demanding A fair contract as part of a 24-hour strike.

Last year alone, we had 10,000 missed meals and 4,000 missed rest periods, California Nurses Association bargaining team member and ICU nurse Kerri Dodgens told KTLAs Omar Lewis outside the hospital. We are a really higher-level hospital and have really sick patients. We need our nurses on their top game, not nurses that havent had a meal in 10 hours.

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Keck Medicine of USC said hospital and clinic operations would remain open and fully staffed on Thursday, and that they comply with state-required nurse staffing ratios.

Importantly, our current contract proposal includes an increase in resource staff so nurses can more properly rest and recharge during their shifts, the statement read.

Striking nurses are seen at keck Hospital of USC on Oct. 30, 2025. (KTLA)

Dodgens said Keck Medicine negotiators have refused to meet with the union since the strike notice was issued 10 days ago, and that the hospital is being staffed with nurses unfamiliar with the hospital, which to me puts patients at risk.

The nurses plan to return to work on Friday, but until then, patients may notice a difference.

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Things will be different, Dodgens said. They say that Keck nurses are limitless, and we are top tier; these scab nurses are not top tier. Theyre not our nurses, and if you can, I would maybe try to push it off and not come today.

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.
ATLANTA, GA  The month-long battle in Congress over the Trump administration's budget and subsequent government shutdown has expanded to Georgia as Gov. Brian Kemp pushes back against pressure from a state lawmaker to use $14.6 billion in surplus funds for food assistance.

Were not going to bail the federal government out," Kemp told WRBL on Wednesday. "We cant do that. We dont have enough continuous funds to be able to do that. We dont even know if we did that if wed get that money reimbursed.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank on Thursday said it is planning to tap into $5 million of its reserves to buy 6 million pounds of emergency food as part of a crisis response plan. The bank operates four community food centers in metro Atlanta.

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These are incredibly unstable and uncertain times that leave our most vulnerable neighbors at risk, said Kyle Waide, president and CEO for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. It is more critical than ever that we take immediate action to ensure that the children, families and seniors in our communities continue to have access to nutritious food and vital resources.

Meanwhile, Georgia-based federal lawmakers in both parties have said this week that innocent children could face hits because of the back-and-forth in Congress.

More than 1.4 million Georgians who receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will lose their aid on Saturday, Nov. 1, amid a persistent government shutdown on Capitol Hill.

The shutdown, which began Oct. 1, is now the second-longest federal government closure on record. The issue at hand: expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits Democratic senators say affects 1.4 million Georgians.

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While the Republican administration took steps leading up to the shutdown to ensure SNAP benefits were paid this month, the cutoff would expand the impact of the impasse to more Americans  and some of those most in need  unless a political resolution is found in just a few days.

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R-GA, on Wednesday warned that Head Start programs benefitting low-income Georgian families could start to see effects. His office sent Democratic U.S. Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff a letter urging them to reopen the government.

Instead of holding hardworking Georgia families hostage, I urge you to act immediately to end the government shutdown and keep Head Start programs open and operational so that no child in Georgia loses access to the care and education they deserve," Carter said.

He added five Georgia Head Start programs will lose federal funding come Saturday.



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But Metro Atlanta CEO on Wednesday reported three of Georgia's largest Head Start providers have been granted a temporary bridge loan from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta to stay open for 45 days amid the shutdown. They are YMCA of Metro Atlanta, Sheltering Arms and Easterseals of North Georgia.

Placing Blame

Kemp, a Republican, blames Georgia Democrats for not reopening the government in what he called the "Schumer Shutdown."

"It is outrageous that Democrats like Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are doing everything but voting to reopen the government," Kemp said in a Facebook post published Wednesday.

Warnock most recently condemned the U.S. Department of Agriculture for not utilizing $5 billion he said is sitting in a federal SNAP contingency fund to provide food assistance.



I am demanding answers on the Trump Admins decision to withhold SNAP benefits. Leave hungry children out of this fight. pic.twitter.com/ehH36g34z1

 Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (@SenatorWarnock) October 30, 2025

He and Ossoff have vowed to protect health-care premiums in Georgia. They have been debating with GOP congressional leaders about Affordable Care Act tax credits, which offer health-care assistance.

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According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the credits will expire at the end of the year if Congress does not agree on a decision to extend the credits.

"1.4 million Georgians could see their premiums skyrocket next year if ACA subsidies expire," Ossoff tweeted on Oct. 8, a week after the shutdown began.

In a followup tweet on Oct. 23, he said, "If ACA tax credits expire at the end of the year ... hundreds of thousands of Georgians could be forced off their health insurance."



But amid the debate surrounding the ACA subsidies, children have become "pawns" in the battle, Warnock said.

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"They're (the USDA and the Trump administration) deciding to put hungry people against sick people, and I think that's immoral," he said. " But while we debate about what to do about these ACA subsidies, it is indisputable that the USDA, under the Trump administration, is choosing to pull hungry children into this fight. They're not just in this fight. They're being pulled into this fight, used as pawns for short-term political gain. I think it's deeply immoral, and I think we can certainly do better than that."

In a previous tweet, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA, tweeted accusations that Warnock and Ossoff were holding up the bill to fund the budget.



GA Lawmaker Calls On Kemp To Intervene, But He Declines

In Georgia, Democratic State Sen. Nabilah Parkes has advocated for Kemp to use a $14.6 billion surplus to aid a potential food crisis.

She announced that her office sent Kemp a letter on Monday asking he declare a state of emergency, as other states have, and tap into the surplus.

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"He has the sole authority to declare this emergency and make sure SNAP benefits are funded. Food is not optional and we have a moral obligation to see to it that no Georgia family goes hungry," Parkes wrote on Facebook.

"Georgia has a $14.6 billion surplus and we have the resources readily available to prevent food insecurity for 1.4 million Georgians including our seniors, children and working families. Both Virginia and Louisiana have issued State of Emergencies to cover November funding gaps. We need to safeguard the health and well being of our most vulnerable families including 640,000 children. If the Governor so chooses, he can prevent vulnerable Georgians from going hungry. We are waiting for his response."

Kemp retorted if he releases the state funds for SNAP assistance, he may be called upon to do the same for other federal programs suffering due to the government shutdown, he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

In the report, he gave the example of helping early learning programs, agents with the Transportation Security Administration, the National Guard and the military.

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Lets get the government reopened so we can pay everybody," Kemp told the AJC. "Thats the easiest thing for them to do, because I cant fix all the problems that them not doing their job are going to create. Its never-ending."

The federal Agriculture Department, in a memo, said other impacted programs include the Women, Infant and Children's Program and the Child Nutrition Program. The latter funds school lunch and breakfast programs.

As of Wednesday, the state WIC program was not affected by the shutdown, the Georgia Department of Public Health South Health District said.

However, benefits could eventually be disrupted the further Congress carries out the shutdown. Health officials noted recipients would be contacted by WIC staff if this changes.

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The Agriculture Department confirmed states jumping into the fight to combat the loss of SNAP will not see their money federally returned.

"Despite their willingness, states cannot cover the cost of benefits and be reimbursed" as SNAP is "fully federally funded," the Agriculture Department said. " ... There is no provision or allowance under current law for states to cover the cost of benefits and be reimbursed."

The prospect of families not receiving food aid has deeply concerned states run by both parties.

Officials in Louisiana, Vermont and Virginia pledged to keep food aid flowing to recipients in their states, even if the federal program is stalled next month because of the government shutdown.

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Other states attempts to use their own funds to support the program have faced technical hurdles, and it's uncertain if the three new plans can overcome these.

The Georgia Department of Human Services confirmed the suspension did not affect October benefits, and that benefits could still be used before Nov. 1.

Where To Find Help Amid Shutdown

Georgia officials have created an online hub of resources for federal workers affected by the shutdown. Congresswoman Lucy McBath, representing Georgia's sixth district, also shared online resources for impacted federal workers.

Workers needing assistance with food may benefit from the Georgia Emergency Food Assistance Program.

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"When the federal government shuts down, families, federal workers, and seniors suddenly face tough choices. Together, we can help families stay nourished through the unexpected," the ACFB tweeted on Oct. 7, shortly after the shutdown was announced.

Feeding Georgia operates food banks statewide, including the ACFB and Second Harvest Coastal Georgia.

A list of local food banks are available via the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

For more information on SNAP, Georgians can visit the Georgia Department of Human Services website.

Kemp Rejects Idea To Spend $14B Surplus To Fund SNAP Amid Government Shutdown originally appeared on the Atlanta Patch
Gov. Brian Kemp continued to call on congressional Democrats to end the shutdown in a statement Thursday. Photo by Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

A critical federal food assistance program that benefits roughly 1.4 million Georgians is on track to run out of funding this weekend, as the federal government shutdown approaches a full month.

Yet while governors in both red and blue states have taken steps to ease the burden on people who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, state leaders in Georgia have largely stayed quiet, with Republican Gov. Brian Kemp resisting calls from Democratic lawmakers to use state resources to keep the food assistance flowing.

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In the interim, food banks and pantries across the state are preparing for an influx of visitors, many of whom could face the abrupt loss of food aid starting this weekend.

However, advocates worry that if SNAP benefits are cut off, local organizations may not be able to meet such a rapid increase in demand. Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, a food bank based in Savannah that serves approximately 20,000 people each month, said it will struggle to fill the void if the shutdown continues into November.

SNAP in the state of Georgia and across the United States provides about six meals to every one that the food bank provides, said Mary Jane Crouch, the groups executive director. So realistically, we dont have enough to be able to meet that gap for a very long period of time.

Kelly Klein, the chief philanthropy officer at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, echoed Crouchs sentiment.

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Even before the government shutdown happened on Oct. 1, we were already seeing an increased need for food, she said. As the federal government shutdown drags on, she said she expects that food pantries will continue to feel the strain.

Other organizations are scrambling to find ways to tackle the growing demand for food assistance. The Atlanta Community Food Bank announced Thursday that it will draw $5 million from its reserves due to the government shutdown, increasing its distribution by nearly 85%.

New Disabled South, a nonprofit group that advocates for people with disabilities across 14 Southern states, temporarily opened applications for direct cash assistance to SNAP recipients, allowing families to apply for one-time payments of $250, and individuals to apply for $100 in assistance.

Dom Kelly, the organizations co-founder, president and CEO, said that the cash payments were meant to help people with disabilities access the kinds of food they need, which are not always readily available at food pantries.

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Were talking about people who would love to be able to go to a food bank or a food pantry to get food but unfortunately, their disability makes it harder for them to be able to eat just any food, he said. So much of the food thats at a food bank or a food pantry isnt actually good for them, whether they have celiac disease or some other type of disease.

In the two days the application was live, Kelly added, the organization received nearly 19,000 applications, totaling more than $4 million in requested aid. Roughly 40% of those requests came from Georgia residents, he said, urging state leaders to take action.

The state of Georgia has a $14.6 billion budget surplus, he said, referring to the states reserves. That is our money that we paid in to be able to help people thats sitting in a savings account doing nothing.

The governors office and the Georgia Department of Human Services both released statements Thursday, arguing that it would be impossible to fund the existing SNAP program using state funding, because they said the mechanism to load money onto beneficiary cards rests with the federal government. They also said that, according to the USDA, there is no provision under current law for states to be reimbursed.

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Kemp, who is currently on an overseas trade mission, continued to call on congressional Democrats to end the shutdown in a statement Thursday.

The only way to quickly and effectively resolve this issue is for Democrats to vote to reopen the federal government immediately, he said.

Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes, a Duluth Democrat, speaks during a press conference in Atlanta. Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder

State Sen. Nabilah Islam Parkes, a Duluth Democrat, urged Kemp to take action during a Wednesday press conference at the state Capitol in Atlanta, arguing that he could declare a state of emergency to help address the issue.

I know that hes saying, well, theres technical difficulties, but hes the governor of Georgia, she said. Im asking him to figure it out.

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She also highlighted states like Louisiana and Virginia, which have announced they will use state funding to assist SNAP recipients during the shutdown.

We are not a state thats in a deficit, Islam Parkes added. We have a surplus. We can use it, and its up to the governor to do so.

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Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer)

Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced the state is starting a food drive as a response to the looming loss of federal food assistance this weekend amid the government shutdown.

Beshear said in his weekly press conference that boxes will be stationed in the lobbies of major state office buildings in Frankfort and the L&N Building in Louisville between Oct. 30 and Nov. 21 to collect non-perishable food for those in need. The governor added that the donated items will go to established charities like Dare to Care, Gods Pantry and Christian Appalachian Project to distribute to Kentuckians.

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Were going to be really intentional about making sure that these donations reach needy families across the state, Beshear said. Im really proud to work alongside so many incredible Team Kentucky members that care so much about our state and the families that make up our state  something Team Kentucky has always made a priority. I know every donation will make a difference, and I appreciate everyone who takes part in this or any other food drive.

Democrats and Republicans have been going back and forth this week at the federal level as 42 million Americans are at risk of losing their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits starting Saturday. Yet, no agreement had been reached as of Thursday.

Beshear joined a lawsuit on Tuesday with more than two dozen Democratic state officials suing the Trump administration for halting SNAP assistance despite during the government shutdown. The governor said that a hearing was scheduled in the lawsuit Thursday.

On Thursday, Beshear renewed his criticism of the president for not finding a solution to the looming stoppage in food assistance. Beshear said that his faith teaches me that food is life-giving and it is meant to be shared, and noted that food assistance has continued during previous government shutdowns.

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Let me be clear. The Trump administration can fund SNAP. They can make that decision, Beshear said. It has been done in past shutdowns, and the money is there. Moreover, if this president thinks he can do a $40 billion bailout of Argentina during a government shutdown, certainly he can fund SNAP for a lot less.

Trump has been seeking $40 million in financing to Argentina this month to bolster the nations collapsing currency.

A USDA memo published by NPR earlier this week said that there is no provision or allowance under current law for states to cover the cost of benefits and be reimbursed and that SNAP contingency funds are only available to supplement regular monthly benefits when amounts have been appropriated for, but are insufficient to cover, benefits.

The expected stoppage in federal food assistance leaves states to find solutions in the meantime. Republican West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the state would contribute up to $13 million to two West Virginia food banks as it matches donations from residents there. Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency last week to allow using state funds to provide food benefits. Virginia has since rolled out a substitute state program, Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance, to send money to SNAP beneficiaries.

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Beshear told reporters a number of options are on the table for Kentucky at the moment, but he was not sure a special session of the state legislature would be necessary to address food assistance. He also said that any state solution would not make up for the full loss of the federal funding.

The monthly cost of SNAP in Kentucky is about $100 million, Beshear said, providing assistance to almost 600,000 Kentuckians. Kentucky has $3.7 billion in its budget reserve trust fund, also known as the rainy day fund.

All Donald Trump has to do is say, I dont want people to go hungry, authorize the SNAP payments to go out and our people will be OK, Beshear said. Either he will make the choice for folks to get full benefits, or it will be his decision that causes significant hunger.

Later Thursday afternoon, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced a community food drive with Dare to Care. Louisville is Kentuckys largest city and more than 84,000 people in the city count on SNAP benefits, a press release from the mayors office said.

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The Kentucky Democratic Party will host its own statewide food drive on Saturday, Nov. 8, with county parties collecting donations for local food banks, according to an email sent to supporters.

This story was updated with additional information Thursday afternoon.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  There is a new wrinkle in the DC debate over legalized hemp. The industry is valued between $300 and $475 million in Kentucky and could be upended by a spending bill being debated now in Congress.

If it passes, all of the hemp plants would become illegal. Youd have to start from scratch, Sen. Rand Paul told FOX 56 News.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Kentuckys federal lawmakers are playing a key role in the debate. The current law has a small threshold to allow THC, the intoxicating chemical associated with marijuana. As the next agriculture appropriations bill is debated, some are considering a full ban on growing hemp with any THC.

If there is no THC in it, I dont think that people will buy it anymore, frankly. And thats 98% of the market. So I think the farming will be over. There will be no more hemp grown, and therell be no more products sold from hemp. In fact, I think it destroys even the hemp wood because nobody is really- theres just not enough of it to make it profitable, probably, Paul said.

Paul said he believes that legally redefining hemp will ultimately punish farmers. As Senate Republicans work towards their sides proposed solution to end the government shutdown, Paul has told his colleagues he will not agree to a consent rule that would speed up the legislative process to reopen the government if the language isnt changed.

I dont have the ability to stop anything forever. I have the ability to negotiate speeding it up. And thats kind of where we are right now, Paul said. What Ive offered is we ought to study the issue for 18 months and see what the states are doing. Kentucky has already normalized this. In Kentucky, the state legislature passed legislation that you can have a hemp drink with five milligrams, he noted.

LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS:

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Sen. Mitch McConnell is backing the other side of the debate. After leading the effort to legalize hemp in 2018, he has argued a loophole is being exploited by bad actors. And in the absence of FDA action, he said Congress must take steps to keep attractively packaged products away from kids.

Little do kids know, these products are laced with intoxicating synthetic chemicals. Young children are consuming these snacks thinking theyre candy, not poison, Sen. McConnell said in a floor speech in August.

McConnell said he wants to restore the intent of the 2018 Farm Bill and wouldnt have legalized hemp if he did not want to see the industry thrive.

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.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  Kentuckys big industry and manufacturing leaders capped off a conference with a conversation hearing directly from three Republicans and one Democrat vying to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2026.

It was an opportunity for each candidate to have a more nuanced conversation on issues relating to manufacturing and trade, and one of the first forums held as the primary election began picking up energy.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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What does it look like for some of these disruptive technologies, if you will, AI and others you know? What does that look like, and what is Kentuckys place related to those technologies? And how can we be a part of the economy of the future? former Attorney General Daniel Cameron told FOX 56 about his remarks ahead of the event.

Cameron took the stage first and said Kentucky needs to shore up its coal and natural gas industries to generate more technological independence from China.

You know, there are some candidates in here that say they come from a union background or a union family. Im very proud to say that Ive been an annual supporter of the Employee Rights Act. I believe in employee freedom, not forced unionization, Rep. Andy Barr said during the forum.

Barr praised tax provisions for Made in America products in President Donald Trumps budget reconciliation bill, signed earlier this year, and he argued that he was the only candidate who had actually been an advocate for manufacturing in Congress.

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We have tremendous exports here. There are aerospace, logistics, automotive industry, manufacturing. And these tariffs, they hurt us, Democratic candidate Amy McGrath told FOX 56 ahead of the event. Thats my message is lets get back to the stability here, she said.

McGrath was the only Democrat to appear and agreed with her opponents across the aisle on the economic threat from China. But instead of tariffs, she argued that strengthening the US  Mexico  Canada Agreement from the first Trump administration is a smarter approach to trade.

I think we need people in government that have actually created jobs. You know, Ive created thousands of jobs in my career. Good-paying jobs. And one of the things that I learned in my union household is to take care of the workers, Lexington businessman Nate Morris told the crowd.

Morris wholly endorsed Trumps tariff policies, saying this is what people voted for. He argued that the state needs a business-minded legislator in Washington who knows how to make deals.

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Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news

The Primary Election will be held on May 19, 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 FOX 56 News.
BECKLEY  Youth center students planted the seeds Tuesday of an idea symbolizing a promise to live drug-free as part of a community-wide prevention effort.

Children and organizers dug in the soil to take part in Red Ribbon Weeks Plant the Promise initiative  a campaign at the Salvation Armys Red Shield Youth Center which unites schools, youth programs and community leaders around early drug prevention. Organized by Raleigh County United for Prevention, the program encouraged students to make active commitments to healthy living while reinforcing the initiatives message of awareness and education.

Kellie Gunnoe, program director for Raleigh County United for Prevention, said Plant the Promise gives students a tangible way to visualize their ongoing commitment.

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The kids plant their tulips or daffodils and make the commitment to living a healthy lifestyle, Gunnoe said. When they bloom in the spring, it reminds them.

Gunnoe said the initiative has expanded through partnerships with local schools and organizations.

We did it with the Salvation Army, Gunnoe said. Were doing it with the YMCA after-school program and with Cranberry Elementary, Park Middle School and several others.

The director of the Red Shield Youth Center, Tracy Mason, explained how the center offers students ages five through 18 a safe and supportive space to learn and grow.

Weve been in service since the building opened, so its been a little over a year and a half, Mason said. This year, we became a 21st Century Community Learning Center through a Department of Education grant. Events like this give our students new experiences. Many dont get to do things like planting flowers, so its a great opportunity to learn and take part.

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This is in celebration of Red Ribbon Week, and these young people are going to plant a tulip as a promise that they will remain drug-free, said Sen. Rollan Roberts, R-Fayette County, who held doors and dug holes while assisting the students. When that tulip comes up in the spring, that will again remind them that they are going to be drug-free. Anything we can do to prevent anybody from getting involved with drugs is a great thing.

Current research suggests that prevention programs like these can make a lasting difference, even if the effects diminish over time. Effective prevention initiatives have demonstrated to reduce early drug use by as much as 10 to 30 percent, according to the RAND Institute, a nonprofit policy research institution.

Roberts said substance abuse prevention remains a critical mission for southern West Virginia.

We have to encompass the whole spectrum  the treatment, the prevention, the recovery process and getting them back into the workforce, Roberts said. Prevention is extremely important. We have to get the kids attention so that in their mind, drug abuse, substance use  its not good, its negative and weve got to start that early.

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Though long-term impacts are difficult to study, prevention remains one of the most effective methods in reducing substance abuse by making consistent progress over time.

Red Ribbon Week takes place through Oct. 31, and features school contests using this years national theme, Life Is a Puzzle. Solve It. Gunnoe said the campaign will continue expanding outreach to more schools and community outreach efforts.

Each bulb planted represents a promise, Gunnoe said. If we keep planting those promises year after year, were planting the roots of a healthier future for our kids.
NEED TO KNOW

The death warrant for Stephen Corey Bryant, 44, was issued by the Supreme Court of South Carolina on Oct. 17, according to an execution notice obtained by PEOPLE

Bryant was accused of fatally shooting 62-year-old William Tietjen, 36-year-old Clifton Gainey and 35-year-old Christopher Burgess during a week-long burglary and killing spree in the fall of 2004 in rural Sumter County

He is scheduled to be put to death on Nov. 14 by his choice of either lethal injection, firing squad or electrocution



A South Carolina death row inmate who killed three people two decades ago is scheduled to be executed next month.

The death warrant for Stephen Corey Bryant, 44, was issued by the Supreme Court of South Carolina on Oct. 17, according to an execution notice obtained by PEOPLE. This comes as the Court turned down a request by Bryant's attorneys, who had recently asked for a postponement because of the U.S. government shutdown.

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Bryant, who's scheduled to be put to death on Nov. 14, will be the fifth person to be executed in South Carolina this year, per the South Carolina Daily Gazette. He has his choice of either lethal injection, firing squad or electrocution, according to the outlet.

Bryant was convicted of fatally shooting three people during a week-long burglary and killing spree in the fall of 2004 in rural Sumter County. He was 23 at the time, according to the Daily Gazette, which reported Bryant first killed his 36-year-old coworker, Clifton Gainey, on Oct. 9 of that year and then burglarized his home.

Keith Gedamke/The Item via AP Stephen Corey Bryant Stephen Corey Bryant

Two days later, he killed 62-year-old Willard Tietjen in his home, per the outlet. Tietjen was fatally shot and his face and eyes were also burned with cigarettes, according to WISTV.

Bryant left notes written in blood on the wall of Tietjen's home, one of which read: victim number four in two weeks, catch me if you can," per the Post and Courier. He also taunted the victims wife and daughter when he answered Tietjens phone, saying the man was dead.

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.

Two days later, he killed 35-year-old Chris Burgess after meeting him at a convenience store, the Daily Gazette reported.

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Bryant pleaded guilty to the crimes in 2008.

His lawyers argued that he had asked for mental health counseling prior to the murders because he kept reliving sexual abuse he claimed occurred while he was a child, the Post and Courier reported, citing court records. Bryant was first institutionalized at 11 years old, and he regularly abused methamphetamine, Benadryl and marijuana sprayed with RAID insecticide, per the outlet.

In a 2011 denial of an appeal sought by the defense, the South Carolina Supreme Court noted that Bryant was unquestionably a deeply troubled individual."

Read the original article on People
Less than two weeks after Prince Andrew announced he would stop using his title of Duke of York, Buckingham Palace has announced King Charles is formally beginning the process to remove not only his titles but also the style and honors of his younger brother.

His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew, the Palace wrote. Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, using the last name for descendants of Queen Elizabeth. Buckingham Palace continued, His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.

They concluded, Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.

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Andrew stepped down as a working royal in 2019 after an interview he gave surrounding allegations that he had sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre. He paid her an undisclosed settlement in February 2022 after she filed a civil suit in the United States. Amid the publication of Giuffres posthumous memoir and new revelations surrounding his connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, new backlash has emerged surrounding Andrewincluding the fact he has not paid rent on his Crown Estate home, Royal Lodge. It remains unclear what private accommodation Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, will move into.

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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan arrived at Hamad International Airport in Doha at 6 AM (local time) on Thursday, according to the Chief Minister's office. Kerala Minister Saji Cherian is accompanying the Chief Minister on the visit. He was received by leaders of various expatriate organisations. At the Qatar airport, he was received by Indian Ambassador Vipul, members of the Loka Kerala Sabha, Norka Roots Director C.V. Rappai, Pravasi Welfare Board Member E.M. Sudheer, Qatar Samskrithi President Sabith Zaheer, and Secretary Shamsheer Arikkulam, among others. During the day, CM Vijayan will hold meetings with Qatari officials and later interact with Indian business and community leaders at a program at the Sheraton Hotel. In the evening, he will inaugurate the Malayalotsavam public event at the Ideal Indian School Ground. This marks the first visit by a Kerala Chief Minister to Qatar in 12 years. Meanwhile, Kerala Minister M. B. Rajesh on Thursday stated that the state is set to become the first in India to eradicate extreme poverty. He explained that the initiative was the first decision taken by the second Pinarayi Vijayan government in its "very first cabinet meeting" after returning to power in 2021, to launch an exclusive scheme to eradicate extreme poverty. "Kerala is all set to create yet another history by becoming the first Indian state to eradicate extreme poverty. This was the first decision taken by the second Pinarayi government in its very first cabinet meeting after coming back to power in 2021. The government launched an exclusive scheme to eradicate extreme poverty," Rajesh told ANI. He said that after identifying and finalising the list of extremely poor families, micro-plans were prepared for each family. He said the government had lifted 64,006 families out of extreme poverty. "The very first step was to identify extremely poor families through an elaborate process. A process was carried out involving public representatives, local bodies, social organisations, and voluntary organisations to find out about extremely poor families. 4 lakh people were trained by the Kerala Institute of Local Administration to carry out this exercise," he said. "After identifying and finalising the list of extremely poor families, micro plans were prepared for each and every family...These micro plans had immediate plans, medium-term plans and long-term plans. After four years, we have implemented these micro plans, and through the implementation of micro plans, we have been able to bring these 64,006 families out of extreme poverty," he added. Rajesh further claimed that "after China, Kerala is becoming second place in the world to eradicate extreme poverty." (ANI)
King Charles has made the sensational decision to strip his brother, Andrew, of his official "Prince" titlewhile announcing that the disgraced royal will be evicted from his longtime home near Windsor Castle to move to "private accommodation" at the family's Sandringham estate.

The news comes after days of speculation and rumor about Andrew's position within the British royal family, and his ongoing tenancy in Royal Lodge, where he has lived virtually rent-free for the last 22 years.

It was first reported Oct. 26 that Andrew had agreed to leave the propertyfor which he has only been required to pay a nominal amount "if demanded" under a "peppercorn rent" leasewith the initial suggestion that he would relocate to the nearby Frogmore Cottage, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle previously lived.

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Now, however, it has been revealed that Andrew, 65, will actually be moved to the royal family's longtime Sandringham estate in Norfolk, which served as the treasured country retreat to his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The move will be privately funded by King Charles.

"His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew," the announcement statement read, according to the BBC. "Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

"His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation."

Although no mention of Jeffrey Epstein was made in the statement, the palace alluded to the allegations that have been made against Andrew with regard to his relationship with the late financier, as well as those made by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who repeatedly claimed that Andrew had sex with her when she was underage.

King Charles has announced that his brother, Andrew, will be stripped of his "Prince" title. Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain theirs, however. (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

It has also been revealed that Andrew will move to the royal family's private Sandringham estate in Norfolk. (RDImages/Epics/Getty Images)

"These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him," the statement went on. "Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse."

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Buckingham Palace noted that Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their royal titles, however.

According to the BBC, Andrew's move to Sandringhamwhich is privately owned by the monarch and is not part of the Crown Estatewill take place "as soon as practicable," although it is unclear when exactly that will be.

It is understood that Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who has been living with him at Royal Lodge for years, will also move out of the property, although the palace did not state whether she will join her former spouse at Sandringham.

The news comes just days after Andrew announced that he was voluntarily giving up the majority of his bestowed titles and honors to avoid the ongoing accusations against him from overshadowing the work being done by his brother and the other senior royals.

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"In discussion with the king, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family," Andrew said in a statement Oct. 17.

"I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life. With His Majestys agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honors which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."

Multiple reports suggest that the latest move was made entirely at the behest of King Charles, despite earlier reports claiming that Prince William had stepped in to force Andrew's hand with regard to his living situationby threatening to remove Eugenie's and Beatrice's titles.

Andrew has spent the last 22 years living virtually rent-free in Royal Lodge, a property that is owned by the Crown Estate. (Getty Images)

It is unclear where Andrew's former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will move. She has been living with Andrew for years, despite their divorce in 1996. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Journalist and royal expert Emily Maitlisthe same woman who conducted the 2019 interview with Andrew that is widely believed to have shattered what remained of his credibilityalleged earlier this week that William had coerced Andrew into agreeing to leave Royal Lodge by threatening the drastic action.

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"There was a question over whether there had been ... a meeting between Prince William and the princesses Beatrice and Eugenie saying, Youve got to get your dad to move out of Royal Lodge, otherwise we will start reexamining the state of your own titles,'" Maitlis claimed during an episode of her "News Agents" podcast.

The journalist went on to claim that "pressure" was being put on the sisters to try to convince their father to move, adding: "They are, at the moment, allowed to be princesses, but there was pressure being put on them. Obviously, you can see why Andrew, as a father, would want to keep his daughters happy and keep their titles in place."

Previous reports also claimed that Andrew had already agreed to leave Royal Lodgebut that he had demanded both he and his former wife be given their own home in return.

Sources who spoke to The Sun alleged that he would move into Frogmore Cottage, while Sarah would be given Adelaide Cottage, the home where Prince William and Princess Kate have been living for the last three years.

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William and Kate are due to move out of that property within a matter of weeks, when renovations are completed on their new dwelling, which is known as Forest Lodge.

"Andy is willing to leave, but these are his demands," a friend of Andrew told The Sun. "He is realistic and knows the writing is on the wall and that his time at Royal Lodge is up. If he must go then he has asked for Frogmore Cottage. Incredibly, Sarah has said she wants Adelaide Cottage."

The insider suggested that the former couple's desire to live in separate dwellings "indicates that they ... need a break from one another," adding that a move would represent a "fresh start" for both of them.


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Andrew is no longer a prince. The disgraced younger brother of King Charles III has now been stripped of all of his royal titles and honors, including the prince title he was given at birth. So, he will no longer be referred to as His Royal Highness either.

His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew, Buckingham Palace announced today. Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

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On top of that, the monarch is asking Andrew to move out of his longtime royal residence, the Royal Lodge in Windsor.

His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him, the palace stated.

The second eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip gave up his Duke of York title earlier this month, but now, his brother has removed the last of his titles and honors.

All this comes amid the ongoing scandal regarding Andrews ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Prince Andrew was accused of sexual assault by the late Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, and although he has constantly denied all accusations against him, his royal family has understandably taken a harsh stance in the matter.

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It is reportedly Prince William who is taking the most serious stance against Andrew, as per a Sunday Times report, the Prince of Wales plans to cut his uncle out of royal life entirely as soon as he becomes king.

Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse, Buckingham Palace concluded in the statement today.

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Prince Andrew has lost all of his royal titles, including Prince, in an unprecedented move by King Charles

He will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and has been ordered to surrender his lease at Royal Lodge

The move comes amid renewed scrutiny of Prince Andrews ties to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and ongoing controversy surrounding past allegations

Prince Andrew has officially lost all of his royal titles, including 'Prince,' in an unprecedented move by his brother King Charles.

Andrew, 65, will no longer be known as a prince or His Royal Highness among other titles, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday, Oct. 30. Instead, he will be Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

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"His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew," the palace said in the statement. "Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor."

Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty; Steve Parsons - WPA Pool/Getty

Andrew was a prince and had the styling of His Royal Highness since birth as the son of the then-reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth. He was given the title of Duke of York (what he was widely known as), as well as Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh, by his late mother on his wedding day to Sarah Ferguson in 1986.

The honors affected are Andrews Order of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Victorian Order.

In addition, Andrew will lose his living arrangements at Royal Lodge in Windsor.

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"His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him," the palace stated.

"Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse," the statement concluded.



Patrick van Katwijk/Getty Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and King Charles on Sept. 19, 2022 Andrew Mountbatten Windsor and King Charles on Sept. 19, 2022

PEOPLE understands it was King Charles' decision to remove Andrew's titles and honors, and he is using his Royal Prerogative, which allows him to manage certain royal titles and honors without involving Parliament.

Although Andrew denies accusations against him, there have been serious lapses of judgment that led to the move, which has the support of the royal family, including Prince William.

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The last time a member of the British royal family was formally stripped of a title was with Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale (a German-born British prince) under the Titles Deprivation Act 1917, when his British titles were removed after he swore allegiance to Germany during World War I.

When Andrew's great-uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne in December 1936, he was not formally stripped of his royal titles. Instead, his brother King George VI granted him the title Duke of Windsor.

As daughters of the son of a sovereign, Andrew's children, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, retain their titles in line with King George Vs Letters Patent of 1917.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Prince Andrew on March 31, 2024. Prince Andrew on March 31, 2024.

The news comes after Andrew announced on Friday, Oct. 17, that he would give up the use of his royal titles and other titles and honors amid renewed interest in his relationship to Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal conspiracy and sex trafficking charges. However, he retained the titles at the time and was still known as Prince Andrew.

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Andrew stepped back from his public royal role in 2019 following his headline-making BBC interview in which he discussed his relationship with Epstein. Scrutiny has intensified in recent weeks after the posthumous memoir of Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at 41. In the book, she wrote that Andrew believed having sex with me was his birthright, describing three occasions Epstein allegedly arranged for her to meet him beginning at age 17.

Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Queen Elizabeth stripped her son of his military titles and patronages in January 2022, after a judge rejected his attempt to have Giuffres sexual assault lawsuit against him dismissed. He settled with Giuffre out of court for an undisclosed sum.



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(Press Association via AP Images)

Britains King Charles announced Thursday that he has formally removed his brother Andrews remaining titles over his association with alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and victim Virginia Giuffre when she was a teenager.

The king released a tersely-worded statement from Buckingham Palace that read:

His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.

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Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.

Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.

A week ago, Buckingham Palace announced it was removing both Andrew and ex-wife Sarah Fergusons Duke and Duchess of York titles. Both must now leave the 30-room mansion where they have lived virtually rent-free. It was unclear how the Epstein scandal would affect their adult daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Sarah Ferguson was dropped from several charities after British newspapers published a 2011 email from her to Epstein apparently sent after both she and Andrew said they broke off contact with the alleged sex offender.

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In the letter, she appeared to privately apologize for her public rejection of Epstein, saying: You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family.'

Both Andrew and Sarah Ferguson have denied any wrongdoing.

The U.S. Congress has yet to vote to release the Epstein files, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) allegedly refusing to swear in a recently-elected Arizona Democrat who has vowed to cast the tie-breaking vote. Johnson has blamed the government shutdown for the delay.

MAGA supporters have long pressed President Donald Trump to release the files, but his reluctance has led some skeptics to believe that his ties to Epstein are deeper than what has been reported.

The post King Charles Strips Prince Andrew Of His Remaining Titles in Terse Statement: Our Sympathies Will Remain With the Victims of Abuse first appeared on Mediaite.
Kingpins Amsterdam put the spotlight on craftsmanship, innovation and community at its latest edition on 1516 October, drawing more than 1,000 visitors from over 500 companies across 40 countries.

The two-day denim trade show, held at SugarFactory, attracted industry heavyweights including Givenchy, Balenciaga, Max Mara, Hugo Boss, Levis, G-Star and Tommy Hilfiger.

When I walked through the show floor, I didnt just see exhibitors and visitors  I saw a community, said Kingpins CEO Vivian Wang. People from different cultures, generations and perspectives came together with one shared purpose, to move our industry forward with honesty, creativity and heart.

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A major highlight was the launch of Made in Espana, the newest addition to Kingpins Made In series, which showcases innovation and craftsmanship from specific regions.

Presented as an interactive museum-style installation, the area spotlighted Spanish excellence in textiles, technology, and chemistry, featuring companies such as Tejidos Royo, Pinter Group, Jeanologia, Asutex, Textil Santanderina, Recover, and Tintes Egara.

Collaborations between exhibitors underscored the spirit of partnership that has become central to Kingpins identity, with capsule collections including Jeanologia x Textil Santanderina x Pinter and Asutex x Royo x Tintes Egara x Pinter Group.

Our Made in Espana project demonstrated exactly that community spirit, Wang said. It was more than a showcase, it was a celebration of passion, craftsmanship and collaboration  proof that when we believe in something together, we can create something meaningful for everyone.

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Building on momentum from earlier this year, the show also featured an expanded Made in Japan area. This included additional mills and manufacturers, a Story of the Blue timeline tracing milestones in Japanese denim history, and a curated display of rare archival pieces from renowned Japanese denim makers such as Kurabo, Kaihara Denim, Nihon-Menpu, and Showa.

Kingpins Jeanius Hub also returned in a larger format, continuing its mission to explore innovation and sustainability in denim production. Since debuting in April, the hub has become a focal point for showcasing cutting-edge materials and technologies.

This seasons lineup included FibreTrace, Chloris Biochem, Circulose, Tejidos Royo, and Material Exchange.

Also new was The Gallery space, which highlighted the latest directional fabrics and trims expanded to include new developments from denim factories, chemical suppliers and fibre producers.

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Kingpins is heading to China next for its Chengdu Pop-Up on 1416 November. Drawing inspiration from Chengdus dynamic streetwear and music culture, the event will blend B2B and B2C experiences, featuring workshops, retail spaces, and live podcasts.

Now we take this energy to Chengdu, Wang said. I hope Kingpins can bring the spirit and love of denim to China in a way that connects people, inspires new ideas and builds the future together - as one community.

Kingpin's April edition introduced a transparency tool which scientifically measures the environmental impact of every single stage of the production of a denim jean.

"Kingpins Amsterdam debuts Made in Espana" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.




The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office released new details on Thursday into the fatal police shooting of a man armed with two knives inside a grocery store last week.

The incident occurred at 2:39 p.m. on Oct. 20 in the 5100 block of Hollister Avenue after two sheriff's deputies responded to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon. The arriving deputies learned that a man had attacked a dog and stabbed the dog's owner before fleeing inside a Ralphs grocery store, where he barricaded himself inside a public bathroom, according to a department statement on the shooting.

The department identified the suspect as 34-year-old Abdou Rhamn Nyan of Connecticut.

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The sheriff's deputies, Sgt. Eric Delgadillo and Deputy Anthony Muneton, entered the store and made their way to the back where the restroom was located. Delgadillo and Muneton attempted to negotiate with Nyan in an effort to de-escalate the situation, according to the department.

Because the deputies believed he still had the knives with him in the restroom, they put display racks in front of the door in an effort to temporarily contain him and protect themselves, the department statement said.

"Moments later, Nyan suddenly opened the door, pushed through the barricade, and charged toward the deputies clutching a metal trashcan as a barrier while holding a knife in each hand," the statement read. "Deputies were positioned less than ten feet away in the narrow alcove outside the restroom and issued verbal commands."

The department said a third deputy attempted to use a Taser, while Delgadillo and Muneton fired six rounds at Nyan. After shooting him, the deputies secured the knives and began lifesaving measures.

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Paramedics pronounced Nyan dead at the scene. No deputies were injured in the shooting. The stabbing victim was treated at a hospital and released. The victims dog was unharmed.

The Sheriff's Office said the two deputies remain on administrative leave and the shooting remains under investigation. The department said it will hand over the results of the investigation to the Santa Barbara County district attorneys office for review.

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.
Multiple Caribbean countries are reeling in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which has been traveling through the region for the past few days, bringing torrential rains, devastating winds, landslides and flash floods.

The storm first made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane and has now also passed through Cuba and the Bahamas. Other countries not in the direct path of the hurricane, like the Dominican Republic and Haiti, have also seen devastating impacts from the storm.

Hurricane Melissa was the strongest hurricane seen during this Atlantic hurricane season and one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded.

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In the wake of the hurricane, rescue efforts are underway across the Caribbean as officials work to distribute aid to those impacted.

The storm is continuing to travel through the region as a Category 1 storm and will next pass near Bermuda.

What is the death toll from Hurricane Melissa?

Residents wade through a flooded stream in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Petit-Goave, Haiti, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. | Odelyn Joseph

So far, at least 30 deaths have been confirmed to have been caused by Hurricane Melissa, but a full death toll could take days or weeks to determine.

In Jamaica, four bodies were found in the aftermath in St. Elizabeth Parish, per CNN. Three people also died in the country during storm preparations. The government has yet to provide a death toll since the hurricane made landfall on the island on Tuesday.

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On Thursday, Jamaicas minister leading the emergency response, Desmond McKenzie, said he could not give a proper update on the number of deaths so far because police have not yet confirmed them all.

But what I will say is there have been casualties and we do anticipate, based on our information, that therell be more, he added, per The New York Times.

The highest death toll so far has been reported in Haiti. Even though the hurricane did not make direct landfall there, it caused significant damage and at least 23 deaths due to severe flooding and landslides. Twenty of these deaths, including 10 children, were caused by flooding in Petit-Goave.

Jamaica is the hardest hit of the Caribbean nations

The church of Lacovia Tombstone, Jamaica, sits damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. | Matias Delacroix

Jamaica took the hardest hit from Hurricane Melissa. The storm made landfall there on Tuesday, while it was at its strongest. When it hit the island nation, the storm was a Category 5 hurricane with estimated maximum sustained winds of 185 mph, per CNN.

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As the storm pummeled the country, around 140,000 people were cut off, the government said.

The storm has left the islands infrastructure severely compromised, McKenzie said.

Officials have faced challenges in performing damage assessments because some areas are in a total communication blackout.

According to BBC, Jamaicas Transport Minister Daryl Vaz said at a Thursday news conference that the countrys eight major hospitals have power again, though much of the country is still in a blackout. The storm left 77% of the island without power.

The Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston is also operating once again after being closed for the storm. Jamaicas government expects to receive several aid flights on Thursday.

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Jamaicas minister over infrastructure, Robert Morgan, shared at a news briefing that debris was blocking more than 130 roads across the country. The focus is on clearing roads that lead to critical institutions such as hospitals and airports.

Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaicas information minister, said that West Jamaica had been devastated by the hurricane. She described some areas as being flattened, according to The New York Times.

I think the entire Jamaica is really broken because of what has happened, she added. But we remain resilient.

The Jamaican military is making its way by foot through blocked roads to reach Black River and other decimated communities in western Jamaica. Soldiers are also using a helicopter to respond to reports of any bodies found.

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Jamaicas government is working with the private sector to secure and distribute food and medication to areas most impacted by the storm, per The New York Times.

What the impacts of Hurricane Melissa look like in Cuba

No fatalities have been reported in Cuba after Hurricane Melissa made landfall there late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Over 735,000 people across eastern Cuba were evacuated ahead of the storm.

After riding out the storm, people are working to clear blocked roads and highways with heavy equipment and the help of the military. The military also rescued people trapped in isolated communities who were at risk from landslides, per CBS News.

Cuban officials have not provided an official estimate of damages across the country. Multiple affected provinces have reported losses of roofs, fiber-optic telecommunications cables, power lines, blocked roads, as well as losses of banana, cassava and coffee plantations. The affected provinces include Santiago, Granma, Holguin, Guantanamo and Las Tunas.

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There are many communities in Cuba that have been left without electricity, internet and telephone service after the storm, per CBS News.

What we know about Hurricane Melissas impact in the Bahamas

After Hurricane Melissa passed over the central and southeastern islands of the Bahamas on Wednesday as a Category 1 storm, there have been no initial reports of deaths or injuries in the country, according to The New York Times.

Ahead of the storm, the government carried out evacuations to the capital, Nassau. But a westward shift in the hurricanes path caused the central Bahamian islands, which werent evacuated, to bear the brunt of the storm.

The eye of the storm passed over the southern half of Long Island, hitting it with strong winds and leaving behind flooding in some places, per The New York Times.

How the U.S. is responding to the devastation in the Caribbean

After Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica, President Donald Trump authorized immediate U.S. response to countries dealing with the devastating impacts of the storm. The Department of State has deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team, including urban search-and-rescue teams, to assess needs and provide search and recovery assistance, according to a statement from the department.

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The State Department is also working with United Nations agencies, NGOs and host governments to deliver food, medical supplies, water, hygiene kits, and search and rescue support to Jamaica.

On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement, saying the Trump administration stands with the brave Cuban people who continue to struggle to meet basic needs.

As it has with other affected Caribbean countries, the State Department is issuing a declaration of humanitarian need for Cuba and has prepared to provide immediate humanitarian assistance directly and through local partners.

Rubios statement noted that U.S. law, which forbids nearly all commerce with the island, includes exemptions and authorizations relating to private donations of food, medicine, and other humanitarian goods to Cuba, as well as disaster response.

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Cuba typically does not accept handouts from the U.S. government, but the countrys deputy minister of foreign affairs shared on social media that Cuba might be willing to receive U.S. government disaster assistance in the wake of the hurricane.

Jamaica is also receiving assistance from other countries. The premier of the Cayman Islands, Andre Ebanks, said his country had brought over essential supplies worth around $200,000, per The New York Times. His country has committed to sending a total of $1.2 million in resources and goods to Jamaica.

Jamaicas government has launched a dedicated platform to mobilize support and coordinate relief and recovery efforts in times of crisis. Those looking to support people impacted by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica should visit https://supportjamaica.gov.jm.

Where Hurricane Melissa is going next

After moving out of the southeastern Bahamas, Hurricane Melissa is back over open water for the first time since making landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday. Melissa could see some strengthening as it travels over water, but because it is moving into cooler waters, any strengthening will be moderate.

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The storm is forecast to pass near Bermuda on Thursday or early Friday as a Category 2 or a strong Category 1 hurricane, per CBS News. A hurricane warning was in effect Thursday morning for Bermuda.

In preparation for the storm, authorities in Bermuda have closed the Causeway  a transport link connecting the countrys main island with St. Davids Island. Authorities will also be closing all schools and ferries out of an abundance of caution, per CNN.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Here are the top headlines from this morning.

Sioux City Community School District board members held a closed session Wednesday night.

Dr. Cordova not allowed in closed session

Folks gathered at Brownmed in Spirit Lake to tour the facility and learn what goes on there. Its all part of the Corridors Manufacturing Month.

Spirit Lakes Brownmed hosts tour for Manufacturing Month

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Food insecurity is an issue all across Siouxland and a local non-profit aims to make a difference.

Its a really rewarding experience: How volunteers make a difference at Siouxland Soup Kitchen

Check out these headlines and more in the video 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Auburn, New York, was Harriet Tubmans chosen home. There are ongoing efforts to keep her work and legacy alive, specifically annually with International Underground Railroad Month, which takes place every September.

This year, New York is moving forward with the creation of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad New York Corridor, a proposed heritage byway from Manhattan to Niagara Falls that will spotlight sites and stories central to Tubmans life, including her home in Cayuga County. Visitors can explore Tubmans legacy through the Harriet Tubman Home, AME Zion Church, and more in Cayuga County. The Underground Railroad Trail is virtually accessible via the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Tour app.

The plan was initially announced in 2023, and two years later, theyve made significant progress. Blavity spoke with Karen Kuhl, the executive director of the Cayuga County Office of Tourism, and Michele Jones Galvin, Tubmans great-great niece, about the initiative.

Blavity: How long has the Underground Railroad Corridor been in the works?

Karen Kuhl: This started in 2023. It was an opportunity to apply for a grant that was coming down from federal through the state to market new products. So with Ally Spongr DeGon from the Underground Railroad Consortium of New York State, she and I put together a proposal for the grant, which was accepted. And that allowed us the funding to contract a professional cultural historical consultant who has worked with many other byways in the U.S. to develop the corridor management plan for the byway.

How involved has the family been in getting this off the ground?

Michele Jones Galvin: Well, to tell you the truth, we have just been just aghast that weve been asked to be part of the descending council for the byway, and we have attended meetings and been on Zooms and other forms of communication all along the way throughout this entire process. So we are very privileged and pleased to be a part of it.

Karen, what will travelers see along the corridor, and just how expansive is it?

KK: Ill give you a little more technical background than you probably want, but I think itll be easier for me to answer that question. The initial intent was to develop a byway that came in from New Jersey into Manhattan, went up kind of along the Hudson. And then east-west along the state, kind of following the Erie Canal corridor exiting Niagara Falls, just like Harriet Tubman did when she went toward Saint Catharines.

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Right now, the corridor management plan that was submitted to the Department of Transportation includes only a portion of that east-west corridor from Niagara Falls to Auburn due to technicalities of not getting all the resolutions that are required for the Department of Transportation, blah blah blah. So the byway is not officially designated yet. It is in the hands of the Department of Transportations advisory council, who is reviewing the application. Then, it will go to the New York State Legislative floor. We have Sen. May from the Syracuse-Auburn area championing that bill, which is in the process of being written. So, like I said, thats a lot of the technical stuff behind this.

What will visitors see along the way?

KK: In the corridor management plan, there is a list of resources identified. These resources had to have a correlation, either directly with Harriet Tubman or the Underground Railroad freedom seekers and descendants, and or specifically the Underground Railroad, so that we ensured that this byway honors the life and legacy of freedom seekers along the way. Michelle Gavin Jones made a reference to the Descendants Council. Theres a descendants council that was put together in order to ensure that the voices of the familiar relatives of freedom seekers continue being involved in the conversation.

So, this resource list that was put together had to have some link to Harriet Tubman or other freedom seekers. There are a lot of visitor resources available, such as hotels, gas stations, restaurants, and different communities. There has been a strong effort made by the internal planning team to ensure that Black businesses get elevated in that conversation. So, the economic benefit of the byway continues honoring the legacy of the freedom seekers.

I read that theres a virtual component for those who dont attend in person.

KK: Yes, there will be. There isnt one right now. There will be a virtual component. Theres a website thats being developed at the moment. There will be maps that will be developed. There will be conversations about podcasts. Theres been conversations about apps. The Cayuga County Tourism Office, with the participation of many of Harriet Tubmans familiar relatives, developed an Underground Railroad app within our county. So there is an app that you can find online called UGRR Cayuga or Harriet Tubman, something like that. So, this would serve a kind of a prototype or something that can be done statewide when the byway finishes. So, like I said, the byway is not officially designated, and a lot of these are still in the works.

Michelle, how does this corridor and International Underground Railroad month keep her legacy alive?

MJG: Oh my gosh, I think first and foremost, its really about travel. Its about being able to go from one place to the other, from the beginning of the byway to the end of the byway, sort of duplicating Aunt Harriets trek to Saint Catherines to Canada. So I think in many, many respects, and the other thing Id like to add, too, is that its not just the physical travel, but its also the ability to get to connect with friends and family along the way. So in many respects, it really duplicates her travel efforts and her journeys from slavery to freedom.

How significant is this moment, given that were in a time socially and politically marked by intentional efforts to suppress our history?

MJG: They do what they do; we do what we do, which is to continue to communicate and Harriets legacy and her work. We can only be totally erased if we join in and help us erase ourselves. So I think the most important thing is for the byway efforts to continue and to do what we want to do and express that we want to do, and we just take it a day at a time, and we get a time, and dont let the negativity or the notion of erasure impede the work that we do.







The post What To Know About The Underground Railroad Corridor In Upstate New York And Its Progress appeared first on Blavity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Congress for insulting the people of Bihar in other states, recalling the incident of former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's statement in 2022, which also marked the presence of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. While speaking at an election rally in Chhapra, the Prime Minister noted that, despite the insult to the Bihari people, Priyanka Gandhi was smiling during the incident. In 2022, during an election campaign event in Punjab, Channi had urged people not to allow "bhaiyas" from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to enter the state. While Channi gave the remarks, Priyanka Gandhi was also standing beside him. "Friends, I want to remind you -- those with the lantern (RJD), the hand (Congress), and their INDIA alliance partners, how they have insulted Bihar. The Congress Chief Minister in Punjab openly declared that people from Bihar would not be allowed to enter his state. He made this statement during a public speech. At that time, on the stage, a daughter of the Gandhi family who nowadays sits in Parliament was clapping happily over this," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister stated that Congress and other INDIA bloc parties insult the Bihari people in their respective states, following which the Congress party called them for an election campaign in Bihar itself. He called it a calculated conspiracy by the Congress, so that RJD could suffer in Bihar. "Meanwhile, in Telangana and Karnataka, Congress leaders insult the people of Bihar, and in Tamil Nadu, the DMK mistreats the hardworking people from Bihar. Despite all this, the RJD in Bihar remains silent as if struck dumb. This time, in these elections, they have crossed all limits. The same Congress leaders who insulted Bihar in their own states have now been invited by the RJD to campaign here. This is a calculated conspiracy by the Congress -- they want the RJD to suffer maximum damage. This clearly shows how deep the rift between the RJD and Congress has become," the Prime Minister said. He also emphasised that fullfilling the dream of the people of Bihar is the dream and commitment of PM Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The Prime Minister hailed the massive public support in Chhapra, stating that the atmosphere at the gathering was saying, 'Phir ek baar NDA sarkaar'. "Today, I give you a guarantee -- your dream is my commitment. Narendra and Nitish are dedicated to fulfilling your dreams. The journey from good governance (sushasan) to prosperity in Bihar must continue uninterrupted. It is essential that all BJP and NDA allies reach the Vidhan Sabha. The atmosphere in Chhapra is clearly saying -- 'Phir ek baar NDA sarkaar' (Once again, an NDA government). This land is not only of culture but also of movements. There is magic in this soil -- it can even make words come alive. Friends, I too am a Member of Parliament from Purvanchal," the Prime Minister said. The Bihar assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
With early voting underway, residents of Worcester are deciding who will represent them on the city council, school committee and as mayor.

The general election takes place on Nov. 4 but early voting began on Oct. 25 and is set to end on Oct. 31, according to the citys website.

The election will decide the fate of policies brought before the city council, such as a soon-to-be-released report from City Manager Eric D. Batista about the creation of a police civilian oversight committee.

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Voters will also decide if they approve the idea of the city forcing colleges to invest some of their endowments.

Mayor

Incumbent Mayor Joseph Petty is running for re-election to seek an eighth term as mayor.

During the campaign, Petty has defended his tenure as mayor. If re-elected, he pledges to complete the re-construction of Burncoat High School and touted a proposal from him and District 2 Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson that would give landlords a tax break if they kept rents low for residents. During a debate hosted by GBH, Petty proposed a meeting between him and the leaders of other Central Massachusetts towns to address homelessness, saying that the rising homeless population in the city is not made up of residents who permanently live there.

Petty has also expressed skepticism over the creation of a police civilian oversight board, saying that he would look at the city managers report before making a decision.

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Pettys rivals, City Council Vice Chair and Councilor-at-Large Khrystian King and real estate agent Owura-Kwaku Sarkodieh both said they support a police oversight board. King, who ran against Petty in 2023 but lost, told MassLive he would vote for its approval if brought before the city council.

Both King and Sarkodieh are also open to the idea of rent control to keep rents affordable in Worcester. Sarkodieh also called for the repurposing of vacant apartments for the construction of affordable housing during the GBH debate.

Per the citys charter, the councilor-at-large candidates are listed twice on the ballot: once as an option for councilor-at-large and once as an option for mayor. The top six vote earners in Novembers election will be elected to serve as councilors at large.

To become Worcesters mayor, however, a candidate needs to win a councilor-at-large seat and earn the most votes for the office of mayor, according to the charter.

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Councilor-at-large candidates are automatically listed as candidates for mayor but they do have the option to opt out of the mayoral race and only run as a councilor, according to the city charter.

City Councilor-at-Large

There are 12 candidates running for Councilor-at-Large, including Petty, King and Sarkodieh.

Incumbent Councilors-at-Large Kathleen Toomey, Morris Bergman and Donna Colorio are all running for re-election. Councilor-at-Large Thu Nguyen, who is also an incumbent, is not running for re-election. Nguyen stopped attending council meetings after they accused District 2 Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson of calling them a slur.

During the preliminary election in September, Toomey earned the second highest vote total, placing behind Petty.

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Toomey told MassLive one of her priorities is the construction of more market-rate and affordable housing in Worcester. She also thinks that a new East Middle School should be built in the area of Route 20 and hopes the school will be built next after the construction of a new Burncoat High School.

We need to continue to educate and inform our residents about opportunities to help Worcester grow, and also, to continue to provide a safe and healthy community for all, Toomey said.

Toomey has also expressed skepticism over creating a police oversight board, telling MassLive she sees no reason to create one.

Bergman received the third-highest vote total during the preliminary. His approach to keeping homes affordable is to keep property taxes as low as possible, according to his website. The website describes Bergman as having a moderate approach toward new problems.

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The candidate with the fourth highest vote total was former City Councilor Gary Rosen followed by King. Jermoh Kamara, the president of the Massachusetts Organization of African Descendants, came in sixth place. Kamaras website says she supports rent stabilization programs, affordable dwelling unit construction and keeping the Worcester Regional Transportation Authority bus service fare free.

Behind Kamara was incumbent councilor Colorio in seventh place while Satya Mitra, the founder ofThe Guru Tax and Financial Services, finished in eighth place.

In a previous interview with MassLive, Mitra said he would want to take an analytical look at development projects in Worcester to ensure the city collects enough revenue from them. Mitra mentioned that some projects near the Polar Park stadium have not been completed and that the city has had difficulty collecting revenue.

Placing in ninth place was Cayden Davis, who supports rent stabilization, supporting overdose prevention centers and keeping the bus service free, according to Daviss website.

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Sarkodieh placed 10th and Jessica Pepple placed 11th. On her website, Pepple says she supports a civilian review board and rent stabilization. The 12th place candidate was Edson Montero.

District Councilors

District 1 Councilor Jenny Pacillo and District 3 Councilor George Russell are not seeking re-election this year, meaning their seats will be represented by a new councilor.

In District 1, resident Keith Linhares is running against former City Councilor Tony Economou. Linhares has called for rent stabilization, a police oversight board and supports the prohibition of police cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Economou, meanwhile, told MassLive in a previous interview he wants to focus on fixing infrastructure in District 1 and did not say whether he supports an oversight board.

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In District 3, former State Rep. John Fresolo and former Worcester Public School safety director Robert Pezzella are running for Russells seat. Both candidatess pages tout a campaign focused on keeping property taxes low and supporting public safety in the city

District 2 and District 5 feature rematch races between the incumbents and the challengers. In District 2, Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson will face off against challenger Robert Bilotta. Mero-Carlson says she supports funding public safety departments, keeping the busses fare free and building more developments in the canal district.

Bilotta, meanwhile, supports rent stabilization, keeping the bus services free and increased investment in vocational technical programs.

In District 5, Councilor Etel Haxhiaj will face off against challenger Jose Rivera.

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Haxhiaj drew attention by confronting Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during the arrest of a Worcester resident on Eureka Street in May. She is facing charges as a result of that encounter, and has called them bogus charges.

Haxhiaj previously told MassLive she supports the creation of a police oversight board and has spoken in favor of designating Worcester as a sanctuary city for transgender people. Riveras website states that he will be against defunding the police and called for more housing to address homelessness in Worcester.

In District 4, Councilor Luis Ojeda will face off against challenger Ted Kostas.

School Committee

School Committee incumbents in Districts A, B, D and F are running unopposed this year, including Vanessa Z. Alvarez for District B, Alejandro Guardiola for District D and Jermaine L. Johnson for District F.

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District A incumbent Molly O. McCullough was supposed to face off against challenger Ashley R. Spring. But the citys board of elections ruled them ineligible to be on the ballot because they do not meet the citys residency requirement.

The two incumbent School Committee Members-at-Large, Maureen F. Binienda and Susan M. Mailman, have both qualified for the November ballot along with challenger Adwoa A. Sakyi-Lamptey. The two candidates who receive the first and second most votes in the election will be awarded the at-large seats.

District C incumbent Dianna Biancheria will run against Feanna S. Jattan-Singh.

District E incumbent Kathleen Roy will face off against challenger Nelly Medina.

Ballot question

Finally, voters will decide if they approve the idea of the city forcing colleges to invest some of their endowments.

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On April 15, the city council unanimously approved a ballot question asking residents if they support forcing private higher education institutions in the city to invest 0.5% of their endowments into a city fund designated to help finance needed housing, economic, and community development projects.

The proposal was brought forward by Worcester Mayor Petty and District 2 Councilor Mero-Carlson.

The proposal was brought forward after Worcester Polytechnic Institute announced it would convert two hotels into student housing, a move that angered city and business leaders.

Following the approval of the question, the presidents of Clark University, The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, College of the Holy Cross, Assumption University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) wrote a letter to the council saying the resolution question could cause substantial harm to the institutions.

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Especially given our institutions long-standing engagement in and support for Worcester, we are surprised and disheartened by the seemingly short-sighted nature of the councils actions that selectively target certain institutions  even those that are already contributing through existing payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreements," the letter reads. Furthermore, the introduction of a non-binding resolution is not only unnecessary but potentially a roadblock to ongoing discussions with city leaders about further strengthening our partnerships.

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The Kremlin warned Donald Trump that Russia will resume testing its nuclear weapons if the US does the same.

Just hours after Russia revealed it tested a nuclear-capable underwater drone on Thursday, Mr Trump ordered the Pentagon to immediately begin testing Americas own nuclear arsenal.

Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the department of war to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis, Mr Trump said.

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The Kremlin pointed out that a global ban on nuclear tests has largely been upheld since 1996, warning that if any nation breaches the embargo, Russia will follow suit.

If someone abandons the moratorium, Russia will act accordingly, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson said in a call with reporters.

Peskov insited that Russias recent tests of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon nuclear-powered underwater drone had nothing to do with the global ban on testing nuclear warheads.

Asked when testing would begin, Mr Trump told reporters accompanying him on his trip to Asia: Itll be announced. We have test sites.

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b'

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Speaking later on Thursday JD Vance, the US vice-president, said: When you have got a large nuclear arsenal, sometimes you have got to test it to make sure that it is functioning and working properly.

Its an important part of American national security to make sure that this nuclear arsenal we have actually functions properly, and that is part of the testing regime.

The United Nations expressed concern about the plans, saying nuclear testing was never permissible under any circumstances.

The secretary-general has repeatedly asserted that current nuclear risks are already alarmingly high, and all actions that could lead to miscalculation or escalation with catastrophic consequences must be avoided... nuclear testing can never be permitted under any circumstances, a UN spokesman said.

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Pentagon officials did not immediately respond to questions about where the nuclear missile testing sites will be.

The US last exploded a nuclear bomb beneath the Nevada desert in 1992. North Korea is the only nation to have tested a nuclear weapon in the 21st century.

Russia tested a new atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone and a new nuclear-powered cruise missile this week. However, Putin did not announce any tests of Russias nuclear weapons which last occurred in 1990.

Regarding the tests of the Burevestnik and the Poseidon, we hope that president Trump was correctly informed about it, Peskov said. There is no way it can be interpreted as nuclear testing.

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Mr Trump did not specifically mention the Russian tests in his post, but alluded to the nuclear stockpiles controlled by both Xi Jinping and Putin, saying: Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within five years.

Putin in 2023 signed a bill revoking Russias ratification of a global nuclear test ban, which Moscow said was needed to put Russia on par with the US. The global test ban was signed by Bill Clinton in 1996 but never ratified by the US senate.

Earlier this year, Mr Trump signalled he wanted to resume nuclear arms control talks with Russia and China and has called for denuclearisation during his second term.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson called on the US to refrain from carrying out nuclear tests.

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China hopes the US will earnestly fulfil its obligations under the comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty and honour its commitment to suspend nuclear testing, Guo Jiakun said at a briefing in Beijing.

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NEED TO KNOW

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said she has no plans to halt ICE activities in Chicago over Halloween weekend

During an interview on Oct. 30, Noem said her agents would not be heeding Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's request to pause anti-immigration activities so Chicago children could trick-or-treat in peace

Her remarks come just days after a 76-year-old U.S. citizen allegedly had his ribs broken during a children's Halloween parade in Chicago's Old Irving Park neighborhood

With Halloween weekend approaching, some residents of U.S. cities where President Donald Trump has mobilized federal troops are concerned about their children trick-or-treating amid masked and armed ICE officers.

During an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Oct. 30, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was asked about the letter that Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker wrote her this week "respectfully requesting" that DHS suspend immigration enforcement operations for the upcoming weekend "in and around homes, schools, hospitals, parks, houses of worship, and other community gatherings where Halloween celebrations are taking place."

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"Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear. No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick or treating in their own neighborhood," the governor wrote.

When asked if she was considering altering DHS activity in Chicago for the Halloween holiday, Noem replied simply, "No."

In fact, she continued, "We're gonna be out on the streets in full force and increase our activities to make sure kids are safe."

"Every day in Chicago, we're arresting murderers, child pedophiles, those who have perpetuated assault and pornography on children," Noem claimed.

FOX: Pritzker has asked you specifically to pause immigration enforcement operations in Chicago so kids can safety celebrate Halloween. Do you have any plans to alter activity tomorrow?



NOEM: No. We're gonna be out on the streets in full force and increase our activities to make pic.twitter.com/DQ08B2LHnv  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 30, 2025

"We're gonna be out there to make sure that they can be safe, enjoy the holiday, spend some time with their families and their neighbors and their communities, and they don't have to be the victim of a crime because of these illegal aliens that are in our country victimizing them," she continued.

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Her update comes just days after a 76-year-old U.S. citizen was pinned to the road by Border Patrol agents during a children's Halloween parade in Chicago's Old Irving Park neighborhood last weekend.

The man's running club, DWRunning Club, shared their account of what allegedly happened during the violent arrest on Saturday, Oct. 25.

One of our athletes was on his way home from a team long run yesterday and as he turned onto his block, found that Border Control had the road blocked, DWRunning Club alleged on an Instagram Story. The agents threatened to break his window if he didnt move his car. Before he could act, they pulled him out of his car, knelt on his back, and subdued him, though he never resisted. They broke six of his ribs and caused internal bleeding.

In a video of the incident shared by the club, onlookers could be heard asking officers to ease up on the man.

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"You're f---ing suffocating him!" one said, as another told them, "He's 76 years old. Be easy on him."

Border Patrol agents allegedly broke the ribs of a 76-year-old U.S. citizen during a violent arrest on Oct. 25

After the incident, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin shared a statement with PEOPLE, writing, 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," she continued, adding that two U.S. citizens were ultimately arrested for allegedly "assaulting and impeding a federal officer."

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.

"To safely clear the area after multiple warnings and the crowd continuing to advance on them, Border Patrol had to deploy crowd control measures," she wrote, justifying the actions by claiming that federal agents are "facing a 1000% increase in assaults against them."

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"Secretary Noems message to the rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down," McLaughlin continued. "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.

Read the original article on People
Kristi Noem refused JB Pritzkers appeal to pause ICE operations for Halloween, instead assuring theyll be out in full force.

While speaking on Fox News, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary revealed she rejected the Illinois Governors appeal to her earlier Thursday to let Chicago kids enjoy the holiday without fear of ICE intervention. Instead, the city should expect an increase in presence, she said.

No, were going to be out on the streets in full force and increase our activities to make sure kids are safe, Noem said. Every day in Chicago, were arresting murderers, child pedophiles, those who have perpetuated assault and pornography against children. Were going to be out there to make sure that they can be safe, enjoy the holidays, spend some time with their families and their neighbors and their communities, and they dont have to be the victim of a crime because of these illegal aliens that are in our country victimizing them.

Pritzker made his plea during a press conference earlier Thursday. He explained that he sent a letter to Noem asking for an ICE break so kids and families could enjoy the holiday cheer without the presence of government officials and threat of detainments.

FOX: Pritzker has asked you specifically to pause immigration enforcement operations in Chicago so kids can safety celebrate Halloween. Do you have any plans to alter activity tomorrow?



NOEM: No. We're gonna be out on the streets in full force and increase our activities to make pic.twitter.com/DQ08B2LHnv  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 30, 2025

Im asking for basic human decency, Pritzker said. I think their response will be revealing. Theyve disrupted everything for more than two months already. Give the children and families of Illinois a break.

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The governor has increasingly spoken out against the Trump administrations ongoing ICE raids in Chicago over the last several weeks. Despite denying he compared the president to Hitler earlier while interviewing with MSNBCs Nicolle Wallace on Monday, just lat week, he drew parallels at The Economic Club of Chicago between Trumps leveraging of ICE and the border patrol to the Nazis.

This is how authoritarian regimes do it, Pritzker said. 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. 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.

He added: I can tell you, sitting next to Holocaust survivors, that what they will say in this moment is, This is what happened. This is what happened  peoples rights started getting taken away. People got accused of being immigrants  this is before the Holocaust really took place.

The post Kristi Noem Spikes JB Pritzkers Appeal to Pause ICE Raids on Halloween: On the Streets in Full Force | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
Earlier this year, the Kyrene Elementary School District announced plans to close nine of its campuses by 2028.

Now, under a revised plan, two of those schools could be spared.

The district has been experiencing a steady decline in enrollment for over two decades. Kyrene Elementary currently serves approximately 12,000 students, roughly 40% fewer than in 2001. The district is expected to lose $7 million in funds over the next five years due to the decline.

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In 2024, the district created a long-range planning committee of nearly 60 parents, employees and community members to address these challenges. Committee members proposed closing nine schools within the next three years.

Here's what to know about the potential school closures in Kyrene Elementary.

Which Kyrene Elementary schools will be closing?

Kyrene Elementary has 25 campuses across 130 square miles in south Phoenix, Ahwatukee Foothills, Chandler, Tempe, Guadalupe and the Gila River Indian Community.

The district announced plans to consolidate schools and create dedicated campuses for dual language and gifted education during a Governing Board meeting on Aug. 5. The goal was to sustain enrollment and attract families from outside the district, according to Laura Toenjes, the superintendent of Kyrene Elementary.

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These are the nine campuses in Kyrene Elementary that were proposed for closure:

Kyrene del Milenio Elementary School

Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary School

Kyrene de la Colina Elementary School

Akimel A-al Middle School

Kyrene de la Mariposa Elementary School

Kyrene de la Mirada Elementary School

Kyrene del Norte Elementary School

Pueblo Middle School

Kyrene Traditional Academy

If the closures are approved, Kyrene del Milenio, Kyrene de la Estrella and Kyrene de la Colina would close in the 2026-27 school year. Akimel A-al, Kyrene de la Mariposa and Kyrene de la Mirada would close in the 2027-28 school year, and Kyrene del Norte, Pueblo Middle School and Kyrene Traditional would close in the 2028-29 school year.

More than 100 people protested the plan at a Sept. 16 Governing Board meeting. Kevin Walsh, president of the Kyrene Elementary Governing Board, proposed that the district consider alternatives that would result in fewer schools closing.

Committee offers alternative with fewer school closures

A new proposal from the long-range planning committee was presented on Sept. 19 following feedback from Walsh and community members. The new proposal would keep Kyrene de la Mirada and Kyrene del Norte open and instead close Kyrene de las Manitas Elementary School.

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Under this new plan, Kyrene de las Manitas would close in the 2026-27 school year. Kyrene del Norte, like Kyrene de los Lagos, would remain a dual-language school but become open enrollment only, and Kyrene del Milenio would be repurposed as a dedicated gifted academy.

Public hearings on the plan were held in October and will continue in November. The board could vote on the final restructuring proposal as early as December.

Redrawing school attendance boundaries cannot be finalized until the board votes on a plan, Toenjes said.

Coverage of education solutions on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is partially supported by a grant from the Arizona Local News Foundations Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: These are the Kyrene Elementary schools that could close by 2028
Scheduled La Vergne government meetings will continue at City Hall but without livestreaming due to recent cybersecurity incident, the city announced Oct. 29.

"When available, audio recordings of the meetings will be uploaded to the citys YouTube channel as soon as possible," said the news release from La Vergne government spokeswoman Donna Tracy.

"The city remains committed to maintaining public access and transparency while technical adjustments are made."

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Residents are encouraged to attend meetings in person or follow updates on the citys website and official social media channels for the latest information.

The La Vergne Board of Mayor and Aldermen is scheduled to meet for a workshop at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at City Hall, according to the government's website. The workshop will prepare the board for a 6 p.m. Nov. 4 regular meeting, La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole confirmed.

UPDATE: La Vergne city investigates cyberattack with FBI, TBI: 'We are checking all computers'

City offices remain open but with technology limits

This rendering shows the new La Vergne Public Works and Community Development Services Building at 1500 E. Nir Shreibman Blvd.

City offices remain open in limited capacity as investigations continue into the recent cybersecurity incident, according to the updated Oct. 29 news release from Tracy.

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The La Vergne government is working with a third-party cybersecurity team, the FBI and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, according to the initial Oct. 20 news release from Tracy.

City Hall and City Court will be open for regular business hours on Oct. 30 but with limited functions, according to the updated Oct. 29 news release from Tracy.

Notary services will be available at both City Hall and the Public Works/Community Development Services Building at 1500 E. Nir Shreibman Blvd.

The La Vergne Library, however, remains closed at this time.

Ransomware attack issue: Rutherford County Schools alert 2014 graduate, others about identity theft related 2024 cyberattack

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Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. To support his work, with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: La Vergne cyber incident means city meetings without livestreaming
The governments review into the UKs most-claimed disability and health-related benefit has delivered a new update as new experts are appointed to help lead the process.

Chaired by disability and social security minister Sir Stephen Timms, the review focuses on the personal independence payment (PIP), which is currently claimed by 3.8 million people. The benefit is designed to help with extra costs incurred by living with an illness or disability.

Earlier this year, Labours proposals to tweak the assessment criteria for the benefit to effectively make it harder to claim were met with fierce opposition from campaign groups and politicians.

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Ministers backed down on the plans in late June after over 100 Labour MPs threatened to vote against the government on the measures. The concession  and review  was announced by Sir Stephen in the middle of the debate on the legislation.

Sir Stephen Timms, who is leading a review into personal independence payments (UK Parliament) (PA Media)

The work will focus largely on the PIP assessment process, which has long been criticised by disability rights campaigners. Sir Stephen is expected to report his findings by Autumn 2026, with an interim report sometime before that.

One of the key criticisms against the governments plans was over the governments lack of consultation with disabled people on the changes, leading to accusations that the legislation had been rushed through.

To address this, the so-called Timms Review will be co-produced with disabled people, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said, beginning with its two newly-announced co-chairs, Dr Clenton Farquharson and Sharon Brennan.

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Dr Farquharson has more than 25 years experience as a national advocate for disability rights, and social justice, according to the DWP.

Ms Brennan meanwhile has expertise as a director of policy and external affairs at National Voices, a coalition of health and care charities, and has advised the Department for Transport on accessibility as a member of the disabled persons transport advisory committee.

Sir Stephen said: Were ensuring disabled people and those with long-term health conditions can access the same opportunities, choices, and chances as everyone else.

Thats why were putting them at the heart of the first ever full review of PIP  making sure it is fair and fit for the future.

Sir Stephen Timms said the Government will hold off making changes to the PIP eligibility criteria until he has finished a review into the payments (John Stillwell/PA) (PA Wire)

Im delighted to welcome Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE and Sharon Brennan as the Reviews co-chairs and encourage people with lived experience to apply to be part of this important work.

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The announcement of the new chairs also marks the beginning of the recruitment process for the reviews wider steering group. The DWP says it is aiming to recruit 12 members for this group, the majority of whom will be disabled people or representatives of disabled peoples organisations.

This group will oversee a programme of participation, the department adds, drawing on a broad range of evidence and sources.

James Taylor, executive director of strategy at Scope, said: Life costs a lot more for disabled people, and PIP is vital. But there are problems which need fixing, such as assessments getting it wrong, and a lack of trust between assessors and disabled people.

We welcome the announcement that a group of disabled experts will be at the heart of this review, but a lot of good faith has been put in ministers commitments to co-produce reforms with disabled people. Its vital the government keeps this promise.

We will continue to push for the DWP to listen to the experiences of the millions who rely on PIP to live, and who understand their extra costs better than anyone.
Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary on Thursday hailed the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to hike sugarcane prices by Rs 30 per quintal, calling it a "historic decision" taken in the interest of farmers under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and in coordination with the Central government. "This is a historic decision...The Central government and state government, under the leadership of UP CM Yogi Adityanath, are taking decisions in the interests of farmers," he said while speaking to ANI. In a landmark decision aimed at bolstering the welfare of sugarcane farmers, the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday announced a historic hike of 30 per quintal in the sugarcane price for the 2025-26 crushing season. The new rates have been fixed at 400 per quintal for early varieties and 390 per quintal for general varieties, bringing smiles to the faces of millions of farmers across the state. This price revision is set to result in an additional payment of 23,000 crore directly to farmers, underscoring the government's commitment to their prosperity, according to X handle of the CMO office. Since assuming office in 2017, the Yogi administration has raised the sugarcane support price four times, a stark contrast to previous regimes. The X post of the CMO office further stated that, highlighting the scale of financial support, the government has disbursed a record 2,90,225 crore to sugarcane farmers over the past eight years. In comparison, only 1,47,346 crore was paid out from 2007 to 2017 under the previous governments. This translates to an excess payment of 1,42,879 crore under the current dispensation in just over eight years, compared to the decade-long tenure of its predecessors. According to the state government, the sugar industry in Uttar Pradesh has also witnessed a remarkable revival. Currently, 122 sugar mills are operational in the state, ranking second nationally. The Yogi government has reversed the damage inflicted by earlier administrations, which saw 21 mills sold at throwaway prices. Additionally, 12,000 crore has been invested in the sector over the past eight years. In a boost to infrastructure, four new sugar mills have been established, six closed units have been restarted, and capacity has been expanded in 42 existing mills. This has effectively increased production capacity equivalent to eight new large mills. Additionally, compressed biogas (CBG) plants have been installed in two mills. To eliminate middlemen and ensure transparency, the 'Smart Sugarcane Farmer' system has made the entire sugarcane slip arrangement fully online. (ANI)
Public school leaders in Lackawanna County are concerned the lack of payments from a late state budget will affect their operations.

Administrators say they are relying on other sources to fund their districts but worry the four-month-late budget will cause them to make decisions that could affect students, faculty and taxpayers.

Old Forge School District Superintendent Christopher Gatto outlined the struggles of his district in a letter to Republican lawmakers last week. He said the approximately $4 million in state funding the district hasnt received from the state represents roughly 40% of its annual state allocation.

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While the Commonwealth continues to earn interest on funds that have not yet been allocated, districts like ours are being forced to take out Tax Anticipation Notes just to make payroll and cover operations, he wrote. We are paying interest on borrowed money that we never budgeted for, while the state benefits from holding the very funds owed to our students. The states accounts are accruing interest while small districts like Old Forge are draining reserves and borrowing to stay open. Every day that passes without resolution deepens that inequity and drives up local costs.

Public entities like school districts have the ability to take out a specific kind of loan, called a tax revenue anticipation note, that is paid back with future tax revenue. They typically are paid back within a year.

Gatto said in the letter that the districts limited tax base and rising needs make raising $4 million impossible, adding 23% of students require special education services, there are 60 English language learners in the district, and safety and mental health concerns are growing. He said the district is delaying intervention programs, freezing positions and deferring maintenance to remain solvent.

These choices weaken the very foundation of public education that both parties claim to defend, he wrote.

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Gatto said in a phone conversation Wednesday that the district has had to prioritize paying salaries, benefits and utilities and hold off on paying bills from vendors that are nonessential.

Were working through the bills and were trying to pay them as we can, he said. but there are a lot of vendors that we have had to put on hold and not pay them.

He said officials have explained the lack of a state budget to vendors and most have been understanding. Officials are also looking at freezing professional programs for teachers that take place after school.

To stay afloat, the board agreed to take out a $1.5 million tax anticipation note last month to fill the void left by the lack of state funding. Gatto said that money will get the district through to the holiday season. He worries the district will have to either take out another note or increase the amount in the current one if a budget isnt approved before then.

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The one thing that is completely discouraging is that were not hearing much coming out of Harrisburg, and right now the money that they have that should be coming to us is earning interest in Harrisburgs coffers while we sit here and we have to take out tax anticipation notes and pay interest on those that we did not budget for, he said.

Lakeland School District, which is waiting for around $3.4 million from the state, also took out a $3 million tax anticipation note.

Superintendent Marc Wyandt said revenue from the districts fund balance and local taxes has allowed officials not to cut programs but he anticipates they may have to consider doing so if a budget isnt approved.

Should this drag on further, at some point in the not-too-distant future, we will definitely be curtailing programs that will impact opportunities for our students, he said. The real impact is that our students only get one senior year or one junior year and a lot of these opportunities, while they may be recurring in school districts, students themselves may only be getting one opportunity to participate in a lot of these programs, and so anytime you enact a freeze or a cut to programs, the impact on students is profound.

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Wyandt said only supplies that are critical to school operations are being purchased and the district is not making purchases beyond that.

Administrators in the Valley View School District said real estate taxes, which are received between August and December, are keeping them and other districts in the state afloat.

Were getting all of our real estate tax money now but the concern is theres no idea when this budget is going to pass and how long its going to go on for, Business Manager Corey Castellani said. Once we start hitting the point where the real estate money starts slowing down, I think a lot of school districts are going to be in the same situation and its really going to start affecting the day-to-day operations of the district.

Superintendent Brian Durkin said if the state budget isnt approved, they will have to look at prioritizing funding for education and safety of students and hold off on nonessential items like field trips.

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Right now were keeping everything status quo, were doing everything tight, were looking at things coming through, is it critical for the education of our students, he said. Were doing no wasteful spending whatsoever.

In the Scranton School District, administrators already cut after-school and before-school tutoring for students and professional development classes for teachers at the start of the school year, and they are not authorizing overtime. This will ensure the district can keep paying its teachers and keep the lights on through the end of the calendar year.

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed a $51.4 billion budget in February, up from $48.3 billion last year. Much of the proposed increase accounts for rising Medicaid costs, along with continued aid for poor school districts and more money for mass transit. However, Republicans who control the state Senate have balked at such an increase.

While it isnt the first time state lawmakers have missed the June 30 deadline  Pennsylvanias budget has been late every year since Shapiro took office  this year marks the longest impasse during the governors tenure. Recent impasses have been resolved by the fall, allowing schools to obtain state funding by the time students return. However, this years stalemate has stretched two months into the school year, forcing an increasing number of districts to make difficult funding decisions.

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The impact is being felt especially hard in districts that serve poorer areas, which have less robust tax bases and tend to get a bigger percentage of their budgets from the state.

Both Wyandt and Gatto are calling on the Legislature to pass the budget. Gatto concluded his letter to lawmakers urging the state Senate leadership to pass a continuing appropriation or interim budget, to immediately release education funds and fulfill the 2016 Commonwealth Court mandate by fully implementing the adequacy formula that corrects funding inequities.

Wyandt said the district is calling on the Legislature to approve a budget that fairly funds all school districts and includes priorities such as cyber charter school reform.

At the heart of this is students who are impacted in a profound way by this budget impasse, he said.

Spotlight PA contributed to this report.
NEED TO KNOW

Laken Snelling must submit to electronic monitoring as part of her pretrial release

She also will be subjected to house arrest in only one location

The former cheerleader is facing charges after a newborn baby was found dead in her closet

Laken Snelling, the former University of Kentucky cheerleader whose newborn was allegedly found dead in a closet, must start wearing an electronic monitor by next week, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.

Judge Melissa Moore Murphy also ordered Snelling to serve out the remainder of her house arrest at the home of her father, as opposed to splitting her time between both her mother and father's home as the outlined in the court's initial pretrial release conditions.

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Snelling must also contact Pretrial Services within seven days "to facilitate the commencement of electronic monitoring," according to the order.

It is unclear why the judge decided to modify the conditions of Snelling's release. First Assistant County Attorney John Hyne, who submitted the proposed order to the court, did not respond to a request for comment.

Snelling is still waiting to see if she will be indicted by a grand jury on criminal charges stemming from the events of Aug. 27, when, it is alleged, she gave birth "to a baby which fell onto the floor of her bedroom," according to a pair of search warrant affidavits obtained by PEOPLE detailing her hospital bed interviews with members of the Lexington Police Department.

Snelling allegedly admitted to wrapping the baby in a towel and putting it in a trash bag along with her placenta, according to the affidavit.

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Snelling then left her off-campus home to attend class, but then returned just a few hours later  where officers arrested her after receiving a call from her concerned roommates, who found blood in her room, according to the affidavits.

Snelling initially faced charges of abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.

She entered a not guilty plea to those charges and was released on a $100,000 surety bond.

The judge then agreed to place Snelling on house arrest ahead of her trial, and allowed her to move back to Tennessee.

Snelling informed the University of Kentucky she would no longer be attending the school the day after her initial court hearing, a spokesperson told PEOPLE.

Snelling's attorney declined to comment when reached by PEOPLE.

Read the original article on People
A Lakewood man is accused of sending multiple veiled death threats in response to social-media posts by Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson.

Prosecutors charged Casey Cutter Patterson, 34, on Oct. 22 with threats against governor or family and intimidating a public servant, according to court records.

Patterson was arrested on a bench warrant Monday afternoon, jail records show. He pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment Tuesday. Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner Barbara McInvaile set bail at $200,000.

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McInvaille also ordered a 10-year no-contact order be in place for Ferguson, court records show.

No attorney was listed for Patterson in court records, and he remains in custody at the Pierce County Jail.

Investigators say Patterson began posting replies to Fergusons X, formerly Twitter, account when the governor was the states attorney general in 2023. Pattersons posts initially were protected under the First Amendment and were mostly looked at as an upset constituent, according to charging documents. That changed starting January 2024 when investigators say Pattersons comments changed in tone.

Patterson allegedly posted pictures of the front door to Fergusons house multiple times, documents show. That began in March 2024 when he allegedly posted on X, Hey Bob, heres your frequent reminder that you actually have no power over the people. The constitution limits you, not us. We have the right to alter or abolish our government when it no longer serves us. Heres a picture of a quaint front door to help you sleep at night.

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The pattern of allegedly posting photos of Fergusons door continued, including in March 2024 when he allegedly posted the photo four times in a 19-span day.

The Washington State Patrol Criminal Investigations Department looked into the posts and said it was unclear if Patterson himself took the picture or if he got it from somewhere. It was later determined he had allegedly taken the picture himself before posting it frequently.

A lieutenant from WSP spoke to Patterson over the phone on March 24, 2024, saying the picture was a concern to law enforcement and Ferguson.

The lieutenant reportedly said, Mr. Ferguson does not want to be contacted, followed, tracked, or monitored in his personal life, according to charging documents. A summary of the conversation with Patterson said the defendant was agreeable, and he claimed he never threatened Ferguson. Documents show Patterson did not post or reply to Fergusons accounts for a long period after the phone call.

Gov. Bob Ferguson, right, listens to questions from the community during a visit to the White River Bridge on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Enumclaw. A Pierce County man has been charged with allegedly threatening the governor. Liesbeth Powers/Liesbeth Powers / lpowers@thenewstribune.com

That started again in Nov. 24, 2024 when Patterson allegedly replied to an X post made by another account, saying, I know hes worried about his address, which is public information. He had WSP contact me for tweeting a picture of his front door. Im going to keep tweeting it.

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Documents allegedly show that throughout the end of 2024 and into 2025, Patterson posted multiple times a picture of the governors front door or disclosing his address, which investigators say he likely got from the Public Disclosure Commission.

Documents allege Pattersons posts also questioned the ability of Fergusons personal security detail, with one post from Oct. 2 saying, Id like to remind you that we have more guns than you and your WSP PSD, and we know where you live. A few months earlier in August 2025, Patterson allegedly posted a picture of an AR-15 and referred to Fergusons personal security detail.

WSP investigators found through a search warrant of Pattersons X account that he had a screenshot of a public disclosure request for information regarding former Gov. Jay Inslees personal security detail. Detectives also obtained direct messages Patterson sent on Feb. 27, 2024 containing pictures of Fergusons front door and vehicle.

Detectives sought an arrest warrant, alleging that Pattersons posts escalated over time, and the statements he made, as well as the pictures, posed as a credible threat to Ferguson. Documents show a detective was concerned that Patterson would move towards physical violence if he was simply issued a summons to court, rather than being arrested on a warrant.

Patterson does not have any previous convictions, according to court records.
This story was originally posted on MyNorthwest.com

A Lakewood man was charged on Oct. 22 with allegedly making multiple death threats toward Washington Governor Bob Ferguson via comments over social media.

Casey Cutter Patterson, 34, made several veiled death threats toward Ferguson that were posted as replies on the Governors X account, according to The News Tribune.

After Patterson was arrested on a bench warrant Monday, he pleaded not guilty to the charges the following day, and his bail was set at $200,000.

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Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner Barbara McInvaile also ordered a 10-year no-contact order for Patterson, who is currently in custody at the Pierce County Jail.

Lakewood man allegedly captures photos of Fergusons home

Investigators revealed that Patterson began to reply to Fergusons social media posts while he was the Washington Attorney General in 2023.

Initially, Pattersons comments were not deemed threatening and were protected under the First Amendment as free speech, but in January 2024, Pattersons tone shifted.

Patterson allegedly posted photos of the front door of Fergusons home several times, accompanied by threatening statements, with a specific March 2024 post being highlighted.

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Hey Bob, heres your frequent reminder that you actually have no power over the people, Patterson posted, according to The News Tribune, citing court documents. The constitution limits you, not us. We have the right to alter or abolish our government when it no longer serves us. Heres a picture of a quaint front door to help you sleep at night.

Pattersons threatening behavior continued, as he allegedly posted the photo of Fergusons front door four times over 19 days.

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) Criminal Investigations Department previously claimed it was unknown if Patterson took the photo himself, but it was later determined that he did allegedly capture the image of Fergusons front door.

A WSP lieutenant contacted Patterson on March 24, 2024, stating that his social media behavior had raised concerns.

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Mr. Ferguson does not want to be contacted, followed, tracked, or monitored in his personal life, the lieutenant reportedly said, according to The News Tribune, citing court documents.

Patterson claimed he did not make any threatening statements toward Ferguson, and did not post or reply on the Governors pages for a long time after speaking with the lieutenant.

Threatening messages return months later

The concerning statements returned in November 2024, when Patterson allegedly replied to an account not affiliated with Ferguson, stating that he would continue using photos of the Governors front door.

I know hes worried about his address, which is public information, Patterson said, according to The News Tribune, citing court documents. He had WSP contact me for tweeting a picture of his front door. Im going to keep tweeting it.

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Court documents revealed that Patterson allegedly continued to post photos of Fergusons door, or posts disclosing his address, through the end of 2024 and into 2025.

Another August 2025 post that raised concerns was Patterson allegedly uploading a photo of an AR-15, which was followed up with an Oct. 2 statement alluding to Fergusons security detail.

Id like to remind you that we have more guns than you and your WSP PSD, and we know where you live, Patterson posted, according to The News Tribune, citing court documents.

Detectives pursued an arrest warrant for Patterson, alleging that his statements had escalated in severity and posed a legitimate threat to Ferguson.

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Court documents noted detectives opted to move forward with an arrest warrant due to the possibility of Patterson resorting to physical violence in response to a court summons.

Patterson does not have any prior convictions, according to The News Tribune, citing court records.

Follow Jason Sutich on X. Send news tips here.
UPDATE, 10/30/25, 4:18 p.m.: I-10 eastbound lanes are open for travel. Exit 103B and entrance ramp 101A remain closed.

UPDATE, 10/30/25, 2:30 p.m.: One lane of eastbound I-10 has been opened for traffic, authorities said. Also, the on-ramps from Ambassador Caffery and University Avenue have been opened.

The right lane of I-10 is still closed for cleanup, so remain patient for slower traffic.

Additional openings are expected to follow within the next two hours, officials said.

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ORIGINAL STORY: LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)  Eastbound I-10 is at a standstill in Lafayette due to a fire, authorities said.

All lanes of eastbound I-10 are blocked due to a vehicle fire at the Evangeline Thruway interchange.

I-10 Eastbound is closed and all traffic is being diverted off the interstate at the University Avenue exit. The I-10 Eastbound on-ramp at I-49 is also closed.

At least one person was injured, and was taken to a local hospital, officials said.

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KLFY Daily Digest

The Lafayette Police Department said the road is closed due to a major incident involving an 18-wheeler fire. Preliminary investigation suggests the truck struck a guard rail before catching fire, authorities said.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Latest news

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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.
Parents in Locust Grove are concerned about their childrens safety while trick-or-treating this Halloween after reports of a large bobcat or cougar wandering the neighborhood.

The sightings of the wild cat have been reported by residents, and the animal has been captured on video, Channel 2s Tom Regan learned.

Neighbors have also heard high-pitched sounds coming from the woods at night, adding to the concern.

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With Halloween tomorrow and everybody trick-or-treating, Im just nervous, said Lindsey Walker, a resident of the neighborhood. I want to get the word out there, so parents are aware of what could be lurking in the woods or walking around the neighborhood.

Brian Harper said the neighborhood watch app post caught everyone off guard, prompting him to take extra precautions when taking his kids out for Halloween.

We will stay in a group, we wont do any individual walking around, he said.

Lindsey Walker reported that the wild animal came within 50 yards of her home and described hearing bone-chilling screams at night.

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The Department of Natural Resources analyzed photos sent by a neighbor and concluded that the animal appears to be a large bobcat.

Ben McCullar, Urban Wildlife Manager at DNR, stated that bobcats are not known to be aggressive toward people.

McCullar advised residents to keep their dogs on a leash when out at night and recommended scaring off the bobcat if it approaches.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Through the final days of this years campaign for New York City mayor, Andrew Cuomo has at times lived up to the nickname he earned in the early days of his political career: the prince of darkness.

Cuomo relaunched his mayoral campaign after his shocking Democratic primary loss, telling New Yorkers he was in it to win it in a video he filmed standing on a tree-lined sidewalk under the July sun. He would acknowledge he needed to embrace social media and address voter concerns about affordability.

Over the four months that followed, Cuomo zigzagged between optimism about his candidacy and despair about the possible mayoralty of Zohran Mamdani. He has described his run as the last chance New Yorkers will have to save the city from Mamdanis democratic socialism, once referring in a debate to the 34-year-old Mamdani as a kid and warning that his ideas were radical and unrealistic.

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Cuomos final general election ad leans on his executive experience and also questions whether Mamdani has enough.

Life in New York is tough right now, he says in the ad. Candidates who need on-the-job training cant fix it.

Ahead of Tuesdays election, early voting numbers were up dramatically ahead of the same point in 2021, reflecting the interest New Yorkers have in a mayoral race unlike any in recent memory. The latest Quinnipiac University poll had 43% of likely voters backing Mamdani versus 33% for Cuomo and 14% for Republican Curtis Sliwa.

And in a new Marist Poll of likely New York City voters released Thursday, Mamdani had 48% support over Cuomos 32% and Sliwas 16%. Indeed, every major poll on the race has found Mamdani with a double-digit lead over Cuomo, though the vast majority have found Mamdani below 50% support, according to Jennifer Agiesta, CNN Director of Polling and Analytics.

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With the exception of Foxs survey earlier this month, every high-quality poll on the contest conducted since the Democratic primary has found Mamdanis support landing between 43 and 48 percent. While Cuomo has made up some ground over that time, with his support rising from the mid-20s in early polls to consistent low-30s support, he continues to lag well behind the frontrunner.

Yet in the past week, aides to Cuomo have pointed to the early voting surge as evidence that his standing in the polls is not as bad as it seems.

Voters cast their ballots during New York's early voting period, at a polling station in the Brooklyn Museum in New York's Brooklyn borough on October 25. - Angelina Katsanis/Reuters

Cuomo suggested on Wednesday that New Yorkers were just tuning into the race.

Weve been focusing on it, but people have been living their lives. You now get down to the last week, theyre starting to focus, Cuomo said. Youre talking about a general election where many normal New Yorkers are going to vote and I think theres gonna be a big turnout because (Mamdani) frightens New Yorkers.

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Mamdanis backers remain far more enthusiastic about their choice than are Cuomos supporters, according to the Quinnipiac poll.

The survey also found a rise in how many New Yorkers have an unfavorable view of Mamdani (45% favorable to 41% unfavorable versus earlier in October when those figures stood at 43% favorable to 35% unfavorable).

Still, 54% of New Yorkers had unfavorable views of Cuomo versus just 34% favorable.

In the final stretch of the campaign, Democrats who previously supported Cuomo, political observers and even former aides of the governor were astounded after he laughed with a radio host who suggested Mamdani would cheer another 9/11. Cuomo later said he believed the hosts comments were offensive as Mamdani accused him of playing to Islamophobia.

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Days later, during an appearance on Comedy Centrals The Daily Show, host Jon Stewart joked with Mamdani about their back-and-forth.

You are clearly in the front-runner position right now  I can tell because they have gone 9/11 on you, Stewart said eliciting laughter from the crowd.

The closing argument, Mamdani responded.

Cuomo reframes his legacy

With every post and campaign stop, Cuomo tried a new media strategy while leaning into the legacy items of his 11 years as governor, including legalizing same-sex marriage and raising the minimum wage. In doing so, Cuomo argued that he is the mayoral races original progressive.

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I was a crazy liberal, Cuomo said during an appearance on SiriusXMs Andy Cohen Live show. Now, the partys moved so far left, they call me a moderate.

Cuomo resigned in 2021 amid an investigation into sexual harassment allegations that he has denied and questions about how he handled Covid-19 in nursing homes.

He won an endorsement Wednesday from US Rep. Tom Suozzi, a Long Island Democrat whose district includes parts of Queens.

I cannot back a declared socialist with a thin resume to run the most complex city in America, Suozzi wrote on X. We need leaders who will fight crime, not undermine the police. Who will create jobs, not harm the economy. Who will keep taxes down, not make it more expensive for middle class families to live here.

Embracing his inner influencer

As his campaign apparatus tried to catch up on social media, Cuomo was dismissing its significance in public.

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Standing on the debate stage, Cuomo poked fun of Mamdanis social media fluency, holding his hands up in the air, rocking side to side while moving his hands in a talking motion.

Its a TikTok dance, Cuomo said.

Even as he mocked the videos that helped propel his opponent, Cuomo admitted they were effective. He has started posting videos of him meeting with New Yorkers that some Mamdani allies think are copying the Democratic nominees style.

He was very effective on it. His mothers a film director, filmmaker. Hes an actor slash rapper. They did highly produced videos that were very effective. And thats his sweet spot, Cuomo said on Cohens show.

New York mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo speaks during a campaign event at a senior center in The Bronx on Tuesday. - Seth Wenig/AP

He appeared recently at a Cool Girls for Capitalism event held in a swanky Tribeca members-only club known as Maxwell Social, where hosts doled out pink T-shirts and stickers emblazoned with the group name.

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At a Young Professionals For Cuomo fundraiser hosted by the independent candidates daughters, attendants got a chance to secure T-shirts showing a cartoon Cuomo surrounded by friendly iconography  a Statue of Liberty, the Star of David, a cross, a pretzel and a smiling apple.

Experience, experience, experience

Much like he did in the primary, Cuomo continued to lean on his experience, trying to draw a contrast between himself and Mamdani, who has served three terms in the State Assembly.

Cuomo focused on public safety, appealing to fears that Mamdanis police reform agenda would lead to an increase in crime and demoralize police officers.

The former governor has proposed hiring more officers and argued homeless people should be moved off the streets. A former housing secretary under President Bill Clinton, Cuomo said the city had suffered through years of inept governments who could not get projects off the ground.

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On the day of Hurricane Sandys anniversary in New York City, Cuomo was once again on the trail reminding voters of his experience and what he believed is at stake.

You need experience. You need the ability. You need the wisdom to know what to do because literally lives depend on you, Cuomo said.

On Wednesday, Cuomo got the endorsement of former Mayor Michael Bloomberg who was in office on the day Hurricane Sandy devastated the city.

Bloomberg, who also endorsed Cuomo in the primary and donated millions to a Cuomo Super PAC, reiterated his support for the governor and highlighted his experience.

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Being Mayor of New York City is the second toughest job in America, and the next mayor will face immense challenges, Bloomberg wrote in a post on X. Andrew Cuomo has the experience and toughness to stand up for New Yorkers and get things done.

CNNs David Wright contributed to this report.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to accurately reflect Curtis Sliwas polling position in a new Marist Poll of likely New York City voters.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
DUBLIN, Va. (WFXR)  The Fletcher Gallery at New River Community College (NRCC) is presenting Lasting Impressions, an exhibition honoring the influence of NRCCs beloved former art department chair and educator Aileen Fletcher.

Officials say the show features works by three accomplished photographers and educators from the New River Valley, Kathleen Linkous, James Knipe, and William Ratcliffe, whose artistic careers were influenced by Fletchers mentorship.

The exhibition opened on October 29 and will remain on display through December 19 in the Fletcher Gallery located in Godbey Hall at NRCCs campus in Dublin. The exhibit is free and open to the public during the Dublin campuss regular hours.

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According to officials, an additional reception with refreshments will be held on Friday, November 7, at 1 p.m. This event will provide guests with the opportunity to meet the artists and celebrate Fletchers enduring impact on the regional art community.

Aileen Fletchers enjoyment of the arts was contagious, said featured artist and former NRCC student Kathleen Linkous. She went beyond teaching technique  she taught us to use fine art to navigate life, to express ourselves, and even to heal. Her encouragement shaped my career as both an artist and educator.

Officials say Linkous began her studies at NRCC before earning both a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art from Radford University, where she specialized in photography. She has exhibited widely, juried numerous photography shows, and received multiple awards for her work.

Knipe, Professor Emeritus of Art at Radford University, taught for over 20 years and directed the universitys photography program, according to officials at NRCC. His work has appeared in more than two dozen solo exhibitions and over 100 group shows and is represented in museums and private collections.



According to officials, Ratcliffe began his photography journey in 1993 and went on to earn both a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Fine Art Photography. He has exhibited in numerous solo and group shows across the U.S. and abroad, published in magazines in both the United States and the Philippines, and received several awards for his fine art photography.



NRCC officials say that together, these three artists embody Fletchers creative legacy and the inspiration she instilled in generations of students.



For more information about the Fletcher Gallery or upcoming exhibitions, contact Dr. Tammy Parks at 540-674-3600, ext. 4468 or tparks@nr.edu.

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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.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has appointed advocate Shri Singh as the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) to conduct the trial in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack case on behalf of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). As per notification issued by the MHA, Shri Singh will represent the NIA before the NIA Special Court, Jammu, and the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh for a period of three years, or until the completion of the trial--whichever is earlier. The appointment has been made under sub-section (1) of Section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, read with sub-section (8) of Section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of2008), read with sub-section (8) of section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the Central Government hereby appoints Mr. Shri Singh, Advocate as Special Public Prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case No. RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU, on behalf of the National Investigation Agency, before the NIA Special Court, Jammu and High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh for a period of 3 years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier," reads the notification issued on October 28. The terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 killed 6 innocent civilians, mostly Hindu tourists. The attack sparked nationwide outrage and prompted a strong response from India. In a decisive response to the gruesome terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had approved a series of stringent measures targeting Pakistan's continued support for cross-border terrorism, and launch of a military campaign Operation Sindoor to punish the perpetrators and destroy the infrastructure sustaining cross-border terrorism. The case was subsequently taken over by the NIA, given its national security implications. The appointment of a Special Public Prosecutor is expected to expedite the trial process and strengthen the prosecution's efforts in one of the key terror-related cases in Jammu and Kashmir. By the end of June, 2025, in a major breakthrough in the Pahalgam terror attack case, the NIA had arrested two men for harbouring the terrorists who had carried out the horrendous attack that killed 26 innocent tourists and grievously injured 16 others. The two men-- Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar from Batkote in Pahalgam and Bashir Ahmad Jothar of Hill Park in Pahalgam-- disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack, and also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The NIA has said that both Parvaiz and Bashir had knowingly harboured the three armed terrorists at a seasonal dhok (hut) at Hill Park before the attack. "The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had, on the fateful afternoon, selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity, making it one of the most gruesome terrorist attacks ever." NIA, which arrested the duo under Section 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), is further investigating the case RC-02/2025/NIA/JMU, registered after the attack that shook the world. (ANI)
Note: This post is an Op-Ed and shares the author's personal views.

Throughout his NYC mayoral campaign, Zohran Mamdani has faced some pretty wild online attacks, but this whole aunt controversy is the most ridiculous yet.

VIEW Press / Corbis via Getty Images

Born in Uganda, Zohran is a Muslim man of Indian descent who moved to New York as a child. Social media trolls have complained about each of these points.

To recap: People have continuously mocked him for using his hands to eat (despite doing the same thing themselves?).

Related: After Karoline Leavitt Announced The White House Is Using Tariff Money On This Important Woman's Program, Gavin Newsom Backhandedly Thanked Them

Then, there was the terrible scandal of Zohran and his wife  gasp!  going out to dinner.

And now, conservatives are freaking out over Zohran's family dynamics.

Pool / Getty Images

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While delivering a recent speech on Islamophobia, he said , "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."

Some people like JD Vance posted their usual ignorant takes...

...but other folks became OBSESSED with Zohran's use of the word "aunt." In perhaps the stupidest gotcha attempt of all time, conservatives are having a meltdown because the woman in question was his father's cousin, not his sister.

Google

Related: "He Killed Him On Live TV": The NYC Mayor Debate Just Delivered A Jaw-Dropping Line

During a Monday press conference, a reporter asked Zohran if the aunt was a blood relative. He replied , "Yes. I was speaking about my aunt. I was speaking about Zehra Fuhi, my fathers cousin, who sadly passed away a few years ago. And for the takeaway from my more than 10-minute address about Islamophobia in this race and in this city to be the question of my aunt tells you everything..."

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But that wasn't enough for his opponents, who are accusing Zohran of "changing his story."

Even Ted Cruz piled on.

The whole thing has me looking around and wondering if this is real life. As a Samoan woman and the child of immigrants, I only recently learned that some Americans don't consider their parents' cousins to be their aunts and uncles. When I tell you this blew my mind! For us and many other cultures, it goes by generation. Anyone in my parents' age group (or above) is automatically an aunty or an uncle. Everyone in my generation is a cousin, whether our parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents were siblings. And any of my cousins' kids are my nieces and nephews.

BTW, this extends beyond blood relatives! Family friends and many elders are often called aunty or uncle as a sign of respect.

Related: I Write About Politics For A Living  Here Are 21 Of The Most Bizarre Photos From MAGA Events That I've Seen This Year

Do other people walk around calling their older relatives by their first name?! The amount of trouble I would've gotten in if I tried to do that growing up, LOL.

Anyway, I'm not the only one who thinks this backlash is nonsense. Plenty of X (formerly Twitter) users are jumping to Zohran's defense:

Editor's Note: While we can't endorse what X has become, we can bring you the worthwhile moments that still exist there, curated and free of the surrounding chaos.

Who calls their fathers cousin their aunt??Literally every brown person. https://t.co/ha8ITQwPeE  Sammy Obeid (@SammyObeid) October 28, 2025

Fox / Twitter: @SammyObeid

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Related: Hillary Clinton Just Hit On One Of Donald Trump's Biggest Insecurities With Three Words

And finally:

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What do you think about all this? LMK in the comments below!

Want to know if Trump's economy is actually doing as well as he promised? Subscribe to the Economy Hate Watch newsletter and never miss our monthly update.

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Also in In the News: "This Is Not The Desk Of Someone Who Actually Does Work": 49 Political Tweets From The Last Month That Are Too Good Not To Share

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President Donald Trump's administration is restricting the number of refugees it admits into the country to 7,500 and they will mostly be white South Africans, a dramatic drop after the U.S. previously allowed in hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war and persecution from around the world.

The administration published the news Thursday in a notice on the Federal Registry.

No reason was given for the numbers, which are a dramatic decrease from last years ceiling set under the Biden administration of 125,000. The Associated Press previously reported that the administration was considering admitting as few as 7,500 refugees and mostly white South Africans.

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The memo said only that the admission of the 7,500 refugees during 2026 fiscal year was justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.

Here's the latest:

National Guard quick reaction forces to be trained in civil unrest

Military leaders have ordered the National Guard in every state to develop a quick reaction force of troops trained to deal with civil disturbances and riots that can be ready to deploy with just hours notice.

Its the latest indication of longer-term Trump administration plans to more readily send soldiers into U.S. streets.

A set of memos circulated this month direct Guard units in all 50 states and the U.S. territories to train a contingent of soldiers in a specialized course that includes the proper use of batons, body shields, stun guns and pepper spray.

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The memos, reported earlier by The Guardian, give various numbers for each states force  often 500 each  that total more than 23,000 troops in all.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Washington, DC, will cover benefits for SNAP and WIC recipients

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said she has authorized local funds to be used to make sure that residents enrolled in SNAP and WIC receive their November benefits despite the federal shutdown.

According to the D.C. government, about 85,000 District households receive SNAP each month, and 8,300 households receive WIC benefits, which allows them to purchase items such as baby formula.

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We were hopeful it wouldnt come to this  and we still need the federal government to reopen as soon as possible  but for right now, were moving forward to ensure we take care of DC residents in November, Bowser said in a statement.

Ranking Senate Democrats investigate the financing of Trumps White House ballroom

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan said they are launching an investigation into the donors and money flowing to the renovation and construction project.

The public has a right to know exactly who is funding the destruction of a protected historic structure, how much they are contributing, and what, if anything, they have been promised in return, the senators said in a statement.

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They are the top Democrats on the three committees with jurisdiction over the White House and its construction projects.

Top Democrats slam Trump administration over new refugee limits

Sen. Dick Durbin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said in a joint statement with other Democratic lawmakers that the Trump administration is defying federal laws.

This bizarre presidential determination is not only morally indefensible, it is illegal and invalid, they said.

The Trump administration is skipping over the tens of thousands of refugees who have been waiting in line for years, and prioritizing a single privileged racial groupwhite South African Afrikaners, they said.

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The administration has not yet consulted with Congress about its plan, as is required by law. They said the process that exists to ensure such decisions reflect the rule of law, not the racial preferences or political whims of any one president.

Trump and first lady hand out candy at White House Halloween celebration

The president and his wife opted against costumes, but Trump, in his regular suit, wore a red hat that said USA while the first lady wore a beige coat.

The young children of White House staffers  accompanied by their parents  were among the first in line of costumed trick-or-treaters to get candy from the Trumps.

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Hegseth orders the military to send lawyers temporarily to the Justice Department

I am directing you to collectively identify 48 attorneys and 4 paralegals from within your Military Department who may be suitable for detail to the Justice Department to act as special assistant U.S. attorneys, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote in a memo this week and reviewed by The Associated Press.

Its the latest effort to send military and civilian attorneys working for the Pentagon to the Justice Department, this time to staff offices based along the U.S. southern border or where federal immigration enforcement operations are taking place.

The memo says the Justice Department asked for 20 lawyers to help support its offices in Memphis, where the National Guard has been deployed by Trump; 12 for West Texas  specifically for the cities of El Paso, Del Rio and Midland  and three lawyers and two paralegals for Las Cruces, New Mexico.

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The Justice Department is investigating the Black Lives Matter movement, AP sources say

The Justice Department is investigating whether leaders in the Black Lives Matter movement defrauded donors who contributed millions of dollars during racial justice protests in 2020.

Thats according to multiple people familiar with the matter who were not authorized to discuss an ongoing criminal investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press.

In recent weeks, federal law enforcement officials have issued subpoenas and warrants as part of an investigation into the Black-led organizations that helped spark a national reckoning on systemic racism.

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The investigation invites fresh scrutiny to a foundation whose leaders in recent years have faced criticism about their public accounting of donations.

The recent burst of investigative activity is also unfolding at a time when civil rights groups have raised concerns about the Trump administration targeting left-leaning groups.

 Read more about the investigation

 Aaron Morrison and Eric Tucker

Duffy warns of Thanksgiving travel woes if the shutdown doesnt end soon

Our traffic will be snarled. It will be a disaster in aviation, Duffy told reporters outside the White House after a closed-door meeting with aviation industry leaders and Vice President JD Vance.

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Thats because air traffic controllers will have missed at least two full paychecks by Thanksgiving, Duffy said, which could lead to more of them calling out sick.

US orders nonessential diplomats, embassy families to leave Mali due to unrest

The State Department has ordered nonessential U.S. diplomats and their families to leave Mali due to terrorism threats and a severe fuel crisis stemming from a jihadi groups blockade of fuel tankers entering the landlocked West African nation.

Just two days after repeating a warning from American citizens to leave Mali, the department on Thursday said it had moved to so-called ordered departure status for nonessential embassy personnel and families from the capital of Bamako. Ordered departure requires those covered to leave, although they do so at government expense.

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The al-Qaida-linked Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin group, or JNIM, announced in September that it was imposing a blockade on tanker trucks entering Mali as part of its fight against the countrys military authorities. The groups fighters have set more than 100 trucks on fire, paralyzing the countrys fuel supply.

California senators urge Justice Department to withdraw election monitors

Californias Democratic senators are demanding the U.S. Justice Department immediately cancel plans to send federal election observers to the state for its statewide election next week.

In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff wrote that the plan is based on blatantly partisan motivations and is clearly linked to Trumps most recent attack on the legitimacy of Californias elections.

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Watch how totally dishonest the California Prop Vote is! Trump wrote last weekend on Truth Social, referring to Proposition 50, the lone issue on the states special election ballot Tuesday.

The senators told Bondi that Trumps statement is a stain on this deployment and any actions that the department might attempt to take based on it.

They said the department should  at a minimum  provide greater transparency and coordinate with state and local election administrators to prevent any activities that may lead to voter intimidation or interference with elections.

Atlanta will stop water cutoffs and evictions to ease shutdown impacts

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Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said Thursday that because of the SNAP benefit cutoff, the city will stop cutting off water service to people who dont pay their bills and that city-owned or funded housing will stop evicting people or charging them late fees.

Both measures will last through Jan. 31.

Dickens said the effort is intended to help people who are losing SNAP benefits or federal workers going without pay, but said eligibility would be pretty open to anyone requesting help.

The Atlanta Community Food Bank said it would spend $5 million in reserves to bolster food supplies.

Georgias Republican governor, Brian Kemp, has declined to consider state aid for SNAP recipients, although the state has more than $14 billion in reserve cash. Dickens, a Democrat likely to be reelected on Tuesday, said this might be a good time to use some of that surplus.

Another lawsuit challenges suspension of SNAP benefits for tens of millions of Americans

A coalition of cities together with community, business and union organizations filed a lawsuit Thursday that aims to ensure food benefits for tens of millions of low-income Americans dont get halted this weekend by the Trump administration.

The lawsuit comes as a federal judge in Boston heard a motion on a similar lawsuit over SNAP, saying she expected to make a ruling later Thursday. The program could be suspended as early as Saturday due to the government shutdown.

Denying millions of Americans access to basic food security is unlawful and unconscionable, and it threatens to push local nonprofit food banks, food pantries, and other organizations beyond the breaking point, Diane Yentel, president and CEO of National Council of Nonprofits.

The SNAP program, which costs about $8 billion per month, serves about 1 in 8 Americans and is a major piece of the nations social safety net.

Refugee organizations denounce drastic cuts made in the slashed refugee admittance cap

Refugee advocacy groups are sharing strong reactions to the Trump administrations new limit on entries from last years ceiling of 125,000 set under Democratic President Joe Biden to 7,500, who will mostly be white South Africans.

By privileging Afrikaners while continuing to ban thousands of refugees who have already been vetted and approved, the administration is once again politicizing a humanitarian program, Sharif Aly, president of IRAP, said in a statement.

Concentrating the vast majority of admissions on one group undermines the programs purpose as well as its credibility, said Krish OMara Vignarajah, president & CEO of Global Refuge.

Human Rights First condemned the decision as a new low point in U.S. foreign policy.

This decision will further destabilize front-line states that host over two-thirds of the worlds nearly 43 million refugees, undermining U.S. national security in tandem, said Uzra Zeya, president of Human Rights First.

Democratic senators say Trumps ballroom is likely a misuse of federal authority

The top Democrats on three Senate committees are suggesting to Trump that his proposed White House ballroom is unauthorized, unprecedented and a likely misuse of federal authority.

The senators raised conflict-of-interest concerns about major government contractors being among the donors contributing to the $300 million project, saying it presented a profound risk of pay-to-play corruption.

In a letter sent to Trump, they request an itemized list of donors, the amounts they gave and if any are foreigner individuals or entities. They also ask for a detailed breakdown of the ballroom plans finances, They also ask what steps are being taken to preserve furniture and other historical items previously in the East Wing.

The letters signers were: Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, ranking member of the environmental committee, Martin Heinrich, ranking member of the energy committee and Gary Peters, ranking member of the government affairs committee.

Illinois governors ask to halt immigration crackdown for Halloween dismissed

Illinois Gov JB Pritzkers request to suspend a Chicago area immigration crackdown during Halloween has been shutdown by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Pritzker made the request this week after federal agents deployed a chemical agent in a Chicago neighborhood preparing up for a Halloween parade. Neighbors said several children were affected and U.S. citizens were among those handcuffed.

Pritzker says Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween without fear.

Noem says immigration agents are keeping communities safe and blasted Pritzkers request as shameful.

UN official blasts Trumps announcement that US will restart nuclear weapons testing

The top U.N. official on Thursday blasted Trumps announcement that the United States will restart its testing of nuclear weapons.

Antonio Guterres, the U.N. secretary-general, said in a statement that current nuclear risks are already alarmingly high for any other countries to join in.

We must never forget the disastrous legacy of over 2,000 nuclear weapons tests carried out over the last 80 years, he said, according to his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haqq. Nuclear testing can never be permitted under any circumstances.

Kamala Harris voted for Californias partisan plan to redraw US House maps

The former vice president said Proposition 50 is Californias chance to fight back against Trumps plan to gain more GOP seats in Texas and other states.

We as Californians are standing up to level the playing field, Harris said in a social media post.

Voting concludes Nov. 4. If the proposition passes, it would realign district boundaries to make as many as five additional seats winnable for Democrats in next year midterm elections. Republicans currently hold nine of the states 52 congressional seats.

Warner calls partisan briefing on boat strikes outrageous

The top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee said the Trump administrations gradual efforts to block Democrats from briefings on national security matters is against every norm of how national security policy has worked and an erosion of trust with the public.

Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said Thursday that a partisan briefing on the U.S. militarys boat strikes in waters off South America this week was outrageous and should have never happened.

Every United States senator ought to read in, Warner told reporters. And until that happens, I dont know how you even begin to rebuild trust.

Warner criticized Republican senators who attended the meeting, including members of leadership and more moderate members of the GOP conference. He said that somebody should have walked out.

The Senate is expected to vote next week on a war powers resolution that would prohibit strikes in or near Venezuela, unless Congress approves the military action.

Oklahoma agency plans worker furloughs in response to federal shutdown

The head of the Oklahoma Human Services agency notified employees via email Wednesday that as a result of the federal shutdown they plan to furlough employees who make more than $50,000 annually, effective Nov. 2.

The agency also plans to implement a hiring freeze for most positions, eliminate most travel and overtime, and reduce or suspend some of its contracts, according to the email from OHS Director Jeffrey Cartmell.

As you know, nearly 75% of OKDHS funding comes from federal sources, Cartmell wrote in the email obtained by The Associated Press. After exhausting every available option to minimize the impact on staff and sustain essential operations, the continuing lapse in federal appropriations leaves us no choice but to implement these temporary measures.

Last-minute scramble over pay takes a toll on military families during the shutdown

The government shutdown is exacting a heavy mental toll on the nations military families, leaving them not knowing from week to week whether their paychecks will arrive.

Alicia Blevins, whose husband is a Marine, said shes going to see a therapist in large part because of the grinding uncertainty.

I dont feel like I have the tools to deal with this, said Blevins, who lives at Camp Lejeune, a Marine base near North Carolinas coast. I dont want to dump all this on my husband. Hes got men that hes in charge of. Hes got enough to deal with.

Even though the Trump administration has found ways to pay the troops twice since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, the process has been fraught with anxiety for many Americans in uniform and their loved ones. Both times, they were left hanging until the last minute.

Trump administration limits number of refugees to 7,500 and theyre mostly white South Africans

The Trump administration is restricting the number of refugees it admits into the country to 7,500 and they will mostly be white South Africans, a dramatic drop after the U.S. previously allowed in hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war and persecution from around the world.

The administration published the news Thursday in a notice on the Federal Register.

No reason was given for the numbers, which are a dramatic decrease from last years ceiling set under the Biden administration of 125,000. The Associated Press previously reported that the administration was considering admitting as few as 7,500 refugees and mostly white South Africans.

The memo said only that the admission of the 7,500 refugees during 2026 fiscal year was justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.

 Read more about refugee admissions

Vance and Duffy will hold roundtable to discuss shutdown impacts on aviation

Vice President JD Vance will lead the closed-door meeting at the White House on Thursday, according to a White House official who wasnt authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity to share details of the meeting.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned in recent days that flight delays could grow as air traffic controllers who are missing paychecks because of the shutdown call out sick. Duffy and Vance will be joined at the roundtable by former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, and leaders from the aviation industry, the official said.

 Michelle L. Price

Rubio says US is ready to help Cuban people recover from Hurricane Melissa

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the United States is ready to help Cuba recover from devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa despite long-standing hostility between Washington and Havana, the U.S. embargo on the communist island nation and Rubios own harsh criticism of the Cuban government.

In a statement released Thursday, Rubio said the State Department is issuing a Declaration of Humanitarian Assistance for Cuba and is prepared to provide immediate humanitarian assistance directly and via local partners who can most effectively deliver it to those in need.

He noted that current U.S. law allows for exemptions on exports to Cuba that include private donations of food, medicine, other humanitarian goods to Cuba and disaster response.

US sanctions alleged human smuggling network operating out of Mexico

Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on a Cancun-based human smuggling organization that has allegedly smuggled thousands of people from Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Asia into the U.S.

Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley said the Trump administration will continue to target and dismantle terrorist transnational criminal organizations to protect the American people.

House Speaker Mike Johnson says the shutdown has to end

Johnson, a Republican, says its no surprise talks are picking up in the Senate on ways to end the government shutdown, particularly with SNAP food aid about to end Saturday.

Were just fed up with it, he said at his daily news conference at the Capitol, on day 30 of the shutdown. Turn this thing back on.

The speaker has kept the House out of legislative session for more than a month, a remarkable closure preventing other business during the shutdown.

US stocks mixed as Wall Street sees both good and bad in Big Tech profits, US-China relations

The U.S. stock market is drifting around its record heights Thursday, as Wall Street sifts through mixed developments on everything from the U.S.-China trade war to profits for Big Tech behemoths.

The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% and edged a bit further from its all-time high set Tuesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 199 points, or 0.5%, as of 10 a.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite fell 0.6% from its record set the day before.

Stocks also dipped in Europe, following a mixed finish in Asia, coming off a much anticipated meeting between the leaders of the worlds two largest economies. Trump hailed his talk with Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, as a 12 on a scale of zero to 10, and Trump said he would cut tariffs on China. But while the talks may offer some stability for the near term, major tensions remain between the two countries.

 Read more about the financial markets

Xi agreed to buy 25 million metric tons of soybeans annually for next 3 years, Bessent says

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added that as part of the deal Trump struck with Xi, China will start by purchasing 12 million metric tons of soybeans from the U.S. between now and January.

So you know, our great soybean farmers, who the Chinese used as political pawns, thats off the table, and they should prosper in the years to come, Bessent said in an interview on Fox Business Networks Mornings with Maria.

New Trump administration rule bars student loan relief for public workers tied to illegal activity

The Trump administration is forging ahead with plans to eject some nonprofits from a popular student loan forgiveness program if their work is deemed to have a substantial illegal purpose  a move that could cut off some teachers, doctors and other public workers from federal loan cancellation.

New rules finalized Thursday give the Education Department expanded power to ban organizations from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The Trump administration calls it necessary to block taxpayer money from lawbreakers. Critics say it turns the program into a tool of political retribution.

Set to take effect in July, the policy is aimed primarily at organizations that work with immigrants and transgender youth.

It grants the education secretary power to exclude groups from the program if they engage in activities including the trafficking or chemical castration of children, illegal immigration and supporting terrorist organizations. Chemical castration is defined as using hormone therapy or drugs that delay puberty  gender-affirming care common for transgender children or teens.

 Read more about the Trump administration and student loans

Trade takeaways from Trumps meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping

China and the U.S. to pause tit-for-tat port fee measures for a year

Chinas Commerce Ministry said Thursday that the U.S. will pause its measures under its Section 301 investigation against Chinas shipbuilding and maritime industries for one year.

It said China will pause its relevant countermeasures against the U.S. for a year in response after the U.S. suspensions take effect.

The U.S. imposed new port fees on Chinese-owned or -operated ships calling at American ports from Oct. 14 resulting from its Section 301 investigation, which it said found Chinas practices in maritime and shipbuilding were unreasonable and a burden to American commerce.

Beijing, in response, slapped retaliatory port fees largely mirroring the U.S. fees on American vessels calling at Chinese ports that came into effect the same day.

Separately, Chinas Commerce Ministry also said it will properly resolve TikTok related issues with the U.S.

Atomic bombings survivors in Japan denounce Trump's nuclear test comments

Japanese survivors of U.S. atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end World War II condemned Trumps comments Thursday suggesting the U.S. will restart testing of its nuclear weapons.

The act vehemently opposes all countries that are endeavoring to achieve a nuclear-free and peaceful world and absolutely could not be tolerated, said Jiro Hamasumi, secretary-general of Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots organization of the survivors that won the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize.

The group demanded in a statement that the U.S. respond to calls for nuclear disarmament and take a leadership role in the movement.

China calls on US to refrain from nuclear weapon tests

Foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said in Beijing that China hopes the U.S. will fulfill its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty and honor its commitments to suspend nuclear tests.

His comment came in response to a social media post by Trump that suggested the U.S. might resume the tests.

Trump made the post minutes before the highly anticipated meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea.

China says it will suspend rare earth controls for one year

China has agreed to suspend its new export control restrictions on rare earth minerals for one year and study and refine them, the Commerce Ministry said.

In return, the U.S. will suspend for one year a rule that expanded its controls to all subsidiaries that are at least 50% owned by Chinese companies on an export control list.

The two moves in the U.S.-China trade war had alarmed companies globally.

The ministry statement didnt mention rare earths by name but said China would suspend measures announced Oct. 9, when the rare earth restrictions came out.

Chinese Commerce Ministry confirms tariff reduction

China confirmed Trumps comment that the U.S. would slash the fentanyl-related tariff rate by 10 percentage points in a statement from the Commerce Ministry.

It also said both sides would extend a temporary tariff rate pause on each other for a year.

The pause was initially announced in May after both sides threatened each other with sky high rates.

Xi calls for cooperation on AI and immigration

Xi, stressing that dialogue is better than confrontation, listed a range of issues where China and the U.S. could work together, including combating illegal immigration and telecom fraud, anti-money laundering efforts, artificial intelligence and infectious disease response.

He called for more dialogue and exchange on these potential areas of cooperation.

He also said the U.S. and China should have positive interactions on the global stage that demonstrate their responsibility as major powers to achieve positive results for their countries and the world.

He noted that China will host the APEC leaders meeting and the U.S., the Group of 20 summit, next year.

Xi calls on both sides to finalize consensus on trade

The first official Chinese comment on the meeting suggested any deal is not done.

Xi noted that negotiating teams from both countries had reached a consensus, a likely reference to talks held in Malaysia last weekend, according to a report on the meeting distributed by state media.

The Chinese leader said the teams should complete follow-up work as soon as possible to deliver tangible results that will provide peace of mind to China, the U.S. and the rest of the world.

The recent twists and turns in the relationship offer lessons for the U.S. and China, Xi said.

Both sides should take the long-term perspective into account, focusing on the benefits of cooperation rather than falling into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation, he said, according to the report.

China's views on Trump's tariffs

There was no immediate comment from China on the results of the meeting, but the fentanyl-related tariffs have been a particular sticking point.

China saw them as an act of bad faith because it had been working with the Biden administration on tightening its controls over the flow of the ingredients for the drug to Mexico.

Trump demanded that China do more.

Trump says nuclear testing will be announced but doesnt offer any more details

The president, while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, seemed to be conflating the testing of missiles that deliver a nuclear warhead and the testing of nuclear weapons.

Trump said other countries seem to all be nuclear testing but when it comes to the U.S., We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We dont do testing.

The U.S. tests its missiles, as does China and Russia. But the U.S. has not done an explosion test on its nuclear warheads since 1992, and no country outside of North Korea has done those tests on their weapons since the 1990s.

I see them testing and I say, well, if theyre going to test, I guess we have to test, Trump said.

Trump was asked where the tests would occur and he said, Itll be announced. We have test sites.

Tariffs on Chinese exports are now 47%, Trump says

The new rate comes from Trump deciding not to move forward with his latest tariff threat, which would have created a 157% levy.

Trump decided to reduce the current rate from 57% to 47% because China agreed to help more on reducing the flow of fentanyl ingredients.
A few nights ago, I came across a video on Instagram  like many Ive seen before  of a Latino emphatically expressing support for President Trump.

By now, its no secret how this Latina feels about him. (I often write about how his cruel policies target and hurt the most vulnerable in our Hispanic community.)

In the video, the journalist, Lauren Mayk of NBC Philadelphia, was reporting on how the Latino vote in Passaic County could sway the upcoming race for governor after Trump made significant gains there last year. She asked Angel Castillo, owner of El Primito Restaurant in Passaic what he liked about the president.

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His reply? Well, I like everything.

Everything?!

Castillo, a 48-year-old Dominican immigrant, said he likes how the president is trying to enforce the laws and agreed when asked if hes happy with the way things are going in Trumps administration.

Of course, I sprinted to the comments.

There, I found exactly what I expected: Calls for an immediate boycott of Castillos restaurant, comments lambasting him as a self-hating Latino, and at least a dozen calling him a lambon" or lambonaso  Dominican slang for brown nosers and bootlickers.

Ill admit, I love a good boycott as a driver for change. (Seriously, I havent shopped at Target since February!) And the rest are all things Ive thought or even said about other Latinos for Trump. But that was in the comfort of mi casa, at brunch with like-minded friends, or in casual conversation with vetted acquaintances. Not in a comment section on social media, directed at one specific individual.

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I wondered if Castillo was also at home, scrolling through these same thousands of comments, regretting what he said. One read: I live in the area and Ill be sure to avoid this spot at all costs! Another: We Dominicans do not claim him.

And I continue to wonder how so many Latinos can still support Trump. How can they reconcile it? How can they support him so boldly and unabashedly  even as he continues to vilify us and is constantly making decisions aimed at harming us.

Jose Marte, a Clifton resident and longtime customer of El Primito, told me hes disappointed in Castillos uncompassionate comments and said he wont be dining there anymore. He let Castillo know so, too, in the comments.

Ive been a loyal customer for over 20 years, said Marte, a second-generation Dominican whos 41.

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As a kid, my dad would take me to the restaurant every Sunday and wed eat their famous mondongo (tripe) soup," he said. Wed go so often, my dad was on a first name basis with [Castillos dad] ...Now, I cant support this, I cant support Trump or support anyone who does.

For Marte, this stance is not about being Latino, its about being human. If you see whats going on, it has to hurt you, move you, he said, referring to Trumps indiscriminate immigration sweeps.

Still, as a Dominican man, Marte told me hes not shocked by the steadfast support other men in his community have shown Trump. Theres that mentality of the macho man, that mentality of we need to support the strong man making the hard choices, he said.

Yes, this machismo is deeply-rooted in our shared Latino culture. But for many Dominicans, Marte says, its the Trujillo effect.

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Rafael Trujillo was a brutal, repressive dictator who ruled the Dominican Republic for nearly 30 years until his assassination in 1961.

We hear the story of Trujillo from our parents, grandparents, how things were better when he was in power, how you could leave the door of your home wide open and no one would dare come in to steal because if they did, Trujillo would eliminate them, he said.

And I think thats why so many [Dominican] men in the community really believe a strong man like Trump is the solution to all our problems.

Sigh. A strong man like Trump, and if he wins the race for governor, a strong man like Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli who not only has Trumps endorsement but shares many of the same views as him. (Dios nos libre!)

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Ciattarelli wont win this election without getting Democrat Hispanics to vote for him, Kenny Gonzalez, Hispanic spokesperson for the New Jersey Republican State Committee, recently told CNN.

Castillo, one of those former Democrats, said hed never voted Republican until 2016 when he voted for Trump. Months ago, Ciattarelli stopped at El Primito while campaigning in Passaic. A photo of the two smiling, shaking hands is now on Ciattarellis Instagram. (So we all know where his vote is going, right?)

I wanted to talk to Castillos to see how the backlash had affected him. Not surprisingly, he took his social media pages down but I got him on the phone.

On the other end was a polite, direct, and well-spoken man. We talked freely in Spanish, his first language. (And, despite being born in this country, mine too.)

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Castillo, a devoted family man and a proud 24-year veteran firefighter in the Passaic Fire Department, told me that neither NBC video  the 55-second video posted on social media and the three-and-a-half-minute one on their site  included everything I said. (Thats all common for most news interviews.)

Me hicieron ver mal he said. They made me look bad. He explained hed agreed to speak with Mayk about the high cost of living in N.J. and was caught off guard by her questions about Trump.

I got a little nervous and it didnt come out right ... Now, everybody thinks Im some kind of monster, he said.

Ive gotten so many threatening calls, people saying theyre gonna burn down the restaurant, sending mean messages to my kids on Instagram, Castillo said.

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His son missed high school to avoid the harassment from classmates. His daughter, whos 21, was also taunted at work.

If I wouldve known this would happen, I never wouldve done the interview, he said.

He told me he wished to spread a different message that was not aired.

The message I hoped, and still hope, those in Washington, D.C. could hear from me is we need [comprehensive] immigration reform, he said. Thats what Id like to see, Id like to see hardworking, deserving [immigrants] get green cards, get a legal status.

He apologized to anyone who felt hurt by what they heard. It wasnt a complete representation of my viewpoints, he said.

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Im not a bad person and I would never wish ill on anyone, he told me. Then, he thanked me for giving him another chance to say his piece. These last few days have been hard, he said. Its time to get back to some positivity.

And just like that, we found some common ground. But now, let me be clear. Does this friendly chat mean I agree with his original comments about Trump? No chance.

Do I condone the threats against him, his family, or even his business? Absolutely not.

Heres how I see it: Boycotting his business because you disagree with him is fine. But to come for someone, in this aggressive, unhinged way? Thats stooping just as low as Trump.

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Want to make your voice heard? Stop typing, stop trolling, get out of the comment section, and then head straight to the polls.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
(Diana Ramirez / De Los; Photos by Carolina Basi, Israwmx and William Fortunato)

As the federal shutdown marches along into its fourth week with no foreseeable end in sight, November's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will be delayed for some 5.5 million Californians.

Gov. Gavin Newsom blamed President Trump for the shutdown and the disruption of SNAP, noting that the timing seems especially cruel as Thanksgiving creeps up.

"Trump's failure to open the federal government is now endangering people's lives and making basic needs like food more expensive  just as the holidays arrive," Newsom said last week. "It is long past time for Republicans in Congress to grow a spine, stand up to Trump and deliver for the American people."

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Furthermore, Newsom and state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta announced Tuesday that California is joining other Democrat-led states in suing the Trump administration to force SNAP payments through the use of contingency funds. But the litigation  even if successful  won't prevent all the disruptions.

To combat the losses that many Californians will feel, the governor is attempting to fast-track $80 million in state funds to aid in food bank resources. Newsom has also mobilized the California National Guard and California Volunteers to provide support to food banks throughout the state.

Read more: Newsom warns Californians' SNAP benefits could be delayed because of federal shutdown

The delay will be heavily felt by California's Latinx population.

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According to a recent study by the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute, Latinos make up 55% of participants in CalFresh  California's state-specific name for its SNAP program. In L.A. County, the data show that of the over 1.5 million SNAP beneficiaries, Latinx people make up 62% of CalFresh enrollees. Additionally, the institute's research showed that children account for 40% of the Latinx population enrolled in CalFresh.

The institute's work showed that programs such as CalFresh and California's Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, helped mitigate the effects on the 48% of low-income California Latino adults experiencing food insecurity.

"Given the situation right now of how expensive it is to afford the cost of living, one of the areas where people start to spend less, in order to afford things like transportation, is food," UCLA professor and co-author of the CalFresh study Arturo Vargas Bustamante told The Times. "When income goes down, food is something families adjust their spending to. So it's important for them to receive support to be able to feed themselves and their children."

Bustamante believes that the CalFresh cuts will lead many Latinx households to choose between paying utilities and feeding their families.

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Read more: 'I'm terrified': Hunger looms as millions brace for loss of food aid amid shutdown

"They will have to make retail decisions," he said. "They'll debate: 'Should we pay rent or should we eat breakfast or should we put gas in the car? What are we going to be doing in order for us to be able to afford food and the three meals a day for all the household members?'"

The situation provides a particular sting as studies show Latinx workers comprise upward of 95% of California's farmworkers.

"There is a paradox. Farmworkers are overwhelmingly Latino and they produce a lot of the food that the state consumes. This food is also exported across the country and world," Bustamante said. "It's ironic that in many cases these same households do not have enough income to eat properly and they have to rely on these types of programs in order for them to have food on the table."

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As many Latinx families prepare for an insecure food situation over the next few weeks, many organizations are providing meals and ingredients to alleviate some of the pain.

Founded by Northeast L.A. native Andi Xoch, Latinx With Plants is a plant shop and community center in Boyle Heights. As Halloween rolls around and local families face increased food insecurity, Xoch announced last week on Instagram that Latinx With Plants would be giving out more than just candy this year.

"We also want our neighborhood to know that we will be giving out candy y mas this Halloween," she wrote. "Our heart breaks seeing crucial funding for families get cut and tho we wish we could do more, we will be giving out ramen and other non-perishable foods plus the candy."

Read more: Trump administration posts notice that no federal food aid will go out Nov. 1

Started in 2012, Operation Healthy Hearts was launched by community organizer and advocate Jackie Villalta to help unhoused and underserved communities in the San Gabriel Valley.

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Every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Whittier at 7639 Painter Ave., the organization hands out food supplies, offers free haircuts and provides pet care assistance.

"We usually have on average about 100 people who are representing their families who have the average family size of five. Being that SNAP benefits are being cut on Saturday, I would be lying if I said I wasn't feeling a certain type of way," Villalta said in an Instagram story on Wednesday. "I am becoming progressively more worried that I will not have enough stuff for the amount of people who may show up to our event."

The organizer also put out a call for additional volunteers to aid in her program's distribution as demand for supplies continues to soar.

"Food will always be a human right and people deserve to eat," she said. "We see tons of families and just thinking of the devastation that the pause in SNAP benefits is going to create and then the "Big Beautiful Bill" slashing billions of dollars from funding  this isn't a short-term emergency. We have to really come together as a community to figure out how we can help."

Located in Pomona and run in conjunction with Pomona Unified School District, Lopez Urban Farm looks to combat food insecurity by growing and distributing fresh produce.

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The collective at 1034 W. Mission Blvd. is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with Sundays serving as the organization's main distribution day.

On Saturday, Lopez Urban Farm will celebrate Dia de los Muertos with a community harvest in which volunteers will pick and distribute free produce to local families.

Read more: In Trump's new budget bill, Latinos pay a hefty price

The San Gabriel Valley Family Center serves low-income neighborhoods in the cities of El Monte and South El Monte by operating two community food pantries.

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Every Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m., one of their pantries is open at the Community Presbyterian Church of El Monte located at 4602 Peck Road. Every Friday from 10 a.m. to noon, the organization operates a food pantry in South El Monte's Faith Tabernacle Church at 2144 Tyler Ave.

Operated in the largely Latinx and Black neighborhood of South L.A., Harmony Bites first opened as a response to increased food insecurity among Southern California families during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The nonprofit looks to fight food insecurity "through food distribution events and building partnerships with organizations that give and receive food" and currently gives away around 100,000 pounds of food weekly.

Harmony Bites' weekly Saturday food distribution takes place from 8 a.m. to noon at 5850 Avalon Blvd.

Founded as a mutual aid cooperative in 2018, the Long Beach Community Table provides free food and other necessities for over 24,000 people monthly in an effort to help enable self-sustainability.

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The organization runs a free open pantry at 3311 E. 59th St. four times a week: Mondays and Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m.; Fridays noon to 4 p.m.; and Saturdays from noon to 2 p.m.

Long Beach Community Table conducts distributions at several public parks throughout Long Beach with the following schedule:



Saturdays

10:30 to 11:15 a.m. at Grace Park 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at De Forest Park 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. at Drake Park 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park

Sundays

10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at Silverado Park 12:15 to 1 p.m. at Orizaba Park 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. at MacArthur Park



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(The Center Square)  Local governments across Wisconsin could soon lose their ability to raise a tax without asking voters first.

Sen. Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield, this week introduced legislation to give voters a say on wheel taxes.

This doesnt take away options from local governments, but it does require local officials to make their case directly to the people and ensures taxpayers have the final say at the ballot box, Hutton said.

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Wheel taxes are the name for fees that many cities and counties in Wisconsin charge as part of vehicle registrations in the state. Usually those charges cost anywhere between $10 and $40 per year, and are in addition to Wisconsins $85 registration fee.

Many communities already have local wheel taxes and have had them for years. But Hutton said more communities are looking to add wheel taxes as a way to pay for road projects, or simply to bring-in more revenue.

Both Elm Grove and New Berlin, which are both part of Hutton s district, have both said they are considering a new wheel tax. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnsons new city budget includes a $30 increase in Milwaukees wheel tax. Johnson said he hopes to raise $2.7 million a year from the increase.

[Wheel taxes] are not make-or-break amounts, but every cost adds up, especially when youre a family who lives paycheck-to-paycheck and struggles to afford groceries or a senior citizen who has to get by on a fixed income, Hutton said.

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In all, wheel taxes are worth nearly $67 million to local governments.

Local governments in the state can create a wheel tax with a simple majority vote. Hutton said thats different from other local taxes, including over-the-levy property tax increases, which require approval from the voters.

By placing these decisions directly in the hands of voters, our bill strengthens accountability and transparency in local tax decisions, which is particularly important for those least able to absorb new costs like these wheel taxes, Hutton added.
CHEYENNE  Claims that chemtrails from government or private jets are poisoning citizens, sterilizing soil and blocking the sun spurred heated debate among Wyoming lawmakers and the public this week, culminating in the advancement of two bills intended to prohibit atmospheric modifications over the state.

The Legislatures Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands and Water Resources Committee spent nearly four hours fielding public testimony and complex scientific reports before voting on three draft bills addressing geoengineering, cloud seeding and unauthorized atmospheric contamination.

During the proceedings, which was divided between those motivated by public concern over alleged federal poisoning and those who support the scientific efficacy of cloud seeding, the committee discussed three resolutions: one urging U.S. Congress to act, another rejecting a 10-year cloud-seeding moratorium and a third full geoengineering prohibition act.

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Wyoming may urge Congress to ban geoengineering

The first bill draft discussed was titled Prohibiting unauthorized atmospheric geoengineering, a joint resolution requesting Congress to prohibit unauthorized atmospheric geoengineering and weather modification in Wyoming.

Maria Crisler, a Casper-based clinical researcher, was a proponent of the resolution, arguing that it was essential to push back on covert programs believed to be funded by the federal government, specifically naming the Department of Defense and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, for engaging in solar radiation modification initiatives.

She said that silver iodide, a catalyst to encourage precipitation in clouds as part of cloud seeding, can have harmful effects if it comes in contact with other particles, like aluminum or platinum, such as interfering with the natural water cycle by killing beneficial organisms and aquatic life that are essential for the ecosystem.

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I dont think that people are looking deep enough, and I think its because they also dont understand what else is going on in the toxic soup above population centers, she said.

Crisler said that she believes chemtrails are visible over population centers like Cheyenne and Casper and involve the dispersal of nano particles and chemicals to block the sun.

Jayme Locke, a Casper resident, testified that the visible white trails in the sky decreased noticeably during the recent government shutdown, which she called very telling. Another witness, Dane Wigington of GeoengineeringWatch.org, insisted that climate engineering is the single most destructive human activity short of nuclear war, noting that the combination of elements used creates a synergistic toxicity.

However, the resolution faced immediate pushback regarding its scope. Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities Director Brad Brooks urged the committee to remove cloud seeding from the resolution entirely, stressing its vital role in augmenting water supplies necessary for Colorado River Compact negotiations.

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Rep. Karlee Provenza, D-Laramie, acknowledged that asking Congress to ban weather modification could hurt Wyomings negotiating power with surrounding states that rely on cloud seeding, saying sending a resolution to Congress asking them to ban cloud seeding would effectively be asking them to ban cloud seeding federally.

The committee adopted an amendment, proposed by Rep. Bob Davis, R-Baggs, to explicitly exempt cloud seeding from the resolutions intent.

Following several failed procedural amendments related to involving the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in reporting and deferring to federal airspace authority, the joint resolution passed with a vote of 10-2.

Cloud seeding moratorium fails on tie vote

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The committee then addressed the Cloud Seeding Moratorium bill, which proposed halting all cloud seeding and weather modification for a decade, starting Oct. 1, 2026, while directing the DEQ to establish baseline precipitation data and conduct a scientific study.

The discussion between lawmakers and the public covered the efficacy and future of weather augmentation in Wyoming.

Several experts pointed out that scientific studies on cloud seeding show mixed results, and some evidence suggests it may only redistribute existing moisture rather than increase the total regional water supply. Current numbers from the Government Accountability Office cite a 5% to 15% increase in precipitation from cloud seeding.

Jeff French, an associate professor and head of the University of Wyomings Atmospheric Science Department speaking on his own behalf, cautioned the committee that a 10-year moratorium period would be scientifically insufficient to gather the robust data needed to determine the effectiveness of cloud seeding.

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Jason Mead, director of the Wyoming Water Development Office, highlighted the cost challenges, estimating that initiating the planning and scope for such a study would require at least $500,000.

Lawmakers critical of the state perpetually funding studies, such as Sen. Bob Ide, R-Casper, argued against appropriating more taxpayer money when decades of research have provided limited measurable benefits.

It sounds like we spent $100,000 on a study back in 2004. To me, we just keep throwing good money after bad, so to speak, without really any measurable results  I just hate performing these studies year in and year out, Ide said.

An amendment to appropriate $1.2 million for the study was withdrawn after concerns arose about its constitutionality and the difficulty of conducting such research during a moratorium.

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Ultimately, the committee gutted the bill by removing all requirements for baseline data collection and studies. What remained was solely the 10-year prohibition on cloud seeding.

During closing remarks, Sen. Taft Love, R-Cheyenne, noted that the bill no longer represented its original intent. Provenza opposed the stripped-down bill, expressing concern that the lack of any exemption language would unintentionally prohibit crucial emergency activities, such as wildfire suppression and flood control.

The vote on the Cloud Seeding Moratorium resulted in a 5-5 tie, causing the measure to fail.

Prohibition Act advances amid enforceability concerns

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Finally, the committee tackled the Clean Air and Geoengineering Prohibition Act, a bill that aimed to prohibit the release of atmospheric contaminants for the purpose of altering climate, weather or solar radiation. The list of prohibited materials included silver iodide, smart dust, genetically modified particles and radioactive materials.

The main point of contention throughout testimony was how Wyoming could enforce state law against federal actors operating in federally controlled airspace.

DEQ Director Todd Parfitt indicated that while the DEQ currently handles complaints related to atmospheric issues, they lack the necessary resources or personnel and technical equipment to implement the bills requirements, which involve monitoring all aircraft, drones, balloons and rockets entering the states airspace.

In response to these challenges, Sen. Barry Crago, R-Buffalo, introduced an amendment to give the DEQ specific authority and resources to implement the law.

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The amendment mandates the DEQ director to study whether the contaminants pose a threat to health and safety; monitor all aircraft, drones, balloons or rockets; determine if contaminants are being dispersed; and petition a court for a cease and desist order upon discovery of prohibited activity.

This amendment passed. Crago also successfully moved another amendment, appropriating $500,000 for the upcoming biennium to fund two full-time employees needed for the DEQ to implement the new duties.

Despite the inclusion of enforcement mechanisms, Provenza opposed the final bill, arguing it was unnecessary and risky.

(We are) picking a fight with the federal government, who is allegedly poisoning the people of Wyoming, she said, adding that the measure would grow government and give the DEQ substantial work. She said these environmental impacts were likely caused by climate change, not chemtrails, and noted there was no sound scientific evidence presented to support the premise of poisoning.

The bill draft ultimately advanced with a vote of 6-5, meaning it will be presented to the full legislature when the budget session kicks off in February.
The European Union's legislators sparked controversy with their latest decision to deregulate various industries, following the rollback of corporate sustainability protections.

What's happening?

According to Reuters, the EU legislature backed a plan to water down the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) amid complaints from businesses that it hindered their ability to compete globally.

The CSDDD required companies to fix human rights and environmental issues in their supply chains, ensuring that goods were ethically produced and sourced.

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If they failed to comply with this policy, they would have faced a fine of 5% of their global turnover, equivalent to their total revenue for a fiscal year.

The original policy applied to any company that had more than 1,000 employees and a global turnover of at least 450 million.

The new, revised plan would apply those regulations to companies with at least 5,000 employees and a global turnover of at least 1.5 billion.

Why is the CSDDD important?

The CSDDD was seen as a landmark piece of legislation when it passed; it was an effort to hold corporations accountable and ensure that goods were produced ethically, with consideration for the environment.

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Advocates for the change cite the fact that the original law would have hindered competitiveness, and many critics pointed to the fact that it applied to any company that wanted to do business in Europe, not just companies based on the continent.

"The (conservative) European People's Party's goal has always been to simplify rules and cut costs for businesses," said Jorgen Warborn, the lawmaker who drafted the text. "Our vote today will create more predictability for our businesses in an unpredictable world."

However, the change drew sharp criticism from environmental groups.

"If such changes are ultimately adopted, this law will be stripped of its very purpose for short-term political convenience," said senior lawyer Amandine Van den Berghe of nonprofit law firm ClientEarth.

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"What is a cornerstone of responsible business in Europe is being turned into a political bargaining chip."

What's being done about the CSDDD?

The wording of the law is still being debated in the European Parliament; new wording was approved by its committee, and debate is expected to begin soon.

However, the revised bill is seen as having significant support from many EU countries, with parts of it likely to pass as it stands. Environmental advocacy groups are still lobbying to keep the original law intact.

If you want to make your voice heard on environmental issues, helping to elect candidates who support green initiatives is a great way to ensure the policies you care about get passed.

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Contributing to environmental groups and holding officials accountable are also great ways to get involved.

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.
Lebanese President Aoun condemns the Israeli incursion, calling for stronger action to uphold the ceasefire agreement.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun criticized the IDF on Thursday after Israeli soldiers entered the village of Blida in southern Lebanon earlier in the day and killed municipal worker Ibrahim Salameh.

In response, he instructed the Lebanese army to confront any IDF incursion into southern Lebanon.

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Israel carries out several targeted airstrikes against Hezbollah operatives almost every week, which Aoun, a moderate, frequently ignores or occasionally gives muted criticism.

Israeli troops entered the border town of Blida around 1:30 a.m. and stormed Town Hall, killing Salameh, who had been sleeping there, Lebanese media outlets reported.

The soldiers withdrew at about 4 a.m., according to the reports.

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York, US, September 23, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/EDUARDO MUNOZ)

Salameh was a terrorist and a legitimate target, the IDF insinuated in a bizarre statement.

The IDFs legal division was probing the incident, the statement added  something that is not necessary unless there is suspicion of wrongdoing by the soldiers.

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The troops entered Blida to destroy terrorist infrastructure it had been monitoring, the IDF said. Part of the terrorist infrastructure was the municipal building, which was believed to house Hezbollah weapons and other military items, it said.

Upon entering the building, the soldiers saw Salameh. Since he was in a suspected terrorist facility that was doubling as a municipal building, they followed the IDFs standard arrest procedure, which can include firing at a suspect's legs to prevent him from fleeing, the IDF said.

The troops felt threatened by Salameh, so they employed deadly force in self-defense from an imminent attack, it added.

The statement did not say whether a gun or other weapon was found on Salameh.

IDF says general framework for Lebanon detention was valid

The general framework of sending soldiers into Blida to the structure in question and seeking to arrest Salameh could have been valid, IDF sources said.

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If the evidence is shaky regarding how serious and dangerous the structure was, or if it turns out to be weak regarding the soldiers deciding that Salameh presented a threat to them, there could be legal consequences for those involved.

The IDF sources were unclear about how severe the probe into the soldiers actions would be.

Last October, The Jerusalem Post visited Blida embedded with IDF forces and witnessed residential homes filled not only with guns but also with military-grade anti-tank missiles, boxes of grenades, and special sharpshooter guns.

Aoun condemned the IDF attack as part of what he called a pattern of Israeli aggression and said it was launched shortly after a meeting of the committee monitoring a cessation of hostilities.

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He urged the committee to go beyond recording violations and to press Israel to abide by a November 27, 2024, ceasefire agreement and halt its breaches of Lebanese sovereignty.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the incursion as a blatant attack on the institutions and sovereignty of the Lebanese state.

Lebanons army deployed to the area but did not provide further details.

The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) said it was seeking more information on the incident.

Israel says its actions are intended to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military presence in southern Lebanon and its broader rocket arsenal.

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These Israeli concerns are not theoretical. After the Second Lebanon War in 2006, UNIFIL committed to preventing Hezbollah from rebuilding its rocket arsenal. Hezbollah ignored UNIFIL and eventually increased its rocket arsenal exponentially to more than 150,000.

Because of this clear track record and the current Lebanese governments ongoing failure to make substantial progress toward Hezbollahs disarmament, the IDF has said it has no choice but to continue periodic attacks, even if they remain far below the level of its attacks before the ceasefire.

Prior to the ceasefire last November, there were even days where the IDF attacked up to 1,300 targets in one day.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Congress leader and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday paid homage to Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar on the 63rd Guru Pooja and his 118th birth anniversary, saying that his life was a shining example of courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to justice. In a post on Facebook, Gandhi wrote, "My respectful homage to Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, an inspirational figure who lived for the poor, stood up for the oppressed, and believed in the strength of unity. His life was a shining example of courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to justice. His ideals remain a guiding light in our journey towards equality and social harmony. Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar was born on October 30, 1908, in Pasumpon in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. He was a freedom-fighter cum spiritual leader and was seen as a deity among the Mukulathor community, according to amritmahotsav.nic.in under the Ministry of Culture. The people of the Mukulathor community still make offerings as is done for the deities in temples to the statue on his birthday and guru pooja celebrations. Thevar became a full-time member of the Congress party and attended the 1927 Congress session at Madras as a volunteer when he was just 19. He became a close aide of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Netaji introduced Thevar to his mother as his younger sibling, the statement on the website said. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar on the 63rd Guru Pooja and 118th birth anniversary. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan paid tribute to freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar at his memorial in Pasumpon on 63rd guru pooja (his death anniversary) and 118th birth anniversary. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also paid homage to the freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar at his memorial in Pasumpon. Addressing the event, Chief Minister Stalin highlighted the works done by his government and said that they will recommend Muthuramalinga Thevar name for the Bharat Ratna award. CM Stalin stated, "We have paid our respects at the memorial of Muthuramalinga Thevar, who dedicated himself to the freedom of our nation. I would like to recall what Perarignar Anna said about the greatness of Muthuramalinga Thevar. He praised Thevar as a noble Pandya king who embodied virtue, unity, and courage...During the centenary celebration, Rs 2 crores were spent exclusively for Pasumpon village. To prevent overcrowding during the Thevar Jayanthi celebrations, we have inaugurated the Thevar Hall at a cost of Rs 1.55 crores. Muthuramalinga Thevar will be recommended for the Bharat Ratna award. A marriage hall in his name will be built at a cost of Rs 3 crores. We will also pursue efforts related to the Cauvery Gundar river linkage project." (ANI)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has instructed the armed forces to confront any further Israeli incursion in the countrys south after Israeli forces crossed their shared border and killed a municipal worker during an overnight raid.

The pivotal announcement was made on Thursday after days of Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory in near-daily Israeli violations of a ceasefire that went into effect in November.

The Lebanese forces, unlike the armed group Hezbollah, have generally stayed on the sidelines of the conflict with Israel. But Aoun, a former commander of the Lebanese army, appears to have finally lost his patience with the Israeli-forced status quo.

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Aoun ordered the army to confront any Israeli incursion into liberated southern territory, in defence of Lebanese territory and the safety of citizens, during a meeting with Brigadier General Rodolphe Haykal, according to a statement from the presidency.

The order came just hours after Israeli soldiers entered the border town of Blida and stormed the town hall, killing municipal worker Ibrahim Salameh, who had been sleeping there, the state-owned National News Agency (NNA) reported.

 :                            .                 pic.twitter.com/63BsFGxisx     Al-Akhbar (@AlakhbarNews) October 30, 2025

Translation: Al-Akhbar report: Martyrdom of Blida Municipality employee Ibrahim Salameh by gunfire from an Israeli force that infiltrated more than a thousand metres [0.6 miles] into Lebanese territory at dawn today and stormed the municipality centre, where he was staying overnight in one of its rooms. The force remained inside the building for about two hours and fired several bursts of gunfire that struck Salameh, causing damage to the centres walls and contents.

Village residents quoted by NNA said the raid lasted several hours and Israeli forces withdrew at dawn.

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The Israeli military confirmed its forces had operated in Blida overnight, saying they opened fire after identifying an immediate threat during an operation to destroy infrastructure held by Hezbollah but did not provide evidence. The incident was under review, it added.

It was not immediately clear whether Salameh had been deliberately targeted and, if so, why he would be.

Aoun condemned the attack as part of a pattern of Israeli aggression and said it was launched shortly after a meeting of the committee monitoring the cessation of hostilities.

He urged the committee to go beyond recording violations and to press Israel to abide by the November 27 ceasefire and halt its breaches of Lebanese sovereignty.

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Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the incursion as a blatant attack on the institutions and sovereignty of the Lebanese state.

Lebanons army has deployed to the area but did not provide details of the operation. The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon said it was seeking more information on the incident.

Hezbollah back Lebanese army

Aouns orders for the army to confront Israeli incursions have been welcomed by Hezbollah, which said it urged full support for the army.

Hezbollah, created during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and occupation of the south, has been the main regional resistance to Israel in the last few decades, harrying Israel out of Lebanon in 2000, fighting a 2006 war to a deadlock but then suffering huge losses in the hostilities that began in 2023 and the subsequent war that saw its top leaders killed.

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The NNA also reported that Israeli forces carried out air strikes on the areas of Mahmoudiyeh and Jarmak in southern Lebanon. No information was immediately available regarding the casualties or damage inflicted. The Israeli military issued a statement saying it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure.





Meanwhile, in the capital, Beirut, residents heard the loud buzz of an Israeli Hermes 450 drone, used for surveillance but also capable of carrying multiple deadly payloads.

Israels violations of the airspace above Beirut are common and over the past week have become an almost daily occurrence.

Israel has repeatedly bombarded Lebanon, violating the November ceasefire that sought to end more than a year of hostilities that escalated into months of full-blown war with Hezbollah. In October alone, Israeli strikes have killed more than 20 people in Lebanon, according to the countrys Ministry of Public Health.

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As part of last years ceasefire, 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.

According to the agreement, only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers are to be deployed in southern Lebanon, but Israel still occupies five positions in southern Lebanon.

Under pressure from the United States and fearing an escalation of Israeli strikes, the Lebanese government has moved to begin disarming Hezbollah, which has said it will not lay down its weapons.

Lebanese officials believe Israels near-daily strikes aim to prevent any reconstruction in the war-ravaged south.

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Israels attacks around the Middle East havent ceased with the recent ceasefire in Gaza, which itself continues to be bombarded by the Israeli military.

Lebanon, Syria and the occupied West Bank have all witnessed Israeli strikes in the past week, giving credence to the idea that Israel is trying to keep its neighbours destabilised and weak, analysts say.




The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon should mean that there are no Israeli strikes against Hezbollah, but that would only stop when the Lebanese Gov't starts disarming them.

Lebanon wants Israels continued airstrikes to stop. Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire last November after the IDF dealt Hezbollah serious blows.

The ceasefire is ostensibly between Israel and Lebanon, and this covers Hezbollah, because it should mean that Israels airstrikes stop. Israel has asserted, however, that it has a right to continue striking Hezbollah.

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Tensions are escalating.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun instructed the army on Thursday to confront any Israeli incursion into southern Lebanon after Israeli forces crossed the border overnight and killed a municipal employee, despite a US-brokered ceasefire, Reuters reported.

The main reason the airstrikes are continuing is to prevent Hezbollah from regrowing its tentacles in Lebanon. The airstrikes likely also can pressure Lebanon to finally rein in Hezbollah and disarm it.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun attends a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, March 28, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool)

There was optimism this past spring that Lebanon would do the right thing. The new president, Aoun, and the new prime minister, Nawaf Salam, have appeared to want to disarm Hezbollah.

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They talk a good game, and they have regional support to disarm the group as well. Arab states such as Saudi Arabia would like to see Hezbollahs power reduced.

The problem with Aoun and Salam, however, is that they have been involved in Lebanese politics and affairs for decades. They are creatures of the state.

This means that even though they may want to do the right thing, they arent yet able to think outside the box. In essence, they grew up with Hezbollah having an illegal terrorist army controlling part of Lebanon as a norm, and they cant see a way forward.

How are they going to use the army to disarm Hezbollah, when Aoun and Salam didnt do it in the past in previous roles? Aoun is from the army, and Salam has long experience in diplomacy. They never achieved much for Lebanon, however, and they have yet to achieve again.

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The difference now is that Iran and Hezbollah are greatly weakened. The Assad regime is also gone. This isolates Hezbollah.

Lebanon had tried to pave the way for disarming Hezbollah by first disarming some Palestinian groups. It was successful in disarming Palestinian groups linked to Fatah, the leading group in the Palestinian Authority.

Hamas did not disarm, however, and Fatah agreed to disarm based on an agreement with Beirut. As such, this showed how the government could disarm a group only as long as the group is willing to do so. The government has no experience taking guns when groups dont want to hand them over.

This illustrates why Lebanon has a hard time facing Hezbollah and making its next move.

UN and US role in disarming Hezbollah

There was spotlight on Lebanon this week when US Deputy Special Presidential Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus was in Lebanon. She had been in Israel prior to going to Lebanon.

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There is also focus on the UN and international organizations, as well as the role of the US and others in working on a mechanism that is supposed to aid Lebanon in finding Hezbollah arms and destroying them.

This has led to conflicting reports about Lebanons success. Lebanon claims it has blown up Hezbollah arms caches.

One report even claimed that Lebanons army had run out of explosives because it had destroyed so many Hezbollah arms using existing explosives. This seems far-fetched, but it feeds into the excuse factory that helps Lebanon avoid responsibility.

Another report said the UN and France had condemned Israel for an incident involving a drone and the UNIFIL peacekeeping force.

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Meanwhile, During a meeting with Army Commander General Rudolph Haykal at Baabda Palace in Beirut, Aoun said the attack was staged a day after a meeting by the ceasefire oversight committee, which must not limit itself to recording incidents but act to end them by pressing Israel to respect the November ceasefire agreement and cease its violations of Lebanese sovereignty, Turkeys Anadolu Agency, a state-run news agency, reported.

This entire sequence of events illustrates how Lebanon and Israel may be careening toward a new crisis. There had been a year of hope. It seems that Hezbollah will not disarm, however, and actually wants to not only resist but to return to control parts of Lebanon. This will take time.

Pro-Hezbollah media outlets in Lebanon, such as Beirut-based newspaper Al Akhbar, are in favor of Lebanon potentially confronting Israel over the airstrikes.

This shows how Hezbollah is playing its cards and is trying to wait out the strikes until Lebanon, or perhaps the US, tries to hold the Israeli attacks in check.
LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN)  Two people were arrested in Lebanon on Tuesday for their alleged participation in a nationwide retail theft operation.

According to the Lebanon Police Department, nearby agencies notified the LPD of an ongoing nationwide organized retail theft ring that was at this point operating in Middle Tennessee.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

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LPD officials used their SafeNet license plate reader system and confirmed the suspect vehicle had been in Lebanon within the hour of being notified. Officials notified officers, and they requested an extra patrol for area hardware stores, according to the LPD.

Officials said Lebanon police officers located the suspect vehicle in the Lowes parking lot on South Cumberland Street. They spotted the suspects walking and detained them in the parking lot.

According to the LPD, officers found that the suspects had stolen about $1,000 worth of electronic locks from Lowes. One of the suspects  a 35-year-old woman  had a purse lined with material designed to block security sensors.

The LPD reportedly worked with other agencies to learn that the suspects  both of whom are from Ontario, Canada  entered the United States days earlier and were stealing from hardware stores across the country as they traveled further south.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

As a result, a 35-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man were arrested, according to the LPD.

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Police said this investigation remains active.

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.
This story was originally published on Higher Ed Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Higher Ed Dive newsletter.

The September ruling in Harvard Universitys favor restoring roughly $2.2 billion in federal funding struck a short-term blow against the Trump administrations use of civil rights investigations against universities.

The administration pulled the funding in April after Harvard rejected a series of sweeping demands, claiming it was suspending the funds because the university hadnt adequately protected students from antisemitism.

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In June, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services civil rights office formally accused the university of violating Title VI, which bars discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin in programs or activities receiving federal funding.

Yet in her 84-page order, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs found that none of the federal governments grant termination letters specified how Harvard failed to respond to any acts of antisemitism in violation of Title VI.

A review of the administrative record makes it difficult to conclude anything other than that Defendants used antisemitism as a smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically-motivated assault on this countrys premier universities, Burroughs wrote. Further, their actions have jeopardized decades of research.

Harvard isnt the only university facing Title VI accusations. The Trump administration is seeking $1.2 billion from the University of California, Los Angeles  plus an overhaul of its campus practices  after the U.S. Department of Justice accused the institution of violating Title VI. In both UCLA and Harvards cases, the Trump administration cited pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations and claims of antisemitism in its notices of violations.

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The Justice Department didn't make an official available for an interview.

These types of developments have set off a high stakes debate among legal experts about whether the Trump administration is weaponizing Title VI.

They trouble Jodie Ferise, a partner in the higher education practice at the Indiana law firm of Church Church Hittle and Antrim, who previously served as vice president and general counsel for the Independent Colleges of Indiana.

Discrimination was always a disqualifier for federal funds, but when its just a pretext to bend higher education to the federal governments will, thats a problem, Ferise said. To sweep every single grant off the table seems more like extortion. Nothing about it is designed to make higher education better.

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In the Harvard ruling, Burroughs wrote that the administration failed to take the proper steps before pulling federal funding.

Title VI requires the federal government to notify an institution of its alleged violation and determine that it cant come into compliance voluntarily before ending financial assistance to the university, the judge explained. Even then, the agency may terminate the funding only after the university has been given the opportunity for a hearing.

Burroughs concluded, It is undisputed that Defendants did not comply with these requirements before issuing the Freeze Orders or Termination Letters.

However, experts who spoke with Higher Ed Dive agree that Burroughs ruling is far from the last word on the issue. That case could eventually be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, as the Trump administration vowed to appeal, though a settlement is not impossible.

Is the Trump administration using Title VI legitimately?

The Trump administration has warned dozens of colleges of potential Title VI violations. In March, the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights sent letters to 60 institutions of higher education warning them of potential enforcement actions if they failed to comply with Title VI to protect Jewish students.

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Whats been happening is not so much expanding Title VI as implementing it properly so theres no double standard. For many years, Jewish students rights were not being protected, said Kenneth Marcus, the founder and CEO of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, a research and legal advocacy group aiming to combat antisemitism.

As an official in the George W. Bush administration and the first Trump administration, Marcus also strongly advocated for the use of Title VI to protect students who were harassed because of their ancestry, such as ethnic and religious characteristics.

When Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI was an ingenious mechanism to ensure federal funds are not misused, said Marcus in noting this was crucial to ensure institutions racially desegregated.

He added that Title VI can have a broad impact because it ensures students dont face a hostile environment and have equal access to learning opportunities at their institutions.

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But Harvard law professor Benjamin Eidelson takes a decidedly different view about the Trump administration's use of Title VI. Eidelson, who co-authored a June Harvard Law Review article about Title VI and antisemitism, said in an email to Higher Ed Dive that the recent enforcement actions and lawsuits have gone far, far beyond anything Title VI was meant to do.

He added that Title VI was never meant to require imposing content-based speech restrictions in the name of curing a hostile environment.

Nobody has a right under Title VI to have a campus free of protests that offend their moral or political convictions, Eidelson said. Its so clear that fighting antisemitism is just the administrations pretext for imposing ideological reform and demanding submission across the board. And Judge Burroughs rightly held that the First Amendment doesnt allow that.

Marcus, however, takes issue with the judges view that the Trump administrations position is a smokescreen. Speaking of his conversations with administration officials, Marcus said, There is no question in my mind that theyre furious with whats happened to too many Jewish students and faculty members.

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The Brandeis Center was not a party to the case before Burroughs, but it had settled a separate Title VI federal lawsuit against Harvard earlier this year on behalf of several students.

Under the settlement, Harvard agreed to incorporate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances definition of antisemitism to assess complaints of harassment. While some have praised the adoption of the IHRAs definition  which lists different examples of potential antisemitism  critics argue it can be used to target protected forms of speech and criticism against Israel.

But Gerard Filitti, senior counsel at The Lawfare Project, a nonprofit organization that has filed Title VI antisemitism lawsuits against colleges such as Columbia University, Carnegie Mellon University and The Cooper Union, said the cases he has seen involve legitimate antisemitic incidents and that there has been a double standard.

He said, for instance, that it would be unthinkable to have lecturers speak about white power on college campuses, but suggested the equivalent is happening with hate speech against Jews. The 64,000-foot view is its always good when the government is doing what it can to combat antisemitism.

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Columbias $221 million settlement with the federal government this summer, after the administration formally accused it of violating Title VI, will deter future bad conduct, according to Filitti. But he added that the deal could have included more policies to address the root cause of antisemitism.

No one wants to send out invitations to their own funeral

In Harvards case, the university established two task forces in January 2024  one to combat antisemitism and anti-Israeli bias and another to fight anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bias. The university also began making policy changes aimed at ensuring that its campus is safe and welcoming for those students. Other universities have similarly set up task forces to combat antisemitism and taken actions such as hiring Title VI coordinators in recent months.

But the Trump administration is citing the findings of these task force reports when accusing universities of violating Title VI. And that doesnt sit well with attorney Ferise, who suggested this tactic is already leading to a chilling effect among university administrators.

If we are only inviting candid disclosure of their weak spots so as to prove our preexisting notion that they were evil actors with discriminatory intentions, thats a real disincentive to lay bare any unpleasant truth, she said. No one wants to send out invitations to their own funeral.

Discrimination was always a disqualifier for federal funds, but when its just a pretext to bend higher education to the federal governments will, thats a problem."

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Jodie Ferise

Partner, Church Church Hittle and Antrim

The Brandeis Centers Marcus acknowledged that university administrators at many institutions have taken actions to deter antisemitism, but said few have done enough. And, he added, Sophisticated people in universities have known for some time that these task force reports can be used as evidence.

Along similar lines, Filitti said the task force report contents are precisely what plaintiffs are seeking in discovery anyway, so it saves six months of time and expense to seek the findings out earlier.

But Harvards Eidelson noted in an email to Higher Ed Dive that these reports, including Harvard's, often focus on how the university can better promote a sense of belonging for students who might feel marginalized.

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That is a fundamentally different question than the one that matters under Title VI, namely how the university has responded if and when students experience harassment that is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively bars the victims access to an educational opportunity or benefit, Eidelson said, citing a 1999 Supreme Court ruling in Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education.

While these task force reports could theoretically be used to surface information relevant to a federal investigation, they pose special risks of misuse, especially in the hands of unserious investigators, Eidelson said. Thats because these task force reports are usually seeking to answer different questions than what matters under the law, he added.

Whats next?

The potential loss of federal funding is a real pressure point, lawyers on all sides point out.

The power of the purse has always been an important tool in the governments arsenal, the Lawfare Projects Filitti said. The flip side is its meant to address discrimination and not be used for political purposes.

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But Ferise lamented that that s exactly whats happening.

At Harvard, she pointed to the Trump administration sending overbroad demand letters seeking information about international students, including whether they have conduct violations or if they have obstructed the schools learning environment.

Thats not calculated to reveal who engaged in a bias incident, Ferise said.

"Whats been happening is not so much expanding Title VI as implementing it properly so theres no double standard."

Kenneth Marcus

Founder and CEO, Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law

Ferise added that its not just elite institutions that should fear these government investigations and enforcement actions.

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Every college and university should be concerned, but smaller schools dont have the bandwidth to fight these investigations in court, she said.

And that has led her to change the advice she now gives to her higher education clients.

We represent several small, private institutions with large endowments for their size and a great deal of intentionality about inclusion. Not in a million years could any of them afford to litigate as Harvard has, Ferise said.

You never want to say Lay low, but that is my advice now because you dont want to end up on the administrations radar. No one wants to be the first non-elite school that goes out of business.
Wisconsin doesn't have a statewide ban on exotic pets, making it among the most lenient states in the country. That means you could own anything from wallabies to monkeys, as long as no local or federal rules get in the way.

Here's what to know:

Is it legal to own exotic animals in Wisconsin?

Anyone can own an exotic animal in Wisconsin as long as they follow federal, state and local requirements.

In Cudahy, for example, a woman who owns a pet wallaby had to move him out of the city after learning her local ordinances didn't allow it, even though Wisconsin law does.

How can someone legally acquire an exotic animal in Wisconsin?

State law says wild animals must be legally acquired, which means they came from a source or breeder licensed by the state Department of Natural Resources or the U.S. Department of Agriculture and weren't illegally captured.

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Anyone importing an exotic animal from outside Wisconsin also needs approval from the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. According to the department, you must provide an import permit and a certificate of veterinary inspection when bringing in an exotic species.

The type of permit depends on the situation: short-term permits for visiting animals, like those in circuses or rodeos, or relocation permits for animals moving here permanently. Both are available online.

In an area the public is not allowed, owner David Fechter is sniffed by Ginger, a 10-year-old female Bengal tiger, Friday, October 24, 2025 at the Shalom Wildlife Zoo in the Town of Farmington near West Bend, Wisconsin. The privately-owned zoo, which started in 1979, has 88 species and about 800 animals.

What are the rules for keeping an exotic animal in Wisconsin?

Once a wild animal is obtained legally, there are additional rules for keeping it  depending on the species and reason for ownership.

According to state law and DNR rules, a Captive Wild Animal Farm License is required to possess:

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Any endangered or threatened species

Any "harmful wild animal," which includes bears, cougars, wolf-dog hybrids and mute swans

Most native wild animals, except for some small, commonly-found species like squirrels, mice or opossums

Other types of licenses may apply depending on how the animal is used. For example, anyone who breeds or exhibits wild animals in a commercial setting must also be licensed by the USDA.

All owners of endangered species must obtain an Endangered and Threatened Species Permit.

What types of rules could my city, town or village impose on exotic pets?

Wisconsin may not have a statewide ban on exotic pets, but local governments can set their own restrictions.

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In Milwaukee, exotic animals are generally prohibited unless specifically authorized by the city. The ordinance says animals that aren't domesticated can't be kept or brought into the city unless the health commissioner allows it.

Anyone hoping to bring a wild or exotic animal into Milwaukee for a private party, petting zoo, or event must first submit a letter to the Department of Neighborhood Services.

If an animal injures a human or another animal, or has been declared dangerous elsewhere, it can be ordered removed from the city.

South Milwaukee requires exotic or wild animal owners to get a permit from the City Health Department, which can be denied if the animal poses a danger or nuisance. The city bans most wild species altogether, except in places like zoos, circuses, or educational facilities.

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Madison bans selling, possessing and purchasing any exotic or wild animal. Only licensed professionals or people authorized by the DNR can have them. The city also bans anyone from displaying cougars, bears, or other "harmful wild animals" unless they're part of a public zoo or DNR-authorized exhibit.

Should you own a wild animal in Wisconsin?

Even if it's legal, animal welfare experts advise against having a wild or exotic animal as a pet.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which accredits major zoos worldwide, says wild animals shouldn't be pets because:

Their complex behavioral, nutritional and psychological needs can't be met by most people.

It's dangerous  wild animals can bite, scratch or attack people, leaving the owner legally responsible. The animal could also carry diseases fatal to humans like rabies.

It could endanger their species. For example, according to the organization, parrots have become the world's most endangered family of birds due to the international pet trade.

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Quinn Clark is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be emailed at QClark@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin exotic pet laws: Can you legally own a wild pet?
South Dakota Secretary of State Monae Johnson testifies before the Legislature's Joint Committee on Appropriations on Feb. 11, 2025, at the Capitol in Pierre. (Photo by John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

A legislative committee voted unanimously on Thursday to order South Dakotas secretary of state to answer questions about the states election equipment contracts.

Secretary of State Monae Johnson was expected to attend Thursdays meeting, but canceled a couple of days beforehand, said Sen. Taffy Howard, R-Rapid City, the chair of the Government Operations and Audit Committee.

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We represent the entirety of the Legislature and we represent the citizens of this state, Howard said. Essentially, when you disregard this committee, you are disregarding the citizens of this state.

The order to appear is known as a subpoena. The committee is using expanded oversight powers granted by the Legislature earlier this year to issue subpoenas, without an extra sign-off from the Legislatures Executive Board.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Tea Republican Sen. Ernie Otten said the committee was being slighted by Johnsons failure to appear, adding that lawmakers need to hear the other side of allegations against Johnsons office.

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Members of the South Dakota Canvassing Group, which advocates for removing tabulation machines from elections and replacing them with hand counting, allege that the Secretary of States Office allowed an election systems vendor to provide uncertified laptops to some counties for election use, and used some funds inappropriately to update the states voter registration and election night reporting system. The group is also concerned about a vendor connected to a multi-state voter registration system that has come under scrutiny for privacy and security concerns.

Some of those concerns were raised by members of South Dakota Canvassing at the committees May meeting, but lawmakers chose to have Johnson return at a later meeting to answer questions posed to her.

The South Dakota Secretary of States Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from South Dakota Searchlight. Johnson provided a statement to KELO News that said, Safe elections are my top priority as secretary of state. I told the GOAC Committee that today wouldnt work for my testimony because of a county auditor training, and I sent a letter responding to their questions. Ill continue to work with them to transparently do my job for the people of South Dakota.
This story has been updated with a response from Secretary of State Johnson.

PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  A panel of state lawmakers is ordering the South Dakota secretary of state, Monae Johnson, to appear next month and answer questions raised about her offices contract with an election services company.

The Legislatures Government Operations and Audit Committee voted 10-0 on Thursday to issue a subpoena directing Johnson to attend the panels next meeting on November 13.

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Spink Co. Deputy hit by car while helping pedestrian

Johnson met with the committee on May 8 regarding her offices $4.5 million contract with KNOWiNK. Jessica Pollema, a leader of South Dakota Canvassing Group, and others made allegations and raised questions during the public-comment period that followed.

Johnsons office posted a response, dated July 16, on her offices website. Included were a copy of the contract and an amendment signed by Johnson on June 17 and by the state Bureau of Information and Telecommunications commissioner, Mark Wixon, on June 18.

The KNOWiNK contract was on the GOAC meeting agenda again Thursday. Neither Johnson nor anyone from her office attended.

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Republican Rep. Marty Overweg then called for the committee to subpoena Johnson. He said Johnson had been asked many times to come back but had not.

This is the end. This is where we have to go. This motion is one we had to do, Overweg said, adding that his personal opinion was that Johnsons non-attendance was unprofessional.

Republican Rep. Julie Auch agreed. Her refusing to appear is derelict to her duties, Auch said.

Johnson responded in a statement to KELOLAND News on Thursday afternoon. Her statement said, Safe elections are my top priority as secretary of state. I told the GOAC Committee that today wouldnt work for my testimony because of a County Auditor training, and I sent a letter responding to their questions. Ill continue to work with them to transparently do my job for the people of South Dakota.

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The Legislature earlier this year modified GOACs authority so that the panel no longer needed clearance from the Legislatures Executive Board to issue a subpoena.

South Dakota law specifically says GOAC may examine all records and vouchers, summon witnesses by request or by issuing a subpoena, and thoroughly examine all expenditures and the general management of each department of state government.

We do not take this lightly as a committee. This is not something we were looking to do, the committees chair, Republican Sen. Taffy Howard, said.

Republican Sen. Ernie Otten said that Howard has been gracious in allowing Johnson time to prepare herself. He said GOACs role is to be a watchdog for the other 95 members of the Legislature.

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We have to get to the bottom of this, Otten said, referring to the South Dakota Canvassing Groups allegations. We have to hear the other side of it. He added, If were not going to do our jobs and find out about this, theres no sense in having a GOAC any more.

Minnehaha County Auditor Leah Anderson talking with Republican Sen. Ernie Otten after the meeting.

Howard said GOAC represents the people of South Dakota. Essentially when you disregard this committee, you disregard the citizens of the state, she said. Its too bad its come to this point.

Among those in the Capitol meeting room were Republican Rep. Heather Baxter, who has announced that she will challenge for the Republican nomination for secretary of state next year, and Minnehaha County Auditor Leah Anderson, a frequent critic of Johnson.

South Dakota voters havent re-elected a secretary of state since Republican Chris Nelson won a second term in 2006.

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Anderson told the committee during the public comment period that she was at the elections-training meeting on Wednesday and Thursday held by Johnson and her office. Anderson said Johnson had spent a few minutes doing the introduction on Wednesday and posted a video on Thursday.

Anderson said that Johnsons elections staff and KNOWiNK staff conducted the training.

For the most part, I didnt see much of her, Anderson said. She doesnt really do anything when shes there. I kind of wanted to get that brought to light.

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.
Oct. 30This weekend is Halloween and Dia de los Muertos, and you can find events celebrating those holidays, as well as a touch of Christmas. Or check out one of these other hauntingly good options.

Got an event we should know about? Reach out to features@abqjournal.com.

Gloom and marigolds

The Santa Fe Plaza is celebrating Dia de los Muertos from 4-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1. The event will feature ofrenda adornment, mariachi, dance performances, a screening of "Coco" and more. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, you can strut your stuff at the Zozobra Costume Contest, where participants dress up as Old Man Gloom.

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Love those lemurs

In the wild, lemurs are endemic to the island of Madagascar. In Albuquerque, you can find them at the ABQ BioPark Zoo. Learn more about the primates from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, for World Lemur Day. Keeper chats are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the black-and-white ruffed lemur habitat. Admission to the zoo is $1-$19.50 at artsandculture.cabq.gov, and free for qualified individuals. The zoo is located at 903 10th St. SW.

Vamping it

The South Broadway Cultural Center is hosting a screening of the 1922 horror classic, "Nosferatu," featuring an original live score from Explore Academy, at noon Friday, Oct. 31. The high school students in Explore Academy's Media Ensemble will use cinematic noises and instruments to create the score. Tickets are $10 at artsandculture.cabq.gov. South Broadway Cultural Center is located 1025 Broadway Blvd. SE.

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Dance extravaganza

Sirena Studio is bringing "Raqs Alba: A Belly Dace Extravaganza!" to the South Broadway Cultural Center at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1. The showcase will feature performances from studio instructors, professional troupes, special guests and more. Tickets are $15-20 at artsandculture.cabq.gov, and prices increase day of the show. South Broadway Cultural Center is located 1025 Broadway Blvd. SE.

Christmas comes early

The Rosemalers of New Mexico and the Scandinavian Club of Albuquerque are inviting you to Julbutikk, a Scandinavian Christmas festival, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1. The event will feature live music, the art of Norwegian rosemaling (floral painting), food and artisan vendors and more. The St. John's United Methodist Church is located at 2626 Arizona St. NE. Admission and parking are free.

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Familia affair

The National Hispanic Cultural Center is hosting "Dia de Familia: Dia de los Muertos" at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1. Eventgoers can decorate sugar skulls, craft paper flowers, sample pan de muerte and more. The event is free. To register, visit nhccnm.org. The NHCC is located at 1701 Fourth St. SW.

Music of the night

Night of the Living Cover Bands is back at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, with an all ages encore show. Listen to the sounds of Dust City Opera as Nine Inch Nails, Fudosa as Britney Spears, Dymer as AC/DC and more. Tickets are $12 at holdmyticket.com. Launchpad is located at 618 Central Ave. SW.


While an Israel Democracy Institute study found that national mood is trending upwards, 72.5% of Israelis expressed doubt that Hamas will be replaced by a multinational ruling body.

Less than half of Israelis believe that Hamas is likely to relinquish control of the Gaza Strip and hand power over to a multinational ruling body, a survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute revealed on Monday.

The survey asked over 700 Jewish and Arab Israelis over the age of 18 a variety of questions regarding the end of the Israel-Hamas War, the ongoing release of hostages from Hamas captivity in Gaza, and the United States-brokered Gaza deal.

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According to the study, two-thirds of the sampled participants thought that there is a low likelihood that the next stage of the agreement, which includes distancing Hamas from control of Gaza and establishing a multinational ruling body, will be implemented soon.

Jewish Israeli participants, 72.5% held this doubt, while only 37% of Arab Israelis shared the same low expectation.

A deal could have been reached sooner

A majority of surveyed Arab and Jewish individuals agreed across demographics that a similar ceasefire-hostage deal could have been reached earlier in the war.

Released hostage Avinatan Or, who was kidnapped from the Nova Festival during the deadly October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, gestures upon his return in Shilo, in the West Bank, October 21, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/HANNAH MCKAY)

Within the Jewish Israeli demographic, however, there were large discrepancies between political groups. 93% of left-leaning Jews responded that a similar deal could have been reached earlier, while only 44% of right-leaning Jews shared the sentiment.

Factors contributing to the ceasefire deal

Researchers also asked respondents about various factors and how they contributed to reaching a deal.

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The biggest contributing factor, according to participants, was US President Donald Trump. Nearly all participants (95%) believed he contributed positively, with an overwhelming majority, 77.5%, stating that Trump very much contributed.

The second most popular contributing factor was military pressure in Gaza, with 78% agreeing on the IDFs positive contribution to the implementation of the deal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus contribution was ranked second-to-last, with only half of the participants attributing the deal's success to him.

When it comes to whose interests were best served by the deal, the majority of Jewish respondents, 51%, believed that Israels interests were best served. A similar portion of Arab participants, 50%, responded that the interests of both Israel and Hamas were served equally.

Israeli response to ceasefire violations

Concerns regarding Hamas' commitment to the ceasefire were further expressed in response to a query asking what Israels response should be if Hamas does not uphold its end of the deal.

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The two most popular options across all participants were to prioritize increasing military pressure. Approximately 39% were in support of just increasing military pressure, and 37% supported prioritizing the implementation of stronger sanctions against Hamas, paired with re-restricting the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Just 15% of the total sample believed that Israel should continue to implement the deal to avoid further escalation.

The results of Jewish Israelis mirrored those of the general sample, with the same two options at 45% and 42%.

Arab Israelis overwhelmingly, at 56%, expressed that Israel should place emphasis on avoiding escalation, with the two most generally popular options seeing only 10% and 12.5% of interest.

'Very good' and hopeful national mood

Despite concerns about the ceasefire's possible fragility, demographics generally expressed hope that the agreement bodes well for Israels future on the international stage. Over half (53%) of Jewish Israelis and 47% of Arab Israelis felt that the signing of the agreement and the ceasefire help improve Israels international standing in the foreseeable future to a large or very large extent.

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A majority of surveyed Arab and Jewish individuals agreed across demographics that a similar ceasefire-hostage deal could have been reached earlier in the war.

Within the Jewish Israeli demographic, however, there were large discrepancies between political groups. Among left-leaning Jewish Israelis, 93% said a similar deal could have been reached earlier, while only 44% of right-leaning Jews shared that sentiment.

Overall, surveyed participants reported that the national mood of Israel has been trending positively, with 57.5% of responses stating that the mood is fairly good or very good. This was a massive increase from a similar previous study, in which 71% of participants deemed the national mood fairly poor or very poor.
To the editor: The methane leak that forced Newport Beach residents to evacuate their homes last week underscores the threat of decaying oil and gas infrastructure ( Methane gas leak leads to evacuations on a Balboa Peninsula street, Oct. 23). Its a problem California needs to take seriously.

Californians face a huge threat from wells like the one in Newport Beach, which was reportedly plugged nearly 100 years ago  before todays standards for sealing wells were in effect.

But even more urgently, California must deal with its nearly 90,000 unplugged oil and gas wells that all need to be cleaned up. More than a third of these already sit idle, many of which have not produced in a decade or more. These wells can leak methane and dangerous toxins like hydrogen sulfide and benzene that poison communities and the environment.

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California lawmakers and regulators need to act with urgency and make sure these idle wells are plugged to modern standards.

Fortunately, theres a relatively simple solution: Make operators plug their idle wells faster. These wells brought them immense profits when they were producing, and paying for cleanup should be their responsibility.

Cooper Kass, Los Angeles

This writer is a staff attorney at the Center for Biological Diversitys Climate Law Institute.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta strongly criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his recent "dance" remark targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling the opposition alliance a "Maha'thag'bandhan" and a "shop of thugs." Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Gupta said, "This is a Maha'thag'bandhan. It's a shop of thugs. Those who have already eaten the fodder are now hoping that the public will fall for their bait, but they won't." Continuing her attack, the Chief Minister mocked Congress leader's understanding of India, saying, "Rahul Gandhi, who doesn't know where or how jalebi is made, doesn't know where potatoes are grown. When he talks about India, standing in Bihar, I laugh at the thought of him parroting whatever he's taught. He doesn't know what he's saying or who he's talking about. So I feel embarrassed to comment on any statement by such a person." On Wednesday, addressing a rally in Muzaffarpur, Rahul Gandhi launched a staunch attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging he would 'do anything for votes'. Addressing an election rally at Muzaffarpur on Wednesday, Gandhi reiterated his "vote theft" allegations, accusing PM Modi of attempting to steal votes in the Bihar elections. The Congress leader said, "He (PM Modi) just wants your vote. If you ask him to do a drama for votes, he will. You can make him do anything. If you tell Narendra Modi to dance, he will dance." "They are engaged in stealing your votes. Because they want to end this election disease, I am telling you, they stole elections in Maharashtra, they stole elections in Haryana, and they will try their best in Bihar," he added. The Bihar assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
To the editor: Eighty years ago, more than 200,000 people were killed by two atomic bombs dropped in Japan. Humanity did not recoil from that horror. Instead, we went on to stockpile around 70,000 nuclear warheads.

As a recent op-ed points out, Kathryn Bigelows movie A House of Dynamite reminds us of this ever-present existential threat we live with ( The threat of nuclear war never went away, Oct. 27). Bigelows essential message is that a livable world requires fewer nuclear weapons. We have reduced the global stockpile of nuclear weapons to about 12,000 , yet in Bigelows movie, it is a single warhead that is racing to instantly wipe out millions of lives.

Another Los Angeles Times article in that same edition described Russian President Vladimir Putins veiled threat to use Russias newly enhanced cruise missiles, a dangerous escalation of the nuclear arms race ( Putin says Russias nuclear-armed underwater drone was tested successfully, Oct. 29). This is not a scary story; rather, it is a scary reality. There is no way this ends well except by working together to save ourselves. Humanity shares a common fate, whether it be good or bad.

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Phil Beauchamp, Chino Hills

..

To the editor: The atomic-powered missiles being developed by Russia and boasted about by Putin appear to be a message to President Trump: We will not blink again.

On the other hand, Trump has said we have a nuclear submarine thats the greatest in the world, poised right off [Russias] shores so it doesnt need to go 8,000 miles. Are these two leaders playing with fire?

It appears nuclear statements from the United States and Russia may have, in the long (or even short) run, apocalyptic results, and could become Trump and Putins self-fulfilling prophecy. I sure hope that is not the case.

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Hugo Pastore, Harbor City

..

To the editor: The most dangerous villain in the world is waging war on a sovereign nation and boasting about conducting successful tests on a nuclear-capable underwater weapon.

So how does the Trump administration respond? By sending members of our Navy to international waters off Venezuela to kill civilians ( Mexican president condemns U.S. strikes that killed 14 alleged drug traffickers, Oct. 28). It looks to the rest of the world like we have elected cowards and mob bosses in Washington to run our country.

Mary Montes, West Hills

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Geert Wilders will be banished to the opposition benches following election results that put centrist liberals in pole position to lead the next government.

The Dutch Trump won a landslide almost two years ago in a result that shook a Europe led by governments struggling to contain their own insurgent hard-Right parties.

Leaders including Sir Keir Starmer will be poring over Rob Jettens triumph for clues to how to ward off the threat of the populist and anti-migrant Right, led by the poll-topping Nigel Farage.

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The 38-year-old Mr Jetten is the favourite to become the first openly gay Dutch prime minister, after all the other major successful parties ruled out forming a coalition with the divisive Mr Wilders.

He took his liberal D66 to 26 seats, from nine in 2023, and made the pro-EU party the largest in the Netherlands, along with Mr Wilders eurosceptic Party for Freedom (PVV).

So how did a career politician, once derided as Robot Jetten for his reliance on uninspiring sound bites, transform the fortunes of the Dutch answer to Liberal Democrats?

Geert Wilders and Rob Jetten presented opposing manifestos, with the former taking a hardline stance on migration and the latter advocating for a Canadian-style approach - ROBIN UTRECHT/AFP

One deciding factor was the self-proclaimed progressive patriot efforts to reclaim the Dutch flag from the nationalist Mr Wilders.

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Dutch farmers, furious at the political establishment, had taken to flying the tricolour upside down from their tractors at protests.

In response, Mr Jetten made the flag central to his campaign, appearing before its fluttering colours at campaign rallies where his supporters would brandish patriotic pennants.

At the D66 election party, he said the omnipresent flags were waving goodbye to the years where it sometimes seemed like our country cant be proud anymore.

It was quite the departure for an ardently europhile party that traditionally draws its support from the metropolitan elite.

The Dutch flag became a central symbol in Mr Jettens campaign, serving as the backdrop to many of his rallies - JEROEN JUMELET/Shutterstock

Mr Wilders made immigration absolutely central to his campaign  calling for closed borders and a four-year ban on all asylum claims.

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To counter this, Mr Jetten also shifted his once pro-refugee party to the Right on immigration, in a country grappling with a chronic housing crisis.

He supports a Canadian-style system where asylum is only granted by invitation and backs processing migrants in offshore centres outside of the EU.

They went from lecturing to listening. This is highly uncomfortable stuff for some in D66, but it paid off, said Deniz Horzum, a former government official turned commentator.

It meant that Mr Jetten was able to poach some Right-wing voters as well as those expected to back the Left-wing GroenLinks-PVDA, which stood for a more liberal immigration policy.

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But the charismatic Mr Jetten was at pains to run a positive campaign, which he did under the Obama-esque slogan It is possible.

The contrast with the divisive Mr Wilders, whose slogan was This is your land, and who has called for a ban on the Koran, was pronounced.

Mr Wilders triggered Wednesdays snap election when he pulled the PVV out of the Right-wing coalition formed after his landslide victory after less than a year.

Mr Jetten promised to build not destroy, making a bold promise to construct 10 new cities in the densely populated Netherlands, by reclaiming land from the sea.

He made himself the anti-Wilders in an election dominated by the hard-Right firebrand.

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In a string of strong performances in the televised debates, Mr Jetten turned an election between 27 parties into a battle between himself and the veteran outsider.

His Right-wing rival was able to form a coalition after the 2023 election, after agreeing not to insist on becoming prime minister. This time, all of his potential allies ruled out governing with him.

The peroxide-blonde populist gambled on gaining a huge majority that would shame the other parties into swallowing their pride.

Instead, he lost seats as the momentum swung behind Mr Jetten in the final days of the campaign.

Many voters either wanted a return to normal politics or may have felt it was pointless voting for a man who would not be allowed to govern by the centrists.

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The EU, for now at least, will be breathing a sigh of relief as the Netherlands returns to the fold with a hard-Right, eurosceptic party contained once more.

Mr Wilders is not going anywhere, however. The difference in the number of votes cast for D66 and PVV was less than 2,000.

Opposition suits the 64-year-old Mr Wilders, who has spent much of his 20 years in politics on the fringes, and shows no sign of retiring. Ill keep going until Im 80, so youre not done with me yet, he told reporters as he cast his vote.

He remains a fixture and like similar European Right-wing nationalist parties in France, Germany, Poland, and the UK, knocking at the gates.

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.
LIMA  Lima schools Superintendent Andre Rudolph and Mayor Sharetta Smith made a surprise visit to the Lima Aquatic Center on Wednesday to observe a swim class for Freedom Elementary second-graders.

The school district now offers free swim lessons to all second- and sixth=grade students at Lima schools, whose newfound access to the aquatic center was on display during a special mayors press conference Wednesday morning.

The second-leading accidental cause of death in children ages 5 through 14 is drowning, Rudolph said, so we wanted to make sure all of our students had the opportunity to learn.

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Research shows low-income and minority children are at greater risk of drowning due to limited access to swim instruction.

The Aug. 30 opening of the Lima Aquatic Center provided an opportunity for Lima schools to ensure its students learn to swim. A similar initiative is underway at Heir Force Community School.

Students will partake in three swim lessons per week for two weeks in second and sixth grade, with help from the Lima Senior swim team.

Swim lessons for infants are already underway Saturdays at the Lima pool, with youth swim lessons youth ages four and older set to begin Monday. Free adult swim lessons will begin next Thursday as well.

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UPCOMING EVENTS AT POOL

 Baby & Guardian Splash: 9 to 9:45 a.m. Saturdays, $10 per class

 Adult Aqua Aerobics: 5 to 5:45 p.m. Wednesdays, $10 per class

 Youth Swim Classes: Ages 4+. Pilot sessions begin Monday, Nov. 3 and Wednesday, Nov. 5. Sessions are Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 10 sessions for $120

 Free Adult Swim Lessons: 6-7 p.m. Thursdays starting Thursday, Nov. 6 for the first 10 sign-ups

 Spooky Splash: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, $1 admission
LINDALE, Texas (KETK) The National Weather Service confirmed Wednesday that an EF1 tornado with winds peaking at 100mph tore through northeast Lindale.

 Weve had some straight-line winds, but nothing like this, Sam Turner, a Lindale homeowner, said.

The Latest: Severe weather strikes portions of East Texas, causing widespread damage

A day later, people could hear chainsaws cutting through fallen limbs and see clouds of wood shavings fill the air.

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Weve weathered some pretty bad storms, but nothing like yesterday, Turner said.

Turner continued to pick up the pieces after 100mph winds. His more than 100-year-old tree was pulled out of the ground and lay in front of his lawn.

Completely unexpected. I walked out of Lowes in the sunshine and I couldnt believe that there was actually a tornado here, Turner said.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport determined that the debris left behind indicates the storm was an EF1 tornado.

Youll be able to look and you can see where it has that rotational look to it, where it looks like the debris is pointed, you know, kind of counterclockwise as you go along, Warning Coordination meteorologist for the NWS, Chris Nuttall, said.

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Residents said contractors have already been out to begin the recovery process on homes in the area.

Weve seen a lot of trees snapped and uprooted. It has seen a lot of damage to the homes and farm buildings that have been destroyed, Nuttall said.

Turner said neighbors are helping each other recover from the damage.

Just trying to take it one step at a time. I mean, weve lost a lot of sawing and cutting and just hauling limbs to burn, while luckily, in our neighborhood, we are all chipping in, but well get it. Turner said.It will just take a little time.

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.





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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.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56)  With SNAP benefits anticipated to halt for the first time in the nations history at the start of November, hundreds of central Kentucky families relying on the government assistance program will need help from the community to access meals.

Food banks across central Kentucky will be working to help amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Heres a list of organizations in the central region of the Commonwealth that regularly provide food for those in need.

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Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news

Bourbon County

Operation Food Basket runs from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the basement of 505 High Street unless school is canceled.

Paris Community Action on Main Street offers canned goods and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

River of Life Ministries offers meals from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the last Saturday of every month and from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesdays. To learn more, call (859) 987-4407.

The Paris Church of Christ has organized a volunteer-run food program every Thursday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Once a month, Paris residents are welcome to get meals there. For more information, contact the church at (859) 987-5277.

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The Table at 722 Main Street offers free community dinners from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Boyle County

The Salvation Army Danville reportedly serves food to the public from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Clark County

First Baptist Church in Winchester serves food to the community from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Grace Bible Church Winchester offers meal distribution services each day of the week, according to the Gods Pantry website. Staff serve food from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, from 5 to 6 p.m. on Sundays, and from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every other day. For more information, call GraceBible Church at (859) 237-4722.

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Ark of Mercy is located on Winn Avenue and reportedly gives out food to the public on the first and third Mondays, and the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.

Fayette County

Gods Pantry Food Bank supplies those in need throughout central and eastern Kentucky all year. To find the closest food pantry near you, click here.

Black Soil is offering relief for those being impacted by the government freeze. Black Soil said to tell a Neighborhood Farmacy Market cashier, I need to eat local year-round, to receive up to $20 in groceries. Black Soil also has Grow-It-Forward Certificates at checkout. People with a TSA badge can also receive $20 of free groceries.

Chicken Salad Chicks Brannon Crossing location is offering free meals for children under 12 years old. The offer is going on now through Nov. 16 for dine-in only and is limited to one meal per kid per day. Children must be present. (Due to the high volume, the restaurant said its unable to offer this deal at the new Hamburg location.)

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FoodChain has been partnering with the Lexington community for over 12 years, working to educate residents on food literacy and operating an indoor aquaponic farm to feed the hungry. For a look at upcoming meal distributions, click here.

Glean Kentucky created a Fayette County Urgent Need Food Map that shows where food is available today. All locations are open to anyone in need. No identification or application of any kind is required. To see the map, click here.

Lexington Rescue Mission serves free meals: breakfast Monday-Saturday, 9-10 a.m., and lunch Monday-Saturday, noon to 1 p.m. Guests may also take produce, bread, and other food items. All meals are served at the Community Center at 535 W. Second St. in Lexington. To learn more, click here.

Lighthouse Ministries, a local faith-based nonprofit serving meals to low-income neighbors, is located at 190 Spruce Street in Lexington. Doors open for lunch at noon and dinner at 5:30 p.m., MondaySaturday. The nonprofit serves one meal on Sunday at 5 p.m. For more information, visit lighthouselex.org.

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Moveable Feast Lexington is a local volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for those living with HIV/AIDS, as well as hospice care patients and their families in Fayette County. For more information, contact Moveable Feast at (859) 252-2867.

Nickys Pizzeria in Lexington posted on social media that its staff will be serving free kids spaghetti and a piece of garlic bread to parents in need starting on Nov. 4. Parents can claim up to four of these meals per family by showing their SNAP card with a matching ID.

NorthEast Christian Church serves the east side of Lexington in partnership with Gods Pantry. Its open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Food items available include dairy, breads, meats, fresh vegetables/fruits, and non-perishable food items. Limited hygiene items may be available. Spanish translators may be available. For more information, click here.

Porter Memorial Baptist Food Pantry is open Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and is located at 4300 Nicholasville Road. To reserve a spot, call 859-272-3441.

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Sisters Road To Freedom is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women, teen girls, youth, and families through a wide range of holistic community services, including its More Than A Pantry. The pantry is open every Wednesday from 1:30-2:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until noon at 1018 E. New Circle Road (back of the building) in Lexington. For more details, check out their Facebook page.

The Hope Center is Lexingtons leading resource for recovery, shelter, housing, and support. The Jacobs Hope Cafeteria serves three hot meals a day to the Emergency Shelter clients, with dinner also being open to all food-insecure individuals of the public from 5-6 p.m. More information can be found here.

The Salvation Army has a food pantry that offers food and groceries for individuals and families in need. Fayette County residents can receive food assistance six times a year. Its open Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 736 W. Main St. in Lexington. For more information, call (859) 252-7706 or click here.

Central Kentucky trick-or-treat times for 2025

Jessamine County

Jessamine County Food Pantry has food tables open on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. A full schedule can be found at the pantrys website.

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The Community Service Center of Wilmore  High Bridge has been serving the community since 1981. Volunteers operate a food pantry and other resources at the center on Main Street.

Lincoln County

Fort Logan Cooperative Ministries serves food from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month.

Grace Fellowship Church serves meals to the community from 8 a.m. until supplies run out on the third Thursday of each month.

Montgomery County

From 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, Nov. 3, the Sterling Community Food Coalition is hosting a Gods Pantry food giveaway. Families in need can begin lining up at 9:30 a.m. Cars are limited to two households. Directions and more giveaway information can be found here.

Scott County

Amen House, Inc. in Georgetown announced on social media that the public can get meals from its pantry in November when SNAP cuts off. Scott County families will need to register upon their first visit. A video was posted on Facebook showing the registration process for first-time visitors. While there is a required registration, staff assured the community that those who came in need would leave with food.

Woodford County

The Food Pantry of Woodford County is located on Field of Dreams Road in Versailles and runs from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursday. Officials asked community members to drop off donations or supplies from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday or from 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays.

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Midway Baptist Church Pantry distributes food on the third Sunday of the month, according to the Gods Pantry website.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

Across Kentucky

For statewide updates on the status of SNAP and other government benefits, visit the Team Kentucky website.

A statewide map of food resources can be found on the Gods Pantry website.

For any additions or changes, please send details to wdky@nexstardigital.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 56 News.
LIST: Food banks, pantries in New Mexico

NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Approximately 460,000 residents in New Mexico use the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to put food on their tables, and in November, those benefits will not be paid due to the U.S. Department of Agricultures decision not to allocate more funding to the program while the federal government shutdown continues.

Additionally, the federal government shutdown has led to many federal workers not getting paid, and many others have been furloughed.

Local businesses step up in support as SNAP benefits set to expire

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During this time, it is expected that many people will turn to food banks and pantries for assistance. KRQE News 13 has compiled the following list of free food distribution events and additional resources in New Mexico.

**Editors Note: Not every food resource in New Mexico is included in this story, as there are many. This list is meant to serve as a snapshot of resources across the state.

It is encouraged that you contact or research the organizations listed below, as some may be closed due to holidays, food availability, or other reasons. Also, some organizations distributing food may require documentation such as ID or proof of address, and some may have income restrictions.

Lastly, if you are unable to travel to the distribution site, some organizations may offer alternative options for home-bound individuals and/or seniors.

Statewide resources

All five of the New Mexico food banks work together as the New Mexico Association of Food Banks (NMAFB) to provide food assistance resources for local communities across the state.

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Road Runner Food Bank, the largest food bank in New Mexico, holds mobile food pantry distributions across the state each month and works with more than 350 partner agencies to distribute food to those in need in 24 counties. The remaining nine counties are serviced by another food bank that is mentioned in this story.

Road Runner Food Bank has a Food Finder Map on its website, which lists food assistance locations across the state. On that webpage, you will also find a separate list of the food banks pop-up food distribution events. Those pop-up distribution events are also posted on the organizations Facebook page here.

Central New Mexico

Albuquerque:

Storehouse New Mexico

What: Food pantry

Hours: Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to Noon

Location: 106 Broadway Blvd. SE

Rio Grande Food Project

What: Food pantry

Hours: Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Location: Rio Grande Presbyterian Church at 600 Coors Blvd. NW

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Salvation Army Food Pantry

What: Food pantry

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Location: 4301 Bryn Mawr Dr. NE

UNM Lobo Food Pantry

What: Food pantry for enrolled UNM students

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: SUB Room 1093

CNM Food Pantry

What: Food pantry for enrolled CNM students

Hours: Varies by campus

Location: CNM Main Campus, Montoya Campus, South Valley Campus, and Westside Campus

Rio Rancho

Storehouse West Inc

What: Monthly food pantry that serves residents of Sandoval County

Hours: Contact for food distribution event time

Location: 1030-F Veranda Rd. SE

St. Felix Pantry

What: Weekly food pantry

Hours: Thursday-Saturday 9 a.m. to Noon

Location: 4020 Barbara Loop SE

Los Lunas

St Vincent de Paul of Los Lunas

What: Food pantry

Hours: Monday-Thursday, Noon to 1 p.m.

Location: 960 Main St. NE

Socorro

Socorro Storehouse

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What: Food boxes

Hours: Thursday, Noon-2 p.m.

Location: 960 Main St. NE

New Mexico Tech Food Pantry

What: Food pantry for students

Hours: Tuesday, 1-6 p.m. Wednesday, Noon- 2 p.m., 3-5 p.m., Thursday, 1-6 p.m., Friday, 12-2 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.

Location: Fidel Center, 3rd Floor, Room 326

Southern New Mexico

Casa de Peregrinos has multiple programs in place to provide food to the southern New Mexico community.

Anthony, Berino, Butterfield, Chaparral, Dona Ana County, La Mesa, Tortugas, Mesquite, Radium Springs, Vado

Casa de Peregrinos also holds monthly food pantry events in several southern New Mexico communities. For a full schedule, click here.

Hatch

Casa de Peregrinos Hatch Pantry

What: Food pantry

Hours: Wednesday and Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Location: 321 N Main St., Hatch

Las Cruces

Casa de Peregrinos

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What: Food box

Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 pm.

Location: 999 W. Amador, Build 1

Salvation Army Las Cruces Food Pantry

What: Distributes 70 food boxes weekly

Hours: Thursday, call at 8 a.m. to get a number and a pickup time.

Location: 590 E. California Avenue

Calvary Baptist Church

What: Food pantry for registered individuals

Hours: Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month, 8 to 10 a.m.

Location: 1800 S Locust St.

Aggie Cupboard NMSU

What: Food distribution for NMSU students, staff, or faculty

Hours: Varies by semester

Location: 906 Agriculture Way

Note: Resources are also available at the NMSU Alamogordo Campus.

Alamogordo:

Bethel Baptist Church Bags of Hope

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What: Bags of shelf-stable food

Hours: Second Saturday of the month, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Location: 1316 N Scenic Drive

Truth or Consequences:

Matthew 25 Food Pantry

What: Food pantry distribution

Hours: Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m.

Location: 405 Austin

Elephant Butte

Church at the Butte Shepherds Closet

What: Food distribution

Hours: Tuesday from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Location: 516 Butte Blvd.

Southeastern New Mexico

Carlsbad

Jonahs House Food Pantry

What: Food pantry

Hours: Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m.

Location: 512 W Stevens St.

Roswell

ENMU Cosmo Cupboard

What: Food pantry for ENMU Roswell students

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Location: Instructional Center, Room 121

Eastern New Mexico

The Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico serves Curry, Roosevelt, Quay, DeBaca, and Guadalupe Counties and holds mobile food pantry distribution events in these areas. The food bank has an online list of the distribution events in this region of the state.

Clovis

Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico Onsite Pantry

What: Food distribution for clients who can visit once a month

Hours: 9 a.m. until supplies run out

Location: 2217 E. Brady

Western and Southwestern New Mexico

Gallup and Grants:

The Community Pantry

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What: The Community Pantry offers a variety of food services for McKinley County and Cibola County residents.

Hours: Contact organization

Location: 1130 Hasler Valley Rd. in Gallup and 916 Sakelares Blvd. in Grants

Grant County

The Commons: Center for Food Security and Sustainability provides multiple food resources to the Grant County community. To learn more about the programs and for a schedule of events, click here.

Silver City

WNMU One Stop

What: Food pantry and distribution for WNMU students

Hours: Contact organization

Location: Contact organization

Northern New Mexico

The Food Depot food bank provides food to residents in nine counties in Northern New Mexico by partnering with local agencies, coordinating mobile food distribution events, and more. The organization has a list of food distribution sites on its website here. The Food

Depot buys and sources food, and receives USDA Emergency Food Assistance Program food from Road Runner Food Bank.

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The Economic Council Helping Others (ECHO) also hosts mobile food distribution events in Northern New Mexico. The organization often posts its schedule on its Facebook page here.

Santa Fe

The Food Depot Siler Road Drive Through Pantry

What: Drive-through food pantry

Hours: First and third Thursdays of the month, 7-9 a.m.

Location: 1222 A Siler Road

Santa Fe Indigenous Center

What: Native community food distributions twice per month, when supplies are available.

Hours: Dates vary, contact organization, 10 a.m.-Noon

Location: 1420 Cerrillos Rd.

Bienvenidos Outreach

What: Food boxes for the Santa Fe community

Hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: 1511 Fifth St.

Los Alamos

LA Cares

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What: Food distribution

Hours: Monthly Food Distribution, contact the organization for registration and dates Thursday, 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m.-Noon

Location: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2390 North Rd.

Raton

The Raton Hunger Pantry

What: Food distribution

Hours: Varies, contact organization

Location: Contact organization

Additional resources

Soup kitchens, found in some New Mexico communities, often serve hot meals to those in need.

Meals on Wheels New Mexico delivers meals for a fee and sometimes for free, depending on the applicants income and meal choice. The organizations website states that 85% of clients receive free or reduced-cost meals.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Millions of Americans are on track to lose their food assistance in a matter of days as the government shutdown continues.

Many local communities, food banks and meal sites are stepping up their efforts to host food drives and feed more people.

FAQ: What to know about food assistance during government shutdown

Heres a breakdown of whats happening in Southern New England for those who are in need of food or would like to donate. This list will be updated as more drives are announced. There are also maps of food pantries located in Rhode Island and Massachusetts below.

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Rhode Island

Central Falls

Central Falls Foundation: There will be a food pantry pop-up from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 85 Hunt St. The goal is to give people 7 to 14 days worth of food. The foundation expects to serve between 800 and 1,000 families. This event will only be open to Central Falls residents. Anyone who would like to help can donate here.

Cranston

MAE Organization: Anyone who would like to help the MAE Organization for the Homeless stock their shelves can drop off nonperishables at the following locations:

1221 Reservoir Ave in Cranston

1351 South County Trail in East Greenwich

46 Kettlepoint Ave in East Providence



East Providence

East Providence: The city is coordinating with local nonprofits on a citywide food drive. The following locations are accepting donations:

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EBCAP Pantry: Nonperishable food donations can be made between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Dennis Roy Building at 100 Bullocks Point Ave.

FEED RI: Donations can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday at 310 Bourne Ave. in Building 70.

Good Neighbors: Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 55 Turner Ave. The nonprofit is in need of cereal, canned meals, canned protein, canned fruits, sauces, spices, snacks, pasta sides, rice sides, dessert mixes and diapers.

Hope and Faith Drive: Donations of nonperishable food items can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday at East Providence City Hall on Taunton Avenue.

St. Francis Xavier Church Food Pantry: Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 81 North Carpenter St. In addition to nonperishables, the pantry is also in need of stuffing mix, gravy, pie filling, pie crust and nonperishable cranberry sauce.

Townie Pride Pantry: Donations can be dropped off between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 1998 Pawtucket Ave. The pantry is in need of peanut butter, pasta sauce and canned veggies.

Hassells Garage: From Nov. 1 to Nov. 25, this local business will be collecting nonperishable goods to donate to local food banks and pantries. Donations can be dropped off between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Fridays at 269 Wampanoag Trail.

Lincoln

Lincoln: Town leadership has organized a community food drive to help residents. The town is working on a plan to distribute the donations, which will be announced in the future. Nonperishable items can be dropped off at the following locations:

Manville Fire Department: 112 Old Main St.

Albion Fire Department: 38 School St.

Saylesville Fire Department: 1 Chapel St.

Lincoln Town Hall: 100 Old River Road

Lincoln Senior Center: 150 Jenckes Hill Road

Lincoln Public library: 145 Old River Road

Middletown

Newport County YMCA: Throughout the month of November, the YMCA will be collecting donations for the Martin Luther King Community Center Food Pantry. Donations can be dropped off in the YMCAs lobby at 792 Valley Road.

Newport

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center: This drive-thru food drive will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Nov. 2 at 20 Dr. Marcus F. Wheatland Blvd.

Pawtucket

Fully Rooted: This Pawtucket-based company is collecting pantry items for the Rhode Island Food Bank. Customers can leave out nonperishables to be collected with their home deliveries. Donations can also be brought to the companys table at Farm Fresh Rhode Island on Saturday.

Portsmouth

Aquidneck Island Food Pantry: Following a surge in food pantry recipients Wednesday, this food pantry is asking for monetary donations and nonperishable food items. You can buy items from the pantrys wish list here. You can make monetary donations here.

Providence

Brass Monkey: This Providence restaurant will be collecting nonperishables for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank throughout November. The business opens at 11:30 a.m. and is open late every day. Donations can be dropped off at any time.

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One Neighborhood Builders: This nonprofit has set up a drop-off point for food pantry donations at 66 Chaffee St.

South Kingstown

Jonnycake Center For Hope: Nonperishable food items like canned soup, whole grain cereal, pasta, brown rice, canned chicken, canned tuna, pasta sauce and canned fruit can be dropped off anytime in the blue bins outside of the Jonnycake Center at 22 Kersey Road.

Narragansett and South Kingstown Republican Party: There will be an emergency food drive from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Nov. 2 at 821 Mooresfield Road. Organizers will be collecting nonperishable food and personal care items that will be given to the Jonnycake Center for Hope. If you cant make it to the drive but would still like to help, you can reach out to Jessica Drew Day at jessicadrewday@gmail.com.

West Warwick

West Warwick Police: The department is collecting nonperishable food items that can be dropped off at 1162 Main Street at any time. The donations will be going to the West Warwick Assistance Agency.

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Story continues below map.

LEGEND: Click on a location to view hours, services and contact information.

Blue pins = donation drop-off locations  Green pins = pantries  Yellow pins = meal sites  Violet pins = schools



Sources: snapsupportri.gov, RI Community Food Bank

Massachusetts

Attleboro

Attleboro Police Association: There will be a food drive from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at 40 Emory St. to benefit the Hebron Food Pantry. In addition to nonperishable food items, the association will also be collecting personal care items and new socks.

Hebron Food Pantry: Monetary donations can be made here. You can also buy items from the pantrys Amazon wish list here.

Fall River

Angels Anonymous: This nonprofit will be collecting nonperishable items and monetary contributions. Donations can be dropped off from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 231 Weaver St. You can make a monetary donation here.

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Fall River: The city is sponsoring an Election Day Food Drive. Residents are encouraged to bring non-perishable items to their polling precincts from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 4. All of the collected items will be given to local pantries. You can find a list of polling locations here.

New Bedford

New Bedford Health Department: The citys Department of Community Services is hosting a food drive that will run through March 31, 2026. Nonperishable donations can be dropped off at the New Bedford Council on Aging at City Hall, 181 Hillman St., Building 9, Entrance 1, and at the Buttonwood Senior Center in Buttonwood Park. Anyone with questions can call (508) 979-1464.

North Attleboro

Animal Crackers Nursery School: Nonperishable items can be dropped off at the preschool between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. until Friday, Nov. 7.

Swansea

Bristol Toyota: This car dealership will be collecting donations until Nov. 19 to benefit the East Bay Food Pantry. Donations can be dropped off at 2283 Grand Army of the Republic Highway.

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If were missing an upcoming food drive, please let us know here.

LEGEND: Click on a location to view hours, services and contact information.

Blue pins = donation drop-off locations  Green pins = pantries  Yellow pins = meal sites 

Magenta pins = mobile markets/pantries  Orange pins = delivery-only services



Sources: Greater Boston Food Bank, United Way of Greater New Bedford

If you have a question regarding SNAP benefits, send it to 12 Responds and well work to get an answer for you.

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Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.

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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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  As the month draws to an end and the federal shutdown continues, those who rely on food assistance have grown increasingly concerned about what to do when their benefits dont arrive next week. Fortunately, a number of local restaurants and businesses have offered to help.

Heres a list of the ones we know about so far:

Heretic Coffee

The volunteer-run nonprofit cafe has already started offering free SNAP breakfast for those who rely on the program. They have pledged to continue doing so until they go broke or the programs funding is restored.

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As of Thursday afternoon, Heretic Coffee said they had plenty of donations. They are instead asking the community to shift support to mutual aid programs uplifting marginalized communities.

Address: 5120 SE 28th Ave., Portland, OR 97202

Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mama Chows Kitchen

The popular food cart Mama Chows Kitchen is offering free meals to children and seniors who rely on SNAP beginning Nov. 1, according to a post on Instagram.

Address: 3757 SE Hawthorn Blvd., Portland, OR 97214

Hours: Thursday and Friday from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Salvi PDX

The Salvadoran restaurant located inside Ground Breaker Brewing is offering free pupusitas to anyone impacted by the recent SNAP changes during the month of November.

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Address: 2030 SE 7th Ave., Portland, OR 97214

Hours: Regular hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 2 to 8 p.m., though during the month of November, theyll be open from 9 a.m. to noon as well to help feed those facing food insecurity.

Mirisata

The vegan-friendly Sri Lankan restaurant is offering a free community bowl to anyone who presents an EBT card beginning Nov. 1. Kids and other dependents can choose a community bowl or a free pancake from Coopers Vegan. The business owners plan to continue offering the bowls until benefits return or as long as theyre financially able to.

Address: 2420 SE Belmont St., Portland, OR 97214

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Hours: Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Cafe Olli

Cafe Olli, which boasts two chefs who were recently named ones to watch by the James Beard Foundation, posted on its Instagram that they are offering a daily meal on a sliding scale from $0 to $14 for anyone experiencing financial hardship and/or food insecurity.

Address: 3925 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97212

Hours: Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and again from 5 to 9 p.m.; Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

DB Dessert Company

The popular dessert bakery and cafe announced on its Instagram that it will be providing free, freshly-baked loaves of bread beginning Nov. 1 in light of the recent loss of SNAP benefits. They said that anyone experiencing a mobility issue who may not be able to get to the cafe should contact them to see if they can help.

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Address: 2624 NE Alberta St., Portland, OR 97211

Hours: Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

El Sombrero Tapatio

The family-owned Mexican restaurant is offering a warm meal to anyone in need during the month of November. Anyone losing SNAP benefits can ask for the SNAP meal and choose from chicken or beef options.

Address: 10820 NE Sandy Blvd., Portland, OR 97220

Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Pharmacy PDX

The Northwest Portland bar is stepping in to provide chicken enchiladas this week for SNAP recipients who have lost their benefits for November due to the shutdown. They are asking those interested to email them at thepharmacypdx@gmail.com before 8 a.m. on Saturday to let them know how many servings are needed. Meals will then be ready for pickup on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.

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Address: 2100 NW Glisan St., Portland, OR 97210

Hours: Regular hours are Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., and weekends from noon to 2 a.m. Please email them before Nov. 1 to order a SNAP meal.

AG Burrito Shop

Through a partnership with Oregon State Representative Ricki Ruiz, AG Burrito Shops are offering free meals to Oregonians facing interruptions to their SNAP assistance. The meals are available until noon daily and include breakfast burritos with the option of rice and beans.

Addresses: Gresham Burrito Shop, 325 N. Main Ave., Gresham, OR 97030. Troutdale Burrito Shop, 202 E. Historic Columbia River Highway, Suite 100, Troutdale, OR 97060. Wood Village Burrito Shop, 23423 NE Halsey St., Wood Village, OR 97060. Lake Oswego Burrito Shop, 17770 Pilkington Rd., Lake Oswego, OR 97035.

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Hours: SNAP meals are available until noon daily. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Nans Taqueria

The business owner recently posted on TikTok that anyone struggling to feed their family can contact her for help. She is also looking for volunteers to help with administrative tasks, as well as drivers.

Address: 15640 SE Happy Valley Town Center Dr., Happy Valley, OR 97086

Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Oregon City Farmers Market

The year-round Oregon City Farmers Market is offering SNAP recipients $20 in food tokens they can use at the market on EBT-approved foods. The popular Double Up Food Bucks program will also be in effect, even for those who have a zero balance on their EBT cards.

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Address: Between South Beavercreek Road and North Douglas Loop, Oregon City, OR 97045

Hours: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Midslumber Media

While Midslumber Media is not a restaurant but a media store focused on horror film and literature, they recognize that times are tough. The business posted on Instagram that thanks to a generous donation, they are offering a few free Halloween costumes and other odds and ends.

Address: 1609 NE Alberta St., Portland, OR 97211

Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.

GeekEasy Anime Cafe

Portlands only anime cafe is offering The Otaku Special, which is a free ham and cheese or mixed greens wrap with a coffee or iced tea. Theyre also accepting donations to keep the offer going.

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Address: 310 NW Davis St., Portland, OR 97209

Hours: Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Astera

Fine-dining restaurant Astera, which recently landed on the New York Times list of best restaurants in Portland, had previously offered 100 Thanksgiving meal kits for two people. As of Wednesday afternoon, the kits are sold out.

Address: 1407 SE Belmont St., Portland, OR 97214

Hours: Thursday through Sunday, 5 to 9 p.m.

Creekside BBQ

For those in Vancouver, Creekside BBQ is offering a hot meal for anyone who might need one, prepaid by other customers whove chosen to pay it forward.

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Address: 910 NE Tenney Rd. Ste. 119, Vancouver, WA 98685

Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Bleu Door Bakery

The Clark County bakery says they will be serving shutdown meals at the express window starting on Thursday.

No questions, no judgment, just ask for the shutdown meal, the bakery said in a Facebook post.

Address: 2411 Main St., Vancouver, WA 98660

Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Delicious Donuts

Starting Thursday, the Portland donut shop says they are offering free donuts, coffee, or breakfast items for anyone who needs a little extra support  no questions asked.

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Address: 12 SE Grand Ave., Portland, OR 97214

Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 5 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Legacy Coffee

The Gresham-based coffee shop announced on Instagram that it is providing free sack lunches for those who have lost SNAP benefits beginning Nov. 1. Theyre also offered a self-serve food pantry inside their cafe, and accepting donations to help keep the services going.

Address: 112 N. Main Ave., Gresham, OR 97030

Hours: Monday through Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 6:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Laughing Planet

The Portland-based healthy cafe is offering both adult SNAP meals as well as kids meals to anyone who recently lost their benefits and needs lunch or dinner at all of their locations. They also have cafes in Eugene, Bend and Corvallis.

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Addresses: Cedar Mill, 625 NW Saltzman Rd., Portland, OR 97229; Hollywood, 1914 NE 42nd Ave., Portland, OR 97213; Woodstock, 4110 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97202; 3320 SE Belmont St., Portland, OR 97214

Hours: Open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunnys Diner

The breakfast and lunch spot is offering a free fresh-baked loaf of bread to SNAP recipients as well as unpaid federal workers beginning Nov. 1.

Addresses: Happy Valley, 9993 SE 82nd Ave., Happy Valley, OR 97086; Vancouver 1801 SE 164th Ave. #103, Vancouver, WA 98683; Tualatin, 7107 SW Nyberg St., Tualatin, OR 97062

Hours: Open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Golden Corral (Vancouver location)

The buffet restaurants Vancouver location will provide a hot meal to go for people who present a SNAP benefit card or federal employee identification.

Address: 11801 NE Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98682

Hours: Monday through Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

BUMBurgers

This burger joint is located inside the Woodburn Outlets and is offering up to 2 of their Classic American Burgers to those with a valid federal employee ID or a SNAP benefit card.

Address: Woodburn Premium Outlets, 1001 N. Arney Rd. #625, Woodburn, OR 97071

Hours: Sunday through Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Baja Fresh (select locations)

Participating Baja Fresh locations in the Portland area are offering 2 of their Street Tacos to individuals who have lost their SNAP benefits as well as to unpaid federal employees.

Addresses: Clackamas, 9757 SE Sunnyside Rd., Clackamas, OR 97015; Gresham, 1053 NW Civic Dr., Gresham, OR 97030; Lake Oswego, 17805 SW 65th Ave., Lake Oswego, OR 97035; Portland, 7421 SW Barbur Blvd., Portland, OR 97219; Portland, 11685 Sw Pacific Hwy, Portland, OR 97223; Tigard, 12198 SW Scholls Ferry Rd., Tigard, OR 97223; Reedville, 2981 SE 75th Ave., Hillsboro, OR 97123; and Hillsboro, 899 NE 25th Ave., Hillsboro, OR 97124

Hours: Open daily 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Grassa

Until the SNAP program is funded once again, kids eat free at this Portland-based pasta eatery provided their parent shows a an EBT card. No purchase required, according to their post on Instagram.

Addresses: Southwest Portland, 1205 SW Washington St., Portland, OR 97205; Northwest Portland, 1506 NW 23rd Ave., Portland, OR 97210; Southeast Portland, 1375 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214; Vancouver, 780 Waterfront Way, Vancouver, WA 98660; Lake Oswego, 4055 Mercantile Dr. Ste. 130, Lake Oswego, OR 97035; Portland International Airport, 7000 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97218

Hours: The Portland locations, as well as the Vancouver one, are open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Lake Oswego is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The airport location is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Memoire Ca Phe

The Vietnamese brunch spot shared on Instagram that theyre offering a free kids plate to families that have been impacted by SNAP cuts during the month of November.

Address: 1495 NE Alberta St., Portland, OR 97211

Hours: Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bing Mi

This dumpling and noodle bar will host a small community food pantry inside its brick and mortar restaurant beginning Oct. 31. Theyre also accepting donations of shelf stable goods to help keep it stocked.

Address: 2572 NW Vaughn St., Portland, OR 97210

Hours: Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Fences for Fido

While not a restaurant, Fences for Fido is a local nonprofit offering pet food assistance to those who need it, no SNAP card required. Families can email them at petfood@fencesforfido.org with their name, phone number, mailing address, and details about their pets.

Magna Kusina

The Filipino restaurant posted that it is collaborating with Growing Gardens, Kolectivo and Sunrice to offer SNAP lunch and family meals to those who have lost benefits or are experiencing food insecurity. For lunch, theyre offering a free daily lunch plate for here or to go. For dinner, theyre offering a take-out meal for a family of four. They are also accepting donations to help fund the effort.

Address: 2525 SE Clinton St., Portland, OR 97202

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and again from 5 to 9 p.m.

Dirty Lettuce

The all-vegan restaurant posted on Instagram that beginning Nov. 1, they are offering $5 SNAP bowls that include collard greens, red beans and rice. Theyre also accepting donations to help fund the effort.

Address: 4727 NE Fremont St., Portland, OR 97213

Hours: Wednesday through Thursday 4 to 9 p.m., Friday through Sunday 12 to 9 p.m.

Hog Wild BBQ

The Happy Valley barbeque joint is offering a free pulled pork sandwich to with fries or a kids meal to anyone who comes in with a SNAP card. They are also planning to offer a bag of groceries to families every Saturday beginning Nov. 1 at 11 a.m. Anyone interested can call 503-775-6200 to see if they still have a grocery bag available for their family. They accepting donations of money as well as dry food to help keep up with the demand.

Address: 9226 SE 82nd Ave., Happy Valley, OR 97086

Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Feral

This vegan spot is offering free beans every Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., no questions asked. They are also doing their best to stock pre-packaged snacks, as well as medical and hygeine supplies for those in need.

Address: 1640 NE Killingsworth St., Portland, OR 97211

Hours: Wednesday and Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m.

Pizzeria Stellina

At their food cart inside the Heist, Pizzeria Stellina will be offering the SNAP Rollo, which is a pepperoni calzone theyve prepared for anyone losing SNAP benefits beginning Nov. 1. No questions asked. They are also accepting donations from anyone looking to pay it forward.

Address: Located inside The Heist Bar & Food Carts, 4727 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97206

Hours: Thursday to Monday 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Golden Triangle

Also inside the Heist food cart pod, Golden Triangle is giving away 150 entrees of their sweet wings to help those in need. This offer is only available on Nov. 2.

Address: Located inside The Heist Bar & Food Carts, 4727 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97206

Hours: Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 12 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 11:30 to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 7 p.m.

Harlow

This cafe and juice bar is providing a bowl of chili at any of its location beginning Nov. 1 to those who are losing their food benefits. Just ask for the SNAP MEAL.

Addresses: 3715 SE Division St., Portland, OR 97202; 505 NW 23rd Ave., Portland, OR 97210; 1483 NE Alberta St., Portland, OR 97211

Hours: The Division and NW 23rd locations are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., while the Alberta location is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pica Drip

This Mexican street snack spot is giving away free hot dogs beginning Nov. 1 to those impacted by the loss of SNAP funds. Theyre also accepting donations to fund the effort.

Address: 7445 SE 72nd Ave., Portlnad, OR 97206

Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 3 to 8:30 p.m., Friday 2 to 6 p.m., and Saturday 2 to 9 p.m.

Grind Wit Tryz

Anyone who presents a SNAP card can receive a bento from the Hawaiian food cart on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays in November, beginning Nov. 5.

Address: 4318 NE Cully Blvd., Portland, OR 97218

Hours: Tuesday 12 to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Thursday 12 to 7 p.m., Friday through Saturday 12 to 8 p.m., Sunday 12 to 4 p.m.

Bar West

Bar West shared in an Instagram reel that theyre offering a SNAP special to those who need it. For dinner, theyre offering a pizzetta of your choice. For brunch, a proper breakfest.

Address: 1221 NW 21st Ave., Portland, OR 97209

Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 4 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Miss Delta

The barbeque restaurant is offering a pulled pork po boy sandwich or a BBQ cheeseburger to anyone with an EBT card.

Address: 3950 N. Mississippi Ave., Portland, OR 97227

Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12 to 9 p.m., and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Just a Dash

The location has put together a mini food pantry for those who dont qualify for SNAP but are struggling to make food happen. They also have a pay-it-forward fund with a limited amount of money available that can be used to cover ready made food from their shop. Theyre also accepting donations.

Address: 12400 SW First St., Beaverton, OR 97005

Hours: Monday through Friday from 12 to 6:30 p.m., and weekends from 12 to 4 p.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 KOIN.com.
NEED TO KNOW

Jahtique Farmer, 20, was taken into custody after he allegedly shot a man in the face through a drive-thru window

According to multiple witnesses on the scene, Mr. Farmer stated, You want to kill me before firing three shots from the window, according to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE

Farmer is being held in South Central Regional Jail on a $250,000 cash bond



A West Virginia fast-food restaurant employee was taken into custody after he allegedly shot a man in the face through a drive-thru window.

Jahtique Farmer, 20, was arrested on charges of malicious assault, according to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE.

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He is being held in South Central Regional Jail on a $250,000 cash bond.

Farmer was working at a Little Caesars Pizza on Patrick Street in Charleston on Thursday, Oct. 23. According to the complaint, he was seen on surveillance video talking to another employee before they left the store briefly and returned.

Farmer was then seen approaching the drive-thru window and began screaming at a customer who was parked at the window.

According to multiple witnesses on the scene, Mr. Farmer stated, You want to kill me before firing three shots from the window, per the complaint, which states that the shooting happened around 8 p.m.

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The customer was hit twice  once in the lower left side of the face and again near his left rib cage, the complaint states. After being shot, the customer drove himself to the hospital.

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.

The other employee told police that Farmer was irritated about an unknown male outside of the store staring at him, per the complaint.

He told police that Farmer asked him to go to his car and retrieve his gun. The employee allegedly said he retrieved the firearm from Farmer's glove compartment and gave it to him, and then they both walked back inside the restaurant.

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Another drive-thru worker allegedly told police that she saw the victim arrive at the window and he stated cheese. She believed [the victim] was asking for a cheese pizza" before Farmer fired out the window, according to the complaint.

The victim is in stable condition, WSAZ reported.

Farmer has yet to enter a plea. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 31.

His attorney could not be reached for comment.



Read the original article on People
The Senate on Thursday voted to terminate President Trumps sweeping global tariffs, after passing two resolutions seeking to repeal the levies in Canada and Brazil earlier this week.

Four Republican senators voted with Democrats to approve the bipartisan resolution ending the steep rates on allies such as the European Union, Japan and South Korea.

The House, however, is unlikely to bring the measure to the floor for a vote. The upper chamber also approved a bill nixing a Biden-era petroleum rule. Thursday.

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Earlier, Trump slashed Chinese tariffs after a truly great meeting with President Xi Jinping in South Korea. He told reporters on Air Force One that the U.S. would decrease tariffs levied on China because of fentanyl by 10 points.

Trump also noted that Xi agreed to buy massive amounts of soybeans and other agriculture products.

The president is traveling back to U.S., where the government shutdown has hit Day 30. The Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is top of mind for millions of Americans, with benefits set to run out Saturday. But its not the only way the lapse in funding could get worse.

Both parties are looking for ways to end the shutdown as early as next week, but the path forward remains uncertain.

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Trump, along with first lady Melania Trump, are hosting a White House Halloween celebration.

Follow along below.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a sharp attack at the Mahagathbandhan, stating that the alliance has not released its manifesto but "ratelist". The PM emphasised that the real motive behind every announcement is extortion, ransom, looting and plundering, and corruption. "The leaders of 'Jungle Raj' are constantly misleading you, luring you. RJD's declaration, Congress's manifesto is not a manifesto. They have revealed their rate list. The real motive behind their every declaration is extortion, ransom, loot, corruption, all this...", the Prime Minister said while addressing a rally in Chhapra. Recalling the Champa Biswas case, the Prime Minister asserted that if today's youth knew the reality of the incident, it would make them shudder. He stressed that RJD had turned the Chief Minister's office into a place of mafia. "In Bihar in 1998, what happened to the wife of a Dalit IAS officer will make today's youth shudder if they learn about it. The wife of the Dalit IAS officer had written a letter to the Governor revealing that RJD goons had raped her for several days and had not spared other women in the family either, torturing them as well. During the RJD government, even the Chief Minister's office had turned into an office of mafias," PM Modi said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed Congress for insulting the people of Bihar in other states, recalling the incident of former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi's statement in 2022, which also marked the presence of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. While speaking at an election rally in Chhapra, the Prime Minister noted that, despite the insult to the Bihari people, Priyanka Gandhi was smiling during the incident. In 2022, during an election campaign event in Punjab, Channi had urged people not to allow "bhaiyas" from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to enter the state. While Channi gave the remarks, Priyanka Gandhi was also standing beside him. "Friends, I want to remind you -- those with the lantern (RJD), the hand (Congress), and their INDIA alliance partners, how they have insulted Bihar. The Congress Chief Minister in Punjab openly declared that people from Bihar would not be allowed to enter his state. He made this statement during a public speech. At that time, on the stage, a daughter of the Gandhi family who nowadays sits in Parliament was clapping happily over this," PM Modi said. The Bihar assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The results will be declared on November 14. (ANI)
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A quick-thinking tip from a student helped Belton police stop an 18-year-old from entering Scott Educational Center with a loaded handgun Tuesday afternoon, preventing what police say could have been a tragic situation.

On Thursday afternoon, Cameron Kopfer, 18, entered a plea of not guilty to a felony charge of unlawful use of a gun. Kopfer is being held on a $10,000 cash bond at the Cass County Detention Center. Court documents show Kopfer has requested a public defender to manage his case.

Union Station celebrating 111 years in Kansas City

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On Tuesday, a Belton Police Department school resource officer received information about a student possibly bringing a gun to night classes at Scott Educational Center, according to affidavits. Around 4 p.m., officers confronted Kopfer before he entered the building and arrested him. Investigators said Kopfer had a loaded handgun in his backpack. Police said the weapon had a magazine in the gun with nine bullets.

According to court documents, a student told administrators that Kopfer showed him a handgun in his backpack the day before and said he frequently brings the gun to class at Belton High School.

The witness also said Kopfer never made threats to hurt anyone at the school, but had talked about robbing people for drugs and money.

Somebody had the courage to anonymously let an administrator know, let a teacher or administrator or a school resource officer, let somebody know to avert a tragedy, Belton Police Lieutenant Dan Davis said on Thursday.

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Worlds of Fun roller coaster temporarily shut down due to safety violation

The Belton School District shared this statement with FOX4 on Thursday:

We are thankful for the school staff and SRO with the Belton Police Department who acted swiftly to address this situation, and we are grateful that all of our students are safe. Student safety is our highest priority, and having a trusted partnership with our local law enforcement helps us respond effectively in moments like this.

A school district spokesperson would not answer specific questions concerning security measures taken at Scott Educational Center, which is used as a facility for students to recover credits en route to graduation. The spokesperson said only that security measures at the ed center are similar to those at the high school.

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Kopfer is expected back in court on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 9 a.m. for a bond hearing.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  One Kansas veteran who served the nation twice in the Army served as a first responder between his two stints.

Clearwaters Roger Dawson joined the Army right out of high school in 1960 and learned to become a Morse code intercept operator.

In order to do this job, I had to have a top secret security clearance. And some people wouldnt be able to get that, but in a little town, you didnt have much trouble unless you had a record, Dawson said.

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Tune into KSN News at 10 every Wednesday for our Veteran Salute

He was sent to Clark Air Base in the Philippines, where he spent more than two years intercepting messages from the North Vietnamese Army.

Most of the things they sent were in code, so wed be intercepting messages that were either a bunch of letters or a bunch of numbers or a mix of those, Dawson said.

After returning to Kansas, he spent three years in the Army Reserves while also starting up long careers as a Wichita letter carrier and a volunteer EMS with Clearwaters fire department and ambulance service. His time as a first responder played a big role in his second round of service in 1981 with the Army National Guard.

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They were especially short-handed on medical people, and by that time I had become an instructor for the EMT program, Dawson said.

He became the medical platoon sergeant, and his expertise helped save a fellow soldiers life during a convoy crash.

Somebody needed to be there and do it, and I was the one chosen, not by me necessarily but by fate, Dawson said.

He left the Guard in 1985 as a staff sergeant, but continued to work for the post office until 1999 and for EMS in Clearwater until 2012.

If theres a need out there and somebodys got to fill it, I think probably the military people are more apt to step up. I felt like it was something that I needed to do, Dawson said.

If you want to nominate a veteran for our Veteran Salute, send an email to connect3news@ksn.com or fill out our online nomination form!

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BMV announces Veterans Day hours

INDIANAPOLIS  All Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle branches will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

Branches will resume regularly scheduled business hours Wednesday, Nov. 12.

For a complete list of branch locations and hours, to complete an online transaction, or to find a 24-hour BMV Connect kiosk nearby, visit IN.gov/BMV.

The Herald Bulletin
Thousands of people on Oregons North Coast are poised to lose access to food stamps beginning Nov.1 and local food banks say they wont be able to fill the gap.

The Trump administration has refused to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, during the ongoing government shutdown. If nothing changes, the program will be suspended starting in November. More than two dozen states, including Oregon, are now suing the Trump administration over the issue.

At a meeting this week to discuss issues and challenges that Astoria-based social service agencies and organizations face when it comes to addressing homelessness, City Councilor Andy Davis asked about SNAP benefits: How prepared is the community for the loss of the program?

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Dustin Martin, chief operating officer for the Clatsop Community Action Regional Food Bank, said he has been through several government shutdowns, but SNAP benefits were always funded. He noted that more than 40 million people nationally rely on the program. There is also a food industry built around the program  grocery stores, food producers and others  representing hundreds of millions of dollars of sales.

Martin hopes all of that will push the government to action.

So thats my optimistic view, he said.

But: Lets say it doesnt get funded, he said. They dont come up with any funding and people do not get their SNAP benefits the first part of November and all those people decide to run to the food banks and food pantries, were in trouble. Were gonna run out of food. Maybe not completely out of food but well have a few scraps of something laying around.

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Martin said the regional food bank is trying to collect as much food as it can.

But, he added, there isnt a magical warehouse somewhere that is stocked with food for these type of events.

The regional food bank relies on the federal government and the food banking industry as a whole. In addition to providing food directly to people, the regional food bank also distributes food to community pantries, shelters and other local programs. The bulk of all the food they distribute  around 80% of it  is brought in from outside Clatsop County.

Martin said the regional food bank distributes 1.3 to 1.5 million pounds of food annually in Clatsop County. Of that, around 460,000 pounds goes to Astoria.

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Andrea Burch, deputy director with Clatsop Community Action, said they have received a number of calls from people asking how they can help if SNAP is suspended. The agency is working on a mailer to inform people about how to donate online or in-person to community programs. Martin said food and money donations will help.

This week, the Astoria School District also sent out a message to families providing information about local food resources if SNAP benefits are suspended. The Astoria School District, like other school districts in the county, currently provides free meals to all students.
WHITE HOUSE, Jamaica (WAVY)  The last night [Monday], we had a sunset that was amazing. It was beautiful all the way across the whole horizon was bright orange, and it was great. And, you wouldnt even think anything like this was happening, said Shelly Pope of Chesapeake, describing the day before Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica.

Evacuation is not an option for three local couples in Jamaica

Twenty-four hours later, the Pope, Crawford and Elliott families are counting their blessings after surviving a Category 5 hurricane. Jessica Pope said they had to take in the Crawford family as the storm intensified.

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It was scary, Jessica Pope said.  We had to get them in our room after their windows were busted out. Theres holes in their wall.

Amber Crawford provided frightening details on how she and her husband survived the early hours of the storm.

From our room, the roof came and busted the window out, and then it created, like, a wind tunnel, Amber Crawford said. So we had to go in the bathroom and my husband holds the door shut for two-and-a-half hours, and it sucked the wall in. And then from the all the wind,  there was holes, literally, inside of the wall. You could see  I put my head through it.

Her cries for help reached Jessica Pope.

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We were in our room and our room flooded and we were trying to keep the floor dry, Jessica Pope said. We just kind of gave up and rested. And I told Shelly, I said, Can I hear someone? And he said, I think its the wind. And I said, No, its Amber and she was screaming for us. It was bad, so he went out and was able to get David, got their their door open and then we got them in here.

Huddled in a single room the day after the storm, the couples assessed the likelihood that they could leave the resort.

Were blocked in by  they said theres a huge tree because I asked, Jessica Pope said. Im a nurse, so I said, If people need help, can  people come here if they cant get to the hospital?Theres a nurse here onsite. I said I could help her. And he said, The tree is so big blocking the road that theres no in and out right now.

The Zoom interview signal blinked and then failed. Via text message Jessica Pope wrote: Please tell our families we love them and will stay in touch as much as possible. Pray for the people of Jamaica.

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The three couples are staying at Sandals South Coast.

To the north, members of the Toussaint family of Suffolk are counting their blessings after a harrowing night that was punctuated by the loud sounds of wind, waves and water as they damaged and destroyed what nature and man made.

Destination wedding in Jamaica leaves local family in danger

Shannon Toussaint: Yesterday was pretty rough and it was very scary because of all the noise it was making, Shannon Toussaint said. It was rattling everything. And it would swear like somebody banging on the door. But that was the wind that was doing that. Yeah. but once they came around, like around 6, it started to the wind. The wind was like, probably like in the 60s, [mph].



In a live video tour via WhatsApp, Toussaint explained in detail the damage caused by a Category 5 hurricane that weakened upon landfall.

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This is where everybody sits down and we watch movies and so forth, Toussaint said. It started with water. This is the lobby here. You see that tape thats right across there?  That is because of the glass that fell and broke through the coconut trees.

Piles of shattered glass from what used to be a chandelier blocked the center of a staircase.

The family has been in Jamaica following a destination wedding Saturday attended by some 70 people from across the country. As the storm moved in Tuesday, the Toussaint family told 10 On Your Side they were given a few snacks to ride out the storm.

The morning after, thanks to the resort staff, the family started Wednesday with a full breakfast buffet. They hope to leave by the weekend. Until then, they are relying on the generosity of family and friends who are helping with storm-related expenses.

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While their sights are set for home, their hearts remain with the people of Jamaica. Toussaint told 10 On Your Side multiple airline reservations for flights to the 757 have been canceled. At least one of Jamaicas two international airports sustained significant damage.

According to The Hill, State Department is deploying a regional Disaster Assistance Response Team, or DART, and activated U.S.-based Urban Search and Rescue teams, including Virginia Task Force 1 based in Fairfax County, to bolster response efforts. It has been mobilized by the U.S. Department of State as part of a 34-person, four-dog rapid assessment team to respond to Jamaica for Hurricane Melissa.

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Update: On Oct. 31 a federal judge said at a hearing he would order the Trump administration to continue paying benefits, saying the government should use contingency funds to do so. A second federal judge said in a ruling the administration cannot suspend the payments, leaving it up to the government to decide from where those funds would come.

As the federal government shutdown persists, local leaders and organizations announced new fundraising initiatives on Oct. 30 to help salve the impending loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for thousands of Indianapolis residents.

United Way of Central Indiana announced it will launch a $1 million Central Indiana Food Relief fund to support food pantries. The City of Indianapolis will also distribute more than $200,000 toward local food assistance programs and initiatives, Mayor Joe Hogsett said at a press conference Thursday at Bethel Cathedral AME Church on the city's northwest side.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett speaks Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, during a press conference at Bethel Cathedral AME Church in Indianapolis. The press conference, consisting of city and community leaders, was called to announce emergency funding and additional resources to help those affected by the lapse in SNAP benefits expected on Nov. 1.

Nearly 600,000 Hoosiers, around 150,000 of whom are in central Indiana, are set to lose SNAP benefits Nov. 1 due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. The newly announced programs will help fund resources to support the one in seven central Indiana residents facing food insecurity.

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This is not simply a policy issue. This is a moral issue, said City-County Councilor Carlos Perkins, also Bethel AME senior pastor. In times like these, cities and their leaders must become moral centers of action.

According to Gleaners, each dollar donated can amount to six meals. The city's $200,000 contribution could total up to 1.2 million meals, a city spokesperson said.

For those facing food insecurity, Indiana Hunger Network executive director Kate Howe pointed to the Community Compass app and the organizations Food Resource Services Hub. The app allows users to plug in their address and find food pantries and other resources near them, while the webpage provides information on locating food resources.

The state also has its own food assistance availability map that allows users to enter an address and find resources near them. Hoosiers can also dial 2-1-1 or visit in211.communityos.org/ for resources.

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More: Where to find Indiana food pantries and how to help as SNAP funding deadline looms

United Ways Central Indiana Food Relief fund will benefit Gleaners, Second Helping and Midwest Food Bank, three agencies that distribute funding and supplies to food pantries. United Way has also received an anonymous donation of $500,000 for addressing food insecurity, which was matched by the Indianapolis Foundation, Lilly Endowment Inc. and the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation.

The citys $200,000 pot consists of $100,000 in unspent funds and a matched contribution from Indiana-based tech company Cummins, plus additional donations from IU Health. The fund will benefit Gleaners.

Indianapolis Office of Public Health and Safety will also expand previously planned November outreach efforts, like a planned aid distribution event at Bethel Cathedral (6417 Zionsville Road) Nov. 1.

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Your city sees you, Hogsett said. We are stepping up to do everything we can to make sure you and your families do not go hungry.

Below are the newly announced food distribution events for November:

November 1, 2-4 p.m.: Bethel Cathedral AME, 6417 Zionsville Road

November 8, noon-2 p.m.: Fountain Square Church of Christ, 1041 Spruce St.

November 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Charity Cares, 959 N. Holmes Ave.

November 15, noon to 3 p.m.: Eclectic Souls VOICES Corp., 9501 E. 36th Place

November 19, 8:30 a.m.: Rock of the World, Salt of the Earth, 8833 Bel Air Drive

November 20, 4-6 p.m.: Indy Peace, 1825 E. 25th St.

November 24, 3-5 p.m.: Lawrence Park, 5301 N. Franklin Drive

November 25, noon 2:30 p.m.: Breeding Tabernacle CME, 3670 N. Leland Ave

November 26, 3-5 p.m.: Stanley Strader, 2850 Bethel Ave.

Contact IndyStar Pop Culture Reporter Heather Bushman at hbushman@gannett.com. Follow her on X @hmb_1013.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Local leaders, organizations funneling $1 million toward food aid
**Related Video Above: Bodycam video: Local man charged with kidnapping 3-year-old girl arrested

MEDINA, Ohio (WJW)  A local man arrested in the kidnapping of a 3-year-old girl has been indicted by a grand jury with Medina County Common Pleas Court.

Randy Kerley, 39, of Seville, was indicted on charges of kidnapping and burglary. He had previously had his bond set at $750,000.

Cleveland businessman Bobby George enters plea

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Investigators said they believe Kerley took the 3-year-old child from her home without permission from her family on Oct. 22 and was an acquaintance (although it was not clear how they knew each other).

Randy Kerley (Credit: Medina Police Department)

After searching for multiple hours, the girl was found at a Westfield Township location with the suspect, investigators said.

In their indictment, the grand jury found the defendant committed the offense of kidnapping with a sexual motivation.

Melodee Buzzard: What we know about the California 9-year-olds disappearance

Kerley is being held in the Medina County Jail. An arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 3 at Medina County Common Pleas Court.

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MEDINA, Ohio (WJW)  A Northeast Ohio mom is desperately searching for a simple piece of jewelry that is of no value to anyone else but means the world to her.

Tammy Ross said after her son, Jarrod Lawrence, was born in Medina in 1994 with severe medical issues, doctors determined that he had a rare and deadly genetic disorder called 3p deletion syndrome.

FOX 8 asked what the doctors told her and what advice they gave.

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They said take him home, hes going to pass, so I took him home, Ross said.

Some local cities changed trick-or-treat plans, and some residents still arent happy

She said Jarrod turned out to be a miracle child who somehow beat the odds. He brought joy to his family through his childhood into his teenage years, even though taking care of Jarrod was never easy.

He never talked, never walked, never crawled, never sat up really on his own. I never got to hear mom or I love you, never got to hear that, but I got to have him, she said.

In 2013, he became ill with the flu and passed away at the age of 18.

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His mother was filled with competing emotions.

I felt that he was completely at peace and I knew that I was going to miss him for the rest of his entire life, she said.

Jarrod was cremated, and to keep him close, his mother placed some of his ashes in a cremation teardrop necklace that she wore for the past 12 years.

Courtesy of Tammy Ross

I felt like if I had him around my neck, he was close to my heart and he was always warm and he was always with me, she said.

But last Friday, Tammy went on a shopping trip with her daughter in Medina, visiting five stores at the Medwick Marketplace shopping center on North Court Street.

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Cuyahoga Falls passes legislation after woman killed in Taco Bell drive-thru

She was devastated when she got home and discovered the necklace that honors Jarrod was gone.

It was just like I lost him again and it was not a good feeling. Like, I just called my kids, just screaming and crying, what am I going to do?'

Tammy is hoping that another customer or an employee found her necklace inside one of the stores at Medwick Marketplace or in the parking lot.

She shared her story on a Medina community page on Facebook and is grateful for caring Northeast Ohioans who have been trying to help find the simple piece of jewelry that means so much to her as a mom.

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Because thats my boy, thats my boy, she said.

Anyone with information about the missing necklace can email our news team at tips@fox8.com and we will relay the info to Jarrods mom.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A kind gesture is being heard across Western New York.

What started as a simple social media post offering assistance has turned into quite the buzz, as food insecurity concerns are on the rise. JPs Pub Restaurant and Banquet Facility in Lake View is offering free meals to those who need it most.

If theres kids hungry, and we have food, well feed them, I mean its just that simple, said JP Melisz, who runs the restaurant alongside his parents.

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Its human decency. I mean, it takes a village. Love thy neighbor. Those are things we cant ever forget, said Melisz. If people reach out to me in advance, preferably at least a day ahead of time, Ill set a pickup window time the next day where you can come and pick up your meal.

The US Department of Agriculture will not be able to issue federal SNAP payments as of November if the government shutdown continues, leaving many families faced with growing concerns.

JP says this is all about helping those who need it.

I think Buffalo has got some of the best people in the country, and Im just a product of my environment, and my community has supported us for many years and weve always been supporting each other, he said.

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While JPs serves up generosity, two Buffalo mayoral candidates spoke with residents Wednesday at a forum about tackling issues of food insecurity.

Nearly 42 percent of east side respondents experience food insecurity and of these food insecure households, more than 64 relied on SNAP in the past year, said Moderator Franchelle Parker. What measures do you plan to put in place to help those that have lost their SNAP benefits to make ends meet?

Independent Candidate Michael Gainer and Republican Candidate James Gardner weighed in. Democratic Candidate Sean Ryan was not in attendance.

What I am gonna do is invite every one of the people in this room to the table to figure out how we take the short path to improving food access, said Gainer. We need community access to city government, and thats what Im going to facilitate.

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Gardner answered, saying, The food problems, the food shortage that we have all over the city is fundamentally a financial, economic security problem. We need jobs, people need to be able to go to work, people need to be able to own their homes. Thats how were gonna change things.

JPs post on social media has gained a lot of attention, many thanking the restaurant for what theyre doing, and others sharing their own hardships.

The owners say those who are in need of help can reach out to JP by texting 716-432-0164.

Latest Local News

Angelica Gallagher is a Lancaster native who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of her work here.

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BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  A young man from Canfield just achieved a major national honor, and hes just 25 years old.

Related stories:

Brendon Maurer is a master technician at Boardman Subaru on South Avenue. He recently placed second in the National Subaru Technician Competition, held at Subaru of America headquarters in Camden, New Jersey.

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Maurer joined Boardman Subaru at age 19 and achieved Master status last year at age 24. He said Boardman Subaru awarded him incredible opportunities and training to learn and master the job, and move up the ranks.

When I started here, I was just an oil changer and I did not know too much about cars, but I had all the interest in the world. I definitely got a lot of opportunities given to me through this place, said Maurer. They definitely care about their technicians and what their technicians know. They definitely want us to be able to handle everything that we get thrown at us. I went basically from the starter level technician as low as you can get to as high as you can, and I couldnt have done it without this place.

Subaru of America selects people from each zone, which goes along with training centers. Maurer is part of the Columbus zone, and he was selected to represent that zone because of his abilities, training, high test scores and work ethic. He was also the first person in the history of that zone in the competition to place.

The competition brought together 14 of the top Subaru technicians from across the country and tested each participants ability to diagnose and repair complex, real-world vehicle issues under timed conditions.

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Theres four bugs. They go into the cars, and they figure out where theyre going to place them. You have to do them all in a row, and you only have 80 minutes to do it, said Maurer. I got all four bugs in 80 minutes. Theyll, like, cut a wire, or unplug something, and itll be super hidden. You have to go ahead and find it, but you have to do it all by the book. If it isnt by the book, then its wrong. You have to do it like, perfectly.

The competition is definitely not for the faint of heart.

Some of them are pretty hard, like a bad relay. The car wouldnt start or crank. You had to take the relay apart, and it would actually work, but the contacts didnt have continuity. So you had to, basically, diagnose a relay, but very in-depth, said Maurer. And sometimes when youre on the timer like that, you dont really go in and test it like that, so a lot of people got stuck there. On another one, the gas pedal was stuck all the way down. The next two were what we call body electrical issues. There were only two of us who actually finished it.

Brendon won second place, which is nothing to scoff at. He took home $1,000 and was awarded Snap-On gear, a ring and other prizes. Still, he hopes to clinch first place at the next competition in 2027, which would take him to Japan to represent Subaru of America.

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Im so happy to just be on the podium. Thats what I was hoping for going into it for sure, said Maurer. We show up for our customers every day. We definitely do as much as possible for our customers on a day-to-day basis. We call it the Subaru family. Just like showing up for your family for a sporting event or something like that. Thats what we try to do for our customers.

Maurers superiors also could not be prouder of him.

Brendon started with us at 19. Started out changing oil in our express department, and then quickly showed signs that he was into cars and wanted to grow with the company, said Boardman Subarus Service Manager Scott Ceratti. When an opportunity arose to get him down into the main shop to become an apprentice with our technicians, we moved him there and quickly. We started sending him to Columbus, to our training facility, to get hands-on classes. He just continued to grow as a technician.

Maurers disposition and work ethic also continue to grow along with his career.

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His personality is amazing, and hes done everything weve ever asked him to do here at the dealership, and were just honored to have him. As a young man, its almost being proud, like your kid just did something. Its a heck of an accomplishment, said Ceratti. Not too many people get that opportunity. And for him to be able to succeed at that, I mean, its phenomenal. So were very proud.

In January of 2026, Maurer will become a senior master technician at Boardman Subaru.

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Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Diya Kumari, along with several officials from the state tourism department, will attend one of the ceremonies of World Travel Market (WTM), scheduled during the three-day event. The main tourism event, World Travel Market (WTM), will be held in London from November 4 to 6. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, will be participating in the event. Deputy Chief Minister and Tourism Minister Diya Kumari said this year's event in London will be held on a much larger scale, with a dedicated pavilion for Rajasthan. "The World Travel Mart in London is held every year. Rajasthan has participated in it previously as well, but not on such a large scale. This time, we've created a beautiful pavilion for Rajasthan Tourism at the entire event. We're trying to involve as many travel agents, tour operators, and media representatives as possible to promote Rajasthan." She acknowledged the decline in foreign tourist arrivals in Rajasthan since the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasised the state's focus on reversing this trend. "The only concern is that the number of foreign tourists visiting Rajasthan has declined since Covid, and we want to boost that. However, this year, we've ensured a strong presence at every major Travel Mart, whether in Japan, Paris, Berlin, or now London," Kumari added. Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari said she will attend events in London aimed at promoting tourism, adding that the High Commission of India is planning a roundtable and a small programme to attract more visitors and engage with stakeholders from the tourism sector. "I've got the opportunity to attend in London, and we're also planning to organise a roundtable there. The High Commission of India in London is likely organising a small program as well. The overall goal is to attract as many tourists as possible and connect with all those involved in the tourism sector" Kumari highlighted India's consistent record of participation in international tourism events and said that the dedicated pavilion at WTM London will showcase Rajasthan's cultural, historical, and adventure tourism offerings. The initiative aims to attract travel agents, tour operators, and media representatives, strengthening Rajasthan's position as a global tourist destination. (ANI)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/FOX24)  Many local veterans have found themselves victims to the ongoing government shutdown.

Veterans in Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley continue to serve by working for the federal government but now are working without receiving payment. Lack of pay is forcing many of them to look for other options to put food on the table.

Bos Blessings is a non-profit veterans service organization that specializes in providing support for veterans in our community. The president and founder, Jannie Layne, said her organization is committed to ensure veterans affected by the shutdown are supported.

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Weve been inundated with requests for food, gas money, utility payments. Were a very small organization, very small funding, and we stretch it as far as we can, Layne said.

Bos Blessings becomes Arkansas first Blue Star Families Outpost

According to Layne, her organization is focused on finding food resources for veterans. She explained many are struggling financially due to the shutdown.

Bos Blessings is contributing to the food pantry at Springdale Christian Church as a way to help veterans and their families. This is just one way the organization is trying to help.

Weve seen so many people needing food, we decided to focus on that at this time, Layne said. Were going to give food, well do food boxes, and well do food drives. People can reach out and call us, send us an email.

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Layne encouraged anyone who is able, to consider donating to the cause and help local veterans.

This is an immediate crisis. So, checks can be mailed to Bos Blessings at P.O. box 8558, Springdale 72766. Food can be donated. Call me at (479) 530-7728, and well work out an arrangement to get that food donated, Layne said.

For more information on how to get involved, visit Bos Blessings website.

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Israeli politicians slammed the Netanyahu government and the haredi "Million Man March" in Jerusalem on Thursday.

Israeli politicians slammed the Netanyahu administration and the haredi protesters Million Man March in Jerusalem on Thursday.

How long will the hypocrisy continue? former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot wrote on X/Twitter.

While there is a mass protest in favor of [draft] evasion, Netanyahu boasts before our best sons at Bahad 1 [an IDF commander training base] about the achievements of the IDF, while he works to exempt the haredim from the sacred and moral duty to defend the state.

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A cynical exploitation of our servicemen and a trampling of their dignity.

"The public serving deserves different leadership.

Haredi teens summit a building in Jerusalem for the Million Man March on October 30, 2025. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

Haredi protest was a 'disgrace to Israel'

MK Avigdor Liberman wrote that Instead of taking an example from Gafni and Deri, the young haredim should learn from King David and Judah Maccabee.

A Jew is a fighter. This has been true throughout history, and it will continue to be so after the elections, said Yisrael Beytenu leader Liberman.

The protest against conscription is a disgrace to the leadership of the country and a spit in the face of our brave soldiers!

He then addressed the death of a haredi youth who fell from a construction site.

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The corrupt haredi leadership is directly responsible for the painful death of a young man in a disgraceful and unnecessary protest. He went out on the orders of the same leadership to be a human shield for the power and influence of the haredi political operatives, he wrote in response to the death of a haredi teen who scaled a construction site.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated that if protesters could demonstrate in Jerusalem, they could show up for recruitment.

I want to tell all the young people going to the protest of the evaders and not enlisting in Jerusalem and marching through the streets  if you can go to a protest, you can go to a recruitment center. If you can march in the streets, you can march in basic training and defend the State of Israel.

MK Naor Shiri slammed Transportation Minister Miri Regev in his comments.

Jerusalem is celebrating, hundreds of thousands of draft evaders are on their way, MK Naor Shiri wrote, disparaging Regev for providing increased transportation to haredi protesters, but not to IDF soldiers who needed to get to base on October 7.
Theres nothing newsworthy about someone from Long Island disliking a progressive policy in New York City. Still, it made the headlines in The Times of London.

That UK paper interviewed Bill DeBlasio about the campaign of New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani. In the interview, he criticized portions of Mamdanis policy platform and the Murdoch-owned outlet ran a story saying that the former New York mayor had some issues with the upstart candidate. The only problem? DeBlasio is not former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Semafor identified the man at the center of the reporting mix-up as a 59-year-old wine importer who had received an email from a Times reporter and decided to respond. DeBlasio told Semafor that he never claimed to be the former mayor and was surprised to see his comments printed under that assumption.

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It was all in good fun. I never thought it would make it to print, he said in an interview conducted via his Ring doorbell in Long Island, saying that he thought the outlet would double-check his identity before publishing. DeBlasio said he crafted his responses using ChatGPT.

The resulting article, since deleted, featured DeBlasio criticizing Mamdanis proposals as unrealistic. After publication, the real Mayor de Blasio issued a statement on X calling the piece entirely false and fabricated. Mayor de Blasio endorsed Mamdani in September.

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I never spoke to that reporter and never said those things, he wrote.

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The Times of London later blamed the incident on an individual falsely claiming to be the former New York mayor. But the Long Island DeBlasio disputes that characterization.

I never once said I was the mayor, he said. He never addressed me as the mayor.

The post Long Island wine importer behind Times of Londons DeBlasio mix-up appeared first on Salon.com.
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA)  Many Jamaicans living in the Upstate saw their homes and memories get hit by Hurricane Melissa.

Denton Harding is the owner of Kingston Homestyle Kitchen in downtown Spartanburg. He watched his hometown, St. Elizabeth Parish, get ripped apart.

The hospital that I was born in  in Black River, St. Elizabeth is no longer there, he told 7NEWS. Its like in the sea with no road around it.

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Hes been trying to reach family back home, but told 7NEWS its been nearly impossible

Well, were not getting much at the moment, Harding said. The cellular tower is down, so were not receiving much.

That uncertainty is hard to bear.

Very uncomforting, because you see the videos coming out, but you cannot talk to anybody on the ground to know exactly whats taking place, he said.

Harding is not alone. Claudette Thomas said her familys WhatsApp group has been a lifeline.

One of my cousins didnt respond, she said. They were like, Well, whats her phone number? We have to make sure shes OK.

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Both said Jamaica has weathered many storms, but none were as severe as Melissa.

They did as much as possible to prepare, but its just more than what they could do, said Harding. This one is a direct hit, Category Five. Weve never seen anything like this before. This is the first experience with this.

Now, Harding and his friend are turning their worry into action, gathering supply donations to send to Jamaica.

Items like bedding and mattresses, blankets, non-perishable food items, childrens school supplies and clothing are imperative for those impacted by the storm.

Nothing is too small, he said. Everything, we will say thank you and try to get it to the right person.

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Donations can be dropped off at Kingston Homestyle Kitchen at 256 N Church Street in Spartanburg. from 11:00 a.m.  9:00p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Unable to drop off donations, but want to help? Call (347) 691-9933.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
A longtime Kentucky attorney and judge known for his mentorship, love of horse racing and the Rolling Stones died Oct. 27. He was 80.

Lewis G. Paisley served as a district and circuit judge in Fayette County, as well as a judge on the court of appeals until his 2008 retirement.

Originally from Huntington, W.Va., Paisley graduated from Georgetown College in 1973 with a degree in economics. Three years later, he graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law. He was appointed to the Lexington district court bench in June 1982.

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While on the circuit bench, he presided over a landmark gay rights case in Lexington.

In 1986, Paisley was the trial court judge in Commonwealth vs. Wasson, where he ruled a state law banning sodomy was unconstitutional.

The decision was upheld by the Kentucky Supreme Court in 1992.

On Aug. 14, l997, Fayette Circuit Court holds its first Drug Court graduation at the Fayette County Courthouse in Lexington, Ky. Drug Court participants agree to adhere to strict rehabilitation guidelines. In this photo, Circuit Judges Lewis Paisley, left, and Sheila Isaac preside over Drug Court, as does Judge Mary Noble (not pictured).

He truly loved being a judge, his son, Franklin Paisley, said in an interview with the Herald-Leader. One of the unusual things about my dad  not many people like lawyers  he just loved lawyers and being a lawyer. He had the fondest feeling and thought it was an honorable profession.

Sheila Isaac, Paisleys wife and a fellow judge, said he was a mentor to her, as he was to so many.

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During her first years on the bench, she said she found herself trying to explain rulings to lawyers and involved parties as if she could convince them she was right.

Paisley, in his gentle way, told her that all judges need a sign at the bench that says, Shut up and rule. Isaac wrote it on a note that still goes to court with her.

His courage as a judge was exceptional, his manner was gentle, his intellect was remarkable, Isaac said. He was truly a man for all seasons.

Fayette District Court Judge Lindsay Hughes Thurston said Paisley was a mentor to her, too. He worked with kindness, wisdom, and quiet strength, she said.

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Judge Paisley certainly made a lasting mark on our court system, Hughes Thurston said. I am grateful to have known him, to have learned from him, and to have witnessed his legendary commitment to justice and community.

Chief Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court Debra Hembree Lambert offered condolences to the Paisley family, friends and former colleagues.

Judge Paisleys commitment to justice will continue to inspire those of us privileged to follow in his footsteps, Lambert said.

A Keeneland aficionado

Although he was widely known for wearing the black robe, he could be found in Box 256 each October and April for the Keeneland meets, where he donned a tweed cap, racing booklet and a smile.

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He loved Keeneland horse racing, said his daughter, Katherine Paisley.

This month, Lewis Paisley got to take his 8-week-old grandson, Franklin Church Paisley Jr., to his first fall meet  continuing a Paisley tradition into the fourth generation.

Andrew Perkins, a parishioner of First Presbyterian Church, was also a guest of Paisleys.

Paisley invited Perkins to attend a meet with him after Perkins said he didnt know much about horse racing, aside from general awareness of the Kentucky Derby.

(Paisley) just called me up one day and said, How about you come with me to Keeneland? and we had a ball, Perkins recalled. ...I am grateful I got to know Lewis even for a short time, and grateful for the way he treated me. He made me feel significant. That is the best way people can treat each other.

Judge Lewis Paisley sentencing Ron Berry in Courtroom 3B in the Fayette County Courthouse. Friday May 5, 2000

A judges passion for information

It wasnt just horse racing for which Paisley had a passion, his family said. He dived into every new hobby he took up over the years.

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He loved information and was very curious about anything that crossed his path and get educated about it, Katherine Paisley said.

Fayette Circuit Chief Judge James E. Keller and Circuit Judge Lewis Paisley, look over plans for the new Fayette Co. Courthouse on Monday, Jan. 26, 1998, at the site of where the new Fayette Co. Courthouse will be constructed.LHLPU980211

For a while, it was attending the Indianapolis 500 each year. Then it was hiking, as he learned about all the rivers, canyons and the discovery of the West. When his hobby was fly-fishing, he learned about the different flies, the companies and where they are located.

Everything was an opportunity to know the richness of the subject, Katherine Paisley said. That was how he was in all aspects of his life.

That included being a father.

I was very lucky and honored to call him dad, Katherine Paisley said. There is nothing better than that.

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Paisley is survived by his wife, Sheila Isaac, his son Franklin Paisley (Katy Ross), daughter Katherine Paisley, stepdaughter Whitney Adams Lockridge (Michael), and grandchildren Church and Isaiah.

Memorial services will take place Saturday, Nov. 1, at First Presbyterian Church on North Mill Street. A memorial will begin at 1 p.m., with visitation to follow at 2 p.m.
Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael Lopez, shown here in a file photo, told members of a joint legislative committee Wednesday that he is working to reduce the number of repeat findings from a recent 70-page audit. Some of those findings date back to 2008. (File Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

The Maryland secretary of Human Services repeatedly insisted to lawmakers Wednesday that he and his staff are working to transform an agency that was the subject of a scathing audit and was responsible for the care of a teen who died while in foster care living in a Baltimore City hotel.

A 70-page report issued by the Office of Legislative Audits identified more than a dozen issues, many repeat findings with some dating back to 2008. Among them, findings included failure to ensure adults with criminal backgrounds didnt have access to children and that seven registered sex offenders were found living in homes with children under court-approved guardianships.

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Secretary Rafael Lopez told lawmakers that many of the problems in the agency were inherited.

Lets be real clear, we largely agree with the audits findings and no matter where and how the problem started, we own our responsibility to deliver solutions, and well partner with you to lead this transformation, because thats what Marylanders deserve, Lopez said. The safety and well-being of Marylands children have been our highest priorities.

Lopez recounted a list of policy changes made to address some problems, including standardizing criminal background checks, standardizing contracts for one-on-one providers and ending the practice of placing some children in foster care in hotels.

But Lopez and his staff disagreed with audit findings that said the agency had the ability to do background checks on adults living with children in court-approved guardianships.

As of right now, we do not believe that we have the statutory authority that you are citing right now, Lopez said, adding that he would work with lawmakers to find a way in which to do that constitutionally.

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Some members of the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee disagreed with Lopezs assertions that court-approved guardianship curtails the agencys ability to do background checks.

Sen. Clarence Lam (D-Howard and Anne Arundel County) said after the meeting that Lopezs testimony felt lacking.

These are difficult and complex issues, Lam said. The really frustrating thing is that they could have figured all this out earlier.

Lam said he expects some legislation in the 2026 session, which may or may not include a workgroup to look at fixes for tougher issues.

Legislative Auditor Brian Tanen told lawmakers his staff believes state statutes and regulations give the agency the legal authority to do checks. But he added that department staffers need to approach the issue thinking as if they were parents protecting their own children.

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So, theres probably room in between to fill in some of the gaps, in particular related to their response to the guardianship homes, Tanen said. We certify the guardianship home. We take the children, we place them there  we have a responsibility to make sure that were putting the children in a home that is safe, not on the one day that we walk them across the threshold.

Tanen said the agency should look at that and say, If it was my child, what would I want before I put them in this home?'

The three-hour committee hearing was punctuated by moments of frustration from some lawmakers.

Del. Steven J. Arentz (R-Upper Shore) said agency responses to audits far too often feel like what I could have wrote.

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We get a little bit of a list  Heres what were going to do, and Were going to fix this problem, Arentz said. Four years later, with a history  not your history necessarily but a history  were repeating them [the findings] when you knew about them coming in and theyve not been addressed.

Webster Ye, Lopezs chief of staff, acknowledged the agency is on the equivalent of academic probation because of the audit and its repeat findings. He said the agency is moving forward so that we are positioned in the next couple of years to eliminate that repeat finding and to change our departmental culture so that it doesnt happen again.

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Some on the committee did not seem swayed, and suggested legislation might be needed to bring reforms. The committee is awaiting a deeper dive review by the Department of Legislative Services Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability.

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Its great to identify problems. Thats how I make my living, Tanen said. Fixing the problem requires people who are specialized and focused in the areas that were identifying, and thats where were running into the problem. And I keep saying, they dont need more audits. Were auditing the information. Theres nothing changing.

Tanen said there is growing frustration over the repeat findings in audits of the department. But he said the agency, absent additional legislation, can address many of the issues it faces.

Theres 14 findings, a lot of repeats. Its unsatisfactory, but theres not a lot of disagreement. And for the most part, theyre saying, were working on this, and they put in some effort.

The latest audit found that the department may have approved guardianship homes for children in state care where registered sex offenders lived, and that it failed to identify a convicted sex offender who worked in a group foster home and later faced criminal charges involving children under his care.

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Five days after the audit was released, the body of Kanaiyah Ward, 16, was found Sept. 22 in a room at a Residence Inn by Marriott. The teen, who was in state care, had been living in the hotel on N. Wolfe Street in Baltimore.

An autopsy concluded that she died as the result of an overdose of diphenhydramine, an over-the-counter allergy medication.

The vast majority of the findings in here  their governance already allows them to go and address the process, Tanen said.
On the first night, months ago, Prim thought she would just head down to see what the protests were all about. She left her job as a nursing assistant, still in her scrubs and N95 mask, and drove to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Macadam Street in South Portland, where demonstrations against the Trump administrations immigration policies had started to flare up. She thought she might be able to take some photos. When she arrived, there werent many people there  a few knots of protesters on the sidewalks, huddled next to a smattering of residential buildings and a car parts shop. Macadam Street was empty. Prim went to cross, and was almost immediately shot at. Rubber bullets, pepper balls, and other projectiles whizzed by. From across the street, two black-clad protesters yelled at her. Come to us! Come to us! Stumbling and ducking, she made her way over. They told her the rules: ICE is over there. We are over here. They will shoot you if they can.

Four months later, Prim, who is 46, no longer works as a nursing assistant, and no longer wears scrubs. Instead, every night she dresses in black, in a helmet and gas mask, and works as a street medic treating the constant injuries of protesters in Portland. She has been shot in the head with non-lethal projectiles and breathed so much tear gas she coughed up blood. She doesnt use her real name in interviews, or even on the street (Prim is one of several pseudonyms). Prim the nursing assistant didnt know anything about the concept of black bloc, where protesters dress in nondescript black clothing to hide their identities. Prim the street medic wears it every night, attempting to conceal her identity from a government that has made it explicitly clear that she is an enemy of the state.

For the past 10 years, the core of many of Americas myriad protest movements has been dedicated activists who promote an ethos of anti-fascism, a nebulous term that has been used in opposition to police violence, brutal immigration policies, and widespread oppression of minority groups like the LGBTQ community. The right has taken this ideology and made it into a boogeyman: the specter of antifa, a shadowy network of far-left radicals hell bent on tearing apart the country. Antifa, as the right describes it, does not exist. There are no central leaders, no national organizations, no official members. But the term stuck, and the second Trump administration is determined to use a fabricated enemy to usher in a new wave of repression that could stifle dissent for years to come.

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On September 22, the Trump administration issued a decree that designated antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, claiming it is a militarist, anarchist enterprise that explicitly calls for the overthrow of the United States Government. Three days later, the administration issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, a sweeping document that links anti-fascist organizing with several instances of political violence, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and lays out an extremely broad framework potentially allowing federal law enforcement to prosecute any entity deemed to be supportive of that ideology. Now, anti-fascist activists around the country say that the two proclamations have ratcheted up pressure theyve felt for years, making street-level organizing more dangerous than ever before.

Its completely changed [since NSPM-7], Prim says. We now have an open target on us.

The ICE agents that clash with protesters in Portland, she says, are barely trained and quickly resort to violence. They fire rubber bullets at protesters heads and slip rock-hard marbles into the hoppers of their pepper-ball guns. Theyre often joined by a motley assortment of right-wing agitators  big-rig drivers who menace crowds on the street, right-wing journalists who try to infiltrate groups of protesters and dox them online, and the dregs of street gangs like the Proud Boys who show up spoiling for fights. The situation, Prim says, feels more dire by the day.

A lot of us on the ground have already made wills, Prim says. I said goodbye to my brother two weeks ago, just in case. He knows theres a good chance I dont make it out of this.

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Portlands protests, for the time being, are persisting in the face of Trumps new proclamation and ICEs heightened use of force. But in other parts of the country, NSPM-7s effects have driven organizing networks completely underground. Activists have wiped group chats and canceled meetings, scrubbing their online presences and often taking a step back from organizing. Almost everyone Rolling Stone spoke to for this story asked to use a pseudonym for fear of retribution. Others spoke on background or off the record. Anti-fascist networks have always had a strong security culture  encrypted messaging apps are the norm, and people are guarded with their identities  but the administrations broad declaration of antifa as terrorists has pushed those practices into overdrive.

This shit is not new, its just more overt now, says Ned, an Appalachian anarchist who is dedicated to arming marginalized communities, like queer and trans people, with firearms. Trumps rhetoric has spooked many people he works with, and inspired others to formalize their security plans and protocols. But while online chatter may be more reserved, he says his actual work  hosting range days for queer and trans people to learn to shoot, and distributing information on how to 3D print weapons from scratch at home  is busier than ever.

Direct action has been driven even further underground, Ned says. If anything theres more of it, its just not online.

But real life can get messy, fast. Trumps initial proclamations came in the immediate wake of the Charlie Kirk shooting, and referenced instances of violence like Luigi Mangiones killing of health care CEO Brian Thompson. While the everyday activities of most anti-fascist activists are still overwhelmingly peaceful, the Trump administration has capitalized on every instance of political violence and used them to usher in new crackdowns and waves of propaganda. In early October  as the president was busy claiming that activist thugs were turning cities like Portland into war zones  the administration hosted a rouges gallery of far-right influencers and media figures at the White House to give them a forum to decry antifa, using them to further push its message that the group was a national threat.

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The administrations stance is evident in its response to real-life violence, as well, which has left activists on the ground scrambling. In Texas, for instance, shootings at two ICE facilities prompted a swift and total crackdown, demolishing fragile networks of activists and bringing a new wave of federal charges. One of the shootings, an attack on ICE officers outside of a detention facility south of Dallas, was perpetrated by a man formerly associated with a loose network of left-wing gun-rights organizations that rose to prominence in 2023. The government arrested at least 14 people in connection with the shooting, charging 11 of them with attempted murder and terrorism-related offenses, per The Washington Post. Discords, group chats, and social media accounts were scrubbed overnight, as the FBI raided houses. One source told me that even innocuous, long-standing groups like local Food Not Bombs chapters started wiping data and battening down the hatches, fearing that the federal crackdown wouldnt stay contained to those accused of an actual crime.

People got scared, and they havent really come back, said Corey Lyon, a local journalist who has covered protests throughout Texas. A lot of the community that was built around activism, around helping our community, has been completely gutted.

Part of the reason these crackdowns have been effective is that theyve been tested before  including in Atlanta, where the state of Georgias campaign to label protesters as domestic terrorists has crushed the structure, if not the spirit, of the Stop Cop City movement. The movement began in 2022, when the city of Atlanta released plans to build an expansive police training facility in a forested area of land on the outskirts of the city. In response, a flourishing protest encampment sprang up in the forest, morphing into a years-long battle between police and activists that left one person, Manuel Tortugita Teran, dead after a police shooting. In a shocking weaponization of the justice system, Georgia Attorney General Christopher Carr used a 2017 statute passed after the Dylann Roof shootings to arrest and charge dozens of protesters with domestic terrorism, holding them in pre-trial detention for lengthy periods and snarling them in a legal web of denied bail, compounding charges, and jurisdictional chaos. Carr then went after the activists support networks, bringing RICO charges against a local bail fund and several other community organizers.

President Trump has clearly learned from these tactics, floating the idea of slamming George Soros and various networks of left-wing nonprofits with RICO charges based on their connections to protests. In Georgia, many of the charges, and many of the cases entirely, have been dropped or shot down by rational judges. But activists say that the initial shock of prosecution was the whole point.

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The formal legal underpinnings of these tactics cant hold water, says Marlon Kautz, a spokesperson for the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, the bail relief organization that was slapped with RICO charges. But that doesnt matter, because the goal is not successful prosecution, its the disruption of their political adversaries.

Kautz himself was arrested in May 2023, when a joint task force of Georgia authorities raided his house in SWAT gear. From his bedroom, he heard officers discussing whether or not to throw a flash bang grenade through the front door. The point of all this, Kautz says, is to create fear.

The objective is to make [activists] feel as if the safest smartest thing to do is to disengage with political activism until things cool down, Kautz says. The challenge is how to continue being an activist in the face of that fear. Because giving in to that fear is just defeat. There is no way to succeed by taking a step back or keeping your head down for a while.

In Portland, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and many other cities, plenty of activists arent keeping their heads down. Some protesters have taken to showing up in whimsical costumes: inflatable frogs, chicken suits, giant foam hot dogs, and more. Many of these protests are peaceful, especially the ones that draw large crowds of everyday Americans upset with Trumps increasingly authoritarian administration. But there are always men in uniforms with guns. There are always fingers on triggers.

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We cant predict what is going to happen, Prim, the medic in Portland, says. All we can do is be as mentally prepared as possible  to take care of each other not only on the ground, but outside of it as well.

Prim isnt alone. In Atlanta, new groups of activists have taken up the mantle of those facing court cases. While Texas highly-visible left-wing gun clubs may have faded, range days for vulnerable groups and 3D-printed schematics for weapons are more popular than ever. Some anti-fascists have dropped out of activism entirely in response to the Trump administrations crackdown, but plenty are staying busy, learning to adjust to a new, openly-hostile government. Some are peaceful. Some are not. All of them want to stop what they see as the rise of a fascist regime in the United States.

They paint us as these thugs and delinquents, these terrorists, Prim says later, in a message on Signal, the encrypted messaging app. It is us who know who the real terrorists are.

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Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry says the state will provide food aid to the elderly, disabled and qualifying families with children if the federal government doesn't provide assistance in November, but other "able-bodied" participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will have to rely on food banks if the federal government shutdown isn't resolved by Nov. 1. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Nearly 800,000 people who depend on federal food aid will see no interruption in those benefits for November, according to Gov. Jeff Landry.

They include the elderly, disabled and families with children who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which the Trump administration has said will not provide benefits starting Saturday amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.

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But another 53,000 able-bodied SNAP recipients who arent in one of those categories will have to lean on their local food banks as long as the shutdown persists, according to the governor.

Landry said at a news conference Wednesday his health department will find the money to cover $147 million in benefits next month for the elderly, disabled and children. These recipients typically get their SNAP disbursements on the first few days of the month.

As for other recipients, the governor said he would provide more details Thursday on a plan to ensure food banks are able to meet their needs.

Weve been talking to the food banks over the last week about what it will take to bulk up supplies, to charge up the supply chain of getting more food to the food banks to prepare for families. Theyre in that process, Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein told reporters after the governors news conference.

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The governors plans do not mesh with earlier statements from Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, who had indicated benefits would be provided to all Louisiana SNAP recipients.

Henry told reporters earlier in the day that while the elderly, children and disabled would get food assistance first, other SNAP participants would get theirs through the remainder of the month. He did acknowledge that Landry has final say in how the state spends the money.

Henry and House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, stood at the governors side at the news conference where he laid out his plans for SNAP benefits disbursement.

Henry and state lawmakers had just concluded a one-week special session Thursday to move back 2026 congressional primary election dates. Before adjourning, they approved a resolution to support Landrys use of a reserve revenue fund for SNAP benefits if the impasse in Washington, D.C., extends into December. Henry said the legislatures action wasnt necessary for the governor to use the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund, which has a balance of about $2 billion.

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The legislative resolution faced no opposition as it went through the approval process until Wednesday, when Sen. Jay Morris, R-West Monroe, voted against it. Morris told senators that while he did not take issue with their support for the measure, he feels there is a gun being pointed to our head by the federal government.

This is not our program, Morris said before the vote. If you step back and look at it from a distance, its ridiculous that we are being forced to bail out the largest source of wealth in the world  the United States government. I think it sets a bad precedent.

While Morris kept his arguments party neutral, Sen. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, laid blame for the government shutdown at the feet of U.S. Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. The New York Democrat is willing to let veterans and children go hungry rather than compromise, she said. Her comments were similar to those later in the day from the governor, who referenced the Schumer Shutdown and said he would be responsible for any problems Louisiana had in dispersing its food benefits.

Congressional Democrats say they will not vote to reopen the government unless Republicans agree to extend subsidies for health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act, which expire at the end of the year.

In response to Hodges remarks, Henry provided a rundown of the number of SNAP recipients in the districts of Democratic and Republican senators. All fell in the 20,000 range.

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If youre trying to put Ds and Rs on this, it aint gonna work, Henry said.

Both chambers also approved nonbinding resolutions that urge Congress to end the federal government shutdown and refund the money Louisiana spends on SNAP benefits.

A leaked memo from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates states that step in to cover federal food assistance will not be reimbursed.

Landry was asked if he thinks the federal government will eventually reimburse Louisiana for providing a bridge while SNAP benefits are suspended. The governor said he had spoken recently to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, both of Louisiana, who he said agreed that the states costs should be covered.

The question is, right now, we cant get Democrats in the Senate to agree on anything, Landry said.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Louisiana lawmaker is calling on state leaders to take action after two Louisiana universities allegedly denied students the opportunity to form Turning Point USA chapters.

State Representative Dixon McMakin (RDistrict 68) sent a letter to Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill and State Treasurer Dr. John Fleming, urging them to respond to what he called a deeply troubling situation at Tulane University and Loyola University New Orleans.

McMakin described the schools actions as a clear attempt to curtail conservative perspectives on campus. He cited the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, which prohibits discrimination based on political ideas or affiliations.

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In his letter, McMakin asked the state to freeze all current funding and pause any Capital Outlay dollars going to Tulane and Loyola until the institutions demonstrate clear and concrete action to protect students rights to free expression and association.

Gov. Jeff Landry wants Charlie Kirk statue on LSUs campus

The people of our state have said time and time again that they will not stand for the unfair suppression of conservative viewpoints, McMakin said. If these universities are going to suppress conservative perspectives, the taxpayers of Louisiana should not be subsidizing their operations in any way.

The representative also requested an investigation into whether the universities actions violated the U.S. or the Louisiana Constitution.

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Higher education should be a place where students can freely exchange ideas, McMakin said. Denying students the right to form a peaceful political organization runs contrary to both state law and the very mission these universities claim to uphold.

McMakins letter followed a post by Governor Jeff Landry, who expressed similar concerns on social media the day before.

The lawmaker said he hopes both universities return to their lofty ideals and admirable purpose.

Loyola University releases statement



Loyola University New Orleans fully supports our students rights to free expression and association. The decision regarding Turning Point USA was made by the Student Government Association, our elected student governing body, through its established peer-to-peer chartering process. While SGA decided not to grant official recognition, that decision does not restrict students ability to meet, organize, or share their views. The universitys role is to ensure that the student organization chartering process is followed correctly and fairly, consistent with our Jesuit values and our commitment to dialogue and understanding across differences, said Loyola University New Orleans Media and Public Relations Manager Christine Harvey.





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The Delhi Police, on Thursday, in an affidavit to the Supreme Court, objected to the bail plea of Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and others in the UAPA case linked to the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 north-east Delhi riots. Delhi Police said that the materials on record, including the chats referencing US President Donald Trump, establish beyond doubt that the instant conspiracy was pre-planned to be executed at the time when the US President was to make an official visit to India. This was done so as to draw the attention of international media and to make the issue of CAA a global issue by portraying it as an act of a pogrom of the Muslims community in India, according to the affidavit of the Delhi police. The issue of CAA was carefully chosen to serve as a "radicalising catalyst" camouflaged in the name of "peaceful protest", the affidavit said. The affidavit said that the "deep-rooted, premeditated and pre-planned conspiracy" hatched by the petitioners resulted in the death of 53 persons, large-scale damage to public property, leading to the registration of 753 FIRs in Delhi alone. Evidence on record suggests that the instant conspiracy was sought to be replicated and executed PAN India, said Delhi police in the affidavit. Earlier on October 27, the Supreme Court questioned the Delhi police for failing to file its response to the bail pleas of Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider and Shifa Ur Rehman, challenging the Delhi High Court order which denied them bail in the UAPA case linked to the alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 north-east Delhi riots. A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and NV Anjaria declined the request of Delhi Police for a grant of two weeks' time to file counter-affidavits on the petitions. The bench said that it had given the Delhi Police enough time to reply to the pleas. "We made it clear. You (ASG) may be appearing for the first time. We granted sufficient time. Last time we said issue notice and we said in that open court that we will hear this matter on October 27th and will dispose of it," the Court told Additional Solicitor General SV Raju after he sought more time to respond to the appeals filed by the accused. (ANI)
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  The federal governments Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is expected to run out of money Saturday, as the shutdown in Washington drags on. In response, Louisiana officials are stepping in, but only temporarily.

Gov. Jeff Landry announced a plan allowing the Louisiana Department of Health to spend up to $150 million a month in state funds to keep SNAP benefits flowing. The plan prioritizes older adults, people with disabilities and children, with payments set to be distributed in stages beginning Nov. 1.

However, about 53,000 able-bodied adults who receive benefits wont be included in the first round of assistance. Landry says those individuals are being encouraged to seek help from local charities and food banks.

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Louisiana food banks prepare for possible halt in SNAP Benefits

Were going to be calling on those more fortunate in this state to help us with that, Landry said. Were not going to forget them, but were going to try to work with charity.

While the measure passed with near-unanimous support in the state legislature, not everyone agrees that the state should step in. Sen. Jay Morris cast the lone no vote, arguing it sets a dangerous precedent.

I just dont think its right, Morris said. It violates the idea of federalism. It forces us to do something for the federal government that it should be doing itself.

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The governors office says Louisianas plan can only sustain benefits for one month. If the federal shutdown continues into December, the states emergency funding could run out, leaving thousands of families once again uncertain about how theyll afford food.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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A lovesick MAGA fan in Central Florida is facing federal charges after he allegedly threatened to torch the White House and assassinate ICE agents when he was unable to get a live person on the phone at a government immigration office.

Tristen Elijah Giroux, 30, had been calling U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to complain about how long it was taking to process a visa for his Colombian fiancee but found himself stuck in a phone tree, according to a recently unsealed criminal complaint reviewed by The Independent.

As Giroux tried and failed last week to make himself understood to the interactive voice recognition system at USCIS, his frustration boiled over, says an FBI probable cause affidavit attached to the complaint. When his demands to speak to a customer service representative went nowhere, Giroux first lashed out at the virtual operator as a dumb c**t b***h, then lost patience altogether, the affidavit states.

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Im gonna burn down the White House. Giroux said on the recorded line, according to the affidavit. Im gonna go choke out every ICE member I see. Kill them all.

When the FBI arrested Giroux at home the next day, he assured them that he was a Trump supporter and claimed he was disgusted by the ICE protests he had seen on TikTok, the affidavit contends. Meanwhile, it says Giroux told officers that navigating the byzantine process to bring his fiancee into the U.S. legally has been so difficult.

A frustrating visa process for his Colombian fiancee drove MAGA acolyte Tristen Elijah Giroux to threaten mass killings, according to court records (Getty Images)

Immigrating to the U.S. legally is nearly impossible, according to the libertarian Cato Institute, which says fewer than 1 percent of people who wish to do so are able. Others have called the pathway to legal U.S. residency, not to mention full citizenship, as exceptionally difficult, and all but impossible. At the same time, the Trump administration has ramped up immigration enforcement to never-before-seen levels, prompting widespread backlash against White House policy as well as the agents tasked with carrying it out.

Reached by phone on Wednesday, Giroux told The Independent that he was not at liberty to discuss the situation publicly, on the advice of his lawyer. The court-appointed attorney did not respond to a request for comment.

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Girouxs social media footprint appears to confirm his ongoing relationship with a woman in Bogota. In a 2024 Facebook post, Giroux called her the love of my life, emphasizing his feelings with a red heart emoji. When she replied, in Spanish, that she loved Giroux too, he responded, I love you very much my queen .

The phone number that the affidavit links to Giroux, a Jacksonville, Florida, resident who has worked as a life insurance salesman, is also listed in classified ads for a BMW repair service run by Giroux.

Why Hit Me Up? I know BMWs inside and out, the ad tells prospective customers. I use only quality parts, no shortcuts. My rates are fair, and the work speaks for itself. Im here to make sure you and your car are happy. Shoot me a message or give me a call to book your spot!

The affidavit says Girouxs only past run-ins with the law were misdemeanor convictions for driving with a suspended license and a battery and noise disturbance.

Giroux is facing federal charges after he allegedly became enraged after getting stuck in a phone tree while calling citizenship services about procuring a visa for his Colombian fiancee. (Getty Images)

The case against Giroux began on October 24, with an electronic tip the Department of Homeland Security forwarded to the FBI National Threat Operations Center, according to the probable cause affidavit.

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That afternoon, amid an ongoing U.S government shutdown, Giroux had called USCIS from his mobile phone and became enraged after becoming stuck in a phone tree. The call was recorded, capturing Giroux lashing out at the computerized voice on the other end, the affidavit goes on.

During the recording at issue, which was approximately seven minutes long, Giroux attempted to navigate the IVR to get to a live person with whom he could discuss the issue he was having with an immigration form, it states.

At one point, Giroux instructed the automated system, Transfer me to a customer service representative. Stupid b***h, according to the affidavit. He then told the system to Transfer me to a representative, dumb c**t b***h, the affidavit maintains. Once things really got tense, the affidavit alleges Giroux vowed to set the White House ablaze and choke out every ICE agent he encountered.

The FBI identified the number Giroux was calling from and immediately subpoenaed T-Mobile for subscriber information and location pings of the phones location. T-Mobile provided the feds with Girouxs personal info and the pings led agents to his front door, according to the affidavit.

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The following afternoon, a team of FBI agents and deputies from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office showed up at Girouxs apartment. The affidavit says an agent introduced herself to Giroux and asked him to step outside, which he did, after which she told Giroux why they were there.

Giroux lashed out in frustration over getting a visa for his Colombian fiancee amid increasingly severe immigration enforcement by the Trump administration. He is now facing up to five years in prison. (Getty Images)

He explained that he called USCIS to try to resolve an issue he was having with his upcoming marriage between him and his paramour, a Colombian national, for whom Giroux was seeking a K1 visa, the affidavit states. Giroux had sent in the documents regarding their intended marriage, but USCIS had sent them back without explanation. Giroux explained to me that he was running out of time to get the paperwork squared away and was extremely frustrated that he was unable to get a hold of an actual representative and kept getting routed to the automated system.

Giroux confessed to making the threats against ICE agents and the White House after calling USCIS multiple times, according to the affidavit. It says Giroux claimed he had made the comments in order to try and get someone's attention and to see if anyone was actually listening to what he was saying.

Giroux advised that he did eventually speak with a representative, who was helpful, and he was able to get the situation straightened out, the affidavit states.

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It says Giroux insisted that he had no intention of harming anyone, and told agents how stupid it was that he had said those things and that he regretted it.

Giroux said that he is a supporter of President Trump, the affidavit continues. Giroux said he has seen the ICE protests on the social media platform TikTok, and that they disgust him because he is supportive of ICEs efforts. Giroux explained that he is trying to handle the immigration of his paramour in the right way, and it is so difficult, while in the meantime, people are entering the county illegally.

Giroux said he owned a Glock 19 pistol that he bought and registered in California, where he previously lived, but denied having any other explosives or firearms, according to the affidavit.

He was arrested October 27 on one count of transmitting a threat to kill in interstate commerce. A judge released Giroux the same day on a personal recognizance bond and ordered him to surrender his passport by close of business Wednesday.

If convicted, Giroux faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The gathering of the United States highest ranking generals and admirals at U.S. Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia on Sept. 30 was the most bizarre thing Ive seen in my time on Earth, said Larry Wilkerson, an ex-United States Army colonel and former chief of staff to past Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Wilkerson and a slew of others spoke with Military.com in the aftermath of the impromptu assembly of the United States starred service members one month ago, warning that the Armed Forces currently helmed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth are in a state of disarray most havent seen in their hundreds of years of combined military and defense service.

The scene was endemic of broader political and socioeconomic divisions throughout the first nine months or so of Trumps executive order-laden second term, in which the president and his administration have been aggressive in enforcement involving immigration and more recently the National Guard in multiple American cities. It sparked continued debate over the role of the U.S. military in American politics and society at large, of which both have been intertwined since the nations inception, and concerns of a traditionally apolitical constitutional fixture espousing partisan rhetoric.

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The Quantico loyalty test as one retired service member described may have far wider implications for the future of the U.S. military and those who serve in it. Officials who spoke to Military.com warned of the potential of Trump and Hegseth sycophants replacing outgoing military members who disagree with the so-called warrior ethos mentalitywhile others connected the administrations military approach to a broader, government-wide takeover rooted in greed, power, and arguably the most open embrace of Christian nationalism in the nations history.

Certainly in my 40 years of government service for both the president and the secretary of war, it was just bizarre, Wilkerson said.

Beyond the security implications and cost associated with galvanizing the generals and admirals, Wilkerson said that the messages from both Trump and Hegseth were a little bit different but complementing each other quite well.

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Hegseth essentially said, I want you all to be killers, I want you to be killers for America. I want you to be killers for the flag. I want you to be killers under all circumstances where I give you orders to go to war or to do something that Ive given you an executive order for. I want you to be that kind of person, he said.

'New But Familiar'

Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell told Military.com that Hegseth's speech cemented a new but familiar culture we refer to as the warrior ethos.

His message was simple: promotions and combat assignments will be given based on merit and ability, not diversity quotas, Parnell said. The war on warriors is over; political correctness has no home at the Department of War. Physical fitness standards will be high, uniform and sex-neutral, ensuring our warriors are prepared to fight and win in any arena, no matter the circumstances.

These core principles have been the foundation of our force for generations and drive our entire institution.

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The same message is being pontificated from the White House.

President Trump was proud to join Secretary Hegseths event to reignite warrior ethos within his top brass and reinforce the rigorous standards that once made our military the best in the world, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Military.com. These anonymous criticisms are nonsense. The president is fully behind the secretarys efforts to restore readiness and lethality within the Department of War.

'Slippery Slope'

The Quantico gathering included speeches from both Hegseth and President Donald Trump, the former calling to minimize the number of fat generals while enforcing stricter military facial hair policies across branches. He mentioned achieving a higher male standard that some have surmised is the Defense Departments (now federally known as the War Department) attempt to push some females out of the military altogether.

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Hegseth also railed against woke garbage infiltrating forces and implored service members to embrace the administrations aforementioned warrior ethos, with those not getting on board encouraged to resign.

An Air Force general who was in the room on Sept. 30 spoke to Military.com on the condition of anonymity, saying that when they first learned of the intended gathering, it was perceived as a loyalty check. There was even a thought that some admirals and generals would be forced to resign on [the] scene.

But then as time went on, we realized that it was going to be such a public forum and that was just unrealisticthat it probably was just going to be what we ended up seeing: a very scripted speech and very partisan speech, said the general with decades of service. There were a lot of fears going into it.

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My chief and I kind of war-gamed it ahead of time, like, Hey, if this happens, how will we react? If people stand up and clap, will we sit? Will we stand and not clap? How are we going to handle these situations? Or if [Hegseth] asks us to do something that is so completely against our morals and values, will we just walk out of the room?

The general said Hegseths remarks induced a slippery slope of what may happen moving forward, including potential harassment of minority and female military members that may discourage their service altogether and lead to resignations. Even making formal complaints could become cumbersome.

Weve never had a secretary of defense speak even remotely in a partisan way the way this man [Hegseth] does, the general added, claiming Hegseths brand of conservatism has been invoked in the traditionally nonpartisan Armed Forces. Thats discouraging because obviously the military isnt a political organization, or at least were not supposed to be. So, that was hard, it was a slap in the face.

I thought all of those generals and senior enlisted leaders and admirals who were in the room who had dedicated their lives to this, and then for their ultimate leader to just say the things that he said, was just incredibly frustrating.

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An anonymous senior-level Defense Department official with decades of experience had the following reaction when news of the Quantico gathering spread: Youve got to be kidding me.

They said the situation harkened back to Hegseths words following his initial appointment, from Fox News co-host to oversee the worlds most powerful military, which was effectively described as a pro-Trump campaign speech devoid of specifics.

Thats what I was anticipating, heres another campaign plan speech, the official said. Its going to be about men and women in the military, and a snot-nosed major in the National Guard talking down to seasoned senior officers who have 30, 40, 45 years as military professionals.

Thats what I thought, and thats exactly what he delivered.

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They couldnt believe they were seeing generals being talked down to as if they were platoon leadersbeing used as pawns in sort of a public relations, political demonstration.

An anonymous sergeant in the U.S. Army, who was not present that day in Quantico, told Military.com that the entire scene surrounding that days events was disturbing.

It was just very scary because my feeling when I first heard about all this was that Hegseth and Trump want to get a loyalty oath out of the military to void our loyalty to the Constitution, to protect the American people and pledge loyalty to them no matter what, the sergeant said. It reminds me of Hitlers rise to power.

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The uniformed member described the situation as ironic, due to the complete incompetence coming from this administration and how it could save Americans and the military itself.

Asked to elaborate, the sergeant was blunt in his perspective: These guys are just incredibly stupid, they keep f****** up so much.

Hegseth has been involved in so many Signal scandals he cant save himself, the sergeant said. There are leaks constantly going on, even though hes trying to find the leakers. He is the most unqualified and most incompetent secretary of defense that weve ever had, and he needs to go.

And morale, from what I have seen, is very, very low in the militarylike Ive never seen it before.

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Parnell told Military.com that current, former service members and defense officials who are speaking out anonymously in the media should put their names to their comments if that's what they truly believe in and consider resigning from their post.

Our warriors deserve senior leaders who support the mission and put warfighting first, Parnell said.

Reaction To The 'Show'

Marty France is a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general who spent more than a decade as Permanent Professor and head of the Department of Astronautics and Engineering at the USAF Academy.

I thought that the generals and the senior enlisted advisors handled it in the absolute perfect manner that our military should, France told Military.com. In other words, they respectfully received the message and went on their way. They didnt really, as a group, show any emotion. They, of course, didnt show any disrespect either and sat quietly and received the message.

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The concerns of the 1981 Air Force Academy graduate and parent of a 2006 graduate mimicked others regarding loyalty pledges and meeting in person when the addresses that day could have theoretically been conducted virtually. The presentations by Trump and Hegseth were antithetical to the way service members responded, he added.

I think the message that was sent to the rest of America, that our military does insist on standing above the fray and remaining apolitical while obeying the orders of our legal superiors, is absolutely the correct message, he added. I couldnt have been prouder of how they handled it.

And I think it also demonstrated how incompetent and bumbling the two speakers at the event were.

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France mentioned how Hegseth tasked the roughly 2.1 million currently serving service members to watch his speech or read the transcript by Oct. 31, 2025.

I absolutely think thats a wonderful idea, France said. I want everyone to see what a complete bumbling mess he is and to see how silly and unprofessional and incoherent the rantings of both of them were.

I think thats good so people can actually see firsthand what were dealing with.

Irv Halter, a retired two-star numbered Air Force commander who served more than 32 years, called what occurred on Sept. 30 unprecedented and rejected some notions, like that of Vice President JD Vance and others, that occurrences like these are not all that unusual.

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He referred to the days events as a show rather than a serious meeting planned clandestinely that included no media attention. Then, Trump got involved because he cant pass up a camera, Halter said.

You dont announce to the world, Hey, Im bringing all the senior leadership from all the services from across the world into one place, and Im going to spend time with them in front of TV cameras. Its just crazy, said Halter, who formerly ran for Congress as a Democrat in Colorado.

Halter and others who spoke to Military.com praised the disposition of service members in attendance, whose quiet patience while in attendance drew attention from onlookers. During his speech, Trump told the generals: If you dont like what Im saying, you can leave the room. Of course, there goes your rank, there goes your future.

Once upon a time, some in the room worked directly for Halter.

People from the outside dont understand.  These are people who have decided to stay in the service for a long time, he said. Theyre very capable, seasoned leaders. So, this idea that they stick around because theyre afraid about their jobstheyre not afraid about their jobs. They can make money anywhere.

They do what they do because they think its important and they care. And thats why they stay in the room, because they still have a service to run or operations to run on behalf of the United States. And theyre the best, capable, best qualified people to do that.

Wider Implications

Mike Farrell, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran known for his role as Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt on the television series M*A*S*H, described the motives of the Trump administrationbe it the meeting at Quantico or potential escalation of a war with Venezuelaas insane.

He believes Trump is mentally ill and that those behind the scenes, naming White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, are steering the country in disputable manners.

I think were in a very new place, Farrell told Military.com.

The U.S. military is respected internationally and has been for decades not only because of the potential that they maintain, Farrell said, but also because of the fact that they are respectful of relationships and the chain of command.

While hes glad he didnt have to deal with the horrors of the Vietnam War and disagreed with policy decisions, he said the Constitution requires service members to follow what the Constitution requires.

When the head of the nation and the people hes appointed to do the work around and maintain the institutions have become so mindlessly brutal and stupidly self-aggrandizing, it seems to me to be a totally different world that were creating, where were losing respect around the world, he said.

Christian Nationalism Within The Ranks

Mikey Weinstein has been fighting against Christian nationalism in the military since Feb. 4, 2004.

The Air Force veteran was born and bred through his own military service. Not only did he serve but so did his father, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, as well as his two sons who are also Air Force Academy graduates. Seven members of his family in total attended the Academy.

More than two decades ago, his focus shifted. That was the same time Mel Gibsons film The Passion of the Christ was released in theaters.

It was astounding the degree to which the cadet chain of command and officer chain of command at the Air Force Academy was essentially almost making it mandatory for the cadets to go see this movie, Weinstein told Military.com. Every meal in Mitchell Hall had a flyer on it, on the plate every meal. You go into the academic building, Fairchild Hall, [and] you couldnt see the wallsit was plastered with these posters.

Thats when I began to realize, what the f*** is going on here? I had three of my kids there at the time. This kind of changed my life. My wife and I realized that theres something wrong here.

It led to him founding the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), a civil rights organization with clients spanning all military branches in addition to officials within the Defense Department and all U.S. national security agencies. MRFF has been nominated myriad times for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Weinstein analogizes MRFFs Christian clientele with the mathematical constant of Pi, in that as the members have grown over two decades the percentage of Christianshovering around 95%has also remained consistent.

We found out that 10 years before the Mel Gibson movie, every Christmas the last edition of the Air Force Academy newspaper had a weekly newspaper that would come out, he recalled. The last page of it was filled with the most senior people at the academy and their spouses, making it clear that the only true hope for mankind was our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

It was signed by scores of members of the faculty and the chain of command, etc. Obviously, these are all unbelievable violations of the separation of church and state. And this is what kind of formed what we were doing.

That message to separate church and state, especially within the military, has been Weinsteins calling card for many years. In turn, its made him and his family targets for those who have disagreed with his tactics and intent.

He has many firearms in his home. When he and his wife leave the house, they conceal-carry weapons. They have what he describes as elite-level protection in the form of canines, bodyguards and infrared cameras, along with close relationships forged with local law enforcement and district attorneys.

The windows of his home have been shot out twice. Animals have been beheaded, disemboweled and left for dead on his property. Beer bottles have been thrown. Swastikas have been painted on his house. Feces has been rubbed on his mailbox.

Id never tasted anti-Semitism until my first six months at the Air Force Academy, and then I got it in spades, said Weinstein, who post-service served as former presidential candidate Ross Perots general counsel. I got beaten twice within a week, unconscious.  A generation later, my kids were going through this stuff.

We are here to give a voice to these members of the military. If you want to believe in that tree down the road, or Spider-Man, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster, as your deityor no deity, humanism, atheism thats fine. But its time, place and manner.

The MRFF, which has some 1,200 workers and representatives on almost every military installation including nuclear submarines and nuclear aircraft carriers, has four foundational principles: to chronicle what is happening, to expose it, to intervene, and to attack when able.

The current scourge of Christian nationalism is being filtered through the government and military, Weinstein and others claim.

One of the service members who spoke to Military.com described themselves as a practicing Roman Catholic who doesnt fit the present mold of a dominionist or fundamentalist, a diehard Christian nationalist. They sought MRFF for help in terms of their own moral quandaries and fears of retribution within the ranks.

There are well-organized, well-funded organizations in this country who see the military as a mission field, the senior defense official said. Having Hegseth in charge of the military is just one piece of that bigger equation of God and country and achieving what Christian nationalists ultimately want to achieveand dominion, make this a Christian country.

Its much worse now than nearly 20 years ago, they added, when MRFF took umbrage with Maj. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr., ex-Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and six other military officers sanctioning, participating in a promotional video for an evangelical group called Christian Embassy while wearing uniforms.

But coming from the Secretary of War, that is a whole other level, they said.

A chaplain endorser from an Evangelical background who spoke anonymously with Military.com currently helps represent typically independent Christian churches and the clergy they produce who desire to be federal or civilian chaplains. That includes 725 current chaplains endorsed, elected and serving.

The endorser, a former Army active-duty and Reserve chaplain, said that their ideology is very inclusive and that Gods out there and He loves everybody. Their work tends to align with more independent churches and not a denominational brand, with chaplains freer to administer and have their own philosophies that may not fit with other denominations.

When I originally went into the Army chaplaincy myself, there was a real spirit of camaraderie whatever that chaplains faith waswhether they were Protestant or Jewish or Muslim, Roman Catholic, whatever, the veteran said. We all genuinely cared about one another, and we were all there to be helpful to service members.

That type of openness in ideology today, compared to the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, is missing, said the chaplain. They said things have changed due to politics and personal ideologies, extending even beyond religion to minimize the prospects of potential female chaplains due simply to gender.

Im just going to be blunt: the folks that look like mewhite, Evangelical, male chaplains and their endorsersin my opinion increasingly felt empowered.  [The chaplaincy] was originally about to perform or provide for the free exercise of religion for anybody who came to them, they said.

They continued: Instead, theres been a hard right swingand by right, I mean politically, theologicallythat [they]re] there to convert them.  That took on a whole different flavor, a whole different tone, a whole different philosophy/worldview. Thats not turned out well.

Author's Note: Mike Farrell, Marty France, Irv Halter and Larry Wilkerson are MRFF Advisory Board members.

Americans' Role

The National Guard continues its presence across American cities. Citizens and public officials spar with one another over immigration-related activity, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the center. The U.S. has increased aggression against nations like Venezuela without congressional approval.

Those who spoke with Military.com expressed concern about the future of American leadership while expressing optimism regarding the stability of the military and its membersshould traditional guardrails hold and individuals of conscience continue to serve.

If all the good guys leave, therell be nothing but bad guys left and galsmaybe not too many gals because Hegseth doesnt seem to like women too much, either, Wilkerson said. My adviceI gave it to Colin Powell for 16 yearsis youre not ordered to do anything unethical or immoral. Stay and make your stay as ethical, moral and constitutional as you can.

Because if we get nothing in the military or we get a sizable minority even in the military of leaders who will not object to a coup, we will have a coup. Theres no way any state in the world really can be overthrown by a particular leader unless she has the military, the one element with the right to use force, if you will, and armed to the teeth to do so, that is absolutely necessary to a takeover of the government.

What Farrell finds frightening is that he believes Trump wants to not only please world leaders and adversaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin, but also emulate them and their behavior. That could create the domestic possibility for terrible damage to occur without military action but posturing, he said.

It puts our troops at risk, I think, and it worries me greatly, Farrell said. So, I think we are adrift a bit internationally now. The leadership of the Western nations is tolerating, as best they can, the kind of erratic behavior of Trump. But I think theyre significantly perturbed by it, and I think theyre appropriately worried about it.  Who knows who [Trumps] trying to curry favor with, it could lead to a really terrible result.

The senior Defense Department official told Military.com that they have drawn a line and debated their future within the Defense Department, attributing sticking around to maintaining steady employment and a salary. That, along with a sense of patriotism.

[Im] disgusted, they said. Where is the outrage on the part of the American people about the way the whole administration is being run? I know that sounds very partisan, but lets get specific. Do you care at all about how federal workers are being treated? Do you care at all about the talent thats leaving, in the thousandspeople I know and work with that are good, valuable employees.

I mean, I still care, right?

The Air Force general shared the sentiment, saying the people in the room at Quantico that fall day arent dumb. They are well-educated individuals, many with masters degrees, who understand the challenges ahead.

The general has forged forward with compliments from peers and an understanding that their work and knowledge is meaningful and beneficial to the U.S. military and in turn Americans. It hasn't been easy, however.

I would guess that a lot of the people in that room are the same as me, they said. Every day its a moral dilemma, like, how can I keep serving this organization?

But if I dont keep serving this organization, then whos going to replace me? And whos going to protect my people who are still here? And whos going to protect my mission? I think so many people are asking themselves that question every day.

Some notable, recent service member resignations have included Air Force Chief of Staff David Allvin and Navy Chief of Staff Jon Harrison. Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey, head of the U.S. Military's Southern Command, will retire Dec. 12 but hasn't stated reasoning for his impending departure.

Wilkerson warns that if individuals who disagree with the current trajectory of the U.S. military and government resign or walk away without attempting to right the proverbial ship, it could just allow the administrations most sycophantic subscribers to ultimately possess even more power.

Ultimately, its up to the people to ensure their countrys success. That could be in the form of vocal denunciation or physical protests, like a massive one with 2 million people that Wilkerson found himself in 2003 in Iraq.

People should be basically ashamed of themselves that weve let our republic get to this state, Wilkerson said. But you can say that all day long. People are worried about their next paycheck, about their job, about their kids.

But ultimately, were all responsible for this republic. And when we neglect our responsibilities, things are going to get bad.
Lt. Gen. Joe McGee earlier in October announced his retirement from the U.S. military after 35 years of service. Photo by the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Lt. Gen. Joe McGee retired from the U.S. military due to alleged disagreements with Defense Secretary. Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed Thursday that McGee retired earlier this month, The Hill reported.

"Gen. McGee is retiring, and the War Department is grateful for his service," Parnell said in a statement. "Lt. Gen. JP McGee will retire after nearly three years of outstanding leadership and service on the Joint Staff."

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"We are grateful for his 35 years of honorable and dedicated service to the nation," a Joint Chiefs spokesperson told CNN. "We owe him a great debt for his service, and it is regrettable [that] anonymous sources would put the focus anywhere else."

CNN cited unnamed sources as saying McGee was targeted for removal starting in the spring due to his close working relationship with former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley.

McGee differed with Hegseth and Caine on several issues, including the military strikes on alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean over the past two months, as well as the war in Ukraine, according to CNN.

Parnell denied McGee retired due to differences with Hegseth and Caine.

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The general served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff as its director for strategy, plans and policy, and former President Joe Biden nominated him to become director about a year ago.

The Senate did not confirm McGee's promotion, and the administration did not nominate him after President Donald Trump replaced Biden in January.

While on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, McGee advised Caine regarding long-term strategy, weighing the risks of possible military actions and contingency plans.

McGee's departure is one of more than a dozen among senior military leaders since Trump was inaugurated for his second term in January.

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Hegseth ordered the nation's highest-ranking military officers to attend a meeting at the U.S. Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Va., on Sept. 30.

Many who attended the meeting viewed it as a "'loyalty test'" in which Hegseth urged them to "be killers for America," Military.com reported.

Parnell downplayed criticism of the meeting and said Hegseth announced that "promotions and combat assignments will be given based on merit and ability, not diversity quotas."

"These core principles have been the foundation of our force for generations and drive our entire institution," he told Military.com.

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McGee's 35 years of service included 10 deployments to support combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and many staff tours, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

He also was the commanding officer of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, 75th Ranger Regiment and the 101st Airborne Division.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  Lt. Gov. Austin Davis made a stop to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank in Harrisburg on Wednesday where he addressed the need for SNAP benefits.

This visit comes just one day since the Shapiro/Davis administration joined more than 20 states in a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop those benefits from lapsing.

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This Week in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvanians do what they need to do to feed their families, Davis said. Thats what programs like SNAP and Medicaid are here for, to help folks when theyre struggling to get by.

Yet, with the government shutdown, those folks already struggling to put food on the table could soon struggle even more.

Unfortunately, the Trump administrations Department of Agriculture has decided to stop SNAP payments as of Nov. 1, Davis said.

The lawsuit filed aims to force the Trump administration to use contingency funds on SNAP benefits. However, the USDA said those funds cannot be used to pay for regular benefits.

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This is one of the most disturbing things that I have seen as a public servant and during my time in elected office, Davis added.

Nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians will be affected if a deal is not reached in D.C.  more than 250,000 of those people are from the Midstate.

Thats why were taking legal action to demand that the Trump administration continue SNAP payments, which help feed nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians across our Commonwealth, Davis said. Were calling on our fellow Pennsylvanians to take action as well.

Including by supporting your local food banks and non-profit organizations.

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At the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, our network of pantries is bracing for an overwhelming wave of need, said Tara Davis with the food bank. Were committed to doing everything. That we can, but we do know that food banks alone cannot fill the gap of by the loss of snap benefits. This is not just about hunger. Its about dignity. Its about ensuring that no one in Pennsylvania or anywhere in this country must skip a meal because of a political impasse.

Federal SNAP benefits wont be paid in November: What happens next?

State Treasurer Stacy Garrity (R), whos also running for the Republican nomination for governor, sent a letter to Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) offering to issue a low-interest, short-term loan in an effort to keep SNAP benefits funded until a deal is reached.

Shapiro did express reservations, saying the federal government wont reimburse the loan and it would cost the state at least $300 million.

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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.
Barack Obamas presidency was remarkably scandal-free, although during the Democrats tenure, Republicans routinely tried to argue that theyd uncovered a Watergate-level scandal involving him and his White House.

Benghazi, Americans were told, was worse than Watergate. A discredited IRS controversy carried echoes of Watergate. A job offer for former Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak was characterized as Obamas Watergate. The Fast and Furious story was also poised to be Obamas Watergate. The Solyndra story, which I only sort of remember, made Watergate look like childs play. NSA surveillance was one of Obamas Watergates. The Affordable Care Act itself was worse than Watergate.

Donald Trump, however, created a related list of his own. Uranium One, he said, was on par with Watergate. So was the nonexistent wiretapping of Trump Tower. An investigation into Obamas birth certificate, Trump wrote, could dwarf Watergate.

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Alas, we can keep going. The Justice Departments investigation into Trumps 2016 campaign was bigger than Watergate. An imaginary FBI informant in his political operation was bigger than Watergate! Trump even falsely accused Joe Biden of illegally accepting money from China, which he said was 100 times bigger than Watergate.

The presidents allies have stuck to a similar script. When former special counsel John Durhams boring report reached the public in 2022, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said the revelations went further than Watergate.

So stop me if youve heard this one before, but Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri told reporters this week that something called Arctic Frost is 100 times worse than Watergate.

For the record, Arctic Frost isnt an actual scandal. Its a pseudo-controversy, hyped by the GOP and conservative media outlets, based on the misguided idea that the Biden-era FBI was caught spying on members of Congress and tapping their phones as part of the investigation into Republican efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

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Almost immediately after the story broke, it started unraveling into nothing, but that hasnt stopped assorted partisans on the right from telling Americans that the largely meaningless scandal is worse than Watergate.

For the love of all that is good in the world, GOP officials really need to come up with a new historical touchstone as a point of comparison.

Youve heard of the boy who cried wolf? Over the past decade or so, Republicans have become the party that cried Watergate.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Donald Trumps Asia trip has featured plenty of pomp and the kind of spectacle that this president seems to crave, but evidence of meaningful policy advances for the United States has been in short supply. The Republicans sojourn concluded with a lengthy meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, which Trump described as a 12 on a scale of 1 to 10.

But after the interaction, it was Beijing that beamed. A New York Times analysis explained, When Xi Jinping walked out of his meeting with President Trump on Thursday, he projected the confidence of a powerful leader who could make Washington blink. The outcome of the talks suggested that he succeeded. The report added that it was Xi who won key concessions from Washington.

Longtime journalist John Harwood summarized, Xi wiped the floor with Trump. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer offered a related assessment: Trumps trip, the New York Democrat said on the Senate floor, has been a total dud.

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Evidently, the comment did not go unnoticed on Air Force One. Trump wrote on his social media platform:

Worked really hard, 24/7, took in Trillions of Dollars, and Chuck Schumer said trip was a total dud, even though he knows it was a spectacular success. Words like that are almost treasonous!!!

While theres plenty of room for analyses about the merits (or lack thereof) of the Republicans Asia trip, lets not brush too quickly past Trumps suggestion that he sees criticism as almost treasonous.

Its a word he uses with unnerving frequency. It was just three months ago when Trump, at an Oval Office event, pointed to a bizarre conspiracy theory and claimed that Barack Obama was guilty of a scheme that Trump characterized as treason.

In the not-too-distant past, an American president accusing anyone of treason wouldve been a very big deal, but the comments generated very little notice  in part because the allegations against Obama were literally unbelievable and in part because of the length of Trumps treason list.

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The Republican has, after all, previously accused House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and former FBI Director James Comey of treason. He has also eyed treason investigations into Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California, along with The New York Times, Google and federal law enforcement officials.

At one point, after one of his first-term State of the Union addresses, Trump even suggested that congressional Democrats might have committed treason because they failed to applaud to his satisfaction.

In 2023, he declared his belief that members of the bipartisan Jan. 6 committee should be tried for Fraud and Treason. A year later, the Republican amplified a social media message that accused former House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney of being guilty of treason.

Youve heard of the boy who cried wolf? Id like to introduce you to the president who cried treason.

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Its not at all healthy when an authoritarian president falsely  and casually  accuses various people and institutions of treason, effectively making this the background noise of our civic lives. And yet, here we are.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Three-star Lt. Gen. Joe McGee had an important role at the Pentagon, advising Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine on long-term military strategy, including planning for crisis contingencies. It is a job, however, he will no longer do. The lieutenant general and decorated combat veteran stepped down earlier this month, retiring after 35 years of military service.

There is some question, however, as to whether McGee stepped down voluntarily or whether he was pushed out. CNN reported that the general was ousted after months of sustained tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. From the report:

Lt. Gen. Joe McGee, the director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy on the Joint Staff, left his position earlier this month, the sources said. They added that McGee had frequently pushed back against Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine on issues ranging from Russia and Ukraine to military operations in the Caribbean. The sources noted that McGee was nominated by former President Joe Biden nearly a year ago for a promotion to serve as director of the Joint Staff but was never renominated by the current administration.

A DOD spokesperson confirmed to multiple outlets that McGee stepped down, but the Pentagons press office denied the accuracy of the CNN report, which has not been independently verified by MSNBC. (McGee did not respond to CNNs request for comment.) That said, if the CNN report is accurate, the generals departure is part of a larger and more systemic purge.

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Indeed, it was just two weeks ago when the public learned about Adm. Alvin Holsey resigning as head of the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees all operations in Central and South America, reportedly because of concerns about the administrations deadly military strikes against civilian targets in international waters.

Complicating matters is the sheer volume of U.S. military leaders whove left Hegseths Defense Department, either through firings or resignations. Just days before Holsey stepped down at SouthCom, the Pentagon chief fired Navy Chief of Staff Jon Harrison. (His ouster roughly coincided with two high-profile military retirements  Gen. Bryan Fenton, the head of U.S. Special Operations Command, and Gen. Thomas Bussiere, a top Air Force commander  though its unclear if their departures had anything to do with Hegseth.)

There was no ambiguity, however, in late August when the defense secretary fired Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, who served as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, and Rear Admiral Milton Sands, a Navy SEAL officer who oversaw the Naval Special Warfare Command.

Four days earlier, Gen. David Allvin, the chief of staff of the Air Force, was also shown the door.

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The broader purge also includes Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh, who was both the head of U.S. Cyber Command and the director of the National Security Agency; Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Gen. James Slife, former vice chief of staff of the Air Force; Adm. Linda Fagan, the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard; Adm. Lisa Franchetti; Lt. Gen. Jennifer Short; Lt. Gen. Joseph B. Berger III, the Armys top military lawyer; Lt. Gen. Charles Plummer, the Air Forces top military lawyer; and Navy Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, the only woman on NATOs military committee.

Each of these instances is important in its own right, but lets not miss the forest for the trees: There are growing concerns about a scandal-plagued former Fox News host whos arguably destabilizing the U.S. military.

Toward the end of his unsettling speech to the nations generals and admirals a month ago, in which his argument boiled down to an assertion that testosterone is key to modern warfare, Hegseth delivered an unsubtle message to his audience. If the words Im speaking today are making your heart sink, then you should do the honorable thing and resign, the secretary said.

Those words continue to resonate for a reason.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Todays installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

* As if there werent already overwhelming concerns about the politicization of federal prosecutions, Democratic congressional hopeful Kat Abughazaleh was indicted in Illinois this week over her role in protests outside a Chicago-area Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility.

* Barack Obama continues to take an interest in this years elections, including a new statement on Pennsylvanias closely watched state Supreme Court race.

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* Soon after Obama issued his statement, his Republican successor, Donald Trump, issued one of his own related to the 2025 races. A vote for the Democrats is a DEATH WISH! the incumbent Republican president wrote online.

* With just five days remaining before Virginias gubernatorial race, a new Roanoke College poll found former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger leading Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, 51% to 41%. The same survey, however, found more competitive downballot contests.

* In Iowa, Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra launched a gubernatorial campaign, becoming the latest member of Congress to announce hes giving up his seat to seek statewide office.

* How confident is California Gov. Gavin Newsom about the outcome of the Proposition 50 balloting? The Democrat has asked supporters to stop sending money in support of the effort, which will allow state officials to redraw Californias district map.

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* Related efforts in Maryland, however, arent going nearly as well: Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson said his Democratic-led chamber will not advance a redistricting effort in a special session.

* With time running out in New York Citys mayoral race, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg has donated $1.5 million to a super PAC backing former Gov. Andrew Cuomos independent bid.

* And as Republican officials at the national level move forward with plans for a midterm convention, Trumps political operation is reportedly eyeing Las Vegas as a host city.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
After trying and failing to repeal the Affordable Care Act, most congressional Republicans grudgingly agreed a few years ago to simply move on to other issues. GOP officials didnt have a plan of their own to replace Obamacare, public support for the ACA had turned repeal efforts into a political loser, and the calculus for Republicans became simple.

In 2025, however, the health care debate has regressed to familiar ground. GOP officials havent just started condemning the Affordable Care Act in ways that echo the rhetoric from 2010, they also have brought back their repeal and replace posturing while offering vague assurances about a Republican alternative to the existing health care system.

To be sure, Republicans do not have a health care plan. They have spent 16 years trying to come up with one, and at this point, its a safe bet that no such plan will ever exist.

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Occasionally, however, GOP officials claim that they have some ideas about health care policy that they want to be taken seriously. Take Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, for example.

I think a lot of people, Ive certainly been thinking about what we could do to try to fix the Affordable Care Act, the senator told CNN. There are a number of ideas being batted around association health plans. Kennedy specifically endorsed bringing back high-risk pools, which have been outlawed under the Affordable Care Act.

For those who might benefit from a refresher, the idea behind high-risk pools might sound appealing at first glance. Kennedy was describing an insurance model in which older consumers and those with preexisting conditions, and younger consumers who are healthy, are kept in separate risk pools. As a result, the latter group can spend far less on coverage, since insurers expect theyll need less (and less expensive) care.

The GOP senator made this point explicitly during his on-air appearance, saying this approach would be appealing to a lot of young people.

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Perhaps. But what Kennedy either didnt know or didnt say was that this model allows insurers to charge the young and healthy far less, while charging those who are neither young nor healthy vastly more.

Indeed, Americans have some experience with this model: Its the one that existed before the Affordable Care Act became law.

States created high-risk pools to cover people with expensive health care needs  those with preexisting conditions, for example  keeping them out of the patient pools with younger and healthier people. The high-risk pools, however, created dramatic problems for those who needed the most help: Americans with preexisting conditions were stuck with plans they couldnt afford and benefits that didnt meet their needs.

Kennedy complained to CNN that the ACA scrapped these high-risk pools. Thats true. But its also true that this is a feature, not a bug, of the Affordable Care Act: Obamacare fixed this problem to the benefit of millions, with shared risk and guaranteed protections for those with preexisting conditions.

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If the junior senator from Louisiana wants to have a big debate about turning back the clock, that sounds great, though Kennedy might not like where the discussion ends up.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Rabri Devi on Thursday exuded confidence in the victory of his son and Mahagathbandhan Chief Ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav, saying that the public of Bihar has made up their mind to make him the Chief Minister. She further asserted that Tejashwi fulfils what he says. Speaking to ANI, Rabri Devi said, "The public of Bihar has made up their mind to make Tejashwi Yadav the Chief Minister of Bihar. He is a youth and a new leader. Tejashwi Yadav fulfils what he says." Asked about his elder son and expelled RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav contesting elections separately as JJD (Janshakti Janta Dal), Rabri Devi said, "He is right at his place (theek hai, apne jagah pe theek hai woh)." Mahagathbandhan has earlier declared RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as their Chief Ministerial candidate and Mukesh Sahani as their Deputy Chief Minister face. On Tuesday, the Mahagathbandhan released its manifesto titled 'Bihar Ka Tejashwi Pran', outlining key promises ahead of the polls, while addressing a joint press conference in Patna. Earlier today, Tejashwi Yadav accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA of exploiting Bihar for votes while setting up industries in Gujarat, keeping the state "captive." Yadav stressed that the 2025 Bihar Election is an opportunity for the people to "drive" the NDA government out of power for the sake of state progress. "Political parties exploit Bihar for votes and establish industries in Gujarat, keeping Bihar captive. This election, people have an opportunity to drive them out for the state's progress. I appeal to the citizens of Bihar to unite and prevent these parties from returning to power," Tejashwi Yadav told reporters. He also accused the government of bribing ten lakh women by distributing money into their bank accounts. He was referring to the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyami Scheme, which provides women with an initial grant of Rs 10,000 to start their own businesses. "The government is distributing money to women's accounts, alleging it as a bribe before the election, but how can the Election Commission permit this?" he questioned. Earlier, Tejashwi Yadav launched a scathing attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, asserting that he had never seen a home minister who cited the lack of land as the reason for not setting up industries in Bihar. Bihar will go to the polls in two phases on November 6 and 11, with the results set to be declared on November 14. (ANI)
The Retribution: Arctic Frost Edition

Republicans on the Hill and right-wing media, in tandem with the Trump administration, are creating a MAGA feedback loop by releasing DOJ and FBI records from the Arctic Frost investigation, pretending they contain new and damaging revelations not already publicly reported or contained in Special Counsel Jack Smiths own report, and howling in faux outrage over the supposed Deep State conspiracy against President Trump and Jan. 6 participants.

It is a model of disinformation first perfected in the B-E-N-G-H-A-Z-I attack and constantly re-adapted for the Trump era.

One of the challenges is that each far-flung conspiracy theory develops its own argot that pretty quickly becomes impenetrable to outsiders but remains a tribal signifier to powerful effect.

US Senator Josh Hawley, Republican from Missouri, speaks about the FBIs Arctic Frost investigation, a precursor to former Special Counsel Jack Smiths probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 US election results, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing with US Attorney General Pam Bondi on oversight of the Department of Justice, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, October 7, 2025. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Suffice to say for our current purposes that Arctic Frost was the FBI investigation of the conspiracy to subvert the 2020 election that ended up being a precursor to Smiths investigation. All the noise a few weeks ago about Smith getting the toll records (flagrantly miscast as tapping the phones) of GOP members of Congress? That was a legal and already known part of the Arctic Frost investigation, but Hill Republicans seized on newly-released documents to portray it as a scandal they had just unearthed. The demand for Smith to testify on the Hill is part of this latest outbreak of targeted outrage.

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While mainstream outlets struggle to cover the true dynamic of these disinformation campaigns, the latest ever-evolving Deep State conspiracy becomes a staple of right-wing media, fed by supposed new disclosures from the administration and laundered through Hill Republicans.

(Photo by SAUL LOEB and Mandel NGAN / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEBMANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

While Smith has been in Trumps crosshairs since the day he was appointed special counsel, the new drip-drip-drip of revelations is fueling the fire to seek retribution against Smith at a new level of intensity. Given the current prosecutions of former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James and President Trumps repeated threats against Smith, we may well look back on this new spasm of disinformation as softening the ground for a bogus prosecution of Smith.

It gives President Trump another opportunity to demand that Smith be investigated and imprisoned without necessarily directly ordering it: These thugs should all be investigated and put in prison. A disgrace to humanity. Deranged Jack Smith is a criminal!!! Trump posted yesterday.

Down the Memory Hole

After suspending prosecutors who dared to refer to Jan. 6 as involving a a mob of rioters, the Trump DOJ filed a new sentencing memo in the case of Taylor Taranto, who is set to be sentenced today.

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By the time he was pardoned by President Trump for his role in Jan. 6, Taranto had been convicted on unrelated threats and firearms charges after being arrested in June 2023 near the D.C. home of the Obamas.

Heres what was redacted in the new sentencing memo

Itll be interesting to see if the judge has anything to say about this during sentencing. Stay tuned 

Operation Midway Blitz Watch

The Trump administration immediately appealed the order by a federal judge in Chicago requiring CBP commander Greg Bovino to report to her daily in person on the use of force in Operation Midway Blitz. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily paused the part of the order requiring Bovinos daily reports while it considered the appeal.

The Supreme Court asked for additional briefing in the case challenging President Trumps plan to deploy the National Guard to Chicago. The high court appears to have zeroed in on an elegant possible way out of the case identified by Georgetown law professor Marty Lederman.

The Pentagon has ordered the National Guard to create quick reaction forces in every state and territory by January to respond to riots and civil unrest, the WSJ reports.

The Dystopia Is Now

Immigration officers are using facial recognition technology on American streets to confirm citizenship status, 404 Media reports.

Keep an Eye on This 

The U.S. attorney in the criminal case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia revealed to the judge yesterday that he had received new documents he had never seen before from the Homeland Security Investigations supervisory agent overseeing the probe into alleged human smuggling.

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The revelation comes in the context of the Trump administration fighting tooth and nail to avoid providing discovery to Abrego Garcia in support of his vindictive prosecution claim. Suddenly coughing up a significant number of documents the day before the judges deadline for providing him with ex parte access to the discovery is  suspicious.

The judge has scheduled two days of hearings next week to adjudicate the vindictive prosecution claim, but the discovery dispute is jeopardizing that schedule.

The OTHER Abrego Garcia?

DHS claims it was not served with a federal court order barring the removal of a 44-year-old man who has lived in the United States since he was an infant until after it had already deported him to Laos. The ACLU has joined the case and is asking the judge to order the repatriation of Chanthila Souvannarath.

The Anti-Voting Rights Long Game

Anticipating that the Roberts Court will eviscerate the Voting Right Act, the Louisiana legislature passed a bill pushing back next years primary elections by about a month in hopes that it will have more time to redraw its congressional maps. Louisiana is challenging a key provision of the Voting Right Act at the Supreme Court, where oral arguments were heard earlier this month. A decision in the case wouldnt typically be expected until the first half of next year, creating a time crunch that some red states are looking to ease by pushing election dates back.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

DNI Tulsi Gabbard, with help on the Hill, is trying to wrest primary responsibility for counterintelligence away from the FBI, prompting a fierce turf battle.

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Neither Gabbard nor FBI Director Kash Patel are qualified to lead counterintelligence efforts, but at least the FBI has the experience and capacity. The idea of this administration overhauling counterintelligence operations is chilling.

Gunboat Diplomacy Watch

The U.S. conducted a fourteenth lawless attack Wednesday on an alleged drug-smuggling boat, this time in the waters of the Eastern Pacific.

Deep dive: Just Security examines the Trump administrations two irreconcilable positions on the status of the drug cartel Tren de Aragua.

Man Acquitted of Soliciting Trumps Murder on Bluesky

A federal jury in the Eastern District of Virginia acquitted a former Coast Guard officer accused of soliciting President Donald Trumps assassination on Bluesky. Prosecutors argued that a Feb. 18 post and earlier social media posts amounted to inducing others to commit violence. Defense attorneys contended it was speech protected by the First Amendment and that the defendant didnt take any affirmative steps to engage in violence.

Charges Dropped Against Man Jailed for Charlie Kirk Meme

The Tennessee man jailed for more than month for posting to Facebook a Charlie Kirk meme has been released after prosecutors dropped the charges.

Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know!
A young man donning a red Make America Great Again hat pressed Vice President JD Vance on why Americans should consider Israel the countrys greatest ally, before questioning how the U.S. could send financial aid to a country that engaged in ethnic cleansing in Gaza.

The vice president was asked about the US-Israel relationship at a Turning Point USA event at Ole Miss on Wednesday night.

Im a Christian man, and Im just confused why theres this notion that we might owe Israel something or that they are our greatest ally or that we have to support this multi-hundred-billion dollar foreign aid package to Israel to cover this  to quote Charlie Kirk  ethnic cleansing in Gaza, the young man asked during a question-and-answer segment.

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He continued: Im just confused why this idea has come around, considering that not only does their religion not agree with ours, but openly supports the prosecution of ours.

The question drew a fair amount of clapping from the crowd before Vance responded.

Vance said that, while President Donald Trump has an America First agenda, it does not mean it is completely isolationist; the US will still have alliances and work with Israel and other countries if it is in the best interest of the USA. One great recent example, he said, was the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal that Trump spearheaded.

But that only happened, Vance said, because Trump was willing to play hardball with Israel.

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The president of the United States could only get that peace deal done by actually being willing to apply leverage to the state of Israel, Vance said.

Vance continued: So when people say that Israel is somehow manipulating or controlling the president of the United States, they are not controlling this president of the United States, which is one of the reasons why we have been able to have some of the success we have had in the Middle East.

Trump, Vance, and other members of the administration were in Israel earlier this month to celebrate the release of 20 living hostages held by Hamas. They were also celebrating the ceasefire deal that came two years after Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel and killed about 1,200 people  an attack that spurred Israels war in Gaza.

Vance then moved on to the second part of the young mans comment.

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He said there are significant theological disagreements between Christians and Jews, but that both sides can work together to preserve religious sites like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

My attitude is, if we can work with our friends in Israel to make sure Christians have safe access to that site, thats an obvious area of common interest. Im fine with that, Vance said.

Vance then added, What Im not okay with is any country coming before the interests of American citizens.

Watch above, via Fox News.

The post MAGA Hat-Wearing Man Asks JD Vance Why Trump Is Supporting Israels Ethnic Cleansing in Gaza first appeared on Mediaite.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessents victory lap on a TikTok deal has blown up in his face.

President Donald Trump left his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping without any mention of an agreement regarding the apps future, despite Bessent asserting on Sunday that we reached a deal on TikTok.

President Donald Trump, 79, met President Xi Jinping, 72, following months of escalating tensions between China and the U.S. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

David Sanger, chief Washington correspondent of The New York Times, noted that the meeting with Jinpingspun as a success by the White House because it reached a trade deal to fix part of its self-inflicted tariff crisisleft many key issues unresolved.

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The remarkable thing about this was what wasnt in their announcements, he said of the Trump administration on CNN, adding, Theres the TikTok issue. Theres Taiwan. We heard about none of them.

Treasury Secretary Scott Besent, right, joined President Donald Trump in discussions with Chinese officials in South Korea. Also pictured, from left to right, are Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images

Bessent, 63, attempted to save face before he and Trump boarded their flight home from South Korea on Thursday. He reiterated in a Fox Business appearance that U.S. officials had finalized the TikTok agreement in terms of getting Chinese approval.

However, Bessent conceded that the finalization of a TikTok agreement was delayed yet again, saying it would instead be completed in the coming weeks and months.

That is a change of tune from Sunday when he said to CBS News that Trump and Jinpings meeting would consummate a deal that had already been agreed upon.

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Chinas commerce ministry issued a vague statement regarding the social media site, writing on Thursday that it will work with the U.S. to properly resolve issues related to TikTok.

The ministry added, The U.S. side made positive commitments in areas such as investment.

The White House and and Department of the Treasury did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Trump, 79, hailed the meeting in South Korea as truly great, but made no mention of TikTok himself on Air Force One.

Former President Joe Biden signed a law last year that makes it illegal for TikTok to operate in the United States unless its China-based owner, ByteDance, divests its U.S. assets. The law passed Congress with bipartisan support, with lawmakers saying national security concerns made the ban necessary.

That ban, while threatened, has been repeatedly delayed. Aside from a brief period on Jan. 19, the eve of Trumps inauguration, American users of the video-sharing app have been able to continue posting, scrolling, and growing their followings without change.
One of Maine's largest abortion care providers is ending primary care services on Friday after a court ruled that the Trump administration is not required to restore Medicaid funding.

Maine Family Planning -- the largest network of sexual and reproductive health care clinics in the state -- is ending primary care services at three clinics in Ellsworth, Houlton and Presque Isle, affecting about 800 patients.

Under H.R.1 -- the mega-bill that President Donald Trump signed into law over the summer -- family planning and abortion providers are not allowed to collect Medicaid funding if they received at least $800,000 in Medicaid reimbursements in 2023.

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Maine clinics say they'll have to cut services after court rules Trump admin can deny Medicaid funding

Medicaid funds are not used to cover abortion costs in most circumstances, according to Maine Family Planning.

The Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) sued on behalf of Maine Family Planning to restore the funds, but a judge ruled in August that, because Roe v. Wade -- the constitutional right to an abortion -- was overruled, Congress can "withhold federal funds and otherwise disassociate from conduct that is not enshrined."

George Hill, president and CEO of Maine Family Planning, said it feels like the network was targeted because it provides abortion care, despite offering other family planning and reproductive health care services.

Charles Krupa/AP, FILE - PHOTO: A nurse practitioner, walks from the lobby toward the examination rooms at the Maine Family Planning healthcare facility, July 15, 2025, in Thomaston, Maine.

"We are furious that we find ourselves in this position, and more importantly, that our patients are in this position," Hill told ABC News. "We're not pleased that we have to do this, but we felt that we needed to take this step in light of the fact that we were excluded from a primary source of support for that service in Medicaid."

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Hill said the roughly 800 patients affected by the closures make about 2,200 to 2,300 visits to Maine Family Planning every year, and aside from losing the patient-provider relationships, it will also be a loss in revenue for the clinics.

Dr. Vanessa Shields-Haas, a family nurse practitioner at the Maine Family Planning clinic in Thomaston, said affected patients have been informed about the closure and have been provided Information about alternative primary care providers in their area, as well as help with transferring their medical records.

However, she said that even when Maine Family Planning is able to refer patients, wait times can be long.

Wyoming bill preventing regulation of crisis pregnancy centers advances

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"A lot of offices are either not taking new patients or the waiting list could be six to eight months long," Shields-Haas told ABC News. "So, while we've made every effort to refer people to clinics that are accepting new patients, that doesn't mean that they're going to be able to be seen immediately. And that's just because Maine is a rural state, and accessing care is complicated."

"Even if you can get in, for instance, to a gynecology department, you may have a six-to-eight-month wait before you can be seen, which, if you have a concerning lump on your breast or a concern about skin changes or a history of cancer, that's too long. And, in some cases, that we could be, be a life-altering wait for care," she added.

Shields-Haas added that some of Maine Family Planning's primary care patients may now be forced to drive upwards of three hours in order to access care, or patients who live on unbridged islands may be forced to fly or take a boat in order to access primary care, which may be cost-prohibitive.

Meetra Mehdizadeh, an attorney with CRR working on the Maine Family Planning case, told ABC News that it sought a preliminary injunction to allow Maine Family Planning to bill Medicaid, which was denied in August.

STOCK PHOTO/Adobe - PHOTO: A female patient at a doctor's office in an undated stock photo.

CRR has since appealed the decision to the First Circuit Court of Appeals, asking judges to reverse the denial so that Maine Family Planning can once again receive Medicaid funding and resume primary care services.

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"Closing the primary care practice is devastating, and it may be hard to reestablish primary care in the future, because they've also had to lay off providers and have discharged their patients," Mehdizadeh told ABC News. "So, this is a real harm, to the patients, to the providers who are losing their jobs and to Maine Family Planning's ability to really continue providing this care."

She went on, "And so, unfortunately, it's not a thing where they can just start and stop what they're able to provide based on what the court does or what Congress does."
(The Center Square)  Maine voters go to the polls Tuesday to decide ballot questions requiring voter ID for elections and a red flag law allowing police to seize weapons from people deemed a threat to themselves or others.

Question 1, if approved, would require Mainers to present a valid state ID or drivers license to vote, limit the number of "drop" boxes for ballots and restrict the state's absentee mail balloting process.

Under the proposal, Maine voters would be required to show a drivers license, passport, military ID, or a "free nondriver identification card" to cast their ballots. Voters who cast their ballots through the mail would be required to include a photocopy of their identification sent to local election clerks for processing, according to the plan.

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Backers of the plan say requiring ID to cast ballots would strengthen election integrity, protect "legitimate" ballots, and ensure confidence in Maines democratic process.

"Showing ID is a simple and common-sense requirement Mainers already have in our daily life, whether cashing a check, boarding a plane, or picking up a package," Alex Titcomb, of Voter ID for Maine, said in a statement in support of the measure. "Voting, our most important civic duty, should be held to that same standard of security."

Critics say the ballot question, if approved, would disenfranchise the elderly and disabled by dismantling the states absentee voting process and taking away control of the voting process from local election clerks.

"Every registered voter in Maine  regardless of whether they are a Republican, independent or Democrat  deserves the right to have their voice heard through the states safe and secure election process," Anna Kellar of the Maine chapter of the League of Women Voters, said in a statement. "Question 1 is wrong for Maine. Elections here are already safe and secure."

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Maine Republicans have pushed for years to require voter ID, citing polls showing bipartisan support for the requirements. Democrats in the governor's office and as majority in the state Legislature have repeatedly rejected the proposals, saying it will disenfranchise voters and create barriers to participating in elections.

Shenna Bellows, a Democrat running for governor, has criticized the proposal as a "wolf in sheep's clothing" because it includes provisions she said will restrict voting access. She was sued over her wording of the ballot question, but the lawsuit was ultimately rejected by the courts.

At least 36 states require voters to present some form of identification before voting. Nine of those states have strict photo ID requirements, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Question 2 on the ballot is a citizen-led initiative asking voters to approve a red flag law that would authorize families and law enforcement to ask a judge to temporarily restrict a person's access to firearms. The proposal, if approved, would allow police, friends or relatives of a legal gun owner to seek an "extreme risk protection" order if they believe that person poses a risk to themselves or others.

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Supporters of the plan, including the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, say that means laws aren't sufficient to prevent people with mental illness from accessing firearms. They've cited the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting where an Army reservist with a documented history of mental illness killed 18 people before turning the gun on himself.

The National Rifle Association says a red flag law would put Mainers "at risk of becoming felons for the simple act of transferring a firearm to a family member, friend, or neighbor."
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  Amazon and UPS both announced on Tuesday significant layoffs across the United States, affecting thousands of jobs.

Amazon plans to cut more than 14,000 jobs, primarily targeting corporate positions as the company shifts its focus to artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, UPS has already cut over 48,000 jobs this year, with layoffs happening in Missouri cities like Joplin, Kansas City, and Saint Louis due to building closures.

Jeremy Manley, President of Teamsters Local No. 245, said that despite the UPS cuts, he doesnt expect changes in Springfield.

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I think itll be business as usual just because of the environment of Springfield, said Manley. We are tending to be on the right trajectory here. But when you have a company as big as UPS, it obviously affects us with building closures and routes moving.

He adds that when a building closes, workers under a union contract often have the opportunity to be hired at another location.

Manley explained that UPSs layoffs might be a result of the company trying to balance supply and demand after a period of high order volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In regard to Amazon, Dr. Lloyd Smith, a professor of computer science at Missouri State University, discussed the growing reliance of AI for companies, highlighting the impact AI may have on lower or entry-level jobs.

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AI is affecting lower-level white collar jobs, especially basic data analysis, he explained. We still need programmers to debug the programs that are written by AI, but we now can get more code written with fewer people.

Smith said its important to teach future programmers to use AI responsibly- not to rely on it, but to use it as a tool.

Youre not going to lose your job to AI; youre going to lose your job to somebody using AI, Smith 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 KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.
With less than a week until Election Day, a new poll shows that likely California voters favor Proposition 50, a ballot measure that puts forth a redrawn congressional map that could net Democrats five House seats.

According to a Public Institute of California (PPIC) poll published Wednesday, 56% of likely California voters say they will vote for Prop. 50 in the special election next week, and 43% are against it.

There are significant partisan differences in the numbers, with 84% of Democrats in support of the ballot measure, while 89% of Republicans say they will not vote for it. Independent voters appear to be leaning toward the left, with 55% responding affirmatively to the proposition, PPIC found.

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MORE: In 'monumental' voting rights case, Supreme Court weighs use of race in redistricting

Introduced by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and passed by the state legislature in August, the proposed map could give Democrats the opportunity to flip five Republican-held seats. Prop 50 came in retaliation to Texas mid-decade redistricting, where Republican-friendly maps passed into law this summer could net the GOP five House seats.

Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images - PHOTO: A resident votes on the first day of early in-person and ballot drop-off voting in the November 4, 2025 California Statewide Special Election at Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority in Los Angeles, Oct. 25, 2025.

Congressional district lines are normally redrawn each decade after the U.S. Census.

Most likely voters also stress the importance of Prop 50, with 68% saying the outcome of the ballot measure is very important to them, and 22% saying somewhat important."

Mario Tama/Getty Images, FILE - PHOTO: California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks about the Election Rigging Response Act at a press conference at the Democracy Center, Japanese American National Museum on Aug. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles.

Newsom, considered a possible 2028 presidential candidate, has championed Prop 50 as an opportunity to fight back against Trump, who pushed Texas redistricting efforts, and the ballot measure could raise his national profile.

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California likely voters were mostly supportive of Newsoms leadership in the poll, with 55% saying they approve of his overall performance as governor.

Prominent political figures have joined forces with Newsom and thrown their support behind the ballot initiative, including former President Barack Obama, who rallied alongside the governor to champion the measure. In addition, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., cutting ads in favor of it.

California was the first Democratic state to enter the redistricting battle, with Virginia Democrats following suit last week and announcing plans to attempt to redraw maps as well. On Wednesday, the Virginia House of Delegates passed a constitutional amendment on redrawing congressional maps, according to ABC affiliate WRIC, and the measure now moves to state Senate review.

MORE: Democrats in Virginia legislature poised to try redrawing congressional map

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Following Texas, other Republican-controlled states have also entered the redistricting battle -- Missouri and North Carolina have adopted new maps, while Utah and Indiana are in the process of redrawing theirs.

Some Democrats in Maryland and Illinois have called for their states to redistrict, but not all leaders have bought in. Earlier on Wednesday, the Maryland state Senate chose not to move forward with mid-decade redistricting, according to a letter obtained by ABC News.

A new lawsuit filed Monday seeks to redraw New York's congressional maps in favor of Democrats, with plaintiffs arguing that the current lines are unconstitutional for misrepresenting Black and Latino votes, according to The Associtated Press.

Legislators in Republican-controlled Kansas and Florida have also indicated that they are considering mid-decade redistricting.
NEW YORK  Zohran Mamdani has reason to be confident in the final days of the New York City mayoral race. Andrew Cuomo has reason to keep fighting. Both are saying the contest is far from decided.

As the top two contenders enter the homestretch, new polling, last-minute endorsements and early voter turnout numbers offer a hint at whats to come: Mamdani is on track to win, but an 11th-hour surprise remains possible.

Mamdani, the Democratic nominee who has led in polls by double-digit margins for the entirety of the general election, instructed his supporters to take nothing for granted.

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People say: Weve got this. Its over. Cuomo is cooked. Do not believe it, he said in a campaign video released Thursday morning. The billionaires who rigged our economy and tried to buy an election dont give up easy.

His video featured a clip of billionaire investor Bill Ackman, whos poured $1.5 million into anti-Mamdani super PACs this month. Billionaire former mayor Michael Bloomberg also donated $1.5 million to a pro-Cuomo super PAC Wednesday and endorsed the former governor. That support comes a month after Mamdani and the former mayor engaged in what one longtime political adviser to Bloomberg described as a cordial discussion between the two. The nod represented a slight sign of hope for Cuomo, whos running as an independent after losing to Mamdani in the June Democratic primary.

But where Cuomo has the money, boosted by an array of independent expenditure committees spending millions of dollars to help him, Mamdani has the poll numbers.

An Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill poll of very likely New York City voters shows the Democratic nominee with a wide, 25-point lead, winning 50 percent of the vote while Cuomo trails with 25 percent and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa nets 21 percent. Just 5 percent of voters are undecided, or planning to vote for another candidate.

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That poll released Thursday was an outlier, but several other recent surveys have shown Mamdani leading Cuomo by comfortable, double-digit margins  16 points per Marist University , 10 points per Quinnipiac University and 16 points according to the Manhattan Institute .

With that, Mamdani is focused on keeping his supporters motivated and urging his army of 95,000 volunteers not to be complacent, reminding them that polling a week ahead of the primary showed Cuomo with a comfortable lead. The former governor is brushing off the polls too, noting that nearly 400,000 New Yorkers have already cast votes in the first five days of early voting, which could lead to the highest mayoral election turnout in decades.

They have never seen this volume of turnout, which is great, which is great, and it's all across the city, Cuomo said Thursday at a campaign event in Harlem. The polls have no idea what they're talking about, because they have never seen this kind of turnout before.

Voters over the age of 55 made up a slim majority of that early turnout, the Daily News reported . Mamdani polls best with younger voters, and older voters are split between the two  but experts urged against drawing too many conclusions ahead of the Nov. 4 election.

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As voters kept pouring into polling places Thursday, the candidates continued to spar.

Cuomo contended, as he has throughout the campaign, that Mamdani doesnt know what hes talking about when it comes to his key campaign proposals.

Just false promises. Here's the hard truth: there is no Santa Claus and there is no Easter Bunny, he said. The mayor cannot freeze the rent  There are not going to be any free buses.

Some 58 percent of likely voters hold an unfavorable view of Cuomo, according to the Emerson poll. So his only path to victory involves convincing those people and voters on the fence about Mamdanis prescriptions to vote for Cuomo anyway  even if they might prefer Sliwa  because defeating the democratic socialist Mamdani is that important.

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To that end, hes painted an increasingly dire picture.

I do not believe the city of New York has a future if Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor, he said Thursday. I do not believe the city will survive and thrive.

Two-thirds of voters already think the city is going in the wrong direction, according to the Marist poll. A relative newcomer to politics at just 34 years old, Mamdani has sold an optimistic vision of the citys future, while the 67-year-old Cuomo has been carrying the baggage of five decades in public life.

He campaigned with Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday, and Cuomo had to dance around a reporters question about why he previously said the city hasnt had a competent mayor since Bloomberg. I believe Mayor Adams has been a more than competent mayor, he said of the man with abysmal polling numbers who he pressured out of the race last month.

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Asked about the Bloomberg endorsement at a campaign event in Brooklyn, Mamdani looked to the recent past and said he overcame a waterfall of campaign spending and negative ads in the primary through volunteers knocking on doors and making phone calls.

As Taylor Swift says, I've seen this film before, but unlike she says, we actually like the ending, he said, referring to the pop stars song Exile. That's what we're going to show in the next five days. We're going to knock on more doors than we've seen in this city before.

Cuomo announced the endorsement of several Muslim community leaders Thursday in an effort to defend himself against accusations of Islamophobia from Mamdani. He also rolled out a nod from Rep. Tom Suozzi, a moderate Democrat, on Wednesday. And Rep. Mike Lawler, a Republican, endorsed him as the lesser of two evils.

Mamdani would be the first Muslim mayor, and he criticized Cuomo for agreeing when conservative radio host Sid Rosenberg said in an interview last week that Mamdani would be cheering on another terrorist attack like 9/11. Cuomo shot back, arguing it was actually Mamdani who was being divisive by accusing anyone of Islamophobia.

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Islamophobia is not real in this race, is not real in this context, he said Thursday.

Mamdani is continuing to campaign hard and has a midnight press conference planned for Thursday night with shift workers in Jackson Heights, a Queens neighborhood with a large Muslim population.

No matter who wins, civil rights leader Al Sharpton urged Democrats to unite against President Donald Trump after the election.

We need to be together, he said after an event with Gov. Kathy Hochul in East Harlem Thursday. The blood that binds us as New Yorkers is thicker than the waters that divide us.

Caroline McCarthy and Emily Ngo contributed reporting.
With just 7 days left for the Bihar polls, Munger assembly constituency in Bihar's Munger district is set to witness an unpredictable four-way electoral contest on November 6. The Munger constituency is known for its unpredictability, with no single party having dominated the seat in the past. The election outcome will depend on various factors, including caste dynamics, local issues, and the candidates' ability to connect with voters. Located just a few kilometres off the Ganga coast, Assembly Constituency 165, Munger, has given candidates from multiple political parties a chance to represent them. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Kumar Pranay, Avinash Kumar Vidyarthi has been given an RJD ticket. Jan Suraaj's Sanjay Kumar Singh, a zila parishad member, is looking to make his foray into state politics. Munger is also one of the 25 seats being contested by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), with the party fielding former state minister Monazir Hassan, who has served in both Nitish Kumar's and Lalu Prasad Yadav's cabinets. The Munger seat seems to be unpredictable, with strong anti-incumbency seen every election cycle. In 2010, the seat was won by JDU's Anant Kumar Satyarthy; in 2015, RJD's Vijay Kumar 'Vijay' unseated the JDU MLA by a margin of 2.60%. In 2020, the people gave the BJP a chance by electing Pranav Kumar, who won by a mere 0.8% of the vote. However, the most significant victory margin was in 2005, when the JDU candidate won by more than 11%. The BJP is seeking to retain the seat, which it won in the 2020 Assembly elections by a narrow margin of 1244 votes. The party's prospects are boosted by the alliance with Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), which may draw votes away from the opposition. The RJD is part of the Mahagathbandhan and is contesting the election on a platform of social justice and development. The party's candidate is expected to benefit from the support of other opposition parties. Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party has entered the fray, promising good governance and development. The party's presence is likely to fragment the anti-incumbency vote and pose a challenge to both the BJP and the RJD. Meanwhile, the AIMIM candidate has been a minister in both 2000 and 2005, bringing in valuable experience of working with both sides. Despite electing representatives from diverse political backgrounds, the Munger constituency still lacks basic amenities such as road connectivity. The area is susceptible to flooding almost every year, with floods coming in August and September. With the area just kilometres from the banks of the Ganga River, people have been demanding better houses at higher elevations to help address climate change. Caste equations also play a significant role in the area. While the Yadavs and Muslims are mostly known to support the Opposition party, an AIMIM candidate could swing votes in either direction for any party. While the BJP looks to court the Vaishya and Baniya communities, it could also bank on the strong support of the Koeri and Kurmi communities, with the JDU garnering their support for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In 2020, the constituency had a total of 339048 votes; however, following specific deletions under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the number of voters in the constituency changed. While Munger will go to the polls in the first phase of the election on November 6, the second phase of the Bihar polls will happen on November 11, and the results will be declared on November 14
The co-founder of the United Bodegas Association resigned Wednesday over the organizations endorsement of Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani.

Fernando Mateo called the backing by UBA president Radhames Rodriguez a betrayal to bodega owners and workers  asserting the group is non-political and a not-for-profit organization that shouldnt make such endorsements.

How can Mr. Rodriguez support someone whose positions go against the very people he represents and the business practices we have built for decades? Mateo said in a statement Wednesday. We are working hard to maintain good relationships with every candidate running and may the best one win, but we cannot stand behind a political endorsement that hurts the small businesses we were created to defend.

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On Wednesday night, Mateo told the Daily News the endorsement of Mamdani for mayor was a betrayal to the men and women we have defended the last five years.

We have been set up and this is an organization they cant count on, he said. Theyre upset and theyre not supporting [the endorsement]. Were starting an organization that people can count on. The rank and file have called on us to create a new organization.

Mateo said hed unveil plans for a new organization  the Bodega Alliance  Thursday morning at Mega Food Store on Webster Ave. and E. 170th St. in Claremont.

In 2021, Mateo became the first Latino immigrant to run for mayor as a Republican, winning endorsements from the Bronx and Queens Republican parties in a contest ultimately won by Eric Adams.

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On Wednesday, Rodriguez endorsed Mamdani outside a Belmont bodega in the Bronx  despite his pilot plan to open one city government-owned grocery store in each borough. In late June, Rodriguez had ripped such a plan, stating it could hurt his members, forcing them to compete with government entities.

Zohran Mamdani is being attacked so much for being an immigrant and were all immigrants, I think the majority of us here are, Rodriguez said, speaking in Spanish. And we are sure that wed have more access to more opportunities with him than with any other candidates.

Im supporting him because he promised me that any decision that he makes about that, were going to come [and have a say], he added.
(WHTM)  A new poll shows Zohran Mamdani with a strong lead in the New York City mayoral race, while the election for Governor of New Jersey remains hotly contested.

The final Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill survey found 49% of likely New Jersey voters support Democrat Mikie Sherrill and 48% support Republican Jack Ciattarelli for Governor. Two percent of those voters surveyed were undecided.

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This Week in Pennsylvania

Heading into Election Day, the gender divide in the gubernatorial election has solidified: men break for Ciattarelli by 16 points, while women break for Sherrill by 18 points, Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said. Since last month, Ciattarellis lead among men increased by four points, and Sherills lead among women grew by eight points.

The poll of New York City voters found Mamdani with a 25-point lead over Andrew Cuomo, 50% to 25%, while 21% support Curtis Sliwa, and 4% are undecided.

Mamdani appears to have built a coalition across key demographics, increasing his margin among Black voters since last month, from 50% to 71%, whereas Cuomo dropped ten points among Black voters since September, Kimball noted.

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The Emerson College Polling New York City survey was conducted October 25-27, 2025.

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Spencer Kimball, Director of Emerson College Polling, and Chris Berg, Political Content Director for Nexstar Media Group, discuss the polls findings in this weeks episode of Political Power Ranker.

Each week, Chris and Spencer will examine whos up and whos down in the world of politics based on the latest data from Emerson College Polling, focusing on the states and races that impact the national picture.

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A 58-year-old man from San Bernardino County is recovering after being shot by one of four men after an argument about a vehicle escalated, authorities with the San Bernardino County announced Wednesday.

The Oct. 28 violence broke out in the 9200 block of Espada Avenue in Hesperia at around 4 p.m., according to an SBSD news releaese.

Investigators said that four men were involved in an argument in the garage of John Huddlestons home when a fight occurred, prompting one of the unidentified suspects to pull a gun out and shoot the 58-year-old in the leg.

The 9200 block of Espada Avenue in Hesperia where a man was shot in the amid an argument over a car on Oct. 28, 2025. (Google Maps)

When responding deputies arrived, they found Huddleston in his front yard suffering from a gunshot wound.

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He was flown to a nearby trauma center and later released, investigators said.

Heist in Southern California nets thieves millions in jewelry

Its unclear what exactly why the men were arguing about the vehicle, nor did authorities say whether the victim knew the four men, who presumably fled before deputies arrived.

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Departments Hesperia Station at 760-947-1500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME or leave tips online at www.wetip.com.

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  A 66-year-old man dressed as a construction worker is accused of robbing a Manhattan bank at gunpoint Thursday morning, police said.

Zannie McMillon, 66, allegedly entered the TD Bank at 1995 Broadway near West 68th Street with a gun and ordered everyone to get down at around 9:15 a.m., according to the NYPD.

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The suspect, dressed in a yellow and orange construction vest, allegedly made off with an unknown amount of cash, police said. The bag with the money had a tracking device.

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McMillon, a Brooklyn resident, was arrested at around 11 a.m. and is facing federal robbery charges, cops said. He will be arraigned in Manhattan Federal Court.

There were no injuries.

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A grand jury indicted a Baton Rouge man on Thursday, who was accused of killing a Baton Rouge Police Sergeant earlier this year.

According to court records, Gad Black, 41, was indicted on the charge of first-degree murder. He was initially charged with attempted first-degree murder, hate crimes, and resisting an officer.

On June 16, Black allegedly hit BRPD Sgt. Caleb Eisworth, who was riding a motorcycle on Joor Road near Prescott Road.

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Asia Raby, 40, was also arrested after the crash. She was charged with obstruction of justice and accessory after the fact to attempted first-degree murder.

Sanity hearing postponed for man accused of killing Sgt. Caleb Eisworth

Court records show that the state filed to have Dr. Sarah Deland removed from serving on Blacks sanity commission, claiming that Deland is known as an opponent of the death penalty. Blacks counsel filed an opposition, arguing that Deland should remain on the commission, claiming that Deland possesses the necessary educational qualifications and decades of expertise.

The court ruled in favor of Blacks counsel, and Deland would remain on the sanity commission.

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Blacks sanity hearing is scheduled for Dec. 11.

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CHAMBERS COUNTY, Ala. (WRBL)  A New York man is behind bars, accused of playing a key role in a phishing scam that siphoned more than $860,000 in public funds from the Chambers County Commission, according to newly filed court documents obtained by WRBL.

Investigators say 32-year-old Petrus J. Laurent and/or his associates allegedly tricked county staff into wiring $864,079.47 to a fraudulent account he maintained. Investigators say the case is far from over  more arrests could be on the way.

According to the complaint, Laurent fraudulently obtained $864,079.47 from the Chambers County Commission Office through a phishing email and ACH wire transfer, in violation of Section 13A-8-2.1 of the Code of Alabama, 1975.

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The stolen funds were public money belonging to the county, intended for government operations.

Investigators say Laurent was arrested in New Jersey on September 26 during a routine traffic stop. When officers ran his name, they discovered an outstanding warrant from Chambers County, Alabama. Laurent was later extradited to Alabama and booked into the Chambers County Jail on October 23, 2025, where he remains in custody.

During a bond hearing on October 28, prosecutors argued Laurent should be held without bond, saying no conditions of release would reasonably assure his appearance at future court proceedings. Defense attorney Robin McIntyre asked the court to keep bond discussions open to allow time to review possible options.

In a written order issued the following day, Wednesday, District Judge Terrence A. Brown agreed with the state, ruling Laurents release would not reasonably assure his appearance and that standard bail guidelines were inadequate under the facts and circumstances of this case.

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The States request to hold the Defendant without bond pending the resolution of these matters is hereby granted, Judge Brown wrote in his order dated October 29, 2025.

Laurent remains in custody at the Chambers County Detention Facility. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Taylor-Lee Stokes with the Chambers County District Attorneys Office.

WRBL has reached out to the Chambers County Commission for additional comment and specifics on how the alleged fishing scam was orchestrated.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office arrested a man on Wednesday who is believed to have gang ties.

According to the sheriffs office, agents with LPSO Narcotics and LSP Fugitive Taskforce were called to assist in locating and arresting Tony King, 19, who is believed to be a known member of the Bleeda gang.

King has active warrants through other agencies for possession of a machine gun and armed robbery.

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Agents conducted a search warrant of Kings home and found the following:

284.5 grams of marijuana

34.5 dosage units of Adderall

23 THC vape cartridges

5 dosage units of Phentermine

2 dosage units of Tapentadol

5 ounces of promethazine

Two handguns,

One modified fully-automatic handgun

$1,650

Through investigative means, Agents located King at a residence on Guy Street within the city of Walker, said LPSO Sheriff Jason Ard. King was taken into custody.

Others arrested include Alexius Sip and Zireya Humphrey, both 18, and Sheeba King, 40.

Tony King (Photo courtesy of LPSO) Zireya Humphrey (Photo courtesy of LPSO) Alexius Sip (Photo courtesy of LPSO) Sheeba King (Photo courtesy of LPSO)

All suspects were arrested and booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on charges of possession with the intent to distribute Schedule I drugs, manufacture/distribution of a Schedule II drug, possession of Schedule II & IV drugs, possession of a firearm with drugs, possession of a machine gun, possession of drug paraphernalia, and legend drug sale. Their bond is set at $346,000 each.

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PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WPRI)  A Middletown man was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon after leading police on a chase, prompting a shelter-in-place at a nearby elementary school.

Richard Troupe, 46, allegedly fled from Middletown officers who tried to pull him over on an active arrest warrant for violating a domestic no-contact order. Police said there were concerns he had a gun, based on prior reports.

A Portsmouth officer saw Troupes black Jeep speeding at 90 mph on West Main Road and tried to stop him, but he continued driving into oncoming lanes of traffic, according to police.

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Police said they called off the pursuit because of how dangerously Troupe was driving. Moments later, he pulled off the road near West Passage Drive and crashed into a rock.

A woman was detained at the scene, but Troupe ran off, police said. Melville Elementary School was temporarily ordered to shelter in place.

During the search, officers set up a perimeter, deploying a drone and K-9 unit. Troupe was found in a yard around 2:30 p.m. and arrested.

Police are still investigating the incident and said charges will be filed.

Police on scene in Portsmouth during suspect chase  Oct. 29, 2025. (Kayla Fish/WPRI-TV)

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**Related Video Above: Video shows woman kidnapped from Cleveland bus stop

CLEVELAND (WJW)  A local man who pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to an attack on a woman at an Ohio City bus stop was sentenced to prison Thursday.

Rayshon Reese, 50, was sentenced to 22 to 27.5 years behind bars after pleading guilty to kidnapping and attempted murder last month.

Local man indicted in kidnapping of 3-year-old girl

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The incident took place in the early morning of April 15 near West 28th Street and Detroit Avenue.

Rayshon Reese can only be described as a dangerous urban predator, Prosecutor Michael OMalley said in a previous news statement. This convicted rapist attempted to kidnap a woman at 5 a.m. from a bus stop and then violently slashed her face with a box cutter when she attempted to flee. Hell awaits this monster.

According to police video obtained by the FOX 8 I-Team, the 59-year-old woman told officers: I was in the bus stop and he asked me what time it was. Then, he said, youre coming with me. I tried not to look at him because he said if I look at him, he would kill me.

Cleveland businessman Bobby George enters plea

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Prosecutors said Reese cut the womans face multiple times but she was able to escape and immediately went to the hospital for treatment.

Police later tracked down Reese and took him into custody. The box cutter, with the victims blood, was found inside his vehicle, prosecutors said.



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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Less than two months after getting out of prison, a Sioux Falls man is charged with attempted murder.

Prison official has faith-based idea for SD committee

Mohamed Sheikh

31-year-old Mohamed Sheikh is accused of opening fire in a downtown parking ramp, sending people running for cover. According to court documents, the shooting was caught on camera and several people were involved.

Early in the morning on Saturday, October 18th, Sioux Falls Police responded to a report of an active shooter in a downtown parking ramp.

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According to court documents, video from the ramp shows a man in a white t-shirt charging a group of people walking to their cars. The affidavit says a gun is visible as he corners a woman.

The man in the white shirt raises the gun and points it toward the woman, then you can see muzzle flashes, which means the gun is being fired.

Another man fires back and the woman gets away.

The court document says the man in the white shirt keeps shooting and several people take cover behind cars.

In this situation, there ended up being several rounds that were fired and then multiple property items that were hit  vehicles, things like that. We identified several individuals who were involved in this investigation, Sgt. Cole German with the Crimes Against Persons division of SFPD, said.

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One of those people is 31-year-old Mohamed Sheikh who investigators believe was the man in the white shirt who pointed a gun at the woman.

He was arrested today, October 29th. He is currently held on a $500,000 bond for possession of a firearm by a drug offender, possession of a firearm by a former violent offender, two counts of aggravated assault and then attempted first degree murder, German said.

Sergeant German says all the people involved in the parking ramp shooting knew each other.

I would say this is a contained incident, this wasnt like a random, stranger aggression thing, German said.

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Sheikh was on parole for another Sioux Falls shooting that we reported on. In 2015, he shot a man in the calf during a drug deal.

Sergeant German says three other people were charged in this investigation  22-year-old Rudy Doe, 33-year-old OShay Dawson and 20-year-old AlJaveon Allen. According to court documents, Allen was the man who fired back at Sheikh.

German says there were no serious injuries from the shooting.

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Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, comparing him to former PM Indira Gandhi, citing the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Addressing a public gathering in Bihar's Nalanda, Rahul said that during the 1971 war, Indira Gandhi did not fear or bow before the United States, whereas Prime Minister Modi neither has a "vision" nor the "ability" to stand up to the US President Donald Trump. "During the 1971 war in the Bangladesh struggle, America sent its aircraft and navy to intimidate and threaten India. Indira Gandhi, who was the Prime Minister, said we are not afraid of your navy, do what you must, we will do what we must," Gandhi said. "Indira Gandhi was a woman, but she had more guts than this man. Narendra Modi is cowardly. He has neither a vision nor the ability to stand up to the President of America. I challenge him: if Narendra Modi has the courage, then at any meeting in Bihar, he should say that the President of America is lying and that he (PM Modi) did not bow to him and that he did not stop Operation Sindoor. He cannot do that," Rahul Gandhi said. This comes after US President Donald Trump on Tuesday again claimed that he intervened to stop a potential war between India and Pakistan following India's Operation Sindoor. Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEOs Luncheon in Gyeongju, South Korea, Trump claimed that his mediation had prevented hostilities between the two nuclear-armed nations earlier this year. Continuing his attacks, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha claimed that US President Trump has "insulted" PM Modi 50 times. "The President of America has insulted Narendra Modi 50 times. Trump said - I told Modi on the phone to stop 'Operation Sindoor'. Narendra Modi stopped 'Operation Sindoor' within two days. But Narendra Modi doesn't have the guts to say, "The President of America is lying." Narendra Modi had to meet Trump, but he's not going to meet him out of fear; he's sitting in hiding. Narendra Modi doesn't have the guts," Rahul Gandhi said. This is not the first time Trump has made such claims. He has repeatedly said he brokered peace between India and Pakistan, but Indian officials have previously dismissed the claim. (ANI)
A Gary man is facing charges for stabbing another jail inmate last week.

Devonta Horde, 30, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery, battery by means of a deadly weapon and battery resulting in serious bodily injury.

The victim told jail staff that he smoked, or killed Hordes brother, an affidavit alleges.

Lake County Sheriffs Department spokeswoman Pam Jones told a Post-Tribune reporter earlier this week that the victim was in stable condition at a hospital.

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The stabbing happened around 6 p.m. Oct. 21, Lake County Sheriff Det. Patrick Fotia wrote. The victim was just taken back to his cell in section 3B when he was attacked. Banging on the cell door, he was covered in blood and holding his neck.

A doctor at a local hospital said the victim had a deep stab wound on the left side of his face. After a CT scan, they discovered a damaged and bleeding artery in his neck. Staff transferred him to another hospital.

Investigators believe Horde pulled a homemade blue shank from under another inmates bed. The stabbing wasnt captured on camera.

The affidavit notes four other inmates had suspicious behavior. None of the other men were charged in connection with the case as of Wednesday evening.

mcolias@post-trib.com
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  A Massachusetts man was arrested Sunday after he allegedly made a bomb threat before boarding a JetBlue flight leaving Charleston International Airport.

Units were called to Jet Bridge A6 at 10:49 a.m. after a bomb threat was reported by a passenger boarding a JetBlue flight to Boston.

Officers arrived and spoke with the flight crew, who said the suspect, identified as Chad Svatosky, made comments to several passengers stating, everybody needed to grab their pitchforks and torches because the plane was going to get lit up, according to an incident report from the Charleston County Aviation Authority Police Department.

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Other passengers also reported hearing Svatosky state he had a bomb. Officers boarded the flight after the crew and passengers had been removed from the plane and apprehended Svatosky. All the alleged threats were made while Svatosky was in the terminal.

After being given a Miranda Warning, Svatosky said he wanted a lawyer and denied making the comments reported by other passengers. He allegedly said he was discussing riots happening in Chicago.

Agents searched the plane and found no bomb. The FBI was called to assist with the situation.

Svatosky was taken to the Al Cannon Detention Center and charged with making terroristic threats. He has since been released on a $100,000 bond.

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A Long Island truck driver was found guilty of killing his girlfriend inside the cab of his truck outside a Patchogue motel, officials said Wednesday.

Willie Hart, 61, of Yaphank, was convicted of second-degree murder in the May 2023 killing of 37-year-old Candace Woodruff of Texas, the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office said in a news release.

The long-haul trucker called police in the early hours of May 29, 2023, saying he had found Woodruff unresponsive on the floor of his tractor cab parked outside the Shore Motor Inn in Patchogue.

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Responding officers found the victim on the ground in front of the truck, not breathing, and noted scratches on Harts face that were actively bleeding, prosecutors said.

Emergency personnel also observed injuries to Woodruffs body, including abrasions to her face and neck, soft-tissue hemorrhaging, head and neck contusions, and minor bruises and abrasions on her extremities.

Woodruff was taken to Long Island Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Medical examiners later determined she died of asphyxia by neck compression.

Security camera footage showed a struggle took place inside the truck cab, prosecutors said.

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The video shows Woodruff leaving her motel room and entering the truck just before 1:30 a.m., followed by Hart, who left the room about nine minutes later before entering the cab.

The two were inside the truck for about 35 minutes.

After exiting, Hart was seen casually walking back to the motel room, grabbing a bag and placing it in a car before returning to the truck in a disheveled state, officials said.

Investigators also noted he was no longer wearing a necklace he previously had on. That necklace was later recovered from the floor of the cab, prosecutors said.

Hart pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in October 2023 and was ordered held without bail. On Wednesday, a Suffolk County jury found him guilty of murder.

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The defendant behaved cowardly and callously when he took his girlfriends life, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said when announcing the verdict. I am relieved that the jury has held him responsible for his actions. I urge anyone who is in a relationship involving violence to call 911 or Suffolk Countys S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Program at (631) 853-8222.

Hart is expected to be sentenced Dec. 3, officials said. He faces up to 25 years in prison.
A man from Mexico is accused of murder and aggravated assault in Clayton County after being deported twice previously.

Salvador Rodriguez Mendoza is accused of escalating a fistfight into a violent crime by shooting one man in the torso and another twice in the head and once in the leg.

The incident resulted in the death of Lorenzo Jimenez and injuries to Hernan Sanchez.

The men and women in law enforcement work hard daily to do their jobs, and they removed him once and then they removed him again, Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen told Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Mark Winne. And now, unfortunately, someone had to lose their life about it, and thats unacceptable.

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Allen expressed shock upon discovering that Rodriguez should not have been in Clayton County or even in the U.S. when the crimes occurred.

Rodriguez was captured by a U.S. Marshals-led task force in Chattanooga, with assistance from an HSI violent gang unit and Clayton County deputies.

Homeland Security Investigations spokesperson Lindsay Williams confirmed that Rodriguez had been deported twice in 2018 and managed to re-enter the United States illegally.

It happens more frequently than you think, Williams noted.

Allen emphasized that the crimes allegedly committed by Rodriguez do not represent most immigrants in the country illegally, stating that serious crimes by this group are rare in Clayton County, but even one is too many.

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Rodriguez is currently held without bond in Clayton County Jail, and the investigation continues as authorities address the implications of his repeated illegal re-entry into the United States.

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Bob Ferguson is sworn in as the 24th Governor of the State of Washington during his inauguration ceremony Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, Wash. (Photo by Ryan Berry/Washington State Standard)

Prosecutors allege a Washington state man repeatedly posted veiled death threats to Gov. Bob Ferguson on social media, including pictures of the front door of the governors home.

Casey Cutter Patterson, 34, is also accused of posting a picture of an AR-15 in August and referring to Fergusons security detail. A search warrant revealed hed requested public records about the personal security detail of Fergusons predecessor, former Gov. Jay Inslee.

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Patterson is charged with making threats against governor or family as well as intimidating a public servant. Both are felony charges. He remained in county jail Thursday.

At his arraignment Tuesday, he pleaded not guilty.

Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner Barbara McInvaille set bail for Patterson at $200,000. McInvaille also issued a no-contact order barring Patterson from trying to communicate with Ferguson for 10 years.

The charges come amid increasing concerns over the safety of elected officials and political figures, after the killings this year of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and Minnesota state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband.

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On Oct. 5, a man reportedly dealing with mental health issues broke into the state Capitol and committed vandalism inside, according to charges. No one was injured.

Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste said this month that a staffer at the Washington State Fusion Center had been tasked with focusing on potential threats to Washington state lawmakers.

We take all threats seriously and will continue to apply the necessary resources to keep our elected officials safe, state patrol spokesperson Chris Loftis said in an email Thursday.

Patterson, of Lakewood, started replying to Fergusons social media posts when Ferguson was state attorney general, according to criminal charges filed this month in Pierce County Superior Court.

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In one response, Patterson reportedly told the Democrat, who was running for governor at the time, that he was coming for your lunch money and Im going to make you cry.

At first, the defendants posts appeared to be protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, according to charging papers. They were more like those of an upset constituent.

But his rhetoric escalated, prosecutors allege.

In March 2024, Patterson told Ferguson on social media, Youre a criminal, and were going to treat you like one, with a picture of the front door to the now-governors home, according to the charges.

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At first, Washington State Patrol investigators couldnt tell if Patterson took the photo or obtained it by other means. However, they later determined the suspect had taken the photo himself.

A state patrol lieutenant called Patterson to tell him the posts with Fergusons front door were concerning to authorities and the then-attorney general.

Mr. Ferguson does not want to be contacted, follow, tracked, or monitored in his personal life, the lieutenant reportedly told Patterson.

Patterson was agreeable, telling the lieutenant he didnt threaten Ferguson, according to court papers.

After that call, Patterson stopped replying to Fergusons posts for months. Though he resumed in late November 2024, after Ferguson had been elected governor, the charges say.

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In response to an X post about the governor-elect, Patterson wrote, I know hes worried about his address, which is public information. He had WSP contact me for tweeting a picture of his front door. Im going to keep tweeting it, according to the charges.

Bob Ferguson might have me blocked from both of his accounts on here, but I hope he sees this, Patterson reportedly posted two days later, with pictures of Fergusons door and his address taken from public records filed with the state Public Disclosure Commission.

Over the next couple months, Patterson posted the pictures multiple times, prosecutors allege.

Once Ferguson took office in January, he got a new official X account, where Patterson wasnt blocked. So the suspect began replying to Fergusons posts again, according to court documents.

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Im going to throw out a hypothetical, Patterson reportedly responded in one example. If the people of Washington came to collect for the crimes youve committed, how confident are you with your Personal Security Detail?

For months, he posted veiled threats to Ferguson, the charges say. In August, for example, the defendant wrote to the governor on X that he was going to bully the [expletive] out of you, and I know where you live.

The posts started mentioning guns in October, according to the charges. In one case, he wrote, we have more guns than you, and we know where you live. [Expletive] around and find out.

In another he says we have more guns than you and your [Washington State Patrol security detail], and we know where you live.

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Pattersons posts have escalated over time and show that he has made substantial steps toward threatening behavior, a Washington State Patrol detective wrote in a police report. Based on the totality of the evidence, Pattersons repeated posts, imagery, and statements directed at Governor Ferguson appear to constitute a credible threat intended to cause fear and potential harm.

On Monday, authorities arrested Patterson via warrant because they feared he would turn to violence if issued a court summons to appear in his criminal case.

A LinkedIn profile that matches Pattersons name and photo on X indicates he is a former hospital corpsman with the U.S. Navy and has worked in security since 2019.

A spokesperson for the governor didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on the charges.

This story has been updated with comment from the Washington State Patrol.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A New Mexico man is facing new charges after he violated the conditions of a pre-trial release, where he was facing human smuggling charges, according to court documents obtained by KTSM 9 News.

Records show that Jason Mijarez-Alferez, 22, of Albuquerque, was arrested Wednesday on new charges of aggravated fleeing from a law enforcement officer. The arrest comes months after he was initially accused of smuggling migrants into the United States.

Jason Mijarez-Alferez, 22.

According to court filings from May 11, 2024, a U.S. Border Patrol agent was stationed at a checkpoint on Highway 185 in Dona Ana County when a gray BMW approached the primary inspection area. The driver, identified as Jacqueline Rodriguez, who was Mijarez-Alferezs girlfriend at the time, consented to a vehicle search but told agents the trunk was broken and could not be opened.

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Moments later, a gray Ford Mustang driven by Mijarez-Alferez pulled up behind the BMW. Rodriguez reportedly told agents that Mijarez-Alferez knew how to open the BMWs trunk. Agents asked Rodriguez to step out of the vehicle and assist, then also requested permission from Mijarez-Alferez to search his Mustangs trunk, which he granted.

However, before agents could proceed, Mijarez-Alferez and Rodriguez got back into the Mustang and fled the checkpoint at a high rate of speed, abandoning the BMW, according to court records.

Four days later, agents from the Las Cruces Smuggling Unit were notified by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that the same gray Mustang had been encountered at the Paso del Norte Port of Entry. Mijarez-Alferez was behind the wheel, and Rodriguez was in the passenger seat.

Both were taken into custody. During questioning, Mijarez-Alferez admitted that two migrants had been hidden in his Mustangs trunk during the earlier incident and that Rodriguez had been transporting two others in the BMW when they fled the checkpoint.

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The pair were subsequently charged with conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants.

Now, Mijarez-Alferez faces additional charges for aggravated fleeing of a law enforcement officer after violating the conditions of his pre-trial release. A warrant for his arrest was issued on October 28 in federal court in New Mexico. As of Wednesday, October 29, the 22-year-old remained held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center.

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FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI)  Investigators have determined that a man who exchanged gunfire with Fall River police during a July standoff died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Bristol County District Attorneys Office announced Wednesday.

Police were called to a Langley Street home around 1:30 a.m. on July 15 after family members expressed concern that 38-year-old Domonick Knight was potentially armed and in crisis.

BACKGROUND: Man dead after armed confrontation with Fall River police

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Once nearby residents were evacuated, a crisis negotiator responded, but police said attempts to make contact with Knight for nearly two hours were unsuccessful. Officers forced their way into the home around 3:15 a.m.

Investigation into this matter has determined that the decedent, who was in possession of firearms, was the first to fire a weapon, the DAs office wrote. The decedent fired his weapon at police shortly after their entry into the residence.

Knight was then found on the second-floor landing with a gunshot wound to the side of his head, as well as two firearms nearby. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy by the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Knight died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and ruled his death a suicide.

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The incident remains under investigation.

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SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  Investigators have identified a man who was killed in a crash on October 18.

According to the Spartanburg County Coroners Office, the crash around 2:58 a.m. occurred on Old Furnace Road near Southland Avenue around 2:58 a.m.

A Ford SUV was traveling east on Old Furnace Road, when the car veered off the right side of the road, struck a ditch, overturned and hit a tree.

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2 killed after car overturns in Spartanburg Co. crash

Both the driver and passenger of the car were confirmed dead.

The coroners office identified one of the crash victims as Charles Anthony Leslie II, 40, of Boiling Springs. He was positively identified on October 19.

The second crash victim was identified Thursday as 62-year-old Charles Darrin Smith. He was identified through fingerprints left on the car.

The coroners office said Smith did not have a known home address.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing at this time. Stay up to date with 7NEWS on the air and online as more information is made available.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Dressed in orange prison overalls and shackled at the feet, one man pleaded guilty in court on Wednesday.

Wesley Louis Staten pled guilty to the four counts against him for his involvement in an October 2023 crash that killed two.

District Court Judge Deck asked Staten:

Ill ask you. How do you plead to count one of the trial information, vehicular homicide in violation of Iowa Code 707.6A sub-paragraph one? Guilty or not guilty.

Staten only responded with one word:

Guilty.

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After first fleeing from authorities and later pleading not guilty to vehicular homicide, Staten pleaded guilty without a plea deal to four charges connected to that fatal night in Sioux City.

Staten pled guilty to counts one and two of vehicular homicide, count three of leaving the scene of a fatal accident, and count four of operating while intoxicated.

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Staten was behind the wheel the night of Oct. 13, 2023, when he ran two red lights and collided with a vehicle carrying driver Terry Frisbie, 51, and front seat passenger Judith Jordan, 50.

Staten fled the scene before turning himself in to the police the day after the accident. Months later, he went missing but was eventually arrested in Alabama. He was extradited back to Iowa in June 2024.

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for January 12, 2026. Staten could face 25 years in prison alone on the vehicular homicide charge.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Liberty, Missouri, man has pleaded guilty in connection with a 2024 shooting that injured a father of three.

Parker Michael Jones, 20, pleaded guilty on Wednesday in Clay County District Court to the charges of first-degree assault, aiding or abetting a person discharging a firearm from a vehicle and armed criminal action.

Residents honor Liberty firefighter who died of cancer

The victim, Duane French, was shot in a parking lot on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, near 152 Highway and 291 Highway.

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According to the victims wife, they were fixing up a broken-down car when they walked over to find a warm place to wait for a ride. Thats when a car slowly drove by and someone inside asked for money.

They said, Give me your money, and Duane said, I dont have any,' Joan said in a 2024 FOX4 interview. He turned around and started walking toward me, and they shot him in the back.

Joan said she saw a green laser then someone fired a shot, and her husband went down.

He said he was dying, and I said no youre not,' she recalled.

Joan said the bullet hit Duanes hip. Doctors had to remove part of his small intestine and staple his appendix.

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Court records say Jones admitted during an interview with detectives that he was the one who shot Duane.

Jones is scheduled to be sentenced in Clay County on Jan. 21, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

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The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the Delhi government's Vigilance Department to expeditiously conclude the disciplinary inquiry and take action against the jail officials allegedly involved in running an extortion racket inside Tihar Jail. The Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela directed the Vigilance Department to appoint an inquiry officer within two weeks and ensure that the investigation proceeds without delay. The direction followed the Delhi government's Additional Chief Secretary (Home), who informed the court that he would personally coordinate with the Vigilance Department to ensure that an officer is appointed and the inquiry is completed swiftly. The Bench fixed the matter for further hearing on January 7, 2026, by which time the Delhi government has been directed to submit a status report detailing progress in the disciplinary proceedings. "The CBI shall also file a status report regarding the development in the criminal proceedings," the Bench added, emphasising that both administrative and criminal inquiries must advance simultaneously. On the previous hearing held on August 13, the Delhi High Court was informed that disciplinary action had been initiated against nine jail officials in connection with the alleged extortion racket. The Delhi government's counsel had stated that all nine officials were suspended and transferred from Jail No. 1 and were facing proceedings under the Central Civil Services (CCS) Rules. "We will submit our report within two months," the counsel had assured, following which the court granted eight weeks to both the Delhi government and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file their status reports. The Bench had also underscored that disciplinary rules must be followed strictly in accordance with law and warned against procedural lapses. The case stems from a petition filed by businessman Mohit Kumar Goyal, highlighting corruption and illegal activities within Tihar Jail, and by businessman Mohit Kumar Goyal, who was earlier arrested in a cheating case and later released on bail. Goyal alleged that an organised extortion network was operating inside the prison with the active involvement of jail staff and certain inmates. Taking serious note of the allegations, the High Court had, in September 2024, ordered a judicial inspection of Tihar Jail. The inspection report dated April 7, 2025, revealed the misuse of the prison's landline phones for making extortion calls and flagged systemic irregularities involving prison authorities. Following the findings, on May 2, 2025, the Court directed the CBI to register a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) into the matter and asked the Delhi government to identify and act against officials complicit in the illegal network. This process ultimately led to the current suspensions. The High Court has been closely monitoring the case for over a year, calling for coordinated accountability between the Delhi government's prison administration and the CBI. In an earlier hearing, the Bench had expressed strong disapproval of the preferential treatment allegedly accorded to certain inmates, observing that "it is unacceptable that some prisoners enjoy undue privileges while basic needs are denied to others." (ANI)
Sixteen years later, Marcus Faulk learned his fate in court on Wednesday morning for killing his cellmate, Jason Cannon, at Pleasant Valley State Prison.

He accepted a plea deal for voluntary manslaughter, landing him a sentence of 22 years.

Before hearing the judge's final say, Faulk made another attempt to further delay the decision.

"I am just asking for a fair shot. I am willing to take a plea, just not this one," said Faulk to the judge.

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Faulk was supposed to be sentenced last Wednesday, but requested a new attorney, which was granted.

However, Wednesday morning, Faulk claimed that his brother had hired a different attorney, who did not show up to court.

"Who did your brother attain?" asked the judge.

"My brother said he needs a couple of days, and he will get him up here," responded Faulk.

"Mr. Faulk, who did your brother attain?" the judge asked once again.

"I don't know," said Faulk.

Faulk wanted to change his plea and asked for more time to speak with his brother.

His appointed Fresno County Defense Attorney, Regina Chessari, said there was no basis to support Faulk's request.

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"I did review the transcripts and change of plea, the waiver of apelet right. I did extensive research on whether or not Mr. Faulk even has the ability to withdraw a plea. There appears to be no legal basis," said Chessari.

She also advised Faulk not to speak on his behalf.

Regardless, Faulk shared a few words and interrupted the judge several times.

"Sir, he kept saying, the judge is going to railroad you, the judge will not talk to you, over and over and over," said Faulk.

"Alright, sir, I have heard enough. I have heard enough," responded the judge.

The judge stood firm on his sentence, a long time coming for Cannon's family.

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Charges weren't filed until 2019.

Then, it took five years to get to trial, which ended in a hung jury.

Cannon's family did not attend court Wednesday morning, but did show up last week and had an opportunity to make their final statements, during which they shared the challenges of waiting over a decade for justice.

"I'm glad for this to be over. Finally, I could forget you and start remembering my uncle's beautiful smile and all the silly, awesome memories we have together," said Sarah Cannon, Cannon's niece.

Faulk was initially in custody for armed robbery in 2004, which gave him a 25-year prison sentence. While he was in custody for the robbery, he also picked up seven new convictions for a variety of crimes, including possession of alcohol, drugs, and weapons.

For news updates, follow Elisa Navarro on Facebook, X and Instagram.


WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  A man was sentenced to prison Thursday in connection with the death of a Sedgwick County sheriffs deputy.

Judge William Woolley sentenced Kelvin Burgett to 3 years in prison and three years of post-release supervision. He received credit for time served.

Pedestrian killed in eastern Kansas crash

Deputy Sidnee Carter (Courtesy: Sedgwick County Sheriffs Office)

Burgett pleaded no contest in July to involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence in the death of Deputy Sidnee Carter.

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Carter was responding to a call and driving south on 135th Street West around 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 7, 2022, when her vehicle collided with a car driven by Burgett at 29th Street North.

Court records say Burgett was driving nearly 90 mph when he collided with Carter and was under the influence of drugs.

He also faced an alternative count of reckless involuntary manslaughter, as well as a charge of driving while suspended. As part of the plea agreement, those charges were dropped.

The intersection where the crash happened was turned into a four-way stop this week in an effort to make it safer. It was also the site of a deadly crash in August.

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The gunman wanted for shooting three innocent bystanders near a Brooklyn hospital was aiming for a group of teens gathered for a fight with his girlfriends daughter, police said Thursday.

Allan Joseph, 52, was busted Wednesday night when officers ran the license plate on his Chevy Equinox because it was is a no-standing zone near Classon Ave. and Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, police said.

The vehicle, it turns out, had been flagged in a database, meaning someone in the compact SUV had used it during the commission of a crime.

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Joseph, who was in the drivers seat, was busted for gun possession  of the same revolver police believe he fired last Friday afternoon, wounding three innocents near Marcus Garvey Blvd. and Broadway, near Woodhull Hospital.

Those victims  a 33-year-old man struck in the thigh while waiting for a bus, a 16-year-old boy hit in the left hip and a 15-year-old girl grazed in the right foot  were in the wrong place at the wrong time, police said.

Joseph had driven there with his girlfriend after her worried 15-year-old daughter called her because the girl believed she was about to get attacked, police said. The daughter attends Williamsburg Charter High School, where she had earlier argued with a teen boy who threatened he was going to ask a girl he knows to fight the daughter, police said.

When Joseph and the mother arrived at the scene they rushed to the daughters aid.

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They argued for a while with a group of teens, including the girl who was supposed to fight the daughter, as well as that girls friends, all of whom were on the other side of the street, police said.

Cooler heads seemed to prevail, with Joseph, his girlfriend and her daughter getting into his vehicle to leave, police said.

But as they were leaving, police said, Joseph opened fire at the group, missing his targets entirely.

Cops said Joseph, who lives in Sunset Park, was charged with attempted murder, assault and gun possession, plus resisting arrest.

He has eight prior arrests, including two for gun possession, one from 2019 and another in 1993, police said.

His arraignment in criminal court was pending Thursday night.
Oct. 30A man who was shot by Dayton police after he reportedly charged an officer while armed with a knife was found guilty.

What was he convicted of?

Jury trial: A jury found Otto Coleman, 79, guilty of felonious assault of a peace officer in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.

Not guilty: Coleman was found not guilty of resisting arrest.

What was he accused of?

Charging officer: Coleman allegedly ran at a Dayton police officer while he was armed with a knife on Aug. 11, 2024.

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Officers dispatched: Police responded to the 700 block of North Broadway Street after Montgomery County Regional Dispatch received a call that appeared to come from Summit Behavioral Healthcare in Cincinnati.

It wasn't clear what the caller was trying to report, Dayton police Chief Kamran Afzal said.

Dispatchers tried to call back five times but couldn't get additional details.

Dispatch put in a call for Dayton officers to respond to a building on North Broadway Street that served as a residence and a mosque.

Property searched: Two officers arrived on scene, and one went around the back of the building.

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An officer was heard on body camera footage asking if anyone called police.

When the officer walked toward a shed in the backyard he found a man, later identified as Coleman, standing between the side of the shed and the fence.

Confrontation with officer: The officer can be heard telling Coleman to drop a knife at least four times on body camera footage.

Coleman started to approach the officer and then began running toward him. The officer then shot Coleman.

Coleman was hit in the chest, arm and leg, Afzal said.

The officer who shot Coleman had been with the department for two years received two written commendations and a letter of appreciation. A grand jury declined to indict the officer.

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Previous cases: Coleman was convicted of attempted murder in Maryland in 1973.

He was found not guilty by reason of insanity for assault of a peace officer in a 2000 case in Montgomery County and granted conditional release. Coleman successfully completed his outpatient treatment, according to court records.

In 2011, Coleman was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison for an assault of a peace officer, aggravated robbery and vandalism case in Montgomery County.

What happens next?

Sentencing: Coleman's sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 13.
A suspect with an extensive criminal history cops now believe carried out an anti-Asian hate crime spree on the Lower East Side has been arrested for sucker-punching a stranger on a subway platform, sending the victim tumbling onto the tracks, police said Thursday.

Clive Porter, 33, stormed up to the 45-year-old victim stepping off a J train at the Bowery subway station about 4 p.m. Wednesday and punched him in the face unprovoked, cops said.

Asian f! Porter screamed as he stormed off and exited the station, the victim told police.

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The victim reeled back from the blow and fell off the platform onto the tracks.

He managed to get himself back onto the platform and was treated for a swollen eye at the scene. He then patrolled the area with police officers and spotted the suspect nearby on Grand and Forsyth Sts.

As cops moved in to arrest Porter there he allegedly assaulted one of the officers and spat at another, officials said.

The 6-foot-1 180-pound Porter was taken to Bellevue Hospital for a psychological examination. He headbutted a police officer escorting him into the hospital, leaving the cop with a concussion, officials said.

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Cops charged Porter with assault as a hate crime, multiple counts of assault on a police officer, harassment and reckless endangerment.

Cops expect to additionally charge him with punching two other Asian men and an Asian woman and pick-pocketing an Asian woman within blocks of each other on Wednesday.

During at least one of the assaults, he screamed You Asian f-, you f-ing Asians! police sources said.

Porter has racked up 80 arrests over the last few years. Hes also had 12 run-ins with police where he was described as suffering from an emotional or mental illness, police said. One of those incidents was on Independence Day back in 2018, officials said.

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Investigators believe his anti-Asian spree began 9:35 a.m. Wednesday when a 72-year-old man was punched without warning on Hester St. near Eldridge St. on the Lower East Side.

The victim fell to the ground face first, suffering a deep cut to his nose, cops said. Medics transported the victim to New York Downtown Hospital in stable condition.

In less than 12 minutes, Porter went on to attack three more people, cops said.

At some point in that timespan an elderly woman was pickpocketed on Eldridge St., cops said.

Ten minutes after the first attack, an elderly man was punched a block away on Canal St, cops said.

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Around 9:47 a.m. an Asian woman was struck in the head from behind near Forsyth St. and East Broadway. She fell to the ground with a minor injury.

Video of that incident obtained by the Daily News show the attacker never stopping or breaking his stride as he suddenly shoves the woman to the ground. She lands half on the sidewalk and half in the street in the crosswalk. A concerned passerby runs to her aid as she lies on her back and appears stunned.

I havent had anything like this happen in Chinatown for years, said a local store worker, speaking in Mandarin. I never imagined it would be so serious in our community  I often tell my older guests, Honestly, be careful when you go out. The security situation isnt very good these days.

The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incidents.

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Two weeks earlier, on Oct. 17, cops arrested Porter for another violent spree. He was accused of brandishing a knife and threatening a 40-year-old man after being caught rooting through a garbage can at the Times Square-42nd St. subway station.

What are you going to do about it? Porter asked when his victim told him not to go through the trash, according to authorities.

Hes also accused of brandishing a knife and threatening a man on a No. 6 train and punching a man at the 33rd St. No. 6 subway station. All three crimes happened on Oct. 14, officials said.

He was released after his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court since none of those crimes were bail eligible, officials said.

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His other prior arrests include at least two hate crimes, in which hes accused of scrawling Death to gays at a train station at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn on Dec. 19, 2023, and for leaving a swastika on MTA headquarters on Broadway in 2022, officials said.

His arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court on the subway station attack was pending Thursday.

With Julian Roberts-Grmela
Atlanta Police responded to an attempted security breach Thursday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

TSA agents and a civilian stopped the suspect, identified as 40-year-old Leon Fabian, before he reached the main security checkpoint, officers said.

No one was injured, and airport operations continued without disruption.

Officers took Fabian into custody without further incident. He has been charged with simple battery and avoiding or interfering with security measures.

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MANCHESTER - A 32-year-old Manchester woman was seriously injured Wednesday when she was struck by a vehicle while walking on Center Street, police said.

Emergency crews responded around 6:47 p.m. to the 200 block due to a report of a crash involving a pedestrian, according to Manchester Police Sgt. Michael Williams.

Williams said a preliminary investigation determined a vehicle traveling westbound that was being operated by a 77-year-old Manchester man struck the 32-year-old woman.

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"The female sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Hartford Hospital for emergency treatment," Williams said.

Williams said the driver remained on scene and is cooperating fully with investigators from the Manchester Police Department Traffic Unit.

Manchester police ask that anyone who witnessed the collision or has additional information contact Officer Nicholas Sinopoli at 860-533-8620.

This article originally published at Manchester pedestrian suffers 'life-threatening' injuries in Center Street crash, police say.




Even as a plan for new ownership gained a key approval, two Connecticut hospitals owned by bankrupt Prospect Medical Holdings' reported ballooning debts in recent months.

Manchester Memorial and Rockville General hospitals together owed $122.6 million in delinquent taxes, overdue utility bills and unpaid invoices as of Sept. 30, according to a new filing posted Monday by the Office of Health Strategy. That's up from $92.1 million owed by the two struggling hospitals at the end of the first quarter of this year, an increase of nearly 33% since the start of 2025.

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Both hospitals - known collectively as Eastern Connecticut Health Network - again reported zero days of cash on hand for the most recent two quarters.

Waterbury Hospital, Prospect's other property in the state, owed $140 million as of Sept. 30, compared to $114 million at the end of the first quarter, an increase of nearly 23%.



UConn Health's proposed bid to buy Waterbury Hospital for $13 million and an unspecified amount of tax-debt forgiveness was still pending as of publication time.



The new debt reports come after a bankruptcy judge on Friday approved a bid by Hartford HealthCare to buy Manchester Memorial and Rockville for $86.1 million. As the sole bidder, the Hartford-based system won a bankruptcy auction by default.

"We are pleased and proud that Hartford HealthCare has been named the buyer of Manchester Memorial and Rockville General hospitals by the bankruptcy court," spokesperson Tina Varona said in a statement. "We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the state and community stakeholders to complete the next steps in this journey."

Now Hartford HealthCare needs to gain the state's approval by filing for an ownership transfer through the Certificate of Need process, which is supervised by the Office of Health Strategy, a state regulatory agency.

Local tax debts take back seat

Prospect's debts owed to the towns of Vernon and Manchester were discussed at Friday's bankruptcy court hearing, with an attorney arguing that the towns should be prioritized for repayment if and when the sale is consummated.

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Rockville General and related Prospect entities owe the town of Vernon just over $1 million in unpaid real estate taxes and $330,316.13 in personal property taxes, according to a court filing. Manchester is owed about $4.2 million in real estate taxes and $692,288.32 in personal property taxes.



Nir Maoz, an attorney for Prospect landlord Medical Properties Trust, said that the real estate taxes would be paid as part of the closing but the fate of the personal property taxes was undecided. Due to its position as a lender in bankruptcy, MPT has first dibs on proceeds of any sales of Prospect's hospitals, with the money going toward repayment of debts to the landlord totaling at least $248 million, Maoz said.

Although dwarfed by the $257 million owed to the state Department of Revenue Services, Prospect's unpaid taxes in towns like Waterbury, Vernon and Manchester could threaten vital services, said state Sen. Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock), a doctor whose district includes Vernon.

"It is a concern when we're dealing with, for example Vernon and any of the towns dealing with tight budgets and trying to provide the services that they need to provide as a town government," Gordon said. "It's one thing for the state to forgive whatever taxes it's owed, but for towns, it's very, very difficult."

Lawmakers speed state approval path

Because Manchester Memorial and Rockville General are in bankruptcy, Hartford HealthCare can seek faster state approval through an expedited path approved by the legislature in March, according to W. Jackson Boyd, director of legislation and regulation at the Office of Health Strategy. Under the new law, the agency must make a decision on an emergency Certificate of Need application no more than 60 days after the filing is deemed complete.

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The lengthy process of state approval for ownership transfers was blamed in part for last year's implosion of Yale New Haven Health's $435 million bid to buy all three of Prospect's Connecticut hospitals. Yale claimed that Prospect mismanaged the hospitals in the months following a deal announcement, reducing their value substantially.

Yale New Haven Health's first document relating to the proposed Prospect deal was filed with the Office of Health Strategy on Nov. 22, 2022, 47 days after the system announced its intention to buy the three hospitals. The last state filing came on March 27, 2024, about a month before Yale sued to renegotiate the deal.

In all, more than a year and four months elapsed between the first filing of Yale's application for state approval and its last document posted on the Certificate of Need portal.

A court battle over the soured deal finally ended on Oct. 10 with approval of a $45 million settlement to be paid by Yale to Prospect - a sum quickly claimed by Medical Properties Trust as repayment for its loans.

This article originally published at Manchester, Rockville hospitals' debts mount as judge approves Hartford HealthCare bid.
More than 74,000 people in South Dakota  about 8% of the state's population  receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

That's slightly fewer than a year ago, when more than 75,000 people were getting SNAP benefits, according to the South Dakota Department of Social Services. Nationwide, about 42 million people rely on the federal program, which provides low-income families monthly benefits to afford healthy food, USA TODAY reported.

However, those benefits are at serious risk of being disrupted by the government shutdown. The program's funding could lapse on Nov. 1 for the first time in the program's 60-year history without intervention from federal lawmakers.

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Here's more about the South Dakota residents who receive SNAP benefits.

Related: Feeding South Dakota asks for help to meet uptick in food demand during federal shutdown

What's the average monthly SNAP benefit for South Dakota recipients?

The average monthly benefit received by participating households in South Dakota was $393.98 in September, down from $400.24 a year earlier.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture expects food prices to rise "faster than the historical average" in 2025, with prices for all food predicted to increase by 3%. The cost of food at grocery stores rose by 0.6% from July to August, according to the most recent consumer price index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's the fastest monthly rate change since October 2022.

How many children in South Dakota rely on SNAP benefits?

In September, 74,459 people in South Dakota received SNAP benefits  41,261 adults and 33,198 children, according to the state Department of Social Services.

What South Dakota counties have the most SNAP recipients?

These were the counties in South Dakota with the highest number of households receiving SNAP benefits in September.

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Minnehaha County: 9,280 Pennington County: 5,251 Oglala Lakota County: 2,535 Todd County: 2,042 Brown County: 1,411 Beadle County: 1,057 Yankton County: 1,014 Codington County: 960 Davison County: 901 Lawrence County: 890

How many people in South Dakota are food insecure?

More than 113,000 people in South Dakota, including one in five children, are food insecure, meaning they lack consistent access to enough food for every person in their household to live an active, healthy life, according to Feeding South Dakota.

A county-by-county map shows varying levels of food insecurity across the state, from 8.5% in Hanson County up to 28.2% in Oglala Lakota County.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: How many people in South Dakota receive SNAP benefits?
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate on Thursday launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of remaining silent after US President Donald Trump repeatedly claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor. Speaking to ANI, Shrinate asked why PM Modi does not call Trump and tell him he is lying, despite his repeated claims. "Donald Trump has said 61 times that he is the one who did the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He also said that seven jets were shot down. Why is this country's Prime Minister silent? The Prime Minister of this country congratulated Trump in eight languages for the Gaza ceasefire, but he couldn't utter a single word. Why doesn't he call Trump by name and say, Trump, you're lying...Indira Gandhi looked America in the eye and said I will tear Pakistan into two pieces," the Congress leader said. This comes after US President Donald Trump on Tuesday again claimed that he intervened to stop a potential war between India and Pakistan following India's Operation Sindoor. Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEOs Luncheon in Gyeongju, South Korea, Trump claimed that his mediation had prevented hostilities between the two nuclear-armed nations earlier this year. Earlier today, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, comparing him to former PM Indira Gandhi, citing the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Addressing a public gathering in Bihar's Nalanda, Rahul said that during the 1971 war, Indira Gandhi did not fear or bow before the United States, whereas Prime Minister Modi neither has a "vision" nor the "ability" to stand up to the US President Donald Trump. "During the 1971 war in the Bangladesh struggle, America sent its aircraft and navy to intimidate and threaten India. Indira Gandhi, who was the Prime Minister, said we are not afraid of your navy, do what you must, we will do what we must," Gandhi said. "Indira Gandhi was a woman, but she had more guts than this man. Narendra Modi is cowardly. He has neither a vision nor the ability to stand up to the President of America. I challenge him: if Narendra Modi has the courage, then at any meeting in Bihar, he should say that the President of America is lying and that he (PM Modi) did not bow to him and that he did not stop Operation Sindoor. He cannot do that," Rahul Gandhi said. (ANI)
Grocery prices have been on the rise for a while now, and many shoppers are searching for discounts to further stretch their dollar. That pressure is only magnified for those that receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)  over 41 million people (or 12.3% of the U.S. population).

SNAP is funded by the federal government and helps low-income Americans buy groceries. To receive the benefits, you must meet certain requirements (which recently, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, have become stricter). Once approved, you receive an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card with your specific monthly allotment to spend on groceries of your choice at participating locations.

However, SNAP benefits are currently expected to be halted come November 1. This means that millions of Americans EBT cards will not be refilled. (Some states have allowed recipients to continue using the remaining balance  more on that below.) While SNAP is federally funded, implementation is executed by the states themselves. On October 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sent a letter to state agencies informing them of insufficient funds to continue the SNAP program and ordered them to stop distributing SNAP benefits come November until further notice. A message on the USDA website reads, Bottom line, the well has run dry.

What Does This Mean for SNAP Recipients?

SNAP recipients will now have to find alternate means of getting food, which will likely mean relying on nonprofit organizations, food banks, even family and friends for help  right in the lead up to the holiday season. The nonprofit organizations many depend on are also feeling the impact and are gearing up for this critical moment, already impounded by current high rates of food insecurity.

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Staff at West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH), a food pantry in New York Citys Upper West Side neighborhood, know this all too well and are witnessing the impact of the looming SNAP cuts firsthand. Delilah Guzman, a senior benefits access specialist at WSCAH, told me, The other day I was working with a mother who uses SNAP benefits to buy formula for her infant. With the upcoming cuts and the shutdown, shell have to choose between paying bills and providing formula and food for her children. Delilah also works with an older adult battling stage four breast cancer. SNAP benefits is how she is able to buy the nourishing foods she needs. It helps sustain her treatment, because we know food is also medicine, she says. This is the real impact, and thats just a few people at one organization.

In the face of the looming SNAP cuts, WSCAH is also making changes to its model to provide extra support. Theyre increasing the allotment of food they serve per family by 50% (extra fruit and veg, an additional pound of protein, and more grains) starting November 1. WSCAHs CEO Chef Greg Silverman also traveled to Washington D.C. earlier this week advocating for SNAP. Legally, the USDA has authority to release $5 billion to $6 billion in SNAP allocated contingency funds without even reopening the government. This is the simplest and fastest solution to support SNAP customers across the country. We need more collaboration to support communities in need, not less, Greg says.

Next Steps

Whiskey Sour

To fill the gaps for their constituents, state agencies and leaders are taking action to fulfill their communities needs in a variety of ways. As of October 28, 25 states have sued the USDA over its decision to suspend SNAP benefits, asking the USDA to use contingency funds to keep the program going, even in the face of the government shutdown. But at the time of reporting, so far, they havent budged, stating that those funds are allocated for natural disasters.

To provide support, DoorDash even launched its own emergency food response, pledging to deliver 1 million meals for free to food banks through its Project DASH program and waiving delivery and service fees for SNAP grocery orders. Some states have set up contingency plans or are currently working toward some sort of interim plan. This map details which states have some form of a contingency plan, which have talks of a contingency plan in the works, and which have none at all. Heres whats happening in each state.

Credit: Map: Shutterstock; Design: The Kitchn

How States Are Taking Action

As of the time of reporting, so far 10 states have implemented some form of a contingency plan: California, Hawaii, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

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Other states have some contingency plans or the makings of ones in the works, but its unclear if they will actually come to fruition come November 1. Those include Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, and Washington.

Resources

The remaining states have not issued any contingency plans or emergency funds at the time of reporting. If you are in need of food, the resources below can help you find local food banks and other emergency food solutions. If you are not in need of food, you can support organizations such as WSCAH through donations.

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Visit Feeding America: Go to Feeding Americas website where you can enter your ZIP code to find a local food bank near you.

Check your states website: Your government state website will have more specific details on resources in your area, including food banks, food pantries, and other emergency food solutions.

Use DoorDash: As listed above, if you are a SNAP recipient, delivery and service fees will be waived on SNAP orders at participating locations (including Sprouts, Dollar General, Schnucks, Food Lion, Giant Foods, The GIANT Company, Hannaford, Stop & Shop, Hy-Vee, Giant Eagle, and Wegmans).

Further Reading

Create Your Own Interior Design Mood Board | Apartment Therapy

Ive Made Hundreds of Batches of Cookies  This Is Hands-Down the Best Recipe

The Ridiculously Delicious Honey Glaze for Ham I Make Every Holiday (It's a Family Favorite)

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Marco Pierre Whites son has been jailed for almost four years after conducting a three-month burglary spree that caused 60,000 of damage.

Marco Pierre White Jr, 30, stole crystals, soft toys and cash when he broke into eight shops in London and Bath between April and June this year.

Isleworth Crown Court heard the celebrity chefs son had a long-standing drug addiction and 30 previous convictions for 69 offences.

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The former Celebrity Big Brother star was jailed for three years and 10 months on Thursday after admitting four counts of burglary, criminal damage and a series of theft charges.

The court heard White began his spree on April 1 at Clayton Kitchens in Bath, from which no items were stolen.

The following day, he took 500 in cash from Mercy in Action, a charity shop in the city, after a 4.30am break-in.

Marco Pierre White Jr was described to the court as a prolific offender - Brais G. Rouco/ Central News

On June 12, he broke into Venusrox, a store on All Saints Road, Notting Hill, and stole two natural rock crystal formations.

He made a habit of targeting small stores with high-value items in the middle of the night, travelling to and from each store on a Lime bike.

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Six days later on June 18 White walked into Waterstones in Chiswick, west London, and stole 493 of Jellycat toys before fleeing.

He carried out another theft that day when he walked into Aesop Store on Westbourne Grove at about 1.30pm after arriving on a Lime bike.

White began placing boxes in his bag and when approached by a shop assistant, he told her: Dont come near me or Ill hurt you.

He stole 1,331 of items from there and again fled on a Lime bike.

His spree continued when he caused 44,000 worth of damage in destroying crystals and theft at Dale Rogers Ammonite on Pimlico Road, near Sloane Square, on June 19.

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White took two green fluorite crystal lamp towers and caused significant damage to four mounted crystals and the front door.

His criminal spree came to an end on June 21 when he broke into Presents on Barnes High Street, using a brick to enter the store before stealing 1,500 of Jellycat toys and hailing an Uber.

The driver alerted police, who found White with the stolen toys and arrested him.

Sentencing him, judge Edward Connell said White had an appalling record for dishonesty.

In my view, he is quite aptly described as a prolific offender, he 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.
In late January, President Nicolas Maduro and President Donald Trumps special envoy, Richard Grenell, smiled as they shook hands in the Venezuelan leaders gold-embossed Caracas palace.

The deal they'd just sealed meant six Americans detained in the country would be freed in exchange for hundreds of Venezuelan migrants whom the Trump administration said belonged to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

It marked the first time in years that a U.S. official met face-to-face with Maduro, a protege of strongman Hugo Chavez. Maduro is in his twelfth year as president after what international observers say was a rigged 2024 vote.

US President Donald Trump (C) poses for a group photo with (from L - R) Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto, and Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone before the 13th ASEAN - United States Summit during the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks as he presides over the signing of a Cambodia-Thailand peace deal at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on October 26, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Trump is in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, and will next travel to Japan, en route to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. President Donald Trump looks on as Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (C) and Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul hold up signed documents during a ceremonial signing of a ceasefire agreement on the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct.26, 2025. A Royal Malaysian Air Force F-18 Hornet fighter jet escorts Air Force One with U.S. President Donald Trump aboard en route to Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Oct. 26, 2025 in Malaysia. Trump is in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, and will next travel to Japan, en route to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. President Donald Trump walks with Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (centre R) as he walks from Air Force One upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on Oct. 26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on October 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump holds the US and Malaysian national flags at a welcome ceremony upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on Oct. 26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on October 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump waves from his official vehicle known as "The Beast" as he departs from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang to attend the ASEAN summit on Oct.26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on October 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump joins performers for a dance during the welcome ceremony next to Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (L) as he arrives on Air Force One at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on Oct. 26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on Oct. 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump welcomes Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani (L) and Prime Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani (3rd-L) aboard Air Force One during a refueling stop at Al-Udeid Air Base on Oct. 25, 2025 in Abu Nakhlah, Qatar. 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). Also pictured is U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (3rd-R), White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles (2nd-R), and Special Assistant to the President Margo Martin (R). President Trump visits Asia. See the biggest moments from his trip 1 of 9 US President Donald Trump (C) poses for a group photo with (from L - R) Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto, and Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone before the 13th ASEAN - United States Summit during the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, 2025.

Some hoped Grenells deal would lower tensions between Washington and Caracas  and perhaps even renew access to Venezuelas rich oil reserves.

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But the United States has drastically shifted gears since that glowing moment at the palace. Instead, experts say, Secretary of State Marco Rubio appears to have taken Grenell's place and is spearheading an aggressive campaign to bring down Maduro.

Nine months after Grenell and Maduro's pact, eight U.S. warships are circling the waters off Venezuela, and the largest U.S. aircraft carrier and its three escorts are cruising toward the region. Roughly 10,000 troops are stationed in the area. B-1 and B-52 bombers have approached Venezuelan airspace three times in two weeks, in an undisputed threat of force.

At least 61 people, many of them Venezuelans, have been killed in U.S. strikes on boats in international waters, which the Trump administration said were carrying drugs. The strikes, which the Trump administration has said are part of an "armed conflict" with cartels, were ordered without congressional approval.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro met with Richard Grenell, Trump's special envoy, in January to secure a prisoner exchange deal.

Trump has turned aside Maduro's offer of access to Venezuela's rich oil reserves in exchange for maintaining power in the country. Instead, his administration has gone all-in on a campaign led by Rubio to force Maduro from office.

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The president has amped up the pressure on Maduro with at least 14 maritime strikes off the coast of South America. In the latest offensive, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that another four people were killed in the eastern Pacific on Oct. 29.

Maduro has indicated that he understands exactly what Trump and Rubio are doing: They promised they would never again get involved in a war, and they are fabricating a war, Maduro said on Oct. 24 after the Pentagon announced the USS Gerald Ford, the world's largest warship, was headed toward South America.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has said the U.S. is 'fabricating a war' with his country.

Trump's offensive comes after Maduro and his top generals were indicted in 2020 for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy.

"The Administrations policy is 'maximum pressure' on the Maduro regime," the White House told USA TODAY on Oct. 27. "No negotiations that could potentially benefit the regime are occurring."

Trump scraps Maduro's offer of Venezuelan oil

Grenell, a former ambassador to Germany who served as an intelligence official in Trump's first term, sought to extract economic wins from Maduro, in line with Trump's dealmaking style in Ukraine and Gaza.

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Rubio, the secretary of state and acting national security adviser, is pushing for an end to a regime that has opposed the United States for decades and sparked an exodus of nearly 7.9 million migrants, including more than 700,000 who have made their way to the United States.

Grenell continued talks with Maduro's government through the summer, analysts and people close to the administration say. But they say the pressure campaign on Maduro and the strikes on boats bear Rubio's stamp.

Grenell had negotiated an opening of Venezuela's oil sector in exchange for allowing Maduro to keep his post, according to Francisco Monaldi, director of the Baker Institute's Latin America Energy Program.

Maduro "offered everything," Trump told reporters on Oct. 17. "You know why? Because he doesn't want to f--- around with the United States."

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The deal clinched by Grenell didn't meet the mark for Rubio, who has long reviled Maduro for his ties to Cuba and refusal to sever economic ties to Russia and China.

Rubio was able to reframe the issue for Trump, by narrowing in on Maduro, changing from a focus on democracy and regime change to a focus on drug trafficking and criminality, Monaldi said.

Rubio's rejection of Maduro's oil concessions upset U.S. energy interests eager to tap Venezuelan reserves. Three people with knowledge of those interests said there was consternation among insiders that forcing Maduro out could foment chaos and unrest and impede their access.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pushed for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's ouster for years.

On Sept. 2, Trump announced the first strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea, which he said had killed 11 Venezuelans. By early October, Trump ordered Grenell to quit negotiating with Caracas.

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"Maduro is not the legitimate leader of Venezuela; hes a fugitive of American justice who undermines regional security and poisons Americans," State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Piggot said in an Oct. 28 statement to USA TODAY.

More: Trump amps up military, CIA action against Venezuela. Here's what to know.

Deja vu for toppling Maduro

Concrete plans to push out Maduro surfaced during Trumps first term. They crystallized in 2019, when the United States endorsed opposition leader Juan Guaidos failed attempt to seize power.

That January, Guaido declared Maduro's presidency illegitimate and announced he was Venezuela's interim president, claiming he had popular and military support. Protests erupted, but Guaido ultimately failed to gain military backing and provoke an uprising. By late 2022, he had lost the support of the opposition, and he fled the country.

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As a U.S. senator concerned with preserving Latin American democracies and business interests, Rubio pressed Trump to recognize Guaido.

Rubio was the architect of maximum pressure in the first term, said Brian Fonseca, director of Florida International University's Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy. In Trump's first term, "maximum pressure" referred to the strategy of tough sanctions on Venezuela and charging Maduro and his top officials with narcoterrorism.

In his years representing Florida as a Republican senator, Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants who immigrated to the United States before the island's revolution, frequently blasted Maduros Cuban-style dictatorship. Rubio consistently praised the Venezuelan opposition headed by Maria Corina Machado, who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize. (Machado later deftly praised Trump, who aspired to win the prize, for supporting her cause.)

Edmundo Gonzalez, who ran with Machado's backing, claimed victory in an election against Maduro last year after ballots counted by the opposition showed Gonzalez had won resounding support. Maduro refused to yield power, despite international calls for him to step down.

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Now, with a bevvy of warships off his coastline, the resistance could be different. Machado, the Nobel Peace Prize-winner, has welcomed foreign military intervention as a route to democracy in Venezuela.

The opposition already has a transition plan ready-made for after they take control of the country, David Smolansky, a representative of Machado, told USA TODAY. That includes privatizing Venezuela's oil reserves and opening them up for business, he said.

Trump officials are still hoping that Maduros generals decide its best to save their skins and take matters into their own hands, Evan Ellis, a U.S. Army War College research professor focused on Latin America.

That strategy didn't work during Guaido's coup in 2019, or when a ragtag group of mercenaries reportedly in communication with Trump officials tried again to overthrow Maduro the next year. The difference now, analysts said, lies in the amount of military might Trump has concentrated around Venezuela and his willingness to use deadly force.

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In his first term, members of Trump's inner circle, including his national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, urged him away from ideas he floated about invading Venezuela, The Associated Press reported.

Back then, you had lots of people within the structure who said, Mr. President, we cant do this, this is not a good idea, Ellis said.

This time around, you dont have people saying [that].

Boat strikes useless against fentanyl

Many of the 61 people slain in U.S. military strikes on boats in international waters were Venezuelans.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said some of the victims were fishermen from his country and that one targeted vessel had sent up a distress signal before the U.S. hit. Two people who survived a strike were returned to their home countries of Ecuador and Colombia. A third survivor was rescued from the water by Mexican forces after surviving a different attack on Oct. 27, according to Hegseth.

Officials in the first Trump administration hoped Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's top generals would overthrow him.

Their repatriation complicated the Trump administration's assertion that those killed in the strikes were armed combatants against the United States, who would legally be treated as prisoners of war, or alleged terrorists, who previously had been held in Guantanamo or other bases outside the United States.

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The Trump administration has said intelligence showed the boats were headed to the United States with deadly drugs such as fentanyl.

Every boat that we knock out, we save 25,000 American lives, Trump said, implying that the boats carried enough fentanyl to kill thousands.

Fentanyl causes the majority of American overdose deaths. But no proof has been made public indicating that the vessels hit in the Caribbean were carrying the deadly drug. Trafficking experts also say strikes on individual boats would do little to curtail mass distribution.

The vast majority of the drugs come across the legitimate ports of entry along the Mexico border, said Mike Vigil, who served for three decades in the Drug Enforcement Administration, including leadership posts overseas, before leaving the agency in 2004.

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American citizens are primarily the ones who distribute it, he said.

Trump is also taking a leap when he says that an international gang from Venezuela is perpetrating this narcotrafficking off the coast of the country, according to Vigil.

Tren de Aragua, the Venezuelan gang that Trump has tied to the boats, does not engage in transportation of drugs  especially using the maritime routes, Vigil said.

Yet the administration shows no signs of halting the strikes, even as the 60-day legal deadline for the United States to declare war or cease the extrajudicial attacks approaches. Trump has repeatedly hinted that he plans to engage in future strikes on land in Venezuela.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Marco Rubio's war: How Trump ditched a deal and opted to topple Maduro
A general view of the Maryland flag and Maryland State House, in Annapolis, Maryland, on Friday, October 4, 2024. (Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)

Maryland State Senator Dalya Attar (D) was indicted on charges stemming from an alleged scheme to blackmail individuals she felt would compromise her campaign.

News of the indictments was reported Thursday by The Baltimore Sun. According to the report, they were handed down a week ago. Federal authorities alleged that Attar  the first Orthodox Jewish woman to serve in the Maryland State Senate  was part of a plot that involved planting tracking and recording devices to obtain footage of two unnamed individuals in bed. Once that footage was acquired, the report continued, it would be used to extort the individuals.

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In total, Attar was indicted on eight charges. Co-defendants listed in the indictments include Joseph Attar and Kalman Finkelstein. The Joseph Attar mentioned is presumed to be her brother, who works as a real estate developer. Court filings obtained by The Baltimore Sun revealed that all three were in custody at the time of writing.

Attar has been in the Maryland State Senate since occupying a vacant seat in January 2025. Shes running against State Delegate Malcolm P. Ruff to hold the seat for a full term.

Attars office did not respond to requests for comment from The Baltimore Sun. In a statement obtained by Fox affiliate WBBF, State Senate President Bill Fergusons (D) office said they had just learned about the arrest with everyone else.

The post Maryland Democrat Indicted for Role in Wild Blackmail Scheme first appeared on Mediaite.
CROWNSVILLE, Md. (DC News Now)  Gov. Wes Moore (D-Md.) declared a state of emergency in Maryland on Thursday as federal SNAP food benefits are set to run out on Nov. 1.

The Governor signed an executive order at the Anne Arundel County Food Bank announcing the use of emergency funds as federal food assistance goes dark during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

It comes about a week after neighboring Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-Va.) also declared a state of emergency over missing federal funding in the commonwealth.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: States step in to bridge the gap as SNAP benefits are set to lapse

Gov. Moore says the state will send $10 million to food banks and partners across Maryland as SNAP benefits run dry during the federal government shutdown.

There is no state that is taking a greater level of assault than Maryland, by these actions, said Moore on the impacts of the shutdown.

We have seen rulers use hunger as a weapon, whether its against an enemy or their own people. The goal is to starve into submission, and its cruel, said Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman.

More than 600,000 Marylanders rely on SNAP assistance, and more than 250,000 federal workers living in Maryland are missing paychecks during the shutdown.

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This is heartless. This is cruel, and this is unforgivable. I think about why we are here, but also the basic necessities that we have to then turn around and provide. Because when the federal government says that you are on your own, in the state of Maryland, we say we leave no one behind, said Moore.

The Governor says the state is losing a quarter of a billion dollars in federal food assistance funds for November, nowhere close to the $10 million the state is sending to food banks and food distribution partners like faith organizations, non-profits and food pantries to try to bridge the gap.

I have no belief that the federal government is going to reimburse anybody for anything. I have no belief that the federal government is going to honor its promises, the governor said when asked about why the state wasnt allocating even more money to help address the gap in funding.

SNAP benefits wont be paid in November: How long will WIC last?

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The governor also called on President Donald Trump to help end the shutdown and restore benefits.

I truly believe and I pray to God in this moment, hell see the impacts of whats happening and realize that he must. In Maryland, were going to do our job. Now its time for the President to do his, said Moore.

The Governor says the state will evaluate the possible need for more emergency funds as the shutdown carries on.

DC News Now reached out to the Maryland Republican Party for their response to the Governors actions today.

If Governor Moore was interested in having SNAP funded, his Executive Order should have directed Marylands two Democrat Senators, who voted for 13 times to keep the government closed, to vote yes on the clean CR and open the government, said Chairwoman Nicole Beus Harris.

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To find a food distribution site bank near you, use the Maryland Food Banks search tool 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
Maryland Legal Aid is partnering with other organizations to provide free expungement clinics and other services in Baltimore this Saturday and on Nov. 13, helping people whose criminal cases meet the requirements to remove certain criminal charges or convictions from the public record.

This weekends event will be held at Lexington Market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., said Angus Derbyshire, director for pro bono at Maryland Legal Aid. The Alliance for Black Women Attorneys, the Baltimore metropolitan alumni chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority and the Gamma Omicron Omega alumni chapter of Iota Phi Theta fraternity will also participate.

Attorneys will be on hand to help anyone who has had contact with the Maryland criminal justice system fill out, sign and file expungement forms.

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They will also assist those who have been charged with a crime but were not convicted in applying for expungement and filing the paperwork in court on their behalf. That includes people whose cases were dropped, who were acquitted at trial, whose cases were put on the inactive docket, or who received probation before judgment.

Individuals who have been convicted of eligible crimes, such as disturbing the peace, panhandling, simple possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and trespassing, can also apply for expungement at this event.

Expunging criminal charges can help individuals who are conducting job searches, applying for an apartment, or applying for a mortgage, Derbyshire said. Attorneys at both events will be able to tell individuals if they qualify for an expungement.

We can do the evaluation on site, Derbyshire said.

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Earlier this year, the Maryland state legislature passed, and Gov. Wes Moore signed, the Expungement Reform Act of 2025, which, among other things, expands the types of misdemeanor convictions eligible for expungement. The law took effect Oct. 1.

On Nov. 13, Maryland Legal Aid will host another clinic in collaboration with Exelon Corp. and Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE). BGE will have an energy assistance team on hand, and Exelon, a large utility company, will provide resume review services. This event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at TouchPoint Baltimore, 3201 Tioga Parkway.

Have a news tip? Contact Ruben Castaneda at 443-862-6133 or rucastaneda@baltsun.com.
BALTIMORE  Federal officials allege Maryland state Sen. Dalya Attar was involved in an extortion conspiracy to silence two people from detracting from or negatively influencing her election campaigns.

The Baltimore Democrat representing District 41 was indicted on eight charges on Oct. 23, according to public court records. The conspiracy purportedly involved planting tracking and recording devices and, after obtaining footage of the unnamed victims in bed, threatening its release with demands.

Attar; her brother, Joseph Attar; and Baltimore Police Officer Kalman Finkelstein are the accused members of the conspiracy. Federal officials described the two victims as an ex-consultant for the senator and a person with whom she had an extramarital romantic relationship.

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A former prosecutor elected to the House of Delegates in 2019, Attar became the first Orthodox Jewish woman to serve on the Maryland State Senate in January after she was selected to fill the vacancy left by state Sen. Jill Carter.

She is competing with Del. Malcolm P. Ruff, a civil rights attorney and another Baltimore Democrat, to take the seat next term.

Court filings show, however, that the senator is in custody, as are her brother, who is a real estate developer, and Finkelstein.

This case is based on the accusations of a mentally unstable, vindictive woman in the Baltimore Jewish community who was fired from Sen. Attars first campaign for cause, Sen. Attars attorney Jeff Ifrah said in a statement, adding they look forward to resolving this case before trial, but are fully prepared to fight these false charges if necessary to clear Dalyas name.

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Representatives from the senators office and the Baltimore Police Department did not immediately provide a comment.

According to the indictment, Dalya Attar and her ex-consultant had a falling out shortly before the 2018 election, and federal justice officials said the consultant was known by Attars camp as being unsupportive of her candidacy.

Citing several WhatsApp messages, authorities say the conspiracy began in January 2020 as Attar, then a state delegate, believed the former consultant was looking to disadvantage her politically.

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities has blocked a proposed winter rate hike by Eversource that was set to take effect on November 1, sparing customers from a 13% increase in their energy bills.

The decision means Eversources NStar Gas customers will save approximately $45 million this year. DPU officials said the utility company failed to meet key performance metrics required to justify the increase.

Governor Maura Healey had urged the DPU to closely examine the proposal, citing concerns over affordability and accountability.

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Massachusetts families cannot afford more winter bill increases. That is why I called on the DPU and utilities to take immediate action to lower bills, Healey said Wednesday. This is a start, but more work must be done to lower costs for families and businesses. I am going to continue to call for more relief  including through my energy affordability legislation.

Eversource called the ruling puzzling and warned it could lead to greater long-term costs for customers.

Todays ruling is puzzling as it will result in a path of greater impacts for customers over the next year in favor of a near-term cut of a more nominal amount. We presented the department with several proposals to mitigate the impact of the November 1 rate changes for customers and avoid the larger impact that is now necessitated by this order, an Eversource spokesperson told Boston 25 News.

Meanwhile, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced the launch of the Boston Energy Saver Program, which offers rebates and discounts for residents who weatherize or upgrade their homes to improve energy efficiency.

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More and more households are having to choose between paying the rent that keeps on rising or turning on the heat to keep their families warm, Wu said. No matter how you want to save, whether its through upgrading your building by solarizing or electrifying, retrofitting or weatherizing, our boston energy saver team will be able to help.

Eversource also provides payment support programs for customers facing financial hardship.

For more information on how to take advantage of the citys new program, click here: Boston Energy Saver | Boston.gov

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Head Start programs in more than 40 states, including Massachusetts, wont receive the funding they need to operate if the federal government remains shut down on Nov. 1.

Head Start is a federal program that provides for children between zero and five from low-income families to receive quality early education services, according to the state. Federal funds for the programs, which are run by schools, local governments and nonprofits, are dispersed on a staggered grant cycle, meaning different programs get funds at different times each year.

Head Start centers serve hundreds of thousands of low-income families. The preschools provide two meals a day to students, along with medical screenings and dental care. Many of the children who attend Head Start have parents working in hourly jobs who risk losing work if they do not have child care.

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But during a shutdown, the money is not dispersed, leaving many Head Start programs on the brink of closing their doors. When the shutdown began on Oct. 1, programs in three states  Alabama, Florida and South Carolina  lost funding.

Now, if the shutdown continues to Nov. 1, programs in 41 states and Puerto Rico will run out of money. In all, an estimated 65,000 children will be affected by the programs that lose funding.

Tommy Sheridan, the deputy director of the National Head Start Association, told ABC News that the longer the shutdown goes, the more likely it is for there to be deep impacts on children and families that we serve.

At the end of the day, children and families should never be put at risk because of political gridlock. However, thats exactly whats happening right now, he said.

Head Start faces a string of challenges

Launched six decades ago as part of President Lyndon B. Johnsons War on Poverty, Head Start has a history of bipartisan support but has faced calls this year to cut its funding.

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A budget document showed the White House weighed shutting down Head Start altogether, a prospect that sparked an outcry from both sides of the aisle before the Trump administration backed away from the proposal. Project 2025, a detailed set of policy recommendations authored by the conservative Heritage Foundation, recommended eliminating Head Start.

In January, Head Start operators struggled to access their federal money due to issues with the governments online portal. Some had to shut down temporarily.

The current government shutdown began when Congress failed to pass a bill to fund the government. In a standoff with the Trump administration, Democrats are insisting on extending tax credits that make health insurance cheaper for millions of Americans and restoring Medicaid funding cuts. Without the tax credits, more than 20 million Americans on Affordable Care Act plans would see their health care costs rise. Republicans say they wont discuss the health care subsidies, or any other policy, until the government reopens.

Joel Ryan, executive director of the Washington Head Start Association, said he is eager for Congress to end the shutdown. But he said he also knows that many Head Start families and staff members rely on Medicaid and on the Affordable Care Act plans.

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Im glad that the Democrats are fighting to restore health care access, Ryan said. Im also really cognizant of the ramifications of the government shutdown.

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Newpro, a well-known home improvement company in Massachusetts, abruptly closed its doors on Tuesday, leaving employees without jobs and customers without answers.

Boston 25 News reporter Alyssa Azzara visited the companys Woburn location at 26 Cedar Street on Thursday, where she described the scene as a ghost town.

There were no cars in the lot, locked doors, and no one inside.

Sean Compton, a former measure technician at Newpros Wrentham office, said the closure came without warning.

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I got back to the shop, and I saw tears in my coworkers eyes, and Im like, oh no, this is not good, he told Boston 25.

Compton said he received a call midday Tuesday instructing him to report to the office, where he was told to pack up and leave. Some coworkers were notified of their termination via email.

Compton estimates he had over $1 million worth of pending customer orders on his iPad  all now canceled.

Everything is basically canceled from what Im told. Were just done, he said.

Employees, including 200 in Massachusetts, were also informed that their health insurance coverage would end on Friday.

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Customers left in limbo, including Jim Brunner, are now wondering whats going on. He drove to the Woburn officer in search of answers.

We were supposed to have work done yesterday, starting yesterday, and nobody showed up, so I started calling all the numbers I could find, Brunner told Boston 25 News.

Brunner took out a loan to fix his bathroom. But he got lucky.

Im thankful I havent paid any money because I was going to start prepaying, Brunner said.

Boston 25 News learned that Renovo Home Partners, Newpros parent company, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, doing away with all six companies under its umbrella.

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We tried to contact a Renovo spokesperson for comment on Thursday morning, but our email bounced back.

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sought a fresh set of details from the United States government in connection with the case linked to 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Tahawwur Rana through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) process, sources said. These additional queries were raised months after Rana's interrogation, following his extradition to India, which could aid further investigation into the 2008 Mumbai terror plot. Official sources privy to the development said the MLAT request was routed through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and forwarded to US authorities via the Indian Embassy in Washington. "The information sought is expected to aid the ongoing investigation and strengthen the case against him," said the sources. Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack conspiracy, in which a total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 were injured. The move comes after the anti-terror agency filed the first supplementary chargesheet before the NIA special court, in Delhi, against Rana in connection with the case (RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI), which pertains to a criminal conspiracy hatched by David Coleman Headley, Rana and other members of LeT and HUJI to carry out terrorist attacks in different parts of India. The supplementary chargesheet, filed in July this year, pertains to the submission of documents regarding the extradition of accused Rana and additional evidence collected by the NIA. Additionally, in compliance with the court's order dated June 6, 2025, the NIA has submitted a compliance report under Section 207 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) regarding the supply of documents related to the earlier chargesheet filed in 2011. On April 10, the NIA formally arrested Rana after his extradition from the US. In a day of fast-paced developments linked to Rana's extradition, the NIA took Rana into custody on the orders of the special court in New Delhi. Rana was brought to New Delhi escorted by teams of National Security Guard and the NIA, comprising senior officials, on a special plane from Los Angeles, US. The extradition came through after Rana's various litigations and appeals, including an emergency application before the U.S. Supreme Court, were rejected. With coordinated efforts by India's Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, along with relevant authorities in the United States, the surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist was secured, and the extradition was carried out. The NIA had closely collaborated with its counterparts in the FBI, the US Department of Justice (USDoJ), and other agencies throughout the extradition process, a significant milestone in India's ongoing efforts to bring those involved in terrorism to justice, regardless of where they may have fled across the world. (ANI)
A Massachusetts man once sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole has been given parole.

Rolando Rodriguez was convicted of first-degree murder for the death of 32-year-old Kenia Melo when he was 18. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

However, in January 2024, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled in Commonwealth v. Mattis that sentencing people, ages 18 through 20 at the time of their offense, to life without the possibility of parole was unconstitutional and amounted to cruel and unusual punishment.

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Massachusetts was the first state in the country to transform the law, experts said.

Essentially, the brains of what we are calling late adolescents or emerging adults function very much like juveniles, Northampton attorney Paul Rudof, one of the lawyers who successfully challenged life sentences for individuals aged 18 to 20, told The Republican.

There were 210 cases that fell into the Mattis decision across Massachusetts, including Rodriguez.

He went in front of the parole board for the first time on May 7.

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During the hearing, the Massachusetts Parole Board talked with Rodriguez about what happened on April 13, 1997.

Melo had been working behind the counter of the store she co-owned with her husband, while her husband slept in the downstairs stockroom and her 7-year-old daughter slept on a comforter beside her.

At about 11:30 a.m., Rodriguez walked inside the store with a butcher knife and demanded money. Melo refused.

He then jumped over the counter and attempted to open the cash register but Melo fought back. The fight woke up her daughter and the two of them attempted to stop Rodriguez from opening the register.

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During the fight, Rodriguez slashed Melo across the face with the butchers knife. He later stabbed her two times in the back.

Melos husband heard the struggle and ran upstairs to see Rodriguez leaving the store. Melo was taken to the hospital, where she died one hour after the robbery.

During his time incarcerated, he completed more than 50 rehabilitative programs. And he began investing in his rehabilitative efforts well before the Mattis decision, the parole board noted. He also remained sober and had few disciplinary reports.

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Rodriguez is currently housed in lower security at Northeastern Correctional Center (NECC) and is considered exceptionally low risk. He also has a comprehensive re-entry plan, the board wrote in its decision.

But Melos family and Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Montez Haywood were against parole.

Still, the parole board had a unanimous vote to give Rodriguez parole. Rodriguez is expected to be released on parole around Nov. 22.

The courts Mattis decision has been devastating for the families of those killed as they are forced to relive the trauma, often going in front of the parole board and the incarcerated individual to make their own case.

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Families have described the process as a nightmare, stating they feel betrayed and that the system is treating murderers as victims while their own pain is ignored. One family member during a previous hearing walked out, feeling as if his side wasnt being fairly heard after the incarcerated individual was told they did a good job.

The parole board has so far granted freedom to more than 25 people, which is a significant majority of those who have had hearings and decisions released.

More on the Massachusetts Parole Board

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A 13-year-old from Everett arrested by ICE and detained in Virginia will voluntarily return to Brazil, his lawyer told MassLive.

The boy will return to Brazil with an aunt and uncle while his parents continue pursuing asylum in the United States, attorney Andrew Lattarulo confirmed on Thursday.

Lattarulo said the Department of Homeland Security agreed to the voluntary return but a judge needs to sign off on the motion.

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I dont want him waiting in a cell for his parents asylum case that can take years, Lattarulo said. I rather he waits with family and if parents win he comes back legally.

The teenager was arrested by ICE on Oct. 9 and was transferred to a juvenile facility in Virginia after the Department of Homeland Security claimed he had a gun and knife when he was initially detained. The citys mayor, Carlo DeMaria, however, said at a press conference Oct. 14 that the boy did not have a gun.

DeMaria also told reporters the citys police department was not the one that notified immigration authorities, according to WCVB.

The arrest drew outrage from Everett residents and city councilors, who demanded ICE to return the teenager. Residents held a protest against ICE was held at Everett City Hall on Oct. 14.

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Everybody should be concerned, Everett City Councilor-at-Large Guerline Alcy Jabouin said at the protest. Thats what should get us angry, as parents, as grandparents, as teachers.

More stories involving ICE

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A drunken Massachusetts woman accused of assaulting Market Basket workers and police officers in a profanity-riddled rampage intentionally clogged the toilet in her holding cell after she was arrested earlier this week, authorities said.

Market Basket brawl: Video shows 2 women accused of stealing meat fighting with checkout workers

Kristin Hartman, 54, of Tewksbury, was arraigned Tuesday in Lowell District Court on charges including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, operating under the influence of liquor, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot), vandalizing property, assault and battery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shopping cart), the Tewksbury Police Department announced Wednesday.

Officers responding to a report of a woman "yelling, swearing and causing a disturbance" at the Market Basket at 1900 Main Street in Tewksbury just before noon on Tuesday found Hartman at the customer service counter, according to police.

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A review of store surveillance video revealed Hartman had allegedly pushed one Market Basket employee and hit another with a shopping cart while hurling profanities.

Its further alleged that Hartman struck a Tewksbury sergeant with her hand and kicked another officer while resisting arrest. After she was eventually subdued and taken into custody, police say she caused another scene at police headquarters.

Upon being booked at the Tewksbury police station, Hartman continued to scream expletives and intentionally clogged the toilet in her holding cell with paper products and her prisoner shoes, the department wrote in a statement.

Police noted that Hartman was under the influence and had driven to the store.

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Hartman was released on personal recognizance on the condition that she abstain from drinking alcohol, have no contact with victims in the case, and stay away from Market Basket.

The incident in Tewksbury came just days after two women were arrested in connection with a checkout department brawl at Market Baskets West Bridgewater store.

An investigation into that incident revealed that an employee spotted the suspects concealing items in a bag while shopping, including lobster meat, prime ribeye steaks, and truffle butter, according to police.

When police say the suspects were confronted for not paying for the items, they allegedly became argumentative, screamed obscenities, and assaulted two store employees.

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Video shared with Boston 25 News showed the women swinging and smacking at the workers as they repeatedly screamed obscenities in front of dozens of customers.

Both incidents remain under investigation.

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BOSTON (WPRI)  Massachusetts has launched a new online resource hub as millions of Americans are set to lose food assistance next week.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be issued on Nov. 1.

On Thursday, Gov. Maura Healey announced the creation of the states SNAP Resource Hub, which includes information on how Massachusetts residents can both give and receive help.

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The hub also features a map that shows about how many people depend on SNAP in every Massachusetts city and town.

Massachusetts SNAP Resource Hub

Starting Saturday, more than one million Massachusetts residents and 42 million people nationwide will be at immediate risk of hunger, Healey said. Massachusetts is a place where people step up when their neighbors are in need, and I want to make sure that people who need help know where to get it, and that those who want to help know what they can do.

Healeys administration and state lawmakers are also advancing previously-planned payments to food banks and other community organizations.

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Project Bread is an organization working to fight food insecurity in Massachusetts. The nonprofit offers a free hotline that helps connect residents with food assistance. Anyone who calls or texts 1-800-645-8333 can get confidential support thats available in more than 180 languages.

The stress of not having enough to eat is real  its physical  and nobody should face it alone, Project Bread President and CEO Erin McAleer said. Whether it is finding a local food pantry, a community meal, tips to stretch a grocery budget, or assistance with SNAP applications, we are here to help everyone in the Commonwealth get through the challenging days ahead.

NEXT: What to know about food assistance during shutdown

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As thousands of Massachusetts residents brace for a potential disruption to SNAP benefits, the states veterans could be among those hit hardest.

Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans Services Jon Santiago joined Boston 25 News Now at 3 to discuss the looming food crisis and its impact on veterans. Governor Maura Healey said on Thursday that one in ten veterans in the state relies on food assistance  roughly 21,000 individuals.

Boston 25s Kerry Kavanaugh asked what happens to them come Saturday, November 1st, when SNAP is disrupted.

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Santiago said his office is already partnering with local nonprofits to expand those resources and make sure veterans dont fall through the cracks.

They also discussed upcoming Veterans Week and ways people in the community can get involved. For more information, visit here.

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SNAP benefits are in jeopardy for nearly 70,000 Rockford area residents come November. With that in mind, the Mayors Hunger Luncheon held at Veterans Memorial Hall became even more relevant than before.

Food insecurity is rising all across the country, Northern Illinois Food Bank Senior Manager Robert Desio said. Especially in these times where we have public benefits like SNAP benefits that are under threat, people are going to rely more and more on food pantries to get assistance.

The hunger luncheon is an annual event aimed to raise money for food pantries and battle hunger in the Rockford area. The event was sold out, much to the delight of Rockford mayor Tom McNamara.

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Were really excited. We have a full house and were raising money for the nine local pantries in our community. Every dollar raised today is going to those pantries, McNamara says. Were obviously seeing a tremendous amount of need in Rockford area, and that needs only going to be exacerbated when, Snap benefits begin to expire on Saturday, November 1st.

The goal was to raise around $60,000, a little over $6,500 for each pantry. Director of Social Services for the Salvation Shan Johnson says the funds raised through the luncheon go a long way.

I dont think a lot of people realize that we have no government funding, she said. Everything has been cut and so we are continually seeking to be able to pay for the food pantry and to be able to keep it stocked and to be able to keep things on the shelf. The Mayors Hunger Luncheon is a great help with all of that

Those looking to donate to the Greater Rockford Food Pantry Coalition can click the link Mayors Hunger Luncheon for more information.

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For several months, Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell has been highlighting the city's dropping violent crime rate this year. He said he already has ideas in mind for how to continue the trend into 2026.
ALCOA, Tenn. (WATE)  Knoxvilles airport sits in Alcoa. Although its categorized as a small airport, it is growing by leaps and bounds. A $700 million investment is happening now to take the airport to the next level and meet demand.

Travelers at McGhee Tyson Airport are noticing the big changes.

Maryville College: A history steeped in tradition

It has changed tremendously, and the growth is wonderful, and the new airlines coming in is a great thing, said passenger Francine Floody. We spoke with her before her departure overseas.

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The upgrades and expansion are a part of a detailed plan to help the airport meet demand better.

Last year, we saw a new record of 3.3 million total passengers. Thats outbound passengers and inbound passengers in total. And so far this year, were on pace to grow another 13% on top of that 3.3 million last year, said Patrick Wilson is the president of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority.

As those numbers swell, TYSs infrastructure has to improve.

Weve seen a lot of corporate investment in our region, said Wilson. A lot of government investment and travel with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Tennessee Valley Authority, University of Tennessee, all of those agencies are doing a lot of activity. Tourism continues to set record numbers in East Tennessee. And then weve seen a lot of in-migration of people coming to our area to live. So, the total market is growing, and that means activity at the airport is growing.

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Wilson says the authority is looking to get ahead of the projected need.

We have a 10-year growth plan that we call Flight Plan thatll expand those facilities and help us meet that regional passenger demand into the next 10 years and beyond, he said.

When you pull up to McGhee Tyson Airport you can see the work that is underway.

Very noticeable when you come onto the airport, our new parking garage and reconfiguration of our terminal roadway system. So, we have such a high volume that our terminal roads can get congested. Were going to be making some of those two-way roads to make it a little better flow. Reduce some of the volume in front of the terminal. And then an entirely new structure, a new parking garage that will include rental car facilities, public parking, a new path to get into the terminal building. So thats a very visible project on the front, said Wilson.

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If you are a regular at McGhee Tyson then you know the escalators near the main entrance were a gamble regarding if they would be working.

The past escalator, and I say that because they are being removed, is about 25 years old. So, it was put in when this building was built in the year 2000. And weve gotten the years of life out of them. Its been a long lead time on having a new escalator manufactured.

By December, the escalators should be back in business.

Looking ahead, in 2026, expect to see the expansion of the TSA checkpoints, increasing the number of lanes and making wait times shorter. Then a few years later, expect six more gates to accommodate additional departures and arrivals. Thats news to travelers ready to hit the skies to new destinations.

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And if you are ready for more food options, changes are coming to provide more variety.

We would like to have more modern concessions and more concession space. To do that, we have to expand the concourse, so it will still be a few years down the road before we have additional building space to put those in. But an improved, more modern concession program is absolutely part of our plan.

Knoxville nonprofits continue serving people with disabilities despite government shutdown impacts

For updates on TYSs Flight Plan, The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority has created a website that lays out the details of the project. https://flyknoxville.com/flight-plan/

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A man who attacked a St. John Fisher employee back in February of 2024, has been arrested for allegedly showing up on campus, in violation of an order of protection, according to the Monroe County Sheriffs Office.

Shalom Matthews, 20, of Brighton, pleaded guilty in May 2025, to second-degree attempted assault for the knifepoint attack in the Universitys School of Pharmacy. He also pleaded to third-degree stalking involving a second victim.

Matthews was sentenced to probation and was banned from being on campus and had an order of protection to stay away from the Fisher staff member.

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MCSO said he allegedly drove onto campus on the morning of October 24, and was later arrested and charged with criminal contempt (2nd) and trespass.

Matthews was arraigned in Monroe County CAP Court Thursday and released on his own recognizance.

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Meals on Wheels Atlanta is struggling to meet the growing demand for food assistance among senior citizens in the metro area due to rising costs and a small amount of government funding.

Channel 2s Karyn Greer sat down with CEO Charlene Cruscoe-Ingram to talk about what they are doing to keep up with the huge demand.

Meals on Wheels Atlanta provides medically tailored nutritional meals to over 500 seniors in the Atlanta area, Cruscoe-Ingram said. We do two meals a day for them cooked out of our commercial kitchen.

Meals on Wheels Atlanta is working to serve seniors in need. Serving one senior costs about $5,000 a year.

With costs increasing and more seniors needing assistance, Meals on Wheels Atlanta is working to continue its services.

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Were getting phone calls from our clients because some of them receive SNAP benefits and theyre concerned that they will not have enough food, Cruscoe-Ingram explained. And our response to our clients is, we will get a grocery bag to you. You will not be without food.

Meals on Wheels Atlanta spends about $5,000 annually to feed one senior  $7 per meal, $14 a day  and the organization currently serves nearly 600 seniors.

This amounts to more than $3 million a year, not including the cost of groceries or other supplies provided to seniors.

Were about at 560 seniors when you can sit at two meals a day plus a little shelf stable breakfast box that we provide. Its costly, you know, for what people are experiencing, Cruscoe-Ingram said.

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The organization is also dealing with a waiting list of 800 seniors who need assistance. Cruscoe-Ingram hopes to serve at least some of them.

If we are even coming close to pulling seniors off that wait list, we need funds. We need funds in order to do that, she said.

Meals on Wheels Atlanta continues to seek support from the community to meet the needs of its senior clients. For more information on how to help, including volunteering or donating, visit the organizations website.

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The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will release joint manifesto for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections on Friday, October 31. All senior leaders of the alliance are expected to be present at the event. The voting for the 243-seat Bihar Assembly will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11, whereas bye-elections for eight seats across seven states and Union Territories will be held on November 11. The results for both will be declared on November 14. 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). NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular), and Rashtriya Lok Morcha. On Tuesday, the Mahagathbandhan, led by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Congress, released its manifesto titled 'Bihar Ka Tejashwi Pran,' promising to pass a law within 20 days of forming government, to provide government jobs to one member of every family in the state. According to the manifesto, under the 'Mai-Behin Maan Yojana', women will receive financial assistance of Rs 2,500 per month from December 1 for the next five years. The Opposition's alliance promised to implement the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). OPS has been on the Congress agenda as the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government in Himachal Pradesh restored the OPS soon after assuming office. Congress had also included it in its manifesto for the Haryana Assembly polls. Mahagathbandhan has promised to put the Waqf (Amendment) Act on hold, and to make the management of Waqf properties "welfare-oriented and transparent". The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by Parliament earlier this year after a detailed debate, with several opposition parties opposing it. The President gave assent to the Bill on April 5. Adding to the promises for the religious minorities, the management of Buddhist temples located in Bodh Gaya will be handed over to the people of the Buddhist community. The poll promises also include an increase in the current 20 per cent reservation for the Most Backward Classes in Panchayat and Municipal bodies to 30 per cent. For Scheduled Castes (SCs), this limit will be raised from 16 per cent to 20 per cent, and a proportionate increase in reservation for Scheduled Tribes (STs) will also be ensured, the manifesto said. As per the manifesto, every family will receive 200 units of free electricity. Farmers will be guaranteed the purchase of all crops at the minimum support price, and the Mandi and Market Committee will be revived. Mandis will be opened at the divisional, subdivision, and block levels. The APMC Act will be reinstated. The alliance promised that every individual would be provided free health insurance up to Rs 25 lakh under the Jan Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan's Chief Ministerial face Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy CM candidate and Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani, Congress leader Pawan Khera and CPI(ML)'s Dipankar Bhattacharya were present at the release of 'Bihar Ka Tejashwi Pran.' (ANI)
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  A town hall in response to the distribution of leaflets claiming to be from the Women of the Ku Klux Klan at the Mechanicsburg Halloween Parade drew a significant crowd Wednesday night.

On relatively short notice, too. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission announced the event, dubbed the No Hate in Our State Town Hall, just five days before. Its goal: bring the community together against hate.

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This isnt what I thought I knew about Mechanicsburg, said Rick Heinick, a Mechanicsburg resident. He recognized the person who distributed the flyers, which the commission described as recruitment materials, might not necessarily call the area home, but they felt comfortable enough to come here, he said.

Although not to identify themselves. An email account claiming to represent the Women of the KKK sent a message saying members planned to attend the event anonymously. abc27 News has not been able to independently verify the authenticity of the email account.

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Hundreds of people against the group did not share the same reservations. Attendance was so strong, fire code forced some to sit outside the Buhrig Gathering Place, where the event was held.

Residents gather ahead of the No Hate in Our State Town Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Mechanicsburg. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, which is the states civil rights enforcement agency, held the event after someone distributed flyers for the Ku Klux Klan at the boroughs Halloween parade. Residents gather ahead of the No Hate in Our State Town Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Mechanicsburg. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, which is the states civil rights enforcement agency, held the event after someone distributed flyers for the Ku Klux Klan at the boroughs Halloween parade. Residents gather for the No Hate in Our State Town Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Mechanicsburg. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, which is the states civil rights enforcement agency, held the event after someone distributed flyers for the Ku Klux Klan at the boroughs Halloween parade. Residents gather ahead of the No Hate in Our State Town Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Mechanicsburg. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, which is the states civil rights enforcement agency, held the event after someone distributed flyers for the Ku Klux Klan at the boroughs Halloween parade. Residents gather ahead of the No Hate in Our State Town Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Mechanicsburg. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, which is the states civil rights enforcement agency, held the event after someone distributed flyers for the Ku Klux Klan at the boroughs Halloween parade.

So, lets do the list of whos targeted: all people of color, the Jewish community, the Muslim community, the LGBT community, immigrants and people with handicaps and disabilities, said Ann M. Van Dyke, from the Community Responders Network.

The list of people fighting back? Even longer.

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.
A legal services group that promotes First Amendment rights filed an emergency motion in Lehigh County Court on behalf of three Lehigh Valley news organizations Thursday, requesting the release of documents related to at least 22 criminal cases that have been kept from public view for two months.

Representing lehighvallleylive.com, LehighValleyNews.com and The Morning Call, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press (RCFP) requested that a Lehigh County judge unseal the dockets linked to an interstate drug ring that allegedly operated two labs in Lehigh County.

Among those facing charges is Lehigh County Commissioner Zach Cole-Borghi. He is charged with possession with the intent to deliver a pound of marijuana and possession of marijuana, authorities have said.

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In the motion, RCFP attorney Paula Knudson Burke argued that basic information about the defendants and their proceedings are being wrongfully kept from the public. Without those details, Lehigh Valley journalists have no way of tracking the cases without direct assistance from a court officer.

Access to the courts is protected by the First Amendment and the Pennsylvania Constitution, said Melissa Melewsky, media law counsel for the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association. Open court proceedings and public review promote fairness and confidence in the judicial system, she said.

Under certain circumstances, judges may order that some documents be off limits to protect sensitive information. In those cases, however, the order sealing the documents must be available for public review and the scope of whats being withheld must be limited, Melewsky said.

In this case, the RCFP could not locate any order sealing the documents.

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In an interview Thursday, Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said he believes the order itself is also sealed as it references sensitive information.

The dockets remain veiled even though court proceedings for at least some defendants have begun and at least 11 defendants have been released on bail. Nearly all of those defendants have been accused of working for a criminal organization, although Cole-Borghi has not.

Whats happening is extremely unusual -- and not in a good way, Melewsky said. Secret dockets are not supposed to be part of the American judicial system.

In a case brought by the RCFP last year, the Pennsylvania Superior Court found a Westmoreland County judge improperly sealed off an entire criminal docket related to an alleged murder-for-hire case. The appeals court allowed the arrest warrant to remain sealed -- prosecutors feared its release could lead to the destruction of evidence or intimidation of witnesses -- but ordered the rest of the docket be made available.

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Constitutionally mandated open courtroom proceedings are of little value if the public has no means of learning where and when they will occur or if the public is entirely unaware that a prosecution is pending, Superior Court Judge Victor Stabile said in the ruling.

Public official among those charged

On Thursday, Holihan said the dockets related to the case should remain sealed, though he declined to say why. Offering an explanation in public would reveal sensitive information that led to the dockets being sealed in the first place, he said.

We are following the law as it pertains to sealing of documents for grand jury investigations and presentments. Part of that law requires judicial approval to keep the documents sealed, which we have done, Holihan said. If the judge reverses that decision in light of any other request from defense counsel or the media, thats the judges prerogative. Our position is that were opposed to that for the same reason that weve sought to keep it sealed.

To date, Holihan has publicly identified only one defendant in the case: Cole-Borghi.

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Voters will decide whether Cole-Borghi should have a second term on the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners this Election Day, but theyre being asked to make that choice while being kept in the dark about the allegations against him. Authorities have released no information detailing the charges.

Jim Deegan, executive editor of LehighValleyNews.com, said the media organizations banded together to protect the publics right to access court records and attend open court proceedings.

Those rights are especially important given that Election Day is a few days away and that Cole-Borghi is on the ballot, he said. Voters ought to be able to learn more of what hes accused of and hear what prosecutors intend to prove in court.

This protracted secrecy surrounding court dockets is a major blow to the presumption of openness in Pennsylvanias public records, Deegan said.

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We stand with other Lehigh Valley reporters and news outlets in support of this motion and are grateful for the advocacy and substantial legal resources the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press is dedicating to this.

Deegan, lehighvalleylive.com editor Nick Falsone and Morning Call editor John Misinco reviewed the case with the RCFP on Tuesday. They collaborated on the production of this story and agreed to publish it simultaneously on their platforms.

Drug lab busts

When Hollihan announced the prosecutions on Aug. 29, he revealed that police had arrested 22 people, including Cole-Borghi. In addition, investigators destroyed two clandestine drug labs in the region and recovered at least 25 firearms; $100,000 in cash; 2,000 pounds of marijuana; THC liquid; cocaine; and MDMA pills, also known as molly, he said.

However, no new information about the case has come to light since then, including the names of the 21 other people arrested, what criminal actions those individuals allegedly performed or what type of evidence authorities have collected. These details would normally be available for public review, but the dockets remain under seal.

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At the news conference announcing the arrests, Holihan identified Cole-Borghi as one of the defendants. The county commissioner had been arrested the day before in front of dozens at Bethlehem City Hall, where he worked as a public records officer. Holihan said the reason he identified only Cole-Borghi was to dismiss rumors that he played a prominent role in the drug ring.

Bethlehem officials say Cole-Borghi no longer works for the city; he said he was fired.

Cole-Borghi has denied the charges, saying he has never sold anyone marijuana. He is free on $50,000 bail. Unlike some other co-defendants, prosecutors did not require him to prove that his bail money was not obtained through criminal activities.

Cole-Borghi said he has not been provided his criminal information, a standard court document that outlines the case against a criminal defendant.

Trail of court documents ID some defendants

Hollihan said earlier this month that members of the public could have learned more about the case when some defendants went into open court for their bail hearings. But with no open records saying when and where the hearings were happening, that would require either a lucky break or a defense attorney inviting public scrutiny of their clients alleged criminal behavior.

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Despite the fact the charges against at least some defendants have been discussed in an open courtroom setting, Holihan declined to name those defendants or detail the evidence against them.

However, the RCFP was able to locate miscellaneous bail hearing documents against 11 defendants in the case who have not been previously identified in public. An incident number on the documents links the cases together but does not explain what the defendants have to do with one another.

The Morning Call requested additional documents related to those cases from the Lehigh County Clerk of Courts this week, but a reporter was told none were available.

The 11 defendants are:

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John Barber, 25, Bucks County, is charged with possession with the intent to deliver, conspiracy to commit possession with the intent to deliver and other charges related to organized crime and racketeering. He has been released after posting 10% of his $200,000 bail.

Zachary Barr, 26, of Bethlehem, is charged with possession with the intent to deliver, conspiracy to commit possession with the intent to deliver and charges related to organized crime and racketeering. Barr was released on unsecured bail.

Asan Cherkezov, 30, of Flushing, N.Y., is charged with theft with unlawful taking, conspiracy to commit theft, possessing the instruments of a crime and charges related to organized crime and racketeering. Cherkezov has been released after posting 10% of his $250,000 bail.

Kenneth Grossman, 65, of Bethlehem, is charged with possession with the intent to deliver, conspiracy to commit possession with the intent to deliver and various racketeering charges. He has been released after posting $250,000 bail.

Leah Grossman, 34, of Upper Macungie Township, is charged with possession with the intent to deliver, conspiracy to commit possession with the intent to deliver and other charges related to organized crime and racketeering. She has been released after posting $100,000 bail.

Co Khuu, 31, of Northampton, is charged with possession with the intent to deliver, conspiracy to commit possession with the intent to deliver and charges related to organized crime and racketeering. Records indicate Khuus bail has been reduced from $750,000 to $350,000 bail but that Khuu remains at the Lehigh County Jail.

Michael Loeb, no age given, of Bucks County, is charged with possession with the intent to deliver, conspiracy to commit possession with the intent to deliver and charges related to organized crime and racketeering. He has been released on unsecured bail.

Diane Noctor, 64, Hellertown, is charged with possession with the intent to deliver, conspiracy to commit possession with the intent to deliver and other charges related to organized crime and racketeering. She was released after posting 10% of her $100,000 bail.

Shanna Noctor, 42, of Hellertown, is charged with possession with the intent to deliver, conspiracy to commit possession with the intent to deliver and other charges related to organized crime and racketeering. She has been released after posting 10% of her $50,000 bail.

Elhadji Sylla, 35, of Allentown, is charged with possession with the intent to deliver, conspiracy to commit possession with the intent to deliver and other charges related to organized crime and racketeering. Sylla has been released on unsecured bail.

Kyle Urban, 51, of Chester County, is charged with possession with the intent to deliver, conspiracy to commit possession with the intent to deliver and other charges related to organized crime and racketeering. He has been released after posting 10% of his $250,000 bail.

Read the original article on lehighvalleylive.com.
NEW YORK (AP)  For more than a decade, a Long Island wine importer named Bill DeBlasio has been receiving emails meant for another man with a near-identical name: former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Last week, he decided to respond  inadvertently setting off an international news cycle based on misinformation in the final days of New York Citys mayoral election.

After receiving an email from a reporter with the Times of London asking for his  well, de Blasio's  thoughts on Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, DeBlasio replied with a four paragraph critique of the candidates agenda, which the real ex-mayor has enthusiastically endorsed.

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I did some research on the proposals and I wrote down my thoughts and used ChatGPT to do a little fine-tuning, DeBlasio, 59, told The Associated Press. Then I forgot about it and went on vacation. I never thought it would make it into the news.

But it did.

In an exclusive story published online Tuesday night, the Times of London reported the former New York City mayor had now concluded that Mamdani's ambitious agenda doesnt hold up under scrutiny."

De Blasio, the politician, quickly disavowed the piece on social media. Within hours, it was deleted. The Times of London has since apologized, saying in a statement that its reporter had been misled by an individual claiming to be the former New York mayor."

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DeBlasio, the wine importer  whose identity was first reported Thursday by Semafor  disputes the newspapers retelling.

In no way shape or form did I call myself the mayor, he said. The reporter addressed me as Mr. DeBlasio and I answered him as Mr. DeBlasio. They accepted my quote without any vetting  now theyre blaming me?

Ive been Bill DeBlasio for 59 years, he continued. My father has been Bill DeBlasio for 85 years. My son has been Bill DeBlasio for 30 years. Its our name, you know? (De Blasio, the mayor, is 64, but has had his name for less time: He was born Warren Wilhelm Jr. and later adopted his mothers maiden name, de Blasio.)

He provided screenshots of the emails confirming the reporter had not specifically addressed his questions to the former mayor.

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Still, DeBlasio acknowledged that he hadn't gone out of his way to correct the misunderstanding: I said if you have any further questions, speak with my advisers, and I put my friends names in there.

We all thought it was absolutely hilarious, he added.

The ex-mayor does not share this view. In an op-ed published in The Nation on Thursday, he blamed the episode on a hyperpartisan journalism landscape where standards of objectivity and decency are decaying week by week.

A spokesperson for the Times of London said the outlet would not be commenting further on the mix-up.

DeBlasio, of Long Island, meanwhile, said the prank felt like fair payback for years of harassment he has endured as a result of his nominal link to the two-term mayor.

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Ive had thousands of interactions with people, angry, mean, nasty people just saying the most horrible, horrific things, he said. It got to a point where I was getting messages every day telling me how horrible of a human being I am.

At a New York Mets game years ago, DeBlasio briefly met de Blasio, who offered him an apology for the hate mail, he said.

Describing his own politics as middle of the road conservative, DeBlasio said he would likely support Mamdanis opponent, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, if he were eligible to vote in the city.

The real Bill DeBlasio endorses Cuomo, he said. You can print that.
SPRINGFIELD  In Ward 4, two of four candidates made the cut at Septembers preliminary election: incumbent Malo L. Brown and Willie James Naylor. They square off for a City Council seat on Tuesday.

Ahead of Tuesday, The Republican reached out to all candidates for the opposed City Council and School Committee seats to answer a short questionnaire.

Over the next several days, The Republican will be publishing the candidates answers to the questions in print. Find more candidates and responses at masslive.com/topic/election.

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Name: Malo L. Brown

Age: 52

Address: 888 State St.

Profession: Chief of staff in the state House of Representatives and city councilor

Position running for: Springfield City Council Ward 4 (reelection)

Introductory statement: Ive served as your Ward 4 city councilor since 2019, proudly delivering results that improve life for all our residents. From keeping local businesses like TD Bank open, to bringing a new family-owned pharmacy with fresh produce to combat food deserts and championing affordable housing. My faith and Springfield roots drive me to serve with compassion, integrity and accountability. Im especially proud of helping revitalize Ward 4 parks, supporting construction of a brand new school, and celebrating the opening of the new Ray Jordan Senior Center  a hub for health, wellness and connection. Im running for reelection to continue lowering utility burdens, improving neighborhood safety, expanding access to fresh food, and making Ward 4 a place where everyone can grow and thrive.

Question 1: What is the biggest problem in the city and how would you address it?

The biggest problem for Springfield is housing and neighborhood blight that undermines safety, investment and community pride. I would tackle it by accelerating the redevelopment of vacant and under-utilized properties, supporting the expansion of truly affordable rentals and homeownership programs, and ensuring our zoning and local infrastructure investments like parks, lighting, and sidewalks  enhance the overall quality of life, so our residents can stay, grow, and thrive.

Question 2: The City Council always struggles to keep taxes low while providing needed services and making advancements. How specifically will you balance the three?

I will balance it by targeting cost-effective investments: prioritizing infrastructure projects that yield long-term savings (e.g., energy-efficient buildings, improved parks that reduce crime and maintenance costs), working with state and federal grants to reduce reliance on property tax revenue, and focusing on smart redevelopment to broaden the tax base. That means fewer tax burdens, while still providing services and driving growth.

Question 3: The housing crisis continues to take a toll on residents and those who want to move to the city. How should Springfield attack the problem?

Springfield should attack the housing crisis by promoting mixed-income development, incentivizing affordable rental and ownership options, alongside market-rate housing, and enforcing strong propertystandards so rentals are safe and habitable. Partnering with nonprofits and developers, as well as leveraging state housing funds, we must create housing that people can truly afford, especially renters, while preserving neighborhood character and ensuring new units are integrated into existing infrastructure.

Question 4: What types of development would you like to attract to the city and how would you do it?

I want to attract family-friendly, community-centered development  especially small grocery stores, fresh-produce markets, and local businesses that fight food insecurity. Ill continue streamlining zoning and permitting, offering incentives for neighborhood investment, and using partnerships to bring essential services closer to residents. Developments like the new Ray Jordan Senior Center show whats possible when we invest in people, not just buildings  creating a stronger, more connected Springfield for all.

Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  On Tuesday, Columbus residents will select three new Columbus City Schools board members to lead after $50 million in budget cuts.

All three Columbus City Schools board members whose terms expire this year are not seeking reelection, so former board president Christina Vera, current board president Michael Cole and board member Ramona Reyes will all leave the board after this year. Voters will choose among six candidates, three of whom are running jointly.

Whoever is elected has a big undertaking ahead. The Board of Education is considering $50 million cuts, including possible closures of additional school buildings and sweeping transportation changes. Although the board will vote on changes before new members are sworn in in January, new board members may have to look at further cuts and handle the results of the current boards decisions. See previous coverage of cuts in the video player above.

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When clocks fall back in Ohio this weekend for end of daylight saving time

Even before major budget cuts, the district faced uncertainty on the board. Community members were heavily critical of school closures, with board members considering 10 closures and finalizing five. The state of Ohio also pursued legal action against the district over busing changes for private school students.

Below are the candidates hoping to join the board, many of whom are campaigning to improve relationships between the board and the community.

Janeece Keyes

Keyes is the director of provider experience for Ohios Bureau of Workers Compensation and the mother of four district graduates. She is endorsed by the Columbus Education Association, CCS teachers union. She also boasts endorsements from the Matriots PAC and The Columbus Dispatch. Keyes received 7.17% of the vote in the primary.

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Keyes is campaigning for more community involvement, including increased support for parents and teachers. She envisions more professional development and recognition to reinvest in educators. She also suggests providing workshops for parents and increased opportunities for parental involvement.

Mounir Lynch

Lynch is a product of CCS and said he has taught in nearly every CCS middle and high school during his role as health educator for Planned Parenthood. His endorsements include former employer Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, Asian American Midwest Progressives and Moms Demand Action Gun Sense, along with two individual state legislators. Lynch received 7.58% of the vote in the primary.

How government shutdown could affect child care in Ohio

Lynch attributed many of the current school boards failures to a lack of community feedback and participation in key district issues. He said he wants to create a districtwide teacher and parent advisory board to help the boards decision making. He also wants to expand arts programs and prioritize equity for all demographics of students. Lynch is also campaigning to stand with district unions, increase wages and reduce class sizes to support teachers and staff.

Kimberly Mason

Mason is a former PTO president and a higher education partnership manager with the Ohio Bankers League. She is endorsed by the Matriots PAC and Forward Ohio. Mason received 7.1% of the vote in the primary.

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Mason is campaigning for stronger workforce development for students, hoping students will graduate with a clearer career path. She is also campaigning to end corporate handouts like tax breaks that she believes drain resources away from schools and communities. Mason also wants to make the board more transparent and increase partnerships with families, teachers and community groups.

Columbus Education PAC

Patrick Katzenmeyer, Jermaine Kennedy and Antionette Miranda are running jointly under the Columbus Education PAC, although voters can vote for individual candidates. The PAC is endorsed by the Franklin County Democratic Party, the Central Ohio Labor Council, the Equity Now Coalition and OAPSE/AFSCME, Ohios public school employees union.

Ohio legislators propose state currency backed by silver and gold

Patrick Katzenmeyer: Katzenmeyer is a CCS parent and a public project planner. His interest in the board stemmed from a potential school closure in his neighborhood, and he said he is prioritizing planning, parent voices and transparency. He is one of two PAC members endorsed by the district teachers union, the Columbus Education Association. Katzenmeyer received 19.12% of the vote in the primary.

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Jermaine Kennedy: Kennedy worked as a teacher and principal, and now serves as chief program officer at the Boys & Girls Club. A CCS parent, he wants to fight for families and for equity among students. Kennedy received 18.44% of the vote in the primary.

Antionette Miranda: Miranda is a nationally recognized school psychologist and Ohio State professor who formerly served on the state school board. She said she wants to ensure all students in Columbus get an equitable education. Miranda is the second PAC member endorsed by the CCS teachers union, the Columbus Education Association. Miranda received 21.94% of the vote in the primary.

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.
When Matt Cooper found out in 2020 that the northwest Colorado coal mine where he works would close by the end of the decade, he was pissed.

Questions raced through his mind: Why didnt the mines leaders fight harder to keep it open? And why was the coal industry being singled out? Is it political? he wondered.

But coal has been declining in the U.S. for over 20 years, outcompeted by cheap fossil gas and, more recently, even cheaper renewables. Cooper eventually accepted there was nothing he could do  except plan for whats next.

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Now the coal-fired Craig Station is set to shutter in 2028, and the Colowyo mine that feeds it is halting production by the end of the year. For his part, Cooper is choosing to dig for a different kind of energy: geothermal, the renewable heat beneath our feet.

It works wonderfully well, said Cooper, a longtime Hamilton, Colorado, resident with a snowy-white goatee and a strong Western accent. Geothermal energy from the shallow earth can be tapped to superefficiently heat and cool individual buildings or even entire neighborhoods. Leveraging his ample experience operating heavy equipment at the mine, Cooper has started a new business, High Altitude Geothermal, to drill for the resource. With the startups first projects underway, hes working alongside his wife, daughter, and two sons, both of whom are also coal miners.

Others in the fossil-fuel industry could follow, finding a foothold in geothermal as clean energy takes off. Colorado plans to decarbonize its economy by 2050, and its remaining six coal plants are shutting down by the end of the decade. The Centennial States six active coal mines, which employed roughly 900 workers as of July, will likely shut down along with them.

The northwest corner of the state is the epicenter of the transition. And affected communities stand to lose not only jobs, but big chunks of their tax base. Moffat County, where Cooper lives, will be the hardest hit; Craig Station made up a third of its property taxes in 2022.

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In 2019, Colorado created the Office of Just Transition, the first state-level office in the nation dedicated to providing personalized support to coal workers and their families, as well as funding to their communities.

Small towns have this tendency to be dependent on one or two large employers, said Wade Buchanan, director at the just-transition office, which helped the Coopers connect to state agencies as they worked on their business concept. You want to help communities find a way to be more diversified, so that their fortunes are not subject to the fortunes of any single employer.

Buchanan said hes thrilled by the Coopers venture into geothermal, a tech that the state and federal government are backing with incentives. Theyre trailblazers showing the way for a lot of other people that opportunities exist.

Coals demise and geothermals appeal

Cooper still isnt happy that Colorados coal industry is sunsetting. We produce some of the cleanest coal in the nation, even if it is a fossil fuel, said Cooper, who plans to keep doing shift work at the coal mine until it closes. President Donald Trump also dubs coal clean, and Cooper reports feeling more aligned with Republicans than Democrats.

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Hes clear-eyed that change is inevitable, though, like it or not. I can't save the coal industry, Cooper said.

The Trump administration, meanwhile, has undertaken the Sisyphean task of resuscitating coal in the U.S. by, among other tactics, forcing uneconomic coal plants to keep running past their planned closure dates.

Cooper, who worked at a heat- and power-generating plant when he was in the military, isnt a fan of most forms of renewable energy. Windmills are ugly things to me, he said  a view shared by the U.S. president. He finds batteries unpalatable. And solar panels send jobs overseas, he said.

When you're buying solar panels from China, I don't think that's the right way to go. If you're going to buy the things, they ought to be built here, Cooper said. (Though perhaps not a well-publicized statistic, domestic solar manufacturing employed about 34,000 workers in 2024.)

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Geothermal is an up-and-coming energy source Cooper can get behind. Hooked up to heat pumps, its the most efficient way to warm and cool buildings.

In a geothermal system, loops of flexible pipe are installed ten to hundreds of feet deep into the ground. At these depths, the earth is a fairly stable 45 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, funneling a ready source of heat in cold weather to a buildings electrically powered geothermal heat pump. In the summer, the appliances provide air conditioning by dumping a buildings extra warmth underground.



Geothermal heat pumps are extremely efficient. They can deliver the same amount of heating as a fossil-fueled or electric-resistance system using just a fourth or even a sixth of the energy.

In northwest Colorado, you can pay $700 a month for propane to heat your house, or $400 for natural gas, said Cooper. That's a chunk of change, because our winter up here lasts about five to six months  about half a year where you're going to be heating your home. And the cold cuts like a knife: Cooper recalls winters in the area with lows in the minus 50s and 60s Fahrenheit.

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Plus, a geothermal heat pump actually helps the grid out, Cooper said. The appliances are not only superefficient but also provide warmth steadily, rather than in bursts. That reduces peaks in power demand, keeping electricity more affordable for everyone.

An economic opportunity

Geothermal systems arent yet widespread. Most people dont know the tech exists, and the up-front cost to install them is typically two to three times the price tag of an air-source heat pump or gas furnace plus a central air conditioner.

But the higher costs in northwest Colorado are partly due to far-flung geothermal drillers having to haul their equipment across the Rocky Mountains, said Cooper, whos been spinning up the startup in his off-time. I think I can keep my costs of mobilization down, and so that makes the product more affordable.

His geothermal drilling business will be the first in Moffat County and neighboring Routt and Rio Blanco counties  a region home to more than three-quarters of the roughly 1,700 workers that make up Colorados coal industry and its supply chain. The state is backing High Altitude Geothermal, providing four years of tax relief and a $40,000 grant for operations through the economic development program Rural Jump-Start.



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For now, the startup consists of Cooper and his family members. His wife, Kristine, is helping with administrative work. His daughter, Anna, handles operations. His sons, Matthew and Nathan, are drilling alongside him. Anna is also certified to do that work, so she can step in when the need arises. But as business picks up, Cooper aims to expand to a second crew and hire more people  especially other miners in the area.

Hiring displaced coal workers was part of Matt's 'why' for starting this business, Kristine said. He wanted to be part of the solution for the employment of these individuals.

Going into geothermal energy felt so right, Anna said. Its a wonderful resource that everyone has access to. Its there all the time. And its a boost to the local economy. Its really exciting ... when you have something thats so powerful.



High Altitude Geothermal has already secured its first contracts: retrofits of two homes in Moffat County. The Coopers are also bidding on two large-scale commercial projects in the municipalities of Steamboat Springs and Gunnison. They're building a future with geothermal energy, regardless of the federal push for coal.

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There's some people that are holding out that somehow Trump will be able to make coal viable again and make the power plants stay open, Cooper said. Maybe they'll be right. ... I have no idea. But my intuition is that this ball is rolling, and I don't see it stopping.

So you better just try to figure out what's next for you.


Mehdi Hasan questioned this week whether he is banned from CNN after a tense on-air moment where a panelist joked about him being killed.

A year ago today, a racist tried to make a joke about me being killed by Israel, Hasan wrote on X in response to the year-old clip.

On CNNs NewsNight, right-wing commentator Ryan Girdusky told Hasan, I hope your beeper doesnt go off, as Hasan expressed support for Palestinians. The comment from Girdusky followed an op by Israel where they planted explosives inside of beepers and walkie-talkies being used by the terror group Hezbollah.

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It was the 1st time Ive ever walked off of live TV. That night CNN said theyd ban the racist from their air. But in the year since, I myself havent been invited back on CNN. So was I banned too? The victim of the abuse, alongside the abuser? Hasan asked, tagging CNN.

"I hope your beeper doesn't go off." A year ago today, a racist tried to make a 'joke' about me being killed by Israel. It was the 1st time I've ever walked off of live TV. That night CNN said they'd ban the racist from their air. But in the year since, I myself haven't been https://t.co/ncyXXbgtgC  Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) October 28, 2025

CNN announced after Girduskys appearance that he would not be invited back.

There was a line that was crossed there and its not acceptable to me, anchor Abby Phillip said after Girdusky was removed from the show. Its not acceptable to us at this network. We want discussion. We want people who disagree with each other to talk to each other. But when you cross the line of a complete lack of civility, that is not going to happen here on this show.

Girdusky doubled down on his joke in a message to Hasan after the Zeteo founder questioned whether he was banned from CNN, telling Hasan to f*ck off.

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It was a joke, unlike when you compared gay people to pedophiles and non-Muslims to animals, he wrote. You called Trump supporters far worse on air and I didnt blink an eye, because Im not a thirsty bitch crying on Twitter for the lowest rated network to have me on.

The post Mehdi Hasan Gripes He Hasnt Been Invited Back to CNN a Year After He Was Target of Racist Beeper Jab first appeared on Mediaite.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A memo from the head of the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) said some employees could be temporarily furloughed because of the ongoing federal government shutdown.

In a notice sent to staff on Oct. 27, LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein said the agencys funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has been affected by the shutdown.

Please be aware because of the Schumer Shutdown, your job may be furloughed. In accordance with the requirements of Civil Service Rule 17.5(a), notice is hereby given of an impending layoff avoidance measure in the form of a furlough to be implemented in our department for all employees working in the SNAP Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program and roles supported with SNAP Funding, the letter said.

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What Louisiana SNAP recipients should expect on Nov. 1

To avoid permanent layoffs, the department plans to furlough some workers without pay for up to 240 hours between Nov. 3 and Dec. 2, 2025. If funding is restored sooner, employees could return to work earlier. The letter said that if the shutdown continues, the furlough may be extended with state approval.

Greenstein said the plan has been submitted to the State Civil Service for approval, and employees will receive updates once its finalized.

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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 Louisiana First News.
MSCS students living less than two miles away from their school building could gain access to busing. (Andrea Morales / For Chalkbeat)

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters

Sign up for Chalkbeat Tennessees free newsletter to keep up with statewide education policy and Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

Memphis school leaders are planning to expand student bus services to combat attendance drops caused by the recent surge of law and immigration enforcement in the city.

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Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members voted unanimously during a meeting Tuesday to approve the resolution, which says the deployment of the Tennessee National Guard and Immigration and Customs Enforcement this month has created a climate of heightened fear and anxiety for many students and their families leading to significant increases in absences from school.

This is not just about expanding a bus route; this is about protecting lives and families, said board member Michelle McKissack.

There havent been any reports of ICE activity on Memphis school campuses. But MSCS educators told Chalkbeat Tennessee that parents and students are afraid of being detained by ICE while traveling to and from school buildings. Thats caused Hispanic students in particular to miss class in recent weeks or withdraw from school.

The resolution hopes to curb those attendance effects by expanding bus eligibility to students living less than two miles away from their school building. Previous district policy designated those areas as a parent responsibility zone for transportation.

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This is not just about expanding a bus route; this is about protecting lives and families.

 Michelle McKissack, Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board

Superintendent Roderick Richmond is tasked with developing an emergency plan and budget for increased bus service in the next 30 days. Its unclear how much the expanded program will cost or how many additional buses will be needed.

During public comment, dozens of Memphis educators and community organizers pushed the district to adopt the protective measure for students and families. Lucero Amador, an MSCS kindergarten teacher, said she sees patrol cars parked along the street when she leaves work each day.

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A couple of families have withdrawn their students and claimed theyre going back to their home countries, she said. The students that do attend are living in fear.

The resolution says Richmond will also lead a study on the long-term feasibility of expanded bus routes, including cost and legal parameters.

Bri Hatch covers Memphis-Shelby County Schools for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Reach Bri at bhatch@chalkbeat.org.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.
MORGAN COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  The Alabama Department of Mental Health has completed its competency evaluation of a mother charged in the stabbing death of her 8-year-old son, court records show.

Jennifer Long is charged with capital murder in the stabbing death of her 8-year-old son, Tyler Gardiner. She is also accused of stabbing her father during the incident on Colony Lane in Hartselle on March 16, 2023.

Court records show that ADMH turned over its mental competency report to Circuit Judge Jennifer Howell on October 20. Howell filed an order on Oct. 23 saying she had received and reviewed the order, and a hearing regarding the competency evaluation would come at a later date if requested by an attorney.

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Longs attorneys requested the outpatient evaluation of her competency to stand trial back in June 2024, and Judge Howell granted the motion two days later.

According to testimony from a Morgan County Sheriffs Office investigator during a hearing in April 2023, the 8-year-old lived with his grandparents in the home on Colony Lane, and his mother, Long, had recently been staying there as well.

The 911 call, which came in around 5:30 a.m., came from her father who was at a home on Village Drive. He told responding deputies that his daughter had stabbed him at his home on Colony Lane and his grandson was still in the residence, so he asked deputies to go check on him.

An affidavit from investigators said that after entering the house deputies made contact with a female, later identified as Jennifer Long, coming down the stairs. The affidavit said deputies asked her to lie down on the ground and she complied but informed deputies that the little boy was dead.

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It said the deputies cleared the residence and located the child lying in the bed of the master bedroom dead with multiple stab wounds.

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Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday threw down the gauntlet to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), challenging them to a debate on corruption. Speaking in Srinagar, Choudhary asserted that the National Conference (NC) is willing to face scrutiny, but the BJP should be prepared to answer for its own alleged corruption. The Deputy CM demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities and violations committed by the BJP during its tenure. "The BJP should hold a debate on corruption for two hours. We will expose the BJP. If there is the most corrupt party, it is the BJP, and the BJP is simply blaming the National Conference to hide its own corruption of ten years. Our hands are clean... The CBI should investigate the irregularities and violations it committed over these 11 years...," the NC leader told ANI. The National Conference has long been at the forefront of Jammu and Kashmir's politics, and its leaders have consistently denied allegations of corruption. The BJP has not yet responded to Choudhary's challenge, but it has previously denied corruption allegations and emphasised its commitment to good governance and accountability. "Anyone who is working against the interests of India, irrespective of his religion, action should be taken against him," Surinder Choudhary said, in response to a query on J-K administration terminating services of two employees over the alleged terror links. He also spoke about the detention of Mehraj Malik, the lone legislator of the Aam Aadmi Party unity in Jammu and Kashmir. He slammed the LG Manoj Sinha administration for slapping the PSA on Mehraj Malik, the lone legislator of the Aam Aadmi Party unity in the Union Territory, "without any reason." "...Whoever did not, action should not be taken against (Innocent)...You (J-K LG Administration of Jammu and Kashmir) slapped Mehraj Malik with the Public Safety Act without any reason, owing to his argument with a DC. Therefore, two laws would not work out in India" Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Sunil Sharma on Thursday slammed the state government over alleged irregularities in tender allotments and in flood relief efforts. While walking out of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sharma questioned the delay in submitting the loss assessment report to the Indian government following the August floods. "Jammu and Kashmir suffered huge losses in August. Due to floods, poor people's houses were destroyed, crops were destroyed, horticultural land was destroyed, structures were destroyed, livestock was destroyed, and people pinned their hopes on the Jammu and Kashmir government," Sharma told ANI. "Ministers of the Indian government came here for loss assessment. The Jammu and Kashmir government was asked to submit a report. The loss assessment report has not yet been submitted to the Indian government," he added. (ANI)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz offered Turkey a deepening of bilateral relations on Thursday and expressed support for reviving Ankaras long-stalled bid to join the European Union.

As Germans and as Europeans, we must strengthen our strategic partnerships  and there is no way around a strong and deep partnership with Turkey, Merz said at a joint press conference with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

Let us make even better use of the enormous potential of our relations in the coming months and years.

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Merz began his inaugural visit to Turkey on Thursday, aiming to rebuild ties that had been strained for years. He described relations between Germany and Turkey as uniquely broad and deep, highlighting the contributions of Turkish-origin workers who moved to Germany decades ago.

The chancellor pledged German support for Turkeys EU ambitions but emphasized the need for progress on democratic standards and the rule of law.

There have been decisions in Turkey that do not yet fully meet the standards of the Copenhagen criteria, Merz said. We are in dialogue about that.

One point of contention is the arrest of Istanbuls popular mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. While Merz did not mention the case directly, he urged respect for judicial independence and the rule of law, saying he had expressed concern about the judiciary during talks with Erdogan.

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Rights activists warn that pressure on independent media, government critics, and opposition parties in Turkey has intensified in recent months.

When asked about Imamoglu, Erdogan defended the judiciarys actions: Regardless of the office held, when someone tramples on the justice system, the judicial authorities in a state governed by the rule of law must do what is necessary.

Imamoglu, a potential presidential contender, was arrested and removed from office in March. He has been held in pretrial detention without charge since then and faces new accusations, including political espionage.

His arrest triggered the largest wave of protests in Turkey since the 2013 Gezi Park demonstrations.

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The two leaders also discussed peace efforts in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, and cooperation on defense and migration.

Bilateral relations, long strained over human rights disputes, detained Germans, and Turkish military operations in Syria, have recently warmed as Ankaras regional role in migration and conflict mediation has grown.

Germany has approved a multibillion-euro deal to supply Turkey with 20 Eurofighter jets, signaling the end of years of partial arms export restrictions. Further joint defense projects are nearing completion.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is greeted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R), President of Turkey, with military honors in front of the presidential palace. Merz is on his inaugural visit to Turkey. Michael Kappeler/dpa
Calls are mounting for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to address the deteriorating rights situation in Turkey as he prepares to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on an inaugural visit.

"Today's exchange in Ankara must not merely remain one of friendly words," said the chairman of the German Journalists Association (DJV), Mika Beuster, ahead of the talks on Thursday.

He noted that numerous journalists are imprisoned in Turkey, facing terrorism charges over reporting that is critical of Erdogan's governance.

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Meanwhile, Turkish reporters in exile often require police protection, living "in constant fear of Erdogan's henchmen  even in Germany," Beuster said.

Turkey currently ranks 159th on the World Press Freedom Index of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which assesses the situation of media workers in 180 countries.

Most of the media in Turkey is directly or indirectly controlled by the government.

As recently as Friday, opposition broadcaster Tele1 was placed under forced administration shortly before its editor-in-chief, Merdan Yanardag, was arrested on espionage charges.

The German journalists' association is the latest rights group to call on Merz - who appears hopeful to rebuild relations with Turkey after a few difficult years - not to sidestep controversial topics when he meets with Erdogan.

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On Wednesday, media advocacy group Reporters Without Borders implored the German leader to clearly and publicly advocate press freedom and the rule of law during his visit.

Human Rights Watch has also called on Merz to confront democratic deficits in Turkey, including the crackdown against the largest opposition party, the CHP, which is facing myriad court cases.
The former mayor of Stonecrest, Jason Lary, was indicted Tuesday on charges related to filing false documents with the county to run for Stonecrest City Council.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

DeKalb County DA Sherry Boston announced his indictment on charges of making false statements, false swearing and false registration on Thursday afternoon.

We as elected officials have a responsibility to make sure were being honest and truthful with the community that were asking to vote us into office, Boston said.

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Lary was under federal supervision and was federally convicted for financial crimes related to stealing from COVID-19 relief programs.

Boston believes he lied when he filled out an application to register to vote after he was convicted of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the city of Stonecrest. Boston says he lied on his application to run for the city council.

In August, the former Stonecrest Mayor registered to vote and filed paperwork to run for office in Stonecrest District 5. He was later disqualified from running.

However, as part of his voter registration and candidate qualification paperwork, he said he was not a convicted felon, signing in the affirmative.

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When Channel 2s Tyisha Fernandes asked Boston, Is it a possibility that it was just a mistake, Boston says she believes he knew exactly what he was doing.

Defendant Lary signed a document affirming that he was not a convicted felon following formal challenges of his candidacy by two citizens. The DeKalb Board of Registration and Election took up the issue during the regular meeting on Sept. 10.

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At a news conference on Thursday, Boston criticized the campaign registration process.

I think its pretty bold for any elected official that has been convicted recently of a felony that was covered extensively by the media, and its no secret to anyone in the DeKalb County community, to once being released from federal prison, the first thing they decide to do is run for office, Boston said.

According to the DAs office, Lary and his attorney worked out a deal to have the former mayor turn himself in and receive a $5,000 bond if he did it by 4 p.m.

It was not immediately clear if that process had happened.

Channel 2 Action News has reached out to Lary and his attorney for comment and is waiting for a response.

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KFOR)  A man was arrested after a string of robberies at 7-Eleven stores around the metro last week.

Court documents connected 23-year-old Tavin Blevins to the alleged crimes.

It reportedly started on October 19th after 5 p.m., when a marijuana dispensary called High Times near Southwest 74th and May had someone come in and take $1,200 worth of products.

Oklahoma City Police took a report that said that Blevins allegedly walked in and went to the counter where the gummies were. He then allegedly pushed past the clerk working there and said he would stab her.

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The victim feared that Blevins had a knife and would stab her. He ended up walking out with somewhere around $1,200 worth of prepackaged marijuana flowers from the display behind the counter.

Volunteers start collecting signatures to place open primaries on statewide ballot

That was just the beginning of Blevins alleged weekend of crimes.

October 19th, he was alleged to have tried to rob a 7-Eleven near 4400 NW 63rd at about 5:30 p.m. or so. He was said to have entered the business with a black mask over his face and wearing a gray sweatshirt with Blessed on it.

In most of the alleged robberies, Blevins would threaten the clerks.

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Blevins allegedly acts as if he has a weapon in his pocket and demands money from the clerk. The clerk placed $80 in a bag and handed it over to him; he ran off.

Then, he made his way to a 7-Eleven near 1500 SW 59th, then to one near 1200 SW 29th, where he tried something similar.

He then made his way to the 7-Eleven near NW 23rd and Penn and attempted a similar transaction, allegedly walking out with around $85.

However, the clerk at the NW 23rd one called the police as the suspect ran away.

When I got off the bus coming from work, I saw the young lady working at 7-Eleven behind the counter chase the dude out the door, said Delvin Jackson. I asked her what happened, and she said I just got robbed.

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Jackson cleaned windows outside that gas station, specifically, and happened to watch the suspect run through a nearby fence.

He had some sort of car, I think, because he got away quickly, said Jackson. She wasnt scared, but she said next time, if it happens to her again. Bang, bang, bang, said Jackson.

The night for Blevins didnt stop there, though.

Canadian County Sheriff Deputy prevents a woman from giving thousands of dollars to a scammer

Records state that the clerk from the NW 23rd store decided around 3 a.m. or so to go and warn her fellow employees at other 7-Eleven stores about a serial robber.

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She went inside the 7-Eleven near NW 23rd and Macarthur to warn the clerk inside, but when she left, she noticed someone who looked familiar.

The clerk told police that was when she saw the suspected serial robber in the parking lot and headed inside the store.

She then called the police, and Blevin was found at the register, that was where he was arrested.

The same lady he robbed was the same lady who caught him, said Jackson.

Records allege that the clerk was brought to a lineup where she pointed out Blevin as the suspect.

If I could, what I would tell him is to get him a squeegee and some Windex and start cleaning some windows. Make your money the honest way like I do, said Jackson.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  The New Mexico Department of Health is encouraging residents to stay safe while trick-or-treating this year. To help keep everyone safe, NMDOH is releasing some tips to follow on Halloween night.

LIST: Food banks, pantries in New Mexico

NMDOH Office of Oral Health tips:

Healthy dinner before festivities

Dont overindulge on treats

Drink water

Brush and floss teeth thoroughly

NMDOH costume and trick or treating tips:

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Make sure you can see and costume fits well to prevent tripping and falling

Avoid-store-bought contact lenses to prevent chances of eye infections

Have an adult accompany young children

Encouraging older children to trick or treat in groups

Use flashlights or glow sticks to see or be seen, reflective tape can also help

Stay on sidewalks and look both ways when crossing the street

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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  New Mexico will provide $30 million in state dollars to ensure that low-income New Mexicans continue to receive food benefits amidst the ongoing federal government shutdown, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced on Wednesday, Oct. 29, in a news release.

This comes after the U.S. Department of Agricultures decision to suspend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for 42 million recipients nationwide starting Saturday, Nov. 1.

According to the news release, thats approximately 460,000 New Mexicans  21 percent of the states population and the highest participation rate in the nation.

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The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress have abdicated their responsibility to Americans in need, so were stepping up to help New Mexicans, said Lujan Grisham. This $30 million in state funding will ensure that families, seniors, and children who need assistance will still be able to put food on their tables in November.

The Health Care Authority will distribute the $30 million in state-funded food benefits onto existing EBT cards for eligible New Mexicans on Saturday, according to the news release.

This state funding is separate from federal SNAP funding and is intended to help feed New Mexicans through roughly the first 10 days of November.

Hunger knows no party lines. Every New Mexican needs access to food, and Im grateful the Governor is taking immediate action, said Health Care Authority Secretary Kari Armijo. We will do everything in our power to help New Mexicans navigate this uncertainty.

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The states emergency response includes the following, according to the governor:

$30 million in state funding for emergency food assistance.

Forty executive orders authorizing $750,000 each (the maximum allowed for each EO under state law) and declaring a state of emergency. The orders will also authorize the Health Care Authority to provide nutritional assistance to those otherwise eligible for SNAP benefits.

Continuing to accept SNAP applications, as benefits will be tied to application dates when federal funding resumes.

Partnering with community organizations, food banks, and schools to reach vulnerable populations.

Ive heard from constituents who are worried about how theyll feed their families next month, Lt. Gov. Howie Morales said. This $30 million investment means meals for children, groceries for seniors, and hope for families whove been abandoned by Republicans in Washington. I commend Gov. Lujan Grisham for taking decisive action.

Those enrolled in SNAP should expect the state funds by Saturday to equal roughly 30 percent of their benefit for November, with elderly and disabled recipients receiving at least $100, according to the governor.

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New Mexico is doing all it can to help alleviate suffering that Republicans in Washington are inflicting on our communities, but no stateincluding New Mexicocan afford to bridge this massive funding gap indefinitely, Lujan Grisham said. Its up to Congress and President Trump to do whats right and restore this critical nutrition funding that millions of American rely on every day.

Families can continue using funds already loaded on EBT cards. New Mexicans should continue applying for benefits at YES.NM.GOV, by calling 1-800-283-4465, or visiting any HCA Income Support Division office.

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.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, state officials, lawmakers, food bank leaders and farmers held a news conference on Oct. 29, 2025 at John Brooks Supermarket in Albuquerque. (Danielle Prokop/Source NM)

The State of New Mexico will provide $30 million starting Nov. 1 in an emergency response to counter the pending stop of federal food assistance for the first 10 days of the month, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced on Wednesday.

The state plan follows the United States Department of Agricultures recent announcement that it would stop funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at the end of October due to the ongoing federal shutdown. The agency then rebuffed requests from members of Congressincluding New Mexicos delegationto use contingency funds to guarantee no pause in SNAP benefits.

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The money comes from state emergency funds replenished during the Oct. 1 special session when lawmakers added $30 million to the states contingency fund, which the governor can spend down without needing legislative approval for disaster declarations. In this case, the governor is issuing 40 executive orders authorizing $750,000 eachthe maximum allowed under state lawto provide $30 million that the states Health Care Authority will distribute onto existing EBT cards for SNAP-eligible New Mexicans starting on Nov. 1.

The state has the highest SNAP participation in the U.S.: 460,000 New Mexico residents, or 21% of the population, and typically receives from the federal governmentthe state says$80 to $90 million monthly in SNAP benefits.

In announcing the emergency funding during a news conference at John Brooks Supermarket in Albuquerque alongside state officials, lawmakers, food bank leaders and farmers, Lujan Grisham credited the state Legislature during a recent special legislative session for setting aside funds to compensate for federal shortfall.

They came to work, she said, the opposite of a shutdown. Theyre doing their job every single day, and Republicans in Congress should do their damn job in the same way that our legislators, bipartisan, are standing up for New Mexicans.

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NM House Speaker Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) called the denial of SNAP disbursements a manufactured crisis by the Trump Administration during the news conference.

Trump has the ability to fund SNAP through money thats already been appropriated, theyre choosing not to, Martinez said. What theyre telling the American people and what theyre telling New Mexicans is that they have to choose between their health care or putting food on the table.

House Speaker Javier Martinez (D-Albuquerque) speaks with onlookers before the news conference on Oct. 29, 2025. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM)

Members of New Mexicos all-Democratic congressional delegation this week introduced legislation that would require USDA to continue funding SNAP.

The governor said state officials are evaluating options for addressing needs after Nov. 10 and said another special legislative session is one of the options. She also acknowledged the possibility that the USDA could reverse its position and release funding.

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The funding is intended to act as a bridge, HCA Secretary Kari Armijo said during the news conference, to cover approximately 30% of residents benefit for November; the elderly and disabled recipients will receive at least $100. Armijo said the agency will be sending a lot of messages out to our customers in the next couple of days, making sure that they understand what theyll see on those EBT cards.

Armijo told Source NM after the news conference that EBT cards will work the same way as they have.

When people swipe their SNAP card, it draws against an account, typically thats the federal account, but theyre going to draw against the states account for the first 10 days in November.

Armijo said the state is setting aside a small portion of the $30 million in funds for people with the greatest need  but that other SNAP applications will likely be processed in December or after the reopening of the federal government.

From right, Health Care Authority Secretary Kari Armijo and Santa Fe Food Depot Executive Director Jill Dixon before the announcement of $30 million in state funds to supplement federal food assistance suspension come Nov. 1. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM)

The state will also continue to accept SNAP applications, and partner with food banks, schools and other organizations, a news release from the governors office said.

We have all worked together with our Legislature, with the governors office, for years, to build this incredible system of support for New Mexicans, The Food Depot Executive Director Jill Dixon, who also serves as president of the New Mexico Association of Food Banks, said during the news conference. And gosh, my heart is racing. This is the best day Ive had in weeks. New Mexicans rise together. We take care of each other. We believe in community and reaching out to one another when times are really hard. Ive seen that again and again in 13 years of food banking, but I have never seen a day like today.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  A New Mexico Tech professor says he vomited for hours when he spilled liquid nicotine on himself back in the 70s. And when he replicated the experience  twice, just to be sure  he nearly died. But through the sickness, he was able to confirm that nicotine can be absorbed through the skin. And with that discovery, he went on to create a life-saver for smokers trying to kick the habit.

Dr. Frank Etscorn is the man behind the nicotine patch. The invention was a bit of a happy, albeit stressful, accident. At the time, Etscorn was focused on an entirely different project. Youre introduced to a food that youve never tasted before. You eat it, you sample it, smell it, you say, man, this is really, really good,' said Etscorn. And then 10 hours later, you get a stomach virus. Youve had many things happen in that 10-hour interval  maybe some new food, some familiar food, but that stomach virus made your stomach upset. Heres what will happen. You will connect it to that novel food  that it made you sick, and you will become flavor-averse to it. And thats what I did for a living.

That is to say, Etscorns research at the time revolved around flavor aversion that happens after nausea. Given the nature of his studies, Etscorn was in need of something that stimulated vomiting. Thats why he was walking through the New Mexico Tech lab with a giant bottle of liquid nicotine. And I tripped on a cable and poured it down my arm and threw up for eight hours and lost 15 pounds, says Etscorn. So thats how it initially came about. I replicated it, almost killed myself. I replicated it once more and came very, very close to killing myself.

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By the third case of nicotine poisoning, Etscorn was able to confirm that yes, the substance can be absorbed through skin. Not long after, he published his findings and went on to patent what was known as the Habitrol Patch. Since then, the patches have become a popular way to quit cigarettes. Smokers who use them receive a steady dose of nicotine, which partially disconnects the reward of smoking, according to a Duke study. Its been compared to eating while hungry, as the pleasure is diminished and so the behavior is not as reinforcing.

To Etscorn, New Mexico Tech was the ideal place for this type of random discovery. I had offers at other places and then our next-door neighbor was from Albuquerque, and I said, what do you know about this little school, New Mexico Tech? I got a visit offer,' said Etscorn. He said, you need to go there because theyre as crazy as you are. And I went to New Mexico Tech They let me do anything I wanted to do. They gave me the freedom to do wild research.

And if youre working in an innovative field, or hoping to, this is the advice Etscorn would like to offer: Keep trying. Dont let anybody knock you down here. Keep trying if you think youve got a good idea.

Etscorn has since retired, but in his downtime, he focuses on epigenetic research.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan Democrats held a virtual news conference on Thursday to urge GOP lawmakers to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, warning of disastrous health care price hikes that will spike premiums.

Michigan Democrats report that Rep. Debbie Dingell was joined by Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, Curtis Hertel, and Traverse City business owner and ACA Marketplace enrollee, Jodie Schanhals.

The open enrollment period for ACA begins this upcoming weekend, running from November 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026.

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Republicans have to go back to work in Washington. I hope Speaker Johnson calls us all back, we reopen the government, and they do something so that millions of Americans dont lose their health care, said Dingell in a news release sent to 6 News.

Mike Rogers, John James, Tom Barrett, and every Michigan Republican in Congress backed the toxic agenda thats causing health care costs to skyrocket, said Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Curtis Hertel in a news release sent to 6 News.

6 News has reached out to MIGOP and is waiting for a response.

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 WLNS 6 News.
A milk carton with a 'missing' poster of U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township) that supporters of Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt brought to Michigan Republican Party gubernatorial debate in Sparta, Mich. James was invited but did not attend. Oct. 29, 2025 | Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance

What are the biggest regulatory hurdles in Michigan, how should the states Republicans craft policy to undo the gains of the Whitmer years, and just where was U.S. Rep. John James?

Those were just a few of the questions parsed Wednesday by Michigans Republican candidates for governor in one of three early debates scheduled 10 months out from the August primary.

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The candidates who attended the event, which was as much a debate as it was a GOP fundraiser, were Genesee County truck driver Anthony Hudson, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, pastor Ralph Rebandt, former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard, and anti-property tax advocate Karla Wagner.

At least 200 people attended to the Michigan Republican Party gubernatorial debate in Sparta, Mich. Oct. 29, 2025. | Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance

Not in attendance was James. The Shelby Township Republican was notably missing, despite being invited to the event and featured on the partys promotional materials.

The James campaign, hours before the fundraiser, said he would consider a primary debate with his fellow candidates once the field whittles down and will be speaking to Michiganders in the meantime.

Instead of attending the debate, James appeared on FOX 2 Detroits The Pulse with reporter Roop Raj.

Fired up to be back with @rooprajfox2, talking about making Michigan safe and great again! My family came to this incredible state for opportunity, but now that dream is slipping away for too many. Soaring costs and rising crime are hurting our communities. Lets take back pic.twitter.com/cMtyqr4a8P  John James (@JohnJamesMI) October 30, 2025

Meanwhile, back at the debate, Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad said the event was sold out, filling the nearly 200-seat Apple Valley at Sunset Ridge venue in Sparta, Michigan, located just north of Grand Rapids.

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Each of the candidates were given instructions to stick to the topics at hand and not throw jabs at one another for a clean debate.

Adherence to that request lasted all of one minute, with Nesbitt and Cox hitting James for not showing up right out of the gate.

I want to thank my colleagues for actually showing up here, Nesbitt said in his first response. The first step of winning next year is actually showing up.  Its unfortunate that John James decided not to show up today, and after two times that hes lost statewide, I think its going to be important. If we dont figure it out, that next year is [going to be] the third time.

Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox answers a question at the Michigan Republican Party gubernatorial debate in Sparta, Mich. Oct. 29, 2025 | Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance

Adding to the shade were a pair of milk cartons sitting at Nesbitts supporter tables, each with missing announcements featuring James.

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Cox said, Amen to Brother Aric.

We dont grow Michigan by electing people who dont show up to work, by electing people who are abandoning President Trumps majority in the House and now abandoning all of you, Cox said.

With that, the debate began. Here are a few of the key responses to questions posed to the candidates who did attend. The questions are in bold and the candidates responses follow.

How would you grow Michigans population?

Nesbitt: You got to have a governor that takes an ax and burn down that red tape to actually allow businesses to succeed and work here. If were going to make it here in Michigan, that means we got to lower the cost of insurance, lower the cost of government, lower the cost of taxes, so that our families, our business owner[s], most importantly, our kids, can actually make it here in Michigan.

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Cox: Number one, we eliminate the tax on work, the income tax, because the nine fastest growing states, not only by wage growth, not only by job growth, but population growth, have all eliminated the tax on work, the income tax. Prosperity results when you do that.

Wagner: Everybody knows what Im going to say, right? Property tax elimination. We need to eliminate property taxes in the state of Michigan. I see this as the only solution to the loss of our businesses, our people and our revenue out of the state. When the people prosper, the state will prosper.

Rebandt: [People] want affordable housing and  removing property tax will make homes more affordable. [Residents are] looking for an environment to raise a family.

Hudson: Im a big advocate for getting rid of property taxes, but for different reasons. Its going to happen somewhere, folks.  Why cant we do it here in Michigan first? Why can we be a leader? When you eliminate property taxes, its not just for the residents, its for these businesses. Youre telling the rest of the country, Hey, Michigan is open for business.

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Leonard: First and foremost, we need to make Michigan a Right to Work state, again. When Right to Work was repealed a couple of years ago, we were 36 out of 50. Not good enough, but its a lot better than the 49 out of 50 we are now. We were actually at the national average for unemployment. Now we are 1.4% higher. Bring back Right to Work, eliminate the income tax.

Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidates Ralph Rebandt, left, and former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard, right, wait to take the stage at the Michigan Republican Party gubernatorial debate in Sparta, Mich. Oct. 29, 2025 | Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance

How would you change Michigans education system to ensure the state is no longer one of the lowest performers in fourth grade reading levels?

Cox: We spend $21 billion every year, and our outcomes are in the bottom five. So its not really money.  I would issue an executive order opting Michigan into President Donald Trumps school choice tax credit. I would push for greater school choice, and I mean public, private and homeschool.

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Wagner: I dont think that we need to do that. I think that maybe the teachers need to be graded on how well the kids do. Maybe the schools need to be graded on how well the kids do. We absolutely have to make it easier for people to home school their kids, send them to Christian School.

Rebandt: This is going to sound pretty radical. I know some of you probably said, I dont know how to teach my kid trigonometry. But you know what? You can teach your kids, sex ed. Im not sure we need to have that in the public school system. I would recommend that we remove that.

Hudson: Im actually the radical one here, because we have 539 school districts in the state of Michigan. I actually propose we cut that down to 83, with one county school district for all the schools in that county.  No more indoctrinating kids. Your son can stay your son. Your daughter can stay your daughter. And if you have a furry, they can stay home. We dont allow pets in public schools.

Leonard: Let me be clear here, we cannot expect any teacher with a classroom of 30 students to make certain that theyre all reading at a proficient level. They need help, targeted support.  I believe Michigan ought to have the highest paid teachers in the entire country. But you know what? It should be based on merit, not just because theyre there another year. Pay the good ones well, get rid of the bad ones.

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Nesbitt: Governor Gretchen Whitmer has made it tough for our kids to make it here in Michigan, and believe me, Jocelyn Benson aint going to make it any better. Shes going to be worse. Im going to stand with President Trump, on day one, as your next governor, to make sure all kids have a choice, all parents have a choice, because we have to be able to trust parents.

Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt answers a question at the Michigan Republican Party gubernatorial debate in Sparta, Mich. Oct. 29, 2025 | Photo by Ben Solis/Michigan Advance

Would you deploy the Michigan National Guard to the southern border if asked by Trump?

Cox: I would do so if asked by the president.  A lot of people ask me today about whether I would accept the help of Donald Trump to fight crime in Detroit and other cities. And the answer is absolutely.

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Wagner: We have a northern border where we have crack going through there. So, I think at the presidents order  to send people there because they needed the extra help or relief for a short term, I could see doing that. But I think Id like to keep my National Guard in here, in Michigan, as much as I can.

Rebandt: I certainly would. I completely support his policies.  I would obviously give some thought to some things that he might ask, but that is one that I would do because I am a part of a 50 state country and they need our help over there. But I have to say that we are a border state, and we certainly want to protect our own people here.

Hudson: If the president thought it was necessary to ask me, the governor of Michigan, for our National Guard troops, I would send them. Hell, I would even authorize them to go to Dearborn so we can protect the people of Dearborn from Sharia law [and] all the crap happening today.

Leonard: We dont need to. The president did what he had to do, he came in the first couple months and he secured the southern border.  I certainly would accept the Presidents help. I would accept National Guard troops coming here, as long as Detroits one of the most dangerous cities in the country and as long as we have a crime problem, I would certainly accept that, but weve got to keep our resources here.

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Nesbitt: President Trump will have a partner with Aric Nesbitt as governor. Period. Paragraph.  Im going to join with him to ban sanctuary cities here in the state of Michigan, and make sure that our cities and our country is safe again.

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Aam Aadmi Party Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj on Thursday accused the Delhi government of squandering crores of taxpayers' money on the cloud seeding initiative, terming it as a "pointless drama". Speaking to ANI, Bharadwaj claimed that multiple expert agencies, including the Environment Ministry, CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board), IMD (India Meteorological Department), and CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management), had earlier advised that artificial rain was not feasible in Delhi during this season and could even pose health risks. "Clearly, the Delhi government wasted crores of taxpayers' money on a pointless drama. There were expert opinions from the Environment Minister of the Centre government, the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board), the IMD (India Meteorological Department), and the CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) that artificial rain is not possible in Delhi during this season, and that people might get diseases as a result," the AAP leader said. "When the Delhi government received this report 6 to 8 months earlier, then how could it spend money on it? CM Rekha Gupta should answer this," Bharadwaj said further. Cloud seeding is an advanced weather modification science, intended to trigger or enhance rainfall from suitable clouds by introducing selected particles--such as silver iodide or sodium chloride--using aircraft or other means. The Delhi Government completed two consecutive cloud seeding operations as part of its robust air quality management strategy. The cloud seeding scheduled to be held on Wednesday in the national capital was put on hold, given the insufficient moisture in the clouds. According to a statement issued by IIT Kanpur, the process is highly dependent on the right atmospheric conditions. "While rainfall could not be triggered yesterday because moisture levels were around 15 to 20 per cent, the trial delivered valuable insights," the statement read. IIT Kanpur said that the monitoring stations set up across Delhi captured real-time changes in particulate matter and moisture levels. "The data shows a measurable reduction of 6 to 10 per cent in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, indicating that even under limited moisture conditions, cloud seeding can contribute to improved air quality. These observations strengthen our planning for future operations and allow us to better identify conditions where this intervention can deliver maximum benefit. Such learnings form the foundation for more effective deployments ahead," the statement read. (ANI)
(The Center Square)  The Republican-led Michigan House has passed a bipartisan bill package looking to encourage the use of nuclear energy in the state.

This will be done largely via tax incentives and taxpayer-funded grants.

The plan was first proposed by State Rep. Jamie Thompson, R-Brownstown. She hailed its passage as a great victory for Michigan and its citizens.

Our state has long had significant manufacturing prowess, and these bills would create jobs and opportunity in the energy sector, Bierlein said. As this evolving technology continues to come online, job providers are going to be looking to states that have the proper foundation in place  with operational know-how, a workforce and adequate facilities  to accommodate production. Through these bills, we can assemble that foundation.

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House Bills 4124-29 lay out a number of different corporate tax credits specifically for small modular nuclear reactors  education grant programs and employment incentives.

House Democrats have also expressed support for the plan, with some even sponsoring or joining as co-sponsors. They argued its passage will establish Michigan as a leader in clean, reliable energy technology.

This package will help advance nuclear technology and build the talent pipeline that will power Michigans energy future, said state Rep. Joey Andrews, D-St. Joseph. Andrews sponsored one of the bills. By creating educational opportunities in the nuclear and hydrogen energy fields and providing pathways for students to stay, grow and build their careers right here at home, were positioning Michigan at the forefront of energy innovation and workforce development, securing a prosperous future for our state.

According to fiscal analyses conducted by the state in the spring, the bills would cost the taxpayers an estimated:

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 House Bill 4124: A drop in state revenue by about $2.5 million annually starting in 2026.

 House Bill 4125: Unclear increased costs for the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

 House Bill 4126: Creation of the Nuclear and Hydrogen Education Grant Program Fund with unspecified associated costs or a revenue source.

 House Bill 4127: No fiscal impact.

 House Bill 4128: An indeterminate loss in state revenue. The bill would prohibit a taxpayer from claiming a credit for more than 10 years and limit the total credit claimed for an individual taxpayer to $10 million.

 House Bill 4129: Unclear increased costs for the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Creation of the Nuclear and Hydrogen Graduate Attraction and Retention Program Fund with unspecified associated costs or a revenue source.

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This is the second time the six-bill package was introduced, after it stalled in the legislature last year.

This time, the bills passed out of the House Energy Committee with overwhelming bipartisan support. On Tuesday, they also passed the House. They have now been referred to the Senate for consideration in its Energy and Environment Committee.

Multiple environmental groups have expressed concern with the bills. The Michigan Chapter of the Sierra Club is one of those. It submitted testimony in March expressing its opposition to the bill package.

While proponents claim small modular nuclear reactors are a clean and innovative energy solution, the reality is that they are an expensive, unproven technology that diverts critical public funds away from more cost-effective and immediately available renewable energy options, said Tim Minotas, Sierra deputy legislative and political director. Rather than subsidizing an industry with an uncertain future, our state should invest in proven, rapidly deployable clean energy sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, and battery storage.

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Supporters of the legislation said that these incentives will help advance nuclear and hydrogen energy as the next generation of energy for Michigan. Some even say it could be Michigans only energy option moving forward.

In the U.P., small modular reactors are our most likely pathway forward, said state Rep. Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River. With the ridiculous new green energy mandateswhich will never workbeing forced here in Michigan, paired with the unreliability and astronomical expenses associated with wind and solar energy production, unique production methods like SMRs will be our only option. These units are portable, reliable and will secure consistent and affordable energy production in even the most remote corners of the U.P.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The Michigan Labor Caucus introduced a bill package aimed at reforming workers compensation standards. State Representatives Brenda Carter and Joey Andrews joined industry leaders and experts to discuss the proposed reforms.

Members of the Michigan Labor Caucus held a news conference at the Democratic Press Conference Room in the Anderson House Office Building.

State Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) speaks at MI Labor Caucus presser (WLNS)

When someone is injured on the job, they shouldnt have to fight through red tape. Our goal is simple to return to previous law and make certain that our workers compensation system protects every worker, not just the powerful few, said State Representative Brenda Carter.

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Attorney Robert J. MacDonald from the Michigan Association for Justice and Jeff Breslin, President of the Professional Employee Council of Sparrow Hospital and the Michigan Nurses Association, also participated in the event.

Labor Caucus to Host Press Conference Introducing Workers` Compensation Package (WLNS)

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 WLNS 6 News.
Michigan lawmakers took a major step to blunt the impact of the federal shutdown on food assistance Oct. 30, with the Michigan Senate voting on a supplemental spending measure to provide emergency funding for those facing a looming pause in their benefits.

Senate Bill 182 would provide $50 million to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for emergency food assistance, prioritizing those facing the "greatest level of need." The bill received bipartisan support in the Democratic-led chamber. It will next head to the GOP-led Michigan House for consideration. Gov. Gretchen Whitmers signature would be required to finalize the spending plan.

"Today, in the State Senate, our Majority did our part to help," said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, in a statement.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service recently directed the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to pause the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) starting in November, forcing food pantries to scramble to try to fill the gaps and state lawmakers to weigh action. Under the Michigan Senate plan, state funding could only be used if the federal food assistance funding expires. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is part of a multi-state lawsuit challenging the decision by President Donald Trump's administration to withhold contingency funding for SNAP during the shutdown. Whitmer and Michigan lawmakers have also called on the White House to insulate SNAP during the spending showdown in Washington, D.C.

Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, blasted the vote, explaining that under the Michigan Legislature's procedure, the state House couldn't take it up until next week after the pause in SNAP benefits is slated to take effect. "There was no way for it to be acted on in time for the need," Hall said during an Oct. 30 news conference. He generally criticized the idea that state lawmakers should step in to fund federal benefits impacted during the shutdown. "We don't have the resources to fill every single one of these program holes indefinitely," he said.

Michigan receives on average $260 million a month from the federal government for the nearly 1.4 million people in the state who receive SNAP benefits, according to State Budget Office Director of Communications Lauren Leeds.

Democrats in the Michigan House of Representatives have unveiled their own plan to provide supplemental state funding for SNAP. Their bill introduced Oct. 30 would appropriate $600 million in state funding for SNAP benefits. The funds would come from previously funded state projects that have lapsed. Two separate bills would provide an additional $12.5 million to the Food Bank Council of America and food pantry programs, respectively, from the General Fund, the state's largest pot of discretionary funding.

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With the timeline for ending the federal government shutdown and its impact on SNAP benefits unclear, that funding will give philanthropy the resources it needs in case SNAP funding runs out, according to Tracy Wimmer, a spokesperson for the House Democratic Caucus.

More: Michigan House Democrats unveil plan to fund SNAP amid federal government shutdown

The legislation that passed the Michigan Senate would also appropriate $10 million to MDHHS to distribute surplus produce to low-income residents in the state and another $10 million for grants to food banks. Finally, the legislation would appropriate $1 million for the Double Up Food Bucks program for SNAP recipients that helps them buy more produce.

Those opposed to the Michigan Senate's supplemental spending measure are all Republicans: state Sen. Joe Bellino of Monroe, state Sen. Dan Lauwers of Brockway Township, Minority Leader and gubernatorial candidate Aric Nesbitt of Porter Township and state Sen. Jim Runestad of White Lake who serves as Michigan GOP chairman.

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Meanwhile, Whitmer announced in a news release Oct. 30, that State Budget Office Director Jen Flood directed MDHHS to provide $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan, a statewide organization that aims to relieve hunger.

Hall celebrated the funding, which he said comes from the recently approved state budget as a better alternative to the supplemental spending measure passed by the Michigan Senate. The money will help food banks facing increased demand, and he indicated similar funding in the future could be considered as the shutdown drags on.

Whitmer Press Secretary Stacey LaRouche has not provided comment when asked whether the governor supports a supplemental spending measure to fund SNAP with state dollars during the federal government shutdown.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

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Is the federal shutdown affecting you? We'd love to connect. Reach out at votervoices@freepress.com.

Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan lawmakers vote on emergency food assistance bill
SPARTA, Mich.  Just more than a year before the 2026 election, Michigan Republicans gathered in Sparta for a debate between candidates vying to be the partys choice for governor next year.

While the six gubernatorial hopefuls participating in the Wednesday, Oct. 29, debate discussed how to boost Michigans lagging population growth, which taxes to slash and about reinstating a Right to Work law, some also took aim at another candidate for not debating.

Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidates debate on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at Apple Valley Events, in Sparta, Mich.

U.S. Rep. John James, notably, didnt participate in the debate. James, who is in his second term in Congress, is considered a potential frontrunner for the GOP primary next year, having built up name recognition through statewide campaigns in 2018 and 2020, when he unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate. There hasnt been a wealth of public polling on the Republican race, however, with the primary election not taking place until August.

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The Republicans who participated in the debate held in Sparta, a community of around 4,300 residents twenty minutes north of Grand Rapids, were quick to point out the elephant not in the room.

State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, of Lawton, noted James had previously run twice for U.S. Senate in Michigan, losing both times. Nesbitt cautioned the crowd against a third statewide run for James. Former Attorney General Mike Cox also went after James for not attending the debate, saying James is abandoning President Trumps majority in the House by running for governor.

Hannah Osantowske, James campaign communications director, said James was the frontrunner. She touted James' fundraising haul since launching his campaign and said recent polling indicated James is a favorite in the race, although the campaign didn't provide any polling.

John will consider a primary debate once the field is set and will be speaking directly to Michiganders in the meantime, Osantowske said in an email. The filing deadline for gubernatorial candidates is in April.

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Despite James absence, the six candidates who did participate in the debate discussed a bevy of policy items, telling a crowd of more than a hundred guests how theyd lead the state if elected. Most questions yielded answers from the candidates that didnt differ by much, although some candidates tried to stake out lanes where they could.

Following educational models

Candidates said Michigan should follow models adopted in other states that have turned around poor educational performance. Tom Leonard, a former Michigan House Speaker, said classroom sizes in K-12 schools need to be curtailed. He also said teachers should be paid based on performance.

We cannot expect any teacher in a classroom of 30 students to ensure theyre reading at a proficient level, Leonard said. Both Leonard and Cox cited Mississippi as an example for Michigan to follow, saying the southern state has boosted lagging test scores.

Other candidates invoked culture war issues. If were going to teach the ABCs, the 26 letters of the alphabet, weve got to get out the DEI, weve got to get out the 26 pronouns, Nesbitt said, echoing conservative concerns about sex education in classrooms.

Going after corporate incentives

Candidates also criticized the states economic incentive programs. Businesses that were offered incentives from the state, sometimes grants worth hundreds of millions of dollars, have failed to deliver job numbers promised to get the incentives. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation recently pulled a $125 million grant for an electric vehicle battery factory in Mecosta County, after saying grantee Gotion failed to construct the plant. Gotion has blamed local opposition to the project for delays.

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Anthony Hudson, a candidate from Genesee County running for statewide office for the first time, argued Michigan needs to stop writing ghost checks to companies promising jobs without delivering them. Leonard likened the states current approach to picking winners and losers.

Boosting slow population growth

Only West Virginia has shown a slower population growth rate than Michigan over the past decade. Michigans inability to attract new residents, state leaders say, has led to less representation in Congress and puts the state at risk of missing out on economic opportunities.

Candidates proposed eliminating regulations for businesses wanting to open in Michigan. Three candidates, Hudson, Karla Wagner and Ralph Rebandt, proposed eliminating property taxes.

We have to make Michigan affordable for businesses, homes and certainly for our farmers who grow our food, said Wagner, whos been a leader of the Ax MI Tax proposal to eliminate property taxes in the state.

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There was also agreement among candidates to reinstate Michigans Right to Work law. In 2023, Democrats in the state Legislature repealed the law, which allowed workers in union shops to opt out of paying labor dues.

The debate held Oct. 29 was the first of three scheduled by the Michigan Republican Party, with future dates set for Roseville on Nov. 4 and Traverse City on Nov. 20.

One topic that didnt come up during the debate: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggans independent gubernatorial campaign. Duggan, a longtime Democrat, surprised political prognosticators when he entered the race as an independent earlier this year. The Republican Party largely has not matched Democrats' relentless attacks on Duggan even though at least one survey of Michigan voters indicated Duggan doesn't just draw support from Democrats. He enjoys support from GOP voters too.

Leonard, speaking to reporters after the debate, said Republican candidates should not get complacent due to Duggans presence in the race.

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I think there are too many Republicans out there right now that are convinced that Mike Duggan is going to deliver the governorship to Republicans next November, he said.

Staff writer Clara Hendrickson contributed.

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Republicans debate governor credentials ahead of 2026
Michigan's public schools, long a refuge for children in need of a consistent breakfast and lunch, are searching and scraping to help feed children outside of school hours if federal nutrition assistance benefits are paused Nov. 1.

"I'm very worried," said Camille Hibbler, superintendent of Ferndale Public Schools, a district where 54% of students are considered economically disadvantaged. "This will impact a large part of my student population. ... We're already reaching out to families making sure they know they can tap into us as a resource."

Administrators, including Hibbler and other education leaders, are worried about how hungry students will show up to school: tired, angry, unfocused  simply not equipped to learn.

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Schools have long bridged hunger gaps for families by serving free breakfast and lunch to students from homes where parents and caregivers struggle to put food on the table. The state in recent years has doubled down on that service, making breakfast and lunch universally free for students, regardless of income. Now, as more than a million Michiganders could see food assistance benefits lapse due to the federal government shutdown, school leaders are anticipating even more pressure to feed kids.

Between a lawsuit from state attorneys general and attempts to supplement the program locally, developments are fast-moving.

A student gets veggies for his spicy chicken sandwich during lunch at Hamtramck High School in Hamtramck on April 7, 2022.

There's evidence to suggest a substantial number of public school students will be affected: 50% of students in Michigan are economically disadvantaged, a metric calculated by counting students eligible for the federal free and reduced lunch program due to household income, students whose families receive food assistance, homeless students and migrant students.

School leaders said they might lean more heavily on frameworks already in place to help feed kids outside school hours, including after-school snack programs and community-led programs where volunteers pack bags with food to send home with kids over the weekend. But there's also concern that these programs, some funded by private donations and not used to such demand, will be financially squeezed.

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"We're also just, in many ways, under-resourced," said Chris Burkhalter, who organizes a weekend meal program for seven Dearborn schools. "We're always kind of moving along one month at a time. I'm always worried that the next grocery order  I want those checks to clear so we can do it."

Tammy Inch, 45, helps breakdown cardboard boxes during the Weekend Food Program at the Hospitality House Food Pantry in Commerce Township on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.

Burkhalter said more schools have requested his program, Blessings in a Backpack, than they can afford. Blessings in a Backpack is a national nonprofit that has several locally run outposts through Michigan, including Dearborn, Royal Oak and Lake Orion

Leaning hard on community

June Altom is president of the School Nutrition Association of Michigan and director of food and nutrition services at Countryside Academy, a charter school in Benton Harbor. She said her school is gearing up to serve more breakfast to students as family food budgets are ravaged by the loss of benefits. Lunch participation might increase, too.

Budgets are already feeling the squeeze, Altom said. Even families who receive SNAP benefits struggle toward the end of the month when the benefit runs out.

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Deanne Kelleher, director of the Michigan Department of Education's Office of Nutrition Services, has been ramping up outreach to public schools to point to resources for families. Kelleher said schools can even make some improvements to their free breakfast and lunch programs, like considering when they're serving the food. Some schools serve breakfast before school starts, but they likely can serve more hungry students if they wait until after. Schools that do this usually deliver breakfast to classrooms.

"Is there an option for students to have breakfast after the bell?" she said.

Trays are started for students before lunch at Wilcox Elementary School in Holt on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. Students at the school are supplied with free lunches as part of the Michigan School Meals project, which makes breakfast and lunch free for all students in public schools.

Another resource: the U.S. Department of Agriculture's after-school snack program, which operates in some schools and offers students snacks and enrichment activities. Though it is a federally funded program, funding continues, Kelleher said.

Kelleher also shared information about the Emergency Food Assistance Program, where food is distributed through community action agencies, food banks, pantries and other organizations. A map of emergency locations can be found on the state's website. These resources are open not just to students. Staff may be going hungry too, Hibbler said.

Two days a week without school meals

Then, there's the weekend: a two-day or more stretch in which students can't rely on their cafeteria for a meal.

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Organizations scattered across the country have existed for decades trying to cover the weekend hunger gap. Burkhalter spends every Friday filling bags with food for Dearborn students through Blessings in a Backpack.

Dearborn's program is supported by donations through churches, community members and other individual donors. The group purchases groceries and assembles the bags of shelf-stable food to go out to kids on Friday: The bags often include a box of mac and cheese, canned tuna, fruit cups, granola bars and oatmeal. The looming pause in food assistance has been on Burkhalter's mind.

"We do think a disruption like this is going to cause families who didn't receive blessings bags before to suddenly think, 'We could actually use those now,' " he said.

Susan Erspamer, executive director of the Hospitality House Food Pantry in Commerce Township, is also anticipating higher demand. Hospitality House volunteers go to the pantry every Thursday to pack nondescript black bags for Walled Lake and Novi students to take home for the weekend.

Susan Erspamer, executive director of the Hospitality House Food Pantry, helps pack bags of food alongside Eric Kerastas and others during the Weekend Food Program in Commerce Township on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.

"They're eating over the weekend, coming back fresh and nourished and ready to learn," she said.

How hunger impacts learning

Erspamer once heard from a school principal about a student who constantly showed up at the administrator's office with a tummy ache. They weren't sick. They were hungry. They needed food.

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"It's a basic need that impacts all sorts of areas in the child's life," she said.

People with young children know: Little kids love snacks, and they can get cranky when there's not a consistent stream of them. Hunger caused by longer intervals without food, or without nutritious food, causes real problems for behavior, affecting how they learn. A body of research indicates this is true, including a 2018 study published in the journal Child Development that found food insecurity in early childhood associated with decreased reading and math performance in kindergarteners, and increased behavioral issues.

"If a student is hungry, that's the only thing they can think about," Kelleher said. "Nutrition does feed our brain and so we need nutrition for things like reading and math."

Altom said she's also concerned families will have to stretch their dollar by relying on less nutritious items, which also might affect child development.

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And Hibbler, Ferndale's superintendent, said it is "inhumane" when students go without their basic needs.

"We shouldn't be the only ones worried about this," she said. "It sure feels like that sometimes, and it's frustrating. But we are going to wrap our arms around our community. The bottom line is we cannot expect for anyone  staff, student, adult, child  to be successful (when) they're not getting their basic needs."

Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Schools ramping up response to possible SNAP pause as Nov. 1 nears
Michigan Senate | Susan J. Demas

Members of the Michigan Senate on Thursday voted to advance a supplemental funding bill providing $71 million in state funds to support food assistance with federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or SNAP, set to come to a halt on Saturday.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food and Nutrition Service instructed state officials to pause SNAP benefits in November, citing a lapse in funding due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

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Senate Bill 182, passed the chamber 27-4, with Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township), Sens. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) Dan Lauwers (R-Brockway Township) and Joseph Bellino (R-Monroe) making up the nay votes. The bill would allocate $50 million to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for emergency food assistance, alongside an addition $10 million for food bank grants and another $10 million for the Agricultural Surplus System Program, which the Food Bank Council of Michigan uses to purchase excess produce, protein and dairy from Michigan farmers.

The bill also allocates $1 million to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for the Double Up Food Bucks program, which matches EBT/Bridge Card or food stamp dollars spent on fruits and vegetables at participating stores, allowing recipients to access twice the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Michigan House Democrats put forth their own proposal to backfill SNAP Benefits earlier this week, proposing $600 million intended to cover two months of lost benefits.

State steps up food bank stopgap funding

While neither the Senate plan passed Thursday, nor the House Democrats plan outlined Wednesday, have much chance of being taken up in the GOP-led House, there was some funding put forward to plug the expected hole in the food assistance safety net.

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Gov. Gretchen Whitmers office announced that the state will provide $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan to support food banks and pantries throughout the state.

Today, in light of the USDAs decision to freeze SNAP, the State of Michigan is taking action to support the Food Bank Council of Michigan so they can continue feeding families in all 83 counties and deliver food to those who are unable to drive, Whitmer said in a press release. We take care of each other in Michigan, and we will continue bringing together public and private philanthropic resources to feed people as we hit day 30 of the federal government shutdown and approach the November 1 pause of SNAP.

About 1.4 million Michigan residents use SNAP, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and in Fiscal Year 2024, benefits averaged to $173 per recipient each month  meaning that total benefits would total over $240 million per month.

Because we did the right thing and kept state government on the job, we are now able to step up with this critical support for our local food banks, ensuring they have the resources they need to protect our communities and keep Michigan families strong, Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) said in the press release.

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But this will never be a long-term solution and state government can only make up so much of the federal governments spending. Congress must follow our lead and keep more Michigan families from being hurt by this shutdown, Hall added.

Whitmer also led a letter, sent early Thursday and signed by 21 other Democratic governors, calling on President Trump to release SNAP contingency funds.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Senate Democrats have introduced a bill that would fund SNAP and WIC amid the ongoing federal government shutdown by forcing the USDA to release contingency funds.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters and U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, both Michigan Democrats, were among the legislators who introduced the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025, which would require the USDA to continue to fund the programs during the government shutdown.

At a time when our families are already facing rising prices for everyday goods, the Trump Administration is playing politics and holding up resources that help Michiganders put food on the table, Peters said.

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The bill would see the USDA pull unappropriated funds to provide uninterrupted funding to SNAP and WIC, and reimburse the states for any costs associated with covering SNAP and WIC benefits.

No American should ever go hungry due to political gridlock, Slotkin said. The administration has both the authority and the resources to keep nutrition programs running.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

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 WLNS 6 News.
(Reuters) -Microsoft said on Wednesday they are investigating an issue in which Microsoft 365 Cloud and Office.com were reported to be inaccessible.

(Reporting by Disha Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Sumana Nandy)
HONOLULU (KHON2)  A global outage affecting the Microsoft Azure platform has impacted operations on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines on Oct. 29, Alaska Airlines said.

Affected systems include websites and online check-ins, the company said.

Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines take major step toward integration

Travelers can visit a gate agent for a boarding pass, with Alaska Airlines warning of extended wait times in lobbies due to the outage.

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The company is currently working on addressing the outage.

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 KHON2.
By Aditya Soni and Deborah Mary Sophia

(Reuters) -Microsoft's AI infrastructure spending to meet growing cloud services demand is outpacing Wall Street expectations, deepening investor fears about the costs of sustaining the boom.

The technology giant reported a record capital expenditure of nearly $35 billion for its fiscal first quarter on Wednesday and warned spending would rise this year, in a reversal of its earlier prediction that it would moderate.

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Microsoft's shares fell nearly 4% in extended trading.

Alphabet and Meta Platforms also warned of higher spending as Big Tech works to overcome capacity bottlenecks that have hampered companies' ability to fully cash in on booming AI demand.

But the rising spending, as well as soaring valuations of tech companies and limited evidence of productivity gains for businesses adopting AI, has raised fears of a bubble reminiscent of the 1990s dot-com boom -- and collapse. Key Microsoft partner and ChatGPT creator OpenAI is also at the center of a web of circular deals and has committed to buy more than $1 trillion in computing power with little detail on how it will fund that purchase.

CLOUD REVENUE JUMPS

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For now, though, the outlay for Microsoft is paying off.

Microsoft's Azure cloud-computing business grew 40% in the July-September period, outpacing Visible Alpha's estimate of 38.4%. The company's current-quarter Azure growth forecast of 37% was also slightly ahead of estimates of 36.4%.

Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood told analysts on a call that growth could have been higher without the capacity constraints, which Microsoft expects will continue at least until the end of its current fiscal year, in June 2026.

Total revenue would be $79.5 billion to $80.6 billion in the current quarter, Microsoft said. Analysts polled by LSEG on average expected $79.95 billion.

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"The capex number was a little bit worrisome," Bob Lang, chief options analyst at Explosive Options, said of the decline in Microsoft shares.

PROFIT BEAT

For the July-September quarter, Microsoft said total revenue rose 18% to $77.7 billion, beating expectations of $75.33 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. Profit of $3.72 per share also beat expectations of $3.67.

The results were not affected by a revised deal with OpenAI that Microsoft announced earlier this week. The arrangement gave Microsoft a 27% stake worth about $135 billion, as well as a cut of sales and access to intellectual property, clearing up uncertainty about the collaboration with the company synonymous with the AI boom.

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The partnership, which gives Microsoft exclusive access to the models behind ChatGPT, has been key to Azure's rapid growth in recent quarters and strengthened its challenge to top cloud provider Amazon.com. It is also crucial to Microsoft's other AI services, such as 365 Copilot for businesses.

That AI push has turned Microsoft into the world's second-most-valuable firm with a $4 trillion market value, trailing only chip maker Nvidia, which made history when it hit a $5 trillion valuation on Wednesday. Microsoft's stock, up nearly 30% this year, is among the best performers in the "Magnificent 7." The after-hours drop in its share price, however, threatened its $4 trillion valuation.

Some analysts have praised Microsoft's decision in recent months to let some OpenAI contracts go to Oracle , saying it shows discipline in steering limited AI capacity toward more profitable enterprise customers. The move is part of a broader strategy to lessen Microsoft's dependence on OpenAI by building its own models and partnering with other AI firms, including Anthropic.

"We have to balance third-party demand with our own first-party needs, fund our own R&D, and build model capability," CEO Satya Nadella said on the analyst call on Wednesday.

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"Each time we say no to something (that doesnt serve our long-term interest) I feel better."

(Reporting by Aditya Soni and Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel, Rod Nickel and Leslie Adler)
After the Kerala government put on hold the PM SHRI (PM Schools for Rising India) scheme, Congress leader K Muraleedharan said on Thursday that the agreement between the state and central governments is already in place and cannot be easily withdrawn. Speaking to ANI, Muraleedharan emphasised that the final authority on the matter rests with the Centre, adding that even Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Communist Party of India (CPI) are aware of this limitation. "... The agreement signed between the state government and the Centre is currently being withheld. When the state government wishes to withdraw, the Centre sometimes does not agree, as the final authority lies with the central government; the ball is in their court. The state is not in a position to withdraw because the deal has already been signed. Even Pinarayi Vijayan is aware of this, and so is the CPI. It is seen as a betrayal of party workers by both the CPM and CPI," the Congress leader said. Following the opposition of the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Kerala government has now put on hold the rollout of the PM SHRI Scheme. Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that a seven-member cabinet sub-committee, chaired by Education Minister V Sivankutty, will be constituted to review the implementation of the PM SHRI scheme in the state. All further proceedings under the scheme will be put on hold until the committee submits its report. "When the MoU for PM SHRI was signed, it triggered several concerns. We have now decided to re-examine the project's implementation. A cabinet sub-committee with seven ministers has been constituted for this review. Until the committee submits its report and a final decision is taken, all further steps under PM SHRI will be put on hold. This decision will be formally communicated to the central government through a letter. Education Minister V Sivankutty will chair the sub-committee and will include Ministers K Rajan, Roshy Augustine, P Rajeev, P Prasad, K Krishnankutty, and AK Saseendran.", CM Vijayan said. Launched in 2022, the PM SHRI aims at creating 14,500 exemplar institutions across the country that showcase various aspects of the NEP. Kerala Minister for General Education V Sivankutty explained the decision to implement the PM SHRI in the State as a tactical move to secure the withheld Central funds under the Samagra Shiksha education scheme. The funds totalling Rs 1,476.13 crore under the scheme, which are due to the State, have been withheld by the Centre. The Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) also slammed the government for the decision, alleging a CPI(M)-BJP "backdoor deal" in this. Criticising the move, Varun Choudhary, National President of the Congress-affiliated NSUI, on Wednesday said that the Left Democratic Front government in Kerala had officially accepted the "RSS-imposed" New Education Policy (NEP). (ANI)
A migrant who was mistakenly released from prison in a huge blunder has been deported back to his home country of Ethiopia.

Hadush Kebatu was wrongly freed from HMP Chelmsford on Friday morning, instead of being sent to an immigration detention centre as intended.

The mistake prompted a two-day manhunt before the sex offender was found and re-arrested on Sunday morning in London.

On Wednesday morning, he arrived in Ethiopia after being deported from the UK with no right to return, the Home Office announced.

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Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said: Last weeks blunder should never have happened  and I share the publics anger that it did. I would like to thank the police for rapidly bringing Kebatu into custody and the public for their vigilance.

Last weeks blunder should never have happened  and I share the publics anger that it did. I would like to thank the police for rapidly bringing Mr Kebatu into custody and the public for their vigilance.



I have pulled every lever to deport Mr Kebatu and remove him off British  Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) October 29, 2025

I have pulled every lever to deport Mr Kebatu and remove him off British soil. I am pleased to confirm this vile child sex offender has been deported. Our streets are safer because of it.

If you come to this country and commit crimes, we will remove you.

The asylum seeker had been residing at the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex when he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl and a woman, sparking protests.

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He was sentenced to 12 months in prison and was due to be deported last week when he was mistakenly released instead.

It is understood that Kebatu left prison with some personal money but did not receive a discharge grant.

However, the border security minister on Wednesday could not confirm whether Kebatu received a cash payment to return to Ethiopia.

Hadush Kebatu (left) in Dalston after he was mistakenly released from prison (Metropolitan Police)

Asked whether Kebatu had been given money on exiting the country, as is sometimes the case when a migrant leaves voluntarily, Alex Norris told ITV: I cant tell you on the cash piece.

I know that early in the process, he had asked for that and was denied we do it sometimes to make a removal easier because it saves the taxpayer money, but I cant tell in this case.

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In June, the The Independent revealed the UK has paid migrants 53m to leave the country over the past four years.

Under a voluntary return scheme run by the government, migrants can receive up to 3,000 as an incentive to return to their home country, as part of what are known as assisted returns. They also have their flights paid for as part of the deal.

The Home Office insists the voluntary return scheme is a much more cost-effective alternative for the taxpayer than paying for accommodation and support for those facing deportation from the UK.

Kebatus accidental release has prompted an independent inquiry (Crown Prosecution Service)

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.

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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, waiting outside the prison for roughly an hour and a half before leaving.

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.

The incident has prompted an independent inquiry to find out what went wrong, and a prison officer has been suspended while the probe is carried out.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said the incident was unacceptable.

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We must get to the bottom of what happened, he said.

I have established an independent investigation chaired by Dame Lynne Owens into last Fridays events to get the public the answers they rightly deserve, and we have introduced the strictest checks ever seen in our prison system to stop similar unacceptable errors in future.

Mr Lammy told MPs on Monday that Kebatu was released in what appears to have been in human error.

He was convicted of making inappropriate comments to a 14-year-old girl before trying to kiss her on 7 July, just eight days after his arrival.

Kebatu was wrongly freed from HMP Chelmsford on Friday morning (Getty)

His trial heard the following day that he sexually assaulted a woman by attempting to kiss her, placing his hand on her leg, and telling her she was pretty.

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After a three-day trial at Chelmsford and Colchester Magistrates Courts in September, Kebatu was found guilty of five offences.

His crimes sparked protests on the streets of Epping, spreading to demonstrations outside hotels housing asylum seekers across the country.

Police stationed outside The Bell Hotel, as demonstrators protest nearby (Reuters)

The Tory MP for Epping Forest has said he is very relieved at Kebatus deportation, but this hasnt gone away for the people of Epping.

He said people have been expressing huge frustration with me at the situation, adding: There are significant management and safeguarding issues related to this hotel, and actually, what we need to see is that the hotel needs to be closed.

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This is the wrong hotel in the wrong place, right near the forest, right near two schools.

Kebatus case has renewed scrutiny of prison procedures after a series of mistaken releases across the country.

Hadush Kebatu has arrived back in Ethiopia (Metropolitan Police)

Prison Officers Association national chair Mark Fairhurst told the BBC that Kebatu was one of several prisoners mistakenly released in the past week, and that such incidents have been a regular occurrence over the last 12 months.

He added: Over the last seven days, theres been five releases in errors from five separate prisons.

Mr Fairhurst told PA that two mistaken releases were made from HMP Pentonville, in north London, with the others at HMP Durham, The Mount prison in Hertfordshire and from Reading Crown Court.

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No prison officers have been suspended over the other five releases, he said.

The Ministry of Justice disputed the number of prisoners released in error but confirmed some took place in the last seven days.

One prisoner is still at large after being mistakenly freed, it is understood.

According to government figures published in July, 262 prisoners were released in error in the year to March 2025  a 128 per cent increase on 115 in the previous 12 months.
If the Senate reached a boiling point on Wednesday about the government shutdown because of the fight about stopping families from losing food aid, there finally seemed to be some progress a day later.

On Thursday, Democrats seemed to be willing to talk with Republicans.

I would say that both sides need to think very hard about the American people, Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) told The Independent.

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Democrats still want to get some kind of ironclad agreement that Speaker Mike Johnsons House of Representatives will hold a vote to extend the enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Acts marketplace.

And Senate Republicans cannot guarantee that could happen.

You cant guarantee a presidential veto, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) told The Independent. What you can do is guarantee there's a fair number of Republicans that are willing to work with them on it.

Johnson has kept the House out of session for more than a month now, arguing that the House did its job when it passed a clean resolution to keep the government open without an extension of the subsidies. That has frustrated even some Republicans in the House like Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).

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It makes no sense to only go a couple of weeks, Tillis said. They always have the option of going back to this if they prove us wrong, and we're not prepared to work in good faith and have the administration support an outcome on the Obamacare subsidies.

But Democrats have said that they are frustrated that Johnsons keeping the House out of session precludes them from getting any work done.

I think the fact that the House has disappeared for the last five weeks is going to be something that the American people are very unlikely to forget, Bennet said. I mean that the complete abandonment of their responsibility has been shocking. At least the people in the Senate have been coming here every week to see if we can get to a resolution.

In addition, many Democrats say that the only way to end the shutdown is to get President Donald Trump, who visited Asia this week, to lead negotiations.

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They're not going to move until Trump tells them to move, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) told reporters. So until you hear something real from Donald Trump, it doesn't feel like anything is real.

Murphy also said that he wants commitments for guardrails to prevent Trump from violating the law.

You know, a vote doesn't help the people in my state, a vote that is designed to fail is just a guarantee that millions of people lose health care in this country, he said. I'm not interested in Republican platitudes about free speech. I want provisions in the budget that constrain Donald Trump's illegality.

But Republicans say that there is no reason to bring the president into talks.

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I dont expect the president to negotiate yet, Tillis said.  I mean, we've made it very clear that they need to get out of the shutdown posture before it elevates to the White House being involved in negotiation. So I don't think his absence has affected the negotiations one iota.

So far, Trump has closed the door to negotiating with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

And Republicans tend to agree.

This hasnt anything to do with President Trump, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) told The Independent.  It's all leverage for them because they don't like what President Trump is doing, and they know their base will kill them if they don't keep fighting.

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Mullin and other Republicans speculated that Democrats would finally relent after next weeks elections in New Jersey and Virginia, something Democrats scoffed at.

Theyve been predicting we would fold, and we would be predicting they would find a backbone, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) told The Independent. Sen Brian Schatz of Hawaii was even more dismissive

Republicans are saying a lot of things, he told The Independent as he jumped into an elevator with Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), which caused them both to laugh.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz was interrupted during a speech this week and called out for his involvement in a leaked Signal group chat.

Waltz spoke to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, ahead of a vote on a resolution to condemn the U.S.s economic restrictions on Cuba. As Waltz defended his nations position, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez interrupted his speech with a point of order, and slammed the ambassadors remarks as uncivilized, crude and gross.

He then appeared to call out Waltzs involvement in a group chat with other Trump administration officials on the messaging app Signal, which was leaked earlier this year.

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Mr. Waltz, this is the United Nations General Assembly, he said. It is not a Signal chat. Nor is it the House of Representatives.

I am well aware of the location in which we are speaking, Waltz responded. And this is also not a communist illegitimate legislature in Havana.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz was interrupted by Cuba's foreign minister as he spoke to the United Nations this week (AP)

In March, The Atlantics Editor-in-Chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, reported that Waltz mistakenly added him to a group chat on Signal. There, Trump administration officials  including Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth  appeared to be discussing plans to strike Houthi targets in Yemen, Goldberg reported. Waltz was serving as President Donald Trumps national security adviser at the time.

Waltz has maintained that no classified information was shared, and claimed in July that Signal was recommended for use by former President Joe Bidens administration. Hegseth similarly defended the chat, telling reporters at the time, nobody was texting war plans.

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In May, Waltz was removed from his role as national security adviser and instead nominated to serve as ambassador to the United Nations.

Mike Waltz and other Trump administration officials maintained that no classified information was shared in the Signal chat (Getty Images)

In his United Nations speech this week, Waltz described the assemblys resolution as political theater and accused the Cuban government of painting itself as a victim of aggression while plainly describing itself as the enemy of the United States. Waltz also objected to the terms embargo and blockade to describe the nations restrictions on Cuba.

The United States has always  always allowed Cuba to import food, to import medicine, and to import humanitarian goods, he said.

A day later, the United Nations voted to condemn the U.S.s economic embargo on Cuba for a 33rd year, the Associated Press reports. This year, 165 countries supported the resolution, while seven countries voted against it and 12 abstained. Last year, 187 countries supported the resolution. The resolution isnt legally binding, but reflects the opinion of the countries that voted.

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Rodriguez told the Associated Press this week that the resolution is not binding, but it is powerful.

We cannot underestimate the importance, the impact, of the powerful message year after year by the General Assembly, which is the most democratic, representative body of the international community, he said.

This years vote came as Cuba was battered by Hurricane Melissa, a record-breaking storm that has claimed at least 30 lives in the Caribbean as of Wednesday evening.

The Independent has contacted the State Department and the Cuban Foreign Ministry for comment.
Rep. Mikie Sherrill campaigned Thursday with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and discussed the importance of the Gateway Tunnel Project.

They blasted President Donald Trump for threatening to cut off funding for the project.

"That's not who I'm going to serve as your governor. I'm going to focuson serving the people of New Jersey," Sherrill said. "That has always been my north star, and that is what I'm going to continue to fight to do."

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"She didn't just urge us to choose this project for funding, she helped to make sure the funds were there in the first place by working to get the bipartisan infrastructure law passed," Buttigieg said.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump terminated federal support for the $16 billion Gateway Tunnel Project, which would build a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River while the existing tunnel is rehabilitated.

Hours after the government shutdown began, the Trump administration moved to pause funding and review contracts for two major area transit projects, the Hudson Gateway Tunnel and the Second Avenue Subway extension project. White House budget director Russ Vought claimed that the spending was based on "unconstitutional" diversity, equity and inclusion principles.

Work on the tunnel has already begun, with 500 union tradesmen on both sides of the river working on soil remediation and preparing to bore the tunnel.

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The new tunnel is slated to open in 2035, and the entire project, including fixing the existing tunnel, is expected to be completed by 2038.

Seventy percent of the project is funded by federal money after Congress approved the plan.

Sherrill has been vocal about the importance of the Gateway Tunnel Project and about President Trump's statement to terminate it.

"Should the president illegally be able to stop funding until we can clap back? Then that is going to raise prices because his tariffs are raising costs on everything," Sherrill said. "Once we get shovels back on the ground after any delay, the price will only go up."

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Sherrill called out her opponent, Jack Ciattarelli, on Thursday and says he has not addressed questions about the project.

Meanwhile, Ciattarelli addressed another regional transportation issue this week.

During an appearance on Benny Johnson's podcast, Ciattarelli discussed how we he would respond if New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's proposed congestion plan if he were elected mayor.

Ciattarelli said he would welcome people who leave New York to come to New Jersey but would implement "reverse congestion pricing" if he becomes governor.

"If he goes ahead with the congestion pricing plan, which is an egregious money grab on New Jerseyans, here's what I am going to do: I'm going to retaliate," Ciattarelli said. "Any New York plate that comes through the tunnels, over the bridge, into New Jersey in the morning, I'm going to hit them with a reverse congestion pricing fee."

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Quinnipiac University released its latest and final poll on this race before Election Day, saying that out of the top 11 issues that matter to voters, taxes, ethics in government and health care lead the list, in that order.

"What we've seen is the strongest card that Ciattarelli has is as a business guy, he's considered probably more capable of handling the huge property tax issue that people have in New Jersey," said Tim Mallow, Quinnipiac University polling analyst. "She less so, but she's highly regarded on other issues as far as leadership, perhaps that's her military background. And she's very, very, very strong with women."

Polls say Ciattarelli is trending well in shore communities. He's joining supporters for a rally at Spring Lake Manor Thursday evening.

Both candidates plan to continue campaigning at voting rallies across New Jersey.

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Former President Barack Obama is expected to join Sherrill at a rally on Saturday.



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Vice President JD Vance confirmed military members will be paid Oct. 31 as the government shutdown carries on.

During a closed-door Senate GOP lunch on Oct. 28, Vance informed attending members that the Trump administration is working to pay military personnel and keep as many programs open during the shutdown, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

We believe that we can continue to pay the troops on Friday, Vance said on Oct. 28, according to Politico. Unfortunately, were not going to be able to pay everybody, because weve been handed a very bad hand by the Democrats.

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The current government shutdown has been ongoing for four weeks, and little progress has been made toward bringing it to an end. The government closure is now the second-longest in U.S. history, behind only the 35-day shutdown during Trump's first term.

Here is what to know about pay for military members this month and into November.

Will military members get paid on Friday, Oct. 31?

Earlier this month, a similar debate arose regarding whether military members would receive their pay on Oct. 15. The current administration was able to find funding to pay the military on Oct. 15. It will likely be able to do so again for the upcoming Friday payday.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that although funds are dwindling, there should be sufficient funds to pay troops on Friday, Oct. 31. However, by mid-November, military members are likely to go without a paycheck if the shutdown continues.

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"I think we'll be able to pay them beginning in November," Bessent said Oct. 26 on CBS News. "But by November 15, our troops and service members who are willing to risk their lives aren't going to be able to get paid."

How many military members were scheduled to go without pay?

There are more than 2 million military members in the U.S., with about 63% active duty and about 37% selected reserve members, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Approximately 35% of active-duty military members serve in the Army, 26% in the Navy, around 25% in the Air Force or Space Force, and nearly 14% in the Marines, according to the DOD.

Are military personnel paid during shutdowns?

No, active military members do not get paid during a government shutdown, despite being deemed essential and required to work.

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Compensation for members of the military  Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard  is funded through annual appropriations through line-item accounts of the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense, according to the Library of Congress.

Why is the government shut down?

The federal government shut down Oct. 1 after the president and congressional leaders failed to reach a funding compromise and adjourned before the Sept. 30 deadline. The partial shutdown started at midnight that night.

Senators rejected two deals, one from Democrats, the other from Republicans, that would have prevented the shutdown. The Republican plan, which would have kept the government open until Nov. 21, failed on a 55-45 vote, USA TODAY reported. At least 60 votes were needed to pass.

The federal government ran out of money at the end of the fiscal year, after members of Congress were unable to overcome partisan differences and agree to pass a funding bill.

How does a government shutdown end?

To end a shutdown, Congress must first vote on and pass appropriations bills to fund the departments and agencies that were shut down. These bills must then be signed by the president for the shutdown to end.

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There is no timeline for how long the shutdown could last. On average, shutdowns last about eight days, but the duration could be less or more, depending on how quickly Congress can reach an agreement on funding legislation.

National Guard in Memphis

Tennessee National Guard patrols in Memphis began Oct. 10, the city of Memphis confirmed in an online update.

The troops are the newest members of the "Memphis Safe Task Force," an initiative aimed at reducing street and violent crime in Memphis. The Memphis Police have partnered with National Guard troops during their patrols.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

Jordan Green covers trending news for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jordan.green@commercialappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Will military get paid? What to know about pay for troops in Memphis
Millions of Americans are on track to be cut off from their SNAP food benefits Saturday. thats also when open enrollment for insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act begins. The ACA website released a preview of plans Wednesday. Theres a 30% increase for average plans.

Heat is on both Republicans and Democrats to find a middle ground and reopen the government. Democratic candidate for Congress Christina Bohannan says Iowans cant handle the increase.

There are not very many Iowans who can afford that, said Bohannan. So I want to see both sides come to the table to negotiate and to make sure people can afford their health care, as well as reopen the government.

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Iowa First Congressional District Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) says the entire health care system needs to be examined.

Having the enhanced premium tax credits with no income limit and the money going directly to the insurance companies, it bails out the insurance companies, said Miller-Meeks. It helps wealthy Americans, but it continues this spiral of unaffordability.

Bohannan believes the parties must compromise before opening back up.

Look, negotiations can happen, maybe neither side gets what they want, said Bohannan. What is not acceptable is to have the government still shut down and also raising health insurance premiums.

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Miller-Meeks believes negotiation is not possible without going through the proper channels.

The Democrats have to open the government so we can have these conversations and have these negotiations, said Miller-Meeks. They themselves said no health care policy during a government shutdown, Im just going to ask them to live up to their own rhetoric. We need the government open and we need to go through the regular process that we do through sub committee and committee.

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.
According to the investigation, the main suspect operated through her privately owned company, offering families assistance in applying for disability benefits for their children.

Jerusalem District Police and the National Insurance Institute (NII) have uncovered what they describe as a large-scale fraud scheme involving tens of millions of shekels in false claims for disabled child benefits related to autism, authorities said in a joint statement Thursday.

Following a lengthy investigation, officers from the Jerusalem Police Fraud Unit and NII investigators arrested a resident of southern Israel suspected of orchestrating the operation with the cooperation of several parents.

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The scheme allegedly involved forged medical documents, false representations, and the unlawful receipt of millions of shekels in state benefits. Authorities said some parents knowingly took part in the scam, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Information collected by the NIIs Investigations Department first raised suspicions of fraudulent claims for autism-related disability benefits. Together with the Jerusalem Police Fraud Unit, investigators launched a comprehensive probe into suspected fraud, forgery, and obtaining property by deception.

Documentation of some of the suspects arrested by police detectives. (CREDIT: ISRAEL POLICE SPOKESPERSON)

According to the investigation, the main suspect operated through her privately owned company, offering families assistance in applying for disability benefits for their children.

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Investigators allege that she recruited parents who were aware their children did not meet eligibility criteria and submitted false claims on their behalf, including forged medical documents, fabricated professional opinions, and falsified forms appearing to be signed by recognized professionals.

Charged families tens of thousands of shekels

The statement said the suspect used parents personal access codes to log in to the NIIs computerized system and filed forged claims in coordination with others. For each case, she allegedly charged families tens of thousands of shekels for their participation in the illegal activity.

Throughout the investigation, police and NII investigators gathered extensive evidence showing the unlawful receipt of disability benefits totaling tens of millions of shekels.

As suspicions were confirmed, the main suspect and several others, including parents whose children were receiving benefits under false pretenses, were arrested.

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Searches of the homes of those involved led to the seizure of documents, large sums of cash, and other materials connected to the case. The suspects are being questioned on suspicion of aggravated deception, document forgery, use of forged documents, fraud, and breach of trust.

This is a serious case in which, according to suspicions, medical documents were forged, and benefits were fraudulently claimed for personal profit, severely harming public funds and trust in state institutions, the statement said.

The Israeli Police and the National Insurance Institute take any attempt to deceive state authorities and harm public funds very seriously and will continue to act decisively using all available means to expose all those involved and bring them to justice, it added.

Additionally, the NII will pursue the collection and return of the fraudulently obtained funds.
Oct. 29AIKEN  Milton Shealy Funeral Home of Batesburg will operate an additional facility at 211 Park Ave. S.W., in the building that housed George Funeral Home since 1920.

The George Funeral Home sign has been removed, to be replaced by a Milton Shealy Funeral Home sign "by the end of next week," Jerry Deese, owner of Milton Shealy Funeral Home, said Oct. 29.

Deese said his company is not buying the corporate entity that operated George Funeral Home, but has signed a five-year lease agreement, with an option to renew, with Anderson Park Avenue LLC.

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"The new facility is located in the former George Funeral Home building, but Milton Shealy Funeral Home is not affiliated with the former business," said an announcement on the company's Facebook page. "The Aiken location is fully operated by the Milton Shealy team, committed to professional and personal service."

George Funeral Home had been owned and operated since 2018 by Cody Anderson.

The S.C. Board of Funeral Service suspended Anderson's funeral director and embalmer license March 4 following his pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud in connection to the drafting of a will designating Anderson the personal representative of an 88-year-old woman with dementia and an estate worth $20 million.

Anderson was sentenced Sept. 15 to two years in prison but the location of his incarceration has not yet been announced and he is not in U.S. Bureau of Prisons custody.

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On Sept. 10, the board denied Anderson's request to sell the business to his mother, and determined that that the funeral home may not legally operate until a permit is issued to a new owner.

Deese said the S.C. Board of Funeral Service gave preliminary approval on Oct. 22 to his application to operate an additional facility in Aiken. An inspection took place Oct. 27 and final approval of license No. 1516 was granted Oct. 28.

"Folks that have prearrangements with George Funeral Home will be served by us. They're safe with us," Deese said, adding that families that have pre-arranged funeral services were contacted by the S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs about the matter.

Milton Shealy Funeral Home was established in Batesburg in 1968. Deese said he expects the Aiken location will double the company's business.

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Paintings of the George family, who were issued one of the first funeral home licenses in South Carolina, are still displayed in the historic building that bore the family name for 105 years, Deese said.

"We still want to honor the George family and honor that funeral home," Deese said.

"It's an advantage to the families in Aiken. We're bringing our Milton Shealy pricing to Aiken," Deese said

"It will no longer be the most expensive funeral home in Aiken."
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.
Minnesota Rusco, known for its Twin Cities home remodels and eponymous television jingle, appears to have shut down.

The New Hope-based company informed staff on Tuesday morning of the business's sudden closure, multiple sources told Bring Me The News. No official statement has been made by the company.

Bring Me The News went to Rusco's head office on Wednesday to find its doors locked and nobody on the premises. Calls to its main number are not being answered, and the company's Facebook page has also been deleted.

Thursday update: Minnesota Rusco issues statement addressing sudden closure

The Minnesota Rusco office in New Hope was locked on Wednesday afternoon.Bring Me The News

As of Wednesday afternoon, no bankruptcy filings or layoff notices relating to the company have been made public.

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The Better Business Bureau has confirmed that "a few customers" have reached out on Wednesday about Minnesota Rusco, and that it is "still gathering information." In the meantime it is directing customers to the Minnesota Attorney Generals Office and the Department of Labor and Industry.

One customer told Bring Me The News that a sub-contractor working on his house halted work on Tuesday after being told around 3 p.m. of the shutdown.

"He said he talked to his project manager and that he could speak to clients (myself included) and let them know that he is pausing all of his work," said the customer, who did not want to be identified.

In business for 70 years, Minnesota Rusco is known for providing a variety of home improvements, from windows, doors, bathrooms, siding, and roofing.

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It advertises heavily across the Twin Cities, well-known for its "since 1955" slogan and its jingle, and is a familiar sight at the Minnesota State Fair, where for years it has given out Rusco-emblazoned back scratchers.

Bring Me The News

There has been a flurry of posts from other contracting firms across Minnesota responding to the apparent closure, including Roselynn Builders and Exteriors, a general contracting company based in Blaine.

Yesterday, we learned that Minnesota Rusco has closed its doors - a company thats been part of the home improvement landscape here in Minnesota for decades. For everyone impacted - employees, customers, and families - our hearts go out to you, it posted on Facebook.

"Were saddened to hear about Minnesota Rusco & Companies abrupt closure and our thoughts are with everyone affected. Situations like this have an impact that reaches across our entire industry and community," wrote Brandon York, the owner of Minnesota Re-Bath, on his LinkedIn page.

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Other posts on LinkedIn suggest that the issues are not limited to Rusco, but that its parent company, Dallas-based Renovo Home Partners, has also closed along with several subsidiaries.

Minnesota Rusco was acquired by Renovo, which was formed by a Boston-based private equity firm via the merger of three remodeling firms, in 2022.

Vince Nardo, whose California company Reborn Cabinets was also bought by Renovo in 2022, reported the closure of his former business on LinkedIn, saying he stepped away as president of the company in late 2024 as he was "unable to keep watching what was unfolding."

"Over the past few years, Ive learned how private equity really works  and how easily great companies can be destroyed by the wrong hands," he wrote.

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These closures have yet to be confirmed, with no formal statements made by Renovo. Bring Me The News attempted to call the company on Wednesday, but our call was diverted to a voicemail.

Related: WCCO staff among those impacted by widespread Paramount cuts

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Oct 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the MN Business section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Since 2021, November 15 has been observed as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to honour the sacrifices of tribal freedom fighters. Tribal communities played a crucial role in India's freedom struggle through various revolutionary movements.

The day honours the history, culture, and heritage of tribal communities, with nationwide events promoting unity, pride, and recognition of their significant contributions to India's freedom and progress, a release said earlier.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that the occasion aims to "honour" tribal communities and commemorate Bira Munda's struggle against British rule.

"150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, a tribal leader, on November 15th, has been declared as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The day aims to honour the tribal community and commemorate Birsa Munda's contributions in fighting against the British... A workshop was organised in the presence of national and state-level ST Morcha leaders, MPs, MLAs, and workers to plan the celebrations. Additionally, the President of India (Droupadi Murmu) has been invited to the event..." Sai said.

The Chief Minister also reiterated the Union government's committment to end left-wing extremism by 2026.

"Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and Union Home Minister (Amit Shah) resolved to end Naxalism by March 2026. Our forces are fighting Naxalism diligently, and all the top leadership of the Maoists are being neutralised. Many of the Naxals are also surrendering to join the mainstream...," he said.

Bhagwan Birsa Munda, who led the Ulgulan (revolution) against British rule, became a symbol of resistance. His leadership inspired a national awakening, and his legacy is deeply revered by tribal communities. (ANI)
A man approaches the Minnehaha County Treasurer's Office in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Aug. 20, 2025, the second day on which a power outage shut down access to state records. (Photo by John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

The network outage that downed a host of South Dakota state government systems in August was caused by mislabeled wiring in a room full of routers at the Department of Transportation building in Pierre, lawmakers learned Thursday.

The mislabeling ultimately led to the torching of a critical, $80,000 network traffic controller switch and its backup. State computer systems, including those used by the courts, local registers of deeds, auditors and treasurers offices and, for a short time, the state radio system, were down for nearly two business days.

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Two leaders of the team that manages the data center in Pierre told members of the Legislatures Government Operations and Audit Committee that the state plans to relabel the wiring correctly, update its redundancy plans and work with state agencies on backup power schemes for the most critical state services.

Given the disruptions this summer, lawmakers said, the states citizens need to be sure that work will get done.

On the farm, we always have extra fuses. We always have extra switches. We always have extra everything, said Rep. Julie Auch, R-Yankton. Are you going to have extra switches on hand or extra parts on hand so this doesnt happen again?

Overpowered switches

The mislabeled wiring issue came to light after the scheduled weekend replacement of a piece of equipment called an uninterrupted power supply, according to Darin Seeley, commissioner of Human Resources and Administration.

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As the system was being brought back online, a main breaker tripped several times, which is not uncommon, Seeley said.

The breakers job is to modulate the power coming into the data center from a transformer, reducing it to the level needed to operate the equipment inside.

The breaker was damaged so badly, however, that it eventually gave out entirely, causing the initial network outage.

The electricians who replaced that breaker turned off the main power supply to the room, Seeley said. Or at least they thought they did. Assuming that doing so would cut off power to everything else, they got to work. Unbeknownst to them, Seeley said, the two critical network switches were connected to a different breaker.

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That breaker was designed to be connected to the main breaker and was labeled to say so, Bureau of Information and Telecommunications Commissioner Mark Wixon said.

Turning off the main breaker should have turned off the power, to the switches, Wickson said. That wasnt the case.

As a result, the switches took on 10 times the power theyre meant to and burned up, one after the other.

It took a day to get a new switch from Louisville, Wixon said. Bureau staff picked it up at the airport in Pierre and had it installed around eight hours later.

Redundancies, disaster planning

Seeley told lawmakers that the building with the mislabeled wires had been updated numerous times over the past 50 years.

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Rep. Karla Lems, R-Canton, asked Seeley whats been done to make sure, OK, we got everything labeled correctly.

He said the intent is to try and redraw all of the lines to make sure everythings set up as designed, but that hasnt happened.

It has to be done when everythings off, because were talking about some pretty significant power, Seeley said, adding that such a scheduled outage needs to be done planfully.

Auch wanted to know if the bureau had considered adding a third $80,000 switch to its supply, given how impactful the situation was. But Wixon said such a move had never felt necessary.

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This is really kind of the first time this type of an event, where the routers were damaged, thats happened in over 50 years, Wixon said. So we have high confidence that the lessons learned around this one are being applied.

The situation has also sparked strategic conversations on resilience, Wixon said.

Sen. Mark Lapka, R-Leola, wanted to know if that thinking involved the contemplation of geo-redundancy, to have a backup in another location.

Thats part of the discussion on disaster management, Wixon said. But building out a separate infrastructure to create what he called a high availability level doesnt come cheap.

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Going through that type of exercise really does drive to what is the cost of high availability? he said.

That expense leads most companies to prioritize which systems need to be highly available, he said, and which can survive a three-day outage.

The bureau plans to work with other state agencies in the coming months to determine such a hierarchy. The bureau is already working with the Department of Public Safety on a cloud-based system to make sure state radio communications, which were impacted by the August incident for approximately five hours, are protected from an outage.

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OSAGE COUNTY (KSNT)  Kansas wildlife staff and local law enforcement recently teamed up to help locate a lost hunter in Osage County.

Kansas game wardens were called earlier this month on Oct. 12 to assist in the search for a hunter in the Melvern Wildlife Area. Game wardens, alongside Osage County deputies and other Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks personnel, set out to find the past-due hunter.

Jesse Gehrt with the KDWP said the hunter had gone out in the morning to hunt for deer but didnt return home. As the mans family became concerned with his absence, they reached out to law enforcement in the afternoon hours for help.

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Mountain lion sightings rise in Kansas, heres where theyve been spotted

Search parties spent hours looking for the hunter, employing K9 units and a drone. The group eventually located the lost hunter before nightfall on a large log jam in the Marias des Cygnes River.

It is believed that he just got turned around in the thick timber, and lost his bearings, Gehrt said. The heat did not help. His cell phone was left behind. The log jam was in a clearing and it is believed that is why he was located there, so as to be more visible for authorities to locate him.

(Photo Courtesy/Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks) (Photo Courtesy/Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks)

Where are the best places to go shed hunting in Kansas?

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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.
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  The Mississippi Lottery will celebrate its 6th anniversary by giving players triple Cash 3 prizes during the Cash 3 Times 3 promotion, which runs November 1-30, 2025.

According to Lottery officials, Cash 3 tickets start at just 50 cents per play, with various play types and wager options available. Players can choose from play styles such as Exact Order, Any Order, or Combo (3-Way or 6-Way), and may add the optional Fireball feature for more chances to win.

Eight Mississippi Lottery players win big in 2nd Chance

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During the promotion, all Cash 3 prizes will be automatically tripled. There is no extra cost or special play slip required. Complete play instructions and pricing details are available at mslottery.com.

We like to mark our anniversary with special games and promotions for the players, said Mississippi Lottery President Jeff Hewitt. Cash 3 is a daily fan favorite, and this promotion gives players three times the reason to celebrate all month long.

The Times 3 multiplier applies to all play types, including Quick Picks, multi-draws, and exchange tickets, as long as the drawing date falls within the November 130 promotional period. Standard prize amounts resume with drawings beginning December 1.

Cash 3 is drawn twice a day at 2:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

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JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  White House trade and tariff policies, talk of imported beef from Argentina, and Chinas refusal to buy soybeans are some of the factors that have added chaos to Mississippis agriculture sector.

On Wednesday, the Senate Agriculture Committee heard from farm leaders and experts about the challenges threatening producers across the state. They told the committee that they need action to survive falling prices, shrinking markets and a lack of local processing.

Lawmakers are looking for solutions to keep the states agriculture industry strong. One goal is to build a processing plant in Mississippi, so crops can be processed locally. Theyre also exploring alternative markets and tax relief to support farmers.

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I think we are on the edge of a catastrophe here in our in our agricultural community. And the Senate is taking the lead here and coming up with an alternative. You know, that means it takes years to build one of those, said Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann (R-Miss.).

Without solutions, many family farms could be lost, along with the revenue they bring to local communities.

Agriculture faces extreme, extreme risk every day. When you look at the market volatility and the prices that are returned, cost of reduction is through the roof. If we do not find ways and avenues to utilize our crops locally and domestically, we are going to lose these family farms, therefore losing food independent. And that is a big problem for us, said State Senator Neil Whaley (R-District 10).

The goal is to help farmers stay in business and keep more of Mississippis crops and jobs at home.

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Bread at the Schnucks grocery story in Columbia marked as permitted to be purchased through Missouri's WIC program, which provides supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care, at no cost, to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are determined to be at nutritional risk (Jason Hancock/Missouri Independent).

Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe and state health officials on Wednesday announced continued funding for food assistance amid worry that key federal safety net programs will run dry as the government shutdown enters its fifth week.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said federal nutrition benefits for low-income mothers and their young children will remain available into November, through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, better known as WIC.

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Over 98,000 Missourians received WIC benefits in September, according to the department.

At this time, there is no plan to pause WIC operations or benefit redemption, said Lisa Cox, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, in an email to The Independent.

The department said in an earlier press release that it will notify retailers and WIC recipients if it becomes necessary to suspend benefits in the latter half of the month.

Kehoe also announced the transfer of $10.6 million to Missouri Area Agencies on Aging to help provide meals to seniors and the early distribution of a $5 million appropriation to food banks that was planned for later in the year.

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While advocates welcomed the measures, they cautioned that they wont replace a funding plan for the federal government that would place programs like WIC on a firm footing in the longer term.

Wes Buchholz, vice president of programs at Crosslines Resource Center in Springfield, said he was really excited to hear that WIC will stay afloat for now, because baby formula is so difficult for food pantries like his to source.

We have never found a way to buy formula at a good price, and its not something that gets donated hardly ever, Buchholz said.

Obviously, December is in question.

Casey Hanson, deputy director at Kids Win Missouri, a nonprofit that advocates for children and families in the state, said the stopgaps will help families, but the shutdown is continuing to create an environment that is difficult for parents to navigate.

A much larger federal food assistance program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is expected to run out of funds at the end of the week.

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In addition to SNAP and WIC, federal funding for Head Start programs, which provide early childhood education, nutritious meals and other support services to families, is also in jeopardy while the shutdown continues.

As the end-of-year holidays approach, Hanson said, kids are going to be home more, and families are going to need access to all of those resources.

Those families are already navigating tough situations in most cases, which is why they need those safety net programs, Hanson said.

State Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck called Kehoes transfer of just over $15 million a hollow gesture in a post on X, noting that Missouri disbursed $131.5 million in SNAP benefits in September.

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We need real solutions, Beck said. Not Washington-style stunts that dont fix anything.

Cox, the spokesperson for the state health department, said the continued availability of WIC is thanks to the programs funding structure and cost-saving measures taken by the department predating the shutdown.

The department receives an annual sum from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and must adjust its offerings to ensure funding lasts as the number of WIC participants rises or falls each month. In October, for instance, the department cut yogurt, goat milk and evaporated milk, as well as some name brand items, from WIC-eligible purchases in response to rising costs.

Sarah Willson, the departments director, said the measures have been valuable in extending the benefits to WIC families longer.

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Buchholz urged Missourians hoping to help ease hunger to volunteer and donate to their local food pantries. Financial donations allow food pantries to purchase needed items at lower prices than are available to consumers, he noted.

Were going to need greater community support, Buchholz said, if the shutdown continues for a prolonged period of time.
Missouri DUI suspect gets suspended Oklahoma sentence for assault on deputies

MIAMI, Okla.  A Grove woman charged in Missouri with drunken driving and killing a man received a four-year suspended sentence on Wednesday for assaulting a law enforcement officers, including breaking one officers jaw.

Jennifer Lea Maupin, 44, appeared in Ottawa County District Court and entered a guilty plea to two counts of assault on a police officer, assault and battery, public intoxication, and disturbing the peace.

Maupins charges stem from a March 2024 incident that started at the River Bend Casino when she physically assaulted a casino security guard and ended with her attacking two Ottawa County Sheriffs deputies in the county jail.

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Court records show Maupin had been banging and punching walls at the casino after attempting to go inside a random persons hotel room. She punched and kicked the security guard in the chest as she was leaving the casino, records show.

After she continued to scream and flail around, a Wyandotte Nation Police Officer took Maupin to Miami Integris Hospital for erratic behavior and to get her medically cleared. During the ride to the hospital, Maupin began banging her head randomly, and trying to stand up and sit on the headrests of the [vehicles] backseats, an arrest warrant states.

Maupin refused medical treatment, continued not cooperating, and was taken to the Ottawa County jail, where she was in the process of being booked in when she began physically pulling away and trying to break free, according to her arrest affidavit. As one deputy began putting leg shackles on Maupin, she kicked the deputy in the face, sending him backward, fracturing his jaw, and then began spitting on him.

Maupin bit another deputy on his elbow, and Maupin hit him in the face while he was trying to restrain her.

Missouri Case

Maupin is charged in the Christmas Eve death of Tou Xiong, 37, of Sarcoxie. Court records say an intoxicated Maupin crossed into oncoming traffic while attempting to pass another vehicle. Missouri troopers said she side-swiped two other vehicles, one driven by Xiong.

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Using an often overlooked part of the state constitution that guarantees the right to earn a living, Columbia nurse practitioner Marcy Markes is hoping that challenging the states requirement could lead to better health care for Missourians (Meg Cunningham/The Beacon).

In 2020, Marcy Markes was confronted with a harsh reality.

A nurse practitioner who has specialized in allergy and asthma care for more than two decades, she was forced to close three of her rural allergy clinics in central Missouri and consolidate her practice at her clinic in Columbia.

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Why? Missouri is one of 11 states that require advanced practice nurses such as Markes to have oversight from a physician.

The rules on how nurse practitioners can see patients in Missouri are meticulous. Nurse practitioners must be within 75 miles of the physician who oversees them on a daily basis, and physicians must sign off on the nurses patient records.

When Markes overseeing physician got reassigned during COVID and was moved out of the 75-mile radius from her clinics, she had no choice but to close them.

There was no way I could be at those clinics and be within the mileage of where he was, Markes said. So I closed three rural clinics just for specialty care.

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Some of her patients followed her to Columbia, but others lost care.

You have to take a day off work, or you have the gas money to get here, Markes said. It just adds to health care dollars. And its not direct  you have to get there first.

While the rules were designed to keep patients safe, nurses say they dont do much to improve the care those patients get. In fact, they argue it is a roadblock to Missourians access to primary care or mental health providers.

And while advanced practice nurses like nurse practitioners and midwives have been pushing for decades to get the law changed in Missouri, theres been almost no momentum in the state legislature.

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So Markes is suing Missouri.

Using an often overlooked part of the state constitution that guarantees the right to earn a living, Markes is hoping that challenging the states requirement could lead to better health care for Missourians.

In states where nurse practitioners can practice individually, overall health ranks were 17 spots higher than in states with reduced practices, like Missouri.

And patient access in states where nurse practitioners can practice independently is higher. States with individual practice rights ranked 19 spots higher than states without when it came to patients access to care.

How Missouris oversight works

Missouri is one of only 11 states that still require advanced practice nurses to have oversight from a physician, formally called a collaborative practice agreement.

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Nearly every Missouri county has been designated a health professional shortage area when it comes to primary care and mental health care. Recent nationwide data shows that 66% of designated shortage areas were in rural parts of the country.

Research also shows that nurse practitioners are more likely to practice in rural communities. Nationwide, 88% of nurse practitioners are certified in primary care, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

In Missouri, independent physicians can set the rates they charge to nurse practitioners for their time and oversight.

For Markes, who provides speciality care with oversight from a pulmonologist, it is no small cost.

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She budgets more than $50,000 annually to pay her collaborating physician, who she said has little impact on how she cares for patients or runs her clinic.

Hes there when I need him, Markes said of her overseeing physician. There can be as much or as little collaboration, depending on who youre working with.

By running her own clinic, Markes is in a unique position. She takes on the cost and administrative burden of meeting the legal requirement of physician oversight.

For nurse practitioners who are part of larger health systems, the hospitals assign an overseeing physician and pay them a bonus for their review. But, practitioners say, the review is retroactive, and mostly means additional time spent looking at patient records that could be spent seeing more patients.

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Its time that could be better spent taking care of your patients, rather than worrying about the collaborative practice agreement, said Dawn Stout, a family nurse practitioner in Trenton, near the Iowa border.

Nationwide, 27 states allow nurse practitioners to practice to the full extent of the licensing.

There are limits to what nurse practitioners without full authority can do. They have limits in what medicines they can prescribe, making things like mental health care or pain management especially difficult.

I have issues maintaining good pain control, Stout said. Im limited to a five-day prescription for narcotics, so I have to jump through the hoop of getting my (physician) to sign off on them.

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Ultimately, nurse practitioners say that beyond checking patient care records and the occasional oversight on what can be prescribed to their patients, they usually dont have much communication with their physicians or oversight from the state.

Ive been at this facility almost 15 years, Stout said. Nobody has ever come and checked on our charts to see how many are signed by a physician.

In an email, the Missouri Board of Healing Arts and the state Board of Nursing, which oversee physicians and nurses respectively, said there is no requirement for state boards to verify collaborative practice agreements.

Physicians must report if they have nurse practitioners they oversee. Otherwise, there is no routine interaction between the boards and the nurses and physicians they oversee.

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Its a retrospective review, said Donna Matias, an attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation who is representing Markes in her case against the state. And there is no enforcement of the review. I have talked to plenty of nurse practitioners who have said, I have never even met my collaborating physician.

What it does signal is that this is not about health and safety, she said.

In 2024, legislation to eliminate collaborative practice requirements was introduced in the Missouri House of Representatives. The bill would have removed the requirement for nurse practitioners to have an overseeing physician after 2,000 hours of work  less than a year of full-time nursing practice.

Groups like the Missouri Farm Bureau and individual Missouri nurses submitted testimony in support, citing the changes the legislation could make for patient access.

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The Missouri State Medical Association, the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians and individual physicians and osteopathic doctors testified against the legislation, arguing that 2,000 hours is not enough time for a nurse practitioner to gain skills. They also argued the bill would degrade the extensive training other medical professionals receive.

One thing I do like about collaborative practice is I always have a resource at my fingertips if I need something, Stout said. But that same resource would be there even without the collaborative practice agreement.

How could full practice authority change patient access to primary care providers?

Although the number of nurse practitioners is growing in Missouri  the state has 16,715 advanced practice registered nurses, double what it did 10 years ago  nurse practitioners are also taking their skills elsewhere.

Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas have all granted advanced practice nurses full practice authority, while Illinois and Arkansas have granted full authority with a few restrictions.

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For Terry Thomas, a nurse practitioner who sees patients in Hannibal, making the move from Nebraska to Missouri after the pandemic was complex.

It was very difficult going from a state with full practice authority in Nebraska to Missouri, which is one of the most restricted states in the U.S. when it comes to nurse practitioners, Thomas said.

Usually, Thomas said, nurses near state lines will decide to practice in other states.

Stout, the family nurse practitioner in Trenton, is also licensed to practice in Iowa.

People Ive known over the years that are from this area, theyre like, Im not dealing with the restrictions that Missouri has. And theyll go to a state that doesnt have collaborative practice because its so restrictive, Stout said.

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Its also becoming more difficult to find a physician to oversee your practice, nurse practitioners say. The number of physicians who practice independently is waning, and taking on the liability of another medical professionals care is a hard sell.

About 77% of physicians in the U.S. are now employed by hospital systems or corporate entities, up sharply since 2019. In the Midwest, hospital or corporate owned practices have increased nearly 40% since 2019.

Acquisitions of private practices by corporate entities skyrocketed 87% from 2019 to 2023 in the Midwest.

You start adding in 20, 40, 60 extra charts a week that you have to read through, Stout said. Physicians dont want to take on nurse practitioners because it increases their workloads so much.

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Still, there is a projected shortage of 87,000 primary care physicians nationwide by 2037. And in 2022, more than half of working primary care doctors reported burnout.

A 2018 study used Medicare data to track health outcomes with patients who used nurse practitioners as their primary care providers. The data found those patients had lower rates of hospital admissions or readmissions and lower rates of improper use of the emergency room, compared to patients of primary care medical doctors.

States began passing legislation to allow for full practice authority in the 1990s, beginning with Iowa, Montana, New Mexico, Alaska and Oregon. Currently, 27 states allow full practice authority, while 12 have reduced authority and 11 states still require nurse practitioners to have supervision by a physician.

Ultimately, nurse practitioners know that even with full practice ability, they dont have the same knowledge and training physicians do. And by suing the state, Markes isnt trying to ban physician oversight for nurse practitioners.

But she does want to end the state-mandated requirement.

In rural areas, you need to have access to physicians. Having independent practice means providers who normally would not go into rural areas could see patients there, Markes said. Thats where all of this stems from, is the ability to take care of people.

This article first appeared on Beacon: Missouri and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
OWENSVILLE, Mo.  Record high beef prices could lead to lower quality meats at the grocery store.

August Horstmann, a first-generation rancher who operates on more than 1,000 acres in central Missouri, said the beef market is like any other industry in America: at the hands of supply and demand.

U.S. beef cattle herd inventories are low, said Horstmann, who said he wanted to be a rancher since he was three years old. He owns Horstmann Cattle Company, which is located in the middle of the rolling hills of Gasconade County.

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Low domestic supply coupled with a steady demand for beef in the U.S. and around the world forces the country to import additional beef that cant be produced internally.

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Because of sky-high prices at checkout, President Trump said the U.S. will increase beef imports from Argentina to make up for the lagging supply. Despite controversy surrounding the move with the South American country, Horstmann says its nothing compared to whats already coming into the country from Brazil, Australia and Canada.

(Argentina is) just a blip of what we actually are importing, he said.

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Even though the result could be cheaper for consumers, ranchers in Missouri said foreign beef imported into the U.S. will end up being a bad thing for the average customer.

Ranchers like Horstmann fear that more foreign meat means a better chance of it ending up on your table, whether you know it or not.

The best way to know what youre eating is to source it local from a farmer, Horstmann said.

Not far in adjacent Maries County, one rancher said you typically can taste the difference between beef from another country and meat raised in the U.S.

Its just a lot better beef, said Chuck Sandbothe, a rancher in Vienna, a small town in Maries County.

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Alleged trading card thief caught on camera at antique shop

As imports increase and prices fall, Sandbothe and Horstmann both said its more likely large beef processors, including Brazilian-owned giants like JBS and National Beef Packing Co., will be mixing meats.

Horstmann said that many ranchers in Missouri want to return to Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling, something that had existed in many areas until a 2015 withdrawal by the U.S. and other countries over global trade concerns.

Tell politicians that you want to see country of origin labeling on your beef, Horstmann said.

Even though prices are high, Horstmann said ranchers are seeing any higher profits.

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I lost $250 a head in this price crash, Horstmann said on the rocky week on the cattle market. If were out here losing money on these cattle in that quick time, why is the average price of boxed beef, which is your end product going to your grocery store, why is that up?

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.
Moldova's Ministry of Defence has said that it did not record any violations of the country's airspace by Russian missiles or drones during a large-scale strike on Ukraine on the night of 29-30 October.

Source: Newsmaker, a Moldovan online media outlet, citing Moldova's Ministry of Defence, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The defence ministry described as false the claims on Telegram channels that Russian missiles had flown into Moldovan airspace in the north of the country.

Background:

In Poland, aircraft have been scrambled and two airports have suspended operations because of the large-scale Russian missile attack on Ukraine on the night of 29-30 October.

Most of the munitions used in Russia's strike have been aimed at targets in Ukraine's western oblasts and at the city of Zaporizhzhia.

At this stage, at least three people have been reported killed and energy facilities have been damaged.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday expressed concerns over the recent termination of two government school teachers accused of "radicalising youth and working for LeT." He emphasised the importance of following due process and allowing individuals to defend themselves in court. "I have always said this, and I say it again. Terminations should be done through the courts. Everyone should have a chance to explain themselves," Abdullah said. "Everyone should have a chance to explain themselves. This system, which is being used to dismiss employees, doesn't give them a chance to explain themselves... So, it would be better to use the courts to punish those who are truly guilty. But I think any action taken against them on the basis of mere suspicion will prove harmful for all of us," he said. JKNC, in a post on social media, quoted CM Omar Abdullah as saying, "Guilt can only be proven in a court and not otherwise." https://x.com/JKNC_/status/1983855426811871343 Government of Jammu and Kashmir General Administration Department (CAD) in an order on Thursday said," The Lieutenant Governor is satisfied under sub-clause (c) of the proviso to clause (2) of Article 311 of the Constitution of India that in the interest of the security of the State, it is not expedient to hold an enquiry in the case of Maajid Iqbal Dar, Teacher in the School Education Department, S/o Late Mohd Iqbal Dar, R/o Ward No.1, Kheora, District Rajouri". "Accordingly, the Lieutenant Governor hereby dismisses Maajid Iqbal Dar, Teacher in the School Education Department, from service, with immediate effect," read the order signed by the Commissioner GAD. He also expressed confidence in the three candidates nominated by the National Conference (NC) to the Rajya Sabha, saying they will effectively represent the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "...We have sent three excellent candidates to the Rajya Sabha to represent the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and I hope that our demands and issues will be resolved through them," Omar Abdullah told reporters here. CM Omar Abdullah visited Chinar Park in Handwara to review developments and attended a workers' convention addressing the concerns of residents & welfare initiatives, his party said on social media. He also felicitated JKNC MP Choudhary M Ramzan on his successful nomination. Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said on Thursday, "Anyone who is working against the interests of India, irrespective of his religion, action should be taken against him" PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday claimed that such actions spark the concerns of a wider agenda to "disempower Muslims", especially Kashmiris. https://x.com/MehboobaMufti/status/1983789877599613415 In a post on social media, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said, "Two more government employees have been terminated over alleged terror links & denied even the chance to prove their innocence. This fuels concerns of a wider agenda to disempower Muslims especially Kashmiris. First they face marginalization through biased reservation policies as revealed by recent disclosures on reservation certificates in J&K and now they endure wrongful dismissals with the judge, jury and executioner all on one side" (ANI)
NEED TO KNOW

A two-vehicle car crash in Iowa killed mom Jamie Zank and injured her husband Joel and their 9-year-old son Zander on Oct. 24

Police suspect that foggy conditions were responsible for the incident

Jaime did not survive that fateful moment and is now in the arms of the Lord, David Zank said of his daughter-in-law, who also leaves behind three other children

What began as a deer hunting trip in Iowa turned tragic when a mom died, and her husband and son were injured when they crashed into a semi-trailer truck.

Bettendorf Police said in a news release that authorities received a 911 call about a two-vehicle accident in the 6800 block of State Street in Bettendorf on the morning of Friday, Oct. 24. Upon arriving, first responders learned that a pickup truck struck a semi-trailer as the semi-trailer was leaving a business and turning onto State Street.

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Police said the pickup truck carried three people, including a 43-year-old woman who was pronounced dead at the scene. A 41-year-old man was taken to a local hospital, while a 9-year-old was airlifted to a facility in Iowa City. The semi-trailer driver was not injured.

The 6800 block of State Street was temporarily closed in both directions due to extremely foggy and dangerous conditions, police noted.

Bettendorf Police Chief Doug Scott expressed his condolences to the Zank family. He added the investigation has not been completed, "but preliminarily we believe the lack of visibility caused by the fog was a major contributing factor.

The victim inside the pickup truck has been identified by relatives and a GoFundMe as Jamie Zank, and the injured persons were her husband, Joel, and their son Zander, NBC affiliate KWQC reported.

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According to GoFundMe, created by David Zank, Joels father, the trio was heading to southern Iowa on a deer hunting trip that Friday to spend time together as a family.

It was very foggy that morning  as they hit the road when life changed in a mere moment. The semi-truck that pulled out onto the road could not see them coming, and they didn't see the semi until it was too late, David stated.

Jaime did not survive that fateful moment and is now in the arms of the Lord, he continued.

David shared that Joel suffered multiple jaw, cranial and cervical fractures, while Zander's heart stopped, and he has been non-responsive since he was revived.



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"We don't know the full ramifications of Zanders injuries and what long-term care he may need, and we don't know the timeline for Joel to heal physically and mentally and be able to return to work, the organizer stated.

David went on to honor Jamie for her vibrant personality and for being the "glue that held" the family together.

Jamie and Joel were made for each other," he told KWQC.

According to David's GoFundMe, Jamie, who was in a previous relationship, and her three sons, Daniel, Bryce, and Caleb, moved from Rochester, Minn., to Iowa in 2014 to be with Joel. A year later, Jamie and Joel gave birth to their son Zander.

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It was beautiful to watch a family coalesce around the addition of little Zander to the mix. He was an instant lightning rod, full of life and never to be ignored. He seemed to complete this family as they all grew and moved forward, he wrote.

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 update shared on Monday, Oct. 27, the GoFundMe said that Joel underwent surgery and his jaw will be wired shut for about three weeks as he is still in physical pain. Meanwhile, Zander is still fighting for his life.

As of Thursday, Oct. 30, the GoFundMe has raised over $52,000 to pay for medical and funeral expenses.

Joel will heal physically, but will never be the same as he blames himself for this tragedy, David wrote.

PEOPLE contacted David for additional comment.



Read the original article on People
NEED TO KNOW

A mom is looking for a necklace she lost that contains he late son's ashes



Tammy Ross said she lost the necklace while shopping in Medina, Ohio on Oct. 24

It was just like I lost him again," Ross told a local news outlet

An Ohio woman is looking for a lost necklace that she said contained her late sons ashes.

Tammy Ross said her son, Jarrod Lawrence, died in 2013 after falling ill with the flu, according to FOX affiliate WJW. Lawrence was born in 1994 with serious medical issues, including 3p deletion syndrome, a rare and deadly genetic disorder.

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Lawrence faced many challenges before his death, his mom said. He never talked, never walked, never crawled, never sat up really on his own, she added. But he beat the odds, bringing joy to his family into his teen years.

Following her sons death, Ross had his ashes encapsulated in a special teardrop-shaped necklace. But she lost the precious piece of jewelry on Friday, Oct. 24, while out shopping at Medwick Marketplace in Medina with her daughter.

It was just like I lost him again and it was not a good feeling, Ross told WJW. Like, I just called my kids, just screaming and crying, what am I going to do?' 

Now, Ross is looking for help finding her prized possession. In a post on the Medina, Ohio News and Street Talk page on Facebook, the mom begged for help.

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Lost a necklace today that contains my son's ashes, she wrote in the post, noting that she visited Hobby Lobby, Sally's Beauty Supply, Bath and Body Works, Marshall's and Shoe Carnival.

She added, This is very important to me, im beyond devastated right now. Please help.

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.

Many of the commenters offered prayers to Ross, while others offered her words of encouragement.

Speaking with WJW, Ross opened up about the sentimental value behind the lost necklace. I felt like if I had him around my neck, he was close to my heart and he was always warm and he was always with me, she explained.



Read the original article on People
Cadbury brand owner Mondelez International is axing a better-for-you dairy chocolate bar and snacking range in the UK and Ireland.

The low-sugar Cadbury Dairy Milk Fruitier and Nuttier Trail Mix, featuring a selection of chocolate buttons, fruit and nuts, was launched in 2023 and marketed as low in saturated fats, portion-controlled and with 127 calories.

Chocolate bars under the same branding followed in 2024.

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While Mondelez confirmed both have now been discontinued, a spokesperson for the US-headquartered snacks and confectionery giant told Just Food the withdrawal will disappoint some consumers.

A statement read: We worked incredibly hard to ensure that these better-for-you products retained the indulgence and great taste that consumers expect from Cadbury, and whilst the initial response from consumers was positive, sales and availability have significantly dropped.

Despite the axe, the spokesperson said Mondelez will continue to invest in its Cadbury Delights brand, a chocolate bar with fewer than 100 calories.

We remain fully committed to delivering in the wellbeing space by bringing forward an increased range of better-for-you products, alongside investment in reformulation, portion control and education, Mondelez added.

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Reformulation is currently a key topic in the food industry, especially around manufacturers of confectionery, salty snacks, and in some cases ready meals or foods considered to be overly processed.

Portion control is one solution, along with regulatory efforts to cut the promotion of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) as a means to lower obesity rates, particularly in children. And in the wider scheme of things to reduce the prevalence of health conditions such as heart disease and Type-2 diabetes.

The rise of the GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, originally designed to address Type-2 diabetes, has made food reformulation an increasingly important proposition.

It is not the first time that Mondelez has withdrawn a better-for-you confectionery product from the market.

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In the same year as the Cadbury Dairy Milk Fruitier and Nuttier Trail Mix launch, Mondelez revealed it would end production of its 30% less sugar chocolate bars, a variation of the Cadbury Dairy Milk range.

Those bars were rolled out in the UK and Ireland in 2019.

At the time of the launch, Mondelez said the bars supported the companys ongoing commitment to play its role in tackling obesity, including childhood obesity, in the UK.

A spokesperson told Just Food upon the 2023 withdrawal: We not only invested heavily in developing a bar that consumers told us tasted great but also in promoting it through a nationwide marketing campaign. Despite these efforts, demand for this product has dropped and we have sadly taken the decision to delist it.

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Another confectionery giant, Nestle, has encountered similar barriers to the uptake by consumers of low-sugar variants.

In 2020, Nestle discontinued Milkybar Wowsomes with 30% less sugar. The product was pulled after an underwhelming two years in the UK and Ireland markets, the company said at the time.

"Mondelez axes better-for-you Fruitier and Nuttier Cadbury range" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.




Democrat Kacey Carnegie (left) and Republican Mike Lamonea are offering voters in House District 89 starkly different ideas for tackling rising costs and improving schools. (Photos courtesy of campaigns)

One of Virginias most competitive House of Delegates races is heating up in Chesapeake, where two sharply contrasting candidates are pitching plans to ease the cost of living and strengthen public education.

The race for Virginias House District 89  represented by Del. Baxter Ennis, R-Chesapeake, who announced in February that he wouldnt seek reelection  is now wide open.

Key races: 2025 Virginia House of Delegates elections

 Data centers dominate House District 21 race between Thomas and Gorham

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 House District 82 rematch could help decide control of Virginias legislature

 In House District 22, candidates tackle data centers, rising costs in race for legislatures future

 Familiar foes, new stakes: CoynerDougherty rematch tests Va.s suburban swing in House District 75

 Democrat Mehta aims to unseat Republican Earley in Chesterfield-based House District 73 race

 Growth, tourism and turnout collide in House District 71 rematch

 House District 97, anchored in Virginia Beach, could determine party majority in House of Delegates

 Big money, tight margins define ObenshainFranklin rematch in House District 41

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The district generally leans Democratic but has swung between parties in recent years. It backed Donald Trump in 2016, Glenn Youngkin in 2021 and Kamala Harris by just under three points in 2024. The Virginia Public Access Project ranks it among the 10 most competitive House contests this year.

Democrat Kacey Carnegie, an attorney, and Republican Mike Lamonea, a Chesapeake school board member and former Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, are offering voters starkly different ideas for tackling rising costs and improving schools.

Carnegie has outraised her opponent by more than $700,000, pulling in over $1.7 million in campaign contributions, according to VPAP. Much of that came from the House Democratic Caucus, which has poured $850,000 into her campaign since late August. As of Oct. 23, Lamonea has raised just over $1 million.

Top issues

Both candidates have made affordability central to their platforms.

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In a recent phone interview with the Virginia Mercury, Carnegie said raising the minimum wage would help ease financial pressures for Virginians.

Individuals who are working 40 hours a week, making minimum wage, do not make enough to survive, Carnegie said.

She said she supports a tiered system to raise the minimum wage and pointed to climbing home and grocery costs as major burdens for 89th district voters.

Home and rent prices in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk area, which generally track the national average, have risen steadily since 2015.

If someone wants to live in Chesapeake, if someone wants to live in Suffolk, they should have that option. Carnegie said. They shouldnt be priced out.

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Lamoneas campaign, which responded to questions from The Mercury via email, said affordability is the top issue for voters heading into Election Day.

Families are struggling to make ends meet while Richmond politicians keep adding more taxes and regulations, Lamonea wrote. We need to make Virginia more affordable  by permanently eliminating the grocery and car taxes, supporting small businesses, and keeping energy costs low.

He said cutting grocery and car taxes in particular would deliver quick relief.

Working families are stretched thin, and those taxes hit everyone, Lamonea wrote. Cutting them would make an immediate difference in peoples lives and show that Virginia is serious about lowering costs and helping families thrive.

Education platforms

Both candidates call education policy a top priority.

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Lamonea highlighted his record on the school board, where he said he helped raise teacher and staff pay, improve school safety and expand technical education programs. In March 2024, the board approved a budget increasing pay for teachers and administrative staff.

Every student deserves a path to success  whether thats college, a trade, or military service  and Ill keep fighting to make that a reality across Virginia, Lamonea wrote.

Carnegie said she would focus on reducing class sizes and boosting teacher pay, listing education investment as one of her top campaign priorities.

A strong future starts with strong public schools, her campaign website reads.

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Lamoneas website says he would ensure parents have a voice in their childrens education, protect classrooms from political agendas, and expand mental health resources for students.

The stance echoes Youngkins 2021 campaign message that parents should have greater influence over what their children are taught.

The candidates backgrounds

Carnegie said that she draws inspiration from former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg  whose dissent collar she has tattooed on her arm  along with the number nine on top of it.

She said Ginsburg inspired her to become an attorney and give back to the community. Her office, she added, is covered with Ginsburg memorabilia.

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Everything from a bobblehead to wine bottles to quotes, because she was such a pioneer in protecting individuals rights and making sure that people were heard and not forgotten, she said. Thats really what my campaign is focused on.

Lamoneas path to politics has been different. Before joining the school board, he worked as a special agent for ICE and later with Homeland Security investigations to get narcotics, human traffickers, child predators, and violent gangs off our streets.

I believe my background is not only a benefit to my campaign  it is more importantly a benefit to our community, Lamonea wrote.

Virginia voters will go to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4, to choose a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and all 100 members of the House of Delegates. The 89th district race is one of several that could decide control of the chamber.

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Democrats currently hold a narrow 51-48 majority. A Democratic pick-up in the 89th District would expand that edge, while a Republican hold would strengthen the GOPs push to retake the chamber it lost in 2023.

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JASPER COUNTY, Miss. (WKRG)  Several monkeys escaped after a truck transporting them from Tulane University crashed Tuesday afternoon on a Jasper County highway.

Baldwin County Sheriffs Office seeks stabbing suspect

Crates spilled along the roadside after the truck left the roadway and hit the median, said Scotty Ray, who recorded the aftermath on his phone.

The truck left the roadway and crashed into the median there, said Scotty Ray.

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We realized quickly that the ones that were busted were the ones that had the monkeys missing, and it was five of them. And theres no telling how many total monkeys there were there, Ray continued.

Ray said he saw three of the 40-pound mammals walking around.

They were definitely some form of a lab monkey, Ray said. They (police) had eyes on all the ones that were still in the middle (of the roadway) there.

Ray said the Mississippi Wildlife Game and Fish went into the woods to search for the others. He said people at the scene were warned the monkeys were aggressive, which is why law enforcement patrolled the area with semi-automatic weapons.

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This could have been a big disaster had they not gotten there as quickly, Ray said.

And then four were euthanized, and then they were still searching for one when I left the scene, he said.

Three monkeys are still on the loose, according to the Jasper County Police Department. They said they are currently in contact with an animal disposal company.

Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office arrests 14 men during child sexual predator operation by: Theresa Grundman

It is not clear yet what caused the truck to overturn, nor how many monkeys were on the truck.

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.
GRAND JUNCTION Colo. (KREX)- Montrose County officials are weighing a new ordinance that would make it illegal to introduce non-native wildlife species  including the Canadian gray wolf  into the county.

County commissioners say the measure is intended to protect landowners, livestock, and local industries from potential threats associated with reintroducing non-native predators.

Commissioner Sean Pond said the proposal is grounded in state law and aims to safeguard residents and agricultural producers.

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The ordinance that we put forth is factually grounded under state statute, grounded in the law, and were taking action to protect the constituents of Montrose County, Pond said.

Pond argued that the Canadian gray wolf poses a particular risk to livestock and ranchers in western Colorado, saying the animals are larger and more aggressive than the gray wolves that were once native to the state.

Theres a big difference in the type of predator they are, he said. The Rocky Mountain gray wolf wouldve been about 50 to 60 pounds, compared to a Canadian gray wolf at 130 to 140 pounds.

Under the proposed ordinance, the Montrose County Sheriffs Office would also be authorized to respond to reports of wolf depredation. Pond said this change would ensure faster investigations and quicker compensation for affected ranchers.

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Part of this ordinance is to give the responsibilities of Montrose County to the local sheriffs department so they can be there in a timely fashion  so they can do the investigation to make sure our ag producers and cattle ranchers are quick to be paid and evidence isnt lost to wildlife, Pond said.

The ordinance passed its first reading by a 2-1 vote earlier this month, with Pond and Commissioner Scott Mijares in favor and Commissioner Sue Hansen opposed. Hansen said she voted against the measure because she believes it would be difficult to enforce.

I would also look to strike the broader animal characterization and specifically speak to wolves, Hansen said.

The proposal is now open for public comment and will return to the board in November for possible adoption. Pond said he hopes other counties will consider similar ordinances.

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If adopted, the measure would formally restrict the introduction of non-native wildlife species within Montrose County.

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 WesternSlopeNow.com.
Gov. Wes Moore (D), right, called on the legislature to redraw Maryland's eight congressional districts and said he is considering a special session to do so. Senate President Bill Ferguson said he and the Senate are opposed to such an effort. (File photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

Gov. Wes Moore (D) hinted that he may move ahead with plans to redraw the states eight congressional districts, and to call a possible special session, despite opposition from a key lawmaker.

Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City), in a letter to Senate Democrats Tuesday, said he opposed mid-cycle redistricting, which he called too risky for Democrats who could end up losing a seat in their efforts to redraw congressional districts to gain one.

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Ferguson said that redistricting in the middle of a decade twists rules for potential short-term advantage while undermining trust in institutions and ultimately, democracy, but that is not the reason we should not pursue it.

Simply put, it is too risky and jeopardizes Marylands ability to fight against the radical Trump Administration. At a time where every seat in Congress matters, the potential for ceding yet another one to Republicans here in Maryland is simply too great, he wrote.

But Moore signaled the potential for a fight with Ferguson over the issue.

The General Assembly is a large body, so while I have read the Senate Presidents letter, I also know that one person cannot stop a process, Moore told reporters Wednesday.

Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City). (File photo Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

My commitment stays firm that we are going to make sure that we have fair maps inside the state of Maryland, and we are not going to bend the knee to Donald Trump, Moore said, adding that a special session is not off the table, regardless of what anyone else says.

I understand that pressure

States typically redraw their congressional district lines every 10 years, after the decennial census reports on population shifts. But some Republican-led states, at the urging of President Donald Trump (R), began redistricting this year in an effort to make the map more friendly to GOP candidates in the 2026 elections.

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Texas, where Republicans hold 25 of 38 House seats, approved a new map in August that could net five more GOP seats next fall. Soon after, Missouri and North Carolina moved to pass new maps that favor Republicans.

Democratic states are responding, led by California, which could pass a map that would add five Democratic seats, and other states are under pressure to follow suit. In his three-page confidential letter to the 34 members of the Senates Democratic caucus, Ferguson acknowledged the political pressure many Democrats are feeling to challenge Trump on this, the budget and other issues.

This push means that you are feeling the need to fight back, not just intrinsically, but from neighbors, family, other electeds, and constituents, Ferguson writes. I understand that pressure, as I am experiencing it alongside you.

But Ferguson implies that GOP effort to game congressional districts in their states is a form of cheating Maryland should shun.

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In state after state, leaders are considering redrawing congressional maps in the middle of the decade to disenfranchise minority party voters; not because the census changed  not because population shifted  but because the political winds did, he wrote. The result of all this has been an all-out attack on the Democratic Party and the core of democracy.

Maryland Democrats have largely had their way with redistricting over the last quarter-century.

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Nearly 25 years ago, Democrats and Republicans shared an even split of the states eight congressional districts. But under Gov. Parris Glendening (D) in 2002, lawmakers approved a map that gave Democrats a 6-2 advantage. In the 2012 redistricting, rural, Republican Western Maryland was combined with portions of largely Democratic Montgomery County to give Democrats a 7-1 edge.

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But a map three years ago that could have given Democrats all eight House seats was struck down by a state judge who called the plan extreme partisan gerrymandering. Senior Judge Lynne A. Battaglias ruling linked partisan map-making to potential violations of Marylands Declaration of Rights.

The maps were redrawn to create the 7-1 map in use today  a map Ferguson noted has never been reviewed by the courts but could become collateral damage in a legal challenge of a mid-decade redistricting effort.

We do not know how a court would assess a revised midcycle map and whether the court would use party affiliation as a measure, Ferguson wrote in his letter. We do, however, have a certainty under the current map; that evaporates the moment we start down a path of redistricting mid-cycle with an unclear legal landscape and an even more unclear legal timeline.

Fergusons letter notes that Republican-controlled states that can still redistrict control 55 congressional seats. States with Democratic supermajorities control 35 Republican congressional seats. The result could be a net loss of 20 Democratic controlled seats, he said.

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Ferguson claimed Maryland is holding other Republican states from redrawing their maps. He said several Republican states are resisting the pressure to redistrict and are mostly able to do so because Maryland and other Democratic states are not redistricting either. In short  if Maryland redistricts, Republican-led states that were not planning to do so, will. That means that Marylands potential gain of one seat is immediately eliminated, and, in fact, worsens the national outlook.

Moores legislative math problem

If he calls for a special session, Moore would still need to get 24 votes to pass a redistricting bill in the 47-member Senate.

All of those will have to come from the 34-member Democratic Caucus, a supermajority in the Senate. And he would need at least 29 votes to ensure the ability to end any filibuster in the Senate.

For Ferguson, the math is easier.

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The Democratic Senate president starts with 13 Republican senators who are likely to oppose any redistricting effort. He will also likely bring with him the chairs and vice chairs of the standing committees and other members of leadership as well as other loyalists.

Without the votes in the Senate, a redistricting effort goes no further than the House.

Moore is not the only one who is not giving up on Maryland redistricting. U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters Wednesday that Moore has been very clear that Maryland is prepared to respond  to the Trump Republican effort to rig the midterm elections.

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) (File photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters)

Its my expectation, based on my conversations with Gov. Moore, my conversations with leadership in the Maryland General Assembly and certainly my conversations with the Maryland delegation, that the state of Maryland knows what the stakes are, understands the assignment  and as we are seeing in multiple other states beginning with California, will respond aggressively and appropriately in short order, Jeffries said.

Moore hates gerrymandering, calls for competitive districts

Maryland  a state where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1  has one congressional district held by a Republican.

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Moore last week hinted at the possibility of a special session focused on redrawing Marylands eight congressional districts. In an ironic turn, he told reporters the effort to revisit the states congressional maps before the 2030 Census was about fair and competitive districts.

I know that if you look at the maps all across the country, less than 10% of all maps are even competitive, Moore said.

Theres gerrymandering that is taking place right now inside of our maps all around the country and I hate the gerrymandering process, but wed be lying to ourselves if we didnt act like the maps that we have right now are not gerrymandered, Moore said.

That goes for Marylands congressional districts, he said.

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I think if you look at the process of how these maps are laid out, you cannot look at the win margins, you cannot look at how its established right now and say that Marylands maps are not worth reexamination, Moore said. They are worth reexamination if you look at just the average win portion that we have for the members of our delegation.

Speaker Jones leaves door open to redistricting

Moore can call a special session, but what happens next could be difficult.

Neither chamber is obligated to pass nor even take up a specific bill. There is some question about whether the Senate could simply adjourn its proceedings after taking up overrides of any vetoes issued this year by Moore.

The governor has some allies in the push.

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House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) said she is open to a discussion about redrawing congressional districts, though her statement does not speak to the possibility of a special session.

House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County) said the House of Delegates is open to a midcycle redistricting proposal. (File photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)

Mid-cycle redistricting should concern anyone who cares about the health of our democratic institutions and the future of fair elections, Jones said in a statement. Closing the door now on the mid-cycle redistricting debate denies our constituents the opportunity to voice their opinion on an issue that goes far beyond their district lines. As Ive stated before, my door remains open to my colleagues in the Senate and to the Governor to jointly pursue efforts to protect our democracy.

Del. David Moon (D-Montgomery), the House majority leader, announced in August he would sponsor redistricting legislation. And Del. Jheanelle K. Wilkins (D-Montgomery) said this week that mid-decade redistricting in Maryland is an imperative.

We cant miss this moment to ensure accountability and fair representation, Wilkins said. Our democracy is at stake in a real way, and we have an obligation to make sure district lines truly reflect our communities. At a time when voting rights, diversity and basic freedoms are under assault, Maryland must step up to ensure we have the strongest and most representative government possible.

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Wilkins, vice chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, is also chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, but said she was speaking only for herself.

The effort has some support in the Senate.

Sen. Clarence Lam (D-Howard and Anne Arundel) has said he would sponsor redistricting legislation in his chamber, but he declined to comment on redistricting when asked Wednesday afternoon.

Moore, speaking to reporters Wednesday, insisted Maryland needs to go through a process of establishing, do we have fair maps, especially if Donald Trump is trying to rig a system to try to win an election by asking only Republican states to do that.

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I will work with Senate President Ferguson, Moore added. I also work with all of the other senators and all the other members of the House, because it is a large body, and one person does not decide whether or not Maryland goes through this process.

 Maryland Matters reporter Nicole Pilsbury contributed to this story.
National Review declared it A Time for Choosing on Antisemitism in new editorial about Tucker Carlson, Nick Fuentes, and the proliferation of Jew hatred in the United States.

Tucker Carlson, knee-deep already, has taken another step into the muck with a friendly interview with Nick Fuentes, observed the conservative magazine, which made it clear that its issue wasnt with the idea of interviewing the white nationalist, but with Carlsons failure to  challenge any of Fuentess noxious views.

Carlson didnt even need to go back through old clips to find objectionable statements. In his appearance, Fuentes stated that the big challenge to unifying the country against tribal interests was organized Jewry in America, and he expressed admiration for Soviet butcher Joseph Stalin. He did not receive any pushback from Carlson, continued the editorial. It also cant be said that Carlsons interviewing style is simply to let his guests speak. In June, Carlson held a combative interview with Senator Ted Cruz that descended into an extended shouting match. Why would Carlson choose to take an oppositional tack to a senator who has been fighting for conservatism for decades, but not to a podcaster who praises Stalin? The obvious answer is that Fuentes is an avowed Jew-hater while Cruz is a staunch supporter of Israel.

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It went on to note that Carlson is one of the nations most prominent and influential commentators, and that while President Donald Trump and his affinity for both Israel and the Jewish people is currently standing in the breach as a bulwark against right-wing anti-Semitism, Trump wont be around forever, and Carlson, Fuentes, Candace Owens, and other online influencers are pushing so hard to try and remake the Republican Party and the conservative movement into one that is hostile toward Israel and the Jewish people.

The idea that it should be seen as the America First position to oppose Israel and American Jewry is not only a moral abomination; it makes no sense, it concluded. A version of America that is no longer safe for Jews to live in securely, and that is overtaken by anti-Israel zealots, is not an America that any conservative should want to live in.

In a sprawling feature piece for the magazine earlier this year, conservative commentator James Kirchick deemed Carlson Americas leading purveyor of antisemitic ideas.

The post Moral Abomination: National Review Draws Battle Lines Against Tucker Carlson first appeared on Mediaite.
U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, uses reports of fraud within veterans' disability claims as an opportunity to hold a hearing examining the efficiency of the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of U.S. Senate Veterans Affairs Committee video)

TOPEKA  U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, wants to get to the bottom of recent reports of fraud by veterans claiming benefits.

We have an obligation to the men and women who have injuries or illnesses connected with their service in uniform to make certain they are provided the tools and resources they need to succeed in life after the military, Moran said, convening a hearing Wednesday in Washington. Our goal today is to examine the facts.

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Moran, chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, called the hearing in response to a Washington Post investigation that showed the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has antiquated policies that sometimes provided outsized benefits for veterans with minor conditions. It also found cases where veterans lied about their conditions outright.

The investigation found, for example, that the Veterans Benefits Administration typically pays veterans with sleep apnea more than a veteran who had a leg amputated below the knee. Based on documents, videos and interviews, the pair of articles detailed instances of veterans falsifying disabilities to earn higher benefits.

But some lawmakers and officials at the hearing disputed the conclusions of the investigation.

There is no massive fraud going on, said Cheryl Mason, the inspector general for Veterans Affairs.

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Jeremy Villanueva, associate legislative director for Paralyzed Veterans of America, said it is disgraceful when disabled veterans are portrayed as fraudsters and cheats.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, said the article painted veterans as dishonest fraudsters, cheaters and moochers.

She said no one denied the reality that there are a small number of fraudsters. She said investigative resources should be increased if the goal is to strengthen deterrence and prosecution.

The mistake we must avoid is allowing a minority of criminals who dictate the redesign of the VA disability benefits system into a bureaucratic black box that is more frustrating and less fair and will leave more veterans waiting and dying waiting to get benefits theyve earned, said Duckworth, who is an Army National Guard veteran.

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Moran said the articles left the impression that veterans are responsible for widespread fraud.

The cases of fraud highlighted in these articles do not reflect the reality of who veterans are, the vast majority of the veteran population or the values veterans embody, Moran said.

The attention the stories received provided the committee with the opportunity to discuss the efficacy of the VA disability claims process, Moran said.

Is the system ensuring timely, accurate and fair outcomes? he asked. Is it empowering veterans to thrive or inadvertently creating barriers to their success and opportunities after service?

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He said he sought to bring different points of view to the committee, inviting six people whose jobs and lives are intertwined with the Veterans Administration. Moran said he had faith in the committees ability to hear from veterans and ensure they receive the benefits they are entitled to.

Of Kansas 182,000 veterans, more than 83,000 are enrolled in the VA health care system and more than 47,500 receive disability benefits, according to department data from fiscal year 2023.

The Post wasnt subtle in its examples of fraud, said U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, R-Indiana, citing a veteran who pretended to be blind for almost three decades and a competitive bodybuilder who faked trouble walking and wore a diaper. Banks, who is a Navy veteran, asked Daniel Gade, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and a source in a Post article, how prevalent outright disability compensation fraud really is.

It is rare, Gade said.

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A bigger problem is the problem of lax oversight and easily exaggerated conditions and no follow-up, said Gade.

Mason agreed that fraud is rare, acknowledging bad actors exist, but they are few compared to the 6.9 million American veterans who receive benefits.

Despite the rarity of fraud and steps to improve the veterans disability benefits program, the VA has failed to modernize, said Elizabeth Curda, the director of education, workforce and income security issues for the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

It is a large, decentralized organization and change often faces strong headwinds, Curda said. The VA relies on outdated ratings to determine disability levels, and it is 10 years behind on its goal to bring policies and procedures up to date, she said.

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U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, repeatedly pointed to substantial cuts to the VA workforce. He said the system has been dismantled through reckless policies that have pushed civil servants to the brink of their abilities. He cited Trump administration policies such as arbitrary contract cancellations, return to office mandates and proposed lay-offs.

There are simply not enough people, Blumenthal said.

The result has been a demoralized VBA workforce who is consistently pushed to sacrifice quality for the sake of quantity, he said.
A state police operation targeting a major drug gang in Brazil has resulted in the deaths of 132 people in low-income neighbourhoods in Rio de Janeiro  the deadliest raid in the countrys history.

Authorities initially said fewer than half that number had been killed in the favelas  the Portuguese term for slum. Protests against excessive police force have since broken out and activists are calling for Rios governor to resign over what local people have described as a slaughter.

State police said the operation carried out on Tuesday had been planned for months. The sting aimed to drive suspects into a forested hillside where special operation units were waiting to ambush them.

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The following day, dozens of favela residents gathered in front of the state government headquarters shouting assassins! just hours after family members laid dozens of bodies out on a street in one of the targeted areas.

Among those expressing shock about the death toll was President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. According to Brazils justice minister, Lula was astonished that the federal government had not been informed about or asked to cooperate in the operation beforehand.

A sign reading Claudio Castro (Rio de Janeiro governor) assassin and terrorist covers bodies of people killed in the anti-gang operation by police [Wagner Meier/Getty Images]

What happened?

Arriving on foot and in armoured cars, police launched a predawn raid targeting the Comando Vermelho (Red Command) gang, one of Brazils oldest criminal organisations, in Rios northern neighbourhoods of Penha Complex and Alemao Complex.

The gang, which originated in Rios prisons in the 1970s, has expanded in recent years and now commands territory across Brazil, including in the Amazon. Its criminal activities include drug trafficking, arms trafficking and protection racketeering.

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Tuesdays assault involved 2,500 police and soldiers. Many were waiting in wooded areas  where most of the killings occurred  close to the targeted sites. Red Command fired back at the government forces, sparking scenes of chaos across the two neighbourhoods.

Schools in the affected areas were closed, a local university cancelled its classes and several roads were blocked off. Elsewhere, many shops in the two districts closed on Wednesday.

What was seized, and how many people were killed?

Rio state Governor Claudio Castro, a far-right ally of former President Jair Bolsonaro, said forensic work was still under way. For now, he maintained, the official death toll was 58, including four police officers.

However, the public defenders office, which provides legal assistance to the poor, reported that the figure was actually 132.

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After the raid, the state government said 118 weapons and more than a tonne of drugs were seized. On Wednesday, Castro called the operation a success. He spoke in a video on X and called the raid a historic day in the fight against crime in Rio de Janeiro.

Sigo acompanhando de perto esse dia historico no combate a criminalidade no Rio de Janeiro. Acabo de tomar uma decisao importante para o nosso estado, que vai nos ajudar a definir os proximos passos nessa luta. pic.twitter.com/seFOP9JmIu  Claudio Castro (@claudiocastroRJ) October 28, 2025

Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered Castro to provide information about the police operation and scheduled a hearing with the governor and the heads of the military and civil police on Monday in Rio.

On Wednesday, residents in Penha gathered next to dozens of bodies laid out in a square, shouting justice! before forensic authorities arrived to retrieve the remains.

Rafael Soares, a Brazilian crime journalist, told the BBC that Red Command had been on the offensive in Rio de Janeiro in recent years, reclaiming territory it had lost to its main rival, First Capital Command.





Does Brazil have a history of violent police raids?

Police raids against criminal organisations are not uncommon in Brazils favelas and often turn deadly.

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According to Soares, however, police operations in which more than 20 people die are very rare in Brazil. And most of those happen in Rio.

Before this, the citys most deadly police raid occurred in 2021 when 29 people were killed in the Jacarezinho neighbourhood. In 2022 in another raid on the Alemao Complex involving 400 officers, helicopters and armoured vehicles, 19 people were killed.

And 111 prisoners were killed in Sao Paulo in 1992 when police stormed the Carandiru Penitentiary to quash a rebellion.

What is the governments response?

On a visit to the state of Ceara on Tuesday, Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski called the raid very bloody and offered his condolences to the families of those innocent people killed. He said Lula was horrified by the scale of the fatalities.

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But the government will also be monitoring how the public responds. National violence is a key issue before national elections next year. Nearly 50 percent of Brazilians think security has deteriorated under Lula, according to a survey by Parana Pesquisas, a national pollster.

On Wednesday, Lula took to social media to say that organised crime in Brazil continues to destroy families, oppress residents, and spread drugs and violence across cities.

The previous day, opposition lawmakers accused the president of protecting criminal groups. The traffickers president must be upset. He lost voters in Rio, Gilvan da Federal told Congress, referring to gang members killed in the Rio de Janeiro operation.





How have humanitarian organisations responded to the raid?

The brutality of this weeks raid has drawn criticism from Marta Hurtado, a spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

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We fully understand the challenges of having to deal with violent and well-organised groups such as Red Command, she said.

But she also called on Brazil to break this cycle of extreme brutality and ensure that law enforcement operations comply with international standards regarding the use of force.

Cesar Munoz, director of Human Rights Watch in Brazil, called the deaths a tragedy. He added that the succession of lethal operations that do not result in greater safety for the population but that in fact cause insecurity reveals the failure of the policies of Rio de Janeiro.




Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on Thursday reached Gujarat and accused the BJP government of unleashing atrocities on farmers, including lathi charges, tear gas, and false cases, warning that the party's "countdown has begun." Speaking to the media, Kejriwal claimed that all farmers of Gujarat will unite and say "Bye-Bye" to the BJP. "Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and I have come to Gujarat today. In the past few months in Gujarat, farmers have been facing atrocities, lathi charge and tear gas shells. False cases are being slapped on them. Small and poor farmers are being jailed. Sections like 307 are being invoked against farmers. This is the land of Sardar Patel. He did satyagraha for farmers several times in his lifetime. We are going to join farmers in their agitation and tell them that we stand with them until our last breath," he said. "The countdown of the BJP has begun. 37 years ago, Congress did the same thing. They too had subjected farmers to atrocities. Since then, Congress never returned to power here. Now, BJP's countdown has begun. The kind of atrocities they are unleashing on farmers, all farmers of Gujarat will unite and say "Tata Bye Bye" to the BJP," Kejriwal added. Bhagwant Mann echoed similar sentiments, alleging neglect of farmers and non-payment of compensation for crop losses in Punjab, asserting that AAP would stand with farmers wherever injustice occurs. "...AAP is a party which emerged out of a mass movement, it is a secular party. Farmers are being subjected to atrocities here. I come from an agri-oriented state. I know how farmers are being defamed. Farmers of Punjab are being defamed over stubble burning...But when paddy, wheat, mustard, pearl millet and corn are procured, nobody says anything," he said. "Punjab faced a natural calamity recently and 5 lakh acres of land of the farmers were damaged. Houses and livestock were damaged. PM Modi announced Rs 1600 Crores as compensation. But we have not received even 1 paise so far, it has been 50 days since PM visited there. AAP will reach wherever there will be atrocities. We are here to support farmers of Gujarat. We will talk to them and raise their voice," the Punjab CM added. (ANI)
A suspect has been arrested for allegedly making off with more than $18,000 worth of wine and cash from an Italian restaurant in New Jersey.

Dashawn Durant, a 34-year-old Jersey City resident, is facing two counts apiece of burglary, theft, criminal mischief, possession of burglary tools and conspiracy in connection with the early-morning break-in on July 23, Middlesex police announced Thursday.

Durant is accused of forcing open a rear door at Vincenzos Ristorante on Bound Brook Road. Police said he took $6,000 worth of wine cases and $12,000 in cash from the eatery before fleeing the scene.

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Earlier that morning, Durant also allegedly climbed through a kitchen window at nearby Tim Kerwins Tavern, which is also on Bound Brook Road. It was enough to trigger the watering holes security alarm, and Durant fled without taking anything. Each of the targeted businesses are less than a mile apart.

Middlesex police said detectives were later able to identify Durant in collaboration with the Somerset County Prosecutors Office, which was investigating similar burglaries in the area.

An investigation into the matter is ongoing and anyone with information in the case has been asked to contact authorities.
More than 7,000 commercial truck drivers have been placed out of service this year for failing to meet federal English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday on X (formerly Twitter).

In his post, Duffy said 7,248 drivers have been sidelined as of October 2025, citing real-time violation data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The figure represents a sharp increase from 1,500 drivers reported in July  reflecting heightened roadside enforcement since the rule was reinstated over the summer.

The U.S. Department of Transportation requires commercial truck drivers to speak and understand English to operate a big rig  or they will be taken out of service, Duffy said in the post.

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According to FMCSAs national inspection database, at least 5,006 ELP-related out-of-service violations were recorded through October  a number that has continued to rise in recent months as more states ramp up enforcement.

The surge stems from a White House executive order issued in June, which reinstated English proficiency as an out-of-service violation for commercial drivers. The order repealed a 2016 FMCSA memo that had instructed officers not to remove drivers solely for failing to meet English requirements.

Under the updated policy, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) formally re-added English proficiency to its North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria on June 25, making noncompliance grounds for immediate sidelining

While federal officials say the policy improves safety, the rule has faced criticism from industry groups and carriers along the southern border, who argue it disproportionately impacts bilingual or Spanish-speaking drivers.

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Texas has the largest total issuance of non-domiciled commercial drivers license  a commercial drivers license held by a foreign driver legally operating in the U.S.  since 2015 among states that supplied data to a report by Overdrive.

Since 2015, Texas has issued over 3.2 million total CDLs, including 51,993 CDLs to non-domiciled drivers. In 2024, Texas issued 6,265 CDLs to non-citizens.

Texas and Arizona have reported some of the highest out-of-service counts under the revived rule, according to FMCSA data.

Carrier executives say the sudden enforcement shift has caused operational disruptions and driver shortages, particularly among cross-border fleets.

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We have drivers whove been safely operating for years, but now theyre being put out of service because they cant respond in English fast enough during a roadside stop, Adalberto Campero, CEO of Pharr, Texas-based Unimex, told FreightWaves in an interview. Its not a safety issue  its a communication style issue. These drivers know the regulations, the routes, and the customers, but now theyre sidelined over language perception.

.@USDOT requires commercial truck drivers to speak and understand English to operate a big rig- or they will be taken out of service.



This is about @POTUS and his administration making Americas roads SAFE again!   pic.twitter.com/Ynx8fOseCo  Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) October 30, 2025

The post More than 7,000 truckers reportedly sidelined for English proficiency violations appeared first on FreightWaves.
Interest in the Moon has been high  just in the past two years there have been 12 attempts to send missions to the Moon, nearly half of which private companies undertook. With so much activity, its important to start thinking about coordination and safety.

To some, this concern may seem premature. About 10 to 20 missions are headed to the Moon in the next few years  far short of the thousands of satellites operating in Earths orbit. And the area around the Moon, referred to as cislunar space, is very large. Earths orbital area is often considered to extend from near Earth out to geostationary orbit, where a spacecraft orbits at a speed that makes it appear stationary from the Earths surface.

Cislunar space extends from geostationary orbit out to the Moon  an area with a volume 2,000 times larger than Earths orbital area. This size discrepancy seems to suggest crowding around the Moon may not be an immediate concern.

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However, missions tend to choose from a select set of stable orbits around the Moon, so the vastness of cislunar space may be misleading when thinking about whether missions will intersect. Also, most government sensors that track spacecraft arent capable of consistently detecting and monitoring objects so far away from Earth, partly due to the glare from the Moon itself.

That uncertainty, combined with the high cost of lunar missions, makes operators more likely to move their spacecraft to avoid a collision, even when the probability of a collision is quite low.

As an interdisciplinary team combining space policy and astrodynamics expertise, weve been studying how companies and space agencies could manage traffic in lunar orbit without unnecessary maneuvers. Our research, published in March 2025 in the Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, shows that due to the popularity of certain orbits and the uncertainties regarding each spacecrafts location, potential collisions become an issue surprisingly quickly.

Our simulations show that with only 50 satellites in lunar orbit, each of those satellites will need to maneuver four times a year on average to avoid a potential crash  a significant cost in terms of fuel as well as potential disruption to mission objectives. Lunar orbit could easily reach that number of satellites within a decade if activity continues to increase.

With interest in the Moon rising, companies and space agencies will need to coordinate to avoid disruptions. This map shows all successful or semi-successful soft landings on the Moon, with eight taking place in the past decade. EnzoTC/Wikimedia Commons, data taken from https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/lunar_artifact_impacts.html and https://trek.nasa.gov/moon/

Maneuvering satellites

Countries reports on their current operations in lunar orbit seem to support our finding that congestion around the Moon is quickly becoming a significant issue. In 2023, the Indian Space Research Organization reported it had maneuvered its Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft three times in four years, even though only six spacecraft orbited the Moon in that time.

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Better monitoring and coordination between different space agencies could prevent congestion and keep countries from having to regularly move their spacecraft.

Monitoring cislunar space is not just important for safety  it can also help support national security. Multiple countries have weapons that can destroy satellites, and some in the space community are concerned that space weapons could be placed in cislunar space to escape detection. The U.S. Space Force is considering the potential security dimensions of cislunar space.

The U.S. currently has significant gaps in its ability to monitor this region, and Mariels research suggests that developing this capability  referred to as cislunar space domain awareness  should be a priority for national security. Improved monitoring would help the U.S. military observe activity in cislunar space, gather intelligence and assess potential threats.

Solutions in progress

Several research programs are experimenting in this area. The Air Force Research Laboratory is funding a program called Oracle that is developing multiple systems to improve the U.S. ability to monitor cislunar space.

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The first Oracle satellite is expected to launch in 2027. It will be located at a Lagrange point, which is a spot between the Earth and the Moon where the gravitational pull of each object keeps the spacecraft in a stable position. From there, it can detect objects in cislunar space that sensors on Earth cannot see.

Improving monitoring is only one part of the solution. Entities sending missions to the Moon, including governments and companies, will need to share the locations of their operational missions and coordinate to avoid predicted collisions.

A NASA program dedicated to tracking and assessing lunar traffic is helping to facilitate this effort. The program compares individual operators information about their spacecrafts current and future planned location to identify potential close approaches. In the future, this type of coordination could improve safety, when combined with sensor observations from systems like Oracle.

Countries and companies planning missions to the Moon could also try to coordinate before they launch their systems, so no missions end up operating too close together.

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The Outer Space Treaty, a set of basic principles developed early in the space age, requires that countries avoid harmfully interfering with other countries activities, but the treaty doesnt outline how to do this.

The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space formed a team in February 2025 that hopes to address these and other coordination issues on the Moon.

With government and commercial missions to the Moon increasing, and NASAs next human mission to the Moon planned for early 2026, countries will need to work together to protect everyones interest in the Moon.

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: Mariel Borowitz, Georgia Institute of Technology and Brian Gunter, Georgia Institute of Technology

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Mariel Borowitz has previously received funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Defense, and the National Science Foundation.

Brian Gunter has current or prior funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Defense, and the National Science Foundation.
More than a quarter of adults in West Virginia are providing care for a family member or friend or have cared for someone in the past year, according to new data. (Getty Images)

The number of West Virginians who say they are caregivers has increased by more than 125,000 over the past few years, according to a data analysis by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving.

About 375,000 West Virginians  more than a quarter of adults in the state  are providing care for a family member or friend or have cared for someone in the past year, according to state specific data from Caregiving in the United States 2025. The report is based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The number of caregivers in the state was 250,000 in 2021.

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Thats a significant increase, I think, and thats pretty compelling that were seeing more and more family caregivers, said Gaylene Miller, state director for AARP.

Associate state director Tom Hunter said AARP would have to do a deeper look into the data to know all the reasons for the increase, but West Virginias population is aging.

More people are also likely choosing to identify themselves as a caregiver because of an increasing awareness of family caregivers, Miller said. AARP has run one such campaign with the Ad Council, Hunter said.

In the past, when we talk to family caregivers, theyre like, Oh, no, Im not a caregiver. I just take my mom to the doctors appointments and help her with her meals. And thats caregiving, Miller said. But they didnt necessarily self-identify [as a caregiver].

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West Virginia caregivers provide more than $3 billion in unpaid care each year, helping family members live independently at home, the report says. Caregiver responsibilities include bathing, meal prep, managing medications, transportation and medical tasks.

Earlier this year, AARP West Virginia backed a bill in the Legislature that would have provided a tax credit to people caring for aging spouses, parents, veterans and others. The bill would have established a nonrefundable tax credit of up to $2,000 for eligible family members 18 years of age and older for eligible expenditures incurred in their caregiving duties. The legislation was sponsored by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, but did not pass.

Miller said that $2,000 is modest, considering that the average amount caregivers contribute out of pocket is around $7,200 per year for adult day care, respite care, transportation and other expenses.

At the federal level, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., has introduced the Credit for Caring Act  aimed at providing financial relief for family caregivers. The bipartisan legislation would offer a tax credit of up to $5,000 for eligible working family caregivers to help offset caregiving expenses.

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The reason for a family caregiving tax credit is again, to provide that financial relief, because theyre already spending this money out of pocket, Miller said. And if we can help support them and put a little money back in their pockets, that would go a long way to keep them doing what theyre doing.

State lawmakers have been supportive of providing funding for home and community-based services, she said.

At one point in time, there was an imbalance, if you will, between what we were spending on as a state, on long term care services or nursing home services, versus what we were spending on keeping folks in their homes and communities, Miller said. That is starting to balance out more.

Over average, it costs about $145,000 per year for a nursing home, and keeping someone at their home or community is around $25,000 on average per year, she said.

So not only is home the place where folks want to stay and get care, but its also more cost effective for the state to provide for that care, Miller said.

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WASHINGTON  By a 2-to-1 margin, Americans oppose President Donald Trump's controversial demolition of the White House's East Wing and his plans to construct a 90,000 square-foot ballroom, according to a new poll.

A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found 56% of Americans oppose the demolition and ballroom project  including 45% who said they "strongly oppose" it. Meanwhile, 28% of respondents said they support the plans. Only 15% of those polled said they "strongly support" the project.

Demolition crews, at the Trump administration's direction, last week abruptly torn down the historic White House East Wing, where the first lady's staff offices are located, to make way for Trump's future $300 million ballroom, which he's said he will use private donations to pay for.

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More: Trump exposed a 'loophole' to demolish the White House East Wing. Here's what we know.

An excavator works to clear rubble after the East Wing of the White House was demolished on Oct. 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. The demolition is part of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to build a multimillion-dollar ballroom on the eastern side of the White House. An aerial view shows the Demolition of the East Wing of the White House, where U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed ballroom will be built, in Washington, D.C., Oct. 23, 2025, in this picture obtained from social media. The East Wing of the White House is seen on a clear, fall day on Nov. 8, 2023 in Washington DC. White House East Wing demolished to clear the way for Trump's ballroom: Photos 1 of 3 An excavator works to clear rubble after the East Wing of the White House was demolished on Oct. 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. The demolition is part of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to build a multimillion-dollar ballroom on the eastern side of the White House.

The demolition was not subject to the same review processes that restrict teardowns of other historic buildings. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 requires reviews of projects that affect most historic buildings, but the White House, Supreme Court building and U.S. Capitol are exempt.

The poll, released Oct. 30 and conducted Oct. 24 to Oct. 28, was based on a sample of 725 adults. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points.

The demolition of the East Wing of the White House, the location of U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed ballroom is seen from an elevated position on the North side of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 23, 2025.

Trump has said the ballroom  which will have a capacity of more than 900 people  is needed to hold large White House events that currently take place outdoors or in the much smaller East Room.

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Prior to the East Wing demolition, the White House did not submit the ballroom plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, the central planning agency of the federal government. The White House has argued that under federal law the 12-member panel only reviews construction projects, not demolitions of existing buildings.

More: White House fires fine arts advisers as Trump's $300 million ballroom plans whirl

President Donald Trump holds an image of a rendering of the new White House ballroom to be built as he meets with Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Mark Rutte (not pictured) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

The White House said it plans to later submit ballroom plans to the National Capital Planning Commission, which is expected to green-light the project given Trump's heavy influence on the 12-member board.

Three of the panel's five appointed members are Trump officials, including the commission's chair, Will Scharf, who serves as White House staff secretary. The board's ex-officio members include Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth; Interior Secretary Doug Burgum; Acting Administrator of General Services Michael Rigas and two Republican lawmakers, Rep. James Comer and Sen. Rand Paul, who chair the House and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committees, respectively.

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The White House this week fired all six members of the U.S. Commission on Fine Arts, a federal agency tasked with advising on the design elements of the ballroom.

Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Most Americans oppose Trump's East Wing demolition and ballroom, poll
A massive police raid on a drug gang embedded in low-income neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro that left at least 119 people dead drew protests for excessive force Wednesday and calls for Rio's governor to resign.

Families of the dead decried what they described as executions by police, while the state government hailed a successful operation against a powerful criminal group that has taken over large swaths of the city.

Dozens of favelas residents gathered in front of the state's government headquarters shouting "assassins!" and waving Brazilian flags stained with red paint, a day after Rio's deadliest raid and hours after families and residents laid dozens of dead bodies on a street in one of the targeted communities to show the magnitude of the operation.

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BBC News verified several videos showing dozens of bodies laid out in a row in a market area of Rio, in its northern Penha district.

Questions quickly arose about the death count and the state of the bodies, with reports of disfigurement and knife wounds. Brazil's Supreme Court, prosecutors and lawmakers asked Rio state Gov. Claudio Castro to provide detailed information about the operation.

"This was a massacre," said Barbara Barbosa, a domestic worker from the Penha complex of favelas, one of the two huge communities targeted in the police operation. She said her son was killed in a prior operation in Penha.

People line up bodies on Sao Lucas Square of the Vila Cruzeiro favela at the Penha complex in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on October 29, 2025, in the aftermath of Operacao Contencao (Operation Containment). / Credit: PABLO PORCIUNCULA/AFP via Getty Images

"Do we have a death sentence? Stop killing us," said activist Rute Sales, 56. Many residents came from Penha in Rio's poor, northern zone to the imposing Guanabara Palace on motorbikes.

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The toll of 115 suspects and four policemen killed was an increase over what authorities originally said were 60 suspects dead in Tuesday's raid by about 2,500 police and soldiers in the favelas of Penha and Complexo de Alemao.

Felipe Curi, Rio state police secretary, told a news conference that bodies of additional suspects were found in a wooded area where he said they had worn camouflage while battling with security forces. He said local residents had removed clothing and equipment from the bodies, in what would be investigated as evidence tampering.

"These individuals were in the woods, equipped with camouflage clothing, vests and weapons. Now many of them appeared wearing underwear or shorts, with no equipment, as if they had come through a portal and changed clothes," Curi said.

Earlier Wednesday, in the neighborhood of Penha, residents had surrounded many of the bodies  collected in trucks and displayed in a main square  and shouted "massacre" and "justice" before forensic authorities arrived to retrieve the remains.

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"They can take them to jail, why kill them like this? Lots of them were alive and calling for help," resident Elisangela Silva Santos, 50, said during the gathering in Penha. "Yes they're traffickers, but they're human."

"They slit my son's throat"

A day after the police operation paralyzed the city, residents of the Complexo da Penha favela recovered dozens of bodies from a forest on its outskirts, including one that was decapitated, AFP journalists witnessed.

"They slit my son's throat, cut his neck, and hung the head from a tree like a trophy," said Raquel Tomas, the mother of the 19-year-old who was found decapitated.

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"They executed my son without giving him a chance to defend himself. He was murdered," she told AFP, her voice shaking.

"Everyone deserves a second chance. During an operation, police should do their job, arrest suspects, but not execute them," Tomas added.

A woman cries outside Getulio Vargas Hospital shortly after her relative was brought here by police due to injury during a police operation against alleged drug traffickers in the Complexo do Alemao favela where the criminal organization

Lawyer Albino Pereira Neto, who represents three families that lost relatives, told AFP some of the bodies bore "burn marks" and that a number of those killed had been tied up.

Some were "murdered in cold blood," he said.

"We saw executed people"

The state government said some 90 rifles and more than a ton of drugs were seized.

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Police and soldiers had launched the raid in helicopters, armored vehicles and on foot, targeting the Red Command gang. They drew gunfire and other retaliation from gang members, sparking scenes of chaos across the city on Tuesday. Schools in the affected areas shuttered, a local university canceled classes and roads were blocked with buses used as barricades.

Rafael Soares, a journalist covering crime in Rio, told BBC News Brasil that the Red Command had been on the offensive in Rio in recent years, reclaiming territory it had lost to its rivals, First Capital Command.

Many shops remained closed Wednesday morning in Penha, where local activist Raull Santiago said he was part of a team that found about 15 bodies before dawn.

"We saw executed people: shot in the back, shots to the head, stab wounds, people tied up. This level of brutality, the hatred that is spread  there's no other way to describe it except as a massacre," Santiago said.

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Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered Castro to provide information about the police operation and scheduled a hearing with the state governor and the heads of the military and civil police next Monday in Rio.

The Senate's commission for human rights said it was asking for clarifications from the Rio state government. Meanwhile, Rio prosecutors requested that Castro provide detailed information about the operation and proof that there was no less harmful means of achieving its objectives.

Police officers escort a suspect arrested during the Operacao Contencao (Operation Containment) out of the Vila Cruzeiro favela, in the Penha complex, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on October 28, 2025. / Credit: MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images

And the federal public prosecutor's office asked the Forensic Medical Institute to ensure that autopsy reports contain full descriptions and photographic and radiographic documentation of all injuries.

Castro said on Tuesday that Rio was at war against "narco-terrorism," a term that echoed the Trump administration in its campaign against drug smuggling in Latin America.

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On Wednesday, Castro called the operation a "success," apart from the deaths of the four police officers.

Rio's state government said that the suspects who had been killed had resisted police.

Rio has been the scene of lethal police raids for decades. In March 2005, some 29 people were killed in Rio's Baixada Fluminense region, while in May 2021, 28 were killed in the Jacarezinho favela.

But the scale and lethality of Tuesday's operation are unprecedented. Non-governmental organizations and the U.N. human rights body quickly raised concerns over the high number of reported fatalities and called for investigations.

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"We fully understand the challenges of having to deal with violent and well-organized groups such as Red Command," said U.N. Human Rights Spokesperson Marta Hurtado said.

But Brazil must "break this cycle of extreme brutality and ensure that law enforcement operations comply with international standards regarding the use of force," she said, adding that the body was calling for full-fledged policing reform.

Late on Wednesday, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on X that he had instructed the justice minister and director-general of Federal Police to meet Castro for a meeting in Rio.

Brazil cannot accept that organized crime "continues to destroy families, oppress residents, and spread drugs and violence across cities," he said.

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The operation's stated objectives were capturing leaders and limiting the territorial expansion of the Red Command gang, which has increased its control over favelas in recent years.

Gang members allegedly targeted police with at least one drone. Rio de Janeiro's state government shared a video on X of what appeared to show a drone firing a projectile from the sky.

"Drones dropping bombs is now a trend used by heavily armed criminal groups," Carlos Solar from the Royal United Services Institute told BBC News.

Rio "alone in this war"

Castro, from the conservative opposition Liberal Party, said Tuesday that Rio was "alone in this war." He said the federal government should be providing more support to combat crime - in a swipe at the administration of Lula's leftist administration.

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His comments were challenged by the Justice Ministry, which said it had responded to requests from Rio's state government to deploy national forces in the state, renewing their presence 11 times.

Gleisi Hoffmann, the Lula administration's liaison with the parliament, agreed that more coordinated action was needed but pointed to a recent crackdown on money laundering as an example of the federal government's action on organized crime.

Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski said it was clearly an extremely bloody and violent operation.

"We should reflect on whether this kind of action is compatible with the Democratic Rule of Law that governs us all," he told journalists on Wednesday.

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Criminal gangs have expanded their presence across Brazil in recent years, including in the Amazon rainforest.

Roberto Uchoa, from the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety think-tank, said that criminal gangs have strengthened despite these kinds of operations, suggesting that they are inefficient.

"Killing more than 100 people like this won't help decrease the Red Command's expansion. The dead will soon be replaced," Uchoa said.

What to expect from Trump meeting with Xi Jinping

Video shows massive damage in Jamaica from Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa rescue and recovery efforts ongoing after storm pummels Jamaica, Cuba
Infrastructure repairs are beginning in Lake County after intense rainfall caused stormwater surge and dramatic washouts.

The city of Mount Dora is also keeping a precautionary boil water advisory in effect until at least Friday.

It was issued because of potential contamination to the system after a water main break on Donnelly Street.

According to the city, about a foot and a half of rain fell, causing the water main to break and two retention ponds to be breached, which ultimately led to the collapse of a stretch of Donnelly Street.

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The street remains closed from Limit Avenue north to Fiddler Drive.

On Thursday, Drone 9 captured crews clearing debris from the collapse. Its a first step as the city works on a process for repairs that could mean the road stays shut down for about a year.

About two miles away, Channel 9 saw a Lake County survey crew collecting data on another washout on Wolf Branch Road.

A county spokesperson said staff is working with a utility company to facilitate repairs, and the next phase is to begin mobilizing and staging equipment, materials, and resources needed for the repairs.

In the meantime, the city of Mount Dora has asked all 18,896 residents to boil their water for at least a minute before using it for cooking, drinking, or cleaning.

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Mount Dora is a very strong town, said one Lake County resident. We go ahead and we boil our water, and we clean up afterwards and just go on through life.

The city said its sent water samples to state-certified labs for testing and once those samples are cleared the boil water advisory will be lifted.

In the meantime, some businesses in downtown Mount Dora were operating on limited menus including at least one coffee shop that was not offering any espresso drinks.

One of downtown Mount Doras newest businesses, Sweet Bites by Beirut Bites, said they were stocking up on bottled water to wash dishes and keep their specialty coffee brewing.

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The business opened on Saturday, just a day before the historic flooding. It sells viral Dubai Chocolates and other Lebanese sweets.

Owner, Patricia Khabbaz, said she spent part of Sunday evening and Monday mopping dirt from the floor, after about two inches of flood water entered her shop.

But ahead of a busy Halloween weekend, Khabbaz message was clear.

Were still here, were still open, we are proud to serve our food and our drinks to our local customers and people visiting.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Today on Air Force One, while speaking to reporters lobbing the softest of softball questions as usual, Donald Trump was asked, Sir, Speaker Johnson says that he told you that theres no time to amend the Constitution to allow you to serve a third term. Is that an accurate representation of the conversation you have? Donald Trump, I dont know. I don`t want to even talk about that because, you know, the sad thing is I  I have my highest numbers that I`ve ever had.

Okay, lets pause for a parenthetical on those highest numbers hes ever had. The highest approval rating Donald Trump has ever had was 49 percent during his first term as president, according to Gallup. His approval rating is currently 41 percent. In other words, like his first term, Donald Trump is carrying an approval rating that would make it impossible for him to win reelection to the presidency.

Every Republican president in the history of polling has had higher poll numbers than Donald Trump has ever had. George W. Bushs top approval polling was 90 percent. His father before him, George H.W. Bush, reached an 89 percent job approval. Ronald Reagan won 49 states in his reelection campaign as a Republican president.

And the Republican president who was never elected, President Gerry Ford, hit a high of 71 percent for his job approval rating. Richard Nixon, who left office in disgrace, won his second term by winning 49 states.

General Dwight Eisenhower, who won World War II in Europe, became President Eisenhower in 1953 and had approval ratings far above Donald Trumps best day. There has never been a Republican president in the history of polling, which began in the 1930s, who did not hit much higher approval ratings than Donald Trump has ever had.

Donald Trump finished his rambling response to that reporter by saying, quote, you know, based on what I read, I guess Im not allowed to run, so well see what happens.

He doesnt read anything, so he doesnt mean the Constitution.

The next question to Donald Trump was, Speaker Johnson says youre trolling when you talk about a third term. Are you trolling or are you serious? To which Donald Trump said, I dont think he said that. I dont think he used that term.

Oh, really?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: The Trump 2028 cap is one of the most popular thats ever been produced and he has a good time with that, trolling the Democrats.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

O`DONNELL: Yeah, Donald, he said trolling.

Donald Trump`s next line was also a lie. Quote, Its a very interesting thing. I have the best numbers for any president in many years, any president. Lie, of course.
Candidates running for U.S. Congress must report how much money theyve raised and spent every three months to the Federal Election Commission. Oregon's congressional delegates running for reelection had to submit their quarterly report to the commission on Oct. 15. (Photo by Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Candidates running to represent Oregon in Congress raised more than $2.4 million between July 1 and Sept. 30, federal campaign finance records show.

All candidates running for U.S. Congress must report how much money theyve raised and spent every three months once theyve raised over $5,000 to the Federal Election Commission, the agency tasked with enforcing campaign finance laws. Candidates had until Oct. 15 to submit this years third quarterly report.

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Incumbent Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat in the U.S. Senate since 2009, raised the most out of his Oregon congressional colleagues this quarter, raising $818,000 and spending $364,000. He has $5.1 million remaining in his campaign fund, mostly from rollover funds from previous campaign cycles, federal records show. Meanwhile, Oregons Democratic U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden isnt up for reelection until 2028.

All six of Oregons U.S. house representatives  Democrats Suzanne Bonamici, Janelle Bynum, Maxine Dexter, Val Hoyle and Andrea Salinas and Republican Cliff Bentz  are expected to seek reelection. Incumbent candidates and their opponents are steadily trickling in to run for office. Incumbents have until March 3 and challengers until March 10 to file to run in the May 2026 primary.

In the 2024 election, Oregons 5th Congressional District that spans from Bend to Portland was one of the most competitive districts, with Bynum winning her district with 47.7% of the vote. Her opponent Lori Chavez-Deremer, who now serves as the U.S. Secretary of Labor, won 45% of the vote.

Bynums district in 2026 is expected to be a tight race again. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee included Bynum on its frontline lists of incumbents vulnerable to losing.

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Behind Merkley, she raised the most this quarter, raising almost $700,000 the last three months and spending $164,000. Bynum has $1.4 million left in her campaign fund. At least one person, Republican Jonathan Lockwood, has filed to run against her so far. Lockwood, a former spokesperson for Republican legislators and gubernatorial candidates, has not yet reported any finances to the federal commission.

For a list of who has filed to run for public office in Oregon in the November 2026 election, visit the Oregon Secretary of State website and click Candidates for 2026 Primary Election toward the top of the page.

Behind Bynum, Salinas is the incumbent who raised the third most this quarter. Her campaign raised $277,000, spent $137,000 and reported having $470,000 left to spend. So far at least one person, Republican David Russ, has filed to run against her in the 6th Congressional District based in the Willamette Valley. Russ did not report raising any money in the third quarter, campaign finance records show.

Oregons 4th Congressional District, represented by Hoyle and containing Eugene and much of the coast, is Oregons final competitive district. In the 2024 election, Hoyle won district with 51.7% of the vote while her Republican opponent, Monque DeSpain, received 43.9% of the vote.

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This quarter, Hoyles campaign raised $238,000 and spent $125,000. Her campaign reported having $348,000 left by the end of the quarter. DeSpain  who is challenging Hoyle again in 2026  hasnt yet reported any funds to the Federal Election Commission. However, her campaign claims she raised $215,000 this quarter. Democrat Melissa Bird also filed to run against Hoyle. She raised $17,000 this quarter.

Bonamici, Dexter and Bentzs districts are largely safe districts, with all three congressional delegates winning their districts in 2024 with more than 60% of the vote.

Bonamici raised $116,000 this quarter and spent $106,000. She has $517,000 remaining in campaign funds. No one has filed to run against her so far in the 1st Congressional District, which includes part of Portland and northwest Oregon, according to records with the Oregon Secretary of State.

Dexter, based in Portland representing the 3rd Congressional District, raised about $151,000 this quarter and spent $168,000. Dexters campaign reported having $172,000 left to spend. Two Democrats Andrew Castilleja and Jessica Salas have filed to run against her. Neither has reported campaign finances yet.

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Bentz, Oregons lone Republican in Congress who represents the sprawling 2nd District in eastern and southern Oregon, raised $184,000 and spent $100,000 this quarter. He has $1.2 million remaining in campaign funds.

At least seven people have filed to run against Bentz so far  including three Republicans, Andrea Carr, Russell McAlmond and Peter Larson, who have not yet reported any campaign finances to the federal commission. The three of them filed to run after Sept. 22, which is why they likely havent reported their finances. So far four Democrats have filed to run against Bentz, including Rebecca Mueller and Mary Doyle, who filed to run in October and have not yet reported their finances. Democrat Dawn Rasmussen reported raising $16,000 this quarter, followed by Democrat Patty Snow who reported raising $7,800.

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Congress MP Rajeev Shukla on Thursday defended Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Chhath Puja amid heavy criticism from the BJP. Speaking to ANI, Shukla said that Rahul Gandhi met everyone on Chhath Puja and even congratulated the people of Bihar. "This is absolutely false. Rahul Gandhi met with everyone on Chhath Puja. He congratulated the people of Bihar. Congress members organised the Chhath Puja. It's the BJP's habit to lie. The Congress party showed full respect and reverence to Chhath Maiya. In fact, Rahul Gandhi invited the youth of Bihar to the Chhath Puja...," he said. Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed said that the Lok Sabha LoP has not engaged in divisive politics like others. "What Rahul Gandhi said yesterday was absolutely right, BJP and JDU have done nothing for Bihar. They are just playing politics for votes. Giriraj Singh talks about 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' but ignores the minority communities. Rahul Gandhi has not engaged in divisive politics like others... In Bihar, the ground reality is different; the Mahagathbandhan is set to form the government. Bihar is fed up with the current government. There are no proper schools, no medical facilities, and labourers are migrating in large numbers. What Rahul Gandhi said is valid. Narendra Modi acted like a coward by not once confronting Donald Trump's ceasefire claims. People from Gujarat are playing politics in Bihar....," she said. Earlier today, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi alleged that there are "two Indias"; one which pretends that the Yamuna is clean by making a separate pond for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while on the other side, the pollution of the river has been evident. "There are two Indias. During the Chhath Puja, PM Modi decided to take a bath in the Yamuna. On one hand, there is the reality of India and Bihar, where the Yamuna is polluted, and on the other hand, PM Modi has built a small pond of clean water. Clean water was brought from pipes so that PM Modi could take a bath in it," Gandhi said while addressing a rally in Bihar's Nalanda. This came after the Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi alleged that the BJP government created "fake Yamuna" for PM Modi to take a dip during Chhath Puja. "Rekha Gupta's government created a fake Yamuna at Vasudev Ghat for making Reels and Videos. Filtered water from the Ganga was poured into it, and it was claimed that the Yamuna had been cleaned," AAP wrote on X on Tuesday. (ANI)
Law enforcement leaders from three Pennsylvania counties provided some alarming details Thursday on what they describe as a growing threat to the community.

Authorities announced the results of a 10-month-long investigation into smoke shops operating in Montgomery, Bucks and Chester counties.

The report specifically talks about retailers that include smoke shops, gas stations and convenience stores, and accuses them of openly selling marijuana and illegal THC products under the guise that it is legal under the law.

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Officials say many of these stores are selling illegal products, with some of them even being sold to children.

The report comes after a 23-person grand jury reviewed evidence from the investigation, which the DAs are calling the reality of smoke shops in Pennsylvania.

The group of officials are calling for regulation and changes to the oversight of smoke shops, the need for legislative action, public safety announcements and enforcement that could lead to criminal penalties.

Several arrests have been made but the investigation into this is ongoing.


Many Christian nationalists and fellow evangelicals in the MAGA movement have been known to claim dominion over American society, which theyve derided for purportedly being run by godless leftists and sex predators.

And yet, even a cursory look at some of the headlines that have emerged from the conservative evangelical movement in just the past month suggests the movement is dealing with its own crisis of alleged perversion  one that strikes at the godly ethos its members often tout and use to browbeat liberals.

Pastor and former Trump adviser Robert Morris pleaded guilty to child sex abuse charges at the start of October.

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Less than a week later, Covenant Eyes  an anti-porn company thats been praised by House Speaker Mike Johnson and is responsible for an app that lets users allow their friends or family to monitor their internet habits  released a statement saying it was devastated by news reports that its founders 38-year-old stepson, Thomas Wideman, had been arrested and charged with child sex abuse this summer. Widemans charges include four counts of using computers to commit a crime, three counts of child sexually abusive activity and one count of accosting children for immoral purposes, and he has not yet entered a plea.

His lawyer, Joseph Brugnoli, did not immediately respond to MSNBCs request for comment.

In another story just last week, authorities in Indiana arrested a 24-year-old member of the states National Guard, Jonathan Peternel, on charges of keeping child sexual abuse material on his phone, according to Fox 59 TV in Indianapolis. Peternel has pleaded not guilty to one count of child exploitation and three counts of possession of child sexual abuse material. The Indiana Citizen explained how the story threatens to draw scrutiny toward the Life Church in Indiana, where Peternels father, Nathan Peternel, is the lead pastor and co-hosts a podcast with Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith called Jesus, Sex & Politics.

Life Church hasnt responded to MSNBCs requests for comment from church officials or Nathan Peternel on the arrest.

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Beckwiths office told MSNBC that he became aware of the allegations on Oct. 23 after the arrest was made but declined to comment while the investigation is pending.

Beckwith, as it turns out, is also dealing with separate claims stemming from a grand jury investigation into whether staffers in his office shared a deepfake porn video. He told Fox 59 his office had looked into the claim and found no video, further saying the allegation had the characteristics of a witch hunt.

On top of all that, The Washington Post reported last Thursday on allegations compiled by the Anglican Church in North America, a conservative offshoot of the Episcopal Church that severed its ties after Episcopalians voted to confirm the denominations first openly gay bishop in 2003. The Posts story highlights Anglican Church in North America members accusations that an archbishop sexually harassed a woman in his office and that a bishop allowed men with histories of violence or sexual misconduct to worship or hold staff or leadership positions in his diocese.

The archbishop, Stephen Wood, denied the allegations in comments to the Post. The bishop, Stewart Ruch III, declined through a diocese spokeswoman to comment to the Post, citing a church court directive against commenting to the media as he awaits the verdict of an internal trial.

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It should probably go without saying that these stories dont reflect well on a conservative Christian movement fueled by evangelicals who think it is their destiny to run American society. Donald Trump has also told conservative evangelicals the country would be better off if they were in control.

Call me crazy, but it seems the conservative evangelical movement should at least have to clear up some of these sexual misconduct and abuse issues before they worry about increasing their influence in the U.S.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier speaking in Tampa on September 17, 2025 (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

Although a murder charge levied against an Orlando woman for a fatal road rage incident has been dropped a month after Attorney General James Uthmeier insisted she acted in self-defense, shes still headed to prison, a court ruled Thursday.

An Orange County judge Thursday morning agreed to drop Tina Allgeos second-degree murder charge after the 47-year-old took a plea deal, pleading no contest to aggravated battery. Allgeo was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by 10 years of probation.

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The local case took on a statewide angle when Uthmeier in September publicly bashed Orlandos Democratic State Attorney, Monique Worrell, for pursuing a murder charge against Allgeo, whom Uthmeier believed acted in self-defense under Floridas Stand Your Ground law. Although Allgeo initially claimed a defense under Stand Your Ground, on Thursday she changed course.

Monique Worrell via her webpage

Still, Uthmeier celebrated the dropped murder charge on social media.

Were glad to see that Orlando State Attorney Worrell took our advice and dropped the unjust murder charge against Tina Allgeo this morning. Ms. Allgeo clearly acted in self-defense, Uthmeier posted. In Florida, we will protect the right to stand your ground against violent aggressors.

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The Allgeo case served as another chapter in the deepening feud between Uthmeier and Worrell, who first clashed through Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2023. When Uthmeier served as the governors chief of staff, Worrell was suspended for allegedly neglecting her duty to faithfully prosecute crime in her jurisdiction.

Despite this, Worrell won her seat back in November 2024, unseating the attorney DeSantis had appointed to replace her.

Most recently, Uthmeier last month accused Worrell of refusing to prosecute pedophiles. In April, he said she was slow-walking and ignoring a mounting backlog of cases.

Worrell has denied all wrongdoing, accusing Uthmeier in turn of incompetence.

What happened?

The Orange County Grand Jury indicted Allgeo in February for the second-degree murder with a firearm of 42-year-old Mihail Tsvetkov. Surveillance footage shows Allgeo outside of her car, taking photos of Tsvetkovs plates. When Tsvetkov drove away, she pursued him and struck his car with hers, the Phoenix previously reported.

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A red light camera video then follows Tsvetkov as he exits his car, yanks open Allgeos car door, and begins to beat her, seemingly attempting to pull her out of her vehicle. Allgeo then pulls the trigger on her firearm, shooting Tsvetkov in the face and killing him almost instantly.

Uthmeier said Allgeo acted under the states Stand Your Ground law, which was passed in 2005. The law allows Floridians to use deadly force in self-defense as long as they are not engaged in criminal activity.

Worrell disagreed. During her quarterly meeting, she said, The Attorney General has political motivations to try to label me as an anti-Second Amendment person; that is not the case, ClickOrlando reported.

She added that Stand Your Ground still has limitations.

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What those limitations include is one, if youre the aggressor, you now have a duty to retreat, and two, if you are in the commission of a crime, you have the duty to retreat, Worrell said.

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Police divers pulled multiple submerged vehicles from Fish Trap Lake in West Dallas on Wednesday as part of a major underwater recovery operation.

The October 29 sweep aimed to clear the lake while investigating potential links to criminal cases. Each recovered vehicle undergoes processing for connections to past or ongoing investigations.

The Dallas Police Departments Underwater Recovery Team launched Operation Dive into a Cleaner Dallas to address both public safety and environmental concerns. By 2:40 p.m., divers had successfully recovered eight vehicles from the murky waters.

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Police officials did not immediately disclose how long the vehicles had been submerged or their potential investigative value. The recovery operation represents ongoing efforts to restore local water bodies while pursuing justice for unsolved cases.

Each vehicle faces a thorough examination as detectives work to determine ownership and the circumstances surrounding their submersion. The operation demonstrates how environmental restoration can intersect with criminal investigations in unexpected ways.

The Dallas Police Departments Underwater Recovery Team is dedicated and committed to ensuring that all victims receive justice, and they are dedicated and committed to environmental sustainability within the city of Dallas, said Catrina Shead, Assistant Chief of Police, per CBS News.

In June of this year, Dallas police divers conducted a similar operation at Lake Cliff Park, recovering a total of nine vehicles over a two-day period.
The City of Muscatine Transit Division (MuscaBus) will offer free rides to voters on Tuesday, Nov. 4. While MuscaBus does not serve all polling locations directly, residents can schedule a free ride to their polling place.

To schedule a ride, call MuscaBus at 563-263-8152 now through 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3. MuscaBus will pick you up, take you to your polling location, and bring you back home after you vote.

MuscaBus (City of Muscatine Public Transit)

For more information about MuscaBus and its services, visit here.

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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.
Donald Trump has repeatedly called the proliferation of nuclear weapons the n-word, his way of warning that speaking nuclear into existence puts the world on the path of mutually assured destruction.

But 10 months into his second administration, the president is commanding officials to resume nuclear weapons testing, which would end the U.Ss 33-year moratorium and invite a global arms race in a volatile political moment.

Claiming that the United States must reach parity with weapons development in China and Russia, Trump ordered the Pentagon on October 30 to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, a process that will begin immediately, he said.

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The last confirmed nuclear test by the United States was in 1992 under then-President George H.W. Bush, who established a moratorium on all nuclear testing. China has reportedly not tested a nuclear weapon since 1996, and Russias most recent tests involved delivery systems, not actual detonation of a nuclear device.

Its unclear whether Trump intends to test nuclear-capable missiles or launch full-scale explosive tests. But the worlds leading nuclear scientists and Pulitzer Prize-winning nuclear bodies are sounding the alarm.

Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to start nuclear weapons testing, which would end a decades-old embargo and fuel a global stockpile while the Doomsday clock ticks closer to midnight. (AP)

That is the kind of reckless imprecision we should not have to tolerate from the person who has the sole authority to launch U.S. nuclear weapons, according Alexandra Bell, president of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

Before Trumps announcement, the Bulletin had set the Doomsday Clock to 89 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to catastrophe.

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Words matter, especially to the communities in the United States and around the world that have suffered from the effects of nuclear explosive testing, Bell said in a statement to The Independent.

What does explosive testing look like?

On July 16, 1945, the United States tested a plutonium implosion device roughly 200 miles south of Los Alamos, New Mexico, home of the worlds first-ever nuclear explosion. The Trinity test released more than 18 kilotons of power, instantly vaporizing the tower that held the device and turning the surrounding asphalt and sand into green glass.

The shockwave of intense heat knocked nearby observers to the ground. Witnesses as far as 200 miles away reported seeing an immense explosion that filled the sky with fire and black smoke.

The United States did not publicly disclose what actually caused the massive fireball until after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in August 1945, which killed tens of thousands of people.

A mushroom cloud rises from a test blast at the Nevada Test Site on June 24, 1957 (AP)

The U.S. government has performed more than 1,000 tests since then, accounting for more than half of all global nuclear weapons tests in the decades that followed, according to the United Nations.

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The vast majority of those tests were performed underground, with nuclear devices detonated at varying depths below the earths surface.

Underground explosions are believed to emit negligible nuclear fallout levels compared to atmospheric tests, but those explosions can produce dangerous radioactive debris if they vent to the surface, or leak into groundwater.

Until the 1990s, more than 900 U.S. tests were performed at the Nevada Test Site roughly 60 miles outside of Las Vegas. Most of those tests were performed underground, though dozens of iconic mushroom clouds from dozens of atmospheric tests performed at the site have been visible from the Vegas strip and beyond.

An atomic test produced a mushroom cloud at the Nevada Test Site on March 23, 1955. (AP)

The United States also has performed explosive tests in the Marshall Islands and Kiritimati Island in the Pacific Ocean, though several other tests have been performed across the United States, including Alaska, Colorado and Mississippi.

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Most nuclear weapons testing was banned under the Partial Test Ban Treaty of 1963, except for underground tests. Underground tests werent banned until the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which was signed by the worlds atomic powers in 1996.

But the treaty was never ratified in the United States; it was rejected by the Senate in 1999, leaving it effectively unenforced. Russia rescinded its ratification of the treaty in 2023, pointing to the United States failure to do so.

North Korea is believed to be the only country to have openly tested a nuclear weapon in this century, in 2017.

Can the U.S. resume explosive tests?

If the United States does resume explosive tests, the process could take more than a year and would require approval from Congress, according to Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project with the Federation of American Scientists.

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The White House would have to direct the Department of Energy to order nuclear laboratories to start preparing, and since the United States doesnt currently have a nuke weapons test explosion program, Congress would have to appropriate the money, he wrote.

It would be expensive and take time: a simple explosion is 6-10 months, a fully instrumented test in 24-36 months, and a test to develop a new nuclear warhead is about 60 months, according to Kristensen.

Footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry October 22 shows the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile at Plesetsk testing field in northern Russia during drills of the country's nuclear forces (Russian Defence Ministry)

Any scientifically useful test would take years, according to Dylan Spaulding, senior scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists Global Security Program. Anything shorter than that would be nothing more than dangerous political showmanship and would not allow collection of useful data, he wrote.

Trump said he has ordered the Department of Defense to perform tests, but it is the National Nuclear Security Administration under the Department of Energy that is responsible.

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The Pentagon, however, could perform tests of nuclear-capable missiles.

If Trump is referring to those kinds of tests, then Trumps statement appears similar to one he delivered on August 1, when he dispatched two nuclear submarines to appropriate regions in response to Russias nuclear threats, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that, he said at the time.

Trumps statement was provocative but meaningless, as U.S. subs are always in range of Russia, said Stephen Young, associate director for government affairs for the Union of Concerned Scientists Global Security Program.

Trumps command to restart nuclear weapons testing could trigger a global arms race, or, at least, send a reckless message to adversaries, according to experts. (AP)

During the presidents 2024 campaign, Trumps former national security adviser Robert OBrien called on his administration to resume nuclear tests for reliability and safety in the real world for the first time since 1992.

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Reactivating nuke tests will maintain technical and numerical superiority to the combined Chinese and Russian nuclear stockpiles, he wrote at the time.

Nuclear weapons testing and weapon stockpiling are also key parts of the defense recommendations in Project 2025, the 900-page Heritage Foundation-backed manifesto for Trumps second term.

Project 2025 called for the rejection of current arms control treaties considered contrary to the goal of bolstering nuclear deterrence.

Those proposals, written by Trumps former defense secretary Christopher Miller, called for the acceleration of all weapons production and to prioritize nuclear development over any other security programs, including boosting supplies above treaty limits, and creating a new nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile.

How will other world powers react?

World powers possess more than 12,000 nuclear warheads, according to the Federation of American Scientists. The United States and Russia possess roughly 87 percent of the worlds nuclear weapons inventory and 83 percent of warheads available for military use.

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Any actual move to return to explosive testing would set off a cascade with the other nuclear-armed states likely to follow, according to Bell with the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.

No one would benefit from that more than China, as they are currently building up their nuclear forces, but lack the extensive testing data that the United States possesses, she said.

The White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, home of the Trinity test site, where the world's first atomic bomb exploded July 16, 1945 (AFP via Getty Images)

But another key safeguard against a global arms race between the two major nuclear powers is set to expire in February.

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty has sought to limit the United States and Russia to no more than 1,550 deployed warheads on no more than 700 operational launchers, but no talks appear to be underway on another agreement.

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A failure to renew an agreement risks the first major buildup of deployed U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear weapons in more than 35 years, according to Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association.

Melissa Parke, director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, said in a statement to The Independent that Trumps remarks are an unnecessary and reckless nuclear threat escalation that disregards the ongoing harm already caused over the last 80 years by nuclear detonations.

By the way, this is no way to win the Nobel Peace Prize, she said.
Leading Democrats criticized Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Attorney General John Formella for their refusal to join 25 states that have sued the Trump administration over its refusal to allow contingency funds to fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits when they run out on Saturday due to the federal government shutdown.

House Democratic Leader Alexis Simpson of Exeter said Ayotte lacked the backbone to challenge President Donald Trump in contrast to Republican governors from Vermont and Nevada who had joined governors from 23 blue states.

It is crystal clear to all of us Kelly Ayotte depends more on her political ambitions than the more than 75,000 who are dependent on SNAP, Simpson said during a press conference on Zoom.

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Ayotte said her focus is on implementing her contingency plan to deliver $2 million of free food to SNAP recipients at New Hampshire Food Bank-sponsored mobile pantries across the state over the next five weeks.

Here in New Hampshire, we are making sure that families impacted by the shutdown have access to the support they need. I have made it clear that the politicians in Washington need to get their act together and reopen the government, Ayotte said in a statement.

At a hearing in Boston, U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani, appointed to the bench by former President Barack Obama, appeared to be leaning toward the plea of the governors, saying Thursday she would rule within a day.

The federal shutdown is just the kind of emergency the contingency fund was created for, she said.

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Its hard to me to understand that this is not an emergency, when there is no money and a lot of people are needing their SNAP benefits, Talwani said from the bench.

The Catholic Charities New Hampshire-sponsored food bank announced it was intensifying fundraising efforts to address the anticipated statewide rise in food insecurity.

Despite these uncertain times, we remain steadfast in our goal to support New Hampshire residents and to fight food insecurity in all corners of our state. We recognize the crucial role the New Hampshire Food Bank and our strong network of more than 400 partner agencies play in reaching those in need across the Granite State, and our entire team is stepping up across our programming to ensure were prepared to meet the need, said Elsy Cipriani, the food banks executive director.

We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with DHHS to help execute its SNAP contingency plan, which is critically important to the more than 77,000 New Hampshire residents currently receiving SNAP benefits.

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Program officials cited a New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute report that found 5.5% of New Hampshire residents receive benefits from SNAP.

Food bank demand already on rise

The food bank had already increased its distribution by 26% over the past year to meet the existing demand for assistance, Cipriani said.

Former Senate President Donna Soucy, D-Manchester, said Trump and Republican congressional leaders are using needy families as pawns to block the demands of Democratic senators that Congress first agree to extend expanded tax benefits for families under the Affordable Care Act before they will vote to end the shutdown.

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Families here in New Hampshire shouldnt be forced to make a Sophies Choice between buying the food they need or not paying other essential bills, Soucy said.

These problems are very solvable.

Republican State Committee Chairman Jim McEachern said its the states two Democratic U.S. senators who are holding needy families hostage.

Instead of holding Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan accountable for their role in the Schumer Shutdown, Democrats are playing politics with the food security of those in need, McEachern said in a statement. Democrats in New Hampshire know that Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan are the reason vulnerable families are suffering, and they are lying through their teeth to cover it up.

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Republicans are working to ensure that those impacted by Shaheen and Hassans political games have access to food that they need. While Republicans are feeding families, the Democrats are feeding the chaos.

Food bank officials said there are ways individuals and businesses in New Hampshire can help:

 Donate: For every $1 donated, 93 cents directly supports the New Hampshire Food Banks programming.

 Volunteer: Visit nhfoodbank.org to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

 Host a food drive: Host a food drive or consider donating some of the New Hampshire Food Banks Most Needed Items.

 Participate in Local Events: Participate in upcoming programming and events happening throughout the state.

klandrigan@unionleader.com
Launching a scathing attack on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his "dance" jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Annapurna Devi said on Thursday that the people will never support "arrogant" statements made by the latter. "Whenever Rahul Gandhi goes to other countries, he insults India... People will never support his arrogant statements. The people of Bihar will give a befitting reply to such statements," the Union Minister told ANI. Drawing contrasts with the respectful style of past leaders like Morarji Desai and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Odisha Minister Suresh Pujari accused Rahul Gandhi of starting "a new culture of remarks" and claimed that with age, his political maturity seems to be declining. "One should consider their words before uttering them in politics. I used to hear the speeches of Morarji Desai - and he used to refer to Indira Gandhi as 'Indira Behen Ji' while criticizing her. Whenever Atal Bihari Vajpayee used to criticise someone, he used respectful vocabulary that even the person being criticised would want to hear again and again. Now Congress has started a new culture of remarks and this is being led by Rahul Gandhi... He has forgotten the values in every sector... With the increasing age, his maturity is decreasing," Pujari said. Earlier on Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he would 'do anything for votes'. The Congress leader said, "He (PM Modi) just wants your vote. If you ask him to do a drama for votes, he will. You can make him do anything. If you tell Narendra Modi to dance, he will dance." Meanwhile, the BJP lodged a complaint to the Bihar Chief Election Officer (CEO) against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over his "dance" remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The complaint stated that Rahul Gandhi made "Highly derogatory, indecent, and personal remarks" against PM Modi during his election rally held in Muzaffarpur and Darbhanga on October 29. It asked the poll body to issue a show-cause notice to the Congress MP and direct him to tender an unconditional public apology. (ANI)




A Napa man accused of killing a stranger and dumping his body beneath a downtown bridge over the summer has been declared mentally incompetent to stand trial, shifting his case from the criminal courts to California's mental health system.

Ramiro Ochoa Mendoza, 36, was ordered into the custody of the Department of State Hospitals this month after two court-appointed doctors concluded he was unable to understand court proceedings or assist in his own defense.

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Ochoa Mendoza had faced a first-degree murder charge in the June killing of Noel Batres, 47, whose body was found under Napa's Third Street bridge near the river.

"The Department of State Hospitals will determine where Mr. Ochoa Mendoza is housed, whether at Napa State Hospital or another psychiatric facility," Carlos Villatoro, spokesperson for Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley, said in a statement.

Authorities say Ochoa Mendoza, who was unhoused and had a history of arrests dating back to at least 2018, allegedly struck Batres with a metal pole and left him under the bridge. He was arrested July 11 and faced a possible life sentence without parole if convicted.

Ochoa Mendoza had several previous arrests, including 2022 felony charges for taking a vehicle and carrying a stabbing weapon, according to the Napa Valley Register.

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This spring, police arrested him twice within six weeks. In March, he violated a restraining order by shouting profanities outside a woman's home. In April, officers found him digging in a stranger's backyard while talking to himself and later booked him for resisting arrest and methamphetamine possession.

Court records show a judge declared a "mental health doubt" after those arrests, halting the prosecutions. When doctors later found him incompetent to stand trial, both misdemeanor cases were dismissed under state law.

California's mental health diversion framework states that defendants found incompetent to stand trial on misdemeanors cannot be forcibly "restored to competency," leading to automatic dismissal of charges.

Prosecutors said those limits effectively released Ochoa Mendoza from court supervision just days before the fatal attack.

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"This case highlights the real-world impact of recent legal reforms, where courts are required to prioritize mental health treatment over traditional prosecution, even when defendants exhibit an unwillingness or inability to comply," Deputy District Attorney Katie Susemihl, the lead prosecutor in the case, said this year.

This article originally published at Napa homicide suspect declared mentally incompetent to stand trial.
EUNICE, La. (KLFY)  One man has been arrested, and another is at large after a search in Eunice resulted in the seizure of over 800 grams of narcotics.

Lonnie Allison, 33, of Eunice was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl and synthetic marijuana. He was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and manufacturing crack cocaine.

On Oct. 28, the St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Office conducted a search at a residence on East Vine Street in Eunice.

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According to authorities the search led to the seizure of narcotics including:

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Approximately 42 grams of suspected fentanyl

Approximately 629 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine

Approximately 14 grams of suspected cocaine

Approximately 175 grams of synthetic marijuana

Approximately 14 grams of marijuana

One black digital scale.

Two Pyrex measuring cups with white powder residue

Authorities are asking the publics assistance in searching for Quentin Jermaine Frank, 41, on an outstanding warrant for distribution of methamphetamine. Frank is believed to be connected to the incident and is said to frequent Beaumont, Texas.

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No information was released regarding the bond of Allison.

Lonnie Allison Quentin Jermaine Frank Narcotics seized by the St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Office

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.
Kim Kardashian just picked a fight that is out of this world  and NASA isnt having it.

During an episode of The Kardashians that dropped on Thursday, October 30, the Skims mogul, 45, shocked fans and her Alls Fair costar Sarah Paulson by insisting the 1969 moon landing was a ruse.

I think it didnt happen, Kardashian told Paulson, 50, while referencing a Buzz Aldrin interview in which he was asked about his scariest moment during the Apollo 11 space mission, per Variety. There was no scary moment because it didnt happen.

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The reality star even admitted shes been sending Paulson a million conspiracy clips and plans to go on a deep dive to prove her theory right.

Her evidence? TikTok videos showing the American flag blowing despite there being no gravity on the moon, and no visible stars in photos from the mission.

Later in the episode, a producer approached Kardashian in her trailer, asking her to confirm her belief that the event was fake.

I dont think we did, she said of astronauts walking on the moon. I think it was fake.

Within hours of the episode airing, NASA fired off an intergalactic clapback.

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Yes, @KimKardashian, weve been to the Moon before  six times! tweeted Sean Duffy, NASAs acting administrator and former star of MTVs The Real World: Boston.

While filming, Kardashian seemingly braced herself for skepticism regarding her comments.

Theyre gonna say Im crazy no matter what, she said during the episode, according to Us Weekly. But go to TikTok and see for yourself.

This story NASA Fires Back at Kim Kardashian After Reality Star Suggests 1969 Moon Landing Didnt Happen first appeared on Globe. Add Globe as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Nashville police are continuing to investigate after they say a 19-year-old fatally shot his cousin in the back of the head Oct. 18 while firing at an apartment in Bellevue.

Investigators have issued an arrest warrant charging Marquez Reed with criminal homicide, felony reckless endangerment and use of a gun in the commission of a dangerous felony in connection with the shooting.

Police said 17-year-old Ja'Quan Nolan collapsed in the parking lot of Forest Park Apartments on Highway 70 when Reed fired a gun into one of the apartments.

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Malichi Cummins, 21, and a 16-year-old have also been charged in connection with the Oct. 18 shooting.

Both face attempted murder and felony reckless endangerment after police say they also fired guns at the Bellevue apartment. An adult man, woman and four small children were inside, police said.

Video evidence and witness statements identified Reed as the one who fatally shot Nolan, police said, noting that Cummins is seen on video taking a gun from Nolan as the three fled the scene.

Nolan, Reed, Cummins and the 16-year-old were together when Nolan began to argue with an adult male standing on the balcony of his apartment, police said. The man suffered a graze would to the chest during the shooting and was treated and later released from a local hospital.

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Police said Cummins was arrested in Rutherford County on Oct. 24 on theft charges.

Reed is currently jailed in Rutherford County on two counts of burglary after an Oct. 24 arrest.

The 16-year-old was arrested in Montgomery County Oct. 28 and was booked into a juvenile detention facility in Nashville.

The Tennessean does not name minors unless they are charged in adult court.

Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville man, 19, charged after cousin, 17, fatally shot in head
Construction appears to be nearly complete at Nashville's first In-N-Out location.

The iconic red-and-yellow logo, long a symbol of California's fast-food culture, now fronts the Antioch In-N-Out Burger location's restaurant and drive-thru.

In-N-Out Burger location in the Century Farms development in Antioch, Tenn., Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

According to Davidson County construction permits filed and executed in recent weeks, electrical, gas and mechanical work on the inside of the building, especially the kitchen, is nearly finished.

When will Tennessee In-N-Out Burger restaurants open?

With an address of 4130 William Turner Parkway listed on the In-N-Out website, the Antioch location is within the larger redevelopment footprint of Century Farms, which is already home to Nashville's Tanger Outlets.

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In-N-Out officials have not yet set an opening date for its first Nashville location, but they said the Antioch, Lebanon and Murfreesboro restaurants will all be "opening soon," with a target of "sometime by early 2026." The company has also started hiring for the Lebanon, Antioch and Murfreesboro restaurants.

While he couldn't offer more details about an opening timeline for the new location, In-N-Out's Vice President of Store Development Mike Abbate said the team hopes to be serving customers in Nashville within the next couple months.

"Were very grateful for the support weve already received in Tennessee and look forward to serving its communities," Abbate said in an email.

The first three Tennessee locations represent the first round in a larger expansion strategy by the company, which includes a new corporate hub in Williamson County. Middle Tennessee restaurant locations are also in the works in Madison and Hendersonville.

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The construction team behind the Antioch In-N-Out filed for multiple construction permits earlier this year, and many of those have been completed as of October, according to Metro Nashville documents. This includes the kitchen fryer hood with five gas fryers, three griddle hoods with two grills per hood and one meat grill. Electrical permits, water and fire service permits, plumbing permits and building sign permits have all been completed, according to the documents.

In-N-Out Burger location in the Century Farms development in Antioch, Tenn., Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

In-N-Out Burgers purchased the Antioch site in October 2024 for about $3.6 million, according to Metro records.

Molly Davis covers growth and development in Nashville. You can email her with comments, questions and tips at mmdavis@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville In-N-Out Burger is almost ready for customers
FORT RILEY (KSNT)  Federal officials have indicted a member of the Kansas National Guard after he allegedly agreed to take photos of Fort Riley Army on behalf of a Russian intelligent agent and ship a helicopter radio overseas.

The Department of Justice said in a press release that law enforcement arrested Canyon A. Amarys, 28, of Alamogordo, New Mexico on Oct. 28 in connection to his indictment for the attempted violation of the Export Control Reform Act. His indictment stems from his alleged involvement with a Russian intelligence agent earlier this year.

The DOJ said Amarys allegedly met in February 2025 with someone he believed to be a Russian intelligence agent and signed an agreement to confirm his covert relationship with the Russian intelligence service. He also allegedly agreed to take photos of a military installation that is part of the Fort Riley Army Post and to get a helicopter radio for later use by the Russian military.

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Missing Kansas deer hunter found on river log jam

Amarys purchased the helicopter radio in March 2025 and traveled to Kansas in order to retrieve it and send it to an individual in Romania, according to the DOJ. U.S. export laws prevent this action and investigators later recovered the radio Amarys allegedly sought to illegally send out of the country.

(Photo Courtesy/U.S. Army)

The Kansas City office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating this case with help from the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command, the Kansas National Guard, the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Prosecutors for the case include Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask of the District of Kansas and Trial Attorney David Ryan of the National Security Divisions Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

Former Kansas tribal chairman sentenced to a decade in federal prison after pleading guilty to child sex crime

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For more local 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.
(This story was updated to add new information.)

Hurricane Melissa is speeding up as it as it barrels toward Bermuda as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph Thursday, Oct. 30, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center. As of 5 p.m. it was traveling at 31 mph toward Bermuda, where conditions are expected to rapidly deteriorate this evening.

Melissa is expected to bring hurricane conditions to Bermuda tonight as it passes northeast of the island, with tropical storm conditions beginning early this evening.

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Melissa smashed Jamaica Tuesday as one of the most powerful Caribbean storms in recorded history, leaving much of the island-nation without power and flooded under feet of relentless rain. Many homes and buildings have been destroyed, some communities were left cut off, and dozens of people have died, including 25 in Haiti who were killed when a river burst over its banks.

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After pounding Cuba and sweeping over the Bahamas, Hurricane Melissa weakened temporarily before strengthening again and picking up speed. It is moving northeast hundreds of miles off the coast of Florida.

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Florida will not see any of the winds and rain from Melissa, but a small craft advisory is in effect for the state and most of the coast will see dangerous rip currents and rough surf through Friday, the National Weather Service advised.

Here's what you should know.

What category is Hurricane Melissa?

Melissa is a Category 2 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph and higher gusts.

Hurricane Melissa is the 13th named storm, the fifth hurricane, the fourth major hurricane, the third Category 5 hurricane and the most powerful hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, so far.

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.

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Hurricane Melissa summary, as of 5 p.m., Oct. 30:

Location : 325 miles west-southwest of Bermuda

Maximum sustained winds: 105 mph

Movement : north-northeast at 31 mph

Pressure: 967 mb

Where is Melissa going and what impact will it have?

Wind : Tropical storm conditions will begin on Bermuda by early this evening, with hurricane conditions expected there tonight. Gusty winds are possible over the southern Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland Friday night.

Rainfall : For Bermuda, outer bands of Melissa may bring 1 to 2 inches of rain through tonight. A brief period of heavy rain is possible over the southern Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland Friday night.

Storm surge: Coastal flooding from storm surge is possible in areas of onshore winds for Bermuda.

Surf: Swells generated by Melissa will continue to affect portions of Hispaniola, Cuba, the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands and Bermuda during the next couple of days. Swells generated by Melissa are also likely to reach the coast of the Northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada Friday and persist into the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

Hurricane Melissa: What you need to know

At 5 p.m., the center of Hurricane Melissa was located near latitude 30.2 North, longitude 69.7 West.

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Melissa is moving toward the northeast near 31 mph). An even faster motion toward the northeast is expected into Saturday. A gradual turn toward the east-northeast is expected on Sunday.

On the forecast track, the center of Melissa is expected to pass to the northwest of Bermuda this evening and tonight.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 105 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is likely through evening, but a weakening trend is expected to begin by early Friday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 255 miles.

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The estimated minimum central pressure is 967 mb

Hurricane Melissa spaghetti models, trajectory, 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.

 Track Hurricane Melissa

See map of hurricane/tropical storm watches, warnings issued for Florida

Small craft advisories are in effect for the entire coast of Florida. Most of the coast can expect to see dangerous rip currents through tonight and into tomorrow, forecasters said

Hurricane warning issued for Jamaica, portion of Haiti

A hurricane warning is in effect for: Bermuda



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.

Storm tracker: How strong is Hurricane Melissa and where is it going?

This 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.

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As of 5 p.m., Hurricane Melissa has maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.

Melissa is moving toward the northeast at 31 mph.

Is Hurricane Melissa coming to Florida?

No. Hurricane Melissa is being pushed northeast into the Atlantic.

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.

 WeatherTiger: Melissa a monster in the making with Florida dodging the bullet

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

Bermuda: Hurricane conditions are expected in Bermuda tonight, with tropical storm conditions beginning early this evening. Preparations should have been completed. Post-storm safety: Follow advice of local officials as you may need to remain sheltered after the storm due to downed power lines and flooding. Any flooding across the Bahamas is expected to subside today. Flooding across Cuba, Jamaica, and Hispaniola could persist for another few days. Ensure generators are properly ventilated and placed outside at least 20 feet away from dwellings and garages to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. During clean up, be careful when using chainsaws and power tools. Drink plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion.

Current forecast: Where is Hurricane Melissa going and how strong could it get?

As of 5 p.m.: 105 mph

12 hours: 100 mph

24 hours: 85 mph

36 hours: 75 mph, post-tropical storm

48 hours: 70 mph, post-tropical storm

60 hours: 65 mph, post-tropical storm

72 hours: 65 mph, post-tropical storm

96 hours: 50 mph, post-tropical storm

120 hours: 40 mph, post-tropical storm

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text

What's next?

We will update our tropical weather coverage daily.

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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Hurricane Melissa tracked by NHC as it storms off Florida coast
Editors note: This report has been updated to include details of Rear Adm. Kurt. Rothenhaus new position.

The U.S. Navy has replaced the admiral in charge of the Office of Naval Research with a civilian who has reportedly worked as a Department of Government Efficiency staffer, according to the service.

Rear Adm. Kurt. Rothenhaus, who has served as chief of naval research since June 2023, has been reassigned and replaced by Rachel Riley, who most recently acted as a senior adviser for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a Navy public affairs official confirmed in an emailed statement Thursday.

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Riley worked at HHS as part of DOGE, the The New York Times previously reported, a job her LinkedIn profile shows her holding since January 2025.

We thank RADM Rothenhaus for his service as he is enroute to his next assignment, the Navy official said. We do not have additional information to share at this time.

Its unclear when Rothenhaus was reassigned or when Riley took over the position. Rothenhaus will assume command of Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, the Navy official said Friday.

Prior to his role as chief of naval research, Rothenhaus served as program executive officer for Command Control Computers Communications and Intelligence, according to his Navy biography.

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https://www.militarytimes.com/veterans/2025/06/25/lawmakers-press-va-for-details-on-doge-access-to-vets-records/

Riley previously worked as a partner at the consulting firm McKinsey before her time at HHS, according to the Navy public affairs official.

The public affairs official said Riley brings deep acquisition, technology, and organizational expertise to the job, and that the Navy was pleased to welcome her to the team.

HHS confirmed Rileys migration to her new role at the Office of Naval Research, which oversees research for the Navy and Marine Corps with a budget of over $2 billion.

We appreciate the work Rachel Riley did for HHS to improve and right size the agency across its structure, programs, and grants, said HHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Rich Danker in an emailed statement.

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Riley reportedly led a September charge to fire almost 8,000 HHS employees, according to Politico, which uncovered the massive number after reviewing an HHS document.

The department reportedly laid off 1,760 employees earlier this month, only to later rescind several hundred of those firings after a coding error. As of Saturday, HHS is in the process of firing 954 department employees.
A Durham church set up in a parking lot to provide food during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. (Photo: Lynn Bonner/NC Newsline)

The state of North Carolina and a coalition of businesses and groups are donating almost $18 million to the states food banks, Gov. Josh Steins office said Thursday, as they prepare for a surge of need due to a pause in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP.

The state will grant $10 million to food banks. Insurance provider AmeriHealth Caritas is donating $5 million, and the David & Nicole Tepper Foundation is fast-tracking $2.5 million as part of a previous longer-term $10 million donation.

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Other businesses, including Duke Energy and Bank of America, are also contributing.

Shoring up our states food banks will serve as a critical, but fleeting, lifeline for families in need, and I hope other North Carolina organizations will also step up in this time of need, Stein said in a statement. Whether its paying our military, ensuring no child goes hungry, or lowering health care costs, leaders in Washington need to come together immediately to find a bipartisan solution that provides long-term stability for millions of Americans.

A spokesperson for Steins office said the $10 million were funds that were previously appropriated to DHHS and are being reallocated to fulfill the need. The Office of State Budget and Management will administer the grants.

Amy Beros, president and CEO of Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC, said in a statement that food banks were working tirelessly to meet the increased need.

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But she stressed that they could not replicate the scale of SNAP, which provides nine meals for every one that food banks do. The nearly $18 million pales in comparison to SNAPs estimated monthly total benefits in the state  $230 to $250 million.

We need swift action to ensure this critical support continues uninterrupted for those who need it most, Beros said. Every day of delay means more empty plates and tougher choices for our neighbors.

Around 1.4 million North Carolinians receive SNAP benefits. Ten of the states 100 counties have more than a quarter of their residents participating.

Those benefits will be put on hold Saturday as the U.S. Department of Agriculture halts payment amid the federal government shutdown. A coalition of Democratic states and officials, including Attorney General Jeff Jackson, have sued to force USDA to dip into its reserve fund to continue paying benefits.

Other federal food assistance programs are also expected to run out of funding soon, including WIC, which helps women, infants and children.
Johnston County authorities on Wednesday released the 911 call that Wellington Dickens III made on Monday night. In the call, Dickens tells the Telecommunicator that he he killed his four children.

At one point during the call, Dickens says God influenced him to do it. The children are believed to have been killed over a four-month period between May to September, according to Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell.

When deputies went to the home, they discovered several bodies in the trunk of a vehicle inside the garage of the Zebulon home. Dickens also told deputies that his three-year-old son was alive inside the house.

Who were the children?

Leah Dickens, 6 was killed in May 2025

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Zoe Dickens, 9, was killed August 2025

Wellington Dickens, 10, was killed in either late August or early September 2025

Sean Brasfield, 18, (Stepchild) was killed in September 2025

Warning: The transcript of the call below contains details that are graphic and could be disturbing to some readers and listeners.

Johnston County Sheriff's Office released the full, nearly 7-minute 911 call that Wellington Dickens III made. Warning: The audio contains details that are graphic and could be disturbing to some.

Operator



"Ok, sir, what's your name?"

Dickens



"Wellington Dickens."

Operator



"And a good phone number?"

Dickens



"What, ma'am?"

Operator



"A good telephone number, please?'"

Dickens



*censored*

Operator



"Ok, sir. What's going on?"

Dickens

"I killed my children. It's a lot to explain, but in a nutshell, it's all my fault. I'm not even gone. It's my fault. It's bad. I didn't like, hurt them, like on some like, when I say just killed, like, I didn't like, use knives or nothing to cut nobody or shoot nobody, and then I just started out as me over disciplining, that's it, and leaving them out to eat... (inaudible). A lot of stuff."

Operator



"Okay, and sir, how did you do it?"

Dickens

"Beat on them. Sometimes they didn't want to eat. I didn't force them to eat. I told them that it was a punishment not to eat. I did a bunch of different little things. Thought I was trying to -- it's a lot of things, and I'm trying to just do the right thing. Because..."

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"I left something -- I tried to call a lawyer earlier, but I could have maybe called a lot more lawyers. I just didn't want -- I should have just started calling all of them and just trying to, like, trying to basically turn -- I was basically trying to turn myself in without it being extra. But like I said, y'all want to be want to do extra? That's why I didn't know your procedures. And I'm not trying to tell you what not to do."

Dickens says he "accidentally" caused the first death (6-year-old Leah), who investigators believed was killed in May by hitting her "excessively."

Operator



"How old were the children?"

Dickens

"Well, the oldest is my stepson, he's 18. The other one is 10...then I have a 9-year-old daughter, and I got a 5-year-old daughter. I have a son here now on my bed. I'm not even gonna try to make it look..." (inaudible)

Operator



"Ok, sir, who is with you now?"

Dickens



"Just me and my son."

Operator



"Okay, and do you have any weapons on you?"

Dickens

"No weapons on me. I do not have knives here, but not on me. Like I said, if you want me to, I'll come outside in my underwear. I don't know what ya'll need me to be -- I'm willing to do whatever you need me to do. I never had this in my life..." (inaudible).

Operator



"Have you been drinking or doing any drugs?"

Dickens

"I did smoke and I had like a sip of champagne."

Operator



"You said your name was Wellington, correct?"

Dickens



"Yes, ma'am."

Operator



"Okay. Now, what made you want to do this?"

Dickens

"It was really not it wasn't up to me, like I had God just influenced me, like, that's it. It wasn't me because I got nervous and I didn't do it when I was supposed to, and I was being a coward, and I just was letting, trying to let my children -- you know what I'm saying? When that was me, I was supposed to make those decisions, and it just spiraled. It just got worse and worse and worse, and I just can't take it no more. I never did this before. This stuff is crazy... I got my son."

Operator



"Okay, sir, there's a deputy outside."

Dickens



"They outside right now?"

Operator

"Yes, we have a deputy outside...Okay, sir, go speak with the deputy. I'm going to disconnect now."

Wellington Dickens III has been charged with four counts of murder for allegedly killing four of his children.

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Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday accused the BJP-led Central government of using the National Education Policy (NEP) and the PM SHRI scheme to "brainwash children" with its ideology, after the Kerala government put the scheme on hold. Speaking to reporters, Priyanka Gandhi said, "The NEP and PM SHRI have been brought in by the BJP government to brainwash children according to their own ideology. They have inserted so many factual inaccuracies, removed and changed a lot of historical data, and ideologically it's entirely leaning one way." She said such an approach was not healthy for children's education. "They should have a large perspective, and if they have different ideologies, they should all be educated about them to ensure they are aware of them," she added. In a post on X, the Congress reiterated her remarks, saying, "The NEP and PM SHRI have been brought in by the BJP government to brainwash children according to their own ideology. They have inserted so many factual inaccuracies, removed and changed a lot of historical data, and ideologically, it's entirely leaning one way. That's not healthy for children's education. They should have a large perspective, and if they have different ideologies, they should all be educated about them to ensure they are aware of them. We are against it, and we oppose it. I had hoped that the state government in Kerala would have opposed it too, but I'm surprised they haven't." https://x.com/INCIndia/status/1983855569854197888 Earlier in the day, the Wayanad MP unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Meenangadi. On the Cholanaikkan Tribe, Priyanka Gandhi said that she had written to the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development regarding the numerous issues faced by the tribe, requesting that they be helped and protected to preserve their traditions. "I wrote to them (NABARD ). They have many issues and that tribe is a national treasure because they are still a hunter-gatherer tribe. Their laws, their way of understanding life, are extremely important. I think we should help and protect them to preserve their traditions at the same time, do whatever we can, to give them a better future," she said. Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that a seven-member cabinet sub-committee, chaired by Education Minister V Sivankutty, will be constituted to review the implementation of the PM SHRI scheme in the state. All further proceedings under the scheme will be put on hold until the committee submits its report. "When the MoU for PM SHRI was signed, it triggered several concerns. We have now decided to re-examine the project's implementation. A cabinet sub-committee with seven ministers has been constituted for this review. Until the committee submits its report and a final decision is taken, all further steps under PM SHRI will be put on hold. This decision will be formally communicated to the central government through a letter. Education Minister V Sivankutty will chair the sub-committee and will include Ministers K Rajan, Roshy Augustine, P Rajeev, P Prasad, K Krishnankutty, and AK Saseendran.", CM Vijayan said. Launched in 2022, the PM SHRI aims at creating 14,500 exemplar institutions across the country that showcase various aspects of the NEP. Kerala Minister for General Education V Sivankutty explained the decision to implement the PM SHRI in the State as a tactical move to secure the withheld Central funds under the Samagra Shiksha education scheme. The funds totalling Rs 1,476.13 crore under the scheme, which are due to the State, have been withheld by the Centre. The Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) also slammed the government for the decision, alleging a "backdoor deal" between the CPI (M) and BJP. (ANI)
The construction of hyperscale AI data centers is booming across the United States, but non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) keep many details hidden from affected communities.

According to NBC News, major tech companies require landowners and public officials to sign NDAs to receive limited information and the promise of economic benefits.

In March 2025, three men approached Dr. Timothy Grosser and his son Andy with a $10 million offer for their 250-acre Mason County, KY, farm  35 times what they paid in 1988 and far above local land prices.

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The buyers refused to reveal their identities, with one man claiming to represent a Fortune 100 company but offering no names  only an NDA.

Dr. Grosser said the contract would have barred him from discussing the project, offering only limited details about its purpose, timeline, and size in return.

We refused to sign it, Grosser said, per NBC. Im not selling my farm for any amount of money.

Grosser is among 20 residents offered deals to sell their land; 18 ultimately signed property purchase contracts.

Five months after Grosser declined, NBC reports that Tyler McHugh, director of the countys industrial development authority, revealed at a public budgetary meeting that Mason County was part of a global selection process for a single-story data center building and office space project.

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Industry representatives argue that NDAs protect proprietary strategies and keep companies one step ahead of competitors, preventing them from learning about forthcoming projects.

While developers and local government leaders promote data centers as economic lifelines for struggling regions, the lack of transparency fuels unease among residents.

NBC reports that a review of over 30 proposals across 14 states found that local officials often signed NDAs and worked with shell companies, sometimes leading them to conceal project information from their constituents.

Pat Garofalo, director of state and local policy at the nonprofit American Economic Liberties Project, opposes this approach.

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That violates a very fundamental norm of democracy, which is that they are answerable first to the voters and to their constituents, not to some secret corporation that theyre cutting deals with in the back room, said Garofalo, per NBC.

Some local officials say they sign NDAs to ensure their communities are considered for new projects, fearing that transparency could spark controversy and deter opportunities.

Either you want your government to be courting businesses and looking for development in your communities or you dont, Mason County Attorney John Estill, who signed the projects NDA, told NBC. And if you want them to be courting businesses and looking for growth in your local economies, then unfortunately, NDAs are part of the landscape.

Residents Voice Concerns Over Environmental And Social Impact Of AI Data Centers

Across the U.S., residents in dozens of communities have raised concerns about how massive data centers could disrupt daily life.

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As

AFROTECH

previously reported, the growing number of data centers is driving power costs to record highs, with some consumers seeing their bills increase by up to 80%, regardless of how far they are from the data centers.

In Prince Georges County, MD, plans for a data center were paused after residents voiced opposition over visual disruption and potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts, including noise pollution, infrastructure strain, and declining property values,

AFROTECH

noted.

The NAACP announced plans to sue Elon Musks xAI, an AI company based in south Memphis, TN, over air pollution concerns, per AFROTECH



. Activists allege the supercomputer facility is operating gas turbines without proper permits, disproportionately affecting predominantly Black neighborhoods.

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Meta plans to build an AI data center in Richland Parish, LA, a farming community of 20,000 people. As

AFROTECH

reported, the approval has sparked concerns among residents about an increase in energy bills and water shortages, with many saying the decision seems rushed.

MediaJustice researchers warned in a September report that tech corporations are quietly draining the South economically and environmentally through their growing network of data centers.

Today, Big Tech is following in the footsteps of Big Oil as this industry deliberately builds data centers in the South, banking on disempowered cities and towns with large Black populations to not have the local power to fight back, researchers wrote.

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But from Bessemer, Alabama, to Memphis, Tennessee, local communities are showing up to call out the public health, environmental, and economic harms of data centers and the bulldozing of democratic processes to greenlight them.

The post NDAs Keep Residents In The Dark As AI Data Centers Spread Across The US appeared first on AfroTech.







The post NDAs Keep Residents In The Dark As AI Data Centers Spread Across The US appeared first on AfroTech.
Due to the death of Kernersville Alderman Joe Pinnix on Oct. 14, one major change has been made to the Kernersville Board of Aldermen election but not to the ballot that voters will see.

Because Pinnix was a Republican running for re-election, the Forsyth County Republican Executive Committee met Oct. 20, with members who are also residents of Kernersville voting to determine who the replacement candidate will be in the election. The committee chose Irving Neal, a former alderman.

But the ballots for the election had already been printed, so the Forsyth County Board of Elections was unable to remove Pinnix from the ballot, Town Clerk Keith Hooker said in an email to the Kernersville News.

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After being selected to replace Pinnix, Irving said, I am honored to be selected to continue the fine work of Mr. Pinnix on the board and his legacy of service in Kernersville.

Irving was friends with Pinnix.

Joe and I served together on the BOA, and I knew him for years, and he has a great family. He made a lot of good choices on the BOA. I am happy and am elated, and I am glad to try to fill the shoes of Joe Pinnix, who has done a lot of good things for Kernersville, Neal said.

Neal was appointed to part of one term on the board and then was elected to six terms, resigning in 2019 to run for mayor. He came in second to Dawn Morgan.

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Neal also served on the board of directors of the North Carolina Trucking Association and served on the Forsyth County Board of Adjustment. He is currently vice president of sales at LJ Rogers Trucking Co.

Neal is a graduate of East Forsyth High School and N.C. State University. He and his wife, Paula, have been married for 52 years and are members of Kernersville Moravian Church. He is a master Mason and a member of the Masonic Lodge of Kernersville #669.

Other than Pinnix, the Kernersville municipal candidates whose names will be on the Nov. 4 ballot for five seat on the board of aldermen are Republican incumbents Bill Apple, John Barrow and Chris Thompson, Democratic incumbent JR Gorham, Republican candidate Michael Enscore and Democratic candidates Randall Pegram and Sarah Sabanis.

This is not the first time a replacement candidate has been named for an election in Forsyth County. David Plyler of kernersville, who served on the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners for almost 30 years (1994-2024), announced plans to retire on June 30, 2024, after the ballots had already been printed. Gray Wilson was selected to be his replacement candidate.
Federal authorities dismantled an open-air drug market that operated day and night for years in and around Manhattans Washington Square Park, arresting a network of dogged narcotics dealers at the root of a rash of fatal overdoses, officials said.

Even repeated arrests were not enough to stop the crew from dealing its deadly poison, prosecutors said.

Over the past five years, cops have arrested participants more than 80 times for various drug-related offenses, only to see them back in action pushing fentanyl and heroin and dealing crack cocaine in the shadow of the parks iconic arch.

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Through their coordinated and extensive drug trafficking, the defendants have maintained an open-air drug market in the Washington Square Park area, where drug addicts and users can secure narcotics at any time, year-round, prosecutors said in an indictment.

This activity has victimized individuals as diverse as New York City itself.

Arrested were nearly 20 suspected drug dealers, with aliases such as Heavy, Hollywood, Black Rob, Scarface, Nazzi and Butter. Some of the dealers were associated with the violent Bloods gang, prosecutors said.

Their victims included an 18-year-old who died, just two days after graduating from high school in Aspen, Colo., and arriving in Manhattan for a prestigious theater internship.

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Got a some from another trusted guy twas just a lil more expensive, the dealer explained in a text to the visiting customers. If you end up not liking it I can get u from the regular mans asap but tbh (to be honest] this st gas.

Perfect. I trust you, the Colorado teen responded.

A day later, on June 24, 2024, the victim was found dead in the bedroom of the Manhattan apartment where he was staying, officials said. The cause of death, according to authorities, was a fentanyl overdose.

Though many of the dealers were from different gangs, authorities said they consolidated their operation to maximize profits, even sharing supply sources, according to court documents.

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Residents living near the famed park have long complained about open drug dealing and drug use in the park and on the surrounding streets.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch declared the NYPD is reclaiming the park from the dealers and their deadly drugs.

These drug traffickers allegedly flooded Washington Square Park with dangerous narcotics that claimed two lives and harmed countless more people, Tisch said. They turned this iconic park into an open-air drug market, jeopardizing the safety and quality-of-life of families, students and the entire community. Thanks to the incredible work of the NYPD detectives, today, we are reclaiming Washington Square Park and restoring a sense of safety and order. I want to thank our partners at the DEA and the U.S. Attorneys Office for this joint effort.
It may not be a mayoral election year in Utahs capital city, but those seeking a seat on its City Council have raised large sums of money with a potential shakeup at stake.

Combined, candidates for the four seats up for grabs have raised nearly $400,000 in contributions, while collectively spending more than $300,000, according to the final Salt Lake City campaign finance report before next weeks election.

Only one seat is guaranteed to change within the states largest and fastest-growing city, while one will remain unchanged.

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Salt Lake City Councilwoman Sarah Young, whose district covers Sugar House, is running unopposed in the citys District 7. But there will be a new representative in District 5, as Councilman Darin Mano is not seeking reelection in the district that covers the citys Ballpark, Central Ninth, East Liberty Park and Liberty Wells neighborhoods.

Fundraising doesnt always translate into winning races, but it does provide more resources to persuade voters. Records show that most of the money raised this election cycle ended up going toward websites, digital and mailing advertisements, as well as costs associated with in-person events, campaign staff and election consultants.

1 guaranteed change

Tuesdays report offers a window into donations and spending in the final weeks leading up to that particular raise. Erika Carlsen, co-founder of the Ballpark Action Team, has nearly outraised all City Council candidates this year, collecting more than $103,000 from more than 750 contributions.

These include larger donations from Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and smaller donations from former Utah congressman Ben McAdams, each of whom has endorsed Carlsen since she entered the race. Blaser + Partners Company, Salt Lake Board of Realtors and Dustin Buckthal, owner of The Front climbing gym in Ballpark, are among some of the larger donors to her campaign.

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Amy Hawkins, chairwoman of the Ballpark Community Council, raised more than $10,000 in her bid for District 5 after joining the race later in the year. She nabbed a small donation from former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, who ran against Mendenhall in 2023. Business leader David Ibarra and the Ibarra Brito Centre each donated the maximum contribution of $850.

Vance Hansen raised over $5,500, but he also did not file his last finance report, according to the city.

Big fundraising in other races

Salt Lake Citys most crowded race has generated the bulk of election fundraising. Salt Lake City Council Chairman Chris Wharton, the incumbent in District 3, raised the most money out of anyone running, after also raising more than $103,000 over the past few months.

He scored large donations from Mendenhall, groups like Equality Utah and developers like Dan Lofgren and Brandon Blaser, as well as smaller donations from several current and past Democratic lawmakers.

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But he faces competition in District 3, which is home to the Avenues, Capitol Hill, Federal Heights, Guadalupe and Marmalade neighborhoods.

Liddy Huntsman Hernandez, the daughter of former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., gained nearly $43,000 in contributions, with about 40% of that coming from internal sources, per city records. Blake McClary, a software engineer, gathered more than $34,000 from over 150 contributions. Both landed larger donations from local real estate and property businesses, as well as smaller donations from Anderson, according to the city documents.

The documents also note that the three candidates  combined  spent more than $140,000 on canvassing, consulting, advertising, staffing and materials for in-person appearances at neighborhood events.

Meanwhile, the race for District 1 thinned after Yussuf Abdi withdrew earlier this month. Councilwoman Victoria Petro, the districts incumbent, led the way in funding as she seeks reelection for the district that includes Fairpark, Jordan Meadows, Rose Park and Westpointe.

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She gathered a little more than $50,000 in contributions, including from Mendenhall and McAdams, as well as several key local developers and unions. Stephen Otterstrom, a human resources consultant also vying for the seat, raised close to $10,000, mostly out of pocket.

The two also spent heavily on ads and campaign events.

Salt Lake City opted to continue in the states ranked-choice voting pilot program, as it did in 2021 and 2023. That means voters in the election districts can rank their candidates rather than voting for just one.
A sign in front of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services' Lincoln Public Assistance Office on Oct. 30, 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website posted a banner this week blaming U.S. Senate Democrats for the federal government shutdown and urging them to stop using Nebraskas most vulnerable people for political leverage.

On the banner, the state points to Democrats for disrupting the state-federal partnership on public grocery benefits, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, which it says will run out of funds by the end of the month.

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The original message followed a similar approach to the Trump administration, some GOP-led states and some Democratic-led states during the messaging battle over whos to blame for the federal shutdown.

Nebraska DHHS updated the banner on its website Thursday after reporters and others asked questions, tweaking the announcement from a blanket statement by DHHS into the same message shared as a direct quote from Gov. Jim Pillen.

A DHHS spokesperson said the post was added at the Governors Offices request and was updated to eliminate any confusion about where the statement came from. State law prohibits public resources from being used for political purposes, as critics of the banner note. On Thursday afternoon, Pillens office confirmed that it approved the posting.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website, before the update, displayed a banner this week blaming U.S. Senate Democrats for the federal government shutdown. (Courtesy of Nebraska DHHS)

DHHS officials and the Governors Office said the Republican governor has the authority to issue partisan statements on state websites.

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State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, a Democrat, said the tweak to the website is an admission that he overstepped state law by authorizing the statement and is now trying to thread the needle with a quote from him.

Nebraskans are rightly concerned about the disruption of SNAP benefits  and instead of finding solutions, what the governor decided to do was to create yet another distraction, Conrad said.

Common Cause of Nebraska officials said it was unlikely that Pillen violated state law. The national version of the same group is among legal observers who have argued the Trump administration likely violated the Hatch Act by using government websites and agencies to blame Democrats for the shutdown. That federal law limits political activities of federal employees and federal agencies to ensure government programs are administered in a nonpartisan fashion.

Criticisms grew after the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Housing and Urban Development posted messages blaming the Radical Left in Congress for the shutdown, in website banners similar to the initial Nebraska DHHS post. The Trump administration also inserted language in some automated email responses from federal agencies blaming Democrats.

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The political messaging also reached American airports in a video by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the shutdown, a video Nebraskas two largest airports have said they arent airing.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website after the update displaying a banner this week blaming U.S. Senate Democrats for the federal government shutdown. (Courtesy of Nebraska DHHS)

In Democrat-led Massachusetts, a state government website has an alert saying, President Trump is freezing SNAP benefits, while New Yorks Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance urges New Yorkers to call their representatives in Congress.

Earlier this week, Nebraska DHHS announced that SNAP benefits for roughly 150,000 low-income recipients across Nebraska would be paused due to the shutdown. The agency also told Omaha ABC affiliate KETV that it would not take over SNAP funding by itself, because absorbing the expense of this federal program is not sustainable.

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Twenty-five states have sued the Trump administration over its decision that the USDA cannot use emergency funds to cover SNAP benefits in November. Several other states, such as Virginia and Rhode Island, have declared a state of emergency to reallocate state funds to cover shortfalls in the SNAP program, bolster food pantries or do both.

Texas Democrats have urged Gov. Greg Abbott to use his executive authority to provide emergency state funding. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced some state funding for Iowas food banks and pantries and activated the Iowa National Guard for food distribution.

Pillen joined other governors in saying their states cant cover the missing federal food aid, Pillens office said it has no plans to declare an emergency. Nebraska is currently dealing with a budget shortfall.

Also on Thursday, a lawsuit was filed against Steve Corsi, the CEO of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, alleging that he violated state law by posting the message slamming the Democrats.

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The posting, the article said, was also false and misleading, according to the lawsuit filed by Lincoln attorney Vince Powers, a former head of the Nebraska Democratic Party, on behalf of a Lincoln woman, Kay Siebler.

Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr., a Democrat, the Food Bank for the Heartland, Community Alliance, and other Omaha city leaders have asked for food and monetary donations ahead of SNAP benefits being shut off.

Nebraska Examiner Reporter Paul Hammel contributed to this report.

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Warminster police continue to investigate after they say suspects stole more than $20,000 from their neighbor, 88-year-old Lydia Sakaitis, before and after her death.

The investigation began in February after Sakaitis's niece saw suspicious charges on her aunt's bank account.

"She preyed on my aunt," said Sakaitis's niece, who lives in California and asked to remain anonymous. "I hope she goes to jail."

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Gail Hills, 64, is facing felony charges, including financial exploitation of an older adult and conspiracy.

Hills was Sakaitis's neighbor at the Meadowood Condos in Warminster until she passed away at 88 years old in October 2024. Sakaitis's niece said her aunt never mentioned Hills.

"She was by herself and just relied on her friends that she made over the years," said the niece. "I guess she thought Gail was her friend, and turned out she wasn't"

The niece said Hills visited Sakaitis in the hospital and brought her rosary beads and her checkbook.

Warminster Police Chief Jim Donnelly said during that time, four checks were written out for nearly $12,000.

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"We suspect Gail befriended the victim. She got her to either sign checks or forge her name on those checks, and cashed those checks to at least two different people," said Chief Donnelly.

Paul Gibbons, 45, and Wayne Hills, 68, who is Gail's former husband, are also charged.

Chief Donnelly said after Sakaitis died, the suspects withdrew nearly $1,500 from her bank account and sold her Hyundai Santa Fe. Now, they're trying to determine who notarized the vehicle title.

"It's upsetting. We all have parents. We all have family. We don't want to see our family taken advantage of," said Chief Donnelly.

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The niece said Hills also emptied Sakaitis's apartment.

"I don't have anything because she got rid of everything," said the niece.

"The detective division is trying to get as much as they possibly can," said Chief Donnelly. "There could be missing jewelry, there could be missing cash, the whole apartment was cleared out."

After this incident, Chief Donnelly and the niece advise everyone to write a will and document valuable items.

"If you have elderly parents or grandparents, I would check in on them and make sure they're not being taken advantage of."

The Hills were released from jail on unsecured bail, while Gibbons is currently behind bars for an unrelated charge.

They're all due back in court in November.
SPRINGFIELD  Parents no longer let their children walk to the bus stop, traffic has become chaotic and people are smoking in the parking lot since a new marijuana dispensary moved into a Pine Point neighborhood.

About 35 people who live on Lamont, Fargo and other nearby streets gathered at Balliet School Wednesday to say since EMBR moved into their neighborhood life has been a nightmare of noise, trash and traffic.

City Councilor Lavar Click-Bruce organized the public meeting after hearing many and varied complaints, bringing together residents, police and EMBR to try to find solutions.

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It popped out of nowhere. I think of it as a devils den, said Pamela Thomas, one of the neighbors.

Thomas now walks her goddaughter to the bus stop daily because she doesnt trust erratic drivers who pull out into traffic, stop on a dime, speed and simply dont pay attention. She wont even let the childs older sister meet the bus to walk home with her because of the danger.

EMBR opened about 11 months ago at the corner of Boston Road and Lamont Street. While it did seem to pop up out of nowhere, that is only because the permits were granted more than three years ago to KUR Retailers LLC and were later sold to EMBR, which also operates a dispensary in Northampton, said Ryan McCollum, who is working for the company.

This behavior on the corner on Boston Road, there is nothing like it that is going on other pot shops. Why is it here, why do we have to deal with this? It is disrespectful with capital letters, said Marian Corbin. They dont care about our neighborhood.

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But Brian Horrigan, a member of the management team, said EMBR is aware of the complaints and is trying to find some solutions so they can operate without disrupting the side streets.

Parking is a problem and spills out onto the market across the street. The company is currently working with a neighboring law office to use a vacant lot next door to expand parking, McCollum said.

To do that, we need a zone change, he said, adding the request will go to the Planning Board in November and the City Council in January.

The company has hired a security firm, tasked employees with picking up litter and is trying to add no-parking and no-idling signs to prevent illegal parking, he said.

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But neighbors said they want more. Many called for the shop to hire police, especially on its three busiest days  Thursday, Friday and Saturday. they said security officers are a welcome addition, but should be in the parking lot where they see people smoking the products they buy and ignoring basic traffic rules.

Police Lt. Jamie Bruno urged residents to call 911 any time they see a problem but many said they were hesitant to do so for what they feel are nuisance offenses and not a real emergency.

It is an emergency, Bruno said. If we dont know these things we cant address them.

He said he wants the neighborhood to share data with police such as the time offenses are occurring and what is happening so they can have patrols be there at times when problems are likely taking place.

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Neighbors recommended moving a bus stop that is in front of EMBR saying they no longer feel safe letting their children get off the bus and walk a short distance home alone because of the store, which opens at 8 a.m.

They also asked if the entrance and exit to the shop can be moved to Boston Road to keep customers from cutting through the quiet neighborhood that has narrow streets and few sidewalks.

But one woman who has young children questioned if the efforts will yield results.

I dont think you can do anything to make this work. What can we do to take the next step to say this isnt working for us, she said. I want my community to be safe.

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Click-Bruce left with a list of ideas to improve the situation immediately including requiring police details, cutting down a tree that blocks drivers line of sight, creating a no-turn-on-red on the nearby traffic light and having a conversation about changing the entrance to the shop.

Neighborhood residents will meet again on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Pine Point Library.

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Britains reliance on China to reach net zero poses a risk to security, Labour has been warned.

The Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) said in a report that dangers would be hardwired into major infrastructure if Britain relied on Chinese technology to reach Labours clean energy targets.

The influential think tank said Britain and Europe risked repeating the mistake of relying on Russian gas by becoming dependent on supply chains dominated by China.

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Rusi also warned that undersea interconnectors that import gas and electricity from Europe were insufficiently protected from sabotage or cyber attacks and called for more joined-up thinking by energy and defence officials.

Britains ties with China are being heavily scrutinised following the collapse of an espionage case against two alleged Chinese spies in Westminster and a diplomatic row over Beijings plans for a new London embassy.

Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, has also been accused by the Conservatives of binding Britain to Beijing with his ambitious target of switching the electricity system to clean power by 2030, because it is likely to mean deploying Chinese solar panels and batteries.

Chinese dominance

China currently controls more than 80pc of the supply chains used to manufacture solar panels. It also dominates the refining of lithium, which is used to make batteries, as well as production of batteries themselves.

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More recently, Chinese wind turbine manufacturers have also sought to make inroads into the UK and European markets.

The Rusi report said moving away from oil and gas and towards alternative energy sources such as renewables will boost British sovereignty in the long term by cutting dependence on imports.

However, it warned that allowing Chinese firms to become enmeshed in the net zero rollout could hardwire cyber vulnerabilities into the future energy system.

The report said: Chinas role in critical infrastructure, including clean energy supply chains, poses strategic risks.

The UKs heavy reliance on Chinese manufacturing has echoes of its over-reliance on Russian gas up until 2022 and creates vulnerabilities to cyber threats.

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Failing to properly investigate the risks could mean the Government is later forced to strip out Chinese equipment from the energy system at great cost, as was done with parts of the national telecoms network, the report warned.

Ed Miliband has been accused of binding Britain to Beijing - Aaron Chown/PA Wire

Mr Miliband has been seeking to establish closer ties with China on energy and visited the country in March for a series of high-level meetings. While there, he struck a net zero cooperation deal that the Government has so far refused to publish.

The Telegraph also understands that British civil servants visited China again last week to discuss policy design, system architecture and the innovation pathway with their Chinese counterparts.

Claire Coutinho, the Conservative shadow energy secretary, said: Our intelligence services have already warned us about Chinese state-sponsored hackers seeking to infiltrate and destroy Western energy systems.

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Ed Miliband must publish the text of the secret deal he signed with China earlier this year and double down on safe, reliable, secure nuclear power.

His plans have been shrouded in secrecy and yet they are going to make us reliant on China for batteries and solar panels.

Rusis warning comes as ministers are deciding whether to give Chinese turbine manufacturer Ming Yang permission to build a 1.5bn factory in Scotland that will supply equipment to British wind farms.

Ministry of Defence officials have sounded the alarm about the proposals over fears that it would give Chinese engineers regular access to UK infrastructure and could allow the turbines to be used for spying.

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It was also revealed earlier this year that solar panels supplied to schools by Mr Milibands state-owned company, Great British Energy, had been made by Chinese firms Aiko and Longi.

Dan Marks, the Rusi reports author, said ministers should be wary of the influence this would give Beijing over Britain, not only through supply chains but also vulnerabilities through potential software updates that were regularly required to maintain equipment.

He stressed the risk of China directly threatening the UKs kit, or of using access to IT systems to sabotage equipment, was low because it would damage the reputation of Chinese firms globally.

But he added: As we saw with Russia threatening to cut off gas supplies to Europe, if the stakes are high enough than these kinds of considerations go out the window.

Refineries in danger

Separately on Wednesday, oil and gas executives warned that net zero levies were threatening Britains energy security and putting the future of UK refineries at risk.

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Paul Greenwood, the UK chairman of Exxon, told MPs on the energy committee that rising carbon costs were an absolute catastrophe waiting to happen for the sector as he warned his company alone faced costs that were set to double to 150m by the end of the decade.

Elizabeth de Jong, the boss of Fuels Industry UK, added Britain risked being left dangerously reliant on imports unless the government did more to support the sector.

A Government spokesman said: The biggest threat to our energy security is our continued reliance on fossil fuel markets controlled by dictators and petrostates.

Through our clean power mission, we are getting off the rollercoaster fossil fuel markets and onto clean, homegrown power we control, protecting household finances, reindustrialising the country with thousands of skilled jobs, and tackling the climate crisis.

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We will never compromise on our national security. We work across government and with industry, regulators, sector bodies and other stakeholders to improve and maintain the resilience of our energy infrastructure, networks and assets, and reduce vulnerabilities.

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Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel has announced that the Netherlands will contribute 10 million to the United Kingdom's cybersecurity support programme for Ukraine.

Source: Dutch Foreign Minister on X (Twitter); European Pravda

Details: The minister stressed that Russian cyberattacks against Ukraine are not isolated incidents, and that this hybrid military campaign threatens European security.

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"The UK is our valued partner in strengthening Ukraine's resilience. Today, the Netherlands announced 10 million for the UK's Ukraine Cyber Programme," Van Weel said.

He emphasised that this contribution supports the critical work of the Tallinn Mechanism, the leading international coalition providing cyber assistance to Ukraine.

Background:

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday hit back at Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over her criticism of the National Education Policy (NEP) and PM SHRI (Prime Minister Schools for Rising India) scheme, calling her remarks "a glaring display of ignorance and political opportunism." Pradhan said that Priyanka Gandhi's comments were not only "irresponsible and misleading" but also an insult to the "collective wisdom" of India's educators, academicians, and citizens who contributed to the policy's formation. In a post on X, Pradhan wrote, "The remarks made by Smt Priyanka Gandhi on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the PM SHRI (Prime Minister Schools for Rising India) initiative are a glaring display of ignorance and political opportunism. By making such irresponsible and misleading statements, she not only distorts facts but disrespects the collective wisdom of India's educators, academicians, and citizens who shaped these historic reforms." https://x.com/dpradhanbjp/status/1983897325346156604 "For over 30 years, India waited for meaningful education reforms that could prepare its youth for the challenges of the 21st century. The NEP 2020, formulated under the guidance of Late Prof. K. Kasturirangan, a scientist of global eminence, was the result of one of the most exhaustive and inclusive consultation processes ever undertaken," Pradhan said. He highlighted that the policy emphasises inclusion, equity, quality learning, and global competitiveness, while being rooted in India's civilizational ethos. Describing PM SHRI schools as the "living embodiment" of NEP's vision, Pradhan said these institutions reflect the future of Indian education through smart classrooms, innovation labs, vocational hubs, eco-friendly campuses, and inclusive learning spaces. "These exemplar schools represent the future of Indian education, featuring smart classrooms, Atal Tinkering and Innovation Labs, digital and experiential learning, libraries, eco-friendly campuses, vocational and skill hubs, and inclusive spaces for every child. They actively promote arts, culture, sports, and environmental stewardship, nurturing creativity, confidence, and character," he wrote. In a sharp retort to the Congress leader, Pradhan said that opposing such visionary initiatives was tantamount to rejecting the idea of a self-reliant India that no longer needs validation from "old political dynasties." "Perhaps the discomfort stems from the fact that for decades, education was reduced to political rhetoric and neglect. Now that reforms are actually being implemented, it is convenient for some to feign outrage rather than acknowledge success," he said. "If empowering children with innovation, critical thinking, and pride in Bharat's heritage is 'ideological,' then yes, the ideology is nation-building," the union minister later said. Earlier in the day, Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the BJP-led Central government of using the NEP and the PM SHRI scheme to "brainwash children" with its ideology. Speaking to reporters, Priyanka Gandhi said, "The NEP and PM SHRI have been brought in by the BJP government to brainwash children according to their own ideology. They have inserted so many factual inaccuracies, removed and changed a lot of historical data, and ideologically it's entirely leaning one way." She further said such an approach was not healthy for children's education. "They should have a large perspective, and if they have different ideologies, they should all be educated about them to ensure they are aware of them," she added. "We are against it, and we oppose it. I had hoped that the state government in Kerala would have opposed it too, but I'm surprised they haven't, the post further reads. Launched in 2022, the PM SHRI aims at creating 14,500 exemplar institutions across the country that showcase various aspects of the NEP. (ANI)
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Gyro, macabre, Worcestershire sauce, Qatar: This may seem like a list of random words, but they have one major thing in commonTheyre hard to pronounce.

Researchers at Unscramblerer.com used Google Trends to find the most mispronounced words across the United States, using the number of searches that used key terms like how do you pronounce, pronunciations of, and how to pronounce.

The time period studied was from Jan. 1, 2025, to Oct. 27, 2025.

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English spelling only matches pronunciation around 75% of the time, according to a spokesperson from Unscramblerer.com.

The spokesperson stated that the research reveals an interesting insight into American culture. Exposure to new words through media, music, pop culture, and social platforms drives curiosity.

People often look up pronunciations if there is a gap between how a word or name is spelled and how it sounds. English language is particularly irregular in this regard, the spokesperson said. A Cambridge University linguistics survey found that over 60% of English speakers admit they regularly mispronounce at least one common word.

With over 40 regional accents across America, its no wonder people are searching for how to pronounce words, especially because correct pronunciation can be closely tied to perceived intelligence and competence.

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Nevadas most mispronounced word is very fitting for the spooky season: Macabre, pronounced (muh-KAHB).

According to Oxford Languages, macabre is an adjective that is disturbing and horrifying because of involvement with or depiction of death and injury.

The study showed that the top 12 most mispronounced words in America are as follows:

1. Gyro (312 000 searches)  YEE-roh

2. Worcestershire sauce (300 000 searches)  WUSS-ter-sheer

3. Acai (192 000 searches)  ah-SIGH-ee

4. Qatar (180 000 searches)  KAH-tar

5. Dachshund (156 000 searches)  DAKS-hund

6. Niche (142 000 searches)  NEESH

7. Aoife (84 000 searches)  EE-fah

8. Charcuterie (72 000 searches)  shar-KOO-tuh-ree

9. Paczki (36 000 searches)  POONCH-kee

10. Primeval (26 000 searches)  pry-MEE-vul

11. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (24 000 searches)  soo-per-kal-uh-fraj-uh-lis-tik-ek-spee-al-uh-DOH-shus

12. Hozier (21 000 searches)  HO-zee-er

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While it didnt make the list, locals are all too familiar with one commonly mispronounced word: Nevada. While the correct pronunciation emphasizes a short a sound (Ne-VAD-uh), many nonlocals have been known to give the states name a different sound (Ne-VAH-duh).

Of course, anyone who has lived in Nevada for long enough will know that those people are wrong.

No other state had macabre listed as its most mispronounced word. Other standalones include Sza (SIZ-uh) from Georgia, Louvre (LOOV) from Kansas, and Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (HIP-oh-pot-oh-MON-stroh-ses-kwip-uh-dal-ee-oh-FOH-bee-uh) from Hawaii.

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.
Ministers have moved to close a legal loophole that could have allowed foreign states to team up to gain sway over Britains news.

Peers had raised concerns that new laws introduced in July permitting foreign states to take stakes in newspapers and news websites of up to 15pc did not limit the number of such shareholdings. It stoked fears that hostile states could plot together to influence UK public debate.

In a victory for the Conservative peer Baroness Stowell, the Government confirmed on Thursday that it would introduce further legislation to make 15pc the overall cap regardless of how many foreign state investors were involved.

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Lady Stowell, who played a key role in efforts to derail the blocked UAE-funded bid for The Telegraph last year, had warned: Without a cumulative limit on foreign state shareholdings you have to ask where will it end?

The updated laws will also require foreign state entities to notify ministers of any deal that gives them a share of more than 5pc in a newspaper owner within 14 days.

Ian Murray, the media minister, said: This Government is committed to a pluralistic media landscape, where citizens are able to access information from a range of sources in order to form opinions.

The publics ability to access a wide range of news, views and information about the world in which we live is central to the health of our democracy.

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He added: It is vital that the UK has in place strong measures to protect this.

Ministers are attempting to tidy up hastily-passed legislation which blocked a takeover of The Telegraph by RedBird IMI, a fund majority-backed by Abu Dhabi.

The Conservatives initially blocked foreign state shareholdings outright and proposed a cap on foreign state ownership of just 5pc.

The threshold was increased to 15pc by Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, following lobbying from Rupert Murdoch and Lord Rothermere, the owner of the Daily Mail.

They complained that the lower threshold risked having a chilling effect on international investment at a crucial time for the newspaper industry.

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Britain also faced a diplomatic backlash from the UAE.

Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, raised the cap on foreign state ownership - Paul Grover for The Telegraph

Lord Rothermeres company subsequently complained that an exception for listed newspaper owners allowing foreign states to hold up to 5pc on top of the 15pc limit was unfair.

However, ministers have pushed ahead, arguing that it was necessary as small shareholdings in public companies are not disclosed.

RedBird Capital Partners, the US private equity fund that was a junior partner in the blocked bid for The Telegraph, has made a fresh bid in which the UAE will take a 15pc passive stake. Lord Rothermere has also been lined up to take a minority stake.

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Ms Nandy is now considering whether to refer the new bid to regulators to review potential threats to media plurality and press freedom.

RedBird Capital has itself come under scrutiny for its links to China through John Thornton, the funds chairman. His long-standing business and political ties to Beijing have prompted calls from peers for the takeover to be reviewed under national security laws.

Writing in The Telegraph this week, RedBird Capital founder Gerry Cardinale insisted there was no Chinese money in his companys bid and vowed to set up an independent advisory board to uphold journalistic integrity at the newspaper.

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Gavin Newsoms redistricting campaign is supercharging his roster of grassroots donors, creating a powerful springboard for his likely 2028 presidential run.

The California governor brought in more than 100,000 new-to-Newsom contributors  people who had not given to his previous statewide campaigns or federal committee  as part of his blockbuster fundraising for Proposition 50, which would redraw the states congressional lines to favor Democrats. The new donors represent more than 93 percent of individuals funding Newsoms committee backing the initiative, according to a POLITICO analysis.

The influx of new supporters, plus their email addresses, cell phone numbers and other coveted details, could give Newsom a significant leg up in what is widely expected to be a crowded Democratic primary.

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What stands out is just how large the online fundraising operation is. Newsom has been invested in this for a long time, his team does exceptional work, and now hes got the nations attention in a way that he never did with this proposition, said Mike Nellis, a Democratic strategist who led Kamala Harris digital fundraising operation for her 2020 presidential campaign.

If he decides to run for president  which I believe he will  hes going to enter with  one of the largest digital fundraising and Democratic databases of anybody else, which is a tremendous asset, added Nellis, who does not work for Newsom.

Newsoms redistricting initiative has drawn donations from more than 107,000 identifiable individual donors, according to a POLITICO analysis of campaign finance data. That total, which only includes itemized donations from those who have given at least $100, accounts for more donors than Newsoms 2018 and 2022 campaigns and his 2021 recall committee had combined.

Moreover, nearly half of the donors to Newsoms ballot measure committee  more than 52,000  are from outside of California. That is in sharp contrast to the governors previous fundraising efforts and reflects how the redistricting campaign has expanded Newsoms national profile.



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The Yes on 50 campaign consciously nationalized the ballot measure, casting the California gerrymander as a check on Trumps overall presidential agenda and an essential step for Democrats to win control of the House in next years midterm elections.

Any success Governor Newsom enjoys with small-dollar donors and volunteers is purely a demonstration of support for his work and leadership on this issue and others, said Tim Tagaris, who leads the campaigns digital organizing, in a statement. That's the magic trick. Leadership gets rewarded.

The campaign has proven to be a fundraising juggernaut, raking in roughly $114 million in just 10 weeks. The bulk of that haul has come from seven- and eight-figure donations from House Majority PAC, the super PAC aligned with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, progressive mega-donors such as George Soros and a constellation of California and national labor unions.

But a sizable amount has come from small and mid-size donors, a grassroots base that is almost unheard of for state ballot measure campaigns.

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Ive worked on a number of ballot measures. Usually the number you have for grassroots fundraising is zero, said Andy Barr, a Democratic strategist based in Berkeley who runs a digital advertising and fundraising firm.

For Prop 50, more than 80 percent of identifiable first-time donors to Newsom gave $250 or less, the POLITICO analysis found, and that figure does not include smaller donors whose contributions are not itemized. The vast majority of new contributors  99.8 percent  gave less than $3,500, which is the limit an individual can give to a federal candidate. In other words, this infusion of givers could be a potent funding stream in the next Democratic presidential primary.

There is no guarantee these donors would hop on the Newsom-for-2028 bandwagon. Democratic strategists outside the Newsom team said the measures fundraising success reflects Democratic donors thirst to do anything to combat Trump; Prop 50 just happened to be the first vehicle to channel that desire.

You can come in with 5 million donors, and then it'll be a question of how many of them are sticking with you when you're running for president, said Nellis, who runs one of the partys biggest digital firms. There's a lot of people who I'm sure are really happy with Gavin Newsom because of the memes and Prop 50, and other things. But they might not be with him when he runs for president. So there's a question of conversion. There's a question of holding on to those people.

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Still, Nellis said, the toughest challenge in digital fundraising is to get someone to donate for the first time.

Operatives credited Newsom not just for generating an impressive political list, but for building credibility with those donors.

Case in point: a recent missive sent from the Yes on 50 committee with an unorthodox subject line that read: You can stop donating now. Thank you.

The email boasted the campaign had hit its budget goals and raised $38 million through online small-dollar donations, asserting it had enough money to win the ballot measure fight. Instead of seeking more dollars, the email encouraged readers to subscribe to Newsoms YouTube channel and sign up to receive text messages from his operation.

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In a follow-up email, Newsoms committee raised money for Democrats in Indiana, where Republicans, under pressure from Trump, have taken steps to redraw a more GOP-friendly congressional map. Within a day, the campaign said it raised $150,000.

They have done an incredible job  and this sounds so basic but nobody follows it  asking people for things that are real, and giving them a real reason to support something, Barr said. You dont see the Newsom email program hitting people up all the time, just because its a day ending in y.
The U.S. Army is still investing in tanks. In fact, it is requesting $723.5 million in its fiscal year 2026 budget to build and develop the next Abrams upgrade: the M1E3.

That isnt exactly what many expected to see in the wake of drone warfares rise. After all, even advanced Western tanks are taking losses in Ukraine. Hundreds of videos of tank turrets being blasted skyward from top-attack munitions and FPV drone strikes have sparked a growing debate about whether manned, tracked armor still has a place on the battlefield.

Rather than walking away from tanks as the Marine Corps did, the Army wants to bring the 45-year-old lynchpin of U.S. armored warfare into the 21st century with the M1E3 Abrams. This upgrade is meant to produce a lighter and more modular platform that is built to survive a world saturated with drones and sensors.

Top Stories This Week

News Air Force announces all-hands room inspections for every barracks By Jeff Schogol News Female drill sergeants will soon wear the Armys iconic campaign hat By Jeff Schogol News Airman found dead at F.E. Warren was under investigation for M18 incident By Matt White

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The decision to pivot to the M1E3 came in 2023, when the Army canceled the SEPv4 upgrade package for the M1A2 Abrams. SEPv4 had promised better sensors, networking, and threat detection, but at the cost of additional weight and complexity. With the SEPv3 Abrams already tipping the scales at close to 80 tons, Army leaders chose to halt those upgrades and rethink the platform from the ground up.

The M1E3 will still be based on the Abrams architecture, but it is being designed with different priorities. The Army says it wants the new tank to be modular from the start, allowing for faster integration of new armor, sensor, and protection systems as threats evolve. It also wants the tank to be more mobile, with a target weight close to 60 tons. That is still pretty heavy, but more practical for maneuverability and air transport.

Crew survivability will also be a major focus of the M1E3. Currently, Abrams are outfitted with the Trophy Active Protection System (APS) to defeat incoming threats like rocket-propelled grenades and anti-tank guided missiles. This is a bolt-on solution, whereas the M1E3 will integrate active protection systems into the architecture to work with other systems.

An M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank outfitted with a Trophy APS at Bergen-Hohne Training Area, Germany, July 10, 2020. Army Photo by Sgt. Evan Ruchotzke Staff Sgt. Evan Ruchotzke

To power the next-generation Abrams, the Army is also entertaining the idea of a hybrid-electric drivetrain. The gas turbine of an Abrams is loud, hot, and thirsty for fuel. With a hybrid-electric system, the acoustic and thermal signatures are reduced, and fuel requirements will be lower. It would allow the soldiers to run communications and other equipment without running the gas engine, giving the tank a lower profile.

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One big question is what the main weapon will be. The current M1A2 Abrams has a 120mm cannon that is still considered very effective. Army officials havent confirmed if the M1E3 will maintain that or go larger, or with none at all, opting instead for loitering munitions, directed energy weapons, or anti-tank missiles.

So far, there are more questions than answers about the M1E3. At least some of them will be answered when the Army takes delivery of a prototype this December, according to Colonel Ryan Howell, the acting deputy head of the Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS). This is a very tight timeline, but General Dynamics will be building off experience of the SEPv3 and SEPv4, as well as the AbramsX demonstrator. The Army is anticipating taking delivery of four M1E3 Abrams next year, allowing soldiers to begin testing the tanks in field environments.

The decision to pursue a manned tank does come with risk. The M1E3 appears to be built around the assumption that large, crewed tanks will still be relevant on the battlefield into the 2030s. If conditions continue to shift rapidly to uncrewed systems and long-range precision fires, the Army could find itself with a 60-ton target built for the last war.

We discuss all of this and more in our full video on Task & Purpose, where we explore whether the Army is making the right call and what the M1E3 means for the future of armor. You can watch that here.
Electric boats are quietly revolutionizing Maine's working waterfronts. Along the coast, oyster farmers and marine builders are trading boats with gas motors for battery-powered vessels that make daily work cleaner, quieter, and more efficient.

In Casco Bay, early adopters such as Chad Strater are demonstrating what the future of aquaculture in the United States could look like. Electric workboats glide across the water via motors from the startup Flux Marine, eliminating noise and tailpipe pollution, according to Canary Media.

Strater's vessel, built through his marine construction company and the Sea Meadow Marine Foundation, powers local oyster farms and serves as a test case for other small operators hoping to follow suit.

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"It's an innovation born from necessity for us," Strater said. "We're letting farmers use it to see how it could work for them."

Traditional fishing and aquaculture boats rely heavily on gas and diesel engines, which emit significant amounts of pollution and heat-trapping gases. These loud, fuel-hungry vessels also mean high maintenance costs for small business owners. Electric propulsion changes that equation because owners can save on fuel and reduce repairs.

Electric and clean energy boats are gaining traction worldwide, from Norway's hydrogen-powered ferries to Canada's 12-passenger electric cruisers to high-end luxury electric boats from Arc Boats. Maine's pilot projects illustrate how the same technology can thrive in small coastal towns, where clean water and healthy ecosystems are essential to local livelihoods and tourism.

Though electric boats can cost up to 30% more than gas or diesel vessels of similar size, Strater's team estimates they will pay for themselves in just four to five years thanks to reduced maintenance and fuel costs. Federal and community-backed grants from the Department of Energy and Maine's Coastal Enterprises are helping early adopters such as Strater overcome these initial hurdles.

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Beyond faster commute times on waterways and reduced lifetime costs, these new boats also benefit the environment by reducing air and noise pollution. This means a lower chance of respiratory disease for locals, preserved habitats for wildlife, and a cooler, greener planet with less extreme weather and costly resource loss.

"The proof is in the pudding," said Nick Planson, Strater's business partner. "When you're working with waterfront applications, it really needs to work every day and all year."

New Level 2 chargers are being installed at Yarmouth's Sea Meadow Marine Foundation and in nearby Portland, allowing vessels to recharge in just a few hours. As more of these boats take to the water, they're demonstrating how cleaner technology can improve coastal life for everyone.



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.
France and Togo are co-hosting a conference in Paris on Thursday to support peace and prosperity in the Great Lakes region of Africa. A coalition of international NGOs will urge participants to step up their financial response to the "unprecedented humanitarian crisis" in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries.

The conference aims to drum up an international response to the crisis in the eastern DRC and support efforts by Qatar and the United States to mediate in the conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo government and the M23 rebel group, according to the French Foreign Ministry.

Known as the Ministerial Conference in Support of Peace and Prosperity in the Great Lakes Region, the event has been organised in close coordination with Togo's President Faure Gnassingbe, the African Union's mediator in the Congo-Rwanda crisis.

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Approximately 50 countries and international organisations are expected to attend the talks which are part of the Paris Peace Forum  a two-day summit on conflict resolution and multilateral cooperation.

French President Emmanuel Macron will address the gathering alongside his Congolese counterpart Felix Tshisekedi on Thursday afternoon.

"The main objective is to show that there is no forgotten crisis. The DRC and the Great Lakes region must be at the centre of international attention," a presidential advisor told the press.

Collapse of essential services

The other objective is pushing for a significant increase in humanitarian funding.

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More than 21 million people need humanitarian aid in the DRC  nearly one-fifth of the population, according to NGO Oxfam France.

The aid charity is one of 12 NGOs and NGO networks that signed an open letter ahead of the conference, calling on the participants of the conference to go "beyond declarations of intent".

Thousands without lifesaving aid in DRC, says UN agency

"This crisis goes beyond the immediate emergency, it also stems from the gradual collapse of essential services (health, water, education, electricity, food), on which the survival and dignity of the population depend," the coalition wrote on Tuesday.

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The crisis is particularly severe in the east of the vast central African country  a region rich in natural resources that has been plagued by conflict for three decades.

Violence intensified in January year when the M23 armed group, backed by neighbouring Rwanda, seized the major eastern cities of Goma and Bukavu in a lightning offensive.

Millions displaced

More than 1.6 million people have had to flee their homes since the beginning of the year, bringing the total number of internally displaced people to 7.8 million, including about one million children.

Ninety percent of those displaced are in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri.

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In addition, some 500,000 refugees have fled to Uganda, 100,000 to Rwanda and 100,000 to Burundi, according to French authorities.

These displacements, often repeated and forced, have "undermined peoples ability to access livelihoods, weakening their food security, health, and resilience" the coalition of NGOs said.

DRC and Rwanda hold fresh talks in Washington to revive fragile peace deal

Food supplies are also critical, with nearly "28 million people suffering from hunger", while health services are overwhelmed and infrastructure destroyed.

Sexual violence has reached alarming levels, with "one woman raped every four minutes", Oxfam France said.

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RFI's correspondent in Kinshasa reported that since the fall of Goma, the entire system for supplying medicines and other essentials has been disrupted in the region due to the closure of local airports.

As a result, 85 percent of health facilities are experiencing stock shortages, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

"We're lacking everything," says Francois Moreillon, the ICRC's country representative, "antimalarials, vaccines, antiretrovirals, and post-rape kits."

Funding decline

Despite this emergency, international aid has steadily declined, particularly from the United States.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as of 15 October of this year, only 16 percent of the 2.1 billion humanitarian response plan has been met.

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Last year, 70 percent of aid to the DRC came from the United States, while France covered only 0.5 percent of the country's humanitarian needs, Oxfam France said.

African healthcare at a crossroads after United States pulls WHO funding

In 2025, the largest donor is the European Union, with 112 million in aid, followed by the US with just under 55 million.

On a broader diplomatic and economic level, France hopes the Great Lakes conference will reinforce its presence in this part of Africa.

Keynote speaker Eleonore Caroit  France's Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships  told RFI that the conference was a chance to "redefine the diplomatic models between France and Africa", thanks to the involvement at every level, from government to civil society.

A second segment of the conference is set to address the so-called "root causes" of the crisis through regional economic integration.
The Legislative Fiscal Committee has unanimously approved a $2 million deal with food banks in the state to continue delivering food to 75,000 families at risk of losing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or food stamp benefits if the federal government shutdown drags on past Saturday.

Under the terms of the plan, proposed by Gov. Kelly Ayotte earlier this month, the state would use $2 million in Medicaid Enhancement Tax dollars to partner with the New Hampshire Food Bank to expand access to mobile food pantries.

The plan must also be approved by the Executive Council. A vote is expected when the council meets Wednesday.

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Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Commissioner Lori Weaver said the Trump administration made it crystal clear late last week that a $5 billion contingency fund in the SNAP program could not be used to continue providing food to the 76,000 recipients in New Hampshire or any states across the country.

The SNAP program extends benefits totaling $12.6 million a month in this state.

This is a Band-Aid; obviously, it is not a one for one. We hope this will carry us through the month of November, Weaver said.

The contract has been written so the agreement could be extended into December if the shutdown continued that long, she said.

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She noted her agency was already dealing with identifying how to comply with the new, two-year state budget and find more than $50 million in spending cuts over the next two years.

It is far too important (a need) not to address, Weaver said.

Currently the food bank offers mobile food pantries at four locations across the state; this contract will permit them to open two more for only SNAP recipients to get free food, said Karen Hebert, DHHS director of the Division of Economic Security.

Once the contracts are approved, Hebert said it will take about a week for the food bank to open the new pantries.

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The state is working with other organizations to spread the word about the program including the New Hampshire Grocers Association, family resource centers and day care providers, she said.

Senate President Sharon Carson, R-Londonderry, urged Ayotte and the council to promote ways the state could encourage individuals and companies to donate to the effort through the food bank, which has 417 partners across New Hampshire.

Citizens in this state are known for being giving, Carson said. You want to make it as easy as possible for people to make a donation.

WIC runs out Nov. 10

The next potential problem is serving families on the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program that provides assistant to young mothers and their offspring.

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Weaver said federal money granted in that account runs out on Nov. 10.

We are waiting to see if more money is coming through. Its a day-by-day, minute-by-minute situation that were following closely, Weaver added.

As for the federal government reimbursing New Hampshire for this spending once the shutdown is over, DHHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White said that it will depend on how any federal legislation that ends this shutdown is worded.

This is something totally new in my experience with the department, White added.

Manchester school officials are urging families who receive SNAP benefits to consider using funds on their electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards before the end of the week, in case they are no longer accessible.

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It shocks the conscience that were sitting here in the United States in 2025, and hungry children are going to go hungry in the state, said Manchester school board Vice Chairman Jim OConnell. Its shocking, but we have people in our state who dont believe theres any such thing as child hunger, and they happen to be the ones making the decision.

On Monday, Manchester Superintendent of Schools Jennifer Chmiel reminded families in the district that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services informed states that November SNAP benefits may be suspended.

They may not be available, Chmiel said. Additionally, SNAP recipients may not be able to access any unused benefits on their electronic benefits transfer EBT cards, and may want to consider using benefits currently on these cards before October 31.

Check card balances

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People receiving SNAP can check their EBT card balances by visiting www.ebtEDGE.com or calling 1-888-997-9777.

In addition, we encourage our families with school age children to apply for the National School Lunch Program, Chmiel said. Applications are available online, in schools across the district and at the Welcome Center, located in French Hall, 148 Concord St.

Anyone needing assistance with the completion of this form is asked to reach out to the district office and ask to speak to someone in the school foods and nutrition department, or to multilingual family liaisons.

klandrigan@unionleader.com

pfeely@unionleader.com
NHS staff took more than 625,000 sick days for mental health in one month, according to new government data.

Anxiety, stress, depression and other psychiatric reasons accounted for a third of all sickness absence across the health service in June, official figures show, accounting for the highest share since the Covid lockdowns.

Mental health-related sick days reached 625,834, up 13pc compared to the same month a year earlier. It takes the total number of mental health-related absences taken in the first six months of this year to 3.6 million.

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The highest percentage of mental health-related sick days were taken by back office staff who work in HR, finance, communications, legal and other administrative roles.

In June, so-called NHS infrastructure staff were responsible for 15pc of all sick days, with over 40pc of those days taken by managers and senior managers put down to mental health.

A spokesman for NHS England said It is totally unacceptable that sickness absence rates are this high  particularly in non-patient-facing roles.

The NHS is offering a range of mental health and wellbeing support to help staff stay well and feel supported at work, which should also help bring sickness absence down to more sustainable levels.

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Mental health is consistently the main reason for sickness leave for NHS workers and is getting worse. When the NHS started categorising sick days by type in 2019, mental health days averaged around 400,000 a month.

A spokesman for the British Medical Association said: These figures are dreadful but sadly not surprising as this is the result of a workforce who have been struggling for years to look after patients in a health system that is under unrelenting, severe pressure.

The impact of rising patient demand, chronic understaffing, and inflexible and unsupportive working arrangements is fuelling the worrying rise of mental-health related illness among doctors.

Elliot Keck, of the TaxPayers Alliance, said: Larger and larger sums are being poured into the health service, yet rising sickness rates mean fewer staff on the frontlines and more pressure on those left behind.

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The Government must get serious about tackling the mismanagement that is driving staff to burnout and clamping down on absenteeism related to mental health.

The NHS waiting list now stands at 7.41 million, despite a 25bn cash injection by Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor.

One in 10 NHS appointments and operations are now being carried out by the private sector in an attempt to address the wait times. More than half a million British patients left the UK for healthcare overseas last year, a 50pc increase in two years.

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.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Niles man was sentenced Thursday in federal court to prison in connection with a local drug investigation.

Nazzarion Battee-Diggs was sentenced to nine years in prison. He pleaded guilty in July to three counts of possession with intent to distribute. Prosecutors listed the drugs as fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.

The April 2025 indictment said that Battee-Diggs possessed the drugs on Jan. 10 and intended to sell them.

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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.
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.
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress and its senior leader Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the grand old party had stalled development, promoted terrorism, and encouraged nepotism during its decades in power. Speaking to ANI in Hyderabad, Reddy said, "How many years have passed since Independence? Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and Nehru have all led Congress as a ruling party. Rahul Gandhi, whoever raises the issue, is primarily responsible for his party. He should apologise to the people for any failures." "Whether it's Chhath Puja or vote theft, Congress has stolen votes in the name of minorities and has attempted to incite people on various issues. It has increased terrorism and terrorist activities. It has promoted nepotism. Development has been stalled," the union minister added. The Union Minister further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decade-long tenure had delivered more development than what was achieved in the years since India's independence. "PM Modi has done as much work in the 10 years since coming to power as has been done since Independence," he said. Accusing Rahul Gandhi of lacking understanding of governance and central institutions, Reddy added, "Rahul Gandhi still hasn't understood the country's politics. He doesn't understand what the government, administration, Supreme Court or the Election Commission is, and what the Constitution of India is. It's very sad that such a person is roaming around as the Leader of the Opposition." Reddy also raised concerns about illegal cattle slaughter in Hyderabad, urging the Telangana government to take action against such practices. "Slaughtering is being done at illegal slaughterhouses and exported. Cattle are being stealthily brought to Hyderabad and slaughtered. Youth are trying to stop it as they are of the sentiment that cows should not be slaughtered, but the Police are not supporting them," he said. The Union Minister further alleged that a mafia led by Ibrahim Qureshi had opened fire at cow protectors, demanding that the state government enforce the anti-slaughter law drafted by the previous Congress-led central government. "I would like to urge the Telangana Govt that the Act drafted by the Congress Govt when it was in the Centre should be implemented in the state, it is their responsibility," he added. (ANI)
One of the pre-development draft concepts for the New Mexico State Fair grounds that Stantec presented to the new State Fair District Board on Oct. 30, 2025, in Albuquerque. Stantec officials stressed that the concept is subject to change. (Courtesy Stantec)

Members of a new board overseeing up to $500 million in investment to re-envision the State Fair grounds in Albuquerque authorized about $67 million for infrastructureincluding millions aimed at two dangerous intersections.

The State Fair District Board, which the Legislature created earlier this year, is tasked with overseeing the design and authorizing spending for the 236-acre site in the heart of Albuquerque that abuts the International District neighborhood. The state-owned site has emerged as a target for investment that board members and neighbors say they hope will benefit the neighborhood, long beset with crime, drug use and poverty.

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The board unanimously gave initial approval for spending for the projects early phases, including about $16 million for demolition and land preparation, $27 million for internal roadways and utilities, $19 million for a 10-acre park and $6 million foroff-site pedestrian safety improvements.

Members also received their first glimpse at pre-development draft concepts for the fairgrounds.

Officials at Stantec, the firm developing a master plan for the redevelopment, also provided the concepts to Source New Mexico, though they stressed the designs are preliminary and subject to change, including based on the publics input at upcoming meetings.

Even with the project in its nascent stage, the impact on the International District and its residents has been the subject of much conversation among board members, including Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and New Mexico Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque). The development may also mean the annual State Fair will need to find a new home.

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The intersections on both sides of the fairgrounds, where Central Avenue crosses San Pedro Drive and Louisiana Boulevard, are the two most dangerous intersections in New Mexico for pedestrians, according to state Transportation Department data. Forty-two crashes involving pedestrians occurred at those two intersections in 2024.

The design concepts Stantec shared aim to open up the site with green space, parks and amenities, including an arena or other large community venue, along with an unspecified number of mixed-income housing units. The design also includes traffic-calming measures, including more crosswalks, pedestrian-activated streetlights and at least one more stoplight, said Stantec Designer Nancy Locke.

Wed love to slow that traffic down a little bit, Locke said.

The $67 million the board authorized includes $6 million in off-site improvements detailed in the pre-development concepts, money that could go to the pedestrian safety measures. It includes about $2 million for intersection improvements, $2.6 million for sidewalk and landscape improvements and $140,000 to improve the existing bus stops there.

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While the board authorized the $67 million in bonding capacity for infrastructure, spending that money is still a good way off, Lujan Grisham said. The Legislature will also have to sign off when it meets in January, and then the state Finance Board will issue the bonds at a later date.

And the funding for up to the $433 million in remaining bonding capacity the Legislature gave the Fair Board would come in subsequent phases. The governor and state Rep. Janelle Anyanonu (D-Albuquerque) said they might seek even more funding for the project at the January legislative session.

Still, the governor said during Thursdays meeting shed like to see the project break ground before she leaves office at the end of next year, and she asked Locke if that was possible.

Well have to move fast, Locke said.
NEOSHO, Mo.  Charges will not be filed in connection to a confrontation between several officers and a teenager in Neosho earlier this year.

Thursday, Newton County Prosecutor William Lynch confirmed his office had reviewed the investigation completed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol  and determined there was no probable cause to believe the officer committed a crime.

The Neosho Police Department asked Highway Patrol to investigate a potential use-of-force incident that took place near the intersection of Valley and Coler Streets in April.

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That request was made after a video was shared online of an incident involving officers with the Police Department, the Newton County Juvenile Office, the school district, and a teenage boy.

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.
James Carville is sick and tired of hearing from Democrats who were involved in the 2024 presidential, including former Vice President Kamala Harris.

On his Politics War Room podcast on Thursday, Carville and co-host Al Hunt answered questions from listeners on a number of topics, including a possible comeback for Harris. The former vice president recently released a book titled 107 Days about her short campaign against President Donald Trump.

Let me be very clear here. No one that had anything to do with 2024, no Democrat wants to hear from you, Carville declared.

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He went on to specifically call out Harris, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D), and Hunter Biden, son of former President Joe Biden.

We all voted for you, not Hunter Biden, not Harris, not Tim Walz, not the consultants, not anything. 2024 has left such a lingering bad taste in Democrats, just get out of the way. Thats what I believe, Carville said.

At another point in the show, Carville blamed Trumps 2024 victory on Democrats, arguing they almost forced people to vote for the Republican by running such a poor campaign. Both Hunt and Carville also specifically blamed Biden for running at all.

Ill go to my deathbed thinking if Joe, Biden hadnt run, there would have been competitive primary. Some Democrat would have prevailed and beaten Trump. But I think the Democrats as a party have a lot of problems to be sure. But I the primary responsibility for Trump today rests with Joe Biden, Hunt argued.

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Thats like saying, Im going to my death believing in gravity, Carville responded.

On top of Harris and her book, former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has been promoting her own book on the Biden White House in a press tour, and Hunter Biden recently sat down for a rare three-hour-plus interview with Mediaites Tommy Christoper on Substack.

Joe Biden also recently gave his first speech since leaving office, urging Americans to keep the faith during dark days and a battle for the soul of our nation.

Watch above via Politics War Room.

The post No Democrat Wants to Hear From You: James Carville Tells Kamala Harris and Co. to Pipe Down first appeared on Mediaite.




NORTH HAVEN - Police said there were "no signs of foul play" after a 23-year-old Massachusetts woman was found dead at a North Haven home Wednesday night.

The investigation was ongoing at a Bayard Avenue residence, according to a Facebook post by the North Haven Police Department Wednesday night.

"We understand a large police presence can be concerning and appreciate the community's patience as detectives finish their work," the post said. "There is no threat to the community and this is an isolated incident."

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Police Chief Andrew Stavrides said Thursday morning that the woman resided in Sherborn, and said investigators had cleared the scene.

There was no further information immediately available on the investigation.

This article originally published at No foul play in death of Mass. woman, 23, found in North Haven home, police say.
Adam Alson, director of Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning for Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration, speaks with Hoosier child care providers after a quarterly fiscal meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Indiana will not issue new child care vouchers to impoverished families until at least 2027, Family and Social Services Administration leaders said at a quarterly fiscal meeting Wednesday, in the agencys latest strategy to contain enrollment  and cut expenses.

As Indiana looks ahead, the story of 2024 and 2025 will hopefully be remembered as a turning point  a year when policymakers chose to prioritize children and families, even at the cost of short-term strain on child care businesses, said Adam Alson, director of FSSAs Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning.

He spoke from a lectern in Government Center Souths sparsely filled auditorium, prompting scoffs from a contingent of hard-hit child care workers seated front and center.

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Alson knocked former Gov. Eric Holcombs administration for overenroll(ing) Indianas voucher programs using temporary pandemic aid, instituting artificially inflated reimbursement rates and not planning for a wind-down to normal funding levels.

We have a responsibility to Hoosier families, Hoosier child care businesses and Hoosier taxpayers to make policy decisions based on the simple constraint of funding, he said. We have, and will continue to have, a laser focus on our costs in order to maximize available funding to CCDF vouchers.

FSSA has cut contracts, staffing and provider reimbursement rates to make ends meet, Alson said. Lawmakers also appropriated $147 million in hold harmless funding  enough to renew vouchers for families already on the program and at the same income requirements.

Enrollment in the federal Child Care Development Fund and state On My Way Pre-K programs peaked at 69,000 in December. That month, FSSA closed enrollment and opened a waitlist.

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Vouchers have dropped to about 55,000 as of September, according to meeting slides.

Almost 31,000 low-income Hoosier children were on the waitlist for vouchers that month, up from about 29,000 the month prior.

About 80% of those on the waitlist in September were under the federal poverty line, compared to roughly 60% of current participants. New enrollees must meet narrowed income standards.

The 10-month freeze has crushed enrollment, according to the updated figures.

Child care provider Kelly Dawn Jones records during a Family and Social Services Administration quarterly financial meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

The number of infant voucher-holders  born after the waitlist opened  has dropped 95% since last November, according to the slides. Enrollment for toddlers has dropped 33%, pre-schoolers 14% and school-age children 8%.

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Alsons office projects that it will not take CCDF voucher hopefuls off the waitlist through 2026, assuming federal contributions remain flat.

OECOSL simply does not have the funding available to prudently begin enrollment before that, Alson told the auditorium.

Vouchers for OMWPK were also curtailed for the current school year, including a cap of 2,500 enrollees that FSSA doesnt expect will be hit.

After the presentation, FSSA spokesman Marcus Barlow posed questions submitted by meeting attendees about the waitlist, funding, rate-setting and more.

Asked how much money is required to open the waitlist, Alson replied, We need to be at a point, as an office, that we feel comfortable in  let me take a step back.

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Whats happened here, in the last year, with OECOSL, can never happen again, he said. We cannot be so far off what we enroll versus what our funding is. It just cannot happen again.

Theres one small exception, according to FSSA spokesman Tyson Runkle: Indiana Code requires the office to provide vouchers for 200 foster children.

Providers complain the enrollment freeze and double-digit rate cuts threaten their livelihoods  23 locations have closed since June, per the slides  and the care of low-income children.

Dawn Justice, owner of A New Dawn Daycare in Clark County, told the Capital Chronicle that she hasnt raised rates since 2012. In the auditorium seat next to her, Mary Rudolph, owner of Where Kids Count Childcare in Floyd County, said shes made no hikes in 21 years of business.

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The pair drove two hours to attend Wednesdays meeting. Justice said its a burden on families to offset the rate cuts. Parents are responsible for paying the overage  the difference between the rate providers charge and the reimbursement they receive from the state.

FSSA cut rates 10% for infant and toddler care, 15% for preschoolers and a whopping 35% for school-age children. The rates went into effect Oct. 5, with the first pay date being Nov. 6.

Several child care providers confronted Alson outside the auditorium, after the presentation.

Adam Alson, director of the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning for Indianas Family and Social Services Administration, speaks with Hoosier child care providers after a quarterly fiscal meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

He defended the offices changes, repeatedly noting that it can only spend whats appropriated, during a conversation lasting at least 10 minutes. As the minutes ticked past, tempers flared.

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Why are you against us? It feels like youre against us, said Kelly Dawn Jones, owner of Love Your Childs Childcare in Marion County. Why does it feel like you are against the people who truly  were literally out here ready to fight for the children.

She said she has kids at her facility staying for free, essentially, like a child whose voucher paid out just $4 even though it used to provide $120.

Jones continued until Alson interrupted, saying, I need to go. I thank you for your time.

As the incensed providers accused him of not caring, he repeated his thanks and departed.

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In response to the suspension of food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the No Kings Alliance is calling on Americans to step up with mutual aid and support for local communities.

The organization that has led the nationwide No Kings movement said the decision affects more than 42 million Americans, including approximately 16 million children and 8 million seniors.

The No Kings Alliance emphasizes a commitment to nonviolent action and collective resistance to what it calls "authoritarianism," aiming to mobilize communities quickly and efficiently in response to national policies.

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No Kings Alliance will announce new opportunities for direct action in support of each other and to push back against the Trump administration, according to the group.

Instead of organizing protests in Alabama, the alliance is urging citizens to take direct action.

Here's what we know.

Direct actions to support your Alabama communities

Rather than taking to the streets, No Kings Alliance is focusing on hands-on community support, offering concrete ways for people to help:

Donate to local food banks: Financial contributions can help feed families directly impacted by the SNAP suspension.

Collect and distribute essential supplies: Donate food, clothing, menstrual products and other necessities to community shelters or food banks, after checking with local organizations to see what they need most.

Host a community give-back drive: Visit NoKings.Org to learn how to organize a food or supply drive in your neighborhood. So far, two community drives have been scheduled across the U.S. under No Kings alliances.

Local food banks see urgent need

With SNAP benefits set to end on Nov. 1 due to the government shutdown, The Heart of Alabama Food Bank expects demand to rise sharply.

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"Food banks are designed to supplement, not replace, federal assistance," said COO Michael Coleman. Those seeking help can call 211 Connect Alabama to find open locations with available food.

Hundreds attend 'No Kings' protest in Montgomery

The No Kings movement has made a notable impact in Alabama, drawing hundreds of citizens to downtown Montgomery during past protests.

On Oct. 18, the city hosted its second No Kings demonstration, following the first in June. Organizers reported at least 743 attendees in October, though they believe the actual number may have been higher.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@gannett.com.

Marty Roney contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: AL residents encouraged by No Kings Alliance to help food-insecure families
ILLINOIS (WCIA)  On Wednesday, a jury found former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting of Sonya Massey. In response, leaders throughout the state reacted to the news.

The Massey Commission was created in 2024 by Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter and Democratic State Senator Doris Turner to discuss, research and propose policy changes at the local and state level in response to Masseys death.

In response to Wednesdays verdict, the commission released a statement saying that the decision brings a breath of hope and a long-delayed whisper of justice.

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Massey family reacts to Sean Grayson verdict

For our community, it is a moment to close our eyes, to draw in the heavy air of truth, and to exhale the breath we have been holding for far too long, the commission wrote in a news release. Yet even this verdict cannot mend the wound left by the loss of Sonya Massey, a mother, a daughter, and a beloved community member. Justice, however necessary, can never replace a life. For some, this moment brings relief that the truth was finally recognized. For others, it reopens old pain and reminds us how long the road toward genuine safety and dignity remains.

The commission added that they are grieving alongside the Massey family, but will continue to work for justice and accountability.

The work of justice is long. It will take every community member, elected official, faith leader,

and business owner to carry it forward. We must channel our emotions and our energy alike into

organizing, into care, into the daily labor of building a community worthy of Sonyas memory, the commission said in its statement. Let this moment remind us that we are all responsible for one anothers safety. Our task now is to ensure this verdict marks not an ending, but a beginning. A recommitment to a world where care and dignity are not an afterthought, but the foundation.

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Introduce the bill tomorrow: Family of Sonya Massey advocates for police reform after shooting video released

Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher also shared a statement about the verdict. Buscher said that the City of Springfield stands with everyone who is grieving. She added that the murder of Sonya Massey is a tragedy, and acknowledged that no words can ease this kind of pain.

She called 911 seeking help and compassion and instead lost her life in her own home, Buscher said. I understand that many in our community may have strong feelings about this outcome. The City of Springfield and our Police Department remain committed to maintaining public trust, transparency, and accountability in all interactions with the residents we serve. We hold ourselves to the highest standards and will continue to review our own policies and training to ensure every person is treated with dignity and respect.

Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump and co-counsel Antonio Romanucci were also quick to give their thoughts following the verdict.

While we believe Graysons actions deserved a first-degree conviction, todays verdict is still a measure of justice for Sonya Massey. Accountability has begun, and we now hope the court will impose a meaningful sentence that reflects the severity of these crimes and the life that was lost. We will continue to fight for Sonyas family and for reforms that protect everyone from unlawful use of force. The family extends deep gratitude to Sangamon County States Attorney John C. Milhiser and his entire office. They handled the case with professionalism, transparency, and compassion. Prosecuting a police officer is never easy but this team did it with courage and integrity. Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci

Sean Grayson files new motions claiming self-defense in shooting of Sonya Massey

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Heres what some other lawmakers and officials throughout Illinois had to say about the verdict:

State Sen. Doris Turner of Springfield

While nothing will bring Sonya back, the jury has spoken. Todays verdict shows that no one is above the law.

I stand with the Massey family and my community as we continue to mourn the unjust loss of Sonya. Since Sonyas murder, Ive been committed to  and will continue to  put in the work to make necessary changes to ensure our community has trust in those who have taken the oath to protect and serve.

State Rep. Carol Ammons

The legal system has now affirmed what all of us know: Sonya Massey was murdered by a sheriffs deputy.

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While nothing can bring Sonya back to her friends and family, the accountability her killer will now face is a step towards justice.

Today reminds us of the immense loss felt by all who loved Sonya. I am thinking of the Massey Family and all those impacted by her loss.

Records show deputy charged with Sonya Masseys murder had history of disciplinary issues at previous job

Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton

Say her name: Sonya Massey.

Sonya Masseys life mattered, and she should be alive today. Though nothing we ever say or do will bring Sonya back, todays verdict is one step closer on the long path towards justice.

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Her final moments were a devastating example of how a system meant to protect and serve can fail, but the accountability we saw today is a reminder to keep hope alive for a world where tragedies like Sonyas no longer occur.

I offer my love and continuing prayers to her mother Donna, and Sonyas entire family as they relive the trauma of her passing yet remain determined to enact change.

May we speak her name and remember her for the fullness of her life: Sonya Massey will not be forgotten.

Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski

While nothing can bring Sonya Massey back, I am grateful that this trial has resulted in a measure of justice for her and her family.

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A jury convicted Grayson of second-degree murder, but acquitted him of first-degree murder, after a week of testimony and 11 hours of deliberations across two days. Sentencing has been scheduled for January 29 in Sangamon County.

The trial took place about one year and three months after Massey called 911 to report that she believed someone was trying to break into her home. In the time since, the sheriff of Sangamon County retired, the Massey family and the county agreed to a $10 million settlement and Governor JB Pritzker signed Sonya Masseys law, requiring more transparency when hiring at Illinois law enforcement agencies.

The full text of the law 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 WCIA.com.
Channel 2 Action News has heard from viewers concerned that they would not be able to shop as normal at Walmart to start the month.

Rumors have circulated on social media claiming that Walmart, fearing looting once SNAP benefits expire, will be closed Nov. 1. The rumors also claimed that Walmart would only be fulfilling online orders.

But a Walmart official told Channel 2 Action News Wednesday those claims are false. We will continue to be open for business.

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The federal government has opted to not fund SNAP benefits amid the ongoing government shutdown. The program aids $41 million Americans.

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U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks at a livestreamed Gary, Indiana, news conference on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Screenshot)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Thursday that a road-focused immigration sweep with Indiana State Police has resulted in the arrests of 223 people alleged to be living in northwest Indiana without legal permission.

Operation Midway Blitz was launched in September and dedicated to an Illinois woman killed in a vehicle crash with a Guatemalan man in January.

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If you are here, driving on our streets illegally, and our highways, you are endangering our citizens, and your days are numbered, Noem declared at a news conference in Gary, Indiana.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and Hoosier Public Safety Secretary Anthony Scott were also present.

Noem said 223 immigrants were arrested and taken off our roads through a 287(g) agreement with Indiana State Police. The deal was inked over the summer.

Of those, 146 were drivers: 46 semi-truck drivers and another 82 who drove box trucks, buses and other vehicles, she said. More than 40 held commercial drivers licenses from over a dozen states, according to Noem and a news release.

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She pointed to large pictures of non-citizens convicted of various crimes, noting that collaborations with state and local law enforcement agencies have yielded more than 3,000 arrests since the Midway Blitz began.

Noem said that number includes rapists, murderers and gang members.

We dont want any of these individuals  in our communities, and we especially dont want them behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler when they cant speak our language, they dont understand our laws, they cant follow our roadway signs, and they cant interact with law enforcement or our citizens, she continued.

Braun thanked the Trump administration for looking to Indiana, saying illegal driving impacts the interstate highway-heavy Hoosier State more than others.

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Indiana State Police plan to expand their cooperation with ICE, according to Braun, by assigning more troopers to commercial vehicle enforcement across the state.

Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony Scott tours an ISP garage alongside Gov. Mike Braun on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in Indianapolis. (Photo by Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Scott, who is also the state police commissioner, emphasized the work is not new, adding that its what we do every day.

About 1.5 million commercial vehicles are weighed or inspected annually in Indiana, per Scott.

For the Indiana State Police, this is not about immigration status alone, he said. Its about public safety. An 80,000-pound truck in untrained hands is a dangerous thing.

Indiana will be reimbursed for its work, according to ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan, who cited provisions in the recently approved One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

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Id like to thank you for defending the homeland, for choosing put the American people first, and the state of Indiana first, Sheahan told Braun and Scott.

In an op-ed last week for the Chicago Tribune, Denise Lorence  the mother of the slain Illinois woman  wrote that her daughter would not want to be associated with this operation.

Katie Abraham cannot advocate for herself and stand up to say I am not a political pawn. So I am here for her, Lorence added. She noted it was Abrahams father and his wife that agreed to use her name in support of Operation Midway Blitz.

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Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Governor Acharya described Gau Mata as "the living symbol of India's Sanatan tradition, representing a radiant confluence of compassion, prosperity, and purity."

He emphasised that the establishment of the Gaudham reaffirms the eternal sentiment "Gauh Sarvesam Matarah", meaning "The cow is the mother of all", and reflects a collective pledge to nurture India's cultural and spiritual consciousness with devotion and reverence.

As part of the event, two Memoranda of Agreement (MoAs) were signed in the Brahmaputra Wing of Raj Bhavan.

The first MoA was inked between Raj Bhavan, Assam and Shree Gauhati Gaushala for the maintenance and management of the newly established Raj Bhavan Gaushala.

The second MoA was signed between Raj Bhavan, Assam and the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University (AVFU), Khanapara, to facilitate the adoption of best husbandry practices and ensure scientific care for the dairy animals housed at the Gaushala.

On behalf of Raj Bhavan, Joint Secretary Bidit Das signed both MoAs. General Secretary RS Joshi signed on behalf of Gauhati Gaushala, while Bibekananda Saikia, Dean of AVFU, represented the university.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by the Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor, SS Meenakshi Sundaram, Dean of AVFU Bibekananda Saikia, Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Jayanta Kumar Sharma, General Secretary of Gauhati Gaushala RS Joshi, along with several other dignitaries and officials.

The establishment of the Gaudham underscores Raj Bhavan's continued commitment to compassion, sustainability, and the preservation of India's timeless cultural and spiritual values. (ANI)
GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  A nonprofit that offers children going through the foster system a place to stay held a fundraising event in Taylors on Tuesday night.

According to the nonprofits website, Isaiah 117 House got its start in 2015, after Cory and Ronda Paulson met their foster son.

We asked the question What if there was a home where children could go when they are removed?, a statement from Philbeck reads.

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The event, held at Aurora Farms, let attendees adopt a bin to fill with specific sizes of childrens clothes for kids staying at the home.

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.
DES MOINES, Iowa  Organizers for the Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner say theyre seeing a greater need this year as a result of the government shutdown.

For nearly 41 years, dozens of volunteers gathered at Chucks Restaurant in the Highland Park neighborhood of Des Moines on Thanksgiving Day to cook and distribute hundreds of holiday meals for community members in need.

Moulton School would be only complete rebuild in DMPS Reimagining Education Plan

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The first Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner was held in 1984 and helped feed 100 people. Last years event, the 40th anniversary, provided 2,700 meals.

New this year, dine-in and carry-out meals will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. For the first time, only delivery orders need to be requested in advance. The Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner board started accepting delivery requests on Monday at 9 a.m.

By 5:00 p.m. on Monday, they received over 590 meal requests.

This was a larger need than in previous years, according to Hilary Whitfield, the board president of the Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner.

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When our phone number went live, the volume was quite extreme. So, Im really thinking were seeing the effects of the government shutdown, she said.

By Wednesday, the nonprofit had already exceeded 1,000 delivery requests.

Despite the elevated need, Whitfield says they are excited to help the community for another year.

New park hopes to kickstart Market District development in Des Moines

Im really excited to see how it works out and just really happy to provide another Thanksgiving meal for the community, she said.

The event also attracts hundreds of volunteers. Last year, 345 volunteers helped cook, package, distribute, and clean up for the Parks Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Whitfield said the nonprofit still needs some more volunteers this year.

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According to Whitfield, they are at an 83% capacity for volunteers and are still in need of delivery drivers and volunteers to help clean up.

Community members can sign up to volunteer at a specific time and for a specific task online. People can also donate to the cause. $10 helps fund one meal.

Those who want to request a delivery can call (515)875-5229.

Metro news

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
WORCESTER  Police officers from North Andover were honored for valor and bravery during a statewide awards ceremony.

North Andover officers Daniel Furman, Mathieu Messina, Timothy Houston, Eric Sewade and Sgt. Brandon James along with officers Luis Santiago and Angelo Kocagoz of the Lawrence Police Department were given medals of honor for their combined response on April 24, 2024 to a North Andover incident.

Gov. Maura Healey presented the 42nd annual Trooper George L. Hanna Memorial Awards for Bravery, honoring 19 officers from nine departments at Mechanics Hall in Worcester. The ceremony recognizes exceptional acts of courage by law enforcement and commemorates the legacy of Trooper George Hanna, who was killed in the line of duty in 1983.

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This years incidents ranging from an ambush through a closed door, an armed confrontation across live highway lanes, and a prolonged standoff with dozens of rounds fired, underscore the daily, life-threatening risks officers face and the courage required to protect the public, Healey said.

Since its inception in 1983, 181 individuals have received the Hanna Award Medal of Honor, the states highest commendation for law enforcement.

This years honorees represent nine agencies, including Boston, Lawrence, Lexington, Lynnfield, Malden, North Andover, Wilbraham, Worcester Police Departments, and the Massachusetts State Police.

Massachusetts highest law enforcement award is bestowed on those who meet extreme danger head-on to protect others, Healey said. Recipients and their harrowing stories of closed-door ambushes and rescues under a barrage of fire remind us of the bravery this noble profession demands and reflects the enduring legacy of Trooper George Hanna, whose life and service continues to inspire.

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On the night of April 24, 2024, at about 9:50 p.m., the North Andover Police Department received a 911 call from a father reporting that his son had discharged a firearm inside their home and was threatening to take his own life, according to a press release.

Responding officers Furman, Messina and Houston arrived within moments and were met almost immediately with gunfire from a rifle. The officers took cover behind their cruisers as the armed subject fired repeatedly from inside the residence. Over the course of the standoff, more than 60 rounds were discharged as the suspect alternated between a rifle and a shotgun.

Officer Houston had positioned his cruiser in the driveway to shield the caller  the disabled father, who was unable to move to safety. He then repositioned to gain a better vantage point to cover the house with his rifle.

Sgt. James, joined by Lawrence Police officers Santiago and Kocagoz, who responded to assist, quickly devised a plan to rescue the trapped father while the suspect continued firing. With Sgt. James providing cover, Santiago and Kocagoz advanced through the line of fire and carried the man to safety, according to the release.

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Moments later, Messina was struck in the face and eye by shotgun pellets.

Sewade, positioned beside him, immediately radioed for help. Without hesitation, Furman left cover under gunfire to reach the wounded officer. Together, Furman and Sewade dragged Messina to safety behind a cruiser and provided emergency medical aidbandaging his wounds and maintaining pressure while rounds continued to strike nearby, officials said.

Throughout the ordeal, the officers maintained extraordinary composure, communication and restraintworking tirelessly to protect one another, the injured father, and surrounding neighbors. After a prolonged standoff, the NEMLEC SWAT Team entered the home and found the suspect deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the release.

Healey said the courage, discipline, and selfless teamwork displayed that night by Messina, Houston, Furman, Sewade, James, Santiago and Kocagoz exemplify the highest ideals of law enforcement. Their valor under relentless fire saved lives and upheld the very spirit of bravery recognized by the George L. Hanna Memorial Awards.
RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP)  The number of families choosing to homeschool their kids is growing, making North Carolina one of the top homeschool states in the nation.

Homeschool affords us the opportunity to explore what we love  For us, its our faith. Its time together. Its reading aloud, said Helen Skeen, a Randolph County mom of three.

2020 was a turning point for the former educator. Skeens twins were set to go to kindergarten in August of that year.

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I just really love being with my kids, so that was one of the things I was kind of hesitant about, Skeen said.

Five years later, they havent looked back. Her two fifth graders, Anna Kathryn and Phillips, and her first grader, Charlie, learn side by side.

You get to spend more time with your siblings and be closer instead of going to public school and not knowing your siblings as you grow up, Phillips said.

Their day starts with Bible study. From there, they do memory work, learning the 50 states, continents and systems of the body. Then they break off into different subjects. Skeen works with Charlie first on core subjects like math, handwriting and reading then moves between her other two daughters.

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Their day finishes up around lunchtime. Skeen said thats because they dont have any transition time or behavior issues they have to handle. She has the freedom to move through each subject until her children master them.

Experts say the Skeens story is one of many. The pandemic pushed many people to think deeply about their childrens education.

We usually have an uptick when theres been a school shooting, said Jessica Frierson with North Carolinians for Home Education. Bullying is a very big issue, and we have a lot of parents that say, No. My kid is not going back. Thats it.'

Time spent with family, educational control and safety are just some of the factors Frierson believes could be behind the uptick.

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According to an analysis of US Census Bureau data from July 23 to Aug. 19 of 2024, North Carolina ranked fourth out of all 50 states, with just over 10% of kids homeschooled. Thats roughly 400,000 kids out of the almost four million who reported.

Vermont ranks third, Delaware is second then Alaska ranks first for the percentage of children who are homeschooled.

Frierson said North Carolina is a friendly place for homeschool families, which is part of what she believes attracts so many people. FOX8 asked what families need in the Tar Heel state to get started.

The first thing in North Carolina is you open a homeschool. You go to the NCDOA website, and its a pretty simple process, Frierson said.

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Your childs instructor, whether that be yourself or someone else, must have a high school diploma and submit proof of their education online. Next, you choose a homeschool name, which Frierson said you should take time to reflect on. This will be the name of the school your child enters on job and college applications.

The cost to get started is up to the family.

I will say its a tradeoff. The more money you put into it, the less work for the parent. The less money you put into it, the more work for the parent, Frierson said. Theres a lot of free resources. You can go to the library and the internet for almost everything.

Some families explore hybrid options, co-ops or take on the teaching all by themselves.

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The state does require homeschool kids to be tested once every twelve months.

On the website for the state, it gives you that list of what qualifies as a national standardized test. You administer one of those, and you keep all those records for your school, Frierson said.

You choose which test and when to give it to your child. You also must keep immunization records if they apply and attendance records.

Frierson was homeschooled when she was young and now homeschools her children as well. She finds power in being able to focus on one topic if her child isnt getting it or moving on if theyve mastered it.

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Most homeschoolers look at life as the learning begins at birth, and it doesnt end, Frierson said. Theres more opportunity for kids to develop the skills of learning, not what we learn, but the skill of learning.

Seeing her children dive into subjects and fall in love with learning outside the confines of traditional education is something that brings Skeen joy.

Were getting ready to start the Narnia series, and I just know theyll build their own wardrobes and things like that, Skeen said. I think thats so precious  Those things sink in when learning, and thats what I want to instill is the joy of learning.

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 FOX8 WGHP.
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR)- A North Carolina man was sentenced to two years and six months in prison for running a brothel in Lynchburg.

Thomas Lee Thomas, of Thomasville, was found guilty of commercial sex trafficking on September 15, 2025.

According to prosecutors, the investigation started in June 2024, when officers with the Lynchburg Police Department received information concerning a residence in the 700 block of Leesville Road. The residence was apparently being advertised on various escort websites.

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Officers then teamed up with the Virginia State Police to begin surveillance on the house. As men came and went from the residence, they were stopped and interviewed. According to the press release, multiple men admitted that they paid for sexual services inside the residence and that they learned about the location online.

Officers noticed that Thomas regularly stopped by the home. One one occasion, July 31, 2024, officers witnessed Thomas drop off a young woman of Asian descent. Offices followed Thomas and observed him make two large cash deposits at an ATM. Thomas then went to Walmart where he purchased various supplies including condoms, bleach, and a futon couch then returned to the house on Leesville Road to deliver the supplies, according to the release. Officers also learned that Thomas paid the utility bills at the residence.

In December 2024, investigators executed a search of the Leesville Road residence and Thomas home in Thomasville, NC. While being interviewed, Thomas admitted to paying the bills at the Leesville Road residence, making online advertisements, and depositing money into the ATM from women working there.

Armed robbery suspect sought in Roanoke

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According to prosecutors, the women spoke little English and were apparently trafficked to the U.S. through New York.

Thomas was also charged with receiving earnings from an illegal sex worker and obtaining an illegal sex worker. But those charges were dismissed during the trial.

Thomas will spend two years on probation once he is released from prison, and must maintain good behavior for ten years.

Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Chelsea Webster prosecuted the case.

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.
RALEIGH and CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The state government and the Tepper Foundation are leading North Carolina organizations in giving nearly $18 million to food banks amid the government shutdown and looming suspension of SNAP benefits.

The state will grant $10 million to food banks across North Carolina, Gov. Josh Stein announced Tuesday. Theyre joined by AmeriHealth Caritas, which will give $5 million, the David & Nicole Tepper Foundation, which will accelerate $2.5 million from a previously announced $10 million gift, and other donors.

Shutdown threatens SNAP benefits for 140,000 in Mecklenburg County

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The announcements come as food banks prepare for an influx of need following the U.S. Department of Agriculture decision to suspend the SNAP program Nov. 1.

With the help of generous partners, North Carolina is taking action to keep families fed, said Stein. Shoring up our states food banks will serve as a critical, but fleeting, lifeline for families in need, and I hope other North Carolina organizations will also step up in this time of need. Whether its paying our military, ensuring no child goes hungry, or lowering health care costs, leaders in Washington need to come together immediately to find a bipartisan solution that provides long-term stability for millions of Americans.

We care deeply about the Carolinas and want to support our communities, especially in times of urgent need, said David and Nicole Tepper, owners of the Panthers and Charlotte FC. Every family deserves access to food and basic needs, yet food insecurity is a daily reality for millions. Were proud to support food banks across the Carolinas in this ongoing fight.

We believe access to healthy food is fundamental to good health, says Heidi Chan, AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina market president. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, our multiyear investment in MANNAs food nutrition network demonstrates our commitment to helping ensure reliable access to nutritious food.

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Here is the full list of food bank gifts:

State of North Carolina: $10 million to North Carolinas food banks

AmeriHealth Caritas: $5 million

David & Nicole Tepper Foundation: Acceleration of more than $2.5 million to food banks across the Carolinas.

Duke Energy Foundation: $100,000

Bank of America: $100,000

Delaware North and Catawba Two Kings Casino: $50,000

Nucor Steel: $50,000

UNC Health Foundation & UNC Horizons: $30,000

The Fresh Market: $25,000

Eastern Ministerial Alliance: $20,000

Smithfield Foods: $20,000

AdventHealth: $19,000

Compare Foods: $10,000

Lending Tree: $7,500

Smart Food Foundation: 10,000 pounds of food

All residents should continue to apply for SNAP benefits and submit renewal paperwork on time. County social services offices remain open and are processing all applications to prevent a backlog when funding is restored.

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.
Graduates of Bismarck State College throw their mortarboards in the air during a graduation ceremony in May 2024. The State Board of Higher Education is weighing a proposal that would allow state colleges and universities to offer reduced credit bachelor's degrees in an effort to recruit and retain more in-state students with a final decision expected in December. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education is debating allowing state colleges and universities to implement reduced credit bachelors degrees with a final decision expected by the end of the year.

The new degree proposal would allow colleges to offer bachelors degrees with a minimum of 90 semester hours, which is 30 hours fewer than a typical four-year degree. Schools would need the boards approval before offering a reduced credit degree.

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During a board meeting Thursday, Deputy Commissioner Lisa Johnson, chief academic and student affairs officer for the North Dakota University System, said, as the proposal is currently written, it could apply to any bachelors degree program offered at state colleges and universities.

She added the Higher Learning Commission, which accredits colleges and universities across the U.S., said schools implementing reduced credit bachelors degrees need to be mindful of potential transfers, graduate programs and license requirements associated with the new degrees that could jeopardize state-to-state licensure compacts.

Levi Bachmeier (Photo courtesy of Office of the Governor)

Johnson said only one public school, Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona, was offering the reduced bachelors degrees and rest of the reduced credit offerings were at for-profit schools.

Levi Bachmeier, the new superintendent of the Department of Public Instruction in-waiting, embraced the idea and said state colleges and universities could do more to innovate new pathways for students.

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This would not require institutions to offer these reduced credit bachelors degrees, Bachmeier said. We are just allowing them to put an additional arrow in the quiver that I view it as an opportunity to retain and recruit more North Dakotans to get a quality education.

Bachmeier was also supportive of a warning label being attached to potential degrees.

A draft label was included in the boards meeting documents that read: Students enrolling in a reduced credit bachelors degree program must be advised of the potential financial aid, academic, and career implications of obtaining a reduced credit bachelors degree.

The North Dakota Student Association unanimously opposed the reduced bachelors degree proposal during a recent meeting, said Maxwell Eriksrud, a University of North Dakota student and student representative on the State Board of Higher Education.

Maxwell Eriksrud (Provided)

By reducing these requirements, I think youre going to be reducing the actual benefit of college for these students, Eriksrud said. I think there is also a slight disconnect between admin and student concerns in this policy.

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Of the reduced credit bachelors degrees approved by the Higher Learning Commission, Johnson said the titles of the degrees are no different than a regular bachelors degree, but many of the reduced degrees appeared to be bachelors of applied science.

As a board, you could designate that. You could require us to have something like that in the title, Johnson said.

Valley City State University, Mayville State University and Bismarck State College all have programs outlined that would allow graduation with fewer than the traditional 120 credit hours.

Valley City States program to reduce the credit requirement to 106 credits  one less semester  for an education degree had already been approved by a committee, pending the boards approval of the policy change.

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Larry Brooks, vice president for academic affairs Valley City State, told a committee on Sept. 4 that the last semester would often be used for obtaining an extra endorsement, such as kindergarten or special education.

He said students could always come back to school to get that endorsement. He said having some professional experience would help students be more confident that seeking such an endorsement fits with their career goals.

Kevin Black, chair of the State Board of Higher Education, said the board is duty-bound to protect the best interests of students and, while his entrepreneurial spirit wants to try the reduced credit degree program at schools in the state, he thinks more guardrails are required before the policy can move forward.

I would not want to send my son or daughter to an institution for a reduced degree and then totally blow their chances to get a job, Black said.

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The board voted to send the proposal to the Academic and Student Affairs Committee to provide more regulations surrounding the reduced credit degrees before the board takes up a revised policy in December.

North Dakota Monitor reporter Michael Achterling can be reached at machterling@northdakotamonitor.com.

North Dakota Monitor deputy editor Jeff Beach contributed to this reporting and can be reached at jbeach@northdakotamonitor.com.

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NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI)  It was an emotional evening in North Kingstown as those who knew and loved Linda Sherman gathered to honor her memory.

Sherman, 53, was riding her bicycle down Boston Neck Road when she was hit and killed by a drunk driver in June 2024.

Linda Sherman

The North Kingstown Town Council dedicated a memorial bench and tree to Sherman Wednesday evening at the beach.

Her husband Brian Sherman said his wife absolutely loved the beach.

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This is such a thoughtful and genuine way to remember Linda, he said while addressing the crowd of a few dozen who gathered for the brief ceremony.

The quote engraved on Lindas bench came from a social media post she wrote several years ago, according to Brian.

Wake up and decide to be kind, humane, giving, welcoming, approachable and genuine,' he said, his voice breaking as he read the quote. Be the light, not the darkness.'

The man who hit Sherman, 60-year-old Daniel Famiglietti, pleaded no contest to driving under the influence resulting in death earlier this month. Famiglietti, a retired Providence police officer, was sentenced to 15 years with seven to serve and eight suspended with probation.

Jennifer ONeil, a victim advocate with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), said Lindas death was 100% preventable.

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This didnt have to happen, ONeil said. It was one preventable choice. If one person did something differently in that entire chain of events, Linda would still be here with us.

Brian said his goal is to keep his wifes killer behind bars for as long as possible.

SEE ALSO: Former police officer sentenced to prison for deadly DUI crash

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NORTHAMPTON  Rich Michelson wears a lot of hats. He was a two-term poet laureate, owns an art gallery, and is a historian, researcher and childrens author.

He was all of that and more when he wrote his latest book: What Louis Brandeis Knows: A Crusader for Social Justice Becomes a Supreme Court Justice.

Its about a person who made a difference in this country by trying to promote fairness, trying to take the side of the citizens against the corporations, he told The Republican.

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He was so prescient about the direction this country could be going in, which it is now, he added.

Nominated to the nations highest court by President Woodrow Wilson, Brandeis won senate confirmation and served as an associate justice from 1916 to 1939.

His nomination faced significant opposition, but he ultimately won his place as the first Jewish person to serve on the bench.

While the book has adult themes and could court an adult audience, Michelson wrote it for children because he says they can handle the truth.

Children are much more sophisticated and intellectually interested than most people give them credit for. People who think childhood is a sweet, innocent time have not recently been children. Its a minefield for kids, he said.

Brandeiss beginning

Michelson begins the book about Brandeis when the future justice was a child, focusing on how the historic figure got his start.

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He was born in America in 1856 to Jewish parents that emigrated to the United States from Prague. The boy quickly learned about the prejudice Jews faced in America.

In his book, Michelson writes, His mother says that sharing food and helping those less fortunate is the best way to be nearer to God. She says religious rituals are less important than being a kind person.

Brandeis grew up during Americas Civil War  his parents taught him one person should never own another human.

In his book, Michelson depicts Brandeiss father as saying: Any fool knows that all people should be treated equally regardless of their race.

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Brandeis grew to understand and advocate for fairness. He studied law at Harvard, borrowing money to pay his tuition.

Louis has the highest-grade average in Harvards history, and he wins the class prize. But the dean explains that Harvard rules state that you must be twenty-one years old to graduate. Louis is only twenty. Louis knows that isnt fair. He argues his case until Harvard agrees to change the rule, writes Michelson.

Brandeis begins practicing law and is quickly dubbed Robin Hood for his work on behalf of poor people, fighting back against rich corporations.

He made a difference by trying to promote fairness, trying to take the side of the citizens against the corporations. He certainly was aware of power-hungry people, said Michelson.

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Brandeis was one of few lawyers who defended clients for free when they lacked the cash to pay him, according to Michelson.

He said he didnt want to turn away anybody who was fighting for social justice who couldnt afford him. At the time, most lawyers thought he was crazy. Now its an accepted part of the industry, said Michelson.

Stunned by bullies

The Associated Press reported in April that five law firms have agreed to work pro bono for the Trump administration to avoid the prospect of punishing executive orders and provide hundreds of millions of dollars worth of free legal services for causes his administration says it supports.

Michelson says Brandeis would be stunned to learn the president bullied lawyers into working for free.

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The historian said he pored through thousands of pages of biographies and articles about Brandeis as he researched the lawyers life leading up to the bench. He also read hundreds of the justices letters and legal decisions to get into his mind.

It was a slog. There was some really dry material, Michelson said.

Any childrens author may have limited time with their audience  a childs attention span could be under 50 pages, including pictures. To keep the attention of his young audience, Michelsons book contains rich renderings of Brandeiss life and family by illustrator Stacy Innerst.

It can be a challenge to distill it all in such little space.

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I handle difficult subjects for children in a way they can understand. Im primarily a poet, he said, which means he can dial things down to minimalist dialogue and prose because poems dont go on for hundreds of pages.

Michelson said he began writing the book before the first Trump presidency, when he hoped Hillary Clinton would become the countrys first female president. While he expected the country to be more settled if that had happened, his book may be even more appropriate for the times.

It was nice to write about someone willing to challenge the executive branch and Supreme Court, which is supposed to be an equal partner, not somebody giving the president immunity, said Michelson.

These are lessons children should learn, said Michelson, who hopes his book serves as a guidepost for them.

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We tend to look back on the stories we hear as children and carry them throughout our lives. I want children to have stories of individuals who made a difference, who were willing to fight for others, he said.

Those are the stories we want to embed in children, so as they go through life, they have a guiding star.

What Louis Brandeis Knows, a 48-page hardcover, sells for $18.99 and is available wherever major books are sold.

Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Local organizations plan to team up to help families who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan (SNAP).

According to the Kansas Department of Children and Families, over 8,300 household in Shawnee County are enrolled in SNAP. If the government shutdown continues, $3 million in SNAP funding will be withheld from people living here.

Gov. Kelly sues Trump Administration for suspension of SNAP benefits

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Just in the last week, weve had a major uptake of clients of people needing food, said Jamie Jalil, Executive Director of Be Filled of South Topeka. If you cant feed your family so many other things fall.

United Way of Kaw Valley and Live Well Shawnee County met for an emergency meeting about SNAP on Oct. 29. Local groups like the Topeka Rescue Mission and Be Filled came together to discuss what they can do to help the community during the shutdown.

It felt great to have a number of our partners across the community come together, said Brett Martin, vice president of Community Impact at United Way Kaw Valley. Its important that we work together. Our families deserve our best efforts. So it was inspiring to see everybody in the room today.

The main takeaway from todays meeting was finding more places to store food and connecting with one another.

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Farm Service Agencies reopen in Kansas despite gov. shutdown

This is about placing the community at the center of our work, Martin said. Were giving them our very best efforts. This is a time of crisis for many individuals creating a lot of stress and a lot of anxiety.

Not only are we meeting right now because a crisis is happening, but we need to have this round table, we need to have this networking and this partnership going forward, Jalil said.

SNAP benefits end Oct 31. The organizations plan to meet again in the future.

For more local 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.

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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.
People's Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Para on Thursday criticised the ruling National Conference government for failing to provide people with a "sense of safety and security". He also raised questions about the governance of the LG administration following the termination of two employees. His remarks followed the LG Manoj Sinha administration's invocation of Article 311 and termination of the services of two employees with immediate effect. "If you (LG administration) are terminating employees, how will you ensure governance. They have been removed by the LG government on terror charges under Article 311, if we have an elected government. If the termination of employees continues, what is the point of having or not having a goverment?" "People should have been provided with a sense of safety and security. I think there is no improvement on that factor". "More than a lakh people (Daily wagers) are on the streets seeking employment. They have failed to deliver on their promises as far as Kashmir is concerned," he said. NC leader and Zadibal MLA, Tanvir Sadiq, slammed the BJP for allegedly "disrupting" the J-K assembly autumn session. "It seems no issue is left behind for the BJP and is playing to the media gallery to rake up issues on flimsy grounds. They deliberately disrupted the question Hour, as part of the agenda and politics". On the "termination of services of two employees" on the charges of terrorism, Sadiq said," Unfortunately, law and order are not in our hands. We are not answerable for this...Everybody should have recourse to Justice". Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concerns on Thursday over the issue of employee termination. He emphasised the importance of following due process and allowing individuals to defend themselves in court. "I have always said this, and I say it again. Terminations should be done through the courts. Everyone should have a chance to explain themselves," Abdullah said. "Everyone should have a chance to explain themselves. This system, which is being used to dismiss employees, doesn't give them a chance to explain themselves... So, it would be better to use the courts to punish those who are truly guilty. But I think any action taken against them on the basis of mere suspicion will prove harmful for all of us," he said. JKNC, in a post on social media, quoted CM Omar Abdullah as saying, "Guilt can only be proven in a court and not otherwise." Government of Jammu and Kashmir General Administration Department (CAD) in an order on Thursday said," The Lieutenant Governor is satisfied under sub-clause (c) of the proviso to clause (2) of Article 311 of the Constitution of India that in the interest of the security of the State, it is not expedient to hold an enquiry in the case of Maajid Iqbal Dar, Teacher in the School Education Department, S/o Late Mohd Iqbal Dar, R/o Ward No.1, Kheora, District Rajouri". "Accordingly, the Lieutenant Governor hereby dismisses Maajid Iqbal Dar, Teacher in the School Education Department, from service, with immediate effect," read the order signed by the Commissioner GAD. Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said on Thursday, "Anyone who is working against the interests of India, irrespective of his religion, action should be taken against him". PDP Chief Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday claimed that such actions spark the concerns of a wider agenda to "disempower Muslims", especially Kashmiris. In a post on social media, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said, "Two more government employees have been terminated over alleged terror links & denied even the chance to prove their innocence. This fuels concerns of a wider agenda to disempower Muslims especially Kashmiris. First they face marginalization through biased reservation policies as revealed by recent disclosures on reservation certificates in J&K and now they endure wrongful dismissals with the judge, jury and executioner all on one side" (ANI)
NORTHEAST TENNESSEE (WJHL)  Nearly 700,000 Tennessee residents rely on SNAP benefits. Those benefits could potentially come to a halt if the federal government does not reopen on Saturday.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced on Thursday that the state has launched FeedTN.org as a resource to help families find access to food. The website provides a list of local churches, food pantries, and food banks who are providing food during the potential snap benefit halt.

LIST: Food assistance resources in Tri-Cities

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District 4 State Representative Renea Jones said she supports Lees efforts to help those impacted.

I dont know that we have mechanisms right now that we can do anything but what were doing, Jones said. I commend the governor for at least trying to do something and pull some resources together to help our folks.

District 3 State Senator Rusty Crowe said the FeedTN website should work for those who could be affected by the potential SNAP halt. He also said it would cost the state about $145 million to be able to fund SNAP recipients in Tennessee.

Ive asked that Tennessee try to use [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families] (TANF) dollars or rainy-day fund dollars, but it looks like this is the road theyve chosen to take, and it should work well, Crowe said.

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Jones and Crowe said that, unlike Virginia, Tennessee does not have the mechanisms to create a state-funded program to continue providing benefits.

If it is prolonged and the government doesnt get back, then Im sure that well try to get our heads together and figure something else out because we want to support our people, Jones said. We dont want our people hurting.

Virginia is set up differently than Tennessee in our budget process, our fiscal process, Crowe said. We cannot supplant federal dollars for state dollars.

Crowe also said he would like to see the state increase funding to food banks.

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Our food banks are not funded as well as they should be in Tennessee, and Ive been working on that for a couple of years, Crowe said. Our state gives $1 million to spread amongst the five or six food banks that we have. We need to do better.

Both state leaders said they hope the federal government can open back up soon and encourage Tennessee residents to donate to local food banks and food pantries. They also said they plan to make their own donations to local food banks as a way to help.

Other state leaders provided statements to News Channel 11.

Tennessee families are understandably anxious about what this federal shutdown means for their SNAP benefits. Tennessee is actively exploring every option to help families affected by the federal government shutdown and the uncertainty surrounding November SNAP benefits. Because SNAP is administered entirely by the USDA, the state currently has no legal mechanism to reload EBT cards with state funds. Tennessee is financially strong, and if this becomes a sustained emergency, Ill be the first to support responsible, targeted use of emergency resources to help families get through it. In the meantime, I appreciate Senator Marsha Blackburns leadership in Washington as she works to secure a short-term federal solution to keep benefits flowing while Congress resolves this shutdown. Tennesseans didnt cause this crisis  Senate Democrats did. House Republicans have already done their job and passed the funding needed to keep the government open. Well continue to face this with steady leadership, compassion, and a commitment to doing whats right for our families. District 4 Sen. Bobby Harshbarger

Tennesseans have always stepped up to help one another in times of need. That spirit of selflessness is what makes us the Volunteer State. Im proud of the strong network of nonprofits, churches and community organizations that work together every day to serve communities across our state. Gov. Bill Lees launch of FeedTN.org reflects that same spirit of service. The new platform connects Tennesseans with local opportunities to volunteer, donate and access food resources for those experiencing food insecurity. Thanks to our strong nonprofit laws and faith-based partnerships, communities across our state are able to respond quickly and effectively when challenges arise. In times like this, we need everyone who can to step up and support our local organizations through donations and service. In true Tennessee fashion, well continue to look out for one another. District 6 Representative Tim Hicks

Republicans have done their job. Democrats have voted 14 times to keep the government closed. Its time for Democrats to set aside their ideologies and do whats best for Americans. Christians are called to love our neighbors as ourselves and to care for the least of these. Let us all unite to ensure no one in our communities goes without food. District 7 Representative Rebecca Alexander

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.
COLFAX COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE)  A northern New Mexico man was arrested by the Colfax County Sheriffs Office on sexual exploitation of a child charges, the Santa Fe Police Department, which assisted in the investigation, announced Wednesday.

Cameron Ogletree, 35, of Maxwell, was taken into custody at his home and booked into the Vigil Maldonado Detention Center on the charges of sexual exploitation of a child (possession) (child under 13 years old) and sexual exploitation of a child (distribution).

APD arrests man accused of killing, partially dismembering his mother

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The Santa Fe Police Departments Special Victims Unit (SVU) launched an online investigation, and an unknown person, later identified as Ogletree, distributed child sexual abuse material to detectives over the course of two months.

Detectives identified the address where the material was being sent from as being located in Maxwell and requested help from the Colfax County Sheriffs Office. On Tuesday, SVU detectives traveled to Maxwell and worked with the Colfax County Sheriffs Office to serve a search warrant at the home.

During the search warrant, the suspect was identified as Cameron Ogletree. Detectives searched his electronics and reportedly found that Ogletree possessed child sexual abuse material and was involved in distributing the material, according to the police department.

Anyone with information about Ogletree is asked to contact the Colfax County Sheriffs Office through Raton County Dispatch at 575-445-2704.

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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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Norway has pledged to deliver a bridge to Sumy Oblast, which will soon be assembled in the Mykolaiv hromada in the Sumy district, as well as medical equipment worth 2 million. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]

Source: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha at the international conference Resilience and the European Future of Sumy Oblast, cited by Ukrinform, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The foreign minister noted that both he and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy raise the issue of supporting frontline oblasts during all their foreign visits.

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Quote: "Our recent visit to Norway, where I had the honour of accompanying First Lady Olena Zelenska, proved productive. Norway is delivering a bridge to Sumy Oblast  it was literally dismantled in Norway and will soon be assembled in the Mykolaiv hromada. Sumy Oblast will also receive medical equipment worth 2 million from Norway."

More details: Sybiha added that the leadership of Sumy Oblast will decide today which hromadas will receive this aid.

Background:

Norway recently announced it would provide Ukraine with US$150 million to support its energy sector.

On 22 October, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Norway on an official visit.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
That infamous Signal chat keeps coming back to haunt the Trump administration.

On Tuesday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz was interrupted in the middle of a speech before a U.N. General Assembly vote on whether to condemn U.S. economic restrictions on Cuba.

Mr. Waltz, this is the United Nations General Assembly, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said, cutting off Waltz. It is not a Signal chat. Nor is it the House of Representatives, he added, also calling Waltzs remarks uncivilized, crude and gross.

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Waltz was not happy.

I am well aware of the location in which we are speaking, the ambassador responded. And this is also not a Communist illegitimate legislature in Havana.

Waltz attacked the Cuban government as illegitimate and brutal, claiming that he was correcting the fake news, the misinformation, and this false reality the regime seeks to create year after year with this vote.

Ultimately, Waltzs tough talk swayed few, if any, countries, as the U.N. General Assembly voted 1657, with 12 abstentions, Wednesday to condemn the American economic embargo against Cuba, the thirty-third year in a row it has done so. The resolution is symbolic and carries no legal weight, but reflects global opinion.

The whole reason Waltz is the U.N. ambassador is because, while previously serving as national security adviser, he set up a Signal chat where secret military plans were discussed with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and other top government officials and then mistakenly added The Atlantics editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg. Waltz was removed from his position and instead nominated to the U.N. post, a job that requires diplomatic savvy, which he seems to be lacking.
At 8-months-old, Jojo delights in his red dragon costume and grabs as far as his tiny wingspan allows. His mother, Mia McKay, wants to make sure his belly is never empty in November.

But thats going to be difficult with FoodShare delays impacting hundreds of thousands in mere days. And she doesnt know if shell have enough money to get Jojo his formula.

It (formula) is really expensive, McKay said. It adds up.

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As October slips away, more than 235,000 Milwaukeeans who rely on FoodShare benefits are bracing. Young mothers worry over how to feed their infants, caregivers dont know if they can support their disabled adult children, and theres a feeling that, no matter what, November will be disastrous.

Federal food assistance payments will not go out as scheduled on Nov. 1 as the U.S. government shutdown drags on. As a result, Wisconsins FoodShare program, which helps cover grocery costs for nearly 700,000 residents, is set to shut down at the end of the week.

All of Wisconsin's FoodShare funds come from the federal government's food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Wisconsin Department of Health Services previously told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel it doesn't have the funds to cover November.

The Agriculture Department shared in a memo Oct. 24 it would not use contingency funds to pay for food stamps during the government shutdown.

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Participants with an outstanding balance on their QUEST cards will still be able to spend that money. But for many, FoodShare payments already cannot cover the monthly cost of food. Stretching leftover funds over additional weeks has many, including Summer White, extremely concerned.

White, 27, has $90 left on her QUEST card. She has three children, including a 6-month-old to feed. Her baby has just graduated to baby food and while she doesnt want to rely strictly on formula, that may be the best way to get her son nutrients.

Summer White, 27, discusses what losing FoodShare benefits would mean to her and her children while outside Kinship Community Food Center on East Clark Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Oct. 30, 2025. Nearly 700,000 Wisconsin residents could see their food assistance benefits pause in November amid the ongoing government shutdown.

Im trying to budget the best I can. Perishable foods and other things thatll last, White said the morning of Oct. 30 outside the Kinship Community Food Center in Riverwest, which doesnt open until 4 p.m.

Her best bet, she said, is to hit up as many food drives as she can. She keeps a list of them on hand.

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Food is expensive. I dont know what Ill do over the holidays when I have to pay out of pocket, White said.

But food pantries are getting slammed by the ever-growing need.

Paula Eichenbaum says she has volunteered at Kinship Community Food Center for years and has never before seen the Riverwest food pantry come close to running out of food.

Earlier this week, however, she and other volunteers scrambled to help families with small children still waiting in line as they ran out of eggs, meat, dairy and fresh produce.

The line was still down the hall at 6:30 p.m., and the food bank closes at 6, Eichenbaum said. It was terribly brutal to watch.

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All that was left, she said, were things like Laughing Cow cheese, yogurt, cereal and cakes. At one point, she stepped away because she didnt want the families to see her cry.

I went into the cooler to cry, and there was nothing in the cooler, Eichenbaum said. Nothing but one pack of hot dogs.

A Kinship spokesman assured a reporter on Oct. 30 that more food had arrived and the pantry would remain open.

"Kinship is in a strong position," said director of operations Mark Bergemann. "We have a lot of food."

FoodShare delays to impact people with disabilities and their caregivers

Walter Matthew, 84, does not just have himself to worry about. His 40-year-old son has a spinal cord injury, leaving him unable to work. Matthew has been taking care of him for the past six years.

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More than one-third of FoodShare participants are in families with elderly or disabled adults, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

FoodShare funds, while not enough for Matthew to alleviate the expense of month-to-month groceries, provided a relief that he did not have to take the full cost on alone.

He is currently reliant on Social Security and knows those checks will not be enough to bring food to the table.

Despite the uncertainty ahead, Matthew believes everything will work out.

Im going to do what I have to do to survive, Matthew said.

The uncertainty surrounding FoodShare has not only touched Matthew and his son, but also Shunita Jones, the mother of his grandchildren.

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After being released from prison on Oct. 2, Jones needs to figure out how to feed her four children. Since her release, she has tried to apply for FoodShare benefits, but now is worried her application will be delayed until December.

Ive been having to go to the pantries right now, Jones said.

Jones and Matthew think the burden of finding new resources should not be on those who will not get benefits, and that the lapse in funding could come down to a lack of caring.

Its a thing where people need to care for each other more, Matthew said. It is just that simple.

But Karen Jackson, 64, believes Congress needs to stop toying with peoples lives.

Karen Jackson, 64, of Milwaukee who utilized the food assistance program, shops at a grocery store on West Capitol Drive in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Oct. 30, 2025. Nearly 700,000 Wisconsin residents could see their food assistance benefits pause in November amid the ongoing government shutdown.

Jackson, 64, is a two-time cancer survivor who recently had a third cancer scare. Shes worked as a nurse for 45 years. Despite her hard work, she has had to rely on FoodShare benefits to feed her family while going through cancer treatment.

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Jackson has contributed to the system all her life. She pays taxes, abides by the law and has spent her life helping others. She receives just a pittance of her salary in retirement funds, she says. And shes used to making $189 in FoodShare benefits stretch each month.

The little people, were scared, Jackson said. We dont know whats going to happen tomorrow. Whos going to provide for us?

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Anxieties rise as Milwaukeeans face drop in FoodShare, SNAP benefits
In the past week, the outages at Microsoft Azure and Amazon's AWS cloud service led to widespread disruption of services that covered everything from Office 365 to Xbox. The service disruption was a stark reminder of just how much the global internet relies on a few tech giants. Interestingly, human vices can also cut off people's access to vital communications, as was the case with the recent outage of AT&T services in North Carolina. The Iredell County Sheriff's Office recently apprehended two people charged with stealing copper cables that also damaged fiber cables and disrupted the local internet infrastructure, as well.

As per Iredell Free News, the local police department has arrested two Old Fort residents in connection with the theft of fiber and copper cables at Hickory Highway near Statesville. As per the outlet, an AT&T technician witnessed the two accused loading the stolen cables in a Toyota Corolla after being tipped off about a service shutdown in the area. Law enforcement subsequently recovered 300 feet, each, of fiber optic and copper wires from the car, estimated to be worth $4,500, alongside wire and pipe-cutting tools.

After recovery of stolen material and evidence collection, the two individuals were charged with felony larceny, felony injuring utility wires/fixtures, and felony conspiracy to commit larceny. This won't be the first incident of its kind. In May, AT&T told the LA Times that copper wire thefts have increased in the South Los Angeles area, and following a recent incident, services were disrupted for seniors in the area. Notably, thieves are targeting not just telecom infrastructure, but they are also stealing cables from Tesla Supercharger stations.

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Read more: 10 Things You Should Never Plug Into A Power Strip

Not the first of its kind for AT&T

AT&T has been hit hard by incidents of copper theft. The telecom giant recently revealed that it has logged over 7,000 such incidents this year alone, costing the company nearly $60 million in repair and service expenditures. The carrier recently claimed that it has recorded "an alarming increase in copper theft and vandalism," prompting the company to work with local law enforcement agencies to curb such incidents. These incidents aren't limited to stealing old, outdated technology either. We're talking about key parts of our telecom infrastructure.

The company has started offering rewards worth up to $20,000 to the good folks who can help nab thieves in theft-prone areas such as Missouri, Dallas-Fort Worth, and California. AT&T says it has also started taking ground-level anti-theft measures, such as deploying metal casings to safeguard wires, locking manhole lids, and securing the entry points.

"Copper thieves often confuse fiber cables for copper, causing fiber outages," the carrier writes on a microsite, adding that bad actors often cut the fiber cables even though they are mainly after the copper wires. The telecom operator reasons that copper thefts are on the rise because the metal is currently in high demand across industries such as electric vehicles, solar and wind energy generation, and general-purpose electronics. The fact that it can be easily recycled and sold only raises the incentive behind burglary.

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Nearly every carrier is reeling from the problem. Just over a month ago, executives from Comcast, Charter, Cox, GCI, Mediacom, and internet service providers collectively launched an initiative called STRIKE (Strategic Threat Response & Infrastructure Knowledge Exchange) to control the rising incidents of cable theft and related infrastructure damage that affects connectivity for over a million users.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.
The word pivot gets used and abused a lot these days. However, there is one way to know when the US is at least thinking about a pivot  take a look at what US Navy aircraft carriers may be doing.

President Trumps second term has certainly illustrated this, with US Central Command (CENTCOM) taking back carriers that had previously been sent away to US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) many years ago.

The problem is, despite mighty America having 11 of the most powerful and versatile conventional systems-of-systems ever to be built, that is not enough to maintain the Pax Americana all over the world all of the time. I and many others have written previously that the US Navy is an 11-carrier navy in a 15-carrier world.

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So, when US Middle East command (CENTCOM) needed two carrier groups last year to face down Iran and the Houthis simultaneously, it had to go cap-in-hand to the Pentagon and negotiate. At one point this left INDOPACOM with no carriers at all. This gap was partly filled by our own HMS Prince of Wales. Nobody would say that a British carrier group equals a US one but there is some clout there: by count of fifth-generation stealth jets aboard, the Prince is the most powerful carrier in the world right now. So, an excellent bit of high-level collaboration: nevertheless, the China hawks were not impressed.

Credit: @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social

INDOPACOM, CENTCOM and to an extent EUCOM have become used to arm wrestling over ships and kit in recent decades, particularly the big-ticket items such as carriers. But now SOUTHCOM, the US military headquarters covering South America and the Caribbean, has entered the chat. The USS Gerald R Ford, newest, largest and most powerful carrier in the world, is heading west, leaving the EUCOM area and inbound for Venezuela. Russia hawks are already feeling sad.

Before we ask why this reassignment is happening, its worth looking at what was already in the region and therefore what this new group could bring to the fight.

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Its also worth reminding ourselves that Venezuela is nearly four times the area of the UK, has a population 42 per cent of ours and armed forces consisting of a handful of operational F16 fighter jets, one frigate, one diesel electric submarine that may or may not work and some patrol boats. Their army is the size of the US Marine Corps on paper: in reality much smaller. Forget David versus Goliath: there is no David here, just Goliath.

A year ago, SOUTHCOMs order of battle was typically four to six ships for counter-narcotics patrols and humanitarian assistance. It included Littoral Combat Ships  not really combat worthy  such as USS Billings for patrols, a destroyer or two like USS Porter for security ops, and perhaps an expeditionary transport like USNS Burlington, useful for testing drones. Amphibious punch was light, maybe an LPD for exercises or USNS Comfort for medical runs.

But by late August this year SOUTHCOM had eight major surface combatants, including the USS Iwo Jima, a big deck amphibious ship that most countries would be happy to call an aircraft carrier. The decision to label Venezuelan drug runners terrorists took place back in January, but the decision to play hardball against them wasnt until 1 September once this maritime build-up was underway.

Quickly, people were asking why the change. If it was to help dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations and counter narco-terrorism in defense of the Homeland, then surely the carrier strike group arriving as well is overkill, so it must be more, right? And besides, if you really wanted to hit drug runners, why not Mexico? Is it using gunboat diplomacy and other more discreet levers to force regime change? Is there a hint of Monroe Doctrine about it, but this time aimed at Chinese as well as Russian influence down there?

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Oil is never far from being mentioned as a reason for US adventurism (even when it isnt  some people still havent realised that the US, thanks to fracking, simply doesnt need other peoples oil any more). Is oil relevant this time or is it yttrium, europium and other rare earth elements? Is it an opportunity to look tough at home, particularly on drugs and migration? Or is it to distract from less good news at home?

Whatever the thinking, Fords arrival with her air wing, destroyers and attack submarine will add 63 percent more ships, triple the fighter jets, double the Tomahawk land attack missiles and increase deployable US Marine boots by almost half again. Im not sure that adding weight to what was already the largest sledgehammer makes it any clearer what the end actual game is here.

There are three things we do know.

First, the Ford group is not in a massive hurry to get there. Warships are excellent at re-tasking mid-mission, but if you have time, and can use shore support to do so, then it is easier. You are often better off adding a few days at the start than sprinting to the job and arriving all disorganised.

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Available Speed of Advance (SOA) during the transit is another factor. Working out the distance (Split, Croatia to Venezuela), assuming the carriers speed (30+ knots) then saying the answer is six days is entirely the wrong planning approach. Flying and refuelling operations will often take you away from your intended course, sometimes for hours at a time. The carrier is nuclear powered, but her jets and escorts are not, and must be refuelled. This will reduce your overall SOA. Mission critical maintenance will often do the same. Escorts are not immune to bad weather at the best of times and right now there is a Category Five hurricane in the Caribbean that is tracking northeast. And so on.

If this was an emergency, the carrier could ignore all this, leave her escorts behind, take a beating (even a carrier is not totally weather proof) and get there post-haste. This isnt happening.

Its difficult to get a solid read on whats happening inside SOUTHCOM now. Not to poke the nest again  it earned me plenty of wholesome feedback when I wrote about it last week  but it is worth remembering as this builds that the previous SOUTHCOM commander, Admiral Holsey, resigned and/or was fired just over 10 days ago following apparent unhappiness on his part over the legality and direction of travel of all of this.

For now it seems that all options are on the table from do nothing, to continue kinetic counter drug operations, to conduct covert operations inland, to regime change  possibly including some form of invasion or intervention on the ground. The USS Ford isnt militarily essential for any of these. It looks rather as though she us being used as 100,000 ton countdown clock with a Dear Nicolas, dont let this reach zero caption attached.

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I for one am glad Ill be somewhere else when it does.

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CT residents will soon have a chance to channel their inner Carrie Bradshaw. An NYC-based bakery chain once featured on HBO's Sex and the City is coming to Connecticut.

Magnolia Bakery, which was founded almost three decades ago in NYC's West Village, is scouting locations in Fairfield County. The bakery also has locations in California, Chicago, India, Jordan, Kuwait, the Philippines, Qatar, Turkey and the UAE. In 2000, Sex and the City characters Carrie Bradshaw and Miranda Hobbes were shown eating cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery. The franchise still touts their iconic cameo with a cupcake named after Carrie Bradshaw.

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Stamford resident Kelly Fitzpatrick will run the CT Magnolia Bakery, which she expects will open between late summer and early fall of 2026. Fitzpatrick is the president and founder of Blue Park Kitchen, a fast and casual American-style restaurant with two locations in New York. The CT Magnolia Bakery will operate under her brand, Blue Park Restaurants.

Fairfield County is an ideal spot for the state's first Magnolia Bakery, Jason Mattes, VP of Domestic Franchise Development & Sales for the company told CT Insider. He attributed the location-pick to Fairfield County's "well-educated and well-traveled" residents and said the area is ripe with income growth, strong community foundations and population expansion.

For Fitzpatrick, Fairfield County being the place where the state's first Magnolia Bakery will open is an opportunity bring an "iconic NYC brand" to her community. When the opportunity came up to become a franchisee, she said it was a "no brainer." Over the next three years, she plans to open four Magnolia Bakery locations across the county.

Fitzpatrick said the friends she's told so far about the news have "been in disbelief."

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"I think so many people in this area have either lived in NYC at some point or commuted to the city," she said. "Everyone I've talked to knows Magnolia."

Beyond the pop-culture associations, Fitzpatrick said the baked goods "are shockingly delicious" and the bakery locations in NYC still draw lines.

With the advent of a new franchising system in June, the chain is also opening locations next year in Salt Lake City, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Mattes, told CT Insider.

This article originally published at NYC-based bakery chain known from Sex and the City to open first Connecticut location.
GREENWICH VILLAGE, Manhattan (PIX11)  New York City nonprofit organizations are gearing up to try to meet the anticipated need if SNAP benefits end on Nov. 1.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed it will stop issuing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at the start of the month due to a lack of federal funding during the ongoing government shutdown.

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Ken Baker, the culinary director of RETHINK FOOD in Greenwich Village, said they already prepare 30,000 meals each week to help feed New Yorkers.

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With SNAP potentially going away, Baker told PIX 11 News, Were raising more funding and resources. We also are bringing in more human capacity to make as many meals as possible; were opening up our volunteer spaces beyond Monday to Friday.

Cheryl Huber, the Vice President of Food and Benefit Access for the United Way New York City, said, The lack of SNAP, its really hard to explain how thats going to affect our food pantry system.

Huber added its going to affect small business owners in the five boroughs because when those benefits dont go out, it also means that stores dont get that revenue, so grocery stores, bodegas, corner stores.

Alicia Maples, who is 60 years old and lives in the Bronx, said she relies on SNAP and already works side jobs to help pay for her groceries.

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Maples told PIX 11 News, Ive been washing dishes and doing errands for people, just to make it happen.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

Maples had this message for Washington lawmakers who havent reached a deal to restart the federal government: Youre messing with peoples lives, and their stomachs, people got to feed their babies. You got to open your eyes, think reality and think logic, stop playing a chess game with America.

The Salvation Army serves midday meals to anyone in need and offers a food pantry that clients can access once a 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 PIX11.
WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI)  The New York State Police are asking for the publics help in locating an alleged larceny suspect stemming from an incident at a Watertown business.

Authorities are requesting the publics assistance in identifying an individual involved in a larceny that occurred at the Target store located on Town Center Drive in the town of Watertown.

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On October 7, surveillance footage captured an alleged female suspect stealing office supplies and clothing. The suspect exited the store, entered a red vehicle, and fled the scene.

Anyone with information or who may recognize the individual is asked to contact the New York State Police at (315) 366-6000. Please reference case number NY2500984197.

Pictures of the alleged suspect and their vehicle are pictured below:

(Courtesy of New York State Police)

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.
Chongyang Festival marked across China with series of celebration activities

Xinhua) 09:05, October 30, 2025

Wang Yilong (L, front) and Xue Yujuan (R, front), survivors of the Nanjing Massacre, attend an event celebrating Chongyang Festival organized by the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

A local artist gives a calligraphy work of Chinese character "shou", meaning longevity, to a senior citizen at an event celebrating Chongyang Festival in Tai'an City, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)

Fork artists stage an intangible cultural heritage performance of dragon dance to celebrate Chongyang Festival in Deqing County of Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Photo by Xie Shangguo/Xinhua)

A volunteer provides free haircut services to senior residents at Guojiaying Village of Yuzhong County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Xinhua/Lang Bingbing)

Performers stage an intangible cultural heritage performance of string puppetry show to celebrate Chongyang Festival in Rugao City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Photo by Wu Shujian/Xinhua)

Senior residents practice musical instruments at a community-based activity center for elderly people in Jiangbei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

A senior citizen receives therapy at a community-based activity center for elderly people in Jiangbei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

A senior citizen tries an electric wheelchair under the guidance of volunteers at an event celebrating Chongyang Festival in Rugao City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Photo by Qiu Yu/Xinhua)

Wang Yilong (2nd R) and Xue Yujuan (2nd L), survivors of the Nanjing Massacre, attend an event celebrating Chongyang Festival organized by the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

A volunteer writes down health information of a senior citizen at a community-based activity center for elderly people in Jiangbei District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

A senior citizen tries an electric mobility scooter under the guidance of volunteers at an event celebrating Chongyang Festival in Rugao City, east China's Jiangsu Province, Oct. 29, 2025. A series of celebration activities were held across the country to mark Chongyang Festival, which falls on Oct. 29 this year. Also known as China's Seniors' Day, it honors the country's traditional virtues of filial piety and family love. (Photo by Qiu Yu/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) leader Rafiqul Islam expressed his resentment after the national anthem of Bangladesh 'Amar Sonar Bangla' was allegedly played at a meeting of the Congress committee of Sribhumi district, and said that this was unacceptable. He said that people of Assam should not recite the national anthems of Pakistan or Bangladesh. Speaking to ANI, Rafiqul Islam said, "I believe that the people of Assam should not sing Bangladesh's national anthem during official meetings. What happened at the Congress meeting was unacceptable. The Chief Minister of Assam invoking the NSA in this matter is a bit too much. The people of Assam should not recite the national anthems of Pakistan or Bangladesh, is what I believe." Earlier, calling it a "blatant disrespect" to the people of India, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday ordered the state police to register a case in the matter. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Sarma said, "Two days ago, the district Congress committee of Sribhumi district performed the national anthem of Bangladesh in place of the national anthem of India. This is a blatant disrespect of the people of India. It is in line with the new claim by some Bangladesh citizens that the north-east will eventually be part of Bangladesh." "I have instructed Assam Police to register a case against the district committee of Sribhumi district and take action as per law," the CM added. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also slammed Congress over the incident and said that the opposition party loves Bangladeshi infiltrators, adding that they are putting "votebankniti' over "rashtraniti". "Assam government has ordered the action against Congress party functionaries that has sung the Bangladeshi national anthem. Congress has not only joined hands with Pakistan but with Bangladesh too. Congress loves Bangladeshi infiltrators. They are endorsing the anti-India agenda, which is coming from there. Necessary action must be taken," he said. However, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi came to the defence of state unit leaders and said that 'Amar Sonar Bangla' was composed by Rabindranath Tagore, reflecting the sentiments of Bengali culture. "The BJP has always insulted the Bengali language, Bengali culture and the people of Bengal. Their IT Cell has also insulted people of Bengal in the past. They have shown ignorance by not knowing the history of Rabindranath Tagore. I think the people of Bengal and Bengali-speaking people in different parts of the country have recognised that the BJP only uses them for votes," he said. (ANI)




Oakland police are searching for a 13-year-old boy who was last seen the morning of Oct. 23 near Westlake Middle School, authorities said Wednesday.

General Malone was last seen just after 7:45 a.m. in the 2600 block of Harrison Street, Oakland police said. Malone, a student at Westlake Middle School, is 5-foot-1 and weighs 100 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a graphic black hoodie and gray sweatpants when last seen, according to a statement from the Oakland Unified School District.

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Malone's family told the police the teenager was healthy before his disappearance.

"General's family is desperate for any help that will lead to his safe return," school district officials said in a Facebook post.

Police ask anyone with information to contact the Oakland Police Department at 510-238-3641.

This article originally published at Oakland police search for missing 13-year-old boy.
NEED TO KNOW

The rate of obese Americans has declined three years after hitting a record high, while diabetes diagnoses are up

More than 7 million Americans are no longer considered obese, according to new data from Gallup

The drop in obesity dovetails with the rise in popularity of GLP-1 medications for weight loss, the data says

Three years after the U.S. obesity rate hit a record high, that number is dropping  while the amount of Americans taking GLP-1 medications continues to skyrocket amid a rise in diabetes diagnoses.

Nearly 40% of Americans qualified as obese in 2022, but this year, its dropped to 37%, according to new data from polling giant Gallup. Although a few percentage points might not seem like a major change, Gallup explains that the decline means approximately 7.6 million Americans are no longer considered obese.

coldsnowstorm/Getty Stock image of someone using a weight loss pen. Stock image of someone using a weight loss pen.

The survey polled 16,946 Americans, who self-reported their height and weight, then Gallup relied on body mass index (BMI) calculations  the historically flawed measurement traditionally used by medical professionals to determine healthy weight ranges  to determine who qualified as obese.

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The data found that, as obesity rates dropped, the number of Americans who said they took GLP-1 medications for weight loss skyrocketed. Since last year alone, usage of the drugs has more than doubled, going from 5.8% in February 2024 to 12.4%.

Overwhelmingly, more women (15.2%) said they take a GLP-1 than men (9.7%)  statistics that mirror how the rate of obesity for women dropped at a higher rate than for men.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

The survey also found that diabetes diagnoses are up, with type 1 and type 2 hitting an all-time high as 13.8% of respondents said they have been diagnosed with the disease, and 14.1% with diabetes said they were taking a GLP-1 for weight loss.

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As the research notes, As diabetes is a lifetime disease, short-term reductions in the obesity rate would not be expected to curtail the percentage of Americans who have been diagnosed with it.

Ariel Skelley/Getty Stock image of a patient having their weight checked. Stock image of a patient having their weight checked.

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GLP-1 is short for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone utilized in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Semaglutide (known by the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy) works in the brain to impact satiety, and tirzepatide (known by the brand name Zepbound) reduces appetite and improves how the body breaks down sugar and fat. The medications are injected in the thigh or stomach.

The biggest drop in obesity was recorded among two age groups  40 to 49 and 50 to 64  which the survey said was also the age groups with the highest rates of GLP-1 use for weight loss.



Read the original article on People
Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb is no stranger to furthering eyebrow-raising ideas.

Lately, for instance, hes been hypothesizing that the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS  broadly believed by his peers to be a comet  is an artifact sent to us by an alien civilization. He has even suggested that the rare visitor may be behind the Wow! Signal, an unusual radio emission that has puzzled scientists since its detection in 1977.

Now, in a new blog post, Loeb suggests that a newly-identified quasi-satellite  a small object with an Earth-like orbit  may also be a visitor from a long-dead intelligent civilization.

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The twist? The civilization in question would be the Soviet Union. Specifically, the researcher suggests that 2025 PN7, a so-called second moon that was first discovered to have been temporarily captured by the Earths gravitational pull in August, could be the remnants of the USSRs Zond 1 mission, which launched in April 1964  a tantalizing theory that isnt as far-fetched as it sounds.

The Zond 1 probe was the second Soviet spacecraft to reach Venus, and the first lander to have been sent there. However, technological issues resulted in scientists losing contact long before it arrived at its intended destination.

With the help of Loebs colleague Adam Hibberd, a software engineer for the nonprofit Initiative for Interstellar Studies, Loeb attempted to retrace the Zond 1 missions interplanetary trajectory and compared it to 2025 PN7s.

Their running theory: Zond 1 struggled to boost itself sufficiently to make it to Venus, circling the Sun in a long-lost orbit  only to have been found again as what astronomers are now calling quasi-satellite 2025 PN7. (Alternatively, Loeb suggested, 2025 PN7 could be the upper stage of the rocket that launched Zond 1.)

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To put their hypothesis to the test, Loeb and Hibberd suggest getting a measurement of the spectrum of 2025 PN7, which could potentially reveal its surface composition and test whether its origin is technological.

Intriguingly, it wouldnt be the first time weve seen a resurfaced relic of human-made technology close to Earth that dates back to the 1960s. In September 2020, the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii spotted an object orbiting the Sun, dubbed 2020 SO  which was eventually identified as the Centaur upper stage of NASAs Surveyor 2 mission.

The mission, the space agencys second uncrewed lunar lander, launched in September 1966. However, the spacecraft lost control due to a course correction failure, dooming it to circle the Sun for over half a century.

More on Loeb: The Mysterious Interstellar Object May Be Slamming on the Brakes, Scientist Says
A 54-year-old Odessa man was arrested and booked into the Ector County jail Tuesday after being accused of raping a 22-year-old friend.

According to an Odessa Police Department report, the woman told authorities on Sept. 10 that she invited her friend, Tony Joe Chau, over to her home the night before and after having some drinks, she decided to go to sleep.

The woman said she woke up to discover herself on her stomach being sexually assaulted by Chau, the report stated. She told him to get off of her and to leave and he did so.

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Odessa crime scene techs collected evidence at the scene and on Oct. 15, Chau told detectives he thought the woman was awake and responding to his advances in a positive way when he began to kiss her neck that morning, the report stated. He then acknowledged theres a chance she wasnt awake.

Chau was released from the jail after posting a $75,000 security bond Tuesday.

The post Odessan facing sexual assault charge appeared first on Odessa American.
California has taken a major step in protecting dozens of marine species off its valuable coastline.

As reported by SeafoodSource, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1056 on Oct. 13. The bill will gradually phase out offshore set gillnets in California, which have become a major source of bycatch. Supporters argue that the move will help reduce the unintended capture of non-target species and protect biodiversity in the region.

In a press release announcing the signing of the bill, California Assemblymember Steve Bennett applauded the move. He first introduced the bill back in February and sees it as a step in the right direction.

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"California's biodiverse underwater ecosystems are world-renowned and we must do our part to keep it that way," Bennett said.

"In my district, the Channel Islands Biosphere Reserve is recognized by UNESCO as one of the last examples of natural Southern California coastal ecosystems. A healthy ocean is critical to community well-being and is the foundation of multi-million dollar fishing and tourism industries. AB 1056 provides a fair and just transition to both fishermen and the fisheries affected," added Bennett in the press release.

The bill includes a "fair and just transition" for the fishermen who currently hold permits. It allows them to continue fishing while preventing the future use of gillnets.

Despite the bill's push to protect marine species, the fishing industry could see a reduction in catch volumes. Fishermen may face increased costs for alternative gear and training as well.

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However, gillnet bans can actually promote an increase in fish stocks and biodiversity in the long term. This can potentially boost revenue for fishermen while also helping increase tourism that often relies on a healthy marine environment.

"Southern California's ocean waters support an incredible diversity of marine life, which in turn sustains ecosystems, tourism, fisheries, and coastal communities," said Caitlynn Birch, marine scientist with Oceana, per the press release. "AB 1056 is a balanced, forward-looking approach that protects ocean biodiversity while ensuring a fair transition for fishermen who depend on this fishery today."

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.

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One South American country recently pledged to protect 90% of its forests, according to the Rainforest Trust.

Suriname is classified as a High Forest, Low Deforestation (HFLD) country thanks to its 93% forest cover and less than 0.2% deforestation, per the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Countries such as Peru, Panama, Zambia, and Guyana also share this distinction.

The country's rainforests are part of the Amazon, which spans nine countries but has faced a 27% increase in deforestation this year. To prevent such loss, Suriname's government made a historic pledge at the Global Citizen NOW session to protect at least 90% of its forest cover forever.

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In addition, President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons will update the protected area's legislation, which also supports Indigenous landownership rights. Restructured laws also leave room to support safe ecotourism.

"The significance of this law is not to be underestimated. This legislation will form the cornerstone of conservation in Suriname for generations to come," John Goedschalk, CEO of Climate Change and Biodiversity Advisory Services, told Rainforest Trust.

Without polluting and extracting industries like mining, Suriname hosts some of the last pristine tropical spaces on the planet. As a result, thousands of species from lowland tapirs to harpy eagles thrive in its forests.

With so much untouched primary forest, it's one of only three countries acting as a carbon sink  meaning it soaks up more carbon than it produces while expelling oxygen. So, Suriname has a big role in the Amazon earning the nickname as the "lungs of the planet" and fighting against rising temperatures. Plus, the entire Amazon boasts countless medicinal plants the Western world relies on, such as cat's claw.

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In other words, the South American country exemplifies the benefits of working together to protect a natural landscape, as others globally also make their mark.

For example, in nearby Chile, a local businessman who bought untouched land for development ended up selling to conservationists instead. One Scottish group acquired land from a rewilding firm to restore ecosystems and reverse housing/economic woes through community-owned housing.

Urban development of "20-minute neighborhoods" focusing on closer facilities, bike lanes, and public transportation helps cut down on driving, which also reduces noise pollution and the air pollution associated with tailpipe exhaust.

From Suriname's rainforest conservation to having more walkable spaces, local and global initiatives can lead to a cleaner and cooler future where all can breathe easier.

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A California family avoided tragedy after a police officer helped save their choking baby

The incident played out on the responding officer's body camera footage on Monday, Sept. 29

"Please, she won't breathe," a woman carrying the baby told the officer

A California family faced a terrifying afternoon when their baby girl suddenly began choking, but fortunately help was just minutes away.

The 911 call came in around 2 p.m. local time and the officer arrived in minutes, according to a social media statement from the Upland Police Department, which also shared body camera footage of the incident.

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After arriving at the residential property, a woman, who was not publicly identified, rushed toward him while carrying the limp baby in her arms.

On Monday, around 2pm, we received a 911 call of a baby not breathing in the area of 13th Street and Campus Avenue. Officers arrived within minutes, saw the baby was unresponsive, and immediately began working on clearing the airway, followed by CPR.



As paramedics arrived, the pic.twitter.com/GICiDphEqt  Upland Police Department (@UplandPD) October 2, 2025

"Please, she won't breathe," she told the officer, "I've never dealt with this."

"Please, please, my baby," she cried as the officer took the infant, placed her on top of his vehicle, began trying to clear her airway and started CPR.

Police said that "as paramedics arrived, the baby started breathing again and was rushed to the hospital."

As for what happened, police said that "doctors believe the baby started choking and went into cardiac arrest."

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The baby remained hospitalized in the aftermath of the incident, but continued to improve and was expected to recover, police said.



"Our dispatchers and officers stand ready for any call that comes in and commend the family for being observant and calling 911 at the first sign of distress," police said.

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.

An Upland Police Department spokesperson was not immediately available to respond to PEOPLE's request for an additional statement about the incident.

Read the original article on People




Officials are looking for a Georgetown man accused of sexually assaulting two children, according to a news release.

The U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force has partnered with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office to find 59-year-old Rutilo Alfonso Renteria. Officials said Renteria is a commercial truck driver with ties to Mercedes, the Rio Grande Valley and Mexico.

According to a warrant, Renteria is accused of assaulting two girls, both under the age of 13 at the time of the alleged assaults. Officials said the assaults occurred in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and Louisana while Renteria was employed as a long-haul truck driver.

Marshals say Rutilo Renteria, 59, sexually assaulted two children. (Courtesy US Marshals Service)





A wanted poster for Renteria lists him as 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighing roughly 200 pounds. Officials said Renteria owns a gray 2015 Nissan van with the Texas license plate FHB-2648, as well as a silver Dodge Charger with the Texas license plate RMN-6003 and a red 2004 Nissan truck with the Texas license plate BP6-5413.

Officials said those with knowledge of Renteria's whereabouts should call the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, make a tip at usmarshals.gov/tips or contact local law enforcement.
(The Center Square) - Only a handful of the 1,880 Head Start centers in California appear likely to close after Saturday because of the federal government shutdown, according to National Head Start Association officials.

However, depending on how much longer past Nov. 1 the federal government continues its shutdown, that could change, association officials said.

Some of those programs might be forced to close, Tommy Sheridan, deputy director of the National Head Start Association, told The Center Square. Many programs are struggling and trying to do everything they can to keep their doors open, but it is a tricky situation, and it does depend on the community.

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Some Head Start centers have been able to acquire other funds, Sheridan told The Center Square, or save money that can continue funding programs through a week or two in November.

However, if the federal shutdown continues well into November, there will be some Head Start centers in California that might have to make the decision to close their doors, according to the association.

An estimated 830 children enrolled in Head Start in California will lose their ability to continue starting Nov. 1, according to an interactive map compiled by The National Head Start Association.

That map on the NHSAs website, which shows the number of children who will lose access to Head Start, also shows that 253 staff will be impacted.

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For thousands of families, Head Start is not optional  it is essential, Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association, said in an Oct. 27 news release issued by the National Head Start Association. With each passing day of the shutdown, families are pushed closer to crisis. Congress must act now to end the shutdown and protect these children, families and communities.

Head Start centers are scattered throughout the state, ranging from Southern California to the San Francisco Bay Area, with some in rural areas, Sheridan said.

Almost $1.46 billion is spent every year to keep operations running in Californias Head Start locations, excluding American Indian and Alaska Native programs and the Agricultural Worker Head Start program, which are funded separately, according to a Head Start California fact sheet.

According to the National Head Start Association, about 140 Head Start locations across the country will be forced to close their doors if the federal shutdown continues. More than 65,000 young children in the U.S. attend Head Start programs nationwide, which is often the only place they can go to learn and get nutritious meals, health screenings and other vital services.

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The ramifications go beyond just closing the doors to families to acquire free, high-quality child care, association officials said. They noted families with no other option for child care will be forced to stay home with their children instead of going to work and forcing Head Start employees to live without pay.

A lot of the communities that Head Start serves, especially in rural areas, Head Start might be the only early childhood program in that area, Sheridan told The Center Square. Certainly child care subsidy resources and things of that kind are things that families rely on, but that is a separate process families would have to go into. It is certainly an issue we are concerned about, and I think a lot of families are going to be really struggling.

Across the state, Head Start funds 80,345 students seats, of which 48,653 is taken up by preschool students. Just more than 500 seats are designated as American Indian/Alaska Native Head Start seats, and 6,416 seats are designated for migrant and seasonal students. More than 26,000 people work for Head Start in California, according to the National Head Start Association 2025 fact sheet. That sheet also shows that more than 59,000 parents with children in Head Start are in school, job training or working.

Employees with the California Department of Social Services, which operates child care programs and services in the state, were not available to field calls from The Center Square on Wednesday.
The Ohio Statehouse. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

Doctors, anti-abortion advocates, and a mother spoke in favor of a bill that would require Ohio public schools to show a video about fetal development to students starting in the third grade.

State Rep. Melanie Miller, RAshland, recently introduced Ohio House Bill 485, also known as the Enact Baby Olivia Act.

The three-minute Meet Baby Olivia video was produced by Live Action, which advocates against abortion, and it shows fertilization and fetal growth.

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Abortion rights advocates call the video misleading and inaccurate.

The minimum the bill requires is showing either the Baby Olivia video or an ultrasound video at least three minutes long.

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Eleven people submitted supporter testimony and five people testified in person during Tuesdays Ohio House Education Committee meeting.

The Baby Olivia educational video provides clear, scientific, and visually compelling evidence of fetal development and humanity, Dr. Bill Lile, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist who is also known as the The ProLife Doc, said during his testimony. These babies in the womb are not abstract ideas  they are living, growing human beings, and they are patients.

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Abortion is legal in Ohio up until 22 weeks of pregnancy. Ohio voters passed a ballot measure in 2023 that added protections to abortion care and reproductive rights to the states constitution.

Dr. Alicia Thompson, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, said the Baby Olivia video shows human life begins the moment of fertilization.

The video illustrates these realities in a way that is both scientifically sound and accessible to students, using clear visual milestones to demonstrate the beauty and complexity of early human life, she said during her testimony.

Planned Parenthood calls the Baby Olivia video inaccurate, misleading, and manipulative.

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Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio President Kate Makra said, The video is medically accurate.

Planned Parenthood notes that the video counts the embryos age from conception, which doctors do not do; claims a fetal heartbeat can be detected at six weeks despite there not being a heart formed and this sound actually an electrical flutter where the heart will later form; and inaccurately displays the look of the embryo, mischaracterizes its activity, and leaves out critical information about at what point it can survive outside the womb.

The Ohio bill would require the video to be shown to students every year starting in third grade through twelfth grade beginning with the 2026-27 school year.

State Rep. Sean Brennan, D-Parma, questioned showing the same video to a third grader and a high school senior.

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Is it appropriate to show the same video to elementary school kids, middle school kids, high school kids? Brennan, a former educator, asked. Wouldnt it be a better idea to allow a lot more flexibility to the district to tailor the video to the students developmental capabilities?

State Rep. Gayle Manning, R-Avon, spent much of her career teaching third grade.

I cant imagine explaining to my children what is going on in the video when at third grade, many kids dont have any idea, she said. To me, that is something that a parent should have a discussion before I would, as a teacher.

Makra agreed parents should have conversations with their children about fetal development, but said that does not always happen.

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I think a lot of parents are not doing that, and thats why we find there are so many unplanned pregnancies, she said. I think even a young child would be able to look at the images and be able to gain an understanding of whats being conveyed in the video.

Ohio students deserve to know the science behind conception, Makra said.

State Rep. Jena Powell, R-Arcanum

Ohios science curriculum requires teaching animal and plant reproduction from the First Grade  seed growth and frog cycles  yet inexplicably skips human prenatal development, she said in her testimony. If we teach life cycles of plants and animals, why arent we teaching humans from conception?

Former Ohio state Rep. Jena Powell said the purpose of the bill is educational, not political.

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It gives young Ohioans access to scientific, factual information about the earliest stages of human life, she said, reflecting on seeing her own babys ultrasound. By seeing what happens inside the wombthe heartbeat, the movement, the growthstudents will gain a deeper understanding of biology, of life, and of the impact their choices can have on others.

Similar bills have been introduced in more than 20 other states so far this session and Idaho, Kansas, North Dakota, Tennessee, Iowa, and Indiana have enacted similar bills into law.

Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky.

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The Koregaon Bhima Commission, probing the January 1, 2018, violence near the memorial in Pune district, has issued a show-cause notice to former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. The notice has been issued in connection with an application filed by Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) President Prakash Ambedkar seeking the issuance of a bailable warrant against Thackeray. Ambedkar had approached the commission earlier this year, claiming that NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar had written a letter to Thackeray when he was the Chief Minister of Maharashtra in 2020, alleging the violence was a conspiracy by certain right-wing groups. Commission counsel Ashish Satpute informed that the probe panel issued the notice on Thursday and sought an explanation from Uddhav Thackeray on why the application filed by Prakash Ambedkar should not be allowed. Probe Commision Notice mentioned that, "Whereas this Commission had issued notices against you (Uddhav Thackeray) as per the application filed by Prakash Ambedkar through his Advocate Kiran Kadam for production of certain documents on September 12, 25 and October 27, 2025 and you failed to respond to the same despite service thereof; And whereas, Prakash Ambedkar through his Advocate Kiran Kadam had filed an application for issuing a bailable warrant against you to secure your presence for the purpose of production of the said documents and the Commission was pleased to issue a notice requiring you to show cause as to why the said application should not be allowed." "Therefore, you are directed to remain present either in person or through an authorised representative at the abovementioned address on 2nd December, 2025, at 11.00 AM and show cause as to why the said application should not be allowed." Notice further reads, "If you fail to comply with this show cause notice, further action as permissible in law would be taken against you." On January 1, 2018, violence broke out between two groups near the war memorial in Pune district during the bicentennial commemoration of the 1818 Battle of Koregaon Bhima. (ANI)
Ohio could be closer to approving a new congressional map.

"I am hopeful we will have a bipartisan agreement, Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, told reporters on Oct. 29. I think conversations have gone better this week than they've gone in the preceding weeks, so we'll see.

The seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission, tasked with crafting 15 new congressional districts, is slated to meet at 4 p.m. Oct. 30.

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Stay informed: Get the latest on Ohio's redistricting fight and other political news

Here are the dynamics in late October: Democrats lose most of their negotiating leverage when the calendar turns to November. At that point, Republicans can then approve new congressional districts without any Democratic votes. Democrats have threatened to put any unfavorable map up for statewide vote in 2026, an expensive and uncertain process.

Ohios current congressional delegation includes 10 Republicans and five Democrats. The seats at play in redistricting negotiations are currently held by Democrats Rep. Greg Landsman of Cincinnati, Rep. Emilia Sykes of Akron and Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Toledo,

A source close to Columbus Democrats said they wouldnt sign off on a new congressional map without a path to at least three seats.

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Punchbowl News reported on Oct. 29 that Republicans had offered a congressional map compromise that has Sykes and Landsman in toss-up districts, while making Kapturs district more Republican. Ohio Republicans and Democrats did not respond to the statehouse bureau's requests for details about that proposal.

In 2024, Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in Congress, eked out a win over former state Rep. Derek Merrin while President Donald Trump won the congressional district by nearly 7 percentage points.

A longtime legislative source said Republicans pushed to add more than 10 percentage points to Kapturs district. McColley, who lives near Kapturs current district, cannot run for the Ohio Senate again because of term limits.

Earlier on Oct. 29, Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, explained the trade-offs both parties must make in October. Democrats risk losing any control if they dont make a deal this month. Republicans risk lawsuits and the possibility of a ballot campaign to block the new map.

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This system is set up with a series of compromises and choices that each side has to make, he said. In this current period, theres a set of choices that the majority party and the Democratic party can make and mutually benefit and mutually not get everything that they want.

State Bureau reporter Haley BeMiller contributed to this report.

State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@gannett.com or @jbalmert on X.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio leader 'hopeful' about bipartisan compromise on congressional map
Intoxicating hemp products and various candies at an Oct. 8, 2025 press conference. (Photo by Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal).

The Ohio Senate on Wednesday voted unanimously not to concur with House changes to a bill that would add regulations to intoxicating hemp products and alter the states marijuana laws.

The Ohio House passed Ohio Senate Bill 56 last week with a bipartisan vote. The Senate originally passed the bill in February, but the House made major changes, most notably by adding intoxicating hemp regulations.

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Theres so much in this bill that has changed from what we passed here, a lot of it not for the better, said state Sen. Bill DeMora, D-Columbus.

The bill will now go to conference committee, a temporary group of Ohio House and Senate lawmakers that come together to work out differences between versions of the bill.

State Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, introduced Ohio S.B. 56 in January.

I think its abundantly clear we need a regulatory structure around hemp and intoxicating hemp products, said Ohio Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon. We have some issues to work out, but Im confident we can work those issues out.

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The 2018 Farm Bill says hemp can be grown legally if it contains less than 0.3% THC.

As S.B. 56 is currently written, only a licensed hemp dispensary would be able to sell intoxicating hemp products to adults 21 and older.

The dispensaries would be required to meet standards for testing, advertising, and packaging. A 10% tax would be added to intoxicating hemp sales.

The bill would limit the number of active hemp dispensaries to 400.

The bill would allow certain hemp dispensaries to be grandfathered in if they sold intoxicating hemp products on or before Aug. 30 and hemp products sales surpassed 80% of their total sales for 2024 or the 12 months before the bill takes effect.

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Ohio Sen. Shane Wilkin, R-Hillsboro, said the bill fails to close the loophole for synthetic THC.

The bill would also allow for an enormous amount of hemp dispensaries to be placed around the state with no restrictions on how close they could be to a marijuana dispensary, he said.  Additionally, there would be grandfathering of those currently selling these unregulated, untested products.

THC-infused beverages are also included in the bill.

A bar or restaurant would be able to sell 5 milligram THC-infused beverages for patrons to drink on site, while a store would be able to sell 10 milligram THC-infused beverages for carry-out.

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There are several changes to the marijuana law, as well as drinkable hemp beverages that I believe need more vetting, Wilkin said.

On the marijuana side, the bill would reduce the THC levels in adult-use marijuana extracts from a maximum of 90% down to a maximum of 70%, cap THC levels in adult-use flower to 35%, limit the number of active marijuana dispensaries and prohibit smoking in most public places.

Ohioans passed a citizen-initiated law to legalize recreational marijuana in 2023 with 57% of the vote, and sales started in August 2024.

Ohio recreational marijuana sales topped $702.5 million in the first year.

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Ohio lawmakers can change the law since it passed as a citizen initiative not a constitutional amendment.

The bill would give 36% of adult-use marijuana sale revenue to municipalities and townships that have recreational marijuana dispensaries and people would also be able to apply for expungement of low-level marijuana convictions.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced earlier this month a 90-day executive order that bans the sale of intoxicating hemp products that started on Oct.14, but a Franklin County Court of Common judge has placed a temporary restraining order on DeWines ban until Dec. 2.

The people of Ohio want us to do something about these products, DeMora said.

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The governor tried to do something, and was stuck because he didnt do it the proper way. It is up to us to make sure now that we can do something to end these things to get out of the hands of kids.

Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, said she welcomes conference committee.

We feel a sense of urgency as well, she said. The other thing were aware of is get this right while theres this pause in the governors ban to get it done.

Follow Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on Bluesky.

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(WKBN)  A bill being introduced in the Ohio legislature would force businesses and other entiries to accept cash as payment.

Representative David Thomas, R-Jefferson, introduced the CASH (Currency Access to Spend Here) Act (H.B. 554). Its passage would ensure that Ohioans could use cash as payment at businesses or government offices for transactions of $500 or less.

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The bill would mandate that at least one cash-accepting register or payment option be present.

Its simple, cash is the basis for business in America. Our taxpayers should always have the ability to use cash in their daily lives, Thomas said. I hear from residents who may not trust virtual payment options or just prefer to use physical cash. This bill balances the needs of government and business to be efficient with the ability to still rely on physical currency.

Many entities in Ohio have gone cashless, such as at sporting events and other outdoor venues; however, a state law in 2023 requires that all OHSAA high schools offer a cash option for the community to attend games.

Similar bipartisan legislation has been introduced in Congress by Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND).

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The CASH Act is awaiting its first hearing in the House General Government Committee.

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.
Child care file image. (Photo by Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent/States Newsroom.)

The leaders of multiple child care businesses in Ohio urged state lawmakers once again to support measures to boost child care in the state.

Members of the business and advocacy sectors also joined in to ask for further supports for those who take care of the states children while the childrens parents work.

They all spoke in support of Ohio House Bill 484, which would create a pilot program within the Ohio Department of Children and Youth to allow child care workers to themselves receive Publicly Funded Child Care regardless of household income.

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The pilot program would last from fiscal year 2026 to 2027 if approved, similar to measures states like Michigan and Kentucky have already put into practice.

Tashianna Kwakye said the legislation represents an optimistic future for child care businesses like the one she owns, with workforces dwindling because of the need for their own child care.

Many providers are waiting for this, its the hope that we hold on to so that we dont close, Kwakye said.

The business owner told the Ohio House Children and Human Services Committee the high cost of child care, the shortage of workers and the lack of public funding for those workers cripples our businesses and thereby cripples our economy.

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Previously, I testified that 80% of our child care workers needed child care, Kwakye said. Since that testimony, we have lost 60% of our staff at our Dayton and Columbus locations. The employees left work after not qualifying for (Publicly Funded Child Care).

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Kwakye said the business attempted to lighten the burden for workers by discounting tuition by 50%, and increasing salaries.

Still, workers werent able to afford tuition, forcing the closure of rooms and elimination of slots in the rooms that are still open.

Without open slots in child care facilities, families are often forced to leave the workforce to take care of their kids, impacting the economy of the state as a whole, along with the individual families.

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We have a window of opportunity now to ensure that Ohio has a stable and qualified workforce ready to meet employer needs, said Rick Carfagna, senior vice president at the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

Unfortunately, we have an entire demographic of Ohioans that are skilled, educated and hardworking, yet not able to fully participate in the labor force because child care in our state is too scarce, and when available is too expensive.

Even those who are working and can find available child care have to shell out much of their paychecks to gain access.

According to recent research by the national First Five Years Fund, the annual price of center-based care in Ohio for one child is estimated at $13,780, or more than $1,100 per month.

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Home-based care runs an estimated $880 per month, according to the research.

Child care costs in Ohio represent 11.1% of the median income for a married couple, and 40% of a single parents household income for center-based care.

It costs just as much to have someone watch your kid while you go to work as it does to put your kid through college, Carfagna said.

The child care challenges are having an impact on the amount of kids that are coming into existence as well, with Carfagna citing a state report that shows projected population decline of 675,000 people by 2050, a drop of 5.7%.

People simply are not having children to the extent that they once did, Carfagna said, attributing the change largely to the expenses of child care.

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That concerns Ohio Right to Life, a lobby group that promotes pregnancy and speaks out against abortion.

From our interactions with parents and caregivers across all demographics, we know that child care remains one of the largest obstacles in building a family, said Katie DeLand, Ohio Right to Lifes director of policy and legislative affairs.

The bill has a chance of making it through the legislature with Republican sponsors at the helm.

It follows other measures attempting to improve child care in the state through the most recent state operating budget, though some changes in the budget left advocates and workers wanting.

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The budget included $10 million for a Child Care Cred Program, allowing cost-sharing among employers, employees and the state for child care.

Under the budget, participating employers and eligible employees would pay 40% each for the care costs, while the state would cover the other 20%.

The Child Care Choice Voucher Program was also left in the budget, with $50 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) dollars set to go to the program over the next two years.

The budget also included a grant program for child care worker recruitment, but the provision saw a cut amid the budget process, receiving $2.85 million over two years in the final approved budget.

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The budget did not include one of the most sought-after items for child care advocates: a jump in eligibility for Publicly Funded Child Care.

Researchers in the state have said more funding for child care needs to come directly from the state, rather than from federal sources, but the assistance for low-income families topped the lists of many who engaged with the legislature as budget talks went on.

After the budget was signed by Gov. Mike DeWine, Lynanne Gutierrez, president and CEO of child advocacy group Groundwork Ohio said without new action, the state would face a $600 million shortfall in child care funding next biennium as one-time federal dollars dry up.

Legislators maintained the previous eligibility for Publicly Funded Child Care of 145% of the federal poverty level, though advocates had pleaded for a raise to at least 160%, if not 200%.

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The level keeps the state as one of the lowest in the country in household eligibility for the program, something that is a hardship for Kwakyes workers.

Many workers who were forced to leave her facilities said they were denied Publicly Funded Child Care because they didnt meet the income qualifications, but some were denied out of error or the need for further employment verification.

In all cases, the lack of help with child care forced them out of the workforce.

The new bill comes as a government shutdown threatens a number of federal Head Start early childhood programs in the state.

Groundwork Ohio urged supporters on Tuesday to contact Congress members and demand an end to the shutdown.

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If the shutdown continues, seven of the states 59 Head Start providers will be forced to close as early as Nov. 1, according to the email from Groundwork.

That means 3,738 children could lose access to early learning, nutritious meals and health screenings, Groundwork stated.

More than 900 teachers and drivers could be furloughed and over 1,500 working parents could lose the child care they depend on to stay employed.

The government shutdown has been ongoing since Oct. 1, when Congress couldnt agree on the appropriation of funds for the federal government to continue.

The stalemate carries on as Republicans say they wont negotiate while the government is shutdown, and Democrats wont agree to a reopening that doesnt include Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that are set to expire.

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Ohio leaders are wrestling with how  if at all  to help 1.4 million people who may soon struggle to afford food.

Ohioans who receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will not get their monthly payments Nov. 1 because of the federal government shutdown. Republicans and Democrats in Congress are deadlocked on a plan to fund the government, making this the second-longest shutdown in history.

Stay informed: Sign up for our weekly Ohio politics newsletter

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SNAP distributes about $263 million to recipients in Ohio each month.

Here's what you need to know.

Can Ohio pay for SNAP benefits?

SNAP is a federally funded program, and the state's only role is to verify recipients' eligibility, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Money is loaded onto Ohioans' EBT cards each month.

Dan Tierney, a spokesperson for Gov. Mike DeWine, said Ohio can't backfill SNAP because it doesn't have access to the federal system. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said states won't get a refund if they cover SNAP expenses on their own, USA TODAY reported.

"The state of Ohio and other states can no more pay for this federal program than we can pay the salaries of the United States Marine Corps or air traffic controllers," said Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima.

Volunteers pack boxes for seniors at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective in Grove City in this March 27, 2025 file photo.

Ohio Republicans reject plan to fund SNAP with state money

Republicans who control the Ohio House and Senate rejected proposals to send money to food banks and cover lapses in SNAP with Ohio's rainy-day fund. GOP lawmakers said this would hurt the state's fiscal standing and blamed U.S. Senate Democrats for the impending crisis.

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Democrats in Washington have refused to support a spending bill unless it extends health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.

"They lit this fire, and now they want us to bail them out and put out the fire," Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, said on Oct. 29.

Ohio House Democrats say the state has other tools in its tool box. They asked DeWine to declare an emergency and help provide up to $100 million for food banks. Lawmakers also urged him to take a page from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and deploy the Ohio National Guard to food banks that request help with deliveries.

A volunteer restocks produce at Freestore Foodbank in Cincinnati on Oct. 27.

Rep. Latyna Humphrey, D-Columbus, said she's been told there are limitations with the rainy-day fund, but she contends Ohio has other money on hand to help people in need.

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"They are scared," Humphrey said of her constituents. "These are unprecedented times. Never been in a situation like this. They are afraid because they don't necessarily feel heard by the Trump administration."

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is looking at ways to bridge the gap, according to Tierney. But he argued ending the shutdown is the quickest way to get food assistance to people.

"Anything that the state does will probably take longer and be a fraction of that," Tierney said.

What are other states doing?

Louisiana lawmakers approved up to $150 million to address the suspension of SNAP benefits. Governors in New York and Minnesota announced new funding for food banks and other assistance. A group of Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's position that it can't use contingency funds for November SNAP payments.

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Ohio is not part of that lawsuit. Instead, Attorney General Dave Yost joined other Republican attorneys general in asking Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to support a clean resolution to reopen the government without addressing the issue of expiring ACA subsidies.

Can Congress fund SNAP during shutdown?

Ohio's Republican U.S. Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno back legislation that would fund SNAP during the shutdown. But the bill doesn't have support from Senate Majority Leader John Thune and likely won't go anywhere, USA TODAY reported.

Reporter Laura A. Bischoff contributed.

State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at hbemiller@gannett.com or @haleybemiller on X.

Tell us what you think Ohio leaders should do

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio lawmakers debate SNAP funding as government shutdown continues
Oct. 30Grocers and retailers who accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds are bracing for a drop in sales starting this weekend as funding for the federal food assistance program dries up amidst the nearly month-long government shutdown.

Greg Ferrara, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association, said a lapse in funding will disrupt food access, creating instability for shoppers, retailers and communities.

Nearly 48 million Americans depend on SNAP benefits.

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"The National Grocers Association call on leaders in Congress from both sides of the aisle to find a funding solution that reopens the government as quickly as possible," Ferrara said.

SNAP supports more than 388,000 jobs nationwide, generating more than $20 billion in wages and $4.5 billion in tax revenue, according to the National Grocers Association.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services estimates 1.4 million Ohioans would be impacted by the loss of SNAP funds. More than 200,000 residents in this region rely on SNAP to help feed their families.

Kristin Mullins, president and CEO of the Ohio Grocers Association, said grocery stores and retailers this weekend are preparing to deal with customers who may not understand why their funds are not there.

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She said stores typically see a drop in sales at the end of the month as SNAP money runs out, but get hit on the first day of the month.

"There's not much hope that this weekend is going to go smoothly," Mullins said.

Mullins said the association is providing signage for member stores to help inform customers about what is happening and what options the customers have.

The Ohio Grocers Association represents about 400 members statewide.

"With SNAP benefits set to be halted beginning Nov. 1, we're preparing for a ripple effect across the community," said Tina Patterson, CEO of Homefull. "We're already seeing individuals and families struggle to make ends meet, and many are turning to Gettysburg Grocery and our other Homefull programs for help."

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Homefull is a Dayton-based non-profit that provides services for housing assistance and food insecurity.

Homefull opened the Gettysburg Grocery, 811 S. Gettysburg Ave., in January as part of a larger development that includes medical offices, a pharmacy and a food hub designed to address the area's access to fresh food and services.

Gem City Market, a community-owned, full-service grocery store in Dayton, estimates SNAP dollars account for 25% to 26% of its annual sales.

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SNAP recipients by county

Montgomery 82,895 $14.4 million

Butler 40,064 $6.6 million

Clark 23,661 $4.1 million

Greene 14,822 $2.6 million

Warren 11,573 $1.9 million

Miami 9,995 $1.5 million

Source: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services SNAP Population Metrics September 2025
Oct. 29Ohio lawmakers on Wednesday contemplated authorizing the state to pay for food stamps and other federal subsidies before federal funding lapses on Nov. 1, though ultimately nothing was done.

The prolonged federal government shutdown has cast serious doubt on the government's ability to continue funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, a federal safety net that helps about one in eight Americans buy groceries. Those benefits will run dry starting Saturday.

It's estimated that 12% of American households will be directly impacted by a SNAP funding lapse. In Montgomery County, 13.5% of households are on SNAP, compared to 9.5% and 18.4% of households in Butler and Clark counties, respectively.

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On Wednesday, Ohio Senate Democrats proposed amending a bill to authorize the state of Ohio to use its nearly $4 billion "rainy day" or Budget Stabilization Fund to continue funding SNAP benefits in Ohio in the event of a federal lapse.

Sen. Kent Smith, D-Euclid, who proposed the amendment, said it would cost the state about $263 million a month to fund a stopgap. His proposal would have pressed the federal government to reimburse Ohio for the funds, though a federal reimbursement wouldn't be guaranteed.

Republicans unanimously argued that it is not the state's responsibility to make amends for the federal government's dysfunction, and that using the state's budget stabilization fund to pay for social programs is outside the fund's intended purpose.

The most vociferous argument against the proposal came from Sen. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, who called it "appalling."

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"It's appalling because it fails to recognize why we have this problem, why we are in this fix in the first place, and where the solution lies," Cirino said. "It's not the federal government, it's not the White House, it's not the Congress in total. It's the (U.S.) Senate Democrats, except for one. They lit this fire, and now they want us to bail them out and put out the fire."

Ohio Senate Democrats, meanwhile, argued that finger-pointing fails to alleviate a problem that will soon hit tens of thousands of Ohio households, in red and blue districts alike.

"One of the most frustrating things about politics is that there are those who fall in the crossfire," said Sen. Willis Blackshear, D-Dayton. "But we must ask ourselves as elected officials: What are we gonna do to make sure that nobody goes hungry?"

The amendment was voted down by the Senate along party lines, 23-to-9. Democrats put up a similar proposal in the House, which was also shot down by the controlling Republican supermajority.

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After the vote, Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, characterized the shutdown to reporters as "ridiculous" and "far too long." He placed responsibility for the shutdown on U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY.

"There's no reason we should be in this situation; there's no reason this should be even up for debate here in the chamber today," McColley said. "This is something that Washington, D.C., the Democrats in the United States Senate, need to get in the room, fix it, and then continue negotiations on whatever priorities they have on a going-forward basis."

A similar proposal, debate and result played out in the Ohio House. Afterward, House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn, D-Cincinnati, and a slate of Democratic lawmakers called on Gov. Mike DeWine to declare a state of emergency and look for solutions.

"This is about as big an emergency as we're going to see," Isaacsohn said.

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"One-point-four million Ohioans stand to lose their SNAP benefits this Saturday. And when those cards come up empty, that means 580,000 children will not be getting enough to eat," said Isaacsohn. "Two-hundred-thousand seniors, 45,000 veterans rely on those benefits for their basic access to food."

DeWine's office has held a steady stance that the state is more or less hamstrung unless the legislature makes a law to specifically allow the state to use its reserves.

"The sole purpose of the Budget Stabilization Fund is to support a previously enacted budget if state revenue decreases in an economic downturn. The fund may be accessed only (if) the Ohio General Assembly enacts legislation to do so," said DeWine spokesperson Dan Tierney, in a statement.

But even if the governor's office did have the power to commit state funds to a SNAP stopgap measure, DeWine's administration isn't necessarily champing at the bit to do so.

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"Any state solution is a temporary bandage," Tierney said. "The easiest way to fund SNAP is for Congress, and specifically the U.S. Senate, to act and fund SNAP in a permanent budget or continuing resolution."

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An Oakland, Calif., grocery store displays a sign notifying shoppers that it accepts electronic benefit transfer cards used by state welfare departments to issue food assistance benefits. States are just beginning to implement changes to work requirements for the national food stamp program approved by Congress and President Donald Trump this summer. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

As nearly 1.5 million low-income Ohioans face the loss of food assistance in the coming days, two statewide Republicans appear to be posing a choice to congressional Democrats: Pick between that and health care subsidies received by 514,000 low and middle-income residents, because they wont go along with both.

A partial government shutdown is almost a month old.

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Congressional Democrats have refused to sign on to a funding bill if Republicans dont agree to extend subsidies to buy health insurance on marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act.

In the absence of the subsidies  which are scheduled to expire Jan. 1  health care costs will more than double for 24 million Americans, the health-analysis nonprofit KFF reports.

Congressional Republicans this summer passed President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

It provides about $1 trillion in tax cuts to the richest 1% of Americans over 10 years, while it cuts nearly the same amount from Medicaid.

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It also cuts $186 billion from the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, the deepest cuts in the programs history.

While the Trump bill extended 2017 tax cuts favoring the wealthy, congressional Republicans so far have refused to extend the ACA subsidies, which started in 2021.

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As the shutdown resulting from the impasse has gone on, millions of federal employees havent been paid, with millions of military personnel potentially joining them on Dec. 1.

The cuts to food assistance, or SNAP, under the Trump law were already slated to begin phasing in on Nov. 1. But with the shutdown, funding for the program threatens to stop altogether.

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Last summer, when the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed, operators of Ohios food banks said they were already overstretched because high food costs increased the number of hungry people, while also making supplies more expensive.

That was before they faced complete defunding of SNAP, however temporary  and before some of those unpaid federal workers began to depend on their services.

While we stand ready to assist those affected, our resources are already stretched thin, with an average of 1.4 million Ohioans visiting our food pantries each month, and a prolonged shutdown will add strain on our network, the Ohio Association of Food Banks said in a written statement.

We are counting on our donors, supporters and communities to step up in any way they can as our network continues its response. This situation underscores the vital role of public-private partnerships in supporting working families.

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Think tank Policy Matters Ohio said that Congress doesnt need to pass a bill to extend food benefits; Trump has the power to do that unilaterally.

Past practice and guidance from the Government Accountability Office are crystal clear that the SNAP contingency reserve is available to cover regular SNAP benefits, Executive Director Hannah Halbert said earlier this week in a written statement.

This administrations choice to deviate from shutdown funding norms suggests their willingness to allow hunger to take a back seat to partisan politics.

She called on Ohio U.S. Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted, both Republicans, to urge Trump to extend the reserve funds to hungry Ohioans.

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Husteds office was asked whether he had asked the Trump administration to look for ways the government can keep SNAP funded. It didnt respond.

A spokeswoman for Moreno pointed to a bill he had cosponsored. Introduced by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., it would give the secretary of agriculture the power to appropriate money for SNAP  a power that Policy Matters and other organizations contend the secretary and the president already have.

The bill makes no mention of the expiring health care subsidies.

Asked if Moreno believed that Senate Democrats should allow those to expire in order to save food assistance, the spokeswoman didnt respond.

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Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Tuesday led 18 Republican attorneys general in a letter calling on Democrats to end the crisis over SNAP.

Addressed to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., it urged him to lead his caucus in agreeing to a clean funding bill.

To do that, Democrats would have to abandon their demand for extended health subsidies.

This does not need to happen, Yosts letter said of the loss of SNAP funding. Congress can stop the threat right now by passing a clean continuing resolution that keeps essential services funded and protects those who rely on them. You have the power to prevent a crisis that is entirely avoidable.

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Yosts office was asked why the Republican A.G.s didnt also write to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., given that he has more power than Schumer.

It was also asked whether Yost was, in effect, pushing for the expiration of the health subsidies.

It didnt respond.

As the loss of food assistance looms for a million-and-a-half Ohioans, groups that have been leading protests against Trump called on people to help.

The No Kings Alliance, which led huge protests across the country Oct. 18, is urging people to give to food banks, support local shelters and organize give-back drives.

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Ohio will spend $25 million on food banks and aid for low-income families as more than 1 million Ohioans prepare to lose money from the federal government.

The announcement from Gov. Mike DeWine, Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, and House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, came days before funding lapses for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. The U.S. Department of Agriculture won't issue November payments because of the federal shutdown that began Oct. 1.

About 1.4 million Ohioans receive $263 million from SNAP each month.

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"This is not a substitute for SNAP," DeWine told reporters Oct. 30. "Not every family is going to get additional funds. But we wanted to target specifically those families where we thought that they really, desperately would need the money, would need the help."

Patrick, a volunteer, restocks produce at the Freestore Foodbank in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025.

DeWine signed an executive order to give $7 million to Ohio food banks and $18 million to 63,000 people who receive assistance through Ohio Works First. The $18 million will increase monthly benefits for Ohioans in that program, which helps families who are at or below 50% of the federal poverty level.

Ohio Democrats repeatedly called on DeWine to declare an emergency and provide up to $100 million for food banks. Some lawmakers urged the state to backfill SNAP itself, but DeWine's office said that's not possible because it's a federal system.

SNAP is funded by the federal government, and Ohio's only role is to verify recipients' eligibility, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. USDA said states won't get a refund if they cover SNAP expenses on their own.

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Sen. Kent Smith, D-Euclid, called the funding "crumbs from the table of opulence."

"This is a nice attempt to say they did something, to ease their guilty conscience for continuing to advocate for the wealthy in this state and do nothing for those that are struggling," Smith said. "Sure, thank you, but not nearly enough."

Ohio isn't the only state attempting to bridge the gap. Louisiana lawmakers approved up to $150 million to address the suspension of SNAP benefits, while governors in New York, Minnesota and Illinois announced new funding for food banks.

In an interview with the statehouse bureau, U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, said states shouldn't be forced to take responsibility for the loss of benefits.

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We look to these other people to solve the problem when the root cause is the 45 no votes that we keep getting every time this issue comes up," Husted said. "Those 45 members of the U.S. Senate need to be held account for the failure, not state legislatures or governors."

(This story was updated with additional information.)

Reporter Jessie Balmert contributed.

State government reporter Haley BeMiller can be reached at hbemiller@gannett.com or @haleybemiller on X.

What do you think?

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio to pay for food assistance ahead of loss in SNAP benefits
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Ohio State University celebrated the 60th birthday of its mascot, Brutus Buckeye, by breaking the Guinness World Record for the most conical party hats worn at a single event.

The school gathered 1,923 people to don party hats Wednesday at the Recreation and Physical Activity Center on campus.

The gathering took the Guinness World Record from Britain's Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, which gathered 1,161 people in party hats in 2019.

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Dave Isaacs, spokesperson for the Office of Student Life at OSU, said the idea of breaking a Guinness World Record for Brutus' 60th birthday was born out of a desire to top the 50th birthday celebration in 2015.

"This was one of the ideas that came up. We ran with it and here we are," Isaacs told WSYX-TV.
In a strong step towards strengthening women-led entrepreneurship in Assam, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday distributed cheques containing seed capital of Rs. 10,000 each to 27,573 women beneficiaries from Self Help Groups (SHGs) under Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan for Sadiya Legislative Assembly at a programme held at Sadiya, a press release said. According to the release, the initiative reflects the Government of Assam's commitment to empowering women with financial independence and enabling them to play a transformative role in the state's rural economy. Under the abhiyan, 26,342 beneficiaries belong to rural areas and 1,231 to urban areas in the Sadiya constituency. Addressing the beneficiaries at a programme held at Sadiya Government Higher Secondary School playground, Chief Minister Sarma said that through Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, the state government aims to build a new Assam where women can live with dignity as the pillars of their households. Dr. Sarma stated that the state has about four lakh self-help groups involving over 40 lakh women. "Since the formation of these groups, women have stepped beyond their homes, established linkages with banks, learned about various government schemes, and begun taking active roles in community work. Women's self-help groups in Assam have borrowed nearly Rs 21,000 crore from banks and have been repaying their loans." "With about ninety-nine per cent of women repaying their loans promptly, Assam's self-help groups have earned nationwide admiration. Several groups have received invitations from other states to share their experiences. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also invited Assam's "Lakhpati Baideus" to Delhi to participate in the Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations. The SHGs from Assam have participated in major exhibitions across the country, where they displayed and sold their products, earning wide appreciation," CM Sarma said. The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had shared his vision of creating three crore "Lakhpati Baideus" in India during a meeting in Jorhat and had advised Assam to work toward empowering its women accordingly. Inspired by the Prime Minister's call, the state government, after due discussion with successful women entrepreneurs, has launched MMUA to help the women in Assam become financially independent. CM Sarma highlighted how women, through their involvement in self-help groups, have strengthened both their families and the state's economy. Citing examples from the Sadiya constituency, the Chief Minister mentioned the success of Monika Das, a member of the Borshi Self-Help Group from Sonowal village No. 1. Using a loan of one lakh rupees through the group's bank linkage and support from the State Livelihood Mission, she established a shoe and sandal business. She now earns about Rs 8,500 per month, improving her family's standard of living. Similarly, Nibharati Gogoi, a member of the Jugamiya Self-Help Group from Kapoupathar, engaged in integrated farming. With a combined investment of Rs. 1 lakh and a loan of Rs. 20,000 from her group, she ventured into fishery, livestock, turmeric, paddy, betel nut, and vegetable cultivation. Recently, she added tailoring to her work and earns about Rs. 12,000 per month, a release said. The Chief Minister noted that the Sadiya constituency has many such inspiring examples. "The State government has complete faith in the strength and capability of Assam's women. History has shown that Assamese women succeed in every task they undertake. They have always played a vital role in guiding society." "To enable 40 lakh women to contribute to strengthening the market economy, the government decided to provide them with an opportunity. Acknowledging that MMUA is a major step for a state with limited financial resources like Assam," he said that implementing the scheme required nearly Rs 4000 crore. Over the past two years, the government has gradually accumulated funds, making the implementation of this initiative possible. The Chief Minister noted that the present State government aims to bring positive changes to women's lives in Assam. "The government is moving toward introducing a law in the Assam Legislative Assembly to prohibit polygamy, which will be presented in the upcoming November session. The government's strict actions against child marriage have nearly ended the practice in the state," the Chief Minister said. He observed that people are now witnessing the benefits of schemes such as free admissions, financial support for marriage, distribution of bicycles and scooters, and the Orunodoi scheme. The government continues to increase the Orunodoi fund, and from January 1 next year, each Orunodoi beneficiary will receive an additional Rs. 250 per month for purchasing LPG cylinders. He said that thirty thousand families in Sadiya Legislative Assembly Constituency have already benefited from the Orunodoi scheme, as he announced that another three thousand eligible families who have not yet been included will now receive approval. Families with ration cards will also begin to get sugar, lentils, and salt at subsidised prices from December. Speaking about development in Sadiya, the Chief Minister highlighted various government initiatives such as electrification of remote villages like Amarapur, road and flood control projects, and granting land rights to those previously deprived. The administration is preparing to distribute land titles to five thousand families in Amarapur. He remarked that Sadiya has now developed into a growing and prosperous district compared to its condition in 2001. Tea Tribe Welfare Minister Rupesh Gowala, MP Pradan Baruah, MLAs Bolin Chetia, Snajay Kishan, Suren Phukan, Mission Director ASRLM Kuntal Moni Sarma Bordoloi, and host of others were present on the occasion. (ANI)
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  Okaloosa County will celebrate Veterans Day with an unveiling of two statues of women veterans, according to an Okaloosa County news release.

Baldwin County Sheriffs Office seeks stabbing suspect

The unveiling will be part of a veteran appreciation event that is set for Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center on Okaloosa Island.

We love our veterans in Okaloosa County, and we want to make sure they feel our appreciation with this event, Okaloosa County Vice Chairman Carolyn Ketchel said. We are also very proud to unveil two magnificent statues of women veterans that will be added to the Women Veterans Park.

The Okaloosa County Women Veterans Park will feature statues honoring women veterans from the area and benches honoring women veteran groups. (Courtesy of Okaloosa County)

The life-size statues feature Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, a maintenance technician with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and an Iroquois warrior woman who served in the War of 1812.

Sgt. Nicole Gee, a Marine who died while helping evacuate Kabul in 2021, will be honored with a statue of her image at the Okaloosa County Women Veterans Park. (Courtesy of Okaloosa County)

Gee helped with the evacuation of Kabul by communicating and facilitating support for Afghan women and children.

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On Aug. 27, 2021, Gee was helping with the evacuation of Kabul when a suicide bomber killed 18 U.S. service members, including Gee.

Several Iroquois women, serving as cooks for the U.S. military, also served in combat alongside their husbands during the War of 1812. A statue of an Iroquois woman will be erected at the Okaloosa County Women Veterans Park to represent the 5 women who served. (Courtesy of Okaloosa County)

The Iroquois woman is a representative illustration of five native women  Polly Cooper, Susan Jacob, Dinah John, Julia John and Dolly Schenandoah  who officially served as cooks for the U.S. military during the War of 1812.

The women were part of a regiment of Indian volunteers, and though they did serve as cooks, they also stood alongside their husbands in combat as a matter of necessity.

The sculpted image of the Iroquois Warrior is representative rather than individually specific, as there are no paintings or photographs of these women during their time of service, the release said.

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The statues of Gee and the Iroquois warrior will be added to the Women Veterans Park later, as well as two statues that were revealed in June, so that a total of 12 women veterans will be featured at the park.

Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office arrests 14 men during child sexual predator operation

Additionally, benches at the park honoring The Center for Lifelong Learning, Republican Women of Okaloosa Federated and Women Veterans Group Air Force Enlisted Village will be unveiled during the week of Nov. 11.

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.
Cans of food at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, pictured Oct. 29, 2025, are ready to be packed and distributed to feed Oklahomans. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  Some Oklahoma leaders are asking the governor to call a special session to provide emergency state funding for food assistance programs during the federal government shutdown.

Over 680,000 Oklahomans could be cut off from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, on Saturday if the shutdown continues. Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday called on Oklahomans, nonprofits, food banks and religious groups to step up to help fill the gap, but he said the state will not use its savings to replace the programs funding yet.

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Tribal leaders, members of the legislative Black caucus and House and Senate Democrats, meanwhile, are calling for Republicans to take greater action, including holding a special session to tap into the states savings to fund the program and feed Oklahomans.

Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, talks on her phone while awaiting votes on a veto override during the Senate session on May 29, 2025. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice)

A special session can be called by the governor or by the Legislature, if two-thirds of both the House and Senate sign on.

We have an obligation to protect children, said Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, in a statement. The solutions offered by the governor (Wednesday) are inadequate. He needs to call the Legislature into a special session to work on real and immediate solutions.

Gov. Kevin Stitt, House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, did not comment Thursday on the calls for a special session to tap into the states savings.

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The federal government has been shut down since Oct. 1 because Congress has failed to find a bipartisan path forward on a stopgap spending bill by the start of the federal fiscal year. A Republican proposal seeks to temporarily keep the government open through Nov. 21. Democrats back a separate plan to permanently restore health subsidies for those who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, said in a statement Thursday that lawmakers know Oklahomans are being impacted through no fault of their own, but Congress needs to do their job and vote to reopen the federal government.

We cannot sustain funding SNAP benefits  which cost over $100 million a month in Oklahoma  for long with only state dollars, leaving Oklahomans in no better position than they are facing with the Nov. 1 deadline, Lawson said. Not to mention funding for our troops, air traffic controllers and other safety programs. Many of our own state employees are facing furloughs. Their salaries depend on federal dollars.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskins Jr. called on Stitt to use the states surplus funding in the rainy day fund to replace the SNAP benefits that could be cut off come Nov 1.

Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation Chuck Hoskin Jr. addresses a meeting of the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma on March 20, 2025 in Catoosa. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

The rainy day fund, otherwise known as the constitutional reserve fund, was created to collect surplus revenue to spend in select circumstances. The fund is capped at 15% of the current estimate for the states general revenue fund, according to the Oklahoma Policy Institute, an independent, nonpartisan Tulsa-based think tank.

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The funds current balance sits at more than $1.32 billion, according to the House budget portal.

Hoskins said now is the time to use the fund to help Oklahomans to stem misery that (Stitt) did not cause.

This crisis, a product of failures in Washington, D.C., can be fixed at least in the short term, if we all pitch in, Hoskins said in a statement. The state of Oklahoma should join us by immediately committing $142 million to save SNAP for Oklahomans through the end of November.

The Cherokee Nation has committed some of its surplus funding to help provide relief to thousands of Cherokees in Oklahoma who could lose SNAP benefits, Hoskins said in a statement. The tribal nation is also providing $1.25 million to food banks and nonprofits to help all of our friends and neighbors, according to a statement.

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State law, though, limits how much of the rainy day funds can be spent.

No more than three-eighths of the fund can be used in the case of a revenue shortfall in the current budget year or to use in the next budget year when theres a predicted shortfall, according to the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Three-eighths of the current fund equates to around $495 million.

Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks to the news media on May 14, 2025 with Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, left, and House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, right. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

A quarter of the fund, which would be about $330 million, can be spent using the appropriations process in the case of an emergency and $10 million can be spent on tax incentives for at-risk manufacturers.

An emergency must be declared by the governor with two-thirds of the House and Senate agreeing to appropriate the funding, or by a joint declaration of emergency conditions by the House Speaker and President Pro Tem of the Senate with approval from three-quarters of each legislative chamber.

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Five members of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus, all Democrats, on Wednesday signed a letter to Stitt, Paxton and Hilbert asking for a special session to address SNAP benefits and the devastating impact a lapse in benefits could have. The members said ensuring food access is nonpartisan and a moral responsibility and urged swift action, according to a news release.

The welfare of Oklahomas citizens must remain the top priority of elected leaders at every level of government, according to the letter. If Governor Stitt fails to act, we call on legislative leadership to gather the signatures necessary to convene a special session to provide temporary state funding for SNAP recipients until the federal shutdown is resolved.

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With nearly 700,000 Oklahomans waiting to see if they will lose access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Gov. Kevin Stitt held a press conference Monday, emphasizing community support.

Due to the ongoing federal shutdown, SNAP benefits will not be replenished by the federal government on Nov. 1, Stitt said.

Those who depend on the federal program will still be able to access existing funds in their SNAP accounts after Nov. 1, officials from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services said. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, almost 42 million people receive SNAP benefits.

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The supplemental nutrition program Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, will not be affected, officials said.

Despite touting a large rainy day fund of around $1 billion, Stitt said it would be difficult to use these funds, or others, due to a clause stating they can only be used in case of revenue failure, which he said this is not.

He also said it would take a two-thirds majority to put those funds into action, requiring legislators to return to the Oklahoma State Capitol for a special session.

Stitt said if the shutdown continues through December, other federal programs could be affected, adding that the state would be shorted a minimum of $350 million.

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If we use state funds, whether that be from our rainy day fund or from other sources, the federal government said theyre not gonna reimburse us  or its not likely, or they cant guarantee it, Stitt said. So before resorting to rainy day, we are going to beef up other programs that we have.

He emphasized community and neighbors coming together to protect one another.

He said churches and nonprofits can sign up to help at the same website where those who need assistance can sign up to receive food, beaneighbor.org. He encouraged people to donate to food banks. Stitt said in bridging the gap, the state is asking churches and nonprofits to step up.

Lindel Fields, state superintendent of public instruction, said every child deserves to be fed.

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We want to remind schools and communities about the availability of certain programs and encourage finding steps to help these students in need, Fields said.

He emphasized that applications for the free lunch program can be submitted anytime during the school year when a households financial situation changes.

First of all, our child nutrition specialists have been providing guidance and training over the last few days to help schools expedite certain applications for these programs, he said. So as it pertains to free and reduced lunch, schools should encourage parents and guardians to complete the application for free and reduced-price meals as soon as possible.

Fields also said schools are encouraged to participate in the At-Risk After-school Snack program, a component of the Child and Adult Care Food Program. This program, he said, provides reimbursement for nutritious meals served to children and youth in after-school programs.

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These are for low-income areas. Eligible schools  where 50% of the students qualify for free and reduced[-price] meals, Fields said.

Stacy Dykstra, CEO of Regional Food Bank, said the nonprofit is working with other organizations to determine the best path forward and is looking to double its distribution, which will cost an additional $5.5 million per month.

Our food charity system, which is what we lead in this state, provides one meal for every nine meals that SNAP provides, said Dykstra. I just want to make sure were really clear about that. What we are doing as food banks, we are being so deliberate and intentional to find every food resource we can find and to deploy it the most effective and efficient way we can in partnership with our amazing partner network.

People can also donate canned meat, hearty soups, canned vegetables, and canned fruits, among other items.

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Cody Anderson, senior pastor of Faith Center Fellowship, said the community needs to band together, encouraging people to show up for themselves and for others.

If 5,000 churches ... respond this weekend, today, and they begin to put together 50 boxes of emergency food twice per month ... thats almost half a million people that are served, he said.

Jeffery Cartmell, director of the Department of Human Services, offered information on tribal assistance.

Several of the tribal governments in Oklahoma operating federal meeting programs tribal members are eligible for, depending on where they live in the state. Historically, its been a very difficult, unnecessarily difficult process to shift from being a SNAP recipient to one of these federal tribal legal programs, he said.

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Cartmell said they are having conversations about easing the process to switch.

Theres actually a meeting right now happening for tribes to figure out a way to expedite shifting people over; so far, that funding stream hasnt been impacted through the shutdown. However, you cant be on SNAP and on that program... so were just trying to make sure we can expedite that transition as quickly as possible to help alleviate some of the impact, he said.
(NewsNation)  A schoolteacher in Oklahoma has died after her family says she was served a margarita containing industrial cleaner at a restaurant in 2023.

The family of Holly Hill says the mother of three died this month, more than two years after she was served the drink at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin, Oklahoma. Hills mother, Kelly Hunter, told local news outlet KWTV her daughter had suffered chemical burns from the drink.

Investigators in Rhode Island solve two cold cases, ID suspects in asphyxiation murders

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Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasnt right, Hunter said. She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, started rinsing her mouth out with water.

Hunter said Hill had undergone dozens of procedures to address damage to her esophagus, but severe complications arose earlier this month, shortly before she died. According to the outlet, the family filed a civil lawsuit against the restaurant in 2023.

Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva in Twilight Zone limbo waiting to be sworn in

The number one thing that we really want at this point, and out of this, is we want people to be aware of what happened at that restaurant and to quit supporting them, Hunter said. We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughters life, because they did. It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.

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In a statement October 24, the Elgin Police Department said it will be assisting the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation as an initial inquiry into Hills death is made. Police are encouraging anyone with information to contact the department.

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NEW YORK  Halfway through early voting, older New Yorkers continue to make up a slim majority of those who have cast ballots in the citys mayoral race so far, according to a data analysis by the Daily News.

Wednesday marked the fifth day of polls being open and the halfway mark of early voting in the pivotal Nov. 4 election, in which Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani is facing off against independent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

As of the 8 p.m. poll closures Wednesday, 372,111 New Yorkers had voted, Board of Elections tabulations say. In the 2021 mayoral election, the first citywide contest to offer early voting, a total of 169,879 people cast ballots early over the entire nine-day span it was available, meaning the 2025 turnout has already shattered the previous record.

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Of the early votes cast as of Wednesday night, about 189,000 came from New Yorkers 55 or older, Board of Elections demographics data reviewed by The News shows. The remaining roughly 183,000 early votes came from those younger than 55.

That means older residents have cast about 51% of the total votes so far. That breakdown has stayed effectively consistent since early voting started last weekend.

The data doesnt show how the New Yorkers in question voted but the high turnout from older residents could benefit Cuomo, the runner-up candidate who has consistently polled better with that segment of the population.

Still, election experts cautioned against assuming high turnout among older voters is an automatic boon for Cuomo, especially given how narrow of a margin by which they outpace younger generations at the polls.

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Mary Snow, an assistant polling director at Quinnipiac University, noted Cuomos competing for the older vote with Sliwa, whos also polling relatively well with that constituency. Theres no guarantee Sliwa isnt siphoning off votes from that population, potentially undercutting momentum for Cuomo.

Yes, Andrew Cuomo does fare better with older voters than he does younger voters, but so does Curtis Sliwa, said Snow.

Jerry Skurnik, a veteran of the Ed Koch administration who specializes in election analytics, said Cuomo will likely need to see even higher rates of turnout from older voters in order to be confident hes compensating for Mamdanis domination in the younger age brackets.

Polls show Cuomo narrowly ahead among older voters but Mamdani ahead by much larger numbers among younger voters. If they are accurate, Cuomo needs to have older voters turn out at an extremely higher rate than younger voters, Skurnik said before stressing that making definitive predictions off of the demographics data is difficult.

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The only thing Im confident about is that the early voting numbers mean that we are going to have an impressive turnout, he said.

In a potential worrying sign for Cuomo, there are indications that younger voters are beginning to come out in larger numbers. A majority of voters who cast ballots on Wednesday  about 39,000  were younger than 55, compared to about 35,000 who were older than that, The News review found.

Additionally, on Wednesday, residents between 25 and 34 comprised almost 18% of the daily turnout, the first time this election voters in that bracket outpaced voters between 55 and 64, who came in at 17% for that day, according to a Gothamist analysis.

Mamdani, who defeated Cuomo in Junes Democratic mayoral primary by nearly 13%, has become known for galvanizing predominantly young voters after running a high-energy campaign centered on policy proposals to make the city more affordable. A democratic socialist, Mamdani has consistently faced a polling deficit with older New Yorkers, some of whom are wary of his unabashed left-wing politics.

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Despite the uncertainty around the data, Cuomo has publicly touted the news that a narrow majority of early voters are in the upper age brackets, portraying it as a sign hes pulling ahead.

Theres fear in this city, theres anger in this city, theres frustration in this city. Its all percolating and you can feel it up there. And I feel very good, because New Yorkers, at the end of the day, they want a mayor who can do the job, Cuomo told reporters earlier this week of the surge in turnout from older residents.

According to the polls, it remains Mamdanis race to lose, with Cuomo trailing him by double digits in just about every survey.

Emerson College/PIX11/The Hill dropped a poll Thursday showing Mamdani besting Cuomo by a 50%-25% margin, with Sliwa clinching 21%. That poll posed an outlier as most surveys have predicted a more narrow margin of between roughly 10% and 16%.

Early voting continues through Sunday. Polls are then closed Monday before they reopen again Tuesday for Election Day.
Up in the wild woods of northern Minnesota, the rising sun reflects on the stunningly clear waters of a massive lake. Here, you can see an impressive eight feet down through the water to view fish darting below the surface. This is the picturesque Winnibigoshish Lake. Its name comes from an Ojibwe word that means something like dirty water, but don't be deceived. This lake may be one of the cleanest in the entire United States.

Winnibigoshish Lake is located in the Chippewa National Forest, which stretches for 1.6 million acres up to the Canadian border. When you hear the word forest, you might picture towering trunks and verdant canopies making the light along the trails dappled and green. You will certainly find plenty of scenes like this in a remarkable place like Chippewa, but the heart of the land here isn't the trees. It's the water. This is one of the wettest national forests in America. Some of the water from this wild landscape will rush all the way down the majestic Mississippi River, while some will flow out into the cold, clear Hudson Bay to reflect the Northern Lights. Still more will spread out into the wetlands, streams, and lakes within the forest. The largest lake, Winnibigoshish, is hidden deep in the center of this wild natural landscape.

Read more: One Of West Virginia's Best-Kept Secrets Is A Train Ride Through A Canyon You Can't Reach By Car

Just how clean is Lake Winnibigoshish?

A boat on perfect blue Lake Winnibigoshish - Jon Thelen's Destination-Fish/YouTube

One of the things that visitors love about Lake Winnibigoshish is that the water is astonishingly clear. Bur is it really as clean as it appears? There's obviously no denying what you can see with your own eyes, but exactly how clean the lake is depends on what criteria you are using. Lake Winnibigoshish's clean reputation was solidified when an analysis from lake.com, a rental company focusing on lakeside vacation spots, sorted through data from the National Water Quality Monitoring Council. They ranked lakes based on factors like how oxygen rich the water is versus how much chemical ammonia, lead, phosphorus, and sulfate could be found in it. It was determined that, based on this criteria, Winnibigoshish is one of the top 10 cleanest lakes in the entire country.

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These results seem to be partially backed up by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, which reported that the water was clean and safe enough for people (though they wouldn't recommend eating the fish that live there!), but less so by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Watershed Health Assessment Framework, which gave the lake a 60 out of 100 based on water quality, biology, and hydrology tests of the water. You definitely wouldn't want to drink the untreated lake water, no matter how clear it appears, but you can definitely swim in it. Regardless of the lake's scores, there's no denying that the clear waters of Winnibigoshish Lake are a breathtaking sight.

Plan a trip to Chippewa National Forest to see clear Lake Winnibigoshish

A birch tree by the lake in Chippewa National Forest - Larry Eiden/Shutterstock

If you're planning a trip to Chippewa National Forest because you want to see Lake Winnibigoshish, the most obvious choice is a summer trip. It's warm enough to swim, and you can easily camp in the recreation area near Winnibigoshish Dam. If you don't plan to actually go into the lake, though, spring and fall are both beautiful options.

Not only is the forest less crowded in the spring, but Chippewa National Forest also becomes a mesmerizing place to see wildflowers in bloom. It can also be great hiking weather. The Winnie Dam Trail is a short loop that takes you right along the lakeshore, so you'll get plenty of opportunities to admire its perfectly clean, clear waters.

In the fall, you'll get to enjoy a particularly gorgeous version of those views. The unbelievable fall foliage reflected back at you from the mirror-like lake surface is well worth the trip to see it. However, a winter trip is only for the most intrepid travelers who are ready to take on heavy snows and frigid temperatures. People also ski, snowshoe, and snowboard in the forest, so if you're up for an adventure, there are plenty of things to do here even when Lake Winnibigoshish freezes solid.

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The United States has numerous stunning bodies of water. For instance, Lake Superior was recently named the cleanest lake in America, with the clear freshwater gem earning an outstanding pollution score of zero out of 10. Unfortunately, not all the country's waterways and recreational areas can claim to be as sanitary, especially when it comes to swimming. The Ohio River, which extends over 980 miles and manages to snake its way through Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, and West Virginia, is considered one of America's most polluted waterways. If you're looking for the reason why it's so dirty, look no further than the power plants, petrochemical plants, and other industrial manufacturers releasing millions of pounds of pollution into the river every year.

In 2020 alone, the Ohio River Basin had over 40 million pounds of pollution from these businesses. That's a huge chunk of the almost 200 million pounds that all waterways across the U.S. received within the past decade, according to a report by Environment America. What's so alarming about this is the types of toxic chemicals that consistently flow through the river, particularly algae-inducing nitrates that can destroy natural ecosystems and cause cancer in humans. Consuming these nitrates can also bring on reproductive problems for adults and lead to developmental issues in children.

Over five million people rely on the Ohio River for drinking water. With the way this river is being treated, that's almost akin to drinking out of a toilet bowl. Not only are industrial manufacturers dumping chemicals into it, but it's also getting agricultural runoff and treated and untreated wastewater from some states. Some of these chemicals don't dilute so easily and remain in the environment, including even the fish, forever. "The basic conclusion here is that we need to stem this toxic tide of pollution in our waterways, and to do it, we are going to need stronger clean water protections," John Rumpler, a clean water program director, said to LPM News.

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Read more: These Are The Most Dangerous Cities In America For 2025 (And Why You Might Want To Avoid Them), According To Research

Cleaning the Ohio River will require federal help

Rubbish and debris floating in Ohio River - DnDavis/Shutterstock

Anti-pollution efforts for the Ohio River have been happening since the 1950s, when the water was so polluted you could smell and taste the acidity. This was back when the water was eating away steel-hulled boats in three years, more than six times faster than normal. In 1990, after the Clean Water Act, the river was starting to function ecologically again, no longer resembling a sewer system. Despite these improvements, much of the Ohio River watershed remains contaminated with dangerous chemicals, such as perfluorooctanoic acid, which makes the water dangerous to consume. Some residents around these parts of the river even blame the water for recurring health defects in the community.

In 2023, the Ohio River was classed as one of the country's most endangered waterways by the nonprofit American Rivers. The crucial role it plays in American culture, health, economy, and environment has put an onus on protecting it. People are demanding more funding for already established Ohio River restoration projects from the federal government. Other agencies are insisting that pollution control standards be improved to stop so much waste from making its way into the water. Unfortunately, this will rely on individual states being proactive about stopping facilities and cities from dumping waste into the river and finding other disposal methods.

Right now, most of the Ohio River isn't impacted by this pollution. You can still find areas along it where you can swim and even drink the water (after it's been treated). New Albany, one of Indiana's oldest Ohio River cities, is a great place to enjoy the river. In Cincinnati, Maysville is another alluring town hidden on the Ohio River and full of historic charm. The fear is that if nothing is done soon, more places like these towns will become victims of life-threatening environmental negligence.

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A person was in custody on Thursday following the report of a sexual assault at a residence that houses Northeastern Illinois University students in the North Park neighborhood, officials said.

According to Chicago police, officers responded to a residence in the 3600 block of West Bryn Mawr Avenue about 6:15 a.m. for a call of a sexual assault that happened inside a residence.

An 18-year-old woman said she was inside a room when she was sexually assaulted by someone she knew, police said.

The victim was taken to Swedish Covenant Hospital for treatment. The suspect was taken into police custody, and charges were pending, police said.

Grand Central Area detectives are investigating.
What better time than Halloween to muse about the North Coasts mysterious sea serpent, Colossal Claude? One of the last known sightings was around March 19, 1934, by the lightship tender, Rose, near the South Jetty.

According to the Oregon Encyclopedia, newspaper reports said Capt. J. F. Jensen and crew described Claude as appearing  to be at least 40 feet in length  (and) had a neck about 8 feet long, with a large head. It opened its huge mouth and gaped at the lightship.

Crew members wanted to chase the critter, but the officers aboard said no. After all, it might just turn on them, with catastrophic consequences.

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In 1937, Capt. Charles E. Graham of the troller Viv spotted a long, hairy tan-colored creature, with the head of an overgrown horse, about 40 feet long, and with a 4-foot waist measure. Also that year, near Yachats, a 55-foot-long similar creature was seen.

Then in 1939, Capt. Chris Anderson on the schooner Argo saw a monster, 10 feet in diameter and 50 feet long, that was also a thief. In this case, Claude reared up over 10 feet of water and snatched a 20-pound fish. He was described as having the head of a camel with fur that was coarse and grey. He had glassy eyes and a bent snout.

Also in 1939, a creature was seen 40 miles off Tillamook Bay that was large-headed and thick-necked, and more than 30 witnesses spotted a 30-foot serpent off the coast of Lincoln City, describing it as having a slender neck and snakelike head.

The last sea serpent uproar was in the early 1960s, when the Shell Oil Companys underwater cameras caught a barnacled, ridged 15-foot-long critter swimming in a corkscrew motion off the Oregon Coast. The video can be seen at tinyurl.com/SeaCorkscrew, at about 2 minutes 40 seconds.

Since then, no reported sightings  until next time. (Image: by Hans Engle/Columbia River Maritime Museum)
Kerala Governor Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar has urged electoral officers in the State to ensure that no eligible voter is left out in the revised voters' list. Kerala Governor appealed to the people of Kerala to wholeheartedly support and cooperate with the SIR process to make it speedy and fault-free. The Governor assured the electoral officers of all support, according to a press release. Launching the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters in Kerala, here at Raj Bhavan on Thursday, the Governor stated that the revised voters' list should be comprehensive, in addition to being more accurate and inclusive, so as to facilitate free and fair elections, a release said. Ratan U. Kelkar, Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala, explained the SIR process and procedure to the Governor. Sharmila C, Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Krishnadasan P., Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Rusi R.S., Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Madhu, Electoral Registration Officer and Benazir, Booth Level Officer, were also present on the occasion. Earlier, the Election Commission of India's (ECI) two-day Conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) on nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) preparedness was held on Oct 22 at the India International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi. According to a release, the conference was presided over by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in the presence of Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. The Commission assessed the preparedness of offices of the CEOs of all States and UTs for the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The Conference is being held as a follow-up on the SIR preparedness conference held on September 10, during which all the States/UTs gave detailed presentations on the number of electors, the qualifying date of the last SIR and the Electoral Roll in their respective State/UT as per the last completed SIR. 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 the State/UT, according to the release. The Commission also reviewed the status of appointment and training of DEOs, EROs, AEROs, BLOs and BLAs. (ANI)
COLEBROOK, N.H. (ABC22/FOX44)  New Hampshire authorities said a Colebrook man had died Wednesday in Massachusetts, three days after he was injured in a fire.

Warren L. Haynes, 59, was reportedly brought out of a building on Parsons Street on Sunday afternoon. Responders heard that the building was on fire and found him while they were making efforts to extinguish it.

NH Cold Case Unit conducts search related to 1978 homicide case

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Haynes was reportedly taken first to a local hospital, and then transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he was unfortunately reported dead Wednesday.

His cause and manner of death have yet to be determined.

New Hampshire authorities are investigating the fire, and anyone with possible information is directed to contact the state fire marshals office at (603) 223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov.

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DES MOINES, Iowa  After months of speculation and an exploratory campaign from Congressman Randy Feenstra (R), he officially launched his bid to be Iowas next governor.

Feenstra had been floating the idea around, running generic ads during the summer months. He told WHO 13 News on Wednesday what he learned during that period to make him want to step in the statewide election.

What I learned is I love this state, said Rep. Feenstra, representing Iowas Fourth Congressional District. I care for this state. And I want to take this state to new heights. Feenstra grew up in Hull, he is a fourth generation Iowan, noting that he met his wife while working at a Pizza Ranch location. He has been married for 33 years and has four children.

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Moulton School would be only complete rebuild in DMPS Reimagining Education Plan

Feenstra said there are specific points that he wants to hit on during the campaign to keep the American dream he grew up with the same for younger generations. Feenstra called them visionary points, the first is making sure Iowa is the most business and agriculture friendly state in the country, adding that means lowering and freezing property tax rates. The second is having world class education in the state from PreK through college, with hopes of having students stay and work in the state, which he said means keeping quality of life at a certain standard and having jobs available. And the last point is having quality, accessible and affordable healthcare.

The Congressman served for three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and before that was a state senator in the Iowa Statehouse since 2009. He touted the states largest income tax cut he authored at the end of his tenure at a state senator. He also emphasized his work to pass the Big, Beautiful Bill Act that extended the Trump tax cuts from 2017.

In the full interview, which you can find in the video link above, Feenstra outlined his opposition to the use of eminent domain for private companies, while saying the state does need to be business-friendly; what freezing property taxes would look like; and how would he get Iowas education to a world class level.

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Feenstra joins the field of three other republicans running in the Iowa GOP primary: Eddie Andrews, Brad Sherman and Adam Steen. Democrats have a field of multiple candidates of their own: Rob Sand, Paul Dahl and Julie Stauch. One independent, Sondra Wilson, is running for governor as well.

To learn more about Feenstra and what policy he would push for as governor, visit his website.

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  A woman has died following an officer-involved shooting Wednesday evening in Birmingham, according to the Birmingham Police Department.

According to the BPD, East Precinct officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Brunson Avenue just after 5 p.m. due to a report of an altercation involving an individual who was behaving violently.

After officers arrived at the scene, shots were fired. The woman, identified as Vanessa Ragland, 36, of Birmingham was struck and transported to UAB Hospital for treatment. The BPD said that no officers were injured.

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The investigation will be taken over by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys State Bureau of Investigation.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Two people were taken to the hospital after a shooting Thursday afternoon in Baton Rouge.

According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, officers responded around 1:43 p.m. on Oct. 30 to reports of gunfire in the 11800 block of Tams Drive. Shortly after, authorities learned that a vehicle that had been shot at had fled to the 2200 block of Palermo Drive.

Police said the driver suffered multiple gunshot wounds but is expected to survive. A passenger in the vehicle sustained minor injuries from shattered glass.

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Both victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 225-344-7867.

Deputies arrest convicted felon after shooting inside Iberville Parish bar

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From unleashing the coronavirus, to controlling the social media app TikTok, or evading U.S. sanctions, Beijing has repeatedly attempted to exploit the American people. In recent years, communist leaders have looked to a dangerous new form of leverage against U.S. citizens  gaining control of our domestic agricultural and food supply chains.

There is no doubt that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is working toward a goal of global dominance. The self-described goal of Chinas leaders is establishing a Community of Common Destiny for Mankind based on communist ideology. Leaders in Beijing are openly bent on spreading their way of life across the globe. That way of life is a direct threat to the ideals of freedom and liberty guaranteed to every American.

American freedom is the biggest roadblock to Chinese dominance. Since our founding, Advancing American Freedom has recognized the threat posed by the CCP. As former Vice President Mike Pence said in 2024, leaders of both political parties seemed to have turned a hopeful, but ultimately blind eye to Chinas many abuses on trade and beyond in the area of human rights  a misguided hope that Chinas newfound prosperity would inevitably lead to liberty.

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Now that lawmakers have started to disabuse themselves of the notion that Beijing has our best interests in mind, it is time for Congress to protect our borders from CCP incursion. There are efforts already underway in China to influence and control domestic technology, manufacturing, health care, data, and especially our food supply.

Agriculture has become a major target for the Chinese in recent years. At this very moment Chinese interests are simultaneously buying American farmland, weaponizing agricultural purchases, smuggling toxic fungus into the country, and making our food supply dependent on their fertilizer chemicals.

It should be obvious to our elected officials why Beijing wants to exert control over our domestic agricultural industries. Food security is national security. The CCP is reaching into the U.S. in an effort to pull the strings on one of our most basic human needs.

In order to ensure that Beijing is unsuccessful in its attempt to control our food supply, our lawmakers must actively stop CCP incursion into America. That begins by protecting our domestic agricultural land from Chinese hands. It also means getting Chinese companies out of the agricultural industry. American farmers cannot be dependent on China.

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One area where Congress is stepping up is a small but crucial section of the FY 2026 Agricultural Appropriations Act (H.R. 4754) that clarifies that pesticide labels meet the rigorous and consistent standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency. This might seem redundant and trivial, but it is key to protecting domestic fertilizer and pesticide supply chains.

The House-passed Agricultural Appropriations bill stipulates that the government shall not approve any new or alternative labeling standards that are not consistent with EPA standards. This potential patchwork of standards punishes domestic manufacturers who could be blindsided by a liberal state that enacts requirements beyond the EPA safety standards.

There are longstanding and stringent labeling guidelines established under the EPA. If environmentalists want to change these standards, then they should do so at the federal level instead of cherry-picking liberal states to enact outlandish labeling requirements.

While it may not seem like much, an inconsistent labeling standard is incredibly harmful to domestic manufacturers. If fifty new labeling standards are enacted across the country, it could open up domestic fertilizer and pesticide companies to fifty different lawsuits and make national distribution impossible. Meanwhile, Chinese companies are subject only to the consistent, national EPA standard. That is likely one reason that China is the number one fertilizer producer in the world and that 70% of pesticides come from China.

Being dependent on China for the means to grow food here in American is unacceptable. As lawmakers work to end Chinese influence in our everyday lives, even seemingly innocuous policies like the Agricultural Appropriations can have a big impact on our future. The House and Senate should adopt the bill passed out of the House Appropriations Committees and send it to President Trump for his signature.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Open Enrollment for 2026 health insurance starts on Friday, Nov. 1. This allows Louisiana residents to sign up for or change their plans in the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.

The Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) said anyone who signs up by Dec. 15 will have coverage starting Jan. 1, 2026. Those who enroll by the final deadline of Jan. 15 will start coverage on Feb. 1.

Open Enrollment is the opportunity for every Louisiana citizen to make important decisions about their health insurance coverage for the coming year, said Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple. I encourage all residents to take the time to review their options and ensure they have the coverage they need.

UnitedHealthcare delay and coverage changes

According to LDI, five insurance companies are offering marketplace plans in Louisiana:

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Ambetter Health of Louisiana.

Amerihealth Caritas Louisiana.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana.

CHRISTUS Health Plan.

UnitedHealthcare.

LDI said UnitedHealthcare wont provide coverage in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, or St. Charles parishes. Residents with a UnitedHealthcare plan need to pick a new carrier by Dec. 15. If they dont, HealthCare.gov will automatically enroll them in a similar plan.

UnitedHealthcare will continue to serve 60 parishes in Louisiana. However, its plans will be temporarily off HealthCare.gov until mid-November, the department said.

Tips for open enrollment

The Louisiana Department of Insurance recommends that residents:

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Review all options carefully: Plans and prices can change yearly. Recent federal changes have also impacted premiums.

Meet deadlines: Enroll by Dec. 15 for coverage beginning Jan. 1 or enroll by Jan. 15 for coverage starting Feb. 1. Missing the deadline means you can only enroll later if you have a qualifying life change.

Contact a licensed agent: An insurance agent can help you compare plans.

More information is available at HealthCare.gov or through the Louisiana Department of Insurance.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
NEED TO KNOW

In 1988, a colossal effort to save three whales trapped in ice drew international attention

"Operation Rescue," as it was dubbed, ultimately brought together public and private resources, various countries, and hundreds of volunteers

But whether the rescue was successful remains a mystery

It was an Inuit whale hunter who first spotted them: three juvenile California gray whales, trapped in frozen seas near Point Barrow, Alaska, on October 7, 1988. Roy Ahmaogak mentioned seeing the gray whales (which aren't often hunted, due to being unappetizing) in passing to an employee of the borough, who then reported the whales to a biologist.

Word of the trapped whales then got to a local television reporter and, once live footage of the mammals bashing their heads against ice made it to air, the story got the world's attention.

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A PEOPLE story at the time described the situation as akin to other famous rescues: "Not since little Jessica McClure slid down a Texas well had the world been so captivated by a struggle for life."

The trio of whales had apparently waited too long before heading off on their winter migration from the Arctic Ocean to warmer Mexican waters. An early freeze had trapped them in an icebound lagoon four miles short of open water. Footage from the time shows them with bloodied heads as they attempt to free themselves from the ice, surfacing every four minutes for air beneath the only small hole they could find.

As attention on the situation mounted, humanity stepped in and Operation Breakthrough, a rescue effort involving regional, national, and international cooperation, was born.

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Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News/Tribune News Service/Getty Operation Rescue Operation Rescue

Inuit people from Barrow, Alaska  some 18 miles from the site of the whales  snowmobiled to the scene, using ice chisels and chainsaws to keep the hole open. The goal was clear: cut a path to the open sea of the Arctic Ocean so the whales could escape.

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Even then-President Ronald Reagan got involved, calling National Guard Col. Tom Carroll to say, "Anything that we can say or do to help you along with the success of the operation, we'd be pleased to do it. Anything."

Greenpeace staffers and volunteers lobbied Washington politicians for help, eventually finding allies in an unlikely place: Veco Inc., an Alaska oil-field service company, which offered its 80-foot, $3 million hover barge, which could break through ice. But efforts to drag the barge to the site via helicopter failed, with the icebreaker getting stuck in ice and mud.

Next, a 10,000-pound concrete-and-steel battering ram was used to punch 24-foot holes through the ice, beginning at the far end of the whales' four-mile path to freedom, so as not to alarm them. The Air Force's largest military cargo aircraft was used to lift an amphibious screw tractor to the site to help with ice removal. The State Department even approved the then-Soviet Union's offer to send its own icebreaker to the scene.

Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News/Tribune News Service/Getty Operation Rescue Operation Rescue

Meanwhile, time was running out. ''If we don't do something now, we'll be out of business by tomorrow morning,'' one North Slope biologist, Tom Albert, said at the time, noting: ''A nighttime freeze-up, and we've got dead whales.''

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And as public attention grew, two civilians stepped in.

Greg Ferrian, 32, and Rick Skluzacek, 28  two brothers-in-law from Lake St.Croix, Minn.  flew to the site uninvited, after seeing the situation play out on the news.

''I knew what we had,'' Greg told PEOPLE at the time, ''and I knew that what we had was something they needed.''

And what the pair had was their family firm's bubbling de-icers, $400 electric fan-like devices that, when lowered into the sea, churned warmer water up from below to prevent ice from forming.

Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News/Tribune News Service/Getty Operation Rescue Operation Rescue

Using just two of the machines late one evening, slush in the area was gone by the next morning. Then they enlisted help  with the Barrow government paying two dozen Inuit laborers $15 an hour to cut 24 rectangular holes stretching a half mile toward the open channel.

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The plan worked, and within hours, the animals were seen disappearing into the dark water, and emerging further down the line, to breathe from the holes the volunteers had placed in the ice above.

''We all started slapping each other on the back and cheering,'' whale biologist Mark Fraker told PEOPLE of the scene above the ice. ''Man, oh, man, was it a high.''

The celebration was short-lived, however, when the smallest of the whales, a yearling biologists had named Bone and Inuit had named Kanik (or Snowflake) disappeared beneath the ice for good.

As biologists began to accept that the smallest of the whales had perished, the rescue work dragged past its second week.

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As some questioned why the efforts continued, others said simply: because it's the right thing to do.

Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News/Tribune News Service/Getty the whales of Operation Rescue the whales of Operation Rescue

Victory was declared, ultimately, on Oct. 26, when the ice was pierced to allow the the whales to enter the channel. But whether they ultimately did remains a mystery. Radio tags were never placed on the whales and volunteers trained to identify them never made any identifications by the time whale-watching season opened.

But as one volunteer told PEOPLE at the time, the effort to save them  whether successful or not  proved a point all its own.

"It's kind of personal now," one volunteer told PEOPLE at the time. ''We can identify them, and we've become attached."



Read the original article on People
With the government shutdown nearing the one-month mark, and with tens of thousands of Utahns about to lose their food stamp benefits, its time for Utahs famous generosity to shift into high gear.

As the Deseret News reported this week, 86,000 households and 177,000 individuals in the state rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as SNAP or food stamps.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture told Utah to stop its November allotments for the program. Households may still redeem unused benefits from previous months, but nothing new may be apportioned until the shutdown ends, and that end is at the discretion of the nations political leaders.

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Washington has also declared it will not use the $5 billion it holds in contingency funds to cover parts of the $8 billion needed in SNAP benefits nationwide in November. Those funds are meant to cover shortfalls in money already appropriated, and nothing has been appropriated for November.

That sounds like bureaucratic nonsense, as does the declaration that states wont be reimbursed at the end of the shutdown for any money they might appropriate to cover those obligations for their poorest citizens. Added to those who normally receive SNAP benefits are the many federal employees  Utah has about 40,000  who are furloughed during this shutdown with no paychecks and no guarantee they will receive any back pay when the government reopens.

Officials told the Deseret News that, while government shutdowns have occurred before, this is the first time SNAP benefits have been halted.

Charitable Utahns

And yet, Utahns cannot let their neighbors go hungry.

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Utah lawmakers have said the state is unable to cover the costs of these benefits, which would be about $33 million in November alone. But legislative leaders said they are working on other options to provide needed food. Surely, local charities can fill much of this need, although this is the time of year when many of them are gearing up for the needs that always accompany the holiday season.

However, individual Utahns can do much good, as well. Donate to food banks and other charities that help feed those who cant afford to feed themselves.

Utah is frequently listed as being at or near the top when it comes to studies that measure volunteerism and charitable giving among states. Newsweek last year cited the state as being the nations most charitable, with a 40.7% volunteer rate at a per capita rate of 39.42 hours per person.

The people of Utah donate an average of 3.89% of their income to charity, the magazine said. More than half of the states people volunteer their time toward charitable causes each year.

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Much could be said about the reasons and political calculations behind the current shutdown. Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for ending funding for the food stamp program. The New York Times reports the lawsuit claims Washington has a legal obligation to provide those benefits, and that it needs to use the money it has in reserve.

The Times said the Department of Agricultures website contained a banner early on Tuesday that blamed Democrats for the stoppage of funds. This had disappeared from the site by Tuesday afternoon. Democratic leaders, however, have blamed Republicans for the shutdown for insisting on health care cuts.

A new Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll, conducted by Morning Consult, showed mixed feelings among the public, with 34% blaming congressional Republicans and 42% blaming congressional Democrats, with 24% uncertain.

Set politics aside

As usual, however, political bickering can get in the way of the real human needs laid bare by this crisis. People who rely on assistance to eat should not be made to starve.

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Charitable people dont judge those who rely on federal assistance. They befriend them and help them.

Utah has an admirable history of stepping up in times of need. This is such a time. While the shutdown could end at any time, residents of this great state must be prepared to answer the call to help if needed.
On Aug. 12, an undocumented immigrant driving a semi-truck blocked four northbound lanes on the Florida Turnpike when he allegedly attempted to make an illegal U-turn from the shoulder through an Official Use Only turnaround in the median. As he attempted this unpredictable move, three people in a minivan were killed crashing into his truck.

If he had read and obeyed the Official Use Only sign, this tragic accident would not have occurred. Apparently, the problem was that he couldnt read English. When officers with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration gave him an English Language Proficiency test after the accident, he was only able to give a correct response to two of 12 verbal questions, and he could only identify one out of four highway traffic signs.

This driver should not have been driving a commercial vehicle at all. Federal regulations governing qualifications for driving a commercial vehicle provide that drivers must be able to read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and record.

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This is particularly important for semi-truck drivers. A fully loaded semi can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds; most of them are between 70 and 80 feet long. Collisions between such large vehicles and cars are likely to be deadly. More than 4,000 people died in large truck crashes in 2023, and 65 percent of them were in cars and other passenger vehicles.

As Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.) has said, If you cant read Bridge Out Ahead or communicate with a state trooper at a crash scene, you have no business driving an 80,000-pound truck on American highways. Harrigan has introduced a SAFE Drivers Act last month, which would require all applicants for commercial drivers licenses to show English proficiency.

Even so, the English proficiency regulations have to be enforced to be effective, and some administrations have not enforced them.

The Obama administration issued a memorandum in June 2016, that removed the requirement to put non-English proficient drivers out of service. Moreover, it also provided that If the driver cannot read, write, or speak English but can communicate sufficiently with the inspector / investigator, he / she should not be cited for a violation.

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President Trump wants stricter enforcement of the English proficiency requirements for commercial truck drivers. In April 2025, he issued an executive order titled Rules of the Road for Americas Truck Drivers, in which he declared that commercial truck drivers must comply with federal law on English proficiency. It is the policy of his administration to support truck drivers and safeguard our highways by enforcing these commonsense requirements.

But enforcement of commercial vehicle regulations wont eliminate the risks posed by non-commercial drivers who cannot read or understand English. Apparently, the states arent concerned about non-commercial drivers who cant read English. Only three of the 50 states require all drivers license applicants to take the written part of the exam in English: South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.

Every driver  commercial or not  should be able to read English traffic signs, detour notices and highway warnings, and be able to respond to law enforcement or first-responder instructions. Though accidents with an 80,000-pound truck are likely to be more serious than accidents with a 3,000-pound Honda sedan, people die in collisions with Honda sedans and other passenger vehicles, too.

A national road environment requires a common language, and English is Americas national language. Using a single language simplifies signage, emergency instructions and law-enforcement communication. After a collision, drivers must know English well enough to exchange information, report locations to 911 operators, and understand instructions given by first-responders. They also should be able to understand instructions given in English when a disaster occurs.

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It isnt necessary to establish a categorical English-only requirement that might raise discrimination issues under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Drivers of passenger vehicles only need safety-related English proficiency, such as being able to read and understand highway signs and standard traffic-controlled messages.

Granting drivers licenses to immigrants who cannot read or communicate in the English language invites preventable tragedies like the one that killed three innocent people in a mini-van  regardless of whether they drive commercial or passenger vehicles.

Nolan Rappaport was detailed to the House Judiciary Committee as an Executive Branch Immigration Law Expert for three years. He subsequently served as an immigration counsel for the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Claims for four years. Prior to working on the Judiciary Committee, he wrote decisions for the Board of Immigration Appeals for 20 years.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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You know what the number-one thing that keeps me up at night is? Its AI taking my job. It wasnt a factory worker telling me this. It was a straight-A student at one of the U.K.s leading universities. The others participating in the focus group I was leading  students from the U.S., U.K. and Germany  all concurred. Its a ticking time bomb, said another. Im really scared that because of AI Ive got no chance of being hired.

Fear that AI will decimate the job market is growing fast among the educated middle class  and not just among the young.

Its a fear that is impacting their mental health. It is also threatening to impact who they will vote for.

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In the same way that blue-collar workers turned in the 2010s to populists on the right such as Donald Trump in the United States or Marine le Pen in France because of the threat of automation, I expect to see the threat of being replaced by AI increasingly become a factor propelling voters toward a new cadre of populist politicians. But this time it will be white-collar workers driving the charge, and many will turn not to the right but to the left.

Far-left populists are clearly onto this. Taking a leaf out of their far-right counterparts playbooks, they have begun to shape an economic narrative that overtly taps into the anxieties of white-collar workers. A narrative which positions the architects and beneficiaries of the AI revolution as the enemy rather than immigrants; and pits the middle class against not the mainstream media, the government or the so-called deep state, but a demonised tech elite: Silicon Valley billionaires and the faceless corporations that replace human labor with algorithms.

The richest people in the world are investing many hundreds of billions of dollars into AI to make themselves even more powerful, wrote independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on X last month, warning of massive white-collar job losses, in addition to blue-collar cuts. In the U.K., Green Party Leader Zack Polanski, when asked for his thoughts on Septembers much trumpeted announcement of a 31bn investment by U.S. tech companies to boost the U.K.s AI infrastructure also didnt hold back. AI is deeply worrying for creative workers, he said. Tech bros, millionaires and multi-billionaires should not hold the cards here. As for Democratic New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, the man currently shaking up domestic U.S. politics, he told American venture capitalist John Borthwick in July that the risk AI poses to jobs over the next several yearswill be a focus of his administration if he is elected.

Fear of displacement by AI is not irrational. Sam Altman, CEO of Open AI, has warned that entire classes of jobs will go away as the technology advances. Anthropic founder Dario Amodei warns of a looming white-collar bloodbath scenario in which AI could wipe out half of all entry-level white-collar jobs, and unemployment in the US could reach 20 percent within the next one to five years. Elon Musk has gone even further. He has said that AI will take all our jobs, potentially eliminating the need for human labor all together. If the guys at the heart of the AI Revolution are sounding such loud alarms, shouldnt we all be fearful?

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White-collar workers have particular reason to be concerned given that many of their roles are those most ripe for AI replacement. Think of the jobs we know already to have been significantly impacted by AI  translators, video editors, marketers, HR professionals, graphic designers, auditors, coders. When it comes to entry-level positions, a recent Stanford University study revealed that in the U.S. since late 2022, earlycareer workers aged 22 to 25 in the jobs most exposed to Generative AI  such as software developers and customerservice representatives  have experienced a 13 percent relative decline in employment compared to their peers in less AIexposed roles. And we are only at the beginning of the transformation that AI heralds.

AI anxiety is of course not the only reason were seeing politicians like Mamdani in New York and Polanski in the U.K. gain considerable middle-class support in recent months. When it comes to the TikTok generation, these politicians stance on Israel-Gaza is clearly part of the story too, as is their generally anti-capitalist ethos.

But as the apocalyptic AI is taking your job narrative gains steam and anxieties about future economic security grow in both the U.S. and Europe  especiallyamong professionals terrified of a looming white-collar recession  I expect left-wing populists to lean into this story with ever greater fervor, particularly as their base today is less likely to wear hard hats to work than noise cancelling headphones.

In recent months, alongside Polanski and Sanders, far-left politicians including Die Linkes Katharina Konig-Preuss in Germany, La France Insoumises Jean-Luc Melenchon and Five Star Movements Emma Pavanelli in Italy have all explicitly either warned of the threat of AI or put forward solutions to AI job disruption.

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Whats fascinating is that, despite ever more headlines about the potential for significant AI-driven job losses, in the corridors of power in Washington, London, Berlin and Paris, a curious silence pervades. The official discourse surrounding AI remains bullish, at least when it comes to the economy. The reticence to engage with deep-seated public anxiety about a great displacement that could render entire professions obsolete and entire generations workless is conspicuous by its absence.

Take U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessents comments earlier this month on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings in Washington, in which he talked about how the wave of investment into AI in the US is only getting started, continuing enthusiastically, I think we can be in a period like the late 1800s when railroads came in, like the 1990s when we got the internet and office tech boom. This despite the fact that less than two months earlier a Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that 71 percent of Americans were deeply concerned that AI could put swathes of the country out of work permanently.

Desperate for economic growth and to benefit from the AI gold rush, incumbent politicians across the globe are increasingly gung-ho about AI while downplaying the considerable risks it presents to the public. A chasm is starting to emerge in many countries between how the public feels about AI and governments stated enthusiasm for the technology. And weve seen what happens when such chasms emerge: Opportunistic populist politicians step in.

In the same way that immigration has become a lightning rod for contemporary politics, I expect AI to become one over the next few years, especially around the issue of jobs.

A white-collar uprising is looming, and mainstream politicians had better be ready for it, armed with both concrete plans and compassion if they want to remain in office. If they are not, those on the more extreme ends of the political spectrum  particularly on the left  are likely to displace them.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is gearing up to enthral the people of the Northeast with a grand flying display over the majestic Brahmaputra river at Lachit Ghat, Guwahati, on November 9 2025, as part of the celebrations marking the 93rd Anniversary of IAF, a press release said. According to the release, preparations for the event are in full swing, with participating aircraft and display teams arriving in Guwahati to carry out rehearsals and coordination activities ahead of the much-anticipated showcase. The flying display will take place from 1100 Hr to 1400 Hr from the northern and southern banks of Brahmaputra river on 05, 06, 08 and 09 November 2025, offering citizens a rare opportunity to witness aerial display of a diverse range of aircraft including the indigenously built Light Combat Aircraft "Tejas"' Rafale and the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), along with other frontline platforms of the IAF, stated in a release. This year, Air Force Day celebrations carry the theme "Infallible, Impervious and Precise - acuuk, abhedy v sttiik" reflecting the IAF's unwavering commitment to operational capability, resilience and precision in every mission, a release said. The event will also pay tribute to the glorious legacy of the Indian Air Force while inspiring the youth of the region to pursue careers in the IAF and contribute to the nation's growth and security. The IAF Flying Display-2025 is expected to attract significant public interest across the Northeast. Further details regarding viewing arrangements, traffic advisories and access routes will be shared closer to the event through Official IAF social media handles and local media platforms. Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force is all set to enthral spectators with a spectacular flypast over the Statue of Unity at Kevadiya (Gujarat) on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) on October 31. The event commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the Iron Man of India and the architect of India's national integration. (ANI)
This week, the Trump White House fired all six members of the Commission of Fine Arts  a federal agency thats quietly shaped the way Americas capital looks and feels for more than a century. These commissioners were supposed to serve through 2028 and were the people expected to review President Trumps new projects, including a $300 million White House ballroom and a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery.

Now, theyre gone.

In an email reviewed by The Washington Post, the White House made it plain, saying: On behalf of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as a member of the Commission of Fine Arts is terminated, effective immediately.

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A White House official later confirmed the move, saying: We are preparing to appoint a new slate of members to the commission that are more aligned with President Trumps America First Policies.

Translation? Trump doesnt just want to design buildings  he wants to design the people who approve them.

The Commission of Fine Arts isnt political by nature. Its the body that weighs in on monuments, memorials and historic buildings, from the Lincoln Memorial to the National Mall. Its been an independent voice since 1910, advising presidents but not serving them. Until now.

Trumps team has already torn down the White Houses East Wing to make room for the ballroom, before any formal review could take place. One fired commissioner, Bruce Becker, said his group would look forward to a full review of the plans for the new structure that will replace the East Wing  well, now hes been terminated.

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If this feels familiar, its because it is. President Biden also fired Trump appointees from the same commission in 2021, and critics accused him of politicizing the arts. But heres the difference: Biden wasnt preparing to build a ballroom with his name all over it.

Trumps firing spree also extends to another key body, the National Capital Planning Commission, where his allies now hold the majority. That board will likely decide whether the ballroom gets approved. In other words, Trump now controls the referees and the field.

This isnt just about art or architecture. Its about legacy  and who gets to define it. When you control how Washington looks, you shape how history remembers you. And thats the real story here: The man who once promised to drain the swamp is now redesigning it  in marble, gold, and his own reflection.

Lindsey Granger is a NewsNation contributor and co-host of The Hills commentary show Rising. This column is an edited transcription of her on-air commentary.

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A lot of problems are going to be solved, President Donald Trump predicted ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping Thursday morning in Busan, South Korea. The summit came just days after the president threatened an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods. After Thursdays meeting, the two countries announced not so much a full-fledged deal as a truce: China will pause the limits on exports of rare earth minerals that sparked Trumps 100% tariff threat, while the U.S. will cut tariffs related to fentanyl, from 20% to 10%. On the scale from zero to 10, with 10 being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12, Trump said.

But no matter how rosy a picture Trump paints of this new deal, the reality will be far bleaker. Agreeing not to act on an outrageous threat isnt progress. The core issues that have defined the United States relationship with China remain unchanged  and many have worsened since Trump took office. When it comes to competition with China, by any measure Americans are worse off than a year ago.

The repercussions for the Trump administrations foreign and economic policies are clear. The cost of living in America continues to increase thanks to Trumps tariffs. A recent report from Goldman Sachs found that American consumers are bearing more than half of the cost of those tariffs. And, as more companies exhaust their pre-tariff inventories, the percentage passed on to consumers will likely increase. American manufacturers are also struggling with the impact on the goods and materials they use in production. At last count, the country had lost 42,000 manufacturing jobs since Trumps liberation day tariff announcement in April.

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Perhaps no sector has been hurt more by Trumps trade war than American farmers. Last year, China bought more than $12 billion worth of American soybeans  far more than any other country. But in response to Trumps tariffs, China began boycotting the purchase of U.S. soybeans and also reduced its purchases of other American agricultural products, including almonds, wheat and beef.

American farmers are dealing with this financial hit as they face higher prices for fertilizers and farm equipment as a result of Trumps policies, as well as higher borrowing costs. Today, more than half of all American farms are losing money, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. In the 12 months ending in June, for example, farm bankruptcies were up 56% compared with the year before.

On Wednesday, Chinas state-owned COFCO made its first purchases of U.S. soybeans from this years harvest, and on Thursday, Trump said that Xi had authorized a massive amount of purchases. But the damage will already be done. Brazil and Argentina have backfilled the market share that once belonged to American farmers, and once foreign buyers replace their supplies, its very hard to persuade them to change their minds. Worse still, the president and his administrations impulsive trade actions have made U.S. farmers look unreliable to foreign buyers. Now, in addition to competing on price, American farmers must convince international buyers that theyll be allowed to sell at competitive prices in the future. And since no one trusts that Trumps or his advisers policies will remain consistent, thats a hard sell.

Thursdays meeting also did not alter Chinas troubling record on human rights, labor rights or environmental degradation. It did not change the fact that China controls a near-monopoly over the export of rare earths, which Beijing can  and will  leverage in the future. And it did not undo the deep distrust Trump has created between the U.S. and its traditional partners and allies, many of whom are now signing trade deals with each other, often in opposition to the zero-sum view of global trade espoused by Trump and his allies.

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Chinas plan to weaponize its export of rare earths provides a useful example of why this is such a problem, even if those plans are delayed. Beijings actions dont just affect Americans, they affect everyone. The proper response  and the only one likely to have a lasting impact  is for the U.S. to work with a broad coalition of other affected countries to counter Chinas new policy. But the Trump administration has badly burned the bridges necessary to facilitate such a collaborative effort.

Whats more, whatever Trumps new deal with China entails, it wont reverse his administrations dismantling of American investments in clean energy, supply chain resilience and industrial competitiveness. Instead, China will be left to continue its dominance over the production of the technologies that will define the worlds future.

Nor will any deal stop the Trump administrations ongoing attacks on the countrys innovation ecosystem, including major cuts to federal research and development, its war on public education and escalating threats to immigrants. On all fronts, these attacks continue to drive talent and prosperity away, leaving our nation and its workers in a worse position to compete with Chinas predatory export policies going forward.

If the Trump administration thinks its latest deal with China is a win, they have a very odd definition of winning.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Utahs economy is as diverse as its landscapes. From the innovation corridors of Lehi to the family-owned manufacturers of Cache Valley, and from energy producers in the Uinta Basin to the outdoor recreation of Southern Utah, each region contributes something essential to our shared prosperity. That local strength is the foundation of Utahs success. In Utah, we have a way to unite those strengths without losing what makes each community unique through our Utah Chamber, recently announced by the Salt Lake Chamber.

As chamber leaders, weve seen firsthand how deeply our local economies are rooted in place. Our chambers exist to serve the entrepreneurs and employers who make our cities and towns thrive. While our work begins locally, the challenges our members face rarely stop at county lines. Workforce shortages, infrastructure investment, housing affordability and resource management are all issues that demand statewide solutions.

Thats why a unified, statewide chamber matters  not as a replacement for local leadership, but as an amplifier of it. The Utah Chamber provides a forum for local and regional chambers to collaborate on shared priorities, speak with one coordinated voice at the Capitol and ensure that business policy being advocated at the state and national level reflects the needs of every corner of our state.

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The principles that the Utah Chamber is based on come back to the idea that Utah needs unity without uniformity. We need to join forces to strengthen our collective influence while preserving each region and industrys distinct voices and priorities. The issues that matter most in Ogden may differ from those in Cedar City or Vernal, but our shared commitment to a thriving business climate binds us together.

Utah Chamber serves as a bridge: connecting regions, aligning advocacy and ensuring that every chamber, large or small, urban or rural, has a place in shaping Utahs economic future. When we share data, align messaging and coordinate our efforts, we dont lose individuality; we gain impact.

Utahs local chambers have always been powerful advocates for their communities. But when a housing bill affects workforce availability statewide or transportation investments determine how goods and workers move across regions, the most effective voice to impact those decisions is a united one. The Utah Chamber ensures that local priorities can be elevated to statewide action, backed by the collective credibility and insight of business leaders from every region.

This approach also works both ways: as the statewide chamber advocates for key economic policies, it can share information, resources and strategies back to local chambers, which helps them engage their members more effectively. In short, its about strengthening the whole by supporting each part.

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Weve already seen how collaboration pays off. When chambers from across the state have worked together on workforce training programs, broadband access or economic development initiatives, the results have been faster, smarter and more sustainable. The Utah Chamber formalizes that spirit of partnership and gives it structure, consistency and staying power.

The Utah Chamber belongs to all of us. Its mission is to represent the interests of the entire business community. Each local chamber remains the heartbeat of its community, and through this network, those beats combine into a stronger, steadier rhythm for the whole state.

Utahs growth and prosperity depend on collaboration among chambers, industries and communities alike. As chamber leaders, were proud to be part of this next chapter in Utahs success. We know that unity does not require uniformity, but rather when we align our strengths, our message carries further and our impact reaches deeper. By bringing our chambers together under one collaborative banner, were ensuring that those values continue to guide our states economic future  for every region, every business and every Utahn.
After weeks of saying that it would tap congressionally appropriated contingency funds to provide food assistance for low-income families in November, the Trump administration abruptly reversed course last week. Now, the administration asserts it is somehow not permitted to spend contingency funds in this way and has no choice but to cut off food assistance starting this weekend. These claims do not bear even the most cursory examination.

The program in question is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the modernized replacement for the old Food Stamp Program. During an average month, SNAP provides food assistance to about 42 million people. About half of SNAP households contain elderly or disabled people. Of the others, about half are currently employed while most of the rest are relying on SNAP during relatively short periods of unemployment. Eligibility for SNAP is limited to those living below, or just above, the poverty line. Almost two in five SNAP recipients are children.

SNAP owes much to political leaders of both parties. President Richard Nixon insisted that food assistance be available nationwide. Conservative Republicans have repeatedly partnered with liberal Democrats over decades to improve SNAPs efficiency, effectiveness and accountability.

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Since adequate nutrition is essential for health and for the ability to seek and perform work, Congress insisted that SNAP shall be furnished to all eligible households who make application. Inclusion of sufficient funds to serve all households in annual appropriations bills has never been controversial.

To ensure that SNAP continued even during government shutdowns, Congress began including contingency funds in its annual appropriations for SNAP. Unlike the rest of the SNAP appropriation, these funds remain available after the end of a fiscal year. On Oct. 1, the SNAP contingency fund contained $6 billion that was provided over the past two years. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, or the USDA, which oversees SNAP, reportedly committed about $425 million of this money to pay for states administration of SNAP in October. (October benefits were funded by the prior years appropriation.)

That leaves more than $5.5 billion in the SNAP contingency reserve. The appropriation act providing that money says only that it is for necessary expenses to carry out the Food and Nutrition Act, which authorizes SNAP, and that the contingency funds are for use only in such amounts and at such times as may become necessary to carry out program operations. If SNAP would otherwise cease operations in November, it is hard to argue that spending the contingency funds is not necessary. Holding them back violates USDAs statutory duty to furnish [SNAP] to all eligible households who make application.

Puzzlingly, the administration now says these funds may only be spent for individuals in disaster areas. Nothing in the appropriations acts imposes any such limitations. It just says that the funds are for operating SNAP, which has both disaster and non-disaster components.

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Nobody has ever questioned that SNAP contingency funds could pay for SNAP benefits in government shutdowns. When shutdowns loomed in 2013 and 2015, the USDA issued public statements promising to pay SNAP benefits with the contingency funds. During the record 2018-19 government shutdown, the first Trump administrations USDA repeatedly stated that it can confirm that limited funding is available from the contingency that can be used to provide benefits.

Indeed, this administrations Lapse in Funding Plan published on Sept. 30 stated, Congressional intent is evident that SNAPs operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds.  These multi-year contingency funds are also available to fund participant benefits.

Even if SNAP contingency funds were not available, Congress has given the USDA broad authority to transfer funds among food assistance programs. Child nutrition programs started this month with about $30 billion in appropriated funds. The administration transferred $300 million of that to continue benefits in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, or WIC. That same authority would allow it to transfer the roughly $3 billion required to fully fund SNAP for November.

As the child nutrition programs only spend about $3 billion per month, transferring funds to SNAP for November benefits would still leave enough in the child nutrition account to support more than half a year of those programs operations. Presumably they will get additional funds long before that, when Congress passes appropriations legislation to end the current government shutdown. Claims that transferring necessary funds to SNAP would endanger school meals or access to infant formula through WIC are fearmongering at its worst, wholly unsupported by the actual numbers.

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Government shutdowns are ugly things, and we should expect that each party will lob accusations at its adversaries. But we should not expect and should not tolerate holding hostage the food on which that 42 million vulnerable people depend, particularly when doing so violates the plain command of the law.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Black River, Jamaica, was the first spot on the island to be electrified, back in 1893. After Hurricane Melissa tore through this week, much of the island is in the dark, and according to Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Black River has been totally destroyed.

Jamaica felt the full wrath of Melissa, a storm that needed only 24 hours to intensify from a tropical storm to a Category 4 behemoth. By the time it made landfall only 10 or 12 miles from Black River in New Hope, it had grown even stronger: Category 5, 185 mph winds  or maybe even stronger  and a slow, meandering pace that let it lash its targets with that wind and rain for too long.

This has become a grim hallmark of a warming world. Rapid intensification of hurricanes relies on conditions that in decades past were much more rare than they are today. A 2023 study found that the average maximum rate of intensification was almost 30% higher from 2001 to 2020 than it was between 1971 and 1990; the number of storms that leap from Category 1 to Category 3 or higher within 36 hours has more than doubled in that modern era compared to in the past. Since that study came out, we have witnessed, among other examples, Hurricane Miltons wind speed jump 95 mph in a day.

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The main culprit is heat. Abnormally warm waters  both at the surface and down below  helped Melissa gain strength, even as it took a leisurely path that in a normal world would likely lead its power to wane. That warmth is being added, year by year, via the greenhouse gases the world continues to emit. Saying so has become cliche at this point, but once again, its necessary to point out that the countries barely responsible for the emission of greenhouse gases are bearing the brunt of the consequences.

In 2023, excluding land-use changes, Jamaica emitted less than eight million tons of carbon dioxide. The U.S. emitted that much every 14 hours or so. In China, that number would be less than six hours. In a single year, the U.S. emits 10 times as much carbon dioxide as Jamaica has emitted ever, in total. And Haiti, where at least 23 people have died from Melissas impacts, emits half the carbon dioxide Jamaica does.

The other anomaly facing Jamaica and the rest of the region isnt climatological, but governmental. The Trump administration has made some promising noises this week about providing aid as the damage becomes more clear, but it is doing so after nine months of attempts to kneecap a wide swath of government function and while, notably, the federal government remains shut down. Already, the difference in response to disasters rich countries emissions have helped fuel is plain: Only a year ago, the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, sent staff and supplies to the Caribbean before Hurricane Beryl arrived on its tear through the region, along with coordinating the response once it had passed. This time, USAID is  gone.

While the relatively poor nations of the Caribbean will face down perpetually microwaved waters and the storms they produce from here on out, the U.S. itself is, of course, not immune from hurricanes. Though much of the related devastation the country has faced in recent years was due to the storms water rather than wind  recovery is still ongoing a year after Helene, for example  no place in the country would be safe from, essentially, an EF4 tornado blown out to hurricane size.

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Only a small handful of hurricanes have made landfall in this country as a Category 5 storm. Only one, the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, had wind speeds to match Melissas ferocity, and though it killed more than 400 people in the Florida Keys and elsewhere, it occurred far too long ago to offer much in the way of lessons. Hurricane Andrew, however, perhaps does offer a glimpse into what almost seems like an inevitable future.

That 1992 storm, which devastated the Miami area after making landfall with 165 mph winds  still 20 mph weaker than the punch Melissa packed  destroyed tens of thousands of structures and damaged many more, for a total cost of roughly $26.5 billion (upward of $60 billion in todays dollars). In its wake, Florida revamped its building codes, and as a result, most new construction is significantly stronger than it used to be  of course, not all construction is new construction, there are a lot more coastal structures than there used to be and whatever enormous waves get kicked up will be starting from a higher point due to sea levels rising.

A 2017 analysis by insurance giant Swiss Re found that if Andrew returned in its exact same form, it would cause upward of $100 billion in damage; if it veered 20 miles north and actually struck downtown Miami, that number would rise to nearly $300 billion. (Thats $130 billion and $400 billion today.) And of course, not every state has Floridas building codes.

No matter how much you prepare for a Category 5 hurricane, its horrendous to experience, said Lixion Avila, a retired NOAA hurricane specialist who was on staff at the National Hurricane Center during Andrews rampage, on the storms 30th anniversary. As Black River and the rest of Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and more start to dig out and rebuild, the sentiment rings grotesquely true. And in a warmer, warming world, more and more people  in the Caribbean as well as in the U.S.  are likely to join a grim, catastrophic club.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Sixty-three years later, a new Cuban Missile Crisis is in the making. Team Trump is building up a vast array of military forces in the Caribbean.

Significantly, more than 10 percent of the U.S. naval fleet is either already on station or, as with the U.S.S. Gerald Ford strike group and U.S.S. Gravely guided-missile destroyer, headed toward the region. In terms of scale, that is akin to Washingtons stationing of U.S. forces to defend Israel against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks earlier this year.

It is also SOUTHCOMs largest buildup in the region since President John F. Kennedy ordered a blockade of Cuba in response to the Soviet Union building nuclear missile silos there.

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Team Trump, for now, is largely positioning this as a domestic response to drug cartels  particularly the Venezuela-based Tren de Aragua transnational crime syndicate  trafficking illegal drugs into the U.S. But in reality, this is much bigger.

President Trump, during his first administration, adopted a maximum pressure campaign against Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro after he declared himself the winner in the 2018 presidential election that was boycotted by the opposition due to systemic election violations. Washington refused to recognize Maduros reelection.

Instead, in January 2019, Trump and 50 other nations recognized Juan Guaido as the winner and acting president of Venezuela. In response, Madura severed diplomatic ties with the U.S.

Hugo Chavez, Maduros leftist predecessor, had begun to align his country with Moscow, Beijing and Tehran as early as 2005. Now, the rupture with the U.S. was complete.

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The Axis of Evil had found its modern-day South American upstart first in Chavez and then in Maduro. Russian President Vladimir Putin sealed a deal with Chavez in 2006 to sell combat planes and helicopters to Venezuela.

By late 2009, Chavez had secured a $2.2 billion line of credit for Venezuela to purchase [Russian] weapons including armored vehicles and surface-to-air missiles. For all of Putins recent complaints against NATO member-states arming Ukraine, the Kremlin  17 years ago  was arming Venezuela to counter neighboring Colombias decision to give U.S. troops greater access to its military bases.

During that same timeframe, Chavez solidified economic ties with China. Beginning in 2006, he signed multiple trade agreements with Beijing and referred to them as a Great Wall protecting Venezuela from American hegemonism. By then, Chavez was openly calling President George W. Bush the devil and was establishing Venezuela alongside Iran, Syria and North Korea as junior members of the Axis of Evil.

Chinese purchases of Venezuelan oil proved decisive in letting Maduro skirt past U.S. oil sanctions aimed at ending his regime. Likewise, it gave oil-hungry Beijing another source of oil imports.

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Fast-forward to March 2022. Putins armies had invaded Ukraine. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was putting his finishing touches on his Axis of Resistance  Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis in Yemen. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was test-firing an unprecedented number of nuclear-capable ballistic missiles over Japanese territory.

The permissive environment that President Joe Biden had created was backfiring on him. He was looking for wins. Fearing spikes in global oil prices, Biden abandoned Trumps maximum pressure approach against Caracas and naively sought to peel off Maduro from the anti-Western axis.

Predictably, Maduro took everything he could from Biden and then stiffed him. Despite U.S. energy sanctions relief, Maduro continued to ban Maria Corina Machado (winner of this years Nobel Peace Prize) as a presidential candidate. By July 2024 the Venezuelan dictator was even threatening to militarily seize Essequibo, a province of Guyana where U.S.-based Exxon has invested billions.

As Elliot Abrams noted, President Biden last year nonetheless gave oxygen to the Maduro regime. Ironically, it took a fellow leftist government in Brazil to keep Caracas in check  it vetoed Venezuelas bid to join BRICS after Maduros flagrant theft of the 2024 election from winner Edmundo Gonzalez.

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That was then. This is now. Trumps maximum pressure campaign against Maduro is back, and this time, he is casting a wider net. The Pentagons show of force is also squarely aimed at Moscow and Beijing  an assertion of a modern Monroe Doctrine.

The White Houses messaging to the Axis of Evil is as simple as it is blunt: hands off of the Western Hemisphere. As we noted last January, Trump began sending that message to Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping when he refused to rule out military force in Greenland or the Panama Canal.

So far, neither Putin nor Xi appear willing to accept the message. Significantly, over the weekend, a Russian cargo plane linked in the past to the Wagner Group and other Russian paramilitary companies landed in Caracas. In the past, these planes have been used to ship rockets, warheads, and helicopter parts globally.

Notably, the cargo plane took a circuitous route from Moscow to Caracas via Armenia, Algeria, Morocco, Senegal and Mauritania to Latin America. Although its contents remain unknown, Putins messaging to Trump is obvious. He is willing to bring his global war against the West to the Americas.

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Beijing is also weighing in on Trumps buildup in the Caribbean. Mao Ning, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, said last week that China opposes any move that violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and a countrys sovereignty and security. We oppose the use or threat of force in international relations and the interference of external forces in Venezuelas internal affairs under any pretext.

No doubt Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines wish China would live up to Nings laughably hollow statement and stop encroaching on their waters while maneuvering against Taipei.

Nonetheless, Team Trump can book a win here. Putin and Xi have taken notice and are at a loss as to how best to counter Washington. Maduro will likely lose. World War III is here, and although it is all getting too close to home, the U.S. seems to be winning.

Mark Toth writes on national security and foreign policy. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Sweet served 30 years as a military intelligence officer and led the U.S. European Command Intelligence Engagement Division from 2012 to 2014.

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Gergely Gulyas, Minister of the Hungarian Prime Minister's Office, has announced that Viktor Orban is to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on 7 November.

Source: Index, a Hungarian news website, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Gulyas said Orban is due to meet Trump at the White House on 7 November, a day earlier than unofficial media reports had indicated.

He said talks between Hungary and the US on a range of issues have been ongoing for a long time and the purpose of the visit is to reach agreements on cooperation in energy, defence, business and finance.

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Quote: "The meeting will give the two leaders an opportunity to exchange views on possible ways to achieve peace and to discuss a roadmap leading to a US-Russian meeting and, as a result, an end to the Russo-Ukrainian war."

More details: One of the contentious issues at the talks is likely to be the fact that Hungary is still buying Russian energy and is reluctant to stop.

Background:

Trump has insisted that Europe must stop buying Russian oil and gas. He recently imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia's largest oil companies, and their subsidiaries.

Orban has said that Hungary is working on finding a way to bypass the US sanctions on Russian oil companies.

The Hungarian government is trying to persuade the US that, as a landlocked country, Hungary has no choice but to rely on Russian oil. Hungarian officials claim that they cannot solve this problem, even though there is an alternative oil pipeline that connects Hungary to the Adriatic Sea via Croatia  a fact that European leaders frequently remind them of.

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that an investigation into a fire that broke out last week at a MOL oil refinery in Szazhalombatta is ongoing, and he has not ruled out that it may have been caused by an "external attack".

Source: Orban on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "The investigation is well underway. We don't know yet whether it was an accident, a malfunction, or an external attack."

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Details: The Hungarian prime minister also referred to an earlier remark by Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski, who Orban said had "advised the Ukrainians to blow up the Druzhba oil pipeline".

"Let's hope that is not the case," he added.

Background:

On the night of 20-21 October, a fire broke out at Hungary's main oil refinery. Firefighters managed to contain it by midday.

The refinery in Szazhalombatta is Hungary's only major oil processing plant and mostly refines Russian crude.

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A cut in federal food assistance has forced low-income Oregonians to turn more frequently to food banks for help. An Oregon Food Bank employee stocks up on food at its warehouse in northeast Portland. (Photo courtesy of the Oregon Food Bank)

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek on Wednesday declared a state of emergency over hunger and directed $5 million to food banks across the state, seeking to avert the impending November loss of food stamp benefits for hundreds of thousands of Oregonians under the federal governments ongoing shutdown.

Koteks emergency declaration gives authority to the Oregon Department of Emergency Management to coordinate with local governments, nonprofit organizations and private companies to respond and mitigate the impacts of this emergency. It calls for essential protective measures from the Oregon Department of Human Services to address food insecurity, while directing the agency to provide financial assistance to those facing hunger due to the loss of SNAP benefits. The order lasts until the end of the year, unless the federal government distributes benefits or Kotek changes its terms herself.

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Its unacceptable that families are being used as leverage in a political standoff in Washington, D.C., Kotek said in a statement. While the Republican-controlled Congress fails to do its job, Oregon will do ours. We stand up for each other, whether its fires, floods or any other crisis. I call on all Oregonians to do what they can to help their neighbors.

About one in six Oregonians, the majority of whom are children, disabled or seniors, rely on SNAP for food assistance. Koteks declaration comes one day after the federal government shutdown hit its four-week mark. It also follows Kotek urging the U.S Department of Agriculture on Monday to release emergency contingency funds that would allow SNAP benefits to remain during the shutdown and Oregon and other states suing the Trump administration on Tuesday to force the release of those funds. The federal agency has declined to do so, despite warnings from Oregon officials earlier this month that benefits would be running out by the end of October.

Food banks across Oregon, meanwhile, have warned that they do not have enough resources to absorb the impact of the loss of food stamp benefits. In her Wednesday order, Kotek drew upon $5 million from federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds to support the states network of food banks. That money is unspent from previous years and can support short term crisis benefits without creating new ongoing requirements, which is ideal for this emergency, the governors office said.

The ongoing federal government shutdown has pitted federal lawmakers on both sides of the aisle against each other, with Democrats refusing to back off their demands to restore subsidies for states under the Affordable Care Act that were rolled back under the GOPs tax and spending law.

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And in Oregon, state Sen. Christine Drazan, a Canby Republican who launched her campaign for governor against Kotek this week, criticized Kotek before her Wednesday order for not moving quickly to provide assistance. She highlighted a Washington plan announced Wednesday which orders the disbursement of $2.2 million in state funds each week to food banks across the state.

If Washington State can step up to protect its residents, why cant Oregon? Drazan said in a statement. Families cant wait for the Governor to play catch up. We need leadership and action now.

The average SNAP payment to an individual is $6 a day, according to research from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregon lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are playing the blame game when it comes to the federal government shutdown.

KOIN 6 News Political Director Ken Boddie received reactions from two congressmen. Congressman Cliff Bentz, the only Republican in the Oregon delegation, and Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley shared their differing views on the stalemate and how it can come to an end.

Coyote grabs child in Portland neighborhood

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Merkley said 210,000 Oregon children and 130,000 Oregon seniors will see a pause in their SNAP benefits because of the government shutdown. More than 700,000 Oregonians will be affected overall.

Merkley said the president is playing politics with Americans health by not activating a $5 billion contingency fund or using tariff revenue to fill the gap.

I mean, who in the United States says, Im going to make sure children go hungry for a month as a political tactic. Who says that except this president in this time? Its unethical, its immoral, its illegal, and were here to say, hell no, Merkley said.

It takes 60 votes to get something done in the Senate. We have 53 Republicans. The Democrats have the power to stop anything, without shutting down the government. Why are they shutting down the government? What theyre doing is saying, If you dont do it our way, were just going to close down the government and make a lot of people suffer, Bentz said.

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National Guard came to Portland despite order not to

Democrats say theyre holding out on the continuing resolution to preserve health care subsidies that would be eliminated if it passes. Those tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, 26 state attorneys general, including Oregons Dan Rayfield, are suing the Trump administration to release the SNAP benefits.

The bottom line, 42 million Americans, overall, stand to lose their food assistance benefits come November 1, no matter whos to blame.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Russia has successfully conducted a test of its advanced nuclear-capable underwater drone, Poseidon, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday, RT reported. Speaking during a visit to a military hospital in Moscow, Putin confirmed that the trials of the Poseidon system were carried out on Tuesday. "When it comes to speed and depth, there is nothing comparable to this unmanned vehicle anywhere in the world, and it is unlikely to appear anytime soon," the Russian President said. Putin added that the Poseidon currently has "no interception methods" underscoring its strategic importance to Russia's defence capabilities. "For the first time, we succeeded not only in launching it from a submarine using its booster engine, but also in activating its nuclear power unit, which provided energy to the vehicle for a certain period. This is a tremendous success," Putin stated. According to him, the capabilities of Poseidon "significantly exceed the power of even our most promising Sarmat intercontinental-range missile." First unveiled in 2018, the Poseidon is described by Russian media as a deep-sea unmanned vehicle equipped with a nuclear propulsion system that allows for virtually unlimited range. The drone, reportedly measuring around 20 meters in length and weighing about 100 tons, can reach speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour and dive to depths exceeding 1,000 meters, RT reported. This development comes within a week of the successful test of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile test by Moscow, which US President Donald Trump described as "inappropriate" and advised Putin to focus on ending the conflict with Ukraine. "I don't think it's an appropriate thing for Putin to be saying either. By the way, he ought to get the war ended. A war that should have taken one week is now in its fourth year. That's what he ought to do instead of testing missiles," Trump said. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin has also signed a law terminating the already defunct plutonium disposal agreement with the United States, aimed at limiting production of nuclear weapons-grade material, RT reported. The agreement, signed in September 2000, required both Russia and the United States to dispose of 34 tons of weapons-grade plutonium that was no longer needed for military purposes. (ANI)
The incumbents in Oregon's 5th and 6th Congressional districts have an advantage of being already in office but will face challenges next year. (Getty Images)

The Oregon Legislature, dominated as it is by the two major parties, often has been a burial ground for efforts to change the dynamics of the parties clout.

The initiative process is a more open pathway, the more so since there are more non-aligned voters in Oregon than there are either Republicans or Democrats, not to mention the sizable number in minor parties. And those many non-major party voters may jump at the chance to take a meaningful role in an important part of the process of selecting governmental leaders which until now has been closed to them.

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Not only that: The political environment is such that Oregon Democrats now might find it makes sense for them to go along with it as well.

The core idea, unveiled this month in its latest form, is simple: Allow everyone to vote in any partys primary elections, as opposed to people who are registered only for that party.

The proponents are offering two measures, one a proposed constitutional amendment and the other an initiative to change election law.

The amendment sets out the basic plan: No voter shall be denied the right to vote solely because of the voters non-affiliation with a political party in any election funded by the state or its public jurisdictions. In primary elections, all candidates shall be listed on a single ballot, regardless of their party affiliations, allowing all eligible voters to vote for the candidates of their choice for: United States senator, representative in Congress, Governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, state senator and state representative and any other public office so designated by law.

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The initiative also lays out some of the specifics. One part of the measure could be controversial in some places: It provides that in the primary election, the top two vote-getters (of whatever party, or none) would advance to the general election.

Primary elections are no small deal. In many parts of Oregon (and some would argue, even in statewide races) the decisions of who will hold elective office is effectively settled in the primary. Most legislative districts in Multnomah County, for example, are unlikely to elect in November anyone who is not a Democratic nominee, and the same is true for Republicans in most places east of the Cascades.

Those with political memory will recall that in last years general election Oregon voters rejected a statewide ranked-choice plan, 42.3% to 57.7%. But that was a complex proposal, and it wasnt clear that ranked choice was specifically the main reason it failed. And Oregon voters have been known to reverse themselves on ballot concepts before when details change, as the subjects of same-sex marriage and marijuana legalization have shown.

The new measures are being backed by prominent names from three distinct sectors  former Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski, former Republican state Rep. Cheri Helt of Bend and Independent Party of Oregon Co-Chair Andrew Kaza.

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Kulongoski said, When this is on the ballot, half of the people in the state will be neither Democrats or Republican registered. And I think that the party should have to make an appeal to those independents as to why they think their candidate is the best one.

Nonaligned registration is the top choice in 21 of Oregons 36 counties  in Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Deschutes, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lincoln, Linn, Malheur, Marion, Morrow, Polk, Tillamook, Umatilla, Wasco, Washington and Yamhill.

Five of the six U.S. House districts have non-aligned as the top choice, the sole exception being the overwhelmingly Democratic Portland-based 3rd district.

Beyond that, there are at least a couple of compelling reasons Democrats might be interested in joining this open-primary effort.

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One is as pushback against the vote-restrictive policies of the Trump administration and many Republican officeholders in other states: The new proposals speak to openness. Republicans possibly could benefit from this too but because of their policies on voting rights theyre less well positioned for it.

Beyond that, as a matter of political tactics, Democratic support of an open primary plan would tend to align Democrats more with the recently burgeoning non-aligned and independent voting groups. In national popularity polling, the Democratic Party has been scoring terribly in recent years. Support of open primaries could be a move in the direction of people who have been drifting away.

If these ballot issues (which still face an extensive petition challenge) can pick up additional support from Democrats and some non-major party voters tired of sitting out a key part of the election process, this one may have a better chance for passage than last years ranked choice.

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(This story has been updated to include new information)

A trial to determine if National Guard troops can be deployed to Portland began Oct. 29, with Oregon and the Trump administration outlining their arguments, which repeated the points they have made for about a month.

U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut heard opening arguments from Oregon, Portland, California and the Trump administration in what is set to be a three-day trial.

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At issue is whether President Donald Trump has the authority to federalize and deploy the National Guard in response to protests at Portland's ICE facility.

Immergut, who was appointed by Trump, blocked the federalization and deployment of Oregon National Guard members and the deployment of any federalized National Guard to Oregon in a pair of temporary restraining orders issued Oct. 4 and Oct. 5.

Judges for the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals blocked Immergut's first order on Oct. 20 in a 2-1 decision.

U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut heard opening arguments from Oregon, Portland, California and the Trump administration in what is set to be a three-day trial over whether the Trump administration has the authority to send the National Guard to Portland.

A majority of the Ninth Circuit judges voted in favor of vacating that decision and having a panel of 11 judges rehear the case on Oct. 28, hours before the district court trial began.

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The Trump administration appealed only Immergut's first order, though it argued the second should be lifted after the first was blocked.

The second order has prevented the deployment of National Guard members thus far. Jean Lin, an attorney for the Trump administration, disclosed on Oct. 29 that Oregon National Guard members were deployed late Oct. 4 and early in the morning of Oct. 5.

That was hours after Immergut issued the first order blocking deployment of the Oregon Guard and ahead of the second order she would issue on Oct. 5.

Well discuss later if thats contempt, Immergut said.

DOJ attorney Eric Hamilton attempted to clear things up during day two of the trial on Oct. 30.

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The document that seemed to show that National Guard members were deployed after Immergut's first order "should not be misinterpreted," he said.

In reality, Hamilton said no troops were deployed after the order was issued, but between seven and 10 troops were already at the ICE facility and had been there since 11:35 a.m.

They were pulled back after the order, Hamilton said, though he went on to say "we havent been able to figure out the exact time," that troops left the facility.

Confusion over Guard members being deployed until 2 a.m. on Oct. 5 was based on a time zone difference and should have actually been midnight PST, he said. That timeline came from email records showing a shift plan, not the actual movements of the Guard, Hamilton clarified.

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Immergut said it "seems odd" that troops from other states were able to be mobilized very quickly following her first order, yet it appeared Guardsmen already at the facility were not immediately cleared.

Her first order was issued at 3:40 p.m. on Oct. 4.

"They could have gotten the message to the guardsmen if they felt it was important," she said.

Oregon, Portland, California and Trump administration lay out arguments over National Guard deployment

The deployment of National Guard troops into Portland is lawful and subject to limited review by the court, legal defense attorneys for the Trump administration said in opening statements on Oct. 29.

They pointed to a decision from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a lawsuit over the deployment of the National Guard in California where the judges said the president has a "great level of deference" in deciding which incidents rise to the need for federal intervention.

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Oregon, Portland and California argued Trump exceeded his authority by federalizing and deploying the National Guard to Portland.

The Trump administration attempted to directly contravene this courts order by calling in the California National Guard shortly after Immergut blocked deployment of Oregon's Guard, said Caroline Turco, Portlands senior deputy city attorney.

The protests at the ICE facility do not rise to the level of a federal deployment and immigration laws have continued to be enforced, she argued.

Oregon, Portland and California argued that by deploying the troops, Trump acted outside of his scope of power.

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At issue is Title 10, Section 12406 of the U.S. Code, which gives the president the authority to mobilize the National Guard when the U.S. is or is at risk of having a rebellion, being invaded by foreign forces or if "the President is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States."

The parties disagree over whether the protests at the ICE facility meet those requirements.

In legal briefs, Oregon, Portland and California also argued the deployment is in violation of states' rights under the 10th amendment.

In opening arguments, legal counsel for the Trump administration said proving the president exceeded his powers is a high bar that Oregon's lawsuit is unlikely to meet.

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The Trump administration has maintained the deployment is necessary in light of protests at the ICE facility.

Immergut heard testimony from law enforcement witnesses regarding on-the-ground conditions at the facility.

Legal Battle over National Guard deployment to Portland passes one-month mark

The trial is the latest development in a lengthy back-and-forth legal battle over the deployment of troops into Portland.

Here are some of the major events so far:

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Anastasia Mason covers state government for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at acmason@statesmanjournal.com or 971-208-5615.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Trial begins in deployment of National Guard to Portland
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeiers demand that murder charges be dropped in an alleged Orlando road rage shooting, a case of political intervention in the justice system so unusual it was criticized by both prosecutors and defense attorneys, led to a plea deal Thursday on a lesser charge and a shorter sentence.

What was scheduled to be a hearing to decide whether Tina Allgeo defended herself under Floridas Stand Your Ground law when she killed 42-year-old Mihail Tsvetkov in December instead resulted in Allgeo pleading no contest to aggravated battery with a vehicle. Tsvetkov had assaulted Allgeo after she ran into his car.

In exchange for her plea, Allgeo, 48, will serve a maximum 18 months in state prison, followed by a 10-year probation period that can be shortened to five years.

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The deal between Allgeos lawyer Mark OMara and Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell came together over the last two days.

Speaking to reporters in the courtyard of the Orange County Courthouse, Worrell pointed to Uthmeiers Sept. 8 ultimatum that the case be dropped entirely or she would face further intervention as the reason her office decided to quickly resolve the charges. Additionally, she said Uthmeier had not been in touch with her office to discuss the Allgeo matter, which would have given him a more informed process by which to comment on the case.

This is not the accountability that I would have liked to see in this case; however, based on the interference of the attorney general, this is the justice that this case has come to, said Worrell, who said prosecutors typically should not speak on a case in a manner that can influence the outcome.

OMara, who in the past has defended high-profile suspects like George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin, said he would have likely succeeded in arguing his motion to dismiss the case, though he admitted the aggravated battery charge was more appropriate than second-degree murder, the more serious offense of which Allgeo was accused.

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Uthmeier stepping in, however, was horrific  beneficial to my client, maybe, in some weird sense  but I dont think its appropriate for any politician to get involved in the system, said OMara, who had previously denied seeking the attorney generals involvement in the matter.

Allgeos case was among several mentioned in letters to Uthmeier and Gov. Ron DeSantis sent by Worrells office earlier this month, following a barrage of attacks against the State Attorneys handling of certain cases in the months since Worrell was reelected. The letters accused Uthmeier of trying to manufacture a pretext to remove Worrell from office, as DeSantis did in 2023.

In a statement posted to X, Uthmeier reacted to the cases resolution: Were glad to see that Orlando State Attorney Worrell took our advice and dropped the unjust murder charge against Tina Allgeo this morning. Ms. Allgeo clearly acted in self-defense. In Florida, we will protect the right to stand your ground against violent aggressors.

Though Allgeo shot Tsvetkov as he attacked her in her car, prosecutors said that was the result of her own actions as she tried preventing him from leaving the scene of an accident involving their vehicles, and then followed him. The brief pursuit ended after Orlando police investigators said she side-swiped Tsvetkovs car, prompting him to leave the vehicle and open her door to beat her.

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I truly believe that we would and should have won this hearing this morning because it is a burden of the state to provide clear and convincing evidence that Ms. Allgeo did not have the protection of the [Stand Your Ground] statute, OMara said. And there are no facts that would support anybody ripping open the car door and beating somebody in their own car for any reason whatsoever.

But Worrell insisted her office would have succeeded had the motion to dismiss been argued as scheduled, saying video of the moments leading up to the shooting would have proven this was not a self-defense case.

This is a case of road rage where two people made some pretty bad decisions in their driving, she said. Those decisions escalated act after act after act, leading up to Ms. Allgeo in this case intentionally ramming her vehicle into Mr. Tsvetkovs  and provoking a reaction from him.

Still, OMara said Allgeo has no plans to appeal: Though its troubling and difficult, she has come to terms to accept what shes done.

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After Thursdays hearing, Allgeo was released and was ordered to surrender herself at the Orange County Jail on Dec. 27, which OMara said will allow her to spend Christmas with her family before she begins her stint behind bars. Her loved ones sat in the gallery during the proceeding and joined her as she left the courthouse, walking together in tears ahead as they departed.

But before she was sentenced, Tsvetkovs sister, Daniela Cvetkova, spoke before the court. In her written statement read from the witness stand, she described her brother as a car lover who sought to enter the automobile industry in Germany  until Cvetkova needed help.

He came to support me during one of the hardest times in my life when I was pursuing my medical degree with a small child in my hands, Cvetkova said. He left behind his dreams and his familiar life to help build mine. That kind of loyalty and quiet courage was simply part of his character and was who he really was.

To Allgeo, she added, I have nothing to say to you.
The Justice Departments decision to sideline two US attorneys and remove mentions of Donald Trump and the US Capitol attack from court papers before the sentencing of a pardoned January 6 rioter is being viewed by former and current career prosecutors as an alarming whitewashing of history.

The events around the case of Taylor Taranto, who was convicted of bringing illegal guns near Barack Obamas Washington, DC, residence after talking online about violence toward the federal government, has shocked the network of Justice Department employees and alumni, several sources told CNN.

Taranto was arrested in June 2023 after claiming on an internet livestream that he had a detonator the day before, law enforcement officials told CNN at the time, and was searching for underground tunnels that led inside Obama and others homes.

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He had also been present at the Capitol riot and charged with related crimes, though he was never convicted because Trump pardoned him before a trial. He has already spent 23 months behind bars and hasnt been detained since he was pardoned.

Judge Carl Nichols, a 2019 Trump appointee, had found him guilty at trial in May of the gun crimes and for making a false threat to use a car bomb against a federal building.

In a sentencing memo for Taranto filed Tuesday, prosecutors Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White wrote that after then-former President Donald Trump published on a social media platform the purported address of former President Barack Obama, Taranto had re-posted Trump and thereafter started livestreaming from his van as he drove through Obamas neighborhood.

Trumps original post  which included the Obama address  was itself a repost of a blog article.

Page two of the original sentencing memo for Taylor Franklin Taranto. The highlighted portion shows text that was removed when the memo was re-filed. - United States District Court for the District of Columbia

Politico reporter Kyle Cheney highlighted the filing and mentioned it also included Taranto taking part in the January 6 riot, on the social media platform X late Tuesday night. Within 24 hours, the court filing was no longer available in the court record and the two prosecutors who had signed it were suspended from their jobs.

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In the original memo, Valdivia and White wrote that Taranto was accused of participating in the riot in Washington, D.C., by entering the U.S. Capitol Building and after the riot, Taranto returned to his home in the State of Washington, where he promoted conspiracy theories about the events of January 6, 2021.

Two new prosecutors then filed an amended version of the sentencing memo to the court on Wednesday.

That new memo scrubbed all references to Trump and him posting Obamas supposed address  which Taranto had reposted  as well as Tarantos participation and conviction related to the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack.

Its shocking that prosecutors could be put on leave for accurately stating the court record in a sentencing memo, and its just as shocking that those truthful statements have been whitewashed in a revised filing, said Stacey Young, a former Justice Department attorney and now executive director and founder of Justice Connection, which works to represent the viewpoints of former federal prosecutors, especially those who have been fired by the Trump administration.

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These prosecutors did their job and upheld their duty of candor by informing the court of clearly established facts relevant to their case, Young added.

Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney in Washington, DC, did not comment on the suspensions and filing changes when asked about it during a news conference Thursday.

I think the papers speak for themselves, and what goes on in this office is not something that Im going to comment on. Thank you, Pirro said.

Orwellian

On Wednesday, the moves made by the Justice Department had employees reeling within the US Attorneys Office in DC and the FBI, which had investigated and caught Taranto, believing he was a danger to the public in 2023, people familiar with the office told CNN on Thursday.

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One source called the sentencing memo change Orwellian.

Valdivia had no indication he may have employment issues  especially given that on Tuesday, the day before his suspension, he helped to secure a guilty verdict from a jury in a fraud case where he was on the trial team, according to two people familiar with the US Attorneys Office.

Separately, White is a supervisor on Superior Court cases and was a US Marine.

Page three of the original sentencing memo for Taylor Franklin Taranto. The highlighted portion shows text that was removed when the memo was re-filed. - United States District Court for the District of Columbia

A Justice Department spokesperson told CNN on Wednesday following the suspensions: While we dont comment on personnel decisions, we want to make very clear that we take violence and threats of violence against law enforcement, current or former government officials extremely seriously. We have and will continue to vigorously pursue justice against those who commit or threaten violence without regard to the political party of the offender or the target.

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The spokesperson declined to clarify if the comments were about Tarantos 2023 actions toward Obama, or his participation in the Capitol riot in 2021, in which a mob of Trump supporters injured multiple people, including many police protecting the federal building.

The move by Justice Department officials to place the two attorneys on leave and erase all mention of Trump posting Obamas address or Tarantos participation in the events of January 6 comes at a time when administration officials have already worked to fire scores of federal prosecutors and officers they see as potential roadblocks in their efforts to use the DOJ against political opponents.

Prosecutors in the Eastern District of Virginia were recently pushed out of the Justice Department after failing to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James and many prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases were removed from the DC US Attorneys office earlier this year.

Taranto sentenced to 21 months

When Taranto was initially investigated, one source said, he had been on federal law enforcement radar because he had been at the January 6 riot. But federal authorities focused on him after he livestreamed a video in 2023 where he threatened bombing federal facilities, and law enforcement then arrested him near Obamas Washington address.

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Taranto was arrested that day and law enforcement officials found guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in his van. He was later found guilty by Nichols of several gun related charges and making false threats that he would drive a car bomb into a federal building.

The DOJ continued to seek the 27-month sentence originally sought by White and Valdivia, who said in court documents that Taranto has also made threats against former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin.

Tarantos attorney asked the court to sentence him to time served in jail already, with no further detention. The defense attorney, Carmen Hernandez, has asked for rehabilitation that the court could order, noting Tarantos past military service and post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis, according to a filing on Thursday.

Typically, a defendants history and characteristics become part of court arguments for or against leniency when a judge decides a sentence.

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At a hearing Thursday, Nichols sentenced Taranto to 21 months in prison, essentially covered by time served.

Nichols found that Taranto made troubling statements in his online livestream but noted he had no criminal history and his conduct was far from egregious.

Taranto spoke briefly during Thursdays hearing, not to apologize for his conduct but to highlight a book on the 1787 constitutional convention and mention that some people questioned the results of the 2020 election.

I would like to keep peoples minds open, he concluded.

The judge also said he thought the two prosecutors placed on leave upheld the highest standard throughout the case.

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My view is that they did a commendable and exceptional job, Nichols said of the prosecutors, adding that he felt they did a truly excellent job in this case.

White and Valdivia attended Tarantos sentencing and declined to comment.

CNNs Hannah Rabinowitz and Casey Gannon contributed to this report.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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Oct. 30OTHELLO  There are two candidates running for the Othello School District Director District 3 position this year, which are Birdie Fought and Juan "Jerry" Garcia. Both candidates were given the questions below and given identical deadlines and word count restrictions for their answers.

How do you plan to ensure transparency and community involvement in school board decisions?

FOUGHT: Our schools belong to the community, and decisions should reflect that. I'll work to keep meetings welcoming and accessible, encourage more parent and student participation, and make information easier to find and understand. Transparency means not just sharing decisions but listening first.

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GARCIA: After the Showhouse Forum on Oct. 7, I reached out to the present seat holder and asked for advice from him and the surrounding people. It's the easiest thing in the world to say that one can promise transparency, and it's another thing to show the effort. With the advice I received from the people that day, I reached out to Scootney Springs Elementary School for a tour. I have another one planned on the morning of Halloween as well, with another school. So, to ensure my transparency and community involvement, I will make an effort to answer and/or reach staff and civilians for their input when prompted, even in person.

What role do you believe technology should play in Othello classrooms, and how would you support equitable access to it?

GARCIA: Technology is a unique subject; Something that we must embrace and shun. In short, I believe technology should be limited from children, and may be introduced in the older age range of students. To quote a Kansas parent on a June 10, 2025, State Board Education Meeting "As a former high school teacher, and a mother of four children, it is alarming why I have to prove with scientific research why this invasive technology is detrimental to our kids when nobody in the field of education can prove why it was beneficial to be introduced in the first place." This doesn't mean I am set to disregard the potential of technology, but I am very cautious about it. In terms of equitable access, the support I would provide includes working with other Board members to find solutions together. Perhaps they have heard or seen something I have not.

FOUGHT: Technology should be a bridge, not a barrier. In Othello, every student deserves equal access to the tools that prepare them for the future  whether that's reliable internet, updated devices, or modern classroom resources. I'll support innovative ways to expand access and training so technology enhances learning and opportunity for all students, not just some. Our kids' success shouldn't depend on their ZIP code or Wi-Fi signal.

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How would you advocate for the mental health and well-being of students and staff in the district?

FOUGHT: Mental health directly affects learning, relationships, and overall well-being. I believe our schools must continue building a culture that values emotional health as much as academics. That includes maintaining access to counselors, creating safe and inclusive environments, supporting staff wellness programs, and partnering with community resources to make sure help is always within reach for students and staff alike.

GARCIA: I would advocate for student and staff mental health by prioritizing resources in our district to retain staff, with competitive pay & benefits, but also for the students to have a mentor. On the Rural Development Initiative (RDI) I met a student who claimed something along the lines of how there were no Spanish translators for grades 11th/12th. If true, I believe assisting with a translator would make for a more helpful environment for the class about to graduate before they are discouraged, ultimately becoming a bad statistic. For well-being, I look forward to innovative things like Xsponse, a wearable emergency response system, and being open to various safety alternatives.

What strategies would you support to recruit and retain high-quality educators in Othello schools?

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GARCIA: I would show my support to retain educators by respecting the Collective Bargaining Agreement set in place, and support them by being open to investing in staff training to establish reliability. To recruit, I'd argue the same: competitive salary and benefits. I also wouldn't shy away from attending a job fair.

FOUGHT: Recruiting and keeping great teachers starts with making Othello a place where educators feel valued, supported, and connected. I'd support strategies that include competitive pay, strong mentorship for new teachers, and ongoing professional development that's relevant to our district's needs. Building a positive school culture  where teachers' voices are heard and their work-life balance is respected  is just as important. When we invest in our educators, we invest directly in our students' success.

How do you plan to address disparities in academic achievement among different student groups in the district?

FOUGHT: Every student deserves the chance to succeed, no matter their background. To close achievement gaps, we need to meet students where they are  through early interventions, strong family partnerships, and culturally responsive teaching. I'll support programs that provide extra help and enrichment opportunities while ensuring resources are distributed equitably, not just equally. When we lift all learners, our whole community grows.

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GARCIA: To quote Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reukdal, "test scores slowly rebound but achievement gaps remain, particularly for students in higher poverty districts ... education should be spared from cuts in a tight budget year." Over 55% of our students are economically disadvantaged. With this, one may assume there will be little to no budget cuts from the state level, but I'd rather be safe than sorry by supporting the Board's emergency funds. I want the next person who takes this role to be more resourced than me, if possible. I also intend to address disparities in academic achievement by reading statistics and audits, as well as speak with staff to find measurable goals for their students, to bridge their gaps.

An earlier version of the story posted the names incorrectly. The candidates running for the Othello School District Director Position 3 election are Birdie Fought and Juan "Jerry" Garcia.
Thieves broke into the Oakland Museum of California's storage facility and made off with priceless pieces of Bay Area history, police say.

Authorities are still trying to determine how the heist was pulled off, and where these artifacts might be.

Police say over 1,000 items were stolen from the off-site storage facility. The thieves didn't get in through a door but their entry point is still under investigation.

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Mostly small items were stolen like jewelry, Native American baskets, ivory tusks and photographs.

"The theft that occurred represents a brazen act that robs the public of our state's cultural heritage," Oakland Museum of California CEO Lori Fogarty said. "Most of these objects have been given to the Museum by generous donors. We are working in close partnership with the city of Oakland, the Oakland Police Department, and the FBI to see that these objects are returned."

This all happened at about 3:30 a.m. on October 15, days before the heist at the Louvre in Paris that garnered international media attention.

MORE: 5 more suspects arrested over Louvre jewel heist

The museum said law enforcement asked them not to say anything so that the investigation wouldn't be jeopardized. Information about the heist was just released Wednesday, October 29 as to get the word out to catch the thieves.

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"I think it is very possible that the people who stole these items don't really know themselves what they have and why it might be important and where to actually, if they're trying to pass it off or sell it, where to take it," Fogarty said.

Fogarty said that the storage facility had strong security, but they are evaluating it.

They say that as far as they know, no employees are suspects at this point.

Both the Oakland Police Department and the FBI is investigating.

Anyone with information can call the OPD Burglary Section at (510) 238-3951. People can also contact the FBI Art Crime Team at Tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI.

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The FBI Art Crime Team is a highly specialized unit of about 20 agents tasked with investigating art theft, forgery, or, as in this case, antiquities and cultural property trafficking, police said in a news release.

Bay City News contributed to this story.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
EUREKA, Ill. (WMBD)  Over 3,000 tires were collected at a recent event held by the Woodford County Health Department.

From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, the health department held a free public tire collection in Eureka.

Those with extra tires that they no longer needed went to the Olio Township Building to dispose of them properly.

3,089 tires were collected from over 430 households, according to a Facebook post by the Woodford County Health Department.

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For those who missed the collection event and have old tires to get rid of, visit the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency website to find out where to dispose of them.

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.
Voters cast 322 cast ballots in Frederick's early voting period for the city's general election this past weekend, according to the city.

That accounts for around half a percent of the 59,225 registered voters in the city.

The in-person early voting period was on Friday and Saturday. Voters could cast their ballots for mayor and seven City Council positions.

In September, 154 people turned out to the Trinity Recreation Center at 6040 New Design Road for the two early voting days for the city's Democratic primary.

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The total turnout for the primary was 19.67% out of 29,631 registered Democrats in the city at the time.

In that election, there were not enough Republican candidates for a primary, so only Democrats voted.

Ahead of the city's primary election, there were 11,633 registered Republican voters in the city, Hane said in July.

Another 15,233 registered voters were unaffiliated, Hane said in July.

The Frederick News-Post asked for updated figures for the registered Republicans and unaffiliated voters, but the city could not immediately provide those figures.

The city also had 10 people on its city-only voter registration list, City Clerk Phyllis Hane said on Wednesday.

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Those who sign up on the list are only registered to vote in city elections. Most voters do not have to do this, as those registered to vote through the county or state are automatically registered to vote in the city.

However, the city created the new voter registration list after the then-Board of Aldermen changed the charter to allow all residents to vote, regardless of their immigration status, in September 2024.

While any city resident can register using the city-only list, those who are not U.S. citizens can only register on the city-only list.

Three Democrats registered to vote using the city-only list for the city's Democratic primary.

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The candidates

General election map

The candidates in the general election for mayor are incumbent Michael OConnor, a Democrat who has served two terms, and challenger Tom Trott, who co-owns a local mortgage company.

The City Council at-large candidates, both Democrats, are first-time candidate Libby Taylor and incumbent Derek Shackelford.

City Council President Katie Nash is running unopposed for City Council District 1. Cesar Diaz, a first-time candidate, is unopposed for City Council District 2. Both are Democrats.

Peter Brehm, a Democrat and treasurer for the nonprofit LGBTQ+ resource provider The Frederick Center, is running unopposed for the City Council District 3 seat.

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First-time candidate S. Scott Lasher, a local fitness studio owner, is running as a Democrat for City Council District 4. A former deputy director of the city's planning department, Joe Adkins, is running as a Republican for the seat.

Local sculptor Sarah Hempel Irani, a Democrat, is facing former Washington, D.C., deputy fire chief Rob Callahan, a Republican, in the race for the District 5 seat.

Write-in candidates are allowed for the general election. Hane said the city does not have an official process for write-in candidates, but if there are enough write-in ballots to impact a race, she said election officials would examine them more closely.

How to vote

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The city has also sent mail-in ballots to all voters in the city, and people can vote by sending the ballots back in the mail or dropping them in a ballot box until the day of the general election on Nov. 4.

Ballot boxes are placed at:

 The William R. Talley Recreation Centers lower level entrance in downtown Frederick at 121 N. Bentz St.

 The Housing Authority of the City of Frederick near the parking lot at 209 Madison St.

 Hillcrest Commons at the front of the building at 1150 Orchard Terrace

 Frederick Countys Bourne Building at the front of the building at 355 Montevue Lane

 Frederick Community College by the north entrance of the campus outside the Visual & Performing Arts Center at 7932 Opossumtown Pike

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 Gov. Thomas Johnson High School near the schools gymnasium at 1501 N. Market St.

Ballot drop box locations

A map of the locations for drop boxes for ballots in upcoming city elections for mayor and seven city council members. After receiving ballots in the mail from the city, voters can drop them off in boxes at the locations until Nov. 4.

General Election Day voting will be held from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 4 at Trinity Recreation Center at 6040 New Design Road.

Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 4 and received by Nov. 7.

City officials will start counting ballots Nov. 6 at the Municipal Annex at 140 W. Patrick St. from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. each business day until tabulation is finished.

The tabulation is open to the public and will be live-streamed on the city's website and YouTube page.

Hane said the city expects to certify the election results on Nov. 12.
US President Donald Trump said that he is "looking forward" to his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday. "Very much looking forward to my meeting with President Xi of China. It will take place in a few hours!" Donald Trump said in a post on X. Earlier, during his speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Trump said the expected trade deal would be good for both countries and "something very exciting for everybody". "That's really a great result. That's better than fighting and going through all sorts of problems," Trump said in an address to a business luncheon on the sidelines of the APEC gathering in Gyeongju. Trump is scheduled to meet Xi on Thursday in the coastal city of Busan, about 85 kilometres south of Gyeongju, in their first face-to-face encounter since the US president launched his second trade war with China. Speaking on Air Force One earlier on Wednesday, Trump said he expected the agreement to solve "a lot of problems" and include lower tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for Beijing taking steps to curb the production of fentanyl. Trump has imposed a 20 per cent tariff on Chinese goods over what he claims is Beijing's failure to crack down on the flow of chemicals used in making the deadly opioid, as per Al Jazeera. US officials have previously indicated that a deal is likely to include the deferral of China's planned export controls on rare earth minerals and an additional 100 per cent US tariff on Chinese goods, along with a commitment by Beijing to buy more US agricultural products. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday confirmed that Xi would meet Trump, but did not specifically refer to the deal, as reported by Al Jazeera. "At this meeting, the two leaders will have in-depth communication on strategic, long-term issues related to China-US relations and major issues of common concern," spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular media briefing. (ANI)
With a network of over 2,200 stores in Italy and abroad, most of which under the OVS and Upim names, the company offers a range of own brands, including PIOMBO, OVS Kids, Blukids, Stefanel, Les Copains, CROFF, and Goldenpoint.

The partnership with CmiA enables the company to provide verification from the cotton bale through to the finished garment.

So far in 2025, OVS has introduced nearly 2.5m products into the market made with CmiA-verified cotton. The product range includes childrens wear and denim items such as jeans and jackets.

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OVS Group corporate sustainability head Simone Colombo said: We chose Cotton made in Africa to further expand our commitment to source better, the most important fibre for our collections. In addition, we can use the CmiA Inside label to ensure that only CmiA-verified cotton is used in our products. This creates transparency and trust, including for our customers.

OVS products containing CmiA cotton will now display the Cotton made in Africa Inside label, confirming that only CmiA-certified cotton is used and can be traced throughout the entire value chain.

The process for verifying this transparency relies on the Hard Identity Preserved (HIP) system. This method requires proof that only CmiA-verified cotton passes through yarn and textile production stages before it is labelled as Cotton made in Africa Inside.

The labels presence assures physical traceability of the fibre, as per CmiA requirements.

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In addition to its focus on environmental protection, including coverage of water resources, soil quality, and biodiversity, CmiA also includes social standards.

These criteria include the promotion of women in producer communities, the enforcement of human rights, the prohibition of child labour, and support for smallholder farmers.

Aid by Trade Foundation managing director Tina Stridde said: We are pleased to welcome OVS as a new partner in our international demand alliance for Cotton made in Africa. OVSs implementation of Cotton made in Africa Inside makes a strong statement about transparency and traceabilityone we are very happy to see.

Currently, more than 30% of African cotton is verified under the CmiA or CmiA Organic standards. More than 60 textile firms and fashion brands, including Bestseller and OTTO, incorporate CmiA cotton into their products.

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"OVS partners with CmiA to boost traceability in textile supply chain " was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.




ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  The owners of the CBD House of Healing in Abilene, Brittany and Brennon Manske, have been arrested and charged with possession of THC with intent to deliver.

Brennon Manske

Brittany Manske

The arrests follow a raid conducted by the Abilene Police Department (APD) in August as part of a citywide investigation into businesses allegedly selling illegal THC products.

Court documents state that in June, an undercover officer purchased a THCA live rosin vape pen from the store that later tested positive for THC. The report notes the clerk allegedly told the officer, It will mess you up.

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Court documents show that, following the positive test, APD issued a letter giving the business 30 days to cease operations due to violations of city zoning ordinances and the Texas Health and Safety Code. In August, a second undercover buy reportedly took place, during which another disposable vape and vape cartridge also tested positive for THC in a field test.

Authorities then executed a search warrant, seizing more than 17 pounds of marijuana, 3,580 pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes, and additional inventory.

Brittany and Brennon Manske were booked into the Taylor County Jail on October 30, each on a $75,000 bond. Both have since been released.

The attorney for the CBD House of Healing released the following statement:

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Statement from CBD House of HealingDownload

Previous coverage:

Whats going on with CBD shops in Abilene?

2 hemp/CBD businesses sue City of Abilene, Abilene police for unlawful enforcement

Police: 17+ pounds of marijuana, thousands of marijuana cigarettes, hundreds of THC vapes seized from Abilene CBD shop

CBD House of Healing, attorney speak out about business getting raided by police

Expert claims Abilene police used faulty testing in CBD raid, lab says their practices have changed

Abilene Associate Municipal Judge resigns after being denied access to client during CBD business raid

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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
With SNAP benefits set to expire Saturday for the first time in the program's history, community organizations, politicians, and experts are speaking out about the risks.

Looking for fresh food and quickly emptying bins, neighbors in West Philadelphia who visit nonprofits like Mighty Writers are hoping the shelves will be restocked.

"Supply is not keeping up with demand at this time," said Corinne Green, the executive director. "On average, we would serve about 50 families a day, and we're seeing anywhere from 50-120 families a day.

RELATED | As SNAP cuts loom, here are food assistance resources helping fight food insecurity

SNAP benefits are set to dry up Saturday amid the government shutdown. The program has never been paused in its nearly more than 60-year existence.

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"Forty-two million Americans who are going to lose food on their tables," said George Matysik, the executive director of Share Food Program, at a press conference with politicians and other advocates who spoke out against the suspension.

"No one should go without food," said State Senator Vincent Hughes.

Approximately half a million Philadelphians may lose their benefits, however, and experts say the impact will be alarming.

SEE ALSO | How to get emergency cash help during government shutdown

"They're really concerned there's not enough capacity to feed families based on charitable food systems alone. We need the government action here," said Gabriella Mcloughlin, an assistant professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Temple University.

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According to Numerator, SNAP shoppers spend on average $832 a month at the grocery store, and about $20 per trip.

"For every meal a food bank gives, SNAP provides nine. That's the capacity that we're losing here," she said.

Volunteers at Mighty Writers say they worry about their community.

"Everyone in this neighborhood is affected in some way, shape, or form," said Ryan Palmer, the distribution manager there.

SNAP payments already loaded onto EBT cards are supposed to still be usable come Saturday, and experts say once the shutdown ends, people should get their November benefits retroactively.
Pennsylvania voters will face a decision this Election Day that typically receives little attention: whether to retain three justices on the state's Supreme Court.

State Supreme Court Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht - all Democrats - will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot in a retention election, where voters will decide whether to award the sitting justices new terms on the high court.

Terms are 10 years, although Donohue must retire in 2027 when she reaches the mandated retirement age of 75.

RELATED | What to expect for the Nov. 4 election in Pennsylvania

While retention elections are usually quiet affairs, this year's vote has drawn millions of dollars in advertising and national interest. Political science professor John Kennedy of West Chester University says the attention reflects growing polarization.

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"It's incredibly unusual, and it really is indicative of how intense and polarized our political system has become," Kennedy said. "Something that very few people paid attention to - except maybe the judges on the ballot - we have a situation now of millions and millions of dollars from all across the country being poured into this race."

Democrats hold a 5-2 majority on the state Supreme Court, but Republicans have mounted a campaign to oust Donohue, Dougherty and Wecht.

If voters decide not to retain a justice for another term, Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro could appoint a temporary replacement, subject to confirmation by the Republican-controlled state Senate. A deadlock in the confirmation process could result in a court tied at 2-2 if voters oust all three justices this year. An election to fill any vacant seats for full 10-year terms would be held in 2027.

SEE ALSO | How a Pennsylvania Supreme Court election could influence the 2028 presidential race

Conservative activists want to change the court's ideological makeup, arguing the justices overstepped their bounds on rulings, including mail-in voting and pandemic-related mandates.

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But it is future decisions that are likely to come before the Pa. Supreme Court that will have implications well beyond the Keystone State, and that's why this race is getting so much attention.

"The issue of redistricting, gerrymandering across the country, is certainly at the top. But then of course there's other political issues, such as abortion rights and voting rights and such that are also potentially on the docket for the justices," said Kennedy.

In these so-called retention races, voters traditionally respond affirmatively. In fact, in Pennsylvania, only one justice has failed a statewide retention vote -- in 2005.

If any of the three are removed, the impact would be immediate.

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The last state Supreme Court retention election was in 2017. The Republican justice on the ballot that year was retained with 68% of the vote, while the Democratic justice was retained with 71% of the vote.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 4.




Say "the Pacific Northwest" and you think of timber and giant trees, hulking men wearing plaid and holding axes, gray mountains and Starbucks cups, "put a bird on it" and Big Dumper. You may not think of xiao long bao, but there's a chain out of Washington that specializes in soup dumplings, and it has just landed in Texas.

Supreme Dumplings, a restaurant with locations strewn across the Pacific Northwest and West Coast, opened its first location this month in the Lone Star State at 23119 Colonial Pkwy., Suite A12. That's the Katy Asian Town development that also has locations of Mala Sichuan Bistro, Phat Eatery and Yummy Pho & Bo Ne, plus an anchoring H-Mart.

"We're thrilled to open our very first Texas location in Katy," read a statement Supreme Dumplings sent to Covering Katy News in October. "Our goal is to introduce the authentic flavors of Taiwan to the vibrant Houston area-offering handcrafted dumplings, comforting noodles, and a warm, elevated dining experience for everyone to enjoy."

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Now, you may be thinking: Aren't there already a number of really good Taiwanese restaurants in the Houston area and, more specifically, spots that specialize in soup dumplings?

A chain restaurant out of the Pacific Northwest that specializes in xiao long bao, or soup dumplings, has arrived in Texas. (Getty Images/Fan Pro)





The answer is yes on both fronts. For Taiwanese there's Tainan Bistro and Tasty Point in Houston's Asia Town, plus Cooking Girl's spinoff restaurant Dumplings & Noodles. For soup dumplings you can't go wrong with One Dragon and San Dong Noodle & Dumpling House in Asia Town.

Growing out west

Nevertheless, Supreme Dumplings-which launched in 2021 in Bellevue, Wash., a city just across a lake from Seattle-touts some name value out west. On its website, Supreme notes that upon its founding hired "the master of the art" of xiao long bao. "Our chef has over 25 years of culinary experience in over five countries all across Asia. We are honored to have him partner with us to bring joy through the most traditional Chinese cuisine."

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In June, Supreme Dumpling expanded to San Francisco. Then, the San Francisco Chronicle noted that the restaurant chain was led by "chef Wang, formerly of the W Hotel in Taipei" along with Norman Lu, once of the Taiwanese chain Din Tai Fung. There doesn't seem to be much information out there about Wang, but Din Tai Fung is somewhat responsible for popularizing xiao long bao in Taiwan, so by the transitive property that seems to indicate Supreme Dumplings is ultimately a trusted spot.

Chron has reached out to Supreme Dumplings for more information about its background.

Supreme Dumplings nevertheless has three locations in Washington state and one in San Francisco. The Katy spot marks the brand's fifth operating restaurant, with more on tap for Washington. Its menu features several soup dumpling varieties, plus pan-fried buns, spicy wontons, fried rice and noodle dishes. Moreover, Supreme also has a few sweet xiao long bao varieties, including one filled with red bean paste, and another with lava custard.

More Food & Drink

Debate | Houston's beef with coffee in a paper cup spills over

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Business | 'Closed' signs seen at controversial Houston restaurant

For more food news and features from Chron, sign up for The Feed newsletter here.

This article originally published at Pacific Northwest soup dumpling chain restaurant arrives in Texas.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A judge sentenced two defendants to time in jail for beating a teen worker unconscious at a Cordova restaurant in July of 2023, according to the Shelby County District Attorneys Office.

Darius Brantley was sentenced to three years, and Kaitlin Brantley was also given three years, in addition to a consecutive sentence for a separate assault incident at a McDonalds while she was out on probation.

Courtesy: Shelby County District Attorneys Office

The pair, plus two other family members, Carol Brantley and Brittany Brantley, were arrested and charged with aggravated assault in 2023.

(L to R) Darius Brantley, Carol Brantley, Brittany Brantley, and Kaitlin Brantley (SCSO)

Courtesy: Latisha Ford

The mother of the teen, Latisha Ford, told WREG her son, who worked as a host at Cheddars, was attacked by a large group of people who had to be seated at two separate tables, and they took it out on her son.

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Teen Cheddars employee beaten unconscious by customers

The teenager who was attacked, Omarion Ford, said it was a busy Sunday, and he was asked to seat a party of eight. He said he told the family they would have to wait an hour for a big table, and they agreed to be seated at two tables.

The Bolton High School student said a female in the group didnt like the tables, and they went back outside. He said the trouble began after he finally got them all seated at the one large table.

The girl in the green said why did it take so long to seat me? You could have sat us down, said Ford. I said, whats the problem? Why are you angry? I got you all the table. Why are you all still mad?

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I didnt do anything: Teen confused by Cheddars attack

Omarion said the woman continued to complain and he walked back to his host stand. He said thats when the womans boyfriend approached him and began punching him.

He got in my face and said, What did you say to my girl? Omarion said. After he punched me in my face, thats when I fell back into the fence, and when I hit back, the whole family started jumping me. Thats when I blacked out.

The teen said the next thing he remembers is waking up in an ambulance. In a video circulating on social media, you can see the chaos after the attack and Omarions co-workers trying to keep him awake.

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Investigators said during the attack, Omarion hit his head against a brick wall inside the restaurant and was treated at the hospital for a concussion, bruises, abrasions to his face, a black eye, and a bruised lung.

McDonalds manager forced to fight off angry customer

In March of this year, a McDonalds manager said she defended herself after Kaitlin Brantley attacked her after she received the wrong order.

Kaitlin Brantley was out of jail on bond in the 2023 attack at the Cheddars when police say she physically assaulted Tiffany Sherrod.

Sherrod said Brantley was a passenger in a vehicle that came through the drive-thru on February 7. She said Brantley was upset because she got the wrong order.

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Sherrod said she tried to tell Brantley she was the manager and that she would fix the order, but Brantley went on a rampage.

She told me she was going to beat my a, said Sherrod.

Video recorded in the store shows Sherrod hitting Brantley with a coffee pot.

Brantley was charged with assault and vandalism, and a week before the incident, her bond was revoked in the Cheddars case after Sherrod addressed the court.

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.
Islamabad, Pakistan  Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to resume talks in Istanbul at the request of mediator Turkiye after earlier rounds between Islamabad and Kabul failed to resolve spiralling tensions between the neighbours that have exploded into military clashes in recent weeks.

Pakistani security officials said Islamabads delegation had been planning to depart from the Turkish city after a previous round of talks, spanning four days, ended in a deadlock. Now, however, the team will remain in Istanbul to continue negotiations on Thursday.

Pakistan has once again stressed that Afghan soil should not be used for terrorism against Pakistan. We appreciate the constructive role of our hosts and remain committed to seeking a peaceful resolution in good faith, a security official told Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the dialogue.

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Afghan media have also reported, quoting sources, that after the intervention of host Turkiye and mediator Qatar, the two countries have agreed to resume their talks, which had ended earlier this week.

The two neighbours were engaged in a weeklong border conflict this month in which both sides suffered casualties. After the skirmishes, mediation by Qatar and Turkiye led to a ceasefire signed by the defence ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan on October 19 in Doha in the presence of officials from both mediating nations.

The subsequent round of talks began in Istanbul on Saturday and continued for four days, but the parties failed to reach a consensus on Islamabads central demand that Kabul crack down on Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an armed group often called the Pakistan Taliban, which has been long accused by Pakistan of carrying out deadly attacks inside its territory.

The TTP emerged in 2007 during the US-led war on terror and has since waged a sustained campaign against the Pakistani state. Islamabad accuses Kabul of providing sanctuary not only to the TTP but also to other armed groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the ISIL (ISIS) affiliate in Khorasan Province (ISKP). The Afghan Taliban denies the allegations.

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The Afghan Taliban, who took power for a second time in August 2021 after the withdrawal of US forces, has maintained that the TTP issue is an internal Pakistani matter. They have also long considered ISKP a rival and enemy.

After Pakistan confirmed the failure of the previous talks, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif issued a lengthy statement on X, warning of an all-out attack against the Afghan Taliban. He accused the regime of blindly pushing Afghanistan into yet another conflict, just to retain its usurped rule and maintain the war economy that sustains them.

The warmongers amongst the Taliban regime, who have vested interests in the continuation of instability in the region, should know that they have probably misread our resolve and courage, Asif wrote on Wednesday.

So far, the Afghan Taliban has not responded to Asifs remarks.

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Sweden-based security researcher Abdul Sayed, who studies armed groups in South and Central Asia, said Asifs comments signalled that Pakistan was prepared to resume air strikes in Afghanistan but the decision to return to negotiations reflected a potential shift.

The resumption of dialogue suggests either that the issue causing the earlier deadlock has been resolved or that the Pakistani delegation, at the mediators request, has shown flexibility in its stance to make another attempt to resolve the matter through negotiation, Sayed told Al Jazeera.

Asif, in an interview to a TV channel on Wednesday, also alleged that India was waging a low intensity war in Pakistan through the Afghan Taliban, claiming Islamabad possesses evidence of Indian involvement. He, however, did not share any evidence to back his claim.

Pakistan and India engaged in a four-day conflict in May. While New Delhi accuses Islamabad of harbouring armed groups that launch cross-border attacks, Pakistan has historically alleged that India supports Baloch separatist groups demanding an independent Balochistan, Pakistans mineral-rich province.

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This year, however, also saw a thaw in relations between the Afghan Taliban and the Indian government. A series of meetings and diplomatic exchanges culminated in a visit to New Delhi by Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi this month.

Sayed noted the recent escalation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border began during Muttaqis visit to India.

Pakistan has long maintained that India uses Afghan territory to create challenges for it. Even during the rule of the Afghan Taliban, traditionally Pakistans longstanding allies, these concerns persisted, he said.

Within the tensions of Islamabad-Kabul relations, India remains a crucial factor, Sayed added.
ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to maintain a ceasefire following peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey's Foreign Ministry announced Thursday, after a dialogue between the two sides collapsed earlier in the week.

The sides plan to meet again at a higher-level gathering in Istanbul on Nov. 6 to finalize how the ceasefire will be implemented, the ministry said in a statement released on behalf of Pakistan, Afghanistan and mediators Turkey and Qatar.

All parties have agreed to put in place a monitoring and verification mechanism that will ensure maintenance of peace and imposing penalty on the violating party, the statement read.

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The latest negotiations, facilitated by Turkey and other friendly nations, were aimed at easing border tensions between the two sides who earlier this month exchanged fire, leaving dozens of soldiers, civilians and militants dead.

Despite the collapse of the previous round of talks, a ceasefire has largely held and no new border clashes were reported this week. However, both countries have kept major crossings closed, leaving hundreds of trucks carrying goods and refugees stranded on each side.

The spokesman for the Afghan government, Zabihullah Mujahid, said his country was committed to resolving disputes through diplomacy.

Just as the Islamic Emirate seeks good relations with other neighboring countries, it also desires positive ties with Pakistan and remains committed to relations based on mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs, and not posing a threat to any side, he said in a statement.

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Earlier, Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif told the Geo news channel that Pakistan decided to give peace another chance in the latest round of talks at the request of Qatar and Turkey, and that the Pakistani delegation, originally set to return home Wednesday night, was asked to stay in Istanbul.

According to Pakistani state-run television, Islamabad said the talks would be based on Pakistans central demand that Afghanistan take clear, verifiable and effective action against militant groups.

In Islamabad, two senior security officials told The Associated Press that Pakistan has once again stressed that Afghan soil should not be used for what it called terrorism against Pakistan and that it appreciates the constructive role of its hosts and remains committed to seeking a peaceful resolution in good faith.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter with the media on the record.

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Tensions flared earlier this month after explosions were heard in Kabul, and Afghanistan's Taliban government accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes in the capital and bombing a market in the countrys east.

Afghan officials on Oct. 12 said they retaliated by targeting Pakistani military posts, claiming 58 Pakistani soldiers were killed. However, Pakistans military said the fighting left 23 of its soldiers dead and that its operations were targeting militant hideouts inside Afghanistan.

The clashes prompted Qatar to host emergency talks between the two neighbors, resulting in a ceasefire on Oct. 19. That was followed by four days of negotiations in Istanbul that ended inconclusively on Tuesday. Since then, Qatar and Turkey have been working to bring the delegations back to the negotiating table, the Pakistani officials said.

On Thursday, Pakistans army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, told a gathering of tribal elders in Peshawar that Pakistan seeks peace with all its neighbors, including Afghanistan, but will not tolerate cross-border terrorism from Afghan soil.

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He said Pakistan in recent years exercised restraint and made diplomatic and economic overtures to improve ties, but the Taliban government instead supported the TTP, which was listed as a terrorist group by the United Nations and the United States over a decade ago.

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks in recent months, most claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, a group closely allied to the Taliban in Afghanistan. Many of their leaders and fighters are believed to be sheltering in Afghanistan since the Talibans return to power in 2021.

The Pakistani military said Thursday it killed 18 militants in two separate operations in the southwestern province of Balochistan. In a separate statement, it said four Pakistani Taliban, including a high-value target, were killed as they attempted to sneak into Bajaur, a city bordering Afghanistan.

___

Ahmed reported from Islamabad. Associated Press writers Abdul Qahar from Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Abdul Sattar in Quetta, Pakistan, and Ishtiaq Mehsud in Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, Rasool Dawar and Riaz Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan, contributed to this story.
In a blockbuster investigation, the National Enquirer has exclusively obtained a top-secret dossier intended to smear Prince Andrews late sex accuser, Virginia Giuffre, and salvage the scandal-scarred royals reputation.

Sources say the weaponized file was prepared by palace fixers with extremely close ties to British royals determined to whitewash the black-sheep princes links to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

This is the typical palace playbook, reveals a highly placed insider. In public, the rule is to never complain, never explain, but behind closed doors the ruthless royals will stop at nothing to cover up their misdeeds and silence their critics.

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Palace courtiers shared the alleged blackmail plot with the Enquirer shortly before Giuffre, 41, was found dead from an apparent suicide on April 25 inside her home in Australia.

Its revelations come as Scotland Yard has launched an investigation into leaked emails showing Prince Andrew, 65, asked one of his police bodyguards to dig up dirt on Giuffre after she accused him of molesting her when she was 17.

It would also seem she has a criminal record in the States, the royal wrote in a 2011 email referring to Giuffre, according to Daily Mail. I have given her DoB [date of birth] and social security number for investigation with [redacted], the on-duty ppo [personal protection officer.]

The Enquirer cannot confirm whether Andrew was aware of the 66-page dossier, along with a signed affidavit implying Giuffre was complicit in Epsteins sex trafficking ring.

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The bombshell file contains information from police reports, lawsuits, social media posts and interviews to fact-check the allegations made by Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, Prince Andrew, and numerous politicians and celebrities.

It also alleges Giuffre contradicted herself numerous times in interviews and court filings, made millions selling her allegations and sensational stories to the press and details at least 16 examples of how she gave false information about Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.

The disgraced royal recently announced hed voluntarily drop his Duke of York title after smoking-gun emails showed he maintained his friendship with Epstein even after publicly claiming hed cut ties with him.

As Scotland Yard probes the princes dirt-digging request, a retired U.K. cop says, Asking a police officer to investigate an alleged victim is, in my view, a criminal offense.

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Rep. Stephen Lynch, a senior member of the U.S. House Oversight Committee investigating Epsteins activities in America, says he wants to interview Andrew regarding his involvement in all of this, per Daily Mail.

This story Palace Fixers Prepped Top-Secret Dossier to Smear Prince Andrews Victim, the Late Virginia Giuffre first appeared on National Enquirer. Add National Enquirer as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Senior Pakistani officials have expressed contrasting views on how to address ongoing tensions with Afghanistan, underscoring internal divisions within Islamabad's approach to Kabul, Tolo News reported A video circulating from the sidelines of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit shows Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi holding cordial discussions with the Deputy Minister of Interior of Afghanistan. The two reportedly spoke about resolving bilateral issues through dialogue. Speaking to reporters, Minister Naqvi said, "Differences exist in every household, and similarly, we resolve our issues through dialogue," indicating a softer and conciliatory stance toward Kabul. In contrast, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif struck a more confrontational tone, claiming that the Afghan delegation participating in the Istanbul negotiations lacked authority. He further criticised Kabul's good relations with India, Tolo News reported. The conflicting statements have highlighted a visible rift among Pakistan's top leadership over how to engage with the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. Commenting on the situation, international relations expert Najib Rahman Shamal said, "Pakistani politicians need a unified stance. While the Interior Minister calls for a peaceful resolution, the Defence Minister issues threats before negotiations even begin -- a situation that benefits neither country." Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during his meeting with Pakistan's Interior Minister on the sidelines of the ECO summit, reiterated Tehran's readiness to mediate and assist in resolving disputes between Kabul and Islamabad, Tolo News reported. United Nations Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric also urged restraint, saying, "Of course, we very much hope that even if the talks have stalled, there will not be a resumption of hostilities." Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated in recent weeks following reported Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika province, which Kabul described as a violation of its airspace. In response, the Defence Ministry of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reportedly carried out retaliatory attacks across the Durand Line. Four days of negotiations in Istanbul between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban to bring an end to the conflict have concluded without a resolution. The talks were mediated by Turkey and Qatar following deadly border clashes and a temporary ceasefire that began on October 19. (ANI)
JERUSALEM (AP)  Hospital officials in Gaza say that Israel has handed over the bodies of 30 Palestinians.

Friday's handover comes a day after Palestinian militants in Gaza turned over the remains of two hostages to Israel.

Israels military said Thursday that Palestinian militants handed over the remains of two more hostages, in the latest indication that the fragile ceasefire agreement is moving forward despite Israeli strikes on Gaza this week.

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The two sets of remains were given to the Red Cross in Gaza, then transported into Israel by troops and taken to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine for identification, the Israeli military said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said late Thursday that the remains had been confirmed as those of Sahar Baruch and Amiram Cooper, both taken hostage during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas that set off the war.

Hamas has now returned the remains of 17 hostages since the start of the ceasefire, with 11 others still in Gaza and set to be turned over under the terms of the agreement.

In return, Israel has returned the bodies of 195 Palestinians to authorities in Gaza without providing details on their identities. It is unclear if they were killed in Israel during the Oct. 7 attack, died in Israeli custody as detainees or were recovered from Gaza by troops during the war. Health officials in Gaza have struggled to identify the bodies without access to DNA kits.

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Baruch was readying to pursue an electrical engineering degree when he was taken hostage from Kibbutz Be'eri. His brother, Idan, was killed in the attack. Three months into Sahars captivity, the Israeli military said he was killed during an attempted rescue mission. He was 25.

Cooper was an economist and one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz. He was captured along with his wife, Nurit, who was released after 17 days. In June 2024 Israeli officials confirmed that he had been killed in Gaza. He was 84.

Overnight strikes injure 40

Officials in southern Gaza said Thursday that at least 40 people had been injured in overnight strikes, after Israel declared the ceasefire was back on Wednesday morning.

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Mohammad Saar, head of the nursing department at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, said it received 40 people wounded in overnight strikes on Khan Younis.

The Israeli army said it carried out strikes on terrorist infrastructure that posed a threat to the troops in Khan Younis. The area in southern Gaza is under the control of the Israeli military.

After strikes earlier this week killed more than 100 people, Israel said it was retaliating for the shooting and killing of one of its soldiers in Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said that Hamas had violated provisions in the deal concerning the handover of remains of hostages.

Hamas denied any involvement in the deadly shooting and, in turn, accused Israel of violating the ceasefire deal.

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Speaking at a graduation ceremony for military commanders in southern Israel Thursday, Netanyahu warned, If Hamas continues to blatantly violate the ceasefire, it will experience powerful strikes, as it did the day before yesterday and yesterday.

He said Israel would act as needed to remove immediate danger to its forces.

At the end of the day, Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza will be demilitarized. If foreign forces do this, all the better. And if they dont, we will do it.

The guarantors of the fragile Gaza ceasefire deal have told Hamas that Israel will resume, and they will not object to, military strikes on targets within the Israeli-occupied zone of the Palestinian territory after a deadline for militants to leave the area expired Thursday.

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A senior U.S. official said that in messages passed to Hamas by Egypt and Qatar on Wednesday the group was told its remaining fighters in the yellow zone had 24 hours to leave or face Israeli strikes. That deadline expired Thursday, after which the official said Israel will enforce the ceasefire and engage Hamas targets behind the yellow line.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private diplomatic conversations.

The ceasefire, which began Oct. 10, is aimed at winding down a war that is by far the deadliest and most destructive of those ever fought between Israel and Hamas.

The war was triggered by the October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas-led militants, who killed about 1,200 people and took 251 others hostage.

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In the two years since, Israels military offensive has killed more than 68,600 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which doesnt distinguish between civilians and combatants. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and is staffed by medical professionals, maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by independent experts. Israel, which some international critics have accused of committing genocide in Gaza, has disputed those figures without providing a contradicting toll.

___

Frankel reported from Jerusalem and Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.

___

Find more of APs Israel-Hamas coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
After months of pressing for access and answers, we are finally hearing from those within the Los Angeles Fire Department who planned for and led the Palisades Fire fight.

Chief Deputy Joe Everett was the Incident Commander for the Palisades Fire, calling many of the shots and making critical decisions like evacuations.

"When the wind blows, the maple leaves are dry, the palm trees are swaying... I have a tremendous amount of anxiety and I start running hundreds of scenarios through my head on what may be, what could happen," Everett told 7 On Your Side Investigates.

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When asked if he felt that way the morning of Jan. 7 before the L.A fires sparked, he answered: "Absolutely, absolutely."

WATCH | Kevin Ozebek shares insights behind his interview with Palisades Fire Incident Commander

ABC7 investigative reporter Kevin Ozebek joined Eyewitness News at 8 a.m. to share insights behind his one-on-one interview with Chief Deputy Joe Everett, the Incident Commander for the Palisades Fire.

Despite waking up nervous that morning, Everett says he never imagined a fire so destructive it would burn parts of the Palisades unrecognizable.

As the plume from the fire grew, Everett raced in from a Hollywood fire and made it to Fire Station 23 in the Palisades where he ran into someone evacuating children from their school.

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"I said hello to her as I was walking up to the command post and she hugged me and I remember her shaking. That was the first thing I saw," said Everett as he started to get teary eyed."It just became raw and real."

Very real for Everett because once on scene, he became the Incident Commander, tasked with making critical decisions and leading the firefight.

He says evacuations were already underway before he took command, but he eventually called for all of the Palisades to be evacuated.

Many residents say that evacuation was chaotic.

Some even had to ditch their cars which were eventually bulldozed to get them out of the firefighters' way.

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"Now that I look back at it, there certainly needs to be a better way," said Everett.

"I don't necessarily have the answers to that now, but I will tell you that is a paramount in our improvements needed."

7 On Your Side Investigates asked Everett if he wished he would of done anything differently.

"I wished that I could have shut off the radio chatter and stepped away from the immediate emergencies that were taking place because some of those were immediate evacuations of people that were trapped. Some of those are firefighter emergencies that are hurt," answered Everett.

"I wish that I could have stepped aside and say don't worry about that, worry about the overall strategic perspective and get in front of this fire."

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We now know the source of the Palisades Fire was the Lachman Fire that sparked on Jan. 1 and, according to federal investigators, smoldered underground for a week before devastating winds whipped it into a destructive blaze.

On Jan. 16, then-LAFD Assistant Chief Everett for the West Bureau, which includes the Palisades, spoke at a community meeting and said he was out of town on New Year's, but was on the phone with the firefighters at the Lachman scene.

"That fire was dead out. If it is determined that was the cause, it would be a phenomenon," he said at that meeting.

Speaking with ABC7 months later, Everett said: "I had full faith and belief that they did a good job, and I do today. I stand by that word phenomenon."

Since LAFD is still not answering our specific questions, ABC7 On Your Side Investigates combed through hours of public meetings to see what leaders said about the Lachman Fire in the past.

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According to a "Hose and Equipment Recovery" memo obtained by 7 On Your Side, the hose left on the Lachman site in case of a flare up was taken back on Jan. 3.

When asked if that was a mistake, and whether those hose should have been kept in place longer - and whether firefighters should have been checking on that burn scar longer - Everett responded:

"Well, I mean, in retrospect, I think yes. But I'm answering that question knowing about the devastation of the Jan 7 fire. Did I feel confident with the officers that were on scene, with the firefighters and their boots on the ground, with the work they did? Absolutely."

Everett says, to his knowledge, all mop-up procedures for the Lachman Fire were followed, but from now on, the LAFD will fly heat-detecting drones over burn scars.




Conversations around the effort to defeat insurgent mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani have often started with a seemingly unrelated question: Do you summer in the city? At least they did for much of this past summer, when the ruling class of New York City still believed that a well-funded unified campaign to defeat the democratic socialist was on the table. Now, as Election Day draws near and a sense of fatalism sets in, the highest echelons of wealth and power in Gotham are panicking as a bungled attempt to reassert an old order enters its final push and becomes a desperate scramble, not only in the city but also within the Democratic Party at large. The stakes are much higher than one mayoral election. Its about whether or not the rich and powerful can still command politics in the beating heart of American capitalism.

In mid-July, around 150 people, including a handful of reporters, packed into a ballroom at the Womens National Republican Club in Midtown Manhattan.

The clubhouse, the only such venue specifically dedicated to Republican women, is located just around the corner from Rockefeller Center. On that summer evening, it hosted a talk on how to prevent crime on the citys subways by a researcher at the Manhattan Institute, the house think tank of New York Citys conservative elite, which is probably best known as the incubator for ideologues like Charles Murray, the author of The Bell Curve, and Christopher Rufo, who helped instigate the moral panic around critical race theory.

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Despite the clubs name, the crowd was a mix of well-heeled men and women who, before the talk started, loosely gathered around the seating area and bar, though almost no one was ordering drinks. Before the event, the members of the crowd spoke to each other in hushed tones about the recent Democratic mayoral primary. This was soon after the Board of Elections had released the final tally, which made it clear that Mamdani had romped through the primary, but before the race was certified.

And indeed, many of the attendees, it seemed, were not there to hear about how more police interactions on the subways could stop crime. They were there because the former lieutenant governor of New York state, Betsy McCaughey, who had been plucked from the pages of The New Republic under former editor Andrew Sullivan to serve as former Gov. George Patakis running mate in 1994, had promised to give the crowd her theory on how concerned New Yorkers could defeat Zohran.

McCaughey, who still commands a certain respect in conservative circles in the city, 30 years after The Washington Post dubbed her the star of the opposition to then-first lady Hillary Clintons health care plan, joked that if they rallied around her plan, the citys wealthy and powerful wouldnt have to move to Ohio  a reference to ads that Ohio gubernatorial hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy had posted in Times Square over the summer, which encouraged New Yorkers to move to the Buckeye State and vilified Mamdani as a dangerous socialist.

Betsy McCaughey sits at a dinner table among other guests during the American Austrian Foundations Music for Medicine event in New York City.

(Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) Betsy McCaughey attends the American Austrian Foundations Music for Medicine event in New York City on Dec. 2, 2024.

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Essentially, the plan revolved around the hope that Mamdanis young supporters wouldnt come out again to support him in November, at least not to the degree they had in the Democratic primary, and that the anti-Mamdani resistance could scrounge up about half a million voters who dont normally vote in mayoral elections to support someone else  essentially, anyone else  this fall.

The event acted as a sort of preview for an effort grounded in one-on-one conversations and private meetings in which a collection of folks who were big names 30 years ago  dressed in nice suits and behind closed doors  voiced their concern not only over Mamdanis plans for fast and free buses or to freeze rents for rent-stabilized apartments, but also over what they believe his rise represents: the end of an old political order and, potentially, the birth of a new one.

This attempt to reassert the old order has been fractured, ineffective and at times defeatist, according to interviews with sources in or around the push to defeat Mamdani conducted over the months since the primary. It all began back in the heat of summer, when conservatives and major capitalists were picking up the pieces after their attempt to stop Mamdanis primary bid ran straight into the upstart socialists rock star popularity.

From Cuomosexual to Trump whisperer

Most of the schemes to defeat Mamdani have revolved around different ways to consolidate the field behind former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was the preeminent politician in the state for more than a decade before resigning in disgrace in 2021 following allegations of sexual harassment, which Cuomo denies. Though Cuomo denies having spoken with the president about the race, plans have sometimes included intervention from President Donald Trumps White House, marking a figurative political enemies-to-lovers arc for the former governor, who was once beloved by the #resistance and who now, in an ironic twist of fate, stands as the candidate of many Trumpists in New York and beyond.

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In many New York cities and towns, Cuomo would presumably be a shoo-in for mayor. As recently as last year, supporters of centrist Democrats like Rep. Tom Suozzi and Rep. Laura Gillen, who both represent suburban Long Island districts, whispered that they felt Cuomo had been railroaded by the national Democratic Party for becoming too popular at a moment when the party was pushing to rally around Joe Biden, then the oldest president ever.

In some circles, Cuomo is still seen as the charming young man from Queens (hell turn 68 next month) and scion of a well-liked political dynasty, which at one point appeared on track to become Democratic royalty akin to the Kennedys. Others reminisce about his daily press conferences during the COVID pandemic, which stood in contrast to the Trump administrations shambolic response. Still others may even be hanging on to the lingering remnants of Cuomosexuality.

Ahead of the Democratic primary in June, a political director of one prominent union supporting Cuomo explained to Salon that their endorsement was driven by the preference of the members, who remember Cuomo fondly for policies like the states $15 minimum wage and the Healthy Terminals Act, which expanded healthcare access for airport workers.

Hes been pretty solid on his record when it comes to working people and labor. And so our members do not just recognize and know him, but they like him, the union representative said.

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After his embarrassing defeat in the Democratic primary, Cuomo was eager to refashion himself as an underdog independent candidate. By September, it became clear that there was a plot afoot to clear the field and give his nascent post-primary campaign a leg up.

The New York Times reported that advisers to Trump were crafting a plan to appoint current Mayor Eric Adams as U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, following Adams decision to skip the Democratic primary and run instead on the EndAntiSemitism party line in the general election. That news came as something of a surprise, given Adams well-documented relationship with Turkey (which led to his since-dismissed indictment on federal corruption charges) and his stated desire to retire to the Golan Heights. It certainly signaled Team Trumps interest in intervening in the mayoral race on Cuomos behalf.

Adams was already seen as potentially compromised by the Trump administration after he struck what one judge called a bargain, in which Adams received dismissal of the Indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions in New York City. Notably, Cuomo is also the subject of an unrelated federal investigation concerning his congressional testimony about New York nursing home deaths during the pandemic, an investigation that the Trump administration opened shortly after it dropped the charges against Adams. Cuomo has dismissed the investigation as politically motivated lawfare and election interference.

Earlier that same September week, another Times report had detailed a potential plan to provide a cushy Trump administration job to Republican mayoral nominee Curtis Sliwa, a radio personality and the beret-clad founder of the Guardian Angels, a volunteer street patrol organization. Sliwa, who may have fewer ties to Trump than either Adams or Cuomo despite being a Republican, rejected those overtures. At the time, Adams also said he was still running for mayor. More recently, AMNY reported that he was entertaining three dream jobs, though it wasnt clear whether any of them were the aforementioned ambassadorship. By the end of the month, Adams faced reality and dropped his flailing bid for re-election. Sliwa, apparently relishing his 15 minutes of fame, called Adams a crook and said he himself had been offered $10 million to drop out of the race by unidentified billionaires. A spokesman for Adams did not respond to a request for comment.

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Theres no price that can get me out of this race, no amount of money, no bribe, and again, if anybody comes forward on behalf of Andrew Cuomo or anybody else, it will be recorded, and it will be brought to the proper authorities, Sliwa said at a September press conference.

Despite Cuomos insistence that he would stand up to Trump if elected, this wasnt the only indication that Cuomo was the administrations preferred candidate, and it wouldnt be the last sign that Trump supporters were also backing Cuomo. As with the infamous 2021 Buffalo mayoral election, it appears that the fear of socialism can unite many mainstream Democrats and Republicans. This marks a sharp change from 2020, when Cuomo was celebrated by some liberals as the Democrats best chance to take down Trump amid the dark days of the pandemic.

Hes in the Hamptons with the billionaires

The problem for Cuomos backers all along has been that its not even clear whether the former governor would be favored in a head-to-head competition with Mamdani. A late October poll showed Sliwa running closer to Mamdani in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup than Cuomo despite calls for him to drop out to unify anti-Mamdani voters.

At the 2025 NYC Mayoral Candidate Forum to Center Black Women, hosted in the Apollo Theaters newest expansion at the Victoria Theater, Sliwa (who quipped that he was probably the first Republican to ever step foot in the Apollo) drew more than a few groans with his stock lines about single motherhood, before earning uproarious applause for attacking Cuomos Trump connection, while also dinging Cuomo for saying he will move to Florida if Mamdani wins.

(Spencer Platt/Getty Images) New York City Mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa joins activists outside a building housing more than 80 carriage horses to condemn the use of horses in Central Park on August 6, 2025.

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Hes in the Hamptons with the billionaires. Hey, Donald, thats right. I need your help. Get Sliwa out of the race. Guess what? I aint dropping out, Sliwa said. And if I happen to lose, I stay, I improve, I dont move, Im not going to flee to Florida. Like Cuomo said, Oh, if I lose the floor, Im going to flee to Florida.'

Part of the problem with mobilizing national and statewide Republican resources to rescue Cuomo is that many Republicans, in New York and elsewhere, still detest the former governor. There was a time not so long ago when signs calling for the repeal of the New York SAFE Act  gun safety legislation championed by Cuomo  could be found outside of every other McMansion from Montauk to Buffalo. For many conservatives, Cuomo was an old and defeated arch-nemesis that no amount of Red Scaring could rehabilitate.

Another problem is that many Republicans see a potential Mamdani victory as useful midterm fodder for their party and its media organs. The New York GOP, for instance, is already fundraising off Mamdanis meteoric rise, sending emails with lines like Lol  Hochul got played by Mamdani and Police Cars Burn  Mamdanis Agenda Burns NYC Next.

The aforementioned McCaughey plan to defeat Mamdani also faces an uphill battle and is nearly out of time. The plan revolves around driving up turnout by identifying around 500,000 voters who dislike Mamdani but werent planning to vote against him, and somehow getting them to the polls. At first, the target demographic was Democrats who voted for Joe Biden in 2020 but refused to follow the partys leftward lurch, as McCaughey put it, and stayed home in 2024.

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After the primary, McCaughey co-founded a PAC called SaveNYC along with Ray Kelly, a former NYPD commissioner and veteran of the Clinton administration, and pulled together an array of wealthy and influential New Yorkers, many of them big names in the city two to three decades earlier.

This group held events throughout the summer in familiar haunts for these sorts of nosebleed-elite New Yorkers, places like the tiny enclave of Bridgehampton, a village on the East End of Long Island with a permanent population of fewer than 1,300 residents, per the 2020 census. It was awarded the dubious title of Most Expensive Place to Buy a Home in New York by The Wall Street Journal earlier this year.

McCaugheys PAC has only raised around $550,000, but began canvassing in October in a bid to turn out the citys condo and co-op owners, who are viewed as a useful proxy for the upper middle class and above. That group has replaced the 2024 stay-at-home Democrats as the turnout target. SaveNYC leaflets describe it as the largest untapped voting bloc in NYC.

The flailing character of the various anti-Mamdani efforts is also illustrated by the financial contours of the race. Before the primary, donors shoveled tens of millions of dollars into making sure Mamdani didnt win. Since then, investment in the race has largely dried up, defying grandiose plans to raise tens of millions from worried megadonors.

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The main independent group supporting Cuomo raised nearly $25 million ahead of the June 24 primary. Since then, its only raised around $7.6 million. And the characters supporting Cuomo have also changed. Before the primary, the committee was buoyed by significant contributions from major companies like DoorDash, billionaires like Bill Ackman and former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and many unions. Now, Fix the City Inc.s coffers are largely filled by donations from the Lauder family of Estee Lauder fame, as well as some returning billionaires like Ackman and GOP donors like billionaire Steve Wynn.

(PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) Bill Ackman, Founder and CEO, Pershing Square Capital Management, attends the 28th annual Milken Institute Global Conference on May 6, 2025.

Ackman made a last-minute $1 million donation to another anti-Mamdani PAC, Defend NYC, in mid-October and threw in another $250,000 to Fix the City. Joe Gebbia, an Airbnb co-founder whose app is heavily regulated in the city, donated $1 million to each of those PACs around the same time. Despite their efforts, the anti-Mamdani campaign is much less well-funded than it was before the primary. Ackman did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

The end of New York City as we know it?

The relative financial collapse of Cuomos campaign also reflects his political quandary. Hes running as the nominee of the newly invented Fight and Deliver Party, but his personal brand and his surname are inseparable from that of the Democratic Party in New York. His father, the longtime liberal hero Mario Cuomo, was a three-term Democratic governor, and Andrew Cuomo was himself on track to serve three terms until he was forced to resign in 2021 amid an impeachment inquiry.

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The Nov. 4 general election can be understood as a low-impact relitigation of the primary battle, which saw the old guard of the Democratic Party, who would rather deal with Republicans and the billionaires that support them, attempt to stamp out the grassroots movement represented by Mamdani. That may help explain why the leading figure of the Democratic establishment in Washington, Sen. Chuck Schumer of Brooklyn, has refused to endorse Mamdani despite the latters evident popularity.

Similarly, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, another Brooklyn native and the House Democratic leader, waited so long to endorse Mamdani that hes a complete non-factor in the race. Even then, his endorsement was far from enthusiastic.

The muddled, stop-and-start quality of the anti-Zohran campaign is strikingly mismatched with the apocalyptic language that many of his opponents, as well as the legacy media institutions aligned against him, have used to describe his rise. The New York Post, part of Rupert Murdochs empire, promised that Mamdani would make the city a living nightmare in an unsigned editorial. The New York Times, in its own unsigned editorial, panned Mamdanis agenda as uniquely unsuited to the citys challenges and, despite the Times policy of not endorsing candidates in local races, specifically urged voters not to support him.

Some of Mamdanis foes have accused him of being a communist, a radical Islamist, a terrorist sympathizer and the death of the Democratic Party as Americans have known it, the latter of which is how Hank Sheinkopf, a grizzled veteran of New York politics who looks the part, describes Mamdanis candidacy.

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Sheinkopf compared Mamdani to both Adolf Hitler and Trump in an interview with Salon in late September. Like those two, he said, Mamdani is more than an aspiring New York mayor  he is the leader of a political movement.

The man tells you every day that he is leading a movement that has nothing to do with being the mayor, right? Sheinkopf said in a late September interview. This is a social movement. When social movements govern, they tend to do the most extraordinary things.

In Sheinkopfs view, a Mamdani victory would be the first impact of a wave that he fears could wash over the country, reshaping the what he described as a decrepit Democratic Party in its image. Mamdanis victory could mark the end of old power structures in New York, he said, stemming from demographic changes and the shifting ethnic politics of the city.

Asked by Salon whether he preferred the tarnished brand of Cuomo, as an embodiment of the old order, Sheinkopf declined to answer directly. My favorite candidate is New York, and New York as we know it is over, he said. Theres going to be a different New York if [Mamdani] wins.

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The movement hes leading is one to change the entire political culture of the country, Sheinkopf continued. They have a dead carcass called the Democrat Party, which theyre going to take over for their own use. This represents the end of the Democrat Party, for the time being, as we know it.

Zohrans ruthless positivity wins over critics

That kind of overwrought rhetoric seems mismatched with the feebleness of the actual effort to keep Mamdani out of office. There are several reasons. First, the positions of many onetime Mamdani opponents have softened in the general election. Many would-be funders of Cuomo or other hypothetical candidates have simply tapped out, and many in New Yorks business elites no longer want to send good money after bad.

Take former Democratic governor David Paterson, who took office in 2008 after his predecessor, Eliot Spitzer, was forced to resign due to a prostitution scandal. Patersons short-lived governorship saw him appoint Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., (who was described as too conservative for New York even in 2009) to replace Hillary Clinton after Barack Obama picked the latter as secretary of state. Patersons brief tenure was punctuated by the financial crisis and allegations of corruption, and he ultimately decided not to seek a full term, putting Cuomo on a glide path to the governors mansion in 2010.

(Mario Tama/Getty Images) New York Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo (R) speaks at a press conference with current New York Governor David Paterson on November 9, 2010 in New York City.

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In July, Paterson, now a Sunday morning radio host on WABC  and the husband of one of Curtis Sliwas many ex-wives was among the first Democrats to come out against Mamdani. He attempted to rally members of his party against its own nominee, telling a small crowd of reporters outside the WABC offices in midtown Manhattan, while surrounded by other radio personalities like Sid Rosenberg: I simply do not believe Zohran Mamdani is the person to lead New York City in these extremely turbulent times.

Paterson hoped that sticky July presser might kick off a race to consolidate the field and unite it behind a single anti-Mamdani candidate. Paterson had endorsed Cuomo in the primary and then switched to Adams in the general election, at least until the latter dropped out. Cuomo appeared to drag his feet after the primary on deciding whether to run in the general election, and no viable alternative emerged.

When asked by Salon how his thinking had evolved on the race in late September, a month the anti-Mamdani crowd expected to be critical in their efforts, Paterson said that his feelings are essentially the same.

He added, however, that Mamdani has noticeably worked to correct some of his more inflammatory previous statements and positions in pursuit of the mayors office. Paterson, one of the few people to have ever earned an apology from Saturday Night Live, isnt the only person who has softened on Mamdani  at least a little.

People familiar with the deliberation of New York business leaders have described a range of reactions to their private meetings with Mamdani, but even the rich and powerful have been charmed by the mayoral candidates charisma, honesty and ruthless positivity. Many felt somewhat soothed by his willingness to meet with them and listen to their concerns, even if his platform appears at odds with their pocketbook interests.

Jared Epstein is a former club promoter and the president of Aurora Capital Associates. In 2018, he was named to Crains 40 Under Forty list for his work as a developer in commercial real estate. Earlier this year, he hosted a fundraising call for New Yorkers for a Better Future, an anti-Mamdani organization. But he recently told Salon that he has observed fading enthusiasm for Cuomo, even among longtime supporters of the former governor.

Cuomos credentials are unmatched, but campaigns are about momentum as much as resumes. His general election effort hasnt shown significant new energy, and unless he refreshes his message to reflect the citys current challenges, he will be overshadowed by Mamdani, Epstein said.

In August, Epstein had expressed hope that September would be the month the anti-Mamdani crowd got serious. Reflecting on that expectation several weeks later, he admitted that the gravitational pull toward Cuomo hadnt quite been what hed expected, and that Mamdani had shown real political talent and staying power.

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The Mayor Mamdani moment

Another individual whom anti-Mamdani diehards say has grown soft on the Democratic nominee is Jim Whelan, the current president of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY).

Whelan, often appearing in an unassuming blue suit and with a tuft of tousled gray hair, made a splash at a swanky Crains business breakfast in a luxury building overlooking Central Park by saying, Were going to be looking to work closely with Mayor Mamdani if he is the winner on Nov. 4.

Whelans group, which represents some 14,000 members in and around the real estate industry, has since made clear that it doesnt intend to compromise with Mamdani, still opposes a rent freeze (which it claims would make the city less affordable) and plans to advocate for its members in City Hall. Even so, Whelans Mayor Mamdani moment felt like a potentially formidable opponent declaring a truce.

While REBNY is a nonprofit and cannot advocate for or against a political candidate, its free to run voter education programs based around specific issues, and its members could also organize a separate entity for political purposes. Cuomo aggressively courted the group last spring, in an effort to banish lingering doubts its members might have about him, owing to past not-so-landlord-friendly legislation passed during his tenure.

Another example of someone who has apparently decided its no longer worth fighting to stop Mamdani is Kenneth Burgos, a former colleague of Mamdanis in the New York state legislature who now leads the New York Apartment Association, which represents the citys biggest landlords.

Burgos, 31, still opposes most of Mamdanis major policies, but he thinks people who still hope to beat the Democratic nominee in the general election are kidding themselves.

(Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Democratic Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani answers questions from the press outside of Lips Cafe on October 25, 2025 in New York City.

Given the current landscape, absent an act of God, Zohran is going to win at the end of the day, Burgos told Salon in August, when there were officially still five candidates on the general election ballot. You can try and pull down Zohrans numbers. But in a crowded field, as the Democratic nominee, he holds a six-to-one advantage on Democratic registration, and that means something.

Burgos helped organize the Housing for All PAC, which spent $2.5 million in the primary to back Cuomo. Now Burgos seems ready to move on.

The names on this ballot, absent Mamdani, are candidates you could theoretically pull out 20 years ago, right? he said. New Yorkers know who Andrew Cuomo is. New Yorkers know who Eric Adams is. New Yorkers know who Curtis Sliwa is, right? So Im just not sure what the campaign messaging, what the vision would be, to all of a sudden generate a turnout that neither one of these candidates has ever seen in their political careers.

Burgos identified a key issue that has plagued the stop-Mamdani forces all along: None of the other candidates are exciting or new, and theres widespread skepticism that any of them has what it takes to win.

Kathryn Wylde, a silver-haired New York power broker who announced her intent to retire earlier this year, described the dynamic in a late-summer interview with Salon. According to Wylde, who has worked as a fixer and liaison for New Yorks business interests for decades, Cuomo never had a particularly good relationship with many in the business community to begin with, Sliwa is seen as likable but unserious and Adams, while the personal favorite of many, became unelectable as the first New York mayor to be indicted while in office.

She agreed that Cuomo, who by that time already looked to be the anti-Mamdani movements last man standing, was seen as out of touch and lacking the energy for a robust and rigorous campaign.

Somebody pointed out to me that Cuomos first social media post was him tinkering with cars, in a city where 80% of the population doesnt have a car or drive, Wylde said.

Wylde is president of the Partnership for New York City, an organization that represents the likes of JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, Hearst CEO Steven Swartz and Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon. Wylde declined to discuss the opinions of any current members, but said that even within her billionaires club some people have come around on Mamdani, in no small part because of his positive vision for the city, something she said other candidates lacked.

There are people who are enthusiastic about Mamdani because he represents new blood, she said. Those who have met him think he is an honest guy who will listen and that hes smart and wont want to be a failure as mayor.

That last point is important: In the eyes of the citys business elite, Mamdanis desire not to be seen as a failed mayor will inevitably lead him, democratic socialist or not, to work with the citys arch-capitalists. In that context, the air of reasonableness and pragmatism he has demonstrated through his willingness to take meetings, listen and soften his language around issues ranging from policing to capitalism is more important than any specific policy.

An army of believers

(Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) Zohran Mamdani speaks to volunteers at his Bedford Stuyvesant canvass launch on Sept. 28, 2025.

Those who still want to stop Zohran also face a harsh political reality: Mamdanis campaign has stood up an army of more than 90,000 volunteers in the general election, fueled by an enthusiasm that Cuomo and Sliwas campaigns havent been able to match.

This enthusiasm is exemplified by volunteers like Kathy Cutler, a 27-year-old Upper East Side resident who has been canvassing for Mamdani since the campaigns official launch last January. Cutler told Salon that volunteering for the campaign has occupied most of her time when shes not at work.

Cutler said this is the first campaign shed ever volunteered for, and Mamdani is the first candidate shes encountered where she felt she didnt have to settle. She liked his specific policy proposals, like fast and free city buses, and his specific plans to make those proposals happen. She also said that the campaign had helped give her hope after the crushing disappointment of the 2024 election. Cutler was one of the many New York Democratic voters who left the top of her ballot blank in 2024 after voting for Biden in 2020, citing Kamala Harris record as California attorney general and the lack of democratic process in deciding the partys nominee.

Cutler, who spoke with Salon following a canvassing event at Ruppert Park on the Upper East Side in late October, said that Democratic leaders treatment of Mamdani throughout his candidacy will be a factor in her future voting decisions.

Its hypocritical of Democratic leaders who refuse to endorse him. It definitely will affect my vote, she said. After this campaign, I definitely will be a lot more involved in politics going forward and volunteering for other campaigns.

Cutler added, How they acted in this election and if theyre supporting Zohran in the future  I think thats important, especially for Democratic politicians, who are supposed to be better than Republicans. Right now, theres a lot of Democrats who are not listening to the voices of Democratic voters, and I think thats really disappointing.

The New York City mayoral election is often seen as the least politically relevant among the off-off-year elections that take place in the year following a presidential election. This year, it could actually be the most relevant. While gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia jockey for position, generating headlines about debates against an AI-generated opponent or a Republicans awkward overtures to Black voters, and pundits try to read the tea leaves for next years midterms, Mamdani may be setting the course for the future of the Democratic Party.

The establishments existential crisis

Bernie Sanders, Zohran Mamdani, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stand onstage holding hands before a cheering crowd with Zohran signs.

(Andres Kudacki/Getty Images) New York Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani, center, celebrates with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), left, and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), right, during an election rally on October 26, 2025 at Forest Hills Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City.

In the context of the current Democratic Party, in which members on the periphery like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., often deliver a clearer and more forceful vision than actual party leaders, its an opportunity for those on the outside to push their way into the partys new center and perhaps provide a positive vision for both its future and Americas.

Former Mayor Bill de Blasio told Salon that Mamdanis positivity and the clarity of his vision are the great genius of his campaign, adding that he had a very specific sense of where New York City needed to go.

Mamdanis campaign stuck to kitchen table issues and relentlessly pursuing a very tangible vision, de Blasio said.

Many political observers would agree that the Democratic Party has lacked a tangible vision for many years. Its leaders have largely avoided crafting such a vision in their quest to court the anyone-but-Trump vote. But in politics, even a bad plan beats no plan; look no further than the 2024 election. This lack of any clear, positive vision, beyond a dogged defense of the status quo, is a big reason why Democrats have struggled in the Trump era, and also why Andrew Cuomo seems to be on the verge of another embarrassing defeat.

Thats the doom for Cuomo, de Blasio said. Hes never, in this whole time, actually presented a compelling and appealing vision. Hes been sour as a persona and entitled, which is ironic given his scandals. But he spent so much time trying to knock down Zohran, trying to belittle Zohran, he never bothered to actually provide a compelling and appealing positive vision for the city. And the voters noticed.

The former mayor warned, however, that Mamdanis likely victory, driven by a wave of energy and excitement, is only the beginning of the battle. Many of the forces that oppose him today will almost certainly seek to portray him as a failure once hes in office.

People who want to undermine him will start doing it immediately, de Blasio cautioned. I think theyll fail, but I absolutely believe there will be a substantial effort to undermine him for quite a while.

Such potential sabotage may already be underway, with Adams considering stacking the citys Rent Guidelines Board with anti-Mamdani appointees to thwart his rent freeze proposal. But Mamdani himself maintains that his movement can, and should, reach the rest of the country. At the Working Families Party statewide convention in Brooklyn earlier this year, he laid out his vision before a small crowd of diverse and adoring supporters, using the sort of grandiose language he has rarely deployed on the campaign trail.

The success of our movement is not just success that can take place in one city. It is success that we must see take hold in all of these cities, Mamdani said. As I said in the weeks leading up to this primary, the days of moral victories must come to an end. The days of patting ourselves for trying have to be over. We must now enter into the days of victory, the days of delivery, the days of outcomes.

After decades that have seen the Democrats embrace big business, the Supreme Court open the floodgates for money to command American politics and a de facto and well-planned legalization of corruption, this movement, to many of the richest and most powerful Americans, represents an existential crisis.

If the wealthy cant stop a candidate willing to prioritize everyday people over the elites from winning in New York  a city groomed and cultivated as a playground for the wealthy for many generations  the door is open for their control to be challenged in many other cities, in statehouses across the country and, eventually, perhaps in Washington, D.C.

The post Panic in the Hamptons: The fight to stop Zohran Mamdani appeared first on Salon.com.
Oct. 29Immediately after stepping inside the Montvale Hotel's room 310, Jennifer Von Behren said she sensed a female spirit . Fellow paranormal researcher Kika Morelan took out a vintage audio recorder that's no longer in production and routinely sells on eBay for over $1,000.

Morelan said this Panasonic DR60 can pick up the voices of spirits.

"We are in Montvale room 310. My name is Kika. If there is someone here with us, can you please say hello?" Morelan said while recording, pausing a beat before continuing. "Can you give us your name?"

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Ghosts are all over the place, the local ghost hunters said during an outing with The Spokesman-Review, and downtown Spokane is no exception.

Founded by Morelan two decades ago, the Spokane Paranormal Investigation Group can get as many as five calls a day come October  their busy season. Morelan, 63, estimates she has conducted at least 200 investigations .

She moved to Washington from Finland when she was in her 20s. A retired electrical business co-owner, she treats her ghost hunting as a full-time job. The Spokane Paranormal Investigation Group has an official business license and general liability insurance.

Von Behren, 48, is not officially part of the Spokane Paranormal Investigation Group, but she has accompanied Morelan and the other three members on investigations when she can for the past 10 years. Von Behren claims to be a medium, able to see and communicate with ghosts, and Morelan uses devices sensitive to electromagnetic fields to attempt communication herself  though the tools are not always completely accurate, she said.

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"She's a medium, and she's always been a medium," Morelan said of Von Behren. "I research. We are paranormal researchers who investigate anything mysterious, paranormal, unnatural thing using equipment, since we're not psychics."

Being a medium is like taking the five senses and "kicking them up a notch," Von Behren said. A Coeur d'Alene mother to three boys, she described herself as a "serial entrepreneur," having owned shops, selling "telepathy decks" of cards and hosting one-on-one "spirit readings" professionally. She said she can tell how many ghosts are in a building just from seeing a picture of it.

"Yeah, so, real people that really do this stuff, most of us want to help people, and then this is like a fun side thing," Von Behren said about touring "haunted" locations. "And it does help people, too... because then they understand why things are going bump in the night. Is it a good entity? Is it something that needs to go away? So that's what we do."

A lot of times, the calls Morelan gets are people who just need a listening ear.

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"Most of the calls we get are people that have issues with the paranormal and they have nobody else to talk to, because everyone is going to think they're crazy," she said. "So we listen a lot of times. They just need somebody to listen  and, we can handle things over the phone with the distant readings."

Trying to convince people that ghosts exist isn't on the priority list for the pair.

"We're not here to convert anybody. You believe or you don't  we don't care one way or the other," Morelan said. "We're just researchers."

That didn't stop them from getting giddy about a walkthrough of one of Downtown Spokane's iconic hotels  The Montvale.

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The Montvale

Built in 1899 by Spokane Judge John W. Binkley, The Montvale functioned as an apartment building, a brothel and a youth hostel until Expo '74 before shutting down for 30 years. Under developer Rob Brewster, the hotel reopened in 2005, and today, the ground floor is occupied by pubs and cafes while the upper two floors are hotel rooms.

Room 310 was the first stop, picked by Montvale manager Zachary Neighbors because of complaints from guests.

There was no clear response after Moreland started recording , but Von Behren said the ghost was answering the questions.

Morelan unloaded her backpack of other ghost detection tools  an electromagnetic field detecting call bell, music box, light and two flashlights, unscrewed just far enough to turn off but be turned back on by the slightest touch.

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"Is your name Katie? Ring the bell for yes. Or Caitlin?" Von Behren asked.

The bell, across the room from them, rang.

Von Behren "translated" that the ghost "Caitlin" had been killed in the street outside The Montvale around 60 years ago. It is not immediately apparent whether a woman named Caitlin was actually killed in the streets in front of the hotel. Von Behren said that the ghost likes to "mess with the T.V." and make things move to "freak people out" in room 310, along with the room next to it. The bell rang intermittently as she spoke.

Somebody has died in the room in the last two years, Zachary Neighbors said, and guests in the room have complained about the lights turning on by themselves in the past.

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In room 203, Von Behren and Morelan repeated the procedure. Von Behren said that this room was haunted as well, a male ghost reporting that he had died of a heart attack. A handheld electromagnetic field detector spiked once or twice, and the field detecting light changed colors. Neighbors said he didn't know if anybody had died in the room.

The Montvale basement is largely used for storage. There is an old shower room, bathroom and remnants of an underground pool. There is also a dimly lit corner, home to dozens of pipes and a standalone chair, never moved by Neighbors because "I feel like it is somebody's."

Sure enough, Von Behren said there were two men around the chair. Morelan set up her equipment, and the flashlights flickered on and off as Von Behren said that the ghosts were drinking buddies in life. One seemed to be a smuggler from the prohibition era, she said, the other a flirty bartender.

There are rumors that alcohol was smuggled through underground tunnels in Spokane during the prohibition, though historian John Fahey told the Inlander over 20 years ago that while there were utility tunnels under downtown buildings, it is unlikely they were used for transporting alcohol.

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Von Behren toyed with the idea of coming back with a bottle of booze and pack of cigars for the ghosts before leaving.

Morelan and Von Behren found a fourth ghost in a dark stairwell in the basement as well, one that Von Behren said touched her hair. Neighbors also said that he has experienced the sensation of cobwebs on his head in the stairwell before, only to find that there is nothing there. This ghost was skittish, and Von Behren said it wouldn't play with the toys. Neighbors led the group back to the hotel lobby.

The Davenport

The Historic Davenport hotel has long been regarded one of the must-visit haunted locations in Spokane for paranormal enthusiasts. Von Behren herself said that she has seen several ghosts in the hotel, which opened in 1914. Like The Montvale, The Davenport also had a period of abandonment, theirs spanning from 1985 to 2000.

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"This is where I met Bing Crosby," Von Behren said, standing outside the Davenport's Marie Antoinette Ballroom. It was his ghost she met, of course, along with Al Capone's.

Crosby grew up in Spokane and began his professional music career partially in what is now the Bing Crosby Theater in 1925, but he also played with his band "The Musicaladers" at the hotel early on.

Capone's brother Frank Capone visited Spokane in 1936, the Spokane Chronicle reported. It is unclear whether Al Capone himself ever visited the city.

The Davenport's lobby was too busy for Von Behren and Morelan to search for ghosts, and while they sensed a spirit in the Hall of the Doges Foyer on the second floor, they said it was quiet.

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There have been a handful of high-profile deaths at The Davenport Hotel, the most famous arguably the 1920 crash through the ceiling of Ellen McNamara. A 68-year-old visiting from New York City, McNamara mistakenly wandered onto the glass skylight over the hotel lobby, the Spokesman-Review detailed in 2005.

"..While McNamara did medically expire in The Davenport, some at the hotel swear she never fully left the building," the article states.

An employee at the hotel, Archie Gonia, 25, was also murdered on site in 1973, left beaten and strangled on floor 12.

The history behind the "haunted" locations she visits and the ghosts she meets is a big part of the passion behind ghost hunting for Von Behren.

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"History is fascinating," she said. "So you get to see the history of the buildings, you get to see cool things like basements."

The Spokesman-Review Tower

Built in 1890 for the Spokane Falls Review, the Spokesman-Review Tower is older than The Montvale and The Davenport. While many believers in the paranormal might agree that old buildings tend to house a spirit or two, as far as recent memory serves, ghost hunters have never toured the tower.

Two ghosts were in the basement of the building, standing among archived newspapers and files, according to Von Behren. When Von Behren entered the storage room, she said that it felt like water had been there before.

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The basement of the Review Tower has flooded multiple times, damaging newspapers and causing mold growth.

Flashlights set up by Morelan flashed a few times, and the music box played briefly, though the electromagnetic field devices could be impacted by the basement's pipes, she said.

Tenants live in some spaces of the building, and walking through the residential staircase, Von Behren said that there were two ghosts. One, an agitated drunk man slumped in a corner, and another, a man who had been shot in the head. Morelan tried the audio recording device in the corner with the drunk ghost, her voice echoing in the empty stairwell, and for the first time of the tour the player picked up a very audible but garbled noise following her questions. Von Behren wasn't able to find the ghost who was shot.

At the very top of the Review Tower, Morelan laid out her sensors. Von Behren said that there was a teacher visiting, the wife of a former employee.

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"She's so cute," Von Behren said. "She's, like, sitting on the floor trying to play with everything, and she says, 'This is fascinating.'"

Downtown Spokane is a hotspot for ghosts who like to party, Von Behren said. She said that the teacher in the tower was one such party animal. Ghosts are everywhere, though, she and Morelan said.

Morelan doesn't like big groups. She says that they distract from the paranormal activity, and so the Spokane Paranormal Investigation Group is not welcoming new members. Anyone interested in ghost hunting can get started on their own, though, Morelan said.

"You can read books. You can watch stuff online. They'll teach you how to use equipment, how to investigate and all that," she said. "You should always go with somebody."

Von Behren said that she will lead public investigations because she knows "how to protect the entire group." Spirits can be dangerous, after all.

"So sometimes when you go to do a ghost investigation," she said, "you don't want to go in somewhere and take somebody home with you."
NEED TO KNOW

A United Airlines passenger reportedly dropped his laptop in the cargo hold, forcing pilots to turn around

The mishap occurred on Oct. 15 after the Boeing 767 departed Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C.

"Ive never heard anything like that before. Good story to tell at the pilot lounge," an air traffic controller says in a recording obtained by YouTube channel You can see ATC

A United Airlines flight heading to Rome turned around after a passenger reportedly dropped their laptop and could not grab it.

According to FlightAware, United Flight 126 departed Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., at 10:22 p.m. local time on Wednesday, Oct. 15. When the aircraft was about 100 miles southeast of Boston, the pilots called into local air traffic control to request a return to its origin.

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Unfortunately, were gonna have to get a clearance to return to Dulles, the pilot says in a recording obtained and uploaded by the YouTube channel You can see ATC. We have a minor situation here with a passenger who has somehow dropped a laptop  that was on  down the sidewall into the cargo pit area of the plane.

Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty United Airlines plane in September 2024 United Airlines plane in September 2024

We dont know the status of it. We cant access it. We cant see it," the pilot adds. "So our decision is to return to Dulles and find this laptop before we can continue over the ocean.

After receiving clearance, the plane made a left turn to begin returning to Washington. The air traffic controller then asked if the pilot was declaring an emergency or needed services upon arrival, both of which the pilot declined.

This is just out of [an] abundance of caution and just precautionary, just due to the lithium battery in the cargo area, the pilot says of the section of the Boeing 767 that wasnt near a fire suppression system.

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Thats a new debrief story, an air traffic controller says. Ive never heard anything like that before. Good story to tell at the pilot lounge.

In a statement shared with the Washington Post, a United Airlines representative confirmed a passengers laptop had fallen behind a cabin wall panel and through a small gap leading to the cargo hold. Upon return, maintenance crews found the laptop and the flight left for Rome after an inspection.

A representative for the airline did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C.

According to FlightAware, a subsequent flight departed at 3:24 a.m. local time from Dulles. The aircraft landed about four and a half hours after its initially scheduled arrival.

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows travelers to bring laptops on flights, but they must be stored in carry-on baggage only because fires are much harder to fight in cargo storage.

Smoke and fire incidents involving lithium batteries can be mitigated by the cabin crew and passengers inside the aircraft cabin, the FAA's website reads.

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.

According to FAA data, there have been 62 verified lithium battery incidents so far this year. Incidents reached new heights with 89 reported total in 2024.

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To combat this rise, Southwest Airlines announced policy changes earlier this year regarding batteries on planes. In May, they announced passengers could no longer use portable batteries while stored inside bags. In September, the company said passengers using motorized mobility devices would have to take out removable batteries before boarding, starting Sept. 25.

Read the original article on People
Several passengers were injured onboard a JetBlue flight from Mexico to New Jersey, after the aircraft suffered a flight control issue and was forced to make an emergency landing.

The Airbus 320 was heading to Newark Liberty International Airport from Cancun International Airport when it was forced to divert to Tampa, Florida, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The flight landed in Florida at around 2:20 p.m. ET Thursday.

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JetBlue said the aircraft experienced a drop in altitude and the "flight was met by medical personnel who evaluated customers and crew members, and those needing additional care were transported to a local hospital."

The airline did not immediately say how many people were injured, though pilots told air traffic control that at least three people were injured with possible lacerations following the incident, ABC reported.

JetBlue said the aircraft (not pictured) experienced a drop in altitude and the flight was met by medical personnel who evaluated customers and crew members, and those needing additional care were transported to a local hospital, after it had landed in Tampa, Florida (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Conditions on the flight had been mild, and the disruption was caused by the flight control issue which the FAA is now investigating.

Following the sudden landing in Florida, the aircraft was removed from service for inspection. JetBlue said it would also conduct its own investigation into the cause of the issue.

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"The safety of our customers and crew members is always our first priority, and we will work to support those involved," JetBlue said in a statement shared with Reuters.

In a statement, the FAA said: "JetBlue Airlines Flight 1230 diverted to Tampa International Airport around 2:00 p.m. local time on Oct. 30 after the crew experienced a flight control issue.

The Airbus 320 left Cancun International Airport and was headed to Newark Liberty International Airport. The FAA is investigating."

The Independent has contacted JetBlue for further information about the incident and for an update on the condition of the passengers who were injured.
Patients in need of emergency medical treatment are asking to see GPs through non-urgent online forms, doctors have warned.

A rule change earlier this month means GP surgeries are now required to keep their online booking platforms open for the duration of their working hours.

The e-consults allow patients to make requests for non-urgent appointments and help with medication or other admin. The changes were brought in to end the 8am scramble of patients having to ring up for an appointment as part of the new GP contract for 2025-26.

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Wes Streeting, the health secretary, said it was absurd you could book a hair appointment online but not to see a doctor.

But family doctors have said that it has led to patients who require emergency help filling out online forms and waiting for a response.

This has included patients reporting difficulty breathing, rectal bleeding and severe vomiting on the forms, which are designed for non-emergencies.

A poll of 431 GPs and practice managers by Pulse magazine found 67 per cent were concerned about patient safety since the change.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has spearheaded the changes to GP surgeries online booking platforms - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing

At the time, officials said safeguards would be put in place to avoid urgent clinical requests being erroneously submitted online, but the doctors union said this had not happened.

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Dr Caroline Delves, a GP partner in Norfolk, said she had clinical queries about a six-week old baby with a growing red lump, and another about a five-week-old who was lethargic and vomiting.

Another patient who filled in a non-urgent medical form saying he could not breathe managed to go to A&E, but could have been left waiting longer to be signposted, according to Dr Delves.

She said: Thats on a form thats supposedly non-urgent - he could have sat there until wed got through the other 70 forms we had to look at, which would have been unsafe.

We had someone on a Monday who disclosed they had been vomiting blood all weekend on a Monday morning via a change of address admin form, she said.

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I think theres probably a level of health literacy expectation in the policymakers that doesnt exist for everybody on the ground.

One GP from the West Midlands said the change has caused a surge in demand for staff.

They told Pulse: Were doing 340 to 400 medical triages on a Monday, and other days, 200 to 300. Its overwhelming and unsafe. Patients are dealt with quickly, often through further symptom questionnaires, but it will burn us out.

By the time 5pm comes and admin needs to be done its hard to concentrate on the septic, suicidal or end-of-life patients that we try to prioritise between all the queries that are overwhelming us.

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Another GP warned: Processing online requests and triaging after a 13-hour intensive clinical day is unsafe and unsustainable.

It comes after the British Medical Association (BMA) entered a dispute with the Government over changes to online access.

The union argues that certain safeguards have not been put in place to support the change and no additional staff have been hired to manage the requests.

It claims this could risk patient safety as staff try to find the most urgent cases, with fears that reviewing online requests will take up too much time.

Dr David Wrigley, deputy chairman of the BMAs GP committee, said: Its deeply worrying - and sadly unsurprising - that GPs are concerned for patient safety as a result of these contract changes.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has entered a dispute with the Government over changes to online access - MoMo Productions/Digital Vision

We warned the Government repeatedly in the past six months that allowing unlimited online consultation requests without the necessary safety measures or additional resources would overwhelm already stretched teams, divert doctors from face-to-face appointments and risk urgent cases being missed.

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General practice is not against the use of technology and have been embracing it for over 30 years, but innovation without safeguards is dangerous.

We believe there is significant risk to patients and to our practice teams from this new initiative, and the Government must provide the protections it committed to back in February.

Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England, said: It is right that patients should be able to contact their GP practice online  in addition to by phone and by walking in  which is why it was agreed by the BMAs General Practice Committee in February.

In the many practices already offering this service, patient satisfaction is higher.

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Patient safety remains our priority and guidance and support has been provided to practices to help them put the necessary safeguards in place for urgent clinical requests.

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.
MINOOKA, Ill. (AP)  Bill Swick has a rare degenerative brain disease that inhibits his mobility and speech. Instead of the hassle of traveling an hour to a clinic in downtown Chicago to visit a speech therapist, he has benefited from virtual appointments from the comfort of his home.

But Swick, 53, hasnt had access to those appointments for the last month.

The federal government shutdown, now in its fifth week, halted funding for the Medicare telehealth program that pays his provider for her services. So, Swick and his wife are practicing old strategies rather than learning new skills to manage his growing difficulties with processing language, connecting words and pacing himself while speaking.

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Its frustrating because we want to continue with his journey, with his progress, 45-year-old Martha Swick, a caregiver for her husband since his diagnosis three years ago, said during an interview at their home in Minooka, Illinois. I try to have all his therapy and everything organized for him, to make his day easier and smoother, and then everything has a hitch, and we have to stop and wait.

Their experience has become common in recent weeks among the millions of patients with Medicare fee-for-service plans who count on pandemic-era telehealth waivers to attend medical appointments from home.

With Congress unable to agree on a deal to fund the government, the waivers have lapsed, even with support from Republicans and Democrats. As a result, medical providers are deciding whether they can continue offering telehealth services without the guarantee of reimbursement or whether they need to halt virtual visits altogether.

Thats left a patient population of mostly older adults with fewer options to seek specialists or get help when they cant physically travel far from home.

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Swick, whose corticobasal degeneration causes symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease, cant feed or dress himself anymore and struggles with balance and walking. Add on the logistical nightmare of driving to the city in traffic, and in-person speech therapy appointments arent a worthwhile ordeal for him and his wife.

But missing even a few appointments can impede progress for patients with dementia and other degenerative conditions who depend on continuity of care, experts said.

It feels like youre taking a step back, Swick said in the interview.

A temporary pause, with significant impact

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Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare only paid for virtual medical appointments under narrow circumstances, including in designated rural areas and when patients logged in from eligible sites, like hospitals and clinics.

That changed in 2020, when Trumps first administration dramatically expanded telehealth coverage in response to the public health emergency. Medicare started reimbursing a wide range of telehealth visits, stripping the geographic requirement, and allowing patients to take calls from their homes.

Congress has routinely extended the telehealth flexibilities and was poised to do so again before their Sept. 30 expiration. But when budget negotiations stalled and the government shut down Oct. 1, the vote never happened, leaving the program temporarily unfunded.

With more than 4 million Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries using telehealth in the first half of 2025, according to Brown Universitys School of Public Health, the pause has had a major impact on an already vulnerable population.

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Swicks speech therapy services are provided by the Chicago-area business Memory and Aphasia Care. Owner Becky Khayum said many of her clients are in different cities and states and sought her therapists out because they specialize in frontal temporal dementias.

Now suddenly without telehealth services, they do not continue to have the support to participate in those activities that are so important to them, Khayum said. The risk is we could see social withdrawal; we could see depression and anxiety increased.

Virtual visits can also be useful in different areas of medicine. Dr. Faraz Ghoddusi, a family medicine provider in Tigard, Oregon, said he uses telehealth to check in and help his patients manage their conditions, like diabetes and chronic lung disease. He said that in the current Medicare telehealth pause, one of his patients wasnt having regular check-ins and ended up in the emergency room.

Susan Collins, 73, in Murrieta, California, said Medicare-reimbursed telehealth appointments were a tremendous relief to her when she was a full-time caregiver for her late husband, Leo. Before he died last year from progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare brain disorder, she struggled to lift him from his wheelchair in and out of the car for his in-person doctor visits 60 miles from their home.

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He was much safer at home, Collins said, noting that telehealth was a useful resource when her husband needed a medication or symptom consultation but not a complete physical exam.

Doctors respond differently, leaving a patchwork

The latest guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services does not ban medical providers from providing telehealth services during the lapse  but it stops short of promising theyll be reimbursed if they do.

In response, providers are deciding whether they can absorb the risk of continuing care without assurance that theyll be paid for it when the government reopens.

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Khayum in Illinois said she had to stop providing telehealth services to Medicare patients because her small business couldnt handle the volatility of potentially losing out on payments. Ghoddusi, the family medicine provider, said his Oregon practice is honoring telehealth appointments made before Oct. 1 but not scheduling additional ones for Medicare patients until the funding is restored.

Genevieve Richardson, owner of a speech pathology business in Austin, Texas, has stopped providing telehealth services to her Medicare clients who are spread across the country. She has been referring them to outpatient clinics in their areas who can provide stopgap services in person.

Major hospitals are also grappling with whether to provide virtual care to Medicare patients. Dr. Helen Hughes, medical director of the Office of Telemedicine at Johns Hopkins Medicine, said the hospital initially continued the care, but paused scheduling more Medicare telehealth visits as of Oct. 16 as the shutdown continued.

She said the uncertainty surrounding the waivers has been a total roller coaster.

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The congressional stalemate persists

The government shutdown is in its fifth week with no clear end on the horizon. Meanwhile, Medicare telehealth flexibilities and a separate Medicare program offering patients hospital-level care at home both remain paused.

Mei Kwong, executive director of the Center for Connected Health Policy, said the simplest solution to renewing the telehealth waivers would be for Congress to vote separately on them.

The hands of federal health care administrators are kind of tied, she said. So, you really do need Congress to act.

But with lawmakers divided and looking for leverage, hopes for such action are low.

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Martha Swick, practicing word exercises with her husband in their home on a recent morning, said if a solution isnt found soon, my resource collection is going to run out.

Im just doing what Im able to at home as a wife and a caregiver, she said. But eventually Im really going to need those appointments to come back.

___

Swenson reported from New York.
Airlines are feeding essential federal workers in an effort to combat food insecurity as some receive their first $0 paycheck despite working during the government shutdown.

United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and JetBlue all confirmed to PEOPLE that they were making individual efforts to support essential federal workers across the country with food as the United States latest government shutdown approaches its one-month mark.

United is providing federal workers experiencing delayed pay with food at its seven mainland U.S. hubs, according to CBS News. Those airports are in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Delta shared that it has arranged for a limited number of meals for transportation sector workers. Additionally, JetBlue disclosed that it is working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Federal Aviation Administration, to offer meals at our airports as a gesture of support.

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In a statement to PEOPLE, an American Airlines representative said the carrier is offering meals to federal employees who continue to ensure safe travel for our customers  even as they go unpaid.

Reuters reported in late October that around 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers have been subjected to the work mandate despite not receiving their scheduled pay. Notably, the October 28 paycheck was the first $0 payment many federal workers still on the job during the government shutdown received.

What Else Is There To Know About Feeding Essential Federal Workers And The Government Shutdown?

In addition to airlines intervening to support federal air travel workers going without pay, airports and local nonprofits are also making efforts.

Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport recently hosted a donation drive collecting essential items and gift cards that organizers later distributed to federal workers impacted by the shutdown. Moreover, a union officer representing TSA employees at MinneapolisSaint Paul International Airport said that a food bank may return to support affected essential workers.

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On October 29, a nonprofit called Feeding Westchester, based just outside New York City, partnered with a local Stop & Shop grocery store for a food distribution event at Westchester County Airport.

We know that during this federal shutdown, that our neighbors that are here working as federal employees. Whether theyre TSA or in the air traffic control area, thats a concern. Many of them [are] working without pay under extremely difficult circumstances. Yet they continue to show up and do their job with professionalism and pride. And this community has their back, said Kenneth W. Jenkins, a Westchester County executive, at the event.







The post With Paychecks At $0, Major US Airlines Feed Workers Amid Government Shutdown appeared first on Travel Noire.
United States President Donald Trump arrived in South Korea on Thursday ahead of his highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking a crucial development in the ongoing trade discussions between Washington and Beijing. Trump landed at Gimhae International Airport in South Korea, where he will soon meet with Xi for their much-awaited talks. The meeting is set to take place on the sidelines of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, drawing attention from global markets and political observers alike. Ahead of the talks, US President Donald Trump said that he is "looking forward" to his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday, underscoring the importance both nations have placed on this high-level engagement. "Very much looking forward to my meeting with President Xi of China. It will take place in a few hours!" Trump said in a post on X, highlighting the anticipation surrounding their discussion. Earlier, during his speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Trump said the expected trade deal between the United States and China would be good for both countries and "something very exciting for everybody." "That's really a great result. That's better than fighting and going through all sorts of problems," Trump said in an address to a business luncheon on the sidelines of the APEC gathering in Gyeongju. The meeting in the coastal city of Busan, about 85 kilometres south of Gyeongju, will be the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and Xi since the US president launched his second trade war with China. Speaking aboard Air Force One earlier on Wednesday, Trump said he expected the agreement to solve "a lot of problems" and include lower tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for Beijing taking steps to curb the production of fentanyl. Trump has imposed a 20 per cent tariff on Chinese goods over what he claims is Beijing's failure to crack down on the flow of chemicals used in making the deadly opioid, as per Al Jazeera. US officials have indicated that the deal under discussion could include the deferral of China's planned export controls on rare earth minerals, the suspension of an additional 100 per cent US tariff on Chinese goods, and a commitment by Beijing to buy more US agricultural products. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday confirmed that Xi would meet Trump but did not specifically mention the deal. "At this meeting, the two leaders will have in-depth communication on strategic, long-term issues related to China-US relations and major issues of common concern," spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular media briefing, as reported by Al Jazeera. (ANI)
This November, there will be no candidate for president, governor, senator or even representative on the Pennsylvania ballot.

Pennsylvanians will vote, however, on three members of their seven-member state Supreme Court.

These are retention elections, which means that voters will decide whether to keep the current members of the court or remove them.

The three seats up for grabs are three of the five Democrats that hold the majority on the court. They are Justices Christine Donohue, Kevin Dougherty and David Wecht.

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While the typical voter may not think much about judicial elections, political operatives and political scientists, like me, know they have consequences.

I think its important that voters understand what a retention election is and why state judicial elections are growing in political importance in the U.S.

Retention elections

Federal judges are appointed by the U.S. president, confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and can serve for the rest of their lives.

State judges are put in place in a variety of ways.

The most powerful state courts are the so-called courts of last resort. These are essentially the supreme courts of each state. The method for selecting judges in these courts has varied over time and across the states. Currently, states use either gubernatorial appointment, legislative appointment, partisan elections, nonpartisan elections, or a merit process for selecting the judges of their highest courts.

Pennsylvania has partisan elections, meaning judges run for office attached to political parties, just like a candidate would run for governor or president. However, it is only in their first race for office that a judge runs in a competitive partisan election. After they assume the bench, they participate in retention elections every 10 years. These retention elections are considered nonpartisan, since party labels do not appear on the ballot.

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Essentially, a retention election is an up or down vote. If more than 50% of voters cast a vote in opposition to a sitting judge, that judge will be out of the office at the end of their term. The governor, who is currently Democrat Josh Shapiro, then makes a temporary appointment to fill the seat with a special election held in the next odd year  in this case, 2027. But any appointments would need to be confirmed by the Republican-controlled state Senate, which may not confirm his picks.

Politicization of the state courts

Judges win retention elections over 90% of the time. So why should people bother to cast their vote?

Courts, including state courts, have become highly politicized over the past several decades. A marked increase in politicization occurred in the U.S. Supreme Court after the failed nomination of Robert Bork in the 1980s.

This politicization has since trickled down to lower federal courts and the states.

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State supreme courts have always made big decisions, but the nationalization of American politics  where national partisan politics drive voter behavior in local elections  has elevated the controversy over state supreme court decisions on issues such as reproductive rights, trans rights, COVID-19 restrictions, environmental protection and more.

This issue became more acute when courts in battleground states were thrust to the center of adjudicating false claims of election fraud during the 2020 U.S. presidential election. And judges have faced increasing threats, particularly when opposing actions of the Trump administration, as President Donald Trump is prone to calling out specific judges in decisions that he does not like.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has received additional attention, in part due to the outsized role it has played in recent redistricting. In 2018, the court threw out the congressional districts drawn by the General Assembly in 2011 and invited a new plan from the governor and General Assembly. The two came to a political loggerhead, so the Supreme Court ended up using its own map as a replacement.

In 2022, the state Supreme Court once again took control of redistricting after Pennyslvanias then-Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the congressional district map approved by the General Assembly.

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There is currently an unusual push underway by both parties to redistrict in states across the country. Republicans are using this tactic to try to maintain their House majority in 2026, while Democrats are using it to ensure their potential for taking the majority. The balance of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court may well matter. If the anti-retention vote in Pennsylvania is successful, the courts composition will change drastically compared to where it was in 2018 and 2022, which will affect any rulings on future redistricting cases.

Given the importance of state supreme courts, particularly in federal elections cases in battleground states like Pennsylvania, it is little wonder why their elections are gaining attention.

The April 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race was the most expensive state judicial race in U.S. history, with $100 million in spending, including significant contributions from billionaires Elon Musk and George Soros.

Former prosecutor Susan Crawford won the highly politicized race for Wisconsin Supreme Court justice in 2025. It was the most expensive state supreme court race in U.S. history. Scott Olson via Getty Images

That was one seat.

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Pennsylvania has three up for grabs in November 2025, with the potential to swing the current Democratic majority. To date, millions of dollars have been poured into the retention election by donors on both sides of the aisle.

And retention elections are politically simple for opponents. As one Republican political consultant told investigative news outlet Spotlight PA: This is a political consultants dream, because your message is just one thing, and thats No.

This can give some advantage to Republicans in a state that Trump won in 2024 and in a low-turnout election. The question will be whether there is more energy motivating opponents to turn out against the Democratic majority or supporters seeking to maintain the status quo.

The 2025 retention elections could change the balance of power in the court. AP Photo/Aimee Dilger

The stakes for Pennsylvania in 2025

Much is at stake for Pennsylvanians in the fall. Republicans see this as their best opportunity to break the firm 5-2 Democratic majority on the court. This would pave the way for very different judicial decisions. Many of the courts recent election-related rulings were made on narrow 4-3 votes that could swing differently if the composition of the court changes.

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If all three Democratic justices lose retention, the court will be deadlocked at a 2-2 partisan split for the foreseeable future. If Shapiro cannot get subsequent temporary appointments through the Republican Senate, Pennsylvanians will wait until the 2027 elections to see which party controls the court.

Republicans have had their power in Harrisburg diminished with Shapiro in the governors mansion and a one-seat Democratic majority in the state House of Representatives over the past two terms.

A Republican majority on the court would significantly change the balance of power in Harrisburg.

But it is important to focus not only on the top court. The states two appellate-level courts  one step below the state Supreme Court  also have two important races and two retention votes in November that will decide the judiciarys relationship with the governor and General Assembly.

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This is an update to a story that was originally published July 14, 2025.

Read more of our stories about Philadelphia and Pennsylvania.

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: Daniel J. Mallinson, Penn State

Read more:



Daniel J. Mallinson 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.
(WHTM) Pennsylvania public schools are waiting on $5.3 billion in funding as the budget impasse continues.

Pennsylvanias state budget is now 122 days late, forcing public schools to freeze new hires, take out loans, and curtail educational programs, according to the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA).

Public schools statewide are waiting on $5.3 billion in funding after missing the fourth monthly payment from the state, according to the PSEAs estimates.

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PSEA envisions a future where funding is no longer an obstacle for our students to reach their full potential, PSEA President Aaron Chapin said. But this budget stalemate is undermining everything our educators are working to achieve.

The PSEA said that schools in Pennsylvanias poorest communities are among those hit hardest by the states lack of funding. A recent poll conducted by Susquehanna Polling & Research for PSEA shows that a majority of Pennsylvanians support Governor Shapiros education budget proposal.

According to the poll, 69% of the 700 voters surveyed agree that the legislature should pass Shapiros proposed education budget.

The PSEA said at least 27 public school entities have taken out loans or are exploring loans to cover operational costs.

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The PSEA added that 2 million low-income Pennsylvanians are also set to lose SNAP benefits on Nov. 1, 58% of whom are families with children. The PSEA fears that this will negatively impact students ability to learn.

We know that childhood hunger is already a major issue facing our public schools and that the loss of SNAP benefits will only make success at school harder for students facing food insecurity, PSEA President Aaron Chapin said. Hunger in children impacts their ability to learn and perform in the classroom because it hinders their concentration, memory, mood, and motor skills.

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FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Almost three weeks ago, two Pennsylvania State Troopers took bullets during a fierce gunfight on an Interstate exit ramp in Antrim Township.

The Troopers were responding to a reported retail theft when the suspects fled and engaged them in a chase. After stopping the vehicle with spike strips, one man opened fire.

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Troopers killed the gunman in a dramatic exchange caught on video. The two injured Troopers, 23-year-old Thomas Pack and 31-year-old Lucas Amarose, were airlifted to WellSpan York Hospital.

Now out of the hospital and recovering, Antrim Township supervisors and staff said they wanted to thank the men in person. They got that chance Wednesday.

The township provided lunch for the Pennsylvania State Police Chambersburg Barracks, and brought along hundreds of cards from residents, schools and community groups.

Troopers Thomas Pack and Lucas Amarose receive certificates of recognition from Congressman John Joyce on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. The two men were shot after stopping a highspeed chase in Antrim Township. | Antrim Township, Pennsylvania Troopers Thomas Pack and Lucas Amarose receive certificates of recognition from Congressman John Joyce on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. The two men were shot after stopping a highspeed chase in Antrim Township. | Antrim Township, Pennsylvania

Amarose and Pack also received certificates of recognition from Congressman John Joyce.

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To Troopers Amarose and Pack, and to all our law enforcement partners  Antrim Township has your backs, the township said in a social media post.

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The Trump administration has admitted that they are not trying to identify anyone aboard boats they accuse of sending drugs to the U.S. before bombing the vessels.

Speaking to CNN Thursday, Democratic Representative Sara Jacobs said she was told in a Pentagon briefing that they do not need to positively identify individuals on the vessel to do the strikes and that was part of the reason why the administration has not sought to detain or prosecute the survivors of the strikes, because they could not satisfy the evidentiary burden.

As far as the legal justification the White House is using to blow up boats in the waters surrounding Latin America, that information has only been available to select Republicans.

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Theres nothing that we heard in there that changes my assessment that this is completely illegal, that it is unlawful and even if Congress authorized it, it would still be illegal because there are extrajudicial killings where we have no evidence, Jacobs said, adding that she was told that the only drug targeted in the strikes so far was cocaine, which Pentagon officials called a facilitating drug of fentanyl.

The U.S. has killed at least 61 people in more than a dozen airstrikes on boats in the western hemisphere that it claims are smuggling drugs and are part of designated terrorist organizations. The attacks have prompted criticism from countries in the region, including Colombia, Venezuela, and Mexico, and several of the people killed in the strikes have been identified as fishermen.

Even some Republicans in Congress, such as Representative Mike Turner and Senator Rand Paul, have expressed misgivings about the strikes, with Paul calling them extrajudicial killings. Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth seem to be planning to go even further, with the president bragging that he wants to begin strikes on land and Hegseth moving 14 percent of the U.S. Navy fleet to the Caribbean Sea. It seems that a war has been declared in all but name.
The National Guard is building a quick reaction force (QRF) of some 23,500 troops trained in crowd control and civil disturbance that can be ready to deploy to U.S. cities by early next year, according to a leaked memo reported by multiple outlets Wednesday.

The Oct. 8 memo, signed by National Guard Bureau Director of Operations Maj. Gen. Ronald Burkett, orders the Guard from nearly every U.S. state, Puerto Rico and Guam to train 500 service members. States with smaller populations such as Delaware will have 250 troops in its force, while Alaska will have 350 and Guam will have 100, Task & Purpose reported.

A previous Pentagon memo issued in September, and revealed by The Guardian, had mandated that the Washington, D.C., National Guard create a specialized military police battalion within it dedicated to ensuring safety and public order in the Nations capital as the circumstances may necessitate.

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The latest document also stipulates that the Pentagon will send military trainers to the states and territories so the QRFs will be operational by Jan. 1, 2026. Each state also will be given 100 sets of crowd control equipment to be used to support this requirement, such as Tasers, pepper spray, batons, and body shields.

The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment from The Hill.

The Trump administration has increasingly moved to use the U.S. military to push his political agenda domestically via sending National Guard troops into largely Democrat-run cities under the claim of helping fight crime.

President Trump in an Aug. 25 executive order mobilized the D.C. National Guard to the nations capital over the objections of city leaders. Trump at the time claimed the citys crime was out of control, despite data showing that rates had dropped over the past two years. In their more than two months in the city, guard members have largely been helping with beautification efforts such as picking up trash and laying mulch.

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Trump has also activated the National Guard Los Angeles to quell largely peaceful protests over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in the city and has attempted to send them to Portland, Ore. and Chicago, among other cities, but so far has been blocked by the courts.

A National Guard spokesperson told Task & Purpose that the bureau is coordinating with the Pentagon and the U.S. states and territories in planning that will implement the direction Trump laid out in the Aug. 25 order.

The creation of national QRFs is not unprecedented, but they usually occur after serious emergencies such as when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005.

This is different because were essentially establishing a unit for space to respond to civilian activities, a Guard member told Task & Purpose. We are ready to go when were called upon. Were not asked to stand up an entire unit ready to quell dissent at any moment.

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The troops are to be trained in how to form Squad-sized Riot Control Formation, how to employ a Riot Baton as a Member of a Riot Control Formation, and how to Supervise a Riot/Crowd Control Operation, as well as de-escalation of force techniques, according to the memo.

Each state must report monthly on its progress via an online defense readiness reporting system.

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The Pentagon has ordered thousands of specialized National Guard personnel to complete civil unrest mission training over the next several months, an indication that the Trump administrations effort to send uniformed military forces into urban centers - once reserved for extraordinary emergencies - could become the norm.

The Defense Departments newly established quick reaction force within the National Guard must be trained, equipped with riot-control gear and ready for deployment by Jan. 1, according to internal documents reviewed by The Washington Post. The 200 troops will be drawn from National Guard personnel whose primary focus is responding to disasters like nuclear accidents and terrorist attacks, the documents said.

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An existing separate but similar structure, the National Guard Reaction Force, is expected to complete civil unrest training and be fully operational by April 1. The total size of the force will be 23,500 troops across all 50 states and three territories, excluding the District of Columbia, the documents say. Most states will supply 500 personnel for the reaction force, with the rest falling between 250 and 450.

Those forces are typically used for emergencies like disaster relief, not as on-call troops for civil unrest.

The mandate, along with the growing presence of federal and immigration enforcement officers, suggests further military deployments within the United States could grow in size and scope. The deployments, which President Donald Trump has described as a bid to quell violence and crime, have infuriated Democratic governors in multiple states, who have fought the presidents deployments through litigation.

The Defense Department did not respond to a request for comment. A defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe military planning, said the Pentagon is revising plans for the employment of [the National Guard Reaction Force] to guarantee their ability to assist federal, state and local law enforcement in quelling civil disturbances. The Guardian earlier reported details of the documents.

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Trump has mobilized thousands of National Guard members in D.C., Los Angeles and Memphis, with deployments to Chicago and Portland, Oregon, delayed by court decisions. He has claimed unfettered authority to deploy military personnel onto American soil, including active-duty troops, which by law are prohibited from performing law enforcement duties except in extreme cases or if the president invokes the Insurrection Act.

We have cities that are troubled, we cant have cities that are troubled, Trump told assembled service members in Japan on Tuesday. And were sending in our National Guard, and if we need more than the National Guard, well send more than the National Guard, because were going to have safe cities.

Trump later told reporters: The courts wouldnt get involved. Nobody would get involved. And I could send the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines. I could send anybody I wanted.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Trump administration and Illinois officials for additional briefs on their dispute over whether the president can send troops to Chicago, pushing a decision on the matter into mid-November at the earliest. That follows a federal appeals court saying Tuesday that it would take a second look at whether Trump can send National Guard troops to Portland, tossing out a ruling last week from a three-judge panel that had authorized the deployment.

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The mobilizations, critics have said, could corrode the militarys core mission by turning U.S. troops into foot soldiers fighting the presidents war of political grievance.

They are increasing their ability to mobilize National Guard forces, federalize them and use them over the opposition of localities and governors, said Kori Schake, director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute.

Pentagon documents obtained by The Post this summer outlined plans to develop a National Guard Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force that could rapidly deploy troops nationwide to counter civil unrest on short notice. The proposal called for troops from multiple states to be on standby at all times, split between military bases in Arizona and Alabama. The plan described the potential for political friction should a states governor refuse to work with the Pentagon, and considerable strain on budgets and personnel to keep them on standby.

The White House announced the creation of the quick reaction force in August. The new documents said the force size would be 200 personnel drawn from troops under the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Assistance Support Element.

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Those troops are specially trained to respond to various man-made and natural disasters and any accompanying civil unrest. The first wave of those troops would be ready to mobilize within eight hours, the documents said, with the full force ready in a day. The documents outline training with Tasers and pepper spray, and require each unit to have 100 sets of crowd-control gear on hand.

The federalized quick reaction force would complement the National Guard Reaction Force, whose troops are on standby for emergencies typically within their own state, according to a National Guard fact sheet.

The National Guard Reaction Force has existed nationwide for about two decades, the defense official said, declining to confirm the size of the force but saying it was already close to the 23,500 number noted in the documents.

While the courts have at times contested Trumps domestic military deployments, Congress has abdicated its oversight responsibility, Schake said, prompting larger concerns of institutional decay.

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Theyre behaving like a parliament, not like a presidential system, she said. And its going to break the American order, our constitutional order, if Congress and governors cant check executive power.

- - -

Mark Berman contributed to this report.

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A metro Atlanta woman went to Jamaica for vacation, but has since become stuck after Hurricane Melissa hit the island.

But while loved ones in the U.S. are trying to organize relief, Donna Lee Gordon is working from Jamaica to help get resources brought in.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Gordon, an American citizen born in Jamaica, spoke with Channel 2s Tyisha Fernandes about spearheading a relief drive.

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Her brothers own Believe Music Hall in southwest Atlanta. They are helping her collect supplies there to send to the island next week.

People should go there and donate what you can. Dry goods, canned goods, stuff for kids, anything thats easily sent on a plane to Jamaica, Gordon urged. Dont take this as a joke, people have really lost everything.

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Gordon said she was concerned about the closure of Jamaican airports.

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A lot of people still couldve gotten out  all the way up to Monday I think, she said.

Believe Music Hall, known for its Caribbean events, is hosting the relief drive this Sunday, aiming to send food and toiletries to Jamaica on a plane next week.

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(NewsNation)  Humanity has long yearned to understand the fundamental question of why we exist on Earth, and many have historically turned to religion for answers.

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly expanding, and tech companies are looking for ways to further embed the technology into peoples everyday lives.

One well-documented example is in the realm of faith, and recent reports suggest that more and more people are turning to AI chatbots to pursue religious discovery and expression, and to get answers to some of lifes biggest questions.

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Phony AI-generated videos of Hurricane Melissa flood social media sites

Faith tech industry taking off

The faith tech industry has exploded recently, with several apps featuring religious Chatbots dominating the Apple App Store, as reported by The New York Times.

The Bible chat app calls itself the #1 faith app in the world and features the first AI in the world trained exclusively on the Bible.

Another app, Hallow, was the most downloaded app for a period in 2024 and features AI that answers questions based on Catholic teachings.

Chatwithgod.ai is a website that allows users to talk directly to God from the faith of their choosing and provides answers to a variety of questions that dont necessarily have to be faith-based.

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Elon Musk launches AI Grokipedia to compete with Wikipedia

Religious AI chatbots on the rise

Some chatbots have also been developed to mimic a variety of religious figures. Various iterations of AI Jesus chatbots have caused a stir in spiritual circles, with some questioning the accuracy and integrity of such technology.

And its not just Christianity; the BBC recently reported on a 25-year-old student in India, Vijay Meel, who uses GitaGPT, an AI chatbot trained on the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu text.

Meel told the BBC that the technology has helped him cope with feelings of dejection stemming from his academic struggles.

People feel disconnected from community, from elders, from temples. For many, talking to an AI about God is a way of reaching for belonging, not just spirituality, Holly Walters, an anthropologist and lecturer at Wellesley College, told the BBC.

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Big Tech rethinking human workforce amid AI push

Religious experts respond

Some faith leaders argue the technology can serve as a segue into faith.

There is a whole generation of people who have never been to a church or synagogue, Rabbi Jonathan Romain, a leader within Britains Reform Jewish movement, told The New York Times. Spiritual apps are their way into faith.

However, others disagree, pointing out that AIs shortcomings could be problematic in a religious setting.

Chatbots tell us what we want to hear, Texas A&M technology and religion professor Heidi Campbell told The New York Times.

Its not using spiritual discernment, it is using data and patterns, Campbell continued.

Catholic church weighs in on AI

Pope Leo XIV and the Catholic church have had a lot to say about AI since Leo was elected as the first American pontiff earlier this year.

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In his first address to the college of cardinals, Leo called the developments in AI a new industrial revolution that poses new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.

In January 2025, the Vatican released a document signed by Pope Francis addressing the ethical dilemmas raised by AI:

Like any product of human creativity, AI can be directed toward positive or negative ends. When used in ways that respect human dignity and promote the well-being of individuals and communities, it can contribute positively to the human vocation. Yet, as in all areas where humans are called to make decisions, the shadow of evil also looms here. Where human freedom allows for the possibility of choosing what is wrong, the moral evaluation of this technology will need to take into account how it is directed and used, the Vatican document reads.

NewsNations Susie Pinto contributed to this report.

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PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  As Peoria Public Schools receive more state funding, some advocates are saying Illinois isnt properly funding its public schools.

According to Advance Illinois, an independent education group, Illinois needs to fund its public school system an additional $2.5 billion to be whats considered adequately funded.

For example, PPS received more in state funding this year but thats still not enough. According Cheryl Flores with Advance Illinois, the district still need about 7% more from the state to reach the magic number of 90% adequate funding the group says is vital for public schools.

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Peoria Federation of Teachers President Leslie Danage said inadequate funding doesnt mean the schools cant run classes; but teachers may be stretched thin to match the schools needs.

It can mean larger class sizes. It can mean special education students that are seeing a decrease in their funding, she said. It means less paraprofessionals that were able to hire, less services for our English language learners.

I would say there is progress being made and worth celebrating, Flores said. But in general, the (state) system is still underfunded by 2.5 billion dollars.

Funding for the states public schools is based on Evidence-Based Funding, which sends more money to the most under-resourced districts, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

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In 2018, the first year EBF started, 62% of students were at severely underfunded schools. Fast forward to 2025, and that percentage is now at 4%, Flores said.

So that has done a lot of great work in school districts like Peoria School District 150, she said.

The Illinois Federation of Teachers rallied Wednesday in Springfield hoping to convince lawmakers to put up the additional $2.5 billion needed by the schools.

It sounds like were asking for more, but were not asking for more. Were asking them to just follow through on what they said they would do, Danage said.

Mick Willis, the PPSs chief financial officer, said the increase in state funding has come after theyve received less money for their corporate personal property replacement tax. However, he said the district is still not fully funded.

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We have long been accustomed to making do with resources we have, he said. If we were fortunate enough to get those dollars, there would be more things that we would be able to do that we right now cant do.

Lawmakers could look at ways to give Illinois public schools more funding when the regular session begins on Jan. 1.

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State health officials told lawmakers Wednesday that they are making progress toward reducing staff shortages and mitigating safety concerns for staff and patients at Marylands troubled forensic psychiatric facility, the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center. (Photo courtesy state of Maryland)

Marylands troubled forensic psychiatric facility, the Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center, has made strides in easing a staffing shortage, while working to mitigate safety concerns for both staff and patients, lawmakers were told Wednesday.

Perkins CEO Aliya Jones told the Joint Committee on Fair Practices and State Personnel Oversight that while the job vacancy rate at the Jessup facility is still the highest of the Maryland Department of Healths 11 facilities, it has fallen from about 26% last year to 17.6% today.

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She said that of the 95 positions that have been filled since January, 43 are clinical team members  which are notably understaffed and at risk due to their close contact with individuals that are most difficult to manage.

Problems had been reported for years at Perkins, but they came to a head last year when reporting by The Washington Post uncovered mismanagement, a hostile workplace and safety problems that led to clashes with patients, a brawl, a rape and the death of a patient. Conditions at the facility just fed the staff flight.

Staff shortages at the 289-bed facility, in turn, led to forced overtime for many workers, which could lead to safety issues and worsen personnel problems, Sen. Clarence Lam (D-Anne Arundel and Howard) said during Wednesdays hearing.

Part of the concern is that people are being pulled in, or there were a lot of call outs, and people were being mandatorily called in  all that was leading to cascading overtime and significant cost, Lam said. Its really important to have adequate staffing, and the higher need for overtime probably exacerbates that.

Jones took over in February, following the resignation of interim CEO Dwain Shaw in January after the termination of previous CEO Scott Moran in May 2024.

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My leadership came at a critical point  the hospital was facing very significant challenges related to workforce stability, infrastructure deterioration and declining staff morale, said Jones, citing the explosive news articles that detailed safety concerns and the challenges the facility faced.

Among the challenges Perkins faced were 60-year-old boilers that had been there since Perkins opening and were well past their life expectancy. They have been replaced by newly installed boilers scheduled to come online in December.

The challenges that we have at our facility are not because the facility was neglected for the past two or three years, Jones said. Its because the facility had been neglected for dozens of years.

Union representative Denise Gilmore of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 3, said that while improvements are still needed, reduction in job vacancies is good news and she concluded that things are headed in the right direction.

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Committee co-chair Del. Lorig Charkoudian (D-Montgomery) acknowledged the deferred maintenance managers inherited, noting that the boiler replacement was 25 to 40 years overdue. The other co-chair, Sen. Katie Fry Hester (D-Howard and Montgomery), twice referred to the boilers as antique during the hearing.

Its kind of scary to think youre bringing people to work there to see if they want to work there when we have the boiler situation that we just discussed, Charkoudian said, after a discussion of in-person worksite visits as a recruitment strategy.

Perkins was initially denied re-accreditation in April by the Joint Commission due to environmental and infection control issues, Jones said, citing rust and mold in the facility. She said Perkins was able to regain its accreditation that same month after getting support from various state departments, and the facility is following up with contractors to make sure the mold is gone for good.

Jones effort to recruit more people to work at Perkins relies strongly on the work culture of the facility, which she hopes to make more accountable and dependable through recognition.

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It is very important to recognize and appreciate our staff who work in our very challenged work environment  and even on a good day, its a challenging environment in which to work, she said.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Dr. Anita Everett, who oversees all 11 hospitals in the system, told lawmakers Wednesday that, This deep change at Perkins will take a while to get there  deep changes, of course, take a minute.

Nursing home inspection backlog progress

Lawmakers were also told Wednesday that the health departments Office of Health Care Quality has cut the nursing home inspection backlog by 83% since December 2023, falling 172 backlogged facilities then to 26 as of Oct. 15.

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Previous reports on the backlog had raised concerns about potential unsafe living conditions for seniors. Annual full surveys of nursing homes are supposed to inspect quality of care, food, facilities and staffing, said Tia Witherspoon-Udocox, executive director of the office.

The 26 remaining backlogged surveys have not been inspected since 2023 or 2024. State officials had planned to have the backlog cleared up by this December, but those plans were upset by the government shutdown. The office is currently not allowed to conduct annual surveys, but can only investigate immediate-jeopardy or high-risk complaints.

The office was able to reduce the backlog by hiring more surveyors  bringing the total to 61 health facility surveyor nurses  and lessening the time it takes to train surveyors from 12 to seven months. Inefficient and unnecessary parts of the training were cut, leaving only the most critical aspects, said Meg Sullivan, the deputy secretary for public health services.

This is just an incredible priority for us to make sure that we are doing the surveys we need to do and doing them well, but we also are very mindful of ongoing challenges moving forward that we are consistently talking about and addressing so that we can make sure we are able to continue this progress, and dont find ourselves stepping backwards, Sullivan said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday departed from Beijing to attend the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju and to undertake a state visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the invitation of ROK President Lee Jae-myung, Xinhua reported. According to Xinhua, the President is accompanied by senior Chinese officials, including Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee; Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister; and He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier. As part of his visit, Xi is also expected to meet world leaders attending the APEC Summit. United States President Donald Trump said that he is "looking forward" to his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday. "Very much looking forward to my meeting with President Xi of China. It will take place in a few hours!" Donald Trump said in a post on X. Earlier, during his speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Trump said the expected trade deal would be good for both countries and "something very exciting for everybody". "That's really a great result. That's better than fighting and going through all sorts of problems," Trump said in an address to a business luncheon on the sidelines of the APEC gathering in Gyeongju. Trump is scheduled to meet Xi on Thursday in the coastal city of Busan, about 85 kilometres south of Gyeongju, in their first face-to-face encounter since the US president launched his second trade war with China. Speaking on Air Force One earlier on Wednesday, Trump said he expected the agreement to solve "a lot of problems" and include lower tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for Beijing taking steps to curb the production of fentanyl. Trump has imposed a 20 per cent tariff on Chinese goods over what he claims is Beijing's failure to crack down on the flow of chemicals used in making the deadly opioid, as per Al Jazeera. US officials have previously indicated that a deal is likely to include the deferral of China's planned export controls on rare earth minerals and an additional 100 per cent US tariff on Chinese goods, along with a commitment by Beijing to buy more US agricultural products. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday confirmed that Xi would meet Trump, but did not specifically refer to the deal, as reported by Al Jazeera. "At this meeting, the two leaders will have in-depth communication on strategic, long-term issues related to China-US relations and major issues of common concern," spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a regular media briefing. (ANI)
The U.S. military has issued an order to the National Guard in all 50 states and four territories to form rapid-response units that can be sent out on demand to contain civil unrest, armed with batons, body shields, Tasers, and pepper spray.

An internal memo published by The Guardian, dated October 8 and signed by Major General Ronald Burkett, Director of Operations for the Pentagons National Guard Bureau, orders the training of around 500 troops per state, for a total of 23,500.

The memo states that Pete Hegseths Department of War will deploy military trainers to every state and territory to get the program operational by January 1, 2026.

Members of the National Guard patrol the Mall in Washington, D.C., as part of President Donald Trump's order to impose federal law enforcement in the nation's capital in August (AP)

Each location will also be provided with 100 sets of crowd control equipment to be used to support this requirement, and says their troops will be trained in how to form squad-sized riot control formation, how to use a riot baton and shield, and how to supervise a riot/crowd control operation, as well as de-escalation techniques.

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They will be expected to report their progress to the Pentagon monthly.

The instructions make good on an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in August in which he called on Hegseth to ensure each states Army National Guard and Air National Guard are resourced, trained, organized, and available to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement in quelling civil disturbances and ensuring the public safety and order whenever the circumstances necessitate.

Trumps order also specifically commanded the secretary to ensure the availability of a standing National Guard quick reaction force that shall be resourced, trained, and available for rapid nationwide deployment.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said concerning the October memo: The president has lawfully deployed the National Guard to several cities either in response to violent riots that local leaders have refused to quell, or by invitation to assist local law enforcement as appropriate.

Members of the Guard on duty at Union Station in Washington, D.C., on Monday (Reuters)

President Trump and the entire administration is working to make America safe again. The tremendous results from cities like Memphis and D.C., where crime has significantly dropped following national guard deployments, debunk all of the fearmongering and lies.

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But not everyone is reassured. Janessa Goldbeck, a former U.S. Marine Corps captain and chief executive of the Vet Voice Foundation, told The Guardian the order represented an attempt by the president to normalize a national, militarized police force.

Goldbeck warned such forces could be used in states led by Democratic governors without their permission or even deployed to suppress turnout at elections.

The president could declare a state of emergency and say that elections are rigged and use allegations of voter fraud to seize the ballots of secure voting centers, she said, outlining a worst-case scenario.

Trump has already deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., this year to help local law enforcement tackle urban crime, despite official statistics suggesting no such step was necessary, and has since attempted to follow suit in other Democrat-run cities like Chicago and Portland, Oregon, only to run into obstacles in court.
A Reddit user shared a photo of a massive yacht docked in Spain. Commenters revealed that the vessel had been seized as a result of the owner's bad behavior.

The original poster noted in the comments that the photo they posted was a few years old after other users mentioned that the yacht pictured, known as Sailing Yacht A, was seized from its Russian billionaire owner.

Photo Credit: Reddit

"I believe it was seized by the Italian government," wrote one commenter. "It is anchored off the coast of Trieste, Italy."

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The 470-foot yacht, the largest sail-assisted superyacht ever built, was taken by the Italian government in 2022 after its owner, Russian entrepreneur Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko, was placed on a European Union sanctions list. Melnichenko's placement on the list was a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The number of superyachts in the world has doubled since the year 2000, with around 150 new vessels launched each year. A 2024 study looked at 23 superyachts and found each traveled an average of more than 12,000 nautical miles per year. Experts estimate each superyacht releases more than 6,172 tons of carbon in a year, an amount that would take the average person about 860 years to produce.

Excessive behavior like this is damaging our planet by introducing huge amounts of carbon to the global environment each year. As of 2024, at least 20 vessels have been seized worldwide in response to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

While these efforts are aimed at ending the war, they are also helping curb carbon pollution by keeping the superyachts out of use.

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More attention is needed to lessen the carbon impact produced by superyachts. If people who use these monster polluters reduce their usage by just a fraction, the world would be on its way to a cleaner future for everyone.

Who should be most responsible for recycling plastics? Governments Corporations Consumers All of the above 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.
Police in Rio de Janeiro have been accused of decapitating a teenager and hanging his head from a tree during the deadliest gang crackdown in the citys history.

Dozens of disfigured, bloodied corpses were dragged from nearby forests and placed on plastic sheets lining the streets of the Brazilian city.

About 132 people were killed in the crackdown in the Alemao and Penha favelas, higher than Sao Paulos Carandiru prison massacre in 1992, which killed 111.

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Officers launched the brutal operation against Rios criminal gangs on Tuesday as the country prepared to host international heads of state and diplomats for the Cop30 climate summit in Belem.

Raquel Thomas, the mother of a 19-year-old killed in the raid, told local media: They slit my sons throat, cut his neck, and hung the head from a tree like a trophy.

They executed my son without giving him a chance to defend himself. He was murdered.

Bodies line a street in Rio de Janeiro following the raid - ANTONIO LACERDA/EPA/Shutterstock

Albino Pereira Neto, who represents three families who lost relatives, said some bodies were found with burn marks and said they had been murdered in cold blood.

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The majority of the men, some in their teens, others in their 20s and 30s, are believed to have been part of the Red Command, Rios oldest and most powerful drug trafficking group.

In response to the police killings, favela gangs used drones to drop bombs on officers.

A resident of one of the favelas said the community was terrified following the raid

This is how the Rio police are treated by criminals: with bombs dropped by drones, a police spokesperson said. This is the scale of the challenge we face. This is not ordinary crime, but narcoterrorism.

Marcelo de Menezes, secretary of the military police, said officers had pushed the criminals into the nearby forest in order to protect the population.

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One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said the local community in the Penha district was terrified.

Aerial view of the street where dozens of bodies were placed on plastic sheets - RENATO SPYRRO/EPA/Shutterstock

This is the first time weve seen drones from criminals dropping bombs in the community, the resident said. Everyone is terrified because theres so much gunfire.

Ive never seen anything like this  I still havent managed to comprehend what has happened. I feel empty. I have no words, Raull Santiago, a favela activist, told The Guardian.

Brazilian authorities have a history of launching major operations ahead of international events. In addition to Cop30, which Prince William is expected to attend, the city will host the C40 World Mayors Summit next week, which is being co-chaired by the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan.

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Rios governor described the crackdown as a harsh blow to the drug gangs that run many of the citys favelas.

The only victims yesterday were the police, Claudio Castro said, referring to the four officers who were killed during this weeks gun battles.

Police officers escort suspects arrested during the operation - MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian president, called for action against organised crime that does not endanger police or civilians.

We cannot accept that organised crime continues to destroy families, oppress residents, and spread drugs and violence throughout the cities, he said in a statement.

We need coordinated work that strikes at the backbone of drug trafficking without putting innocent police officers, children, and families at risk.

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Ricardo Lewandowski, Brazils justice minister, visited Rio de Janeiro to offer support from the federal government to overcome this security crisis as quickly as possible.

Antonio Guterres, the United Nations chief, said he was greatly concerned by the number of casualties as a result of the police operation.

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.
(KRON)  A museums historical artifacts were among more than 1,000 items stolen during an October heist in Oakland. FBI agents and Oakland Police Department detectives are attempting to identify the thieves and track down stolen artifacts, which include carved ivory tusks, Native American jewelry, and historical photographs.

The heist happened around 3:30 a.m. on October 15 at the Oakland Museum of Californias off-site storage facility, police said. Burglars broke into the facility and stole hundreds of items from the museums collection, according to OPD.

(Photos via Oakland Police Department)

The theft that occurred represents a brazen act that robs the public of our states cultural heritage, the museums CEO, Lori Fogarty, said. Most of these objects have been given to the Museum by generous donors.

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Arrests made after theft of crown jewels from Paris Louvre museum

On Wednesday, OPD released photographs of stolen artifacts that are missing and asked for the publics help.

(Photos via Oakland Police Department)

Anyone with information is urged to contact the OPD Burglary Section at 510-238-3951. You can also contact the FBI Art Crime Team online, or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

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 KRON4.
For the first time, Sikorskys optionally-piloted UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter performed parachute drops, hovered on its own while sling loads were attached, and flew a simulated medical evacuation mission at the direction of an untrained individual onboard. This all took place at an exercise earlier this year, which also marked the first instance in which a member of the U.S. military had full control over the Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV) Black Hawk. Sikorsky has been steadily expanding the OPVs flight envelope and capabilities for years now, work that is now also feeding into its plan for its fully uncrewed U-Hawk drone.

Sikorsky, currently a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, brought the OPV Black Hawk to Exercise Northern Strike 25-2 back in August, but details about how the helicopter was utilized are only being shared now. The OPVs participation in the event came through a partnership with the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (JPRA) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Each year, the Michigan National Guards National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) hosts multiple iterations of Northern Strike, which features air, as well as ground and maritime components.

The OPV Black Hawk seen with a water trailer, or water buffalo, slung underneath, during Northern Strike 25-2. Photo courtesy Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company

Flight testing of the OPV Black Hawk first started in 2019, and it flew for the first time without anyone on board three years later. At the core of the OPV is a fly-by-wire control system coupled with the MATRIX autonomy flight control software package. Development of MATRIX stretches back more than a decade now, and DARPA supported it early on through the Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program.

At present, the semi-autonomous OPV is capable of flying along preset routes, which can be planned in advance of a sortie or on the fly in the field, all via a touch-screen interface on a tablet-like device. The helicopter has a degree of automated obstacle avoidance capability, and routes can also be manually altered by an operator while it is in flight. The pilot-optional Black Hawk does not require constant contact with a human operator to perform a mission, and it can act on instructions from multiple individuals at different points in a sortie. In addition, the control system allows for the performance of certain specific tasks, such as ordering the helicopter to go to a point and hold a hover there at a designated altitude. Just starting up and shutting down the OPV is done at the touch of a button, as well.

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Events like Northern Strike give us the opportunity to take user feedback and roll that into [MATRIX] software improvements as part of a continuous spiral of software loads, Mike Baran, chief engineer at Sikorsky Innovations, told TWZ in an interview ahead of todays announcements. So over the past year, its [continued work on the OPV] been largely in the software area, and it enabled a lot of these missions that we performed successfully out at Northern Strike.

This isn't theory or simulation.



It's real missions, real soldiers and real autonomy.



At Northern Strike 25-2, OPV Black Hawk showed how MATRIX  tech enables contested logistics and personnel recovery without putting pilots at risk. pic.twitter.com/aDqwCFh5TJ  Sikorsky (@Sikorsky) October 30, 2025

It is important to note the OPV flew all of its sorties at Northern Strike 25-2 with a safety pilot on board. This is something that was dictated by the parameters of the exercise, which occurred within domestic U.S. airspace managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). There are strict regulations around where and when fully uncrewed aircraft can fly within the United States. In general, having a human pilot onboard also provides an additional margin of safety.

At Northern Strike 25-2, a U.S. Army National Guard Sergeant First Class, trained in less than an hour, became the first soldier to independently plan, command, and execute OPV Black Hawk missions using the systems handheld tablet, according to a press release from Lockheed Martin today. He directed the payload to a location 70 nautical miles away and commanded multiple precision airborne drops, marking the first time OPV Black Hawk operated fully under the control of an actual warfighter, instead of a trained test pilot or engineer.

The Sergeant First Class in question, who has not been named, was also notably not a military aviator, which Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky say underscores the ease of training individuals to operate the OPV.

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The level of autonomy that the team has with the MATRIX technology and how thats put into the [OPV] aircraft, it really takes an operator, not a pilot, Ramsey Bentley, Sikorsky Advanced Programs Business Development Director, also told TWZ while speaking alongside chief engineer Baran.

The unnamed Sergeant First Class seen operating the OPV Black Hawk via tablet at Northern Strike 25-2. Photo courtesy Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company

For the precision parachute drops during Northern Strike 25-2, the OPV had first been directed to fly racetrack patterns over Lake Huron. Soldiers on board were responsible for actually releasing the payloads from the helicopter. Lockheed Martins press release also notes that this particular sortie was planned and executed while the operator was aboard a U.S. Coast Guard boat on the lake.

In addition, the OPV Black Hawk completed its first-ever autonomous hookup of an external load while airborne, according to the release. Using its hover stability capabilities, the aircraft held position while soldiers quickly and efficiently attached a 2,900-pound water tank [trailer; also known colloquially as a water buffalo] without pilot intervention. The demonstration showed that a MATRIX-equipped aircraft can perform complex aerial resupply missions in the field.

Personnel prepare to sling the water buffalo under the OPV Black Hawk at Northern Strike 25-2. Photo courtesy Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company

The OPV also carried Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Family of Munitions (MFOM) ammunition pods slung underneath multiple times during the exercise. Tracked M270 MLRS and the wheeled M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launch vehicles both fire various munitions via standardized MFOM pods.

The OPV Black Hawk seen carrying a pair of empty MFOM pods slung underneath at Northern Strike 25-2. Photo courtesy Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company

Sling load operations, including hooking and unhooking payloads, as well as flying to a destination with a large object swinging below, can be complex and challenging.

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The amount of experience that a pilot has, especially doing sling load operations and hookups  it takes really years to develop that capability, and that additional sense, or that air sense, if you would, Bentley said. Its not very easy, hovering over a point that you cant see underneath to do these hookups and things like that.

One of the things that weve heard from operators on the ground is that the MATRIX capability and the autonomy [on the OPV] actually provides a much more stable platform than with a human pilot on board, he added. When you bring the aircraft in through the tablet interface and you ask it to hold a 10-foot hover, it holds a 10-foot hover.

Youre not relying on a crew chief thats frankly hanging out of a window or hanging out the back of the aircraft, kind of upside down, to help keep the helicopter in the proper position, he further noted. With the OPV, the operator himself kind of has that third-person viewpoint.

A picture showing sling load training on a crewed Black Hawk. The helicopters crew chief can be seen leaning out of the window right behind the cockpit. US Army

Lastly, at Northern Strike 25-2, a soldier then used OPV Black Hawk to conduct a simulated personnel recovery, including a tail-to-tail patient transfer to a piloted Black Hawk at an unimproved landing site, according to Lockheed Martins release. This was the first time an untrained soldier commanded an autonomous MEDEVAC [medical evacuation] recovery from inside the OPV Black Hawk aircraft.

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All of this underscores the potential benefits and flexibility that optionally piloted Black Hawks might offer, especially due to the reduced crewing requirements. Being able to perform missions, or just pre-position helicopters, without the need for a pilot would be a boon in many scenarios, while also helping to reduce physical and mental strain on aviators, particularly during high-tempo operations. DARPAs aforementioned ALIAS program was focused heavily just on increasing safety margins by scaling back the workload for human pilots, as you can read more about here. Not needing to have any humans on board for certain missions would help reduce risk, which could open up new operational opportunities in or around more contested environments, as well.

In speaking with TWZ, Sikorskys Bentley offered a more complete vignette for how OPVs might be utilized in future operations.

Think about contested logistics, where, at the load point, youve got soldiers on the ground  The aircraft runs through all the preflight checks and everything, just like a human pilot would, he explained. So, with the ability of the aircraft to be sitting there at a field site, a non-pilot operator walks up, cranks the aircraft, loads in his mission, the aircraft picks up, it hovers over, or it does its internal load operations, and then it takes off and departs along on the mission [route], avoiding obstacles, etc.

Then, once the aircraft gets to the destination, another operator can take command of the aircraft, and execute the load out or the drop of the load, he continued. Or the aircraft will land and the operator can shut it down, or whatever they need to do.

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You know the key thing there is that thats really a customer decision, Bentley also said when asked specifically about whether there might be plans to demonstrate the ability of OPV to conduct air drops with personnel in the main cabin, but no one in the cockpit. Obviously, we are very comfortable with the autonomy capability of the aircraft,  but when it comes to employment of the capability and technology, thats really a customer decision on how they want to employ the asset.

He added that the OPVs capabilities, and that of the underlying MATRIX software, are expanding and evolving with a constant eye toward being scalable to meet individual customer demands, which will be based in part on their permissions, their authorizations, and what they learn as they develop their individual techniques, tactics, and procedures.

The OPV Black Hawk seen with the safety pilot in the cockpit and an individual in the main cabin during Northern Strike 25-2. Photo courtesy Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company

Work on the OPV is also now feeding into a larger vision of crewed, pilot-option, and/or fully uncrewed variations of the Black Hawk operating collaboratively together. Bentley noted that Sikorsky has previously envisioned OPVs flying out ahead of crewed Black Hawks with soldiers onboard to perform various tasks as part of a larger mission.

Now youve got [fully uncrewed] U-Hawks out there in front, and that U-Hawk is delivering launched effects UASs [uncrewed aerial systems] ahead of the ground force, and then that U-Hawk lands in the landing zone and dispatches UGVs, uncrewed ground vehicles, ahead of the soldiers, he said. And now were doing that autonomy, uncrewed, both air and ground teaming, in the soldiers hands, setting the conditions before the soldiers ever arrive at the landing zone.

Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin are also heavily pitching U-Hawk as a way to squeeze new capability out of older UH-60L model Black Hawks, which the U.S. Army is notably in the process of retiring. Converting L variants in U-Hawks has been presented as a relatively economical option that is able to leverage well-established global sustainment chains, as well.

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We think about the Black Hawk as an enduring platform. The Armys said that its going to be around for another 50-plus years, Bentley said when asked about any potential plans now for offering an OPV-type conversion option. So our ability to take MATRIX technology and put that on enduring platforms is critical to developing new capability, and, frankly, doing it at a different price point.

The exact difference in the price point between the U-Hawk and OPV configurations is unclear, but Sikorsky has noted in the past that the OPV has additional systems requirements because it is still rated for crewed flight. There are then distinct costs associated with meeting those demands.

Non-military customers for OPV Black Hawks, as well as U-Hawks, could also be in the wings. The current operator base for crewed Black Hawks already extends beyond armed forces. Sikorsky has already demonstrated the OPVs ability to conduct a wildfire-fighting mission, which also involved working with a third party to develop unique additions to the MATRIX software for that role.

So we were out in California in April of this year, working with a company called Rain. And Rain went in and developed a kind of a wildfire suppression algorithm and autonomy capability, where it uses the sensors on board OPV Hawk to spot the wildfire, Bentley said. And we were able to demonstrate autonomous wildfire suppression to include OPV going [and] finding the pool or the fill site for the Bambi Bucket.

And then once it filled up the Bambi Bucket with water, then the system [on] the aircraft would take off, and it would go toward a general area that the team designated as an area of interest, he continued. The sensors on board the aircraft  then would identify the fire through a FLIR [forward-looking infrared] camera. And then the Rain autonomy [package] would figure out the hot spot, figure out the approach path, and the dispersion of the water, and then it would command the OPV aircraft to fly the flight route. And then it commanded the water release also.

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Altogether, as the details about what happened at Northern Strike 25-2 have now further underscored, Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin continue to steadily build out the OPV Black Hawks capabilities, which could also now have implications for U-Hawk.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)  Pitt County Deputies need your help to identify this suspect in a breaking and entering at Iglesia De Cristo Bethel Church located on S. Memorial Dr. in Winterville.

This incident occurred on the morning of Oct. 18th. If you have any information regarding this matter, please call the Sheriffs Office at (252) 830-4141 or submit a tip through Crimes Stoppers as listed on the flyer 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 WNCT.
NEW YORK CITY (PIX11)  Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani holds a 25-point lead in the race with just days left until Election Day, according to new exclusive polling from PIX11, Emerson College Polling, and The Hill.

Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist Assemblyman for Queens, is the choice of a little less than 50% of New York City voters surveyed. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo  running as an independent after losing to Mamdani in the Democratic Primary  is at 25%, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa is at 21%.

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If the poll is reflective of the outcome on Election Day, it would mark a stunning political rise for the once little-known 34-year-old assemblyman, who is making big promises of free buses, universal childcare, and rent freezes. He would be the youngest mayor since Hugh Grant assumed office in 1889 at age 31. Mamdani would also be the citys first Muslim mayor and the first immigrant mayor in modern times.

Early voting so far has been significantly higher than it was four years ago, when New Yorkers elected Eric Adams as the 110th mayor. Turnout has been roughly five times higher than in 2021. Initial data from the NYC Board of Elections indicates that those voting are older than the cohort of voters who delivered Mamdanis primary victory in June.

However, the new PIX11 Poll indicates that Mamdani has strength even among New Yorkers over 50. Mamdani is the choice of 37% of surveyed voters over 50, with Cuomo at 31% and Sliwa at 28%.

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In the broader context of other recent polls, Emersons survey found the race getting less competitive toward Election Day as opposed to a Quinnipiac poll release Tuesday that showed Cuomo trailing by 10 points: Mamdani was at 43% in that survey with Cuomo at 33% and Sliwa at 14%.

Mamdani appears to have built a coalition across key demographics, increasing his margin among Black voters since last month, from 50% to 71%, whereas Cuomo dropped ten points among Black voters since September, said Spencer Kimball, Executive Director of Emerson College Polling.

The latest poll numbers come despite Cuomo recently securing the support of Mayor Eric Adams, the citys second Black mayor, and David Paterson, New Yorks first Black governor.

In a statement, Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi told PIX11 News, For weeks this has been a tightening race with early voting showing a surge of older voters  the exact inverse of the primary  with turnout on track for between 1.9 and 2 million. With those dynamics, every poll out there is essentially meaningless from this point out.

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Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Methodology:

The Emerson College Polling New York City survey was conducted October 25-27, 2025. The overall sample of NYC very likely voters/those who have already voted, n=640, has a credibility interval, similar to a polls margin of error (MOE), of +/- 3.8 percentage points. The data sets were weighted by gender, education, race, age, party registration, previous vote history, and region based on U.S. Census parameters and voter file data.



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.
WASHINGTON  The future of an FBI headquarters in Maryland is increasingly bleak.

A prospectus to move the FBI headquarters to the Ronald Reagan Building in downtown Washington, D.C., was approved by the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. It was approved along party lines over the objections of Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks and other Democrats.

The approval adds momentum to the Trump administrations campaign to house the bureau just off the National Mall, ditching the Greenbelt site that was selected after a yearslong competition for the new headquarters.

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This is unprecedented, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks told The Baltimore Sun. We went through a lengthy process. The [General Services Administration] made its decision. And, here we are today to change to a site that was never even in consideration.

There were three sites that were in the law that were eligible to be selected, Alsobrooks added. D.C. was never one of them.

With the Senates approval, the GSA  essentially the landlord of the federal government  was given permission to seek appropriations to transform the Reagan building into FBI headquarters. However, the agency still needs approval from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee before moving forward. The committee has yet to consider its corresponding resolution, according to a spokesperson.

The funding is in the appropriations bills. It just needs to be assigned to the Reagan project, committee Chairwoman Shelley Moore Capito, a West Virginia Republican, told The Sun. We had no prospectus on the Greenbelt project last time. So its not like this is overriding something.

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It makes sense to me, Capito added. Its a lot less expensive, easier moving, more immediate.

Recent estimates for constructing the Greenbelt headquarters totaled about $3.5 billion, Capito said. The cost of preparing the Reagan building for the FBIs use is unknown.

Money for a new headquarters has already been set aside by Congress It was previously expected to go to the Greenbelt site. The site was selected in 2023, while Alsobrooks was Prince Georges County executive, after a 2022 bill required the GSA to choose one of three sites for the headquarters.

In taking this unprecedented step to overrule the committees minority in this decision, Republicans are undermining the mission and safety of the men and women of the FBI and also setting a dangerous precedent for future committee decisions, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen said in a statement. They have become rubber stamps for a lawless president. They should be ashamed.

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While the possibility of an in-state headquarters isnt dead, it is on life support. It will likely stay that way for some time. Alsobrooks mentioned a potential lawsuit to challenge the governments real estate pivot, but a legal fight could take years. If the House approves its GSA prospectus  once the government reopens and the House returns to D.C.  federal funds will be available to begin transforming the Reagan building into the FBIs new home.

The Greenbelt site has been under siege by the administration for months. It was selected for the future headquarters after a multi-year competition. But in March, President Donald Trump said that he didnt want the headquarters to move to Maryland  They were going to build it  in Maryland, a liberal state, Trump said, adding that the states political lean had no bearing on his decision. He said it should remain near the Department of Justice.

In July, the FBI informed Van Hollens office that the administration had requested that funds set aside for the Greenbelt site be used for the Reagan building. The building housed the now-defunct United States Agency for International Development. GSA cited the cost of building a headquarters at the selected site.

Later that month, Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee blocked Van Hollens attempt to reserve $1.4 billion in spending for the Greenbelt site.

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Alsobrooks and Van Hollen also questioned whether the Reagan building could meet the bureaus preferred security requirements for a new headquarters, given its downtown location. The current headquarters, the J. Edgar Hoover Building, is also downtown. But in 2013, the bureau testified that it needed a Level Five security assessment for its new headquarters. Level five is the highest level of security that can be implemented.

Capito said she asked the bureau about security concerns and was told they could be addressed. But an official assessment hasnt been conducted.

The truth is that we know that this is not about whats in the best interest of the FBI, Alsobrooks said.

_________
On the world premiere of the Playbook Canada podcast, hosts Nick Taylor-Vaisey and Mickey Djuric take you inside the budget brinkmanship, leadership jitters and diplomatic dust-ups driving this week in Canada  plus 200 seconds with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand.

With Prime Minister Mark Carneys first budget reveal on Tuesday, the Hill is playing chicken over whether Canada is about to stumble into a Christmas election. Nick and Mickey trade fresh reporting from Ottawa about who wants to make a deal to pass the budget, and who would rather see the government fall.

Then, after Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievres despicable RCMP comments and the fallout, they discuss the Conservative Partys other leadership options for a totally-not-happening (unless it happens) contest in the future.

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Also on this weeks podcast: Minister Anita Anand shares her next big project after China and India  and explains why she is such a devoted runner.

Listen every Thursday. Follow, rate, and leave a comment wherever you get your podcasts.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Thursday in Busan, South Korea, for a bilateral meeting ahead of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, marking their first in-person interaction since Trump's return to the White House. The two leaders greeted each other with a handshake on a red carpet lined with the US and China flags, before beginning discussions largely focused on trade and economic relations. Trump described Xi as a "very tough negotiator," indicating that their dialogue would centre on long-standing economic disputes. The meeting took place a day before the 2025 APEC Summit, which is set to be held in Gyeongju from October 31 to November 1. Global attention has been on whether Washington and Beijing can ease tensions that have strained bilateral ties in recent months. Officials from both countries said the talks provided an opportunity to stabilise relations amid ongoing trade friction. Trump's tariff measures and China's restrictions on rare earth exports have contributed to global economic uncertainty, prompting both sides to seek common ground. Ahead of the meeting, US officials indicated that Trump was unlikely to move forward with his earlier warning to impose a 100 per cent import tax on Chinese goods. Beijing, meanwhile, reportedly showed readiness to relax restrictions on rare earth exports and resume soybean imports from the United States. While en route to South Korea aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters he was considering reducing tariffs linked to China's role in fentanyl production. "I expect to be lowering that because I believe that they're going to help us with the fentanyl situation," he said, adding, "The relationship with China is very good." Before the talks, Trump posted on Truth Social, referring to the meeting as the "G2," highlighting the economic strength of the United States and China relative to other blocs such as the G7 and G20. According to China's state-run Xinhua news agency, "On the morning of October 30 local time, President Xi Jinping arrived in South Korea by special plane to attend the 32nd APEC informal leaders' meeting and pay a state visit to South Korea at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung." Just hours before his meeting with Xi, Trump drew attention by announcing that he had instructed the Department of War to resume testing of America's nuclear weapons. In a social media post, Trump wrote, "The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" The announcement came shortly before his high-stakes bilateral meeting with Xi in Busan, where trade tensions and regional security concerns were expected to dominate discussions. (ANI)
Jennifer Welch, the progressive host of the podcast Ive Had It is threatening to primary moderate Democrats who have not embraced Zohran Mamdani, who is running as a democratic socialist in New York Citys mayoral election.

Ive Had It has 1.4 million subscribers on YouTube and is ranked 78th in podcasts on Apple. Welch has hosted numerous political figures on her podcast, including former President Barack Obama, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani.

Following Mamdanis rally over the weekend, ahead of New York Citys mayoral election, Welch called out Schumer and Jeffries for not attending the event.

Democrats are going to come after moderates the same way we come after MAGA, Welch says

In an episode that aired Tuesday, Welch expressed her frustration with moderate Democrats.

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She played a clip of conservative activist Kaitlin Bennett interviewing No Kings protesters in Florida on Oct. 18. One woman brought up conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated during a Utah Valley University event the month before.

He was horrible, horrible, the woman said. Bennett clarified the woman was talking about Kirk. Yes! Im so glad hes not here, the woman replied.

Bennett asked, Youre glad hes dead? And the woman responded, Yes.

Bennett followed up, You know what, I do the exact same thing. Would you be glad if I would die? The woman said, Maybe. Id have to think about it.

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After the clip played, Welch laughed and said, So listen up, Democratic establishment. You can either jump on board ... or were coming after you in the same way we come after MAGA. Period.

Welch said her fellow Democrats are tired of Democrats who continue to play pat-a-cake with corporations and lobbyists.

Then Welch referenced two Democratic gubernatorial candidates, Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger, whose races have become much closer than anticipated. She blamed it on their ties to the establishment.
Many Israelis felt haredim should have to draft, but adaptations should be made to allow them to continue to live an ultra-Orthodox lifestyle while in the army.

On Thursday, October 30, hundreds of thousands of haredim (ultra-Orthodox) took to the streets to protest against the new conscription bill. The Jerusalem Post took to the streets of Jerusalem to talk to Israelis before the demonstrations began.

Haredim are exempt from conscription to the IDF under Torato Umanuto (Torah is his work), a law David Ben-Gurion implemented at the foundation of the state to exempt approximately 400 men from military service so they could finish their studies at yeshiva.

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The number of people exempt from service under this law has grown to almost 70,000. Despite the High Court of Justice ruling in 2024 that this exemption is illegal and the IDF issuing draft notices, the majority of haredim still do not serve.

More recently, Shas and UTJ left the Likud-led coalition over negotiations around the mandatory army service for haredim bill. The proposed bill is due to be presented on Monday and is thought to have been changed to revert to the previous version that failed to enforce the haredi draft.

What do people think about the protests?

The majority of people said that although they may not agree with the cause or the protest, they asserted the right to protest, as Israel is a democratic country.

Protests against haredi draft in Jerusalem, October 30, 2025. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

There was a clear sense of frustration and even resentment, especially among those who had served on reserve duty or had family members who had served for hundreds of days over the last two years of war.

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A Jerusalemite who had served in the Israel Air Force for 20 years told the Post, I dont think the protests have legitimacy, but I am against forcing people to join the military. He continued, If you have to serve currently, then serve, dont shirk. And if you shirk, dont be surprised if you get arrested.

This sentiment was shared by many of the people interviewed. A Jerusalem woman told the Post that this is a democratic country, so the haredim have a right to protest if they wish.

She said, I dont agree with them because after two years of the war, everyone in Israel can see that we need a lot of soldiers.

Similarly, another woman acknowledged that too many people have been drafted for way too long and [have been] serving 300, 400 days of miluim for the past two years.

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A man from Ramat Gan also said the protests were poking a finger in the whole countrys eye - after all weve been through to continue in the same way theyve always been.

What effects do the protests have on daily life?

Many people in Mahaneh Yehudah and on Ben Yehuda Street said they couldnt stop for an interview because they had to try and get errands done before haredim filled the streets to protest. People reported being concerned that [they] may not be able to get a bus home tonight as public transport is being disrupted by the protests.

One woman admitted, I had wanted to go pick something up, but because of the protests, the shop was closed.

When asked about the impacts of the protests on his life, a man mentioned how when we have ultra-Orthodox protests in my area and the police start using skunk, everybody pays for it for weeks.

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The protest disrupts everyday life as people cannot get to the shops, run errands, get to and from work, or use public transport due to its impacts.

Should haredim have to serve in the IDF?

Despite the shared frustration, interviewees held mixed opinions on how haredim should actually be drafted in practice.

Many were frustrated at the number of people who were exempt under the exemption policy, with one man suggesting that if you were to tell me less were exempt, the top one percent, top five percent, the ones that are really, really good - I would say yes, fine.

He went on to express disbelief that such a large number of people could be the best of the best of the best of the best that they need to be exempt from service.

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Another woman said, learning Torah all day will not bring peace in the world, arguing that we need to find how they can draft, because they are so religious, but ultimately saying that yes, they should draft like everyone else has to draft.

Many haredim argue that by learning Torah, they are spiritually protecting Israel and supporting the army in a way that they consider greater than simply serving in the IDF.

The Israelis also felt they should have to draft, but adaptations should be made to allow haredim to continue to live an ultra-Orthodox lifestyle while in the army. One woman said that there is a need for everyone to be a part of protecting our lives here, however, the way the army works right now is not adaptive enough for the religious.

Others were not as sympathetic to the religious considerations, saying that [haredim] have to wake up and start drafting.
Poland's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has stated that it will not lift the indefinite ban on importing agricultural products from Ukraine  wheat, maize, rapeseed, sunflower seeds, flour, oil cake and bran  despite the entry into force of the updated trade agreement between the EU and Ukraine.

Source: Poland's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in a statement, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The ministry says that the new agreement does not take into account all the provisions proposed by Poland, "which were meant to minimise the potential negative impact of Ukrainian imports on Polish agriculture".

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The new quotas and volumes resulting from the EU-Ukraine trade agreement apply to imports into the entire European Union, while Poland still maintains its indefinite ban on importing wheat, maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds from Ukraine, as well as certain products of their processing.

"In response to false information, the Ministry of Agriculture confirms that the new agreement does not alter the above provisions," the statement reads.

Background: On 13 October, EU member states approved a package of arrangements for the next phase of market access liberalisation for a wide range of Ukrainian agri-food products.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Poland said it scrambled two fighter jets on Tuesday to intercept a Russian Il-20 spy plane.

Warsaw said the plane didn't violate Polish airspace, but turned off its transponder.

It comes as NATO allies say they're feeling increased pressure from Russian airspace violations.

Poland said on Wednesday that two of its fighter jets intercepted a Russian spy plane in the Baltic Sea, as NATO remains on edge over air incursions that it fears are a way for Moscow to test its responses.

The Polish Armed Forces said that the plane, an Ilyushin-20 turboprop-powered reconnaissance aircraft, was flying on Tuesday just outside Polish airspace but had turned off its transponder.

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Flying dark in this manner typically indicates that a military aircraft is conducting, or providing support for, a surveillance mission.

The armed forces said in a statement that two Polish Mikoyan MiG-29s "successfully intercepted, visually identified, and escorted" the Russian plane.

"Thanks to the high combat readiness, the professionalism of the pilots and the efficient functioning of the air defense system, the operations were carried out quickly, effectively and safely," the Polish Armed Forces' operational command wrote in a statement.

The Russian defense ministry did not respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

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Poland shares part of its northeastern border with Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave on the Baltic Sea. The sea has been a particular area of tension since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, since it serves the coasts of eight NATO allies and Russia.

Warsaw has especially been on guard against Russian activity near its borders as of late, after it sounded the alarm over a series of drone incursions on September 10.

Several other European NATO allies on or close to the Baltic Sea, such as Denmark, have since also reported unannounced drones that forced airports to close.

On September 20, Estonia also invoked NATO's Article 4, which summons the alliance's member states for consultations, over what it said were three Russian fighter jets violating its airspace.

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"Russia bears full responsibility for these actions, which are escalatory, risk miscalculation, and endanger lives," NATO wrote in a statement shortly after Estonia's request. "They must stop."

More recently, Lithuania warned that it has been receiving hundreds of helium-filled balloons from Belarus, a close Russian ally, which it accused Minsk of permitting to fly over on purpose.

The size of the balloons poses a danger to aircraft, officials said, forcing the country to repeatedly shut its airports.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The United States government has been shut down for nearly a month, yet another indication that the political system has become deeply dysfunctional.

President Donald Trump has blamed the Democrats and called their negotiating strategy a kamikaze attack. Democrats are keen to stand their ground, hoping that the fallout is worse for Republicans. While each side casts blame on the other, it is Americans who suffer.

But the shutdown is just another episode in a series of polarization-fueled events that are leading Americans to lose faith in their government. Every nation has it limits, and one wonders how much America can take before the pressure to divide into separate countries becomes too great.

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Consider the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, which raised the specter of polarization-fueled conflict in America. Mentions of civil war surged online, fears grew over rising political violence, and the Trump administration vowed to crack down on left-leaning groups.

These are merely the latest examples of the mounting pressure on the American political system. A recent New York Times/Siena poll found that 64% of Americans think the country is too politically divided to solve the nations problems. The same poll showed that only 42% of Americans held that position in 2020.

In other words, nearly two-thirds of Americans think the system is broken, and the number is growing fast.

Calls for a national divorce

It should come as no surprise, then, that some are calling for radical solutions like a national divorce.

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On Sept. 15, 2025, five days after Kirks killing, Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted that America needs a peaceful national divorce. Our country is too far gone and too far divided, and its no longer safe for any of us.

National divorce is the term used to describe the splitting of America into two parts: a red America and a blue America. Secessionist movements like Yes California and Red-State Secession have for over a decade been calling for a national divorce along political lines. And a 2023 Axios poll found that as many as 20% of Americans see national divorce as a solution to political polarization.

As a political scientist who studies secessionist conflict, Ive found that the national divorce argument is commonly used as an analogy with marital divorce. Just as two spouses may be extremely ill-suited for one another, and far better off if they separated, the same can be said of red and blue America. They no longer see eye to eye on a range of issues, from reproductive rights to the environment and gun control.

If they seceded from one another and formed their own countries, the argument goes, then they could establish policies that would ensure the future they wanted.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., called for a peaceful national divorce in September 2025. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

But as I show in my new book, there is no way to disentangle red and blue America without tremendous violence. Additionally, a large and increasingly ignored percentage of Americans hold moderate views.

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There is no doubt that polarization in America is a problem that is getting worse, but a national divorce is simply not the solution.

And yet Americas leaders continue to lead their country toward that outcome. The deployment of National Guard troops to blue cities, the polarization-enhancing consequences of competitive gerrymandering in states like Texas and California, and the spectacle of government shutdown are eroding the public trust. By continuing with policies that amplify polarization and erode the public trust, Americas leaders are fueling the calls for a national divorce.

How much can the country take?

The trend toward heightened polarization in America is not irreversible, but there are limits to how much the country can take before secession becomes a serious project. Some of the limits can be identified in advance.

First, its important that the countrys leaders take the pulse of America. If 20% of Americans favored national divorce in early 2023, what is the percentage now? That kind of sentiment can increase surprisingly fast.

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Between 2006 and 2014, for example, Catalonian support for independence from Spain increased from 14% to 45%. If something like 50% of Americans concluded that America didnt work and was better off broken up into smaller parts, then the country could tip rapidly into a secessionist crisis.

People hold up signs during a memorial for Charlie Kirk on Sept. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. After Kirks killing, Trump administration officials vowed to crack down on left-leaning groups. AP Photo/John Locher

Second, high levels of secessionist support make the country vulnerable to trigger events that convince Americans that secession is the answer. The polarization-inspired assassination of prominent leaders can lead to a cycle of recrimination. Upcoming elections are also a concern. If they are closely contested and the losing side is unwilling to admit defeat, then the bedrock of democracy is broken. Both triggers can accelerate polarization and the turn to secessionism.

A third threshold moment is when a prominent leader decides to champion the cause of a national divorce.

Should someone like California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott or the sore loser of a 2028 election conclude that the system is rigged, and secession is the only solution, then the entire project gains legitimacy.

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It was that kind of elite conversion to the secessionist cause that energized the movement in places like Scotland and Catalonia.

The U.S. is a robust country and the longest-running democracy in the world. Americans have more in common than they realize, and the country can be a positive force in the world.

But without decisive action by political leaders to reduce the polarization that threatens to tear the country apart, the United States is at risk of turning from one country into two.

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: Ryan D. Griffiths, Syracuse University

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Ryan D. Griffiths receives funding from the National Science Foundation.
NEED TO KNOW

Anne Marie Pappalardo, 61, of Mansfield, Conn., was last seen on Sunday, Oct. 26

She hasn't been seen since and authorities are still searching Natchaug State Forest for her

She was last seen wearing black leggings, a black top and brown boots

Authorities in Connecticut are searching a state park for a woman who went missing over the weekend.

Anne Marie Pappalardo, 61, of Mansfield, was last seen on Sunday, Oct. 26, according to a Silver Alert issued the following night.

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Connecticut State Police along with Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police and search and rescue crews are now searching Natchaug State Forest in Eastford, Chaplin and Hampton, NBC Connecticut reported.

Pappalardo, described by police as a White with brown hair and green eyes who weights about 150 lbs. and is 5 8 tall, was last seen wearing a black jacket, black vest, black leggings and brown boots.

She was driving a maroon Honda Civic, which police later found parked near the state park, according to the New York Daily News.

Parts of the park have closed while authorities search for her, according to local station WFSB.

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A spokesperson for the Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, which the state's state parks and forests, told the Connecticut Post that they ask "that the public stay away from the area to give space with those involved in the search, including K9 resources."

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

When asked for an update about the search on Wednesday, Oct. 29, a spokesperson for the Connecticut State Police told PEOPLE in an email that "efforts to locate her are continuing."

Anybody who has any information is asked to please contact Connecticut State Police  Troop C (Tolland) at 860-896-3200.



Read the original article on People
Cincinnati police have arrested a man over a year after another man was found shot dead inside a crashed vehicle in College Hill.

Deandre Serman, 34, was arrested on Oct. 30 and is being charged with murder after Bennie Byrd, 40, was fatally shot on Sept. 29, 2024, police said in a news release.

On the day of the shooting, police were dispatched to the 6000 block of Winton Road for a report of multiple shots fired in the area. When they arrived, officers found Byrd suffering from gunshot wounds inside a vehicle, which had crashed in front of a beauty supply store.

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Springfield Township Fire and EMS responded and attempted to save Byrd's life, but he died on scene.

The Cincinnati Police Department's homicide unit's investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about Byrd's death is asked to call the department's homicide unit at 513-352-3542.

Enquirer media partner Fox19 contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati police arrest man after College Hill fatal shooting, crash
A California police chief is addressing his department's messaging around policing grocery stores in the wake of SNAP benefits potentially being halted on Nov. 1.

In an Oct. 28 Facebook post, the Barstow Police Department wrote that it was "taking proactive steps to support our community" in the wake of the shutdown and possible SNAP benefits lapse, including "conducting extra patrols around local grocery stores, convenience stores, and shopping centers" to "help ensure the safety of residents, customers, and business owners."

Negative reactions to the post were swift, with some asking why the department was not more focused on helping food insecure community members and others accusing the department of targeting already vulnerable people.

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As SNAP cuts loom, here are food assistance resources helping fight food insecurity

Barstow Police Chief Christopher Kirby told ABC News in a phone call this week that his department was simply looking out for residents and that no extra officers would be deployed in the community.

"The intent was to let the community know that we were aware of what was going on, and it was our plan to be out there protecting the community," Kirby stated, referring to the department's Facebook post.

He said the department's intent was to keep officers informed of the ongoing situation in a way that protects the community, and not to target any particular group of people.

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In its Facebook post last week, the Barstow Police Department claimed the extra patrols were "not in response to any specific incident, but are a preventive measure to maintain public safety, deter theft, and reassure the community that law enforcement is present and ready to help."

STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images - PHOTO: Barstow, California

In the comments section, some Facebook users criticized the measure, suggesting alternative ideas to help the community.

"You should have food baskets ready to hand out, the ppl would appreciate that and feel like the police are with them instead of against," one person commented.

Another person wrote, "You could be handling [sic] out food but you're going to make sure the Most Vulnerable People don't steal. Great message."

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Others were supportive of the increased patrols, with one person writing, "The police do not give out free food! The police are protecting businesses. There are other nonprofit organizations in the community who provide food: churches, food banks, etc. Thank you, Barstow, for doing this!"

The Los Angeles Police Department, which serves the heart of the Greater Los Angeles region, of which Barstow is a part, told ABC News it has no plans to pursue increased police presence around grocery stores ahead of Nov. 1. (Barstow is not under LAPD jurisdiction.)

However, the Barstow police are not alone in considering special measures ahead of the potential SNAP benefits lapse: Across the country, in Columbus, Ohio, one retailer had a similar idea, but ultimately reversed course.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, a Dollar General retail store in downtown Columbus arranged for its doors and windows to be boarded up in order to prevent potential theft, come Nov. 1. According to the outlet, the boards, which were up on Monday, Oct. 27, had been taken down by Tuesday, Oct. 28.

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ABC News has reached out to Dollar General for comment.

A statement to ABC News, Leslie Sarasin, president and CEO of FMI - The Food Industry Association, said, "Retailers will take steps they deem necessary to maintain safety in their stores, however, the real solution needed lies in swift federal action: Congress must act quickly to end the shutdown and restore stability for millions of households."

FMI works with the food industry to "advance a safer, healthier and more efficient consumer food supply," according to its website.

SNAP benefits could cease on Nov. 1 if the government shutdown, which is nearing the one-month mark, continues, according to the Department of Agriculture. The Trump administration has said it won't tap into a federal contingency fund that would keep the benefits flowing through part of November.

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The lapse in funding would affect around 42 million Americans.

Some Americans prepare for halt in SNAP benefits: 'Im going to have hungry kids'

Among the low-income Americans on SNAP are 16 million children bracing for the potential freeze in food assistance. Due to the shutdown, food banks and other organizations across the country have scaled up efforts and called on their surrounding communities to help those in need of critical nutritional assistance.

Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot said in an Oct. 24 statement that the government should release SNAP funds "without delay," noting that "families everywhere are on the brink of, or have already been forced to make, impossible choices between food and other necessities like housing and health care."

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"The most challenging and heartbreaking situation for staff members and volunteers is when the pantry shelves are empty, and they must turn people away -- veterans, seniors, families with young children," she wrote. "Yet, with increasing demand and the high cost of food, this is already the harsh reality for so many and, without immediate action, will become a reality for countless more people across the country."

Refugees will be among the first to lose food stamps under federal changes

Many SNAP recipients have echoed those sentiments.

"I'm going to be waiting to pay my electricity bill and also my internet bill," Martina Santos, 67, who lives in the Bronx in New York City, told ABC News previously.

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Santos, herself a board member and volunteer at West Side Campaign Against Hunger, which helps New Yorkers access emergency food, said she receives about $290 a month in SNAP benefits.

"I have four kids. I don't want to ask for help [from] my family. They have their own family. They got their own bills. I don't want to be, like, on top of them, 'I need help. I need help. I need help,'" she said.

Jenna, 37, a SNAP recipient and mother of four from Oklahoma, who asked that her last name not be used for privacy reasons, told ABC News previously that she works a full-time job but sometimes has to miss work because two of her children have disabilities.

With SNAP cuts looming, some suggest handing out nonperishables to trick-or-treaters

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She said criticism and unfair judgment of SNAP recipients online is not rooted in reality.

"I'm on Facebook. I see all the posts right now that, 'It shouldn't matter that SNAP's going away, because all these people could just go get jobs,'" she said. "And I stay out of it, but I work a full-time job, and I can't make ends meet because of the needs of my children."

"I was definitely planning that the SNAP benefits would help through November," she added, noting that if benefits cease on Nov. 1, "I'm going to have hungry kids that are used to getting their berries and their cheese, their yogurt, their healthy snacks, and I'm not going to have the extra for them to snack plus eat breakfast, lunch and dinner."

ABC News' Mary Kekatos contributed to this report.
An Odessa woman was arrested early Monday morning after she confessed to throwing a hammer and hot glue gun at her husband during an argument.

According to an Odessa Police Department report, officers were dispatched to the 2200 block of East 11th Street around 12:30 a.m. Monday after someone called 9-1-1 to report their parents were fighting.

When officers arrived, Melissa Nicole Medina, 35, told them her husband had triggered her and so she pushed him, the report stated.

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She said her husband pushed her back and broke the door to their office and thats when she threw the hammer and hot glue gun at him, the report stated.

Medina was booked into the Ector County jail on suspicion of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She was released Tuesday after posting a $30,000 surety bond.

The post Police: Hot glue gun, hammer weaponized by wife appeared first on Odessa American.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday hinted at the possibility of a trade deal between the United States and China during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, ahead of the 2025 APEC Summit. When a reporter asked, "Mr President, do you plan to sign a trade deal today?" Trump replied, "could-be." Speaking about the state of relations, he added, "We all have a great understanding." Trump went on to say, "I think we''re going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time, and it is an honor to have you with us." He also described Xi as a "very tough negotiator" before the two leaders began their highly anticipated talks. Chinese President Xi Jinping said that both nations'' economic teams had recently achieved a "basic consensus" on major issues, setting the stage for meaningful discussions. "A few days back, in the latest round of confrontation, our two economic teams reached the basic consensus on addressing our major concerns, which made encouraging progress, which provided the necessary condition for our meeting today. Mr President, I''m ready to continue working with you to build a solid foundation for China-US relations and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries," Xi stated. The meeting came amid escalating tensions between the world''s two largest economies following months of trade disputes. Earlier in the month, Beijing imposed export restrictions, while Washington warned of possible bans on software-driven exports to China, intensifying the standoff. In the lead-up to the talks, the US outlined several objectives, including curbing the flow of fentanyl into the United States, ensuring TikTok''s divestiture from its Chinese parent company ByteDance, and addressing issues linked to tariffs, technology restrictions, and rare earth trade. The Trump-Xi discussions took place a day before the APEC Economic Leaders'' Meeting in Gyeongju, scheduled from October 31 to November 1. Global attention now rests on whether Washington and Beijing can ease tensions and strengthen stability in the coming months. (ANI)
EAST HARLEM, Manhattan (PIX11)  Police have identified the woman who was found dead in a plastic bag under the Metro-North train tracks in Manhattan on Monday, authorities said.

The woman, Bonnie Schulman-Rice, was found underneath the Metro-North overpass near Park Avenue and 124th Street in East Harlem at around 6 p.m. A man who cleans the area found the body and flagged an MTA police officer.

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Police said the woman was homeless, and area residents confirmed she was living under the train tracks.

She was a sweetheart, very loving, caring young lady, a woman who knew Schulman-Rice told PIX11 News. Had her story, had her situation. She was living in the streets.

Sources said the victim was found lying naked in a black garbage bag wrapped in a green laundry bag. Investigators believe Schulman-Rices death is suspicious because she had head trauma.

But the medical examiner has not yet determined the cause of death, officials said Thursday.

Its very sad, you know, a cab driver in the area said.

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There have been no arrests. The investigation is ongoing.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work 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 PIX11.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ)  An Armstrong County man is facing charges after he allegedly made plans to meet what he thought was a 15-year-old girl for intercourse.

Michael Park Jr., 41, of Leechburg, allegedly was caught by a predator hunter group after meeting a teen on a dating app, according to a criminal complaint. On Oct. 30, officers with the Brookville Borough Police Department were contacted by 814 Pred Hunters about a man who had made plans to meet and have sex with one of their decoy teens.

Park Jr. allegedly started talking to what he believed was a 15-year-old girl on an app before he continued to message her through texting. Police noted that the messages showed the decoy telling Park Jr. that she was underage and him acknowledging her age multiple times.

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Baseless, Somerset County Sheriff accused of making sexual comments to teen

In one message, Park Jr. allegedly said, Im ok with your age. I could really care less about that. Souls can connect no matter the age. I just keep telling you how much I want you and you keep ignoring it.

According to the affidavit, over the five-month period, Park Jr. sent sexual messages to the decoy teen and even sent her a picture of his genitals. Police noted that the group also turned over call logs to police, which allegedly showed Park Jr. speaking to the decoy for hours at a time, with a call on Oct. 30 being over 5 hours long.

Park Jr. then allegedly made plans to meet the teen at a gas station on Allegheny Boulevard and sent her a picture of a gray sedan that he was going to be driving. Police arrived at the designated time and arrested Park Jr.

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He allegedly admitted to coming to Jefferson County with the intent to have intercourse with what he had believed was a 15-year-old. He also acknowledged that he knew it was against the law, but had continued to message her sexually.

Park Jr. is in the Jefferson County Prison with bail set at $80,000. He is facing charges of criminal attempt of statutory sexual assault, criminal attempt of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, criminal attempt of aggravated indecent assault and other related charges.

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A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 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 WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
DISCLAIMER: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  The Shreveport Police Department has issued a warrant for the arrest of Jakari Alexander Lee.

On October 4, 2025, at approximately 9:35 p.m., Shreveport Police patrol officers responded to the Family Dollar located at 7421 Line Avenue after a call regarding an armed robbery.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the assistant managers, who provided details about the incident.

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During the investigation, detectives identified the suspect as 36-year-old Jakari Alexander Lee.

A warrant has been issued for Lees arrest for armed robbery. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information regarding Lees location is urged to contact the Shreveport Police Department at 318-673-7300.

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.
VERSHIRE, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  Authorities are looking to identify a male that reportedly trespassed at a Vershire garage Sunday.

State police first received word about this incident on Tuesday, October 28. A man reportedly tried to enter Wards Garage on VT Route 113, and subsequently trespassed into vehicles on the property.

Camera footage helped officers determine that the male had also take a number of small items.

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Anyone with information about this unidentified male can call the VSP, St. Johnsbury Barracks at 802-748-3111.

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.
The Wicomico County Sheriffs Office says its new artificial intelligence (AI) program will boost efficiency, a claim echoed by legal experts who believe it could speed up operations. The ACLU and other opponents are less enthusiastic, raising concerns that programs like this could overlook key facts or details.

This AI service, known as Draft One, links to body cameras. The program then transcribes audio captured by the cameras after an incident, allowing the deputy to review the transcript instead of typing it from scratch. Developed by Axon, this is being tested or used by more than 20 departments nationwide, counting only those that acknowledged working with the material, including some in Colorado, Indiana, California, Florida, Oklahoma and Arizona.

In Maryland, multiple departments use AI or plan to in a variety of ways. Montgomery County police want to explore using AI to handle non-emergency 911 calls. Baltimore County recently drew attention for its AI-driven weapon detection system, used in public schools. Earlier this month, that system mistook a bag of chips in a students hand for a gun.

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Its accidents like that which have some people concerned. The sheriffs office, meanwhile, points out this is an entirely different system, one that could speed up their work on a regular basis. Wicomico officials say writing a report can take anywhere from 15 minutes to three or more hours. Thats time taken away from responding to calls and helping residents.

The idea is to speed up the report writing process for the deputies to get back out there faster, Wicomico Sheriffs Office Capt. Rich Wiersberg said. Some of our guys arent the fastest typist, and this will help speed that process along.

How does it work?

The way it works, Wiersberg said, is the service takes the audio interaction from body camera footage, and puts it into a paragraph format that can easily be inserted into police reports. It can also take dictation from interviews with a suspect or interaction at a crime scene between deputies.

Deputies cant just click and approve it. There are several sections of the report that still have to be typed in manually. They also have to break up text. The transcript comes as one long paragraph. That material has to still be plugged in.

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The deputy cant just click the report and file it through the system, Wiersberg said. The deputy also has to verify the accuracy of the report, and then make any changes.

The deputy reviews it, makes any tweaks that need to be made to make it accurate. Then the supervisor will review it, and then forward it up through the chain, he said. Its just basically helping save transcription work to cut to the chase.

Axon officials point to early data, testimonials listed on their website. The Fort Collins, Colorado Police Department was labeled as one, stating it reduced the time spent on incident reports by 67%. Another testimonial is labeled as being from the Rowlett, Texas Police, saying the program cut their time spent redacting evidence by 75%.

Concerns raised about using AI

There are some concerns, both from local and national sources, when it comes to using this program.

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I always agreed on voting for body cameras, but I was concerned about the AI because  I dont full understand the technology, Wicomico County Councilwoman Shanie Shields said.

Shields, a black woman, points to studies that show racial and other bias in AI. Those include the National Institute of Standards and Technology [NIST] and the MIT Gender Shades project, which found that facial recognition systems have higher error rates for people of color, particularly women of color. The NIST study found some algorithms falsely identified African-American and Asian faces 10 to 100 times more often than Caucasian faces.

Shields also worried about incorporating the technology into body cameras, where theres the potential for abusing the technology.

Thats what Im concerned about, she said. They can take away what they do or [exaggerate] what the person theyre arresting did  They can change stuff with AI, she said.

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Those are some of the same concerns raised by the American Civil Liberties Union [ACLU] in a six-page white paper on the subject. What happens when AI doesnt understand a specific accent and transcribes the event incorrectly? Or how will nonverbal cues such as a head nod or shaking the head no be documented, the ACLU asked.

Even if an AI program doesnt make explicit errors or exhibit obvious biases, it could still spin things in subtle ways that an officer doesnt even notice, the ACLU report argues.

Also, the ACLU report points out, the AI doesnt know what is truth and what is a lie. Its just transcribing.

If the police report is just an AI rehash of the body camera video, it may write over certain facts or details the officer might have otherwise recorded, or even worse, allow officers to lie  for example if they see that something illegal they did was not captured by the camera, the ACLUs report argues.

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Part of the problem is what an AI system doesnt know. Beyond the bag of chips getting mistaken for a gun in Baltimore County, other agencies have run into problems with their AI programs.

If you have a pen in your mouth, itll say youre smoking, said Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local #734 President Matthew Coster. Hes had several firefighters complain when they get in trouble because of AI. If youre holding the transmission box, which is a box to the right of the driver [in a firetruck] that pushes buttons to change from drive to neutral and reverse, it says youre on your phone.

Each time something like that gets flagged, its registered in the fire departments system. Firefighters have been flagged for as many as five incidents while responding to a single event, due to confusion from the AI system.

Any time you take the human aspect out of a job, its kind of a slippery slope, Coster added.

Concerns addressed

On its website, Axon says Draft One uses a modified version of ChatGPT, adjusted to avoid any randomly generated factual errors.

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Other legal experts feel theres enough safeguards to protect against issues in the police reports.

Peter ONeil, a defense attorney in Glen Burnie, says he understands the concerns that AI could generate false information. But he points out in order to hold up in court, the incident report would have to match whats shown on the body camera.

You have the ability to compare the written word versus the video and audio that youre watching against the report thats been written, ONeil said. He can write whatever he writes, but it better be backed up by the body-worn camera video. Police would have to understand that if the AI writing doesnt match the video, it will result in an [internal affairs] investigation.

Have a news tip? Contact Eastern Shore bureau chief Josh Davis at jdavis@baltsun.com or on X as @JoshDavis4Shore.
BALTIMORE  The Wicomico County Sheriffs Office says its new artificial intelligence (AI) program will boost efficiency, a claim echoed by legal experts who believe it could speed up operations. The ACLU and other opponents are less enthusiastic, raising concerns that programs like this could overlook key facts or details.

This AI service, known as Draft One, links to body cameras. The program then transcribes the audio pulled from the cameras after an incident, allowing the deputy to review the text instead of typing it from scratch. Developed by Axon, this is being tested or used by more than 20 departments nationwide, only counting those who acknowledged working with the material, including some in Colorado, Indiana, California, Florida, Oklahoma and Arizona.

In Maryland, multiple departments use AI or plan to use it in a variety of ways. Montgomery County police want to explore using AI to handle non-emergency 911 calls. Baltimore County recently drew attention for its AI-driven weapon detection system, used in public schools. Earlier this month, that system mistook a bag of chips in a students hand for a gun.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Its accidents like that which have some people concerned. The sheriffs office, meanwhile, points out this is an entirely different system, one that could speed up their work on a regular basis. Wicomico officials say writing a report can take anywhere from 15 minutes to three or more hours. Thats time taken away from responding to calls and helping residents.

The idea is to speed up the report writing process for the deputies to get back out there faster, Wicomico Sheriffs Office Capt. Rich Wiersberg said. Some of our guys arent the fastest typist, and this will help speed that process along.

How does it work?

The way it works, Wiersberg said, is the service takes the audio interaction from body camera footage, and puts it into a paragraph format that can easily be inserted into police reports. It can also take dictation from interviews with a suspect or interaction at a crime scene between deputies.

Deputies cant just click and approve it. There are several sections of the report that still have to be typed in manually. They also have to break up text. The transcript comes as one long paragraph. That material has to still be plugged in.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The deputy cant just click the report and file it through the system, Wiersberg said. The deputy also has to verify the accuracy of the report, and then make any changes.

The deputy reviews it, makes any tweaks that need to be made to make it accurate. Then the supervisor will review it, and then forward it up through the chain, he said. Its just basically helping save transcription work to cut to the chase.

Axon officials point to early data, testimonials listed on their website. The Fort Collins, Colorado Police Department was labeled as one, stating it reduced the time spent on incident reports by 67%. Another testimonial is labeled as being from the Rowlett, Texas Police, saying the program cut their time spent redacting evidence by 75%.

Concerns raised about using AI

There are some concerns, both from local and national sources, when it comes to using this program.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

I always agreed on voting for body cameras, but I was concerned about the AI because  I dont full understand the technology, Wicomico County Councilwoman Shanie Shields said.

Shields, a black woman, points to studies that show racial and other bias in AI. Those include the National Institute of Standards and Technology [NIST] and the MIT Gender Shades project, which found that facial recognition systems have higher error rates for people of color, particularly women of color. The NIST study found some algorithms falsely identified African-American and Asian faces 10 to 100 times more often than Caucasian faces.

Shields also worried about incorporating the technology into body cameras, where theres the potential for abusing the technology.

Thats what Im concerned about, she said. They can take away what they do or [exaggerate] what the person theyre arresting did  They can change stuff with AI, she said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Those are some of the same concerns raised by the American Civil Liberties Union [ACLU] in a six-page white paper on the subject. What happens when AI doesnt understand a specific accent and transcribes the event incorrectly? Or how will nonverbal cues such as a head nod or shaking the head no be documented, the ACLU asked.

Even if an AI program doesnt make explicit errors or exhibit obvious biases, it could still spin things in subtle ways that an officer doesnt even notice, the ACLU report argues.

Also, the ACLU report points out, the AI doesnt know what is truth and what is a lie. Its just transcribing.

If the police report is just an AI rehash of the body camera video, it may write over certain facts or details the officer might have otherwise recorded, or even worse, allow officers to lie  for example if they see that something illegal they did was not captured by the camera, the ACLUs report argues.

Concerns addressed

On its website, Axon says Draft One uses a modified version of ChatGPT, adjusted to avoid any randomly generated factual errors.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

Other legal experts feel theres enough safeguards to protect against issues in the police reports.

Peter ONeil, a defense attorney in Glen Burnie, says he understands the concerns that AI could generate false information. But he points out in order to hold up in court, the incident report would have to match whats shown on the body camera.

You have the ability to compare the written word versus the video and audio that youre watching against the report thats been written, ONeil said. He can write whatever he writes, but it better be backed up by the body-worn camera video. Police would have to understand that if the AI writing doesnt match the video, it will result in an [internal affairs] investigation.

-------------
Polish MiG-29 fighter jets intercepted another Russian reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea this week.

Source: RMF24, a Polish online news portal, citing Defence Minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz at a press conference in the Polish town of Kartuzy on 30 October, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Kosiniak-Kamysz said Polish MiG-29 fighter jets had intercepted a Russian reconnaissance plane over the Baltic Sea.

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This is not the first such incident this week. On 28 October, a pair of Polish MiG-29 fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 aircraft over the Baltic Sea.

The Polish military said the Russian Il-20 aircraft was on a reconnaissance mission in international airspace without having filed a flight plan and with its transponder switched off.

Background:

Russia has repeatedly carried out provocations involving violations of NATO airspace, the most high-profile of which was the incursion into Estonian airspace in mid-September.

Earlier, General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said that the Alliance's firm response to Russia's airspace violations in Poland and Estonia has forced Moscow to act more cautiously.

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Polish aircraft were scrambled in response to a large-scale Russian missile attack on Ukraine on the night of 29-30 October.

Source: European Pravda, citing Operational Command of the Armed Forces of Poland on X (Twitter)

Details: Polish and allied aircraft conducted operations in Polish airspace due to the large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine, Operational Command reported.

"On-duty pairs of fighters and early warning aircraft were scrambled, while ground-based air defence systems and radar reconnaissance units were placed on high alert," the Command said.

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The Polish military stressed that these measures were preventive, aimed at ensuring security and protecting Polish airspace, especially in areas bordering Ukrainian oblasts under threat.

"Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces continues to monitor the situation and all subordinate forces and assets remain ready to respond immediately," they added.

Background:

On the night of 29-30 October, air-raid warnings were issued across all oblasts of Ukraine due to Russian drones and the threat of missiles.

The Ukrainian Air Force and local authorities reported that Russia had launched missiles towards Ukraine's west, with Bukovyna and Prykarpattia warned of particular danger.

Explosions were reported in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will depart for Kuala Lumpur to attend the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), scheduled to be held in Malaysia on November 1, the Ministry of Defence said in an official release. In a post on X, Singh said, "Today, 30th October, I shall be leaving New Delhi for Kuala Lumpur. I would be taking part in this year's ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) being held in Malaysia on 01st November." https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/1983732633193607623 He added that he will address the forum on the theme, "Reflection on 15 years of ADMM Plus and Charting the Way Forward." On the sidelines, the "second edition of ASEAN India Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting, under the chairmanship of Malaysia, will be held on October 31, wherein Defence Ministers from all ASEAN member countries will take part," Singh noted. The meeting aims to "further strengthen defence and security cooperation among ASEAN member states and India and advance the 'Act East Policy'." During the two-day visit, Singh is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from the participating ADMM Plus nations and with Malaysia's senior leadership. ADMM is the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). The ADMM Plus framework brings together ASEAN member states, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam, along with eight Dialogue Partners -- India, the US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand -- to strengthen security and defence cooperation. India became a dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992, and the inaugural ADMM Plus was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam, on October 12, 2010. Since 2017, the ADMM Plus has been held annually to enhance regional security cooperation. Under this framework, India is the co-chair of the Experts' Working Group on Counter Terrorism with Malaysia for the 2024 to 2027 cycle. The second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise is also scheduled for 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed the ASEAN India Summit virtually, reaffirming collaboration in counter-terrorism, maritime security, and the early review of the ASEAN India Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The Prime Minister and ASEAN leaders reviewed progress in ASEAN-India relations and discussed initiatives to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In support of Malaysia's chairmanship theme of "Inclusivity and Sustainability," PM Modi announced India's continued support for the implementation of the ASEAN India Plan of Action (2026 to 2030) and the adoption of the ASEAN India Joint Leaders' Statement on Sustainable Tourism, marking the ASEAN India Year of Tourism. Earlier, during his visit to Kuala Lumpur, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed India's full commitment to ensuring a peaceful, progressive, and prosperous future for the Indo-Pacific region. Addressing the East Asia Summit in Malaysia on Monday, Jaishankar said, "India values EAS' contribution to peace, progress and prosperity," and looked forward to its positive outcomes. (ANI)
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is the preferred Democratic candidate for the 2028 presidential elections in the early primary state of New Hampshire, according to a new poll from the University of New Hampshire.

Of those in the Granite State who say they plan to vote in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, 19% said they would choose Buttigieg if the election were held today, while 81% of those surveyed had a favorable opinion of him. The ex-transportation secretary topped California Gov. Gavin Newsom by 4% and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) by 5%.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is leading other Democratic presidential hopefuls in a new poll out of New Hampshire. Spencer Platt via Getty Images

On the Republican side, 51% of New Hampshire residents who plan to vote in the 2028 Republican presidential primary prefer Vice President JD Vance over Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard.

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The current vice president teased the prospect of running for president in 2028 with Secretary of State Marco Rubio as his running mate during an interview on Wednesdays episode of the New York Posts Pod Force One. Only 5% of planned Republican presidential primary voters supported Rubio for president.

News: Shock Video Shows ICE Agent Assaulting Woman Who Asked If Hes A Good Christian

[Trump] mentioned it probably six months or so ago, Vance told host Miranda Devine. And I mentioned it to the secretary in jest, but it feels so premature because were still so early.

The universitys findings follow Newsoms admission in a recent airing of CBS Sunday Morning that he planned to put serious thought into running for president in 2028.

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Yeah, Id be lying otherwise. Id just be lying. And Im not  I cant do that, the California governor said.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, who left the door open for a 2028 presidential run and confessed she had actually wanted Buttigieg as her 2024 running mate over Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), gained 11% of Democratic respondents support, ahead of independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who had 8%.

The survey noted that nearly half of self-described socialists support Ocasio-Cortez while progressives tend to prefer Ocasio-Cortez or Newsom. Self-described liberals and moderates, on the other hand, preferred Harris or Buttigieg.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
(The Center Square)  For the first time in the past 10 years of polling, more Wisconsin voters said they would vote against a school referendum than for it.

Fifty-seven percent of voters said they would vote against a referendum in the new Marquette Law School poll.

That compares to 52% in June, 57% in February and 55% in January saying they would vote for a school referendum if it was proposed by a local school board.

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The poll asked 846 registered voters the questions between Oct. 15-22.

This is one to keep an eye on to see if this trend continues or its just a fluke of this sample, Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin said.

The poll also showed that 56% said they believe reducing property taxes is more important than increasing spending on public schools.

That compared to 57% in June, 58% in February and 55% in January who said the same.

Historical Marquette polling showed that 50% first said they would prioritize reducing property taxes in June 2023 after years of polling showing that spending more on public schools was more important to voters.

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That total has trended up since the 2023 polling.

People have gotten more concerned about school spending and property taxes in particular, Franklin said.

The polling comes after Milwaukee voters said they would prefer consolidating schools over another property tax referendum increase when Embold Research asked 535 likely Milwaukee voters in 2026 the questions between Oct. 6-10 on behalf of City Forward Collective and CFC Action Fund.

Legislators are currently discussing a bill that would require districts to file the required paperwork before being eligible for a referendum.

There also are a set of bills in the works on school consolidation.

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Public school enrollment in Wisconsin is expected to decline by 10,000 students annually for the five-year period that began in 2023-24 and the trend is expected to continue.

The bill would provide a consolidation model process, funding for consolidation or shared service feasibility studies and assistance for schools as they try to match up differing levies and determine school board positions when consolidation occurs.
Dutch voters began casting their ballots across the Netherlands on Wednesday in a close-run snap election called after far-right Geert Wilders brought down the outgoing four-party coalition in a dispute over immigration.

The campaign echoed issues that resonate across Europe, focusing on how to rein in migration and tackle chronic shortages of affordable housing.

Final opinion polls released on Tuesday evening indicated an extremely tight race between Geert Wilders' Party For Freedom (PVV) and more moderate parties, including the Green Left Labour Party (GL-PvdA), centre-left D66 and centrist Christian Democratic Party (CDA).

Frans Timmermans of the centre-left two party bloc of Labour Party and Green Left, casts his vote at a polling station in Maastricht, Netherlands, Wednesday Oct. 29, 2025. - AP Photo/Ermindo Armino

While PVV maintained a significant lead in polls in recent months, moderate parties began to close the gap in the days leading up to election day, signalling an outcome that could isolate Wilders from government.

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In a country where coalition governments are the norm, GL-PvdA, D66 and CDA have all ruled out governing with Wilders again, even if his Party for Freedom repeats its stunning victory from two years ago.

They argue that his decision to torpedo the outgoing four-party coalition in June underscored that he is an untrustworthy partner.

"It's up to the voters today," Wilders said after voting in the cavernous atrium of The Hague City Hall, surrounded by security guards.

"It's a close callfour or five different parties. I'm confident."

Far-right anti Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders, center, prepares to cast his vote at a polling station in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. - AP Photo/Peter Dejong

Frans Timmermans, the former European Commission vice president who now leads the centre-left bloc made up of the Labour Party and Green Left, took his black labrador to a polling station in his home city of Maastricht in the southern Netherlands.

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"It's going to be so close so let's hope we come out as first, because that is the only guarantee to avoid a right wing government," he told reporters.

After casting his vote, D66 leader Rob Jetten said "I think it is very important in last two years we've seen a lot of fighting in politics but not a lot of results on very important topics for people back at home."

"This is our opportunity to get the Netherlands back on track and in the heart of Europe."

Voting was taking place at venues from city halls to schools, but also historic windmills, churches, a zoo, a former prison in Arnhem and the iconic Anne Frank House museum in Amsterdam.

Rob Jetten, leader of the centre-left D66 party, casts his vote at a polling station during general elections in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. - AP Photo/Patrick Post

Polls close at 9pm on Thursday followed immediately by an initial exit poll conducted by polling institute Ipsos I&O.

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Around 80,000 voters at 65 polling stations are taking part in the exit poll throughout the day.

While they only show a preliminary indication of the results, Dutch exit polls have historically proven accurate, with final results differing by just one to three seats in past elections.
Popular diabetes dance show to commemorate awareness organizations 25th anniversary

Touched by Type One is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the Dancing for Diabetes event this Saturday in Central Florida.

The organization has been supporting families affected by diabetes for 25 years and aims to raise awareness and funds to find a cure.

To think back on the last 25 years of what weve done together as a community, for those that are impacted by type one diabetes, is really incredible, said Elizabeth Forrest, founder of Dancing for Diabetes.

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Forrest wanted to combine her love of dance with her experience living with diabetes. Since its beginnings, Dancing for Diabetes has grown from a small initiative into a community sensation.

This year, the event will feature hundreds of dancers from across Central Florida, including 65 kids and teens with type one diabetes who are part of Touched by Type Ones free community dance program.

The program is expanding to offer additional Saturday dance classes.

Touched by Type One also distributes free D-Boxes nationwide for families newly diagnosed, hosts an annual conference, and is producing a full-length documentary called Beyond the Diagnosis.

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The big event will kick off at 7 p.m. Saturday. You can watch the live stream or donate online.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A popular Massachusetts grocery store closed its doors to shoppers earlier this week due to a possible imminent health hazard, officials said.

Newton Health and Human Services Commissioner Shin-Yi Lao told Boston 25 News that the Star Market above the Mass. Pike at 33 Austin Street in Newton was closed around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday after the city learned that demolition work inside the store may have released asbestos.

Demolition work inside the Star Market location at 33 Austin St. in Newtonville may have resulted in the release of asbestos into the building, which might result in an imminent health hazard, Lao explained.

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The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is leading an investigation into the extent of any possible contamination.

Star Market will only be allowed to reopen when and if any asbestos is found, removed, and/or contained, Lao said in a statement.

A spokesperson for the grocery chain told Boston 25 News that store safety is a top priority.

At Star Market, the safety of our stores is a top priority, and we take this matter seriously. We appreciate the collaboration and support of the Town of Newton as we address the matter, the spokesperson said in a statement. We will continue to stay in close coordination with the Newton Health and Human Services Department as we work towards reopening the store."

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Customers and employees who were in Star Market and have questions can contact the Newton Health and Human Services Department at 617-796-1420.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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A new law in the U.K. is forcing a popular restaurant chain to abandon its offer of bottomless drinks as the government seeks to reduce childhood obesity.

The new legislation came into effect in England on Oct. 1 and restricts the sale of sugary items in restaurants and grocery stores. As reported by LadBible, this means that the popular restaurant chain Nando's is no longer able to offer bottomless refills of Coca-Cola Classic because of its high sugar content.

This new change means that customers will only be allowed to enjoy one glass of high-sugar drinks. Other low-sugar options are not affected.

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"We know this is a change to how customers can enjoy one of our popular soft drinks, and we hope it doesn't take away from your experience," Nando's said.

While this decision may not prove popular among customers, restricting access to high-sugar food and drinks can have health benefits, especially for children. A 12-ounce Coca-Cola contains nearly 10 teaspoons of sugar, exceeding the American Heart Association's recommended daily limit for added sugar, which is nine teaspoons for men and six for women. Many kids in particular may not yet have the maturity to self-regulate how much they drink.

Additionally, regularly consuming sugary drinks has been strongly linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay.

Reducing the consumption of sugary drinks, particularly among young people, encourages healthier alternatives like water, natural juices, and unsweetened drinks. Over time, this can result in reduced cases of chronic diseases and promote better long-term health outcomes.

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While the law applies to free refills of sugary drinks and won't reduce plastic, from an environmental perspective, the broader sale of Coca-Cola and other sugary drinks generally leads to plastic waste, carbon emissions, and water use (reportedly, it takes about 35 liters of water for one 500 milliliter bottle of Coke).

Coca-Cola is consistently ranked among the world's top plastic polluters, and the production and transport of its products contribute significantly to environmental degradation and the emission of harmful pollution, including planet-warming gases.

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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Portland authorities are asking the publics help in their investigation into a fire that happened near a city councilors home this past weekend.

The Portland Police Bureau and Portland Fire and Rescue said investigators wish to speak to an individual who may have more information about the fire that occurred in the Mill Park Neighborhood near Councilor Candace Avalos home in the early morning of October 26.

The person seen in a surveillance video released by the Portland Police Bureau is not considered a suspect, authorities said.

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Investigators simply hope to learn more about what they might have seen or heard in the area, PPB said in a press release.

On Monday, Portland police and the fire department announced investigators could not definitively determine the exact cause of the fire. However, they said they found no evidence that Councilor Avalos home was specifically targeted in the fire.

Though the fire damaged the home, car, and carport of Councilor Avalos, and was initially investigated as a possible arson, it was later determined that the fire did not start at her home.

The police and fire department later said the fire likely began in a storage shed next to the home, with other residents also affected by the spread of the fire that happened in the Mill Park Neighborhood. In addition, there was no evidence of an accelerant or incendiary device specifically targeting Councilor Avalos. However, the investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.

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Investigators want to talk to the individual seen in the surveillance video in hopes that they may have information on how the fire began.

If anyone has information about the person in the video, theyre asked to contact Portland police.

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.
On October 15, Juan Barbosa Gomez and his wife arrived at Columbia Park in North Portland, Oregon, for their routine walk, unaware that they were about to enter a legal twilight zone. Suddenly, their car was surrounded by masked federal law enforcement officers, who whisked Barbosa away.

For the past two weeks, Barbosa, a 60-year-old grandfather from Mexico, has been incarcerated in the federal immigration detention system, and his family says there's been a terrible mistake. They say he has a valid work visa and no criminal record. He's lived in the U.S. for more than 30 years, working as a welder.

"His record is clean," says Sydney Smith-Mason, who was taken in by Barbosa's family at a young age and considers herself something of an adopted daughter. "He's a good guy."

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"Juan himself has been a little bit of a father to me as well," Smith-Mason continues. "He helped me when I was purchasing my first car, making sure that everything was all good and checking things out. I would go to him to ask for certain advice on things. He's been a big part of my life."

Barbosa's family has been unable to secure his release or even find out any information on his case. He's been transferred to three different detention facilities in under two weeks and doesn't show up on Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) online detainee locator. The transfers made it difficult for his family to keep track of him or keep his commissary fund filled, and more importantly, it has short-circuited their attempts to find an immigration attorney to look at his case.

Barbosa isn't the only such alleged wrongful ICE arrest in Portland. The local TV news outlet KOIN 6 reported that another Portland-area grandfather, Victor Cruz, was arrested by ICE officers on October 14 despite having Temporary Protected Status, a valid work permit, and no criminal record.

"They're not taking criminals, they're racially profiling us," Cruz's daughter, Atziri, told KOIN 6. "They're hard working, honest men who provide for their familiesand their families are left looking for a lawyer and having massive financial strains and not knowing where our future lies."

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Cruz and Barbosa's families both describe a due process nightmare trying to clear the names of their loved ones after they were swept up in the Trump administration's mass deportation program. To handle the surge of tens of thousands of detainees, the administration is relying on a secretive network of federal, state, and local lockups. To encourage detainees to self-deport, the administration holds them in miserable conditions and shuttles them between facilities, making it hard for them to mount a legal defense. This raises massive constitutional issues: People are being imprisoned for weeks without transparency, without adequate access to legal counsel or means to challenge their detention, and without basic information on the case against them.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE did not respond to multiple requests for comment on Barbosa's detention, his legal status, or the reasons for his detention.

KOIN 6 obtained cell phone video of Barbosa's October 15 arrest taken by a bystander. In the video, Barbosa's wife, Maria, tells the bystander, "He had documents!"

Although agents said they had a warrant, "no paper was shown," Barbosa's other daughter, Irlanda, told KOIN 6. "They also didn't care to validate his status," she said.

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Barbosa was taken to an ICE detention center in Portland.

"The cuffs that they put on him were so tight that he lost feeling in two fingers for several days," Smith-Mason says.

His family would only find that out later, though. They quickly discovered that getting Barbosa outor even figuring out where he waswould be a massive struggle: He could only speak to his family in brief phone calls.

"During this time, the family was being told nothing,' Smith-Mason says. "We were told to go online to the government ICE detainee locator website. We tried to input his information. We were not able to locate or find him anywhere in there."

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In the middle of Wednesday night, unbeknownst to his family, Barbosa was transferred to another detention facility in Tacoma, Washington. Smith-Mason says they found out on Thursday morning when she and Irlanda went to the Portland facility to try and find out how to get Barbosa out.

The family was able to put money on Barbosa's commissary account in Tacoma. However, in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 18, Barbosa was moved again and dropped off the grid, until he popped up in an Arizona detention facility on the 19th.

Then, at 4:00 a.m. on Monday, the family got a call from Barbosa saying he was about to be put on another plane, to where he did not know.

Reason confirmed that Juan Barbosa Gomez does not appear on ICE's online detainee locator. Smith-Mason has only been able to find him using GettingOut, a third-party app to message inmates and deposit money into their accounts.

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"I just started searching every single state that I possibly could through this phone service, searching all of the facilities through there, because again, I was not able to find him anywhere on any type of a detainee locator," she says.

When Smith-Mason finally found Barbosa, he was halfway across the country in the Adams County Correctional Center in Natchez, Mississippi. (GettingOut currently shows Barbosa as incarcerated at the facility and provides an "A number" used to identify federal immigration detainees, but that number does not return any results on ICE's online detainee locator.)

Because of jurisdictional issues, Barbosa's family now has to find an immigration lawyer or legal aid group in Mississippi to challenge his detention. And that's not easy during an unprecedented surge in immigration arrests.

"When I am finding organizations and people to call, I'm running into a little bit of a problem with there just being such a high volume of help needed," Smith-Mason says. "Right now, a lot of these places are at the capacity of people that they can help, or their voice mailboxes are simply full, so I can't even leave a message or a point of contact for them to reach back out."

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Barbosa's family has started a GoFundMe to try and raise money for his legal defense. In the meantime, they say he is enduring wretched conditions.

"He has been chained from feet to stomach to hands, like he's in full shackles," Smith-Mason says. "At a lot of these places he's saying that they're being held in one room, like 50 men held in one room that is cement. Cement walls, Cement floors. There's no furniture in there, so no beds or anything."

In a few instances, Smith-Mason says, Barbosa was denied water because he hadn't purchased a cup from the commissary.

These descriptions are consistent with reports of overcrowding and squalid conditions in ICE detention facilities around the country. This summer, federal judges ordered federal officials to drastically improve conditions in ICE holding facilities in New York and Los Angeles. Those orders were in response to lawsuits alleging overcrowding, medical neglect and lack of showers, and no access to legal counsel.

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A former detainee at the Krome detention center in South Florida told Reason he spent four days in an overcrowded holding cell with 5060 other people.

The American Civil Liberties Union released a report this month detailing mistreatment and neglect of pregnant women in ICE detention.

Barbosa's family is worried about his health and says he has diabetes. But it's also taking a hard toll on the family. Barbosa was the primary breadwinner, and his absence has been hard to explain to his grandson.

"His grandson is six years old, and he's trying to figure out how to navigate through this difficult time, with his grandmother in distress and his whole family right now really going through a hard time," Smith-Mason says. "It's a really, really hard time trying to deal with that and keep normalcy for him as well, especially because grandpa has been a constant in his life since the day he came home from the hospital."

The post A Portland Family Says Their Dad Was Wrongly Arrested by ICE. Now He's Lost in Immigration Detention. appeared first on Reason.com.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday ordered the immediate resumption of nuclear weapons testing, citing Russia's recent trials of advanced nuclear-capable systems, including a Poseidon underwater drone, in a dramatic escalation that raised fears of a new arms race between the two nuclear superpowers. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US has "more nuclear weapons than any other country", crediting his first term in office for what he described as a "complete update and renovation" of the nation's nuclear arsenal. "The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office," Trump wrote. "Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years," he added. The President stated that the move was prompted by similar actions from other nations, particularly Russia, after it successfully conducted a test of its advanced nuclear-capable underwater drone, Poseidon, on Wednesday. He further stated that it has instructed the Department of War to begin testing. "Because of other countries' testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately," Trump concluded. Earlier on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Moscow successfully tested its advanced nuclear-capable underwater drone, Poseidon, as reported by RT. Speaking during a visit to a military hospital in Moscow, Putin confirmed that the trials of the Poseidon system were carried out on Tuesday. "When it comes to speed and depth, there is nothing comparable to this unmanned vehicle anywhere in the world, and it is unlikely to appear anytime soon," the Russian President said. Putin added that the Poseidon currently has "no interception methods", underscoring its strategic importance to Russia's defence capabilities. "For the first time, we succeeded not only in launching it from a submarine using its booster engine but also in activating its nuclear power unit, which provided energy to the vehicle for a certain period. This is a tremendous success," Putin stated. According to him, the capabilities of Poseidon "significantly exceed the power of even our most promising Sarmat intercontinental-range missile." First unveiled in 2018, the Poseidon is described by Russian media as a deep-sea, unmanned vehicle equipped with a nuclear propulsion system that enables virtually unlimited range. The drone, reportedly measuring around 20 metres in length and weighing about 100 tonnes, can reach speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour and dive to depths exceeding 1,000 metres, RT reported. This development comes within a week of the successful test of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile test by Moscow, which US President Donald Trump described as "inappropriate" and advised Putin to focus on ending the conflict with Ukraine. Meanwhile, Putin has also signed a law terminating the already defunct plutonium disposal agreement with the United States, aimed at limiting production of nuclear weapons-grade material, RT reported. The agreement, signed in September 2000, required both Russia and the US to dispose of 34 tonnes of weapons-grade plutonium that was no longer needed for military purposes. (ANI)
Oct. 29Both candidates in a race for Post Falls Board of Trustees have experience with the district: one as the incumbent trustee and the other as a former teacher and principal of more than two decades.

Candidate Neil Uhrig, a secret service agent, is hoping voters grant him a second term on the board, where he plans to serve another four years and then hang up his hat when his high schoolers graduate.

He is proud of time as a trustee in which Post Falls has topped the Idaho ranks for early literacy two years in a row. This is one metric of many to come that he said will establish Post Falls' reputation as "the premier school district in Northern Idaho."

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Challenger Brad Harmon is in his first year as principal at Kellogg Middle School; before that, he worked for 21 years in Post Falls in classroom teaching and school administration, also working in other North Idaho schools.

Harmon was compelled to run after recent dissatisfaction with recent board decisions on spending and staffing that he said do not prioritize the kids.

"The school board has a responsibility to the students first, to the staff second, and then to the district office third," Harmon said. "Unfortunately, right now, they have it the other way around: they are answering to the district office."

Harmon's list of grievances includes the promotion of Anna Wilson into a deputy superintendent role, which included a pay bump from her salary of $138,000 to $140,000, according to KREM2 news. While adding the new position to district administration, the district left several teaching positions unfilled, as well as a counselor position at the alternative high school and two middle school assistant principal positions, Harmon said.

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"That doesn't make sense to me," Harmon said. "You're taking money away from the kids, is really what you're doing. You're taking away those school-level supports and adding a district level."

Uhrig defended the board's move to promote Wilson as a strategic decision to prepare for Superintendent Dena Naccarato's retirement at the end of this school year. Wilson will be in Naccarato's "hip pocket," Uhrig said, learning the ropes of leading a school district. Upon Naccarato's retirement, Wilson will be promoted to interim superintendent while the board undertakes the time-intensive process of hiring a successor.

If the board had not lined up an interim, it would have already started the hiring process for next school year, Uhrig said. With the election in mind, Uhrig called that "irresponsible."

"If I don't get elected, I'm setting this up so they have the opportunity to make this hiring decision. Otherwise, half of the decision would have already been made by me now, we will already have accepted applications and weeded out some, and they wouldn't have been privy to that."

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In Post Falls, elementary school kids are tested on a monthly basis to measure academic progress. Harmon takes issue with the recurring testing, while Uhrig said it is a state requirement.

By testing so frequently, Harmon said it erodes students' relationships with their teachers and also gives teachers less freedom in their lessons by focusing so much on test scores. This in turn affects attendance and teacher retention, he said.

"There's a lot more that goes into education than just the books," Harmon said. "So if you know your kids, and your kids know that you care about them, they're willing to work for you, and you're still going to see higher test scores."

Uhrig also said the testing isn't "healthy," but said the data has been useful for the district. He credited it in part to the rise in kindergarten literacy, a metric for which Post Falls led the state two years in a row. Test scores also clued Uhrig in to what should be the district's next academic focus: math.

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"I remember tests, too; I think we all do and we hate them. But how else do we make that measure?" Uhrig said. "Otherwise, it becomes very subjective by a teacher saying, 'This kid is here, this kid is here.' No, the numbers are what they say."

Both candidates lauded the transition Post Falls made two years ago to a four-day school week, noting the improvements it brought in student attendance, achievement and teacher retention.

Teacher retention is a focus for both candidates, noting the allure of a higher paycheck just a stone's throw away in Washington schools.

Post Falls' teacher retention rate is 81.6%, according to Idaho Education News, compared to the statewide average of around 88%.

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Uhrig said the four-day work week has been an effective tool to keep teachers in Post Falls, as well as a recent salary bump for teachers and occasional bonuses when there is funding available. Other supports like the hiring of reading interventionists to take the load off teachers are also helpful, he said.

"We do things like that, but ultimately, I'd like to give them more money. It's just, I don't know where we even get it," Uhrig said.

Harmon said more effective leadership who understand the needs of classroom teachers would aid in teacher retention. He said he'd be able to provide that leadership as the only trustee with educator experience, if elected. He advocated for giving teachers more flexibility in their classrooms beyond "teaching to a test."

"There's a lot of teacher retention that's based on leadership," Harmon said. "I think if you look around, teachers that are happy with the leadership are more willing to stay despite the money."

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Election Day is November 4.

Elena Perry's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
In October 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor shared a series of posters on its social media accounts promoting Project Firewall, U.S. President Donald Trump's administration's initiative to clamp down on the H-1B work visa for foreign workers and to encourage companies to hire more Americans.

Numerous people online compared the posters to white supremacist and 1930s Nazi-era Germany propaganda given that they appeared to include only white nuclear families. According to one post (archived):

I've seen a few similar posts about these so I made a collage of all these propaganda posters from the department of labor's Facebook page and jeez does this give off 1930s German vibes. Also when you run this thru AI asking how it's similar to nazi propaganda you get a good explanation of exactly who their trying to make this country great for.

(Facebook user "The 50501 Movement")

The DOL did share a series of posters with the above imagery on its social media pages. Comparing some of the images to a range of Nazi propaganda posters from the past uncovered many similarities, but some were inspired by historic U.S. posters and artwork. It was not possible to definitively confirm the department's intention and their source of inspiration for all the posters. Experts have previously noted the Trump administration's penchant for relying on such imagery to promote a certain so-called American ideal that dehumanizes immigrants.

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Snopes contacted Labor Department representatives to learn more about the inspiration behind the posters and their reasons for using such imagery. We will update this article if they reply.

What the posters showed

The images posted on the DOL's verified social media accounts depicted:

A white man and text reading: "Restoring the American Dream!"

A seemingly all-white family standing in front of a house below a church, factory and large buildings

Another all-white family sitting in a church pew, a U.S. flag and text reading: "A dream worth fighting for"

Another white man standing before the Stars and Stripes, construction cranes and text reading: "Americans first"

Another white family, the American flag and text reading: "Restoring the American Dream! Through Project Firewall"

(Department of Labor)

The department posted numerous other images on X featuring men of similar appearances and people with an American flag. All the families in the above posters consisted of a man and a woman as the parents and a boy and girl as their children  the traditional nuclear family.

Origins of images

Some of the images appeared to be inspired by historic or nationalist posters. The one featuring a family and the words "Restoring the American dream" was an almost exact replica of a U.S. World War II poster that encouraged Americans to invest in U.S. savings bonds.

(Getty Images)

Another, featuring a family in front of a house, appeared to be taken from a vintage ad that numerous internet users have previously said showed a 1944 advertisement for a now-defunct company called Lee Rubber & Tire Corporation that appeared on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places. The original ad allegedly included the words, "These are fundamental." The DOL appeared to reference this origin in its X and Facebook posts featuring its image.

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The image of a family in a church pew was originally created by 20th-century American artist Harold N. Anderson, who died in 1973. He largely made illustrations showing romanticized visions of American life, including white individuals, animals and landscapes. One of his pieces showed a Black person in the subservient position of a maid.

One image, showing a group of people raising a U.S. flag, was taken from the June 1940 cover of The American Legion Magazine (a publication run by American Legion, a veterans organization) and was created by Edward Stevenson, who, according to the organization's The National Legionnaire newspaper in August 1942, began as art editor of the magazine in May 1940 (see the middle article, Page 2).

Comparisons to Nazi, white supremacist imagery

Some of the images were reminiscent of Nazi or white supremacist propaganda.

For example, two bore resemblance to posters from the Nazi era. They were also similar to a 2019 poster that an Illinois newspaper, Evanston Now, attributed to the American Identity Movement, a white nationalist movement involved in organizing the 2017 "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.

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Given the DOL had not responded to our queries at the time of publication, it was not possible to determine whether its creations were inspired by such imagery.

While the images were reminiscent of a range of propaganda posters across different periods of history, they consistently featured white people, promoted what many perceive as a traditional American family and carried similar traits to posters affiliated with Germany's Nazi propaganda, as well as contemporary propaganda tools.

What experts say

Experts have previously noted that such imagery is intended to dehumanize immigrants. The Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit organization that monitors hate groups, found similar imagery when analyzing recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement recruitment posters. The report noted that the Department of Homeland Security's preference for using white faces in its recruitment ads was part of the propaganda.

Lindsay Schubiner, a director at the Western States Center, a social justice group, told the SPLC:

They [DHS' social media posts] are not only intended to recruit staff but to normalize the dehumanization of immigrants. At the same time, bigotry and dehumanization wrapped in the American flag conditions Americans to accept the heightened horrors and blatant disregard of civil rights that ICE is inflicting upon our communities.

Both the DOL and ICE posters carried visual similarities and included a preference for white faces and heavy usage of the American flag. The DOL has not publicly confirmed its reasoning behind these aesthetics. The Trump administration's restrictive policies toward and condemnation (archived) of immigrants has been repeatedly documented.

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Snopes previously looked into whether Trump adviser Stephen Miller used Nazi-style propaganda during a speech in late September 2025 at a memorial service for the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Miller is widely considered the architect of Trump's immigration policies.

Sources:

'1944 Lee Rubber & Tire Corporation Family Home School Church Vintage Print Ad'. eBay, https://www.ebay.com/itm/396713226656. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

'American Identity Movement (AIM)'. Anti-Defamation League, https://www.adl.org/resources/hate-symbol/american-identity-movement-aim.

AMERICAN VALUES, GALLERY 03. https://www.fulltable.com/vts/a/am/aval/p.htm. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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Arc, David. 'The Morass of Being'. Medium, 21 May 2023, https://medium.com/@eleven11.hour/the-morass-of-being-9468759c0299.

Burn Rubber to the Conshohocken Historical Society | Historical Society of Pennsylvania. https://hsp.org/blogs/archival-adventures-in-small-repositories/burn-rubber-to-the-conshohocken-historical-society. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

"DHS Deploys White Nationalist, Anti-Immigrant Graphics to Recruit." Southern Poverty Law Center, 28 Aug. 2025, https://www.splcenter.org/resources/hatewatch/dhs-white-nationalist-anti-immigrant-social-media/. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

"Digitally Restored War Propaganda Poster. This Vintage World War Two..." Getty Images, 8 Oct. 2012, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/illustration/digitally-restored-war-propaganda-poster-royalty-free-illustration/153942131. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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'E. M. Stevenson Gets a Commission in the Navy'. The National Legionnaire [Indianapolis, Indiana], Vol. 8, Aug. 1942, https://archive.legion.org/_flysystem/fedora/2022-06/aa002297.pdf.

"Family at Church by Harold N. Anderson." Artnet. https://www.artnet.com/artists/harold-n-anderson/family-at-church-i6aBPsZdKxOsayFlim-Bbg2. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

"Family in Front of Eagle, Nazi Party Political Poster, Germany, 1936." Getty Images, 12 Apr. 2016, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/family-in-front-of-eagle-nazi-party-political-poster-news-photo/629452649. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

'HAROLD ANDERSON (American, 1894-1973). Family at Church.' Heritage Auctions, https://fineart.ha.com/itm/paintings/harold-anderson-american-1894-1973-family-at-churchoil-on-canvas29-x-23-insigned-lower/a/5066-78114.s.

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Hesson, Ted, et al. 'The White House Aide Driving Trump's Aggressive Immigration Agenda'. Reuters, 11 Jul. 2025. Government. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/white-house-aide-driving-trumps-aggressive-immigration-agenda-2025-07-11/.

Homefront Propaganda in Germany and the U.S.A. | American Experience | PBS. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/goebbels-gallery/. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Ibrahim, Nur. "Investigating Whether Stephen Miller's Speech at Charlie Kirk Memorial Included Nazi Subtext." Snopes, 25 Sep. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/09/25/stephen-miller-charlie-kirk-speech/. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Jeyaretnam, Miranda. "Trump Administration Launches H-1B Visa Probe 'Project Firewall.'" TIME, 23 Sep. 2025, https://time.com/7319558/h1b-visa-project-firewall-labor-department-probe-fee-immigration-trump/. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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'LINDSAY-SCHUBINER'. Western States Center, https://www.westernstatescenter.org/lindsayschubiner. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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Palma, Bethania. 'FACT CHECK: Counter-Demonstrators Didn't Have Permits in Charlottesville?' Snopes, 21 Aug. 2017, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/counter-demonstrators-permits-charlottesville/.

"Propaganda Poster Inviting Norwegians to Join the SS They Will Have..." Getty Images, 1 Apr. 2020, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/propaganda-poster-inviting-norwegians-to-join-the-ss-they-news-photo/1216140144. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

'Protecting The American People Against Invasion'. The White House, 21 Jan. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-the-american-people-against-invasion/.

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sallyedelstein. 'Ghosts of American Dreams Past'. Envisioning The American Dream, 29 Oct. 2014, https://envisioningtheamericandream.com/2014/10/29/ghosts-of-american-dreams-past/.

Smith, Bill. "White Nationalist Group Poster Spotted in Evanston." Evanston Now, 16 Aug. 2019, https://evanstonnow.com/white-nationalist-group-poster-spotted-in-evanston/. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Tait, Robert. 'The Rise of Stephen Miller, the Architect of Trump's Hardline Immigration Policy'. The Guardian, 15 Jun. 2025. US News. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/15/trump-immigration-stephen-miller-influence.

"Ten Harmful Trump Administration Immigration and Refugee Policies." Human Rights Watch, 20 Feb. 2025, https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/02/20/ten-harmful-trump-administration-immigration-and-refugee-policies. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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'The American Dream 1940s Advertisement - What Life Looked like 65 Years Ago | Vintage Advertisements, American Dream, Vintage Illustration'. Pinterest, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/the-american-dream-1940s-advertisement-what-life-looked-like-65-years-ago--497295983833342940/. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

"The New Nuclear Family." ASU News, 24 Sep. 2020, https://news.asu.edu/20200924-discoveries-new-nuclear-family. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

'The Rise of Stephen Miller'. BBC News. www.bbc.co.uk, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-42798525. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Trump, Donald. 'THE DEMOCRATS WANT TO GIVE YOUR HEALTHCARE MONEY TO ILLEGAL ALIENS AND OPEN OUR BORDERS TO THE CRIMINALS OF THE WORLD, A DEADLY COMBINATION BECAUSE EVERYBODY WILL COME!' Truth Social, 10 Feb. 2025, https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115304401783234720.

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'Trump on Immigration'. American Civil Liberties Union, https://www.aclu.org/trump-on-immigration. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

u/esdfa20. '"These are fundamental" (American magazine ad for Lee Rubber & Tire Corporation. Fortune magazine, August 1944. United States of America, 1944).' Reddit - r/PropagandaPosters, 3 Jan. 2023, https://www.reddit.com/r/PropagandaPosters/comments/11f3yqi/these_are_fundamental_american_magazine_ad_for/.

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"White Nationalist Group Identity Evropa Rebrands Following Private Chat Leaks, Launches 'American Identity Movement.'" Southern Poverty Law Center, 12 Mar. 2019, https://www.splcenter.org/resources/hatewatch/white-nationalist-group-identity-evropa-rebrands-following-private-chat-leaks-launches/. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

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A new report based on government inspection documents shows salmonella is widespread in U.S. grocery store chicken and turkey products. But because of how the pathogen is classified, the federal government has no authority to do much about it.

Farm Forward, an organization that advocates for farmworker rights and humane farm practices, released a report this week that examined five years of monthly U.S. Department of Agriculture inspections at major U.S. poultry plants. It found that at many plants, including those that process and sell poultry under brand names such as Foster Farms, Costco and Perdue, levels of salmonella routinely exceeded maximum standards set by the federal government.

"The USDA is knowingly allowing millions of packages of chicken contaminated with salmonella to be sold in stores from major brands," said Andrew deCoriolis, the organization's executive director.

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Some 1.3 million Americans are sickened each year by eating salmonella-contaminated food, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people have only mild symptoms, but others suffer diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Roughly 19,000 people are hospitalized annually, and an estimated 420 die from the infected food.

Chicken and turkey account for nearly a quarter of all salmonella infections, according to a 2021 government report on food illness.

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service inspects poultry plants monthly. The new report shows that five U.S. poultry plants exceeded maximum allowable salmonella contamination every month from 2020 to 2024. These included a Carthage, Mo., turkey plant owned by Butterball, a Dayton, Va., turkey plant owned by Cargill Meat Solutions, and a chicken plant located in Cunning, Ga., that is owned by Koch Foods. A Costco chicken producer, Lincoln Premium Poultry, exceeded the standard in 54 of 59 inspections.

Lincoln Premium Poultry treats the safety of its products as an utmost concern," Jessica Kolterman, the company's director of administration, said in an email. "When the United State Department of Agriculture reports are updated and published, they will show that we have enhanced our standing. ... We will continue to improve our processes.

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A spokesperson for Butterball said the company "takes food safety very seriously and follows all USDA and FSIS regulations and inspection protocols." The spokesperson said facilities are subject to rigorous, continuous oversight, and they are "constantly reviewing and improving our food safety programs to ensure we meet or exceed government standards."

Cargill, Perdue and Koch Foods did not reply to requests for comment. Foster Farms directed questions to the National Chicken Council, the industry's trade group.

"Consumers should not be concerned," said Tom Super, a spokesman for the chicken council. He said the report was "unscientific" and described Farm Forward as an "activist organization whose stated goal is to end commercial chicken farming."

Both Super and Bill Mattos, president of the California Poultry Federation, said poultry is safe when cooked to 160 degrees, and knives, cutting boards and other items that may have come into contact with raw meat are disinfected and cleaned.

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"All chicken is safe to eat when properly handled and cooked," said Mattos, noting that annually "Californians eat more chicken than any other state ... 110 pounds per person!"

The report also suggests that the federal government's standards for acceptable levels of salmonella are unduly high, and potentially put American poultry consumers at risk.

For ground chicken, the USDA allows 25% of samples at a plant to be contaminated. For ground turkey, 13.5%. Chicken parts should not exceed 15.4% of samples contaminated, while the number is 9.8% for whole chickens.

"I don't know, but seems common sense to me that if you allow for a lot of salmonella, a lot of people are going to get sick," said Bill Marler, an attorney with Marler Clark, a national food safety law firm.

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When inspectors visit a plant, they do not assess the meat's bacterial load, nor do they determine the strain of bacteria found on the product. They just test for the presence of the bacterium  it's either there or it's not.

According to Marler and Maurice Pitesky, a poultry science expert at UC Davis, there are hundreds of strains  or serotypes  of Salmonella. Most are considered harmless, but roughly 30 are known to be potentially lethal to people.

As a result, the USDA inspections don't give a clear picture about what's there, Pitesky said.

"When I hear something has salmonella, I'm like, 'OK, first question: I want to know its serotype. What kind of serotype is it?' Because that that's really the relevant piece of information," he said.

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When inspectors find a plant has exceeded the salmonella standard, there is very little they can do except note it. The agency has no authority to enforce the standards.

Marler said in the 1990s, after four children died and hundreds of people got sick eating ground beef contaminated with E. coli sold at Jack in the Box restaurants, the agency decided to classify the bacterium as an adulterant. That designation meant the USDA could stop the sale of contaminated products, or shut down a plant that failed inspections.

He said the beef industry initially pushed back, fearing it would lose money  which it did, at first.

He said the USDA started doing retail testing, "and for a while, it felt like there was a recall a week  you know ... 50, 100, a thousand pounds here, a million pounds there, even 10 million pounds." Eventually, however, companies started testing their products "and coming up with interventions to get rid of it. And you know what? The number of E. coli cases linked to hamburger plummeted."

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He said now he sees a case only once in a while.

"I kind of look at that and think, well, if you get salmonella out of chicken, you'll probably reduce those cases too," he said.

Pitesky said that salmonella is notoriously difficult to get rid of. It can be introduced to flocks from wild animals, such as birds, rats, mice and other wildlife. It's also found in the intestines of chickens, on their skin, feathers and feet, and it spreads among them when they poop, urinate and walk around in shared bedding, etc.

However, Marler thinks it can be controlled.

"Yeah, it's difficult," he said. "But you can do a lot of things. And this might piss people off, but you could eradicate flocks with salmonella. They do it in the EU all the freaking time."

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The European Union considers salmonella an adulterant, and require producers to reduce and control it via biosecurity, testing, vaccinations, recalls and occasionally depopulation.

"The fact is, if you make salmonella contamination expensive, if recalls exist and people feel embarrassed that they're producing food that is making people sick or killing them, they'll want to change their behavior," he said.



This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Police shut down part of a busy DeKalb County road after a crash caused power lines to fall on top of a school bus.

The crash happened Thursday on North Hairston Road at Aberdeen Lane.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

A DeKalb County Schools spokesperson told Channel 2 Action News that a passenger vehicle hit a power pole. The impact caused the lines to fall on top of the bus.

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No one was hurt, but two adults and one student had to stay on the bus until Georgia Power crews removed the lines.

The crash cleared before 8:20 a.m.

TRENDING STORIES
My unit has done five rounds. We have lost three guys - three were killed in an ambush last year. We have wounded. You should know that our company of 80 guys, the majority are now religious.

As tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Israelis flood the streets to protest a proposed law that would draft yeshiva students into the army, voices from across Israeli society reflect the depth of the divide  between those who see Torah study as a vital spiritual defense and those who believe national service is a moral and civic duty.

Two reservists, one Israeli-born and one who came to Israel to learn and serve with Hesder, a program that allows for both yeshiva studies and military service in conjunction, spoke with The Jerusalem Post about the issue.

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M., 35, who has served multiple combat tours, expressed anger and grief toward what he sees as an unfair burden borne by religious soldiers like himself.

Serving in the military and completing Yeshiva studies in Maale Adumim, he expressed a clear disconnect between scholars who completed service and the haredi population protesting.

I feel that it is unfair that our haredi brothers do not join us in arms, M. said.

My unit has done five rounds. We have lost three guys  three were killed in an ambush last year. We have [been] wounded. You should know that [in] our company of 80 guys, the majority are now religious.

Protests against haredi draft in Jerusalem, October 30, 2025. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

He stressed that observant Jews already serve in significant numbers. Its not like were all secular, he said. We have prayer, we have a minyan, we have all the things. And we are serving, and we are working, and we are fighting, and we are dying, he stated, adding  and they are not.

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The refusal of many haredim to serve, said M., has created resentment. Now, more than ever, I feel like they are parasites on our society, just taking and taking, he said.

They have the audacity to fight against us and against the world that weve created and the security that weve provided them.

He pointed out that many of those killed in recent conflicts were religious soldiers. The Dati Leumi  the Modern Orthodox  are the ones going in and becoming fighters, he said.

You look at the casualties of the past two years. So many religious soldiers were killed. Its me, my guys, my friends, people from my background.

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The toll, he said, is emotional as well as physical. Its troubling and frustrating to see them try to wiggle out of being a real brother, M. said.

I feel distant from them. I feel unloved by them. And it hurts  because weve done so much for them. Everyone whos fighting is doing it for all of us.

Current system unsustainable

A., 35, is a reservist who has logged hundreds of days of duty since October 7. He identifies as religious but not ultra-Orthodox, telling the Post that he holds deep love and respect for Torah study.

He believes that those who truly dedicate themselves to learning contribute not only to themselves but also to the people of Israel, especially those who continue studying even after marriage.

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However, he believes the current system is unsustainable and that change is necessary, he told the Post.

The haredi community doesnt seem to understand that the current situation cannot continue, he said. It cannot be that those who leave the yeshiva and do not study contribute nothing. I am strongly in favor of national service for those who dont study.

A. said that while full military service may not be feasible for all, national service should be mandatory for those outside full-time religious study.

Contributing to the country is part of being a member of the Israeli people, he added. This sense of separation from the rest of society is deeply problematic. Those who dont study should participate in at least minimal national service  thats where the process should start.

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A. expressed skepticism that legislation alone would resolve the issue, noting that the haredi community has historically been very skilled at circumventing draft quotas. Even if a law with enforcement were enacted, they would likely find ways around it, he told the Post, calling instead for broad social consensus.

While he said he had no particular sentiment toward the days protest, he supported dialogue between secular and ultra-Orthodox Israelis.

If I were available, I might join  not to provoke, but to engage in dialogue, he said. The goal would be to help them understand that we want them to be part of the Israeli people  and that being part of the people means contributing, not only through Torah study.

As haredim push against the draft bill and lawmakers in the Knesset, voices like G.s and M.s underscore the challenge ahead: bridging not just a policy gap, but a widening rift within Israeli society itself.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A new pre-security bar and lounge has opened at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority announced Thursday.

Satterfields Bar and Lounge is a 50-seat lounge that will operate from the late morning into the evening and will feature flatbreads, sandwiches and small plates. It will also include a cooler with local beers. It is the only pre-security food and drink option at the airport.

Satterfields captures the character of Buffalo and taps into the history of our airport, director of aviation Lee Weitz said in a statement. Weve been intentional in exploring ways to enhance the pre-security experience, and Satterfields offers travelers a welcoming space with genuine hometown flavor.

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The name of the bar and lounge honors airport founder John M. Satterfield. It was developed by Delaware North.

Latest Local News

***

Mark Ludwiczak joined the News 4 team in 2024. He is a veteran journalist with two decades of experience in Buffalo. You can follow him online at @marklud12.

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 News 4 Buffalo.
Content warning: This story contains descriptions of pregnancy loss, medical neglect, and abuse that some readers may find distressing.

When the countrys immigration process is engulfed in cruelty and chaos, what happens to the most vulnerable populations detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)? Its a question that a growing number of civil and human rights organizations are demanding ICE (now Americas highest-funded law enforcement agency) answer as news emerges of how many pregnant, postpartum, and nursing immigrants are in detention against existing federal policy.

Our interviews indicate that ICE has issued detainers, arrested, and taken pregnant individuals into custody, even after they have informed officers of their pregnancy, in violation of agency guidance, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, National Immigration Project, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Sanctuary of the South, and Sanctuary Now Abolition Project, write in a joint letter to ICE leadership.

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The groups are demanding ICE identify and release all pregnant women in custody and refrain from detaining anyone known to be pregnant, postpartum or nursing. They say that pregnant women have reported miscarrying or bleeding out while in detention. In their letter, they spotlight the stories of six women detained at ICE processing centers in Basile, Louisiana, and Lumpkin, Georgia.

Lucia (names changed to protect identity) was two months pregnant when ICE detained her at a regular check-in. When she started to bleed heavily later that evening, Lucia asked for medical attention but instead was taken to a room with no food, water, or pain medication. Thats where she bled alone for several hours. When she was finally taken to the emergency room, Lucia stayed shackled while actively losing her pregnancy. By the time she got to the hospital, she needed a blood transfusion from the miscarriage.

The ACLU also tells us the story of Marie, who developed eclampsia, a life-threatening condition, after being released from detention. Marie experienced complications with her delivery and says that she continues to suffer from postpartum depression related to her detention trauma.

These are the accounts of just two pregnant women in detention  can you imagine the reports of horror we dont know?

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The stories that are represented in this letter are just the tip of the iceberg, Eunice Cho, senior counsel at the American Civil Liberties Unions National Prison Project, said to NBC News. You have women who are talking about being shackled and restrained while theyre actively miscarrying; you have women begging and pleading for things as basic as prenatal vitamins and being denied. Cho said that the groups heard multiple stories of women losing their pregnancies in detention and not getting proper medical care. Those stories, I think, really are some of the most chilling stories Ive heard about detention.

While you may not have been aware, this isnt a new issue. Immigration advocates and political leaders have been sounding the alarm about pregnant women in detention throughout the year. In July, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoffs office launched an investigation into human rights abuses in immigration detention that found 14 reports of mistreatment of pregnant women. It goes on to say that reported or confirmed events to date include deaths in custody, physical and sexual abuse, mistreatment of pregnant women, mistreatment of children, inadequate medical care, overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions, inadequate food or water, exposure to extreme temperatures, denial of access to attorneys, and family separations.

ICE refuted these allegations: Pregnant women receive regular prenatal visits, mental health services, nutritional support, and accommodations aligned with community standards of care. Detention of pregnant women is rare and has elevated oversight and review. No pregnant woman has been forced to sleep on the floor. Assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin also weighed in. Senator Ossoffs false allegations of subprime conditions have been debunked time and time again by DHS, she said. ICE detention facilities have higher standards than most U.S. prisons that detain American citizens. All detainees are provided with comprehensive medical care, proper meals, and are given the opportunity to call their family members and attorneys.

Regardless of the conditions theyre kept in, pregnant people arent even allowed to be detained in most cases. In response to the first Trump administrations immigration policies, the Biden administration ordered ICE not to detain pregnant, postpartum, or nursing people except in exceptional circumstances. According to the 19th News, those who are detained are supposed to be held in facilities suited to appropriate health care, ICE-employed medical professionals are supposed to provide weekly updates on those detainees to relevant agency directors, and the ICE Health Service Corps is supposed to keep consistent records of all pregnant, postpartum and nursing detainees, providing monthly updates to the organizations leadership.

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The investigations and reports coming out of these facilities paint a very different picture, even though Trump has not officially ended Bidens policy.

This issue demonstrates how for these women of color, immigration, gender, and reproductive justice all intersect.

While ICE assures that pregnant immigrants are getting adequate care, medical professionals warn that general detention center conditions themselves can increase the risk of complications for birthing people, not to mention the stress of limited food, on top of arrest and separation from their families.

The exact number of pregnant detainees is not known. Advocates warn that the Trump Administration has not released the data of pregnant detainees even though ICE Health Service Corps is supposed to keep consistent records of all pregnant, postpartum and nursing detainees, providing monthly updates to the organizations leadership. Experts tell the 19th News that quantifying the exact number of pregnant, postpartum, or nursing immigrants in custody has become impossible. Advocates told NBC News that as detention surges across the country, theyve seen a spike in the number of pregnant women in detention facilities.

We are talking about women and children, and women with children. Its a compounded experience of additional misery and suffering. You are completely unprotected.

This issue demonstrates how for these women of color, immigration, gender, and reproductive justice all intersect. It reveals how peoples lives are indeed shaped by their identities, race, and socio-economic factors. It all comes together to create a type of oppression that is connected and compounded. In the case of pregnant detainees, we are not only speaking about women and children, who are often the most vulnerable. We are talking about women and children, and women with children. Its a compounded experience of additional misery and suffering. You are completely unprotected.

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But as the countrys ongoing crackdown on immigration continues to intensify, the stories of pregnant women in detention are likely only to increase unless we keep up the pressure and demand otherwise. Pregnant detainees represent not only the dehumanization of the current generation of immigrants, but also the future ones they are carrying.

The post Pregnant, Postpartum, and Detained: How ICEs Practices Fail the Most Vulnerable appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
(WHTM)  Hersheys candy will be front and center at the White Houses annual Halloween event.

According to The Office of the First Lady, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will be handing out full-size Hersheys chocolate bars to children at the White House on Thursday night.

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Twizzlers, another Hersheys product, are also among the candy being given out in Halloween boxes featuring the Presidential Seal and the signatures of the President and First Lady. Candy being handed out at the event is being provided by the National Confectioners Association.

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Children participating include those from military families, law enforcement families, foster and adoptive families, and Administration officials with children.

Hersheys candy has been a staple of White House Halloween events in recent years. In 2017, the president handed out boxes of candy that included Hersheys Kisses.

On Thursday, The Hershey Company released its Q3 earnings and stated that tariffs implemented by the president will cost the company $160-170 million.

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.
After a pause of more than three decades, President Donald Trump has instructed the U.S. military to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately.

The directive from the Commander-in-Chief came just minutes before he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The announcement was delivered on Truth Social while the President was aboard Marine One, en route to a trade negotiation session in Busan, South Korea.

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, wrote the President on October 29.

Following the meeting, Trump stated that testing was necessary to ensure the United States maintained its pace with rival powers.

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With others doing testing, I think its appropriate that we do also, said the President, per Reuters.

Trump said that nuclear test sites would be determined later.

When asked whether the world was entering a riskier period with respect to nuclear weapons, the President dismissed the risk, saying that American stockpiles were well locked up.

Id like to see a denuclearisation because we have so many and Russias second and Chinas third and China will catch up within four or five years, Trump added. We are actually talking to Russia about that and China would be added to that if we do something.

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In just the past five years, China has rapidly expanded its nuclear arsenal, more than doubling it to an estimated 600 nuclear weapons this year, up from 300 in 2020, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The announcement from the President also comes on the heels of Moscow announcing what it claims was a successful test of a nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable cruise missile and a nuclear-powered torpedo.
During his multi-nation visit, Trump secured billions of dollars in new investments, announced the end of a regional conflict, signed multiple trade and minerals agreements, and held a historic meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The meeting with Xi defined the tone of his week-long diplomatic tour.

Before leaving South Korea, Trump bid farewell to South Korean officials and expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality extended during his stay.

His departure followed days of back-to-back engagements that underscored Washington''s efforts to strengthen alliances and advance US economic interests in the Indo-Pacific region.

The White House, in a post on social media shortly before takeoff, said, "POTUS boards Air Force One and prepares for the long journey home after a remarkable trip to Asia. This week, the President secured billions in new investment, ended a war, inked multiple trade and minerals deals, met with President Xi, and more. He never stops working for the United States."

Trump''s meeting with Chinese President Xi in Busan was widely viewed as the highlight of his visit.

It served as a crucial opportunity for the leaders of the world''s two largest economies to ease months of tension over tariffs, technology controls, and rare-earth exports.

The discussions took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Busan, a key port city located around 76 kilometres south of Gyeongju, the main venue of the summit.

As the talks concluded, Trump and Xi were seen shaking hands, signalling a thaw in strained relations and closing a week of high-stakes diplomacy that defined his Asia tour. (ANI)
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trump said he reached an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping on soybean purchases, fentanyl precursors, and rare earth exports, paving the way for a finalized trade deal to be signed "pretty soon" that he said would last for at least a year and result in an immediate reduction in tariffs.

China will immediately begin purchasing "tremendous amounts" of soybeans and other agricultural products from the United States, the president told reporters flying with him on Air Force One.

A deal, Trump said, was also reached to keep China's proposed export controls on rare earth minerals from taking effect. "That roadblock is gone now. There's no roadblock at all on rare earth," he explained.

US President Donald Trump (C) poses for a group photo with (from L - R) Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto, and Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone before the 13th ASEAN - United States Summit during the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks as he presides over the signing of a Cambodia-Thailand peace deal at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on October 26, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Trump is in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, and will next travel to Japan, en route to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. President Donald Trump looks on as Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (C) and Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul hold up signed documents during a ceremonial signing of a ceasefire agreement on the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct.26, 2025. A Royal Malaysian Air Force F-18 Hornet fighter jet escorts Air Force One with U.S. President Donald Trump aboard en route to Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Oct. 26, 2025 in Malaysia. Trump is in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, and will next travel to Japan, en route to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. President Donald Trump walks with Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (centre R) as he walks from Air Force One upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on Oct. 26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on October 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump holds the US and Malaysian national flags at a welcome ceremony upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on Oct. 26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on October 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump waves from his official vehicle known as "The Beast" as he departs from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang to attend the ASEAN summit on Oct.26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on October 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump joins performers for a dance during the welcome ceremony next to Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (L) as he arrives on Air Force One at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on Oct. 26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on Oct. 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump welcomes Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani (L) and Prime Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani (3rd-L) aboard Air Force One during a refueling stop at Al-Udeid Air Base on Oct. 25, 2025 in Abu Nakhlah, Qatar. 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). Also pictured is U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (3rd-R), White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles (2nd-R), and Special Assistant to the President Margo Martin (R). President Trump visits Asia. See the biggest moments from his trip 1 of 9 US President Donald Trump (C) poses for a group photo with (from L - R) Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto, and Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone before the 13th ASEAN - United States Summit during the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, 2025.

"We have not too many major stumbling blocks," Trump said of a formal trade agreement. "We have a deal. Now, every year, we'll renegotiate the deal. But I think the deal will go on for a long time. Long beyond the year, we'll negotiate at the end of a year."

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The agreement in principle was reached after Trump met with Xi for one hour and forty minutes at a South Korean summit, where they were expected to resolve differences on soybeans, critical minerals, and fentanyl, as well as discuss Russia's war in Ukraine.

Xi said both sides had reached a consensus to resolve "major trade issues," according to a readout of his remarks published on state media Xinhua News Agency.

Xi said the agreement amounted to a "reassuring pill" for both countries' economies. "China and the United States can jointly demonstrate the responsibility befitting of major powers, working together to accomplish more significant, practical and beneficial undertakings for both nations and for the world."

Trump and Xi emerged from their meeting at Gimhae Air Base with a smile. As they stepped out, the two leaders shook hands, with Trump leaning to whisper something to Xi. They did not address the press as each made their way into their respective cars. The president offered details on the meeting to reporters while he flew back to Washington.

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Xi agreed to work "very hard" on curbing fentanyl precursors, Trump said after their meeting. "I think you're going to see some real action taken."

As a result, Trump said he would immediately halve a fentanyl-related tariff that had been at 20%. It will be immediately reduced to 10%. A variety of other tariffs are still in place, leaving the rate at 45-47% on certain Chinese imports.

Trump said he would be visiting China in April, and Xi would visit him in the United States at some point afterwards.

"I think it was a very friendly meeting. It was a good meeting for two very large, powerful countries. That's the way we should get along with a large powerful country," Trump said.

'Normal for the two leading countries to have frictions now and then'

China is the world's second largest economy and one the United States' top trading partners. The nations have been locked in a tit-for-tat trade battle since early February, when Trump hiked tariffs on Beijing over fentanyl trafficking.

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In the latest round of threats, Trump said he would impose a 100% tariff on imports from China in response to the country's boycott of American soybeans and restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals used to make defense equipment, smartphones and electric vehicles. After their meeting in South Korea, the president said both were off.

Trade negotiatiors for the two countries announced a framework for a possible agreement over the weekend that the Trump administration suggested would address hot button issues.

Xi said at the start of his meeting with Trump that the talks created the conditions for the leaders to meet in South Korea.

"I always believed that China's development goes hand-in-hand with your vision to make America great again. Our two countries are fully able to help each other succeed and prosper together," Xi said. "Over the years I have stated in public many times that China and the United States should be partners and friends. This is what history has taught us and what reality demands."

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Relations between the two countries have remained "stable on the whole" since the start of Trump's second term, the Chinese leader said, without mentioning the trade war.

"Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading countries to have frictions now and then," Xi said through a translator.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping after a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International in Busan, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2025.

Trump, XI relationship

The last time the leaders saw each other prior to the South Korean summit was in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid spread of the of the virus upended the global economy and derailed relations between the two nations.

The relationship later suffered another setback in 2023 when a Chinese spy balloon was detected over American airspace. Former President Joe Biden and Xi met multiple times, including in November 2024, after Trump's victory in the presidential election.

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Trump and Xi have spoken by phone three times this year. Xi said they'd also exchanged letters.

In South Korea, Trump said that Xi had been a friend of his "for a long time" and hailed his counterpart as "distinguished and respected."

"President Xi is a great leader of a great country, and I think we're going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time," Trump said at the start of their talks.

"You care a lot about world peace, and you're very enthusiastic about settling various regional hotspot issues," Xi told Trump, later complimenting the U.S. leader on his "great contribution" to the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Xi was less laudatory of Trump's involvement in other conflicts, saying he "provided input" in the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. It is among the eight conflicts Trump says he's resolved.

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"The world today is confronted with many tough problems. China and the U.S. can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world," Xi said.

Left unmentioned: North Korea's illicit missile tests, Chinese aggression towards Taiwan and Russia's invasion and occupation of eastern Ukraine. In September, Xi appeared alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladmir Putin at a military parade in Beijing.

Trump told reporters later that Taiwan did not come up during his conversation with Xi  but they had an extensive discussion about Ukraine. "He's going to help us, and we're going to work together on Ukraine," Trump said. "There's not a lot more we can do."

And while the president had previously signaled interest in meeting with Kim while he was in Asia, he told reporters as he flew home that he ultimately did not have time.

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"I was so busy," he said. "I think it would have been, maybe disrespectful to the importance of this meeting if we did that. So, I'd come back, with respect to Kim Jong Un. I'd come back."

Contributing: Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump says he reached a deal with China on soybeans and rare earths
Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) took CNNs Eric Burnett by surprise by telling her that the Trump administration has largely kept a key congressional committee out of the loop regarding U.S. boat bombings in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have boasted about the ongoing U.S. military strikes on vessels in international waters that they claim are crewed by narcoterrorists who are trafficking drugs from Venezuela and Colombia. The administration has provided no evidence for its claims, which, even if true, would be extremely dubious legal grounds for bombing the vessels. At least 57 people, mostly Venezuelans and Colombians, have been killed in the strikes. The president has even suggested the U.S. may bomb Venezuela.

Trump has signaled a desire to see regime change in Venezuela, going back to at least 2019.

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On Wednesdays OutFront, Burnett asked Turner about an upcoming meeting of the House Armed Services Committee, on which Turner serves.

I know you support that mission, she said. Obviously, the president has also talked about land strikes. Theres been a lot of speculation about what this administration could do. You have supported, so far, the mission on the boats. I dont want to take it further than that, because I dont know if you agree with more than that. But what are the specific questions youre gonna ask them?

Well, I think first off, I dont think anybody has openly and publicly stated a full support of what the administration is doing because no one has [received] a full presentation yet from the administration of what theyre doing to support it, Turner replied. I think what people have said

By the way, Burnett interjected. Can I just say thats a pretty scary thing for you to say, considering that youre on that committee.

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Right, Turner agreed. What I have said and what I think the American public supports is that the administrations statement that the drug trade has to be impacted is important, and it threatens the lives of the American public. And I think that certainly is important. I dont think that Congress has received the information that it needs to. And I do think that there are serious concerns as to both the legal construct as to what the administration is doing, and there needs to be more information thats provided to Congress. And I think both the logistics and the intelligence information needs to be shared more, more broadly.

Watch above via CNN.

The post Thats a Pretty Scary Thing for You To Say: Erin Burnett Disturbed When GOP Rep. Says Trump Admin. Keeping Congress in the Dark on Boat Bombings first appeared on Mediaite.
The thieves who stole Frances crown jewels have been told they will receive lighter sentences if they hand themselves in and return the stolen goods.

The plea from Laure Beccuau, the Paris prosecutor, came after the arrest of a prime suspect and four other people thought to be involved in the robbery.

The jewels, priceless to France but with a monetary value of 88m (77m), have not been found 10 days after a daring daylight raid on the worlds most visited museum.

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In an interview with RTL radio on Thursday, Ms Beccuau sought to encourage those in possession of the treasures to surrender them.

Obviously, the court will take into account the fact that no harm was done in this burglary, she said. Co-operation in the investigation will obviously be taken into account in determining the sentence, she stated more explicitly.

The five suspects were arrested on Wednesday evening in various locations in the centre of Paris and the citys metropolitan area.

One of them was one of the targets of the investigators; we have DNA evidence linking him to the theft. He is one of the suspects we had in our sights, Ms Beccuau added.

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As for the other individuals [arrested], they may be able to provide us with information about how the burglary unfolded, she said.

However, she said the searches did not enable us to recover the stolen goods from this burglary.

Like any investigation, this investigation is like a breadcrumb trail, said Ms Beccuau, adding: My role is not to be worried [about the fate of the jewellery] but to be determined.

Two other male suspects, aged 34 and 39, who were arrested over the weekend, were charged on Wednesday with organised theft and criminal conspiracy to commit a crime and placed in pre-trial detention.

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They partially admitted to the facts and were suspected of being the individuals who entered the Galerie dApollon to steal the jewellery, the prosecutor said.

Reda Ghilaci and David Bocobza, the lawyers for the 34-year-old suspect, insisted on the need for the utmost respect for the secrecy of the investigation and the inquiry in this case.

The only comment we can give you this evening is that there is a huge gap between the extraordinary nature of this case and the completely ordinary personality of our client, they told reporters.

According to Le Parisien, the main suspect who was arrested on Wednesday is one of the two motorcyclists who were present during the robbery.

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The French newspaper said the man had been identified and placed under surveillance before his arrest. It was through identifying him that the police could arrest the four other suspects.

Credit: Social Media

Regarding the two suspects charged on Wednesday, Ms Beccuau told RTL that they admitted that they were involved in the burglary.

The prosecutor specified that the five new arrests were not linked to the statements made by the first two suspects, whom she said were not viewed to be at the top end of the organised crime spectrum, given their criminal records.

She added: At this stage, there is no evidence to suggest that the criminals had any accomplices within the museum.

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However, we cannot rule out the possibility of a much larger group than the four criminals identified by surveillance cameras, she said.

On Wednesday, Ms Beccuau also expressed regret that the stolen jewellery was not yet in our possession.

I want to remain hopeful that it will be found and returned to the Louvre Museum and, more broadly, to the nation, she told the press.

She said the stolen gems were obviously unsellable and anyone who bought them would be guilty of receiving stolen goods. There is still time to hand them in.

b'

'

The thieves dropped a diamond and emerald-studded crown as they escaped, and police found a high-vis yellow vest several minutes away by scooter that they believed belonged to one of the culprits.

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The burglars made off with eight other items of jewellery. Among them were an emerald and diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave Empress Marie-Louise, his wife, and a diadem that once belonged to the Empress Eugenie, which is dotted with nearly 2,000 diamonds.

The theft has triggered a debate in France over the security of cultural institutions. Less than 24 hours after the high-profile break-in, a museum in eastern France reported the theft of gold and silver coins after finding a smashed display case.

Laurence des Cars, the director of the Louvre, admitted last week that security cameras did not adequately cover the thieves point of entry. But she defended a multi-million-euro plan to increase security at the museum.

On Wednesday, a senatorial commission of inquiry into the thefts led to criticism of the Louvre for failing to bolster security.

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Patrice Faure, the new police chief of Paris, upbraided the museum for an administrative breach of duty by failing to ask for its security cameras to be modernised. Some are still analogue.

Agnes Evren, a Right-wing Republicans senator, admitted to being appalled and very saddened by this obsolescence.

The commission revealed that 278 museums in France have no CCTV whatsoever.

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(NewsNation)  King Charles desperately tried to get Prince Andrew to move out of Royal Lodge and disappear from public life altogether, but Andrew continued dragging his feet in hopes of scoring a major pile of cold, hard cash.

Despite the hardball negotiations, Andrew has been banished from the Royal Lodge and his royal titles taken away.

In a statement Thursday, Buckingham Palace confirmed King Charles would strip Andrew of his remaining titles and evict him from his royal residence.

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Meghan and Prince Harry snubbed by A-listers

Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence, the palace said. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation.

It is unknown if Andrew received any financial compensation. Andrew was looking for some sort of financial compensation  despite paying one peppercorn in rent for the 30-room mansion on the grounds of Windsor Castle  as he has no income or savings.

Prince Andrew was looking for cash to leave Royal Lodge: Source

Allies of Prince Andrew told The Royalist  which is written by my good friend and royal spy, Tom Sykes  that the only way Prince Andrew would leave Royal Lodge is if hes paid fairly, in the region of a couple of million, for the unexpired 50 years remaining on his lease.

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An old friend of Andrews told The Royalist: Andrew is quite prepared to leave Royal Lodge if he is treated fairly and compensated for what remains of the lease. His children would have inherited the lease, which was always the understanding, so Andrew will want fair compensation to make things right for them.

Asked if there was a number Andrew had in mind, the source said, I think a couple of million would go a long way.

Get fact-based, unbiased news coverage 24/7 with the NewsNation app. Download it here.

The duke prepaid 8.5 million (approximately $10.9 million) for a 75-year lease on the property, effectively purchasing a lifetime tenancy at the bargain rate of around 113,000 ($145,000) per year. In commercial terms, that is ludicrously cheap: A 30-room mansion on 90 acres in Windsor Great Park could easily exceed 1 million ($1.27 million) a year in rent.

WINDSOR, ENGLAND  OCTOBER 21: Activists from the anti-monarchy group Republic, stage a protest at the entrance to Windsor Great Park and Royal Lodge where Prince Andrew lives on October 21, 2025 in Windsor, England. In a statement Prince Andrew confirmed that he will no longer use his royal titles or honours following continued accusations relating to his links to Jeffrey Epstein. (Photo by Peter Nicholls/Getty Images) WINDSOR, ENGLAND  OCTOBER 25: The entrance gates and gatehouse to Royal Lodge are seen in Windsor Great Park on October 25, 2025 in Windsor, England. Prince Andrew has come under increased scrutiny this week, following the release of Virginia Giuffres posthumous memoir Nobodys Girl, within which the prince is accused of sexual abuse. He is now facing calls to end his tenancy at the 30-room Royal Lodge after details of his peppercorn lease agreement with the Crown Estate were reported in a British newspaper. (Photo by Peter Nicholls/Getty Images) LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM  SEPTEMBER 16: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince William, Prince of Wales attend Katharine, Duchess of Kents Requiem Mass service at Westminster Cathedral on September 16, 2025 in London, England. Katharine, Duchess of Kent was married to Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II. She died on September 4 at the age of 92 at Kensington Palace surrounded by her family. Having converted to Catholicism in 1994, her funeral takes place at Westminster Cathedral and is the first Catholic funeral to be held for a member of the royal family in modern British history. Her Royal Highness will be laid to rest at the Royal Burial Ground at Frogmore, Windsor. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images) Melania Trump, Prince Andrew, Gwendolyn Beck and Jeffrey Epstein at a party at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, February 12, 2000. (Photo by Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)

Were he to have surrendered his lease without new terms, Andrew would receive only about 557,000 ($708,000) in compensation. Its hardly enough to tempt him out of one of Britains grandest private homes, when, over the next half-century, he and his heirs stand to enjoy accommodation worth upwards of 50 million ($63 million) on the open market for no further outlay aside from maintenance costs.

Payment could stop Prince Andrew from doing tell-alls like Prince Harry

The payment would also help Andrew not give interviews or write a tell-all like Prince Harrys embarrassing memoir, Spare.

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Bruce Willis doesnt know he has dementia, wife says its a blessing

Charles ham-handed handling of the Andrew Problem put the ball of power firmly in Prince Williams court  and William was said to be mulling not only stripping Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie of their titles but eventually taking away Harry and Meghan (and their childrens) titles as well. As of Thursday afternoon, Beatirce and Eugenie still hold their titles.

As one insider told me, If youre not a working royal, you dont get a title.

Public pressure on Andrew and Sarah has intensified after it emerged they havent paid rent for two decades, Sykes wrote, adding, However, public anger is rapidly refocusing on the kings disastrous management of the affair.

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This could give William even more power.

Welcome to The Scoop  the ultimate back-to-the-office water cooler cheat sheet, your go-to source for all things everyone really wants to know! Get the latest on everything from the political swamp maneuvering in D.C. and Hollywood drama to jaw-dropping small-town shenanigans from Paula Froelich. Subscribe to her newsletter 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 NewsNation.
Today, Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles has begun the formal process to remove his brother Prince Andrews titles and he will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. In the statement, the Palace also revealed that Andrew will be moving out of Royal Lodge.

His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence, reads the statement. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.

Town & Country understands that Andrew will move to a property on King Charless private Sandringham estate, and any future accommodation will be privately funded by the King. Sandringham was purchased as a country home for Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, in 1862, and has remained a private royal estate in the decades since.

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Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson will move out of Royal Lodge as soon as possible, but Ferguson will move into her own accommodations which have yet to be specified.

Andrews lease on Royal Lodgefor which he paid a peppercorn rent, a phrase used to signify that rent technically exists to make the lease valid but in actuality means no money is paidwas meant to last through 2078. It was previously reported that the the Crown Estate would need to pay him around 558,000 (approximately $747,000) if he gave up the lease. Those funds, T&C understands, are a matter for the Crown Estate. The Crown Estate is a collection of lands and holdings belonging to the British monarch, though it is not King Charless private property nor does he make decisions about its assets. It is possible that remedial works that will need to be carried out on the Royal Lodge will impact any compensation that is due to Andrew.

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King Charles III has officially initiated the removal of all royal titles from his brother, Prince Andrew. The unprecedented move comes after Andrew has been under continued scrutiny for his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew, son of Queen Elizabeth, will no longer be known as a prince or His Royal Highness among other titles. Instead, he will be Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

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His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew, Buckingham Palace said in the statement. Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. He will also be evicted from his home at Royal Lodge in Windsor and will be moved to a private residence.

These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him, the palace continued. Their majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.

Andrew himself gave up his title as Duke of York earlier this month. He issued a statement just before the posthumous publication of Virginia Giuffres memoir. Giuffre was one of Epsteins most prominent accusers and also filed a high-profile sexual assault lawsuit against Andrew, which was settled in 2022. Andrew has long denied Gifufres allegations, and he reiterated this in his statement renouncing his title.

In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family, Andrew said at the time. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.

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Andrew stepped back from his public royal role in 2019 after he discussed his relationship with Epstein in a BBC interview. Giuffres memoir further detailed her allegations against Epstein, Andrew, and Ghislaine Maxwell, and was written before she committed suicide in April. In her book, she wrote that Andrew believed having sex with me was his birthright and had arranged three meetings with her through Epstein, beginning when she was 17.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill (WTVO)  Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is asking the Trump administration to pause federal enforcement operations during Halloween weekend.

In the letter addressed to the Secretary of State Kristi Noem, Immigration Director Todd M. Lyons, and Commissioner of Customs Rodney S. Scott, Pritzker asked for the suspension of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations starting Friday, October 31st, to Sunday, November 2nd, in and around homes, schools, hospitals, parks, and places of worship.

According to Pritzker, this request comes after federal agents interrupted a childrens Halloween parade and deployed tear gas without warning.

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Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear. No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick-or-treating in their own neighborhood.

My request is based on a desire to protect communities throughout Chicago, Governor Pritzker wrote.

The Department of Homeland Security said Monday that it had removed over 527,000 undocumented migrants from the U.S. since President Donald Trump took office in February, and added that more than 1.6 million noncitizens have voluntarily self-deported.

Greg Bovino, who is leading Border Patrol efforts in Chicago, was ordered this week by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis to brief her every evening about the operations. But an appeals court blocked the order before he was scheduled to appear on Wednesday while it considers an appeal from the Justice Department.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Professor Steve Haines, who has died aged 73, was a naval officer who became a powerful advocate of human rights on land and at sea, as well as a much-loved teacher.

Steven William Haines was born on May 27 1952 in Northampton and attended Longslade Upper School, Birstall. His first job was as a DJ at the Greek Plough in East Goscote before he joined Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth in 1971 as seaman officer on the supplementary (short-service) list.

His first significant seagoing appointment came in the early 1970s when he was second-in-command of the patrol vessel Cygnet employed on Northern Ireland maritime counter-terrorism operations, after which he became head of naval operations with the Northern Ireland Security Forces (1979-81). Ten years later he would again patrol the coast of Northern Ireland.

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But Hainess intellectual curiosity about his profession was piqued when he read a thesis on the rule of law at sea, written at Kings College London in 1972 by the future Rear-Admiral JR Hill. This stimulated a deep and abiding interest in the influence of law on the roles and functions of navies and the conduct of operations at sea.

Haines in 1973: he rose to become head of naval operations with the Northern Ireland Security Forces

At the end of his short-service commission he took a place at Aberdeen University to read international relations with international law and jurisprudence, graduating with first class honours in 1985. He stayed from 1986 to 1993 to complete a doctorate in the legal conduct of military operations.

While at Aberdeen, he retained his naval interests by joining the Royal Naval Reserve and specialising in mine warfare. Resuming his naval career he served for three years (1988-91) in the Fishery Protection Squadron, policing the UKs Extended Fisheries Zone and gaining expert knowledge in European and UK fisheries law.

Haines rejoined the Navy full-time, and in the early 1990s he served on the staff of Flag Officer Sea Training and at the School of Maritime Operations. On promotion to commander, he was a student at the staff college at Greenwich before working in the MoD.

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There, he was desk officer for the covert, trilateral Russia/UK/US naval talks which did much to bring the Cold War at sea to a peaceful end. After the Blair governments Strategic Defence Review in 1997-98, he was lead author of the second edition of the Navys British Maritime Doctrine.

Haines: mischievous, provocative and fun, he stood out for his independence of mind and spirit

After an appointment to the newly created Joint Doctrine and Concepts Centre at Shrivenham in Oxfordshire, in 2001 Haines became a temporary fellow at St Antonys College, Oxford (an appointment in the gift of the Navy). There, his analysis of the legal issues of relevance to the development of military doctrine included field trips to Kosovo and Sierra Leone. This nourished his contribution to The Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict (OUP, 2004), the first tri-service, official publication on the subject.

Mischievous, provocative and fun, Haines stood out for his independence of mind and spirit. He was never a slave to petty ambition, and realising that his chances of command at sea were slim, in 2003 he resigned to become head of the department of Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway College, London.

There, he resolved an annual 250,000 deficit by restructuring and recruiting new staff, laying the foundation for the department to become one of the leaders of its field in the UK. In 2004 he initiated the Colleges Magna Carta lecture series, which opened with a talk by the Lord Chief Justice.

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In 2008 he was recruited by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. For four years he commuted across the border from France, where he was then living, to teach about the legal aspects of military operations and international humanitarian law, designed courses on contemporary conflicts and weapons.

Returning home, Haines found his metier as a teacher at the school of law at the University of Greenwich, where he proved to be an outstanding academic whose scholarship was informed by his seamanship. He was generous with his time and support for younger colleagues, and inspired a generation of undergraduates and postgraduates.

Haines teaching in 2024: he proved to be an outstanding academic whose scholarship was informed by his seamanship

He became legal and military adviser to the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, co-author of the UNs Safe Schools Declaration, and chairman of the Save the Children Internationals Civil-Military Engagement Advisory Board (2018-22).

In 2014 he helped to establish Human Rights at Sea, an NGO focussed on protecting the human rights of seafarers, particularly those in vulnerable situations, such as irregular migrants and those unwittingly trapped as slaves on board vessels engaged in illegal activities.

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His tweed suits, polished brogues and impeccable manners were offset by a deep, infectious chuckle, a twinkle in his eye, and ready, witty comment. He soon won friends and was elected to the universitys academic council, and chaired the faculty of liberal arts and sciences research degrees committee. Beyond the bounds of the university, he inspired the development of the Geneva Declaration on Human Rights at Sea.

His fierce pride in the Navy and his passion for the sea, and those with it in their blood, were what drove Haines. He was the epitome of integrity, principle, humanity and commitment, a charming individual who was always interested in others views  which, of course, he loved to debate.

He married first, in 1996, Eve Jagusiewicz, the daughter of a Free Pole naval officer who had settled in England rather than return to Poland after the Second World War. They divorced in 2002, and in 2010 he married a Russian, Victoria Yanushevskaya.

Professor Steven Haines, born May 27 1952, died September 10 2025

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Against the Machine: On the Unmaking of Humanity, by Paul Kingsnorth, Thesis, 368 pages, $32

Since about 1970, infant mortality in the United States has decreased by roughly 75 percent. The United Kingdom has seen a similarly striking decrease. Globally, infant mortality is dramatically lower now than in the early 1970s.

Those are dull percentagesstatistics, not individuals. But over time, they represent millions of babies, children, and eventually adult human lives that would not have existed if prior rates of infant mortality had held. You may know some of these people yourself. Depending on the circumstances of your birth, you may be one. Our modern world is full of them.

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And that's just the last five and a half decades. In the century prior to the 1970s, the total decline was even larger. A newborn's survival went from a gamble to something closer to a certainty. In postwar America, the decline in infant mortality was so significant that it may have been partly responsible for the baby boom. Yes, there are still too many children who don't make it to their first birthday. But the number is practically infinitesimal compared with the norm prior to the industrial revolution.

Or consider global nutrition. In 1970, about a third of people in developing countries were undernourished. Today, that figure is a little less than nine percent. Yes, there are still too many people who struggle with undernourishmentand global hunger has ticked up slightly since 2015. But there are far, far fewer people struggling to feed themselves today than there were five and a half decades ago.

What happened? Improvements in public health and sanitation, the increasing availability of antibiotics, and changes in medical practice and technology, including specialized neonatal intensive care units that keep especially vulnerable newborns alive. Hunger has been reduced by better scientific advances in seeds and fertilizer, by improved irrigation practices, by advances in global trade that make it easier to move food from one part of the world to another.

What happened, in a word, was progress. And that is exactly what Paul Kingsnorth is against.

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Kingsnorth says this explicitly in his new book, Against the Machine. One of his concluding chapters is titled "Against Progress." Earlier in the book, he responds dismissively to a lengthy quote from Jeff Bezos, who anticipates a time when a trillion human beings will populate not only the Earth but the solar system.

The Bezos quote is the only time the book mentions infant mortality, but Kingsnorth has nothing to say about that. Instead, he responds to a separate part of Bezos' argument: that more people will mean more talent, more genius, more Mozarts. Kingsnorth reacts with a smirk and a shrug. He questions the idea "that a trillion people is more 'interesting' than seven billion." Bezos, he writes, "doesn't say what we would do with all these extra Mozarts. Do we need that much classical music?" Kingsnorth's vision of human flourishing apparently doesn't include all that many humans, or much flourishing.

Kingsnorth argues for unpacking the "unquestioned assumptions" in visions like the one Bezos presents. Kingsnorth's assumptions are worth laying out too. He began his public life as a radical environmentalist. When he was younger, he practiced Wiccan rituals and protested globalization and free trade, which he still opposes. He's now a Christian, but he retains a wholly mystical view of the natural world and an instinctive skepticism of nearly any tool or practice that alters its character or rhythmswhich, given his response to Bezos, seems to include people. The book is subtitled On the Unmaking of Humanity, but it sometimes seems as if it is Kingsnorth who would like to unmake humanity.

Kingsnorth pitches his book as a pro-human manifesto, a rallying cry for those lost in a soulless technological dystopia to realign culture, politics, and daily life in a way more closely attuned to human history and human nature. Much of it is focused on technology, particularly television, the internet, and screens of all kinds. But it's really a manifesto against the idea of progress itself.

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Late in the book, in a chapter titled "What Progress Wants," he writes that "we have been divorced from our traditional ways of understanding and navigating the world"; he goes on to say that while he has made "economic and political claim[s]," he is really making a "spiritual claim."

On the contrary, while Kingsnorth sometimes touches on politics and economics, he barely makes any substantive arguments to back up his ideas. His gestalt is almost entirely spiritual. Across 300-odd pages, there are precious few facts, figures, statistics, studies, or numbers. He rejects the idea that such trivialities have any value at all: He grumbles about "the numbers-obsessed rationalism that underlies this new, corporate-friendly green technocracy" and admits that those who share his worldview "have no five-point plan of our own, and we can't peer-review our intuition, so our complaints don't convince anybody who matters." Nearly any time he mentions data or measurement, it is with disdain.

Instead of measurement, Kingsnorth has intuition, senses, feelings, and belief without evidence. Something is deeply wrong with modernity. He can't prove it. He just knows. This feeling is not just what motivates his arguments; it is his argument.

Early in the book, he presents his case as an elaboration of a widely shared sense that something is profoundly amiss with modernity. "You can feel the great craters that it makes in the world," he writes. "You can feel what is being tarmacked and neatened and rationalised into oblivion, and the depth of what is leaving, but you cannot explain or justify it in the terms which are now the terms we live by. You just know that something is wrong. Everybody tells you that you feel this because you are infected with something called 'nostalgia', or that you picked up a dose of 'Luddism' or 'Romanticism' at a party or in a doctor's waiting room. Basically, there is something wrong with you. You don't understand Progress, which is always and everywhere a Good Thing. But you can feel something going on that is not a good thing, and it doesn't matter how many lies, damned lies or statistics are produced to prove otherwise. You can feel this something enveloping you."

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This is what all the degrowthers, declinists, and tech-pessimists have in common: an intuition, a feeling, a tingling, tantalizing, spiritual sense that something has gone wrongand precious little solid evidence to back it up. That something is tied to trade, technology, and the great evil they see as progress. They just know it is wrong. And they hope that, by poetically declaring as much, they can convince you of the same.

It is hard to argue with this sort of thing, because there is not really anything to argue with. Kingsnorth has his feelings and his intuitions, none of which I share. I have numbers, studies, and measurements that reflect real facts about the physical world. He says he does not care about numbers or studies or measurements. Where does an argument, let alone a conversation, go from here?

Throughout the book, Kingsnorth complains that champions of progress and modernity evade argument by relying entirely on unexamined assumptions. Kingsnorth prefers to evade argument by insisting that anything that departs from his intuition simply must be wrong.

At times, Kingsnorth comes close to understanding the limitations of his intuitions. He has a strong belief in the connection between people in places, and he calls himself a nationalist. But he allows that governments of nations have not done much to promote his agenda, and in fact have thwarted it. As the book progresses, he devotes increasing energy to arguing against being governed at allthough this does not make him any more sympathetic to free trade.

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His muddled intuition on the question of nationalismthat nations are good but governments are noteventually give way to an approving quotation of the anarchist philosopher Pierre-Joseph Proudhon's comment that "to be GOVERNED is to be watched, inspected, spied upon, directed, law-driven, numbered, regulated, enrolled, indoctrinated, preached at, controlled, checked, estimated, valued, censured, commanded, by creatures who have neither the right nor the wisdom nor the virtue to do so."

"Nothing," writes Kingsnorth, "has the reach of the modern state." This skepticism of state power is an intuition I actually do share. But I wouldn't expect to convince those who don't by simply insisting that we can all feel it.

Kingsnorth is a capable, often elegant, writer. And he probably does speak for a widely shared, if considerably less intense and specific, sense that modernity has gone off the rails, that technology has overtaken minds, that culture has become stupid and shallow, and that politics has become uglier as a result. But the fact is that in his lifetime, human suffering has been reduced, and the material living standards of vast swaths of the world have indeed improved. Progress is, in fact, good, whether or not you can feel it.

PETER SUDERMAN is features editor at Reason.

The post Progress Is Good, Actually appeared first on Reason.com.
US Vice President JD Vance has yet again defended President Donald Trump''s reforms to the H-1B visa programme, arguing that the current system is being misused to undercut American workers'' wages by importing talent at discounted rates. Speaking at the Turning Point USA Event in Mississippi on Wednesday, Vance said the administration''s push for H-1B reform was aimed at ensuring fairness for US workers and restoring the visa''s original purpose--to retain top global talent, not replace domestic labour with cheaper alternatives. "Legal immigration is complicated because we let in about a million legal immigrants into the United States of America every single year. And the evidence is pretty clear that a lot of those immigrants are actually undercutting the wages of American workers," Vance said. "It''s one of the reasons why the President of the United States and a lot of us in the administration have encouraged H-1B reform," he added. Explaining the intent behind the programme, Vance said, "If you look at the H-1B visa, what it''s supposed to be is that you have a super genius who''s studying at an American university and who''s working at a great company. You want that super genius to stay in the United States of America and not go somewhere else. What it''s actually used to do is hire an accountant at a 50 per cent discount for an American citizen. I don''t think that we should be hiring accountants from foreign countries when we''ve got accountants right here in the United States that would love to work for a good wage." Vance''s comments come amid escalating debate over the proclamation that will trigger a major overhaul of the H-1B visa petition, signed by Trump in September. According to the proclamation, there will now be a USD 100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications, a sharp increase from the previous level of about USD 1,500. According to the US State Department, the new fee requirement applies only to individuals or companies filing new H-1B petitions or entering the H-1B lottery after September 21. Current visa holders and petitions submitted before that date remain unaffected. Under the proclamation, a USD 100,000 payment must accompany every new H-1B visa petition filed after the deadline, including those submitted for entries in the 2026 lottery. The Vice President also underscored the administration''s broader goal of reducing overall immigration numbers, saying that the current volume of legal and illegal entrants was unsustainable. "There are people who want to come to the United States of America, and some of them I''m sure can enrich the United States of America by coming here, but we have got to get our overall numbers way down. Too many people have come into the United States of America," he said. During the same event, Vance was asked a personal question about his interfaith household and whether he hopes his wife, Usha Vance, who is Hindu, will convert to Christianity, to which the US VP replied, "Yeah, I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way." "But if she doesn''t, then God says everybody has free will, and so that doesn''t cause a problem for me. That''s something you work out with your friends, with your family, with the person that you love," he added. (ANI)
Valley voters are now casting their ballots in California's special election.

"From what I've seen, it can change how things go per party," Clovis voter Alex said.

Proposition 50 would temporarily redistrict the state, allowing partisan lawmakers to draw the lines instead of an independent commission.

RELATED: CA Election: Everything you need to know about Prop 50

Congressional boundaries would shift everywhere, giving Democrats an upper hand in next year's midterm elections.

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In the Central Valley, which is home to a third of the state's Republicans in Congress, the City of Clovis would go from one congressional district to three near the corner of Gettysburg and Sunnyside avenues.

The Clovis City Council has voted to formally oppose the change.

"You can't look at this from just a local perspective," Lonny Johnson with the Fresno County Democratic Party told Action News.

He believes the state's hand was forced after President Trump called on Texas lawmakers to add Republican seats there.

"We have to have a seat at the table, and we cannot continue to be marginalized by the Trump administration," Johnson said. "The only way we can do that is to put a check on the Trump administration, and that's what Prop 50 is about."

RELATED: DOJ prepares to send election monitors to California following requests from state GOPs

In Clovis, Mayor Pro Tem Diane Pearce says Prop 50 would wreak havoc on the city. She authored the council resolution against the ballot measure.

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"We're going to be split into three districts, and that is the quintessential example of diluting the voice of the voters in Clovis," Pearce said.

With the proposed lines splitting one neighborhood into three districts, Pearce fears residents' voices could be lost.

"When they have other areas in their district that have a heavier percentage of voters, it just dilutes our voice and our ability to bring our issues forward," Pearce said.

But Johnson views it differently.

"If you have three of them, that means you're going to have three congressmen or congresswomen who are going to advocate for you," he said. "If they want to get re-elected, they're going to be responsible to our needs."

For news updates, follow Gabe Ferris on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Proposition 50 could give Democrats in the southern Central Valley the boost they need to finally oust Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, for good.

But in oil-rich and water-poor Kern County, where big industries align with Republicans and many working-class Latinos stay out of politics to preserve their livelihoods, local Democrats acknowledge it will be an uphill climb  even with an advantage from the political gerrymander that California voters are being asked to approve in a Nov. 4 special election  to unseat the six-term congressman and defend the battleground seat moving forward.

Valadao has been really strong in this district, Noe Garcia, a regional leader with the California Democratic Party, said in the Bakersfield offices of a domestic workers union where he organizes local efforts in support of Prop. 50.

U.S. Rep. David Valadao, R-Hanford, speaks during a 2023 Mexican Independence Day celebration at Fresno City College.

If it passes, the 22nd Congressional District will swing a few points more blue by removing some of Tulare and Kings Counties. But the work still stays the same, he said.

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Democrats see Prop. 50 as a chance to secure the 22nd and 13th Congressional Districts, neighboring Latino-majority swing districts that span Californias agricultural heartland in the Central Valley and where political parties spend millions every election cycle.

Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed the new congressional map to oust five Republican members of Congress, including Valadao, under new lines that favor Democrats in order to counteract similar measures in Texas and other red states.

Theres just one hitch: Even if the congressional redraw passes, Californias 13th and 22nd districts would remain quite competitive.

In some ways, Newsom is putting the outcome of Prop. 50  his most high-profile fight yet with President Trump  on voters in a region where hes not that popular, even among members of his own party.

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Gavin Newsom is a very polarizing figure in Kern County, which voted overwhelmingly to recall him in 2021, Garcia said. Even amongst the Democrats here, they dont see him as the solution.

Noe Garcia, a California Democratic Party regional director, speaks to a group of voters at a Vision y Compromiso meeting about Proposition 50 in Bakersfield earlier this month. This district is still majority Democrat. But what we see is amongst the culture of Latinos is still a very conservative culture, either because of faith or their country of origin. They grew up in a more conservative manner.

The ballot proposition is Newsoms counterpunch to Texas and other Republican states that have initiated mid-decade redistricting at Trumps urging to help the GOP maintain control of the House after the 2026 midterms. To get around Californias constitutional requirement that legislative and congressional lines get drawn by an independent commission every 10 years, the governor shepherded the ballot proposition through the legislature and in front of voters for a stamp of approval.

The proposition is expected to pass; campaigns opposing Prop. 50 have run out of money in the crucial days leading up to the vote, rendering them unable to mount the large-scale ad campaign needed to turn out voters against the measure.

Prop. 50 Voter Guide: What to know about Californias redistricting measure

Would Prop. 50 do enough to help Central Valley Dems?

On paper, Prop. 50 would be a game changer for Democrats running in a handful of swing districts in the San Joaquin Valley, south of Sacramento.

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It would be a boon for Rep. Josh Harder, D-Tracy, who would see the Democratic registration advantage in his 9th Congressional District double from 11 to 22 points as his district sheds the rural outskirts of Stockton to pick up Antioch in bluer Contra Costa County.

Rep. Adam Grays 13th district includes Lathrop  just south of Stockton  and part of Modesto, as well as all of Merced County and rural portions of Madera, Fresno and Stanislaus counties on the western side of the San Joaquin Valley.

U.S. Rep. Adam Gray, D-Merced, speaks during a swearing-in ceremony at the Merced County Courthouse Museum in January.

The 22nd District is anchored by most of Bakersfield to the south. It also includes Delano, Corcoran near Tulare Lake, and part of Hanford, where Valadao lives.

Under Prop. 50 the two Latino-majority battleground districts currently represented by Gray, D-Merced, and Valadao would increase to 16-point Democratic advantages.

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But voter registration numbers dont tell the full story of Central Valley politics, where voters reward elected officials who work across the aisle to deliver results and resources, and where moderate Democrats elected in this region are sometimes referred to as Valleycrats.

Its a Democrat that oftentimes supports oil, supports agriculture, supports more water coming to the Central Valley, said Christian Romo, chair of the Kern County Democratic Party. I take pride in saying Valleycrat because its someone whos able to negotiate with the other side. I think now more than ever, people are asking for that. We need to find middle ground.

A view of the Kern River Oil Field from Panorama Park in Bakersfield earlier this month.

Even with the Democratic advantage, voters in Grays potential new district would have picked Kamala Harris over Trump by just half a percentage point last year. And Newsom would not have broken 50% in his 2022 reelection bid.

Under Prop. 50, Grays district would maintain many of the agricultural lands that produce milk, almonds, rice and other crops near the northern end of the San Joaquin Valley. But the measure would lop off miles of farmland near Fresno in exchange for an arm reaching into Stockton to capture more Democratic voters.

Gray won his 2024 election in the 13th District by just 187 votes, making it the closest congressional race in the country last year. Before Gray, the district was represented by John Duarte, a Modesto Republican who is not planning to run again.

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What is important in the Central Valley is that you work with everyone, said Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, a Democrat who served two terms on the Fresno City Council before winning an open seat representing the 27th Assembly District by two points in 2022. Last year she soundly won reelection after securing $57 million for Madera Countys only hospital, which reopened earlier this year after shuttering in early 2023.

Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, D-Fresno, speaks about Proposition 50 in Merced earlier this month. What is important in the Central Valley is that you work with everyone," she said.

No matter what happens with Prop. 50, Democratic candidates have the advantage of campaigning against Republican-led cuts to Medicaid, which provides health insurance to most residents in these Central Valley districts, said political strategist Mike Madrid, who focuses on Latino voters.

Valadao lost in 2018 under very similar circumstances to what were looking at right now. The GOP was consumed and obsessed with ICE raids, crackdowns on immigration, he said. The likelihood of that happening is very, very good heading into the midterms under the new lines or the old lines.

Madrid predicts the long term trajectory of Central Valley Latinos is more swinginess and more rejection of the party in power. Thats trouble for whoever is a sitting member of Congress in any given year.

Why didnt Democrats draw a more favorable map?

While they made no secret about their goal of partisan gerrymandering, California lawmakers made it a priority to follow certain criteria in the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits rules and procedures that discriminate against voters of color.

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In redistricting terms, this means that based on Californias population, the state should have 16 Latino-majority congressional districts. There are also influence districts in places where large blocs of Asian, Black and Latino voters  while they dont constitute a majority  are kept together to ensure their mutual interests can be represented.

Prop. 50 supporters tout that the redrawn maps would not decrease voting influence among Californias communities of color. According to an analysis by the Public Policy Institute of California, the proposed map would actually create an additional Latino influence district in Southern California, currently held by Rep. Darrell Issa, another target of the Democratic gerrymander.

Before and after: How the proposed congressional districts compare

Sources: California Assembly, California Citizens Redistricting Commission. Map: NATHANIEL LEVINE

Paul Mitchell, the political cartographer and redistricting expert who worked with Democrats to draw the map Californians are currently voting on, said there was a way to make the districts currently held by Gray and Valadao more favorable to Democratic victories. But doing so would have required crafting those districts to include coastal population centers like Salinas and Monterey.

They would have been stronger Democratic seats but would ensure the power center would be out of Central Valley, Mitchell said. Is that how we want to get more Dems elected? By decimating the Central Valley and ensuring these people dont have representative leadership?

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Instead, Democratic lawmakers chose to keep the 13th and 22nd districts situated in the Valley, under lines that would shift only a few points in their favor.

Prop. 50 opponents point out the measure would decimate representative leadership in the north state. The proposed lines would place the northernmost reaches of Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfas rural district into one with ultra-liberal Marin County.

Whats in a district? Rural Californians react to Democratic gerrymandering play

Modoc and Marin dont belong in the same district, nor do San Jose and Coalinga, said Shannon Douglass, president of the California Farm Bureau.

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Coalinga, a town in Fresno County that sits near a major oil field, is currently represented by Gray but would move to the district held by Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose.

Breanne Vandenberg, executive director of the Merced County Farm Bureau, raised a similar concern about farmers in Grays district.

Breanne Vandenberg, executive director of the Merced County Farm Bureau, stands in an almond orchard near Merced on Oct. 21. Our board has elected to oppose Prop. 50 because it creates issues for rural residents and our community in representation," she said.

Were comparing the areas of Le Grand, Planada, Santa Nella  small farming communities  to Stockton, which creates vast differences from our viewpoint, she said in a Merced almond orchard.

Vandenberg praised Gray as someone who has engaged with and delivered for farmers during his time in Congress and the state Legislature. But she worried that adding urban constituents into the 13th District could pull Grays time and attention away from his rural ones.

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My Planada folks were flooded in 2023 and are still trying to recover from that, she said. Are farmworkers in Planada going to be taken care of when you have whatever Stockton has going on, too?

Will Prop. 50 end Valadaos winning streak?

The two battleground districts are linked by freeways on either side of the valley. Farmland and massive processing plants for dairy, nuts and produce line the roads between Merced and Bakersfield, the heart of each district. Box trucks parked on freeway-adjacent properties are plastered with signs urging No on 50 and blaming Newsom for wasting precious water by letting it flow into the ocean.

Like Gray, Valadao would be drawn into a district with a 16-point Democratic registration advantage. While it sounds insurmountable for a Republican, the current district already has a 13-point Democratic advantage and has repeatedly reelected Valadao.

They already packed plenty of Democrats into the seat and hes been winning, said Cathy Abernathy, a Republican consultant based in Bakersfield.

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While Prop. 50 would make it harder for Valadao to win, hes a strong candidate. The issues are good for him right now, she said.

Democrats have spent millions of dollars trying to unseat him but  with one exception in 2018  Valadao has defied the odds by winning in a majority-Latino district where Democratic voters outnumber Republicans.

Republican consultant Cathy Abernathy stands outside the party headquarters in Bakersfield earlier this month. As the Republican Party, we are going to focus very hard on David Valadao. He does great, particularly when Trump is on the ballot," she said.

Valadao, a dairy farmer from Hanford, tends to perform better during presidential election years when Trump is on the ballot, Abernathy said. He wont have that advantage in 2026.

Democrats here hope Prop. 50 could finally be the turning point to oust Valadao for good  but they acknowledge it may still be an uphill climb in an area where conservative family values dominate and major employers generally support Republicans.

Kern County Democrats have struggled to break through

Since the mid-1990s, when Republicans including then-Gov. Pete Wilson backed Prop. 187, which tried to block undocumented immigrants from accessing public schools and other services, Latino voters in California have reliably supported Democrats  except in Kern County, where Latino voters make up a majority of the population but Republicans have dominated in elections.

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Newsom is widely reviled here for cutting back on oil drilling and not prioritizing new reservoirs to store water for thirsty farms.

Residents walk above the Kern River Oil Field on their evening walk in Panorama Park in Bakersfield earlier this month.

Even many Democratic and independent voters are ambivalent about the governor, who is now openly teasing a 2028 run for president.

With working class families, hes not always our number one candidate, said Romo with the Kern County Democratic Party. Obviously, we support him dearly here in Kern County as the Democrats. But sometimes it gets a little difficult when we have him attack our industries like (agriculture) and oil.

Here, where powerful industry leaders tend to align with Republicans, Latino organizers say political engagement is low and that it can be taboo to openly support Democratic causes and candidates.

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Folks have been very afraid of being too partisan, said Garcia, the Democratic organizer. The 25-year-old was born in Bakersfield to parents who emigrated from Mexico. If youre too pro-Democrat, that can affect your business.

Misinformation is rampant on farm and oil job sites, said Hortencia Cabral, a local school board member and president of the Democratic Women of Kern. She believes influential industry leaders spread propaganda in Latino communities to discourage people from voting.

Hortencia Cabral, a school board member and president of the Democratic Women of Kern, holds a flyer that says "Stop Trump from rigging elections" as she speaks about Proposition 50 to a group of voters at a community meeting on Oct. 22 in Bakersfield.

They hire walkers to leave negative flyers at every Democratic household. Families see it and probably become discouraged. They think both sides are the same, she said. Lots of people arent confident enough, or they dont have time or energy to research.

And it works, she said with a sigh. Many Spanish-speaking households dont vote.

The Democratic organizers worry that fears of immigration raids could affect Latino turnout for the special election and next years midterms. Garcia said there was a noticeable drop in Latino attendance at the most recent No Kings protest in Bakersfield compared to the first one in June.

The community is very much aware that anyone can be stopped for being brown. Folks are scared of opening the doors, even to canvassers, he said. We have to continue finding them where theyre at.

Cabral, Garcia and other Latino Democrats are trying to strengthen relationships between their party and less politically active Latinos, who in Kern County are often migrants themselves or children of immigrants.

On a recent weekday morning, they met with about a dozen promotoras  Hispanic community leaders, usually women, who help people navigate systems to access health care and other services  to make the case for Prop. 50 and answer questions.

They want to be informed because theyre being asked about Prop. 50 right now, said Nataly Santamaria, who works for Vision y Compromiso, a nonprofit that helps support promotora networks across California and part of Mexico.

In Spanish, the women asked questions: How the measure would affect their communities, how redistricting typically works, and whether any other states are also redrawing political lines.

Garcia and Cabral told them Prop. 50 is an emergency proposition which, if it passes, could help stop immigration raids and deeper cuts to Medicaid. They also noted that while other states are engaging in redistricting, California is the only place where voters must give permission.

Noe Garcia, a California Democratic Party regional director, speaks to a group of voters at a Vision y Compromiso meeting about Proposition 50 on Oct. 22 in Bakersfield. Garcia said that many Latinos oppose abortion and feel aligned with the Republican Party on the issue, but Democrats need to better communicate their support for many programs that the Latino community relies on  including SNAP, EBT, and funding for schools and financial aid for college.

While their messaging generally shied away from partisan overtones, Garcia eventually noted that Valadao recently voted to cut Medicaid. That was something the promotoras had heard about. Disappointed murmurs followed the mention of Valadaos name.

People dont like that, Santamaria said. They know that he voted, after he vowed to vote against Medicaid cuts. He still went ahead and did it.

But she couldnt say whether it would change anyones vote on Valadao.

I at least hope that they will look into his voting record, she said. What he has supported or not supported, and see if it aligns with their values.
Gov. Ron DeSantis push to eliminate local property taxes is looming as a kind of political capstone as the Republican leader moves into his final year as Floridas chief executive.

Hes called the tax-cutting idea the Big Kahuna.

And DeSantis plan to ask voters to erase property taxes, at least on homesteaded primary residences, would certainly change the state.

Maybe not for the better, though, critics say.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis looks to dramatically cut property taxes as he approaches his final year as chief executive. But he may also may be looking to exert more control over local governments.

Higher home prices, fewer city and county services, and state government gaining enhanced authority over the purse strings and policies of Floridas hometowns is a likely product, according to those analyzing the approach.

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The governor and the Legislature are only showing you one side of the ledger: Cut taxes and youll pay less, said George Kruse, a Manatee County commissioner and Republican. Sure, that sounds good. Its free ice cream. But what are you giving up?

Not the least of the items lost  or at least changed  is the ability of local governments to give residents what they want, Kruse said.

Could small, rural counties become 'wards of the state?'

One of DeSantis more dramatic ideas would be to cover all the revenue lost in the states 32 fiscally constrained counties with state taxpayer money. These small and rural counties rely heavily on property tax money to provide services, which would be endangered by tax-cutting the governor envisions.

Instead, DeSantis envisions these 32 counties  almost one-third of Floridas 67 counties  coming to Tallahassee each year to lobby and receive state revenue from the Legislature.

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DeSantis downplays the total amount needed  likely less than $250 million  as mere budget dust. But Kruse said such a relationship would turn these counties into wards of the state.

The governor and the Republican-controlled Legislature in recent years have enacted scores of so-called preemption measures that limit local governments ability to tax and spend; promote diversity, equity and inclusion; or even ban single-use plastics.

Theyve prevented cities and counties from enacting restrictions on rent hikes and safety protections for those working outdoors in Floridas summer heat.

A new effort has effectively blocked new planning regulations  helping the development industry flourish but also representing the largest incursion into local home rule authority in Floridas modern history, according to one of two lawsuits filed against the law.

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Still, the property tax overhaul looks like the biggest swipe of all at the power of cities and counties.

While DeSantis has offered few specifics on his tax-cutting plan, his talk of wiping out property taxes on residences with a homestead exemption could eliminate 35% of the $55 billion local governments took in last year through the levy.

Tax collections have been climbing, fueling call for change

To be sure, tax collections have been going up. According to Florida TaxWatch, the total is double what was collected in 2014. And its 46% higher than the amount taken in statewide just four years ago.

Thats powered the governors arguments that local governments are getting fat while Floridians struggle to make ends meet.

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If youre a Florida resident and you have a primary residence here  you ought to be able to own that free and clear of the government, DeSantis has said.

All about property taxes... What do property taxes pay for in Florida? Why DeSantis, lawmakers want to lower them

House begins work... Florida House dives deep as property tax overhaul begins in earnest

Beware of DOGE... Florida DOGE tour serves up fiery rhetoric for CFO, but few specifics

DeSantis already has ridiculed eight property-tax cutting ideas that the Florida House laid out for consideration when the 2026 Legislature begins in January. Hes called the lineup of choices just political theater, even though they include a range of reductions, eliminations and bigger tax exemptions.

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The term-limited governor, who leaves office in January 2027, is insistent: I dont think these legislators will be able to leave town without giving you an ability to vote yourself some meaningful relief, he said.

Property taxes are the fuel for local government services, by far the biggest being public safety spending. But a portion of these revenues also finance parks, libraries, cultural and social programs, environmental efforts and a host of policy initiatives that sometimes run afoul of Floridas Republican-dominated government.

For example, a property tax overhaul will create doomsday scenarios for the city of Tallahassee, the state capital, officials there say. Tallahassee Mayor John E. Dailey told lawmakers at a recent Leon County legislative delegation meeting that moves to reduce or eliminate property taxes will wipe out parks and recreation.

DOGE campaign may give glimpse of what's to come

Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia has been coursing the state to condemn spending decisions in mostly Democratic-leaning communities.

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The campaign  modeled after the federal Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, effort once led by billionaire Elon Musk under President Trump  claims to have found $1.1 billion in alleged wasteful spending across eight local governments in Florida.

Ingoglia is simply relying on a mathematical formula  comparing population growth with spending growth  to draw his conclusions.

But his attacks have focused primarily on city and county spending on diversity programs, LGBTQ Pride events, Planned Parenthood support and other items that appeal to a Republican voting base easily antagonized by cultural flashpoints.

Such programs would clearly face more obstacles to funding if local budgets are stretched and the state plays a larger role in steering replacement dollars to communities.

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DeSantis also hints at a bigger state role in funding local governments. Hes spoken about where money could be found outside property taxes.

Republican DeSantis sounds ready to 'redistribute wealth'

We have an ability as a state with tourism and other things, with snowbirds and all this, to be able for our local governments to have the adequate amount of revenue, he said.

But making cities and counties more reliant on state government comes with a catch, analysts warn.

You could wind up with cities and counties either being in a situation where they comply with whats going on in Tallahassee, or they risk losing money for critical services, said Shelton Weeks, who directs the Lucas Institute for Real Estate Development & Finance at Florida Gulf Coast University.

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This could make things more politicized, he said. For me, personally, I think things are political enough.

Jared Walczak, vice president of state projects at the Tax Foundation, a non-partisan tax policy nonprofit, said Florida could be embarking on fundamental changes to the balance of government.

Currently, if taxpayers want a higher level of service, they can vote for the people that will bring that about. Or if they want more efficiencies or lower taxes, they can do that, Walczak said.

But if the state provides financing for small and rural counties, and larger locations find their spending limited, the political balance shifts, Walczak pointed out.

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When the state controls the purse, flexibility is gone, he said. And with the state controlling what localities can do, that can come with strings attached to it over time.

John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on X at @JKennedyReport.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: DeSantis' property tax change could further limit cities, counties
There is a new proposed law to help protect New York City residents from abusive landlords, and repeat offenders could even face felony charges.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg joined state lawmakers on Thursday to announce a bill that aims to create tougher penalties for systemic harassment of rent-regulated tenants.

Of all the relationships in the big city, the ones between landlords and their tenants could be the most contentious.

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Pat Loughman has seen it all in a half-century at her building, and as Tenant Association president, she believes the landlord of her Upper West Side building routinely harasses rent-stabilized seniors like herself to get them out and replace them with tenants at market rent.

On Thursday, Bragg announced a plan to sharpen the teeth of criminal law when it comes to unscrupulous landlords.

"This reflects the reality of what we're seeing on the ground of how tenant harassment is happening," Bragg said. "Not just one isolated building but across multiple buildings in multiple neighborhoods."

It's part of a new bill working its way through Albany, which gives prosecutors more options to target landlords - many of whom harass tenants in multiple buildings.

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Previously, that would have meant separate and weaker cases.

It turns out Loughman's landlord was recently indicted by Bragg for alleged harassment in a building in Chelsea.

"Same landlord, same bad action," Loughman said.

With more than a million rent-stabilized apartments across the city, prosecutors hope that this bill, if passed, will serve as the deterrent they need to help protect tenants from future harassment by their landlords.

If you'd like to file a complaint against your landlord, contact the Manhattan DA's Housing and Tenant Protection Unit at 212-335-3300 or email Danyhousing@dany.nyc.gov.

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Earlier this month, the FBIs National Threat Operations Center received a tip: A TikTok user said he wanted Attorney General Pam Bondi dead or alive  but preferably dead.

The social media post was accompanied by a photo of Bondi with a sniper scope red dot on her forehead, according to court documents. The tip was described to the FBI as a murder-for-hire. A poster was offering a $45,000 reward.

A week later and with the help of TikTok, Google and Comcast  the parent company of MSNBC  the FBI arrested 29-year-old Tyler Avalos of Minnesota, who allegedly identifies as an anarchist. The Justice Departments Oct. 16 complaint charges Avalos with creating an online post containing a threat to injure, a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

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Avalos was released from federal detention last week on multiple conditions. Among other limits, he must comply with GPS monitoring, obey a curfew, refrain from any alcohol use, cooperate with a mental health assessment and relinquish any firearms. He is also prohibited from possessing or using any computer or other online device without the express permission of federal probation and pretrial services officials.

Avalos also has a multistate criminal history, including convictions for stalking, domestic battery and domestic assault between 2016 and 2022.

Nine days after receiving the tip about Avalos TikTok about Bondi, the FBI said it received another tip: An upstate New York man had sent text messages allegedly threatening to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. I cannot allow this terrorist to live, one message read, according to the criminal complaint. Even if I am hated I must eliminate him. I will kill him for the future.

The next day, Christopher Moynihan was arrested by New York State police and charged with making a terroristic threat, a state crime that carries a penalty of between two to seven years behind bars. The case is being handled by the Dutchess County District Attorney, though it is unclear how and why the FBI tip was transmitted to state authorities.

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Moynihan is a convicted Jan. 6 rioter who was sentenced to 21 months in prison. He served 12 months before he was released pending an appeal. He was later pardoned by President Donald Trump, who himself was the target of two assassination attempts, following other threats and attacks on political figures  including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose husband became the unintended victim.

In connection with Moynihans recent arrest, a town court issued an order prohibiting Moynihan from owning or possessing any firearms at least through May 2026, and granting law enforcement the right to search him and his home. Nevertheless, he was released from state custody after posting bail last week.

Court documents also reflect that a town judge imposed no other conditions on Moynihans release, instead finding he qualified for the least restrictive kind and degree of control or restriction necessary to reasonably assure the defendants return to court on Nov. 6.

Each of these threats directed at prominent officials in their respective political parties has been handled differently  and with meaningful disparities in the potential sentences they may face. Its not a requirement that the DOJ investigate, much less prosecute, all cases involving threats against federal officials, but when looking at the cases here, I wondered: Why wouldnt it?

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One possibility, as suggested by former federal prosecutor Mike Romano, is that Justice Department lawyers no longer feel secure charging those who, like Moynihan, were convicted and then pardoned of Jan. 6-related crimes, even when accused of unrelated crimes.

Just this week, MSNBCs Ken Dilanian reported that two DOJ prosecutors were put on leave after requesting a 27-month sentence for a pardoned Jan. 6 offender. That man was convicted earlier this year on charges that involved him taking illegal guns and many rounds of ammunition near the home of former President Barack Obama, whose address Trump had shared on social media.

Yet, there are multiple reasons the DOJ would want to take the lead.

First, given that Jeffries is a federal official, one might think federal law enforcement has a unique interest in prosecuting the threat and deterring other similar crimes. Federal law specifically prohibits threatening to murder a federal official with the intent to intimidate or interfere with their duties  or with the intent to retaliate against them for the past performance of their job. And a violation of that federal statute carries as many as 10 years in prison, plus a fine.

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Second, the threat against Jeffries  while made by text to an unknown person, not directly to Jeffries or over social media  was direct, specific and, in light of additional information, credible. The anonymous person who reported the Jeffries threat to the FBI also, according to court filings, said they were concerned over [Moynihans] increased narcotic abuse and homicidal ideations. State authorities also flagged  in requesting the emergency protective order  that someone in Moynihans household appears on the state assault weapons registry and owns an AK47, thereby giving Moynihan access to a deadly weapon.

Third, the threat occurred against the backdrop of a rapidly escalating threat environment for political figures writ large and members of Congress in particular. According to the U.S. Capitol Police, in 2024 alone, there were more than 9,400 threats against Members of Congress, more than double the rate from 2017. As a result, the Capitol Police in January 2024 hired its own lawyers to work with the DOJ ahead of the election to prosecute the unique types of threat cases faced by the Congress.

Given all of this, some legal experts consulted by MSNBC were puzzled by the states taking the lead, calling the move odd and bizarre, and noting that as evidenced by Moynihans release on bail, its more difficult to keep defendants in state custody versus federal.

But one former U.S. attorney, while noting its weird that the only charges against Moynihan so far have come from the state, also cautioned against concluding that the Justice Department and FBI have declined further involvement in the Jeffries matter. They can always jump in, after all.

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For their part, neither the FBI nor the Justice Department are commenting on the case or how it ended up with the state.

Still, its not because DOJ lacks experience bringing  or even trying  these cases. With help from those Capitol Police-hired lawyers, the DOJ has not only successfully convicted several defendants who have threatened members of Congress, but it has also, in recent months, charged those who have threatened members of both sides of the political aisle.

The Justice Department  under both the Biden and Trump administrations  has handled several cases involving death threats against Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., an outspoken Trump critic and one of the House managers during the presidents second impeachment, including one charged this past summer.

Last summer, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro charged a Maryland resident and longtime Voice of America employee with making threats against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, her staff and their family members. That case is ongoing.

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The day after the tip about the threat against Bondi trickled into the FBIs call center, the attorney general stood at a podium in Tampa, flanked by law enforcement officials and the conservative influencer Benny Johnson. Johnson had received a violent death threat through the mail, and the feds had traced the letter to a man in California, whose arrest Bondi announced.

Invoking not only the Charlie Kirk murder but also that of Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and the attempted assassination-by-arson of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro  both Democrats  Bondi decried a horrific cycle of political violence. Bondi also called the man arrested in the Johnson threats a left-wing radical before telling the press gathered, If anyone is sending a threatening communication through the mail like they did to Benny Johnson, were going to find them and were going to prosecute them.

It doesnt matter what side of the aisle youre on.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
WEST PALM BEACH  Prosecutors have dropped all charges against a Boca Raton-area mother accused of livestreaming her children's sexual abuse.

"After a thorough and extensive review of all evidence presented to the State, and further discussions with the law enforcement agencies that investigated this case, all are in agreement that the State no longer has a good faith basis to proceed," wrote Assistant State Attorney Karen Black in an Oct. 30 court filing.

The Palm Beach Post is not identifying the woman in order to protect the identities of her two minor children. She faced the possibility of life in prison on child sexual battery and molestation charges.

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Defense attorneys Mac Kenzie Sacks and Matthew Goldberger said investigators had no physical, digital or corroborating evidence to support the accusations.

They accused the children's estranged father  whose call to police in November 2023 triggered the investigation and subsequent arrests  of twisting the minds of his 14- and 7-year-old sons in hopes of gaining sole custody over them.

We are grateful that after the State Attorneys Office conducted a full and fair review of the evidence, they made the just and ethical decision to ultimately dismiss these charges, Sacks and Goldberger said in a joint statement on Oct. 30.

(The mother) has maintained her innocence from day one, and this decision finally allows her to begin rebuilding her life. However, the fight for reform within the justice system is far from over.

Family members said they never saw evidence of sexual abuse

Circuit Judge Sarah Willis granted the woman bond in May 2024 after ruling that prosecutors had not met the burden of proof required to keep her jailed before trial. The decision followed a two-day hearing in West Palm Beach in which investigators acknowledged that much of the physical and digital evidence cited in arrest reports had not yet been substantiated.

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Family members who testified in support of the woman said they had never seen evidence of abuse. They described the father as unstable, unemployed and obsessed with regaining access to the home after she evicted him.

This man has done nothing but wreck her life, and hes still wrecking her life, said the woman's then-attorney, Marc Shiner.

Circuit Judge Sarah Willis granted the woman bond in May 2024 after ruling that prosecutors had not met the burden of proof required to keep her jailed before trial.

Shiner told the court that neither child underwent a medical examination that could have either verified or disproved their statements. He also noted that the Florida Department of Children and Families, which initially sought to terminate the mother's parental rights, withdrew that request without explanation a month before the hearing  a move the defense argued showed the agency recognized the allegations were false.

The mother was released on house arrest following the hearing and had remained under strict supervision until the state dismissed all charges this week. In the same Oct. 30 court filing, the prosecutor said the state will consider refiling charges if new evidence comes to light.

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Sacks, Goldberger and the mother are expected to speak at an 11:30 a.m. news conference in West Palm Beach on Oct. 31.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, the Palm Beach County Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center can help. Reach their helpline at 561-833-7273, or toll-free at 866-891-7273.

Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: State Attorney drops charges against mom accused of livestreaming sons abuse
Prosecutors have dropped their case against a man who was accused by UCF students of filming up womens skirts at the main campus library.

Yeonsoo Lee, 23, was arrested back in August after a woman said she noticed a cell phone camera pointed up her skirt while she was studying on the fifth floor of the library.

One witness told police that he saw Lee showing the video to others and heard him claim that taking such videos was his job, a report said.

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Lee did not have a prior criminal record and had been ordered to stay away from the library while his charges were pending.

Prosecutors filed a no information notice last month, which typically happens when not enough evidence is presented for them to make a case or when the victim or key witnesses decide to not cooperate.

From the investigation which has been made, it is the opinion of the writer that this case is not suitable for prosecution, the note said.

WFTV reached out to State Attorney Monique Worrells office for a more specific explanation.

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Last month, Tennessee authorities arrested a man for posting a Facebook meme, a clear violation of his First Amendment rights, and held him on a $2 million bond. This week, prosecutors dropped the case, but that doesn't negate the weeks he spent in jail on a bogus charge.

As Reason previously reported, police arrested 61-year-old Larry Bushart for posting a meme on Facebook. In a thread about the murder of Charlie Kirk, Bushart posted a meme with a picture of President Donald Trump and the quote "We have to get over it," which Trump said after a January 2024 shooting at Perry High School in Perry, Iowa.

Sheriff Nick Weems of nearby Perry County said Bushart intentionally posted the meme to make people think he was referring to Perry County High School. "Investigators believe Bushart was fully aware of the fear his post would cause and intentionally sought to create hysteria within the community," Weems told The Tennesseean.

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On September 21, deputies arrested Bushart at his house and booked him on a charge of Threats of Mass Violence on School Property and Activities, a felony that carries at least a year in prison. In body camera footage posted online by Liliana Segura of The Intercept, Bushart is incredulous when presented with the charge. "I don't think I committed a crime," he tells the officer, jokingly admitting that "I may have been an asshole."

"That's not illegal," the officer replies as he leads Bushart into a cell.

Unfortunately, it was no laughing matter: A judge imposed a $2 million bond. Getting out on bail would require Bushart to come up with at least $210,000. According to the Perry County Circuit Court website, Bushart had a hearing scheduled for October 9, where he could file a motion for a reduced bond, but a court clerk told Reason that the hearing was "reset" for December 4. As a result, Bushart sat in jail for weeks.

Right away, it should have been clear how flimsy the case was. But the sheriff doubled down.

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As Segura reported at The Intercept, Weems personally responded to people on Facebook suggesting Bushart was arrested because authorities misread a picture that briefly referenced a prior news event on the other side of the country. "We were very much aware of the meme being from an Iowa shooting," Weems wrote. But it "created mass hysteria to parents and teachersthat led the normal person to conclude that he was talking about our Perry County High School."

"Yet there were no public signs of this hysteria," Segura notes. "Nor was there much evidence of an investigationor any efforts to warn county schools."

In a local news interview, Weems affirmed that while investigators knew the meme was not referencing the local school, "The public did not know."

"This has everything to do with a guy coming onto a Perry County page posting this picture leading people in our community to believe that there was a hypothetical Perry County High School shooting that caused fear in our community," Weems told Phil Williams of WTVF's NewsChannel 5 Investigates, "and we done something about it."

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But on October 29, just a day after the interview aired, prosecutors dropped the case. Bushart's attorney confirmed to Reason via email, "the State has elected to nolle prosequi the case and Mr. Bushart has been released." (Nolle prosequi"not wish to prosecute," in Latinis a legal filing which says a prosecutor is choosing to dismiss a case.)

WTVF also published body camera footage of local police coming to Bushart's house before his arrest, at the request of a Perry County investigator. "I have really no idea what they are talking about," the officer tells Bushart. "He had just called me and said there was some concerning posts that were made.They said that something was insinuating violence."

Bushart disputed that characterization, and added, "I'm not going to take it down," to which the officer replied, "I don't care. This ain't got nothing to do with me."

"He admitted to making the post and advised that he was not taking it down," Weems said in the interview with Williams. "I mean, what kind of person does that? What kind of person just says he don't care?"

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But it's clear from the original body camera footage that the officer didn't even know the details of the post in question and never mentioned a school.

It's good news that Bushart is released, but that doesn't negate the time he spent in jail on a spurious charge37 days, in total. According to WTVF, "Bushart had lost his job doing medical transport" as a result.

"We are relieved that Larry Bushart has been freed after nearly 40 days in jail, and subject to a $2 million bond, over a Facebook post clearly protected by the First Amendment," Adam Steinbaugh, attorney for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said in a statement. "A free country does not dispatch police in the dead of night to pull people from their homes because a sheriff objects to their social media posts."

"Thanks toany supporters out there, and I'm very happy to be going home," Bushart told local radio station WOPC upon his release, adding with a laugh, "I didn't seek to be a media sensation, but here we are."

The post Prosecutors Drop Charges Against Tennessee Man Over Facebook Meme appeared first on Reason.com.
A 49-year-old man from Kauai accused of shooting a federal officer during a 16-hour standoff Oct. 21 will make his initial appearance today after being hospitalized, according to federal court records.

is charged with assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

His initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Rom Trader has been continued twice after Morris was hospitalized for health reasons. Morris was scheduled to be discharged from the hospital Wednesday.

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The U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion to have Morris held without bail at the Federal Detention Center, Honolulu. Federal prosecutors contend Morris is a flight risk and a danger to the community if he is released before trial.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Albanese is prosecuting the case. Morris attorney is Assistant Federal Public Defender Jacquelyn Esser.

On Oct. 21 at about 9 a.m., U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents, backed by Honolulu Police Department officers and state Sheriffs deputies, executed a federal search warrant in Kapahulu in the 3200 block of Herbert Street.

While law enforcement was outside attempting to gain entry, Morris fired several shots at them from inside the house and hit a state Sheriffs deputy, according to federal court records.

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The warrant identified Morris and his wife as the residents of the house they searched. The 16-hour standoff displaced residents and closed streets near the Kapahulu corridor at the edge of Waikiki.

A state Sheriffs deputy working as a DEA task force officer was struck by one of those rounds.

Law enforcement fired shots into the residence during the exchange,  but Morris was not wounded in the gunfire.

Morris was seen on a Facebook livestream from inside his apartment during the standoff, speaking of his plight as an illegal drug trafficker after alleging he told law enforcement he would surrender within 24 hours.

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On Oct. 22, just before 1 a.m., Morris surrendered to law enforcement.

After being advised of his rights, Morris allegedly admitted he had fired the round that struck the law enforcement officer  and that he did so using a.40 caliber handgun.

Morris also allegedly admitted knowing he was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Federal agents and police found the Taurus.40 caliber Model 740 handgun that Morris allegedly admitted using to shoot the Sheriffs deputy. Law enforcement also found about 45 rounds of.40 caliber S &W ammunition in the apartment Morris shared with his wife.

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On Feb. 17, 2009, a criminal judgment was entered against Morris  reflecting convictions for a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of an unregistered silencer, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

As a result of these felony convictions, Morris is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law,  according to federal court documents.

Morris is facing up to 20 years in prison for assaulting a federal officer, 15 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and a mandatory minimum of 25 years, and a maximum of life,  for using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Authorities have issued alerts in 26 districts across three provinces as heavy snow and rain continue to affect Nepal under the influence of Cyclone Montha. Officials have warned of rising water levels and potential flooding in several rivers. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, river flows in the Koshi, Madhesh, and Bagmati provinces are expected to increase significantly on Thursday. The cyclone's impact is likely to persist until Saturday, and residents living near riverbanks have been urged to remain vigilant. The department has identified a high risk of flooding in rivers flowing through Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Tehrathum, Panchthar, Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Ilam, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Udayapur, Parsa, Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Siraha, Saptari, Sindhuli, Ramechhap, Kavrepalanchok, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Makwanpur, Chitwan, Nawalparasi (East and West), Rupandehi, and Kapilvastu. "It is advised that travellers remain cautious, as sudden floods may occur due to continuous rainfall. Smaller and larger rivers in Bagmati, Madhesh, and Koshi provinces could rise abruptly, posing risks in major rivers such as the Saptakoshi, Tamor, Arun, Dudhkoshi, Tamakoshi, Sunkoshi, Kankai, Kamala, Bagmati, and Rapti," the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology stated in its warning. The department also said the cyclone's impact is expected to last for at least three days and urged the public and local authorities to take preventive measures against potential flood-related disasters. Cyclone Montha has also caused heavy rain in various parts of India, leading to school closures, disruption of train and road transport, and relocation of vulnerable populations to safer zones in coastal areas. The cyclone originated in the Bay of Bengal and made landfall in India's Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday night before affecting Nepal from Thursday. Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has also issued advisories about flash floods, landslides, and other hazards. "Avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary. Residents of settlements prone to flooding should identify high and safe areas and inform others. Move to a safe place as soon as necessary. Those living near riverbanks should remain vigilant and relocate if they perceive a risk. Do not harvest paddy and other crops; if already harvested, bring them indoors immediately," the NDRRMA advisory stated. Furthermore, "The disaster management and security committees of the affected districts will make decisions regarding traffic movement as needed. Ensure compliance with these decisions. All three security agencies, local authorities, volunteers, and other stakeholders should remain prepared for response. Partner organisations assisting in preparedness, prevention, and response should stay in contact with the District Disaster Management Committee and Local Disaster Management Committees and remain on alert," the authority added. Earlier on Wednesday, Nepali security forces rescued over 1,500 stranded tourists from high-altitude areas of Manang following heavy snowfall and adverse weather. According to the Nepal Army, hundreds of tourists trekking towards Tilicho Lake (4,919 metres) were forced to turn back from the base camp after snowfall blocked trails and made conditions unsafe. (ANI)
About a dozen demonstrators gathered at the ICE Phoenix field office to protest the wounding of a man after a traffic stop on Interstate 17.

Poder in Action, a Phoenix-based nonprofit, mounted the protest on the evening of Oct. 29 at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office, near Central Avenue and McDowell Road, after a man described by officials as being from Honduras was shot.

"I'm infuriated. Yeah, I'm angry. I am concerned. So, it's a lot of feelings, but so many questions about how this even happened," said Phoenix City Councilmember Anna Hernandez, who joined others on site.

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Some of the demonstrators held white votive candles and others carried signs. "Amor Eterno," a popular Mexican ballad about the mourning of a loved one, played from a stereo as Hernandez spoke with The Arizona Republic. The former Democratic Arizona state senator lost her brother, Alejandro Hernandez, 26, in a Phoenix police shooting in 2019.

Jose Garcia-Sorto, from Honduras, was stopped about 4 a.m. Oct. 29 on Interstate 17 near Dove Valley Road by ICE officers, according to Yasmeen Pitts O'Keefe, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson. As the officers approached him, he began to pull away, according to Pitts O'Keefe.

"As the vehicle abruptly began speeding away, an officer was in the path of the vehicle," Pitts O'Keefe said in an email. "Fearing for his life, the officer defensively discharged his service weapon two times, striking Garcia-Sortos vehicle."

The officer, who was not identified, was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Garcia-Sorto was taken to a hospital for treatment of a wound and was in stable condition, according to O'Keefe's email.

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The email did not say whether the ICE officer was struck by the vehicle and did not say if Garcia-Sorto was shot and wounded by the officer. Pitts O'Keefe told The Republic that information was not available.

The FBI was leading the investigation of the officer shooting.

Zach Searfoss, 17, of Phoenix, is part of the Youth Poder, a Poder in Action subgroup. He hoped the gathering would provoke a conversation on the issue.

"It is literally just trying to bring more community involved, so stuff like this doesn't happen," Searfoss said of the protest.

Demonstrator Tyler McGrady wore a green shirt with the words, "Immigrants make our communities stronger."

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The 36-year-old Chandler resident cast doubt on the official account given. "During the Black Lives Matter movements, there's evidence of officers saying one thing, and then when you get video accounts, you get autopsy reports and other evidence. Their stories don't always pan out 100% of the time," McGrady said.

Republic editor Michelle Cruz contributed to this article.

No longer in charge: Head of ICE office in Phoenix moved out of Arizona as part of a nationwide shake-up

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Shooting after ICE traffic stop prompts protest in Phoenix
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  As the federal government shutdown stretches on, demonstrators gathered Wednesday afternoon outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Little Rock, calling for the federal government to prioritize social welfare programs like SNAP over immigration enforcement.

Chants of Fund SNAP, not ICE echoed as a small crowd stood in the rain, holding signs.

We are here to stand in solidarity with immigrants in our community, who are being terrorized by ICE, said Greg Moore, one of the organizers of the demonstration. That means children will go hungry. Many Arkansans rely on these benefits, and this will be extremely damaging to families.

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Moore said the group intentionally began the protest around 3 p.m., claiming that is typically when buses arrive to load detained immigrants for transport.

Protesters called on ICE agents to reconsider their actions, saying they hope to draw attention to what they describe as inhumane treatment.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders addressed the ongoing federal stalemate earlier this week, posting to X, Dont be fooled  Republicans want to reopen the government and protect families in need. Senate Democrats are holding SNAP benefits hostage to fund welfare for illegal immigrants. You cant claim to fight for the poor while taking food off their tables.

Jaden Kropp, who arrived at the event with opposing views, said he supports legal immigration but believes border enforcement and spending reform are essential.

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We cant just allow everyone in here unfettered, Kropp said. That puts the American people  the actual population of this home nation  at a disadvantage.

While demonstrators and counter-protesters disagree on federal priorities, both sides say the effects of the shutdown are being felt by families across Arkansas  many of whom are now waiting to see when government benefits will resume.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Demonstrators clashed with police in Cameroon and Tanzania following disputed elections in both countries, the latest signs of growing voter dissatisfaction with electoral processes in Africa.

Protesters in Cameroon took to cities across the country days after President Paul Biya secured an extension to his 43-year rule in a process experts say was marred by irregularities. Meanwhile, police in Tanzanias biggest city fired gunshots and tear gas against protestors who criticized yesterdays election that was preceded by the disappearance and detention of leading opposition politicians.

The protests reflect a worrying trend across sub-Saharan Africa: According to a recent poll by Afrobarometer, a pollster, just 39% of respondents trust their national electoral commission.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Hundreds of protesters took to the streets for a second day of demonstrations in Tanzania on Thursday after a disputed election, while Amnesty International reported that two people have died.

After the protests broke out on Wednesday, the government shut down the internet, imposed a curfew and deployed the military to the streets.

The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi or CCM party, which has been in power since independence in 1961, sought to extend its rule in Wednesdays election, with presidential candidates from the two main opposition parties barred from running.

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The incumbent, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, faced 16 other candidates from smaller parties who barely campaigned.

The electoral body on Thursday announced through state television that President Hassan had taken an early lead, garnering 96.99% of the votes in 8 out of 272 constituencies tallied early Thursday.

Lawmakers from the European Parliament said in a statement Thursday that the elections in Tanzania were neither free nor fair and urged democratic partners to stand firm in the defense of democracy and human rights.

Turnout during Wednesdays election was low, and chaos broke out in the afternoon as protesters burned a bus and a gas station, attacked police stations and vandalized polling centers.

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Two people, a civilian and a police officer, died in Wednesdays protests, according to Amnesty International. The government has yet to comment about casualties in the ongoing protests.

Tanzanias government imposed a curfew Wednesday evening in the commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, where most protests had occurred, but protests continued late into the night.

The government asked public servants to work from home on Thursday to limit the movement of nonessential staff.

Roadblocks manned by the Tanzanian army were erected across the country, with those approaching them turned away if they could not prove they were essential workers.

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Hundreds of protesters breached security barriers to access a road leading to the countrys main airport but were unable to enter.

Amnesty International called for investigations into the use of force on protesters by police.

Several protesters were injured in the town of Namanga, on the border with Kenya, as demonstrators lit bonfires on the highway and police fired tear gas to disperse them.

Business people said the protests had halted business operations in the usually busy border town.

Ferry services from the Tanzanian mainland to the semiautonomous archipelago of Zanzibar, whose electoral body is expected to announce results Thursday, were also suspended.

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Tanzanians cast ballots for a president, members of parliament and ward councilors.

The main opposition leader Tundu Lissu remains in prison after he was charged with treason for calling for electoral reforms. The presidential candidate for the second largest opposition party, Luhaga Mpina, was barred from running.
A recent survey revealed Providence is the seventh most trustworthy city in all of America when it comest to doing business.

Advance Funds Network, a direct business loan lender, surveyed 3,013 small business owners to identify which cities are home to the businesses with the best reputations for paying invoices on time.



"For small business owners, getting paid on time can feel like the wild west," Advanced Funds Network said in a media release.

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See also: Popular Discount Store Opens Location In Cranston

"Some clients drag their feet on payments, others dispute invoices after the work is done, and a few simply default altogether," the release said. "For many businesses, these delays can mean the difference between thriving and shutting their doors."

See also: Central Falls PD Arrest 6 After Woman's Dead Body Found In Pawtucket Woods

Providence placed ahead of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and behind Salem, Oregon. Here's what Advance Funds Network had to say about the town:

See also: 2 Rhode Island Halloween Costume Stores Make List Of Best In The Nation

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"Rhode Islands capital blends New England polish with small-town responsiveness. From design studios to universities, local businesses maintain well-oiled billing systems that keep partnerships smooth."

See also: Rhode Island Gov. McKee Gets COVID-19 And Flu Shots

Clarksville, Tennessee, was the most trustworthy city of all, according to Advance Funds Network, followed by Glendale, California, and Vancouver, Washington.

See also: 2 Rhode Island Cold Cases Cracked: AG

Providence The 7th Most Trustworthy City For Business In US: Survey originally appeared on the Providence Patch
PAWTUCKET, RI  A Providence woman failed to stop following an accident in Pawtucket, police said.

Cassandra Grandy, 32, was arrested about 10 a.m. Thursday on charges of duty to stop for an accident resulting in damage to a vehicle and driving with a suspended, revoked or canceled license, the Rhode Island State Police said in a media release.

Grandy was arrested after troopers responded to an accident in Pawtucket, according to the release.

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"Grandy was processed at the Lincoln Woods Barracks and transported to Sixth Division District Court for arraignment," the release said.

See also:





Providence Woman Failed To Stop After Crash: Cops originally appeared on the Pawtucket Patch
There is a macabre pattern to how atrocities come to light.

First come the warnings  too often ignored  that something terrible is unfolding. Then emerge fragmentary reports, describing horrors too extreme to believe. The odd witness account becomes a steady stream, its consistency impossible to dismiss. Finally, there are photographs, satellite images and, in todays world, videos shared on social media  each piece confirming the unimaginable.

So it is with the Sudanese city of El Fasher.

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Contact with civilians was lost after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) stormed the city on Sunday, leaving observers to rely on satellite data and social-media posts from the attackers themselves.

It is enough.

Imagery from the first source shows blood and bodies staining the sand around the city; the second depicts countless acts of casual murder. In one clip, armed soldiers stand in a ransacked hospital ward strewn with bodies. A wounded man is shot at close range before the camera pans to a courtyard filled with corpses.

According to the World Health Organisation, 460 patients and family members were killed at El Fashers Saudi Maternity Hospital. The Sudan Doctors Union, a medical group monitoring the conflict, described the scene as a human slaughterhouse.

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What happened in El Fasher is like Genghis Khans army storming a besieged city and slaughtering it, says Will Brown, an Africa analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

That contrast is starker when you remember that El Fasher is a place long familiar to Western politicians.

Colin Powell, Kofi Annan, David Cameron, Jack Straw  and, of course, George Clooney  all flew into El Fasher and visited the nearby Abu Shouk refugee camp as they condemned the genocide perpetrated by the Janjaweed, government-backed militias armed and organised under then-dictator Omar al-Bashir 20 years ago.

The Janjaweed later evolved into todays RSF.

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This time, no US secretary of state or Hollywood star is flying in to stop them.

George Clooney visits the United Nations and African Mission headquarters in El Fasher in January 2008 - Sherren Zorba/AP Photo/UNAMID

In some ways, says Ahmad Soliman, a senior research fellow of international think tank Chatham House, the massacre in El Fasher is typical of the war between the RSF  which seized power after Omar al-Bashirs overthrow in 2019  and Sudans regular army.

The fighting, which began in 2023, has continued with no regard for rules of engagement, the protection of civilians or the taking of prisoners.

At another level, it is a grim echo of the genocide of the 2000s, when the Janjaweed  drawn from predominantly Arab pastoralist tribes  brutally suppressed an uprising by largely non-Arab farming communities. For that reason, it was obvious to everyone what would happen if El Fasher fell.

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This is not incidental. This is not RSF troops who have got out of control. This is a systematic policy, says Shayna Lewis, a Sudan specialist at Avaaz, the US-based non-profit organisation, who had been in regular contact with civilians in El Fasher until it fell. And this mimics exactly what we saw in the Zamzam refugee camp massacre earlier this year  ethnically targeted killings, particularly of young men.

Then RSF forces, riding in pickup trucks and backed by artillery fire and drones, stormed the Zamzam refugee camp, a few miles south of El Fasher, just as the British Government convened a diplomatic summit in London aimed at ending the war in April.

During a three-day rampage, at least 400 non-Arab civilians were killed. Witnesses reported males aged 15 and over being singled out, but also described women, children and elderly men being shot. A later inquiry by a local committee investigating the massacre counted 1,500 bodies.

Several witnesses who spoke to the charity Doctors Without Borders said RSF soldiers at Zamzam spoke of plans to clean El Fasher of the Zaghawa, the main non-Arab ethnic group.

A Janjaweed fighter patrols in Sudan in April 2004  militias like these formed the roots of todays RSF - Espen Rasmussen/ AFP

But the slaughter is not solely about ethnicity, says Brown. It is a proxy war fought not between Africans, but between powerful Middle Eastern  and particularly Gulf  states.

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There is no shortage of foreign involvement in Sudans war. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)  the official army, which effectively controls much of the country  enjoys backing from Egypt, Iran and Turkey, and, some observers believe, from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Russia appears to have shifted its support from the RSF  which it initially supplied with air-defence weapons via the Wagner mercenary group  to the SAF, which is offering the prospect of a Russian naval base on the Red Sea.

The biggest player of all, however, is believed to be the United Arab Emirates, though it has denied any involvement.

The United Nations described reports of Emirati support for the RSF as credible more than a year ago. On Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that two US intelligence agencies believe the Emirates has recently stepped up supplies of weaponry  including ammunition and sophisticated Chinese-made drones. It has also emerged that British equipment supplied to the UAE may have ended up in RSF hands.

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b'

3110 Sudan SAF and the RSF map update

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Emirati supply lines running through eastern Libya, Chad and Somalia have been going gangbusters since the SAF forced the RSF out of Khartoum at the end of the last dry season in March, says Kholood Khair, a Sudanese political analyst.

That now appears to have been preparation for a major counter-offensive once the rains stopped in autumn. The storming of El Fasher may only be the first stage: RSF forces also seem to be massing for further attacks  particularly around Barah, their easternmost stronghold, towards the strategic city of El-Obeid  designed to open the way back to Khartoum.

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The Emiratis have never explained the logic of their involvement, says Khair. One former Western official flippantly suggests that they may be doing it for fun, since there is no other obvious interest it serves.

It is a really, really hard thing to pin down  there are a lot of theories flowing around, says Brown.

There are, however, several rationales. On the surface, there is an ideological one: the UAEs ruling families view the SAF as a holdout of Omar al-Bashirs overthrown Islamist regime.

By that logic, the RSF serves as a bulwark against Islamist movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood, which Gulf monarchies regard as their most insidious enemy. The same reasoning has been used to justify Emirati support for Khalifa Haftar, commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army.

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Mohamed Hamdan Hemeti Dagalo, the RSFs leader, is also close to the Emirates, having sent his men to fight on their behalf in Yemen and based his gold-trading business in Dubai.

Mohamed Hamdan Hemeti Dagalo, leader of the RSF, has long-standing ties to the UAE through business and past military support - Ashraf Shazly/AFP

Sudan, meanwhile, is rich in gold, oil and other raw materials.

Then there is food security, says one Sudanese diplomat: the UAE, like other Gulf states, has a growing population but very little farmland. Sudan, by contrast, is blessed with a breadbasket landscape.

The strategic thinking is that whether the war ends through a power-sharing peace deal or a de facto partition, the RSF is likely to end up close to power, says Soliman. If that includes some or all of the Red Sea coast, so much the better  but controlling a swath of the interior would do fine.

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Talk of partition, dividing Sudan between an RSF-held west and an SAF-held east, has gained traction as the war has dragged on.

For now, though, the RSF and its backers seem determined to push back towards the capital, while the SAF and theirs remain loath to legitimise the idea of a rebel RSF state.

All of this, however, is part of a broader, some say almost imperial, project to build an Emirati sphere of influence. Trace the arc of alleged UAE supply lines  through the stretch of eastern Libya controlled by Haftar, across Chad, Uganda and, reportedly, parts of Somalia  and it encompasses a vast swath of north-east Africa.

And Emirati influence extends well beyond Sudans borders. By 2023, the UAE was the fourth-largest investor in Africa, after China, Europe and the United States.

Demonstrators outside Downing Street this week accuse the UAE of aiding Sudans RSF - Martin Pope/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

Last year, it emerged as the biggest single backer of new businesses on the continent, pouring in $110bn (85bn).

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DP World, the Emirati port operator, has management agreements in Angola, Djibouti, Egypt, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Somalia and Tanzania, and says it is exploring further opportunities in Kenya and South Africa.

They have gone from investing very little in Africa over the past decade to being seen as the continents predominant investor. It is very strategic, says Soliman.

The drive is fuelled by competition with Turkey and Saudi Arabia for influence over the Red Sea straits and the Horn of Africa.

It is telling that the West is absent from this new dash for Africa. The world has changed: middle-sized powers are no longer as beholden to Washington or other patrons as they once were, says Khair. And even if they were, the major powers are distracted  by Gaza, Ukraine and China.

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In the 1990s or 2000s, it would have been hard to imagine such a conflict unfolding without British and American leaders facing pressure in the House of Commons and the Senate over the lessons of the Srebrenica massacre and the Rwandan genocide.

Now, says Brown, theres not even a whisper of people talking about, you know, humanitarian intervention. Its just not even in the ballpark of sensible debate.

Khair argues that there is still leverage. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt are, after all, Western allies and trading partners. Britain and the US could suspend arms exports to the Emirates unless they bring their clients to heel.

Until then, the killing will continue.

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.
(Reuters) -Qantas's chief customer and digital officer Catriona Larritt will step down by the end of December, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters on Thursday, months after the airline faced one of Australia's biggest cyber breaches in years.

In the note to staff, group CEO Vanessa Hudson said Larritt will leave the group to "pursue external opportunities".

Larritt has been with the group since 2015 and has worked with the airline's units Jetstar and Freight. She took over her current role in September 2023, and her responsibilities included customer experience, brand, marketing and technology, according to the company website.

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In July, the airline said more than a million customers had sensitive details such as phone numbers, birth dates or home addresses accessed as part of the cyber breach.

After Larritt's departure, corporate affairs chief Danielle Keighery will be responsible for brand and marketing, while risk chief Andrew Monaghan will oversee cyber security, Hudson said.

Additionally, chief marketing officer Petra Perry and her team will report to Keighery to help recover the group's brand and reputation.

Meanwhile, chief information security officer Matt Biber and his team will report to Monaghan, bringing cyber security and risk to further strengthen governance, Hudson added.

(Reporting by Sherin Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Eileen Soreng)
The case now returns to the Rishon Lezion Magistrates Court, which must hold a hearing on whether the police may continue to hold Urichs devices and, if so, for how long.

The Central District Court in Lod on Thursday accepted a police appeal and ordered a new hearing regarding the mobile devices of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus adviser Yonatan Urich in connection with the ongoing Qatargate and Bild investigations.

The Magistrates Court in Rishon Lezion, presided over by Judge Menahem Mizrahi, was mistaken when it declined to discuss the police request to continue holding Urichs two cellphones and one computer on grounds that investigators had not filed a classified report summarizing the evidence and planned actions, Judge Jacob Spasser ruled.

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There is no statutory obligation to submit a secret report, he wrote. If the lower court considered it necessary, it could have asked the police to prepare one and then proceeded to consider the application on its merits.

The District Court accepted the appeal and remanded the case to the Magistrates Court for a full hearing. In the meantime, the court extended the polices retention of the devices until further notice.

Urichs phones and a computer were seized in March as part of the investigation. According to the police, the devices contain potentially crucial evidence, but technical barriers and lack of passwords have so far prevented data extraction.

Ofer Golan, Likud campaign manager (R), Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu digital advisor Topaz Luk and Likud spokesman Yonatan Urich seen with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, March 20, 2019. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Decryption software updates periodically allow renewed access attempts, the police said last week, and they requested an additional 180 days to hold the items.

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Mizrahi had refused to extend the retention on the grounds that without a classified report, the court could not properly weigh investigative needs against Urichs property and privacy rights.

Practice of submitting a secret report to a judge is customary, not a requirement

The District Courts decision reverses that approach, emphasizing that while secret reports are a common investigative practice, they are not legally mandatory. The practice of submitting a classified report to a judge is a customary tool, not a statutory requirement, the court ruled.

Its purpose is to enable review of evidence without revealing sensitive information, but the court may instead rely on standard affidavits, oral testimony, or inspection of unclassified materials. Spassers opinion aligns with this precedent.

The Qatargate probe involves allegations that individuals close to Netanyahu were involved in a pro-Qatari lobby while managing sensitive diplomatic and media portfolios, especially while Qatar serves as a mediator in the Israel-Hamas War.

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Urich, a longtime communications aide, has been one of the main suspects in both cases.

The case now returns to the Rishon Lezion Magistrates Court, which must hold a hearing about whether the police may continue to hold Urichs devices and, if so, for how long. In the meantime, they are being held by the police.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  This weeks Que Pasa? Im talking with Rebecca Munoz, the director of the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC), about one of El Pasos largest events: the Dia De Los Muertos Parade!

Well be hosting our 8th annual parade for the Dia de Los Muertos on Saturday, Nov. 1. The parade starts at 4 p.m. and goes through downtown El Paso.

The Dia de Lost Muertos Parade is going to have roughly 60 floats!

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There will also be a festival starting at 11 a.m., so there will be a variety of activities, musicians, performers, free family activities, said Munoz.

Dia de los Muertos Desfile & Festival (parade)  Visit El Paso

El Paso Parks and Recreation Department  Halloween Carnivals

If you would like to keep your kids safe and you want to have a Happy Halloween, the City of El Paso is also having Halloween Carnivals at recreational centers throughout the city during Halloween weekend.

Hammond explains that the point of these Halloween Carnivals is to give families a safe environment to celebrate. The great news is admission is free and its open to all age groups. There will be jumping balloons, games, live music, candy, treats, and costume fun. So dont forget your costume and candy bag!

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Check out all the locations with dates and times by heading to the link below.

Halloween Carnivals

El Paso County  Trick or Treat at the Courthouse

The Enrique Moreno El Paso County Courthouse is ready for your ghosts, goblins, and princesses, too. Staff will be handing out candy from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30. El Paso County administrators say the courthouse is a safe space for kids to trick-or-treat!

Cielo Vista Mall  Halloween Trick-or-Treating

Fun for the whole family at Cielo Vista Mall with their Trick-or-Treating event on Halloween, Oct. 31, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Enjoy a mall-wide event featuring a night of frights and delights! Candies from participating retailers will be available while supplies last.

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Cielo Vista Mall Trick-or-Treating

Dia de los Muertos at Old Mesilla

Courtesy of @thehouseofjewels80 on Instagram.

Enjoy one of the biggest festivities in Mesilla: Dia de los Muertos! Throughout the weekend, shop with local vendors and food trucks with different activities on each day!

Friday: Watch Coco at Mesilla Plaza

Saturday: Watch the Aztec dancers and the Grupo Valle del sol Folkorico dancers

Sunday: Join the candlelight procession for Dia de los Muertos and return to the plaza for Pan de Muerto

Dia de los Muertos at Old Mesilla

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.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that the long-standing dispute over China's rare earth exports has been "settled," marking a key breakthrough in easing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, Trump said, "All of the rare earth has been settled, and that's for the world." He added, "That roadblock is gone now... There's no roadblock at all on rare earth. That will hopefully disappear from our vocabulary for a little while," noting that the US would continue its purchase and production of these critical materials. China holds a near monopoly on the global supply of rare earth elements, essential for manufacturing advanced technologies such as smartphones, electric vehicles, and defense systems. The issue has been a central flashpoint in recent trade disputes between the two nations. Earlier this month, Beijing had tightened export controls on rare earths in response to Washington's expansion of technology export restrictions, reigniting tensions between the two powers. The tit-for-tat measures led to uncertainty in global supply chains, which began to ease following trade discussions in Malaysia over the weekend. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed that Trump and Xi "came to an understanding" during their talks, stating that Beijing would not "impose the rare earth controls that they proposed." However, it remains unclear whether all of China's restrictions will be lifted. Trump's announcement came as he wrapped up his multi-nation Asia tour, which saw several diplomatic and economic milestones. Air Force One departed from Gimhae International Airport around 1:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, marking the end of his visit. Throughout the trip, Trump pursued a series of deals aimed at bolstering US engagement in the Indo-Pacific. In Malaysia, he witnessed the signing of a peace declaration between Thailand and Cambodia. Later, during his stop in Japan, he and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signed a critical minerals agreement, which they described as the start of a "new golden age" in bilateral ties. In South Korea, Trump met President Lee Jae Myung and finalised the details of a trade accord, while his high-profile talks with Xi were expected to lay the groundwork for a broader trade framework between the US and China. (ANI)
Queen Elizabeth II chided Spains former king Juan Carlos for relinquishing his throne, telling the disgraced monarch: A king dies with his boots on.

Juan Carlos recounts the anecdote in his memoirs, due to be published in France next week, according to Figaro Magazine, which interviewed the exiled former king at his home in Abu Dhabi.

Juan Carlos and Elizabeth II were distant cousins  their shared great-great-grandmother was Queen Victoria.

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In the Le Figaro interview, Juan Carlos said he consulted his relative about his plan to abdicate the throne of Spain to his son, Felipe VI.

In his memoirs, Juan Carlos recounts that Elizabeth II did not agree with his decision. It is not done! she said, according to Juan Carlos. A king dies with his boots on. He said he replied: It has been done in the Netherlands.

For decades, Juan Carlos was revered for his role in steering Spain to democracy following dictator Francisco Francos death in 1975.

King Juan Carlos inherited absolute power in 1975 before launching a transition to democracy. Spain then held free elections in 1977 - Keystone-France

But he abdicated in 2014, mired in scandal after nearly 40 years on the throne amid allegations about his womanising, tax affairs, and an ill-judged elephant hunt.

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He left Spain and moved to Abu Dhabi in 2020 without Queen Sofia after his financial and tax affairs were placed under investigation by prosecutors in Spains supreme court.

Eventually, no charges were brought after the former king made extraordinary payments of more than 5m to Spains tax agency while other counts of tax evasion were adjudged to have elapsed.

In the interview with Le Figaro this week, Juan Carlos said he moved to Abu Dhabi to help Felipe VI. He wanted to improve the image of Spains royal household amid a succession of scandals.

For decades, the Queen and Juan Carlos enjoyed one of Europes more curious royal friendships, marked by moments of both diplomatic significance and subtle personal connection.

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The two first met in the 1970s, when Juan Carlos, newly installed by Franco, was seeking international legitimacy for a fragile Spanish monarchy.

Queen Sofia and King Juan Carlos in 1978

In April 1986, Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia made a state visit to the UK, where Juan Carlos became the first foreign monarch ever to address the British Parliament, a moment Elizabeth described later as a tribute to his role in Spains transition to democracy.

The royal couple were the first Spanish royals to stay at Windsor Castle in 80 years.

King Alfonso XIII had been a guest in 1905, and he fell in love with Victoria Eugenie Battenberg, the niece of Edward VII and a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, whom he would go on to marry and make Queen of Spain.

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Victoria Eugenie was Juan Carloss grandmother and an important influence on the whole Spanish royal family with her stoic teachings until her death in 1969.

In October 1988, during the Queens state visit to Spain  the first by a reigning British monarch  she addressed the Spanish Parliament, telling it: Spain has been a formidable adversary and a true and brave ally.

At a state banquet that evening, Juan Carlos stood alongside her, symbolising the thawing of centuries-old Anglo-Spanish tensions over issues such as Gibraltar.

At Elizabeths funeral in 2022, his awkward presence, alongside his wife Queen Sofia, with whom he had not been seen in public for two years, underscored how far the former Spanish king had fallen from grace.

Former king Juan Carlos (C) and former queen Sofia (L) arrive for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey - WPA Pool

Since he ascended to the throne, Felipe has distanced himself from Juan Carlos in a bid to try and restore the monarchys image.

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However, Juan Carlos is making a late plea for Spain and his family to forgive him with the release of Reconciliation, his memoirs.

He said he decided to write the book together with the French author Lawrence Debray to reclaim what he considered his rightful place in the history of Spain.

I thought it was necessary to provide a first-hand account of what I experienced during my 39 years of service to my country, he added.

In the book, he also denies that he had an affair with Diana, Princess of Wales, describing her as cold, taciturn, distant, except in the presence of the paparazzi.

The notorious womaniser says nothing happened between him and Princess Diana during her visits to his summer home in Mallorca.

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Royal watchers in Spain and the UK have speculated that Juan Carlos seduced the Princess at the Marivent Palace, the Spanish royal familys summer home in Palma de Mallorca, where she accompanied the then-Prince Charles and their children William and Harry on four summer visits in 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1990.

Juan Carlos is believed to have had relations with dozens of women outside his marriage to the then-Queen Sofia, including affairs with a number of Spanish actresses and aristocrats.

His relationship with Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, a businesswoman and socialite, played a major role in his decision to abdicate in favour of his son Felipe VI in 2014 after the affair became public knowledge following an ill-fated elephant-hunting safari trip.

Princess Diana never spoke publicly about the rumours, although she was said to have found him a little too attentive.

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Spanish authorities are preparing public events to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Franco on Nov 20 under the title Spain in Liberty.

Franco had chosen Juan Carlos as his successor, with the young king inheriting absolute power in 1975 before launching a transition to democracy that led to free elections in 1977 and Spains current constitution one year later.

Despite his key role in shaping democratic Spain, Felipe VI and the government of prime minister Pedro Sanchez have yet to announce whether Juan Carlos will be included in the anniversary celebrations.

In the Le Figaro interview, he warned: We are fragile because we have not been a constitutional monarchy for very long.

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A Queens woman working as a home health aide on Long Island stabbed her 84-year-old patient while she was sleeping, police said Thursday.

Amber Fraser, a 23-year-old South Richmond Hill resident, was arrested and charged with second-degree attempted murder, Nassau County police said in an alert.

Wendy Wilson, an 84-year-old Massapequa resident, was injured in the attack overnight Tuesday, her family told WABC. Cops did not identify the victim.

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After stabbing Wilson, Fraser then got into her vehicle and attempted to ram it into the home, which lies 20 miles east of Wilsons residence in Queens, the family told WABC. The car was still in the yard on Wednesday morning.

Wilson is expected to survive the attack, according to her family. Cops said she sustained a puncture wound to her chest and was in stable condition on Wednesday.

Nassau County police said Fraser would be arraigned when medically practical, implying she was also injured at some point between Tuesday and Thursday.

Wilsons son, Kery Kilgannon, told WABC the familys surveillance cameras captured the attack on video. He said the video showed Wilsons caregiver climbing into bed with her, attacking her and then leaving the home.

Wilson wasnt located until Wednesday morning, when her daytime aide found her bleeding from a stab wound and called 911, cops said. Her family said she underwent surgery at a local hospital.
Recently, many companies have disregarded the proven benefits of working from home and reverted to the rigid, in-person structures of the prepandemic workplace. We asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to share what it's been like to transition back to the office, and added additional responses from this related Reddit thread . From increasing personal expenses to uncovering corporate power plays, their insights raise important questions about who these return-to-office (RTO) policies are actually meant to serve.

1. "Its been completely draining to commute to the office again to do the same work I have been doing at home for the last five years without incident. My productivity has actually decreased because I socialize more and am not at my computer as long as I was when I worked remotely."

Willie B. Thomas / Getty Images

"On the plus side, I move around more and get more steps in. But thats the only pro for me."Anonymous, 46, Chicago

2. "I have a two-hour commute to the office each day, where I'm less productive than I was when I worked from home. And on top of that I have way less time to spend with family."

Anonymous, 40 San Francisco

Related: 18 People Who Clocked Into Their New Jobs And Clocked Right Back Out Because They Were Such Utter Disasters

3. "Once COVID died down, we went to the office three days a week and worked from home the other two. That was fantastic. About a year later, they gave a completely bullshit reason for needing to go in four days a week, and it sucks. More traffic, more money in gas, less flexibility to schedule necessary things you can only really do during the week  like doctor's appointments or car servicing. And the company puts a big emphasis on reducing carbon footprint, but makes everyone drive an extra day. Make it make sense."

Anonymous, 56, Raleigh, NC

4. "My company made it mandatory to be in the office Tuesday through Thursday. When they announced the new RTO policy, they said something like, If you have a reason this wont work for you, talk to your manager and we will work with you.' Spoiler: Not true."

Anyaberkut / Getty Images

"My manager requested that I be approved to work fully remote, but HR denied my manager's request. Even my manager had no power."Anonymous, 43, Wisconsin

5. "My workplace issued an RTO mandate, and the biggest surprise has been how subjective the enforcement of it is. When it was first announced, everyone had to be in the office, full days, three days a week. We were threatened with big, scary corporate messages. I hated it, especially being hired remotely and having a long commute, but with the job market as it was, I decided to be grateful and bide my time until the market got better to find something else."

"Now, though, I go in once or twice a week for half the day or so to avoid traffic. My boss couldnt care less. So many people fought and complained and just didnt show up that those of us who make even a minimal effort to show up at the office get treated pretty leniently. Its fine."

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Anonymous

6. "I quit my job when the RTO order came out. There was no reason for it  everyone was happier and just as productive at home as they were in the office. But we followed the rules set forth, and to my knowledge, no one was ever reprimanded for not following them. I refused to go back to the cramped offices where you couldn't even think due to all the noise and 'visits' from other coworkers coming into my space all day to complain about being there. And all the office politics and cattiness were ramping up, so it was my time to leave. No thanks. No regrets."

Fiordaliso / Getty Images

Anonymous

Related: I Was Having A Bad Day, But After Seeing These 27 People Who Royally F*cked Up On The Job, I Am Actually Feeling Much Better, Thanks

7. "I was hired as a fully virtual employee in November 2018 at my company. When the pandemic hit, my work life wasn't impacted much, while tens of thousands of colleagues across the globe scrambled to get set up to work from home in March 2020. Then, in 2023, they said that everyone in the USA and some other countries needed to return to the office at least two to three days a week. And to really push the request, they stated that no new job listings posted would be offered with a virtual option, though they had a footnote that 'some exceptions' would be allowed. For the last 2 years, even those of us who were always fully virtual have seen little to no exceptions granted, unless it's for a higher management role. 'Rules for thee, but not for me,' much?"

"We've even been told that they'll only consider expanding the hiring requirements to include virtual candidates if they don't find enough candidates that are 'hybrid' (mainly only people who live within 30 miles of our 4-5 offices across the country). It's demeaning to have no opportunity to advance or explore other options because your geographic location is considered more important than your actual qualifications and merit, even though you've proven yourself to be a top employee year after year, working virtually."Anonymous, 45, Milwaukee, WI

8. "I quit a job because of RTO. When I got hired there, the policy was any two days at the office per week. The work was tough  as a critical position with many stakeholders, I had huge responsibilities and meetings from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. Then, right around the time we had our first child, the company announced RTO four days a week, without compensation and without support like a baby daycare. I literally had to quit to support our new little family."

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"My new job is fully remote. I have almost no meetings and a very relaxed work schedule. My team is happy, I am happy, and there are no bullshit distrusting people."u/Mac-Gyver-1234

9. "I have hated returning to the office. The long hours and long commute equate to no work-life balance. I am also paying for SO much more in gas because I need to fill up my car twice a week! My mental stability is gone. I work for a global company, and half of the time we are on Microsoft Teams video calls. We have been told that returning to the office is necessary for collaboration, but there is hardly any collaboration because we are all on separate Teams calls all day anyway."

Anonymous, 33, Ireland

10. "I work in the office now, and I miss being able to maximize my down time when I worked from home. While working remotely I could watch a show or learn to bake something while monitoring my email. I could take a walk with my dog if I had some spare time. In the cubicle farm, there's zero percent of that  when I have no work to do and it doesn't make sense to start a new project, I feel like my only option is to sit there watching time pass instead. It's mind-numbing."

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Anonymous

Related: Here Are 17 Top-Secret IRL "Cheat Codes" That Employees Shared From Their Industries

11. "Making us return to the office was such a dumb decision. My company made us all come in, but didn't account for the excess bodies. So there's no parking and no desk space available for everyone. On top of that, there is only one highway that goes through all the main cities in the area, so traffic is AWFUL. It's hell."

Anonymous

12. "I used to be a Senior HR Manager for one of the biggest firms in the world. They RTOd instead of laying people off. They knew thousands would quit and they wouldnt be on the hook for unemployment. They told us to tell employees that they would only need to go into the office three days a week, only to move to five days in-office within a year."

Virojt Changyencham / Getty Images

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u/PapaPapi33"My company is increasing from two days in the office to three days per week. I am sure that they will increase it by another day a year from now, if they dont get enough people to leave. I asked my boss, 'So if I am sick with a contagious cold, should I still come to the office?' She did not answer. However, we're told that if we dont meet expectations, it will be reflected in our performance reviews."u/ Green_Conflict_812

13. "After 10+ years working remotely, the switch back to an office environment has been extremely chaotic. I hate having to deal with strong perfumes/colognes, loud noises from co-workers, and construction noises as they renovate the building. I miss being able to have a quiet lunch break at home, and it's time-consuming needing to plan what I'll bring for lunch ahead of time in addition to accounting for traffic and weather changes on my daily commute."

SOPA Images / SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

"Even though we're now in person, my job still has video meetings on Microsoft Teams instead of meeting in person. Why are they making us come into an office and then using Teams for meetings when we can meet in person? I'd much rather take a Teams call from home, where it is much quieter. A work cubicle is not designed for video calls."

Anonymous, 49, Pennsylvania

14. "I was hired as a remote employee for a large bank just as shutdowns began in 2020 due to COVID. Then, in early 2022, that company issued an RTO mandate  if I stayed there, I wouldve had an hour-long commute to an office where no one on my direct team worked. I tried to get an exception to continue working remotely, but when that request was denied, I quit that job  my last day was the day everyone else returned to the office. Then, I was lucky to get hired at a 'remote first' company, but nine months after I started there, they mandated RTO three days per week."

"Im a single mom with a very inconsistent and unreliable co-parent, so I need to be close to my kids' school. Because of that, this company thankfully granted an exception. But I fear every day that theyre going to take it away, so I work harder than any of my in-office coworkers, just to try to prove my worth and retain my position."

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Anonymous, 49, Parker, Co

15. "My ex-company had us RTO 4 days a week. It was part of the reason I started looking for new work. It wasnt the only reason, but it was exhausting being in the office and also being expected to be free in the evenings to work. How I see it, my work can occupy my evenings if I get to WFH, or I'll work all day in the office, but not both."

"My new job is much better and only has us work in the office twice a week. Im much happier now! Plus, this new job treats us like humans with lives. My ex-company/ex-manager never listened when I pointed out how busy I was, and instead got angry that I couldn't do seven things at once."boringcentipede677

Related: "We No Longer Accept A Doctor's Note As Proof Of Sickness" 15 Signs Employees Spotted At Work That'll Make Your Blood Boil Over

16. "I work for a large company and we have been mandated RTO three days a week, which MUST include Monday and Friday. We also took over two other companies during COVID and more than doubled our staff, so it is normal for a Manager or Director to have direct reports in multiple locations. Microsoft Teams meetings often have 20 or more attendees, of which about half are in different offices, so the meetings are held virtually instead of in the company boardroom. Almost no one has an individual office, so the sound of the various meetings echoes around the office, which disturbs the staff in other departments. Since the beginning of COVID, the staff have become very adept at maintaining a high level of productivity working remotely."

"The RTO mandate is widely disliked, and the company morale is suffering. Quite a few good people at all levels have left, and now productivity is at an all-time low, but management seems oblivious."

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bravedog481

17. "I'm a manager, and my team was ordered to RTO for just two days a week (Tuesday and Thursday). Not too bad, right? Well, I thought so, until it came time to hire a new employee. We keep finding that the top candidates usually end up accepting an offer from another company that still offers fully remote work, and we end up having to accept a less qualified candidate."

Maria Korneeva / Getty Images

"And of course, like everyone else, on office days we all end up spending all day in our cubes taking Teams calls just like we would be doing at home, because we're a global company. RTO is a dumb idea thought up by extrovert executives who don't do real work anymore."

axj66"At my company, where we're required to be in the office, weve had a director role open since April and had three different candidates turn down offers because of the RTO policy."originalcan965

18. And finally, "I dont think people really factor in how much uncompensated time return-to-office actually adds up to. I used to drive an hour just to get downtown, and once I got there, Id spend another ten minutes circling for a garage spot, then tack on another 15-minute walk just to get to the office. Thats almost an extra hour and a half of my day gone for zero pay, then the return home doubles that. On top of that, I've racked up dings and dents on my car from garages, so theres a hidden financial hit too. Then I have to pay for dry cleaning for acceptable office clothing."

Twenty47studio / Getty Images

"When you add up the commute time, the wear and tear on your car, the rising cost of living, and the fact that gas prices are projected to climb, its not just 'coming back to the office'  its a massive increase in expenses and uncompensated lost personal time. If companies really want employees to RTO, then they should be prepared to compensate us for everything that entails. Otherwise, its just shifting more cost onto us while pretending nothing has changed post-COVID."u/travisjd2012

It's super disheartening to watch society default back to outdated norms that we thought we'd left behind  and that no longer serve us. If you've been mandated to return to the office, do you resonate with these sentiments? Let us know about your experience in the comments below.

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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Read it on BuzzFeed.com
Radio Free Asia (RFA) announced Wednesday it is pausing operations for the first time in its history, amid the government shutdown and after the Trump administration cut its funding.

In a statement, RFA executive editor Rosa Hwang said the stoppage is due to uncertain funding.

For RFA journalists who sacrificed so much in defying powerful and malignant forces, its an excruciating moment.

RFA, established in 1996 via the International Broadcasting Act, reaches nearly 60 million people weekly in six countries without a free press: China, Myanmar, North Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.

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In fiscal 2024, RFA had a budget of $60.8 million. The organization, before furloughs earlier this year, consisted of 400 full-time staff and 500 stringers and contractors.

The pause comes amid the ongoing government shutdown, which hit 29 days Wednesday and is on the verge of becoming the longest funding lapse in U.S. history.

In March, President Trump ordered funding cuts to the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees RFA. The USAGM, led by acting CEO Victor Morales and special adviser Kari Lake, a Trump ally, received more than $866.9 million in congressionally appropriated funds in fiscal 2024, according to its annual financial report.

As a result of the cuts, RFA furloughed three-quarters of its workforce. In late March, it said in a legal filing that it would shut down by the end of April without court intervention, according to Reuters.

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On its website, RFA says it is providing limited news updates on its website and social media. In her statement, Hwang said RFA will return if its funding does.

Independent journalism is at the core of RFA. For the first time since RFAs inception almost 30 years ago, that voice is at risk, Hwang said.

The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.

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.
Radio Free Asia says it is shutting down its news operations on Friday with its financing in dire straits due to the U.S. government shutdown and the Trump administration's moves against government-funded news services.

Since 1996, Radio Free Asia has been an independent news source operating online and on broadcast throughout that region, particularly in areas where the free flow of information is repressed.

It has been operating with a skeleton staff the past few months, primarily producing a few stories online as the administration has sought to choke off its funding. Trump's team has contended that operations like RFA, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America are poorly run and a waste of government resources.

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In an effort to conserve limited resources on hand and preserve the possibility of restarting operations should consistent funding become available, RFA is taking further steps to responsibly shrink its already reduced footprint, said Bay Fang, RFA's president and CEO.

Radio Free Asia will begin shutting down overseas bureaus, laying off and paying severance to staff members, most of whom have been on unpaid leave since last March, Fang said.

With its own journalists and contractors in Asia, RFA has reported aggressively on stories some governments don't want to see  the repression of Uyghurs in China, the aftermath of the 2021 military coup in Myanmar and the plight of defectors in North Korea. The outlet had been growing; visitors to its website increased 20% between 2023 and 2024.

RFE/Radio Liberty, similar to RFA as a private corporation funded by the government, said its own news services are staying up, and we plan to continue reaching our audiences for the foreseeable future, the organization said this week. It operates in eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. The service had launched its own lawsuit against the administration.

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RFE/Radio Liberty says it received its last federal funding in September. It is operating on reserves, and has taken cost-cutting steps like cutting contracts with freelancers, reducing programming and placing some staff members on partially paid leave.

It was not immediately clear why the two organizations are taking different approaches. While having the same governing and funding structure, RFA and RFE/Radio Liberty are headquartered in North America and Europe respectively, and are governed under different labor laws.

Voice of America, which has concentrated on providing news about the United States to audiences in other countries, had been operating on a very limited basis since its funding was cut off and has essentially stopped due to the government shutdown. Some employees have sued to block the administration's plans.

___

Associated Press writers Didi Tang and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report. David Bauder writes about the media for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social
Yard signs, mailers, campaign text messages and unsolicited ballot applications are not cheap. Wichita school board candidates have spent tens of thousands of dollars on them over the past three months as they hustle for votes in the upcoming election.

Wichita school board incumbent Hazel Stabler raised the most campaign cash for the general election after her District 6 opponent, Amy Warren, raised the most money during the primary fundraising cycle.

And incumbent Kathy Bond spent the most campaign cash after losing by one vote in a five-person primary to challenger Amy Jensen in District 5.

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Here is a list of candidates and what they raised and spent:

Hazel Stabler, District 6, raised $12,337 and spent $7,057. She ended the fundraising period with $8,133 on hand.

Kathy Bond, District 5, raised $11,342 and spent $12,935  dipping into the $2,825 she had on hand from the primary.

Amy Warren, District 6, raised $11,178 and spent $9,575 with more than $10,000 cash on hand as of Oct. 24.

Diane Albert, District 1, raised $11,087 and spent $9,984 with $6,879 cash on hand.

Brent Davis, District 2, raised $10,292 and spent $11,354, leaving nearly $3,000 cash on hand.

Amy Jensen, District 5, raised $7,780 and spent $7,635 with almost $5,000 on hand.

Julie Hedrick, District 2, raised $2,300 and spent $8,835, dipping into her $7,305 cash on hand to start the fundraising period.

Mackenzi Truelove, District 1, raised $1,145.31 and spent $835, leaving $310 on hand.

Two candidates  Stabler and District 2 challenger Valerie Most  did not file reports by Mondays deadline. Most filed an affidavit of exemption, meaning she wont have to file expenditure reports unless she exceeds $1,000 in contribution; Stabler filed her report Tuesday afternoon.

2025 Voter Guide: What Wichita candidates think about local issues

Who donated to Wichita school board candidates?

The late campaign push signifies the political stakes of this years nonpartisan school board race, even though candidates party affiliations wont appear on the ballot.

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A slate of candidates put forth by the Republican Party in 2021 for their opposition to COVID-19 restrictions in schools are back on the ballot this year. Those candidates are Diane Albert, Kathy Bond, Brent Davis and Hazel Stabler. All but Davis, who proposed conducting COVID experiments on the districts students during that campaign, are now seeking a second term. Davis is back on the ticket this year to try again to win a seat on the board.

The four share many of the same campaign donors, including Keep Kansas Red PAC, a political action committee tied to Republican U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, and City Elders, a group that seeks to place candidates on school boards to stand and guard against school boards with inclusivity agendas against our children, anti-American values, critical race theory, socialism, gender confusion, inclusivity and so much more.

On the other side of the political spectrum, Hedrick, Jensen and Warren appear to have the backing of moderates and Democratic-leaning groups, taking in money from labor unions and political action committees. All three got donations from the Wichita-Hutchinson Labor Federation. Jensen and Warren received money from the KS AFL-CIO Cope Fund, Sedgwick County Democratic Women PAC and Wichita Realtors PAC.

While Warren and Stabler had the most cash available to spend ($19,985.77 for Warren and $15,189.76 for Stabler), Bond actually spent the most between July 25 and Oct. 23, the dates covered by the filings.

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Stablers campaign finance report includes several past and present Republican elected officials, from lobbyist and former Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael ODonnell to current Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Ryan Baty and Wichita City Council member Dalton Glasscock. She also received support from several donors known for giving to conservative candidates and causes: Steve Clark and Mayor Lily Wus longtime boyfriend Stephen Clark II, Colby Sandlian and Johnny Stevens.

Like all the Republican candidates in the school board race, Stabler spent a large portion of her campaign funding on political ads through Hexcode Marketing, a Wichita-based company.

Bond spent her money on multiple rounds of mailers and advance-ballot applications. The spending blitz by Bond comes amid a challenge by Jensen, a longtime English teacher in neighboring Clearwater and Maize school districts.

Bond, a Republican who collected just under $3,800 during the five-candidate primary, received a boost in funding for the general election from businesses associated with local developers who also gave to other conservative candidates. She also received contributions from Baty, Estes and former U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt, a Goddard Republican.

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Warren received donations from Margalee Wright, the first woman to serve as Wichitas mayor; Democratic state Sen. Mary Ware; Democratic state Rep. John Carmichael; former Wichita City Council member Cindy Claycomb; and Jon Rolph, a local restaurateur and former member of the Kansas Board of Regents. She also received an in-kind contribution from the Kansas Democratic Party for access to the partys voter database.

Jensen received contributions from Lamont Anderson, Country Acres neighborhood association president; local business owner Sheryl Wohlford; and several retired teachers.

Jensen and Warren both spent most of their money on yard signs, postage and informational cards to hand out to voters. Warren spent more money on mailers.
A changed mind is a sign of rational leadership

Astoria: Every election cycle, voters say they want leaders who listen and follow the facts. Yet, the moment an elected official actually changes course, headlines scream flipflop. Weve built a political culture that punishes the trait we claim to value: the ability to learn. Thats not just unfair, its dangerous.

Housing policy in NYC offers a clear case. For years, development was treated as a threat, and developers became a dirty word. Zoning rules, procedural delays and political resistance throttled new building. The result: too few homes and rising rents. Families have been priced out of their neighborhoods. For many middleclass New Yorkers, the idea of owning a home has become a dream beyond reach. Now, facing a crisis they helped create, many officials are rethinking things  supporting rezoning, streamlining approvals and cutting red tape to get more housing built. We see similar shifts elsewhere.

In 2020, Zohran Mamdani aligned with defund the police, but after a mass shooting, he distanced himself, saying, I am not defunding the police; I am not running to defund the police. Mayor Adams proposed switching retirees to Medicare Advantage, then dropped the plan amid public backlash. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo also evolved on major issues. In 2014, he called Mayor Bill de Blasios $13 minimum wage push a nonstarter and opposed local increases, but by 2016 hed convened a State Wage Board and signed a phasedin $15 statewide minimum wage.

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These arent opportunistic retreats. They reflect new facts, shifting needs and changing realities. Leaders who can absorb new evidence, admit past limits and update their approach are showing the very qualities we should value most in government. Richard Khuzami

Fear of the future

Sunnyside: They hate him because hes a socialist. They hate him because hes a Marxist. They hate him because hes a communist. They hate him because hes a Muslim. And they say they fear him because they believe that his policies will lead to the eventual destruction of New York City. Thats what they say, but I believe what theyre really afraid of is that he will be successful and prove that democratic socialism is the way of the future. Thats what theyre really afraid of. My biggest fear is that they will do everything in their power to make sure he does not succeed. And when I say they, that includes that ignorant bigot who currently occupies the White House. Robert Presti

Better for all

Lackawaxen, Pa.: To Voicer Chaya Lipschutz: Democratic socialists here are the equivalent of European social democrats, who have created countries rated as having the greatest economic freedom and the happiest citizens. Neither the DSA nor Mamdani is out to destroy New York. Youre imperfectly recalling a Depression mythology: The wealthy portrayed FDRs election as the Bolsheviks at the gate when, in fact, the New Deal probably saved the plutocrats from the fate they deserved. You cite Handy Andys great plans for NYC, but Cuomos entire career has focused on housing and homelessness, and as HUD secretary and governor, he had the opportunity to make change happen. The results: Probably only one in six New Yorkers has seen a NYCHA project for low-income built in their lifetimes. No Mitchell-Lama for moderate-income has been completed in more than 40 years, but NYC and the state combine to spend $5 billion per year on homeless services. John A. MacKinnon

Led by a lack of

Whitestone: Voicer Ben Furleigh criticized Mamdani for his lack of qualifications. Yet, people elected President Trump, whose qualifications were being the first person to lose money while running a casino, cheating on three of his wives, screwing contractors out of their livelihood, filing for bankruptcy numerous times, etc. Ben, have you received your official Trump kneepads in the mail yet? Robert LaRosa Sr.

Election inundation

Woodside: In my humble opinion, its a minor form of torture to be bombarded with political ads, and the closer it comes to the end, the worse it gets. This year it seems worse than ever: Mamdani-Cuomo-Sliwa-Sherrill-Ciatarelli-Mamdani-Sliwa-Cuomo-Sherill-Ciatarelli  on and on into infinity for the 30-second point. I am not just hitting mute now, Im turning off the TV because I dont want to see and have already seen all of it to the saturation point. Youre wasting money insofar as little me goes. Sheila Richardson

Seeing you in

Manhattan: Driverless vehicles may be on their way, but New York Citys yellow cabs with drivers had a very nice amenity. Mainly at night, and mostly with women as passengers, the cab driver, after discharging the passenger, waited a minute to see that the passenger got safely inside the building. Alan Flacks

Costume time

Manhattan: Get your ghost costumes, get your witch hats, Halloween is coming! Eva Julietta

Plot point

Long Branch, N.J.: On Netflix, theres a movie called A House of Dynamite. In this film, the secretary of defense jumps off of a roof and commits suicide. Now, Im not suggesting anything. Im just saying what happened in the movie. Lenzy Kelley

IQ confusion

Howard Beach: Trump is so confused that he doesnt even know the difference between an IQ test and a dementia screening test. He called his latest cognitive test at Walter Reade Medical Center an IQ test, which it wasnt. He further said that it was so difficult that low-IQ Reps. AOC and Jasmine Crockett wouldnt be able to pass it. One thing is for sure: AOC and Crockett would know the difference between an IQ test and a cognitive screening test. Barbara Berg

A fool abroad

Glasgow, Scotland: Great to see your president staggering around in a daze when he is not doing his Y.M.C.A. hand dance or saluting absolutely no one during his trip to Asia. You folks in America must beam with patriotic pride during these displays of the best America has to offer to the world. Cheerio. Joseph Kay

Adding to his appeal

Dartmouth, Mass.: Each gift and groveling speech given by foreign leaders as Trump attends global summits or visits allied countries reinforces the adoration and unmitigated support from MAGA voters and political opportunists  proof that theyre justified in their unshakable allegiance to him and his agenda. One can almost hear the remarks that if Trump is so compromised, deluded and demented, how could so many respected leaders sing his praises and shower him with gifts and trade deals. This only solidifies their animosity to those criticizing Trump or battling his agenda. With a more scrutinized reading, its apparent that Trump is either being played to deflect his punitive tariffs or hoping for personal gain or favorable trade deals. These leaders are providing Trump with positive images that counter the destructive, vengeful actions occurring every day in this country, and theyre willfully or unintentionally complicit in the decimation of American values. Betty Ussach

Look locally

Bronx: Will the media please retire the third-term Trump hysteria? The Constitution makes a third presidential term impossible, full stop. The man has no desire for the job. He has already pulled off the greatest political grift in modern history. He entered office a paper billionaire and left  well, less paper (more crypto). He continues to enrich himself because he hasnt been stopped. The failed democratic experiment was merely a side benefit; a bone tossed to the Stephen Millers and Steve Bannons to reward them for decades of loyal and unwavering service to the cause of white supremacy. The solution isnt future panic, its the midterms. Unless Congress shifts away from MAGA with a decisive majority, the grift continues until 2029. Focus your outrage and your ballot on the state elections where gerrymandering and election laws are written. Stop looking at the sky and start looking at your local ballot. Donnell B. Russell

Feel for truth

Howard Beach: With all the disinformation and misinformation perpetrated by corrupt politicians and leaders, how is one to know the truth? Twenty-five centuries ago, a wise man once said, Do not go upon what has been acquired by repeated hearing but when you yourselves know these things are unwholesome, these things are blameworthy then enter and abide in them. Truth is validated through personal experience. Ernest Kienzle
An elderly man sits on the floor, dozens of bodies lying around him, before a Sudanese rebel fighter approaches and shoots him.

The apparent killing  captured on video shared online by the rebels themselves  took place at a university medical school in El Fasher in Sudans western Darfur region after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took over the city on Sunday.

CNN has identified the location of the massacre as El Fasher Universitys School of Medical Laboratory Science, just across the street from the Saudi Hospital where, according to reports cited by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday, more than 460 people were also killed.

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The Sudan Doctors Network, a professional organization, said the RSF cold-bloodedly killed everyone they found inside the Saudi Hospital, including patients, their companions, and anyone else present in the wards.

Satellite images of the Saudi Hospital show signs of a massacre, with apparent clusters of bodies and blood-stained ground clearly visible.

Reports of RSF fighters committing large-scale massacres began to emerge within hours of the Sudanese militarys withdrawal from El Fasher earlier this week.

Those accounts have been corroborated by mounting evidence that includes videos and photos from the ground, survivor testimonies and satellite images.

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RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, acknowledged Wednesday that there had been violations in El Fasher, and said an investigative committee would be launched to investigate and hold accountable any soldier or any officer who committed a crime.

In a separate statement, the RSF denied claims of killings at the hospital, describing them as fabricated narratives with no connection to reality, despite mounting evidence of atrocities.

The grisly events in El Fasher come more than two and half years into a brutal civil war that has claimed the lives of more than 150,000 people.

On one side is Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the countrys military ruler and the head of the Sudanese armed forces (SAF); on the other is Hemedti, the RSF chief and onetime al-Burhan deputy. The two men launched a coup together in 2021 before a power struggle between them descended into all-out war in 2023.

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The UN and the United States have both said the RSF and the SAF have committed war crimes and have faced western sanctions.

The UN told CNN it believes about 120,000 people, half of them children, were trapped in El Fasher, which was the Sudanese armys last stronghold in Darfur and had been under siege by the RSF for 18 months.

Earlier this year, then US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during the Biden administration, accused the RSF of committing genocide against non-Arab ethnic groups in Darfur, saying there was evidence the group systematically murdered men and boys  even infants  on an ethnic basis and that it deliberately targeted women and girls from certain ethnic groups for rape and other forms of brutal sexual violence.

Few eyewitness testimonies have emerged from El Fasher since its fall to the RSF. But humanitarian workers whove spoken to survivors fleeing the city related stories of summary executions and rapes, streets strewn with bodies and men and boys being prevented from leaving.

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Multiple videos shared online over the past three days show RSF fighters rounding up and killing large numbers of unarmed people. CNN was able to match the insignia worn by the fighters in several of the videos to the one used by the RSF.

Most of the videos appear to have been filmed and shared by the rebels themselves.

One video shows an unarmed man in civilian clothes on the ground, pleading for his life before a man addressed as commander.

The fighter is seen shooting him multiple times. Dozens more bodies are clearly visible in the video.

Another video shows at least eight men dressed in civilian clothes sitting on the ground next to each other before being killed in a quick succession.

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Several videos show executions and RSF fighters celebrating next to bodies by a berm, a raised bank of earth that was built around El Fasher during the siege to trap people inside the city.

Other videos show armed RSF fighters driving through large swaths of land, apparently hunting civilians who are attempting to flee. In one video, the rebels are heard saying catch the girls.

Conflict-related sexual violence has been reported by human rights groups as a major problem in Sudan and multiple humanitarian workers have told CNN that women and girls who have managed to escape El Fasher in recent days were victims of sexual violence and rape.

Displaced Sudanese who fled El Fasher arrive in the town of Tawila. - AFP/Getty Images

CNN has geolocated several of the videos showing jubilant RSF forces inside El Fasher. Satellite images analyzed by the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale School of Public Health and verified by CNN show clear evidence of the atrocities in El Fasher.

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Groups of bodies appear to be visible in satellite images of areas where RSF killings have been reported in recent days.

The Yale researchers also say they have identified reddish patches on the ground consistent with blood in several locations, including outside the Saudi Hospital and near the berm around the city.

The bodies and the reddish stains are only visible in the satellite images taken on Monday and Tuesday, after the RSF takeover.

The Rapid Support Forces have surrounded this city in an earth wall called a berm thats as high as nine feet, said Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Research Lab.

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So the context here is these people are inside what we call a Kill Box. They have been walled in to be killed systematically, and right now the Rapid Support Forces are doing that, he said.

Survivors fleeing the violence have told aid groups of summary executions and mass killings.

Adam Rojal, the spokesperson for the General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur, told CNN he left the besieged city two weeks ago. He said that civilians are currently not allowed to leave and that the situation is appalling.

(People who fled) tell horrific stories about the suffering and abuses they have subjected to. The property of citizens has been confiscated, there are floggings, and attacks. I have seen the execution videos, he said.

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Manal bint Abi Suleiman, who fled El Fasher after the RSF takeover, said the attack on the area where she was sheltering started on Saturday. The Rapid Support Forces entered and destroyed everything in front of them, she said in a video testimony filmed by a volunteer helping refugees.

On the way, they harassed the people and beat some of them. They separated the young men from the women, and I dont know where they took the men. God knows where they are now, she said.

In videos shared online, several other survivors have also referenced killings of both men and women and bodies lying in the streets.

Save the Childrens deputy country director for Sudan, Francesco Lanino, told CNN that survivors who reached a refugee camp in Tawila in southern Darfur described the extreme danger they faced as they fled.

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All the areas surrounding El Fasher are controlled by different militias, or different armed groups that are related to RSF or somehow part of RSF, Lanino said.

Its not only RSF who are looking for civilians, looking for people to (rob), to abuse or kill, he added.

The RSF has been supported by Arab groups and militias from across the Sahel region as well as the Russian paramilitary group Wagner.

The Sudanese government has also accused the United Arab Emirates of arming the group. The UAE has repeatedly denied that accusation, despite an expert panel appointed by the United Nations Security Council finding in a January 2024 report that the allegations were credible.

Fears for the missing men

The UNs humanitarian team in Sudan said on Tuesday it has received credible reports of widespread violations, including summary executions, attacks on civilians along escape routes, house-to-house raids and obstacles preventing civilians from reaching safety, adding that sexual violence, particularly against women and girls, continues to be reported.

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Arjan Hehenkamp, the Darfur crisis lead for the International Rescue Committee, told CNN that many of the people fleeing El Fasher are in a deplorable state.

Many of them are sick and wounded theres many women, many elderly, but a big gap in terms of young men and adult men, he said.

Hehenkamp spent several weeks at Tawila, providing help to people fleeing.

The big concern that we have right now is, where is the rest of the population of El Fasher? We havent seen the big numbers that we were expecting so far. So that is very disturbing, he added.

Lanino told CNN that some 5,000 people managed to reach his team in Tawila in recent days.

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The majority of these people coming from El Fasher are women and children. And according to their stories, the men are kidnapped or were killed on the way coming to Tawila because of their ethnic group, because they were men, and they were somehow stopped and targeted, he said.

Families who fled from al-Fashir gather at a camp in Tawila. - Mohammed Jamal/Reuters

Sheldon Yett, UNICEFs lead in Sudan, told CNN that violence has soared in the days following the RSFs takeover.

He said hed spoken to women who fled El Fasher who said their male relatives were all either killed or detained by RSF.

Speaking to CNN from the eastern city of Port Sudan after returning from an area near Darfur where people are seeking safety, Yett said the stories shared by survivors were blood-curdling. There were groups of women arriving alone, saying their male relatives have been killed or detained, he added.

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(Fighters are) going house to house, raids, people being dragged out, just the most horrific stories. People are being held ransom. Theyre being told, basically, you pay or you die, call your relatives get the money together, he said.

The Sudan Doctors Network said that six medical staff, including four doctors, a pharmacist and a nurse, have been kidnapped by RSF fighters who are now demanding 100 million Sudanese pounds ($166,000) for each of them.

The group has appealed to international organizations, including WHO, to intervene and exert maximum pressure on RSF to release the abductees.

As more reports of alleged atrocities pour in, multiple international organizations, world leaders and human rights groups have called for an immediate ceasefire and quick independent investigations into the killings.

Yett said that the fact that the fighters are filming themselves killing civilians and posting these videos online shows a feeling of lack of accountability.

We need to ensure theres clear accountabilities here. I mean all violations of international law need to be investigated. We need to hold people accountable, he said.

CNNs Allegra Goodwin, Avery Schmitz and Eyad Kourdi contributed reporting.

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Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported Chinese military activity around its territory on Thursday, with five PLA aircraft sorties and five PLAN vessels operating till 6 am (local time) today. In a post on X, the MND stated that one out of the five sorties crossed the median line and entered the country's southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). "5 sorties of PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 out of 5 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," it stated. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1983700380731969677 Earlier on Wednesday, Taiwan's MND reported an increase in Chinese military activity around its territory on Wednesday, with 25 PLA aircraft sorties and 5 PLAN vessels operating till 6 am (local time). In a post on X, the MND stated that 23 of the 25 sorties crossed the median line and entered the country's northern and southwestern Air Defence Identification Zones (ADIZs). "25 sorties of PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 23 out of 25 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," it stated. 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. 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. The incursions mark yet another episode in China's continuing military pressure campaign against Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory. The frequent intrusions and maritime operations reflect rising tensions between Taiwan and China, a relationship long fraught with geopolitical strain. (ANI)
An elderly man sits on the floor, dozens of bodies lying around him, before a Sudanese rebel fighter approaches and shoots him.

The apparent killing  captured on video shared online by the rebels themselves  took place at a university medical school in El Fasher in Sudans western Darfur region after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took over the city on Sunday.

CNN has identified the location of the massacre as El Fasher Universitys School of Medical Laboratory Science, just across the street from the Saudi Hospital where, according to reports cited by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday, more than 460 people were also killed.

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The Sudan Doctors Network, a professional organization, said the RSF cold-bloodedly killed everyone they found inside the Saudi Hospital, including patients, their companions, and anyone else present in the wards.

Satellite images of the Saudi Hospital show signs of a massacre, with apparent clusters of bodies and blood-stained ground clearly visible.

Reports of RSF fighters committing large-scale massacres began to emerge within hours of the Sudanese militarys withdrawal from El Fasher earlier this week.

Those accounts have been corroborated by mounting evidence that includes videos and photos from the ground, survivor testimonies and satellite images.

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RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, acknowledged Wednesday that there had been violations in El Fasher, and said an investigative committee would be launched to investigate and hold accountable any soldier or any officer who committed a crime.

In a separate statement, the RSF denied claims of killings at the hospital, describing them as fabricated narratives with no connection to reality, despite mounting evidence of atrocities.

The grisly events in El Fasher come over two and a half years into a brutal civil war that has claimed the lives of more than 150,000 people.

On one side is Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the countrys military ruler and the head of the Sudanese armed forces (SAF); on the other is Hemedti, the RSF chief and onetime al-Burhan deputy. The two men launched a coup together in 2021 before a power struggle between them descended into all-out war in 2023.

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The United Nations and the United States have both said the RSF and the SAF have committed war crimes and have faced western sanctions.

The UN told CNN it believes about 120,000 people, half of them children, were trapped in El Fasher, which was the Sudanese armys last stronghold in Darfur and had been under siege by the RSF for 18 months.

Earlier this year, then US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during the Biden administration, accused the RSF of committing genocide against non-Arab ethnic groups in Darfur, saying there was evidence the group systematically murdered men and boys  even infants  on an ethnic basis and that it deliberately targeted women and girls from certain ethnic groups for rape and other forms of brutal sexual violence.

Few eyewitness testimonies have emerged from El Fasher since its fall to the RSF. But humanitarian workers whove spoken to survivors fleeing the city related stories of summary executions and rapes, streets strewn with bodies and men and boys being prevented from leaving.

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Multiple videos shared online over the past three days show RSF fighters rounding up and killing large numbers of unarmed people. CNN was able to match the insignia worn by the fighters in several of the videos to the one used by the RSF.

Most of the videos appear to have been filmed and shared by the rebels themselves.

One video shows an unarmed man in civilian clothes on the ground, pleading for his life before a man addressed as commander.

The fighter is seen shooting him multiple times. Dozens more bodies are clearly visible in the video.

Another video shows at least eight men dressed in civilian clothes sitting on the ground next to each other before being killed in a quick succession.

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Several videos show executions and RSF fighters celebrating next to bodies by a berm, a raised bank of earth that was built around El Fasher during the siege to trap people inside the city.

Other videos show armed RSF fighters driving through large swaths of land, apparently hunting civilians who are attempting to flee. In one video, the rebels are heard saying catch the girls.

Conflict-related sexual violence has been reported by human rights groups as a major problem in Sudan and multiple humanitarian workers have told CNN that women and girls who have managed to escape El Fasher in recent days were victims of sexual violence and rape.

Displaced Sudanese who fled El Fasher arrive in the town of Tawila. - AFP/Getty Images

CNN has geolocated several of the videos showing jubilant RSF forces inside El Fasher. Satellite images analyzed by the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale School of Public Health and verified by CNN show clear evidence of the atrocities in El Fasher.

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Groups of bodies appear to be visible in satellite images of areas where RSF killings have been reported in recent days.

The Yale researchers also say they have identified reddish patches on the ground consistent with blood in several locations, including outside the Saudi Hospital and near the berm around the city.

The bodies and the reddish stains are only visible in the satellite images taken on Monday and Tuesday, after the RSF takeover.

The Rapid Support Forces have surrounded this city in an earth wall called a berm thats as high as nine feet, said Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Research Lab.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

So the context here is these people are inside what we call a Kill Box. They have been walled in to be killed systematically, and right now the Rapid Support Forces are doing that, he said.

Survivors fleeing the violence have told aid groups of summary executions and mass killings.

Adam Rojal, the spokesperson for the General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees in Darfur, told CNN he left the besieged city two weeks ago. He said that civilians are currently not allowed to leave and that the situation is appalling.

(People who fled) tell horrific stories about the suffering and abuses they have subjected to. The property of citizens has been confiscated, there are floggings, and attacks. I have seen the execution videos, he said.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Manal bint Abi Suleiman, who fled El Fasher after the RSF takeover, said the attack on the area where she was sheltering started on Saturday. The Rapid Support Forces entered and destroyed everything in front of them, she said in a video testimony filmed by a volunteer helping refugees.

On the way, they harassed the people and beat some of them. They separated the young men from the women, and I dont know where they took the men. God knows where they are now, she said.

In videos shared online, several other survivors have also referenced killings of both men and women and bodies lying in the streets.

Save the Childrens deputy country director for Sudan, Francesco Lanino, told CNN that survivors who reached a refugee camp in Tawila in southern Darfur described the extreme danger they faced as they fled.

Advertisement Advertisement

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All the areas surrounding El Fasher are controlled by different militias, or different armed groups that are related to RSF or somehow part of RSF, Lanino said.

Its not only RSF who are looking for civilians, looking for people to (rob), to abuse or kill, he added.

The RSF has been supported by Arab groups and militias from across the Sahel region as well as the Russian paramilitary group Wagner.

The Sudanese government has also accused the United Arab Emirates of arming the group. The UAE has repeatedly denied the accusation, despite an expert panel appointed by the UN Security Council finding in a January 2024 report that the allegations were credible.

Fears for the missing men

The UNs humanitarian team in Sudan said on Tuesday it has received credible reports of widespread violations, including summary executions, attacks on civilians along escape routes, house-to-house raids and obstacles preventing civilians from reaching safety, adding that sexual violence, particularly against women and girls, continues to be reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Arjan Hehenkamp, the Darfur crisis lead for the International Rescue Committee, told CNN that many of the people fleeing El Fasher are in a deplorable state.

Many of them are sick and wounded theres many women, many elderly, but a big gap in terms of young men and adult men, he said.

Hehenkamp spent several weeks at Tawila, providing help to people fleeing.

The big concern that we have right now is, where is the rest of the population of El Fasher? We havent seen the big numbers that we were expecting so far. So that is very disturbing, he added.

Lanino told CNN that some 5,000 people managed to reach his team in Tawila in recent days.

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The majority of these people coming from El Fasher are women and children. And according to their stories, the men are kidnapped or were killed on the way coming to Tawila because of their ethnic group, because they were men, and they were somehow stopped and targeted, he said.

Families who fled from El Fasher gather at a camp in Tawila. - Mohammed Jamal/Reuters

Sheldon Yett, UNICEFs lead in Sudan, told CNN that violence has soared in the days following the RSFs takeover.

He said hed spoken to women who fled El Fasher who said their male relatives were all either killed or detained by RSF.

Speaking to CNN from the eastern city of Port Sudan after returning from an area near Darfur where people are seeking safety, Yett said the stories shared by survivors were blood-curdling. There were groups of women arriving alone, saying their male relatives have been killed or detained, he added.

Advertisement Advertisement

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(Fighters are) going house to house, raids, people being dragged out, just the most horrific stories. People are being held (to) ransom. Theyre being told, basically, you pay or you die, call your relatives, get the money together, he said.

The Sudan Doctors Network said that six medical staff, including four doctors, a pharmacist and a nurse, have been kidnapped by RSF fighters who are now demanding 100 million Sudanese pounds ($166,000) for each of them.

The group has appealed to international organizations, including WHO, to intervene and exert maximum pressure on RSF to release the abductees.

As more reports of alleged atrocities pour in, multiple international organizations, world leaders and human rights groups have called for an immediate ceasefire and quick independent investigations into the killings.

Yett said that the fact that the fighters are filming themselves killing civilians and posting these videos online shows a feeling of lack of accountability.

We need to ensure theres clear accountabilities here. I mean all violations of international law need to be investigated. We need to hold people accountable, he said.

CNNs Allegra Goodwin, Avery Schmitz and Eyad Kourdi contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  Plans to change the name and make other revisions to work programs in South Dakotas state prisons are no longer going forward, at least for now.

Switching the name from Pheasantland Industries to Dakota Core was supposed to happen on November 1.

Last meeting for summer prison study

But that was before Kellie Wasko told Gov. Larry Rhoden on September 1 that she would be resigning as state secretary of corrections in mid-October.

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Wasko stepped down amid criticism from legislators as Rhoden worked to win approval for a new mens prison. Lawmakers agreed to the plan on September 23. He signed Senate Bill 2 into law that night, along with an executive order appointing a new Correctional Rehabilitation Task Force

Caught in the tangle were the Wasko-era work-program changes. They now are on hold.

The governor announced on October 20 that he had chosen Nick Lamb to succeed Wasko in the top post for the state Department of Corrections.

DOC Deputy Secretary Brent Fluke is serving as interim secretary until Lamb can start in mid-November.

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DOC spokesman Michael Winder confirmed on Thursday that, at this point, the work program changes wont proceed.

With incoming Secretary Lamb starting work next month, we want him to have the opportunity to review agency operations before further decisions are made, Winder told KELOLAND 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 KELOLAND.com.
Rachel Reeves blamed an inadvertent error for flouting housing laws after she failed to obtain a licence before renting out her south London home.

The Chancellor failed to adhere to the rules and regulations clearly stated on Southwark councils website.

The local authority has numerous pages of guidance dedicated to its selective licensing rules, detailing what landlords must do before renting out their property in the borough.

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What licence did Rachel Reeves fail to obtain?

There are three types of licences. Mandatory and additional licences are for landlords operating houses of multiple occupation (HMO), but councils have the power to enforce selective licences for other types of property.

These can be introduced in areas where councils want to manage a high concentration of rented properties and improve housing standards.

Hundreds of local authorities have demanded landlords sign up to these codes of conduct, yet Ms Reeves  who previously called for their introduction in Leeds, part of her constituency  claimed she was unaware of Southwarks requirement.

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Southwark brought in the first phase of its selective licensing scheme in 2022 to tackle poor standards and improve safety, security and quality for people living in private rented homes.

Landlords must submit documents proving their property is fit for purpose, including tenancy agreements and safety certificates. They must also pay for the licence fees.

What did Rachel Reeves do wrong?

The Chancellor was required by law to obtain a licence before renting out her four-bed property, but she failed to do so.

Not all of Southwark is covered by the scheme, but a designation for Dulwich Wood ward  where Ms Reevess property is located  was introduced in November 2023, a year after a first phase of areas were selected.

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A public notice issued by Southwark council stipulated that all landlords, managing agents or tenants within the designated area should obtain advice to ascertain whether their property is affected.

This rule was introduced prior to Ms Reeves advertising her property for rent, so she is not one of the thousands of landlords to be caught out by the law change midway through a tenancy.

The licensing requirement applies to most private residential properties rented to single families or unrelated tenants.

There are exemptions, such as the property already having HMO licence, it being used as a holiday let, or if the owner also resides in the property as their main home.

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However, it is not thought any of the exemptions apply to Ms Reeves.

What is the penalty for not having a licence?

It is a criminal offence to fail to obtain a licence when required.

The offence is punishable with an unlimited fine upon conviction. Or, as an alternative to initiating a prosecution, the council can impose a penalty of up to 30,000 or seize control of the property.

The council can also order the landlord to pay back up to 12 months rent.

The tenant living in an unlicensed property may also be able to apply for a rent repayment order, where rules allow tenants to recover up to 12 months worth of rent back from their landlord.

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Ms Reevess register of interests state she has received rental income since September 2024, and her house was marketed for rent at 3,200 a month last year.

If a tenant had paid 3,200 each month, then a years worth of rent would stand at 38,400.

Southwark council said it employs resources to find unlicensed properties. It also stressed that it may apply an enhanced application fee to cover the additional costs incurred in having to find the unlicensed property.

An offending landlord can also be added to the national rogue landlord database.

How much does a licence cost?

Much to the frustration of landlords, councils can charge varying amounts for a licence. In Southwark, a selective licence costs 945 as of April 1 2025  one of the more expensive fees in the country.

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Licensing payments have become a vital income stream for local authorities, many of whom have been plagued by debt and bankruptcy woes.

The passes last five years, although some landlords licences only last one year if the council takes issue with their managing agent. When this happens, they have to pay the fee each year  rather than every five years.

The public can search online council registers to find out if a property has the correct licence.

What is the purpose of selective licensing?

The Housing Act 2004 allows councils to implement a selective licensing scheme covering privately rented properties within a certain area.

The schemes are intended to drive higher standards in the rental sector as they ensure landlords meet certain accreditation criteria.

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However, the powers are only implemented by some councils and fees can vary widely, meaning property investors face an effective postcode lottery over if and how much they pay.

Local authorities used to be required to obtain permission from the Secretary of State before implementing a selective licensing scheme which would cover more than 20pc of their geographical area, or would affect more than 20pc of privately rented homes.

But since December, they have been able to bypass external approval and introduce schemes of any size.

Housing associations and the councils own housing stock are exempt from the selective licensing fee scheme, which has fuelled accusations of discrimination.

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Earlier this year, housing data firm, Kamma, found that the top-earning 500 councils have made 327m from their schemes.

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Rachel Reeves has been hit with a rebellion in the Lords over plans to stop bats and newts from blocking construction.

On Wednesday night, peers voted resoundingly for an amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that would force developers to protect the habitats of wildlife on the land they hope to build on.

The bill is designed to turbocharge the construction of millions of new homes by slashing bureaucracy and removing safeguards to protect nature.

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However, conservation groups have criticised the Governments plans for giving housing developers fresh powers to destroy wildlife in return for contributing to a special fund to pay for future conservation efforts.

The new amendment, backed by hundreds of peers in the Lords vote on Wednesday, will limit this initiative, which the Wildlife Trust has dubbed cash to trash because of its impact on the countryside.

A spokesman for the trust said: We are extremely relieved that the Lords have voted in favour of the amendment.

The Lords rebellion is the latest backlash against Labours attempted bonfire of environmental protections, as Ms Reeves seeks to foster a housebuilding boom.

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The Chancellor has riled conservation groups with her pro-building agenda, including her claim that HS2 was being held up by wildlife and that developers should stop worrying about bats and newts.

In the summer, Ms Reeves said: As a country, weve cared more about the bats than we have about the commuter times for people in Leeds and West Yorkshire, and weve got to change that.

Rachel Reeves has riled conservation groups with her pro-building agenda - Jonathan Brady / Getty Images

The vote on the planning bill also comes two days after an amendment on chalk stream protection was passed by the Lords.

England is home to 85pc of the worlds chalk streams  a unique type of riverbed  and the Government recently faced a backlash after dropping a commitment to protect them.

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The Wildlife Trust said Labour would face a crucial test in its environmental policy when the planning bill returns to the Commons for final approval.

Will they listen to the growing consensus of where genuine win-wins can be found, or bulldoze ahead with a faulty approach that risks destroying the wildlife and the wild places people love? the spokesman added.

A spokesman for the Department of Housing, Communities, and Local Government said: Our landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill will remove barriers to development, get spades in the ground to build vital new homes and infrastructure, and achieve a win-win for the economy and nature.

We will consider our next steps as the bill returns to the Commons and leave no stone unturned to get Britain building faster.

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.
After freezing refugee admissions and cutting off funding to groups that support them, Donald Trumps administration is now drastically reducing the number of refugees admitted into the United States each year  and handing most of those limited slots to white South Africans.

White House proposals previously reported by The Independent were formally added to the federal register on Thursday.

Refugee admissions will now explicitly prioritize Afrikaners for resettlement, and the ceiling for admissions has been radically reduced from 125,000 people to only 7,500 for the next year.

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The move represents a stark break from a refugee policy informed by humanitarian needs, not ideology or identity, according to refugee resettlement groups.

This decision doesnt just lower the refugee admissions ceiling. It lowers our moral standing, said Krish OMara Vignarajah, president of Global Refuge, one of the nations largest resettlement organizations.

Donald Trumps overhaul of the nations refugee admissions process explicitly prioritizes white South Africans and strands thousands of people in the resettlement process, including Afghans (AFP via Getty Images)

At a time of crisis in countries ranging from Afghanistan to Venezuela to Sudan and beyond, concentrating the vast majority of admissions on one group undermines the programs purpose as well as its credibility, she said.

Human Rights First called the move blatantly racist and a new low point in U.S. foreign policy.

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Turning our back on hundreds of thousands of truly at-risk refugees fleeing religious, political, and other forms of persecution defies decades of bipartisan support for welcoming the vulnerable, from Vietnamese to Afghan allies, said the groups president Uzra Zeya.

Lets call this what it is  white supremacy disguised as refugee policy, added Guerline Jozef, director of immigration advocacy group Haitian Bridge Alliance. At a time when Black refugees from Haiti, Sudan, the Congo, and Cameroon are drowning at sea, languishing in detention, or being deported to death, the U.S. government has decided to open its arms to those who already enjoy global privilege.

The White House did not provide a reason for the drop in admissions, but the notice in the federal register states that the figure is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.

The document does not mention any other specific groups to be admitted besides white South Africans.

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Other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands will also be considered for admission into the country as refugees, but the document does not provide any detail on what that entails.

The White House is also capping refugee admissions to 7,500 within the next year, marking a sharp drop from 125,000 in the previous year (AFP via Getty Images)

The overhaul also appears to strand thousands of refugees who are being vetted for entry or have already completed extensive background checks. The number of now-stranded refugees who had already been approved to enter the United States, with confirmed travel plans to resettle in the country, is now larger than the entire refugee program.

It is egregious to exclude refugees who completed years of rigorous security checks and are currently stuck in dangerous and precarious situations, according to Sharif Aly, president of the International Refugee Assistance Project.

Americas refugee program was built to reflect our values, and the thousands of individuals weve closed our doors to represent thousands of missed opportunities of people who could have strengthened a local community or economy, Aly said.

Trump administration officials began welcoming white South Africans into the United States as refugees earlier this year, and the State Department is expecting to resettle thousands more within the coming months (AP)

Trump directed an overhaul of the nations refugee admissions program earlier this year to study whether allowing refugees into the country was even in the interest of the United States.

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The president is required to notify Congress about changes to the program, but lawmakers were not consulted.

This bizarre presidential determination is not only morally indefensible, it is illegal and invalid, top Democrats on the House and Senate judiciary and immigration committees said in a joint statement.

Shortly after Trump entered office in January, the administration abruptly canceled previously arranged refugee flights.

Over the last several months, the administration has also slashed financial aid and healthcare coverage for refugees, and the presidents One Big Beautiful Bill Act restricts refugees from eligibility for Medicaid, Medicare, childrens health insurance and emergency food assistance.

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In May, a group of 59 white South Africans were admitted to the United States as refugees, and the United States essentially extended citizenship to them, Trump said at the time.

The State Department is reportedly planning to resettle 2,000 Afrikaners by the end of October and then another 4,000 by the end of November.

At least 700 Afrikaners are being processed for imminent resettlement in the United States at the end of the government shutdown, following dozens of Afrikaners who were already admitted to the country as refugees earlier this year.
A registered sex offender was arrested on a firearms-related offense in Greenville, according to the Greenville Police Department.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Greenville police executed a search warrant in the 300 block of South Ohio Street on Wednesday.

During the search, a firearm was recovered, according to the department.

Bryan Gilbert, 62, of Greenville, was arrested for weapons under disability.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The department said Gilbert is a registered sex offender due to a conviction of gross sexual imposition in 2019.

Gilbert has also been convicted of cocaine possession in 2006 and another heaving weapons under disability offense in 2019.

Ohio law prohibits those who have been convicted or charged with violent or drug-related crimes from acquiring, having, carrying or using a firearm or dangerous ordinance.

Gilbert remains booked in the Darke County Jail.

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House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) hit back at CNNs Dana Bash during a grilling over the ongoing government shutdown on Thursday

Johnson joined Bash on Inside Politics, where he placed all of the blame for the shutdown on Democrats, and said there will be no compromises unless the full, clean continuing resolution favored by Republicans is passed.

Democrats are currently at a standstill with Republicans over government funding, demanding that their support for the CR be tied to an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies. The shutdown has lasted 30 days, and the food assistance program SNAP will run out of funds by November 1.

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Bash made note of bipartisan calls to fund SNAP, and asked Johnson whether it was an all or nothing strategy for Republicans.

So just to put a pin in it, all or nothing, full government funding for the entire government or youre not going to bring anything up on the House floor even if the Senate finds some sort of compromise, she asked.

Yes because theyre trying to play games and were not interested in doing that. Thats the position of Republican leadership in the Senate and the House and the White House as well. We have to do well and right by all the American people, Johnson said.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) has introduced legislation that would fund SNAP, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (R-NY) said Democrats would support the bill if it was brought to the floor.

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Johnson rejected the premise of Bashs question after she asked why the millions who might soon lose food aid do not motivate Congress to act. The Speaker claimed he cant legally approve contingency funds without prior approval of Congress, something Bash noted Democrats have rejected.

You all have found ways to pay members of the military, which people understand, and WIC, which also people understand. But why are you drawing the line now on 40 million Americans who literally will not be able to eat without government assistance? Why not help them in the short term? Bash asked.

Wait a minute, wait, I reject the premise of the question, Johnson shot back. Im not drawing the line. The Democrats are drawing the lines. If we had a contingency fund that we could use, that would be done. The White House has demonstrated over and over, the executive branch, all the cabinet secretaries are doing everything they can to mitigate and reduce the pain. But that ability is not available for SNAP because the contingency funds had to be prior author authorized by Congress.

Check out the exchange below:

DANA BASH: So just to put a pin in it, all or nothing, full government funding for the entire government or youre not going to bring anything up on the House floor even if the Senate finds some sort of compromise? MIKE JOHNSON: Yes because theyre trying to play games and were not interested in doing that. Thats the position of Republican leadership in the Senate and the House and the White House as well. We have to do well and right by all the American people and we need to do it now. BASH: Can I just ask you, because you mentioned it, that you all have found ways to pay members of the military, which people understand, and WIC, which also people understand. But why are you drawing the line now on 40 million Americans who literally will not be able to eat without government assistance? Why not help them in the short term? JOHNSON: Wait a minute, wait, I reject the premise of the question. Im not drawing the line. The Democrats are drawing the lines. If we had a contingency fund that we could use, that would be done. The White House has demonstrated over and over, the executive branch, all the cabinet secretaries are doing everything they can to mitigate and reduce the pain. But that ability is not available for SNAP because the contingency funds had to be prior author authorized by Congress. BASH: Well, they say that thats not what the law shows, and certainly the administration has shown that they are very happy to move money around without Congress saying yes. JOHNSON: No, Dana, its just simply not true. Its already been adjudicated. When they tried to do that in the first Trump administration, the GAO [Government Accountability Office], for example, determined it was illegal. And the Democrats, when they voted against the clean CR, they voted down that possibility. So it is not legally available to do that. Believe me, the White House has already demonstrated over and over they would use it if it was available. Its not. The Democrats have put the American people in this crisis, and they are the ones that have the power to end it. They could do it today if they feel enough pressure to do so.

Watch above via CNN.

The post I Reject the Premise! Mike Johnson Brawls With CNNs Dana Bash Over Government Shutdown first appeared on Mediaite.
The redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District represents one of the most important opportunities  and responsibilities  in our citys history. This land is not simply 86 acres of real estate. It is ground where lives were built, families were displaced and promises were made that have yet to be fulfilled. Since my election, my team has worked tirelessly to move us forward on this generational opportunity.

That work seemed complete last year, culminating in the signing of detailed agreements with the city, Pinellas County and the HinesTampa Bay Rays group. Though the Tampa Bay Rays did not fulfill their commitments, our St. Pete teams work has positioned us to move forward with certainty and has strengthened our position. The development rights are back in the hands of the city after more than two decades of Rays control, our community priorities are clear, and local partners are ready to seize this new opportunity for long-awaited, equitable progress. We should be undeterred in our pursuit of progress at the Historic Gas Plant District.

In a column I wrote in 2022, I reminded us that the Gas Plant site has its roots in discrimination and segregation, and that redevelopment must honor its history. In 2023, I emphasized that this process must be about far more than a stadium or new buildings  it must be about equity, inclusion and opportunity for those who once called this neighborhood home.

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Today, as we continue this work, we are taking the next step toward fulfilling those promises through a process that is transparent, inclusive and deliberate.

Over the past two decades, the Historic Gas Plant and Tropicana Field sites have been studied and discussed through master plans, market analyses and community conversations  from visioning sessions and charrettes to formal economic and transportation studies  all affirming the community priorities for this development. As we near 40 years since the uprooting of the Gas Plant community in the name of progress, it is time to act on those priorities through intentional, equitable action.

Recently, the city received an unsolicited proposal for redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District from a partnership led by ARK Invest, Ellison Companies and Horus Construction. Their concept  which includes thousands of housing units, new jobs, innovation and arts hubs, green space and cultural recognition  aligns with many of the principles our community has long supported. It seeks to build opportunity while honoring the story of the neighborhood that once stood here.

However, because this proposal was received outside the citys formal process, I am opening a 30-day window for alternative or competing proposals. This step ensures that any decision we make reflects the best ideas available and that the process remains open and fair to all qualified partners. This is not a selection; it is an invitation  a chance to evaluate multiple visions side by side against the values our residents have clearly and consistently voiced.

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From the beginning, my administration has been guided by one principle: Progress must honor our past while creating opportunity for our future. The Historic Gas Plant redevelopment represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to right historic wrongs, deliver economic justice and ensure that the prosperity of St. Petersburg reaches every corner of our city.

This isnt just about new buildings or a ballpark. Its about building community, one rooted in equity, connection and sustainability. The decisions we make today will define St. Petes skyline, its economy and its shared story for the next century.

Regardless of who ultimately partners with the city, our standards remain the same. This project must advance economic inclusion by ensuring meaningful participation for minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses  reflecting the diversity and innovation that define St. Petersburgs economy and honoring the promises of inclusion made when the land was taken. It must also honor the history of the Historic Gas Plant community through visible and lasting recognition, including memorials, cultural centers and storytelling that preserve the legacy of the families and businesses who once called it home.

It must create real housing opportunities, with a significant share of all homes set aside as affordable and workforce housing for families, seniors and essential workers. It must deliver good jobs and workforce pathways by requiring local hiring, supporting small businesses and establishing training programs that open doors and career paths for our residents.

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The redevelopment must be designed for connection and inclusion, knitting our city back together with parks, open space and accessible public areas that bring people together. It must be built for resilience and sustainability, incorporating green infrastructure, energy efficiency and microgrid technology to reduce emissions and strengthen our communitys climate resilience.

Finally, our use of public resources must be strategic. City investment must be fiscally responsible and leveraged for long-term public benefit, not short-term gain. In St. Petersburg, we dont settle for progress that leaves people behind.

We move forward  together  with intention, integrity and a shared vision for a city where everyone belongs and prospers. These are not just boxes to check; they are commitments rooted in years of community engagement and shared visioning.

The Gas Plant District has waited far too long for renewal. For generations, families who once lived here have watched from a distance as that promise remained unfulfilled. Now is the time to move forward, with intentionality, transparency and accountability.

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By opening this 30-day window for proposals, we reaffirm that progress in St. Petersburg is not rushed but responsible. We will move deliberately, guided by our communitys input and by the principle that redevelopment must serve all, including those once left behind.

This is more than an economic development project. It is a test of who we are as a city, and whether we can build a future that reflects our shared values of respect, equity and opportunity for all. As I wrote before, this land has a promise attached to it. It is time to keep that promise. Together, we can create a Historic Gas Plant District that honors our past, uplifts our present and inspires our future.

Kenneth T. Welch is the mayor of St. Petersburg.
Return-to-office mandates are spreading across North America, with Amazon and Facebook, Canadas major banks, and the Ontario government, calling employees back into the office.

These moves reverse the flexibility that became widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic, when remote work became the new norm as public health measures emphasized staying home and avoiding large gatherings. Supporters of these policies often cite collaboration, innovation and mentorship as reasons to bring workers together in person.

But our research shows that these mandates dont affect everyone equally. For many women, returning to the office means stepping back into environments where gender bias is more pronounced.

Everyday discrimination at work

When people think about gender discrimination, many imagine pay gaps or barriers to promotion. But discrimination also plays out in routine interactions  what we refer to as everyday gender discrimination in our study.

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These are regular slights and offenses that can chip away at womens confidence and sense of belonging over time. They might include being ignored in meetings, being asked to perform administrative tasks outside ones role, receiving inappropriate comments, or having ones ideas credited to others.

While each single incident might seem trivial, their cumulative effect can make women feel frustrated, dissatisfied with their jobs, and more likely to leave their organizations. As organizations reassess where and how people work in the wake of the pandemic, we decided to examine whether everyday discrimination looks different in remote versus in-person settings.

Clear differences by location

To investigate how location shapes everyday gender discrimination, we surveyed 1,091 professional women in the United States with hybrid jobs, or roles that involved both in-person and remote work. Our design allowed us to compare the same persons experiences across work locations and pinpoint the impact of location itself.

The results were striking. Women were significantly more likely to experience everyday gender discrimination when working on-site than when working remotely.

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In a typical month, 29 percent of respondents reported experiencing discrimination in the office, compared to just 18 percent when working from home. These patterns held across types of discrimination, from being underestimated to being excluded from social activities and experiencing sexual harassment.

The contrast was especially sharp for two groups: younger women (under 30) and women who worked mostly with men. Among younger women, the likelihood of experiencing discrimination dropped from 31 percent on site to just 14 percent when remote.

Similarly, women who interacted primarily with men saw their likelihood of experiencing discrimination fall from 58 percent on site to 26 percent remotely. For these groups, remote work provides a meaningful reduction in exposure to everyday gender discrimination.

The trade-offs of remote work

Still, remote work is no silver bullet for gender inequality. Our findings highlight a key advantage  reduced exposure to everyday discrimination  but there are important trade-offs that need to be considered.

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One challenge is that working remotely can limit informal interactions that are crucial for building relationships. It can also reduce access to mentors and feedback and make it harder for women to be considered for high-profile assignments.

Remote work can also make it harder to tell where the office ends and home begins, pulling family duties into the workday and intensifying family obligations even during work hours.

These factors are crucial for career advancement, especially for women. While remote work offers an environment with less everyday gender discrimination, working off-site may also limit womens professional opportunities.

Understanding these trade-offs is essential as organizations craft return-to-office policies. Rather than treating remote work as inherently good or bad, leaders need nuanced strategies that combine the benefits of both in-person and remote work.

What employers and policymakers can do

As companies and governments push employees to return to the office, they risk overlooking how much location matters for womens workplace experiences. Here are three steps organizations can take to address this issue:

1. Offer flexibility where possible.

Giving employees the option to work remotely empowers women to choose the environment where they feel most respected and productive. Some companies have adopted remote-first policies, framing them as tools for talent retention. Such policies allow employees to make decisions about the work location that suits them best.

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2. Import best practices from remote meetings.

While virtual meetings tend to be less engaging, they are also more efficient and focused, with fewer opportunities for offhand comments or interruptions. Applying that same structure to in-person meetings could reduce discrimination while improving productivity.

Companies should consider formal agendas, structured turn-taking, and asynchronous feedback to create fairer, more professional discussions. Amazon, for example, applied this principle by centring in-person meetings around six-page memos rather than open-ended discussions.

3. Acknowledge the trade-offs.

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Leaders should recognize that, while on-site work can accelerate skill development, it can also magnify gender bias. A frank acknowledgement of this tension is the first step toward creating systems that minimize harm while maximizing opportunity.

One bank we studied in separate research, which hasnt been published yet, overcame this challenge by pairing junior staff with senior mentors and implementing a project-tracking system to ensure equitable assignment of opportunities.

Location, location, location

Workplace discrimination is not only an ethical problem  it also undermines performance, fuels turnover and exposes firms to legal risks.

Our study shows that where work happens  remotely or on site  plays a central role in shaping womens exposure to everyday gender discrimination.

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As organizations roll back the remote work practices adopted during the pandemic, its important to recognize that decisions about location can powerfully shape employees experiences and professional opportunities at work.

Thoughtful policies that balance the benefits of in-person interaction with the protections afforded by remote work can help ensure that women face less everyday discrimination and experience greater equality at work.

Laura Doering is an associate professor of strategic management at the University of Toronto.

Andras Tilcsik is a professor of strategic management at the University of Toronto.

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This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The post Remote Work Reduced Gender Discrimination  Returning to the Office May Change That appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that China has committed to immediately purchase "large and tremendous amounts" of soybeans and other US farm products as part of a deal between the two nations following his much-anticipated meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in Busan, South Korea. Speaking to reporters during a gaggle aboard Air Force One following his departure to Washington, Trump hailed the decision as a "very nice gesture" from President Xi Jinping, noting that his Chinese counterpart had authorised the purchase a day earlier. "We're in agreement on so many elements. Large amounts, tremendous amounts of the soybeans and other farm products are going to be purchased, starting immediately. If you notice, President Xi authorised yesterday for China to start buying very large quantities of soybeans and other things, which I appreciated. That was a very nice gesture," Trump said. According to CNN, in May, China halted its purchases of US soybeans following Trump's announcement of tariffs, leaving farmers nationwide with billions of dollars' worth of unsold crops and prompting some to question the policies of a president many had supported. The administration has been considering a bailout package to assist farmers, but the recent government shutdown complicated matters, casting doubt on whether such aid will be delivered. Prior to the Trump-Xi meeting, US Treasury Secretary Bessent announced a framework agreement that could encourage China to resume purchasing a significant volume of US soybeans, as reported by CNN. Bessent also has a personal connection to the issue, owning USD 25 million in soybean and corn farmland in North Dakota, according to his public financial disclosure, assessed by CNN. Trump, during the gaggle, also stated that Washington has reached a landmark one-year trade pact with China, slashing tariffs on Chinese imports from 57 per cent to 47 per cent. "We have a deal," Trump stated, referring to the trade pact which will be routinely extended. "Every year we'll renegotiate the deal, but I think the deal will go on for a long time, long beyond the year. We'll negotiate at the end of the year," he added. Trump further noted that the 10 per cent tariff reduction on Chinese exports to the US was due to China agreeing to take "strong action" on the fentanyl issue. "It was 57, now it's 47," the US President said. "We reduced it by the fentanyl because I believe they are really taking strong action. We've already seen the action on fentanyl, and they're taking very strong action. So reduced to 10 per cent," he added. (ANI)
Razor wire follows the banks of the Rio Grande on the Texas side of the U.S.-Mexico border in 2024. The Trump administration now expects about 600,000 total deportations in 2025, fewer than the 685,000 under the Biden administration in fiscal 2024. (Photo by Ariana Figueroa/States Newsroom)

The Trump administration now expects about 600,000 total deportations in 2025, fewer than under the Biden administrations final fiscal year, as a drop in border crossings outweighs the effect of increased deportations elsewhere, according to a report released Oct. 30 by the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank.

State and local officials are kept in the dark by limited information on deportations, the report noted, whether or not they support the administrations mass removal agenda.

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There were 685,000 total deportations in fiscal year 2024 under Biden compared with the 600,000 projected by the Trump administration for this calendar year, the report states.

During the 2025 fiscal year that ended in September, there were about 340,000 deportations, the report estimates, including both orders of removal and people choosing to end detention with voluntary departure. The Trump administration has projected 600,000 deportations for this calendar year, well short of an earlier goal of 1 million.

Unauthorized migration at the border plunged dramatically from 2.1 million to 444,000 border encounters in the past fiscal year. Migrants also returned to a former pattern: People crossing the border were mostly single men from Mexico and children from Central America, after a previous surge of border crossers from around the world, the report states.

At the same time, news reports indicate that thousands of migrants who were headed for the U.S. border have reversed course and headed back through the Panamanian jungle to reach South America again.

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The lower level of border activity has made it possible for U.S. officials to send border patrol agents to cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago, the Migration Policy Institute report says.

The steep decrease in unauthorized arrivals at the border and return to nationalities that are easier to turn back because of existing repatriation agreements has permitted the administration to direct its focus to immigration enforcement in the U.S. interior, the report states.

For the first time since at least 2014, deportations from inside the United States outnumbered apprehensions at the border.

The report noted that the administration has not updated many statistics that would help show trends.

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It has become increasingly complicated to track results because only selective statistics have been made public, the report stated.

Returning to regular reporting of detailed data on immigration enforcement across the various Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration agencies could not only improve the publics understanding of current immigration enforcement activities but also inform state and local stakeholders who want to collaborate or who are affected by enforcement, it said.

Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org.

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EAST GREENBUSH - On Oct. 17, a Rensselaer County employee told the state Office of Children and Family Services that the county needs $448,839 out of $558,232 that the state has made available to the county in Child Care Assistance Program funding.

A few days later, on Oct. 21, OCFS - without mentioning the funding request - told NewsChannel 13, an Albany-based TV news station, in an email that the county never asked for the maximum $558,232 in supplemental funding available to help fund day care providers.

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The station ran a story with that information on Monday, much to the chagrin of Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, who has accused OCFS of intentionally or erroneously leaving out the $448,839 requested.

The crux of the story centered on the county's plan to stop accepting new applications for the Child Care Assistance Program next month due to a lack of funding. When McLaughlin unveiled his proposed 2026 budget earlier this month, he noted his concerns about unfunded state mandates and that child care assistance subsidies are expected to cost the county $8 million next year.

More: 'Devastating': Child care advocates worry about imminent funding cliff

Related: What to know as federal food help and preschool aid will run dry Saturday if shutdown persists

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"It's very disheartening when you're sitting there trying to do the right thing every day, and you just get it thrown back in your face as if you're doing the wrong thing," McLaughlin told the Times Union on Wednesday. "We did the right thing."

The Republican leader called the agency on Wednesday morning and sent a letter to OCFS Commissioner DaMia Harris-Madden requesting a public apology and an internal probe into the agency's communication about the issue.

He also told the agency that County Attorney Carl J. Kempf III plans to submit an open records request pursuant to the state's Freedom of Information Law. McLaughlin spokesperson Richard Crist told the Times Union the county specifically wants records related to how the agency handled the email exchange with NewsChannel 13.

NewsChannel 13 ran a follow-up story online Tuesday, in which reporter Zach Richter wrote that the station reached back out to OCFS, asking if "we were given the wrong information."

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"They got back to us but said they could not confirm or deny anything yet," he wrote.

NewsChannel 13 reporter Zach Richter does a stand-up at a stand-off on Western Avenue in 2025. (Tyler A. McNeil/Times Union)





The station's news director, Josh Koumjian, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. OCFS also did not respond to the Times Union's request for comment on Wednesday.

Email records provided by Rensselaer County show that OCFS employee Emily DeHoff requested projections for how child care assistance funding would be allocated on Oct. 8 and Oct. 17. "Rensselaer County will need $448,839 of the $558,232 allocated per Attachment A of the (Local Commissioners Memoranda)," county employee Jennifer Girzone replied to the latter email.

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County officials' release of the email chain comes two days before the start of November, when Rensselaer County intends to stop accepting child care assistance applications.

The New York State Office of Children & Family Services on Third Avenue in Rensselaer is seen here June 1. (Tyler A. McNeil/Times Union)





This is due to what the county executive has previously described as a funding shortfall after the state expanded income eligibility for families to qualify for the program. More than 20 other counties took similar steps earlier this year to suspend new applications due to a lack of funding.

For Rensselaer County Deputy Minority Leader Nina Nichols, Rensselaer County's request for less than the full amount of supplemental funding that's available raises questions over why the administration intends to stop accepting new applicants.

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"If they've closed off applications because they're saying they have no funds, but there's still money on the table, then that does raise a question for me that I would like a deeper answer to," Nichols said.

McLaughlin said that the county tapped every dollar needed to help pay for providers in September.

"Now, if we had put in for $550 million, quite honestly, the state probably would have sent $550 million over, but not long after that - because the state is nobody's fool either - they would have looked and said, Hey you guys weren't entitled to that, we're going to take it back,'" McLaughlin said.

In June, social services officials were concerned after struggling to find $900,000 they believed the state had sent for child care assistance. But later, according to McLaughlin, OCFS assured the county that child care assistance funding was there.

This article originally published at Rensselaer County executive seeks state apology for email to news station about child care funding.




TROY - A Rensselaer tow operator accused of using his company to steal cars and sell them to scrapyards is facing additional forgery charges.

John F. Rivers, 43, of East Greenbush, was indicted on two felony counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument on Oct. 2. An indictment shared by the state Attorney General's Office accuses Rivers of having a fake Florida registration and dealer plates on May 29 on Hoosick Street. He was arraigned Oct. 6 in Rensselaer County Court, court officials said. He also appeared in court Oct. 14 and is due back Nov. 6 for charges filed last year.

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Rivers was arrested in a separate case last December on 19 felony charges in total, including fourth-, third- and second-degree grand larceny, first-degree falsifying business records and first-degree scheme to defraud. The Attorney General's Office alleged that he used his company, Rivers Asset Recovery, to steal 17 vehicles over the course of two years. At the time, he chalked it up to paperwork errors. He was also accused of falsely indicating he owned a vehicle on a state Department of Motor Vehicles form.

"It's really dumb. They're just saying I did my paperwork wrong," he told the Times Union last year.

More: Rensselaer tow company owner charged with stealing and selling off vehicles

Rivers's company has contracts to service parking lots around the Capital Region, according to the Attorney General's Office. Signs posted in the parking lot at 900 Central Ave. in Albany warn customers unauthorized or overnight vehicles will be towed. Beneath a logo of a demon surrounded by flames is River Assets Recovery's slogan: "You slip, we grip."

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Dom Clemente said he didn't initially see the signs when he left his vehicle in the lot near Enterprise Rent-A-Car, mistakenly believing he could keep it there when he rented a vehicle on Oct. 2. When he returned the following Saturday, his 2003 Honda Element was missing.

The 66-year-old Wells resident said he called Rivers Asset Recovery and was told it would cost $150 to pick up his vehicle. When he called an hour later, the price had been raised to $475.

"This is all predatory, this is all planned out," he said.

Clemente said he filed a complaint with the Attorney General, but so far no charges have resulted.

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Depositions filed in the initial case pursued by police and prosecutors accuse Rivers of deceptive business practices. In one case, a man had his car towed while he was hospitalized for a week. He was told it would cost $5,000 to get it back, the man said.

"I then explained to John how I experienced a medical emergency," the man wrote. "John responded by saying he didn't give a s--t."

He said Rivers then offered him $500 to buy his car the next day, but after the man asked for time to get the money together, he was informed by Rivers the following month it would now cost him $7,000 to get his car back.

When reached earlier this month, Rivers deferred to his attorney, who has not returned a call seeking comment.

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Clemente said he visited Rivers Asset Recovery on Oct. 7, but no one was there. His vehicle was visible behind a barricade of junked cars, with its hood and doors open, he said. The next day, Rivers released his vehicle without charge, though he racked up vehicle rental and travel expenses and had to involve the managers of the lot on Central Avenue, he said. An agent representing the lot owner declined to comment.

An emailed inquiry to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which regulates tow trucks, has not yet been returned.

Clemente said he called police, but was told they don't have jurisdiction over tows from private lots. He is waiting on a response to the complaint he filed with the Attorney General's Office.

"This is outrageous. I can't believe this is allowed to go on," he said.

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A spokesperson confirmed last week that Clemente's complaint had been received and was under review.

This article originally published at Rensselaer tow operator charged in vehicle theft scheme faces new charges.
Nevada legislation enacted in 2019 expanded protections for federal workers facing eviction, mortgage foreclosure, and vehicle repossession during a federal government shutdown. (Photo: Ronda Churchill/Nevada Current)

While federal food assistance benefits are expected to stop Nov. 1, federal housing vouchers providing rental assistance for low-income households should continue as normal, according to housing authority officials.

And state legislation passed in 2019 is designed to offer eviction and foreclosure protections for households with federal workers who arent getting paid during a federal government shutdown.

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An estimated 2.4 million households nationwide, including 17,137 households in Nevada, rely on the Housing Choice Voucher program, previously referred to as Section 8, to pay for rent.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development can not process new voucher applications during the shutdown, now in its fourth week.

But HUD has obligated funding for existing vouchers through Dec. 31, the Reno Housing Authority told Nevada Current in an email.

The Reno Housing Authority, which provides assistance throughout Washoe County, allocated around 2,094 housing choice vouchers last year. Additional funds related to operating public housing have already been secured through Nov. 30, said Jerri Williams Conrad, the government and public affairs manager for the Reno authority.

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The Nevada Rural Housing Authority, which facilitates roughly 1,100 vouchers, also confirmed via email funds are obligated through the year.

The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority, which administers roughly 12,000 vouchers in Clark County, did not address requests for comment about how long funding for vouchers and public housing is secured, or what kind of reserve the agency has to continue operation if funding lapses. We do not know the full impact of a prolonged shutdown, the agency said in brief statement.

Eviction, foreclosure protections

Legislation passed and signed into law in 2019 by former Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak expanded protections for federal workers, facing eviction, mortgage foreclosure, and vehicle repossession during a federal government shutdown.

For federal employees who are unable to pay rent and receive an eviction notice, they have the right to request to stay in the property until 30 days after the shutdown ends, according to Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada.

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The protections also extend to an employee of an employer who has entered into a contract with a federal agency, or a household member of such a worker.

Assembly Bill 393, sponsored by former Democratic Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson during the 2019 session, was introduced after the government shutdown of 2018-19 during the first Trump administration, which lasted 35 days.

Given the record of the past few years and the polarization on the federal level, I think we can safely assume that government shutdowns will occur from time to time in the future, Frierson said. We at the state level must take action to protect our citizens.

No state lawmakers opposed the measure.

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The current shutdown, which currently has no end in sight, is the first time the law will be put to the test.

In addition to eviction protections for federal employees, the legislation:

Prohibits landlords from charging late fees or terminating a a lease due to unpaid rent;

Prevents a foreclosure claim from being started against a worker during the shutdown and for 90 days after it ends;

Stops vehicles from being repossessed during the shutdown and for 30 days after the shutdown ends.

The bill requires outstanding rent to be paid 30 days after the shutdown ends. Federal workers also have to provide proof they are employed by the government.
Ohios leaders appear poised to approve a new congressional map that would make Cincinnati and Toledos congressional districts more Republican while protecting an Akron Democrat.

The proposed map, revealed on Oct. 30, would help Republicans win seats currently held by two Democratic representatives  Cincinnatis Greg Landsman and Toledos Marcy Kaptur  while making Akron Rep. Emilia Sykes district slightly more Democratic.

The seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission has another meeting set for 10 a.m. Oct. 31.

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Kaptur is the longest-serving woman in congressional history, but she represents a northwestern Ohio area that is increasingly voting for President Donald Trump and Republicans. In 2024, she eked out a win against a former state representative.

U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman makes his acceptance speech in the 1st Congressional district during a watch party at Queen City Exchange in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, Nov.5, 2024.

The proposal would fend off Republicans plan to pass a 13-2 Republican-favored map in November, when Ohios redistricting rules allow GOP lawmakers to approve districts without Democratic votes.

Republicans, in turn, would avoid a ballot campaign that could upend their congressional map.

Gov. Mike DeWine said he plans to vote for the proposed congressional map, which he first saw on Oct. 29, even though he says Ohio's redistricting process is flawed and too political.

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"I think it will make it more difficult, frankly, for a referendum (to overturn a congressional map) to succeed," DeWine said. "So, in that sense, for the Republicans who might not like this, I would simply say that this very well could be a 12-3 map. Those are pretty darn good numbers."

Nationwide, Republicans and Democrats are engaged in a high-stakes battle over who will control the U.S. House of Representatives after the 2026 elections. Trump and Vice President JD Vance, a former Ohio senator, have urged Republicans to pick up as many congressional seats as possible.

Ohio was required to redraw its congressional map because Republicans and Democrats couldnt agree on a compromise in 2022. As a result, the map lasted for two election cycles only.

U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes would see her Akron-area district remain competitive under a new proposed Ohio congressional map

For some Trump supporters, Ohios congressional plan is too kind to Democrats.

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The Dems want this deal because its a bad deal for Republicans, wrote Jack Posobiec, a MAGA influencer and Trump backer, on X. The GOP members should not do this deal and should instead let the legislature draw the map.

Meanwhile, some Democrats expressed frustration with leaders accepting any deal that would give up more seats to Republicans.

Former Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper said the new Cincinnati district would undo years of work to keep that community together. Landsman is a strong candidate who can still win, he said, but the map is clearly unconstitutional.

They just re-gerrymandered greater Cincinnati, said Pepper, a former Cincinnati City Council member. The whole thing is just another example of how broken Ohios system is.

The new proposed congressional map introduced on Oct. 30 makes the 1st District in the Cincinnati area and the 9th District in the Toledo area more Republican. The 13th District in the Akron area would be slightly more Democratic, but still competitive.

What does the map look like?

The new Ohio congressional map would make key changes to three Democratic districts:

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The 1st congressional district, represented by Landsman, would stretch from Cincinnati to Warren and Clinton counties. The district would no longer include suburbs in northern Hamilton County, which would move to the 8th congressional district represented by Rep. Warren Davidson. The new district would be somewhere between a true toss-up and a district that favors Republicans by 3 percentage points.

The 9th congressional district, represented by Kaptur, would stretch from Toledos Lucas county into more western Ohio counties. The new district would extend to Ohio Senate President Rob McColleys current legislative district as he mulls a congressional bid. That district would favor Republicans by 9 to 10 percentage points.

The 13th congressional district, represented by Sykes, would keep Akron and Canton together while adding Kent, home of Kent State University. The new district would favor Democrats by 3 to 4 percentage points.

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, is the longest-serving woman in congressional history.

What are the dynamics of the deal?

Ohio Democrats lose nearly all of their negotiating leverage when the calendar turns to November. At that point, Ohios Constitution allows Republicans to approve new congressional districts without any Democratic votes.

And any map will be reviewed by the Ohio Supreme Court, which has just one Democrat. The top courts new leader supported GOP-drawn maps in 2021 and 2022.

Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, who serves on the redistricting commission, said that the redistricting process has "stark flaws."

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I acknowledge the impossible challenge that this minority faces as we balance our duty to Ohios Constitution alongside the pursuit of bipartisanship and our commitment to fairness," Antonio said.

But Republicans were also motivated to avoid their own worst-case scenario. Democrats had threatened to put any unfavorable map up for a statewide vote in 2026. That move, if successful, would have blocked using the new map in 2026 elections, adding expense and uncertainty to Ohios races.

This system is set up with a series of compromises and choices that each side has to make, Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, told reporters on Oct. 29. In this current period, theres a set of choices that the majority party and the Democratic party can make and mutually benefit and mutually not get everything that they want.

Ohioans rail against the congressional map, backroom deal at hearing

Several Ohioans who attended the Oct. 30 meeting strongly opposed the proposed congressional map and criticized politicians expected support of it. It's not yet clear whether any group would sue over the congressional map.

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Ohioans did not vote for partisan deal-making behind closed doors, said Bria Bennett with the Ohio Organizing Collaborative.

Michael Ahrens called the deal a politically contrived solution between two major political parties. He said Ohio voters would be left out in the cold without a say in their congressional representation.

"Republican and Democratic voters feel like their parties sold them out  and they're both right," said Jen Miller, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio. "This sham process and gerrymandered map provide a clear illustration of why letting politicians choose their voters robs us all of real representation."

State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@gannett.com or @jbalmert on X.

Tell us what you think

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio may be closer to deal on congressional redistricting




State Rep. Jolanda Jones assured University of Houston students Wednesday night that there is no reason to be alarmed about the more than 20 bodies recovered this year from the city's bayous.

Jones, who represents Texas' 147th District, hosted a town hall at the university to quell fears and answer questions about the 28 bodies that have been recovered so far in 2025, including UH student Jade McKissic. She stressed to students that death investigations take time, and it will likely be months before answers come to light. Jones also told students they should exercise extreme caution around the bayous, which can have deadly currents in addition to large debris.

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"I know people want answers now, but we need to make sure that whatever answers are given are accurate and scientifically proven," she said.

Mayor John Whitmire and Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz have assured the community that there is no serial killer linked to the deaths, something Jones echoed Wednesday. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, which serves as the county medical examiner, has gradually released information about each person's death in recent weeks, showing drowning as the most common cause of death among the cases so far.

Students Angel Moss and Aleia Thompson, both chairs of the university's NAACP chapter, organized the town hall. Moss said she asked Jones to speak to students because of the fear and misinformation surrounding the bayou deaths.

"We still don't even know what exactly happened, so we're just we're left with just a big question mark," she said. "Hopefully, she (Jones) can give us resources or information about what's going on and especially what can be done about it."

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READ MORE: Everything we know about each of the 24 people found dead in Houston bayous this year

Thompson said she hopes students would leave the town hall feeling more informed and empowered about how they can advocate for safety measures.

"I feel like people are scared, but at the same time, no changes are being made," she said. "So, you don't really have a choice but to go back to normal."

Jones encouraged students to share their concerns with city and county leaders to push for the change they want to see.

"Please ask me the questions so that if I have the answer, I can answer them, and if I don't have the answer and another agency or entity is responsible for it, I will tell you that," she said.

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Jones said the city's bayous are managed by the Harris County Flood Control District, meaning any safety infrastructure installations would have to be approved and carried out by the agency. She said she has talked with residents who live along the bayous who have expressed concern about the flood control district's failure to cut the tall grass that grows by the water, attracting rodents, reptiles and insects. The flood district has said they don't have enough funding to cut the grass along the bayous more than twice a year, according to Jones.

The flood control district did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"You might want to go to the county commissioners and say, 'Hey, fund them so that they can cut this stuff down, so that it can be safe,'" she said.

Jones, a former Houston city councilwoman, also noted that the city is responsible for maintaining the roads and sidewalks along the bayous and would be in charge of installing any additional lighting or infrastructure. Jones also said the city could enter a memorandum of understanding agreement with Harris County to help fund projects for the bayous.

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"That might be something you go to the city council for and say, 'Hey, how come you don't put more lights along the roads that run along the bayous?'" she said. "Because if crimes are happening, most people don't do crimes in the light."

This article originally published at Rep. Jolanda Jones seeks to calm students' fears, frustrations over bayou deaths at UH town hall.
SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  The Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office responded to a report of shots fired Thursday morning at a business in Cowpens.

Deputies said they received a report of gunshots at GXO Logistics on 1120 East Mount Olive Road. Upon arrival, officials evacuated all employees and confirmed there was no active shooter.

The initial reports made it seem like it could be a possible active shooter situation, but once deputies got on scene, began evacuating the building [and] clearing the building, we realized that that was not the case, said Lt. Graham McLellan.

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Lt. McLellan said the situation was a domestic incident in the business parking lot, where a suspect was seen with a gun. Investigators used security footage to determine that no shots were fired.

No one was injured. McLellan said the suspect fled the scene.

From the time we saw the gun, to the time he left, was a minute. So, we feel confident [the suspect] never went in the building, he added. Everybody is accounted for and safe, and no injuries reported, even in the chaos afterwards. No bumps or bruises, anything like that.

The sheriffs office did not release any details about the suspect, but said investigators are working to determine how, or if, they are related to the warehouse. Investigators said a hiring event was taking place at the time of the incident.

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GXO employees were sent home for the day.

The Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office said they believe there is no threat to the public.

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.
A reporter asked President Donald Trump about a sudden announcement the president made about nuclear weapons shortly before meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi was sitting across from Trump when the reporter asked the question.

Not long before meeting with Xi in Busan, South Korea, Trump fired off a post on Truth Social regarding the U.S. nuclear arsenal. In it, he announced that the U.S. would begin restesting nuclear weapons, and boasted that the U.S. had the most in the world:

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP

About an hour later, Trump sat down with his Chinese counterpart, as both men were flanked by their respective aides.

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Mr. President, you care a lot about world peace, Xi told Trump, who listened to an interpreter. And you are very enthusiastic about settling various regional hotspot issues. I appreciate your great contribution to the recent conclusion of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. During a visit to Malaysia, you witnessed the signing of the joint declaration on peace along the Cambodia-Thailand border, to which you had provided input. Chinas been helping in our own way. Cambodia and Thailand properly settled their border disputes, and we have also been promoting peace talks to resolve other hotspot issues.

Xi spoke for a few more moments, and when he was finished, Trump replied, Thank you. Thank you very much. Its great to have you all. Thank you very much.

At that point, a reporter inquired about Trumps post.

Mr. President, why did you change your nuclear plans? she asked. Why are you gonna be doing more nuclear testing?

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Thank you very much, everybody, Trump responded. Thank you very much.

The U.S. stopped testing nuclear weapons in 1992.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post Reporter Asks Trump in Front of Xi, Why Did You Change Your Nuclear Plans? first appeared on Mediaite.
A teenager fell to his death from the 20th floor of an unfinished building during a mass demonstration by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem against the drafting of young men from their community into military service, Israeli media reported on Thursday.

Organizers of the rally had called on other young men to come down from the upper floors of the building, the Times of Israel reported. Security forces were busy bringing more than a dozen demonstrators safely out of the building, the newspaper reported.

The dispute over a push to require more ultra-Orthodox men to perform the general military service is increasingly becoming a political and social stress test in Israel.

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It is also seen as a risk to the survival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing religious coalition. Many ultra-Orthodox Jews regard military service as a threat to their pious lifestyle, including because women and men serve together.

The army, however, has warned emphatically of a drastic shortage of combat-ready soldiers given the long war against the Palestinian Islamist Hamas militia in the Gaza Strip.

Many Israelis also consider it unfair that the growing number of ultra-Orthodox Jews are exempt from military service and dangerous combat missions.
Republican lawmakers say too much of a conservation tax on extractive industry is benefitting the state of New Mexicos general fund, versus its cleanup fund. (Photo by Charles O'Rear / Getty Images)

Amid ongoing proposed rulemaking that would require more funds from oil and gas operators to clean up New Mexicos abandoned wells, Republican state lawmakers on Thursday pressed state officials over the current funding for such work.

In a tense and sometimes testy interim Water and Natural Resources Committee hearing in Artesia, members of the minority party told presenters from the states Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department and the State Land Office to reconsider pursuing higher investment from oil and gas operators, saying it would harm the industry as a whole, and smaller oil producers in particular.

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If those wells arent producing, guess what, yall dont have a job because thats whats paying your wages right now, OK? said Sen. Candy Spence Ezzell (R-Roswell) during one exchange.

Earlier this year, legislative analysts estimated that in the coming years, New Mexico faces between $700 million to $1.6 billion in costs to clean up abandoned oil and gas wells. One of the June reports recommendations included updating the states rules around the bonds companies guarantee to better reflect the costs for cleanup. That proposal is currently under considerationand receiving public commentby the states oil and gas regulatory committee.

The state has identified more than 700 orphan wells that need to be plugged, EMNRD Deputy Secretary Ben Shelton told the committee, but many more wells are entering the end of their lifespans.

Theres another 4,000 to 5,000 that are currently sitting in an inactive status or extremely low-producing status that we have an eye on that looms in the background of our current plugging list, Shelton told the committee.

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Rep. Rod Montoya (R-Farmington), however, called the proposed revamped rules a money grab, and said the state should instead change the distribution of tax revenue intended to address the issue.

Specifically, EMNRD uses money from the states reclamation fundintended to plug wells and clean up pollutionwhich itself receives a portion of a 1959-era conservation tax placed on various extractive industries. Since 2022, the agency has also received $55.5 million in multiyear federal grants it has used for the work.

Shelton said the state tries to spend federal funds first, and leave more money available in the states reclamation fund to address unpredictable costs for environmental remediation. The fund currently contains more than $75 million and the state this year requested about $21 million for plugging wells and environmental remediation.

Montoya noted that under state law, the majority of the $120 million to $140 million collected annually in conservation taxes ends up in the general fund. Only about 10% a year benefits the states reclamation fund.

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As such, he said, the state should ensure more of the conservation tax benefits the reclamation fund, rather than look to industry to pay for the cleanup.

I cannot see a justification to go out there and ask industry for more money to do the same thing that were already collecting money for,  Montoya said.

Shelton, in response to questions along the same line from Rep. Jonathan Henry (R-Artesia), said that not only would spending the entire $76 million currently in the reclamation fund be insufficient to address the problem, but if 100% of the conservation tax was directed to the [reclamation] fund, that would not be enough for the state to manage our cleanup liability. If you took the conservation tax amounts on operators and increased it and then gave 100% to the [reclamation] fund, it would not be enough. We are talking about potentially billions of dollars of liability, he said.

Rep. Elaine Sena Cortez (R-Hobbs) responded that lawmakers have the chance to increase the reclamation fund for clean up. Previous legislative efforts to change the distribution proportion have failed.

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Not to beat a dead horse, but if we utilize the reclamation fund for its intended purposes at full capacity  and the keyword is full capacity  its going to help producers curb costs, and then it provides an environmental win as well, she said. And at the end of the day, thats what we all want.

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The News in Brief Thursday, October 30, 2025

Archimandrite Dorote Kurashvili, a Georgian Orthodox cleric known for his outspoken criticism of both the ruling Georgian Dream party and the Church hierarchy, has been dismissed from his post as head priest of the Lower Betlemi Savior's Nativity Church. The decision, issued by Patriarch Ilia II under Order No. 84, follows a diocesan commission's findings of "disciplinary violations."The Patriarch's decree reassigns Kurashvili to serve as a clergyman at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi. The order came shortly after the Mtskheta-Tbilisi diocesan commission accused the archimandrite of repeated noncompliance with summonses and of actions "defamatory and inappropriate for a priest."The commission included several senior clerics, among them Patriarchal Locum Tenens Shio Mujiri, Patriarchate Spokesperson Andria Jagmaidze, and the Patriarch's Secretary Mikael Botkoveli. In its report, the body noted that Kurashvili had twice refused to appear before it, most recently on October 29, after demanding that the session be open to the media. The commission rejected the request, calling it "unprecedented and unacceptable."Kurashvili, who has long been a vocal critic of both the Church leadership and the government, claimed that political motives were behind the move. "Today, I am being judged by the Russian Church and Bidzina Ivanishvili. This is their order," he told reporters while the proceedings were underway, referring to the Georgian Dream founder and billionaire.The archimandrite has regularly denounced what he describes as "systemic injustice" and repression under the current government. He has frequently taken part in pro-European and anti-government rallies, criticizing Church authorities for what he sees as their political subservience.The Patriarchate has not issued any further comment since the order was made public.The Tbilisi City Court has ruled in favor of Georgian Dream MP Nino Tsilosani in a defamation lawsuit against philosopher Levan Ghambashidze, ordering him to pay GEL 10,000 in compensation. The case centered on Ghambashidze's corruption allegations against Tsilosani's family.The dispute began in February, when Ghambashidze wrote on social media that members of Tsilosani's family had "stolen GEL 65 million from the state budget." Tsilosani denied the accusation and demanded a retraction, warning that the matter would otherwise be settled in court. In May, Ghambashidze announced that the MP had filed a defamation suit seeking the same amount the court has now awarded.After the ruling, Tsilosani, who also serves as a deputy speaker of parliament, welcomed the court's decision. "Levan Ghambashidze lied in the information spread against my family, which was also confirmed by the court's decision," she wrote on Facebook. "By fully satisfying my claim, the court once again reinforced the hope that no disinformation or false accusation will go unanswered."Tsilosani added that she plans to donate the compensation to "those who need it most," describing it as a "morally right step." She also urged Ghambashidze to focus his work on "more noble and righteous goals."Ghambashidze, however, disputed her characterization of the ruling. "It is a lie that the court confirmed I had lied," he said in a Facebook post. "If the court confirmed anything at all, it is that it cannot make decisions independent from the Georgian Dream government."
US President Donald Trump indicated a possible easing of tensions with Canada, days after escalating a trade dispute with the country over what he described as a "fake" advertisement involving former US President Ronald Reagan. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was among a select group of world leaders who joined Trump for dinner on Wednesday night during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea. "We had a very nice conversation with him last night," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked about his interaction with Carney, hinting at a softening tone after days of strained exchanges. The dinner followed a turbulent week in US-Canada relations. Trump had recently announced a 10 per cent tariff increase on Canadian imports, accusing Ottawa of misrepresenting Reagan's 1987 anti-tariff speech in a television advertisement aired during the MLB World Series on October 26. The ad, reportedly funded by the Ontario government at a cost of USD 75 million, suggested that Reagan opposed tariffs--a claim Trump denounced as fraudulent. "Ronald Reagan LOVED Tariffs for purposes of National Security and the Economy, but Canada said he didn't! Their (Canada's) 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 wrote on Truth Social while aboard Air Force One. "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." Currently, multiple Canadian products face a 35 per cent tariff, while steel and aluminium are subject to 50 per cent, and energy products 10 per cent. Trump did not specify which sectors the additional tariffs would target. The controversy over the advertisement further strained relations that had already been tense since early October. On October 7, Trump and Carney had met in Washington to discuss trade, border security, and ongoing negotiations between the two countries. At that time, Trump described the talks as "complicated, more complicated than maybe any other agreement we have on trade," attributing the difficulty to the countries' deep economic ties and "natural conflict" born out of their closeness. However, just weeks later, Trump refused to meet with Carney before departing for Asia, telling reporters at the White House, "No, I don't have any plan to." The refusal underscored how quickly relations had soured, culminating in his tariff hike announcement and public criticism of Canada's "fraudulent" portrayal of Reagan. Trump also accused Canada of hoping to be "rescued" by the US Supreme Court over the tariff issue. "The sole purpose of this FRAUD was Canada's hope that the United States Supreme Court will come to their 'rescue' on Tariffs that they have used for years to hurt the United States," he posted on X, adding that the new tariffs would allow the US to defend itself against "high and overbearing Canadian Tariffs." Despite the friction, Wednesday's brief interaction between Trump and Carney at the APEC summit suggested a possible thaw. During a group photo session, Trump initially avoided Carney but later pointed toward him during the summit dinner, drawing an acknowledging gesture from the Canadian leader. The brief exchange, coming after weeks of escalating rhetoric, hinted that diplomatic communication between the two neighbours may not be entirely closed. (ANI)
The US Senate issued symbolic rebukes of President Donald Trumps protectionist trade policies this week, a rare sign of dissent among Republicans.

A pair of Senators  one Democrat, one Republican  yesterday introduced legislation blocking the Trump administration from imposing additional tariffs on imports of coffee from any country the US has normal trade relations with, while several Republicans crossed the aisle to vote in favor of Democrat-proposed motions ending levies on US imports from Brazil and Canada.

While neither vote will be taken up by the House of Representatives, When [Trump] sees Republicans starting to vote against his policies, even in small numbers, that can often cause him to alter his behavior, one Democratic senator said.
A majority of likely Republican primary voters would support President Donald Trump selling Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine so the country can strike targets deeper inside Russia, according to new polling shared first with Semafor.

The poll  conducted by Public Opinion Strategies for the Ukraine Freedom Project, which advocates for more congressional funding of Ukraine  found that 63% of GOP voters support Trump sending these long-range missiles to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while 37% disapprove.

Meanwhile, a majority of Republican voters (53%) still opposes Congress approving more military aid for Ukraine.

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The poll was conducted Oct. 7-13, ahead of Trumps most recent meeting with Zelenskyy, during which he rejected the Ukrainian leaders bid for Tomahawks.

Trump has since shifted on Russia with an announcement of new sanctions, which Zelenskyy hopes will be followed by an affirmative decision on the missiles.
House Republicans are working to make Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City and a self-identified democratic socialist, a prominent figure in the government shutdown battle from hundreds of miles away.

Their argument is that Democratic members of Congress who have repeatedly rejected the GOP-crafted, House-passed clean stopgap to fund the government through Nov. 21 are afraid of the progressives in the Democratic base  exemplified by Mamdani.

Democrats have called on Republicans to negotiate with them on health care, particularly the extension of enhanced ObamaCare subsidies that expire at the end of the year, before voting for a stopgap to fund the government.

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Mamdani, currently a New York State Assembly member, was the dominant topic in a Thursday press conference with House Republican leaders and Republican members from New York.

They know that they have to continue to act belligerently in order to gain the favor of the far left, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Thursday, pointing to Mamdani being likely to win Tuesdays mayoral election, calling him a 34-year-old, unproven, untested socialist.

Its the clearest sign yet that the Democrats radical Marxist wing is winning the battle for control of their party. Look at where the energy is, Johnson said, adding that New York is a bellwether for the rest of the nation.

Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) of being terrified of the success of the Marxist agenda in Americas largest city.

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They have built their political survival on appeasing the far left, and now our entire country is being held hostage by it, Tenney said.

Jeffries endorsed Mamdani last week, the day before early voting started in the race, after months of speculation  saying in a written statement that he has areas of principled disagreement with Mamdani.

Schumer has not endorsed Mamdani. When asked if he would vote for Mamdani, he told reporters on Tuesday: Look, the bottom line is very simple. I have a good relationship with him, and were continuing to talk.

As Republicans work to make Mamdani the face of the Democratic Party, whether the Democratic leaders endorse him or not has little bearing on the GOPs shutdown messaging.

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House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) said that Schumer and Jeffries are scared to death of that far-left extremist, radical socialist Marxist movement in their own party starting in New York.

And because Mamdani has taken off there, it is affecting real people everywhere in America  devastating consequences, Scalise said, pointing to federal workers missing paychecks.

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.
A team of researchers in Bangladesh spotted two rare tree snakes in the forests of the Kaptai National Park and the Dudpukuria-Dhopachari Wildlife Sanctuary, the Miami Herald reported.

The discovery of these rare tree snake species in nationally protected areas highlights the importance of protecting and preserving natural wildlife habitats, which encourages species biodiversity in an ecosystem.

The researchers' report was published last month in Check List, a peer-reviewed journal of biodiversity data.

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According to the report, the researchers found two arboreal snakes belonging to the Dendrelaphis genus of snakes, also known as Bronzebacks. This snake genus is found in Asia and Australasia, including countries such as Pakistan, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Rarely are they seen or documented in Bangladesh, making these sightings historically significant for the country.

The two species the researchers found were the Dendrelaphis cyanochloris and the Dendrelaphis haasi.

The Dendrelaphis cyanochloris was found within a natural forest habitat, resting on a branch about 12 feet above a sandy stream, per the Check List report. Similarly, the Dendrelaphis haasi snake was found resting about 14 feet above a stream source.

The researchers propose that lingering on branches above water sources may help these snakes minimize the risk of predation while taking advantage of favorable conditions.

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Prior to this report, Bangladesh had few verified records of this genus of snakes. Documentation was even more sparse, lacking high-quality photographs, specimen preservation, and molecular and taxonomical data, which has left a big knowledge gap for conservationists and researchers.

Though snakes remain an understudied group of wildlife in Bangladesh, this new report adds a wealth of knowledge and documentation for conservationists moving forward.

Efforts to protect and preserve the natural habitats where these snake species were found encourage repopulation efforts, helping these snake species establish their range within the country.

Do you think we still have a lot to learn from ancient peoples? Definitely Not really Not sure Only on certain topics Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Trail cameras are also helpful for documenting the population of vulnerable species without intruding on the territory, helping conservationists gauge population health and the success of conservation efforts.

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Trail cameras in Thailand captured a heartwarming sight of a gaur mother leading her three calves into the forest. In Northwest China, hopeful footage showed a rare snow leopard mother and her cub  an endangered species with fewer than 1,200 individuals left in the country.

These snake sightings in Bangladesh's nationally protected areas were "particularly notable," as one of the snake species had just been discovered, the Check List report read.

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 research group has been successful in restoring the habitat of a waterway in Northern California, revitalizing the ecosystem and welcoming back thousands of fish.

New monitoring data from the Baduwa't estuary has confirmed the presence of 15,500 individual fish from 17 different species since the completion of a restoration project in late 2022, according to California Trout.

Among the species are the threatened Chinook and coho salmon, steelhead trout, and the endangered tidewater goby. It's been especially critical for the Chinook and coho salmon, which are able to grow rapidly in the protected habitat and follow their natural life cycle from the ocean to freshwater.

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To restore the habitat, Northern Hydrology and Engineering designed the 9.3-acre project, which was later completed through a partnership with McKinleyville Community Services District. Together, they transformed wastewater percolation ponds into a floodplain habitat that has become a thriving ecosystem.

"It has been an amazing opportunity to follow along with the CalTrout project from the initial planning stages to follow-up monitoring after implementation," Dr. Darren Ward, the California State Polytechnic University Humboldt professor who collected the data, told CalTrout in a statement.

Mary Burke, CalTrout's north coast regional manager, told CalTrout, "These monitoring results prove that strategic habitat restoration works."

Habitat restoration and conservation help protect and preserve biodiversity. Biodiversity matters because each loss of a species leads to a larger impact on wildlife and human life, including economically and culturally, according to Conservation International.

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Just as each loss of a species contributes to a negative domino effect, each preservation of a habitat creates a positive ripple effect.

And there have been many victories lately. Last year, Massachusetts saw the range of the frosted elfin caterpillar expand thanks to habitat restoration. In Southern California, the Stephens' kangaroo rat made a comeback through management of its habitat.

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.




HARTFORD - Firefighters rescued a man from a fire in an apartment building in the city's South End neighborhood Thursday morning, according to the Hartford Fire Department.

District Chief Mario Oquendo Jr. said two people were taken to the hospital due to the blaze - one for possible smoke inhalation and one suffering anxiety from the incident.

The fire also displaced some residents, though an exact number was not immediately available.

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The Fire Department was called to the 200 block of Wethersfield Avenue around 9:30 a.m. Thursday for the reported fire. At the scene, firefighters encountered a basement fire that extended to the upper floors of the brick, three-story, 12-unit building and heavy smoke conditions, Oquendo said.

Firefighters used a ladder to rescue a man from the third floor while crews deployed multiple hose lines, ultimately knocking down the fire, according to Oquendo.

The Hartford Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the cause of the fire, Oquendo said.

The Hartford Fire Department's Special Services Unit, coordinating with the American Red Cross, would be providing assistance to residents displaced by the fire.

This article originally published at Residents displaced, two taken to hospital after Hartford apartment building fire, officials say.
People living in an illegal trailer park in South Florida have been accused of dumping human waste into the groundwater.

According to WPLG Local 10, residents pay $800 per month to live on the five-acre property in the Redlands, where the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office Environmental Crimes Unit served a search warrant.

Sgt. Christopher Garcia told WPLG that sewage in the groundwater is contributing to an E. coli outbreak. Authorities said illegal dumping has been a problem throughout the entire county.

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"We're constantly busy," Garcia said. "This unit averages anywhere from 30 to 60 arrests a month. We've issued millions of fines."

WPLG reported that both the trailer park's property manager and the assistant property manager were arrested and charged with disregard for the environment and felony pollution.

Florida isn't the only state reportedly having trouble with illegal dumping. In 2024, a septic truck was caught on camera dumping waste into a sewage system in Texas. It's a global problem, too. In July, a Welsh water company was accused of discharging raw sewage into the water.

According to The Nature Conservancy, 80% of the world's wastewater enters the environment untreated every day, contributing to habitat loss and extinction. The contaminated water is filled with pathogens and microplastics, which can impact public health.

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Coming into contact with water contaminated with sewage can result in illness, per the U.S. Geological Survey. E. coli, a rod-shaped bacterium often found in the feces of humans and animals, can cause meningitis and intestinal infections.

Preventing illegal dumping requires accessible options for waste disposal and sustainable materials management, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Strong support from leaders and community members can also help keep the environment clean.

"We got to take pride in where we live," Garcia told WPLG. "And nobody wants to live in a community that's basically strewn with trash all over the place. They want to live in a clean, safe community, which is what we're striving to get."

Do you think sewage pollution is a major problem in America? Yes In most states In a few states No 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.








GREGORY, TX (AP)  Thick smoke blanketed a rural community in southern Texas and many residents were ordered to evacuate as firefighters worked to contain a blaze Wednesday evening, officials said.

The Mill Fire in Gregory, Texas, about 150 miles (80.5 kilometers) southeast of San Antonio, had grown to 15 acres and officials had contained about 50% of it, according to Heather Gonzales, a spokesperson for Texas A&M Forest Service.

Residents across the north end of town were ordered to evacuate and a shelter was set up in a nearby community center. No injuries were reported and because of the heavy smoke, which was creating poor visibility, officials were not able to provide information on structures burned.

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There is heavy smoke in the area that could pose a health risk, Gonzales said. So we do want to advise people to leave and avoid the area.

The weather on Wednesday created perfect conditions for a fire to spread quickly, with very dry air and wind speeds between 15 mph (24.1 kph) to 30 mph (48.3 kph) in the area, she said. But by the evening, the fire had stopped spreading and the weather was expected to improve over the next few days.

It wasn't immediately clear how the fire started Wednesday afternoon, and officials were continuing to investigate, she said.

Ground crews are working on patrolling the area and taking care of any hot spots that theyre finding," Gonzales said.

CenterPoint Energy, a major utility provider, had temporarily shut off natural gas service to the city as a precaution, according to a post on the city's Facebook page.
In a vibrant celebration of art, culture and collaboration, the Australian High Commission, in partnership with Kirrikin and the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), hosted a landmark fashion showcase in New Delhi on October 28. The event marked the Indian debut of Kirrikin, an Indigenous Australian fashion label founded by Amanda Healy, a Wonnarua woman and social enterprise leader. Kirrikin's distinctive designs, translating hand-painted First Nations artworks into luxurious, contemporary fashion, brought the essence of Australia's Indigenous heritage to the Indian runway. Designed in Australia and crafted in Noida, India, the label stands as a shining example of cross-cultural collaboration under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA). The showcase drew an eclectic audience including diplomats, cultural representatives, and fashion industry leaders, all gathered to witness the confluence of fashion, art and heritage. The evening's highlight also featured a soulful Didgeridoo performance by First Nations artists, evoking deep-rooted spiritual connections to land and culture. Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green described the event as "a powerful celebration of the creativity, resilience, and cultural richness of Australia's First Nations peoples. Kirrikin's journey exemplifies the strength of trade and cultural exchange under the Australia-India partnership. We are proud to bring their designs to the runway in Delhi in collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of India." Reflecting on the milestone, Kirrikin founder Amanda Healy said, "Celebrating this collaboration with the Australian High Commission and the Fashion Design Council of India is a proud moment for Kirrikin. Bringing First Nations fashion, art, and storytelling to India is an honour, and this showcase highlights the creativity and powerful voices of Indigenous Australian designers." FDCI Chairman Sunil Sethi added, "Fashion has always been a bridge and this event is a true meeting of cultures." Swati Dave, Chair of the Centre for Australia-India Relations, said, "The Centre for Australia-India Relations is committed to supporting First Nations businesses like Kirrikin to increase trade and investment with India, and we are proud to support this fashion showcase, celebrating First Nations creativity and entrepreneurship." The event underscored the growing creative and cultural exchange between Australia and India, setting the tone for future collaborations celebrating diversity, sustainability and design innovation. (ANI)
This story will be updated as local food pantry hours are confirmed. Are we missing an Indianapolis food pantry? Let us know.

Many families may be bracing for the impact of losing their SNAP benefits on Nov. 1 if the federal government shutdown continues, and federal government employees may face late paychecks.

For those who may be struggling, here's a list of local food pantries in Indianapolis.

Food pantries in Indianapolis

3001 E. 30th St.

Hours:

Tuesday: 8 a.m.-noon

Thursday: 8 a.m.-noon and 5-7 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m.-noon

Saturday: 8 a.m.-noon

4202 Boulevard Place

Hours:

Wednesday: 10 a.m.  noon

Thursday: 10 a.m.  4 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m.  noon

1035 N. Olney St.

Food pantry hours:

Wednesday: 10 a.m. - noon

1435 N. Illinois St.

Crisis Office hours:

Monday: 1-3 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. (food only)

Tuesday: 10-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Wednesday: 10-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Thursday: 10-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.

1035 N. Oxford St.

Hours:

Monday: 9 a.m. -2 p.m.

Tuesday: 9 a.m. -1 p.m.

Thursday: 9 a.m. -1 p.m.

Sunday: 9 a.m. - noon

6940 Michigan Road, Ste. 160

Hours:

Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.

Thursday: 1-3:30 p.m. and 3:45-5 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. - 12:30 and 1-3:30 p.m.

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*This pantry serves people who live in Pike Township and west of Meridian Street of Washington Township and patients at the Eskenazi Health Center Pecar.

A current bill or piece of mail with your name and address to prove your residency is required. Papers from a doctor's visit are required for the Eskenazi Health Center Pecar patients.

Those who qualify are eligible to shop twice a month at the pantry.

Hud Pfeiffer and other volunteers fill shopping carts with food for families Thursday, March 13, 2025 at the Crooked Creek Food Pantry. Each basket goes to one client family in the drive-thru line. Pfeiffer is also on the board for the pantry.

5719 Massachusetts Ave.

Hours:

Monday: 2-4:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Friday: 2-4:30 p.m.

2605 E. 25th St.

Hours:

Monday-Friday: 1-3 p.m.

Currently, this pantry operates in a drive-thru format. Pull up to the main entrance during pantry hours, and a staff member will come out to assist you.

924 Shelby St.

Hours:

Monday: 2-4 p.m.

Thursday: 3-5 p.m.*

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*On Thursdays the food pantry is by appointment only. Call 317-636-3466 ext. 403 for more information.

3737 Waldemere Ave.

Drive-thru food pantry hours:

Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Thursday: 2-7 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - noon

2440 W. Ohio St.

Hours:

Second and fourth Thursday of every month: 1:30 p.m.  3:30 p.m.*

*This food pantry operates by appointment only. Call 317-637-4312 to make your appointment.

1416 E. Epler Ave.

Hours:

Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Thursday: 4-7 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

*This food pantry only serves residents of Perry Township or Beech Grove with one of these zip codes: 46107, 46217, 46227 or 46237. A photo ID and two ways to prove current residence must be presented.

4424 E Michigan St.

Hours:

Wednesday: 9-11 a.m.

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*Patrons must show an ID which includes their current address. The address must be within the local community bounded by: E. 21st Street (north) - E. Washington St. (south) - N. Emerson Ave. (east) - and N. Rural St. (west).

303 N. Elder Ave.

Hours:

Saturday: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

*The Lord's Pantry at Anna's house specifically serves those with the zip codes of 46222, 46221 and 46224.

Lucas Elmore puts a filled bag of food ready for distribution at the Lords Pantry at Annas House, Saturday, April 12, 2025.

2500 Churchman Ave.

Hours:

Wednesday:9-11 a.m.

Thursday: 9-11 a.m.

Saturday: 9-11 a.m.

1920 W. Morris St.

Hours:

Wednesdays: 12:30 p.m. each week, except for the first Wednesday of the month will open at 5:30*

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*This food pantry usually has a service area requirement, however during the federal government shutdown this requirement has been waived.

952 N. Pennsylvania St.

Hours:

Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Thursday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

3333 N. Meridian St.

Hours:

Monday: 10 a.m. - noon

Wednesday: 10 a.m. - noon

Friday: 10 a.m. - noon

Story continues after photo gallery.

2420 E. Riverside Drive

Hours:

Wednesday: 12:45 - 3 p.m.

4107 E. Washington St.

Food pantry hours:

Saturday: 8:30 -10:30 am

Mobile drive-thru pantry hours:

First and third Fridays every month: 3-5 p.m.

1337 Shelby St.

Hours:

Tuesday: 10 a.m. - noon

Thursday: 10 a.m. - noon

6501 Sunnyside Road

Hours:*

Monday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tuesday: 4-7 p.m.

Thursday: 10 a.m. -3 p.m.

Second Saturday of every month: 9 a.m. -1 p.m.

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The Sharing Place is located inside the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township Education and Community Center. Enter through door five.

*The Sharing Place is typically closed on holidays. For the full list of days closed for the year visit their website.

Hours:

Monday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Tuesday: 6-7 p.m.

Thursday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

*Westminster Neighborhood Services only serves those located within a certain area. You can check to see if your address qualifies by checking their map.

6510 E. 25th St.

Hours:

Thursday: 1-3 p.m.*

*This pantry requires proof of Marion County residency.

Katie Wiseman covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Contact her at klwiseman@gannett.com. Follow her on Bluesky @katiewiseman

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis food pantries: Gleaners, Hunger Inc., Sharing Place and more
Cook County leaders are pleading with the federal government Thursday to hopefully help one of their own who is stuck in Jamaica without life-saving medication.

Trinette Britt-Johnson is chief of staff to Rich Township Supervisor Calvin Jordan.

In 2024, Britt-Johnson was the recipient of a successful kidney transplant after being diagnosed with a rare kidney disease years earlier.

Officials say Britt-Johnson's trip to Jamaica a week ago for vacation was the first time she was allowed to really travel due to doctor's orders.

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Britt-Johnson is currently stuck in Montego Bay after Hurricane Melissa hit, and is without critical medicine that supports kidney function.

Officials say, without her medication, her body will reject her donated kidney.

SEE ALSO: Chicagoans stranded as Cat. 5 Hurricane Melissa brings floods, catastrophic winds to Jamaica

Dr. Kisha McCaskill, 5th District Cook County commissioner, joined other leaders and medical experts in the Loop Thursday morning to call on the federal government to step in right now to help Britt-Johnson.

"I am personally appealing to President Trump. I don't know what can be done or how it can be done, but we need you to get involved," McCaskill said.

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"Time is our enemy. We must step up and do all that can be done to get her the medication, which has not been made available on the island of Jamaica," said Jack Lynch, a former administrator with Gift of Hope.

Medical experts at the news conference say Jamaican hospitals rarely perform these types of transplants, making it difficult for patients like Britt-Johnson to access the medication she needs.

Officials say she's been to three Jamaican hospitals already to find the medication to no avail.

Officials say the State Department is aware of the situation.

Officials say Britt-Johnson's been without medication now for more than 24 hours; so, time is of the essence.
RICHMOND HILL, Ga. (WSAV)  The City of Richmond Hill is reaching out to its residents about upcoming water bills during the government shutdown.

The city posted the following message on its Facebook page:

Officials say they are prepared to help set up a payment arrangement to keep services uninterrupted.

You can reach out to talk to someone with the city by calling (912) 756-3345 or sending an email to utilitybilling@richmondhill-ga.gov.

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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.
Road closures began at noon, and Israel Police and Netvei Israel have called on the public to avoid driving to the entrance area to Jerusalem throughout the day.

Heavy traffic and significant disruptions are expected across Jerusalem and the roads leading to the city from 12:00 p.m. on Thursday due to ultra-Orthodox mass protests against the haredi draft law.

Israel Police and Netivei Israel have announced that Route 1 will be closed in both directions, from the Latrun area to Ginot Sakharov, including the entrance to Jerusalem via Route 16 and the Sha'ar Hagai area, depending on developments during the protests.

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Netivei Israel has called on the public to utilize alternative routes, including Routes 443, 44, 38, and 3.

The police issued a request to the public to avoid Highway 1 and recommended that they avoid driving to the Jerusalem entrance area throughout the day.

Exiting Jerusalem will be possible via the Arazim Tunnel and Route 16. However, the available routes will likely face heavy traffic, and the roads may be too narrow to accommodate the many vehicles that will not be able to enter and exit Jerusalem via Route 1.

Haredi draft protest causes mass disruptions at Jerusalem's train station, October 30, 2025. (CREDIT: SECTION 27A COPYRIGHT ACT)

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Additionally, Israel Railways has announced that Jerusalems Yitzhak Navon train station will be closed at 12:30 until regular service is resumed at the end of the protest.

All train lines and stations except Yitzhak Navon will operate as usual.

The National Traffic Management Center of Netivei Israel will operate a dedicated traffic control unit to manage traffic on the routes in the area and to monitor vehicle traffic in real time, in cooperation with the police, the Transportation Ministry, and security officials.

Some 2,000 officers will be on duty for the event

As part of the preparations for the protest, approximately 2,000 police officers, volunteers and Border Guard soldiers will be on duty before and during the event.

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The rally, coordinated in advance with the police, will take place at the entrances to the city of Jerusalem.

The entry to Jerusalem via Highway 1 will be limited to pre-organized buses, which will be directed by police to passenger drop-off areas through the Givat Shaul junction.

Residents and workers of Jerusalems surrounding communities, Shoresh, Beit Meir, Neve Ilan, Mevaseret Zion, Har Adar, Abu Ghosh, Ein Rafa, and Ein Nekuba will be permitted to pass through police checkpoints only after presenting an ID card or employee ID.

Additionally, major roads within Jerusalem will be closed to traffic, including Givat Shaul Street and a section of Yafo Street.

Givat Shaul-Ramot Interchange will be closed in all directions, Ben Zvi-Rabbi Shmuel Baruch Street will be closed towards the entrance to the city, Shazar Boulevard will be closed towards the Givat Shaul Interchange, Herzl Boulevard will be closed from the Bari intersection towards Gesher Mitamitarim, the Malki Yisrael-Shari Yisrael intersection will be closed towards Nordo Square and Yirmiyahu Street.
New developments have emerged in the case surrounding the tragic overdose death of Robert De Niro's 19-year-old grandson, Leandro De Niro.

More than a year after his passing in 2023, investigators have made additional arrests linked to the distribution of the drugs believed to have caused his death.

Previously, authorities had arrested a woman named Sofia H. Markas as the final link in the drug chain that led to Leandro De Niro's death.

Five Men Were Arrested And Charged With Conspiracy To Distribute Controlled Substances

Instagram | drenadeniro

According to NBC New York, police investigating the overdose death of Leandro De Niro have arrested five men in connection with the case.

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The individuals, whose names remain undisclosed for now, are facing charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

They reportedly targeted young adults and teens through social media and sold drugs across New York City and parts of Long Island.

Their activities are said to have led to the deaths of several individuals, including three 19-year-olds, one of whom is believed to be Robert De Niro's grandson.

Police Previously Arrested A Woman In Connection With The Case

Instagram | Drena De Niro

The update comes after police arrested a woman just weeks following Leandro's death in 2023.

At the time, the woman, identified as Sofia H. Markas, was apprehended in New York City after a sting operation conducted by the NYPD and a federal task force.

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The operation began with an undercover officer first making contact with her via text.

Markas is believed to be the individual who sold the drugs that the 19-year-old consumed before his fatal overdose.

Shortly after her arrest, law enforcement agents searched her bedroom and recovered a large amount of cash, believed to be proceeds from drug sales. Police also confiscated 156 pills from her person when she was arrested.

Her charges reportedly include three counts of narcotics distribution, stemming from allegations that she sold counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl on at least three separate occasions.

The 19-Year-Old Was Mourned By His Mother On Social Media

Instagram | Drena De Niro

At the time of Leandro De Niro's death, his mother, Drena, took to Instagram to mourn her loss.

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"My beautiful, sweet angel," she began her message. "I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly. You have been my joy, my heart, and all that was ever pure and real in my life. I wish I was with you right now."

She added, "I wish I was with you. I don't know how to live without you, but I'll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama."

Concluding her message, Drena expressed how hw much she loved her son, saying she wished that love could have prevented him from dying.

"You were so deeply loved and appreciated, and I wish that love alone could have saved you. Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise, my darling boy," she wrote.

Robert De Niro Was 'Deeply Distressed' After Learning Of His Grandson's Passing

Rocco Spaziani/UPI Newscom/MEGA

The legendary Hollywood star mourned his grandson's death in an emotional statement back in 2023, saying he was "deeply distressed" by the budding actor's demise.

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"I'm deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo," De Niro said. "We're greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo."

Leandro had already begun to slowly follow in his grandfather's footsteps by chasing a career in acting. The teenager had already starred in several movies, including "A Star is Born," 2018's "Cabaret Maxime," and 2005's "The Collection.

All About Leandro De Niro's Death

Instagram | Drena De Niro

On July 2, police responded to a 911 call from Wall Street in Lower Manhattan, placed by a friend who had stopped by to check on him.

When they arrived at the scene, they found Leandro unconscious, and attempts to resuscitate him proved futile.

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He was ultimately pronounced dead on the scene by the EMS before his body was taken away.

Drug paraphernalia and narcotics were found nearby, which aided the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The New York City Medical Examiner's Office ultimately ruled his death as being caused by the effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine.
How many spam calls have you gotten so far today? Unwanted robocalls are Americans' number one consumer complaint, and that has CBS News California investigative correspondent Julie Watts asking: What's being done to stop them?

Whether they're pushing payday loans, sketchy charities or they're just a straight-up scam, robocalls aren't just annoying. If that automated voice is asking you for money, odds are that it's illegal.

Once a world traveler working on development projects for the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID, Julie Heifetz feels like her new full-time project is fielding spam calls.

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"I get so many. I say, 'Damn it, it's another robocall!' " Heifetz said.

In 2010, we first asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) why putting your number on a do-not-call list didn't seem to work.

"If you didn't have a do-not-call list, it would be even worse," the FCC said then.

Well, today, it is worse. During the first nine months of 2025, there were 40.8 billion robocalls, according to data from YouMail, a visual voicemail and spam blocking service. That's up 5% from the same period last year.

Most violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which makes it illegal to make unsolicited automated or pre-recorded calls.

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"It's still happening because it's really hard to track these people down," said Matt Mizenko with Nomorobo, one of a growing number of companies that deploy technology to help consumers block unwanted calls. "They're using all sorts of new technology all the time. They're very creative."

We first featured Nomorobo over a decade ago when they won the Federal Trade Commission's robocall blocking challenge. Their technology has come a long way, but so have the scammers.

So Nomorobo is taking a new approach, with Mizenko saying the company has "filed four lawsuits in a couple of different federal courts."

Nomorobo tracked and recorded thousands of robocalls using their own network of more than a quarter million unused phone lines, essentially a huge "honeypot" built to catch robocallers in real time.

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"We have this data. We know it's real. We can prove everything we allege," Mizenko said.

The company sued some of the bad actors, who so far have mostly been debt collectors.

"We can kind of make a statement and say, 'Hey. We're watching. We know what you're doing. We can prove what you are doing. You need to clean up your practices,' " Mizenko said.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has taken legal action, too, joining a multi-state lawsuit against Avid Telecom for making billions of illegal robocalls.

Recently, Bonta joined other attorneys general in sending warning letters to companies suspected of generating major robocall traffic. We caught up with Bonta in San Francisco to ask him about how effective these letters can be.

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"It's remarkably impactful, especially when it's multiple attorneys general," he said. "We'll monitor their response, and if they don't comply, a lawsuit will be the next step."

A recent analysis of FCC data finds that more than 50% of U.S. phone companies are not complying with the federal robocall law, which requires them to install mandated software and adopt anti-robocall policies.

"I think [the FCC] can do more and I think attorneys general can do more, and I'll say that because we have many Americans still suffering from robocalls," Bonta said. "Not pointing the blame but just trying to share the responsibility."

We emailed the FCC for comment and received an auto-reply saying that press inquiries won't be responded to due to the government shutdown.

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"Unless they're stopped, it's just going to grow and grow because if they can get away with it, why not?" Heifetz said.

Avid Telecom asked a court to dismiss the multi-state lawsuit filed against it and was denied. We tried to contact the company for comment, but the website was down and the phone number was disconnected.

Trump wants Senate Republicans to scrap the filibuster to end the government shutdown

House lawmakers told their paychecks are delayed until government reopens

Video shows massive damage in Jamaica from Hurricane Melissa
Oct. 29ROCHESTER  The Rochester City Council will consider a proposed $100,000 contribution to the Channel One food shelf on Monday.

"With the cuts coming from the federal government to SNAP and WIC, I am highly concerned about what that's going to do to the lower income population and those members of our community that rely on those benefits to feed their families," council member Dan Doering said of initiating the action for council review.

Recipients of benefits through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, and the Women, Infants and Children Program were notified last week that they should not expect food support in November, due to a federal government shutdown that started Oct. 1.

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Virginia Witherspoon, executive director of Channel One Regional Food Bank, said the loss of direct benefits to roughly 15,000 people in Olmsted County is expected to increase reliance on local food shelves.

"We've been between 9,000 and 10,000 visits (a month) the whole year," she said, noting the potential for increased demand comes as the local food shelf as reduced food supply has been limiting what people take away from each visit.

While the average household was provided 60 pounds of food in the first quarter of 2024, it dropped to 48 pounds in the most recent quarter of 2025, largely due to reduced donations and access to federal commodities.

"Our pounds-per-shopper is decreasing, because we have less food available to us," she said, citing concerns that distribution amounts could drop further if more people are seeking help.

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Doering, pastor at People of Hope Church, said he's already seen an increased need, pointing to 12 calls the church received in a single morning this week from people seeking food support ahead of the anticipated Nov. 1 cutoff.

"It's hitting," he said.

Olmsted County commissioners acted on Oct. 21, providing $200,000 of the $400,000 Witherspoon estimated as the need to replace lost benefits throughout Olmsted County.

While county residents are expected to see a combined loss of $1.9 million in monthly SNAP benefits, Witherspoon estimated Channel One's buying power can temporarily supply equivalent food for a reduced rate.

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Rochester City Council member Norman Wahl said he signed on to Doering's proposal as a response to the county commissioner's efforts, adding that city, county and state officials continue to weigh options for addressing federal shortfalls.

"We're still hopeful that the federal government will find a way to meet the basic needs," he said.

The proposal being considered would provide two $50,000 payments to Channel One, with the funds only being disbursed if the federal shutdown continues to affect the availability of SNAP and WIC benefits.

The city contributions would come from the City Council's contingency fund, which contains roughly $627,000.

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The proposed Channel One support would leave $572,000 available through the end of the year.

Wahl didn't rule out additional food support, if the federal shutdown lingers beyond November.

"I would certainly be open to conversation in December, depending on what our budget looks like," he said

To approve the city support on Monday, Doering and Wahl will need at least two other council members to approve the action, which they anticipate happening.

Council President Randy Schubring said he supported the action during a Isaiah forum held at Mayo High School on Sunday, noting the effects of federal reductions will be felt locally before federal lawmakers see the impact.

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"We are the first line where we are going to see residents of our community that have food insecurity," he told an audience of approximately 300 residents.

The council members' discussion is set for their regular meeting at 6 p.m. Monday in council chambers at the city-county Government Center, 151 Fourth St. SE.
Another business closure in Hillcrest Plaza in Lower Burrell has locals worried, but city officials said this could be a positive opportunity for another door to open.

We need places to shop where you can buy clothing, house goods, things like that. Target but not another Walmartplease, Beverly Long said.

Roses Discount Store will not renew its Hillcrest Plaza lease come the new year.

The closure isnt a concern for one councilman.

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Its the largest square footage of retail space that we have available. So, its at the top of the list for everybody, Councilman David Stoltz said.

But recent closures are a concern for other community members.

They keep closing like the PNC bank closed I dont know what it is, said Lee Blankenship, who lives nearby.

This place was hoppin. So, any store that closes now, we hate to see it go, Connie Horton said.

Dozens of shoppers went in and out of the store as big everything must go and store closing signs hung on the windows and walls  the store is also cutting costs before closing its doors. Sales vary depending on the product.

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Nassimi Realty bought Hillcrest Plaza about a year ago. They are in constant communication with the city, according to Councilman David Stoltz.

They are regularly talking to large retail chains. They have one or two now that have interest in the plaza. Obviously, they are not going to tell us who it is until its a little more concrete, Councilman Stoltz said.

According to their website, Nassimi does business with large retailers such as Big Lots, Dollar General, JCPenney and Ross.

Councilman Stoltz said Roses made a business decision to close, but hes optimistic the new owners will be able to get another store soon.

Roses will officially close on Jan. 10.

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Air Force One ran into some serious turbulence over Asia Thursday, causing the plane to shake as President Donald Trump headed back to the U.S. from South Korea.

The president and trade representative Jamieson Greer tried to answer reporters questions about tariffs as the plane shook, causing Trump to joke:

These are rough winds in Asia. I must tell you, this is a rough flight. We could have waited an hour maybe. These are tough conditions for interviews!

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He added, You know, theyre going to be watching Trump, theyre going to say, He didnt look too good, hes got the shakes! I didnt have the shakes but people think I do.

Once Trump got his footing, Trump said that one of the subjects he and Chinese President Xi Jinping talked about the war in Ukraine.

We talked about it for a long time, and were both going to work together to see if we can get something done, Trump said. And we agreed the sides are locked in, fighting, and sometimes you have to let them fight, I guess. Crazy. But hes going to help us and were going to work together on Ukraine. Its not a lot more we can do. Hes been buying oil from Russia for a long time. It takes care of a big part of China. You know, I can say  Indias been very good on that front. But we didnt really discuss the oil.

Earlier, Trump said that on a scale of one to 10, his meeting with Xi was a 12, adding, a truly great meeting.

Watch the clip above via C-SPAN.

The post This is a Rough Flight! Trump Press Gaggle Interrupted By Turbulence on Air Force One first appeared on Mediaite.
Once you grow accustomed to driving, there are few curveballs that can be thrown your way. For the most part, intersections, parking lots, and highways don't see a lot of procedural change, aside from construction or random roadway-obstructing incidents. With that said, for some drivers in the United States, even less common but still well-known aspects of driving can prove a bit confusing. For instance, the roundabout  a circular replacement for the traditional intersection that relies on yield signs and driver attentiveness over traffic lights  has been stumping drivers in Connecticut as of late as they navigate this newer layout. This story comes out of West Hartford, Connecticut, which just received its first roundabout intersection.

Unfortunately, drivers didn't immediately grasp how the new intersection was supposed to work. With no distinct island in the middle, drivers were simply plowing through the roundabout as if it were a normal intersection, failing to stop or even slow down. Naturally, this presented a hazard. Some drivers drove through it as intended, while others drove like it was a four-way intersection void of stop signs, coming frighteningly close to accidents.

Fortunately, these folks haven't gone through turbo roundabouts, which require different navigational skills. This misuse of roundabouts in Connecticut had to be responded to quickly by city and state officials. For the most part, their solution has proven effective.

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Read more: 8 Enthusiast Cars That Are Absurdly Overrated

How officials have tried to make this Connecticut roundabout safer

A traffic cone on pavement. - Fabian Ibelherr/Getty Images

Given the incredibly dangerous nature of West Hartford drivers recklessly flying through this new roundabout, giving the U.S. city considered to be the riskiest for drivers a run for its money, those in power had to take action. As covered by NBC Connecticut (via YouTube), given the flat center, the decision was made to simply put a series of traffic cones around the middle. The idea was for these to act as guardrails, indicating to drivers that they're supposed to move around the middle instead of through it. While this does diminish the utility of the flat center, which was intended to give larger vehicles more clearance, the city hopes this turns out to be the solution everyone was looking for.

Speaking to NBC Connecticut, West Hartford's town engineer explained that the powers that be are keeping a close eye on the cone solution. Should it prove as effective as they're hoping, a decision will be made regarding whether they'll remain there, flexible pylons will be added, or the flat center will be sacrificed entirely in favor of a paved curb. The latter may prove controversial, seeing as during NBC Connecticut's report a large truck got temporarily stuck in the intersection while trying to avoid the cones.

Since the roundabout is between three different schools, chances are some kind of action will be taken to make the area as safe as possible. Evidently, West Hartford, Connecticut, has some work to do with its roundabout safety.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.
The incident took place at Memona Hospital on Shahrah-e-Quaideen, where Chandio had brought his infant daughter for medical care, as reported by The Balochistan Post.

According to The Balochistan Post, a group of armed men in civilian clothes, allegedly accompanied by Rangers personnel, stormed the hospital, seized mobile phones, destroyed CCTV recordings, and blindfolded Chandio before dragging him away in front of his family. The abduction has sparked outrage among rights defenders across Sindh and beyond.

Amnesty International condemned the abduction as "deeply distressing," terming it "a flagrant violation of basic human rights and due process." The organisation said that the act of abducting a father attending to his sick child "reveals the extent of impunity and cruelty" within Pakistan's law enforcement apparatus.

Amnesty noted that Chandio had previously been accused of raising "anti-state" slogans and had recently delivered a lecture on student politics.

The HRCP echoed similar concerns, saying Chandio's disappearance "fits a long-standing pattern of state intimidation and suppression of dissent." The commission urged authorities to disclose his whereabouts and hold those responsible accountable.

Meanwhile, the Baloch Students Organisation (BSO) said that Pakistan's security agencies continue to use "unconstitutional methods" to silence peaceful activists. "The state's fear of growing resistance movements is driving it toward more repression," as cited by The Balochistan Post.

Protests have erupted in Karachi, Jamshoro, and abroad, led by rights groups such as the Sindhi Association of North America (SANA) and the World Sindhi Congress (WSC), demanding Chandio's safe release and an end to enforced disappearances in Sindh.

Despite mounting condemnation, Pakistani authorities have remained silent on Chandio's fate, as reported by The Balochistan Post. (ANI)
NEED TO KNOW

Prince Andrew's title as the Duke of York remains on the royal family website's line of succession despite giving up use of the royal moniker

After his Oct. 17 announcement that he would discontinue use of his royal titles, his website biography was updated to reflect the change

Andrew currently remains a prince and retains his place in the line of succession

Prince Andrew's biography on the royal family's official website may have been updated in the wake of his bombshell announcement regarding the use of his royal titles, but he's still listed as the Duke of York in another spot.

King Charles' brother, 65, announced on Oct. 17 that he would discontinue using his royal titles and honors amid renewed criticism regarding his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Just days later, Royal.UK was updated to reflect the change, replacing his Duke of York title with simply "Prince Andrew" on his biography page.

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However, the website's line of succession has yet to be updated and still refers to Andrew as the Duke of York.

Royal UK Royal family website's line of succession Royal family website's line of succession

Queen Elizabeth gave Andrew the titles of Duke of York (the title traditionally given to the second son of a monarch and what he was commonly known as), Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh upon his 1986 marriage to Sarah Ferguson. While he will no longer use those titles  or honors such as the Order of the Garter  he will still be called a prince as a son of a monarch and in accordance with the Letters Patent issued by George V in 1917, which Queen Elizabeth updated in 2012.

He also retains his spot in the line of succession to the throne, which is currently eighth.

The line of succession page on the royal family's website is routinely updated with changes, such as births that affect the order. Name updates have also been made, including switches to the names of Andrew's two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, after they married. The webpage was also refreshed when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle began using their children's prince and princess titles in 2023, changing the styling from "Master Archie Mountbatten-Windsor" and "Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor" to "Prince Archie of Sussex" and "Princess Lilibet of Sussex."

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In another online switch following Andrew's announcement, his ex-wife changed her X handle from "@SarahTheDuchess" to "@sarahMFergie15." While she has long used Sarah Ferguson professionally, PEOPLE understands that she will now do so in all areas, meaning she will no longer use her Duchess of York title.

Jordan Pettitt - Pool/Getty Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew attend the Duchess of Kent's funeral on Sept. 16, 2025 Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew attend the Duchess of Kent's funeral on Sept. 16, 2025

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Oct. 17, Prince Andrew said, "In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life."

"With His Majestys agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me," he continued. "As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."

Prince Andrew stepped back from his public royal role in 2019 following his BBC interview in which he discussed his relationship with Epstein, who died in 2019 while in jail awaiting trial on federal conspiracy and sex trafficking charges. Queen Elizabeth then stripped her son of his military titles and patronages in January 2022 after a judge rejected his attempt to have Virginia Giuffres sexual assault lawsuit against him dismissed. He settled with Giuffre out of court for an undisclosed sum.

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Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson on Dec. 25, 2023 Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson on Dec. 25, 2023

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

A report from The Sun on Oct. 27 stated that amid the criticism, Prince Andrew has allegedly agreed to leave his longtime home of Royal Lodge. However, the deal reportedly calls for him to move into Frogmore Cottage, the former royal home of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, while his ex-wife, who has been living alongside him at the massive mansion in Windsor Great Park despite their 1996 divorce, could move into Adelaide Cottage, which Prince William and Kate Middleton are about to vacate.

Talks are still ongoing, a source close to proceedings tells PEOPLE.



Read the original article on People
Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group engaged in a civil war with Sudan's military, has reportedly killed hundreds of patients and staff inside a hospital in El Fasher after seizing the capital of the state of North Darfur on Sunday.

The alleged massacre of more than 460 people at the Saudi Maternity Hospital was condemned by Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the secretary-general of the World Health Organization, in a statement Wednesday.

"All attacks on health care must stop immediately and unconditionally," Ghebreyesus said. "All patients, health personnel and health facilities must be protected under International Humanitarian Law. Ceasefire!"

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Ghebreyesus said that, before the latest attack, the WHO had verified 185 attacks on health care in Sudan, causing at least 1,204 deaths and 416 injuries of health workers and patients since the civil war began in April 2023.

The Sudan Doctors Network, an organization that aims to improve health care in the African nation, called the attack a "heinous crime" and said it violated humanitarian law.

"They cold-bloodedly killed everyone they found inside the Saudi Hospital, including patients, their companions, and anyone else present in the wards," the organization said.

"Hospitals in El Fasher have been transformed into human slaughterhouses at the hands of the RSF, who make no distinction between combatant and patient, or between child and doctor."

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The Sudan Doctors Network said that the massacre at the hospital "is not an isolated incident" and amounted to "systemic genocide" in Darfur. It called on the United Nations Security Council and other human rights groups to take action.

The Yale Humanitarian Lab has analyzed satellite photos of the hospital taken Monday and Tuesday and issued a report supporting that a mass killing occurred. In the images, the Yale researchers found groupings of white objects with reddish discoloration on the ground.

In the images, the white objects have been measured to be the sizes of human bodies and lying in shapes that would indicate bending at the waist or knees.
The White House is ready to send humanitarian aid to Cuba as it recovers from Hurricane Melissa, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media Thursday, a commitment that comes despite the administrations hardened stance against Havana and its wholesale cuts to foreign aid.

Hurricane Melissa battered Cuba Wednesday while on a dayslong rampage through the Caribbean, making landfall in the country as a Category 3 storm. It has killed at least dozens throughout the region.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissas devastation of eastern Cuba, the Trump Administration stands with the brave Cuban people who continue to struggle to meet basic needs, Rubio, whose parents emigrated from the island in 1956, said in a press statement.

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And while the White House under President Joe Biden did provide aid to Cuba after the deadly Hurricane Ian in 2022, support from Trump may be more surprising given his reversal of efforts to normalize relations with Havana. The president restored Cuba to the state sponsors of terrorism list mere hours after returning to office in January and reinstated sanctions Biden had relaxed in June.

In August, the White House imposed visa restrictions on two former Brazilian health officials for their work on a program that dispatches Cuban doctors to Brazil. The State Department has said the program employs coercive labor practices.

Under Trump and Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought, the White House has also made mincemeat of the countrys foreign aid programming, hamstringing the U.S. Agency for International Development and canceling billions of dollars in funding without the approval of Congress.

But the affected Caribbean countries  which include Jamaica and Haiti  can expect American help, Rubio said.

As in neighboring Caribbean countries, the Department is issuing a Declaration of Humanitarian Assistance for Cuba and is prepared to provide immediate humanitarian assistance directly and via local partners who can most effectively deliver it to those in need, he said in the statement.
EARLE, Ark.  Thousands of people, especially those in rural communities, are at risk of losing federal food and nutrition benefits on Nov. 1, when funds will run out for SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, due to the government shutdown.

There are an estimated 7,000 recipients of SNAP benefits in Crittenden County, Ark.

Concerns that those benefits wont be available in November has the mayor of Earle pleading for help from Arkansas governor.

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Im leaning on the governor, I believe in her leadership, said Mayor Jaylen Smith. I believe in my state legislative leadership because guess what, its always time to do whats right.

Mayor Smith says thats why he sent a letter Wednesday to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders with the SNAP crisis looming on the horizon.

What I am asking the Governor, under Arkansas Code 12-75-114, is to issue a Statewide Disaster Proclamation, Smith explained.

Smith is asking for the State of Arkansas to use emergency resources and state tax dollars to bridge the gap and protect our most vulnerable.

More than 240,000 Arkansans will be without SNAP benefits and approximately 150,000 kids that will be without it as well, he said.

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Smith says those who will be most impacted by the loss of SNAP benefits are people in the Delta part of the state including towns like Earle with a population of just over 1,800, where the few businesses accept SNAP, also known as food stamps.

Smith stressed Earle is not the only town impacted.

Im talking about Parkin. Im talking about Crawfordsville. Im talking about Anthonyville, Edmondson, Proctor, he said.

Three times a week a group of Earle senior citizens comes together for fellowship and said their thoughts and prayers are with families who will struggle to survive as the government shutdown continues.

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I just feel sorry for them, said Cathy Moore. I mean thats just human nature for us as humans and being Christians and we know that the Lord is going to provide for us regardless.

I feel that many will be hurt by the Food Stamps, not receiving them and Im hoping that it wont last that long, said Brenda Johnson.

WREG is waiting for a response from Governor Sanders office regarding Smiths letter.

See the below images for the mayors full letter to the governor.

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 North Carolina Legislative Building as it appeared on March 14, 2025. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)

For 40 years, the Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts program has funded legal assistance for low-income North Carolinians. That money is now grinding to a halt over Republican accusations of bias toward progressive groups in the programs grant awarding process.

The General Assembly voted in June to bar the awarding of new IOLTA grants from this July until June 2026, cutting off millions of dollars to groups like Legal Aid of North Carolina, who announced in October they are closing offices in Rocky Mount and Pembroke as a result.

Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan) serves as chair of the House Select Committee on Oversight and Reform, and lead questioning of representatives for IOLTA and the State Bar. (Screenshot: NCGA.gov)

In an Oct. 22 House Select Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing over IOLTA, committee chair Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan) said the program has violated its mandate by funding legal organizations aligned with progressive causes. The pause, he said, is to allow lawmakers to investigate the groups board and how they choose their grantees.

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Weve heard from a number of folks that IOLTA does good work, and we have seen evidence of that, but IOLTA has also gone somewhat rogue, awarding grants to leftist groups with leftist ideologies, Warren said.

As the state legislature carries out inquiries over the political activities of grant recipients and probes the awarding process, tens of thousands of low-income North Carolinians stand to lose access to free legal services.

What is IOLTA?

In its first four decades of operation, IOLTA has been an obscure, noncontroversial program for funding legal aid to those without the means to afford representation, from assistance in the wake of hurricanes to helping remedy elder abuse and family violence.

The funds come from interest accrued on private trust accounts that lawyers are required to maintain in the course of their practice, often arising from real estate transactions and legal settlements among other sources. That interest is used for charitable purposes, issuing grants to programs that provide financial assistance for civil legal aid.

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IOLTA executive director Mary Irvine told NC Newsline that until 1983, these trust accounts were all non-interest-bearing, until a voluntary IOLTA program overseen by the State Bar was approved by the North Carolina Supreme Court.

If these funds are sitting in a trust account, it could be an interest-bearing account, and that interest could be directed to the publics benefit by supporting activities that would improve the justice system and ensure that folks that didnt have money to pay for an attorney would have that legal support, Irvine said in an interview.

Workers rebuild areas damaged by Hurricane Helene in Mitchell County, North Carolina on Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

The program has awarded $134 million in grants since its inception, more than 90% of which goes to organizations that provide legal assistance to low-income clients. About 7% goes to Administration of Justice grants, which aim to facilitate legal services around the state.

IOLTA has also played a key role in disaster relief in particular, delivering nearly $1 million to support legal aid for residents impacted by Hurricane Helene in 2024  helping them get justice in consumer fraud cases and navigate complex insurance claims.

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In 2025, according to a January press release, IOLTA issued $12 million in grants, about $6 million of which went to Legal Aid of North Carolina. The North Carolina Justice Center and Pisgah Legal Services, a western North Carolina-focused legal aid nonprofit, each received more than $1 million.

Our primary focus is on individuals who are under-resourced. They do not have the ability to pay for an attorney. They have limited income, Irvine said. These are folks that are seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, families that are facing, you know, some kind of economic hardship.

Rep. Maria Cervania (D-Wake) speaks at a May 20, 2025 press conference condemning corporate tax cuts in the Republican-authored state budget. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar/NC Newsline)

Because the funds overseen are entirely private, some Democratic lawmakers argued the General Assembly should not be overseeing them. The Republican theory is that because IOLTA is administered by the State Bar, it is subject to scrutiny by the state legislature.

Since it was not created as a state-taxpayer-dollar fund, there was no aspiration or expectation that it should be accountable to the state of North Carolina and have accountability here in our legislature, correct? asked Rep. Maria Cervania (D-Wake) during the oversight hearing.

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I dont want to speak on what the legislature can and cant review or take a look at, said NC State Bar executive director Peter Bolac. I think that this was a program from the Supreme Court and the legal profession to be able to provide these services, and it has not in the past had any interactions with the legislature.

An echo chamber

Republican lawmakers said during the oversight hearing that their primary concern is over funding for progressive legal causes.

Warren began the oversight hearing by listing groups funded by IOLTA whose mission statements espouse left-wing ideas.

He said that the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, which received $55,000 from IOLTA this year, has stated that the United States wealth and power is built upon stolen land from enslaved labor and under the racist lie that white people were superior to Black people, indigenous people, and people of color.

Dawn Blagrove, executive director of Emancipate NC, speaks at a June 11, 2024 denouncing anti-protest legislation. A program run by her organization received $98,000 from IOLTA to provide legal aid to North Carolina parents in 2025. (Photo: Ahmed Jallow/NC Newsline)

Warren also took aim at the Carolina Migrant Network, the recipient of a $55,000 grant, for impeding ICE activities in Charlotte, and at Emancipate NC, whose program Carolina Parent Defenders received $98,000, for opposing mass incarceration and structural racism, among other organizations whose mission statements have involved diversity, equity, and inclusion aims.

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The IOLTA board of advisors did not have a single Republican from 2015 until 2020. It now has three Republican members, Warren said. This is a good program with the potential to improve access to the legal system for those who cannot otherwise afford it. But we need to understand how it strayed from its original mission.

Bolac said political affiliation plays no part in the selection of IOLTA board members, though he conceded that conservative views have at times been absent from the organization.

I think its fair to say, in the past, there used to be a little bit of an echo chamber, Bolac said. Now, while we have put an interest form on our website, were promoting it in the State Bar Journal and on our website to make it clear that anyone is eligible to apply and show interest in these positions.

Rep. Grant Campbell (R-Cabarrus) said his concern is that the General Assembly may be financing political activities conducted by grant recipients. He noted that the Amica Center made social media posts celebrating Gov. Roy Coopers veto of an ICE cooperation bill in 2022 and describing how were fighting back against the Trump administration.

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I worry about funds being fungible, where you give an organization and say, Heres the money and only do it with this, Campbell said. But do you have concerns that [that] frees up funds for them to do other things that certainly would not be in line with the mission of this grant programs purpose?

Bolac said that the IOLTA program strictly prohibits the use of funds for political activities and is considering additional restrictions on funding to entities that engage in lobbying.

I recognize that funds given for one purpose can free up funds for another purpose. Part of that acknowledgement and hearing these concerns is [the fact that] we have come to the table when addressing this issue during the last five or six months, he said.

A situation that we didnt cause

The funding freeze means the tens of thousands of North Carolinians who depend on legal aid funded by IOLTA are left with few options for assistance. And even if grants resume next July, some organizations may not be able to recover from the impact.

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Legal Aid of North Carolina is shutting down two of their 12 rural offices, with more closures likely to come as they seek to recoup about $6 million in lost funding next year. While grants from local governments in places like Durham and Charlotte are enough to maintain those offices, rural counties do not have the same cushion.

Weve received IOLTA funding for over three decades, and it is a critical component of our ability to provide access in rural areas, said Ashley Campbell, CEO of Legal Aid NC. We have very few grants from local governments in rural areas because they dont have enough money.

She questioned why her organization, which receives about half of IOLTAs grant money each year and which lawmakers on both sides of the aisle praised for its work during the hearing, should be thrown into chaos because of controversy over nonprofits receiving far smaller sums.

Construction work greets Amtrak passengers on the platform at the historic Rocky Mount Train Station serving Amtrak passengers near downtown Rocky Mount. Legal Aid of North Carolina announced this month they are closing offices in Rocky Mount and Pembroke. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)

It just feels so frustrating to know that we have $6 million of investments on the line and that, like 8,000 people will be impacted by the loss of that money  and that no one is expressing concern about the work that we do or how we spend that IOLTA money, but its frozen, she said in an interview. Were caught in a situation that we didnt cause. And our clients are, because of our volume, were going to have the biggest impact.

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That means more counties where Legal Aid attorneys are unable to attend court alongside their clients. The cuts will cause long-term staffing issues even if funding resumes, due to the difficulty of recruiting rural attorneys, Campbell added.

Some of the largest effects may be borne by residents of western North Carolina still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Legal Aid NC handled more than 4,000 cases related to the storm and provided about $3 million in legal assistance  a level of support that would not be possible should another major storm hit the state during the funding freeze.

Some lawmakers raised the possibility of letting funding for Legal Aid NC continue while the IOLTA inquiry proceeds.

Is it possible that we can unfreeze some of these funds to fully fund Legal Aid? asked Rep. Allison Dahle (D-Wake.) We seem to have questions about other organizations and Legal Aid seems to be well-documented, and Im really concerned that so many lives depend on domestic violation protections.

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Beyond Legal Aid, many of the organizations dependent on IOLTA funds have had to conduct layoffs or roll back operations amid the loss of funding.

In a letter to lawmakers circulated by Cervania, Disability Rights NC wrote that they have had to cut hours and reduce intake, limiting their ability to provide legal services to children and families with disability needs. Inner Banks Legal Services, a family law small nonprofit, will have to cease free services entirely, the firm wrote in its own letter.

Each delay or denied intake represents a real person whose safety or stability is on the line. One such person is Mrs. Jones, a devoted wife and mother of four, wrote Inner Banks Legal Services executive director Sarah Beth Withers. Her husband controlled all family income, assets, and banking. Over time, he became abusive, and the violence escalated until Mrs. Jones was hospitalized. Criminal charges were filed against her husband, but because she has no income and no access to family funds, Mrs. Jones cannot afford legal representation.

Rep. Mike Schietzelt (R-Wake) (Source: ncleg.gov)

With Inner Banks unable to provide free aid to help her obtain a domestic violence protection order, Withers wrote that Jones and others may remain trapped in danger.

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Rep. Mike Schietzelt (R-Wake) said that his own personal situation would have been much different if his family had access to free legal aid services during his youth. He said the pause on funding is deeply unfortunate but raised his own concerns about resources going to groups that carry out political advocacy.

I share the concerns voiced by so many of my colleagues that access to justice is being impeded here  that there are great organizations, like Legal Aid and Pisgah Legal Services that are doing critically important work in areas that desperately need it, particularly communities that are impacted by Helene, he said. Im upset that were in this situation right now. I would like to find a pathway out of it.
Russia attacked thermal power plants belonging to DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine, in several Ukrainian oblasts on the night of 29-30 October.

Source: DTEK

Quote: "The equipment at the power plants has been seriously damaged. We are working to deal with the aftermath."

Details: DTEK emphasised that this is the third large-scale attack on the company's thermal power plants in October.

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DTEK's thermal power plants have been attacked over 210 times since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

Background: On 30 October, emergency power outages were introduced in most Ukrainian oblasts following a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on the country's energy infrastructure.

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Russia has lost 960 soldiers killed and wounded over the past day alone, bringing its total number of personnel losses to 1,140,860.

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 30 October 2025 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses  ed.]:

approximately 1,140,860 (+960) military personnel

11,305 (+2) tanks

23,514 (+3) armoured combat vehicles

34,089 (+25) artillery systems

1,531 (+1) multiple-launch rocket systems

1,232 (+2) air defence systems

428 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft

346 (+0) helicopters

75,707 (+340) operational-tactical UAVs

3,880 (+0) cruise missiles

28 (+0) ships/boats

1 (+0) submarine

65,993 (+128) vehicles and fuel tankers

3,986 (+0) special vehicles and other equipment.

The information is being confirmed.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reported that Russian forces attacked the Sloviansk Thermal Power Plant (TPP) on the evening of 30 October, killing two people.

Source: Zelenskyy's address

Quote: "Just a few hours ago, there was a strike on the Sloviansk TPP  a strike by Russian bombs. Unfortunately, two people have been killed. My condolences. People have been injured.

This is pure terror. Normal people do not fight like this, and the world must respond appropriately to such Russian warfare."

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Details: Zelenskyy also stated that Ukraine has reached agreements with Norway on energy: "This includes support for our gas purchases. We have agreements with Germany, Italy and the Netherlands and we are working with them on equipment for electricity generation."

He added that Ukraine is also counting on support from the European Commission.

Background: On 30 October, Russian forces struck the city of Sloviansk in Donetsk Oblast twice. Three people were killed in the attacks.

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Russia has warned it could resume nuclear weapons testing after US President Donald Trump announced plans to restart tests for the first time in more than 30 years.

According to Russian news agencies, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that he hopes Trump has been correctly informed about the latest Russian tests, which were not of nuclear weapons.

He also said Russia is prepared to continue nuclear disarmament negotiations with the United States but that Trump has not yet responded to his proposals.

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In a post on Truth Social, Trump on Thursday announced the immediate start of new nuclear weapons tests, justifying the measure by citing other countries' testing programmes.

The type of tests and the weapons to be trialled remained unclear. The US last conducted tests of this kind in the 1990s.

"Until now, we were not aware that anyone was conducting tests," Peskov said.

"And if this somehow refers to the testing of the 'Burevestnik,' then this is definitely not a nuclear test."

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently confirmed successful tests of the long-range nuclear-powered missile Burevestnik.

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While such missiles can be equipped with nuclear warheads, these are not used for the tests.

"All countries are continuing to develop their defence systems, but these are not nuclear tests," Peskov said.

He emphasized that the US has the right to conduct such tests as a sovereign state, but recalled Putin's earlier warnings that Russia would then react in kind.

In 2023, Putin withdrew Russia's ratification of a global nuclear test ban, and has since referred to the possibility of resuming tests. However, Russia continues to cooperate in the global monitoring of the pact.
Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos on Thursday expressed his country's full solidarity with India following the terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in April, emphasising that both nations share a "zero tolerance" stance towards terrorism and those who support or finance it. During his opening remarks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in the first ministerial visit to the country, Kombos said, "We have extended our full solidarity to India after the recent terrorist attacks, and we totally agree with the approach that there can be no other way of dealing with terrorism other than zero tolerance. That, of course, extends not only to the terrorists but also to those who support and finance them." His remarks came in the backdrop of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 tourists, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen, were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists. In response, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) through precision strikes. India also successfully repelled subsequent Pakistani escalation and neutralised its airbases. Kombos also expressed appreciation for India's "principled approach" toward the "Cyprus problem" and pledged to push for stronger EU-India ties as well as commit to strengthening bilateral ties, as Cyprus prepares to assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union starting in January 2026. By "Cyprus problem", the Foreign Minister was referring to the unauthorised activities in the buffer zone separating Greek and Turkish communities in the northern and southern regions of the Mediterranean island since 1974. The current issue between Cyprus and Turkey is an ongoing dispute between Greek Cypriots in the south and Turkish Cypriots in the north. He further described the FTA as a "strategic choice" in the mutual interest of both the EU and India, with Cyprus offering "steadfast support" to accelerate progress. "Moving towards assuming the presidency of the Council of the European Union in a few days, I want to assure you that we'll continue pushing for further enhancing the EU-India relation in all aspects, at the political aspect, but also in relation to the free trade agreement that is being negotiated," Kombos said. "We believe this is a strategic choice for the European Union that needs to be fulfilled for the simple reason that it's in the mutual interest of both the EU and India," he added. Kombos further emphasised the deep historical and value-based foundation of bilateral ties. Reflecting on his visit, the Foreign Minister noted that this was the first visit by a Cypriot foreign minister to India in 14 years. "We are now picking up from the point where our predecessors had stopped, and we have a lot of work ahead of us--work that has been politically set out by the leadership after the declaration and the Joint Action Plan for five years. There has been considerable progress. I believe we can do more and faster, because events around us are moving at an unprecedented speed," he added. Speaking on the broader partnership, Kombos highlighted the trust and shared values underpinning India-Cyprus relations. "During these times, words like 'trust', 'friendship', and 'strong cooperation between countries' are not terms that we use very often, and at least not in a way that we genuinely mean it. Our relationship is built on strong foundations -- respect for international law, mutual support, and shared commitment to global peace and stability," he said. The Foreign Minister, who arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday, is currently on a three-day visit to the country. (ANI)
US President Donald Trumps call to resume nuclear weapons tests sparked concerns of a new global arms race, but experts cautioned such exercises are unlikely to come to fruition.

Russia on Thursday warned it would act accordingly if Washington broke a more than 30-year moratorium on testing. Such a move would also fuel distrust between the US and China and heighten their nuclear arms rivalry, analysts said. But there is no scientific need to resume tests, which could take years to plan, experts told New Scientist: Powerful US supercomputers can already conduct extremely accurate simulations.

Some scholars suggested Trump may be referring to testing weapons delivery systems, not the warheads themselves.
A TV tower in central Chernihiv has been damaged as a result of a Russian strike. Residents are being asked to stay away from the structure while repair works are carried out.

Source: Chernihiv City Council; Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne

Quote: "As a result of a Russian strike on a TV tower (carried out on 29 October 2025) in central Chernihiv, the structure sustained damage.

To prevent possible emergencies and ensure residents' safety, works to stabilise the structure will be carried out in the near future."

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Details: Chernihiv residents have been urged not to approach the TV tower and to keep a distance of at least 200 metres from it.

Background: Russian forces attacked the centre of Chernihiv with drones on 28 and 29 October.

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Russian forces attacked the city of Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast on the afternoon of 30 October, killing one person and injuring three others.

Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Quote: "On 30 October 2025, between 14:35 and 14:45, the occupiers struck Kramatorsk using Geran-2 UAVs.

An 82-year-old pensioner was killed in the attack. Two women aged 42 and 66 and a 39-year-old man sustained injuries. The casualties were diagnosed with closed head and blast injuries, concussion, a fracture and contusion."

Details: The facades of 11 residential buildings were also damaged.

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Russian troops have not been able to entrench themselves in Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast and Moscow's claims that the city is encircled are false, according to the 7th Rapid Response Corps of Ukraine's Air Assault Forces and Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Source: 7th Rapid Response Corps of Ukraine's Air Assault Forces; Syrskyi on social media

Quote from the Air Assault Forces: "The occupiers are not consolidating within the districts of the city of Pokrovsk, they are moving around periodically, sometimes wearing civilian clothes."

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Details: The Air Assault Forces said Ukraine's defence forces are continuing the operation to counter the Russian troops who have managed to infiltrate and build up in Pokrovsk.

On 29 October, Ukrainian forces killed 13 Russian troops in Pokrovsk, four of them at the sign that marks the north-western entrance to the city.

Quote from the Air Assault Forces: "After a long silence, the Russians have resumed their 'flag-mast tactic' on our front  putting up their rag of a flag and posting videos of it on social media. The use of this primitive psyop, along with false claims by the enemy's political figures that the city has been 'encircled', only serves to show that they want to pass off wishful thinking as reality."

More details: The Air Assault Forces said that logistics in Pokrovsk are still possible, although they are hampered by the large number of Russian FPV drones in the skies.

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Russian forces are also active around the city of Myrnohrad. In Pokrovsk the Russians are mainly attacking with infantry, while near Myrnohrad they are both using infiltration routes on several defensive lines and openly deploying armoured vehicles.

Quote from the Air Assault Forces: "Recently the Russians carried out another mechanised assault. During the enemy attack, our troops destroyed five armoured vehicles and two other vehicles and killed at least 14 occupiers, including eight on the outskirts of Myrnohrad."

More details: Syrskyi said that Russian forces "are stepping up their activity" in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration.

Quote from Syrskyi: "The situation is difficult, but Russian propaganda claims that Ukraine's defence forces in Pokrovsk and Kupiansk have been 'blocked' are untrue."

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More details: Syrskyi said the Russian infantry in Pokrovsk are avoiding direct engagements, building up inside the urban area and shifting positions, which makes detecting and destroying them the priority task.

He said he has "issued the necessary orders" and, with regard to improving logistics, has separately tasked commanders with strengthening protection for supply and evacuation routes.

Read more: How Pokrovsk is imperceptibly falling: five observations by Ukrainska Pravda

Background:

On 26 October, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Russians had concentrated their main assault group against Pokrovsk.

Ukrainska Pravda reported on 24 October that there were at least 250 Russian troops in Pokrovsk, engaging in firefights and killing Ukrainian soldiers, particularly drone operators, at their positions; that logistics into the city were fully controlled by Russian drones, forcing Ukrainian soldiers to walk 10-15 km to reach their positions; and that Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad were at risk of encirclement.

DeepState, a Ukrainian group of military analysts, reported yesterday that Russian troops had made gains in Pokrovsk and that 45 combat clashes had taken place there in one day.

The 7th Rapid Response Corps of Ukraine's Air Assault Forces reported yesterday that Russia has deployed about 11,000 troops in an effort to encircle Pokrovsk.

There are still 1,256 civilians in Pokrovsk, and evacuation from the hromada is practically impossible. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]

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Russia revealed that it has tested a nuclear-powered cruise missile and torpedo in recent days.

These experimental systems are part of the so-called "super weapons" that Putin unveiled in 2018.

The Russian leader said another one of these six weapons will soon be operational.

Russia is touting fresh progress on two of the country's most unusual weapons.

The Kremlin announced in recent days that it has successfully tested two of its six experimental "super weapons"  a nuclear-powered cruise missile and torpedo  and said that another is expected to be operational soon.

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These new weapons are intended as second-strike capabilities, with the Poseidon torpedo as a survivable, unstoppable retaliatory doomsday deterrent and the Burevestnik missile as an untrackable, indefensible retaliatory strike platform. To what extent they live up to the Kremlin's hype is unclear.

Russian leadership and senior officials have touted these weapons as powerful, unbeatable, and capable of bypassing enemy defenses. Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and deputy chair of the Security Council, warned on Wednesday that "the Poseidon can be considered a true doomsday weapon."

While the recent tests are notable, weapons experts have raised questions about the combat capabilities and overall strategic value of these new systems, as well as the implications for arms control. Key US and Russian agreements are either strained or long dead. Weapons like this could further complicate things.

Russian President Vladimir Putin disclosed on Wednesday that the military had successfully tested the autonomous Poseidon the previous day, launching the weapon from a submarine using a boost motor and then activating its nuclear power unit to propel the weapon forward. It is believed to be capable of speeds of up to 125 mph.

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Speaking during a meeting at a military hospital in Moscow and echoing past statements on this system, Putin said that there are "no existing interception methods" for the Poseidon, which he described as a one-of-a-kind weapon unlikely to be replicated, state media reported.

The Poseidon is an autonomous torpedo, or underwater drone. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP

Putin's comments came just three days after Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said Moscow had tested the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile last week. That test drew a reaction from President Donald Trump, who said that the US has stationed a "nuclear submarine" off Russia's shores.

Gerasimov said the Burevestnik, which NATO identifies as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall, flew some 8,700 miles and traveled in the air for 15 hours. He added that the missile is capable of flying for longer and can skirt past air defense systems.

Russia has said that both the Poseidon and Burevestnik have unlimited ranges. Their nuclear power supply would, in theory, allow them to possess that capability.

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The Poseidon as a concept has roots in a Soviet nuclear torpedo project that envisioned an underwater nuclear explosion that would create a massive tsunami capable of devastating naval bases and coastal cities. The Burevestnik, likewise, has a Cold War predecessor, though this one was an American project to develop a nuclear-powered ramjet engine for a missile.

"Nuclear-powered cruise missiles are not a new idea, said Patrycja Bazylczyk, a research associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "They're just a bad idea."

She told Business Insider that the risk of "radioactive wreckage or some other unintended consequence" is a major reason such efforts were abandoned.

During the course of the Burevestnik's development, a serious accident suspected to be linked to the missile's testing killed multiple people and resulted in the release of radioactivity. US intelligence reportedly assessed that the deadly blast involved a Skyfall prototype.

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Bazylczyk, the program manager for the CSIS Missile Defense Project, said Russia's weapons are scary, but mostly because of the radiological effects rather than their capabilities.

"Despite some new features, they do not really affect Russia's ability to hold the US homeland at risk," she said.

'Super weapons'

Putin officially unveiled the existence of six experimental "super weapons" in a 2018 speech. They're all a little different, but they can all be armed with nuclear warheads. Some can also carry conventional warheads.

Beyond the Poseidon and Burevestnik, this collection of strategic weapons includes the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, the Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile, the Zircon ship-launched hypersonic cruise missile, and the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile.

The Sarmat ICBM during a test launch. Roscosmos Space Agency Press Service via AP

Russia has used the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal extensively in its invasion of Ukraine, which has used Western-provided air defense systems to effectively intercept dozens of the missiles, despite Moscow touting them as virtually unstoppable.

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Russia has also fired 3M22 Zircon missiles at Ukrainian targets, though there have been far fewer instances of this type of attack, and Kyiv has demonstrated that it can intercept them, further calling into question the reputation of Moscow's weapons.

Putin on Wednesday said that the RS-28 Sarmat ICBM, known by NATO as the SS-18 Satan, "will be operational soon" and said there is no other missile like it, state media Tass reported. Past testing of the weapon, however, has ended in catastrophic failure.

The US is pursuing its own nuclear modernization, upgrading its triad. Trump said early on Thursday that he had instructed the Pentagon to restart nuclear weapons tests, more than three decades after the US last carried one out. It's unclear at the moment how that will be executed, if it is.

Read the original article on Business Insider
RUTLAND, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  On Wednesday, Vermonts second-largest hospital announced that it will no longer have specific beds for children, while insisting that it remains committed to the health and wellbeing of children in the community.

Rutland Regional Medical Center announced that it will no longer maintain five beds specifically for children. (File)

Rutland Regional Medical Center (RRMC), in a press release on Wednesday, wrote that the five pediatric beds in its Womens and Childrens Unit are unoccupied almost half the time, as children need to stay in the hospital for long periods much less often than in the past.

UVM: kids with allergic reactions dont need overnight hospital stays

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By evolving our pediatric services to meet todays realities, were ensuring that families in the Rutland region continue to receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place, said Judi Fox, CEO of RRMC.

According to RRMC, children who need observation will continue to be cared for in the Emergency Department, while those who need more specialized treatment will be transferred to UVMMC, and potentially other hospitals such as Dartmouth-Hitchock.

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.
DES MOINES, Iowa  An RV ended up in the Raccoon River near Des Moines Water Works early Thursday morning and police say fog was to blame.

It happened right around 6:00 a.m. near George Flagg Parkway and SW 30th Street. Sgt. Paul Parizek, Public Information Officer of the Des Moines Police Department, said the driver of the motor home told officers dense fog was the problem.

WHO 13s Gabe Prough spoke with the driver of the RV on the scene, who said he wasnt injured in the incident.

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A towing crew removed the RV from the river a little after 7:30 a.m.

Check back for more information as it becomes available.

Metro 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 who13.com.
(FOX40.COM)  The city of Sacramentos Neighborhood Development Action Team is accepting applications for community ambassadors. These 18 individuals will strive to connect Sacramentos different cultural neighborhoods.

Jessica Davalos is a community engagement analyst with the city. She told FOX40 about the meaning behind this effort.

We are looking for trusted messengers in the community, Davalos said.

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She called this initiative a two-way conversation.

These are people who are already well connected with their cultural communities, Davalos said.

It started as a pilot program back in 2022 with the Stockton Blvd plan. Back then, six representatives were tasked with making sure all nearby residents  regardless of background or language  had a say in what happens in their neighborhood.

The program has since taken off  tripling  from where it started. Now, officials are seeking representatives from the Hmong, Vietnamese, Hispanic, Chinese and Black communities. However, this year, theyre noticing a new trend.

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There are more Ukrainian and Russian community members coming to the city and needing language support, Davalos said.

She said her team has seen an increase in 3-1-1 calls with Russian interpretation requests. Therefore, her team is aiming to find at least one Russian representative to serve as an ambassador, too.

According to the city, this program is about hearing what these different communities need, but also streamlining information about how they can get support.

We will actively be sharing with ambassadors the different resources that we currently have, the different surveys that the city has, the different like grant opportunities are available, Davalos said.

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She told FOX40 that the program has already helped shed light on the importance of providing translations in city signage.

FOX40 spoke with a man named Michael Sandoval who lives nearby. He said he is proud of his Mexican heritage. He weighed-in on how he feels this program will help address language barriers.

Translators like Mexicans I know, like a lot of places that, like, they only speak Spanish, Sandoval said. He said helping ease accessibility for Spanish speakers would be a game-changer.

Chosen ambassadors will receive a $6,000 stipend. Theyll attend monthly meetings and will serve a 12-month term. Davalos said a big part of the program is trust and fostering connections  giving residents who may be scared to be involved with the government a safe space to do so.

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We can continue to reach those community members who havent been reached before, Davalos said.

The city recently extended the application through Nov. 9. They said they are hoping to get candidates of all backgrounds.

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.
A woman who was looking for legal assistance with her immigration status was raped by a man claiming to be an attorney  who then offered her cash and a discount to buy her silence  authorities say.

Santa Ana police are now asking for the public's help in their search for the 65-year-old suspect, Jose Bernal.

The victim reported the incident to police on Nov. 12, 2024, saying that she met with Bernal, who said he was an attorney, at his office on 1203 E. 17th St. in Santa Ana.

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According to police, Bernal told the woman that the process would cost $14,000 but that he would offer a discount if she entered a relationship with him.

When the victim declined and attempted to leave, he grabbed her and sexually assaulted her in his office, police allege.

Afterward, Bernal allegedly offered the victim $400 and a discount on her case if she did not contact the police.

The Santa Ana Police Department is seeking any tips regarding Bernal's whereabouts. Police described him as 5 feet, 8 inches tall and 190 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Individuals with information have been asked to contact Det. M. Tapia at (714)-245-8379 or mtapia@santa-ana.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.
Taiwan's National Security Bureau (NSB) has revealed that Chinese vessels are using at least eight covert tactics to enter restricted maritime zones near Kinmen County, further complicating Taiwan's ability to monitor its territorial waters, these repeated incursions have become an alarming feature of China's escalating maritime pressure campaign against Taiwan, as reported by The Taipei Times. According to The Taipei Times, speaking before the legislature's Foreign Affairs and National Defence Committee, NSB Director-General Tsai Ming-yen said that a recently captured image showed seven to eight commercial Chinese vessels sailing into restricted areas near Kinmen. He noted that some ships had disabled their automatic identification systems (AIS), making them impossible to trace. The observation adds to growing concerns over Beijing's use of non-military assets for grey-zone operations. KMT Legislator Chen Yeong-kang questioned whether these vessels were fishing boats commissioned by Beijing or disguised China Coast Guard ships conducting intelligence-gathering missions. He argued that such intrusions should not be dismissed as minor provocations but instead be treated as direct challenges to Taiwan's sovereignty. Tsai said intelligence has identified eight to nine different methods employed by Chinese ships, including switching off AIS systems, forging vessel identities, and using fake maritime mobile service numbers. These practices, he admitted, have made surveillance "significantly more complex." In response, Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) has begun deploying more patrols and approved a NT$20 billion (US$653 million) plan to strengthen its naval capacity and improve intelligence-sharing systems, as cited by The Taipei Times. Meanwhile, Chen warned that the upcoming completion of China's Xiamen Xiangan International Airport could be exploited to expand Beijing's air jurisdiction over parts of Kinmen under the guise of civil aviation management. He urged Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence, Mainland Affairs Council, and CGA to remain alert. Analysts state China's tactics reflect a broader pattern of maritime coercion and hybrid warfare, aimed at testing Taiwan's response capabilities while gradually undermining its control over its own waters, as reported by The Taipei Times. (ANI)




Eight years ago, the play "Thomas and Sally" sparked peaceful in-person protests, an open letter co-signed by almost 1,800 people and a police confrontation, blighting the reputation of Marin Theatre.

Now the same theater, under new leadership, is betting it can begin to repair the damage - with a different script called "Sally & Tom."

Suzan-Lori Parks' play, which begins performances Thursday, Oct. 30, shares some superficial qualities with Thomas Bradshaw's world premiere from 2017. Both portray Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, the enslaved woman who bore him six children starting when she was a teenager and he was decades her senior. Both use a contemporary framing device to revisit that ugly chapter in American history, and both purport to explore whether Hemings could have chosen to have sex with the man who legally owned her. For some, a yes answer or even just asking the question is racist and sexist, opening fault lines in a lefty theater community more accustomed to agreeing on social and political issues.

Director Lance Gardner, center, converses with actors Adam KuveNiemann, left, and Emily Newsome during rehearsal for their upcoming play "Sally & Tom" at Marin Theatre in Mill Valley on Oct. 21, 2025. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle)





But Marin Theatre Executive Artistic Director Lance Gardner, who's been on the job for two years, is adamant that the new script is not a response to the former. "I think that gives too much credit to Thomas and Sally' and not enough credit to this one," Gardner told the Chronicle before a recent rehearsal for the show, which he's directing.

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Parks herself, who declined the Chronicle's interview request, previously told the publication American Theatre that while she was aware of the controversy sparked by Bradshaw's play, "I'm not following in anybody's footsteps in terms of subject matter."

Playwright Thomas Bradshaw talks about his play "Thomas and Sally" at Marin Theatre on Sept. 14, 2017, in Mill Valley. (Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle)





Bradshaw did not respond to an interview request.

Gardner, a Black actor himself, noted that he'd turned down a role in "Thomas and Sally." He'd just played an enslaved character in "Safe House" at now-defunct Aurora Theatre, which he said "really affected me on a deep personal level." At Marin, he worried he'd be performing in front of people who hadn't been thinking about slavery, racial identity, inheritance and American history as deeply as he had. Plus, he felt "Thomas and Sally" was written with "a ham fist."

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Many activists felt similarly about that script, objecting to the way Bradshaw and the theater's marketing, as they described it, sexualized Sally Hemings and trivialized her enslavement.

Thomas Jefferson (Mark Anderson Phillips, left) and Sally Hemings (Tara Pacheco) in Marin Theatre Company's "Thomas and Sally." (Kevin Berne/Marin Theatre Company)





In that 2017 production, which opens with a pair of female college students arguing about sharing a dildo, a Black enslaved woman teaches her white female slaveowner about sex and masturbation. Later, as the stage directions spell out that Jefferson and Hemings "lie in bed spooning" after their first time having sex, Jefferson says, "You had an orgasm. I could tell."

In their open letter, activists called on the theater to apologize for the harm the play had caused in perpetuating stereotypes of Black women as hypersexualized. Among other points, they also demanded that the theater create new policies to ensure that people of color have positions of power in the creation and development of plays about them.

Actors Adam KuveNiemann, left, and Emily Newsome rehearse "Sally & Tom" at Marin Theatre in Mill Valley on Oct. 21, 2025. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle)





Parks' "Sally & Tom," by contrast, spends as much time in the present as it does in the past. It focuses on Luce (Emily Newsome), a Black female playwright who's rehearsing a new play about Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson and trying to come up with an ending that neither alienates her moneyed white producers nor lets white audiences off the hook. The play switches between scenes where she and her partner, Mike (Adam KuveNiemann), spar about art and money and scenes of the play-within-a-play, where Luce and Mike play Sally and Tom.

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In a joint interview, Gardner, Newsome and KuveNiemann expressed acute awareness of the pressure on them, given the fallout from "Thomas and Sally."

Actor Emily Newsome rehearses her upcoming play "Sally & Tom" at Marin Theatre in Mill Valley on Oct. 21, 2025. "We don't know exactly what (Hemings) was like, but when I'm doing her monologue, when I'm saying her lines, I truly do feel like I am connected to something that is being gifted to me from elsewhere," Newsome said. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle)





"I am wary of the fact that when you research Sally Hemings, everything is prefaced with, We believe that'" Newsome said.

"I don't want to get her wrong. What if she's watching?" she continued, looking upward to emphasize the point.

Tracy Camp passes out informational flyers as a patrons enter Marin Theatre for "Thomas and Sally" in Mill Valley on Oct. 20, 2017. (Mason Trinca/Special to The Chronicle)





Gardner contacted actor Tracy Camp, one of the members of the coalition, inviting her to be involved with the show in any way she saw fit. She declined but wrote Gardner, "My main concern is that the history of the brutality of slavery and rape here in the U.S. not be erased or romanticized, especially now during a time when the current administration is actively trying to erase our history."

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In accepting the role, Newsome said she was excited about the possibility of playing a mixed-race Black woman and fashioning "a whole, entire human being" from someone historians long kept in the shadows. But like Gardner, she finds playing someone in bondage "deeply heavy work."

Actor Emily Newsome visits Ocean Beach in San Francisco on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, prior to rehearsal for her upcoming play "Sally & Tom" at Mill Valley's Marin Theatre. "I just stand here and watch the waves for a while because I feel like it's a way that I can connect to something that is so much larger than all of the feelings that I take on when I am in rehearsal," Newsome said. "I watch the waves and I pretend that they are coming up all the way into my body through my energy and washing away anything that I no longer need, anything that I don't need to be carrying, anything that doesn't belong there, anything that is not my truth in this moment, and my truth in this moment is that I am standing on the beach and I am OK. It feels like a way to get back to my spirit. It's a cleanse. I'm a spiritual person. I do check in with my guides and my ancestors and ask that I am doing the story justice and try to just not get into my head and let it flow through me. And when that's done, I try to come out here to the beach and disconnect from it because it's heavy, and you don't need to be carrying around things that aren't yours." (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle)





"It is something that I can feel as a weight in my body. So I often, after rehearsal, will drive to the beach," she said - Ocean Beach if she has time, Crissy Field if she's in a hurry. "I like to just stand there, go inward, feel everything that I'm feeling - often burst into tears on the beach - and just imagine that the waves are crashing over me and taking it all away."

In rehearsal, cast and crew also try to lighten the heaviness with a game they call "Tidbit Tom," where they satirize all the fun facts about Jefferson that historians love to share with outlandish ones they make up. As scene work began and assistant stage manager Nick Reulbach moved a setpiece, they remarked, "Ah, the futons of Monticello" - to which Gardner and KuveNiemann, not missing a beat, rejoined in near-unison, "Did you know that Thomas Jefferson invented the futon?"

Actors Emily Newsome, left, and Adam KuveNiemann rehearse "Sally & Tom" at Marin Theatre in Mill Valley on Oct. 21, 2025. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle)





"We get caught up in all the details because they are interesting," KuveNiemann explained during the interview. "But if we only deal with those little popcorns of information, we can't deal with the roast beast of awfulness that we have right in front of us."

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Jefferson, he went on, "better than almost anyone understood the original sin of America, in slavery, and he had the power, more than almost anyone at that time period, to do something about it. And he did not."

Actor Emily Newsome visits Ocean Beach in San Francisco on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, prior to rehearsal for her upcoming play "Sally & Tom" at Mill Valley's Marin Theatre. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle)





If Jefferson is tidbit Tom, Hemings - as the historian Annette Gordon-Reed has written - has been described as an "enigma," with scant record of her life. When Americans bicker over her today, they're fighting about not just Jefferson's hypocrisy but how to talk about slavery in an era when President Donald Trump has criticized the Smithsonian Institution for excessive focus on "how bad (s)lavery was." For many, describing Hemings as anything other than a victim of bondage and rape is misogynoir. Granting her choice makes her look lustful and slavery look less bad.

Gordon-Reed has a different take, arguing that denying Hemings and others agency dehumanizes them. "(E)nslaved people, when they had chances, often acted to shape their circumstances to the extent that they could," she wrote in a 2017 New York Times essay.

Actors Adam KuveNiemann, left, and Emily Newsome rehearse "Sally & Tom" at Marin Theatre in Mill Valley on Oct. 21, 2025. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle)





In "Sally & Tom," Luce wrestles with her own version of that dilemma. "The absence of freedom does not imply the absence of humanity," she says. "But what if Sally didn't love Tom. What if it was just grooming and then rape and then Stockholm Syndrome?"

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But eight years ago, the "Thomas and Sally" cast and creative team had a similar goal, even if their script contained more outrageous-on-purpose scenes.

Actors Mark Anderson Philips, far left, and Tara Pacheco during a "Thomas and Sally" rehearsal at Marin Theatre on Sept. 14, 2017, in Mill Valley. (Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle)





New York actor Tara Pacheco, who played Sally Hemings in that production, believes the show's marketing - featuring an illustration of her character with a flirtatious facial expression - "doomed" it, she told the Chronicle by phone.

At the time, she thought, "Misunderstanding may be happening, but as soon as butts are in seats and we are really showing people what the work is about, it'll speak for itself." She now calls that thinking "naive."

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Still, Pacheco remains an advocate for that play, emphasizing that portrayal is not necessarily endorsement. Of the sex scenes, she noted, "Just because it's in there doesn't mean that that's the point."

Actors Mark Anderson Philips, far left, Tara Pacheco and William Hodgson during a "Thomas and Sally" rehearsal at Marin Theatre on Sept. 14, 2017, in Mill Valley. (Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle)





She estimates she attended 90% of the play's postshow talkbacks and said that the audiences she heard from squirmed in the way Bradshaw wanted them to. "Never did anyone leave the play and say, Thank you for teaching me about this consensual relationship,'" she said.

More Information

"Sally & Tom": Written by Suzan-Lori Parks. Directed by Lance Gardner. Performances begin Thursday, Oct. 30. Through Nov. 23. $38-$89. Marin Theatre, 397 Miller Ave., Mill Valley. 415-388-5208. www.marintheatre.org

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Her experience made her worry about the fate of ambiguity in her art form - "like there wasn't a lot of room in the theater community for things to be unsettling or complex," she said. It was early in the first Trump administration, and she recalled an imperative to be "on message" in counterprogramming. Yet, she continued, "Choosing simplicity over discomfort erases something."

For others, "Thomas and Sally" was worse than mere discomfort. For years after the show, Chronicle readers wrote to the publication criticizing it, including Auburn resident Christina Arrostuto.

Actors Adam KuveNiemann, left, and Emily Newsome rehearse "Sally & Tom" at Marin Theatre in Mill Valley on Oct. 21, 2025. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle)





"I couldn't fathom how MTC could put on such a horrifyingly inaccurate and tone-deaf rendition of subjugation with a straight face," she wrote in 2020.

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When a coalition of 13 Black female theater professionals in the region wrote an open letter censuring "Thomas and Sally" and Marin Theatre, they made a set of demands that included an apology and changes to hiring, training and season programming. Three years later, they published an update, saying the theater "has never fulfilled the asks we outlined for them in the service of justice and healing."

Director Lance Gardner leads rehearsal for "Sally & Tom" at Marin Theatre in Mill Valley on Oct. 21, 2025. (Yalonda M. James/S.F. Chronicle)





Since then, Gardner said, "We've basically built a new theater."

"It's not clear to me if anyone expects me to clean up other people's messes," he continued. "Whether or not those recommendations or demands are mine to pick up, I think I'm doing a good job of building a culture that won't fall into the traps that led to that disconnect."

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Arrostuto, the reader from Auburn, told the Chronicle she plans to see "Sally & Tom." She said she's "hoping it serves as redemption."

This article originally published at A Sally Hemings play nearly broke this Bay Area theater. Now it's mounting another one.
Hilary Rivers, the San Francisco drag queen who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for nearly three months, is now back at home and ready to talk about her experience.

Rivers was released on September 20 after being detained by ICE on June 26 outside immigration court. In an interview with bilingual independent news publication El Tecolote, she spoke about being taken into custody and then held in a California detention center for weeks. First, she described how her friends had warned her not to go to the court date, which she believed was a routine appointment related to her asylum claim.

A few days before my court date, friends warned me not to appear because people were being picked up, Rivers, who was born in El Salvador and raised in Guatemala, told El Tecolote. But I wanted to do things right. I knew if I didnt show up, I could get an automatic deportation order. So I went to court with my lawyer.

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Under President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration, ICE agents began waiting outside immigration courts in the Bay Area this summer to detain people, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. But Rivers was completely caught off guard by officers approaching her right after the judge said they would need more time to review her case. This was the day after she competed in the 30th annual Miss & Mr. Safe Latino pageant, which was founded to bring awareness to issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community.

"Officers asked my name. I stayed quiet. My lawyer also didnt answer. They seemed to understand I was the person they wanted," Rivers said. "They grabbed me, pushed me against the wall and shackled me. My lawyer tried to intervene, but they pushed him aside. They put my hands and feet in chains. Ive never been arrested before. It was terrifying."

Rivers spent nearly three months at the Golden State Annex detention center in McFarland, California, where she said she and other detainees "had to stand for hours because there was no space to sit, no air, and we were freezing." Rivers also told El Tecolote that there were no safeguards against harassment or sexual violence, and that the "staff didn't protect" her.

"One person came into my room when the door was locked, and another time I woke up to someone touching me," she told the publication. "I reported it using the tablet system and spoke to staff. They told me there would be an investigation, but nothing changed. Later I saw paperwork that didnt match where I actually was housed, as if units were mislabeled."

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Rivers was finally granted asylum and released near the end of September, but when she returned home, she realized the ordeal was far from over. "I learned I'd lost almost everything, housing and belongings. Some documents were missing," she said. "I'm starting from zero.

Despite everything shes been through the last few months, and the long road ahead rebuilding her finances and recovering from a preexisting injury that got worse during her detention, Rivers is grateful to be free. She also remains determined to improve her situation and advocate for others now that she has been granted asylum.

"We have to fight for our dreams," she told El Tecolote. "I paid a high price, but nothing is impossible. Don't let them break you. Don't sign things you don't understand. Know your rights. We all have the same worth, no matter where we're from."

A GoFundMe campaign is currently raising money for her.

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This article originally appeared on Out: San Francisco drag queen Hilary Rivers has been released by ICE and granted asylum

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie is trying to get more homes built for people like Liam Murphy: a fifth-generation city kid who found himself repeatedly outbid for tiny two-bedroom houses that wound up selling for $1.6 million.

Murphy, 39, now lives about an hour's drive away from his job as a San Francisco firefighter. He says it's too late for his family to move back, but he hopes others can stay in a city where the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom is $3,500.

That would just make for a better city overall, said Murphy, and the reason is because city kids just grow up being exposed to more. They're exposed to all the cultures of San Francisco, which makes a more well-rounded person.

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Tiny, colorful San Francisco  just seven miles squared  embraces its image as a city that welcomes all. But its inability to build more housing has made it one of the world's toughest places to find a home, risking the diversity it prides itself on.

Epithets are hurled at the mayor

Lurie hopes to change that, with a plan to allow for denser and taller buildings throughout much of the city, including the westside Sunset neighborhood of single-family homes and the tourist friendly Haight-Ashbury, which is studded with classic Victorian and Edwardian homes.

The issue has roiled the city, and threats of recall loom over San Francisco supervisors who go along with Lurie. At a recent housing rally, the mayor who won a rare reprieve from President Donald Trump's threats to send in federal forces struggled to be heard over angry chants of shame! and liar.

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Protesters demanded the city invest in 100% below-market rate housing and accused him of being a gentrifier and a Republican.

I truly believe that this has San Franciscans' best interests at heart. Are some people going to be fearful? Absolutely. I get it. Change is scary, said Lurie, who is a centrist Democrat. But the status quo is not working. There's an affordability crisis right now.

Democrats vs Democrats

The city's estimated 830,000 residents are passionate over both land use and equity. Housing projects have died as pressure to create more affordable units made potential developments unprofitable. Residents also want their stunning views.

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But San Francisco is under pressure from the state to adopt a new zoning plan allowing for 36,000 more homes by 2031  or else the state will decide what gets built where  and the mayor likely has the votes to pass his Family Zoning Plan.

Supporters say it's a matter of supply and demand, and that more homes will bring down the overall cost of housing.

Critics say such trickle-down economics will not work in a city like San Francisco, which is in such global demand that some foreign investors buy properties sight-unseen. They say developers will only build luxury housing that's too costly for most workers, while displacing tenants and destroying the character of entire neighborhoods.

Theres a herd of elephants in the room that no one will address, says Eric Jaye, a Democratic political consultant who opposes the plan.

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A city 'for people who didnt love cities

Much of the housing push has come from Democrats, including a former city mayor, Gov. Gavin Newsom, who signed into law a proposal by San Francisco state Sen. Scott Wiener to build more homes near transit.

The city has made enormous strides in recent years, with whole districts of tall condo buildings cropping up around downtown, says Rafael Mandelman, president of the Board of Supervisors. But he acknowledges that people come to San Francisco for its more intimate neighborhoods and access to green space.

San Francisco, historically, was the city for people who didnt love cities," Mandelman said.

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Katherine Roberts, 72, initially welcomed construction of an affordable housing complex near the three-story Edwardian she labored to buy in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood two decades ago.

But at 160 units and eight stories high, the massive building has shattered her peace of mind, dominating her view.

Im looking out and its like Im living in East Germany. How can you build something this inappropriate in a historic neighborhood like the Haight-Ashbury? Roberts said. What about all the people who already live here? What are we supposed to do?

Proposal calls for denser homes

For the most part, the new zoning plan allows for more housing to be packed into the space of a single-family home  say a duplex with a studio  without exceeding the city's height limit of roughly four stories for such properties. At least 15% of new housing must be below-market rate.

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Buildings on neighborhood commercial corridors could double to eight stories. Busier thoroughfares could see high-rises of 10 stories and more, and in a few spots, on Van Ness Avenue, heights could hit 650 feet (200 meters), rivaling some downtown skyscrapers.

Passage of Lurie's proposal won't necessarily lead to more homes in a city with high labor and construction costs and notoriously complex and cumbersome" approval processes, as the state said in a scathing 2023 review.

And so city dwellers make do with overcrowded  and sometimes awkward  living situations.

Laura Foote, executive director of yes in my backyard YIMBY Action, wound up living with the man who is now her husband  and the woman he was divorcing  in a one-bedroom apartment for about six months, until his ex could find another rental.

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We didnt kill each other, Foote said, but it went on longer than it would have in a well-functioning housing market.

Mayor's plan is likely to pass

Supervisors are still negotiating amendments to the zoning plan, which could be voted out of committee on Monday for consideration by the full board. Some supervisors want to exempt historic properties, or all buildings currently used for housing. The mayor agreed to exempt buildings with at least three rent-controlled units.

The compromise was a major relief for Phyllis Nabhan, 78, who lives in the Richmond neighborhood, between the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. She fears becoming homeless if a developer scoops up the property she's called home for 47 years, starting with a rent of just $350 a month.

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But Nabhan still objects to the proposal. She says it would ruin her neighborhood's cozy and wonderful feel, and blames the state for forcing the city to change.

I think that this mayor is trying, she said. Its a horrible job, I wouldnt want to be mayor.
Sandy Springs has terminated Reserve Sgt. Francis Esposito, after an internal investigation, was found to have used the citys camera system for personal gain and may have engaged in corporate espionage.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Sandy Springs, like many other cities, uses Flock cameras. The technology allows officers to have a real-time view of the streets and includes technology like license plate readers.

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Former Atlanta Detective Vince Velazquez says the technology can be incredibly valuable to solve crimes.

Its an invaluable tool for law enforcement to actually solve cases, homicide cases, sexual assault cases, Velazquez said.And its so valuable for an officer to, like, abuse that, just a personal gain, its really unquestionable. Its just really, really bad behavior.

According to an investigation, Esposito used his city Flock login to run the license plates of multiple people, and allegedly transferred the data to Signal 8, a company he also worked for.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The data is the gold mine for literally any startup, any company that is trying to grow, Emory University professor Rajiv Garg said.

The investigation concluded that Esposito may have violated multiple Georgia laws, including corporate espionage.

When investigators asked about the allegations, Esposito refused to answer the questions and resigned.

I think that this officer probably understood the rules and understood what he was doing was wrong, Velazquez said.

Signal 8 says they never told Esposito to run the license plates, and if Esposito ran the plates, he did so on his own.

The company further states, At no point did Mr. Esposito share, transmit, or transfer data from Flock Safety or the City of Sandy Springs to Signal 8 Systems.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

The whistleblower who started the investigation was a former Signal 8 employee, who told investigators the Flock data was used for beta testing and validation of their product.

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Its clearly a violation of policy and perhaps state law, Velazquez said. So for this officer to violate that trust, it makes anyone who lives in this state, or Sandy Springs, or Atlanta, wonder what other police officers may be out there actually running tags.

While Esposito did attempt to resign, Sandy Springs officially lists Esposito as terminated and has referred his case to the Georgia Peace Officer Standards & Training Council, which could bar him from ever working in law enforcement again.
SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO)  Newborns at Sanford Health are celebrating their first Halloween by donning their own costumes, courtesy of some Sioux Falls high school students.

Little Addison is dressed as an ice cream cone for Halloween.

Mitchell businessman charged with child abuse

It suits her very well. Her dad loves ice cream so ice cream is a perfect fit, Mom Hannah Swenson said.

Addison was born at just 24 weeks. Shes been in the Sanford NICU for more than a month.

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Its amazing. I didnt know if Addison would still be here if we didnt have a service like this, Swenson said.

Twins Liam and Noah are wearing milk and cookies costumes for Halloween.

Theyre grunting a little bit. But I think that they enjoyed it. I think the grunts, well count them as happy words or something, Liam & Noahs dad, Alex Magana, said.

The costumes help moms and dads deal with the stress of having their babies in the hospital for an extended stay.

Its really cool that we can make the best of it with them having the costumes and stuff. Hopefully, in a few years, they can actually go trick-or-treating, Magana said.

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The costumes are made of felt, a soft fabric that wont irritate the babies skin. They were made by Lincoln High School students; some of them were in the NICU themselves.

It comes full circle and its so neat to see that they were babies in here and now theyre giving back to our NICU and its making our patients very happy, Sanford Clinical Nurse Manager Becky Blogg said.

I think they did an awesome job. They did really good. They should be proud of their work and thank you, Liam & Noahs mom, Andrea Silva, said.

An earlier generation of NICU babies generously giving back this Halloween to patients who are a bit too young for trick-or-treating, but certainly look the part.

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The NICU staff at Sanford say they enjoy the costumes as well because they get to celebrate Halloween with the babies and their families.

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.
b'

Black River devastation

'

A centuries-old port town was left devastated by Hurricane Melissa after a 16ft storm surge hit Black River, satellite images reveal.

The Category 5 storm of the century wreaked havoc across Jamaica on Tuesday, decimating homes, flooding neighbourhoods and killing dozens.

Black River, the capital of St Elizabeth Parish on the countrys south-western coast, was described by the islands prime minister as ground zero, given the level of devastation experienced in the town.

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Richard Solomon, the towns mayor, said: The entire town of Black River is devastated, and that devastation is so catastrophic that the prime minister classified this area as ground zero.

Aerial photographs of the town reveal the extent of the damage, with the majority of buildings failing to withstand the extreme rain and wind brought by Hurricane Melissa on Tuesday.

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At least five people are confirmed to have died in Black River, though the death toll is expected to rise once communications and transport are restored.

The hurricane came around eight in the morning and lasted for around nine hours, during which we were pounded with heavy winds and a lot of rain, Mr Solomon told The Guardian.

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We got up to 16ft of water at the [emergency operating] centre. That was a bit scary for us, and we were hoping that it would not rise any further, because we were on the second floor, and I tell you, when we saw the water rising, it was a scary moment for us.

The town, which has 500,000 residents, has been left without power and water, while most buildings lost their roof.

Aerial photographs of Black River reveal the extent of the damage - RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images

The church of Lacovia Tombstone sits damaged in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa - AP Photo/Matias Delacroix

It has become near impossible to carry out search and rescue operations as the majority of the towns emergency services, including fire and police stations and hospitals, were immensely damaged, Mr Solomon said.

Black River is one of the oldest towns on the island, appearing on a 1685 map. Built by the Spanish and later taken over by the English, it was seen as one of the most beautiful Georgian towns in the Caribbean.

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It has been of huge economic importance to Jamaica over the centuries, thriving on the forced labour of enslaved Africans on sugar plantations.

Owing to its wealth, it became the first town in Jamaica to be powered by electricity in 1893. Ten years later, it was the first to receive cars.

Black River is one of Jamaicas oldest European towns - RICARDO MAKYN/AFP via Getty Images

Black River was decimated after a 16ft storm surge - Ricardo Makyn/AFP

Andrew Holness, the prime minister, saw the devastation first-hand during an aerial tour of the region, which showed up to 90 per cent of roofs had been destroyed.

It is going to be a massive task to rebuild Black River, this historic town. But while it is destroyed, we can vision a future of it rising stronger and better, he said.

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We will get it done. So keep the positive outlook, keep hope alive, and we will get through this, and we will rebuild better.

At least 30 people were killed by the hurricane throughout Jamaica, with the country being declared as a disaster area after Melissa made landfall with 185mph winds.

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Children were among 25 people killed in Haiti where dozens of homes were destroyed when a river overflowed in Petit-Goave.

The storm did not directly hit the island, but it caused heavy rainfall over the country.

Up to 8,000 British citizens are currently on the island, either living there temporarily or visiting on holiday. All airports are closed, leaving many stranded.

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After passing through Cuba and the Bahamas on Wednesday, Melissa remains a Category Two hurricane as it hurtles across the Atlantic at 100mph.

A farmer rescues his dog from his flooded house after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in eastern Cuba - YAMIL LAGE/AFP via Getty Images

Approaching the UK

By midnight on Tuesday, it is expected to have descended into a post-tropical cyclone, which could bring rain and winds to the UK and Ireland.

A Met Office spokesman said: Hurricane Melissa is expected to lose its tropical characteristics in the North Atlantic and likely dissipate as a distinct system later this week.

There is a small chance that the remnants of Melissa could influence UK weather next week, although the picture will become clearer closer to the time.

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At present, any particularly significant or disruptive weather appears unlikely. However, the system could help maintain the broadly unsettled conditions already affecting the UK.

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.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  A 23-year-old Savannah man was convicted on machine gun and drug trafficking charges Thursday, city officials announced.

After a two-day trial, 23-year-old Maurice Bando Williams was convicted on charges of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, illegal possession of a machinegun, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He was tried in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia.

Williams charges stem from a September 2024 traffic stop. Officers arrested Williams after finding him to be in possession of a machinegun with an extended magazine, oxycodone, a digital scale, packaging materials, cash, and at least 300 grams of marijuana, a City of Savannah spokesperson said.

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Williams was indicted on eight separate counts, with three charges stemming from the traffic stop.

The 23-year-old was found guilty on all charged counts, officials said. A city spokesperson said he will serve a minimum of 35 years.

This was great work all around, from arrest to conviction, said Lenny B. Gunther, Savannah Chief of Police. We are truly grateful for the hard work put into this case by our federal partners.

The case was investigated by the Savannah Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted for the United States by Special Assistant United States Attorney Makeia R. Jonese and Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner.

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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.
(WJBF)  Its all over TV and social media.

Im talking about youth violence.

Weve seen their pictures.

Young victims and the young offenders.

In part 2 of Saving our Children, Mary Morrison shows us how an Arkansas town came together to drastically reduce youth violence.

September 23rd. A quiet afternoon until shots ring out inside Augusta Mall.

16 year old Tyric Logan is accused of allegedly gunning down 17 year old Devon McClain.

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Richmond County Sheriff Gino Brantley said, It just happened to be an ongoing feud, they just happened to be in the mall at the time they saw each other. They began to fight and at the end of the fight they began to shoot

Logan, will be charged with murder as an adult.

Richmond County district attorney Jared Williams has seen it all before.

Saving Our Children | Part 1: The high cost of youth violence

My passion project has always been how we can help these youths to never have to come across my desk or walk into these courthouse doors and unfortunately we have seen in this community far too much violence.

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Williams wonders why we dont do more to stop the crime from happening in the first place.

There is no winning when we send someone to prison for life if that person has already taken a life from another family.

The town of Pine Bluff Arkansas finally said enough is enough. They attempted to lower youth crime through an initiative called Group Violence Intervention or GVI.

NewsChannel 6s Mary Morrison spoke with Circuit Judge Earnest Brown Junior via Zoom to find out how Pine BLuff and the surrounding county got started.

In 2020 we used some American Rescue Act dollars to hire an executive director of GVI, a project director. In 2023 we signed a contract with the national network of safe communities.

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Judge Brown says prior to GVI, youth violent crime in Pine Bluff was soaring. After GVI:a dramatic improvement.

Of our homicides and violent crime, juvenile homicide, youth homicide, youth violent crime was probably 35 to 40 percent. So we struggled with that. In 2023 we had 9 juvenile homicides. Since we implemented the program weve had two over that period of time with a stretch of 533 days without a juvenile homicide period.

The GVI Partnership is described as a three legged stool with a project manager at the top.

One leg is made up of law enforcement, the second: The community moral voice, which include parents, principals and faith leaders.

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And the third leg: Social workers, violence interrupters, Faith services and others.

The Judge says only one-half of one percent of the population of Pine Bluff is really involved in violent crime. GVI reaches out to those at risk..

You identify the ones who are having the issues, you offer them services, say we want to keep you safe and free, well help you if you let us, well stop you if you make us.

He believes juvenile crime in Richmond County also could be reduced if GVI is adopted.

This is an initiative that can pull your community together and you can have greater success or the same success that Pine Bluff had

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Augustas Juvenile Judge Willie Saunders believes GVI could work here at home.

Judge Saunders said, It would require us to do a better job on data and research and kind of put our egos at the door and re-imagine the way we handle these things.

Judge Brown estimates it would cost our community around 500 thousand dollars to implement the program.

With a population in Richmond County of just over two hundred thousand, that adds up to be about two dollars and 50 cents for every man woman and child.

It will be up to the community to decide whether its worth a try.

Video shot and edited by Photo Journalist Dania Alawir

In part 3 of Saving Our Children, youll meet an Augusta high school student taking the lead against youth violence.

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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.
Construction workers specializing in pipe-laying work on a section of pipeline on July 25, 2013, outside Watford City. (File photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

The builder of a 71-mile natural gas pipeline in South Carolinas Lowcountry so far has 63 of the permission slips it needs from landowners to survey their property for the lines potential route.

State-owned utility company Santee Cooper and Virginia-headquartered Dominion Energy contracted Kinder Morgan to build, own and operate the $431 million pipeline. It will stretch from Screven County in Georgia, across Hampton and northern Colleton County in South Carolina, to the site of a former coal plant along the Edisto River near Canadys.

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On that site the two power companies plan to build a 2,200-megawatt power plant, now estimated to cost $5 billion  up from a $2.5 billion estimate told to senators last August.

That estimate was based on historical costs to build similar units. But prices have increased dramatically since then as utility companies nationwide rush to build, said Santee Cooper spokeswoman Mollie Gore. She stressed that the updated cost is still slightly less than industry expectations for similar projects.

At the beginning of the month, Kinder Morgan sent out letters to 185 potentially impacted property owners across 220 tracts that lie along the proposed route in South Carolina, seeking permission to enter and survey their land. Since then, the company also has held group meetings with the landowners in each of the two counties.

In addition to the owners of 63 tracts who have already said yes, 10 have said no, said Allen Fore, Kinder Morgan, vice president of public affairs.

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The company plans to spend the next six to eight months contacting and asking permission of the rest, he told the SC Daily Gazette.

Ive received a letter. Now what?

Its up to landowners whether or not to allow Kinder Morgan to come on to their property.

The company wants to survey a path 300 feet wide but ultimately will only need a 50-foot-wide path. They will pay the landowner for the right to bury the pipeline on the decided route. That means signed contracts might not be needed for all of the surveyed tracts.

Bridge-Project_v1

A large portion of the pipelines route also will run near existing power lines owned by Santee Cooper so as not to disturb more land and forest than necessary.

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At this point in the process, its just about getting a look at the land. Surveyors wont cut down any trees. They wont dig up any ground. Its not invasive, and the property owner can accompany the surveyors as they do their work, Fore said.

Were trying to find out if theres anything out there that would be problematic for pipeline construction, he said. As you can imagine, we have 80,000 miles of pipe in 43 states and we have come across a lot of stuff, from dinosaur bones to pet cemeteries.

Surveyors are looking for any environmental, ecological, archaeological, buildings or other existing structures, that may prove challenging to navigate or preclude the pipeline from coming through. Theyre also there to hear what the landowner can tell them about the property.

On a project in Indiana, for example, Fore said a woman worried the pipeline would disturb the graves of her two beloved dogs. After learning this, Kinder Morgan moved the route by about 40 feet to the edge of her property.

What if I say no?

Kinder Morgan will follow its initial letter with phone calls and offers to meet in person with the pipeline executives.

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Fore said hes already made two of these visits in South Carolina to owners of two large tracts who had initially said no to the company.

After assuring one man he and his team werent bringing any survey equipment and had the authority to answer his questions, the group spent about 45 minutes walking around the property with the landowner.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

The man, it turned out, was not opposed to the pipeline itself. But between the position of the mans home, trees and ponds on the property, it became clear the lands layout isnt appropriate for pipeline construction.

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But it was important to get on the property and talk to the landowner, and its very likely were not going (to build) on that property at all, Fore said.

As for the second landowner, when the team arrived, the man told them he thought he had a different way than what the company had originally planned.

We got in his truck and drove around the property, and what we couldnt see from our aerial review was a series of roads on the property that he had built, Fore said. He suggested we move off of neighboring properties onto his because it would be a better route for us.

As a result, Kinder Morgan may now remove those other landowners from the potential route.

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Thats the level of detail, Fore said.

Kinder Morgan doesnt just send a letter and then immediately turn to the courts to get access or control over peoples property, he said: Far from it. We dont do that.

Under South Carolina state law, Kinder Morgan does have the ability to get a court order to gain access for a survey, but Fore said the company considers that counterproductive.

What approvals are needed?

After completing the surveys, Kinder Morgan plans to pre-file its application, complete with detailed drawings of the final route. with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission between April and June of next year.

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At that time, the company will begin conducting engineering and environmental reviews and holding the public hearings that it needs as it prepares to make full-blown filings with state and federal regulators.

In addition to permission from the commission, theyll need various approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, state Department of Archives and History, and the state Department of Environmental Services.

The federal regulatory process governs much of this project because the pipeline crosses state lines. But a massive piece of energy legislation, which Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law in May, did put time limits on any state-level permits.

Under the law, a state agency presented with an application for an energy infrastructure project, which includes natural gas pipelines, has six months to review it and make a decision. If the agency doesnt meet this timeline, the application is considered approved.

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People just need to be more vigilant and understand the timeframe for public comment is shorter than it was before, said Jeff Tibbals, a Charleston real estate lawyer who specializes in utility-related land cases.

The environmental permitting process is how people fully understand the projects impact on land and water resources, said Emily Wyche, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center.

The nonprofit is worried about the pipelines proximity to the 350,000-acre undeveloped estuary known as the ACE Basin.

Wyche contends the more rushed process for state permits will result in less informed, thoughtful decision making on these permits that are ultimately going to impact peoples land and water.

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However, the entire route will also need federal approval, and the speed of state permits plays no role in the federal review and permitting process.

How much money will I receive?

When it begins to look as though state and federal regulators are ready to approve the route, thats when Kinder Morgan will begin scheduling appraisals with impacted landowners about how much money the company is willing to offer, Fore said.

That process likely wont start until late 2026.

Easements will give Kinder Morgan permanent access.

But landowners will still own and can use the land, with limitations. They can plant crops or bushes, but not large trees with deep roots, and they cant build any kind of structure on it in case the company has to come back and dig up the pipe for maintenance.

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Whatever the company pays for right of way will be a one-time payment that wont transfer if the landowner sells. And having the easement there can impact the value of the property in a sale.

How much the company will offer is unknown. Amounts will depend on the lands value and negotiations.

Tibbals, who has helped negotiate several high-profile deals for clients, said the appraisal must take into account the value of the land included in the easement as well as how the presence of the pipeline impacts the value of landowners remaining property.

He said its that second category he most often sees neglected in the initial offers from utility companies.

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The pipelines proposed route goes through a dozen private properties protected by conservation easements  which keep out multi-home and commercial builders  according to a map provided by the Southern Environmental Law Center. That nonprofit, as well as the Conservation Voters of South Carolina, worry about the pipeline crossing whats supposed to be forever protected.

Tibbals said such easements dont stop pipeline construction, but the nonprofits that manage them must be part of the negotiating process. Because those easements protect the land from being subdivided and developed, it also means the land might be worth less and result in a lower offer from the pipeline company.

While land values have increased as South Carolinas population has grown, appraisers also consider agricultural land lower in worth than property zoned for possible residential, commercial or industrial development, Tibbals said.

Once a company completes the appraisal and submits an offer to a landowner, that can start the clock on what Tibbals called a 30-day negotiating period.

Can I be forced to sign a deal?

Yes, South Carolina state law allows the builders of natural gas pipelines, as well as private water companies and corporate electric companies, to use what is known as condemnation to force a landowner to sign over access rights.

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If a deal isnt reached during the negotiating period, Tibbals said, a pipeline company can file a lawsuit. Once a company files that condemnation suit, landowners have 30 days to decide whether to challenge the company in court.

But, Tibbals said, if a project has government approvals, landowners usually dont have a good claim for stopping it crossing their land. If the property owner doesnt challenge the project within those 30 days, the company can start construction.

The only issue then is how much they get paid, Tibbals said.

There is no time limit for filing a legal challenge to the amount the company offers, Tibbals said, as long as the landowner has not accepted payment.

Still, all of this is why Fore said Kinder Morgan wants to have conversations with landowners now, in an effort to avoid tracts owned by people vehemently opposed.

Anytime you build, you want a mutually agreeable resolution to whatever it is, he said. The folks who genuinely, adamantly  theres no configuration, no compensation, no construction modification, no route adjustment that can accommodate those folks  thats not a good way to start a relationship.

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Editors note: This article was updated to correct how quickly the estimated cost doubled and with Santee Coopers explanation on why.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA)  South Carolina lawmakers are taking a closer look at the growing concern over violence among minors.

This week, Speaker of the House Murrell Smith (R-Sumter) announced the formation of a new committee focused on understanding how to better protect young people.

State officials said that while overall youth crime is down, violent incidents and gun-related charges among minors are on the rise. The newly formed House Juvenile Crime Assessment and Strategic Reform Committee will study whats behind the increase and recommend ways to prevent violence.

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When were seeing young people, who cant go to events safely and enjoy them without the fear of being shot, we know thats a problem, said State Representative Kambrell Garvin (D  Richland), who is a member of the committee.

According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), the number of minors charged with weapon law violations nearly doubled from 1,008 in 2022 to 1,964 in 2023.

At the same time, several major violent crime categories in South Carolina, including murder, sexual battery, robbery, and aggravated assault, declined statewide between 2022 and 2023.

SLEDs most recent 2024 Child Fatalities Report also found more than 300 child deaths in South Carolina last year, with 62 aggravated assault cases involving minors linked to gangs.

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Marcelo Lambert, a mentor with Big Homie Lil Homie, an organization dedicated to guiding at-risk boys, said emotional health plays a major role in preventing youth violence.

Permanent decisions based on temporary feelings, and emotional resilience is really like the key to just having a well-balanced life, Lambert said.

He also believes social media and access to unsecured firearms contribute to the problem.

I think social media, something new; were now realizing the detriment that its had, he added.

Rep. Garvin said the committee is on a tight timeline to gather data, hold hearings, and develop recommendations before the next legislative session.

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We will probably be meeting pretty regularly, until January, but is it is my understanding that our committee has been given a short window to really kind of hit this problem, research it, come up with some solutions, he said.

The committee plans to hear from law enforcement, youth advocates, and community mentors in the coming months.

The first meeting is scheduled for next week.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
During his two-day visit, Singh is expected to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from the participating ADMM-Plus nations and engage with Malaysia's senior leadership to discuss key regional and security issues.

ADMM serves as the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The ADMM-Plus framework brings together ASEAN member states -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam -- along with eight Dialogue Partners: India, the United States, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Together, they aim to strengthen regional security and defence cooperation.

India became a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN in 1992, and the inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam, on October 12, 2010.

Since 2017, the ADMM-Plus has been held annually to enhance regional collaboration in security and defence matters.

Under the current framework, India is co-chairing the Experts' Working Group on Counter Terrorism with Malaysia for the 2024-2027 cycle, reaffirming its active engagement in promoting regional peace and security.

The second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise is also planned for 2026, highlighting India's expanding defence partnership with ASEAN nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed the ASEAN-India Summit virtually, underscoring collaboration in counter-terrorism, maritime security, and the early review of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The summit saw leaders review progress in ASEAN-India relations and discuss new initiatives to strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

In alignment with Malaysia's chairmanship theme of "Inclusivity and Sustainability," PM Modi announced India's continued support for the implementation of the ASEAN-India Plan of Action (2026-2030).

He also welcomed the adoption of the ASEAN-India Joint Leaders' Statement on Sustainable Tourism, marking the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism.

Earlier this week, during his visit to Kuala Lumpur, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed India's commitment to ensuring a peaceful, progressive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Addressing the East Asia Summit in Malaysia, he stated, "India values EAS' contribution to peace, progress and prosperity," expressing optimism about the summit's outcomes. (ANI)
The Savannah College of Art and Design has been named the No. 1 design university in the Americas and Europe by the Red Dot Design Ranking.

SCAD was also the only American university listed in the top 5 globally.

The recognition comes from the Red Dot Design Concept competition, which is part of a series of global contests that honor excellence in design. This particular competition is the only Red Dot competition that includes the official global university ranking.

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We are honored and proud to be recognized by Red Dot as the leading design university in the Americas and Europe, said Jason Fox, chief academic officer at SCAD. Design drives every facet of the human experience, and SCAD stands at the forefront of innovation.

The university said SCADs No. 1 ranking reflects the institutions continued excellence in teaching and exceptional performance in the Red Dot Design Concept Awards, where its students have earned top honors.

The award-winning concepts span an array of the universitys top-ranked disciplines, including industrial design, fashion design, user experience design, fibers, accessory design, furniture design, and interactive design and game development.

On Oct. 15, 28 SCAD students attended the Red Dot Design Award ceremony in Singapore to celebrate this record achievement.

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This year, 48 SCAD students and alumni collectively received 23 awards for projects created and mentored at SCAD.

The awards include three coveted Best of the Best distinctions:

Charles Ryan (B.F.A., fashion, 2024), Mind Maze

Hongyi Sun (M.F.A., industrial design, 2025), Yutong Wang (M.A., industrial design, 2023), Feitong Li (M.F.A., industrial design, 2025), Huanrui He (M.F.A., industrial design, 2024), Yiran Qin (M.F.A., illustration, 2025) FFATE

Hongyi Sun (M.F.A., industrial design, 2025), VITA

SCADs Red Dot Design Award winners include:

Jenny Phung (B.F.A., accessory design, 2025), Design For Change

Hongyi Sun (M.F.A., industrial design, 2025), Yutong Wang (M.A., industrial design, 2023), OLO

Jacqueline Picard (B.F.A., fashion, 2024), Suits for Swells

Gonie Weinstock (M.F.A., fibers, 2027), The Lost Balloon

Earl Godfrey (B.F.A., fashion, 2024), The Mouth of The Cave

Sanika Desai (M.A., fibers, 2026), 3D Wallcoverings

Eliza Ainsworth (B.F.A., fibers, 2026), Elephants Echoes: Reimagining Cork

Lola White (B.F.A., fibers, 2026), Overgrowth

Bryce Moon (M.F.A., furniture, 2025), Co Chair

Sam Merrill (B.F.A., industrial design, 2025), Ron Bhowmik (B.F.A., industrial design, 2024), Sam Dittrich (B.F.A., industrial design, 2027), Willem Ballard (B.F.A., industrial design, 2025), Andrew Appezzato (B.F.A., industrial design, 2025), Aether

Phillip Hoeltgen (B.F.A., industrial design, 2024), MidiGo

Sabrina Weigerstorfer (M.F.A., industrial design, 2025), Preksha Gajjar (M.A., industrial design, 2025), Xin Ding (M.F.A., industrial design, 2026), Playforge TacTubes

Viraj Gapchoop (M.F.A., industrial design, 2026), Quest

Ronak Vairamohan (M.F.A., industrial design, 2024), Tatva

Ziyan Jin (M.F.A., industrial design, 2026), Ryan Peters (M.F.A., industrial design, 2026), The OH Light

Andrea Da Silva (B.F.A., user experience design, 2026), Zoe Bair (B.F.A., user experience design, 2025), Kenzie Alderson (B.F.A., user experience design, 2025), Kara Rivenbark (B.F.A., user experience design, 2026), Ava Carroll (B.F.A., user experience design, 2026), Cheers

Amadeus Cameron (B.F.A., user experience design, 2024), Nina Otto (B.F.A., user experience design, 2024), Natalie Luong (B.F.A., user experience design, 2024), Avery Ulanet (B.F.A., user experience design, 2024), Ghalib Othman (B.F.A., user experience design, 2024), Echo

Hyunseo Kim (B.F.A., user experience design, 2025), Sejoon Kim (B.F.A., user experience design, 2025), Lukas Wiesner (B.F.A., user experience design, 2025), Lara Kurt (B.F.A., user experience design, 2025), Julian Salinas (B.F.A., user experience design, 2025), NASA+

Corey West (B.F.A., user experience design, 2025), Lenora Fernandez (B.F.A., user experience design, 2026), Sara Maxwell (B.F.A., user experience design, 2025), Mrinalini Vodela (B.F.A., user experience design, 2026), Divisha Kotawala (B.F.A., user experience design, 2026), Waypoint

Mian Irtiza Aftab (M.A., interactive design/game development, 2025), Aegis

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See all the winners listed at the Red Dot website.

The distinction Red Dot has become established internationally as one of the most sought-after seals of quality for good design, Red Dot noted.

Since 2014, SCAD students have received more than 185 Red Dot Design Concept Award recognitions, consistently placing the university among the top design universities globally.

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Residents of Palatka are invited to an informative presentation on scams, hosted by financial crimes detectives, on November 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Putnam County BOCC Meeting Room.

The event aims to educate the public about various types of scams, including phishing, impersonation, and romance scams, and provide strategies to protect themselves and their families. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the presentation seeks to address common misconceptions about who can fall victim.

One of the common misconceptions addressed in the presentation is that scammers only target the elderly. However, people of all ages and backgrounds can fall victim to scams.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Another misconception is the belief that scams are obvious and easy to spot. While some scams may seem outlandish, many are subtle and designed to extract personal information from victims.

The presentation will also highlight how scammers are constantly adapting and using new technologies to deceive individuals.

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ST. LOUIS  Schnuck Markets, Inc. is hosting a food drive at all 113 of its stores to support local food banks and pantries. The effort comes as an ongoing federal shutdown threatens to pause the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Customers can donate food items by purchasing them and then placing them in the donation barrels/bins located in each store.

The most requested non-perishables items include:

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Light tuna or salmon (canned or packaged)

Canned chicken or meat

Soup, chili or stews with meat & beans

Canned fruit

Diced tomatoes/tomato paste

Canned spaghetti sauce

Canned Beans

Instant brown rice

Whole wheat pasta

Boxed meal kits

Dried spices: chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, basil

Deodorant/toothbrushes/toothpaste

This food drive is an extension of our companys mission to nourish peoples lives as well as our community pillar to fight hunger and food insecurity in the communities we serve, said Ted Schnuck, Schnucks Executive Vice President of Supermarkets.

Schnucks Markets also collaborates with long-time community partners such as United Way, Urban League and The Salvation Army to help supply food to 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 FOX 2.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  A scholarship has been set up in honor of Jason Hamric, who supported the local Birmingham arts scene before his death earlier this year.

Hamric, who founded the online Substrate Radio and worked as a musician, filmmaker and producer, died back in May following a brief illness. He was 53.

Now, his wife, radio host Jackie Lo, has announced that a new scholarship, the Jason Hamric Scholarship for the Arts, has been established, where underserved students will have resources to develop their artistic passions, be it in music, film, photography, radio or other mediums.

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Jason believed deeply in finding happiness through creativity and in sharing his knowledge and energy with anyone eager to learn, Lo wrote on Facebook.

For the first year, the scholarship will be done through the Firehouse Community Arts Center in the Avondale neighborhood.

With your help, we hope to raise enough funds to give one student full access to everything the Firehouse Community Arts Center has to offer for an entire year, she wrote.

For more information, 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 CBS 42.
Ukrainian law enforcement officers have documented cases of Russia militarising Ukrainian children in temporarily occupied territories: seven individuals have been served with notices of suspicion.

Source: National Police; Office of the Prosecutor General

Quote from the National Police: "Under the guise of so-called military-patriotic education, children have been systematically trained in military basics such as drill, weapons handling and combat tactics, while also being subjected to ideological indoctrination aimed at fostering hostility towards Ukraine. The programme initially involved children from Donetsk and nearby settlements, and later expanded to include those from the newly occupied territories of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts."

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Details: Ukrainian investigators noted that in 2016, the Russian Ministry of Defence initiated the establishment of the All-Russian Youth Military-Patriotic Movement Yunarmiya.

Its activities have since spread to the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories  Crimea and Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts.

The purpose of this movement is to involve Ukrainian children in military training and instil "loyalty to the new motherland".

Investigators have identified the head of the regional headquarters of the so-called Yunarmiya under the Russian-backed "Donetsk People's Republic" terror organisation, along with six local leaders who, between 2019 and 2025, recruited more than 6,000 Ukrainian children in Donetsk Oblast. The children were promised privileges and career opportunities in the Russian Armed Forces.

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The suspects encouraged the recruitment of minors into the Russian Armed Forces and organised military training, particularly weapons handling, drills and participation in so-called "military" events. They also produced and circulated propaganda materials that denied and justified Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.

There have been multiple cases of graduates of the so-called Yunarmiya joining the Russian Armed Forces after reaching adulthood and taking part in combat operations against Ukraine.

On 15 March 2022, the Russian Ministry of Defence issued an order to involve Yunarmiya members in the so-called "special military operation"  Russia's propagandist term for its war against Ukraine.

According to Russia's Strategy for the Development of Patriotic Education, at least 10% of new army recruits must come from the Yunarmiya.

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Juvenile prosecutors at the Office of the Prosecutor General have charged seven Ukrainian citizens with criminal offences connected to the recruitment of minors into the military-patriotic movement controlled by the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories.

Background: In a report dated 1 March 2024, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child specifically urged Russia to immediately cease its policy of politicising and militarising children in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The possible end of SNAP benefits is just days away, and school districts are preparing for an increased need for food assistance for students.

We know that we have to meet our students primary needs, and food is one of those things, said AJ Graffeo, the Public Information Officer for Putnam City Schools.

Putnam City Schools already offers free breakfast and lunch for students in addition to that and other food programs, Graffeo says keeping their on site food pantries stocked is one of the districts top priorities.

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We have a lot of these things in place already. Were just making sure that theyre robust and ready to handle maybe an increased need at this time, said Graffeo. We have several safeguards and resources in place that we have sent out to all of our families and staff to ensure that our students needs are met.

Canadian County Sheriff Deputy prevents a woman from giving thousands of dollars to a scammer

Over at Norman Public Schools, we are seeing something similar taking place.

Sometimes the first place people turn to is their school. When they turn to us, we can do what we can, and then we can also ask for help from others, said Norman Public Schools Family Engagement Coordinator, Carla Atkinson.

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Atkinson explained, about 50% of students at Norman Public Schools benefit from free and reduced lunch. As the possible SNAP suspension looms, the district is leaning on partnerships to ensure students stay fed.

United Way, for example, has stepped up and started a food drive in addition to their ongoing campaign that theyre having right now, Atkinson said. We have the Beacon Project, which is just over a few blocks away from here, and they feed our high school youth in our public schools.

Since its unclear how long SNAP benefits will be suspended, both districts say they are prepared to continue to find ways to feed their students.

Our plan is to continue to take care of our students and our families in every way that we can for as long as we need to, said Atkinson.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
More than 60 school districts recently received a surprise bill in the mail: hundreds of thousands of dollars due to SchoolCare, a health insurance risk management pool.

Officials said the costs of medical claims and prescriptions are rising, and the organizations reserves were depleted from returning surplus premiums to its members, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Sept. 23 letter issuing the assessments says theyll be used to correct a projected $4.5 million deficit. It also alludes to fairness: Just as contribution surpluses have been returned to member entities, contribution shortfalls must also be shared.

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SchoolCare collects money from each of its member entities, and it draws from the funds to cover the medical expenses of everyone in the risk pool. But unlike for-profit companies, when SchoolCare pays out fewer claims than expected, it is required by statute to return the surplus.

This structure is meant to discourage SchoolCare from asking for higher premiums to make a profit, and to keep the costs of health insurance low for educators  as well as some emergency responders and municipal staff  in the pool.

However, as noted in SchoolCares communication to its members, this also limits its ability to maintain surplus from good years as reserves, to be held for unexpected costs in bad years.

SchoolCare has seen higher-than-expected medical and pharmacy claims over the past two years, which are projected to continue, and its asking for contributions from its members to bring up their reserves to 12% of their annual contributions to cover the costs.

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In a fully insured plan  premiums must therefore cover anticipated claims, possible catastrophic losses, administrative costs, taxes, and regulatory expenses, a Q&A statement from September says. Because SchoolCare does not insure anything and cannot make a profit, it cannot be fully insured.

Premiums returned

SchoolCare Marketing and Communications Specialist Carolyn Cote said the premiums returned to members increased dramatically during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic  there were fewer claims because fewer workers in the public sector were seeking non-essential medical services.

According to SchoolCares financial audits, the organization returns surplus to its members as Premium Holiday Credit. Over the last 10 years, the total premium holiday paid ranged from $1.2 million to $6.1 million  except from 2019 to 2022, where it exceeded $10 million each year. The highest amount was over $13.1 million in 2021.

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In state Rep. John Hunts view, returning premiums during the pandemic set the stage for SchoolCare projecting a deficit in August, and prompted the organization to ask for $300 million in contributions from its members to correct it.

Hunt said municipal and school district risk pools have been regulated by the New Hampshire Secretary of State since they emerged in the mid-1980s, which controls them through statutes. Hunt has proposed legislation to move them under the oversight of the state Department of Insurance.

Its because theyre using (Revised Statutes Annotated) 5-B, which has the numbers for premiums statutorily set up, rather than the being regulated through the Department of Insurance, where theyd have more flexibility on what the numbers should be, Hunt said.

Hunt said the Secretary of States Bureau of Securities has an ongoing enforcement action against HealthTrust, another public-sector risk pool, ordering it to return excess earnings to their members.

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Service scope

According to a 2025 statement from the HealthTrust board of directors, its organization serves 191 municipalities, six counties, and 85 school groups. Hunt said depleting HealthTrusts reserves could lead to similar problems facing SchoolCare.

In Hunts opinion, SchoolCare and HealthTrust should operate more like insurance groups in the private sector, where the company uses its surplus premiums to shore up larger cash reserves.

Changing regulations could expose public-sector employees to higher premiums. However, the school districts unanticipated expenses to SchoolCare also affect educators, emergency responders, and municipal workers, along with other local property owners.

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Districts plan to amend their budgets and tap into trust funds to pay for their contributions. At least one district has also chosen to raise taxes to cover the costs. The Concord School District Board of Education voted unanimously to increase local property taxes by 6% on Oct. 22.

Other districts still need to choose their next course of action, including Londonderry, which had the largest SchoolCare assessment at more than $2 million. The next Londonderry School Board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

zmarano@unionleader.com
One Pennsylvania scientist who specializes in tick-borne research has seen an increase in ticks sent in for testing this season, sparking concerns about vector-borne diseases.

What's happening?

Nicole Chinnici is the laboratory director at the Tick Research Lab of Pennsylvania. She told the Associated Press that this year has been "tickier" than usual, with more of these bloodsuckers being tested.

She said the most common species is the blacklegged (deer) tick, which is associated with the majority of tick-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease, that are transmissible to humans. She added that there has been an increase in American dog ticks as well as Asian longhorned and lone star ticks.

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Chinnici is also worried about the potential spillover of diseases to humans. She explains that as these ticks increase their populations and start feeding on a greater variety of organisms, they could pick up other diseases that are transmissible to humans.

"Understanding this now and early so that we can maybe get ahead of it is important so that we're not chasing it down like we were the first time around with blacklegged ticks and Lyme disease," she told the AP.

Why is this spike in ticks concerning?

Blacklegged ticks are associated with a number of diseases that are transmissible to humans, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and tularemia. Meanwhile, the lone star tick and American dog tick have been linked to tularemia and other vector-borne diseases.

Chinnici noted that the Asian longhorned tick is of particular concern because it is able to reproduce without mating, allowing it to increase its population quickly. A female tick can lay thousands of eggs through parthenogenesis, creating genetically identical clones.

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Though these ticks can latch on to humans and pets, Chinnici said that her biggest concern is livestock, as the Asian longhorned tick can weaken these animals' immune systems and put them at greater risk for other diseases. This could, in turn, impact the U.S. beef industry, she told AP.

Meanwhile, the increase that Chinnici and her team are seeing at their lab is not an anomaly. Warmer weather is helping ticks and other disease-spreading vectors to survive for longer periods through the year, giving them more time to breed. Higher temperatures are also helping ticks spread north and west to new parts of the U.S. and Canada. The provinces of Quebec and Manitoba have experienced spikes in Lyme disease risk, according to one study.

What's being done about tick-borne diseases?

The best way to prevent tick-borne diseases is to limit your exposure to ticks and avoid being bitten. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says to "avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass and leaf litter" and recommends walking in the center of trails. You should also use products containing 0.5% permethrin to treat clothing and gear.

Scientists are working on a new tick-repelling drug for humans, too.

What source of air pollution do you worry most about at home? Wildfires Gas stove Fireplace Something else 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.
Scientists in Italy built a water-absorbing gel from ocean plants that lets crops flourish with little irrigation, reported Phys.org.

The substance comes from a type of red seaweed and absorbs moisture at 70 times its own mass. Combined with plant extracts from marine algae, this gel nourishes seeds while dispensing water slowly over time.

A team at the Italian Institute of Technology and the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano invented this system to address water scarcity and the deterioration of farmland. Modern agriculture struggles with drought and soil depletion, and there's a demand for new methods.

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During lab trials using Arabidopsis thaliana, seeds germinated faster and produced stronger plants than typical water-based systems. The gel is used in hydroponic setups where soil isn't used.

This gel stands out for what it's made from. Rather than synthetic foams made from dirty fuels that damage ecosystems, this version decomposes on its own. You can mix it into the soil without leaving contaminants. The marine plant compounds inside boost how plants withstand stress and take in nutrients.

"The hydrogel we created can retain moisture and gradually release it, reducing water consumption," said Camilla Febo, a researcher working on the project. "This approach takes an important step towards more resilient and environmentally friendly agriculture."

The group now aims to embed sensors that break down naturally within the gel. These devices would measure crop vitality and environmental factors during growth.

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For your household, this means tomorrow's farms might grow food while using a fraction of their current water intake. Less irrigation leaves more water for homes and cities.

This innovation could keep farms productive in arid regions. If water limits affect your area, techniques like this might allow you to grow vegetable patches at home without worrying about waste.

Outside of water savings, this gel addresses agricultural plastic waste. Most growing systems depend on synthetic containers and foams derived from dirty fuels, which end up as landfill material. A substance that vanishes into soil after serving its purpose eliminates that garbage.

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.
One of paleontologys most polarizing problems is a teenage Tyrannosaurus rex with an identity crisis, and two scientists say theyve solved it.

In 1942, researchers from the Cleveland Museum of Natural History found the skull of a small theropod in Montanas Hell Creek Formation. After scientists classified it as the new species Nanotyrannus lancensis in 1988, the skull sparked four decades of fierce debate: Do such fossils of small and slender tyrannosaurs represent a teenage version of the fearsome T. rex, or an entirely distinct dinosaur?

Now, after analyzing more than 200 tyrannosaur fossils, the authors of a new study have declared that Nanotyrannus was a swift and lean dinosaur that lived alongside T. rex in the twilight of the tyrants reign. They published their findings October 30 in Nature.

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We did not want to contribute to fueling the fire on this debate. We wanted to shut down the debate, says Lindsay Zanno, a paleontologist at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and co-author of the paper. We decided to just make sure that we tested this question from every angle.

The snout of Nanotyrannus contains an additional sinus cavity at the top of its mouth, which isn't seen in T. rex. N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences

Some outside experts have praised the rigor of the study, saying that it could be an inflection point that finally settles the decades-long debate.

They left no stone unturned, no fossil unexamined, says Lawrence Witmer, a paleontologist at Ohio University. The outcome of their careful studies is clear and about as definitive as we can get in paleontologyNanotyrannus is real.

Other paleontologists caution that the finding, though convincing, may just be the latest twist and turn in the Nanotyrannus saga.

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Their findings, just like previous reports, present hypotheses. What seems like the answer one day can be falsified the next with new approaches or new data, says Holly Woodward Ballard, a paleohistologist from Oklahoma State University whose previous study of tyrannosaur leg growth rates put Nanotyrannus in the T. rex category.

Dueling dinosaur dilemma

In 2020, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences announced its acquisition of the famous 67 million-year-old Dueling Dinosaurs fossil. Long held in private hands, the exquisitely preserved specimen showed a Triceratops and small tyrannosaur seemingly locked in mortal combat. Some scientists thought the tyrannosaur was a young T.rex that died before it could develop into its adult form, though others believed it to be a Nanotyrannus.

The acquisition brought the fossil into a museum for the first time, allowing paleontologists like Zanno better access to what was essentially a complete skeleton of this creature. She recruited James Napoli, a paleontologist at Stony Brook University on Long Island who had studied crocodilian growth and development, to help her study the specimen.

('Dueling Dinosaurs' fossil, hidden from science for 14 years, could finally reveal its secrets)

Evidence from the "Dueling Dinosaurs" and other fossils, suggests that T. rex arms (left) were shorter when compared with Nanotyrannus (right). NC Museum of Natural Sciences

When Zanno and Napoli sat down to study the fossil, it became pretty quickly clear that there were a lot of red flags here, says Zanno, who is also a National Geographic Explorer. There were a lot of things about the specimen that didn't seem to fit with our expectations of how T. rex should grow, or really how any animal should grow.

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The arms were a critical anatomical clue that something was amiss. They were already much larger than the arms of an adult T.rex.

There's no way that during growth, these arms were going to shrink, says Napoli.

They also found that the dinosaur had a shorter tail than T.rex has, comparatively longer legs, and more teeth in its jaws. A CT-scan also revealed that its cranial nerves and respiratory system looked different than those of T.rex; plus it had an extra sinus cavity. Those features, they said, are usually set early in development, meaning that this tyrannosaur was not on track to morph into an adult T.rex before it died.

They also took thin sections of the bones to analyze its growth rings which helped indicate that it was about 20 years old and that it was mature, not a juvenile.

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There is no possible way to scientifically defend calling this a T.rex, says Napoli. Instead, they say it should indeed be labeled Nanotyrannus lancensis, the same species as the Nanotyrannus that ignited the debate when it was given that name in 1988.

Woodward Ballard agreed that the researchers data appears to show that the specimen is approaching adult sizeand thats strong support for calling it Nanotyrannus, she says.

The finger bones and claws of Nanotyrannus lancensis (right hand shown) were larger than those of T. rex. N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences

The N. lancensis specimen in the "Dueling Dinosaurs" fossil preserves the first complete tail of this genus. N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences

But what about other specimens?

A new picture of a prehistoric predator

Drawing on evidence from the Dueling Dinosaurs fossil, Napoli and Zanno also examined tyrannosaurs held in collections in the U.S., Canada, and Asia. In total, they identified a handful of specimens that they say are Nanotyrannus, including the controversial Jane held in the Burpee Museum in Illinois and the Cleveland museum specimen that was named in 1988.

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The debate over Nanotyrannus has raged for decades, and I think most scientists fell on the side that it was a juvenile T. rex, says David Evans, a paleontologist from the Royal Ontario Museum. This new study is going to surprise a lot of people.

The findings suggest that Nanotyrannus was a predator roughly half the size of T.rex, and only a tenth its body mass. If T.rexweighing 18,000 pounds and measuring more than 40 feetwas the lion of the late Cretaceous, Nanotyrannusmeasuring about 1,500 pounds and 18 feetmay have been a cheetah that was built for speed rather than raw power.

(New evidence reveals dinosaurs were thriving right up to the moment the asteroid hit)

From this paper forward, our field needs to proceed from the assumption as a default that Nanotyrannus is a valid species, says Napoli. There's a large body of research that needs to be pretty fully re-evaluated.

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If confirmed, the finding could reshape what scientists know about Earth's most famous prehistoric predator and provide insight into the other carnivores that prowled the late Cretaceous landscape. The authors add that their results may also prompt a sweeping re-analysis of how T.rex grew and developed. Some leading theories, they say, were built upon the assumption that Nanotyrannus fossils represented T.rex during its awkward adolescence a notion the new research might overturn.

I'm not yet ready to proclaim every smaller tyrannosaur skeleton to be Nanotyrannus. Some of these must be juvenile T. rexes, says Steve Brusatte, a National Geographic Explorer and a paleontologist from University of Edinburgh in Scotland who has long argued that Nanotyrannus is just a young T.rex. But he says the case for the existence of Nanotyrannus is undeniably strong.

It's wonderful when new evidence shows that some of our cherished notionsmy cherished notions as a tyrannosaur researcherare likely to be wrong, he adds. That's science, and with fossils, we always have to be humble with the reality that we are dealing with such small sample sizes, such meagre clues from millions of years ago, and each new discovery has the possibility of upending conventional wisdom.
A rare act of public defiance shook China's Sanlitun district this week as anti-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) banners briefly appeared, openly condemning the ruling regime and calling for democracy, political plurality, and the end of one-party dominance. The bold protest, staged soon after the conclusion of the Fourth Plenary Session, has been described as a striking reminder of the simmering discontent beneath China's tightly controlled political surface, as reported by Phayul. According to Phayul, images circulating on social media showed two tall white banners hanging in one of Beijing's busiest neighbourhoods. One accused the Communist Party of being "an anti-human evil cult bringing endless suffering to China," while the other urged the creation of "a new China based on liberty, humanity, and rule of law," demanding the right to form new political parties and ensure free choice. The banners were promptly removed by security personnel, and the protester believed to be responsible has already been detained. State-run outlets in China have remained silent, refusing to acknowledge the incident - an all-too-familiar response whenever acts of dissent emerge against the ruling elite. This rare demonstration follows a pattern of isolated yet symbolic protests by individual citizens, often referred to as "lone warriors." Such acts can be traced back to Peng Lifa's landmark Sitong Bridge protest in October 2022, when he demanded an end to government oppression and called for freedom, reform, and elections. Peng's arrest and subsequent disappearance only deepened his symbolic status among China's quiet resistance movement. Since then, similar calls for liberty have surfaced across the country, including a 2024 protest in Hunan province where a banner branded Xi Jinping a "dictator" and demanded democracy. That protester, identified as Fang Yirong, also vanished after the act, as highlighted by Phayul. These fleeting protests, though swiftly erased by state forces, offer a glimpse into the growing cracks within China's social fabric. In a nation where dissent is met with censorship and imprisonment, even a few words on a banner have become a powerful symbol of defiance against Xi's tightening authoritarian regime, as reported by Phayul. (ANI)
Scientists have long puzzled over the origins of a mysterious dinosaur excavated in the 1940s: Was it a young T. rex or another type of dinosaur?

At first, researchers had only a tyrannosaur skull to go by, making it hard to tell if it belonged to a child or adult. Another skull and skeleton nicknamed Jane added to the debate, but didn't settle the controversy.

Now, a research team says new evidence resolves the case. The latest clue comes from a complete skeleton  first uncovered in Montana in 2006  that scientists say identifies the mystery reptile as its own species and not a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex.

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The discovery "rewrites decades of research on Earth's most famous predator," said study co-author Lindsay Zanno with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and North Carolina State University.

Growth rings within the bones found in Montana's Hell Creek Formation told scientists the new dinosaur was an adult about half the size of a fully fledged T. rex. From growth comparisons to other reptiles like crocodiles, they also found that the major differences between the creature's skull and an adult T. rex's  changes in bone structure, nerve patterns and sinuses  were unlikely to form from simply going through puberty.

Signs pointed to a dinosaur that's a distant T. rex cousin known as Nanotyrannus lancensis, the researchers reported in a study published Thursday in the journal Nature, calling it a rival species.

A handout illustration shows a pack of the dinosaur Nanotyrannus attacking a juvenile Tyrannosaurus in what is now Montana 67 million years ago. / Credit: Anthony Hutchings/Handout via REUTERS

"Nanotyrannus is a small-bodied predator designed for speed. It's very agile and has long powerful arms [that are] larger than those of the T. rex," Zanno told Nature.

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There's now "more support and evidence than there ever has been" that this T. rex relative could exist, said Holly Woodward, a fossil bone expert from Oklahoma State University who had no role in the new study. But she's not yet convinced that the other mystery skeletons like Jane are something new.

Case of mistaken identity

Other independent scientists also said the debate isn't over. The new skeleton is indeed an adult, but it could be a sister species to T. rex and not a distant relative, said vertebrate paleontologist Thomas Carr of Carthage College.

There are similarities between the shape of T. rex's skull and the mystery specimens that keep him from switching camps.

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"I don't think this study settles everything," he said.

Resolving this case of mistaken identity is important to understanding how T. rex grew up, said study co-author James Napoli with Stony Brook University. Another big question is whether T. rex was the main predator prowling toward the end of the age of dinosaurs 67 million years ago  or whether a tinier, but still mighty predator also roamed.

"I suspect that these two species would have occasionally come into conflict, as predators tend to do, but the long legs of Nanotyrannus, and its small size, suggest that it mostly hunted smaller, faster prey than Tyrannosaurus," Napoli told the Reuters news agency.

The new skeleton is dubbed "Dueling Dinosaurs" because it was found intertwined with the bones of a Triceratops, and is currently on display at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

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The study comes just days after new research suggested dinosaur populations were still thriving in North America before the asteroid strike. The evidence came from analyzing a portion of the Kirtland Formation in northern New Mexico that's been known for around 100 years to contain several interesting dinosaur fossils.

In June, scientists identified a smaller-bodied ancestor of the T. rex that roamed the plains of Mongolia as a new tyrannosauroid named Khankhuuluu mongoliensis. Apex predators, including the T. rex, eventually arose from these smaller-bodied tyrannosauroids, the study's researchers said.

Trump wants Senate Republicans to scrap the filibuster to end the government shutdown

Former 1st grade teacher shot by a student testifies at trial: "I thought I was dying."

Flights delayed as shutdown leads to shortage of air traffic controllers




City Attorney David Chiu was revving up the campaign kickoff rally crowd Wednesday night for state Sen. Scott Wiener, his friend of 30 years who is running for the House seat that Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi has held since 1987. He asked the audience to shout the one word they all had in their head to describe Wiener.

"What is that word?" Chiu asked the 300 people in the Swedish American Hall audience.

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"Tall!" they shouted back.

Chiu smiled, as the 6-foot-7 Wiener stood head and shoulders above the audience nearby. That wasn't the word he was thinking of. "I'm going to get to that in a moment," he said. "But Scott Wiener is a fighter."

"Fighter" is going to be the theme of Wiener's campaign. Pelosi, 85, still hasn't said if she's going to seek reelection next year, and that she won't make any announcements about her future until after the Nov. 4 special election.

Christine Pelosi, who was believed to be interested in seeking the seat if her mother declined to run, texted me that she too is "100 percent focused on passing Prop 50 - especially in the swing districts we need in CA to win the House and think EVERY Dems should be as well! Would you like a house sign?"

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I passed on the sign offer. Meanwhile, other Democrats aren't waiting. Saikait Chakrabarti, the wealthy founding engineer for Stripe who ran Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's insurgent House campaign in 2018 and served as her chief of staff, has already spent $720,000 of his own money on his campaign - slightly less than the $730,000 Wiener's campaign said it raised in the 24 hours after he announced he was running earlier this month.

Now that he's in, the tightrope walk has begun.

State Sen. Scott Wiener speaks during his campaign kickoff in San Francisco on Oct. 29, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle)





Wiener has to portray himself as both less establishment than Pelosi in order to separate himself from those tired of Democrats' gerontocracy, but establishment enough for an increasingly moderate San Francisco, whose voters might not be in for the AOC-esque stylings of Chakrabarti, 39. If 2026 becomes a "change" election year - starting with next week's New York mayoral race, where insurgent 33-year-old Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani is leading - then Wiener's journey becomes more challenging. Wiener, 55, has represented San Francisco in the Legislature and on the Board of Supervisors since 2011.

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So Wiener is going with "fighter." It works in the age of Trump's autocracy as Democratic voters seek out scrappers - instead of politicians who, as one consultant explained it to me, "get kicked in the nuts and respond with a strongly worded letter."

Chiu pointed to one area where Wiener has taken on entrenched interests: housing. Chiu said when he was elected to the Assembly in 2014, he got "blank stares" in the Legislature when he asked what could be done to take on the state's housing crisis. He said that changed when San Francisco voters elected Wiener to the state Senate two years later.

Wiener took on the powerful interests in his own party - namely organized labor and environmentalists - in leading legislation designed to make it easier to build houses in California, namely by advocating for laws that would make it easier to build multifamily housing near public transportation and making it harder to use the California Environmental Quality Act as a weapon to jam development.

"Sen. Wiener has changed this issue, not just for our city, not just for our state, but for the United States," Chiu said. "And we have to send him to Congress, because he needs to lead our country when it comes to what it means to fight to put a roof over everyone's head."

Ca. State Sen. Scott Wiener speaks with San Francisco city attorney, and long-time friend David Chiu during a kickoff rally for Wiener's congressional campaign to replace Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi in Congress at the Swedish American Hall in San Francisco, on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle)





Wiener, who would be San Francisco's first openly gay representative in Congress if elected, has also become the target of far-right whackos for his support of LGBTQ issues, particularly safeguarding the transgender community at a time when President Donald Trump has tried to erase their existence. In 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Wiener's SB107, which made California a sanctuary state for transgender youths who enter California to receive care forbidden in their home state. Its laws shield parents and doctors from being forced to return to their home state and face criminal prosecution for treatment they received in California.

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"Scott's been at the forefront, putting his life on the line and saying, We are here, and we should be here with you,'" Iowayna Pena, a former co-chair of the Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club, said Wednesday.

"Trump and his crazy cult, they don't scare me," Wiener said Wednesday. "They've been coming after me for years. (Rep.) Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump Jr., all of them. And you know what? I don't care. We're gonna do what we need to do."

Wiener, who is Jewish, hasn't just faced attacks from conservatives. His speech was interrupted three times Wednesday by hecklers in the audience asking whether he would accept money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, a pro-Israel lobbying organization, or make comments in support of Palestine. Each time, their comments were drowned out by the audience chanting, "Wie-ner! Wie-ner! Wie-ner!"

Wiener did not respond to any of the outbursts, except for after the last one, when he quipped dryly, "Love the First Amendment."

Kids listen to state Sen. Scott Wiener address the audience during a kickoff rally for his congressional campaign in San Francisco on Oct. 29, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle)





But he acknowledged that "it's not enough just to talk. You have to be able to deliver. People can say whatever they want to say about me, and I have people who love me and people who don't love me, and that's cool. That's what democracy is about. I think even my harshest detractors would acknowledge that I know how to fight."

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One word Wiener didn't mention Wednesday: "Pelosi."

Standing in the back of the room were Amy Bacharach and Lousie Fischer, longtime friends of Wiener and supporters of Pelosi. Both are graduates of the Emerge program that recruits and trains women to run for office. One of the program's core principles, they noted, is that women shouldn't "wait their turn" to run, as they've been urged to do for decades. Just go for it. Pelosi often encourages prospective office-seekers to "know your why" - their motivation for running - and then jump into the ring.

Both women are wrestling with their support for Wiener and their admiration of Pelosi.

State Sen. Scott Wiener gets hugs from supporters during a kickoff rally for his congressional campaign in San Francisco on Oct. 29, 2025. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/S.F. Chronicle)





"She's been at it since 87," Bacharach said, "I think it's a very bold move, which I think is a very Scott move. He does what he thinks is right, and he's not gonna let anybody stand in his way, including an icon. I just hope there's something going on behind the scenes and that she'll decide to not run," she said.

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Fischer agreed.

"I don't want to be standing here saying that I hope she doesn't run," Fischer said. "I'm just saying I'm here because I support Scott and we'll see what happens."

This article originally published at Scott Wiener has a tightrope to walk until Nancy Pelosi makes her intention clear.
Youve likely heard of AI-driven mistakes in legal filings, but what about AI juries? Law professor Joseph Kennedy organized a test of the capabilities of AI jurors last week at the University of North Carolina School of Law, and participants had mixed feelings about the results, according to Reuters. It felt as though the AI jury was debating something casual  whether or not to order coffee or tea, rather than deciding whether a person deserves to lose his liberty, said professor Eisha Jain.

SCOTUS Quick Hits

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the litigants in the challenge to President Donald Trumps effort to deploy the National Guard to Illinois to file supplemental briefs addressing the interpretation of the law on which Trump relied in his Oct. 4 memorandum calling up the National Guard. The new briefs, the court said, should be no more than 15 pages long and should be filed by Nov. 10, with 10-page reply briefs to follow a week later.

Were less than one week away from the start of the courts November sitting. Yesterday, we previewed Rico v. United States and Hencely v. Fluor Corporation. Well be publishing additional case previews today.

Mark your calendars: Next Wednesday, SCOTUSblog will host a live blog during oral arguments on President Donald Trumps tariffs. Amy Howe will be interviewed on C-SPAN before the arguments, the live blog will be hosted on that network, and Zachary Shemtob will be interviewed on C-SPAN after the arguments have ended.

Former Justice Anthony Kennedy is scheduled to speak today at Stanford Law School on his new memoir. The event is in-person only, but walk-ins are welcome, according to the event announcement.

Morning Reads

A Closer Look: What Should We Call that Other Docket?

The latest high-profile addition to the courts interim docket (as its known at SCOTUSblog) came on Monday afternoon, when the Trump administration urged the justices to pause an order by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit requiring reinstatement of the top U.S. copyright official. The federal appeals court ruled that Trumps removal of her violated the separation of powers. The application joins the likes of Trump v. Illinois, Trump v. Cook, and Trump v. Orr on the courts interim docket.

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The Supreme Courts interim docket handles applications for immediate action, such as requests to pause stays or injunctions issued by lower courts, without the full process of merits cases. This means there is only limited briefing, no oral arguments (usually), and often unsigned orders with little to no explanation of the ruling. As such, the interim docket is the courts expedited method for potentially staying executions, blocking policies, or, as in the copyright official case, restoring fired officials amid ongoing lawsuits.

While the docket has long been a part of the courts work, its increased prominence in recent years (as SCOTUSblogs own Relist Watch column has chronicled)  particularly in challenges to executive actions  has prompted much debate on what exactly to call this docket.

The term shadow docket was coined a decade ago by law professor William Baude to describe the expedited decisions as occurring outside public view without much transparency (i.e., in the shadows). The term gained further attention through law professor Stephen Vladecks 2023 book by the same name. But critics of the term, such as Advisory Opinions Sarah Isgur, have noted that by and large, [the docket is] just not really in the shadows anymore. We have lots of written stuff on these questions. We tend to know the votes now. So its both a negative connotation and its just not as accurate anymore.

Others have used the term emergency docket, which reflects the dockets origins in urgent matters like stays of execution and the demand for immediate action on the presidents decisions. However, critics note that many cases on it now linger for weeks or even months (and as professor Taraleigh Davis has noted, the process frequently involves non-urgent disputes that receive substantive review without the hallmarks of emergencies).

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Interim docket emerged as an alternative name and is used by SCOTUSblog. This phrase attempts to show that such rulings typically maintain or alter the status quo, temporarily, while cases proceed in lower courts. (Of course, this phrase isnt perfect either, as the courts decisions are not interim in capital cases or for many of the parties and persons affected by the courts rulings on this docket.)

More niche suggestions include the equity docket, proposed by Advisory Opinions permanent guest David French for its focus on fairness in granting relief; short-order docket, suggested by legal commentator David Lat for its resemblance to short-order cooks using less elaborate means to meet quicker turnarounds (what were getting on the short-order docket isnt the same as what comes out of the merits docket); and the stay docket, which SCOTUSblog executive editor Zach Shemtob sees as the most accurate descriptor of the courts actions.

Justices themselves have weighed in, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh favoring the term interim orders docket. For her part, Justice Amy Coney Barrett suggested preliminary docket after stating critics often mistake these orders for final resolutions. And although he did not come out in support of a particular term, Justice Samuel Alito, in a 2021 speech, criticized the phrase shadow docket as sounding sinister, writing that the medias use of this phrase depicts the court as having been captured by a dangerous cabal that resorts to sneaky and improper methods to get its ways.

That said, Justice Elena Kagan used shadow docket in a 2021 dissent to critique unreasoned, inconsistent, and impossible to defend decisions, but has also referred to it as the emergency docket in public remarks. Thus, even in name, this docket is controversial.

SCOTUS Quote

Judicial exegesis is unavoidable with reference to an organic act like our Constitution, drawn in many particulars with purposed vagueness so as to leave room for the unfolding future. But the ultimate touchstone of constitutionality is the Constitution itself, and not what we have said about it.

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 Justice Felix Frankfurter in Graves v. New York

On Site

From Amy Howe

Court Requests More Information in Trump v. Illinois

The court on Wednesday afternoon asked the litigants in the challenge to Trumps effort to deploy the National Guard to Illinois to file supplemental briefs addressing the interpretation of the law on which Trump relied in his Oct. 4 memorandum on the deployment. To learn more about the courts request, read Amys analysis.

Overturning Precedent on the Roberts Court

In early December, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in cases asking the justices to overrule two longstanding precedents  Humphreys Executor v. United States, a 1935 decision upholding a federal law that limits the presidents power to fire members of the Federal Trade Commission, and Federal Election Commission v. Colorado Republican Federal Campaign Committee, a 2001 ruling that upheld a major campaign-finance law. These cases put a spotlight on a claim often made by critics of the Roberts court: that it has sought to aggressively overturn a long line of precedents. In a new analysis, Amy explored the accuracy of that claim and what past majorities have said to justify overturning precedent.

Case Previews

Richard Cooke on Rico v. United States

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On Monday, the Supreme Court will consider whether the fugitive-tolling doctrine  the legal principle that a criminal defendant should not receive credit toward his sentence for time spent as a fugitive  applies when a defendant flees from supervised release, thereby preventing the term of supervision from expiring while the defendant is on the lam. Richard Cooke previewed the case for SCOTUSblog.

Ronald Mann on Hencely v. Fluor Corporation

Also on Monday, the court will consider the extent to which military contractors can be held liable in tort suits  that is, lawsuits seeking damages for harm caused by someone elses wrongful actions or negligence  brought under state law. The dispute here involves a suicide bombing in 2016 on a U.S. base in Afghanistan, in which an Afghan employee under the supervision of a government contractor (Fluor Corporation) detonated an explosive vest, killing five people and injuring 17 more. The lower courts concluded that one of the injured victims (Winston Hencely) could not sue Fluor for its negligence in poorly supervising the Afghan employee and allowing him to roam around the base at night, as noted by Ronald Mann in his case preview.

Contributor Corner

Criminal Case Arguments in the November Sitting

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In his latest SCOTUScrim column, Rory Little offered a brief overview of the many criminal-and-related cases that will be heard during the courts November sitting and predicted that they will challenge court watchers perceptions of which justices are liberal and which are conservative. We think we know the politics of all the justices, but the usual labels do not always dovetail with results in criminal cases these days, he wrote.

For more Supreme Court news and analysis, visit SCOTUSblog.

Read more at SCOTUSblog 
Grayson faces up to 20 years in prison or probation after being convicted on Wednesday.

A jury convicted former Illinois deputy Sean Grayson of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Sonya Massey on Wednesday (Oct. 29). But long before Grayson shot Massey in her home, the ex-police officer had a lengthy disciplinary record.

Despite the red flags on Graysons record, it did not stop him from being hired by six different Illinois agencies over a four-year period.

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In 2022, Grayson earned a reprimand after he struck a deer with his patrol vehicle. Grayson failed to slow down despite his boss calling off a high-speed chase and chalked up the crash to a dumb mistake. At the time of the crash, Grayson was driving around 110 mph.

Official misconduct will land you in jail Im calling you on your integrity, Nate Miller, Logan County Sheriffs Office chief deputy, told Grayson following the incident. It will get you sued. And it will get you out of your business of law enforcement very quickly in todays world.

Grayson would resign from the Logan County Sheriffs Office in April 2023. A month later, he would join the Sangamon County Sheriffs Office, 13 months before he shot and killed Massey.

The sheriff who hired Grayson subsequently retired early after the Massey shooting.

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Before his stint in law enforcement, Grayson was kicked out of the Army due to one of two drunken driving convictions. The first was in August 2015 and the second was in July 2016. He received a general discharge under honorable conditions due to the DUI.

During the trial, Grayson testified in his own defense, telling jurors that he thought Massey would throw a pot of scalding hot water at him. He said Masseys words of I rebuke you in the name of Jesus could have been considered a threat, and he raised his weapon toward her as an act of force.

She done. You can go get it, but thats a head shot, Grayson told his then-fellow officer, Dawson Farley, after the shooting. Theres nothing you can do, man.

Farleys body cam footage became key evidence in the trial. Farley testified that he didnt view Massey as a threat and acknowledged in his original police report that he feared for his safety due to the hot water. Ultimately, he was not charged because he did not fire his weapon.

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When he went to get his medical kit to try to help Massey, Farley had already grabbed dish towels to apply pressure to her wounds. After Farley told him his help wasnt necessary, Grayson said, Im not even gonna waste my med stuff then, and threw the kit on the floor.

He faces up to 20 years in prison after being convicted of shooting Massey three times in the face. A jury declined to convict him of first-degree murder charges, an act that, if convicted, carries a sentence of 45 years to life in prison.

Grayson is scheduled to be sentenced on January 29, 2026. Masseys family settled with the state for $10 million and Illinois enacted a law to require fuller transparency on the background of candidates who apply for law enforcement positions.

More must-reads:
CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A missing kayaker has been found dead following a search that took place Thursday afternoon in Cheatham County.

Emergency crews, including the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, reportedly began searching for the missing kayaker at approximately 1:45 p.m. after receiving a report about a possible drowning on Cheatham Lake.

 Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts 

According to the TWRA, a preliminary investigation indicates that 21-year-old Robert Jarillo, of Tomball, Texas, was kayaking on the lake with his brother, who was on a separate kayak, when his kayak capsized.

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Crews reportedly put in boats across the river at The Braxton Condos and sent up drones to search for Jarillo.

At 4:10 p.m., authorities reportedly located the 21-year-olds body. Then, minutes later, at 4:23 p.m., he was pronounced dead by the medical examiner. Officials added Jarillo was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

According to the TWRA, Thursdays incident marks the 25th boating fatality in Tennessee this year.

No additional information was immediately released.

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 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

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Following Ogden leaders decision last March rebuffing a controversial proposal to develop a facility in the city to house chronically homeless and disabled people, the search for a site continues.

So far, the efforts havent yielded concrete results.

Weve toured a few sites, but its been difficult to find something within our price range, said Andi Beadles, executive director of the Weber Housing Authority. Still, she said those spearheading the search have made progress.

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Weber Housing Authority representatives had been eying a vacant assisted-living facility at 2325 Madison Ave. in an older neighborhood of Ogden to develop a 25-unit complex. The facility would not have been a traditional homeless shelter, open to all in need, but rather would have served as permanent housing to a specific pocket of the homeless population  low-income people with disabilities. It would have been staffed with caseworkers to help them.

Some Ogden leaders, though, were leery of approving the resolution of support the Weber Housing Authority needed to pursue the project, and the Ogden proposal, though it garnered strong support from some, stalled in March. The Weber Housing Authority is technically organized to create housing for those in need outside of Ogden in Weber County, hence the requirement for the resolution of support from the Ogden City Council to pursue the Madison Avenue proposal.

Since then, Beadles has been searching outside of Ogden in Weber County for a site, contending with the stigma and community backlash that can come with proposals to house the homeless.

Its one of the main considerations as we have been looking at property. Trying to find something that residents wont push back against within our price range has proven to be more difficult than expected, she said.

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The issue has surfaced in Ogden City Council campaigning ahead of general election balloting that culminates on Nov. 4. Four council seats are on the ballot this cycle. Councilman Bart Blair, facing a challenge from Kevin Lundell, referenced an apparent possibility for the facility in Roy in a clip from a candidate forum he posted to social media earlier this month.

Beadles, though, while noting productive conversations with Roy officials, said a possibility there fell through.

We were looking at a property in Roy, but the seller decided to lease the space rather than sell it, she said.

The vast majority of housing geared to the homeless in Weber County is located in Ogden, Ogden Mayor Ben Nadolski and other Ogden leaders have noted. That factored in the reticence of some earlier this year to give the Weber Housing Authority proposal at the ex-Aspen Care Facility site on Madison Avenue the green light. Moreover, some city officials have pointed out that the Housing Authority of Ogden, tasked with helping low-income people in need find housing, recently opened a facility in the city, called Solis, thats meant to assist the population of homeless disabled people.

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Beadles, though, said the proposal the Weber Housing Authority is pursuing is still needed and is meant for individuals that need more intensive care than what Solis provides.

For now, she said, some of the people the proposed facility at the ex-Aspen Care Facility have found other accommodations. Most, though, are still on the streets, she said.

In opting not to take up the resolution of support last March that the Weber Housing Authority sought to pursue its plans in Ogden, the City Council instead voted to buy the 1-acre site from the agency for $2.2 million and pursue housing development on the land. Beadles said the housing authority, which paid $1.7 million for the site, has received the $2.2 million.

The Weber Housing Authority has $590,000 in federal funds it can use to help cover the cost of its plans, but must spend it by December or lose it, according to Beadles. The original deadline to spend the funds had been last June but was extended.
(The Center Square)  Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has proposed legislation to ban most face coverings worn by lawn enforcement, explicitly targeting federal immigration enforcement officers operating within city limits.

According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, its officers wear face covering to prevent doxxing. Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh said Harrells proposal ignores these threats facing ICE agents.

Law enforcement agents  and particularly federal law enforcement agents  occasionally wear face coverings because left-wing anarchists and their government enablers in the Pacific Northwest have doxxed and threatened to murder ICE agents and other LEOs, Walsh emailed The Center Square.

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But Harrell said the use of masks by ICE officers erodes accountability, sows fear into local communities and allows for copycat actors.

In the face of [President Donald Trumps] tyrannical militarization of American cities, this ordinance is a concrete step we can take to uphold our local values and protect our immigrant and refugee communities from these unjust actions, Harrell said in a statement on Wednesday.

The ban exempts medical masks, transparent face shields, respirators, and masks required for underwater operations.

The ordinance also mandates visible agency emblems and badges for all law enforcement officials during duties in Seattle. ICEs website states its officers carry badges and credentials and will identify themselves when required for public safety or legal necessity.

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Violations carry a $5,000 penalty and a civil violation enforced by the Seattle Office for Civil Rights.

This is Harrells latest move anticipating possible federal law enforcement efforts in Seattle. Earlier this month, the mayor signed two executive orders regarding preparedness and coordination in the event of the National Guard being deployed to Seattle, and another reaffirming the city does not aid in civil immigration enforcement as established in city code.

Laws to ban ICE agents from wearing masks are legally questionable because states cannot directly regulate federal agencies. Some legal experts and federal officials argue the state lacks the authority to enforce such laws, as it would interfere with federal operations and violate the U.S. Constitution's Supremacy Clause.

If the bill is approved by the city council, Seattle would become Washingtons first, and one of the countrys first, major cities to ban law enforcement face coverings.

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Walsh tied the proposal to Harrells tight Nov. 4 general election race against Transit Riders Union co-founder Katie Wilson, who leads in polls.

This proposed ban on LEO face coverings is the desperate act of an incompetent politician struggling in the polls during an election, Walsh said. It's likely to be a forgotten footnote in a few weeks.

Seattle is also drafting an ordinance barring federal immigration operations on city property, aiming to block use of parking lots for staging, which has occurred in other cities like Chicago.

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to The Center Square's request for comment.
Seattle city leaders are now sending out what they are calling john letters.

These are going to people accused of frequenting certain spots of Aurora Avenue North to take sexual advantage of women.

If a johns car is often seen along the area of Aurora Avenue from 85th to 140th Streets, then the cops know exactly who they are.

They say the owner of that car will soon get a letter at home or work, warning of major consequences if their participation in alleged sex trafficking continues.

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Seattle Police Department Detective Maurice Washington tells us the sex trafficking industry thrives on supply and demand.

Its a billion-dollar industry, its a 56 billion-dollar industry in the US alone, Washington said.

He says an increase in johns means an increase in victims.

95% of these people out along Aurora are being sexually exploited and forced into that; they arent choosing it, Washington said.

This pilot program by the City of Seattle is targeting those johns. Natalie Walton-Anderson with the Mayors Public Safety Office said anyone who is seen participating in sexual exploitation will get a letter in the mail.

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A letter sent home or to an employer or to your family saying you were arrested or soliciting sex would deter close to 80% of those people from doing it again, Walton-Anderson said.

The letter explains that the person isnt being charged with a crime, but could be if their behavior continues.

We dont want persons out there shopping along these streets for exploited persons, Washington said.

In the month of October, the city sent out at least 21 letters.

The approach is to address and really reduce the demand, Walton-Anderson said. We want to bring awareness and act as a deterrent who come to the city to prey on our vulnerable population.

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Detectives say their goal is to help those who cant help themselves.

We are recovering children as young as twelve out there on Aurora who are being sexually exploited, Washington said.

They tell us this also tackles the increase in violent crime in that area.

What has followed that is gun violence, drug trafficking, and even organized retail theft; its all tied together, Walton-Anderson said.

Brooklyn Hirst with Fuzzy Buddys Dog Daycare said they hope the letters deter at least some of the crime.

We dont know what we are going to walk into, whether it be dirty condoms on the porch or streets, drug paraphernalia or needles, stuff like that, Hirst said.

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Washington tells us sex trafficking will always be an issue, but they are doing everything possible to mitigate it.

You cant just do this in the dark; we want to bring it to the light in hopes that they will have a second thought about coming to the city and partaking in shopping for sexually exploited persons, Washington said.

Detectives say this year, they have already arrested 50 people for sexual exploitation, all of whom have been in North Seattle. They tell us six of those people were trafficking minors.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia is doing all they can to help families put food on the table as SNAP benefits are slated to end on Nov. 1.

For every meal that the food banks provide around the country, not just here, the SNAP benefits provide six meals to those people, Executive Director of Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia Mary Jane Crouch said.

The government shutdown has not affected the daily operations at Second Harvest, yet. Crouch said they will continue to do what they have always done, help families in need.

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Second Harvest said it is preparing for the potential end of SNAP benefits, but they are optimistic it will not get to that point.

Weve been doing some things to get ready, prepping, asking the community to do some food drives for us, Crouch said. Looking at purchasing some food to make sure weve got enough in just in case something does happen.

Second Harvest said it has noticed some people who are asking for help have never asked for it before.

Being able to provide for your family, its really difficult, Crouch said. You know, you have your budget completely planned. You have everything down and you have a flat tire, or you have a sick child, and you had to buy medicine. A lot of times we talk about, any time you cant feed yourself or your family is a crisis. This just could make it more of a crisis for more people, but also, were here to help.

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Crouch said one of the best ways to donate to Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia is to hold a food drive. Food drives can be done in a neighborhood or at a business. You can even drop off a food or monetary donation at Second Harvest.

If you are impacted and are looking for 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 WSAV-TV.
India on Thursday slammed Pakistan for border tensions with Afghanistan, calling it "unacceptable" and reprimanding Pakistan for practising cross-border terrorism with impunity. In a weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan is "infuriated" with Afghanistan for exercising sovereignty over its own territories. "I reiterate what I had said in my last briefing," Jaiswal told reporters, "Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories. Pakistan seems to think that it has the right to practice cross-border terrorism with impunity. Its neighbours find it unacceptable. India remains fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Afghanistan." The MEA's remarks come amid worsening relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan following the failure of peace talks held in Turkey this week. The two countries have seen an escalation in border tensions, with both sides trading accusations and engaging in skirmishes. According to Dawn, hostilities began on the night of October 11, after the Taliban government in Kabul accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes inside Afghanistan an allegation Islamabad has neither confirmed nor denied. On Wednesday, the tensions deepened after Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif issued a severe warning to the Taliban regime, threatening possible military strikes inside Afghan territory. Speaking to reporters at Pakistan's Parliament House, Asif said that if another militant attack occurred on Pakistani soil, the country would not hesitate to respond militarily. "We will conduct strikes, we definitely will," Asif said, as quoted by *Dawn*. "If their territory is used and they violate our territory, then, if we need to go deep into Afghanistan to retaliate, we surely will." He added that Pakistan had engaged in peace talks "to give peace a chance" at the request of friendly nations, but described the Taliban's statements as "venomous" and reflective of a "devious and splintered mindset." The failed peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan were mediated by Turkey and Qatar, with the aim of curbing cross-border terrorism and reducing military confrontations. The negotiations, held in Istanbul, lasted four days but ended without any agreement or roadmap for de-escalation. Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that the discussions "failed to bring about any workable solution." The talks were part of ongoing international efforts to de-escalate border violence after several deadly clashes earlier this month. Pakistan accuses the Taliban of sheltering militants, who have carried out several attacks on Pakistani forces and civilians. The Taliban, however, denies these claims and accuses Pakistan of violating Afghan sovereignty through cross-border strikes. India has maintained its support for an independent and sovereign Afghanistan and has repeatedly criticised cross-border terrorism in the region. (ANI)
Hurricane Melissa is forecast to bring damaging winds, flooding rains and dangerous storm surge to portions of Cuba and the Bahamas after slamming Jamaica with catastrophic flash flooding and landslides that caused widespread infrastructure damage.

Melissa made landfall in Cuba overnight. The hurricane was spinning with maximum sustained winds around 100 mph with higher gusts, making it a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, as of the 2 p.m. ET advisory from the National Hurricane Center on Oct. 29.

Forecasters said Melissa was located about 110 miles south-southeast of the central Bahamas and moving toward the northeast around 15 mph, with an "accelerating northeastward motion" expected during the next few days.

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The hurricane center said the core of Melissa is expected to move across the southeastern or central Bahamas this afternoon and evening, and pass near or to the west of Bermuda late Thursday and Thursday night, Oct. 30.

Forecasters said in the advisory that residents in Cuba and the Bahamas should remain sheltered, while in Bermuda, "preparations should be underway and be completed before anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds."

A hurricane warning is in effect for the Cuban provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, Holguin and Las Tunas, in addition to southeastern and central Bahamas and Bermuda. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Haiti, the Cuban province of Camaguey, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

A resident stands at a flooded section of Port Royal in Kingston on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. A man covers the windows of his home with corrugated iron ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Melissa in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa strengthened Monday as it took aim at Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean as a top-level Category 5 storm, with forecasters predicting catastrophic flooding and urging residents to seek shelter immediately. After passing over Jamaica, the storm was forecast to head north and cross over eastern Cuba on Tuesday night, while continuing to bring rain and heavy winds to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. A man watches the waves crash into the walls at the Kingston Waterfront on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. A motorist drives along flooded Michael Manley Boulevard in Kingston, Jamaica, as Jamaica starts to feel the effects of Hurricane Mellisa on October 26, 2025. Hurricane Melissa, already a major category 4 storm, gathered steam Sunday as it took aim at Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, with forecasters predicting catastrophic flooding and urging residents to seek shelter immediately. A coconut tree sways in the wind at the Kingston Waterfront on Ocean Boulevard in Kingston, Jamaica, as Jamaica starts to feel the effects of Hurricane Mellisa on Oct. 26, 2025. Hurricane Melissa was cutting a deadly path in the Caribbean on the night of October 25, with rapid intensification expected over the weekend as it took a worryingly slow course toward Jamaica and the island of Hispaniola, forecasters said. Waves crash onto the beach in Kingston on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island. Satellite image of Hurricane Melissa as of 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. People fill bags with sand in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in Port Royal, Jamaica on Oct. 26, 2025. Alfred Veitch places concrete blocks on top of his chicken coop, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in Port Royal, Jamaica on Oct. 26, 2025. A person watches waves crash on the beach, ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in Port Royal, Jamaica on Oct. 26, 2025. Fishermen move a boat to higher ground, in preparation of Hurricane Melissa, in Port Royal, Jamaica on Oct. 26, 2025. Empty counters at the airport, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in Kingston, Jamaica on Oct. 25, 2025. People load sandbags onto a vehicle, in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Melissa, in the Harbour View neighborhood of Kingston, Jamaica on Oct. 25, 2025. The National Hurricane Center reports Melissa has strengthened into a hurricane in the Caribbean on Oct. 25 and could soon rapidly intensify into a monstrous Category 4 or 5 storm, bringing perilous threats of rain, winds and storm surge to northern Caribbean islands.



A drone view shows a vehicle driving along a flooded street amid rain caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 24, 2025. People transit on a motorcycle through a street flooded by rains caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 23, 2025. People look on at the entrance to their homes on a street flooded by rains caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 23, 2025. A woman is standing on a street flooded by rains caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 23, 2025. A drone view shows water rushing through a spillway at the Sabaneta Dam as water levels are elevated due to Tropical Storm Melissa, in Sabaneta, Dominican Republic October 23, 2025. People walk through a flooded street amid rain caused by Tropical storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 24, 2025. A woman walks along a flooded street amid rain caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 24, 2025. A drone view shows a flooded area amid rain caused by Tropical Storm Melissa, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 24, 2025. Gas pumps are wrapped in plastic at a Texaco station as part of storm preparations, ahead of Tropical Storm Melissa, which is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to the area, in Kingston, Jamaica, October 25, 2025. Workers board up a business ahead of the potential impact of Tropical Storm Melissa, in Kingston, Jamaica, October 24, 2025. Hurricane Melissa slams the Caribbean. See the floods and impact on residents in photos 1 of 23 A resident stands at a flooded section of Port Royal in Kingston on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island.

Heavy rains are expected to taper off in eastern Cuba by Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 29, but storm total rainfall of 10 to 20 inches, with local amounts up to 25 inches, are expected, which will cause "life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding with numerous landslides," according to the hurricane center.

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Over the southeast Bahamas, rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches are expected Wednesday, with the Turks and Caicos could see between 1 to 3 inches. Heavy rain could begin affecting Bermuda on Thursday, forecasters said.

In addition to the rain, storm surge of 4 to 7 feet above normally dry ground is possible in the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday.

Hurricane Melissa live updates: Hurricane Melissa barrels over Cuba after hammering Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa tracker

This 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 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.

Melissa causes widespread damage, outages on Jamaica

Melissa reached Jamaica as an extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane, the highest level on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, bringing damaging winds, catastrophic flash flooding and landslides across Jamaica on Tuesday. The storm caused widespread infrastructure damage, including power and communication outages that left hundreds of thousands of residents in the dark.

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Parishes across Jamaica reported heavy floodwaters, blocked roads and fallen trees and utility poles, according to Desmond McKenzie, the island's minister of local government and community development. The parish of St. Elizabeth was submerged by flooding, and its only public hospital lost power and reported severe damage to one of its buildings.

The International Federation of the Red Cross previously said up to 1.5 million people in Jamaica were expected to be directly affected by the storm. About 15,000 people were in temporary shelters by late Tuesday, according to McKenzie. The government had issued mandatory evacuation orders for around 28,000 people.

At least seven hurricane-related deaths have been reported across the Caribbean, including three each in Jamaica and Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic. McKenzie said on Tuesday that officials were praying for no deaths on the island, but conditions were still too severe for assessments to be completed.

Live updates: Hurricane Melissa barrels over Cuba after hammering Jamaica

How do hurricanes form?

Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.

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A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reach 39 mph. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.

This story has been updated to add new information.

Contributing: Thao Nguyen, Dinah Voyles Pulver, and Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Melissa tracker shows projected path of Category 2 storm
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  With the ongoing government shutdown continuing to strain resources across the country, food insecurity remains a growing concern for thousands of Kentucky families. Community leaders, faith groups, and policy experts gathered in Frankfort for Seeds of Hope for Kentucky, an event hosted by the Christian advocacy organization Bread for the World and their partners.

The daylong conference, held at South Frankfort Presbyterian Church, brought together voices from across the Commonwealth, including Governor Andy Beshear, who delivered a video message of support to kick off the conference. The goal of the event was to address hunger in Kentucky and explore solutions to ongoing challenges such as pending benefit reductions and cuts to SNAP assistance.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Rev. Heather Taylor, the Managing Director for Bread for the World, said the gathering was designed to connect those who share a commitment to ending hunger. Todays event is really bringing together community leaders, people of faith, and those working in the food system to talk about the real impact of food insecurity, she said. Just as importantly, were looking at practical solutions so we know how to move forward in the context in which were living.

Workshops and discussions focused on the potential impact of the shutdown and proposed changes in federal legislation, including H.R. 1, also known as The Big Beautiful Bill, which could add work requirements to SNAP and shift administrative costs to states like Kentucky.

We want to understand what this means for the people, Taylor said. In a state where 16 percent of residents live below the federal poverty leveland more than 30 percent in parts of Appalachiawe want to make sure they can eat and put food on the table.

Nearly one million Kentuckians struggle to access enough food, according to Bread for the World.

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Todays event encouraged participants to share personal experiences, engage with lawmakers, and build stronger advocacy networks.

LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS:

Bread for the World urges members of Congress to put forward policies that address hunger and poverty, Taylor said. We work with congregations and community groups across the country so that people can share their stories and lift their voices.

Those interested in getting involved or speaking directly with their local representatives can visit bread.org for more information.

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Professionals from a variety of economic development fields answer prompts during a listening session hosted by the UNC School of Government in Lenoir, NC on Sept. 19, 2025. (Photo: Melissa Sue Gerrits / Carolina Public Press)

In 2014, the North Carolina General Assembly commissioned a report that came to a stark conclusion: the state should discontinue the use of its economic distress tiers. The tiers fail to accurately capture economic distress, the report said. The system isnt working for struggling communities.

A decade later, the system has only become more entrenched, influencing an unknown number of state programs, both economic and not.

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North Carolina is the only state in the country with a three-tiered economic distress ranking  and certainly the only one where such ranking bears this amount of influence. Could there be a better way to distribute state funding and lift up the states most disadvantaged communities?

There have been many attempts to tinker with the system, N.C. Rural Center CEO Patrick Woodie told Carolina Public Press.

It has remained basically intact, mainly because we havent found a viable alternative. Theres a lot of lawmakers that would like to see improvement, but cant find a consensus or a path forward.

In 2024, a bipartisan bill that would have directed the N.C. Collaboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill to study potential changes to the economic distress tier system on behalf of the legislature did not become law.

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This year, the N.C. Department of Commerce conducted listening sessions in cities across the state to hear residents concerns and ideas about the states economic development strategy.

Ben Willis, Director of Community and Economic Development for the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, makes a statement during a roundtable discussion with questions posed by UNC School of Governments Anita Brown-Graham on Sept. 19, 2025. Willis and others in the field of economic development for multiple counties joined in Lenoir to discuss pressing issues. Melissa Sue Gerrits / Carolina Public Press

The conclusions drawn from those conversations will help inform the Comprehensive Strategic Economic Development Plan for 2026 through 2030. Whether that plan will attempt to address the shortcomings of the tier system remains to be seen.

This is the third article in Trapped By Tiers, a three-part Carolina Public Press investigative series examining North Carolinas economic distress tiers, a system intended to promote economic mobility across the state. CPP analyzed state data and found that this system is ineffective, stagnant, and at times, counterproductive.

The first article examined the ways in which this system fails counties across the economic spectrum. The second focused on where North Carolina went wrong. This third and final installment explores ways to improve the system, as well as possible alternatives.

Speaking up about pockets of economic distress

Karen Howard of Chatham County has a plan.

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As a commissioner, she has seen how the countys persistent Tier 3 status has left less fortunate parts of her county in the dust  towns like Siler City and Goldston. Because they are located in Chatham County, those communities do not get the special treatment that struggling communities in Tier 1 and 2 counties do. The situation in economically distressed communities within counties are concealed within an overall countywide picture of economic success.

An aging storefront near the railroad crossing in downtown Goldston in southeastern Chatham County. Frank Taylor / Carolina Public Press

There needs to be more vision in the planning for how these tiers affect communities, Howard said. Not just counties, but communities. We could come up with workable solutions that allow for some nuance and for the possibility of a wealthy town very close to a poor town.

Even in her frustration, Howard sees a path forward.

Counties that have this challenge have the opportunity to form some sort of coalition, she said.

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We need to work on the solution and present it to our legislators as a nonpartisan or bipartisan endeavor to address the very real challenge. Counties across the state span these deep pockets of wealth and then deep pockets of poverty. We could come up with and collaboratively design a workable solution that could be presented to the state.

We cant just show up and say you need to do better. There really needs to be some sort of a broad collaborative effort to draft this solution and present it to our legislators as a cohort, and I think we have a much better chance of success.

The legislature

For Rep. Dante Pittman, D-Wilson, Nash, protecting disadvantaged counties like those he represents is of the utmost priority. Wilson and Nash are both persistent Tier 1 of economic distress counties. Pittman appreciates the way that the system recognizes and singles out the struggles of his constituents. If the system were to change, he wouldnt want that special spotlight to shift.

My primary focus is making sure that any changes to this system protect rural counties that dont have the same level of resources, Rep. Pittman told CPP.

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Past changes to the system have been colored by specific legislators motivations, rather than a genuine attempt to improve the system for all counties, said Rep. Brian Turner, D-Buncombe. Rep. Turner believes the economic distress tiers system is outdated, overly applied, and fails to serve its original purpose.

The system is overly simplistic, and just really needs to be updated and more sophisticated, he said. It needs to be done independent of manipulation and influence of the legislature. We need a revised system, and we need a consultancy to help us create one. Because I dont think that the expertise exists within the legislature to do this without people putting their thumbs on the scale.

A former radiator shop sits closed, overgrown with weeds and in general disrepair along Bizzell Street in downtown Laurinburg in Scotland County. Most of the other business locations along this aging block are also vacant. Frank Taylor / Carolina Public Press

Meanwhile, some legislators dont even know about the system.

Rep. Garland Pierce, a Democrat who serves Hoke and Scotland counties, is one of these legislators. Both of his counties are persistent Tier 1 counties, but he told CPP that he did not know there was any system in place to benefit them.

What do other states do?

One place to start that work is looking at what other states do.

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Georgias system of four economic tiers builds in flexibility and allows for sub-county targeting. If a county experiences sudden economic distress  say from a hurricane or a factory closure  state officials can choose to move that county into a different tier, opening it up to enhanced state assistance. In addition, special zones like Less Developed Census Tracts and Georgia Opportunity Zones allow for pockets of poverty in otherwise affluent regions to get recognition.

Plus, Georgias tiers are used for just one thing: a job creation tax credit program.

Rep. Turner thinks state programs other than economic development should have to apply to use the tier system in their decision making programs, rather than just implementing it with impunity.

In Tennessee, counties are ranked in a system of five tiers that measures economic performance against a national standard.

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This is closer to what Carolyn Fryberger, co-author of the UNC School of Government study on distress tiers, thinks could work.

Lets find a real benchmark of well-being and then measure ourselves against that, she said.

Getting rid of the pre-set numbers of counties in each economic distress category would be a major improvement to the system, said Josh Carpenter, director of economic development group Mountain West Partnership. There isnt always going to be exactly 40 distressed counties, 40 medium counties and 20 non-distressed counties, he pointed out.

Anita Brown-Graham, director of the ncIMPACT Initiative at the UNC School of Government, offers topics for discussion during one of nine listening sessions hosted across the state on Sept. 19, 2025 in Lenoir, NC. Dozens of professionals in the sectors of economic development answered questions and carried on discussions during the session. Melissa Sue Gerrits / Carolina Public Press

At the national level, Federal Opportunity Zones use census tracts rather than county lines. This allows for a more granular look at geographic disparities. Both Maryland and Virginia identify specific Enterprise Zones that target specific areas within and across counties borders.

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Many in North Carolina think this kind of specificity would help the system.

We have proposed that tier designations should be assigned based on zip code, which is more reflective of the specific area, Iredell County manager Beth Milton told CPP.

Unfortunately, we have received little support from our legislature to make this modification.

North Carolinas county-by-county economic distress system catches a lot of flack for being too broad. But in some cases, the county-level is actually too narrow. The regional clustering of persistent Tier 1 counties in Eastern North Carolina, for example, is not addressed by the system.

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Colorados Enterprise Zones, in contrast, span multi-county regions, allowing for regional cooperation.

Regions are so much stronger when they work together, Fryberger said. The tiers just further cement county-to-county competition and ranking.

Finding solutions to economic distress

Some agree with the 2014 report from the legislature: the tier system should just be thrown out.

I will say that being designated Tier 3 prohibits us from receiving many benefits, especially related to capital project funding for new and renovated buildings as well as lottery funds, Henderson County Commissioner Rebecca McCall told CPP.

It is my stance that the tier system should be eliminated and funding provided where most needed.

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One idea is that there should be special programming for the bottom 20 counties, or that more tiers should be introduced back into the system. There arent 40 counties suffering from the highest level of economic distress, according to Woodie of the N.C. Rural Center  its more like 20 or 25. Grouping those bottom 20 in with counties the top half of Tier 1 does them a disservice, he said.

In the eyes of Rep. Lindsey Prather, D-Buncombe, the problems with the system are simple and fixable.

First, theres no reason to have a required number of counties in a certain category, she said. Second, we should consider whether more factors should be measured beyond the current four. Third, we should consider whether counties are the best district to measure, or if a smaller area  like zip codes  would better reflect the communities.

Many of commercial spaces along Main Street in downtown Laurinburg in Scotland County are vacant and in disrepair on Oct. 21, 2025. Frank Taylor / Carolina Public Press

The stakes are high. Struggling counties are not improving under the current economic distress system. Wealthy counties cant access state assistance for their own disadvantaged communities. Counties that improve economically get punished with reduced funding.

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A decade ago, the legislature recommended killing the system. Instead, the distress tiers have found even broader applications.

Changing the states system of economic development is possible. The question is whether North Carolinas legislators and policy makers have the political will to make it happen and can set aside their differences long enough to work toward an effective solution.

This article first appeared on Carolina Public Press and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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911 calls reveal new details about the crash that left a semi dangling off I-75 Wednesday night.

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>>PHOTOS: Semi dangles off ramp from I-75 in Dayton

As reported on News Center 7 at 11:00, the crash happened on I-75 northbound near State Route 4 around 7:10 p.m.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Initial reports indicate that a crash happened between a semi-truck and an SUV.

The impact almost sent the semi off the side of the interstate, but a concrete barrier stopped it.

Photos from the scene show that the semi was disconnected from its trailer, and the cab was dangling off the side of a ramp.

Multiple drivers who witnessed the crash called 911 for help.

They went, Im going perpendicular, and they went horizontal. They went off, one caller said.

I was trying to get over a lane, and he... I didnt see him coming to the left of me, and he flipped. Im okay, but I cant get my car off to the side, another caller said.

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The crash blocked the northbound lanes of traffic for at least three hours.

News Center 7 is working to learn how this crash happened and if anyone was hurt.

We will continue to follow this story.

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Correction: A previous version of this story indicated the crash occurred in the southbound lanes and all southbound lanes were closed. This is incorrect. The crash happened in the northbound lanes and all northbound lanes are closed. The story has been corrected to reflect this.

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WASHINGTON  Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, is challenging major tech companies to alter their algorithm systems, accusing platforms of recommending content that could lead to radicalized behavior.

During a hearing with Big Tech executives on Wednesday, Curtis pressed top officials from companies such as Google on what drives their content amplification systems and how it affects users  arguing federal law should not shield platforms from liability when individuals commit harmful acts influenced by their online activity.

We all know that Section 230 was meant to protect platforms that acted in good faith, Curtis said, referencing the Communications Decency Act that provides legal immunity to providers based on what users post . But when an algorithm downranks speech or drives users towards extremism because its good for engagement, is that really good faith moderation? And should Section 230 immunity apply when you as a company or industry make decisions that magnify certain content and downgrade other content?

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Curtis compared the current online landscape to Senate hearings in the 1990s during which tobacco companies testified that nicotine was not an addictive substance and that there were no harmful effects of tobacco  which later proved to be false.

Curtis challenged Markham Erickson, a lawyer representing Google, on whether there will be studies in the future indicating social media algorithms are harmful to users driven by internal conversations that says, Its good to have people stay on our platform longer?

Senator, we want people to stay on our platforms, Erickson replied.

Curtis also pushed for increased regulation of social media platforms, rejecting arguments from some advocates that the tech companies are protected by the First Amendment. Curtis pushed back to say that company executives must own their decisions on what content to amplify on their sites.

Interference starts when tech companies apply an algorithm to content, Curtis said.
The Senate on Thursday confirmed Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach as the Air Forces next chief of staff.

Wilsbach was approved as part of a batch of military promotions the Senate passed by unanimous consent, as one of its last actions before adjourning for the week.

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink congratulated Wilsbach, who will be the services 24th chief of staff after being sworn in, and lauded his experience.

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With his vast experience in the Pacific and as a commander at all levels, he is the right leader for the @usairforce, Meink said in a post on X shortly after his confirmation.

Sen. Kevin Kramer, R-N.D., said Wilsbach will be an outstanding leader and a great partner for the states airmen, Air National Guardsmen and Air Force installations.

I have full confidence he will work tirelessly to spur innovation and modernization and maintain combat-ready forces, all while prioritizing our airmen, Kramer said in his post on X.

Wilsbach will succeed Gen. David Allvin, who in August unexpectedly announced plans to retire about halfway through the four-year tenure Air Force chiefs of staff typically serve.

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Wilsbach, an experienced F-15, F-16 and F-22 pilot, was most recently head of Air Combat Command, which oversees most of the Air Forces fighter force. He flew 71 combat missions enforcing the no-fly zone over Iraq and during Operation Enduring Freedom.

He also previously commanded Pacific Air Forces and served as deputy commander of U.S. Forces Korea, giving him extensive experience in the Indo-Pacific region.

Before Allvins surprise retirement, Wilsbach had been set to retire.
Four Senate Republicans joined Democrats to pass a resolution rejecting President Donald Trumps tariffs on Canada on Wednesday.

The 50-46 vote is largely symbolic since the Republican-led House wont be advancing the measure, but it still highlights GOP dissent toward aspects of Trumps trade policy. Wednesdays vote also follows another vote on Tuesday when the Senate passed a resolution aimed at blocking Trumps tariffs on Brazil.

Politics: Trump Escalates Trade War Talk With Canada Even As It Raises Recession Risk

The Senate is set to take a third vote on Trumps tariffs, focusing on a slew of other countries, on Thursday.

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Wednesdays resolution would nullify the emergency declaration Trump used to impose the tariffs on Canada if it passed both chambers of Congress.

GOP Sens. Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Rand Paul (Ky.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) voted with Democrats to support the measure rebuking the levies on Canada.

Paul has stressed the detrimental effects these tariffs can have and argued that Trump isnt constitutionally allowed to impose them without congressional approval.

News: Trump  And House Republicans  Are Largely Absent As Shutdown Fallout Grows

Tariffs are taxes on imports paid by American consumers. Congress, not the president, has the constitutional authority to levy taxes, Paul and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) wrote in a Tuesday Washington Post opinion piece. Massive tariffs on close trading partners such as Brazil and Canada are ill-advised abuses of presidential power that will make Americans poorer.

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Trump recently blew up trade talks with Canada after the province of Ontario ran an anti-tariff ad featuring a voice-over with the words of former President Ronald Reagan. He said hed impose another 10% tariff on top of existing levies hed announced against the country earlier this year.

Kaine argued that the resolutions Senate passage could potentially influence the president.

When he sees Republicans starting to vote against his policies, even in small numbers, that makes an impression on him and can often cause him to alter his behavior, Kaine told reporters.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
WASHINGTON  The current government shutdown that is affecting millions of Americans could have extensive consequences for hundreds of thousands of Missourians.

More than 650,000 Missourians could lose access to food assistance known as SNAP, often referred to as food stamps. U.S. Senator Josh Hawley R-Missouri introduced two bills to reinstate the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and critical farm programs during the government shutdown.

The Keep SNAP Funded Act would ensure full funding for the program during the shutdown. Under the bill, Congress would appropriate the necessary funding to provide uninterrupted SNAP benefits, retroactive to the start of the shutdown.

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Why do St. Louis kids tell jokes for candy on Halloween?

The Fund Farm Programs Act would reopen all Farm Service Agency (FSA) Offices and resume services for all FSA programs that farmers depend on.

The USDA would also be granted the funds to provide services for farmers through FSA offices, retroactive to the start of the shutdown.

Read the entire bill for the Keep Snap Funded Act 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 FOX 2.
BOSTON (SHNS)  For families like Susan Altmans, the years-long fight for answers after a loved ones suspicious death should never happen.

Altmans sister, Stacy Feldman, was found dead in her Denver home in 2015 in what police first believed was an accident. Her husband had staged the scene to look like a fall in the shower. It took seven years before he was convicted of murder in 2022.

Families like ours should be able to simply grieve and mourn, Altman said.

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That story framed a new push this week to prevent similar tragedies from being misclassified. Sen. Rebecca Rausch of Needham introduced a bill (SD 3336) Tuesday to strengthen death investigations when there is a known history of domestic violence, and spoke about the bill Wednesday at a press conference.

Rausch said the measure would ensure that in these suspicious death cases, histories of domestic violence will not be ignored, and said there have been similar legislative efforts in California, New York and Illinois.

She cited research showing that nearly 50% of women murdered in the United States are killed by an intimate partner and estimated that between 800 and 1,200 homicides each year are staged to look like suicides.

Even one case is too many, Rausch said.

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The senator referenced the recent murder of Lynn resident Carla Lourenco Da Silva, whose partner has been charged with homicide and misleading investigators after allegedly staging her death, as well as the case of Sandra Birchmore, 23, whose killing was initially ruled a suicide after years of sexual abuse.

Elizabeth Schon Vainer, director of Journey to Safety at Jewish Family & Childrens Service, said when she began working as a victim advocate, law enforcement officers often blamed domestic violence survivors.

Research from Dr. David Adams reminds us that people who abuse their partner are often skilled manipulators, commonly presenting a story that sounds incredible and believable, she said. Police must be trained to see past that manipulation and uncover the truth.

The bill would require police officers to follow stricter investigative protocols whenever a death involves a victim with a history of domestic violence.

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New training would include detecting staged scenes, recognizing indicators of domestic homicide, and understanding patterns such as coercive control and life-threatening behavior.

The bill also identifies red flags that should trigger deeper inquiry, including deaths that appear to be accidents or suicides that occur shortly after one partner tries to end a relationship. Other warning signs include when an abuser is the last person to see the victim alive, has access to the scene before police arrive or evidence suggests the body was moved.

Under the proposal, investigators would be required to interview family members and close friends of the deceased before determining cause or manner of death. Officers would also be required to order a full autopsy and connect survivors and friends to domestic violence resources and victim services if they request them.

If investigators ultimately conclude that the death was not a homicide, the bill gives family members and close friends new rights to review the case. They would be able to request copies of investigation records  unless those are protected under existing public records exemptions  and seek a second autopsy by a board-certified forensic pathologist. Any such review would still have to preserve the chain of custody for evidence.

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The proposal does not specify who would pay for a second autopsy, but Rausch told reporters, theres nothing in the bill that would put that cost on the governments coffers.

Altman said that if a law like the one Rausch seeks had been in place when her sister died, her family would not have spent years investigating the case themselves. Feldmans husband had claimed his wife suffered a cardiac episode in the shower, but the autopsy later revealed extensive abrasions and bruising inconsistent with a fall.

Weeks after burying her, I went to the cemetery, this rectangular patch of dirt. I was sitting next to her, and I had a chill come over me, Altman recalled. Stacy told me something wasnt right and that I had to do something about it. I immediately got into the car and called the Denver homicide unit.

She said her persistence eventually prompted a deeper investigation, but by then crucial time had been lost.

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We were the lucky ones, Altman said. Yes, we were lucky that Stacy got justice and she can rest in peace  but we had to wait seven years for that. She said most families never get that far.

Rausch said the bills delayed effective date  Jan. 1, 2027, with provisions applying to investigations beginning on or after July 1, 2027 gives time for police departments to develop and implement new training standards.

When asked whether she had discussed the measure with Senate leadership, Rausch pointed to how new the proposal is.

Its been filed for less than 24 hours, so I look forward to having those conversations, she said. Ive had some more informal conversations with colleagues to date, all of them so far have been very supportive.

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Rausch introduced the measure during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a connection she said was intentional.

This bill covers a serious and heartbreaking subject, she said. I wish there was no need for it, but there is.

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.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday held talks with Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos in New Delhi, reaffirming the deep and trusted partnership between India and Cyprus. Taking to X, Jaishankar said, "Delighted to welcome FM @ckombos of Cyprus today in New Delhi. We reviewed the India-Cyprus Joint Action Plan 2025-2029, agreed to by leaders during PM @narendramodi's visit to Cyprus in June 2025. Our discussions also covered the global geopolitical situation, developments in our respective regions, and our cooperation in multilateral fora. As Cyprus takes over the EU Presidency in 2026, we are confident that India-EU ties will further strengthen." The meeting focused on reviewing progress under the India-Cyprus Joint Action Plan 2025-29, which aims to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, technology, and culture. Both sides also discussed key global and regional issues, reaffirming their shared commitment to a rules-based international order and closer engagement at multilateral platforms. Earlier in the day, during the bilateral talks between the two leaders, Jaishankar described India and Cyprus as "trusted friends and reliable partners," underscoring the enduring strength of their relationship in his opening remarks. "India and Cyprus are trusted friends and reliable partners. Trust and time-tested are not easy adjectives to use nowadays, but I can do that with a great deal of confidence and assurance for this relationship," Jaishankar said. He thanked Cyprus for its continued support on matters of vital importance to India, especially in the fight against cross-border terrorism. "We deeply appreciate Cyprus's consistent support on issues of core interest to India, especially in our battle against cross-border terrorism. I would once again thank your government for the strong condemnation after the Pahalgam terrorist attack and the solidarity expressed with India in our fight against terrorism," Jaishankar said. The minister also expressed gratitude for Cyprus's long-standing support for India's permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council and its inclusion in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. "We also appreciate your consistent support for India's Permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council and for the membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group," he added. Reiterating India's backing of Cyprus, Jaishankar said, "India reiterates its unwavering support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus and for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions." Highlighting the deep mutual trust that underpins their diplomatic relationship, Jaishankar's remarks came during Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos's visit to India. The visit, aimed at reviewing progress in the implementation of the India-Cyprus Action Plan 2025-29, reflects the shared commitment of both nations to strengthen bilateral relations and advance their comprehensive partnership. In a post on X, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "A warm welcome to FM @ckombos of the Republic of Cyprus on his first official visit to India. An opportunity to review progress in implementation of India-Cyprus Action Plan 2025-29 and discuss the Comprehensive Partnership." Kombos's visit follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Cyprus earlier in June this year, which concluded with the adoption of a Joint Declaration outlining a roadmap for deepened strategic cooperation between the two nations. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Government of Cyprus later released coordinated statements underscoring the breadth of this renewed partnership and the shared commitment to strengthening EU-India relations. With Cyprus set to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in early 2026, both sides pledged to work towards the timely conclusion of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement by the end of 2025, calling it a move of "significant economic and strategic potential." According to the Prime Minister's Office, Modi's visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades, was described as a "historic milestone" that "reaffirms the deep and enduring friendship between the two nations."The joint declaration described the visit as a celebration of a shared past and a "forward-looking partnership" rooted in strategic vision and mutual trust. It noted that both leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional, and global issues, acknowledging growing cooperation in economic, technological, and people-to-people domains. Cyprus and India also committed to furthering collaboration "as trusted and indispensable partners contributing to regional and global peace, prosperity, and stability. "The declaration reaffirmed both sides' shared values, including democracy, multilateralism, rule of law, and sustainable development, and their support for a rules-based international order grounded in the UN Charter and international law. (ANI)
For the first time since the shutdown began, senators this week began expressing some optimism that a solution might be right around the corner.

That optimism, however, will have to wait until next week, when food benefits have officially run out and Americans see their Obamacare premiums spike.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., sent lawmakers home on Thursday after Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an agreement on the shutdown for the fifth consecutive week.

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Still, senators told MSNBC on Thursday that bipartisan talks are happening and that, despite Thune not seeing enough progress to keep the chamber in session over the weekend  or even on Friday  there is finally some progress.

One GOP senator, who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive deliberations, said some of the talks are focused on appropriations, while others are centered on health care premiums. But mostly, this senator said, discussions are concentrated on turning the lights back on in Washington.

I actually am seeing some movement, or seeing more discussions, another GOP senator, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, said Thursday.

Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., echoed that sentiment, telling MSNBC he thought the pace of bipartisan discussions is a good sign.

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Whether those discussions are close to bearing fruit is another question.

Democrats are still demanding that lawmakers address the expiring Obamacare tax credits as part of any deal to end the shutdown, while Republicans insist the only way to end the impasse is by passing the short-term spending bill that the House approved last month.

Despite the ramped-up conversations, that core disagreement still exists.

There is talking going on, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said. But we need talks to yield results, right?

That lack of results seemed to prompt Thune to send everyone home.

We got to see something from the Democrats that suggests that would be a worthwhile endeavor, Thune said Wednesday when asked if he would keep lawmakers in over the weekend. Asked if at least 10 Democrats have come to him saying they are ready to have a serious conversation about ending the shutdown, he responded: No.

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Less than 24 hours later, he adjourned the Senate for the week.

The discussions between Democrats and Republicans havent exactly been leadership-sanctioned. And Democratic and GOP leaders havent been the ones engaging in talks. Thune maintains theres nothing to discuss until Democrats vote for the House-passed continuing resolution. And Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., maintains that Democrats will need real concessions on Obamacare before his caucus votes for a spending bill.

The dynamic is similar in the House with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who says its well past time to negotiate, and Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who says theres nothing to negotiate and has kept the House out of session since Sept. 19 to back up his claim.

With leaders sticking to their positions, when the impasse finally breaks is anyones guess.

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The shutdown is on track to make history. If it stretches into Wednesday  day 36  it will be the longest funding lapse in history, surpassing the 35-day shutdown of 2018-19 during President Donald Trumps first term, which centered on Trumps demand for border wall funding and was only a partial shutdown.

But several senators say next week could be different, particularly as the effect of the shutdown gets uglier.

Beginning on Saturday, the Trump administration will not issue Novembers food benefits to nearly 42 million Americans on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. That prospect alone could change the calculus for lawmakers, but add in nearly seven million women, infants and children not receiving special food benefits from WIC, 1.4 million federal workers missing paychecks, more than 60,000 children losing access to Head Start programs and airports seeing delays as air traffic controllers call in sick as a result of going unpaid, and the shutdown could become untenable even for the most dug-in lawmakers.

Its really reached the point of absurdity, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., said of the shutdown. Its reached the point of real suffering for people. This isnt just an inconvenience. People are really, really suffering now.

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On top of all the pain points, open enrollment for Obamacare begins this weekend, meaning many Americans will see drastically higher premiums because the enhanced tax credits are set to go away on Jan. 1.

While Republicans hope the pain of the shutdown will simply become too much for Democrats, Democrats hope those skyrocketing premiums will force Republicans to the negotiating table.

The talks will go nowhere, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said, if Republicans remain completely intransigent and resistant to any compromise on extending the health care coverage.

Then theres the president. Trump was overseas this week, effectively removing himself from the shutdown talks. With his return, theres a possibility he gets involved  something Democrats have argued is the only way out of the shutdown.

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The off ramp is: Lets get in a room. Lets get the president actually in a room. Lets get him to focus on this for more than an hour, said Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.

And then theres the potential political angle. Voters in New York, New Jersey and Virginia are headed to the polls on Tuesday for a slew of off-year elections. Republicans cynically believe Democrats have held out on the shutdown in some opaque election gambit.

More than likely, I say we open next week after the elections, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla, said. Thats it.

Whether thats actually a factor  or whether talks will finally reach a point of action, or whether the shutdown pain will finally become too much  remains to be seen. But even Thune, after adjourning the Senate for another week, seemed to have new hope.

Im always optimistic, Thune said. Arent you?

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect the different camera formats used by photographers in the 1970s and the exhibit's final date at the Frazier Museum.

In January 1975, Ted Wathen walked into the offices of the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C. with a typed-up proposal to photograph life in all 120 Kentucky counties.

Ahead of the nation's bicentennial, the NEA was funding "photographic surveys," inspired by the Depression-era photography projects of the Farm Security Administration. Marion Post Wolcott and others captured Kentucky in unflinching black and white images in the '30s and '40s. Wathen needed two more photographers to take on a new survey.

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By June, Wathen, Bob Hower and Bill Burke were crisscrossing the commonwealth, equipped with, Polaroid cameras, "all the Polaroid film we could shoot" and little else.

"You got 20 bucks a day, and that was your food, gas and lodging," Wathen said, "and there was no salary."

Between 1975-77, Wathen, Hower and Burke photographed every county in Kentucky. In addition to Polaroid, the crew also shot in other formats, from 35mm to 8 X 10.

The project documented bucolic scenes and rural poverty, rolling Appalachian forest and the aftermath of strip mining. Mostly, it centered people  working, parenting, playing and praying.

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The work was shown in venues from the Speed to the Smithsonian, and its warm reception led to a renewal of the project. From 2015-24, Hower, Wathen and more than two dozen other photographers again scoured the state, documenting another period in Kentucky life.

The Kentucky Documentary Photographic Project at the Frazier Museum on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. The exhibition features work from the Depression-era Farm Security Administration efforts (193543), and the original Kentucky Documentary Photographic Project (197577) and present day.

Both projects, along with selections from the FSA project, are hanging on the third floor of the Frazier History Museum this year through Nov. 9, whittled down from more than 100,000 images spanning 90 years.

Hower and Wathen strolled through the exhibit in October, each peering through sets of round glasses at photos taken last year or last century. They answered questions from museum visitors; a Greenup County native told them images outside Ashland brought back old memories.

Photos of the same places, taken decades apart, show subtle but momentous shifts. A mountainside once ravaged by road construction sprouted new vegetation to hide the scars. Rows of once-lucrative tobacco crops vanished from behind a decayed home.

Two photos nearly 45 years apart, captured and provided by the Kentucky Documentary Photographic Project, show homes in Jenkins, in Letcher County. Jenkins was built by the coal industry as a company town. Left: Ted Wathen, 1975. Right: Bob Hower, 2019.

The film cameras used during the 1970s survey allowed the photographers to take a picture and produce a small, black and white Polaroid print to the subjects. The "crummy" print was meaningful in a time before cellphone cameras, Hower said.

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"You don't give back very much, usually, to people you photograph," he said. "In this case, you were able to kind of even the scale a little bit, and give something back to people who were kind enough to let you invade their lives and take their pictures."

The Kentucky Documentary Photographic Project amounts to a lifelong project for the photographers  "This is our legacy," Hower said  and took years of travel though every corner of the state, from the rolling mountains in the east to the sprawling croplands of the west.

"I still love road trips," Wathen said. "I would much rather drive on a backroad than go to a movie."

Hower and Wathen hope another cohort of photographers will pick up the work in 2055. And in the most recent photographic survey, they sought out a younger, more diverse group of photographers, "to see the state with new eyes."

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"When we did the first project, it was three upper-middle-class white guys ... you have a certain way of looking and seeing and how you relate to people," Wathen said. "We wanted people that could get into women's issues, that could really get into African American issues."

Bob Hower and Ted Wathen of the Kentucky Documentary Photographic Project look over small printouts of photos at a space in Portland on Friday, October 10, 2025. The exhibition features work from the Depression-era Farm Security Administration efforts (193543), and the original Kentucky Documentary Photographic Project (197577) and present day.

Parts of rural Kentucky are hurting, and some of the project's photos depict poverty, economic stagnation and boarded-up main streets. But other frames show joy, culture and renewal. Hower pointed to a "new economy" blooming in the mountains around recreation and tourism.

"We're here to support this kind of work," said Casey Harden, senior director of engagement at the Frazier, "because what we want is to make sure that Kentucky stories get told, Kentucky history gets told."

Amid stereotypes as a flyover-country monolith, Hower said the state is "way more complicated than that"  both in its geographic variety and the diversity of its inhabitants.

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"It's an interesting place, and the people are interesting, and what people do here isn't all that different from what people do everywhere. It's common humanity," Hower said. "Anybody in the world can look at these pictures and relate to them."

Louisville by the decade: Archive photos show life in 1920s Derby City

Connor Giffin is an environmental reporter at The Courier Journal. Reach him directly at cgiffin@courier-journal.com or on X @byconnorgiffin.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky photo project documents life in all 120 counties
Steve Fulop is stepping down as Jersey City mayor after his failed bid for governor. Seven are vying to succeed him. (Photo by Fran Baltzer for New Jersey Monitor)

[2025 governor's race Voter Guide: Where NJs governor hopefuls stand on the issues]

With most political observers in New Jersey focused on the gubernatorial election, Jersey City is seeing its most competitive mayors race in more than 20 years.

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The stakes are high for the voters here, New Jerseys second-largest city and perhaps its most ethnically diverse and economically buzzing municipality. Seven people are competing to succeed Mayor Steve Fulop, a Democrat who is stepping down after three terms, with his potential successors promoting themselves as the most capable to keep attracting new people to the city while making sure that rent and other costs of living dont force longtime residents out.

The front-runners in the nonpartisan race are Jim McGreevey, a former governor; Bill ODea, a Hudson County commissioner and former city councilman; and James Solomon, a city councilman who represents the citys waterfront and downtown areas. They are joined on the ballot by Mussab Ali, a former school board president; Christina Freeman, a city police officer; Kalki Jayne-Rose, a musician; and Joyce Watterman, the president of the city council.

Voters will likely wake up the morning after Election Day with another campaign ahead. If none of the candidates garners more than 50 percent on Tuesday, the top two vote-getters will go head-to-head in a Dec. 2 runoff.

The governors race has focused largely on concerns that New Jersey has become unaffordable. The same issue is also at the center of the campaign in Jersey City, where critics have said for years that the citys leadership is too interested in promoting luxury housing at the expense of longtime residents who worry about being priced out.

Bill ODea is a Hudson County commissioner seeking the Jersey City mayors seat. (Ed Murray for New Jersey Monitor)

ODea believes that the city needs to grow using a mix of small, medium, and large real estate projects in order to expand housing options while keeping costs down. He has also criticized city leadership for not enforcing rent control laws already on the books.

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My cell phone blows up with text messages and calls on a daily basis of people that are being evicted. People dont know how theyre going to pay their rent, said ODea, 66, who also serves as the executive director of the Elizabeth Development Company. Until recently, the city wasnt enforcing the rent registration law. Anybody whos part of the municipal government shares the blame for that.

Solomon has decried what he called a luxury-only model of housing development over the course of Fulops mayoralty, leading to extraordinary profits for developers. He added that he would strive to cap rent increases and aggressively enforce rent control.

Were going to make sure that if developers build, theyre building for the whole community, not just for a small part of it, said Solomon, 41. If youre in a unit that already has rent protections, were not going to let landlords and developers push you out so they can make greater profit.

Jim McGreevey speaks at an Assembly housing committee hearing on Oct. 24, 2024, at the Statehouse in Trenton. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

McGreevey said in Jersey City, We build buildings, not communities.

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To deal with affordability, its a combination of factors like controlling spending, upzoning houses of worship, and making sure we have 20% affordable housing in new projects, said McGreevey, 68, who also wants to establish a municipal office of tenant advocacy. We have to begin to look at other opportunities, whether its distressed or municipally owned properties, and develop workforce housing for teachers, police officers, firefighters, and middle-class communities.

Millions are being raised and spent in the campaign to succeed Fulop, who launched an unsuccessful bid to win the Democratic nomination for governor this year. McGreevey leads the pack, with him and his team of council candidates collecting $4.7 million in donations, while Solomon and his ticket have taken in $2.6 million. ODeas ticket raised $1.3 million.

All nine council seats are also on the ballot on Nov. 4.

Questions over candidates support from real estate developers have led to sniping, with Solomon crowing that he takes no campaign dollars from them.

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The history of Jersey City is the history of developers buying politicians and getting exactly what they want, how they want it, and the people getting screwed over, Solomon said. McGreevey has followed the exact same status quo playbook.

James Solomon is a Jersey City councilman running for a promotion to mayor. (Ed Murray for New Jersey Monitor)

McGreevey denied that he would do developers bidding. He cited his time as Woodbridge mayor and his support for the 2004 Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, a law that promotes conservation and regional planning by regulating development in the 850,000-acre Highlands region of northwest New Jersey.

They criticized me for not building affordable housing in Woodbridge, and the point is the whole bloody town was affordable. Im the guy who passed the Highlands Act, and I was excoriated by the developers. I was Nosferatu, McGreevey said. Solomon can give wonderful speeches, but I actually took developers on.

This election marks the first time that McGreevey is seeking elected office since he resigned as governor in 2004 after coming out as gay and admitting to an extramarital affair with a staffer. ODea, Solomon, and Ali have all cast a jaundiced eye at McGreeveys attempt at a political comeback.

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Jim McGreeveys career has been marked by controversies that call into question his integrity and decision-making, Ali wrote in a recent opinion piece.

ODea said he can forgive McGreevey for the 2004 scandal, but cant forgive the fact that since McGreevey came back to Jersey City, its always been about himself.

The only real redemption would be for him to become the governor of the state of New Jersey again and get back what he lost, he said.

Since initially leaving politics, McGreevey has dedicated much of his time to running job-training programs for people recently released from prison. He sees himself as a different man than he was 20 years ago, driven by different goals.

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I want to run a competent and ethical Jersey City. This city is at a turning point. My parents, who were raised here, arent here anymore. I was born here, and now Ive come home. I have a second chance every day of my life when I serve the people I live and work with, he said.

There are some matters where McGreevey, ODea, and Solomon agree, like finding a better use for funds planned for a French art museum project and opposition to the New Jersey Turnpikes bid to widen a section of the roadway that cuts through Hudson County.

One key difference is whether they would accept Fulops endorsement. ODea and McGreevey said they would. Solomon, who represents the same city neighborhoods on the city council that Fulop once did before becoming mayor, said he would not.

No, we want change, Solomon said.

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop is stepping down after serving three terms. (Reena Rose Sibayan for New Jersey Monitor)

In an interview, Fulop, who has not issued an endorsement in the race to succeed him, said they have all asked privately for his support.

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All of them, Fulop said. Theyre going to say whatever they want to say to get elected. And whether they govern the same way is to be determined.

Fulop takes issue with Solomons campaign, saying it will be hard for him to govern if he wins because he may face council members who ran alongside his mayoral opponents.

When you run a campaign like Solomon, whos taken a very negative tone in his campaign towards ODea and McGreevey, its going to be very hard for him, Fulop said. A persons rhetoric during the campaign at this point is going to set the tone for their ability to govern.

McGreevey and ODea acknowledged they had private discussions with Fulop about his support in the campaign. Solomon campaign manager Stuart Thomas denied that Solomon did.

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This campaign has been focused on affordability since we kicked off last September, which is why James is going to be elected mayor, Thomas said.

When Fulop started his political career as a city councilman, Fulop railed against corruption in Jersey City, the seat of Hudson County, long seen as the core of Jersey political rot. He was elected mayor during the fallout from the federal Bid Rid corruption probe, with the residual outrage accelerating his path to power.

As Fulop readies to leave the scene  he will head a business group in New York City when he leaves office  he said he believes the half-life of local corruption has faded from the minds of local voters.

When I came in, it was 2013, just after a corruption arrest that swept up dozens of people, the largest corruption arrest in the history of New Jersey. And the epicenter of that was Jersey City, Fulop said. The electorate doesnt want to hear that everybody is guilty and corrupt. A lot of people are choosing to live in Jersey City. They want someone who focuses on how to make basic services better. After 12 years, thats what resonates.

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States like New York, California and Louisiana are announcing their plans to allocate state funding towards SNAP recipients

Some states have allocated enough funding for "vulnerable" residents and others have authorized funding for a few weeks but not the whole month

The USDA posted a notice that the "well has run dry" and warned that SNAP recipients would not receive their money on Nov. 1

While the government shutdown continues, U.S. states are proposing plans to step in to help Americans using food assistance programs.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) warned that there would not be enough funding for the 42 million Americans who rely on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to receive their money on Saturday, Nov. 1, amid the ongoing government shutdown. In response, several states are taking action this week to support residents at risk, AP News reported.

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SNAP, sometimes referred to as "food stamps," is used by low-income Americans, who are issued electronic benefits on a card that can be used to purchase food just like a debit or credit card. SNAP provides one in eight people in the United States with money to buy food.

This week, states like New Mexico and Vermont have announced plans to protect residents for part of November. The former is using $30 million of state funding to temporarily support food assistance, which will last about 10 days. The latter has approved $6.3 million in state funding that will cover 15 days of SNAP benefits.

On Wednesday, Oct. 29, Louisiana lawmakers authorized $150 million in state funding towards SNAP recipients. This will allow some of the nearly 800,000 Louisiana SNAP recipients  particularly their vulnerable populations of children, elderly and disabled people  to receive their monthly benefit amount, according to Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.

Many states, including New York, California and Illinois will be increasing state funding to food banks.

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The USDA posted a notice claiming Democrats "continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures."

"Bottom line, the well has run dry," the USDA notice says. "At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01."

The shutdown began on Oct. 1 and is the second-longest on record. The largest point of contention is related to the Affordable Care Act, with Democrats seeking to quickly extend ACA tax credits to prevent healthcare premiums from dramatically rising for millions of Americans. Despite overwhelming public support, Republicans have refused to budge on the issue, saying they can negotiate after the government reopens.

Read the original article on People
PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)  On Sept. 22nd, Pitt County detectives began an investigation after receiving information that a registered sex offender, 20-year-old Kevin Ramires of Greenville, had visited Extravaganza Arcade, located within the Greenville Mall.

North Carolina law prohibits registered sex offenders from being on the premises of any place where minors frequently congregate. Ramires was arrested and charged with one felony count of Sex Offender Unlawfully on Premises.

Ramires was arrested on Oct. 20th and given a $10,000 secured bond for the sex offender charge and an additional $5,000 secured bond for a Felony Probation Violation charge. He posted bond on Oct. 24th and was released.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  As two million Pennsylvanians face losing funds to buy food this weekend, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity (R) proposed issuing a low-interest loan to fund benefits.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides assistance for low-income individuals and families to purchase food, will not issue benefits on Nov. 1 because of the government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. While states administer the program, they rely entirely on federal funding.

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With no budget deal on the horizon, Garrity sent a letter to Shapiro offering to issue a Short-Term Investment Pool loan to fund the program. The treasurers office has issued STIP loans to government offices before.

But Shapiro expressed reservations over the loan, which he said would cost the state at least $300 million.

This proposal is not workable because as Treasurer Garrity herself notes, STIP requires future anticipated cash flows, but the USDA has said publicly that states will not be reimbursed for any funds spent covering the cost of benefits, said Rosie Lapowsky, a Shapiro spokesperson.

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Lapowsky said Shapiro is concerned about Pennsylvanians losing benefits, citing a recent lawsuit filed by the governor to block the federal government from suspending the food assistance program during the shutdown.

SNAP deadline: What happens to unused benefits on your EBT card after Nov. 1?

Garrity defended her offer as a real solution and not a chance to score political points as she runs for governor.

If I was playing politics, Id probably sit back and let everybody continue to fight, Garrity said. But I think that we should always put Pennsylvanians before politics, and I dont know why we all couldnt work together and find a solution, because thats what we should be doing, is taking care of vulnerable populations.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Erie County Sheriff John Garcia answered questions from lawmakers for the first time Thursday since his chief of narcotics pleaded guilty to reckless driving for smashing seven vehicles over a year ago.

Garcia defended his narcotics chief, Daniel D.J. Granville, who on April 11, 2024, was driving a county-owned truck at about 11 p.m. when he crashed into six parked vehicles, damaging seven, on two streets in the West Side neighborhood in Buffalo. The damage totaled approximately $70,000, which he is expected to pay back in restitution.

Buffalo police responded to the incident, including Granvilles sister-in-law, who was a lieutenant supervising that night. The officers did not conduct any sobriety tests, but Garcia said Granville told him the following day that he was not intoxicated that night.

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Granville was battling depression and uncontrollable anxiety, which led to a doctor increasing the dose of his medication, Garcia said. But Garcia admitted he did not ask Granville if prescribed medication or illicit drugs impaired his operation of the truck, which was totaled.

I didnt know at the time of the accident that he was on any medication, Garcia said.

Sheriff Garcia (back, blue jacket) answers questions from county legislator Jeanne M. Vinal (front).

Although initially there was confusion over whether Granville was on or off duty, the sheriff said Thursday that Granville was working a drug investigation but did not complete his time sheet because he had boarded a plane flying to another state.

Garcia said Granville failed to follow policy, which requires deputies to immediately report crashes and other incidents they are involved in, but he did not learn about what happened until the following day.

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Garcia took offense to those who characterized the incident as a cover-up, despite the public not knowing until the media reported it. He said six Buffalo police officers responded, and none found evidence that Granville was impaired.

The sheriffs office followed procedure once learning about the incident by reporting it to appropriate parties, he said.

It cannot be credibly claimed that this was covered up, Garcia said.

Erie County Sheriffs Chief of Narcotics D.J. Granville leaves Buffalo City Court in August, after he pleaded guilty to reckless driving.

The sheriff said he was satisfied with Granvilles proactive steps to seek treatment. He did not see a need to discipline him until the Buffalo News published a video of Granville smashing into several vehicles.

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It became clear that I needed to take further action, Garcia said.

That resulted in the sheriffs office placing him on administrative leave, and a special prosecutor was appointed to investigate.

In August, Granville pleaded guilty to reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident that caused property damage. He was sentenced to 50 hours of community service.

Garcia said Granvilles plea to a misdemeanor led him to place him on a 30-day unpaid suspension.

Granville was subjected to doxing, threats, and angry social media posts, Garcia said  attacks he claimed would not happen to a civilian.

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Garcia did not directly answer whether he would have conducted sobriety tests if faced with a similar incident. Instead, he said his 14 drug-recognition experts handle sobriety tests, but his staff didnt know about the crashes until the following day. Also, he said the Buffalo Police Department did not notify the sheriffs office that their chief of narcotics was involved in a crash.

Nothing seemed crazy to me, said Undersheriff William Cooley, when he spoke with Granville.

But Cooley added they were at a disadvantage by not having a chance to respond to the scene of the crashes that night.

I can see why someone would form that opinion that Granville may have been drunk, Cooley said.

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Photographs of the truck Granville totaled showed the passenger-side airbag had deployed.

The trucks manual states the passenger airbag would not activate if the seat was empty. In addition, the passenger seat is equipped with weight sensors to prevent it from deploying if a child was on the seat.

News 4 Investigates asked Garcia who was in the truck with Granville: Thats a question the Buffalo police investigated that night, Garcia said. Ive never been told that there was anybody in the vehicle other than D.J. Granville, including D.J. Granvilles testimony to us.

Garcia defended his decision to keep Granville on the force and said he does not understand the vitriol.

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The sheriff said it would be incorrect to say the community has lost trust in him and his department.

The community does trust us, and we have a great relationship with the community, Garcia said.

Latest Local News

Dan Telvock is an award-winning investigative producer and reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2018. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Two soldiers working at a draft office in the city of Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast have been injured, after a man shot them while being mobilized, the regional recruitment center said on Oct. 30.

The incident comes amid bubbling tensions in Ukrainian society around forced mobilization, a necessary measure to keep Ukrainian units on the battlefield manned and replenished.

The man was being escorted by draft officers, together with a representative of the police, to the recruitment center, where  upon a check for any illegal items on his person  he pulled out a Soviet-era Tokarev pistol and let off several rounds, the center posted on Facebook.

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The incident occurred around 4:20 p.m., regional police spokesperson Yurii Sulaiev told Ukrainska Pravda.

Since martial law and full national mobilization was declared at the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion, able-bodied men from ages 25 (previously 27) to 60 are eligible to be forcefully drafted.

Initially dismissed as an exaggeration fuelled by Russian disinformation networks, the violent grabbing of military-aged men off the streets  often into waiting minivans  by recruitment officers has become a widely spread practice, as Ukraine's manpower shortage on the battlefield comes hand-in-hand with less civilian men looking to volunteer, especially to the infantry.

This practice has in turn led to incidents of violence committed against the recruitment officers, many of whom are soldiers deemed unfit for combat missions.

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Earlier on Oct. 30, residents of Odesa attacked recruitment officers at a large wholesale market while they were at work.

Read also: Mobilization gridlock: How politics, policy, and public opinion are shaping Ukraines war effort

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The latest: SNAP benefits must be paid, judge says in Oct. 31 ruling

(This article was updated to include new information.)

While many Hoosier families are concerned about the loss of food assistance through SNAP if the federal government shutdown continues, some are also questioning what will happen to schools free and reduced lunch programs.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps nearly 600,000 low-income Hoosiers get food assistance monthly, and oftentimes families heavily rely on this subsidy to help feed their families.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has stated that, as of Nov. 1, it will be unable to fully fund SNAP. In an 11th hour decision, a federal judge ruled that the U.S. government must continue paying the benefits into November.

The threats to SNAP, however, aren't the only threats to free and reduced lunch participation as the shutdown lingers.

More on SNAP cuts: SNAP payments at risk for almost 600,000 Hoosiers as federal shutdown drags on

While schools free breakfast and lunch programs are also supported by federal funding, through the USDAs Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), those participating will not be immediately impacted by the continued shutdown.

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However, school lunch advocates warn that the loss of SNAP and Medicaid, which is what states use to certify school districts' eligibility for free lunches, could put districts eligibility at risk in a few years.

SNAP, or food stamps, are the No. 1 source of food relief for not just those in Indianapolis, but across the country as well, said Matthew Feltrop, executive director of A Longer Table. School meals are the No. 2 source. Families rely on school meals every single day.

Will schools lose free and reduced lunch if the federal government shutdown continues?

No, at least for this school year, free and reduced lunch along with other free nutrition programs will not be affected.

School districts certify their eligibility for the Community Eligibility Provision on a four-year cycle, and every school district can sign up whenever they are eligible.

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Multiple Indianapolis districts that use the provision, like Indianapolis Public Schools, Warren Township schools, and Lawrence Township, told IndyStar that their school nutrition programs would not be affected by the continued shutdown.

More on the shutdown: SNAP funding is running dry. Here's what we know about the crisis and resources to help

Around 43% of Indiana school districts in the 2024-25 school year offered district-wide free breakfast and lunch to its students, according to data from Food Research & Action Center.

Schools may experience a slowdown in reimbursement for free breakfast and lunches in the coming months or weeks, potentially creating a cash-flow issue. However, it's unclear when this could occur, according to the School Nutrition Association.

How long could it take to see an impact on schools free and reduced lunch programs?

It could take years before districts start seeing an impact on offering free and reduced lunch.

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School districts eligibility to tap federal funding is determined partly through how many students households use SNAP, TANF or Medicaid, but it also counts certain protected groups such as homeless and foster children.

An individual school must have 40% of its population comprised of these kinds of students to qualify for federal money.

However, some fear that recent changes to who can qualify for Medicaid will mean that fewer students will be counted toward a districts free lunch percentage.

It will take time to see real effects, but it could be very impactful, especially in schools that are on the limit and in school districts that are on the kind of the threshold line for qualifying for CEP, Feltrop said.

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A Longer Table, formerly the Patachou Foundation, works directly with multiple Indianapolis schools to help transform their nutrition operations. Feltrop says that providing free lunch for all kids in a district can have major positive impacts on their academic and overall health.

When schools can offer 100% of their students free meals, then all of a sudden they have the opportunity to invest in the quality of the meal and make it something that all the kids want to partake in, Feltrop said. There's no stigma attached to it.

Contact IndyStar K-12 education reporter Caroline Beck at 317-618-5807 or CBeck@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter (X): @CarolineB_Indy.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Government shutdown could have lasting impact on school lunch programs
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  As the government shutdown reaches its one-month mark, the nation is preparing for the end of SNAP benefits that assist low-income citizens. In Texas, 3.5 million residents rely on food assistance, costing approximately $617 million per month.

Anxiety and concern continue to build every day for thousands of families who will no longer receive SNAP benefits, as nearly 85,000 East Texas households will lose SNAP benefits on Saturday.

How to find food if your SNAP benefits are cut off

What is SNAP?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps individuals and families buy healthy groceries. Recipients receive SNAP benefits on a Lone Star Card, which functions like a debit card.

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SNAP cannot be used to purchase tobacco, alcoholic beverages or any items outside of food and drinks. Additionally, SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay off existing food bills.

How does the government shutdown affect SNAP benefits?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated that if the shutdown did not end by Oct. 27, SNAP benefits would be halted on Nov. 1.

While the program is federally funded, states determine their own schedules for distributing benefits. Every month, state agencies must submit electronic files detailing the benefit amounts for every eligible household. Those files are then processed by the states EBT vendor, which loads the next months SNAP benefits onto individual EBT cards for distribution.

According to the Texas Health and Human Services, SNAP benefits will not be issued for November. Distributions will resume once federal officials provide guidance on how to proceed.

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Residents seeking updates on when the benefits will be reissued may call 2-1-1, download the Texas Benefits app, visit the Texas Health and Human Services website or check the Your Texas Benefits portal. Each of these resources will provide updates once the shutdown ends.

Individuals with rollover funds on their Lone Star Card from previous months may continue to use those remaining benefits.

How will this affect East Texas?

In East Texas, the major counties benefiting from SNAP include San Augustine, where 22.2% of households utilize these benefits. Following closely is Angelina County, with 18.4% of its households participating in the program.

Feeding Texas estimates that approximately 126,000 Texans could be affected each day by delayed SNAP payments. This could mean the loss of over $614 million in food benefits statewide if the shutdown continues the entire month, based on August payment data.

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Here in East Texas alone, more than 11,000 federal workers are missing paychecks and turning to ETFB and our pantry partners to help feed their families, David Emerson, CEO of the East Texas Food Bank, said. We are preparing for a surge in food assistance due to SNAP benefits not being available.

Where can I get food assistance in East Texas?

In anticipation of the pause, the East Texas Food Bank is ramping up operations and purchasing additional supplies to meet an expected increase in demand.

In the last few weeks the ETFB has seen a 5-10% increase in people needing assistance leading up to the expiration of SNAP. Were seeing an uptick in demand. We ordered ten more truckloads of food in the last couple of weeks, about $570,000 worth of food in anticipation of this increase in demand, Emerson said.

This will be the first time SNAP history that it will not issue payments. Emerson said if that is you, to please walk through their doors. Were going to meet them and were going to treat them with dignity and respect. There is no shame, there is no stigma in the fact that its not something they did to themselves, Emerson said.

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Texas food banks boost aid as SNAP hit by shutdown effects

KETK News has put together the following list of resources that East Texans can utilize for food assistance:

The ETFB's Tyler Resource Center is open weekly during the following hours: Monday to Thursday from 12p.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The ETFB's Longview Resource Center is open weekly during the following hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The ETFB's Deep East Texas Resource Center in Lufkin is open weekly during the following hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The ETFB's Texarkana Resource Center is open weekly during the following hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.



Emerson explained that theyre already preparing to meet a greater demand for food.

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So, were already buying more food in anticipation of this, Emerson said. So we always have truckloads coming in regularly 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.

How can people donate?

East Texans can help by donating food to the food pantries and the East Texas Food Bank.

When you consider that the vast majority of SNAP recipients are children, seniors and people with disabilities, the stakes become painfully clear, Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas, the state association of food banks, said. These are our neighbors, our grandparents, our kids. A delay in benefits isnt just inconvenientits devastating. It means empty pantries, skipped meals, and added stress for families already living on the edge.

As the shutdown continues, food banks throughout Texas are ramping up their efforts to support residents affected by delayed SNAP payments and missed paychecks. To reach those most impacted, they are organizing focused food distributions in communities with large numbers of federal employees  including airports, military bases, and other critical sites.

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SNAP funding expiration set to hit 40 million people

East Texas woman steps up to help those in need

Roara's Backyard Adventures owner Cecilia Hodde is stepping up to assist her Lindale neighbors as SNAP benefits remain uncertain for the future.

"This moment compels us to live out our core values of gathering, protecting, and giving, proving that even when a social safety net faces strain, the bonds within our community remain strong," Hodde said.

People can donate nonperishables at her business:

Monday through Friday

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Drop off at front office or door at 16856 County Road 4188 in Lindale

Hodde encourages people to make this an interactive experience as they choose items, discuss the impact of kindness and showing children how to be a compassionate member of society.

East Texas lawmaker talks government shutdown and impact on SNAP benefits

U.S. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-Tyler) joined the East Texas Food Bank board meeting on Wednesday to discuss the shutdown and the impact it has on families across East Texas.

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"I'm grateful for their continued support for our community and dedication to providing access to food and resources during this time of enhanced need," Moran said.

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India on Thursday reaffirmed that its energy decisions will continue to prioritise securing affordable fuel for its 1.4 billion citizens, following the United States' recent sanctions on Russia's top oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. Addressing the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India's position on energy sourcing remains unchanged and is guided by national interests. "Our decisions regarding oil purchases are guided by market dynamics -- the fluctuations and changes that occur in the global market. Our approach to sourcing fuel is shaped by our responsibility to provide energy to our people -- to ensure that fuel is available at affordable prices, so that the needs of our 1.4 billion (that is, 140 crore) citizens can be met." The comments were made in response to questions about whether the latest American sanctions on Russian oil companies would affect India's imports. Jaiswal said India would continue to make decisions that reflect the evolving global dynamics, but remain focused on energy affordability and security. Earlier this month, the US Department of the Treasury announced sanctions on Russia's two largest oil firms, Rosneft and Lukoil, aiming to cut off key sources of revenue that fund Moscow's war in Ukraine. The sanctions freeze assets in the US and restrict American entities from doing business with the companies or their subsidiaries. "Given President Putin's refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia's two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin's war machine," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. Responding to a question on how the sanctions might affect India's partnership with Moscow as Russian President Putin is scheduled to visit India in December for summit, Jaiswal underlined that India-Russia relations remain important and multifaceted. "India-Russia relationship is an important relationship. We have a multifaceted cooperation, and both sides are working to further enhance their engagement in several areas, including the economy, space, technology, trade, and other issues. So, we will continue to work on the areas that we have mutually agreed.," he said. The MEA also confirmed that several Indian companies have stopped purchasing oil from Russia after the US sanctions. "We have seen several reports, and our Indian companies have also informed us about their approach, which has already been shared with you. I have seen many reports issued by our Indian oil companies," Jaiswal said. He further added, "As far as the Government of India is concerned, we have made it clear that our decisions are based on the needs of our 1.4 billion citizens, our national interests, and also the dynamics in the global market. Taking all these factors into account together, we decide from where we will source our fuel and energy needs." Regarding growing trade concerns with Washington, Jaiswal stated that both countries continue to discuss pending issues and move toward a trade agreement. "India-US relations are a comprehensive global strategic partnership. We remain engaged with both countries to continue to strengthen it further," he said. When asked whether India would impose countermeasures against US tariffs, Jaiswal said such matters fall under the purview of the Ministry of Commerce. India has also received a six-month exemption from American sanctions related to its involvement in Iran's Chabahar Port project, a vital trade link for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. "Yes, I can confirm that we have been granted an exemption for a six-month period," Jaiswal said, adding that further details will be shared later. During the briefing, Jaiswal also confirmed that some Indian firms have received licences to import rare earth magnets from China following recent US-China trade talks in South Korea, but did not comment on the US-China trade pact signed in South Korea today. "We are examining how the relaxations between the US and China may impact India," he said. (ANI)
WOODBURY COUNTY, Iowa (KCAU)  Looking for a yummy breakfast ahead of Veterans Day? This annual event might be a fun outing for your military family!

An annual pancake breakfast for veterans, family members, and spouses, will be available on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The event is being held at the Sergeant Bluff American Legion Post 662 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Concert honoring veterans planned for Arnolds Park

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The breakfast includes scrambled eggs, sausage, rolls, juice, milk, coffee, and pancakes! To learn more about the Woodbury County Commission of Veterans Affairs, whos hosting the event, click here.

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NEED TO KNOW

Six people were arrested for alleged indecent exposure after sunbathing naked on a beach in Port Lucie, Fla.

The clothing-optional beach they usually go to is currently closed for renovations

The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office has been working to let people know they can't disrobe wherever they want

Six people allegedly bared it all on the Florida shoreline while their usual nudist beach was closed  and now theyre facing criminal charges.

Daniel Harrisson, 77, Donald Knapp, 74, Gaetane Lambert, 73, Steven Marhenke, 60, Elmer Quandt, 77, and Nickolas Ramos, 27, were arrested on Saturday, Oct. 25, and charged with indecent exposure and exposure of sexual organs, the St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office said in a statement on Facebook.

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The arrests came after the sheriffs office said it had received numerous complaints regarding unauthorized nudity at the Little Mud Boat Ramp area in Fort Pierce, off of the Jimmy Buffet Memorial Highway, according to a statement it released on Wed., Oct. 29.

The nudists allegedly started hanging out in the new spot because their usual haunt, Blind Creek Beach, a designated clothing-optional location, has been undergoing a renovation.

The parking area at Blind Creek Beach is being paved and the parking lot is closed, 12 News reports  but that doesnt mean that people can sunbathe naked wherever they want, the sheriffs office noted.

While the ongoing Blind Creek Beach renovation project may be a temporary inconvenience to beach goers, it does not permit the use of undesignated public areas as extensions of the designated nude-optional beach, the sheriffs office said in the statement.

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Some visitors have attempted to relocate north of the permitted area, prompting an increase in calls from concerned residents and visitors, it said.

Since early September, deputies have been working to remind visitors of the posted signage marking the designated nude-optional zones, setting out on foot and even on ATVs to spread the word.

Nevertheless, the six naturists were arrested for allegedly not wearing any clothes at the Little Mud Boat Ramp, which is about 1.1 miles north of the permitted nudist area.

While some people at Little Mud Creek beach said they had no problem with nudists on the beach, others told 12 News they didnt like it.

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"You would find it upsetting if you saw somebody here naked on this beach?" one woman, who did not provide her name, told the outlet. "It would be odd, yes. Because young families could be here and the reality, the sign does say you have to be clothed or in a bathing suit," she said.

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.

The six people were each released on a $500 cash bond, online jail records show.

Harrisson, Lambert, Marhenke, Scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Nov. 21; Quandt on Dec. 10; and Knapp Dec. 19, according to online court records.

It is unclear when Ramos is scheduled to appear in court.

It is unclear whether the six have retained attorneys who can speak on their behalf.



Read the original article on People
ALLENDALE COUNTY, S.C.  The South Carolina Law Enforcement Devision (SLED) charged 21-year-old Tavion Emari Permeer Carlton with Attempted Murder, 1st Degree Burglary and Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature.

Reports say on October 25th, Carlton arrived at a home in Allendale County to retrieve a gun left on the porch. He allegedly forced his way in to them and into a bedroom.

A fight reportedly ensued between Carlton and two other people.

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He allegedly shot one person in the torso and hit the other person in the face.

The gunshot victim had to be flown to a hospital for treatment.

Carlton allegedly stayed at that home occasionally, but did not have a key.

He remains in the Allendale County Jail.

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RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  A Richland County man is behind bars on weapons charges brought by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division as it investigates two Oct. 4 shootings on South Carolina State Universitys campus.

The shooting left one person dead, another seriously injured, and prompted the college to enhance security measures.

According to SLED, Treveion Crawford, 18, was arrested and charged with carrying a weapon on school property.

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A warrant from the state police alleges that a video shows Crawford with a gun in his vest while he was on campus the same night of the shootings. His arrest, though, is not directly connected to the shootings but rather a result of SLEDs ongoing investigation.

State authorities are still asking that anyone with information about the shootings email them at tips@sled.sc.gov.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS)  The city of Lewisburg is changing things up to work around possible weather that could spoil their Harvest Chills in the Hills festivities.

West Virginia Virtual Academy students hit the rail and ride through history

On Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 5 p.m., there will be a business trick-or-treat featuring more than 30 downtown merchants handing out candy to trick or treaters. Afterwards, at 7 p.m., they will be watching Hotel Transylvania for free on a big screen in the Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center.

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This will take the place of their previous plans, which were to watch the movie in the blocked-off Washington Street like they did in 2024.

The kids loved that, that we block the street off and let them set their chairs up. But it is going to be cold and rainy. So, we are going to set our chairs and comfy blankets up inside the visitors center as if we were outside, said Jill McIntyre, the president of the Downtown Business Association.

On Saturday, November 1, 2025, they will have a pet costume contest and sidewalk parade starting at 11 a.m. There will be different prize categories, like Best in Show, Most Creative Costume, and Best Duo/Group. The prizes are $50.

A little later on Saturday at 2 p.m., there will be a free showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas at the Lewis Theatre on Court Street.

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One thing you might notice when you hit downtown Lewisburg is the massive cornucopia located in the green space. This was originally installed during the Taste Of Our Towns festival, but has since proven to be quite the hit.

City Manager Misty Hill said the cornucopias immense size rivals that of current record holders, as it is 8 feet tall and 20 feet long. The citys public works department worked very hard to bring this enormous decoration come to life. They also installed a selfie station for folks.

It has been the photo opportunity for anyone that is traveling through Lewisburg or anyone that just wants to bring their family down, do some fall portraits, or just come out, visit downtown, shop a little bit, eat some great food, and see how beautiful fall is right now, said Hill.

Date and time announced for annual Veterans Day Parade in Welch

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The cornucopia will continue to grace the green space lawn for about another week, until they begin decorating for Christmas on the week of November 3, 2025.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
In a speech full of ominous overtones of a surveillance state, potential election interference and Americans being targeted by the government for their views, U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin on Oct. 29 painted a picture of where she believes President Donald Trump intends to take the nation in the weeks and months to come.

"He has one goal, making sure that he and his ilk never have to give up power," Slotkin, D-Michigan, said in remarks delivered during a forum on international policy at the Brookings Institution in Washington.

A senator in her first term who also served as a member in the U.S. House, an assistant acting Pentagon secretary and as an intelligence officer overseas with the CIA, Slotkin said she didn't raise her concerns lightly or for political reasons.

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But she said the Trump administration's use of the military to destroy ships in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean without congressional authorization or clearly identifying who is being killed, as well as its efforts to identify and investigate groups labelled as domestic terrorists who may not be violent but still voice views seen as "anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism and anti-Christianity," while also deploying National Guard troops in U.S. cities led her to her conclusions.

More: Only Trump can end the government shutdown, U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin says | Opinion

In a response to the Free Press, the White House didn't directly respond to Slotkin's claims about the president's intentions but Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said Trump's strikes have been against "designated narco-terrorists as affirmed by U.S. intelligence" who have been "bringing deadly poison to our shores."

"On the campaign trail, President Trump promised to take on the cartels and he has taken unprecedented action to stop the scourge of narcoterrorism that has resulted in the needless deaths of innocent Americans," she said. "The president will continue to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country.

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Trump  who won Michigan last year even as Slotkin was winning a Senate seat statewide  has mused about running for a third term though he also conceded recently that he's constitutionally prohibited from doing so, adding, "It's too bad." But Slotkin made no mention of a third Trump term or the president's comments in her speech, focusing instead on what she sees as a use, and abuse, of power to potentially try to control dissent.

Slotkin said she could see circumstances in which military strikes against cartels attempting to bring drugs into the U.S. might be valid but that the Trump administration has so far refused to either identify specifically what groups or individuals it is aiming to stop or provide a legal justification by its lawyers for doing so. "They wont tell us the names and they wont tell us why they are being targeted," she said. "The American people deserve to know."

The White House countered that military officials have had numerous briefings with lawmakers and continue to do so. Administration officials also said the Trump White House has been more forthcoming about the legal rationale for strikes than some past administrations.

But Slotkin added that those recent strikes  which she said have resulted in 57 deaths  have sent some junior military officers looking for legal cover should they someday be deemed to have been illegal. And she said that efforts to target opposition forces as "the enemy within," in a phrase Trump has used, and deploy military in U.S. cities, raises the likelihood that the administration could eventually attempt to use wiretaps, home searches and other means to intimidate or otherwise try to silence people and groups fighting his agenda.

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"What's stopping him from using lethal force against enemies here at home?" she asked. "That question should chill every American to the bone."

Slotkin added that she believes Trump intends to "see how far he can stretch the law until someone tells him no" and that the "next logical step" will be for him to "use the full power of the federal government to target those American citizens" who may disagree with him. She said that could involve attempting to brand opposition candidates or parties as terrorists or criminals, using the IRS or Justice Department to try to stop Democratic fundraising groups and even declaring an emergency as a pretext to declare martial law ahead of elections.

"I never thought I'd have to lay this out about my own government," Slotkin said. "This is the sort of stuff that is fundamentally un-American... For those of us who served abroad it feels like another country and its only a matter of time before things get worse."

She said she could see "a bloody incident" between military forces and local protesters happening any time, which would be used by the Trump administration to justify bringing more troops in and potentially invoking the Insurrection Act to expand his law enforcement authority.

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"I believe Trump is reshaping the country to hold onto power," she said. "Trump is following the same playbook as almost every authoritarian in history."

Slotkin said it's up to Congress and members of both parties to "reclaim our power, like yesterday, over the use of force." She also said she will soon introduce legislation giving Congress the power to end the use of military forces in an American city at any time, though any such bill is unlikely to go far with Republicans in the majority in both chambers of Congress.

She also urged state leaders, the public and the military to push back, saying even Armed Services personnel may question an illegal order. "In the choice between loyalty to the Constitution and loyalty to one man there is only one right answer," she said.

Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on X @tsspangler.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Slotkin says Trump reshaping U.S. intending 'to hold onto power'




In February of 1999, Markus Bokisch was summoned to the Port of Oakland. Behind door 11, four 3-by-5-foot, white cardboard boxes labeled "barbecue utensils" were lined up along a wall.

Vine canes Bokisch had shipped from Spain - illegally - were protruding from a giant hole in one of the boxes. He realized he might be in trouble. "Mr. Bokisch," said a stern-looking woman behind a metal desk. "Barbecue utensils?"

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"Yes," Bokisch replied. To his relief, she sent him on his way.

"I loaded them in the back of my pick-up truck and was looking in my rearview mirror all the way through the Caldecott Tunnel," Bokisch recalled. He drove the boxes two hours northeast to his ranch in Lodi (San Joaquin County), where he planted the vines for his winery, Bokisch Vineyards.

California's winemaking history dates back to the Spanish missionaries, who planted the Mission grape across the state in the 1700s to make wine, primarily for religious purposes. By the mid-19th century, French grapes began to take over, and while California's Mediterranean climate is suitable for many Spanish grapes, Spain's influence on California wine came to a standstill. Some 150 years later, when Bokisch set out to start his winery, he couldn't find high-quality plant material for Spanish grapes in America. The limited options were "workhorse clones," selected for large production, not "unique and interesting wines,'" he said. So he went to the source.

Bokisch Vineyards claims to have the oldest planting of Albarino in California, and the oldest planting of Graciano in the New World. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle)





"In Catalunya, when people start pruning (the vines) in the fall, they keep a percentage of the cuttings, let them dry on the side of their barn and then use them to flash cook meat," Bokisch said. "I wasn't lying. That's how you barbecue there."

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This half-truth went on to help reignite a Spanish wine movement in California. Bokisch - who spent his childhood summers in Spain with his Spanish relatives and wanted to honor his heritage - wasn't the first to plant Spanish vines in California's modern winemaking history. But his budwood, which he donated to UC Davis' Foundation Plant Services, gave domestic winemakers unprecedented access to high-quality clones of Spanish varieties. Today, there are hundreds of acres of Spanish grapes like Tempranillo and Albarino in California, largely propagated from Bokisch's imported vines. These grapes have infiltrated burgeoning regions like Lodi and the Central Coast, where the climate and soils closely match those in Spain, and the winemaking culture is more open to niche varieties than in regions like Napa and Sonoma.

While French wines continue to dominate California wine, this bet on Spanish wines - known to be bolder, higher in alcohol and less nuanced than French wines - is poised to pay off. Younger generations are drawn to lesser-known varieties, and demand for Rioja, the Tempranillo-based Spanish red wine, is on the rise in the U.S., where imports jumped 17% in 2024.

From renegade to pioneer

In the early '90s, Bokisch and his wife, Liz, lived in Catalonia's Penedes region, the center of production for Cava, Spain's sparkling wine. While working for a vineyard company, Bokisch, who had studied plant science and worked at Napa's Joseph Phelps, was tasked with collecting cuttings of grape varieties throughout Spain to see how they grew in Penedes. He planted them all in one experimental block before returning to the U.S.

Then in 1997, two years after he and Liz purchased their ranch in eastern Lodi, Bokisch returned to the block. He compiled roughly 1,000 cuttings of four grape varieties and shipped them to the U.S. He brought in Spain's most-planted red grape, Tempranillo, along with the seafood-friendly Albarino; the esoteric Graciano; and the bold and fruity Garnacha (Grenache).

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Most producers in Lodi focused on Zinfandel, and very few California wineries were making Spanish wines. That meant Bokisch Vineyards was an anomaly when it launched in 2000. Before 2007, for instance, there were fewer than 50 acres of Albarino in California. "In the early days, people would be like, Is it from Spain? Where am I going to put it on the wine list?' It was very hard to sell," Bokisch said of Albarino.

Today, there are nearly 700 acres of Albarino in California, according to the USDA's California Grape Acreage Report, and this growth can be largely credited to Bokisch, who believes his planting is the oldest in the state. (He also claims to have the oldest Graciano vines "in the New World," typically defined as wine regions outside of Europe and the Middle East.) After his run-in at the port, Bokisch donated his Spanish cuttings to UC Davis' Foundation Plant Services, which he said was "a vast improvement to what they had" in their Spanish collection. Now, his clonal selections for Tempranillo and Albarino are the most widely distributed in the U.S.

Bokisch Vineyards founder Markus Bokisch inspects a glass of 2024 Albarino Family Estate in the tasting room. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle)





The director of Foundation Plant Services initially "reprimanded" Bokisch for importing the vines illegally. The USDA prohibits imports of many agricultural products, including grapevines, as they may carry foreign pests and diseases that could, in turn, damage U.S. crops and livestock. (Bokisch said he tested his vines for disease before shipping them from Spain.) "They said, You really shouldn't be doing this," he recalled, "and I said, Give me a reason not to.'" That interaction, Bokisch claimed, compelled the university to grow its Spanish collection, which, like its French collection, has "become really robust."

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The winery's Spanish wine offerings have grown to include lesser-known varietals like Verdejo, Macabeo and Monastrell (Mourvedre), but Albarino is its best seller. Bokisch makes three bottlings of it, including a rare sparkling, and the grape has become one of Lodi's most popular whites. More than one-third of California Albarino is grown in Lodi, the most in any region.

Bokisch believes California's footprint for Spanish grapes will continue to grow, despite the worsening wine downturn and grape oversupply. Spanish grapes thrive in a warm climate, which could make some a better choice than more popular varieties, like Cabernet Sauvignon, as the globe continues to heat up. In 2021, Bordeaux approved the use of Albarino, along with five other varieties, in its wines, due to their potential to better withstand climate change. The grape can "hold onto acid better than Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon," Bokisch said, referring to Bordeaux's signature white grapes.

Moreover, white wines are trending, and Bokisch views the light, crisp Albarino as "a really good gateway wine." Verdejo, he added, is more textured and some producers, including Bokisch, have made it in the skin contact style that's popular among Millennials and Generation Z.

Bokisch is also bullish on Grenache and has increased his production in the past several years - though Grenache acreage in California has dropped by over 1,000 acres in the past decade, according to the California Grape Acreage Report. "I think that's a sleeper," he said. "It's such a quaffable, easy-drinking red wine. I really see that taking off."

Another brazen move

This past summer, nearly 30 years after his trip to the Port of Oakland, Bokisch found himself in a bit of trouble once again. He received a cease and desist from the DO of Cava, the quality control system established to ensure that Cavas meet specific geographic, production and quality standards. Like Champagne, Cava cannot be used to label or market wines produced outside of the region.

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The DO was "tipped off" that Bokisch had used the protected Cava designation in some marketing materials for its Cava-inspired sparkling wine named Lo Xalet, which translates to the chalet. Bokisch was flattered. "It's great that the DO even recognized we exist," he said. "With our price point and quantities, we're not even in the realm of competition with them."

The outdoor tasting area at Bockisch Vineyards in Lodi, which pioneered a Spanish wine movement in California. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle)





The winery made fewer than 170 cases of its first Cava release and sells it for $60, much higher than the typical bottle of Cava, which is usually under $25 and considered an affordable alternative to Champagne. Both Champagne and Cava are made using the traditional method process, which includes a second fermentation in the bottle. But Cava, which doesn't have the same renown as Champagne to command luxury prices, has lower labor costs and more consistent harvests.

Bokisch's latest act of rebellion marks another breakthrough for Spanish wines in California. Whereas most California sparklings adopt Champagne's traditions, Bokisch is the first to produce an American sparkling wine that closely replicates a Cava, which typically trades Champagne's complexity for crispness. It took him years to source and plant the traditional grape varieties used in Cava: Xarello, Macabeo and Parellada. He then used Spanish yeasts for fermentation and aged the wine to the DO's specifications: nine months in tank and another nine in the bottle. The wine was even riddled - the painstaking process of rotating the bottles in small increments to push the sediment to the bottleneck to be removed later - by hand.

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Bokisch still can't call the wine Cava, but he's holding out hope that might change for future releases. "We are negotiating with (the DO) to use Cava-style or Cava-light," he said. "They're pretty hard-headed."

This article originally published at He smuggled vines into California - and sparked a Spanish wine boom.
Some Pennsylvania leaders are hustling to avert a lapse in November nutrition assistance benefits that help prevent nearly 2 million low-income residents in the commonwealth from going hungry.

Federal officials in early October notified states about the likely interruption in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, saying theyd run out of money to pay recipients because of the ongoing government shutdown.

More: SNAP benefits won't go out Nov. 1. 'The well has run dry,' USDA says.

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This would be the first lapse in food assistance in the programs six-decade history. Keystone State officials say they are working on several fronts to keep assistance flowing to the families who depend on it.

This is one of the most disturbing things that I have seen as a public servant, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, a Democrat, said during an Oct. 29 briefing on the cuts. The Trump administration is deliberately causing pain to people in need, people who rely on food assistance.

Gov. Josh Shapiro on Oct. 28 joined a multistate lawsuit seeking to compel President Donald Trump's administration to tap into reserve funds to prevent SNAP from halting during the shutdown. The Democratic states assert that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is sitting on more than $5 billion in reserves.

The USDA has argued it isnt legally permitted to tap into the contingency money to sustain SNAP through the shutdown, although it previously released documents indicating the funds could pay benefits.

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Trumps administration blames congressional Democrats for rejecting spending plans that would end the federal closure and restore SNAP.

Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program, a notice on the USDA website states. Bottom line, the well has run dry.

Democrats have so far refused to pass a spending bill that does not extend subsidies making Obamacare coverage affordable to millions of Americans.

Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Republican who is running for governor, on Oct. 29 proposed offering a short-term loan to cover SNAP benefits for November, saying her office could reevaluate the financial assistance in ensuing months based on cash availability. Once the federal payments resume, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services could pay back the loan with 4.5% interest, she told reporters.

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"This solution offers a way to give vulnerable Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP peace of mind that their families will not go hungry during these times of financial insecurity," Garrity wrote in a letter to Shapiro.

However, a recent USDA memo indicated states "cannot cover the cost of benefits and be reimbursed." Because Pennsylvania will not be repaid for November SNAP costs, Shapiro's office said Garrity's proposal won't work.

"Governor Shapiro will not jeopardize the Commonwealth's fiscal standing because Republicans in Congress cannot pass a budget," the governor's spokesperson, Rosie Lapowsky, said in a statement.

In another state-level move to protect SNAP benefits, Pennsylvania lawmakers want to use state rainy day funds to sustain the food stamp program through the federal lapse.

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The proposal released by Democrats in the House and Senate would direct $50 million to help local food banks, send $10 million to the Meals on Wheels program serving seniors and people with disabilities and increase resources for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

More: How are SNAP benefits, food banks impacted by a government shutdown?

The funding falls far short of the roughly $366 million in SNAP benefits that go to Pennsylvanians each month, but these elected leaders say it would at least bolster food banks that are under tremendous pressure.

This is an emergency, Sen. Art Haywood, D-Montgomery, said in a statement.

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In Pennsylvania, about 1.1 million families and 694,000 children rely on SNAP, according to the lawsuit Shapiro joined. On average, recipients get about $329 each month to help pay for groceries.

Bethany Rodgers is a USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania investigative journalist.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: What are PA leaders doing about upcoming SNAP lapse?
If you're one of the nearly 3 million Floridians who rely on what used to be called food stamps to provide or supplement your food budget, that help is stopping as of Nov. 1 as the government shutdown continues and funding runs dry.

Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in October was already covered when the shutdown began, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the program, has said there are no further funds available. The USDA's shutdown contingency plan describes a reserve of contingency funds for such interruptions, but President Donald Trumps administration has said that reserves aren't enough and won't be tapped to fund November benefits. Attorneys general and governors from 25 Democrat-led states have sued the USDA to force SNAP funding.

That will affect the 42 million Americans (about 12% of the population) currently receiving SNAP benefits, including 2.9 million in Florida. The program is funded by the federal government but administered by each state.The program is funded by the federal government but administered by each state.

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"If the federal government shutdown continues into November, SNAP benefits for the month of November will not be issued until federal funding is restored," an alert on Florida's SNAP website says. "You may receive notices about your eligible benefit amount, but you will not receive any benefits deposited to your EBT card during this time."

Here's what to know, and how to get help.

What is SNAP, the former food stamp program?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides assistance to low-income seniors, people with disabilities living on fixed incomes, and other individuals and families with low incomes to help them buy nutritious food.

It grew out of the nearly century-old national food stamp program and was renamed in the 2008 farm bill. SNAP is part of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Florida SNAP benefits help low-income families buy healthy food.

Where can I get food help in Florida?

Ther are several food assistance programs in Florida that can help.

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Feeding Florida: A statewide network of local food banks that serves all 67 counties. Feeding Florida offers a searchable map to help you locate a food bank near you, such as:

211 United Way: Heart of Florida United Way offers a free 211 Information & Referral Line, avai;able 24/7/365, where someone can help you find resources in your area. You can also search their site for local food and meal resources.

Local churches: Many churches hold food drives to help their community, check near you. The Catholic Churches of Central Florida also offers mobile food drops, you can request assistance here.

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However, be aware that food banks are also suffering a dramatically increased demand.

Some local groceries, restaurants and third-party companies are also offering sales and deals to help.

SNAP ending Nov. 1: Brevard restaurants step up for SNAP recipients as shutdown jeopardizes food benefits

DoorDash delivery fees waived for SNAP recipients

SNAP recipients nationwide can use DoorDash without paying extra delivery or service fees on one order in November from selected stores, the company announced on Oct. 26.

Many of the selected chains are only available in northwestern or Midwest states, but the list also include Sprouts, Dollar General and Stop & Shop.

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You must a valid SNAP/EBT card to your DoorDash account before you make your purchase.

DoorDash also announced it will be donating food from DashMart stores to local food banks.

SNAP recipients can get $50 off groceries through Gopuff

The grocery delivery company Gopuff is offering $50 off groceries for SNAP recipients in the metro areas they service. The deal is available in two waves throughout November, $25 each, for use on SNAP-eligible items. To use it:

Add a SNAP EBT card to your Gopuff account. Add SNAP-eligible groceries to cart. From Nov. 1-15: Use code SNAPRELIEF1 at checkout for $25 off SNAP-eligible items and free delivery. From Nov. 16-30: Use code SNAPRELIEF2 at checkout for $25 off SNAP-eligible items and free delivery.

Will Florida cover SNAP benefits for residents?

All 43 Democrats in the Florida legislature have called on Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency and use state money to cover Floridian SNAP benefits, pointing at his requent use of emergency powers to fund immigration enforcement.

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DeSantis has not responded but said later that Democratic lawmakers should pressure U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, to vote to end the shutdown.

How much money do SNAP recipients get?

In fiscal year 2025, the average monthly benefit per person in the SNAP program was $190.59, per USDA (about $6 a day). For households, the average monthly benefit was $356.41 in total.

However, the exact amount of money that each SNAP recipient gets per month depends on their income and household size, so it varies per person.

How many people are on SNAP benefits?

More than 42 million people across more than 22 million households relied on SNAP benefits every month during fiscal year 2025, according to the USDA. Children accounted for about 39% of the people who received the benefits, according to the USDA's report on fiscal year 2023, its latest annual data.

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About 2.98 million Floridians received SNAP during fiscal year 2024, about 12.7% of the state's population. The national average is 12.3%.

In 2023, 55% of SNAP households with children included someone employed (28% of the total) and 61% also received some other form of assistance such as Social Security.

How does SNAP work?

Once you are approved to receive SNAP benefits, you receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (EBT), a physical, reloadable card like a debit card that can be used at participating retailers to buy approved items or to withdraw cash at specified locations.

Monthly benefits appear on the card's balance. Sales tax cannot be charged on items you buy with an EBT card.

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SNAP eligibility is based on income, resources, and the size of your household.

Requirements for SNAP benefits became more restrictive since the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 expanded the 80-hour-a-month work requirement for SNAP by increasing the age limit on able-bodied adults without dependents from 49 to 54.

The Florida Department of Children and Families expanded its own definition to include adults up through 59 years old and increased the mandatory employment and training program (SNAP E&T) from 80 hours every month to 120.

Florida Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card.

Can I still use the balance on my EBT card during the shutdown?

Yes, you still can use your existing SNAP benefits, which roll over every month if not used. You can check your EBT card's balance at ebtEDGE.com or by calling 888-356-3281.

Contributing: Gray Rohrer, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: SNAP benefits may end in November. How to get food help in Florida
India has been granted exemption for six months from the American sanctions that were applicable on Chabahar port in Iran, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. Answering queries during the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India is studying the implications of US sanctions on Russian oil companies. "I can confirm that we have been granted exemption for a six-month period on the American sanctions that were applicable on Chabahar," Jaiswal said answering a query. The United States had last month revoked the sanctions waiver that applies to Chabahar Port, a commercial transit centre for the region, especially Central Asia. MEA had stated last month that India is "examining the implications" of the United States' decision to revoke the sanctions waiver applicable to the Chabahar Port project in Iran. "We have seen the press statement which was issued by the US side yesterday on the revocation of the sanctions waiver that applies to Chabahar Port. We are presently examining the implications that this revocation has for India," Jaiswal had said. The Trump administration had announced the revocation of its waiver of sanctions over the Iranian port of Chabahar in almost ten days, terminating a special waiver granted to India in 2018. According to a statement issued by the US Department of State on Tuesday, the operators of the Chabahar Port in Iran will face US sanctions starting September 29. "Additionally, consistent with President Trump's maximum pressure policy to isolate the Iranian regime, the Secretary of State has revoked the sanctions exception issued in 2018 under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA) for Afghanistan reconstruction assistance and economic development, effective September 29, 2025. Once the revocation is effective, persons who operate the Chabahar Port or engage in other activities described in IFCA may expose themselves to sanctions under IFCA," State Department's Principal Deputy Spokesperson Thomas Pigott said in the statement. The move was announced to target Iran's financial network for its military and to put "maximum pressure" on the Islamic State. This long-term deal, signed between Indian Ports Global Ltd. (IPGL) and Iran's Port and Maritime Organisation (PMO), grants India operational control over the Shahid Beheshti terminal, a key component of Chabahar's port infrastructure. (ANI)
ATLANTA  Time is ticking in Georgia for millions who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Benefits could be paused as soon as Saturday, Nov. 1, if Congress fails to reach a resolution to end the ongoing federal government shutdown.

More than 1.4 million Georgians, including over 600,000 children, rely on SNAP benefits  roughly one-in-eight residents across the state, according to data from the Georgia Department of Human Services.

Democratic lawmakers are urging Governor Brian Kemp to call a special legislative session to tap into Georgias $15 billion budget surplus to help families affected by the federal funding lapse.

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These are cooks, agriculture workers, hairdressers and nursing aides who lose their benefits on Saturday, said Jason Esteves, former state senator and current gubernatorial candidate. Its incumbent on the governor of the state to step up and act where the federal government is failing.

Governor Kemp has pushed back, saying he is calling on federal lawmakers  including Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock  to work together to reopen the government. He added that there is currently no mechanism to load state funds onto federal EBT cards, limiting what the state can do administratively.

Esteves disagreed, saying Georgia could take emergency measures.

Those are excuses for rejecting his responsibility to the people of Georgia, Esteves said. He can mobilize the Georgia National Guard to help serve food pantries and food banks, like other states have done.

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The Georgia Department of Human Services says SNAP recipients can still use any unspent EBT benefits through November, even if no new funds are issued during the shutdown.

For those in need of food assistance, resources and local food banks can be found at FeedingGeorgia.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 WSAV-TV.
The United States government officially shut down at midnight on Oct. 1.

Since then, many Americans have encountered the impacts of the shutdown in their daily lives. The latest issue being the incoming halt on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, a federal program that provides monthly benefits to low-income families to help them afford healthy food.

Heres what you need to know about the SNAP pause and its effect on Delawareans.

SNAP benefits halted due to government shutdown

Vehicles at a parking lot near the U.S. Capitol building, weeks into the continuing U.S. government shutdown in Washington, D.C., Oct. 28, 2025.

SNAP benefits are not coming in November unless the federal government intervenes, according to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.

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The U.S Department of Agriculture noted in a new message on its website that no SNAP benefits will be issued on Nov. 1. October benefits were dispersed as usual, but the USDAs message in part states that the well has run dry.

SNAP benefits being on hold means no funds are being sent to states, and the 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP will be left without. There is no answer as to when funds for SNAP benefits will be available or how long the government shutdown will last, according to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.

The USDA previously had a contingency plan, issued in September, detailing a reserve of contingency funds to be used to pay benefits directly. It has since been removed from the agencys website, with the USDA telling USA Today that those funds are available only to supplement regular monthly benefits when amounts have been appropriated for, but are insufficient to cover, benefits.

SNAP benefits in Delaware

Workers and volunteers help customers shop at the food pantry at the Food Bank of Delaware's location on Lake Drive in Glasgow as seen on August 5, 2025.

An average of 119,000 Delawareans receive SNAP benefits, including approximately 60,000 families and 45,000 children. This represents about 11% of Delawareans, or 1 out of 9 residents.

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The national average monthly SNAP benefit per person is $190.59 and $356.21 per household. SNAP benefits in Delaware totaled $21,340,950 as of May 2025.

Attorney General Kathy Jennings joined a coalition of other attorneys general and three governors on Oct. 28 in filing a lawsuit against the USDA and Secretary Brooke Rollins for unlawfully suspending SNAP, the Delaware Department of Justice announced.

Jennings stressed that without November SNAP benefits, our states food banks will be overwhelmed, and thousands of Delawareans will go hungry. She called on the Trump Administration to prevent the pause from happening.

Gov. Matt Meyer declared a state of emergency in an Oct. 29 press conference to allow state funding for SNAP recipients on a weekly basis. He said Delaware should have enough money to fund SNAP for local recipients through November.

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Meyer also announced assistance for Delaware food banks and shared hes calling the state legislature back in session to address the issues surrounding SNAP suspension and funding.

A variety of donated food at the Food Bank of Delaware's Glasgow location as seen on Aug. 5, 2025.

Delawareans receiving SNAP benefits will also notice the following changes going into effect Nov. 1, according to DHSS:

The age limit for SNAP work exemptions rises from 55 years old to 65 years old

The age limit for a child living in your home lowers from 18 years old to 14 years old

The exemption for being homeless ends

The exemption for veterans ends

The exemption for those who were in foster care on their 18th birthday ends

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Despite the pause, SNAP benefits can continue to be applied for and renewed. Changes can also still be reported through Delaware ASSIST and at local State Service Centers. Hearings may still be granted during the shutdown.

EBT cards should be kept during the shutdown. Remaining SNAP food benefits on your EBT card can still be used; they do not expire unless the EBT card is inactive for 274 days. Even if a case closes, households should keep their EBT cards in case benefits are delayed, according to DHSS.

How to get help in Delaware if you are impacted by the SNAP pause

A variety of frozen foods inside the pantry at the Food Bank of Delaware's Glasgow location as seen on August 5, 2025.

If you are enrolled in SNAP and need assistance during the government shutdown while program benefits are paused, Delaware has resources that can help.

Delaware 211 can be reached by dialing 211 or 1 (800) 560-3372, or texting your zip code to 898-211. You can also visit www.delaware211.org.

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The Food Bank of Delaware can be reached by calling (302) 292-1305 for New Castle County or (302) 424-3301 for Kent and Sussex counties. An extensive list of food pantries in each county can be found by visiting www.fbd.org/get-help/community-food-pantries/.

Delaware State Service Center food pantries are available at the following locations:

New Castle County

Frank Coverdale, with the Food Bank of Delaware, arranges pallets of food for the nonprofit's mobile pantry event on October 23, 2025.

Appoquinimink State Service Center in Middletown

Belvedere State Service Center near Newport

Claymont State Service Center in Claymont

DeLaWarr State Service Center in New Castle

Floyd I. Hudson State Service Center in Newark

Northeast State Service Center in Wilmington

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Winder Laird Porter State Service Center in Wilmington

Canby Park Office in Wilmington

Churchmans Corporate Center in New Castle

Robscott Building in Newark

Kent County

The Food Bank of Delaware's Milford site, photographed on October 23, 2025, is located at 102 Delaware Veterans Blvd.

James W. Williams State Service Center in Dover

Blue Hen Corporate Center in Dover

Smyrna State Service Center in Smyrna

Sussex County

Canned foods are stocked on the shelves at the Food Bank of Delaware's location on Lake Drive in Glasgow on Aug. 5, 2025.

Bridgeville State Service Center in Bridgeville

Edward W. Pyle State Service Center in Frankford

Laurel State Service Center in Laurel

Milford SSC Campus in Milford

Thurman Adams State Service Center, formerly the Georgetown State Service Center, in Georgetown

Anna C. Shipley State Service Center in Seaford

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DHSS recommends SNAP recipients stretch their budgets during the government shutdown by purchasing shelf-stable and frozen grocery items.

Delawareans who are able to donate are urged by DHSS to do so at this time. Donations can be made at Food Bank of Delaware locations and other local food pantries to help neighbors in need.

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Food assistance in Delaware as SNAP pauses from government shutdown
As millions of Americans brace for potential disruption to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) amid the federal government shutdown, families across the country are confronting a chilling reality. Their next grocery run might be delayed. For the nearly 42 million people who rely on SNAP to put food on the table, theres a new development that may offer partial relief. Two federal judges have ruled that the Trump administration must tap into billions of dollars in emergency funds to cover some food stamp benefits in November, according to CNN.

Still, millions of Americans could face delays in receiving aid that was supposed to hit their accounts as early as November 1. Roughly 3 million people were set to get their benefits yesterday, 13.7 million by November 5, and 26.6 million by November 10, according to estimates from USDA. That means an anxious wait for many, and an uncertain month ahead.

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Food banks are already stretched thin. Parents are worried about empty lunchboxes. As a result, local heroes are finding creative ways to make sure no one goes hungry as they wait for their SNAP benefits.

How You Can Help RIGHT NOW!

If youre looking to make a difference, here are some actions you can takebig and smallto support families who may lose SNAP:

1. Donate to local food banks or pantries.

Go through your pantry and donate shelf-stable items to your local food pantry. Cash is also especially effective because food-aid organizations can buy in bulk, access discounts, and fill gaps faster than relying solely on donated canned goods.

Call your local pantry and ask: What do you need most right now? Many also accept toiletries, personal-care items or even help with delivery.

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Visit FeedingAmerica.org to find your local food bank.

2. Organize or join a meal train or grocery-buddy system.

Do you know someone who will be affected directly? Offer to take a neighbor shopping and pick up food for them. Use Venmo or CashApp to send funds to a family in your community. Set up a mutual-aid group on Facebook or neighborhood chat for grocery buddies to connect.

3. Volunteer your time or ask local businesses to step up.

Its a great time to get involved hands on. You can offer your time at the local food pantry (sorting, packing, and distributing). You can also ask local restaurants or shops if theyre willing to offer discounted or free meals for families impacted. This kind of local business support can bridge a gap when federal aid dries up.

4. Stay informed and advocate.

Encourage affected family and friends to continue eligibility actions: apply, recertify, submit updates. Agencies are advising this even as benefit disruptions loom. You can also contact your elected officials and ask them to act by:

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Restoring funding

Passing interim relief

Supporting vulnerable groups.

Even one phone call or email adds pressure.

Women Stepping Up to Fight Hunger in Their Communities

Need more inspiration? Here are some hometown heroes making a difference in their communities (IRL and online):

Brooke Tansley (Tennessee)

Tansley launched a Facebook-based SNAP Grocery Buddy System in East Nashville, where families whose federal food-benefit eligibility is at risk can post for help and neighbors volunteer to cover grocery runs. After posting in her neighborhood Facebook group, Tansleys initiative connected 30 families with grocery-help volunteers in just a couple of hours.

Natalie Stites (South Dakota)

Stites, a community organizer and director of the nonprofit COUP Council in Rapid City, South Dakota, is mobilizing grassroots mutual-aid efforts in anticipation of possible interruptions to SNAP. Shes reviving the Wotakuye Mutual Aid Society (Wotakuye means kinship in Lakota, a Native American group of the Sioux Nation), a food-sharing network that previously fed over 3,000 people during the pandemic, to address current hunger risks.

Rachel Hartberg (Wisconsin)

Rachel Hartberg, a mother in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, posted in a private moms-group on Facebook asking if anyone needed food assistance amid looming cuts to SNAP. Within hours, dozens of women responded, not asking for help themselves, but offering donations and support.

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Since Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will run out Friday due to a lapse in funding, because of the federal government shutdown, Americans may be forced to seek other options to supplement their groceries.

In Texas, more than 3.4 million people rely on the benefits associated with the SNAP program. And as the deadline approaches, food banks across the state, including in Houston, have started preparing for what they expect will be a surge in demand for food assistance.

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For those in need of help during this time, below you will find a list of organizations working to help families and individuals impacted by the shutdown:

The YMCA partners with local organizations to provide what they describe as "critical food and supplies" to thousands at various distribution sites throughout the city. For more information, call (713) 659-5566.

Food Distribution Sites:

Willow Creek Apartments

7575 Office City Drive Building #66

9 a.m .to 1 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays

Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA

808 Pease Str.

9 a.m. - 1 p.m.Tuesdays and Thursdays

Mission Woods Pantry

25469 Borough Park Drive in Spring

9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Thursdays for produce distribution

Alexander Jewish Family Service plans to expand its small food pantry to help additional families throughout Houston. Additionally, they offer a wide variety of services to those in need, including counseling and career readiness.

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Address: 4131 S. Braeswood Blvd.

Phone: (713) 667-9336

The United Way of Houston partners with the Houston Food Bank to expand food access to families in Houston. Those struggling can call 2-1-1 to connect with a specialist who will assist them with their food, housing and utility needs.

Address: 50 Waugh Drive

Phone: (713) 685-2300

One of the many services Catholic Charities offers families in need is food and utility assistance. Those in need of food can visit its three regional food pantries in Harris, Fort Bend and Galveston counties.

In-Person and Drive-Through Distribution Locations:

Guadalupe Center Market

326 S Jensen Drive

Call 713-251-6919 for more information.

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Mamie George Community Center

1111 Collins Road in Richmond

Beacon of Hope Isle Market

4700 Broadway, Suite B-101 in Galveston

Call 409-762-2064 for more information.

Address: 2900 Louisiana Street

Phone: (713) 526-4611

Bethel's Heavenly Hands are meeting the needs of those experiencing food insecurity one hand at a time. The anti-food hunger organization hosts drive-through food and household product distributions weekly.

Address: 12525 Fondren Road

Phone: (281) 271-4290

In an effort to help fight food security, West Houston Assistance Ministries provides a wide assortment of produce, organic foods and other staple items through its food pantry.

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Address: 10501 Meadowglen Lane

Phone: (713) 780-2727

With a mission of "no one should have to go hungry," Hearts and Hands of Baytown works to "alleviate the physical and emotional hunger of those in need." Through the Fresh Market, residents can find various seasonal produce, low-fat dairy products and lean proteins among other items.

Address: 307 Cedar Bayou Road

Phone: (832) 597-8908

Food boxes and hot meals are just some of the ways The Salvation Army fights food hunger in Houston. It also provides a three-to-five-day supply of "nutritious and necessary goods" for families at neighborhood food pantries.

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Address: 2407 N. Main Street

Phone: (713)752-0677

Under the umbrella of Interfaith Ministries Houston is the Meals on Wheels Program that specifically targets seniors in need of food. Meals on Wheels delivers warm and nutritious meals to more than 3,000 homebound seniors daily.

Address: 3303 Main Street

Phone: (713) 533-4900

The Houston Food Bank and its network of food distribution partners have hundreds of sites throughout the Houston area where families can find food.

Address: 535 Portwall Street

Phone: (713) 223-3700

On the following dates, the Houston Food Bank will partner with community groups to host food distribution events. Attendees must register to attend these events and be impacted by the shutdown either as a federal worker or SNAP recipient.

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For more information, call 211 or 1-877-541-7905 and visit 211texas.org or email info@houstonfoodbank.org.

This is not meant to be a comprehensive list of food pantries and food distribution sites in Houston and the surrounding areas. Please email shakari.briggs@houstonchronicle.com to add organizations providing assistance to this directory.

This article originally published at SNAP benefits set to pause Nov. 1. Here's where to find food assistance in Houston..
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

We are only days away from a shutdown of SNAP food benefits for 42 million Americans, a direct consequence of the federal government shutdown.

In Minnesota, 440,000 people will lose SNAP, including 152,000 children, 72,000 seniors and 52,000 people with disabilities.

This is the most devastating impact of the government shutdown so far.

Over the past couple of weeks, Ive noticed more people dropping off donations at the food shelf where I volunteer. Regular people with a few bags of food, a few stray items they had in the back of their cupboards, sometimes an envelope with a check.

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Gov. Tim Walz has freed up $4 million to support food shelves.

Were all doing what we can.

But as I wrote earlier this year, all the donations and volunteers and amazing people at the food banks who deliver food for hungry people cant make up for the impact of SNAP, which is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps.

Minnesota spends about $1 billion a year on SNAP, or more than $80 million dollars a month. The funding is all federal, though.

Our voluntary efforts can help families bridge a short gap  mitigate the suffering for a week or two. Its unlikely we can do more than that. The hole left by SNAP is too large.

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There is one party that is not doing all that it can to help: The federal government, particularly the Trump administration.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture  the federal agency that runs SNAP  has a $5.5 billion contingency fund that could be used to help states starting on November 1. But they recently shifted their position  without explanation  and declared the funds could not be used for SNAP benefits.

And, as a reminder, they also cut federal funding for the voluntary food sector as part of the DOGE cuts earlier this year.

And now SNAP has become another bargaining chip, caught up in the politics of the federal government shutdown.

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Even the $5.5 billion that USDA has available is short of the estimated $9.2 billion needed to fully fund SNAP benefits nationwide for November.

Democrats are refusing to provide necessary votes in the U.S. Senate to fund the government until Republicans restore health insurance subsidies; without them, millions of Americans will suffer through a massive spike in their health insurance premiums.

This may be a game of chicken. USDA may be holding the funds as leverage to force congressional Democrats to vote to reopen the government. If enough pressure is applied, however, perhaps USDA will relent.

There may be a small glimmer of hope, however.

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Some Republicans in Congress seem to be noticing what Ive noticed: People are aware of what is happening, and they are not happy about it.

Several congressional Republicans have introduced bills to separately fund SNAP for a full year. A few Republican governors are making plans to use state funds to bridge the gap.

None of these politicians wants to see weeks of local news coverage filled with images of people  seniors, families, kids  lined up at under-stocked food shelves. Daily stories of desperate families, isolated seniors with no food.

Because the real losers in this D.C. Beltway game of chicken are not the politicians. The losers are the 42 million Americans that may go without food assistance; the 152,000 Minnesota kids who might go to bed hungry.

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When I was volunteering at the food shelf last week, an older man wearing a U.S. Navy hat brought in a donation  some bags of food and an envelope with a check.

He asked me how it was going. I told him we had been busy in the morning, and I expected it would get busier as we approached Nov. 1.

He shook his head and said, This isnt America.

I hope not. But its hard to be sure anymore.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will likely dip or disappear entirely for more than 600,000 Hoosiers on Nov. 1 in the wake of the ongoing federal government shutdown.

What We Know: SNAP funding is running dry. Here's what we know about the crisis and resources to help

As the possibility of dwindling resources looms, many are turning to food pantries, free meals and other avenues to supplement the lost benefits. Below is a list of resources and aid organizations for those facing food insecurity:

Food Pantries

The Indianapolis area has more than 210 food pantries, and there are several ways to locate them.

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More: Residents can turn to these Indianapolis food pantries if they lose their SNAP benefits

The Community Compass app allows users to enter their address and find the nearest places for groceries and meals. The Indiana Hunger Network also has a Food Resource Services Hub with more information on locating food resources.

The Gleaners Food Bank network has a locator tool that allows users to find food banks within an adjustable radius of their address. Midwest Food Bank lists distribution events on its website.

More: Indiana food pantries are running out of food. The SNAP funding lapse could make it worse

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Umbrella organizations like the Society of St. Vincent de Paul have multiple locations. These are a few of the food pantries open across Indianapolis:

Love Your Neighbor Food Pantry : 2500 Churchman Ave. Open Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 9-11 a.m. Find more info here or call (317)-924-5769.

30th Street Food Pantry : 3001 E. 30th St. Open Tuesday 8 a.m.-noon; Thursday 8 a.m. to noon and 5-7 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to noon and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon. Find more info here or call (317)-924-5769.

Boulevard Place Food Pantry : 4202 Boulevard Place. Drive thru open Wednesday 10 a.m. to noon. Client shopping open Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon. Find more info here or call (317)-924-3461.

Mid-North Food Pantry : 3333 N. Meridian St. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. to noon. Find more info here or call (317)-924-7900.

Gleaners Community Cupboard Southwest : 3737 Waldemere Ave. Open Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon. Find more info here or call (317)-925-0191.

ICAN Food Pantry : 111 S. Downey Ave. Open Thursday 1-3 p.m. Find more info here or call (317)-322-9645.

The Refuge Inc. : 1150 Southpark Drive. Open Tuesday 9-11 a.m., Wednesday noon to 2 p.m., Thursday 6-8 p.m. Bonus pantry the first Saturday of every month 9:30-11 a.m. Find more info here or call (317)-889-7338.

Northside Food Pantry: 7700 N. Meridian St. Open Tuesday 12:30-3 p.m., Wednesday 4-6:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to noon. Find more info here or call (317)-253-6461.

Many other churches and schools operate semi-regular food pantries.

Government resources

The state has its own food assistance availability map that allows users to enter an address and find resources near them. Hoosiers can also dial 2-1-1 or visit in211.communityos.org/ to locate resources.

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Indianapolis will host several food distribution events throughout November, bolstered by a $200,000 fund dedicated to outreach. The city announced the following events at an Oct. 30 press conferece:

November 1, 2-4 p.m.: Bethel Cathedral AME, 6417 Zionsville Road

November 8, noon-2 p.m.: Fountain Square Church of Christ 1041 Spruce St.

November 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Charity Cares, 959 N. Holmes Ave.

November 15, noon to 3 p.m.: Eclectic Souls VOICES Corp., 9501 E. 36th Place

November 19, 8:30 a.m.: Rock of the World, Salt of the Earth, 8833 Bel Air Drive

November 20, 4-6 p.m.: Indy Peace, 1825 E. 25th St.

November 24, 3-5 p.m.: Lawrence Park, 5301 N. Franklin Drive

November 25, noon 2:30 p.m.: Breeding Tabernacle CME, 3670 N. Leland Ave

November 26, 3-5 p.m.: Stanley Strader, 2850 Bethel Ave.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett speaks Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, during a press conference at Bethel Cathedral AME Church in Indianapolis. The press conference, consisting of city and community leaders, was called to announce emergency funding and additional resources to help those affected by the lapse in SNAP benefits expected on Nov. 1.

IndyParks also has several programs addressing food insecurity, including after-school meal distributions and regular food pantries. Below are the IndyParks aid events:

Riverside Park Food Pantry : 2420 E. Riverside Drive. Open Wednesday 12:45-3 p.m. Find more info here.

Windsor Village Park Food Pantry : 6510 E. 25th St. Open Thursday 1-3 p.m. (requires proof of Marion County residency). Find more info here.

Drive and Dish : Residents can register at one of six participating parks, order groceries during the weekly window and pick up the groceries at that park. Pickup time varies by park. Find more info here.

Rhodius Park After-School Meal Service : 1720 W. Wilkins St. Available Tuesday-Friday 4-5 p.m. Open to all youth 18 and under, must be on site. Find more info here.

Windsor Village Park After-School Meal Service: 6510 E. 25th St. Available Monday-Friday 5-6 p.m. Open to all youth 18 and under, must be on site. Find more info here.

Restaurants, delivery services offering aid

Door Dash: The company announced it will deliver the equivalent of one million free meals and waive fees on grocery orders for 300,000 SNAP recipients during November. DoorDash customers with their EBT card linked to their account will see delivery and service fees waived on one order in November at select stores. Find more info here.

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More: DoorDash waiving fees for SNAP recipients in November. See how to get the benefit

Pizza King in Plainfield : The restaurant, located at 2368 E. Main St. in Plainfield, will offer a free 14-inch cheese or one-topping pizza and a family salad to any family that can provide a SNAP ID card every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to its Facebook page.

Chicken Salad Chick: The restaurant announced kids will eat free until SNAP benefits are restored.

Indianapolis public schools still offering free, reduced meals

The state Department of Education's Community Eligibility Provision program will not be immediately affected by SNAP cuts, so free and reduced meals will remain available for now. Around 43% of Indiana school districts offered district-wide free breakfast and lunch to students during the 2024-2025 school year.

More: How the shutdown could impact free and reduced lunch in Indianapolis schools

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Contact IndyStar Pop Culture Reporter Heather Bushman at hbushman@gannett.com. Follow her on X @hmb_1013.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Where to find food pantries, more resources across Indianapolis
Millions of Americans faced possibly losing SNAP benefits going into November.

SNAP is a federal program that provides low-income families with monthly benefits to afford healthy food. As the government shutdown continues, those families are at risk.

Here's a look at our coverage of the issue. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

When did SNAP benefits run out?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said would not be able to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in November if the shutdown continued and a contingency plan wasn't approved, according to a letter sent to states earlier this month.

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That meant benefits weren't coming in early November. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, which distributes SNAP benefits, confirmed to IndyStar on Oct. 21 it would not be authorized to distribute federal benefits in November "unless funding is restored."

Read the full story: SNAP payments at risk for almost 600,000 Hoosiers as federal shutdown drags on

Trump administration ordered to fund SNAP

On Friday, Oct. 31, two federal judges said the Trump administration must continue funding SNAP benefits despite the shutdown.

In a court filing Monday, Nov. 3, the administration said it will send out partial payments, but not all of the funds. according to USA TODAY reporting.

What about WIC? When will it run out?

A separate program from SNAP, the Women, Infants and Children program, known as WIC, also could run out of money. When benefits end will vary by state as the shutdown continues into November.

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Read the full story: Indiana children's food program could be cut off due to shutdown. How many affected?

What's happening at Indiana food pantries?

As benefits dry up, more reliance on food pantries is expected going into the weekend. Hoping to fill the gap, some Indiana legislators supported a motion to allocate state funds to November food stamps, but it was voted down.

Read the full story: State agency says it cannot fund SNAP for November

How to get help during the SNAP crisis

To find more options, Hoosiers can lean on the Community Compass app, which can also be accessed online at www.communitycompass.app/home. Launched in 2020 through a partnership with Indy Hunger Network and the City of Indianapolis, Community Compass allows people to enter their address to find the nearest places for free groceries and meals, as well as locating SNAP stores and WIC clinics.

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Though based in Indianapolis, anyone in Indiana can use the app to find food near them. The website also includes resources on how to get discounted rides to grocery stores and help applying for benefits.

People wait in line Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, at Mid-North Food Pantry just off Meridian Street in Indianapolis. Numbers show that SNAP accounts for about 60% of the free or subsidized Food that people receive, Steven Slaubaugh, director of operations at Mid-North Food Pantry, said. Food pantries, at the moment, provide about 5% of that. People aren't receiving SNAP benefits next month. Food pantries are going to be seeing a lot more folks and the truth is, we don't have the capacity to cover that 60%.

The state also has a map of resources, including categories for home delivered meals and food for seniors. That can be located at www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/food-assistance-availability-map/.

Find food resources: Where to find Indiana food pantries and how to help as SNAP funding deadline looms

Free and reduced-priced meals are still available at public schools and aren't affected by SNAP cuts. Around 43% of Indiana school districts offered district-wide free breakfast and lunch to students during the 2024-2025 school year.

Discounts available during SNAP crisis

With funding ending soon, some companies have waived fees or offered free food and discounts to SNAP recipients.

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DoorDash is waiving some if its fees for beneficiaries.

GoPuff is offering them free goods during November.

How long has the government been shut down?

CONTRIBUTING: Mary Walrath-Holdridge, Melina Khan.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What Indiana residents need to know about SNAP funding during shutdown
The prolonged U.S. government shutdown is putting millions of Americans at risk of missing their November food stamp benefits, a vital lifeline for low-income households.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, stated in a memo on Sunday that no benefits will be issued on Nov. 1, leaving the program's roughly 42 million beneficiaries uncertain about how they'll pay for groceries next month.

SNAP recipients receive an average of $187 a month on a prepaid card, and many families rely on those benefits as their main source of money for food. Many of those registered with the program are asking if they will still be able to use the remaining dollars on their cards once funding is suspended and if they'll receive their November benefits retroactively, should lawmakers reach a deal to reopen the government.

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A stoppage in SNAP payments on Nov. 1 isn't guaranteed. Two federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled on Friday, Oct. 31, that the Trump administration is required by law to use contingency funds to pay at least partial SNAP benefits.

The government must respond by Monday on whether it plans to allocate money to continue payments.

With just days to go before a potential suspension in SNAP funding, here's what to know.

Will current SNAP benefits roll over to November?

While SNAP benefits will not be disbursed as scheduled in November, program recipients can use existing funds on their EBT cards to make purchases. If someone enrolled in the program hasn't spent all their October EBT dollars, for example, those benefits would roll over into November.

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Some states are advising recipients to use their remaining food stamps wisely, given the stalemate over funding the federal government.

"If you have remaining balances from previous months, we encourage you to plan your shopping carefully and purchase essential food items when needed," Hawaii's Department of Human Services said on its website.

Will SNAP recipients get paid retroactively for missed payments?

The USDA hasn't indicated whether SNAP benefits would be paid retroactively once the government shutdown ends.

But social service experts who spoke with CBS News said they expect the USDA to pay the delayed November benefits once federal funding resumes.

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"It is our understanding that SNAP benefits will be issued retroactively when the shutdown ends," said Lizbeth Ginsburg, a managing attorney in the welfare law unit at Greater Boston Legal Services.

Federal rules governing the food-stamp program stipulate that SNAP recipients are entitled to their benefits, and that they should receive them if there's a disruption, said Gina Plata-Nino, interim SNAP director at the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), a nonprofit group focused on ending hunger.

"That's why many state agencies have done a very good job of saying, 'Your benefits will be delayed,' versus, 'You are not getting benefits,'" she told CBS News.

Can states step in to fund SNAP?

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While SNAP is federally funded and overseen by the USDA, each state is responsible for administering the program to its residents.

Some states are taking action, with Democratic lawmakers urging Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to tap into an estimated $5 billion in contingency funds to cover SNAP benefits next month. On Tuesday, a coalition of officials from 25 states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration over the suspension of benefits, arguing that it is unlawful. The lawsuit notes that this would mark the first delay in SNAP benefits in the program's history.

Where Americans rely most on food stamps (Choropleth map)

In recent days, several states have pledged to step in to ensure SNAP recipients can afford food in November. Their approaches vary, with some states promising to dispatch troops to support food banks, while others are allocating funds for general hunger relief.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed an emergency declaration on Oct. 24 intended to fund SNAP benefits for people who rely on the program, while Vermont lawmakers on Oct. 29 approved a plan to cover its residents' food stamp benefits through Nov. 15.

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Other states say they plan to ramp up support for local food banks by providing on-site personnel and additional funding. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said last week he would deploy National Guard troops to assist food bank operations and fast-track $80 million to keep the state's food banks stocked.

In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul said she is providing $30 million in state funding to support 16 million meals. Roughly 3 million people in New York are on food stamps.

Other states that have announced actions to help SNAP recipients include Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia and Washington.

States taking action to help SNAP recipients (Choropleth map)

Officials in these states are stepping in despite the USDA saying states lack the authority to cover benefits and won't be reimbursed.

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"There is no provision or allowance under current law for states to cover the cost of benefits and be reimbursed," the agency said in its memo.

Plata-Nino said that puts states in a difficult position, given their already limited reserves. It also diverts attention and funding from other priorities, she added.

"These are resources that could have gone to other places," she said.

Trump wants Senate Republicans to scrap the filibuster to end the government shutdown

House lawmakers told their paychecks are delayed until government reopens

Former 1st grade teacher shot by a student testifies at trial: "I thought I was dying."
(The Center Square)  As October turns to November, neither the federal nor state government has been able to come to a budget agreement with vital operations and human services hanging in the balance.

Perhaps the most impactful and widespread consequence of the shutdown is set to go into effect Saturday, at which point the federal government will stop providing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

The state, which oversees administration of the program through the Department of Human Services, says it does not have the funds to stand in for the federal government. About 2 million Pennsylvania residents rely on SNAP to afford food. Among them, 760,000 are children.

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Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro has responded to the issue by joining a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture demanding it use its contingency funds to maintain the benefit.

For the first time since the program began in 1964, SNAP payments have been halted across the country because the Trump administration has decided to use critical food assistance as a political bargaining chip, said Shapiro. That is unacceptable, especially when the USDA has billions of dollars in congressionally-appropriated contingency funding on hand to fund SNAP and ensure millions of people dont go hungry.

Both the administration and the states charitable food network have warned that there is not enough available in food banks to sustain the commonwealth when SNAP runs out. Because benefits continued to be covered in previous government shutdowns, the situation is unprecedented.

To say that we are in a crisis is an understatement, and while there are still many unknowns surrounding the government shutdown, one thing is for certain  more of our neighbors are going to be turning to us for help, said Shila Ulrich, CEO of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

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Ulrich pointed out that in addition to strain created by the loss of SNAP, the states thousands of federal workers going without pay are in need of resources. Her organization has already experienced increases in demand for the more than 268,000 served each month.

"This is one of the most disgusting things I've ever seen as a public servant  the Trump administration is deliberately causing pain to people in need, people who rely on food assistance to feed their families," said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis.

The federal government shut down on Oct. 1 for the first time since a 35-day stoppage bridging 2018 and 2019. At 30 days on Thursday, this shutdown has already surpassed the 1995-96 stoppage of 21 days for No. 2 in terms of length.

The Republican majority U.S. House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution in September. The Republican majority Senate is stalled in filibuster led by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., unable to get seven votes to reach the threshold of 60 needed to pass the legislation and unwilling to compromise on the House legislation.

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Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., the deputy whip in the chamber, in a network interview said, Shutdowns are terrible, and, of course, there will be families who will suffer. We take that responsibility very seriously. But it is one of the few leverage points we have.

Schumer has asked for closed-door meetings with second-term Republican President Donald Trump, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota. Transparency has been Johnsons repeated response.

In addition to Democrats in the House rejecting the continuing resolution in September, Democrats in the Senate have rejected it 13 times following Tuesday morning's vote.

Americans across the political spectrum have expressed mounting frustration with the government shutdown. Humanitarian groups have expressed grave concern over the negotiations which bring food insecurity and health care into the heart of the nations political tug of war.

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Not only are the needs of everyday working people being ignored, but the programs meant to protect them are being weaponized, said Heather Seiders, interim executive director of Just Harvest, a hunger nonprofit in Pittsburgh. When our leaders turn food and health care into bargaining chips, families suffer, small businesses lose, and trust in government erodes. This is not governance, its cruelty disguised as politics.

Just Harvest says it will also serve a blow to the state's food sellers. They note that 100,000 businesses sell $350 million in groceries to families with SNAP benefits every month.
Volunteers with the Capital Area Food Bank distribute items to furloughed federal workers in partnership with No Limits Outreach Ministries in Hyattsville, Maryland, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)

The ongoing political impasse in Washington is creating a crisis that extends far beyond the halls of the Capitol.

Right now, nearly two million Pennsylvanians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program face genuine and chilling uncertainty over how they will feed themselves and their families next month.

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This unprecedented dilemma also threatens the economic foundation that underpins this vital program  the businesses that make, transport, and sell the food we all eat, no matter how it is purchased.

From convenience stores and independent grocers to major supermarkets and their distributors, Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) members are the backbone of the SNAP delivery system.

On behalf of our membership, we are sounding a clear alarm to our elected leaders in Congress: Failure to resolve the lapse in federal funding and delaying SNAP benefits for November will directly and severely impact food businesses and their customers, including, but not only, the millions of Pennsylvanians who rely on SNAP.

SNAP is an essential economic driver, channeling more than $350 million in federal funds through Pennsylvanias food retailers every month. This money supports Pennsylvania farms, pays the wages of thousands of grocery workers, and keeps the entire supply chain moving.

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It is an enormously popular, and successful, public-private partnership.

The October 10th United States Department of Agriculture memo directing state agencies to hold their November issuance files and delay transmission to State EBT vendors threatens to disrupt this vital system. If it comes to pass, this delay would create immediate, critical challenges for the businesses processing millions of EBT transactions and serving SNAP customers.

Supply Chain Shock and Inventory Issues

Our member businesses rely on a predictable schedule of SNAP disbursement to accurately forecast demand, schedule staff, and order perishable inventory like fresh produce, dairy, and meat. A delayed, unscheduled, and unpredictable influx of shoppers arriving on arbitrary dates would make demand forecasting impossible.

Not knowing when SNAP recipients will have the funds to shop, retailers will struggle to manage potential supply shortages, food waste, and the specter of bare shelves at a time of year when store resources and staff are already stretched to breaking.

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Cash Flow, Personnel Strain, and Customer Confusion

Sudden changes to the predictable purchasing cycle will severely strain the cash flow of many small and independent food retailers. Our frontline grocery workers  who are already managing high stress customer environments  will be forced to navigate mass customer confusion, chaotic checkout lines, and potential conflict as they deal with families whose benefits havent arrived and who may not understand why. In-store impacts will be felt by SNAP and non-SNAP customers alike.

What we are seeing in Washington, D.C. is not just a budget squabble. It is a direct threat to food security and economic stability in Pennsylvania.

We are proud to feed the people of the commonwealth, but this potential disruption profoundly challenges our ability to do so efficiently and reliably.

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As we enter the holiday season  for all its many associations, also the busiest time of year for our industry  political uncertainty threatens to create a two-pronged food and economic crisis in Pennsylvania.

We must not let it.

Alex Baloga has been president & CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association since 2017. He leads the groups day-to-day operations and helps implement its strategic vision, working with the board of directors, of which he is a member. He leads the associations government relations efforts at the local, state and federal levels.










The understanding was reached during the 15th meeting of the India-Australia Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter-Terrorism, held in Canberra from October 29 to 30, 2025.

According to a press statement issued by India's Ministry of External Affairs, the meeting was co-chaired by Vinod Bahade, Joint Secretary (Counter Terrorism) at the MEA, and Gemma Huggins, Australia's Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism.

Both sides strongly condemned the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, with Australia reaffirming its "support and solidarity with India" in the fight against terrorism.

Officials from both countries discussed the emerging threats in domestic, regional, and global terrorism landscapes and agreed to strengthen cooperation in law enforcement, judicial coordination, and maritime security.

Recognising the growing use of new technologies by terror groups, India and Australia underlined the need for better information sharing and joint measures to counter online radicalisation and violent extremism. They also discussed ways to combat the misuse of technology for terrorist purposes.

Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to work together at multilateral forums such as the United Nations, Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Global Counter Terrorism Forum (GCTF), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and with QUAD partners to enhance global cooperation against terrorism.

During the visit, the Indian delegation also met officials from the Australian Federal Police Counter Terrorism Unit, National Emergency Management Agency, and Maritime Border Command. The team visited the Australian Watch Office and the Crisis Centre to review operational coordination.

The statement said that both sides agreed to hold the next Joint Working Group meeting in New Delhi on a mutually convenient date. (ANI)
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  As the SNAP benefit program suspension nears, businesses and organizations around the Kansas City Metro are finding ways to help families impacted.

One Northland mom said the SNAP program is a vital financial resource for families raising children with disabilities.

Here are 6 ways the government shutdown could get worse for Americans

Parents that are raising children with disabilities already carry so much on a daily basis, and food insecurity shouldnt be an added worry to that, said Tierra Dorsey, the PTO President for Maple Valley State School for the Severely Disabled.

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Dorsey says many single and low-income families at Maple Valley State School rely on the federal food benefit program.

Many families raising children with disabilities already face tremendous financial challenges, and specifically with our school, we have many children who are medically complex, meaning they have significant health issues, and that means ongoing appointments, therapies, and even hospitalizations. Often in a two-parent household, only one parent can work because the other has to stay home to meet the childrens needs. SNAP benefits being cut directly affects our disability community, Dorsey said.

Dorsey launched a food drive to help families in need.

Were accepting nonperishable items, grocery gift cards, and donations by cash or Venmo (@Maple-Valley). We have many families in our school who are single or low-income, so were trying to help provide for them. We would love to do it on a monthly or weekly basis, but really, right now the main focus is because of the SNAP benefits being cut, Dorsey explained.

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Food items needed include:

Canned meat, vegetables, beans, and soup.

Rice, grains, pasta, and cereal

Shelf-stable milk

Peanut butter and canned protein

Cooking staples, oil, and spices

Food aid at risk of expiring as effort to fund SNAP benefits fails in Senate

You can drop off food donations at the Maple Valley State School, located at the back of the Maple Woods Community College campus, 2575 NE Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64155.

You can contact Dorsey for more information about the food drive at Maplevalleypto@gmail.com.

Other metro organizations have stepped in to help kids and parents who use SNAP benefits. The KC Kids Eat campaign provides snacks and staple items to teachers and students in Kansas City Public Schools.

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Current drop-off Locations for KC Kids Eat include: Freighthouse Fitness, Wellness Warehouse, Rochester, Good Karma Coffee, Equal Minded Cafe, and North Kansas City Parks and Recreation.

You can also donate to KC EATS, which feeds families and local workers. It also helps stock school food pantries. More information about items needed and donation drop-off locations can be found here.

Taco Johns in Independence is also offering free meals during the SNAP benefits suspension. They released the following the statement on social media:

Much like all of you, we have seen some unusual times right now. With SNAP benefits being cut and people not being paid to work, we have a lot of people that could use some help. So, were going to do what we can.

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We are going to be offering a free meal to anyone who needs it. All we ask is that you come visit the store and ask for the Community Special. We will be offering a bean or beef burrito along with an order of Potato Oles for anybody in need. No questions asked.

Our number one job is to feed our community. We are going to make sure that everybody can have a hot meal no matter what.

650,000 people in Missouri will lose their SNAP benefits, thats one in eight people. 40% of all SNAP beneficiaries are children, who cannot change that situation. They have no say, but its our job to protect them and to keep them safe. So, doing anything we can, even if you cant donate food directly to one of these drop boxes, making a monetary donation to Harvesters as well, said Carter Taylor, the Legislative Chair for the American Federation of Teachers Local 691.

The local food distributors make sure that all the schools and at-risk populations are fed, and (food banks and distributors) are at the end of their rope. They need everything they can get.

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November SNAP benefits may be delayed or not provided at all, depending on what the federal government decides.

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.
The Armys latest effort to modernize its formation took shape on the training grounds of Hawaii last week, as soldiers tested a new shoot and scoot mobile mortar system designed to make units more agile in combat.

Members of the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment simulated wartime scenarios and trained with the Scorpion Light 81mm mortar system for five days, beginning Oct. 20, according to a Wednesday news release from Global Military Products, the Florida-based company that makes the weapons.

The testing was part of the Armys Transformation in Contact 2.0 program, an initiative that puts experimental weapons and vehicles into the hands of soldiers for feedback before the government fields those items at a large scale.

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The soldiers feedback was invaluable and further validated the systems ability to provide rapid, highly mobile, precise and survivable indirect fire, James Knight, senior manager of defense systems and energetics at Global Military Products, said in the Wednesday statement.

Soldiers moved the new mortar platform around on the Armys utility Infantry Squad Vehicles, which are built for troop movement and transport at higher speeds. Each vehicle can carry the mortar system and 72 rounds, according to the release, which said the Scorpion Light can fire eight rounds and relocate in less than two minutes.

The system takes only 30 seconds to fire the first round and 30 seconds to displace after firing the final round, Global Military Products reported in a September news release, adding that it has a special baseplate that enables the system to be fired on nearly any surface.

It can also integrate with third-party guidance.

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The system, when mounted on the utility vehicles, is light enough to travel inside of a Chinook helicopter or sling-loaded under a Black Hawk helicopter. Two of the Scorpion Light systems used in the trials will remain in Hawaii and be transported via a C-17 aircraft to take part in the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center exercises in November, the manufacturer said.

The joint exercise, led by the 25th Infantry Division across Hawaii and Luzon in the Philippines, will reportedly include military personnel from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Maldives, France and New Zealand, among other international partners.

The Scorpion Light has also been assessed by the Marine Corps at Quantico, Virginia, and the manufacturer reported that a version of the system has been used in combat in Ukraine.

The Army has not announced if it intends to adopt the platform and officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Despite overwhelming political pressure and legal hurdles, Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies have managed to bring charges against a number of top officials.

High-profile cases, however, have been stalled in courts for years.

Oleksandr Klymenko, Ukraine's chief anti-corruption prosecutor, argued in an interview with the Kyiv Independent that the problem must be solved urgently. Many of the major corruption cases will soon be closed unless measures are taken, he said.

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"In 2026, 2027, and 2028, you'll see a huge number of cases being closed simply due to the statute of limitations," he told the Kyiv Independent. "And someone must be held accountable for this. Why aren't these cases being heard?"

The problems faced by Klymenko's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) are manifold: a lack of independent wiretapping and forensic assessment, leaks, and legal limits.

To top it all off, the authorities tried in July to eliminate the independence of anti-corruption agencies before reversing the changes under public and Western pressure.

I think there will be (another) attempt to vote on the same legislative changes, but not as a single law  instead, they will try to introduce amendments into other bills that achieve the same thing: attempts to somehow curtail the powers of NABU and SAPO, Klymenko said.

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Read also: Ukraines top anti-graft prosecutor decries pressure amid reports of Security Service probe targeting him

Old corruption cases

The SAPO, which prosecutes top corruption cases, was created in 2015 as part of Western-backed rule of law reforms. The SAPO oversees the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), which was created the same year to investigate top corruption.

The purpose of the reforms was to create independent anti-corruption agencies separate from old law enforcement agencies, which were politically subservient and mired in corruption.

Klymenko, 39, became an investigator at the Anti-Corruption Bureau in 2016 and took the helm at the SAPO in 2022.

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One of the challenges that he faces now is a lack of court verdicts in high-profile corruption cases.

Courts are still considering major corruption cases that began many years ago  such as those against Roman Nasirov, former head of the State Fiscal Service; lawmaker Mykola Martynenko; Oleh Hladkovsky, ex-secretary of the National Security and Defense Council; former Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov, and tainted judge Pavlo Vovk.

In the Nasirov case, it took a court one and a half years just to read the indictment, and one preparatory court hearing in the Trukhanov case took more than three years.

Before the creation of the High Anti-Corruption Court in 2019, these cases had been heard by district courts, which faced growing accusations of corruption and inefficiency. The High Anti-Corruption Court's creation was intended to put an end to this deadlock and make trials faster and more effective.

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According to Klymenko, the High Anti-Corruption Court has brought only limited progress since its inception, primarily in addressing petty corruption.

High-profile proceedings remain stalled, according to him.

Many old high-profile corruption cases may soon be closed because the statute of limitations will expire, Klymenko added.

"If you're hearing a case for only two hours a month, it's hard to expect that you'll ever actually finish the criminal proceedings," he added. "The responsibility for complying with time limits during court hearings lies with the court, and the court must be held accountable."

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To solve the problem, Klymenko proposed introducing more severe disciplinary penalties for judges when cases are closed due to the statute of limitations.

Another solution is "changing the approach to calculating the statute of limitations" to make sure that "once the indictment is sent to the court, the statute of limitations stops," Klymenko added.

Read also: Ukraines Security Service and top anti-corruption agency are openly fighting. Both say only Russia can win

Conflict with President's Office

Over the past few months, a more urgent issue has been on Klymenko's mind  the ongoing conflict between the President's Office on the one hand and the two anti-corruption agencies  SAPO and NABU  on the other.

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In July, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), which is seen as close to the president, searched the NABU premises and conducted checks of NABU and SAPO employees' access to state secrets.

The SBU searches were carried out without a warrant. The Security Service appealed to a law that allows searches without a court's permission if they are "urgent."

Klymenko cast doubt on the legality of these searches, which dealt with a variety of unrelated cases  from treason to traffic accidents.

"What element of urgency is there in investigating a traffic accident that happened four years ago?" he said.

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The SBU's press service argued in response to the Kyiv Independent that the searches were legal.

Since then, three NABU detectives have been arrested and charged with treason and aiding Russia. Klymenko said that the evidence presented by the SBU against the NABU detectives does not convince him.

A day after the July searches, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law that subordinated the NABU to the prosecutor general, an official appointed by the president. The bureau's independence was later restored following street protests and pressure from Brussels but the clash continued.

People attend the rally against the law #12414, which regulates the work of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 22, 2025. (Danylo Antoniuk / The Kyiv Independent)

"Any attempts to influence the work of anti-corruption bodies are illegal, because they must operate independently, without any external interference," Klymenko argued.

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The crackdown on the SAPO and NABU was preceded by several corruption cases against presidential allies.

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov was charged with bribery and abuse of power in June. NABU also looked into Zelensky's former Deputy Chief of Staff, Rostyslav Shurma, and allegedly his former business partner, Timur Mindich.

Klymenko said that the Chernyshov case was one of those that contributed to the crackdown.

"The reason for the attack on the NABU in July was the cumulative effect of our work and our results," he said. "What happened there was an attempt to deprive us of our independence. It wasn't about some single specific case."

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Ukrainian media outlet Babel reported on Oct. 6, citing its sources, that Klymenko was being investigated by the SBU in relation to cases connected to the detained Ukrainian lawmaker Fedir Khrystenko. If Klymenko is charged, it could be grounds for his dismissal, according to Babel.

The SBU later denied the report. The service claims that Khrystenko, who faces treason charges, has influenced NABU's work but says that no case against Klymenko is in the works.

"I have never communicated with (Khrystenko)  neither directly nor through any intermediaries," Klymenko said.

Read also: Court orders closure of bribery case against top member of Zelenskys administration

Going after presidential staffers

The irony, however, is that officials of the President's Office, involved in a political struggle with the NABU and SAPO, are technically outside the anti-corruption agencies' jurisdiction.

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Klymenko said that the NABU and SAPO have sent their recommendations to the Ukrainian parliament's law enforcement committee to expand their jurisdiction to include the President's Office, governors, deputy governors, and the head of the State Investigation Bureau and his deputies.

However, the committee rejected the proposals in early 2025, he added.

There are still loopholes that enable the NABU and SAPO to go after presidential staffers if the amount of bribes or losses exceeds certain limits. Two of Zelensky's deputy chiefs of staff, one current and one former, have been formally charged, and at least two are being investigated.

President Volodymyr Zelensky's Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak (R) and his controversial deputy Oleh Tatarov (L) in Kyiv on April 12, 2023. (Kaniuka Ruslan / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

One of the top presidential staffers, Zelensky's Deputy Chief of Staff Oleh Tatarov, was charged in 2020 with giving a bribe to an official before he joined the President's Office.

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The Prosecutor General's Office and courts obstructed the case by transferring it from the NABU to the SBU and twice replacing prosecutors in the case. Eventually the case was closed by a court in 2022.

Klymenko was in charge of the Tatarov case when he was a NABU detective.

"In fact, this criminal case was taken away from us illegally and simply closed after some time," he said. "And there's no legal way to revive this case."

Klymenko said that he tried to save the Tatarov case by resorting to a legal loophole  merging it with other investigations, which would prevent it from being transferred to the SBU. He tried to persuade the then-acting Chief Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Maksym Hryshchuk to do so, but he allegedly refused. Hryshchuk, who is currently serving in the army, told the Kyiv Independent that he was not authorized to comment.

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Klymenko also said he had initiated a criminal case into illegal interference with the Tatarov case, but it had not made any progress since then.

Read also: Zelensky dismantles Ukraines anti-corruption infrastructure, brings law enforcement agencies under his thumb

Wiretapping and forensic assessments

Apart from interference from the Prosecutor General's Office and courts, the NABU and SAPO also face another obstacle. To wiretap the phones of suspects, they have to request permission from the SBU, currently on the other side of an ongoing political power struggle.

Wiretapping through the Security Service makes little sense because information is leaked to suspects, Klymenko said.

"Without using this tool, investigating corruption-related offenses is much more difficult," he added. "That's why, in our most high-profile criminal cases, we really don't use telephone wiretapping."

In 2019, the Ukrainian parliament passed a law to give the NABU the legal authority to independently wiretap suspects.

Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak (R), Chief of the Defense Intelligence Major-General Kyrylo Budanov (C), and Head of the Security Service Vasyl Maliuk (L) attend a press briefing on the release of Ukrainian defenders from Russian captivity in Kyiv on Sept. 22, 2022. (Photo by Gian Marco Benedetto/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

However, the bureau is still unable to independently wiretap anyone due to bureaucratic hurdles and obstruction from the SBU, Klymenko said.

The SBU's press service told the Kyiv Independent that the NABU is expected to get independent wiretapping powers by the end of 2026. The Security Service added that it is developing technical requirements for the NABU's wiretapping equipment.

Another hurdle is the lack of an independent forensic assessment institution.

Currently, the NABU and SAPO are forced to use forensic assessment institutions controlled by the Justice Ministry and other government bodies.

However, these institutions have leaked information to suspects and cooperated with them, according to the results of searches conducted by the NABU and SAPO, Klymenko said.

To further complicate things, Klymenko is confident that the authorities will once again attempt to limit the powers of the country's anti-corruption institutions.

"No one has abandoned this idea, and it will continue," Klymenko said.

Read also: Ukraines anti-corruption bureau under fire over its handling of leak scandal

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
US President Donald Trump stated that China has agreed to cooperate on ending the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Source: Trump speaking to journalists on board Air Force One following talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine

Quote: "Ukraine came up very strongly, we talked about it for a long time. And we're both going to work together to see if we can get something done. We agreed that the sides are locked in. They're fighting and sometimes you have to let them fight, I guess. Crazy. But he's going to help us and we're going to work together on Ukraine."

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Details: When asked whether he discussed with Xi Jinping the issue of buying Russian oil, Trump responded in the negative.

Background: Trump spoke positively of his meeting with Xi Jinping, stating that they had reached a trade deal that could be signed soon, although he did not provide any further details.

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NEED TO KNOW

Richard Ferguson, 68, was convicted on four counts of manslaughter for the deaths of Trinidad Hernandez and her three grandchildren, ages 11, 9, and 1

The four were killed in a crash when a car driven by Ferguson's unlicensed 15-year-old son ran a stop sign at a speed authorities estimated to be between "76 and 83 mph"

Three of the teenage passengers in the car with Ferguson's son told police that Ferguson gave his son permission to drive the car, which Ferguson denied doing in his testimony

A jury in Florida convicted the father of a teenager who killed four people in a high-speed crash back in 2023.

Richard Ferguson, 68, is now facing the possibility of life in prison after jurors found him guilty on four counts of manslaughter for the deaths of Trinidad Hernandez and her three grandchildren ages 1, 9 and 11, according to a copy of the arrest warrant obtained by PEOPLE.

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Those charges stem from a crash that occurred on Sept. 3, 2023, when multiple eyewitnesses told police they saw Ferguson's 15-year-old son run a stop sign while going a rate that authorities later determined to be "between speeds of 76 and 83 mph."

The car then crashed into one being driven by Trinidad Hernandez, 50, who, according to the warrant, did not have a stop sign at the intersection.

Trinidad Hernandez and her 11-year-old granddaughter were both pronounced dead at the scene, while the other passengers in the vehicle were rushed to nearby hospitals, according to the warrant.

The 9-year-old boy and 1-year-old girl were declared dead at the hospital, the warrant states, while Angel Hernandez, the children's grandfather, managed to survive despite sustaining severe injuries.

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After the crash, multiple eyewitnesses said that family members of the four minor males in the other car, all of whom were 15, arrived on the scene and attempted to get the boys to leave, according to the warrant.

One eyewitness told investigators they overheard a conversation suggesting the teen driver had his fathers permission to use the vehicle despite being underage. According to the warrant, the father did not cooperate with the investigation, and both he and his son declined to provide sworn statements to authorities.

When police started to interview the other teenagers who had been passengers in the car being driven by Ferguson's son, all three boys said that Ferguson "let [his son] use the car to drive for one of the boys to pick up a belt," according to the affidavit.

The affidavit states that three teenagers told police Ferguson moved his own vehicle to let his son back the car out of the driveway, then told the boys to buckle up and come right back.

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Instead of coming back home, the four went to a local park, which they had just left at the time of the crash, according to the affidavit.

The driver of the car previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges, according to court records, as part of a deal with prosecutors that requires him to remain in juvenile custody until the age of 19 and then complete two years of supervision.

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.

Ferguson took the stand in his defense before jury deliberations on Wednesday, and said that he never gave his son permission to drive his car, WKMG reported.

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He testified that he told his son to move the car to make room for another vehicle in the driveway and that the teen then drove away without his consent.

Jurors needed a little over two hours to reach a guilty verdict on all four counts.

A sentencing hearing has not yet been set for Ferguson, who faces 37 years to life in prison.

In remarks to reporters outside the courtroom, Ferguson's lawyer said that his client maintains his innocence, but did not say if he planned to appeal the verdict.

Read the original article on People
Former Illinois sheriffs deputy Sean Grayson has been convicted of second-degree murder for the death of Sonya Massey, a Black mother who was fatally shot after she called 911 to report a possible intruder at her home. Although Grayson initially faced a first-degree murder charges, the jury chose to convict him with a lesser charge on Wednesday, NBC News reported.

Sonya Masseys familys attorneys initially wanted a first-degree charge for Sean Grayson

While Graysons family cried in court after hearing the verdict, Masseys supporters celebrated the decision outside of the courthouse. Protesters, who came together to demand justice for Massey, chanted I rebuke you in the name of Jesus. That was the same phrase Massey used shortly before Grayson fired shots in her house.

Masseys attorneys, Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, expressed relief after the verdict, but also wanted a first-degree charge for Grayson. Per NBC News, the attorneys said it was still a measure of justice for Sonya Massey despite the lesser conviction.

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Former federal prosecutor Mark Chutkow said the jury made a strategic decision in its ruling: The prosecution likely felt confident about their case and was willing to go for an all-or-nothing verdict. But the defense did not want to take that chance, so they advocated for a lesser included charge, Chutkow told NBC News.

Sean Grayson faces between four and 20 years in prison after fatally shooting Sonya Massey

According to Illinois law, Graysons sentence could also be reduced by half if he shows good behavior in prison.

As Blavity reported, Grayson fatally shot Massey after she called police to her Springfield home last summer. Body camera footage showed Massey answering the door and telling Grayson and another officer, Please, dont hurt me.

Grayson later spotted a pot of boiling water in the home and told Massey, We dont need a fire while were in here. A short time later, Massey told Grayson I rebuke you in the name of Jesus while pouring water from the pot into the sink.

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Massey hid behind a counter as Grayson threatened to shoot her. The deputy then shot her three times when she came out of her hiding spot.







The post Sonya Massey Murder Trial: Former Illinois Sheriffs Deputy Sean Grayson Found Guilty appeared first on Blavity.
The father of Sonya Massey, who was fatally shot in her kitchen by former sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson last year, was emotional and expressed anger on Wednesday after Grayson was convicted.

Grayson, who was facing three counts of first-degree murder, was found guilty on one lesser count of second-degree murder, sparing him a possible life sentence for killing Massey, a 36-year-old unarmed Black woman.

"He told my child he would shoot her in the F-ing face and he did it. And all we got was a second-degree murder conviction out of this?" said Massey's father, James Wilburn.

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"He was in six police departments in three and a half years. That is shameful," he said.

Grayson, who was a Sangamon County sheriff's deputy in Illinois at the time of the shooting, claimed he was defending himself from Massey, who had called police to check on a suspected prowler. Grayson said that inside the home, Massey acted erratically and rebuked him "in the name of Jesus" while walking toward a pot of water on her stove.

He testified that he viewed Massey's pot of boiling water as a threat and was trained to use force to gain compliance.

Prosecutors said Grayson failed to render medical aid to Massey right after the shooting.

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Grayson's "mother came over and apologized"

Teresa Haley, a friend of Massey's family, told CBS News she feels sorry for Grayson's family.

"The mother came over and apologized and she said, 'We did not raise him that way. And I'm really sorry for your family,'" Haley said.

"My heart goes out to them," Haley said. "We lost Sonya but they lost a son, and what he did for Sonya he has to pay and they realize that."

The trial for the case largely focused on disturbing body cam footage from Grayson's partner during the deadly incident. A jury of eight women and four men deliberated for roughly 12 hours before reaching a verdict.

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Grayson's sentencing is scheduled for January. He could face up to 20 years in prison.

Sangamon County agreed earlier this year to pay Massey's family $10 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit.

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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Today, a ceremony will be held to honor 32 adults and three fetuses whose remains were unclaimed at the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow medical examiners office.

Lansing residents attend All Souls Day at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery (WLNS)

All Souls Day is a day Catholics set aside to honor the dead, reflecting the belief that every person deserves dignity in both life and death.

The ceremony is organized in partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Lansing and St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery to provide a dignified resting place for these community members.

The event will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum in Lansing on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 9:30 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 WLNS 6 News.
GYEONGJU, South Korea (AP)  South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Japans new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met in their first summit Thursday, pledging to strengthen ties that have been frequently strained by their bitter wartime history.

Their meeting in South Korea came after both launched charm offensives toward U.S. President Donald Trump, who visited their countries and pressed the two key U.S. allies to complete their massive U.S. investment pledges.

Meeting with Takaichi ahead of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, Lee said South Korea and Japan share common challenges in the face of rapidly changing international dynamics and trade conditions and that their future-oriented cooperation was more important than ever.

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Takaichi said trilateral cooperation between Tokyo, Seoul and Washington is becoming increasingly crucial under the current strategic environment, according to Lees office.

The two leaders agreed to continue their shuttle diplomacy, in which they take turns hosting summits, Lees office said in a statement.

Takaichi described her first talks with Lee as very enjoyable and meaningful" and that she believes we will welcome (Lee) in Japan next time.

The Oct. 22 election of Takaichi raised concern in Seoul about a potential deterioration in ties, as South Koreans view her right-wing views on history as hawkish. She has resisted acknowledging Japanese aggression in World War II and atrocities and denied that coercion was used against Korean laborers and women held as sexual slaves for Japanese troops.

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But many experts say Seoul and Tokyo will more likely continue to tighten cooperation as they both struggle to defend their economic interests in face of Trumps unilateral push to reset global trade. They also face other common challenges like supply chain vulnerabilities and North Korea's nuclear program.

Lee's inauguration in June stoked worries in Japan, because he previously faced criticism that he tilted toward North Korea and China and away from the U.S. and Japan. But since taking office, Lee, under his pragmatic diplomacy, has repeatedly promised to improve ties with Japan and the U.S. and bolster trilateral Seoul-Tokyo-Washington security cooperation.

Both governments have pledged hundreds of billions of dollars in U.S. business investments, but the South Koreans had spent weeks wrangling with their American counterparts over how Seouls proposed $350 billion investment package would be structured and operated.

Following a summit on Wednesday with Trump in Gyeongju, the two governments announced they had moved closer to finalizing a trade deal.

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South Korean officials say they have agreed to provide $200 billion in direct U.S. investments over a decade, along with another $150 billion  including loan guarantees  to help revive the U.S. shipbuilding industry. In return, they say the Americans have agreed to lower tariffs on Korean vehicles and auto parts from 25% to 15%. Trump has also said the United States will share closely held technology to allow South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine.

Trumps visit to South Korea, which also included a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, followed a trip to Japan where he met Takaichi. Trump and Takaichi announced several major energy and technology projects in America to be funded by Japan, and Trumps team estimated it had secured up to $490 billion in Japanese investment as part of a trade deal.

__ AP writer Mari Yamaguchi contributed from Tokyo.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said Seoul aimed to work with Beijing to advance practical cooperation in trade, supply chains and people-to-people exchanges to improve ties based on "friendly competition" and "equal cooperation".

Lee made the remarks in an interview with China's state-run Xinhua news agency published a day ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's arrival in the South Korean city of Busan on Thursday. This marks Xi's first visit to South Korea in 11 years, following his last trip in July 2014.

Lee is expected to hold a summit with Xi on Saturday in the coastal city of Gyeongju on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit.

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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.

In the interview, Lee expressed hopes of advancing the "mature development" of bilateral ties, while noting that as China's industrial competitiveness and hi-tech capabilities rose sharply, competition between businesses in the two countries had grown.

"However, I believe South Korea and China can pool wisdom to mature and advance the strategic partnership based on 'friendly competition' and 'equal cooperation'," he said, according to the Xinhua report.

"In particular, I believe there is an urgent need to explore new complementary cooperation models in economic and trade sectors to further energise enterprises and industries in both countries."

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Xi's visit comes as Seoul finds itself caught in the middle of a deepening US-China rivalry. While South Korea relies on the US for security protection, China is its biggest trading partner.

On the sidelines of the Apec summit on Thursday, Xi held talks with his American counterpart, Donald Trump, in their first in-person meeting since the latter's return to the White House earlier this year.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meets US President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua alt=Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) meets US President Donald Trump in Busan, South Korea on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua>

In the Xinhua interview, Lee highlighted the importance of promoting mutually beneficial trade and supply chain collaboration and delivering tangible benefits for the peoples of both countries.

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Seoul also aims to expand practical cooperation in areas such as culture, environment and people-to-people exchanges while addressing regional security issues, including denuclearisation on the Korean peninsula, according to Lee.

In recent years, China's strengthened manufacturing capabilities have put South Korean shipbuilders and carmakers under pressure. Meanwhile, Seoul has increasingly aligned itself with Washington on hi-tech industries, particularly semiconductors.

In the past two years, Chinese shipbuilders have secured about 70 per cent of new vessel orders globally, while South Korea's market share has fallen to an eight-year low, according to a research institute affiliated with China State Shipbuilding Corporation.

South Korean brands Hyundai and Kia have lost market share to Chinese electric car producers.

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Lee said that the two sides could expand consultation channels for economic and trade cooperation and accelerate negotiations to achieve progress in the investment sector.

"The two countries agree that supply chain cooperation should continue to be strengthened, and through this consensus, the peoples of both countries will directly benefit," Lee said in the interview.

South Korea is one of the few developed nations to have signed a free-trade deal with China. It, together with Japan, is also a member of the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Noting that he had visited China multiple times, Lee said that "China's rich culture and economic development have left a profound impression on me and allow me to envision a bright future for South Korea-China relations".

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He added that it was especially important for the two countries' leaders to deepen political trust and maintain strategic communication through mutual visits.

Regarding the situation on the Korean peninsula, Lee stated Seoul would strengthen strategic communication with Beijing.

"For substantive solutions to the nuclear problem and the construction of peace on the Korean peninsula, we urgently need China to play a constructive role," he said.

As for the Apec summit, Lee noted that most of the forum's members faced common challenges and could improve cooperation and dialogue.

He said that when it came to artificial intelligence (AI) and addressing demographic changes, the efforts of a single economy were limited.

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"The best solutions emerge when all parties gather, share exemplary policies and discuss diverse policy options," he said.

"I will work closely with Apec members, including China, to make Apec not only a forum for trade and investment discussions but also a multilateral platform for future economic and trade issues such as AI and demographic change."

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.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said India deeply appreciates Germany's strong support after the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it a reflection of the two nations' shared belief in zero tolerance towards terrorism. Speaking at the German National Day celebrations in New Delhi, Jaishankar expressed, "deep appreciation for Germany's clear stand in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack. My counterpart Minister Johann Wadephul was unambiguous in supporting India's right to defend itself against terrorism. It is in full consonance with our belief that there should be zero tolerance towards terrorism." He also highlighted that India and Germany's defence cooperation has been growing steadily. "Our defence collaboration has now picked up visibly. This has opened up many new possibilities," he said. Jaishankar, who was the chief guest at the Alpen Utsav organised to celebrate German National Day, said both countries share an important responsibility in stabilising the global order during a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty. "We are entering an uncertain period in world affairs. Strategic unpredictability and economic volatility are on the rise. Our two nations have an important responsibility for stabilising the global order and promoting peace, progress and prosperity," he said. He added that India and Germany, as "vibrant democracies, pluralistic societies, and market economies," must continue to strengthen their partnership. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of India-Germany Strategic Partnership, said Jaishankar in his address. "It is imperative that we continue to build a deeper rapport and a stronger chemistry based on mutual respect and mutual understanding," he noted. Discussing economic cooperation, Jaishankar noted that German companies have a long-standing presence in India and continue to expand their investments. "German companies have been present here for many decades. Some of them have been here for more than a century, and I see enthusiasm for expansion in many of my interactions with them. Germany is also key to our ongoing trade negotiations with the European Union," he said. He also mentioned that the India-Germany Green and Sustainable Development Partnership has shown "very noticeable progress." Referring to growing people-to-people connections, Jaishankar said, "Our student population in Germany has doubled in the last five years. The mobility of skilled professionals has also increased significantly. In that sense, we are serving as a model to facilitate the emergence of a global workforce." The minister also spoke about the strong political cooperation between the two nations. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz have already met twice this year, and we look forward to welcoming the Chancellor in India at a time of mutual convenience. Our political cooperation has also intensified, and our defence collaboration has opened many new possibilities," he said. Jaishankar emphasised that India and Germany remain strong supporters of multilateralism and work together in global forums such as the G4 group to reform the United Nations. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1983919637009199200 In a post on X after the event, Jaishankar wrote, "Pleased to join German Unity Day celebrations in New Delhi. India and Germany share many convergences as vibrant democracies, pluralistic societies and market economies. Our strong cooperation will play a key role in stabilising the global order." (ANI)
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  A South Peoria man was found guilty Thursday of first-degree murder in connection with the shooting early in 2024 on East Thrush Avenue.

Peoria County Circuit Judge Steve Kouri found David H. Stone, 41, guilty after a bench trial that took place over several days last month. As such, he now faces at least 20 years and possibly decades more behind bars for the Jan. 4, 2024, shooting death of Arlin Bermudez Castellon.

South Peoria man charged in connection with Peorias first homicide of 2024

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He remains in custody at the Peoria County Jail pending his Dec. 10 sentencing hearing.

Prosecutors said surveillance footage showed two people pulling up to the house, located in the 200 block of East Thrush Avenue, going inside and a minute later, Bermudez Castellon running out of the house and collapsing in the front yard.

Found in the front yard were two shell casings. Also found inside the front door were more shell casings, according to court records.

Officers were able to use nearby license plate reader cameras as well as the surveillance footage to link the getaway car to Stone, according to prosecutors.

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He was taken into custody and on his person were found car keys to the vehicle. Inside his house was found a .45-caliber handgun wrapped in a towel.

Police looked through Stones phone as well as the phone of Castellon. On them, they found, in Spanish, a conversation back and forth about a debt that Castellon appeared to owe for $250.

Repeatedly, Stone texted messages that overtly or with less obvious words, threats of physical harm to Castellon if he didnt pay up. Mentions of a Black Ghost and the statement, Dont make me call my people, were sent to the victim in an effort to get him to pay up.

Recorded phone calls from the Peoria County Jail had him admitting he was at the house with another man, Mikeal Williams, to get the money.

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Williams was allegedly the triggerman, according to trial testimony last month. Stone was convicted under the theory of accountability which holds that a person can be held legally accountable  and therefore just as culpable  as the one who fired the shots.

Williams, 26, is in custody in Texas and awaiting extradition to Illinois. His case is pending, said Anna Perales of the states attorneys office.

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.
COOK COUNTY, IL  Unless the federal government throws a last-minute Hail Mary pass to end the shutdown before midnight Friday, 1.9 million Illinois residents  about 16 percent of the states population  will not be receiving their SNAP benefits on Nov. 1.

Local food pantries and food banks tell Patch that requests from people seeking food assistance for the first time are starting to surge. The most often asked question on neighborhood social media groups this week is from people seeking the nearest food pantry.

A lot of SNAP participants are children and older adults, and people with disabilities. SNAP is a lifeline for families to make ends meet, said Man-Yee-Lee, director of communications for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Our most vulnerable neighbors will be left with few options to put food on the table.

>>> Need food assistance? Enter your Zip Code on the GCFD map to find a food pantry near you.

Earlier this week, the Department of Agriculture, after the Trump administration said it would not tap the roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, posted a statement on its website, saying bottom line, the well had run dry. The unattributed USDA statement went on to blame Democratic senators.

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Illinois has also joined a group of 26 states suing over the suspension of the program that helps 693,000 in the state and 40 million nationwide.

Man-Yee-Lee said the food depository is asking its 850 community partners to monitor traffic at their respective food pantries, soup kitchen and shelters across Cook County.

The food depository will remain committed to make sure food is available to anyone who needs it, Man-Yee-Lee said. If necessary, we will increase distribution to areas based on community need.

>>> IL SNAP Benefits Won't Go Out In November, Officials Confirm

Lines are long by the time Elsies Pantry opens for its weekly food distribution on Thursdays at Our Savior Divine Lutheran Church, 10040 S. 88th Ave., Palos Hills.

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People are lining up at 11 a.m., even though we dont open until 2 p.m., said Beth Heinrich, director of Elsies Pantry. The lines get so big.

Heinrich told Patch that the number of new clients seeking food assistance in the past month has increased to 120 families and individuals.

We get new clients signing up every week during the holidays. We can go up to 200 families, Heinrich said. The number didnt go down last January as it normally has in the past. Its kept steady, and lately it has been climbing. Were expecting numbers to increase.

A partner pantry of GFCD, Heinrich said Elsies Pantry was down about 1,000 pounds of food it received this month from the USDA..

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We normally get over 6,000 pounds [of meat, dairy and produce] from the USDA, Heinrich said. Now its down to 5,000 pounds.

Heinrich says for the first time since Elsies Pantry was founded over 25 years ago, the pantry was forced to skip one of its Thursday food distribution dates because it didnt have enough food.

Mary Connaghan, president of the food pantry board at Pilgrim Faith United Church of Christ, 9411 S.51st Ave., Oak Lawn, told Patch that the pantrys shelves are still okay. The panty is now up to 200 individuals and families in October.

Last weekend, Pilgrim Faith partnered with Chicago Ridge Mall, where families were asked to bring a non-perishable food item for admittance to the malls Day of the Dead celebration. A similar event was held the same weekend at the Oak Lawn Community High School PTSA craft fair, where food donations were requested. The Pilgrim Faith food pantry is also planning its annual turkey drive starting Nov. 15.

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We got an enormous amount of food, Connaghan said. Weve had a lot more people reaching out to us, asking if we need help. Im hoping that the community will rally behind us.

One of Chicagos longest serving food pantries, the Maple Morgan Park Pantry serves 4,000 people per month requesting food assistance in Beverly, Morgan Park, Mount Greenwood and beyond. Karen Ovesrtreet, the food pantrys executive director, told Patch that approximately 900,000 people in Cook County rely on SNAP.

Were getting more people, were probably up 40 percent, Overstreet said. Were higher now than we were during COVID. Weve exceeded COVID numbers.

>>> IL Among States Suing Trump Administration Over Suspended SNAP Benefits



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A partner pantry with GFCD, Overstreet told Patch that the pantry has never run out of food in its 43 years of operation. The pantry leases space at Morgan Park United Methodist Church, 11030 S. Longwood Drive, Chicago.

We have been truly based because by being here a long time, the community has really rallied behind us, Overstreet said. We just released our Thanksgiving flier because of the high number of requests. We dont want anyone going with Thanksgiving dinner.

To brace themselves for the surge, local food pantries are planning to increase their food rescue efforts, collecting surplus healthy food from local grocery stores, hotels, farmers markets, caterers, state fairs and restaurants, and delivering it to social service agencies.

We do food rescues every Saturday, said Tim Noonan, a member of the 19th Ward Mutual Aid board in Chicagos Beverly neighborhood. We bring it to our warehouse in Blue Island, where it gets distributed to different groups and pantries.

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Meanwhile, those in the emergency food system are counting on community food drives and donations to augment their supply of food for the hungry in their respective communities.

Man-Yee-Lee said the emergency food system cannot fulfill the community need for food alone because it is not sustainable. SNAP is needed to continue to be available for the children, seniors, disabled persons and families who rely on it.

We are in unprecedented times, she said. We are extremely worried the longer the government shutdown continues.

>>>Pritzker Executive Order Sends $20M To IL Food Banks As SNAP Benefits Halted





South Suburban Food Pantries Brace For Surge As SNAP Benefits End Saturday originally appeared on the Palos Patch
A Southern California teacher was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing multiple children and authorities say there could be more victims.

On Oct. 8, detectives from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department investigated a tip that child sexual abuse material had been downloaded in the county and that it had happened somewhere near the city of Colton, the Sheriff's Department announced in a news release.

Detectives identified Bemis Elementary School teacher Steve Paul Perry Popper, 47, of Colton, as the suspect.

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During the investigation, detectives found evidence of child sexual abuse involving at least four minors, according to the release. Officials didn't specify what the evidence was or if the minors were students at his school.

Popper was placed on administrative leave once Rialto Unified School District officials learned about the allegation from the Sheriff's Department, according to district spokesperson Syeda Jafri. The district then accepted his resignation.

The District is deeply disturbed by these serious allegations and will always continue to ensure the safety of students as its main priority," according to a district statement. "Human Resources is cooperating and continuing to work with law enforcement.

Popper was arrested on Wednesday and booked into the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 using force or duress, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 and possession of child pornography. He's being held on $500,000 bail.

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Detectives believe there may be more victims and are releasing Poppers photograph in case more victims can come forward.

Anyone with more information or who has been victimized by Popper has been asked to contact San Bernardino County sheriff's Det. Jason Desario of the Specialized Investigations Division at (909) 890-4904. People wishing to remain anonymous can contact the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463 or through the website wetip.com.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Southwark landlord was prosecuted and ordered to pay 1,128 for breaking the same selective licensing rules as Rachel Reeves last year.

The Chancellor has apologised to the Prime Minister after it emerged that she failed to obtain a rental licence for her family home in Dulwich, south-east London, after moving to No 11 last July.

Southwark council, the local authority governing the area, requires private landlords in certain parts of the borough to obtain a 900-a-year selective licence to rent out a property.

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The Telegraph can reveal that a landlord was prosecuted for operating an unlicensed private rented property in a different area of the borough covered by the same rules just last year.

Property owner Rashidat Adebukola Edekunle-Mohammed pleaded guilty at Croydon Magistrates Court on Oct 14 last year and was ordered to pay 1,128 in fines and costs, according to Southwark council.

At the time, Natasha Ennin, the Labour councillor, said: This case demonstrates our commitment to holding landlords and letting agents accountable when they fail to meet their legal obligations.

She added: We will continue to take action against those who put tenants at risk and encourage residents to report unscrupulous landlords.

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Letting agent Tunde Coker of Alpha Property Services also pleaded guilty and was fined 2,256. Both amounts were reduced due to their early guilty pleas, the local authority said.

Southwark council said it discovered that the Camberwell property was unlicensed after the family living there reported defective heating to the local authority.

The councils website states: You can be prosecuted or fined if youre a landlord or managing agent for a property that needs a licence and do not get one.

Ms Reeves put her four-bedroom detached house in Dulwich on the rental market for 3,200 a month last year. The Chancellors register of interests shows she has received rental income from the property since last September, the Daily Mail reported.

The Chancellor has received rental income from her family home since last September

Southwark council said that Edekunle-Mohammed and Alpha Property Services had previously been notified of the obligation to license a property, whereas a spokesman for Ms Reeves said she was unaware of the licensing requirement and called it an inadvertent mistake.

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The spokesman added: Since becoming Chancellor, Rachel Reeves has rented out her family home through a lettings agency. She had not been made aware of the licensing requirement, but as soon as it was brought to her attention she took immediate action and has applied for the licence.

In December, Labour handed down new powers for councils to introduce selective licensing schemes for the private rented sector at councils discretion.

Previously, councils had to get central government sign-off for any selective licensing scheme that covered more than 20pc of their area, or more than 20pc of its privately rented homes.

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Southwark council said it brought in licences in 2021 to tackle poor standards and improve safety, security and quality for people living in private rented homes.

The licences cost 945 and landlords are required to submit documents proving their property is fit for purpose  including tenancy agreements and safety certificates.

It is a criminal offence to fail to obtain a licence when required. The offence is punishable with an unlimited fine or an order for the landlord to pay back up to 12 months rent.

Councils can also impose a civil penalty of up to 30,000 as an alternative to prosecution.

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Southwark council was approached for comment.

Reeves: I sincerely apologise

Writing to the Prime Minister on Wednesday night, the Chancellor apologised for having broken council rules.

Ms Reeves wrote: I wanted to make you aware of a matter which has been brought to my attention regarding my family home, which we are letting out to tenants via an external lettings agency.

There are selective licensing requirements in this ward for renting out a property. Regrettably, we were not aware that a licence was necessary, and so we did not obtain the licence before letting the property out.

This was an inadvertent mistake. As soon as it was brought to my attention, we took immediate action and have applied for the licence.

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The property is declared on the Members Register of Interests in line with requirements. I have today spoken to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards and I have made the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards aware.

I sincerely apologise for this error and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

In a reply to Ms Reeves, Sir Keir Starmer suggested her apology was a sufficient resolution and said the matter would not be investigated further.

On Thursday, the Conservatives demanded Sir Keir grow a backbone and sack Ms Reeves as his Chancellor.

A Tory spokesman said: Rachel Reeves has broken the law and broken the ministerial code but Keir Starmer is too weak to sack her.

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While the Chancellor is planning tax hikes for millions of families across the country at the Budget, its one rule for the Chancellor and another for everyone else.

Keir Starmer pledged to restore integrity to politics, but now hes laughing in the face of the British public. He should grow a backbone and sack the Chancellor now. This is not over.

A Southwark Council spokesman said: Selective licenses are acquired by sending applications to the council, which we then assess and approve subject to conditions.

When we become aware of an unlicensed property, we issue a warning letter advising the landlord that they have 21 days to apply for a license  enforcement action such as fines are reserved for those who do not apply within that time or where a property is found to be in an unsafe condition.

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We cannot comment on individual cases.

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JASPER COUNTY, Mo. The McDonald County man charged in a deadly drunk driving crash last week in Carthage made his first court appearance Wednesday.

Mark Mendez-Hernandez pleaded not guilty in a Jasper County courtroom. Judge Nicole Carlton set his bail at one million dollars cash only and scheduled him to be back in court on December 4.

He faces 12 charges that include DWI involving the death of aother, involuntary manslaughter, and second-degree assault.

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According to police, he was driving drunk on October 21 when he hit an elderly couple at the intersection of Oak and McGregor in Carthage. The crash pushed them into a third vehicle.

Gale Wade, 76, of Joplin, died. His wife was flown to a Springfield hospital.

Mendez-Hernandez was on probation in McDonald County for being a persistent DWI offender at the time of this fatal crash. On October 23, two days after the crash, the McDonald County Prosecutor Maleia Cheney filed an application to revoke Mendez-Hernandezs probation. And on Tuesday, the Probation and Parole Department filed a Probation Violation Report with the McDonald County Court. An arrest warrant was issued. The arrest warrant asks for Mendez-Hernandez to be held without bail.

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.
Southwest Airlines will begin serving pistachios to passengers in new premium seats next year, sparking backlash from hundreds of travelers and parents of children with tree nut allergies that can be life-threatening.

Southwest revealed the snack in an Instagram post earlier this month that garnered nearly 800 comments, the majority of which expressed confusion and concern.

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Theres so many allergen free snacks out there. Im truly baffled why such a major airline would choose one of the leading allergens in the U.S. to serve in a confined space, a commenter named Kristina Marie wrote.

According to the social media post, passengers in Extra Legroom seats will be offered Wonderful Pistachios in two flavors, honey roasted or roasted and salted, starting Jan. 27.

The airline, which already offers pretzels, graham crackers and Oreos on select flights, said in an emailed statement that it tested more than 50 options before choosing pistachios. The carrier said pistachios will be available at 46 seats on the 175-seat Boeing 737 Max 8 and 800 planes. It has not released the final layout for the 137-seat Max 700 jets.

In its statement, Southwest said it can offer affected passengers an alternative snack, adding that it will continually evaluate customer feedback. The carrier would not comment on whether it planned to implement additional safety precautions to protect customers from stray nuts or residue, which can send them into anaphylactic shock.

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The pistachio, which belongs to the same family as walnuts, almonds and cashews, can trigger symptoms ranging from a tingling tongue and itchy hives to potentially fatal anaphylaxis. The Food and Drug Administration classifies tree nuts as one of the nine most common food allergens.

Its a common allergen that can cause a life-threatening reaction, Sung Poblete, CEO of the nonprofit Food Allergy Research and Education, said of the tree nut. Adding a known allergen to in-flight service without strong safety protocols is going to increase the risk for food-allergic passengers.

According to Poblete, 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 children in the United States have a life-threatening food allergy - more than 33 million individuals.

To avoid an allergic reaction, some say they have no choice but to stop flying the carrier. Leila Moassessi, who graduated from college in Los Angeles in May, frequently flew Southwest between school and her home in Reno, Nevada. She said she was shocked, disappointed and devastated to learn about the pistachios.

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I primarily rely on Southwest to fly and it immediately made me think, How am I going to travel? What am I going to do? said Moassessi, 22. Now I have to worry about this airline serving the allergen that Im most allergic to on planes. This has become a major source of stress and fear for me.

In 2018, Southwest eliminated peanuts from its entire fleet, winning over the community of people with nut allergies.

A lot of people will choose them as their go-to, said Lianne Mandelbaum, founder of the nonprofit No Nut Traveler and an airline correspondent for Allergic Living, an online resource. Number one, theyre affordable, and number two, they know theyre not serving snacks with nuts.

Other airlines, such as United, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines, have also nixed peanuts or instituted policies to accommodate passengers with a peanut allergy. For example, if Delta knows a traveler has a peanut allergy, it will pull the legume from that flight.

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Some airlines may make an in-flight announcement asking passengers to refrain from eating the nuts. Under a Department of Transportation rule, allergies can be categorized as a disability, so airlines must allow passengers with allergies to preboard and clean their seat area of any potentially harmful debris. Flight attendants may also move them to a safer spot or create a buffer zone around the passenger. JetBlue, for instance, will ask passengers in the row in front of and behind the allergy sufferer to not consume nuts, nor will it serve the snack item.

Some, but not all, of these measures extend to tree nut allergies.

The airlines think that if they take peanuts out, everything is hunky-dory for people with nut allergies, Mandelbaum said. But the two biggest trigger foods on airlines are peanuts and tree nuts.

Of course, no airplane is completely allergen-free.

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Passengers can bring nuts on board and eat them at their discretion. Airlines may serve meals that include nuts or were prepared in facilities that handle the food item.

However, Southwests decision to distribute large quantities of a nut known to sicken millions of people is more worrisome, Mandelbaum said. She described it as backward and discriminatory.

Because of the nature of food allergies, the entire aircraft could be a danger zone, not just the premium class, according to allergy sufferers and advocacy groups. Travelers can still fall ill through cross-contact with tree nut residue, such as pistachio crumbs on a seat or floor or the fine powder released from the vacuum-sealed packet. A curious child could pick up a stray nut and put it in their mouth. Pistachio-eating passengers can also transport traces of the nut to the lavatories and overhead compartments.

I cant even imagine the irrepressible fear and anxiety I would experience on a flight, watching people a couple rows ahead of me opening a pressurized bag, snacking on the very thing that could kill me, said Moassessi, the recent graduate. That just sounds like an awful experience.

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An antihistamine can help mitigate milder symptoms of exposure to tree nuts, but people with severe allergic reactions will require epinephrine. Moassessi carries two sets of epinephrine auto-injectors, a medical alert in her bag and, on her phone, a doctors note explaining her allergies and devices.

Some travelers might not discover a nut allergy until they are on the plane. Poblete said 1 in 3 food-related anaphylaxis involves patients with no allergy history. Because of this unawareness, they would not take any preventative measures, such as declining the in-flight pistachios or carrying an antidote such as an EpiPen.

Under Federal Aviation Administration regulations, U.S. airlines must carry vials of epinephrine intended for use during a cardiac emergency rather than anaphylaxis. A medical care provider on the ground must approve the treatment. Once cleared, a trained professional must know how to calculate the correct dose and use a syringe.

In 2023, Southwest Airlines started upgrading its emergency medical kits to include EpiPens. It completed the fleetwide rollout this year.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Elon Musk's SpaceX on Thursday said it proposed to NASA a simplified plan to send humans to the moon using its Starship rocket, as the agency presses its contractors to move more quickly toward beating China to the lunar surface this decade.

"In response to the latest calls, we've shared and are formally assessing a simplified mission architecture and concept of operations that we believe will result in a faster return to the Moon while simultaneously improving crew safety," SpaceX wrote in a lengthy blog post on its website describing Starship progress.

NASA faces intense competition from China in its effort to return astronauts to the moon, where no humans have gone since the final U.S. Apollo mission in 1972. NASA tapped SpaceX in 2021 to use Starship for the first two Artemis moon landing missions, with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin later winning an award for other Artemis missions.

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But the U.S. space agency this year has been entangled in political chaos over concerns that its moon landing contractors are not moving quickly enough, the Trump administration's plans to reduce the agency's workforce and NASA's vacancy of a permanent administrator.

That role is currently held on a temporary basis by Sean Duffy, also head of the Transportation Department. Last week, Duffy said in TV remarks that SpaceX was lagging in Starship development and that the agency would open up the company's Artemis contract to rival companies who can pitch a faster plan to land humans on the lunar surface.

SpaceX, in its blog post, said it has accomplished dozens of milestones associated with its Starship moon lander contract and that it plans to execute key future milestones next year, including a long-duration flight test.

SpaceX has launched 11 Starship tests so far in its test-to-failure development campaign.

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Another key milestone SpaceX expects in 2026 is executing a complex in-space refueling demonstration, a tricky process that has never been done before but is required for Starship to have enough fuel to reach the lunar surface. Multiple Starship "tanker" flights will take place to fill up the moon-bound Starship in space, per the architecture.

NASA had been expecting such a demonstration to occur as early as 2024, but SpaceX's whirlwind development and test-launches of Starship have hit snags. Later this year or early next year, the company plans to begin launching an upgraded Starship prototype outfitted with features designed for in-space refueling.

SpaceX said the timing of the in-space refueling test "will be driven by how upcoming flight tests debuting the new Starship V3 architecture progress, but both of these tests are targeted to take place in 2026."

(Reporting by Joey Roulette; Editing by Leslie Adler and Nick Zieminski)
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A Spink County deputy has been injured while assisting a pedestrian Wednesday morning.

According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, the deputy had pulled onto the south shoulder of Highway 20, four miles east of Mellette, to assist a pedestrian standing in the north ditch around 7:30 a.m.

Pay attention: Bus drivers share safety message

A 32-year-old driver reduced speed and moved into the west lane to give the patrol car more room. Upon seeing the deputy, the driver swerved but struck the deputy.

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The deputy was able to call for help and was transported to an Aberdeen hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

The crash 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 KELOLAND.com.
Israel has contracted at least three public relations companies to bolster its image online and among the United States Christian right, filings under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) show.

According to US Department of Justice records, Israels Ministry of Foreign Affairs hired the newly established Bridges Partners, the Christian PR agency Show Faith by Works, and the online consultancy Clock Tower X via the European Havas Media Group.

All of the companies contracted promise to help bolster the countrys online image and restore support among young right-wing and Evangelical US voters that polling suggests is haemorrhaging as a result of Israels war on Gaza.

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Israel is acutely conscious of the need to control how its war, in which it has killed more than 68,000 Palestinians, is perceived by its allies and sponsors in the US.

A study of Israels online activity published by the Al Jazeera Centre for Studies in May found a coordinated social media campaign to sway international sympathies in its favour throughout the conflict, which began in October 2023.

But while Israel was able to garner favourable coverage from traditional US media outlets in the early months of the war, it was losing the battle on social media, where videos revealing the mass killing and devastation in Gaza were going viral, and generating sympathy for the Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recognised this, referring to social media as a weapon in Israels campaign to shore up support in the US  and saying that the purchase of TikTok by a consortium led by pro-Israel billionaires was a most important purchase.

I had the honor of asking Bibi Netanyahu about Charlie Kirks assassination & the potential loss of evangelical support for the state of Israel. pic.twitter.com/XP2faZQa0N  Debra Lea (@thedebralea) September 26, 2025

Each of the PR companies contracted through Havas promises a fresh approach in that campaign, targeting key demographics, religious groups and even the way the war is discussed online.

Keeping faith

According to its FARA filing, Show Faith by Works has been hired by Israel to run a $3.2m outreach and digital targeting campaign to foster positive associations with the Nation of Israel in churches in the US and portray the Palestinian population as extremist.

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In documents enclosed in the FARA filing, Show Faith by Works also promises Israel that it will conduct the largest Geofencing and Christian Targeting campaign in US history.

Geofencing targets and tracks the communication devices of users when they come into proximity of a specific location or area  in this case, Christian universities or churches identified by the PR company.

The company is also planning what it calls a mobile 10/7 Experience  referring to the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel  which could be taken to Christian colleges, churches, and events.

According to the filings, the experience would include a VR headset, set pieces, full-length TVs for interactive experience of the attack, during which 1,139 people were killed and about 250 taken captive.

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The company details that it can also offer the participation of Christian Celebrity Spokespeople such as actors Chris Pratt and Jon Voight  the latter an outspoken supporter of US President Donald Trump.

Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a thumbs-up as he acknowledges cheers from tens of thousands of Christians on October 5 [Reuters]

Rewriting the present

Clock Tower claims in its FARA filing that it has been engaged to connect with the Gen Z age demographic through social media platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram and to engage with artificial intelligence (AI) platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini and Grok. The activities officially aim to combat anti-Semitism  a term often deployed by the Israeli government to counter criticism of its genocidal war on Gaza.

In its filing, Clock Tower promises to use AI modelling to ensure that the Israeli-supervised campaign  and by extension narratives  are prominent online during the course of its war on Gaza.

If you can create enough online noise, through either social media or highly ranked websites, youre able to influence AIs large language models [like ChatGPT, Gemini and Grok], said Marc Owen Jones, an associate professor of media analytics and an expert in disinformation at Northwestern University Qatar.

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LLMs [large language models] are trained on a set amount of data, where they scrape large amounts of [historical] information. However, many models such as Grok, ChatGPT or Gemini use what they call retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), where they also pull contemporary data from websites and social media, Jones said.

What companies like Clock Tower X are promising is that, if they can flood the information space with sites and content sympathetic to Israel  whats called RAG poisoning  therell be enough there to at least muddy the waters around what others see as a clear-cut genocide.

The logos of xAI and Grok are seen in this illustration taken February 16, 2025 [Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters]

Clock Tower, headed by former Donald Trump aide Brad Parscale, also says that much of this content will be integrated with that of right-wing Christian network Salem Media, which in April announced a strategic partnership with Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr, and his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump.

Anonymous influencing

The campaign promised by Bridges Partners has already become the source of an online meme  but not in the way the company or Israel would have been hoping.

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Bridges Partners campaign involves an unnamed cohort of between 14 and 18 influencers who would be paid to post in support of Israel. After breaking down the figures included by Bridges Partners in their invoices to Havas, Responsible Statecraft  the Quincy Institutes online magazine  found that the influencers were likely being paid around $7,000 per post.

The number has been quickly seized upon by detractors of Israel, who regularly post the amount underneath posts they suspect of being part of the pro-Israel campaign, indicating that they believe the poster has been bought by Israel.

Responsible Statecraft reported earlier this month that the anonymity of the US influencers, who under the terms of their agreements would post paid pro-Israel content since July, could potentially be illegal if their identities remain undisclosed.





At present, the Bridges Partners filing names only one registered foreign agent: consultant Uri Steinberg, who holds a 50 percent stake in the company.

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It is too early to say whether the campaign will ultimately be successful. But the backlash towards the arrangement once it became public illustrates just how difficult the task will be for Israel to change perceptions that have now become deeply ingrained, particularly among younger people.

No matter what artificial data is produced, it still wont be enough to counter the volume of factual reporting of the war on Gaza, Jones said.

However, there might be enough to promote a sense of ambiguity over it, to present both sides as more equal in the conflict, or to present Israels response to the attack of October 7 as more reasonable than some now think it is.

Al Jazeera has been unable to contact Bridges Partners, Clock Tower X, or Show Faith by Works for comment.

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Inquiries to the Israeli chief of staff at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eran Shayovich, and to Havas Media Group have also gone unanswered.

Part two of this series looks at why Israel is so focused on changing perceptions of it in the United States. You can find it here.
The shipment is part of the UAE's ongoing humanitarian air and sea bridge supporting the fraternal Palestinian people.

The vessel, dispatched under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, carries diverse food items along with shelter and medical aid aimed at alleviating the severe humanitarian crisis faced by Gaza's residents.

The shipment and logistics operation were coordinated in partnership with several UAE charitable and humanitarian organisations, reflecting the nation's unified efforts and rapid response to deliver emergency relief to civilians in the Strip.

This initiative is part of the UAE's continuing humanitarian support for the Palestinian people, underscoring the country's commitment to alleviating suffering, providing essential needs, and strengthening humanitarian response mechanisms. It reaffirms the UAE's steadfast dedication to its humanitarian principles, supporting just causes and aiding those affected by crises worldwide.

Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 embodies the UAE's vision of extending a helping hand during emergencies and disasters through integrated efforts across its humanitarian institutions, in line with the nation's enduring values of generosity, solidarity, and compassion. (ANI/WAM)
SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa (KCAU)  October has been designated Manufacturing Month nationally. The Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation (Corridor) decided to use October to highlight manufacturing businesses in the four counties that make up the corridor.

Those counties are Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, and Emmet. On Wednesday, the Corridor concluded their tour of businesses with Brownmed in Spirit Lake as part of their final tour of the month.

Local, county, and state leaders gathered at Brownmed in Spirit Lake to tour the facility and learn what goes on there. Its all a part of the Corridors Manufacturing Month.

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It gives us an opportunity to really celebrate all those businesses that reside in our corridor, in our region, said Curt Strouth with the Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation. Its estimated about 6,500 people are actually employed in the manufacturing sector in our four counties. We want to take the ability to celebrate that. We have so many great, amazing companies right here in our corridor region that people drive by every single day and dont necessarily know what goes on in and out of there.

Story continues below

The Corridor hopes that by highlighting manufacturing jobs in the region, more new grads will stay and more people will come to the region.

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Part of what were trying to do in showcasing our companies is to bring the opportunity of our education system to see it, so for our students to see what opportunities there are here too, Strouth said. As theyre graduating high school, some may go to college, some may go into the workforce. To see what opportunities are here in our corridor region for them to get a really good-paying job in a really great community. The quality of life here in the corridor region really is a good opportunity for people to come right in.

Brownmed, where the tour was on Wednesday, is a family-owned business thats been around for just over 60 years.

They manufacture medical products including splints, casts and bandage protectors, compression products, and Polar Ice Hot/Cold therapy support.

Brian Miller, Vice President of Manufacturing at Brownmed, said, This is the first tour weve ever had like this. We love to show people what we do, and this gives us a chance to do that.

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And, hopefully, tours like this draw in future employees.

I think its really important, said the HR Manager at Brownmed, Nicole Cain. A lot of people dont know who we are, what we do. Showcasing what we do, who we are, what we make. Its not hard work, no heavy lifting. I think its very important for people to see what we do here and see if its a good fit for them.

This was the Iowa Lakes Corridors 4th tour of the month. The previous tours were at Demco Products in Spencer, Platinum Crush in Alta, and Redwood Farms Meat Processors in Estherville.

Anyone interested in learning more about the following locations can click on the respective links: Iowa Lakes Corridor Development Corporation, Brownmed, Demco, Platinum Crush, and Redwood Farms Meat Processors.

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Oct. 29Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown declared a city emergency Wednesday to speed up the process for local residents and homeless people to access more resources following colder weather, a change in city law and instability within the federal government.

The emergency allows the mayor to circumvent lengthy contract processes with local outreach agencies to receive funding more quickly. Ultimately, Brown says the action will result in 50 extra shelter beds, help prevent evictions and fund mobile medical treatment so police can connect more people to mental health or housing services. All are in conjunction with the Home Starts Here Initiative, the city's new method to expand its homelessness response efforts.

"Although there's not a hurricane hitting our shore right now like there is for the folks in Jamaica and Cuba, this is a different kind of quiet hurricane that's happening as funds go away and supplemental food benefits go away," Brown said during a Wednesday news conference. "So I encourage everybody to see it for what it is. It is, in fact, a disaster."

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Federal employees across the United States are going unpaid due to a government shutdown, with Congress at an impasse as how to proceed with the federal budget. About 1.4 million people across the nation are going without pay as a result of the shutdown, the second-longest since Trump's previous term. That shutdown lasted 34 days.

At the same time, the Trump Administration declared the government also will stop funding food stamps, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program known as "SNAP" beginning Saturday.

The break in SNAP will affect 40 million Americans, including 83,000 people in Spokane County who use the program to help them afford food. Brown says those pinching pennies in Spokane may have to choose between food and rent, making more people at risk for becoming homeless.

"The broader downstream economic impacts of SNAP recipients not accessing their benefits at our local stores will result in a cascade of negative impacts to our local grocers, to local farmers and even truck drivers as well," Spokane City Councilmember Shelly Lambdin said Wednesday. "As we enter the holiday season, our food banks are going to be challenged ... Remember to check in on your neighbors and be kind to each other."

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As more people face instability in Spokane due to the shutdown, other areas of Spokane also are facing a similar crisis. It's likely that more homeless people will turn to shelters or services after the City Council approved a new ordinance on Monday night significantly toughening its restrictions on where and when unhoused people can sit, sleep or loiter. It also expands the exemptions that allow for immediate removal and allows officers to issue citations and still requires that a notice be posted before removing an encampment.

The grace period between a notice and a removal is meant to allow a newly formed homeless outreach team to contact a homeless camp's occupants and determine what services they need and what they're willing to accept. But it's not all about police enforcement, Brown said, it's about a coordinated outreach. Between police action, the newly-formed housing navigation center, a central facility that homeless people can start at before they are sent to a shelter or housing service and the formation of homeless outreach street-based teams, the goal is to offer more pathways out of homelessness.

The street-based teams were created in September as part of the HOME initiative. The outreach teams are made up of social workers from Catholic Charities and operate in Spokane's police precincts.

More prioritization on homeless outreach will inevitably lead to more people utilizing the resources they're given, Brown said, but she "also wants to go upstream" and prevent more people from facing homelessness from the start. Brown said eviction resolution programs, meant to help people who are at risk of being evicted due to a missed paycheck, can do that.

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"We are just adding the pressure on families with the government shutdown and with this staggering statistic of one in five families, that have been receiving supplemental food benefits  that going away," Brown said. "We want to try to get ahead of that."

Another problem the city is facing during shutdown is housing contracts. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded Spokane housing contracts that the city picks up the tab for and is later reimbursed. But with the government being shutdown, there is no one to reimburse the city for footing those costs.

"The city is in a situation where we have to decide whether or not to tell them, 'We don't know if we're going to be able to reimburse you' and that is a decision we're having almost daily, trying to figure out how to navigate that," Brown said.

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Spokane 311 is now taking reports from the public who see people in need of assistance that will prompt a real-time dispatch of the outreach teams. People can also file reports online. Members of the public and business community can donate directly to housing and other resources for those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless during this period. Donations can be made through online payments, utility bills or also by calling 311.

Lambdin and Councilmember Paul Dillon are poised to bring forth a resolution next week to urge lawmakers to try and end the federal shutdown so people can retain their SNAP benefits, she said.

"This program provides food assistance to working families, veterans and disabled individuals in our community during a time when our grocery store bills continue to rise. These benefits are more crucial than ever. These benefits can be the determinant between a working parent putting gas in their car to drive their kids to school ... Or putting food on the table for their family," Lambdin said. "This is something that is completely solvable by federal action."
Spooked Monkey Gets Loose in Texas Spirit Halloween Store and Swings from Rafters

NEED TO KNOW

Shoppers at a Texas Spirit Halloween were in for a surprise this week after a monkey escaped its owner and starting climbing around the store

The monkey escaped its owner inside a Plano store on Oct. 27 after being spooked by an animatronic decoration

Police said the animal was returned to its owner without injury

Shoppers at a Texas Spirit Halloween were in for a surprise this week after a monkey escaped its owner and starting climbing around the store.

In video footage obtained by Storyful, a pet monkey can be seen climbing the shelves and swinging from the rafters at the Halloween shop in Plano, Texas, on Monday, Oct. 27.

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Arlene Pinkston, a woman who was shopping with her daughters and recorded footage of the wild incident, said that the situation was akin to "Animal Kingdom live."



"My daughter looked up and she said, 'What in the world?' and she's like, 'Is that a real monkey?' and I looked up and said, 'Well, it's got a diaper on so I guess it is real,'" Pinkston said, per NBC DFW.

As soon as they noticed the pet monkey  which swung from the rafters for upward of half an hour  Pinkston said she immediately took out her phone to record, as she worried that no one would believe her if she didn't get footage.



"It'll definitely be one that I will not forget anytime soon," she said.

Arlene Pinkston via Storyful The monkey can be seen climbing the store's rafters. The monkey can be seen climbing the store's rafters.

Spirit Halloween employee Jimmy Harris told the outlet the pet monkey seemingly was in the store with its owner when it was spooked by one of the animatronic Halloween decorations in the store.

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"It was entertaining," Harris said. "A lot of people just stood and watched it for like 30 minutes, the whole time, they were like, 'monkey,' and we had kids trying to catch it."

According to Pinkston, she grabbed her daughters and left before the monkey was captured.

"It had jumped down on the floor and ran past my leg, and at that point I was like, 'OK, I've had enough,'" she said.

Plano police told PEOPLE in a statement, When officers arrived, they observed a small brown monkey wearing a diaper swinging from the ceiling rafters. The manager of the location was advised that they were not a monkey whisperer but would try to help. It appeared the monkey was enjoying itself swinging around and was not an immediate danger to himself or others."

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Arlene Pinkston via Storyful Additional footage of the monkey. Additional footage of the monkey.

"The owner was able to recover the monkey with a small cookie," police added. "Officers explained to the owner to put a leash on the monkey so it does not happen again. The owner then left the location with the monkey. There was no damage or injuries to shoppers, employees or the monkey and it never posed a threat.

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Texas law doesn't prohibit monkey ownership, but rules about species vary by city.

Lisa Barr, Spirit Halloween's VP of marketing, told NBC in a statement that the store's team responded quickly to the situation  and wrote that the incident was "certainly not a typical day at Spirit Halloween."

"Our team responded quickly and contacted local authorities, who arrived promptly on the scene. In a rather unexpected turn, the monkey was safely coaxed with a cookie," she wrote. "The monkey was tagged with identification, and returned to its owner without incident."

"Were grateful to our staff and local responders for handling the situation swiftly and safely," Barr added. "While this is certainly not a typical day at Spirit Halloween, were glad it ended on a positive note."

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A Springfield teenager is being held without the right to bail in connection with a deadly shooting on Oakland Street in Springfield back in January.

Victim identified in deadly Springfield shooting on Oakland Street

The Hampden County District Attorneys Office states that on January 12th at 11:30 p.m., officers were sent to the 100 block of Oakland Street for a ShotSpotter activation. When officers arrived, they found 19-year-old Semaj Brewster of Springfield suffering from gunshots. Brewster was taken to Baystate Medical Center, where he died due to his injuries.

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The Springfield Police Homicide Unit was able to identify the suspect as 16-year-old Armoni Davis of Springfield. Detectives applied for and were granted an arrest warrant for Davis.

On June 26th, Springfield Homicide Detectives and Chicopee Police Officers arrested Davis. He was indicted by a grand jury on October 2nd. During an arraignment on Monday, Davis was ordered held without the right to bail. His next court date is scheduled for April 21st for a pre-trial hearing.

The shooting is still being investigated by the Springfield Police Homicide Unit and the Hampden District Attorneys Office Murder Unit.

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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.

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Along Gulf Boulevard on St. Pete Beach, a combination of luck and resources shaped the last 13 months for dozens of hotels ravaged by Hurricane Helene.

The latest to open its doors, five months after a previous estimated reopening date of June 1, is the 102-room Beachcomber and its accompanying live music bar, Jimmy Bs.

Jimmy Bs sits behind St. Pete Beachs dunes, in front of the Beachcombers courtyard. The wood-decked bar, meant to evoke old Florida, sits around 3 feet above sea level.

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So when nearly 5 feet of storm surge came rushing from the Gulf, the water flowed underneath the bars latticed foundation  straight toward the Beachcombers guest rooms, drowning plants and toppling hammocks in its wake. Rooms closest to the water saw 4 feet of flooding, from the halfway to the ceiling.

Half of the resorts guest rooms are on the first floor. Disposing of waterlogged furniture and gutting trashed rooms to the studs took months. Then came permit requests, delayed by a backlog at St. Pete Beach City Hall.

Once the permits came in December, a sea of about 40 contracting companies descended on the hotel to make it like new, said Shaun Kwiatkowski, managing director of the Beachcomber and Bellwether Beach Resort. The lobby, far back enough that it escaped the worst flooding, has new flooring and paint. Each of the ground-floor guest rooms has new electrical wiring, drywall, floors, sea-green paint, furniture and window A/C units.

The hotel will be about 60% occupied its first weekend back, Kwiatkowski said. The second weekend in November, as snowbirds and visiting families drift in, bookings are sold out.

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For St. Pete Beach locals, the revival of Jimmy Bs marks the return of a community gathering place  just in time for Halloween.

Deborah Ritterson has been counting down the days in a Facebook group for St. Pete Beach residents since the reopening date was announced last month.

40 days. Not that Im counting, she wrote in September.

The bar will open its doors Thursday at 5 p.m. The resorts return also means around 60 staffers  front desk clerks, housekeepers, bartenders and servers  are back to work. Most returned even after 13 months away, Kwiatkowski said.

Of course we wanted to open the business back up, he said. But at the end of the day ... it was about getting our team back.

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Hotels on this busy strip of Gulf Boulevard saw similar storm surge, but reopening times have diverged dramatically. The nearby TradeWinds Resort opened one of its hotels just a month after Helene, while Postcard Inn is still surrounded by ladders and contractors trucks, with exposed wood framing hanging over its lobby entrance.

The Don CeSar, St. Pete Beachs iconic pink hotel, reopened in March after floodwaters decimated its century-old electrical system. And the Bellwether, the 12-story sister property to the Beachcomber, no longer has a reopening date after a past estimate of July 1 came and went. The first floor requires extensive repairs to its elevator and electrical systems, Kwiatkowski said.

From the city, to us as property operators, none of us have been through this, he said. Theres a lot of steps it takes.

Less than 1,000 rooms remain out of commission on Pinellas barrier islands a year after Helene, said Brian Lowack, president of Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, the county tourism booster.

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But the southern communities, places like St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island and Madeira Beach, have suffered the most closures. The tourism agency is still highlighting hotels and businesses as they reopen, he said.

Tourism officials have something else to advertise: Pinellas Countys beach renourishment project, which they say will double the width and height of the citys Upham Beach Park.

People already know us as Americas best beaches, Lowack said. They are getting bigger, brighter, wider, better than ever ... and that gives us the opportunity to tie (hotel reopenings) into that story.

The Beachcomber built back a little more resilient than it was before. The doors and windows at Jimmy Bs are now hurricane-rated. The shrubs covering the courtyard are saltwater resistant.

Sea oats have grown back thicker on the dunes guarding Jimmy Bs.

Kwiatkowski can only hope theyll fend off saltwater the next time disaster strikes.
Stacey Abrams spoke about democracy in the age of AI at her fireside chat at the 2025 AFROTECH Conference in Houston.

Abrams served in the Georgia House from 2007 to 2017, led the caucus as House Minority Leader from 2011 to 2017, as well as made history as the first Black woman to secure a major-party governor nomination in Georgia in 2018. She later founded Fair Fight Action to expand voting access.

On Wednesday, Abrams and Rachel Gillum, vice president of Ethical & Humane Use of Technology at Salesforce, discussed AI and how democratic guardrails can steer technology toward equitable prosperity during the Democracy in the World of AI with Stacey Abrams session.

Stacey Abrams is using her new novel to explore the ethics of AI

Abrams began with her childhood, sharing that her mother referred to their economic status as gentile poor. Reading books and watching PBS stood in for wealth and taught Abrams that escaping poverty should be possible for everyone. The belief that poverty is immoral, economically inefficient and solvable is what fuels her companies, her organizing and her writing.

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She chose to use fiction as a doorway, not a detour. Coded Justice, her new thriller that she released in July, walks them through the hard conversations about democracy and technology.

Storytelling is for me the most effective means of not only firing the imagination, but also helping people envision what is possible, Abrams said. A thriller for me is the most exciting way to get people to eat their vegetables.

Stacey Abrams warned that AI can become a tool for authoritarianism

Abrams noted that whoever controls information controls outcomes and that AI will amplify whichever system the people choose.

Democracy decides what information is available because in an authoritarian regime, we limit access to information. In a democracy, information is free-flowing, she said. If we do not control for and defend democracy, AI becomes a tool for authoritarianism. It becomes a tool for constraining knowledge, for constraining access and for constraining how our lived experiences and how our lives are actually guided.

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Abrams then challenged the room to learn from the last tech cycle, noting that if people choose to skip the basic questions upfront, theyll inherit someone elses answers later.

What, how, when, who? Those are important questions we should ask of any technology. Think about what we could have had if we had asked those questions when the internet was first starting out, she said. If we do not ask those questions, we have to live with the answers someone else gives us. And once those answers become embedded in how our lives are experienced, then we have to worry about someone throttling the algorithm on our TikTok feed, we get stuck and we never get to see anything we want to see.

This led Abrams to share that markets optimize for returns, while governments and ethics protect people  and how both are needed.

As an entrepreneur, I believe in the ability to ideate, to build, to launch a product, she said. But my responsibility as a citizen means that the safety of my customers, the safety of my community has to be paramount. AI should be held to those same standards.

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She emphasized the values that should guide those rules and refused to frame DEI as a hiring memo.

DEI is the DNA of America, she said. It is how we have constructed a multiracial, multiethnic, multi-identity nation. And so those who are attacking DEI are attacking the nature of who we intend to be as a country. In 17 years, we are a multiracial nation that has no racial majority.

Stacey Abrams emphasized the importance of familiarizing ourselves with AI

Abrams pointed out that without AI literacy, communities cannot contest outcomes that shape their days. Knowledge is the lever that keeps agency intact.

When we are afraid of knowledge, when we are afraid of technology, we tend to isolate ourselves from it, which does not mean it does not exist. We simply lose control over it, she said. Our communities at this moment must understand what might supplant them, but more importantly, they need to understand what will determine their days.

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Finally, Abrams turned to the people building the tools: One, we have to ask, How are we training these models? Are these models being trained on knowledge that reflects our needs, our communities, our values, our understanding?' she said.







The post Stacey Abrams Makes Case For Democracy-First AI At AFROTECH 2025 appeared first on Blavity.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Mecklenburg Countys Sheriff said state leaders want him to recruit, hire and train the employees needed to reopen the countys juvenile detention center.

Jail North closed in 2022 because of COVID-related staffing restrictions.

Sheriff Garry McFadden thinks its an unrealistic ask. The sheriff said he would need to hire nearly 100 detention officers, along with 20 to 25 support staff members, to be able to open and operate Jail North. The request comes at a time when the sheriffs office is already having a hard time recruiting.

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Its been about three years since Jail North was operational. State leaders want to reopen their doors, as North Carolina faces a shortage of bed space at juvenile detention centers.

Its an ask that Charlotte City Council members also brought up at a meeting earlier this month.

We do need to reestablish a local juvenile detention center, said Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera.

When it was open, Jail North housed an average of 51 inmates every day. Now, theyre spread out among various juvenile detention centers across the state. One of those is Cabarrus Regional, which currently has a staff vacancy rate of 40%.

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Our youth are being transported hours away, and that is separating them from their support system, from their family, just from schools and services, said Ajmera. We need to ask the general assembly to invest in our local juvenile center with wraparound supportive services.

A spokesperson with the sheriffs office said that since juvenile crime is an ongoing concern, state officials believe reopening the facility would help the growing need for juvenile detention space in Mecklenburg County.

Sheriff McFadden clarified that the states request is not a requirement for his office and will require more work than just someone writing a check.

If the state is serious about doing this right, it must invest in people, not promises, he said, in part, in a statement. That means developing a strong recruitment campaign and a dedicated team to help our staff hire, train, and prepare qualified juvenile detention officers. Only then can we have a real, honest discussion about reopening the facility. Anything less would simply repeat the same mistakes and conversation of the past.

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McFadden claimed that taking on this responsibility could compromise the current efforts to strengthen staffing levels and safety within the facilities he currently operates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Alaska Supreme Court Justice Dario Borghesan, second from right, asks a question during oral arguments in a case concerning correspondence education allotments, on June 27, 2024, in the Boney Courthouse in Anchorage. (Photo by Andrew Kitchenman/Alaskaa Beacon)

On Wednesday, the Alaska Supreme Court heard arguments in a legal case that will determine whether or not the state of Alaska may restrict abortion care to licensed physicians.

Since 2019, attorneys representing Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana and Kentucky, have been challenging a state law setting out that restriction. They argue that advanced practice clinicians should be permitted to provide abortion care, even though they are not licensed physicians.

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The law, enacted in 1970, has been partially suspended since 2021, which has allowed advanced practice clinicians to perform abortions. In 2024, Alaska Superior Court judge ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood, continuing the suspension.

The state of Alaska, which opposes Planned Parenthoods interpretation of the law, appealed to the Alaska Supreme Court in hopes of restoring the laws effectiveness.

The deciding issue may be whether strict scrutiny applies in the case. Under strict scrutiny, the government bears the burden of proving that a law is constitutional.

In 2024, Alaska Superior Court Judge Josie Garton ruled that strict scrutiny does apply, which contributed to her determination that limiting abortion services to state-licensed physicians violates the Alaska Constitution.

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In written briefs to the Supreme Court this year, attorneys representing the state have argued that Gartons ruling was mistaken; attorneys representing Planned Parenthood have argued in favor of the strict scrutiny determination.

If Gartons decision on strict scrutiny is overturned, the rest of her decision could follow, and advanced practice clinicians would no longer be legally able to provide abortion care in Alaska.

In Alaska, abortion rights have generally been protected since 1997 by the Alaska Supreme Courts interpretation of the states constitutional right to privacy.

Since then, subsequent editions of the court have repeatedly held that abortion care is health care and thus protected by the right of Alaskans to keep medical decisions private.

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Attorney Laura Wolff, representing the Alaska Department of Law, argued Wednesday that the physician-only abortion law doesnt violate the constitutional right to privacy because few people have been affected.

The privacy clause analysis requires a significant impairment, she told the justices. Not a modest, not a medium, a moderate, a significant impairment, in order to even trigger the privacy clause.

Attorney Camila Vega, arguing for Planned Parenthood, said some of the groups clients have been able to access care more often because they no longer have to wait for a doctor to be available.

She said that it would be a mistake for the Supreme Court to require that a minimum number of patients be affected in order to violate the constitution.

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This court has never before required evidence about a threshold number of individual patients to strike down a law, and we would urge the court not to do so here, she said. The evidence  shows that since the injunction in this case, patients have been better able to access medication and aspiration abortion. Theyve been doing so for the last four years, and so we respectfully request that the court affirm the order.

National and local groups filed friend-of-the-court briefs in support of Planned Parenthood. Standing Together Against Rape, an Alaska group, argued that restricting access to abortion care would harm abuse victims and survivors of sexual assault.

The national groups argued that advanced practice clinicians are able to provide safe and effective abortion care, and theres no difference in outcomes between their care and care provided by doctors.

Planned Parenthood has also argued that even if the Alaska Constitutions privacy amendment does not apply in this case, the abortion-doctor law would violate the constitutions equal protection clause.

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That clause states that all persons are equal and entitled to equal rights.

Restricting abortion patients to doctor treatment alone deters them from getting treatment, Vega said.

For example, if the state offered marriage appointments twice a week, but it said that for same-sex couples, you could only get a marriage appointment once a month, that is a clear equal protection violation, she said.

The state argued in writing that it has a valid interest in ensuring that these procedures ending fetal life are performed ethically, professionally, and under a uniform standard, and because of that reason, the Alaska Legislature intended abortion to be regulated to a higher standard.

At the end of Wednesdays arguments, Chief Justice Susan Carney said the case will be taken under consideration, with a written order to be published at a future date.
SOUTH CAROLINA (WSPA)  No state-level charges will be pursued against former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright after he agreed to plead guilty to federal charges.

Wright, 60, appeared in federal court Thursday morning in Anderson for a plea hearing.

A judge accepted the pleas of Wright and his two co-defendants Amos Durham, 61, and Lawson Watson, 63.

During the plea hearing, it was revealed that Wright was treated for opioid addiction at a facility in Florida in April 2025. It was also revealed that Wright suffered a heart attack in early September.

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Today, I pleaded guilty in federal court because I am guilty, Wright said in a statement given to 7NEWS after the hearing. Not only did I violate the law, but I also broke the sacred trust the people of Spartanburg County placed in me. I do not have the words to adequately convey my remorse, my apologies, and my regret.

READ: Full statement released by Chuck Wright

A document obtained by 7NEWS shows an agreement made between Wright and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of South Carolina. The document was signed on October 15.

In exchange for no further state action, Wright agreed to plead guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, wire fraud conspiracy, and obtaining controlled substances.

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Wright faces up to 20 years in prison on those charges.

As part of the agreement, Wright surrendered and relinquished all law enforcement certifications, as well as future opportunities to work in law enforcement in the U.S.

SLED Chief Mark Keel thanked the law enforcement agencies and prosecutors involved in the investigation.

These offenses arent just against the law  these actions by public servants violate the publics trust, Keel said. No one, no matter their title, is above the law.

Watch below: U.S. Attorneys Office, FBI, and the 10th Circuit Solicitor speak after plea hearing.

In a letter to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, 10th Circuit Solicitor Micah Black said he declined to bring charges against Wright and Amos Durham due to their willingness to plead guilty and accept responsibility for their crimes in federal court.

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Additionally, there is a historical precedent in these joint investigations of seeking prosecution in a single forum when defendants are willing to admit to their wrongdoing and plead guilty, Black said in his letter. Most importantly, the federal courts are better equipped to ensure restitution is paid back to the people of Spartanburg County, as the federal asset forfeiture statute has greater reach than our current state law.

The letter also stated that SLED, the FBI, and the South Carolina State Ethics Commission uncovered overwhelming evidence that both Wright and Durham committed numerous crimes over the past several years.

Letter Chuck WrightDownload

Wright, who led one of South Carolinas largest sheriffs offices, is accused of stealing money from the agencys benevolence fund and using it to purchase illegal opioids.

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Former Spartanburg Co. sheriff appears in federal court

Federal court filings accused the former law enforcement official of misusing the sheriffs offices benevolence fund, a source intended to help deputies in times of loss or crisis. Documents state he used the money to buy illegal opioids and took pills collected through a drug take-back program.

In addition to the federal charges, Wright faces a state ethics probe with more than 60 charges filed over his use of a county credit card. Documents from the State Ethics Commission show Wright spent over $17,000 in county funds on personal items over the past five years, including phone apps, games, supplements, medication, food, ammunition and even guitar lessons.

Wright resigned as sheriff in May, citing health reasons.

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Amos Durham, director of the Spartanburg County Sheriffs Office Chaplains Benevolence Fund, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds.

As director of the Benevolence Fund, Durham conspired with Wright to siphon public funds from the fund for their private use, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Durham faces a maximum of five years in prison.

Lawson B. Watson, another employee of the sheriffs office, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fire fraud.

The U.S. Attorneys Office said Watson received a full salary and benefits for work that he did not perform between January 2021 and March 2025. He received approximately $200,000 in pay and benefits over that time for work he did not perform.

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Watson faces up to 20 years in prison.

The former sheriff appeared in federal court on Monday, where his bond was set at $25,000. The same amount was set for Durham and Watson. The three were not ordered to pay any bond up front, but signed an agreement promising to appear at future court hearings.

The Agreement to Relinquish Law Enforcement Certifications can be read below:

Agreement Relinquish LE CertificationsDownload

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.
India hosted the first Quad Ports of the Future Conference in Maharashtra's Mumbai on Thursday, bringing together 120 delegates from 24 Indo-Pacific countries to discuss ways to build resilient, secure and future-ready ports. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the discussions centred on advancing a shared Quad vision for the maritime sector. "Thematic panel discussions centred on advancing a shared Quad vision for resilient, secure & future-ready ports -- strengthening collaboration on infrastructure, financing, regulatory frameworks, workforce development, technology, digital ecosystems, cybersecurity & sustainability.," he wrote in a post on X. https://x.com/meaindia/status/1983853360374804995?s=46 Sharing his thoughts on India's growing maritime strength, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a LinkedIn post that India, with its long coastline, strategic trade routes and ambitious Blue Economy vision, can offer the perfect harbour for investments. "We have a very long coastline. We have strategic global trade routes, world-class ports, and an ambitious vision for Blue Economy growth. We have infrastructure, innovation and intent. Thanks to our youth, our ecosystem is primed for innovation. Come aboard!" he wrote in the LinkedIn post, as he invited global maritime industry players to come and invest in India. PM Modi, who attended the India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai earlier this week, said his interactions with global CEOs and stakeholders showed growing optimism about India's port-led development. He said Mumbai's historical and modern maritime connections make it a vital trading centre for the country. Yesterday, PM Modi was in Mumbai to attend the Maritime Leaders Conclave as part of the ongoing India Maritime Week 2025. Mumbai, PM Modi said, has a strong link with India's maritime sector. There are historical links to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and today it has a vibrant port infrastructure and is a key trading centre for our nation. PM Modi said he met key CEOs and interacted with leading stakeholders of the sector."In these interactions, it was gladdening to see the optimism towards India in furthering port-led development," PM Modi wrote. India's proud maritime heritage is well known, and the country has always been known for shipbuilding and coastal trade."We are the land of the Cholas and the Marathas, whose naval might, trading impact and strategic brilliance became pathways of progress and power. Their vision showed us how the oceans can serve as bridges of opportunity," PM Modi supplemented According to PM Modi, a decade ago, when he assumed office, India's maritime sector was filled with what he asserted "outdated laws and limited capacities." "This was not acceptable to us. And, with a focus on infrastructure, reforms and public participation, the sector has witnessed many transformations over the last eleven years. Today, the sector stands transformed as a symbol of modern infrastructure, global trust and national pride," he further wrote, sharing some of the key parameters of growth. PM Modi affirmed that India's port capacity has doubled from 1,400 to 2,762 MMTPA over these years. Cargo handling rose from 972 to 1,594 MMT, including 855 MMT in FY 2024-25. Vessel turnaround time has been reduced from 93 hours to 48 hours. Net surplus increased ninefold from Rs. 1,026 crore to Rs. 9,352 crore. The operating ratio improved from 73% to 43%, marking a new era of efficiency, PM Modi added. India's seafarer workforce has grown from 1.25 lakh to over 3 lakh, now accounting for 12% of the global seafaring workforce. India is today among the top three suppliers of trained seafarers in the world, PM Modi wrote. India's shipping power is expanding across coasts and rivers, he said in the next segment of his blog. Indian-flagged vessels increased from 1,205 to 1,549, and fleet gross tonnage grew from 10 MGT to 13.52 MGT. Coastal shipping cargo nearly doubled from 87 to 165 MMT, the prime minister affirmed. Inland waterway cargo grew by 710%, from 18 MMT in 2014 to 146 MMT in 2025. Operational waterways expanded from 3 to 32, while ferry and Ro-Pax services carried 7.5 crore passengers in 2024-25. In one of the sections, the prime minister stressed the government's vision for the Maritime sector, noting that it places the utmost importance on sustainability and innovation."Vizhinjam Port has become India's first deep-water transhipment hub. Kandla Port hosts the nation's first green hydrogen facility. JNPT has doubled its capacity and attracted the largest FDI in port history," he highlighted. "The Vadhvan Port project in Palghar, Maharashtra, with an investment of around Rs 76,000 crore, will be among the world's few deep-draft ports at 20 meters. Its seamless railway and highway connectivity, proximity to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and the Western Freight Corridor will transform the region's economic landscape, creating new opportunities for logistics, warehousing and trade." Being organised from October 27-31, 2025, under the theme "Uniting Oceans, One Maritime Vision", IMW 2025 showcases India's strategic roadmap to emerge as a global maritime hub and a leader in the Blue Economy. (ANI)
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  Jericho Road is receiving a $250,000 state grant to build a new playground at its Vive shelter in Buffalo.

We know that in child development that to have space to go outside, to have a safe space to play outside is really important, to be able to climb and to do all of the things for gross development that allows them to be strong, and it helps build their minds, said Allana Krolikowski, the CEO of Jericho Road.

Krolikowski tells us they moved Vive into the building they are in now years ago, and they can house 80 people every day. Vive provides housing and legal support services for refugees and asylum seekers.

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People who come to this country not having any idea what they are coming into deserve what is provided here, so thank you for doing that and thank you for adding this playground to add value to the lives of the children who will run, play, read and learn in this location until they are able or desiring to go to another location, said Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes.

Jericho Road also offers comprehensive holistic health care, workforce development, and global health care.

We care for anyone. Were a federally qualified health center, were open to anyone regardless of their ability to pay. Were well known for our care of refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers but were open to everyone, said Krolikowski.

The construction of the playground is expected to begin within the next few days and theyre hoping to have the construction complete within a few weeks.

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This playground will be more than just a place to play, it will be a space where children can laugh and make friends and feel safe again, and where families can find moments of joy and normalcy during a time of transition, said Assemblyman Jonathan Rivera.

For more information about Jericho Road, you can click here to visit their website.

Latest Local News

Hope Winter is a reporter and multimedia journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work 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 News 4 Buffalo.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The Michigan Department of Education is recognizing 16 schools as Blue Ribbon Schools, and several of them are in West Michigan.

Though the federal government this year discontinued the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, which is meant to recognize schools that excel academically or make significant strides in closing achievement gaps, the state Department of Education says it still wants to honor schools for their achievements.

The department announced Thursday that it has nominated 13 high-performing public schools:

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Northville: Amerman Elementary School, Northville Public Schools.

Ann Arbor: Angell School, Ann Arbor Public Schools.

Grand Rapids: City High Middle School, Grand Rapids Public Schools.

Byron Center: Countryside Elementary School, Byron Center Public Schools.

Hudsonville: Forest Grove Elementary School, Hudsonville Public Schools.

Hamilton: Hamilton Elementary School, Hamilton Community Schools.

Spring Lake: Jeffers Elementary School, Spring Lake Public Schools.

Holland: Lakewood Elementary School, West Ottawa Public Schools.

Novi: Novi Woods Elementary School, Novi Community School District.

Almont: Orchard Primary School, Almont Community Schools.

Plymouth: Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy.

Troy: Wass Elementary School, Troy School District.

Weidman: Weidman Elementary School, Chippewa Hills School District.

These schools are some of the highest-performing in the state as measured by state or national assessments, the department said. Each school will be honored at the Michigan Board of Educations Nov. 13 meeting.

In a statement, City High Middle School Principal Charlotte Vandervliet called the recognition a tremendous honor.

I am incredibly proud of the work our teachers and scholars put in each day and am beyond thankful for the support from our families and community, Vandervliet said.

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The Council for American Private Education has also nominated three private schools in Michigan for the honor:

Grand Rapids: St. Paul the Apostle School.

Canton: All Saints Catholic School.

Madison Heights: Bishop Foley Catholic High School.

Students and parents, school staff, and local communities deserve to be honored for the outstanding achievement by our Blue Ribbon Schools, said Interim State Superintendent Sue Carnell in a statement. These schools serve as an example to others and, at the same time, are representative of the accomplishments and progress at schools around the 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 WOODTV.com.
State Rep. Ken Helm, D-Beaverton, participates in a committee meeting in December 2022. Helm will retire from the state Legislature at the end of 2026 after more than a decade representing the Beaverton and Cedar Hills areas. (Photo by Connor Radnovich/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

State Rep. Ken Helm, a Democrat representing Beaverton and Cedar Hills, will retire from the Oregon Legislature at the end of 2026 after more than a decade in office.

Helm announced his retirement Wednesday and endorsed a successor: Beaverton City Councilor Ashley Hartmeier-Prigg, who is one of two candidates running to be the Democratic nominee for the 27th House District. The other is former anesthesiologist and current Beaverton School Board Director Tammy Carpenter, who challenged Helm in the Democratic primary in 2022.

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No Republican contender has entered the race so far in the solidly Democratic district where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly three to one. Non-affiliated voters outnumber registered Republicans by about two to one.

Serving the people of Beaverton has been one of the great honors of my life, Helm said in a statement, where he also endorsed Hartmeier-Prigg. Ashley is a proven public servant who understands the unique needs of our community, and she has the experience and vision to be an exceptional state representative.

Helm, a Beaverton lawyer with specialties in land use and water laws, was first elected to the state Legislature in 2014 after the Oregon League of Conservation Voters encouraged him to run.

He quickly established himself as an advocate for climate and conservation policies, including sponsoring cap-and-trade legislation to require polluters reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as laws to modernize the states rules around protecting and managing water quality and quantity.

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I would say my core values havent changed at all. I came to the Legislature with a strong environmental and conservation ethic, and I leave with an even stronger one, Helm told the Capital Chronicle.

Helm, who grew up in Bend, said hes retiring in large part because he wants to get back to spending more time in Oregons wilderness with his partner while theyre still physically fit.

Theres a lot of trails I want to backpack, a lot of rivers I want to run, a lot of fishing I want to do, he said.

Helm served on the House Energy and Environment Committee, Agriculture, Land Use and Water Committee and the Judiciary Committee.

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In his work on water policies, he and Rep. Mark Owens, a Republican from Crane in southeast Oregon, have become frequent and effective collaborators, a rare bipartisan duo from opposite sides of the state who agree more needs to be done to preserve water and to help water users.

Helm first met Owens when he visited Harney County to learn more about water issues when current U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, now representing Oregons 2nd Congressional District, held Owens seat.

It was easy to get off on the right foot with Mark, because I came to visit his part of the world on water, Helm said. We had already met, and he knew that my interest in water and his part of the world was genuine, and I think that paved the way to some of the next steps where we were able to carefully work with each other, see if it was going to work out and whether we could trust each other.

This drives home, literally, Helms advice for all of his colleagues in the Legislature who want to foster bipartisan working relationships across the state.

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Drive to where they live. And dont complain about how many hours it took you to get there, because they drive it every week. Just go. Go see, go be with them, he said.

Helm described himself as a project-oriented rather than position-oriented lawmaker, and he hopes to keep serving the state Legislature after retirement as an at-large member of the Environmental Restoration Council. That council is charged with managing how to spend the states $700 million settlement with chemical giant Monsanto over PCB contamination.

Theres a lot of work to be done, and Ive got a lot of energy for whats left, he said.

Endorsing a successor

Ive had a lot of conversations with him about what I would be signing up for, Hartmeier-Prigg said about lessons from Helm, especially about potentially entering a larger political arena in a particularly caustic time.

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She said theyve discussed the importance of keeping the focus on issues that local constituents care about. Among them, she said, are environmental stewardship, housing availability and affordability and dignified wages and work.

Beaverton City Councilor Ashley Hartmeier-Prigg, who is one of two candidates running to be the Democratic nominee for Oregons 27th House District. (Photo courtesy of Hartmeier-Priggs campaign)

I want people to be housed, fed and have a job that allows them to meet their needs, she said. Given whats happening at the federal level, its important to me to bolster efforts the state has underway.

Hartmeier-Prigg added that her experience reaching consensus on the Beaverton City Council, where shes served since 2021 and has been in a multi-year structural budget deficit, she said, has prepared her well to work with lawmakers facing a strained budget due to federal tax changes and spending cuts.

Hartmeier-Prigg said her successes on the city council include boosting local and state investments in affordable housing projects, and getting built the citys first permanent shelter, in collaboration with Portland Metro, a regional governance office, as well as Washington County and the state.

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Prior to joining the city council, Hartmeier-Prigg served on the Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation board from 2019 to 2021.

She is a graduate of the University of Portland, where she earned a bachelors degree in political science, and Willamette University College of Law, where she earned a law degree.

She spent much of her career as a product manager at Nike and currently works as director of product management at Crate & Barrel.

I grew up in Beaverton. Its something I have so much pride in, she said. Im running because I love my community, and Im going to find those people in the Legislature that ran for those reasons.

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As the government shutdown enters its 30th day and inches closer to becoming the longest in US history , the number of Americans affected by it grows, too.

Eric Lee / Getty Images

News came out last week that SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funding would be withheld starting in November, meaning that 42 million Americans benefitting from this anti-hunger program will be affected.

Allen J. Schaben / Getty Images

Understandably, people are outraged and stressed about what these significant cuts to resources could mean. And, when confronted about how something like this could even happen, conservatives largely have the same answer: Blame Democrats.

Oliver Contreras / Getty Images

Related: After Karoline Leavitt Announced The White House Is Using Tariff Money On This Important Woman's Program, Gavin Newsom Backhandedly Thanked Them

Some airports were broadcasting a video of Kristi Noem going after Democrats for shutdown-related airport delays. Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government. And because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay," she said

Octavio Jones / Getty Images

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Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has also made his stance on the shutdown clear: "Democrats have some soul searching to do."

Eric Lee / Getty Images

Even the Department of Agriculture's website , where information about the SNAP program is housed, has a biased message displayed on its homepage: "Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program."

US Department of Agriculture / Via fns.usda.gov

The vote in question is not about SNAP specifically, but a House-passed spending bill that has been opposed in the Senate, mostly by Democrats, because it will make healthcare more expensive for many.

Time for SNAP recipients is running out, as funding is set to be paused starting on Nov. 1.

Smith Collection / Getty Images

Related: "He Killed Him On Live TV": The NYC Mayor Debate Just Delivered A Jaw-Dropping Line

So, presumably, many of these recipients are visiting their state's SNAP website. And, if you're one of the over 1 million Massachusetts residents who rely on this resource , you can expect to be met with a simple, single sentence on the website's homepage.

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"President Trump is currently choosing not to issue November SNAP benefits that help you and many families put food on the table," the alert reads.

State of Massachusetts / Via mass.gov

It seems that whoever is running the Massachusetts SNAP website is taking a page out of the conservative playbook, and they're not the only ones doing it.

Boston Globe / Getty Images

Related: I Write About Politics For A Living  Here Are 21 Of The Most Bizarre Photos From MAGA Events That I've Seen This Year

The message on California's social services website reads: "The federal government has shut down due to the failures of the President and Congress to continue government funding."

Illinois is placing blame on Trump, too. "Federal officials with the Trump Administration have told all states that if the Republican federal government shutdown continues, it won't pay for SNAP (food stamp) benefits in November. As a result, SNAP customers will not receive November food benefits - unless there is further action from the Trump administration to reopen the government," the notice reads

State of Illinois / Via abe.illinois.gov

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Massachusetts and Illinois are also part of the coalition of 25 states that have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for delaying SNAP benefits for the "first time since the program's inception."

State of New York / Via ag.ny.gov

Online, there's a mixed reception to how states are blaming Trump and Congress for the effects of the shutdown. Many people are on board. "More of this from Dem electeds please," one tweet reads.

Related: Hillary Clinton Just Hit On One Of Donald Trump's Biggest Insecurities With Three Words

Another tweet says: "Exactly. I'm so tired of Republicans playing by a different set of rules. This is based af."

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This person wrote: "Trump is getting a taste of his own medicine."

On Reddit, this person wrote : "Yes, finally  someone willing to fight this shit fire with fire. And it's 100% true as well, unlike the shit he spews. In normal times, would I encourage this? Of course not. But, if orange man wants to keep playing the blame game, then there are two choices: lose by default or play to win."

What do you think? Are you here for how states like Massachusetts and Illinois handled this? Let us know in the comments.

Also in In the News: "This Is Not The Desk Of Someone Who Actually Does Work": 49 Political Tweets From The Last Month That Are Too Good Not To Share

Also in In the News: Seth Meyers Uncovered A Truly Unhinged Trump Moment That Has Everyone Questioning His Mental State

Also in In the News: "Put This On A T-Shirt"  People Are Praising This Anti-ICE Protestor's 3-Word Response To Getting Tear-Gassed At The LA Protests

Read it on BuzzFeed.com
Ken and Peggy Greco, ages 72 and 69, traveled from Augusta, Georgia to attend the No Kings day event in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)

People of Kansas, we need to have a heart-to-heart conversation.

I dont know what you want. This years Kansas Speaks opinion survey from the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University suggests that you have a lot of straightforward, admirable views on public policy. You want to expand Medicaid, legalize cannabis and keep abortion legal. You like Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly more than Republican President Donald Trump. You worry about the national economy and dont like the U.S. Congress.

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On the other hand, you voted for Trump over Democrat Kamala Harris by a 16-point margin in November. You voted in a Republican supermajority whose leaders have devoted themselves to limiting health insurance for the poor, arresting and prosecuting people who smoke weed, and ultimately banning abortion.

You could think that Kansans have an easy alternative: Vote for Democrats. But that doesnt account for the partys horrendously tarnished brand and longstanding challenge of gaining traction in generationally Republican Kansas.

Political scientist Michael Smith told Kansas Reflector editor Sherman Smith that people have an abysmal opinion of the Democratic Party. A handful of exceptions (like Kelly) transcend the label and prove his point.

Moderate Republicans might seem like the answer. Yet their power in Topeka has been systematically targeted by rock-ribbed conservatives, beginning with then-Gov. Sam Brownbacks purge in 2012. Moderates managed a brief comeback in 2016, but they have faced repeated setbacks since. The mechanics of primary elections  in which only die-hard partisans vote  has made it difficult for sensible members of the GOP to prevail.

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So we end up with this situation. Kansans keep voting for people they disagree with.

I mean, you can cast your ballot for whoever you want. Im not in the business of making campaign ads or juicing voter turnout. I write my thoughts down and send them out into the wider world. But if you keep voting for people who have explicitly stated they want to do the things that you dont approve of, what do you think will happen? Do you expect Kansas Republican leaders to experience an epiphany and decide to expand Medicaid, free the weed and renounce regulations on womens bodies?

Fat chance.

So what do you want, Kansans? How many times do you need to be betrayed by the people you elect? Or are you just fine with everything? The survey suggests that a healthy chunk (45%) think Kansas is moving in the right direction. Or maybe we just dont like change.

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Once youve been a Republican, youre more likely to stay a Republican and continue to vote for Republicans, said Alexandra Middlewood, chair of the political science department at Wichita State University, speaking about the survey. Same with Democrats.

Ive written columns like this before. Ive even written columns like this before about the Kansas Speaks survey. But I keep writing them because I think we can never hear enough that Kansans do not agree with Republican leaders policies. Not in Kansas, and not in the United States. There remains today, just as there was decades ago, a broad swath of moderates who want the government to provide a strong social safety net, stay out of residents personal business and run government efficiently.

Oddly few Kansas politicians have tried to fill this gap. Democrats have fitfully attempted the task, but theyre absurdly outmatched financially and clustered in urban areas.

Moderate Republicans appear to have gone into hiding, with the high-profile exceptions of gubernatorial candidate and Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt and Emporia Rep. Mark Schreiber. Ive covered efforts to boost commonsense candidates visibility, but the power of entrenched interests has proved wrenchingly difficult to overcome.

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This contradiction has played out at the national level during the first 10 months of Trumps second term. A majority of American voters did not vote for the current president. Opinion polling shows that an even larger majority dont like his performance in office. A smart and disciplined opposition could theoretically make major inroads.

Instead, we have the national Democratic Party.

As humorist Will Rogers put it: I dont belong to an organized political party; I am a Democrat.

The party has all but collapsed into a heaving pile of interconnected squabbles, leftists and liberals and centrists whaling on one another with the fervor of sugar-addled toddlers. Everyone agrees the party is seen as elitist, out-of-touch and ineffective, but no one agrees on the solution.

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One group suggests a more moderate approach. Another suggests a more progressive one. Meanwhile, guardrails protecting our representative democracy have been efficiently stripped by a new class of nihilistic MAGA drones. Democrats have decided to take a stand with the current government shutdown, but given unified GOP control in Washington, D.C., they cant hope to accomplish many tangible results.

Yes, its bad. But we also know that people want better.

Kansans and voters generally dont understand politics in the same way as enthusiasts. They see current events through the prism of their own lives and their families economic health. Their policy preferences can align in unexpected ways  an ardent abortion-rights advocate can support gun rights and same-sex marriage while opposing immigration. People believe what they believe and choose candidates that make sense to them at the time.

Spend a few minutes with this web feature from the Survey Center on American Life. It allows you to guess how various people voted in the 2024 election based on their beliefs and personal information. You will be repeatedly surprised.

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People of Kansas, I dont understand you. Not entirely. But I know you want a state that does right by its people. Lets see if politicians step up to make those desires reality.

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. 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.
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller is one of a handful of President Donald Trumps Cabinet members who are hiding out on military bases so they dont have to be exposed to the public that hates them.

The Atlantic reported Thursday that Miller, his wife, and their two children have relocated out of their home north of Arlington, Virginia, to a U.S. military base after local activists embarked on a campaign to shame Miller for his role leading Trumps fascistic crime and immigration crackdown.

A group called Arlington Neighbors United for Humanity have organized protests near the ghoulish politicos home, posted wanted posters with his address alleging hed committed crimes against humanity, and written messages on the sidewalk in front of his house in chalk warning that Miller is preying on families. Katie Miller lamented that the day after far-right activist Charlie Kirk was killed, a protester approached her outside her home. She claims the protester said, Im watching you.

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Now Miller and his family have reportedly joined a smattering of political appointees who have fled to the safety and seclusion of military facilities, where the publics anger cant reach them and their own insidious policy ideas can fester.

Another unnamed senior White House official had also relocated to a military base after Kirks assassination, The Atlantic reported. They were not named due to a specific foreign threat.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem moved into military housing typically reserved for the Coast Guard commandant on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, after the Daily Mail described the location of her Washington, D.C., apartment building. A top administration official told New York magazine last month that DHS had stalled confirming any high-ranking Coast Guard officials because it could threaten to remove her from her new digs.

Both Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth live on Generals Row at Fort McNair, where Hegseths home was expected to undergo more than $137,000 in renovations before he moved in.

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These Trump officials removal to military bases risks deepening their cultural and political division from the Americans they serve. It puts a strain on military resources, while also emphasizing the militarys growing role in the Trump administration.

In a robust democracy, what you want is the military to be for the defense of the country as a whole and not just one party, Adria Lawrence, an associate professor of international studies and political science at John Hopkins University, told The Atlantic.

Meanwhile, Trump has stripped security details from his political opponents. Its worth noting that the only politicians who have been assassinated in the last year were Democrats.
Katie Miller made a veiled threat to deport a political commentator during a heated debate about New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on Thursday.

The wife of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller appeared on a panel of commentators on Piers Morgan Uncensored. While arguing with The Young Turks co-creator Cenk Uygur, the debate quickly turned ugly. The shouting match devolved into Miller questioning the validity of Uygurs U.S. citizenship application.

Miller accused Uygur of racist, bigoted rhetoric around Israel and Uygur countered that Miller was a habitual liar. When Cenk floated the idea that Israel got a pass on committing genocide against Palestinians, Miller wondered if the Trump administration might need to take a closer look at his recently granted citizenship.

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Miller cut in. You better check your citizenship application and make sure everything is correct, she said. Because youll be just like Ilhan Omar.

At one point, Miller threatened to walk off the show, accusing Uygur of using coded anti-Semitic language. Progressive political analyst Omar Baddar waded into the argument, calling it ridiculous.

Somebody criticizing you personally is not an anti-Semitic attack. If somebody says that you are lying, that is not an attack on Jews; that is an attack on you, Baddar said. Yes, Stephen Miller is a destructive force on American society. That is not an attack on Jews. That has no reference to his identity. This is an attack on him individually, and just deal with the merits of this case.

Watch the debate below via X:

"Piers, I'm gonna be done with this if you're gonna allow racist and bigoted attacks against one of your commentators" Piers Morgan: "Hang on" Watch the completely uncut interaction   https://t.co/h9WoSSKVjE@piersmorgan | @CenkUygur | @KatieMiller | @OmarBaddar pic.twitter.com/QqJtr85Vw3  Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) October 29, 2025

The post Stephen Millers wife threatens political commentator with deportation during debate appeared first on Salon.com.
White House aide Stephen Miller and his wife, Katie Miller attend the White House Easter Egg Roll in April. Katie Miller told a critic of the Trump administration to "check your citizenship application" after he called her and her husband liars. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

WASHINGTON  Katie Miller, a former Trump administration aide and the wife of top White House immigration adviser Stephen Miller, threatened an administration critic with revocation of his citizenship for insulting her on a video panel discussion.

You better check your citizenship application and hope that everything was legal and correct, she said to Cenk Uygur on Piers Morgans YouTube program Wednesday.

Politics: CNN Host Grills Mike Johnson Over Shutdown: 'I Reject The Premise Of The Question'

She followed that with a comparison to Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, but precisely what she said was unclear because of cross talk from Uygur and other members of the panel. Omar is a frequent target of racial and ethnic attacks by Trump and his followers, and Trump has said multiple times that he would send her back to Somalia, but that the Somali government does not want her.

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Uygur had earlier called both Katie and Stephen Miller liars. Its very normal for a Miller to be completely and utterly lying, he said.

That prompted Katie Miller to accuse Uygur of attacking her, her husband and her children because they are Jewish  even though Uygur had not referenced her religion in any way.

I am raising Jewish children in this country, Miller said, warning Morgan that she would end her participation in the discussion if he did not rein in Uygur.

Politics: Heritage Foundation Defends Tucker Carlson Over His Interview With Holocaust Denier

Not long after, as Uygur argued that criticizing Israels policies was not antisemitic, Katie Miller threatened to have his citizenship revoked.

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Its deeply ironic that the people who claimed to champion free speech are now trying to deport people who speak out against them, Uygur, who describes himself as a left-wing populist and was born in Turkey, told HuffPost. If Princess Snowflake tries to deport everyone she loses a debate to, then were going to start to run out of people.

Neither Katie nor Stephen Miller responded to HuffPost queries about her threat or what role she now has in choosing people who, in the administrations view, should lose their U.S. citizenship. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung and press secretary Karoline Leavitt did not respond either.

Revoking the status of naturalized U.S. citizens is an extraordinary step that has been reserved for exceptional cases. In 2002, the U.S. government revoked the citizenship of Ohio autoworker John Demjanjuk after confirming he was a Nazi war criminal who worked as a guard in a concentration camp.

Politics: Critics Rip Trump Crony Stephen Miller Over Incredibly Hypocritical Claim About 'The Law'

Katie Miller no longer works in the Trump administration, although she began the second term working for former Trump adviser Elon Musks so-called Department of Government Efficiency. In Trumps first term, she worked in the Department of Homeland Security and later in the office of then-Vice President Mike Pence. She complained she had been fired after Jan. 6, 2021, when the mob of followers Trump summoned to Washington to help him overturn his election loss roamed the Capitol chanting, Hang Mike Pence.

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Stephen Miller was a speechwriter early in Trumps first term, although his portfolio grew through the years. In December 2020, following Trumps reelection loss, Miller boasted of the coming scheme to use fraudulent electoral votes to steal the election from Democrat Joe Biden. With Trumps return to power in January, Miller has even more influence and is now a key adviser behind Trumps extrajudicial lethal attacks on alleged drug smugglers that have now killed dozens aboard boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
(FOX40.COM)  The Vice Mayor of Stockton is calling for an investigation into Interim City Manager Steve Colangelo after alleging that he issued an unauthorized letter and possibly misused taxpayer funds.

In a press release, Vice Mayor Jason Lee claims that Colangelo sent the letter on official city letterhead and copied it to Mayor Christina Fugazi.

The accusations come just a few months after Colangelo announced an investigation into Lees alleged use of funds to support a comedy show he participated in.

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Meanwhile, Mayor Fugazi denies any involvement in the allegations.

The letter was allegedly addressed to a funding program in the state and said the following:

This letter serves as an official commitment from the City of Stockton, confirming our intention to provide matching funds to support the Service First of Northern California

Recovery Center Project.

Lee stated that the programs rules require a 10% local match provided by the applicant. He explained that $8,239,637.33 was shown on the applicants state award letter, requiring a 10% match of $823,963.73.

This is not a misunderstanding  its a direct overreach of authority. The City Manager does not have the power to commit more than $100,000 in taxpayer funds without City Council approval, Vice Mayor Lee said. Committing over $823,000 without authorization is a serious violation of public trust.

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Lee said that the city manager does not have the authority to approve spending over $100,000 without the approval of the City Council, per Stocktons municipal code and financial policy.

My understanding is that the grant does not require or even suggest that the local matching funds come from a single source. If the City were to participate any funds that exceed $100,000 would come before council for a vote. The citys letter expressed general support, not a specific dollar commitment, Fugazi said.

In the press release, Lee said a campaign donor to Mayor Christina Fugazi would be the recipient of the state grant and that she was copied on the correspondence. He said that her relationship was not spoken of during a presentation related to the program in early October.

In response to the claim, Mayor Fugazi released documents to FOX40, along with a statement refuting allegations of her involvement in the conflict saying, The donation in question was fully refunded in February which appeared on my June 30, 2025 campaign filing. This alone would eliminate any conflict whatsoever should a proposal come before council. So, the council member is either intentionally spreading misinformation or failed in conducting elementary-level research. Ill let him decide.

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The Vice Mayor claims that his requests to meet with Acting City Manager Will Crew, Mayor Christina Fugazi, and City Attorney Lori Asuncion, in an effort to raise concerns, have been denied or ignored. As a result of that, he is calling on the City Council to a special meeting to investigate certain topics, including the following:

Who directed or authorized the issuance of the letter

Whether any laws, policies or ethical standards were violated

What role, if any, did elected officials play

What corrective or disciplinary actions should follow

The City Council and the Mayor should be as shocked, concerned, and interested in answers as I am, said Lee. When public trust and taxpayer dollars are at risk, silence is not an option.

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.




STONINGTON - Stonington High School was under a lockdown Thursday morning after there were reports of a student in possession of a gun, officials said.

A student was taken into custody in connection with the lockdown as of 10:40 a.m. Thursday, Stonington Deputy Police Chief Todd Olson said. The investigation was ongoing and it was unclear whether a firearm was found in the student's possession.

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The town's Facebook page said at 9:50 a.m. that students and staff inside the building were secured during the lockdown. As of 10:35 a.m., the post said the lockdown was downgraded to a "classroom hold" and everyone inside was safe.

"We are working with the police to resolve this," officials said. "Please do not come to the school at this time."

"Stonington Police Department quickly resolved the issue," Schools Superintendent Mary Anne Butler said in a statement. "We are in the process of following our safety protocols which are deliberate and thoughtful. In addition, we are messaging the community every 30 minutes to update them on the status of the situation."

This article originally published at Stonington High School student in custody after reports of gun Thursday, police say.
Rob Jettens's D66 party registered major gains in the Netherlands' general election, emerging neck-and-neck with the Freedom Party (PVV) led by Geert Wilders, whose support among voters sharply declined compared to last year's record performance, Al Jazeera reported. With over 90 per cent of the votes counted early on Thursday, projections showed both D66 and PVV securing 26 seats each in the 150-member lower house of Parliament. The outcome signals a dramatic fall for Wilders. Exit polls and early counts had suggested a narrow win for D66, led by 38-year-old Rob Jetten, followed closely by Wilders. However, updated tallies pointed to a slightly stronger showing for the PVV. Despite this, Wilders appears unlikely to become prime minister, as all mainstream parties have ruled out joining forces with him. Addressing supporters on Wednesday night, Wilders admitted disappointment over the seat loss but pledged to continue his political fight from the opposition benches. "Of course, we would have liked to win more seats, and I regret the loss, but it's not as if we were wiped off the map," he said. The results have opened the door for Jetten to potentially become the Netherlands' youngest and first openly gay prime minister. Jubilant D66 supporters cheered and waved Dutch flags at the party's headquarters, chanting "Yes, we can," as Jetten declared victory, Al Jazeera reported. "We've shown not only to the Netherlands, but also to the world that it is possible to beat populist and extreme right movements," Jetten told the crowd. To form a majority government, parties need at least 76 seats, making the role of the centre-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) crucial in upcoming coalition talks. The VVD, previously led by long-serving Prime Minister Mark Rutte and now headed by Dilan Yesilgoz, is projected to win 22 seats--two fewer than in the 2023 election. Other coalition allies, including the conservative NSC and the farmers' interest party BBB, suffered significant losses, with NSC losing all its seats. Analysts attribute the decline to dissatisfaction with the coalition's performance, Al Jazeera reported. The previous Dutch government collapsed in June of this year after Wilders withdrew his party from the right-wing coalition over a disagreement on immigration policy, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Dick Schoof and his cabinet. (ANI)
The White House tried Thursday to amp up the pressure on Democrats to end the government shutdown  by pointing to the stress that missed paychecks for air traffic controllers and other workers are bringing to the nation's skies.

Stop this craziness and open the government, Vance told reporters at the White House on Thursday, after weeks of repeated but sporadic flight delays tied to shortages of air traffic controllers. Its causing way too many problems."

Vance also repeatedly contended that "pilots" are among those whose paychecks have stopped arriving since the shutdown began Oct. 1  although airline pilots work for private companies, not the federal government.

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"If you have, let's say, a pilot who's now missed two paychecks, who's now telling his kids that they can't do things that they'd like to do, who's now worried about feeding his family, maybe that guy doesn't show up to work," the vice president said. He was flanked by airline industry leaders, union officials and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, none of whom contradicted him on that point.

The White House and the vice president's office didnt immediately respond to inquiries about Vances remarks.

Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration baggage screeners are going unpaid during the shutdown  a situation that Vance said is bringing "incredible stress" to the "safest aviation industry in the world."

The specter of massive flight delays driven by air traffic controller staffing shortages has become a key component of Republicans messaging on the spending impasse, which is just days away from becoming the longest federal shutdown in history. Air travel has been an especially potent leverage point in the past: Flight disruptions at key aviation centers after some controllers called out sick have been widely credited with hastening the end of the last prolonged shutdown in early 2019.

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Vance convened a closed-door White House meeting Thursday with Duffy and the industry and union officials before speaking to reporters. The gathering occurred around the same time that the FAA was reporting staffing-related delays at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Attendees at Vances event included a broad swath of the aviation industry, including Airlines for America CEO Chris Sununu, the former Republican governor of New Hampshire, and the leader of the Teamsters, Sean OBrien.

Dont hold us hostage, Duffy told reporters after emerging with Vance and the others. Dont hold American families travel hostage. Dont hold air traffic controllers hostage. Open the government. Have a conversation. Lets get it resolved.

In a statement, the top Democrat on the House Transportation Committee, Rep. Rick Larsen of Washington state, fired back at the GOP.

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Democrats support air traffic controllers and aviation safety technicians and the important role they play in safeguarding our skies. Unfortunately, these critical workers missed a paycheck earlier this week because Republicans refuse to fix the healthcare crisis they created and open the government, Larsen said. Its time for Republicans to come to the negotiating table if they are serious about paying the aviation safety workforce.

Spokespeople for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington state, the top Democrat on the Commerce Committee, which oversees aviation issues, didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

Neither Vance nor Duffy used Thursday's appearance to endorse legislative efforts that would resume paychecks for controllers while the shutdown persists. Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has introduced a bill, S. 3031, that would pay controllers and TSA baggage screeners during the standoff. It recently picked up a Democratic co-sponsor: Ruben Gallego of Arizona.

But Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed skepticism about holding floor votes on legislation such as Cruzs, saying he prefers a House-passed, short-term patch that would fund the entire government.

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Duffy, meanwhile, recently suggested that a Trump administration effort to find existing FAA dollars to pay controllers is dead.

Duffy also told reporters this week at New Yorks LaGuardia Airport that so far, were seeing less problems in the airspace today than we have in prior shutdowns. However, he and Vance said Thursday that they worry that the pain for travelers will worsen the longer the shutdown goes on, as controllers miss multiple paychecks and have to navigate mounting bills and second jobs on top of their already stressful duties.

After the event, OBrien said his union backs a clean funding bill, which would extend the previous year's federal spending without addressing Democrats' concerns about looming cuts to health benefits. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, who was also in the meeting, threw his support behind such a measure, as well.

Sununu did not speak to the press.

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The National Air Traffic Controllers Association union has maintained that sick leave rates are not spiking and has described personnel shortages as a routine issue, given the nations longstanding struggle to fill the ranks of controllers. But the labor group has acknowledged an uptick in so-called staffing triggers  situations in which the FAA moves to slow air traffic due to worker shortfalls.

Alex Gangitano contributed to this report.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles says it is actively investigating complaints of fraud in the handling of surrendered license plates to DMV office in Chautauqua County, including Jamestown.

This comes after Call 4 Action has received and confirmed seven instances of drivers in Chautauqua County surrendering their license plates, for them to be destroyed and then being hit with toll violations, speeding tickets and parking tickets on cars in New York City and out-of-state.

According to a spokesperson from the DMV, as an initial step in its investigation, the state has required the County to strengthen its security measures for destroying surrendered plates. DMV spokesperson Walt McClure would not provide specifics on what security measures have been strengthened.

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The DMVs investigation into Chautauqua Countys handling of surrendered license plates continues.

State lawmaker wants hearings in Albany on license plate fraud

In text messages sent to News 4, Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone says at this point, the Sheriffs Office, will not be participating in any destruction of plates, and that this decision, made on Oct. 14 was the sheriffs. The decision was made several days after News 4 reported that the State DMV was actively investigating license plate fraud concerns in Jamestown.

News 4 has filed a public records request with the Chautauqua County Law Department to obtain an email Quattrone sent to Deputy Chautauqua County Clerk Emily Blevins on the matter.

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Quattrone says that he does not know how surrendered license plates are being handled in the county, saying this is a County Clerk decision.

News 4 has reached out to Blevins and county government on how surrendered license plates are being handled. When reached on Thursday afternoon, county spokesperson Justin Gould said the county has no comment.

The pause on the county jail handling surrendered license plates is a change from past procedure.

This is what Blevins said in July in an email:

At the county level, we take every possible measure within our authority to ensure surrendered plates are properly destroyed. All surrendered plates are handled exclusively by county personnel. They are transported to the county jail, whereunder the supervision of correctional officersthey are physically cut in half by inmates. The destroyed plates are then transferred by county employees to a certified scrap yard for permanent disposal. Our DMV representatives receipt each transaction to provide customers with official documentation as proof of surrender.

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Her statement goes on to say:

Despite these thorough procedures, issues continue to arise due to the operations of entities outside our jurisdictionspecifically, NYC Tolls. Its important to note that NYC Tolls is not part of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Their toll collection process relies on automated cameras, which frequently misread plate numbers. These readings are processed by software and later reviewed by personnel who then contact Albany to retrieve the latest registration information associated with the plate number. As myself and many of the other 62 County Clerks across New York State have expressed repeatedly, this is not a problem that can be corrected at the county level. These errors are systemic and occurring statewide. While we have been working with the state in search of a long-term solution, the only guidance we are currently able to offer affected residents is to contact NYC Tolls directly and dispute the charge using the DMV surrender receipt as evidence. We consistently urge Albany to take the necessary steps to address this recurring issue, which continues to affect residents well beyond the scope of local authority. Unfortunately, a solution has not yet been provided.

The Mayor of the City of Jamestown issued a statement in response to Call 4 Actions investigation into how drivers in Chautauqua County, mostly in the Jamestown area have legally surrendered their license plates and then have become victims of license plate fraud.

Mayor: Serious allegations of potential wrongdoing at Jamestown DMV

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In a statement, Mayor Kimberly Ecklund says:

The City of Jamestown is aware of serious allegations involving the potential misuse of license plates that were properly surrendered at the Jamestown DMV. These reports raise significant concerns for affected residents, and while DMV operations are administered by Chautauqua County under the authority of New York State, our office is here to assist residents in connecting with the appropriate agencies for guidance and resolution.

The Mayors Office goes on to say that residents who believe they may have been impacted are encouraged to:

Contact the Chautauqua County Clerks Office and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles for direction on next steps

File a report with the Jamestown Police Department to ensure proper documentation

Submit a formal complaint to the New York State Inspector Generals Office, which investigates allegations of misconduct, fraud, or mismanagement within state agencies

More on license plate fraud

Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A traffic accident at J.C. Carson High School in China Grove on Wednesday left a student critically injured after falling from a Chevrolet Tahoe.

The accident occurred on school grounds, involving juveniles, with one individual sustaining serious injuries while riding on the exterior of the vehicle.

ALSO READ: Middle school student found with handgun during search for vape

Emergency personnel responded promptly, and the injured student was first taken to Atrium Health Cabarrus in Concord before being transferred to Atrium Health Levine Childrens Hospital in Charlotte.

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Rowan-Salisbury Schools expressed their sadness over the incident, stating, The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority. Our hearts are with the injured student, their family, and the entire Carson High School community as we support them during this difficult time.

The China Grove Police Department is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Details regarding the exact cause of the accident and the identities of those involved have not been disclosed.

The injured students condition remains critical, and the community is rallying to support the family during this challenging period.

VIDEO: Middle school student found with handgun during search for vape
Campus police at the University of Hawaii at Manoa are searching for a suspect in an alleged sexual assault at a dorm room earlier this week.

UH-Manoa said a student reported the incident to authorities on Wednesday after it occurred on Monday.

The student, a campus resident, said she was forcibly sexually assaulted by an acquaintance who is not a student at UH-Manoa. She reported that she had invited the suspect to her residence hall room, where the assault allegedly took place.

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The suspects whereabouts are unknown but he may still be staying in the residence halls with other students,  said the UH-Manoa Department of Public Safety in a notice. As a reminder, student housing rules provide that unauthorized individual (s ) are not permitted to be in student housing facilities unless they are escorted by a student resident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the UH-Manoa Department of Public Safety at 808-956-6911.

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CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY)  If youre planning on ghost hunting this Halloween, West Virginia is a great place to do it, according to a recent study.

Based on a Ghost Likelihood Index created by the Action Network that factors in ghost sightings, cemeteries, ghost towns and haunted locations, West Virginia is the second-most likely state to see a ghost.

The index estimated that West Virginians have a near 5% chance of seeing a ghost. Based on the study, 1 in 2,869 people will see a ghost in West Virginia, which is the highest in the country. For comparison, Texas, which was deemed the most likely state for a ghost sighting, has more reported ghost sightings per year but has fewer per capita than West Virginia, with odds at 1 in 4,168.

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West Virginia also has substantially more cemeteries than average, which boosted it in the ranking. The Mountain State has 1,125 cemeteries per 100,000 residents, which is more than 600% higher than the national average and the highest in the country.

Looking for the ghostliest places in West Virginia? Although Harpers Ferry is widely considered the most haunted place in West Virginia, according to the ranking, youre most likely to see a ghost in these towns:

Keyser Ravenswood St. Albans Grafton Point Pleasant Buckhannon Lewisburg Beckley Weston Bluefield

West Virginia Ghost Stories

Although Keyser is the top West Virginia city for ghost sightings, people in Weston search for ghost-related information the most, likely because of the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.

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Other states that are high on the Ghost Likelihood Index, although not as high as West Virginia, are Maine, Kentucky, Vermont and Montana.

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.
A brand-new study from the University of Toronto figuratively drove home the insidious threat of microplastics, The Canadian Press reported (via CityNews), quantifying the scale of the problem in terms even those unfamiliar with the metric system could grasp.

What's happening?

One of the most well-known attributes of microplastics  plastic particles smaller than five millimeters  is their shockingly pervasive presence.

The study's authors investigated Toronto's highly urbanized Don River, which flows into Lake Ontario, to determine how thoroughly microplastics had infiltrated its waters.

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The fact that microplastics originate from the inevitable degradation of all plastic products is well understood, but researchers have been working hard to identify their pathways.

Microplastic pathways are the ways in which microplastics enter the environment and living organisms, and locating these routes is critical to limit their reach and impact.

The peer-reviewed journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A published the study on Oct. 23. Its authors noted that urban rivers are considered to be a likely route for microplastics to enter lakes and oceans, particularly after heavy rains.

Researchers sampled water, vegetation, sediment, and larger plastic debris (macroplastic), and their findings were jarring. The authors estimated that the Don River carried about 522 billion microplastic particles to Lake Ontario each year.

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Worryingly, they determined that, by mass, that was approximately 36,000 kilograms of microplastic  a weight roughly equivalent to that of "18 cars worth," per CityNews. A scant 160 kilograms of macroplastic pollution occurred in the same period, demonstrating the ubiquity of the issue.

"I was pretty shocked to see that levels that we see here are more on par with places that don't have as good of waste management," co-author and plastic expert Chelsea Rochman said, per The Canadian Press.

Why is this study important?

In particular, the difference between microplastic levels and macroplastic levels illustrated the problem.

One reason microplastics are "everywhere" is their diminutive size, often invisible to the naked eye. Microplastics can't be fished out by beach cleanup volunteers, nor can we see them.

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Because plastic can take centuries to break down, microplastics don't just travel to or settle in the world's most remote reaches. They accumulate in the environment and in living things.

Microplastics pose a threat to the environment, wildlife, and human health. Adverse health outcomes associated with microplastics include vascular issues and cognitive impacts, and researchers have linked them to the development of some cancers.

What's being done about it?

Research such as the University of Toronto study is a crucial step to combating microplastic pollution.

"By understanding these sources, we can work with the relevant stakeholders to turn off the tap," Rochman explained.

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Policy changes take time, but individuals can limit their risk by using less plastic and replacing everyday items with plastic-free alternatives.

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.
King County Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn is advocating for a Stupid Motorist Law in response to recent costly bridge strikes in Washington State.

The proposed law aims to hold drivers accountable for damages they cause to public structures, such as bridges and overpasses, by imposing strict liability.

It will make people think twice before they turn the keys to the ignition of a vehicle thats 15 or 16 feet tall, Dunn said.

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In the past two months, three major bridge strikes have occurred in Washington State, resulting in millions of dollars in damage.

In August, a truck hit the White River Bridge on S-R 410, causing $4.5 million in repairs. The bridge has since reopened.

Last month, another truck struck a girder under the S-R 167 Bridge, leading to an estimated $2.5 million in damages.

Earlier this month, a truck with an oversized load hit the Bullfrog Road Overpass near Cle Elum, necessitating its demolition and resulting in $8 million in damages.

Governor Ferguson issued emergency proclamations for these incidents, allowing the state to seek federal reimbursement for repair costs.

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According to WSDOT, any funding received would be used for repairs not covered by the third partys insurance. Dunn emphasized the need for accountability, stating, What we dont want is well Im insured, it doesnt matter to me if I clip something, well thats the insurance companys problem.

Dunns proposal also targets companies employing drivers without proper commercial licenses, suggesting additional liability for such corporations.

The proposed Stupid Motorist Law seeks to change liability laws statewide, ensuring drivers are held responsible for damages to public infrastructure, potentially reducing future incidents and repair costs.
Gov. Ron DeSantis thinks the Florida House's property tax plans are milquetoast and says House leaders must think voters are stupid.

House Speaker Daniel Perez believes DeSantis is just being small and petty or is planning to massively slash funds for schools.

The battle between the GOP leaders over taxes, which extended the 2025 legislative session earlier this year, remains intense as next years session looms.

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Speaking in Tampa on Oct. 29, DeSantis was asked about the eight bills aimed at cutting property taxes  including seven constitutional amendments  released by the House earlier in the month. DeSantis had previously panned the proposals, but he went further in his criticism, slamming Perez personally.

Ive not talked to (Perez) about it at all. The reality is, is hes not been somebody thats been supportive of these efforts, DeSantis said.

They put out a bunch of proposals; theyre all milquetoast. Theres not one proposal that people would get excited about, not one. Theyre total half measures, which is not what people are asking for. People want to be bold.

And by putting up to seven proposals on the November ballot, the House plan would confuse voters and doom the push to cut property taxes, DeSantis added.

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When I see politicians rolling out, Oh, were going to put five proposals on, it offends me because they think youre stupid enough to tell you, Oh no, were supportive of you, we put stuff on the ballot, we tried,  DeSantis said.

They cant think youre that stupid. They physically cant. So it offends me that they think somehow they could get away with this.

Perez countered that DeSantis was being small and petty  or he plans to slash K-12 funding. Thats because one of the House bills would eliminate non-school property taxes for homesteaded properties.

Speaker of the House Danny Perez speaks during Speaker Designation Ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.

"The governors comments can only be interpreted in two ways. Either hes being small and petty, or he has just revealed something significant today about his mysterious property tax plan, Perez said in an emailed statement.

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The House has proposed eliminating all non-school homestead property taxes, the speaker added. The governor weirdly called that milquetoast. That can only mean the Governor has just announced that he will be proposing to abolish all property taxes, including school taxes.

I look forward to seeing the Governors proposed budget where he makes up for the $21 billion for schools that he plans to cut.

The next legislative session begins Jan. 13.

DeSantis has repeatedly called on lawmakers to put a measure on the November 2026 ballot to eliminate taxes for homesteaded properties. Such a move requires 60% support in both chambers of the Legislature, and then 60% of voters would have to approve it for the measure to become law.

The next legislative session begins Jan. 13.

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So far, the House is the only chamber to release property tax proposals backed by chamber leaders. Although some Senate bills have been filed, Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, is still evaluating the House bills and hasnt put forward his own.

Speaker of the House Daniel Perez, left, greets Senate President Ben Albritton on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.

Perez has previously complained that DeSantis hasnt put out a detailed proposal yet, either, instead just suggesting that Florida residents who own their homes are taxed too heavily.

DeSantis said he wants to ensure the measure will provide relief to current residents without spurring an influx of snowbirds, while also being able to get 60% support from voters.

Youve got to get the language right, DeSantis said.

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Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at grohrer@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: GOP tax fight in Florida intensifies ahead of 2026 ballot
IWATE, Oct 30 (News On Japan) - Bear attacks are reaching unprecedented levels across Japan, with a record 12 fatalities so far this year as sightings continue daily from mountain towns to city centers, disrupting schools and local institutions.

In the town of Shizukuishi, Iwate Prefecture, a security camera captured a bear tugging at the entrance of a public hall early Thursday morning before walking away. The frame of the glass door was found broken, with visible impact marks.

It would have been extremely dangerous if the hall had been open, said Shizukuishi town official Osamu Tanizaki.

On the previous day, a bear rammed into the entrance of an elementary school in Yamagata Prefecture early in the morning, shattering the glass and forcing the school to close for the day. Another elementary school in Tsuruoka, Yamagata, also canceled classes on October 30th after bear sightings were reported nearby.

In Morioka City, a bear entered the parking lot of Iwate Banks head office earlier this week. The same day and the following day, bears were also seen on the campus of Iwate University, about two kilometers away. The university suspended classes temporarily but resumed them on October 31st.

Students expressed fear following the incidents. It was shocking and frightening, one student said. Another added, Its scary because its happening in the city, not near the mountains.

When university officials inspected the campus on Thursday morning, they found bear droppings and food remnants, confirming the animals presence. Theres no mistakeit was here, said Takayoshi Yamauchi, associate professor at the universitys Faculty of Agriculture.

Nearby elementary schools have also stepped up precautions. Some children now carry bear bells on their backpacks, and parents are driving them to school for safety. They havent caught the bear yet, so Im still worried, said one parent.

According to the Environment Ministry, the number of deaths caused by bears this fiscal year has risen to 12, marking the highest figure ever recorded in Japan.

Source: TBS
For decades, the United States Navy's Ohio-class nuclear submarines were the best unused weapons in the U.S. arsenal. This is because the Ohio-class was designed for one purpose: to deliver its payload of 24 Trident II ballistic missiles in a nuclear war. Fortunately, they never fired any in anger, though the Navy routinely shoots off unarmed missiles in training exercises. Still, no nukes departed an Ohio-class sub's launch tubes, but the mighty boats have been used in combat many times.

In 1994, the Nuclear Posture Review reduced the U.S.' number of nuclear-armed submarines from 18 to 14. To keep the remaining four boats in the fleet, the Navy converted them to guided-missile submarines (SSGN) with 22 tubes capable of firing up to 154 BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles. This enabled the fleet of Ohio-class subs to take part in combat operations, and they've been doing so since the conversion. All 14 nuclear-armed Ohio-class subs remain in service, lurking in the depths should they ever be needed. Unfortunately, the class' SSGNs are ready for retirement.

They're set to be retired in 2026 through 2028 and will eventually be replaced by the Columbia-class. Some Ohio-class subs have already been stricken from the inventory. One boat set for retirement is the USS Florida (SSGN-728), which holds a unique distinction. It's the first of its class that fired Tomahawk cruise missiles in combat in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn, targeting Libyan air defenses on March 19, 2011. The storied boat is set to retire in 2026 alongside another historic Ohio-class submarine.

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Read more: Every Japanese Aircraft Carrier Sunk In WWII

The history of the first SSGN to fire Tomahawks in anger

A submarine-launched Tomahawk cruise missile from the USS Florida - U.S. Navy/Wikimedia Commons

The U.S. Navy has used a variety of vessels to fire Tomahawk cruise missiles dating back to 1991, but it took another 20 years before the USS Florida had the opportunity. Before that happened, the USS Florida operated as a Ship, Submersible, Ballistic, Nuclear (SSBN), carrying two dozen nuclear-armed Trident II missiles ready to fire them at targets in Russia, China, or wherever a potential nuclear threat arose. The boat's first strategic deterrent patrol ended in July 1984, and by 2002, the USS Florida had completed 61 patrols of this type.

In 2011, the USS Florida fired more than 90 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) at targets in Libya, softening the nation's air defenses. This enabled U.S. and allied aircraft to operate with air superiority, which was achieved quickly, thanks in part to the efforts of the crew of the USS Florida. Over the course of its service, the USS Florida received numerous accolades, and it capped off its long history when it embarked on an epic deployment in August 2022.

The USS Florida circumnavigated the globe, starting in the Atlantic Ocean before wrapping up its time in the Pacific Ocean. This wasn't a sightseeing tour, as the USS Florida was deployed to counter potential threats from Iran, China, and Russia. It received five crew swaps during this time, returning to port on July 31, 2024  a full 727 days at sea. Now, the USS Florida is set to retire alongside its sister ship, the first-in-its-class USS Ohio (SSGN-726) in 2026, ending a 43-year service to the U.S. Navy.

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In her first appearance during a special-called meeting Oct. 30, former college swimmer Riley Gaines and the Sumner County Library Board could not move forward with a controversial ban on transgender books for all county-run libraries.

It's something the former board had tried  and failed  to pass three times before.

After a brief discussion to defer a vote for fear of litigation, the board moved forward with the vote that ended in a 4-4 tie. But, library board chair Erika Grammer said the policy change could come back for another vote during a future board meeting.

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If passed, the board would add a new section to its collection and management policy titled transgender and gender confusing materials. In it, the board clarifies that no materials would be in Sumner County Libraries, "subjecting, introducing, condoning or encouraging a minor to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with his or her biological sex at birth."

The ban was set to be implemented for children and adults.

The policy would ban any inter-library requests for books containing the "promotion of transgender or gender confusion in minors" and requires that any books challenged for containing sexually explicit or transgender topics must be pulled from shelves within 24 hours, before any content review is done.

Had the policy passed, Sumner County would have become the second county in Tennessee to attempt to ban books in public libraries based on a book's content. Rutherford County passed a similar policy in June before quickly rescinding it due to significant national pushback.

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About 100 people packed the meeting room on Belvedere Drive in Gallatin before the meeting began with parking at full capacity. Some were forced to park on the grass.

The meeting opened with a prayer asking for people to stay peaceful.

Before the proceedings began, about 24 people who signed up to speak were allowed to make public comments. More than half the speakers supported the transgender book ban. At one point, a contentious debate broke out with two residents discussing the need to pool money to fight lawsuits challenging the ban.

Roars of aggressive applause broke out several times as residents announced support for the ban.

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During his time at the podium, Gallatin resident Don Scruggs said he identifies as a Christian and told the board he didn't need them to supply him with Bibles.

"I don't think these kids need you to supply books to teach them on how to be that way (transgender)," Scruggs said, finishing his point.

Ashley Hayes spoke against the ban.

"Books should not be banned from libraries, because doing so violates core principles of the United States constitution," she said.

Hayes said libraries serve as public forums for exploration. She said the book ban is a form of censorship.

"Right now, it's transgender books, but what is it going to be next," she said, noting that parents who don't want their children to have access to transgender books don't need to take them to the library and check those books out.

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In addition to the book bans, the policy would have included several notable changes.

It would have given the board the ability to remove or order the removal of any materials from the collection.

And it said the library director would not pay dues to any organizations, like the American Library Association or its affiliates. The ALA establishes guidelines and advocates for access and diversity.

Materials containing anything sexual in nature, while permitted for educational purposes, were to be housed in a separate section with a separate catalog process and held behind an area to be monitored by an employee, the board said, adding the material can only be researched by adults.

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A conservative and anti-trans activist, Gaines, a Gallatin native, was announced as the newest library board member in an Oct. 21 social media post.

A second open position was filled by Steve Wasilowski, according to the Sumner County Democratic Party.

County Commissioner Tim Jones said in a social media post that Gaines appointment was in response to the months-long struggle to pass the policy.

The Library Board will return to a conservative board! Jones said, adding The question at stake was the fate of our county libraries. Removing transgender ideological books was not technically on the agenda but reducing the board from nine to seven was. This wouldve shifted the majority to a nonconservative board which would bury any attempt get rid of the woke transgender literature that is so damaging to our youth.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Sumner County, TN fails fourth try to pass trans book ban




ALBANY - Local supermarkets, gas stations and even farmers will stand to lose millions of dollars in revenue starting Saturday if Congress and President Donald Trump can't find a solution to keep the program afloat during the federal government shutdown.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will not disburse payments starting on Nov. 1 due to the continued government shutdown. In New York alone, SNAP provides $650 million in food benefits per month to 2.9 million individuals who qualify due to disability or household income level.

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That money, which is loaded onto electronic benefit cards, goes directly to pay for food at a variety of qualified stores. That means not only supermarkets like Price Chopper, Market 32, Hannaford and Trader Joe's, but also gas stations that sell unprepared foods and grocery staples such as Stewart's Shops. The big box stores like Walmart and Target also accept SNAP payments, as do some vendors at local farmers markets. No alcohol or hot or prepared foods or household items are allowed.

New York state manages the SNAP EBT card program. Some restaurant meals are eligible for SNAP benefits for people who are homeless or those who are over 60, or disabled, through what is known as the Restaurant Meals Program, according to the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

The Times Union searched SNAP-eligible stores in a 5-mile radius of one zip code, 12054, which is Delmar in the town of Bethlehem. A total of 32 stores accept SNAP EBT cards for eligible items, including the new Trader Joe's in Glenmont, the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen on Southern Boulevard, Stewart's Shops, CVS and a few gas stations.

Although none of the companies contacted by the Times Union would say precisely how much revenue they stood to lose during the month of November, all of them acknowledged that the loss would not be insignificant to their bottom lines, including Price Chopper and Market 32 stores, which are headquartered in Schenectady.

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"Any disruption threatens not only to impact families but also the entire nutritional ecosystem, from farmers and food producers to retailers and food banks," said Pam Cerone, director of community relations for Price Chopper and Market 32. "We are hopeful that this interruption to SNAP benefits will be fleeting."

More: Food banks warn of devastating' consequences of looming SNAP lapse

Related: Where to find a food pantry near you in the Capital Region

In U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko's congressional district alone, which includes all of Albany, Saratoga and Schenectady counties as well as parts of Montgomery and Rensselaer counties, 14% of the population receives SNAP benefits. More than 60% of the beneficiaries are children, the elderly or those who are disabled, according to the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

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That's 78,573 people in 44,115 households across those five counties. The area includes the cities of Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs and Amsterdam, where Tonko resides. Those households receive a total of $185.5 million per year in SNAP benefits.

That's $15.4 million that is paid every month to local grocery and convenience stores - and even at local farmers markets.

At the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market, SNAP benefits recipients can use their EBT cards to buy wooden tokens, which can be used to buy fresh, unprepared food at any farmer's stall.

Local farmer Ron Bulich, who operates Bulich Creekside Farm in Greene County, estimates 10% of his weekly revenue comes from SNAP recipients at the Troy market, which is the largest market locally. He also goes to markets in Delmar and Albany.

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In Delmar, they use a wooden token system for people who want to shop at vendors who don't take cards, but it's not attached to the SNAP program like in Troy. However, SNAP EBT cards can be used with vendors who do take cards.

"Our impression is, despite Delmar being a relatively affluent area, the use of SNAP and other food assistance programs is not infrequent," said Mara Elliott, who is in charge of media and promotion for the Delmar Farmer's Market.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which operates SNAP, says that each $1 in SNAP benefits spent buying food generates $1.54 in economic activity. That means the impact would be even greater over the long term of any SNAP funding stoppage.

Like other businesses contacted for this story, Stewart's Shops, the local convenience store chain, said it could not reveal exact figures for how much SNAP revenue it receives. But there is a lot of concern among customers who buy their milk, eggs and other staples at Stewart's, Stewart's spokesman Robin Cooper said.

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"A lot of folks that do rely on us use SNAP benefits," Cooper said. "It's tough for a lot of families. It's more questions now than answers."

With a wide swath of retailers now facing millions of dollars in lost revenue, it's no wonder, then, that the supermarket industry is lobbying Tonko and others in Congress to try and reinstate SNAP benefits despite the government shutdown.

Tonko spokeswoman Rachel Dejean said the Amsterdam Democrat has been hearing from lobbyists with the National Grocers Association, which is putting pressure on Congress to reinstate SNAP before the weekend.

"The congressman wholeheartedly agrees with their call to put an end to this shutdown and fund SNAP, and has been in (Washington, D.C.) over these past several weeks demanding House Republicans show up to work to negotiate a bill that protects vital health care for Americans and ensures that the more than 40 million Americans who depend on SNAP benefits don't go hungry," Dejean said.

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States across the country, including New York, have already sued the Trump administration, arguing that USDA can use emergency funds it already has set aside to fill the gap.

Related: NY joins lawsuit seeking to force USDA to fund SNAP benefits

Gov. Kathy Hochul has also dedicated $65 million in emergency food assistance funding to fill a small percentage of the potential gap in benefits. Stewart's Shops, like other retailers that sell food, are also continuing to donate products to food banks and hunger programs.

The cash and food donated by Stewart's typically add up to $12 million a year, Cooper said.

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Price Chopper, Market 32 and Hannaford also donate millions to food banks and hunger programs each year.

Hannaford, which has its headquarters in Maine, donated 5.6 million pounds of food in New York to those in need. It recently donated $96,000 to the regional food bank locally. Price Chopper and Market 32 has donated millions of pounds of food this year. Through August, the two supermarket brands donated 22 million pounds of food, or about 18 million meals, through August alone.

Beginning on Saturday, all 129 Price Chopper and Market 32 stores will sell $10 bags with seven shelf-stable items most requested by food banks. When a customer pays for the bag, that bag will be donated to a local food pantry close to the store, Cerone said.

This article originally published at Supermarkets, gas stations and farmers stand to lose millions in SNAP revenue.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  The Vigo County Council held a special meeting Wednesday night at Terre Haute South High School. It was heavily attended.

The Vigo County School Corporation would like to construct a new building and consolidate Terre Haute North and South into it. Those current high school buildings would then be renovated and become middle schools and some of the current middle schools would become elementary schools. West Vigo High School in West Terre Haute would be upgraded and the middle school would move to whats now Consolidated Elementary after an addition is built and upgrades are made

But to make all of the changes, the Vigo County School Corporation needs money.

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Pics of the proposed upgrades to some Vigo County Schools

To help the school corporation, Vigo County Commissioners want to create a board that would help look for additional funding for the school corporation. It would explore whether private businesses, individuals, city and county governments, and others would like to donate money to help the school corporation. The board would also help oversee the spending of that money.

During the public comment period, more than 30 people spoke. Most were in support of creating the board and of the approval of the $100,000 the board would need to pay for legal and financial experts. Board members themselves would not be paid. The Vigo County Council must approve the $100,000, but thats a sticking point.

Earlier in October, in a 4-3 vote, the Vigo County Council approved an ordinance that does not allow the creation of the board or the appropriation of the money. Meanwhile, Vigo County attorney, Michael Wright, said there is some question over whether the ordinance that was passed is valid. The four council members who voted for the ordinance did not attend Wednesdays special council meeting.

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County Councils previous decision not to help with school upgrades

Vigo County Commissioners will ask council members against the creation of the board to change their minds at the council meeting in November. County Commissioners said the $100,000 can come from casino revenue money the county receives, so that taxpayer money is not used.

The Vigo County School Board sent out this message following the Vigo County Council Meeting:

The Vigo County School Board of Trustees would like to publicly thank the members of the Vigo County Council who allowed and attended tonights presentation. The three council members listened and learned and for that we are grateful. We also thank the Vigo County Commissioners for leading the presentation and advocating for our children.

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We are hopeful that the Vigo County Council will choose to partner with us and establish an oversight board. Regardless of the decision and outcome, the Board of School Trustees remain committed to modernizing our facilities and giving our current and future students the learning environments they truly deserve.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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(The Center Square)  Colorado is experiencing a significant shortage of out-of-school programs, according to a new report.

The survey found that, while parents of 463,000 children in Colorado want them in an after-school program, 75% of those children are not. While still significant, that is 2% lower than the national average.

This should be a priority for lawmakers, according to Kelly Streck, director of the Colorado Afterschool Partnership. She spoke with The Center Square in an exclusive interview regarding the report.

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After-school programs are a must-have for Colorado families because it keeps kids safe, Streck said. We have the long-term data. That data shows that after-school programs are better for our kids across the board.

Because of these programs, Streck explained parents are able to stay at work longer, while children are cared for during those gaps before school, after school, on the weekends and even during the summer.

I have peace of mind knowing that my kids are safe and engaged and learning while I am continuing my job into the afternoon, she said.

The fifth annual America After 3PM survey was conducted by the Afterschool Alliance. It found the number of Colorado children participating in an after-school program has increased only slightly since 2004.

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In 2025, 116,141 children were enrolled in an after-school program. That means 347,343 children were not able to attend those programs, according to the survey. It pointed to a variety of reasons for that gap, including program cost, availability and inaccessibility.

Streck said this is a broader issue affecting both parents and children, especially in Colorado where there are more school districts that have four-day school weeks than those with the normal five-day school weeks.

In fact, the survey found 90% of Colorado parents said after-school programs allow them to keep their jobs or work more hours, and 97% said theyre less stressed knowing their child is safe at an after-school program instead of being home alone.

Many of these programs were bolstered by COVID-19 era funding, according to a 2024 report from the Afterschool Alliance. That funding is now dwindling.

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As American Rescue Plan and other pandemic relief funding expires, many Colorado youth will lose their programs  and families and communities will lose essential supports  if action is not taken, the report said.

Streck said her entire job is to support after-school programs throughout Colorado while advocating for them to receive sustainable funding. Some of that funding includes $3.5 million approved in 2024 for a three-year Out-of-School Time Grant Program.

So many of the Colorado congressmen were supportive of that bill, Streck said. She is hopeful she can successfully garner support to expand funding for that program, which is set to end in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

While lawmakers were very supportive of that program, their constituents hope to see that funding go even further. The America After 3PM survey found that an overwhelming 89% of Colorado parents support taxpayer funding for after-school programs.
People who have fled the western city of el-Fasher in wartorn Sudan are recounting scenes of horrific violence at the hands of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as aid workers say they fear only a fraction of the besieged citys residents have managed to escape.

The RSF has killed at least 1,500 people in el-Fasher, capital of North Darfur state, since seizing it Sunday, according to the Sudan Doctors Network, including at least 460 at a hospital in a widely-condemned massacre.

More than 36,000 people have fled since Saturday, largely on foot, to Tawila, a town around 70 kilometres (43 miles) west that is already sheltering roughly 650,000 displaced people.

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Hayat, a mother of five children, told the AFP news agency via satellite phone that seven RSF fighters ransacked her home, searched her undergarments and killed her 16-year-old son in front of her.

As she fled with neighbours, we saw many dead bodies lying on the ground and wounded people left behind in the open because their families couldnt carry them, she recalled.

Another survivor named Hussein was wounded by shelling but made it to Tawila with the help of a family carrying their mother on a donkey cart.

The situation in El-Fasher is so terrible  dead bodies in the streets, and no one to bury them, he said. Were grateful we made it here, even if we only have the clothes we were wearing.

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Aisha Ismael, another displaced person from el-Fasher recounted to The Associated Press news agency: Shelling and drones (attacks) were happening all the time. They hit us with the back of the rifles day and night unless we hid in the houses. At 3 in the morning we sneaked outside the houses till we arrived Hillat Alsheth (area in north Darfur) where we were looted. They left us with nothing, I came here barefoot, even my shoes were taken.

Al Jazeeras Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, said thousands of people are continuing to flee el-Fasher. She cited the Sudan Doctors Network, which tracks the countrys civil war, as saying that at least 15,000 people have arrived to Tawila in the past 48 hours alone.

Many of them are in desperate need of medical assistance as a result of walking for days without food and water, and suffering injuries, Morgan said.

Mathilde Vu, advocacy manager for the Norwegian Refugee Council, which manages the Tawila camp, told the Associated Press the number of people who made it to Tawila is very small.

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Where are the others? she said. That tells the horror of the journey.





The United Nations humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, warned that the catastrophic levels of human suffering, has descended into an even darker hell in el-Fasher.

In an address to the UN Security Council, which has held an emergency meeting on the situation in Sudan on Thursday, Fletcher expressed alarm over reports of mass killings by the RSF, saying the horror is continuing  with utter impunity.

Raising the alarm over the dire humanitarian situation in Tawila, he noted that the area is already hosting hundreds of thousands of people displaced by previous attacks and is now at breaking point.

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Those who attempted to flee to Tawila in the southwest face extortion, rape, while men have been abducted or killed on the road, Fletcher said.

According to him, attempts to bring in aid have been blocked by the RSF.

The United Nations moved to approve a $20 million allocation for Sudan from the Central Emergency Response Fund to help scale up response efforts in Tawila and elsewhere in Darfur, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Wednesday.

The UN was horrified by the slaughter of more than 450 people at Saudi Hospital, where patients, health workers and residents had sought shelter, Dujarric added.

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Elderly people, the wounded and those with disabilities remained stranded and unable to flee the area, he said.

Shayna Lewis, a Sudan specialist, told Al Jazeera the massacre of civilians was most devastating because we in civil society have been warning the international community for over a year about the atrocity risks for the civilian population of North Darfur.

For 18 months before Sudans army withdrew from the city, an RSF siege had trapped hundreds of thousands of people trapped inside without food or essentials.

Whats most astonishing, Lewis added, was the ability to see the bloodshed from outer space: Yales Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) reported satellite imagery shows clusters of objects consistent with human bodies and large areas of red discolouration on the ground.




A 26-year-old Odessa man was arrested on a second-degree felony charge of robbery Monday after a vape shop employee told police he threatened him while stealing a trash can.

According to an Odessa Police Department report, an employee of Mr. Puffs Vape Shop on Andrews Highway called 9-1-1 to report a man was refusing to leave the store.

Officers were told that Kyren Ross, 26, grabbed a metal trash can from the store and left and that when one of the employees went outside to stop him, Ross threw the trash can at him and threatened to shoot everyone in the store, the report stated. The officers were told Ross reached behind his back while making the threat and the employee wasnt sure if he was reaching for a weapon.

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Officers found Ross in an alley several blocks away and he said he didnt know anything about what happened, the report stated. He also invited an officer to go to a restaurant with him and made several nonsensical statements.

Ross was booked into the Ector County jail and his bail was set at $25,000.

The post Suspect accused of stealing trashcan appeared first on Odessa American.
Seattle police say a 28-year-old man accused of a September drive-by shooting in North Seattle was arrested Wednesday after detectives and federal agents tracked him to a gas station in Tukwila.

According to the Seattle Police Department, members of the Gun Violence Reduction Unit developed probable cause to arrest the man, who has a prior violent criminal history, in connection with a shooting that occurred Sept. 5 near North 102nd Street and Aurora Avenue North.

After weeks of investigation, detectives coordinated with officers from the Community Response Group and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to locate the suspect.

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He was taken into custody without incident at a gas station in the 14600 block of Tukwila International Boulevard.

Police said the mans vehicle was impounded, and he was booked into the King County Jail on suspicion of drive-by shooting and unlawful possession of a firearm.

As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from owning guns.

The case remains an active investigation led by Seattles Gun Violence Reduction Unit.
TOKYO, Oct 31 (News On Japan) - Kaos long-running shampoo brand Merit has captured wide attention with its television commercial titled Family, Love, and Merit, which has now surpassed 3 million views online. The ad, rendered in a soft illustration style and set to Ringo Sheenas song Theory of Happiness, has been praised on social media for its emotional impact and relatable message about everyday family life.

According to Kaos marketing team and the creative staff at Dentsu who produced the campaign, the commercial was developed through an entirely different creative process from traditional advertising. By combining a nostalgic visual tone with Sheenas emotionally charged lyrics, the creators aimed to communicate the simple yet powerful theme of happiness found in ordinary days.

The production team explained that the ads focus on illustration rather than live action allowed viewers to project their own experiences and memories onto the scenes, amplifying the emotional resonance. Through this unconventional approach, Kaos Merit succeeded in renewing its image as not merely a hair-care brand, but a companion to family moments shared across generations.

Source: BIZ
A day after the Justice Department withdrew a sentencing memo that described the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol as being carried out by "thousands of people comprising a mob of rioters," the convicted Jan. 6 participant accused in the case was sentenced Thursday to time served.

Taylor Taranto was sentenced Thursday for his illegal weapons and threats conviction stemming from his June 2023 arrest near the home of former President Barack Obama, after Taranto was pardoned by President Donald Trump over his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.

Federal prosecutors Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White were informed Wednesday that they would be put on leave after filing the sentencing memo, which said that "On January 6, 2021, thousands of people comprising a mob of rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol while a joint session of Congress met to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election" and that "Taranto was accused of participating in the riot in Washington, D.C., by entering the U.S. Capitol Building."

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DOJ places on leave 2 prosecutors who said 'mob of rioters' carried out Jan. 6 attack

The memo also detailed how Taranto traveled to former President Obama's home only after a Truth Social post from then-former President Trump that included Obama's address.

Late Wednesday, the Justice Department, in a highly unusual move, withdraw the original sentencing memo and replaced it with one in which the references to Jan. 6 and Trump's Truth social account were eliminated.

It's unclear if Valdivia or White were given a reason for their suspensions, though the move followed months of turmoil in the Washington, D.C., U.S. attorney's office where multiple career prosecutors faced removals or demotions related to their involvement in prosecuting the more than 1,500 defendants charged in connection with the Capitol attack.

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Valdivia and White, who were suspended from the Taranto case, were in attendance in the audience of the hearing but declined to comment to reporters afterward.

U.S. District Court - PHOTO: A photo of Taylor Taranto from a detention memo released by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, did not directly address Valdivia and White's suspensions but heaped praise on them for doing an "excellent job" on Taranto's case and said that, in his experience, they were among the "highest level" of prosecutors in the D.C. U.S. attorney's office.

Two other career prosecutors, Jonathan Hornok and Travis Wolf, presided over the roughly hour-long sentencing hearing just one day after being added to the case.

Judge Nichols did not delve into the government's decision to submit a revised sentencing memo, telling Hornok and Wolf he was "not entirely clear" why they moved to seal the initial sentencing memo submitted by Valdivia and White. The judge said he intended to unseal it for the public record.

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In total, Taranto already served 22 months in pretrial detention following his 2023 arrest, and got credit for good behavior, which led Judge Nichols to say the sentence he had already served was acceptable even given the seriousness of his crimes.

The government had sought a sentence of 27 months in prison, but Nichols noted that -- even if he were to hand down such a sentence -- the credit that Taranto would have already received for his time in pretrial detention could have meant he would serve only an additional "few days."

Man with guns arrested near Obama home 'attempted to evade' Secret Service: Prosecutors

Judge Nichols, who has described the Jan. 6 attack in serious terms, said following Trump's reelection in November that it would be "beyond frustrating and disappointing" if Trump were to pardon Jan. 6 defendants.

Trump subsequently granted sweeping pardons and commutations to all Jan. 6 defendants on his first day in office.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  An 18-year-old accused of killing a Broadmoor High School student received a new court date.

Jeremiah Howze is facing a second-degree murder charge in the case and is expected to return to court for a motion hearing on Feb. 19. Attorneys said theres a lot of evidence in the case and police are still investigating the death of Kyle Earthly, 18, who was killed in December 2024.

His attorneys said they are pushing for reconsideration of Howzes bond, currently set at over $650,000.

Jeremiah Howze

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
(WHTM)  More than 60 years later, officials have identified the suspect in the rape and murder cold case of a 9-year-old in Pennsylvania.

The Bucks County District Attorneys Office announced that a Grand Jury investigation identified William Schrader as the person who raped and killed 9-year-old Carol Ann Dougherty inside St. Marks Roman Catholic Church in Bristol on October 22, 1962.

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Schrader passed away in 2002; however, the District Attorneys office says his name is now definitively linked to the crime that took Carol Anns young life, a conclusion reached through the combination of decades-old evidence and recent investigative developments.

The District Attorneys office says the 53-page Grand Jury report analyzed eyewitness statements, a confession Schrader gave his stepson, expert evaluation, and other evidence from the scene.

On October 22, 1962, Dougherty left her home to meet friends at the Bristol Borough Free Library and was last seen alive outside St. Marks. The District Attorneys Office says her father later found her body inside the church.

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Schrader, who lived near the church, was reportedly seen outside the church that day and later failed a polygraph test.

A test of hair found in Carol Anns hand had significant similarities to Schraders, and it was determined, based on samples from over 100 men, that Schrader was the only person who could not be eliminated as the source of hair found with Carol Ann.

Cigarettes found at the crime scene were also determined to be the same brand Schrader used.

The DAs office says Schrader fled to Florida and eventually settled in Louisiana, where he was convicted in 1985 for the death of a 12-year-old girl after intentionally setting fire to a house.

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In 2024, the District Attorneys Office and Pennsylvania State Police interviewed Schraders stepson, who said his stepfather confessed twice to luring a girl inside the church, raping her, and killing her to keep her from talking.

Further investigation found Schrader allegedly had a history of sexually abusing young girls and women with cognitive delays.

The DAs office says they hope this resolution can finally bring a sense of peace to Carol Anns family and everyone affected by this tragic crime.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas (KETK)  A New Boston man was taken into custody early Thursday morning following a series of armed robberies at local convenience stores, according to the Mount Pleasant Police Department (MPPD).

Photo courtesy of MPPD

Around 1:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the CEFCO convenience store at 100 Alexander Road after receiving reports of an armed robbery in progress. The suspect, described as a Black male dressed entirely in black and wearing a black face mask, allegedly entered the store armed with a knife and demanded money. Police said the man fled the scene in a white four-door passenger car.

Shutdown stops SNAP benefits; East Texas food banks prepare

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While investigators were still processing the CEFCO scene, a second call came in reporting an attempted robbery at the Tiger Mart located at 2511 W. Ferguson Road. The suspect description and getaway vehicle matched those from the earlier incident, according to Mount Pleasant PD.

Detectives soon learned that New Boston Police Department had responded to a similar armed robbery on the previous night involving a suspect and vehicle matching the same description.

As officers canvassed the area, they located a vehicle resembling the suspects car parked at the E-Z Mart at 300 W. Ferguson Road. Police made contact with the driver, identified as William Gossett, 49 of New Boston, who matched the description provided by witnesses.

Gossett was arrested at the scene and transported to the Titus County Jail, where he faces two counts of aggravated robbery in connection with the Mount Pleasant incidents.

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According to MPPD, all stolen money was recovered and returned to the businesses. No injuries were reported in any of the robberies.

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.

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As University of Houston police search for an armed robber, students on campus are also searching for answers a day later.

"I don't know how he got away. I mean, that place is crowded, shocking. I don't know how he did it and got away with it," UH student Dylan Tran said.

The crowded place that Tran was referring to was at Student Center South.

"It's very busy, anytime. I guess from like 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.," Ansh Kamboj said.

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Inside Student Center South, there's a TDECU credit union office, where UH police say a man pulled out a gun on Tuesday at around 4:15 p.m.

Right now, police are only referring to the incident as an armed robbery. They haven't given us more details on what led up to it, how many people were inside at the time, or exactly what was stolen.

Law enforcement says the suspect was last seen taking off in a silver SUV toward MLK Boulevard from Calhoun Road.

"What if the guy, if he started wandering around campus. He could do anything," UH student Preston Tran said.

While school officials say no one was hurt, students still want to see more safety improvements on campus.

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"Maybe have more guarding around the ATMs, different banks like that, making sure that it's watched. I don't know if they could have more protection at the doors, like kind of watching what goes in and what goes out," UH student Layla Calhoun said.

This armed robbery incident occurred about eight months after a student was sexually assaulted at the welcome center garage. The university said security improvements have been underway since March. Those include more campus lighting, a police substation, and enhanced security cameras.

In the meantime, some students are doing what they can on their own to protect themselves.

"Staying with the buddy system, especially in public places, walking on sidewalks," Kamboj said.

According to a university spokesperson, UH police are working with the FBI to locate the suspect.

For updates, follow Mo Haider on Facebook, X and Instagram.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Mahoning County grand jury returned an indictment against a man accused of running over another man late last month on the South Side.

Laird Bruner, 42, was indicted Thursday on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident, both third-degree felonies.

Bruner is charged in the Sept. 29 death of Joseph Novacich, 53. Novacich was killed after being struck about 10:40 a.m. while he was walking on Loveland Road.

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Witnesses told police that an SUV hit Novacich, struck a utility trailer, and then drove away.

Bruner was arrested a couple of days later at his home on Albert Street. He is free on $500,000 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 WKBN.com.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  SWEPCO is teaming up with Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College (NLTCC) in efforts to support economic development.

The SWEPCO Foundation has donated $15,000 to NLCC to help strengthen programs that connect students with career opportunities and support the regions long-term growth. SWEPCO has been planning to work alongside local institutions that help shape the workforce and contribute to the local economy.

Louisiana wins top state for tourism at 2025 JRNY awards

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Our relationship with NLTCC is about more than just workforce trainingits about building something lasting for Northwest Louisiana, said William Bradford, Vice President of External Affairs at SWEPCO. When we invest in education and local partnerships, were helping lay the groundwork for economic growth that benefits everyone.

SWEPCO and NLTCC have a long-standing relationship, where they have created opportunities through internships and technical training.

Dr. Jayda Spillers, Chancellor of NLTCC, said the college values SWEPCOs support and the shared commitment to regional progress. SWEPCO understands the importance of investing in people and places. Their partnership helps us stay aligned with what our students and our communities need to succeed.

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.
It happens. Youre mid-sentence when you realize you totally forgot what youre saying, or youre driving to workon a route youve traveled 100 timesbut you take a wrong turn.

The truth is that occasional forgetfulness, wrong turns, mind fartswhatever you want to call themare a part of life, but that doesnt make them any less unsettling, especially as you, or someone you love, gets older.

Dementia affects more than 6 million Americans and U.S. cases are expected to double by 2060 , so its worth knowing when to take a symptom seriously. When it comes to brain health, knowing and understanding the signs of a potential problem can be a huge asset because acting at the earliest signs of cognitive changes can make a big difference. And, even if youre not experiencing any decline, you can act now to reduce your risk. Up to 45 percent of dementia risk is modifiable, according to research in The Lancet . Anyone with a brain should be looking out for their brain health, from kids to elders, says Georgina Aldridge, MD, a neurologist at University of Iowa Health Care.

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Part of being proactive involves knowing which signs and symptoms to take seriously. The main symptom people associate with declining brain health is forgetfulness, especially during older age, but its far from the only indication that something could be off. Many common symptoms fall into one of the following categories, per Dr. Aldridge: short-term memory, language, visual-spatial, executive (thinking, planning, solving problems), and behavioral. That said, everyone is different, and a person may experience any combination of symptoms depending on their condition and stage of life.

Ahead, doctors share the specific symptoms they wouldnt ignore.

Meet the experts: Georgina Aldridge , MD, is a neurologist at University of Iowa Health Care. Armen Moughamian , MD, is the medical director of the Ray Dolby Brain Health Center at Sutters California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC). Shae Datta , MD, is a neurologist at NYU Langone.

6 Symptoms Brain Doctors Wouldnt Ignore

1. Forgetfulness and short-term memory problems.

The most widely-known signs of declining brain health are forgetfulness and/or having issues with short-term memory (your brains ability to hold limited information for a few seconds to hours). But its important to state upfront that memory issues in middle-aged adults could be due to any number of causes unrelated to dementia, Dr. Aldridge says, which is all the more reason to start a conversation with your doctor. The person may have undiagnosed sleep apnea , which means they arent getting the good sleep that is necessary to form memories, she says. The person could also have a deficiency in a vitamin, such as B12 , that is necessary for the cells and nerves to function correctly.

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General forgetfulness can start in a persons mid-50s or 60s, but its particularly important to look out for progressive changes in adults over 65 since the risk of a neurodegenerative brain disease like Alzheimers rises significantly with age, says Armen Moughamian, MD, the medical director of the Ray Dolby Brain Health Center at Sutters California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC).

Forgetting recent conversations or events can be a warning sign of mild cognitive impairment that may progress to dementia and/or Alzheimers disease, says Dr. Moughamian. Sometimes this symptom is subtle: Families might think their loved one just wasnt listening or isnt paying attention, Dr. Moughamian says. One way to tell if there may be something more serious going on is to take note of the consistency and frequency of these episodes. If its happening repeatedly, its worth having a conversation with a doctor, Dr. Moughamian says.

2. Irregular sleep patterns or poor sleep quality.

If it wasnt clear already, practicing good sleep hygiene is the key to better health all-around, and that includes your brain. (In fact, lack of sleep in middle age may increase dementia risk, per the National Institutes of Health .)

If you notice that you havent been resting well lately, it doesnt necessarily mean its due to a brain disorder, but its worth getting to the bottom of. Feeling sleepy and excessive napping during the day could serve as an early marker of dementia, particularly for women in their 80s, per a 2025 study in the journal Neurology .

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Even if youre not concerned about dementia or Alzheimers, sleep influences brain health and vice versa, so to help your body function optimally, try to get your Zzzs in. I often remind patients that sleep is one of the most effective ways to protect the brain, says Shae Datta, MD, is a neurologist at NYU Langone. Sleep is when the brain clears waste products and consolidates memories. When sleep quality declines, it can affect cognitive performance and long-term brain health , she says.

Just remember: Everyones sleep needs are different, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that most adults get between seven to nine hours per night.

3. Mood, personality, or behavior changes.

Changes in mood, personality, and behavior can all be signs of dementia or Alzheimers. Behavior change is broad, but it can often look like someone feeling suspicious of or threatened by others for little or no reason, showing unusual sexual behavior, becoming physically violent (like hitting someone else), and more, per the National Institute on Aging . It can also look like a social faux pas like talking excessively to strangers, Dr. Aldridge says.

New-onset anxiety, depression, or irritability in your 60s can be an early and often overlooked sign of Alzheimers disease, Dr. Moughamian says. These mood changes frequently appear before any memory problems, signaling that something deeper may be happening in the brain.

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Sometimes, personality changes can suggest a specific condition called frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Dr. Aldridge adds. FTD is one of the most common types of dementia that affect younger and middle-aged adults. Symptoms usually start between the ages of 40 and 65, but it can strike younger and older adults as well, and it affects women and men equally, per Johns Hopkins Medicine .

4. Struggling with language or trouble finding the right words.

Have you ever had the feeling that a word is right on the tip of your tongue? Weve all been there, but experiencing new or worsening issues with language (past the occasional slip-up) can signal potential problems in the brain, Dr. Datta says. In cases of Alzheimers and dementia, this can look like having difficulty understanding complex sentences, dropping connecting words, struggling to name a familiar object, and more, experts say.

Trouble finding everyday words mid-sentence or frequently hitting a wall in conversation is also potentially concerning and may point to early Alzheimers or another neurological condition, Dr. Moughamian says.

5. Difficulty with everyday household skills and tasks.

Some of the most common symptoms of dementia and Alzheimers that people experience have to do with the executive function side of brain health, Dr. Aldridge saysbasically, how you manage everyday tasks like making plans, solving problems, and making decisions. If you consistently have trouble with any of those things and didnt necessarily struggle with them before, it could be a sign of dementia, Dr. Moughamian says.

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If someone stops cooking, stops managing medications, or misses paying bills, this is concerning, he says. People typically dont just stop doing things, and often these changes are changes that are associated with dementia.

6. Changes in visual-spatial awareness.

People with emerging brain health issues might encounter trouble with visual-spatial awareness, which is your brains ability to understand what you see and interpret the relationship between objects in space. Conditions like dementia can affect your vision , so if you have trouble with something like depth perceptionsigning too high up on a check or not being able to find objects among clutter it could be an early sign of Alzheimers or certain types of dementia, Dr. Aldridge says.

If a person starts experiencing visual hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that arent there), it could be a sign of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), a complex disorder involving abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain, per the National Institute on Aging . These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect chemicals in the brain, which can lead to changes in thinking and behavior. As a result, a person might experience visual hallucinations that are vivid and even scary in nature. (If the hallucinations are severe, doctors can prescribe medication, per the National Institute on Aging ). If youre experiencing hallucinations, you should definitely see a doctor.

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If you or someone you love are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it may be a good time to see a doctor. Although some cognitive changes come naturally with age, things could progress from mild cognitive impairment to something more seriousso, better to be proactive and see a neurologist who can help you navigate what comes next.

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The recognition comes as the transitional president al-Sharaa welcomed the German foreign minister to Damascus. Kosovo has also been connecting with Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region.

Syria recognized Kosovo on Wednesday, another step in its efforts to align itself with the West. According to reports, Kosovo welcomed Syria's recognition as a move of historic significance. This comes after Kosovo has done outreach to Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region.

The recognition also comes as Syrian transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa welcomed German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to Damascus. The German minister came with a large delegation, Syrian state media SANA said. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani also attended the meeting.

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During their discussions, the two sides reviewed Syria-Germany relations, focusing on ways to strengthen cooperation in political, economic, and humanitarian fields. They also exchanged views on recent regional and international developments of mutual interest, SANA reported.

The agency also noted the recognition of Kosovo: The Syrian Arab Republic has officially recognized the Republic of Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates announced Wednesday, following a trilateral meeting in Riyadh that included officials from Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Kosovo.

The report noted that the decision followed a trilateral meeting in Riyadh that brought together senior officials from Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Kosovo. Discussions focused on strengthening mutual understanding and exploring avenues for bilateral cooperation, including the question of diplomatic recognition.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace, in Damascus, Syria, March 10, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/KHALIL ASHAWI)

Riyadh was clearly an important part of getting this deal done. In a statement, the Syrian foreign ministry said the decision reflects Syrias consistent support for the right of peoples to self-determination and its commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Balkans and globally.

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"The Republic of Kosovo wholeheartedly welcomes the recognition from Syria and the statement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the mutual recognition between the Republic of Kosovo and the Syrian Arab Republic," Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani wrote on X.

She said Kosovo had "deep gratitude for the decision by the Syrian Arab Republic to recognize Kosovos independence, and we thank President Ahmed al-Sharaa for his leadership and his support for the people of KosovoThis truly is a decision of historic significance between the two states, based on mutual respect for the long struggle for freedom, mutual recognition of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and commitment to bilateral cooperation and establishment of diplomatic relations," the Kosovo president said.

Syria said it looks forward to establishing diplomatic relations with Kosovo as soon as possible and developing bilateral cooperation in political, economic, and cultural fields to serve the shared interests of both countries and their peoples. Kosovo is recognized by 120 countries. The US and NATO backed Kosovo's independence and used the bombing of Serbia to accomplish it in the late 1990s. It took years for Kosovo to achieve recognition by many countries. Kosovo is also a friend of Israel.

Kosovo's entry into Middle East diplomacy

Meanwhile, Kosovos President Vjosa Osmani had been in Saudi Arabia last week. She spoke during a visit to Riyadh for the 9th edition of the Future Investment Initiative. She spoke about cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Kosovo.

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Kosovos participation marks a valuable chance to forge business links, attract investment, and exchange expertise with the Kingdom, which she described as one of the global leaders when it comes to technology advancement and AI, Arab madia noted.

This is an important move for Syria and illustrates how Riyadh plays a key role in aiding Syria as it emerges economically after the fall of the Assad regime. Kosovo is also showing how it is increasing its ties to the Middle East. Kosovo is a largely Muslim country. It is composed largely of Albanians with some Serbs and other minority groups.
Forty-nine Syrians have begun training in Turkey, as part of a new program that will allow Syrian troops to use Turkish military barracks and academies.

Forty-nine Syrians have begun training in Turkey as part of a new program, Al Akhbar in Lebanon reported this week. As Turkey works to try to train Syrias new army, it is inviting Syrians to train and use military barracks in Turkey.

Syrians will also attend Turkish military academies, Turkeys Hurriyet said on Thursday. This is important and will mean that the Syrian army becomes increasingly influenced by Turkey. HTS, the Syrian rebel group that came to power in Damascus in December 2024, replacing the Assad regime, had some ties with Turkey. However, it was not as closely tied to Ankara as other Syrian rebel groups. Now it looks like Syria will become deeply influenced by Ankara.

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The Hurriyet report said that Turkey will allow Syrians to use Turkish military barracks and attend military academies, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry.

A first batch of Syrian military students will begin their courses on October 31 in various Turkish military institutions, the Defense Ministry has announced, in line with a bilateral agreement that stipulates increasing the security capacity of the new Syrian army, it noted.

Within the scope of the Joint Training and Consultancy Memorandum of Understanding signed within the framework of close cooperation aimed at increasing Syrias defense and security capacity, 49 Syrian students... are planned to begin training at our War Academies tomorrow, ministry spokesman Zeki Akturk told a weekly press conference on Thursday.

Syrian army personnel gather as they head towards Latakia to join the fight against the fighters linked to Syria's ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, in Aleppo, Syria, March 7, 2025. (credit: Mahmoud Hassano/Reuters)

The MoU signed by both countries in August is moving into fruition. The agreement was signed upon the request of the new Syrian government with the objective of restructuring a national army capable of providing security across the countrys lands. The facilities in Turkey are already open for Syrians, the report noted.

Integration of US-backed SDF to Syrian army

There are also implications for the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in eastern Syria. It has sent Damascus a list of potential officers that would be integrated with Damascus-backed forces. Turkey has opposed the SDF in the past. There are reports that the talks between the two sides have recently improved and three divisions of the SDF will be integrated into the national army soon, Hurriyet added.

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The first Syrians to go to train in Turkey include 10 members of the ground forces, 18 from the navy, and 21 from the air force. It is worth noting that the defense cooperation agreement, signed on August 13, includes the regular exchange of military personnel to participate in specialized training courses with the aim of raising operational readiness and enhancing the ability to work together, Al Akhbar noted.

This is very important because it will mean that Syrian security affairs will be shaped by Ankara in the future. Israel is concerned that this could eventually impact Jerusalem because Turkey tends to be very hostile to Israel. Israel also opposes Turkeys involvement in Gaza.
Janitors stand outside Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, to urge passengers to ask airport officials to stop potential job cuts under a new vendor. (Courtesy photo by Roxana Martinez-Gracias)

A group of unionized janitors held up a banner reading Keep T.F. Green safe & clean and handed out leaflets to passengers traveling in and out Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport Thursday morning.

Seven janitors organized under SEIU 32BJ urged passengers to email airport CEO Iftikhar Ahmad and pressure officials to stop a new cleaning service vendor from cutting workers hours.

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The Rhode Island Airport Corporations (RIAC) board of directors in August awarded SJ Services of Danvers, Massachusetts, a three-year contract to manage cleaning services at the Warwick airport. SJ Servivces was among five bidders for the contract, which begins Friday.

It definitely got some attention from folks, Roxana Martinez-Gracias, a communications specialist for the union, said in an interview. It was a nice introduction to talk about the problem at hand.

The union fears that its 27-member cleaning crew will likely be cut in half under the new contract.

That staffing cut was based on a cost proposal sheet included with bid procurement documents that had janitors working a collective 2,700 hours per month over a potential five-year contract term. Under prior contracts, janitors worked between 4,300 and 5,000 hours per month, according to union officials.

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Its a bit up in the air how things are going to progress, Martinez-Gracias said. Were still in communication with T.F. Green about trying to hear the workers testimony to sit down with us, but that just hasnt happened yet.

Airport spokesperson Bill Fischer said the airport corporation has no role in determining the number of janitorial workers.

RIAC is not in a position, nor is it legally permitted, to create additional positions at a cost of $93,000 per position for janitorial roles that fall outside the scope of a competitively awarded contract, simply to satisfy a union demand based on a previously underperforming vendor, Fischer said in an email to Rhode Island Current.

Fischer said the max cap of 2,700 hours determined by airport officials for the bidding process were necessary to maintain a clean and safe terminal.

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Janitorial services at the airport were handled for the past 15 years by Denmark-based ISS Facilities. Fischer said the company chose not to seek to renew its contract. Fischer said the airport had received multiple complaints about cleanliness under ISS.

Fischer shared with Rhode Island Current copies of violation notices sent to ISS in July 2024 and July 2025, noting persistent grime in the terminal, along with inadequate restroom maintenance.

It is clear that ISS management is failing to properly manage staff to meet the required performance levels, the July 31, 2025, notice states.

Despite the concerns of airport officials, the cleanliness of T.F. Green helped the Warwick airport reach the distinction of being the best in the world, according to Travel + Leisure magazine.

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RIAC has a legally binding contract with a vendor  backed by a performance bond  that guarantees our high standards for janitorial services, Fisher said. In contrast, a union is demanding an arbitrary increase in staffing, using a poorly performing previous vendor as the yardstick.

A representative from SJ Services did not immediately respond to request for comment.

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On October 25, a two-kilometer-long chunk of ice broke off the Ismoil Somoni Glacier in eastern Tajikistan, roaring down a gorge for nearly three hours before finally coming to a halt. It's attached to the 7,495m mountain of that name, formerly known as Communism Peak. It is the highest peak in Tajikistan.

Indian climber Anurag Maloo, who nearly died after falling into a crevasse on Annapurna in 2023, shared footage of the collapse to raise awareness of melting glaciers. Following his near-death experience, Maloo launched The Voice of Glaciers initiative. After spending three days trapped and praying for rescue, he came to see the Annapurna Glacier as a form of protection rather than something trapping him.

Earlier this week, the churning mass of ice, approximately 200m wide and 25m high, created a deafening sound as it tore through the valley. It stopped just four kilometers from the nearest village, Safedob. There were no casualties. However, scientists are warning nearby communities that heavy rain could cause more of the glacier to collapse, potentially triggering floods and landslides.

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Authorities are particularly concerned about the nearby Gulrez area, a farming region. Emergency services have been placed on high alert and continue to monitor the glacier closely for signs of further instability.

Tajikistan has nearly 14,000 glaciers, and Ismoil Somoni is one of the largest in the country. Over the past three decades, these glaciers have been melting at an alarming rate; more than 1,000 have completely disappeared due to climate change.

Experts warn that events like this could become increasingly common in the Pamirs, which could be disastrous for people in Central Asia. The glaciers of the Pamirs feed into the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers. Both are crucial sources of water in this desert region.
BANGKOK (AP)  U.S. President Donald Trump said he had an amazing meeting Thursday with Chinas top leader Xi Jinping that produced very important decisions. The first official Chinese comments on the meeting were less specific and suggested any trade deal is not done.

Trump met with Xi on the sidelines of Pacific Rim summit gatherings in South Korea, where the two leaders agreed to dial back some of their trade measures and work together to resolve others.

The one hour and 40 minute meeting's agenda appears not to have touched on some perennial problems such as tensions over the self-governed island of Taiwan.

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But Trump said China had agreed to buy large quantities of American farm products and to ensure steady supplies of rare earths elements used in many industries. Here are some of the key takeaways from the meeting, based on comments by Trump and U.S. and Chinese officials:

Rolling back tariffs

Trump told reporters while heading home on Air Force One that he had agreed to cut his 20% tariff increase, imposed over China's role in producing fentanyl and chemicals used to make it, to 10%. China confirmed that will take average tariffs on Chinese goods to 47%, down from 57%.

The two sides agreed to continue to work on cracking down on illicit flows of the drug into the U.S.

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Other tariff increases remain in place, but for now, the two sides have extended a truce on even steeper tariff increases that began in May when Trump and Xi agreed to allow time to work on a framework for resolving trade tensions.

Sales of computer chips to China

Trump said he discussed U.S. sales of computer chips to China. Trump and former President Joe Biden had imposed restrictions on access to the most advanced chips such as those used for artificial intelligence.

China will speak with Silicon Valley chipmaker Nvidia about purchasing their computer chips, he said.

That won't include its next-generation Blackwell AI chip, he said, but a lot of the chips.

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We make great chips, Trump told reporters on Air Force One. Nvidias the leader.

U.S. soybeans and other farm exports

Trump said the Chinese side has committed to buying a tremendous amount of American soybeans, sorghum and other farm products.

The Chinese side did not provide any details, but U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later said China had agreed to buy 25 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans annually as part of the agreement. China will start by purchasing 12 million metric tons of soybeans from America between now and January, he said.

Beijing took aim at U.S. agricultural exports soon after Trump began announcing hikes on tariffs after he returned to the White House in January. Cutbacks in Chinese purchases of soybeans, beef and other products have hit U.S. farmers hard.

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Farmers should immediately go out and buy more land and larger tractors, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. I would like to thank President Xi for this!

The U.S. soybean industry grew in response to Chinese demand starting back in the 1990s, when China began its rapid economic rise and turned to foreign producers to help feed its people. Protein-rich soybeans are an essential part of the diet.

While China relies on domestic crops for steamed beans and tofu, it needs far more soybeans for oil extraction and animal feed. In 2024, China produced 20 million metric tons of soybeans, while importing more than 105 million metric tons.

There were no specific details on other purchase agreements.

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Limited relief for US consumers, businesses

American consumers and businesses should benefit from the tariff reductions and resumed trade in rare earths and soybeans, economists said. Yet the trade relationship between the two largest economies remains fraught and uncertain.

The tariff relief is actually good news for consumers  it is substantial, said Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. It also helps U.S. companies that may have been considering shifting their sourcing to other counties, such as Cambodia and Vietnam, because tariffs on Chinese imports.

Its made it less urgent in some areas to move away from China, Lovely said. On the other hand, there was no real lasting peace here either. Most of the really difficult issues were just punted down the road.

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While soybean farmers will likely welcome the resumption of exports to China, you know that if Trump does something that gets them angry, thats off the table, she added. So good news for the farmers. But if I were a farmer, I might still be thinking about diversifying.

No TikTok deal yet

Beijing said it will work with the Trump administration to resolve issues related to TikToks ownership.

China will work with the U.S. to properly resolve issues related to TikTok, Chinas Commerce Ministry said after Xi's meeting with Trump.

It gave no details on any progress toward ending uncertainty about the fate of the popular video-sharing platform in the U.S. The Trump administration had been signaling that it may have finally reached a deal with Beijing to keep TikTok running there.

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Rare earths, port fees and U.S energy sales

Trump told reporters that China had agreed not to tighten restrictions on exports of rare earths and the technology and equipment used to process them. Trump earlier had threatened a 100% import tax because of Chinas rare earth restrictions.

That roadblock is gone now, he said. He said Beijing had agreed not to implement for a year its recently announced controls that had raised concerns over access to the critical minerals used in many industries, including electric vehicles and aircraft.

China and the U.S. likewise said they would not impose higher port fees on each other's vessels.

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In his post on Truth Social, Trump said China had agreed to begin purchasing oil and gas from Alaska, adding that officials would be meeting to see if such an Energy Deal can be worked out.

China's take on the meeting

Xi noted that negotiating teams from both countries had reached a consensus, a likely reference to talks held in Malaysia last weekend, according to a report on the meeting distributed by state media.

The Chinese leader said the teams should complete follow-up work as soon as possible to deliver tangible results that will provide peace of mind to China, the U.S. and the rest of the world.

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The recent twists and turns in the relationship offer lessons for the U.S. and China, Xi said. The U.S. and China should have positive interactions on the global stage that demonstrate their responsibility as major powers to achieve positive results for their countries and the world, he said.

Both sides should take the long-term perspective into account, focusing on the benefits of cooperation rather than falling into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation, he said, according to the report.

Stressing that dialogue is better than confrontation, Xi listed a range of issues where China and the U.S. could work together, including combating illegal immigration and telecom fraud, anti-money laundering efforts, artificial intelligence and handling infectious diseases.

___

Associated Press writers Josh Boak, Chris Megerian, Mark Schiefelbein and other AP journalists contributed to this report.
Police have fired gunshots on the streets of Tanzanias largest city during protests after a tumultuous presidential election, as Amnesty International reports the deaths of at least two people.

In Dar-es-Salaam, a city of more than seven million people, protesters who defied a curfew on Thursday in the Mbagala, Gongo la Mboto and Kiluvya neighbourhoods were met with tear gas and the sounds of gunfire on the day after the election.

Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty Internationals regional director for East and Southern Africa, said in a statement the organisation had received reports that one member of the public and one police officer had been killed. He called the deaths deeply disturbing and urged police to exercise restraint.

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The Tanzanian authorities must promptly conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the unlawful use of lethal force against protesters, and the perpetrators must be held accountable, Chagutah added.

Internet access remained down across the city, where hundreds had set polling stations alight and chanted their discontent on election day.

We have been silent for so long, one protester shouted in a video posted to TikTok and verified by Al Jazeera. What have we been doing?

Wednesdays election saw President Samia Suluhu Hassans two biggest challengers excluded from the race, infuriating citizens and rights groups who have also decried an intensifying crackdown against opposition members, activists and journalists.

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Despite the internet blackout, protesters continued to organise on the Zello app, discussing possible marches on government buildings. But roads across the country, including the main road leading to Dar-es-Salaams Julius Nyerere International Airport, were blocked, the United States embassy said in a security alert.

Hassan took office in 2021 when her predecessor John Magufuli died in office and has faced rising criticism for what the United Nations has called a pattern of escalating attacks, disappearances and torture of critics.

Its the latest election this month in Africa to fuel deep-seated anger among citizens after longtime leaders in the Ivory Coast and Cameroon also sought to cling onto power.

Only minor opposition figures were eligible to compete against Hassan in the election after the Independent National Electoral Commission disqualified Tanzanias main opposition party, Chadema, in April for refusing to sign an electoral code of conduct.

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The move came days after party leader Tundu Lissu was arrested at a rally where he called for electoral reforms and was charged with treason.

The commission also barred Luhaga Mpina, the candidate for the second largest opposition party, ACT-Wazalendo, after an objection from the attorney general.





Local and international watchdogs have sounded alarms over election-related violence and repression for months.

In June, a panel of nine UN experts called the governments actions unacceptable and said they had tallied more than 200 disappearances since 2019.

And in September, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said it had documented at least 10 recent instances of politically motivated assault, harassment, abduction and torture as well as extensive restrictions on media and civil society organisations.

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Nomathamsanqa Masiko-Mpaka, HRWs Africa researcher, warned at the time that Tanzanias October elections were at great risk.

The authorities need to stop muzzling dissenting voices and the media and instead engage in meaningful reforms to ensure free, fair and credible elections, Masiko-Mpaka added.




PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A bipartisan resolution introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) passed the United States Senate on Thursday in an effort to end global tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

The joint resolution, SJ 88, co-sponsored by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky), passed in a 51-47 vote  seeing support from other members of the GOP such as Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

Other sponsors of the bill include Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

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LIST: These Portland area restaurants are feeding SNAP recipients during the federal shutdown

The resolution would end the national emergency declared by President Trump to impose global tariffs. The resolution, along with similar bills to end tariffs imposed on Canada and Brazil now head to the United States House of Representatives for consideration.

For the third day in a row, bipartisan senators have made it clear that its time to put a stake in the heart of Donald Trumps job-killing trade taxes, Wyden said in a statement following the vote. These three Senate-passed bills are now pending in the House, where Speaker Johnson has done everything in his power to ensure they wont get a vote. Every time Americans pay more for their TV, groceries or car payment theyre going to know its because House Republicans were too afraid to vote to protect them. Ill continue working with my colleagues to give Republicans opportunities to put their constituents ahead of blind loyalty to Donald Trump.

KOIN 6 News has reached out to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA). This story will be updated if we receive a response.

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Concerning incident: Coyote grabs, injures child in Portland neighborhood

The resolutions passage on Thursday comes after its initial vote six months ago, which saw a tied 49-49 vote.

Tariffs are taxes. They drive up the costs for things Americans buy every day and make it harder for American businesses to thrive and create more jobs, Sen. Rand Paul said. That is why the Constitution sets a high bar for enacting a new tax  Congress must pass a law and the President must sign it. These new taxes in the form of tariffs dont just fail on economics, they fail on the Constitution and must be reversed.

As reported by The Hill, the resolutions passage is a symbolic victory for critics of Trumps trade policies, as House Speaker Mike Johnson is unlikely to bring it up for a vote and President Trump can veto the resolution.

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Eye on Northwest Politics

Ahead of the vote, Sen. Wyden spoke on the Senate floor, urging passage of the resolution.

American families are being squeezed by prices going up and up and up. More than three-quarters of families say theyre monthly expenses have increased by more than $100 a month. There is something, however, colleagues, the Senate can do today. Today, its possible for the Senate to focus on bringing families relief to their wallets.

In my view, Donald Trumps actions clearly go beyond what the law allows, which is why Im urging passage of this bill to finally end the presidents unlawful tariffs, Wyden said. Fortunately, Congress  not the president  has got the final word on tariffs, and taxes and trade. Senators can vote today to end harmful and dangerous global tariffs.

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Report: Oregon among the worst states to find a job

The United States Senate has clear authority, not authority that is up for grabs, not authority that hasnt been addressed. Its clear authority. This is Congress job. Its not a partisan issue, its a jobs issue, its a kitchen table issue, Oregons senior senator added.

The resolution comes as the state of Oregon is challenging the presidents tariffs, with Attorney General Dan Rayfield filing a lawsuit in April in the Court of International Trade in New York.

The lawsuit argues that the president does not have the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs, rather, Congress has the power to enact tariffs under Article I of the Constitution.

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Several library projects fell flat of Multnomah County, Portlands recycling policies

In September, the Supreme Court of the United States agreed to hear the case.

While President Trumps executive orders state the president has the authority to impose tariffs under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, Rayfield argues that law only applies in an emergency with an unusual and extraordinary threat from abroad and does not give the president the power to impose tariffs.

On October 27, Wyden led a bipartisan amicus brief  also known as friend of the court brief  in support of Oregons lawsuit.

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As reported by the Associated Press, President Trump has offered several justifications for imposing global tariffs, including using tariffs to balance trade, spur American manufacturing, stop illegal immigration, end human trafficking and stop the flow of fentanyl.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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(NewsNation)  President Donald Trump and Chinas Xi Jinping tackled a laundry list of issues dividing the worlds two biggest economies late Wednesday.

Xi and Trump left the nearly two-hour meeting with newfound solidarity on the reduction of hefty tariffs, cooperation to resolve TikTok issues in the United States and soybean purchases from American farmers. No formal agreement was signed.

I thought it was an amazing meeting  A lot of decisions were made too, there wasnt too much left out there, Trump said after the face-to-face meeting, which took place in the South Korean city of Busan.

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Trump: US, China reach deals on soybeans, rare earths, drug crackdown

Chinas government released a statement Thursday morning confirming their discussions and announcing it would suspend export controls on U.S. goods for one year, in return for the U.S. pausing its measures on Chinas shipbuilding industry during the same period.

China did not corroborate additional details shared by Trump.

US to reduce tariffs on Chinese goods

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One the U.S. plans to reduce some tariffs on China.

Implemented earlier this year, the tariffs acted as a punishment for the flow of fentanyl ingredients into the U.S. The total combined tariff rate on China is now 47%, down from 57%, according to the Associated Press.

China vows to work on TikTok issues

Following the meeting, Chinas Commerce Ministry announced it will work with the U.S. to properly resolve issues related to TikTok.

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No details have been released about their cooperation to keep the app running in the U.S.

Trump says South Korea will build nuclear-powered submarine in Philadelphia shipyards

The development is the latest in a monthslong dispute over the demand for TikTok owner ByteDance to sell its U.S. assets or face a ban. The app briefly went dark in January, but Trump  who previously supported a ban  has extended the companys deadline to comply multiple times.

A reported $14 billion deal would give about a 65% stake of TikTok to American investors.

In a social media post, Trump said Xi had authorized the purchase of massive amounts of Soybeans, Sorghum, and other Farm products.

Trump: China to increase purchases of US soybeans

Our Farmers will be very happy! he wrote.

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China, the worlds largest soybean buyer, previously stopped buying from U.S. farmers in response to Trumps tariffs.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday China has agreed to purchase 12 million metric tons of soybeans between now and January, then a minimum of 25 million metric tons over the next three years.

China will help end fentanyl crisis: Trump

Trump said the meeting also involved discussions surrounding the fentanyl crisis.

Very significantly, China has strongly stated that they will work diligently with us to stop the flow of Fentanyl into our Country. They will help us end the Fentanyl Crisis, Trump said on social media.

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Trump explicitly linked his previous tariffs on Beijing to the direct flow of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids from the Peoples Republic of China to the United States.

President Donald Trump greets Chinese President Xi Jinping ahead of a bilateral meeting at Gimhae Air Base on Oct. 30, 2025, in Busan, South Korea. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) President Donald Trump, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands before their meeting at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) President Donald Trump and Chinas President Xi Jinping shake hands as they leave after their talks at the Gimhae Air Base, located next to the Gimhae International Airport in Busan on Oct. 30, 2025. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) Chinese President Xi Jinping adjusts his earphones during a bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump at Gimhae Air Base on Oct. 30, 2025, in Busan, South Korea. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Hegseth announces new strike on alleged narco-trafficking boat, killing 4

Its a claim outlined in a DEA assessment that found the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels dominate fentanyl production, operating clandestine labs in which the majority of the drug is manufactured using precursor chemicals sourced from China.

China has previously accused the U.S. of using tariffs to blackmail them on the issue.

Trump to visit China; Xi to come to US

The leaders have planned follow-up meetings, according to Trump.

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The president told reporters he plans to visit China in April, and that Xi will make a reciprocal trip stateside after.

NewsNations Patrick Djordjevic and Michael Ramsey contributed to this report.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  South Dakota is taking steps to better equip inmates for life after incarceration.

A task force  with members ranging from lawmakers to law enforcement  met today in Sioux Falls.

High-risk situation south of Worthing

Wednesday, the Correctional Rehabilitation Task Forces goal was to get a feel for the current state of rehabilitation in South Dakota.

Our first meeting will really be focused on kind of a level set. Where are we now? What does our system look like? What programs are we offering? Whats the status quo? I think its important that we have a common baseline of understanding as a group, South Dakota Lt. Governor Tony Venhuizen said.

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The South Dakota Department of Corrections shared demographics of inmates inside its facilities, which included a high percentage of offenders released in fiscal year 2025 serving less than one year.

If youre trying to get a certificate, that might be a discussion, but youre not going to get a technical school degree, when youre 1 year or less. Thats just something I wanted to make sure and highlight as we begin our work at rehabilitation, said Ryan Brunner, who is the senior policy advisor for Governor Rhoden.

South Dakota DOC associate reentry program manager Kati Belfrage says 95% of current offenders will at some point be released back into the community.

You cant just throw a bunch of stuff at the wall and hope it sticks. Youve got to have specialized, targeted approach when were looking at programing and reentry, Belfrage said.

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Also highlighted was the importance of inmates learning skills that will help them beyond the prison walls.

The statistics show that people are 35% less likely to commit a crime if they have a job, so we are working to ensure that offenders learn the job skills while theyre in prison and to get the work experience ultimately, hopefully, to help reduce recidivism and the burden on taxpayers, SD DOC director of finance and administration Brittni Skipper.

A burden the task force hopes continues to drop as we wait for the new mens prison to be built in Sioux Falls.

The Absconder Apprehension Unit also gave a presentation Wednesday and says the number of total absconders in the state have dropped from 473 in January of 2022 to 140 in July of this year. You can find links to presentations given Wednesday here.

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TAUNTON, Mass. (WPRI)  Starting Saturday, people who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) wont receive their benefits, which will affect thousands of recipients in Southern New England.

Amid the impending SNAP shutdown, one local barbecue restaurant is stepping up to try to help those people.

My background was rough and we grew dependent on government assistance, said Sylvester English, one of the owners of Kinfolks BBQ in Taunton.

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LIST: Food drives happening in Rhode Island and Massachusetts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday that Novembers SNAP funding would not be sent out to states because of the ongoing government shutdown.

Once that news reached Kinfolks, its owners decided to take action. The restaurant is now offering $6 meals every Monday and free meals for those who cant afford them.

The owners told 12 News the choice to do that was the result of personal experience. English said reflecting on his familys financial hardships when he was a child and now owning a restaurant led him to want to help those in need during this time.

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My mom working two full-time jobs, mostly 80 hours, and still not having enough to feed her three kids and still dependent on those food stamps, he explained.

The restaurant is also accepting donations so it can keep offering the discounted and free meals.

We have received enough donations to feed 80 people next week, the restaurant wrote in a Facebook post. I will need the communitys help in identifying those in need, including families and programs, to ensure they receive hot, prepared meals on Monday.

Those interested in donating can visit the restaurants Facebook page or website.

NEXT: What to know about food assistance during government shutdown

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LEGEND: Click on a location to view hours, services and contact information.

Blue pins = donation drop-off locations  Green pins = pantries  Yellow pins = meal sites 

Magenta pins = mobile markets/pantries  Orange pins = delivery-only services



Sources: Greater Boston Food Bank, United Way of Greater New Bedford

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(The Center Square)  Illinois lawmakers are considering progressive revenue measures in the final hours of the fall veto session, but their proposals are drawing questions from both sides of the aisle.

Although some Illinois Democrats have joined progressive groups in calling for new taxes, Gov. J.B. Pritzker says lawmakers have a lot more work to do.

The Illinois Revenue Alliance lobbied for progressive revenue at a press conference in Springfield Wednesday morning.

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Rashanah Baldwin of the Workers Center for Racial Justice said it is time for state legislators to act.

Were calling on Gov. Pritzker to lead the charge to tax the rich in Illinois, making sure that wealthy corporations and the ultra-rich pay their fair share, Baldwin said.

The governor was asked about new tax proposals to fund the transit fiscal cliff put forth by members of the Illinois House when he spoke Wednesday in Taylorville.

Well I have to say they sprung a whole bunch of things that have never been seen before, and so its very hard to evaluate in a short period of time. I think theres a whole lot of work the legislature still has to do, Pritzker said.

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The governor said a so-called billionaires tax on unrealized capital gains has never been done before.

The Tax Foundation said the Extremely High Wealth Mark-to-Market Tax Act is an astonishing proposal that would impose a 4.95% tax on the unrealized gains of all assets, tangible and intangible, of billionaires.

The Chicago Tribune reported earlier this month that Pritzker and his wife paid $1.6 million in federal taxes and about $500,000 in state income taxes from more than $10 million of income last year. The billionaire governor has also earned millions in capital gains over the last few years.

An Illinois House committee advanced a measure to cut off federal tax incentives for businesses, although a Statehouse Republican urged her colleagues to think about manufacturers in their communities.

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Illinois Senate Bill 1911 would take away congressional Republicans Big Beautiful Bill provision for businesses to immediately write off investments in manufacturing and production.

Erin Coleman Branchaud, pastor at St. Lukes Lutheran Church on Chicagos North Side, pushed for progressive taxation at the Illinois Revenue Alliance press conference.

As a first step, we need to decouple and undo these giveaways to big corporations and the ultra-rich, Branchaud said.

State Rep. Amy Elik, R-Alton, urged the Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee not to decouple from the federal legislation.

Elik said manufacturing benefits are crucial to U.S. Steels potential investment in her community.

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I need them to have those immediate tax benefits. I cant give them five years when other states are giving them immediate tax benefits. Like, it is that desperate. We are desperately trying to save manufacturing in Granite City, Elik said.

The Alton Republican asked her colleagues to think about medium-sized manufacturers and small businesses in their communities.

Any time that we take away and make us an outlier, we are absolutely hurting business, Elik added.

Referring to her notes from a previous meeting, Elik said business incentives add rocket fuel to manufacturing.

Will McBride of the Tax Foundation said it would be the right move for Illinois to conform to the federal incentive for investment in manufacturing.

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Illinois is part of the Rust Belt where a lot of these old factories went into disrepair for decades and the industry withered away in many respects. Conforming at the state level to the provision would provide that incentive to revitalize those facilities and build and invest in new ones, McBride told The Center Square.

McBride said its most likely a minority of states that will choose not to conform.

And theyll be at a competitive disadvantage. Illinois will lose out to neighboring states, Indiana for instance, that are more likely to conform to many of the provisions, McBride said.

McBride said the federal law would also allow companies to immediately write off investments in research and development, including salaries for scientists and researchers.




On a Sunday in early October, a cluster of Austin school district families, teachers and advocates gathered under the shady side entrance of the William B. Travis Building, which houses the Texas Education Agency.

Just two days before, a controversial plan announcing the closure of 13 Austin campuses dropped. As written, the sweeping proposal would impact thousands of children in campuses proposed for closure and thousands more who would be moved to new schools because of shifting attendance boundaries. Despite the seismic changes proposed at the Austin school district level, families at the rally found themselves outside an agency that oversees education statewide.

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Turn TEA Around, read their signs.

In recent years, the states education agency has employed what some view as a nuclear option, replacing locally elected boards of trustees and the superintendents they hire with a slate of state-appointed replacements. Texas law allows the state education agency to do so when a campus scores five consecutive failing grades for academic performance on the states A-F letter grade system.

Just last week, TEA announced it would take over the Fort Worth Independent School District after one campus  since closed  triggered this provision. The state agency did the same in Houston ISD in 2023.

Members of the Austin education community worry their district could be next as three middle schools  Dobie, Burnet and Webb  have racked up four failing grades in as many years. A fifth at any of those campuses could trigger intervention  and Austin school district leaders are hyperaware of the looming consequences.

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At a public meeting for East Austin residents Tuesday, Superintendent Matias Segura insisted he does not want to be the superintendent who avoids a hard decision and puts us in a position later where we lose control.

The Austin district is already on TEAs radar, with the agency monitoring the school system because of a 2023 order to overhaul special education services after chronic failings to evaluate students.

At the downtown Austin rally, mother Jessie Neufeld railed against both any possible takeover and additional requirements from TEA that F-rated campuses enact turnaround plans, aimed at improving academics on the campus-level.

If you really want better schools, work with us, not against us, Neufeld said. We dont need takeovers. We need collaboration. We dont need you silencing our school boards.

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During community and board meetings, Austin district officials pointed to improved outcomes at some schools and pledged they will do anything to retain local control. But state education Commissioner Mike Morath in August called the districts failing campuses a very significant problem.

And in a Sept. 3 letter to Segura and board President Lynn Boswell, Morath warned the districts current approach is not working and urgent transformational change is necessary.

Lessons from Houstons takeover

The real concern is that Austin could become a mirror of the Houston school districts takeover, said Laurie Solis, a parent of three and advocacy chair for the Austin Council of Parent-Teacher Associations. TEAs foray into the states largest school district was highly anticipated because of a multi-year drawn out legal battle over whether the state agency had authority to intervene. In 2023, when TEA officially replaced the elected board, community pushback began in earnest.

In the two years since then, state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles and Morath praised improved test score at formerly struggling campuses. But enrollment has simultaneously dropped by about 6,700 students this year, and teacher turnover spiked to 1.7 times that of the state average.

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Some of Miles policy changes, such as cutting library services and implementing a standardized curriculum  called the New Education System  in some historically low-performing schools, garnered significant opposition.

Solis and other parents worry this model could be replicated in Austin if a takeover were to occur.

We want our students to be curious learners, and when we only focus on academics, we lose focus on all those other aspects of our brains, Solis said.

Heightened anticipation

Conversations about what a state takeover of Austin schools could mean intensified in the spring when district officials announced that just one more year of failure at Dobie, Webb or Burnet middle schools could trigger such an intervention. The three schools are in the midst of state-required turnaround plans, which involved replacing the campus principals and a majority of the teaching staff and a curriculum overhaul.

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RELATED: Austin ISD plans turnarounds at multiple campuses amid school closures

A dozen more schools will need similar plans next year.

Thats a lot for the Austin district to manage, said Trassell Underwood, vice president of Education Austin, the districts largest union representing teachers and staff. Implementing so many turnaround plans will be disruptive for staff, but Underwood fears a takeover would be even more troubling.

The concern is jobs, is curriculum, is will teachers lose some bit of autonomy to be able to teach the children, Underwood said. Its a lot of uncertainty.

Texas Education Agency Commissioner of Education Mike Morath discusses the 2024 and 2025 A-F school ratings during a press conference at the William B. Travis Building in Austin, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman)





Replacing the elected school board would make things worse, not better for students, for our families, for our teachers, said Sharyn Vane, a local education advocate whose children graduated from the district. We were already seeing some improvements academically in these schools.

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But not all schools have received improved scores from the state.While the district shrank its number of D- or F-rated schools from 49 to 41 in the past two years, one-third of campuses were rated unacceptable in 2025. At the same time, 14% of state schools received a similar grade.

The district also struggled to serve low-income students, as compared to peer districts across Texas, according to scores from the State of Texas Assessments of of Academic Readiness tests.

'Every action imagineable'

Segura told the American-Statesman in an interview last week that he is doing everything in his power to prevent a situation that would trigger a takeover for Austin.

Im very aware of what is at stake here, and maintaining local control is absolutely critical to ensure that our students in Austin improve academically, but in a way that aligns with who we are as a city, Segura said.

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Commissioner Morath has been vocal in his critique of chronically F-rated campuses. During an August press conference in August, he presented slides comparing Austins 23 F-rated campuses to schools in districts with similar demographics.

A slideshow compares Austin and Brownsvilles schools as Texas Education Agency Commissioner of Education Mike Morath discusses the 2024 and 2025 A-F school ratings during a press conference at the William B. Travis Building in Austin, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman)





The challenges that we see in schools that end up getting issued F ratings are pretty extraordinary, and they demand the adults that are in charge to take every action imaginable to give those students a better future, Morath said.

He also said that in some districts, the degree of struggle is a systemic root problem, and it starts at the school board.

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The TEA declined to answer questions about what prompts a takeover intervention specifically, or how the agency assists districts that are on the verge of intervention due to fiscal or academic reasons.

In Fort Worth, Morath cited continual academic deficiencies and the inability of the district to implement effective changes to improve the performance of students as reasons prompting the takeover.

More on takeovers

When states intervene into academically struggling school districts across the nation, results can be spotty, said Van Schoales, senior policy director at Keystone Policy Center, a Colorado-based nonprofit. To ensure success, the state must maintain or boost resources, Schoales emphasized.

Although Morath must take action if a district triggers five years of academic unacceptability, he does have the choice between closing the struggling campus or replacing the districts board of trustees. Districts can also choose to delay state intervention by partnering with an outside entity to operate perpetually struggling campuses.

Children attend class at Covington Middle School Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. (Mikala Compton/American-Statesma)





But the states decision to install a board of managers may involve considerations outside the academics of a district, said David DeMatthews, a professor of educational leadership and policy at the University of Texas.

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I do think theres some politics at play with taking over Austin, DeMatthews said. Fort Worth and Houston are three hours from Austin. TEAs headquarters are here. There will be protestors and picketers.

Board president Boswell told the Statesman that the Austin district should protect itself by ensuring no students are in schools categorized as failing.

Our community has been really clear that a focus on test scores is only a part of what we want in our schools, Boswell said.
Fairfax County Public Schools Teacher Zenaida Perez, center, is surrounded by supporters after filing a suit against the school division on Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)

A Fairfax County Public Schools teacher announced Wednesday she is suing the school division after nearly 20 years of service for allegedly retaliating and defaming her after she said staff at her high school paid for students abortions without their parents consent.

Zenaida Perez, the FCPS teacher, was placed on leave by the division after her claims about school-facilitated abortions for minors that she said occurred over three years. FCPS has denied the claims and an outside firm that investigated the case concluded Perez allegations were likely untrue.

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Virginia law requires minors to obtain either parental consent or a successful court petition to undergo the procedure.

Dozens of supporters gathered outside the Fairfax County Courthouse on Wednesday morning to show their support for Perez. The press conference also featured speakers from Americans United for Life, a conservative organization that Perez retained for legal counsel, and others sharing information about pregnancy centers, emphasizing informed consent and alternatives to abortion.

I feel hopeful that justice will be served, Perez said, adding that she has faith in her lawyers and God that the truth will prevail.

I felt retaliated against, I was absolutely slandered, and they told a lot of things in the media that were absolutely not true, she added. We will come out with the truth, and we will prevail with honesty.

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Fairfax County Public Schools did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

Teachers claims

Fairfaxs school system is facing four accusations that it violated the U.S. Constitution and Virginia whistleblower protection laws by retaliating against Perez. Perez also said the system made false claims against her and violated her free speech protections.

We filed this lawsuit in order to put a stop to all of that and to force Fairfax Public Schools to give Mrs. Perez what hasnt been given to her throughout this whole process  respect and due process, Steven Aden, chief legal officer and general counsel with AUL, said on Wednesday. Our judicial system is the foundation of civil society because it requires all sides to an argument to make the case under oath before a jury of their peers, not hiding behind high-powered lawyers in the press.

Monique Miles, co-attorney representing Perez, added that it saddens her to see her client on administrative leave for doing her job.

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We had to put to rest this claim that she had somehow done something unlawful or misled people that is absolutely false, Miles said.

Fairfax County Public Schools Teacher Zenaida Perez, speaking to supporters and reporters after filing a suit against the school division on Oct. 29, 2025. (Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury)

Perez is seeking a trial by jury and $1 million for all compensatory damages. No trial date has been set.

On Oct. 20, Perez joined a webinar hosted by Americans United For Life to talk about the allegations from Fairfax.

She explained how a student whod allegedly previously obtained an abortion approached her in May 2022 regarding another student who was absent after having a child. The first student, Perez said, expressed how the other student could have tapped a school social worker for help.

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Perez described spending the summer pondering the situation before reconnecting with the student whod allegedly had an abortion in the fall. Perez said the student outlined how shed obtained the procedure with the assistance of a school social worker.

Perez also addressed a handwritten letter purportedly from the student that was featured in an August article in a conservative blog that first reported the allegations against the school.

A recent legal review, lawyers for Fairfax County Public Schools noted similarities in the handwriting of the letter and Perez own handwriting.

In the webinar with Americans United For Life, Perez admitted that she physically wrote the letter, but asserts it was informed by the student whod had the abortion.

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She didnt write it, she was absolutely not well with the writing  she cannot write in English or in Spanish  and she told me she only had 15 minutes for my break, Perez said of the student, who was working at a restaurant in Chantilly at the time they spoke about the allegations.

Meanwhile, FCPSs legal probe claims to have contacted the other student who had a baby as recently as Oct. 9 of this year and who said they felt supported by the school system in their decision and was not coerced to get an abortion..

Amid Perez lawsuit and FCPS probe, a state police investigation is still underway to look into matters further.

The U.S. Department of Education is also investigating the claims to determine if federal funds were misused. A Virginia State Police investigation into the allegations against the school system, begun at the behest of Gov. Glenn Youngkin, is ongoing.

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A teacher suing for $40 million after her then-6-year-old student shot her in her classroom in 2023 testified during her civil trial on Thursday that she wasn't sure if the child had a real gun until he pulled it out of his pocket and fired it at her.

Abby Zwerner recounted the day she was shot in January 2023 at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, as the last witness for the plaintiff in the ongoing trial.

Her complaint alleges the school's assistant principal at the time, Ebony Parker, failed to act after being informed multiple times that the student had a firearm on the day of the incident and did not let anyone search him prior to the shooting despite repeated requests.

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Civil trial begins in $40 million lawsuit over 6-year-old student shooting teacher

Zwerner testified she first became aware the student -- who is being referred to during the trial as JT -- might have had a gun that day was from a reading specialist in the school. The staffer, Amy Kovac, had testified earlier this week that two students told her JT had a gun in his backpack, and she reported this to Parker.

"I knew that she was going to tell Dr. Parker," Zwerner said of Kovac, when asked by her attorney why she didn't tell Parker herself about a reported gun in the student's backpack.

According to Kovac's testimony, Zwerner texted her that she saw JT take something out of his backpack and put it in his pocket ahead of recess. Zwerner said in court Thursday she knew Kovac would relay that information to Parker, too.

Pool - PHOTO: Former Richneck Elementary School teacher Abby Zwerner takes the stand during her civil lawsuit trial, Oct. 30, 2025, in Newport News, Va.

Kovac had testified that she searched JT's backpack during recess but did not find a gun, which she said she suspected would be the case based on Zwerner's text, and she reported this to Parker as well.

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Asked by the defense on Thursday if there was at any point she didn't think JT had a real gun, Zwerner said, "The whole day, I was contemplating it could be real, but it also could not."

"When you hear the word, he told students he brought a gun with him to school, there is that possibility," she said.

But Zwerner said she realized the student had brought a real gun when, after recess toward the end of the school day, he took it out of his pocket and shot her. The bullet went through her left hand, which she had lifted, and then into her chest, where it remains. She was initially hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, police said.

"I thought I had died," she recalled on the stand. "I thought I was either on my way to heaven or in heaven. But then it all got black and so I then thought I wasn't going there."

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"My next memory is, I see two co-workers around me, and I process that I'm hurt, and they're putting pressure on where I'm hurt," she continued.

6-year-old who shot teacher had history of violent behavior at school, assistant principal failed to act: Lawyer

The civil complaint alleges Parker acted with gross negligence and in "reckless disregard" for Zwerner's safety.

During cross-examination on Thursday, the defense repeatedly questioned the actions Zwerner did, or didn't, take on the day of the shooting.

Zwerner confirmed she did not speak to the two students who reported the gun, to JT or to Parker, saying she knew Kovac had spoken to them.

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"I trusted Ms. Kovac. She has 20, 30 years of teaching experience over my three, two-and-a-half years," Zwerner said.

Zwerner also confirmed she did not remove JT from her classroom or search his backpack.

Following her testimony, the defense argued in a motion to strike that the plaintiff had so far failed to establish Parker had an assumption of duty to protect Zwerner from harm that she then allegedly breached through gross negligence.

The judge responded that those are issues for the jury to decide and denied the motion.

"At this time, the court finds that there is sufficient and credible evidence that the defendant assumed the duty of care, breached that care in a grossly negligent manner, and that breach was the proximate cause of the plaintiff's harm," Newport News Circuit Court Judge Matthew Hoffman said. "That will be all for the jury to decide."

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The defense is scheduled to start calling its witnesses on Monday.

Pool - PHOTO: Former Richneck Elementary School assistant principal Ebony Parker in the courtroom during Abby Zwerner's lawsuit against her, Oct. 30, 2025, in Newport News, Va.

Zwerner and Parker both resigned following the shooting.

Three other defendants initially listed in Zwerner's complaint -- two school administrators and the Newport News School Board -- were dismissed from the lawsuit ahead of the civil trial.

Parker has also been charged with eight counts of felony child abuse with disregard for life in connection with the shooting -- one count for each bullet that was in the gun, according to the Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. A trial on the criminal charges is scheduled to start next month.

The student brought the gun from home, police said. His mother, Deja Taylor, was sentenced to two years in state prison for child neglect in connection with the shooting, which she is currently serving. Taylor was also sentenced to 21 months in prison on federal firearm and drug charges, which she has since served.
A News Center 7 I-Team investigation uncovered that over the last 10 years, more than 225 crossing guards have been hit while working to keep our kids safe on the way to and from school.

We found instances across the country and right here in the Miami Valley of crossing guards getting badly injured or even killed on the job.

The I-Teams lead investigative reporter, John Bedell, teamed up with our sister stations across the country and the Associated Press and found many of the at-fault drivers faced few consequences.

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We dug into whats being done to help keep crossing guards safer.

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The I-Team has been working for months to track just how often crossing guards are hit on the job.

So, we did our own research as a part of this investigation: digging through public records and hearing from the people impacted. Many of them said they felt disregarded.

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Becky Evans has been an educator with Franklin City Schools for more than 20 years. In the fall of 2024, she took on another title: crossing guard.

I had fun with my kids when I was out there, Evans told the I-Team in a recent interview.

When she volunteered for the job, Becky wasnt worried about getting hurt.

(But) the more I did it, the more dangerous it became, Evans said. Thered been several times that I almost got hit.

And then, a split-second decision led to lasting impacts.

>> Check out the AP/Cox Media Group Collaboration

This past January, a driver hit Evans while she was finishing a shift as a crossing guard in front of Franklin Junior High School.

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Franklin Police body camera video the I-Team obtained shows Becky lying in the street with her head on the curb along East 4th Street in the crosswalk near Beam Drive in front of the school.

I tried to run and jump out of her way, but I didnt make it, you can hear Becky say to witnesses and a Franklin officer in the video. I was trying to cross back over with my big red (stop) sign, and she hit me. She didnt stop.

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The schools security cameras caught the impact on video.

I turned to face the one side and all I saw was car lights coming at me, and all I could say was, Oh my god, Becky told the I-Team last month. And I turned sideways so she wouldnt hit me head-on. And she hit me, and I landed on the berm of the road.

The at-fault driver can be heard in the body camera video giving a statement to Franklin police.

I just didnt see her, the driver said. I just didnt see her.

Evans suffered serious injuries to her head and legs. The driver who hit her got a traffic citation, a $48 fine, and $102 in court costs.

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Now nine months after the crash, Evans is dealing with long-term physical impacts from her injuries, including her speech.

Mentally (the recovery) is going to take a lot longer, Evans told the I-Team. I still see the headlights coming at me.

Becky Evans is far from alone.

We saw a similar situation in front of an elementary school near Cincinnati last August, where a driver hit a crossing guard. The crossing guard suffered minor injuries, and the driver got a citation.

The female driver who hit the crossing guard can be heard in Hamilton County Sheriffs Office body camera video the I-Team obtained, telling a responding deputy, I didnt even see her.

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And in 2018, surveillance cameras were rolling near Columbus when the driver of a pickup truck hit a crossing guard and kept going. The driver hopped a curb and took off through the grass in front of an elementary school.

Online court records the I-Team reviewed show prosecutors eventually dismissed three of the four original charges against the man who was driving that truck. He pleaded guilty to an amended charge related to a count of hit-skip that he originally faced, had a six-month jail sentence suspended, got a year of probation plus 80 hours of community service, and paid a total of $368.26 in court costs and a fine.

We teamed up with our Cox Media Group sister stations across the country and the Associated Press for a months-long investigation to document 231 crossing guard accidents in the last decade.

We know what we found is an undercount because the I-Team found no one tracks that information nationally. Only two states keep track locally. Ohio isnt one of them.

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The I-Team searched media reports and social media to compile those accidents.

At least 32 of the 231 were deadly.

We got a hold of law enforcement records in 180 of the cases. Our investigation found 74% of those drivers who hit crossing guards got away with just traffic tickets  or no citation at all.

At least 40 of the accidents, like the one in Columbus in 2018, were hit-and-run. And six of those drivers were never found.

Our investigation also found that many of the crossing guards hit were senior citizens. Many of them were working as crossing guards in retirement.

Of the 160 for whom we identified their ages, more than half, 54%, were older than 65.

The I-Team talked to crossing guards around the country who have been hit on the job.

All I remember doing was turning around and boom, lights out. Lights out, Anthony Taylor, from Indianapolis, told the I-Team. I dont remember anything until I got to the hospital.

Virgil Woods was working as a crossing guard in Georgia when a driver hit him.

I didnt have no feelings in my leg, my head was hurting, blood was running down my arm, Woods said. It was a scary situation.

The I-Team found that Ohio doesnt specifically track the number of crossing guards hit. We filed a public records request with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and found that over the last five-and-a-half years here in Ohio (January 1, 2020, through September 3, 2025) 131 people were hurt in 127 crashes involving pedestrians getting struck in active school zones.

But state crash reports dont specify if the person hit was a crossing guard.

And state troopers told the I-Team, that number will most likely be underreported, because it relies on the law enforcement officer who fills out the report to check a box that says, Active School Zone, which doesnt always happen.

Becky Evans wasnt the only person to get hit along E. 4th Street near Franklin Junior High. And thats prompted changes.

Not long before Becky was hurt, a driver who was not paying attention hit two students just down the road from the crosswalk where Becky was hit. Those students did not suffer severe injuries.

The final straw if you will, occurred at the end of this past (24-25) school year when our School Resource Officer has positioned in the middle lane, with solid marker lights on, Franklin City Manager Jonathan Westendorf told the I-Team.

Our SRO was repositioned to that school since State Route 123 was closed for the construction of the roundabout (near Franklin High School). Our officer witnessed drivers drive through the crosswalk, with the crosswalk attendant escorting children across the roadway, three times in one month. It should be mentioned all three drivers were cited. Upon learning this information, I immediately called our team together with school officials and said we needed to utilize traffic safety engineering countermeasures to help address the issue.

New safety features, including delineators aimed at slowing drivers and preventing crashes like the ones that hurt Becky, were installed at the intersection.

The school district funded the delineators, while our team completed the design, coordination, and installation of the devices, Westendorf said.

Franklin City Schools Superintendent Mike Sander told the I-Team, It is important to work with the city to keep our students and our crossing guards safe. I appreciate the city working with us to develop a plan and traffic pattern that will help keep everyone safe. I believe these changes are making a difference as Ive already seen cars slowing down when entering the school zone. The reduced speed is a key component in having safe school zones.

Franklin Police Chief Adam Colon recently gave the I-Team a tour of the safety changes at the crosswalk inside the school zone along E. 4th Street and Beam Drive in front of Franklin Junior High.

Its meant to provide safety for pedestrians, in particular students who are crossing to come to school in the morning, Chief Colon told the I-Team. I mean, be it a crossing guard or God forbid, a kid, it could be deadly. It doesnt take much with a heavy vehicle, even at slower speeds, to cause some significant injuries or worst-case scenario, death. So we dont want that to happen. So were trying to be proactive.

Becky Evans now works as a custodian for Franklin City Schools.

Im not able to walk out to that road yet, Evans said. And it bothers me every day. I stand inside the school, and I watch some of them kids walk across, and Im scared for them, but Im angry that I still aint able to walk out there yet.

She showed the I-Team some of the get-well cards that students sent her after her accident in January.

Eventually, I will get out to that road, she told the I-Team. Eventually. I cant promise that Im going to be a crossing guard ever again. But eventually, my goal is to at least stand on the sidewalk. My kids need to see that you can do anything if you put your mind to it.

As she recovers from her accident, Becky says shes determined to make sure people remember an instant shed rather forget.

One persons split-second decision could change a whole life, Evans said.

She wants drivers to remember that when theyre driving through a school zone.

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Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) found a baffling way to describe one of President Donald Trumps most steadfast followers on Wednesday.

During an appearance on CNBCs Squawk Box, Cruz tried to dismiss Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) as very liberal, telling viewers that they shouldnt spend much time worrying about what shes saying.

Politics: GOP Lawmaker Behind Epstein Push Fires Back After Trump Attacks His Marriage

What Ive found is that whenever an elected official decides that they are going to turn on Israel and hate Israel, you will very quickly see every other policy out of their mouth become very, very liberal, Cruz claimed. And so, suddenly, Marjorie is for massive government spending and taxes and open borders and amnesty.

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Cruz seemed to be referring to Greenes staunch criticism of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and how back in July, she became the first Republican in congress to call the crisis in Gaza a genocide.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, here on Sept. 15, got called "very liberal" by her Republican colleague, Sen. Ted Cruz, on Wednesday. Tom Williams via Getty Images

Curiously, Greene has also found a sliver of common ground with Democrats trying to reckon with an impending surge in Americans health insurance costs.

Congressional Democrats are holding out on voting for the federal budget until their GOP counterparts negotiate a possible extension on Affordable Care Act insurance subsidies currently set to expire at the end of this year.

Politics: MTG Called Out For Only Caring About Trumps Bullying Now That Shes Being Attacked

Knocking House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in a Tuesday post on X, Greene demanded Republicans share their own plan for making health insurance affordable for Americans.

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The Georgia congresswoman, who regularly invokes antisemitic rhetoric and rose to prominence as a champion of the QAnon conspiracy theory, also recently complained about being a victim of misogyny within the GOP.

In a Washington Post interview published earlier this month, she told the paper, Theres a lot of weak Republican men, and theyre more afraid of strong Republican women. So they always try to marginalize the strong Republican women that actually want to do something and actually want to achieve.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently met with Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia in Ottawa, during which a number of politically charged issues were discussed. Interestingly, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans recent criticism of the clergy contained a rare moment of logic - his question as to why the Church is more preoccupied with politics than with spiritual and moral matters. This argument has now moved beyond rhetoric, sparking serious internal divisions within Armenia itself.

In practice, it has become almost customary for Armenian clerics to act as parallel politicians, discussing every issue, whether or not they understand it, and attempting to govern alongside the government.

It is therefore hardly surprising that during Catholicos Aram Is recent meeting with the Canadian PM, topics entirely outside the Churchs mandate were raised, including calls for the illegal return of Armenians who voluntarily left Garabagh to the territory of Azerbaijan, appeals for the release of Armenian citizens convicted of war crimes, crimes against humanity committed in Garabagh, and several other irrelevant political matters.

It is no coincidence that this narrative is being revived and being mentioned again and again, at a moment when Azerbaijan and Armenia are moving closer toward signing a long-awaited peace agreement. Similar topics have surfaced in other diplomatic contexts, including during the Washington Talks in August and a bilateral exchange between the Speakers of Parliament of both countries in Switzerland last week on the sidelines of the UN session. Yet, Azerbaijan has made it clear that these matters are not, and will not be, part of the negotiation agenda.

The deliberate use of the term Artsakh in such discussions exposes the fundamental illegality and political manipulation behind this rhetoric. It is not an internationally recognized toponym, nor acknowledged by any state or international organization. Instead, it is a propagandistic term used to challenge Azerbaijans sovereignty and perpetuate the illusion that a so-called independent entity ever existed within its internationally recognized borders.

Such rhetoric is not merely inaccurate, it is destabilizing. It undermines the fragile progress achieved since the 2020 and 2023 post-war processes, emboldening those in Yerevan and among the diaspora who remain intent on preserving outdated revanchist ideas. Each renewed call for the release of prisoners or the return to Artsakh fuels divisions and delays reconciliation between the two nations that have endured decades of conflict and displacement.

In the Apostolic Churchs view, peace is seen not as a moral duty, but rather as a lack of moral courage. This shift in ethical perspective, where forgiveness equates to surrender, is being tactically utilized by Armenias opposition, which understands that religious leaders can influence people in ways that political speeches cannot. As elections draw near, sermons and places of worship have transformed into venues for political mobilization, uniting the public around an antiquated notion of Armenias national destiny.

The truth stands far from the narrative pushed by lobbyists. The so-called prisoners of war are not political detainees or civilians, they are individuals charged under Azerbaijani and international law for grave crimes, including terrorism, murder, torture, and participation in illegal armed formations. Among them is Ruben Vardanyan, a Russian-born billionaire who briefly presented himself as a state minister within the now-defunct separatist regime established on Azerbaijani territory. He is currently being tried at the Baku Military Court for financing terrorism, illegal border crossing, and collaboration with foreign intelligence services.

These are not politically motivated prosecutions but legitimate legal proceedings supported by substantial evidence. Demands for their release disregard Azerbaijans judicial sovereignty, trivialize war crimes, and insult the memory of victims who suffered during Armenias nearly three-decade occupation of Garabagh. Labeling these prosecutions as oppression distorts history and masks accountability under the guise of human rights advocacy.

Canadas continued engagement in such rhetoric reflects a broader pattern in Ottawas foreign policy toward the region. During the 44-day Patriotic War, Canada notably adopted a pro-Armenian stance, halting the export of key technological components used in Turkiyes Bayraktar UAVs. At various times, anti-Azerbaijani resolutions and initiatives have been tabled in the Canadian Parliament, and Canada has supported the European Unions controversial observation mission along the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.

Mark Carneys decision to raise the topics of Artsakh and Armenian prisoners during his meeting with the Catholicos thus appears less a matter of religious dialogue and more a calculated political signal. It comes even as the Armenian leadership itself has declared the issue of returning Armenians from Garabagh as closed.

Notably, several years ago, a motion was introduced in the Canadian Senate to recognize the so-called Nagorno-Garabagh Republic  a proposal that was ultimately rejected. Yet, the reemergence of similar talking points in Ottawa today suggests that certain political circles remain unwilling to accept the new geopolitical realities of the South Caucasus. Regardless, this is unacceptable. While retelling past events might not be merely right, it remains important to remember these facts.

Canada cannot claim to support peace while echoing narratives that undermine it. If Ottawa truly seeks to contribute constructively to stability in the region, it's far more prudent to engage with official diplomatic channels to grasp the complexities involved and not through symbolic gestures or one-sided rhetoric that disregard international law and Azerbaijans sovereignty. The South Caucasus is turning a new page. Any forces that obstruct this, whether consciously or subconsciously, stand against the future of the entire region. Azerbaijan has chosen peace and development.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A 19-year-old is facing multiple charges in connection with a late night shooting in Bellevue that killed his 17-year-old cousin earlier this month.

The shooting in the parking lot of Forest Park Apartments along Highway 70 South was reported shortly after 10:15 p.m. on Oct. 18. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the investigation shows Marquez Reed shot his cousin, JaQuan Nolan, in the back of the head while trying to fire into one of the apartments.

Authorities announced on Wednesday, Oct. 29 that an arrest warrant has been issued charging Reed with criminal homicide, felony reckless endangerment, and use of a gun in the commission of a dangerous felony.

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PREVIOUS: 17-year-old killed in shooting at Bellevue apartment complex

Officials said Reed is currently jailed in Rutherford County on two counts of auto burglary stemming from an arrest on Friday, Oct. 24, but he will be booked in Nashville in the near future.

In addition, law enforcement reported 21-year-old Malichi Cummins and a 16-year-old are each facing attempted murder and felony reckless endangerment charges in the case for firing at the apartment where a man, a woman, and four small children lived.

Marquez Reed (Source: MNPD)

Malichi Cummins (Source: MNPD)

Cummins was taken into custody in Rutherford County Friday on a theft charge and will be booked into the Metro jail soon, police said. The 16-year-old was arrested in Montgomery County on Tuesday, Oct. 28 and booked into Nashville juvenile detention.

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CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

At this point, the investigation shows Nolan, Reed, Cummins, and the 16-year-old were together when Nolan started arguing with the man from the apartment who was standing on the balcony, according to authorities. Then, gunfire broke out, with Reed, Cummins, and the 16-year-old allegedly shooting multiple rounds.

Officials said they used video evidence and witness accounts to identify Reed as the shooter who fatally wounded Nolan. Cummins can reportedly be seen removing a gun from Nolan as he, Reed, and the 16-year-old ran away.

Meanwhile, the man who was on the balcony sustained a graze wound to his chest and was treated and released from a local hospital, law enforcement said. News 2 previously reported that a 24-year-old man with that injury had denied any involvement in the gunfire but was taken into custody on an outstanding failure to appear warrant.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

According to police, Reed was arrested in Nashville in September 2024 on nine charges, including possession of burglary tools, auto theft, misdemeanor drug possession, two counts of felony evading arrest, misdemeanor evading arrest, leaving the scene of a crash, unlawful gun possession, and driving without a license. He pleaded guilty to auto theft back in May and received a two-year probated sentence, with the remaining eight charges dismissed.

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No additional details have been released about the Oct. 18 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 WKRN News 2.
The 13-year-old accused of vandalizing a statue of Marty Brennaman has been held in juvenile detention since Oct. 28, and he'll be staying there for at least another week.

The teen was charged with a felony after the statue's microphone was broken off on Oct. 25. His arrest comes as the city cracks down on juvenile crime, tightening curfews and promising more arrests.

His case is now working its way through the court system and shows some of the complex problems under the surface of juvenile crime.

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On Oct. 29, the 13-year-old was brought to court in handcuffs for his case. He had already been held in juvenile detention overnight, but no action was taken because no one could reach his mother. The hearing was rescheduled for Oct. 30 and court appointed a county guardian to act on his behalf if his mother couldn't attend the hearing again.

Before his arrest this week, he had no prior contact with the court. But now, he faces two domestic violence charges along with the vandalism charge. He is accused of harming his mother and 10-year-old sibling on Oct. 26, the day after the alleged vandalism, according to court documents.

In court on Oct. 30, the teen's lawyer, James Cooper, argued he should be placed in Lighthouse Mecum House, a shelter for children. He said that would allow the seventh grader to get back to school, where he is already receiving help.

Assistant Prosecutor Tatyana Reintjes said the 13-year-old's behavior is escalating, and he should be held in detention.

Former Reds commentator, Marty Brennaman's recently installed statue has been damaged outside of Great American Ball Park.

"We don't think it's safe for him to be out in the community," Reintjes said.

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Hamilton County Juvenile Court Magistrate Tracye Hill asked the teen's mother, who was attending via Zoom, if he could come home.

"I don't want him to return here," his mother said. He had been causing problems for four to five years, and been kicked out of schools, she told the magistrate.

Hill initially decided to refer the teen to Lighthouse Mecum House and allowed the teen to leave, but the mother stayed on the phone and protested the decision.

"He needs to be in there," the mother said. She told the magistrate that he had threatened to get a gun and harm her and other children, and that she was a mother of six with a 1-month-old.

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"He does not need to be out," she said. "All he does is disrepect me."

Hill reconvened court and brought the 13-year-old back into the courtroom. His mother restated what she had said, adding that her son runs away and "smokes weed."

Cooper argued that there were ongoing allegations of abuse and neglect against the mother.

"We believe this is an effort to punish him," Cooper said. "We believe that mom is trying to manipulate the situation."

He said the public defender's office, Job and Family Services and other social service agencies can help the 13-year-old at the shelter. He said juvenile detention is not a theraputic setting.

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Cooper said that the mother had not been cooperative with the defense and had said the boy needs to learn his lesson.

Magistrate Hill said she had heard enough from the mother to decide that the boy should be held in detention. She noted Lighthouse Mecum House is not a lockdown facility.

The boy's next court date is Nov. 7. Cooper can appeal the decision of a magistrate to a judge.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Teen accused in Marty Brennaman statue vandalism to stay in detention
Einav Zangauker, a leading figure of the Hostages Families Forum, will receive an honorary doctorate from Tel Aviv University for her tireless efforts to secure the return of hostages held by Hamas.

Tel Aviv University announced on Tuesday that it will award an honorary doctorate toEinav Zangauker, recognizing her steadfast leadership in the nearly two-year battle to secure the return of both living and fallen hostages held by Hamas.

Zangauker, a prominent figure in the Hostages Families Forum, has become a symbol of determination and social solidarity throughout the ongoing crisis.

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On October 13, as20 living hostages returned to Israel, Zangauker was reunited with her son, Matan, marking one of the most emotional days in Israels history. The scene was a heartwarming moment for many, as families embraced their loved ones, freed from Hamas' tunnels.

However, Zangaukers struggle did not end there. Like many others, she continues to tirelessly advocate for the return of the fallen hostages whose bodies remain in Gaza.

Tel Aviv University explained that the decision to award Zangauker the honorary doctorate also reflects the collective yearning for the return of the fallen hostages, including Hadar Goldin, whose father, Simcha, is a professor at the university.

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage, Matan Zangauker, speaks at press conference on Begin Road, July 5, 2025. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)

TAU calls Einav Zangauker 'A symbol of social solidarity, unity, and motherhood'

"Zangauker represents the social movement for the return of the hostages and has been one of its prominent leaders. Since October 7, she has become a symbol of social solidarity, the sanctity of life, unity, and motherhood," the university stated.

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The ceremony will take place in May 2026 on the university's campus during its upcoming annual board of trustees meeting, with more than 1,000 expected to attend.

At the same event, Steve Witkoff will be presented with the George Wise Medal in recognition of his efforts to secure the hostages' release.
The American private equity firm seeking control of The Telegraph has said it will set up an independent advisory board to uphold journalistic integrity, as it faces scrutiny of its links to China.

Gerry Cardinale, the managing partner of RedBird Capital Partners, said he had asked Lord Black of Brentwood, Telegraph Media Groups deputy chairman, to develop proposals for how such a board might be composed and how it might work.

It comes as Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, considers whether to refer the 500m bid to regulators for investigation over the risk of foreign state influence and as a potential threat to the public interest.

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Writing in The Telegraph, Mr Cardinale said: At RedBird, we are very clear about one fundamental premise: dont invest in a newspaper if you want to influence it  that will kill the investment thesis and is just bad business.

Lord Black joined The Telegraph in 2005 and has played a key role in news industry policy debates, including fighting state regulation in the wake of the Leveson Inquiry.

Discussions about an independent advisory board are at a very early stage, although Mr Cardinale has been pursuing the proposed transaction since the beginning of the year. They come nearly two and a half years after ownership of The Telegraph was thrown into doubt by the financial troubles of the Barclay family, the previous owners.

RedBirds consortium includes a 15pc stake for the United Arab Emirates. The firm also has multiple links to China, including through its controversial chairman John Thornton. His long standing financial and political ties to Beijing have prompted calls in the House of Lords for a national security investigation of the proposed takeover.

Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, is considering refer the 500m bid for The Telegraph to regulators - Paul Grover for The Telegraph

Mr Cardinale said: RedBirds ownership of The Telegraph will be through our heavily regulated fund, not as an individual proprietor, which is an important distinction that gets overlooked in the debates around ownership.

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Our funds are backed by a diverse group of leading global blue-chip institutional investors and family offices which do not include any institutions or individuals from the UAE or from China.

The notion that we could be influenced by any external group would violate our fiduciary duty. And it would be against the law.

He suggested that the involvement of the Daily Mail owner Lord Rothermere in RedBirds consortium should provide further reassurance of editorial independence. Lord Rothermere is expected to take a 10pc stake.

RedBird made an earlier takeover attempt using mostly funds from the royal family of the United Arab Emirates, but was blocked following an outcry over press freedom. That bid also included proposals for an independent editorial trust board composed of senior figures from journalism and politics who were never revealed.

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The effectiveness of such structures has been debated in the news industry. Rupert Murdoch agreed to create an independent board of directors for The Times to win approval for his 1981 takeover.

On paper, they were meant to safeguard editorial independence and have final say on top appointments. In practice, Mr Murdoch was often closely involved in newsroom decisions and able to impose his leadership choices in the face of opposition from the directors. The board was disbanded in 2021 with ministerial approval.

Mr Murdoch proposed a comparable structure to safeguard Sky News when he made a second bid for control of Sky in 2017. The proposal was eventually adopted by Comcast when it won a bidding war for the satellite broadcaster, along with a 10-year guarantee of investment.

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.
A Tennessee man whod been jailed for posting a meme on a Facebook thread about the shooting of Charlie Kirk was freed Wednesday, after the 32nd District Attorneys Office suddenly dropped all charges.

Larry Bushart, 61, had been jailed since Sept. 21 for the post, which quoted President Donald Trump telling supporters we have to get over it in response to a shooting at a high school in Perry, Iowa, in 2024.

News: New Trump Policy Could Make Thousands Of Immigrants Vulnerable To Losing Their Jobs

This seems relevant today, Bushart wrote atop the meme. He then posted it to a Perry County, Tennessee, Facebook thread whose participants were organizing a vigil for Kirk, a right-wing influencer who was fatally shot at a college event in September.

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Noting the similarity in names between Perry, Iowa, and Tennessees Perry County, members of the group reported Bushart to authorities for threatening the local high school.

Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems agreed with their assessment.

This has everything to do with a guy coming onto a Perry County [Facebook] page posting this picture leading people in our community to believe that there was a hypothetical Perry County High School shooting that caused fear in our community  and we done something about it, Weems told Nashvilles NewsChannel 5.

Larry Bushart appears in this Sept. 22 booking photo after he was arrested for posting a meme on a Facebook thread about Charlie Kirk. Perry County Sheriff's Office

Bushart, a former police officer, was charged with threats of mass violence on school property and booked into jail on a $2 million bond.

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Bodycam footage of Busharts arrest obtained by the Intercept shows the officer who processed him into jail was just as confused as he was.

News: New Poll Reveals Which Democrat Key Primary Voters Prefer  And It's Not Gavin Newsom

Just to clarify, this is what they charged you with: Threatening Mass Violence at a School, the officer says.

At a school? Bushart responds. I play on Facebook. I threatened no one.

I aint got a clue, the officer says. I just gotta do what I have to do.

Ive been in Facebook jail, but now Im really in it, Bushart says, laughing and denying hed committed any sort of crime. I may have been an asshole but ... 

News: Trump  And House Republicans  Are Largely Absent As Shutdown Fallout Grows

Thats not illegal, the officer said.

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As a result of the arrest, Bushart lost his job in medical transportation.

He told WSMV4 on Wednesday he was just glad to be heading home.

Very happy to be going home, Bushart told the outlet. I didnt seek to be a media sensation, but here we are.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
Health insurance costs in Tennessee are poised to see their steepest rise in 15 years.

The majority of residents, including at estimated 3.7 million people on employer-sponsored group plans at small and large companies, will pay more for healthcare coverage in 2026. Many will face double-digit percentage increases when open enrollment starts on Nov. 1.

Tennessee's top six providers are all expected to increase plans significantly, including BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee; Cigna Health and Life Insurance; Alliant Health Plans; Oscar Insurance; Ambetter health plans, formerly offered through Celtic Group, acquired by Centene Corp.; and United Healthcare Insurance. The extent of health insurance premium increases for employer-sponsored plans can vary depending on how much companies choose to pass on to workers.

How steep are upcoming health insurance increases?

Alliant Individual and Family Plans Account Executive Wallace Foster said rate increases will range from 18% to 20%, during a recent meeting at the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.

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Leigh Carl, a United agency sales manager for individual and family plans in Tennessee and Kentucky, said estimated increases in the Volunteer State are "in the 20% range."

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee Vice President of Product Strategy and Individual Markets Michael Eiselstein confirmed that insurance premiums by all providers are expected to increase. BCBS of Tennessee insured more than 3.3 million Tennesseans last year.

Eiselstein and representatives for the state's other two top providers declined to give an estimated range of the increase for workers at large companies.

Neighborhood Health CMO and family medicine doctor Sam Parish talks with his patient, Jessica Lage, at the company's Madison clinic on Wednesday Sept. 13, 2017. Lage has health insurance but has been dropped before,leaving her without health insurance.

Plans offered through small businesses, which employ 50 or less workers, face estimated increases of more than 12% to 13%, according to ratereview.healthcare.gov. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is raising those rates about 13%, while increases top 12% at UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of the River Valley, according to healthcare.gov.

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The amount workers at large companies must pay will depend on several factors, including how much their company contributes to plans.

A survey of more than 1,700 employers revealed health insurance cost per employee was on pace to increase an average of nearly 9% in 2026, according to benefits consultant Mercer. Another report from consultant Aon projected employer health costs would rise 9.5% next year.

Providers requested higher rates due to their rising costs. Those proposed rates were reviewed by the state and approved by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The average cost for a family health insurance plan offered through the workplace was $26,993 in 2025, an increase of 6% from a year ago, according to the annual employer health benefits survey released Oct. 22 by KFF, a health policy nonprofit.

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Working-age Americans who get health insurance through their jobs will see the largest health cost increases next year since 2010, according to Mercer, a benefits consultant.

The Mercer survey said six in 10 employers will seek to shift escalating health care costs to workers through higher deductibles and copayments.

Among Tennessee residents who purchase individual health insurance plans outside of employer coverage, nine out of 10 plans listed on Healthcare.gov are facing premium increases ranging from 10% to 36%. The lone exception is Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest, which reported a more modest increase of 8.24%.

Tennesseans insured through Marketplace to be hardest hit

But the hardest-hit residents will be the nearly 610,000 Tennesseans who aren't considered impoverished but are still on tight budgets to make ends meet. They are insured through Marketplace and had benefited for premium tax credits, offered since the COVID-19 pandemic through the Affordable Care Act. As of Oct. 30, Congress has not voted to extend the credits, due to expire at the end of the year.

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BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee posted an update in mid-October announcing that Marketplace plans will average a 42% increase, according to healthcare.gov.

Without the tax credits, premiums are projected to increase by an average of 93%. That would render health care insurance unaffordable for an estimated five million Americans  including two million with chronic conditions, according to estimates by Keep Americans Covered, a coalition of the health care community that represents patients, doctors, hospitals, consumers, health insurers and employers.

In Tennessee, of 642,000 residents insured through Marketplace, the coalition estimates as many as 95% are at risk of losing the federal subsidies.

A family of four with a combined income of $125,000 would see their premiums increase by $7,700 if the premium tax credits expire, according to coalition estimates.

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A 60-year-old couple with an income of $80,000 would face premium increases of $17,500, while a family of four that earns $64,000 would pay $2,600 more, according to the organization.

What are premium tax credits and are they expiring?

At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Congress passed a rescue plan to expand who is eligible for premium subsidies and the amount they are eligible to receive based on factors such as age, household size and income. Lawmakers voted in 2021 to extend the plan through 2025.

Those premium tax credits are due to expire at the end of the year unless Congress acts.

Democrats are asking Congress to permanently extend the credits now before the Nov. 1 start of open enrollment before they agree to end the government shutdown, according to USA TODAY reports. Republicans insist they won't discuss health policy as part of a bill to reopen the government and can decide on the subsidies before they expire Dec. 31.

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A temporary solution  the Bipartisan Premium Tax Credit Extension Act  has been proposed by two U.S. lawmakers from both political parties. It would extend the credits for one year.

Rep. Jennifer Kiggans, (R-VA), and Rep. Tom Suozzi, (D-NY) teamed to sponsor the bill on Sept. 4. Kiggans, a nurse practitioner, posted on X and Facebook that the legislation would protect families, seniors and small business owners from "massive health care premium increases."

Fahad Tahir, president and CEO of Ascension Saint Thomas health system, and the BlueCross executive are among many who lobbied Congress to extend the premium tax credits.

Despite headed debates across the country, as of Oct. 30, Congress had not voted to extend the credits.

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If the plan isn't extended, anyone earning over 400% of the federal poverty level will lose those subsidies.

Anyone under 100% of the poverty line would still be eligible for tax credits, but the amount of their subsidy will shrink, Eiselstein said.

Why are health insurance rates increasing?

KFF noted that insurers are raising the costs of plans to recompensate for the increase in medical and labor costs.

Mercer pointed to overall health care costs rising because hospitals, doctors and drug companies have raised prices. Health care workers such as nurses and X-ray techs also have secured lucrative pay raises in recent years, money health providers are seeking to recoup by charging employers and consumers more.

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BlueCross offered explanations for rate increases, including more people going to the doctor and having surgeries as well as higher prices for procedures, hospital stays and prescriptions.

A spokeswoman for the insurer also noted in an article on the company's website that there are fewer people enrolled in its Marketplace plans, and many who dropped coverage were healthier. That means the cost of medical bills and prescription drugs for those enrolled are spread across fewer people.

Actuary teams at the insurance companies evaluated rates and proposed increases to the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. Then, the state decided what it views as fair rates and forwarded that to federal officials with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, also known as CMS, which gave final approval for the increases.

More information about health insurance options

Tennessee residents can find out how to get insurance at GetCoveredTenn.org or by calling 844-644-5443.

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Health Insurance Marketplace, is a service by the federal government to explain types of plans offered. Residents can get information at healthcare.gov or by calling 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-899-4325.

Important information on rising health care plans can be found through a guide offered by KFF at kff.org.

Beth Warren covers health care and can be reached at bwarren@tennessean.com or on X at BethWarrenCJ.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee health insurance costs set for biggest jump in 15 years
A retired Tennessee law enforcement officer who spent more than a month behind bars for posting a meme quoting President Donald Trump has been released after prosecutors dropped the felony charge against him.

Larry Bushart, 61, of Lexington, Tenn., was arrested late September and charged with threatening mass violence at a school, a felony under a 2024 state law. The charge stemmed from a meme he shared in a local Facebook group following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The meme featured an image of Trump with the caption: We have to get over it, referencing the presidents response to a school shooting in Perry, Iowa, earlier this year. Bushart added the line, This seems relevant today.

Though Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems admitted in a Wednesday interview that the meme contained no explicit threats and that investigators knew it referred to a past shooting in Iowa, he defended the arrest as necessary to calm fears in the community.

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This has everything to do with a guy coming onto a Perry County page posting this picture leading people in our community to believe that there was a hypothetical Perry County High School shooting that caused fear in our community  and we done something about it, Weems told News Channel5 investigations in Nashville in an interview.

Weems acknowledged that the meme contained no explicit threats and that his department knew it referenced a real Iowa tragedy.

We knew, he told News Channel5. The public did not know.

Still, Weems argued, Busharts refusal to delete the post left authorities little choice. Whenever we sent Lexington Police Department out to speak to him and he refused to do that  I mean, what kind of person does that? What kind of person just says he dont care?

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Bushart was taken into custody at his home and held on a $2 million bond. Body camera footage captured him telling officers, I play on Facebook. I threatened no one.

Free-speech advocates and civil libertarians denounced the arrest as a chilling example of law enforcement overreach.

Larry Busharts arrest and confinement violate the First Amendment, Matthew Cavedon, the director of the Cato Institutes Project on Criminal Justice, wrote earlier this week in a post titled Facebook Jail isnt supposed to be a real place. The Supreme Court has made it crystal clear that only true threats are exempt from the freedom of speech  not hyperbole and political bombast.

Prosecutors dropped the charge this week without explanation, and Bushart was released Wednesday. In an email to the New York Times, Busharts lawyer confirmed the release but did not add any additional details.

The post Tennessee man jailed for meme freed after charge dropped appeared first on Salon.com.
A Tennessee woman is facing jail time after she allegedly threatened to blow up Lipscomb University in a social media post that included a news story detailing how the school handled a student-led Charlie Kirk memorial.

The 25-year-old is charged with making threats of mass violence and filing a false report after Lipscomb's Director of Security Marc Shafer was forwarded a screenshot of the woman's Facebook post, according to an arrest affidavit.

The post shared a news article and the writing, "I'll go blow Lipscomb (expletive) up rn (right now)," the affidavit said. It notes the "statement caused fear among Lipscomb University and Lipscomb Academy officials."

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The woman is jailed on $10,000 bond and is due in court for a settlement on Jan. 9.

Perry County man's Kirk-related violence charges dropped

The newest arrest comes after charges were dropped earlier this week against a Lexington, Tennessee man accused of similar behavior in Perry County.

Larry Bushart, 61, was charged with making threats of mass violence on school property and activities after a September post in the Facebook comments of a Perry County community group page.

Bushart, a former Huntingdon police officer, had been held on $2 million bond since his arrest Sept. 22.

The District Attorney's office dropped the charges and Bushart was released from jail Oct. 29.

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Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems previously told The Tennessean that Bushart posted a photo in the Facebook comments in response to a planned vigil for Kirk in Perry County.

Bushart posted several political memes in the comments, including a picture that depicted President Donald Trump saying, We have to get over it, a direct quote from the president after a January 2024 school shooting in Perry, Iowa, that left one dead and seven wounded.

The photo is topped with the phrase, "This seems relevant today.

More: Is hate speech free speech? What to know after Charlie Kirk's death

Weems said most of Bushart's posts were not against the law and would be recognized by free speech.

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But Weems said the Perry, Iowa quote picture was posted "to indicate or make the audience think it was referencing our Perry High School."

This led teachers, parents and students to conclude he was talking about a hypothetical shooting at our school, Weems said. Numerous (people) reached out in concern.

How Charlie Kirk's assassination led to suspension, firings and lawsuits in Tennessee

Kirk, a conservative influencer, was assassinated Sept. 10 while hosting a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.

More: Charlie Kirk memorial service live stream: Watch Sept. 21 from State Farm Stadium

Reactions to Kirk's death led to a flurry of social media comments either condemning the killing or celebrating it, leading to suspensions and firings of public employees around the country.

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In Tennessee, a Franklin high school teacher was suspended without pay for Instagram stories she posted about Kirk's death.

The teacher, Emily Orbison, is suing the school.

The suit said Orbison posted "don't worry, y'all. It's worth it, It's rational" in response to previous comments Kirk made in 2023 in the wake of the Covenant School shooting in Nashville, where he said gun deaths were "worth it" to have a Second Amendment that protects "God-given rights."

Austin Peay State University professor Darren Michael was fired and then later suspended for comments he made about Kirk's slaying.

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Like Orbison, Michael's post referenced Kirk's comments on gun deaths.

Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville woman to face 'mass threat' charge after Charlie Kirk death
JERUSALEM (AP)  Tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox men covered the entrance to Jerusalem in a sea of black Thursday to protest plans to draft them into the military, singing, clapping and holding signs saying they would rather go to jail.

The current draft exemption given to the ultra-Orthodox has caused deep divisions in Israeli society, emerging as the most serious threat to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

The embattled leader relies on ultra-Orthodox parties to keep his government limping along, but their attempts to pass a law to permanently exempt ultra-Orthodox Israelis from military service could sink his government and spark early elections.

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Israel shut down the major highway at the entrance to Jerusalem and deployed more than 2,000 officers, as tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox, known as haredim, thronged the streets. One teenager died at the largely peaceful protest after falling from a building under construction next to the protest, police said.

The protest largely crippled the city, with roads closed and public transportation halted by the massive crowds.

Who are the ultra-Orthodox?

Roughly 1.3 million ultra-Orthodox Jews make up about 13% of Israels population and oppose enlistment because they believe studying full time in religious seminaries is their most important duty.

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An enlistment exemption for the ultra-Orthodox goes back to the founding of Israel in 1948, when small numbers of gifted scholars were exempt from the draft. But with a push from politically powerful religious parties, those numbers have swelled over the decades. The court said the exemptions were illegal in 2017, but repeated extensions and government delay tactics have prevented a replacement law from being passed.

The broad exemptions from mandatory military service have reopened a deep divide in the country and infuriated much of the general public during the war in Gaza. Over 900 soldiers have been killed since the war began. Many reserve soldiers have served hundreds of days in multiple tours of duty, and the military has repeatedly sounded the alarm that more soldiers are desperately needed to meet Israels defense needs.

In 2025, the military said it sent draft notices to 80,000 haredi men between the ages of 18 to 26. Last year, less than 3,000 haredi men enlisted, the military said.

Staunch opposition to serving in the military

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Tens of thousands of haredim gathered Thursday at the entrance of Jerusalem for a lively mass prayer rally as loud spiritual music blared on speakers.

Due to strict modesty observance that prohibits mixing between unmarried men and women, the protest was entirely male, except for a small, separated area set aside for women. Demonstrators chased a female newscaster from Israels Channel 12 who was attempting to report on the main protest.

Many protesters said they would rather die than go into the military, worried that the military will corrupt their strict religious traditions.

An 18-year-old can be put in jail for wanting to dedicate his life to be a scholar and learn Torah exclusively, Baruch Debchic said. "That is the very sad situation were in today.

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After several hours, police used water cannons to disperse protesters who refused to leave the streets.

The most serious challenge to Netanyahus government

The country's two ultra-Orthodox parties were an essential part of Netanyahus fragile coalition before they left over the summer in anger over proposed legislation on the military draft. However, they still often vote with Netanyahu, allowing his government to survive.

The insistence of the haredi leaders on passing a law codifying a permanent draft exemption could change that. The issue of haredi enlistment has forced several early elections over the past decade, said Lahav Harkov, a senior fellow at the think tank Misgav Institute for National Security

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Elections are currently scheduled for next November, but its likely that Netanyahu could be forced to call early elections in the next few months.

The current enlistment law

The trigger for Thursdays protest was the decision to bring the enlistment legislation for discussion in a Knesset committee next week, despite deep opposition to the bill, including from Netanyahu's own party. This is the first step before the bill can be brought to the general Knesset for a vote.

The haredi members of the Knesset have been unable to obtain the two things their community demands: a permanent draft exemption or increased budgets for their community, explained Shuki Friedman, vice president of the Jewish People Policy Institute, a Jerusalem think tank, and an expert on haredi issues.

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A series of Supreme Court cases have chipped away at the budget that allows haredi men to study full-time in exchange for a stipend from the state. So far the parties have located temporary funding as a stop-gap measure, but those stipends are increasingly under threat.

This is a protest against the government, because it can topple the coalition, and against the opposition so they can show how much power they have, said Friedman. "And within the haredi world they are worried about the internal pressure, so they are trying to give a show of unity, he added.

Some voices within the haredi community are advocating for a pragmatic solution, including possibly allowing a small group of haredi men that are not studying Jewish texts full-time to serve in the military, but the protest is an attempt to give a united show of force against any type of compromise, Friedman explained.

-

Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writer Josef Federman contributed from Jerusalem.
Oct. 29MOSES LAKE  Whether or not to convert the Moses Lake Fire Department to a different operating model and, if so, what it should be, will be the subject of a feasibility study due to start in November. Moses Lake Fire Chief Art Perillo said Tuesday that a proposed contract with Berk Consulting, Seattle, is under review.

"We have a tentative date for a kickoff meeting of Nov. 10," Perillo said.

Perillo said the study is projected to be completed by spring 2026. The study follows about a year of discussion by the Moses Lake City Council, looking at ways to cut expenses in light of two years of deficits in the city's general fund. Mike Ganz, the city's former interim fire administrator, analyzed MLFD earlier this year and recommended further study of three options. The city could maintain its current municipal department, convert MLFD to a separate fire district within the city limits, or join with one or more other agencies to create a regional fire authority, also known as an RFA.

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Perillo said those are the options that will be analyzed during the feasibility study. The exact completion dates will be determined during the meeting Nov. 10.

A regional fire district would consolidate one or more agencies into one district, which would require a vote of residents within the affected districts. It starts with a planning committee of three elected officials appointed by the agencies participating in the proposed RFA.

If the proposal included levying taxes or fees, it would require 60% approval from voters to pass. If it were approved, it would be operated by a three-person board, either a separate board elected by RFD voters or elected officials from the participating fire agencies.

City Manager Rob Karlinsey said in June that the rules for a municipal fire district are somewhat unclear, particularly regarding the governing body's identity. That would have to be clarified, he said.

Ganz said in June that, while state laws had recently been changed to allow the formation of municipal fire districts, Moses Lake would be one of the first to try it. Under the current proposal, the new fire district boundaries would be the same as the existing city limits, but would be a completely separate district.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) With the upcoming suspension of SNAP benefits on November 1, Terre Haute Catholic Charities has announced that they are prepared for the needs of the community.

This is what we do, said John C. Etling, Agency Director. For more than 40 years, weve been

here to ensure that anyone in west central Indiana who needs food can access it with dignity and

respect.

In September, more than 26,000 people in the foodbanks seven-county service area received SNAP benefits, totaling nearly $4.9 million. The food bank states that with such a significant loss in funds, families who rely on them may face immediate hardship and increase the number of neighbors seeking food assistance across west central Indiana.

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Food insecurity currently sits at 17.2% in the foodbanks service area, which is higher than the state average of 15.1%. That rate is expected to increase with the loss of SNAP benefits, along with federal employees adding to the increase in foodbank users seen across west central Indiana.

The foodbank said that their network of over 120 partner pantries, mobile distributions, and soup kitchens is ramping up the number of distributed pounds to meet the anticipated rise in demand. Catholic Charities states that they are committed to ensuring that nutritious food reaches everyone who needs it, for as long as the shutdown continues.

For more than four decades, Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank has met moments of

uncertainty with compassion and preparedness, said Etling. No matter how long this challenge

lasts, we will remain here  ready to serve anyone in need.

Catholic Charities Terre Haute is also meeting the needs of the community through its Ryves Youth Center after-school program that provides a snack and dinner for all the children. They also run The Christmas Store and coordinate with local sites to employ federal workers to assess needs and offer assistance. Information on all Catholic Charities programs can be found at this link.

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Terre Haute Catholic Charities gave tips for community members who wish to assist during this time. They said that advocating to your elected officials to protect nutrition programs that sustain struggling families, or even volunteering at a local food pantry or soup kitchen.

To find a link for the food pantry calendar, you can click this link. To donate funds to Terre Haute Catholic Charities, you can 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 MyWabashValley.com.
A class action lawsuit has been filed in Australia against Tesla, alleging that many of the company's vehicles have been unable to deliver on the promised capabilities of its Full Self-Driving technology.

What's happening?

As reported by Electrek, thousands of Tesla owners in Australia have joined in on a class action lawsuit accusing the electric vehicle manufacturer of misleading consumers about the capabilities of its FSD hardware. According to the lawsuit, real-world applications of Tesla's FSD technology are not living up to what drivers were promised.

The lawsuit also addresses the issue of "phantom braking" by Tesla's Automatic Emergency Braking system, which some drivers claim engages suddenly and without reason, creating a potential safety risk. Drivers who have also experienced issues with vehicles not reaching advertised driving ranges are encouraged to register for the lawsuit as well.

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Led by the law firm JGA Saddler, the class action lawsuit is currently only open to drivers in Australia who purchased Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles between May 2021 and February 2025.

As Electrek notes, the legal action appears to signal that "the sharks are circling" Tesla, explaining that the lawsuit could be a slam dunk if JGA Saddler's team can prove that the EV company knew the true limitations of its technology.

Why are alleged false claims regarding Tesla's FSD technology important?

In a press release announcing the lawsuit, JGA Saddler's Director, Rebecca Jancauskas, offered up her take on the potential risks of Tesla's technology and how it has been marketed to consumers.

"Imagine driving down the motorway in your high-tech electronic [sic] vehicle with cruise control, or so-called Autopilot, engaged and it applies the brakes for no apparent reason," Jancauskas said. "This dangerous phenomenon, known as 'phantom braking,' would terrify you and your passengers and could, if it causes an accident, result in serious injury and/or death."

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JGA Saddler argues that Tesla had claimed that FSD would enable full autonomy. However, the technology requires active driver supervision at all times. Despite its name, FSD is a Level 2 driver-assistance system that requires the driver to remain attentive and ready to take control immediately. That includes drivers keeping their hands on the wheel at all times.

With highly publicized controversies focused on Tesla and the company's credibility, some drivers may eventually lose trust in EVs. This could slow down the shift from gas-powered cars, prolonging air pollution and the record-setting levels of carbon pollution being produced worldwide.

What's being done about Tesla FSD claims?

This isn't the first time that Tesla has faced blowback regarding the marketing of its FSD technology. Earlier this year, the General Directorate for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control in France issued a warning to Tesla, alleging that the company was misleading car buyers.

According to David Haughan, investment officer at the consulting firm Woodsford, the new class action lawsuit in Australia isn't just a chance for owners to be compensated for Tesla's perceived failures, but it's also the perfect opening for the company to mend its broken trust.

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"Tesla customers have not got what they paid for," Haughan said. "They were sold a car based on promises about the vehicles' self-driving capabilities, battery range, and safety features, and Tesla has not delivered. Far too many customers have experienced dangerous 'phantom braking' incidents. Tesla should take this opportunity to repair its relationship with its customers."

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.
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy, and give us feedback.

With the federal government at a standstill and some red states offering up money for food assistance, Gov. Greg Abbott faced pressure to authorize the release of emergency state funding  a move he has done before  to offset a looming federal suspension of SNAP benefits this weekend for 3.5 million low-income Texans.

Some Democratic and Republican state leaders freed up money for food banks or to continue their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also called food stamps amid the ongoing government shutdown. Some governors declared states of emergency, which Abbott has done in the past to release funding during COVID-19, the Uvalde shooting, and for border operations.

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Before two judges ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funds to at least partially pay SNAP benefits, The Texas Tribune asked Abbotts office if he would intervene with emergency funds or join in the multi-state lawsuit to request the federal government to restore funding in November. Abbotts office did not provide comment on those options, but said Democrats in Congress should do their part to lift the shutdown so that SNAP funding can be restored.

Theres a simple and immediate solution to this problem that could be achieved tomorrow. Senate Democrats should immediately end their government shutdown by approving legislation that already passed the U.S. House that will fully fund the government and ensure Texans dont go hungry, Abbotts statement said.

On Friday, two judges said the federal government must tap emergency funds to keep the food assistance program running.

That came one day before the federal government planned to halt all SNAP assistance to more than 42 million Americans who depend on it monthly because of the federal shutdown prompted by a partisan divide over whether the Affordable Care Act health insurance tax credits should be extended.

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A halt would mean more than 3.4 million low-income Texans, including 1.7 million children, who depend on a monthly average of $400 in federal food aid, would go without it unless its replaced. It wasnt clear after the court rulings if the federal government planned to appeal or how quickly SNAP payments could reach recipients, though some said they could be delayed for weeks.

More than 50 Texas House Democrats signed a letter sent to Abbott on Thursday urging the governor to use his power to save millions of Texas families from going hungry until federal funding to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is restored.

Eleven Democrats in the Texas Senate later signed their own letter saying, suspending federal benefits would intensify an already critical demand for food assistance across Texas.

Of the estimated $8 billion in federal food assistance funding scheduled for distribution in November, $614 million would go to Texas SNAP recipients. The money is released on a staggered basis, so each day that SNAP goes without funding, benefits would expire for about 128,000 Texans daily, said Celia Cole, the CEO of Feeding Texas which represents food banks statewide.

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State Rep. Armando Walle, D-Houston, said he and other lawmakers first reached out last week to Abbotts office following news that the SNAP funds would be halted, asking whether the governor would declare an emergency and move funding from other agencies. I havent gotten a response other than theyre going to look into it, Walle said. This is a human capital natural disaster.

Walle, who recalled how, as a child, his own family received SNAP assistance, said it was critical to keep SNAP dollars moving uninterrupted. Some folks need to have an appreciation for hungry children, the elderly and disabled people.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which administers SNAP benefits, referred questions on agency contingency funds that can be used on continuing SNAP to Abbotts office.

Ways Texas could pay for SNAP in November

Abbott has previously used emergency funds to address food insecurity, mostly during natural disasters.

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In 2017, Abbott expanded food benefits for Hurricane Harvey victims through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, providing two months of benefits to all eligible Texans in affected regions.

The Texas governor has also used emergency funds to mitigate the costs of the COVID-19 pandemic, provide mental health counseling following the shooting at Robb Elementary School and to reinforce the border in 2021.

In 2022, Abbott redirected hundreds of millions of dollars from state agencies to fund the border, including $210 million over a two-year period from the states Health and Human Services Commission, which administers SNAP.

Texas has over $20 billion in surplus to lean on if necessary, but lawmakers have been particular about how they use this money. Tapping this rainy day fund  officially called the Economic Stabilization Fund  would require state lawmakers to come back to Austin to convene in a legislative session, according to Walles office.

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The move is also unpopular among fiscal conservatives.

There are ample resources available, but generally speaking, those monies are best used for one-time emergencies and tax relief, said James Quintero, policy director of conservative think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation.

SNAP, on the other hand, would be an ongoing obligation to the state amid the federal shutdown, he added.

Other states across the country that might not have such a surplus have chosen the legal route.

A coalition of officials in more than 25 states is suing the USDA over the looming suspension of the federal funding for food aid. However, Texas hasnt joined the lawsuit, meaning that no matter the outcome in court, it wont solve the problem here.

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The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in a Massachusetts district court, was brought by various states, including Kentucky, Kansas, California, North Carolina and Oregon. They are asking a federal judge to order the USDA to provide benefits for November for the nearly 25 million people within their borders by tapping into over $4 billion in contingency funds.

Our [temporary restraining order] seeks relief on behalf of the 26 plaintiff jurisdictions. But it is entirely up to the federal government whether they wish to unlock funds for all states whose residents rely on SNAP, Matt Platkin, the attorney general of New Jersey, told the Tribune.

The plaintiffs argue that cutting off these payments in their states would threaten widespread hunger and food insecurity.

Congress could address the issue  without ending the shutdown  by passing a standalone bill to fund SNAP. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, has introduced a bill to do so, though Senate Republican leadership has not scheduled a vote on it.

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Though other Republican governors have stepped in to fund SNAP, Quintero said government spending is not the solution.

What weve allowed to develop from the federal level on down is a very robust welfare system that cultivates an environment of dependency, he said. By continuing to throw money at this system, were enabling poverty to some extent, and its really not the best way to generate prosperity and sustainability.

Federal versus state intervention

SNAP funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which has put states on notice this month that any state funds used to cover SNAP will not be reimbursed.

The President, who found $40 billion for Argentina, who is reopening USDA offices to get billions to farmers suffering from his tariff taxes, and who boasts that he can do almost anything, is refusing to tap a rainy-day fund to help seniors, veterans, and families with children. Its not the well thats run out, as Republicans claim; its their empathy for others that has run dry, said U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, in a statement sent out Wednesday.

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But as the lawmakers letter to Abbott points out: States do have the power to take temporary emergency measures, using state funds to prevent hunger and stabilize families while Congress resolves the federal impasse.

Some states have sent emergency funding to local food banks. Coles group Feeding Texas has offered Abbott a strategy to help get more food to food banks and the people they serve. The group asked Abbott to increase funding for a grant that helps farmers and transportation providers send unsellable food to food banks.

However much food we distribute, we cant make up for the loss of SNAP benefits, but by increasing funding for the surplus ag grant, we have the ability to get more food out to people during this time of heightened need than we would otherwise be able to, she said.

Cole said Abbott acknowledged the request, and she hopes to meet with him in the coming days.

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Other states, most notably those with Republican governors such as Louisiana and Virginia, have declared the looming SNAP suspension an emergency and are tapping their state funds to continue to fund their food assistance programs. Texas should do the same, the letter Texas Democrats states.

When asked by the Tribune about any emergency action he would be willing to take to restore SNAP or fund local food banks, Abbott in a statement said the solution is that Democrats in Congress should reopen the federal government.

While Democrats use low-income Texans as bargaining chips, Texas agencies are coordinating with community partners to connect families to existing assistance until the federal government gets back to work, Abbott said in the statement. He pointed to existing resources Texans can seek to pay for food.

He suggested that Texans who need assistance in the coming weeks visit 211Texas.org or dial 2-1-1 to connect with information on a range of services, including food, housing, utilities, and health and medical services.

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He also pointed to the Texas WIC program, which also provides nutritious foods, education, and other services, but its primarily for low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5. WIC has been criticized for its restrictions on what food can actually be purchased, forcing many families to abandon it by a childs first birthday.

And he referenced Thriving Texas Families. This state program provides supplies to pregnant women and families as a measure to support adoption over abortion, but other than infant formula, the program is not known as a food assistance program.

Quintero said the loss of SNAP funding creates an opportunity for Texans to help each other.

We need to give charities, nonprofits, families and other private individuals the space and the opportunity to step up and help those who are hurting, he said. We have not seen what the actual effect of those funds running out is, right? And so I think its too early to suggest that neighbors helping neighbors is inadequate.

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However, Cole said the combination of high food prices, federal workers going without pay because of the shutdown and SNAP enrollees who anticipate losing their benefits is putting increased pressure on food banks. Even after the government opens back up, it will take another three days for money to be available to participants.

We are fully anticipating that we are going to see a surge in need in the next week or so, even if the shutdown is resolved, Cole said.

Disclosure: Feeding Texas 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.
Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy, and give us feedback.

The state program intended to give additional exposure to businesses owned by women, minorities and disabled veterans seeking state contracts was frozen by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts office this week, the latest instance of Republican state officials targeting a program perceived as promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.

Information regarding the Historically Underutilized Business program was removed from the comptrollers website and the office said it was pausing the issuance of all new and renewed certifications for state procurement, according to a statement by the comptrollers office.

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The office said it was freezing the program to allow for a review to ensure it is constitutional and complies with Gov. Greg Abbotts January executive order banning DEI programs from state agencies.

Businesses deserve a level playing field where government contracts are earned by performance and best value  not race or sex quotas, acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock wrote on social media Tuesday. We must END ALL DEI in Texas!

Hancocks social media posts were coupled with a memo to state agencies and universities saying they are prohibited from granting contracts on the basis of race, ethnicity or sex.

While his office has stopped issuing new certifications, Hancock does not have the power to end the program altogether.

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The program, in its current form, was written into state law over the course of several legislative sessions during the 1990s. Doing away with the program would require either a court ruling it unconstitutional or the Legislature repealing the law.

State Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, co-authored the 1999 bill that codified the program into state law and said its opponents misunderstand the programs intent and effectiveness.

The program is not a quota program, West said Thursday. This program was passed when (George) W. Bush was governor of Texas, and he was not a governor that would have accepted a quota program. We were able to strike what we thought was a good compromise, a fair program that made sure agencies would go out and make an effort to seek procurement opportunities.

All it does is create opportunities for smaller, disadvantaged businesses to be part of the procurement network for the state of Texas, West added.

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That legislation placed the program under the purview of the comptrollers office, which is tasked with certifying HUB businesses and monitoring other state agencies for compliance in their procurement processes. A business can be certified under the program if a majority of its ownership is determined to be an economically disadvantaged person, defined by the state as Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, women, Asian Pacific Americans, Native Americans and disabled veterans.

The law sets requirements for state agencies to solicit bids from a set number of HUB-certified businesses, but does not require that a HUB-certified business must be selected for a given contract.

The law also set statewide goals for HUB participation in state contracts based on the 2009 State of Texas Disparity Study. That study was also removed from the comptrollers office on Tuesday.

Michael Adams, a professor and director of the Master of Public Affairs Graduate Program at Texas Southern University, said programs seeking to increase the participation of women and minority-owned businesses in the public procurement process are present in all levels of government across the country.

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With government representation of minorities still lagging behind their population, programs like Texas HUB program were seen as a way of helping historically disenfranchised groups by taking advantage of governments status as the nations largest employer to fight discrimination, Adams said.

How do you move beyond the public welfare state if you dont have the opportunity to strike out and create a business and create opportunity for yourself? Adams said. In terms of policy outputs, the HUBs have been a way of doing that.

West said the program has not been a political issue throughout most of its existence, arguing the recent attention is a result of Republican attempts during President Donald Trumps second term to roll back decades of progress toward societal equity.

Its all part of the Project 2025 plan, West said, referencing an ultra-conservative political initiative published by Heritage Foundation in preparation for Trumps second term. Many of the cultural wars in America start in Texas  Now were trying to further Trumps goals to do away with any programs that give people a hand up, not a hand down.

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West noted that women-owned businesses are by far the biggest benefactor of the HUB program, but the focus by Republicans has been on the poster child, which are African American owned businesses.

Hancock took office in July in an acting role after former Comptroller Glen Hegar was named chancellor of the Texas A&M University System. Hancock said the review of the program has been a top priority since he took office.

The decision comes after Austin-based recruiting company Aerospace Solutions sued the state last November arguing the HUB program puts it at a disadvantage when bidding for state contracts because it is not a HUB-certified company.

Disclosure: Texas A&M University System and the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts have been financial supporters 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.
NEED TO KNOW

A Texas man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing his neighbor in 2023

Prosecutors said Trevor McEuen shot Aaron Martinez more than 30 times in what they called an "act of hatred"

Authorities reportedly said there were prior incidents between the two

A Texas man who fled on the first day of his scheduled murder trial and was captured a month later has been sentenced for killing his neighbor.

Trevor McEuen, 33, was sentenced to life in prison on Oct. 23 after being found guilty of capital murder in the May 2023 shooting death of 35-year-old Aaron Martinez, in rural Kaufman County, according to reports from NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, KLTV and Fox 4.

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Prosecutors said in court that McEuen shot Martinez more than 30 times with a semi-automatic rifle in what they described as an "act of hatred," while McEuen, who testified in his own defense, claimed he shot his neighbor because he was scared, Fox 4 reported. Authorities reportedly said there were prior incidents between the two.

"He used deadly force because he thought it was going to be used against him," defense attorney Abigail Spain said in court, per NBC 5.

Martinez's family had asked prosecutors to charge McEuen with a hate crime, claiming that there had been ongoing issues with McEuen since Martinez moved to the area years ago, CBS News previously reported.

"He started to follow us ... [saying] 'We don't want you Spanish people in the area,'" the victim's father, Salvador Martinez, recalled to the outlet.

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During the trial, McEuen's ex-girlfriend and a landscaper testified that McEuen had previously threatened them with a gun and fired shots near them, NBC 5 reported. Also, prosecutors told the jury that McEuen robbed Martinez of his phone to prevent him from calling for help, per the outlet.

The trial was initially scheduled to start on May 5 but it was delayed when McEuen did not show up to court after removing his ankle monitor, PEOPLE previously reported, citing authorities. He was believed to be armed and dangerous.

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.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, McEuen was captured on June 2 near Grand Saline, Texas, following a SWAT standoff. Fox 4 and NBC 5 reported that McEuen was found hiding under the floor of his grandparents' house.



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The Kaufman County Sheriff's Office said in a social media post that they hope the verdict brings the Martinez family "some measure of peace."

After the sentencing hearing, the victim's father said, "Right now, the main thing is this guy, he stays forever [behind bars], that he makes no more damage to nobody," NBC 5 reported.



Read the original article on People
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Lorex Technology Inc. amid concerns that its home security cameras may contain components tied to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The probe will determine whether Lorex misled consumers by selling surveillance equipment that includes parts from a Chinese military-linked supplier.

At the center of the inquiry is Dahua Technology Co., a Chinese surveillance manufacturer designated by the U.S. Department of Defense as a Chinese military company. Lorex was acquired by Dahua in 2012 and later sold to Taiwan-based Skywatch in 2022, though reports suggest Dahua continues to supply key components for Lorex products.

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Texans should never have to worry that the devices protecting their homes could be tied to foreign adversaries, Paxton said in a statement. Any company that gives the CCP a foothold in American life will face the full force of Texas law.

Federal agencies have previously flagged Dahua as a national security threat. Both the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Federal Communications Commission have restricted its products due to concerns about potential surveillance and data exposure. Despite those warnings, major retailers such as Amazon and Costco continue to sell Lorex cameras to consumers across Texas and the United States.

The Texas Attorney Generals Office will examine whether Lorex violated state consumer protection laws by marketing products as safe and secure while concealing potential national security risks.
Oct. 29ROCHESTER  A man living in Texas has been arrested for sexually abusing a child while living in Rochester from 2018 to 2019.

Michael Timothy Pope, 43, is accused of sexually assaulting a child younger than 13 years of age from December 2018 through June 2019 while living in Rochester. He was arraigned in court Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, on a felony charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

According to court records, Rochester Police investigators interviewed the child in March 2025 about the incidents after the child came forward to a family member and a therapist, according to court documents. The child said they were punched and assaulted by Pope during the sexual assaults. The child would say any injuries and bruises were from playing at a playground, documents show.

An arrest warrant was issued for Pope in June. His last known address was in Paradise, Texas. He was booked in Olmsted County Adult Detention Center Tuesday, Oct. 28. Pope is scheduled to make another court appearance Nov. 5.
ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN)  Three days before the bill allowing Ten Commandment posters in Texas public schools became law, the principal of Cedar Ridge High School got an email.

Our family would like to donate a Ten Commandment poster for every classroom in Cedar Ridge High School. Could you please verify the number of classrooms in the school?

The email was from Christie Slape  a parent and member of conservative political organization Moms for Liberty in Williamson County. She  along with several other parents, including a former Round Rock Independent School District trustee  pooled their resources to purchase 170 posters displaying the Ten Commandments.

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Two weeks later, Slape showed up to the school with enough posters for every classroom.

There would be a visual reminder in each classroom of how our country was established, Slape said.

Christie Slape dropping off 170 Ten Commandment posters to Cedar Ridge High School on Sept. 11, 2025 (Courtesy Christie Slape)

Who is donating Ten Commandments posters to Texas classrooms?

Despite ongoing legal challenges to Senate Bill 10, the donation of Ten Commandment posters to Texas public school districts has been overwhelming and swift. Records obtained by KXAN show that across just 14 Central Texas school districts, donors have given at least 6,400 posters since SB 10 became effective.

The law does not require school districts to spend any money on the posters, but it does mandate schools put the posters up once theyve been donated. Records show districts across the state got similar donation inquiries, like Slapes, from lawmakers, national evangelical groups  and even educators at their campuses.

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In the same district where Slape donated, Round Rock ISD, records show a teacher at a local high school donated 30 Ten Commandments posters. Bastrop Independent School District leaders said it had nearly 900 posters donated from multiple unknown individuals. In Liberty Hill, district leaders said a local pastor donated more than 100 posters now hanging in two of its school buildings.

At least one school district, Frisco ISD, told KXAN it used $1,800 in district funds to purchase more than 4,000 Ten Commandment posters for its classrooms. The ACLU is suing the district over its decision to hang the posters up.

Sen. Adam Hinojosa, R-Corpus Christi, was one of the authors of SB 10, and since its passage, he has boasted about donating enough posters for every classroom in his district along the Texas Coastal Bend.

Some of the largest donations in Texas have come from national evangelical organizations.

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Georgetown ISD told KXAN Citizens Defending Freedom, an organization that says part of its mission is to champion faith in schools, donated more than 1,500 Ten Commandment posters to the district. The ACLU is suing the district on behalf of parents who dont want the posters up. A district spokesperson said the posters are not currently displayed pending the outcome of the lawsuit.

The CEO of Citizens Defending Freedom Colby Wiltse told KXAN his organization has donated more than 13,000 Ten Commandment posters to Texas public schools so far, including more than 1,350 posters to Allen ISD in Collin County. A spokesperson for Allen ISD confirmed that a local community member worked with CDF to donate the posters and said the displays are now in classrooms as required by law.

We respect diverse viewpoints and any debate on the establishment clause, Wiltse said. Ultimately, we believe in exposing people to these foundational and moral principles that benefit society.

Sen. Hinojosa also credited Citizens Defending Freedom with his effort to get posters in classrooms. A spokesperson with Hinojosas office said a member of Citizens Defending Freedom delivered the posters to campuses throughout the Corpus Christi area.

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In July  months before the law went into effect  a woman claiming to work with Christian non-profit My Faith Votes asked Hays CISD leaders how many classrooms were in the district. The same woman donated 2,550 posters in August  but listed the donor as Million Voices. The posters are now in every Hays CISD classroom hanging next to the Bill of Rights.

A poster of the Ten Commandments inside a Lehman High School classroom (KXAN Photo/Kelly Wiley)

My Faith Votes and Million Voices are both Texas-based groups that are tied to Vision America Mobilized, a Christian organization incorporated in Texas in 1998 by Richard Scarborough, his wife Tommye Scarborough and Mark Lanier.

In 2021, Vision America added Million Voices Inc as an entity it could do business under. In 2024 it added Faith Voices, and in 2025 My Faith Votes, according to Texas Secretary of State business filings.

Another Christian nonprofit, Restore American Schools, is also tied to Million Voices, according to its website, and is actively making donations. In mid-October, Restore American Schools website said it had adopted nearly 4,800 schools in Texas, which would impact almost 168,000 classrooms and over 3.1 million students.

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Officials with Cherokee ISD  a small district in San Saba County  told KXAN it received a small donation of 30 posters along with a document from Restore American Schools that provides instructions on how to deliver Ten Commandment displays to school campuses.

Cherokee ISD said this document came with the donation of Ten Commandments posters the district received (Cherokee ISD Photo)

KXAN sent emails and called the organizations but did not receive a response.

Some Texas school districts cant put posters up yet

Although school districts have received, in some cases, enough posters for all their classrooms  what districts do next has been more varied.

Within days of Slape sending the email to the Cedar Ridge High School principal offering to donate Ten Commandment posters, she got a response. But it wasnt from school leadership.

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Instead, she got an email from the districts general counsel.

Round Rock ISDs lead attorney Cynthia Hill told her in the email the district was awaiting further judicial guidance before posting donated posters.

Hill was referencing an ongoing lawsuit filed by parents and religious leaders against 11 Texas school districts. The suit alleges the state mandate to post the Ten Commandments would coerce students into religious observance.

U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, out of San Antonio, presides over the case and temporarily ordered school districts not to post the Ten Commandments while the case was ongoing.

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One day after Judge Biery issued the order, attorneys with the American Civil Liberty Union also sent a letter to every school district in the state, warning districts that posting the Ten Commandments could result in them being sued, too.

The federal law clearly says these displays are unconstitutional, Texas ACLU Attorney Sarah Corning said. The law is crystal clear.

But in the days following Judge Bierys order and the ACLUs warning, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a warning, too. In a letter, Paxton advised school districts across the state that only the 11 districts involved in the lawsuit have been ordered not to post donated posters  and said any district not in compliance would be subject to legal action from his office.

The Attorney Generals office has not responded to KXANs question about potential consequences if a district doesnt display them. Paxton also said in his letter to districts that his office would defend school districts against any legal challenges arising from compliance with SB 10.

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The fact that they dont know what exactly that consequence is, is even more problematic. We should be incredibly clear with our school districts, Corning said.

Round Rock ISD has still not yet displayed the posters Slape delivered. In response to Slapes following emails asking how and when the posters would be delivered to individual classrooms, the district said they were being safely stored at the campus.

If the district were to immediately display the donations, we would not only be in danger of a lawsuit, we would be sued by a number of families and several organizations. This would be a tremendous waste of district resources when the question will be fully addressed by the Fifth Circuit in an upcoming decision, Round Rock ISD spokesperson said in a statement to KXAN.

Round Rock ISD is not the only district not displaying the donated posters. In a tweet, Republican State Sen. Mayes Middleton, R-Houston, said he would propose a bill to remove rogue school board trustees after learning Galveston ISD, which is not part of any SB 10-related lawsuit, did not hang the Ten Commandment posters he donated.

Responsibility and Duty

The decision to wait on the outcome of the ongoing lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of SB 10 has come as a relief to some Round Rock ISD families  and a source of frustration to others.

Hope Presbyterian Church Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Josh Robinson (KXAN Photo/Kelly Wiley)

Rev. Dr. Josh Robinson is the father of a Round Rock ISD student and the senior pastor at Hope Presbyterian Church. He worries posting the Ten Commandments without faith leaders present to provide appropriate context can be harmful. He also worries about the message the display sends.

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We have the right, responsibility and the duty within our faith tradition to raise disciples, grow disciples, to be theologically sound, educated and informed as they practice their faith, Robinson said. It is not our duty to go and force that into the faces of the Muslim community or the Jewish community or the non-practicing spiritual but religious community.

Slape  and former school board trustee Mary Bone  in an interview with KXAN said the posters in classrooms amount to a passive display and insist their desire to hang the Ten Commandments in classrooms has more to do with history and morals than converting children to Christianity.

Our God gave us free will, so I am not putting them in there to force anybody, Bone said. I did think, Hey the Christian children that are in our schools  and the Jewish children, those of faith  need to be able to see that, hey, your ancestors built an amazing country. And we are going to put back in the classroom a passive display that shows that these are good moral codes of our country and if students read them and they come to faith through them, thats amazing.

News Director Haley Cihock, Director of Investigations & Innovation Josh Hinkle, Investigative Photojournalist Chris Nelson and Digital Director Kate Winkle contributed to this report.

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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.
BOWIE CO., Texas (KTAL/KMSS)  This year, the Texas Ramp Project is celebrating 40 years of building wheelchair ramps for those in need, and Tuesday, the local group carrying out that mission celebrated building 40 ramps this year alone.

With a little lumber and a few power tools, the team of volunteers is changing lives.

Youre going to make me cry. That makes me happy for her, said Connie Green after the group was done building a ramp at her mothers home.

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Greens mother, Peggy, is battling cancer.

More Texas news

Its metastasized into her bones, and theyre deteriorating so fast they had to put a rod in her leg. So coming up and down the stairs, pretty much impossible, but shes such a fighter  she doesnt want to slow down. With doctors appointments three days a week for the chemotherapy, the fear was falling coming down the stairs, said Green.

Now, on top of those stairs is a ramp, built and installed for free.

Without the ramp, literally, I think we would have had to, against her wishes, pack her up and move her, said Green.

Greens mother is one of many who have been given a new path forward by volunteers serving Bowie County through the Texas Ramp Project.

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People that are on hospice, and people that have had strokes or knee issues, ramps make it easy to get in and out of their homes. They get to the doctors appointments, they can get to the grocery store, they can even get outside and just spend time in the sun, said Jim Aldridge, the groups coordinator.

They do this work because they see the impact it can have, and they dont plan on stopping anytime soon.

East Texas Food Bank braces for higher demand after SNAP cuts

They built this ramp in 90 minutes and loaded up and headed to a second location. Theyre just truly doing Gods work, said Green.

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The volunteers say they can usually install one ramp a week, but their list of people in need currently has about 60 names, and is growing all the time.

To continue their work, the group is seeking donations and additional volunteers who want to make a difference. If you would like to help or refer someone who needs a ramp, visit the Texas Ramp Project 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 KTALnews.com.
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  TexasWorks, a new educational program, launched on Wednesday at Premier High School in Tyler, offering tuition-free high school diplomas and career certifications for adults.

The program is the only statewide tuition-free charter school and aims to equip adults with the skills needed for high-demand jobs. Premiere High School held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday morning to celebrate the opening of the co-located schools.

This expansion is about opening doors, Dr. Elizabeth Camarena, Brand Superintendent of TexasWorks, said. Each new campus represents new opportunities for adults across Texas to complete their education, earn certifications, and step confidently into meaningful, high-demand careers.

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Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock attended the ceremony and spoke about the importance of programs like TexasWorks in building a skilled workforce to support the booming industries in East Texas.

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.

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.
A fire broke out at a thermal power plant in the Russian-occupied part of Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast, causing a widespread power outage across the region, independent outlet Astra reported on Oct. 30.

The accident at the Luhansk thermal power plant, located near the city of Shchastia, resulted in the shutdown of boiler rooms and pumping stations, according to the Astra report.

Leonid Pasechnik, the Russia-installed head of the occupied territories in Luhansk Oblast, said that "the large-scale power outage in the republic is due to an accident on the power grids."

Luhansk Oblast (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent)

"An emergency meeting of the headquarters for ensuring the region's electricity supply security has been convened," Pasechnik wrote on Telegram.

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Ukrainian journalist Andriy Tsaplienko reported that there was a "hit" on the power plant. Ukraine has not commented on the incident.

Shchastia has been occupied by Russia since 2022.

Read also: Why does Russia want Donbas? 6 things to know about the region Ukraine is being pressured to give up

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A freeway sign marking the President Barack H. Obama Highway near Eagle Rock has been stolen.

As first reported by The Eastsider, the sign, located on the eastbound 134 Freeway at Harvey Drive in Glendale, disappeared sometime between July 2024 and May of this year.

We dont know exactly when the sign was stolen, but Caltrans submitted a request to replace the sign on June 25. The cost to replace a sign like this is around $4,000. The average turnaround time for the sign to be replaced is about six months, depending on the manufacturer, Katy Macek, a public information officer with Caltrans, said in an emailed statement to KTLA.

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The 134 Freeway between State Route 2 in Glendale and Interstate 210 in Pasadena was officially renamed in 2017 to honor the 44th president of the United States. Signs were installed the following year.

The stretch of highway passes near Occidental College, where former Obama studied from 1979 to 1981 before transferring to Columbia University in New York City.

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.
For the third time since Germany's change of government, a group of Afghans approved for resettlement has flown from Pakistan to Germany.

The group is travelling on a commercial flight with a stopover in Istanbul before heading to Germany, according to a dpa journalist at Islamabad airport.

Previous groups of Afghans eligible under German admission schemes for particularly vulnerable people were flown to Hanover and later distributed across the country.

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Germany's Interior Ministry has repeatedly stressed that all Afghans with entry approval undergo full screening and security checks before entering the country.

Many Afghan families have been stranded in Islamabad for months or years, waiting for their chance to leave. Germany's conservative-led coalition government suspended a resettlement programme for particularly vulnerable Afghans in May.

The scheme had covered former local staff of German institutions, their relatives and others fearing persecution by the Taliban, such as lawyers and journalists.

Some Afghans are still being granted visas despite the suspension, after successfully suing in German courts to enforce their right to entry. Several of the cases are supported by the aid group Kabul Airlift.

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According to the German government, around 1,910 Afghans with approved admission or declarations of acceptance remain in Pakistan.

These include about 220 former local staff and relatives, 60 people on a human rights protection list, 600 under a temporary bridging programme and roughly 1,030 under the broader federal admission scheme for Afghanistan.

In its coalition agreement, the German government pledged to end voluntary federal admission programmes such as those for Afghanistan and not to introduce new ones.
Editors Note  Updates to this story include clarification of information and correction of details provided in earlier updates to the original version which was published.

WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The third suspect in the murder of a Capitol Hill intern was arrested Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police Department announced.

Police said 18-year-old Naqwan Antonio Lucas was wanted for his involvement in two deadly shootings, and a $75,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.

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Investigators said Lucas and two 17-year-olds, Jailen Lucas and Kelvin Thomas Jr., were responsible for the June 30 killing of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21. They were previously indicted by a grand jury.

Naqwan Lucas was arrested in Germantown, Md. on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty Thursday afternoon to two counts of first-degree murder during his arraignment, charged with the murder of both Tarpinian-Jachym and his 17-year-old girlfriend Zoe Kelley.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Congressional intern killed in triple shooting in Mt. Vernon Square

Tarpinian-Jachym, a University of Massachusetts Amherst student, was interning in the office of U.S. Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.). Tarpinian-Jachym was walking near the Mount Vernon Square Metro Station on the evening of June 30 when he was shot.

Eric Tarpinian-Jachym

U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro gave an update on the shooting during a press conference on Thursday, as seen below:

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A 42-year-old woman and a boy who was riding a bike were hit by gunfire and survived the shooting. The woman was walking into a bar five blocks away when she was shot in the back of her thigh. The boy was shot twice: once in the chest and once in the stomach.

Pirro said the teens went to 7th and O Street NW to look for rivals to kill.

They were The Tyler House. They were masked up. They were gunned up and they were ready for a fight, Pirro said.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said Tarpinian-Jachym was not the intended target of the shooting.

Police said 79 rounds of ammunition were found on the ground.

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Just four days later on July 4, Pirro said Naqwan Lucas shot and killed Kelley in the 1700 block of Benning Rd. NE.

Her body was found in a storage container covered by blankets inside the closet of Lucas fathers roommate.

This was so devastating to us to have this all of a sudden done, someone taken away from us like this, said her mother Shamika Kelley.

Zoey Kelley

After Naqwan Lucas arrest, Shamika Kelley said shes feeling joy.

I guess you could say this is the beginning of our healing process, Shamika Kelley said.

We rest in knowing that justice up until now has been served. And were just looking forward to the path forward ahead, said Marcus Hickman, Zoe Kelleys uncle.

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Her family remembers her as the life of the party and a friend who laughed, played and cried with them, always someone who they could count on. She was accepted into the firefighter academy while she finished her senior year.

Pirro wouldnt say if the two cases are connected but she did say all three suspects were known to the juvenile system.

Two innocent souls were taken from us in what I believe were predictable homicides based upon the behavior of these individuals and the records that everyone knew about, Pirro said during Thursdays conference.

Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym echoed Pirros calls for the DC Council to pass stricter laws.

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This should have never happened if we had good laws in place in D.C. for violent teen criminals, Tamara Tarpinian-Jachym said.

READ NEXT: They need to be made accountable:Two 17-year-olds arrested, another teen sought in deadly DC shooting of Congressional intern

MPD said in early September that officers arrested Jailen Lucas and Thomas, both now being charged as adults.

MPD Chief Pamela Smith commented on the arrests Thursday, stating, We hope that todays development would bring a measure of peace to their loved ones. We know it wont bring them back, and we know that nothing can take away the pain of the loss that they felt, but it is my prayer and it is our collective prayer that this moment offers some sort of comfort as they continue to grieve and heal.

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The Metropolitan Police Department announced the arrest of 18-year-old Naqwan Antonio Lucas, who was wanted in connection with two separate homicide investigations, including the death of congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym.

Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old University of Massachusetts Amherst student from Granby, was interning in the office of U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kansas, when he was shot and killed June 30 near 1200 7th St. NW in Washington, D.C.

In early September, two 17-year-olds, identified as Jalen Lucas and Kelvin Thomas Jr., were charged as adults in the case. Police identified Lucas on Thursday as the third and final suspect.

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Lucas was identified as a suspect in a separate death investigation for 17-year-old Zoey Kelley, of Southeast D.C., Metropolitan Police said. Kelley died at the scene after being shot in the 1700 block of Benning Road, Northeast on July 4.

Lucas was arrested in Germantown, Maryland and was charged with first degree murder while armed (premeditated) pursuant to a D.C. Superior Court arrest warrant for his role in the homicide of Tarpinian-Jachym and Kelley, authorities said.

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Authorities have arrested a third suspect in connection with the killing of congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym earlier this year, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said in a press conference Thursday.

Naqwan Lucas, 18, was arrested in Germantown, Maryland, on Wednesday night, local officials told reporters, and appeared in court on Thursday facing charges of premeditated first-degree murder while armed.

Tarpinian-Jachym  a 21-year-old University of Massachusetts student interning for Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.)  was shot and killed in D.C. on June 30, caught in what prosecutors have described as the crossfire of targeted gunshots in the citys Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood.

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His life was about being an intern and living in Washington, Pirro said. I spoke to his mother again today. His birthday was two days ago. And she thought that it was an angel that came down and helped the police to make an arrest in this case.

Lucas pleaded not guilty at a hearing Thursday, according to court documents. His court-appointed attorney could not immediately be reached.

In additon to Tarpinian-Jachyms killing, 17-year-old Zoe Kelly was shot and killed in Northeast D.C. later in the week  the second attack that local officials alleged Lucas was involved in. Law enforcement officials said Lucas would be charged with premeditated murder for the death of Kelly, but declined to comment on a motive in the case.

Lucas brother Jalen Lucas and Colin Thomas  both 17-year-olds  were arrested in September in connection with Tarpinian-Jachyms death and tried as adults under charges of first-degree murder.

Tarpinian-Jachyms killing in June was also a catalyst for President Donald Trumps decision to deploy the National Guard to fight crime on Washingtons streets just weeks later.
Screenshot via This Past Weekend

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) ripped into the Republican Partys leadership on Thursday after Vice President JD Vance called him out by name and claimed the party cant rely on his support in Congress.

Vance was asked at a Turning Point USA event in Mississippi on Wednesday why Massie has earned the ire of President Donald Trump, who has publicly lashed out at the congressman.

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According to Vance, Massie has made issues by going against the party on every issue. This is despite the fact that the Libertarian-leaning congressman actually votes with his party 91% of the time, according to GOP Scorecard.

Voting against the party on every single issue? Youre eventually going to make too many enemies and that is the problem that Thomas has had, Vance said. Its not one issue, its not three or four issues, its that every time weve needed Thomas for a vote, he has been completely unwilling to provide it. That is why the president of the United States has trained his ire on Thomas Massie. Its because we can never count on him.

Massie has earned pushback in his own party recently over legislation he introduced to force the release of more documents related to the case of child sex predator Jeffrey Epstein.

The billionaire and former friend of the presidents died of an apparent suicide while awaiting sex trafficking charges in 2019.

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Trump split his voters earlier this year when the FBI and Department of Justice released a memo confirming Epsteins suicide and denying accusations that Epstein sex trafficked for any high-profile associates, despite his victims saying that is what happened.

Massie has maintained his position and even accused his partys leaders of protecting sex traffickers in a Thursday X post following Vances comments about him.

When leaders of my own party protect sex traffickers, spend our grandkids into oblivion, fund endless wars, lockdown our citizens, bailout corporations, bow to other countries, and hurt small farmers its true that I wont be their yes man.  Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) October 30, 2025

When leaders of my own party protect sex traffickers, spend our grandkids into oblivion, fund endless wars, lockdown our citizens, bailout corporations, bow to other countries, and hurt small farmersits true that I wont be their yes man, he wrote.

Trump recently blasted Massie as a weak and pathetic RINO, claiming, He only votes against the Republican Party.

The post Thomas Massie Hits His Own Party for Protecting Sex Traffickers After JD Vance Says They Cant Count On Him first appeared on Mediaite.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Thousands gathered at the Moody Center in Austin on Wednesday for the Texas Conference for Women to listen to keynote speakers, make connections and participate in workshops aimed at career growth.

KXANs Sally Hernandez and Erica Brennes were among the individuals who helped facilitate conversations with keynote speakers.

Keynote speakers at the conference included:

The Moody Center in Austin hosted the Texas Conference for Women, where thousands gathered to listen to keynote speakers, make connections, and participate in workshops aimed at career growth. (KXAN News/Aidan Boyd) The Moody Center in Austin hosted the Texas Conference for Women, where thousands gathered to listen to keynote speakers, make connections, and participate in workshops aimed at career growth. (KXAN News/Aidan Boyd) The Moody Center in Austin hosted the Texas Conference for Women, where thousands gathered to listen to keynote speakers, make connections, and participate in workshops aimed at career growth. (KXAN News/Aidan Boyd) The Moody Center in Austin hosted the Texas Conference for Women, where thousands gathered to listen to keynote speakers, make connections, and participate in workshops aimed at career growth. (KXAN News/Aidan Boyd)

Mel Robbins, before she took the stage on Wednesday, said this was a full-circle moment for her. 13 years ago, Robbins took part in the conference while facing $800,000 in debt.

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When I took that stage and I started talking about this tool called the five-second rule. That I had used to get myself out of bed on those days that the anxiety and depression were pinning me down. At that moment, 13 years ago, standing in front of a group of women, I needed the encouragement, Robbins 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 KXAN Austin.
British Development minister Jenny Chapman has reiterated her

countrys support for the Autonomy plan offered by Morocco for the

Sahara under its sovereignty, describing the plan as the right

pragmatic way forward.

During a debate held Monday at the House of Lords on the Sahara

conflict, Baroness Chapman of Darlington said : given the length of

time that this conflict has gone on and the situation that we are now in. It was the right thing to do.

We remain incredibly close to our friends in Morocco and we hope that this can proceed in a way that brings peace and stability to the entire region, she added.

The way that the United Kingdom is conducting itself as we move on is with

pragmatism and in accordance with the things we have signed up to and the commitments we have made, alongside Morocco. Importantly, we do this with full transparency, underlined the minister.

In June, the UK has endorsed Moroccos Autonomy Plan proposed for the Sahara in 2007, labelling the plan as the most credible, viable and pragmatic basis for resolving the dispute.
As much as 500 million of energy debt is set to be paid off as millions of UK households face an additional 5 charge on their bills, the energy regulator has said.

This move aims to help suppliers recover significant sums accumulated during the ongoing energy crisis that have gone uncollected.

Ofgem, the industry watchdog, announced its intention to "reset and reform" the UK's growing pile of energy debt. The regulator anticipates writing off up to 500 million of historic debt, a measure that could potentially assist around 195,000 individuals struggling with arrears.

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While this new levy is introduced, Ofgem suggested the proposed 5 rise could be lower, depending on the scheme's uptake. It also expects the impact to be partially offset by new measures aimed at reducing customer contributions towards debt-related costs, such as collection fees.

Currently, a 52 annual charge is already incorporated into household energy bills under the existing price cap to cover unrecoverable debts.

As much as 500 million of energy debt is set to be paid off (PA) (PA Wire)

A final consultation on the initial phase of this debt relief scheme is expected to be released shortly.

Figures published by Ofgem last month showed that the money owed to suppliers by households in England, Scotland and Wales surged to a new record high of 4.4 billion by the end of June.

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The average debt for people who do not have a repayment plan with their provider currently stands at about 1,716 per household.

Ofgem said that in a worst-case scenario, between 1.1bn and 1.7bn of historic debt, according to supplier estimates, is never paid and will be written off.

It comes only a day after MPs called on the regulator to pay down some of the energy debt bill through windfall taxes on suppliers.

However, the cost of unpaid debts will continue to be covered by being reclaimed across all households bills.

Ofgem said it is pushing forward with proposals to bring the debt down and reform how these debts are managed in order to prevent it growing as high in future and, therefore, reducing the cost to all households.

Ofgem, the industry watchdog, announced its intention to "reset and reform" the UK's growing pile of energy debt (AFP/Getty)

Other proposals by Ofgem include plans to trial changes to the process households must follow when they move into a new property.

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Charlotte Friel, director for retail pricing and systems at Ofgem, said: We know the growing amount of debt in the energy system is a significant challenge.

We must protect consumers by striking the right balance between making sure those that can pay are supported to do so, and targeting support at those who need it most.

These proposals will both directly reach households and relieve the burden of unmanageable debt, while also making changes to the way that debt is managed in the sector.

The first phase of the scheme, set to launch early next year, will focus on people in receipt of means-tested benefits with more than 100 of debt built up during the energy crisis.

It added that eligible households will be expected to make some contribution towards debts and current energy use, or work with debt advice charities if unable to make payments.
Thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews gathered in Jerusalem on Thursday to protest the drafting of young men from their community into military service.

The demonstration caused overcrowding on public transport as many participants travelled to the city, and the main highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem was temporarily closed.

The dispute over a push to require more ultra-Orthodox men to serve in the military is increasingly seen as a political and social test in Israel. It also poses a potential threat to the stability of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing religious coalition.

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For decades, ultra-Orthodox men in Israel were exempt from compulsory military service.

That exemption expired last year, and the government failed to pass legislation preserving the special status. In June 2024, Israel's Supreme Court ruled that the military must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men.

Cultural and security tensions collide

Many ultra-Orthodox Jews view military service as a threat to their religious lifestyle, particularly because men and women serve together.

The Israeli military has warned that a shortage of combat-ready troops could undermine its capabilities.

Many Israelis also see it as unfair that ultra-Orthodox men have traditionally been exempt from service and front-line combat.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish protesters gather in Jerusalem to protest against the drafting of young men from their community into military service. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa
Tens of thousands of protesters have marched in Jerusalem to demand that ultra-Orthodox Jewish people remain exempt from Israeli military service.

Approximately 200,000 people, mostly men clad in traditional black suits and hats carrying placards denouncing conscription, brought West Jerusalem to a standstill Thursday, clogging roads and setting fire to pieces of tarpaulin, local media reported.

At least 2,000 police officers were mobilised to respond to the demonstration.

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One teenager died at the largely peaceful protest after falling from a building under construction next to the protest, police said.

Banners seen at the protest declared: The people are with the Torah and Closing the yeshiva  a death sentence for Judaism.

The mass demonstration follows a recent crackdown, with thousands of call-up notices sent to ultra-Orthodox people in recent months and several deserters imprisoned.

Right now, people who refuse to go to the army are taken to military prison, said Shmuel Orbach, a protester, Its not so bad. But we are a Jewish country. You cannot fight against Judaism in a Jewish country; it does not work.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men gather on and below the Chords Bridge during a protest against Israeli military conscription in Jerusalem, October 30, 2025 [Ammar Awad/Reuters]

The debate over military service  and who is exempt  has long caused tensions in Israeli society and become a political headache for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his countrys two-year war on Gaza.

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Under a ruling established at the time of Israels creation in 1948, when the ultra-Orthodox were a very small community, men who devote themselves full-time to the study of sacred Jewish texts are given a de facto pass.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews make up 14 percent of Israels Jewish population, or about 1.3 million people, and roughly 66,000 men of military age currently benefit from the exemption.

Frustration at the exemption has grown amid Israels wars on Gaza, Lebanon and Iran since 2023, as the Israeli military death toll reached the highest number for decades.

Last year, Israels Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the military must begin drafting ultra-Orthodox men for service.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men gather on the Chords Bridge during a protest against Israeli military conscription in Jerusalem, October 30, 2025 [Ammar Awad/Reuters]

In its ruling, the court said that in the absence of a law that distinguishes between Jewish seminary students and other draftees, Israels compulsory military service system applies to ultra-Orthodox men like any other citizen.

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That ruling has had a destabilising effect on Netanyahus coalition government. In July, Israels ultra-Orthodox party, United Torah Judaism (UTJ), announced it was quitting the countrys fractious right-wing coalition, leaving Netanyahu with a razor-thin majority in the Knesset.

Parliament has been struggling to draft a new conscription bill, which has so far failed to meet both the ultra-Orthodox demands and those of a stretched military.

Israel is scheduled to hold elections by late October 2026, with at least 11 new political parties already registered and Netanyahus opposition once again searching for a way to unseat him.
MONROE  Township residents will have three options on the ballot in next weeks election.

The choices are between two incumbents and one challenger, seeking two seats.

John Griggs

Griggs, a long-time Monroe resident, has been a trustee since 2002, and worked for the Ohio Department of Transportation and Ashtabula County Highway Department.

The residents need an experienced trustee who also has a road maintenance background, he said.

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Griggs said his priorities are providing emergency services to township residents and continuing ditching and paving projects.

He said township infrastructure projects are part of a five-year plan for Monroe.

I have the experience and dedication to follow through on our projected five-year plan, Griggs said.

He said the three current trustees have worked well together.

We have been able to pave one mile of dirt road each year and stay within our budget, Griggs said.

Roger Sherman

Sherman has been a resident of Monroe for 40 years, is self-employed as a farmer and is married with two grown children.

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He has been a trustee for 12 years.

Sherman said he wants to continue advancing township projects he started as trustee.

The projects we are working on are improving the roads by working on the drainage system and paving, he said.

Sherman said he wants to improve the services of the Monroe Volunteer Fire Department.

The department has taken a larger role after the dissolution of the Northeast Joint Fire District, of which Monroe was a part.

I am working on having our department fully staffed with trained personnel to be able to provide quality services for the residents of Monroe and surrounding communities, Sherman said.

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William Harvey

Harvey has been a resident of Monroe for 50 years, and his career includes work in road construction and the Pierpont Volunteer Fire Department.

I decided to run because this township has seen better days, he said. The roads need the proper road work, and the ditches need taken care of.

Transparency is important, Harvey said.

The meets need to remain open even when people have a difference of opinion, he said. You can not just go behind closed doors and finish meets when it gets tough.

Harvey said his main priorities are road and ditch work and addressing community concerns.

I feel that the voters should choose me because the other options have been there for a while, and we havent gotten any results, he said.

Harvey said he is retired, so he has the knowledge and time to lead township government.
Sugar is one of the most fundamental food products in the world, and the countries that supply the most sugar are unsurprisingly spread out all over the globe. Sugar, of course, comes from all different kinds of crops, but when it comes to the commercial production of the different types of sugar we use in cooking and baking, two dominate. There's the classic sugar cane that most people think of when they think of white sugar, and there are also sugar beets. Both crops grow in different climates, which means sugar is produced everywhere from Russia to the tropics, but the countries that most dominate sugar production tend to be sugar cane producers from the hotter regions of the world.

The top three sugar suppliers all fit that bill, with Brazil, India, and China being the world's largest single countries that produce sugar, although the European Union as a whole actually produces more than China. Brazil and India are the true dominant forces in sugar, with Brazil producing 24% of the world's supply, and India 14%. China ends up at only 6%, which is barely ahead of fourth-place Thailand, and the United States in fifth place (per U.S. Department of Agriculture), which produces both sugar cane in Southern states like Louisiana, and sugar beets in Northern ones like Minnesota. But while climate plays a big part in who the top producers of sugar are, a larger part than you might think comes from government programs, and not just for sweet sugar meant for eating.

Read more: 14 Once-Popular Desserts From The 1970s

Good climate and government program have made Brazil the world's top sugar producer

field of growing sugarcane - Angkhan/Getty Images

The sugarcane used to produce most sugar is a tropical grass, and it requires a large amount of water to grow. It can only survive in climates where the average year-round temperature is above 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so it must be grown in tropical locations that are both hot and moist. With massive amounts of tropical land and a modern economy with a more developed infrastructure, Brazil is basically perfect.

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Sugarcane production in Brazil dates back to the 16th century, when the Portuguese brought it over during the early colonization period. In that era, sugar was as valuable as gold, and sugarcane plantations were used as an economic incentive to get people to settle in Brazil. The eventual success of sugar plantations brought prosperity to the colonies and made sugarcane an important part of Brazilian cooking, but also led to the importation of African slaves, as coerced labor was the only option in the brutal working conditions of tropical plantations.

Brazil gradually lost its position as a leading sugar producer until the late 20th century. Then, in 1970, the Brazilian government established a program to subsidize the production of ethanol, which is made with sugarcane in Brazil. After the 1973 oil crisis, ethanol production soared, and having this financial safeguard also helped sugar production from sugarcane skyrocket again. Combined with the climate, this government program is the key to Brazil's place as a sugar powerhouse.

India has challenged Brazil as the leading sugar producer for decades

Indian children transporting sugarcane - Anindito Mukherjee/Getty Images

India has been producing sugar for longer than Brazil, with evidence of sugar refining dating back as early as the 4th century, but it was only in the 20th century that modern industrial production of sugar emerged. Industrial production took off in the 1930s with government protections in place, and in the 1950s, sugar mills became an integral part of the government's plans to develop rural areas of the country.

Like Brazil, sugar-producing regions of India are warm and get high rainfall thanks to the monsoon. However the climate conditions are more seasonal and less predictable, so India's sugar growers are less productive than other countries, and infrastructure like irrigation is needed to ensure the crop gets the required water year-round. Because of this, India's production of sugar surges and drops by year. It was actually the world's largest sugar producer as recently as 2022, but drought then caused a cutback in production (per Investopedia).

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India has one other big factor supporting its sugar industry. While it doesn't consume the most sugar in the world per person, the country is the largest consumer of sugar overall. India uses a variety of sweeteners, including unrefined products made from cane sugar like jaggery and khan sari. With such a large domestic market, India's sugar consumption often outweighs its production, although with increasing productivity, India is still hoping to overtake Brazil permanently as the world's top sugar producer.

China has developed its sugar industry to meet high demand

aerial view of Chinese sugarcane - Wonry/Getty Images

Like India, China has a long history of growing sugar cane. Wild varieties of the plant grow throughout the south of the country, and sugar syrup has been processed since the 4th century B.C. Sugar beets are also grown in the north, but sugar cane in the south is the dominant source of sugar, accounting for 90% of Chinese production. Sugar cane plantations are heavily concentrated in the hot and humid provinces in the far south, with Guangxi, which is west of Hong Kong and borders Vietnam, providing over 65% of all Chinese sugar (per Sugarcane - Technology and Research). China has been the third largest producer for years; however, Thailand has been challenging it, and in the most recent measurements, it was only about 10% behind China's (per U.S. Department of Agriculture).

China is not a huge consumer of sugar on a per capita basis, consuming only half of what people in India do and less than one-sixth of Americans, the largest consumers of sugar in the world. However, rising incomes mean sugar consumption has been increasing, and the size of the country still makes it a huge market for sugar. The Chinese government has set up programs to encourage the production of sugarcane, but domestic supply hasn't kept up with demand. Its neighbor, Thailand, is a major exporter and source of sugar in China, and the manual labor required to produce sugar in China has become more expensive. So, despite its large output of sugar, China remains a major importer.

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Authorities in Mississippi searched fields along Interstate 59 on Wednesday for three rhesus macaques that escaped when a truck carrying 21 of the primates overturned a day earlier in Jasper County.

The crash occurred about 75 miles east of Jackson. Animal experts from Tulane University examined the trailer Tuesday evening and confirmed that three monkeys remained missing, the Jasper County Sheriffs Department said.

Most of the escaped animals were killed at the scene.

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The department initially acted on the drivers report that the monkeys were aggressive, carried hepatitis C, herpes, and COVID, and required protective gear to handle.

The driver of the truck told local law enforcement that the monkeys were dangerous and posed a threat to humans, the sheriffs department said. We took the appropriate actions after being given that information from the person transporting the monkeys.

Tulane University disputed the claims.

The primates in question were not carrying any diseases and had received recent checkups confirming that they were pathogen-free, the school said on Wednesday, NBC News reported.

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The university added that the monkeys belonged to another entity, were not being transported by Tulane, and had not been exposed to any infectious agent.

The schools National Biomedical Research Center in Covington, Louisiana, provides primates to research organizations to advance scientific discovery, but the monkeys in the crash were not owned by Tulane, and not in Tulanes custody, the university said, per Fox 13. A Tulane team was sent to assist local authorities.

Searchers wearing masks, face shields, gloves, and white coats scoured tall grass near crumpled crates marked live animals. The truck was no longer at the scene.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks warned that rhesus macaques are known to be aggressive. Residents who spot the animals should call 1-800-BE-SMART and refrain from approaching them.

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The Mississippi Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. State veterinarian Dr. James Watson confirmed the monkeys had proper transport documents and a certificate of veterinary inspection.

An animal disposal firm removed carcasses from the site. The remaining caged monkeys were returned to Louisiana.
Police have charged three suspects in a multi-day commercial burglary spree in Wolcott.

Two of the suspects, identified as 39-year-old Jessy Capocci of Watertown and 36-year-old Roberto Rivera of Waterbury, were arrested Tuesday when detectives spotted them while conducting surveillance on Chase Avenue in Waterbury where they were reportedly known to frequent, according to the Wolcott Police Department.

A third suspect, 51-year-old Michael Bachand of Wolcott, was charged earlier this month.

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According to police, officers responded to the report of a burglary at Hitchcock Pizza on Meriden Road on Sept. 30. While at the scene, they were alerted to a burglary at Vitos Pizza on the same road.

Police said they had already developed a suspect before learning of two more burglaries on Oct. 1 on Meriden Road. During one of them, the burglars forced their way into Hertz Car Rental and broke into a safe before stealing numerous rental car keys. Two vehicles were then stolen from the lot.

The suspects then drove one of the stolen vehicles into the front doors of the Quick Mart convenience store next door. Police noted that very little cash was taken during the burglaries but extensive damage was caused to all of the businesses.

The next day, detectives conducted surveillance around 1 a.m. on Bachand, who was identified as a suspect, police said. Police noted that he has an extensive criminal history involving larcenies and burglaries and, at the time, had three warrants out of Danbury, New Milford and Meriden out for his arrest.

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While surveilling Bachand, he was allegedly seen driving a vehicle similar to one captured on surveillance footage during one of the burglaries, according to police. Police pulled him over and arrested him for the outstanding warrants.

While being held on bond at the Wolcott Police Department, police allege Bachand confessed to the burglaries and alerted detectives to two additional suspects, who were identified as Capocci and Rivera, according to police. Investigators later obtained warrants for all three suspects.

Capocci faces two counts each of third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, first-degree larceny (motor vehicle theft), conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny and first-degree criminal mischief. Police said she had three warrants for her arrest out of Cheshire, Wallingford and Torrington on burglary and larceny charges.

Capocci was held on a $200,000 pending an arraignment in Waterbury Superior Court.

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Rivera has been charged with two counts each of conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit first-degree criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny of a motor vehicle and a single count each of third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit third-degree larceny.

He was held on a $200,000 bond pending an arraignment.

Police said Bachand is expected to be charged on Nov. 5 when he returns to court on his pending cases. Police hold a warrant charging him with four counts of third-degree burglary, two counts each of conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree criminal mischief and conspiracy to commit first-degree criminal mischief and a single count each of first-degree larceny of a motor vehicle, third-degree larceny, sixth-degree larceny, criminal trover and possession of burglary tools.

I want to commend the diligent work of our Detective Division in swiftly identifying and apprehending the suspects responsible for this series of burglaries, the police department said in a statement. The department also extends appreciation to the business owners for their cooperation and to neighboring police agencies for their assistance during this investigation.
(NewsNation)  The U.S. and China have finalized a deal to allow popular social media app TikTok to continue to operate in the U.S., according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

In Kuala Lumpur, we finalized the TikTok agreement in terms of getting Chinese approval, Bessent told Fox Business. And I would expect that would go forward in the coming weeks and months, and well finally see a resolution to that.

The deal will include TikTok being spun off into a separate U.S. entity that is owned by American investors.

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President Donald Trump has been working to negotiate a deal since taking office, repeatedly delaying enforcement of a law passed by Congress that would ban TikTok from operating in the U.S. unless it was sold to American investors.

Tariffs, trade and TikTok: Takeaways from Trump-Xi meeting

While TikTok is a Singaporean company, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed fears that it was a national security threat because the apps parent company, ByteDance, is a Chinese company.

While Congress was united in opposition to the app, American users objected and questioned the motivation behind a ban.

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Bessents comments come as Trump is winding up a trip through Asia, including a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The pair also discussed trade and efforts to cool down an escalating trade war.

While Bessent indicated the deal was done, a Chinese spokesperson with the Ministry of Commerce was more cautious, saying on Thursday that Beijing had agreed to work with the U.S. to resolve issues.

The Hill contributed to this 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 NewsNation.
The Republic of Paraguay, which recognizes Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara, has decided to open soon a Consulate in the Moroccan Saharan territory.

The decision was announced by FM of this South America country Ruben Ramirez Lezcano during a meeting held Wednesday in Rabat with Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.

Paraguays top diplomat has also reaffirmed his countrys full support for Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara and for the autonomy plan presented by the Kingdom in 2007, describing the plan as the only serious, credible and realistic basis for the resolution of the regional dispute.

During their Rabat meeting, the two ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation ties between Morocco and Paraguay in renewable energy, logistics, agriculture, air transport, and tourism.

As Morocco is a major industrial & logistics hub in Africa, while Paraguay is a major player in agro-industry and hydroelectricity in South America, the two countries have pledged to build a sustainable Atlantic economic partnership In their joint declaration, Bourita and his Paraguayan peer also agreed to foster cooperation between Morocco and MERCOSUR to promote a balanced and solidary partnership across the South Atlantic.

The Moroccan FM commended the economic vision of President Santiago Pena, focusing on social justice and modernization, while Ramirez Lezcano hailed the royal initiatives, especially the African Atlantic States Process, the Initiative seeking to enable Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlantic African Gas Pipeline seeking shared prosperity and stability.
Even back to the days of Charles Manson, a violent cult leader, there were pockets of people who cheered and reveled in violence. But all too common today are the groupies who adulate the CEO killer, the social media maven who praises the assassination of Charlie Kirk, or the miscreant who says they wish presidential assassins had been successful.

In todays social-media fueled world, every heinous act of violence spawns a great majority of people who condemn it and a smaller counter-reaction of people who cheer it and call for more. Maybe this was always the case, but those who supported such violence could not as easily band together as they can today. Social media allows the violence lovers to find like-minded individuals, legitimizing their response, further encouraging future violence.

Kirk held no elected office. His only weapons were words and open debate. Despite this, nearly one in five Americans shockingly declared in surveys that his assassination was justified, according to a Harvard CAPS Harris poll. The path to such thoughts is clear. The opposition on the left characterized Kirks positions as "hate" despite his willingness to debate anyone anywhere. Once his speech was then characterized as violence - the resultant deadly violence became justified.

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Almost 3 in 4 voters (72%) decry todays polarizing political rhetoric as a cause of contemporary violence, and over 4 in 5 state it is unacceptable for their own political party to use violence to achieve its aims.

Notably, though, 74% of GOP voters see Democrats rhetoric as too extreme, compared to just the 27% who call their own party extreme. The effect is mirrored on the other side of the aisle, with 84% of Democrats calling the GOP too extreme, but a mere 33% saying the same of their own party.This drive of the parties to polarize the electorate rather than convince swing voters is reflected in the current pointless government shutdown. The political coin of the realm these days is in satisfying the base with increasingly incendiary words and actions.

That said, voters from all sides agree on the destructive role of social media, with 64% stating that social media encourages violent behavior.

A solid 85% agreed that talking heads in the media celebrating Charies Kirks death were inappropriate. At the same time, though, voters are strong believers in the First Amendment. Of the same group, 54% stated that Jimmy Kimmels late-night show should not have been suspended over Kimmels comments about Kirks death, and 58% even supported his return to late-night television.

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And thats the thing about the First Amendment - it requires some level of self-restraint and responsibility, or it becomes the amendment that allows society to destroy itself. Or it allows the forces who want to destroy society to masquerade as merely those who would question it. It requires vigilance in allowing political debate but also in finding fair limits.

The Jay Jones scandal is a case in point. He called for the killing of his political opponents and appeared to be quite serious about it. Predictably, he called them Hitler and said that it should be done with two bullets to the head. Despite these inflammatory sentiments, Jones remains committed to his bid for - of all jobs - attorney general of Virginia. Its difficult for us to understand how someone willing to threaten killing his political opponents remains an appropriate candidate for attorney general.

Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois and others are villainizing the ICE agents in dire language that is an open invitation to violence. On ICE agents, Pritzker claimed "They were going after a few gang members, and instead, they broke windows, they broke down doors, they ransacked the place ... They are the ones that are making it a war zone." ''.ord('').';'''.ord('').';'''.ord('').';'ICE agents are being accused essentially of kidnapping people randomly on the street based on racial profiling and "disappearing" them as was done by the Argentine junta, and the result is encouraging violence against federal officials.

Its easy to condemn violence, but harder to do something about it. For starters, we need a bipartisan group of lawmakers to come together and stand clearly and unequivocally for bringing down the political temperature. They should agree on a set of basic principles outlining the bounds of attack language, which must include no longer calling opponents "Hitler" and other names that function to justify violence. They should condemn the recent political assassinations and attempted murders unequivocally - without exceptions or thinly veiled justifications. Finally, these lawmakers should call on the remainder of Congress to sign on to these principles as a clear rebuke of political violence and extreme rhetoric.

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Second, they need to draft legislation that makes social media responsible for hosting and spreading calls for violence. Section 230 needs to be rewritten to give social media platforms an explicit obligation to promptly remove content that calls for violence. That wont cure the problem, but it will put the social media channels on notice that they need to be vigilant about removing at least the most extreme rhetoric within 24 to 48 hours.

And third, the White House should establish a serious bipartisan, anti-political violence commission to probe the recent rise in political violence more deeply and attempt to explain to Americans how we cannot let our political differences degenerate into chaos. It should explore the violence-based underworlds on both the right and the left.

The Kerner Commissions 1968 report painted an image of two Americas - one white and one black - that had a profound impact on the country at the time. And yet today, there are once again two Americas - one red and one blue. We need to make a good faith effort to bridge the gaps in ways that preserve and promote the ballot as the answer, not the bullet.''.ord('').';'''.ord('').';'''.ord('').';'The test will be whether such a commission could ever agree on one joint and final report.

Mr. Penn was a pollster and adviser to Bill and Hillary Clinton, 1995-2008. He is chairman of the Harris Poll and CEO of Stagwell Inc.

&

Andrew Stein served as New York City Council president, 1986-93.
Oct. 30State and local law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate a double murder and suicide in the Miami Valley last weekend.

On Oct. 25, Jacob Prichard, 34, and his wife Jaymee Prichard, 33, both of Huber Heights, were found dead in the West Milton Municipal Building parking lot.

As the investigation continued, Jacob Prichard was linked to the murder of Jaime Gustitus, 25, of Sugarcreek Twp.

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Here's a timeline of the investigation as of Oct. 30:

Early Oct. 25, Jacob Prichard reportedly went to 1641 Honey Tree Place in Sugarcreek Twp. and broke into an apartment.

Around 2 a.m. he killed Jaime Gustitus and then fled, according to West Milton police.

4:22 a.m. Jacob Prichard arrived at his next known location, the West Milton Municipal Building. He got out of his car, opened the trunk and took his own life, according to West Milton police.

His death was captured on exterior security cameras.

Police found his wife, Jaymee Prichard, dead in the trunk. Investigators believe Jacob Prichard killed her the previous evening or earlier in the morning. It's not clear where she died.

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The Prichards and Gustitus reportedly knew each other through work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Gustitus was a first lieutenant who worked in the 711th Human Performance Wing, Jacob Prichard was part of the Air Force Research Laboratory, and Jaymee Prichard worked in the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, according to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Wright Patterson Office of Special Investigations, West Milton police, Miami County Sheriff's Office and Sugarcreek Twp. police are working together to investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to call Miami County Sheriff's Office Lt. Jason Moore at 937-440-6085, ext. 3991.

Staff writers Daniel Susco and Holly Souther contributed to this report.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The death of Dane Paulsen continues to shake the Lincoln County community months after his remains were discovered in the Siletz River.

On Wednesday, the 2-year-old boys father was indicted on one count of second-degree child neglect. He is accused of leaving his son unattended for a period of time that was likely to endanger him, according to court documents.

LIST: These Portland area restaurants are feeding SNAP recipients during the federal shutdown

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Here is everything we know about the case leading up to the neglect charges:

March 1

Dane Paulsen was first reported missing to the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office on Saturday, March 1, around 4:30 p.m.

At the time of his disappearance, Dane was reported to be playing in the yard of the residence located near milepost 21 on Siletz River Highway, officials said.

However, authorities report that Dane had not been in his parents eyesight at the time.

That day, he was wearing a grey fuzzy hoodie with ears, black pants, and blue and white shoes. Law enforcement later updated his description to include that he has brown hair and green eyes.

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Officials immediately began searching the familys residence and surrounding areas.

March 2

Shortly after Danes disappearance, a gold 90s station wagon was named as a vehicle of interest by law enforcement. On March 2, community tips led authorities to the owner of the vehicle.

After officials thoroughly interviewed and investigated both the driver and car, they were found to be unrelated to Danes disappearance and are no longer a point of interest in this operation, officials said.

Search efforts continued among community volunteers and local authorities, including the sheriffs offices from Lane, Clackamas and Polk counties.

March 3

By Monday, March 3, authorities had advanced their search beyond the ground to use aerial drones with thermal imaging. Officials would eventually cover 682 acres and 341 walking miles.

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The Lincoln County Sheriffs Office described Dane as comfortable around strangers and water, but cannot swim.

Lincoln County searchers on the Siletz River looking for 2-year-old Dane Paulsen, March 4, 2025 (Lincoln County Sheriffs Office) Undated photo of Dane Paulsen, who went missing in Siletz, Ore. on Mar. 1, 2025. (Lincoln County Sheriffs Office) Searchers checked the Siletz River looking for missing 2-year-old Dane Paulsen, March 3, 2025 (KOIN) Searchers checked the Siletz River looking for missing 2-year-old Dane Paulsen, March 3, 2025 (KOIN) Searchers checked the Siletz River looking for missing 2-year-old Dane Paulsen, March 5, 2025 (KOIN) Searchers checked the Siletz River looking for missing 2-year-old Dane Paulsen, March 5, 2025 (KOIN) Searchers checked the Siletz River looking for missing 2-year-old Dane Paulsen, March 5, 2025 (KOIN) Diver Juan Heredia found the body of 2-year-old Dane Paulsen in the Siletz River, March 11, 2025 (KOIN) Searchers checked the Siletz River looking for missing 2-year-old Dane Paulsen, March 5, 2025 (KOIN) Lincoln County searchers on the Siletz River looking for 2-year-old Dane Paulsen, March 4, 2025 (Lincoln County Sheriffs Office) Some of the hundreds of Lincoln County searchers at the scene of the search for Dane Paulsen, 2, of Siletz, March 2, 2025 (KOIN) The Lincoln County Sheriffs Office command unit at the scene of the search for Dane Paulsen, 2, of Siletz, March 2, 2025 (KOIN)

March 11

Danes body was discovered in the Siletz River on Tuesday, March 11 by Juan Heredia with the Angels Recovery Dive Team. Heredia had joined a volunteer search effort on behalf of the family.

He was found approximately three miles downstream from his home.

Heredia told KOIN 6 News he had been on a vacation in Mexico when he heard about Danes disappearance. He got in his truck and drove 12 hours to start the search and said he was only in the water for two hours before he found the boys body.

March 13

An autopsy of Danes body confirmed that the boy had died by drowning, according to a medical examiner.

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Law enforcement said there was no evidence to suggest criminal actions are involved.

Bomb threat at Washington County Courthouse prompts evacuations

Oct. 16

Following the investigation, the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office submitted their records to the district attorneys office to review the case, which is standard protocol.

On Thursday, Oct. 16, the case was presented to a grand jury, which indicted Siletz resident Aaron Paulsen on one count of child neglect.

After deliberating and voting privately, a Grand Jury returns a true bill charging an individual with a crime only if at least five out of seven jurors determine there is sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction, the DAs office said.

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Paulsen was immediately cited for the misdemeanor and released by the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, Nov. 3.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

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.
For decades, paleontologists have argued about size. Specifically, whether or not certain fossils found in Montana belonged to a young Tyrannosaurus rex or a completely separate, smaller species. Researchers at North Carolina State University and Ohio University now say they can settle the debate. Tyrannosaurus rex did, in fact, have a diminutive relative in North America. While Nanotyrannus lancensis was comparatively small, a study published on October 30 in Nature makes it clear that they remained a fearsome Cretaceous era predator.

Tyrannosaurus rex earned its Tyrant King status partly due to its enormous size. An adult T. rex could easily grow over 42-feet-long and weigh more than nine tons.Even juveniles weighed in at around 4,000 pounds. With that in mind, its understandable why a small skull discovered in 1946 at Montanas fossil-rich Hell Creek Formation has been such a controversial specimen. Initially described as a species of Gorgosaurus, some paleontologists later asserted it actually belonged to an entirely separate Tyrannosaur. This initial categorization was met with pushback by an opposing camp of researchers, who claimed the skull simply possessed a combination of immature tyrannosaurid and T. rex characteristics. The truth had larger implicationsif Nanotyrannus was actually its own species, that would end T. rexs reign as the only widely accepted tyrannosauroid roaming North America during the late Cretaceous.

The skull of Nanotyrannus differs from T. rex. Nanotyrannus has different nerve patterns, sinus structures, and more teeth. Credit: NC Museum of Natural Sciences MATT ZEHER

In the years since, Nanotyrannus has become a hot-button issue, and the debate has often been acrimonious, paleontologists Lindsay Zanno and Lawrence Witmer explained in their study.

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During an expedition back to the Hell Creek Formation, Zanno and Witmers team discovered an exceptionally preserved, skeletally complete tyrannosauroid specimen. After a close examination of the approximately 67-million-year-old remains, the studys authors concluded that their findas well as the 1946 skullbelong to Nanotyrannus.

The key piece of evidence came from the new specimens age. A morphological analysis of its bones indicates they were nearly fully grown. If they were a juvenile, then their skeleton would still be developing. Additional modelling also led the paleontologists to believe Nanotyrannus displayed different bone-growth trajectories than T. rex, further supporting the argument. With this in mind, the study authors reexamined the previously discovered specimens, and determined the Nanotyrannus genus possessed at least two distinct species: Nanotyrannus lancensis and Nanotyrannus lethaeus.

An NCMNS infographic of a T. Rex vs the Nanotyrannus. Credit: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

In contrast to the T. rex, an adult Nanotyrannus only grew to a length of around 18 feet and weighed about 1,550 pounds. Where its larger cousin evolved for brute strength with thick legs and a bone-crushing bite, Nanotyrannus took a different approach to hunting prey. Its longer legs and strong arms made it both agile and fast, allowing it to quickly ambush its targets.

The confirmation of Nanotyrannus existence means that Tyrannosaurus likely had some company for at least around one million years leading up to the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. This further supports the theory that dinosaurs werent already on the decline prior to their demise.If anything, the diversity suggests that they were doing just fine.

Our results undermine a nearly uniform consensus among theropod specialists and rectify a significant taxonomic error underpinning decades of research, the authors wrote. The impact is beyond our ability to summarize here.
The U.S. conducted above-ground nuclear tests at the Nevada Test Site 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas from 1951 until 1962. (Public domain)

Donald Trump Wednesday announced on his social media site that the process will begin immediately to resume testing of nuclear weapons.

Absolutely not. Ill be introducing legislation to put a stop to this, Nevada Democratic U.S. Rep. Dina Titus responded on social media.

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This directly contradicts the commitments I secured from Trump nominees  and the opinion of Administration officials who certify our nuclear stockpile  whove told me explosive nuclear testing would not happen & is unnecessary, said Nevada Democratic U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, adding Ill fight to stop this.

The U.S. conducted above-ground nuclear tests at the Nevada Test Site 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas from 1951 until 1962, according to a brief historical overview from the test sites successor entity, the Nevada National Security Site.

Following signing of a test ban treaty in 1963, nuclear weapons testing moved underground at the Nevada site, with more than 800 underground weapons tests until the last one in 1992. Since then subcritical tests have been performed to maintain reliability of weapons without actually exploding them.

Along with calling for resuming work on a nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain, Project 2025, the document that has served as a blueprint for multiple Trump administration policies, outlined a plan to restore the nuclear infrastructure and to restore readiness to test nuclear weapons at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), formerly the Nevada Test Site, to ensure the ability of the U.S. to respond quickly to asymmetric technology surprises.

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Fred Dilger, executive director of the states Office for Nuclear Projects, told the Nevadas Commission on Nuclear Projects prior to last years election that I like to joke that Project 2025 should have been labeled Project 1995 because the ideas are all old and out of date as far as nuclear issues.

Dilger added that a retired senior official from NNSS told him they want nothing to do with full scale underground testing. There is no need for full-scale underground testing.

A spokesperson for Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, who endorsed Trump, told the Current last year that the governor does not support Project 2025s advocacy for nuclear weapons testing in the state.

Dana Gentry contributed to this story.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Tennessee is going after registered sex offenders to keep trick-or-treaters safe on Halloween night.

During Operation Blackout, probation and parole officers will be targeting sex offenders with convictions involving minors who are under their supervision.

The Tennessee Department of Correction said on Halloween, officers will conduct unannounced home visits to verify that high-risk individuals are following special holiday restrictions.

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TDOC said offenders are prohibited from:

Answering the door to trick-or-treaters on Halloween. Porch lights must remain off and front doors closed.

Distributing Halloween treats, candy, favors, or gifts to children at their residence or any other home. Offenders may not visit or be present in any residence where these items are being distributed.

The distribution of treats, candy, favors, or gifts by anyone at the offenders registered residence.

Wearing costumes.

Having a Halloween party at the offenders residence.

Visiting corn mazes, haunted houses, hayrides, or any other seasonal activities, or attending any function where children are gathered, even if it is a private residence.

There are more than 26,000 registered sex offenders in Tennessee, and approximately 5,000 under active TDOC supervision.

This is about being present, reinforcing expectations, and helping to ensure families can enjoy the holiday with peace of mind, said Chris Hansen, TDOCs Assistant Commissioner of Community Supervision.

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In Arkansas, several law enforcement agencies have also taken extra steps to protect children on Halloween.

The Crittenden County Sheriffs Department, the Poinsett County Sheriffs Office, and the Forrest City Police Department posted the addresses of Level 3 and Level 4 sex offenders to Facebook.

Level 3 offenders are considered high risk, and Level 4 offenders are sexually dangerous.

You can visit the Arkansas Crime Information Center to search the states sex offender registry. For a look at the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry map, 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.
Submarines mauled shipping and threatened the survival of many nations in the second world war.

One way to fight back was with anti-submarine warfare aircraft. Attacking a submarine from the air was a dangerous game, as surfaced submarines fired back at their attackers with machine guns and cannon. Converted bombers would roar a few hundred feet above the sea dropping depth charges and firing rockets; with over 120 Allied aircraft shot down while attacking submarines this was in no way a one-sided affair. Intriguingly, despite significant advances in technology the only submarine sinking post-World War Two was distinctly old fashioned.

This list is skewed towards Allied aircraft, as the German Navy (the Kreigsmarine), managed to lose 287 U-Boats to aircraft, more than the total number of submarines lost by the Britains Royal Navy, US Navy, and Imperial Japanese Navy combined. The following aircraft are the most potent submarine killers of all time:

10: Westland Wessex, Lynx, and Wasp

Westland Wessex, Lynx, and Wasp

Only one submarine has been sunk by aircraft since the end of the second world war. This unfortunate vessel was the ARA Santa Fe, whose origin as the USS Catfish in 1944 means no post-war submarine has been sunk by enemy action. On the morning of 25 April 1982, Santa Fe was departing Grytviken in South Georgia, having landed supplies for the Argentinian forces occupying the island. She was detected on radar by the Westland Wessex HAS3 from HMS Antrim before she was in an area where she could submerge.

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Approaching from the stern the Wessex was almost overhead before the crew saw it, moments later two depth charges fell towards the submarine. The damage from this first strike prevented the Santa Fe diving, if only because she would never surface again if she did.

10: Westland Wessex, Lynx, and Wasp

Westland Wessex, Lynx, and Wasp

A running battle now ensued as the Argentinians attempted to return to Grytviken while HMS Brilliants Westland Lynx (pictured) strafed the submarine and Westland Wasps from HMS Endurance and Plymouth fired multiple AS.12 missiles. Although Santa Fe managed to return to the dock her war was over, and she remained there until scuttled in 1985.

This halved the number of submarines available to the Argentinian forces attempting to hold the Falklands Islands. This left the depths of the south Atlantic open to much more modern British submarines - six of them - one of which sank the Argentinian cruiser General Belgrano  another former US Navy vessel, which had survived the Pearl Harbour attack  a week later.

9: Lohner L

Lohner L

Although now two land-locked countries, in 1914 the Austro-Hungarian Empire had an extensive Adriatic coast. As such they had a substantial navy with 13 battleships, 18 destroyers, 6 submarines, and an Air Service.

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On 15 September 1916 the French Navy submarine Foucault was patrolling near the entrance to the naval base at Cattaro, now Kotor in Montenegro. Two Lohner L flying boats of the Austro-Hungarian Naval Air Service were also in the area and although the Foucault was submerged the clear waters of the Adriatic allowed the crews to easily spot her.

9: Lohner L

Lohner L

Although relatively flimsy and with a top speed of only 66mph the Lohners could carry a few hundred kilograms of bombs. Four of these were dropped at least one hitting the submarine causing it to lose power and start sinking. With a fire adding to their woes the French somehow managed to get to the surface. Facing an untenable situation the ships commander ordered the powerless submarine scuttled. The crew were then rescued by their attackers who landed on the water to look after them until a torpedo boat could come to take them into captivity.

Almost definitely the slowest aircraft on this list the Lohner L has the distinction of proving aircraft could have a part to play in sinking submarines.

8: Potez-CAMS 141

Potez-CAMS 141

Although a relatively obscure type the Potez-CAMS 141 has the highest ratio of submarines sunk per airframes built of all time. Admittedly this is because only one of them was built, but it did at least manage to sink U-105 on 2 June 1943. The Potez-CAMS 141, also known as the Antares, was designed and built to a 1935 French Admiralty specification for a long-range maritime reconnaissance flying boat. The prototype flew in 1938 with orders for an additional 19 airframes being placed by September 1939, however, with the fall of France in 1940 these were never built.

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The sole example led a somewhat nomadic existence initially operating out of Morocco, by September 1940 it was patrolling from Senegal as part of the Vichy French forces. With the Allied landings in North Africa in late 1942 the Antares again changed sides, paving the way for its successful prosecution of the U-105 just south of Dakar seven months later.

8: Potez-CAMS 141

Potez-CAMS 141

Alas being from a production batch of one and with few spares available by the beginning of 1944 she was nearing the end of her operational life, having flown around 1800 hours. Disappointingly the airframe appears to have been scrapped in Africa meaning there are few if any remains of what by at least one measure was the most successful anti-submarine aircraft of all time.

7: Curtiss H-12

Curtiss H-12

The Curtiss H-12 was a modified version of a US flying boat with Rolls-Royce Eagle engines and was one of the Royal Navys first anti-submarine aircraft. On 27 May 1917 an H-12 operating from the Isles of Scilly sighted UC-66 on the surface to the north of the archipelago. The pilot dropped the payload of 50kg bombs two of which seemed to have hit the U-Boat as it soon sank by the stern not to be seen again until 2009.

Hit by machine gun fire from the sinking U-boat the aircraft then flew back to its base on Tresco with the Mechanic holding rags over a bullet hole in the starboard radiator.

7: Curtiss H-12

Curtiss H-12

At the other end of the English Channel on 22 Sep 1917 another H-12, escorted by two Sopwith Camel fighters, attacked a surfaced submarine in the vicinity of West Hinder Light Vessel, about 20 miles off Ostend. After also being hit by two bombs it heeled over and sank, leaving wreckage and oil on the surface, its now thought the stricken submarine was UB-32.

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On top of probably being responsible for 66% of submarines sunk by aircraft in the First World War, Curtiss H-12s also shot down several Zeppelins. Which, given its top speed of 100mph, must have made for some of the slowest dogfights in history.

6: Grumman Wildcat

Grumman Wildcat

Although the Grumman Wildcat doesnt appear to be solely responsible for the sinking of any submarines it was involved in the destruction of 27 of them. It kicked this streak off while operating with 802 NAS from HMS Audacity, aircraft on patrol spotting U-131 on the surface near Madeira. The Wildcats carried out strafing runs while a group of destroyers and sloops closed to finish it off with gunfire and depth charges.

More typically they were paired with either a Swordfish or Avenger. The vast majority of the Wildcats assisted kills being while operating from the decks of a US Navy escort carrier alongside its Grumman stable mate.

6: Grumman Wildcat

Grumman Wildcat

The fighter carried out strafing runs while the Avenger was positioned for a depth charge or torpedo attack. The torpedoes in question were code-named Fido and were the first homing torpedoes seeking out the noise from the submarines propellers. Although a technical marvel it suffered from having a top speed of 17 mph, slightly slower than the surface-speed of most U-boats.

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The continual harassment from the Wildcat playing no small part in slowing them down or causing them to dive at which point they struggled to make 9mph and became easy prey for Fido.

5: Fairey Swordfish

Fairey Swordfish

The main aim of anti-submarine warfare isnt necessarily sinking submarines - its generally to stop the submarine sinking your ships. This is especially true if your ships are carrying supplies that are keeping the country alive. So, during the Battle of the Atlantic escorts that managed to sink five U-boats while their convoy was decimated could be viewed less favourably than ones who managed to bring their charges across without loss to either side.

With this in mind, Faireys most famous contribution to the art of naval warfare deserves a special place on this list.

5: Fairey Swordfish

Fairey Swordfish

In total, the Swordfish is credited with 25 submarine kills, which places it 9th on numbers alone. However, its ability to operate from escort carriers and the even smaller flight decks on Merchant Aircraft Carriers (MACs) enabled them to provide a continuous aerial escort across the Atlantic. MACs were as the name suggests merchant ships with a wooden flight deck a modest 410 feet by 62 feet, they had a limited top speed of around 14mph, and carried at most four Swordfish.

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Despite this limited capability their presence forced the opposition underwater preventing them closing on the convoy. Perhaps this explains why that in the 207 convoys escorted by Swordfish operating MACs, only nine ships were lost to U-boats despite none having been sunk by the embarked aircraft.

4: Consolidated Catalina

Consolidated Catalina

A number of flying boats were used during the Second World War, for ASW the best of these was undoubtedly the Consolidated Catalina. Able to carry out a two-hour patrol 800 miles from base it could take the fight far out into the Atlantic. Despite only having half the engines of the Sunderland the Catalina could carry almost the same weapons load and had the advantage of also being able to use torpedoes, something it deployed in anger around Guadalcanal.

The first submarine sunk by a Catalina was U-452 which was attacked south of Iceland by the trawler HMS Vascama and an aircraft of the RAFs 209 squadron in August 1941. In a twist of fate, the next U-boat sunk by a Catalina was in a similar location a year later by a US Navy aircraft.

4: Consolidated Catalina

Consolidated Catalina

As patrol aircraft, Catalinas were also responsible for sighting the German battleship Bismarck prior to her final battle, Japanese landings in Malaya, and the Japanese fleet prior to the battles of Ceylon and Midway.

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In terms of anti-submarine activity, the Catalina sank a total of 40 submarines, 14 more than the Sunderland and equal second overall with the Avenger. It also had the first air-to-air victory by a US Navy aircraft in the Second World War, the bow gunner of an aircraft evacuating from the Philippines shooting down a Mitsubishi Zero on 10 December 1941.

What about the Short Sunderland?

The Sunderland was indeed excellent. From our notes the Sunderland had 26 kills to the Catalina's 40. The Sunderland likely has more kills per aircraft (because of the much smaller production run). It was really 50/50 which aircraft from this class we included, with the Catalina edging it.

For anti-submarine warfare, the best of these was undoubtedly the Consolidated Catalina. Able to carry out a two-hour patrol at 800 miles from base, two hundred more than the Short Sunderland, taking the fight far out into the Atlantic. Despite only having half the engines of the Sunderland, the Catalina could carry almost the same weapons load and had the advantage of also being able to use torpedoes, something it used in anger against Japanese shipping around Guadalcanal.

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What about the Short Sunderland?

The Sunderland was indeed excellent. From our notes the Sunderland had 26 kills to the Catalina's 40. The Sunderland likely has more kills per aircraft (because of the much smaller production run). It was really 50/50 which aircraft from this class we included, with the Catalina edging it.

For anti-submarine warfare, the best of these was undoubtedly the Consolidated Catalina. Able to carry out a two-hour patrol at 800 miles from base, two hundred more than the Short Sunderland, taking the fight far out into the Atlantic. Despite only having half the engines of the Sunderland, the Catalina could carry almost the same weapons load and had the advantage of also being able to use torpedoes, something it used in anger against Japanese shipping around Guadalcanal.

3: Vickers Wellington

Vickers Wellington

Coastal Command received a handful of Vickers Wellington Mk1Cs in 1941 and the better equipped GR Mk VIII in 1942. As well as the ASV II radar that some Mk1s had used for detecting surfaced submarines the latter also featured the Leigh Light, a powerful spotlight, and a radar altimeter to allow safe descent over the sea at night.

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After detecting a U-Boat using radar the Wellington would descend to 250 feet, as the contact disappeared off the bottom of the radar display the Leigh Light would be turned on illuminating the target and allowing the attack to be completed visually. Four U-boats were damaged in June, while July would see the first U-boat sunk by a Wellington.

3: Vickers Wellington

Vickers Wellington

From sinking no submarines in the first half of 1942 Coastal Command found itself responsible for 13 and a half in the period from August to December. At a time when RAF chief Arthur Harris was telling Churchill that Coastal Command was merely an obstacle to victory this was fortunate indeed.

Although the Wellington couldnt protect convoys in the mid-Atlantic gap, generally managing only around five hundred miles from base, it made the waters around the U-boats French bases far more dangerous and pioneered tactics that would be used by Coastal Command to turn the tide in the Battle of the Atlantic.

2: Grumman Avenger

Grumman Avenger

While the Swordfish was a good carrier borne ASW aircraft it suffered in a few areas, mainly speed, crew comfort, and ruggedness. If you really wanted to kill submarines while operating off a ship the Grumman Avenger suffered none of these issues. The extra speed allowed it to search a greater area in a given time and meant that during an attack it would be exposed to the U-boats gunfire for a shorter period.

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Additionally, it allowed other Avengers to make follow up attacks as they were able to get to the scene of the action before the submarine could make its escape. U-boats generally being sunk due to a continued attack rather than a single killer blow. U-118 for instance was attacked with depth charges from eight Avengers before submerging for the final time.

2: Grumman Avenger

Grumman Avenger

The Avenger also suffered far less damage during carrier operations. Analysis by the Royal Navy not only showed the American aircraft suffered 1/7th the rate of damage the Swordfish did, but that the lower risk of damage meant carriers were more likely to fly them. Having done the analysis, the Fleet Air Arm prioritised its Avengers for anti-submarine warfare.

These advantages place the Avenger at number two on the all-time list of submarine killing aircraft, with 35 U-boats and at least 5 Japanese submarines falling to it.

1: Consolidated Liberator

Consolidated Liberator

During the second world war, 25% of the 287 U-Boats lost by the German navy to aircraft, were sunk by the Liberator. RAF Coastal Command first received 20 ex-USAAF B-24As in 1941, and these then gained a radar, four 20mm cannon, and the ability to carry depth charges and rockets. This was followed by the Consolidated Liberator GR Mk III, essentially a modified B-24D. The self-sealing liners to the fuel tanks and most of the armour were removed.

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The turbo-superchargers for the engines to maintain performance at high altitude were deleted. The ventral gun turret also went eventually providing a location for a more advanced radar. This allowed over two thousand gallons of fuel and a payload of eight depth charges to be carried.

1: Consolidated Liberator

Consolidated Liberator

As an example of what these changes allowed on 17 March 1943 a Liberator of 86 Squadron left Aldergrove for a nine-hour flight to join convoy SC122. On the way, it attacked U-439 causing it to remain submerged for the rest of the day. On reaching SC122 the aircraft swept the convoys route, and attacked U-338, forcing it too to submerge.

Finally, the aircraft turned back towards home. It finally landed, dangerously short of fuel, having been in the air for 20 hours and 30 minutes. The Liberator had impressive endurance, was well armed, and, importantly, had the size and power to accommodate new sensors and weapons as they became available; it remains the most successful anti-submarine aircraft of all time.

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Brett Horton, a Louisiana native who has served as Republican U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise's chief of staff for a decade, is leaving to take the top lobbying job for the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

Horton, 41, is known on Capitol Hill as an architect of Scalise's rise to power in the House.

"Brett has been instrumental in every major policy victory of the last decade and I am so incredibly thankful to him for his years of dedication and service to our country and the House of Representatives, Scalise said in a statement.

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Horton joined Scalise's staff 15 years ago early in the congressman's career as his counsel.

"I started when he was a young freshman member and we stuck together and quickly worked our way up to leadership," Horton said in an interview with USA Today. "I'm most proud of helping build and maintain the culture known as Team Scalise. It's truly a family atmosphere."

Horton said he's not aware of another congressional staffer who has been a leadership chief as long as his tenure with Scalise.

He said the key to success on Capitol Hill is developing relationships among members and "knowing what colleagues want and need both legislatively and politically."

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"It's important to make sure colleagues see value in his leadership, which he has delivered," Horton said.

"There are few people that know Capitol Hill better than Brett Horton," Scalise said. "For 15 years he has been by my side, starting as my Counsel in 2010 and working his way up the ranks, spending the last 10 years as my chief of staff in my whip and leader offices. To me and countless other members of Congress and their staff, Brett is a trusted advisor, steady in his approach, wise in his counsel and deliberate with his words."

Horton said the time seemed right for a new path, though he will remain on familiar ground in Washington as the chief advocacy officer for the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

"The hotel and travel industry is fascinating to me and I look forward to advancing our goals in my new role," he said.

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Horton is a West Ouachita High School and LSU graduate whose parents continue to live in Louisiana. His mother Leigh Ann Horton lives in West Monroe and his father Eddie Horton lives in Ruston.

His brother Matthew Horton is a captain in the U.S. Navy who previously commanded the USS Delaware nuclear submarine. His brother George lives in West Monroe.

More: Louisiana's Mike Johnson, Steve Scalise honor memory of slain Charlie Kirk in Capitol

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Majority Leader Steve Scalise chief of staff takes new job in Washington
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Trump administrations increasing efforts to exclude Democrats from national security briefings could endanger troops and keep important information from the public, the top Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee warned Thursday.

I dont know how you even begin to rebuild trust, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner said after Democrats were not invited to a briefing this week on U.S. military strikes against boats alleged to be carrying drugs. This is against every norm of how national security policy has worked.

Every senator should be read in, Warner said, and when you politicize decision making about putting service members in harm's way, you make them less safe.

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Lawmakers in both parties have had questions about the American strikes on boats in the waters off South America  14 strikes so far, killing 61 people  and the legal justification for them, given that Congress has not authorized military action. President Donald Trumps administration also has been building up an unusually large force of warships in the region, fueling speculation that the moves are aimed at ousting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Senate to vote on war powers

The Senate could have a say next week with an expected vote on a war powers resolution forced by Democrats that would prohibit strikes in or near Venezuela, unless Congress approves. Several Republicans who are considered potential swing votes in favor of that resolution were part of the briefing this week.

One of those Republican senators, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, said he had requested the briefing along with others. He said it helped ease some of his concerns, but that hes going to continue to look at the resolution.

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Tillis said he saw nothing wrong with Republicans having their own briefing since the issue has become politicized. But Democrats should be entitled to a briefing as well, Tillis said.

Democrats shut out

Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham also said Democrats should hear from the administration. Asked if hes worried about the precedent being set by excluding them, Graham responded that theyll get briefed.

Warner said that is bull--.

Somebody needs to be held accountable for this, he said. Some oops makeup session doesnt cut it.

Warner has criticized the Trump administration for months as military and intelligence officials have increasingly moved away from the long tradition of bipartisan briefings in the Capitol and cracked down on access to national security information.

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Trump officials only called Republicans in Congress, not Democrats, before launching strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities earlier this year. They also canceled a routine classified meeting that Warner had scheduled with career intelligence staffers at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency after it was criticized by Laura Loomer, a far-right conspiracy theorist.

Erosion of bipartisanship

National security committees in Congress have long been among the most bipartisan, and lawmakers in both parties have fiercely guarded their access to information since power can switch quickly in Washington. But Warner directly criticized his Republican colleagues for their blind loyalty to Trump and not speaking up.

Somebody should have walked out of the meeting, Warner said.

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South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds, another Republican who attended the briefing, said he did not know until he arrived that it would be partisan. He said he received a phone call from the White House on Thursday morning inquiring about whether he had concerns.

I said, Yup. Because Intel and Armed Services, we do things on a bipartisan basis when it comes to this, we want to keep it that way, Rounds said.

The administration held a separate classified briefing for the House Armed Services Committee on Thursday that did include Democrats. But Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, who attended the meeting, said the Pentagon pulled its lawyers with no notice. The lawyers were the exact people who would supply a legal justification for these strikes, Moulton posted on X.

Lawmakers question attacks

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New York Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Relations Committee, also criticized Thursday's House briefing, saying it was incredible for how little information was shared, how little time the briefers stayed to answer questions, and how completely absent any credible legal rationale was for the administrations unauthorized, ongoing expansion of these strikes.

Trump has justified the attacks on the boats as necessary to stem the flow of drugs into the United States and asserted the U.S. is engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels.

The administration says it is relying on the same legal authority used by the Bush administration when it declared a war on terrorism after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. But lawmakers have said they want more detail about that rationale as the pace of the attacks has increased.

Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called it very poor judgment to exclude Democrats from the briefing.

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It goes to the mindset of this administration that they dont have to deal with Congress unless theres an emergency and thats usually trying to rally the Republicans, Reed said.

___

Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro and Konstantin Toropin contributed to this report.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem claimed that no U.S. citizens have been arrested or detained under President Donald Trumps increased immigration crackdown  though media reports indicate otherwise.

We focus on those who are here illegally, Noem said during a press briefing in Gary, Indiana. And anything you would hear or report that would be different than that is simply not true and false reporting.

Noem took questions from reporters about Operation Midway Blitz as she touted more than 3,000 total arrests in efforts involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol agents. Launched last month, the operations targeted the Chicago area  despite fierce pushback from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Noem also denied a request from Pritzker to halt ICE operations in and around the city on Halloween.

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Critics were quick to grill Noem over her claim on social media  with many pointing to outlets that have found the opposite.

This is a truly insane lie to tell and more evidence that theres absolutely no reason to trust anything were told by @DHSgov, Jon Favreau, a co-host of the Pod Save America podcast, wrote on X.

In a separate post, Jon Cooper, a previous Long Island campaign chair for former President Barack Obama, asked, Why does Noem blatantly LIE like this, when she knows her lies can be so easily disproven?

In April, The Washington Post revealed that over a dozen U.S. citizens have been caught in the immigration clampdown, citing several interviews, court records and news reports.

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Earlier this month, ProPublica found that more than 170 cases of citizens who were detained at raids and protests over the course of the year. The outlet discovered that some were dragged, beaten, tased and shot by agents, with around two dozen Americans saying they were held for over a day in custody without being able to contact lawyers or loved ones.

Meanwhile, a U.S. citizen who was arrested twice at work by ICE agents is asking to expand his lawsuit to a class action case, AL.com reported Thursday.

The scope of arrests, however, remains unknown given the Department of Homeland Security does not release data on the detainment or removal of U.S. citizens from the country. According to a 2021 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, ICE data indicates that agents arrested 674, detained 121 and removed 70 potential U.S. citizens from the United States from fiscal year 2015 through March 2020.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The 12th annual meeting of the Morocco-European Union Joint Parliamentary Committee opened Wednesday in Rabat, under the co-chairmanship of Moroccan MP Lahcen Haddad and MEP Ruggero Razza, to discuss cooperation ties between the EU and its Southern partners for a more stable, prosperous, and interconnected region.

Speaking on the occasion, Haddad said the meeting takes place in a particular regional and international context, marked by the convergence of security, economic, climate, and migration challenges.

This context makes dialogue between legislative institutions more than a necessity, but a political and moral duty to strengthen confidence and cooperation between the two shores of the Mediterranean, he added.

The current regional context, marked by rising threats in the Sahel region, the proliferation of terrorist networks and organized crime, as well as growing climate and energy challenges, necessitates a comprehensive approach integrating security, development, stability, and regional integration, he said.

The relations between Morocco and the EU are based on principles of trust, mutual respect, and shared responsibility, which are values that King Mohammed VI is committed to upholding within the framework of a balanced and forward-looking partnership, added Mr. Haddad, stressing the growing economic & commercial cooperation between Moroccan and EU, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, agriculture, and fisheries.

For his part, MEP Razza said Morocco is a unique EU partner in the Mediterranean region and plays an important role in Africa. The partnership uniting the Kingdom and the EU is based on shared interests and common values, he added.

The Joint Parliamentary Committee is an essential platform for encouraging dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding between Moroccan and European MPs committed to building a shared vision founded on peace, security, and inclusive development, underlined Mr. Razza.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center is set to kick off its annual Zoo Lights: Holidays Around the World as it transforms for the holidays.

The event will open with a Garland Cutting Ceremony at 5 p.m. on Nov. 21. This year the zoo will highlight traditions from around the world through light displays and festive decor. These include traditions from the U.S., China, Japan, Mexico, Africa, the Arctic and the Caribbean.

This years theme brings a unique cultural dimension to Zoo Lights, said Fawn Moser, COO. Our team has worked tirelessly to create an experience that celebrates the holiday season with a global feel.

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The event serves as one of the zoos largest annual fundraisers which helps support animal care, education programs and conservation efforts.

Report: SNAP doesnt cover a meal in any Kansas counties

Zoo Lights has become a beloved Topeka tradition, Moser said. Every ticket helps us care for the incredible animals who call the Zoo home and continues our mission to inspire conservation of wildlife and the natural world.

For more local 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.

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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.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  On November 4, voters living within the boundaries of Tornillo Independent School District (will decide on a Voter-Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE), a proposal that would generate roughly $237,000 in local funds for the districts maintenance and operations budget.

A VATRE allows Texas school districts to ask voters for permission to raise their property tax rate above the states maximum limit. Unlike a bond election, a VATRE does not create new debt for the district.

Our Board of Trustees approved taking this measure to voters because this is something that will help both our district and our community, said Tornillo ISD Superintendent Rosa Vega-Barrio.

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If approved, the additional funding would be used to support daily operations, including staff salaries, student programs, and utilities.

Socorro ISD superintendent says VATRE wont cost homeowners a property tax increase

Although the VATRE involves a tax increase, Vega-Barrio emphasized that most Tornillo residents would not see their property taxes go up.

In Tornillo, the majority of our residents will not see an increase in their taxes because any home valued under $119,000 is not taxed for school purposes due to the homestead exemption, she explained. If another statewide proposition also passes, that exemption will increase to $140,000.

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Vega-Barrio said the additional funds are crucial as Tornillo ISD, like many districts statewide, faces limited state funding and rising operational costs.

For the last three years, our hourly staff and non-teaching employees have not received a raise because the last legislative sessions didnt approve new school funding, she said.

The superintendent added that passing the VATRE would help Tornillo ISD retain staff and maintain student programs until the next Texas legislative session in two years.

This will allow us to continue providing raises for employees, pay for debt services, and keep offering extracurricular and student programs, which is a lot for a small district like ours, Vega-Barrio said.

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When Tornillo voters head to the polls during early voting through Oct. 31 or on Election Day, Nov. 4, the VATRE will appear as Proposition A on the ballot, with the options:

FOR

or

AGAINST

Vega-Barrio urged residents to make their voices heard.

If this proposition doesnt pass, its going to be detrimental for a lot of people, she said. Were talking about potential job losses, cuts to student programming, and staff leaving the district  which would be devastating for Tornillo.

Texas voters to decide on major change to states bail laws

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.
A rabbi from Jerusalem is speaking out following a frightening, unprovoked attack that happened during his first visit to New York City.

Like anyone in the Big Apple for the first time, Israeli tourist Rami Glikstein is stunned by the city's sheer scale.

"Everything is big here. I ask for a small coffee, and they give me the size that in Israel is extra large! Everything is big," Glikstein said.

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Also big was the man who set upon him with no warning, delivering a punch to the face so powerful that it vaulted Glikstein to the ground.

It was a violent and unprovoked attack that started, Glikstein says, when the man approached, pointing at his yarmulke.

"And start to shout, 'hey, tell me what is your religion, tell me what is your religion,'" Glikstein said.

He ripped the yarmulke from his head, threw it on the street and spat on it, and then attacked Glikstein.

"It's not the pain. It's not the punch. It's the thought," he said. "That a Jewish man like me can't go safely in this lovely city."

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Glikstein is a rabbi in Jerusalem, and a chaplain for the IDF. He's a father of seven, grandfather of 12 and son of a holocaust survivor.

"I don't realize that in New York, I think it's the next big city with full of Jewish people, that I will have this kind of thing," Glikstein said.

Police quickly responded, and at Mount Sinai Hospital, doctors determined he was bleeding on the brain. His nose is broken, but not his spirit.

"I will come back. I am not afraid," he said. "Most all the people in New York are very good people and I will be coming back," Glikstein said.

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The attack happened at lunchtime on a very busy block of 38th Street, just a few blocks away from Times Square.

The assailant first started harassing Glikstein a few doors down but followed him, and then without provocation, sucker punched him in the face, sending him flying into the bike lane.

Police have made no arrests so far. The investigation is ongoing.

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NEW YORK CITY (PIX11)  A nasty storm is making its way through New York City.

Flood warning NYC

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx Thursday afternoon through 5:30 p.m on Thursday.

More Local News

One to two inches of rain is expected with brief periods of heavy rainfall, according to NWS. Poorly-drained and low-lying areas are most at risk.

Highways and streets could flood as a result as well.

Coastal flooding

A coastal flood advisory was declared for parts of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens and Long Island. Between one and two feet of inundation above ground level is expected near waterfronts and shorelines.

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The New York City Emergency Management team said torrential rainfall could cause flooding.

Expect sudden bursts of heavy rain, reduced visibility, and possible power outages from downed trees or power lines, NYCEM said on social media.

See it from New Yorkers

Videos from New York City residents show flooding across the five boroughs. See them here:

Wind gusts expected

The National Weather Service issued a special statement for Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island for afternoon winds that could reach 50 mph.

Make PIX11 your preferred news source on Google: Heres how

Power outages

Roughly 500 people are without power in Staten Island due to the storm. In Queens, about 30 people are without power, according to Con Edison.

Rain totals so far

Central Park: 1.84 inches

LaGuadia: 2.07 inches

Newark: 1.99 inches

Kennedy: 1.77 inches

White Plains: 2.46 inches

Teterboro: 2.04 inches

Peak wind gusts

LaGuardia: 46 mph

Newark: 46 mph

Kennedy: 52 mph

White Plains: 40 mph

Islip: 44 mph

Bridgeport: 48 mph

Subways affected

The G train was partially suspended due to flooding on the tracks, according to the MTA.

Record-breaking day of rain

Thursday marked a record-breaking day in Central Park, too. The NWS reported that 1.84 inches of rain fell there, which broke the previous record of 1.64 inches set in 1917, according to New York City Emergency Management.

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Records date back to 1896.

At LaGuardia Airport, 2.07 inches of rain fell on Thursday, breaking the previous record of 1.18 inches in 1955. Those records date back to 1939.

Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work 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 PIX11.
Trader Joes opened a new Massachusetts location at the site of a former Walgreens on Thursday.

The popular grocery store chain started welcoming customers to its new location at 1999 Centre Street on the corner of Lagrange Street in Bostons West Roxbury neighborhood.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held, and store captain Claire Sommers and Trader Joes crew members greeted customers at their new neighborhood store.

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The new store plans to donate 100% of products that go unsold but remain fit to enjoy to a range of non-profit, community-based organizations, seven days a week.

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Cat videos have long been a massive part of internet culture, but as the Miami Herald reported, conservationists in the United Arab Emirates captured some truly extraordinary feline footage.

The video in question was shared to Instagram by EmiratesNature-WWF (@ews_wwf), a collaboration between Emirates Nature and the World Wildlife Foundation, or WWF.

EmiratesNature-WWF focuses heavily on conservation in the UAE, and the organization's excitement was palpable in an Oct. 7 press release about an astonishing trail camera sighting.

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"In a milestone for conservation, the Arabian caracal (Caracal caracal schmitzi) has been rediscovered in Wadi Wurayah National Park," Emirates-Nature-WWF announced.

According to the group, volunteers participating in a specific monitoring project, the Notice Nature mapping initiative, help scan motion-activated trail camera footage as citizen scientists.

The organization noted that credible, documented sightings of the Arabian caracal had waned, but added that sightings occurred in 2019 and 2023. The efforts of citizen scientists sifting through trail camera footage provided "fresh hope for its survival" in wild areas.

Trail cameras have been a game-changer for scientists, conservationists, and others working to monitor and protect endangered populations, such as the Arabian caracal.

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Although trail cameras are not strictly new, as with many technologies, recent advancements have vastly expanded what can be done with them. Solar-powered batteries enable continuous monitoring, which is how the caracal was sighted.

Self-recharging batteries also facilitate the placement of trail cams in remote or hard-to-access areas, as they require far less in-person maintenance. The same is true for advancements in data storage, with higher local capacity and the ability to transmit real-time data to the cloud.

Consequently, everyone from conservationists and scientists to wildlife enthusiasts can tune in in the hopes of seeing a variety of rare creatures on land or at sea across a range of habitats.

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.

In EmiratesNature-WWF's post, the organization noted that caracals are "so elusive and mostly nocturnal, they've only been recorded a handful of times in recent decades." Thanks to volunteer trail cam monitors, this ultra-rare sighting was documented.

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The group said such sightings demonstrated the importance of conservation measures for documenting and monitoring populations, which also ultimately impacts the food chain.

"Today, the Arabian caracal is classified as Critically Endangered on the UAE National Red List, with likely fewer than 250 mature individuals surviving in the wild. This underlines the importance of protected areas like Wadi Wurayah in sustaining populations of rare species," their press release explained.

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.
Washington  The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sweeping sanctions on members of an alleged Mexico-based human smuggling network that it says trafficked people from four continents using yachts, hotels and cartel connections, a move officials say underscores the Trump administration's intensifying strategy to treat migrant trafficking schemes as a direct threat to national security.

The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) targeted the Bhardwaj Human Smuggling Organization, its alleged ringleader Vikrant Bhardwaj plus three accomplices and 16 affiliated entities on Thursday. The sanctions will freeze any U.S. property or interests tied to the sprawling group and bar U.S. persons from conducting financial transactions with the alleged criminal organization.

According to Treasury officials, the Bhardwaj HSO constructed a "sophisticated" smuggling pipeline that tapped its own collection of yachts and marinas, as well as hostels, hotels and other front operations across Mexico, India and the United Arab Emirates.

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Thousands of migrants from Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Asia  including some from countries deemed national security risks  were allegedly flown or sailed into Mexico, then routed north toward the U.S. border over land, a dangerous passage dubbed the "Tapachula-Cancun-Mexicali corridor."

Officials allege the group's services cost migrants thousands of dollars apiece, and the group solicited operational support from individuals employed by the notorious Sinaloa Cartel.

Investigators identified a web of corporate fronts allegedly controlled or used by the group, spanning so-called tourism companies in Mexico to real estate and hospitality firms in India and the UAE, as well as a Mexican supermarket to hide illicit revenue streams.

The Treasury sanctioned three other associates: Jose German Valadez Flores and Jorge Alejandro Mendoza Villegas are accused of facilitating the trafficking ring by bribing officials at airports and ports of entry, while a third, Indu Rani, is identified as Bhardwaj's wife and the lead on logistical operations.

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"Today's action, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, disrupts this network's ability to smuggle dangerous illegal aliens into the United States," Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley said in a statement to CBS News. "The Trump administration will continue to target and dismantle human smuggling organizations that value profit over human life."

In recent years, U.S. authorities have expanded the use of sanctions tools  originally conceived for targeting terrorism or narcotics networks  to confront human smuggling and transnational criminal organizations.

In June 2023, Biden-era Treasury officials targeted the Hernandez Salas smuggling network for facilitating thousands of migrants and laundering proceeds. Later that year, OFAC sanctioned the Mexican-based Malas Manas trafficking network, linking human smuggling operations to narcotics trafficking and cartel business.

The Treasury's latest move likens the Bhardwaj HSO to full-blown national security threats, akin to drug cartels or terrorist syndicates.

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To bolster enforcement, the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) recently issued an alert urging U.S. banks to look out for bulk cash smuggling and repatriation patterns tied to Mexican-based criminal organizations.

Still, Mexican officials have publicly challenged U.S. evidence prompting sanctions under the Trump administration, even questioning past designations connected to Mexican banks for alleged ties to cartel money laundering.

In June 2025, the U.S. Treasury targeted commercial banks CiBanco and Intercam, and the brokerage firm Vector Casa de Bolsa, accusing them of moving money on behalf of cartels and their fentanyl supply chain. Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, expressed frustration at the time and publicly requested that the U.S. Treasury "send proof, if they have it, so we can accompany them in the process."

This time around, Treasury officials tell CBS News the latest sanctioning effort against the Bhardwaj HSO was coordinated with Mexico's financial intelligence unit  the Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF)  as well as agents from Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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What to expect from Trump meeting with Xi Jinping

Trump fires entire board overseeing D.C. construction amid White House ballroom controversy

Judge admonishes ICE leader in Chicago after agents descend on Halloween parade
Employees of Casa Bonita, the restaurant/performance venue recently purchased by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, are going on strike.

The news came Wednesday afternoon after employees said management walked away from the bargaining table amid contract negotiations. The strike will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, with a press release joking that Casa Boo-nita will be dressed as an empty pink building for Halloween!

Casa management came to the table today offering an additional 11 cents over their last unfair wage offer, and very little for future layoff protections, said lead negotiator Andrea Hoeschen, assistant executive director and general counsel for Actors Equity Association. Despite that insult, the negotiating team responded with major compromises to try to get a deal. And then Casa Bonita walked away from the table without responding.

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Casa Bonita has been a staple of the Denver area for decades, with the Mexican theme restaurant/performance space opening in 1974. The restaurant gained even greater prominence in 2004 when a Season 7 South Park episode centered on the iconic dining space.

After the COVID-19 pandemic rattled Casa Bonita, South Park creators Parker and Stone bought the venue in the 2020s. They committed $40 million to the spaces renovation, which was showcased in 2024s Paramount+ documentary 2024 film Casa Bonita Mi Amor!

In 2024, Casa Bonita cast and crew filed to unionize with Actors Equity and IATSE in a unanimous vote. At the time, around 80 employees filed with the National Labor Review Board, including cliff divers, magicians and puppeteers. Since April, Actors Equity and Casa Bonita management have been in negotiations.

In September of 2025, the Casa Bonita union filed an Unfair Labor Practices charge against the restaurant when over 1,000 hours were cut from workers without engaging in bargaining. Actors Equity also noticed that management has added insult to injury by doubling down on an unfair wage proposal and refusing to respond to demands around performer safety.

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We know they can pay the wages were asking for because they already pay basically the same wages to the servers and bartenders, Hoeschen continued. Their insistence on paying DOLLARS an hour less to the performers reflects a choice and a philosophy to devalue performers.

The post Trey Parker, Matt Stones Casa Bonita Performers Go on Strike appeared first on TheWrap.
Morocco and Gambia have agreed to strengthen their military cooperation through training, exercises, the exchange of visits, experiences & expertise in various fields of mutual interest.

The agreement was sealed during the visit minister of Defence of Gambia Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof is paying to Morocco with a high-level delegation.

A Joint Military Commission will be set up to identify the priority axes of cooperation. It will meet alternately in Rabat and Banjul.

On Wednesday, the Gambian minister was received in Rabat by Minister Delegate in charge of the National defence Administration, Abdeltif Loudyi. They discussed cooperation prospects and the constructive role of both Morocco and The Gambia in maintaining stability, security, and peace across the African continent.

The meeting was also an opportunity to highlight various South-South cooperation initiatives launched by King Mohammed VI for stability and shared prosperity of the African continent.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  Over nine years since the death of a 6-year-old boy, a trial is finally underway for the man accused of his murder.

40-year-old Darin Thrailkill stands accused of first and second degree murder. Defense attorneys claim the child died from a combination of aspiration pneumonia and asthma. The prosecution argues he is guilty of murder by strangulation.



Thrailkill was arrested seven years after the childs death in 2016 and extradited from Florida to face charges here in Grand Junction. Jury selection began on Wednesday morning. Members of jury wont be sequestered for the trial, which is expected to continue until November 14th.

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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 WesternSlopeNow.com.
NORTH ANDOVER  The theater lights dimmed and guests settled in their seats as artist, historian and descendant of the Neponset band of the Massachusett, Thomas Spirit Tree Green lectured folks on the history of North Andover including a time where an unidentified plague wiped out about 90% of the Indigenous population.

Green, who serves as a Tribal Council member and chairman of the tribes History Preservation Committee, led the lecture titled The Massachusett Nation, detailing the early interactions between Indigenous inhabitants and European settlers, with a focus on the devastating period known as The Great Dying, when nearly the entire Massachusett Nation perished from the plague in the early 1600s.

Guests gathered at the North Andover Historical Society, 800 Massachusetts Ave., where admission to the presentation was free for members and $10 for non-members. About 20 people attended, according to David Blauvelt, NAHS coordinator of education, volunteers and programming, who said the event was a long time in the making.

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Blauvelt, who joined the society about two years ago, said one of his objectives has been to mend and strengthen the regions relationship with Indigenous communities, shifting the focus beyond colonial history to educate the public on indigenous history, too.

How can we benefit and support Native Americans who are still living in our communities? Blauvelt said.

That goal had him reaching out to the Massachusett tribe about two years ago  a tribe is not federally recognized like the Aquinnah Wampanoag and the Mashpee Wampanoag.

Green is the cultural educator of the tribe, which Blauvelt said is about 300 strong, and was selected to host the lecture.

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During the presentation, Greens talk traced the roots of North Andover and surrounding towns, recounting the 1630s arrival of Europeans and the establishment of Cochichewick Plantation.

By 1646, according to the NAHS, the General Court confirmed that the towns first reverend, John Woodbridge, and first tavern keeper, Edmond Faulkner, purchased a tract of land from Cutshamache, a sagamore of the Massachusett, for six British pounds and a coat. That transaction would encompass what is now Andover, North Andover and Lawrence.

From there, Green dove into The Great Dying, which was a tragedy between 1616 and 1619 when an unknown epidemic swept through the region, killing most of the indigenous population just before the Pilgrims arrival. In 1620, English vessels sailed into harbors only to find abandoned villages erased by disease.

Blauvelt said Green was an exemplary public speaker who truly drove the message home, as he was engaging, strong, mixed in some humor, and wasnt afraid to give the hard truth.

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The event was a success, Blauvelt said, and he hopes that this sparks the beginning of a series  more education programs centered on Indigenous history  and forges a new partnership.

Its the start of a better relationship with the Massachusett, he said. We would like to host any gatherings they would like to have. Its the least we could do as a form of reparations.
As the longest government shutdown continues without an end in sight, tribal leaders across Arizona are preparing their tribal members for impact and uncertainty, especially the loss of SNAP benefits.

Yaqui Chairman Julian Hernandez informed tribal members that, with Arizona set to suspend SNAP benefits for November, he and other tribal leaders are monitoring the situation closely and staying updated on any developments.

"We are not sure if SNAP benefits will be reinstated in December," Hernandez said. "I invite all community members to stand together. Every act strengthens our communities. Together, we will meet this moment with the strength of our people."

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Arizona reportedly has 855,000 low-income Arizonans who rely on monthly federal assistance to buy food, and a 2021 report from the University of Arizona's Indigenous Resilience Center reported that 33% of households on the Navajo Nation received SNAP benefits. There are an estimated 43 million people in the United States who use SNAP, 420,000 in New Mexico and 86,000 households in Utah.

Gila River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis announced that community leadership has approved a general welfare payment to help offset the impact of the federal government shutdown on tribal members. According to a resolution passed by the Community Council, all members who are 18 years or older as of Nov. 1, 2025, will receive a $1,000 General Assistance Payment.

On Oct. 31, U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. directed President Donald Trumps Agriculture Department to issue full food-stamp payments by Monday, Nov. 3, or, alternatively, partial payments by Wednesday, Nov. 5. Lewis noted, however, that despite the court order, it will still take time before it is rectified.

"As of today SNAP benefit have lapsed for those in the community who rely on that supplemental support for food security," Lewis said in a Nov. 1 post. "Although the courts have stepped in to this issue, it will still take time, possibly weeks before those benefits are back on track and even then we anticipate it to be partial payments."

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The Navajo Nation Council introduced legislation in support of U.S. Senate Bill 3024, the "Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025," and urged its passage before Nov. 1. The proposed bill seeks to guarantee uninterrupted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for fiscal year 2026, even if Congress has not approved a U.S. Department of Agriculture budget.

Introduced by U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, it would allocate the necessary funds to the secretary of Agriculture to prevent any lapse in benefits, including retroactive payments for any missed benefits after Sept. 30.

"The federal government has trust responsibilities to uphold with Native American tribes, and the federal shutdown has disrupted critical programs that provide health and wellness assistance to our people, said Navajo Speaker Crystalyne Curley. The funding for SNAP beneficiaries comes from the federal government and is funneled down to our people through state partners. The federal shutdown is further impacting food security on the Nation.

Food banks offer help

For people who need help on the Navajo Nation, there are several food banks. There may be eligibility criteria and many food banks will be affected by an increase in individuals and families seeking assistance due to the lack of SNAP benefits, according to the Navajo Division for Children and Family Services.

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St. Jude Food Bank in Tuba City is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact: 928-283-6886.

St. Mary's Food Bank serves parts of Arizona, including the Navajo Nation. More information at azfoodhelp.org.

Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Food Bank, Chinle, Arizona. Food is available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., twice a month for recipients. Contact: 928-674-5202.

The Community Pantry assists McKinley County and Cibola County in New Mexico. Must be registered. Contact: Gallup, 505-726-8068, or Grants, 505-287-5090.

Echo Food Bank serves San Juan County, New Mexico. Contact: 505-326-3770.

New Mexico and Utah residents may call 211 for assistance finding local resources.

Shutdown furloughs grow across Indian Country

On Oct. 29, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held an oversight hearing about the effects of the government shutdown and agency job cuts in Native Communities. The discussion went beyond the suspension of SNAP benefits, addressing how the government shutdown that began on Oct. 1 threatens essential support for Native American families and individuals and how it more broadly harms Indian Country.

"When the federal government shuts down, our trust, treaty and legal obligations do not vanish," said U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. "But they are put at risk. Promises to provide health care, housing, education and public safety among so many other critical services are on the chopping block."

Schatz added that Native communities are rushing to secure alternative or backup funding in case federal support is interrupted, and several tribes have already declared a state of emergency.

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At the beginning of the shutdown, the Bureau of Indian Affairs furloughed over 1,100 employees, drawing complaints from some leaders who say the government should uphold its commitments to tribes.

Schatz said this shutdown will not only be the longest in history, but most damaging for federal workers as reductions-in-force "are happening across the federal government, choking off funds and services promised to Native communities," such as the Bureau of Indian Education.

"Punishing federal workers with pink slips is a choice," Schatz said.

Financial services program could lose funding

Sarah Harris, who is the Mohegan Tribes vice chairwoman and secretary for the nonprofit United South and Eastern Tribes and the related United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund, told the committee that despite legal requirements to uphold tribal programs, funding and consultation, the Trump administration has continued advancing its policy agenda without first safeguarding Indian Country from harmful effects.

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She noted that these actions have caused widespread confusion, fear and harm across tribal communities, through freezing or redirecting critical federal funds, dismissing key federal employees and proposing changes to essential programs. Additionally, she said, Indian Country has been unfairly entangled in the administrations actions targeting immigration, diversity, equity, inclusion and environmental justice initiatives.

"As is becoming lamentably routine in Washington, the recent shutdown was precipitated by political disagreement that doesnt directly implicate Indian Country," Harris said. "Yet, because the majority of our funding appears on the discretionary side of the federal budget, year after year, the execution of the federal fiduciary trust obligation is held hostage to partisanship and gridlock."

The shutdown could also cut off access to key Native financial services programs, such as Community Development Financial Institutions Funds, which expand access to credit, capital and financial services.

Ted Upton, a member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, CEO of the Native CDFI Network and executive director of Native360 Loan Fund, told committee members that as of Oct. 10, CDFI Fund staff will be terminated in keeping with the Trump administrations plan to abolish the fund altogether.

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A Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia study found that 46% of tribal communities are in banking deserts, over 12 times the national average. Native CDFIs fill this gap by providing essential financial services where none exist, Upton said. Eliminating the CDFI Fund after the Oct. 10 layoffs would severely hinder their ability to support tribal small business, housing, agriculture and consumer lending, he said.

"The CDFI Fund and Native CDFIs specifically have long enjoyed the bipartisan support of Congress, which has long recognized the irreplaceable benefits that CDFIs generate for Americans who are looking to gain a toehold in our shared American economy," Upton said. "Native CDFIs in particular embody the founding intent of the CDFI Fund: to provide seed capital that grows local economies."

"There is so much uncertainty at play here, we can't figure the path forward right now," said U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. "There are more and more concerns coming up. There is no reason for a shutdown ever."

Arlyssa D. Becenti covers Indigenous affairs for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Send story ideas and tips to arlyssa.becenti@arizonarepublic.com.

Pushback: Arizona sues to keep food stamps flowing despite government shutdown

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tribes warn of SNAP cuts, funding losses in government shutdown
Classes looked a little different for students at Trinity Christian Academy on Thursday.

Students rolled up their sleeves and strapped on hair nets to pack non-perishable food items for families in need.

Were going to expect to pack 84 boxes, and theres 40 bags in a box, Martin Hersey, Vice Principal at TCA, said. A bag should feed a family for 6 days.

Trinity Christian Academy is packing enough food to provide 30,000 meals to families in just two days.

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Of those 30,000 meals, 10,000 will go to a Jacksonville homeless shelter called Trinity Rescue Mission. The remaining 20,000 meals will go to families in Bangladesh and India.

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Its an event that 7th grader Reece Eaton and her friends look forward to every year.

I think it helps them to live a better life because they deserve things that we have and that we can share Jesus with them, Eaton said.

This food drive comes as millions of Americans are at risk of losing their SNAP benefits on Saturday due to the government shutdown. Darrell Dow with Trinity Rescue Mission said these meals couldnt have come at a better time.

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One days activity fills 5% of what our food service does in a year, Dow said. With the Snap benefits being canceled, well see an influx, especially in Novemberthis is actually going to help fill that for us.

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TCA said the boxes will be shipped out tomorrow.

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A man tried to get away with driving in the carpool lane with a creepy fake passenger in Washington.

Now, a trooper has a message for him: Does not count.

The driver was stopped in the early afternoon of Oct. 29 on Interstate 5, near the Interstate 90 intersect in Seattle, Washington State Patrol Trooper Rick Johnson told McClatchy News by email.

A trooper discovered a scary skeleton buckled into the passenger seat.

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Skeletons dont count as passengers, Johnson said in a post on X, which included a photo of the prop.

The driver was fined $186, Johnson told McClatchy News.

What are HOV lane rules?

In Washington, HOV lanes are reserved for carpools, vanpools, buses, and/or other vehicles carrying multiple people, according to the state transportation department.

Typically, a vehicle must have two occupants to drive in the lane, but three occupants may be required depending on the area, officials said.

The lane is designed to give vehicles with multiple people inside an advantage on roadways.

If a driver uses the lane incorrectly for the first time, they get a $186 fine, transportation officials said.

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But an extra $200 can be added to the ticket if a driver uses a dummy or mannequin as a passenger.

Walmart worker got drunk at lunch and fatally ran over co-worker, TX cops say

Passenger accused of road rage shooting that left man dead, Illinois officials say

Mom of 4 killed when family crashes into big rig hidden by fog, Iowa family says
The Trump administration this week provided more than a dozen Senate Republicans a secret target list for its ongoing military campaign in the Caribbean Sea, as well as a detailed legal rationale for the attacks, officials said Thursday, as part of a GOP-only Capitol Hill briefing that angered Democrats.

The new information, which had been requested by both Republicans and Democrats as the military operations stretched into their second month, suggested the administration was preparing for sustained operations against drug cartels and that it believed the military strikes could withstand potential legal challenges.

It was not immediately clear why the administration invited only certain Republicans to the briefing, with some officials speculating the list was aimed at swaying certain lawmakers on a brewing debate in Congress on the War Powers Act and whether lawmakers should have more of a say in advance of the military operations.

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"When an administration decides it can pick and choose which elected representatives get the understanding of their legal argument of why [drug cartels need] military force and only chooses a particular party, it ignores all the checks and balances," said Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images - PHOTO: Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark Warner talks to reporters about Democrats being excluded from briefings about military strikes on alleged drug boats at the Capitol, Oct. 30, 2025.

4 killed in latest US strike on alleged drug boat in Eastern Pacific: Hegseth

"Congress has an oversight role here. This is US Government 101," he later added.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump designated certain drug cartels as "terrorist organizations," a legal designation he says enables him to strike anyone suspected of smuggling narcotics toward the United States.

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In a recent notification to Congress about the strikes, Trump's lawyers said the U.S. was in an "armed conflict" with the cartels.

Legal experts have questioned the rationale of linking drug smugglers to armed militants like al-Qaida because they would not necessarily pose an imminent risk to Americans.

Since Sept. 2, the military has conducted 14 strikes and killed 61 people, posting video of boats exploding.

@SecWar - PHOTO: In this screen grab from a video posted on social media, a boat is shown after being hit with a kinetic strike in the Eastern Pacific.

Timeline: US strikes on alleged drug boats

"The Western Hemisphere is no longer a safe haven for narco-terrorists bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans," wrote Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on X after the latest round of strikes.

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Sources say that before this week, the administration provided two Senate bipartisan briefings -- one for members and one for lawmakers. Neither time provided a detailed legal rationale for the strikes.

Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson declined to answer questions about the briefings and why Democrats weren't invited.

"Department of War has briefed the appropriate committees of jurisdiction, including the Senate Intelligence committee, numerous times throughout the operations targeting narco-terrorists. These have occurred on a bipartisan basis, and will continue as such," she said.

Sen. Mike Rounds, a South Dakota Republican who is on the intelligence and armed services committees, suggested he was uncomfortable with the Republican-only invitation list and said he spoke to the White House about ensuring future access includes members of both parties.

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14 dead in more strikes against alleged drug boats, Hegseth says

"This is an unfortunate situation, and I wish it wouldn't have happened this way," Rounds told reporters, who added that he talked to a number of colleagues who said they all agreed such meetings should be held on a bipartisan basis.

Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, said he had no issue with how the briefing was handled and said he was satisfied with the answers they provided.

"I left there convinced as I was when I went in that the president has absolute authority -- not only authority, the duty -- to protect the American people when somebody is sending something the United States to attack and kill Americans," he said.

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On the House side, the administration briefed both Republicans and Democrats on Thursday from the House Armed Services Committee, although lawyers were not on hand to discuss the legal rationale.

According to one House Democrat, lawmakers were told the narcotics being targeted in the shipments were cocaine, not fentanyl.

"They admitted that all of the narcotics coming out of this part of the world is cocaine," said Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif. "They talked a little bit about the connection between cocaine and fentanyl, although I'm not convinced that what they said was accurate."

Jacobs said lawmakers were also told the government does not need to positively identify individuals on these vessels to do the strikes.

"They just need to prove a connection to smuggling," she said.
The first group of Afrikaners from South Africa to arrive for resettlement listen to remarks from U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Troy Edgar (both out of frame), after they arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia, on May 12, 2025. Credit - Saul LoebAFP/Getty Images

Far fewer refugees will be allowed into the U.S. in the coming year, and most of those who are admitted will be white South Africans who President Donald Trump has alleged face unjust racial discrimination in their country.

The Trump Administration will limit refugee admissions to no more than 7,500 during the 2026 fiscal year, the White House announced in a notice published in the Federal Register on Thursday, a dramatic 94% decrease from the 125,000 figure set last year under President Joe Biden.

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The White House said the significantly reduced number of overall refugee admissions is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest, but did not provide further explanation.

Admissions will also primarily be allocated among Afrikaners from South Africa, the notice said, as well as other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands. It pointed to an Executive Order the President issued in February, in which Trump condemned South Africa for what he described as countless policies restricting the opportunities of Afrikaners and fueling disproportionate violence against racially disfavored landowners. Afrikaners, who are descendants of primarily Dutch colonial settlers who arrived in South Africa in the 1600s, governed the country from 1948 to 1994 and imposed racial separation laws known as apartheid.

Read more: The Long History of the U.S. Backing White South Africans

South African officials have strongly disputed the claims that Afrikaners are the victims of racial persecution.

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There are sufficient structures available within South Africa to address concerns of discrimination. Moreover, even if there are allegations of discrimination, it is our view that these do not meet the threshold of persecution required under domestic and international refugee law, the South African Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation said in a statement earlier this year, contending that U.S. efforts to resettle South Africans as refugees appeared entirely politically motivated and designed to question South Africas constitutional democracy.

On the first day of his second term, Trump suspended all refugee admissions to the U.S, saying in his Executive Order that the country lacks the ability to absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans, that protects their safety and security, and that ensures the appropriate assimilation of refugees. But just over two weeks later, he announced an exception for white South Africans, raising the allegations that they were being discriminated against.

In May, a chartered plane with 50 Afrikaners on board landed in the U.S. The move marked a significant shift in the countrys refugee policytypically, refugees entering the U.S. are vetted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which refers people escaping persecution and violence in their home nations to safer countries. That office did not vet the 50 Afrikaners who arrived in the U.S. that month.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Crosses, plastic flowers and American flags are placed atop graves at the Wounded Knee Memorial and cemetery on June 30, 2024. The memorial and cemetery sit atop a hill overlooking the town of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. (Photo by Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight)

The genesis of the massacre began with a dance.

During the throes of a continuing drought on the Pine Ridge Reservation in 1890, the Lakota people living there were also contending with severely reduced rations from the U.S. government as it tried to pressure Indigenous residents into yielding valuable reservation land. These punitive restrictions caused widespread hunger and starvation, which turned many Lakota tribal members toward Wovoka, a Paiute prophet who promised the disappearance of the white man and a return of native lands and buffalo if certain rites and dances were performed, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.

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The central ritual of this hybrid Christian-Indigenous religious movement was the so-called Ghost Dance, which struck non-Indigenous settlers in the area, then the U.S. government, with paranoid terror (ghost shirts sanctified in the dances supposedly could stop bullets).

Learn more

Explore our Wounded Knee archives

U.S. soldiers were then dispatched to deal with the situation, just 14 years after Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and more than 200 of his 7th Cavalry troopers were ignominiously annihilated by a combined force of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors at Montanas Little Bighorn River valley. Among Army units sent to Pine Ridge in 1890 was the 7th Cavalry.

Ominously, Lakota holy man Sitting Bull, one of the leaders at the Little Bighorn fight, had been killed two weeks before, as tribal police on the Standing Rock Reservation, northeast of Pine Ridge, tried to arrest him after the Ghost Dance rituals were subdued, further enflaming tensions. This prompted some of Sitting Bulls followers to join a group led by Miniconjou Lakota leader Sitanka, also known as Big Foot, who fled the Cheyenne River agency with a plan to join other leaders at Pine Ridge. Big Foot and his followers encountered 7th Cavalry troops on Dec. 28, 1890, and spent the night uneventfully at a campsite near Wounded Knee Creek.

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Early the next morning, everything went south, as U.S. soldiers encircled the encampment and attempted to disarm the group. A shot rang out as soldiers wrestled with a warrior who refused to give up his weapon, followed immediately by a continuous, deadly volley of gunfire from soldiers. In the end, 200 to 300 Lakota men, women and children lay dead  some corpses were found a mile or two from the site  and another 100 were injured. As many as 40 soldiers also reportedly died in the mayhem.

The frozen Lakota dead (a frigid snowstorm had rolled in the next day), including Big Foot, were dumped unceremoniously into a mass grave several days later.

In 2025, the immediate issue is the insistence of Pete Hegseth, secretary of the newly minted U.S. Department of War, that U.S. history records this terrible tragedy as a battle and not what it objectively was, a massacre of many unarmed people, including women and children. To that end, Hegseth will not revoke Medals of Honor  its Americas highest military honor today but in 1890 was a less revered military decoration  that were granted to approximately 20 soldiers after the incident (the precise number is in debate, because records for some of the medals are incomplete or unclear). Members of Congress including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, have made repeated attempts to revoke the medals legislatively, which South Dakotas congressional delegation has not supported.

We cannot be a country that celebrates and rewards horrifying acts of violence, Warren said recently. With this announcement, Secretary Hegseth is valorizing people who committed a massacre.

Deb Haaland, a candidate for governor in New Mexico and the first Native American to serve as Interior Department secretary, under President Joe Biden, said that Hegseths rhetoric about the medals represented cruelty, not justice.

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In 2024, under Biden, then Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin convened a panel to review the actions of each soldier at Wounded Knee, and reconsider the medals validity. But a report by the panel was never released and Austin did not make a final decision. Hegseth termed this careless inaction, and stressed that the medals were deserved.

This year, South Dakotas U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson sponsored a bill  the Wounded Knee Massacre Memorial and Sacred Site Act  to preserve a section of land where the massacre took place. It passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate, where South Dakotas Mike Rounds and John Thune are sponsoring an identical bill.

In a press release issued by Johnsons House office, he stated: In 2023, I visited the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre. I met with descendants of the survivors, and I saw the bloodstained floorboards of St. Johns Church where the wounded were treated. It was a tragic day in Americas history. My bill acknowledges our mistake and ensures this land will be sacred for generations to come.

Soldiers significantly outnumbered Native Americans that fateful day at Wounded Knee. The troops also fired four cannons from a hilltop at such a distance that, according to a 1980 journal article by Larry D. Roberts of South Dakota State University, neither the age nor gender of those targeted could be clearly distinguished.

Not much of a battle.

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WEST VIRGINIA (WVNS)  An order preventing President Trump from laying off thousands of federal employees was extended after a ruling by a federal judge.

New study shows West Virginia has the nations greatest increase in internet connectivity

The president expressed intentions to substantially reduce the federal workforce at the beginning of the ongoing government shutdown. A California judge suggested the effort was politically motivated. The layoff efforts have been halted indefinitely following the ruling, though Democrats remain concerned about federal employees around the country.



Ive heard from a lot of federal workers on this topic, said Virginia Senator, Mark Warner. If you do reopen government, and then Trump continues to do these whats called Reductions in Force  RIFs  or starts continuing to fire people, illegally as one court has stated, thats not in the best interests of federal workers either.

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State leaders in West Virginia have taken action to negate effects of the shutdown as it inches closer to the one-month mark. Governor Patrick Morrisey announced state contingency funding to offer relief to food banks across the state. Treasurer Larry Pack told 59News West Virginians are unique in their willingness to lift one another up in times of crisis.



One of the best things about West Virginia is community. Our sense of community, our big families, our big church families, how our communities stick together, he said. We do help each other and were willing to help each other.



Recent negotiation efforts to end the government shutdown were unsuccessful. Republicans have continued to push what they are calling a clean GOP bill to facilitate a reopening. Meanwhile, Democrats have insisted action be taken regarding healthcare funding concerns.

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 WVNS.
KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Trump administration has released its final rule, which will restrict workers from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program if the organization they work for is deemed to be engaging in "illegal" activities.

Advocates have criticized the rule, saying it politicizes the PSLF program and could hurt workers at organizations that support immigrant families, medical care for transgender youth, or diversity in the workplace.

President Donald Trump's administration has finalized a rule that would change which nonprofit and public workers can receive student loan forgiveness.

The Department of Education released its final rule on Thursday morning, which will restrict non-profit workers from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program if the Trump Administration deems the work of the non-profit organization to be "illegal."

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The PSLF program forgives the remainder of student loans that public service workers, such as teachers, firefighters, and some nonprofit organization workers, hold after 120 qualifying payments. The Education Department's rule will exclude workers from the program if their employers "engage in activities" that have "substantial illegal purpose."

The final rule will be published in the Federal Register on Oct. 31, 2025, and will take effect on July 1, 2026.

The agency has specifically said it would apply the rule to organizations that violate federal immigration laws, support terrorism, engage in gender-affirming care for minors, or utilize illegal discrimination.

"When an organization has a pattern or practice of engaging in certain illegal conduct, they have a substantial illegal purpose because a significant amount of their activities are supporting illegal activity. Illegal activity by its very nature runs contrary to the public good," the Department of Education said in a statement.

Why This Matters

Public service workers generally earn less money than their private sector counterparts and are more likely to hold student loan debt. If public workers are denied student loan forgiveness because their organization was deemed illegal, they will be stuck with their debt for longer than they expected.

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Some legal analysts and advocacy groups say the rule politicizes the PSLF program. Workers in non-profit advocacy groups or hospitals that support immigrant families, gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth, or diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace may be stripped of their eligibility for PSLF under the new rules, some legal analysts say.

Student loan advocacy groups, Democracy Forward and Protect Borrowers, said in a joint statement they would pursue legal action to halt the rule.

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The Moroccan government and Renault Group have signed an amendment to their existing investment agreement, marking a significant new chapter in the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the French automotive manufacturer.

Under the agreement, signed in Rabat, Renault will expand its operations to open its platforms to more hybrid and electric car production.

Renault would also set up an engineer and excellence and R&D unit to be operational by the end of 2025, further strengthening Moroccos position as a regional industrial and technological hub.

Overall, the agreement aims to generate 7,500 direct and indirect jobs. It reinforces the mutual commitment to enhancing the sectors sustainability and competitiveness.

Over the medium term, the group plans to accelerate its transition to electric mobility, with a new range of electric vehicles set to debut by 2030.

The development plan, which spans from 2025 to 2030, also includes modernization of production sites, optimization of manufacturing lines, and upskilling of the workforce.

In 2024, Renault Group Morocco produced over 413,000 vehicles, with 90% exported to more than 68 countries, solidifying the Kingdoms role as a key player in the global automotive industry.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Trump administration is forging ahead with plans to eject some nonprofits from a popular student loan forgiveness program if their work is deemed to have a substantial illegal purpose  a move that could cut off some teachers, doctors and other public workers from federal loan cancellation.

New rules finalized Thursday give the Education Department expanded power to ban organizations from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The Trump administration said it's necessary to block taxpayer money from lawbreakers. Critics say it turns the program into a tool of political retribution.

Set to take effect in July, the policy is aimed primarily at organizations that work with immigrants and transgender youth.

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It grants the education secretary power to exclude groups from the program if they engage in activities including the trafficking or chemical castration of children, illegal immigration and supporting terrorist organizations. Chemical castration is defined as using hormone therapy or drugs that delay puberty  gender-affirming care common for transgender children or teens.

It amounts to a major reworking of a program that has canceled loans for more than 1 million Americans and was created by Congress in 2007 to steer more college graduates into lower-paying public sector jobs. The Trump administration has yet to identify specific groups it intends to target, but it estimates fewer than 10 would be barred per year.

The program "was meant to support Americans who dedicate their careers to public service  not to subsidize organizations that violate the law, whether by harboring illegal immigrants or performing prohibited medical procedures that attempt to transition children away from their biological sex, Education Undersecretary Nicholas Kent said in a statement.

The new rules are weaponizing loan forgiveness to make it harder for groups that work on issues like refugee and transgender rights, said Michael Lukens, executive director of the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights.

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Lukens said many of the attorneys, social workers and paralegals who work at his organization on deportation defense and other immigration litigation count on public service loan forgiveness to take jobs that pay significantly less than the private sector.

All of a sudden, thats going away, Lukens said. The younger generation, I hope, will be able to wait this out for the next couple of years to see if it gets better, but if it doesnt, were going to see a lot of people leave the field to go and work in a for-profit space.

The program has rewarded a wide range of public service careers

The program promises to cancel federal student loans for government employees and many nonprofit workers after they have made 10 years of payments. It has long been open to government workers, teachers, firefighters and employees of public hospitals. Eligibility rules laid out by Congress focus mostly on nonprofits tax status and their field of work.

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The benefit has gone to workers at organizations across the political spectrum. Yet in a March action demanding new limits, President Donald Trump said it has misdirected tax dollars into activist organizations that not only fail to serve the public interest, but actually harm our national security and American values, sometimes through criminal means.

A central concern of critics is the wide latitude the department is giving itself to determine if an organization's work should be considered to have a substantial illegal purpose.

Employers across state and local government as well as nonprofits can be expelled from the program if a state or federal court rules against them, or if they agree to a legal settlement that includes admission of guilt. Performing gender-affirming care in the 27 states that outlaw it, for example, appears to be grounds for expulsion.

Even without a legal finding, the education secretary will be able to independently determine that an organization should be barred. The secretary would weigh whether the preponderance of the evidence leans against the employer.

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The department dismissed concerns from many who said that bar is too low.

It ensures decisions are grounded in fact, not speculation, and allows the Department to act promptly to protect both borrowers and taxpayers, federal officials wrote.

Critics see an opening for decisions based on ideology

Among those opposing the proposal were prominent associations in higher education, health care and legal professions. In public comments submitted to the department, many called it an illegal overstep and said it would undermine an incentive that has helped address work shortages in high-demand fields.

The American Bar Association said it could decrease the ranks of public defenders and those in public interest law. Thousands of people will lose access to representation, the association said, simply because those attorneys jobs were deemed politically unfavorable by the Secretary.

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The National Council of Nonprofits said the policy would allow future administrations from any political party to change eligibility rules based on their own priorities or ideology.

Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, said the overhaul will prevent taxpayers from covering loan relief for employees at radical organizations that violate state and federal laws.

Under the new rules, employers can only be sanctioned for activities that take place on or after July 1, 2026. Those barred from the program can reapply for eligibility after 10 years or rejoin sooner if they follow a corrective action plan approved by the secretary.

Documents from the department indicate that a single violation of the law may or may not be enough to get an employer barred, depending on the circumstances. Not all organizations that break the law have a substantial illegal purpose, the agency said, and it ultimately comes down to the secretary's analysis of the evidence.

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___

Associated Press writer Annie Ma contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
The U.S. military carried out another strike on an alleged "narco-trafficking vessel" in the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, killing four people, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said  marking at least the 15th boat to be hit in the Trump administration's two-month-long campaign of strikes that have killed more than 60 people.

Hegseth posted a video of a boat strike on X. He said the strike was conducted in international waters, and alleged that the boat was operated by an unnamed designated terrorist organization. He said no U.S. forces were harmed.

An image of Wednesday's boat strike posted to X by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The military began striking alleged drug-carrying boats in the Caribbean Sea early last month, and expanded the operations to the Eastern Pacific in recent weeks. In some, but not all, cases, the Trump administration has said the boats were linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

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The administration has vowed to continue carrying out the strikes, arguing the U.S. is in an "armed conflict" with drug cartels and gangs in Latin America, many of which the U.S. has designated as foreign terrorist organizations.

"The Western Hemisphere is no longer a safe haven for narco-terrorists bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans," Hegseth wrote Wednesday on X. "The Department of War will continue to hunt them down and eliminate them wherever they operate."

Mr. Trump has also floated the possibility of strikes on land-based targets, saying last week, "The land is going to be next."

The campaign has drawn pushback from some lawmakers who want more evidence that the targets were actually smuggling drugs and warn that it could draw the U.S. into a conflict in the region. Congress has not authorized the strikes, though the Trump administration argues it doesn't need permission from the legislature.

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Venezuela and Colombia have also expressed outrage over the strikes, which are part of a broader military buildup in the Caribbean, with several U.S. ships and thousands of troops deploying to the region.

The administration has heaped pressure on the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, accusing him of partnering with drug traffickers  a charge he denies. A U.S. warship docked in nearby Trinidad and Tobago over the weekend, which the Venezuelan government called a "hostile provocation."

What to expect from Trump meeting with Xi Jinping

Trump fires entire board overseeing D.C. construction amid White House ballroom controversy

Judge admonishes ICE leader in Chicago after agents descend on Halloween parade
By Courtney Rozen

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has launched a website to recruit more law enforcement officers to police Washington, D.C., as it seeks to expand its control over the nation's capital.

The website advertises openings at Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Park Police. Hires will be stationed in Washington, D.C., for up to one year, according to the website.

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The Trump administration launched the site to recruit "highly qualified and specifically trained individuals," said White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers.

Since June, the administration has deployed National Guard troops to various Democratic-led jurisdictions, including Los Angeles and Memphis as well as Washington, in an extraordinary expansion of the use of the military for domestic purposes. The deployments aimed to quell what Trump said were high levels of crime.

Trump this month declared victory over what he called a "crisis" of crime in Washington. A Reuters review of public safety records suggested that it was too early, however, to draw any sweeping conclusions about the effects of the deployments.

The new website links to the federal government's jobs board, which includes an advertisement for police officers to join the U.S. Park Police, the law enforcement arm of the National Park Service. Applications opened on September 29, according to the ad.

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The Trump administration is looking for police officers to guard "National Park Service icons and symbols of democracy," the posting said, adding that officers will be required to maintain firearms proficiency. New hires may be eligible for a bonus of up to $70,000 over four years.

(Reporting by Courtney Rozen; Editing by Andrea Ricci and Edmund Klamann)
The Trump administration announced Thursday that it will slash the number of refugees the United States will accept in the coming year and prioritize white South Africans it alleges are facing discrimination in their country.

In notices posted to the Federal Register, the White House said that only 7,500 refugees will be accepted during the coming fiscal year, which runs from October 2025 to September 2026. The notices added that priority will be given under this category to Afrikaner refugees and other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands.

Thats a dramatic drop from the Biden administration, which regularly accepted around 100,000 refugees a year. It also represents the lowest number of refugees to be admitted since the 1970s, when there was a cap of 17,000 a year. Even during Covid-19 under the first Trump administration, the U.S. accepted at least 11,000 refugees a year.

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The administration also said it is shifting refugee resettlement contracts from the purview of the State Department to the Office of Refugee Resettlement at the Department of Health and Human Services  a major departure from the typical way the U.S. refugee program has been administered under recent administrations.

The administration offered little explanation for the changes in the notice, beyond the need to conduct refugee resettlement in a manner that serves the national interest, promotes efficient use of taxpayer dollars, protects the integrity of the United States immigration system, and supports refugees in achieving early economic self-sufficiency and assimilation into American society.

The changes in how the program is administered comes after a July layoff at the State Department largely gutted its Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, which oversaw and coordinated refugee efforts with U.S. embassies around the world.

ORR previously mainly administered shelters for migrants  including those for unaccompanied minors  and distributed resources to refugee families. It will now take over all work with private and public partners to place refugees around the U.S. and provide them with funding to sustain their operations.

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The White House said that "no refugees will be admitted in FY26 until the appropriate consultations with Congress are held, which are being delayed because certain members of Congress insisted on shutting down the government. It added that the Trump administration is looking to "end" alleged "abuse of the refugee program" under President Joe Biden.

HHS did not respond to requests for comment. The State Department referred reporters to the same statement issued by the White House.

But the policy change reflects the Trump administrations desire to put more restrictions on who can enter the United States, as it also cracks down on unauthorized immigration. The Trump administration nixed Biden administration programs offering temporary legal status to Afghans, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelan migrants earlier this year. Administration officials have hinted at cutting such programs for Salvadoran and Honduran migrants as well.
A coalition of over two dozen states has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, demanding that funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) be continued during the ongoing government shutdown.

Lawsuit Calls SNAP Suspension Illegal

The lawsuit, co-led by states including New York, California, and Massachusetts, was filed on Tuesday. The states are seeking a federal court order to compel the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to utilize emergency reserve funds to provide food benefits to the about 42 million families and children who rely on SNAP.

Trending: The ChatGPT of Marketing' Just Opened a $0.81/Share Round  10,000+ Investors Are Already In

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, alleges that the USDAs actions have resulted in a delay in SNAP benefits, a first since the programs inception. The states argue that suspending these benefits is both capricious and arbitrary under the Administrative Procedure Act.

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Letitia James, New York State Attorney General, stated, Millions of Americans are about to go hungry because the federal government has chosen to withhold food assistance it is legally obligated to provide.

Rollins Calls On Democrats To End Shutdown

The USDA had earlier warned that the SNAP benefits well has run dry for November. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins had called it shameful that there werent enough funds to provide SNAP to millions of Americans.

Despite the lawsuit, Rollins reiterated on Fox News on Tuesday that the USDA does not have the funds for SNAP and that the Democrats must end the shutdown.

See Also: Accredited Investors Can Now Tap Into the $36 Trillion Home Equity Market  Without Buying a Single Property

Senators Push Bills To Continue SNAP

The government shutdown has put the funding of SNAP in jeopardy, prompting a response from lawmakers. Ten senators, including a Democrat, have backed a bill, initiated by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) last week, to fund SNAP until the government shutdown ends.

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The bill, known as the Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025, aims to ensure that the food aid program continues to receive funding until the USDA can access its appropriations or stopgap measures.

Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are set to introduce their own bill to ensure food aid benefits continue before the Nov. 1 funding cliff. Led by Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), the proposal would require the administration to fund both SNAP and the food aid program for low-income women and children, while reimbursing states that pay benefits during the shutdown, reported Politico. Most Senate Democrats, including Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), back Lujan's bill  though it currently has no Republican co-sponsors.

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This article Trump Administration Sued Over Suspending Food Benefits Amid Shutdown originally appeared on Benzinga.com
President Donald Trump was brutally fact-checked to his face by Chinese leader Xi Jinping over claims he made about solving another war.

Trump has, several times, claimed to have been the driving force behind stopping the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia that turned violent, clearly irritating Xi, who was keen to set the record straight on Trumps role.

When the two sat down for a bilateral meeting in South Korea, Xi cast Trump as a supportive bystander.

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Xi, speaking through an interpreter, praised Trumps role in the Gaza ceasefire agreement before adding, During your visit to Malaysia, you witnessed the signing of the Joint Declaration on Peace along the Cambodia-Thailand border, and you provided your support.

Xi delivered the rebuke during talks at the Gimhae Air Base. / Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

China has assisted Cambodia and Thailand in our own way to resolve the border dispute, and we continue to promote peace talks to address other pressing issues in the region.

China has a long-standing economic interest in the region.

Xis dig comes after a senior U.S. official last week played down Chinas input. From the U.S. standpoint, we actually dont believe that China played a significant roleand really any kind of consequential rolein achieving the peace, said the official, according to Reuters. I would not expect to see China participating, they added, referring to the signing ceremony.

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Leaders from the two countries signed a peace agreement in Malaysia on Sunday. The deal was driven by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), headed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim applauds as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul hold up documents during the ceremonial signing of a ceasefire agreement. Trump is there, too. / Mohd Rasfan/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Trump was at the signing event, part of the bi-annual summit.

On Truth Social, he has posted multiple times, appearing to take explicit credit for the first ceasefire in July and an updated truce. The July deal brought deadly border clashes to a halt only momentarily. Fighting resumed soon after, and at least 43 people have been killed and more than 300,000 displaced in total.

I am on my way to Malaysia, where I will sign the great Peace Deal, which I proudly brokered between Cambodia and Thailand, he crowed in a post Saturday.

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NO WAR! Millions of lives saved. Such an honor to have gotten this done, he said after he joined leaders of several other nations at the signing ceremony. ASEAN is presided over by 11 Southeast Asian states.

A month after the first incarnation of the deal was solidified in the summer, he posted: Weve saved a lot of lives

A long-running border spat between the Southeast Asian neighbors boiled over into conflict in July. / STR / Pool/AFP via Getty Images

He was particularly buoyant the day it was signed, back in July. I am pleased to announce that, after the involvement of President Donald J. Trump, both Countries have reached a CEASEFIRE and PEACE. Congratulations to all! By ending this War, we have saved thousands of lives. I have instructed my Trade Team to restart negotiations on Trade. I have now ended many Wars in just six monthsI am proud to be the President of PEACE!

Two weeks later, artillery led to a lofty death toll, widespread injuries, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians.

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China has long positioned itself as a peacemaker in the region, leading to Xis apparent ire with Trump and administration officials. Chinese officials have campaigned for peace and made clear that they are ready to assist, inspired by the countrys economic interests in the region.

The Chinese vice foreign minister also hosted an emergency meeting on July 30, inviting top diplomats from Thailand and Cambodia.

Xi seemed peeved that the U.S. downplayed Chinas role in peace between Thailand and Cambodia. / Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

The Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations has also suggested that the country was actively engaged in mediation efforts. Chinese officials have painted the dispute as a legacy of the Western colonial powers, casting Xi as the non-colonial problem-solver.

Chinas back-channel role appears to have been overshadowed by Trumps boisterous look-at-me diplomacy, causing the tense moment at the bilateral meeting. Trump, for his part, didnt even appear to notice he was rebuked. He launched into a rambling bit, calling Xi his longtime friend and a great leader, saying he was looking forward to trade deals.

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White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told the Daily Beast that Trump is the Peacemaker-in-Chief.

She said: President Trump has successfully ended multiple conflicts, including between Thailand and Cambodia, which the Cambodian Prime Minister recognized by nominating President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize months ago. President Trump is being widely hailed as the Peacemaker-in-Chief because he deserves itbut as he said, the best reward is the countless lives he is saving by stopping wars around the world.
If we are to understand the complexities of the human experience, it is the poet who is best able to articulate, to bear witness  not only as archivists, but as social and creative provocateurs for the sake of society or a communal experience. In reading This Unruly Witness: June Jordans Legacy, an anthology of writing about poet, essayist, professor and activist June Jordans work edited by Lauren Muller, Becky Thompson, Dominique C. Hill and Durrell M. Callier that features literary luminaries like Angela Davis, Naomi Shihab Nye and E. Ethelbert Miller, I was reminded the poet is undefeated, as she sees everything that we as a society do not or refuse to acknowledge.

This Unruly Witness: June Jordans Legacy will be published on Nov. 11, 2025.

When June Jordan died in 2002, I was being reborn into the world of literature after a five-year prison stint inside the carceral state. I was reordering my lifes purpose. While studying in an MFA graduate program in Chicago, I read Soldier: A Poets Childhood, which in turn led me to Poem About My Rights, and its searing indictment on the violation of women and their bodies, not only domestically, but also abroad. I realized Jordan was a poet I could believe in, a poet truly of and for the people. This Unruly Witness is the book I wish I could have read after encountering Poem About My Rights to better understand the breadth and width of this amazingly unafraid poet, and to gain a better definition of what it means to embrace humanity.

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With a foreword by Alexis Pauline Gumbs and an afterword by Imani Perry, the editors of this carefully curated collection weave a mosaic of narratives from those who studied with and were mentored by Jordan. Divided into three sections hinged together by a through-line of humanism, Elizabeth Alexander reminds the reader that Jordan was a prolific poet whose lyrical voice linked political struggle with an ethic of love.

Jordan understood the danger of a common identity versus free will, and how the barriers of a state-sanctioned identity are both disastrous and dangerous to humanitys evolution. What we learn from the authors descriptive language is that Jordans idea and scope of humanity reaches beyond her birth country, as evidenced in her tireless interest in Nicaragua, Lebanon and Palestine; in those who suffered the ills of oppression and in what I would call the burdens of social structures that bind us to a way of living within the contours of racial identity and the body politic. Jordan believed poetry had the power to teach and educate, and she did not shy away from difficult word choices to appease the working class.

This ideology is explored in Maria Poblets essay Puno en Alto! Libro Abierto!/ First Up! Book Open!: On Anti-Intellectualism, Literacy Brigades, and Revolutionary Consciousness. Responding to a conversation between teacher and student in which Poblet thought poetry should be easy to read for members of the working class who had little to no education, Jordan offered, Have you ever asked a working class teenager if she would rather be fed easier words or get an education that allows her to read any word she wants? As a former student heavily influenced by Jordan, Poblet offers in reflection, as we face the crisis of today, I am drawn to June Jordans wisdom, and her passion for deeply human critical consciousness.

The section We Are Lucky She Dared includes Some of Us Did Not Die, a thoughtful essay by the poet E. Ethelbert Miller, a longtime friend of Jordans who sketches an intimate perspective. Critical to this section is how he separates the body of Jordans work into nine categories: The Middle East, Black studies and Black English, her fight against cancer, prison and police violence, international affairs, bisexuality, New York (Harlem and Brooklyn), love poems and humor.

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Millers view is up close and personal, providing the reader with private antidotes while examining her poems and correlating them to geopolitical issues. In his analysis of Moving Towards Home, Miller highlights stanzas such as:

I was born a black woman

And now

I am become a Palestine

Against the relentless laughter of evil

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.

Many of Jordans former students highlighted in this anthology come from her famed course Poetry for the People, which she taught at the University of California, Berkeley. In the essay Between the Knuckle of My Own Two Hands: Learning from June Jordan, Sriram Shamasunder writes about taking this famed class toward the end of Jordans battle with cancer and how the experience impacted him. The class, Shamasunder writes, made me feel like I had something to say. He then retells the story of going to Jordans home after there had been rumblings of students criticizing Jordan on campus for not sufficiently standing up for the rights of Palestinians. Shamasunder provides the reader a glimpse of how this sentiment affected Jordan, in that these students were too young to understand the totality of the poets commitment to justice and the sacrifices she had to suffer  most notably, when she wrote Apologies to the People of Lebanon and was basically censured by the press and media for years.

In The Awesome Difficult, Work of Love, the anthologys third and final section, a conversation between Angela Y. Davis, Pratibha Parma and Leigh Raiford places Jordan in even greater context. As Raiford, a professor of African American and African Diaspora Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, eloquently explains, the conversation is an opportunity to learn together the depth of her radical commitments, the incisiveness of her pen, and the expansiveness of her vision of liberation. As a poet, this conversation helped me understand Jordan in her full, complete humanity. The love for Jordan, and what she believed in, is not only on display in this conversation, but also throughout the book itself  through friends, confidants and admirers of her work.

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In a time when this world needs more love, compassion, empathy and voices who will speak for the different, the other, the voiceless, we should look more at the career and life of June Jordan, who understood the assignment of being human. But more than that, Jordan was willing to fight for what she believed in, and damn the consequences  because right knows no wrong. This Unruly Witness: June Jordans Legacy is perfect for anyone looking for a way to embrace morality while calling out injustice.

This anthology left me humbled  and determined to double down on my commitment as a writer, a free thinker, a humanist. As a society, we often neglect and forget the way in which societal structures coexist within the idea of oppression itself  especially within the United States. Davis places this conviction in context when she writes, in many ways, the world is catching up to June. And perhaps also catching up with an awareness of the relationship between ones person and political life, ones capacity to engage in self-care.

I cannot have read This Unruly Witness: June Jordans Legacy, and fail to ask myself as poet, writer and human the following question during this current political climate: What would June do?

The post In Trumps America, we can find courage and refuge in poetry appeared first on Salon.com.
US President Donald Trump has announced the immediate start of new nuclear weapons tests, citing testing programmes in other countries.

"Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday.

"That process will begin immediately," he added, without specifying which weapons would be tested.

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The announcement came shortly before Trump's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. During the talks, Trump declined to answer a reporter's question about the planned nuclear tests.

The United States and China are established nuclear powers, along with Russia, Britain and France.

According to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), there are currently nine nuclear-armed states, including India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel.

Nuclear tests would be the first in over 30 years

If the US were to carry out nuclear weapons tests for the first time in more than 30 years, other nuclear powers could also be prompted to act. The United States last conducted a nuclear test in 1992, at what is now known as the Nevada National Security Site.

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The US retains the capability to resume testing at the location, and under certain conditions, the president can authorize such tests, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Following Trump's announcement, opposition emerged in Congress. "Absolutely not. I'll be introducing legislation to put a stop to this," Democratic Representative Dina Titus of Nevada wrote on X.

Just days earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the military strength of nuclear power during a meeting with his general staff at a command centre in an undisclosed location.

Putin said the Russian military has achieved numerous successes in the war against Ukraine and confirmed that the recent test of the long-range nuclear missile Burevestnik had been a success.

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In his Truth Social post, Trump claimed that the United States possesses more nuclear weapons than any other country.

However, according to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), Russia currently holds the largest confirmed stockpile with more than 5,500 warheads, while the US has around 5,044.
President Trump announced an agreement with South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine in Philadelphia.

The announcement, made in a social media post, says it would be made at the Hanwha Philly Shipyard, which South Korea bought to boost its business with the U.S. Navy.

The permission comes after Trump and President Lee Jae Myung reached a trade agreement during a bilateral meeting on Wednesday.

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President Trump is breaking with tradition in agreeing to share highly sensitive technology with South Korea.

The cost is unclear.

Trump said during the meeting several economic promises were made on the part of South Korea.

"Our Military Alliance is stronger than ever before and, based on that, I have given them approval to build a Nuclear Powered Submarine, rather than the old fashioned, and far less nimble, diesel powered Submarines that they have now. A great trip, with a great Prime Minister!" Trump posted on his social media platform on Wednesday.

The economic agreements that Trump said were made during the meeting Wednesday include South Korea paying the U.S. $350 billion in exchange for the Trump administration granting the country a lower tariff rate.

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Trump also said that South Korea agreed to buy U.S. oil and gas in "vast quantities," with those investments that will "exceed" $600 billion.

After the meeting, President Lee's chief of staff said the tariffs the U.S. imposes on automobile exports will be lowered to 15% from 25%. The framework deal from July lowered the reciprocal rate to 15% and that will be maintained.

Back in July, South Korea pledged to invest $350 billion into the U.S. Lee's chief of staff said a $200 billion investment will be made in installments of up to $20 billion cash payments each year. Another $150 billion will be invested in the U.S. shipbuilding industry.

This now puts the auto tariffs South Korea will pay in line with those on Japan.

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The trade deal also includes a commitment from Korean Air to purchase 103 new Boeing aircraft for $36.2 billion, a move that is expected to support up to 135,000 jobs in the U.S. The Republic of Korea Air Force will invest $2.3 billion to develop its aircraft with an American technology company.

The White House has not responded to ABC News' request for comment about the tariffs.

Earlier on Wednesday, the South Korean president greeted Trump with flattery and gifts, including a replica of the ancient gold crown from the Silla dynasty. Their meeting was held in Gyeongju, South Korea, which was the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom.

Trump was also awarded the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, South Korea's highest honor. Trump is the first U.S. president to receive the honor.

ABC News contributed to this post.


Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP, File

President Donald Trump boasted that the U.S. nuclear arsenal is the largest in the world, with China in a distant third, and said the U.S. will begin retesting nuclear weapons immediately.

The announcement came right before Trump was set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinpin, for the first meeting between the two since his first administration.

The sit-down, slated to take place in the South Korean port city of Busan just off a tarmac at an airport, comes amid the ongoing trade war between China and the U.S., which accelerated in April, when Trump announced sweeping tariffs on dozens of countries. The president hit Chinese goods particularly hard, and China has responded with retaliatory tariffs.

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Writing on his Truth Social account, Trump said:

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP

The U.S. stopped testing weapons from its nuclear arsenal in 1992.

Trumps post was reminiscent of a 2018 tweet intended for North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times, Trump tweeted at the time. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!

The post Trump Announces U.S. Will Begin Testing Nuclear Weapons Immediately  Right Before Meeting With Xi first appeared on Mediaite.
A delegation representing several Spanish aerospace companies from Seville and Cadiz visited lately Casablanca to explore the investment opportunities offered in the Kingdoms aeronautic sector, generating annual revenue exceeding $ 2.8 billion.

The Spanish trade mission was organized by Andalucia TRADE, Andalucia Aerospace and Moroccan grouping of aeronautical & space industries (GIMAS) to strengthen business and industrial cooperation between Andalusia and Morocco, two regions that stand out as major global players in the aerospace industry of the southern Mediterranean.

During their trip, members of the Andalusian delegation were informed about investment incentives in Morocco, visited training centers and held meetings with multinational aerospace companies and suppliers with a view of strengthening collaboration between the two industrial hubs.

Morocco has become a key partner of giants such as Boeing and Airbus. The country is strengthening its position as a global aerospace hub with over 150 companies operating in the country and generating $2.8 billion in annual revenue.

The sector employs 26,000 skilled workers and produces fuselages, structural components, interior furnishings, and wiring systems for top-tier companies (OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers) such as Safran, Spirit AeroSystems, Collins Aerospace, Daher Hextar, and EADS (Airbus Group).

Two weeks ago, Safran launched construction works in Casablanca of new LEAP engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility. It will support the rapidly increasing demand for CFM International LEAP engines, which power the majority of new-generation single-aisle commercial jets  especially the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX.

Safran has also chosen Morocco for its new assembly line for LEAP-1A engines dedicated to Airbus aircraft. Overall, the French group is investing more than 350 million euros in Morocco in the two new LEAP engine facilities and the extensions.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that his administration will share nuclear propulsion technologies with South Korea to allow its navy to build at least one nuclear-powered submarine.

Trump made the major announcement a day after finalizing an agreement that calls for South Korea to invest $350 billion in the U.S. economy as part of a wider trade pact with Seoul.

The U.S. has shared nuclear propulsion know-how with only the U.K., and most recently, Australia as part of the 2021 AUKUS agreement that will see the two countries help Australia build a new class of nuclear-powered subs. The sensitive technology has been a closely held secret for decades, but the threat of Chinas military buildup in the region has led allies to look to buy more advanced weaponry from the United States.

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In a social media post, Trump said the submarine will be built at Hanwha Philly Shipyard, a commercial yard purchased by a South Korean company in 2024. The shipyard is not currently equipped to handle nuclear material or build military ships, given that its a strictly commercial facility.

As President Trump and President Lee make shipbuilding a central plank in the U.S.-Korea alliance, Hanwha stands ready to support with our advanced shipbuilding scale, said Alex Wong, Hanwhas chief strategy officer, in a statement.

Through Hanwha Philly Shipyard and other investments and partnerships, a revived American shipbuilding sector will benefit U.S. workers, foster prosperity for both the United States and Korea, and enhance our nations shared security, Wong added.

The deal, and the surprising construction location, call into question how long it will take to get the facility ready for this kind of highly specialized and sensitive work that requires a trained and skilled workforce  and how much it will cost to completely overhaul the facility.

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Huntington Ingalls Industries, the American company responsible for building nuclear-powered submarines, already faces two to three year construction delays to build Virginia-class nuclear submarines, and 18 to 24 month delays to build the first boat in the new Columbia-class submarines.

The delays revolve around supply chain issues and hiring enough workers to do the hard and dangerous work of shipbuilding. Both issues will be a factor in adding yet another submarine to the crowded build schedule and overworked suppliers who are already struggling to meet demand.

Our Military Alliance is stronger than ever before and, based on that, I have given them approval to build a Nuclear Powered Submarine, rather than the old fashioned, and far less nimble, diesel powered Submarines that they have now, Trump said in a Truth Post.

Trumps decision came a day after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asked Trump to allow Seoul to have access to fuel necessary to run nuclear submarines. Lee said South Koreas diesel-powered craft cant effectively track North Korean and Chinese submarines due to navigational limitations.

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If fuel supply is permitted, we can build several submarines equipped with conventional weapons using our own technology to defend the waters around the Korean Peninsula, ultimately reducing the burden on U.S. forces, Lee told Trump, per South Koreas Yonhap News Agency.

The Chinese Embassy didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

U.S.-South Korean cooperation on nuclear energy  which has included the sale of U.S. reactor technology  requires Seoul to get U.S. consent for any enrichment or reprocessing of nuclear fuel derived from U.S.-supplied technology or materials.

South Koreas pursuit of a nuclear submarine capability reflects Seouls jitters over Chinas increasingly aggressive military footprint in the Indo-Pacific as well as alarm about a growing threat from North Korea.

Beijing  which now boasts the worlds largest navy  has also begun building structures in the Yellow Sea that Seoul fears will become Peoples Liberation Army outposts that could menace South Korea. But its desire for a nuclear submarine capability will likely also boost concerns that Seoul is edging closer to seeking its own nuclear weapon arsenal to deter potential aggression by either Beijing or Pyongyang.


The design plans for President Donald Trumps new ballroom are riddled with inconsistencies  and artificial intelligence doesnt appear to be the culprit, according to a new analysis by The Verge.

Trump has faced widespread backlash from critics after crews were spotted suddenly tearing down the East Wing of the White House at the beginning of last week for his $300 million, 90,000-square foot ballroom. The move came after the president pledged in July that the long-sought ballroom would not interfere with the historic buildings existing structure.

As the demolition efforts have wrapped, a recent analysis from The New York Times found that plans for the ballroom, which is projected to be completed before the end of Trumps second term, show differences between Trumps drawing renderings, a physical model and his own words.

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Last week, Trump held up a drawing that listed a seating capacity for 1,350 people, according to the outlet  while he previously said it would accommodate up to 999. In one of its first announcements of the ballroom, the White Houses website indicated that it would hold 650, which it described as a significant increase from the 200-person seated capacity in the East Room of the White House.

Meanwhile, The New York Times revealed that the number of west-facing and south-facing arched windows differ between the plans. The blueprint Trump showed to reporters in the Oval Office depicts 11 arched windows on the west side of the building, while the White House mockup has nine. While the White House also includes six columns on the northeast porch, Trumps drawing displays eight.

There is also a mix up over whether the ballroom will include one large staircase or two separate ones leading down to the South Lawn, according to the analysis. Another model showed a staircase leading into a wall.

The Verge reported Thursday that the discrepancies may not be attributed to AI, but to human error from McCrery Architects, the firm behind the project.

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I dont think it can be offloaded to the nature of the prints, or using AI in design, Paul Preissner, an architect and professor at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Architecture, told the outlet.

The ballroom, which is being privately funded by Trump and other donors, will mark a significant change to the White House exterior since former President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the East Wing in 1942, which has traditionally housed the first lady and staff.

Recent polls have found that most Americans do not support Trumps decision to demolish the East Wing for the project. A new Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll, released Thursday, showed 56% of Americans oppose the construction, while 28% support it. A separate Yahoo/YouGov poll found that 61% of U.S. adults disapprove of the concept, and only 25% approve of the idea as part of the White House complex.

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White House border czar Tom Homan virtually delivers the keynote address at the 44th Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner and Childrens Charity Fundraiser on Nov. 29, 2025, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. (Photo by Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

SIOUX FALLS  Being in the country without permission has to come with consequences, White House border czar Tom Homan said while delivering the keynote address by video Wednesday night at the 44th Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner and Childrens Charity Fundraiser.

The message we cant send to the entire world is that, Entering the country illegally, its a crime, but dont worry about it, Homan told the audience of over a thousand at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.

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Homan praised President Donald Trumps immigration and border security policies. He said they have created the most secure border in U.S. history. He also criticized the Biden administrations approach as relaxed enforcement that led to crime, trafficking and terrorism risks.

Homan was invited to headline the event in person, but the federal government shutdown upended his travel plans.

Event organizer and lawyer Scott Abdallah said this years event drew record interest.

Given what has happened in the last year with border enforcement in our country, we thought local law enforcement would be very interested to hear directly from the border czar, he told South Dakota Searchlight.

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He said former South Dakota governor and current Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem did not help coordinate the event.

Theyre different offices, as I understand it. I think theyre all kind of part of the same umbrella, but I worked with somebody separate and apart from Governor Noems office, if you will, he said.

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Homan formerly served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the previous Trump administration, from 2017 to 2018, and backed policies separating families at the southern border. Under that 2018 zero tolerance policy, at least 5,000 migrant families were separated. The Department of Homeland Security reunited about 74% of those families, according to a later report, but 998 children were not reunited.

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MSNBC reported last month that Homan accepted a $50,000 cash payment from undercover FBI agents in a bribery sting before he began his current job with the Trump administration. Homan denies the allegations.

Homan is also controversial for his role in mass deportations and other stepped-up immigration enforcement actions of the current Trump administration.

A group of South Dakota organizations denounced Homans selection as speaker for the Sioux Falls event. They included South Dakota Voices for Peace, NAACP Sioux Falls, The Hub SD, Que Pasa Sioux Falls, Bienvenidos a Brookings, Leaders Engaged and Determined (LEAD), COUP Council, and All Souls Unitarian Church.

The inhumane and degrading treatment of innocent people in the United States in broad daylight should be a red flag to all law enforcement and people of conscience that the values and laws that set the United States apart from other dictatorships across the world are eroding before our eyes, said Taneeza Islam, CEO of South Dakota Voices for Peace.

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The groups said in a statement they are outraged that the hosts would invite someone who has clearly refuted the protections of due process and rights found in the U.S. Constitution.

To elevate Tom Homan at a community celebration dishonors the very ideals of protection and compassion that law enforcement should uphold, said Nieema Thasing, president of NAACP Sioux Falls.

The groups called Homan one of the key decision makers ripping children from the arms of their moms and dads, deporting U.S. citizen children, deploying federal agents to cities across the United States, arresting U.S. citizens by stopping cars in the middle of the road and dragging innocent people into the street, publicly humiliating and shaming them and throwing them in jail.

Scott Abdallah said the groups are entitled to their opinion.

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I think the law enforcement officers in this room would likely disagree with them, he said.

Abdallah said ICE is unfairly critiqued.

Are people perfect? Is law enforcement perfect? No profession is perfect, he said. But I think the folks in this room are thankful that we have people out there that are willing to put their lives on the line to enforce the laws in the country.

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Amid the crumbling relations with Russia and China, President Donald Trump is pushing for the United States to resume nuclear weapons testing.

As the president returned to the United States from his trip to Asia, he took to Truth Social to make an explosive announcement. Because of other countries testing programs [sic], I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, Trump wrote Wednesday night. That process will begin immediately.

The president also claimed that the United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country, thanks to his efforts during his first term, followed by Russia and then China as a distant third. However, in 2025, the Federation of American Scientists found that Russia possessed more nuclear warheads than any other country.

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Trumps tremendous step backwards away from nuclear disarmament comes amid strained relations with both Russia and China, as well as a North Korean missile test on Tuesday.

After a falling out with Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin has resumed saber-rattling amid stalled peace negotiations with Ukraine. Russia tested the worlds first nuclear-powered missile on Saturday, and on Tuesday, it tested an underwater superweapon designed to trigger tsunamis. Trump warned Russia Monday that the U.S. was not playing games and had a nuclear submarine stationed offshore.

China has honored the moratorium on nuclear testing established in the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which Russia and the U.S. both signed. (The U.S. never ratified the treaty, and Russia later rescinded its ratification.) Still, China is reportedly rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal. Tense trade negotiations sparked by Trumps sweeping tariffs have strained relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but Trump claimed Thursday the two leaders had had a productive meeting.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, whom Trump tried and failed to connect with during his tour in Asia, also tested strategic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons this week. North Korea is the only country in the world to conduct live nuclear weapons tests since the 1990s.

Nuclear weapons testing made an appearance in Project 2025, the authoritarian playbook for the second Trump administration. The plan called for the U.S. to reject ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and indicate a willingness to conduct nuclear tests in response to adversary nuclear developments if necessary.
White House Immigration Policy Advisor Stephen Miller hold a TV Interview and gaggle with journalist, today on October 03, 2025 at Pebble Beach/White House in Washington DC, USA. (Lenin Nolly/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)

A number of high-profile members of President Donald Trumps Cabinet have moved onto military bases amid a wave of political violence.

In August, the Washington Post reported that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had been living rent-free on a military base in the Washington area. The move, spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said, came as a result of Noem being horribly doxxed and targeted to the point that she was no longer able to safely live in her own apartment.

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As noted in the report, the house she moved into at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is normally reserve for top navy admirals.

According to a Thursday report from The Atlantic, Noem isnt the only one. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, and a number of others have made similar moves.

The report continued:

Stephen Miller soon joined a growing list of senior Trump-administration political appointeesat least six by our countliving in Washington-area military housing, where they are shielded not just from potential violence but also from protest. It is an ominous marker of the nations polarization, to which the Trump administration has itself contributed, that some of those top public servants have felt a need to separate themselves from the public. These civilian officials can now depend on the U.S. military to augment their personal security. But so many have made the move that they are now straining the availability of housing for the nations top uniformed officers. Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security secretary, moved out of her D.C. apartment building and into the home designated for the Coast Guard commandant on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, across the river from the capital, after the Daily Mail described where she lived. Both Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth live on Generals Row at Fort McNair, an Army enclave along the Anacostia River, according to officials from the State and Defense Departments. (Rubio spent one recent evening assembling furniture that had been delivered to the house that day.)

The reported noted that the moves arent entirely unprecedented, as national security officials have previously rented homes on bases for security or convenience.

The post Trump Cabinet Members Moving Into Military Housing Amid Wave of Political Violence: Report first appeared on Mediaite.
Donald Trump wimped out and did not bother to raise a major issue involving Taiwan during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, despite growing tensions in the region.

Trump admitted the topic of Taiwan never came up before quickly moving on to other questions.

President Trump was asked about Taiwan after China warned that it absolutely will not rule out military action to fully take over the democratically governed island, which Beijing claims as its own.

Donald Trump spoke to reporters while flying back from his high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. / Andrew Harnik / Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Trump was speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One after the crunch talks in South Korea with Xi.

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For decades, the U.S. has supported Taiwans defense without establishing formal diplomatic ties. Multiple U.S. presidents have maintained that Washington would help Taiwan defend itself as part of efforts to deter Beijing from invading the island.

Even as China ramped up its rhetoric about a potential invasion, Trumpnicknamed TACO [Trump Always Chickens Out] for his flip-flopping on threats, including those against Chinaseemingly did not consider Beijings rising rhetoric significant enough to address during his meeting with Xi.

We had a long meeting, as you know, but a lot of things we discussed in great detail. A lot of things we brought to finalization, Trump said. I thought it was a great meeting. I think it was a very friendly meeting. It was a good meeting for two very large, powerful countries.

Peng Qingen, a spokesperson for Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office, told a news conference Wednesday that plans for reunification between China and the island is the best way of resolving the Taiwan issue.

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We are willing to create ample space for peaceful reunification and will spare no effort to pursue this prospect with the utmost sincerity, Peng said, according to Reuters. However, we absolutely will not renounce the use of force and reserve the option to take all necessary measures.

While China has long refused to rule out the use of force, officials do not usually state this so explicitly in public. Pengs comments did not appear in three articles published this week by the Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua about how the reunification of Taiwan could unfold, according to Reuters.

There had been fears that the Trump administration might soften its stance on Taiwan and use the island as a bargaining chip in the trade deal talks with China after Trumps tariff plans reignited a trade war between the two economic powerhouses.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed those concerns Saturday, insisting there are no plans to offer concessions to China in exchange for walking away from Taiwan.

Donald Trump met President Xi following months of escalating tensions between China and the U.S. / Andrew Harnik / Getty Images

Trump posted on Truth Social that he had a great meeting with Xi, while appearing to suggest a new trade deal is now in the works that would lower tariffs, China allowing U.S. easier access to rare earth minerals, and Beijing to begin the purchase of massive amounts of soybeans.

We agreed on many things, with others, even of high importance, being very close to resolved, Trump wrote.

The Daily Beast has contacted the White House for comment.
US President Donald Trump announced a cut in tariffs on Chinese imports following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday.

The tariffs on Chinese goods related to fentanyl will be reduced to 10% from 20%, Trump said, effective immediately.

Trump has repeatedly blamed China for contributing to the fentanyl crisis in the United States. Fentanyl, a highly addictive synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin, can be deadly in just a few milligrams, according to US authorities.

In February, the Trump administration had imposed additional tariffs on Chinese products, citing the fentanyl crisis as justification.
As President Donald Trump danced on the tarmac in Malaysia, met Japans emperor in Tokyo, and accepted a gold crown in South Korea, one key question kept following him  would he hold a surprise meeting with North Koreas Kim Jong Un?

On several occasions Trump made public overtures that hed love to meet Kim while in the region. It could have been a made-for-TV sequel to his surprise 2019 visit at the demilitarized zone (DMZ), when Trump made history as the first sitting US president to step foot on North Korean soil.

In the end it never came together. And in Pyongyang, just a few hundred miles away, it was like Trumps trip never happened.

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There were no headlines. No television news reports. No mention of the US presidents offer to work very hard with Kim Jong Un to bring peace to the Korean peninsula. Even as Trumps entourage rolled through Asia and speculation swirled about a possible reunion between the two leaders, North Korean state media stayed silent.

Traffic and high-rise buildings in Pyongyang - @youngpioneer/Instagram

American filmmaker and manager at Young Pioneer Tours Justin Martell just returned from an eight-day trip to Pyongyang, where he was attending an international film festival that happened to coincide with much of Trumps Asia trip.

He said most people he spoke with in Pyongyang didnt even know Trump was in the region, and none were aware that Trump wanted to meet Kim again.

They werent negative about it, he told CNN. They werent overly hopeful either. They just kept repeating Kim Jong Uns recent remarks  that while he has warm memories of President Trump, politics are different from feelings.

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Martell said the tone wasnt hostile, just detached. It was more or less, Heres how we feel right now. If it happens, great. If not, it doesnt really change much.

Martell at Beijing International Airport, waiting to board Air Koryo flight to Pyongyang - @youngpioneer/Instagram

That matter-of-fact indifference marks a striking change from 2018 and 2019, when Trumps summits with Kim  first in Singapore, then in Hanoi, and later at the DMZ  gripped both capitals and dominated global headlines.

Fast forward to 2025 and Trumps overtures barely registered. But theres good reason for that.

Only last month Kim stood side-by-side with Chinas Xi Jinping and Russias Vladimir Putin in the heart of Beijing at a historic military parade in an unprecedented and historic show of unity against the West.

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Kim now has Moscow for weapons deals and oil, Beijing for trade, and a domestic narrative of resilience under sanctions and heroism on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Frankly, a handshake with the US president no longer carries the weight it once did.

Cars spotted in front of Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang - @youngpioneer/Instagram

Why the meeting didnt happen

Trump said the missed meeting with Kim was a matter of timing.

We never were able to talk because look I was so busy, Trump told reporters on Air Force One Thursday after departing South Korea and ending his Asia tour.

North Koreas Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui was also away on a diplomatic mission of her own this week. She first flew to Russia for a meeting with Putin to discuss strengthening ties before speaking at an international forum in Belarus.

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That made it logistically impossible for North Koreas top diplomat to help arrange any last-minute meeting between Kim and Trump as she did in 2019, when Choe helped pull together the DMZ meeting just hours after Trump posted on social media he wanted to meet Kim.

Instead, North Korea test-fired cruise missiles to the west of the Korean peninsula ahead of Trumps visit, during which he held a summit with South Koreas President Lee Jae Myung.

Skyline view of Pyongyang shows high-rise - @youngpioneer/Instagram

But as Martells conversations in Pyongyang suggest, timing may be only part of the story. North Korea simply may no longer feel strongly compelled to say yes.

Kim has made his terms clear: hell meet Trump only if Washington abandons what he calls its absurd obsession with denuclearization. In a September speech, he said he still has fond memories of Trump, but that his country will never trade away nuclear weapons to be free of sanctions.

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In other words, the deal Trump offered six years ago  trading sanctions relief for disarmament  is no longer on the table. North Korea wants to be recognized as a nuclear-armed state.

What Martell saw in Pyongyang underscores why.

Spaghetti, one of the Western foods on the menu, served in Pyongyang - @youngpioneer/Instagram

The North Korean elite in Pyongyang  whose support is crucial to maintaining national stability, despite Kims near-absolute power  appear to be enjoying a higher living standard than previously, with more access to modern technology and amenities. For the elite, at least, sanctions have done little to dent their lives.

Even South Koreas President Lee seems to recognize the challenges in bringing Kim to the table.

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In an interview with me this week, Lee said he hopes Trump can act as a peacemaker, while Seoul plays pacemaker  creating the conditions for dialogue that remain difficult to achieve directly. If the two leaders of the United States and North Korea could suddenly get together, Lee said, we would welcome such engagement.

High-rises and traffic jams in Pyonghattan

Martell had not been to Pyongyang since 2017. The capitals development over the past eight years, despite sanctions and the extreme isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic, stunned him.

It used to feel much less developed compared to others in the region, he said. Now, honestly, Pyongyang feels very much like a modern city.

He described futuristic high-rises, residents paying with QR codes, new domestic apps for ordering taxis and food, and social media.

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What used to take twenty minutes now takes forty, he said, referring to the traffic. We kept joking with our Korean guides that it was Pyonghattan because it has developed so much.

Sushi served for Justin Martell at a restaurant in Pyongyang - @youngpioneer/Instagram

Inside the capitals new Hwasong district, he dined at sleek restaurants offering both Asian and Western menus, with high-end liquor on display. He says all the restaurants were full of locals dining when he visited.

Private car ownership was once rare and politically sensitive. Now, its common enough to cause occasional traffic jams in busy areas. There seems to be a burgeoning middle class now, Martell said.

Even outside the capital, he saw evidence of growth. Traveling two hours north to Mount Myohyang, he noticed new housing under construction. For farmers, too, he said.

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Despite sanctions, he said, the DPRK seems to be in a much different position than it was ten years ago.

At a national gallery near Kim Il Sung Square, he saw new murals commemorating 80 years of the Workers Party. Toward the end, one section vividly depicted North Korean soldiers fighting for Russia.

Large North Korean-style murals of soldiers fighting Ukrainians  and winning, he said.

Even North Korean cinema has evolved. At the Pyongyang International Film Festival, Martell watched Days and Nights of Confrontation, a new state-produced thriller dramatizing a real-life plot to assassinate Kim Jong Il.

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The film featured violence, modern production values, and even brief nudity  all unheard-of in North Korean films. A character getting suffocated with a plastic bag  thats something Ive certainly never seen in a DPRK movie, he said, using the abbreviation for North Koreas official name.

Justin and Young Pioneer Tours co-founder Rowan Beard at the Pyongyang International Film Festival in the North Korean capital. - @youngpioneer/Instagram

Trumps portrait still front and center

Despite the silence around Trumps latest Asia visit, he has not been erased from Pyongyangs official memory.

Martells group was the first Western delegation in years to visit the International Friendship Exhibition, a sprawling mountainside museum that displays gifts and artifacts from foreign dignitaries. Taking photos inside the exhibition is strictly forbidden.

In the section devoted to Kim Jong Un, there were the expected photos  Putin, Lavrov, Xi Jinping, Dennis Rodman, Martell said. And President Trump was still there, displayed very prominently.

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Based on my experiences traveling to the country, if the door were truly closed to future dialogue, that photo would probably have been removed.

Its still displayed very much front and center, Martell said.

And Trump has indicated he still wants to meet Kim when he next comes to Asia. Well have other visits, and well work very hard with Kim Jong Un and with everybody on getting things straightened out, he told reporters on Wednesday.

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President Donald Trump has instructed his defense department to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately.

Trump made the announcement via Truth Social on Wednesday night, just before his highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country, Trump wrote. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.

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Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, he added. That process will begin immediately.

Russia has not tested a nuclear weapon since 1990, while China hasnt tested one since 1996, The New York Times reports. Washingtons push to restart tests follows a string of perceived Russian provocations with nuclear-capable weapons in recent days.

President Donald Trump announced the U.S. will begin the process of testing nuclear weapons immediately shortly before meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday (AP)

Trump didnt respond to a reporters question about the announcement as he prepared to meet with Xi on Wednesday night. The Independent has contacted the defense department for comment.

The announcement came after weeks of renewed nuclear sabre-rattling with Russia, which this week tested a nuclear-capable underwater drone they said could not be intercepted.

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Russia also tested a nuclear-powered missile with unlimited range, adding to a growing arsenal of fast and nuclear-capable cruise missiles. NATO has also carried out nuclear drills this month as part of Operation Steadfast Noon in Europe.

In August, Russia elected to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), by which the Soviet Union and the U.S. had agreed to reduce the number of strategic weapons held by both sides. The decision was announced days after Trump said he was redeploying a pair of nuclear submarines to appropriate regions, citing provocative statements from former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.

This week, Trump reminded Russia that the U.S. has a nuclear submarine ... right off their shores, after the Kremlins latest nuclear missile tests.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has recently tested a number of nuclear-capable weapons (Getty)

The U.S. has observed a voluntary moratorium on nuclear explosive testing since 1992, according to the Congressional Research Service. Thats the same year Bill Clinton was elected president, The Silence of the Lambs won Best Picture, and the Summer Olympics were hosted in Barcelona, Spain.

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Despite the moratorium, the U.S. has maintained the ability to resume these tests at the Nevada National Security Site.

Beth Sanner, a former intelligence official who served in several roles across the CIA, National Security Council and the state department, called the decision a bad idea in an interview with CNNs Kaitlan Collins on Wednesday night.

Yes, we give up a little bit in terms of constraining ourselves when we have a test ban treaty and we uphold it, but when we break that, other countries who are our adversaries benefit more than we do, Sanner said.

Trump reportedly weighed whether to resume testing during his first term in 2020. But his first administration still reaffirmed the moratorium, along with former President Joe Bidens administration, according to the Congressional Research Service. Last summer, Trumps allies were similarly pushing for him to resume nuclear testing if he won a second term in the White House.

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Trumps announcement comes just hours after President Vladimir Putin said that Russia tested Poseidon, an atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone.

Putin described the test as a huge success and claimed there is no way to intercept the drone. Russia also tested a nuclear-powered cruise missile earlier this week.
Frances National Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution calling on the government to repeal the controversial 1968 agreement with Algiers that facilitates Algerian immigration to France.

The text, tabled by the far-right National Rally (RN) was approved by 185 votes to 184. It is the first legislative victory for Marine Le Pens party. The non-bidding resolution calls for ending what RN lawmakers described as a special immigration regime granting Algerian nationals preferential rights for residence, employment, and social benefits in France.

RN deputy Guillaume Bigot, who introduced the text, denounced the deal as an extremely exceptional regime, calling for equal treatment for all foreigners in France regardless of their origin.

Imagine a contract where you owe everything and your partner owes you nothing, yet you continue to respect it, Bigot said during the debate.

The resolution gained support from MPs belonging to the center-right Les Republicains (LR) and Horizons, the party of former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, both of whom back ending the treaty.

While President Emmanuel Macron and his centrist government have resisted calls to terminate the 1968 accord, former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal had earlier expressed support for its revision, citing incessant provocations from Algiers.

The vote comes amid heightened Franco-Algerian tensions following the Algerian regime refusal to accept its deported nationals who committed crimes in France.

The 1968 agreement, which was signed six years after the end of the Algerian war of independence, aimed to facilitate post-independence labor migration. But it has long been criticized by the majority of French nationals.

At the time, France was in need of foreign labour to support its economy. The agreement allows for Algerians and their families to obtain French residency permits issued to other foreigners after long procedure.

Algerians are also allowed to set up as freelancers or start their own businesses without the extra formalities imposed to other foreigners. During the recent years, the agreements lack of equality and its financial cost to France have prompted widespread popular anger and discontent as the accord costs French taxpayers at least 2 billion a year.
President Donald Trump quickly pivoted after a reporter asked about his surprise decision to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately."

Trump announced late Thursday that he had ordered the Pentagon to begin testing nuclear weapons on an equal basis with Russia and China. The move would mark the first time the United States would conduct nuclear weapons tests since 1992, when then-President George H.W. Bush implemented a unilateral testing moratorium.

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country, Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice!

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After Trump wrapped up a bilateral meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the president was asked directly about the change, which was put forth around an hour earlier.

Mr. President, why did you change your nuclear plans? Why are you going to be doing more nuclear testing?" a reporter asked as the room was silent.

Trump responded: Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you very much."

While later speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One early Thursday, Trump was pressed on whether he believed the United States was entering a more risky environment" on nuclear issues.

No, I dont think so," Trump said. I think we have it pretty well locked up. But you know, we have more than anybody... I say, well, if theyre going to test, I guess we have to test."

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Trump said he would ultimately like to see a denuclearization, but mentioned the country has test sites that will be made public.

We are actually talking to Russia about that, and China would be added to that if we do something, he added.

Other than North Korea, no nuclear power has carried out explosive testing in over 25 years. During a press briefing, Chinas Foreign Ministry said it hopes the United States will abide by its commitment to a moratorium on nuclear testing and maintain global strategic balance and stability, according to Newsweek.

Trumps decision comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced what he described as successful tests of a nuclear-powered underwater drone and super torpedo. Trump told reporters earlier this week that the Kremlin leader should work to end his war in Ukraine instead of testing missiles.

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Meanwhile, China has increased the size of its nuclear arsenal to around 600 nuclear weapons this year  an uptick of an estimated 300 weapons recorded in 2020, according to the think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The United States will resume nuclear testing because everybody else is doing it, according to Donald Trump.

The president announced in a social media post Wednesday night that America would begin nuclear testing for the first time in 30 years in an effort to be on an equal basis with Russia and China. Neither of those countries appear to have conducted any nuclear weapons tests since the worlds nuclear-capable nations adopted the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1996.

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country, Trump wrote on Truth Social, though that appeared to be a lie. Russia has the largest nuclear arsenal of any nation, with 172 more warheads than the U.S., according to data from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, or ICAN.

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This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! he wrote, though it was not clear how updating the arsenal had created more weapons.

Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, Trump continued. That process will begin immediately.

The revised policy was shared mere minutes before Trump was scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but the extended rationale came hours after.

They seem to all be nuclear testing, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One Thursday. We have more nuclear weapons than anybody. We dont do testing. Weve halted it many years ago, but with others doing testing I think its appropriate that we do also.

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Trump did not clarify where or when the testing would take place.

Nuclear weapons experts argue that Trumps gambit wont play out well for America. Beth Sanner, former deputy director of national intelligence, told CNN Wednesday night that it was a bad idea that would only serve to give U.S. adversaries a chance to further test their capabilities.

Adversaries benefit more than we do, Sanner told the network.

The dominoes have already started to topple: The Kremlin emphasized the terms of the nuclear armistice Thursday, warning that if any country resumes nuclear testing Russia would follow suit, reported the Associated Press.
President Trumps nominee for a top post at the U.S. Export-Import (EXIM) Bank withdrew his nomination this week amid scrutiny over his ties to Russia.

Bryce McFerran, who was nominated as first vice president and vice chair of EXIM Bank, was slated to appear for his confirmation hearing Thursday. An EXIM spokesperson confirmed to The Hill that he has withdrawn his nomination.

I have decided to withdraw myself from consideration to serve as First Vice President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, McFerran wrote in a letter, obtained by The Hill, to Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.).

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I am deeply grateful to President Trump for his confidence, steadfast leadership, and vision in strengthening Americas economic foundation, and it has been a profound honor to be nominated by him for this role, he continued. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to you and your exceptional staff for the professionalism, courtesy, and thoughtfulness shown throughout this process.

McFerran drew scrutiny from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, after The Washington Post obtained federal financial disclosures showing he spent much of the past decade as a senior executive at a Swiss subsidiary of Evraz PLC, a steel-trading business co-owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Warren noted McFerran continued to work at the subsidiary even after the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Evraz. The U.S. later sanctioned several of its subsidiaries.

The Post also reported McFerran has extensive ties to the Kremlin through his wifes family, members of which reportedly hold senior positions at a Russian-backed investment fund. McFerrans father-in-law is reportedly an aide to one of Russian President Vladimir Putins advisers and was previously a senator in Russias upper chamber of parliament, according to the Post.

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In her letter to McFerran on Wednesday, before his withdrawal had been publicly reported, Warren said she was especially concerned about your past work that appears to be deeply connected to a Russian metals and mining giant called Evraz.

Your decision to work for an Evraz subsidiary in the wake of Russias initial invasion of Ukraine and after its launching a full-scale war raises significant questions about your judgment and your commitment to U.S. national security, Warren wrote.

It also raises questions about the origin of funds you used to make a nearly $1 million donation to the Trump 47 Committeea PAC created to fund President Trumps and other Republican campaigns, including the Republican National Committeein 2024, she continued.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai confirmed McFerran withdrew his nomination Monday.

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Desai defended McFerran in a statement, writing, his prior business interests have been fully researched, vetted, and cleared by the nonpartisan Office of Government Ethics  a fact that should deter the Fake News from continuing to perpetuate the debunked Russia, Russia, Russia hoax.

McFerran, who was tapped as EXIMs acting chief banking officer in March, will continue to serve in that capacity until a permanent replacement is named in the coming weeks, Desai added.

Updated: 10:50 a.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.
(Francis Chung/POLITICO via AP Images)

President Donald Trump lashed out at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumers scathing criticism of his Asia tour as almost treasonous while touting that hed worked really hard and pulled Trillions of Dollars on his travels.

Schumer had mocked the presidents overseas schedule during a fiery speech on the Senate floor Wednesday, saying: As we enter the 29th day of the government shutdown, wheres Donald Trump? Gallivanting in Asia, dancing in Malaysia.

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Hes preparing now to meet with President Xi of China to strike a trade deal that will sell out the American people  giving away vital national security tools in exchange for little more than a photo op, Schumer said.

President Trump is about to congratulate himself, patting himself hard on the back for cleaning up a mess that he created, the Democrat added. Its amazing what this guy does.

The president, having just concluded his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, clapped back via Truth Social:

Worked really hard, 24/7, took in Trillions of Dollars, and Chuck Schumer said the trip was a total dud, even though he knows it was a spectacular success. Words like that are almost treasonous!!!

(Screengrab via Truth Social)

After the jab, the president hailed major breakthroughs on trade and fentanyl cooperation during the truly great meeting with Xi while announcing that he would slash tariffs he put on China by 10 percent.

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Speaking aboard Air Force One after the summit at Gimhae Air Base in Busan, Trump said Beijing agreed to delay rare earth mineral restrictions for a year and resume large-scale purchases of American soybeans.

I would say on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12, Trump added.

The post Trump Fumes Chuck Schumers Criticism of Prezs Asia Trip Is Almost Treasonous first appeared on Mediaite.
President Donald Trump can prevent nearly 42 million Americans from losing funding for their food aid benefits on Saturday. And hes done it before.

Thats the view of experts who follow government appropriations, including a former government official, who say the administration is making a political choice by asserting its hands are tied and that benefits will run dry.

Its also the view of the Government Accountability Office, or the GAO, a nonpartisan congressional agency, according to a 2019 report it issued during Trumps first term after the president paid for the food assistance benefits before an impending cliff hit.

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The crucial point here is that the Trump administration is choosing to violate the law and choosing not to spend money it has available to it to pay for food for poor people, said Samuel Bagenstos, former general counsel to the Office of Management and Budget, referring to requirements laid out in the Food and Nutrition Act.

Bagenstos said the Trump administration isnt just wrong to claim that using the money would violate the law. Its very likely that theyre violating the law by not using this money thats sitting there, he said.

The Food and Nutrition Act states that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or the USDA, must provide assistance to all eligible households that make applications. According to the 2024 and 2025 appropriations bills passed into law, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, has whats called a contingency reserve pot of money that totals around $6 billion, and $3 billion of it remains available until Sept. 30, 2026, while roughly another $3 billion is available to be legally used by the administration until 2027.

When a December 2018 shutdown continued into the new year, Trump and Sonny Perdue, then the secretary of the U.S. Agriculture Department, took money from an expired government funding bill to pay for the benefits early, before a February cutoff of benefits hit. The government watchdog found that it was illegal for Trump to use the pot of money he pulled from at the time and also violated a part of the law that says people can only receive a benefit payment once a month.

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But the GAO said there were other funds at Trumps disposal that he could have legally used to pay for the SNAP benefits to low-income Americans.

During the funding gap, USDA may have had some or all of a $3 billion contingency fund available to pay for SNAP benefits, the GAO said, noting that contingency funds are in reserve and can be used as may become necessary to carry out program operations.

Theres no need for an appropriations bill to fund November benefits, said David Super, an administrative and constitutional law professor at Georgetown University. Thats a choice the administration made. Their shutdown plan that they posted on September 30 said that a contingency fund was available to pay November benefits, and then they took it down and reversed their position to pressure Democratic senators.

The White House has not provided any answers on why the Trump administrations own shutdown plan dated September of this year said contingency funds could be used to pay for SNAP benefits during a shutdown but was then erased and changed.

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When asked by MSNBC what is legally stopping the White House from funding SNAP when a government watchdog previously said they could use contingency funds during a shutdown, an Office of Management and Budget spokesperson simply responded Thursday there is no money legally available.

Democrats chose to shut down the government knowing full well that SNAP would soon run out of funds, the same Office of Management and Budget spokesperson said earlier this week. It doesnt have to be this way, and its sad they are using the families who rely on it as pawns.

A memo from the USDA on SNAP benefits claims the contingency fund is a source of funds for contingencies like the disaster SNAP program, which provides short-term food assistance benefits in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

For example, Hurricane Melissa is currently swirling in the Caribbean and could reach Florida. Having funds readily available allows the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to mobilize quickly in the days and weeks following a disaster, the USDA memo states.

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But Bagenstos said thats a red herring because there is nothing stopping the president from calling Congress back to pass an emergency disaster relief bill. Bagenstos and Super also pointed out that nowhere in the USDA memo does the administration point to anything in the appropriations act, or in any other law, that says the money is not available.

Vice President JD Vance, pressed by reporters on Thursday, didnt directly answer why the president is refusing to move funds around for SNAP despite recently doing so for the food aid program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC.

Why dont the Democrats just stop this entire charade and reopen the government so that we dont have to try to make this thing work on a shoestring budget, Vance said Thursday. Were going to find out the hard way with SNAP benefits  the American people are already suffering, and the suffering is going to get a lot worse, not because the president of the United States has failed to make the shutdown painless. Hes tried to do everything that he can to make it as unpainless as possible.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
President Donald Trump has claimed he could send the Navy, Air Force, and Marines into U.S. cities to do whatever I want and the courts would not stop him.

As tensions escalate over the administrations deployment of the National Guard, Trump warned that he could routinely invoke the Insurrection Act to bypass the legal system if he wanted to use all arms of the military against his own citizens.

If I want to enact a certain Act, Im allowed to do it, he said.

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We havent chosen to do that because were doing very well without it, but Id be allowed to do that, you know that, right? And the courts wouldnt get involved. Nobody would get involved, and I could send the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines. I could send anybody I wanted.

Donald Trump stepped up his rhetoric about the Insurrection Act. / Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

The comments represent a dramatic escalation by the president, and sparked widespread criticism that he was trying to play out a dictator fantasy.

In theory, he would face restrictions such as the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of federal military forces to enforce domestic laws. This is applied to the Army and Air Force directly, and by policy to the Navy and Marines.

But the comment is not the only time in recent weeks that Trump has raised alarm bells about the extent of his authority.

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This month alone, the president has also said he could keep killing suspected drug smugglers without congressional approval, claimed he was the nations chief lawmaker as he called for the DOJ to go after his enemies, and suggested through his press secretary that he could demolish the Jefferson Memorial without needing legal authority.

Trumps latest remarks took place aboard Air Force One during his trip to Asia, where he is set to meet with Chinas authoritarian leader Xi Jinping.

Asked what he meant when he said earlier that he was prepared to send more than the National Guard into American cities, he replied: Sure, I would do that if it was necessary. If it was necessary I would do that if it were necessary, but it hasnt been necessary. Were doing a great job without that.

But tensions have escalated in cities such as Chicago, where Trump is currently trying to deploy the National Guard because, according to the administration, local police have failed to respond to mob violence by people protesting his immigration enforcement policies.

U.S. Border Patrol agents scuffle with community members in the 10500 block of South Avenue M on Oct. 14, 2025, in Chicago. / Chicago Tribune / Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Things got particularly heated over the weekend when federal agents tear gassed a residential neighborhood for the fourth day in a row on Saturday, disrupting a Halloween parade for kids and violently arresting an elderly man for interfering with the arrest of another man by ICE agents.

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Tear gas is now a tool that ICE will use, not just in protest locations, but on routine street corners, as church is getting out, as school is in session, as patients are trying to enter emergency rooms, Illinois State Senator Graciela Guzman told The Daily Beast.

These are all scenarios that I have directly experienced, or that folks around me in my community have experienced in the last two weeks alone.

The Insurrection Act of 1807 is a federal law that allows the president to deploy the U.S. military or federalize state National Guard troops to quell what he deems an insurrection against the United States.

The president floated the idea of using the act to address civil unrest while campaigning to return to the White House last year, but has yet to invoke it.

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His latest comments were widely condemned online.

This is a dictator fantasy, said veteran and political analyst Evaristus Odinikaeze. The president doesnt just get to do whatever I want" because Posse Comitatus, the Insurrection Act, and the courts place real limits."

Hes talking about invading the American citizens like theyre the beaches of Normandy, wrote another X user.
President Donald Trump is returning to the U.S. after a multi-day trip to Asia just in time for Halloween weekend.

Trump's schedule shows he will return to the White House from abroad on Thursday, Oct. 30, to participate in a trick-or-treating event along with first lady Melania Trump.

While his White House schedule for Friday, Halloween day, has yet to be posted, flight restrictions in the Palm Beach, Florida, area that usually serve as an indicator that the president will arrive are in place from midday on Oct. 31 to the evening of Sunday, Nov. 2.

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The social season in Palm Beach traditionally ramps up around Thanksgiving and slows down after Easter, but the Mar-a-Lago Club has its season-opening party on Halloween. Will Trump be there?

More: What is Donald Trumps approval rating in Florida, US? Heres what the latest polls say

Will Trump be in Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, for Halloween?

Yes, presidential-level temporary flight restrictions indicate he will be in town the weekend of Halloween.

Trump could arrive and depart anytime between 12:15 p.m. Oct. 31 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 2, the flight restrictions show.

While the notice of temporary flight restrictions does not mention Trump by name, it details the level of restrictions issued when the president travels to and from Mar-a-Lago. Those restrictions include a radius of 10 nautical miles where most flights are banned, followed by a ring with a 30-nautical-mile radius where more movement is allowed, according to the FAA.

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The White House did not comment on Trump's plans at Mar-a-Lago, his private club.

How many times has Trump been to Mar-a-Lago this year?

This would be Trump's 12th visit to Palm Beach since Jan. 20, when he began his second term in the White House.

He visited earlier this month, when he reportedly spoke at a $1 million-per-plate fundraiser for super PAC MAGA Inc. on Oct. 17. That was his first return, to his home state of Florida and to his private club, since spring.

Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social.

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Kristina Webb is a reporter for Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at kwebb@pbdailynews.com. Subscribe today to support our journalism

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Is Trump going to Mar-a-Lago for the Halloween party? What we know
President Donald Trump is expected to arrive for a weekend sojourn in Palm Beach County this Halloween as 160,000 people in his home county face losing food assistance and the commander-in-chief ordered the resumption of nuclear arms testing for the first time since the Cold War.

The optics for this visit, his 12th to his private club and residence in ultrawealthy Palm Beach, offer a flinty backdrop as the partial federal government shutdown enters its 31st day. And the visit again offers a contrast to how Trump handled the record-breaking 35-day shutdown during his first term.

During that Capitol Hill stalemate, over funding the construction of a border wall and other immigration-related priorities, the president stayed put in Washington, D.C. That shutdown began right before Trump was to have traveled to Mar-a-Lago for an extended Christmas and New Year's holiday visit, but the president canceled travel plans and remained at the White House.

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During this government closure, Trump has traveled once to his Palm Beach club, where he appeared at a reported $1 million-per-plate fundraising dinner, and toured Asia, where the White House hailed landmark meetings, including one with a top trade adversary, China's President Xi Jinping.

Trump's 12th visit to Palm Beach County coincides with expected end to SNAP benefits amid government shutdown

The president's visit, nonetheless, is juxtaposed with the impending Nov. 1 end to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, payments that help feed as many as 15 million low-income and impoverished families across the United States.

That figure includes more than 160,000 people, including children, in Palm Beach County.

The political pressure is building, and this week tempers flared in the U.S. Capitol. U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota, gave an impassioned speech on his chamber's floor.

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"This isn't a political game," the GOP majority leader declared in criticizing the Democratic minority for refusing to reopen the government. "This is real people's lives that we're talking about."

Democrats, however, have held to their position that a new funding bill to reopen the government must include extending tax credits that make government-assisted health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans.

The estimate includes 4.7 million Floridians  the largest percentage of any states population that gets their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media as he arrives at Palm Beach International Airport, in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., October 17, 2025.

An Oct. 29 Yahoo/YouGov survey showed just 26% of those asked said they approved of Trump's handling of the shutdown, while 65% said they disapproved. And 51% agreed with Democrats that extending the health insurance tax credit should be part of the next government funding legislation.

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On Oct. 30, the Democrats in Florida's congressional delegation, including Palm Beach County-area U.S. Reps. Lois Frankel, Jared Moskowitz and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, argued that once SNAP payments run out, Floridians of all walks will suffer hunger.

The impact of a suspension of benefits would be immediate and severe, forcing Floridas children, seniors, veterans and working families to turn to already strained food banks and local charities for help, they stated. Floridas most vulnerable residents should not pay the price for the Trump Administrations refusal to use funds Congress has already made available.

In an Oct. 23 town hall, Frankel, D-West Palm Beach, said the Trump administration's insistence on ending the health care subsidy seemed even more callous as the East Wing of the White House was torn down to make way for a ballroom.

Its just heartbreaking to see part of the White House knocked out, Frankel said. Especially at a time when were arguing over funding health care for people whose costs are going up.

Trump focused on foreign affairs as government shutdown drags on

The president, however, does not seem willing to budge. Instead, he has spent the past week focused on international trade and security.

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The trip to Asia included a visit to Tokyo, where the president bonded with new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. After an earlier stop in Malayasia, a White House statement declared Trump showed a "bold display of strength and unmatched dealmaking ability" in discussions that brokered "historic peace accords, slashing trade barriers, and locking in game-changing critical minerals deals."

Trump proclaimed the meeting with Xi was "truly great," citing an agreement by Beijing to purchase large quantities of soybeans and to "continue the flow Rare Earth, Critical Minerals, Magnets, etc. openly and freely." The president is planning to visit China next year, and Xi is set to travel to the United States afterward.

The Chinese leader visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago in April 2017.

One international analyst agreed the meeting had "limited success" but nonetheless "de-escalated" rising commercial tensions that threaten to launch the planet's top economic powers into a financially destructive, full-blown trade war.

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"It bought time," said Richard Haas, former president of the Council on Foreign Relations. "It stops the process of escalation."

While flying back from Asia, Trump issued a social-media post that he had "instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis" with other global powers.

U.S. nuclear tests, a hallmark of the Cold War, were stopped in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

During the 2024 presidential race, Trump warned that under President Joe Biden's leadership, the world was inching toward nuclear conflagration. Resuming the tests appears to clash with Trump's promise to defuse nuclear tensions around the world.

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Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump in Palm Beach County on Halloween as residents face losing SNAP
Nazrin Abdul



Azerbaijan and Turkiye have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance mutual cooperation in the insurance sector, Azernews reports.

The announcement was made by Taleh Kazimov, Governor of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA), in a post shared on his official X account.

We were pleased to welcome the delegation led by Mr. Davut Mente?, Chairman of the Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency of Turkiye, at the Central Bank. During the meeting, we discussed the current state of cooperation between our institutions and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, Kazimov stated.

He noted that the MoU aims to promote cooperation and information exchange between the two regulators in the field of insurance supervision and regulation.

We are confident that this Memorandum will make a significant contribution to deepening integration between the financial systems of our two brotherly countries and to fostering the sustainable development of the insurance sector at the regional level, Kazimov added.
The 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labor will be held in Morocco from 11 to 13 February 2026 to discuss solutions and agree on urgent, concrete actions to eliminate child labor globally.

The announcement was made Thursday by the International Labour Organization. The Conference will bring together governments, employers and workers organizations, civil society, the private sector, and international partners to accelerate progress towards ending child labour.

The event will provide a platform for dialogue and exchange, fostering the sharing of innovative and effective solutions, identifying persistent challenges and defining urgent and concrete measures to accelerate the elimination of child labour worldwide.

The agenda features round-tables, high-level discussions and interactive sessions, focusing on sustained and coordinated action beyond 2030 to end child labour and forced labour.

According to ILO-UNICEF 2024 Global estimates, 138 million children still in child labour, including 54 million in hazardous works. The international community has not met Target 8.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which calls for the elimination of child labour in all its forms by 2025.

The Morocco-conference builds on the outcomes of previous Global Conferences: Oslo (1997), The Hague (2010), Brasilia (2013), Buenos Aires (2017), and Durban (2022), and will be guided by the six priority areas of the Durban Call to Action.

This Call urges immediate, intensified, gender-responsive, well-coordinated, multisectoral, multi-stakeholder, rights-based action to end child labour and forced labour. Participating countries committed to tracking progress and presenting their achievements at the Conference.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Donald Trump hosted hundreds of costumed guests  from superheroes to dinosaurs and even a few children dressed as the first couple  as part of Thursday night's Halloween celebration at the White House.

He and first lady Melania Trump emerged on the South Lawn as evening was starting to fall to an orchestral version of Michael Jackson's Thriller. Neither was in costume. Trump wore a blue suit and red tie with a red USA cap; his wife was in a brown coat over an orange dress.

The couple handed out full-sized Hershey bars and Twizzlers in boxes with the presidential seal to a line of children and their parents that stretched down the driveway. Temporary walls obscured the view of the construction of Trump's new White House ballroom  which has led to the demolition of the East Wing  though a parked bulldozer could still be seen hulking on the other side.

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Its a long line, Trump said. Its almost as big as the ballroom.

The White House tradition went ahead despite Trump returning mere hours earlier from a six-day Asia trip that took him to Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, and amid a government shutdown in its 30th day.

Trump has called for the government to reopen, but congressional Democrats are demanding an extension of expiring tax credits that have helped millions of people afford health insurance. Their Republican colleagues say they wont negotiate until the government is reopened.

Trumps tariffs on Chinese imports have reduced inventory and raised prices for Halloween costumes for American importers, retailers and shoppers. Still, the White House exterior featured dozens of decorations resembling large autumn leaves and fall flowers like orange and red mums. The stairs leading to its balcony were crowded with carved pumpkins.

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Among the children attending the Halloween party were those of members of the military and White House staffers. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, came with her young son dressed as a pumpkin. Katie Miller, a former Trump administration aide, was dressed as a skeleton, while her husband, Stephen, Trump's deputy White House chief of staff, wore only a business suit.

Hundreds of children, tiny toddlers up to kids in their early teens, came dressed as Spider-Man and Captain America, ballerinas, princesses and leprechauns. Two boys wore suits, Trump hats and grins like the president, though they didn't try to pull off his signature hairdo, while a girl with them wore a white coat over a dress like one the first lady might favor.

Several parents had USA caps like Trump.

Some children were shy or skittish about talking with the Trumps, but the president said something inaudible to a child whose costume consisted of sitting with his pants down on an inflatable toilet stenciled with Wide Load on the back.
President Donald Trump announced on Oct. 29 that the United States will "immediately" resume nuclear weapons tests, a move he said is needed to ensure the country keeps up with its rival nuclear powers.

In a Truth Social post, Trump touted progress made on nuclear weapons modernization during his first term. But he warned that China's nuclear weapons buildup will place Beijing's arsenal on equal footing with the United States and Russia "within 5 years."

"Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," Trump said. "That process will begin immediately."

US President Donald Trump (C) poses for a group photo with (from L - R) Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto, and Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone before the 13th ASEAN - United States Summit during the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks as he presides over the signing of a Cambodia-Thailand peace deal at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on October 26, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Trump is in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, and will next travel to Japan, en route to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. President Donald Trump looks on as Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (C) and Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul hold up signed documents during a ceremonial signing of a ceasefire agreement on the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct.26, 2025. A Royal Malaysian Air Force F-18 Hornet fighter jet escorts Air Force One with U.S. President Donald Trump aboard en route to Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Oct. 26, 2025 in Malaysia. Trump is in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, and will next travel to Japan, en route to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. President Donald Trump walks with Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (centre R) as he walks from Air Force One upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on Oct. 26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on October 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump holds the US and Malaysian national flags at a welcome ceremony upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on Oct. 26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on October 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump waves from his official vehicle known as "The Beast" as he departs from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang to attend the ASEAN summit on Oct.26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on October 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump joins performers for a dance during the welcome ceremony next to Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (L) as he arrives on Air Force One at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on Oct. 26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on Oct. 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump welcomes Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani (L) and Prime Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani (3rd-L) aboard Air Force One during a refueling stop at Al-Udeid Air Base on Oct. 25, 2025 in Abu Nakhlah, Qatar. 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). Also pictured is U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (3rd-R), White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles (2nd-R), and Special Assistant to the President Margo Martin (R). President Trump visits Asia. See the biggest moments from his trip 1 of 9 US President Donald Trump (C) poses for a group photo with (from L - R) Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto, and Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone before the 13th ASEAN - United States Summit during the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, 2025.

Asked by a reporter on Air Force One on his way back to Washington from South Korea on Oct. 30 if the world was entering a more risky environment when it comes to nuclear issues, Trump said he didn't think so.

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"I think we have it pretty well locked up," Trump explained. "But I see them testing. I say, well, they're going to test, I guess we have to test."

Trump said he'd like to see a "de-nuclearization," adding that it would be a "tremendous thing."

"And it's something we are actually talking to Russia about that and China would be added to that," he said.

'Crucial testing': Putin says Russia successfully tested nuclear-powered cruise missile

The move seemingly signals an abrupt end to a 33-year period during which the United States did not test any nuclear weapons. The moratorium on nuclear detonations was put in place by former President George H.W. Bush, and the United States signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1996. The Senate voted against ratifying the treaty.

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While China and Russia have renovated their historical nuclear test sites in recent years, only North Korea has detonated nuclear weapons since 1998.

It was not immediately clear from Trump's post whether the United States would fire a nuclear warhead before Russia or China does. All three countries  and other nuclear weapons states  routinely test their nuclear delivery platforms: Russia tested a new nuclear-powered cruise missile and a nuclear torpedo in recent days, and the United States test-launched a Minuteman III nuclear missile in May.

The announcement came as Trump traveled to Gimhae Air Base in South Korea for a hotly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, their first face-to-face conversation since the U.S. leader returned to office earlier this year. During his first term, Trump tried and failed to initiate trilateral arms control talks with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump did not respond to a reporter's question on why he changed the United States' posture on nuclear testing as his meeting with Xi began.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hand out candy to children during the annual Halloween event on the South Lawn of the White House on Oct. 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. The President and first lady welcomed military, law enforcement, and foster and adoptive families, as well as administration officials and their children, to the annual trick-or-treat celebration on the White House grounds. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping as they hold a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea on Oct. 30, 2025. President Donald Trump arrives to speak to troops aboard USS George Washington at Fleet Activities Yokosuka on Oct.28, 2025 in Yokosuka, Japan. Trump is visiting Japan, fresh off an appearance at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, and will next travel to South Korea for the APEC meetings. President Donald Trump joins performers for a dance during the welcome ceremony next to Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as he arrives on Air Force One at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on Oct. 26, 2025. President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on October 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump holds a model of an arch as he delivers remarks during a ballroom fundraising dinner in the East Room of the White House on Oct.15, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump hosted organizations and individuals for a fundraising dinner for the new $250 million ballroom addition currently under construction at the White House. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio updates U.S. President Donald Trump on the Gaza proposal during a roundtable on antifa, an anti-fascist movement Trump designated a domestic "terrorist organization" via executive order on Sept. 22, at the White House in Washington on Oct. 8, 2025. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump step on an escalator as they arrive for the 80th session of the UNOs General Assembly (UNGA) on Sept. 23, 2025 in New York City. World leaders convened for the 80th Session of UNGA, with this yearOs theme for the annual global meeting being OBetter together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.O Erika Kirk joins U.S. President Donald Trump onstage during the memorial service for political activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10th while speaking at an event during his "American Comeback Tour" at Utah Valley University. King Charles III delivers his speech as US President Donald Trump and Catherine, Princess of Wales listen during the State Banquet at Windsor Castle for the State visit by the President of the United States of America on Sept. 17, 2025 in Windsor, England. President Trump is in England from Sept. 16-18 on his second UK state visit, with the previous one taking place in 2019 during his first presidential term. President Donald Trump and Polish President Karol Nawrocki walk down the Colonnade on the way to the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC on Sept. 3, 2025. The two leaders witnessed two successive flyovers, one of F-35s and then a flight of F-16s performing a "missing man" formation, during the earlier greeting on the South Portico. President Donald Trump reacts as he speaks to members of the media on board Air Force One en route from Scotland, Britain, to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland on July 29, 2025. President Donald Trump reacts after playing from the first tee to officially open the Trump International Golf Links course in Scotland on July 29, 2025. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wave as they board Air Force One at Prestwick Airport ahead of a flight to north-east Scotland on July 28, 2025 in Prestwick, Scotland. The pair are meeting at Turnberry before traveling together to Aberdeenshire to have a private dinner at another Trump-owned golf club. President Trump is visiting Scotland in a trip thatOs part-vacation, part-work, as he stays at his Trump Turnberry golf course, followed by the Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, between July 25 to 29. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen react as they prepare to shake hands during a meeting, in Turnberry south west Scotland, on July 27, 2025, on the third day of his visit to the country, since his second tenure as President began. Trump has said he sees a 50-50 chance of reaching a deal with the European Union, having vowed to hit dozens of countries with punitive tariffs unless they hammer out a pact with Washington by August 1, 2025. President Donald Trump watches his drive from the fairway as he plays golf at the Trump Turnberry Golf Courses, in Turnberry on the south west coast of Scotland on July 27, 2025, during the third day of his visit to the country, since his second tenure as President began. Trump and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen are set to meet later on July 27, in a decisive push to resolve a months-long transatlantic trade standoff with the US leader putting the chances of a deal at one in two. President Donald Trump talks to reporters as he departs the White House on July 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is traveling to his Balmedie golf courses in Scotland this week. President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell tour the Federal ReserveOs $2.5 billion headquarters renovation project on July 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Trump administration has been critical of the cost of the renovation and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. President Donald Trump presents the sweeping spending and tax legislation, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, after he signed it at the White House on July 4, 2025. President Donald Trump looks up at the new flag on the south lawn of the White House on July 6, 2025, in Washington, D.C. President Trump is returning from a 4th of July weekend in Bedminster, N.J. President Donald Trump bangs a gavel after signing the "One, Big Beautiful Bill" Act into law during an Independence Day military family picnic on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4, 2025, in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump tours a migrant detention center, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," located at the site of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida, on July 1, 2025. President Donald Trump answered questions during a June 27, 2025 news conference. The Supreme Court had just ruled 6 to 3 that individual judges cannot grant nationwide injunctions to block executive orders, including the injunction on Trump's effort to eliminate birthright citizenship. President Donald Trump at a news conference during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 25, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Marine One, the presidential helicopter, and departing the White House on June 24, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Less than 12 hours after announcing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Trump is traveling to the Netherlands to attend the NATO leaders' summit. President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation from the White House on June 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C. President Trump addressed the three Iranian nuclear facilities that were struck by the U.S. military. President Donald Trump walks out of the Oval Office before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on June 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Trump is traveling to Bedminster, New Jersey. President Donald Trump is greeted by Steven Crowchild, Tsuut'ina Isgiya Minor Chief, and other leaders after arriving at Calgary International Airport for the G7 leaders' summit on June 15, 2025, in Calgary, Alberta. Canada is hosting this year's meeting of the world's seven largest economies in Kananaskis, Alberta. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump watch fireworks after the Army's 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington, D.C., on June 14, 2025. President Donald Trump reveled in a long-dreamed-of military parade on his 79th birthday, as demonstrators across the country branded him a dictator in the biggest protests since his return to power. U.S. President Donald Trump gestures at the annual National Memorial Day Observance in the Memorial Amphitheater, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on May 26, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth salute by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, during ceremonies in commemoration of the Memorial Day holiday, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, on May 26, 2025. President Donald Trump addresses graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point in Michie Stadium on May 24, 2025, in West Point, NY. This year's graduating class included honorary member Peter Wang, a junior ROTC cadet who was killed in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. President Donald Trump departs the White House on May 22, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Trump is traveling to his Trump National Golf Club in Virginia, where he is holding a dinner for the top investors in his $TRUMP cryptocurrency. President Donald Trump holds up a printed article from "American Thinker" while accusing South African President Cyril Ramaphosa of state-sanctioned violence against white farmers in South Africa during a press availability in the Oval Office at the White House on May 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump speaks alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in the Oval Office at the White House on May 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. President Trump announced his plans for the "Golden Dome," a national ballistic and cruise missile defense system. President Donald J. Trump is greeted by young girls as he arrives for an official arrival ceremony at Qasr al Watan (Palace of the Nation) May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Trump is on the third day of his visit to the Gulf to underscore the strategic partnership between the United States and regional allies including the UAE, focusing on security and economic collaboration. President Donald J. Trump tours the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, including the mausoleum of the late founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan, with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (R) and Dr. Yousef Al-Obaidi, Director-General of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center (SZGMC) and Ameena Alhammadi (L), Acting Director of Culture and Knowledge Department of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Trump is on the third day of his visit to the Gulf to underscore the strategic partnership between the United States and regional allies including the UAE, focusing on security and economic collaboration. Finland's President Alexander Stubb, U.S. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Estonian President Alar Karis, King Felipe VI of Spain, Queen Letizia of Spain, Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa, His Highness Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince and President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Queen Mary of Denmark attend the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on April 26, 2025, in Vatican City, Vatican. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of Pope Francis's funeral at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on April 26, 2025. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk to Marine One as they depart the White House on April 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C. President Trump and the first lady are traveling to Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. 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Trump on Monday hosted El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, the self-described "world's coolest dictator" who is now the US leader's key ally in a controversial push to deport illegal migrants to a notorious Salvadoran prison. p administration to facilitate. U.S. President Donald Trump listens to a reporter's question during an ambassador meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on March 25, 2025, in Washington, D.C. During the meeting, Trump answered questions from reporters on the news that Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine, was accidentally added to a Signal group chat of top administration officials, where highly sensitive national security information was discussed. US. President Donald Trump signs a proclamation for Greek Independence Day alongside Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America during a Greek Independence Day celebration at the White House on March 24, 2025, in Washington, DC. 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The order instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon, former head of the Small Business Administration and co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment, to shrink the $100 billion department, which cannot be dissolved without Congressional approval. US President Donald Trump stands in the presidential box as he tours the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on March 17, 2025. Trump was appointed chairman of the Kennedy Center on Feb.12, 2025, as a new board of trustees loyal to the US president brought his aggressive right-wing, anti-woke stamp to Washington's premier arts venue. U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks in the Oval Office of the White House on March 21, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Marine One at the White House on March 21, 2025, in Washington, DC. 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President Donald Trump takes questions during a briefing about the mid-air crash between American Airlines flight 5342 and a military helicopter in Washington, in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on January 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. Divers pulled bodies from the icy waters of Washington's Potomac river Thursday after a US military helicopter collided midair with a passenger plane carrying 64 people, with officials saying there were likely no survivors. President Donald Trump is presented with a jersey and hockey stick by players of the NHL 2024 Stanley Cup Champions Florida Panthers, captain Aleksander Barkov (L) and forward Matthew Tkachuk, as Trump welcomes the team to the White House on Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 4, 2025. President Donald Trump pauses for a moment of silence to recognize crash victims as he speaks to reporters about Wednesday's deadly midair collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Eagle flight 5342 near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., Jan. 30, 2025. President Donald Trump visits with patrons at a craps table at Circa Resort & Casino, following his remarks on his policy to end tax on tips in Las Vegas on Jan. 25, 2025. President Donald Trump followed by First Lady Melania Trump, shakes hands with California Governor Gavin Newsom upon arrival in Los Angeles on Jan. 24, 2025, to visit the region devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump listen to a man, carrying a child, affected by Hurricane Helene, as they tour areas devastated by the hurricane to assess recovery efforts in Swannanoa, N.C., Jan. 24, 2025. President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the WHite House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025. U.S. President Donald Trump departs after speaking with reporters in the Grand Foyer during a tour at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after leading a board meeting on March 17, 2025, in Washington, DC. After shunning the annual Kennedy Center Honors during his first term in the White House, Trump fired the center's president, removed the bipartisan board of Biden appointees, and named himself Chairman of the storied music, theater, and dance institution. President Donald Trump tosses into the crowd the pens he used to sign a stack of executive orders on stage during the inauguration parade for President Donald Trump at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. President Donald Trump's inauguration at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. President Donald Trump pumps his first as the crowd chants Ofight, fight, fight!O during the inauguration parade for President Donald Trump at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. President Donald Trump reviews the troops in Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol during his Inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th President of the United States. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk together after the departure of former President Joe Biden and former first lady Jill Biden during the 2025 Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol. President Donald Trump delivers remarks in the viewing area in Emancipation Hall following the 2025 Presidential Inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. Standing behind Trump are from left, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., his wife, Kelly Johnson, House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La. and his wife, Jennifer Scalise. President-elect Donald Trump attends his inauguration in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th President of the United States. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump meet with U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden on inauguration day of Donald Trump's second presidential term in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2025. Donald Trump's second term: Actions, travels of the 47th president 1 of 70 President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hand out candy to children during the annual Halloween event on the South Lawn of the White House on Oct. 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. The President and first lady welcomed military, law enforcement, and foster and adoptive families, as well as administration officials and their children, to the annual trick-or-treat celebration on the White House grounds.

Nuclear weapons expert: Trump announcement could 'trigger strong public opposition in Nevada'

The president's announcement baffled nuclear weapons experts, some of whom believe Trump's post may have referred to missile flight testing or nonexplosive nuclear tests.

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Arms Control Association head and nuclear weapons expert Daryl Kimball said the United States "has no technical, military, or political reason to resume nuclear explosive testing." In a series of posts on X, Kimball added that Trump's announcement could "trigger strong public opposition in Nevada," where the United States has historically conducted its underground nuclear tests, draw condemnation from allies, "trigger a chain reaction of testing by U.S. adversaries," and "blow apart" international agreements that have discouraged countries from building and testing nuclear weapons.

Another nuclear nonproliferation expert, Andrea Stricker of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said that Trump needs "to clarify what he means" by "nuclear testing."

"He may authorize low-yield nuclear testing, as Russia and China may be conducting, rather than full-scale tests," Stricker said on X. She hypothesized that Trump may be seeking to kick-start a new round of arms control negotiations before the last remaining U.S.-Russia arms control treaty expires in February 2026.

A Department of Energy spokesperson and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.

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Brandon Williams, the Trump-appointed head of the National Nuclear Security Administration, told lawmakers in April that he would advise the administration not to resume nuclear weapons tests.

Contributing: Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY

Davis Winkie's role covering nuclear threats and national security at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Outrider Foundation and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump says US will 'immediately' start testing nuclear weapons
Donald Trump's administration is proposing restrictions on gender-affirming care for trans children across the U.S.

Keep up with the latest in LGBTQ+ news and politics. Sign up for The Advocate's email newsletter.

Proposals drafted by the Department of Health and Human Services would forbid federal Medicaid reimbursement for trans health care for those under 18, according to text viewed by NPR. Additionally, that proposal would also prohibit reimbursements via the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for trans patients below 19.

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Another proposed rule would bar all Medicaid and Medicare funding for services at hospitals providing gender-affirming care to youth, NPR reports.

The Trump administration is set to publish the rules to the public next month, according to an NPR source at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Katie Keith, director of the Center for Health Policy and the Law at Georgetown University, told the outlet, "These rules would be a significant escalation in the Trump administration's attack on access to transgender health care."

Keith noted that the proposal to strip Medicaid and Medicare funding from certain hospitals would be "unprecedented." She explained that since Medicare makes up a large part of hospitals' revenue, it would force these hospitals to stop providing trans health care to youth.

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Almost all medical associations in the U.S. support gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

Joshua Block, senior counsel for the ACLUs LGBTQ & HIV Project, told The Advocate in a statement, This proposed rule is an extreme and dangerous effort to put politics between families and their doctors. It is a severe encroachment on the freedom of these families to determine what health care is right for them while threatening transgender youth with the lifelong impacts of being denied the care they need."

Block added that the ACLU would "strongly oppose this rule."

The Human Rights Campaign also condemned the news.

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This latest attempt to strip best-practice health care from trans young people would place parents and doctors in an impossible position in service of the far-rights culture war on transgender people. Any proposed rule that would strip federal dollars from providers who dare to defy the administrations political agenda by caring for trans youth would help no one, hurt countless families, and send a dangerous message that only the president himself  not doctors, not parents, not even you  can decide what health care you can access," Ellen Kahn, senior vice president of Equality Programs at the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement.

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Trump looks to stop gender-affirming care for America's transgender youth: report
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded their long-awaited sit-down on Thursday with many questions about the state of trade left unansweredat least for the public.

In a meeting that lasted an hour and forty minuteslonger than expectedthe heads of state brought ample backup. On the American side, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Ambassador to China David Perdue and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles flanked the president.

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Xi was joined by his own chief of staff, Cai Qi, along with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Vice Premier He Lifeng, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission Zheng Shanjie, according to the BBC.

In their first in-person meeting since 2019 at a South Korean Air Base in Busan, the two leaders agreed to almost everything, Trump told reporters, adding that the talk was amazing.

The docket for discussion included the resumption of Chinas purchase of American soybeans (China has already resumed buying), fentanyl (Xi said he would work very hard to stop the flow, Trump said) and Ukraine, which the two leaders spoke about at length, according to Al Jazeera. The topic of Taiwan was not broached.

We focused on export controls of China on rare earth, and theyre going to keep those flowing, which is quite important, Trump added. Beijing has delayed its export controls by one year, at which point the topic will be renegotiated, multiple sources report.

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The most immediately notable point from the meeting was that the U.S. president agreed to reduce the countrys punitive fentanyl tariffs from 20 percent to 10 percent thanks to Xis commitment to tackle the smuggling of the narcotic and its chemical precursors. That brings Chinas current tariff burden down from about 57 percent to around 47 percent.

Neither side offered details about whether a formal trade truce had been brokered. At one point after the meeting adjourned, Trump told reporters that he believes a deal will be formalized pretty soon.

Trump said he plans to visit China in April and Xi will visit the U.S. sometime soon after.

Weve come to conclusions on many very important points, and well be handing that to you in a little while, he said.

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We do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then, Xi told Trump at the start of the meeting, according to CNN. You and I at the helm of China-US relations should stay the right course.

I always believe that Chinas development goes hand in hand with your vision to make America great again, he said.
National Guard troops patrolling the streets of Washington, D.C., will stay in place until at least February, a defense official said  but the extension is open-ended until the mission is considered complete.

The orders to stay in Washington were likely to lapse in November, but Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the extension this week, said the official, who was granted anonymity to discuss the orders.

There are currently over 2,300 National Guard troops in the nations capital hailing from the District, as well as troops from Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, West Virginia, Ohio and South Carolina. The troops have been tasked with picking up trash, spreading mulch and other beautification projects around the National Mall and heavily tourist-trafficked areas of the city. They have also worked with local community leaders on various public outreach programs.

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As of early October, the troops assigned to Task Force Beautification collected 1,099 bags of trash, spreading 1,045 cubic yards of mulch, according to Guard statistics. Local officials and D.C. residents have sharply criticized the deployment. District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb sued over the deployment, with a federal judge last week hearing arguments in the case.

CNN first reported on the extension.

The deployments began in August and have already been extended once in September to keep the troops in place through November. The troops have been authorized to carry firearms.

The authorities prescribing how the troops can operate are Title 32 orders, which keep them under the control of their state governors and allow them to conduct law enforcement activities. Often, these kinds of domestic deployments fall under Title 10 authorities, which means they are federalized and banned from engaging in any law enforcement activities.
The Pentagon is moving forward on orders from President Donald Trump to build a National Guard quick reaction force in each state for domestic use, though two US officials say the effort is largely making incremental changes to a mission the Guard already undertakes.

Trump ordered that the Pentagon ensure the availability of a standing National Guard quick reaction force that shall be resourced, trained, and available for rapid nationwide deployment, in an August executive order.

But the two officials said those reaction forces already exist.

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This whole thing  were already doing it, one of the US officials said. This is just updated guidance.

The officials said that plans are being developed within the Defense Department and National Guard for possible additional training or increase to the number of personnel available for existing units to meet the new requirement.

Internal Pentagon guidance directs that most states have roughly 500 individuals dedicated to the reaction force, one of the officials said, though that number could vary depending on the size of the state.

Some states may have to increase the size of their Guard contingent dedicated to the mission to meet that guidance.

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The Guardian was first to report on the guidance, which was issued earlier this month, with the director of operations for the Pentagons National Guard bureau outlining troop numbers for the quick reaction forces ordered by Trump including a total of roughly 23,500 troops nationally.

The Guard already has two types of forces that meet this mission  the National Guard Reaction Force and the Homeland Response Force.

The National Guard Reaction Force in each state provides a rapid response capability focused on incidents requiring defense support of civilian authorities, a publicly available fact sheet says.

When needed, that force is meant to be able to deploy 25% of its personnel within the first eight hours, 50% of its personnel within 12 hours, and the entire contingent within 24 hours. Their mission, according to the fact sheet, includes civil disturbance control and personnel and site security.

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The Homeland Response Force, meanwhile, is meant to be able to assemble within six hours and support emergency response chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosive disasters. Within that force, the US official said, is a group of roughly 200 US soldiers whose job is riot and crowd control.

Those forces are organized matching the 10 regions the Federal Emergency Management Agency uses to subdivide US land, the US official said, meaning they are responsible for responding first for a group of states and/or territories. Region 2, for example, includes New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The Pentagon guidance comes as the Trump administration has repeatedly sought to use the Guard in various states as support to law enforcement and immigration officials. The administration has been caught up in legal disputes over its deployment of the Guard in Los Angeles, Portland, and Chicago, and CNN reported Wednesday that orders for the National Guard in Washington, DC, have been extended into 2026.

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GYEONGJU, South Korea (AP)  A hot mike caught U.S. President Donald Trump saying that his much-anticipated meeting Thursday with Chinese President Xi Jinping, meant to settle the most important trade relationship in the world, would be three, four hours and he would then fly back to Washington.

It was actually much shorter, an hour and 40 minutes, but true to his word he was on a plane well before the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit was to begin Friday.

Trumps decision to skip APEC fits with his well-known disdain for the big, multi-nation forums that have been traditionally used to address huge global problems, and his relish of the kind of one-on-one diplomacy that can result in big deals, or at least interesting headlines.

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But his blunt dismissal of this weekend's APEC diplomacy risks worsening America's reputation at a forum that represents nearly 40% of the worlds population and more than half of global goods trade.

It also stands in contrast to China's approach.

Showing up matters in Asian diplomacy, and the Chinese leader is scheduled to be in South Korea until the forum ends this weekend, hoping to gain wins in Trump's absence.

What Trumps absence at APEC signals to the region

On social media Trump celebrated his meeting with Xi in South Korea as a G2, a recognition of America and Chinas status as the worlds two biggest economies and a play on the multi-national Group of Seven and Group of 20 forums.

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Still, Trump tried to emphasize American ties to the broader region throughout his trip, which started in Malaysia with the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Xi did not go, and Trump told the spectacular leaders there that he remained committed to the region and was on a mission of friendship and goodwill, and to deepen our ties of commerce, to strengthen our common security and really to promote strongly stability, prosperity and peace.

Some analysts, however, describe a rudderless Asia policy by the Trump administration.

He does not appear to want his hands tied by a disciplined, coherent strategy, Michael Green, who worked on former U.S President George W. Bushs National Security Council and now leads the United States Studies Centre in Sydney, Australia, said of Trumps Asia efforts.

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It remains to be seen whether Trumps personalized brand of foreign policy will erode U.S. influence and leadership, said Go Myong-hyun, an analyst at South Koreas Institute of National Security Strategy.

Of course, the United States reputation will worsen compared to the idealistic internationalism the rest of the world had long associated with America, Go said. But its too early to say for sure whether the United States status and strengths are really in decline.

Issues that might be settled at APEC without Trump

APEC is a much less important gathering than it used to be, especially since Washington began dismantling global trading norms under Trump, whose sweeping U.S. tariffs have rattled friends and foes alike.

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While the nations at APEC may agree on small issues, such as environmental protection or job training, the forums biggest value is now probably as an opportunity for leaders to meet on the sidelines.

Trumps unilateral push to reset global trade especially rattles countries like South Korea, whose export-driven economy depends on the postwar expansion of free trade.

Oh Hyunjoo, a deputy director of South Koreas presidential national security office, told reporters this week that it has been difficult to produce a joint statement between APEC members because the basic rule-based order based on the World Trade Organization is now beginning to crack.

Even without Trumps participation in the main event, however, the APEC forum in South Korea will allow Seoul to expand international discussions over AI, aging populations and other global issues, said Ban Kil Joo, a professor at South Koreas National Diplomatic Academy.

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Were entering an era shaped by AI, while also facing global challenges such as population decline and climate change, so even if the agenda doesnt explicitly include free trade, there are many issues that countries must jointly confront and solve together, Ban said.

What China hopes to gain from APEC

Trumps absence focuses attention on Xi and on a rising China, but thats not entirely a good thing for Beijing.

The world is preparing for a post-U.S. era, said Wang Yiwei, an international relations professor at Renmin University of China in Beijing. It has become a common consensus that there is no U.S. in APEC, or there is a U.S. with less input or without leadership. The world has higher expectations for China.

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At the same time, Wang said, China hopes Trump will attend next years APEC leaders meeting, which China will host.

Without China-U.S. cooperation, China cannot lead the world, nor does it want to, he said. It is hoped that the U.S. could return to the APEC family and the globalization family.

China has been positioning itself as a defender of free trade and an alternative economic partner to countries facing Trumps tariffs, as Premier Li Qiang did at a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations this week  after Trump had already left the gathering.

Chinas state-owned Global Times newspaper said Xi will deliver an important speech at APEC at a time of global economic uncertainty, rising protectionism and rapid technological transformation.

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Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions have become one of the focal points of attention at this APEC meeting, an editorial by the newspaper said.

___

AP writers Chris Megerian in Gyeongju and Ken Moritsugu in Beijing contributed to this story. Klug reported from Tokyo.
The Trump Administration is following through on its pledge to revive Americas nuclear energy with a strategic partnership with Westinghouse and Cameco to help build large-scale nuclear power plants in the U.S. with a total investment of at least $80 billion.

In the landmark agreement, Cameco Corporation, Brookfield Asset Management, and Westinghouse Electric Company have entered into a binding term sheet with the United States Department of Commerce to establish a strategic partnership, which is expected to accelerate the global deployment of Westinghouses nuclear reactor technologies. The partnership is also aimed at reinvigorating supply chains and the nuclear power industrial base in the U.S. and abroad.

Brookfield and Cameco acquired Westinghouse in November 2023.

Under the new strategic partnership, the U.S. Government will be granted a participation interest, which, once vested, will entitle it to receive 20% of any cash distributions in excess of US$17.5 billion made by Westinghouse. For the Participation Interest to vest, the U.S. Government must make a final investment decision and enter into definitive agreements to complete the construction of new Westinghouse nuclear reactors in the U.S. with an aggregate value of at least $80 billion.

Related: Wood Mackenzie Pushes Back Peak Oil Demand Forecast to 2032

Each two-unit Westinghouse AP1000 project creates or sustains 45,000 manufacturing and engineering jobs in 43 states, and a national deployment will create more than 100,000 construction jobs, Westinghouse says.

The program will cement the United States as one of the worlds nuclear energy powerhouses and increase exports of Westinghouses nuclear power generation technology globally, the reactor manufacturer said.

Connor Teskey, President of Brookfield Asset Management, commented, This partnership with the U.S. Government will help unlock the potential that Westinghouse and nuclear energy can play to accelerate the growth of artificial intelligence in the United States, while meeting growing electricity demand and energy security needs at scale.

The strategic partnership follows a May 2025 executive order in which U.S. President Donald Trump said that In conjunction with domestic fossil fuel production, nuclear energy can liberate America from dependence on geopolitical rivals, in a clear message which energy sources the Administration prefers to power Americas soaring electricity demand.

The Trump Administration gave an additional boost to an already revitalizing nuclear power industry.

Last year, Constellation Energy signed its largest-ever power purchase agreement with Microsoft, which paved the way for the restart of the Three Mile Island Unit 1 nuclear plant.

This year, Constellation, the biggest nuclear power operator in the U.S., signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Meta for the output of the Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois.

Talen Energy signed a deal with Amazon to provide carbon-free energy from Talens Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania to Amazon Web Services data centers in the region.

And just this week, NextEra Energy and Google announced an agreement to restart the Duane Arnold Energy Center in Iowathe states only nuclear facilityto help meet soaring U.S. electricity demand driven by AI and data center growth.

The biggest hyperscalers are signing PPAs from operational and restarted nuclear power plants, but they are also betting on the next-generation of nuclear technologythe small modular reactors (SMR) believed to be simpler and cheaper to build and install.

The new nuclear age is upon us, experts at the Goldman Sachs Global Institute wrote in an analysis last month.

Globally, data center power demand is projected to surge by 165% by 2030, bringing total data center capacity to about 137 GWabout 60% of which will need to be met with new generation capacity, according to Goldman Sachs Research.

Nuclear can play a major role in this, as hyperscalers, while largely turning to natural gas, are also looking to use sustainable power sources, while avoiding the intermittency issues of wind and solar, Goldman Sachs said.

In recent decades, the U.S. has allowed its domestic nuclear industry and supply chains to erode, while China and Russia have taken the lead in global nuclear reactor investment and installation, Goldman Sachs Global Institute noted.

In the United States, the last two domestic reactors built at Georgias Plant Vogtle took about 15 years to complete and cost more than $35 billion. Thats more than double the initial projections of $14 billion.

The U.S. still leads the world in terms of installed nuclear capacity, but the current operating licenses of most U.S. reactors are set to expire in the 2030s.

The $80-billion strategic partnership could go a long way toward helping the U.S. meet part of the AI demand with new nuclear power generation.

As Goldman Sachs Global Institute said, success will depend on whether nations can build the infrastructure and partnerships necessary, with the right capital solutions in place, to support a robust nuclear industry.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with business leaders at the U.S. Ambassador's Residence in Tokyo on Oct. 28, 2025 Credit - Andrew HarnikGetty Images

Confusion and ambiguity are dangerous in nuclear brinksmanship. President Donald Trump spread both on Wednesday when he posted on Truth Social an error-filled and unclear order for the U.S. to immediately resume nuclear weapons tests. Trumps message was sent just before his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea.

Here's what we know about Trump's post, and the current state of nuclear weapons testing.

What did Trump post?

Trump wrote that he had instructed the Department of War to start testing nuclear weapons on an equal basis with China and Russia. But those instructions may have been sent to the wrong department. The underground U.S. facility for nuclear bomb testing in Nevada is run by the Department of Energy. The U.S. has not tested a nuclear detonation there since 1992.

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Experts reading Trumps post wondered if Trump had actually meant to instruct the Pentagon to begin testing nuclear-propelled missiles, similar to those Russia recently claimed to be testing. Those missiles rely on small nuclear reactors in their engines. Theyve been referred to as flying Chernobyls because of the radiation danger they pose. The U.S. considered and rejected adding such weapons to its arsenal decades ago, experts say.

When asked to clarify what type of nuclear testing Trump was intending to start, a White House official referred TIME back to Trumps Truth Social post.

These pronouncements have mistakes and inaccuracies embedded in them. You dont want to do that with nuclear weapons. Its not something to mess around with, said Lovely Umayam, an expert on nuclear weapons and fellow at the Stimson Center, a foreign affairs-focused think tank, as well as the founder of Bombshelltoe Policy and Arts Collective. It was a bit alarming and confounding.

If Trump was talking about restarting nuclear warhead testing, then we are talking about entering into a much more dangerous world, says Reid Pauly, an expert on nuclear security policy at Brown University. If the U.S. started testing nuclear bombs, he adds, other states would likely resume explosive testing as well.

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The U.S. has already tested atomic weapons over 1,000 times, Pauly says, so other countries have more to gain from testing than the U.S. Even though Trump's post was unclear, Pauly says it seems likely that Trump was talking about testing ways to deliver nuclear weapons, and not testing nuclear detonations themselves. My assumption is he was talking about testing delivery vehicles given that he instructed the Department of War and this is coming in the context of some media coverage about the Russian testing some delivery vehicles, Pauly says. This is a high stakes and important issue over which they should be clear.

Did Trumps post get anything wrong?

Along with possibly muddying his message, Trump also got some basic facts wrong. Trump falsely wrote that the U.S has the most nuclear weapons in the world and that he added to the arsenal during his first term. Thats not true. According to tallies kept by the Federation of American Scientists, Russia has hundreds more nuclear warheads than the U.S.

The U.S. has 3,708 warheads stockpiled, according to tallies from 2023 published by FAS in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Russia has 4,489 warheads. Experts believe both countries have more than enough nuclear weapons to assure each others destruction. Such deterrence from total annihilation only works when countries act predictably.

According to the federation's tallies, China has 410 warheads, France has 290, the U.K. has 225, Pakistan has 170, India has 164, and North Korea has 30. Israel, according to the tally, has 90, though it has not publicly acknowledged its nuclear stockpile.

When did the U.S. stop testing nuclear weapons?

Trumps post sent shockwaves through the nuclear disarmament community who were concerned that it signaled an end to more than three decades of the U.S. not testing any nuclear weapons. The most recent U.S. test was in 1992 at an underground Department of Energy test facility in Nevada. President George H.W. Bush put in place a moratorium on nuclear detonations after that test, and the U.S. signed on to the international Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty four years later. The Senate never ratified the treaty, but the U.S. has essentially abided by most of its terms.

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That treaty set up an international body for detecting nuclear tests. North Korea is the only nation that has detonated nuclear weapons since 1998. China and Russia have both recently worked on updating their nuclear test sites in recent years. The U.S. uses complex computer simulations to test its nuclear arsenal.

What has been the Trump Administrations position on nuclear weapons?

The current head of the National Nuclear Security Administration is Brandon Williams, a former congressman who served as a strategic missile officer aboard a nuclear-powered submarine during his time in the Navy. The NNSA is responsible for modernizing the U.S. nuclear arsenal and resuming the production of new warheads. During testimony before a congressional committee in April, Williams, who was appointed by Trump, said he would advise against resuming explosive nuclear tests.

The U.S and Russia worked together in the 1980s and 1990s to reduce their large nuclear stockpiles that had built up during the Cold War. The last remaining arms control treaty between the U.S. and Russia, called New Start, is set to expire next year.

Trump was asked by a reporter aboard Air Force One while flying back to Washington from Asia on Thursday if he thought the world was entering a more risky nuclear environment. Trump said he didnt think so. "I think we have it pretty well locked up," Trump said. "But I see them testing. I say, well, they're going to test, I guess we have to test." Trump added that hed like to see a de-nuclearization and that would be a tremendous thing. He said his Administration has been talking to Russia about that topic and he wants to add China to those talks as well.

When were the first tests of nuclear weapons conducted?

The U.S. was the first country in the world to test a nuclear bomb and is the only country to ever use an atomic weapon when it dropped bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. At least 100,000 people were killed directly by the two bombs and a minimum of another 100,000 people died from radiation exposure in the years that followed, according to the U.S. National Archives.

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Ahead of those strikes, the U.S. tested nuclear weapons in New Mexico, Nevada, Alaska, Colorado and the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Many of those tests led to generations of illnesses from radiation exposure and the long-term poisoning of drinking water and fisheries.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
President Donald Trump announced Thursday he has directed the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing on an equal basis with Russia and China.

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but I had no choice! Trump posted online.

Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but we will be even within 5 years, he continued. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.

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Trumps message on social media came just before his high-stakes and highly anticipated meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea. The leaders were set to discuss terms of a trade deal that has heightened tensions between the two countries since Trump implemented his tariff agenda.

In his message, Trump offered few details. He did not say whether the U.S. would begin detonating weapons, but his post still marks a significant shift. The military still tests missiles that are capable of delivering nuclear weapons but nothing has been detonated since 1992, The Associated Press noted.

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty of 1996 was signed, but not ratified, by the United States. Russia rescinded its ratification in 2023, citing the U.S., but all countries that possess nuclear weapons have observed the ban, besides North Korea.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who accompanied Trump on his trip to Asia, said that its all hands on deck because the Chinese are building nuclear plants.

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Theyre starting them up every month, and we are behind, but under President Trumps leadership, were going to catch up, Bessent said.

Russian officials confirmed that if the United States was resuming nuclear tests, Russia would act accordingly, the AP reported.

Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, was asked where the tests would occur and said, Itll be announced. We have test sites.

Impacts on the West

From 1945 to 1992, the United States carried out more than 1,000 nuclear explosive tests, but most of them were underground. The U.S. accounts for a large number of the more than 2,000 nuclear test explosions conducted globally since 1945, with Russia close behind, according to the Arms Control Association.

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The U.S. conducted the first test of an atomic bomb in Alamogordo, New Mexico, in 1945 during World War II, later called the Trinity Site. Later testing was also conducted in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The last tests at the Carlsbad sites in 1962 were the last ones that produced aboveground detonations.

Testing also ramped up in Nevada, including at the Nevada Test Site about 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas. It was the site of 928 tests until the last full weapons test in 1992.

After the 1963 Limited Test Ban Treaty, nuclear test detonations were conducted deep underground. Tests took place in other locations in Nevada, Mississippi, Alaska, and multiple sites in Colorado near the Utah border.

Research has found that the nuclear testing in Nevada contributed to increased mortality and cancer mortality.

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Trumps announcement has drawn criticism from experts and could spark concern from those in the areas impacted by testing.

Daryl Kimball, the director of the Arms Control Association, said the president is misinformed and out of touch, noting that there is no reason for the U.S. to resume nuclear explosive testing. Kimball also said it would take 36 months for testing to resume at the former underground test site in Nevada.

By foolishly announcing his intention (to) resume nuclear testing, Trump will trigger strong public opposition in Nevada, from all U.S. allies, and it could trigger a chain reaction of nuclear testing by U.S. adversaries, and blow apart the nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, Kimball wrote online.

Trumps post was unclear what kind of nuclear testing he wanted the Pentagon to begin, but he told reporters on Air Force One that it has to do with others who all seem to be doing nuclear testing.

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He said the U.S. has more nuclear weapons than anyone and doesnt do testing, but with others doing testing, I think its appropriate that we do also. However, the AP noted that Trump may be conflating the testing of missiles that deliver a nuclear warhead with the actual testing of the warheads.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was asked about Trumps announcement and said he would work with the Department of Energy but the president was clear that the U.S. needs a credible nuclear deterrent.

I think it makes nuclear conflict less likely if you know what you have and make sure it operates properly, he said. So, its the right directive.

Hegseth said the U.S. would be moving quickly and will ensure that America has the strongest, most capable nuclear arsenal so that we maintain peace through strength.
Donald Trump said on Thursday that he's ordering the US to restart nuclear weapons tests.

That would be the first time the US has tested a nuclear weapon in 33 years.

The announcement came just before he met China's leader, Xi Jinping, in high-stakes talks.

President Donald Trump said on Thursday morning that he had instructed the Pentagon to begin nuclear weapons tests, which would mark the first such trials in 33 years if carried out.

"Because of other countries' testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

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"That process will begin immediately," he added.

The president, who is in South Korea on an Asia diplomacy tour, issued the statement just before his scheduled high-stakes meeting with China's leader, Xi Jinping. The discussions have been largely anticipated to cover trade.

Trump said little about what these nuclear weapons tests would entail, or when exactly they would begin.

The White House and Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent outside regular business hours by Business Insider.

The US last conducted a nuclear weapons test in 1992, when Congress pushed to halt such experiments in the wake of the Cold War's conclusion. Former President George H.W. Bush signed a moratorium on tests in October that year.

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Trump's announced decision is set to further shake up the world's delicate balance of nuclear weapons power, which had for decades been headlined by the US and Russia. Under a post-Cold War nuclear arms treaty, both countries have agreed to keep their deployed warheads to a maximum of 1,550.

But China is now rapidly entering the calculus, with the US accusing Beijing of building up its arsenal from just 200 warheads in 2020 to 600 this year. Washington fears that China will soon reach the same number of nuclear weapons that the US and Russia have deployed, turning two-way negotiations into a three-cornered struggle.

"Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years," Trump wrote in his Truth Social post of the shifting nuclear power balance.

Beijing has largely also declined to establish the negotiation framework that the US and Russia have used to avoid misunderstandings over weapons of mass destruction. In August, the Chinese foreign ministry called the idea of trilateral talks "unreasonable and unrealistic."

Fears of a nuclear arms race

Moscow, meanwhile, said it's been actively testing nuclear superweapons. Russia's leader, Vladimir Putin, announced this week that the Kremlin had on Tuesday successfully tested a nuclear-capable underwater drone named Poseidon.

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Russia's description of the weapon indicates that its range would allow it to reach the US West Coast if launched from eastern Russia, potentially delivering a nuclear attack on urban hubs there.

Putin said there is "no way to intercept" the Poseidon, but it's still unclear exactly how effective the weapon is.

Earlier this week, he also said that Russia had tested the Burevestnik, a nuclear-capable cruise missile that can fly for extended periods at subsonic speeds.

Concerns have been growing among nuclear analysts in Washington that the world is on the cusp of a new arms race. Some advisors have urged the US to pursue more aggressive nuclear policies and introduce additional modern methods of nuclear attack as a show of strength.

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The consequences of nuclear build-ups are far-reaching, from implications for European and Asian allies under the US nuclear umbrella to American taxpayer costs.

The Pentagon is already set to replace its aging intercontinental ballistic missile arsenal with a new class called the Sentinel, which is expected to cost around $140 billion.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(The Center Square)  President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered the U.S. Department of War to immediately start testing U.S. nuclear weapons just ahead of a meeting with President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China.

The U.S. largely stopped full-scale nuclear testing in the 1990s, with the last underground test at the Nevada Test Site in 1992.

Trump ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing immediately.

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"Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," the president wrote in a social media post on Wednesday. "That process will begin immediately."

"The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office," Trump wrote. "Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years."

Maintaining the U.S. nuclear stockpile is expected to cost nearly $1 trillion over the next decade. The Department of War's and the Department of Energy's plans to operate, sustain, and modernize existing nuclear forces and buy new weapons are estimated to cost $946 billion over the 20252034 period, or an average of about $95 billion a year, the Congressional Budget Office estimated in a report in April.

President George H.W. Bush began a unilateral testing ban in 1992. President Bill Clinton signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1996. Since then, the U.S. has conducted subcritical experiments to maintain the safety and reliability of the world's largest nuclear stockpile, according to the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Oct. 30 that he had instructed the Department of War to resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time since 1992.

He argued that the U.S. needed to keep up with other nuclear powers such as Russia and China.

The statement follows Trump's criticism of Russia over its testing of a nuclear-powered missile. It also came amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Russia and preceded a high-profile meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Oct. 30.

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Trump wrote on the Truth Social media platform that the U.S. "has more nuclear weapons than any other country."

"Because of the tremendous destructive power, I hated to do it, but had no choice!" he added. "Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within five years. Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis."

Valery Gerasimov, head of Russia's General Staff, said on Oct. 26 that Russia had tested its newly developed nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile.

Trump reacted on Oct. 27 by saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin should end the war in Ukraine instead of testing a nuclear-powered missile. He also said that a U.S. nuclear submarine was positioned off Russia's coast.

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The statement followed several turnarounds in Trump's Russia policy.

When Putin called Trump on Oct. 16, the U.S. leader said that he would meet Putin in Budapest and talked about "progress" being allegedly made in peace talks.

However, the plans for a Putin-Trump meeting were shelved on Oct. 21, with the U.S. president saying that he did not want a "wasted meeting" with Putin. He said that a key problem was Moscow's refusal to cease fighting along the current front line.

Trump went even further on Oct. 22, when he imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil.

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Read also: Trump takes aim at Putins oil lifeline  China and India still hold the key













Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Washington  President Trump directed the Pentagon on Wednesday to resume testing of nuclear weapons "on an equal basis" with other countries' tests, possibly ending a decades-long U.S. pause that stretches back to the end of the Cold War.

The announcement came moments before Mr. Trump walked into a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

"Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis," the president wrote on Truth Social, using his administration's preferred term for the Defense Department. "That process will begin immediately."

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It's not clear when or if the military will carry out a test, or what the president meant by restarting tests "on an equal basis."

The U.S. conducted its last nuclear weapons test in Nevada in 1992. President George H.W. Bush then imposed a moratorium on testing in the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union, according to the National Nuclear Security Administration.

China has not tested a nuclear weapon since 1996, and Russia  or the then-Soviet Union  hasn't carried out such a test since 1990, though Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday his country had tested a new nuclear-powered drone, which came shortly after a test of a new nuclear-capable and powered cruise missile.

But China has rapidly expanded its nuclear arsenal in recent years, a trend that the Pentagon expects to continue for the rest of the decade.

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Mr. Trump's meeting with Xi is expected to primarily focus on trade and tariffs, but security concerns still lurk in the U.S.-China relationship.

The U.S. military is discussing a missile launch this week in a "show of force" against recent Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, CBS News reported earlier Wednesday. And some Trump allies have encouraged the U.S. president to recognize Taiwanese independence, a move that Beijing has long viewed as unacceptable.

Meanwhile, Mr. Trump has used his dayslong Asia trip to boost relations with U.S. allies in the region like Japan and South Korea, two rivals of China. Earlier Wednesday, he said he will allow South Korea to build a nuclear-powered submarine.

Trump wants Senate Republicans to scrap the filibuster to end the government shutdown

Former 1st grade teacher shot by a student testifies at trial: "I thought I was dying."

Flights delayed as shutdown leads to shortage of air traffic controllers
GYEONGJU, South Korea  President Donald Trump said Wednesday he had instructed the Defense Department to immediately start testing nuclear weapons "on an equal basis" with other nations.

Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, Trump said on Truth Social shortly before his highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. That process will begin immediately.

The last confirmed nuclear test by the United States was in 1992, when President George H.W. Bush announced a moratorium on underground nuclear testing. The United States has the ability to resume tests at a federal site in Nevada.

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Chinas last known testing of a nuclear weapon was in 1996, and Russias recent weapons testing did not detonate a nuclear weapon, just the delivery technology.

Trump, who has lately sharpened his rhetoric about U.S. military capabilities, said the decision to resume testing was about reaching parity with Moscow and Beijing.

"The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country," he said in his social media post, later adding that Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.

NBC News has reached out to the White House for clarification on Trumps post  if he means nuclear capable or nuclear weapons.

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Trump later told reporters aboard Air Force One that his order had to do with others, adding that they seem to all be nuclear testing.

We dont do testing. Weve halted it years, many years ago. But with others doing testing, I think its appropriate that we do also, Trump said after his meeting with Xi.

Russia announced a test of a new long-range nuclear-powered underwater weapon Wednesday and recently tested a nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable cruise missile.

Earlier this week  in response to Russian President Vladimir Putins testing the nuclear-powered cruise missile with "unlimited range," which he referred to as a unique weapon that no other country possess  Trump said he did not think it was appropriate for Putin to be testing such weapons.

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I dont think its an appropriate thing for Putin. For Putin to be saying either, by the way, you ought to get the war ended. A war that should have taken one week is now in its, soon, fourth year, thats what you ought to do instead of testing missiles, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday.

Asked about Trumps announcement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted the moratorium on nuclear testing and told reporters, Until now, we were not aware that anyone was testing anything.

But I want to recall President Putins statement, which has been repeated many times: that, of course, if someone abandons the moratorium, Russia will act accordingly, he said.

Peskov also said the cruise missile test was in no way a nuclear test.

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All countries are developing their defense systems, but this is not a nuclear test, he said.

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons lists Russia as having the most confirmed nuclear weapons  5,449 to the United States 5,277. Together, the United States and Russia possess around 90% of all nuclear weapons.

During his first term, Trump sought a nearly tenfold increase in the U.S. nuclear arsenal, NBC News reported at the time. Earlier this year, he called denuclearization a big aim, telling reporters over the summer that "Russias willing to do it, and I think China is going to be willing to do it, too.

We cant let nuclear weapons proliferate. We have to stop nuclear weapons, he added.

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Beijing, at the time, rejected Trump's appeal for China to join the United States and Russia in reducing stockpiles, saying it was "neither reasonable nor realistic."

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute estimated this year that the United States has 3,700 nuclear warheads and Russia 4,309. China has at least 600, an increase of about 100 each year since 2023.

Trump's social media post Wednesday sparked swift condemnation from some Democrats on Capitol Hill, including members of Nevadas congressional delegation.

This directly contradicts the commitments I secured from Trump nominees  and the opinion of Administration officials who certify our nuclear stockpile  whove told me explosive nuclear testing would not happen & is unnecessary. Ill fight to stop this, Sen. Jacky Rosen wrote on X.

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Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., said she would be introducing legislation to put a stop to this.

The Nevada Legislature passed a resolution in May calling on the federal government to maintain its moratorium on testing nuclear weapons.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Trump wrote on social media while en route to Busan that the Pentagon will start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis and that process will begin immediately.

There was no indication that the U.S. would start detonating warheads, and the military already regularly tests its missiles and other equipment.

The president suggested changes were necessary because other countries were testing their weapons. Russia has announced multiple tests recently.

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The White House did not immediately respond to questions seeking more details.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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The global hydrogen industry came into view, specifically from importing countries perspective, at European Hydrogen Week earlier this month in Brussels.

There was a palpable sense of frustration with what many consider an overbearing regulatory framework causing delays. But also a sense of inevitability, with hydrogen mandates in place and pipeline construction now underway. Europe is set to be the worlds largest demand center for low-carbon hydrogen.

There was also a sense of determination in the face of a growing number of project cancelations.

The tourists are gone, said Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO, Hydrogen Europe, an industry group based in Brussels. As weaker projects have fallen by the wayside, he emphasized the need for realism with policies such as mandatory minimum offtake requirements for large industries.

Hydrogen, he said, is now at a crossroads and there is a need to relax regulations to allow the clean hydrogen market to take shape.

Projects and progress

Progress on a few big projects was highlighted, such as the recent offtake agreement between the German energy company RWE AG and the French oil major TotalEnergies. Some 30,000 metric tons green hydrogen, produced at RWE's 300-megawatt electrolysis plant in Lingen, will move annually by pipeline 600km to Totals refinery in Saxony-Anhalt beginning in 2030.

Progress was also reported at Port of Rotterdam, where Shell is building electrolyzer capacity of 200 MW to produce some 22,000 metric tons green hydrogen annually. This will move from the production site on Maasvlakte about 30km via new pipeline to the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park in Rotterdam.

Related: Trump Hints China Could Resume Buying U.S. Energy

Ivana Jemelkova, CEO, Hydrogen Council, a CEO-led industry initiative, presented key findings from the organizations Global Hydrogen Compass report, co-authored with McKinsey & Company.

According to the report, low carbon hydrogen has surpassed $110 bn in committed capital; it has scaled by a factor of 10 in the past five years. Some 500 projects around the world have reached FID, are in construction or operation. The project pipeline could support 9-14 mtpa of clean hydrogen capacity by 2030.

China leads the way $33 billion in investment, followed by North America with $23 billion, and Europe with $19 billion.

She hailed an industry in the process of building up, and referred to survey data showing 97 percent of CEOs believe hydrogen is a key solution for lowering carbon emissions in the hard-to-abate industry sectors.

Rules reaction

High level representatives from partner countries Oman and India presented their countries impressive programs for green hydrogen production, leveraging domestic investment and markets to build eventual export industries.

However they said bluntly that it is impossible to comply with the current regulations coming from Brussels and EU member states and they asked for clarity.

A central issue concerns the source of electricity to power electrolysis in the production of carbon-free or green hydrogen. The EU has issued what industry advocates believe to be overly stringent rules for what counts as a renewable fuel of nonbiological origin (RFNBO).

The rules fall under the EUs revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) and subsequent technical directives. The European goal in this directive is to have 42 percent of hydrogen used in industry to be RFNBO by 2030, increasing to 60 percent by 2035.

The rules concern additionality, meaning the electrolysis that produces hydrogen is powered with new renewable electricity (not diverted from existing capacity). They concern the temporal correlation of the electricity and hydrogen production (within one hour beginning 2028), and geographical correlation to ensure the hydrogen and renewable energy are produced in the same region.

These rules apply to hydrogen produced in Europe and overseas for export to Europe. Many in the industry believe the rules are not feasible as they artificially increase the production cost of clean hydrogen. They want to delay the additionality and time correlation requirements in order to help producers get to workable business models.

Stringency at EU level is matched with uncertainty of what regulations will be among EU member states. While the EU has delivered the RED III directives setting out the RFNBO requirements, the member states ensure compliance through their own incentives, infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks. They oversee certification of green hydrogen for reporting to Brussels.

This process has been slow, causing frustration.

Industry needs to know what to plan for, said Werner Ponikwar, CEO, thyssenkrupp nucera, a major manufacturer of electrolysis equipment.

What we need from Brussels is a clear regulatory environment that is enabling.

His sentiment was echoed by many industry executives attending the week-long conclave.

Building a backbone

With RED III the EU has introduced binding quotas and mandates for renewable hydrogen, specifically in the form of RFNBO. The overall 42 percent mandate for industry must be incorporated into member states energy and climate plans. There are also quotas for the transport and aviation sectors, creating demand for hydrogen, hydrogen derivatives and synthetic fuels for which hydrogen is a feedstock.

In the transport sector, the member states must reduce greenhouse gas intensity in transport fuels, or ensure a percentage (29%) of final energy in the sector comes from renewables. There are sub-targets for advanced biofuels, hydrogen and synthetic fuels. For aviation there must be a minimum share of sustainable aviation fuels rising to 34 percent by 2040 with subquotas for hydrogen-derived synthetic fuels. While the maritime sector is not given direct mandates, it is placed under the EUs Emissions Trading System.

This imminent demand is provoking the development of mid-stream infrastructure.

The EU has identified five major hydrogen supply corridors to be built with new pipeline and repurposed natural gas pipeline. These should eventually enable a hydrogen market to arise as a commodity market. Germany is at the center of the planned pipeline corridors reaching across Europe.

The 600km pipeline for the RWE  TotalEnergies project, part of Germanys core network being built by utilities and industries, is part of the larger North Sea Corridor. This is now under construction as one of the first links of the countrys new hydrogen network open to all industries. A key connector will link it to the Dutch network extending from Rotterdam.

When stars align

Martin Tengler, Head of Hydrogen Research, Bloomberg NEF, offered insights on how hydrogen can scale up.

Drawing upon a database of projects with binding offtake agreements, Bloomberg forecasts that hydrogen supply reaches 5.5 million metric tons in 2030, just 20 percent of national targets.

Tengler described four policy stars to get the market moving.

Among these is funding, with the $270 bn of subsidies for hydrogen worldwide needing to be more directed toward demand creation.

Demand incentives, such as quotas and contracts for difference schemes, must be implemented more vigorously. The incentivizing of some 1.7 Mt of green (or blue) hydrogen by the EU, Japan, Korea, and other governments, is not occurring quickly enough.

Carbon prices, which are vital for clean hydrogen to rival the cost of gray hydrogen in Europe, are too low in the sectors relevant to hydrogen. This will change with implementation of the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) and the phase out of free allowances, but it will not significantly change cost factors until the 2030s.

Finally, midstream, in the form of pipelines and ports to store and move hydrogen, is a critical vector requiring ongoing government support.

Tengler showed how the four stars aligned in the case of the RWE  TotalEnergies contract. The deal includes a large subsidy from the German government (euro 690 mn) to RWE, while Total is facing RED III quotas and a carbon price for oil refiners in Germany. These factors likely increased the companys willingness to pay a price well above the cost to produce gray hydrogen. Finally, the German governments support for pipeline construction was an important enabler of the arrangement.

Resilience a demand driver

Much discussion centered on hydrogen and economic resilience. While this was ostensibly about rising energy demand for data centers, the idea of hydrogen took on an added dimension in a new era of insecurity and geopolitical tumult.

Low-carbon hydrogen, produced in Europe and stored in tanks and pipelines, appeared as an important fuel for EU security. This became an argument for governments to continue imposing quotas, shouldering the cost of infrastructure and supporting the nascent fuel.

Resilience may hold the potential to become a demand driver, supplementing the subsidies, mandates and quotas already in place. This could further the great European goal of making low-carbon hydrogen a traded commodity across the continent, made competitive by the de-risking that comes with markets.

By Alan Mammoser for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Shortly after the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, the political right spent a lot of time parsing whether the word insurrection was an apt description of the days events.

Today, President Donald Trumps Justice Department is apparently sanctioning its own prosecutors for calling January 6 a mere mob of rioters.

Its difficult to fully convey just how brazen Trumps efforts to rewrite the history of the day have become. Hes spent years trying to turn people who launched the worst attack on the US Capitol in two centuries into sympathetic figures. He even pardoned a bunch of people who assaulted police that day, despite more than 8 in 10 Americans opposing that.

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But sometimes something comes along that completely drives the whole thing home.

Thats what happened this week, in the case of Taylor Taranto.

To recap: Taranto was among those pardoned by Trump for his actions on January 6. But before that pardon, he committed an unrelated crime. In 2023, he was arrested in former President Barack Obamas Washington, DC, neighborhood with numerous firearms and materials to make explosives. He was convicted in May.

By late Tuesday, a reporter at Politico noted something interesting: Prosecutors in their sentencing memo for Taranto noted his presence in the mob of rioters on January 6.

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Taranto was accused of participating in the riot in Washington, D.C., by entering the U.S. Capitol Building, the sentencing memo said. After the riot, Taranto returned to his home in the State of Washington, where he promoted conspiracy theories about the events of January 6, 2021.

A circle points out Taylor Taranto, in this image of him entering the the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. - United States District Court for the District of Columbia

This wouldnt normally be surprising, mind you. Its a factual statement that notes the defendant isnt a newcomer to legal trouble.

But it was notable next to Trumps own rhetoric about January 6  and given the Trump DOJs efforts to force out a batch of prosecutors who tried January 6 cases.

Sure enough, mere hours later the prosecutors on the case  Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White  were placed on leave. Then their sentencing memo was pulled from the docket and replaced with a new one, signed by different prosecutors, that excised the paragraph on January 6.

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And just in case it wasnt clear that the changes were made to benefit Trump, consider another change to the sentencing memo.

The other interesting aspect of Tarantos crime is Trumps proximity to it. In fact, Taranto was apprehended near Obamas home shortly after Trump reshared a post that included an alleged address for the former president to social media. Prosecutors said Taranto began livestreaming in the area shortly after promoting Trumps post.

The new sentencing memo also removed a reference to that fact.

The US attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, declined to shed light on why the prosecutors were put on leave.

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I think the papers speak for themselves, and what goes on in this office is not something that Im going to comment on. Thank you, Pirro said.

Page two of the original sentencing memo for Taylor Franklin Taranto. The highlighted portion shows text that was removed when the memo was re-filed. - United States District Court for the District of Columbia

Page three of the original sentencing memo for Taylor Franklin Taranto. The highlighted portion shows text that was removed when the memo was re-filed. - United States District Court for the District of Columbia

We still have plenty to learn about what happened here. But its one of the most glaring examples of the fruits of Trumps long-running campaign to retcon January 6  and to turn it into anything other than a tragic day for our country and our democracy.

After the dust settled on that day, Trump and some allies in Congress began suggestively questioning how violent the day was, with one GOP congressman infamously comparing it to a normal tourist visit.

After Trump launched his 2024 campaign, he began featuring a music video from a choir of January 6 defendants that effectively lionized them. He began talking about the defendants as if they were ill-treated political hostages, often citing misinformation in the process.

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Then he, on his first day back in office, pardoned nearly all of them  even the worst offenders.

But that was merely the first step.

Weve also seen a purge of dozens of prosecutors who tried January 6 cases, despite them merely enforcing the law. Trumps Justice Department agreed to settle a wrongful death suit for $5 million with the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was killed after breaking into a sensitive area of the Capitol, cementing her status as a martyr for some portions of the extreme right. The administration has also pressured the Smithsonian, which has in some cases softened its language about the events that day. The president and allies have continued to overhype relatively minor disclosures about the governments actions vis-a-vis January 6, which took place while Trump was in office, as if they proved a massive conspiracy against Trump and the GOP. The House is now undertaking an investigation that appears aimed at recasting the narrative of that day.

Oh, and we recently learned Trump is reportedly seeking $230 million from his own government for alleged damages from the January 6 probe and other federal investigations. (Trump was never tried in these cases, which were dropped after he was reelected president, but nor was he acquitted.)

A pro-Trump mob floods into the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. - Jon Cherry/Getty Images

If anything epitomizes Trumps attempts to turn those who fueled what happened on January 6 into victims, its surely that. Even if you dont think Trump committed a crime, the people who attacked the Capitol were clearly spurred by his lies about voter fraud and the supposedly stolen election.

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Trump just keeps pushing the envelope here, and we keep seeing that manifest itself in actions by his Justice Department and his administration.

The question from there is whether hes able to actually rewrite history in Americans minds.

To this point, thats been a tough slog. Trumps pardons of violent January 6 defendants were overwhelmingly unpopular. Strong majorities of Americans still regard that day as an attack against democracy.

But weve also seen a steady downgrading of the rights views on that day.

By mid-2021, a Monmouth University poll showed 62% of Republicans labeled that day a riot, and 33% called it an insurrection. Two years later, though, those numbers dropped significantly  to 44% and 15%, respectively.

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In that way, the erasure of the mob of rioters from the memo reflects how the political right has come to view that day.

But that doesnt mean its a reflection of the truth.

This story has been updated with additional details.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
(NewsNation)  President Donald Trumps push for Republican-led states to redraw their congressional maps has sparked a gerrymandering frenzy across the country thats spreading to both parties ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The fight has become a full-blown national battle over who controls the U.S. House next year.

In Virginia, Democrats recently unveiled a proposal that would allow the state to reopen its congressional maps mid-decade if other states do the same.

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Democrat Abigail Spanberger backs Virginia legislatures redistricting push

The move follows Indiana Gov. Mike Brauns decision to call a special legislative session to redraw his states map after a week of pressure from Trump.

There are many in our state that want to do it. Were at a point where were going to discuss it publicly, Braun said. Their own party has gerrymandered in so many places they cant do any more of it. This is about leveling the playing field.

However, not everyone is on board. Efforts to redraw Marylands map in Democrats favor have received pushback from within the party.

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In a three-page letter Tuesday, Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson warned that the legal risks are too high, adding the downside risk to democrats is catastrophic.

SNAP deadline may be last straw for shutdown, Fetterman says

The gerrymandering push has exposed deep divides within both parties.

Some Republicans in Kansas and Indiana have also opposed mid-decade redistricting attempts, warning the move could ultimately backfire politically.

Analysts have said the impact could be significant, with roughly a dozen House seats potentially in play, enough to flip control of the chamber.

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Next weeks redistricting votes in California and ongoing court battles in Texas could further reshape the political map. This high-risk chess match may determine the balance of power in Washington just a year before the midterms.

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.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he reached an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the dispute over China's export controls on rare earths.

Trump said the obstacles had been removed and that the agreement would initially apply for one year.

He did not provide further details about the terms of the deal.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he reached an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the dispute over China's export controls on rare earths.

Trump said the obstacles had been removed and that the agreement would initially apply for one year. "We have a deal. Now, every year, we'll renegotiate the deal," he told reporters on Air Force One on his way from South Korea back to the United States.

He did not provide further details about the terms of the deal and only said the term "rare earths" will "hopefully disappear from our vocabulary for a little while."

Trump cuts fentanyl tariffs on Chinese goods

Trump also announced that tariffs on Chinese goods related to fentanyl will be reduced to 10% from 20%, effective immediately. As a result, tariffs on Chinese products will now amount to 47% instead of 57%, according to Trump.

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The US president has repeatedly blamed China for contributing to the fentanyl crisis in the United States. Fentanyl, a highly addictive synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin, can be deadly in just a few milligrams, according to US authorities.

Washington has long accused Beijing of not doing enough to stop the supply of substances used to produce the synthetic opioid.

In February, the Trump administration had imposed additional tariffs on Chinese products, citing the fentanyl crisis as justification.

Strict export controls for seven rare earths

Ahead of the talks, Beijing was already expected to suspend the planned expansion of export controls on five additional rare earths from November 8. Since April, Chinese firms have faced a complex approval process to export seven key minerals.

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China said the restrictions aim to prevent materials crucial to the defence industry from being used for unauthorized military purposes.

China dominates global production and processing of rare earths, giving it leverage in trade talks with the US. These minerals, and the magnets made from them, are used in smartphones, TVs, electric motors, semiconductors and turbines.

While rare earths are abundant in China, extraction is costly and environmentally damaging, requiring significant water and energy. Its low-cost supply has given China near-monopoly control of the global market, though Brazil, India and Australia also produce rare earths.
China intends to purchase oil and gas from the United States, President Donald Trump said after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday.

Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that China would "begin the process of purchasing American energy."

He added that the deal could amount to a "very large-scale transaction" involving oil and gas from the state of Alaska.

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There was no immediate comment from Beijing on Trump's post.

According to an earlier Chinese government statement, the two leaders agreed to advance cooperation in trade and energy at their meeting in Busan, South Korea.
GYEONGJU (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he did not discuss chipmaker Nvidia's state-of-art Blackwell artificial intelligence chip during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

He was walking back the previous day's remarks about potentially helping the company to export a scaled-down version of its current flagship GPU processor, a key component in the AI race.

But Nvidia's hopes to get approval from the United States and China to sell a scaled-down version of its most powerful AI chip yet took a hit from Trump's comments on Thursday.

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"We're not talking about Blackwell chips," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, after leaving the meeting with Xi, their first since he returned to the White House.

En route to South Korea on Wednesday, he said he might discuss the chip with the Chinese leader.

(Reporting by Eduardo Baptista; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
President Donald Trump said hes restarting U.S. nuclear missile testing on Wednesday hours before meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, further escalating the stakes of the high-profile summit between the two leaders.

Trump wrote in a social media post he instructed the Pentagon to immediately begin testing nuclear weapons on an equal basis with nuclear testing programs in other nations, specifically noting the nuclear stockpiles of Russia and China.

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office, Trump wrote. Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.



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Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, he continued. That process will begin immediately.

When asked during his official greeting with Xi about the decision, Trump paused and replied: Thank you very much everybody.

The tests would likely be seen by foreign adversaries as a proclamation of U.S. military force. The U.S. has not conducted a nuclear test since 1992.

Trumps statement comes shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Wednesday that Russia successfully tested a nuclear torpedo capable of damaging entire coastal regions.

Trumps statement amplifies the significance of his meeting with Xi in South Korea, already a high-stakes affair as the two nations circle another potential trade dispute that could send shockwaves through the market.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  President Donald Trump said he has reached a trade agreement with China involving soybeans.

Man charged with attempted murder in downtown shooting

Trump had a recent meeting with President Xi of China, where he said the agreement was made.

I was extremely honored by the fact that President Xi authorized China to begin the purchase of massive amounts of soybeans, sorghum and other farm products. Our farmers will be very happy!, Trump wrote in a social media post.

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Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins shared her excitement for the deal and thanked the President on X.

BIG news out of President Trumps historic meeting with President Xi! Rollings posted on social media.

Harvest on track, despite slight setbacks

China, which accounted for $12.6 billion of all U.S. soybean exports in 2024, has not ordered any soybeans since May, in large part because of U.S. tariffs and the general trade war.

Dene Doty, who farms near Alcester and Hudson for at least 50 years, told KELOLAND News last month the soybean market was dealing with political influences.

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.
U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Oct. 30, 2025. Credit - Andrew HarnikGetty Images

When the U.S. President fired his latest social media missive, about an hour before his much-anticipated summit with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday, it seemed more aimed at Russias President Vladimir Putin.

On Truth Social around 9 p.m. ET Wednesday, Donald Trump warned that the U.S. has tremendous destructive power with respect to nuclear weapons. Because of other countries testing programs, he announced, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.

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Trumps post came after Russia recently revealed that it had conducted several tests of nuclear superweapons, including an underwater drone designed to evade interception and to create a potentially devastating tsunami at its target.

In terms of speed and operating depth, there is nothing like this unmanned vehicle anywhere in the world, and its unlikely that anything similar will appear in the near future, Putin said Wednesday.

Last week, Putin hailed the successful testing of an unlimited-range nuclear-powered missile that he also described as a unique weapon that no other country possesses. Trump rebuked Putin at the time, saying that it was not an appropriate topic for Putin, who ought to get the war ended, referring to Russias ongoing war of invasion against Ukraine, which began in February 2022.

Trump also warned that the U.S. test[s] missiles all the time and has a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off [Russias] shore, so it doesnt have to go 8,000 miles.

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In his latest Truth Social post, Trump falsely claimed that the U.S. has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. But estimates from the Federation of American Scientists show that Russia still leads in nuclear warhead inventories.

China is also expanding its inventory, but the last time it conducted a nuclear test was in 1996.

Restarting nuclear weapons testing would be monumental for the U.S., which last carried out its 1,054th nuclear test in September 1992.

All three geopolitical powers are signatories of the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which bars parties from carry[ing] out any nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion, though the U.S. and China have not ratified it. Russia initially ratified the treaty in 2000, but it withdrew its ratification in 2023 to align with the U.S. status.

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North Korea is the only country known to have conducted tests with nuclear explosives in the 21st century, though other nuclear powers continue to test the systems that could deliver such.

Trumps plan to resume the tests is already facing some domestic political pushback. Rep. Dina Titus (D, Nev.) posted on X in response to the news: Absolutely not. Ill be introducing legislation to put a stop to this.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One later Thursday, Trump said he believed it was appropriate for the U.S. to resume nuclear testing as others seem to all be nuclear testing. Trump said where and when these tests would occur would be announced later.

He also said that his ultimate goal is to slow the arms race. I think deescalationthey would call it denuclearizationwould be a tremendous thing, Trump said. We are actually talking to Russia about that, and China would be added to that if we do something.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Washington and Beijing will work together to seek an end to Russia's war in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump said after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday.

"We talked about it for a long time, and we're both going to work together to see if we can get something," Trump told reporters on his flight back to Washington.

According to Trump, both leaders agreed that Russia and Ukraine were "locked" in a stalemate. "But he's going to help us and we're going to work together on Ukraine," he said, referring to Xi.

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There was no immediate comment from Beijing on the talks in the South Korean port city of Busan.

Ahead of the meeting, there had been speculation that Trump would urge China to halt or reduce its oil imports from Russia, a key source of revenue for Moscow's war effort.

But Trump said the question of Russian oil did not feature in the discussions.

US pressure campaign

Washington has long sought to cut off the oil and energy revenues that have helped fund Russia's war machine, hoping to force Moscow to reconsider its strategy.

Trump has tried, without success, on several high-profile occasions to mediate an end to the fighting, despite boasting of his strong personal rapport with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Washington and Beijing will work together to seek an end to Russia's war in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump said after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday.

"We talked about it for a long time, and we're both going to work together to see if we can get something," Trump told reporters on his flight back to Washington.

According to Trump, both leaders agreed that Russia and Ukraine were "locked" in a stalemate. "But he's going to help us and we're going to work together on Ukraine," he said, referring to Xi.

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There was no immediate comment from Beijing on the talks in the South Korean port city of Busan.

Ahead of the meeting, there had been speculation that Trump would urge China to halt or reduce its oil imports from Russia, a key source of revenue for Moscow's war effort.

But Trump said the question of Russian oil did not feature in the discussions.

US pressure campaign

Washington has long sought to cut off the oil and energy revenues that have helped fund Russia's war machine, hoping to force Moscow to reconsider its strategy.

Trump has tried, without success, on several high-profile occasions to mediate an end to the fighting, despite boasting of his strong personal rapport with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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According to Chinese customs data, imports of Russian oil accounted for about one-fifth of China's total crude purchases last year. Beijing has been a key diplomatic and trade partner for Moscow and has so far refrained from condemning the invasion.

Trump and Xi met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, held in nearby Gyeongju, South Korea. Xi arrived in South Korea on Thursday to attend the leaders' meeting on Friday, while Trump departed for the US following a week-long Asia tour.
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States will cut its tariffs on Chinese goods related to fentanyl to 10% from 20%, after his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

Xi will work "very hard to stop the flow" of fentanyl, Trump said, and the tariff was reduced "because I believe they are really taking strong action."

Trump said a great deal of decisions were made in his summit with Xi Jinping, describing it as "an amazing meeting."

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China will purchase "tremendous amounts" of U.S. soybeans and other farm products "starting immediately", and a one-year agreement on rare earths has been reached which will be extended after a year, Trump said.

"They're not going to impose the rare earth controls," he said.

Trump had said earlier he expects to reduce U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for Beijing's commitment to curb the flow of precursor chemicals to make fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid that is the leading cause of American overdose deaths.

Beijing has sought the lifting of 20% tariffs over fentanyl among other matters.

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Trump was speaking to reporters on board Air Force One departing South Korea on the last leg of his Asia trip.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Jack Kim; Writing by Joyce Lee in Seoul; Editing by Clarence Fernandez, Ed Davies)
Editor's note: The story was updated with additional details.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Oct. 30 that Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to work with Washington toward ending Russia's war against Ukraine following their meeting in South Korea.

While Beijing has maintained that it is neutral in the war, it continues supplying Moscow with dual-use goods and purchasing Russian oil, which provides crucial revenue for the Kremlin's war effort.

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"We talked about (Russia's war against Ukraine) for a long time," Trump told reporters.

"We agree the sides are locked in fighting, and sometimes you have to let them fight  crazy  but (Xi) is going to help us, and we're going to work together on Ukraine. Not a lot more we can do."

According to Trump, he discussed Beijing's purchases of Russian oil with Xi, but did not elaborate on the details. The president previously imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, a move that disrupted some energy exports to China and India.

After the meeting, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also announced that Beijing has approved a deal regarding the social media app TikTok. He said he expects the agreement to advance in the coming weeks, but did not provide further details.

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Last year, the U.S. Congress passed a law ordering ByteDance, a China-based company that owns the popular video platform, to sell TikTok's U.S. assets.

Trump described his meeting with Xi as "amazing" and the outcomes as "outstanding," adding that Washington and Beijing reached a one-year trade agreement.

"We have a deal now," Trump said. "Every year we'll renegotiate the deal, but I think the deal will go on for a long time, long beyond the year. We've settled all the rare earth issues."

Since returning to the office, the U.S. president has heavily relied on tariffs and secondary tariffs  or the threat of them  as a tool of foreign policy, using them to pressure both Beijing and Moscow.

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On Sept. 5, Trump criticized growing cooperation between Moscow, Beijing, and New Delhi after a summit in Tianjin, writing that "it looks like we've lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest China."

From Dec. 5, 2022, until the end of September 2025, China bought 47% of Russia's crude exports, followed by India with 38%, according to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

Earlier, Trump vowed to impose secondary tariffs on China for buying Russian oil.

The U.S. president has recently grown frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He canceled their planned meeting in Hungary before imposing sanctions on Russia's energy giants.

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On Oct. 25, Trump said he would not meet Putin unless there was "a clear path to a peace agreement" between Russia and Ukraine, as he is "not going to be wasting (his) time."

Read also: Trump takes aim at Putins oil lifeline  China and India still hold the key

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The United States, once a haven for people from all over the world seeking a better life, will only admit 7,500 refugees next year, and most of them will be white South Africans.

The Trump administrations new limit, published in the Federal Registry Thursday, is much lower than the 125,000-person ceiling set by the Biden administration last year. White House officials have not commented on why the number is so low, but the registry notice states the figure is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.

The notice also refers to victims of unjust or illegal discrimination in their respective homelands. The only specific ethnic group mentioned in the memo is Afrikaners from South Africa, and President Trump has used the term unjust racial discrimination to criticize South Africas current government. (Actual Afrikaners dispute Trumps characterization).

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Refugee organizations have condemned the move. Global Refuges CEO Krish OMara Vignarajah said in a statement that the move doesnt just lower the refugee admissions ceiling. It lowers our moral standing.

At a time of crisis in countries ranging from Afghanistan to Venezuela to Sudan and beyond, concentrating the vast majority of admissions on one group undermines the programs purpose as well as its credibility, Vignarajahs statement said.

By privileging Afrikaners while continuing to ban thousands of refugees who have already been vetted and approved, the administration is once again politicizing a humanitarian program, said the International Refugee Assistance Projects president, Sharif Aly.

Its no secret how much racism influences the Trump administrations immigration policies. Trump infamously complained about people from shithole countries immigrating to the U.S., back in his first term, and baselessly attacked Haitian immigrants during his 2024 campaign, falsely claiming that they cook cats and dogs. That kind of thinking is now replacing the U.S. legacy of welcoming refugees and immigrants from all over the world.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump set the refugee admissions ceiling at 7,500 for fiscal year 2026, the lowest cap on record, a White House document published on Thursday said, part of a broader effort to reshape refugee policies in the U.S. and worldwide.

Trump said in an annual refugee determination dated to September 30 that admissions would be focused largely on South Africans from the country's white Afrikaner ethnic minority.

Trump has claimed Afrikaners face persecution based on their race in the Black-majority country, allegations the South African government has denied.

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Trump paused all U.S. refugee admissions when he took office in January, saying they could only be restarted if they were established to be in the best interest of the United States.

Weeks later, he launched an effort to bring in Afrikaners, sparking criticism from refugee supporters. Only 138 South Africans had entered the U.S. by early September, Reuters reported at the time.

In the determination published on Thursday, Trump said his administration would consider bringing in "other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands."

An internal document drafted by U.S. government officials in April suggested the administration could also prioritize bringing in Europeans as refugees if they were targeted for expressing certain views, such as opposition to mass migration or support for populist political parties. Europeans and other groups were not named in Trump's public refugee plan.

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During the United Nations General Assembly in September, top Trump administration officials urged other nations to join a global campaign to roll back asylum protections, a major shift that would seek to reshape the post-World War Two migration framework.

Reuters and other outlets earlier this month reported Trump's plans for the 7,500-person refugee ceiling.

In a related move, the White House said it would move oversight of the refugee support programs from the State Department to the Department of Health and Human Services.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson; Editing by Franklin Paul, William Maclean)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump set the refugee admissions ceiling at 7,500 for fiscal year 2026, the lowest cap on record, a White House document published on Thursday said, part of a broader effort to reshape refugee policies in the U.S. and worldwide.

Trump said in an annual refugee determination dated September 30 that admissions would be focused largely on South Africans from the country's white Afrikaner ethnic minority.

Trump has claimed Afrikaners face persecution based on their race in the Black-majority country, allegations the South African government has denied.

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Trump paused all U.S. refugee admissions when he took office in January, saying they could only be restarted if they were established to be in the best interest of the United States.

Weeks later, he launched an effort to bring in Afrikaners, sparking criticism from refugee supporters. Only 138 South Africans had entered the U.S. by early September, Reuters reported at the time.

In the determination published on Thursday, Trump said his administration would consider bringing in "other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands."

An internal document drafted by U.S. government officials in April suggested the administration could also prioritize bringing in Europeans as refugees if they were targeted for expressing certain views, such as opposition to mass migration or support for populist political parties. Europeans and other groups were not named in Trump's public refugee plan.

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During the United Nations General Assembly in September, top Trump administration officials urged other nations to join a global campaign to roll back asylum protections, a major shift that would seek to reshape the post-World War Two migration framework.

Reuters and other outlets earlier this month reported Trump's plans for the 7,500-person refugee ceiling, which contrasts sharply with the 100,000 refugees who entered under former President Joe Biden in fiscal 2024.

Gideon Maltz, CEO of Tent Partnership for Refugees, said in a statement that refugees help address labor shortages and that the program "has been extraordinarily good for America."

"Dismantling it today is not putting America first," he said in a statement.

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In a related move, the White House said it would move oversight of the refugee support programs from the State Department to the Department of Health and Human Services.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson; Editing by Franklin Paul, William Maclean and Diane Craft)
By Trevor Hunnicutt

BUSAN, South Korea (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had agreed with President Xi Jinping to trim tariffs on China in exchange for Beijing cracking down on the illicit fentanyl trade, resuming U.S. soybean purchases and keeping rare earths exports flowing.

Trump's face-to-face talks with Xi in the South Korean city of Busan, their first since 2019, marked the finale of a whirlwind Asia trip on which he also touted trade breakthroughs with South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asian nations.

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"It was an amazing meeting," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One shortly after he left South Korea, ranking the talks a "12 out of 10".

Trump said tariffs on Chinese imports would be cut to 47% from 57%, by halving to 10% the rate of tariffs related to trade in fentanyl precursor drugs.

Xi will work "very hard to stop the flow" of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid that is the leading cause of American overdose deaths, Trump said.

China agreed to pause export controls unveiled this month on rare earths, elements with vital roles in cars, planes and weapons that have become Beijing's most potent source of leverage in its trade war with the United States.

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The pause would last for a year, China's commerce ministry said in a statement.

It added that the two sides had also reached consensus on expanding agricultural trade and would work to resolve issues around short video app TikTok, which Trump seeks to bring under U.S.-controlled ownership.

MUTED RESPONSE FROM GLOBAL MARKETS

The reaction to the detente was muted in global stock markets, with major Asian indexes and European futures swinging between gains and losses.

China's Shanghai Composite Index slipped from a 10-year high, while U.S. soybean futures were weaker.

"The response from markets has been cautious in contrast to Trump's enthusiastic characterisation of the meeting," said Besa Deda, chief economist at advisory firm William Buck in Sydney.

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Among major U.S. trading partners, only Brazil and India are still subject to higher tariffs.

In the run-up to the meeting, world stock markets from Wall Street to Tokyo had hit records on hopes of a breakthrough in a trade war between the world's two largest economies that has disrupted supply chains and rocked global business confidence.

Trump repeatedly talked up prospects of reaching agreement with Xi since U.S. negotiators on Sunday said they had agreed a framework with China to avoid 100% U.S. tariffs on its goods and defer China's export curbs on rare earths.

The cordial meeting between the leaders, at a South Korean air base on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, lasted more than 1-1/2 hours.

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FRICTIONS NOW AND THEN ARE NORMAL

It was normal for the two sides to have frictions now and then, Xi told Trump via a translator, as they faced each other, flanked by their delegations, at the start of the meeting.

"China's development and rejuvenation are not incompatible with President Trump's goal of 'Making America Great Again,'" Xi added.

They also agreed to pause tit-for-tat port fees on shipping, designed to thwart dominance in shipbuilding, ocean freight and logistics.

China will begin the process of purchasing U.S. energy, Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Thursday, hinting at a big deal in Alaska where his administration has been touting a proposed $44-billion LNG pipeline.

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The White House has signalled it hopes the summit will be the first of several between the leaders in the coming year. Trump said he would travel to China in April before he receives Xi in the United States.

Chinese state media portrayed the meeting with Trump as a triumph of Xi's policymaking. "We have the confidence and capability to navigate all kinds of risks and challenges," the official news agency, Xinhua, quoted him as saying.

NO NVIDIA CHIP, TAIWAN DISCUSSIONS

The agreement reached broadly returns ties to their status before Trump's "Liberation Day" offensive in April triggered tit-for-tat escalation.

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But it may be no more than a fragile truce in a trade war with root causes still unresolved, analysts say.

Trump said he did not discuss Nvidia's state-of-the-art Blackwell chip with Xi, in a further blow to the firm's hopes of maintaining its presence in China's $50-billion AI market.

The contentious issue of Taiwan, the democratic island claimed by China that is a U.S. partner and high-tech powerhouse, also did not surface in the talks, Trump said.

But minutes before starting the meeting, Trump ordered the U.S. military to resume testing nuclear weapons after a gap of 33 years, pointing to the growing arsenals of Russia and China.

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China's foreign ministry said on Thursday it hoped the U.S. would stick to a moratorium on nuclear testing.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in Busan, Michael Martina, David Brunnstrom, David Lawder and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington and Antoni Slodkowski, Liz Lee and Lewis Jackson in Beijing; Writing by John Geddie; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Clarence Fernandez)
By Trevor Hunnicutt

BUSAN, South Korea (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had agreed with President Xi Jinping to trim tariffs on China in exchange for Beijing cracking down on the illicit fentanyl trade, resuming U.S. soybean purchases and keeping rare earths exports flowing.

Trump's face-to-face talks with Xi in the South Korean city of Busan, their first since 2019, marked the finale of a whirlwind Asia trip on which he also touted trade breakthroughs with South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asian nations.

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"It was an amazing meeting," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One shortly after he left South Korea, ranking the talks a "12 out of 10".

Trump said tariffs on Chinese imports would be cut to 47% from 57%, by halving to 10% the rate of tariffs related to trade in fentanyl precursor drugs.

Xi will work "very hard to stop the flow" of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid that is the leading cause of American overdose deaths, Trump said.

China agreed to pause export controls unveiled this month on rare earths, elements with vital roles in cars, planes and weapons that have become Beijing's most potent source of leverage in its trade war with the United States.

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The pause would last for a year, China's commerce ministry said in a statement.

It added that the two sides had also reached consensus on expanding agricultural trade and would work to resolve issues around short video app TikTok, which Trump seeks to bring under U.S.-controlled ownership.

MUTED RESPONSE FROM GLOBAL MARKETS

Trump's meeting with Xi followed a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, where the two allies said they had finalised most details on a tariff deal they had been wrangling over for months.

The reaction to the detente with China, meanwhile, was muted in global stock markets. China's Shanghai Composite Index slipped from a 10-year high, while U.S. soybean futures were weaker.

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"The response from markets has been cautious in contrast to Trump's enthusiastic characterisation of the meeting," said Besa Deda, chief economist at advisory firm William Buck in Sydney.

U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, in a post on X Thursday, said Trump's statements on the summit should not be believed. "Trump folded on China," he wrote.

Among major U.S. trading partners, only Brazil and India are still subject to higher tariffs.

In the run-up to the meeting, world stock markets from Wall Street to Tokyo had hit records on hopes of a breakthrough in a trade war between the world's two largest economies that has disrupted supply chains and rocked global business confidence.

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Trump repeatedly talked up prospects of reaching agreement with Xi since U.S. negotiators on Sunday said they had agreed a framework with China to avoid 100% U.S. tariffs on its goods and defer China's export curbs on rare earths.

The cordial meeting between the leaders, at a South Korean air base on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, lasted more than 1-1/2 hours.

FRICTIONS NOW AND THEN ARE NORMAL

It was normal for the two sides to have frictions now and then, Xi told Trump via a translator, as they faced each other, flanked by their delegations.

"China's development and rejuvenation are not incompatible with President Trump's goal of 'Making America Great Again,'" Xi added.

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They also agreed to pause tit-for-tat port fees on shipping, designed to thwart dominance in shipbuilding, ocean freight and logistics.

China will begin the process of purchasing U.S. energy, Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Thursday, hinting at a big deal in Alaska where his administration has been touting a proposed $44-billion LNG export project.

Trump said he would travel to China in April before he receives Xi in the United States.

Chinese state media portrayed the meeting as a triumph of Xi's policymaking. "We have the confidence and capability to navigate all kinds of risks and challenges," the official news agency, Xinhua, quoted him as saying.

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NO NVIDIA CHIP, TAIWAN DISCUSSIONS

The agreement broadly returns ties to their status before Trump's "Liberation Day" offensive in April triggered tit-for-tat escalation.

But it may be no more than a fragile truce in a trade war with root causes still unresolved, analysts say.

Trump said he did not discuss Nvidia's state-of-the-art Blackwell chip with Xi, in a further blow to the firm's hopes of maintaining its presence in China's $50-billion AI market.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who arrived in South Korea shortly after Trump departed on Thursday, said he was confident that Trump and Xi had a good conversation and would protect their countries' interests.

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The contentious issue of Taiwan, the democratic island claimed by China that is a U.S. partner and high-tech powerhouse, also did not surface in the talks, Trump said.

Taiwan's top trade negotiator said on Thursday that she had met with a senior U.S. trade official on the sidelines of the APEC summit, but could not provide any details of what they discussed.

Minutes before starting the meeting, Trump ordered the U.S. military to resume testing nuclear weapons after a gap of 33 years, pointing to the growing arsenals of Russia and China.

China's foreign ministry said on Thursday it hoped the U.S. would stick to a moratorium on nuclear testing.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in Busan, Michael Martina, David Brunnstrom, David Lawder and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington and Antoni Slodkowski, Liz Lee and Lewis Jackson in Beijing; Writing by John Geddie; Editing by Lincoln Feast, Clarence Fernandez and Chizu Nomiyama )
(The Center Square)  President Donald Trump feels confident the flow of fentanyl from China will be curbed following a great meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

The meeting prompted Trump to cut in half the tariffs the U.S. put on China due to the flow of the deadly drug.

I've agreed, as you know, I put a 20% tariff on China because of the fentanyl coming in, it's a big tariff, and based on [Xis] statements today, I reduced it by 10%, so it's 10% instead of 20% effective immediately. I believe he's going to work very hard to stop the death that's coming in, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on his way back to Washington.

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However, the president added that the situation is complex due to the legitimate medical uses for the precursors of the opioid.

We agreed that he was going to work very hard to stop the flow. You know, it's a very complex subject, because it's used for lots of different reasons, including anesthetics. But he's going to work very hard on it precursors. And I think you're going to see some real action taken, Trump added.

Trump described the meeting as great, rating the meeting a 12 out of 10. The two also agreed on a handful of key trade issues, including Chinas purchase of American soybeans and a rare earth deal.

There is enormous respect between our two Countries, and that will only be enhanced with what just took place. We agreed on many things, with others, even of high importance, being very close to resolved, Trump posted on Truth Social following the meeting.

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Shortly before the meeting between the two leaders, Trump announced the U.S. would restart testing its nuclear weapons to stay ahead of Russia and China in a nuclear arms race.

The two leaders have agreed to meet again in April in China, with another meeting proposed in the U.S. to be scheduled later.

Before the meeting, multiple reports claim FBI Director Kash Patel is planning to visit China next month to discuss the issue of fentanyl as well.

During a roundtable at the White House, Patel said that law enforcement has seized 5,101 pounds of fentanyl powder and more than 2.1 million pounds of fentanyl pills as part of a coordinated effort to curb the drug epidemic plaguing the U.S.

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Those arent numbers, those are livesenough fentanyl to kill over 200 million Americans gone  evaporated  off our streets permanently, said Patel.

The meeting comes in the midst of continual boat strikes on suspected narcotics traffickers in the Caribbean and the Pacific, specifically around Venezuela and Colombia.

Late last week, the administration ordered the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford and escorts to depart the Mediterranean and transit to the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility to support the current anti-drug trafficking operations in the region.
Dr. Casey Means, President Donald Trumps surgeon general nominee, is in labor and her confirmation hearing, scheduled for Thursday morning at 11 a.m. ET, has been postponed, according to two people familiar and a HELP Committee spokesperson.

Means was expected to face stiff questioning from Democrats on the Senates health committee about her ties to a wellness company she co-founded and her promotion of supplements online and on podcasts, according to people familiar with their approach and a letter addressed to Means by a Democrat on the committee.

Means, a health entrepreneur who in 2018 left her residency program in Oregon just months before graduating because she was disillusioned with the practice and incentives of surgical care, promised in ethics filings to resign from the company, Levels Health, Inc., and to stop promoting wellness products while serving as surgeon general.

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But Democrats on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), are likely to make those sources of income a focus of at her anticipated hearing.

Surgeon general nominee Casey Means says she'll focus on 'healing and prevention' instead of 'overmedicalization'

In a letter addressed to Means and first obtained by ABC News, Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J., and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., wrote, Even after your divestiture, your recent financial ties to various wellness companies may reasonably lead the public to question whether you are distorting health advice from the Office of the Surgeon General to benefit your former clients.

If Means refuses to recuse herself from government decisions that could help her former clients, how can we be sure that as Surgeon General she will put Americans' health above special interests? Warren wrote in a statement to ABC News.

Ben Curtis/AP - PHOTO: Dr. Casey Means, a wellness influencer, left, and journalist Megyn Kelly attend a confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Secretary of Health and Human Services post, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 29, 2025.

Warren does not sit on the HELP Committee and will not attend Thursdays hearing.

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Kim, a freshman senator who sits on the committee, said in a statement that Americans deserve to know the nations top doctor has their health and wellness in mind first, not personal financial profit.

I'm worried about that kind of person when it comes to making decisions and talking to the American people about how best to be able to inform the American people how to stay healthy, Kim told ABC News before leaving the Capitol on Wednesday.

Means reacted defensively to questions about her potential conflicts of interest at a meeting on Monday with staffers of Democratic HELP Committee members, several sources with knowledge of the meeting told ABC News.

At one point, according to three sources, Means brought up former President Joe Bidens surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, noting the hundreds of thousands of dollars hed made during the pandemic as a consultant to Carnival Cruise Line before being nominated for the role in 2021.

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RFK-led MAHA report offers solutions, some vague, to childhood health problems

Means, according to the people familiar with the exchange, appeared frustrated with what she saw as Democrats unwillingness to challenge Murthy in 2021 with the same zeal with which staffers in Mondays meeting questioned her own financial conflicts.

No members of the HELP Committee, Democratic or Republican, brought up Murthys coronavirus-related consulting at his 2021 confirmation hearing, according to a publicly available transcript.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., told ABC News Wednesday that her staff had told her Means had an unwillingness to be responsive to staff questions at the Monday meeting.

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A person familiar with Baldwins thinking later told ABC News that the senator was deeply concerned that Casey Means will prioritize her politics, President Trumps wishes, and her own financial interests over Americans health and the consensus of the scientific community.

Emily Hilliard, a Dept. of Health and Human Services spokeswoman, disputed the characterization of Mondays meeting between Means and Democratic staffers.

"Dr. Means met with committee staff in good faith, while 40 weeks pregnant, and responded fully and professionally to all questions. Any suggestion that she was defensive or unwilling to respond is inaccurate and mischaracterizes the discussion," Hilliard said in a statement to ABC News.

Means continues to engage openly with Senators from both parties as part of the confirmation process, she added, saying Means is focused on preparing for her confirmation hearing and on advancing the administrations public health priorities, not political theater."

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Meanwhile, Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., a physician and the chair of the HELP Committee, said he is expecting a productive hearing Thursday.

[Senator Cassidy] looks forward to discussing with Dr. Means how she will accomplish President Trumps mission of delivering radical transparency and restoring trust in our health institutions, a Cassidy spokesperson told ABC News on Wednesday.

Who is Dr. Casey Means? A look at Trump's pick for US surgeon general

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., applauded Means medical knowledge. I think that she'll give some great advice -- that's what she does, give advice to the president, Tuberville told ABC News.

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We've got a lot of problems with our food and our vaccines and everything out there in terms of our health care is going to hell in a hand basket, and [were] just looking for some guidance from somebody that's got a little common sense. It might come from a different perspective, Tuberville said.

Several Democrats who spoke to ABC News shared concerns about Means, but Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., joined with Tuberville in commending Means. He said he had a positive meeting with Means earlier this week.

We had a very good discussion, Hickenlooper told ABC News, adding, She's an interesting person with an interesting background. I look forward to hearing what she says.
AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File

The Senates confirmation hearing for President Donald Trumps surgeon general nominee, Casey Means, was abruptly postponed Thursday morning, the day it was set to begin, after she went into labor.

A committee spokesperson confirmed that Means, who was reportedly set to appear virtually before the Senate Health Committee, would not be able to attend, and the hearing would be rescheduled.

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The hearing had been expected to spark a fierce debate over Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s Make America Healthy Again movement, which has divided both medical experts and political camps.

Trump nominated Means in May after withdrawing his previous pick, Janette Nesheiwat.

Means, a Stanford-trained physician who left her residency to focus on chronic disease prevention, has drawn sharp attention for her wellness-focused brand and her skepticism toward vaccines. She has built a large online following as a nutrition influencer, advocating what she calls a root-cause approach to health.

The post Trump Surgeon General Picks Confirmation Hearing Delayed After Surprising Development first appeared on Mediaite.
AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

President Donald Trump took credit for winning the Nobel Prize in Physics, which was awarded this month to three scientists.

On Oct. 7, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced it awarded this years prize to John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis.

A major question in physics is the maximum size of a system that can demonstrate quantum mechanical effects, the committee stated in a press release. This years Nobel Prize laureates conducted experiments with an electrical circuit in which they demonstrated both quantum mechanical tunnelling and quantised energy levels in a system big enough to be held in the hand.

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The release went on to note that in 1984 and 1985, the three men conducted a series of experiments with an electronic circuit built of superconductors, components that can conduct a current with no electrical resistance.

Their work became the foundation for superconducting quantum computing.

On Thursday, Trump took to Truth Social, where he touted a purported statement from Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, seemingly giving the president credit for the prize. The statement mentioned A former Lawrence Berkeley National Lab scientist, which presumably refers to Clarke, a British scientist who worked at the Berkeley Lab four decades ago:

Chris Wright: A former Lawrence Berkeley National Lab scientist won the Nobel Prize in physics for work in Quantum physics. Quantum computing, along with AI and Fusion, are the three signature Trump science efforts. Trump 47 racks up his first Nobel Prize!!

Trumps Truth Social is the only source for Wrights statement.

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The president has long been fixated on winning a Nobel Peace Prize, as he has repeatedly claimed  dubiously  that he has ended eight wars. This years Peace Prize, however, went to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who nevertheless dedicated her award to Trump.

We are on the threshold of victory and today, more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our principal allies to achieve Freedom and democracy, she wrote this month.

The post Trump Takes Credit for Nobel Prize Awarded for Research Done in the 1980s first appeared on Mediaite.
By Courtney Rozen and Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's administration will move forward with its plan to exclude from a federal student loan forgiveness program nonprofits that violate laws central to his immigration agenda, according to a new regulation, making it harder for their employees to qualify for cancellation.

The Trump administration is changing the criteria for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, a student debt cancellation initiative for Americans who spend part of their career working for a nonprofit, among other qualified roles. The Education Department will bar nonprofits it deems as "aiding and abetting violations of federal immigration laws" from the program, according to the new rule. The requirement takes effect in July 2026.

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The change is the latest instance of the Trump administration adding immigration-related conditions to long-standing federal programs. Nearly 43 million Americans have federal student loan debt, according to the non-partisan Congressional Research Service.

The Education Department said nonprofits that advocate for immigrants or represent them in court will still be eligible.

Decisions "will not be made based on the political views or policy preferences of the organization," the department said in the regulation.

Democracy Forward, a left-leaning legal group, said it planned to challenge the rule in court.

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Trump in March called on the Education Department to exclude borrowers who work for organizations that engage in activities that have a substantial illegal purpose.

(Reporting by Courtney Rozen and Andy Sullivan; Editing by Andrea Ricci)
When it comes to nuclear weapons strategy, stability is the goal.

But President Donald Trumps back-to-back announcements about nuclear testing and nuclear submarines on Oct. 29 during his trip to South Korea could turn the nuclear weapons world upside down.

Although it's unclear what Trump meant when he ordered that the Pentagon resume nuclear weapons tests "immediately," nuclear weapons experts and foreign governments alike reacted with shock. The move could end a nearly three-decade period during which none of the worlds major nuclear powers have detonated a nuclear weapon.

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Paul Dean, a former acting assistant secretary of State who oversaw arms control, said that Trump's vague statement could increase the risk of nuclear conflict, "as our adversaries and allies all struggle to understand and interpret what this means."

US President Donald Trump (C) poses for a group photo with (from L - R) Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto, and Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone before the 13th ASEAN - United States Summit during the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, 2025. President Donald Trump speaks as he presides over the signing of a Cambodia-Thailand peace deal at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on October 26, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Trump is in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, and will next travel to Japan, en route to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. President Donald Trump looks on as Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (C) and Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul hold up signed documents during a ceremonial signing of a ceasefire agreement on the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct.26, 2025. A Royal Malaysian Air Force F-18 Hornet fighter jet escorts Air Force One with U.S. President Donald Trump aboard en route to Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Oct. 26, 2025 in Malaysia. Trump is in Malaysia for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, and will next travel to Japan, en route to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. President Donald Trump walks with Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (centre R) as he walks from Air Force One upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on Oct. 26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on October 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump holds the US and Malaysian national flags at a welcome ceremony upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on Oct. 26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on October 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump waves from his official vehicle known as "The Beast" as he departs from Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang to attend the ASEAN summit on Oct.26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on October 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump joins performers for a dance during the welcome ceremony next to Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (L) as he arrives on Air Force One at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang on Oct. 26, 2025. US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on Oct. 26 on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. President Donald Trump welcomes Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani (L) and Prime Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani (3rd-L) aboard Air Force One during a refueling stop at Al-Udeid Air Base on Oct. 25, 2025 in Abu Nakhlah, Qatar. 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). Also pictured is U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (3rd-R), White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles (2nd-R), and Special Assistant to the President Margo Martin (R). President Trump visits Asia. See the biggest moments from his trip 1 of 9 US President Donald Trump (C) poses for a group photo with (from L - R) Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, East Timor's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto, and Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone before the 13th ASEAN - United States Summit during the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 26, 2025.

Trumps earlier announcement of a joint nuclear submarine program with South Korea, now overshadowed by his remarks on nuclear testing, could also drastically alter the nuclear weapons balance over time by giving Seoul the ability to quietly prepare a bomb program of its own, experts told USA TODAY.

Ankit Panda, a nuclear strategy expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said both moves, though "different in nature," could significantly destabilize the nuclear landscape.

Will the US detonate a nuclear weapon?

Trumps Oct. 29 post, which incorrectly claimed the U.S. has a larger nuclear arsenal than Russia, declared that the Pentagon would "start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis."

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The president did not specify what he meant by "nuclear testing," and the White House declined to respond on the record to questions from USA TODAY about the announcement. Trump also did not address whether testing could violate the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, or CTBT, which the U.S. has signed but not ratified.

One interpretation of Trump's remarks is that he intends to order a nuclear test explosion, whether large or small. Such a test would likely occur underground in Nevada. Alternatively, the president may have meant that he planned to resume unarmed testing of nuclear delivery platforms such as missiles, but the U.S. already routinely tests its nuclear missiles. The Air Force last test-launched an unarmed Minuteman III nuclear missile in May.

Aboard Air Force One after he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump added that his decision came in response to other countries purported testing.

Only North Korea has conducted nuclear test explosions since 1998, according to international testing monitors. But for decades, the U.S. intelligence community has raised concerns that Russia and China have continued to secretly test low-yield nuclear weapons even after both countries, and the U.S., affirmed their halt on nuclear testing in 1996.

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U.S. officials have not elaborated on why they believe the tests are happening, and any evidence of them would be highly classified.

But suspicions have swirled for years around Russia's Novaya Zemlya archipelago, a remote site off the coast of northern Russia, where more than 100 tests were carried out for decades during the Cold War.

The State Department has found that Russia carried out "supercritical nuclear weapons tests" without reporting them since the 1996 moratorium was renewed. "Concerns remain due to these past activities and the uncertainty and lack of transparency relating to Russias activities at Novaya Zemlya," according to the department's 2025 arms control compliance report.

Increased activity has also been detected in recent years at China's Lop Nur test site in Xinjiang, an autonomous zone in the country's northwest. A 2020 State Department report raised concerns that increased activity at the site could mean China was not complying with the testing ban. It did not provide proof.

No 'channels of communication' between superpowers

Both Moscow and Beijing expressed concern about Trumps statement.

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Russia recently tested a nuclear-powered cruise missile and a nuclear torpedo, but those tests were unarmed evaluations of the delivery platforms rather than nuclear warheads.

"President Trump mentioned in his statement that other countries are engaged in testing nuclear weapons. Until now, we didn't know that anyone was testing," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Oct. 30. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously said, though, that Russia will resume full-scale nuclear explosive tests if another nation does.

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California at 11:01 p.m. on February 25, 2016.

Chinas Foreign Minister Guo Jiakun, addressing reporters in an Oct. 30 press conference, said, "China hopes that the U.S. will earnestly abide by its obligations under the (CTBT) and its commitment to a 'moratorium on nuclear testing.'"

Dean, the former diplomat who is now at the Nuclear Threat Initiative arms control nonprofit, said the Trump administration needs to clarify its intentions. Because the last nuclear arms control treaty between the U.S. and Russia expires in February, he argued, "This development is more dangerous, and the ambiguity of it is more dangerous when there are not channels of communication for both sides to properly interpret each other's signals."

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Regardless of Trumps intent, the U.S. is likely unable to quickly fire a nuclear warhead. Nuclear weapons experts believe that the National Nuclear Security Administration (which is responsible for nuclear tests, not the Pentagon) is not prepared to detonate a nuclear weapon "immediately." The agency declined to provide USA TODAY an on-the-record comment.

Nuclear submarines for Seoul

Trumps nuclear testing announcement was not his only nuclear-related move that made waves during his Asia trip.

He granted a request from South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to assist the U.S. ally in building nuclear-powered military submarines.

While such ships wouldnt be armed with nuclear weapons, "most or all" nuclear-powered subs "are fueled by high-enriched uranium" that can approach weapons-grade levels of purity, according to the World Nuclear Association.

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Trump, when announcing the submarine deal, did not specify their fuel arrangement, which will greatly influence whether South Koreas submarine program could also support a bomb-building project.

But Lee, during his meeting with Trump, asked that the U.S. provide South Korea the ability to supply fuel to the proposed submarines, which would likely require the establishment of domestic uranium enrichment capabilities. U.S. diplomats have traditionally opposed allowing the Koreans to enrich uranium due to the nuclear weapons risk.

A majority of South Koreans support building nuclear weapons, and the issue is a subject of domestic political debate.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung gestures as he meets with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, Oct. 29, 2025.

Victor Cha, a Georgetown government professor and top Korea expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, told USA TODAY that the move "will give (South) Korea a latent nuke capability" if it establishes Seouls ability to enrich uranium for the first time.

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Nuclear latency, according to weapons experts, is when a country does not have a nuclear weapons development program but maintains the knowledge, technology and infrastructure to rapidly build the bomb if needed.

Panda, the Carnegie Endowment expert, said that South Korea likely sees value in nuclear latency due to an increasingly uncertain relationship with the United States.

"This is a big development in the alliance and a big change in U.S. policy," Cha said, adding that he believes the project is "good for (South) Korea and good for the alliance."

The submarine agreement, by boosting nuclear latency and enhancing Seouls naval power against threats from China and North Korea, could strengthen the alliance.

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Not all experts believe that it would be good for South Korea to build nuclear weapons, though, because the move could provoke North Korea or harm the global economy by bringing international sanctions down on Seoul and its high-tech industries for violating treaties against developing nukes.

Contributing: Reuters

Davis Winkie's role covering nuclear threats and national security at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Outrider Foundation and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump turned the nuclear weapons world upside down in three hours
If you wanted to know how Donald Trump would approach his sternest diplomatic test so far, all you had to do was listen to his comments about Xi Jinping in the build-up to their summit in South Korea.

In a meeting with the Australian prime minister at the White House, he described how he wanted China to restart orders of soybeans.

Days later, with the secretary general of Nato sitting beside him in the Oval Office, he described how he would be demanding a loosening of export controls on rare earth elements.

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Then, in the state dining room surrounded by security officials, he set out his number one priority: The first question Im going to be asking him about is fentanyl.

On Thursday, Mr Trump met Xi Jinping at an airbase outside Busan in South Korea.

If his description of the talks is to be believed, the result was progress in all three fields. China had agreed to resume buying soybeans; it would delay imposing export controls on rare earths; and Mr Trump was ready to cut tariffs because Mr Xi promised action on the production of fentanyl.

It is an unconventional approach to diplomacy, which is often conducted far from the glare of TV cameras that follow Mr Trump everywhere.

Mr Trump, pictured speaking to the media on board Air Force One, set out his priorities in the lead up to the meeting - Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters

Michael Pillsbury, a China scholar who serves as an independent adviser to the president, said it was easy to find out what Mr Trump thought about any given subject.

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My view is that there is only one source we journalists and scholars and historians should pay attention to, he said. Its Trump himself.

It could not be more different to Mr Xis approach. Their very different styles were evident when they shook hands moments later in front of the cameras.

The US president, who made his name as a property developer, hotelier, salesman and reality TV star, was effusive in his greeting and answered journalists questions.

Were going to have a very successful meeting I have no doubt, he said, gripping Mr Xis hand and patting him on the arm. But hes a very tough negotiator thats not good.

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It was classic Trump, all bonhomie and flattery.

Mr Xi provided a more taciturn presence, turning to look at his counterpart but saying nothing as his negotiating prowess was being praised.

Xi Jinping provided a more taciturn presence as he shook hands with Mr Trump - Mark Schiefelbein/AP

One leader operates through the power of manifestation, willing agreements into being by repeating his hopes of a breakthrough until they become reality; the other is almost unknowable, content to let his counterpart enjoy the limelight while confident in the knowledge that he and his economy have time on their side.

In the face of winds, waves and challenges, you and I should stay the right course and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-US relations, is how Mr Xi put it when they sat down on opposite sides of the table.

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I always believe that Chinas development goes hand in hand with your vision to Make America Great Again.

International heavyweights

Mr Trump has had mixed success with international heavyweights. Vladimir Putin continues to bomb Ukraine at will despite the American presidents best efforts to end the war. Their Alaska summit remains an embarrassing spectacle that yielded no progress.

And Mr Trump conceded on Wednesday that he was struggling to woo Indias prime minister, amid clear signs of a cooling relationship.

Prime Minister Modi is the nicest looking guy, he said. He is a killer, his stuff is no, we will fight Whoa, is this the same man that I know?

Trump rated his meeting with Xi as a 12 out of 10 - ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Yet he flies back from his summit with Mr Xi with a clear win for his brand of personal diplomacy.

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Supporters will see it as proof that his unusual style is effective when he gets the chance to look his competitors in the eye.

Opponents will see it differently, pointing out that Mr Trump will end the year roughly where he started it with China. It was he who ratcheted up pressure, first with sanctions imposed to stem the supply of fentanyl, and then with broader tariffs introduced on liberation day.

Now, Mr Xi is promising to do something about the fentanyl and to buy soybeans, according to Mr Trump, but those aspirations are so far not backed by paperwork or clear commitments. And he is only offering to lift his crippling restrictions on rare earths for a year. That means his finger is still close to the trigger.

The result is a sense that their talks amounted to tinkering with details. Nowhere was there mention of the structural issues that initially prompted Mr Trumps sanctions: Chinas industrial policy based on a manufacturing surplus and an export-led economy.

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Mr Trump was able to claim victory because his interests coincided with Mr Xis. For 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.
President Donald Trump's order late Wednesday night for the U.S. to resume nuclear weapons tests has confounded officials and drawn scrutiny from nuclear experts over the safety, feasibility and purpose of kickstarting an effort that has been paused for more than three decades.



But it could still happen.

The U.S. halted nuclear testing in 1992, and almost every other country with atomic weapons has done the same. But the return of a Cold War-era arms race seems suddenly closer amid unraveling disarmament treaties, a push by Russia and China to increase their nuclear stockpiles and a new threat by the U.S. president to restart the effort.

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Democrats on Capitol Hill warned Thursday about the dangerous radioactive impacts of resuming testing, while some Republicans cheered the president for seeking to solidify his leverage with adversaries. But safety experts and former officials fear such a move would set off a chain reaction of testing and nuclear proliferation around the world  one the Pentagons aging weapons systems may struggle to confront.

There is no damn reason on the face of this earth to start explosive testing again, Sen. Jacky Rosen, a Nevada Democrat, said in an interview. We will do everything to stop it.

Here are five hurdles the U.S. faces in resuming nuclear testing.

We dont know if Trump is serious.

Its unclear whether Trump plans to resume explosive nuclear testing or to simply test the missiles that are capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

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"I wouldn't presume that the president's words meant nuclear testing," Vice Adm. Richard Correll, the nominee to lead the militarys top nuclear command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday at his confirmation hearing. "I believe the quote was 'start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis.' Neither China or Russia has conducted a nuclear explosive test. So I'm not reading anything into it or reading anything out."

The debate over resuming nuclear testing has floated through Washington establishment circles since the end of the Cold War. But it picked up steam in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election when Trumps former national security adviser Robert OBrien made a public push for the Pentagon to resume tests.

If China and Russia continue to refuse to engage in good-faith arms control talks, the United States should also resume production of uranium-235 and plutonium-239, the primary fissile isotopes of nuclear weapons, he wrote this June in Foreign Affairs magazine.

Trumps Truth Social post ordering the Pentagon to begin U.S. weapons testing came just after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the Kremlin had successfully experimented with a torpedo capable of carrying a nuclear weapon. (Trumps post came minutes before his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, although neither mentioned it afterward.)

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Senate Foreign Relations Chair Jim Risch argued that Trump made a strong countermove against Putins nuclear saber-rattling.

Trump was saying, Im not intimidated, buddy, the Idaho Republican said.

The move faces safety issues.

The U.S. has signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty but not ratified it. Neither international nor U.S. law prevents Trump from resuming tests.

But the subject has been taboo for years in Washington, in part because open-air nuclear tests from 1945 to 1980 left thousands of people across Arizona, Utah, Nevada and New Mexico sick with cancer and other radioactive illnesses.

While the U.S. largely conducted underground nuclear tests after that point, those experiments can still create radioactive leakage in the air and soil.

The West is scarred from the past.

Rosen, of Nevada, offered some of the most heated pushback to Trumps announcement, invoking the devastating toll of the states previous testing and the potentially destabilizing geopolitical impact.

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Nevada, which hosted hundreds of above-ground tests, passed a resolution in May calling on the federal government to maintain its moratorium on testing.

It will kill and poison your own people, Rosen said, and begin a chain of events [that] could lead us to World War III.

Rosen urged other lawmakers to join in opposition, arguing the radioactive fallout would impact Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico because winds and rain carry it across state lines. The federal government has paid more than $2.7 billion to so-called downwinders, who suffered illnesses as a result of nuclear tests.

We dont actually need to conduct tests.

U.S. officials may argue it sends a laser-like signal to adversaries, but nuclear experts contend the actual tests arent even needed.

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The Energy Department has to maintain the ability to resume nuclear testing within 36 months, a requirement established under the Clinton administration, said Paul Dean, vice president for policy at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a nonproliferation advocacy group.

The governments top nuclear officials regularly certify that the nuclear stockpile is safe, secure and reliable  without tests. But it is aging. The U.S. is in the process of modernizing most of its nuclear weapons program, including by enhancing the 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles spread across the country.

They continue to certify in the absence of testing, so there is no need for a resumption of testing, Dean said, adding that each one would cost $140 million.

But Trump allies argue the U.S. cant deter Russia or China simply by simulating a nuclear test.

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There is a very important demonstration effect in terms of reminding allies and adversaries alike that the United States is committed to the deterrent that you don't get from running a simulation on a computer screen, said Alex Gray, who served as National Security Council chief of staff during the first Trump administration.

The Defense Department did not respond to a request for comment.

U.S. allies are unlikely to support it.

Both Trumps allies and critics see the move as further acknowledgment the U.S. is leaning into an era where nuclear disarmament is no longer a priority.

It's not about bargaining, Gray said, It's about accepting that we're in a more nuclear world and then acting accordingly.

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But Trumps announcement is a major departure from global norms  and one many allies are unlikely to accept. Only North Korea has conducted nuclear weapons tests since the 1990s, detonating a nuclear device in 2017, during Trumps first term.

The effort could impact NATO countries and other treaty allies that rely on the American nuclear arsenal for their security. And it comes as negotiations over renewing a nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia are ramping up ahead of a deadline next year. The New START treaty, which puts caps on the number of nuclear warheads both sides can deploy, is one of the last remaining U.S. arms control treaties still in force.

We are having a hard time interpreting this and so are the governments in Moscow and Beijing, Dean said. This is something that can be easily misconstrued, generate arms race pressure and rapidly evolve into a crisis.

Paul McLeary and Connor OBrien contributed to this report.
Red flags have been raised over asbestos and other potential health and safety risks during President Trumps demolition of the White Houses East Wing.

Federal law requires comprehensive asbestos inspection, notification, and abatement before any demolition, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization wrote in a press release last week. No publicly available information demonstrates that these statutory obligations have been fulfilled.

Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey described similar concerns in a letter Thursday to the firm carrying out the demolition, ACECO of Maryland.

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The demolition of a structure of the age and historic national significance of the East Wing demands the highest possible standards of care, not the lowest bid and a blind eye toward regulation, Markey wrote, according to ABC News and The Washington Post. Construction workers on the East Wing site, nearby office workers and tourists, and passersby could now be at heightened risk of developing lung cancer, asbestosis, or mesothelioma from the inhalation of demolition dust.

There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, and the fibers can stay in the air for days.

White House officials have neither confirmed nor denied the presence of asbestoswhich is very common in older structures like the White Housebut have said that a very extensive abatement and remediation assessment was followed, complying with all applicable federal standards. They also say that any hazardous material abatement was done in September.

But ADAO President Linda Reinstein says shes seen zero public information that would confirm that. I am deeply concerned for White House staff and others working in or near the East Wing demolition site, she said. It remains unclear what measures have been taken to ensure the safe removal of deadly asbestos and other hazardous materials.

The White House last underwent major reconstruction in the 1940s and 1950s, when asbestos use was at its highest.
President Trump announced an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping to ease their trade war following a meeting Thursday, with the U.S. scaling back tariffs and China delaying export controls and resuming some soybean purchases.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One he agreed to cut fentanyl-related tariffs on Beijing in half, down to 10 percent from 20 percent, after speaking with Xi. He added that the reduction brings import taxes on Chinese goods down 10 percentage points, from 57 percent to 47 percent.

Overall, I guess on the scale of zero to 10 with ten being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12, the president said.

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In a post on Truth Social early Thursday, Trump laid out additional issues that the two countries agreed on during the meeting, including investment in U.S. agriculture and a deal on rare earth minerals.

I was extremely honored by the fact that President Xi authorized China to begin the purchase of massive amounts of Soybeans, Sorghum, and other farm products, Trump wrote in the post. In fact, as I said once before during my first Administration, Farmers should immediately go out and buy more land and larger tractors. I would like to thank President Xi for this!

Additionally, China has agreed to continue the flow of Rare Earth, Critical Minerals, Magnets, etc., openly and freely, he added.

The world leaders and their respective delegations met Thursday in Busan, South Korea, amid increased trade tensions between the two countries. Following the meeting, which lasted less than two hours, Trump and Xi had a cordial exchange before going their separate ways.

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However, Trump made headlines prior to the meeting when he announced in a post online he is directing the Pentagon to begin nuclear weapons testing.

It had to do with others, Trump said, when asked about the announcement following his meeting with Xi. They seem to all be nuclear testing. We have more nuclear weapons than anybody.

We dont do testing, and we halted it many years ago but with others doing testing, I think its appropriate that we do also, the president added.

The summit marked Trumps third and final leg of his Asia trip. Prior to the meeting, the president announced his administration reached a trade deal with South Korea that includes a pledge for Seoul to invest $350 billion in U.S. manufacturing in exchange for lesser tariffs.

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During his visit to Japan on Tuesday, the president said the Japanese carmaker Toyota has plans to build auto plants across the U.S. and that the Japanese government said it would purchase a fleet of Ford F-150s. And on Sunday, the president formalized a peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand.

Xi praised what he said were Trumps efforts in the global peacemaking process.

Mr. President, you care a lot about world peace and youre very enthusiastic about settling various regional hotspot issues, Xi said, referring to the Cambodia-Thailand agreement and the recent, though fragile, Israel-Hamas ceasefire.

Trump also told reporters on Air Force One that Russias war in Ukraine came up very strongly during his meeting with Xi.

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Were both going to work together to see if we can get something done, Trump said. We agree that the sides are locked in, fighting, and sometimes you have to let them fight, I guess.

He added, Crazy. But hes going to help us and were going to work together on Ukraine.

Updated at 9:55 a.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.
President Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday, a high-stakes sit-down expected to focus on trade between the worlds two largest economies.

Between U.S. and Chinese delegates, Trump told reporters the two had already agreed to a lot of things, and well agree to some more right now, though he did not elaborate. He had previously suggested the two would discuss Nvidias artificial intelligence chips, as well as trade more broadly.

Xi told Trump that the two countries would not always see eye to eye, but argued that Chinas development went hand-in-hand with your vision to Make America Great Again.

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The meeting lasted less than two hours. The two leaders emerged and appeared to have a cordial exchange before Xi got into a waiting car and Trump made his way toward Air Force One for the return flight to Washington.

Trump and Xi have spoken on the phone multiple times since Trump took office again in January, but Thursday marked their first in-person meeting since 2019.

Shortly before the two met, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had instructed the Defense Department to immediately begin testing U.S. nuclear weapons on an equal basis to China and Russia.

The president did not answer questions from reporters about soybean purchases, Taiwan or his shift on nuclear testing.

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As White House officials sat across from Xi and Chinese officials, Trump also ignored a question about why he opted to resume the nuclear program less than an hour before the sit-down.

Trump has frequently spoken warmly about Xi and downplayed tensions between Washington and Beijing. But the two countries have slapped tariffs on each others imports, China has stopped buying soybeans from American farmers, and some foreign policy hawks have raised concerns about Xis relationship with autocrats such as Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Thursdays meeting was expected to focus heavily on trade negotiations. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that negotiators for the two countries had established a framework of an agreement for the two leaders to sign off on and avoid higher tariffs.

Updated Oct. 30 at 12:25 a.m. EDT

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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 easing of trade friction also led to China delaying export controls on rare earths, causing rare earth stocks to soar.

The potential for a large-scale transaction involving oil and gas from Alaska was specifically mentioned, with teams set to meet to work out the details.

President Trump announced that China has agreed to resume purchases of American energy products and farm goods following a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China has agreed to begin the process of buying American energy products, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea.

Hailing a truly great meeting with the Chinese leader, President Trump said in a Truth Social post We agreed on many things, with others, even of high importance, being very close to resolved.

China has agreed to resume purchases of U.S. soybeans and other farm products, President Trump added.

In a sign that there was headway made at the meeting eagerly expected by the markets, China decided to delay the export controls on rare earths after the Trump-Xi talks, sending rare earth stocks soaring.

Among other things that China and the U.S. discussed, President Trump said that China also agreed that they will begin the process of purchasing American Energy.

Set OilPrice.com as a preferred source in Google here

In fact, a very large scale transaction may take place concerning the purchase of Oil and Gas from the Great State of Alaska. Chris Wright, Doug Burgum, and our respective Energy teams will be meeting to see if such an Energy Deal can be worked out, President Trump wrote, in an apparent reference to the $44-billion Alaska LNG project, which the U.S. Administration has been pitching to potential Asian buyers.

China halted imports of American LNG earlier this year at the first escalation of the trade war and has resold already accepted LNG cargoes from America as the tariffs and retaliatory tariffs made U.S. energy too expensive for Chinese buyers.

The U.S. and China appear to have eased the trade friction, for now, with President Trump saying after the meeting with Xi that they agreed on many important points, including agreements on trade, tariffs, and rare-earth minerals.

Oil prices were slightly down early on Thursday as the markets await details of the meeting.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Donald Trump claimed victory in trade talks with Xi Jinping on Thursday, securing concessions on rare earths elements, soybean sales and fentanyl, as he flew out from South Korea after their summit.

In return, the American president said he was reducing tariffs and signalled that there would soon be progress on a wider deal.

It was an amazing meeting. He is a great leader, Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew home to Washington where he is due to host a Halloween party later on Thursday.

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A lot of important decisions were made.

The meeting in South Korea was the first between Mr Trump and Mr Xi since 2019 and came at the end of the presidents whirlwind trip of Asia.

Chinese stocks climbed to a decade high and the yuan currency to a near one-year peak as markets responded to the leaders meeting - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Along the way, he claimed important progress on winning investment for the US, but his sternest test came with his final meeting.

Tit-for-tat export restrictions had shaken global markets all year, as the worlds two biggest economies ratcheted up tariffs.

The presidents met at Busan airport for almost two hours. The meeting was shoehorned into their busy schedules as Mr Trump prepared to fly home, and as Mr Xi flew in for a major summit of Pacific leaders.

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World markets breathed a sigh of relief at its conclusion  Chinese stocks climbed to a decade high and the yuan currency to a near one-year peak.

Trump and Xi met for the first time since the US president returned to office in January - REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Mr Trump rated the meeting a 12 out of 10. The whole relationship is very, very important, he said.

A full trade deal could follow, he added.

I think pretty soon, he said. We have not too many major stumbling blocks.

He listed the previous stumbling blocks and described how they had been resolved.

China, he said, had agreed to buy tremendous amounts of soybeans; he was cutting a 20 percent tariff imposed because of fentanyl shipments to 10 percent because Beijing had said it would work to cut supplies; and an aide said China had promised not to impose export controls on rare earths for a year.

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Mr Trump said he would visit Mr Xi in China in April, and that the Chinese president would come to the US soon afterwards.

Regional experts had worried that talks could get bogged down on Taiwan. Beijing wants Washington to change its ambiguous language on the autonomous island to say that it would oppose the territorys independence.

Trump and Xi during talks at the Gimhae Air Base - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

But Mr Trump said the topic never came up, although they did discuss Ukraine.

We discussed working together to see if we could get that war finished, he said, adding that China was a major buyer of Russian oil.

In a readout after the meeting, Beijing said China and the US have good prospects for cooperation in areas such as combating illegal immigration and telecom fraud, anti-money laundering, artificial intelligence, and responding to infectious diseases.

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The world today faces many challenges, and China and the US can jointly demonstrate their responsibility as major powers and work together to accomplish more significant, practical, and beneficial things for both countries and the world, it added.

The meeting was over in an hour and 40 minutes but the pressure of the moment was evident in their two delegations. Prior to the talks, officials squabbled about who would stand where and when inside a building marked base operations.

President Xis car leaves the meeting with Donald Trump. The leaders of the worlds two biggest economies used the talks to reduce trade tensions - AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

Mr Xi stood impassive as his American counterpart said he believed an agreement was close.

Well have a great understanding, said Mr Trump. Weve always had a great relationship.

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After posing for photographs, they sat down with their aides.

Through a translator, Mr Xi said it was not surprising that they were sometimes at odds.

We do not always see eye to eye with each other and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then, he said, before opening the door for agreement.

I always believe that Chinas development goes hand in hand with your vision to make America great again.

Mr Xi arrived in South Korea after a show of strength at home  called a plenum, a gathering of the Chinese Communist Party  where his officials put strengthening the nations manufacturing base at the heart of their five-year plan.

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That marked a direct challenge to Mr Trump and his push to rebalance global trade, so that China focuses more on consumption rather than production.

For his part, Mr Trump delivered his own shows of force just before the summit.

In a Truth Social post, he appeared to order the Pentagon to resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time in three decades, saying it would put the US on an equal basis with Russia and China.

China, after the meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Xi, said that it hoped the US would earnestly abide by a nuclear weapons testing ban.

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US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping held talks in South Korea where they discussed the war in Ukraine and agreed to walk back elements of their bruising trade war.

Speaking aboard Air Force One following the October 30 sit down, Trump said that he had an "amazing meeting" with Xi and they they agreed on "many important points," including agreements on trade, tariffs, and rare-earth minerals.

He told reporters that he will reduce a tariff on China over its role in the fentanyl crisis by 10 percent and that China would resume "large amounts" of soybean purchases from the United States, which were stopped in May in response to US tariffs.

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Trump added that a deal was also reached on lifting Chinese restrictions on the flow of rare-earth minerals, 17 elements that play tiny but vital roles in cars, planes, and weapons. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who is also Air Force One, said China would not be imposing its proposed rare earth controls that were expanded in October after an understanding between the presidents. He did not comment on controls that are already in place that were introduced in April.

"All of the rare earth [issue] is settled, and that's for the world... This was a worldwide situation and not just a US situation," Trump told reporters. "There's no roadblock from China anymore."

Trump added that he also discussed the war in Ukraine launched by Russia in February 2022, saying that he and Xi agreed to "work together."

"We agree that the sides are locked in fighting and sometimes you gotta let them fight I guess. But we're going to work together on Ukraine," he said.

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Chinese officials have not yet commented on the meeting and no readout has been released.

The meeting at Busan's Gimhae International Airport appears to have set the stage for a broader dialogue in the coming months, with Trump saying that he plans to visit China in April and that a tentative trade deal could be signed soon.

Moments before the talks began, Trump announced that he has instructed the Pentagon to break Washingtons voluntary moratorium on testing nuclear weapons immediately.

Related: Markets Brace for Fallout From Trump-Xi Meeting

Trump said in a post on social media that the United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country, naming Russia as second and China a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.

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Analysts told RFE/RL that they see limited room for a broader agreement during the talks, but that dialing back trade tensions could lay the groundwork for discussions towards a larger deal when Trump travels to China and Xi is expected to visit the United States next year.

In their opening remarks, both leaders praised one another.

Trump said he believed the two would have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time, while Xi said it was natural that the United States and China would not always see eye to eye and added that it was normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then.

Heading into the talks, Trump and Xi were also expected to discuss other points of tension, including Taiwan and Chinas support for Russia.

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But Trump said that self-governing Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own, was not discussed. He added that he and Xi did not bring up China buying Russian oil, which Moscow has used to help fund its war.

Prior to the meeting, Ukraine and its allies called on Trump to pressure Xi Jinping over Chinas backing of Russia. The meeting came a week after Washington announced sanctions on two major Russian oil companies.

China is the single-largest buyer of Russian crude and has been a vital lifeline for Moscows energy industry amid Russian President Vladimir Putins grinding war in Ukraine.

By RFE/RL

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US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have reached agreements to ease tensions in their long-running trade and tariff dispute, but there was no sign of a major breakthrough at their closely watched meeting in South Korea.

The face-to-face talks in the port city of Busan on Thursday touched on several contentious issues, including Chinas newly announced export curbs on rare earth elements.

Trump said Beijing had agreed to suspend the latest restrictions on the critical minerals for one year, with the option of extending the measure after further negotiations.

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Chinas Commerce Ministry confirmed it would pause the new curbs, announced on October 9 but not yet implemented, and review the policy. It was unclear whether the decision would affect existing controls on rare earth exports.

In exchange for Beijing's concession, Washington is rolling back a September 29 decision that placed trade restrictions on several majority-owned subsidiaries of blacklisted Chinese companies.

Xi, in remarks published by Chinas Xinhua agency, said the sides had "reached a consensus" on a number of trade and economic issues.

"Both teams should refine and finalize follow-up work as soon as possible," he said, adding that the overarching goal was to "set minds at ease about the economies of China, the United States and the world."

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Beijing had been widely expected to delay the planned expansion of its rare earth export restrictions, due to take effect on November 8. Since April, exporters have faced complex licensing procedures to ship seven key minerals used in electronics, electric motors and defence technologies.

China, the worlds dominant producer and processor of rare earths, has long used its position as leverage in trade talks. The materials are vital for smartphones, turbines, semiconductors and other high-tech and military applications.

Speaking to reporters as he returned to Washington on Air Force One, Trump called the meeting a "great success."

The term "rare earths," he added, will "hopefully disappear from our vocabulary for a little while."

US to cut fentanyl-related tariffs on Chinese goods

Trump and Xi met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, held in Gyeongju, some 90 kilometres north of Busan where the two leaders met.

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Xi arrived in South Korea on Thursday and will attend the APEC meeting on Friday, while Trump departed for the US following a week-long Asia tour that also took him to Malaysia and Japan.

Trump said that he expects to travel to China in April. Xi could visit the US "sometime after that," Trump added. The US leader had previously floated the idea of meeting in Washington or at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Among other announcements following the talks in Busan, Trump said the United States would cut tariffs by 10 percentage points on Chinese products linked to the fentanyl crisis. The duties had been imposed to pressure Beijing to curb exports of precursor chemicals used to produce the deadly synthetic opioid.

With the reduction, overall tariffs on affected Chinese products now stand at 47%, Trump said, although other sector-specific tariffs rates remain.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, on a visit to Turkey, voiced cautious optimism on Thursday over the newly announced measures, saying he had not yet seen the full terms.

"Hopefully, it is an agreement that helps resolve the tariff conflict," Merz said, noting that EU trade is directly affected.

China to resume soybean purchases

Trump said China would resume large-scale purchases of soybeans and other US farm goods, adding that Xi had personally authorized the move.

The issue has been politically sensitive for Trump, who faced growing pressure from US farmers in conservative states after China halted soybean imports months ago and turned to suppliers such as Brazil.

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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later told the Fox Business channel that over the next three years, China will purchase 25 million tons of US soybeans annually, including 12 million tons this season alone.

According to US government figures, just over 52 million tons of soybeans, worth approximately $24.5 billion, were exported in 2024. In monetary terms, about half of that went to China.

No progress on semiconductor dispute

Trump said no agreement had been reached on the semiconductor issue. He described the United States as an "arbitrator" in ongoing talks between China and US chipmaker Nvidia.

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Washington has restricted the export of high-performance chips to China over concerns they could be used by the Chinese military. Silicon Valley-based Nvidia can currently sell only a downgraded version, the H20, in China.

China signals cooperation on TikTok issue

Beijing's Commerce Ministry said it aimed to "properly resolve issues related to TikTok," but no concrete progress was reported on the sale of the apps US operations.

Under a US law, TikToks Chinese parent company, ByteDance, must divest its US business. The current plan under discussion could create a new US-based company, with more than 80% ownership held by US investors including Oracle and Silver Lake.

China to make US energy purchases?

Trump, writing on social media, said China would begin purchasing US oil and gas, possibly involving a "large-scale transaction" tied to energy resources from Alaska.

An official Chinese statement said only that the two sides had agreed to deepen cooperation in trade and energy. No further details were released.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have reached agreements to ease tensions in their long-running trade and tariff dispute, but there was no sign of a major breakthrough at their closely watched meeting in South Korea.

The talks in the port city of Busan on Thursday touched on several contentious issues, including Chinas newly announced export curbs on rare earth elements.

Trump said Beijing had agreed to suspend the latest restrictions on the critical minerals for one year, with the option of extending the measure after further negotiations.

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Chinas Commerce Ministry confirmed it would pause the new curbs, announced on October 9 but not yet implemented, and review the policy. It was unclear whether the decision would affect existing controls on rare earth exports.

In exchange for Beijing's concession, Washington is rolling back a September 29 decision that placed several subsidiaries of Chinese firms on an export blacklist.

Xi, in remarks published by Chinas Xinhua agency, said the sides had "reached a consensus" on a number trade and economic issues.

"Both teams should refine and finalize follow-up work as soon as possible," he said, adding that the overarching goal was to "set minds at ease about the economies of China, the United States and the world."

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Beijing had been widely expected to delay the planned expansion of its rare earth export restrictions, due to take effect on November 8. Since April, exporters have faced complex licensing procedures to ship seven key minerals used in electronics, electric motors and defence technologies.

China, the worlds dominant producer and processor of rare earths, has long used its position as leverage in trade talks. The materials are vital for smartphones, turbines, semiconductors and other high-tech and military applications.

Speaking to reporters as he returned to Washington on Air Force One, Trump called the meeting a "great success."

The term "rare earths," he added, will "hopefully disappear from our vocabulary for a little while."

US to cut fentanyl-related tariffs on Chinese goods

Trump and Xi met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, held in nearby Gyeongju, South Korea.

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Xi arrived in South Korea on Thursday and will attend the leaders' meeting on Friday, while Trump departed for the US following a week-long Asia tour that also took him to Malaysia and Japan.

Trump said that he expects to travel to China in April. Xi could visit the US "sometime after that," Trump added. The US leader had previously floated the idea of meeting in Washington or at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Among other announcements following the talks in Busan, Trump announced a 10-percentage-point cut in tariffs on Chinese products linked to the fentanyl crisis. The duties were introduced to pressure China to curb exports of precursor chemicals used to make the deadly synthetic opioid.

With the reduction, overall tariffs on affected Chinese products now stand at 47%, Trump said. It was unclear whether progress had been made on other tariff-related issues between the worlds two largest economies.

China to resume soybean purchases

Trump said China would resume large-scale purchases of soybeans and other US farm goods, adding that Xi had personally authorized the move.

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The issue has been politically sensitive for Trump, who faced growing pressure from US farmers in conservative states after China halted soybean imports months ago and turned to suppliers such as Brazil.

No progress on semiconductor dispute

Trump said no agreement had been reached on the semiconductor issue. He described the United States as an "arbitrator" in ongoing talks between China and US chipmaker Nvidia.

Washington has restricted the export of high-performance chips to China over concerns they could be used by the Chinese military. Silicon Valley-based Nvidia can currently sell only a downgraded version, the H20, in China.

Taiwan not discussed

Trump told reporters that Taiwan had not been discussed during the meeting, despite speculation that Washington might soften its stance in exchange for Chinese concessions on trade.

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China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force if necessary to bring the island under its control. The United States provides arms to Taipei but maintains a policy of "strategic ambiguity" on supporting formal independence.

China signals cooperation on TikTok issue

Beijing's Commerce Ministry said it aimed to "properly resolve issues related to TikTok, but no concrete progress was reported on the sale of the apps US operations.

Under a US law, TikToks Chinese parent company, ByteDance, must divest its US business. The current plan under discussion could create a new US-based company, with more than 80% ownership held by American investors including Oracle and Silver Lake.

China to make US energy purchases?

Trump, writing on social media, said China would begin purchasing US oil and gas, possibly involving a "large-scale transaction" tied to energy resources from Alaska.

An official Chinese statement said only that the two sides had agreed to deepen cooperation in trade and energy. No further details were released.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  President Donald Trump's comments Thursday suggesting the United States will restart its testing of nuclear weapons upends decades of American policy in regards to the bomb, but come as Washington's rivals have been expanding and testing their nuclear-capable arsenals.

Nuclear weapons policy, once thought to be a relic of the Cold War, increasingly has come to the fore as Russia has made repeated atomic threats to both the U.S. and Europe during its war on Ukraine. Moscow also acknowledged this week testing a nuclear-powered-and-capable cruise missile called the Burevestnik, code-named Skyfall by NATO, and a nuclear-armed underwater drone.

China is building more ground-based nuclear missile silos. Meanwhile, North Korea just unveiled a new intercontinental ballistic missile it plans to test, part of a nuclear-capable arsenal likely able to reach the continental U.S.

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The threat is starting to bleed into popular culture as well, most recently with director Kathryn Bigelow 's new film A House of Dynamite.

But what does Trump's announcement mean and how would it affect what's happening now with nuclear tensions? Here's what to know.

Trumps remarks came before meeting with Chinas Xi

Trumps comments came in a post on his Truth Social website just before meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping. In it, Trump noted other countries testing weapons and wrote: I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.

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The presidents post raised immediate questions. Americas nuclear arsenal is maintained by the Energy Department and the National Nuclear Security Administration, a semiautonomous agency within it  not the Defense Department. The Energy Department has overseen testing of nuclear weapons since its creation in 1977. Two other agencies before it  not the Defense Department  conducted tests.

Trump also claimed the U.S. has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. Russia is believed to have 5,580 nuclear warheads, according to the Washington-based Arms Control Association, while the U.S. has 5,225. Those figures include so-called retired warheads waiting to be dismantled.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute further breaks the warhead total down, with the U.S. having 1,770 deployed warheads with 1,930 in reserve. Russia has 1,718 deployed warheads and 2,591 in reserve.

The two countries account for nearly 90% of the worlds atomic warheads.

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U.S. last carried out a nuclear test in 1992

From the time America conducted its Trinity nuclear bomb detonation in 1945 to 1992, the U.S. detonated 1,030 atomic bombs in tests  the most of any country. Those figures do not include the two nuclear weapons America used against Japan in Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II.

The first American tests were atmospheric, but they were then moved underground to limit nuclear fallout. Scientists have come to refer to such tests as shots. The last such shot, called Divider as part of Operation Julin, took place Sept. 23, 1992, at the Nevada National Security Sites, a sprawling compound some 105 kilometers (65 miles) from Las Vegas.

America halted its tests for a couple of reasons. The first was the collapse of the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War. The U.S. also signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty in 1996. There have been tests since the treaty, however  by India, North Korea and Pakistan, the world's newest nuclear powers. The United Kingdom and France also have nuclear weapons, while Israel long has been suspected of possessing atomic bombs.

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But broadly speaking, the U.S. also had decades of data from tests, allowing it to use computer modeling and other techniques to determine whether a weapon would successfully detonate. Every president since Barack Obama has backed plans to modernize America's nuclear arsenal, whose maintenance and upgrading will cost nearly $1 trillion over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

The U.S. relies on the so-called nuclear triad  ground-based silos, aircraft-carried bombs and nuclear-tipped missiles in submarines at sea  to deter others from launching their weapons against America.

Restarting testing raises additional questions

If the U.S. restarted nuclear weapons testing, it isn't immediately clear what the goal would be. Nonproliferation experts have warned any scientific objective likely would be eclipsed by the backlash to a test  and possibly be a starting gun for other major nuclear powers to begin their own widespread testing.

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Restarting the U.S. nuclear testing program could be one of the most consequential policy actions the Trump administration undertakes  a U.S. test could set off an uncontrolled chain of events, with other countries possibly responding with their own nuclear tests, destabilizing global security, and accelerating a new arms race, experts warned in a February article in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.

The goal of conducting a fast-tracked nuclear test can only be political, not scientific. ... It would give Russia, China and other nuclear powers free rein to restart their own nuclear testing programs, essentially without political and economic fallout.

Any future U.S. test likely would take place in Nevada at the testing sites, but a lot of work likely would need to go into the sites to prepare them given it's been over 30 years since the last test. A series of slides made for a presentation at Los Alamos National Laboratory in 2018 laid out the challenges, noting that in the 1960s the city of Mercury, Nevada  at the testing grounds  had been the second-largest city in Nevada.

On average, 20,000 people had been on site to organize and prepare for the tests. That capacity has waned in the decades since.

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One effects shot would require from two to four years to plan and execute, the presentation reads. These were massive undertakings.

___

This story has been corrected to fix transposed numbers for the United States and Russias nuclear missile reserves.

___

The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.




In the 1957 U.S. Supreme Court case that affirmed academic freedom as a First Amendment right, Chief Justice Earl Warren likened the restriction of it to a straitjacket imposed upon an unwilling faculty by an outside force. Such an act would imperil the future of our Nation, Warren wrote.

Nearly 70 years later, the University of Texas appears on the verge of putting that straitjacket on itself if it signs the Trump administrations Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. The proposed agreement, from the U.S. Department of Education, offers preferential federal funding in exchange for concessions on viewpoint diversity, student admissions, faculty hiring and binary gender definitions, among others.

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While none of the other eight universities that initially received the compact agreed to sign it, UT is still considering the deal. The Trump administration later extended the offer to other colleges, and this week, New College of Florida became the first taker.

Despite some good ideas, such as a 5-year freeze on tuition, much in the compact is unconstitutional and untethered to reason. Further, it puts UTs top state and national rankings at risk by ceding academic freedom in exchange for federal dollars. If the Board of Regents wants to keep landing dozens of academic programs in top 10 spots, it should protect the scholarly independence that fosters such achievements and reject this deal.

ALSO READ: UTs new president talks about 'multitudes,' but avoids diversity

A majority of Americans  including Republicans  believe the federal government should not interfere with universities admissions, hiring, curriculum and research decisions for good reason: Professors and researchers are the experts in their fields and should have the freedom to pursue knowledge for the advancement of truth, not a political agenda. This is what fosters innovation. Countries with greater academic freedom consistently see stronger economies and more patents, evidence that free inquiry drives real-world progress.

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The American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of Teachers aptly describe Trump's compact as a clumsy attempt at thought policing that sets us backward toward an era of less innovation, fewer cures for diseases, and a shrinking economy.

The Orwellian document binds signatories to inherently contradictory agreements such as protecting academic freedom by recognizing that academic freedom is not absolute. It obligates them to maintain a broad spectrum of ideological viewpoints on campus by transforming or abolishing institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas.

Such terms are paradoxical, logic holds. Eugene Volokh, a senior researcher at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution, says the compact crosses a constitutional line.

Volokh  whose renowned legal blog The Volokh Conspiracy describes itself as generally libertarian, conservative, centrist, or some mixture of these  told us that while the federal government can dictate how grants are spent, it cannot levy institution-wide conditions in exchange for federal dollars.

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The government is saying essentially all these funds that we give you for a wide range of purposes  will be subject to this condition, and that is unconstitutional, he said.

ALSO READ: UT must not trade academic freedom for political favor

Universities should aspire to foster viewpoint diversity, but that range of perspectives does not come from the top down. Rather, it is built up from a foundation of the entire spectrum of ideas being discussed by students and faculty in the classroom.

The compact aims to mandate this spectrum not just in the university as a whole, but within every field, department, school, and teaching unit of UT. This, as Isaac Kamola, director of the AAUPs Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom said, is patently absurd.

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In fact, injecting political viewpoints not based on scientific research, such as the compacts requirement to interpret male, female, woman, and man according to reproductive function and biological processes, will throw a wrench in decades of empirical study.

Karma Chavez, president of the AAUPs UT chapter, told us that this binary definition of gender will require units from the hard sciences to the social sciences to the humanities to adopt views that are contrary to the best knowledge in their fields.

That, of course, appears to be the point. For all its gilded language about protecting viewpoint diversity, Trumps compact is clearly meant to install homogenized, dogmatic ideas of what American thought should be in the very places where disagreement should be the norm.

Conservative ideas arent so fragile as to require special government safeguards on campus. They are surely strong enough to hold their own in the marketplace of ideas. There should be just as much room on the university campus for the pro-Palestinian protester as there is for the Charlie Kirk follower.

ALSO READ: I teach LGBTQ+ history. The University of Texas may soon ban my course.

Texas seemed to be on the right track in 2019, when Gov. Greg Abbott signed a law protecting free, robust, and uninhibited debate and deliberations by students at state universities. But Abbott and lawmakers clawed back those protections this year after Republican lawmakers didn't like what pro-Palestinian protesters had to say. And now, even without Trump's compact, UT and other public universities face an alarming injection of politics into their academic mission, from state laws banning DEI programs and curbing faculty senates to Abbott demanding the firing last month of a Texas A&M professor over a gender identity lesson. That prompted UT to review all gender studies courses.

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All of which stifles the welcoming climate of rigorous inquiry and debate that Texas' flagship university should foster.

Chairman Kevin Eltife wrote this month that the Abbott-appointed Board of Regents was honored to be offered Trump's compact. We can only hope that enthusiasm has cooled, given the passage of the initial Oct. 20 deadline without a deal.

UT is a top-tier university, an engine of innovation and investment and a source of generational pride  none of which should be traded for extra federal funding.

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We want to hear from you. Click here to get started.
MELBOURNE (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's adviser on critical minerals is set to meet officials of about 30 critical minerals companies in Sydney on Friday, two sources familiar with the matter said, as the U.S. and Australia step up cooperation to diversify supply.

Joshua Kroon, deputy assistant secretary for critical minerals and metals at the U.S. Department of Commerces International Trade Administration, has been travelling in Australia despite the U.S. government shutdown. He was in Perth earlier this week, local media reported.

A U.S. embassy spokesperson in Australia declined to comment.

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The meeting in Sydney, which has not been previously reported, comes after the U.S. and Australia last week agreed a wide-ranging critical minerals deal aimed at countering China's dominance in the sector, and as companies jostle to get on Trump's radar ahead of a slew of expected funding opportunities.

Kroon last month met several mining and processing companies as part of an Australian trade delegation to Washington and New York, Reuters reported.

(Reporting by Melanie Burton; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Donald Trump's Department of Education has unveiled a new policy that will make workers of LGBTQ+ nonprofits ineligible for student loan forgiveness.

The department will publish a rule tomorrow in the Federal Register that would allow the Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, to disqualify government and nonprofit employers that do not align with the Trump administrations agenda from participating in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

While no specific organizations have yet been named publicly as ineligible for PSLF under the rule, LGBTQ+ organizations operating as 501(c)(3) nonprofits are likely to be targeted. Even large legal groups like the American Civil Liberties Union or Lambda Legal working to legally protect gender-affirming care could be misconstrued as the "subsidization of illegal activities."

Related: Trump poised to make LGBTQ+ nonprofit workers ineligible for student loan forgiveness

This is a direct and unlawful attack on nurses, teachers, first responders, and public service workers across the country," Democracy Forward and Protect Borrowers said in a joint statement. "Congress created the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program because it is important for our democracy that we support the people who do the hard work to serve our communities."

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"This new rule is a craven attempt to usurp the legislatures authority in an unconstitutional power grab aimed at punishing people with political views different than the administrations," it continued. "In our democracy, the president does not have the authority to overrule Congress. Thats why we will soon see the Trump-Vance administration in court.

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program forgives the student loans of those who work for federal, state, tribal, or local government, or for non-profit organizations, after they've made payments for ten years (120 payments). The program was created as part of the 2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act and signed into law by President George W. Bush as a way to encourage students to pursue careers in public service.

Related: Federal student loan restrictions will disproportionately impact LGBTQ+ adults

Trump signed an executive order in March that drastically limits who qualifies for PSLF, preventing forgiveness for people who work at organizations that engage in the supposed subsidization of illegal activities, including illegal immigration, human smuggling, child trafficking, pervasive damage to public property, and disruption of the public order.

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The order directly singled out organizations that assist trans people, including with gender-affirming care, which it falsely refers to as child abuse, including the chemical and surgical castration or mutilation of children."

More than one-third (35 percent) of LGBTQ+ adults ages 18 to 40  an estimated 2.9 million  held more than $93.2 billion in federal student loans at the beginning of the Biden Administration, according to a March report from the Williams Institute and the Point Foundation, including over half (51 percent) of trans adults, 36 percent of cisgender LBQ women, and 28 percent of cisgender GBQ men.

Luis Vasquez, Senior Legal Writer for the Human Rights Campaign, told The Advocate that "this rule is simply about bullying LGBTQ+ people and nonprofits and other progressive groups and making life more difficult for those who Donald Trump dislikes."

"The result is that it would keep talented people from pursuing careers in public service, fearing that they may suddenly lose eligibility for this program on a whim," Vasquez said. "The administration is once again going beyond what Congress has authorized, pursuing a discriminatory policy without legal basis. This hurts innocent people and should be rescinded immediately.

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This article originally appeared on Advocate: Trump's DOE will make LGBTQ+ nonprofit workers ineligible for student loan forgiveness

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Theres an exciting new development in the global race to discover next-gen battery tech. Iron-air batteries are finally ready to be tested in real-world applications, with major disruptive potential for the energy storage sector. These batteries use rust to create electricity and have the potential to deliver long-term energy storage at a time when such a breakthrough is desperately needed.

Iron-air batteries function by running air through a negatively charged cathode toward a positively charged iron anode to react with a water-based electrolyte. During this passage, ions attach to the iron anode to form rust. As the ions pass through this rust layer, they produce electricity. Et voila! A battery. Critically, after this process is complete, the rusting can be reversed and the battery can be reset to do it all over again.

This could have enormous implications for battery technology and energy storage, as an iron-air battery is built from safe, low-cost, abundant materialsiron, water, and airand uses no heavy or rare-earth metals, as summated by the Good News Network. As expressed by Yet-Ming Chiang, co-founder and Chief Scientist of Form Energy, a frontrunner in the development of commercial iron-air batteries: Air is still free and iron is one of the most widely produced, lowest cost materials in the world.

This gives iron-air batteries a major leg up on the dominant technology in the battery sector  lithium-ion batteries. Lithium is an incredibly useful material for battery-making, as it is extremely energy-dense and high-performing, even in cold temperatures. But lithium also has major downsides, including geopolitically tricky supply chains, negative environmental impacts associated with its extraction, and the relatively short length of time it can store energy.

It is this last point that may prove the most critical. As the world increasingly transitions away from fossil fuels and toward more renewably powered grids, long-term energy storage will be absolutely critical to maintaining energy security. Wind and solar power are variable, meaning that their energy production fluctuates throughout the day and across seasons. Matching power demand to power supply will therefore require the large-scale ability to capture excess energy at peak production and feed it back into the grid as needed.

At present, lithium-ion batteries dominate energy storage systems, but they can only hold energy for a matter of hours. By comparison, iron-air batteries are being referred to as 100-hour batteries for what is already recognized as their biggest and most exciting selling point. A breakthrough in commercially viable long-term energy storage would not only disrupt the storage sector, it would transform and critically catalyze the decarbonization movement, making 100% renewable grids a safe and reliable possibility in the near future.

Accordingly, energy storage is heating up to be clean energys next trillion-dollar business, and the race to find the first commercial long-term storage solution is fierce. Iron-air batteries are still nascent, so it's hard to say that they will be the breakout long-term storage model that changes everything. But so far, it seems they could be a major contender. Earlier this year, Dutch startup Ore Energy completed the worlds first iron-air storage system with grid connectivity. While the project is just pilot scale for now, representatives at Ore Energy think its going to scale up in a hurry, and they are confident that their successes are just beginning.

We are really busy talking with a lot of commercial parties about deploying our systems, Bas Kil, business development lead for Ore Energy, recently told Latitude Media. So that is for us really the next time. Were not planning to do years and years of pilot-scale [projects]; we believe that our system is now ready for commercial deployment.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
President Trump posted an eyebrow-raising statement on Wednesday night on US nuclear testing.

The US hasn't tested a nuclear weapon in decades, just the delivery vehicles.

Much of Trump's post doesn't align with what's publicly known about nuclear weapons and stockpiles.

President Donald Trump's social media post on nuclear weapons testing is confusing and doesn't make sense with what is publicly known about nukes.

The post's first sentence is off, and the rest of it raises more questions than it answers. Nuclear experts say they are not entirely sure what is on the table.

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Here's what the president's post said:

Screenshot of Trump's Truth Social post Truth Social

Mackenzie Knight-Boyle, a senior research associate for the nuclear information project at the Federation of American Scientists, called the post "inflammatory," noting it comes at a tense time and risks pouring fuel on a new global nuclear arms race. And that heightened risk appears to be based on some inaccurate information.

The opening line of the Truth Social post says the US "has more nuclear weapons than any other country."

Per FAS' estimated nuclear warhead inventory numbers for this year, the US stockpile stands at around 3,700, second to Russia, which houses 4,309. China is thought to have around 600 operational warheads. The president's assessment that China possesses the third-largest arsenal is accurate.

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Where it took a turn is the suggestion that Beijing will achieve parity with Russia or the US within five years. The Pentagon's latest public assessment indicates China will have roughly 1,000 nuclear warheads operational by 2030.

Trump and Xi met in Busan, South Korea, on Thursday, and agreed on tariff cuts, Chinese farm purchases, and energy talks. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The US Department of Energy has noted the current stockpile of US nuclear weapons is the lowest it's been since the 1960s, when the number peaked at 31,255 warheads. Most of the US' current weapons were produced in the 1970s and 1980s.

In Trump's post, he indicated that the building of what he described as the world's largest arsenal "was accomplished" during his first term. He said that this included a "complete update and renovation of existing weapons."

Knight-Boyle told Business Insider it's difficult to determine what Trump's talking about. "I would assume that he's referring to the nuclear modernization program," she said. The nuclear modernization program, which includes work on the Columbia-class submarine, Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile, and B-21 Raider, was started during the Obama administration and is still incomplete.

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Both the Columbia and Sentinel programs are over budget and years behind schedule. For instance, since the Sentinel contract was awarded, the Pentagon has raised cost projections by $140 billion and pushed ICBM deployment into the 2030s. Columbia, likewise, is expected well past its intended delivery date. The Navy is considering extending the life of its aging Ohio-class fleet to compensate, while the Air Force is working to keep its Minuteman III missiles operational longer than originally planned.

The B-21 Raider program at Northrop Grumman's manufacturing facility on Edwards Air Force Base, California. 412th Test Wing courtesy photo

The main message of Trump's Truth Social statement was that he has "instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis." Again, Knight-Boyle said that it is unclear what the president means.

"If he's referring to explosive nuclear testing, that would not be done by the Department of War/Department of Defense," she said. The National Nuclear Security Administration within the Department of Energy would oversee that process, as it did up until the US ended testing in 1992.

Rather than proposing a return to the kind of nuclear weapons testing that the US military did between 1945 and 1992 at places like the Nevada Test Site or the Pacific, testing that had catastrophic environmental and radiological consequences, Trump may be calling for testing of delivery systems, which the US already does. Minuteman III ICBM tests are routine.

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Daryl Kimball, the director of the Arms Control Association, said in a social media statement that "Trump's post is not clear about whether he is talking about n-explosive testing (which the NNSA would do) or flight testing of n-capable missiles (which the DoD does)."

The Pentagon did not respond to Business Insider's request for clarity, and the White House pointed to Trump's post.

An artist rendering of a future Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine. US Navy

There were reports of discussions during Trump's first term in office about restarting nuclear tests for the first time since the 1990s. And last year, Trump's former national security advisor wrote an essay with ideas for a second Trump presidency that called for maintaining America's nuclear superiority over rivals by testing "new nuclear weapons for reliability and safety in the real world for the first time since 1992."

Knight-Boyle said the process of restarting these kinds of tests would take months or even years and would require appropriations from Congress.

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Trump said in his post that the decision on nuclear testing is due to "other countries testing programs." North Korea is thought to be the only country that has conducted a full nuclear test this century, but definitions of what constitutes a nuclear test vary.

The US has previously accused Russia of violating the "zero-yield" standard and suggested it's possible China had as well. Work has been spotted at the Lop Nur and Novaya Zemlya nuclear testing sites. There wasn't clarity on what Trump meant when he said the US would start testing on an "equal basis."

A push to restart testing in the US could prompt other nuclear powers to do the same in a big way, which could be to America's disadvantage, as experts have noted. The US has conducted over 1,000 nuclear tests, more than Russia and China combined, and it has also collected a lot amount of data from computer modeling.

Jeffrey Lewis, a nuclear weapons and arms control expert who was among many other experts confused by Trump's post, argued previously that "the technical superiority of the American nuclear stockpile exists only because Russia and China quit testing and the United States invested heavily in science."

Russia said it tested two of its six so-called "super weapons" in recent days. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP

"If a second Trump administration resumed nuclear testing," he asserted in a Foreign Affairs essay last year, "Russia and China would surely follow suit  and because they have more to learn from each test, they would erode the United States' advantage."

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In newer commentary, Heather Williams, the director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies Project on Nuclear Issues, wrote that "China would stand to gain the most in terms of weapons design and warhead information, further contributing to its nuclear buildup."

Trump's statement comes at a tense time after Russia conducted a test of its new nuclear-capable Burevestnik cruise missile and nuclear-powered torpedo Poseidon earlier this week. But the Burevestnik test, a Kremlin spokesperson said, was "not a nuclear test in any way. All countries are developing their defense systems, but this is not a nuclear test."

Trump's post also came just before his meeting in South Korea with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. While South Korea has agreed not to develop nuclear weapons, debates in Seoul about whether the country should pursue a nuclear weapons program amid North Korea's activities have heated up in recent years.

"The environment is really tense right now," Knight-Boyle told Business Insider. "President Trump's post exacerbates those tensions, and we should be concerned about how Russia and China are going to interpret and react to this statement."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Lithuanian authorities have extended the closure of border crossings with Belarus until the end of November in response to a series of airspace violations involving balloons used to smuggle cigarettes, a move that exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya says is justified.

"We fully understand why the borders are closed by Lithuania," Tsikhanouskaya told Euronews.

"All these attacks and interference into airspace have to have consequences for the Lukashenka regime. We see how the regime is provoking Lithuania's border through different means. It's a really hybrid attack: the migration crisis, drones over Poland, and now these balloons smuggling cigarettes."

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The opposition figure living in Lithuania said her host country should continue protecting its citizens while also ensuring that ordinary Belarusians fleeing repression are not trapped inside their country.

"The only thing that we are asking is to let Belarusian people, law-abiding people, cross the borders," she said. "Sometimes it's the only way to escape prison in Belarus."

In this undated photo released by the State Border Guard Service an officer inspects a balloon used to carry cigarettes into Lithuania - AP Photo

Lithuania announced the border closure earlier this week following what the authorities described as "constant violations" of its airspace.

The Lithuanian government said small hot air balloons carrying cartons of smuggled cigarettes entered Lithuanian skies multiple times this month, forcing airports to suspend operations.

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Police have arrested several suspected smugglers and issued fines worth thousands of euros.

Vilnius has described the incidents as part of a broader "hybrid attack" orchestrated by Minsk, an assessment echoed by the European Union.

"These balloons are not merely smuggling tools, but occur in the context of a broader targeted hybrid campaign," said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, citing "state-sponsored migrant smuggling" as part of the same pattern.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also denounced the incursions as "a hybrid threat," saying Europe "stands in full solidarity with Lithuania."

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the Euronews bureau in Paris, 29 October, 2025 - Sophia Khatsenkova

Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys told Euronews that defending Europe's eastern flank "is now an existential question" after a series of air incursions put member states from the Baltics to Poland on high alert.

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Earlier this year, NATO launched Operation Eastern Sentry to bolster air defences in the region following multiple drone and aircraft intrusions.

On 9 September, Poland shot down Russian drones that had violated its airspace, the first time NATO forces had fired in self-defence since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenka has dismissed the Lithuanian measures as a "crazy scam," accusing the West of waging a "hybrid war" against Belarus and Russia.

But Lithuania and its allies argue that Minsk has been deliberately escalating tensions.

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"The regime is always testing how far they can go in their provocations before consequences," Tsikhanouskaya warned.

Lukashenka is a key ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and allowed him to use Belarus as a staging ground for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Tsikhanouskaya urged the European Union to remain "united and principled" in confronting both Minsk and Moscow.

"Europe has to respond with all the brutality they can  economic sanctions, political isolation, diplomatic efforts," she said. "The best and most effective tool to punish dictators is sanctions against the regime, not against people."

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The opposition leader also argued that the border closures could indirectly pressure Lukashenka by limiting Belarus' role as a transit hub for Chinese goods.

"Many countries will not work with a regime that cannot provide this transition," she said.

For Tsikhanouskaya, the recent provocations are part of Lukashenka's efforts to test European resolve and seek legitimacy on the international stage.

"It's testing Europeans  how far they can go just to escalate," she said. "The regime is seeking legitimisation, seeking normalisation. But how is it possible to talk to dictators who keep their citizens in fear and want to spill this fear over other nations?"
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center cut the ribbon Wednesday on a new call center that aims to streamline the process of scheduling medical appointments.

The new 12-person call center, which started five weeks ago, is housed in the Odessa clinic and serves Texas Tech Physicians clinics across the Permian Basin. It is designed to support more than 5,500 weekly calls or nearly 300,000 annual calls.

The event was held in the TTUHSC Regional Academic Health Center, also known as The RAHC.

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Dr. Brian Schroeder, Permian Basin interim regional dean for the School of Medicine, said when he came on the job six months ago, he got reports of phone traffic, social media about getting in to see doctors at Texas Tech and patient experience, which was through the roof for satisfaction.

When he arrived, the report said the abandonment rate, calls where people got tired of long wait times and hung up, was 50 percent. It is now 7 percent on average.

Dr. Brian Schroeder, Permian Basin interim regional dean for the School of Medicine, speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center call center. (Ruth Campbell|Odessa American)

Texas Tech University Health Sciences President Lori Rice-Spearman said she was so excited to be back in her hometown. The call center means a lot to her because her family gets their healthcare at these clinics, she said.

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I cant imagine as a family member, anything more challenging than not knowing where to start and picking up the phone and calling and calling and calling like so many of us have had to do to get access to care, and theres no one on the other end of the phone. No ones answering the phone. So we made a deep commitment  thats not going to happen within Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, Rice-Spearman said.

Rice-Spearman said the goal was to accept more than 300,000 calls a year.

For over four decades the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center has been in the Permian Basin community providing health care and we know that some of the challenges that many of our families face is access (to healthcare). By having the call center, families will have a place to start when they have questions and they need guidance for where to start to access healthcare, Rice-Spearman said.

When she hears about the drop in abandoned calls, she said it translates to families, children and grandparents who will be able to access care who may not have been able to before.

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For us, its all about access to care, Rice-Spearman said.

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center President Lori Rice-Spearman speaks at the ribbon cutting for the call center Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Ruth Campbell|Odessa American)

One of the challenges from the conception of the call center to this point was personnel.

We had so many calls coming in with so few individuals who were answering the calls as quickly as they could and trying to get individuals into healthcare solutions in our clinics. We just did not have enough folks and so we realized if we were truly going to make an impact on access to care, we were going to have to build a team focused on taking care of our families here in West Texas and give them an environment that  allowed them to do that every day, Monday through Friday, 8 to 5. Thats their sole purpose is to help individuals get access to that care, Rice-Spearman said.

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Rachel Tenorio, a patient service specialist at the call center, said since they have had staff to answer the phones patients are pleased.

That makes a big difference, Tenorio said. We see it in the clinic. We see it in the patient care. We can just seat by the schedule alone. Its getting filled.

Tenorio, who has been with TTUHSC for nine years, added that she likes making a difference in peoples lives especially when someone calls and they dont know where to start.

We have to ask questions so that we can (point) the patient in the right direction. I dont have the answers to everything, but I will try to find out, Tenorio said.

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Wall art in the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center call center is shown Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Ruth Campbell|Odessa American)

Schroeder said he would like that 7 percent abandonment rate, on average, to go even lower. He said there have been days when the rate was zero.

He added that a lot of the staff were reallocated from other positions and others were hired from the outside.

The department chairs authorized the call center in January and he arrived in May.

We were struggling with how to get this done and they said, all right, weve got to fix this problem. That has been a real priority for us for the last six months to be able to get this started. We  got rolling about five weeks ago and were still building the team. We still have a fewer openings left to fill, but I think that weve got a process that works and demonstrated outcomes, Schroeder said.

The post TTUHSC launches new call center appeared first on Odessa American.
NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  The head of a nonprofit that controls millions of dollars from the former charitable assets of Roger Williams Medical Center and Fatima Hospital says the group is still weighing whether to go along with calls to give back the money.

We havent said that we wont do it, Paula Iacono, executive director of the Chartercare Foundation, told Target 12 in a phone interview Thursday. Were just considering all the options and making sure that were true to the donors original wishes.

The fight over more than $6 million that is now in the hands of Iaconos group has emerged as a key piece of the puzzle in efforts to salvage a deal that would keep the two safety-net hospitals open. Their for-profit owner, Prospect Medical Holdings, filed for bankruptcy earlier this year.

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A Georgia-based nonprofit called the Centurion Foundation is currently trying to take over ownership of the hospitals, but has been struggling to convince investors to buy the bonds that would fund the deal. That has led state leaders to make a series of changes to the conditions governing the transaction, so far to no avail.

The situation has put a spotlight on the Chartercare Foundation, which was spun off from the two hospitals when they converted into a for-profit enterprise in 2014 as part of their takeover by Prospect. The hospitals charitable assets had to be transferred out since for-profit entities cannot hold donations.

State and city leaders including House Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley have called on the Chartercare Foundation to return the assets to the hospitals to help fund the Centurion transaction.

The Chartercare Foundations most recent Form 990 with the IRS shows it had nearly $6.8 million in assets of Sept. 30, 2024. Slightly more than half its $346,671 of annual expenses went to overhead, including $101,616 paid to Iacono, its lone employee. The organization awarded grants to five organizations over the course of the year.

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Iacono, a former development officer for the hospitals, has led the nonprofit since its creation.

Iacono told Target 12 that focusing on its most recent Form 990 was unfortunately inappropriate, arguing that the 2023-24 fiscal year was an unusual one for the foundation. She said several grants went out immediately after the end of the fiscal year, and another was returned.

An analysis of the foundations Form 990s shows overhead totaled at least 40% of the organizations expenses in each of the last four years, with Iaconos salary accounting for at least 22% annually. Grants and scholarships averaged about $222,000 a year.

Pressed by Target 12 about the overhead costs, Iacono said she didnt have the numbers handy and had a client arriving shortly.

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Ive been, I think, very upfront, she said, then hung up the phone.

Ben Mingle, president of the Centurion Foundation and chairman of the new nonprofit seeking to acquire the two hospitals, expressed exasperation about his dealings with Iacono and her board to date. The back-and-forth first came to light in an Oct. 10 Providence Journal article.

We have been in discussions with this group for weeks, yet their board refuses to meet with us, Mingle said in a statement. We understand two board members have even resigned recently.

Iacono insisted Mingles team had given them short notice about a proposed meeting. She said her board chair is currently in Florida, and she herself has two doctors appointments scheduled for Friday that couldnt be moved.

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Were doing our due diligence, she said.

A spokesperson for the hospitals countered that Mingle has requested several times since the start of October to meet with the Chartercare Foundations board at their convenience to answer all questions. He said Mingle stood by his comments about the foundations posture.

They have heard loud and clear from the speaker of the House, the Senate president, the mayor of Providence, UNAP, former donors, physicians, employees, and board members, to give this money back so it can once again benefit the hospitals and patients these dollars were intended to support, Mingle said.

In all fairness to these critical institutions, its really time for this group to do the right thing and return these funds now, Mingle said.

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The foundation money would be committed to a restricted Hospital Fund, which Attorney General Peter Neronha has ordered Prospect and Centurion to establish as one of his conditions for the sale of the two facilities. The fund cannot be used to pay executive compensation or fees to Centurion.

Neronha has repeatedly warned that the Centurion transaction needs to close soon in order to keep the Texas judge handling Prospects bankruptcy on board with the plan. Target 12 reported last week that Bank of America had been brought on board to try and finalize the deal.

The United Nurses and Allied Professionals union, which represents staff at both hospitals, voiced exasperation in a statement Thursday night, after Target 12 published this report.

It strains credibility that, after more than a month, the CharterCARE Foundation board and executive director are saying that theyre still deliberating about how to use this money, said UNAP spokesperson Brad Dufault. Our health care system is in crisis and there is no better use of this money than to ensure the Centurion sale goes through.

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The fate of Fatima Hospital, Roger Williams Medical Center, CharterCARE Home Health, the thousands of workers they employ, and the tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders they serve is depending on it, he said.

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.

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.

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Turkiyes President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticised Germany over what he called its ignorance of Israels genocide and attacks on Gaza.

At a joint news conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ankara on Thursday, Erdogan noted Israels access to nuclear and other weapons, saying it was using them to threaten Gaza, and adding that Hamas was not as well equipped.

He said Israel had once again attacked Gaza in recent days despite a ceasefire in the enclave.

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We need to end the genocide and the deliberate starvation by involving Germanys Red Cross and our own Turkish Red Crescent, Erdogan said. Does Germany not see these? he said, adding it was Turkiye, Germany and other countries humanitarian duty to end the famine and massacres in Gaza.

Just as we want the Russia-Ukraine war to end, we also support an end to Israels war on Gaza, Erdogan said. Turkiye and Germany are two key countries that can join hands to achieve this.





Despite a fragile US-brokered ceasefire that took effect on October 10, Israel launched a series of bombardments on Gaza following the killing of an Israeli soldier in southern Gazas Rafah on Tuesday. Israels retaliatory attacks killed 104 people, mostly women and children, said Gazas Health Ministry.

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Reporting from Gaza City on Wednesday, Al Jazeeras Hani Mahmoud said the Israeli attacks this week were similar to previous rounds of bombardments.

A brief hope for calm turned into despair, said Mahmoud. For a lot of people, its a stark reminder of the opening weeks of the genocide in terms of the intensity and the scale of destruction that was caused by the massive bombs on Gaza City.

Israel said on Wednesday that it had begun renewed enforcement of the ceasefire. United States President Donald Trump insisted the ceasefire is not in jeopardy despite the latest attacks, while mediator Qatar called Israels violations disappointing and frustrating.

The deal was set up to fail, right? Former UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness spoke to @Dena about how the conditions of the ceasefire in Gaza dont guarantee the access to aid that Palestinians need. pic.twitter.com/Clzjmzq2tk  AJ+ (@ajplus) October 30, 2025

As part of Trumps 20-point plan to end Israels war on Gaza, an international force is meant to form to monitor the agreement, but the accord does not specify which countries would provide the troops. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters on Monday that Israel opposes any troops from Turkiye joining that force because of Erdogans past comments on Israel.

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Countries that want or are ready to send armed forces should be at least fair to Israel, Saar said. He did not elaborate.

Israels war on Gaza has killed at least 68,527 people and wounded 170,395 since it began in October 2023. A total of 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks, and about 200 were taken captive.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala (WIAT)  Families are bracing for the worst once SNAP benefits are temporarily cutoff starting Saturday.

The Scott family moved to Tuscaloosa from St. Louis to begin a better life. Edward Scott, however, has struggled to find work and has pinched pennies to make sure his family does not go to bed hungry.

Up until now, its been rough, but its been bearable, Scott said. Now, were just trying to get ahead before it gets critical.

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Scott and his fiancee have two daughters younger than 8-years-old. The couple spent Wednesday knocking on church doors looking for food.

Our house is completely bare of food, Scott said.

MAP: See the number of SNAP participants by Alabama county as benefit lapse looms

The first place they stopped was Grace Church. They walked away empty handed because the church was not feeding families that day.

They told us their food distributions are open on the second and third Wednesday of the month, Scott said. So they wont do it again until Nov. 14, which is hard because we need it now.

Food insecurity is one of the biggest challenges west Alabama families are faced with, according to the West Alabama Food Bank. More than 750,000 families are like Scotts, clinching onto their last few dollars they have from SNAP before its lost come Saturday.

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I imagine we will see more people coming, and that will make it even harder to say no because we are simply at capacity, said Grace Presbyterian Church Pastor Caroline Kelly.

Kellys church started Table of Grace, a food pantry that feeds more than 3,000 Tuscaloosa residents monthly. Its the second church the Scott family went to, but even Table of Grace cant accommodate every hungry family in the county. Table of Grace is on a six-month waiting list.

No one today would be able to come and get food, Kelly said.

When Grace Presbyterian opened its food pantry, it expected 300 families to come knocking. Instead, thousands showed up. Nonprofits across west Alabama expect the need to increase significantly once families lose SNAP.

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When their snap benefits get cut, itll make a big difference, said West Alabama Food Bank CEO Jean Rykaczewski. Itll be the difference of eating, buying their medicine or paying their bills, so we need to be very concerned.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Two 18-year-olds from Napoleonville were arrested in connection with the theft of firearms from a local business early Monday morning, according to Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon.

Justephyion Zamyrin Preston and Jorian Lajai Johnson are accused of stealing two large-caliber handguns from a customers vehicle while he was inside a store on Oct. 27.

According to APSO, the victim told deputies he had been talking with three men in the parking lot before going inside. When he came back out, the men were gone, and so were his firearms.

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Detectives reviewed surveillance video showing Preston and Johnson inside the victims car, appearing to rummage through it.

Body found on Old Hammond Highway Wednesday morning, officials say

Deputies arrested Preston at his home on Monday, while Johnson later turned himself in at the Assumption Parish Detention Center. Both were booked on charges of simple burglary and theft of firearms.

Prestons bond was set at $35,000, and Johnsons bond was set at $100,000. Both remain in custody.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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CAMDENTON, Mo.  Camden County law enforcement seized lots of drugs and arrested two people accused of drug trafficking following a search on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

According to a press release from Camden County Sheriff Chris Edgar, deputies and detectives from the sheriffs office, along with the Mid-Missouri Drug Task Force, executed a search warrant at Southern Commanche Drive South in Camdenton.

Thomas W. Shoemaker mugshot (Courtesy: Camden County Sheriffs Office)

Jill A. Perry mugshot (Courtesy: Camden County Sheriffs Office)

Charter bus rolls while carrying dozens of Missouri students

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At the residence, deputies seized 624 fentanyl capsules, 49 grams of methamphetamine and over 100 controlled substance pills.

Two people who were on the property at the time of the search, 58-year-old Thomas W. Shoemaker and 34-year-old Jill Perry, were charged with second-degree drug trafficking and are being held without bond.

If you are a concerned citizen and have information regarding the sale or possession of dangerous drugs in our community, please contact our office, said Sheriff Edgar. Together we can help prevent the spread of poison in our community.

Both Shoemaker and Perry are due in court for a bond hearing on Nov. 4, according to online court records.

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For the first time, scientists have detected two black hole mergers with spins so unusual they may reveal a new generation of cosmic collisions. The twin discoveries, labeled GW241011 and GW241110, were announced by the international LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA collaborationsteams that have been tuning their instruments to detect the faintest ripples in space and time. Each signal, lasting less than a second, was a final whisper from black holes that collided billions of years ago.

These gravitational wavestiny distortions in spacetime predicted by Albert Einstein more than a century agowere captured by LIGOs twin detectors in the United States and Virgos observatory in Italy. They record the violent endgame of two massive black holes orbiting each other at nearly the speed of light before merging into one.

Two Collisions, Billions of Years Apart

The first event, GW241011, flashed across detectors on Oct. 11, 2024. It came from about 1.7 billion light-years away and involved two black holes roughly 36 and 27 times the mass of the Sun. When they merged, they formed a single remnant weighing 61 solar massesmeaning about two solar masses were instantly converted into energy as gravitational waves. Thats roughly the total lifetime energy output of our Sun, released in less than a second.

Central 90% credible bounds on the dimensionless primary spins X1 of GW241011 (blue) and GW241110 (green). (CREDIT: Astrophysical Journal Letters)

A month later, on Nov. 10, 2024, the second eventGW241110was detected from even farther away, about 2.4 billion light-years. This merger involved black holes weighing around 46 and 29 solar masses, forming a final black hole of 73 solar masses. Again, about two solar masses vanished into pure gravitational energy.

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For both detections, the data were unmistakable. The ripples matched theoretical waveforms predicted by Einsteins general theory of relativity. Researchers compared the observed patterns to thousands of simulated models to confirm that each signal came from the collision of black holesand not from noise, earthquakes, or instrumental interference.

Hidden Details in the Ripples

Each merger told a slightly different story about the black holes involved. GW241011s larger black hole spun at a remarkable rateits spin value measured at 0.62 on a scale where 1 represents the fastest possible spin. Its partner spun more slowly at 0.25. Their final remnant, spinning at 0.71, lined up neatly with Einsteins equations.

GW241110 was even stranger. One of its black holes spun in the opposite direction of its orbita cosmic rarity. Each new detection provides important insights about the universe, said Carl-Johan Haster, an astrophysicist at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Every merger is both an astrophysical discovery and a laboratory for testing the fundamental laws of physics.

Posterior on the primary spin vector of GW241011 (left) and GW241110 (right). Within each subplot, radial coordinates span the range 01 and correspond to dimensionless spin magnitudes. (CREDIT: Astrophysical Journal Letters)

The spin directions and mass differences hint that these black holes might not have been born together as twin stars. Instead, they may have formed separately and later collided in crowded star clustersa process known as a hierarchical merger. In such dense environments, black holes can repeatedly merge, forming ever-larger and faster-spinning remnants.

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These unusual spin configurations not only challenge our understanding of black hole formation, said Gianluca Gemme of the Virgo Collaboration, but also offer compelling evidence that some black holes are members of a dense and dynamic crowd.

Testing Einsteins Limits

Every gravitational-wave event offers a rare opportunity to test Einsteins century-old theory of general relativity under the most extreme conditions in the universe. The data from GW241011 and GW241110 matched the theorys predictions with extraordinary precision.

The rapid rotation of the primary black hole in GW241011 also let researchers test a specific solution to Einsteins equations known as the Kerr metric, which describes how rotating black holes warp spacetime. The match was near perfect, providing one of the most precise confirmations of general relativity to date.

Posterior probabilities on selected properties of GW241011 (blue) and GW241110 (green). (CREDIT: Astrophysical Journal Letters)

Because the two colliding black holes were different sizes, GW241011s signal included faint overtonesextra frequencies similar to the harmonics of a musical instrument. Only a handful of mergers have ever shown this feature so clearly. Detecting it allowed scientists to probe the internal structure of the black holes spacetime in unprecedented detail.

A Window into New Physics

The high spins of these black holes may also hold clues about particles beyond the Standard Model of physics. Some theories propose the existence of ultralight bosons, hypothetical particles that could extract energy from spinning black holes. If they exist, they would slow down a black holes rotation over time. But the rapid spin of GW241011s remnantafter billions of yearsrules out many possible masses for these elusive particles.

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This discovery shows how sensitive weve become to new physics that might lie beyond Einsteins theory, said Haster.

Behind these detections are thousands of scientists and engineers operating a synchronized global network. The LIGO observatories in Washington and Louisiana, Virgo in Italy, and KAGRA in Japan work together to pinpoint cosmic events, measuring changes in distance smaller than one-ten-thousandth the width of a proton. Each detection requires eliminating countless false alarms before a signal can be confirmed.

90% credible bounds on the primary masses, mass ratios, spins of GW241011 (blue) and GW241110 (green), compared to predicted properties of merging black holes in dense star clusters from the Cluster Monte Carlo catalog, and clusterBHBdynamics models. (CREDIT: Astrophysical Journal Letters)

By late 2024, the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA network had logged nearly 300 gravitational-wave events since operations began a decade ago. The newest findings highlight how much more precise the instruments have become and how close scientists are to mapping the entire population of black holes in the universe.

Charting the Black Hole Family Tree

Together, GW241011 and GW241110 add new branches to the growing family tree of black holes. Their large mass differences and unusual spins point toward second-generation systemsblack holes that themselves formed from earlier mergers.

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Both events had one black hole significantly larger and more rapidly spinning than its companion, said Stephen Fairhurst of Cardiff University. Thats exactly what youd expect from a black hole thats already been through a merger before.

If confirmed, these would be the clearest evidence yet that black holes can merge, survive, and merge againbuilding cosmic hierarchies across billions of years. The implications stretch beyond astrophysics: such systems could shape the evolution of entire galaxies.

Practical Implications of the Research

Detecting these faint waves opens a new way of studying the cosmos. Each discovery helps scientists better understand how black holes form, grow, and influence the galaxies around them.

The findings also strengthen Einsteins theory of general relativity and tighten the limits on exotic physics, including the search for ultralight particles that could explain dark matter.

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As detectors become more sensitive, researchers expect to detect hundreds of mergers each year, turning gravitational-wave astronomy into a routine yet revolutionary part of sciencehelping humanity listen to the deepest heartbeat of the universe.

Research findings are available online in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY)  Two more unindicted corrections officers came forward to admit their part in the death of Messiah Nantwi in Oneida County Court on Thursday.

First reported by the Daily Sentinel on Thursday, October 30, corrections officers Adam Joseph and Frank Jacobs pled guilty to one count of official misconduct. Both officers admitted to obscuring their body-worn cameras on the day of the beating that killed Messiah Nantwi.

According to Senior Assistant District Attorney Alphonse Williams, there are more unindicted officers who will likely plead guilty in the near future.

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This wasnt sudden, this wasnt a shock to us, Williams told the Daily Sentinel. This was something we planned for a while and we knew it was coming shortly.

Williams also noted that Joseph was in the infirmary when he covered up his camera, while Jacobs was in the building where the beating occurred. Judge Nolan sentenced them both to one year of conditional discharge and ordered to pay court fees and surcharges.

In other court proceedings, Caleb Blair and Jonah Levi  both of whom were indicted in the beating  were also before Judge Nolan for pre-trial hearings. These hearings were to determine if investigators were too suggestive when identifying Blair and Levi from the body-worn camera videos and whether or not they were within their Constitutional rights.

Special Prosecutor WIlliam Fitzgeralds office called eight witnesses from the New York State Police  as well as the State Department of Corrections  to testify how Blair and Levi were identified from body-worn camera videos. They also testified about conversations they had with investigators while search warrants were being executed on their home.

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Both Blair and Levi will face a maximum of 25 years to life if convicted on their top charges of murder.

Both men are scheduled to return to court on Friday, December 12. Judge Nolan has said that they will likely settle on a trial date at that time, and are looking at a late March date.

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US diplomats intend to set up working groups with their Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts to accelerate implementation of the US-brokered provisional peace plan signed in August in Washington, according to a state-connected media outlet in Azerbaijan.

The Report.az outlet queried the State Department about the status of the peace deal, the centerpiece of which is the establishment of a corridor connecting the Azerbaijani mainland with its Nakhchivan exclave across Armenian territory, dubbed the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP). The State Departments written response reiterated the US commitment to implementing the Washington agreement, noting that the Trump administration will ensure the establishment of the first working groups with both governments by the end of the year.

The State Department statement also praised Armenian and Azerbaijani efforts to clear the way for TRIPP, including action on border demarcation and mine clearance.

We also commend Azerbaijan's recent decision to allow cargo transit through its territory to Armenia, as well as the meeting of civil society representatives from the two countries in Yerevan, the State Department response noted. US-led initiatives, combined with these efforts, will attract private investment and usher in a new era of prosperity for Azerbaijan, Armenia, and beyond.

Negotiations to set TRIPPs terms of operations have made slow progress since August. The United States has committed $145 million for TRIPP infrastructure. The European Union has likewise indicated it will help fund the project. But a construction timetable and key details are yet to be settled, including the extent to which US contractors will be involved in operating the corridor and providing security.

By Eurasianet

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KNOX COUNTY, Ill. (WMBD)  The Knox County Sheriffs Office announced that two separate crashes have closed some roads in the county.

Knox Highway 12 is closed at the 1500 block near the railroad track due to a crash and Northbound Illinois Route 14 is closed from Illinois Route 116 to Abingdon due to a crash with entrapment, a sheriffs office Facebook post said.

Emergency crews responded to both scenes, and drivers are encouraged to find alternate routes while crews are working.

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This story will be updated when more information becomes available.

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Oct. 30Two Morgan County men were arrested last week after local, state and federal investigators executed separate search warrants in connection with a child pornography investigation, according to the Morgan County Sheriff's Office.

On Oct. 22, investigators with the Morgan County Sheriff's Office, the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation, and the FBI served warrants at two residences in Lacey's Spring.

Investigators arrested Michael Craig Browning, 53, of Matkin Cove Road, on multiple child pornography-related charges, including:

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Production of pornography with minors (five counts).

Possession of and intent to disseminate obscene matter containing visual depiction of a person under 17 involved in obscene acts.

Dissemination or display of child pornography (10 counts).

According to an investigator's affidavit, Browning uploaded 11,385 child sexual abuse images to Google Drive.

Browning was booked into the Morgan County Jail, with bond set at $450,000.

In a separate case, Anthony Thomas Brunsman, 45, of Cold Stream Road, was charged with 10 counts of possession of and intent to disseminate obscene matter containing visual depictions of a person under 17 involved in obscene acts. Brunsman was booked into the Morgan County Jail with bond set at $200,000.

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According to an investigator's affidavit, the videos and images showed "prepubescent males and females under the age of 18 engaged in sexual activity" and were sent to various users on the Kik messaging app, Instagram and Snapchat.

The Sheriff's Office said both investigations were aided by the Madison County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Authorities said the cases remain under investigation.

 eric@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2435
Two metro-east public schools rank among the top 10% of highest-performing schools in the state, according to the new 2024-25 Illinois Report Card released Thursday.

Illini Elementary in Fairview Heights, part of Grant Community Consolidated School District No. 110, and Collinsville District 10s Webster Elementary received exemplary summative designationsthe highest designation a school can achieve.

The efforts and the work that were putting forth is showing, said Illini Principal Carla Lasley.

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Summative designations assess a variety of factors, including student academic growth and chronic absenteeism. They also analyze data from various student groups, according to the Illinois State Board of Education. As such, summative designations indicate how well schools are serving all students.

That means a true team effortwork from teachers, noncertified staff, administration and building leadership, students, families and moreis required to reach the coveted classification, Lasley and Collinsville Community Unit School District 10 Superintendent Brad Skertich said.

Both Webster Elementary and Illini Elementary serve students in prekindergarten through fourth grade. Skertich said this provides a unique opportunity to see student progress from the very beginning of their school journey through the late elementary years, all in one building.

The foundation of every students educational career begins with kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade, Skertich said. And then our 3rd and 4th grade teachers do a great job of making sure they cover the standards to help (the students) grow academically, but also do interventions and supplemental instruction to close any gaps that may be there.

How did other Metro East schools perform on the Illinois Report Card?

The majority of Belleville- and Swansea-area schools received a commendable designation, which is the second-highest of the five summative designations. All OFallon schools received this designation, as well. Wolf Branch Elementary maintained its exemplary status from the previous year.

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Schools that receive one of the remaining three designationstargeted support, comprehensive support, or intensive supportenter a four-year improvement cycle and receive additional funding for improvement.

If a school was participating in a four-year improvement cycle from a previous years support designation but receives a lower designation on the 2024-25 report card, it will begin a new four-year improvement cycle with a greater level of support, Illinois State Board of Education Press Secretary Lindsay Record confirmed.

The only Belleville- or Swansea-area schools to receive one of these three designations were Belleville 118s Abraham Lincoln Elementary, Belleville 118s Franklin Elementary, High Mount Elementary School and Whiteside Middle School, all of which were designated as targeted schools.

Collinsville Middle School was the only school in its district to receive a designation below commendable. Skertich said its targeted designation was due to underperformance in two student groups.

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East St. Louis School District 189s Lincoln Middle School received an intensive designation. Dr. Katie Harper-Wright Elementary School, Mason-Clark Middle School and Wyvetter Younge School of Excellence received comprehensive designations. Other schools that received summative designations received commendable designations.

Although these schools designations do not meet the districts goals, there are still reasons to celebrate within the variety of data the Illinois Report Card presents, according to a statement from District 189. The district specifically cited graduation rate improvements and an increase in the percentage of freshmen considered on track. It also noted that the majority of its schools received a commendable designation.

While we recognize that we are not yet where we aspire to be, School District 189 views this as an opportunity to learn and grow, the statement reads. The data behind these designations confirms what we already knowour greatest challenges lie in areas such as chronic absenteeism and academic growthand it reinforces our commitment to strengthening programs that directly address these needs.

Explore your schools data, as well as their summative designation, at www.illinoisreportcard.com .

What data is considered in ISBE summative designations?

Summative designations depend on a variety of data points from both a schools overall population and specific student groups.

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There are student groups based on race and ethnicity, as well as groups for students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students, English learners and former English learners, according to an explainer from ISBE . These classifications help schools pinpoint which students are in need of the most support, and which are excelling.

The state calls the various academic and student success measures it uses in summative designation calculations accountability indicators, and each indicator carries a different weight.

Examples of accountability indicators include the percentage of students meeting proficiency criteria on state tests (the test scores used to determine this have been updated), the percentage of chronically absent students, and measures of English language learners progress.

Elementary schools use student growth percentiles as accountability indicators, while high schools use the percentage of ninth graders deemed on track and high school graduation rates to help calculate designation.

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For a detailed breakdown of each accountability indicator , as well as the calculations used to determine a schools summative designation, visit www.isbe.net . Most, if not all, of each schools accountability indicator data should be found on the report card.

What does it take for my school to get an exemplary designation?

Heres what a school needs to achieve each designation, as outlined on an online factsheet from ISBE:

Exemplary

Top 10% of all schools for overall performance

No underperforming student groups. Underperforming in this article refers to being at or below the the lowest-performing 5 percent of schools all students group

High schools: graduation rate above 67%

Commendable

Schools arent in the top 10% of all schools for overall performance, but they still have no underperforming student groups and, if applicable, high schools must have a graduation rate above 67%

Targeted Support

One or more underperforming student groups

ISBE specifies groups must have at least 20 students in at least five of eight indicators, one of which must be non-academic

Comprehensive Support

Overall performance is in the bottom 5% of Illinois Title I-eligible schools

All high schools graduation rate is 67% or below

Schools that completed a Targeted Support improvement cycle, but at least one or more of the originally Targeted student groups is at or below the all students group in the lowest-performing 5% of Title I-eligible schools

Intensive Support
STEUBEN COUNTY, N.Y. (WETM)  Two people have been arrested on separate charges following an investigation into an incident of witness intimidation in Steuben County.

Terry C. Long Jr., 52, of Bath, and Tammy J. Havens, 52, of Prattsburgh, were arrested in connection with an incident reported to authorities in Bath on June 23, 2025, as stated in a release from the New York State Police.

Officials say the arrests occurred after a representative from the Steuben County District Attorneys Office contacted state police in Bath about messages that were sent to a protected party in an ongoing criminal case.

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Upon investigation into the incident, officials say it was determined that Havens had contacted the victim on behalf of Long, who was in jail at the time, and tried to influence them to withdraw sworn statements in exchange for property.

Previous coverage: Steuben County woman hospitalized after being shot in the face, suspect arrested

Officials say further review of communication records at the Steuben County Jail revealed that Long had told Havens to contact the victim, offering incentives and making threats electronically.

As a result, Havens was arrested and processed on misdemeanor charges and was then taken to the Steuben County Jail to await further court proceedings. Officials say that an order of protection was also obtained on behalf of the victim of the situation.

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As an investigation into the incident continued, a presentation was made to a grand jury in Steuben County and Havens and Long were indicted on Oct. 14.

Officials then say that on Oct. 27, Long was taken to the state police barracks in Bath by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (NYSDOCCS) and formally processed on the indictment charges. He was then returned to DOCCS custody.

Officials say the indictment accuses Long of the following:

Bribing a witness, a class D felony

Aggravated family offense, class E felony

Tampering with a witness in the fourth degree

Criminal contempt in the second degree

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Russian forces conducted strikes on Kherson, Donetsk, Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts on 29 October, killing three people and injuring 21.

Source: Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration; Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration; Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration; National Police of Ukraine

Details: Russian troops struck critical and social infrastructure facilities in Kherson Oblast. Twelve people were injured, including two children. Dozens of settlements came under Russian fire, particularly Antonivka, Komyshany, Prydniprovske, Sadove, Chornobaivka, Bilozerka, Beryslav and Kherson.

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The Russians damaged four apartment blocks, nine houses, an administrative building, a church, a mobile phone tower and several cars.

Two civilians were killed and seven were injured in Druzhkivka and Kryvorizhzhia in Donetsk Oblast. The casualty figures do not include data from the temporarily occupied cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha.

Six settlements came under attack in Kharkiv Oblast. A man and a woman were injured in the village of Pisky-Radkivski in the Borova hromada. Russian forces used a missile, four guided aerial bombs, Geran-2 kamikaze drones and FPV drones. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.]

The Russian strikes damaged residential buildings, vehicles, an administrative building, a business facility and railway infrastructure facilities.

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Russian forces used aerial bombs, drones, artillery, mortars and grenade launchers to attack Sumy Oblast.

A man was killed in the Yunakivka hromada. Seven houses at a recreation centre were damaged in the city of Sumy.

Russian troops destroyed part of a lyceum, a specialised secondary school, in the Krasnopillia hromada, as well as a residential building in the Seredyna-Buda hromada.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated in all cases of attacks under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine  violation of the laws and customs of war.

Background: On the morning of 29 October, Russian artillery attacked a children's hospital in Kherson, injuring nine people.

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Zingermans Candy Manufactory, the maker of Peanut Butter Crush and Cashew Cow, is recalling the two full-size bars due to a possible presence of allergens. According to the company, the Peanut Butter Crush bars may have undeclared cashews, while the Cashew Cow candy could have undeclared peanuts.

The error is a result of a temporary breakdown in the production and packaging process, the company said in a statement, according to The Hill.

How to tell if your Zingermans candy bars were recalled?

According to Parade, the recalled Peanut Butter Crush and Ca$hew Cow were sold in Michigan and New York. The recalled products are marked with lot number 174250.

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The Peanut Butter Crush Bars are packaged in yellow and purple boxes, marked Peanut Butter Crush. Meanwhile, the Cashew Cow Bars are packaged in light blue and boxes, marked Cashew Cow.

Zingermans recalled candy bars pose a risk to those with nut allergies

Consumers who are severely sensitive to cashews or peanuts may be at risk of a life-threatening reaction if they eat the recalled Zingerman bars. However, the company hasnt yet reported any illnesses from consumers who purchased the recalled products.

People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to cashews or peanuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products, Zingermans said in its statement, adding that the problem is now solved, per The Hill.

People who bought the recalled bars are urged to throw away the products or return them to the store where they were purchased for a refund. Consumers can contact Zingermans Candy Manufactory at 877-632-9264.

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While our range of Candy Bars is one of our most popular products, the number of bars affected was a tiny fraction of our output, a spokesperson for Zingermans said in a statement, according to Parade. From a single Lot #174250, there were a total of 156 Peanut Butter Crush Bars and 78 Cashew Cow candy bars affected by the recall. We notified all of the wholesale customers who received them, and they have been removed from sale, with many returned to us.







The post Two Popular Candy Bars Recalled: Heres Why appeared first on Blavity.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  An 18-year-old and a 16-year-old were arrested after a student was cornered in a bathroom stall at Hylton High School.

Man killed in Dash-In parking lot shooting in Waldorf identified

On Oct. 27, a 16-year-old boy was inside the school restroom when he encountered two other students. The two suspects followed the victim into a stall, refusing to let him exit. One of the suspects pulled out a knife and demanded money. When other students entered the restroom, the victim was able to break free.

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A School Resource Officer (SRO) looked into the incident.

No injuries were reported. The altercation was not random and appeared to have stemmed from a previous encounter between the victim and the two suspects.

Following the investigation, the SRO obtained charges against the two suspects, identified as Aldo Josue Chicas Diaz and a 16-year-old boy. Both suspects were taken into custody without incident.

Both suspects were charged with abduction and attempted robbery.

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Two federal prosecutors have been placed on leave at the direction of the White House after they filed a sentencing memo seeking 27 months in prison for a pardoned Jan. 6 rioter who brought illegal guns and ammunition to former President Barack Obamas house in 2023.

Two people familiar with the matter confirmed the suspension of the prosecutors from the U.S. attorneys office for the District of Columbia, though neither person knew exactly what angered White House officials about the memo.

Taylor Taranto, who was arrested in June 2023 while he was livestreaming video near Obamas house in Washington, D.C., was found guilty in May after a bench trial of possessing illegal guns. He was also convicted on false information and hoaxes charges related to a video he streamed claiming he was on a one-way mission to blow up the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

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Investigators said they found two guns, a machete and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in Tarantos van when he was arrested. Court records say Taranto repeatedly said he was trying to get a shot and that he wanted to get a good angle on a shot.

Taranto was among roughly 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants President Donald Trump pardoned on the first day of his second term in office.

Later Wednesday, different prosecutors posted a new sentencing memo that removes all references to the Jan. 6 attacks and also removes a reference to Trump posting Obamas address on Truth Social, which prosecutors say Taranto saw before going to Obamas neighborhood.

The prosecutors on his case, Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White, filed a detailed sentencing memo Tuesday asserting that Tarantos actions caused the evacuation of a residential neighborhood and forced law enforcement agents from multiple agencies to respond to his false bomb hoax.

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The memo added, A 27-month sentence reflects the gravity of Tarantos conduct, his lack of remorse, and the need to deter him and others from engaging in similar threatening conduct.

The memo describes the Jan. 6 events as thousands of people comprising a mob of rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol while a joint session of Congress met to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. Taranto was accused of participating in the riot in Washington, D.C., by entering the U.S. Capitol. After the riot, Taranto returned to his home in the State of Washington, where he promoted conspiracy theories about the events of January 6, 2021.

Amid an attempt at rewriting the history of Jan. 6, Trump and his supporters routinely dismiss the idea that a riot occurred that day, despite the video and other evidence.

Taranto had posted about appearing outside Obamas residence the same day in June 2023 that Trump shared a screenshot on social media that included what he said was Obamas Washington address. Prosecutors said Taranto reposted what Trump had shared and then posted about being outside Obamas home, writing, We got these losers surrounded!

The Justice Department declined to comment.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT)  Two women working at an Evansville spa are arrested for prostitution related offenses.

It happened at around 10:30 p.m. at the Star Spa on North Green River Road.

Police state New York residents Qinghua Liu and Ying Chen were taken into custody after an investigation into the business.

According to a police report, EPD was alerted to the two after a maintenance worker was solicited for sexual favors while doing work at the spa.

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Following the complaint, detectives conducted surveillance on the spa and spoke with two men after they left the business. Both men say they were offered sexual favors but declined.

Police say the two women were not seen committing a crime, but based on evidence, they knowingly permitted the premises to be used for prostitution.

Both are being held at the Vanderburgh County Jail.

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While states offer incentives for data center development, local communities are pushing back against the rapid expansion due to skyrocketing utility bills and the perceived transfer of wealth from residential customers to large corporations.

The AI industry is characterized by extreme opacity, with no federal registration requirements for data centers or laws mandating disclosure of energy usage or environmental impact, leading to decisions based on conjecture rather than hard data.

The rapid growth of AI is creating significant uncertainty and strain on global energy grids, with projections indicating a doubling of energy needs by 2030, posing challenges for energy security and grid stability.

As the AI boom sends shockwaves across energy grids around the world, global leaders are rushing to add extra power production capacity as fast as they can. The problem is, no one knows how much energy AI is going to be using a year or five years from now. In fact, we dont even know how much its using right this moment. The result is a mad scramble to maintain energy security in the face of unprecedented uncertainty, with potentially disastrous results for global energy grids and climate goals.

In the past few years, AI has gone from an academic pursuit to an industry with trillions of dollars of market capitalisation and venture capital at stake, reports the International Energy Agency. The scale of the energy needed to power this growth means that the energy sector is therefore at the heart of one of the most important technological revolutions today.

AI doesnt just need more data centers, it needs more power per data center, as the kind of computer chips that enable large language models require much more energy to run. Projections for the AI sectors energy needs are massive. The International Energy Agency expects them to double between now and 2030, marking a serious challenge for energy security and grid stability in regions where data center developments are being clustered.

In the United States, the federal government has identified fast-tracking data center construction as a matter of national priority. But the projections that these decisions are being based on are derived from a whole lot of conjecture and relatively little hard data. The advancement and spread of AI technology has far outpaced regulation and policy measures to control and track the sector. As a result, the industry is characterized by extreme opacity, as there are no laws requiring companies to disclose their energy usage, their environmental impact, or even how many data centers theyve built.

There is no federal registration requirement for data centers, so their estimated number varies depending on the source, writes the Pew Research Center in a report about energy use at data centers in the United States. Some owners of data centers also obscure their locations for security reasons and/or competitive advantage, the report goes on to say.

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The Pew Research Center also notes that many states are courting data center developers, offering financial incentives and fast-tracking permitting in the hope that these high-dollar projects will boost local economies and provide jobs. In part thanks to these state-level policy measures, data centers are being built up in geographically concentrated clusters, and can therefore majorly strain power grids where they are located in large numbers. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis reports that for utilities in Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia, data centers are responsible for 65% to more than 85% of projected load growth. Accordingly, major utilities in these states as well as North Carolina expect to add a collective 32,600 MW of electrical load over the next 15 years.

But while some states are courting such developments, politicians and constituents at the local level are pushing back against rapid development in their areas. Constituents in regions where huge numbers of data centers are popping up feel that they are getting the hard end of the bargain by unfairly and involuntarily propping up Big Techs agenda through their own skyrocketing utility bills.

"We are witnessing a massive transfer of wealth from residential utility customers to large corporationsdata centers and large utilities and their corporate parents, which profit from building additional energy infrastructure," Maryland People's Counsel David Lapp told Business Insider. "Utility regulation is failing to protect residential customers, contributing to an energy affordability crisis.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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(The Center Square)  The Utah County in-person hearing scheduled Thursday for Tyler James Robinson, 22 - charged with aggravated murder in the death of conservative leader Charlie Kirk - has been postponed to January.

Prosecution and defense agreed to the delay, Utah Fourth Judicial Court Judge Tony Graf Jr. said during a virtual hearing this week.

In addition to delaying the in-person hearing, Graf granted a defense motion allowing Robinson to appear in civilian clothing at pretrial hearings. Graf agreed with Robinson's lawyers that the jail attire could prejudice potential jurors.

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Mr. Robinson shall be dressed as one presumed innocent, Graf said.

He ordered Robinson's lawyers to provide civilian clothing to their client 72 hours before a hearing.

Defense and prosecution previously agreed Robinson could wear civilian clothing at his trial.

Robinson participated in Monday's virtual hearing from the Utah County Jail, where he remains incarcerated without bail. Robinson was not seen on camera and was heard only once, when he told Graf, in response to the judges question, that he could hear the video conference.

Appearing at his bench in his courtroom, Graf said in-person hearings with Robinson present will take place Jan. 16 and 30. Both hearings will start at 1 p.m. Mountain Standard Time at the Utah County Courthouse in Provo, Utah.

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Robinson is charged with seven counts, six of which are felonies. They include aggravated murder and multiple counts of witness tampering and obstruction of justice. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray filed a notice with the court that he intends to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted of murder.

Kirk was shot and killed before a crowd of up to 3,000 people at Utah Valley University. The conservative leader had a home in Scottsdale, Ariz., and his organization, Turning Point USA, is headquartered in Phoenix.

Thursdays hearing was delayed because more time is needed for attorneys to complete discovery, Graf said. Thats the process in which defense and prosecution exchange information so neither side is surprised by the other during a trial.

Attorneys also need time to file motions addressing whether non-evidentiary hearings should be conducted virtually, which the prosecution is seeking, the judge said.

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He added more time is needed for filing motions on whether cameras should be banned in the courtroom.

Graf on Monday put some limits on photography and videography.

The judge ruled the media could not film or photograph Robinson entering or leaving the courtroom. He also ruled there could be no photos or videos taken of Robinsons restraints.

Graf ruled against Robinsons defenses motion that he be allowed to appear in the courtroom without restraints, but ordered that the restraints cant interfere with Robinsons ability to take notes or communicate with his lawyers.

Other than to identify themselves, prosecution and defense, who participated in the hearing from their offices, didnt speak at the hearing. Because the matters involved security protocols, Graf held closed hearings on the issues Oct. 24 and 25.

Robinson was represented at Mondays hearing by his lawyers Kathryn Kathy Nester, Richard Novak and Staci Visser. The hearing also involved two prosecutors from the Utah County Attorneys Office: Christopher Ballard and Chad Grunander. Ballard and Grunander are part of a team consisting of six prosecutors, including the office's top attorney, Davis.
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan said the Democrats efforts to lower healthcare costs amid the government shutdown are worth fighting for. Mrvan also warned that midcensus redistricting, for any state, could accelerate extremism.

As the government shutdown stretches into its second month, Mrvan, D-Highland, said hes either been in Northwest Indiana meeting with constituents or in Washington, D.C., for House Democratic caucus meetings to talk about protecting access to healthcare.

House Speaker Mike Johnson hasnt called the U.S. House of Representatives into session amid the shutdown, Mrvan said, adding that Johnson has his own motives for that.

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The House passed a short-term continuing resolution on Sept. 19 to keep federal agencies funded. Johnson, R-Louisiana, has kept the House out of legislative session ever since, saying the solution is for Democrats to simply accept that bill.

But the Senate has consistently fallen short of the 60 votes needed to advance that spending measure. Democrats insist that any bill to fund the government also needs to address health care costs, namely the soaring health insurance premiums that millions of Americans will face next year under plans offered through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

Coverage prices are expected to rise by 26% for consumers on the Obamacare exchanges, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, but that increase could rise to nearly 114% on average if premium tax credits are allowed to expire at the end of 2025.

Republicans insist they will not entertain negotiations on health care until the government reopens.

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Amid the shutdown, the House Democratic caucus has been meeting to find solutions and to make sure that we have a consensus on fighting, protecting and advocating for access to healthcare, Mrvan said.

People who are on the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, their premiums are going to skyrocket. That is worth fighting for, Mrvan said. Those are working families, those are single parents, those are business owners, those are individuals who cant afford high deductibles and whose employers cant afford to provide insurance.

In Northwest Indiana, there are tens of thousands of people who rely on the Affordable Care Act for health insurance, Mrvan said. If people cant afford health insurance, they wont go to the doctor for preventative care, Mrvan said, which will overload emergency rooms and hospitals as people delay the care they need.

The House Democratic caucus has been discussing how to find a permanent or two-year extension on the tax credits to address healthcare costs.

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This is an affordability fight, Mrvan said. I am here in good faith to negotiate, to find a solution to make sure that (the government) opens up.

Republicans have the majority in the Senate and the House as well as control of the White House, which means the Senate can go for the nuclear option of voting to end the filibuster, Mrvan said.

The filibuster requires 60 votes in the Senate to advance most legislation, such as a continuing resolution, Mrvan said. Without the filibuster, the Senate could pass the continuing resolution with a simple majority, he said.

This shows, Mrvan said, that Republicans havent reached a consensus on their side. Historically, neither party has supported ending the filibuster because it gives the minority party leverage during the budget process.

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For the Democrats, the leverage of the government shutdown is public opinion, Mrvan said, because people want the government to reopen and dont want to see people suffer, whether through losing access to food or healthcare coverage.

Ahead of the shutdown, Mrvan said many people were upset with the Trump administrations tax and spending law, which is projected to increase the nations deficit and gives major tax cuts to the wealthy while cutting funding to Medicaid and Medicare.

Finding a solution, opening government up and doing everything we can to stop the bleeding on our healthcare prices when it comes to financial feasibility for families, that is worth fighting for and people are encouraging about that, Mrvan said.

As states grapple with midcensus redistricting, Mrvan said his concern is as states push for all Republican or all Democratic control then you are accelerating extremism.

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I believe, and have consistently believed, as a member of Congress in bipartisanship and finding middle ground, Mrvan said. When we go down the path of saying we should have an all-red state, thats very short-sighted.

President Donald Trump and national Republicans have been pressuring red states to change their congressional maps before the 2026 election to increase Republican control of the U.S. House.

After multiple meetings between Vice President JD Vance and Indiana Republican leadership, Gov. Mike Braun has called for a special legislative session to consider altering the boundaries of Indianas congressional districts and federal and state tax compliance beginning Nov. 3, according to a news release.

The special session, which can take place within 30 days of Brauns order, was called amid pushback from Hoosiers and a lack of votes in the Indiana Senate to pass new Congressional maps.

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It is unusual for redistricting to take place in the middle of the decade and typically occurs once at the beginning of each decade to coincide with the census.

Indiana was last redistricted in 2021, which left Congressional Republicans with seven seats and Democrats two seats. The two Democratic seats are the first district, held by Mrvan, and the seventh district, held by U.S. Rep. Andre Carson.

Four years ago, Republican state legislators boasted about how well Indianas Congressional districts were redrawn, Mrvan said.

They were very proud of their districts. They were very proud of the work. I believe the reason you have the resistance in the State Senate is because they know that those are fair, reliable, keeping communities together with maps that they have produced, Mrvan said.

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Indiana Senate Republicans should consider what his father, former State Sen. Frank Mrvan, D-Hammond, said to him about being a politician: I never intentionally have made the wrong decision.

I believe that you have resistance because the state senators know that they are proud of the maps that they have passed, and that this can divide our state even more unnecessarily, Mrvan said. Sometimes, it takes great courage to stand up for what you believe in in the face of insurmountable odds.

When asked if hes concerned about how potential redistricting could impact his ability to win in 2026, Mrvan said he will be a Congressional candidate for the First District in the 2026 midterm election.

Jennifer-Ruth Green, the 2022 Republican candidate in the First Congressional district, announced this week she is running for the same seat again. Republican Barb Regnitz, finishing her third year as a Porter County commissioner representing Center District, filed a statement of organization last week to run for the First District seat. Lake County Councilman and GOP Chair Randy Niemeyer, the Republican nominee in 2024, has not indicated whether he will run again.

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While the political tension at the national and state level seemingly increases, Mrvan said his focus will remain on bipartisanship.

I will not allow the conditions of our current political state of affairs of division change me and my beliefs that middle ground and bipartisanship is the best path forward for uniting our country, Mrvan said.

akukulka@post-trib.com
The current FBI headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., in a photo from November 2023. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

A U.S. Senate committee voted on party lines Wednesday for a plan that would relocate FBI headquarters to the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in downtown Washington, rejecting a planned move to Maryland.

The Republican majority on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted 10-9 for a resolution that brings the General Services Administration one step closer to making the Reagan Building the new home for about 6,000 FBI employees.

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The move was quickly condemned by Marylands two senators, who said the law still requires that the new headquarters be in Greenbelt, after a multiyear competitition to find a new home for the agency.

Wednesdays vote would reverse the agencys decision in 2023 to relocate employees from the aging FBI headquarters in the J. Edgar Hoover Building to a site in Prince Georges County near the Greenbelt Metrorail station. Prior to that decision, more than a decade of studies and competition between Maryland and Virginia took place to bring the FBI to their respective jurisdictions.

Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), who is a member of the committee, said the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 required the GSA to choose one of three sites  two in Prince Georges County and one in Springfield, Virginia.

The Reagan Building and D.C. were not eligible sites under the law, said Alsobrooks, who served as Prince Georges County executive from 2018 until her election to the Senate. The [Trump] administrations decision to abandon years of planning and process is a clear violation of that law.

The new site of the FBI headquarters should not be one based on politics, she said before Wednesdays vote. The law established a clear path. Congress provided funding and oversight and GSA made its selection. That selection remains the only legitimate choice.

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Both Alsobrooks and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) argued that the Reagan Buildings location and design are inconsistent with federal security standards, that are required for the FBI. Among other security shortcomings, they pointed to public access to a parking garage for other tenants in the Reagan building.

Democrats on the committee Wednesday tried to add language to the resolution that would have prohibited spending on a new headquarters until the Federal Bureau of Investigation and General Services Administration complete an in-depth assessment and determine that the Ronald Reagan Building is capable of meeting the Interagency Security Committees level 5 requirements and provide that assessment to Congress.

The Republican majority rejected that language.

In taking this unprecedented step to overrule the Committees minority in this decision, Republicans are undermining the mission and safety of the men and women of the FBI and also setting a dangerous precedent for future Committee decisions, Van Hollen said in a statement. They have become rubber stamps for a lawless president. They should be ashamed.

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According to a GSA prospectus on the move, the estimated project cost for design, construction, management and inspection would be nearly $843.7 million. With an additional $555 million from the FBI that would include preconstruction and fit-out requirements, it would raise the amount to nearly $1.4 billion.

The GSA states in the document that a 30-year, present value cost analysis of the total for refurbishing the Reagan Building would be $1.6 billion; construction for a new headquarters would cost $2.4 billion.

The current dispersion and fragmentation of headquarters functions across multiple locations within the National Capital Region has created challenges to effective collaboration. Dispersion diverts time and resources, hampers coordination, and decreases operational flexibility, the prospectus said.

By collocating personnel in a modern headquarters solution, FBIs workforce will have the space and technology needed to support its mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution.

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Sen. Shelly Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chair of the public works committee, said before the vote that the plan to abandon Greenbelt in favor of the Reagan Building addresses the needs and mission of the FBI and utilizes an existing federal building with a reasonable investment and renovation, instead of significant expense and time waiting for new construction.

I believe the GSAs plan is a responsible and efficient way to address this years-long problem, Moore Capito said.

A companion resolution is currently pending in the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

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U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota speaks at a rally hosted by Fair Share America and other advocacy groups on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)

As the shutdown continues, Democratic U.S. senators from Iowas neighboring states said they are advocating for low-income Iowans who will see health care costs increase significantly if Republicans do not agree to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits.

U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin held a virtual news conference Thursday to discuss the impact of ACA tax credits expiring in Iowa. Iowa is represented by an entirely Republican delegation in Washington, D.C., all of whom have largely placed the blame of the 30-day shutdown on Democrats. While the U.S. House passed a stopgap funding bill in September to keep the government funded through Nov. 21, Senate Democrats have been able to block such a short-term funding measure from passing unless Republicans agree to extend enhanced ACA tax credits set to expire at the end of 2025.

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Without the extension of these enhanced tax credits, Democrats say health care premiums for people who receive health insurance through the ACA-established Health Insurance Marketplaces may see their premium costs double as open enrollment begins Nov. 1. According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 137,000 Iowans are enrolled on Marketplace plans in 2025.

Klobuchar said Senate Democrats were calling for Congress to act immediately to extend these tax credits, saying lawmakers cannot wait until December or January to address the issue.

We are here to talk about this cliff that were standing on right now, Klobuchar said. Its nothing that we can wait on.  This marketplace opens up now on Nov. 1, and if Congress doesnt come together to extend these health care tax credits that greatly help people afford their health insurance, the premiums of these Iowans are going to double next year.

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She said this will cause additional burdens for Iowans who are also facing rising costs and health care shortages, especially in rural areas, due to cuts to Medicaid through the budget reconciliation bill. Without the ACA enhanced tax credits, a 60-year-old Iowa couple earning about $83,000 a year could see their premium increase by more than $13,000 a year, and a family of four making $64,000 could see their premiums increase by more than $2,500 a year, she said, citing data from the organization Keep Americans Covered.

This is a major factor in rural America and rural Iowa, Klobuchar said.  That is a gut punch that too many families simply cant afford.

Baldwin said the expiration of these tax breaks are going to put salt in the wound, frankly, for Iowans and Wisconsinites alike, as she called for Iowans to reach out to their representatives in Congress and ask for support in extending the tax credits.

If Donald Trump and my Republican colleagues wont listen to Democrats, I hope theyll listen to their constituents who are anxious, and in some cases terrified, about how theyre going to be able to make ends meet with these tax breaks expiring, Baldwin said. And to my Republican colleagues  there was plenty of room in the budget to deliver tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy and big corporations, but what about hard-working Americans so they can afford their health care? The path out of this is so clear.

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Two Iowans who receive health care through the ACA marketplace spoke about the importance of extending these cuts. Lori Hunt of Des Moines said after being laid off from her job earlier in the year, she was able to secure health care through the marketplace. But without the enhanced tax credits, she said, this coverage would be unaffordable.

Having accessible health care is especially important because she was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, Hunt said. She has went through radiation treatment and is on a prescription to keep the cancer at bay  but said she needs regular health care check-ins and care to ensure future issues do not arise.

Its just something I need to keep on top of, (to) keep up with my screenings and to make sure that everythings okay, Hunt said. And when this enhanced Premium Tax Credit goes away, I wont be able to afford it.

Jenny Turner, a mother from West Des Moines, said after her husband died of cancer when her son was 7, she transitioned to working part-time from home. She and her son have health insurance through the ACA, she said.

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Without the enhanced tax credits, my premiums are going to more than double, and I was able to get on the website and look that up, Turner said. And as hard as its going to be for us, I know its going to be a lot harder for a lot of other single mothers.

Iowas U.S. House delegation, led by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, sent a letter earlier in October calling for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to end the shutdown by passing the continuing resolution approved in the House. But Klobuchar said the stalemate is continuing because House Republicans are refusing to negotiate with Democrats on ACA tax credits, and because they do not want to vote on measures related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Its just getting to the point of ridiculousness, because theyve been out for six weeks  a six week vacation, which I think most Americans could only dream of, Klobuchar said. So while that is going on, we are calling on them to come to the table.  The president has a lot of power here. He prides himself on the art of the deal. He can bring people, but theyre together to do this, and thats what has to happen. So hopefully, when he comes back from his trip to Asia, this will happen, and theyll call back the House, and well able to work on an agreement.

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A UC Berkeley senior has been found guilty for taking four chickens valued at around $24 from a Petaluma-area poultry processing facility, a verdict that figures to send shockwaves through America's animal rights movement.

On Wednesday afternoon, after about 3 hours of deliberation, jurors convicted Zoe Rosenberg on all charges: felony conspiracy and three misdemeanors. The 23-year-old San Luis Obispo native faces up to five years in jail when she returns for sentencing on Dec. 3, though probation remains a possibility.

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Wednesday's decision represents a significant blow for Rosenberg's controversial Berkeley-based group, Direct Action Everywhere, or DxE, which has a stated mission of "total animal liberation." By spurning a plea agreement in favor of a high-stakes trial, Rosenberg, 23, had hoped to make DxE's most compelling case yet that the organization's brazen tactics known as "open rescues" are justifiable. Instead, she now faces the prospect of years behind bars for her role in a June 2023 incursion at Perdue subsidiary Petaluma Poultry.

Meanwhile, many Sonoma County residents are celebrating what they consider a monumental victory in a long-simmering conflict with DxE activists. For well over a decade, farmers there have felt scapegoated by the organization's highly visible protests, which range from activists dressing up as dead birds at local grocery stores to hooking themselves to conveyor belts where ducks had been hanging. After watching one of their most prominent members get convicted, DxE might be less inclined to continue targeting Sonoma County processing facilities.

"This verdict affirms that no one is above the law," District Attorney Carla Rodriguez said in a news release. "While we respect everyone's right to free expression, it is unlawful to trespass, disrupt legitimate businesses, and endanger workers and animals in pursuit of a political or social agenda."

"I'm disappointed," Chris Carraway, one of Zoe Rosenberg's attorneys, told the Chronicle. "But even if the verdict had been all not guilty,' I still would've been disappointed by the fact that no one is bothering to investigate Petaluma Poultry."

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Rosenberg's defense team is expected to appeal her conviction.

Even though DxE activists have landed not-guilty verdicts in "open rescue" trials held in other jurisdictions, they have now been found guilty in two such trials in Sonoma County, an agriculturally rich region known as "America's Provence" where more than 130 DxE activists have been arrested since 2018. Two years ago, in the same Santa Rosa courthouse where Rosenberg learned her fate Wednesday, DxE co-founder Wayne Hsiung was sentenced to 90 days in jail and two years of probation for his role in two factory farm protests in Petaluma.

Complicating matters for the defense in both cases: DxE's lawyers weren't allowed to mount a "necessity defense," which deems that a person's actions were justified if they had exhausted every other option before breaking the law. This left defense attorneys appealing to jurors' sentimentality. For the same reason a bystander is legally allowed to break a window to rescue a dog trapped in a hot car, they argued, their clients' actions were justifiable.

As part of the defense team's expected appeal, Rosenberg's attorneys plan to ask the court to allow the necessity defense.

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"It would have helped tremendously because this was a necessary act," Carraway said. "It would have allowed us to introduce all the evidence that Petaluma Poultry is not only abusing animals, but putting people's health at risk."

Deputy District Attorney Matt Hobson repeatedly stressed something throughout the three week trial that should have seemed obvious - the defendant, not animal agriculture, is on trial here - because Rosenberg's defense team did all it could to force a detailed examination of the meat industry's practices.

In his closing remarks, Hobson portrayed Rosenberg as an activist so committed to spreading her message that she took those four chickens from Petaluma Poultry on June 13, 2023 more for fame than for the chickens' wellbeing. He also raised doubts about the timing of the open rescue, which came weeks after Rosenberg learned about the alleged abuse, commemorated her 21st birthday and coincided with DxE's annual "Animal Liberation Conference."

Some DxE supporters were in tears when one of Rosenberg's attorneys, Kevin Little, showed the jury a picture of the "condemnation pot," which he said is where all chickens Petaluma Poultry deems not suitable for human consumption end up. He went on to display video of chickens flapping their wings as they hung upside down in a slaughter line.

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Throughout his closing statement Tuesday, Carraway stressed that Rosenberg couldn't be found guilty of felony conspiracy because she believed that what she was doing was legal. The jury, however, didn't need long to side with the prosecution. The three-plus hours jurors spent deliberating on Wednesday represented a small fraction of the six days they needed after the Hsiung trial.

Some animal-rights experts believe DxE is at a "flash point" moment. With American meat consumption continuing to rise, and plant-based alternatives remaining niche, the group's membership has stagnated in recent years.

The big question now is whether Rosenberg's conviction will galvanize - or hinder - DxE's cause.

"A lot of times, we see the most mobilization in movements during moments of loss, in moments when people have been arrested or sentenced to serve time in jail," Rosenberg, who will have to wear a GPS ankle monitor until her sentencing, told the Chronicle after Wednesday's verdict. "As a movement, we will similarly come back stronger in this moment."

This article originally published at UC Berkeley animal rights activist found guilty in chicken rescue' trial.
BERLIN  Ukraine has closed its embassy in Cuba and censured the government in Havana over allegations that the Caribbean dictatorship is complicit in sending troops to fight in Russias war against Ukraine.

The move comes just weeks after Russia and Cuba signed a military cooperation agreement and the U.S. released intelligence suggesting as many as 5,000 Cubans may be on the frontlines.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Cuba of being complicit in Russias war of aggression by allowing thousands of its citizens to travel to Russia to fight as mercenaries on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine. Cuba has also provided diplomatic backing to Russia and assisted Moscow in circumventing Western sanctions. Cubas president has previously publicly wished Russia success in its invasion of Ukraine.

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Wednesdays announcement to close the embassy and downgrade diplomatic ties came alongside a first-ever no vote by Ukraine on an annual United Nations resolution calling for the lifting of the draconian U.S. embargo on Cuba.

Our vote is not against the Cuban people  we respect their right to live in prosperity. It is against the inaction of Cubas authorities in response to massive recruitment of Cuban citizens to the Russian occupation army, Sybiha said.

Ukraines ambassador to the UN, Andrii Melnyk, called Cuban nationals the largest group of foreign mercenaries in the Russian army ahead of Wednesdays vote.

The United States estimates that as many as 5,000 Cubans may be fighting in Ukraine, according to an unclassified cable sent to American diplomatic missions on Oct. 2 and first reported by Reuters. According to the document, after North Korea, Cuba is the largest contributor of foreign troops to Russias aggression.

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Ukrainian intelligence has reported 39 confirmed Cubans killed during the war in Ukraine, though estimates of actual casualties are in the low hundreds. The military intelligence agency HUR has confirmed at least 1,076 Cuban fighters on the frontlines.

In response, the Cuban foreign ministry on Oct. 11 denied allegations of being involved in the Russo-Ukrainian war, calling the reports false accusations and saying that it is irrefutable that none of them have the encouragement, commitment, or consent of the Cuban state for their actions.

It remains unclear how systematic the recruitment of Cubans is. Russian investigative outlet Sistema revealed that two Russian women  a travel agent and a hairdresser  ran a recruitment scheme using false pretenses. They reportedly promised construction work with lucrative pay  construction gigs providing $2,000 monthly, or 100 times the average Cuban salary  only for Cubans to have their passports confiscated upon arriving in Russia and being pressured into signing a contract with the countrys military. Russian authorities later arrested both women.

In September 2023, Cuban authorities announced they had arrested 17 people involved in a human trafficking network recruiting Cubans to fight for Russia. There have been no subsequent updates.

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It was not immediately clear what role the Cuban government played in the scheme, although the totalitarian nature of the country, which maintains strict travel controls on its citizens, suggests at least a certain degree of complicity. Melnyk, Ukraines ambassador to the UN, said the recruitment was taking place openly with the silent consent of Havanas authorities.

Cuba and Russia have long maintained warm relations, rooted in the close ties the two countries forged during the Cold War. The Cuban government also has a track record of sending its citizens to fight in foreign wars aligned with the leaderships objectives; during the Cold War, these were primarily anti-colonial struggles in African nations, such as Angola.

Additionally, due to the U.S. embargo, Cuba is heavily reliant on a few friendly nations to support its struggling economy. Under the military cooperation agreement ratified on Oct. 8, Russia will provide the energy-starved island nation with 1.64 million tons of petroleum annually.
The Zimbabwe government has finally approved the involvement of independent power producers (IPPs) and private companies to generate, sell, and distribute electricity in the country, marking a significant policy shift for a country that has been struggling with high power demand but low supply. The government also plans to launch a competitive bidding process in 2026, further liberalizing the sector.

According to a public notice issued by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA), the move will help attract more investments into the sector, improve efficiency, and ensure universal access to electricity by 2030. The government is targeting $9 billion in fresh investments into the power sector in the coming years, with roughly $4.4 billion expected to come from private investors.

Zimbabwes electricity sector is characterized by a lack of diversification, with Hwange Coal Station supplying 68.1% of the power supply while the Kariba Hydroelectric Station supplies 27.5%. The countrys daily peak demand is estimated at 1900 megawatts, well above the maximum output of 1200 megawatts by Hwange and Kariba. National electrification stands at a mere 40%, with just 16% of the rural population accessing the vital commodity.

Related: U.S. Nuclear Output Forecast to Surge 27% After 2035

Hwange, Zimbabwe's largest thermal power station, is currently undergoing expansion and refurbishment to increase its electricity generation capacity. The station has a total installed capacity of 1520MW after the addition of two 300MW units in 2023.

The older units, including two 220MW plants and four 120MW plants, are being refurbished to improve their reliability, as they were previously operating at a fraction of their capacity due to frequent breakdowns. Power Technology reports that a deal with Indias Jindal Power was signed to finance, refurbish, and operate the older units.

Other proposed coal power plants include the Western Coal and Energy power station and the Titan power station. Zimbabwe has significant coal reserves, with estimates from 2019 suggesting 502 million tonnes of proven reserves and a much larger figure of 25,000 million tonnes for potential resources. These reserves are concentrated in areas like Hwange and are subject to ongoing exploration and development efforts, though some projects face challenges due to factors like limited investment and evolving global energy dynamics.

Meanwhile, the countrys hydroelectric power output is also expected to increase. Last year, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) allocated 27 billion cubic meters of water for power generation at the Kariba Dam for the current year, enough to increase power generation at Kariba Hydro-Power Station by 70%. The 27 billion cubic meters is split equally into 13.5 billion for the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) and 13.5 billion cubic meters for ZESCO Limited (Zambia).

This was an increase from the 16 billion cubic meters allocated in 2024, based on favorable rainfall projections for the 20242025 rainy season. However, the allocation is subject to review depending on actual rainfall and water inflows to Lake Kariba. The water allocation for 2026 has been set at 30 billion cubic meters, a further increase over the 2025 figure.

Further, Zimbabwe is developing natural gas electricity generation, focusing on projects to monetize newly discovered gas resources for both domestic use and export. Back in June, Invictus Energy confirmed its first commercial gas discovery in the Cabora Bassa basin, positioning Zimbabwe amongst Africas emerging natural gas producers.

Invictus Energy is developing a gas-to-power project to supply gas to the Eureka Gold Mine, which will also help with domestic power generation. The company has outlined plans for further high-impact drilling to target and expand its gas discoveries, which will be used for future electricity generation projects. Located within the Cabora Bassa project area, the Mukuyu gas field is estimated to hold 1.2 trillion cubic feet of gas and 73 million barrels of condensate.

Zimbabwes underdeveloped renewable energy sector is garnering some attention, too. Last year, the government launched the Zimbabwe Renewable Energy Fund (ZimREF) in partnership with the United Nations Joint SDG Fund and Old Mutual Zimbabwe. The launch was supported by various UN agencies, including UNESCO, UNCDF, UNDP, and UN Women.

Based on current commitments from various investors, including private investors, commercial banks, and private investors, the fund is expected to expand to $30 million by ethe nd of 2025, and $50 million by the end of 2026. The country has set a target to increase renewable power generation, excluding large hydro, from the current 7.8% to 29%, or 200MW of net-metered capacity by 2030.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

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Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has held a long-awaited meeting with the commanders of the brigades fighting on the Pokrovsk front.

Source: Syrskyi on Facebook

Quote: "The enemy is increasingly active in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad area [in Donetsk Oblast  ed.]. So I made another visit to this important front. I met with the commanders of the army corps, military units and subunits who are holding back the assault from the numerically superior enemy. I heard reports on the current situation and their needs and listened to their suggestions."

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Details: Lieutenant Colonel Serhii Tretiak, the commander of the 68th Separate Jaeger Brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush, and Colonel Taras Maksimov, the commander of the 155th Separate Mechanised Brigade, can be seen in the photos of the meeting that Syrskyi posted.

As far as Ukrainska Pravda is aware, this is the first time brigade commanders have been invited to a meeting with the commander-in-chief.

Read more: How Pokrovsk is imperceptibly falling: five observations by Ukrainska Pravda

Why this matters:

Direct communication with brigade commanders, rather than operational-tactical group or corps commanders, gives a much clearer understanding of the situation on the front line. Brigade commanders are the highest-ranking officers who regularly interact with frontline troops such as infantry and drone operators, and they have firsthand knowledge of the real situation.

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Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised journalists not to trust Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin when he offers media representatives access to combat zones, promising a temporary ceasefire.

Source: Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi on X (Twitter)

Details: Yesterday Putin claimed that Ukrainian forces are encircled in Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad (two neighbouring cities in Donetsk Oblast), as well as in Kupiansk (Kharkiv Oblast). To "verify" this, he has offered to "guarantee unhindered access" to those areas "for foreign journalists, including Ukrainian journalists".

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The Russian command has promised to halt the hostilities in those areas for five to six hours and to ensure unimpeded entry and exit corridors for foreign media representatives.

Quote from Tykhyi: "Frankly, I do not recommend that any reporters trust any of Putin's proposals for 'corridors' in the war zone. I saw firsthand how such proposals play out  on 29 August 2014, in Ilovaisk.

Putin's only goal is to prolong the war. And he has never kept any of his ceasefire pledges. Do not assist him in justifying his crimes through Russian provocations against journalists."

More details: The Foreign Ministry spokesman also reminded all media outlets that any visits to Russian-occupied territory without Ukraine's permission constitute a violation of the law and will have "long-term reputational and legal consequences". "We are watching closely," he stressed.

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For reference: At the end of August 2014, after fierce fighting, Ukrainian fighters were encircled near the city of Ilovaisk in Donetsk Oblast.

On the night of 28-29 August, Putin called on the Russian-backed militants to open a humanitarian corridor for the Ukrainian servicemen who were surrounded, to allow them to leave the combat zone without interference. But Russian troops opened fire on the corridor through which it had been agreed the Ukrainian fighters were to leave.

As a result of the Ilovaisk tragedy, Ukrainian forces suffered some of the heaviest losses since Russia's invasion of Donbas. Officially, 366 soldiers were killed, around 450 were wounded, 300 were captured and 84 went missing.

Background:

The Ukrainian Joint Forces have stated that heavy fighting is ongoing in and around Kupiansk, but that reports of Ukrainian troops being encircled there are false.

The 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Air Assault Forces and Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, have also said that Russian forces are failing to gain a foothold in Pokrovsk and Russian claims that the city is encircled are false.

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Hi, this is Chris York reporting from Kyiv on day 1,344 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Today's top story so far:

Russia on Oct. 30 bombed the Sloviansk Thermal Power Plant in Donetsk Oblast killing two people and injuring others, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

"This is exclusively terror. Normal people do not fight like this, and there must be an appropriate reaction of the world to such a Russian war," he said in a post on social media.

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It is unclear whether the power plant, with a capacity of 830 megawatts and located just outside Sloviansk, is currently operational and generating power.

Russian forces launched a mass missile and drone attack against Ukraine's energy infrastructure overnight on Oct. 30.

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 592 out of the 653 Shahed-type attack drones and other drones, and 31 out of 52 missiles launched by Russia overnight, according to the Air Force. Seventy-nine strikes were recorded at 20 locations.

Shooting at draft office in Poltava Oblast leaves 2 soldiers injured

Last updated 7:50 p.m. Kyiv time.

Two soldiers working at a draft office in the city of Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast have been injured, after a man shot them while being mobilized, the regional recruitment center said on Oct. 30.

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The incident comes amid bubbling tensions in Ukrainian society around forced mobilization, a necessary measure to keep Ukrainian units on the battlefield manned and replenished.

The man was being escorted by draft officers, together with a representative of the police, to the recruitment center, where  upon a check for any illegal items on his person  he pulled out a Soviet-era Tokarev pistol and let off several rounds, the center posted on Facebook.

Read also: Shooting at draft office in Poltava Oblast leaves 2 soldiers injured

Video shows Russian drone hitting Sumy gas station  4 injured, including journalist

Last updated 5:09 p.m. Kyiv time.

A Russian drone attack on the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy injured at least four, including the manager of a local television station, local authorities said on Oct. 30.

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The Russians carried out the strike with an Italmas long-range drone on Oct. 30, hitting a gas station, Mayor Artem Kobzar wrote on Telegram.

"Rescue workers were at the scene, surveying the area, dismantling damaged structures, and ensuring fire safety," Sumy Emergence Service said.

Four civilians were injured, including the Head of Sumy Channel, Maksym Tkachov.

According to the Institute of Mass Information (IMI), at the time of the attack, Tkachov had already refueled his car.

"Maxym Tkachov is currently in the hospital with through-and-through wounds to his legs. He also has a concussion," IMI said.

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Read also: Video shows Russian drone hitting Sumy gas station  4 injured, including journalist

Polish jets intercept Russian reconnaissance plane for second time this week

Last updated 3:40 p.m. Kyiv time.

Two Polish MiG-29 fighter jets intercepted a Russian Il-20 reconnaissance aircraft in international airspace over the Baltic Sea on the morning of Oct. 30, the Polish Armed Forces' Operational Command said.

The Russian plane, flying without a filed flight plan and with its transponder turned off, did not violate Polish airspace and was escorted out of the zone of responsibility, Poland's military said.

The incident follows a similar case from Oct. 28, when two Polish jets intercepted and escorted another Russian Il-20 aircraft over the Baltic Sea.

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The Ilyushin Il-20 is a Soviet-era reconnaissance aircraft designed for electronic surveillance, still in use by the Russian Armed Forces.

"Every day, Polish soldiers stand watch over the nation's skies with unwavering dedication," the Polish military said on X.

Read also: Polish jets intercept Russian reconnaissance plane for second time this week

Emergency power outages across Ukraine as Russia targets thermal power plants in mass missile, drone strike

Last updated 1:09 p.m. Kyiv time.

Emergency power outages were imposed on "all oblasts of Ukraine" due to yet another overnight mass Russian missile and drone attack targeting energy infrastructure, killing three people, and injuring at least 27 others, local authorities reported on Oct. 30.

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Russian forces struck multiple thermal power plants in various regions of Ukraine, DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine, said.

"The attacks caused fires at the facilities and resulted in damage to power plant equipment. Following the strikes, energy workers immediately began damage assessment and recovery operations," DTEK said.

According to DTEK, this marks the third major attack on the company's thermal power plants in a month. Three energy workers were injured in previous attacks.

"This attack is a bad blow in our efforts to keep power flowing this winter. Based on the intensity of attacks for the past two months, it is clear Russia is aiming for the complete destruction of Ukraine's energy system," CEO of DTEK, Maxim Timchenko, said.

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Read also: Vile attack  Emergency power outages across Ukraine as Russia targets thermal power plants in mass missile, drone strike

Kyiv closes embassy in Cuba over Russian military recruitment

Last updated 10:32 p.m. Oct. 20 Kyiv time.

Ukraine has closed its embassy in Havana and is "downgrading" diplomatic ties due to the high number of Cuban citizens recruited to fight Russia's full-scale war, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced Oct. 29.

The announcement came the same day that Ukraine voted against a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly to end the U.S. embargo against Cuba.

"Our vote is not against the Cuban people  we respect their right to live in prosperity. It is against the inaction of Cuba's authorities in response to massive recruitment of Cuban citizens to the Russian occupation army," Sybiha wrote on X.

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"Thousands of them have signed contracts, joining the ranks of soldiers directly engaged in combat operations on Ukrainian soil."

Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent on Oct. 15 that at least 1,076 Cuban nationals have fought or are fighting for Russia in Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine closes embassy in Cuba over Russian military recruitment

At least 7 killed, 70 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day

At least seven people were killed, and 57 people were injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over the past day, local authorities reported on Oct. 30.

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 592 out of the 653 Shahed-type attack drones and other drones, and 31 out of 52 missiles launched by Russia overnight, according to the Air Force. Seventy-nine strikes were recorded at 20 locations.

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In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, two people were killed and at least 27 people, including seven children, injured during the mass attack. One person was killed, and thirteen others were injured in other attacks over the previous day, according to Governor Ivan Fedorov.

In Vinnytsia Oblast, a seven-year-old child was killed and four others injured during the mass attack, according to local authorities. Critical infrastructure, residential buildings, and vehicles were also damaged.

A 36-year-old woman was injured in Boryspil, Kyiv Oblast, as a result of the drone attack, local authorities reported, adding that a fire broke out in a home, and residential buildings were damaged.

In Kherson Oblast, 12 people were injured in various Russian strikes over the past day, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.

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Two people were injured in Kharkiv Oblast, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

In Donetsk Oblast, two people were killed and seven others injured in strikes throughout the day, Governor Vadym Filashkin said.

In Sumy Oblast, one person was killed and four people were injured due to Russian strikes, according to local authorities.

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,140,860 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

Russia has lost around 1,140,860 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Oct. 30.

The number includes 960 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

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According to the report, Russia has also lost 11,305 tanks, 23,514 armored fighting vehicles, 65,993 vehicles and fuel tanks, 34,089 artillery systems, 1,531 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,232 air defense systems, 428 airplanes, 346 helicopters, 75,707 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

Read also: What we know about the encirclement of Ukraines Pokrovsk

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A Ukrainian pilot called the Gripen the only jet "for which I am ready to sell my soul."

Vadym Voroshylov said the Swedish jet is the ideal option for Ukraine.

The jet is viewed as the West's best fit for Ukraine as it was designed for a fight with Russia.

A Ukrainian fighter pilot says that he would sell his soul for only one aircraft: the Swedish-made Gripen.

Vadym Voroshylov, a well-known Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot with the call sign Karaya, wrote on Instagram this week that the JAS-39 Gripen "is the only fighter jet in the world I'd be willing to sell my soul for."

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He said that this jet us "ideal option" for Ukraine today and also reliable for the future.

Voroshylov's post came after Ukraine and Sweden signed a letter of intent to export up to 150 JAS 39 Gripen E fighter jets to Kyiv. The E variant is the newest and most advanced.

The jet was designed with a fight with Russia in mind, for the kind of war that Russia is waging in Ukraine. It's seen by many warfare experts as a solid option for the Ukrainian air force.

The Gripen was designed to operate even if air bases are destroyed and to require less maintenance than many Western jets, an advantage in wars like Russias, where airfields are frequent targets and missile and drone strikes can make few places safe.

A pilot's preferred jet

Voroshylov, who was named a Hero of Ukraine in 2022 and has made headlines throughout the war, including for shooting down two missiles and five drones during an attack on the city of Vinnytsia, shared a list of reasons why he's eager to get his hands on the Gripen.

Saab's JAS 39 Gripen is seen as a particularly good fit for Ukraine. JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images

Russia launches regular attacks on Ukrainian bases and airfields with its Shahed drones, Kalibr cruise missiles, Iskander ballistic missiles, and other weapons. Voroshylov said that the Swedish jet was designed for a fight in which an adversary is targeting airfields like this.

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The fighter can operate from damaged airfields, he said. The air intakes are on the sides of the fuselage, making it less likely that the aircraft will suck in small munitions fragments. The intake arrangement, he added, helps reduce radar detection.

The jet can also be refueled with its engine running and turned around for another sortie in minutes, capabilities Voroshylov said are life-saving. "Every second counts," he said, and the Swedish Gripen was made for rapid return to the air.

The Gripen can also carry MBDA's Meteor long-range air-to-air missile.

Voroshylov also said that the Gripen can use both American and European-made weapons, which is great for Ukraine as it fights with a vast array of weaponry it has received from allies.

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Additionally, Sweden's Gripen is one of the cheapest and most cost-efficient modern jets to operate. Voroshylov said the Gripen is cheaper to fly per hour than the MiG-29. In the long run, that works in Ukraine's favor.

Ukraine's future force

The jet would be a win for Ukraine's air force and for its industry. Swedish company Saab, the Gripen's manufacturer, said it is prepared to open a final assembly plant for Gripens in Ukraine and may also move some production of Gripens to Ukraine if the deal with Ukraine is finalized.

Sweden and Ukraine signed a letter of intent that could see Ukraine buy up to 150 Gripen fighter jets. Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP

Ukraine's air force is dominated by aging Soviet-designed aircraft, like the MiG-29, but it also flies some Western jets given to it by partner nations, including the American-made F-16 and France's Mirage . Gripens have long been on Kyiv's wish list, but only recently has there been movement there.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he expects to receive the first Gripens as early as next year. It is not clear how many would arrive in that first batch or when the others would come.

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Ukrainian pilots have been training on the jet, but there is likely significantly more work to be done as Ukraine juggles an extremely diverse fleet of aircraft. A benefit of this fleet is that it advances Ukrainian efforts to align with Western militaries.

Voroshylov had long been an advocate for his air force receiving Western jets. When he lobbied for F-16s in 2023, he said that these jets would help make Ukraine a stronger "shield" for the democratic world.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine (FISU) has reported that if pressure on Russia continues, the losses from the recent restrictions alone could reach US$50 billion per year.

Source: FISU

Details: Oleh Ivashchenko, Head of Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, briefed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the first detailed assessments of how the latest sanctions imposed by Ukraine's allies are affecting Russia's military machine.

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Based on this information, Ukraine's communication with partners on new sanctions will be adjusted.

Quote: "Russia has already suffered significant losses from the restrictions earlier imposed on oil companies, and it is expected that if principled and consistent pressure on Moscow continues, their losses from the recent restrictions alone will amount to at least US$50 billion per year."

Details: "But partners will also take more sanction steps  we are already getting such signals," Zelenskyy wrote on X (Twitter). "The volumes of oil supplied to the global market by Arab states can certainly prevent any destabilisation or price spikes that the Russians are talking about to sow fear."

The FISU also reported that "regular data exchange with key countries on Russian individuals and schemes that deserve sanctions has also been established." Many of Ukraine's proposals are being taken into account by its partners, the statement added.

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"Measures concerning Russia's tanker fleet, which were discussed with European leaders at the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, must also be fully implemented," the FISU added.

Ivashchenko also briefed Zelenskyy on the mood and near-term plans of China's leadership in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine.

"It is important that China contributes to efforts aimed at stopping Russia's ongoing attempts to expand and prolong the war. Our diplomats will receive relevant instructions based on information from recent meetings in the region," the president said.

Background:

Earlier, the FISU reported that the price of Russian Urals oil had fallen to its lowest level since spring, calling into question the realism of the budgetary plans of both Moscow and Minsk.

The intelligence service also said that Russia is increasingly "paying off" its allies in the war against Ukraine with its own territory. Lacking resources to develop its largest region  the Far Eastern Federal District  Moscow is paving the way for external expansion.

Previously, the FISU stated that Russia is trapped by its increased military spending and the fact that its defence industrial base has become the main driver of domestic demand.

Russia's economy has more serious problems than is officially acknowledged, and there is a real risk of a systemic banking crisis during the year.

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The United Nations Office for Partnerships, in collaboration with Fashinnovation, will host Design for the Planet: Leadership Panel Discussion on Nov. 6 at Hotel Santa Teresa in Rio de Janeiro. The event will coincide with the COP30 Local Leaders Forum and aims to emphasize Brazils role in sustainable and regenerative design through the intersection of fashion, lifestyle and climate innovation.

The forum will convene prominent figures from Brazils fashion and creative industries alongside international leaders in sustainability. Speakers include Oskar Metsavaht, founder of Osklen; Maria Laura Neves, managing director of Vogue Brasil; Carla Assumpcao, general manager for Latin America at Swarovski Crystal Business; Paulo Borges, founder of Sao Paulo Fashion Week; Omoyemi Akerele, founder of Lagos Fashion Week; Amanda Mendonca, executive secretary of the Rio Fashion Council; Dayana Molina, founder of Nalimo; Marcia Kemp, founder of Nannacay; and Fernanda Simon, executive director of Fashion Revolution Brasil.

More from WWD

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Brazils leadership in design, circularity and inclusion underscores the power of partnerships to transform creativity into climate action. We are proud to elevate the voices working toward a more sustainable and equitable future for people and planet, said Annemarie Hou, executive director of the United Nations Office for Partnerships, via statement.

Sessions will explore how design can drive local climate action while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals. Topics include circular fashion, responsible sourcing, and the integration of Indigenous and artisan practices into production systems. By connecting creative sectors with global climate priorities, the discussion positions Brazil as a case study in localized sustainability with international reach.

Brazil has always been a land of creativity, resilience and cultural power  and now its also a beacon for sustainable innovation, Marcelo Guimaraes, founder of Fashinnovation, said. At Fashinnovation, we believe that the future of fashion must be rooted in local wisdom and global collaboration.

The initiative forms part of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, supported by the U.N. Office for Partnerships and the Fashion Impact Fund. COP30 will take place in Belem, Brazil, from Nov. 10 to 21, bringing governments, experts, and organizations together to advance climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.



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Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
United Nations officials have condemned mass killings by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudans el-Fasher and warned the UN Security Council that the city has descended into an even darker hell.

The RSF took over el-Fasher, capital of North Darfur state, on Sunday after forcing Sudans army to withdraw from its last stronghold in the western Darfur region.

The situation is simply horrifying, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, assistant secretary-general of the United Nations for Africa, told a Security Council emergency session on Thursday.

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She said that the UN Human Rights Office has received credible reports of mass killings, summary executions and house-to-house searches as civilians attempted to flee.

The situation is chaotic. In this context, it is difficult to estimate the number of civilians killed. Despite commitments to protect civilians, the reality is that no one is safe in el-Fasher, she said. There is no safe passage for civilians to leave the city.





Residents in the city were being subjected to horrors the United Nations humanitarian chief said.

The city was already the scene of catastrophic levels of human suffering, [but] has descended into an even darker hell, Tom Fletcher told the UN Security Council.

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There were credible reports of widespread executions after Rapid Support Forces fighters entered the city, Fletcher said.

We cannot hear the screams, but  as we sit here today  the horror is continuing. Women and girls are being raped, people [are] being mutilated and killed with utter impunity.





Survivors recall attacks

For 18 months before Sudans army withdrew from the city, an RSF siege had trapped hundreds of thousands of people inside without food or essentials.

More than 36,000 people have fled since Saturday, largely on foot, to Tawila, a town around 70km (43 miles) west that is already sheltering roughly 650,000 displaced people.

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There was a lot of shelling, Fatima Abdulrahman, a woman displaced from el-Fasher, told Al Jazeera from Tawila. I myself have been affected by shells. Shelling killed my daughter, injured my other daughters eye and paralysed my son. My body is full of wounds and is swollen.

The fall of el-Fasher to the RSF could herald another split of Sudan, more than a decade after South Sudans creation. The latest war started in April 2023, when tension between the military and RSF exploded into fighting in the capital, Khartoum. The ensuing conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced more than 12 million.

What is happening in the city of el-Fasher is not an isolated incident, Al-Harith Idriss Al-Harith Mohamed, Sudans ambassador to the UN, told the Security Council. Rather, it is a continuation of a systematic pattern of killing and ethnic cleansing that this militia has carried out since its rebellion in April 2023.

More than 300 Colombians have been fighting in Sudans war. Why are they there? pic.twitter.com/iKSryvNG2V  AJ+ (@ajplus) October 30, 2025

Al Jazeeras Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, said thousands of people are continuing to flee el-Fasher. More than 652,000 people are internally displaced due to the conflict, according to the International Organization for Migration.

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Shelling and drone attacks were happening all the time, Aisha Ismael, a woman displaced from el-Fasher, told Al Jazeera from Tawila. They hit us with the backs of their rifles day and night unless we hid in the houses.

Fears of worsening conditions

Aid workers in Tawila fear conditions in the region will deteriorate as more internally displaced persons arrive from el-Fasher and food and medical supplies continue to dwindle.

The conditions are catastrophic, as weve been hearing, Mary Brace, technical protection advisor for Nonviolent Peaceforce, told Al Jazeera. The conflict is ongoing, and there is no guarantee of safe passage for civilians as they try to come towards Tawila.

Aid workers immediate concerns are providing those fleeing el-Fasher with food, water and emergency medical attention.

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The last months have been absolutely harrowing, Brace told Al Jazeera. People were talking about just the extreme fear of constant bombardment. The numbers of displaced people here, its just absolutely astounding. Theres just extreme levels of trauma.

Genocide

In a grim speech to the UN Security Council, Al-Harith Mohamed called the events unfolding in el-Fasher a genocide by all legal standards and definitions.

Women and girls are attacked in broad daylight, he said, adding that Sudan is wondering Where is the Security Council?

The Sudanese ambassador called on the UN to condemn the RSFs actions and designate the group as a terrorist organisation, demand the paramilitary group leave el-Fasher, enforce a year-old arms embargo related to the conflict, and sanction any outside forces supporting the RSF.

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Last year, the UN called on countries to stop supplying weapons to parties in the conflict in Sudan. A Security Council committee previously also sanctioned two generals from the RSF for destabilising the country through violence and human rights abuses.




YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)- Ohio is going head-to-head with Michigan in a spirited challenge to see which states residents search for the most unclaimed funds. The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Unclaimed Funds wants to raise awareness, helping Ohioans discover existing unclaimed money.

Millions of dollars go unclaimed each year because residents are simply unaware of these funds. The challenge aims to educate and engage residents while crushing the states longtime northern rival.

It involves you telling your friends, your circle, all about unclaimed funds and making sure theyve looked and claimed their money, said Susie Wagner, outreach supervisor for the Ohio Division of Unclaimed Funds.

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To join the challenge, residents can go to unclaimedfunds.org and search their name or their relatives, filing a claim via the departments user-friendly system.

Throughout November, each state will track the number of completed searches, and results will be shared the week of December 1. The department hopes to get more searches than Michigan.

Ohioans are encouraged to spread the word and encourage those around them to partake in the challenge. Residents have a chance to get extra cash in their pockets and bragging rights against their northern foe.

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.
An Oakland, Calif., grocery store displays a sign notifying shoppers that it accepts electronic benefit transfer cards used by state welfare departments to issue food assistance benefits. States are just beginning to implement changes to work requirements for the national food stamp program approved by Congress and President Donald Trump this summer. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

News that the Trump administration intends to let Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments lapse this November is deeply concerning as it will cause significant harm to the roughly 42 million people across our country who rely on this vital federal program to put food on the table. This includes 1.4 million people right here in Michigan.

Not only is it unconscionable and unprecedented to suspend these monthly benefits, its illegal.

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The Trump administration has several tools to keep food assistance flowing  as has been done throughout every previous government shutdown  but is now illegally choosing not to use them. They are currently sitting on billions in contingency funds set aside specifically for situations like this, but have thus far refused to tap into them. These contingency funds consist of the American peoples tax dollars and the administrations failure to use them as intended is nothing short of wasteful and reckless.

The administration also has the authority to redirect funds from other sources to keep SNAP afloat as was recently done for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program using tariff revenue. This redirection of funds to ensure WIC benefits continued to be provided in October prevented a major crisis and set an important precedent for SNAP.

The human cost of delaying SNAP benefits is very real here in Michigan. SNAP is a critical lifeline for 1 in 4 Michigan children, 1 in 10 Michigan workers and roughly 1 in 10 veterans in the state. People who are struggling to get by in every Michigan county will be harmed if action is not taken, and this delay is coming at a time when grocery prices and food insecurity are already on the rise in our Great Lakes State.

In addition to the human cost of letting payments lapse, it will also have an adverse economic impact on the more than 9,000 authorized retailers across Michigan that participate in SNAP. These retailers redeem nearly $2 billion in SNAP benefits annually.

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Michiganders are already reeling from the cuts made to SNAP and Medicaid through the passage of the federal Republican megabill earlier this year. Now, the federal budget stalemate is subjecting them to even greater hardship related to food and health care access, which are indelibly linked. When families cant afford medical care, they have to cut spending on other survival needs, like food. And, in turn, increased hunger leads to more health problems.

That is why any budget deal to reopen the federal government and resume SNAP payments must include extension of critical health premium tax credits, which keep health coverage affordable for nearly half a million Michiganders. In the meantime, any delay, reduction or complete shutdown of SNAP benefits is entirely avoidable and unacceptable. Steps should have already been taken to ensure participants are able to continue feeding their families.

The tools are available to keep SNAP benefits in place until Congress reaches a budget deal that preserves the health insurance tax credits. Reserve funds are sitting untouched as families, children, workers, seniors and veterans across our country and state brace for their SNAP payments to be illegally stripped away this November.

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Laman Ismayilova



Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder of the IDEA Public Union, has attended the premiere of the documentary "Hirkan" on October 29 at the Heydar Aliyev Congress Center in Gabala, Azernews reports.

This film is the latest installment in the IDEA Public Union's special project, "12 Wonders of Azerbaijan," and focuses on the Hirkan National Park, one of Azerbaijan's most cherished natural sites.

The documentary highlights the unique ecosystem of the Hirkan region, home to rare flora and fauna, and underscores ongoing efforts to preserve it.

Directed by Igor Byshnev, the film is part of a larger initiative aimed at promoting the country's natural heritage.

So far, eight documentaries have been produced as part of the "12 Wonders of Azerbaijan" project under Leyla Aliyeva's leadership. These films have garnered significant attention, attracting millions of viewers on social media and raising awareness of Azerbaijan's environmental treasures.

The project "12 Wonders of Azerbaijan" covers national parks from various geographical regions across the country, such as Aghgol, Shirvan, Hirkan, Altiaghaj, Absheron, Shahdagh, Goygol, Samur-Yalama, Gizilaghaj, Akhar-Bakhar, Ilisu, and the Zangazur National Park, which is named after Academician Hasan Aliyev.

These parks are vital in safeguarding and showcasing the nation's rich natural heritage.
Asian energy importers are curbing their appetite for thermal coal as prices rebound after falling to the lowest in four years earlier in 2025.

Reuters Clyde Russell reported today that October coal arrivals in China, India, Japan, and South Korea were all going to be lower than the September total because of the price developments. Since June, when thermal coal fell to a four-year low, prices for Australian coal have added 16% while Indonesian coal prices have inched up by 12%.

The price recovery was driven by higher Chinese imports during the summer. After months of declining coal imports earlier this year, with July arrivals down by 23% from a year earlier, Chinas coal imports strengthened in August and remained at elevated levels in September, too.

Lower demand amid the property crisis and weaker industrial growth, combined with rising domestic production, to weigh on coal imports in China in the first half of the year. In the second half, industrial growth has picked up, driving demand for energy higher.

Chinas coal imports this month are seen at 28.17 million tons by research firm DBX Commodities. That would be down from 28.43 million tons in September and from 33.53 million tons in October 2024.

India is seen importing 13.35 million tons of thermal coal this month, down from 13.76 million tons in September and from 13.82 million tons in October 2024.

Japan is expected to record a more palpable decline in coal imports this month, to 9.52 million tons from 10.44 million tons in September. A year ago, Japans total imports for October were 9.94 million tons.

South Korea is also trimming its thermal coal imports considerably, with October arrivals seen at 6.45 million tons, down from 8.19 million tons in September. On an annual basis, however, South Koreas coal imports will be higher this October, up from 5.92 million tons last year.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
"Such an Israeli action north of the Blue Line constitutes a blatant violation of Security Council Resolution 1701 and Lebanons sovereignty."

UNIFIL expressed concern over an Israeli incursion in Blida on Thursday morning, in a post on X/Twitter in the evening.

"Such an Israeli action north of the Blue Line constitutes a blatant violation of Security Council Resolution 1701 and Lebanons sovereignty," the organization said.

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"UNIFIL reiterates its call for all parties to fully commit to the cessation of hostilities and emphasizes that the extension of state authority through its institutions is central to Resolution 1701. UNIFIL remains in communication with the Lebanese Armed Forces regarding the incident."

"An immediate threat"

The Israeli military confirmed its troops had operated in Blida overnight, saying they opened fire after identifying "an immediate threat" during an operation to destroy Hezbollah infrastructure. The incident was under review, it added.

It was unclear whether Salameh had been deliberately targeted, and, if so, the reasons behind it.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun condemned the attack, calling it part of a broader pattern of Israeli aggression. He noted the incident occurred shortly after a meeting of the committee monitoring the cessation of hostilities, urging the committee to push Israel to honor the November 27, 2024, ceasefire agreement and halt its breaches of Lebanese sovereignty.

UNIFIL vehicles drive in southern Lebanon, October 11, 2024; illustrative. (credit: REUTERS/KARAMALLAH DAHER)

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also condemned the incursion, describing it as "a blatant attack on the institutions and sovereignty of the Lebanese state."

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Lebanon's army has deployed to the area, but no further details were provided.

Despite the ceasefire agreement reached nearly a year ago, Israel has continued airstrikes and limited ground operations in Lebanese territory.

Israel says these actions are intended to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its military presence in the south. However, Lebanon accuses Israel of violating the truce, with tensions continuing to rise along the border.

Reuters contributed to this report.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Union Station is celebrating 111 years in Kansas City.

Created from the mind of architect Jarvis Hunt, construction on Union Station began in 1911, and on Oct. 30, 1914, the city celebrated its grand opening. Just after midnight on the morning of Nov. 1, 1914, the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Flyer became the first train to arrive at the newly opened station.

Movie based on Americas first Black female millionaire premiers in Kansas City

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When completed, it was the third-largest train station in the country, a building President Woodrow Wilson called the gateway to the West.

The finished construction project cost nearly $6 million and was part of a $50 million investment by the Kansas City Terminal Railroad that also included track additions, switching towers, viaducts, and bridges, according to Union Station.

Photo courtesy: Union Station Photo courtesy: Union Station Photo courtesy: Union Station

On June 17, 1933, Kansas Citys Union Station was at the center of an incident that would shape law enforcement for the next generation.

The short flurry of gunfire that was the Kansas City Massacre lasted just a few seconds but ended with two KCPD Officers, an Oklahoma Police Chief, a federal agent, and the escaped bank robber they were escorting to Leavenworth dead and two other agents wounded.

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The FBI didnt have much power, and some historical sources suggest federal agents moving Nash through Kansas City werent even supposed to be carrying guns when they were ambushed.

The result was new legislation within a year that expanded how federal agents could fight crime across state lines.

Union Station also played a role in the life and career of Walt Disney. While living in Kansas City, Disney started the Laugh-O-Gram Studio near 31st Street and Troost Avenue. To save money, Disney would take showers at Union Station, according to VisitKC. After the studio folded, Disney bought a first-class ticket from Union Station to Hollywood and the rest is history.

Union Stations Holiday Reflections experience returning for 2025 season

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Today, Union Station is home to several traveling and long-term interactive exhibits, restaurants and retail stores.

Inside, it has become a museum that tells the story of train travel in Kansas City and the development of the station.

Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV

According to VisitKC, about 2 million guests visit Union Station every 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
A routine United Airlines flight from Des Moines to Chicago turned into a four-hour ordeal for passengers Monday after a dispute between two flight attendants escalated to the point where the entire cabin crew had to be replaced.

United Airlines Flight UA-2138, scheduled to depart Des Moines International Airport at 11:26 a.m., remained grounded until 3:24 p.m. after what internal company records describe as a "disagreement" between flight attendants that required management intervention.

The situation became so heated that United's airport management team was forced to deplane all passengers from the Airbus A320 and remove the entire flight crew before scrambling to find replacement staff.

Internal Records Reveal Details

An internal flight departure record reviewed by aviation publication PYOK shows the delay was officially attributed to "Crew availability," with additional notes stating: "Disagreement on 2 of the FAs [Flight Attendants]. IFDM [Inflight Duty Manager] pulling all crew and will need to recrew flight".

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The aircraft was deplaned around 12:10 p.m. as United worked to locate replacement crew members for the short 299-mile route to Chicago O'Hare.

Passengers Face Extended Delay

The flight ultimately departed at 3:24 p.m. and arrived in Chicago at 5:09 p.m., representing a delay of four hours and 12 minutes. The delay affected 142 passengers who had to wait in the terminal while the airline resolved the staffing issue.

Unusually, United did not post any public explanation for the delay on their flight status page, despite normally providing detailed reasons for such disruptions.

Rare but Not Unprecedented

While crew disputes causing flight delays are uncommon, this incident follows a similar pattern seen across the industry. In 2023, two American Eagle flight attendants got into a heated argument over seat assignments, resulting in a delay of more than two hours when both crew members refused to work together.

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Aviation analysts note that such incidents highlight the unique challenges of airline crew dynamics, where flight attendants often work with colleagues they've never met before on nearly every trip.

Company Response

A spokesperson for United Airlines did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the incident. The airline has not disclosed what disciplinary actions, if any, may result from the dispute.

The incident occurred during ongoing contract negotiations between United and its flight attendants' union, though there is no indication the dispute was related to labor issues.

Flight UA-2138 resumed normal operations Tuesday with no reported delays on the Des Moines-Chicago route.
NEED TO KNOW

A reported "disagreement" between two United flight attendants caused a nearly four-hour plane delay on Monday

United Airlines flight 2138 was set to depart Des Moines, Iowa, for Chicago at 11:26 a.m. local time, but did not leave until 3:24 p.m.

Passengers reportedly deplaned as a result of the incident

Passengers preparing to fly out of Des Moines, Iowa, on Monday were met with a four-hour delay after a reported incident between two flight attendants transpired on board.

The situation occurred on Monday, Oct. 27, as United Airlines flight UA 2138 was preparing to depart Des Moines International Airport. According to FlightAware, the Airbus A320 was originally scheduled to take off at 11:26 a.m. local time, but did not leave for Chicago OHare International Airport until 3:24 p.m.

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In internal records reviewed by Paddle Your Own Kanoo and One Mile at a Time, United cited the reason for the delay as a disagreement between two crew members.



Crew availability flight attendant: disagreement on 2 of the [flight attendants.] [Inflight duty manager] pulling all crew and will need to recrew flight, the log noted.

A subsequent message at 12:08 p.m. confirmed the aircraft was deplaned.

After re-crewing, the flight eventually left, nearly four hours after its scheduled departure time. The aircraft landed at 5:09 p.m. in Chicago, 4 hours and 12 minutes late, according to FlightAware.

Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty A United Airlines plane A United Airlines plane

A representative for United declined to comment on the matter after PEOPLEs request.

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Earlier this month, a Delta Air Lines flight attendant caused delays after accidentally deploying an emergency slide at an arrival gate.

The mishap occurred on Saturday, Oct. 25, on flight 3248 from Pittsburgh, Penn., to Salt Lake City, Utah, according to a Delta spokesperson.

While the aircraft door was being opened, crew inadvertently deployed an emergency slide at the arrival gate in PIT, a spokesperson said in a statement. As a result, customers on the return flight from PIT to SLC were rebooked on other Delta flights to their destination later that evening or the following morning.

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.

Data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft departed almost four hours late, taking off at 9:21 p.m. instead of the initially scheduled 5:30 p.m. takeoff. It later landed at 11:12 p.m., over three hours late.



Passengers were reportedly stuck on board until engineers were able to manually detach the chute, which took about an hour, per the New York Post.

Read the original article on People
The Downtown Children's Center in St. Louis, Missouri, was able to stay open for working families during the pandemic by using federal grants. (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)

When Congress returns to work and Nebraska lawmakers prepare for the 2026 legislative session in January, there are few issues that garner as much bipartisan support on the federal or state level as child care.

New data from research conducted in four states, including Nebraska, shows something that may surprise many: Nebraskans share more common ground than our divisions often suggest.

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Almost three-quarters of Nebraska voters believe families with young children are struggling a lot in this economy, and 60% say the government is doing too little to help. The vast majority, across the political spectrum, support programs that help children and families and dont want to see them cut.

At the center of this agreement is one of our states deepest values: children and families. Nebraskans believe that supporting families with young children is essential to the strength of our communities and the future of our state.

Shared values, shared solutions

Families are facing the ever-rising costs of groceries, housing, health care and child care. Nearly half of Nebraska voters (44%) say they are personally concerned about the cost of child care. And more than three-quarters (78%) agree government should make it easier for families to get the help they need, noting that Nebraskas income thresholds to qualify for assistance are too low.

When asked what matters most, voters consistently point to flexibility and choice, recognizing that different families need different supports to thrive. Thats why proposals like expanded assistance for working parents resonate so strongly. Nebraskans value accountability, but we also value fairness. We dont want to cut off families who are already working hard. We want to help them succeed. People respect independence while acknowledging reality: families need more support, not more red tape.

Moving beyond the divides

Too often, policy debates become bogged down in arguments that lose sight of what makes our state the Good Life and keeps our communities strong. Nebraskans are clear: they dont want new barriers that punish families. They want their elected officials to keep their eyes on the bigger picture.

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The truth is simple: When parents lose child care or cant afford food or health care, children pay the price. And Nebraskans agree thats unacceptable.

A moment to lead

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer recently reintroduced the Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2025, a bill that strengthens parental choice, supports Nebraskas child care workforce and invests in the supply of high-quality options for families. Her leadership shows whats possible when we focus on practical solutions that help parents succeed at work and at home.

As our congressional delegation and state lawmakers return to the peoples work, they should take note of this consensus. Supporting families with children is a Nebraska value. If federal progress is made while state leaders roll back assistance for child care in Nebraska, it sends a mixed message to families. We should work together to ensure that child care remains strong at both the national and state level.

Families raising the next generation of Nebraskans deserve no less.

Elizabeth Everett is deputy director and public policy manager for First Five Nebraska.

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(Reuters) -Universal Music Group said on Wednesday it has settled a copyright infringement case with artificial intelligence company Udio and that the two firms will collaborate on a new suite of creative products.

Under the agreement, the companies will launch a platform next year that leverages generative AI trained on authorized and licensed music.

In 2024, major record labels Sony Music, Universal Music Group and Warner Records had sued Udio and another AI firm called Suno, accusing them of committing mass copyright infringement by using the labels' recordings to train music-generating AI systems.

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The labels alleged that the AI companies copied hundreds of songs from some of the world's most popular musicians to teach their systems to create music that will "directly compete with, cheapen, and ultimately drown out" human artists.

At the time, Suno and Udio argued that using copyrighted sound recordings to train their systems qualified as fair use under U.S. copyright law and described the lawsuits as attempts to stifle independent competition.

Earlier this month, a federal judge in Manhattan dismissed rapper Drake's defamation lawsuit over Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us" against UMG, which releases both artists' music. Lamar and Drake had been engaged in a long-running feud with several high-profile diss tracks against each other.

UMG is the world's biggest music label, and its catalogue of artists also includes Taylor Swift, BTS, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter and Lady Gaga.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
North Dakota State University President David Cook, left, and Dickinson State University President Scott Molander on Oct. 29, 2025, sign an agreement to expand pharmacy classes to the Dickinson campus. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

FARGO  An agreement between North Dakota State University and Dickinson State University aims to fill the need for pharmacists in the western part of the state.

The agreement signed Wednesday will allow students at Dickinson State to take pre-pharmacy classes, either online or a hybrid format. High-achieving students at Dickinson may qualify for early admission to NDSUs doctor of pharmacy program, the only such program in the state.

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The program launches in the spring semester.

Amy Werremeyer of the North Dakota State University College of Pharmacy discusses adding classes at Dickinson State University on Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

Amy Werremeyer, professor and chair of the NDSU College of Pharmacy, said Dickinson State can help fill a big geographic hole of pharmacy school access.

Western North Dakota, Dickinson, is smack dab in the middle of that hole, she said.

NDSU is the closest pharmacy college to Dickinson, even though the Fargo campus is nearly 300 miles away.

We really see a lot of opportunity for attracting people to Dickinson to train to enter the profession of pharmacy, said Werremeyer, who grew up in Dickinson with her parents running a pharmacy.

President David Cook said part of NDSUs mission as a land grant university is to serve the whole state.

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We know there are health care needs in just about every discipline, in every area, and extending our reach out to western North Dakota and Dickinson is really quite important, Cook said.

There are about 30 active job postings for pharmacists across the state, with more than half of those in western North Dakota.

Scott Molander is a western North Dakota native who was named Dickinson State president in March.

The most important thing is were taking care of our students and our communities, Molander said.

Reach North Dakota Monitor Deputy Editor Jeff Beach at jbeach@northdakotamonitor.com.
Exxon has canceled a public appearance by several executives scheduled for today, at which they were supposed to reaffirm the companys commitment to the Rovuma LNG project, currently frozen, in the company of Mozambiques president, Daniel Chapo.

The $30-billion facility that will be the biggest LNG export hub in Africa once completed has yet to receive a final investment decision, mainly due to the unstable security situation in the Cabo Delgado region, where both Rovuma and TotalEnergies Mozambique LNG are located. Mozambique LNG was under force majeure until this month when the French supermajor lifted it.

However, the Financial Times suggested in a report today on Exxons cancellation of the joint Rovuma briefing that the security situation may well be the reason for that cancellation. The publication cited multiple calls for both LNG projects to be delayed because Islamist insurgents are active in the area.

The security situation has got much worse, the FT cited a senior adviser with Oxfam as saying. People are talking about attacks happening on a nightly basis on highways around the [Rovuma] project. I just dont understand how you can have a genuine conversation on whether or not this project moves forward in this context, Andrew Bogrand said.

Islamist activity in Mozambique has plagued the countrys energy plans for years. Until relatively recently, the Rwandan army was working in tandem with forces from the Southern African Development Community to contain the insurgents, but these withdrew from the security mission in Mozambique after money for payments for the security services provided started running out.

According to one conflict monitoring organization and the UN Refugee Agency, extremist activity has intensified in northern Mozambique, with the organization, Acled, reporting 22 deaths in the week to October 26 and the UNRA reporting 100,000 people fled their homes because of the violence.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG)  The University of West Florida has received a $579,000 grant to improve STEM teacher preparation.

Mobile couple stranded as Hurricane Melissa makes its way towards Jamaica

STEM includes the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.

The grant is part of a larger $1,498,899 grant awarded across five universities from the National Science Foundation.

Over the next four years, teams will work with approximately 250 college students preparing to become teachers to study how virtual reality and artificial intelligence compare to more traditional models of teaching.

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This research explores the potential of artificial intelligencedriven avatars in virtual reality to transform the way future STEM teachers learn to teach, Dr. John Pecore, professor in the UWF School of Education, said. The immersive environment gives preservice teachers a safe, authentic space to practice leading classroom discussions and receive feedback in real time.

UPDATE: 24-year-old man shot Tuesday night on First Court

Pecore said the team will be able to identify approaches that bolster teacher confidence and are effective within the STEAM classrooms by comparing the AI experiences with traditional peer-teaching.

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.
UNION COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  An Upstate man was placed behind bars for reportedly committing child sex crimes.

The Union County Sheriffs Office arrested 75-year-old Henry Bolick III, of Union, on Monday on charges of solicitation of a minor.

The arrest followed a report received by the Sheriffs Office on Sunday regarding possible solicitation. Bolick faces two counts of solicitation of a minor, related to an incident that occurred in March 2025.

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According to the arrest warrants, between the dates of March 1 and March 7, the suspect knowingly contacted a juvenile under the age of 18 for the purpose of persuading, inducing, enticing or coercing the person to engage or participate in a sexual activity.

A Union County judge has set Bolicks bond at $180,000.

The investigation into the matter is ongoing, and authorities have stated that additional details will be released as they become 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 WSPA 7NEWS.
By Diana Novak Jones

CHICAGO (Reuters) -A top U.S. border official wont have to appear before a judge in Chicago on Wednesday after a U.S. appeals court paused her order directing him to come to court every weekday to answer questions about the Trump administrations immigration crackdown in the city.

Just hours before U.S. Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino was slated to appear in U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis courtroom Wednesday evening, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals halted Ellis order. Government attorneys had argued the directive interferes with Bovinos work enforcing federal immigration law.

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At the end of a highly unusual hearing on Tuesday, Ellis had issued an extraordinary order requiring Bovino to appear regularly in her court to discuss the day's immigration enforcement operations. During the hearing, she read aloud from a prior order setting limits on federal agents' use of force and chastised him for apparently violating its terms.

U.S. Justice Department lawyers had filed a petition with the appeals court on Wednesday afternoon, asking the 7th Circuit to immediately pause Ellis' ruling before Bovino was scheduled to appear at 5:45 p.m. local time (2245 GMT) and to consider whether it was proper for her to order it.

President Donald Trump, a Republican, has made Chicago, the third largest U.S. city, a focus of his aggressive immigration enforcement during the past two months. Under Bovino's leadership, federal agents have used tear gas in residential areas and forcibly subdued protesters while attempting to arrest people suspected of being in the country illegally, drawing criticism and legal scrutiny.

Ellis is presiding over a lawsuit filed by protesters, journalists and clergy alleging they were deliberately targeted and brutalized during demonstrations and challenging the legality of the tactics used by officials.

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An attorney for the plaintiffs declined to comment.

On October 9, Ellis entered a temporary restraining order requiring federal agents to provide warnings before deploying anti-riot weapons such as tear gas and to wear clear identification. Ellis later required agents who have body cameras to turn them on during their work.

The plaintiffs in the case have provided Ellis with video that they said showed federal agents violating the judge's order, including video that appeared to show Bovino throwing a tear gas canister without warning protesters.

During Tuesday's hearing, Ellis reprimanded Bovino over his agency's actions and told him to get a body camera to wear himself. She also gave the government until Friday to provide her with all of Border Patrols reports on its use of force against protesters, dating back to when the operation began on September 2.

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In response to protests, Trump has attempted to send National Guard troops to Illinois, but the move has been halted for now by another court.

(Reporting by Diana Novak Jones; Editing by Leslie Adler, Alexia Garamfalvi, Daniel Wallis and Diane Craft)
By Doina Chiacu, Maiya Keidan and Alexandra Alper

(Reuters) -Washington's decision to delay a rule on export restrictions for Chinese companies, announced by China after Thursday's summit meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, could end up making the measure ineffective, former U.S. officials said.

The one-year suspension of the so-called affiliates rule, which had sought to prevent sanctioned Chinese companies from using subsidiaries to bypass U.S. controls on tech exports, would give those companies the breathing room they need to create workarounds, the officials said.

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The rule, unveiled on September 29, barred Chinese firms at least 50% owned by sanctioned companies from receiving U.S. tech exports. It drew strong opposition from Beijing.

"This pause may give Chinese entities sufficient time to reorganize corporate structures and holdings to circumvent any re-imposition of the (rule)," said Nazak Nikakhtar, who served at the Commerce Department during Trump's first term.

"Chinese companies have, over the years, become very adept at circumventing U.S. laws," she added.

The rule was suspended as part of the summit between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea, in exchange for China delaying its restrictions on rare earth mineral exports, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday.

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"Yes, we are going to be suspending that for a year in return for the suspension ...on the rare earth licensing regime," he told Fox Business Network.

The measure, which had long been sought by China hawks in Washington, hit 20,000 additional Chinese firms with U.S. export restrictions, vastly expanding the universe of blacklisted China-linked parties from the previous 1,300, according to a recent report from WireScreen.

"(The delay) could significantly limit the national security benefits that proponents of the rule were hoping for," said Saif Khan, who served as director of Technology and National Security at the White House National Security Council under former President Joe Biden.

Trade lawyer Dan Fisher-Owens cautioned, however, that U.S. companies may still be wary of resuming shipments to Chinese firms affected by the affiliates rule.

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"This heightened awareness, and the potential for re-imposition if negotiations sour, may prevent a return to business as usual with affected affiliates," he said.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu, Maiya Keidan and Alexandra Alper; Editing by Edmund Klamann)
By Doina Chiacu and Alexandra Alper

(Reuters) -The U.S. will suspend for one year a new measure that vastly expanded the number of Chinese firms facing tough restrictions on access to U.S. technology, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday.

The move, agreed as part of President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping's summit, came in exchange for China delaying by one year its restrictions on rare earth mineral exports, key ingredients for tech that are primarily controlled by China.

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When asked about the so-called affiliates rule on Fox Business Network, Bessent said "Yes, we are going to be suspending that for a year in return for the suspension ...on the rare earth licensing regime."

The rule, unveiled by the Trump administration on Sept. 29 and strongly opposed by Beijing, essentially barred Chinese firms at least 50% owned by previously sanctioned companies from receiving U.S. tech exports. The measure, which sought to make it harder for Chinese firms to use subsidiaries to buy restricted technology, hit 20,0000 new Chinese firms with U.S. export restrictions, according to a recent report from WireScreen.

The moratorium comes after Trump and Xi were able to discuss big picture issues with great respect at their meeting earlier in the day in South Korea, Bessent said in the interview.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu, Maiya Keidan and Alexandra Alper; editing by Susan Heavey and Chizu Nomiyama )
By Jana Winter

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -FBI investigations have been slowed or stalled by the second-longest U.S. government shutdown in history, leaving the bureau without funds to pay informants or make undercover drug or gun buys, gaps that an FBI spokesperson said are putting national security at risk.

The FBI does not provide detailed public information about how its $10.7 billion budget is spent and it is not clear how much of the total has been held up due to the shutdown, according to five current and three former FBI employees.

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The shutdown, now in its 30th day, has frozen FBI funds used for operational travel, such as when an informant needs to travel to meet a drug supplier or boss or another investigative subject, the sources said. FBI employees are also without funds to travel outside their local areas.

In a shutdown, the FBIs eyes and ears go dark, said retired FBI agent Tom Simon, who worked counterterrorism and criminal cases and at one point worked on a squad recruiting and paying informants. Without funds to pay informants, the Bureau loses its most critical source of real-time intelligence, said Simon, who retired in 2021 after 26 years at the FBI and now works as a private investigator in Florida.

In response to a Reuters inquiry about the shutdown's effects on investigations, the FBI acknowledged its operations had been affected.

President Trump has repeatedly called for the federal government to reopen and the FBI fully concurs with that position," an FBI spokesperson told Reuters. "As Director (Kash) Patel has previously stated, this shutdown puts the FBI in an extremely difficult position of reallocating already limited resources across numerous critical law enforcement efforts ... there is no doubt that those choosing to play politics with government funding are putting national security at risk.

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The shutdown has furloughed hundreds of thousands of workers, has interfered with the collection and distribution of economic data and has threatened to cut off food and education aid programs. President Donald Trump's administration has worked to find ways to continue to pay some law enforcement agents and active-duty military, but the FBI employees said that the bureau's operations are still not fully funded.

Democrats, the minority in Congress, have withheld their votes from funding bills in an effort to extend subsidies to the health insurance of some 24 million Americans.

The government shutdown is affecting a lot of investigations, national security, criminal investigations, white collar, etc., said former agent Dan Brunner, who worked on cases involving the MS-13 gang.

Managing informants who havent been paid requires some massaging by experienced agents to keep the case going, Brunner said, adding that this could prove challenging since many experienced agents have left the bureau over the last six months.

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Last week, the FBI paid its special agents  a small fraction of its workforce  but it is unclear if they or anyone else at the bureau will be paid again during the shutdown.

It is a problem that the agents are getting paid and everyone else is not, Brunner said. If this goes to a second or third paycheck theres going to be some serious fissures and you cant have that.

(Reporting by Jana Winter, additional reporting by Andy Sullivan; editing by Scott Malone and Diane Craft)
By Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Education, child care and nutrition services for tens of thousands of young American children will begin to be cut off on Saturday, as Republicans and Democrats in Congress fail to reach a deal to end the second-longest government shutdown in U.S. history.

Funding for the $12.3 billion program that serves some 65,000 children aged up to five years old is set to run out beginning on Saturday, which would be the 32nd day of the shutdown, hitting more than 130 Head Start operations in 41 states and Puerto Rico.

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"We will not be providing service to 438 kids in southwest Washington" and their parents, said Rekah Strong, CEO of Educational Opportunities for Children and Families, which operates Head Start programs in Vancouver, just 9 miles (14.5 km) from Portland, Oregon. "It breaks my heart."

The government shutdown has hit a vast range of programs, including grants for small business loans, federally-backed scientific research and Federal Housing Administration loan applications.

Around 700,000 federal workers have been furloughed and are without paychecks. Starting on Saturday, 42 million people could lose aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps.

Some Head Start programs temporarily can continue operating normally during the shutdown because their annual grant renewals are months away. Others up against deadlines have some reserve funds from private contributors that would let them operate for a few days or weeks more.

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"I am tremendously disappointed that our country is in a place where individuals who are furthest from opportunity and who just need a little help and support so that their living situations aren't disastrous or filled with despair," Strong said in an interview. She declined to say whether she thought Democrats or Republicans were more to blame.

Other Head Start and Early Head Start programs in similar situations include some 3,000 children throughout Washington State, according to Joel Ryan, executive director of the Washington State Association of Head Start. Other programs at risk include 335 in east-central Illinois and 300 in Wisconsin, according to local officials in those states.

ATLANTA REPRIEVE

With federal funding on hold, Head Start program administrators have been looking furiously for ways to plug the hole, mainly through additional state aid or private donations.

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The Atlanta metropolitan area's Head Start programs, with about 5,800 children enrolled, pulled off a 48-hour scramble that on Tuesday resulted in the announcement of a 45-day bridge loan arranged by community organizations and private donors to keep the Head Start doors open.

Another 1,100 Georgia Head Start facilities are seeking similar arrangements, but in the meantime they have begun to notify parents that after Friday, their services will not be available, according to Mindy Binderman, executive director of the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students.

Looking ahead, if Congress cannot find a way to reopen the government in coming weeks, several areas, including large Head Start programs in Chicago, face delays amid December 1 grant renewal deadlines.

Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats continue to blame each other for the shutdown.

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"Lets be clear: Head Start would be funded today if (Senate Democratic Leader) Chuck Schumer ended this shutdown," said Stephen Lewerenz, a spokesperson with the Republican-run Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Schumer has led his party in opposing a short-term government funding bill unless Republicans negotiate a deal extending a federal healthcare subsidy.

Senator Patty Murray, the senior Democrat on the committee, said in a statement to Reuters: "Lets not forget, Donald Trump is the president who wanted to outright abolish Head Start and he has already thrown Head Start programs into chaos this year by illegally blocking funding" through holds on grants.

Since the start of the Trump administration in January, Head Start, like many federally-backed programs, has come under the microscope of budget-cutters operating largely under the "Project 2025" governing blueprint that urged the termination of Head Start.

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It meant delays in grant approvals and the closure of five Department of Health and Human Services regional offices that some Head Start officials connect to bottlenecks. Head Start officials have also been warned against using diversity, equity and inclusion curriculum.

Lauri Morrison-Frichtl, executive director of the Illinois Head Start Association, in an email to Reuters, said that for the first time, the Trump administration has demanded that students clear immigration status probes to participate.

The increased presence of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Chicago under Trump's immigration crackdown has been disruptive, she said.

"Some programs have moved to providing services virtually as families feel unsafe leaving their home," she said.

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And in mid-October, an immigrant parent was shot and killed by ICE shortly after dropping off his child at a daycare center that operates under the umbrella of Head Start.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan; editing by Scott Malone and Aurora Ellis)
The U.S. military has killed another four suspected drug traffickers in the eastern Pacific Ocean as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vows to hunt them down and eliminate them.

Since early September, the Trump administration has targeted boats in the Pacific and Caribbean that it claims have been smuggling drugs into the U.S. Neither the White House nor the Pentagon has publicly shared any evidence that these boats are being operated by drug cartels.

Hegseth announced the latest strikes in an X post Wednesday night.

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Earlier today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on yet another narco-trafficking vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) in the Eastern Pacific, Hegseth wrote.

The U.S. military has killed another four suspected drug traffickers in the eastern Pacific Ocean as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vows to 'hunt them down and eliminate them' (Pete Hegseth via X)

On Monday, Hegseth announced that Trump directed three other strikes on alleged drug boats that killed at least 14 people.

This vessel, like all the others, was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics, Hegseth said of Wednesdays attack.

Hegseth said four naro-terrorists were killed in the latest strike and no U.S. forces were harmed. In total, more than 60 people have been killed in the attacks since September 2, ABC News reports.

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Last month, the Trump administration declared the U.S. is formally engaged in an armed conflict with drug cartels that the president has labeled unlawful combatants, according to a notice to members of Congress.

The notice claims cartels are nonstate armed groups whose actions constitute an armed attack against the United States.

The Western Hemisphere is no longer a safe haven for narco-terrorists bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans, Hegseth warned. The Department of War will continue to hunt them down and eliminate them wherever they operate.

'The Western Hemisphere is no longer a safe haven for narco-terrorists bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans,' Hegseth warned (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

The Trump administrations nearly two-month campaign in the waters off South America, along with its buildup of U.S. military forces in the region, has fueled speculation that the moves are aimed at ousting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom the U.S. has accused of narcoterrorism.

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The House Armed Services Committee will be briefed on the strikes Thursday by Pentagon officials, per Axios.

During a press conference Wednesday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said: "We'll see whether the administration can finally come forward with evidence as to the nature of the people being killed, their connection to the drug trade, and what legal authority does the administration have to engage in what some have characterized as extrajudicial killings.

An official from the Trump administration said Monday it has already provided seven separate classified briefings on the strikes to Congress.

The administration provided Congress seven separate classified briefings since early September, covering members or staff from House leadership, Senate leadership, the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, and the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees, a senior Trump official told CNN.

The Associated Press has contributed to this report.
The Trump administration has lifted sanctions on a kleptocratic ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was removed this month as president of the Serb territory within Bosnia and Herzegovina for chipping away at the US-brokered peace deal that ended bloody ethnic violence in the Balkans in the 1990s.

The waiving of sanctions on Milorad Dodik followed a months-long lobbying effort by allies of Donald Trump, which painted the Serb nationalist leader as a defender of Christian values in a country with a large Muslim population, and a victim of the sort of lawfare waged against the US president.

Dodik had been sanctioned by the US for flouting the Dayton Peace Agreement, which was painstakingly thrashed out in Ohio in 1995 to end the Bosnian War. While the agreement stopped the bloodshed, it carved Bosnia into two entities: the Federation, where Bosnian Muslims share power with Croats, and the Serb-majority Republika Srpska.

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Over 20 years in and around power in Srpska, Dodik routinely threatened to split from Bosnia and reunite with Serbia. He has halted Bosnias integration into Europe by stoking ethnic tensions, often meets with Putin in Russia and has cultivated what the US Treasury Department previously called a corrupt patronage network.

Dodik, pictured here in Sochi, Russia, earlier this month, regularly meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin. - Mikhail Metzel/AFP/Getty Images

Bosnians had recently begun to imagine a post-Dodik future, after the longtime leader was convicted by a federal Bosnian court of undermining the Dayton agreement, banned from holding political office and stripped of his post as president. But experts say that the sudden and unexpected removal of sanctions against Dodik could allow him to continue to dominate Srpska, while demonstrating to other autocrats in the region that well-funded lobbying can reap rewards from Trumps Washington.

What sort of message does this send  that if you have the right connections and the right lobbyists, you can be removed from the sanctions list? Its setting a negative precedent, Andi Hoxhaj, a Balkan expert at Kings College London, told CNN. Coming three weeks before Daytons 30th anniversary, he said the timing of the Trump administrations decision was especially dispiriting.

The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) did not explain why it had removed sanctions on Dodik, as well as dozens of his allies, his family members and companies linked to them. CNN has asked the Treasury Department for comment.

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The State Department said the decision was taken after Srpskas National Assembly took constructive actions in recent weeks to improve stability in the country, in apparent reference to Srpskas installation of an interim president after Dodik was stripped of the role in August and  after initially threatening to defy Bosnian authorities  stepped aside earlier this month.

Dodik hailed Trump and his allies for waiving the sanctions against him, saying the decision corrected a grave injustice inflicted upon Srpska by the Obama and Biden administrations. What Dodik failed to mention, however, is that he was also sanctioned by the Trump administration in July 2017 for obstructing the Dayton agreement. The Biden administration imposed fresh sanctions on him in 2022 and again in early 2025.

Dodik began to court Trump before the 2024 election, when the president was facing dozens of criminal charges. America needs you, but the rest of the world as well! Dodik wrote to Trump in September that year, following the second assassination attempt against him.

The colors of the US flag lit up the Palace of the Republic in Banja Luka, Republika Srpska, on November 6, 2024, to mark US President Donald Trump's reelection. - Radivoje Pavicic/AP

Since Trumps return to the White House, Dodiks overtures have been amplified by several allies of the president. Rod Blagojevich  the former Illinois governor who spent eight years in prison on corruption charges before being pardoned by Trump in February  has posted in support of Dodik for months.

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In a post on Wednesday thanking Trump for waiving the sanctions on Dodik, Blagojevich signed off: This material is distributed by RRB Strategies LLC on behalf of the Republic of Srpska. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC.

Filings to the Justice Department show RRB Strategies, Blagojevichs firm, signed a contract with the Srpska government in March, agreeing to lobby state representatives to prevent what is perceived as a witch hunt against Srpska officials and seek the lifting of sanctions against them. The value of that contract was redacted.

Marc Zell, another lobbyist, also signed a contract with the Srpska government in December 2024 worth $1 million for one years work, plus a bonus if Zells firm successfully brought about the removal of sanctions on Dodik and his allies, according to documents also filed with the Justice Departments Foreign Agents Registration Act website. In an email, Zell told CNN that the bonus fee provision was canceled in accordance with US law.

This month, prominent MAGA figures joined the chorus of Trump allies championing Dodiks cause. Laura Loomer, the far-right influencer with a direct line to the president, said Dodiks removal as president of Srpska was the latest example of the brazen assault against Trump-like leaders across the world. She claimed Dodik  a Christian leader  was enduring ruthless political attacks from a coalition of Muslims and globalists.

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Michael Flynn, Trumps former national security adviser, called for Trump to embrace Dodik, and for the US to join forces with Srpska to defeat globalists who seek all of our demise.

Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City and Trumps one-time personal attorney, visited Srpska in February and hosted Dodik on his podcast, displaying Make Srpska Great Again hats alongside Trumps famous MAGA hats.

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani attended a rally for Dodik in Banja Luka, February 25. - Radivoje Pavicic/AP

Hoxhaj, the Balkan expert, said Dodik will use the sanctions relief to claim to his people and to the public that he has been vindicated by the US, and that what was done to him was unjust.

US Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, denounced the lifting of sanctions as reckless and premature.

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Dodik has undermined the Dayton Peace Agreement, cozied up to Putin and profited from corruption  hardly grounds for relief, she said. The American people deserve answers.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Andys view

Toward the end of his life, former US President Richard Nixon admitted a secret anxiety: His greatest foreign policy triumph  a Cold War detente with China aimed at countering the Soviet Union  may have created a Frankenstein.

Nixons was the first of three big bets the US made on China in the modern era; all had unintended consequences. In seeking a strategic partner, Nixon helped birth a geopolitical heavyweight beyond Americas control; he feared the two countries would one day go to war. In 2001, then-President Bill Clinton brought China into the World Trade Organization to encourage a liberal turn in Beijing, but instead fast-tracked the rise of a rigidly authoritarian economic rival.

And then, beginning in his first term, President Donald Trump rolled the dice a third time by imposing a punishing regime of sanctions, tariffs, and technology curbs to impede Chinas development. But that backfired too, turbocharging the countrys technological ascent. The result: a trade truce hammered out at a summit in South Korea this week between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

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Trump was ebullient after his first meeting with Xi in six years, declaring that China had agreed to pause controls on exports of rare earth metals, buy tremendous amounts of soybeans, and step up action to stop the flow of precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl. In return, Trump agreed to halve fentanyl-linked tariffs and postpone plans to impose steep fees on Chinese-built or Chinese-owned ships at US ports. On a scale of zero to 10, Trump told reporters, the meeting was at a 12.

In fact, the deal merely restores a status quo that existed before Trump started ratcheting up tariffs this year, and it fails to address fundamental problems in their relationship.

Ultimately, Trump backed down from a fight against a technological superpower that would have been too costly for the US.

In fact, it was Trumps own punitive controls that spurred Xis tech ambitions. The more Washington tried to suppress its rival, the faster Xi invested in homegrown innovation. Chinese tech champion Huawei Technologies, Trumps initial target in 2019, counterintuitively gained momentum thanks to the US pressure campaign, developing an entire AI ecosystem  including software and data centers  using its own chips.

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And as Xi saw his ultimate goal of technological self-sufficiency coming into view, he gained confidence to retaliate hard against US economic coercion, a tit-for-tat strategy that his trade negotiators masterfully exploited.

This weeks truce buys Xi time to achieve further tech breakthroughs. Trump will use the lull in hostilities to build a secure rare earths supply chain. Nobody should be fooled: This trade deal, along with an agreement for Trump to visit Beijing in April, is tactical. The two sides are long-term antagonists. Minutes before meeting Xi, Trump ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing.

For more than half a century, US bets on China have had a compelling logic. Nixons opening to China was driven by mutual antipathy to the Soviet Union brought the US and China together. Clintons embrace of China was motivated by a hope of liberal change in China that seemed plausible at the time; Beijing was preparing to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, and economic reformists in China spoke of converging with international standards. When Trump came to power, Americans were ready to abandon a policy of economic engagement with China that had hollowed out US industry, left desolation across factory towns, and fueled a populist surge.

Yet, in the end, each of those wagers failed, leading to this moment.

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But now, Washington is placing another big bet, this time hoping to beat China at its own game. Industrial policy  or state capitalism, as the Chinese variant is called  has gone mainstream in Washington. Recent examples include the government taking a 10% stake in Intel, acquiring a golden share in United States Steel Corp., and offering to lift export restrictions on sales of Nvidia chips to China in return for a cut of the revenue.

Economists warn that industrial policy will lead to misallocated capital, less innovation, poorer-quality goods and services, and, ultimately, slower growth. If the history of US policy towards China is any guide, this wager wont end well, either.

Room for Disagreement

For a coterie of experts, Trumps mistake was not in taking a hard line towards China, but in not holding that line. The political scientist Hal Brands argued over the summer that during his first term, the US president recognized that an increasingly autocratic, assertive China sought to shape a world antithetical to US values and interests, concluding: Trumps reward for retreating in the new cold war could be increased risk of a hot one. Others posit that Chinas economy is weaker than appears on the surface, suggesting further American pressure could force Beijings hand.

Notable
NNPC, the state-owned Nigerian oil company, is looking to revive the three state refineries in Africas top crude producer and plans to select technical equity partners to help resume operations at the facilities that have been idled for years.

In an update on Nigerias refineries, NNPC said that it continues to make measured progress in the comprehensive technical and commercial review of the nations three refineries  Warri, Port Harcourt, and Kaduna.

These three refineries have a total processing capacity of 445,000 barrels per day (bpd) but have not been processing any crude for years despite Nigerias efforts to attract investments.

The newest and only operational refinery in the biggest African producer in OPEC is the privately-owned Dangote refinery, the biggest in Africa with a capacity of 650,000 bpd, which began operations last year.

Meanwhile, the state refineries have remained idle and havent contributed to Nigerias goal of becoming independent of fuel imports.

NNPCs group CEO Bashir Bayo Ojulari said on X this week that We are looking ahead with optimism to ensure our refineries operate effectively. We are dedicating significant time to a detailed review and are eager to implement our insights.

NNPC is currently carrying out a technical and commercial review of the three state refineries. In the next phase, the state oil firm will engage with technical equity partners and move to implement repairs, according to the update by Ojulari.

At an energy conference in Nigeria earlier this week, NNPC reiterated its commitment to develop and revamp its downstream business.

At NNPC, we are committed to deploying additional infrastructure across the oil and gas value chain while revamping our existing downstream infrastructure nationwide, Ojulari said.

While NNPC is looking to resurrect the state refineries, the private Dangote refinery has recently run into operational challenges, claims of sabotage, and workers strikes.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the ship "was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling."

The US military killed four men in a strike on a suspected drug vessel in the Eastern Pacific on Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.

"This vessel, like all the others, was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics," Hegseth said in a post on X.

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Hegseth's post included a 22-second video clip of a boat in water that gets struck and explodes.

Previous strikes in the Pacific

The US military killed 14 alleged drug smugglers in strikes targeting four vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Monday that left one survivor, Hegseth said on Tuesday.

This comes just under a week from the US striking two vessels in the eastern Pacific Ocean last Tuesday, in an expansion of the Trump administration's use of the armed forces in its counter-narcotics campaign.

Hegseth said the military attacked a vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean and killed two men. It was the first known US military operation in the Pacific since President Donald Trump kicked off a new offensive against the drug trade.

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Hours later, Hegseth said the military had struck another vessel in the eastern Pacific on Wednesday, killing three men.

The strikes came on top of at least seven others in the Caribbean in a campaign that has raised US tensions with Venezuela and Colombia.

"The vessel was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and was carrying narcotics," Hegseth said, without providing evidence, after the strike.

The strikes in the Caribbean have killed at least 32 people, but the Trump administration has provided few details, such as how many alleged drugs the targeted vessels were carrying or what specific evidence it had to suggest they were carrying drugs.
Despite the United States federal government being shut down, officials continue to approve permits for fossil fuel projects, causing experts to wonder about the Trump administration's priorities.

What's happening?

When the government shutdown began on October 1, several programs stopped operations, and hundreds of thousands of workers were told to stay home.

However, even as that happened, approvals for dirty-energy projects continued.

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As the New York Times reported, since the shutdown began, the Interior Department has prepared to open 250,000 acres of land for oil drilling in Wyoming and Nebraska. It has also had a coal lease sale in Montana.

The Bureau of Land Management approved a copper mine expansion in Utah, and the Environmental Protection Agency is finalizing plans to allow coal plants to emit higher levels of mercury.

Federal officials say this work is necessary following the "national energy emergency" declared by President Donald Trump in January.

"Work related to permitting, leasing, and other essential energy operations is continuing as expected work to help strengthen the nation's energy security, maintain reliable supplies, and protect American consumers from disruption," Interior Department spokeswoman Charlotte Taylor told the Times.

Why are these approvals concerning?

While these types of projects continue, renewable energy continues to take a back seat.

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The Bureau of Energy Management's shutdown plan sets aside funds for "priority conventional energy projects," such as offshore drilling permits, but it also makes clear the agency "will cease all renewable energy activities".

This continues a trend of the Trump administration promoting dirty fuels over many renewable energy sources. The administration has pushed for more drilling and mining, and it has also cut tax credits for eco-friendly home upgrades.

Should the government continue to give tax incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades? Absolutely No Depends on the upgrade I don't know Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Kevin Book, managing director of research firm ClearView Energy Partners, told the Times that these recent approvals are "illustrative of different presidential priorities."

Book also noted that the Biden administration's contingency plans for a government shutdown included allowing Treasury Department employees to work on energy projects. Notably, however, those projects were for renewable energy.

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"If this is truly about keeping the lights on, then why suppress the cleanest and cheapest energy that's coming online?" asked Alexandra Adams, the Natural Resources Defense Council's chief policy advocacy officer, per the Times.

What can I do to help?

Regardless of what any presidential administration does, we can all take action to increase our energy efficiency, reduce our carbon footprint, and help keep the planet healthy.

For instance, taking public transportation or buying an electric vehicle can greatly reduce your personal transportation emissions. Reducing the amount of plastic you use means less plastic waste in our oceans and landfills.

And if you really want to see renewable energy expand, installing solar panels means you can generate your own clean energy, reduce reliance on the grid, and bring down your monthly 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.
WASHINGTON, Oct 30 (Reuters)  The U.S. State Department on Thursday ordered non-emergency employees and their family members to leave Mali due to safety risks, as the government there comes under increasing pressure from al Qaeda-linked insurgents, who are imposing a fuel blockade.

The Department of State ordered non-emergency employees and their family members to leave Mali due to safety risks, the State Department said in an updated travel advisory.

Last week, the State Department authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel, and on Tuesday it warned Americans in Mali to leave the country immediately. The travel advisory level for Mali is level 4, or do not travel.

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Border Patrols Bovino to go harder after judges ruling

In early September, Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin militants announced a blockade on fuel imports to the landlocked West African country. They have since attacked convoys of fuel tankers attempting to enter the country or reach the capital, Bamako.

The government on Sunday ordered the suspension of school and university classes throughout Mali for two weeks due to the fuel shortage.

Analysts have described the fuel blockade as part of a pressure campaign on Malis military-led government by militant groups, who want to cut off the countrys economic oxygen.

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(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis, Editing by Franklin Paul and David Gregorio)

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.
Retailers across the United States are facing mounting pressure as organised retail crime (ORC) networks expand their operations, driving sharp increases in theft, fraud and violence.

A new study from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) reveals that incidents of shoplifting and violent encounters rose significantly in 2024, highlighting the growing scale and sophistication of criminal activity targeting the retail sector.

Organised theft networks driving record losses

The Impact of Theft & Violence 2025 report found that the average number of shoplifting incidents rose by 18% last year, while threats or acts of violence linked to theft increased by 17%.

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The findings indicate that criminal enterprises are becoming increasingly bold, often exploiting limited law enforcement resources and the inconsistent prosecution of offenders.

According to NRF Vice President for Asset Protection and Retail Operations David Johnston, organised theft groups have expanded their reach and diversified their criminal portfolios.

More than half of retailers surveyed reported sharp rises in phone scams (70%), digital and e-commerce fraud (55%), in-store merchandise theft (52%) and cargo or supply chain theft (50%) during the past year.

Global expansion of retail crime networks

The report underscores the international reach of organised retail crime, with 66% of retailers confirming involvement of transnational gangs in thefts against their businesses.

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The scale of these operations has complicated retailers ability to investigate or prosecute cases effectively.

Respondents cited limited law enforcement capacity, inadequate asset protection budgets and low prosecutorial engagement as the main barriers to reducing ORC-related losses.

LPRC Executive Director and University of Florida Research Scientist Dr Read Hayes said consistent, industry-wide data was essential to tackling the growing problem.

Without clear benchmarks, he noted, retailers cannot accurately gauge the scope of theft, fraud and violence or assess the effectiveness of prevention measures.

Retailers increase investment in security and technology

In response to escalating theft and violence, retailers are investing heavily in enhanced loss prevention strategies.

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Key measures include exterior and interior security upgrades, advanced camera systems, lighting improvements, licence plate readers, locked display cases and redesigned store layouts aimed at deterring theft.

Tony DOnofrio, President of Sensormatic Solutions, described technology as a crucial element in modern asset protection. Retailers are turning to digital surveillance and real-time data analytics to track incidents and coordinate responses with local authorities.

Despite these investments, many retailers remain reluctant to report all incidents to the police. The study found that 64% of companies reported fewer than half of store-related thefts, citing limited response times and stretched policing resources.

The NRF continues to advocate for federal legislation such as the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which aims to improve coordination among law enforcement agencies and strengthen tools for investigating and prosecuting cross-border retail crime.

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The 2025 survey gathered data from 70 major retail companies representing 168 brands, accounting for over a quarter of total US retail sales in 2024.

The findings offer one of the clearest pictures yet of a sector struggling to adapt to increasingly organised and violent criminal tacticsa challenge with growing implications for the global retail industry.

"US retailers struggle as theft gangs expand operations" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand.




The White House says United States forces have bombed another alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing four men, just days after confirming it had killed 14 people in three strikes on vessels in the area.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said in a post on X late on Wednesday that the Department of War, the name President Donald Trumps administration has given to the recently rebranded Defense Department, had carried out a lethal kinetic strike on yet another narco-trafficking vessel.

Hegseth said four male narco-terrorists were killed on the vessel, which was operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization. He did not provide an exact location for the attack but said it was conducted in international waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

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This vessel, like all the others, was known by our intelligence to be involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics, Hegseth said, posting aerial footage of the strike.

None of the victims of Wednesdays attack has been identified.

Critics have called the strikes a form of extrajudicial killing and a violation of international law, which largely prohibits countries from using lethal military force against noncombatants outside a conflict zone.

We continue to emphasise the need for all efforts to counter transnational organised crime to be conducted in accordance with international law, Miroslav Jenca, the United Nations assistant secretary-general for the Americas, told the UN Security Council this month.

Earlier today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on yet another narco-trafficking vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) in the Eastern Pacific. This vessel, like all the others, was known by our pic.twitter.com/mBOLA5RYQe  Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) October 29, 2025

The strike occurred when Trump was on the last leg of a three-nation trip in Asia. On Thursday, Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, their first summit since 2019. Trump also visited Malaysia and Japan.

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Earlier, Hegseth had said US forces carried out three lethal strikes against boats accused of trafficking illegal narcotics. The attacks on Monday, which also took place in the eastern Pacific Ocean, reportedly killed 14 people and left one survivor.

After the strikes, Hegseth posted that the Department has spent over TWO DECADES defending other homelands. Now, were defending our own.

Since September 2, the US military has carried out at least 14 strikes targeting about 15 vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific.

At least 61 people have now been confirmed killed by the two-month-long campaign, which has also seen the US bolster its military presence in the Caribbean to unusually high levels.

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The White House has yet to provide any evidence to the public for any of the strikes to substantiate its allegations of drug trafficking.

The Trump administration has framed the strikes as a national security measure, claiming the alleged drug traffickers are unlawful combatants in a non-international armed conflict.

But it has refused to go to Congress to seek approval for its actions.




(Reuters) -China has approved the transfer agreement for the short video app TikTok, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday, adding that he expects it to move forward in coming weeks and months but giving no other details.

"In Kuala Lumpur, we finalized the TikTok agreement in terms of getting Chinese approval, and I would expect that would go forward in the coming weeks and months, and we'll finally see a resolution to that," he told Fox Business Network following President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement earlier on Thursday that China would properly handle TikTok-related issues with the United States.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal, David Lawder, Maiya Keidan; Writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Doina Chiacu)
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -China has approved the transfer agreement for the short video app TikTok, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday, adding that he expects it to move forward in coming weeks and months but giving no other details.

"In Kuala Lumpur, we finalised the TikTok agreement in terms of getting Chinese approval, and I would expect that would go forward in the coming weeks and months, and we'll finally see a resolution to that," he told Fox Business Network following President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

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China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement earlier on Thursday that China would properly handle TikTok-related issues with the United States.

TikTok, which is owned by China-based ByteDance, did not immediately comment.

The fate of the app used by 170 million Americans has remained uncertain for more than 18 months after the U.S. Congress passed a law in 2024 that ordered TikTok's Chinese owners to sell the app's U.S. assets by January 2025.

Trump signed an executive order on September 25 declaring that the plan to sell TikTok's U.S. operations to a consortium of U.S. and global investors meets the national security requirements set out in the 2024 law and gave them 120 days to complete the transaction. He also delayed until January 20 enforcement of the law.

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Trump's order said the algorithm will be retrained and monitored by the U.S. company's security partners, and operation of the algorithm will be under the control of the new joint venture.

The agreement on TikTok's U.S. operations includes the appointment by ByteDance of one of seven board members for the new entity, with Americans holding the other six seats.

ByteDance would hold less than 20% in TikTok U.S. to comply with requirements set out in the law that ordered it to be shut down by January 2025 if ByteDance did not sell its U.S. assets.

Representative John Moolenaar, the Republican chair of the House Select Committee on China, said this month that a licensing agreement for use of the TikTok algorithm, as part of a deal by ByteDance to sell U.S. assets of the short video app, would raise "serious concerns."

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal, David Lawder, Maiya Keidan and David Shepardson; Writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Susan Fenton)
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT)  A new undergraduate degree program at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) offers students critical thinking, writing, and reading comprehension skills while examining contemporary topics related to the human condition.

Officials said the Philosophy, Religion and Law (PRL) interdisciplinary degree, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences School of Humanities, provides advanced study in philosophy, world religions and law. Students will work with advisers to specialize in one of three cross-disciplinary areas: Religion and World Cultures, Ethics, or Philosophy and Law.

Mississippi schools to implement Presidential Fitness Test

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Topics of study include the ethics of artificial intelligence and healthcare, critical thinking and formal logic, philosophy of law, and religion and violence, among others. The program also equips students with the cultural and religious understanding necessary to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.

The PRL major equips students to pursue a variety of careers and advanced degrees in any field that places a premium on critical thinking, clear writing, judicious deliberation and ethical analysis, said Dr. Paula Smithka, program coordinator. Such skills are of particular importance in law, management, public relations and communication, policymaking and analysis, education, healthcare-related fields, and civic and religious leadership.

Scholarship support is available for students interested in the PRL program, including the Forrest Wood Outstanding Philosophy Student Award and the Clayton and Mae Sullivan Outstanding Religion Minor Award.

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As rumors circulate that the University of Texas ethnic studies programs may be at risk of consolidation, the schools College of Liberal Arts told faculty a new committee is exploring administrative changes to some of the schools departments that may have become overly fragmented.

In an Oct. 23 email sent to department chairs, an associate dean wrote that the advisory committee is considering changes to the administrative departmental structure of the college, not individual academic programs or centers. However, the consolidation changes may result in some programs losing autonomy, the administrator conceded in the email obtained by the Statesman.

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There are, of course, tradeoffs to be considered, including potentially some loss of autonomy for small units, wrote Daniel Brinks, the associate dean for academic and faculty affairs. But the ultimate goal is to strengthen the college and its individual components.

The task forces work is to propose ways to reorganize some departments into new larger units that will provide greater opportunities for collaboration and have more flexibility to accommodate change, Brinks added.

The email did not name which departments are poised for consolidation, but the committee includes representatives from Asian Studies, African and African Diaspora Studies, Classics, American Studies, American Sign Language, Spanish and Portuguese and is chaired by Brinks.

The announcement comes as Texas public universities face tremendous political pressure to rid institutions of gender ideology and target LGBTQ and ethnic studies. Texas A&M recently fired childrens literature professor Melissa McCoul when a student accused her of teaching about gender identity in a viral video that caught the attention of Gov. Greg Abbott.

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RELATED: Texas A&M professor loses job after talking on gender identity in childrens lit

Third-year PhD student Lena Mose-Vargas, who is pursuing a doctorate in Mexican American and Latino/a Studies, is one of many students who emailed the College of Liberal Arts to oppose the feared consolidation and ask if their program will be impacted. Mose-Vargas, who spoke to the Statesman on behalf of themself, said they received no information in response. They chose to study at UT because of the programs rigor and fear the rumored changes will compromise their programs excellence.

Students are asking questions and theyre not receiving answers, Mose-Vargas said. We anticipate, in this political climate and with the particular attacks on WGS (Women and Gender Studies) and ethnic studies, that this is likely going to be what were looking at.

A full education

In a recent speech, President Jim Davis said that UT will restore balance and completeness to students education amid concerns that departments have become too splintered and specialized at the expense of including all viewpoints.

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We dont want degree programs that are so narrow they develop only one perspective, Davis said. Instead we must provide a balanced education  a full education  for every degree program.

Students have protested the new College of Liberal Arts committee in demonstrations across campus, calling for the institution to resist external political pressures. UT has been silent on whether it will accept an offer from the administration of President Donald Trump that would require the institution to close or change programs that belittle conservative voices.

TRUMP'S DEAL: UT Austin refuses to say if it will make a deal with Trump to get more funding

Like students who oppose combining ethnic studies departments, Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies Chair Mary Neuburger joined other department faculty in writing a letter to Interim Dean David Sosa to critique the concept of consolidation. The faculty members said consolidation would threaten their departments ability to teach the cultural complexities of regions.

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People are upset about this for good reason, Neuburger said. Because were not understanding what is going to be gained, and we are definitely seeing what is going to be lost.

The Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies opened in 1917, Neuburger said. Though her department is a segment of global area studies, she fears its size could make it eligible for consolidation. But its size is also an advantage, she said.

The department provides a key opportunity for specialization that can distinguish graduates from other job candidates and allows for in-depth learning. A broadening of her department would prohibit students from deeply understanding important parts of Slavic history, impacting the work and grants its research center brings in, she said.

But Neuburger fears its inevitable, she said. Its going to dilute our ability to do what we want to do. Its going to dilute our community, and its going to take away from our leadership, all the work on our curriculum but also extracurricular programming thats really important to students.

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The university and the College of Liberal Arts declined to comment.

Fighting for a voice

The College of Liberal Arts houses 20 departments, 18 centers, 9 institutes and 14 programs. The structure of ethnic studies programs is similar to peer colleges, such as the University of Michigan. The Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies reaches students in a wide variety of majors through cross-listed courses and core classes, Neuburger said.



Ethnic studies units, including Mexican American Studies and African American Studies, have existed for more than fifty years, and the Center for Womens and Gender Studies opened in 1979. Several rose out of student advocacy, expanding over the years to produce more research, programming and academic options, including doctoral programs.

These programs come from a very long history of students in marginalized communities fighting for a voice, Mose-Vargas said. Getting rid of ethnics studies or (Women's and Gender Studies) at UT is not just some meaningless maneuver, it would directly be removing a part of UTs history from itself, a part that is indispensable to ethnic studies as a whole.



Last year, Texas A&M University cut its LGBTQ minor along with 51 other minors and certificates because of low enrollment after facing pressure from the extremely vocal Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian, who called it a victory. Texas A&M faculty said they were not given an opportunity to raise enrollment before the cuts.

A department reorganization isnt the only change UT could face. The UT System is auditing courses concerning gender identity to ensure compliance with system priorities and the law, and the university is conducting its own audit of courses. UT launched a new core curriculum task force to thoroughly review general education.

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Senate Bill 37, the higher education reform bill passed last session, also charges regents with reviewing programs to ensure schools meet standards for enrollment and return on investment.

Brinks said in his email that the college will consult faculty, staff and students once a proposal is formed. Neuburger said she hopes the College of Liberal Arts listens to faculty and is transparent about goals.

For an R-1 institution like ours, this is just the model that has worked, that exists nationally for a reason, Neuburger said, referencing UT's research status. If they would tell us what exact number is the problem, or what exact problem theyre trying to solve, we could sit down with them and be creative and think through how to solve whatever problems theyre seeing, but they have not.

Editor's note: This report was updated to reflect that the Department of Slavic and Eurasian Studies is not classified as an ethnic studies program, but as a global areas study program.
A barrage of Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukraines energy infrastructure left three people dead on Wednesday, forcing nationwide power restrictions. Ukrainian officials reported that two men in the city of Zaporizhzhia were killed in the overnight strikes, while a seven-year-old girl from the central Vinnytsia region also lost her life from injuries sustained in the attacks.

"Its goal is to plunge Ukraine into darkness. Ours is to preserve the light," Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Telegram. "To stop the terror, we need more air defence systems, tougher sanctions, and maximum pressure on the aggressor."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that Russia launched more than 700 missiles and drones overnight, with many being intercepted by Ukraines missile defense systems, but several managed to land. Ukraines air defence units shot down 31 missiles and 592 drones during the attacks.

In his latest visit to the White House, Zelensky failed to secure new tomahawk missiles in his latest visit to the White House a few weeks ago, despite previously signalling a willingness to help Ukraine regain territory lost to Russia. Reports emerged that Zelenskiys meeting with Trump descended into a shouting match, with the American leader demanding that Ukraine give away territory to Russia in exchange for a peace settlement.

Moscows latest strikes come amid renewed diplomatic maneuvering involving Washington, Beijing, and Kyiv. Zelenskyy has urged U.S. President Donald Trump to press China to end its material and political support for Moscows war effort, warning that Beijings purchases of Russian crude and other commodities have become a lifeline for the Kremlin.

During his Asia tour, Trump met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea, where the two pledged to cooperate on Ukraine and agreed to roll back parts of their trade dispute. Trump said the meeting yielded understandings on tariffs and rare-earth mineral flows and that he and Xi would work together on Ukraine.

Chinese officials have yet to release their own account of the talks. The outcome leaves open whether Beijing will moderate its energy trade with Russia, which remains crucial to financing Moscows campaign against Ukraine.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  A University of Tennessee professor, who was suspended after she made comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed, has filed a lawsuit against the university alleging that her first amendment rights were violated.

On Wednesday, Former Anthropology professor Dr. Tamar Shirinian filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee against the University of Tennessee, Chancellor Donde Plowman, System President Randy Boyd and Professor and Faculty Research Fellow at UTs Haslam College of Business Charles Nobel. Shirinian is seeking an unspecified amount, including back pay, front pay, and damages for emotional distress, as well as punitive damages.

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Shirinian was placed on leave pending termination after making comments about Kirks assassination. The lawsuit gives shared context and the wording of Shirinians comment.

According to the lawsuit, Shirinian commented using her personal Facebook account on a post that her friend made discussing how many people they had unfriended because of their comments supporting Kirk after his assassination. Shirinian responded that the world is better off without him in it, and that his children are better off living in a world without a disgusting psychopath like him. Shirinian stated that her comment and private Facebook profile do not indicate that she was a University of Tennessee Knoxville professor in any way.

Shirinian apologized for her comment in a letter responding to her termination, but she also explained that she objected to Kirks rhetoric because she is an Armenian woman, descended from genocide survivors. She pointed out that one of Kirks comments mocked those who died in the war in Gaza, which some experts have called a genocide. The lawsuit also explains that Shirinian found some of Kirks other comments  particularly those on race, diversity, higher education, immigrants, women, and the LGBTQ community  terrifying, infuriating and factually incorrect because she is a member of the LGBTQ+ community, a stepmother to three Black children, and a long-time advocate for peace.

The day after Shirinians comment, Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett posted on Facebook saying that people who worked in higher education and made classless, almost demonic attacks toward Kirk need to be gone, absolutely, 100%, the lawsuit said. The filing added that Burchett said anyone who spoke out against Kirk and his rhetoric should never had been hired, and claimed that the people in charge at higher education institutions are the real problem.

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The lawsuit continued to explain that Burchett received a message on X from someone who was forwarding Shirinians Facebook comment, and Burchett publicly responded: On it. The screenshots were also sent to others, which Shirinian said included Tennessee Representative Jason Zachary and Boyd. The lawsuit pointed out that while Burchett and Zachary have never spoken out about President Donald Trumps endorsement of violence, Burchett felt called to action because of a comment on a private Facebook page.

After discussing Burchetts comments on social media, Shirinian alleged that Plowman did not actually believe Shirinian endorsed campus shootings and should have known her comments were protected by the first amendment. However, because Plowman and the university were receiving pressure from Republican politicians and lawmakers to retaliate against Shirinian for speaking negatively about Kirk, Shirinian said she believes Plowman acted in a manner of self-preservation and concern for her own potential punishment and terminated Shirinian.

Shirinian also noted public comments by Boyd and Nobel that either directly or indirectly suggested that she advocated for violence.

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In response to the universitys decision to terminate Shirinian, which made national news, Shirinian said she received a significant amount of hate mail, including statements like Please go back to your country of origin, and other explicative-filled comments. Shirinian previously shared that she had also received death threats and that her information had been doxed.

First autumn snow of 2025 falls on Mount LeConte

The lawsuit also pointed out apparent hypocrisy and inconsistency of how rules have been applied at the university. Some of the examples of Shirinian provided were the:

The university allowing the Traditionalist Workers Party, a neo-Nazi white nationalist group, to plan a lecture series on campus in 2018,

The university allowing a White Nationalism: Fact or Fiction event in 2019. The person who rented the space for the event reportedly drew national attention previously for his slogan Make America White Again billboards.

The universitys determination in 2016 that a professor was exercising his First Amendment rights when he responded Run them down to a tweet from a news station discussing protestors blocking traffic on I-277, which came after a police officer shot Keith Lamont Scott, a 43-year-old African American man in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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The lawsuit pointed out that the University of Tennessees faculty handbook includes a Policy Affirming Principles of Free Speech for Students and Faculty, which states that the university must be committed to maintaining a marketplace of ideas for all faculty and students in which the free exchange of ideas is not to be suppressed because the ideas put forth are thought by some or even by most members of the Universitys community to be offensive, unwise, immoral, indecent, disagreeable, conservative, liberal, traditional, radical, or wrongheaded.

The University of Tennessee issued a statement to 6 News, saying As a matter of practice, the University of Tennessee System does not comment on pending or active litigation.

EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated to include the court where the case was filed.

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.
As the federal governments shutdown approaches a month, Utah state leaders have come up with a plan to make sure its citizens dependent on SNAP benefits will not go hungry.

The state-led initiative will donate $4 million in resources to local food banks, according to a press release from Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.

Allocations of $500,000 per week will be sent directly to the Utah Food Bank for eight weeks or until Congress approves a budget, opening the federal government again.

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For every dollar donated to the food bank, approximately three meals will be given to Utah families in need, the press release said.

Washington has failed to do its job, Cox said. Utah is stepping up so families, especially those in rural communities, can keep food on the table. Because Utah Food Bank serves Utahns in all 29 counties, additional state resources will reach small towns and city neighborhoods alike, including our federal employee neighbors whove gone too long without a paycheck.

Cox urged nonprofit and community organizations, individuals and faith-based groups to join in on the effort, support local food banks and help their friends and neighbors have enough to eat.

Utah Senate President J. Stuart Adams said the initiative is fitting for Utah.

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Utah is known as the most charitable state in the nation, he said. Thats the spirit that defines us: we lift each other up and stand united. Thats the power of community; thats the Utah way.

Adams and Cox also urged Congress to end the shutdown.

The responsibility to end this shutdown lies with our federal partners in Washington, Adams said. Congress must stop the political games and reopen the government. Every day this shutdown drags on, hardworking Americans are hurt. Its time for Congress to do its job and put the American people first.
SYDNEY, Australia  At first glance, a team of visiting Utah lawmakers and their Australian hosts would not appear to share much in common.

They have different forms of government  one, a republic; the other, a constitutional monarchy. Different continents. Different hemispheres. And vastly different time zones.

But the two geographically distant groups discovered they share a global concern: They are fiercely concerned about kids and digital safety.

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And both groups are proponents of enhanced bell-to-bell cellphone use rules in schools.

Last week, a team of Utah Republican lawmakers were in Sydney as part of a broad trade mission to Australia and New Zealand organized by World Trade Center Utah.

The intent of the trade mission was to foster shared business, innovation and educational opportunities between the Beehive State and the Oceania nations.

The lawmakers participating in the trade mission networked with local representatives from mining, aerospace, tech and other industries to develop business opportunities in Utah.

But, unexpectedly, conversations between Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and the Utah lawmakers with several Australian government officials also focused on protecting kids online.

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The Utahns quickly discovered that their Down Under hosts share their concern for digital safety for youth.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is joined by first lady Abby Cox and Utah Senate President Stuart Adams in a meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. | Governor's Office

One of the things that Australia has done very well is tackle the problem of social media, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, told the Deseret News.

We looked at what theyve done, and then compared notes to what Utahs done. Weve all stepped forward in a big way to push back on social media.

Cox and Adams were joined in the digital safety discussions by Sens. Kirk Cullimore, R-Sandy, Chris Wilson, R-Logan, and Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton, and Reps. Karen Peterson, R-Clinton, and Stephen Whyte, R-Mapleton.

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The Australian officials included the Hon. Greg Piper, the Hon. Ben Franklin and the Hon. Anika Wells.

This is a critical time in our history, said Adams. Social media is having a measurable impact on youth mental health. Utah and Australia may be oceans apart, but our values are aligned. We are standing up for kids and ensuring technology serves our children and our communities, not the other way around.

Utah: Leading out with social media safety

The Beehive States been at the forefront of social media initiatives to protect kids from digital exploitation.

The Utah Social Media Regulation Act, for example, keeps minors from using social media at restricted hours. It also requires Utah minors to obtain parental consent to have social media accounts and gives parents the ability to see all posts and messages on their childrens accounts.

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The law also prevents social media companies from collecting minors data and targeting minors accounts for advertising.

Cox has emphasized the uniqueness of Utahs digital safety initiatives.

These are first of their kind bills in the United States, he said in 2023. And thats huge that Utah is leading out on this effort. We have lots of states that are interested and I know were all having conversations with other governors, other legislators and other states. I suspect that you will see lots of bills like these moving forward.

Utah also requires social media companies to enable maximum default privacy settings on Utah childrens accounts and to verify the ages of their users and provide supervisory tools for a parent or guardian.

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Meanwhile, the Utah Legislature has funded a campaign to educate parents and teens about the potential dangers of social media at SocialHarms.utah.gov.

Australias efforts to protect kids from digital danger

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at a business roundtable event on Oct. 23, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. | Jason Swensen, Deseret News

Australia, meanwhile, has restricted access to social media for those under 16.

During last weeks trade mission, Utah and Australia officials talked about developing shared principles and a framework that promotes responsible innovation, holds social media platforms accountable and strengthens protections for minors amid the growing challenges of the digital world, according to a Utah Senate communications report.

The joint discussions, the report added, reflect shared commitments to addressing the harms of social media and excessive mobile phone use among K12 students.

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Social media giants cannot put profits over kids safety, said Cullimore. These platforms must be accountable for manipulative, harmful design and protect user data.

Safeguarding minors is a global challenge that demands a unified approach.

Utah has led with policies on age verification and limits on addictive design features. Australias approach serves as a model, and by learning from one another, we can accelerate meaningful progress, ensuring young people are empowered, not endangered, by the digital world.

The Utah and Australian lawmakers and leaders identified several key areas of collaboration:

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Responsible mobile phone use in schools to reduce distractions and improve learning outcomes.

Accountability for social media companies through stronger age verification, privacy and data protection for minors.

Support for ethical education technology that prioritizes well-being.

Public awareness campaigns promoting healthy digital habits for youth and families.

Parents everywhere are asking for help, said Peterson. When we set guardrails, like limiting devices in schools and holding platforms accountable, we empower children to focus, learn and thrive. Partnering globally helps all of us do better for our kids.

The Senate report noted that 57% of teen girls in the United States say they feel persistently sad or hopeless. Meanwhile 88% of Utah parents believe social media negatively impacts children and youth.

The data is clear, social media is harming our kids, said Wilson. Protecting children isnt just a priority; its our responsibility. We are not just changing laws, we are shaping a generation, uniting communities and nations around a shared mission to help children grow up healthier, stronger and more connected to what truly matters.

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Added Whyte: Our goal is to ensure every child, everywhere, can learn, create and connect safely and confidently. Utahs actions aim to restore balance and help families reclaim control over their digital lives.

Adams noted that his discussions with his Australian hosts was a reminder that keeping kids safe in the digital realm is a global, nonpartisan concern and responsibility.

Its about concerned parents and people who love their kids  and are trying to help them get through lifeSocial media has done a lot of great things, but we need to protect our kids.

Is a more aggressive policy prohibiting cellphones in Utah schools in the works?

Cox has been a vocal proponent for restricting cellphones in Utahs K-12 public school from bell to bell.

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His beliefs are echoed Down Under

All six states in Australia have reportedly enacted bans on cellphones during school hours, requiring phones to be switched off and Away for the day.

The results, reported Wilson, have been positive. Other nations have reached out to Australia in hopes of implementing their own cellphone policies in school

Similar bell-to-bell cellphone restrictions at Utah schools may be in the future.

Earlier this year, Utah lawmakers passed the so-called No cellphones in K-12 schools bill, prohibiting students in the states public schools from using their phones when they are in class.

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The new law includes a local caveat  individual schools or districts can opt for a different policy.

Senate Bill 178 is now the states default practice. Previously, K-12 students were allowed to use cellphones whenever or wherever they wanted unless their district had their own policy in place.

But Sandall believes Utah kids would be well-served by having an enhanced bell-to-bell cellphone prohibition that goes beyond simply restricting devices during class time.

We might need to look at doing that  and having our kids get to school and interacting with each other, he said.

Some argue a child needs a cellphone in school in case of emergencies.

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But Sandall counters that for generations, emergencies at Utah schools were effectively handled by school leaders.

I think we can go back to that and feel comfortable that we can do that.

Peterson believes Utah parents are becoming increasingly aware and supportive of social media and phone policies designed to benefit and protect their children.

The No. 1 thing I hear from parents right now related to schools is how much time theyre spending on a device  whether its their own device or its a device at the school, she said.
The site of a future homeless services campus at 2520 N. 2200 West in Salt Lake City is pictured with I-215 in the foreground on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

As Utah has garnered national attention for Republican state leaders eagerness to fulfill President Donald Trumps executive order titled Ending Crime and Disorder on Americas Streets, Gov. Spencer Cox says their vision for a yet-to-be built 1,300-bed homeless campus in northwest Salt Lake City is a top priority.

Plans for the campus are still taking shape. But the states top homelessness leaders have proposed including hundreds of beds for people who are civilly committed  or court ordered into mental health treatment. They also envision an accountability center or a secure residential placement facility for substance abuse treatment as an alternative to jail, where people who are sanctioned to go there would not be able to leave voluntarily.

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Pushing back against criticisms from some Democrats and homeless advocates likening the proposal to a prison for the homeless, Cox on Wednesday said state leaders are intent on trying something new  because, he said, so far current efforts to reduce homelessness havent worked.

Look, everything weve been doing has been a complete and abject failure, Cox told Madison Mills, a reporter at Axios who questioned the governor about state leaders approach to homelessness during a summit focused on housing issues.

This isnt just, you know, holding people against their will. Its getting them the help and the support that they need, Cox said.

The governor also balked at a quote in a New York Times article published Wednesday in which a woman experiencing homelessness compared a rendering of the homeless campus to a concentration camp.

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This idea that its, you know, compared to Nazi Germany  I just, I dont understand that level of thinking, he said. Its just crazy to me. I mean, as if, you know, Hitler were to, what, round up people who are dying on the streets in their own filth addicted to drugs and giving them the support they need? Like, there is no comparison  at all.

The sea change happening in Utah

Earlier this year, the governor said a sea change in Utahs homeless system was coming  one that emphasized cracking down on camping and drug use while also increasing drug and mental health treatment. But at the time he also acknowledged the state would need more jail and treatment beds to make it happen.

Wednesday, Cox said compassion is not allowing people to die on our streets and letting public places become unsafe for them and others. There is no compassion in that, at all.

So what we have to do is provide the services that people need, and we have to hold people accountable, he said. This is the social order. You dont get to just camp wherever you want to camp. That cant be a thing.

A conceptual rendering depicts what state leaders envision for a new transformative campus meant to house and rehabilitate people experiencing homelessness. (Courtesy of the Utah Office of Homeless Services)

In the past, as state and local leaders have tried to crack down on public camping, its often resulted in pushing people experiencing homelessness around rather than into shelter. For years, the states homeless shelters have been maxed out. The planned 1,300-bed homeless campus has been proposed to also bolster the states homeless shelter capacity during a time when the states homeless population continues to rise.

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If you dont have a place to stay, then we will give you a place to stay. Thats what were doing, Cox said. What were talking about is a small group of people who are unsheltered and who wont take help, wont go to a shelter, and are breaking lots of other laws. And that very small population, we have to help them.  When youve got a needle in your arm or youre on meth or fentanyl or whatever it is, you cant make rational decisions.

Cox said todays laws dont allow us to help people get to a point where they can do that, and that needs to change.

What will Utah do to fulfill Trumps executive order?

Trumps executive order directs the U.S. attorney general to seek, in appropriate cases, the reversal of Federal or State judicial precedents and the termination of consent decrees that impede the United States policy of encouraging civil commitment of individuals with mental illness who pose risks to themselves or the public or are living on the streets and cannot care for themselves in appropriate facilities for appropriate periods of time.

The order also directs the attorney general to assist state and local governments through technical guidance, grants, or other legally available means, to implement maximally flexible civil commitment, institutional treatment, and step-down treatment standards.

Its not yet clear how Utah will specifically act when it comes to civilly committing more people. But in answering a call from Cox and top Republican legislative leaders urging action to fulfill Trumps executive order, the Utah Homeless Services Board recently wrote in a letter it would coordinate with the White House to explore becoming a pilot for the rest of the country on how to deploy an exhaustive treatment-focused intervention that is dignified, humane, and efficacious.

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Though Utahs plans are still taking shape publically, Cox said there are a lot of blue state governors who are looking at what were doing right now, and he argued that finding a new approach to homelessness is not a red state, blue state thing.

Everybody knows what theyve done has been a failure, Cox said. Go to any major city in this country, and you will see how weve failed as a society and how weve failed to protect the most vulnerable amongst us.

But there are still many details surrounding the so-called transformative homeless campus that need to be sorted out  including how the expensive project will be funded. Its expected to cost more than $75 million to build, plus north of $34 million a year in ongoing funding to operate.

Some, including Democrats and homeless providers, have expressed concerns that for the homeless campus to be a success, it will require even more money  and need to be fully funded. And theyve said if Utahs current homeless shelters and other resources like deeply affordable housing, substance use treatment, mental health treatment, and jail capacity were funded more substantially, perhaps the state wouldnt have as acute homeless problems as it does today.

A person and a dog lay in the grass outside the City-County Building in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

Republican state leaders including Cox, however, have said they want the states homeless system to move away from Housing First policies that they say lack accountability. Currently, federal Housing First grants are prioritized to providers who use that approach, which national homeless advocates have defended as an evidence-based and effective solution to homelessness.

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Housing First is an approach that calls for providing housing without first requiring the person to address other problems such as mental health issues or substance abuse, as other approaches to homelessness do. Advocates say providing supportive services to address such problems is easier in a safe and stable housing situation.

But earlier this year, the Utah Legislature passed a resolution  sponsored by Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, whom Cox on Thursday appointed as the states new homeless coordinator  urging the federal government to change federal homelessness regulations.

That included a request to rescind housing first policy mandates to permit flexibility for housing options that meet the diverse needs and preferences of families experiencing homelessness, including sobriety, goal-setting, and accountability.

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Its possible Utah leaders may rely on some amount of federal funding to help build the homeless campus  but that remains to be seen. Otherwise, state leaders will need to prioritize funding in the state budget.

How will the campus be funded?

When asked about funding for the homeless campus after Wednesdays housing summit, Cox told reporters hes in talks with the Legislature right now.

We know its going to be a tight budget year, but this has to be my top priority. It is my top priority, he said. Were also working with the federal government and hopeful that theyll see the wisdom in this, and they expressed interest in helping these types of projects.

The governor said the campus could be a collaborative project together with the federal government. But if not, Im going to be looking at my budget  where can we cut back? What can we do?

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He said he doesnt think the state has the option to do nothing.

We have to get this right, he said. Weve been failing for so long and Im not willing to give up.

Cox acknowledged, however, that without money, the effort could hit a dead end.

Nothing happens, he said, if we dont get the funding.

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As a mother to two young children, Chelsey Vreeken already knew the animated Netflix movie KPop Demon Hunters is mega popular.

Still, Vreeken did not expect her KPop Demon Hunters-decorated home in South Jordan, Utah, to attract viral attention  and thousands of visitors  this month.

With hundreds flocking to her home every day to get a look at the KPop decorations, Vreeken saw an opportunity to leverage the explosive attention by starting a food drive outside her house, and invite visitors to offer support to people suffering from food insecurity.

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Vreeken simply put a box on the edge of her lawn where visitors can place donations  all of which she plans to donate to the Utah Food Bank.

We have hundreds of people going by our house every night. Even if 10% of them brought a can of food or a nonperishable item, that would make such a difference, Vreeken said.

While the government continues to be in shutdown, Vreeken feels concern for people in her community who depend on food aid, particularly SNAP benefits, to feed their families.

My heart breaks for these people, Vreeken said. I cant imagine the stress, especially going into holiday season of what that feels like. ... As human beings, hunger should never be something that we should have to worry about.

Donated food is left outside a home with decorations from KPop Demon Hunters, located at 5058 W. Beach Comber Way in South Jordan, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

Vreeken hopes her efforts will ease some of the food stress within her community, while also setting a positive example for her own two kids.

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Its important to teach children at a young age about service and giving back and helping our neighbors and our community and the people that need our help, she said.

Creating the KPop Demon Hunters house

Video from KPop Demon Hunters plays on the windows of a home located at 5058 W. Beach Comber Way in South Jordan on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

For the Vreeken family, decorating their home after KPop Demon Hunters took a combined effort.

In the Vreekens South Jordan neighborhood, everyone goes all out with their outdoor Halloween decorations, she said. Most homes opt for a spooky theme, but the Vreekens have always leaned into the fun side of Halloween, she said.

During past years, they have decorated their home with a Monster Mash theme and after the animated Pixar movie Inside Out.

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This year, Vreekens daughter suggested they decorate their home like KPop Demon Hunters  which is the most popular Netflix movie of all time.

Vreeken liked the idea, particularly because she loves the message of the movie. She wants kids to be comfortable talking about how they feel and their emotions, and believes KPop Demon Hunters shows audiences how to accept parts of yourself that you are ashamed of.

Kids can pick up on those subtle messages, she added. Its something that kids can connect to.

Together, Vreeken, her husband James, and their children created a detailed KPop display. They mapped out their plans as a family and each added their own features, such as a Saja Boys section suggested by their son.

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The house features large cutouts of favorite characters, purple lights on the roof, projector images, window displays and a personal FM broadcast setup, so visitors can tune into a station with KPop Demon Hunters songs from their car.

The entire process, which Vreeken described as a labor of love, took about a week to complete.

It can be a little bit of work, but it makes it worth it when you see the smile on peoples faces, she said.

Community togetherness

Hollie Llewelyn, of West Jordan, scans a QR code to a food drive posted outside a home with decorations from KPop Demon Hunters, located at 5058 W. Beach Comber Way in South Jordan, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

For Vreeken, the best part of her KPop homes viral attention has been seeing her community come together to enjoy the decorations.

Connecting with people in her community has been a big motivator for decorating their home every Halloween and welcoming visitors.

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This is bringing people together, she said. Even at a young age, I want my kids to learn how to include people and be gatherers and how to reach our to people. We all need that.

Vreeken continued, I love connecting with people. ... I love being able to find that connection point with somebody.

She hopes her homes decorations will bring joy to her community.

I think sometimes we forget how simple joy can be, Vreeken said. Ive seen people come (to my house) and dance to their favorite song, or enjoy a little cutout and take a picture  its nothing huge, but sometimes we overcomplicate joy."

Its a simple thing, but it has made such a fun addition and experience to the holiday season.
A visitor looks at a handgun in the GForce Arms booth during the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Atlanta. A new report found that suicides involving firearms made up 58% of all gun deaths in 2023  the latest year with available data. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Florida judges legally cant bar state attorneys and their staff from carrying firearms into courtrooms, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.

In an Oct. 20 letter posted to the attorney generals website, Uthmeier told Sarasotas Republican State Attorney, Ed Brodsky, that he and his staff should be allowed to bring their guns into courtrooms  even though the Chief Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit decreed otherwise in a September order.

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The Chief Judges Administrative Order clearly conflicts with and attempts to amend Florida law, Uthmeier wrote in his advisory opinion, insisting that the circuit has contravened the law. These opinions are not binding, and while courts have to consider them in litigation, they dont need to abide by them.

The Order cannot lawfully prohibit the State Attorney, assistant state attorneys, and their investigators from carrying firearms in the Twelfth Circuits courtrooms.

He argued that although Florida statute empowers judges to limit any person from bringing weapons into their courtrooms, state attorneys and their staff dont count as any person.

They count as law enforcement.

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Law enforcement officersincluding state attorneys, assistant state attorneys, and investigatorsdo not fall within the definition of any person,' he said.

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Uthmeiers opinion tracks with his dogged pro-gun rights approach since Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him to the chief legal position in February. He declined to defend a decades-old ban on open carry last month when the First District Court of Appeal struck it down as unconstitutional. He has since asked the legislature to clean up state statute to reflect the decision.

The DCAs ruling made statewide waves, prompting Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muniz to issue a memorandum noting that the decision had no effect on the courts weapons policy, which exclusively allows members of the Marshals Office to bear arms within the state Supreme Court.

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Uthmeier has also preemptively refused to defend a Parkland-era law that lowered the gun-buying age if it makes it to the Florida Supreme Court  unlike his predecessors. This approach comes as House Republicans are set to consider (for the fourth year in a row) whether to return the gun-purchasing age to 21. DeSantis, meanwhile, has advocated for a repeal of Floridas red flag laws, but the state Senate has largely avoided touching gun laws since the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018.

Why did Uthmeier write this opinion?

The dispute arose after Judge Diana Moreland in September finalized new restrictions on where state attorneys can carry firearms: state attorneys and their staff could carry firearms into court facilities where their offices are, but not in courthouses without their offices or in any courtroom. Moreland oversees cases in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties.

Brodsky disagreed, and wrote to Uthmeier to ask his legal opinion. Because this isnt a court case, the attorney general as Floridas chief legal officer can offer advisory opinions that often carry great weight in future litigation and serve as a guideline for state attorneys.

Uthmeier referenced a 1988 opinion by Florida Attorney General Robert Butterworth in a letter to then-State Attorney Janet Reno, a Democrat serving Miami-Dade who went on to serve as U.S. Attorney General. Butterworth believed that assistant state attorneys are law enforcement, and therefore could carry weapons into court in their official capacity.

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The Florida legislature has recognized the importance of the safety of prosecutors by giving them the right to arm themselves in the course of their official duties, Uthmeier wrote.

While [statute] contemplates a Chief Judges ability to regulate the carrying of firearms in courthouses and courtrooms, the State Attorney, assistant state attorneys, and investigators plainly fall outside that statutes permissible regulatory sweep.

Update: This story now includes reference to Chief Justice Carlos Munizs September memo reminding Florida judges that new open carry guidance does not alter the Florida Supreme Courts firearm policy.

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James Uthmeier delivers a speech after being sworn in as state attorney general on Feb. 17, 2025, in the Florida Historic Capitol. (Photo by Jackie Llanos/Florida Phoenix)

The recent Florida court ruling allowing for the open carrying of firearms doesnt change the fact that private investigators and security officers in the state still must get a specific license to carry a gun while performing licensed activities.

Nor does it affect the law preventing licensed recovery agents from carrying guns while on private property and during repossession activities.

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Thats according to a recent legal advisory opinion offered by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. Attorney general advisory opinions are not binding and while courts have to consider them in litigation, they dont need to abide by them.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson in Tampa, August 16, 2023 (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

Uthmeier wrote in the advisory opinion in response to Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson inquiry about the McDaniels v. State ruling and whether it had any impact on how his agency regulates certain professions as part of their official duties. The First DCA opined in September that the states long standing ban on open carry was unconstitutional.

Private investigators in Florida must get a Class G statewide firearm license to carry a firearm on duty. Simpson heads the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services which processes licensure applications for those professions, a task that includes checking the applicants fingerprints, criminal history, mental health history and current mental and emotional fitness.

McDaniels does not impact the restrictions on private investigators, security officers, and recovery agents licensed under Chapter 493, Florida Statutes, when performing their professional duties, Uthmeier wrote in his Oct. 20 advisory opinion. As explained above, McDaniels only addressed Floridas open carry ban in section 790.053, Florida Statutes, and the constitutionality thereof for ordinary, law-abiding, adult citizens.

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A three-judge panel of the Florida First District Court of Appeal ruled last month that a 1987 Florida law banning open carry was unconstitutional.

The case was brought by Stan McDaniels, a Republican candidate for Escambia County Commission who was arrested in downtown Pensacola on July 4, 2022, with a loaded handgun tucked into his pants using an inside-the-waistband holster.

According to a police report, McDaniels was waving at vehicles with one hand with a copy of the U.S. Constitution in the other hand when law enforcement officers arrested him.

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The appellate court ruled that open carry is protected under the Second Amendment and overturned the ban.

Shortly after that ruling, Uthmeier told Florida prosecutors and law enforcement the ruling was binding on all Florida trial courts essentially declaring open carry the law of the land.

The short answer is no

Simpson also asked Uthmeier to weigh in on whether the McDaniels decision impacts the ban on recovery agents from carrying firearms while working on private property.

In short, my answer to both questions is no, Uthmeier responded. McDaniels did not address the requirements and restrictions on private investigators, security officers, and recovery agents licensed under Chapter 493, Florida Statutes.

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Simpson in 2023 wanted the Legislature to lift the concealed weapons restriction on recovery agents working in the repossession business, the News Service of Florida reported.

However, in a footnote in his advisory opinion, Uthmeier, a Second Amendment enthusiast, said he was not addressing the constitutionality of the ban in Florida law only the impact of the McDaniels decision.

In truth, I harbor doubts whether these two statutory regulationsand particularly the carry prohibition for recovery agentswould pass constitutional muster under the Bruen framework, he said, referencing the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen.

The Bruen decision significantly expanded the scope of the Second Amendments protection of the right to carry firearms in public for self-defense. That case has led to a wave of more than 2,000 lawsuits against state and federal gun restrictions across the country, according to the Trace, a news site dedicated to reporting on gun violence.

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For the same reasons the Legislature apparently adopted these restrictions, including the professions heightened safety risks,  493.6100, it strikes me these professionals shouldnt be stripped of their rights to constitutional self-defense, Uthmeier wrote. Nevertheless, this opinion is limited to the questions presented regarding the applicability of McDaniels to sections 493.6115 and 493.6118(1)(x)(9), Florida Statutes.

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The College Republicans chapter at the University of WisconsinEau Claire is under fire from local lawmakers and organizations after posting photos from a Halloween event where a student is dressed as a U.S Immigration and Customs agent arresting another student.

Posted Oct. 28 to the group's Instagram page, the photo depicted an individual in a black vest with "ICE" lettering putting handcuffs on another individual dressed in a bandana and white tank top. Both are facing away from the camera.

The original photo has been deleted, but has since been reshared on other social media accounts. Other costumes at the event included a person in a rainbow sweater holding a "No Kings" sign, a Statue of Liberty and a wizard.

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Neither the UWEau Claire College Republicans nor the Republican Party of Eau Claire County responded to the Journal Sentinel's requests for comment.

In a statement to the Journal Sentinel, UW-Eau Claire said it was aware of the incident and clarified the event was not organized by the university.

Here's how other groups have responded to the costume and subsequent backlash:

Students walk on UW-Eau Claire's campus in fall.

College and state Democrats condemn ICE agent Halloween costume

College and state Democrats have condemned the costume for seemingly mocking recent, widespread immigrant arrests.

In a statement to the Journal Sentinel, UW-Eau Claire College Democrats called the costume "distasteful."

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With ICE becoming a presence in more communities and schools, fear and uncertainty have become an inevitable reality for many students," the College Democrats said. "As college campuses grapple with the appropriate response to this unprecedented situation, it is up to student organizations to create a safe and welcoming environment for students."

The organization added, "Making light of a serious reality for people is never something a UWEC student organization should support or promote."

The state Democratic Party's 3rd Congressional District also released a statement Oct. 29 denouncing the costume and the "hateful and discriminatory actions taken by members of the UWEau Claire College Republicans."

The costume with the white tank top and bandanna appeared to stereotype Latino immigrants, the release said.

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William Garcia, chair of the 3rd Congressional District, told the Journal Sentinel the Democratic group is not interesting in calling out specific students, but rather questioning the organization's decision to publicize the costume.

"These organizations are paid for by student fees... and that means that we've got people of color, Latino students, who paid to be mocked," he said.

Garcia also called on UW-Eau Claire to investigate whether the costume breached any terms that student organizations have to follow in exchange for university funding.

The university's student organization handbook advises groups to be "respectful and positive" in their social media posts.

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"This does not seem respectful to me," Garcia said.

Republicans say students' costumes are protected by the First Amendment

As pictures of the costume spread online, state Republicans chimed in to defend the students.

On Facebook, Brady Penfield, an organizer with Turning Point Action and former state Assembly candidate, said he will notify legislators if the university takes any action against the students.

"I unequivocally stand with the UWEC College Republicans and their freedom of speech," Penfield wrote. "They have done nothing against policy and their actions are protected under the first amendment."

Fred Kappus, chair of the Eau Claire County Republican Party, told WKOW-TV that he attended the Halloween event and saw a "group of responsible college students having a good time."

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He said the College Republicans group is "very inclusive," and the Democrats' news release sought to "to smear, besmirch and portray these conservative students as racists."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW-Eau Claire Republicans criticized for ICE agent Halloween costume
Vice President JD Vance was put on the spot by a college student who questioned President Donald Trumps political ethics.

Vance and slain right-wing activist Charlie Kirks widow Erika visited the University of Mississippi on Wednesday for a Turning Point USA event, with the VP saying he was open to questions.

Please dont be nervous if you need to work through a question, think through it, speak it, Vance told the students. Were all here to have a nice conversation, and were all supportive of it.

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Vance was asked if it was a conflict of interest for the president to accept millions from Israeli-American businesswoman Miriam Adelson and then promote pro-Israel policies.

US Vice President JD Vance walks on stage to speak during a Turning Point USA event at the University of Mississippi, in Oxford, Mississippi, October 29, 2025. / JONATHAN ERNST / POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Well, if youre asking, do I think the president of the United States has a conflict of interest? No, I do not, Vance said.

Because I know how the president of the United States makes his decisions and I see it behind the scenes.

Vance said he personally has a very good relationship with Adelson, who is the widow of billionaire casino boss Sheldon Adelson.

The billionaire donated more than $100 million to Trumps 2024 presidential campaign, which she also made an appearance on. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump in November 2018 for her humanitarian work.

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She doesnt hide the fact that she really loves Israel, and that is part of what motivates her political giving, Vance said of Adelson. That is a reality. At the same time, the president the United States is America First through and through.

The vice president said some pro-Israel voices had told the government they wanted them to cease discussions with certain Middle Eastern countries.

Miriam Adelson, widow of billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, welcomes Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump to the stage to speak before prominent Jewish donors at an event titled

The presidents attitude is we need to build relationships with any country where we have shared interests, Vance said. And hes going to do it if its in the interests of the American people and hes done exactly that.

Trump said on Wednesday the U.S.-backed ceasefire in Gaza remains, despite Israeli strikes killing over 100 people, claiming Israel was hitting back after Hamas allegedly made a fatal strike in Rafah.

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As I understand it, they took out an Israeli soldier, Trump said. So the Israelis hit back and they should hit back. When that happens, they should hit back.

During the Turning Point event, Vance was also asked about his Hindu wife, Usha and their intercultural, racial, religious household" in the face of the Trump administrations strict immigration policies.

One student asked a long-winded question to Vance that began, When you talk about too many immigrants here, when did you guys decide that number? Why did you sell us a dream? You made us spend our youth, our wealth in this country, and gave us a dream.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks during a Turning Point USA event where U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected, at the Pavilion at Ole Miss at the University of Mississippi, on October 29, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi. / Pool / Getty Images

She continued, Then how can you as a vice president stand there and say that We have too many of them now, and we are going to take them out to people who are here rightfully... paying the money that you guys asked us? You gave us the path, now how can you stop it and tell us we dont belong here anymore?

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While Vance shirked a direct answer, he said he believed the U.S. should lower its levels of immigration in the future, but also respected the immigrants who have contributed to America.

But just because one person or 10 people or 100 people came in illegally and contributed to the United States of America, does that mean that we are thereby committed to let in a million or 10 million or 100 million people a year in the future? No, thats not right, Vance said.

We cannot have an immigration policy where what was good for the country 50 or 60 years ago binds the country inevitably for the future.
(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)



Do you know about sanshin? The three-stringed musical instrument of Okinawa looks and sounds like the shamisen of mainland Japan, but this snakeskin-covered Ryukyu instrument has some differences you can learn about in a short workshop at Utwuimuchi-Project in Mihama American Village.

Normally, playing sanshin would require reading kunkunshi, Okinawan notation in kanji, which can be challenging for beginners. However, the workshop offers translated scores in sol-fa syllables for ease of learning.

Add a taste of Ryukyu culture to your time in Okinawa and have a fun jam session at Utwuimuchi-Project.

(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)

(Photo by Shoji Kudaka/Stripes Okinawa)



Utwuimuchi-Project

GSP Coordinates: 26.318857, 127.756543

Fees for Sanshin Experience: 3,300 yen (approx. $22) for adult (13 years old and above), 2,200 yen for ages 6 to 12, free for ages 5 and below.

Website

*For the booking, I searched Sanshin Experience on Veltra.

*In addition to its sanshin experience lesson, Utwuimuchi-Project also offers programs such as Ryukyu Dance lesson, taking a walk in a yukata (a casual version of Kimono), sanba (percussion instrument) lesson, and more.
Vice President JD Vance appears to think that his wife is going to hell.

At a Turning Point USA town hall Wednesday at the University of Mississippi, in honor of the late right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk, Vance was questioned about the contradictions between his public statements on race, immigration, and religion, and his personal relationship with his Hindu, Indian American wife, Usha Vance. You are married to a woman who is not Christian. She still calls herself Hindu. You are raising three kids in interracial, cultural, racial religious household. How are you maintaining, how are you teaching your kids not to keep your religion ahead of their mothers religion? a young South Asian woman asked Vance.

Yes, my wife did not grow up Christian, I think its fair to say that she grew up in a Hindu family, but not a particularly religious family in either direction, Vance replied, before stating that the two were both agnostic or an atheist when they met. Everybody has to come to their own arrangement here. The way that weve come to our arrangement is shes my best friend and we talk to each other about this stuff. So we decided to raise our kids Christian. Thats the way that we have come to our arrangement.

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The crowd erupted with applause.

You just gotta talk to the person that God has put you with, Vance continued, as his answer became more strange. Most Sundays, Usha will come with me to church. As Ive told her, and Ive said publicly, and Ill say now in front of 10,000 of my closest friends: Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in by church? Yeah, I do wish that. Because I believe in the Christian gospel, and I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way.

JUST IN: JD Vance says he's raising his children Christian, and he hopes his agnostic wife, Usha, comes around to the Christian faith.



pic.twitter.com/ycGvPzqAgt  Spencer Hakimian (@SpencerHakimian) October 30, 2025

Many rightfully saw this as Vance rejecting his wifes own religion and culture.

Watch as Vance denies his wifes religious identity as Hindu. Instead, he labels her as currently without a religion and a future Christian, South Asian history professor Dr. Audrey Trushcke wrote on X. Folks, believe the far-right when they say Christian is the only legitimate religious identity. They mean it.

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When JD Vance had hit his lowest, it was his Hindu wife and her Hindu upbringing that had helped him navigate through the tough times, Indian author Monica Verma wrote. Today in a position of power, her religion has become a liability. What a fall. What an epic fall for the man.

For the record, Usha Vance has described her Hindu upbringing as something that helped make her parents good people.

I did grow up in a religious household, my parents are Hindu, and I think that was one of the things that made them such good parents, that make them really very good people, she said in an interview with Fox News last year.

When you convert to Catholicism it comes with several important obligations, like to raise your child in the faith and all that, she said in a more recent interview with Meghan McCain. We had to have a lot of real conversations about how do you do that, when Im not Catholic, and Im not intending to convert or anything like that. The kids know that Im not Catholic, and they have plenty of access to the Hindu tradition from books that we give them, to things that we show them, to the recent trip to India, and some of the religious elements of that visit.

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This arrangement does not sound like a compromise, especially when Ushas husband is proudly proclaiming that he hopes shell abandon the religion she grew up with.

Vance also faced questions by the same woman about his vehemently anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric.

You sold us a dream. You dont owe us anything, we have worked hard for it. Then how can you as a vice president stand there and say that we have too many [immigrants] now, and we are going to take them out?

Im talking about people who came in in violation of the laws of the United States of America, and Im talking about, in the future, reducing the number [of immigrants].

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You just said you are not stopping with the people who came here legally, right? the woman replied. But you are pushing out policies that hurt us. And these policies are not even solving the problems. These problems are just creating chaos.

Vance responds to somebody who accused him of pushing policies that hurt immigrants:



"Just because 1 person or 10 people or 100 people came in legally and contributed to the United States of America, does that mean we are committed to let in a million, or 10 million, or 100 pic.twitter.com/qMQFVvaQ6j  Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 30, 2025

I can believe that the United States should lower its levels of immigration in the future, while also respecting that there are people who have come here through lawful immigration patterns that have contributed to the country, Vance said. Just because one person or 10 people or 100 people came in legally and contributed to the United States of America, does that mean we are thereby committed to let in a million, or 10 million, or 100 million?  My job is not to look out for the interests of the whole world. Its to look out for the people of the United States.
Vice President JD Vance is facing sharp criticism after he told a group of college students in Mississippi that he hopes his Hindu wife, second lady Usha Vance, will give up her own faith and become a Christian.

The vice president was speaking at the University of Mississippi at an event sponsored by Turning Point USA, the group founded by slain Christian conservative activist Charlie Kirk, when a questioner invoked his wifes religious background.

Vance replied that his wife grew up in what was not a particularly religious Hindu family and said they had always had an open dialogue on religious matters when it comes to how they are raising their three children  two of whom attend a Christian school with all three being raised in the Christian faith.

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After noting that Usha often attends church with him, he said he hopes she will someday be moved by the same things that brought him to convert to Catholicism as an adult.

I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel, and I hope eventually, my wife comes to see it the same way, he said.

Second Lady Usha Vance is a Yale-educated attorney and practicing Hindu (AFP via Getty Images)

If she doesnt, then God says, everybody has free will, so that doesnt cause a problem for me. Thats something you work out.

Vances comments, which were broadcast on Fox News and online by Turning Point, struck a nerve with some users on X.

An Indian-American commentator named Deep Barot also weighed in, mocking Vances suggestion that his wife was once agnostic when she has admitted having been raised in the Hindu tradition.

Lol  Usha Vance is Hindu not agnostic this is not very hard for you to follow. They even had a Vedic Hindu wedding and one of his kids name is Vivek. The biggest hypocrite of them all is JD Vance, which is why he isnt going for if nominated in 2028. pic.twitter.com/0rEoibWttv  Deep Barot (@deepbarot) October 30, 2025

Usha Vance is Hindu not agnostic this is not very hard for you to follow. They even had a Vedic Hindu wedding and one of his kids name [sic] is Vivek, he said.

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Barot added that Vance was the biggest hypocrite for downplaying his wifes background and would face problems in a potential 2028 presidential run as a result.

Another Indian commentator, Nirmalya Dutta, called Vance a class A hypocrite for the same reason and noted that the vice president had credited his wifes faith with reinvigorating his interest in his own.

JD is a class A hypocrite. What he said about Usha's faith in the past and now... pic.twitter.com/LTnVvkoSP2  Nirmalya Dutta (@NonsensicalNemo) October 30, 2025

Transgender activist Ari Drennen, suggested that his remarks could lead to the end of his marriage.

Hes going to be the first Vice President to get Divorced while in office, she said.For her part, Usha Vance has stated that she has no intention to abandon her familys faith in favor of her husbands.

Hes going to be the first Vice President to get Divorced while in office https://t.co/JaZH5XAfEs  Ari Drennen (@AriDrennen) October 30, 2025

In an interview with conservative commentator Meghan McCain in June, Vance said she and the vice president had a lot of conversations about faith when he was considering whether to convert to Catholicism and noted that his decision came with several important obligations, like to raise your child in the faith and all that.

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She said at the time that she was not intending to convert or anything like that and told McCain that she and her husband have given her children each the choice of experiencing both of their respective religious traditions.

The kids know that Im not Catholic, and they have plenty of access to the Hindu tradition from books that we give them, to things that we show them, to the recent trip to India, and some of the religious elements of that visit, she said.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Vancouver police say they are trying to track down a rape suspect who cut off his ankle monitor and failed to appear in court on Wednesday.

Authorities say Todd Hubbard was scheduled to plead guilty to second-degree rape (domestic violence) on Wednesday.

A felony warrant has been issued for Hubbards arrest. He also faces additional charges of second-degree malicious mischief and third-degree escape.

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Do not approach Hubbard. If you see him or know his whereabouts, call 911 immediately, Vancouver police said.

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Changes to a country are easier to spot when you dont live there. Born in London, I go back every so often and just returned. My impression is of a country at a crossroads. There is a tired, old Britain, resigned to continued cultural, societal, and economic decline. But there is also a growing movement willing to face the hard questions and plot a different course.

On migration, Britain and other Western countries have two major decisions to make. First, how many immigrants do they want? Second, who should they be? Once thats determined, a third, equally important decision is necessary: will those countries do what it takes to control numbers, once the limit they set is reached?

The how many question matters because the worlds supply of people wanting a better life in a richer country is practically inexhaustible. The who matters because some populations seem to integrate and assimilate better than others. Some migrants contribute more than they take, others the reverse. And most controversially, nationals of some countries commit  on average  some crimes at rates many multiples those of the British-born. Allowing them to live among you is a choice, not a fate. Ill save the who aspect for another article and focus on the how many here.

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Up to now, Britains political leaders on both sides seem to have given up on limits, accepting mass migration as either a positive good, like Labours Tony Blair, or an unavoidable phenomenon to be mitigated, as Conservatives David Cameron, Theresa May and Rishi Sunak did.

But something seems to have changed. There is now a growing popular backlash across the British Isles against decades of unchecked mass migration and a failure to assimilate some of the new arrivals. Tapping into this popular anger is an entirely new party, Nigel Farages Reform, and a rising generation of Conservative politicians like Robert Jenrick, Katie Lam, and Chris Philp.

Nigel Farage has tapped into the popular anger around migration - Paul Grover

Those opposing mass migration are a coalition. Many are indigenous British  that is, those of English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh ancestry  whose ancestors have been there for centuries. Others are patriotic, well-assimilated people from a variety of origins. They are led by a diverse group of politicians and activists from across the geographical and social spectrum.

And they have a plan. Pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights, which has been interpreted in ridiculous ways to thwart the enforcement of government deportation efforts. Pass laws drastically limiting legal work visas, family unification, and asylum claims by legal arrivals (eg students and visitors). Bar any foreigner arriving illegally from claiming asylum. And swiftly enforce immigration laws, including deportation orders.

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Thats the least it will take for Britain to regain control of its borders and destiny. The Reform platform contains a lot of this, right up front. The Conservatives, who are at historically low polling partly due to a failure to keep promises to limit migration, are catching up.

Presently, an asylum seeker from Albania, Eritrea, Pakistan or many similar countries may think that, if he can get to the coast of France and thence to England on an illegal boat, he will be housed, fed, and allowed to remain until his asylum claim has been adjudicated. After that, he has multiple, slow avenues of appeal. Even if ultimately refused, he may never be deported.

To that illegal migration, the UK adds a significant legal migration every year via routes such as family re-unification, as well as allowing many foreigners on student visas and work permits to remain for longer. In addition, they accept asylum claims by those who arrive on non-immigrant, temporary visas. A large proportion of claims are approved, and appeals drag on for years.

Absent radical changes, with current migration and fertility trends, the demographic future of Britain could be for the indigenous people to be a minority within a generation or two. In that case, I see two likely scenarios for Britains future.

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The best case is akin to the United Arab Emirates, where a native population controls the land, wealth, and politics, while vastly outnumbered by a non-Arab clerical and labour class.

Or Britain could end up like Lebanon, where no dominant political force or culture holds things together at the centre. Enclaves of prosperity and even comfort remain, but without the unifying history, faith, and collective identity that forms a strong nation.

To avoid either fate will require both massively reducing legal channels of immigration and ending asylum abuse. Parliament has the power to do both.

If the current popular mood holds, and Britain elects in a few years a party or coalition committed to ending mass migration, there is a possible third future. That would be an era similar to the US between 1925-1965, when immigration was severely limited, and the huge wave of immigrants that arrived over the prior decades was slowly absorbed into the melting pot of American society.

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Sovereign states can control their destiny. No country is compelled to accept migrants. Conventions on refugees can be left as well as joined. Laws allowing asylum claims can be restricted or scrapped. There is no better example of the power of leadership to control migration than the US, where Joe Bidens open borders and mass release of aliens was halted almost immediately when Donald Trump began his second term in the White House. Since then, enforcement has been the priority, and record numbers of would-be migrants are leaving on their own.

For now, Britain is stuck in a rut. But should it wish to get out of it, there is a clear map to follow.

Simon Hankinson is a senior research fellow in The Heritage Foundations Border Security and Immigration Center and author of The Ten Woke Commandments (You Must Not Obey) from Academica Books.

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A 23-year-veteran paramedic and former Marine died in the line of duty yesterday after finishing a shift at the FDNY Training Academy at Randalls Island, Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker announced on Thursday.

The FDNY is mourning the loss of Paramedic Salih Abdur Rahman, a dedicated Paramedic who served the people of New York for more than two decades, Tucker said in a statement. He touched the lives of so many EMTs and Paramedics, and the many whose lives he saved. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and his three young children, and his family and friends.

Salih Abdur Rahman, 46, became a member of the FDNY in 2002 when he was 23. He was assigned to Station 8 in Kips Bay in Manhattan at the start of his career, before moving to Station 16 in Harlem and then Station 13 in Washington Heights, where he worked for nine years. After being promoted to paramedic in 2021, he worked at Stations 8 and 4 in lower Manhattan. He was assigned to the FDNY Training Academy at Randalls Island at the time of his death.

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Before joining the FDNY, Abdur Rahman served in Japan as a Marine for five years.

Abdur Rahman is survived by three daughters and his wife, who he lived with in Manhattan.

He was a Boy Scout leader.

Information about how he died was not immediately available. Funeral arrangements are pending.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Veterans Day is approaching as the Greater Rochester Area is preparing ceremonies, parades, and events to honor those who serve.

If you dont see a ceremony or event listed here, reach out to us at WROCDigital@nexstar.tv

Rochester

The City of Rochester will be holding a Veterans Recognition event for City of Rochester employees on Wednesday, November 12 at 4 p.m.

The event will be held in City Halls second-floor atrium. Refreshments will be served as the city pays tribute to local heroes.

The fourth annual Veterans Day Parade will be held in Downtown Rochester on Saturday, November 8, starting at 10:30 a.m.

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The parade starts at the corner of South Goodman Street and Highland Avenue. The route continues up Highland Avenue toward the Greater Rochester Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Gary Beikirch Park.

The grand marshal of the parade is Honor Flight Rochester, which gives veterans free trips to Washington, DC, to visit the memorials dedicated to their service.

The Rochester Institute of Technologys 14th annual Veterans Day Breakfast will be at the Gordon Fieldhouse from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Viviana DeCohen, a Marine veteran and the commissioner of the NYS Department of Veterans Services, will be the keynote speaker of the breakfast. Awards such as the Veteran Student of the Year and the Veterans Upward Bound Resiliency Award will be given out.

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You can register for the breakfast by clicking here.

The Veterans Outreach Center is holding the Stars & Stripes Celebration fundraiser on Saturday, November 1, at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center. It will start at 5:30 p.m.

The celebration will feature a cocktail reception, a silent auction, a dinner, dessert, and dancing.

Brighton

This ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Veterans Day at the Brighton Veterans Memorial in Buckland Park. The town is inviting all members of the public to join.

Gary Ginsburg of the David J. Kauffman Post 41 of the Jewish War Veterans will be honored at the ceremony. The Buffalo Soldiers will post colors.

Chili

Chili veterans are allowed to bring a guest to the Veterans Day Breakfast and Line of Honor at the Chili Community Center. That will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 8.

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After breakfast, the Line of Honor will commence as community members line up and down the halls to cheer and thank veterans for their service.

Gates

The Veterans Day Service will be held at the Gates-Chili High Schools Performing Arts Center. That will be held on Saturday, November 8 at 10:30 a.m.

Veterans are invited to listen to the essays read by students. There will also be refreshments served after the service.

Irondequoit

The Irondequoit American Legion Post #134 is sponsoring this years Veterans Day Ceremony in Irondequoit.

The ceremony will be held on Veterans Day at 11 a.m. at the Town Hall Flagpole.

Pittsford

The Town of Pittsford and American Legion Rayson-Miller Post 899 are co-sponsoring this years Veterans Day Ceremony.

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This years Pittsford ceremony will be on Veterans Day from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Veterans Monument in Carpenter Park.

Victor

All local veterans are invited to this luncheon at Victor Town Hall on Thursday, November 6, 2025, between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.

A free catered meal will be provided by Fire on Main, and there will be performances from the Victor Central School Districts Senior Choir.

Those looking to register may call (585)-742-0144.

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KILLINGLY - The man who was fatally shot in the chest while watching the movie "Toy Story" with a 12-year-old boy was described as "a kind, generous man" in an online fundraiser.

"Andrew had a heart of gold," the organizer wrote of Andrew Olson on the GoFundMe donation page. "He was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back without a second thought. He was so deeply loved by everyone who knew him, and his absence has left an emptiness that can never be filled."

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The effort had raised $3,600 of its $4,500 goal by Thursday afternoon, the page said; the money will be used for funeral and memorial costs.

"We're truly overwhelmed by the love and generosity everyone has shown," the organizer added in an update. "I can't believe how many people have donated - it means more than words can say. Thanks to all of you, we'll be able to give Andrew the most beautiful service to honor his life."

The 39-year-old "father, son, brother, and friend" was fatally shot while watching the movie with a boy in a Pratt Road home, according to the Connecticut State Police. The relationships among Olson, the boy, the suspected shooter and another witness in the home at the time of the killing remained unclear Thursday.

Troopers were called to a home in the 20 block of Pratt Road in the Dayville section of Killingly on a report of a shooting at about 9:20 p.m. Monday, state police said. When they arrived, they found a man lying unresponsive on the floor at the front door, shot in the chest, they said; the man, later identified as Olson, was taken to Day Kimball Hospital in Putnam, where he was pronounced dead.

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As they checked the house, they encountered a woman lying on a bed wearing only a sweater, police said. Asked what happened, she said, "He tried to kill me" and "I shot him," repeating the second statement several times. The woman, identified as Michelle F. Yeagher, 65, "appeared to be highly intoxicated," a police report stated.

Troopers handcuffed her, continued checking the house and provided aid to Olson until medics arrived to take him to the hospital, the report said.

Yeagher repeated her claim that Olson "came after me," and that "I shot him," the report said. She said she was in her bedroom when Olson came after her, and that she was trying to unlock her gun safe, which took awhile, it said; she repeated that it took her a long time to get into the safe.

The report stated that the 12-year-old boy contradicted what Yeagher originally told police: The boy said he was inside the home watching "Toy Story" with the victim "when Yeagher came into the room and shot him."

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Troopers found a small, black safe on the floor next to the bed where Yeagher had been, the report said. Also on the floor was a 9 mm cartridge and a 9 mm cartridge casing, which was under a dresser, it said.

Early the next day, Yeagher talked to police again and changed her story to say she didn't remember shooting the victim, the report said.

She said she was upset from "dealing with issues throughout the day" and started drinking later that night, it said; she said the victim and the boy came over, and she went to bed awhile later.

She woke up terrified for some reason, Yeagher told the troopers, and went to her safe to get a gun. She said she did not remember if she got into her safe, only that she was fidgeting with the key to get in, according to the report.

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"Yeagher stated the next thing she remembered [was] hearing Witness #1 in distress and then saw someone lying on the floor, hurt," the report said. She told police she owns a Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol registered to her, and that neither the victim nor the adult witness owns a gun.

Yeagher, who was taken to the hospital because she had a cut on her head, was arrested upon her release, police said. She is charged with murder, carrying a dangerous weapon, first-degree reckless endangerment and risk of injury to a child.

This article originally published at Victim in fatal Killingly shooting described as 'kind, generous' in online fundraiser.
VINCENNES, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  The City of Vincennes has signed a new Sister City relationship with a Ukrainian city.

Vincennes officials said the new partnership with the City of Ovruch, Ukraine, celebrates friendship, cultural exchange, and a shared commitment to community resilience.

Both Vincennes and Ovruch are cities defined by history, strength, and perseverance, said Mayor Yochum. Our two communities may be separated by distance, but we are united in spirit  in dedication to our citizens, our belief in peace, and our shared hope for a brighter future.

The Sister City relationship will provide opportunities for cultural, educational, and civic exchange. The program also aims to form a collaboration between residents, schools, and organizations in both communities.

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Vincennes said the Sister City initiative reflects the citys belief that local connections can foster global understanding, strengthening both communities.

Ovruch is located in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine.

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Vintage car stolen from Imperial Beach neighborhood

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The San Diego County Sheriffs Department is asking for the publics help in identifying a suspect who stole a vintage car from an Imperial Beach neighborhood last week.

The Nexstar Media video above explains what to do if you witness a crime

According to the Imperial Beach Sheriffs Substation, the theft happened around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, in the 500 block of Calle Avenue. Detectives say the suspect stole a red 1960 Chevrolet Impala with California license plate JCL527, which had been parked on the street.

A red 1960 Chevrolet Impala that was stolen in Imperial Beach. (Credit: San Diego County Sheriffs Department)

Home surveillance footage captured the suspect pushing the classic car away from the location. The individual appears to be wearing a dark-colored hooded sweater, dark pants and white shoes, authorities said.

Surveillance footage of a suspected car thief. (Credit: San Diego County Sheriffs Department)

South Bay crash leaves one hospitalized, suspected DUI driver arrested

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While investigators note that the quality of the surveillance image is poor, they hope someone who was in the area that night may recognize the suspect or have additional information that could help recover the stolen vehicle.

Anyone with information about the theft, the suspects identity or the cars location is encouraged to contact the Imperial Beach Sheriffs Substation at 619-498-2400. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through San Diego County Crime Stoppers.

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Youve probably heard of H.H. Holmes  The Devil in the White City, according to Erik Larsons 2003 novel  Chicagos reported first serial killer who murdered young women during the Worlds Fair of 1893.

Three years earlier  when the city was awarded the fair over New York and St. Louis  it was another killer who inspired one of Chicagos most secretive clubs. His name: Jack the Ripper. The group: The Whitechapel Club.

It is claimed that, should a man in a state of inebriety penetrate the recesses of the club not having been warned of what he was to encounter, he would instinctively rush out, hire a cab, and drive to the Washingtonian Home (a rehabilitation facility), the Tribune reported in 1890.

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In this treat from the Tribunes archives  originally written by June Sawyers for the Way We Were column published on July 20, 1986  learn about these men who spent their days chasing stories and nights communing with the macabre.

Other Vintage newsletters for Halloween

Humor in Chicago journalism has a long and prestigious pedigree. As early as the 1840s, local readers enjoyed the biting wit of the comic writers inventive mind. The tradition reached its zenith during the 1880s and 1890s, when the likes of writer and poet Eugene Field, columnist George Ade and Mr. Dooley creator Finley Peter Dunne established Chicagos reputation as a vibrant literary and journalistic town. (Other members included Brand Whitlock, U.S. minister to Belgium during World War I; John T. McCutcheon, Tribune cartoonist; Hyde W. Perce, realtor; Charles Goodyear Seymour; Richard Baldwin; and Wallace Rice, who created the design for the Chicago flag.)

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This golden age of Chicago journalism found expression in the many drinking establishments and social clubs of the day. One of the most notorious was the Whitechapel Club, a newsmens hangout off an alley near the newspaper offices on North Wells Street (also known as Newspaper Alley or Newsboys Alley, opening out of LaSalle Street, between Madison and Washington streets).

The origin of the clubs name is the stuff of journalistic legend. One day, when the group was gathered in the back room of Henry Kosters saloon at 173 W. Calhoun Place (named for the citys first printer and newspaper publisher), a newsboy dashed in yelling, All about the latest Whitechapel murder! Inspired by that reference to the district popularized by the grisly crimes of Londons Jack the Ripper, Charles Goodyear Seymour, a Chronicle of Chicago reporter and the clubs first president, raised his stein of beer and chortled: Heres to the Whitechapel Club! Thats the name for our club!

In its lifespan of less than six years (1889-1894), the club  even during its heyday  never had more than 90 members. Dunne, whose fictional Mr. Dooley raised the eyebrows and social consciousness of the Evening Posts readers, was an early member. Field, the citys first nationally known humorist, was an occasional visitor. Newsmen from the citys 11 newspapers made up most of the membership, but there were also lawyers, doctors, musicians, politicians and a clergyman or two.

The Whitechapel was most renowned for its gleefully morbid obsession with death. Skulls  including one nicknamed Dutch Charlie  and a hangmans noose adorned the clubs walls and ceilings. A huge coffin-shaped dining table, its lid embellished with large brass nails that each bore a members name, dominated the main assembly room. Leave Everything Behind, Ye Who Go Hence, was the club motto.

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Both members and guests were required to adhere to a code of honor.

Brains, honor, courage and humor were the necessary qualifications for membership, recalled reporter William Hay Williamson in a 1929 article in the Chronicle of Chicago. One steadfast rule of the club was that a gentleman never gets drunk.

The club roasted members and visitors alike, poked fun at the inflated personalities of the day and staged outrageous pranks such as the one that welcomed the visiting members of the Clover Club of Philadelphia, who were invited ostensibly to advise their hosts on the formation here of a similar club.

When some 50 Cloverites showed up one hot midsummer night resplendent, as was their wont, in formal evening attire, they were surprised to see that the Whitechapel men, seemingly more concerned with comfort than decorum, were all coatless. The surprise turned into alarm when, suddenly, after a furious pounding on the door, uniformed policemen burst in announcing, Youre all under arrest! Every man not in his shirtsleeves was hauled into police wagons, which then drove away through the bumpiest cobblestoned streets of what is now the Loop. The alarm, in turn, changed into embarrassment when the Philadelphians were dropped off not at a prison door but the main entrance of their hotel.

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Then there was the bizarre funeral rite held in honor of Morris Allen Collins, who had taken his own life to show he had no fear of death. Seeing in Collins a kindred spirit and complying with his last wish, the Whitechapel men made plans to cremate him. Late on the night of July 16, 1892, 13 members took Collins by train to Miller Station, Indiana, and then by wagon to the dunes on the shore of Lake Michigan. There, as the aurora borealis danced against the black sky, Collins Grecian-robed corpse was cremated. For 5  hours, the pyre burned while Shelleys poetry filled the air. It was the Whitechapel Clubs finest moment. (After observing the ritual, club founder/member Hugh Blake Williams also requested Whitechapelites attend his cremation at Graceland Cemetery after he died in 1911.)

But the clubs glory was short-lived, its life snuffed out by one of its own members. A brilliant and courageous man, that member turned out to be a crook who robbed the club blind and plunged it into debt. (The club was sued in 1893 for $200 to cover the cost of groceries, fruits and wines and $500 to recover money said to be due on liquor, cigars and kindred articles.) Rather than borrow money to pay the debt, the Whitechapel men paid it off themselves and with laughter and jests decided to call it quits, thereby ending a unique chapter of Chicago history.

A plaque honoring the memory of the Whitechapel Club was dedicated and hung in the barroom (then named Whitechapel Pub) inside the LaSalle Hotel in 1942. The hotel was demolished in 1976 and 2 North LaSalle was built in its place. The alley on Calhoun Place still exists.

Want more vintage Chicago?

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Thanks for reading!

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 at krumore@chicagotribune.com.
Virgin Trains has been cleared to launch international services through the Channel Tunnel, bringing an end to Eurostars monopoly for the first time in more than 30 years.

Sir Richard Bransons rail business has said it plans to begin services by 2030 after its application to share Eurostars east London trains depot was approved.

The approval was announced by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) on Thursday, as it granted Virgin access to use the Temple Mills site for maintaining and storing trains.

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Access to the depot is a critical requirement for an operator to compete with Eurostar, as it is the only train depot that can be accessed from High Speed 1, the line that links London with the Channel Tunnel.

Virgin has been granted access to the depot ahead of three other Eurostar challengers including Italys state-owned Trenitalia, Spains Evolyn and start-up Gemini.

The ORR said Virgins application was more financially viable than the other operators.

Eurostar has held a monopoly on passenger services through the tunnel since it opened in 1994.

He said: The ORRs decision is the right one for consumers. Its time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route.

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Virgin is no stranger to delivering award-winning rail services. And just as we have successfully challenged incumbents in air, cruise and rail, were ready to do it again.

Were going to shake up the cross-Channel route for good and give consumers the choice they deserve.

In a post on social media, he added that Virgin have always believed in a little healthy competition.

Virgin said it had made an order for 12 new trains from manufacturer Alstom to use on the line.

It aims to run services from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, Brussels-Midi and Amsterdam Centraal  with ambitions to expand further across France, and into Germany and Switzerland.

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As well as potentially lowering fares, the competition could also open the door to international rail services being restored to Ashford and Ebbsfleet International stations in Kent.

Eurostar services stopped running from the high-speed stations after the pandemic in 2020 and have not been restored since.

Lord Peter Hendy, the rail minister, said he was incredibly pleased with the ORRs decision, which he said marks a significant step towards growth and a more competitive international rail market.

He said the Government was also exploring plans for new depots with private investors to meet the needs of the market and make sure a lack of depot capacity was not a barrier to greater competition and growth.

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He added: We will also continue to champion the reopening Ashford and Ebbsfleet International stations as a priority to restore full connectivity, support tourism and boost growth across the region.

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By Steve Gorman

(Reuters) -The Democratic-led Virginia House of Delegates voted on Wednesday to amend the state constitution to allow legislators to redraw Virginia's congressional maps next year, heightening a multistate, mid-decade redistricting war spawned by President Donald Trump.

Passage of the Democratic-sponsored resolution, on a party-line vote of 51-42, sent the measure to the Virginia state Senate, where the Democratic majority in that chamber was expected to pass the measure as well.

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The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee later approved it on an 8-6 vote and the measure was slated for action on the floor of the upper chamber on Thursday.

Under Virginia law, both houses of the General Assembly would have to adopt the constitutional amendment once more early next year before a redistricting plan could be submitted to voters for approval by referendum.

The measure would temporarily bypass an independent redistricting commission that voters created by constitutional amendment in 2020 and enable the Democratic-controlled legislature to reshape congressional boundaries to partisan advantage ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.

TRADING 'POWER GRAB' CLAIMS

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Republican lawmakers cried foul, calling the Democrats' efforts a naked power grab.

But Democrats countered that they were responding to a much bigger power grab that Trump instigated in pushing for Texas to redraw its congressional maps this year in a bid to pick up five more Republican seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Republicans, including Trump, openly acknowledge that redrawn maps enacted this summer in Texas, followed by similar moves seeking to gain one seat each in Missouri and North Carolina, are aimed at preserving their party's slim U.S. House majority in the hotly contested 2026 midterm races.

Democrats have fought back by advancing redistricting initiatives of their own, starting in California, where a plan to redraw congressional electoral lines to their party's advantage was passed by the legislature in August and will be decided by voters in a special election next week.

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California's plan aims to flip five Republican seats to the Democratic column.

Virginia Democrats entered the fray this week, in the midst of Virginia's closely watched gubernatorial race and election for all 100 members of the state's House of Delegates.

No political map alterations have been specifically proposed in Virginia. But Democrats are expected to draw lines giving them a better chance of gaining at least two additional U.S. House seats. Democrats currently hold six of Virginia's 11 seats in the U.S. House.

Two Republican state senators and a citizen member of the redistricting commission have filed suit in state court, seeking to block the legislature from considering the constitutional amendment by challenging it on procedural grounds.

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The exercise of redistricting - the periodic realignment of geographical boundaries defining legislative districts - has traditionally been conducted just once a decade following the U.S. Census to account for population shifts.

This year's widening coast-to-coast redistricting scramble set off by Trump is unprecedented in modern U.S. politics.

Unlike their Republican counterparts in Texas and other "red" states involved so far, Democrats in California and Virginia both face an extra hurdle, constrained by the necessity of amending their state constitutions. As a result, both are leaving the final say to voters.

The next battlegrounds in the war over political maps were shaping up in the Midwest. Indiana's Republican Governor Mike Braun called a special legislative session for next Monday to weigh redistricting proposals, bowing to a White House pressure campaign. The Kansas state Senate president said on Tuesday that he has collected enough signatures to call for a special redistricting session. The House has not yet done so.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles, Editing by Franklin Paul, Matthew Lewis and Thomas Derpinghaus)
The Virginia House of Delegates advanced a constitutional amendment Wednesday that would allow the state to redraw its congressional lines if another state does midcycle redistricting, moving one step closer toward entering a national redistricting fight that will have consequences for the 2026 midterms.

Democrats advanced the constitutional amendment in a 51-42 vote after it passed out of committee earlier in the day. The amendment would allow the Old Dominion to redraw its House map if another state redraws its lines for a reason that isnt part of the mandated redistricting process, which happens after every 10-year U.S. Census or in response to litigation over its present map.

The constitutional amendment, if passed, would offer a limited timeline for lawmakers to be able to do midcycle redistricting: They would only be allowed to change their congressional lines until Oct. 31, 2030.

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The constitutional amendment was quickly taken up in the state Senate, where the Virginia Senate Privileges and Election Committee passed it in an 8-6 vote. It now goes before the full state Senate for consideration, where it is expected to pass. Democrats hold majorities in both chambers.

Top GOP leadership in the Virginia state Legislature filed a lawsuit Monday, arguing the Virginia House of Delegates does not have constitutional authority over redistricting and taking issue with how the state Legislature convened over the issue.

Republicans sought to temporarily halt the state Legislature from moving forward with advancing the constitutional amendment while the merits of their case were being heard, though a circuit court judge declined that request, according to Cardinal News. However, the judge has set a Nov. 5 hearing date for a declaratory judgement trial.

Meanwhile, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (R), whos running a tight reelection bid against Democrat Jay Jones, issued an opinion Monday arguing Democrats wouldnt be able to pass their constitutional amendment in time for the 2026 election.

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Virginia Democrats are looking to quickly tee up a constitutional amendment before voters ahead of the 2026 midterms. The goal for Democrats is to pass the constitutional amendment ahead of Election Day next week and quickly pass it again early next year during the start of the new legislative session before setting up a vote before Virginians soon afterward, according to The New York Times.

Texas fired off the first salvo in a broader redistricting war over next years midterms after much pressure from the White House and national Republicans. Republicans in Missouri and North Carolina have also passed new congressional lines, while California Democrats are poised to see new lines, with their redistricting ballot measure, Proposition 50, expected to pass next week.

The redistricting war has become a tit for tat, with both parties trying to neutralize potential gains in 2026 as the House represents Democrats best chance at flipping one of the chambers of Congress.

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NEED TO KNOW

The family of the late Virginia Giuffre is speaking out about Prince Andrew losing all of his royal titles in an unprecedented move by King Charles

In their emotional statement, they praise Giuffre for how she "brought down" the former prince, who will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor

The decision comes amid renewed scrutiny of Andrews ties to late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and ongoing controversy surrounding past allegations



Virginia Guiffre's family has reacted to Prince Andrew being stripped of his royal titles amid ongoing uproar over his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein  calling the unprecedented move by King Charles a "victory."

On Thursday, Oct. 30, Buckingham Palace announced that Andrew, 65, will no longer be known as Prince or His Royal Highness, among other titles.

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"His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew," the palace said, adding that he will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.

He will also lose his living arrangements at Royal Lodge in Windsor, PEOPLE previously reported.

The stunning announcement comes after the Oct. 21 release of Giuffres explosive posthumous book, Nobodys Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice, in which she detailed the three times she was allegedly made to have sex with the former royal when she was just 17 years old.

The outspoken Epstein victim, who died by suicide earlier this year at 41, wrote that she was introduced to Andrew by Ghislaine Maxwell  now a convicted sex offender serving out a 20-year prison sentence  and Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

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Related: Virginia Giuffres Posthumous Memoir: The Biggest Bombshells

In reaction to the news about Andrew, Giuffres brother, Sky Roberts, and his wife, Amanda Roberts, issued a statement to PEOPLE, saying: Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a British prince with her truth and extraordinary courage."

Related: Prince Andrew Stripped of All Royal Titles in Unprecedented Move; Hes Now Andrew Mountbatten Windsor

Virginia Roberts Giuffre, our sister, a child when she was sexually assaulted by Andrew, never stopped fighting for accountability for what had happened to her and to countless other survivors like her," the statement continues.

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"Today, she declares victory."

Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

In 2022, he reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre, which included a statement in which he expressed regret for his association with Epstein, but contained no admission of liability or apology, per the BBC.

In her memoir, Giuffre detailed how she met Andrew on March 10, 2001, in Maxwells London home and recalled posing for a now-infamous picture with him taken on her Kodak FunSaver.

After going out to dinner and dancing at a club, Maxwell allegedly told her, When we get home, you are to do for him what you do for Jeffrey, she wrote.

MediaPunch Inc/Alamy Stock Photo Prince Andrew with Virginia Roberts Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001 Prince Andrew with Virginia Roberts Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001

Back at the house, Maxwell and Epstein said goodnight and headed upstairs, signaling it was time that I take care of the prince. In the years since, Ive thought a lot about how he behaved. He was friendly enough, but still entitled  as if he believed having sex with me was his birthright."

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.

The third time she claimed she was made to have sex with Andrew was with Epstein and eight other young girls on the 72-acre island Epstein owned in the U.S. Virgin Islands, she wrote.

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Andrew was a prince and since birth had been known as His Royal Highness as the son of then-reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth. He was given the title of Duke of York, which is how he was largely known, by his late mother on his wedding day to Sarah Ferguson in 1986.

On Friday, Oct. 17, Andrew announced that he would give up the use of his royal titles and other titles and honors amid renewed interest in his relationship to Epstein. However, he retained the titles at the time and was still known as Prince Andrew, PEOPLE previously reported.

Andrew stepped back from his public royal role in 2019 following his controversial BBC interview in which he discussed his relationship with Epstein.



Nobodys Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice debuted on Oct. 21.

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Giuffre's family says that they, along with Virginia's "survivor sisters," will continue her battle and "will not rest until the same accountability applies to all of the abusers and abettors connected to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

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
(WFXR)- Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a large-scale investigation targeting vape shops that illegally sell marijuana and marijuana products.

The Virginia State Police investigation, dubbed Operation Magic Dragon, identified 172 businesses across the Commonwealth involved in illegal activity.

VSP also discovered cocaine, methamphetamine, psilocybin, and illegal firearms during the multi-month probe.

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The following items were seized in western Virginia:

Marijuana: 128.9 kilograms (valued at $1,289,740)

Marijuana concentrate: 4.2 kilograms (valued at $43,810)

THC vape cartridges: 4.3 kilograms (valued at $173,440)

THC edibles: 18 kilograms (valued at $181,200)

Cocaine: 73 grams (valued at $8,322)

Illegal Firearms: 21 (valued at $10,500)

When illegal drugs, firearms, and organized criminal activity infiltrate retail businesses, frequented by the publicincluding youthVirginia will respond with decisive enforcement and unwavering accountability, said Youngkin.

The following items were confiscated during two raids in Roanoke County:

From a retail establishment

Marijuana: 1 kilogram (valued at $12,150)

THC vapes: 209 grams (valued at $6,270)

THC gummies: 161 bags (valued at $3,220)

From a freight distributor

Marijuana: 14 kilograms (valued at $144,000)

Nicotine vapes: 2,000 units (valued at $60,000)

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North Carolina man sentenced in Lynchburg brothel case

Governor Youngkin also praised the VSP agents involved in the operation.

The results of Operation Magic Dragon demonstrate the exceptional work of our Virginia State Police special agents and their steadfast commitment to keeping our communities safe, said Youngkin. I want to thank every law enforcement professional who was part of this successful mission to remove illegal drugs from vape shops across Virginia. When we empower law enforcement, Virginia is safer.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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CHANTILLY, Va. (DC News Now)  Jamaica is facing devastation after Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm to ever hit the island, left behind flooded roads, downed trees, and communities without power or clean water.

Now, two Virginia-based groups, Mercy Chefs and Virginia Task Force One, are heading to Jamaica to help with recovery efforts.

Well, its just devastating to see the destruction, said Ann LeBlanc, president and co-founder of Mercy Chefs.

The U.S. Department of State deployed Virginia Task Force One, which sent 34 team members and four search dogs early Thursday morning. Task Force member David Bullman said the team has been working around the clock to organize logistics and equipment for the mission.

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Catastrophic: Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica | Tracking the Tropics

Were there for them in whatever assets theyre asking for well be there with our equipment, Bullman said. We can handle anything from flooding to downed trees. Some people may not even have power to communicate, so well help restore connections to emergency operation centers and respond wherever were needed most, he added.

Meanwhile, Mercy Chefs, a nonprofit that provides hot meals during disasters and communities in need, is also deploying a 20-person team on Thursday. A ship carrying 600,000 pounds of food is expected to arrive in Jamaica by Friday.

In peoples darkest hour, we just want to show that somebody cares, said LeBlanc. We cant rebuild your house or solve every problem, but right now, you can be fed and you can be fed well.

As Hurricane Melissa continues moving toward Cuba, LeBlanc said her organization is already positioned to help there as well.

We actually just sent three months of funding to our team in Cuba two weeks ago, and weve told them to use that to respond to the storm, she explained.

Both Mercy Chefs and Virginia Task Force One say theyre ready to get to work as soon as they land.

Everybody is really ready to help, Bullman said. Because we know this is what we train for.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
(Corrects dateline to Oct 29)

By Nora Eckert

DETROIT (Reuters) -Workers at a Volkswagen plant in Tennessee voted to authorize a strike, the United Auto Workers union said Wednesday evening, paving the way for a potential walkout at the Chattanooga facility.

The UAW and automaker have been in contract negotiations for more than a year, after workers there voted 73% in favor of joining the union in April 2024.

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A strike authorization vote gives the union the right to strike, but doesn't guarantee one will happen.

Volkswagen didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

"It is a historic first, as the first strike authorization vote at a non-Big Three automaker in the modern era," the union said in a release Wednesday.

The Chattanooga factory became the first auto plant in the South to unionize via election since the 1940s and the first foreign-owned auto plant in the South to do so. Since then, the union's $40 million organizing drive has stalled, following a defeat at a Mercedes plant in Alabama.

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Negotiations at the facility, which produces the electric ID.4 and gasoline-powered Atlas SUV, have centered on pay, healthcare and financial benefits such as cost-of-living adjustments (COLA).

About 3,200 workers at the plant are represented by the union, the labor group said.

After the union notched record labor deals with Detroit's automakers in late 2023, Volkswagen joined many other companies in offering their workers a wage bump of 11%. The company's proposed deal would offer an additional 20% wage increase over the four-year contract.

Our ask is let the employees vote on that," Volkswagen Group of America CEO Kjell Gruner said at a Reuters conference in Detroit on Wednesday. We are very confident with this offer that our employees would say lets do this.

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Employees would also receive COLA for the first time, as well as a $4,000 ratification bonus, according to what the company described as its last and final offer, which was posted to the VW website.

"Volkswagens most recent proposal does not include the job security language needed to protect workers from plant closures, outsourcing, or the sale of the Chattanooga facility," the union said in a Wednesday release.

Many workers have pushed for an equal or better deal than the one ironed out with the Detroit Three automakers in late 2023, which included a 25% wage increase over the life of the contract with Stellantis, Ford Motor and General Motors.

(Reporting by Nora Eckert; editing by Diane Craft)


Vote No On Mcminnvilles $98.5 Million Blank Check. No on Measure 36-237.

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon

OregonWatchdog.com

The City of McMinnville wants nearly $100 million for a new pool and recreation centerwhich are luxuries, not essential city services.

In this economy, we cannot afford luxuries.

The city bundled this with routine maintenance for the library and parksitems that should be paid for through normal yearly budgeting. This all-or-nothing package is designed to force your hand. Dont let them.

This massive bond proves the city failed at planning. Officials claim population growth justifies the spending, but that growth should have created more tax revenue to properly maintain what we already have.

This bond is a bailout for years of poor money management.

This measure will slam property owners with a new tax of 95 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. For an average homeowner, thats hundreds of dollars in new taxes every year. With families struggling to pay bills, now is not the time for a $98.5 million taxpayer-funded recreation center.

Tell the city to live within its means. VOTE NO on Measure 36-237.

 Help us spread the word. Contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty).
The Volusia County teacher union and school district have reached an agreement on teacher pay, ending a month-long impasse.

Teachers with one or more years of service will receive a 2% cost of living increase.

I think everybody is walking away a winner today, said Stephanie Workman, the chief negotiator.

Elizabeth Albert, Volusia Educators United president, stated, Its a win. Anytime we can reach a resolution without having to execute the full process of impasse, it is a win.

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The union say they wanted to match the pay increase given to principals and custodians. Teachers were initially offered 1.5%.

With the new agreement, the average Volusia County teacher will take home roughly $1,000 more annually.

The district and union also agreed to increase starting pay for teachers from $49,201 to $50,000. Workman noted that this makes the district more marketable compared to surrounding districts.

Other highlights of the agreement:

A 0.65% salary increase through the Teacher Salary Increase Allocation (TSIA), which reflects a 0.54% increase to the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) base funding

Two days of paid bereavement leave

An increase of $2 in the retention supplement multiplier for each year of service

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Both sides acknowledge the need to address retention pay for teachers to help adjust the pay gap between new and veteran teachers.

Albert highlighted the issue of compression, stating, When we remove the bottom and we dont move the top proportionately, thats where we get compression.

Workman emphasized the importance of rewarding career teachers who have been with the district for 15-plus years.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
After the U.S. census is conducted every 10 years, each state must redraw its congressional districts to account for any loss or gain of congressional seats and to maintain an equal population in each district.

But in 2025, breaking from standard practice, President Donald Trump has asked Republican states to redraw their districts mid-decade to provide a greater Republican advantage in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.

Not to be outdone, the Democrats have responded by starting a redistricting effort in California to offset the Republican gains in Texas. Californians will decide whether to approve those changes in a ballot measure on Nov. 4, 2025.

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As other states join the fray, this battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives has escalated to what the media has called a Redistricting War. In this war, the control of the House may be determined more by how each party is able to redistrict states they control and less by how citizens vote.

The media and politicians focus on which party is winning or losing seats. But are the citizens winning or losing in this conflict?

Studies have shown that districts contorted for political purposes make it more difficult for constituents to know who their representatives are, reduces representative-citizen interactions and lowers voter participation in elections.

Changing a residents congressional district will sever any existing relationship or understanding of who their current representative is and how to seek help or share policy concerns. This forces residents to navigate unfamiliar political terrain as they figure out their new district, who is running, and what the candidates stand for. This added complexity discourages residents from voting.

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More importantly, it diminishes their faith in the democratic process.

Districts being contorted for political purposes makes it more difficult for constituents to know who their representatives are and lowers voter participation in elections. Circlon Tech/Getty Images

Staggering scale of changes

Just how big are the changes already enacted in Texas and proposed in California?

The University of Richmond Spatial Analysis Laboratory, which co-author Kyle Redican directs, has analyzed the impact of the mid-decade redistricting changes. The number of redistricting casualties  residents reassigned to a new congressional district  caused by these mid-decade changes in Texas and California is nearly 20 million. Thats about 6% of the overall U.S. population.

The scale of the changes is staggering: 10.4 million Texas residents, about 36% of the states population, and 9.2 million California residents, about 23% of the states population, will find themselves in new, unfamiliar congressional districts.

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Only one district in Texas, of 38 total districts, and eight districts in California, of 52 total districts, remain untouched, making this a pervasive upheaval, not a surgical adjustment.

Most dramatically, nine districts in California and eight districts in Texas will have more than 50% new residents, fundamentally changing the overall composition of those districts.

The 41st District in California will have 100% new residents, while the 9th District in Texas will have 97% new residents, essentially becoming entirely different constituencies.

Making a change of this size mid-decade, as opposed to once every decade, will be highly disruptive and represent a major tear in the fabric of representative democracy.

Lawmakers picking their voters

So who exactly is being moved? The demographic patterns reveal the calculated nature of these partisan manipulations.

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In Texas, Black and Hispanic residents are disproportionately shuffled into new districts compared to white residents.

Minorities constitute 67.1% of Texans who have been moved into a new district, while minorities constitute only 56.4% of Texans who get to remain in their same district. By moving more minorities out of a district and into another reliably Republican district, partisan mapmakers are able to reduce the likely Democratic voter share in that district and swing it to be a Republican-leaning district.

California follows the opposite playbook: White residents are disproportionately moved.

There, 41.2% of those moved into a new district are white, while only 32.7% of those who get to remain in their same district are white. In this case, California is moving likely Republican voters into another reliably Democratic district, which reduces the Republican voter share in the original district and swings it to be a Democratic-leaning district.

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In either case, legislators are making deliberate decisions about which residents to move to achieve a political goal.

Yet fundamental to a representative democracy is a simple principle: The people choose their representatives. Its not that representatives choose their constituents. The founders envisioned the House of Representatives as the peoples house, representing and accountable to the voters.

In the current mid-decade redistricting, the legislators are handpicking their constituencies.

Mocking the fundamental idea

Does the redistricting battle ever end?

If mid-decade redistricting becomes an accepted way to win elections, each time a party wins control of a state legislature and governorship they will have the incentive to redistrict. Each of these future redistrictings will continue to negatively affect citizens participation in the representative process and mock the fundamental idea that citizens should choose their representatives.

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Its entirely possible that redistricting could happen every two years  though that is an extreme outcome of this competition.

Texas and California have fired the opening shots in the redistricting arms race. Other states  Missouri, North Carolina and Virginia  are joining the fight, each time diminishing the public trust in our democratic process.

Today, its 20 million Americans caught in the crossfire. Tomorrow, it could be 100 million as this conflict spreads from state to state. With tit-for-tat redistricting offsetting gains in seats, who is really winning?

For sure, we know who is losing  the people and representative democracy.

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Spatial Analysis Lab intern Ryan Poulsen worked on the block data processing for this story.

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: David Patterson Soule, University of Richmond and Kyle Redican, University of Richmond

Read more:



The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Vice President JD Vance was pressed on a core piece of President Donald Trumps agenda as he took questions from college students at the University of Mississippi.

During the Turning Point USA event, an attendee went on to ask Vance about the administrations increased crackdown on immigration. The vice president had earlier advocated for a slowdown in legal immigration  telling the crowd, We have to get the overall numbers way, way down.

The participant first pointed to Vances wife, Usha, who identifies as Hindu when he is Christian, and asked how he is balancing teaching his three children about his intercultural, racial, religious household.

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And when you talk about too many immigrants here, when did you guys decide that number? Why did you sell us a dream? the participant asked.

The person continued: You made us spend our youth, our wealth in this country and gave us a dream. You dont owe us anything. We have worked hard for it. Then how can you as a vice president stand there and say that we have too many of them now, and we are going to take them out, to people who are here rightfully so by paying them money that you guys asked us? You gave us the path, and now how can you stop it and tell us we dont belong here anymore?

As Vance was about to respond, the participant continued to ask another question, noting it was being said with due respect.

Why are we making Christianity one of the major thing that you have to have in common to be one of you guys, to show that I love America just as you do. Why is that still a question? Why do I have to be a Christian? the attendee asked.

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Vance, who acknowledged there was a lot there to answer, attempted to respond.

First of all, I can believe that we should have lower immigration levels, but if the United States passed a law and made a promise to somebody, the United States, of course, has to honor that promise, Vance said. Nobodys talking about that. Im talking about people who came in, in violation of the laws of the United States of America. And Im talking about in the future, reducing the number, reducing the number of people."

The attendee interjected: May I continue on that? Because when you just said you are not stopping with the people who came here legally, right, but you are pushing out policies that hurt us, and these policies are not even solving the problems. These policies are just creating chaos.

No, no, maam. OK, so again, Im going to finish answering the question, and then if, you know, if Ive answered all nine of your questions in less than 15 minutes, then we can keep on going, Vance replied, receiving applause from the audience. We gotta have a little fun, right?

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He added: So heres the thing. I can believe that the United States should lower its levels of immigration in the future, while also respecting that there are people who have come here through lawful immigration pathways that have contributed to the country. But just because one person or 10 people or 100 people came in legally and contributed to the United States of America, does that mean that were thereby committed to let in a million or 10 million or 100 million people a year in the future? No, thats not right.

Vance did not offer a solid number on how many legal immigrants the country should be admitted, but emphasized that it is far less than what weve been accepting. He also criticized former President Joe Bidens administration for its immigration policies, which he described as threatening to the identity of the United States.

When something like that happens, youve got to allow your own society to cohere a little bit, to build a sense of common identity, for all the newcomers  the ones who are going to stay  to assimilate into American culture, Vance said. Until you do that, youve got to be careful about any additional immigration, in my view.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson speaks with Rachel Smith, president of the Washington Roundtable, during the Cascadia Innovation Corridor conference in Seattle, on Oct. 29, 2025. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Wednesday indicated that hes reluctant to support major new tax increases in the legislative session that begins in January.

The first-term Democrat also said housing and road maintenance are two areas he plans to focus on.

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We did raise billions of dollars in revenue earlier this year, and Im skeptical of additional revenue at this time, he told the Standard.

His remarks come as Democratic lawmakers are in the early stages of discussing tax ideas ahead of the session, including a possible income tax on higher earners. Ferguson said he was aware of conversations about the income tax proposal but did not have a position on it.

In the spring, Ferguson signed off on more than $9 billion in tax increases over four years that Democratic lawmakers pushed through to help close a gap in the states operating budget. Since then, revenue forecasts have shown tax collections falling short of expectations.

Federal cuts and the economic effects of the ongoing government shutdown add another layer of uncertainty.

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Its against this backdrop that Ferguson is crafting his first budget proposal. It is due in December and will propose tweaks to the current two-year budget.

During remarks at the Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference in Seattle on Wednesday, he said that housing will be one of his top priorities during next years 60-day session.

Ferguson later said his proposals would include adding money to the states Housing Trust Fund, though he declined to provide a dollar figure. The account is the main pot of money the state uses to help fund affordable housing.

Youll see greater investments in housing. Im sure of that, he said, adding that a revenue forecast due next month could affect the final amount.

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Lawmakers directed about $600 million into the trust fund in the current two-year budget approved earlier this year. That followed around $527 million in the previous biennium.

Ferguson noted that hes working with former Gov. Christine Gregoire and talking to lawmakers about housing-related policies he may support in the upcoming session.

Earlier this year, the governor signed a number of housing-related laws, including measures to cap residential rent increases, expand development around transit stops, allow for more splitting of residential lots, and block restrictive parking requirements.

Ferguson also highlighted growing concerns about maintenance and preservation of the states roads and bridges. He said the state had done a poor job, and thats probably an understatement, in this area, and that his budget would propose much greater investment.

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A state transportation official said this month the states road system is in the early stages of critical failure due to a lack of funding for upkeep. This follows similar warnings in recent years. Fergusons predecessor, Jay Inslee, also emphasized this was a growing problem.

New projects are important, Ferguson said, but we are not taking care of our maintenance and preservation of key investments that weve already made. And that just has to change.
(The Center Square)  The Washington Supreme Court on Thursday reinstated a $185 million verdict against Monsanto for the polychlorinated biphenyl, or PCB, poisoning of three teachers at the Sky Valley Education Center in Monroe, Wash. The 6-3 decision reversed an intermediate appellate court that had vacated the original 2021 jury award.

The ruling marks the first time a state supreme court has fully upheld punitive damages against the company in multiple cases related to Sky Valley Education Center.

The case is based on allegations that PCB exposure at the Sky Valley Education Center caused students and teachers to suffer from various health problems, including neurological damage and autoimmune disorders.

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The courts majority opinion in favor of former teachers Kerry Erickson, Michelle Leahy and Joyce Marquardt found that the trial courts application of Missouri law was proper. Monsanto, an agrochemical and agricultural biotechnology corporation, was headquartered in Missouri. Monsanto was acquired by Bayer in 2018, and its name was dropped.

The specific legal issue in the case centered on whether the trial court correctly applied Missouri law, which permits the award of punitive damages, to certain aspects of the case. Washington's product liability law does not permit punitive damages and includes a statute of repose, a 12-year limit on product liability claims.

The majority ruled that applying Missouri law was appropriate for Monsanto's statute of repose defense and the awarding of punitive damages.

When a party raises an actual conflict of substantive law, Washington courts apply the law of the state with the most significant relationship to that particular issue, Chief Justice Debra Stephens wrote for the majority. Under this test, Missouri law applies to govern the issues of repose and punitive damages. With respect to punitive damages under Missouri law, it is not necessary to consider whether Missouri would recognize a claim for postsale failure to warn. This is because the jurys finding of liability under Washington substantive product law is sufficient to sustain a punitive damages award where the jury finds that Missouris heightened standard of wrongful conduct is met.

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Dissenting justices argued that Washington law, including its product liability statute, should have been applied.

The three dissenters  Associate Chief Justice Charles Johnson, Justice Barbara Madsen and Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud  wrote that  courts are not supposed to start their analysis with policy preferences when theres a state statute right on point.

Reaction to the ruling was mixed.

This was a monumental victory not just for these teachers, but for every community still suffering the consequences of Monsantos toxic legacy, Nick Rowley, co-founder of Trial Lawyers for Justice, said in a news release. This company has poisoned millions of students, parents, and teachers, and the ongoing presence of these dangerous chemicals in Americas public schools presents a national health crisis. PCBs remain a silent pandemic, and we will continue our fight to expose Monsanto and secure justice for the victims and families whose lives have been devastated.

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Bayer put out a statement critical of the ruling.

In particular, the company believes that the Courts choice-of-law analyses underlying its rulings on punitive damages and the statute of repose are wrong and contrary to the U.S. Constitution because the rulings unlawfully discriminate against out of state companies doing business in Washington, Bayers statement read in part.
WACO, Texas (FOX 44)  With SNAP benefits ending on November 1st, the Waco community is doing what it can to help those in need.

This Saturday, Cha Community is offering a free meal to anyone with a valid SNAP card and a kids meal for their children. For Cha Community, the Community in their name is more than just a word, its something that co-owner Jaja Chen tries to incorporate into every facet of the business.

A huge value of our business is community and the support of creating communities. Food and drinks is at the heart of so many conversations, gatherings, said Chen. There should be no persons thats hungry in our communities., and so thats a huge reason for why were doing one step that we can take to give back.

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Cha Community is running a Pay it Forward program where people can help cover the costs of the free meals being given out on Saturday. As of this morning, over 83 meals have been covered. Any excess donations will be given to the Shepherds Heart food pantry.

Robert Gager is the CEO of Shepherds Heart and says that theyre ready for November 1st.

We were always going to be ahead of what the need is, said Gager. I aint scared. I tell people all the time, Im like a guy. Ive got some fish in one hand; some bread in another. We have never run out of food.

The team at Shepherds Heart is always accepting volunteers and donations. For more information on how to help you can find their website here. Information on Cha Communitys event and Pay it Forward program can be found on their social media.

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SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  The Texarkana College Foundation has announced a generous $75,000 contribution from the Wadley Regional Medical Center Auxiliary.

This funding was donated to support scholarships for students enrolled in Nursing and Health Science programs, including those pursuing pre-med degrees.

Auxiliary President Carol Collom Stoner, who has volunteered for over 13 years, expressed pride in the donation, stating, We are proud to be able to donate this endowment to Texarkana College for student scholarships. Our region always faces a nursing shortage, and these scholarships will assist students who will serve local communities in the future.

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Longtime volunteer Judy Sander noted that the Auxiliarys donation to the nursing program will continue to help build a strong medical community for our region.

Since its establishment in 2018, the Auxiliary has funded nursing scholarships for Texarkana College students.

Following the recent closure of Wadley Regional Medical Center, the Auxiliary will dissolve as a nonprofit organization, with this donation marking its final distribution of funds.

Many members plan to continue their community service as volunteers at Christus Healths Pine Street location, aiding with the gift shop and information desk.

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Katie Andrus, Director of the Texarkana College Foundation, expressed gratitude for the gift. We are deeply thankful to the Wadley Regional Medical Center Auxiliary for their generous support of our nursing and pre-med students. Their commitment over the years has made a lasting impact on our students and the future of healthcare in our region.

Ending her statement with an impactful This endowment will continue their legacy of service and compassion for generations to come.

For more information about scholarship opportunities or ways to support the Texarkana College Foundation, visit www.texarkanacollege.edu/foundation

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.
More than 42 million Americans are expected to lose their SNAP/food stamps benefits in November as the government shutdown continues. In response, rumors have circulated on social media, claiming some stores plan to close to avoid public chaos due to the changes to the federal program.

When will SNAP benefits end?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is set to run dry on Nov. 1, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture website. This will affect over 22 million American households that rely on those benefits to feed their families, USA Today reported.

The looming cutoff has also sparked online rumors that Walmart stores nationwide will lock their doors on Nov. 1 in response to the SNAP cuts. Some TikTok users have spread those claims on the platform, stating that the retail giant will only allow online orders and parking lot pickups, but shopping in person will not be available, according to NorthJersey.com and the Miami Herald.

TikTok users and videos have spread the circulated claims about Walmart

One TikTok video, posted by @news18946 and presented as a news segment, claimed Walmart would close its doors to in-person shoppers, forcing customers to shop online or use curbside pickup. The clip further stated that the company wants to avoid possible disorder from the public and prevent chaos before it starts.

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Another TikTok user, @uncutrealness, shared a video that garnered 1.1 million views, making similar claims. Breaking news just in  Walmart said not today, baby! November 1st, they locking them doors like Fort Knox. You can order online, but dont even think about stepping inside! the TikTok user wrote in the posts caption.

Multiple people in the comments section, who claim they work for Walmart or have friends and family who do, have argued against her claim, stating that Walmart hasnt sent any memo to employees about the rumored store closures. Others chimed in as well, saying the rumor is false.

A third TikTok user, @kavellkavon, also contributed to the online chatter, saying that the brokies made a threat toward Walmart and that those who will be affected by the SNAP cuts are going straight to the Walmart to get everything they need. The TikTok user added that the retail giant would have law enforcement on standby and suggested that people should find work rather than rely on government assistance.

Are the rumors about nationwide Walmart closures true? Heres everything we know about the online claims.

Will Walmart close stores nationwide on Nov. 1?

According to fact-checking from Snopes, Walmart will not close on Nov. 1, despite widespread claims on social media stating otherwise. TikTok users started the rumor, racking up thousands and millions of views on the social media platform without citing their sources.

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A Walmart spokesperson told McClatchy News on Oct. 28 that the rumors are false, and the retailer has no plans to shut down in response to SNAP cuts and the government shutdown, per the Miami Herald.

The circulated rumor started from unverified sources, vague headlines and TikTok users who spread false information to other online users.

The USDA has blamed Senate Democrats for both the government shutdown and the upcoming SNAP benefit shortage in November. While a $5 billion contingency fund could provide some relief, the federal agency said the money is reserved for more urgent needs.

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, a USDA memo stated, according to Reuters.







The post Is Walmart Closing Stores Nationwide On Nov. 1 Due To Food Stamp Cuts? Heres What To Know appeared first on Blavity.
Anyone who played a military first-person shooter video game in the late 2000s/early 2010s is familiar with the Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle, more commonly referred to as the SCAR (SOFCAR didnt sound as cool). Developed by FN, the rifle was selected by U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) in both 5.56 NATO and 7.62 NATO as the Mk 16 SCAR-L (Light) and Mk 17 SCAR-H (Heavy), respectively.

A mere 15 years later, FN announced the end of the SCARs production. On October 16, 2025, following rumors of the SCARs discontinuation, FN America made the news of the SCARs end official.

FN America has completed our final production run of the commercial legacy SCAR series in the US, the company said in a press release. This includes the 16S, 17S, and 20S but not the SCAR 15P. Noting the difference between commercial and military production, FN did clarify that the SCAR is still in production and available for military contracts. This implies that FN Herstal in Belgium is still producing military SCARs.

UCP, OCPs, Ranger Green gear, and SCAR-Ls; take me back to the late 2000s. (U.S. Army/Trish Harris) Maybe the stock latch on the foremost Rangers SCAR-L broke (U.S. Army)

Lauded as a replacement for the M4 and a solution to its early issues, the SCAR saw limited use by SOCOM. Originally intended as a weapon for support troops, not a frontline weapon, the M4 carbine was prone to overheating failures during the early Global War on Terror. Special Operations Forces put a lot of rounds through their M4s, and experienced malfunctions as a result, leading to the SCAR program.

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But upgrades to the M4 addressed the issues, and the carbine saw extensive use by conventional and SOF units throughout the War on Terror. For this reason, among others, the Mk 16 SCAR-L was dropped by SOCOM shortly after its adoption. In short, the 5.56 SCAR-L didnt do anything notably better than the M4. Still, the 7.62 SCAR-H and Mk 20 Sniper Support Rifle variant were widely fielded by SOCOM in Afghanistan.

The reciprocating charging handle, a SOCM requirement, was later dropped by FN with the non-reciprocating version. (U.S. Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Sandra Welch)

Despite SOCOMs cancellation of Mk 16 procurement, SCAR traded on its SOF relationship in the civilian market. With its iconic status, FN had no problem finding customers despite the rifles premium price. At the end of its commercial life, the SCAR variants sell for between $3,000-4,000+. That said, gun show grifters will likely charge $6,000+ following FNs announcement. Dont lowball me, sonny, I know what Ive got.

Along with the discontinuation of the SCAR, FN noted that the company will continue to support current legacy SCAR owners with parts and service for a period of time. While accessories like magazines will still be available, FN did caution that barrel assemblies will be limited over the next five years.

Could this be the next SCAR? (reddit.com/r/FNSCAR)

So, whats next? Despite its mixed military success and high price tag, the SCAR was a flagship product for FN. On the military side, FN is working with Special Operations on the Lightweight Intermediate Caliber Cartridge rifle and machine gun. Additionally, FN UK showed off a new SCAR-like rifle to the British military at the 2025 Cranfield Close Combat Symposium. FN also registered a worldwide trademark on the name ARKA, possibly hinting at a new rifle to complement its EVOLYS light machine gun. Either way, dont panic buy a legacy SCAR at an inflated price. Thats how the gun show grifters win.

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Maj. Jonathon Bless tests optics on XM7 rifle on Oct. 16, 2024 at Fort Campbell, Ky. The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) leads the Army's Transformation-in-Contact initiative with the 1st Brigade Combat Team "Bastogne" conducting situational training and live-fire exercises as a part of the Headquarters, Department of the Army's (HQDA) operational assessment.

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Sen. Mark Warner (Va.), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, criticized the Trump administration and his Republicans colleagues following a briefing on the legality of Caribbean boat strikes that excluded Democrats.

In that Wednesday briefing, Trump administration officials shared a document that has been widely sought by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle  an opinion drafted by attorneys at the Department of Justice (DOJ) that argues the strikes that have killed 57 people are within the bounds of the law.

Warner called the meeting a corrosive act designed as a political ploy to try to give assurance to their team.

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Somebody needs to be held accountable on this, he said.

Didnt somebody raise their hand and say, Well, holy crap, where are the Democrats? Who was willing to say, you know, Isnt there a constitutional obligation here? You know it is about separation of powers. For the folks who waive their constitution around, read the damn thing and then explain why you would sit through that briefing and not call foul.

Warner and his House counterpart Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) previously raised concerns about being rebuffed by intelligence community leaders when asking questions about the boat strikes.

If youve got a valid legal opinion, wouldnt you want to share it with every member? If you believe, I think the administration does, that we know these guys are bad guys, wouldnt you want to catch them and show the world the drugs and show their history of bad activities? Warner said, nodding to the typical practice of interdicting boats suspected of ferrying drugs rather than blowing them up.

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Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday also asked for the legal memo, saying the strikes appear to violate a number of different laws.

Warner said the administration shared that information with more than a dozen GOP senators, including those beyond the Armed Services and Intelligence committees, which typically have the greatest insight into U.S. military activities abroad.

Warner said that all members of Congress, regardless of party, have an obligation to conduct oversight of the White House, particularly when it comes to scrutiny of deadly military action.

Its not optional. Its a freakin duty. When an administration decides it can pick and choose which elected representatives get the understanding of their legal argument of why this is needed for military force and only chooses a particular party, it ignores all the checks and balances, he said.

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This is not about procedure or process or even precedent. When you politicize decision making about putting our service members in harms way, you make them less safe.

To Warner, the episode signals also the erosion of bipartisanship on national security issues.

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) told a reporter from Roll Call he was unaware the meeting excluded Democrats until he arrived.

I give Mike Rounds credit, but I think somebody should have walked out of a meeting yesterday, Warner said.

I can tell you this, I would never participate in a meeting like that.

Warner said he had been personally promised the legal opinion drafted by DOJs Office of Legal Counsel by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a longtime colleague as the two spent years side by side leading the Senate Intelligence Committee.

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I was proud to support him for secretary of State. He looked me in the eye and promised me this. I hope that he assumed that promise would be carried out before he left the country, and Im going to give him the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise, Warner 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 The Hill.


DeSpain Calls Out Incumbent Hoyle for Voting to Shut Down the Federal Government While Drawing a Congressional Paycheck and Enjoying Her Skyrocketing Stock Profits

By Monique DeSpain for Congress campaign

Eugene, OR  Today, Oregons 4th Congressional District candidate, retired Air Force Colonel Monique DeSpain, called on incumbent Congresswoman Val Hoyle to take responsibility for her H.R. 5371 vote to shut down the federal government that is putting countless Americans out of work and jeopardizing vital public services and assistance programs right here in Oregons 4th District.

Val Hoyle voted against keeping the government open instead of extending the Biden budget funding levels, but like the career politician she is, Vals pointing the finger at everyone else, said Monique DeSpain. She has put Americans jobs, paychecks, and vital services at risk just to score political points  all while cashing her taxpayer-funded salary and watching her hidden stock portfolio soar 400% in the last 3 years.

Career politician Val Hoyle is nothing but a rubber stamp for the far-left, which is NOT who we are in the 4th District. She keeps letting us down with her partisan antics in a broken Washington, D.C., DeSpain added. As an outsider to this system, I offer the people of the 4th District the opportunity to be represented by a servant leader focused on delivering commonsense solutions to Oregonians. Oregons Comeback is just around the corner!



DeSpain launched her campaign for Congress in OR-04 on October 1st, setting up a rematch with scandal-plagued incumbent Val Hoyle in November 2026. Her launch announcement featured the following video:

https://tinyurl.com/MoniqueCongressLaunchVideo2025

In 2024, incumbent Val Hoyle was exposed as the ringleader of a pay-to-play scheme to strong-arm the illegal BOLI grant of over $500,000 for La Motas nonprofit Endeavor in exchange for campaign contributions, which earned her an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. Most recently, in September 2025, Hoyle admitted to blatantly violating the STOCK Act by failing to report over 200 stock trades for more than a year while enriching her personal assets by over 400% in less than three years.

Monique DeSpain is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, mother of twin boys, and public policy advocate who resides in Eugene, Oregon. She was the 2024 Republican nominee for Oregons 4th Congressional District, running to unseat incumbent Congresswoman Val Hoyle to bring about a safer, more prosperous Oregon. Her campaign website is www.MoniqueForCongress.com, or follow her on Facebook @MoniqueforCongress, X @MoniqueforOR, or YouTube @MoniqueDeSpain.
Washington state Capitol on March 7, 2024. (Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard)

Democratic state senators are eyeing an income tax on millionaires as they seek to overcome Washingtons persisting budget shortfall.

Individuals and households would pay a 9.9% tax on adjusted gross income above $1 million, and get credit for state capital gains tax payments, according to those familiar with the broad outline. It could generate an estimated $3 billion from a projected 20,000 households subject to the tax.

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The Senate Democratic Caucus discussed the politically explosive idea, which has been repeatedly rejected by voters and the state Supreme Court, during a retreat earlier this month. They also talked about other means of raising revenues to avert deficits in the current and next budget.

Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, said Wednesday its too early to know if the income tax concept solidifies into legislation in the 2026 session that begins Jan. 12.

Weve got a lot of things being discussed and researched. I am aware of at least four or five different ideas being evaluated in various ways, he said. It is not the case that anybody has settled on any ideas to the point that anyone is going to introduce something.

An income tax would not be a short-term solution to the states budget difficulties because it is certain to be challenged in court or on the ballot. But supporters view it as a stable revenue source for the future, and a long-sought step toward rebalancing the tax code.

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Washington is among nine states nationwide that do not tax individual wage and salary income.

There would be hurdles to getting the tax passed. It would need to get through the Legislature in an election year in which all House seats and a majority of Senate seats are on the ballot. Democrats currently hold majorities of 59-39 in the House and 30-19 in the Senate.

Then Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson, who is not up for election, would need to be won over or at least not veto it. Thats not a sure thing after he turned down a so-called wealth tax pushed last session by Democrat lawmakers.

Ferguson said Wednesday he is aware of the income tax conversation but did not have a position and that, in general, he is wary of tax increases in the coming session.

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We did raise billions of dollars in revenue earlier this year and Im skeptical of additional revenue at this time, he said.

Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, the lead Republican budget writer, is aware too.

It just seems the thirst for new and additional taxes from the progressives in the Washington state Legislature is never-ending, he said. Because they havent paid any price for raising taxes earlier this year. I think they are very emboldened right now.

What are other things we can consider?

Revenue streams feeding the Washington state budget are not keeping pace with the increasing cost of public services and government operations. The most recent forecast projected tax collections are more than half a billion dollars less than lawmakers counted on when they approved the budget in April.

Washington state Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, speaks on the Senate floor in an undated photo. (Legislative Support Services)

Theres talk of needing to fill a billion-dollar gap in the current two-year budget, and an even larger one in the next.

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This souring situation comes after the 2025 session in which the governor and Democratic majorities in the House and Senate plugged a $12 billion chasm with billions of dollars from new taxes and higher fees, coupled with across-the-board spending cuts.

Washington is often identified as having one of the nations most regressive tax codes, meaning lower earners pay a disproportionately high share of their earnings. Many progressives see an income tax as a fix, but the Washington Supreme Court has ruled that the tax is not allowed under a provision in the state constitution.

Pedersens 43rd Legislative District is one of the states most progressive. He said Washington must find ways to spread the tax burden more fairly over all income brackets.

On the final day of this years session, Senate Democrats passed a controversial bill to impose a tax on those with more than $50 million of certain financial assets, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. The bill did not come up for a vote in the House.

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The legislation is still alive and, theoretically, could be voted on by the Senate early next session.

If the wealth tax is not the answer. What are other things we can consider? Pedersen said.

Rep. Shaun Scott, D-Seattle, who serves the same district as the senator, said he absolutely supports the idea of an income tax on higher earners.

Its very in line with what I am hearing from people in my district and around the state, Scott said. Its not simply taxing the rich. Funding services are more popular and a plurality will oppose measures to cut revenue.

The chair of the House Finance Committee, Rep. April Berg, D-Mill Creek, said shes working on legislation to clear up concerns with new taxes and is unfamiliar with details of the income tax idea.

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Everything is always open for discussion, she said. I am not aware of any similar proposal in the House.

Interesting question

Microsoft president Brad Smith smiled when asked his opinion about the potential tax during an interview on Tuesday.

I think its an interesting question, he said.

Smith and leaders of many of the states largest companies actively opposed this years new business taxes. He said any kind of tax discussion in 2026 must be more collaborative than this year because what occurred in the last session really divided the progressive community politically from the business community economically.

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Certain taxes are in desperate need of reduction, he said, citing property taxes and business taxes paid by small and family-owned enterprises. But if were going to reduce some taxes, then that usually means that youve got to look for revenue in other places.

Max Martin, director of government affairs for the Association of Washington Business, said hes heard the tax discussed and would like more details.

My head is still spinning from last session. Businesses are still trying to wrap their heads around that, said Martin, whose focus is tax and fiscal policy. It kind of feels like Groundhog Day.
The Times of Londons international screw-up over falsely attributing quotes to former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio wasnt because the person who provided said quotes was impersonating de Blasio. Instead, it was a person with roughly the same name.

The man who responded to a Times reporter with a quote bashing Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdanis policies is a 59-year-old wine importer from Long Island named Bill DeBlasio, according to Semafor. The man, who spoke to the outlet through his Long Island homes Ring doorbell while he was in Florida, said he never tried to present himself as the former mayor.

I never once said I was the mayor. He never addressed me as the mayor, DeBlasio explained. So I just gave him my opinion.

The episode rankled New York political circles after the paper published quotes attributed to the former mayor, a public supporter of Mamdani, suggesting the Democratic socialists policies dont add up. The real de Blasio lashed out at ToL on X after Andrew Cuomos campaign seized on the remarks, denying he made the statements and urging the Rupert Murdoch-owned paper to retract the story.

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It is an absolute violation of journalistic ethics, he posted. The truth is I fully support [Mamdani] and believe his vision is both necessary and achievable.

The paper took the story down within 90 minutes of posting it. It said it discovered that our reporter had been misled by an individual falsely claiming to be the former New York mayor in a statement to the New York Times and subsequently apologized to de Blasio.

The Long Island DeBlasio said he received am email from Times reporter Bevan Hurley this week asking for the former mayors insights on Mr Mandanis ambitious agenda, potential obstacles, and whether the sums add up. While DeBlasio  who noted that low-class Italians use a little d  knew the reporter meant to reach former mayor de Blasio, he decided to have fun.

He used ChatGPT to draft a response taking issue with Mamdanis plans and sent it over, not bothering to clarify that a private citizen was the one opining.

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It was all in good fun. I never thought it would make it to print, DeBlasio told Semafor, claiming he thought the reporter would have all his people check it out.

The Times did not respond to TheWraps additional request for comment.

The post It Wasnt a Bill de Blasio Imposter Attacking Zohran Mamdani. It Was the Wrong Bill DeBlasio appeared first on TheWrap.
(The Center Square) - California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Thursday he is continuing to push for federal emergency contingency funding to restore millions of Californians food benefits as the federal government shutdown continues.

California National Guard members worked on sorting and packing food behind Bonta as he talked about the suit during a news conference at Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

He said he expects the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, where he and 22 other attorneys general and three governors filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to rule in their favor.

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We think our arguments were very well-received by the judge, Bonta said. The judge also is very clear about the urgency and time sensitivity, so we do expect an order in short order, maybe later today. Nov. 1 is the deadline here, and there is a little bit of a ramp-up time if the order is in our favor, and funds are going to be released.

The USDA oversees funding of the nations Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, traditionally known as food stamps. More than 41 million people across the country rely on SNAP benefits to feed their families, according to Bonta, and will soon run out of money disbursed to them to buy food.

Congressional representatives in Washington, D.C. have pushed in recent days for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allocate emergency funds to the nations SNAP program, which would also give California the money it needs for its CalFresh program. The lawsuit by Bonta and other attorneys general is asking the court to require the USDA to fund SNAP with those emergency funds until the federal government reopens.

The federally-funded SNAP program, known as CalFresh in California, feeds 5.5 million people in the Golden State, according to a press release issued Oct. 20 by Gov. Gavin Newsoms office. Of those 5.5 million, approximately 62.3 percent of CalFresh recipients are children or elderly residents.

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According to a report from the California Department of Social Services, approximately $1.1 billion is distributed in CalFresh benefits every month.

This is a disaster type of situation for us here in Los Angeles County, throughout the state of California and throughout the country, said Michael Flood, CEO and president of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, during the press conference.

The ongoing federal government shutdown has resulted in federally-funded programs in California to face the possibility that no money will be available after Saturday, when current funding for CalFresh benefits will run out. The Center Square previously reported that not only will millions lose their access to food benefits, but families of young children might lose access to free child care in Head Start programs if the federal government doesnt reopen.

The shutdown is caused by a failure of congressional leaders to pass a continuing resolution to fund federal government services and programs, The Center Square has reported. Democratic senators refused this week to vote to pass that resolution until Republicans agree to extend the Obamacare Premium Tax Credit, which is scheduled to expire on Dec. 31.

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We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats," wrote a USDA spokesperson in an email to The Center Square. "Continue to hold out for the Far-Left wing of the party or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive timely WIC and SNAP allotments.

California legislators who can speak to the importance of CalFresh benefits were not available by press time Thursday.

Also on Thursday, Denver officials announced the launch of a task force to inform citizens in the Colorado city about SNAP. Mayor Mike Johnston said 100,000 residents are at risk of losing their benefits during the federal shutdown.
(The Center Square)  In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop reviews the ongoing debate at the Illinois Statehouse about which taxes to increase during the final days of fall veto session. Among the proposals are an "amusement tax," a retail delivery tax and decoupling Illinois tax code from the federal tax code.

Bishop also reviews several measures advancing through the legislature, including a pension reform measure that passed an Illinois House committee and an energy measure focused on renewables that passed the Illinois House. Both chambers are in session for the final day of veto session Thursday.

Subscribe to Illinois in Focus Daily with The Center Square on YouTube. You can also subscribe to the Illinois in Focus podcast to get the entire show uninterrupted.
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A Virginia sheriff's sergeant came to the rescue of a deer he found stuck between the bars of a metal fence in Williamsburg.

The York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office said on social media that Sgt. Sam Demarest arrived on the scene and worked to separate the bars of the fence to free the stuck deer.

"After a quick moment of gratitude (and maybe a little confusion), the deer looked right at Sgt. Demarest. He tried giving the deer a few helpful directions -- but instead, the deer promptly turned around and went right back through the fence again," the post said.

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"Sgt. Demarest could only laugh and cheer the deer on. Sometimes, you just have to let nature do its thing."

The deer didn't get stuck on its second attempt at traversing the fence and returned to the wild.
Happy Halloween from the president and first lady!

Donald and Melania Trump will host the annual White House Halloween party as the presidents new ballroom on the East Wing is in the midst of construction. On Thursday, Oct. 30, the president was returning to the U.S. after a multi-day trip to Asia  just in time for Halloween weekend.

Ahead of Thursday  the night before all hallows eve  the office of the first lady tweeted a photo of the White House Halloween decorations. Melania Trump will host the trick-or-treating event.

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While Donald Trumps White House schedule for Friday, Oct. 31, or Halloween, has yet to be posted, flight restrictions in the Palm Beach, Florida, area that usually serve as an indicator that the president will arrive are in place from midday Oct. 31 to the evening of Sunday, Nov. 2.

The social season in Palm Beach traditionally ramps up around Thanksgiving and slows down after Easter, but Trumps private club, Mar-a-Lago, has its season-opening party on Halloween. As of Thursday, it was not definitively known whether Donald and Melania Trump would be there.

More: What is Donald Trumps approval rating in Florida, US? Heres what the latest polls say

Livestream Donald and Melania Trumps 2025 Halloween party at the White House

Will Trump be in Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, for Halloween?

Yes, presidential-level temporary flight restrictions indicate he will be in town the weekend of Halloween.

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Trump could arrive and depart anytime between 12:15 p.m. Oct. 31 and 6:30 p.m. Nov. 2, the flight restrictions show.

While the notice of temporary flight restrictions does not mention Trump by name, it details the level of restrictions issued when the president travels to and from Mar-a-Lago. Those restrictions include a radius of 10 nautical miles where most flights are banned, followed by a ring with a 30-nautical-mile radius where more movement is allowed, according to the FAA.

The White House did not comment on Trump's plans at Mar-a-Lago.

The @whitehouse is getting ready for Halloween  pic.twitter.com/J7LAs6hqfl  Office of the First Lady (@FirstLadyOffice) October 28, 2025

How many times has Trump been to Mar-a-Lago this year?

The Halloween visit would mark Trump's 12th visit to Palm Beach and his 13th to his home state of Florida since Jan. 20, 2025, when he began his second term in the White House.

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Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Watch Trump White House Halloween party before Florida return
(The Center Square)  With just five days until the Nov. 4 election, party leaders are busy canvassing neighborhoods and hosting campaign events to encourage voters to get their ballots turned in by Tuesday.

Plenty of eyes are on two key Senate races, one in the 5th Legislative District, where Democratic Sen. Victoria Hunt and Republican challenger Chad Magendanz are squaring off, and the other in the 26th Legislative District, pitting Democratic Sen. Deb Krishnadasan against Republican Rep. Michelle Caldier.

Minority Republicans are hoping to flip at least one seat in their favor.

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On Thursday, The Center Square spoke with Washington State Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad about the election, next years legislative session, and the direction of the party.

Conrad said Democrats are feeling confident about holding both the 5th and 26th district seats.

Washingtons 5th Legislative District includes parts of south and east King County, including Issaquah, Black Diamond and Enumclaw. The 26th Legislative District encompasses an area across southeastern Kitsap Peninsula from Bremerton and Port Orchard to Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula.

You know, we don't want to take anything for granted, but we are tracking ballots coming in already, Conrad said. And we're seeing there are more Democratic people that seem to be voting in both of those districts. And so we are cautiously optimistic, but we're not taking anything for granted. I'm going to personally go canvassing to make sure that we are knocking on all those last doors and getting everybody to turn in their ballots, particularly in the 26th Legislative District.

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Democrats currently hold a 30-19 majority in the Senate.

Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh tells The Center Square that the numbers in recent weeks have been trending more favorably for both Caldier and Magendanz.

The real issue going on in Washington state is voters are shifting, and that means models based on performance in the last few cycles are obsolete or outdated, Walsh explained. Now, does this mean the conservative candidates are a lock in either race? Of course not. Both of these races are close. That's the reason why they're getting so much attention.

The Center Square asked Conrad how Democrats will position themselves going into the 2026 session when it comes to another potential round of tax hikes to deal with Washingtons budget challenges due to slower revenue growth, increased costs, and the end of federal COVID-19 funding, which could lead to a budget shortfall of nearly $2 billion.

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I think everyone is very aware that it's been a tough budget cycle  and we want to be as fiscally protective as we can. We know that people are struggling in this state, and we don't want to pass costs onto them, Conrad said. We've also got to be making sure that we are still providing these core services and that we are delivering for Washingtonians.

Conrad added that Democrats will be mindful that the budget cannot have any extra fat in it.

Walsh, who also serves in the state House of Representatives, said he has no doubt Democrats will push through more tax hikes in the next session.

They're going to raise taxes. It's the only trick in their book. It's the only play in their repertoire. It's all they've got, and you know where their money is going. Their priorities are pay increases to bureaucrat employees, he said. We know their priority is to give grant money to grifty NGOs, and there's no way they can cut back from the operating budget and still give payola to all of their cronies. There's no way.

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Conrad was asked if her party has moved too far to the left, embracing progressive candidates like Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson, who has drawn comparisons to New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist.

First of all, Katie Wilson is running as a Democrat, so I think these terms and categories kind of get thrown around, but I think voters are picking who they want to represent them, Conrad responded. And I always say I believe that we have to build the biggest tent possible for the Democratic Party. And that's got to be able to encapsulate people that used to consider themselves Republicans and are saying no to Trump and no to a MAGA style of the Republican party. And it also has to include people that are on the sort of further left and folks that are pushing for much more progressive policy. I think that's a good thing.

Walsh suggested Conrad knows the far-left radicals in the party are not good for Democrats.

No doubt she is scared about the bad effects that the Katie Wilsons of the state will have on Washington Democrats, he said.

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According to the Washington Secretary of State, there are more than 5 million active voters in the state, as compared to "the eligible 4.4 million voters" in the August primary election.

There are often spikes in registered voter numbers after WA elections, including primary elections, Walsh texted The Center Square.

He suggested its a symptom of what he called Washingtons unhealthy voter registration policies and one more reason that proof of citizenship when people register to vote in WA is important.
CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio (WJW)  Dozens of high school students continued a messy tradition late Wednesday night in Chagrin Falls.

Thats right, it was once again time for the annual pumpkin roll down Grove Hill, as seen in the photos below.

WJW photo WJW photo WJW photo WJW photo WJW photo

Some local cities changed trick-or-treat plans, and some residents still arent happy

Every year, high school seniors gather pumpkins from all over town, smash them and roll them down the hill before going down themselves.

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As usual, police officers barricaded the street to make sure everyone celebrated safely.

The date of the pumpkin roll  a tradition that started back in 1967  is a secret every 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A Utah man said a final farewell to the Geo Metro he drove for 35 years by dropping a 1,917-pound pumpkin on it from a height of nearly 14 stories.

Millville resident Alan Gebert said his 1991 Geo Metro finally stopped running this year, so he decided to send the vehicle off in style by destroying it with a giant pumpkin.

Gebert's 1,917-pound pumpkin, which took first place at the Utah Giant Pumpkin Festival weigh-off, was hoisted about 14 stories into the air by a crane at Hee Haw Farms in Pleasant Grove.

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The pumpkin was dropped onto the 35-year-old compact car, caving in the roof in spectacular fashion.

"It's just something that we've talked, me and my wife have talked about for a long time, that this would be the best way for it to go, and it happened, so it's been kind of fun," Gebert told KSTU-TV.
" " Clean water, spotless streets: Democracy seems to be working out pretty well for Norway. dibrova / Shutterstock

Democracy may be a familiar concept, but what makes a country truly democratic? According to the Democracy Index, compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit, the answer lies in more than just free and fair elections. It includes civil liberties, political participation, and the functioning of government.

The index ranks democratic countries based on five categories: electoral process and pluralism, functioning of government, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties.

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Lets look at some of the most democratic countries in the world, based on their index score and commitment to democratic principles.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  As the nation braces for a potential suspension of food-stamp funding Sunday, the city of Birmingham is preparing for what could come next.

Mayor Randall Woodfin is scheduled to hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. Thursday to discuss the possible loss of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to locals.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, over 752,000 people across Alabama rely on SNAP, representing 1 in 7 people statewide, or roughly 15% of the population.

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The loss of SNAP benefits come as the U.S. government remains shut down as Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked on setting a budget for the upcoming fiscal 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 CBS 42.




WATERTOWN - Town police on Wednesday arrested an Oakville resident who was wanted in connection with a domestic violence incident, officials said.

James Passino, 37, turned himself into the authorities after officers obtained a warrant for his arrest, according to the Watertown Police Department.

Police previously said officers responded around 11:30 p.m. Sunday to a domestic violence incident, but arrived to find that Passino had left the scene.

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Police said Passino was charged with third-degree assault, violation of a protective order and second-degree breach of peace. Officials said he was issued a $10,000 bond and was set to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on Thursday.

This article originally published at Watertown police arrest Oakville man wanted in domestic violence incident, officials say.
A wave of the highly contagious respiratory syncytial virus is sweeping across the United States  sending greater numbers of babies and toddlers to the hospital, recent data show.

The onset of RSV comes as the country heads into the wider fall-and-winter respiratory virus season, also typically marked by increased circulation of ailments such as COVID-19 and the flu. But RSV, the leading cause of infant hospitalization nationwide, presents particular risk for the youngest babies, a major reason health experts recommend pregnant women either get vaccinated near their delivery date or immunize their newborns.

"This is the perfect time to get your vaccine for RSV if you have never gotten one," the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said in a statement to The Times.

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RSV can spread through coughs or sneezes but also by touching a contaminated surface, such as a door handle, and then touching your face before washing your hands, health officials warn.

Read more: California sees increase in RSV, a respiratory illness that can be dangerous for babies

For the week ending Oct. 11, about 1.2% of emergency room visits nationwide among infants younger than 1 were due to RSV  up from 0.4% a month earlier, according to data posted by PopHIVE, a project led by the Yale School of Public Health.

"An RSV wave is starting to take hold," epidemiologists Katelyn Jetelina and Hannah Totte wrote in the blog Your Local Epidemiologist.

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RSV can be dangerous for infants, older adults and people with certain medical conditions, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RSV can cause pneumonia, as well as a severe inflammation of the lungs' small airways, known as bronchiolitis, the California Department of Public Health said.

"The issue with kids is that their airways are so small that when it causes inflammation in the airways, it's just very hard to breathe," said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UC San Francisco infectious diseases expert. "So they come in with wheezing ... and that's why they get into trouble."

Nationally, RSV kills up to 300 children under age 5 annually, and can send up to 80,000 to the hospital. Among seniors age 65 and older, the virus can cause up to 10,000 deaths in a typical year and as many as 160,000 hospitalizations, according to the CDC.

"I think it's been kind of invisible, mainly because until recently ... people wouldn't test  we couldn't test for RSV until the age of molecular diagnostics," Chin-Hong said. "So it has been kind of an invisible epidemic."

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RSV is "kind of a bronze medalist of respiratory viruses, with COVID and influenza No. 1 and No. 2, duking it out, and RSV is No. 3 for older adults," he added. In general, RSV is the first to emerge during the fall-and-winter virus season, followed by flu then COVID, Chin-Hong said.

Before immunizations became available, about 2% to 3% of young infants were hospitalized for RSV annually, according to the CDC. Most children who are hospitalized for acute respiratory disease caused by RSV were previously healthy, according to a study published by the journal Pediatrics.

They may require oxygen or intravenous fluid or even be put on a ventilator to help them breathe, according to the CDC.

Unlike the flu and COVID-19, there are no antiviral drugs to treat RSV once infection sets in.

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For now, the combined activity of respiratory illness from RSV, flu and COVID-19 is considered "very low" in California, state health officials said.

But "we are starting to see the beginnings of respiratory virus season," the L.A. County Department of Public Health said.

Health officials in Santa Clara County, Northern California's most populous, are already reporting "medium" levels of RSV in the wastewater of San Jose, Palo Alto and Sunnyvale.

Now is exactly the time to get vaccinated if you haven't already  "especially before respiratory virus activity potentially increases later," said Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, the Orange County health officer.

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RSV immunizations are recommended for pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks of gestational age  about one to two months before their estimated delivery date  as well as for everyone age 75 and up and those age 50 to 74 with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, weakened immune systems, asthma or heart disease. Vaccines are also recommended for individuals who live in a nursing home or long-term-care facility.

If a pregnant woman wasn't vaccinated against RSV, officials recommend her infant get immunized.

Read more: What you need to know about the new RSV shot for babies

RSV vaccinations are fairly new, being introduced in 2023. There are now three brands  Pfizer's Abrysvo and GSK's Arexvy were licensed in May 2023, and Moderna's mResvia in June 2024. All three can be used for older adults, but only the Pfizer vaccine is available for pregnant women.

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Infants were also able to get immunized starting that year through monoclonal antibodies, which aren't technically vaccines but function similarly in this case.

Older adults who already received an RSV vaccination generally don't need to get another one.

The arrival of those vaccines followed a particularly brutal 2022-23 respiratory virus season when California was slammed by a hospital-straining "tripledemic" of RSV, flu and COVID.

Unlike the RSV shots, flu and COVID vaccinations are generally recommended ahead of every fall-and-winter virus respiratory season. Older adults, those age 65 and up, can get the COVID vaccination every six months, according to the California Department of Public Health.

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People can get the RSV, flu and COVID vaccinations all during the same visit to a healthcare provider, Chinsio-Kwong said.

Read more: FDA approves first vaccine for RSV after decades of attempts

"Receiving all eligible vaccines at once is considered best practice, as it helps avoid missed opportunities due to scheduling challenges," she said.

Studies have shown the RSV immunizations are effective.

During last year's respiratory virus season, there were significant reductions in the RSV hospitalization rate for babies, data show. Data also show RSV vaccines were effective in preventing symptomatic illness in older adults.

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Chin-Hong said he suggests "everyone should get it" if they are 75 or older, and for those between age 50 and 74 with heart or lung disease or are very immune compromised, "I think the juice is worth the squeeze."

Annual routine flu vaccines are recommended for everyone who is at least 6 months old.

As for COVID, a vaccine can be given to anyone who wants one. The California Department of Public Health specifically recommends the shots for everyone age 65 and up, babies age 6 months to 23 months, children and teenagers who have never been vaccinated, and people with certain health risk factors and those in close contact with them.

The California Department of Public Health also recommends pregnant women get the COVID vaccination.

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After concerns earlier this season about how difficult it might be to get COVID vaccinations, pharmacists and California health officials now say securing the shots is relatively easy.

Read more: CDC announces change in COVID-19 and chickenpox vaccine recommendations

The controversy arose in the late summer amid confusing guidance coming from agencies overseen by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has disparaged vaccinations.

There was a period during which the Food and Drug Administration had belatedly approved COVID-19 vaccines only for those age 65 and up and younger people with underlying health conditions. An unprecedented delay in the CDC issuing its own recommendations had the effect of snarling vaccinations for many.

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In some states, that meant people were being turned away from getting the COVID vaccine at their local pharmacy, including seniors, even as a late summer surge was raging. And at one point, the powerful CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices nearly recommended the COVID vaccine be available by prescription only.

On Oct. 6, acting CDC Director Jim O'Neill officially lifted the agency's recommendation that adults under age 65 get the updated COVID-19 vaccine, saying instead that doing so should be based on "individual-based decision-making" in consultation with health professionals.

Now, "patients can go into the pharmacy" and can have conversations on whether to get the COVID-19 vaccine with a professional, Allison Hill, a director of professional affairs for the American Pharmacists Assn., said during a recent webinar.

California also recently clarified state law to make sure that pharmacists can independently administer the COVID vaccine, according to Dr. Erica Pan, director of the state Department of Public Health.

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.
Failing to win Senate approval as US Attorney for Washington, DC, has made Ed Martin a more formidable force inside the Trump Justice Department.

After three chaotic months as interim US attorney earlier this year, Justice Department officials placed Martin in the departments headquarters in a traditionally more supervised position. Unconfirmable and intent on rewriting the consequences of the January 6 prosecutions, Martin was, as one Trump ally said, being put under more adult supervision.

That move, though, didnt appear to hold him back. Martin now wields a surprising amount of political power and four titles: Associate Deputy Attorney General, Pardon Attorney, director of the Weaponization Working Group and Special Attorney for Mortgage Fraud. Hes also become the chief enforcer of using the Justice Department to exact President Donald Trumps personal agenda  including by playing a role behind the scenes in the recent indictments of Trump foes James Comey and Letitia James, delving into so-called weaponization within the federal government and Biden-era pardons, and continuing to bear down on others Trump wants to see investigated.

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On Monday, Martin told the Republican-led House Oversight Committee that he was working on an ongoing investigation of pardons and commutations during Joe Bidens presidency.

The effort, which adds fuel to Trumps attacks of presidential clemency given to members of the House Select Committee that investigated January 6 and others before they faced charges, recasts the traditional role of a pardon attorney in the extreme. Previously the job focused on reviewing and making recommendations to the president after prisoners petitioned for clemency. Under Martin, its become a much more active, politicized approach, where he is now critiquing past presidents clemency, a Constitutional power that has few limitations.

My ongoing investigation has revealed abuses of the pardon and commutation process by political actors in the Biden Administration. The use of AutoPen at the direction of staff and perhaps others is troubling, Martin wrote to committee chairman James Comer, according to an email to obtained by CNNs Jake Tapper. The Justice Department has previously said a presidents use of an autopen is legally sound.

Martins influence also has become evident in cases where career prosecutors have balked at charging Trump political opponents and which his bosses, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, had reservations about before bringing.

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In recent weeks, prosecutions of Comey and James have moved ahead over the protests of career prosecutors and even some Trump political appointees. Firings and resignations by experienced prosecutors have followed, and Martin has been in close contact with Lindsey Halligan, whom Trump placed as the lead US Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, who initiated those indictments, sources tell CNN.

More recently, Martin has turned his focus toward building his connections to other US Attorneys Offices, including in Atlanta, St. Louis and upstate New York, according to sources familiar with Martins efforts. Some of that effort may include known probes around Lisa Cook, the Federal Reserve governor whom Trump has tried to fire, on mortgage fraud allegations.

Ed Martin is one of the most dangerous people in the Justice Department. Hes not a serious lawyer, but he has serious power, said Liz Oyer, a former career Justice Department official who preceded Martin as pardon attorney. He seemingly has the power to open criminal investigations, which is serious business. Being subject to a criminal investigation can ruin someones life.

Oyer noted that investigating Trumps political opponents and holding the pardon post gives Martin especially unusual influence  as a political force who can both punish Trumps enemies and reward his friends.

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His willingness to use the Justice Department to advance MAGA movement politics stands in contrast with the Justice Department norms since the Richard Nixon era. Reforms after the Watergate crisis led to a tradition under Republican and Democratic administrations to distance prosecution decisions from the White House.

Even in the first Trump administration, attorneys general generally enforced rules limiting contact between White House officials and Justice Department employees.

Martin has no such qualms and is known to maintain regular contact with White House officials, according to people briefed on the matter.

Ed Martin, then the president of the Phyllis Schlafly Eagles, a conservative political organization based in St. Louis, Missouri, speaks during a news conference outside the Republican National Committee headquarters on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on November 5, 2020. - Al Drago/Getty Images/File

A Missouri Republican, Martin burnished his MAGA credentials following the 2021 Capital attack, becoming a vocal defender of Trump vote fraud claims in the 2020 election and of January 6 rioters  some of whom he represented as an attorney.

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As part of his so-called weaponization probe, Martin brought onto his staff former FBI agent Jared Wise, who was prosecuted for allegedly urging January 6 rioters to attack law enforcement officers, calling the officers Nazis and the Gestapo.

Martin maintains at least two offices at the Justice Department  one in a complex north of the US Capitol where the pardon attorney office is located, the other inside the Justice Department headquarters.

His active social media presence including a Substack blog and his support for January 6 rioters caused wary Senate Republicans to tank his nomination to lead the federal prosecutors office in Washington, DC, which prosecuted more than 1,000 January 6 riot defendants, in May.

But Martin appears undaunted despite receiving cautions from top Justice officials about some of his public comments.

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In recent weeks, Martin has been posting nearly every day on social media photos of people he meets with, including right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, the comedian Russel Brand, US Attorneys from outside of DC, and Trump supporters in politics from around the country.

He also has been lobbying prosecutors in Maryland to pursue mortgage fraud allegations around Democratic California Sen. Adam Schiff, another one of Trumps political opponents, who helped lead congressional investigations of him, sources say.

The Justice Department and Martin didnt comment for this story.

Martin sought to flex his influence earlier this month as former New York Rep. George Santos won a sentence commutation from the president, after serving in a minimal-security federal prison camp only three months of his seven-year sentence for fraud.

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Santos for months had sought the help of intermediaries to get Trumps attention for a pardon and Martin tried to help behind the scenes, according to a person briefed on the matter.

After the president granted the commutation, Martin said in a post on X: I was honored as U.S. Pardon Attorney to have played a small role in the clemency grant, and he thanks the president for making clemency great again.

Martin has made it known that his intent with pardons is to use them to benefit people with MAGA affiliations, Oyer said. For Martin to have both of those roles, of pardon attorney and prosecutor, it shows how this department is operating a system of both punishment and reward.

Catching Trumps attention

Some of Martins recent campaigns have been channeled into the presidents own social media feed. For instance, with Martin as the mortgage fraud investigator, Trump lashed out at Bondi, demanding in a remarkable Truth Social post for the prosecution of his political enemies.

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We cant delay any longer, its killing our reputation and credibility, Trump wrote. They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!

US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche attends a press conference in the Oval Office of the White House on October 15, 2025. - Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Blanche has sought to bring a measure of control to Martins efforts, according to people briefed on the matter.

The tension between Blanche and Martin spilled out into the public in late September, after Martin sent a letter to an FBI agent who had responded to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. Martin, in his letter, disclosed what he said was an investigation of the agent, after the agent had testified about being smeared in a conspiracy theory pushed by Jones, who gained notoriety with claims that the Sand Hook attack was staged by the FBI. The agent was awarded nearly $100 million in a case against Jones.

Jones made Martins letter public, demanding responses from the FBI agent, until Blanche demanded Martin retract his requests.

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Martin then wrote to the agents lawyer, I write to inform you that there is no investigation of you or your client. Because of this, I hereby withdraw my request for information from you or your former client.

An ally in Virginia

But Martins power has accrued alongside the arrival of another former Trump adviser, Halligan, who Trump installed to run the powerful US Attorneys Office in Alexandria, Virginia, in late September.

While career prosecutors and top Justice officials viewed cases against Comey and James to be duds, Halligan managed to deliver the two indictments Trump publicly called for.

Halligan replaced Erik Seibert after attorneys in the office objected to charging Comey with lying to Congress.

Lindsey Halligan, special assistant to the president, fixes an earring at the end of an interview outside of the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) - Jacquelyn Martin/AP/File

Both Comey and James have pleaded not guilty and are challenging the prosecutors handling of the cases.

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In the James investigation before she was charged, Martin took several steps that fall outside the norms of prosecutorial conduct.

Martin this summer sent a letter to James attorney, Abbe Lowell, suggesting that James should resign as attorney general. And he paid a visit to James Brooklyn home in August, posing for photos outside it wearing a long trench coat, accompanied by an assistant who acts as an unofficial spokesperson, unusual for a person in Martins position to have at the Justice Department.

Were going to go to the very bottom of the facts, and if somebody did something wrong, were not only going to hold them accountable. Were also going to look at everything else that theyve been doing. Because when youre a liar, you lie not just on one thing, Martin said on Fox News in August when asked about the mortgage investigations.

Some senior DOJ officials were frustrated by the stunt, one source said, as they had no idea Martin would be traveling to New York.

Attention in Maryland

Apparently emboldened by the charging successes in Virginia, Martins fast-moving advocacy turned in recent weeks to Marylands US Attorneys Office.

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The offices US Attorney Kelly Hayes, a respected career prosecutor who worked for years out of Greenbelt, recently secured the indictment of former Trump national security adviser John Bolton, another Trump political foe. Prosecutors accuse Bolton of keeping national security secrets in unsecured personal accounts and on printed paper after he left the government.

Hayes approach, and the Bolton case itself, are viewed more seriously than the indictments and investigations of other political figures who have faced charges at Trumps urging, several sources familiar with the case and the office have told CNN.

But the Maryland office still has a prosecutor looking into the financial records of Schiff, another Trump target, and Martin continues to push Hayes to bring an indictment against him.

Last week after it became known Hayes team had doubts about the case, sources said the investigation was continuing and the Deputy Attorney Generals office may be working with Hayes, in a vote of confidence for the US Attorney in a precarious moment.

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Yet because of Martins pushes for prosecution in Maryland and Virginia, the districts are now buzzing with speculation Martin could end up as a prosecutor in one of the offices.

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Although Cyclone Montha has been expected for days, it has caught hundreds of trekkers and climbers in Nepal unaware. Several groups have needed rescue, and one climber lost his life on Monday when the bad weather prevented a timely rescue.

The cyclone is expected to peak tomorrow. Everyone in Nepal is advised to keep up to date with forecasts and government alerts and to avoid areas prone to avalanches, rockslides, and flash floods.

Travel disruptions, including closed roads and cancelled flights, have also occurred.

Chopper crash in the Khumbu

Low visibility caused a helicopter crash yesterday in Lobuche, on the trekking route to Everest Base Camp. Luckily, the pilot escaped uninjured, but the helicopter was a wreck. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has banned further helicopter flights until the weather improves. This means that trekkers in snowed-in areas may find that their planned airlift is not an option.

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Dead on Himlung

This week, Chin Tark Chan, 49, of Australia, lost his life on 7,126m Himlung, one of the easier 7,000'ers. Chan fell ill shortly before reaching the summit on Monday, October 27, and collapsed at around 6,800m. Outfitter 8K Expeditions called for an emergency airlift. However, the insurance company, Global Rescue, insisted that the sick climber had to be taken down to Camp 3 (6,400m). His location at 6,800m was above the "maximum operating altitude set by Nepal Aviation regulations, creating unacceptable risk to the pilot, the climber, and the rescue team," the company noted.

A release Global Rescue shared with The Tourism Times describes the subsequent events:

While we were coordinating a helicopter rescue at Camp 3 (20,9967 feet/6,400 meters), the expedition operator independently launched a helicopter for a highly risky, hover attempt, which failed due to adverse weather conditions. The injured climber was then moved to Camp 3 as we had advised. Unfortunately, hours had been lost due to the failed hover attempt, and persistent snowfall across Himlung Himal prevented further helicopter launches that day.

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Bad weather grounded the helicopters for the following two days, then yesterday, further helicopter flights were banned until the storm passed.

"Tragically, before a safe weather window presented, the client died below Camp 3 at approximately 6,500m," said Global Rescue.

3D image of Himlung, with the climbing route and the camps, courtesy of 8K Expeditions.

Lakpa Sherpa, head of 8K Expeditions, explained to ExplorersWeb that they tried to arrange another helicopter, independently of Global Rescue, but it was also grounded due to bad weather.

"We also deployed a rescue team on foot who eventually reached the climber," he added. "They successfully brought him down from Camp 3, but sadly, while descending further the next day, he passed away."

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Lakpa Sherpa insists they will try to bring the body down once the weather improves.

Himlung, in the Manaslu region, has become a highly popular peak in Nepal. It offers a straightforward climb but its height of 7,126m makes it a great preparation for climbers wanting to experience high altitude before tackling an 8,000m peak.

Rescues near Annapurna

Seventy-two tourists, including 17 foreigners, were stranded due to heavy snowfall at the Annapurna Base Camp earlier today, according to The Himalayan Times. Authorities cleared snow at some points along the Maurice Herzog route leading to Annapurna's north side Base Camp.

Earlier this week, local authorities closed the trail to that Base Camp, and it will remain closed at least until Friday.

Stranded tourists near Dhaulagiri

Three British women and 12 Nepali trekking staff have been stranded for the past two days in the remote Marpha Valley, also known as Hidden Valley, in the Dhaulagiri range. The outfitting company, Sacred Himalaya Tours and Treks, asked for a helicopter rescue, offering to bear the cost of the operation, but they ran into the same problem as others: All helicopters are grounded.

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The group could not be contacted today, Everest Chronicle reports. Local authorities have deployed a ground rescue team, and they expect to reach the place "soon." We have enough supplies to last for two more days, company spokesperson Binay Lama told Everest Chronicle.

Trekkers on snow-covered trains in Nepal this week. photo: Everest Chronicle

Many more rescues have been reported in other areas of Nepal. At least 1,500 trekkers, including foreigners, were rescued on Wednesday from Tilicho Lake (4,919m) in Manang. In addition, some 150 trekkers were rescued from Sandu village in the Manaslu area.

Climbers on Ama Dablam are currently waiting out the storm in Base Camp or down the valley. Marek Holecek and Radoslav Groh of Czechia, who plan to open a new route on the south face of Cho Oyu, retreated to Namche Bazaar and applied to extend their climbing permit until Christmas.

No storm here. Marek Holecek, far left, and Radoslav Groh (lying down) relax with friends. Photo: Holecek/Groh

Preventable problems?

"Currently, there is weather chaos in the mountains of Nepal," Roland Hunter of The Mountain Company wrote on Facebook yesterday.

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A climber, trekker, and expedition outfitter for decades, Hunter says that there was plenty of warning that bad weather was approaching, yet some rescued climbers were crossing high passes on Tuesday. He wonders why the Nepal Tourist Board and local authorities didn't act sooner to prevent visitors from being in the wrong place at the wrong time, such as Tilicho Lake, Annapurna Base Camp, or the Thorong La.

Roland Hunter on the summit of Makalu in 2009. Photo: Hunter's Makalu climbing report on YouTube

"The authorities in Nepal need to get their act together and implement an effective Early Warning System, and thorough investigations need to be carried out after deaths, like the [guided] South Korean who died in the storm on Mera Peak in early October," said Hunter. The South Korean climber's death was preventable, he believes.

Check the forecasts

Until such an Early Warning System is in place in Nepal, Hunter stresses that it's important for visitors to ensure their operator has "robust systems and procedures in place to monitor the weather forecasts."

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Multimodel forecasts (such as the one below for Annapurna at 5,500m, valid for Thorong La) show improving weather on Saturday through Monday. It will then worsen again by Tuesday.

Weather forecast for Annapurna at 5,500m for the next 4 days, by Mountainforecast.com

Trekkers and tourists in lower areas should be aware of the risk of flash floods.
Chinda Gregors first memory is of the jungles in her native Cambodia where she hid with her mother from the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime, which seized power as the American war in neighboring Vietnam entered its final days in 1975.

After narrowly escaping execution, the pair fled the country after the regime fell nearly four years later. They joined thousands of other refugees from Southeast Asia who immigrated to Minnesota in the wake of the Vietnam War.

Fifty years after the fall of Saigon, their stories will be highlighted during a two-day commemoration of the wars end at Union Depot in St. Paul this weekend.

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I really want people to know why the Southeast Asian community is here, said Gregor, who is now a teacher at Bloomington Public Schools. The Cambodian genocide happened because of the Vietnam War.

This weekends commemoration, which was organized by the Minnesota Humanities Center and the Minnesota Historical Society, will weave together the distinct yet related experiences of four local Southeast Asian communities  Hmong, Lao, Cambodian and Vietnamese  with those of U.S. military veterans to tell the complex story of the war and its aftermath.

It still reverberates in peoples lives here in Minnesota and throughout the country, MHC CEO Kevin Lindsey said of the Vietnam War. You see people still carrying some of the scars.

Two days of events

This weekends free events will feature performances by Hmong, Lao, Cambodian and Vietnamese dancers, musicians and storytellers. Food vendors also will be selling Southeast Asian cuisine.

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The programming will run from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. A full schedule can be found on the MHC website.

MHC and MNHS brought together members of four local Southeast Asian communities and U.S. military veterans to help plan the weekends events.

Among them was Larry Johnson, who served as an Army medic in Germany during the Vietnam War and now volunteers with the Minnesota-based Veteran Resilience Project.

Johnson said he hopes the commemoration will raise awareness of the service of Southeast Asian veterans who fought alongside U.S. troops during the war but were long denied the recognition and benefits afforded to American service members.

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Theyre still fighting for that recognition, Johnson said. Thats a travesty in my opinion.

Each days programming will be anchored by a film screening and panel discussion, Lindsey said.

Saturdays events will begin with Americas Secret War, a Twin Cities PBS documentary about the American military campaign into Laos during the Vietnam War and the Hmong troops who fought for the U.S. Minnesota is now home to the largest Hmong population in the country.

Sundays film will be another Twin Cities PBS documentary called A Time to Heal, which explores the service of women who worked as nurses during the Vietnam War.

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Lindsey said the experiences of Minnesotas Southeast Asian immigrants offer lessons for the United States as the country welcomes refugees from more recent wars.

Gregor, who also served on the events advisory committee, said she hopes those who attend the commemoration will come away with a greater willingness to give people grace and not judge people by the color of their skin.

We work hard, she said of refugees. We came with nothing. This is our country, this is our home now.
LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  Wednesday marked day three in the Judge Gil Self trial.

The state continued calling witnesses to the stand, starting with the current Lauderdale County Judge, Ben Graves.

Authorities searching for person who shot at police officer in DeKalb County

Graves told the court that Self was a wonderful judge and that Self acted as a mentor to Graves.

Graves was asked about Gil Junior, Selfs son, being hired on in 2020. Graves explained he knew Gil Junior was working at the courthouse and was working for Self. Graves was then asked if he saw Gil Junior working, and Graves responded by saying that he saw the younger Self working hard, and wearing many different hats in the courthouse due to the uncertainty of COVID. Graves also mentioned that during COVID, it was all hands on deck at the courthouse, and Gil Junior was a huge help.

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Graves was then asked about Gil Juniors pay and if he was aware that Gil Juniors pay was coming out of the law library fund, and that no taxes were being taken out, and Graves said no.

Several other witnesses were called, including Jamy Poss, a local attorney and a member of the law library committee, and Darryl Williams, Co-director of Community Corrections. Both Poss and Williams testified about their encounters with Self during the time.

3 arrested in Bridgeport after marijuana found in childs backpack

Poss explained to the jury that he recalls a moment when Self mentioned to Poss that Self had hired his son Gil Junior to work for him. Poss mentioned that he did not think anything of it because he respected Judge Self and trusted him.

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Louie Wilson was the last witness to testify on Wednesday.

Wilson is a special agent with the Alabama Attorney Generals Office. Wilson told the jury that he was the lead investigator in this case.

Wilson said during the audit, several things struck him as odd, like a couch and eyeglasses that he said were purchased by Self.

Wilson told the court he did conduct an interview that Judge Self showed up for voluntarily.

He says he met with Self because during the audit, he saw a few purchases that seemed in quote strange, including a brown console couch purchased from a furniture store in Tennessee.

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Wilson testified that Judge Self wrote a check to himself to be reimbursed for the couch that cost nearly $1,800. The check memo, which was shown to the jury, read office couch, green.

The green referred to a couch that Gil Self explained he had in his office for eleven years.

The state also showed receipts from the furniture store that showed the brown console couch was delivered to Selfs home, instead of the courthouse.

Audio from the interview between Self and Wilson was played, and in it, Self could be heard explaining that he had the couch delivered to his house instead of the courthouse because it was during COVID, and the courthouse hours were different at the time.

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Self also allegedly bought prescription glasses, and investigators said Self wrote a check to himself for reimbursement, saying they were computer glasses. Self explained in audio played in court, that he needed the glasses to work.

Testimony will continue on Thursday as the state continues calling its witnesses. Once the state rests, the defense will then call its witnesses to testify.

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.
West Chester Township will spend $18.3 million to buy 75 acres of land officials hope will become a vibrant mixed-use area.

Located at the northeast corner of I-75 and Union Centre Boulevard, township officials anticipate the area will combine future office, retail, research, restaurants and community projects, they announced Oct. 30.

The area will be called the Mill Creek District, named after the Mill Creek that runs through the property.

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"This concept envisions a lively, walkable town center with restaurants, shops, apartments, and beautiful outdoor spaces where people can gather and spend time," said West Chester Township Trustee Ann Becker.

A map depicts the land West Chester Township will acquire. Officials are calling the area the Mill Creek District.

No final design plans have been approved. Mockups included townhomes, retail space, a grocery store, open-air amphitheater and large suspended pedestrian bridge.

The announcement is the latest in a series of I-75 corridor redesigns. It follows Liberty Township preparations and Middletown's developments further north.

Of the 75 acres to be bought, West Chester Township said 40 acres are suitable for commercial development. The area is meant to include green spaces.

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Trustee Mark Welch, who is up for re-election, said he anticipated the area to bring in $600-700 million in development.

The township is only using money from the Union Centre Boulevard tax increment financing district to buy the site. This is a pool of money created decades ago that is funded by redirected property tax dollars within the area and used for new projects or infrastructure improvements.

Money would be not used from the general fund, said Township Administrator Lisa Brown.

West Chester Township Administrator Lisa Brown unveils plans for the future Mill Creek District development at an Oct. 30 press conference

The deal was negotiated over the course of two years with the help of the Woodard Development LLC, a Dayton-based developer behind one of Greater Cincinnati's largest projects, Renaissance Pointe. The land will be bought from a private seller. The township declined to provide their identity.

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Woodard Development acted as the township's agent in the deal. The property's seller paid them a fee for the service. The amount of the fee was not disclosed,

The four parcels of land are owned by three LLCs: Hamilton County Regional Business Park LLC, Union Centre 47 LLC and Brooks Creek Development LLC, according to Butler County property records. One family owns all three LLCs, said Todd Duplain, a principal with Woodard. Duplain and the township refused to disclose the seller's name.

Duplain called the purchase a "no-brainer" for the township. "We believe that this 75 acres represents an extraordinary opportunity for the township. So, when we got the call to help them with this, we were happy to help them out."

Because Woodard worked as a broker in the deal, Brown said it won't be working on the property as a developer due to a conflict of interest.

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The township will finalize the purchase in January, officials said.

A rendering depicts a large pedestrian bridge in what West Chester Township officials hope becomes the Mill Creek District.

Why is West Chester Township creating the Mill Creek District?

Brown said it was necessary for the township to get involved to provide the greatest public benefit. There's competing interest between the private and public sector, which she said would use the land to maximize profits.

"The truth is, this is going to get developed either way," said township spokesperson, Brianna Wooten.

Brown said the best way to ensure the public would be able to enjoy the land is for the township to be involved guiding its development.

This story was updated to meet our standards.

Sydney Franklin contributed to this report. This story was updated to add a gallery.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: West Chester to spend $18.3M on land by I-75 for mixed-use development




WEST HARTFORD - Officials will convene later this year to discuss the proposed demolition and redevelopment of a Bishops Corner office building.

Prospect Enterprises, owner of the Bishops Plaza shopping center at 2550 Albany Ave., also owns an office building next door at 2558 Albany Ave. that it says has been vacant since 2005. The company applied for amendments to two Special Development Districts for the properties that would allow for the demolition of the office to prepare it for redevelopment, as well as other adjustments to the shopping plaza property.

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The Town Council voted unanimously without discussion Tuesday night to refer the SDD amendments to the Town Plan and Zoning Commission and Design Review Advisory Commission, and set a public hearing date for Dec. 17.

Though Prospect Enterprises has not identified a potential tenant, a preliminary conceptual plan included in the application shows a 6,000-square-foot commercial building with 24 parking spaces accessed from Albany Avenue and the adjacent plaza's parking lot.

The property owner said in an Oct. 17 memo included with its application that the plan would make the property "more attractive for redevelopment," in lieu of any demand for the existing building. The memo states that "numerous" real estate agents were engaged over the past 20 years to find a new tenant but the site "has been a challenge to lease due to its reduced visibility from the road, restrictive site access, and the condition and antiquated layout of the building."

New development at 2550 Albany Ave. would join adjacent businesses including Just Salad, Staples, and Dunkin'. Chick-fil-A opened its new restaurant in the former McDonald's space earlier this year, one of only a few without a drive-thru.

This article originally published at West Hartford sets public hearing date for Albany Avenue office demolition plan.
A West Palm Beach nonprofit aiming to alleviate downtown traffic jams is offering thousands of dollars to businesses to pay for their employees to commute using public transportation.

The West Palm Beach Mobility Coalition (WPBgo) is giving away $89,000 to 50 employers who apply for its ACCESS WPB program. The money must be used to pay for mass transit fares such as Palm Beach County's public bus system, Palm Tran or South Florida's publicly funded passenger train, Tri-Rail. Employers can also use the money to help workers rent BrightBike bicycles provided throughout downtown West Palm Beach by privately run passenger train Brightline.

Downtown traffic increased 6% last year," WPBgo Executive Director Jonathan Hopkins said. "This program provides companies with practical, flexible commuting solutions that benefit employees and strengthen workplaces while reducing congestion.

Those who ride Palm Tran buses, like this one seen in April 2020, also can arrange for their travel on the SoFloGo app.

Employers have until Dec. 31 to apply for ACCESS WPB online at wpbgo.com/access.

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WPBgo will award companies in the summer of 2026 with superlatives such as "Highest Transit Use," "Highest Carpool and Vanpool Use," and other superlatives for best workplaces for commuter choice.

WPBgo offered a similar deal in 2024 to downtown employers. Through a grant from The Florida Department of Transportation, the nonprofit agreed to pay for up to 10,000 one-way rides, or 5,000 round trips, on Palm Tran for downtown employees.

TRANSPORTATION NEWS: Survey: County residents weigh in on ideas to address traffic issues

TRANSPORTATION NEWS: Budget airline offering one-way flights to Charlotte area from PBIA for as low as $44

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TRANSPORTATION NEWS: Brightline: Big price cuts have resulted in 16% boost in passengers; more deals are coming

One of those downtown employers, Palm Beach Atlantic University, told WPBgo that tardiness and absences among its employees were 26% higher before the introduction of the bus pass program.

WPBgo has also been offering vouchers to West Palm Beach residents and workers since May for electric bikes priced at $500 to $1,000. Applications for those remain open online at wpbgo.com/ebike.

Chris Persaud covers transportation in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: WPBgo offering incentives to use West Palm Beach public transportation
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:

This photo provided by Richard Arden Knecht shows a wooden mask that was found washed away from a culturally significant Yup'ik archaeological site, known as the Nunalleq site, in Quinhagak, Alaska, Oct. 2025. Credit: Richard Arden Knecht via AP

A fragment of a mask that was preserved for hundreds of years in permafrost sat in the muck of a low tide in the western Alaska community of Quinhagak. Wooden spoons, toys, a fishing lure and other artifacts were strewn, in some cases for miles, along the beach.

The Yup'ik community near the edge of the Bering Sea was spared the widespread devastation wrought by the remnants of Typhoon Halong on its neighbors further west earlier this month. But it suffered a different kind of blow: The lashing winds and storm surge devoured dozens of feet of shoreline, disrupting a culturally significant archaeological site and washing away possibly thousands of unearthed artifacts.

About 1,000 pieces, including wooden masks and tools, were recovered in Quinhagak after the storm ravaged parts of southwest Alaska on Oct. 11 and 12. But many more piecesperhaps up to 100,000were left scattered, said Rick Knecht, an archaeologist who has worked on the Nunalleq, or old village, project for 17 years. That's roughly the number of pieces previously recovered from the archaeological site.

Meanwhile, freezing temperatures and ice have settled into the region, stalling immediate efforts to find and recover more displaced artifacts on searches done by four-wheeler and foot.

Knecht called what happened a major loss. The site has yielded the world's largest collection of pre-contact Yup'ik artifacts. Much of what's known about Yup'ik life before outsiders arrived stems from the project, said Knecht, an emeritus senior lecturer in archaeology at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.

This photo provided by Richard Arden Knecht shows various tools, utensils and other artifacts that were recovered after the Typhoon Halong scattered them from a significant Yup'ik archaeological site, known as the Nunalleq site, in Quinhagak, Alaska, Oct. 2025. Credit: Richard Arden Knecht via AP

"When there are holes or disturbances in the site, it's like trying to read a book with holes in the pages. You're going to miss a few things," he said. "And the bigger those holes are, the weaker the story gets. There's a few holes in the book right now."

While the name of the original village isn't known, it was attacked by another village and burned around 1650, he said. Knecht has worked with elders and others in Quinhagak to combine their traditional knowledge with the technology and techniques used by the archaeology teams to study the past together.

Quinhagak has about 800 residents, and subsistence food gathering is critically important to them.

The storm dispersed artifacts from a site long preserved by permafrost, Knecht said. A longstanding concern has been the threat that climate changemelting permafrost, coastal erosion, the potential for more frequent or stronger stormshas posed to the site, he said.

This photo provided by Richard Arden Knecht shows Warren Jones, left, and Mike Smith posing with a wooden mask fragment that had washed away from the Nunalleq archaeological site in Quinhagak, Alaska, Oct. 2025, after Typhoon Halong made landfall in wester Alaska. Credit: Richard Arden Knecht via AP

It poses risks to the community itself. Erosion threatens major infrastructure in Quinhagak, including a sewage lagoon, homes and fish camps. Thawing permafrost is also unsettling and undermining buildings, according to a 2024 report from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.

The excavation project itself began after artifacts began appearing on the beach around 2007. Part of the site that washed out had been excavated previously.

"There was a big chunk where we'd only gone about halfway down and left it for later because we prioritized parts of the site that were most at risk from marine erosion," Knecht said.

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.

When he left in July, there was a roughly 30-foot buffer to the sea. The storm took out the buffer and another 30 feet of the site, he said. It also left what Knecht described as piano-sized clumps of tundra on the tidal flats.

This photo provided by Richard Arden Knecht shows bluffs of clay left behind in the aftermath of Typhoon Halong at a beach area in Quinhagak, Alaska, Oct. 2025. Credit: Richard Arden Knecht via AP

The shore of Kuskokwim Bay on the Bering Sea is seen Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, near Kongiganak, Alaska. Credit: AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

Knecht didn't recognize the site at first after Halong.

"I just drove right by it because all the landmarks I'm used to on the beach and at the site were gone or changed," he said.

Work to preserve the rescued artifacts has included soaking the marine salts from the wood and placing the pieces in special chemicals that will help them hold together when they dry out, he said. If one were to just take one of the wooden artifacts off the beach and let them dry, they'd "crack to pieces, sometimes in a matter of hours."

There is a lab at the museum in Quinhagak where the artifacts are kept.

Archaeologists hope to return to the site next spring for a "rescue excavation" of layers exposed by the storm, he said. In some ways, it feels like when teams saw the site in 2009: "We've got this raw site with artifacts popping off in every way," he said. "So we're starting from scratch again."

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  This week is West Virginia College Application and Exploration Week where colleges encourage students from elementary to high school to really consider post-secondary education.

WVU Tech welcoming Governors Computer Science Institute

WVU Tech sent staff out to different schools to discuss the options students have after high school and inviting schools to bring their students on campus for the full experience.

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Kent Gamble, Dean of Enrollment Services, said he feels its important for all students to consider the future, no matter how young.

So, its a great opportunity for elementary schools students and middle school students to start thinking about higher education or thinking about their next step in post-secondary education. Whether thats a vocational and technical school, a college or university, or even the military. Its a great opportunity for those young minds in elementary and middle school to start thinking about what they would like to do or what they would like to be when they grow up, said Gamble.

Gamble said WVU Tech is receiving a lot of applications from high schoolers this week who think WVU Tech will be their next step into post-secondary and higher education.

He said no matter what each student chooses after they graduate high school, he hopes they make the decision thats right for them.

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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 WVNS.
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  Taking care of elderly family members more times than not falls on relatives, according to a recent report released by AARP.

United Ways 2-1-1 hotline offers connection to local resources

Family caregivers play a crucial role in the wellbeing of the elderly.

375,000 adults in West Virginia care for a member of their family, says a report from AARP.

Most of the time, this caregiving is unpaid and unsupported.

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That sort of devotion and dedication can take a lot out of a person.

Jessica Dorsey, Director of In-Home Services with the Raleigh County Commission on Aging, said it can be too much sometimes.

Its really common for caregivers to suffer from social isolation and depression because they are overwhelmed and exhausted and theyve had to give up many of the activities that they would normally be participating in, said Dorsey.

The AARP report states that unpaid caregivers provide more than $3 billion in care each year, and 80% of those caregivers pay out of their own pockets for the expenses.

That is a major financial burden to add to something thats already mentally and physically taxing.

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Dorsey said there are resources at RCCOA that can help.

We can either send a caregiver into the home to help assist with the care of their family member or we can actually hire the family member to be employed through our agency, and they can receive financial compensation for the care that theyre providing for their family member, said Dorsey.

Mountaineer Food Bank mobile food pantries to stop in southern West Virginia Counties

Dorsey said RCCOA has more than 230 caregivers employed right now and that 55% of them are family members who were previously unpaid for their caregiving services.

She said RCCOA provides these services for ten counties and encourages people to reach out and see how the Commission on Aging can help.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
At least two local outdoor Halloween events will proceed as planned despite the heavy rains expected this Friday.

Organizers and attendees at Magnolia Village and Waterfront Park are preparing to embrace the conditions while also taking precautions.

It happened last year. Were born with gills around here and waterproof hair. Just kinda gotta roll with it, said Ballard resident Chris Opsahl, who is ready for Halloween and the rain even though he admits hes most likely to be indoors at his home handing out candy.

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Jason Thibeaux from the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce noted, I open my weather app probably 20 times a day hoping its going to change for the better.

Thibeaux believes the Halloween in the Village event in Magnolia is always a showcase for fall in Magnolia and a chance for businesses to give back. He also hopes that people make an effort to stay dry and be safe.

Make sure you prepare for rain, make sure you keep your eyes out if youre driving down to the event, looking out for the kiddos, he added.

The Magnolia Halloween event is outdoors, unlike the Magnolia Farmers Market during the summer, which features vendors under tents. Thibeaux believes some businesses may put up tents, and there will be opportunities to be indoors, but it will primarily be outdoors.

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He also says streets will be closed around the village to accommodate families. Because of the street closures and efforts to seal the village from traffic, the Magnolia event cant start early, but it will go ahead starting at 4 p.m. on Halloween.

Brianna Browne with Friends of Waterfront Park encouraged attendees to bring an umbrella or wear a really fun costume that can withstand rain for their Halloween event at the park on Friday.

Browne mentioned that tents and heaters will be set up at Waterfront Park to keep attendees as comfortable as possible during the outdoor event.

Despite the weather challenges, the Halloween spirit remains undampened, with community members determined to enjoy the festivities.
OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  The Oconee County Sheriffs Office said one man was charged with attempted murder following a car chase across state lines.

46-year-old John Justin Casey Ward of Westminster was arrested and charged with attempted murder, domestic violence, first degree burglary, malicious injury to personal property, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, failure to stop for a blue light, as well as two counts each of assault and battery and placing a child at risk of harm.

On October 17, deputies from the Uniform Patrol Bureau responded to an address on West Bennett Road regarding a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, deputies said they made contact with a woman, who said Ward had hit his car into a parked vehicle.

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Officials said the incident occurred at a house on Deborahs Way, a side road near West Bennet Road.

Deputies said Ward then entered into the house, where he pointed a shotgun at several people, assaulted the woman in front of children, and made threats to harm her. Ward then fled the scene.

While attempting to locate Ward at an address on Murphy Drive near Highway 123, a deputy saw a blue pick-up truck pull out of a side road and turn right onto Highway 123. The deputy confirmed the pick-up was one that Ward used, and attempted a traffic stop. Ward did not pull over and a pursuit began.

Deputies said the pursuit crossed from Oconee County, South Carolina into Stephens County, Georgia. The pursuit ended near Highway 123 and Old Jaret Road, where Ward was taken into custody without incident.

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Ward was transferred from the Stephens County Jail to the Oconee County Detention Center. He was denied bond on all 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 WSPA 7NEWS.
(Screengrab via White House/X)

The White House revived its sombrero meme to mock House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer once again after a reporter shared that Jeffries was hosting a District Taco lunch for Capitol police and lawmakers Wednesday.

Punchbowl News journalist Ally Mutnick shared the happy news of the lunch that she said had been hosted to show appreciation for staff and law enforcement as the government shutdown lingers on.

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The White House, however, seized on the report, mocking the reporters tweet and the lawmakers by sharing an AI-generated meme of the pair wearing sombreros and holding plates of tacos.

Some news: Dem Leader Hakeem Jeffries hosted a lunch during the Democrat Shutdown, serving District Taco  https://t.co/uK2FPLJUC7pic.twitter.com/2QycAiquTl  The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 29, 2025

The sombrero trolling tactic has been a recurring theme since the beginning of October, when President Donald Trump twice posted similar AI videos, one with mariachi music playing in the background.

In response, the House Minority Leader blasted the presidents actions as racist. Trump and administration officials, however, have continued with the social media antics that have also taunted Democrats with threats of shutdown cuts using grim reaper memes.

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) joined in, editing sombreros and moustaches onto 44 Senate Democrats, threatening to continue until they re-open our government.

The post WH Mocks Jeffries and Schumer With New Sombrero Meme After Taco Lunch for Capitol Police first appeared on Mediaite.
Despite being a popular treat in Milwaukee, "Paczki" (POONCH-kee) was the hardest word for Wisconsinites to pronounce, according to an analysis of 2025 Google Trends search data by Unscramblerer.com.

Paczki are traditional Polish doughnuts are similar to jelly doughnuts, but much richer.

Paczki have a strong Polish Catholic roots, and were historically made and eaten in the days leading up to the start of Lent as a practical way to use up perishable ingredients like sugar and eggs. During Lent, Catholics traditionally fast for 40 days in preparation of Easter. While abstaining from meat on Friday during Lent is a widely known tradition, the Lenten season also calls on followers to practice self-discipline and abstain from other indulgences, like sweet treats.

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In Poland, Paczki Day is celebrated on Fat Thursday, the Thursday before Ash Wednesday. Polish-American culture, however, has combined the tradition with Mardi Gras celebrations on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.

More: About Milwaukee's paczki tradition

What were the most mispronounced words in the U.S. from January through October 2025?

Gyro (312,000 searches): YEE-roh Worcestershire sauce (300,000 searches): WUSS-ter-sheer Acai (192,000 searches): ah-SIGH-ee Qatar (180,000 searches): KAH-tar Dachshund (156,000 searches): DAKS-hund Niche (142,000 searches): NEESH Aoife (84,000 searches): EE-fah Charcuterie (72,000 searches): shar-KOO-tuh-ree Paczki (36,000 searches): POONCH-kee Primeval (26,000 searches): pry-MEE-vul Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (24,000 searches): soo-per-kal-uh-fraj-uh-lis-tik-ek-spee-al-uh-DOH-shus Hozier (21,000 searches): HO-zee-er

Anna Kleiber can be reached at akleiber@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Paczki pronounciation is tricky for Wisconsinites, analysis shows
The latest generation of artificial intelligence models is sharper and smoother, producing polished text with fewer errors and hallucinations. As a philosophy professor, I have a growing fear: When a polished essay no longer shows that a student did the thinking, the grade above it becomes hollow  and so does the diploma.

The problem doesnt stop in the classroom. In fields such as law, medicine and journalism, trust depends on knowing that human judgment guided the work. A patient, for instance, expects a doctors prescription to reflect an experts thought and training.

AI products can now be used to support peoples decisions. But even when AIs role in doing that type of work is small, you cant be sure whether the professional drove the process or merely wrote a few prompts to do the job. What dissolves in this situation is accountability  the sense that institutions and individuals can answer for what they certify. And this comes at a time when public trust in civic institutions is already fraying.

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I see education as the proving ground for a new challenge: learning to work with AI while preserving the integrity and visibility of human thinking. Crack the problem here, and a blueprint could emerge for other fields where trust depends on knowing that decisions still come from people. In my own classes, were testing an authorship protocol to ensure student writing stays connected to their thinking, even with AI in the loop.

When learning breaks down

The core exchange between teacher and student is under strain. A recent MIT study found that students using large language models to help with essays felt less ownership of their work and did worse on key writingrelated measures.

Students still want to learn, but many feel defeated. They may ask: Why think through it myself when AI can just tell me? Teachers worry their feedback no longer lands. As one Columbia University sophomore told The New Yorker after turning in her AI-assisted essay: If they dont like it, it wasnt me who wrote it, you know?

Universities are scrambling. Some instructors are trying to make assignments AI-proof, switching to personal reflections or requiring students to include their prompts and process. Over the past two years, Ive tried versions of these in my own classes, even asking students to invent new formats. But AI can mimic almost any task or style.

In-class assignments on paper can get around student dependence on AI chatbots. But blue book exams emphasize performance under pressure and may not be good for scenarios where students need to develop their own original thinking. Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Understandably, others now call for a return to what are being dubbed medieval standards: in-class test-taking with blue books and oral exams. Yet those mostly reward speed under pressure, not reflection. And if students use AI outside class for assignments, teachers will simply lower the bar for quality, much as they did when smartphones and social media began to erode sustained reading and attention.

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Many institutions resort to sweeping bans or hand the problem to ed-tech firms, whose detectors log every keystroke and replay drafts like movies. Teachers sift through forensic timelines; students feel surveilled. Too useful to ban, AI slips underground like contraband.

The challenge isnt that AI makes strong arguments available; books and peers do that, too. Whats different is that AI seeps into the environment, constantly whispering suggestions into the students ear. Whether the student merely echoes these or works them into their own reasoning is crucial, but teachers cannot assess that after the fact. A strong paper may hide dependence, while a weak one may reflect real struggle.

Meanwhile, other signatures of a students reasoning  awkward phrasings that improve over the course of a paper, the quality of citations, general fluency of the writing  are obscured by AI as well.

Restoring the link between process and product

Though many would happily skip the effort of thinking for themselves, its what makes learning durable and prepares students to become responsible professionals and leaders. Even if handing control to AI were desirable, it cant be held accountable, and its makers dont want that role. The only option as I see it is to protect the link between a students reasoning and the work that builds it.

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Imagine a classroom platform where teachers set the rules for each assignment, choosing how AI can be used. A philosophy essay might run in AI-free mode  students write in a window that disables copy-paste and external AI calls but still lets them save drafts. A coding project might allow AI assistance but pause before submission to ask the student brief questions about how their code works. When the work is sent to the teacher, the system issues a secure receipt  a digital tag, like a sealed exam envelope  confirming that it was produced under those specified conditions.

This isnt detection: no algorithm scanning for AI markers. And it isnt surveillance: no keystroke logging or draft spying. The assignments AI terms are built into the submission process. Work that doesnt meet those conditions simply wont go through, like when a platform rejects an unsupported file type.

In my lab at Temple University, were piloting this approach by using the authorship protocol Ive developed. In the main authorship check mode, an AI assistant poses brief, conversational questions that draw students back into their thinking: Could you restate your main point more clearly? or Is there a better example that shows the same idea? Their short, in-the-moment responses and edits allow the system to measure how well their reasoning and final draft align.

The prompts adapt in real time to each students writing, with the intent of making the cost of cheating higher than the effort of thinking. The goal isnt to grade or replace teachers but to reconnect the work students turn in with the reasoning that produced it. For teachers, this restores confidence that their feedback lands on a students actual reasoning. For students, it builds metacognitive awareness, helping them see when theyre genuinely thinking and when theyre merely offloading.

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I believe teachers and researchers should be able to design their own authorship checks, each issuing a secure tag that certifies the work passed through their chosen process, one that institutions can then decide to trust and adopt.

How humans and intelligent machines interact

There are related efforts underway outside education. In publishing, certification efforts already experiment with human-written stamps. Yet without reliable verification, such labels collapse into marketing claims. What needs to be verified isnt keystrokes but how people engage with their work.

That shifts the question to cognitive authorship: not whether or how much AI was used, but how its integration affects ownership and reflection. As one doctor recently observed, learning how to deploy AI in the medical field will require a science of its own. The same holds for any field that depends on human judgment.

I see this protocol acting as an interaction layer with verification tags that travel with the work wherever it goes, like email moving between providers. It would complement technical standards for verifying digital identity and content provenance that already exist. The key difference is existing protocols certify the artifact, not the human judgment behind it.

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Without giving professions control over how AI is used and ensuring the place of human judgment in AI-assisted work, AI technology risks dissolving the trust on which professions and civic institutions depend. AI is not just a tool; it is a cognitive environment reshaping how we think. To inhabit this environment on our own terms, we must build open systems that keep human judgment at the center.

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: Eli Alshanetsky, Temple University

Read more:



Eli Alshanetsky 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.
(NewsNation)  The White House has found funds to pay the military during the government shutdown, an Office of Management and Budget official confirmed to NewsNation.

The official said the government would take $2.5 billion from a military housing fund in President Donald Trumps big, beautiful legislation from earlier this year; $1.4 billion from the Pentagons Research, Development, Test and Evaluation fund; and $1.4 billion from a procurement account typically used for building Navy vessels.

The moves may technically run afoul of appropriation law, as Congress has the power to dictate funding. But it could be perilous politically to challenge the White Houses moves as the shutdown continues into Day 30.

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Troops, air traffic controllers and hundreds of thousands of other workers have missed some or all of their paychecks as the congressional stalemate rolls on.

The American Federation of Government Employees and National Air Traffic Controllers Association, two of the biggest unions representing federal workers, called on Congress to open the government.

The impact of the shutdown will increase to tens of millions if a deal isnt reached by Saturday, when SNAP benefits for 42 million Americans are set to run out.

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.
As part of my annual rituals, last month I sent out my school bus survey. Because no one is in charge of connecting bus timetables to student demands, for nearly a decade a thousand families have taken time to tell me which bus routes their children take every day.

Theyre not alone. Others share details of different systems failing without an obvious person in charge. Is the mobile phone operator or the Government responsible for coverage? Will the police or the council deal with anti-social behaviour? The question, so often, is: whos in charge of anything?

People turn to me in an attempt to solve these problems but the truth is, were only the sticking plaster, not the cure.

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Each year, it gets harder. We face an uncomfortable truth: todays government is dealing with increasing complexity using bureaucratic systems designed for a simpler age. And theres no chance of spending our way out  weve already maxed out the credit card.

Just look at the numbers. In 1900, government consumed 12 per cent of GDP. Today its 44 per cent. Health spending alone tripling to 9 per cent. Weve hit the ceiling.

The state already takes nearly half of economic output, putting a brake on growth and punishing future generations, but demand just keeps growing: ageing populations, net-zero commitments, crumbling infrastructure, and with expectations of Amazon-level service.

The only solution is to boost what we have  to augment our intelligence  to make people more productive and able to see through the complexity so that each civil servant can achieve more.

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Without artificial intelligence, democracies will struggle, because something fundamental has changed. Political legitimacy once flowed from constitutions, elections, procedures. Today, it flows from whether bins get collected, trains run, phones connect, children reach school. This shift from procedural to performance as a governments defining test.

Right now, were failing. Badly.

Sixty-three per cent of young Britons believe democracy is in trouble. More than half think representatives dont care about them. This isnt mere frustration, its active delegitimisation.

The contrast is stark. Young people are watching Chinese infrastructure porn on social media: high-speed rail built in years not decades, massive solar farms, cities put up seemingly overnight. Then they look here at home: HS2 cancelled, potholes multiplying, planning taking years, mobile signals failing everywhere.

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My casework tells the same story. Not revolutionary anger, but something more corrosive: citizens reduced to begging their MP for services that should be able to rely on and legitimacy dying by a thousand small failures.

Were not alone in spotting the difference. For decades we offered the world the model: free markets, democracy, rule of law. Chinas success shattered that monopoly. The question has shifted from Will China democratise? to something harder: Can democracies deliver?

We need to realise the risk  this isnt just about democracy at home but alliances abroad. We are being weighed in the balance and found wanting.

This isnt advocating authoritarianism. Its facing reality and learning off those doing better.

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When Britain demonstrated superior firepower, Chinese scholars couldnt explain from Confucian principles, their civilisation was destabilised until their inherited beliefs slipped into alignment with observable reality. The gap between tradition and reality has created our own crisis today.

As a nation, the gap between our assumptions and reality widens.

Others are trying to bridge the gap by embracing industrial policies resembling Chinese state capitalism while insisting they defend free-market principles. History suggests such selective borrowing rarely works as architects imagine.

Britains choice is stark. Embrace technological transformation enabling delivery at scale, or watch legitimacy erode as we fail basic expectations.

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Thats where AI comes in.

Its not magic. It requires massive infrastructure investment, workforce retraining, new governance frameworks, constant vigilance against bias. But its the only path avoiding either unsustainable tax increases or steadily degrading services.

Twenty-first century democracies that survive will marry their procedural strengths-accountability, transparency, responsiveness-with actual capacity to deliver. Augmenting every civil servant. Automating coordination. Making data-driven real-time decisions. Using AI to close the gap between complexity and human capacity.

My casework shows the accumulated failures clearly: connectivity, bins, transport, planning, and much more importantly, the reality that behind each case is someone whose faith in democracy is tested not by ideology but delivery.

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Unless we confront this crisis honestly, unless we recognise that legitimacy must be earned everyday, not inherited through Magna Carta, and unless we deploy the tools that make delivery possible, well continue losing our citizens confidence.

The trains must run. Phones must connect. Infrastructure must function. Those survey responses must become unnecessary because AI-augmented systems coordinate what humans cannot.

This isnt authoritarianism. Its not about a new Mussolini. Its the mathematics of democratic survival in an age of overwhelming complexity.

Democracies that cannot pass this basic test will face a question they cannot answer: Why should we keep you?

Rt Hon Tom Tugendhat MP is the former Security Minister and chaired the Foreign Affairs Select Committee

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A migrant sex offender who was mistakenly released from prison was paid 500 to leave the UK after threatening to disrupt his deportation flight.

Hadush Kebatu was wrongly freed from HMP Chelmsford last Friday morning, rather than being transferred to an immigration detention centre as intended. This significant error triggered a two-day manhunt, culminating in his re-arrest in London on Sunday morning.

The Home Office confirmed that Mr Kebatu arrived in Ethiopia on Wednesday morning, having been deported from the UK with no right of return.

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Downing Street clarified on Wednesday that the 500 payment was an "operational decision". Kebatu had been rejected from the voluntary removal scheme for offenders, but was still given some funding after he threatened to disrupt his flight, a spokesman said.

Hadush Kebatu was given 500 after threatening to disrupt his deportation flight (Essex Police)

The government stated that the alternative would have been a "slower and more expensive process", potentially involving further detention, a new flight costing thousands, and subsequent legal claims.

The revelation that Kebatu received money to depart the country has been met with strong criticism, with the Conservatives branding the decision an "absolute disgrace".

Many are also confused as to why the man was given money by the government. Heres everything you need to know about the rules:

How do criminals leave the UK?

A facilitated return scheme was set up in 2006 to enable the government to return people to their country of origin if they commit a crime in the UK.

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The purpose of the scheme is to encourage foreign national offenders to leave the UK voluntarily "at the earliest possible opportunity," rather than using state funds and resources on their imprisonment or detention.

As part of this scheme, offenders receive financial support to encourage them to cooperate with their removal. This can be worth up to 2,000.

There is also an option for migrants who have not been convicted of a crime to leave the UK voluntarily if they meet certain criteria. This could be residing in the UK illegally, overstaying a visa, or having been rejected for an asylum claim.

If removal if not volunteered, the Home Office can carry out an enforced removal. This will typically void any option for the migrant to receive funds.

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However, in the case of Mr Kebatu, some money was still given despite his removal being enforced.

How much money can foreign nationals receive to leave the UK?

According to Home Office guidance, there are several levels of resettlement grant available, with higher amounts typically paid to someone who applies whilst in custody. The rates are:

750

For foreign nationals who apply after completing their custodial sentence

For foreign nationals who have received a conviction overseas

For foreign national offenders with UK non-custodial convictions (not linked to a prison sentence.

1,500

When the application is made whilst the foreign national offender is serving their custodial sentence

For qualifying family members

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An extra 500 may also be payable to a small number of vulnerable foreign national offenders, Home Office guidance explains. For example, this could be if they are pregnant, considered mentally disordered, have physical disabilities, are homeless, or have a serious illness.

Other migrants who do not have permission to remain in the UK can seek voluntary return from the UK can receive up to 3,000 in financial support to facilitate their return. This is a different scheme, and offenders cannot apply.

Those eligible can also receive support from the voluntary returns service to understand their options, help get travel documents (e.g. a passport), and pay for travel costs.

However, receiving financial support depends on certain criteria being met. This could be if the applicant:
Akbar Novruz



Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has praised efforts to normalize relations with Azerbaijan and urged the Armenian public to support the ongoing peace process, Azernews reports, citing Armenian media.

We have peace, and that is the reality. This is a historic change not only in our bilateral relations with Azerbaijan but also for the region as a whole, Pashinyan said during his address at the Paris Peace Forum.

Expressing confidence in public support, the prime minister noted, I am confident that the people of the Republic of Armenia will support what we have achieved so far. I do not doubt that Armenian citizens will back the peace agenda and the peace process.

Pashinyan also highlighted that the normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations, including the opening of borders and the establishment of diplomatic ties, is now only a matter of time. There are currently no significant obstacles to this, he said, adding that he expects both countries to become normal neighbours with full political and economic cooperation in due course.

The ongoing peace efforts between Baku and Yerevan gained momentum following a landmark trilateral summit in Washington, D.C., on August 8, 2025, hosted by US President Donald J. Trump. During the summit, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took significant steps toward normalizing relations and enhancing regional cooperation.

The summit concluded with the signing of a joint declaration affirming respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity while rejecting the use of force. A draft peace agreement titled Agreement on Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia was also initialled by both countries foreign ministers, marking a milestone in the decades-long conflict.

One of the key outcomes of the Washington summit was the agreement to establish the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), also known as the Zangazur Corridor, which will connect mainland Azerbaijan with its Nakhchivan exclave through Armenian territory, fostering trade and regional integration.
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:

Lead buck and ball shot found in a single location. Credit: Andy Jepson

Archaeologists from the University of Glasgow and the National Trust for Scotland have recovered more than 100 projectiles, including lead musket balls and cannon shot, from Culloden Battlefield.

The discoveries were made earlier this month (October) by a team of archaeologists and volunteers led by the Trust's Head of Archaeology Derek Alexander and the University's Professor Tony Pollard.

The battle, fought on 16 April 1746, saw the decisive defeat of the Jacobite army led by Bonnie Prince Charlie by government forces commanded by the Duke of Cumberland's government army.

The new findings, from an area of the battlefield that had not previously yielded any archaeological discoveries, are fresh evidence from the last battle fought on British soil.

The most striking result from the investigation, which took place between 1318 October, was the recovery of over 100 projectiles, which included lead musket balls and cannon shot, the latter of which included what is believed to be a three-pound cannon ball fired by the Jacobite artillery.

This collection of artifacts not only proves that archaeology from the battle has survived in this area but, the project leaders believe, it has provided evidence for one of the most dramatic episodes in a battle that from beginning to end probably lasted less than an hour.

Metal detecting was one of three different, but complementary, techniques used to investigate the area. Photo Credit National Trust for Scotland

Professor Tony Pollard said, "We've only had time to make a rapid assessment of our results, but musket balls fired by Jacobite and government troops, including pistol balls fired by government dragoons, likely relate to one of the last actions in the battle. This fight took place between the initial battle lines, at a location where boggy ground slowed the Highland charge, and this in combination with heavy fire from Cumberland's line, helped to seal the fate of the Jacobite cause.

"As the Jacobites retreated, a battalion of Irish troops in French service, fighting with the Jacobites, made a brave stand against hundreds of mounted men from Cobham's Dragoons and possibly Kingston's Horse, advancing from the right of Cumberland's line. The job of these horsemen was to cut down the disordered Jacobites, and we have recovered some of the shot fired from their heavy pistols.

"The Irish troops, numbering about 150 men, under their commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Stapleton, blocked this advance and, according to an account by Adjutant General John O'Sullivan, one of Bonnie Prince Charlie's senior officers, fired volleys into the approaching cavalry. The red-coated Irish Picquets then found cover behind the walls of Culloden Park but their surrender, after suffering heavy casualties, with Stapleton among the dead, was the only alternative to total annihilation.

"Being regular troops in French service, they were treated as prisoners of war rather than rebels, but nonetheless, they suffered the privations of confinement in a prison hulk in the Thames before being repatriated to France in early 1747.

"This valiant action helped thousands of Jacobites get away from the field, but it only gets brief mentions in most of the history books. A more detailed analysis of the artifacts and their distribution pattern will be required before we can make a definitive statement, but at present there are no obvious alternative interpretations."

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A variety of techniques, including metal detector survey, trial trenching and test pitting were used to examine a portion of the battlefield which, on 16 April 1746, sat between the government and Jacobite lines. This area had failed to produce archaeological material in the past, possibly due to disturbances caused by a 19th century forestation, which created acid soils and tree clearance in more recent times. The area is also boggy, which has provided further challenges for archaeologists.

On the importance of these discoveries to the wider understanding of the battlefield, Derek Alexander said, "We are delighted with the results, especially as the ground we investigated didn't appear to hold out a great deal of promise. Our volunteers did a fantastic job of enhancing our understanding of the battle and the battlefield as it exists today.

"This new evidence adds to earlier findings, which include the scatter of objects related to the hand-to-hand fighting on Cumberland's left, to the south of the present site. We now have a clearer picture of where the various actions that made up the battle took place, and this will assist the National Trust for Scotland in enhancing on-site interpretation and the long-term management of the battlefield. We look forward to bringing the team back together to carry out a more detailed examination of the finds."

Valerie Whistler, the National Trust for Scotland's Estate Manager at Culloden, said, "We were so pleased to welcome Derek, Tony and our volunteers back to Culloden for another archaeology week this year, and we're thrilled to learn more about what they have found. The explorations were accompanied by public talks, weapons demonstrations and guided tours, and all this work supports our ongoing aims to share the story of this battle, care for the site, and ensure its history is preserved for generations to come."
NEED TO KNOW

Buckingham Palace announced on Oct. 30 that King Charles was stripping Prince Andrew of all royal titles

The action is the latest fallout from renewed scrutiny over Andrew's relationship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein

While Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, it was recently revealed that he has lied about details regarding his friendship and activities with Epstein

In an unprecedented moment for the British royal family, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday, Oct. 30, that King Charles was officially stripping all royal titles, including prince, from his brother Prince Andrew.

Andrew, 65, will now be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, no longer a prince or His Royal Highness. The move is a continuation of the fallout from ongoing revelations about Andrew's relationship with late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.



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Consequences for Andrew have been coming at a slow trickle for more than a decade, culminating in this ultimate royal eviction. In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting sex from a minor. At that time, his friendship with Andrew was well-documented, and the two had been photographed together at President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.

Davidoff Studios/Getty Melania Trump, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, Gwendolyn Beck and Jeffrey Epstein at Mar-a-Lago in 2000 Melania Trump, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, Gwendolyn Beck and Jeffrey Epstein at Mar-a-Lago in 2000

Then, in 2015, Andrew was named in a lawsuit against Epstein filed by noted survivor Virginia Giuffre, alleging that she was sex trafficked to the former prince when she was 17 and had three sexual encounters with him. Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Andrew stepped back from his duties as a working royal in November 2019, following a scrutinized interview with BBC's Newsnight about his alleged ties to Epstein.

Then, in January 2022, Queen Elizabeth stripped her second son of his military titles and patronages after he attempted to have Giuffre's sexual assault lawsuit against him dismissed. The following month, he settled with Giuffre out of court for an undisclosed sum.

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Giuffre died by suicide on April 24, 2025. She was 41.

Scrutiny has intensified in recent weeks after the publication of Giuffre's posthumous memoir. In the book, she wrote that Andrew believed having sex with me was his birthright."

So what was the final nail in the coffin for King Charles?

PEOPLE understands that the King reached his decision with the support of members of the royal family, including Prince William. While Andrew continues to deny the accusations against him, it is clear that there have been serious lapses of judgment from the King's perspective.

As for why the King didnt act sooner, PEOPLE understands that Charles acted swiftly following recent developments that made it possible for his brother to relinquish his titles and honors in the most immediate and efficient way possible. While a longer-term resolution to the complex legal and constitutional issues surrounding Andrews status took time to finalize, sources say the necessity of further action was never in doubt. The Kings decision follows behind-the-scenes discussions, legal consultation and support from the wider royal family to bring about a resolution without imposing on Parliamentary time.

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Most recently, it was revealed that Andrew lied in his Newsnight interview about cutting off contact with Epstein when he truly hadn't. He told journalist Emily Maitlis at the time that he had cut ties with the billionaire in 2010.

However, on Oct. 12, 2025, The Mail on Sunday and The Sun on Sunday concurrently published an email that the then-Duke of York allegedly wrote to Epstein on the day after the infamous picture of him with his arm around Giuffre was published by The Mail on Sunday in 2011.

Andrew reportedly wrote, "I'm just as concerned for you! Don't worry about me! It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it.

Otherwise, keep in close touch, and we'll play some more soon!!!!" he added, before signing off with A, HRH The Duke of York, KG. The "KG" is a reference to him being a knight of the prestigious Order of the Garter. All of the titles in Andrew's sign-off have since been stripped from him in the weeks since the email was published.

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Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, also had an incriminating email to Epstein revealed recently.

In a March 2011 interview with the Evening Standard, Sarah publicly disowned the billionaire predator, telling the publication she had made a terrible, terrible error of judgment when she accepted nearly $20,000 from him to pay off her debts. Referencing the accusations against Epstein, she added, I abhor paedophilia.

However, last month, The Sun and The Mail on Sunday published an email that reportedly proved Sarah had backtracked privately on that statement just weeks later. She sent a message to Epstein apologizing and calling him a steadfast, generous and supreme friend."

"As you know, I did not, absolutely not, say the P [pedophile] word about you," she reportedly wrote. "I know you feel hellaciously let down by me. And I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that. You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family.



Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

In addition to losing his title, Andrew is also being forced to give up his longtime living arrangements at Royal Lodge in Windsor. He is set to relocate to an unnamed property on the private Sandringham estate, with future accommodations privately funded by King Charles.

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PEOPLE understands that Sarah, who has been living with her ex for many years, will be making her own arrangements for a new residence.

The palace's statement read, in part, "His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him."

"Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse," the statement concluded.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

Read the original article on People
In recent months, a growing number of premium publishers have unveiled ambitious, expensive brand marketing campaigns, splashing bespoke creative across digital, social, and physical channels to draw consumer attention to their companies.

More intriguingly, the vast majority of these publishers have never run such campaigns before.

In January, Hearst Corp. announced its first agency of record partnership in company history, selecting PMG to ideate and lead a series of brand marketing campaigns for titles across its portfolio. The project began in May with brand campaigns for The Houston Chronicle and San Francisco Chronicle, but it has since expanded to several of its other editorial brands and will continue into next year.

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In September, the Conde Nast title Wired unveiled its first national brand marketing campaign as part of a larger effort to promote its politics issue. That same month, The Guardian debuted its ambitious new work, The Whole Picture, across subways, billboards, and digital channels. And MarketWatch, a News Corp. brand, recently also ran the first brand marketing campaign in its 28-year history.

This week alone, two more publishers unveiled brand marketing campaigns, both noteworthy in their novelty.

On Monday, NBC News launched the first brand marketing campaign in its history, deploying creative across digital and physical channels to underscore the trustworthiness of its brand. Historically, NBC has marketed its individual franchises, but this effort marked the first time it had pushed for awareness as an organization, according to its senior vice president of communication Dana Klinghoffer.

And on Thursday, Reuters plans to debut just the second brand marketing campaign in its 174-year history, ADWEEK can exclusively report. Its first such effort came four years ago, in 2021.

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Taken together, the explosion of brand marketing campaigns marks a significant moment in the industry.

For one, news publishers rarely engage in these kinds of efforts, largely because they are expensive and publishers generate plenty of awareness through their reporting. In recent years, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg have run a handful of brand campaigns each, but outside of that, they are few and far between.

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But more critically, the widespread nature of this trend, combined with the uncanny coordination of its timing, suggests that these publishers have grasped a similar truth or been motivated by a shared concern.

So why have so many publishers opted to do something they have largely never done, and why have they chosen now to do it?

A response to dwindling discovery

The most obvious reason publishers are amping up their brand marketing efforts is because the ways in which consumers are engaging with the news has changed.

Referral traffic from social platforms has been in decline, and disruption posed by artificial intelligence to search engines has only compounded the issue. With fewer consumers now passively encountering news content, publishers need to increase their proactive efforts to reach them, according to Mark Silver, the senior director of strategy at media agency Code and Theory.

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In particular, younger generations that have come of age after these shifts in traffic patterns are more likely to be unfamiliar with these publishers in the first place. Publishers can no longer rely on simply producing content and assuming it will find its way in front of these audiences.

MarketWatch, for instance, targeted Gen Z specifically with its marketing, employing a brat green font and cheeky copy to entice young audiences interested in financial literacy.

"The way that consumers make decisions is increasingly around brands," Silver said. "We have to think of consumers as consumers of information-you can't just expect them to know what you're about. You have to tell them."

Raising brand prominence amid AI disruption

AI figures into this equation in more ways than one.

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In addition to disrupting search traffic, answer engines rely on publisher data to power their responses. This reality has led to the emergence of a marketplace dynamic, as AI firms look to strike deals with publishers to license their content.

Already, AI companies have struck deals with around a dozen premium publishers, including The New York Times, Conde Nast, Vox Media, Axel Springer, and more. But these are one-off arrangements, and no consistent framework has been established as to how smaller publishers will be compensated when their data is used to answer user queries.

These campaigns can be seen as an effort by publishers to raise their consumer awareness and perception at a critical juncture in their negotiations with AI firms, according to Upwave chief executive officer Chris Kelly. The volume, quality, and awareness of a brand could help inform the market rate for its data.

One of publishers' main arguments in these discussions, that an answer engine without their data would be inferior to one with it, hinges on consumer demand for that brand. By making, say, Reuters a more top-of-mind source of news, an answer engine without Reuters content would be less enticing to a user.

Increasing favorability at a critical moment

AI is not the only external force roiling the news media industry.

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In recent months, President Trump has levied broadsides at a broad swath of publishers, taking legal action against The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, ABC News, and NBC News.

These assaults come at a particularly vulnerable moment for the news industry, as trust in the media continues to plummet and the industry as a whole struggles to find commercial sustainability.

Many of these brand campaigns, particularly the ones from NBC News and Reuters, are meant specifically to engender trust in audiences. More broadly, they all aim to raise audience affinity for the brands, according to Kelly.

In any contest between the president and the media, the court of public perception is a critical battleground. A successful effort to win over audiences could prove to be valuable insurance in future disputes.

Investing in subscriber acquisition

On a more prosaic level, every publisher that launched one of these brand campaigns has a consumer subscription business.

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Some of these offerings differ from one another in meaningful ways. The Guardian, for instance, solicits donations but does not paywall its content. Reuters only launched its digital subscription product last October, and NBC News is expected to launch its consumer subscription offering this quarter.

Taken together, all of these publishers have a means of turning consumer support directly into recurring revenue, which means that top-of-funnel efforts are ultimately key to their bottom line.

All good marketers know that investing in brand equity is integral to, and upstream of, paid acquisition efforts. David Carey, senior vice president of public affairs and communications at Hearst, referred to the company's brand marketing efforts as "preparing the ground" for its subscription business.

These kinds of efforts can seem like expensive luxuries, as the return on investment is harder to track. But time and again they are proven to be essential, according to Kelly, the Upwave CEO.

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"These companies all have ad sales teams that offer brand lift measurement services to their advertisers, so they should have the mental frameworks and vendors lined up to track whatever upper-funnel KPIs they have set," Kelly said. "Ultimately, if a consumer has a chance to read a version of the same story from four different outlets, that is the news media version of the shelf that a consumer is grabbing a product from."

The intangible made tangible

The benefits of brand marketing campaigns are often difficult to point to specifically, which is why they are rarer than performance campaigns.

But in some instances, the value of that brand equity makes itself very apparent. Consider the recent story of Hearst Corp. acquiring The Dallas Morning News, which I have covered in depth.

In that situation, The Dallas Morning News accepted a lower bid from Hearst Corp. over a higher offer from private equity firm Alden Global Capital specifically because its ownership trusted Hearst to be a better steward of its brand and its journalism. That is about as clear of an example as you get of how brand reputation can yield tangible, strategic benefits.

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Relatedly, it should come as no surprise that all of the publishers running these brand marketing campaigns have the benefit of patient, long-term ownership. The Roberts, Murdochs, and Thomsons control the voting shares in News Corp., NBC parent Comcast, and Reuters, respectively. The others are privately held and controlled by family ownership or trusts, as is the case with The Guardian.

These kinds of ownership models enable publishers to invest in their brands for the long term, with the understanding that these efforts will produce dividends over a multiyear timeline. And while not every publisher can afford to finance these kinds of campaigns, these initiatives underscore their importance and will hopefully inspire similar efforts.

"Maybe a smaller brand will see this and find a version of this that they can do," Carey said. "Consumers have great awareness of news brands, but sometimes they can use reminders of why that is."
Whenever nuclear deterrence has been debated within NATO in recent years, two aspects have been the focus of attention, leaving out the most pressing issue connected to the alliance itself.

On the one hand, there is the question of whether Russias attack on Ukraine had fundamentally changed the threat situation and whether NATOs nuclear arsenal  primarily American nuclear weapons in Europe  needed to be modernized or strengthened as a result.

Secondly, since Donald Trump took office as president, the question has arisen as to whether the United States can still be considered a reliable partner and what would happen if Washington were to withdraw its nuclear umbrella from its NATO allies.

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A third question has largely been ignored so far: that of a credible and up-to-date nuclear strategy. This is a crucial question, because the effectiveness of nuclear deterrence is based not only on the weapons and delivery systems available, but also on the recognizable ability and willingness to use them in extreme cases.

This requires fundamental strategic decisions. What political and military principles should apply to the possible use of nuclear weapons by NATO? What targets would be eligible for such use? What procedures should there be for approving such an exceptional case within the alliance?

During the Cold War, NATO developed a detailed nuclear strategy over many years, which included political guidelines for the possible use of nuclear weapons as well as procedures for consultation among alliance partners and coordination of nuclear targeting.

With the end of the East-West conflict, all of this was abolished in the hope of having a lasting partner in Russia. As a result, NATO today lacks a nuclear strategic consensus on how to deal with an aggressive and revanchist Russia and how to strengthen the credibility of nuclear deterrence  not only with respect to the posture but also conceptually.

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Fortunately, a modern NATO nuclear strategy does not require reinventing the wheel. Instead, the concepts and procedures of the Cold War form an important foundation that can be drawn upon. However, these must be adapted to the security policy realities of the 21st century.

Russia is no longer  as the Soviet Union once was  militarily superior to NATO and has also lost its former alliance system, the Warsaw Pact. This means that rapid, expansive military advances by Russia from east to west, with which the Soviet Union once sought to reach the Atlantic in a matter of weeks, are no longer to be expected, but rather limited actions in the Baltic states, for example.

Nonetheless, the use of Russian nuclear weapons on NATO territory cannot be ruled out. In a military conflict on NATOs eastern borders, Russia could attempt to prevent both NATO troop movements from west to east and the landing of American reinforcements in Europe by attacking ports or transport hubs. Such attacks could also be carried out with nuclear weapons.

In such an extreme case, however, NATOs response would not be nuclear warfare, as seemed conceivable during the Cold War. Instead, a nuclear escalation by NATO would primarily serve the political goal of demonstrating its willingness to defend itself against the attacker and persuading it to cease hostilities. However, this does not mean that nuclear weapons should be used purely symbolically, for example over uninhabited areas, as this could be misinterpreted as a lack of resolve.

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Instead, the use of nuclear weapons must also cause damage to the attacker in order to be taken seriously as a warning. This means that nuclear targeting would focus primarily on Russian territory and probably on Belarus but no longer  as in the Cold War  on NATO terrain.

To achieve a broad consensus in NATO on the extreme case of a nuclear employment, the Cold War nuclear consultation regulations could be reactivated. Since there is no longer any fear of rapid, large-scale Russian operations from east to west, there should be sufficient time for such consultations. Although France is not represented in the NATOs Nuclear Planning Group (NPG), it should be included in such discussions. However, the ultimate decision-making authority lies solely with the nuclear powers of NATO. Majority votes or vetoes by individual member states are still inconceivable.

Lastly, NATO must not only develop a new nuclear strategic consensus, but also regularly practice the relevant procedures, as was done until the end of the 1980s in the context of the so called WINTEX exercises. Similar political-strategic drill should be re-introduced.

All of this must be communicated openly as far as possible, not only to send a signal of determination to Russia, but also to gain public approval for the concept of nuclear deterrence, which is not easy to communicate politically.

Karl-Heinz Kamp is an associate fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations and was president of the Federal Academy for Security Policy.
After The Substance, another rejuvenating-concoction-based body horror has entered the chat in Netflix's The Elixir, an Indonesian zombie affair that's based on a real drink. The movie (Indonesian title: Abadi Nan Jaya) from director and co-writer Kimo Stamboel has been climbing the streamer's most watched charts globally with its bonkers version of a juice zombie apocalypse.

Set in Wanurejo in central Java, The Elixir sees a dysfunctional family come together and fend off hordes of hangry zombies.

The outbreak has been triggered by a new recipe of Indonesia's traditional jamu, a drink made from natural ingredients including roots, bark, flowers, seeds, leaves and fruits and that is believed to have healing properties.

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When jamu company owner Sadimin (Donny Damara) enjoys a taste of a new batch, he has no idea things are about to get really sour.

Elated by the drink's restorative effects, Sadimin can't wait to show his latest business idea to new wife Karina (Eva Celia), his adult children Kenes (Mikha Tambayong) and Bambang (Marthino Lio), and Kenes's estranged husband Rudi (Dimas Anggara).

"This herbal's new. There's gonna be change," he says as he kisses the bottles of green-coloured juice. "We now have an eternal youth potion. See, no more grey hair. No more glasses," he adds, gesturing at his face. "This concoction will change the world."



It's only a matter of time before the whole of Indonesia gets turned into a bunch of famished, flesh-ripping creatures.

Netflix

'



What exactly is jamu?

A traditional Indonesian drink, jamu is a herbal medicine that is said to have countless health benefits. But that's underplaying its role in the culture.

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In old Javanese, jamu means a "prayer for health", though this juice  of which more than 15,000 existing recipes have been recorded by the Indonesian Ministry of Health  isn't simply a drink (via BBC Travel).

Much like a cuppa to the British or an espresso to Italians, jamu is an integral part of Indonesian culture. So much, in fact, that in December 2023 Jamu wellness culture was officially recognised as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of the country.

Netflix

Younger generations of Indonesians have been revisiting the drink, putting their own spin on the potion originated in Java's royal courts 1,300 years ago.

As jamu has been appearing on the menus of the hippest cocktail bars in Bali and fresh entrepreneurs are carrying on their family legacy, the 'jamu-ssaince' also means that the drink is now at the core of a (fictional) zombie apocalypse.

How does Netflix's The Elixir end?

After seeing her father transform into a zombie before her very eyes, Kenes gets separated from her son Raihan (Varen Alianda Calief) in a desperate attempt to flee.

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She and Bambang take shelter at the local police station, where she manages to talk to Raihan on the phone. Kenes is relieved to know he is with Karina and opts to pull a rescue mission to reunite with them.

On their way back, Kenes's van crashes into the police building, badly injuring Bambang.

Netflix

Trapped under the fuel-leaking vehicle, he self-sacrifices by using a firework to attract the zombies and letting himself explode so that the rest of the gang can safely escape.

The Elixir has one more sad twist in store for Kenes after losing her brother.

Outside, she realises she has been bitten. She then entrusts Raihan to Karina in a heartbreaking goodbye and shoots herself before she could turn into a zombie.

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At the end of the film, Karina and Kenes's son drive away on a motorcycle, leaving a devastated village behind  but the outbreak is far from being contained.

In a post-credit scene, the same Mrs Grace who received the jamu samples earlier on is in Jakarta. Getting ready for an event, she tells her husband she has just downed her own bottle of miraculous jamu, meaning the infection has now reached the capital.

The Elixir is streaming on Netflix.

The new edition of Living Legends is here! Buy Ariana & Witches in newsagents or online, priced at just 8.99.



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MILAN  In the UAEs desert landscape full of possibilities, new cities are being built from the sandy vastness. In and around the Gulf nation, of which Dubai remains a major hub, a construction boom is just one major driver of the nations design and furniture industry, which is expected to reach $35 billion by 2031, according to data from Mordor Intelligence.

Dubai Design Weeks director Natasha Carella told WWD on Thursday that both the design week itself and the broader industry are growing stronger as a result. Set to unfurl Tuesday, the six-day event expects more than 1,000 participants from 50 countries and 150,000 visitors, up from just 90 participants and about 30,000 visitors when it started in 2015.

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Dubai Design Week

Carella pointed out that Dubai Design District alone now houses more than 1,100 creative businesses. Under the aegis of a Community theme, the 11th edition of the event will include a global roster and new projects such as the second chapter of Editions, showcasing limited edition art and design and the introduction of programs like the Maker Space, a directory and community connecting designers with local manufacturers.

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Downtown Design fair, Dubai Design Weeks anchor event, will include the Dubai Design Week debut of Italian jeweler Buccellati and industrial designer Tom Dixon at the citys d3 Waterfront Terrace. Buccellati will showcase a pop-up collaboration with Milan-Beirut-San Francisco-based design studio David/Nicolas. Como, Italy-based studio Draga & Aurel, founded in 2007 by Draga Obradovic and Aurel K. Basedow, will make its debut at Downtown Design in Dubai with a site-specific installation.

Urban Commissions, Dubai Design Weeks design competition, is an annual programme that provides a platform for architects and designers to experiment with outdoor infrastructure for the public realm. For 2025, the competition centres on the theme 'Courtyard', a spatial typology deeply rooted in this region yet resonant across many cultures and climates. Designers and architects were invited to reimagine the courtyard as communal urban infrastructure, drawing on its historic role as an inclusive space while addressing contemporary urban needs through climate-responsive strategies, adaptable forms that foster interaction and dissolving boundaries between public furniture and communal architecture. This years winning proposal, When Does a Threshold Become a Courtyard?, is by UAE-based design and research studio Some Kind of Practice, founded by Omar Darwish and Abdulla Abbas.

The amount of regional designers also continues to grow and shape the Gulfs evolving design language. In Dubai, Aljoud Lootah is one of the countrys most recognizable design figures, known for translating Emirati heritage into contemporary design through precise geometry, craftsmanship and narrative depth, Carella said. UAE designer Omar Al Gurg, founder of Modu Studio, is known for his playful, multifunctional modular furniture and installations.

Urban Commissions, Dubai Design Weeks annual competition, invited design-forward minds to reinterpret the courtyards historic role as an inclusive gathering space.

This years winning proposal was When Does a Threshold Become a Courtyard? by UAE-based design and research studio Some Kind of Practice. It was founded by Omar Darwish and Abdulla Abbas, who underscored the purpose of the traditional Emirati courtyard in a contemporary age.

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Whats interesting in the UAE is how this growth is being driven by a true multistakeholder effort, with the public and private sectors, academia and cultural institutions all working together to build an ecosystem that supports creativity, production and innovation, Carella said. She added that in parallel the UAEs manufacturing capabilities have expanded significantly, meaning more making and building is happening in areas like Al Quoz in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman.

A Growing Population

Due to Russian and Indian migration, the jet-set population is a key driver of new design events and the design industry and economy as a whole. The nations central bank estimates its economy is expected to grow 4.9 percent in 2025, up from an earlier forecast of 4.4 percent. The UAEs Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre reported a total of 11.29 million residents at the end 2024. Mid-year 2025 estimates showed that total rose to about 11.35 million residents, with expatriates making up the clear majority of residents. There are more than 200 nationalities in Dubai.

The influx of residents and new businesses is creating new markets and communities, and with that, expanded opportunities for designers and creative industries to respond to evolving needs across scales, from public realm to product, Carella said.

She highlighted that Dubais creative industries contributed 4.6 percent of the entire UAE economy in 2022 and supports more than 175,000 jobs and 47,000 enterprises total.

New Cities in the Desert

Jacob and Co

New communities are emerging at an unprecedented pace.

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Situated in Al Mamoura along Sheikh Zayed Road, a new city will connect Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The sustainable community was unveiled on Oct. 6 by Mira Developments, which is known in the region for building branded and fully furnished homes in collaboration with leading lifestyle brands, including Bentley Home, Etro Home, Elie Saab, Trussardi and John Richmond. The master plan envisages the area as a car-free city. Two five-star hotels, apartments, town houses and villas, schools, three mosques, a mall, two universities and two world-class museums are part of the project.

Another community is Al Jurf, a premium waterfront real estate project located between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2028. Italys Oniro Group, which owns the licenses to produce Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors, Gianfranco Ferre Home and Etro Home Interiors, teamed up for the development of Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living by Ohana, a project curated by Ohana Development, a major player in the Middle Easts luxury real estate sector.

Dubai has a unique ability to adapt and evolve rapidly. The pace of development and responsiveness of its infrastructure continue to support the growth of the design and creative community in meaningful way, Carella said.

Tom Dixon

Growing as a Region

Dubai Design Week is also fostering a sense of camaraderie across the region as a growing class of luxury consumers drives an uptick in new design events  from Riyadh to Doha.

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Across the Middle East, new design events to supply the regions real estate and hospitality boom shows no signs of slowing.

Downtown Design Dubai, the Middle Easts leading contemporary design fair since 2012, cut the ribbon on Downtown Design Riyadh, Saudi Arabias first design trade show, in May. Salone del Mobile.Milano will also host its first Saudi event in Riyadh from Nov. 26 to 28, ahead of a larger event planned for 2026. Design Doha, a biennial event emerged on the international calendar in 2024 and Amman Design Week will return for its fourth edition in October 2026.

Saudi Arabia will also see the return of the design event Tanween at The King Abdulaziz Center for World Cultures (Ithra) in the city of Dhahran Nov. 17 to 22.

For the first time, Tanween will partner with Dubai Design Week, reflecting Ithras efforts to strengthen regional collaboration and dialogue within the design ecosystem.

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The invite-only itinerant art and design showcase Nomad Design Fair is also gearing up to host the first Abu Dhabi edition from Nov. 19 to 22 and will take over Terminal 1 at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Abu Dhabi Nomad

Carella said that working together is key.

Collaboration across the region is essential; we can only truly thrive if we work together. Ultimately, we share the same ambition: to amplify regional voices, engage with international audiences and contribute meaningfully to the global design dialogue, she said.

Dubai, however, in terms of events, remains a major connecting point in the region, she said.

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Dubai continues to play a distinctive role in the regions creative landscape. Its diversity, in audiences, industries and cultural mix, creates an environment where design can thrive, supported by a strong ecosystem that connects culture, commerce and community, Carella said.

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Curtis Sliwa stands little chance of becoming New Yorks next mayor.

But when asked what it would take for him to drop out of the race, the red beret-wearing Republican left no room for ambiguity.

A Mack truck hits me and I get turned into a speed bump, and they cant recover me in the ICU. Thats the only way.

Mr Sliwa has been behind in the polls from the outset and those desperate to keep Zohran Mamdani out of Gracie Mansion would prefer a two-horse race between the socialist and Andrew Cuomo.

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Donald Trump and a raft of billionaire New Yorkers, including John Catsimatidis, who owns the radio station on which Mr Sliwas has a show, have suggested the Republican drop out.

Mr Sliwa, who with his thick Brooklyn accent styles himself as a true man of the people, insisted the citys mayor isnt picked by the billionaires or the professional political class.

Recent polling shows Mr Cuomo, running as an independent, has halved the gap between himself and Mr Mamdani, the 34-year-old Democratic Socialist, to 11 per cent, a promising development for the former New York governor.

But Mr Sliwa, 71, has stuck his heels in.

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Sliwa is definitely polling worse than Cuomo, but he is the major party nominee, said Sam Raskin, senior vice president of Slingshot Strategies, a political consulting firm based in Brooklyn.

It is kind of a strange situation that one of the major party nominees is being asked to drop out in favour of Cuomo, that is an unusual situation. So from his perspective [its] why dont you drop out Andrew Cuomo?... Why should I drop out to help you?

Mr Raskin notes that the outlier in this race is not Mr Sliwa, who ran unchallenged in the Republican primary, but Mr Cuomo who re-entered the race after he was trounced by Mr Mamdani in the Democratic primary.

I think that first and foremost its weird that Andrew Cuomo is running... The unusual thing is that Andrew Cuomo is running, not that Curtis Sliwa is, he said.

The Republican mayoral candidate has called Mr Trump a crack, a screwball - Frank Franklin II

Mr Sliwas reluctance to acquiesce to pressure from the Republican leader follows years of tensions between the two New Yorkers, who were both firm fixtures of the New York tabloids in the 1980s and 1990s.

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Mr Sliwas journey to magazine covers was somewhat different to that of millionaire playboy Mr Trump.

Born into a working class Catholic family of Polish and Italian descent, Mr Sliwa was expelled from his Jesuit high school over a dispute about its dress code, before taking a job at McDonalds.

He first came to prominence in 1979 with the launch of his gang of crime-fighting vigilantes dubbed the Guardian Angels, who patrolled the subways at a time of heightened crime in the city.

He has been arrested around 74 times and, as he is always keen to remind the public at rallies or while debating his opponents, he was shot six times in the abdomen after speaking out against a powerful mafia family in 1992.

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He has since helped launch more than 100 chapters of the Guardian Angels, including in the UK.

Mr Sliwas notoriety means he is his own entity in New York  famous on his own terms.

He has also had his fair share of controversies. In 1992, he admitted that he and the Angels faked heroic rescues for publicity.

Mr Sliwa launched the Guardian Angels, a gang of crime-fighting vigilantes, in 1979 - Bettmann

In December 2024, Mr Sliwa said his anti-crime crusaders resumed patrols on the network for the first time since 2020 after Debrina Kawam was fatally set on fire as she slept on a subway train to Brooklyn.

Mr Sliwa has known Mr Trump for decades. He still has a photograph of them from the 1986 New York State Conservative Party gala where they were both honourees.

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I said, Don. Youre not a conservative. He said, Youre not a conservative, Mr Sliwa said.

I have a love-hate relationship with Trump, the mayoral candidate, who did not vote for the US president, previously told The Telegraph.

The Republican mayoral candidate has called Mr Trump a manic depressive and a crack, a screwball.

In a recent interview with the New York Times he said Mr Trump is more of a populist. I consider myself a blue-collar, working-class populist.

In recent weeks Mr Trump said Mr Sliwa wasnt exactly prime time and made fun of his love of cats: during his first bid for mayor in 2021 Mr Sliwa lived in his 320sqft studio flat next to Central Park with his third wife, animal rights activist Nancy, and 17 rescue cats. They now have six.

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Mr Sliwa claims the last time the two men spoke was in 2013 when Mr Trump appeared on his radio show.

Mr Sliwa with his cats in 2021 - Adam Gray/SWNS

On the debate stage he has frequently said he knows how to negotiate with Mr Trump, and pledged not to go to war with him as Mr Mamdani suggested he would.

Grant Reeher, a political science professor at Syracuse University, noted that while Mr Trump is the Republican leader, his interests and those of the party are not always aligned.

Mr Sliwa is the candidate of one of the two major parties, not a third party candidate, so the party doesnt want him to drop out, he said.

Thats not a good look for the Republican Party, that it doesnt even compete in the mayors race of the nations most important city.

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The party has institutional norms and more lasting interests that go beyond this one person (Mr Trump), despite his reach, and I would think that plays a role in the conversations that take place away from media scrutiny, Mr Reeher said.

Mr Sliwa during a televised debate alongside Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani - Angelina Katsanis

GOP leaders of all five New York City boroughs have been unwavering in their support of Mr Sliwa and suggested Mr Cuomo should do a better job on the campaign trail if he wants voters.

So what could be next for the cat-loving Republican candidate who refuses to drop out of one of the most extraordinary New York mayoral races in recent history?

I think the way this has shaken out, his window for city-wide office has likely closed. And its also hard to imagine him running for something more local within the city at this point, Prof Reeher said.

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He added: Id say that his political career, in terms of elected office at least, is probably done.

While his future career might be in doubt, one thing is for certain, Mr Sliwa has been enjoying the spotlight.

He clearly loves the limelight and clearly loves the attention. He is extremely enigmatic on TV and good on radio and doing these interviews. Im certain, I have not spoken to him, but Im certain that he is having a fantastic time, Mr Raskin said.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Its been 29 days since the government shutdown began, and the pause of SNAP benefits next month have some Iowans worried about other programs losing funding like WIC.

Officials with the Siouxland District Health Department said that the State of Iowa has enough funding for WIC until further notice.

Right now, our program has not been affected, weve been operating as normal, said Tyler Brock, the Deputy Director & Director of Lab Services with Siouxland District Health Department.

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After talking to officials with Northeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership, experts said their WIC program is also operating as usual, and South Dakotas WIC website has been telling residents the same.

Despite agencies saying WIC is fine for now, due to SNAP benefits expecting to expire on November 1, some across Siouxland are stressed about possibly losing WIC assistance.

Story continues below

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The cost of everything has gone up so high that our families are really struggling with that. We hear about that a lot through our Family Resource Center, said Erika Fuentes, Vice President of Children and Family Services with Crittenton Center.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as of May 2025 nearly 63,000 people in Iowa were signed up for WIC, with another report stating that there are nearly 50,000 children under 5 in the state that rely on the program.

Families going through transition, or individuals going through transitions, sometimes it only takes one more thing to happen before they become homeless, and then theres just no recovery. If WIC even pauses for a moment, that is, and were talking about babies, were talking about children under five who are getting the necessary food and resources that they need to, through that, said Fuentes.

WIC helps families afford all sorts of healthy groceries, from fruits and veggies to baby formula.

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At Walmart, families can spend between $12 and $61 on a single container of formula.

WIC is one of those providers of formula that is to supplement for families and if that goes away there, we run the risk of really not being able to provide the nutrients in that kind of thing that families need. And outside of that is folks just having to pay for it. And, it is, its a costly event, its not cheap, said Fuentes.

The Siouxland District Health Department wants to emphasize its business as usual until further notice.

We want people to come in as normal, keep their appointments, dont think that just because the government, the federal government, is shut down, that somehow were not operating so we just really want to encourage people to keep their appointments. In fact, if they dont keep their appointment, it might be a while before we are able to get them back in because we are so full with folks coming in, said Brock.

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Fuentes encourages families that are in need of assistance to reach out to the Crittenton Center. Click here for more information.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The video above is from September 2025.

BRISTOL, Conn. (WTNH)  The wife of the Bristol man who pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual assault of a young girl in his care for years has pleaded guilty to risk of injury to a child.

News 8 Exclusive: Bristol woman pursuing legal action and claim against Connecticut Department of Children and Families

Darlene Barriault pleaded guilty Tuesday, more than a month after her husband, Roger Barriault, pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual assault.

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The guilty pleas come after News 8s Kathryn Hauser sat down with Crystal, Roger Barriaults alleged victim.

Roger Barriault, 65, was accused of repeatedly raping Crystal approximately 3,800 to 4,000 times starting when she was nine, according to a police report. She was impregnated by him at age 12 and was threatened by him. A DNA test by Bristol police proved that Barriault is the father of her daughter.

Bristol man accused of sexually assaulting, impregnating girl pleads guilty to sexual assault

In September, News 8 spoke with Crystals attorney, Nate Baber, after Roger Barriault pleaded guilty.

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She feels proud that she was able to stand up to this guy that she was abused by for so long, and she feels hopeful,  Baber said. This is the first time in a very long time she feels hopeful. That what she did was the right thing, and people are listening.

Crystal, now 30, filed a multi-million dollar claim against the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) in 2024, saying that they knew about her abuse, but did not interfere.

The claim says in part: Despite the reports, tips, referrals, complaints, concerns, suspicions, reasonable belief and her pregnancy, DCF failed to take any meaningful action for more than a decade.

Just like with this criminal matter, shes ready to fight and fight we will continue to do, Baber said.

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DCF missed chances to protect 12-year-old impregnated by guardian: Report

In November 2024, DCF Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly released the following statement to News 8.

First and foremost, our hearts go out to the victim, and we applaud her bravery for coming forward. As always, we are grateful for the collaboration of law enforcement and for their work to help hold this individual accountable and bring forth justice. Understandably, the Department has received many inquiries about the events in question that occurred over 15 years ago. However, we are limited in what we can share due to our confidentiality statutes and the pending criminal and civil litigation. However, statutes do allow us to correct misinformation made public about the Departments role in how the victim arrived in the home of the person who harmed her. To that end, it has been reported that DCF lost track of the victim and a prior legal guardian in 2005. To clarify, the Department had no involvement with the child or any of the involved families between 2003-2006. Also, Mr. Barriault and his wife were never licensed foster parents for the Department and the now adult victim was not placed into the home of Roger Barriault by the Department. The family received guardianship of the victim via the Probate Court as a child.

Roger Barriault faces a maximum of 25 years in prison and is expected to be sentenced on Nov. 13. Sentencing for his wife is set for Jan. 8, 2026.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
NEED TO KNOW

Nataly Galaviz, the widow of Angel Anthony Rojas, is speaking out on her husband's death

Rojas was allegedly crushed to death from the waist down by a burial vault while working as a machine operator at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas on Oct. 20

The family is now "gathering information to see if a lawsuit will be necessary."

The wife of the late Texas funeral home worker crushed to death from the waist down by a burial vault is speaking out on her husband's death.

The man, identified as Angel Anthony Rojas, was 24. He was working at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas as a machine operator at the time of his death, when he was crushed by a burial vault estimated to weigh 2,000 pounds. His widow, Nataly Galaviz, told CBS News that he called her while he was trapped, shortly before he died.

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"My husband was pinned under a vault pleading for help and pleading for air. He just wanted to be held and was scared. He told me he wanted to go home," Galaviz told the outlet.

"He told me he loved me and he wanted to go home," Galaviz told local ABC affiliate WFAA.

Galaviz revealed that she and her husband welcomed their son Angel Noel when Rojas was only 19 years old, and he has worked to support his family ever since. "He was our foundation," Galaviz told WFAA. "He wanted a home. We were just talking about a home the week before he passed," she added. "What any man wants is a home, full of love. And a job that would be able to do that. That's what Angel's goals were."

An attorney for Galaviz, Matthew Graham, told WFAA that the family is "is gathering information to see if a lawsuit will be necessary."

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"We believe it is grossly negligent of Restland for them to have put him in that position and for them to have caused his death, frankly," Graham told the outlet.

Rojas was reportedly pinned down for 45 minutes before he was rescued and brought to a hospital, where he later died, WFAA reported.

"What we know about this situation is that there is no way on earth this man should have been operating that machinery alone," Graham told the outlet. "He shouldn't have been working alone. He shouldn't have been moving things of that weight alone," he continued.

PEOPLE has reached out to Graham for comment on the case.



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Dallas Fire-Rescue officials said the incident occurred around 2 p.m. local time on Monday, Oct. 20, at the funeral home, located on Greenville Avenue, according to NBC affiliate KXAS and FOX affiliate KDFW.

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Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesperson Jason Evans said the crew on the first fire truck to arrive at the scene lifted the vault off the man, according to The Dallas Morning News.

The crew used spreaders, which are used to open vehicles after accidents and sometimes referred to as the jaws of life, and air bags to lift the vault, Evans explained.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating Rojas' death, per Fox 10.

PEOPLE reached out to Restland Funeral Home for comment.



Read the original article on People
Laura Ah Loo speaks at a celebration of life for her husband, Arthur Afa Ah Loo, at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City on Friday, June 27, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)

More than four months have passed since Salt Lake Citys event in the nationwide No Kings protest ended in the shooting and killing of Arthur Afa Ah Loo, a 39-year-old Clearfield man. But, a charging decision from the Salt Lake County District Attorneys office still hasnt come, and Ah Loos widow now plans to file a lawsuit in her quest for answers.

James McConkie, the attorney representing Laura Ah Loo, said on Wednesday that his team is seeking more details about the shooting from Salt Lake City, and a speedier decision from the district attorneys office on whether or not itll be pursuing charges against the shooter.

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Thirdly, McConkie said, we are about to file a lawsuit, because we need to seek transparency, to find out what happened in this situation that may have contributed to a more dangerous environment for those who were protesting, exercising their constitutional rights.

Ah loo was killed on June 14 in a chaotic scene when an armed member of the events peacekeeping team saw Arturo Gamboa, a demonstrator, openly carrying a rifle, which is permitted under Utah law. The peacekeeper fired three rounds, grazing Gamboa and killing Ah Loo, a bystander, according to Salt Lake police.

Since then, details about the events organization have been unclear. The national 50501 group, which organized the No Kings protests across the country disowned the Utah chapter for violating its strict no-weapons policy, and Salt Lake City changed its special events permitting process after discovering that the No Kings protest applicant may have submitted the permit application under an alias and didnt disclose plans to use armed security in the June event.

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McConkie said he believes the lawsuit will help his team find lapses that created a dangerous situation, including the deployment of private armed security.

One of the reasons for that is that the police are empowered and trained to know what to do in these types and kinds of situations, and are more likely to be honored and obeyed, McConkie said. When a private peacekeeper draws a pistol and fires into a crowd, its simply unacceptable.

The attorneys may file the lawsuit in a few weeks, first against the peacekeeper who fired the shots, whose name has not yet been released by law enforcement. And then, as more details emerge in court proceedings, McConkies team will decide whether or not to include the city, the Salt Lake City Police Department, or the national and local chapters of 50501 as defendants in the case, he said.

Let us know what you think...

In the meantime, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said in a statement that his office expects to reach a decision soon.

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We sympathize with the pain and loss suffered by the Ah Loo family. We met with them early in the process and explained that this review would take time. We have been open and available to any reach in from their counsel from our first meeting and continue to be, Gill said. We are carefully working through a complex and nuanced legal analysis.

In McConkies view, this case isnt complex enough to take this long, he said. One of the reasons, McConkie said, is that the incident was recorded, showing that Gamboa didnt raise his gun and wasnt threatening anyone when the shooting happened.

If the police had handled that situation instead of a safety officer or private guard, we believe they would have been trained to have gone up to the person carrying the weapon, McConkie said. He has a right to do it in the state of Utah, to open-carry a weapon.

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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

Walk into any custodial youth justice facility in the UKfrom young offender's institutions to secure training centers and children's homesand you'll be met with an unexpected reality: the majority of children in these settings have special educational needs and disabilities.

In particular, a very high proportion of children in custody have neurodisabilities. These are long-term conditions affecting the brain and nervous system, and range from autism to brain injuries and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

These conditions are grouped together because they affect children's cognition (including memory, attention and concentration, and executive functioningmental skills necessary for daily life), as well as their emotional regulation, social communication skills and physical development. This is a pattern repeated in youth justice systems across the world.

For example, estimates suggest that 50% to 87% of children in custody globally have a brain injury. However, research from Canada suggests that brain injury affects around 20% of children in the general population. Over 60% of children in custody globally have a speech, language and communication impairment, compared with 1%3% in the general population globally.

Autistic children make up between 2% and 18% of children in custody across Europe and the U.S., compared with 0.3 to 1.9% in the general population in Europe and the U.S.. While there are significant differences between countries, approximately 30% of children in custody globally have ADHD. This compares with 7% in the general population globally.

While just 0.7% of children in the general population have fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, these affect 11% to 21% of children in custody. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are a range of cognitive, behavioral and physical conditions which can affect a child as a result of their mother drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Some children in custody may have very complex needs, with multiple overlapping conditions. Additionally, children may have needs that don't quite meet diagnostic criteria for any one condition but still have a significant impact on their lives. These children have often had disrupted educational backgrounds, with multiple school moves or periods of absence. This means that they also may not have had their needs identified in school.

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Why is this happening?

Of course, having a neurodisability in no way makes children inherently criminal. The majority of children with special educational needs will never come into contact with the youth justice system. So what is it that makes this small group who do more vulnerable?

School exclusion appears to be a really key component in pathways into the justice system for these children. My research with colleagues explored rates of neurodisability and school exclusion in prisoners in Wales. We found that those who scored more highly on a measure of neurodisability were also more likely to have been excluded from school. Those who had been excluded from school were also more likely to have had their first conviction at a younger age.

This finding aligns with Department for Education statistics, which indicate that exclusions are disproportionately affecting children with an identified special educational need. Children with special educational needs represent just around half of all permanent exclusions in England. However, they represent only about 17% of the mainstream school population.

There is plenty of convincing evidence that school exclusion is harmful, and increases the chances of children ending up in the criminal justice system.

Despite this, many accounts report a concerning rise in the use of zero-tolerance behavioral policies in the UK. This could be linked with a rise in the rates of school exclusions reported in the most recent Department for Education statistics.

In 202324 there was a 21% increase in the use of fixed-term exclusions (sometimes called suspensions) in England from the previous year. There was also a 16% increase in permanent exclusions.

Combined vulnerabilities

Children who end up in the youth justice system often have multiple other disadvantages layered on top of this systematic exclusion from school. For example, my recent study with colleagues used data from half a million children in the UK. We found that child poverty compounded the likelihood of having contact with the youth justice system for children with neurodisability. This means that it was children who had both disadvantages who were most vulnerable.

This growing body of evidence demonstrates that society is failing these children. When children with neurodisability and complex social disadvantages continue to be punished and excluded, we can't be surprised when they end up on the fringes of society.

There are ways to remedy the problem of school exclusion. These include more specialist classrooms and units, as well as providing teachers with more options and support for children who aren't thriving in the mainstream classroom.

In addition, more can be done to remove the layers of disadvantage that these children experience. More generous family welfare policies might help to lift children out of disadvantage and support them to have a better start in life.

Action like this could divert children away from the youth justice system long before they ever have contact with the police.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Virginia will elect its first woman governor Tuesday, picking a winner in a rare two-woman contest between former Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. Even rarer is Earle-Sears ascent to the nomination: Nationwide, only six Black Republican women have run for governor since 2000, and Earle-Sears is the first one to win the partys nomination.

Thats according to an analysis by the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University. The milestone comes seven years after Stacey Abrams became the first Black woman gubernatorial nominee for a major party in U.S. history.

Earle-Sears, who is also an immigrant, has marked the historic nature of her campaign by attacking Democrats over their outreach to Black voters, women voters and immigrants  all groups that tend to favor Democrats. As the Trump administration rolls out policies that are hostile to immigrants and attacks policies designed to promote diversity, equity and inclusion, Earle-Sears has defended the administrations actions and criticized Democrats.

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Here comes the Democrats  always the race card. Always the race card. Why? Earle-Sears said in a Fox News interview this month. You said you care about Black people, well, here I am. You said you care about women, well, here I am. You said you care about immigrants, here I am. These people never let the wound heal, and theyre the ones who are causing it.

Earle-Sears arrived in the United States at the age of 6 from Kingston, Jamaica, to join her father in New York City. In an interview with local news outlet WVTF, Sears said that while she was a child and not very familiar with her fathers immigration process, her family came to the country the right way, and proved that his daughter wouldnt be a detriment to taxpayers.

Only three women born outside of the United States have ever served as governors, with the first, Madeleine Kunin of Vermont, taking office in 1985. All were Democrats.

Earle-Sears has highlighted her immigrant background, connecting it to the Civil Rights Movement and the notion of the American Dream.

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My dad came to America with only $1.75 at the height of the Civil Rights Movement  17 days before Dr. King gave his I Have a Dream speech, and here I am, now second in command in the former capitol of the Confederate states, Earle-Sears told Fox News.

The possibility of Earle-Sears becoming governor as a naturalized immigrant comes as anti-immigrant sentiments play a strong role in Republicans appeal to voters. Earle-Sears has stood firmly behind the administrations immigration agenda, particularly its cooperation with local law enforcement, which has helped make Virginia a top state for immigration enforcement under Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

I am a legal immigrant and now a naturalized citizen. Working together, the governor, attorney general, and I have made Virginia safer, she said in a statement supporting a Youngkin executive order directing state law enforcement and corrections officers to aid with federal immigration enforcement.

In part, when shes talking about being a Black person, a Black woman, a Black immigrant, an immigrant  however you want to look at the intersections of these identities  she leverages them, at least in part, to say, I have more credibility on these issues than somebody else who doesnt share those identities. And so when I take a position on those it is harder for my opponent to try to discredit that position, said Kelly Dittmar, director of research at CAWP.

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Dittmar added that Earle-Sears narrative around good immigrants versus bad immigrants is a common one for Republicans with immigrant backgrounds, like former GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley.

A spokesperson for the campaign did not respond to several requests for comment.

Earle-Sears stepped up to lead the states Republican ticket after becoming the first Black woman to win statewide in Virginia in 2021, when she was elected lieutenant governor. Earle-Sears is one of only five Black Republican women nationwide to have won statewide elected office.

If she wins the general election, she would become the first Black woman governor in the countrys history, though polling in the race has consistently shown her trailing Spanberger. The latest survey published Monday by the Wason Center at Christopher Newport University found Spanberger leading Earle-Sears 50 percent to 43 percent among likely voters.

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Black women are among the Democratic Partys strongest backers, but, Dittmar said, Earle-Sears candidacy paints a fuller picture of Black womens politics.

Shes also pushing people to think more critically about the diversity among Black women, which isnt huge. A large majority of Black women do identify as Democrats, Dittmar said. The most recent presidential election showed that support for Democrats is higher among Black women than virtually any other demographic group of voters. That said, when we ignore even a small minority of that group, thats a problem.

Whether she wins or loses, Dittmar said, Earle-Sears trajectory will shape how voters think about who can succeed in politics.

Simply breaking this milestone  and in her case, its multiple  challenges the notion that its impossible  that a Black woman or a Black Republican woman or an immigrant or any of these intersections excludes you from success at these levels, Dittmar said.

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The Wisconsin Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of a Wisconsin Moms of Liberty leader in a defamation lawsuit regarding her social media posts.

In October 2022, Mary MacCudden, a former teacher in the Mequon-Thiensville School District, sued Moms for Liberty Ozaukee County Chair Scarlett Johnson for defamation.

Johnson had posted a screenshot of MacCudden's LinkedIn profile, questioning the latter's role as a "Social Justice Coordinator" in the school district and using terms including bully, lunatic," woke, and "white savior" to describe MacCudden, according to court records. At the time of the posts, MacCudden was no longer working at the school district.

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In an Oct. 28 ruling, the court ruled that Johnson's comments did not qualify as defamation.

Here's what to know about the lawsuit:

Moms for Liberty Ozaukee County chair, Scarlett Johnson takes a photo before Donald Trumps political rally inside Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

Who is Scarlett Johnson?

Scarlett Johnson is a conservative activist and Wisconsin Moms for Liberty leader.

This lawsuit wasn't the first time Johnson has been accused of defamation. In 2021, local organization Bridge the Divide also sued Johnson for defamation, claiming she had damaged the group's reputation by falsely calling it Marxist, funded by the Democratic Party, and a proponent of defunding the police and teaching Critical Race Theory in local schools.

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The case was settled before trial in 2022, court records show.

The 2021 lawsuit came as Johnson was running for a seat on the Mequon-Thiensville School Board. Throughout the campaign, she also garnered attention for her social media posts about transgender people, white supremacy and other topics related to race and gender.

Though Johnson lost the race for Mequon-Thiensville School Board, she has remained active in Wisconsin politics through Moms for Liberty, a far-right organization that has advocated for banning books and limiting discussions related to race, ethnicity and LGBTQ+ people in schools.

In addition to chairing the Ozaukee County chapter, Johnson hosts a podcast affiliated with the group and represented Moms for Liberty on the 2024 campaign trail with President Donald Trump.

Why was Scarlett Johnson sued for defamation?

MacCudden, a former teacher at Homestead High School in Mequon, sued Johnson over social media posts she made in October 2022.

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In January 2022, MacCudden resigned from her position as an English teacher and social justice coordinator for the school district but had not yet updated her LinkedIn page, according to court records.

The following October, Johnson posted a screenshot of MacCudden's LinkedIn profile and wrote, Why the hell am I paying for a Social Justice Coordinator in my school district?" and "This is just what @mtschools needs; more woke, white women w/ a god complex. Thank you, white savior."

In subsequent posts, Johnson also wrote, "Teachers who educate are paid a fraction of what these DEI 'specialists' earn. Parents know these woke lunatics are bullies. They are bullying you into silence and compliance."

MacCudden filed a defamation lawsuit later that same month. Through her attorney, MacCudden declined to comment for this story.

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Johnson told the Journal Sentinel her comments were directed at the school district's diversity, equity and inclusion policies, not MacCudden.

"This wasn't about the person," she said. "It was about the position [of social justice coordinator] and the taxpayer-funded status of that position in my mind. I was against DEI and these types of jobs in my school district."

What did the court ruling say?

The court ruled Johnson's comments did not qualify as defamation because they were not provably true or false.

Writing for the majority, Deputy Chief Judge M. Joseph Donald said the terms "lunatic" and "bully" are subjective, and the terms god complex, woke, and white savior do not have a clear enough definition for a jury to determine if they are true or false.

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"Johnson was not commenting on MacCuddens teaching record or qualifications," Donald wrote. "Further, Johnson did not indicate that she had any personal experience with MacCudden or was basing her statements on anything other than what she disclosed from her LinkedIn profile."

In a dissenting opinion, Presiding Judge Pedro A. Colon said he disagreed with the ruling because "Johnson's posts were not merely general statements that Johnson did not support public school systems having a social justice coordinator position or that Johnson found woke ideology offensive."

"This specific identification of MacCudden and her position as a Social Justice Coordinator creates the possibility that Johnsons statements are more than mere opinions," Colon wrote.

An appeal to the Wisconsin Supreme Court is possible, attorney says

Luke Berg, Johnson's attorney, said he was happy with the "clear and straightforward ruling."

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"We all have the right to talk publicly about what's going on in the world, especially the important issues our day, and that's all Scarlett was doing," Berg said.

MacCudden's attorney, James McAlister, said he took issue with how the court denied to address whether a defamation trial would violate Johnson's First Amendment rights  which Johnson had argued it would.

If she wishes to petition the decision with the Wisconsin Supreme Court, MacCudden has until 30 days from Oct. 28 ruling.

"We're keeping all our options open at this point in time," McAlister said.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Moms for Liberty leader wins appeal in defamation lawsuit
Low-cost airline Wizz Air will offer a new business class-style ticket for passengers wanting a more upscale experience on its flights.

While the Hungarian operator is mostly known for its budget fares, flyers will be able to access premium features for an additional fee.

Wizz Class perks include the ability to block off the middle seat for more elbow space and leg room, plus priority boarding, a carry-on bag and space in the overhead bins.

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The trial will be carried out in December on routes from London, Rome, Warsaw, Bucharest and Budapest, airline executive Michael Delehant said on Tuesday, Bloomberg reported.

In terms of fares, its never going to be more than buying the cost of another seat, he said at a press conference. Its not meant to be a money-grab.

While the seating arrangement may be more premium than the average Wizz Air journey, the ticket does not include any additional in-flight perks such as exclusive  or complimentary  food and drink.

Silvia Mosquera, the commercial officer at Wizz Air, explained that they have launched this trial in response to the demand of Wizz travellers seeking more space, comfort and a quicker exit from the aircraft.

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The roll-out of Wizz Class follows feedback from our growing number of business travellers who value low-cost travel options and prefer additional space during the flight, she said in a statement to The Independent.

She added that more benefits would be announced when the product is launched.

Wizz Air currently does not offer varied seating types, aside from the front row and exit row seats that come with extra leg room.

Currently, passengers must purchase an extra seat if they desire more space for items such as musical instruments or child car seats.

Wizz Plus and Privilege Pass passengers can also choose their seats for no additional booking fee.

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However, the new Wizz Class model appears to be combining the two for extra comfort and convenience.

It is not the first time budget airlines have pivoted towards upmarket experiences, with many US low-cost carriers looking to compete with major airlines.

For example, Southwest announced it will be transitioning from open to assigned seating in 2026, meaning it is also launching premium seating options.

Meanwhile, JetBlue has already established its low-cost, upmarket hybrid business model with "EvenMore", a premium perks scheme which offers customers early boarding, extra legroom and front-of-plane seats, plus free alcoholic drinks and exclusive snacks.

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European budget airlines, such as Ryanair, allow passengers to book extra seats for comfort, while easyJet customers can choose certain seats for extra legroom.

Read more: Is it worth upgrading to premium economy on Emirates?
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Western New York State Senator, along with a Watertown State Assemblyman, sent a letter to the chairs of the Senate and Assembly Transportation Committee calling for a state hearing on the rise of license plate fraud across the state.

State Senator George Borrello, who represents much of the Southern Tier, and Assemblyman Scott Gray of Watertown sent the letter to Senator Jeremy Cooney and Assemblymember William Magnarelli earlier this week.

The letter comes on the heels of news that inmates under the supervision of the county sheriffs office in Chautauqua County will no longer handle license plates that were surrendered in the area.

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Stronger security measures mandated at Chautauqua County DMVs

WIVB News 4 has reported on several instances of Western New Yorkers, particularly in the Jamestown area, having their surrendered license plate numbers pop up in other area of the state, resulting in thousands of dollars in incorrect fines. The plates are most often seen popping up in New York City.

Despite repeated inquiries, the Department of Motor Vehicles has been unable to provide a clear explanation for how license plate numbers that should be out of circulation are ending up back on vehicles, the letter, dated Oct. 27, reads. DMV officials have said their systems mark the plates as inactive, yet the evidence strongly suggests that serious gaps exist in the chain of custody, recordkeeping, or data integrity related to surrendered plates.

In one case, a couple from Jamestown accumulated over $10,000 in fraudulent fines after turning over their plates to the DMV in March 2024. Another resident has faced criminal suspicion related to a downstate offense committed by someone else using a plate number that should have been taken out of circulation.

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License Plate Fraud: A Jamestown couples story

Last month, Borrello introduced legislation in the State Senate that would increase the penalty of license plate fraud to a felony.

This is not an isolated issue; its a statewide failure that is putting innocent people through financial and legal hell, Borrello said in a news release Thursday. After being scammed by criminals, these innocent New Yorkers have been victimized all over again by a bureaucracy that seems unwilling or unable to stop it. We owe it to them to get answers and demand accountability.

10.27.25_(F) Ltr to Sen. Cooney and Assemblyman Magnarelli re Public Hearing on License Plate FraudDownload

More on license plate fraud

Aidan Joly was named News 4s Digital Executive Producer in 2025. He has been on staff since 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

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Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work 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 News 4 Buffalo.
New rules have been approved for gray wolf hunting and trapping in Wisconsin.

The rules were developed by the Department of Natural Resources and approved in October 2023 by the Natural Resources Board. However, they were delayed by the Legislature until recently and will take effect Nov. 1

Is there a wolf hunting and trapping season scheduled this year in Wisconsin?

No. Due to a February 2022 federal district court ruling, the wolf is under protections of the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) in Wisconsin and most other states.

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The status means no lethal control or management, including hunting and trapping, can be used on wolves in the affected states.

Under Wisconsin law, when the wolf is not under protections of the federal Endangered Species Act, a wolf hunting and trapping season shall be held in the state.

When would the new wolf rules for Wisconsin take effect?

They are set to go into effect Nov. 1 and would apply to potential future wolf hunting and trapping seasons in Wisconsin.

What would be required to hold a wolf hunting and trapping season in Wisconsin?

The wolf would have to be removed from protections of the Endangered Species Act before a wolf hunting and trapping season could be held in Wisconsin.

There are two bills in Congress seeking to do that, including one in the House co-sponsored by Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Wisconsin, and one in the Senate authored by Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin.

In addition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is appealing the February 2022 ruling.

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If any of those or other efforts succeeded in removing the wolf from ESA protections, the species would fall under state management authority by the DNR, clearing the way for a Wisconsin wolf hunting and trapping season.

A map shows gray wolf densities in Wisconsin in 2024-25, with most wolves in the northern and central forest regions.

Has Wisconsin had wolf hunting and trapping seasons in the past?

Wisconsin held wolf hunting and trapping seasons four times when the species was under state management authority in the modern era.

In early 2012 the wolf was removed from federal protections and the Wisconsin Legislature passed and then-Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill later that year to create the state's first regulated wolf harvest.

Data for he four Wisconsin wolf seasons show:

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In 2012 hunters and trappers registered 117 wolves in Wisconsin, one over the state-licensed quota.

In 2013, 257 wolves were registered, six over the state-licensed quota.

In 2014, 154 wolves were registered, four over the state-licensed quota.

In 2021, 218 wolves were registered, 119 over the state-licensed quota.

What are the goals of the new wolf rules?

The rules are designed to give the DNR better control over the number and location of wolf kills during state hunting and trapping seasons.

Specifics include requiring hunters and trappers to register their wolf kills within 8 hours of time of kill (the previous rule allowed wolves to be registered as late as 5 p.m. on the day after the kill) and designating kill tags for specific management zones (rather than statewide).

In addition, the new rule prohibits hunters from using telemetry gear to locate or track wolves and adds protections to wolf dens.

Is Wisconsin required to hold a wolf hunting and trapping season if the species is not protected under the Endangered Species Act?

Yes, a Wisconsin law passed in 2012 states the DNR "shall" hold a wolf hunting and trapping season if the species is under state management.

How many wolves are in Wisconsin?

The population of wolves in Wisconsin was estimated at 1,226 animals in 336 packs in winter 2024-25, according to the DNR. The estimate represented a slight decline from the previous two years and suggests the state's wolf population is reaching an equilibrium around its biological carrying capacity, said Lydia Margenau, DNR wildlife research scientist.

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Wolf densities are highest in the northern and central forest regions of the state.

A graph shows gray wolf population estimates and number of packs in Wisconsin from 2006 to 2025.

Can wolves be shot if harassing or killing livestock?

No, due to the federal protections, wolves in Wisconsin can only be shot if endangering human safety.

Livestock producers can claim financial compensation for wolf-caused losses.

But when the wolf is under ESA protections livestock, producers are limited to non-lethal deterrents such as fladry and noise machines.

In 2024, the state paid $322,970 for wolf-caused losses to livestock producers, hunters using hounds and others in the state, according to DNR figures. The total was the second-highest in the 40-year history of the program.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about potential wolf hunting and new rules in Wisconsin
A homeless woman attempted to cash a fraudulent check at a Dickson City bank while two accomplices waited in an SUV across the street, according to a criminal complaint.

According to investigators, at about noon on Oct. 16, Anamarie Thomas, 51,entered First National Bank on Main Street and presented fake identification of another woman, which bore Thomas photo.

Thomas attempted to cash a check for $2,500 in the other womans name.

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Bank employees knew the customer named on the identification and immediately contacted police.

According to the complaint:

Officers responding to the theft found Thomas in the bank parking lot and detained her.

She alerted Officer John Wilson to an SUV pulling out of the CVS parking lot across the street.

Thomas told Wilson she was working with the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Aaron Davis, 41, of the Bronx, New York. The two, she said, were communicating through Bluetooth.

Thomas said there was a female passenger in the vehicle, later identified as Katherine Dembowski, 54, who had cashed a fraudulent check in Lower Merion Twp. earlier in the day.

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Both Thomas and Dembowski were identified as homeless in court papers.

Thomas told police Davis had recruited her at a methadone clinic in Camden, New Jersey.

Officers arrested Thomas, Davis and Dembowski and impounded their vehicle.

Officers noted Davis had $5,866 on him at the time of the arrest. Davis was listening to a police scanner as he was being arrested.

During an interview at police headquarters, Thomas told officers Davis had picked her up in Newark, New Jersey, early that morning.

The three then drove to a bank in Lower Merion Twp., where Dembowski fraudulently cashed a check written in another womans name.

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Thomas told officers Davis took her photo the night before and attached it to an identification card.

Two federal agents, one from the FBI and one from the Treasury Department, came to police headquarters to interview the three suspects.

Davis stated that he wanted an attorney, and agents didnt interview him. Thomas and Dembowksi agreed to speak with the agents.

Dembowski told investigators she had been arrested twice before for similar crimes and both times she had been with Davis.

Further investigation showed that on Sept. 26, the Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center posted that the Spring Twp. Police Department had identified Davis and a different woman as the suspects in the same type of bank fraud.

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In that case, the woman told investigators Davis had provided her with identification cards and checks, and forced her to cash them.

The vehicle in that case also matched the vehicle used in the Dickson City incident.

A search of the SUV yielded 50 checks filled out in other peoples names and three fraudulent identification cards.

The three are charged with felony conspiracy counts of forgery, identify theft, theft by deception and related charges.

On Monday, Dembowskis and Thomas cases were transferred to Lackawanna County Court.

Davis remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for 9:15 a.m. on Nov. 10 before District Judge George Seig.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Mahoning County grand jury has returned an indictment against a woman accused in a September shooting death on the West Side.

Devyonna Taylor, 22, is charged with murder for the Sept. 6 shooting death of Ahylcia Brown, 22, at the apartment they shared on Tyrell Avenue.

Taylor was arrested shortly after Taylors death and has been in the Mahoning County jail ever since on $1 million bond.

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Police have not released many details on the case.

It is not clear when Taylor will be arraigned in common pleas court.

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.
SAC COUNTY, Iowa (KCAU)  A Schaller, Iowa, woman who was accused of attempted murder is using a defense of Diminished Capacity.

Jennifer Rathe, 35, is charged with attempted murder and willful injury that caused serious injury. She pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Story continues below

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Court documents indicate that at around 3 a.m. on September 15, using a knife, Rathe attempted to kill an individual by cutting their throat and tried to stab an eye.

Rathe is being held in the Sac County Jail on a $25,000 cash or surety bond.

According to court documents, Rathe demands the right to a speedy trial. A jury trial is currently scheduled for December 9.

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On Aug. 13, Anna Hall had her biggest fear removed.

The Murray, Utah, woman elected, at age 29, to have a double mastectomy to all but eliminate any risk that the breast cancer that claimed her mom and other relatives would shorten her life.

Because through gene testing she discovered she had a BRCA1 gene mutation, Anna Hall knew her own lifetime risk before having the surgery was between 67% and 87%. Its now not quite zero, but is certainly greatly reduced, which is a huge relief for a woman who has seen breast cancer blaze through both sides of her family, affecting young female relatives on her moms side and an older male relative on her dads.

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Her mom, Michelle Hall, was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer when Anna was 5. Her mom was 33 at the time, and after undergoing radiation and chemotherapy, she was in remission for a year, then the cancer came back and she was told it was not survivable. When Anna was 9, her mother died. Michelle Hall was 37 years old and her husband Jim raised their two young daughters, later with the help of their stepmother after he remarried.

Michelle Hall with her daughter Anna in an old family photo. Michelle died when Anna was 9 due to breast cancer. | Hall family photo

Her grandfather on her dads side also succumbed to breast cancer, though he was older and breast cancer is less common in men than in women. Anna Hall can name other relatives whove been diagnosed with breast cancer and others who have died.

Its been a looming shadow, she said. I always grew up with a fear of it.

Among her childhood memories are watching her vibrant mom become terribly ill and weak, unable to do things with the husband and daughters she adored. Hall said she has always known she would reduce her own risk surgically if shed inherited the danger. Once she learned she had, the question was when.

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She was far less afraid of the surgery and recovery than she was of putting it off. But while she has been proactive in facing the risk, shes also been busy launching a career.

A lifetime of vigilance

An old family photo featuring Anna Hall, right, her biological mother, Michelle, and her little sister, Kirsten, is displayed at her family's home in Draper on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Hall has a BRCA1 gene mutation, which can cause breast cancer, and has a family history of breast cancer with multiple deaths, including her biological mother; because of those factors, she decided to have a double mastectomy in August. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

The National Cancer Institute reports that the risks of developing breast and ovarian cancer are markedly increased in people who inherit a harmful change in BRCA1 or BRCA2, two genes with mutations closely tied to breast cancer risk. BRCA literally stands for BReast CAncer gene. Those with a mutation have increased risk of some other cancers, too, but that risk is less than for breast and ovarian cancer.

Those with a harmful change in either BRCA gene also tend to develop cancer at younger ages than people who do not have such a variant, per the institute. The fact a person usually has only one copy of the gene with the variant is a good thing, but its protective benefits can be lost over the course of a lifetime, so risk of cancer is markedly greater than among those without any BRCA variant.

The institute reports that more than 60% of women who inherit a harmful variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2 will develop breast cancer at some point. The risk for women in the general population is about 13%. And for those who develop breast cancer in one breast, the risk is significant for later breast cancer in the other breast.

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The risk of breast cancer from a BRCA mutation is much less for men, at between 0.2% and 7.1% by age 70, but it happens. And it happened in the Hall family.

So Hall got tested when she was 22 to see if she had inherited a BRCA mutation. She was attending Utah State University at the time and had the blood test done. She learned that she had inherited a BRCA 1 mutation. Because of her family history and her status as BRCA positive, as well as her breast tissue density, she and a specialist developed a vigilant monitoring plan. Dense breast tissue can make it hard to spot breast cancer and may also increase its risk. The doctor recommended a breast MRI every year and ultrasounds as needed until I decided what I wanted to do, she said.

I always knew, once I found out I had a mutation, that at some point I would want a prophylactic double mastectomy, Hall said. No one who had breast cancer in my family survived. So I was waiting for the right time.

Doctors told her that before age 30 would be best, since her mom was diagnosed so young. If she decided to have a preventive surgery, that would be the best time to do it.

Not a tough decision

Anna Hall poses for a portrait at her family's home in Draper on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025. Hall has a BRCA1 gene mutation, which can cause breast cancer, and has a family history of breast cancer with multiple deaths, including her biological mother; because of those factors, she decided to have a double mastectomy in August. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News

While she worried some, she was also busy living, so timing mattered.

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Hall was attending law school at the University of Utah, and put off surgery to make sure she was well covered by health insurance. She graduated last year and got a job as an attorney. This year, she felt like it would all work out, so she had the double mastectomy and began the reconstruction process. Shell have a second surgery at the beginning of next year to get implants.

She had almost a month off from work to recover and said she is doing well.

Shes very open about the surgery because she knows that some women may be hesitant if faced with the same choice. She benefited from others telling her their story and hopes her story will be helpful, too. She said that shes thrilled to let go of the cancer fear and she knows thats what her mother would have wanted for her. She also thinks shes not the only one in her extended family that has made this choice.

I know that some women struggle with the fact that breast tissue is no longer there, Hall said. I havent felt that struggle. My family never focused on our bodies or how we looked at all. It was about being healthy. I think that helped me in this situation. All my friends and family are incredibly supportive. Everybody really, even at work. Take the time you need.

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And she certainly doesnt miss the constant worry. A couple of years ago, I found a lump. The biopsy came back that it was benign. When I found the lump, before I got the biopsy, I broke down. I was crying, upset. How do I finish law school? What do I do?

Hall decided then that she would reduce her risk the first chance she got. And she did, after doing research to find the right surgeon and plastic surgeon.

Online support was huge, as well. She found a group on Instagram called The Breasties, made up of others who were somehow connected to breast cancer and she asked them questions. She found other resources where she could ask questions and talk about her fears, including those of getting the surgery. One question: Am I going to regret this?

The response was immediate and overwhelming: Women years out from a double mastectomy told her theyd never regretted their choice. She found an old classmate whod faced the same choice and made the same decision. And she did a lot of online research and outreach.

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One of the beautiful things about social media, Hall said, is finding Instagram posts and videos from people she could message and ask questions. It also becomes a way to help others and be helped, not just with information and personal experience, but with tangible stuff. She had to wear surgical drains for a while after surgery and a woman shipped her a hoodie that was made for the purpose of hiding the drains. Its a beautiful community, she said, with people sharing their stories to help others. She said she hopes to help others as she was helped.

A busy, full life

Hall is back to work and nearly back to normal.

For her, that means time with family and friends. I am very much a quality time person, she said, noting she loves going to movies, shopping, taking a sisters trip to Disneyland. I do think some of that comes from losing my mom and other family members at such a young age. I savor every moment I have with people.

When shes not with others, she devours books and belongs to two book clubs. She laughs when people ask her favorite genre, because shell read almost anything. She credits her broad taste in and deep love of books to her dads mom, who was a librarian and gave her books every holiday.

If friends of family say theyre going hiking, shes always game to go with them.

She loves people. And her life.
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:

Astronauts for the upcoming Shenzhou 21 mission, from left, Zhang Hongzhang, Zhang Lu and Wu Fei attend a meeting with the press at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, northwest China, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Andy Wong

China said Thursday it's on track to land astronauts on the moon by 2030 as it introduced the next crew of astronauts who will head to its space station as part of the country's ambitious plans to be a leader in space exploration.

"Currently, each program of the research and development work of putting a person on the moon is progressing smoothly," said Zhang Jingbo, spokesman for the China Manned Space Program, citing the Long March 10 rocket, moon landing suits and exploration vehicle, as fruitful efforts of that work. "Our fixed goal of China landing a person on the moon by 2030 is firm."

China is also preparing to send up its latest rotation of astronauts who make up part of the ongoing mission to complete the Tiangong space station, part of its broader space exploration plans. Each team stays inside the station for six months, conducting research.

The latest crew joining others on the station will be made up of Zhang Lu, Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang. They will take off from the Jiuquan launch center Friday at 11:44 p.m. in China. Zhang was previously part of the Shenzhou 15 mission to the station. For Wu and Zhang, this will be their first time in space.

Astronaut for the upcoming Shenzhou 21 mission Zhang Lu speaks during a meeting with the press at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, northwest China, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Andy Wong

A Chinese family tour a museum showing pictures of China's Long March 2F rocket for the Shenzhou manned space mission as China going to send three astronauts for their routine mission to the space station, in Jiayuguan in China's northwestern Gansu province, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Andy Wong

A man poses for a photo shoot with the astronaut figures on display near a picture showing China's Long March 2F rocket for the Shenzhou manned space mission at a museum as China going to send three astronauts for their routine mission to the space station, in Jiayuguan in China's northwestern Gansu province, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Andy Wong

Astronauts for the upcoming Shenzhou 21 mission, from left, Zhang Hongzhang, Zhang Lu and Wu Fei arrive for a meeting with the press at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Jiuquan, northwest China, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Andy Wong

The astronauts will also carry four mice with them on this trip, two male and two female. They will study the effects of weightlessness and confinement on the animals.

China began work on the Tiangong, or "Heavenly Palace," after the country was excluded from the International Space Station over U.S. national security concerns over the Chinese space program's direct link to the People's Liberation Army.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Two people were arrested after a man fled a traffic stop in Crockett County on Thursday.

Casey Wilson, 34, felony evading, possession of schedule II, theft of property, financial responsibility violation, reckless driving, failure to maintain control, failure to obey a traffic control device, and speeding.

The Crockett County Sheriffs Office said the suspect fled the scene of a traffic stop near Walnut Hill Church Road and Lower Jackson Road.

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Deputies said the Tennessee Highway Patrol attempted to pull a man over, but the man did not stop and instead fled on foot after abandoning the vehicle.

Meth bust in TN leads to arrest of four suspects

The sheriffs office said the Gadsden Police Department, Alamo Police Department, Bells Police Department, THP, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), Homeland Security, and the Crockett County Sheriffs Office all attempted to arrest the suspect.

According to deputies, Kendra Dean was a passenger in the car and was taken into custody. She had an active warrant for Violation of Probation related to illegal drugs from another county.

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They said the suspect was last seen wearing a camouflage hoodie.

Our officers displayed incredible determination and teamwork throughout this incident, stated Sheriff Troy Klyce. We were not giving up or going home. The people of Crockett County deserve to feel safe tonight.

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NEWTON COUNTY, Mo.  Authorities in Newton County are reporting the death of a woman who they believe died in a house fire on October 29, 2025.

The Newton County Sheriffs Office reports the Newton County Central Dispatch Center received a call reporting a structure fire at 28252 Highway HH at approximately 1:50 p.m. Wednesday.

Firefighters arrived to find the residence fully engulfed. Crews worked on the fire for most of Wednesday afternoon and into the evening.

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Deputies responded to the scene along with the Midway, Stella, and Wheaton Fire Departments, and the Newton County Ambulance District.

After the fire was brought under control, firefighters and the Missouri State Fire Marshals Office searched the residence and located the body of the female victim, Sheriff Matt Stewart said in a release Thursday.

The victims name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. An autopsy is scheduled for Friday.

The fire is now under investigation by the Newton County Sheriffs Office and the Missouri State Fire Marshals Office.

Sheriff Stewart noted that at this time, the structure fire does not appear to be related to a separate structure fire that occurred at 17723 Highway O.

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Authorities are asking anyone with information about the fire to contact Detective Dale Brashers with the Newton County Sheriffs Office or the State Fire Marshals Office.

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Remains of a structure fire at 28252 Highway HH in Newton County which claimed the life of a woman, seen on October 30, 2025.

NEWTON COUNTY, Mo.  Authorities have identified the woman who was found dead in a house fire earlier this week in Newton County.

Investigators say a preliminary autopsy showed Michele Gaither, 49, died as a result of the fire. That fire started Wednesday afternoon at a home off Highway-HH near Stark City.

The fire has also rekindled nearly half a dozen times since then. When crews from Midway, Stella, and Wheaton initially put it out, they found Gaithers body inside.

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The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Woman found dead after Newton County structure fire

NEWTON COUNTY, Mo.  A woman is found deceased after a structure fire in southwest Missouri, authorities said Thursday.

The Newton County Sheriffs Office said that on Wednesday, a deceased female was located in the aftermath of a structure fire at 28252 Highway HH in Newton County.

The Midway Fire Department, Stella Fire Department, Wheaton Fire Department and Newton County Ambulance were all at the scene just before 2 p.m. When they arrived, the building was fully engulfed. Extinguishing the blaze took until that evening.

After the fire was under control, firefighters and personnel with the Missouri State Fire Marshalls Office searched the ruins and found the body. Detectives with NCSO responded later for the death investigation.

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The cause of the fire remains under investigation. An autopsy is planned for Friday. The victims name has not been released.

NCSO adds that they believe the fire is unrelated to a structure fire that happened at 17723 Highway O.

Anyone with information on the fire is asked to contact the sheriffs office or state fire marshalls office.

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Police are searching for a suspect after a woman was found shot to death in the Athens neighborhood of Los Angeles.

On Oct. 29, Los Angeles police responded to reports of a shooting on the 11800 block of South New Hampshire Avenue shortly before 6 p.m.

Officers found the victim, identified only as an adult female, unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

No suspect was found nearby and the circumstances surrounding the womans death remain unclear. Homicide detectives are asking the public for information on the shooting.

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No further details, including the womans identity or a possible suspect description, were released.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call LASDs Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.

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BIG RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  A woman was hospitalized after a crash near Big Rapids Thursday afternoon, deputies said.

Around 2:40 p.m., Mecosta County Sheriffs Office deputies were called to Northland Drive near Shamrock Boulevard for a crash involving two vehicles.

The sheriffs office said a 68-year-old man from Paris, Michigan had been driving behind a 31-year-old White Cloud woman when he did not stop in time when she was waiting to turn into a business. The man rear-ended the womans vehicle, pushing it out of the road.

The woman was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, deputies said. The man was not hurt.

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NEED TO KNOW

Four days after Kelly Marie Catrambrone, 37, was last seen leaving her Florida home, she was found stuck in a muddy and swampy river on Oct. 28

The discovery came after she was heard crying for help

She's expected to make a full recovery

After a 37-year-old woman who was missing for days was heard crying for help, she was discovered safe, but stuck in the mud among mangroves on the edge of a Florida river.

On Friday, Oct. 24, around 5 p.m. local time, Kelly Marie Catrambrone was seen by her family walking away from her Port St. Lucie home, according to police reports reviewed by Hometown News. She was not reported missing for three days, Sgt. Dominic Mesiti of the Port St. Lucie Police Department told the outlet.

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According to the family, she often wanders away from home, but she usually comes back," Mesiti told Hometown News. "But this time, she didnt."

That Monday, authorities began searching the 700 block of NE Emerson Street, saying she may have wandered into a body of water."

By the following afternoon, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, some of Catrambrones possessions were located near the edge of the St. Lucie River, prompting an extensive search.

Search and rescue teams continued to comb the area as darkness fell  and by 9 p.m., SWAT Technician Kraviec from the police department was flying a drone when he heard a faint cry for help," according to police. The sound was coming from across the body of water.

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Shortly after, a 911 caller reported hearing a woman crying for help in an unknown location near the river.

As officers continued the search, local Herb Yancy offered up his boat to help after Kraviec saw movement in the swamp. The citizen then helped guide officers to the missing woman.

At approximately 9:30 p.m., Catrambrone was found stuck in two feet of water near an island of mangroves, across the way from where her items had been found.

In a video shared by the police department, an officer can be heard yelling her first name. "Ive got you, girl, the officer said when he reached Catrambrone. Youre okay.

Port St. Lucie Police Department/Facebook First responders searched for the missing woman for hours. First responders searched for the missing woman for hours.

Extremely dehydrated and disoriented, Catrambrone was transported to a nearby hospital where she is expected to make a full recovery! the police department said.

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.

Its moments like this that truly reverberate throughout our community as we stand together! police continued.

The Port St. Lucie Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for additional comment.



Read the original article on People
TYLER, Texas (KETK) A Longview woman helped save her brothers life through a kidney donation, but her impact goes much farther than that, as she was able to save two lives during this process through a swap.

Being 12 years older than her brother, Ashley Webb had the opportunity to watch him grow up, and years later, shes still showing up for him by taking the opportunity to save his life.

Whatever he needs, Im going to be there for him, Webb said. Ive always wanted to be or naturally just been the fix-it person for him, thats my little brother.

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Heroic 20-year-old saves relative from house fire in Troup

Her little brother, Trenton Burton, was just a teenager when he was diagnosed with kidney disease. Thankfully, he was able to live for years with minimal effects, but over time, his kidney function began to decline, with numbers dropping lower and lower.

I made it all the way to 28 years old, thats when my kidney function got down to 13%, Burton said.

Thats when Webb decided to get tested and found she was a match for her little brother, as well as for another person on the list.

This person whos been waiting for a kidney for seven years, and she has a donor, but shes not a match with her donor, Baylor University Medical Center director of the live kidney donor program, Hassan Ibrahim, said.

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By a stroke of luck, this persons donor was miraculously a match for Burton, and Webb was approached with the idea of a donor swap.

My kidney was removed, and it was donated to another person, and that other persons donor, an unmatched donor, went to Trent, Webb said. Two lives were changed in one day.

In one selfless act, Webb saved not only her brothers life but also that of a complete stranger.

Her big heart to save her brother allowed her to save another person, too, which makes this story very, very special, Ibrahim said.

Since the kidney swap, both donors and recipients are doing well but havent met each other yet. Webb, however, does have this message for the person who received her kidney.

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I hope youre living the life that you always wanted to live, Webb said. I hope that you never have to go through those experiences again, and wish you a happy life.

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.



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A woman who was hit in the face by a duck at SeaWorld Orlando is suing the theme park for negligence, saying it should have warned riders about possible dangerous conditions.

Hillary Martin, who lives in Florida's Orange County (which includes Orlando), says she was riding the Mako roller coaster, an extreme ride that reaches 200 feet in the air and boasts maximum speeds of 73 mph, when a duck allegedly flew in the coaster's path, hit her in the face, and knocked her unconscious, causing injuries. The incident occurred on March 24, according to the court filing.

In the suit, the woman claims to have suffered permanent injuries, pain and suffering (both physical and mental), the loss of ability (and capacity) to lead and enjoy a normal life, the aggravation of an existing condition, and more. She is seeking $50,000 in damages.

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SeaWorld Orlando did not immediately respond to Quartz's request for comment on the suit, but did tell other outlets, "The safety of our guests and employees is a top priority, and we take these situations seriously. We will not be commenting beyond that as this is pending litigation."

The complaint alleges that the park "created a zone of danger for bird strikes," due to the coaster's height and position "over or near" a body of water. It also claims the ride was a danger because it was placed "within the known territory of waterfowls in the area" and accused SeaWorld of "designing the ride in such as way as to disorient waterfowls thereby increasing the risk of collision."

The trial is scheduled to begin on Nov 8. Martin is represented by Morgan & Morgan.
LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS)  WV Living Magazine recently honored a WVSOM Faculty Member.

According to a press release, a professor at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), Jill Cochran, Ph.D., is among 50 West Virginian women named West Virginia Wonder Women for 2025 by WV Living Magazine for their fall issue. The women honored are described as living boldly, bringing solutions and championing their families and communities. At the West Virginia Wonder Women luncheon in South Charleston on October 29, 2025, the honorees were recognized by West Virginia Living.

CUs online Master of Social Work Program ranked one of the top programs in the state

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The press release stated that this is not the first time Cohran has received statewide recognition. West Virginia Executive magazine inducted her into their Health Care Hall of Fame in 2024. Additionally, she was a finalist for the Faculty Merit Foundation of West Virginias Professor of the Year award in 2015. WVSOM also awarded Cochran the Presidents Outstanding Faculty Award and Outstanding Employee Award.

Cochran has been a clinical sciences faculty member at WVSOM since 2010. She is the only faculty member at WVSOM that has a Ph.D. degree in nursing. She has worked as a nurse practitioner at Rainelle Medical Center, in the emergency department at Raleigh General Hospital, Lewisburgs Robert C. Byrd Clinic and runs a pediatric practice at Pocahontas Memorial Health Clinic.

It feels unbelievable to be chosen, especially given the women who have previously been cited. When I went to nursing school, it was very traditional and we were given nursing capes. I always thought it was fitting, because everyone feels when theyre young that they want to be a superhero and save people. We usually outgrow that, but this award makes me feel like that dream is a reality. In many ways, the pursuit of excellence is universal among all health care disciplines. However, through the lens of nursing, I hope I bring a different perspective, looking at the impact of illness on the patient, their family and the community. Jill Cochran, Ph.D.

More than $1 million donated to public schools in West Virginia

The press release stated that Cochran obtained her bachelors, masters and Ph.D. degrees from West Virginia University School of Nursing. She is licensed as an advanced practice nurse practitioner in the Mountain State and became a fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners in 2018.

Dr. Cochran has been an educator for as long as I have known her. In educating patients and families, medical students, and her colleagues, she brings a fun and enlightening aspect to every situation. I seek her advice often because of her knowledge and experience, particularly in research. Christopher Wood, D.O. | Chair of WVSOMs Department of Clinical Sciences

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The core goal of the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping was clear enough: bring the temperature down and strike some agreements that would stabilise one of the worlds most important bilateral relationships. On this score, the summit can be declared a success. Trump was beaming after the hours-long discussions and characteristically sought to display the results as the beginning of a new era. Zero, to 10, with 10 being the best, Id say the meeting was a 12, he told reporters on Air Force One. A lot of decisions were made... and weve come to a conclusion on very many important points.

In and of itself, this is significant. Sure, Trump and Xi didnt resolve all of the issues that have caused such acrimony in the US-China relationship, but nobody with their head screwed on correctly thought that was ever going to happen. It wasnt so long ago that Washington and Beijing were slapping each other with tariffs so severe that they practically halted bilateral trade. And it was only weeks ago that Trump, upset about Chinas heavy restrictions on the export of rare earth elements, threatened to impose an extra 100 per cent tariff by Nov 1 if the Chinese didnt reverse course.

Well, they have reversed course  at least for the time being. Some of the rare earth export controls will now be suspended for a year. The Chinese will also import US soybeans again, providing American farmers with financial relief. In return, Trump has agreed to half the tariffs he instituted on China on the fentanyl issue, purportedly in return for greater Chinese cooperation in staunching the flow of chemical precursors. In addition, the US will postpone an investigation that could have increased fees for Chinese ships docking in American ports. China will do the same.

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In other words, you can call this entire arrangement a truce in a trade war that is still technically in effect. The outstanding, systemic problems  Chinas state-supported industrial policy; the dumping of cheap Chinese goods abroad; US semiconductor export controls; Taiwan  are still lurking in the wings. If you were a gambler, the smart money would be on this cooling-off period eventually evaporating into another round of rancour as the same old issues rise again to the forefront.

In the lead-up to the talks, China hawks in Washington were concerned that Trump could make geopolitical concessions to the Chinese in return for preferential trade terms. The fear was that Trump was so fixated on striking a major trade deal with Xi that he would offer just about anything, like suspending US arms exports to Taiwan, preventing US state department officials from meeting their Taiwanese counterparts, or publicly stating that the United States was opposed to Taiwanese independence. The latter item was reportedly at the top of Xis wish-list; while the US rejects Taiwanese independence as a matter of policy, expressing this in unambiguous terms would, the theory goes, embolden Xi to accelerate plans to take the island by force.

Those fears didnt come to pass. Even so, theres no question that concessions were made  and those concessions were unavoidable for the American side. Xi successfully exploited Chinas control over key nodes in the global economy, chief among them rare earth mining, to compel Trump to walk back the very tariffs he was scheduled to impose only weeks prior.

The fact that China produces 60 per cent of the worlds rare earths and processes nearly 90 per cent of them meant that Beijing could extract a high price  in shortages of everything from magnets and batteries to washing machines, cell phones and even jet fighters  via retaliation. The Chinese understood that reducing exports of these elements was one of the biggest leverage points they had, and pulled the trigger to stymie whatever trade war escalation the Trump administration was planning.

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This isnt the first time China has utilised its economic power to force Trump into a more conciliatory position. When Trump enacted 145 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports in the spring, Beijing retaliated with triple-digit tariffs of its own on American products. The results over a very short period of time were painful for both economies. Chinese factories closed their doors, US business leaders pleaded with the White House to reduce the tariff rate, and US importers were forced to spend time and money to find alternative markets.

Eventually, Trumps economic advisers came to the conclusion that sustaining the tariff regime was too costly for the US economy; Scott Bessent, the US treasury secretary, went on television and said that neither Washington or Beijing wanted a total decoupling. A tariff ceasefire was announced shortly thereafter.

For a lot of Americans, Trumps backtracking was a stark illustration of the mans petulance. Others, particularly Democratic lawmakers, pointed to the episode as proof that Trump simply didnt know what he was doing.

But the blunt reality is that the United States is not the only superpower anymore. What Washington could get away with in the 1990s and early 2000s, when there were no strategic competitors to speak of and the US was basking in the aura of global hegemony, is no longer an option in 2025. The era of unrivalled dominance is gone; the time when US allies toed the line and adversaries were coerced into submission is over. The United States can no longer dictate; instead, it must negotiate, even if it leaves a bad taste in our mouths.

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For those pining for the days when great power competition was hypothetical, this is a bitter pill to swallow. Unfortunately for them, its a pill they have to stomach nonetheless.

Daniel DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities

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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:

A staff member attends a press conference of the Shenzhou-21 Manned Space Mission one day before the mission's launch.

The crew for China's next manned flight to its space station will include the country's youngest astronaut to undertake a space mission, authorities said Thursday, as well as four lab mice.

The Tiangong space stationcrewed by teams of three astronauts that are exchanged every six monthsis the crown jewel of China's space program, into which billions of dollars have been poured in a bid to catch up with the United States and Russia.

The Shenzhou-21 mission is set to blast off at 11:44 p.m. on Friday (1544 GMT) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, said China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) spokesperson Zhang Jingbo.

Flight engineer Wu Fei, who has just turned 32, is set to become the youngest Chinese astronaut to undertake a space mission, authorities said.

"I feel incomparably lucky," he told reporters on Thursday. "Being able to integrate my personal dreams into the glorious journey of China's space program is the greatest fortune this era has bestowed upon me."

He will be commanded by veteran space pilot Zhang Lu, 48, who took part in the Shenzhou-15 mission more than two years ago.

Payload specialist Zhang Hongzhang, 39, makes up the third member of the crew.

Also along for the ride are four micetwo male and two femalewhich will be the subjects of China's first in-orbit experiments on rodents, CMSA spokesperson Zhang said.

Commander Zhang Lu said he was confident his team would "report back to our motherland and its people with complete success."

Beijing's space program, the third to put humans in orbit, has also landed robotic rovers on Mars and the moon.

China has ramped up plans to achieve its "space dream" under President Xi Jinping.

Beijing says it aims to send a crewed mission to the moon by 2030, where it intends to construct a base on the lunar surface.

The CMSA said on Thursday it was "holding firm" to that goal and outlined a series of "crucial upcoming tests" it was undertaking in preparation, including testing its Lanyue lunar lander and Mengzhou manned spacecraft.

 2025 AFP
When Hamilton County voters head to the polls on Nov. 4, theyll be asked to renew their support for one of our regions most valuable public assets: Great Parks of Hamilton County. The 1-mill, 10-year renewal levy amounts to $22 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value  about the price of a family pizza night  yet it sustains a system that brings joy, beauty, and lasting environmental value to millions.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when so much of daily life shut down, Great Parks became a refuge. In 2020 alone, a record 7.2 million visitors found escape and renewal in Great Parks trails, lakes, and woodlands. That connection hasnt faded  visitation topped 7.1 million last year, proof that Great Parks remains central to the well-being of Hamilton County residents.

A strong return on investment

Sharon Woods Lake is currently closed for extensive renovations, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. Dredging of the 35-acre lake, which began in April, was needed to because of the sediment accumulation which was threatening recreation and aquatic habitats. Sharon Woods covers 723 acres and is the oldest park in the Hamilton County Great Parks system, opening in 1932. The lake should reopen in late fall 2025.

According to a 2024 University of Cincinnati Economics Center study, Great Parks generated an economic impact of $138.6 million, created 4,079 jobs, and drew $47 million in spending from out-of-town visitors  surpassing the draw of some of the regions marquee attractions. In fact, more people visit Great Parks annually than Kings Island (3.5 million), BLINK (2 million), the Reds (2 million), the Zoo (1.9 million), the Museum Center (1.4 million), or even the Bengals (530,355).

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Thats an extraordinary return on a modest taxpayer investment  and it underscores the role parks play not just as recreation spaces, but as drivers of tourism, jobs, and local pride.

Protecting what makes Hamilton County special

Great Parks is not only about play; its about preservation. Through its conservation efforts, weve seen the return of species once thought lost to the region  from federally threatened Indiana bats and Northern long-eared bats to the first river otter sighting in 100 years and bald eagles nesting along river corridors. The park district has planted 128,000 trees in three years and removed over 19,000 Emerald Ash Borers, strengthening the regions environmental resilience for generations to come.

Great Parks has also worked diligently to diversify its revenue streams and lessen the burden on taxpayers. Through October, it has secured $31 million in state and federal grants and raised $22 million of its $50 million GO BIG Campaign goal through private donations and philanthropic partnerships. Thats smart stewardship and evidence of a forward-thinking organization that earns public trust.

A vision for the future

Renewing this levy will allow Great Parks to expand access and inclusion, add more trails that connect neighborhoods and regions, and continue vital conservation work. With 18,081 acres across 22 parks and conservation areas, Great Parks is Ohios third-largest park district  a natural treasure that belongs to all of us.

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We recognize that these are challenging financial times, and taxpayers must weigh every request carefully. But by any measure, the benefits of Great Parks  for our economy, environment, and quality of life  are a bargain.

On Nov. 4, vote Yes for the Great Parks of Hamilton County renewal levy. Its an investment in our health, our environment, and our shared future.

Opinion and Engagement Editor Kevin S. Aldridge writes this on behalf of The Enquirer's editorial board, which includes Editor Beryl Love and Senior News Director of Content Jackie Borchardt. Editorials are fact-based assessments of issues that are important to the communities we serve. These are not the opinions of our reporting staff members, who strive for neutrality in their reporting.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Great Parks levy deserves Hamilton County voters' support | Editorial
San Diego County Democratic Party Chair Will Rodriguez-Kennedy joins Good Morning San Diego Thursday to explain why, in his view, Californias efforts to re-draw the states congressional map is the right thing to do for both California and the country. Polling data suggests this will be good night for state Democrats.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  The York County Food Bank announced it is preparing to help seniors with SNAP benefits set to freeze beginning on Nov. 1.

According to the food bank, thousands of seniors across York County are bracing for a difficult November as the federal government shutdown continues.

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York County Food Bank said its Senior Food Box Program helps seniors in the area by providing monthly boxes filled with shelf-stable items.

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We want every senior in York County to know: help is available, said Jennifer Brillhart, President and CEO of the York County Food Bank. This is an unprecedented time, and we are committed to making sure our older neighbors are nourished, supported, and not forgotten.

Seniors can register for the program by calling the food bank at (717) 846-6435 or by visiting the food banks website and filling out a registration form.

The food bank said there are multiple senior food box pickup sites throughout York County; a list of those sites can be found here.

Drive-thru distributions are done every Monday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the York County Food Bank Warehouse at 15 Marianne Drive, York, PA 17406, and on the first and third Tuesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Living Word Community Church Parking Lot at 2530 Cape Horn Road, Red Lion, PA 17356.

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The food bank announced its also partnering with DoorDash to deliver boxes directly to homes. DoorDash will also cover the full cost of every senior food box delivery in York County for eligible seniors in November as part of its Emergency Food Response.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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A wealthy New York couple who thought they had hired the "perfect" nanny to care for their newborn daughter have now accused the same woman of turning their idyllic upstate life into a nightmare by squatting in their $1 million farmhouseand wreaking havoc on the property.

Jamie Carano Nordenstrom and her husband, Philip Nordenstrom, stumbled across a crumbling farmhouse in Hillsdale, NY, in 2013and originally intended to use the property as a weekend home, they told The Cut. But after falling in love with the peace and quiet of the Hudson Valley, they decide to relocate full time to the abode, after carrying out renovations.

However, their picture-perfect lifestyle was shattered, they claimed, in 2024, after they hired Barbara Molnar, a mother of four, as a part-time caregiver for their newborn daughter.

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At the time, Molnar's credentials suggested that she was everything they were looking forand moreincluding fluency in German, extensive child care experience, and willingness to work around their schedules.

Initially, they hired Molnar on an 18-hour-a-week schedule, paying her $25 an hour. But Jamie said they continued to look for full-time help.

Jamie said that Molnar came across as the perfect nanny, recalling that she was "definitely absolutely in love" with children and recounting how she would read her daughter German books to help with the couple's dream of raising a bilingual child.

But things began to sour between the two women in December 2024, when Molnar requested to take up residence inside the Nordenstroms' guesthousean offer that they had originally made in their Nanny Lane ad, when they first started looking for child care.

Jamie Carano Nordenstrom and her husband, Philip Nordenstrom, have claimed that their idyllic life in upstate New York was turned into a nightmare when their nanny began squatting on their property. (Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Though Jamie said she was apprehensive about having Molnar living on their property, she ultimately agreed after the nanny revealed that her living situation at the time was proving very difficult for her.

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"Jamie, a Democrat and member of the Hillsdale town board who had run on affordable housing, didnt ask questions," The Cut noted.

However, eager to protect their interests, Jamie and Philip agreed to allow Molnar to live in their guesthouse rent-free, explaining that there was never any agreement put in place that would grant her status as a legal tenant.

Still, Jamie claimed she went above and beyond to make the guesthouse as welcoming as possible, redecorating the space and adding new furniture, while also hiring a cleaning service to attend to the property a few times per month.

But the mother of one said Molnar became a different person after moving into the homedefying all of the rules that the Nordenstroms had put in place, beginning by ignoring their request that the guesthouse remain pet-free by turning up on move-in day with her 12-year-old Labrador.

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Jamie further alleged that Molnar asked that her youngest son, who was at boarding school, be allowed to spend some time with her over the holiday seasononly to discover that he was still living there weeks later.

She accused Molnar of failing to clean up after herself, leaving dog poop in the backyard, and trespassing on their neighbors' properties while out for walks with the Nordenstroms' daughter.

Though she insisted that she and her husband tried to make the best of what Jamie described as a "strange" situation, even paying Molnar to cook for them on a few occasions, things soon went from bad to worse after the Nordenstroms returned from a vacation in Sweden in June of this year to find what they described as a party taking place in their pool area.

According to Jamie, a group of teenagers was gathered in and around the pool, with no sign of Molnarwhose son, when asked, said she was sleeping in the guesthouse.

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Jamie claimed that they discovered a mess in and around their main residenceincluding dog hair that was clogging up the vacuum, used bed sheets, clothing in the saunaand the next day, said she awoke to Molnar banging pots and pans in the kitchen.

When she confronted Molnar, Jamie alleges that the nanny did not apologize, but rather grew angry about the fact that the Nordenstroms had embarrassed her son in front of his friends.

Molnar, however, hit back at Jamie's accusations, telling The Cut that her side of the story had been twistedand insisting that she was permitted by her employers to have people over at the house when they were out. She added that she chose to host the gathering of teenagers while they were on vacation not because she was trying to be sneaky, but out of respect for their personal space.

However, Jamie said that the so-called party was the straw that broke the camel's back, revealing that she and her husband fired Molnar soon after the event.

Barbara Molnar, seen with her Labrador, vehemently denies all accusations against her. (Barbara Molnar)

The couple own a historical farmhouse in Hillsdale, NY, which they purchased more than 10 years agorestoring the dwelling before turning it into their full-time home. (Realtor.com)

Records show that the home was last on the market in 2013, when it was listed for $465,000. (Realtor.com)

Despite insisting that she and her husband offered to help the nanny pay rent at a new homewhile also agreeing to pay her regular salary through the end of the monthshe said Molnar invoked her tenant's rights and refused to leave.

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"We knew, at that point, that she had engaged with us to gain access to our home," Jamie claimed.

When she began digging into Molnar's background, Jamie said that, while she found no evidence of a criminal record, there were other examples of disputes with her former landlords, including one case in nearby Ghent, NY, in 2021, in which Molnar was found to owe a couple more than $27,000 in unpaid rent.

Yet Molnar claimed those incidents were not her fault, telling the outlet that her former friend had put her name on the lease without telling her. She further alleged that the same man, who is referred to by The Cut only as Giovanni, had stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars from her and her son, leaving them on the verge of homelessness, seven years before she met the Nordenstroms.

Still, Molnar's refusal to leave their home raised alarm bells for the couple, who consulted a lawyer and learned that, while their nanny was considered a licensee under state lawwhich meant she had been given permission to live rent-free in a dwelling by its owner, but was not an official tenantthey would need to follow a very careful process to legally evict her.

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The couple served Molnar with a 10-day leave notice, which Jamie said she delivered in person when she saw the nanny and her son driving away from the property.

But, she said, the eviction date came and went, and Molnar still remained in their property.

The couple ultimately decided to file an official eviction petition with the local court, alleging in legal documents that Molnar was a "professional con-artist, with a well-documented history of ingratiating herself with well-off individuals, unlawfully occupying their property in bad faith, and then refusing to leave and abusing the protections afforded by eviction laws."

What emerged in the wake of that date was a bitter battle between the two womenwho each accused the other of carrying out unacceptable behavior.

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Jamie alleged that Molnar continued to flout the restrictions that they put in place around their property, inviting her adult children to visit her at the guesthouse, refusing to move her car out of the driveway, and violating local leash laws by allowing her Labrador to roam freely around the area.

Both women began filming each other, on their phones and via security cameras that were put up around the property, and local authorities were dragged into the mess by each party, responding to everything from trespass allegations to dog control complaints.

Jamie alleged that her life was made a misery during this time, claiming that she and her husband began actively avoiding areas of their home in which they knew they were visible to Molnar from the yard or from the guesthouse.

At one point, she said, they even began sleeping at friends' houses to get a break from what they said was a total nightmare.

Hillsdale is located about 20 minutes from Hudsonand is becoming an increasingly popular area for commuting New Yorkers. (Realtor.com)

She claimed that her main concern was the safety of her daughter, telling The Cut that she began fearing Molnar would grow hostile in front of the child or, even worse, attempt to take her.

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In August, a judge eventually ordered Molnar to vacate the Nordenstroms' property by Sept. 10. Not long after, the couple were granted an order of protection against their former employee after an altercation between the two women during which, Jamie said, the nanny began asking about her daughter's whereabouts.

The protection order stated that Molnar "was to refrain from controlling, monitoring, or interfering with electronic devices on the property; she was to refrain from harassing, intimidating, or threatening her former employers; and she was to surrender any firearms," according to the outlet.

On Aug. 31, Molnar finally vacated their property. However, Jamie said the nightmare was far from over, claiming that she went into the guesthouse to discover the entire place had been soaked in urine, so much so that it had even leaked through the floorboards of the historical property.

The situation was so dire, Jamie claimed, that she is being forced to hire an environmental cleaning company to go in and deal with the guesthouse, because her usual service said it could not handle the cleanup.

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When asked about the urine, Molnar told The Cut that she was horrified by the accusation, insisting that she knew nothing about it.

"Maybe it was a bear," she told the publication.

She denied that her dog had ever suffered from bladder issues, insisting that he had flown on several long-haul flights and had never had an accident.

Addressing Jamie's other claims, Molnar said she has long been the victim of baseless accusations made by former landlords. She said she now fears that the order of protection put in place against her will prevent her from getting future work in child care.

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"Im going to be completely discredited and slandered," she told the publication. "Now Im almost 60 years old. If you dont let me work, how will I survive?"

Molnar, who is now working as a private chef, added that she has faced plenty of adversity in her life and has always prioritized providing for her children and ensuring that they have a safe place to live.

Despite struggling with money in recent years, Molnar said that was not always the case, revealing that she was once a heavy-hitter on the New York social scene after helping her former husband and the father of three of her children, Pasquale Fabio, to launch his iconic Italian food chain Serafina Fabulous Pizza.

Following their divorce in 2001, however, she said that her life took a turn for the worse, accusing him of taking their children away from her and leaving her struggling for money.

She is currently suing the father of her youngest child, a French wine heir, for $5 million in child supportand has filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Jamie. That case is still ongoing; however, a judge slapped both women with protection orders during a hearing in September.
By Leah Douglas

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday declared a state of emergency to issue $65 million for assistance to food banks as federal funding for the national food stamp program is set to lapse on November 1.

Oregon and Virginia have also issued emergency declarations to free up funds for emergency food assistance as the federal government shutdown imperils Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for nearly 42 million Americans.

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The money will go to food banks and pantries, already under strain.

New York receives nearly $650 million in federal funding for SNAP benefits each month, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek on Wednesday pledged $5 million to food banks and declared a 60-day food security emergency. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has said the state will draw on surplus funds to pay for up to a month of SNAP benefits.

Neither Congress nor the administration of President Donald Trump has acted to fund November SNAP benefits, which cost about $8 billion per month.

(Reporting by Leah Douglas in Washington; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama )
By Leah Douglas

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday declared a state of emergency to issue $65 million for assistance to food banks as federal funding for the national food stamp program is set to lapse on November 1.

Oregon and Virginia have also issued emergency declarations to free up funds for emergency food assistance as the federal government shutdown imperils Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for nearly 42 million Americans.

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The money will go to food banks and pantries, already under strain.

New York receives nearly $650 million in federal funding for SNAP benefits each month, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Neither Congress nor the administration of President Donald Trump has acted to fund November SNAP benefits, which cost about $8 billion per month.

Most states, including New York, have said they cannot afford to pay the benefits themselves. The Legal Aid Society on Thursday said New York does have the means to fund SNAP and should draw on state resources to do so.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has said the state will draw on surplus funds to pay for up to a month of SNAP benefits. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek on Wednesday pledged $5 million to food banks and declared a 60-day food security emergency.

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Twenty-one Democratic governors on Thursday sent a letter to Trump demanding that the USDA draw on contingency funds and other sources to fund November benefits.

"Halting SNAP benefits will put millions of Americans at risk of food insecurity and poverty. SNAP is more than a food assistance program, it is a lifeline," the letter said.

Twenty-four Democratic states and governors and the District of Columbia sued the administration this week to issue the contingency funds and appeared Thursday before a federal judge in Boston.

(Reporting by Leah Douglas in Washington; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Aurora Ellis)
NEW YORK  Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state food emergency and unlocked an additional $65 million in state hunger funding as officials at the city, state and federal levels scrambled to cope with the impact of a cutoff of SNAP benefits for low-income recipients starting on Saturday.

After packing food baskets at an East Harlem community center, Hochul lashed out at President Donald Trump and Republicans for turning a deaf ear to pleas to extend food assistance as the government shutdown stretches towards a second month.

People are saying: How much more can I take?' Hochul said. In 48 hours, the clock is going to run out on 42 million people including 3 million in New York.

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She warned GOP lawmakers that they would pay a heavy price at the ballot box if they dont find a way to fund peoples basic needs as the shutdown standoff drags into November.

When they ignore their constituencies there need to be consequences, Hochul declared. Thats not who we are.

The move by Hochul raises to more than $100 million the state funding for food assistance to cope with the looming SNAP cutoff. Thats still a small drop in the bucket compared to the estimated $650 million per month the federal government normally pays to bankroll food stamps for New Yorkers.

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams called for Hochul and Mayor Adams to find a way to continue to fund SNAP benefits directly to the debit cards of some 2 million NYC SNAP recipients as opposed to funneling cash to soup kitchens and food pantries.

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If there is ever a time to use the rainy day funds, it would be to make sure people can eat, Williams said. I dont think people realize how catastrophic this actually is.

Hochul also called on public schools to loosen rules related to free breakfast and lunch to permit students whose families are impacted by the SNAP cutoff to take food home.

What if we can pack a sandwich to take home? the governor asked. That might be dinner.

City schools officials say they are working to mitigate the impact of students families losing SNAP funds.

Our students can continue to count on their school meals, said Isla Gething, a city schools spokeswoman.

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Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand joined a letter from Democrats to Trump demanding that he order the U.S. Department of Agriculture to dip into a contingency fund to pay SNAP benefits for November.

For families that are already stretched thin, this decision is more than political. Its a matter of survival, Gillibrand told reporters.

The Trump administration says the fund cannot be used to mitigate the impact of the shutdown even though it previously said it could be used to fund SNAP.

Attorney General Letitia James and more than 20 Democratic-led states are suing the Trump administration, asking a Boston federal judge to order an extension of SNAP benefits.

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District Court Judge Indira Talwani suggested she might order the feds to partially fund the program for November while the case plays out.

The steps involve finding an equitable way of reducing benefits, said Talwani, who was nominated to the court by former President Barack Obama, who said she would issue an order later in the day.

Republicans, who control the White House and both houses of Congress, blame Democrats for the shutdown, which started Oct. 1, because the minority party refused to back a GOP stopgap spending plan.

Democrats are demanding bipartisan negotiations over Trumps draconian health cuts and especially Republicans refusal to extend Obamacare tax credits, which has hit about 20 million Americans with skyrocketing insurance costs as open enrollment starts in November.

Some lawmakers say there are rumblings of back-channel talks to reach a compromise to end the shutdown, especially now that polls say voters mostly blame Trump and the GOP for the standoff. But there are no formal negotiations set and leaders from both sides of the aisle insist they wont back down.
NEW YORK STATE (WSYR-TV)  The well has run dry is the message greeting people on the U.S. Department of Agriculture website. The federal agency provides millions of Americans with SNAP Benefits, but come November 1, the money wont come as expected.

The message posted at the top of https://www.fns.usda.gov/

Kids who rely on school meals. A hungry kid cant learn. Seniors on fixed income who rely on SNAP, veterans with PTSD trying to get by, families trying to get groceries, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a press conference on October 30.

As the government nears a month of being shut down, its the first time in history that emergency funds will not be used to help cover the food assistance program.

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Never before have they literally said were going to stop feeding Americans, Governor Kathy Hochul said.

SNAP Benefits are slated to halt as the health insurance open enrollment period begins, and people find out how much they have to pay for healthcare.

We are here to fight for the men and women who build, farm, serve, and raise families across New York. They are the backbone of this nation, and they deserve a government that works for them, not the political insiders who have created this mess, Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney said.

A mess that, for now, food pantries and other community organizations are forced to clean up.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
NORTH ELBA, N.Y. (ABC22/FOX44)  On Thursday afternoon, the New York State Police announced that 59 new troopers have arrived in Ray Brook to begin 10 weeks of field training.

To become a New York State Trooper, hires must first complete more than 1,000 hours of training at the state police academy. Now they begin training in the field, during which time they will be evaluated by senior officers.

New York State Police names Arcadi as Troop B commander

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Troop B, which covers Clinton, Franklin, Essex, St. Lawrence, and part of Hamilton Counties, is getting more than a quarter of this 217th class of new troopers. The new recruits also mean that New York State is now above 5,000 troopers in total.

(Courtesy: NYSP)

I have every confidence they will uphold the high standards of professionalism and public service that define the New York State Police, said NYSP Superintendent Steven G. James at the classs graduation last week.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Three members of Youngstown State Universitys Student Investment Fund won first place in a mock portfolio contest.

Over 100 schools across the United States attended the Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium contest, which is rooted in undergraduate student success, research and leadership.

Out of the 13 YSU students in attendance, the winning group consisted of James Kover, Anthony Graceffo and Eli Masters. Together, the group wrote a 10-page report on the macroeconomic environment, customer trends and circular investment trends.

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We are very proud of the continued success of our Student Investment Fund, which acts as one of the investment managers for a portion of the YSU Foundation investment portfolio, said Scott Schulick, chair of the YSU Foundation Investment Committee.

Winning the competition resulted in a $900 check toward the schools organization.

The YSU Student Investment Fund started in 2008, providing a hands-on experience for committed students. Over the years, their funding grew from $250,000 provided by an endowment fund.

Years later, the organization has become one of the largest in the state as it manages an equity portfolio valued at $3.9 million.

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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.
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:

Comparison between experimental peristalsis and the modeling data. (Left) Circles are the period of oscillations recorded in the intact intestine, while the grey staircase is obtained from the model. (Right) The structure of three time courses of the oscillations. Credit: University of California - San Diego

Synchronization abounds in nature: from the flashing lights of fireflies to the movement of fish wriggling through the ocean, biological systems are often in rhythmic movement with each other. The mechanics of how this synchronization happens are complex.

For instance, in the vasculature of the brain, blood vessels oscillate, expanding and contracting as needed. When there is neural activity, the arterioles expand to increase blood flow, oxygen and nutrients. These oscillations are self-sustained, but the arterioles also work in concert with each other. How this happens is not well understood.

To uncover the answer, researchers at the University of California San Diego looked to another part of the body: the gut. Here they found that oscillators operating at similar frequencies lock onto each other in succession, creating a staircase effect. Their work appears in Physical Review Letters.

Biology in sync

It is known in the scientific community that if you have a self-sustained oscillation, such as an arteriole, and you add an external stimulus at a similar but not identical frequency, you can lock the two, meaning you can shift the frequency of the oscillator to that of the external stimulus. In fact, it has been shown that if you connect two clocks, they will eventually synchronize their ticking.

Distinguished Professor of Physics and Neurobiology David Kleinfeld found that if he applied an external stimulus to a neuron, the entire vasculature would lock at the same frequency. However, if he stimulated two sets of neurons at two different frequencies, something unexpected happened: some arterioles would lock at one frequency and others would lock at another frequency, forming a staircase effect.

Searching for an explanation, Kleinfeld enlisted the help of his colleague, Professor of Physics Massimo Vergassola, who specializes in understanding the physics of living systems, and then recruited Ecole Normale Superieure graduate student Marie Sellier-Prono and Senior Researcher at the Institute for Complex Systems Massimo Cencini. Together, the researchers found they could use a classical model of coupled oscillators with an intestinal twist.

Credit: University of California - San Diego

The gut oscillates naturally due to peristalsisthe contracting and relaxing of muscles in the digestive tractand provided a simplified model over the complex network of blood vessels in the brain. The intestine is unidirectional, meaning frequencies shift in one direction in a gradient from higher to lower. This is what enables food to move in one direction from the beginning of the small intestine to the end of the large intestine.

"Coupled oscillators talk to each other and each section of the intestine is an oscillator that talks to the other sections near it," stated Vergassola. "Normally, coupled oscillators are studied in a homogeneous setting, meaning all the oscillators are at more or less similar frequencies. In our case, the oscillators were more varied, just as in the intestine and the brain."

In studying the coupled oscillators in the gut, past researchers observed that there is indeed a staircase effect where similar frequencies lock onto those around it, allowing for the rhythmic movement of food through the digestive tract. But the height of the rises or breaks, the length of the stair runs or frequencies, and the conditions under which the staircase phenomenon occurredessential features of biological systemswas something which had not been determined until now.

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This new mathematical solution answers two longstanding biological questions at the same time: how food moves through the digestive tract and how it is churned. The team hopes this work will support further research into peristalsis-related digestive health issues known as gastrointestinal motility disorders.

"The mathematics had been solved in an approximate way before now, but not in a way that gave you these breaks and what happens at the breaks. That's a critical discovery," stated Kleinfeld.

Now that they've solved the question of oscillations in the gut, they're back to studying the complex vasculature of the brain. If the gut is unidirectional, the vasculature in the brain has hundreds of directions. While they both feature staircases, the one in the gut goes from one level to the next, one at a time. The stairs in the brain go along different paths at different lengths all at once.

"The brain is infinitely more complicated than the gut, but this is science at its best," said Kleinfeld. "You ask one question, it leads you somewhere else, you solve that problem, then return to your original question."
Halloween is officially upon us, and the Queen City is ready to celebrate with plenty of not-so-scary to blood-curdling events that everyone can enjoy. Whether youre trick-or-treating with the kids or monster mashing the night away, heres whats going on in Charlotte this weekend.

Please use the links provided to confirm hours and to check for last-minute updates before you go.

Halloween Festivities

Hi-Wire Brewing Co. is hosting a Beetlejuice-themed silent disco Halloween night.

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Downtown Concords Candy Crawl returns Friday evening. Trick-or-treaters can explore downtown shops and pick up candy along the way at this family-friendly event.

In Downtown Lenoir, dont miss the towns Spooktacular Halloween event for candy and fun.

Keeping with the family fun, Kannapolis will host their annual Sweet Street Trunk-or-Treat and Festival Friday evening. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the event. The town is commemorating this milestone with a fireworks celebration and after-party concert.

Looking for something scarier? CLICK HERE . . . if you dare.

Primal Brewery in Belmont is throwing a Halloween Bash all day Friday, featuring live music, pumpkin carving and costume contests.

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Also in Belmont, check out the Drive-In Theater for a special Fright Night Double Feature this Halloween. Watch slasher classics Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street from the comfort of your car.

The Carolina Theatre will also screen the 1978 horror film, Halloween, to round out their SCarolina Halloween Movie Series Friday night.

Take a ghostly walking tour through Uptown this Halloween with Carolina History and Haunts Beyond the Grave Tour.

Check out a special Halloween-themed drag show at Buff Fayes Boo-lesque Drag Diner Friday night at Midtown Tavern.

Petras Bar in Plaza Midwood is hosting a Halloween Bash with live music and a costume contest.

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Head Uptown for Fahrenheits Haunted Rooftop Halloween party, complete with a DJ, dance floor and a costume contest with cash prizes.

The Local is hosting a two-day Halloween Bar Crawl Friday and Saturday.

Where to trick-or-treat:

Union Street in Concord goes all-out with spooky Halloween decorations for the occasion.

In NoDa, several houses have donned creepy ornaments. Stroll down 35th Street for some scary fun.

Historic Plaza Midwood is a bustling neighborhood for Halloween.

In Mount Holly, head to Scaleybark Court for some impressive holiday displays.

The Curtis Pond neighborhood in Mooresville typically draws large crowds of trick-or-treaters.

Not-So-Spooky Fun

Jesse & Joy will perform at Ovens Auditorium Friday night as part of their El Despecho Tour.

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Greater Mount Moriah Church and Johnson & Wales University are hosting their 5th Annual Fall Festival Friday evening.

Head to Country Days Corn Maze in Indian Trail for some light-hearted fall fun this weekend. Its open from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Dia de los Muertos begins Saturday. Celebrate with the Latin American Coalition at Camp North End for the 21st edition of their Day of the Dead Festival.

At Arts+ on The Plaza, there will also be a Dia de los Muertos Market that blends art, food, music and culture Saturday afternoon.

Giveon will perform at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre Saturday night as part of his Dear Beloved tour.

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Loathe, an English heavy metal band, will also play The Underground Saturday night.

The 22nd Annual Statesville Pumpkin Festival will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Celebrate Veterans Day in Downtown Belmont Sunday afternoon with live music, a military vehicle display and more.

Rock Hills Downtown Jazz Jam is celebrating two years Sunday with a special workshop, concert and jam session by trumpeter Mark Rapp and his band.

The Happy Fits are slated to perform at The Underground Sunday night.

PHOTOS: Levine Childrens Hospital hosts Halloween festivities

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Russia bombed another power plant in Ukraine, killing two people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly video address on Thursday.

The thermal power plant in Sloviansk, the largest city in the Donetsk region still under Kiev's control, was hit, Zelensky said.

"Unfortunately two people died," he said, adding that several people were injured.

The attack follows one of the heaviest nights of the war for Ukraine, with numerous strikes on energy facilities.

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Faced with targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure, Zelensky described this as terror and said the world had to respond. He cited, recent sanctions imposed on Russian oil companies as an example of such a response, saying the sanctions had shown a clear effect.

Calls for more punitive measures

"Oil exports are the foundation of Russian arrogance and if the sanctions remain or are tightened, Russia will suffer significant losses," the Ukrainian leader said. By his estimate, Moscow could lose about $50 billion next year. Tougher sanctions would be a strong measure to get Russia to stop the war, he said.
Mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdanis campaign returned nearly $9,000 in potentially illegal foreign donations  but still is receiving contributions from people with overseas addresses, a Post review has found.

The revelation followed news that Mamdanis campaign was hit with a pair of criminal referrals just weeks after The Post revealed the upstart socialist had raked in nearly $13,000 in donations from overseas.

The Democratic nominee for mayor has given back $9,000 of the foreign donations total, which his campaign claims the remaining $4,000 is coming from American citizens living abroad

Mamdanis campaign has returned nearly $9,000 of potentially illegal foreign donations. James Messerschmidt

The campaign refunded 67 overseas donors just during the last filing period between Sept. 8 and Oct. 20, totaling $3,893, according to the latest filing with the Campaign Finance Board.

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One of the returns from the latest filing period went to Ada Diaz Ahmed, a Dubai-based investor who had donated the maximum $2,100.

But others featured in the Oct. 12 Post expose, such as Australian climate scientist James Furlaud, who also donated the maximum amount, were not refunded.

Hes among the group of 21 donors that the campaign claims are American citizens chipping in from abroad, which is permissible under campaign finance law.

The Post previously revealed that Mamdani had raked in nearly $13,000 in overseas donations. James Keivom

You must be a US citizen to donate to a city campaign.

The campaign finance records also show that Mamdani has continued to receive donations from abroad addresses within the last two weeks.

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This month, Mamdani has received donations from three people in London, Australia and Germany, totaling $130.

Those donors could not be reached.

Mamdanis campaign is claiming that 21 donors are United States citizens. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post

Albeit small, the issue seemingly points to a loophole in the system that, instead of checking if the donation is legal upfront, relies on the CFB to audit each campaign  a process that often takes years to complete.

It has raised eyebrows, with the Coolidge Reagan Foundation filing criminal referrals, accusing the Queens lawmaker of violating the Federal Election Campaign Act and New York Election Code.

This month, Mamdani has received donations from three people in London, Australia and Germany, totaling $130. REUTERS

The referrals were sent to the Department of Justices Criminal Division and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office on Tuesday.

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The Post also found that ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomos campaign has received around $1,100 in donations from foreign addresses, with nearly half of it being refunded.

GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa has received $70 from foreign addresses that havent been refunded.

The Cuomo campaign said it returned the donations that it couldnt verify as Americans living abroad, while the Sliwa campaign said they would return any improper contributions.

If the citys campaign finance portal allowed foreign donations to be processed, that is a system issue the Campaign Finance Board must address and any improper contributions will be returned, Sliwa spokesperson Daniel Kurzyna said in a statement.
Several new polls show frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holding onto a sizeable lead with just five days until the election, but Andrew Cuomo insists he's the one with the most momentum heading into next Tuesday.

Cuomo came to a Harlem senior center in the pouring rain on Thursday, where he joined with Mayor Eric Adams, insisting that New York is facing an existential leadership crisis.

"Our city cannot go backwards, folks. That's what this is about," Adams said. "And for me to step aside or my desire to continue the work that I wanted to do in this city is because I want to hand the baton off to someone that could run the race and has the experience to run the race."

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"Yeah, it sounds good. Flying buses, free food, freezing rents. It's all untrue. It is all untrue. There is no Santa Claus," Cuomo said. "He has no plan, and he has no ability or experience to accomplish anything in this city."

Cuomo was also joined by a number of Muslim community leaders defending Cuomo from being called Islamophobic.

"When it comes to the Muslim community in New York City and New York State, no two people have stood up and fought for our Muslim community more than Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams," said Mona Davids, publisher of Little Africa News. "We want to be clear that there is no Islamophobia in New York City."

In the final days of the campaign, Cuomo is pushing his experience, but it's a pitch that may be missing the mark.

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A Marist Poll released overnight gives Democratic nominee Mamdani with 48% of likely voters followed by Cuomo with 32%, Republican Curtis Sliwa with 16% and 3% undecided.

It's not much different from Thursday's Quinnipiac Poll, and an Emerson Poll released Thursday morning gives Mamdani an even bigger lead of 25 points.

Mamdani toured a senior center on Thursday, pitching his signature issue to the city's elderly residents.

"Sometimes I've been frustrated by the way in which people think cost of living is a young person's issue," Mamdani said. "Because what I've actually found, time and again, is that cost of living is affecting every single New Yorker, no matter their age."

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In the evening, Mamdani appeared at LaGuardia Airport courting support from New Yorkers who work the overnight shift.

CeFaan Kim reports from Queens, where Mamdani appeared at LaGuardia Airport on Thursday night.

"We often think about the work day as if it's 9-5 but there are so many New Yorkers who as we are heading home, they are heading to work," Mamdani said. "These are the very New Yorkers who are overlooked by those who are serving in positions of power."

Despite his poll numbers, Curtis Sliwa continues to campaign hard, with a series of appearances and interviews that began in a Midtown subway station.

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"Trust me, I'm the most visible person out there. You can spot me a mile away with that red beret," Sliwa said. "If there was this tsunami of people yelling at me, 'Drop out, drop out, just ain't happening.'"

Meanwhile, former Mayor Mike Bloomberg pledged $1.5 million to the Fix the City Super PAC supporting Cuomo. That's in addition to the $8 million he gave in June. It's substantial money, the likes of which Sliwa has not seen during his campaign.

"Another poll, another day, another billionaire throws millions into the race," Sliwa said. "I would suggest Michael Bloomberg who wasted $8 million in the primary on Andrew Cuomo's disastrous primary campaign, that he could have spent it to help the homeless and emotionally disturbed in the subway."

Mamdani didn't seem phased by any of it.

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"We faced around $25 million in opposition spending in the primary," he said. "We saw a deluge of mailers, advertisements, radio show hits. We overcame that with 52,000 volunteers knocking on 1.6 million doors, 2.1 million phones, and winning a Democratic primary with the most votes in city history. As Taylor Swift says, I've seen this film before. But unlike she says, we actually like the ending."

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Nair claimed in a 2013 interview with Indian outlet Hindustan Times that Mamdani is completely culturally Indian, and that they are not Western at all.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani was described as "not American at all" by his mother, Mira Nair, in a resurfaced interview from 2013.

Nair, an internationally acclaimed filmmaker, spoke with the Hindustan Times about raising her son, then 21-year-old Mamdani.

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In the interview, Nair discussed how she kept her son connected to his roots.

Despite Mamdani studying politics and Arabic at Bowdoin College in Maine at the time, Nair claimed he was completely culturally Indian and that they are not Western at all.

"He is very much us. He is not an American at all," said Nair. "He was born in Uganda, raised between India and America. He is at home in many places. He thinks of himself as a Ugandan and as an Indian."

A supporter of Democratic candidate for New York City Mayor, Zohran Mamdani, carries a tote bag while Mamdani campaigns in Manhattan's Upper East Side neighborhood during early voting, in New York City, U.S., October 27, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/MIKE SEGAR)

Mamdani in the NYC mayoral race

Zohran Mamdani is now running as the Democratic nominee in the mayoral race, facing independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa.

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While Mamdani's campaign has energized progressive voters with its focus on affordability, transit, and housing, concerns from New York Jews have arisen over his commitment to anti-Israel movements.

New York City's early voting period began on October 25 and will continue until November 4, according to the citys Board of Elections, with Election Day on Tuesday, November 4.
If you want to understand where American politics is headed next, look to New York. The citys mayoral race  between progressive State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo  isnt just a local story. Its a referendum on how Democrats confront Trumpism, rising inequality, and fear-based politics in a post-pandemic America.

Mamdani is positioning himself as a candidate whos not afraid to confront both state and federal power head-on  and to defend the citys most vulnerable in the process. During an interview with our own Katie Couric, he didnt mince words when asked how hed respond if he wins the election and President Donald Trump made good on threats to deploy the National Guard, as he has in Washington, D.C., and Memphis, among other cities.

If Donald Trump were to look to make good on his threats, what I would do is follow the example weve seen elsewhere in the country where you utilize every single tool in front of you  as we saw in California, where the mayor, the attorney general, and the governor come together and file a lawsuit  and actually make clear to New Yorkers what was going on, he said.

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That defiance carried throughout their wide-ranging conversation  and reached a peak when Mamdani addressed the former president directly: If you want to pursue your promise to create the single largest deportation force in American history, or your promise to persecute and punish your political enemies, then you will have to get through me to do that here in New York City.

Its the kind of line that distills his message: that City Hall should be a shining light for those the federal government targets, not an embassy for Washington, D.C.

When the topic turned to immigration, Mamdanis tone sharpened. Coordination with ICE is akin to capitulating to Donald Trumps agenda, he said. This is a reckless entity that cares little for the rule of law and even less for the people that its supposed to serve.

He also took direct aim at his opponent, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. (An Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill survey released Thursday shows Mamdani well ahead of the independent candidate and former governor, 50% to 25%. Other polls, though, paint a tighter race  a Quinnipiac University poll, for instance, has Mamdani leading 43% to 33%.)

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For Andrew Cuomo to say that my election would mean the entrance of Donald Trump into the city  it obscures the fact that electing Andrew Cuomo would mean that wed have Donald Trumps puppet right here in City Hall, because thats who he has been. And thats whats on the ballot.

After drawing that political line in the sand, Mamdani pivoted to the issue thats become the centerpiece of his campaign: making New York affordable again amid soaring rents and widening inequality.

For every single dollar that we spend, it has to be a dollar New Yorkers look at as a dollar well invested, he said. Its my job to show that every single one of these dollars will transform quality of life for every New Yorker.

That vision extends to housing policy, where he argues the mayor has more power than voters may realize. No matter how many times Governor Cuomo speaks about the things that he would not or could not do, it is quite clear from the mayors office itself that we have the power to appoint the nine members of the Rent Guidelines Board Speaker. And its that board that determines the rent increase for more than 2 million rent-stabilized tenants. Thats why Ive said Im gonna freeze the rent for New Yorkers for four years.

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While much of his campaign has focused on policy, its also forced Mamdani (who would be New Yorks first Muslim mayor if elected) to confront something far more personal: a wave of Islamophobic attacks, which he says have only strengthened his resolve to lead with hope and inclusion.

The kind of fear-mongering that has become endemic in our politics was what pushed me to actually name what it is that so many of us have come to expect. And also make clear that no matter how unsurprising this is, it should still shock our conscience, and it should still be something that we say goodbye to as we say goodbye to Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams on November 4.

For all his fiery rhetoric, Mamdanis campaign is ultimately rooted in something quieter  a deep sense of belonging.

My belief about who gets to call themselves a New Yorker is anyone that wants to  anyone that lives in this city, anyone that is looking to actually find a home in these five boroughs. And my job is to represent them all  not just the ones who vote for me, not just the ones who agree with me, but every single person who calls the city home.

The post Zohran Mamdani on Trumps National Guard Threats: Youll Have to Get Through Me appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
Gov. Janet Mills, flanked by developers, local and state officials cuts the ribbon on a new 21-unit housing development in Brunswick, Maine on October. 28, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Maine Governor's Office)

Celebrating the launch of a new affordable housing development in Brunswick earlier this week, Gov. Janet Mills, Maine House of Representatives Speaker Ryan Fecteau and other leaders said the project exemplifies Maines efforts to combat the states affordable housing shortage.

Developed by sustainable development company GreenMars and Acadia Realty Partners, Wilburs Woods includes 21 single-family homes priced at $325,000  nearly half the median home price in Cumberland County.

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Most units are already sold, with several going to first-time homeowners, Fecteau and Mills said. The homes are part of Maines broader strategy to create 84,000 new housing units by 2030.

More affordable housing is being built across the state due to legislation passed in recent years. This includes bills passed in 2022 and this most recent legislative session that eased zoning restrictions that previously made it difficult to meet the demand for affordable housing in densely populated areas.

For almost two decades, Maine developers were building an average of 250 affordable units per year, Mills said. In part because of the news laws, she said, weve now finally eclipsed 1000 units per year.

While the need for housing is still significant, Im proud of the number of homes weve built so far for Maine families, Mills added.

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In 2022, the state passed a law removing certain land use and zoning barriers to housing production while preserving environmental protections. It also required municipalities to allow two to four housing units on lots where housing is permitted, permit accessory dwelling units on lots with singlefamily homes, and establish exceptions for affordable housing developers to allow them to bypass certain municipal zoning limits related to parking and the number of units per lot.

The more recent law, sponsored by Fecteau, also made comprehensive zoning changes to make it easier to build more units on the same lot, and removed some restrictions on height, density and where housing can be built.

Fecteaus goal was to increase the construction of smaller developments. He also wants to increase housing production closer to existing infrastructure, such as sewer and water systems, so that developers and municipalities dont have to spend millions of dollars to extend those lines out to more rural areas.

Another factor that has led to the rise in housing prices is minimum requirements for lot sizes. Experts previously told Maine Morning Star that these rules forced new homes to be built on one or two-acre lots, driving up the cost of each unit. Reducing that requirement under Fecteaus recently passed law will pave the way for increased housing density.

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The two laws are already making a difference, said Nate Green, a partner and cofounder of GreenMars, which built the Brunswick project. The developer is in the pre-construction phase for two lots in Portland, he said, which prior to the new law would have only allowed 16 units but now, with changes to rules about vertical construction, those lots can house 286 units with a mix of rental and home ownership options.

Were at a turning point, said Green. He said the news laws have laid a strong foundation by promoting density and affordability in the right places.

But he said developers need to keep pushing for policies like administrative permitting to streamline housing development approvals, which he said would close the gap between the haves and the have nots and sustains economic growth.

Under that process, projects that already meet pre-approved zoning ordinances would receive automatic approval, without additional scrutiny and delays from planning boards.

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He said such reviews are often triggered by a vocal minority of home owners opposed to construction in their neighborhoods.

For example, he said construction on Wilburs Woods wouldve been complete six months earlier were it not for pushback throughout the planning and development process.

The Brunswick Planning Board after months of debate struck down all opposition to the construction project last June.

Most projects do eventually prevail, but these delays cost uncertainty and time  the end result is more expensive housing, Green said.

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Two new animals are now part of Zoo Atlantas African Savanna mixed species exhibit.

Neighomi, a 2-year-old female plains zebra, arrived from Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon, following a recommendation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan. She will be a social partner for the existing zebras, Wembe and Imara.

Olive, an 11-month-old female ostrich, comes from the Georgia Ostrich Farm and will be a companion for Purple, the female ostrich already residing at the zoo.

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The African Savanna is a destination where visitors can experience the interconnectedness of the wildlife of one of the most legendary landscapes on Earth. We are excited to welcome Neighomi and Olive to our savanna animal population, said Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation at Zoo Atlanta.

Neighomi and Olive are not yet visible to the public, as animal introductions are gradual processes that depend on the comfort levels of the animals involved. The mixed-species habitat they will be a part of also includes giraffes.

The African Savanna also includes the recently renovated African lions complex and the Delta Air Lines Rhino Habitat for southern white rhinos. The complex also features habitats for African elephants, warthogs, meerkats, kori bustards, and blue cranes.

More information is available on zooatlanta.org.

RELATED:

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Magic Johnson throws out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 5 of the 2025 World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and te Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 29, 2025.

(Ronald Martinez, Getty Images)
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

In the scrub-brush foothills between the long flat fields of California's San Joaquin Valley and the mighty peaks and Sequoia forests of the Sierra Nevada, state leaders and elders from the Tule River Indian Tribe gathered Wednesday to mark the return of 17,000 acres of ancestral land to the Tule River Indian tribe.

Gov. Gavin Newsom's office called it "the largest ancestral land return in the history of the region and a major step in addressing historical wrongs against California Native American tribes."

The former cattle ranches, one known as the "Hershey Ranch" and the other as the "Carothers Ranch," include grasslands, oak woodlands and dark evergreen forests. They sit just south of the 55,000-acre Tule River reservation and abut the Giant Sequoia National Monument.

They were purchased in 2024 and 2025 with support of private funders, the Conservation Fund, and the California Natural Resources Agency's Tribal Nature-Based Solutions program, which uses state bond funds to return ancestral lands to tribes.

The initiative is part of a state plan to conserve 30% of lands and coastal waters by 2030 and is also part of what the governor's office calls a "first-in-the-nation effort to address historical wrongs committed against California Native American tribes."

The Tule River acquisition restores some of the tribe's sacred homeland, and will enable a host of conservation projects, including protecting the Deer Creek watershed, protecting habitat for California condors and reintroducing tule elk. The tribe last year worked with state officials to reintroduce beavers to the south fork of the Tule River.

"This land return demonstrates the very essence of tribal land restoration, which expands access to essential food and medicinal resources," said Lester R. Nieto Jr. "Shine," Chairman, Tule River Tribal Council in a statement. Nieto added that the tribe "envisions this land located in the Yowlumne Hills as a place to gather, heal, and simply be" and that it is part of the tribe's "long history of asserting and affirming its sovereignty."

In his own statement, Newsom said that "the historical wrongs committed by the state against the Native people of this land echo through the natural worlds of California ecosystems that lost their first and best stewards." He added that the land return celebrated Wednesday "marks a critical step in deepening the relationship between the state and the Tule River Indian Tribe."

2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
After making landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday and a second landfall in Cuba early Wednesday, Hurricane Melissa is now moving north through the Bahamas.

As of 5 p.m. ET, Melissa had been downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph. It was located around 80 miles southeast of the central Bahamas, moving northeast at 16 mph.

As the storm moves north, the National Hurricane Center continues to warn of dangerous winds and extreme rainfall for the Bahamas.

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"On the forecast track, the core of Melissa is expected to move across the southeastern or central Bahamas this evening, and is forecast to pass near or to the west of Bermuda late Thursday and Thursday night," the NHC said in its latest advisory.

In eastern Cuba, heavy rainfall brought "life-threatening and potentially catastrophic flash flooding with numerous landslides," according to meteorologists.

The NHC is warning that storm surge of 4 to 7 feet "above normally dry ground is possible in the southeastern Bahamas today, and minor coastal flooding is possible in the Turks and Caicos Islands today."

Melissa has been blamed for dozens of deaths across Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In Jamaica, at least eight people have been reported dead, including an infant, according to the Associated Press. The Jamaican government said it could not yet confirm a death toll. At least one person has been reported dead in the Dominican Republic.

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In Haiti, the mayor of Petit-Goave said at least 20 people died after the banks of the La Digue river burst and flooded nearby homes. The total number of confirmed dead in Haiti was 25 as of Wednesday evening, according to the Associated Press.

The storm is forecast to maintain its strength as it heads northeast into the Atlantic overnight. It is expected to still be a hurricane when it passes Bermuda late on Thursday.

Our live coverage has ended for the day.
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:

Russias earlier tests of the Burevestnik missile include this 2018 launch. Credit: Screencapture of Russian Defense Ministry video, CC BY

Russian President Vladimir Putin, dressed in a military uniform, announced on Oct. 26, 2025, that Russia had successfully tested a nuclear-powered missile. If true, such a weapon could provide Russia with a unique military capability that also has broader political implications.

The missile, called Burevestnik, was reportedly successfully tested over the Arctic Ocean after years of development and several earlier initial test flights, one of which resulted in the deaths of five nuclear scientists.

I am an engineer who studies defense systems. Here is how these weapons function, the advantages they present over conventional missile systems, and their potential to disrupt global strategic stability.

Conventionally powered missiles

Missiles have been used by militaries around the world for centuries and come in a broad array of designs that are characterized by their mission, range and velocity. They are used to damage and destroy a wide variety of targets, including ground installations such as bases, command centers and deeply buried infrastructure; ships; aircraft; and potentially spacecraft. These weapons are operated from the ground by the army, from the sea by navy ships, and from the air by fighters and bombers.

Missiles can be tactical, with relatively short ranges of less than 500 miles, or strategic, with long ranges of thousands of miles. Missiles fall into three general categories: ballistic, cruise and hypersonic.

Ballistic missiles are launched on rockets. After the rocket burns out, the missile flies along a predictable arc that takes it out of the atmosphere into space and then back into the atmosphere toward its target.

Cruise missiles have an additional engine that is ignited after the rocket burns out, allowing the missile to fly programmed routes, typically at low altitudes. These engines are powered by a mixture of chemicals or a solid fuel.

Hypersonic missiles fly faster than the speed of sound, but not as fast as intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs. They are launched on smaller rockets that keep them within the upper reaches of the atmosphere. A hypersonic glide vehicle is boosted to high altitude and then glides to its target, maneuvering along the way. A hypersonic cruise missile is boosted to hypersonic speed and then uses an air-breathing engine called a scramjet to sustain that speed.

The concept for a nuclear-powered scramjet is simple, even if building one is extremely challenging. Credit: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

How nuclear-powered missiles work

Nuclear-powered missiles are a type of cruise missile. The designs are typically a form of scramjet. A thermal nuclear system uses fission of nuclear fuel to add energy to an airstream that is then accelerated through a nozzle to generate thrust. In this way, fission of nuclear material replaces chemical combustion of traditional cruise missile engines.

The energy densitythe amount of energy released per unit mass of fuelavailable from nuclear fission is millions of times larger than that released by chemical propellants. This feature means that a relatively small amount of fissionable propellant can be used to power a missile for much longer periods of time than chemical propellants can.

The United States explored developing a nuclear-powered missile in the 1960s. The effort, Project Pluto, was abandoned due to the rapid progress made at the same time on ICBMs, as well as concerns over environmental contamination associated with nuclear systems.

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Advantages of nuclear-powered flight

The key advantage of nuclear-powered missiles is the extra energy, which allows them to fly farther, longer, faster and lower in the atmosphere, while executing a wide array of maneuvers. For these reasons, they pose a significant challenge to the best missile defense systems.

The Russian military claims that the Burevestnik missile flew 8,700 miles at low altitude over a 15-hour period. For comparison, an airline flight from San Francisco to Boston covers 2,700 miles in six hours. While the Burevestnik vehicle is not flying particularly fast for a missile, it is likely maneuverable, which makes it difficult to defend against.

Early development of a nuclear-powered missile by the United States in the 1950s and 60s ended after it became clear the idea was strategically and environmentally challenging.

Challenges to using nuclear power

The huge amount of energy released by fission has been the key technical challenge for developing these missiles. The high levels of energy require materials that can withstand temperatures up to several thousand degrees Fahrenheit to prevent the missile from destroying itself.

In terms of safety, nuclear technology has found very limited application in space due to concerns over radiation contamination if something goes wrong, such as a failed launch. The same concerns apply to a nuclear-powered munition.

In addition, such systems may need to remain safe in storage for many years prior to use. An attack by an enemy on a weapons storage facility that contains nuclear-powered weapons could lead to a massive radiation leak.

Russia's Burevestnik and global stability

The new Russian Burevestnik missile has been under development for over 20 years. While few technical details are known, Russian officials claim that it can maneuver to bypass antimissile and air defense systems.

Nuclear weapons were the basis for mutual deterrence between the Soviet Union and the United States during the Cold War. Both parties understood that a first strike by one side would be matched by an equally destructive counterstrike by the other. The fear of total annihilation maintained a peaceful balance.

Several developments threaten the current balance of power: better missile defense systems such as the U.S.'s planned Golden Dome and advances in highly maneuverable missiles. Missile defense systems have the potential to block a nuclear strike, and low-altitude maneuverable missiles have the potential to arrive without warning.

So, while much of the reaction to Russia's announcement of its new nuclear-powered missile has focused on the challenges of defending against it, the more important concern may be its potential to completely disrupt global strategic stability.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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The synthetic deoxymugineic acid proline-2-deoxymugineic acid enhances plant resilience to high-temperature stress. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63005-0

Researchers led by Keiichi Mochida at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) in Japan have discovered that extended periods of high stress lead to iron deficiency and stunted growth in wheat crops. Experiments show reducing iron deficiency with a synthetic organic molecule called PDMA results in better growth and healthier plants.

These findings are good news for farmers and consumers alike and could lead to treatments in the field that improve wheat production during prolonged periods of heat. The study is published in the journal Nature Communications.

One of the biggest fears of ongoing climate change is that extended periods of heat will disrupt food production. Even moderate warming can reduce the yield of cool-season cereal crops such as wheat, with one global study estimating that wheat production declines by 6% for every increase of 1C.

Not only do these crops do less photosynthesis and produce smaller kernels of grain, but the grain is also less nutritious. While most research into how plants adapt to heat stress has focused on acute stressvery high temperatures over a few daysMochida and his team reasoned that the bigger threat posed by climate change is extended periods of moderately high temperatures.

The researchers characterized what happens to bread wheat after two weeks of moderate heat stress. Compared to wheat grown at normal temperatures, the stressed out wheat plants weighed less and analysis indicated they were doing less photosynthesis. When checking for nutrient deficiencies, the researchers discovered that the leaves from the heat-stressed plants contained less than half the normal amount of iron. Could their stunted growth be the result of iron deficiency?

Genetically, wheat is complex. To get down to the biological details, the researchers turned to a genetically simpler grass called purple false brome (Brachypodium distachyon), which is often used as a model plant for studies of cereal crops.

Typically, model plants for experiments come from biobanks that store specific specimens that can then be used by researchers around the world, ensuring consistent genetics every time. For a widely used model like B. distachyon, biobanks contain numerous individual samples, each with a code name and its own slightly different genetics, just like people.

In experiments, the model grass responded to heat stress in almost the same way as wheat had. But the degree to which the grass was affected varied sample by sample, as did the iron deficiency. For example, grass sample Bd21 had extremely low biomass, very yellow leaves, and 91% less iron than plants grown in normal temperatures. On the other hand, sample Bd21-3 had somewhat milder symptoms and only 61% iron deficiency.

With the simpler genome, the researchers were able to compare these two model grass samples and pinpoint BdTOM1, the gene responsible for the difference.

Plants cannot extract iron from the soil as is. Instead, they make organic compounds called mugineic acids and dump them in the soil. Once these compounds bind to iron in the soil, the plants can then take it up through their roots. The gene BdTOM1 is responsible for making the mugineic acids.

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Analysis showed that after two weeks of heat stress, grass sample Bd21-3 had a lot more deoxymugineic acid in its roots than did Bd21, explaining why Bd21 had greater iron deficiency and indicating that variations in BdTOM1 likely lead to variations in heat-stress susceptibility.

The researchers then reasoned that they could alleviate iron deficiency and improve growth by giving heat-sensitive plants more deoxymugineic acid. They tested this hypothesis in the model grass and in wheat using a synthetic deoxymugineic acid called PDMA. Their hypothesis was correct; under heat stress, PDMA treatment led to improved photosynthesis and biomass, provided the PDMA concentration wasn't too high.

Mochida is optimistic about seeing these findings tested in the field. "In the short term," he says, "this research proposes a new approach to enhancing crop heat stress tolerance, demonstrating the potential to optimize iron uptake and improve agricultural productivity."

"In the long term, breeding efforts targeting genes involved in nutrient homeostasis could contribute to food security and sustainable agriculture, considering climate scenarios, societal needs, and resource competition across sectors such as agriculture and energy."

More information: Anzu Minami et al, Chelation-based iron uptake mitigates the effects of prolonged high-temperature stress in cool-season grasses, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63005-0 Journal information: Nature Communications

Provided by RIKEN
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Western Long-tailed Hornbill (Horizocerus albocristatus) in a rainforest in Ghana. Credit: Nico Arcilla

Massive birds whose loud wingbeats and rollicking cries resound through tropical rainforests, African hornbills were a common sight in my experience working in Gabon, Central Africa, 30 years ago. Highly gregarious, African hornbills are impossible to miss as they fly around in large, boisterous flocks in search of fruiting trees, and I had the pleasure of seeing them often during that time. Ten years later, I returned to the African rainforests, this time in Ghana. But something was missing, I soon realized the hornbills I had consistently encountered previously were nowhere to be seen.

Where had all the hornbills gone? Colleagues at the University of Ghana and I decided to investigate. Our research revealed that most hornbill species in Ghana had declined and disappeared in most of their former ranges due to persecution and habitat destruction. As the wild mammals favored by hunters dwindled, hornbills were increasingly targeted as an alternative source of meat and income. What we didn't fully appreciate then is how the dire situation of forest hornbills we found in Ghana reflects a wider pattern across the continent, which has continued to worsen with rapidly expanding human activities, shrinking habitat, and climate change.

Since then, threats to African hornbills have grown even more serious, as subsequent research has demonstrated that demand for African hornbills has been increasing in international trade. In Cameroon, for example, reports of foreign buyers looking to purchase large numbers of hornbill heads have meant that local hunters who had otherwise left hornbills alone could make easy money targeting hornbills, resulting in declines and extirpations. Recently, I joined colleagues from across Africa, Eurasia, and the U.S. to investigate the hornbill trade in an effort spearheaded by scientists at the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Globally, hornbill taxa are nearly equally divided between Africa and Asia. Asian hornbills have been traded for centuries, with accelerating trade driving some species to near extinction, notably the critically endangered Helmeted Hornbill. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) offers protection through regulating wildlife imports and exports. Awareness of the perils posed by wildlife trade led most Asian hornbills to receive CITES protection in 1992, but international trade in African hornbills has remained largely unregulated and poorly documented.

Northern Red-billed Hornbill (Tockus erythrorhynchus) in a woodland in Kenya. Credit: Nico Arcilla

Might CITES protection of some species in decline displace demand onto similar, unprotected species? Here, we asked whether protecting Asian but not African hornbills under CITES has enabled the accelerated trade in African hornbills to threaten their continued survival. To explore this question, we analyzed USFWS data on all hornbill trade from 1999 to 2024 through their Law Enforcement Management Information System (LEMIS) database. We also analyzed hornbill trade data from sources including online platforms and databases such as from Trade in Wild Species (TRAFFIC). Our study, published in the journal Biological Conservation, investigates how increasing international wildlife trade threatens biodiversity globally, and African hornbills specifically.

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Our findings show that African species account for nearly 95% of traded hornbills and that trade in African hornbills has increased significantly over time, while trade in Asian hornbills has remained constant under CITES management. Over our 25-year study period, Cameroon has been the biggest supplier of African hornbills to the US, accounting for ~25% of traded hornbills overall, followed by Tanzania (~17%), Senegal (~10%), and Guinea (~9%).

Until 2004, hornbills from East Africa dominated the US trade; subsequently, until 2020, West Africa was the most common source of African hornbills to the US. But since 2021, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa have shipped more than two-thirds (~67%) of all African hornbills to the US.

Yellow-casqued Hornbill (Ceratogymna elata), a bird last documented alive in the wild in Togo 37 years ago, offered for sale in Lome, Togo. Credit: Lin-Ernni M. Kaboumba

Almost half (~45%) of all hornbills shipped to the US were live birds, almost certainly captured from the wild, as hornbills are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity. By contrast, most trade in Africa involves killing birds, often to decapitate them and sell their heads. A recent seizure in Nigeria of 128 hornbill heads being shipped for trade, including Black-casqued Hornbills (Ceratogymna atrata) and White-thighed Hornbills (Bycanistes albotibialis), highlights the dangers posed to these species' survival by escalating market demand.

Demand for African hornbills in trade has caused population declines throughout their ranges. Every genus of African hornbill is traded internationally, but ~86% of trade comprises four genera: Ceratogymna, Bycanistes, Tockus, and Lophoceros. Levels of US trade in the African hornbill genera Ceratogymna and Bycanistes alone likely exceed global trade in all Asian hornbills prior to their CITES protection.

African hornbill skulls displayed with other skulls for sale in what is often called the world's largest voodoo market in Lome, Togo. Credit: Nico Arcilla

For the two African hornbill species designated as vulnerable to global extinction on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Yellow-casqued Hornbill (Ceratogymna elata) and Brown-cheeked Hornbill (Bycanistes cylindricus), ongoing trade poses an existential threat. The Yellow-casqued Hornbill provides a salient case in point. This species survives in Ghana in a single protected area and has not been seen alive in Togo for 37 years; yet this year, a freshly killed individual of this species was offered for sale in Togo in what is often called the world's largest voodoo market.

Hornbills are amazing birds and important seed dispersers, playing key roles in shaping forests and woodlands, and are naturally long-lived, with slow reproductive rates. During the breeding season, female hornbills seal themselves into nest cavities for up to 160 days to protect their eggs, chicks, and themselves from predators. Because of this unique nesting strategy, females rely on males more than in any other bird species. However, almost three-quarters (~73%) of African hornbills identified in online trade in our study were males, underlining the cascading effects of their vulnerability to the ultimate predatorspeople.

Trumpeter Hornbill (Bycanistes buccinator) feeding his mate and chicks in their nest sealed in a tree hole to protect them from predators. Credit: Nico Arcilla

As people are driving this problem, people also have the capacity to solve it. We therefore urgently recommend that African hornbills receive protection from uncontrolled international trade through listing them on CITES Appendix II at the next Conference of the Parties. Thus, protecting African hornbills would provide a lifeline to the wild forests and nature on which so many Africans depend, and the unique, magnificent beauty that draws people to Africa from around the world.

This story is part of Science X Dialog, where researchers can report findings from their published research articles. Visit this page for information about Science X Dialog and how to participate.

More information: Jen Tinsman et al, Intense international exploitation of African hornbills necessitates urgent conservation measures, including CITES listing, Biological Conservation (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111105. Journal information: Biological Conservation

Nico Arcilla is a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Hornbill Specialist Group and director of the International Bird Conservation Partnership, whose mission is to foster and support research, outreach, and partnerships to advance the conservation of birds worldwide. An affiliate fellow at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she earned her PhD in wildlife biology from the University of Georgia, USA.
The new agreement between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on trade matters is "fantastic news for the Hungarian economy", Peter Szijjarto, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said on Facebook on Thursday.

Hungarys interests lie in the global economy operating on the basis of rules, common sense and mutual respect, Szijjarto said, arguing that the country would be worse off in a global economy that was divided into blocs.



"The United States and China are Hungarys two most important investors and trading partners outside the European Union, so if those countries reach an agreement on economic and trade cooperation, that is good news for us," the minister said.



"Investments from and trade with the two countries are an important source for the development of the Hungarian economy," Szijjarto added.



Source: MTI  Hungarys national news agency since 1881. While MTI articles are usually factual, some may contain political bias, and readers should be aware that such content does not reflect the position of XpatLoop, which is neutral and independent.



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The government has withdrawn another 6.2 billion forints from the metropolitan accounts, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony said on Wednesday, adding that the move was a "fatal stab" to the city's finances.

Karacsony said on Facebook that the government had so far withdrawn 46 billion forints from the city's accounts, while the central budget only contributed 22 billion to finance municipal services.



"The city's safe operations can no longer be maintained," the mayor said, adding that public services such as transport could no longer be provided "at the usual and arguably expected level".



He also added, however, that Budapest's going bankrupt would "undermine those that caused it."



Marton Nagy, the economy minister, said in response that "the government does not plunder Budapest, but contributes to its development."



The government has just recently announced a development package worth 1,000 billion forints concerning Liszt Ferenc International Airport, he said.



"The rules continue to apply to everybody ... just like small companies or employees, the capital must also pay its taxes," the minister said, referring to Budapest's obligation to pay a solidarity tax.





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Taxi drivers held another demonstration in Budapest with dozens of cars near City Hall on Wednesday.

Several of the protesters entered the Budapest General Assembly, but the mayor did not allow them to read out their demands at the meeting. Meanwhile, taxi drivers gathered in other parts of the city centre to slow down traffic.



Norbert Vaczi of the Budapest Taxi Drivers Association said their demands were the same as a month ago, including a fare increase, a freeze of the number of taxi drivers and the elimination of illegal passenger transport.



Negotiations have made no progress, so the protesters want to keep up the pressure until they see results, he said.



The protest will continue for three days slowing down traffic in several parts of Budapest.





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Credit: University of Eastern Finland

Finnish undergraduate students enter education with stronger critical thinking and argumentation skills than their U.S. counterparts. In both countries, students finishing undergraduate education demonstrate significantly better critical thinking skills than students entering education, and by the time students finish undergraduate education, no statistically significant difference between the countries was found.

In other words, the average learning gains in critical thinking skills were greater among U.S. students than Finnish students. The observed differences between the countries cannot be explained by background factors, such as students' socioeconomic status.

Conducted in collaboration with the University of Eastern Finland, the University of Jyvaskyla and the U.S.-based Council for Aid to Education, the study compared undergraduate students' critical thinking and argumentation skills in Finland and the United States.

In Finland, the study involved approximately 2,500 students, and around 50,000 in the United States. The U.S. institutions selected for the study were comparable to Finnish higher education institutions. The paper is published in the Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education.

Critical thinking skills should be addressed already at earlier stages of education

The study offers a valuable perspective on the societal debate concerning the role and impact of universities. The results suggest that higher education fosters critical thinking and that learning gains vary between the two countries. This raises questions about the pedagogical approaches and learning environments used in the two countries, and how these support the development of students' thinking.

One possible explanation for the skill gap identified between Finnish and U.S. students is that students finishing undergraduate education in the U.S. were mostly in their fourth year of study, whereas Finnish students were largely in their third year.

"In any case, the data show that nearly 60% of Finnish undergraduate students have critical thinking skills that can be described as satisfactory at best, while around 40% have good skills in critical thinking. The key factors explaining differences in Finnish students' skill levels are related to educational and socioeconomic background," says Professor Heidi Hyytinen.

According to her, critical thinking skills should be addressed already at earlier stages of education, and the development of these skills should be systematically supported throughout higher education.

More information: Doris Zahner et al, Investigating learning gains of critical thinking and communication skills among Finnish and American higher education students, Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education (2025). DOI: 10.1108/jarhe-05-2025-0420
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony wrote in a Facebook post this week that Sziget Festival will not take place next year.

He wrote it won't happen because the two largest factions in the city council, Tisza and Fidesz, have made that decision.



"Todays Budapest City Assembly session is different from all the previous ones in at least one clear way: it is now causing tangible harm to the city.



Its important that we learn from this (non) decision, to confront and acknowledge what it reveals about responsibility, governance, humility, expertise, trust, and, more broadly, the future of this city and country.



For now, all I can say is this: I tried, we did everything we could, and I am sorry."



His post in Hungarian is available here.



MTI reports:

Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony had submitted a proposal which the council voted down, with 13 votes in favour and 19 abstentions. Representatives of the ruling Fidesz-Christian Democrats and the opposition Tisza Party abstained from voting, while Tisza councillor Judit Barna did not vote.



The future of the Sziget festival became uncertain after the CEO of Sziget Zrt sent a letter initiating the termination of the agreement between the capital and Sziget, as reported by Karacsony on Oct 13.



On the same day, it was also revealed that the owners of Sziget Zrt had contacted the festival's founder, Karoly Gerendai, offering him the opportunity to continue running the event.



At this Wednesday's meeting of the Budapest general assembly, Karacsony said that Sziget was an important cultural asset and tourist attraction that also has an impact on the capital's economy.



Ambrus Kiss, director general of the Mayor's Office, said the event generates 31 billion forints (EUR 80m) in direct revenue for the national economy, and the organiser pays 200 million forints in business tax



- 54 percent of which remains with the capital and 46 percent with the districts, while the spas and the Budapest Transport Centre also generate significant additional revenue during this period.



David Vitezy of the Podmaniczky Movement said Sziget is one of Budapest's cultural and export products and also serves local young people.



Kata Tutto of the Socialists party said that saving the Sziget festival was in Budapest's interest, and Gerendai was "taking a huge personal risk", and the general assembly must also take a risk because "there is no super-safe path."



Andrea Bujdoso, leader of the Tisza Party group, said that everyone wanted Sziget to continue, but there were differences of opinion on how this should happen.



She said there was no obstacle to Gerendai buying the company that holds the public space use permit for 2026, in which case nothing would prevent the festival from being held.



She added that if the general assembly agreed to terminate the current contract, the capital would lose the revenue specified in it and could be accused of negligence, as it would be giving up legitimate revenue in favor of a private investor.



She said Tisza's amendment proposal was that the state should be asked to reimburse the capital for its lost revenue.

Tibor Deri of the Democratic Coalition called it an "absolutely brilliant idea" to expect help from "a government that is taking away from the capital and not even fulfilling signed contracts".



He added that an honest, transparent, and responsible decision would be needed "relatively quickly" if they wanted to save Sziget.



Fidesz councillor Bela Radics said they could not risk the money of Budapest residents and give it to an American company with no guarantees, especially one that had revenues of 7,300 billion forints last year.



As soon as there were guarantees and assurances that the people of Budapest would get what they were entitled to, "we will gladly agree to continue", he said.



Gerendai said the organiser had announced that there would be no Sziget next year, "so there is no need to vote on it."



He added that it was worth considering whether the capital would be able to successfully sue for the 220 million forints in public space usage fees, and that if there was no Sziget, there would be no other income for either the capital or the state.



Terminating the current land use agreement would give Sziget a chance to happen and generate revenue, Gerendai said.



After the session, Gerendai told reporters that he did not see any solution, and "it seems that a door has closed."



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AISSEE Admission 2026: The entrance exam will be conducted in January 2026, in English for Class 9 and in 13 different languages for Class 6, details below.
Delhi Riots: Tahir Hussain has been charged with the offence of funding the riots using money laundered through illegal means. The former MCD councillor has not pleaded guilty, according to ANI. Hussain allegedly conspired to engage in money laundering and the proceeds generated from the crime were used in the riots in northeast Delhi, according to the investigators.
Akbar Novruz



US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping concluded a high-profile meeting in Busan, South Korea, aimed at resolving key disputes in the ongoing trade war and setting the stage for a broader dialogue between the worlds two largest economies, Azernews reports.

According to reports, the talks covered a wide range of issues, including tariff reductions, soybean purchases, rare earth exports, and fentanyl production. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, President Trump described the meeting as great, emphasizing that many important issues had been agreed upon.

As part of the preliminary understanding, Trump announced that the United States would reduce tariffs on Chinese imports by 10 percent, while China would resume large-scale purchases of American soybeans  a move Beijing had halted in May in response to US tariffs. He also revealed that China agreed to lift restrictions on the flow of rare earth elements, a critical component in global manufacturing and technology supply chains.

The rare earth issue is completely resolved and it applies to the whole world  There is no more obstruction from China, Trump said, calling the outcome a major breakthrough.

The two leaders also discussed Russias ongoing war against Ukraine, with Trump noting that both sides agreed to work together on the issue, though he added that sometimes you have to let them fight.

Before the meeting, Trump had announced that he instructed the Pentagon to lift the moratorium on US nuclear weapons testing, stating that Washington needed to keep up with other nuclear powers. He said the United States had more nuclear weapons than any other country, ranking Russia second and China a distant third, but predicted that the gap would narrow within five years.

Chinese officials have not yet released an official statement regarding the discussions. The meeting, which lasted about two hours, marked the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and Xi since 2019, and was held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Trump concluded his Asian tour  which also included visits to South Korea, Japan, and several Southeast Asian nations  by highlighting what he called significant progress in trade cooperation and regional economic ties.

US officials later confirmed that, under the new framework agreed with China, plans to impose a 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods would be suspended, while export restrictions on rare earth elements would be delayed, signaling a cautious but notable thaw in US-China economic relations.
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Cooperative artisanal net-casting fishers hunt with dolphin assistance. Credit: Biology Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2025.0421

People need to collaborate effectively when hunting together. Researchers at the University of Konstanz have just discovered that this cooperation also affects their heart rates. Their study observed a special group of fishers that hunt along with dolphins in Brazil.

There are a wide range of dynamics in play during a huntfor people as well as for animals. How does communication within such groups work? What factors influence how the hunt progresses? And how does each participant's body react to the situation?

This last question was the focus of a research team from the Cluster of Excellence Center for the Advanced Study of Collective Behavior at the University of Konstanz led by biologist Hanja Brandl. By studying a group of Brazilian fishers, they documented that, while working together to catch fish, the fishers' heart rates synched up.

The paper is published in the journal Biology Letters.

Collaboration with dolphins

The fishers studied were from a particular group in southern Brazil that collaborates with dolphins to catch fish. The people stand in a line near the shore, ready to throw out their nets. The dolphins drive the fish towards the people and then suddenly dive underwater. This is the signal that the fishers must respond to by throwing out their nets. The dolphins benefit too, since this action drives the fish swarm apart and makes the fish easier for the dolphins to catch.

For several years already, this special cooperation between animals and people has been the focus of research. Since not only people and animals have to work in close collaboration, but also the group of fishers, this joint hunt is particularly well-suited for Hanja Brandl's research project.

"The fishers have to coordinate themselves and respond to the dolphins' behavior at just the right moment if they want to be very successful at catching fish," the biologist explains.

In order to record the heart rates and movements of the fishers, the researchers gave 24 of them chest sensors that took both electrocardiogram (ECG) and GPS measurements as they fished. Later analysis of the heart rate variability (HRV) gave the researchers insight into the synchronization of the fishers in relation to their location.

"The HRV shows variation in the time between heartbeats. It is considered to be a sensitive indicator for physiological excitement and emotional states," Brandl explains. "We observed that the HRV was highly synchronous during positive social interactions of the fishers."

That means, the closer the fishers' proximity to each other while fishing, and the longer they worked together, the stronger the correlation between their heart rates. This was especially true for situations in which the fishers engaged in watching and waiting together. When one individual fisher threw out his net or the group became larger in size, HRV synchronization decreased.

No increase in the catch rate

The study's results underscore how cooperation truly goes "more than skin deep": "When people work closely together, not only do their movements and decisions synchronize, but also their bodily rhythms. Such physiological synchronization processes are considered to be a key mechanism in collective behavior. They mirror how strongly individuals coordinate their behavior, as well as their inner states, with others," Brandl says.

Closeness to or interactions with the dolphins, however, had no measurable effect on the people studied. "We thus conclude that synchronization during fishing is mainly shaped by internal group dynamics and less by external influences," Brandl adds.

At the same time, she highlights a particular fact: "Surprisingly, a very high level of synchronization was negatively associated with the amount of fish caught. When fishers' heart rates were more synchronous, they caught fewer fish."

One potential explanation is that too much physiological coordinationsuch as shared tension or excitementreduces the flexibility required for the team to succeed.

"This indicates that strong synchronous behavior may not always have an advantage but can depend on the context," Brandl concludes.

More information: Hanja B. Brandl et al, Physiological synchrony among human fishers during collective hunting with wild dolphins, Biology Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2025.0421 Journal information: Biology Letters
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

It seemed so simple: Men are more jealous of sexual infidelity, while women are more jealous if their partner falls in love with someone else. But it is not quite that simple.

Recent research shows that only the most heterosexual men are primarily jealous of sexual infidelity. Homosexual and bisexual men are more jealous of emotional infidelity, in the same way that women are.

NTNU professors Mons Bendixen and Leif Edvard Ottesen Kennair have spent many years researching infidelity and jealousy. They collaborated with Professor David Schmitt from Kansas State University on an article recently published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior.

Homosexual and bisexual men are jealous in the same way as women

"It is still the case that the most heterosexual men are most jealous of sexual infidelity. But this is not true for bisexual or homosexual men. They are most jealous of the feelings their partner might have for someone else," said Kennair from NTNU's Department of Psychology.

It is more often the case that homosexual and bisexual men become jealous for reasons other than those of heterosexual men. When it comes to jealousy, they bear a closer resemblance to women.

"This exception to the general rule is not found in lesbian and bisexual women. Lesbian and bisexual women are most jealous of emotional infidelity, in the same way that heterosexual women are," said Bendixen.

"It is important to point out here that our research did not primarily focus on categorical sexual orientation. We investigated the degree to which individuals are attracted to men (androphilia) and to women (gynephilia) in both sexes," emphasized Kennair.

Biological explanation of jealousy

Perhaps there is more logic to this than might at first meet the eye. After all, there is a strong biological explanation behind jealousy. Jealousy is an emotional response to a threat against a valued relationship.

Men invest in their presumed own offspring, and are among the few mammal species that do so. Our close relatives, the chimpanzees, don't do this.

But men also have very low paternity certainty, summarized as "mummy's baby, daddy's maybe." The man can rarely be completely sure that he is the father of the child.

Jealousy is one of the mechanisms that has developed to make the man aware of and avoid being deceived and raising another man's child. Raising another man's child will be strongly selected against evolutionarily.

Women have historically been very dependent on their husbands contributing significantly to the upbringing of their children and protecting them. This was the case until a couple of generations ago. Women who were abandoned for a rival risked that their children's chances of growing up and having their own children would be greatly reduced.

Infidelity is an example of this type of threat, either in the form of a partner falling in love with or having sex with someone else. The way jealousy works is that you react emotionally to signs of infidelity in your partner.

This can in turn trigger a series of actions to protect the relationship. Examples include everything from confrontations, monitoring and restricting the partner's social contact with other people, to ingratiation, flattery and increased sexual activity.

In homosexual relationships, regardless of gender, mutually hidden sexual infidelity is less relevant. Your partner is unlikely to have a secret child with someone elsea child you believe is yours and therefore invest time and resources in.

Thus, the fear of a partner leaving becomes much more important for homosexual individualsthe jealousy is more centered around the emotions involved.

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Predicting sexuality based on questions

Nearly 4,500 participants aged 16 to 80 participated in the study. They were recruited partly through Facebook and partly through the Gaysir website and other forums for queer individuals. The way in which the researchers recruited people ensured that sexual minorities were well represented.

"We also developed a method that could more or less predict the participants' sexual orientation," said Kennair.

The questions that reveal sexuality

Participants were asked a series of questions related to the following four areas:

Are you very compassionate or not? (How empathetic or systemizing are you?) As a child, did you often play games typically associated with the opposite gender? (So-called "nonconforming" play) What kind of profession could you imagine working in? (Regardless of your current job.) How masculine or feminine do you feel, and how masculine or feminine do you think others perceive you?

The questions covered personality, childhood interests, career preferences and how the participants experience their own gender role.

The answers could be used to predict the participants' sexual preference with high certainty, ranked by how strongly they were attracted to men or to women.

Shades of gray

Of course, there are no clear-cut boundaries when it comes to sexual orientation. It is safe to say that some of us are more masculine or feminine than others, regardless of biological sex.

"Biological sex is fixed and strongly linked to the production of sex cells. However, with regards to sexual orientation and how we perceive our own gender and sexuality, there are no clear-cut boundaries," said Kennair.

He likens it to different volume controls that are balanced in relation to each other. Some people are more attracted to one gender or the other, while others are less so.

"The degree of masculinity and femininity varies greatly from one person to the next and over time, regardless of biological sex.

This challenges the assumption that gender expression is static and inseparably linked to sex. Instead, the expressions are fluid, dependent on context, and shaped by social, cultural and personal factors.

This means that masculinity and femininity are not opposites on a linear scale, but can coexist side by side within an individual to varying degrees over time," said Professor David Schmitt from Kansas State University. The extent to which this variation is related to sexual jealousy was one of the main focuses of this study.

Testosterone levels play an important role, meaning jealousy also varies among individuals, even within the same sex. Therefore, jealousy can be seen as one of the possible evolutionary mechanisms.

"Most humans are chimeras; they are not strictly one thing or another. Everyone has parts that are masculine and parts that are feminine," explained Kennair.

The mystery of bisexual men with female partners

Note that we constantly assume that jealousy actually serves a purpose. Jealousy is meant to help you keep your partneror your partner's resourcesfor yourself. In doing so, you maximize the chances of passing on your genes to the next generation.

But one great mystery still remainsbisexual men who are partners with women.

"Bisexual men with female partners are different from heterosexual men with female partners. These bisexual men are also more jealous of emotional infidelity and less jealous of sexual infidelity," explained Bendixen.

This, however, does not fit the pattern. Bisexual men with female partners face the same risk as heterosexual men of investing resources in another man's child if their partner is unfaithful. Therefore, the picture remains unclear.

"We still don't know why this is. One possibility is that the jealousy response is easily feminized. As a result, only the most masculine men display typical masculine sexual jealousy," said Kennair.

This may also help explain why bisexual men are far less common than bisexual women. In the United States, up to 6% of women identify as bisexual, compared with only up to 2% of men. If bisexual men are more often tricked into raising another man's child, their genes are not passed on to the next generation to the same extent.

This, however, is just a theory, and not something the researchers know or have studiedand is an area that definitely requires more research.

More information: Leif Edward Ottesen Kennair et al, Male Sex, Masculinization, Sexual Orientation, and Gynephilia Synergistically Predict Increased Sexual Jealousy, Archives of Sexual Behavior (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s10508-025-03225-z Journal information: Archives of Sexual Behavior
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Lindsay Zanno, associate research professor at North Carolina State University and head of paleontology at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, with the Dueling Dinosaurs fossil. Credit: N.C. State University

What if everything we know about T. rex growth is wrong? A complete tyrannosaur skeleton has just ended one of paleontology's longest-running debateswhether Nanotyrannus is a distinct species, or just a teenage version of Tyrannosaurus rex.

The fossil, part of the legendary "Dueling Dinosaurs" specimen unearthed in Montana, contains two dinosaurs locked in prehistoric combat: a Triceratops and a small-bodied tyrannosaur. That tyrannosaur is now confirmed to be a fully grown Nanotyrannus lancensisnot a teenage T. rex, as many scientists once believed.

"This fossil doesn't just settle the debate. It flips decades of T. rex research on its head," says Lindsay Zanno, associate research professor at North Carolina State University, head of paleontology at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and co-author of the study published in Nature.

Using growth rings, spinal fusion data and developmental anatomy, the researchers demonstrated that the specimen was around 20 years old and physically mature when it died. Its skeletal featuresincluding larger forelimbs, more teeth, fewer tail vertebrae, and distinct skull nerve patternsare features fixed early in development and biologically incompatible with T. rex.

A pack of Nanotyrannus attacks a juvenile T. rex. Credit: Anthony Hutchings

Nanotyrannus and Tyrannosaurus Rex arm comparison. Credit: NC Museum of Natural Sciences

"For Nanotyrannus to be a juvenile T. rex, it would need to defy everything we know about vertebrate growth," says James Napoli, anatomist at Stony Brook University and co-author of the study. "It's not just unlikelyit's impossible."

The implications are profound. For years, paleontologists used Nanotyrannus fossils to model T. rex growth and behavior. This new evidence reveals that those studies were based on two entirely different animalsand that multiple tyrannosaur species inhabited the same ecosystems in the final million years before the asteroid impact.

As part of their research, Zanno and Napoli examined over 200 tyrannosaur fossils. They discovered that one skeleton, formerly thought to represent a teenage T. rex, was slightly different than the Dueling Dinosaurs' Nanotyrannus lancensis.

They named this fossil a new species of Nanotyrannus, dubbed N. lethaeus. The name references the River Lethe from Greek mythologya nod to how this species remained hidden in plain sight and "forgotten" for decades.

Right hand of Nanotyrannus lancensis. Credit: N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences

Snout of Nanotyrannus. Credit: N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences

The Dueling Dinosaurs' N. lancensis specimen preserves the first complete tail of this genus. Credit: N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences

Confirmation of the validity of Nanotyrannus means that predator diversity in the last million years of the Cretaceous was much higher than previously thought, and hints that other small-bodied dinosaur species might also be victims of mistaken identity.

"This discovery paints a richer, more competitive picture of the last days of the dinosaurs," Zanno says. "With enormous size, a powerful bite force and stereoscopic vision, T. rex was a formidable predator, but it did not reign uncontested. Darting alongside was Nanotyrannusa leaner, swifter and more agile hunter."

More information: Nanotyrannus and Tyrannosaurus coexisted at the close of the Cretaceous, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09801-6 Lawrence M. Witmer, T. rex debate settled: contested fossils are smaller rival species, not juveniles, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/d41586-025-03552-0 , doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-03552-0 Journal information: Nature
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The ability to make art has often been considered a hallmark of our species. Over a century ago, prehistorians even had trouble believing that modern humans from the Upper Paleolithic (between 45,000 and 12,000 years ago) were capable of artistic flair.

Discoveries of uncontrovertibly old artworks from the caves and rockshelters of Europe soon dispelled their doubts. But what of the Neanderthals; an ancient, large-brained sister group to our own species? We now know that they were capable of making art too.

However, at present, all of the Neanderthal evidence is non-figurativethey have no depictions of animals, including humans. This latter form of art was perhaps exclusive to Homo sapiens. Instead, the Neanderthal examples consist of hand stencils, made by blowing pigment over the hand, finger flutingswhere the fingers were pressed into a soft surfaceand geometric markings.

Neanderthals inhabited western Eurasia from about 400,000 years ago until their extinction about 40,000 years ago and have often been caricatured as the archetypal "cavemen."

Questions about their cognitive and behavioral sophistication have never quite gone away, and whether they produced art is at the forefront of this issue.

Despite the fact that we know that Neanderthals were capable of producing jewelry and using colored pigments, there has been much objection to the notion that they explored deep caves and left art on the walls.

But recent work has confirmed beyond doubt that they did. In three Spanish cavesLa Pasiega in Cantabria, Maltravieso in Extremadura and Ardales in Malaga, Neanderthals created linear signs, geometric shapes, hand stencils, and handprints using pigments. In La Roche Cotard, a cave in the Loire Valley, France, Neanderthals left a variety of lines and shapes in finger flutings (the lines that fingers leave on a soft surface).

And deep in the Bruniquel cave, southwest France, they broke off stalactites into sections of similar length and constructed a large oval wall of them, setting fires on top of it. This was not a shelter but something odder, and if it was constructed in a modern art gallery we'd no doubt assume it was installation art.

Now that we have well-established examples of Neanderthal art on cave walls in France and Spain, more discoveries are inevitable. However, the job is hard because of difficulties in establishing the age of Paleolithic cave art. In fact, it is often the focus of intense debate among specialists.

Relative dating schemes based on the style and themes of cave art and comparisons of objects recovered from dated archaeological levels have proven useful, but they have their limits.

To produce real ages requires at least one of three conditions. The first is the presence of a charcoal pigment which can be dated using the radiocarbon method. This will establish exactly when the charcoal was created (when its wood died). However, black pigments are often from minerals (manganese) and therefore a large amount of black colored cave art is simply not dateable.

A further problem is that the production of the charcoal may or may not be of the same age as the date that it was used as a pigment. I could pick up some 30,000-year-old charcoal from a cave floor and write "Paul was here" on a cave wall. The radiocarbon date wouldn't reflect when my grafitto was actually made.

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A second condition is the presence of calcite flowstones (stalactites and stalagmites) that have formed over the art. If they demonstrably grew on top of a piece of art, then they must be younger than it. A dating method based on the decay of uranium into an isotopea particular formof the element thorium can be used to establish exactly when flowstones formed, producing a minimum age for the art underneath.

I was part of a team who used this method to date flowstones overlying red pigment art in the three Spanish caves mentioned earlier, demonstrating that hand stencils, dots and color washes must have been created over 64,000 years ago. This is a minimum age: the actual age of the images could be much older.

But even at its youngest range, the images predate the earliest arrival of modern humans (Homo sapiens) in Iberia by at least 22,000 years. As Middle Paleolithic archaeologythe calling cards of the Neanderthalsis common in all three caves, the simplest interpretation that fits the dating is that the authors of the images were Neanderthals.

Objections to our results ignored supporting information we'd published. Did the dated samples really overlie the art? They did. Can we trust the technique? We have for half a century.

The third condition has just provided further evidence of Neanderthal artistic activity. Meandering lines left by tracing fingers along the soft muds of the walls of the Roche Cotard cave reveal another form of interacting with this mysterious subterranean realm. These markings include wavy, parallel and curved lines in organized arrangements that show they were made deliberately.

The dating of sediments which formed over its entrance show that it was completely sealed no later than 54,000 years agoprobably earlier. As with our Spanish examples, this was long before Homo sapiens arrived in the region and the cave contains only tools made by Neanderthals. It adds another art form to the Neanderthal repertoire.

Even ardent skeptics must agree that these data unambiguously reveal artistic activities in deep caves which can only have been made by Neanderthals.

The art could represent Neanderthal individuals becoming more aware of their own agency in the world. It might constitute the first evidence of engagement with an imaginary realm. The coming years will no doubt reveal even more subjects for debate.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Alleged hoard of Punic coins from the coast of Tunisia. Photos sent by email to an antiquities outlet in Oslo by the seller. Credit: Oslo Police in Roland and Visona 2025

In a study published in the journal Libyan Studies, Professor Hakon Roland and Dr. Paolo Visona examined the 2022 case dealing with the seizure of 30 Punic bronze coins by Norwegian authorities.

The coins, which were allegedly part of a 200 kg hoard, were analyzed and determined to likely have originated in Carthage towards the end of the Second Punic War (218201 BC).

The study examines the legal frameworks surrounding cultural heritage crime and provides insights into the recent flourishing of the illicit antiquities trade.

The 30 Punic coins that were seized from a Tunisian seller in Oslo in March 2022 had been initially offered to a coin dealer located in Oslo. The seller had provided the coin dealer with photographs and videos showing massive quantities of corroded coins being loaded into a van.

Recognizing the suspicious nature of the coins, the coin dealer contacted the Oslo Police, who in turn requested assistance from the Museum of Cultural History at the University of Oslo. After the successful seizure, Norway's Ministry of Culture coordinated their repatriation to Tunisia.

Unsurprisingly, the seller never revealed the specifics regarding the findspot, and to date, no one knows exactly where the hoard was located. The quantity and corrosion level suggest that the coins had likely originated from a shipwreck or a submerged coastal structure.

The coins came in two denominations: 24 larger, heavier pieces and six smaller ones, all featuring the image of the goddess Tanit on one side and a horse before a palm tree on the other. The similar artistic style, wear patterns, and the goddess's hairstyle matching billon coins from the late Second Punic War indicated that the coins were likely all created by the same Carthaginian mint, likely during the Second Punic War.

From the limited archaeological examples of similar coins, it seems these coins' circulation was largely limited to North Africa, with only a few examples having been found in Europe, including Dalmatia, Menorca, and Croatia.

The coins seem to have ceased circulation by 205 BC. After the Second Punic War, only poor-quality coins (shekels) were issued in an effort to finance military operations.

The seized coins were likely valued more due to their relatively good condition, weight, and metallic content. From similar examples with traces of silvery surfaces, it is speculated that these coins may have initially been issued as billon. If so, Gresham's Law (where valuable money is saved and less valuable money is circulated) would explain their absence from the archaeological record of most Tunisian sites.

Despite limited archaeological documentation, these coins are far from rare, with many of them having flooded the market in recent decades. Coins are particularly vulnerable to illicit trade as they can be easily found with metal detectors and easily trafficked due to their portability.

"The spike in sales of Carthaginian and other coins (specifically: Illyrian coins, e.g. of Ballaios) since the 1980s can be attributed to multiple interrelated factors, including regime changes, the unregulated and increased use of metal detectors, lack of ad hoc legislation, increased opportunities for criminal activities due to open borders across multiple European countries, and corruption at various levels of law enforcement agencies in areas of Europe and North Africa," explains Prof. Roland.

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Similarly, modern platforms such as eBay, social media, private websites, WhatsApp, and Telegram have made it easier to find interested buyers, organize sales, and extend the market beyond the elite collectors.

Trafficked items are difficult to trace, and their contexts become muddled. "One cannot assume that information on the provenience of the coins provided by coin dealers would be credible, particularly if the coins were acquired under dubious circumstances," Prof. Roland cautions. "Coin dealers (and other such dealers, to be fair) are careful not to self-incriminate. Ditto for coin collectors."

Professor Roland emphasizes the importance of public awareness: "We are actively working to raise public awareness on the trade and trafficking in cultural heritage property. The general public should be aware that there is an extensive international trade in looted cultural artifacts.

"Regions affected by war, conflict, and social unrest are particularly vulnerable to looting and smuggling of such objects, and organizations such as Interpol, the WCO, UNESCO, ICOM, and Blue Shield are increasingly focused on these issues.

"Provenance information for objects offered for sale is often incomplete or fabricated, and it can be extremely difficult to distinguish between legal and illicit artifacts. Private individuals who wish to purchase an object should ask themselves where it originally comes from, whether it is subject to export restrictions in the country of origin, and, if so, whether an export permit exists."

Written for you by our author Sandee Oster, edited by Sadie Harley, 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: Hakon Roland et al, Carthaginian bronze coins from a hoard found off the coast of Tunisia, Libyan Studies (2025). DOI: 10.1017/lis.2025.10021

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The strange political bedfellows created by efforts to save spotted owls in the Pacific Northwest just got even stranger.

Already Republican members of Congress were allied with animal rights activists.

They don't want trained shooters to kill up to 450,000 barred owls, which are outcompeting northern spotted owls, under a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plan approved last year that would unfold over three decades.

Now, timber interests are aligning with environmentalists in favor of culling the owls.

Some logging advocates are afraid nixing the plan will slow down timber harvesting. Roughly 2.6 million acres of timberlands in western Oregon managed by the Bureau of Land Management are governed by resource management plans contingent on the barred owl cull going forward, according to Travis Joseph, president and chief executive of the American Forest Resource Council, a trade association representing mills, loggers, lumber buyers and other stakeholders in the region.

The area can produce at least 278 million board feet per year under current plans, "with the potential for significantly more," Joseph said in a mid-October letter to Congress.

If the cull is scrapped, he said, the federal agency likely will need to restart Endangered Species Act consultation for the northern spotted owl, which is listed as threatened. It's a process that could take years. According to the letter, it would create "unacceptable risks and delays to current and future timber sales."

Timber production goals laid out by the Trump administration also could be jeopardized.

Momentum to stop the cull gained ground this summer when Sen. John Kennedy, a conservative from Louisiana, introduced a resolution to reverse the Biden-era plan.

That move reflected an unlikely alliance between some right-wing politicians and animal rights advocates who say it's too expensive and inhumane. Some Democrats have also opposed the cull, and companion legislation in the House has bipartisan backers.

The stakes are high. Many environmentalists and scientists maintain that northern spotted owls will go extinct if their competitors aren't kept in check.

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Barred owlswhich originally hail from eastern North Americaare larger, more aggressive and less picky when it comes to habitat and food, giving them an edge when vying for resources.

Last week, Politico's E&E News reported that Kennedy said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum asked him to stand down from his effort to stop the owl-killing plan. The legislator told the outlet he would charge ahead anyway.

"I don't think the federal government ought to be telling God, naturewhatever you believe inthis one can exist, this one can't," Kennedy told E&E. "The barred owl is not the first species that has ever moved its territory and it won't be the last."

Kennedy did not respond to The Times' request for comment. A spokesperson for the Department of the Interior said they could not respond to the inquiry because of the government shutdown.

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"It's strange that a Republican in the south is taking on the owl issue, specifically, when its consequences will impact western Oregon BLM timber sales," Joseph said in an interview. "It will lead to lower revenues for counties, it will impact jobs and it will put the spotted owl on a trajectory towards extinction."

The stance aligns in part with that of environmental groups like the Environmental Protection Information Center and Center for Biological Diversity, which have supported culling barred owls to help the beleaguered spotted owls in their native territory. It's an unexpected overlap, given environmentalists' long history of fighting to protect old-growth forests in the region the owls call home.

Tom Wheeler, chief executive of EPIC, said it's possible that culling barred owls could lead to a bump in timber harvest on the BLM land in western Oregon but overall it would lead to more habitat being protected throughout the spotted owls' expansive range. The presence of spotted owls triggers protections under the Endangered Species Act. If the cull boosts the spotted owl population as intended, it means more guardrails.

"It puts us in admittedly an awkward place," Wheeler said. "But our advocacy for barred owl removal is predicated not on treating the northern spotted owl as a tool against the timber industry and against timber harvest. What we're trying to do is provide for the continued existence of the species."

Many Native American tribes support controlling barred owls in the region. In a letter to Congress last week, the nonprofit Intertribal Timber Council said barred owls threaten more than the spotted owl.

"As a generalist predator, it poses risks to a wide range of forest and aquatic species that hold varying degrees of social and ecological importance to tribes, including species integral to traditional food systems and watershed health," wrote the council, which aims to improve the management of natural resources important to Native American communities.

Since 2013, the Hoopa Valley tribe in Northern California has been involved with sanctioned hunting of the owls and has observed the spotted owl population stabilizing over time, according to the letter.

However, groups like Animal Wellness Action and Center for a Human Economy argue that the plan to take out so many barred owls over a vast landscape won't work, aside from the high owl death toll. More barred owls will simply fly into where others were removed, said Wayne Pacelle, president of both groups.

That makes habitat keyand the prospect of losing more to logging in western Oregon devastating, according to Pacelle.

To stop the owl-culling plan, both chambers of Congress would need to pass a joint resolution and President Trump would need to sign it. If successful, the resolution would preclude the agency from pursuing a similar rule, unless explicitly authorized by Congress.

The plan has already faced setbacks. In May, federal officials canceled three related grants totaling more than $1.1 million, including one study that would have removed barred owls from over 192,000 acres in Mendocino and Sonoma counties.

2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

What would you say if you were told that paranormal activity exists? Well, nearly half of Canadians would agree.

What is the paranormal, exactly? It refers to phenomena that science cannot explain and are not part of a major religion in a particular society. In contrast, religious phenomena are part of an established doctrine. For example, in Canada, psychic abilities and Bigfoot or Sasquatch are considered paranormal, while angels and demons are associated with religion.

In the summer of 2025, we launched a survey of Canadian attitudes regarding paranormal beliefs in which participation was confidential. And for the first time in decades, we have nationally representative data on paranormal beliefs and encounters in Canada.

Although news outlets regularly publish stories about paranormal beliefs on Halloween, the results they discuss are usually based on convenience samples. Ours is the first study in 20 years to use randomly selected people from the Canadian population to ask these questionsmeaning the results are representative.

And it turns out that almost one in two Canadians believe in at least one paranormal phenomenon, and one-quarter report encounters with spirits.

We asked about ghostly hauntings, alien visitations, psychic abilities, telekinesis, astrology and other unexplained phenomena. We also asked about cryptidsanimals or creatures whose existence has been suggested but not (yet) proven by sciencespecific to Canada. They include creatures with roots in First Nations folklore like the large serpentine sea monster, the Cadborosaurus, off the B.C. coast and the Ogopogo in Lake Okanagan.

The believers, the skeptics and the in-between

Canada is one of the world's most secular societies. Here, religion has little impact on the way people act or view the world.

How Canadians think about the paranormal, however, has been mostly unknown. It's expensive to gather representative data in Canada and few social scientists think it's important to study belief in the paranormal. The combination of these two factors has meant Canadian paranormal beliefs have gone unexamined for decades.

What we found is that Canadians have embraced the paranormalto a point.

Almost half44%believe in at least one paranormal phenomenon. About one-third did not report belief in any paranormal phenomenon but did indicate neutrality about at least one. For example, several respondents did not believe in ghosts, but were on the fence about extraterrestrial visitations.

Many non-probability samples of Canadians have been surveyed over the last few years, but unlike ours, those results tell us little because they did not use random sampling to recruit respondents. This graph shows how many Canadians believe, are neutral or dont believe in the existence of paranormal activity. Credit: Sophia Dimitrakopoulos, CC BY-ND

Only about one-quarter said they did not believe in any of the 10 phenomena we asked about. The percentage of firm non-believers is similar to the 28% figure in the United States and the United Kingdom Belief varied by specific phenomenon. People were most likely to believe in ghostly hauntings.

Respondents answered the authors survey on a granular lever, revealing whether they neither disagree nor agree, somewhat agree or strongly agree with whether each type of 10 paranormal phenomenon exists or not. Credit: Sophia Dimitrakopoulos, CC BY-ND

Overall, it is more common for Canadians to believe in at least one paranormal phenomenon than to not believe in any.

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Who is most likely to believe?

Patterns of belief vary somewhat by demographic group.

Women are more likely than men to believe in ghosts and psychics, reflecting how women have a higher probability of being open to phenomena with a spiritual dimension.

People with bachelor's degrees or higher are less likely to believe in most paranormal phenomena. There are few racial or ethnic differences.

Interestingly, people aged 1929 are less likely to believe in many paranormal phenomena than those aged 3044 or 4564. These findings suggest that young Canadians tend to opt out of any non-scientific belief system, whether religious or paranormal.

Few differences by region or language exist, though francophones are less likely to believe in Sasquatch than anglophones are.

Paranormal experiences in Canada

About one-quarter of Canadians claim to have heard, seen or felt a ghost or spirit. Some experiences were connected to religion, such as feeling the Christian Holy Spirit.

More often, experiences were associated with the death of a loved one and were personally meaningful. As one participant explained: "Soon after my mother's death, I woke up suddenly and she was standing beside my bed. She smiled at me and faded away. I was comforted."

Others reported spooky encounters associated with a place. A different participant wrote: "I was managing a motel and saw a ghostly man walking along the upper balcony. I asked the locals, and they said on the property that the motel was on, there was a house that burned downand he lived in the house!"

Cryptid sightings are less common.

"I was operating a high-clearance sprayer, in a 1,300-acre field. I sat about 10 feet in the air in the cab on this machine," one participant said. "I came around the corner of a bluff and saw a blurry, bipedal creature. It was furry, had a long snout and long arms, and in an instant turned into a moose. I have no idea to this day what that was."

What our beliefs reveal

Our goal is not to prove or disprove any experience or belief, but to analyze what they mean for individuals and for Canada.

And to that end, our survey showed us that while many Canadians have replaced or supplemented religious belief with paranormal belief, most trust science. Belief in the paranormal or religion does not mean Canadians reject science, but rather that they believe some phenomena cannot yet be explained by science.

While the paranormal is funor creepyto think about around Halloween, it is also part of the everyday belief system of many Canadians.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Location of 29 seismological stations and 8,151 citizens' smartphones participating in the Earthquake Network (EQN) citizen science initiative on 8 June 2024 in the red zone of Campi Flegrei. The EQN smartphone network is of high density and covers areas of the red zone where no stations are installed. This allows the variability of the ground shaking to be captured at a higher spatial resolution over the entire red zone. Credit: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, Finazzi et al. (2025); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-64543-3

The impact of an earthquake on people and property depends not only on the earthquake's characteristics like magnitude and depth, but also on local soil conditions, which contribute to the so-called "site effect." Mapping the site effect at a high spatial resolution in an urban context is crucial for understanding which areas and buildings are at higher risk or under greater stress during subsequent seismic events.

A study published in Nature Communications by Prof. Dr. Francesco Finazzi (University of Bergamo, Italy), Prof. Dr. Fabrice Cotton (GFZ Helmholtz Center for Geosciences, Germany) and Dr. Remy Bossu (European-Mediterranean Seismological Center, France) reveals a breakthrough: citizens' smartphones can be used to create highly detailed site amplification maps. Thanks to their built-in accelerometersthe same sensors that enable interactive gamingsmartphones can detect earthquake vibrations.

By combining thousands of these measurements from the Italian Campi Flegrei region with statistical modeling, the researchers show that it is possible to map how local geology amplifies shaking, achieving a level of detail far beyond what seismic stations alone can provide. This information provides critical input for seismic hazard assessment and supports earthquake emergency response.

New approach based on the Earthquake Network (EQN), a citizen science initiative

The novel approach builds on the Earthquake Network (EQN), a citizen science initiative launched in 2013 by Finazzi. EQN, which has involved so far more than 20 million citizens, is part of an ongoing global effort to use smartphones for real-time seismic monitoring and early warning. When an earthquake occurs, participating phones detect the shaking and send signals to a central server. Within seconds, alerts can be issued to users in surrounding areas, giving them precious timesometimes more than half a minuteto seek safety before strong shaking arrives.

Although smartphones have been proven useful for seismic monitoring, the question of whether they could be used to map ground shaking remained pending. Smartphone accelerometers, in fact, measure motion differently from seismic instrumentsas readings are influenced by building characteristics, device location, and placement.

To exploit the correlation structure between smartphone and station records, the authors applied a spatial statistical model. The method averages out device- and building-specific effects, allowing the underlying amplification pattern to emerge. While individual smartphone records are noisy, the aggregation of thousands of measurements and their fusion with classical seismological data yields reliable high-resolution amplification maps.

High-resolution site amplification map of the red zone of Campi Flegrei. Values above one imply amplification of seismic waves, values below one mean damping. Credit: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, Finazzi et al. (2025); https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-64543-3

First high-resolution amplification map of the test region Campi Flegrei, Italy

The Campi Flegrei region near Naples, Italyhome to about 500,000 people in a high-risk volcanic and seismic zoneprovided the perfect testbed for the new approach. Between April and June 2024, the region experienced a period of increased seismic activity that put citizens and local administrators under pressure. 7,0009,000 residents in the 130 km2 "red zone" actively contributed data through EQN, compared with just 29 traditional seismic stations in the same area. Analysis of this data enabled the researchers to produce the first high-resolution amplification map of the "red zone."

"The EQN smartphone network is of high density and covers areas of the red zone where no stations are installed. This allows the variability of the ground shaking to be captured at a higher spatial resolution over the entire red zone," explains Finazzi, first author of the study.

The obtained amplification map shows that wave amplification due to the superficial layers varies from a factor between 0.25 and 0.5 in the eastern part of the zonewhich is effectively equivalent to dampingto a factor between 2 and 3 in the south-westwhich is effectively equivalent to amplificationover a distance of only 10 km.

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Crucial for emergency response teams

In the case of a new earthquake, the amplification maps, which are based on past smartphone data, and new event-specific smartphone acceleration measurements can be used to generate so-called high-resolution "ShakeMaps" of this eventthat are maps showing the intensity of shaking in different areas. These Shake Maps have become an essential tool for assessing the impact of a recent earthquake or for scenario studies of future events, and they are crucial for guiding rescue teams, estimating damage and organizing emergency responses.

"With urban populations growing worldwide and the urgent need for high-resolution ShakeMaps, this study shows that combining citizens' smartphone accelerometer data with seismic network observations enables the generation of site-specific, high-resolution ShakeMaps in densely populated urban areas. This improves the characterization of ground motion in the built environment, where seismic risk is concentrated," summarizes co-author Prof. Dr. Cotton, Head of GFZ-Section 2.6 Seismic Hazard and Risk Dynamics.

More information: Francesco Finazzi et al, Citizens' smartphones unravel earthquake shaking in urban areas, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64543-3 Journal information: Nature Communications
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Single-walled carbon nanowires (SWCNWs) are synthesized by inserting polyynes (C 2n H 2 ) as a carbon source into SWCNTs, followed by annealing under high vacuum. This proposed approach successfully yields small diameter single-walled carbon nanowires, with a high density of LLCCs. This will allow researchers to probe the properties of LLCCs experimentally, paving the way for new advancements. Credit: Takahiro Maruyama.

Carbynes, or long linear carbon chains (LLCCs), have received significant attention in recent years due to their predicted exceptional properties. However, experimentally, their properties have been hard to probe due to their low stability. To improve stability, it is necessary to encapsulate LLCCs in small diameter carbon nanotubes (CNTs).

Now, researchers have developed a new method to synthesize small diameter single-walled carbon nanowires (SWCNWs), featuring high-density LLCCs encapsulated in single-walled CNTs. Their research is published in Chemical Physics Letters.

Carbon is famous for existing in many different physical forms, or allotropes. It appears in three-dimensional (3D) forms, like graphite and diamond, in two-dimensional (2D) structures, like graphene, or even in linear carbon chains (LCCs).

Among them, carbynes, extremely long chains of single carbon atoms, also known as long LCCs (LLCCs), have attracted significant attention among researchers. They are predicted to have outstanding theoretical mechanical strength and thermal conductivity, making them promising for a variety of applications in fields such as nanotechnology and energy storage.

Experimentally, however, researchers have struggled to study the properties of LLCCs in detail. This is because they are unstable under ambient conditions, owing to the high reactivity of exposed carbon atoms.

One proven way to address this issue is to insert LLCCs into carbon nanotubes (CNTs), creating so-called carbon nanowires (CNWs).

Over the last decade, a promising method has been developed for synthesizing CNWs, where small carbon-based molecules confined inside CNTs are heated at high temperatures. LLCCs are most stable inside single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with diameters of 0.70.8 nanometers (nm). But most previous attempts have produced single-walled CNWs (SWCNWs) with diameters larger than 0.9 nm.

Addressing this challenge, a research team led by Professor Takahiro Maruyama from the Department of Applied Chemistry at Meijo University, Japan, has developed a highly efficient method for synthesizing small-diameter SWCNWs with a high density of LLCCs.

"Recently, it has been shown that by encapsulating polyyne in SWCNTs, it is possible to achieve small-diameter carbon nanowires," explains Prof. Maruyama.

"Building on this, we have synthesized single-walled carbon nanowires with even smaller diameters, while also achieving significantly higher LLCC concentrations."

To make the nanowires, the team first mixed open-ended SWCNTs with a solution of n-hexane, containing purified polyyne molecules at different concentrations. The mixture was then heated to a temperature of 80C for 24 hours in a high-pressure reactor, allowing the polyyne molecules to enter the SWCNTs.

The resulting polyyne-filled SWCNTs (polyyne@SWCNTs) were then heated to 700C under a high vacuum for four hours, transforming them into LLCCs@SWCNTs, or in other words, the SWCNWs.

The team confirmed the efficient encapsulation of polyyne molecules into SWCNTs in the first step and the subsequent formation of SWCNWs using Raman spectroscopy.

Experiments also revealed that the concentration of LLCCs in the SWCNWs increased with the concentration of polyyne molecules in the initial n-hexane solution. By optimizing this concentration, the researchers were able to synthesize SWCNWs with record-high LLCC density.

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Notably, the resulting SWCNW samples had diameters of just 0.730.77 nm, much smaller than those reported in previous studies. Such a small diameter could be achieved because of the small size of polyyne molecules.

As Prof. Maruyama explains, "In our experiments, polyyne molecules with a slender linear shape were used as the carbon source, exhibiting a diameter nearly the same as the van der Waals diameter of carbon atoms. In contrast, previous studies used relatively larger precursor molecules, resulting in SWCNWs with diameters larger than 0.9 nm."

Additionally, the L-band to G-band ratio in the Raman spectrum, a measurement that reflects the amount and density of LLCCs, reached 3.6 for the optimized samples, the highest value reported to date for such small-diameter SWCNWs.

"Our method for synthesizing high-density small-diameter SWCNWs will help researchers probe the exact properties of LLCCs," adds Prof. Maruyama. "This can lead to breakthroughs in many fields ranging from nanotechnology to sensors and energy storage."

Overall, this work presents a major step forward for LLCC research, bringing researchers closer to unlocking the full potential of long linear carbon chains.

More information: Takahiro Maruyama et al, Highly efficient synthesis of small-diameter single-walled carbon nanowires through transformation of polyyne molecules into long linear carbon chains inside single-walled carbon nanotubes, Chemical Physics Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2025.142308
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Gasadalur is, together with Saksun, among the most photographed and visited sites on the Faroe Islands. Credit: Tomas Malik from Pexels

Tourism in the Faroe Islands is growing rapidly and now generates more than 1 billion Danish kroner annually. However, the successful tourism industry risks destroying the unique, untouched nature that is used to attract visitors. A new Ph.D. thesis sheds light on the dilemmas facing the Faroese tourism industry.

Visit Faroe Islands, the Faroe Islands' official tourism board, has in recent years successfully promoted the islands as "Europe's bestkept secret." The campaigns have highlighted the rugged, pristine landscapes that visitors can experience and the fact that the Faroes were, until recently, a relatively unknown travel destination.

However, the very story of an authentic natural experience exposes the dilemmas created by the tourism boom, shows a new Ph.D. dissertation by Hanna Birkelund Nilsson from the University of Copenhagen.

"The more tourists the effective branding manages to attract, the harder it becomes to deliver the authentic, untouched nature experience many tourists seek. At the same time, the influx of visitors poses a problem for vulnerable environments that are already suffering under tourist pressure, and this has sparked debate in the Faroe Islands for years," she says.

No trespassing

As part of her research, Hanna Birkelund Nilsson has analyzed the linguistic strategies Faroese people use to manage tourists.

One of the most visited places in the Faroe Islands is the remote settlement of Saksun, which has only 13 inhabitants. It is particularly popular on Instagram, where many post images of the spectacular nature surrounding the village.

"In 2023, there were longstanding problems with tourists trampling the grass that sheep need to eat, so locals in Saksun put up sharply worded English signs to regulate tourist behavior or, at times, to discourage visitors altogether. At the same time, I found signs that guided tourists toward the village's commercial offerings," says Nilsson.

"This illustrates a paradox in which tourism is both desired and unwanted at the same time. Such a paradox is not unique to the Faroe Islands but is characteristic of the tourism industry more broadly, where economic potential and negative consequences tend to coexist."

According to the researcher, the regulatory English signs are especially common in the small villages where tourism is most noticeable and causes the greatest problems. Today, residents of Saksun have changed strategy and now promote the village as a heritage site.

A critical guide

During her fieldwork in 2023, Nilsson also witnessed how tourism produces conflicting experiences even for Faroese people who make a living from it.

"A tour guide I followed placed great emphasis on sustainability and was highly critical of the tourism industry. She complained about tourists' poor understanding of local Faroese customs and reprimanded visitors who stepped outside the marked paths," says Nilsson.

"It is a paradoxical double role: she makes a living by showing tourists around, yet she is strongly critical of tourism and its consequences for the environment and local communities."

But her paradox is also the Faroe Islands' paradox, the researcher stresses. "Tourism represents a large and important economic gain for a small country that hopes to achieve greater independence over time. But if tourism destroys the unique nature and creates social tensions, continued growth in visitor numbers will be difficult for authorities to justify."

For that reason, the Faroese parliament enacted a law in 2024 that, among other things, intended to give local communities greater influence over development. Most recently, Visit Faroe Islands launched a campaign promoting selfnavigating car rentals to spread out visitors more evenly and avoid overburdening popular sites, which put pressure on nature and local communities. Whether these measures will solve the challenges posed by tourism remains to be seen.

Additional facts

The Faroe Islands have only 55,000 residents but receive about 130,000 tourists a year.

Hanna Birkelund Nilsson's dissertation, "Exploring the 'unexplored'a sociolinguistic exploration of tourism in the Faroe Islands," examines how the Faroes have attracted and managed the large numbers of visitors.

The dissertation comprises three research articles. Two have already been peer reviewed and published:


President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has announced that Turkiye will manufacture eight Altay main battle tanks each month, marking a major milestone in the nations drive toward defense industry self-sufficiency. The first batch of Altay tanks has been delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) under the Altay Tank Project, developed to meet the armys main battle tank needs through domestic capabilities.

At the inauguration ceremony of the BMC Ankara Tank and Next-Generation Armored Vehicles Production Facility and the delivery of the first Altay tanks, three units officially entered the TSK inventory.

Speaking at the ceremony, Erdo?an stated: We are taking firm steps toward the goal of a fully independent Turkiye in the defense industry. With the inauguration of the BMC Ankara Tank and Next-Generation Armored Vehicles Production Facility, we are integrating another major technological hub into our defense ecosystem. Spanning 840,000 square meters, this vast complex will employ over 1,500 qualified personnel and house R&D centers, testing areas, armor laboratories, and training tracks. From robotic welding systems to advanced sensor technologies, from simulation infrastructure to data analytics, this facility will serve as a comprehensive technology base.

Highlighting the plants capacity, Erdo?an added: In our 63,000-square-meter closed production area, we will manufacture eight Altay tanks and ten Altu? armored vehicles, known as the fortresses of the battlefield, every month. As with our other defense products, our goal for the Altay tank is to achieve complete independence in critical materials. Despite embargoes, we have come this far, and with the same determination, we will successfully manage the next phase as well. The obstacles before us may slow us down, perhaps delay us a little, but they will never prevent us from reaching our destination. We will either find a way or make one.

The president also touched on the changing global landscape, saying: A new geopolitical equation is taking shape. The international system is not only changing form but also direction. As we have witnessed repeatedly in recent history  from Bosnia in the 1990s to Syria over the past 14 years, and most recently in Gaza, where 70,000 innocent lives were lost  neither international institutions nor international law can provide people with genuine security anymore. We are constantly reminded that in todays world, being right is not enough; you must also be strong to protect your rights.

Erdo?an underscored that strength and deterrence are essential for national dignity: If you want to live honorably in todays world, you must be strong in every field. Otherwise, in this new order  a table of wolves  no one will pity you. Turkiye was among the first nations to recognize the asymmetric rise in risks and threats. From day one, we analyzed, prepared, and, so to speak, studied our lesson well. Through steps taken over the last 23 years, particularly in defense, diplomacy, and security, we have made Turkiye a nation that can no longer be ignored.

Providing technical details about the Altay tank, Erdo?an noted: The Altay tank has successfully passed all stages with 1.5 million hours of engineering, 35,000 kilometers of testing, and 3,700 live-fire rounds. It has proven its excellence in firepower, endurance, and mobility. Alongside the Altay, we will also deliver the Leopard 2A4 modernization project next year. With strong interest from friendly and allied nations, the Altay will significantly enhance the global visibility and influence of Turkiyes defense industry. This marks the beginning of a new era in tank technology.

The president underlined Turkiyes transformation into a country that produces its own weapons: In the past, we couldnt even produce 20 percent of our defense needs; now we have reached 80 percent. In UAV and UCAV technology, we are among the worlds top three nations. Currently, we rank as the 11th-largest defense exporter globally. In 2024, we achieved 65 percent of the global drone export market, meaning that out of every 100 drones sold worldwide, 65 were Turkish-made, exported to 180 countries. Despite unfair practices, double standards, and embargoes in the past, we managed to make up for lost time. We achieved this despite the oppositions obstructionist efforts and those incapable of overcoming their own complexes. In just 23 years, we have built a defense ecosystem that the world now watches  some with admiration, others with concern.

President Erdo?an arrived at the ceremony in a specially produced Togg limousine. At the end of the event, domestically produced military vehicles, including the Altay and Altu?, paraded before the president and attending officials, showcasing Turkiyes growing defense capabilities.
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The gourd family of plants comprising pumpkins, zucchini, melons, cucumbers and more are known to accumulate high levels of pollutants in their edible parts. Understanding the mechanism behind the pollutant accumulation is crucial to creating safer produce. Credit: Inui Hideyuki

Pumpkins, squash, zucchini and their relatives accumulate soil pollutants in their edible parts. A Kobe University team has now identified the cause, making it possible to both make the produce safer and create plants that clean contaminated soil.

The gourd family of plants comprising pumpkins, zucchini, melons, cucumbers and more are known to accumulate high levels of pollutants in their edible parts.

Kobe University agricultural scientist Inui Hideyuki says, "The pollutants don't easily break down and thus pose a health risk to people who eat the fruit. Interestingly, other plants don't do this and so I became interested in why this happens in this group specifically."

In previous studies, the Kobe University researcher and his team identified a class of proteins from across the gourd family that bind to the pollutants, thus enabling them to be transported through the plant. Earlier this year, they discovered that the shape of the proteins and their binding affinity to the pollutants influence the accumulation in the aboveground plant parts. Their study was published in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry.

"However, these proteins exist in many other plants, and even among the gourds, there are varieties that are more prone to accumulating pollutants than others. We then noticed that in the highly accumulating varieties, there are higher concentrations of the protein in the sap," says Inui. Thus, his team turned their attention to the secretion of the pollutant-transporting protein into the plant sap.

In the same journal, the Kobe University team has now published that they could show that the protein variants from the highly accumulating plants are indeed exported into the sap, whereas other variants are retained in the cells.

They could also pinpoint that this is likely due to a small difference in the protein's amino acid sequence that acts as a tag that tells the cell which proteins to retain within. The team proved their point by showing that unrelated tobacco plants in which they introduced the highly accumulating protein versions also exported the protein into the plant sap.

Inui explains, "Only secreted proteins can migrate inside the plant and be transported to the aboveground parts. Therefore, this seems to be the distinguishing factor between low-pollution and high-pollution plant varieties."

Understanding the mechanism behind pollutant accumulation is crucial to creating safer produce.

"By controlling the behavior of contaminant-transporting proteins, through genetic modification of their pollutant-binding ability or its excretion into the plant sap, we believe it will be possible to cultivate safe crops that do not accumulate harmful chemicals in their edible parts," says Inui.

But the Kobe University researcher has a broader vision.

He explains, "I started this research because I was looking for plants that can detect and digest pollutants effectively. Therefore, I also envision that we could use the knowledge gained through this work for creating plants that are more effective in absorbing soil pollutants. This could turn into a technology for cleaning contaminated soils."

More information: Minami Yoshida et al, Extracellular secretion of major latex-like proteins related to the accumulation of the hydrophobic pollutants dieldrin and dioxins in Cucurbita pepo, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.110612 Hideyuki Inui et al, Binding affinity of major latex-like proteins toward polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons influences their aboveground accumulation in the Cucurbitaceae family, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2025.110280
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Structural comparison of AAC(3)-Ia, AAC(3)-XIa, and AAC(3)-IIIa. Credit: Communications Chemistry (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s42004-025-01666-0

Life just got more difficult for those fighting antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Researchers at McGill University have discovered two enzymes that use a never-before-seen mechanism to confer resistance, opening a whole new front in the battle against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the top 10 global public health issues.

Albert Berghuis, a professor at McGill University, and Mark Hemmings, a Ph.D. student in his lab, were studying the types of enzymes that cause antibiotic resistance when they saw a structure that no one had ever seen before. Many resistance enzymes work by mimicking the antibiotic's target inside the bacterial cell, intercepting and deactivating the drug before it can do its job.

But they found two enzymes that attack aminoglycoside antibiotics without using this target-mimicry approach. Aminoglycosides are a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat severe bacterial infections.

"We found two enzymes that don't mimic the target at all," says Berghuis. "So, we wondered, are these still superbugs?"

The researchers used the Canadian Light Source at the University of Saskatchewan to examine the molecular structure of the enzymes and the drugs they bind to. They saw that the enzymescalled AAC(3)-Ia and AAC(3)-XIabind to the drug when its central ring structure is twisted into a pretzel shape rather than its usual flat disk.

This didn't seem like a particularly effective mechanism for resistance. Aminoglycoside molecules only spend about 0.1% of their time in the pretzel shape, says Berghuis, which doesn't leave many opportunities for the enzymes to grab and deactivate them.

"We didn't expect them to be very good enzymes," says Hemmings, but the results were a surprise: AAC(3)-XIa seriously outperformed their expectations. "One of them was pretty bad, but the other is actually just as good as the ones that do target mimicry." The researchers say more research is required to determine how the enzyme can be effective when it's so rarely in "attack" mode. The team's findings are published in the journal Communications Chemistry.

Berghuis says the work should help in the fight against antibiotic resistance, by highlighting the fact that there are more kinds of enzymes that can cause resistance than we thought. Researchers will need to take these unconventional enzymes more seriously when they are identified in the genomes of bacteria.

"Before, we would have ignored enzymes like this, but now we have to take them into account," he says. "The problem (of antibiotic resistance) has grown and made life more complicated."

More information: Mark Hemmings et al, Enzyme-mediated aminoglycoside resistance without target mimicry, Communications Chemistry (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s42004-025-01666-0 Journal information: Communications Chemistry
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

On October 29 2024, destructive storms hit several areas of the Iberian peninsula, causing the most extreme rainfall recorded in Spain during the 21st century.

According to the Spanish State Meteorology Agency (AEMET), they were caused by a mass of cold air at high altitude between the Gulf of Cadiz and the Gibraltar Strait, which pushed very humid air from the Mediterranean towards the coast. Storms formed in chains, which were repeatedly reactivated over the same areas.

In Turis, in the Valencia region, the AEMET recorded 185 liters per square meter (l/m) in one hour, and 772 l/m within 24 hours. The combination of extreme intensity and persistence triggered flash floods within a few hours.

The Jucar Hydrographic Confederationwhich administers the Jucar river that flows through Castilla La Mancha and Valenciaestimated maximum flows of 3,500 cubic meters per second (m/s) at the intersection of Rambla del Poyo and the A-3 motorway, and 2,400 m/s where the Magro River meets the Forata dam.

In addition to the 229 deaths in the Valencian community, there were seven in Castilla-La Mancha (one in Mira, in Cuenca, and six in Letur, in Albacete) and one in Andalusia, in Alhaurin de la Torre, Malaga.

Of the deceased, 68 were found on the ground floors of homes, and 35 in car parks and basements. According to Spain's Data Integration Center (CID), more than half of the victims were aged 70 or over, and 15 were aged 90 or over. Additionally, 24% of deaths were in the 8089 age bracket, making it the largest group.

What caused the tragedy?

Construction in river areas intensified during Spain's rapid development during the 1960s and 1970s, and also during the property bubble from 1997 to 2008. Indeed, of the 75,000 homes affected by flooding, 31% were built during this second period. The physical vulnerability of the buildings exacerbated the tragedy, as many ground floors became death traps once they were flooded.

At 7:36 am on 29 October, the AEMET issued a red alert for extreme rainfall. According to the Valencian government, the Jucar Hydrographic Confederation reported that at 12:07pm the Rambla del Poyo had exceeded the pre-alert threshold. By 18:43, the flow had reached 1,686m/s.

The Valencian government did not activate its Integrated Operational Coordination Centre (CECOPI) until 5pm. The ES Alert public warning system was not activated until 8:28 pm, by which time many areas were already underwater.

Although the central government offered support from the outset, there was controversy over the level of its involvement, as it did not assume full control by declaring a national emergency.

The low perception of risk among the general population, together with the delay in the ES Alert warning, were decisive factors. The fact that it was not actually raining in many of the affected towns created an additional false sense of security among residents. This led to risky behavior, such as going down to garages to rescue vehicles and driving on flooded roads.

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Preventing future tragedies

The good news is that there are actions we can take to prevent similar weather events from having such tragic consequences in the future. They can include the following measures:

Characterize the uncertainty of risk analysis: Maps must be developed that quantify the probability of flooding in different areas as a percentage. This approach enables more effective land use planningareas with a higher likelihood of flooding have greater restrictions, while areas with a lower probability can be used for purposes that entail a certain degree of risk.

Integrate vulnerability and resilience into risk management: Develop indices to identify areas where the population is less able to adapt, as well as unsuitable housing conditions (ground floors, basements), mobility limitations or social isolation. With this information, authorities can design specific evacuation plans for vulnerable populations, establish neighborhood support networks, and prioritize improvements to the most vulnerable homes.

Mitigate risk through structural measures: Among other things, this could include more efficient urban drainage systems, as well as dams at the head of rivers and storm tanks to mitigate flash floods. Self-protection measures in homes should also be promoted. These include permanent automatic water pressure barriers, pneumatic floodgates and watertight doors.

Improve risk awareness: Communication plans must be designed to increase public awareness of flood risks. Compulsory risk education programs should be part of all non-university education, as proposed in the Civil Protection Emergency Training Plan.

Promote participatory governance: Strengthening social capital is an effective way to improve community resilience. It enables participatory governance by creating spaces for dialog where stakeholders (civil society, authorities, experts) can engage in decision-making on risk management.

Implement a decision support system (DSS): A DSS must be implemented that connects AEMET data with the records of the Jucar Hydrographic Confederation in real time. The DSS would provide continuously updated information on rainfall intensity and water depth, enabling quick decision-making and reducing the need for consultations between administrations.

Successful flood risk management demands a profound transformation that combines scientific knowledge, citizen participation and political will. The experience gained must translate into better informed and prepared societies, capable of anticipating and adapting to an increasingly challenging climate context.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Three wolf pups from a pack whose adult members were euthanized by state conservation officials earlier in October had still not been captured despite weeks of searching by scientists and wildlife officers, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said.

The slow progress of the search prompted concerns from environmental groups about the animals' survival when harsh winter conditions descend on the Sierra rangeland where they are believed to still be living.

The roughly six-month-old juveniles, which will be taken to a wildlife sanctuary when located, are too small to take down most prey on their own and have lost their parents at the age when they would normally be learning how to hunt, wolf experts said.

"We can't predict what will happen to these young wolves, although the odds of survival may be low," said Pamela Flick, California program director for the conservation group Defenders of Wildlife.

"Even if they survive the winter, they are losing out on fundamental lessons from their pack on how to survive as a wolf, and that will influence how they hunt, travel and behave into adulthood."

The pups were born this year to adult members of the Beyem Seyo pack, which settled in Sierra Valley, about 100 miles northeast of Sacramento in Plumas and Sierra counties. The pack became unusually accustomed to feeding on livestock from nearby ranches, ultimately killing 87 cows, calves and sheep in just over six months, according to state wildlife officials.

Two weeks ago, after months of nonlethal efforts to dissuade the wolves from attacking livestock and venturing close to humans failed, game wardens with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife euthanized the pack's three adult members and a pup they mistakenly thought was an adult.

The ongoing predation terrified residents of Sierra Valley and strained local law enforcement resources, highlighting a major challenge facing California and other states: Wolves, hunted to local extinction a century ago, are making a comeback under protections from both federal and state endangered species acts, but they also can threaten livestock and people.

But finding and carrying out the plan proved challenging. Only two of the adult wolves wore tracking collars, so the state's first effort to kill one resulted in a mistake, as game wardens in a helicopter shot one of the juveniles instead of the uncollared adult they were seeking.

After that incident, the department changed its approach and shot the remaining three adults with tranquilizer darts rather than a firearm, then euthanized them on the ground with injections of the type a sick animal might receive when being put to sleep by a veterinarian.

Scientists later found the remains of two more pups that likely died of natural causes, leaving three living pups, all males, to be located and captured. But they have still not been caught, despite intense searches that began Sept. 24, said Jen Benedet, a spokeswoman for CDFW.

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The pups, now considered juveniles by scientists, have been spotted from time to time and appear to be healthy, she said, meaning they have likely learned to forage for food.

The department is using several methods to locate them, she said, including combing areas the adults were known to frequent, following up on sightings by ranchers and residents, and using wildlife cameras to track their movements.

The four wolf specialists and several law enforcement officers are searching for the pups on the ground and by helicopter, she said. They are using drones as well as night-vision and thermal imaging equipment to try to spot the animals. The scientists are also engaging in what they call diversionary feedingleaving out frozen carcasses of wild animals such as beavers for the wolves to find and eat, she said.

The pups are unlikely to be using the dens built by their parents, because typically those are used only for the first few months of life, Benedet said. These pups no longer show evidence of using the dens, she said.

If the pups are not found, there are a few likely scenarios regarding what could happen next, said Christine Barton, executive director of the California Wolf Center.

Typically, she said, wolves stay with the pack into which they were born until they are about 2 years old. At six months, they would be weaned and eating solid food, but would not have been on many hunts with the adults to learn how to take down prey.

As a result, they are likely to stay in the general vicinity of Sierra Valley for about three months and then disperse to other areas, looking for new packs to join, she said.

"Wolves can cover more than 50 miles in a day, so it's hard to predict where they might go if they choose to leave," Flick said. "They will seek out available prey, so they could end up covering a lot of terrain to find food."

A major challenge if they are not captured will be to survive the harsh Sierra Valley winter, Barton and Flick said. To make it, they will have to learn to forage or take down smaller prey.

"Juvenile wolves of this age and size cannot take down large prey like a pack can, so they will likely scavenge on carcasses they come across or hunt smaller, easier prey like rodents and rabbits," Flick said.

If the pups are not caught and they survive the winter, they may also stay in Sierra Valley, perhaps being joined by wolves from other packs to form a new group, Flick said. Wolves from two other packs were spotted in the range area of the Beyem Seyo pack last summer, she said, including members of the Diamond pack.

If that happens, the new pack may also begin to prey on local livestock, creating new tensions with the community.

To avoid such an outcome, the state plans to continue looking for the pups as long as possible, with the understanding that if they are not found soon, winter weather may disrupt the search, Benedet said.

"CDFW's intended action is to continue to safely collect the outstanding juveniles and place them in an appropriate care facility, for their well-being and to prevent their learned behavior from dispersing to other packs across California," she said.

2025 The Sacramento Bee. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
" " Remember, we're talking about the best-selling in the world, not just the best-selling in the U.S. monticello / Shutterstock

When it comes to the best-selling beer in the world, most people think of Budweiser, Heineken, or maybe Corona.

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Editorial:

The Spark that Set Off a Firestorm





Imagine being a young activist, wearing a shirt to signal pride in your heritage, only to have that garment turn into a source of fear for your entire community. Thats precisely what happened in Kathmandu in October 2025. What started as a Gen-Z protest ignited a frightening controversy, all because of three letters: "TOB" (Tibetan Origin Blood). For the young people wearing shirts, it was a statement of cultural identity. For those looking for a political spark, it was instantly misinterpreted and weaponized on social media, linking the group to the highly sensitive Free Tibet movement. Because of Nepals close relationship with China, the reaction wasnt just sternit was disproportionate and heartbreaking. The government immediately heightened surveillance on the entire Tibetan community, and a tide of misinformation and xenophobia flooded the digital space. This incident was never just about a t-shirt; it exposed a painful, systemic insecurity faced by Tibetan refugees in Nepal.





Living in the Shadow of Fear and Legal Limbo





The fallout was a stark demonstration of how quickly digital rumors can inflict real-world harm. Remember the viral photo of a demonstrator with a "gun"? That image, later proven to be a plastic prop from a music video, became a powerful tool for those aiming to incite fear. This online venom has already transformed into xenophobic abuse and targeted harassment, creating an atmosphere of fear that community members are desperately worried could spill over into physical violence. This latest crisis has tragically engulfed people who are already struggling to simply exist. For approximately 20,000 Tibetan residents in Nepal, life is an endless legal limbo. The government stopped issuing new refugee identification cards in 1995, leaving an entire generation vulnerable to statelessness -stripping them of basic rights that most of us take for granted. Add to that the constant pressure from the North, which leads to the suppression of civil rights and cultural expression, and you see a community perpetually caught between a powerful neighbor and a host country that hasn't fully committed to protecting them.





A Moral Plea for Dignity and Justice




Kathmandu, Nepal, October 30, 2025: Nepal and India have signed a joint venture and shareholder agreement to construct two 400 kV cross-border transmission lines aimed at expanding electricity trade between the two nations. The agreement was formalized on Wednesday in Kathmandu.

Subhash Kumar Mishra, Deputy Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), signed the agreement on behalf of NEA. Sanjay Kumar Gupta, Chief Operating Officer of International Business at the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, represented Power Grid.

The signing ceremony was attended by Nepals Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Kulman Ghisingwho also oversees the portfolios of Physical Infrastructure, Transport, and Urban Developmentand Indias Minister of Power, Manohar Lal Khattar.

The proposed transmission projects include:

Inaruwa (Nepal)  New Purnea (India): A 400 kV double-circuit transmission line.

Lamki (Dodhara, Nepal)  Bareilly (India): Another 400 kV double-circuit transmission line.

These projects are expected to significantly enhance bilateral cooperation in the power sector and strengthen regional grid connectivity. Once completed, the transmission corridors will facilitate increased electricity exchange, improve grid stability, and contribute to sustainable economic growth in both countries.

Officials from both sides stated that the agreement paves the way for establishing joint venture companies between NEA and Power Grid to implement the construction of the transmission lines.
Vice premier says China continues deepening capital market reform

Xinhua) 09:21, October 30, 2025

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with members of the China Securities Regulatory Commission International Advisory Council at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai)

BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- China is further deepening the reform of its capital market and expanding the high-level opening up of the financial sector via firm steps, Vice Premier He Lifeng said in Beijing on Wednesday.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with members of the China Securities Regulatory Commission International Advisory Council.

Noting that China is fully implementing the guiding principles of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, He said China is promoting the high-quality development of its financial sector to serve Chinese modernization, and welcomes more foreign financial institutions and long-term capital to invest and operate businesses in the country.

The advisory council members spoke highly of the achievements made in the reform and opening up of China's capital market in recent years, and said they are optimistic about the development prospects of China's economy and its capital market. They also expressed willingness to enhance their presence in the Chinese market and continuously expand investment cooperation with China.

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
By Qabil Ashirov

On October 29, an official reception dedicated to the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkiye was held at the Gulustan Palace in Baku. Azernews reports that the event was organized by the Embassy of Turkiye in Azerbaijan.

The ceremony began with the national anthems of both Turkiye and Azerbaijan. The guests included members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Baku, military attaches, government officials, parliamentarians, public figures, and media representatives.

In his opening remarks, Turkiyes Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Birol Akgun, highlighted that the modern Republic of Turkiye was founded in 1923 following a national struggle led by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk against imperial powers that sought to occupy Anatolia after World War I. Today we proudly celebrate the 102nd anniversary of our Republic, the ambassador said.

He emphasized that Turkiyes foreign policy has always been guided by Ataturks timeless principle  Peace at home, peace in the world. Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, Ambassador Akgun noted, Turkiye has become a principled and influential global actor, maintaining strong partnerships within the Western world while actively contributing to a more just and multipolar international system.

Akgun also underlined Turkiyes vital role in the Islamic world and its growing cooperation with Turkic nations through the Organization of Turkic States. The Turkic world is our common cultural family, he said, stressing that this unity aims not at confrontation, but at promoting development, solidarity, and shared prosperity. Strengthening the Middle Corridor serves the interests of the entire world, he added.

Following the ambassadors remarks, Speaker of the Milli Majlis Sahib? Gafarova delivered a speech in which she paid tribute to Ataturks legacy, emphasizing that his republican, secular, and democratic ideals remain the cornerstone of Turkiyes continued success.

She noted that under President Erdo?ans leadership, Turkiye has become one of the most powerful and respected nations in the world, playing a leading role in shaping the contours of the emerging international order. Turkiyes independent and multi-vector foreign policy stands as a model of responsibility, principle, and foresight, Gafarova said.

The Speaker also praised Turkiyes growing influence in promoting peace and dialogue from the Middle East to Eastern Europe. Turkiyes diplomacy embodies wisdom and flexibility  its voice is the sound of peace, stability, and justice, she said.

Highlighting Turkiyes impressive progress in defense, science, technology, and the economy, Gafarova added: The unifying creative energy of the Turkish people has led to remarkable achievements. Turkiye today holds a dignified place among the worlds largest economies and serves as a central hub for energy, transport, and logistics connecting continents.

She concluded by noting that Turkiye remains a nation confident in its future  faithful to its national values, open to innovation, and committed to building and defending peace and prosperity.
Kathmandu, Nepal, October 30, 2025: The Government of Japan has decided the grant assistance 2.8-billion-yen equivalent to 2.6 billion Nepalese Rupees for " Emergency Rehabilitation of Sindhuli Road Affected by Floods.

The signing ceremony was held in the presence of Honble Mr. Rameshore Prasad Khanal, Finance Minister and Honble Mr. Om Prakash Aryal, Home Minister. His Excellency Mr. MAEDA Toru, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Mr. Ghanshyam UPADHYAYA, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance signed the Exchange of Notes for the grant. The Sindhuli Road is 160km long and links the mid and eastern Terai with the capital city of Kathmandu. Its construction had been supported by Japanese grant assistance (25.8 billion yen) from 1995 to 2015, and the road has been contributed to the economic growth of Nepal.

Unfortunately, the road was seriously damaged by floods, which was caused by continuous heavy rains in September 2024. More than 10km of the road was flushed and it has had the severe impact on the local economy and peoples lives as well as Nepali whole economy including trading and transportation.

The Government of Japan supports promoting the road restoration and recovery through the grant assistance. This road will continue to serve as an essential route, symbolizing friendship between Japan and Nepal. The Embassy of Japan believes that this project will be instrumental for Nepal in achieving sustainable economic development and further deepening of cordial relationship between Japan and Nepal.
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukraines long-range strikes on refineries inside Russia have reduced Moscows oil refining capacity by 20%, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, citing intelligence from Western governments.

Over 90% of those deep strikes on Russian soil were carried out by Ukrainian-made long-range weapons, according to Zelenskyy. He said Ukraine needs additional foreign financial help to produce more of them.

We just need to work on this every day, he said in comments to the media on Monday that were embargoed until Tuesday.

Oil exports play a key role in funding Russias invasion of its neighbor Ukraine. While Ukrainian weapons take aim at the refineries, new sanctions from the U.S. and the European Union are aiming to cut into Moscows oil and gas export earnings.

Despite renewed U.S.-led peace efforts, the war shows no sign of ending after nearly four years. With the Kremlin showing no willingness to compromise, U.S. President Donald Trump raised the stakes by announcing sanctions last week against Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil.

Those sanctions are due to come into force on Nov. 21, and Zelenskyy says Trump probably will use this as a tool of pressure or dialogue with the Russians.

China and India are the biggest customers for Russian oil. Zelenskyy said India has definitely given all the signals that it will reduce imports of energy resources from Russia.

He said he is hopeful that Trumps planned meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday will bring further reductions in purchases of Russian crude.

In other comments to reporters, Zelenskyy said:

 Ukraine has 70% of the $2 billion it needs to fund gas imports for the winter heating season as Russia steps up attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

 By next month Ukraine will be producing between 500-800 interceptors per day to stop Russias Shahed drone attacks, but operators also need training to use them.

 Ukraine has captured 2,200 Russian prisoners of war in over six months of fighting this year in the eastern region, where Russias bigger army is making a push to capture the city of Pokrovsk. where Ukraine is shoring up its defenses with more troops.

 Kyiv officials are holding parallel talks with Sweden, France and the U.S. to build up Ukraines future combat aviation potential. Zelenskyy says he has requested a fleet of 250 new aircraft in total.
SICT responds to revocation of 13 Mexican airline routes into the U.S.

Mexico City, Mexico  A total of 13 Mexican airline routes current or planned to the U.S. have been revoked. The announcement was made Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

The decision to revoke approval is following allegations of Mexicos failure to comply with a 2015 air transport agreement, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.

Mexico illegally canceled and froze flights operated by a U.S. airline for three years without consequences, Duffy said in a statement regarding the order.

The order suspends services between the United States and Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA) and freezes any new or expanded routes from Mexico Citys Benito Juarez International Airport (AICM).

In a statement Wednesday, the SICT (Secretaria de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes) said it reaffirms its commitment to safe, efficient and competitive aviation. The SICT reports that actions have been taken to prioritize the safety and operation of the Mexican Aeronautical System in accordance with the Bilateral Agreement and with respect for National Sovereignty.

In their statement, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation reported the suspension of two routes currently operating from AIFA will be effective from November 7.

The SICT added that this also includes the cancellation of 11 routes scheduled to begin operating to the United States from AIFA and Benito Juarez International Airport (AICM), with immediate effect.

This executive order will not allow applications for new routes or frequency increases from AIFA or AICM to the U.S., until further notice.

The second order warns of the possibility of prohibiting permits for Mexican airlines to transport combined cargo on passenger flights between the AICM and the United States.

With regard to this order, the DOT grants 14 days, that is, until November 11, 2025, for comments and an additional 7 days, until November 18, 2025, for rebuttals. If confirmed and the order is final, the ban will take effect 108 business days after that date, Mexicos SICT explained.
At the invitation of the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, President Xi Jinpings Special Envoy and Minister of Culture and Tourism Sun Yeli will attend the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Egypt on November 1.

Shenzhen TV: It was reported that, according to the latest poll in Paraguay this month, 58.3 percent of Paraguayans believe that establishing diplomatic ties with China is very important, and 29.8 percent believe it is important. The two combined accounts for nearly 90 percent of the respondents. Several Paraguayan MPs urged the Paraguayan government to establish diplomatic relations with China and sever the so-called diplomatic ties with the Taiwan authorities. What is Chinas comment on it?

Guo Jiakun: We noted the reports. In recent years, we have heard time and again the strong call of people from various sectors in Paraguay to develop relations with China. The poll once again demonstrates the keen desire of the Paraguayan people for the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Paraguay.

We would like to stress again that Chinas reunification is unstoppable. Maintaining so-called diplomatic relations with the Taiwan authorities does not serve the fundamental and long-term interests of Paraguay and its people, and also goes against the prevailing consensus of the international community on upholding the one-China principle. We urge the Paraguayan government to heed the call of its people, embark on the right course as early as possible, come to the right side of history, and make the right decision to recognize the one-China principle and sever so-called diplomatic ties with the Taiwan authorities.

AFP: Following his meeting with Chinese president earlier today in Busan, South Korea, Donald Trump said he would visit China in April of next year. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm this as well as a possible timeline for Chinese leader to visit the United States next year at Trumps invitation?

Guo Jiakun: Regarding the meeting between the Chinese and U.S. heads of state, China has released a readout which you may refer to. The two presidents agreed to maintain interactions on a regular basis. President Trump looks forward to visiting China early next year, and invited President Xi to visit the United States.

JoongAng Ilbo: ROK and U.S. leaders discussed nuclear-powered submarines when they met yesterday, and President Trump said today he will give approval to build it in the Hanwha shipyard in Philadelphia. Whats Chinas comment?

Guo Jiakun: China noted the developments. China hopes that the ROK and the U.S. will earnestly fulfill their nuclear non-proliferation obligations, and do what is conducive to regional peace and stability, not otherwise.

Reuters: The U.S. has said that China has agreed not to implement its proposed rare earths controls. Could you give us more details about what was agreed? Will China just be pausing the new rules that were implemented in October or were the controls introduced in April also included in the recent deal?

Guo Jiakun: You may refer to Chinas readout on the meeting between the two presidents. President Xi Jinping noted during the meeting that the two teams had an in-depth exchange of views on important economic and trade issues, and reached consensus on solving various issues. They should work out and finalize the follow-up steps as soon as possible, and ensure that the common understandings are effectively upheld and implemented.

RIA Novosti: U.S. President Donald Trump has said he has ordered nuclear weapons tests to be conducted on equal basis with other countries that allegedly have nuclear testing programs. He added that the United States has the largest nuclear arsenal now, but China can catch up with the U.S. in five years. Whats Chinas comment?

Guo Jiakun: China hopes that the U.S. will earnestly abide by its obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and its commitment to a moratorium on nuclear testing, and take concrete actions to uphold the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime, as well as global strategic balance and stability.

Bloomberg: Its reported that the G7 nations are set to announce a critical minerals production alliance to counter Chinas dominance of the market. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment?

Guo Jiakun: China took steps to standardize and improve the export control system. This is consistent with international practice and aimed at better upholding world peace and regional stability and performing non-proliferation and other international obligations. We urge the G7 to earnestly observe the principles of market economy and international trade rules, stop disrupting the international trade order with the self-made rules of a group, and jointly work for a stable global economy.

RIA Novosti: U.S. President Donald Trump said earlier that the U.S. and Russia are discussing denuclearization and if the two sides make any progress on the issue, China could be added to the discussion. Whats your comment?

Guo Jiakun: On the issue of nuclear disarmament, Chinas position is consistent and clear.
By H.E. Wang Qing

Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone

The One-China principle established by UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 (UNGA Resolution 2758) represents international justice, the will of the people and the prevailing trend. Yet recently, certain countries have colluded with the Taiwanese Democratic Progressive Party authorities, maliciously misinterpreting Resolution 2758 and propagating fallacies such as Taiwan's status is undetermined  openly challenging the authority of the United Nations and the post-war international order. To clarify historical facts and set the record straight, I wish to share with our Sierra Leonean friends several truths concerning the Taiwan issue.

Taiwan has historically been part of China. In 1894, Japan launched the First Sino-Japanese War against China. The following year, it compelled the defeated Qing government to cede Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, resulting in Taiwan's occupation for half a century. Both the 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation explicitly stipulated that territories stolen by Japan from China, including Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, should be returned to China. On 25th October 1945, the Chinese government declared the resumption of sovereignty over Taiwan and held the Ceremony for the Acceptance of Surrender of Taiwan Province in the China Theatre in Taipei. The return of Taiwan to China constituted an integral part of the outcomes of the Second World War and the post-war international order.

On 1 October 1949, the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China was proclaimed, replacing the Government of the Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China. It was the replacement of the old government by the new one, while China, as a subject of international law, stayed unchanged and Chinas sovereignty and inherent territorial boundaries stayed unchanged. The historical and legal reality that Taiwan is part of China's territory and both sides of the Strait belong to one China remains unchanged.

In October, 1971, the 26th UNGA session adopted UNGA Resolution 2758, decided to restore all its rights to the Peoples Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it. The resolution unequivocally affirms that the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal representing the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations. It explicitly states that Taiwan is not a state and constitutes part of China's territory. This resolution not only resolves comprehensively the issue of representing the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations from political, legal and procedural perspectives, but also clarifies that China possesses only one seat in the United Nations. There is no such thing as two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan. After the adoption of Resolution 2758, all official U.N. documents referred to Taiwan as Taiwan, Province of China. It was clearly stated in the official legal opinions of the Office of Legal Affairs of the U.N. Secretariat that the United Nations considers Taiwan as a province of China with no separate status and the authorities in Taipei are not considered to  enjoy any form of government status.

UNGA Resolution 2758 demonstrates the authority and impartiality of the UN General Assembly, and enshrines the historical conclusion and international consensus on the Taiwan issue. Any responsible nation ought to take the lead in abiding by resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly, and in adhering to international law and the fundamental norms of international relations. Yet for some time now, certain countries have blatantly reversed historical progress, deliberately distorting and challenging UNGA Resolution 2758, condoning and supporting Taiwan independence separatist activities, and reviving the falsehood that Taiwan's status is undetermined in an attempt to use Taiwan to contain China. This not only challenges China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also challenges the authority of the United Nations and the post-World War II international order. It is utterly absurd and dangerous, and is bound to be resisted and opposed by the just forces of the international community. It is also bound to fail.

Sierra Leone was a co-sponsor of UNGA Resolution 2758 and made a special contribution to its adoption. Over the 54 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leonean side has consistently and resolutely upheld the One-China principle and supported China in its just cause of national reunification. China expresses its appreciation and sincere gratitude for this. Currently, both China and Sierra Leone serve as members of the UN Security Council, bearing the responsibility of upholding international peace and security, as well as safeguarding the authority of United Nations and General Assembly resolutions. China stands ready to work with Sierra Leone to continue offering unwavering mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, defend international fairness and justice, and jointly advance global peace, security and prosperity.




Akbar Novruz



The United States has invited Azerbaijan to participate in the planned Stability Force to be deployed in Gaza, Azernews reports, citing AnewZ sources.

According to the report, Azerbaijan has not yet made a final decision on the matter.

However, Bakus position remains consistent; any participation must be based on a UN Security Council resolution that ensures international legitimacy and defines a clear mandate for the mission.

Earlier, Politico reported that several countries, including Azerbaijan, Indonesia, and Pakistan, were considered as potential contributors to the proposed international stability force for Gaza.
On October 30, 2025 local time, President Xi Jinping had a meeting with U.S. President Donald J. Trump in Busan.

President Xi noted that under our joint guidance, China-U.S. relations have remained stable on the whole. China and the United States should be partners and friends. This is what history has taught us and what reality needs. Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then. You and I are at the helm of China-U.S. relations. In the face of winds, waves and challenges, we should stay the right course, navigate through the complex landscape, and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations. I am ready to continue working with you to build a solid foundation for China-U.S. relations and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries.

President Xi emphasized that there is a good momentum in Chinas economic development. In the first three quarters of this year, Chinas economy increased by 5.2 percent, and import and export trade in goods with the rest of the world expanded by 4 percent. This is not an easy accomplishment given the domestic and external difficulties. The Chinese economy is like a vast ocean, big, resilient and promising. We have the confidence and capability to navigate all kinds of risks and challenges.

At its fourth plenary session, the 20th CPC Central Committee deliberated over and adopted the recommendations for the economic and social development plan over the next five years. Over the past seven decades and more, we have been working from generation to generation on the same blueprint to make it a reality. We have no intention to challenge or supplant anyone. Our focus has always been on managing Chinas own affairs well, improving ourselves, and sharing development opportunities with all countries across the world. And that is an important secret to our success. China will further deepen reform across the board, expand opening up, and promote higher-quality economic growth while achieving an appropriate increase in economic output, and advance well-rounded human development and common prosperity for all. This will also expand the space for cooperation between China and the United States.

President Xi noted that the two teams had an in-depth exchange of views on important economic and trade issues, and reached consensus on solving various issues. They should work out and finalize the follow-up steps as soon as possible, and ensure that the common understandings are effectively upheld and implemented, to inject confidence into the two countries as well as the global economy through solid deliverables. China-U.S. economic and trade relations have experienced ups and downs recently, and this has also given the two sides some insights. The business relationship should continue to serve as the anchor and driving force for China-U.S. relations, not a stumbling block or a point of friction. The two sides should think big and recognize the long-term benefit of cooperation, and must not fall into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation. The two teams can continue their talks in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, and continuously shorten the list of problems and lengthen the list of cooperation.

President Xi stressed that dialogue is better than confrontation. China and the U.S. should maintain communication through various channels and at various levels to enhance mutual understanding. There is good potential for the two countries to work together on combating illegal immigration and telecom fraud, anti-money laundering, artificial intelligence, and responding to infectious diseases. The competent departments should strengthen dialogue and exchanges and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation. China and the U.S. should also engage in positive interactions on regional and international platforms. The world today is confronted with many tough problems. China and the United States can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries, and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world.

China will host APEC 2026, and the U.S. the G20 summit next year. The two sides can support each other in making both summits productive to promote world economic growth and improve global economic governance.

President Trump said that it is a great honor to meet President Xi. China is a great country. President Xi is a well respected great leader, and has been my good friend for many years. We have always got along well. The United States and China have always had a fantastic relationship, and it will be even better. We will make both China and the U.S. even better. China is the biggest partner of the U.S. Together, our two countries can get many great things done for the world and have many years of success. China will host APEC 2026, and the U.S. will host the G20 summit next year. We expect both to be successful.

The two presidents agreed to enhance cooperation in economic, trade, energy and other fields and to encourage more people-to-people exchanges.

The two presidents agreed to maintain interactions on a regular basis. President Trump looked forward to visiting China early next year, and invited President Xi to visit the United States.

Cai Qi, Wang Yi, and He Lifeng, among others, attended the meeting.
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The Supreme Court did something quite strange this weekand for the first time in a long time, it was not obviously for the benefit of President Donald Trump. Since Oct. 17, the justices have been considering whether to grant a stay of a lower-court order blocking the National Guards deployment in Chicago. When the court finally took action on Wednesday, however, it did not issue a decision either way; instead, it requested further briefing on a question that the parties largely ignored but that could cut decisively against the government. SCOTUS also kept the injunction in place while it awaits those filings, which are due Nov. 17.

In some respects, Wednesdays order is a punt, delaying a shadow docket ruling on an explosive dispute. But it also signals that a majority is, at a minimum, not yet convinced that Trump should prevail. By allowing so much time for additional briefing, the court has hinted that it doesnt see the Chicago injunction as the dire emergency the administration claims it is. The justices have also revealed that theyre seriously considering an argument that has received relatively little attentionbut would, if correct, render the Guards deployment blatantly unlawful. Its a high-stakes theory that could trigger serious escalation by Trump. Yet it might also be what clinches five votes against him.

The central clash in Trump v. Illinois is whether the president has legal authority to federalize and mobilize the National Guard in the Windy City. It is a momentous question: The Constitution gives Congress the power to decide when the commander in chief can take over a states Guard, and federal law limits him to a narrow range of extraordinary circumstances. Trump has seized on one such statute, known as Section 12406. The law permits him to send in the Guard during an invasion or rebellion, or when he is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States. The Justice Department rather feebly claims that the intermittent protests in Chicago constitute a rebellion. But perhaps because thats so patently absurd, its main argument is that Trump is unable with the regular forces to enforce the law on the ground, justifying assistance from the Guard.

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Throughout the litigation over deployments in Chicago, Portland, and Los Angeles, courts and lawyers alike have focused primarily on whether the president is genuinely unable to keep the peace without the Guards help; the meaning of the phrase regular forces has taken a back seat. The DOJ argues that it encompasses civilian law enforcement, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has accepted that theory. U.S. District Judge April Perry disagreed in her decision against the Guard in Chicago, interpreting regular forces to mean the military. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, however, declined to weigh in on this thorny and complex issue; it focused solely on the insufficient evidence that protest activity in Illinois has significantly impeded law enforcement.

Related From Slate Make No Mistake: This Is One of the Most Serious Developments of Trumps Second Term Read More

The clearest account of what regular forces actually means has come not from any judge or plaintiff but from Georgetown Law professor Marty Lederman. In an amicus brief filed with SCOTUS, Lederman presents a meticulous account of the terms definition in the context of this statute. The historical record shows that American lawmakers have understood regular forces to mean the standing army since 1776, when the Continental Congress set forth the Articles of War. That reading continued into the 1800s, when both Congress and the Supreme Court referred to the standing army as regular forces. Starting in the early 1900s, Congress enacted predecessors to Section 12406 that used the term in this way; members of the armed forces, including the Armys judge advocate general, confirmed this interpretation. At no point during this period did lawmakers or high-ranking military officials use regular forces to refer to civilian law enforcement. The modern statute, Lederman demonstrates, carried through the long-standing definition: The nations regular forces are military personnel serving in the United States Armed Services.

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It is rare for a law professors amicus brief to make a big impact on the Supreme Court. But Ledermans evidently did, because the court ordered the parties to address whether the term regular forces refers to the regular forces of the United States military and, if so, how that interpretation affects the Chicago case. Off the bat, this request indicates that there are not yet five votes to lift the injunction and send the Guard into the city, as Trump wants; if there were, the court presumably would have just done it. Similarly, it suggests that there are not five votes for the governments radical assertion that courts have no authority to stop the Guards mobilization at all. At least a few Republican-appointed justices seem to think that courts (including theirs) can prohibit illegal deployments. Thats a positive sign for the plaintiffsand for other cities facing imminent deployment, like Portlandthat they may yet prevail at SCOTUS.

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As persuasive as Ledermans theory may be, it also has some alarming implications. If its true that Trump can send in the Guard only after he has failed to control the situation with the military, the question arises: When can he send in the military? Lederman notes that the Insurrection Act allows the president to deploy the military within the U.S. to repel insurrections and invasions or execute the laws of the union. The DOJ has long understood this last provision to apply solely when state authorities are defying the national government or refusing to stop the infringement of federal rights. (Thats why Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy invoked the act to carry out desegregation when racist governors refused to do so.) It is far from clear, Lederman writes, that any such obstruction of federal law has occurred in Chicago that would warrant the acts invocation.

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Once the Insurrection Act has been lawfully invoked, though, it sweeps much further than Section 12406. Thats because it creates an exception to the Posse Comitatus Act, which generally bars troops from enforcing domestic laws. Thats not true of Section 12406: Even if Trump can use that statute to send in the Guard, troops may only defend federal agents, operations, and buildings; they cannot function as a roving police force that carries out the typical work of civilian law enforcement. The Posse Comitatus Act forbids it. If the president uses the Insurrection Act to send in the military, by contrast, he can direct troops to execute domestic laws that have no connection to ongoing federal operations. Service members could be instructed to search, arrest, and imprison civilians they deem suspicious and impose their commander in chiefs draconian vision of law and order. That situation looks a lot like martial law.

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For Chicago, then, Ledermans theory is high risk, high reward. It gives the Supreme Court another way to shoot down the administrations current deployments of the Guard into American cities. Yet it would also give Trump an incentive to invoke the Insurrection Act and claim even more power to place these cities under military control. Courts could attempt to block those efforts, of coursebut only if they determined that they can review the presidents decision in the first place. (Thats an open question.) It is doubtless encouraging that SCOTUS has not yet rubber-stamped Trumps use of the Guard, given its persistent bias toward this president. If the justices do rule against him under this theory, though, their decision could spur a crisis that makes the current standoff look tame by comparison.
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Was President Donald Trump threatening to escalate the nuclear arms race in a social media postor was he just spouting nonsense? A bit of both, it seems.

In a message posted minutes before his meeting in South Korea with Chinas President Xi Jingping, Trump wrote, Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.

He later elaborated to reporters that although the U.S. stopped testing nuclear weapons a long time ago, Russia and China were still testing, so we have to start testing again too.

Both statementsthe social media post and the remarks to reportersare pure mishmash.

First, if he was referring to nuclear bombs and warheads, the United States, Russia, and China have all abstained from testing for the past 30 years. This restraint stems from three factors: 1) the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, signed in 1996, which all three nations have observed even though their parliaments didnt ratify it; 2) a desire to avoid the resumption of an arms race, which further testing could spark; and 3) a recognition that lab-testing the components of warheads can gauge their reliability well enoughexploding them in underground test sites is not necessary.

Second, if Trump was referring to the missiles that carry nuclear warheads, the United States, Russia, and China all regularly conduct those sorts of tests.

In other words, whatever Trump meant by nuclear weapons, the U.S. is testingor not testingthem on an equal basis with Russia and China.

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It could be that Trump had recently been briefed on Russias test of a cruise missile powered by nuclear propulsion. If so, some aide should have informed him that this weapon, if it exists, is nothing to worry about. Let the Russians waste money on the program; no need for us to match their folly.

Then again, judging from his conflation of missiles and warheads, or perhaps his unawareness of the distinction between the two, Trump isnt informed about such mattersor, if he is, he doesnt pay close attention.

The timing of Trumps announcement is also a mystery. Did he think the threat of resumed nuclear testing would strengthen his leverage over Chinas President Xi? Trump may argue that it did. After their summit, he told reporters that it was a huge successrating it 12 on a scale from 1 to 10. It was a good meeting, but its main accomplishment was ending, or at least postponing, a trade war that Trump had blithely started and was about to lose. This had been worked out in advance by the two sides emissaries, as is often the case. Brandishing nukes had nothing to do with it.

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One fine point: If Trump does want to resume the testing of nuclear warheads, he should have sent the order not to the Department of War (as he now calls the Defense Department) but rather to the Department of Energy.

Trumps post is either baffling or wrong on so many points, large and small. Lets take his message one sentence at a time.

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country. Actually, this isnt true. In terms of nukes aimed at each other, the U.S. has more than Russiabut Russia has a larger number of total nukes, due to its sizable stockpile of short- and medium-range nuclear weapons, aimed mainly at Europe. The U.S., on the other hand, scuttled almost all its weapons of that type long ago. But this is irrelevant. In an arms competition, as long as each side can wreak havoc on the other, destroying all the targets it needs to in order to deter an attack or limit damage if war cant be deterred, it doesnt matter which side has slightly larger numbers.

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This was accomplished [Trump says of Americas alleged superiority], including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office. Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice!

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This is highly misleading. President Barack Obama ordered the renovation, as part of a deal to win Senate ratification of the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia. (Obama was tricked into the deal. In exchange for getting ratification, he agreed to modernize or replace the entire arsenal of land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and bomber aircraft. But after he left office, Republicans claimed modernize meant replace.) Both Joe Biden and Trump funded the new weapons development, but owing to staggering delays, none of them have yet been deployed. In any case, fielding them would mean replacing the existing weapons, not enlarging the arsenals size.

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Russia is second [i.e., its in second place to the U.S. in nuclear numbers], and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years. On Russia as No. 2, see above. As for China, intelligence agencies estimate that it will have 1,000 nukes by 2030only about one-third as many as the U.S. or Russiabut yes, the Chinese are building more nukes.

This being the case, Trump would have made more dramatic newsand perhaps upped his quest to win the Nobel Peace Prizeif hed proposed opening arms-reduction talks with Russia and China. We have more nukes than we need. Air Force officers recently claimed that the delays in their new Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile dont much matter because the 400 existing Minuteman III ICBMs (which the Sentinels were to replace) will remain serviceable until 2050. So it would be in our narrow national security interests, as well as a boon to world stability, if the three largest nuclear powers all scaled back the size of their arsenals.

When he meets with Xi in China early next year, Trump should put that on the agendafor his ego and for our well-being.
Canadian-campaigned Beau Jangles, who won the Breeders Crown final for two-year-old male pacers in a stakes, track and Canadian record 1:48.3 at Woodbine Mohawk Park to cap off a 12-for-12 campaign, jumped to No. 1 in the Week 20 edition of the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll released on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Beau Jangles, the richest horse in harness racing this season, received 24 of 35 first-place votes. The Ian Moore trainee was ranked No. 3 a week ago.

Yo Tillie, who won the Breeders Crown final for three-year-old female trotters, moved from fourth to second in the rankings and received six first-place votes. Louprint, the previous No.1, dropped to third after his eighth-place finish in the Breeders Crown final for three-year-old male pacers, but retained five first-place votes.

Rounding out the top five were Breeders Crown winners Miki And Minnie (in a dead heat) and Loua Dipa, who moved up from seventh and eighth, respectively.

Twin B Joe Fresh, who was scratched from her Breeders Crown final, was No. 6 and followed by Breeders Crown Open Pace winner Ervin Hanover. Lexus Kody, Emoticon Legacy and Super Chapter, who were third, seventh and second in their respective Breeders Crown finals, completed the Top 10.

Sylvia Hanover dropped out of the Top 10.

The Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown poll, which will continue weekly on Wednesdays through the Grand Circuit season, does not determine year-end awards. The members of the U.S. Harness Writers Association vote on all Dan Patch Award division winners plus U.S. Trotter of the Year, Pacer of the Year and Horse of the Year.

Rankings based on the votes of harness racing media representatives on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.

Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown Standardbred Poll: Week 20  Oct. 29, 2025

Rank Name (First-Place Votes) Age/Sex/Gait Record Earnings (USD) Points Previous 1 Beau Jangles (24) 2cp 12-12-0-0 $1,227,326 334 3 2 Yo Tillie (6) 3ft 12-11-1-0 $979,195 293 4 3 Louprint (5) 3rp 12-10-1-0 $1,025,971 267 1 4 Miki And Minnie 3fp 14-12-2-0 $1,038,949 215 7 5 Loua Dipa 2fp 12-9-1-1 $742,241 199 8 6 Twin B Joe Fresh 5mp 9-6-2-1 $526,714 178 2 7 Ervin Hanover 5hp 16-10-1-1 $843,160 167 9 8 Lexus Kody 7gt 20-10-3-4 $1,151,401 120 5 9 Emoticon Legacy 3ct 10-7-1-0 $954,875 66 6 10 Super Chapter 3ct 13-8-3-1 $1,154,574 21 --

ALSO: Delaney Hanover 14; Apex, Periculum 13; Super Chapter 10; Ken Hanover 9; M-Ms Dream, On To Norway, Prince Hal Hanover 4; Elista Hanover, Dandy Ideal, Odds On Mr Mamba 3; Brandon Blvd, Diabolic Hill, Go Dog Go 2; Aetos Kronos S 1.

(USTA)
Some of the sports biggest names will make their way to Harrahs Hoosier Park on Friday, Oct. 31 as a quartet of six-figure stakes races for all four three-year-old divisions highlight the 13-race program.

The Grand Circuit events will begin in the 10th race with the $185,000 USD Carl Erskine for trotters, which features On To Norway in search of his 19th consecutive victory. Established as the 3-2 morning-line favourite in the field of 10 with regular pilot John De Long slated to drive, the Ron Burke trainee has not tasted defeat since his three-year-old debut on Apr. 3. In the time since, the Muscle Massive-One Class Act gelding has swept all eight legs and the $347,222 Super Final of Indiana Sire Stakes, to go along with stakes wins in the Phil Langley Memorial and Pegasus in his last outing. Owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Frank Baldachino, Black & White Stable, and Michael Rosenthal, On To Norway has racked up $622,422 in seasonal earnings. He will start from the rail.

Jugette champion Rodeo Drive Deo has been tabbed as the 3-1 morning-line choice in the USS Indianapolis Memorial for pacing fillies, which carries a purse of $113,750 USD and will serve as the 11th race on the program. Saddled with the outside post nine, the Ron Burke-trained daughter of Captaintreacherous-Miss L A makes her way to Hoosier Park after a traffic-troubled fourth-place effort in her Breeders Crown Final last out. Hall of Fame driver David Miller will once again have the call on the filly owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Beasty LLC, and J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby. She will take on Breeders Crown third-place finisher Skywalker Sea (PP7, Austin Hanners) and Canttouchthese (PP6, De Long), who romped by five lengths in the Circle City in her last outing, as the co-second choices at 9-2 on the morning line.

The $131,500 USD Crossroads of America for filly trotters in Race 12 has Divine Thing billed as the 5-2 morning-line choice following her 1:53.4 victory in the Circle City in her last start at Hoosier Park. Leading driver Trace Tetrick will be aboard the daughter of Greenshoe-A Thing Goin On, who will start from post two for trainer Steve Carter and owner Jay Mossbarger. She will reignite her rivalry with Indiana Sire Stakes champion Miracle Maven (PP8, De Long, 3-1), who was second to Divine Thing in the Circle City.

The main event of the evening in the finale is the $172,500 USD Monument Circle for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings, in which Messenger champ Twisted Destiny takes on nine other foes as the slight 3-1 favourite from post eight. Dexter Dunns choice of three in the field, Twisted Destiny has won six of 15 starts this year for trainer Chris Ryder, and the royally bred son of Bettors Wish-Tug River Princess has banked $533,504 on the year for Let It Ride Stables Inc., Alberg Racing LLC, Enviro Stables Ltd., and Jesmeral Stable. Hell be joined by Cane Pace champion Captain Optimistic (PP6, Scott Zeron, 7-2), who enters off a third-place effort behind Sippinonsearoc in the Breeders Crown, and Little Brown Jug runner-up Odds On Outlier (PP3, Peter Wrenn, 12-1).

There will be a $15,000 guarantee on the all-stakes Late Pick 4 (Races 10-13) in addition to the $10,000 guarantee on the Late Hoosier High 5 (Race 13) on the Monument Circle.

First post for the program is set for 5:30 p.m.

Harrahs Hoosier Park currently races on a Wednesday-Saturday schedule before dropping down to Thursday-Saturday beginning Nov. 13. Harrahs Hoosier Park will be off for Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) before concluding the 2025 meet with closing weekend on Nov. 28 and 29.

(Hoosier Park; photo of On To Norway winning on Oct. 17)
A field of accomplished pacing mares will line up for top billing in the Thursday, Oct. 30 feature at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park with Sweet Molly looking to maintain her consistent autumn form.

The capital oval has a 12-dash presentation beginning at 6 p.m. (ADT).

The conditioned fillies and mares feature in race 11 carries a $4,150 purse with Sweet Molly bouncing in with a win and two seconds in her last three starts. Selected as the 5-2 morning line favourite, she will start from post three for trainer/driver David Dowling, who co-owns with Clair Murphy, Derrill Murphy and Cindy MacLean. The four-year-old daughter of Sweet Lou-Cheyenne Molly will look for lifetime win number 10 against a competitive group.

My Happy Place has been a model of consistency all season and will leave from the outside post five for driver Gilles Barrieau and trainer Ron Matheson. The sophomore daughter of Betterthancheddar-Smilesplace was a winner in The Maritimer in September at Connell Park in Woodstock, N.B., and boasts a 1:53.1 record taken over Woodbine Mohawk Park earlier this season.

Galway Girl has post one from the red-hot Landon Campbell barn with Marc Campbell guiding the four-year-old daughter of Shanghai Phil-Hazel. Redland Misspretty, to be driven by Paul Langille, holds down post two for trainer Kyle Williams and Elm Grove Mistress from the Jennifer Doyle barn with Jason Hughes driving rounds out the competitive field.

The "Post Time Picks" likes Sweet Molly to get it all: Sweet Molly wanted to boss it last week and raced great finishing second to Shake N Blake. Shes back at the same level and Dowling will have her on the front foot so she could get win number six in 2025.

Rocket Blast (Corey MacPherson) takes on day's top trot in race three for a $3,700 purse for trainer/driver Corey MacPherson. The four-year-old son of E L Rocket-Rich Dreams has four foes, including Majian Salsa (Jim Ripley), Hallofaride (Ryan Desroche), Labero (Marc Campbell) and Glider Man (Dowling).

Race nine is The Brown Wedding November 1, 2025 pace with the Doyle-trained Lady Devine (Ken Murphy) selected on top over Promise Me Later (Dowling) and Magical Mistress (Adam Merner).

To view Thursday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Thursday Entries - Charlottetown Driving Park.

(With files from Red Shores)
First the confession.

I tried to call horse races some 40 years ago (yes Im old). It did not go well. In fact, it was a disaster.

Larry Ross, who used to call the races at Northlands Park, had a sore throat and there was no back up. I was the marketing manager at Northlands at the time and I said, "No problem, I can do it."

The racing manager at the time, Morris Taylor, asked me if I was sure I could do it.

"No problem," I told him. I mean, how tough could it be?

Hah. Yeah right.

The first race I called only had five horses. So it was a snap. Or, so I thought.

Unfortunately four of the five Thoroughbreds wore dark green silks. Lovely.

I was lost. Just five horses and I messed it up like a toddler eating spaghetti.

It would only get worse.

In the next race, I was better prepared. Or so I thought.

Hah again.

I vividly remember saying, Theyre at the post and theyre off.

They were off alright. The head set I mean.

The next sound was of my head set rattling and crashing to the ground.

The head set had fallen off my head.

Scrambling nervously by the time I got the head set back on the race was almost over so I said, Its the five. Followed by the three and the six.

I never mentioned any one of the horses names. Not a single one.

Buzz Burke, the chart caller, came to my rescue. He found some white duct tape and wound it tightly around the head set and my noggin for the third race.

I looked like a total goof and Buzz kept bringing people into the announcers booth to give them a look at this outlandish sight.

Laughter filled the booth. My head looked like a mummy.

While the head set was snug, my brain and my voice werent.

Once again I was as lost as someone in a corn maze.

Calling horse races may sound easy but, believe me, its not.

I had no idea who was leading. No idea who was second or third or anywhere else. It was a tougher assignment than being Donald Trumps hair stylist. It was also tougher than a steak at a roadside diner.

Its hard to do because no two races are ever the same, you always have to expect the worst, said Century Miles announcer Dylan Beardy, who makes it sound effortless.

Ive called tens of thousands of races. Theyre all different, said Beardy, who is only 24.

To identify the horses when they are racing, Beardy looks for plenty of things: jockey silks, harness drivers colours, the colour of the saddle pads, the colours of the jockey or driver helmets, blinkers and other equipment, as well as the numbers of the horses.

Harness racing is a little easier because if the drivers colours are blue, white and orange then its Mike Hennessy driving. If they are green and black then its Dave Kelly. They wear the same colours all the time.

Not in Thoroughbred racing. While harness drivers wear the same silks every race they drive, jockeys in Thoroughbred racing dont. Jockeys wear different silks according to the owners stable.

"For instance, jockey Mauricio Malvaez will wear the brown and white diamond silks when hes riding for Bar None Ranches but then wear the plain grey silks when hes riding for Madison Zielke.

Then theres the saddle pads. A red saddle pad belongs to the No. 1 horse. Two is white. Three is blue.

That helps. But not always.

I can get mixed up with the three, nine and 10 horses, said Beardy. The three horse is dark blue, the nine is turquoise and the 10 is purple. At night, they can look the same.

Its the same with the one horse, which is red, and seven is orange or the five, which is green, and the 12, which is lime green. That can get a little confusing.

Tell me about it. I called the races like I was colour blind.

But if there is one thing that Beardy trusts more than anything, its his handicapping.

I handicap every race so that I know which horses are going to try for the front while others will be coming from off the pace. I want to know where the horses are likely to be.

Beardy, who is a very accurate announcer and can anticipate which horses are coming on and which are all done, said he knows hes ready when he can name the horses in order from one to eight (or how many horses are in the race) and then backwards from eight to one.

Its hardly a surprise that Beardy took up race calling. After all, his dad, Dave Paulsen, called the races at Saskatoon's Marquis Downs from 2004 to 2019 and continues to call the races at Grande Prairie.

He really has it down pat. I loved listening to him. I learned a lot from him, but I have my own cadence, my own everything.

I can vividly remember my mom taking my sister and I to the races in Saskatoon when I was only three years old.

Its why I do what Im doing, said Beardy, who started his race-announcing career at Marquis Downs calling 59 races in 2019 when he was just 18 years old.

But when Marquis Downs closed its doors in 2020 because of COVID-19, Beardy, who called bingo games to get used to controlling his voice, was out of work.

After I finished high school, I tried landscaping but I didnt like it, said Beardy, who is to the point in all of his calls and tells you a story in every call.

In April of 2022, he applied for the job at Century Mile and got it after calling three races at Calgarys Century Downs as part of the interview process.

Putting excitement into every race -- whether its a bottom claimer or a stakes race -- Beardy was a great hire.

You want people to come back. Whether its a $2 bettor or a $200 bettor.

I feel very blessed to have the job, said Beardy, whose favourite race call was the 2022 Canadian Derby when Great Escape defeated his stablemate Red Knobs.

As well as having to know which horse is which, Beardy, who also makes the morning lines and handicaps the races on the in-house system with Century Miles marketing manager Jentry VanBaal, has to overcome some very tough to enunciate names which would be easy to slip up on. Horses like Son Of A Beach, Justmybuckingluck and Chuck You Farley,

Years ago, there was a horse called Hoof Hearted never mind one called Akahickamickadola. Last year, he had to pronounce Tshiebwie. Try those ones on for size.

Its not easy, said Beardy, who makes the five-hour drive from Edmonton to his home in Saskatoon after the Saturday where he has a five-year-old son named Jonathan.

No, it definitely isnt.

Climbing Mount Everest in sandals is easier.

(Curtis Stock / thehorses.com)
Elite Turf Club LLC and AmTote International Inc. issued a statement on Thursday, Oct. 30 regarding the class action lawsuit filed on Oct. 24, 2025 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.

The class action lawsuit, which accuses major horse racing entities of colluding via computer-assisted, algorithmic betting, was filed by Ryan Dickey against The Stronach Group Inc., Stronach Group Services LLC, Churchill Downs Inc., The New York Racing Association, AmTote International Inc., United Tote Company, Racing And Gaming Services and Elite Turf Club LLC.

The statement from Elite Turf Club and AmTote International appears below.

"Elite Turf Club, LLC, and AmTote International, Inc., are among several horse racing industry organizations that have been named in a class action lawsuit filed recently in the state of New York by a single bettor from Colorado.

"These claims are meritless, and the company will vigorously defend itself.

"The lawsuit fundamentally misrepresents the nature of computer-assisted wagering (CAW) and the role Elite Turf Club and AmTote International have in operating, managing and regulating wagering activity. CAW is a long-standing industry, federal and state regulated component of the North American and global pari-mutuel wagering system. All participation in CAW is subject to the same pool rules, tote system audits and state regulatory approvals that govern all other forms of wagering.

"Claims that CAWs receive an unfair advantage are unfounded and ignore the safeguards built into the regulatory and technological framework of racing. Like many businesses, high volume customers, including CAW players, may receive benefits such as rebates based on the volume of play; this is no different than and can be likened to airline miles or credit card rebate programs. These benefits do not offer any advantage in wagering outcomes -- it is a customer incentive program that is important to not only our business but the industry.

"The horse racing ecosystem is made of many stakeholders -- horses, jockeys, backstretch employees, trainers, breeders, and all types of bettors including retail customers, advanced deposit wagering accountholders and CAW players. Each of these stakeholders play a critical role in the viability and sustainability of this sport. Make no mistake -- this lawsuit is an attack on the entire industry and puts at risk the tens of thousands of working families and the communities that rely on it. This baseless lawsuit has the potential to devastate an entire industry.

"The company will unequivocally defend the integrity of our business operations while continuing to lead innovation in this sport. We are confident in the integrity of our systems, the strength of our oversight, and the safeguards in place designed to prevent unfair play. We will continue to work closely with our industry partners and regulators to ensure a level field for all participants to deliver a world-class racing product to our fans, horsemen and women, and bettors. We will address these unfounded and outrageous claims through the appropriate legal channels."

(With files from 1/ST Media)
Prince Of Honor picked up his second straight victory with a 1:53.2 effort as he returned to the top trotting ranks at Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway in the $39,436 Open Handicap Trot on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Scratched down to a field of six, the race started with a brief duel between Triathlon As (Jeremy Smith) and Prince Of Honor, with the former assuming command at the quarter in :27.4. No one moved in the second panel, allowing the leader to reach the midway point in :56.3. Going down the backstretch, a move by Helpfirstedition (Tyler Smith) flushed Prince Of Honor out of the pocket, and the five-year-old Walner-Princess Aurora gelding started his chase after Triathlon As nearing three-quarters in 1:25.3. Triathlon As and Prince Of Honor trotted in unison for much of the stretch drive but were joined late by Yo Beth D (Trevor Smith) in the passing lane and Easter Jack (Brett Miller) on the outside. Prince Of Honor forged ahead late to win by a neck over Yo Beth D. Easter Jack nailed Triathlon As for third, a half-length back of the winner.

Prince Of Honor is now 20-for-66 lifetime with $651,106 in earnings. He is trained by Ron Burke and owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. He paid $3.20 to win.

Trainer Brian Brown earned his 2,000th lifetime victory on the card via an off-the-pace effort by Groove (Cameron McCown) in a $18,310 conditioned pace. The freshman Downbytheseaside-Cryptogram filly scored a half-length score over Callmeovrdahill (Trevor Smith) in 1:55.4. Dancin In My Sleep (Jason Beattie) was third. The winner is a homebred for Diamond Creek Racing. She paid $27.80 to win.

Brown recorded his first training win in the late 1980s. He was named the U.S. Trainer of the Year in 2017 after winning the North America Cup with Fear The Dragon and several major stakes with Downbytheseaside that season. He also trained Breeders Crown and Jugette champion Colors A Virgin. The 61-year-old is enjoying a solid 2025 with 55 wins in 233 starts for a win rate of 23.6 per cent.

In the $33,803 Open II Handicap Trot, Refined used a pocket trip from driver Tyler Smith to defeat a field of male rivals. A trio of trotters competed for the early lead with Refined clearing rail starter Texsong Soprano (Luke Hanners) to lead at the quarter in :28. Angel Nation (Jeremy Smith) took command before the half in :56.4 and led unopposed to three-quarters in 1:26.3 in the rain over a surface rated good. Refined then shifted out of the pocket on the final turn and wore down Angel Nation in the stretch to win by a neck in 1:55.1. Texsong Soprano rounded out the triactor.

Virgil Morgan Jr. trains Refined, a nine-year-old Uncle Peter-Reinvent mare, for Joyce A. McClelland Stable LLC and Larry Wills. She is now 52-for-156 lifetime with $1,499,154 in earnings. She returned $4.40 at the windows.

Action returns to Dayton Raceway on Thursday afternoon with a 14-race card starting at 4 p.m.

(With files from Dayton Raceway)
Google said its Gemini app is hitting 650 million monthly active users.

The VP of Google Labs told BI the image tool Nano Banana is bringing more younger users to Gemini.

That's good news for Google, which worries about losing younger users to apps like TikTok and ChatGPT.

Nano Banana is bearing fruit for Gemini.

In its Q3 earnings release, Google said its Gemini app has hit 650 million monthly active users, a 200 million increase since July. That still trails ChatGPT's 800 million weekly, but it's closing the gap.

Why the jump in interest? It's largely thanks to the arrival of Google's image editing tool  better known as Nano Banana  that became a viral hit back in August, said Josh Woodward, the VP of Google Labs who leads the Gemini app.

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More importantly for Google, a lot of users then started using the Gemini app for other tasks, he told Business Insider.

And crucially, it's bringing in different types of users.

"We're seeing a very big demographic shift in the app," he said in an interview.

That includes "huge growth" in the 18-34 age cohort and a shift from being heavily male-skewed to having more female users, Woodward said. Bringing in younger users is good news for Google, which has long worried about them spending more time on TikTok and other social media platforms.

Gemini has also seen an international surge, said Woodward. That's not a huge surprise: One of Nano Banana's biggest viral surges was users creating 3D figurines of themselves with the image tool.

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"That started in Thailand," said Woodward. "There was an influencer who did it, and suddenly it jumped to Vietnam and Indonesia, and it was off to the races."

For Google, bringing in users with a viral sensation like Nano Banana will often lead them to try other features and  Google hopes  keep them coming back for more. That's why Woodward says Google is looking closely at the stickiness that comes from these moments.

Google defines a monthly active user as someone who opens the app in either Android or iOS, or uses it on the web, and interacts with it. However, it ignores very basic queries, such as a user setting a timer, Woodward said.

"I can imagine there will be metrics in the future we want to report, like how many successful tasks did we complete for a person?" said Woodward. "That could be dozens or hundreds in a day over time. That's what we're really geared at."

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To reach that point, Google needs to transform Gemini from an assistant to an operator. The Gemini 2 phase has felt like a bridge between these two ideas. Google has provided glimpses of what this will look like, such as its Project Mariner agent for the browser and an "Agent Mode" that is in early testing for the app. Yet many of these early general-purpose agents still feel wonky.

"There's still a lot more to do on that. I feel like where we are, almost as an industry in some ways, is these agents can do maybe three to four or five tasks with a few tool use calls," said Woodward, referring to when AI connects to external tools. "And we really want to get to a world where they can do 10-plus tasks, 10-plus tool calls, and excellent accuracy. So we're on that journey overall."

Have something to share? Contact this reporter via email at hlangley@businessinsider.com or Signal at 628-228-1836. Use a personal email address and a non-work device; here's our guide to sharing information securely .

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A paper from the lab of UChicago PME Asst. Prof. Chibueze Amanchukwu of the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering built an active learning model that was able to explore a virtual search space of one million potential battery electrolytes starting from just 58 data points. Credit: UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering / Stephen L. Garrett

In an ideal world, an AI model looking for new materials to build better batteries would be trained on millions or even hundreds of millions of data points.

But for emerging next-generation battery chemistries that don't have decades of research behind them, waiting for new studies takes time the world doesn't have.

"Each experiment takes up to weeks, months to get data points," said University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (UChicago PME) Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellow Ritesh Kumar. "It's just infeasible to wait until we have millions of data to train these models."

Kumar is the co-first author of a paper published in Nature Communications that built an active learning model that was able to explore a virtual search space of one million potential battery electrolytes starting from just 58 data points. From this minimal data, the team from the lab of UChicago PME Asst. Prof. Chibueze Amanchukwu identified four distinct new electrolyte solvents that rival state-of-the-art electrolytes in performance.

To help hone the data from this small set, the team incorporated experiments as outputs, actually testing the battery components the AI suggested, then feeding those results back into the AI for further refinement.

"Often in the literature, we see computational proxies as an output, but there is still a difference between a computational proxy and a real-world experiment. So here we bit the bullet and went all the way to experiments as a final output," he said. "If the model suggested, 'Okay, go get an electrolyte in this chemical space,' then we actually built a battery with that electrolyte, and we cycled the battery to get the data. The ultimate experiment we care about is: Does this battery have a long cycle life?"

Trust but verify

Having an AI extrapolate millions of potential molecules from just 58 prompts can be fraught. The more a machine has to extrapolate, the greater the potential for spurious results, the chemical equivalent of a Dall-E portrait with six fingers or ChatGPT spewing gibberish.

"The model will not be very accurate initially, so it will have some prediction, and it will also have uncertainty associated with the prediction," Kumar said.

Predictions from AI trained on millions of data points would theoretically be more trustworthy, so the team verified along the way, testing and retesting to find electrolytes with the best discharge capacity.

In total, the team ran seven active learning campaigns with about 10 electrolytes tested in each before they zeroed in on four new electrolytes with top-tier performance.

"There's no way we can remove the inefficiency of machine learning and AI models completely, but we should take advantage of what it's good at, like we did in this case," Kumar said. "The other alternative was that we do experiments on all one million electrolytes, which was not possible."

Predictive to generative

One possible area of future study is tossing even the 58 data points and having an AI create new molecules from scratch, said co-first author Peiyuan Ma, Ph.D.

Currently, the lab's AI model extrapolates molecules from existing molecules other researchers have described and compiled in databases. Turning a truly generative AI loose on the massive chemical spacepotentially as much as 10 to the 60th power, or one with 60 zeroes after itcould result in novel configurations no scientist had ever dreamed.

"That would mean we're no longer limited by the existing literature," Ma said. "The model, in principle, can suggest some molecules that do not exist in any database."

Future AI models also need to evaluate potential electrolytes on multiple criteria. AI models evaluate battery components based on one factor, usually related to cycle life, Ma said. Cycle life is a battery's most important performance aspect, but far from the only feature needed to make a battery that would be useful and impactful in the real world.

"For an electrolyte to be successfully commercialized, it needs to meet multiple criteria, like base capacity, safety, even cost," Ma said. "We need future AI models to further filter the work, to pull the best electrolytes out from the best-performing electrolytes."

Turning to AI and machine learning to find new molecules can help remove the blinders from science, Kumar said. There's a natural human inclination to home in on chemical spaces that have already shown promising results rather than study new areas that could either change the world or waste time and resources.

"We are always biased toward what's already available to us, but AI can provide us a way to come out of our bias," Kumar said.

More information: Peiyuan Ma et al, Active learning accelerates electrolyte solvent screening for anode-free lithium metal batteries, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63303-7 Journal information: Nature Communications
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A concrete tie deforming under the weight of rail traffic. The arrow indicates where shape memory alloys were inserted to demonstrate adaptive reinforcement. Credit: University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering

In railroad tracks, rail ties hold the rails in place and ensure that their separation does not change. Modern concrete ties warp and crack through repeated use, leading to safety concerns including derailment if not regularly maintained.

Research from The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign shows that damage to concrete ties can be mitigated using shape memory alloys (SMAs), metals with the ability to return to their original shape after they are deformed.

In a study led by civil and environmental engineering professor Bassem Andrawes, ties warped by simulated rail traffic were shown to return to their original state with the help of SMAs activated by induction heating. The paper, "Experimental Testing of Concrete Crossties Prestressed with Shape Memory Alloys," is published in the Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems.

"We're doing something that I think is unprecedented in rail transportation engineering," Andrawes said. "We're working with a commercial supplier of concrete rail ties to implement and test our designs. For our publication, we went beyond laboratory experiments and demonstrated compliance with rail industry standards. We're very excited to continue our industrial partnership and develop a practical, working design."

Degradation in concrete is traditionally prevented through the process of prestressing, in which pre-tensioned steel rods are inserted to exert forces which counteract the effects of heavy loads. While this technique is applied in rail ties, the difficulty is that different parts of the tie experience different stresses. In addition, the ties shift as the ballastthe gravel bed distributing weight and providing drainagesettles in response to traffic.

Andrawes believes that SMAs are an ideal solution because they can be inserted into ties then independently controlled with self-contained heat sources. The reinforcement they provide could quickly adapt to the specific circumstances the tie is experiencing at different locations in its structure.

"SMAs are examples of what we call 'smart materials,'" Andrawes said. "You can deform them, twist them into wild new shapes, but they retain the memory of their original state in the molecular structure. When you apply heat, they know to return to that state. So, if you just have a heat source, then the SMA can guide a concrete structure back to the desired shape stored in the alloy's memory."

Working with Illinois Grainger Engineering civil and environmental engineering graduate student Ernesto Perez-Claros, Andrawes decided to use induction heating, in which the heat to restore the SMAs to their original shape is provided by a time-varying electromagnetic field. This was done to ensure that the electrical hardware would not need to be inserted inside the tie.

The research proceeded in three phases. First, the researchers worked with Rocla Concrete Tie, Inc., to cast their design in commercially available concrete rail ties. Second, the researchers conducted laboratory experiments to quantify the impacts of different lengths of SMAs in the ties. Finally, ties were subjected to stress tests simulating rail traffic, and the prototypes exceeded the standards of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA).

"It was important to us that we actually make something that goes out of the lab and into practice," Andrawes said. "Showing that our design meets and even exceeds AREMA specifications means that it's not just academic research. This is something that railroads can use, and we intend to guide it to the point where it can be adopted."

The researchers plan to continue working with Rocla to commercialize the technology. They also plan to submit their prototypes for full testing with real rail traffic at the Federal Railroad Administration Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado.

More information: Ernesto Perez-Claros et al, Experimental Testing of Concrete Crossties Prestressed with Shape Memory Alloys, Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems (2025). DOI: 10.1061/jtepbs.teeng-8982
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A tiny, injectable magnetoelectric antenna implanted deep in the brain can receive power from low-frequency external magnetic fields. Our technology has the potential to introduce a new avenue for minimally invasive bioelectric devices that can operate wirelessly deep within the human body, says MIT Associate Professor Deblina Sarkar. Credit: Baju Joy

Researchers from the MIT Media Lab have developed an antennaabout the size of a fine grain of sandthat can be injected into the body to wirelessly power deep-tissue medical implants, such as pacemakers in cardiac patients and neuromodulators in people suffering from epilepsy or Parkinson's disease.

"This is the next major step in miniaturizing deep-tissue implants," says Baju Joy, a Ph.D. student in the Media Lab's Nano-Cybernetic Biotrek research group. "It enables battery-free implants that can be placed with a needle instead of major surgery."

A paper detailing this work was published in the October issue of IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation. Joy is joined on the paper by lead author Yubin Cai, Ph.D. student at the Media Lab; Benoit X. E. Desbiolles and Viktor Schell, former MIT postdocs; Shubham Yadav, an MIT Ph.D. student in media arts and sciences; David C. Bono, an instructor in the MIT Department of Materials Science and Engineering; and senior author Deblina Sarkar, the AT&T Career Development Associate Professor at the Media Lab and head of the Nano-Cybernetic Biotrek group.

Deep-tissue implants are currently powered either with a several-centimeters-long battery that is surgically implanted in the body, requiring periodic replacement, or with a surgically placed magnetic coil, also of a centimeter-scale size, that can harvest power wirelessly. The coil method functions only at high frequencies, which can cause tissue heating, limiting how much power can be safely delivered to the implant when miniaturized to sub-millimeter sizes.

"After that limit, you start damaging the cells," says Joy. As is stated in the team's paper, "developing an antenna at ultra-small dimensions (less than 500 micrometers) which can operate efficiently in the low-frequency band is challenging."

The 200-micrometer antennadeveloped through research led by Sarkaroperates at low frequencies (109 kHz) thanks to a novel technology in which a magnetostrictive film, which deforms when a magnetic field is applied, is laminated with a piezoelectric film, which converts deformation to electric charge.

When an alternating magnetic field is applied, magnetic domains within the magnetostrictive film contort it in the same way that a piece of fabric interwoven with pieces of metal would contort if subjected to a strong magnet. The mechanical strain in the magnetostrictive layer causes the piezoelectric layer to generate electric charges across electrodes placed above and below.

"We are leveraging this mechanical vibration to convert the magnetic field to an electric field," Joy says.

Sarkar says the newly developed antenna delivers four to five orders of magnitude more power than implantable antennas of similar size that rely on metallic coils and operate in the GHz frequency range.

"Our technology has the potential to introduce a new avenue for minimally invasive bioelectric devices that can operate wirelessly deep within the human body," she says.

The magnetic field that activates the antenna is provided by a device similar to a rechargeable wireless cell phone charger, and is small enough to be applied to the skin as a stick-on patch or slipped into a pocket close to the skin surface.

Because the antenna is fabricated with the same technology as a microchip, it can be easily integrated with already-existing microelectronics.

"These electronics and electrodes can be easily made to be much smaller than the antenna itself, and they would be integrated with the antenna during nanofabrication," Joy says, adding that the researchers' work leverages 50 years of research and development applied to making transistors and other electronics smaller and smaller. "The other components can be tiny, and the entire system can be placed with a needle injection."

Manufacture of the antennas could be easily scaled up, the researchers say, and multiple antennas and implants could be injected to treat large areas of the body.

Another possible application of this antenna, in addition to pacemaking and neuromodulation, is glucose sensing in the body. Circuits with an optical sensor for detecting glucose already exist, but the process would benefit greatly with a wireless power supply that can be non-invasively integrated inside of the body.

"That's just one example," Joy says. "We can leverage all these other techniques that are also developed using the same fabrication methods, and then just integrate them easily to the antenna."

More information: Yubin Cai et al, Low-Frequency Sub-0.5 mm Magnetoelectric Antenna for Wireless Power Harvesting in Injectable Deep-Tissue Implants, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation (2025). DOI: 10.1109/tap.2025.3594009 Journal information: IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

China recently announced that it was putting new controls on the export of rare earth elements, sparking a new round in the country's ongoing trade war with the US.

Donald Trump responded by threatening to ramp up tariffs on Chinese goods by a further 100%. This will all be under discussion when China's president Xi Jinping and Trump meet on October 30 at the Asia Pacific Economic Conference in South Korea.

China has built an effective monopoly over rare earth metals, the 17 metallic elements that are not actually rare but are very difficult to mine and process. Most electric vehicles (EVs), smartphones or solar panels depend on these rare earths.

China mines 70% and refines 92% of these increasingly important metals, and manufactures 98% of the world's rare earth magnets used in EVs, electronics, medical devices and other clean tech. In recent years, these essential minerals have become a crucial part of China's economic agenda as it tries to focus on "high quality development" in advanced and green technology

The recent announcement from Beijing has raised concerns about global access to these essential minerals. If the supply of rare earths available to the outside world diminishes, the cost of manufacturing green tech would rise and drive up prices worldwide. If there is anything that would stall the development of the green economy, this could be it.

In response to the announcement, Trump initially suggested he might cancel an upcoming meeting with Chinese president Xi. However, the meeting now looks set to go ahead, and access to rare earths is likely to be high on the agenda.

Trump had also announced that he was considering a ban on exports to China of all products made with US software such as laptops and jet engines, and industrial equipment. This might reduce Beijing's ability to design essential components for AI chips, hampering its bid for dominance in clean tech.

Prior to Trump's latest threats, electric vehicles coming from China had already been hit by a 100% US tariff, while import duties for solar cells and lithium batteries stood at 50% and 25% respectively.

But the result might have surprised Trump. As US-made goods are exempt from tariffs from paying tariffs, Chinese firms have set up production sites in the US to circumvent Trump's tariffs. Instead of helping domestic US companies, Trump's policies have done the opposite.

The battle to gain access to rare earth minerals is important to developing more green tech.

For instance, the solar manufacturing capacity of Chinese firms based in the US has grown so large that it now accounts for 39% of all solar panel energy output in the country versus only 24% from US firms.

But even if Chinese clean tech sales in US were severely affected by the tariffs, most of China's green tech is heading elsewhere.

Based on my estimations using data from the energy thinktank Ember, Chinese green tech exports globally in 2024 were valued at US$184.06 billion (139 billion), while total exports to the US stood at US$20.66 billion. The US market accounted for only 11.2% of the total proportion of total Chinese green tech exports, while that number from January to September 2025 has dipped to 7.8%.

Compared to the EU (29.95%) and Asian market (27.97%) in 2024, the US market appears relatively small. So higher tariffs would harm China's economy, but the damage may not be as substantial as Trump might imagine. However, the EU's plans to meet climate targets is massively dependent on these Chinese exports.

Problems for Beijing?

The US has already put restrictions on which technologies China can buy from the US. China can still manufacture electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines without US software. But without the most advanced technologies from the US, Chinese firms will have fewer options.

While there are indications that the tech gap between Washington and Beijing may be shrinking, the US still possesses some of the most advanced technologies that are crucial for green tech development. These include advanced semiconductors, which are needed to make AI chips.

Such components and machinery are essential to China's claim to green leadership since they allow users to automate EVs, solar panels and wind turbines, while ensuring their efficiency and optimizing energy use. Simply put, without the best semiconductors and the AI chips, China won't be able to create world-leading clean tech.

China may have metals but without US chips and software, its green economic momentum might stallat least until China's semiconductor and AI tech catches up with the US. Chinese economic progress and its green leadership may be dependent on gaining better trade deals, even if it does still have a massive advantage.

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Earlier this year, the consumer watchdog fined three retailers, Michael Hill, MyHouse and Hairhouse Online, almost A$20,000 each for advertising "site-wide discounts" that allegedly never applied to all items on the website.

At first glance, this might look like a straightforward case of using allegedly misleading advertising for an economic benefit. Yet the implications go further.

Years of exposure to constant promotions have trained shoppers to chase a bargain, promoting "clickbaiting": tactics designed to lure consumers into browsing.

Businesses spend heavily to secure the spot on your social media feed, and that investment has to be recouped. The most effective way is through personalized, persistent ad campaigns that quietly push consumers to buy more.

The way these ad campaigns currently collect data leaves consumers exposed. They also feed into broader concerns about overproduction, which in turn drives overconsumption. That benefits the retailers, but it fuels waste.

Bargains and the data you give away

When you click on an ad, whether it is on a brand's website or its social media feed, you are not just interacting with the campaign. Behind the scenes, these platforms are collecting your data, analyzing your behavior, and using it to shape personalized ads designed just for you.

Australia's discount season kicks off in November and extends through to January. With Australians ready to consume, buying gifts for family and themselves, marketing teams go into overdrive. They flood websites and social media feeds with discount banners.

Every time a consumer clicks on an ad, they are revealing something about their shopping patterns. This information is collected through data harvesting (gathering user data) and data mining (analyzing patterns in that data). The platform records and shares this information with the business to show the effectiveness of the campaign and whether it led to a conversion (a purchase, sign-up, or other intended action).

Behind this, tracking runs much deeper. Ads use "cookies," which are tiny digital files that remember your browsing activity, such as which sites you visit and how often. "Tracking pixels" quietly collect details such as your IP address, geo-location, time zone, and the type of device used. Together, these build a profile that helps predict your preferences and target you with similar ads later.

A long list of companies have access to your data

Advertisers also gather demographic and behavioral data, such as, your age, gender, interests and browsing history. They can tap data from other apps in your phone that share information through "third parties." This is one of the vaguest terms in privacy policies. It sounds harmless, but usually hides a long list of unnamed companies getting access to your data.

This information creates a pool of bigger data which allows brands to "re-target" consumers, showing the same or related ads repeatedly. This triggers what psychologists call the "mere exposure effect": the more you see something, the more familiar and trustworthy it feels. Over time that familiarity can nudge consumers towards buying, not because they needed it but simply because they had seen it so often. This subconsciously promotes overconsumption.

Although marketing campaigns are designed to make consumers buy, even if they do not, they still give away something of great value. Every click, scroll, or view generates data that is later used or sold to monetize; shaping targeted advertising, influencing consumer behavior and creating economic value.

Did we really consent to this?

A government survey in 2023 showed that Australians do not fully understand the data privacy implications.

The Privacy Act 1988 forms Australia's main legal framework, and is currently under review. But it only applies to businesses with an annual turnover above A$3 million. While most large retailers easily surpass the threshold, what's less clear is whether the third parties in the privacy policies do.

In Australia, implied consent is often considered sufficient. If a website states in its privacy policy that it collects data, simply browsing the site is considered consent. A site provides little control over individual cookies unless the user manually adjusts their browser settings. Clicking an ad on social media can also be taken as agreeing to data collection.

In Australia, you either do not see a consent box at all or instead encounter a line stating that "by browsing this site, you agree to our privacy policy." In both cases, consent is implied.

Stricter rules

In contrast, a website regulated under European Union regulations must clearly explain what data it collects. Only essential cookies are active by default. Marketing and tracking cookies are switched off unless consumers actively choose to allow them.

The difference is stark. The EU imposes stricter rules on data ownership, profiling and behavioral tracking, with no tolerance for vague implied consent. In Australia, behavioral tracking and targeted advertising depend on implied consent, typically hidden in lengthy, jargon-heavy privacy polices that few consumers can navigate.

While data privacy laws are still catching up, educating consumers is crucial to helping them understand how their data is used to influence them into overconsuming.

So now you know what really happens behind every click or "agree" button; the question is, will you still fall for the trick?

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Credit: AP Illustration / Peter Hamlin

Judges around the world are dealing with a growing problem: legal briefs that were generated with the help of artificial intelligence and submitted with errors such as citations to cases that don't exist, according to attorneys and court documents.

The trend serves as a cautionary tale for people who are learning to use AI tools at work. Many employers want to hire workers who can use the technology to help with tasks such as conducting research and drafting reports. As teachers, accountants and marketing professionals begin engaging with AI chatbots and assistants to generate ideas and improve productivity, they're also discovering the programs can make mistakes.

A French data scientist and lawyer, Damien Charlotin, has catalogued at least 490 court filings in the past six months that contained "hallucinations," which are AI responses that contain false or misleading information. The pace is accelerating as more people use AI, he said.

"Even the more sophisticated player can have an issue with this," Charlotin said. "AI can be a boon. It's wonderful, but also there are these pitfalls."

Charlotin, a senior research fellow at HEC Paris, a business school located just outside France's capital city, created a database to track cases in which a judge ruled that generative AI produced hallucinated content such as fabricated case law and false quotes. The majority of rulings are from U.S. cases in which plaintiffs represented themselves without an attorney, he said. While most judges issued warnings about the errors, some levied fines.

But even high-profile companies have submitted problematic legal documents. A federal judge in Colorado ruled that a lawyer for MyPillow Inc., filed a brief containing nearly 30 defective citations as part of a defamation case against the company and founder Michael Lindell.

The legal profession isn't the only one wrestling with AI's foibles. The AI overviews that appear at the top of web search result pages frequently contain errors.

And AI tools also raise privacy concerns. Workers in all industries need to be cautious about the details they upload or put into prompts to ensure they're safeguarding the confidential information of employers and clients.

Legal and workplace experts share their experiences with AI's mistakes and describe perils to avoid.

Think of AI as an assistant

Don't trust AI to make big decisions for you. Some AI users treat the tool as an intern to whom you assign tasks and whose completed work you expect to check.

"Think about AI as augmenting your workflow," said Maria Flynn, CEO of Jobs for the Future, a nonprofit focused on workforce development. It can act as an assistant for tasks such as drafting an email or researching a travel itinerary, but don't think of it as a substitute that can do all of the work, she said.

When preparing for a meeting, Flynn experimented with an in-house AI tool, asking it to suggest discussion questions based on an article she shared with the team.

"Some of the questions it proposed weren't the right context really for our organization, so I was able to give it some of that feedback ... and it came back with five very thoughtful questions," she said.

Check for accuracy

Flynn also has found problems in the output of the AI tool, which still is in a pilot stage. She once asked it to compile information on work her organization had done in various states. But the AI tool was treating completed work and funding proposals as the same thing.

"In that case, our AI tool was not able to identify the difference between something that had been proposed and something that had been completed," Flynn said.

Credit: Hatice Baran from Pexels

Luckily, she had the institutional knowledge to recognize the errors. "If you're new in an organization, ask coworkers if the results look accurate to them," Flynn suggested.

While AI can help with brainstorming, relying on it to provide factual information is risky. Take the time to check the accuracy of what AI generates, even if it's tempting to skip that step.

"People are making an assumption because it sounds so plausible that it's right, and it's convenient," Justin Daniels, an Atlanta-based attorney and shareholder with the law firm Baker Donelson, said. "Having to go back and check all the cites, or when I look at a contract that AI has summarized, I have to go back and read what the contract says, that's a little inconvenient and time-consuming, but that's what you have to do. As much as you think the AI can substitute for that, it can't."

Be careful with notetakers

It can be tempting to use AI to record and take notes during meetings. Some tools generate useful summaries and outline action steps based on what was said.

But many jurisdictions require the consent of participants prior to recording conversations. Before using AI to take notes, pause and consider whether the conversation should be kept privileged and confidential, said Danielle Kays, a Chicago-based partner at law firm Fisher Phillips.

Consult with colleagues in the legal or human resources departments before deploying a notetaker in high-risk situations such as investigations, performance reviews or legal strategy discussions, she suggested.

"People are claiming that with use of AI there should be various levels of consent, and that is something that is working its way through the courts," Kays said. "That is an issue that I would say companies should continue to watch as it is litigated."

Protecting confidential information

If you're using free AI tools to draft a memo or marketing campaign, don't tell it identifying information or corporate secrets. Once you've uploaded that information, it's possible others using the same tool might find it.

That's because when other people ask an AI tool questions, it will search available information, including details you revealed, as it builds its answer, Flynn said. "It doesn't discern whether something is public or private," she added.

Seek schooling

If your employer doesn't offer AI training, try experimenting with free tools such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot. Some universities and tech companies offer classes that can help you develop your understanding of how AI works and ways it can be useful.

A course that teaches people how to construct the best AI prompts or hands-on courses that provide opportunities to practice are valuable, Flynn said.

Despite potential problems with the tools, learning how they work can be beneficial at a time when they're ubiquitous.

"The largest potential pitfall in learning to use AI is not learning to use it at at all," Flynn said. "We're all going to need to become fluent in AI, and taking the early steps of building your familiarity, your literacy, your comfort with the tool is going to be critically important."

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Researchers utilize the reactor to understand the effect of membrane properties on carbon dioxide methanation reaction. Credit: Mikihiro Nomura / SIT, Japan

Climate change, expedited by anthropogenic activities, has become a major environmental concern in this century. Governments and organizations worldwide are gradually making substantial efforts to mitigate this challenge.

A concrete step in this direction is to develop novel technologies that capture and convert low-concentration carbon dioxide into useful products.

Recently, scientists have proposed carbon dioxide methanation in a membrane reactor as a promising approach. Specifically, distribution-type membrane reactors are appealing owing to high catalyst activity through hotspot formation mitigation.

Although the effectiveness of membrane reactors has been confirmed, the efficiency of membrane properties and heat transfer characteristics of membrane materials remain unclear.

In a new study, a team of researchers led by Professor Mikihiro Nomura from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, and including Yuka Shimizu from the same institute and Marcin Mozdzierz, Grzegorz Brus, and Elzbieta Fornalik-Wajs from AGH University of Krakow, Poland, has demonstrated the novelty of distribution-type membrane reactor for carbon dioxide utilization.

Their findings are published in Catalysis Today.

"Through a double degree program between Shibaura Institute of Technology and AGH University of Krakow, we evaluated heat transfer in membrane components, which enabled us to demonstrate the specific advantages of the membrane reactors addressed in our research," explains Prof. Nomura.

Following this, the team controlled the reaction rate inside the reactor by distributing reactant feeding through the membrane. They subsequently conducted accurate thermal conductivity evaluation of the porous alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) membrane with minute physical and chemical structural features via laser flash analysis measurements.

The thermal conductivity in the solid part of this sample was measured to be 36.4% lower than that of non-porous alumina.

The researchers then utilized a catalytic membrane with a silica separation layerwith a hydrogen gas permeance of 1.4  106 mol m2 s1 Pa1 and a hydrogen-to-carbon dioxide selectivity of 35.9in the distributor-type membrane reactor test. They obtained a high carbon dioxide conversion of 92.3% at 350 .

Built on these results, the team carried out Ansys Fluent software-based simulations to examine the impact of membrane thermal conductivity and permselectivity.

The team set carbon dioxide permeance of the membrane to 3.91  108 mol m2 s1 Pa1 for all situations, finding that the carbon dioxide permselective membrane with a high selectivity of 35.9 produces about 1.4 times more methane than the hydrogen permselective membrane with a low selectivity of 0.10. Furthermore, higher thermal conductivity of the membrane suppresses the temperature rise in the reactor.

"Membrane reactors enable spatially distributed reactant feeding within the reactor, providing enhanced control over reaction rates and temperature profiles in both the axial (flow) and the radial (membrane surface) directions," said Prof. Nomura.

"This unique capability and membrane shape make them well-suited for application in small-scale facilities. Therefore, applying membrane reactors to small-scale carbon dioxide emission sourceswhich are commonly owned by many small- and medium-sized enterprises with limited fundingwill accelerate the realization of a carbon-neutral society.

"In particular, we anticipate their use in small combustion devices such as boilers, an area that has received little attention in efforts to combat global warming."

These results can also guide other exothermic processes such as hydrocarbon partial oxidation in membrane reactor systems, boosting sustainable technologies.

More information: Yuka Shimizu et al, Effect of membrane properties on CO 2 methanation reaction by using distributor type membrane reactor, Catalysis Today (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2025.115569
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When the city was relocated, the city council wanted to increase Kiruna's attractiveness as a place to live. Part of this involved creating a city center with dense streets and a large square, which had previously been lacking. This has contributed to a worse outdoor environment in the city. Credit: Kiruna Municipality

When mining forced Kiruna to relocate, the city planners took the opportunity to modernize. But with a large square, city streets and tall buildings located in a depression, residents have already begun to complain about the "new" city, according to a study from the University of Gothenburg. Kiruna has become colder.

The study is published in the journal URBAN DESIGN International.

What is important to consider when building a city in an Arctic climate? Building in a location with elongated hours of sunshine and protected from cold winds when placing buildings and streets. These principles have given way to other considerations, it seems, when designing the new Kiruna.

"Decision-makers did not optimize the design for the urban climate when they planned the city," says Jennie Sjoholm, a built heritage specialist at the University of Gothenburg, who has been following the work on the city's relocation for 25 years. "But it was known that the conditions would be worse than when city planner Per Olof Hallman drew up the city plan for Kiruna in 1900."

Located on a south-facing slope

Hallman selected the best location in terms of climate. Kiruna was located on a south-facing slope, close to the mines and with a favorable aspect and microclimate. Streets followed the terrain to avoid wind tunneling and to maintain beautiful views for the residents. Here, instead of a large square or park, Hallman chose to create smaller green spaces at the street intersections.

During the 20th century, LKAB's mining operations moved closer to the southern slope, and Kiruna was eventually forced to move. After considering several locations, the choice fell on an area close to existing infrastructure (roads, water and sewage pipes). However, the area is in a depression where cold air collects, especially during the winter.

Compared to the previous location, the average temperature in the new town can be as much as 10 degrees colder in winter. The new streets are laid out in a grid pattern, and in the center, the buildings are so tall, and streets so narrow, that the low sun has difficulty reaching the ground for many months of the year.

"Although urban planners have added value in the form of a commercial center with three shopping centers, a square and a new town hall, they have also created 'a ... wind tunnel,' as one resident put it to me about the square facing the shopping street," says Sjoholm.

In her study, Sjoholm emphasizes that Kiruna likes to market itself as a winter city, with long, snowy winters that provide opportunities for many outdoor activities. That is why it is strange that the city itself has now become a less pleasant place to be in winter, she says.

Priorities and ignorance

Knowledge about good architecture and urban design for Arctic conditions has been around for a long time. When Kiruna grew during the post-war period, architect Ralph Erskine was commissioned to design a new residential area.

He designed tall buildings that created shelter for the courtyards of lower buildings without overshadowing them too much, rounded the corners of the buildings to avoid wind tunnel effects, and arranged for snow to be used as insulation on the roofs.

"Decision-makers have now prioritized other things than fully protecting the microclimate in the new Kiruna. But it is also partly a matter of ignorance; playgrounds and balconies have been built on the north side of certain neighborhoods in the new city. The new Kiruna is not yet complete, and it is possible to compensate, to a small degree, with tree planting and street furniture," says Sjoholm.

More information: Jennie Sjoholm, Kiruna: The Arctic town that forgot about winter, URBAN DESIGN International (2025). DOI: 10.1057/s41289-025-00277-4
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Conceptual diagram of our high-precision analog matrix inversion solver. Credit: Zhong Sun, Peking University.

Analog computers are systems that perform computations by manipulating physical quantities such as electrical current, that map math variables, instead of representing information using abstraction with discrete binary values (i.e., 0 or 1), like digital computers.

While analog computing systems can perform well on general-purpose tasks, they are known to be susceptible to noise (i.e., background or external interferences) and less precise than digital devices.

Researchers at Peking University and the Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Integrated Circuits have developed a scalable analog computing device that can solve so-called matrix equations with remarkable precision. This new system, introduced in a paper published in Nature Electronics, was built using tiny non-volatile memory devices known as resistive random-access memory (RRAM) chips.

"I have been working on analog computing since 2017," Zhong Sun, assistant professor at Peking University and senior author of the paper, told Tech Xplore.

"We refer to our approach as modern analog computing, as it focuses on solving matrix equationsrather than differential equations as in traditional analog computingusing nonvolatile resistive memory arrays instead of conventional CMOS circuits."

Over the past decade, Sun and his colleagues developed a wide range of analog computing systems. Most of these systems, however, were found to be significantly less precise than digital computers in performing desired operations, which limited their potential for real-world applications.

"Around 2022, we began addressing this issue directly, aiming to achieve high-precision analog computing comparable to modern digital systems," said Sun.

"In our recent paper, we demonstrate fully analog matrix equation solving with 24-bit fixed-point precision (comparable to FP32) by combining a low-precision matrix inversion circuit (first designed in 2019) with high-precision matrixvector multiplication using bit slicing across multiple resistive memory arrays."

The new analog matrix equation solver introduced by the team builds on a circuit developed by Sun and other researchers in 2019, when he was a post-doctoral researcher at Politecnico di Milano. While this circuit can solve matrix equations with a specific form (Ax = b) in a single step, it was found to be less precise than digital systems.

"As part of our new study, we combined this low-precision solver with high-precision matrix-vector multiplication using a conventional bit-slicing technique, enabling iterative refinement of the solution," explained Sun.

"In each iteration, the low-precision inversion circuit provides an approximate result, and the high-precision operation refines it by indicating the correction direction and magnitude. This hybrid approach converges rapidlysignificantly faster than conventional gradient-descent-based algorithms."

To demonstrate the scalability of their analog computing method, the researchers fabricated an 8x8 array-based circuit and tested its ability to solve various matrix equations. They found that the circuit could solve 1616 matrix equations, then progressively various other matrix equations (e.g., 32x32).

The matrix equation solver they developed could be improved further and might inspire the development of other precise analog computing systems. In the future, it could prove useful for advancing various technologies, ranging from wireless communications to artificial intelligence (AI).

"The most notable contribution is our demonstration that fully analog matrix computing can achieve high precision comparable to floating-point digital systems, while also addressing scalability," added Sun.

"Our next goal is to scale up the system by building larger array-based circuits and integrating all components on chip, embedding both matrix inversion and matrix-vector multiplication functionalities in a single, chip-level platform."

Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, edited by Sadie Harley, 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: Pushen Zuo et al, Precise and scalable analogue matrix equation solving using resistive random-access memory chips, Nature Electronics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41928-025-01477-0. Journal information: Nature Electronics

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FlexLink designs a novel radio architecture that can decouple control and data signaling through flexible frequency resource distribution of control and data to different directions with narrow pencil beams, much like a flexible configurable prism. Credit: Proceedings of the Twenty-sixth International Symposium on Theory, Algorithmic Foundations, and Protocol Design for Mobile Networks and Mobile Computing (2025). DOI: 10.1145/3704413.3764470

A team from the University of California San Diego and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has invented a scalable technology that enables faster and more reliable 5G and 6G wireless communication.

"With our approach, we can support maybe 10 times more devices than before using the same bandwidth," said Ish Kumar Jain, an assistant professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and alumnus of the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering. "It also helps reduce latency (the delay in accessing the network) and maintains an extremely high data rate with all connected devices."

The technique, dubbed FlexLink (patent pending), was co-developed by Dinesh Bharadia, associate professor with the Jacobs School of Engineering and affiliate of the Qualcomm Institute at UC San Diego, along with UC San Diego Ph.D. student Rohith Reddy Vennam.

The paper is published as part of the Proceedings of the Twenty-sixth International Symposium on Theory, Algorithmic Foundations, and Protocol Design for Mobile Networks and Mobile Computing.

"I see a lot of excitement around this work," noted Jain, who presented the research on October 27 at the ACM MobiHoc 2025 international symposium in Houston. "This is not conventional work where we use a conventional system. We really propose something fundamentally new."

Splitting beams

The team's technique caters to 5G and 6G. Compared with 4G, these networks send messages using shorter wavelengths and typically rely on multiple antennas. Potential applications include machine-to-machine communication in virtual reality, industrial Internet of Things and autonomous vehicles.

One of the issues in this area has been a bottleneck in which "control" signals, i.e., messages that configure system parameters like beam direction, bandwidth and other resources, are bundled with other data. That means that control messages often have to wait their turn behind bulky data traffic. This queuing, which is caused by how current antennas form and share beams, slows link setup, handovers and multi-user scheduling.

"FlexLink tackles that bottleneck head-on by decoupling control and data beams in hardware," said Bharadia, who directs the Center for Wireless Communications and works in UC San Diego's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering with an affiliate appointment in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. "Instead of forcing everything down one direction at a time, FlexLink uses a special front-end called a delay-phased array to send separate, strong beams simultaneouslyone dedicated to control, others to dataacross the same wideband channel."

The paper noted that the technique nearly doubles spectrum efficiency.

"Especially in the satellite world, we are not using full bandwidth efficiency," Vennam said. "FlexLink could reduce waste, with the same limited amount of power.

Setting next-generation 6G standards

The team believes that the work is particularly persuasive because it is based on a simple mathematical equation backed by fundamental theory rather than complex computation.

In addition, team members demonstrated the approach with actual hardware.

"This isn't just theoretical," said Vennam. "It's a feasible system."

Jain added, "We are hoping FlexLink will be part of next-generation 6G standards. Some companies have already expressed interest."

More information: Ish Kumar Jain et al, FlexLink: Decoupling Control and Data Beams for Next-Generation Wideband Networks, Proceedings of the Twenty-sixth International Symposium on Theory, Algorithmic Foundations, and Protocol Design for Mobile Networks and Mobile Computing (2025). DOI: 10.1145/3704413.3764470
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Colin Balfour, a sophomore studying robotics engineering, flies a small drone at a laboratory at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Worcester, Mass. Credit: AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Don't be fooled by the fog machine, spooky lights and fake bats: the robotics lab at Worcester Polytechnic Institute lab isn't hosting a Halloween party.

Instead, it's a testing ground for tiny drones that can be deployed in search and rescue missions even in dark, smoky or stormy conditions.

"We all know that when there's an earthquake or a tsunami, the first thing that goes down is power lines. A lot of times, it's at night, and you're not going to wait until the next morning to go and rescue survivors," said Nitin Sanket, assistant professor of robotics engineering. "So we started looking at nature. Is there a creature in the world which can actually do this?"

Sanket and his students found their answer in bats and the winged mammal's highly sophisticated ability to echolocate, or navigate via reflected sound. With a National Science Foundation grant, they're developing small, inexpensive and energy-efficient aerial robots that can be flown where and when current drones can't operate.

Last month, emergency workers in Pakistan used drones to find people stranded on rooftops by massive floods. In August, a rescue team used a drone to find a California man who got trapped for two days behind a waterfall. And in July, drones helped find a stable route to three mine workers who spent more than 60 hours trapped underground in Canada.

Colin Balfour, a sophomore studying robotics engineering, flies a small drone at a simulated night flight at a laboratory at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Worcester, Mass. Credit: AP Photo/Charles Krupa

But while drones are becoming more common in search and rescue, Sanket and researchers elsewhere want to move beyond the manually operated individual robots being used today. A key next step is developing aerial robots that can be deployed in swarms and make their own decisions about where to search, said Ryan Williams, an associate professor at Virginia Tech.

"That type of deploymentautonomous dronesthat is effectively nil," he said.

Williams tackled that problem with a recent project that involved programming drones to choose search trajectories in coordination with human searchers. Among other things, his team used historical data from thousands of missing person cases to create a model predicting how someone would behave if lost in the woods.

"And then we used that model to better localize our drones, to search in locations with higher chances of finding someone," he said.

Colin Balfour, a sophomore studying robotics engineering, checks the rotors on a small drone at a laboratory at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Worcester, Mass. Credit: AP Photo/Charles Krupa

At WPI, Sanket's project addresses other limitations of current drones, including their size and perception capabilities.

"Current robots are big, bulky, expensive and cannot work in all sorts of scenarios," he said.

By contrast, his drone fits in the palm of his hand, is made mostly from inexpensive hobby-grade materials and can operate in the dark. A small ultrasonic sensor, not unlike those used in automatic faucets in public restrooms, mimics bat behavior, sending out a pulse of high-frequency sound and using the echo to detect obstacles in its path.

During a recent demonstration, a student used a remote control to launch the drone in a brightly lit room and then again after turning off all but a faintly glowing red light. As it approached a clear, Plexiglas wall, the drone repeatedly halted and backed away, even with the lights off and with fog and fake snow swirling through the air.

Nitan Sanket, assistant professor of robotics engineering, describes the components on a tiny drone at his lab at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Worcester, Mass. Credit: AP Photo/Charles Krupa

"Currently, search and rescue robots are mainly operational in broad daylight," Sanket said. "The problem is that search and rescues are dull, dangerous and dirty jobs that happen a lot of times in darkness."

But development didn't go completely smoothly. The researchers realized that the noise of the bat robot's propellers interfered with the ultrasound, requiring 3D printed shells to minimize the interference. They also used artificial intelligence to teach the drone how to filter and interpret sound signals.

Robotics engineering students change out the battery on a tiny drone at a laboratory at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, in Worcester, Mass. Credit: AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Still, there's a long way to go to match bats, which can contract and compress their muscles to listen only to certain echoes and can detect something as small as a human hair from several meters away.

"Bats are amazing," Sanket said. "We are nowhere close to what nature has achieved. But the goal is that one day in the future, we will be there and these will be useful for deployment in the wild."

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Indonesias palm oil production set to rise 10% in 2025

By Vietnam News Agency Thu, October 30, 2025 | 7:27 pm GMT+7

Indonesia expects palm oil production to grow by 10% in 2025, reaching 56-57 million tons, exceeding previous forecasts, according to the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI).

Indonesia expects palm oil production to grow by 10% in 2025.

GAPKI Secretary-General M. Hadi Sugeng noted that the weather in 2024-2025 has been optimal, with no prolonged rainfall, and high prices last year motivated farmers to improve plantation management. This provides optimism for higher yields compared to the previous year.

The association revised its annual forecast from 53.63 million tons to 56-57 million tons. A production level of 57 million tons would represent an 8% increase over 2024.

At the same time, Indonesias palm oil exports are expected to rise to 30-31 million tons, up from 29 million tons in 2024, offsetting growing domestic demand driven by the B40 biodiesel program, which increased the mandatory blending rate to 40%.

In August 2025, palm oil stocks in Indonesia fell slightly to 2.54 million tons, down 1% from the previous month. Crude palm oil production reached 5.06 million tons, while palm oil exports totalled 3.47 million tons, a 1.8% decrease from July.

For 2026, GAPKI forecasts an additional 5% production growth and plans to use insect pollinators to transfer pollen from male to female flowers, stimulating fruit formation. This approach is expected to boost yields in late 2026 or early 2027, ensuring stable production levels and increased efficiency on Indonesian plantations.
If cockroach have no business in fowl party, politicians should also stay out of police acti
Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

On Thursday, Russian troops struck the Slovianska TPP, killing two people, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"Just now, a few hours ago, there was a strike on the Slovianska TPP - a strike by Russian bombs. Unfortunately, two people died. My condolences. There are wounded. And this is exclusively terror. Normal people don't fight like this, and there should be an appropriate reaction from the world to such a Russian war," Zelenskyy said in an evening address.
An alleged stalker who previously claimed that she was Madeleine McCann has told a jury she is still 50/50 about whether she is the missing child.

Polish national Julia Wandelt is accused of stalking Madeleine McCanns parents, Kate and Gerry, by sending emails, making phone calls and turning up at the family home.

The 24-year-old told jurors at Leicester Crown Court that she would walk away if she saw the full paperwork proving she was not the missing child, who disappeared during a family holiday to Portugal.

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The crown alleges Wandelt, from Lubin in south-west Poland, peddled the myth that she was Madeleine while stalking Kate and Gerry McCann.

'I would say I'm 50/50'

Madeleines whereabouts remain unknown after she disappeared 18 years ago from a hotel room in Praia da Luz on 3 May 2007.

During cross-examination on 29 October, prosecutor Michael Duck KC asked Wandelt: As we stand here, do you still entertain the belief that you could be Madeleine McCann?

Wandelt told the court: Its neither yes nor no. It is not yes, and not no. I am in between. She added: Now, I would say Im 50/50.

Karen Spragg pictured outside Leicester Crown Court. (Alamy)

It is alleged Wandelt carried out a 'well-planned campaign of harassment' against the McCanns over three years culminating in a visit to the McCanns home in Rothley, Leicestershire, to demand a DNA test.

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Prosecutors allege Wandelt contacted Madeleine's younger twin siblings, Amelie and Sean McCann, via social media and even appeared at a vigil on the anniversary of Madeleines disappearance.

Another woman, Karen Spragg, 61, who 'adopted her claims with gusto' from last year onwards, is also charged with stalking.

Previously the court was told police had compared her DNA taken when she was arrested and tested it against a sample from Madeleine's pillowcase which 'conclusively' proved she was not Madeleine.

The court heard that Wandelt contacted Operation Grange, the Metropolitan Police investigation into Madeleine's disappearance, before officers then called Wandelt to assure her she was not the missing child.

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Wandelt appeared on TV in the US to claim she was Madeleine with Mr Duck saying her appearance on Dr Phil generated "enormous interest" and kept her public profile "very high".

Gerry and Kate McCann at a press conference in Berlin in 2007 appealing for information about their daughter Madeleine's disappearance. (AP)

Wandelt also claimed to have a memory of Kate McCann coming to her room before she was abducted, rubbing her head and saying she would find her.

The prosecutor asked: Is that, Miss Wandelt, a genuine memory?

Wandelt said: Yes.

Mr Duck asked: Are you asserting to this jury that Kate McCann knew of the abduction and told you she would find you?

Wandelt replied: Yes I still believe Kate didnt want it to happen," adding: "They (Mr and Mrs McCann) are not guilty in my point of view, they had no other choice.

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Wandelt and Spragg, of Caerau Court Road in Caerau, Cardiff, both deny one count of stalking between June 2022 and February this year. The trial continues.

Julia Wandelt trial: Read more

What happened to Madeleine McCann?

Madeleine disappeared in 2007 from a holiday home in Praia da Luz, Portugal, where she was on holiday with her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, who left the then three-year-old and her younger twin siblings asleep in their apartment.

Her parents were dining nearby on the complex with friends and taking turns to check on all their sleeping children every half an hour.

Madeleine McCann disappeared in Portugal in 2007 when on holiday with her family. (Getty)

Madeleine's disappearance sparked worldwide attention and remains one of the world's most famous cases of a missing child. A police investigation, Operation Grange, has been ongoing since then and as of May 2024, had cost 13.2m.

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After the disappearance, Portuguese detectives made Madeleine McCann's parents both arguidos  or suspects  in their daughters disappearance. That status was eventually lifted and Portuguese police later apologised to the couple.

Christian Brueckner was made a suspect by Portuguese authorities in 2022. (Getty)

In 2020, police revealed a 43-year-old German prisoner, later named as Christian Brueckner, had been identified as a suspect in Madeleines disappearance. In 2022 he was made a suspect by Portuguese authorities.

Later that year was charged with three counts of rape and two charges of child sex abuse unrelated to Madeleines disappearance. He went on trial in February 2024 in Brunswick, Germany but in October was acquitted of all charges.

At the time German prosecutors said the investigation into Madeleine McCanns disappearance would continue despite the result, though in January a prosecutor reportedly suggested he was unlikely to face any further charges in the foreseeable future.

Kate and Gerry McCann have campaigned consistently for the ongoing search for their daughter. (Getty)

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Finance Minister embarks on official visit to Bhutan to deepen economic, development cooperation

New Delhi, Oct 30 (UNI) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will lead the Indian delegation from the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, on an official visit to Bhutan from Oct 30-Nov 2, an official statement said today.

The FM will begin her official tour with a visit to the historic Sangchen Choekhor Monastery, built in 1765 and home to over 100 monks who are engaged in advanced Buddhist studies, later today.

The Minister will take stock of key projects being implemented with support of the Government of India, including Kurichhu Hydropower Plant Dam and Powerhouse, the Gyalsung Academy, the Sangchen Choekhor Monastery and Punakha Dzong.
HA NOI  Packaging and branding are fast becoming key to helping Vietnamese goods expand their global reach, experts said at a seminar held by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) on Wednesday.

The seminar, organised within the framework of the ongoing 2025 Golden Autumn Fair, aimed to help local producers adapt to global packaging trends, strengthen brand identity and move towards sustainable, green exports.

VIETRADE Deputy Director Le Hoang Tai said Vietnamese products are now present in more than 200 markets worldwide but greater attention to packaging and branding is needed to enhance competitiveness and increase value in the international market.

Packaging today is not just a cover but a brand message about a story, a vision and commitment of a business, Tai said, adding that creative, eco-friendly and culturally sensitive packaging can raise export value by 1030 per cent.

He highlighted three major trends reshaping the global packaging industry.

The first is sustainable and green packaging. Major markets such as the EU, the US, Japan and South Korea are tightening regulations on environmental standards, creating both challenges and opportunities for Vietnamese exporters to demonstrate responsibility and leadership in the global green supply chain.

The second is digital and smart packaging that integrates QR codes and digital platforms for traceability and consumer engagement.

Technologies are allowing companies to manage quality, verify origins and tell brand stories in more transparent and interactive ways, Tai said. The integration of digital features into packaging will soon become inevitable, giving Vietnamese products a stronger competitive edge in international markets.

The third trend, he added, is the close link between packaging and branding. Modern consumers buy not only a product but also the values, trust and experience it represents.

Packaging serves as the silent ambassador  the first point of contact between brands and customers. With the right investment, it can help Vietnamese brands stand out globally, he said.

Tai noted that Viet Nam holds key advantages in industrial packaging.

Vietnamese firms have significant opportunities to develop in the packaging industry, given strong design capacity, print technology and a young workforce, he said.

However, he emphasised that moving from trends to practical implementation requires vision, persistence and collaboration to achieve breakthroughs in national brand development and sustainable export growth.

o Ngoc Hung from the Viet Nam Trade Office to the US urged local producers and exporters to develop packaging strategies in line with global trends to expand exports.

It is necessary to comply with guidelines of major corporations such as Amazon in terms of size, materials, biodegradability and shipping standards, he said, adding that compliance helps Vietnamese goods engage more deeply in global retail supply chains and reduce logistics costs.

He also urged investments in branding and efforts to promote digital distribution channels. Platforms such as Walmart, Marketplace, Amazon and Costco are important gateways to reach US consumers.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has launched plans to propel Viet Nams private sector onto the global stage with the draft 'Go Global' Programme for 20262035, unveiled at the Trade Promotion Conference held on Wednesday as part of the 2025 Autumn Fair.

The initiative aims to strengthen international trade, investment, and e-commerce while positioning Vietnamese enterprises as key players in global value chains.

The conference took place at the Viet Nam Exhibition Centre (VEC) in ong Anh, Ha Noi, and was linked online with Viet Nams overseas trade offices. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, Director General of the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) Vu Ba Phu, and Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning, Finance and Enterprise Management Mai Thu Hien attended, alongside representatives from industry associations, enterprises, and local authorities.

Deputy Director General Mai Thi Thu Hien explained that the Go Global Programme is being developed under Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on private sector development, aiming to transform the private sector into a major engine of growth. She noted that the concept mirrors strategies adopted by advanced economies such as the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea to promote exports, technology, and cultural exchange abroad.

After nearly four decades of reform, Viet Nam ranks among the worlds top 20 exporters and one of the ten most open economies, with nearly one million private enterprises contributing around 30 per cent of total exports. Yet, global expansion remains constrained by reliance on FDI-led exports, limited outward investment, and a lack of internationally recognised Vietnamese brands.

To strengthen Viet Nams presence on the world stage, we must shift from participation to proactive creation within global value chains, Hien said. The Go Global Programme seeks to foster this transformation by supporting Vietnamese multinational enterprises and helping small and medium-sized firms access foreign markets through trade, investment, and cross-border e-commerce.

The draft programme outlines two major directions: shifting Viet Nams approach to integration from passive to proactive, and empowering the private sector as the driving force in internationalisation. Specific targets include raising the private sectors share of national exports to 5060 per cent by 2030, establishing 20 large enterprises leading global value chains and 30 medium-sized firms pioneering niche markets, and expanding outward investment in major economic centres.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade said industry associations, enterprises, and international organisations may voice their comments on the draft so that the programme can be finalised and submitted to the Prime Minister for approval in 2025.

Implementation will take place in three phases from 2026 to 2035: building the initial ecosystem, piloting projects, and full-scale integration. The programme focuses on developing global market strategies, supporting internationally compliant corporate governance, nurturing globally minded entrepreneurs, and creating a national Go Global Portal and business support network.

The Ministry plans to offer specialised training, consulting, and information on international standards, pilot overseas investment models  prioritising mergers and acquisitions  and promote cross-border e-commerce to help smaller firms expand globally at lower cost. Efforts will also target improving export credit, logistics networks, and overseas distribution systems to facilitate Viet Nams external growth.

Held as part of the inaugural Vietnam Golden Autumn Fair (VGAF 2025) from October 25 to November 4 at the Viet Nam Exhibition Centre, the event underscored the Ministrys commitment to accompany Vietnamese enterprises in their next phase of integration, exporting value, innovation, and brand identity to the world.  VNS
Public-private partnerships (PPP) are playing an increasingly vital role in Viet Nams tourism industry. The cooperation between businesses and local authorities is creating new momentum for destinations and enhancing the overall competitiveness of Vietnamese tourism.

Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai spoke to a Viet Nam News reporter about the issue.

How has Viet Nam recently promoted the strength of public-private partnerships in tourism?

In recent years, a series of events and stimulus programmes, international fairs and digital media campaigns across many platforms have all borne the mark of public-private partnership.

This cooperation has helped expand the tourism market, increase visitor numbers and clearly affirm Viet Nam's global position, contributing to greater recognition of the countrys image worldwide.

We believe that PPP offers many practical benefits, helping to maximise social resources while also motivating businesses and communities to engage more deeply in socio-economic development.

Thanks to these partnerships, tourism businesses can develop a range of products, improve service quality, and enhance competitiveness both at home and abroad.

Tourism is not only a business activity but also a social one, affecting the community and the environment. The role of the State is to protect public interests, while businesses accompany that process by promoting creativity and generating socio-economic efficiency.

Public-private partnerships are an inevitable direction for Viet Nam and the world. Many countries apply this model to promote socio-economic development, including tourism.

In Viet Nam, the Politburo has issued Resolution 08 on developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector.

We think that, in tourism development, in addition to strong direction from the Government and authorities at all levels, there needs to be cooperation from the community, localities, and businessesespecially travel agencies, accommodation companies, and distribution agents.

We assess that the public-private partnership model in Viet Nam is currently being implemented very strongly.

With PPP, we see that the cooperation between businesses and local authorities has created a new driving force for destinations and improved the overall competitiveness of Viet Nams tourism.

How do you evaluate this cooperation in helping to develop and promote destinations?

We have promoted tourism with professional expertise, strengthened cooperation with key markets and enhanced communication and promotion.

Currently, not only travel companies but also localities have connected and joined hands with online sales agents such as Agoda, Booking.com and Traveloka.

For example, a Nang City has cooperated with Traveloka from 2024 to early 2025, launching a stimulus programme with many vouchers on this platform. The result is that the locality has attracted 5.8 million international visitors. Domestic visitors have also shown an upward trend on Traveloka's online platform amid the stimulus package.

In the near future, HCM City will also pilot this model and is expected to officially cooperate with Traveloka in 2026. The goal is to attract more international visitors to Viet Nam, while encouraging domestic travellers to explore more destinations.

Hue has also worked closely with businesses, while Ha Noi has cooperated with airlines to promote destinations. HCM City has applied technology to issue e-vouchers for tourists.

Through online platforms, people can easily search for suitable stimulus programmes to register and experience themselves.

I hope that through these stimulus programmes, the ultimate goal is for people to experience and connect with one another, both exploring and enjoying, thereby relaxing and creating material values for society.

Not only big cities such as Ha Noi, HCM City, a Nang and Hue, but many localities are also seeking to increase promotion through communication campaigns on tourism platforms such as Agoda, Traveloka and Booking.com.

In the coming time, we will strongly promote public-private cooperation, both to mobilise maximum social resources for tourism development and to demonstrate the role of State management through policy mechanisms. This will create a platform that ensures benefits for three parties: businesses, the State, and the people through stimulus programmes.

From now until the end of the year, Viet Nams target set by the Government is to welcome 25 million international visitors. Therefore, the tourism industry must attract nearly 2 million visitors per month to meet this goal. What has VNAT specifically planned to make a breakthrough in the last three months of the year?

We are developing a long-term strategy to submit to the Government and the Prime Minister, and we also plan to implement short-term programmes to accelerate progress in the final three months of the year.

Currently, in addition to stimulus programmes and coordination with international platforms to help localities and businesses increase connections with partners, enhance the promotion of Vietnamese destinations and especially improve sales efficiency, in the long term we will advise on policy mechanisms to create a clear legal framework, making conditions more favourable for tourists to visit Viet Nam. For example, we propose to maintain visa relaxation policies and improve the quality of service infrastructure.

In addition, we will promote programmes to strengthen the image of Vietnamese tourism in key markets, along with traditional ones, aiming to achieve double-digit growth as before the COVID-19 pandemic.

For potential markets with high spending and long-term stays, we are also planning to organise promotional programmes. For example, we recently went to India to hold business-to-business (B2B) meetings, connect with local governments and promote tourism through cinema. That is also an innovative solution to promote tourism in the time ahead.  VNS
LONDON  General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam on Wednesday met with executives from several leading British corporations and international financial institutions as part of his official visit to the United Kingdom.

Meeting with Saif Malik, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank and Head of Client Coverage, the UK, General Secretary Lam commended the positive results achieved in financial and banking cooperation between Viet Nam and the UK in recent years. He expressed his hope that Standard Chartered will continue to provide advice and support to help Viet Nam develop into a regional financial hub.

He thanked the bank for its assistance in Viet Nams recent stock market upgrade and called on Standard Chartered to support efforts to improve the countrys credit rating and assist with upcoming bond issuances, helping Viet Nam raise capital at reasonable costs to advance national development.

Malik said he was honoured to meet the Vietnamese Party chief and praised the Partys sound leadership in maintaining macroeconomic stability and promoting sustainable growth, thereby strengthening confidence of the business community and investors. Agreeing with General Secretary Lams assessment of Asias growing role in global finance, Malik reaffirmed Standard Chartereds long-term commitment to investing in Viet Nam and contributing to its prosperity.

In a meeting with Chris Drewer, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Accounts, AsiaPacific, at Airbus Group, General Secretary Lam lauded the groups successful cooperation with Vietnamese partners, which has contributed to the rapid and increasingly self-reliant development of Viet Nams aviation and aerospace industries.

He said Viet Nam is accelerating the development of its aviation sector to meet the people's rising travel demand and support the country's deeper global integration. He encouraged Airbus to expand cooperation with Vietnamese airlines to expand the Airbus supply and production chain in Viet Nam; enhance training of skilled personnel; promote aircraft engine maintenance; and consider establishing an Airbus centre in Viet Nam to provide passenger, cargo, and maintenance services. He also proposed that the group facilitate Vietnamese carriers' direct negotiation on aircraft purchase agreements.

Drewer affirmed Airbuss commitment to remaining a key partner of Viet Nam and expressed interest in supplying more aircraft to Vietnamese airlines while expanding collaboration to areas such as helicopters, military aircraft, science-technology cooperation, and satellites.

Later, at a meeting with Helen Wilson, Senior Vice President of Sales at Rolls-Royce, General Secretary Lam praised the groups capabilities and experience as one of the worlds leading industrial corporations, particularly in aviation.

He proposed that Rolls-Royce continue working with Viet Nam on research and development of sustainable aviation fuels, training high-quality human resources, and transferring aerospace technology to Vietnamese partners. In the near term, he encouraged the group to establish a Rolls-Royce engine maintenance and repair centre in Viet Nam, affirming that the country will create favourable conditions for foreign enterprises investing and operating there.

Wilson expressed her delight over the groups cooperation with Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet in aircraft engine supply and maintenance, which has supported the growth of Vietnams aviation sector, affirming Rolls-Royces commitment to contributing to the development of a low-emission aviation industry and expanding cooperation with Viet Nam in other fields. VNA/VNS
OXFORD  Oxford University has announced the establishment of the Oxford Pioneer Scholarship Scheme, a landmark initiative that underscores the growing collaboration in education and scientific research between Viet Nam and the UK.

The launch ceremony took place on Wednesday in the presence of To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, alongside senior leaders from both nations.

With an initial endowment of $23.5 million, comprising $18 million contributed by Vietjet chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao and $5.4 million co-funded by the University of Oxford, the Oxford Pioneer Scholarship Scheme aims to provide long-term opportunities for exceptional students and researchers, with a particular focus on Vietnamese scholars.

To date, $925,500 has been disbursed to support 11 outstanding Vietnamese scholars currently pursuing studies at Oxford in the fields of education, chemistry, clinical medicine, genomic medicine and business administration.

Speaking at the meeting, General Secretary To Lam welcomed the partnerships between the University of Oxford and Vietnamese enterprises and research institutions, particularly the collaboration with SOVICO Group and Vietjet.

He expressed his hope that these collaborations would continue to expand, transforming knowledge, science and technology into practical programmes and projects that serve the people and contribute to the countrys development.

The General Secretary emphasised that education, training and scientific research are key pillars of the Viet Nam-UK relationship, expressing his confidence that these pillars will continue to flourish in the years ahead, further strengthening the two countries Strategic Partnership and paving the way for its forthcoming elevation.

Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, said that Oxford is proud to be working together on initiatives that address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. She added that the university celebrates the achievements made together and looks forward to expanding collaboration in education, research, and innovation with Viet Nam.

Vietjet chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao said knowledge is the seed of peace and sustainable prosperity.

Thao said she hoped that this scholarship will empower young Vietnamese to engage confidently with the world, carrying knowledge, compassion to serve their homeland and humanity.

Scholarship recipient Pham Minh Phuong, said the Oxford Pioneer Scholarship has given her the opportunity to study and grow in one of the worlds leading research environments - dynamic, creative and inspiring.

"With financial support worth billions of Vietnamese dong each year, Vietnamese students can pursue their studies with confidence and motivation, striving to contribute meaningful research to humanity, she said.

Phuong has completed her Masters degree in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry at the University of Oxford, and is currently a fourth-year DPhil (Doctoral) researcher at the University.  VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnam International Electronics & Smart Appliances Expo (IEAE) opened on Thursday at the Ha Noi International Centre for Exhibition, bringing together hundreds of domestic and international enterprises.

Spanning 6,000sq.m, the three-day event features more than 260 exhibitors across 350 booths, showcasing a wide range of products from consumer electronics and home appliances to electronic components and accessories.

Co-organised by CHAOYU EXPO and VINEXAD National Trade Fair & Advertising JSC, the expo is expected to attract over 15,000 visitors, including businesses, distributors and technology enthusiasts.

According to the organisers, IEAE 2025 offers a rich programme of exhibitions and experiences aimed at promoting collaboration and accelerating technological transformation in Viet Nams consumer electronics and home appliance industries. A series of seminars and business networking activities will also take place, focusing on global trends, innovation, management strategies and value chain cooperation.

To Ngoc Son, deputy director general of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)s Department of Overseas Market Development, said the world is witnessing rapid advances in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and automation driving transformation across sectors.

He emphasised that electronics and smart devices have become a cornerstone of modern economies, influencing everything from production and education to healthcare and services. Recognising this trend, the Vietnamese Government has identified electronics as a strategic sector vital to national industrialisation and modernisation.

Viet Nam has emerged as a major electronics manufacturing hub in ASEAN, attracting leading global corporations and thousands of supporting enterprises. The country is also implementing its National Strategy on Research, Development and Application of Artificial Intelligence by 2030, aiming to rank among the regions leaders and within the worlds top 50 nations in AI development.

To lay the groundwork for long-term cooperation, the MoIT is encouraging stronger linkages between Vietnamese and international enterprises in manufacturing smart components, equipment and software, helping Viet Nam gradually increase localisation rates and the added value of electronic products.

Son also highlighted the importance of promoting innovation in the electronics and smart device industries through energy-efficient and environmentally friendly production models, in line with the nations commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The ministry has also called for strengthening trade promotion and investment connections through exhibitions, forums and B2B programmes to boost cooperation and competitiveness within the regional value chain.

This years IEAE not only provides a platform to display advanced products and solutions but also serves as a hub for fostering investment, production partnerships and participation in global value chains.

Through exhibitions and trade connection sessions, businesses will have greater opportunities to meet partners, access new technologies and promote innovation and sustainable growth, Son said.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam and Singapore have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on rice trade during the APEC Economic Leaders Week in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea, marking a milestone in regional food security collaboration.

The agreement, signed on Thursday by Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Singaporean Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu, establishes a framework to promote stable and sustainable rice trade while avoiding unnecessary trade restrictions.

Under the MOC, Viet Nam will facilitate rice exports to Singapore in quantities agreed upon by both sides, based on Singapores needs and under specific conditions.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Dien described Singapore as a key economic partner and an important market for Viet Nam.

The signing of this Memorandum of Co-operation on rice trade is a concrete step in implementing our comprehensive strategic partnership, strengthening the ties between our economies and laying the foundation for stable and sustainable co-operation in rice trade amid the unpredictable fluctuations in the global market, he said.

Enhancing rice trade co-operation between Viet Nam and Singapore was also a tangible example of joint efforts to secure food supplies and strengthen supply chains within ASEAN, he added.

In the future, we hope that the regulatory agencies of both sides will continue to closely co-ordinate to expand the supply of reputable, high-quality agricultural and food products from Viet Nam to the Singaporean market, said Dien.

Minister Fu noted that this was Singapores first MOC on rice trade with a trading partner. As the country imports over 90 per cent of its food, Singapore places high importance on establishing partnerships to ensure stable rice supplies and strengthen national food security.

According to the Vietnam Trade Office at the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore, data from the Singapore Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority showed that Singapore's total value of rice imports reached more than 456.2 million SGD (US$351.2 million) last year, a year-on-year increase of 10.73 per cent.

Viet Nam remained the third-largest rice exporter to Singapore in 2024, with an export value of 128.9 million SGD, accounting for 28.25 per cent of the market share. India and Thailand led the market with export values of 148.19 million SGD (32.48 per cent) and 137.75 million SGD (30.19 per cent), respectively. Together, the three countries accounted for 90.93 per cent of Singapores rice market.

Viet Nams rice exports to Singapore grew by 28.45 per cent year-on-year, reaching approximately 128.9 million SGD.

Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in Singapore Cao Xuan Thang said that trade promotion for Vietnamese rice in the Singapore market remained limited, with no large-scale campaigns by Vietnamese rice companies or associations.

"Most trade promotion and product displays for Vietnamese rice were currently handled by the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore," he said.

In contrast, Thailand, Japan and India were actively investing in marketing and had secured agreements with importers and distributors to maintain their rice brands in the Singaporean market, he added.

"Due to limited brand promotion from Vietnamese firms, most rice imported into Singapore was repackaged with local branding, labels and packaging to suit consumer preferences," said Thang.

Vietnamese-branded rice products are mainly sold in small convenience stores or online channels serving the Vietnamese community in Singapore.

Thang noted that Vietnamese businesses needed to recognise Singapores role not only as a domestic market but also as a transshipment hub for exports to global destinations.

Therefore, he urged Vietnamese firms to focus more on brand building and marketing strategies that reflect Singapores strategic position in the global rice trade.  VNS
HA NOI  KinoFest 2025 will show ten movies by German and Vietnamese filmmakers in cities and provinces across the nation, exploring the theme 'reimagining family' through drama, comedy and documentary films. The selection considers how family is shaped by care, labour, history and choice.

Through laughter and conflict, comfort and resistance, these films aim to inspire, challenge and transform the way audiences see the world.

Silver Bear  Grand Jury Prize, Berlinale 2023-winning Afire will open the festival in Ha Noi on October 30 at 7.15pm. From writer-director Christian Petzold, Afire follows four young people who convene at a holiday house by the Baltic Sea. Plagued by drought, the surrounding landscape soon begets fires, while inside the house emotions heat up: happiness, lust, love, along with jealousies, resentments and tensions. The movie captures the fragile balance between creativity and desire, humour and melancholy.

Afire also won best screenplay at the German Film Critics Association Awards 2024, and best director and best editing at the German Film Awards 2024.

This years films stretch the concept of family beyond traditional definitions, exploring it as something fluid, shaped by context, labour, history and emotion, according to festival curator Lisabona Rahman.

"In todays world, family is not always personal," said Rahman. "It can be political, uphold systems of control, or become a space for critical thinking, resistance and transformation. The films reflect this complexity. They trace the changing face of family through Germanys social, ideological and economic histories. Some stories show how rebellion, rather than tradition, can forge tighter family bonds. In these shared acts of defiance, connection is sparked, and community is reimagined."

In the opening show, Afire will be screened together with the documentary Everything Belongs to You. Directed by Mani Pham Bui and Hien Nguyen, the documentary is a deeply personal portrait of a woman who leaves Oslo to return to her hometown of Neustrelitz. She looks back with vulnerability on her childhood and youth, as well as on her acceptance of herself, her identity and her family.

Other films include the award-winning Vena, winner of Deutsche Kinoproduktionen, Filmfest Hamburg 2024; Late Shift, 2025 winner of the German Camera Award at Kino Spielfilm; and the 2025 Golden Anchor Award and Best Film at Haifa International Film Festival.

The only film for children, Niko  Beyond the Northern Lights, will be shown at 2pm on November 2. It is a heartwarming animated adventure about a young reindeer who dreams of joining Santas Flying Forces.

All the movies have English and Vietnamese subtitles. There will be a Q&A session after evening shows with participation from Vietnamese filmmakers and film critics.

KinoFest 2025 was held in HCM City from October 21 to 27. It will take place at Ha Nois National Cinema Centre (NCC) from October 30 to November 2.

This year, the festival will also take place in Bac Ninh, Hue, a Nang, Can Tho and a Lat as part of a series of activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Germany.

Tickets are available at NCC, 87 Lang Ha Street.  VNS
The Republic of Korea will host the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders Meeting from October 31 to November 1. On this occasion, the country's Ambassador to Viet Nam, Choi Young-sam, speaks to Viet Nam News reporter Nguyen Khanh Chi, highlighting the events key messages, initiatives and discussions as well as the potential for Viet Nam and South Korea to deepen collaboration under the APEC framework.

First and foremost, South Korea has chosen the theme 'Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper' for its year as APEC host. Could you please elaborate on this theme and the initiatives and priorities of the host country?

The 2025 APEC Economic Leaders Meeting will be held in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea, from October 31 to November 1, 2025. Under the theme and priorities of 'Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper,' APEC Leaders will chart a vision for shared prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and explore ways to revitalise free trade, investment and economic cooperation amid todays global uncertainties.

First, 'Connect' refers not only to advancing trade and investment within the Asia-Pacific region, but also to strengthening connectivity through physical, institutional and people-to-people exchanges. 'Innovate' represents the promotion of digital innovation through AI cooperation and efforts to bridge the digital divide, in line with Koreas role as a digital powerhouse. Lastly, 'Prosper' embodies the pursuit of sustainable and inclusive growth across the Asia-Pacific through collective responses to pressing global issues such as energy and food security, as well as demographic shifts.

As Chair, Korea will put forward two key deliverables that address the transformative trends shaping the economic and social landscape of the region: 'AI Cooperation' and 'Responding to Demographic Shifts.' In the area of AI cooperation, Korea aims to set an APEC-wide direction for AI utilisation, focusing on strengthening AI capabilities and building a sustainable AI investment ecosystem. Meanwhile, in addressing demographic shifts, discussions will focus on specific APEC policy cooperation measures designed to turn demographic challenges into opportunities for future growth and innovationsuch as establishing systems to respond to ageing societies, enhancing human resource mobility, and promoting innovation in healthcare and technology.

These topics constitute core agendas with wide-ranging implications for the economic and social landscape of the Asia-Pacific region. It is particularly meaningful that, for the first time, APEC Leaders will discuss and seek consensus on joint responses to these emerging challenges.

Please provide insights into APECs role as a platform for dialogue, cooperation and the development of practical solutions to shared regional and global challenges.

APEC, which accounts for about 61 per cent of global GDP and half of global trade, is the Asia-Pacific regions largest economic cooperation forum. Since its establishment in 1989, APEC has served as an 'incubator of ideas' where member economies present diverse perspectives and build consensus through economic cooperation to achieve shared prosperity.

The 2025 APEC Economic Leaders Meeting holds particular significance as it will take place at a time when geopolitical and geoeconomic uncertainties are intensifying. The gathering of 21 member economiesrepresenting the core of the global economyto discuss pathways for shared prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region is, in itself, highly symbolic.

At a time when the world is facing new challenges such as supply chain restructuring, energy security, and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, APECs role as a platform for dialogue and cooperation to seek practical solutions is both timely and essential.

In addition, while APEC is fundamentally an intergovernmental forum, it has long emphasised private-sector participation and publicprivate partnerships. On the sidelines of this years Leaders Meeting, various business eventsincluding the APEC CEO Summitwill also be held, providing a venue for both the public and private sectors to discuss ways to build a sustainable and prosperous future together.

In what areas do you see the greatest potential for Viet Nam and South Korea to deepen collaboration under the APEC frameworkparticularly in digital economy, green transition, and supply chain resilience?

The APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 presents three key pillarstrade and investment, innovation and digitalisation, and inclusive and sustainable growth. This vision aligns closely with the direction of cooperation between Korea and Viet Nam.

In particular, during Viet Nam's Party General Secretary To Lams state visit to Korea in August, the two countries agreed to broaden the horizon of their economic cooperation beyond trade and investment to encompass digital transformation, advanced science and technology, renewable energy, and critical minerals.

President Luong Cuong will attend this years APEC Economic Leaders Meeting. His participation will serve as an important opportunity to sustain the momentum of high-level exchanges between the two countries and to build on the achievements of General Secretary To Lams visit, thereby further advancing bilateral relations.

Notably, Korea and Viet Nam can create great synergy when combining Koreas technological expertise with Viet Nams highly skilled human resources in advanced industries such as AI, semiconductors, and data centres. The two countries also have strong potential for cooperation in renewable energyincluding solar and wind powerto meet rapidly increasing electricity demand, as well as in power grid expansion and smart grid development.

Moreover, Korea and Viet Nam are strengthening their cooperation in critical minerals supply chains by combining Viet Nams abundant rare-earth resources with Koreas advanced technologies. Collaboration in this field is expected to further expand through the KoreaVietnam Critical Minerals Supply Chain Center, the establishment of which began earlier this year.

These are global challenges that cannot be addressed by any single country alone. By deepening their cooperation within the APEC framework, Korea and Viet Nam can play a leading role in tackling pressing global issues such as digital transformation, green growth, and supply chain resilience.

As Viet Nam is scheduled to host APEC 2027, how could our two countries cooperate to ensure the success of APEC Summits 2025 and 2027?

Viet Nam will assume the APEC chairmanship for the third time in 2027 in Phu Quoc, following Ha Noi in 2006 and a Nang in 2017. The fact that Viet Nam has taken on the APEC chairmanship roughly every decade clearly demonstrates the countrys significant contribution to peace and shared prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

During General Secretary To Lams state visit to Korea last August, the two leaders agreed to continue close cooperation between the two countries in multilateral fora such as APEC. In addition, I attended the launching ceremony of the Vietnam National Committee for APEC 2027 at the end of July, where I extended my heartfelt congratulations on Viet Nams assumption of the 2027 chairmanship and conveyed Koreas strong commitment to providing full support.

Korea and Viet Nam also share a history of close cooperation in APEC. When Korea chaired APEC in 2005 and Viet Nam in 2006, the two sides actively exchanged experiences in summit preparations, participated in discussions on key agendas and deliverables, and closely supported each others initiatives. This year as well, Viet Nam has been actively participating in various APEC ministerial meetingsincluding those on trade, finance, and food securitycontributing to the achievement of tangible outcomes at the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting.

Viet Nam is also making a strong contribution to the success of this years APEC through private-sector engagement. In July, the 3rd APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Meeting of 2025 was successfully held in Hai Phong, with the participation of President Luong Cuong. Moreover, leading Vietnamese companies such as SOVICO and Vietjet are expected to visit Gyeongju, Korea, to take part in APEC-related events.

As the APEC Chair in 2025, Korea will serve as part of the APEC Troikatogether with China, the 2026 Chair, and Viet Nam, the 2027 Chairand will spare no effort to share experiences and cooperate closely to help Viet Nam successfully host the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Phu Quoc in 2027.  VNS
HA NOI  State President Luong Cuongs upcoming trip to attend the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders' Week (AELW) and engage in bilateral activities in the Republic of Korea (RoK) holds great significance in various aspects, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang told the press ahead of the trip.

The visit will take place from October 29 to November 1 at the invitation of Korean President Lee Jae Myung.

Over more than three decades of formation and development, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum has become a leading regional mechanism for cooperation and economic integration, comprising 21 member economies, including three of the worlds five largest economies and accounting for 46 per cent of global trade and 61 per cent of global GDP.

The 2025 AELW aims to maintain and strengthen the spirit of dialogue and cooperation, foster trade, investment and economic connectivity and sustain growth momentum, while responding to global challenges and shaping the regions development future through science, technology, innovation and digital transformation.

Viet Nam expects and believes that under the RoKs chairmanship, APEC 2025 will yield positive outcomes that reaffirm APECs role as a driver of growth and economic integration, while promoting its pioneering position in the current era of technology and innovation, Hang stressed.

She said that, at this years AELW, Viet Nam - one of the regions fastest-growing economies, a country with a steadily rising international standing, and the host of APEC 2027  will continue to make responsible contributions to promoting APEC cooperation and multilateralism, as well as joining collective efforts for peace, stability and sustainable and prosperous development in the region and the world.

The Presidents participation in APEC 2025 is a concrete step in implementing the foreign policy of the Party and State, especially the Politburo's Resolution No 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new context.

It demonstrates Vietnams strategic shift from a mindset of 'receiving' to one of 'contributing', from 'integration' to 'comprehensive, deep integration', and from a 'latecomer' economy to one that is proactively pioneering in emerging fields.

During the event, the Vietnamese leader will join other APEC leaders in discussing major issues of cooperation and development, agreeing on orientations to enhance trade, investment, connectivity, green transition and digital transformation, and science and technology collaboration, among other critical fields.

He will also meet with leaders of other APEC member economies, and hold working sessions with top global corporations and business leaders, helping deepen Viet Nams bilateral ties with key partners and mobilise resources to serve its socio-economic development goals.

A highlight of the trip will be President Cuongs keynote address at the APEC CEO Summit, attended by nearly 2,000 regional business executives. He is expected to deliver a strong message on Viet Nams potential, advantages, strategic policies and breakthroughs, thereby reinforcing international confidence in Viet Nams new development trajectory and attracting financial and technological resources to support the nations innovation, green transition, and digital transformation.

Given that the RoK is one of Viet Nams leading economic partners, and amid the strong development of Viet Nam-RoK relations, the visit also provides an opportunity for the two sides to strengthen their political foundation, effectively implement high-level agreements, and make bilateral cooperation more substantive and result-oriented, contributing to each countrys development goals.

Hang expressed confidence that President Cuongs visit will be a resounding success, further affirming the image of a self-reliant, confident, and proactive Viet Nam that is entering a new era of development and making ever more responsible and effective contributions to regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity. VNA/VNS
HA NOI  Party General Secretary To Lam and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a Joint Statement officially upgrading bilateral relations between Viet Nam and the United Kingdom to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking a historic milestone in the development of the two countries long-standing friendship.

As part of his official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on the afternoon of 29 October (local time), at the Prime Ministers Office, Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted the official welcome ceremony for Party General Secretary To Lam and the high-level Vietnamese delegation.

Following the ceremony, the two leaders held official talks to discuss ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Starmer congratulated Viet Nam on its remarkable achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and General Secretary To Lam, and affirmed that Viet Nam is a dynamic, highly open economy playing an increasingly important role in the AsiaPacific region, and one of the UKs leading partners in Southeast Asia and the wider region.

General Secretary To Lam, for his part, commended the UKs impressive achievements in socio-economic development, which have helped it become the worlds sixth-largest economy and a global financial hub, maintaining its position among the most developed nations. He expressed confidence that under Prime Minister Starmers leadership, the UK will continue to grow strongly and make active contributions to global peace, cooperation, and sustainable development.

Both leaders highly valued the positive development of bilateral relations, particularly their joint efforts to overcome obstacles and seek solutions in the spirit of cooperation for the mutual benefit of both peoples. They expressed satisfaction that Viet Nam and the UK share common views on many regional and international issues and continue to coordinate and support each other closely in multilateral fora.

General Secretary To Lam affirmed that Viet Nam attaches great importance to its traditional friendship and Strategic Partnership with the UK, based on mutual respect, shared benefits, and a forward-looking vision.

He stated that Viet Nam is ready to work closely with the UK to elevate cooperation in key pillars such as politicsdiplomacy, defencesecurity, sciencetechnology and digital transformation, financebanking, educationtraining, environment and climate response, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

He emphasised that, as an ASEAN member, Viet Nam stands ready to act as a bridge to promote UKASEAN cooperation and serve as a gateway for the UK to access Southeast Asian markets.

Both leaders agreed that the two countries have great potential for cooperation in the new period, particularly in green and sustainable economic and energy transformation, digital industry development, and high-quality human resource training.

Prime Minister Starmer expressed his desire to strengthen comprehensive bilateral cooperation, especially within the frameworks of the UKViet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

He affirmed that the UK Government is ready to assist Viet Nam in achieving its net-zero emissions target by 2050, encourage British enterprises to invest and expand cooperation in Viet Nam, and support the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). The two leaders set a goal to double bilateral trade turnover in the near future.

Regarding security and defence cooperation, both sides agreed to diversify cooperation, combat illegal migration, and enhance collaboration on peacekeeping operations and training.

The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared concern. They emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region, ensuring maritime and aviation security and freedom, and resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

Elevating ties

At the end of the talks, the two leaders issued the Joint Statement officially upgrading bilateral relations between Viet Nam and the United Kingdom to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The statement highlights major achievements in bilateral relations, reaffirms core principles, and sets out broad directions to strengthen cooperation for the long-term benefit of both peoples and for peace, stability, and sustainable development in their respective regions and globally.

On this occasion, the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam and the UK Home Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Preventing and Combating International Fraud and a Plan to Enhance Cooperation on Migration Issues.

Both sides underlined that the issuance of the Joint Statement and the signing of cooperation agreements in areas such as economy, green finance, educationtraining, healthcare, clean and renewable energy, and local cooperation during General Secretary To Lams visit are of great significance, laying a foundation for deepening bilateral relations. The two leaders agreed to work closely together to implement the new partnership framework effectively.

On behalf of Viet Nams Party and State leaders, General Secretary To Lam conveyed warm greetings to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other senior UK leaders, and invited the Prime Minister to visit Viet Nam soon. Prime Minister Starmer gratefully accepted the invitation. VNS
LONDON - General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam has expressed his hope that cooperation between Viet Nam and the UK in various fields, especially parliamentary collaboration, will be further strengthened and elevated to a level commensurate with the scope of their relationship, their potential, and the expectations of their people.

General Secretary Lam made the statement while meeting with Speaker of the UK House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle in London on October 29 (local time) within the framework of his official visit to the European nation.

Speaker Hoyle emphasised that this visit marks the beginning of a new phase of cooperation, carrying historical significance in bilateral relations across all fields, especially in parliamentary cooperation.

Expressing his delight at the increasingly substantive and fruitful cooperation between the two parliaments, the Speaker stressed that these are solid foundations contributing significantly to deepening the traditional friendship between the two countries.

General Secretary Lam affirmed that the Party, State, and National Assembly of Viet Nam always attach great importance to developing the traditional friendship with the UK, in which the parliamentary channel plays a practical role in promoting and overseeing the implementation of intergovernmental agreements, as well as in deepening mutual understanding and trust.

Appreciating the important role of the House of Commons in the UK political system, particularly in legislation and foreign policy formulation, as well as the active contributions of Speaker Hoyle and other UK parliamentary leaders to parliamentary cooperation and bilateral relations over the past years, General Secretary Lam proposed the House of Commons continue to pay attention to, support, and urge the effective implementation of cooperation agreements between the two governments. These include the UKVietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), and programmes on education and training cooperation, scientific research, innovation, and human resources development.

He called on the House of Commons to continue allocating resources for development collaboration with Viet Nam, especially in the areas of clean energy, climate change response, and public health; and support the negotiation and signing of a bilateral labour cooperation agreement, thus creating a legal framework for Vietnamese citizens with legitimate aspirations to work legally in the country.

Speaker Hoyle emphasised his desire for the two countries to work together in building a shared future, affirming that the House of Commons supports the UK Government in strengthening cooperation with Viet Nam, particularly in areas of the UKs strengths such as education and training, healthcare, and climate change response, while showing his wish to further promote people-to-people exchanges.

The two leaders agreed to continue enhancing cooperation between the two parliaments through the regular exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-level ones; the establishment of friendship parliamentarians groups; and the promotion of exchanges and interactions between specialised committees. They also agreed to step up the sharing of legislative experience and the improvement of the legal framework to facilitate the expansion of bilateral ties.

Both sides also discussed strengthening coordination at multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), as well as within regional parliamentary cooperation mechanisms.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the Vietnamese top leader proposed the UK Parliament continue to maintain an objective and balanced stance, and support ASEANs position of solving disputes by peaceful means, based on international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On this occasion, he conveyed NA Chairman Tran Thanh Mans invitation to Speaker Hoyle to visit Viet Nam. Speaker Hoyle accepted the invitation with pleasure and expressed his hope to visit Viet Nam soon. VNA/VNS
LONDON  General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam has expressed his appreciation for the active and consistent contributions of the UKs All-Party Parliamentary Group for Vietnam (Vietnam APPG) to advancing Viet NamUK relations across various fields.

Speaking during a meeting with members of the group in London on October 29 as part of his official visit to the UK, General Secretary Lam highlighted Vietnam APPGs activities to boost the Viet Nam-UK cooperation in culture, education and training, and people-to-people exchanges. He stressed that Viet Nam and the UK have always attached great importance to promoting comprehensive cooperation through party, government, parliament, and people-to-people channels.

He noted that the positive progress in bilateral ties could not have been achieved without the support of British friends, especially the Vietnam APPG. Their initiatives and engagement, he said, have helped generate strong momentum for promoting exchanges and cooperation in politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, and other areas.

Members of the Vietnam APPG shared their warm affection for Viet Nam, saying they had visited the country at different times and were deeply impressed by its rapid and dynamic development in recent years. They voiced strong support for strengthening Viet NamUK relations, stressing that General Secretary Lams visit carries great significance in elevating bilateral cooperation to a new, deeper, and more comprehensive stage.

The MPs thanked Viet Nam for supporting the UKs accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

They also expressed their impression of General Secretary Lams address at the University of Oxford, which outlined a clear vision for the future development of Viet NamUK relations.

Answering to the groups questions on Viet Nams priorities in bilateral cooperation, General Secretary Lam highlighted four key areas, including promoting trade and investment ties; strengthening cooperation in science - technology, education - training; and developing international financial centres, thus contributing to the growth and prosperity of both countries.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese Party leader proposed that the Vietnam APPG continue to maintain delegation exchanges and promote activities in culture, education, science, and business connectivity between the two countries. He encouraged the group to foster thematic discussions and legislative cooperation between specialised committees of the two parliaments, particularly in developing the international financial market in Viet Nam. VNA/VNS
KUALA LUMPUR  Viet Nam and Malaysia have agreed to strengthen coordination in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting sustainable fisheries and agricultural development.

The consensus was reached during a recent working session between a Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Phung uc Tien and representatives of Malaysias Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Putrajaya.

According to the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia, the activity was part of Viet Nams nationwide effort to implement the Prime Ministers direction on combating IUU fishing, particularly under the action plan for the peak month of combating illegal fishing and promoting sustainable fisheries development.

At the meeting, both sides agreed to establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) to review and amend the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agricultural cooperation signed in April 2014, with a particular emphasis on sustainable fisheries and IUU prevention.

Notably, the two sides reached consensus on creating a tripartite information-sharing mechanism between Malaysias Department of Fisheries, Viet Nams Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, and the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia. The mechanism aims to facilitate timely information exchange on fisheries management and the handling of violations involving fishing vessels.

Beyond IUU issues, the discussion also covered ways to facilitate trade in agricultural, forestry, and fishery products; promote investment and business partnerships between Vietnamese seafood enterprises and Malaysian counterparts; and foster initiatives on green, circular, and sustainable agriculture in the region.

The potential for Vietnamese investment in Malaysias seafood sector was highlighted as a promising area for deeper cooperation in production, processing, and distribution, toward a green and sustainable value chain.

The JWG is expected to convene its first meeting in early November to detail cooperative actions, enhance policy dialogue, and coordinate efforts toward responsible fisheries development and the removal of the European Unions yellow card warning on Viet Nams seafood exports.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnam Journalists Association (VJA) seeks to strengthen cooperation with the Confederation of Thai Journalists (CTJ) to jointly address issues such as fake news, environmental information, and human trafficking, President of the VJA Le Quoc Minh said during his meeting with a CTJ delegation led by its President Nakorn Veerapravati in Ha Noi on Wednesday.

Minh proposed greater cooperation in experience sharing in information verification, training journalists on related skills, and establishing mechanisms for joint regional communication coordination mechanisms, saying that such collaboration would enhance public awareness, support sustainable development, and foster greater social responsibility in journalism.

For his part, Nakorn agreed with the proposals discussed and called for more regular exchanges and cooperative programmes between Vietnamese and Thai media. He suggested organising joint activities and training workshops to help journalists from both countries share experiences, learn from one another, and strengthen professional ties.

During their talks, the two sides discussed various issues of mutual concern related to the media landscape and national developments in each country.

The VJA President said that Viet Nam has undergone a major restructuring of its political and administrative system toward greater efficiency, leading to a streamlined media landscape. Despite a reduction in the number of media outlets and journalists, Vietnamese press agencies continue to operate effectively and play a vital role in providing timely, accurate information and combating misinformation.

He said the rapid spread of false or misleading content on social media poses complex challenges for journalism today. In response, the VJA as well as Vietnamese media agencies have been proactive in countering fake news through in-depth, high-quality journalism that helps audiences verify facts and understand issues clearly.

Vietnamese media are also advancing digital transformation, applying modern technologies and big data to detect misinformation trends while strengthening training for reporters and editors in verification, fact-checking, and digital communication skills. VNA/VNS
NEW YORK  The United Nations (UN) General Assemblys 80th session discussed and adopted the annual resolution entitled Necessity of ending the economic, commercial, and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba at the UN headquarters in New York on October 28-29.

The resolution received 165 votes in favour, seven against, and 12 abstentions, continuing to reflect widespread international opposition to the unilateral embargo that has lasted over 60 years.

The UN Secretary-General's report and remarks by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez highlighted that the USs irrational embargo measures have severely harmed the Cuban peoples rights to development, health, education, and food security, causing losses exceeding US$7.5 billion between March 2024 and February 2025, an increase of nearly 50 per cent compared to the previous year.

At the session, many countries and groups criticised the embargo as a violation of the UN Charter and international law, calling on the US to end this outdated policy and remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Speaking at the session, Minister Counsellor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, Charge dAffaires at the Vietnamese Delegation to the UN, reaffirmed Viet Nams solidarity with and strong support for Cuba, calling for the complete and unconditional lifting of all embargo measures.

The Vietnamese representative cited the normalisation of Viet Nam-US relations 30 years ago as proof of the power of dialogue and reconciliation based on mutual respect, while expressing hope that the same spirit will shape future relations between the US and Cuba.

The Minister Counsellor emphasised that Viet Nam will steadfastly support Cuba in protecting its independence, sovereignty, self-determination, and development rights. He also stressed that the UN General Assembly resolution not only reflects international solidarity with Cuba but also upholds the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, international law, and human conscience.

The resolution was first adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1992. It calls on all countries not to enact or maintain measures of blockade or embargo contrary to the UN Charter and international law, while emphasising respect for equality, sovereignty, and freedom of trade and navigation among nations.  VNA/VNS
LONDON  Party General Secretary To Lam met with UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy in London on Thursday (local time), as part of his ongoing official visit to the UK.

General Secretary Lam congratulated Lammy on his recent appointment and thanked him for years of backing Viet Nam - UK relations.

He briefed the host on his meetings and talks with the UK Prime Minister and parliamentary leaders to discuss major directions and measures to advance bilateral ties across the Party, State, Government, National Assembly and people-to-people channels.

According to him, Lammy is the first UK leader he has met since the two nations upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He suggested that following his visit, both governments quickly draft an Action Plan, reinforce existing cooperation mechanisms, and establish new ones if needed. The aim, he said, is to strengthen collaboration, reinforce political trust, raise two-way trade to US$15 billion, and jointly launch several flagship projects that reflect the growing strength of the partnership.

Lammy, for his part, described the upgrade of ties as a historic milestone, affirming that the two countries share a long tradition of friendship and hold vast potential for deeper cooperation.

He spotlighted trade and investment, national defence-security, energy, innovation, aviation, and maritime safety as priority cooperation areas, while pledging to ease visa issuance for highly skilled Vietnamese workers.

The Vietnamese leader invited the UK Governments leaders to visit Viet Nam soon to increase dialogue and cooperation, and personally extended an invitation to Lammy to visit in the near future, which was accepted by the host.

Prior to the meeting, General Secretary Lam and Deputy PM Lammy met with leaders of the UK - Viet Nam Network chaired by former UK Ambassador to Viet Nam Mark Kent.

Established in 2013, the network unites organisations and individuals in the UK with an interest in Viet Nam. It bolsters cooperation across trade, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges, contributing to greater mutual understanding and friendship between the people and agencies of both countries.  VNA/VNS
GYEONGJU  Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong held talks with RoK President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju on Thursday afternoon, while Cuong is in the Republic of Korea (RoK) to attend the APEC Economic Leaders Week 2025.

At the talks, Lee said that the RoK continues to consider Viet Nam a key partner in implementing its foreign policies in the region, and emphasised that President Cuong's working trip is of great significance for cooperation towards peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

The RoK President congratulated Viet Nam on its development achievements, including its current economic growth of over 7 per cent. He also confirmed that the RoK is ready to continue accompanying Viet Nam in the next stages of its development.

For his part, President Cuong sincerely thanked Lee, the government and the people of the RoK for their warm, friendly and thoughtful reception, and conveyed the greetings and warm regards of Party General Secretary To Lam and other senior leaders of Viet Nam to the RoK President.

The Vietnamese leader said he was pleased to see that after more than 30 years of diplomatic relations, the ties between the two countries have continued to be consolidated and developed. Viet Nam and the RoK have become reliable partners, closely cooperating at the strategic level, and are close friends, understanding each other, he added.

Viet Nam consistently attaches importance to its relationship with the RoK and hopes that the cooperation between the two countries will continue to see new, more substantial, effective and sustainable changes in all fields, the President said.

The two leaders agreed to continue promoting delegation exchanges and exchanges at all levels through various channels, effectively coordinate the implementation of existing cooperation mechanisms and promote the substantive implementation of signed cooperation documents between the two countries, especially the agreements reached during the State visit to the RoK by General Secretary To Lam in August.

They also consented to promote mutually beneficial economic cooperation, in line with the development goals of both sides, creating a major and substantive shift in cooperation.

President Cuong suggested the two sides coordinate on measures to rapidly reach the bilateral trade target of US$150 billion by 2030 in a balanced and sustainable manner. He confirmed that Viet Nam will create favourable conditions for RoK enterprises to confidently invest long term in the country.

Meanwhile, Lee said that the RoK continues to consider Viet Nam an important strategic partner in economic, trade and investment cooperation, and pledged to increase quotas and expand the industries receiving Vietnamese workers.

He agreed to cooperate in technology transfer and the development of supporting industries in Viet Nam and continue supporting RoK enterprises to expand investment in Viet Nam, especially in important areas such as infrastructure, energy and new urban construction.

The two leaders promised to implement cooperation in science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and workforce development as a new pillar in bilateral relations. They also agreed to step up educational, cultural and people-to-people collaboration to create deeper connections and understanding.

President Cuong proposed the RoK side continue to protect the legitimate rights and create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country, so that they can feel secure living, studying and working long term in the RoK.

Also within the framework of the talks, the two leaders discussed international and regional issues of mutual concern. The Vietnamese President congratulated the RoK on successfully organising APEC Economic Leaders Week 2025, and expressed his hope that the East Asian country would support and coordinate with Viet Nam to successfully organise APEC Economic Leaders Week 2027.

The two sides agreed to closely cooperate and support each other in regional and international forums of mutual interest, and jointly promote the early upgrade of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement and the implementation of the Mekong-RoK Summit in the near future.

The two sides shared a common strategic vision on maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), as well as ensuring legitimate and legal rights in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Earlier the same day, President Cuong attended the "Vietnam Day", co-organised in Gyeongju city by Gyeongsangbuk province, the Republic of Korea (RoK)s Saemaul Undong Foundation, and the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK to mark the 20th anniversary of the internationalisation of the Saemaul Undong (New Village) Movement.  VNA/VNS
GYEONGJU  The Vietnam Day not only showcases the country, its people, history, and culture to Korean friends but also underscores the mutual affection and understanding that form the foundation for sustainable cooperation between the two countries, State President Luong Cuong said on Thursday.

The State leader made the statement while attending the "Vietnam Day", co-organised in Gyeongju city by Gyeongsangbuk province, the Republic of Korea (RoK)s Saemaul Undong Foundation, and the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK to mark the 20th anniversary of the internationalisation of the Saemaul Undong (New Village) Movement.

President Cuong, who is in the RoK to attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Week, highlighted the deep cultural affinity and shared values between the two nations as vital elements fostering stronger strategic ties.

Reviewing over 30 years of diplomatic relations, he said the Viet NamRoK partnership has evolved into a model of comprehensive and substantive cooperation, especially since the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in December 2022.

He emphasised that the two nations enjoy strong political trust and shared interests in development processes. The RoK is one of Viet Nams top economic partners, while cooperation in defence, security, and local-level exchanges has been deepened. Gyeongju city and Gyeongsangbuk province are among key contributors to the two countries' achievements, he noted.

The President praised Gyeongjus strengths as a city rich in cultural and historical heritage, as well as its modern industry, energy sector, and advanced infrastructure, calling it a vital growth engine of the eastern region of the RoK. He also pointed to similarities and shared development aspirations of Gyeongju city and Gyeongsangbuk province with many Vietnamese localities, expressing confidence that they could become trusted partners in promoting sustainable growth for the benefit of both nations people.

As the two countries enter a new era of cooperation, President Cuong said there are vast opportunities to enhance ties across politics, economy, culture, and people-to-people exchanges. He expressed his hope that the Vietnam Day would open a new chapter in locality-to-locality cooperation, positioning Gyeongju as a City of Friendship and a hub for cultural, tourism, and industrial cooperation between Viet Nam and the southeastern region of the RoK.

Gyeongsangbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo, in his remarks, said the 20-year implementation of the Saemaul Undong Movement project with Viet Nam marks a milestone in bilateral cooperation. He noted that Gyeongju  the RoKs ancient capital  was a fitting venue to celebrate two decades of partnership and launch a new journey toward shared prosperity.

The Governor recalled that ties between Gyeongsangbuk and Viet Nam trace back more than 800 years to the settlement of descendants of Viet Nams Ly dynasty in Bonghwa county. This historical link, he said, continues to be strengthened through the Saemaul Movement, deepening friendship between the two peoples.

Over the past two decades, Gyeongsangbuk has promoted rural development cooperation with Viet Nam based on the Saemaul spirit. Starting with a pilot project in Thai Nguyen in 2005, the model has expanded to 15 villages, improving rural infrastructure, disseminating farm knowledge and raising incomes.

Lee said cooperation has now broadened to the economic, cultural, and people-to-people exchange spheres. With the Centre for Rural Development - Saemaul Undong at Viet Nam National University, HCM City serving as a hub, both sides are advancing research, training, and community development models. He affirmed that Gyeongsangbuk province will continue accompanying Viet Nam on its development path for common peace and prosperity.

On this occasion, President Cuong and Governor Lee exchanged symbolic gifts  a replica of Viet Nams ong Son bronze drum and a replica of the RoKs Silla bell  and jointly pressed the button to inaugurate the Friendship and Cooperation for the Future symbol.  VNA/VNS
LONDON  General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam met with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is now Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute, in London on Thursday, as part of his official visit to the UK.

The Party leader highly appreciated Blair's efforts in promoting Viet NamUK relations. He also welcomed the Tony Blair Institutes initiatives and cooperative activities in providing policy advice, supporting digital transformation, fostering green economic development, and strengthening governance capacity in many countries, including Viet Nam.

He stated that Viet Nam aspires to achieve rapid yet steady development, demonstrated by key resolutions promoting breakthroughs in science - technology, innovation, and private economic sector development, with initial implementation already showing tangible results.

In this development process, Viet Nam places high importance on strengthening its strategic partnership with the UK, viewing collaboration in digital transformation, renewable energy, innovation, and public governance as the key pillars to foster a substantive, effective, and sustainable bilateral relationship in the new era, the Party chief said.

For his part, Blair expressed his honour in meeting Party General Secretary Lam, and congratulated Viet Nam and the UK on upgrading their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Hailing Viet Nams recent achievements, Blair affirmed that Viet Nam is now a bright spot of the world. He stressed that the Tony Blair Institute stands ready to enhance support for Viet Nam in areas of its expertise, including policy consultation for building a financial centre, digital transformation, green energy strategies, attracting high-quality investment, human resource development, and improving state governance capacity through the application of artificial intelligence.

The Tony Blair Institute is willing to assist Viet Nam in steering clear of the middle-income trap, as suggested by the Party chief, and act as a bridge linking big companies, including Oracle, with investment opportunities in Viet Nams science and technology sector, he said.

Blair expressed his pleasure with the institutes current collaboration with partners in Viet Nam, expressing his belief that even more partnerships will be set up in the years ahead.

Highly appreciating Blairs proposals, General Secretary Lam stated that Viet Nam always welcomes and facilitates concrete and practical cooperation initiatives aligned with its development goals. He urged the Tony Blair Institute to continue acting as a bridge to promote collaboration between ministries, businesses, research institutes, and universities of the two nations, particularly in the fields of digital government, digital economy, sustainable development, clean energy, education - training, and healthcare.  VNA/VNS
LONDON  General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse, together with the Vietnamese high-level delegation, departed from London Stansted Airport on Thursday (local time), concluding their three-day official visit to the UK at the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

During the visit, the General Secretary held talks with PM Starmer; met with leaders of the Communist Party of Britain, the Speaker of the House of Lords, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Viet Nam (Viet Nam APPG), the Speaker of the House of Commons, and former Prime Minister Tony Blair; and visited the tomb of proletarian leader Karl Marx.

He also participated in discussions with British and international technology experts on artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors; attended the Viet NamUK Business Roundtable Meeting; joined the Viet NamUK High-level Economic Conference; met with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and the Viet Namese community in the UK; delivered a policy speech at Oxford University; and witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation documents.

During the visit, the two leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Accordingly, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation across six key pillars: strengthening collaboration in politics, diplomacy, defence and security; deepening ties in economy, trade, investment and finance; boosting cooperation in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and healthcare; working together on environment, energy and green transition; expanding partnerships in education, culture, sports, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, gender equality and other areas; and stepping up coordination on regional and international issues.

In their joint declaration, the two sides also agreed to intensify exchanges and cooperation between parliament agencies and specialised committees, and parliamentary groups; to share experience in legislative oversight and parliamentary work; to enhance monitoring and coordination in implementing bilateral agreements; and to strengthen consultations, exchange of views and coordination at multilateral parliamentary forums in which both sides participate.

The two countries also agreed to boost collaboration in developing financial hubs, including Viet Nams International Financial Centre in HCM City and a Nang, under the framework of the Viet NamUK international financial centre partnership.

Viet Nam and the UK agreed to deepen cooperation in mobilising green finance to promote low-emission, sustainable growth; share expertise and implement green financial tools in Viet Nam. Both sides also pledged to effectively implement the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding on science, technology, and innovation cooperation.

The two countries agreed to establish the Viet NamUK clean energy partnership between Viet Nams Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant British agencies to accelerate the transition toward a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy in both nations.

The UK reaffirmed its continued support for Viet Nam in promoting English language teaching and training, aiming to make English the second language in Viet Namese schools by 2035, and enhancing human resources development through cooperation between Vietnamese educational institutions and UK organisations

Both sides committed to maintaining and promoting peace, stability, security, and prosperity globally, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, and shared a vision for a just international order based on international law, respecting independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.  VNA/VNS
HA NOI  The official visit to the UK by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam holds profound significance not only for advancing Viet Nams ties with a major European and global partner but also for creating new momentum for the countrys next stage of development, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung has said.

In an interview with the press following the visit, the minister described it as one of Viet Nams most important diplomatic activities in 2025, reaffirming the stature of the Viet NamUK relationship in each nations foreign policy, particularly amid a complex and fast-changing global landscape.

During the trip, General Secretary Lam and the Vietnamese delegation engaged in more than 20 major activities, including the talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer; meetings with Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, representatives of the British Royal Family, Parliament, and major political parties. The Vietnamese leader also delivered a policy speech at the University of Oxford, met with representatives of leading UK businesses and academics, the Vietnamese community and the Vietnamese Embassy's staff.

According to the diplomat, the visit was a major success, producing tangible and substantive results. The most notable outcome was the upgrade of the Viet Nam - UK relationship a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership  the highest level in Viet Nams diplomatic hierarchy.

In their joint declaration, the two sides identified six key pillars of cooperation: political, diplomatic, defence and security ties; economic, trade, investment and financial collaboration; science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and healthcare; environmental protection, energy transition and green growth; education, culture, sports, tourism and social equality; and coordination on regional and international issues.

Within the framework of the visit, agencies, organisations and businesses of both sides agreed and signed many important cooperation agreements with many substantive and specific contents in new fields which are significant to the development of the two countries. With the UK being a leading global financial and technological hub, the upgraded framework opens broad opportunities for deeper collaboration. Several Vietnamese firms and research institutes have already partnered with British universities and organisations, particularly in high-tech industries and training.

British leaders and institutions expressed deep admiration for Viet Nams impressive achievements and its growing regional and global role. General Secretary Lams keynote address at Oxford University attracted strong interest from policymakers and scholars, considering it an important contribution to clarifying Viet Nam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, thereby, the UK and the international community better understood Viet Nams 40-year oi moi (renewal) journey as well as the countrys foreign policy.

British partners showed readiness to quickly implement commitments in the joint declaration, including enhanced cooperation and knowledge-sharing in finance, technology, healthcare, green energy, and disaster risk reduction. Both sides agreed to establish new dialogue mechanisms to improve the business environment and to effectively implement the UKViet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The visit also helped reinforce Viet Nams standing in Europe and at multilateral forums, while contributing to stronger ASEANEurope cooperation. It further consolidated the role of the CPV and the nations position in international diplomacy, creating a foundation for deeper relations with other partners.

The diplomat emphasised that the trip also strengthened people-to-people ties between Viet Nam and the UK and encouraged the Viet Namese community in the UK to continue contributing to the home country's development. The growing success of the Viet Namese community in the UK provides a valuable bridge for future cooperation, he noted.

By establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UK  a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the worlds sixth largest economy, and a leading centre for finance, trade, technology, and education  Viet Nam has continued to actively and proactively implement its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, development and diversification and multilateralisation of international relations, he stated.

The visit carried a consistent message about Viet Nam's foreign policy of multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations and promoting harmonious relations with partners in other regions. The exchanges and agreements between the UK and Viet Nam also demonstrated their respect for the leadership of the CPV and the achievements that Viet Nam has obtained in the development and renewal process over the past nearly 40 years.

In an increasingly complex world, Viet Nams establishment of Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with all five permanent members of the UN Security Council, bringing the total number of such partnerships to 14, has helped strengthen Viet Nams diplomatic complexion and enhance the CPV's position, Trung stressed.

Sharing major orientations for the coming period to deploy the key outcomes of the Party chief's visit, Trung stated that Viet Nam and the UK will work together to effectively implement the visits results, particularly the Joint Declaration on upgrading the bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the development of a Joint Action Plan to concretise the declaration. At the same time, the two nations will continue effectively carry out the previously agreed deals.

The focus will be placed on strengthening political trust through the exchange of high-level and all-level delegations, commensurate with the current status of the bilateral relations. Efforts will also be made to effectively implement existing cooperation mechanisms while exploring new frameworks that match the two countries capacities and practical needs.

Priority will be given to promoting initiatives that leverage the UKs expertise in international financial centre development, innovation, telecommunications, sustainable energy transition, advanced technologies, and biomedical sciences, in line with Viet Nams priorities in digital transformation, green growth, human resource development, and governance innovation.

Both sides aim to boost connectivity and coordination in international and regional forums, including the UN and ASEAN, promote trade based on rules and equality, and enhance cooperation in science, technology, and financial system resilience, contributing to peace, stability, and sustainable development in the regions and the world.

Viet Nam will also take measures to step up cultural exchange and well carry out affairs related to the Vietnamese community in the UK, thereby strengthening friendship, mutual understanding, and solid foundation for deeper and more sustainable Viet NamUK cooperation, the minister added.  VNA/VNS
China makes strengthening the real economy top priority for 15th Five-Year Plan

People's Daily Online) 09:32, October 30, 2025

The fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) outlined 12 strategic tasks for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development. Building a modernized industrial system and reinforcing the foundations of the real economy tops the agenda.

Photo shows a scene of automated production at the Seres Super Factory in Liangjiang New Area, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

In China's overall development landscape, the real economy holds top priority. It is the ballast stone of China's economy. Industries such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and services provide vast employment opportunities. Statistics show that these sectors employ over 400 million people, accounting for 53 percent of the country's workforce.

Manufacturing, as a cornerstone of the national economy, is vital to China's strategic security. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), China's manufacturing sector has become even more comprehensive and resilient. The industry has maintained the top position in the world in terms of overall scale for 15 consecutive years, providing strong confidence in the face of external uncertainties.

Vessels load and unload containers at a container terminal in Jintang port area, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo by Zou Xunyong/Xinhua)

As the global landscape grows increasingly complicated, the significance of the real economy has become all the more pronounced.

China vowed to build a modern industrial system for the next five years, according to a Reuters article.

"China's forceful industrial policies have built sophisticated domestic supply chains and brought it to global dominance in many sectors. They have given the country confidence in its trade war with the U.S.," said the article.

At a press conference held last week, Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said efforts will be made in four areas to reinforce the foundations underpinning the real economy.

Photo shows a thermal power plant in the photovoltaic industrial park of Delingha city in the Mongolian-Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Haixi, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Long)

The first is to upgrade traditional industries. Traditional industries account for over 80 percent of the manufacturing sector. During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China aims to upgrade and enhance key traditional industries, unlocking an estimated 10 trillion yuan (about $1.4 trillion) in new market opportunities.

The second is fostering emerging and future industries. Zheng said the country will work to develop new strategic pillar industries and accelerate the formation of industrial clusters in areas such as new energy and new materials, while making forward-looking plans for frontier sectors of the future.

The third is promoting high-quality development of the service sector. Greater integration will be encouraged between modern services, advanced manufacturing, and modern agriculture. This will not only meet peoples growing aspirations for a better life but also open up new drivers of economic growth.

The fourth is building a modern infrastructure system. Zheng said China will improve the coordination of infrastructure planning and advance the construction of new types of infrastructure with appropriate foresight.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the 5th National Press Awards on combating corruption, wastefulness, and negative phenomena 20242025 in Ha Noi on Thursday, calling on journalists to remain vigilant, courageous, and steadfast in this fight.

Organised by the Standing Board of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee in coordination with the Viet Nam Journalists Association and Viet Nam Television, the award marks the 95th traditional day of the VFF (November 18, 1930  2025).

PM Chinh recalled President Ho Chi Minhs warning that "Embezzlement, wastefulness, and bureaucracy are the enemy of the people, describing them as an internal invader. He said that guided by this principle, the Party and State have led a resolute, coordinated fight campaign against corruption, wastefulness, and misconduct, applying the principle of no forbidden zones and no exceptions, achieving significant and comprehensive results, with great contributions by media agencies and journalists nationwide.

Viet Nams revolutionary press has always been at the forefront of the fight against corruption, wastefulness, and negative phenomena, he said.

Behind every article and investigative report lies relentless creativity, wholehearted dedication, courage, and intellect of journalists, he said, stressing that they illuminate the light of justice and truth, helping authorities investigate and resolve serious cases of corruption and wastefulness.

With five editions, the award has increasingly affirmed its prestige and far-reaching impact, he noted.

Many works highlight role models, while many others clearly demonstrate the critical roles of the VFF and political and social organisations, and the active participation of the public in this fight.

The leader praised the organisations that successfully held this press award, while congratulating 44 authors and groups of authors whose works were honoured at the ceremony.

In the new era, the Party and State continue to regard the fight as a key task that is both urgent and long-term, serving as a vital foundation for promoting the countrys rapid and sustainable development, he noted, adding this fight requires the continued participation of the entire political system and the public, especially the press, journalists, the VFF, and political and social organisations.

The PM urged the press to uphold its role and emphasised the need to build a contingent of journalists who take the lead in this combat.

He asked Party Committees and authorities at all levels to promptly implement the Party and States policies and guidelines, strengthen coordination, and support journalists and those who courageously speak out against corruption, wastefulness, and other negative practices.

The Government leader asked for innovation to enhance the award's influence, inspire and motivate journalists to fully show their creativity and dedication, and thereby contribute to building a professional, humane, and modern revolutionary press.

By July 31, 2025, the organisers had received 1,110 entries across four categories - print, online, radio, and television from 90 central and local press agencies.

At the ceremony, four works received A Prizes, 10 won B Prizes, 12 took C Prizes, and 18 earned consolation awards.

The Viet Nam News Agency secured a B Prize for the special Mega Story on combating land wastefulness - streamlining the apparatus by the team Vo Manh Hung, Nguyen Hoai Nam, and oan Minh Anh, published on the Viet NamPlus e-newspaper.  VNA/VNS
ONG NAI  ong Nai Province is strengthening efforts to build brands for its agricultural products to promote domestic sales and exports.

Farmers, co-operatives and companies in the southeast province are focusing on developing brands for key crops such as cashew, pepper, coffee, and fruit, and products certified under the countrys One Commune - One Product (OCOP) programme.

Tam An Pharmaceutical Company Limited in Hung Thinh Commune, has two medicinal products - Phuc Hung Long Essential and Phuc Hung Long Premium - recognised as five-star OCOP products.

Nguyen Van Khon, its director, said: The company focuses on improving quality, refining value and developing product brands suitable for the growing needs of the market.

The companys medicinal products have been distributed across many provinces and cities nationwide, as well as exported to markets such as China and the Czech Republic.

The province is developing agriculture toward establishing concentrated farming areas and sustainability, focusing on major industrial crops such as rubber, cashew, coffee and pepper, along with five key fruit varieties  mango, durian, banana, grapefruit and jackfruit.

It has more than 180,000ha of cashew, the largest cashew area in the country, and ranks among the countrys top provinces and cities in attracting cashew-processing and exporting enterprises.

Its cashews are exported to many countries thanks to modern processing and strict compliance with international standards.

Under the OCOP programme, cashew is the provinces main product, with many enterprises achieving national five-star OCOP certification.

The Hoang Anh Co-operative in Binh Phuoc Ward is considered a model in building a cashew brand.

Since its establishment in 2018, the co-operative has developed several cashew products such as nut cakes, wine, fermented cashew fruit juice, dried nut.

Its cashew nut cake has achieved a four-star OCOP rating.

Pham Van Hieu, chairman of the co-operative, said: Besides State support, enterprises and co-operatives must proactively create their own core values through brand building based on product quality.

Nguyen Thi Hoang, deputy chairwoman of the provincial Peoples Committee, said: Cashew will remain the provinces key product in the coming period. ong Nai will continue to develop this sector and maintain its position as the nations cashew capital, ranking among the top in cashew exports.

In pepper production, the province has gradually established its own brand in domestic and international markets.

It has established clean pepper growing areas under VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards.

The province has regularly provided consultation and guidance on brand and label building for OCOP and VietGAP- or GlobalGAP-certified products, while supporting promotion, introduction and consumption of agricultural goods.

So far, the province has 496 OCOP products, with cashew accounting for the largest proportion.

It is vigorously promoting trade activities and OCOP product branding, while supporting enterprises and co-operatives to join e-commerce platforms, strengthen business connections and expand domestic and international markets.

It has implemented several effective support programmes, such as the livestream event promoting Tan Trieu grapefruit in July 2025, which helped local farmers advertise their speciality.

The provincial Farmers Association held a seminar on linking stakeholders in the production and promotion of agricultural products in September 2025.

Many accommodation facilities, tourist sites, restaurants and service outlets in the province have become effective channels for promoting and consuming local agricultural products.

Lam Phu Quy, deputy general director of ong Nai Hotel in Bien Hoa Ward, said: The hotel seeks to connect and select the provinces outstanding OCOP products to showcase and supply them at our hotel.

The province is promoting production linkages, applying science and technology in preservation, processing and traceability to enhance competitiveness and export value.

Collaboration among co-operatives, enterprises and management agencies is creating new momentum for the provinces agricultural sector.

Co-operatives are actively participating in the four-party linkage model (farmers, enterprises, scientists and the State), forming concentrated farming areas tied to deep processing, brand building and export market expansion.

Nguyen Huu Nguyen, chairman of the provincial Farmers Association, said: Co-operation among companies and co-operatives, and among OCOP producers and companies, helps expand consumption markets, increase competitiveness and promote sustainable development for local agricultural products.  VNS
HA NOI  The General Staff of the Viet Nam Peoples Army has ordered all military units to maintain the highest level of readiness and mobilise maximum personnel and equipment to support flood-affected localities in central Viet Nam, as severe flooding continues to devastate the region.

The directive, issued on October 29, follows Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs call for urgent and coordinated emergency response and recovery measures. It instructs all units to assist in evacuating residents from high-risk areas, deliver food and essential supplies to isolated communities, and remain ready to carry out search-and-rescue operations, including air transport of relief goods when commanded by the Ministry of National Defence.

Military Regions 4 and 5 have been tasked with coordinating with provincial authorities to operate 24-hour hotlines and deploy forces to the hardest-hit localities. Troops have been ordered to clear debris, repair infrastructure and restore sanitation in critical areas such as hospitals, schools, administrative offices and residential zones.

The Air DefenceAir Force Service and Corps 18 are on standby for aerial rescue missions, while the Chemical Corps and Military Medical Department are working with local authorities to disinfect flooded areas and prevent post-disaster epidemics. Meanwhile, the Signal Corps and Viettel Military Industry and Telecommunications Group are ensuring stable communications for government directives, and the Navy, Coast Guard and Border Guard are mobilising ships and vehicles for rescue operations and logistics support.

The General Departments of Logistics, Technology, and Defence Industry, along with Military Intelligence (General Department 2), have been instructed to ensure the safety of weapon depots, maintain technical readiness, and guarantee the timely delivery of rescue equipment to affected regions.

In Hue, the military and transport sectors are reinforcing key infrastructure to withstand the rising floodwaters. On the night of October 29, the railway sector deployed two freight trains carrying more than 1,600 tonnes of stone to stabilise the Bach Ho railway bridge over the Huong River, as the water level surged to 4.93 metres  1.43 metres above Level 3 flood alert.

According to Le Trong Tung, Director of the Thua ThienHue Railway Operation Branch, one train of 22 wagons (630 tonnes) and another of 19 wagons (980 tonnes) were positioned on the bridge to provide ballast weight and prevent structural damage.

This was the second reinforcement within three days. On October 27, a similar deployment of 19 wagons had been carried out but withdrawn when the river level dropped. As water rose again late on October 29, authorities swiftly re-stationed the trains to safeguard the bridge amid widespread inundation across Hue, where thousands of homes remain submerged.

The militarys large-scale mobilisation and the emergency reinforcement of vital infrastructure underscore Viet Nams all-out effort to protect lives and property in the face of the regions most severe flooding in recent years.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam is accelerating its fight against drugs nationwide, setting ambitious goals of 20 per cent of communes becoming drug-free by 2025 and at least 50 per cent by 2030, alongside 15-20 per cent of provinces and cities.

These targets were outlined in a Government notice, summarising Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs conclusions at a national conference on implementing the National Target Programme for drug prevention and control through 2030.

The Prime Minister noted that drug prevention and control in Viet Nam faces significant challenges due to global drug trends and the continuing complexity of domestic drug crimes and addiction. In the first nine months of this year, authorities arrested more than 37,500 drug offenders in over 19,000 cases, seizing nearly 3.4 tonnes of synthetic drugs, more than 2 million synthetic drug pills, 243kg of heroin and 971kg of marijuana  amounts equivalent to the annual average during 20202024.

Authorities predict that drug crime and addiction will continue to evolve in complexity due to global and regional influences, making drug prevention an urgent priority to protect public safety, family wellbeing, national security and sustainable socio-economic development.

Strengthening inspections

PM Chinh has ordered leaders at all levels to take a direct role in overseeing the programme, strengthen inspection and supervision, and strictly handle violations. He stressed the need to improve drug control legislation, including amending the Drug Prevention Law and related guidance, to provide a comprehensive legal framework for enforcement.

Central and local authorities are required to urgently develop and approve detailed plans with clear objectives, roadmaps and assigned responsibilities following a six-clear principle: clear people, tasks, responsibilities, authority, deadlines and results. Authorities must adhere to objectives and solutions to ensure timely and effective programme implementation.

High-intensity campaigns

The Prime Minister tasked the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of Finance and specialised forces to carry out decisive crackdowns on drug crime, disrupt supply and demand networks and focus on key routes and areas. High-intensity campaigns are to prosecute and strictly handle perpetrators, particularly ring leaders, while promoting international cooperation.

Communication campaigns will build a mass movement under the slogan 'All people participate in drug prevention,' emphasising that every citizen is a soldier, every family a stronghold, and every locality a fortress against drugs. Units will encourage public condemnation of drug crime and addiction, engage organisations in detecting and managing addicts, and build drug-free models in workplaces, schools and enterprises.

Rehabilitation efforts will be strengthened by promoting the role of religious and social-political organisations in managing addicts. The MPS is also tasked with coordinating with ministries and local authorities to issue guiding documents and monitoring indicators, ensuring consistent and effective implementation of the programme by October 2025.

The MPS will work with the Ministry of Health and local authorities to assess rehabilitation facilities, upgrade equipment, and apply technology in addict management. The Ministry of Education and Training will guide localities to create drug-free schools nationwide starting from the 2025-2026 school year.

Provincial and municipal peoples committees will assign clear responsibilities to departments, strengthen supervision and ensure the completion of assigned tasks with specific targets, timelines and solutions. Localities are instructed to prioritise local budget investment, integrate the programme with other socio-economic development initiatives, and avoid dispersion and waste.

Policies will also be issued to encourage agencies, enterprises and organisations to provide vocational training, jobs, preferential loans and social support for rehabilitated individuals to support their reintegration into the community.  VNS
HA NOI  The Government of the Russian Federation has delivered an emergency humanitarian aid shipment to support residents affected by severe rains and flooding in Hue City. The aid was received by the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment at Noi Bai International Airport in Ha Noi on Thursday

Russian Ambassador to Viet Nam Gennady Bezdetko handed over the aid to Nguyen Truong Son, Deputy Director of the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.

The relief shipment includes 58 rescue and working boats, 1,000 sets of bowls and plates, 1,000 blankets, 1,000 bedding sets, 55 tents, and a large quantity of canned food, weighing approximately 29 tonnes. The shipment arrived at Noi Bai Airport at 6.35am on Thursday aboard a special aircraft, flight number SUM 9121, operated by the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief of the Russian Federation.

At the handover ceremony, Ambassador Gennady Bezdetko extended his deepest condolences to the Government and people of Vietnam over the losses and damage caused by recent floods in the northern and central regions. He also reaffirmed Russias commitment to continuing its support for Viet Nam in disaster prevention and response efforts.

Deputy Director Nguyen Truong Son expressed his gratitude for the valuable assistance from the Russian Government and people, affirming that the department will ensure the timely coordination and delivery of the aid to Hue City on the same day for local distribution to residents affected by the disaster. VNS
HA NOI  Schools across the capital have been instructed to establish and publicise hotlines to promptly receive and handle reports related to school security, safety and violence, under new directives from the Ha Noi Department of Education and Training.

Local authorities and schools have also been urged to promote awareness of the National Child Protection Hotline 111, which operates 24 hours a day and is free of charge.

The directive, outlined in Document No. 4411/SGDT-CTTTHSSV issued on October 23, was sent to the social and cultural affairs offices of wards and communes, as well as schools under the departments management, to strengthen school safety and security measures.

The department said recent efforts to enhance school security, prevent violence and combat crime and social evils have achieved positive results.

However, incidents of school violence, social misconduct and legal violations among students remain complex, with increasingly diverse forms and a worrying trend towards younger offenders.

Such issues have negatively affected students physical and mental wellbeing, as well as the overall educational environment, sparking public concern.

To address these shortcomings, the department has required all institutions to strictly implement security and order measures in line with coordination regulations between the department and the citys police.

Schools have been asked to focus on disseminating information and providing legal education on public order, traffic safety, civility, fire prevention and rescue, anti-bullying and anti-drug campaigns, along with the prevention of other social ills.

They are also required to raise awareness about online fraud and scams, and to promote moral education, life skills and legal compliance among students.

Schools must proactively use the hotline system and coordinate closely with local police, authorities and parents in handling any incidents that arise.

They have also been instructed to strictly manage the use of mobile phones and wireless devices on campus, strengthen the role of school counselling teams and regularly organise activities to build life skills and risk response capabilities.

Regular communication with parents should be maintained to agree on student management and support measures, and to promptly detect and assist pupils showing abnormal behavioural or psychological signs.

In addition, schools are required to conduct comprehensive inspections of their facilities, particularly large trees, electrical systems, ponds, railings and playgrounds, to quickly identify and eliminate any potential safety hazards.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Home Affairs has highlighted the need for solutions in institutional improvement, administrative reform, market restructuring and workforce quality enhancement to strengthen the competitiveness of Vietnamese workers employed overseas under contract.

The issue was emphasised by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang at a dialogue held on Thursday with enterprises engaged in sending Vietnamese workers abroad under contract. The event gathered representatives from more than 100 labour export service companies across the country.

Thang said that overseas employment remains one of the key pillars of the national economy. Viet Nam continues to enjoy a unique advantage in its abundant labour force, which contributes significantly to remittance inflows and helps improve the livelihoods of workers families.

However, he also pointed out several persistent challenges. Some enterprises still impose excessive service fees or conduct non-transparent recruitment practices. Cases of workers breaking contracts or residing illegally abroad remain frequent.

Meanwhile, many Vietnamese workers still lack the professional skills and foreign language proficiency required in advanced labour markets. Certain institutional regulations and administrative procedures also remain cumbersome, failing to create truly favourable conditions for enterprises.

According to Acting Director General of the Department of Overseas Labour Management Vu Truong Giang, the deployment of workers abroad continues to face various difficulties.

In the first ten months of 2025, more than 121,000 Vietnamese workers were sent abroad, fulfilling 93.2 per cent of the annual plan. By the end of the 202125 period, the total number is projected to reach around 636,000 workers, equivalent to 127 per cent of the set target.

Key and traditional labour markets have maintained a stable number of Vietnamese workers. Japan continues to lead with 55,049 workers, followed by Taiwan (China) with 47,135 and the Republic of Korea with 9,996. The number of workers in European markets such as Germany, Romania, Hungary and Russia has also remained steady.

The overseas employment programme not only helps create jobs and raise incomes, but also contributes up to US$7 billion in annual remittances, making it one of the countrys major sources of foreign currency.

Nguyen Xuan Lanh, deputy general director of Esuhai Co, Ltd, stressed the importance of pre-departure training, suggesting the establishment of a national fund to conduct long-term awareness campaigns and structured training programmes that help workers better understand their responsibilities and equip them with the necessary skills before going abroad.

General Director of Nhat Thanh Human Resources JSC Mai Sy Ngoc pointed out that labour recruitment remains the biggest challenge for enterprises, as they face unfair competition from unlicensed brokers operating in localities.

High costs paid by workers for overseas employment are largely due to these unauthorised brokers, Ngoc noted.

He proposed that the Ministry of Home Affairs coordinate with relevant authorities to strengthen supervision of brokerage activities, suggesting that individuals involved in labour brokerage should undergo training and obtain professional certification before operating.

In his concluding remarks, Thang emphasised the need to rethink management practices in sending Vietnamese workers abroad. He urged the removal of unnecessary business conditions and administrative procedures, while fostering a healthy and competitive environment for both enterprises and workers.

He revealed that the ministry is urgently finalising a draft decree amending and supplementing several articles of Government Decree 112/2021/N-CP to shift certain administrative procedures related to registration for specific markets and occupations from conditional management to disclosure.

In November 2025, the ministry will amend Circular 21/2021/TT-LTBXH and Circular 02/2024/TT-BLTBXH, before formulating a National Strategy on Overseas Employment for 20252030.

A transparent legal environment is essential for healthy business growth, Thang confirmed. Enterprises that comply with the law will receive full support, while violators will face strict sanctions and public disclosure to ensure market integrity.

He also called for restructuring both labour markets and workforce quality, with a shift from labour export to skilled labour mobility.

Instead of competing on low costs, we must compete on skills and discipline, he said.

The ministry will spearhead the development of targeted initiatives to penetrate high-income markets with acute labour shortages, such as Germany, Canada and Australia, focusing on sectors that require high technical skills, he added.  VNS
JAKARTA  Indonesias government is stepping up efforts to protect the Mahakam dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), a freshwater species endemic to the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan that is on the brink of extinction, with only about sixty-four individuals remaining, including two newborns.

Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq said the government had decided to establish a coal-free conservation zone in the Mahakam Rivers tributaries to minimise the impact of coal transportation on the dolphin population. He emphasised that coal vessel traffic poses one of the greatest threats to the species, as noise, large waves, and oil pollution have severely degraded their habitat. The Ministry of Environment is coordinating with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries to closely monitor boat activities and conduct surveys to identify pollution sources in the Mahakam area.

Director of Biodiversity Conservation Inge Retnowati noted that the dolphins face multiple threats, including water pollution, collisions with coal barges, and entanglement in fishing nets, with gillnets accounting for about sixty-seven per cent of deaths. She stressed the need for stronger law enforcement and environmental management measures to prevent the extinction of this biodiversity icon of Kalimantan.

According to the Environment Ministry, the conservation of the Mahakam dolphin follows three main strategies: safeguarding biodiversity within an integrated ecosystem; mainstreaming sustainable development principles into regional planning and policy; and implementing concrete conservation programmes, such as designating areas to preserve ecological functions.

The Mahakam dolphin is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List and included in Appendix I of CITES, the highest level of protection under international regulations.  VNA/VNS
The fifth Vietnam Industrial Property Forum (VIPF 2025) opened in Ho Chi Minh City on October 29, bringing together policymakers, experts, and industry leaders to discuss the latest developments and emerging trends in Vietnams industrial real estate sector.

Lam To Trinh, vice president of product and segment development at NS BlueScope Vietnam Ltd

At the second panel discussion, Lam To Trinh, vice president of product and segment development at NS BlueScope Vietnam Ltd, emphasised the importance of building materials in developing green buildings and industrial parks to reduce emissions and save energy.

She said manufacturers such as BlueScope and Saint-Gobain focus on providing materials that help lower carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency during operation. For example, cladding materials can reflect more heat, reducing cooling energy needs.

We are also prepared with international certifications such as EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) and LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) to make carbon emissions transparent, helping green IPs calculate emissions across the entire zone, she said.

Moreover, materials must be durable and sustainable to meet investors 20-50-year visions, maintaining building lifecycles and reducing long-term costs, she added.

However, Trinh noted, Green transformation in IPs cannot come from one side alone; it requires collaboration among real estate developers, design consultants, contractors, material manufacturers, and tenants.

Specifically, developers must adopt a green industrial perspective, with clear regulations on infrastructure and materials. Consultants and contractors must understand and comply with these green standards. Material manufacturers should prepare emissions data for easy collection by investors. Tenants in IPs must also be committed to operating green facilities in the long term, she suggested.

Vo Hoang Thanh, business development and sales manager (insulation) at Saint-Gobain Vietnam

Vo Hoang Thanh, business development and sales manager (Insulation) at Saint-Gobain Vietnam, shared that the main challenges in green transition include costs, awareness, and technical standards. Many still believe that developing green buildings means higher upfront investment, without recognising the long-term benefits.

Among these, awareness is the most crucial. It is essential to shift the mindset of investors and contractors that investing in green projects can attract FDI, enhance product value, and generate long-term gains, he said. Material manufacturers will accompany them by helping to overcome technical barriers and reduce production costs to make green products more affordable.

Le Thi Kim Thanh, business development director of Water at Suez in Southeast Asia

Sharing solutions for a comprehensive green transition in IPs, Le Thi Kim Thanh, business development director of Water at Suez in Southeast Asia, said that the definition of green remains unclear.

Most new IPs in Vietnam focus mainly on solar energy and green materials, but that alone is not enough to create a truly green, sustainable, smart, and integrated model, she said.

She emphasised the need to optimise water resources. Advanced IPs around the world prioritise efficient water use and wastewater management.

Instead of merely building wastewater treatment plants that meet national standards (Grade A) and wasting valuable water resources, developers of IPs should partner with experienced operators and apply advanced technologies using real-time management software, she suggested.

Therefore, she highlighted three key aspects of a green industrial park model, including optimising resource use (water, energy), reducing environmental emissions, and reusing resources.

She recommended considering wastewater as a resource, not a cost. It can be transformed into reusable energy, for example, converting sludge into biogas for sale or using energy generated from solid waste incineration to power factories.

A closed-loop, sustainable industrial park model will help solve critical issues and attract high-quality foreign investors, she stated.

VIPF 2025 highlights Vietnams evolving real estate landscape The fifth Vietnam Industrial Property Forum (VIPF 2025) opened in Ho Chi Minh City on October 29, bringing together policymakers, experts, and industry leaders to discuss the latest developments and emerging trends in Vietnams industrial real estate sector.

Vietnam Industrial Property Forum 2025: Embracing Change. Positioned To Lead The 5th Vietnam Industrial Property Forum (VIPF 2025), co-organised by Vietnam Investment Review and the Vietnam Industrial Real Estate Association (VIREA) under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance, will take place in Ho Chi Minh City on the afternoon of October 29 at The Reverie Saigon hotel.

Industrial expansion accelerates across northern Vietnam Northern Vietnams industrial real estate sector is witnessing rapid expansion as it cements its position as a key manufacturing and investment hub. Yet, despite strong growth in new supply, demand continues to surge well beyond available capacity.
Vinh Ha Nguyen Thi, senior partner and national head of Advisory Services Grant Thornton Vietnam

According to the Vietnam Real Estate Association, industrial land supply is expected to expand by more than 108,000ha through 2030, lifting the total industrial land supply to 168,355ha, equivalent to a 23-25 per cent compound annual growth rate.

On the demand side, average absorption and occupancy across 20222024 hovered near 80 per cent. In the first nine months of 2025, even when occupancy slightly adjusted down to 72 per cent, net absorption still reached 7,180ha, underscoring continued strong demand for industrial property.

Vietnam is now in a new growth cycle for industrial real estate, underpinned by global supply chain shifts, stepped-up infrastructure investment, and capacity expansion in core manufacturing sectors.

Despite a complex geopolitical backdrop and US tariff adjustments in the first half of the year, Vietnam has retained its appeal to foreign investors. In the first nine months, registered foreign direct investment (FDI) is estimated at $28.54 billion, while disbursed FDI reached $18.8 billion. This is the highest nine-month level since 2020.

Disbursements remain concentrated in priority production segments: manufacturing accounts for roughly 82.8 per cent ($15.56 billion), followed by real estate at around 7.3 per cent ($1.37 billion). This indicates capital flows directly into production, driving larger requirements for supporting industrial space.

Vietnams industrial real estate market is evolving in both product mix and investment approach. Moving beyond the traditional lease-land-and-self-build model, since 2018 the market has seen the emergence of various models such as ready-built factories, ready-built warehouses, hybrid warehouses, build-to-suit facilities, and cold storage, targeting the increasingly specialised needs from manufacturers and logistics operators.

In parallel, merger and acquisition (M&A) and equity fundraising in the industrial space have accelerated. According to Grant Thorntons compilation and analysis, in the first nine months of 2025 the market recorded 24 real estate transactions (including completed and announced deals) with disclosed value of about $1.8 billion. Industrial real estate accounted for 55 per cent, or roughly $1 billion.

Notably, this is far higher than full-year 2024, which saw only seven industrial real estate deals with disclosed value of around $90 million, out of 28 real-estate transactions overall.

During 2024-2025, investment formats have become increasingly diverse, from equity fundraising, project-company share purchases, and asset/project transfers, to the acquire and expand model - acquiring portions of industrial parks (IPs) with existing assets, then developing additional phases.

Notable transactions include Mapletree Logistics Trust completing the acquisition of two logistics assets, Mapletree Logistics Park phase 3 in Vietnam-Singapore IP II (Binh Duong) and Hung Yen Logistics Park I in Yen My IP (Hung Yen), in mid-2024, with a combined floor area of nearly 122,000sq.m and a transaction value of about $53 million. The deal expands Mapletrees portfolio of stabilised, income-producing assets across Vietnams key northern and southern industrial hubs.

Around the same time, Daiwa House Logistics Trust made its first foray into Vietnam by acquiring D Project Tan Duc 2 in Long An for $26.5 million.

In early 2025, Nha Rong Investment and Nova Rivergate announced the completion of their acquisition of 51 per cent in Amata Service City Long Thanh 1 and Amata Service City Long Thanh 2 from Amata Vietnam (Thailand), with a total transaction value of around $46.5 million. The two entities develop urban-services components adjacent to Amata Long Thanh in Dong Nai province.

In March this year, Sembcorp Development of Singapore acquired an existing warehouse at Dinh Vu IP in Haiphong with approximately 10,000sq.m of built space, while unveiling plans to add five new warehouses on the same site to form Sembcorp Logistics Park in Dinh Vu. This is a textbook acquire-and-expand transaction, enabling rapid market entry alongside faster execution and improved operating efficiency.

Beyond M&As, equity capital raising by domestic players has accelerated to fund new projects. This included Kinh Bac City privately raising nearly $160 million, and Becamex IDC announcing plans to auction 300 million new shares, targeting proceeds of roughly $820 million.

We expect Vietnams industrial real estate M&A to continue to be active, supported by key structural drivers. Firstly, manufacturing FDI continues to run at high levels while the global supply-chain reconfiguration shows no sign of slowing. This is a direct catalyst for demand for industrial land, ready-built factories, and supporting logistics facilities.

Secondly, the governments strong push on national infrastructure, inter-regional expressways, deep-sea ports, logistics networks, and the power-transmission grid, provides a solid foundation for a new generation of IPs.

Thirdly, brownfield and acquire-and-expand strategies are increasingly favoured by foreign investors. Acquiring operating assets and adding new phases shortens delivery timelines and accelerates time-to-operation.

Finally, capital from institutional investors, infrastructure funds, and logistics trusts is tilting towards environmental, social, and governance-compliant industrial assets, notably green ready-built complexes, cold-chain facilities, and sites that are data centre-ready.
Photo: TTXVN

The milestone took place during the official visit of General Secretary To Lam to the UK from October 28-30, at the invitation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The CSP strengthens six key pillars of cooperation: politics, diplomacy, defence, and security; economics, trade, investment, and finance; science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and health; environment, energy, and green transition; education, culture, sports, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, equal rights and other fields; and coordination on regional and international issues.

The partnership is expected to further enhance economic cooperation, a key pillar of the bilateral relationship. Both sides are committed to championing free, fair, inclusive, and sustainable trade and supporting a transparent and rules-based international trading system. The two sides will cooperate to promote and strengthen trade and investment based on non-discrimination and mutual benefit.

Under the CSP, the United Kingdom and Vietnam will strive to enable a fair, transparent, and open business environment in both countries, removing market access barriers and facilitating smooth two-way trade so businesses can export and invest with confidence.

Governments will maintain open and constructive dialogue through the Vietnam-UK Joint Economic and Trade Cooperation Committee as the mechanism to address barriers faced by businesses from both countries in expanding trade and investment activities.

The two countries will actively strengthen cooperation among trade and investment promotion agencies. An annual business dialogue mechanism between British business leaders and senior Vietnamese government figures will be established to enhance trade and investment cooperation.

According to the joint declaration, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination to effectively implement and review the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

This includes facilitating market access by removing trade barriers for goods and services, protecting intellectual property rights, reducing additional costs, encouraging e-commerce, enabling businesses to build robust supply chains utilising the best of their respective economies in accordance with laws of both countries, and encouraging digital trade in response to new technologies and an increasingly interconnected world.

As members of the CPTPP, the UK and Vietnam will also work together to progress the General Review and acknowledge the importance of the agreements continued expansion.

The leaders also underlined the importance of maintaining food supply chains to ensure regional and global food security; agreed to strengthen cooperation in agricultural trade in a transparent, clear, and effective manner; and promote market access. They agreed to approach any future negotiations on agricultural reform within the World Trade Organisation framework in a cooperative and constructive manner.

In addition, the UK will push cooperation with Vietnam in the development of international financial centres in Ho Chi Minh City and Danang, including through the UK-Vietnam International Financial Centre partnership. This will draw on the experience of the UK as a global financial services and green capital markets hub and deepen economic cooperation between the two countries in the financial and professional services sectors.

Through knowledge exchange, both sides will share policies, legal approaches, and financial system management experience, and utilise the development of capital markets, fintech, green finance, and insurance.

The UK and Vietnam agreed to strengthen cooperation by mobilising green finance to promote low-emission, resilient green growth, working together to share expertise and deploy green financial instruments in Vietnam, including through the launch of the UK-Vietnam Green Finance Partnership. The two sides committed to removing institutional barriers, so the private sector can play a central role in boosting green growth and sustainable trade.

The CSP will enhance cooperation in trade finance through the design and implementation of transparent, effective, and sustainable trade finance mechanisms. The UK and Vietnam will continue to exchange views and share experiences on trade finance registries and the utilisation of the UK Export Finance (UKEP) credit programme, which has a total offer of up to 5 billion ($5.8 billion) for potential investments in Vietnam. Both sides welcomed the signing of an MoU between UKEF and Vietnams Ministry of Finance.

Another pillar of the CSP is enhancing cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, recognising these as key drivers for sustainable and inclusive development. The UK and Vietnam share a common vision on the role of science and technology in shaping the future and a commitment to adopting new technologies in alignment with universal values of peace, freedom, and responsibility.

Both sides agreed to effectively implement the MoU on science, technology, and innovation (2025) to strengthen cooperation in healthcare, green growth, and transformative technologies; drive knowledge and experience sharing; train skilled workforces; and foster research and commercialisation of technology through joint projects between research institutes, universities, government agencies, and businesses of both countries.

The leaders also acknowledged the importance and lasting impacts of digital transformation and agreed to strengthen cooperation in policymaking and joint initiatives in this space.

They are committed to promoting access to quality healthcare services and building efficient, sustainable, and resilient health systems. This is coupled with encouraging expert exchanges and policy dialogues, joint projects on global health security and antimicrobial resistance, and capacity building for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and population ageing, following the One Health approach.

Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in digital health, expand cooperation to animal welfare, and broaden trade and investment in healthcare and life sciences, focusing on pharmaceuticals, clinical services, medical technology, and consumer healthcare.

UK offers advanced tools for semiconductor solutions Vietnam and the United Kingdom are cementing their semiconductor ties. British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew talked with VIRs Thanh Tung about current cooperation and how such ties can be strengthened further.

Vietnam Customs signs cooperation deal with UK authorities Vietnam Customs has signed a Declaration of Intent with His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of the United Kingdom, strengthening bilateral cooperation on trade and border management.
In September alone, durian exports were valued at $972 million, up 45 per cent on-year. The accumulated value for the first nine months reached nearly $2.8 billion, down only 1.7 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The remarkable growth was largely driven by a strong recovery from the Chinese market, which accounted for $960 million in September, an increase of 52 per cent over the same period in 2024. Cumulatively, exports to China in the first nine months reached nearly $2.6 billion, rising 0.2 per cent on-year.

Other key markets also recorded double-digit growth, including Papua New Guinea, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia. Notably, Malaysia saw an exceptional surge of 657 per cent, exceeding $2 million in value. Despite being known for its own premium durian varieties, Malaysia, along with Indonesia and Thailand, continues to import Vietnamese durians thanks to their year-round availability.

Conversely, Thailand, Vietnams second-largest durian importer in 2024, experienced a sharp decline. September exports to Thailand stood at only $370,000, a 99 per cent drop on-year, with total nine-month turnover at $34 million, down 75 per cent. Experts attribute this to Vietnams new durian export protocol with China, which has diverted supply from frozen durian exports previously sent to Thailand.

According to Dang Phuc Nguyen, secretary general of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, September has traditionally been the peak month for durian exports, coinciding with the main harvest season in the Central Highlands, Vietnams largest durian-growing region.

Despite some market challenges, the strong upward momentum suggests that Vietnams durian exports could reach $3.5 billion by the end of this year, Nguyen said.
Wrexham firm DMR Plumbing & Heating celebrates national award win

A Wrexham-based Plumbing & Heating company is making waves nationally after winning a top industry award at a prestigious event held on Saturday night.

Daniel Roth, Director of DMR Plumbing and Heating, and Office Manager Rosie Quayle attended the high-profile ceremony hosted by The Apprentice winner Joseph Valente and adventurer Ant Middleton.

The event brought together more than 250 businesses from across the UK to celebrate excellence in the construction sector.

DMRs Rosie Quayle took home the coveted Women in Construction Excellence award, recognising her outstanding contribution, dedication, and leadership within the plumbing and heating industry.

Rosie was notably the only female winner of the entire evening, a remarkable achievement in what remains a largely male-dominated field.

The company said the win marks a significant milestone for the local firm, which continues to set high standards for quality and trusted service across the region while making a growing national impact.

This award is so well-deserved and highlights Rosies incredible hard work and determination, said Director Daniel Roth.

Its a proud moment for DMR and for Wrexham.
Wrexham in it to win it as competition starts for huge prize of 2029 City of Culture title

Wrexham is delighted to announce its intention to bid once again for the title of UK City of Culture 2029, following its outstanding achievement in reaching the final stages of the last competition and finishing as runner-up to Bradford, the winner for 2025  say the City of Culture Board.

UK Government have just announced the City of Culture competition is open, with a new immediate top prize of 10m for the winners, as well as wider economic gains for the winning place.

Previous winners have seen significant lasting and transformative impacts in Derry/LondonDerry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford, extending well beyond the title year. There is a claimed over 1 billion of additional investment added to local economies of past host cities, increased jobs, tourism and local pride.

UK Gov say expressions of interest are able to be submitted, from cities, large towns, regions and groupings of places across the UK invited to apply from today, adding For the first time ever, there will be a confirmed cash prize of 10 million for the winner to help them deliver a show-stopping year of rich cultural activity rooted in their unique identities and drawing on local strengths and stories.

Wrexhams Culture Board, chaired by Joanna Knight OBE, operates under the newly established Wrexham Community & Culture Trust, bringing together 13 Trustees with expertise across arts and culture, sport, education, business, inclusion, and governance.

Their collective stewardship will help shape an ambitious, community-driven bid with new campaign branded as Wrecsam2029 to showcase Wrexhams distinctive character, playfulness, and creativity to the world.

The Board note that securing the title of UK City of Culture would create jobs, attract investment, provide new creative spaces, and shape an exciting legacy for the county and is more than a single year packed full of cultural activity, winning the title will unlock projects and opportunities that will continue to benefit Wrexhams communities for many years to come.

Joanna Knight said We are in it to win it and incredibly proud to announce Wrexhams intention to bid for UK City of Culture 2029. This is a chance to build on the incredible experience, pride, and momentum generated by our previous campaign and to show the world what makes Wrexham so special.

The people of Wrexham are the heartbeat of this bid  their energy, creativity, and playfulness will make our journey even more exciting and vibrant. The Board brings together a wealth of talent and enthusiasm, and together we will work to create a bid that is inclusive, ambitious, and deeply rooted in our community.

Wrexhams story is one of resilience, creativity, and collaboration  and 2029 is our moment to shine.

Amanda Evans, Culture Bid Director, added, Wrexhams ambition for 2029 is an opportunity to tell our story on a national stage  a story of creativity, diversity, and pride that runs through every town, village, and community in the county.

We learned so much from our last bid, and this time were building something even more dynamic, inclusive, and forward-looking. The excitement and commitment were already seeing from local people and partners shows just how ready Wrexham is to take this next step.

Perhaps crucially this time around the Culture Board is a separate entity from Wrexham Council that led the bid last time, however the council are  obviously  still backing and have helped kick start part funding of the bid, saying Were extremely proud and excited to be supporting the Wrexham Community and Culture Trust as they work towards bringing UK City of Culture 2029 title to Wrexham.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Planning and Public Protection, with responsibility for City of Culture said The strength of our 2025 bid was in our community involvement and engagement. Since then, we have been hard at work behind the scenes developing and strengthening our cultural ties and offerings.

Our City of Culture 2029 bid will once again be a celebration of our diverse communities and cultures as we look to share our stories, locally nationally and internationally. The bids legacy will also contribute towards the ongoing development of arts and culture across the county borough.

UK Government say to encourage as many places as possible across the country to bid and to benefit from the UK City of Culture process, longlisted places will receive 60,000 each to help them to develop their full bids for the competition. The most impressive bids from places that reach the shortlist but are not selected as the winner will receive 125,000 each to help them to take forward elements of their bid and deliver real change for their local area.

As well as City of Culture there is a new separate UK Town of Culture competition  It has been confirmed today that the winning town will be awarded 3.5 million to help them deliver a cultural programme during the summer of 2028, harnessing what makes their town special. Shortlisted towns will receive 60,000 to help deliver their full bids for the competitions.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: For far too long, too many people have felt left out of our national story. These competitions are our chance to change that by shining a light on the places that have shaped our cultural life, but havent always had the recognition they deserve.

We already know from UK City of Culture that winning, and even bidding for, these titles brings real benefits  jobs, investment, and opportunities for people to get creative and learn new skills. Now I want towns to be able to get these benefits too and that is why I am proud to launch the UK Town of Culture competition.

Every place has a story worth telling so I want to encourage towns across Wales to step forward and show us what makes them special.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: Our towns in Wales are fantastic places to live and work, each with its own history and culture. From Brecon with its world-famous jazz festival, to Pontypridd where the Welsh national anthem was written, the unique book town of Hay-on-Wye and Llangollen with its annual international Eisteddfod  every place has a story to tell.

This competition is a great opportunity to showcase what makes our Welsh towns truly special.

Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Jack Sargeant said: This is a great opportunity for Welsh towns to show their cultural contributions and build on the success of the City of Culture competition.

From North to South and East to West our towns are full of fascinating history and culture. We encourage towns and cities across Wales to submit their bids for both competitions, and I look forward to seeing showcases of our rich heritage in Wales.

Chair of the UK City of Culture independent expert advisory panel, Sir Phil Redmond said: The UK City of Culture competition is a huge prize and one well worth bidding for as witnessed by the positive impact the year has had on Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and already now in Bradford.

It is great therefore, that the new Town of Culture competition will allow more places to experience the catalytic effect that culture can deliver, while raising awareness both internally and externally across the UK. That in turn brings increased visitors, a greater sense of local pride and a deeper understanding of what binds our four nations together.
A federal judge in Boston has challenged the Trump administration's argument that SNAP benefits could be suspended for the first time in the food aid program's history because of the government shutdown.

During a hearing over a request by 25 Democratic-led states, including Nevada, to keep the funding rolling, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani told lawyers that if the government can't afford to cover the program, there's a process to follow rather than simply suspending all benefits. The steps involve finding an equitable way of reducing benefits," said Talwani, who was nominated to the court by former President Barack Obama.

She said she expects to issue a ruling later Thursday.

Much of the hearing revolved around what Congress intended to do when the agency runs out of money for the program. Talwani pushed back against the Trump administration's argument that suspending the benefits was the best option, saying that using emergency funds for benefits, albeit reduced, seemed to make the most sense.

Its hard for me to understand that this is not an emergency when there is no money and a lot of people are needing their SNAP benefits, she said.

Plaintiffs also argued that more than 100,000 merchants in their states that rely on SNAP recipients would be harmed, especially around Thanksgiving.

Lawyers for the federal government argued that the plaintiffs want the SNAP benefits to be dispersed in full, which would be a blatant violation of the Antideficiency Act, a criminal statute that forbids the United States from making such an obligation without an appropriation.

To qualify for SNAP in 2025, a family of four's net income can't exceed the federal poverty line, which is about $31,000 per year. Last year, SNAP provided assistance to 41 million people, nearly two-thirds of whom were families with children, according to the lawsuit.

Meanwhile, Nevada is poised to dole out millions of dollars in funding.

Governor Joe Lombardo and other state leaders are asking for $30 million to help hungry families in Nevada as SNAP benefits could expire this weekend.

The state board of examiners agreed to move the money from the interim finance committee's contingency fund.

At Wednesday's meeting, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada said it's boosting its efforts in rural communities to help hungry people. "Our reach will be far, and we're trying to ensure every neighbor that needs access to food knows where to get it," says Nicole Lamboley, President and CEO, Food Bank of Northern Nevada.

The board also recommended approving $200,000 for the National Guard to help distribute food.

Now the committee will have to give final approval to use the money later on Thursday.

On Wednesday, Nevada Speaker Steve Yeager called for the use of all available state resources to ensure that state SNAP recipients continue to receive assistance to purchase food.

The speaker also gave praise to the people working to help people in need.

I applaud those in the Executive and Legislature who are working hard on a plan to distribute additional food through Nevadas food banks. I applaud Attorney General Ford for pursuing all legal avenues against the federal administration, and I applaud Treasurer Conine for thinking outside the box on potential solutions, but we must do more.

He then also directed comments towards the GOP Federal Administration.

This is no time to pussyfoot around or to mollycoddle Trumps Federal Administration that prides itself on being above the law. This GOP Federal Administration would be wise to remember that its power derives from the states and that it cannot tell Nevada what to do when it comes to feeding our own citizens.

He also said, Other states, some led by Republicans, others led by Democrats, are directly funding SNAP benefits for their citizens. Nevada should do the same. I dont intend to take no for a F****ing answer.

Nevada Assemblymember Elaine Marzola, Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus, also says the government has the responsibility to ensure the health and welfare of its citizens.

"Losing SNAP benefits will mean that 500,000 Nevadans, many of them children, will go without food on their kitchen table. That is unacceptable. SNAP beneficiaries include employed hard-working Nevadans who live paycheck to paycheck and have trouble making ends meet.

The assemblymember also added, "They are our friends, family, and neighbors who are entitled to dignity, respect, and the ability to provide for their families. We must act to help them in this time of great need.

Attorney General Ford said a hearing is scheduled for Thursday on a lawsuit against the Department of Agriculture over SNAP benefits. If a court stops benefits from being cut off, the $30 million would not need to be used.

I voted for this funding today, but let's be clear, this is a Band-Aid and kids are still going to struggle to be fed, said Attorney General Ford. Thats why Im suing the Trump Administration to use existing funds to fully fund the SNAP program. Nevada families shouldn't be left in limbo, and kids shouldnt be going hungry.

Yesterday, Attorney General Ford announced that he has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Secretary Brooke Rollins for arbitrarily planning to suspend SNAP benefits. SNAP helps more than 40 million Americans, including nearly 500,000 Nevadans, buy food. In filing the lawsuit, Attorney General Ford joined a coalition of 22 other attorneys general and three governors.

Republican leaders in Congress on Wednesday said its all or nothing as they rejected a Democratic push for a temporary fix.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said that SNAP benefits have never stopped during previous government shutdowns and urged quick passage of the funding bill.

Its simple, its moral, its urgent, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said as he called for passage of the SNAP funding on Wednesday.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., angrily objected to the Democratic request, calling it a cynical attempt to provide political cover for Democrats to continue the shutdown, now in its 29th day.

Were not going to let them pick winners and losers," Thune said. "Its time to fund everybody."

If Democrats want to prevent damage from the shutdown, they can end the shutdown, Thune said.

In a press conference, House Democrats called on Trump to return from his trip to Asia to address the issue.

If the president wanted to help feed hungry American children, he would, said Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota, the ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee that handles the food aid program. Im calling on the president to get back from Asia and do the right thing  and the moral thing."

As Republicans objected to the legislation to continue SNAP benefits, Democrats said they'd also support a similar bill from Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, who has separate legislation to immediately fund the program.

But Thune said Republicans won't allow a piecemeal process. He called on Democrats to support their bill to extend all government funding and reopen the government.

If Democrats really want to fund SNAP and WIC, we have a bill for them, he said.

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) is sponsoring two bills  one led by Democrats, the other led by Republicans  to ensure that families still have access to SNAP if the government shutdown stretches beyond the end of the month.

Ive made my position clear: shutting down the government only serves to harm hardworking Americans, and I am against using the lives of Nevadans as political bargaining chips, said Senator Cortez Masto. But as long as we are in this position, I demand that the Trump administration use the tools at its disposal to make sure Nevada families dont go hungry.

The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 was led by Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM). It would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture to immediately release the funds that Congress has already appropriated in contingency funds to keep food assistance funded during the shutdown. The Keep SNAP Funded Act, led by Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), would appropriate funding for SNAP, providing uninterrupted SNAP benefits without the need for contingency funds.

You can read the bill text below -

Meanwhile, two food drives are happening this Friday to support Nevadans struggling during the government shutdown.

You can donate in both Reno and Carson City from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is teaming up with Catholic Charities to offer four different distribution events to help people who may be affected during the government shutdown.

Food will be distributed this Saturday, November 1 from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m.

At the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, the pick-up will be in the form of a drive-up and a walk-up option for people without vehicles.

Catholic Charities will also have three locations at the Moana Neighborhood Center, Sun Valley Neighborhood Center, and the St. Rose of Lima Church location.

Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada is also offering a free hot dinner at St. Vincents Dining Room, located at 325 Valley Road in Reno, this Nevada Day weekend.

Dinners will be served Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., and will continue every Saturday and Sunday evening through the end of November. Guests are asked to bring their EBT card and a photo ID to verify eligibility for the dinner meal. Meals will be served on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.

As a reminder, St. Vincents Dining Room remains open daily, serving lunch to all who are hungry from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 365 days a year.

Amid SNAP Uncertainty, Local Grocery Chains Step Up

Adding to state and nonprofit efforts, The Save Mart Companies launched its Right By You Affordability Promise on October 29, aimed at easing food costs for families in California and Nevada. The initiative includes 12 programs across two themes: Food Affordability and Food Access. Key measures include discounted holiday meals (under $6 per person for Thanksgiving and Christmas), 50% off select meat and produce, expanded Flashfood deals on near-expiration items, free November grocery delivery (subject to availability), and military discounts.

The program also strengthens community support: shoppers can donate $5 or $10 pantry packs to local food banks, with Save Mart and partner Keurig Dr Pepper matching donations up to $120,000. The initiative is designed to meet families where they are, providing both immediate price relief and access to essential food items, resources particularly critical as SNAP benefits face potential delays due to the federal government shutdown.

Other resources include:

Nevada 2-1-1 (Statewide Food Assistance Resource)

Overview: Free, confidential, statewide service connecting residents to food assistance programs, pantries, meals, SNAP/EBT support, and other essential resources.

How to Access:

Dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-535-5654 (toll-free).

Text your ZIP code to 898-211 for location-specific assistance.

Visit the Food Services Finder online to locate nearby pantries, emergency food programs, senior meals, and more.

Website: nevada211.org/food-services

Food Bank of Northern Nevada (FBNN)

Overview: Central hub distributing food to pantries and running mobile-community programs. Serves all ages, with emphasis on fresh produce and staples. No ID required for most distributions; first-time visitors complete a brief intake form (confidential.

Mobile Harvest : Weekly drive-thru distributions of fresh fruits, vegetables, and pantry staples. Open to all; one visit per household, per week. Arrive one hour early.

: Weekly drive-thru distributions of fresh fruits, vegetables, and pantry staples. Open to all; one visit per household, per week. Arrive one hour early. Schedule: Download PDF at www.fbnn.org/gethelp for Washoe County locations (e.g., parks, schools, community centers in Reno/Sparks).

Download PDF at for Washoe County locations (e.g., parks, schools, community centers in Reno/Sparks). Neighborhood Pantries : Over 70 partner sites (churches, schools, community centers), offering grocery bags. Hours vary; full list with schedules at fbnn.org/gethelp/neighborhoodpantry.

: Over 70 partner sites (churches, schools, community centers), offering grocery bags. Hours vary; full list with schedules at Senior Nutrition & Wellness (SNW, formerly CSFP) : Monthly boxes of staples for low-income seniors 60+. The income level for one person is $1,957 and for 2 people it is $2,644. Requires proof of income, NV residency, and photo ID. Annual certification in July.

: Monthly boxes of staples for low-income seniors 60+. The income level for one person is $1,957 and for 2 people it is $2,644. Requires proof of income, NV residency, and photo ID. Annual certification in July. Schedule (October/November 2025): Washoe County PDF.

Produce on Wheels : Fresh produce for seniors 60+. Same eligibility as SNW.

: Fresh produce for seniors 60+. Same eligibility as SNW. Schedule: Washoe County PDF.

Kids Cafe : Free meals (breakfast/lunch) for kids up to age 18 at ~20 sites (e.g., after-school programs, schools). Parents must show child ID or provide name/age. Check fbnn.org/gethelp/foodfinder for locations.

: Free meals (breakfast/lunch) for kids up to age 18 at ~20 sites (e.g., after-school programs, schools). Parents must show child ID or provide name/age. Check for locations. TEFAP (Emergency Food Assistance Program) : USDA commodities at select pantries for income-eligible households (limits similar to SNW).

The Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County is helping families access food resources by donating 3,000 two-ride adult bus passes to the Washoe County School District.

With many households facing depleted SNAP benefits, the passes will enable families to reach food pantries, community meal sites, and other essential services. RTC and the school district are working together to ensure transportation is not a barrier to basic needs, emphasizing that public transit can be a critical lifeline for those in need. Read the full story here.

Earlier this week, the USDA posted a notice on its homepage saying that federal food aid will not go out on November 1.

Bottom line, the well has run dry, the USDA notice says. At this time, there will be no benefits issued on November 01. We are approaching an inflection point for Senate Democrats. Nationally, the SNAP program helps about 1 in 8 Americans buy groceries.

The federal shutdown, which began Oct. 1, is now the second-longest on record.

Nevada and 20+ other states are suing the USDA and its secretary over threats to suspend SNAP benefits amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The program helps more than 40 million Americans, including nearly 500,000 Nevadans, buy food.

On Monday, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo released an updated fact sheet on possible impacts from the shutdown. (which you can read below)

Lombardo directed the Governors Finance Office, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Agriculture to implement the Food Insecurity Nevada Plan, which will secure supplemental resources for SNAP beneficiaries in the event the shutdown extends beyond October 31.

The State will fund the Food Insecurity Nevada Plan with $38.8 million of state dollars through $30.2 of the IFC Contingency Fund and through emergency work programs totaling $8.6 million.

The Governors Finance Office has requested a $30 million allocation to fund the Food Insecurity Nevada Plan from the Interim Finance Committee.

The Office of the Military has requested $200,000 from the Interim Finance Committee for the deployment of the Nevada National Guard to assist with the food distribution of the Food Insecurity Nevada Plan.

The Interim Finance Committee will convene on Thursday, October 30 to consider the request.

Another program that helps more than 6 million low-income mothers, young children, and expectant parents purchase nutritious staples, like baby formula, will likely run out of funds the following week. Earlier this month, WIC received a $300 million infusion from the Trump administration, but those funds are running out, too.

The governor's office says he is dedicated to ensuring that the 55,000+ participants of Nevadas Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program continue to have access to food benefits. To support that direction, the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, in partnership with the Nevada Office of Emergency Management, requested $7.3 million in emergency funding to support WIC.

The funding was approved by the Nevada Board of Examiners on October 14 and the Interim Finance Committee (IFC) on October 16. The funding will ensure continued food benefits for participants statewide, including pregnant women, new mothers, and young children, through December 23, 2025, regardless of federal funding. Funds will be distributed weekly and only used if the USDA does not provide additional WIC food funding.

Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada is calling on the public for baby formula donations as families face growing uncertainty surrounding WIC benefits.

The organization is requesting both soy- and milk-based formulas to support infants who could be affected by potential reductions in federal funding.

The organization is accepting all brands and types of unopened, unexpired baby formula.

Donations can be dropped off daily between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at any Catholic Charities donation center, including St. Vincents Thrift Store and Super Thrift.

Locations are listed online at https://ccsnn.org/pages/thrift-stores.

Donations can also be made through the Amazon Wish List at https://tinyurl.com/5n7s2kuu.

Food pantries provide about 1 meal to every 9 provided by SNAP, according to Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks. They get the food they distribute through donations from people, businesses and some farmers. They also get food from U.S. Department of Agriculture programs and sometimes buy food with contributions and grant funding.

The Trump Administrations choice to cut SNAP benefits is not only a deliberate, cruel, and extraordinarily harmful decision, it is unlawful. And the reason it cites  the ongoing federal government shutdown  is inadequate, said Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford. Contingency funds exist for this exact scenario, yet the USDA has decided to abdicate its responsibility to Nevadans and refused to fund SNAP benefits. I understand the stress of not knowing where your next meal is coming from, because I've lived it. I don't wish that stress on any Nevadan, and I'll fight to be sure nobody in our state goes hungry. I urge Governor Lombardo to do the same and to work with his party and President Trump to ensure that Nevadans receive their SNAP benefits.

LEADER CANNIZZARO STATEMENT ON AG FORDS SNAP

Today, Nevada Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro released the following statement in support of Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Fords lawsuit against the Trump administration to reverse the administration's decision to stop paying SNAP benefits. In the last few days, the Trump administration abruptly changed federal SNAP guidance and announced it would not use available contingency funds to continue to pay benefits after the end of this month.

"I fully support Attorney General Ford's lawsuit against the Trump administration's cruel decision to let SNAP benefits lapse for 500,000 Nevadans, and I commend him for continually stepping up to hold the administration accountable on behalf of Nevadans. To be clear, the administration is making an intentional choice to let SNAP contingency funds sit unspent while millions of American families face going hungry. Republicans should step up and demand that the Trump administration release these funds - as they planned to do just a few weeks ago - and keep food on the table for Nevada families."

Previously, Governor Lombardo responded to suggestions that state funds could be used to support SNAP.

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.

On Oct. 1, 2025, the new federal fiscal year began without an appropriation by Congress to fund the federal government, creating a government shutdown. On Oct. 10, USDA sent a letter to state SNAP agencies saying that if the shutdown continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for the approximately 42 million individuals across the country who rely on them.

Joining Attorney General Ford in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The Governors of Kansas, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania have also joined.

You can read the lawsuit below -

(Office of Nevada Attorney General and Governor's Office, USDA, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.)
The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is teaming up with Catholic Charities to offer four different distribution events to help people that may be affected during the government shutdown.

Food will be distributed on Saturday, November 1, from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m.

At the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, the pick-up will be in the form of a drive-up and a walk-up option for people without vehicles.

Catholic Charities will also have three locations at the Moana Neighborhood Center, Sun Valley Neighborhood Center, and the St. Rose of Lima Church location.

The food bank says they understand that one missed paycheck can leave a person in financial worry.

The Food Bank of Northern Nevada are working with their partners to help limit stress for families and individuals.

To learn more, visit the food bank's website.
Solar panels on the roof of Santa Fes San Miguel Chapel in 2023. Interfaith Power & Light looks to use its Project HOW initiative to make houses of worship energy efficient.

More information More information Interested congregations can submit inquiries at www.nm-ipl.org/our-work/project-how

Desiree Bernard said the Interfaith Power & Light organization is all about drawing on the moral and ethical call to care for life.

Bernard, executive director of IPLs New Mexico and El Paso chapter, said her group works toward that goal by connecting with faith communities statewide. Members engage in education, advocacy and renewable energy projects.

We want to work through those morally engaged communities to be an example for how we make the changes we need to make, Bernard said. To show that we care about creation, that we care about stopping the destruction of our planet and, framed more positively, caring to make our planet a healthy place for future generations.

In a webinar Thursday, the chapter launched Project HOW, short for houses of worship, aimed at helping all congregations  be it churches, synagogues or mosques  reduce energy use and adopt renewable systems.

Bernard said fossil fuels are no longer needed to run facilities, but did acknowledge the difficulties in shifting to renewables. One of the biggest challenges comes from figuring out how to finance such projects.

Partners like the New Mexico Climate Investment Center will aid in that process, Bernard said. NMCIC members will assist interested congregations in finding incentives and funding opportunities at the state level.

Solar energy is free. Once youre set up with something to capture the suns energy, its just going to keep pouring in, Bernard said. But the hard part is being able to make the investment to get the system set up.

Santa Fe-based Positive Energy Solar will conduct site assessments and designs, and she said the chapter has also enlisted the help of the Rocky Mountain Institute. As communities try to decarbonize, Bernard said complexities with grid location could arise, leading to the need for RMIs expertise in energy transition.

Aside from solar panel installation, Bernard said Project HOW can also be utilized to replace traditional gas-burning furnaces with electric heat pumps. Emphasizing the different pathways a congregation can take, she said limiting energy waste is the projects top priority.

Interested congregations can submit inquiries on the IPL New Mexico and El Paso Region website.

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Accomplishing these projects goes hand-in-hand with amplifying the moral voice through faith communities, Bernard said. All of their congregants can be inspired and learn more about the solutions that exist.
Death metal foursome Revocation will play at Launchpad on Wednesday, Nov. 5. Photo by Alex Morgan, courtesy of Metal Blade Records, Inc.

Entheos will play at Launchpad on Tuesday, Nov. 4, as part of their first-ever North American headlining tour. Photo by Rachel Craig, courtesy of Metal Blade Records, Inc.

If You Go Entheos With Fallujah, The Zenith Passage and Tracheotomy WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4; doors 7 p.m. WHERE: Launchpad, 618 Central Ave. SW HOW MUCH: $20, plus fees, at launchpadrocks.com Revocation With Judiciary, Inferi and Vomit Forth WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4; doors 7 p.m. WHERE: Launchpad, 618 Central Ave. SW HOW MUCH: $22, plus fees, at launchpadrocks.com

Headbang your way into November with two nights of death metal at Launchpad. Progressive death metal duo Entheos will play the venue on Tuesday, Nov. 4, as part of their first-ever North American headlining tour. Then, on Wednesday, Nov. 5, death metal foursome Revocation will play what they call extreme music for extreme times, including songs from their critically acclaimed new album, New Gods, New Masters.

Entheos

Vocalist Chaney Crabb, who co-founded Entheos in 2015, said the band waited a very long time to do a headlining tour.

It was very much on purpose, because we knew that when we were able to take on a tour like this, we wanted to do it the right way. We never wanted to throw together a tour and call it a day, she said. When it came to planning out a headlining tour, we thought of every single part of it, from the bands to the production to the cities and venues weve chosen to play, very meticulously.

Opening for Entheos are Fallujah, The Zenith Passage and Tracheotomy, bands Crabb calls close friends.

We wanted to put together a really special night with bands that we truly admire, she said.

Although the bands sound is typically described as death metal, Crabb prefers alternative metal.

I truly believe that we are a band that cant really be pigeonholed, she said.

For people unfamiliar with their music, Crabb recommends the songs Empty on the Inside, I Am the Void and An End to Everything as great places to start.

Fans, new and old, coming to Launchpad can expect the best Entheos theyve ever seen, she said.

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Were bringing out better stage production and sound than we ever have. We really constructed a set to celebrate the first 10 years of our bands existence and to help lead us into the next era, Crabb said. Every band from the beginning of the night to the end is incredible and are true masters of their craft. Fans will experience what I believe to be one of the most incredible metal bills of the year.

Crabb, known for her intense vocals, said Randy Blythe from Lamb of God was her original metal vocal hero but that her influences are vast and all over the board, including Marissa Nadler, Stevie Nicks, Greg Puciato, Trevor Strnad, Chelsea Wolfe, Emma Ruth Rundle, Jonny Davy, Jacob Bannon and Anthony Green.

Ive only had the chance to meet Marissa, Greg, Anthony, Trevor and Jonny out of the vocalists that I named. All were wonderfully positive experiences, she said. I even got the pleasure to tour with both Trevor and Greg in their respective bands, The Black Dahlia Murder and The Dillinger Escape Plan. I cant describe how surreal those tours were.

Crabb said she absolutely love(s) playing Albuquerque.

The first time I ever attended a show at Launchpad, I was doing merch for Animals As Leaders in 2011, she said. Looking back at that now and thinking about the fact that my own band will be headlining the venue soon is so surreal. I cannot explain how amazing fans in Albuquerque have been. We feel so welcomed in your city, and you are all so dedicated to music. Its truly an honor to be coming back.

Revocation

Revocations lead singer and guitarist Dave Davidson loves playing Albuquerque, too.

Weve got some great fans in New Mexico, Davidson said. The crowds are rowdy and always down to have a good time.

He said their current tour will offer plenty of spectacle.

Fans can expect a ripping set that showcases the new record but also has a hefty dose of older material as well, he said. Weve also got a great light show to go along with the music on this run. Headlining allows us to up the production value of our live show.

Revocation released their latest album, New Gods, New Masters, on Sept. 26 to rave reviews.

We always want to bring something new to the table and really strive to outdo ourselves with each record, Davidson said. For me, personally, I think our latest album is our best.

The albums first single, Cronenberged, means grotesquely mutated in the manner of a character in a body horror film by David Cronenberg. The neologism was popularized by the oddball animated television series Rick and Morty.

Cronenberged has been a fun way to open our set, since its very energetic, Davidson said.

Davidson said Revocation has leaned into the death metal side of our sound a lot more as the years have gone by. But his early influences were eclectic.

Right around the time I was diving into the deep end with metal, I was also studying jazz in high school, so a lot of my musical heroes in my teen years were coming from that genre, as well, he said.

Davidson formed an early version of Revocation, then known as Cryptic Warning, in the year 2000, when he was still in high school. They renamed themselves Revocation in 2006.

As the bands fame grew, Davidson found himself sharing stages with musicians he had worshiped as a teenager.

At this point in my career, Ive gotten to tour with a lot of my musical idols on the metal side, which has been an honor, he said. One year at NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants, a trade event), I was asked to be a guest guitarist with (thrash metal supergroup) Metal Allegiance, which was a real highlight of my career.

At Launchpad, Revocation will share a bill with Judiciary, Inferi and Vomit Forth.

I think Im most excited about the diversity of this bill, Davidson said. Theres something for everyone, if youre into extreme metal.
Two fifths of UK employers (40%) are actively hiring people returning from a career break, while around a third are actively hiring (31%) - or looking to retain (37%) - older workers, new research from independent consultancy Barnett Waddingham (BW) reveals.



The findings reflect an environment of mounting pressures both within, and outside, of businesses. Internally, a growing number of people are delaying their retirement and choosing to work for longer; earlier this year nearly two fifths (36%) of employees said they had already, or were considering delaying their retirement because they wanted to continue working, or due to financial reasons (34%).



At the same time, employers are concerned about staff lacking the skills they need to work (77%), rising mental health challenges among employees (73%), and persistent long-term sickness (68%).



Externally, talent pipelines are under strain. As newly implemented immigration policies came into effect earlier this year, reducing the availability of jobs eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, two thirds (64%) are worried about the shrinking availability of overseas talent. Meanwhile, declining birthrates and other factors impacting the way that especially younger workers approach employment, have seen three in five (62%) employers concerned about the future availability of domestic talent.



Employers are increasingly resorting to retention strategies to minimise the organisational risk associated with these pressures. In the past year, 84% have increased the amount they pay their staff, 81% their investment in their values and purpose, while 79% are increasing the amount of training they offer mid- and senior-level staff.



While one in six (16%) expect theyll lose employees due to visa and immigration changes, 45% offer visa sponsorship and arent planning to stop, and 39% are increasing salaries to keep or attract skilled overseas workers.



Julia Turney, Partner and Head of Platform and Benefits, Barnett Waddingham (BW): The labour market has bared its teeth yet again  bringing some new, and some familiar, challenges for businesses to contend with when tackling their balance sheets. Skills gaps, sickness, a shortage of talent and tightening regulations are all colliding to squeeze employers from every angle. But businesses arent standing still: theyre investing in their people and looking to older workers and returners to bridge the gaps.



But as the makeup of their workforce continues to shift, data and analysis will be the key differentiator. Older workers, for example, bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge that is hugely advantageous to a business, but their needs and wants are notably different from those of younger employees. Understanding these workforce nuances will allow firms to target investment effectively and ultimately retain talent while minimising risk.


Catastrophic Damage: The western third of Jamaica experienced wind speeds in a 60-mile swath comparable to an EF-2 tornado, with coastal areas and mountainous populations experiencing EF-3 level winds. Preliminary imagery from western Jamaica depicts most homes uninhabitable, along with severe damage to commercial structures. For Kingston, the most populous region in Jamaica, Melissa was far enough west to bring only tropical storm force winds with initial reports of isolated damage. Widespread Impacts: Information is limited from Melissas subsequent landfalls in Cuba overnight Tuesday and the Bahamas on Wednesday. With Melissa weakening significantly to category 3 status in Cuba and category 2 status across the Bahamas, initial expectations are for storm surge damage to low lying coastal areas and damage to older buildings and the most vulnerable structures. Source: National Hurricane Center. Expected arrival time of tropical storm force winds for Bermuda and Newfoundland. The Forecast: Melissa is rapidly accelerating northeast away from the Bahamas. Hurricane warnings are posted for Bermuda, however model guidance suggests the hurricane will track far enough west that the island will likely see limited impacts consisting of tropical storm force winds with isolated gusts to near hurricane strength. In comparison to Hurricane Imeldas strike on Bermuda earlier this season, Melissa is expected to not be as impactful for the island. After transitioning to a large extra-tropical cyclone beyond Bermuda, Melissa will bring gale force winds to Newfoundland tomorrow. Insurance Implications: According to AM Best, insurance take-up rates in the western portion of Jamaica are quite low outside Montego Bay, on the order of 5%-10%. Thus, personal lines losses are anticipated to be mostly economic in nature rather than insured. Material damage in commercial lines properties, notably in the tourist destinations near the coast including Montego Bay, is likely insured by a mix of 17 registered carriers in Jamaica, as well as global carriers for larger properties. For those carriers providing insurance in western Jamaica, AM Best expects reinsurers to pay most of the losses, given the significant reliance of Caribbean-based carriers on reinsurance. It is reported by Artemis that the USD 150 million Jamaican parametric catastrophe bond, called IBRD CAR Jamaica 2024, will provide funds for the country after being triggered. Ultimately, Melissa will be a severe economic loss event with a slim minority of damages covered by insurance, likely raising discussion around the growth of the protection gap between insured and economic losses.
No Legal Provision to Use VVPAT Machines in Maharashtra Local Body Polls: SEC 2

The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has clarified that there is currently no legal provision for using Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines in local body elections across the state.

The clarification comes amid demands from Opposition parties to conduct upcoming local body elections in Maharashtra using VVPAT machines to ensure greater transparency. Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Vijay Wadettiwar had also urged that if VVPATs could not be deployed, polls should be held using ballot papers instead.

Local body elections, including those for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), are slated to be completed by January 2026.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the SEC explained that most local body elections in Maharashtra are conducted under a multi-member ward system, which currently does not support the use of VVPATs with existing voting machines.

The Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC), comprising representatives from all State Election Commissions in India, is examining the development of voting machines compatible with VVPAT attachments for such systems. However, the committees final report is still pending, making the immediate use of VVPATs infeasible.

The SEC also noted that while Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were incorporated into local body election laws in 2005, there is no existing legal framework for VVPAT use. It further stated that any amendment to the relevant actssuch as the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, the Maharashtra Municipal Councils Act, and the Zilla Parishads Actfalls outside its jurisdiction.
One of the largest collision repair companies in North America has bought the majority stake in a repair brand founded in Alabama.

Boyd Group Services Inc., which owns a significant slice of the collision repair sector, has bought a majority stake in Joe Hudsons Collision Centers for $1.3 billion.

TSG Consumer, a private equity firm specializing in consumer brands, was the seller.

The transaction is expected to close later this year.

During its six years with TSG Consumer, Joe Hudsons more than doubled its footprint to 258 repair shops across 18 states in the Southeast. The company was founded in Montgomery.

From the outset, we recognized JHCC as an exceptional platform for disciplined and strategic growth, Pierre LeComte, managing director at TSG Consumer said in a statement. Together with the management team, we successfully navigated unprecedented market conditions (including the COVID-19 pandemic), supported them through succession planning as a founder-led business, and enhanced the companys operational foundation.

Brant Wilson, CEO at Joe Hudsons Collision Center said the company looks forward to its next chapter with Boyd.

Our co-founders, Traweek Dickson and Joe Hudson, built a legacy of high-quality repairs, amazing associate engagement, and best-in-class customer service through three decades of leadership that continues to define JHCC, Wilson said.

TSG Consumer is known for its work with branded automotive products and services, including current and past investments with Chemical Guys, Mavis Tire, Meguiars, PowerStop, Rough Country and Super Star Car Wash.
A clothing company plans to move its manufacturing operations from northeast Alabama to Tennessee, resulting in nearly 460 layoffs by the end of this year, according to a notice filed with the state.

North Carolina-based Renfro Brands plans to cease its knitting and finishing operations at its Fort Payne site, the company confirmed in a statement to AL.com. The layoffs are expected to start Dec. 27, per the companys notice filed Tuesday with the Alabama Department of Commerce.

Over the next several months, we will be consolidating much of our domestic manufacturing into our Cleveland, Tennessee facility, the company said. Current Ft. Payne employees will receive priority consideration for new positions being created in Tennessee.

Renfro Brands still plans to keep a presence in Fort Payne with warehousing and distribution, the company said.

We will be making investments and expanding our operations in Tennessee where we expect to add at least 75 new positions, the company added. This manufacturing consolidation will result in overall operations that are more efficient and more flexible.

The facility is the companys only one in Alabama, per its website. Last year 100 workers were laid off there. Founded in 1921, Renfro Brands works with clothing brands like New Balance, Dr. Scholls and Polo Ralph Lauren.

Federal law requires large employers to file a public WARN notice with the state in advance of mass layoffs or plant closures. Those WARN notices are published by the Alabama Department of Commerce.

The expected job cuts bring Alabamas tally of employees impacted by mass layoffs and closures in 2025 to more than 4,000  doubling last years count.
Nearly 63 years to the day that Carol Ann Dougherty was raped and murdered inside the Bristol church that was a fixture in her community and her familys life, Pennsylvania officials publicly identified her killer.

William Schrader, an absolute predator with a documented history of sexually abusing children, killed Carol Ann inside the choir loft of St. Marks Catholic Church on Oct. 22, 1962, Bucks County District Attorney Jen Schorn said at a news conference Wednesday.

Schrader, who was long considered a suspect in the cold case, died in 2002 at age 62 after serving time in a Louisiana prison for manslaughter and arson.

But through a combination of forensic evidence, decades-old eyewitness accounts, and a confession Schrader made to his stepson, a county grand jury last week ruled that Schrader was Carol Anns killer.

Schorn, flanked by Pennsylvania State Police investigators and Bristol police officers, said she was honored to be able to bring closure to the girls family after decades of uncertainty and grief.

This group collectively spent 20 years of their lives pursuing the truth and justice for Carol Ann and her family, Schorn said. The work to keep this case alive was nothing short of remarkable.

The last day of Carol Anns life started off like any other, according to court documents. The fifth grader, an avid reader, jumped on her blue-and-white Londoner racing bike bound for the Bristol Free Library, where she planned to return two books.

Along the way, she stopped for a Coke and penny candy, and went to pray inside St. Marks, a place that Schorn said was sacred to her family.

As the hours ticked on with no sign of Carol Ann, her parents began to worry. While searching for the child, her mother, Dorothy, saw the Londoner bike parked outside the church and told her husband to investigate.

Inside, Frank Dougherty found his daughters battered, lifeless body in the churchs choir loft.

Six decades later, Carol Anns younger sister Kay Talanca still remembers the inhuman noises her father made when he returned to the car and told her and her mother not to go inside the church.

On Wednesday, Talanca wept as she described how grateful she was to hear the news that her sisters slaying was finally solved.

Our family lived without answers, she said, and the uncertainty surrounding Carols death became a part of who we were, a shadow that touched every day of our lives.

Schorn said efforts to find Carol Anns killer were hindered by the perfect storm of obstacles. Investigators initially focused on two other suspects, one of whom falsely confessed.

The other, a Catholic priest who worked at St. Marys, lied about his whereabouts on the night of the killing, authorities said, because he was having an affair with a married woman.

But Schrader, who lived not far from the church, fit the profile of a man who preys on children, prosecutors said.

Schrader, of Luzerne County, spent his childhood in reform school after sexually assaulting girls in his youth. He later joined the Army, was dishonorably discharged, and was incarcerated for a time in Eastern State Penitentiary after being convicted of attempted murder.

Afterward, he settled in Bristol, where his brother and sister-in-law lived at the time. After Carol Anns killing, he moved south and eventually settled in Louisiana, where, Schorn said, he raped his wifes disabled daughters and, later, two girls the family took in as foster children.

In the death of Carol Ann, Schorn said pubic hair found on her hand and on her thighs became key evidence in the case, and Schrader was the only suspect who was not excluded as being the source.

But that alone was not enough to convict him, she said.

More than 20 years after the crime, one of Schraders friends in Bristol told police he had seen Schrader outside the church on the night Carol Ann was killed.

And years later, in Louisiana, authorities said, Schrader told his stepson that he had killed a girl in Pennsylvania decades earlier. He raped the child, he said, and took her life out of fear that she would tell police.

Investigators learned of that statement last year while gathering evidence on Schrader, and used it to build their case against Schrader, the prosecutor said.

She said their efforts were aided by news reports, and she thanked JD Mullane of the Bucks County Courier Times, who has written about the death of Carol Ann since the 1990s, and Mike Missanelli, who produced a podcast about the case last year.

Carol Anns sister, Talanca, embraced both men after Wednesdays news conference.

Their persistence and commitment to uncovering the truth played a vital role of keeping hope alive for all these years, she said.

Today as Carols only surviving immediate family member, I stand before you with profound sorrow, for all that was taken away from my family, and gratitude for the extraordinary efforts of those who never gave up.

 2025 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit www.inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A former Mobile Police Department officer and his wife have been charged with tampering with evidence for their alleged involvement at the scene of a fatal accident their son is accused of causing.

According to court records, a Mobile County grand jury indicted Gary Rogers and Courtney Rogers for allegedly removing a jacket from the scene of a deadly November 2024 wreck.

The crash killed Nolan James McDavid, 19, and led to the couples son, 17, being charged with reckless murder after prosecutors allege he caused the accident while under the influence.

According to WKRG, Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood commented on the indictments.

This was a death investigation that was going on, Blackwood said. The evidence was that he acted in a way that was inconsistent with what the law is.

Gary was fired from the Mobile Police Department in June after an internal investigation stemming from a complaint regarding his actions the night of the fatal accident.

Gary recently attempted to appeal the firing but the Mobile County Personnel Board upheld the decision in September.

Courtney was charged with two counts of harassing communications in June after she allegedly went after two victims on social media for cooperating with an investigation into her husband.

Gary and Courtney each received a $5,000 bond.
Altars are set up to honor the dead on Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, Nov. 2, at Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com)

The Days of the Dead are happening this weekend and you will probably observe ancient rituals in some way. But do you really know what they are and where they come from?

Everyone knows the secular holiday of Halloween, which happens this year on Friday night, Oct. 31. Americans dress up in costumes, decorate their homes and welcome trick-or-treaters to their doors by handing out candy.

Not everybody knows the word Halloween derives from a holy day, All Saints Day on Nov. 1, which is followed by All Souls Day on Nov. 2.

The root word of Halloween is hallow, which means holy.

The suffix een is an abbreviation of evening. Halloween refers to the Eve of All Hallows, the night before All Saints Day, the Christian holy day that honors saintly people of the past.

All Souls Day is a day to pray for all souls. Among Catholics, prayers are offered for those in purgatory, waiting to get into heaven. On All Souls Day, and throughout November, Catholic churches keep a Book of the Dead, in which parishioners have an opportunity to write the names of relatives to be remembered.

More than a thousand years ago in Ireland and Britain, a common custom of Christians was to come together on the eve of the feast of All Hallows Day to ask for Gods blessing and protection from evil in the world. Often, they would dress in costumes of saints or evil spirits and act out the battle between good and evil around bonfires. Thats the source of the modern observance of Halloween.

Building on rituals

All Saints Day emanates from early Christian celebrations of martyrs in the Eastern Church, dating to the fourth century. The church observance was in turn built upon pagan customs of honoring the dead.

The Christian concept of the importance of the individual soul underlies All Saints Day and All Souls Day, which are observed worldwide primarily in the Catholic and Anglican traditions.

In Europe, Samhain was a Gaelic festival of the dead marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of the darkest time of year, a time when the spirit world was more closely aligned to the physical world. In the Americas, church ritual mixed with native celebration of ancestors. Mayans, Incans and other Native Americans had great reverence for the dead and ancestor worship was culturally important. That tradition blended into the Catholic holy days of the dead.

The Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, in Latin countries keeps alive some of the tradition of honoring souls of the dead.

Dia de los Muertos

In many countries, Nov. 2 is a national holiday - the Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, the climax of the Days of the Dead. Its the climax of three days of celebration: All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day and All Souls Day. People often dress as skeletons as a way of remembering the dead and celebrating their ancestors.

In Birmingham, Sloss Furnace will host a Dia de los Muertos festival on Sunday, Nov. 2, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., with altars honoring the dead.

A holy feast day

In the Catholic Church, Nov. 1 is normally a holy day of obligation, when all Catholics are expected to attend Mass.

In Catholic churches on Nov. 2, for All Souls Day, one of the traditional readings during the Mass is from the Book of Wisdom, which is biblical for Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, but not for Protestants, who dont include it in their Bible:

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them, the Book of Wisdom says. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace.
Harrison Ford receives the E.O. Wilson Legacy Award from the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, as foundation president and CEO Paula J. Ehrlich looks on. (Peter Pawinski photo courtesy of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation) Peter Pawinski photo courtesy of the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation

A foundation carrying on the legacy of a legendary Alabama scientist has given an inaugural conservation award to one of the stars of the Star Wars movies.

The E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation announced Thursday that Harrison Ford was the recipient of the first E.O. Wilson Legacy Award for Transformative Conservation Leadership. Ford received the award during the foundations Half-Earth Day celebration at the Field Museum in Chicago on Wednesday.

Wilson, who died in 2021, was an Alabama native who was born in Birmingham and lived in several of the states cities during his youth. These included Mobile, where he identified the first known colony of fire ants in the United States while still in his teens. The Nature Conservancy recently named an 8,000-acre tract of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta in his honor.

He was particularly known for his study of ants, but his award-winning books also branched into the ways biology has affected human culture, the importance of conservation and aspects of sociology. His 2016 book Half-Earth: Our Planets Fight for Life, explored the idea that to truly ensure the long-term health of the planet, half of its surface should be set aside as a nature preserve.

According to the foundation, the new award celebrates the extraordinary contributions of individuals who embody E.O. Wilsons inspirational legacy in conservation science, passion for biodiversity, and action on behalf of all species.

The foundation says that Ford had been a friend of Wilson since the early 1990s, and that they had worked together to champion the conservation of global biodiversity. According to the foundation, Wilson named a new ant species after Ford in 2002 and in 2010 the two teamed up to create a science writing award.

Harrison has devoted his time and voice to environmental causes for over 30 years, said Dr. Paula J. Ehrlich, President and CEO of the foundation. His life is a testimony to the conviction that successful conservation efforts require not only scientific understanding but also the ability to translate complex ecological concepts into compelling public narratives that inspire action and advance enduring conservation policy.

Ford is on the foundations board of advisors and has served on the board of directors of Conservation International for 25 years. At the beginning of 2025 he published a call to action titled Listening to the Quiet, written in partnership with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anthony Doerr.

Young people give me hope, Ford said as he accepted the award. They are more fearless, more connected to the Earth, and more capable of changing power than we ever were. We just need to get out of their way  and help them lead us toward a world where people and nature can thrive together.
The VA Outpatient Clinic in Huntsville offers primary care and some specialty services, including mental health, vision, hearing loss, and women's health. Kayode Crown

Thousands of veterans in North Alabama will soon have fewer reasons to drive to Birmingham for specialized health care.

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to expand health care options in Huntsville. The city currently has an outpatient clinic on Markaview Road and an extension at Redstone Arsenal, both part of the Birmingham VA Health Care System.

In a statement to AL.com this week, the Birmingham VA said it would open a 7,000-square-foot Huntsville South VA Clinic inside the UAB Medicine facility on Governors Drive before the end of 2025.

The facility will expand specialty care services in northern Alabama, home to the states fastest-growing Veteran population, according to the organization.

The Huntsville outpatient facility currently offers primary care and some specialty services, including mental health, vision, hearing loss, and womens health.

Oladipo Kukoyi, Birmingham VA executive director, told WHNT that Huntsville South will include cardiology and neurology, with plans to do some cancer infusions there.

Veteran service organizations and military retirees told AL.com that they are happy about the development.

It is a fantastic thing; its been needed for a long time, said Jim King of Still Serving Veterans, a Huntsville-based organization that provides employment services to retired service members. Im excited about it.

He said North Alabama is home to 80,000 veterans, about one in four of Alabamas 300,000 veterans.

Some Still Serving Veterans clients repeatedly made the hours-long trip to and from Birmingham, King said, including a woman who was undergoing cancer treatment.

She had to go do her treatments and those cancer treatments, its not one and done, it goes over a period of time, so she was essentially driving two days a week to Birmingham, which is almost a 2-hour drive from here, to get her treatment.

Veteran Dean Haage, who described the news of expanded healthcare services in north Alabama as fantastic, spoke of the hassle of traveling to Birmingham for medical care.

We spend way too much time going back and forth to Birmingham for anything outside the norm, he said.

One of the guys I used to work with, who lives up here locally, spends probably a week every month down in Birmingham, just having to travel back and forth, Haage said. So if he has to go down there for an hour-long appointment, its a whole day event, and the cost of travel, you know, all that just adds up all the time.

He was in Birmingham six times in the past month.

One appointment I went down there was to a specialty clinic, he said. It took me over 2.5 hours to get there because it was very early morning, and driving down Interstate 65 at that time of day, and I was there for all of 4.5 minutes. I turned around and came home.

The need to travel to Birmingham can be a barrier to seeking medical care, according to veteran Joe Stevenson.

A lot of time, veterans, because they had to travel to the facility, and you know it takes so much time, some of them may opt not to do it, he said. But if its local, its close, I think theyll take more of an advantage of it and itll be good.

Randy Shoulders said, running back and forth to Birmingham, especially for someone like him who is not in the best of health, can be a problem.

As an organization that supports veterans and their families, were encouraged to see expanded access to healthcare services for veterans in North Alabama, United Way Priority Veteran, which offers assistance with homeless prevention and support, said in a statement to AL.com.

Apart from the specialized clinic at UAB Medicine, Birmingham VA also said that in the next three years, Huntsville would see a 20,000-square-foot Womens Health Clinic and a 20,000-square-foot clinic dedicated to mental health, social work, and home-based primary care services.

Additionally, plans are underway for a 24,000-square-foot Dental Clinic in Greenbriar, Alabama, the organization said. Greenbriar is about 20 miles south of Huntsville.

All three projects are currently in the early design stages and represent the continued investment in expanding access to specialized and comprehensive care for Veterans across North Alabama, the organization added.

King said what the region ultimately needs is a VA hospital.

It would be great if they had a full-service VA hospital in north Alabama, but having a specialty clinic is still great, he said.
Leonardo Garcia Venegas, a United States citizen, has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement while working at construction sites. Credit Institute for Justice. Institute for Justice.

A U.S. citizen who was arrested twice at work by federal agents is asking to expand his lawsuit to a class action case.

Americans have a right to work free from the looming threat of unlawful searches and seizures, the complaint, filed Monday, states.

Leonardo Garcia Venegas is a construction worker from Baldwin County who was arrested on two separate job sites this year by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

In his suit, originally filed in federal court in September, Venegas alleges the officers refused to accept his REAL ID as proof of his citizenship on two separate occasions, claiming it was fake, and detained him anyway.

Venegas claims he was detained twice, simply for being at work.

He is now asking a federal judge to make his lawsuit a class action. His lawsuit asks a federal judge to pause construction site raids, said attorney Jared McClain, who works for the Institute for Justice, a libertarian civil rights law firm.

Weve asked the court to make the raids stop while we litigate the case to ensure that no more citizens and lawful residents are illegally detained just for going to work, McClain told AL.com Thursday.

A spokesperson for ICE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Department of Homeland Security also did not respond to a request for comment. Earlier this month, Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the agency does not make arrests based on race or ethnicity.

Allegations that DHS law enforcement officers engage in racial profiling are disgusting, reckless, and categorically FALSE, she said in a statement.

The suit claims that during a May 21 raid in Foley, Venegas saw five camouflaged men jump over a fence and run past a no trespassing sign. They ran past white and Black workers and chased the Latino workers, his suit alleged.

According to the suit, the agents had no warrant. Officers tackled Venegas to the ground, took his ID out of his pocket, and claimed it was fake, his suit alleged. He was arrested and not released for over an hour, he alleged.

Venegas was again arrested at a work site in Fairhope on June 12. Again, his ID was not enough to prove his legal status, his suit claims. His motion on Monday states that a class action suit is needed because many lawful workers have friends or family who are undocumented and they are fearful that being named as plaintiffs in a lawsuit will lead to retaliation against their friends and family.

The class action suit would be divided into three categories, each a class: warrantless entry, preemptive detention and continued detention.
Four of the six murals by artist Hale A. Woodruff housed at Talladega College were sold to help with finances. (Contributed)

A private, historically Black college in Alabama is parting ways with some of its historic art as it battles financial concerns.

Four murals painted by Hale A. Woodruff for Talladega College will leave the school. Talladega is keeping two paintings that depict its founding, and says the sold murals will return to campus regularly.

Board president Rica Lewis-Payton told The New York Times that she was feeling good that we are leveraging this most prized possession in a way that will improve the ability of the college to provide a foundational education for people like me.

Four of the six murals by artist Hale A. Woodruff housed at Talladega College were sold to help with finances. (Contributed)

The artwork is estimated to be worth about $20 million, according to the Times. Talladega College declined to provide additional information to AL.com Wednesday.

The Toledo Museum of Art acquired a Woodruff mural that depicts the Underground Railroad. Two art foundations acquired a series of three that depict a mutiny on the slave ship Amistad, and the successful effort of enslaved men to battle captivity and return to Sierra Leone.

Four of the six murals by artist Hale A. Woodruff housed at Talladega College were sold to help with finances. (Contributed)

Talladega, founded in 1867, commissioned the murals in the 1930s. Woodruff worked with Diego Rivera to bring them to life.

They hung in Savery Library for almost 70 years, then were taken down, restored, went on tour and eventually found a home back at the college.

The college currently enrolls fewer than 800 students. In a news release, the school said its trustees took significant steps in 2024 to improve the financial health and stability of the institution.

The Times reported that in May 2024, Talladega couldnt make payroll and had an endowment of $5 million. The college announced in April they had secured a $15 million loan from Mississippi-based Hope Federal Credit Union.

The scope of Talladegas financial difficulties has not been documented outside of cuts to non-revenue generating sports programs like gymnastics and golf, plus reports of layoffs.

Talladega Colleges 2023 budget was $34 million, according to the colleges Year in Review.

We can become a leader in the reimagining of liberal arts education, President Willie Todd told the Times. I want every student to graduate with an internship or apprenticeship opportunity. And I want all of our programs to be connected to industry standards and accredited by national accreditors. That takes money.

The remaining two paintings from Woodruffs collection will stay at Talladegas Savery Library.

Making sure the paintings reunite at Talladega every six to eight years was a requirement to completing the sale, the Times reported.
Birmingham-area immigration advocate Giovanna Hernandez-Martinez has come forward to share her thoughts on TikTok after spending over a month in a Louisiana detention facility.

Last month, Hernandez-Martinez decided to leave the U.S. to live with extended family in Mexico City after being detained by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement in early August during a traffic stop in Leeds.

In a TikTok uploaded Wednesday, she detailed her familys journey to the U.S. and the obstacles they faced trying to obtain citizenship.

She says she is looking to continue supporting and advocating for my community back home from here in Mexico.

At the age of seven years old, my family and I immigrated to the U.S., she said.

We moved to Alabama in the year 2007, where I missed the cutoff date to qualify for DACA.

Established in 2012, DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, allowed individuals without legal immigration status who met certain requirements to be deemed by the Department of Homeland Security not to be a priority for removal from the United States and to be deemed eligible to remain and work for renewable two-year periods, according to the U.S. Congress website.

Hernandez-Martinez did not offer any additional details on why her family did not qualify for the program.

But, she said, the next 17 years she spent in the U.S., she wasnt sitting around and hoping that something would fall in my lap.

It was 17 years of trying to exhaust every possible avenue for me to legalize my status, she said.

Hernandez-Martinez recently earned both her bachelors and masters degrees in social work from Jacksonville State University, despite feeling like the entire world had closed its doors on [her], she said.

Much of her work since has focused on helping immigrant students in the metro area plan their next steps after high school.

She ran a program called Escalera, where she stressed the importance of a degree and helped students navigate college and trade school applications.

According to her brother, Hernandez-Martinez had her own LLC and was working with HICA, an immigration advocacy organization based in Birmingham.

God blessed me with the wonderful opportunity to be able to support and mentor young Hispanic and immigrant students and families who once faced the same challenges and obstacles that I did, she said.

But on the morning of Aug. 5, Hernandez-Martinez said her new journey began.

A GoFundMe previously set up by her brother to cover her legal expenses claims she was driving to work that day when Leeds police pulled her over.

What should have been a regular traffic stop, turned into something much worse as an ICE agent arrived closely thereafter, it reads.

In less than an hour she was processed and taken into ICE custody.

Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin said previously the traffic stop was made on Interstate 20 when an unmarked Leeds vehicle was passed by a Honda sedan driving recklessly and nearly hitting other vehicles while traveling at a high rate of speed of over 80 mph.

The vehicle came within feet of striking other vehicles and erratically changed lanes...The driver did not have a drivers license but instead identified herself with a Mexico issued (identification) card, Irwin wrote.

Leeds police contacted federal partners, who informed Detectives that the female was in the United States of America illegally and took her into custody, according to Irwin.

Following her arrest, Hernandez-Martinez spent over a month in a Louisiana detention facility before self-deporting to Mexico in late September.

A month after leaving the country, she says she is still processing her experience and still having a hard time putting [it] into words.

She said her current life, separated from her friends and family in the U.S., is a new reality that doesnt seem real.

Hernandez-Martinezs story is similar to many following President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown, which is currently striving to arrest 3,000 people daily, according to previous comments from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.

Two Iranian men living in Alabama, Alireza Doroudi and Ribvar Karimi, were detained by ICE earlier this year on claims of being in the country illegally and being a violent extremist, respectively.

After over two months in detention, Doroudi requested voluntary deportation in May and returned to Iran over the summer.

Karimi, who missed the birth of his child while in ICE detention, was still fighting to stay in the U.S. as of Aug. 14, according to his lawyer Michael Shabani.

This hatred towards the immigrant community is filled with a lack of humanity and people who choose not to hear and believe what the life of immigrants is really like, Hernandez-Martinez said.

This new journey reminds me that things never really get easier, but my faith always just keeps getting stronger.
Alabama officials are vowing to vigorously fight a lawsuit filed to stop the move of Space Command to Huntsvilles Redstone Arsenal.

In a statement, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said the suit from Colorado AG Phil Weiser is nothing more than a politically motivated attempt to keep the command in Colorado.

This lawsuit is nothing more than a partisan attempt to overturn a lawful, evidence-based decision repeatedly validated by military experts, independent reviews, and congressional oversight. Alabama will vigorously defend this decision in court and is confident the law and facts are squarely on our side, Marshall said. If Colorado insists on fighting a political battle in federal court, Alabama will meet them there, and win.

READ MORE: Colorado files suit against Trump administration to stop Space Command move to Alabama

Trump announced in September that he was reversing a Biden-era decision that removed the command from Huntsville in favor of Colorado Springs, despite a study that placed Alabama as the top choice for the command.

Weisers suit cites President Trumps comments that Colorados mail-in voting played a big factor, in his decision.

The president could not have been clearer about his motivations for moving Space Command. He said Colorados mail-in voting system was a big factor in his decision making, Weiser said. The Constitution does not permit the Executive Branch to punish or retaliate against states for lawfully exercising powers reserved for them, such as the power to regulate elections.

Thats not the case, however, Marshall said.

The Inspector General for the Department of Defense has confirmed that President Trumps 2021 decision to select Huntsville was factually sound and well justified, Marshall said. It was the Biden administration that injected politics into the process when it reversed course, punished Alabama, and rewarded Colorado. Now that President Trump has made things right again, Colorado seeks to use the federal courts to reimpose Biden-era politics on Americans who have overwhelmingly rejected them.

Space Command is expected to bring some 1,400 direct jobs to the area. City offiials said the command can be up and running before Trump leaves office.

Bless their hearts

Gov. Kay Key echoed the sentiments that the state would fight for the command.

Desperate times in Colorado, desperate measures. Bless their hearts. Space Command Headquarters is on its way to Alabama. As Attorney General Marshall stated, the law and facts are squarely on our side. We won on our merits and we will win in the courts, Ivey said.

Rep. Dale Strong, R-Monrovia, agreed with fact Space Command belongs in Alabama is not open to debate.

The indisputable fact is that Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, was selected as the preferred location to host U.S. Space Command headquarters after a merit-based selection process. Colorado has cried foul every step of the way, and this is their latest attempt to obstruct the fair process from proceeding. I remain confident that the USSPACECOM headquarters belongs in Huntsville, Alabama, because it is what is best for national security and will save the taxpayer nearly half a billion dollars, Strong said.

Weiser, a Democratic candidate for Colorado governor who has filed 40 other lawsuits against the Trump administration, is seeking an injunction to prohibit the move. The complaint names President Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said he still supported hiring Donald Watkins Jr., as the city's director of small and minority business development but that opposition to the the appointment was becoming a political distraction. John Sharp/jsharp@al.com

Donald Watkins Jr., has withdrawn from consideration as the city of Montgomerys director for small and minority business development, Mayor Steven Reed announced.

Reeds decision to hire Watkins for the job at a salary of $120,960 drew opposition at a meeting of the Montgomery Personnel Board last week because Watkins and his father, Donald Watkins Sr.,were convicted on fraud charges by a federal grand jury in 2019.

Reed, in a statement announcing Watkins withdrawal, said he stood by his belief that Watkins would have been an asset for the city.

While I have accepted Mr. Watkins withdrawal, I want to make clear that this decision is not a reflection on his qualifications, experience, or passion for the city of Montgomery, Reed said.

He is an exceptionally talented professional who has demonstrated both the knowledge and the heart required to support Montgomerys growing and essential small business community.

Watkins issued a statement about his decision to step aside.

I want to thank Mayor Reed and his administration for the opportunity to serve the City of Montgomery, Watkins said.

Its been an honor to be considered, and I have great respect for the Mayors leadership and his vision for inclusive economic growth across our community.

After thoughtful consideration, Ive decided to continue my work in the private sector, where I can best contribute to the business community and help advance our mutual goals of expanding opportunity, empowering entrepreneurs, and creating good jobs.

Mayor Reed is an exceptional leader whose commitment to fairness, innovation, and community progress continues to move our city forward. Im proud to support his vision for a stronger, more prosperous Montgomery.

Montgomery Personnel Board member James R. Spud Seale spoke out against the decision to hire Watkins at a meeting Oct. 20.

The three-member board had no authority to block the hiring, but board approval was required for the salary because it was well above the starting pay for the position, $82,368.

Mr. Chairman, this gentleman is a convicted felon. I think this sends the wrong message for this city, Seale said.

And starting a convicted felon, convicted of fraud, starting a convicted felon at $120,960, not only sends the wrong message to the city, it sends the wrong message to all the first responders whove been asking for raises and the garbage collectors whove been asking for raises.

After Seales comments, the board postponed a decision on the salary for Watkins until Nov. 10.

Reed said opposition to the appointment was not warranted.

However, it has become clear in recent days that his appointment has sparked unnecessary distraction and political fearmongering - diverting attention away from the critical work ahead, the mayor said.

My responsibility as Mayor is to ensure that our shared goals for small business growth, job creation, and inclusive economic development remain our top priority. We cannot afford to have that mission overshadowed by those looking to gain political popularity at the expense of an overly qualified and dynamic business leader.

Watkins and his father were indicted in November 2018 on seven counts of wire fraud, two counts of bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud relating to a conspiracy the government claimed lasted for nearly a decade.

A jury found Watkins Sr. guilty on all counts. The jury convicted Watkins Jr. on two of the charges - conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud and wire fraud, and acquitted him on the others.

U.S. District Judge Karon O. Bowdre sentenced Watkins Sr. to five years in prison and Watkins Jr., to two years and three months in prison. Following his release from prison, the judge ordered Watkins Jr. to serve three years of supervised release.

The fraud crimes involved, in part, convincing high-profile investors, including Charles Barkley and other former professional athletes, to invest in businesses associated with Watkins Sr.

Watkins Sr. and Watkins Jr. used some of that money for personal expenses.

According to testimony and documents presented in court, Barkley lost $6.15 million in investments from 2007 to 2014.

This story was updated to add a statement from Watkins.
NEW ORLEANS  Immigration authorities did not receive word of a court order blocking the removal of a man living in Alabama until after he had been deported to Laos, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday, dismissing claims that officials violated the order.

Chanthila Shawn Souvannarath, 44, was deported on Friday, according to his attorneys, a day after a federal judge in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, told U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to keep him in the country so that he could present what the judge called a substantial claim of U.S. citizenship.

Immigration-Louisiana Submitted

Souvannarath was born in a refugee camp in Thailand but has lived most of his life in the U.S. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the judges order keeping him in the country was not served to ICE until after Souvannarath had been deported.

To the medias chagrin, there was no mistake, McLaughlin said in a statement.

DHS and ICE did not respond to questions from The Associated Press seeking additional details on the timeline and how officials receive federal court orders.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing Souvannarath, asked U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick to order his immediate return to the U.S., calling the deportation unlawful.

ICE has acted in direct opposition to a federal court order, which should disturb everyone, said Nora Ahmed, legal director of the ACLU of Louisiana.

The deportation comes as Trump administration officials have repeatedly clashed with the courts over their attempts to deport large numbers of immigrants. There have been previous cases of U.S. citizens being deported, including U.S.-born children.

Souvannarath most recently lived in Arab. Court records show he was granted lawful permanent residence in the U.S. before his first birthday. His father, a native of Laos, is a naturalized U.S. citizen, and Souvannarath claims his citizenship derives from that status.

Souvannarath was taken into ICE custody in June following an annual check-in with immigration authorities. Two of his five children were with him when he was detained, his wife told the AP.

McLaughlin said Souvannarath lost his green card and was ordered to be deported in 2006 following convictions for heinous crimes  assault and unlawful possession of a firearm  and had no right to be in this country. It was not clear why Souvannarath was not previously taken into ICE custody.

In 2004, Souvannarath was convicted of unlawful firearm possession and assault against his then-girlfriend in King County, Washington. He had also been convicted of a misdemeanor assault against the same woman several years before, court records show.

20 years later, he tried a Hail Mary attempt to remain in our country by claiming he was a U.S. citizen, McLaughlin wrote in her statement. I know its shocking to the media  but criminal illegal aliens lie all the time.

Souvannaraths wife, Beatrice, described him as a hard worker and loving father who stayed out of trouble since his run-ins with the law two decades ago. Hes mostly worked installing air conditioners and heaters, she said. He doesnt even drink, she said.

His wife said she received word last week that he was being deported and, days later, that he was in custody in Laos, a country he had not previously visited.

Representing himself in court, Souvannarath filed an emergency motion seeking to halt his deportation. The judge, appointed by President Barack Obama, cited the irreparable harm that would be caused by immediate deportation in issuing a temporary restraining order pausing the deportation for 14 days.

Before his deportation, Souvannarath had been detained at a newly opened ICE facility at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.

Jim Mustian reported from New York. Associated Press reporter Cedar Attanasio contributed from Seattle, Washington.
Buzz Aldrin and Anca Faur stand during the National Anthem during a dinner commemorating the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11's return to Earth. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG) MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Anca Faur, the wife of Buzz Aldrin and an accomplished scientist in her own right, died Tuesday night at the age of 66, less than three years into their marriage.

Faurs death was announced Wednesday on Aldrins social media pages. The statement said she passed away peacefully with Aldrin and her son, Vlad Ghenciu, by her side, though a cause of death was not released.

I am so fortunate to have found and married the love of my life, Aldrin said. She brought joy to everything we did together. I will miss her dearly.

Aldrin, 95, married Faur on Jan. 20, 2023, the astronauts 93rd birthday. They first met at a work event in 2017 and began dating in May the following year.

We were joined in holy matrimony in a small private ceremony in Los Angeles and are as excited as eloping teenagers, Aldrin wrote on social media on their wedding day.

Faur was a native of Romania who spent several years working as a chemical engineer in her home country after graduating from Politehnica University Timisoara, according to her LinkedIn. After moving to the U.S., she got her masters in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in the 1990s.

In 2014, Faur became treasurer of the California Hydrogen Business Council, a position she held until 2020. As her relationship with Aldrin blossomed, she began working heavily with Buzz Aldrin Ventures as well, eventually becoming executive vice president.

We both felt deep in our hearts all these years that marrying each other felt right, Faur told People magazine in 2023. That said, we were having such a wonderful courtship we felt no need to rush things.

Aldrin, the second man to set foot on the moon, has been married four times.

_______

2025 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, shown at City Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, pledges $1 million in food assistance to replace suspended SNAP benefits. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com) ggarrison@al.com

Mayor Randall Woodfin will ask the Birmingham City Council to commit $1 million from the city to provide support for households at risk of losing November SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown.

The funding would be part of a three-part response plan to lessen the impact of this potential crisis on elders, children, and families.

Birmingham will not sit around and let our children and families go hungry, Woodfin said. We are taking immediate action because we have a moral obligation to take care of the general welfare of our residents. Our focus is on getting help directly to the people who need it most  whatever it takes to keep folks fed and families whole.

Woodfin noted earlier this week that Birmingham will be hit hard by the suspension of SNAP benefits.

Nearly 23,000 Birmingham households  thats one in four  rely on SNAP to keep food on the table, Woodfin said on Tuesday. On Nov. 1, those families could wake up with nothing because Washington shut the government down.

Unless the federal government shutdown is ended, benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will end. Its the nations largest anti-hunger program, serving nearly 42 million people nationwide.

Woodfin announced the response plan on Thursday, before benefits are expected to expire Nov. 1 because of the federal government shutdown.

The citys three-part response includes the following:

Funding Support: The city is seeking to secure funding to replace at least a portion of the lost benefits for Birmingham households affected by the shutdown. On Tuesday, Mayor Woodfin will ask the council to commit $1 million to provide supplemental nutrition assistance for the month of November. The United Way of Central Alabama will manage funds received for this initiative. Contributions to United Way are tax-deductible, and its subsidiary partners will oversee the distribution of assistance throughout the community.

Community Food Drive: In partnership with local organizations, the City of Birmingham will launch a community food drive beginning Monday, Nov. 3, through Thursday, Nov. 6, at Christian Service Mission, 3600 3rd Ave. South. Drop-off hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Suggested donation items include canned vegetables, meats, and fruits; cereals; soups; nutrition bars; oatmeal; boxed foods such as macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, and rice; as well as paper products, including toilet paper and paper towels. The city invites food providers, businesses, faith communities, non-profits, and civic organizations to participate.

Resource Clearinghouse: The city will coordinate with local partners to serve as an information hub, connecting residents to additional wraparound services and assistance programs available during this period. Residents can monitor www.birminghamal.gov/bhamready for updates.

Individuals and organizations interested in supporting the response effort are encouraged to email BHAMready@birminghamal.gov . Messages should include the senders name, organization, phone number, and any commitments or questions. City staff will respond promptly. Information and updates regarding this initiative will be posted at www.birminghamal.gov/bhamready .

This initial announcement focuses on collection of money and food items. Information about the distribution to SNAP recipients in the city of Birmingham will be provided in the coming days.
Mark Parnell, at the time, Birmingham Water Works deputy general manager and general counsel, presents before the newly seated regional board. Joseph D. Bryant

A former longtime attorney for Birminghams regional water system is back on the payroll four months after he was fired, sued the utility and threatened additional legal action for alleged slander against him.

The Central Alabama Water board met Wednesday evening in a closed-door executive session before returning to rehire Mark Parnell in a three-year consultant contract worth $2.4 million, according to the boards resolution.

The vote ends the lawsuit and gives Parnell a seven-figure victory from the board that swiftly fired him after they took office.

Board chairman Tommy Hudson and Jim Porter, a senior attorney who was hired after Parnell was fired, declined to comment to AL.com.

Instead, the utility released a statement to AL.com tonight affirming that Parnells old contract was valid when it was approved by the previous board.

The attorney generals office has indicated that The Water Works Board of the City of Birmingham had the authority to enter into Parnells contract. CAW values Parnells past professionalism, ethics, contribution and service to CAW, according to the statement. It is regrettable that this dispute has given the public the wrong impression that Parnell acted inappropriately or unethically.

The previous five-year agreement approved by the now-defunct Birmingham Water Works Board  at its last meeting -- made Parnell the utilitys deputy general manager and general counsel, a post that would pay him a base of $660,000 a year plus lucrative benefits.

The value of the package exceeded $3 million, and the outgoing board attempted to shield Parnell from termination by stipulating that the newly appointed board pay him the full amount of the contract in the event of his firing.

Leaders of the new regional board fired Parnell June 2 amid public outcry over the timing and size of his contract.

Parnell then slapped back with a lawsuit in September demanding to be paid out of his contract, which was worth millions.

Parnell, in his lawsuit, had accused the board of having preconceived ideas and an agenda to fire him and violate the terms of his contract.

The dispute turned bitter earlier this month when Parnells lawyer, John Somerville, accused some board members of defaming his client with their comments regarding his termination. The war of words continued when the utilitys current lawyer derided Parnells demand letter as a publicity stunt.

If he thinks his publicity stunts will cause Central Alabama Water to run for cover and settle the lawsuit, he is wrong, water board lawyer Jim Porter said at that time.

However, the board by Thursday had a change of heart  or strategy  with its compromise to settle the litigation.

The agreement was approved on a roll call vote, with six of the seven members voting yes. Board member and Jefferson Couty Commissioner Sheila Tyson was the lone no vote.

Parnell will immediately receive $400,000 once the agreement is approved by the court.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it can't use agency contingency funds to pay for food aid benefits called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) set to lapse in November amid the federal government shutdown. AP

The continuing federal government shutdown is about to hit hard for those who depend on SNAP, the benefits formerly known as food stamps.

Unless the federal government shutdown is ended, benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will end Nov. 1. Its the nations largest anti-hunger program, serving nearly 42 million people nationwide.

The average SNAP benefit is $180 per month per person, or about $6 per day, Mackenzie Libbey of Community Legal Services in Philadelphia told CBS News.

Many are wondering about their current balances.

As for benefits already loaded onto EBT cards and into accounts, those funds are safe, Libbey said.

Its money thats already been appropriated by the federal government and distributed to cards. There is no need to rush out and use stored-up benefits by the end of October.

Its expected that when the government shutdown ends, recipients will receive their benefits retroactively.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said his city will be disproportionately hit.

Nearly 23,000 households in Birmingham rely on SNAP benefits, he said.

He said Thursday he will ask the Birmingham City Council to commit $1 million from the city to provide support for households at risk of losing November SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown.

The funding would be part of a three-part response plan to lessen the impact of this potential crisis on elders, children, and families, Woodfin said.

SNAP benefits are 100 percent federally funded; therefore USDA controls the issuance of these benefits on EBT cards, said Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner.

We know SNAP benefits are vitally important to the more than 750,000 Alabamians who depend on the more than $140 million in support each month. Alabama DHR, along with many others, hopes Congress will come to a quick resolution on the federal government shutdown.
Nonprofit groups, political leaders and faith communities are reaching out to fill the gaps left as federal funding cuts threaten communities in need as the federal government shutdown continues.

Food assistance for more than 40 million people in the country including 750,000 in Alabama will end Nov. 1 as the government shutdown continues.

Bishop Julius Harrison McAllister Jr., who oversees the Ninth Episcopal District, a collection of about 250 African Methodist Episcopal churches throughout Alabama, is urging his congregations to do their part along with partnering with other agencies to provide assistance in their communities.

McAllister cited the number of job losses, furloughs and looming loss of food assistance as evidence of a crisis that churches have an obligation to address.

The church cannot shirk in this moment, he told AL.com. The church has to step forward, and we also have to continue to know and believe that we are always at the intersection of faith and community. We are called spiritually, morally and scripturally to be present for the communities that we serve.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, is the official name for food stamps assistance. McAllister Wednesday evening held a mass call with his pastors to discuss the challenge and how each congregation could help.

Benefits and jobs hang in the balance as 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.

The crisis gives the church to not just point to the problem but be a part of the solution, he said. We can partner with food banks, community agents and local organizations to ensure to the best of our ability that no family is forgotten, especially during the Thanksgiving season if this is still going on. If we unite, we can turn this hardship into a testimony of compassion and hope by remaining on the caring end of ministry.

McAllister recalled that has former church in Florida became a vaccination center during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was successful because churches are naturally trusted spaces.

The church has to continue to do what it has been called to do to help proclaim and profess Gods word on Sunday, but that which we preach on Sunday, we also mobilize our membership so that we can ultimately show that the church is more than preaching on Sunday, that the doors of the church are open every single day, he said.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin earlier this week said the city would be heavily impacted if SNAP benefits end. He said 23,000 Birmingham households rely on federal food assistance.

The mayors office has begun coordinating with churches and help agencies to distribute food across the city.

Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson was in Hueytown Wednesday afternoon working with volunteers at Nurturing Golden Hearts to provide food assistance.

The group provides food and essential items through its food pantry and pop-up events. The latest distribution is a collaboration between Tyson and Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway.

Weve got to find some kind of way where we see the citizens are suffering in Jefferson County, Tyson said. Weve got to be in the gap for them.

In addition, Bistro 19, a restaurant in Bessemer, is offering free meals to seniors every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The restaurant is owned by Mara Allen Blackmon.

Tyson said a bulk of people receiving benefits already have jobs but have limited resources. A potential loss of food benefits only aggravates an unstable situation, she said.

I know what it is to be hungry, and I know that it is to be full, Tyson said. I grew up when the only meal I had was going to school.

Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales said she is also making arrangements to fill unmet needs.

My office is in the process of working with partners within Jefferson County to be able to provide much-needed support for families affected during this federal government shutdown, Scales said. More information will be made available for citizens to connect to resource opportunities.
A federal judge in Boston on Thursday will consider a motion that would require the Trump administration to continue funding the SNAP food aid program despite the government shutdown.

The hearing in front of U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani comes two days before the U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to freeze payments to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program because it said it cant continue funding it due to the shutdown.

The program serves about 1 in 8 Americans and is a major piece of the nations social safety net. Word in October that it would be a Nov. 1 casualty of the shutdown sent states, food banks and SNAP recipients scrambling to figure out how to secure food. Some states said they would spend their funds to keep versions of the program going.

Democratic state attorneys general or governors from 25 states, as well as the District of Columbia, challenged the plan to pause the program, contending that the administration has a legal obligation to keep it running.

The administration said it wasnt allowed to use a contingency fund with about $5 billion in it for the program, which reversed a USDA plan from before the shutdown that said that money would be tapped to keep SNAP running. The Democratic officials argued that not only could that money be used: it must be. They also said a separate fund with around $23 billion is available for the cause.

The program costs around $8 billion per month.

It wasnt immediately clear how quickly the debit cards that beneficiaries use to buy groceries could be reloaded after the ruling. That process often takes one to two weeks.

To qualify for SNAP this year, a family of fours net income cant exceed the federal poverty line, or around $31,000 per year. Last year, SNAP provided assistance to 41 million people, nearly two-thirds of whom are families with children, according to the lawsuit.
Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance, are seated before President Donald Trump arrives to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom for Charlie Kirk to his widow Erika Kirk in the Rose Garden of the White House, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP

Vice President JD Vance said he hopes his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, converts from Hinduism to Christianity.

Vance made the remark while speaking Wednesday night at a Turning Point USA event where he and Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Point co-founder Charlie Kirk, spoke to students at the University of Mississippi.

Ive told her and Ill say publicly and Ill say now in front of 10,000 of my closest friends: Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved by the same thing that I was moved in, by church? Yeah, I honestly, I do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel, Vance told the crowd. And I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way. But if she doesnt, then God says everybody has free will and so that doesnt cause a problem for me.

Vance: Do I hope eventually that she is somehow moved in by church. Yeah, I honestly, I do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel. And I hope eventually my wife comes to see it the same way. If she does not, then god says everybody has free will and so that does not pic.twitter.com/IVVJfMFhKT  Acyn (@Acyn) October 30, 2025

Vance said he and his wife have come to an agreement that their children we be raised as Christians but that Usha Vance is not forced to convert to Christianity.

Thats something you work out with your friends, with your family, with the person that you love. Again, one of the most important Christian principles is that you respect free will, Vance said. Ushas closer to the priests who baptized me than maybe I am. They talk about this stuff. My attitude is you figure this stuff out as a family and you trust in God to have a plan and you try to follow it as best as you can.

JD Vance told the crowd at Ole Miss that each interfaith couple has to come to their own arrangement here, pointing out that Usha Vance accompanies him to church on most Sundays.

The way that weve come to our arrangement is shes my best friend, we talk to each other about this stuff. So, weve decided to raise our kids Christian. Our two oldest kids who go to school, they go to a Christian school, he said.

Thats the way that we have come to our arrangement, he said. The only advice I can give is you just got to talk to the person that God has put you with, and youve got to make those decisions as a family unit. For us, it works out.
In this image from U.S. Capitol Police security video, Taylor Taranto, circled in yellow, enters the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Justice Department via AP) AP

A Washington state man is set to be sentenced this week for threats to lawmakers when he tried to gain access to former President Barack Obamas D.C. home.

But the latest twist in the case may put that court date in jeopardy.

Two federal prosecutors in the case have been put on leave after describing the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riots as a mob of rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol in a sentencing memo, according to NBCNews.

Taylor Taranto, 39, was found guilty during a four-day bench in federal court in May.

Taranto is a former webmaster for the Franklin County Republican Party and U.S. Navy veteran. Local Republican Party officials previously said that they had cut ties with Taranto months before his 2023 arrest due to his erratic behavior.

He was convicted this year of carrying guns without a license, unlawful possession of ammunition and false information or hoaxes after a series of threats to lawmakers and the former President.

The now-suspended prosecutors also wrote that Taranto promoted conspiracy theories about Jan. 6 and that President Trump had posted Obamas address on Truth Social, just before Taranto attempted to find tunnels to get into the residence in June 2023, NBCNews reported.

Prosecutors Carlos Valdivia and Samuel White, were locked out of their government devices and told Wednesday they were being placed on leave, according to ABCNews.

Taranto was pardoned earlier this year by President Donald Trump for his allegedly violent role in the riot. Federal prosecutors had charged him with a number of crimes related to breaking into the Capitol and allegedly helping attack a police officer.

Those charges were previously part of this same case.

He was also named a co-defendant in a wrongful death civil suit brought by the widow of D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer Jeffrey Smith, who died by suicide that medical examiners attributed to a concussion. Smith was attacked by D.C. Chiropractor David Walls-Kaufman, who hit the officer with a heavy metal cane reportedly handed to him by Taranto.

Taranto was seen in photos from the riot carrying the cane throughout the day.

Walls-Kaufman, who was also pardoned, admitted to scuffling with the officer during his trial. Taranto was placed on hold while on trial for newer charges for threatening lawmakers and a bomb hoax. He was dismissed from the lawsuit earlier this year, but Kaufman was found liable and ordered to pay Smiths widow $500,000. New prosecutors take over

On Wednesday, two new prosecutors filed to be added to the criminal case, according to court documents.

Later in the day the newly added prosecutors submitted a new sentencing memorandum, which appears to omit any mention of President Trump or Jan. 6. The original memorandum, which NBCNews reports was filed Tuesday, was not available through the courts online portal.

Court records still show prosecutors intend to ask for Taranto to be sentenced to 27 months with three years community supervision on the bombing hoax charge. Prosecutors are also asking for concurrent two-year sentences for each of the gun charges and a 12-month concurrent sentence for the ammunition charge.

Its unclear if the shakeup will lead to the sentencing hearing being moved.

Taranto will likely not serve any additional time in jail. He was held without bail for nearly two years after U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols agreed he presented a threat to the community.

After his May sentencing, Nichols agreed to release Taranto until his sentencing, provided he return home to the Tri-Cities and stay away from D.C. He was also required to travel to a Puget Sound veterans clinic for mental health treatment for PTSD.

Jail records show he was released May 22. 2023 arrest for targeting lawmakers

When Taranto was arrested, investigators found two guns in his van that he was not registered to be carrying, along with a significant amount of ammunition and multiple cell phones.

A charge for a high-capacity magazine was dropped after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling said the law enforcing the ban on those magazines was unconstitutional.

Taranto was allegedly in Obamas neighborhood in response to a conspiracy theory posted by Trump on social media, which listed the address, according to court documents.

His attorneys claim Tarantos statements about trying to get a shot were about filming. He has claimed he is a self-styled satirical journalist. However in May, a video was introduced into evidence that prosecutors say showed Taranto admitting that his claim of being a journalist was a ruse, according to WUSA9 reporter Jordan Fischer.

Trump later denounced Tarantos actions and said the two had never met, after a picture circulated online of Taranto posing with a cardboard cutout of Trump. That photo was from a Franklin County Republican Party meeting.

In the days before his arrest, Taranto allegedly had made a series of threats on livestreams and through messaging apps against former Vice President Kamala Harris, and two members of Congress for their roles in the Jan. 6 investigation. Federal agents were keeping tabs on his broadcasts after the threat to the federal building, according to court documents.

He had been traveling back and forth between Pasco and D.C. to attend various protests, court documents said. Jan. 6 and wrongful death of officer

His arrest came after a warrant was issued for now pardoned Jan. 6 charges because of the threats he had been making online to lawmakers, which court documents say included going onto a school campus near a congressmans home.

He also threatened to use his van as a bomb to blow up a federal building and claimed in private messages that he had a contract to kill former Vice President Kamala Harris, according to court documents.

While Taranto was pardoned, along with 1,500 other rioters, for his role in the 2021 insurrection, Nichols denied Tarantos earlier attempt to drop charges for the guns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition found in his van during the D.C. arrest and the bombing threat.

For his role in the Jan. 6 riots, Taranto was accused of entering the U.S. Capitol, his involvement in the attack on Officer Smith and remaining on Capitol grounds. He later identified himself in videos on a livestream.

A review panel ruled that Officer Jeffrey Smith suffered a concussion which led to his suicide after returning to duty. They said the injuries suffered in the riot were the sole and direct cause of his death when awarding his widow death benefits.

Walls-Kaufman was later pardoned after being sentenced to two months in jail.

 2025 Tri-City Herald (Kennewick, Wash.). Visit www.tri-cityherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen delivers a speech before the Mobile County Republican Executive Committee on Monday, July 7, 2025, at The Grand Hall in Mobile, Ala. John Sharp

This is an opinion column

Too often Republicans, motivated by naivety, self-interest or egos, help Democrats win elections.

Such is the off the charts proposal to discriminate against naturalized American citizens  a plan advocated by Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, and Rep. Rhett Marques, R-Baldwin (the latter having been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Katie Britt for an open Congressional seat.)

In seismic terms, their damage to Republican candidates across America has the potential to reach a cataclysmic 10 on the Richter scale, thereby handing the next White House, House and Senate to socialist Democrats.

What have they done that is so egregious?

Allen, Chesteen and Marques teach 19 million voters to hate GOP

Allen, Chesteen and Marques are pushing to amend the Alabama Constitution to overtly discriminate against 26 million American citizens nationwide (roughly 74%, or 19 million, are registered voters) and 77,953 Alabama citizens (roughly 70%, or 53,710, are registered voters) and turn these voters into second class citizens who will then be reliably depended on to hate the GOP and bloc-vote Democrat.

It doesnt take a political genius to perceive how quickly a bloc Democrat vote by 19 million Americans, and 53,710 Alabamans, can very quickly shift countless presidential, congressional, senatorial and other elections to Democrat candidates.

The discrimination proposal

Allen, Marques (who is the bills Alabama House sponsor) and Chesteen support Senate Bill 21 to change the Alabama Constitution to deny all naturalized citizens their U.S. Constitutional right to run as a candidate for the Alabama Offices of Governor; Lieutenant Governor; Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court; judge of the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals or Court of Criminal Appeals; judge of a circuit court or district court; member of the Legislature; Attorney General; State Auditor; Secretary of State; State Treasurer; Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries; member of the State Board of Education; and local sheriff, district attorney, circuit clerk, or constable.

As justification, Secretary of State Wes Allen slyly claims We are just mirroring what the U.S. Constitution requires of our president and vice president.

Well, in 1789, when that residency requirement was put in the Constitution, the United States was a newly born Republic, a revolutionary war had just been fought, and there was a real concern a foreign-born President or Vice-President elected by an uninformed populace might have more loyalty to his birth country than America.

America of 2025 is not America of 1789!

Regardless, I submit the real reason for Allen and Marques discriminatory proposal is self-serving: it gives them free publicity and a perceived net gain in their Republican primaries for Lt. Governor (Allen) and Congress (Marques).

Naturalized citizens are U.S. citizens. Personally, I submit discrimination against American citizens based solely on who they are or where they are from is not only evil and wrong, it is political suicide. But thats just me.

The result is futile and potentially catastrophic

Regardless of whether you support their discrimination against American citizens (obviously, I dont), know this: Allen, Chesteen and Marques greatly damage the GOP. And it will only get worse.

Heres why.

Even if Allen, Chesteen and Marques discriminatory amendment to the Alabama Constitution passes, it wont survive.

It will be killed by federal courts because it violates the 5th and 14th Amendments Due Process Clauses. It violates the 14th Amendments Equal Protection Clause. It violates Article Is Naturalization Clause (which gives Congress, not the states, total control over all aspects of naturalization and citizenship).

So, what is the result of Allen, Chesteen and Marques discriminatory conduct?

Their discrimination against fellow American citizens, who became citizens the right and lawful way, will be struck down by federal courts. They will fail.

In the meantime, however, they help convert 19 million registered voters and naturalized American citizens (53,710 of whom live in Alabama) into virulently anti-Republican bloc voters.

This damage to the GOP and its candidates could take years if not decades to repair.

I assure you from first-hand experience that Democrat campaign strategists are already salivating at informing every naturalized citizen and voter in America how much Allen, Chesteen and Marquest hate them. These same Democrats will argue Allen, Chesteen and Marques desire that naturalized citizens be second-class American citizens perfectly mirrors Republican Party values.

It wouldnt surprise me if these same Democrats are so ecstatic that they, in their giddiness, twist the knife in the wound by publicly sending Allen, Chesteen and Marques thank-you notes and gift baskets.

My advice to Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, and Rep. Rhett Marques, R-Baldwin, is that they quickly repent, publicly and sincerely say their mea culpas, and atone by killing their discriminatory effort.

If they act quickly, it might not be too late to minimize the damage they inflict on the GOP.

It they dont act quickly, the challenges facing future Republican candidates all across America will only get worse.
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One shortly after taking off from Busan, South Korea, en route to Joint Base Andrews, Md., Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP

President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested Joe Biden be put behind bars over the FBIs investigation into Jan. 6.

He is a CRIMINAL AND SHOULD BE IN JAIL. A MAJOR LOWLIFE AND FAILURE. An ugly person, both inside and out! I beat him badly, and love watching him squirm now, the president posted on his Truth Social account Thursday.

Trump did not in fact beat Biden badly.

Biden defeated Trump in 2020. Biden then withdrew from the 2024 presidential race amid questions over his fitness to lead for another term, paving the way for Vice President Kamala Harris to challenge Trump.

Trump then defeated Harris.

Trumps Truth Social post was a response to a report in Just The News finding that an FBI memo that spurred the Jan. 6 investigation, dubbed Operation Arctic Frost, was thin on evidence and legal justifications.

In 2023, the FBI analyzed phone records of more than a half dozen Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., as part of an investigation into efforts by Trump to overturn the results of the 2020 election, according to GOP senators.

The records enabled investigators to see basic information about the date and time of the calls but not the content of the communications, the senators said. The data encompassed several days during the week of Jan. 6, 2021, when pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol in a bid to halt the certification of the election results.

The disclosure adds new detail to the since-shuttered investigation by the FBI and former special counsel Jack Smith into the steps Trump and allies took in the run-up to the Capitol riot to undo his election loss to Biden. Trump was indicted in August 2023 on charges of conspiring to overturn the results, but the case was abandoned after Trumps win the following year in light of a Justice Department legal opinion that says sitting presidents cannot face federal prosecution.

Trumps post was slammed by his critics.

Democratic strategist Ally Samarco called the presidents post the worst case of projection I have ever seen.

This is revolting from the President of the United States, added Kaye Steinsapir, who has more than 114,000 followers on X. We are being led by a narcissistic sociopath who delights in cruelty and divisiveness.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Google is finally complying with the courts decision from their case with Epic Games. Where a jury ruled that the Play Store and its payment systme was acting like an illegal monopoly. So now, in order to comply with this decision, Google is rolling out some pretty big changes to the Play Store in the US.

Developers will now be able to inform their users about a better deal outside of the Play Store. Essentially, a game developer could say that this in-app purchase will cost $15 through Google Play, or $10 through their own website and payment provider. They can even share a direct download link for the app and bypass the Play Store altogether.

To ensure compliance with the injunction as of October 29, 2025, we have made the following changes for apps when serving users in the United States:

Google will not prohibit a developer from communicating with users about the availability or pricing of an app outside the Google Play Store, and will not prohibit a developer from providing a link to download the app outside the Google Play Store or link to transactions.

Google will not require the use of Google Play Billing in apps distributed on the Google Play Store, or prohibit the use of in-app payment methods other than Google Play Billing. Google will not prohibit a developer from communicating with users about the availability of a payment method other than Google Play Billing. Google will not require a developer to set a price based on whether Google Play Billing is used.

More changes are on the way

According to Google, there will be more changes to the Play Store in the near future. Sharing that more program requirements and business model changes to preserve user trust and safety in the ecosystem will be made soon.

Google could decide to take a page out of Apples playbook and make some absurd new restrictions that would make the freedom less attractive for developers and users. But well have to wait and see how those trickle down.

For now, these changes only affect the US Play Store. And that will likely remain the case until courts in other countries force Google to make these changes.
A legal battle involving the Google Play Store has been going on for some time now. Now, we finally have a major victory for app developers and Android users in the United States. Following a multi-year legal saga with Epic Games (the creator of Fortnite), Google has been forced to open up its ecosystem, ending a practice that has defined the Play Store for years. Effective immediately for users in the United States, the strict requirement that app developers must exclusively use Google Play Billing (GPB) for in-app purchases is over, allowing third-party payment solutions.

You can now bypass Google Play Billing for cheaper in-app purchases

This big change is the result of an injunction issued by a US District Court. The Mountain View giant just updated its Google Play policies to comply with the ruling as of October 29, 2025. Previously, the company had argued the mandatory billing system was necessary to preserve user trust and safety.

The new policies grant developers two key freedoms that shift power away from Google. Developers no longer have to use Google Play Billing for transactions in their apps. They can now implement their own payment systems. This way, they can bypass the substantial commission (often referred to as the Google Tax) that the platform historically collected.

Furthermore, developers gain the right to communicate with users about options outside of the Play Store. Google will not prohibit a developer from providing a link to external transactions or even linking to where the app can be downloaded outside the Play Store. Plus, a developer can now offer a lower price if the user chooses an alternative payment method. This gives them the power to pass savings directly to the consumer.

The fight is not over

This change promises competitive pricing for consumers in the US. However, the fight with the tech giant continues.

Google has made it clear that while it complies with the current injunction, it will continue to legally challenge the ruling. The firm recently attempted to have the Supreme Court hear its case and pause these changes, but that request was denied.

For now, these newfound freedoms are strictly limited to the United States while the court order remains in effect. Users and developers in the rest of the world must still comply with the old Google Play restrictions. Other countries will have to wait and see if this landmark US ruling eventually forces a global shift in policy.
In its Q3 earnings release, Samsung mentioned that it would introduce new form factor innovations in 2026. Which has many thinking that Samsung might be talking about its heavily rumored tri-fold device. The device was already shown off this week in a glass box at a summit in South Korea. So we have a general idea of what it looks like.

Like a lot of other new form factors weve seen at various trade shows, people were able to take photos, but were unable to touch or use the device. This is likely because the official announcement is set for next year. Somewhat surprisingly, Samsung is staying tight-lipped about this device.

The earnings release also says that the company will expand its AI leadership with form factor innovations and also expand AI smartphone sales. This likely means that we could see some other AI devices, maybe a wearable, or possibly the new AI glasses that Samsung teased at the Galaxy XR event a few weeks ago.

Samsung is in trouble

It likely doesnt look like it from a consumer perspective, but Samsung is in trouble. Their flagships arent selling as well as they used to. Of course, a big reason for that is the very minor upgrades weve been seeing year-over-year. And flagships are where Samsung sees the most profit  as does any other company.

Samsung is also seeing tough competition outside of the US from Chinese brands like vivo, OPPO, HONOR and many others. While Samsung still owns the US, and likely always will, its been hard to grow in other countries like China and India.

However, new form factors like a tri-fold could really boost Samsungs position. Obviously, a tri-fold is not going to be cheap. Weve seen estimates at over $3,000 for this device. To put it in perspective, Huaweis tri-fold Mate XT was priced at over $5,000 at one point, because demand was much higher than supply.

But the real question is, can this Samsung tri-fold make it onto our best Foldable smartphone list?
Households in England, Scotland and Wales owe a record high of 4.4 billion to suppliers in the UK (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The energy regulator, Ofgem, has unveiled a new relief scheme poised to write off as much as 500 million in household energy bill debt.

The watchdog stated its intention to "reset and reform" the nation's escalating energy debt, a burden that has contributed to increased pressure on domestic finances.

Under the existing price cap, an allowance of 52 is presently incorporated into annual household energy bills, designed to cover unpaid energy debts that ultimately require writing off.

This initiative is expected to address up to 500 million of historic debt accumulated during the recent energy crisis, potentially benefiting approximately 195,000 individuals.

The regulator confirmed that a final consultation on the first phase of its debt relief scheme is set to be published shortly.

Households in England, Scotland and Wales owe a record high of 4.4 billion to suppliers in the UK (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Figures published by Ofgem last month showed that the money owed to suppliers by households in England, Scotland and Wales surged to a new record high of 4.4 billion by the end of June.

The average debt for people who do not have a repayment plan with their provider currently stands at about 1,716 per household.

Ofgem said that in a worst case scenario, between 1.1 billion and 1.7 billion of historic debt, according to supplier estimates, is never paid and will be written off.

It comes only a day after MPs called on the regulator to pay down some of the energy debt bill through windfall profits on suppliers.

However, the cost of unpaid debts will continue to be covered by being reclaimed across all households bills.

Ofgem said it is pushing forward with proposals to bring the debt down and reform how these debts are managed in order to prevent it growing as high in future and therefore reducing the cost to all households.

Other proposals by Ofgem include plans to trial changes to the process households must follow when they move into a new property.

Charlotte Friel, director for retail pricing and systems at Ofgem, said: We know the growing amount of debt in the energy system is a significant challenge.

We must protect consumers by striking the right balance between making sure those that can pay are supported to do so, and targeting support at those who need it most.

These proposals will both directly reach households and relieve the burden of unmanageable debt, while also making changes to the way that debt is managed in the sector.

The first phase of the scheme, set to launch early next year, will focus on people in receipt of means-tested benefits with more than 100 of debt built up during the energy crisis.

It added that eligible households will be expected to make some contribution towards debts and current energy use, or work with debt advice charities if unable to make payments.
Americans are seriously hating Trumps decision to tear down the East Wing for a mammoth ballroom, poll finds

The majority of Americans hate that President Donald Trumps decision to tear down the White Houses East Wing to construct a 90,000-square-foot ballroom, according to a new poll.

The joint survey by ABC News, Ipsos and The Washington Post found that just 28 percent of U.S. adults support the demolition project, while 56 percent oppose it and 16 percent are undecided.

The poll shows sharp partisan divides as nearly 9 in 10 Democrats and roughly 6 in 10 independents oppose the ballroom decision, while only 2 in 10 Republicans disapprove of it.

Democrats also feel more strongly on the issue, with 78 percent strongly opposed versus 35 percent of Republicans strongly in favor.

The poll surveyed 2,725 adults online from October 24 to 28, with a plus or minus 1.9 percentage-point margin of error.

President Donald Trump said people are 'loving' his plan to demolish the White Houses East Wing and build a ballroom, even though a Post-ABC-Ipsos poll shows most Americans oppose it (Getty Images)

A separate Economist-YouGov poll found similar results, with 25 percent supporting and 61 percent opposing the project, paid for by $300 million in private donations from American businesses and individuals.

The White House said donors include Apple, Amazon, Google, and Palantir, along with wealthy individuals like Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman and crypto investors Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns the Post, which was involved in commissioning the poll.

While in Tokyo on Tuesday, Trump claimed his ballroom project is broadly popular.

People are loving it, he said, citing favourable editorials in the Post and New York Times.

The ballroom project gained attention and widespread criticism last week when demolition began, especially after Trump said in July that it "won't interfere with the current White House structure. The entire East Wing has since been knocked down, which was historically home to the first ladys office and other reception rooms.

Trump initially said any work on the ballroom wouldnt interfere with the White Houses structure. (Reuters)

Lawmakers and some conservatives criticized Trump for moving forward without federal review, while the administration defended the project as a privately funded, much-needed expansion.

Others argue that Trumps lavish ballroom renovation exemplifies glaringly misplaced priorities, advancing a costly personal project while millions face food insecurity amid the government shutdown.

Trump is appointing allies to boards overseeing the plan, which has grown from a $200 million, 650-person space to a $300 million, 1,000-person ballroom funded by some $350 million in private donations.

Officials are informally calling the planned event space The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom, ABC News reports. Though Trump has not confirmed a name, senior Trump officials told the outlet the name will likely stick.

The White House expects the ballroom project to be done well before 2029.

In a statement to The Independent, White House spokesman Davis Ingle said: President Trump is working 24/7 to Make America Great Again, including his historic beautification of the White House, at no taxpayer expense. These long-needed upgrades will benefit generations of future presidents and American visitors to the Peoples House.
Boris Johnsons intervention comes after Theresa May and John Major criticised the Conservative party for abandoning net zero policy. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

Boris Johnson has warned the Conservatives they will not win the next election by bashing the green agenda.

The former prime minister said he had not seen the Conservatives soaring in the polls as a result of saying what rubbish net zero is.

Johnsons intervention comes after Theresa May and John Major criticised the Tories for speaking out against net zero, making him the third former prime minister to step in on this issue.

Kemi Badenoch has committed the party to repealing the Climate Change Act and abandoning the commitment to reach net zero by 2050, arguing that the target threatens to bankrupt Britain.

Related: Kemi Badenoch vows to repeal Climate Change Act

The repeal of the act would remove the need to meet carbon budgets  ceilings, set for five-year periods, on the amount of greenhouse gas that can be emitted  and disband the Climate Change Committee  a watchdog that advises on how policies affect the UKs carbon footprint.

Badenoch said she would replace the act with an energy strategy that puts cheap and reliable energy as the foundation for economic growth first.

Speaking to the Smart Society Show podcast, Johnson said: Certainly in my party, its all about bashing the green agenda, and personally I dont think well get elected on that. I didnt see us soaring in the polls as a result of saying what rubbish net zero is. I didnt see a massive leap in support for the Conservatives.

As prime minister, Johnson backed Britains net zero targets and hosted the Cop26 summit in Glasgow four years ago, which resulted in an agreement to limit the use of unabated coal and a commitment to climate finance for developing countries.

Since being forced out of office, Johnson has said Russias invasion of Ukraine and the energy price spike that came after had been a big kick in the teeth that made it really tough for people like us to make the case for reducing CO 2 .

Outlining his support for net zero, Johnson said he had lost none of my zeal, and added: I still fundamentally believe that its the right thing to do, even if you cant get there as fast as we wanted to do.

Major, the former prime minister, told a Conservative party lunch on Tuesday that saying no to climate change fell outside the majority of public opinion. He also said the partys current approach to not only net zero but overseas aid and Europe seriously alienates most voters, accusing the Tories of a loss of pragmatism, tolerance and nuance.

We, as a party, are ourselves in part to blame for anxious people  turning to populist politicians, he said adding,  when our party says no to Europe, no to climate change, no to overseas aid  it falls out with the majority of public opinion.

Such policies may delight a minority of opinion, but not the broad mass of electors in our essentially tolerant and kindly nation: it seriously alienates many of them.

This loss of pragmatism, tolerance, nuance  call it what you will  has left many long-term Conservative supporters politically homeless  Whenever our party lurches too far to the right  or condemns moderate Conservatives  it pulls us further away from the traditional mass of our vote.

May told peers on Monday the move to scrap net zero targets was an extreme and unnecessary measure.
A British national accused of spying for Russia in Ukraine and preparing to carry out terrorist attacks has been arrested, Ukrainian prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Ukrainian officials alleged that the man, who they did not name, collaborated with Russias special services and agreed to sell military information in exchange for money.

The man, who has been detained in Kyiv at his temporary residence, was accused of unauthorised dissemination of information about the defence forces in conditions of martial law.

The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that it was aware of the reports and is in close contact with the Ukrainian authorities. Ukraines security service said the man was also preparing to carry out terrorist attacks.

The Briton appeared in a Ukrainian court this week and was detained without bail.

This is the first such case of a British national being accused of spying charges on Ukrainian soil.

Ukrainian officials said he initially travelled to Ukraine in 2024 to work as a military instructor, but then posted on pro-Russia forums online saying he was willing to sell information. He was then allegedly contacted by Russias secret police, the FSB.

The unnamed man has been detained without bail (Telegram/Office of the Ukraine Attorney General)

The occupiers provided him with instructions for making an improvised explosive device. They also sent him the coordinates of a weapons cache, from which he retrieved a pistol with two loaded magazines, the Security Service of Ukraine said in a statement, referring to Russia.

He has professional skills in fire and tactical training and had advertised his willingness to spy on various pro-Kremlin internet groups, the prosecutors said.

The Ukrainian prosecutors office said the British national stopped working as an instructor in September 2024 and moved to Ukraines port city of Odesa. He established contact with a representative of the Russian special service and agreed to provide military information for money, the statement added.

They said they have evidence showing that the British man transmitted sensitive military information to Russia in May 2025, including the location of Ukrainian units, photographs of training areas and information about military personnel that could lead to their identification.

He received $6,000 (4,541) for one task, the prosecutors said in a statement. A pre-trial investigation is being conducted by the investigators of the Security Service of Ukraine with operational support from counter-intelligence units.
Could Prince Andrew ever be prosecuted over his links to Jeffrey Epstein?

Prince Andrew is set to lose his royal titles in the latest chapter in his humiliating downfall.

The royal  once widely believed to be Queen Elizabeth IIs favourite child  had faced calls to step away from public life forever after harrowing details of the allegations against him were laid bare in Virginia Giuffres bombshell posthumous memoir.

The 65-year-old, who denies any wrongdoing, had also come under mounting pressure to give up his 30-bedroom royal mansion - which he will now leave - and start cooperating with the FBI in their investigation of the paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

The revelations have reignited calls for the Metropolitan Police to investigate the royal, after the force repeatedly declined to open a full inquiry into claims that he slept with Guiffre in London when she was 17.

The Met has looked into allegations relating to Andrew and Epsteins activities in London three times, and opted not to investigate.

Giuffres brother and sister-in-law, Sky and Amanda Roberts, said this month that if the Met refused to act, police watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) should review the decision. The IOPC has not received a referral on the issue, The Independent understands.

It has been more than 20 years since a member of the royal family faced a criminal investigation. Princess Anne was charged with an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act in 2002, after her dog bit two children in Windsor Great Park.

Prince Andrews links with Jeffrey Epstein remain under scrutiny following the revelations in Virginia Giuffres memoir (PA)

The Independent has reviewed what criminal allegations, if any, Andrew could face in Britain and the US.

Met Police looking into allegations of a bid to smear Giuffre

The Met Police have confirmed they are actively looking into fresh allegations that Andrew tried to use his police bodyguard to smear his accuser.

The Mail on Sunday claims to have seen leaked emails from 2011 in which Andrew said he had handed over Giuffres confidential social security number (SSN) and date of birth to his taxpayer-funded Met Police protection officer, apparently in a bid to dig up dirt on her.

Andrew reportedly wrote in an email to Ed Perkins, Queen Elizabeths deputy press secretary: It would also seem she has a criminal record in the [United] States. I have given her DoB [date of birth] and social security number for investigation with XXX, the on duty ppo [personal protection officer].

Giuffres family have said she does not have a criminal record, and it is not clear whether or not the bodyguard complied with the request.

The Mets former head of royal protection, Dai Davies, has urged the force to question the royal under caution if there is evidence that he abetted a police officer to commit the criminal offence of misconduct in public office.

It is time for Scotland Yard to launch a full criminal investigation into Prince Andrew, he told the Mail.

Asking a police officer to investigate an alleged victim is outside of their duties, whether that is calling the FBI, your mates in the US, or searching out themselves to find out whether someone has a criminal offence. That is, in my view, a criminal offence.

Prince Andrew pictured with Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell. The royal claimed that the image had been doctored (United States District Couty for the Southern District of New York)

According to legal experts, the allegations could also prompt a criminal investigation in the US. Under the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act, individuals who knowingly use, transfer, or possess another persons SSN with the intent to commit an illegal act can face a fine or a prison term in the most serious cases.

Spencer Kuvin, who represented nine victims of Epstein, told The Telegraph: Penalties for this crime are very severe and can be up to 15 years in prison.

He called for the FBI to immediately open an investigation into Andrews alleged use of Guiffres SSN, and to request an interview with the royal, adding: Both the US and British authorities should not protect this awful individual. The world should hold Andrew accountable and show everyone that justice matters.

However, the Met has not confirmed whether it has launched an official investigation, or what crime, if any, this could potentially involve. A spokesperson added: We are aware of media reporting and are actively looking into the claims made.

Family court and womens rights barrister Dr Charlotte Proudman said that the bodyguard claims, if true, would represent a deeply troubling abuse of power.

The idea that public resources could be used to discredit a victim of sexual exploitation reinforces why so many survivors feel unsafe coming forward, she told The Independent.

This is not only about individual conduct, but about the wider failure of institutions  including the police  to confront misogyny and hold the powerful to account.

Andrew accused of having sex with Giuffre

Giuffre, who took her own life in April this year, claims that she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times, including once in London. The prince has always vehemently denied the claims.

Andrew is mentioned a total of 88 times in Giuffres 400-page diary-style memoir Nobodys Girl, which was published on Tuesday.

In her book, Giuffre alleges that she was 17 and had been trafficked when she first slept with the royal while staying at Epsteins former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwells house in London. She says they had sex after a night at the Tramp nightclub  describing Andrew, then 41, as a bumbling dancer.

The next day, she claims, Maxwell told her: You did well, the prince had fun. Later, she claims, Epstein gave her $15,000 for servicing the man the tabloids called Randy Andy. Giuffre claims that she was sent to a bedroom to have sex with Andrew again a month later, when he was visiting Epsteins New York home.

Guiffre mentions Andrew 88 times in her posthumously published memoir (BBC/Panorama)

Giuffre wrote that she did not know exactly when shed had sex with Andrew for the third time, but that she had taken part in group sex with the royal and eight other young girls on Epsteins Caribbean island of Little Saint James, also referred to as Little Saint Jeffs by the billionaires friends.

In March 2022, Andrew paid Giuffre an undisclosed amount  estimated to be around $16m  to settle a civil lawsuit in the US, but he accepted no liability in relation to her allegations of sexual assault. She brought the case under the New York Child Victims Act, because it allowed her to raise allegations that would otherwise have fallen outside the statute of limitations in US law.

Given that one of the alleged assaults took place in London, the Met Police have come under pressure to investigate the matter.

The fact that Giuffre claims to have been 17 at the time does not in itself mean the incident was a crime, because the legal age of consent in the UK is 16. However, if it could be proved that Giuffre was a victim of sex trafficking, or that Andrew paid for the encounter, its possible that this could have criminal implications for the prince.

Former Met commissioner Cressida Dick claimed that no one is above the law when she promised to review documents from the civil suit Giuffre filed in 2021, but the force later confirmed that it was taking no further action against the prince.

It was the third time the Met had refused to launch an investigation. Issues police considered, according to Ms Dick, were whether there was evidence of a crime, and whether the UK was the right jurisdiction to deal with the case.

Dr Proudman called for the Met to reopen its investigation, adding that she believes the force has an entrenched problem with misogyny and a pattern of minimising violence against women and girls.

Pages in Guiffres memoir Nobodys Girl, in which the author details her allegations against Prince Andrew (AFP/Getty)

In light of further evidence that has now come to light in her book, it is difficult to understand why the Met have not reopened their investigation into Virginia Giuffres original allegations against Andrew, she said.

This is not just about one man or one case, it is about whether the police are prepared to confront their failures to protect women, especially when the accused is powerful. The investigation should be reopened so that survivors can have confidence that no one is above the law.

Andrew under pressure to help the FBI

Cabinet minister Peter Kyle on Tuesday urged Andrew to cooperate with the US authorities and give evidence about Epsteins crimes.

In 2020, a federal investigator accused Andrew of providing zero cooperation with the US inquiry into Epstein and his conspirators, despite having promised that he was willing to help when he stood down from public duties in 2019.

This week, business secretary Mr Kyle urged him to stick to his word, telling ITVs Good Morning Britain: I think anybody that has any information that could bring justice and information to victims of Jeffrey Epsteins crimes should be fully engaging with any of the authorities that are seeking to deliver that information and justice for the victims.

He added: Those victims must be first, and they must be central to how we discuss and debate any of these issues relating to the Jeffrey Epstein ... situation, and the crimes he committed. So of course, anybody, anywhere that has information that can deliver that justice should be sharing it openly.

I believe that Andrew, in the past, has said that he would cooperate, and I urge him to stick to his word on that.

Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick agreed that Andrew should give evidence to the US authorities about what he knew and what his involvement was in the scandal.

Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673)

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you
Ford recalls over 200,000 cars due to safety issues. Here are the vehicles impacted

Ford has recalled more than 200,000 vehicles, citing safety issues, according to a new announcement.

The automaker is recalling 6,909 Econoline vans over an inoperative defrosting and defogging system, and another 163,256 Bronco SUVs were recalled due to front seats with loose bolts.

Ford's recall also covers 56,841 Lincoln and Explorer vehicles due to air bubbles in the windshields of some vehicles. The company said it would replace the faulty parts free of charge.

On Wednesday, Ford also issued a warning for more than 175,000 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs and F-Series pickup trucks over moonroof deflectors that may detach.

Drivers whose deflectors are loose or detaching may notice more wind noise or rattling when the moonroof is open, as the deflectors are intended to reduce those sounds. According to the warning, Ford has received two reports of drivers who have been struck by detached deflectors.

A vehicle assembly technician works on a 2025 Ford Expedition. Ford recalled more than 200,000 vehicles Thursday, citing safety concerns (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Ford has issued numerous recalls this year, making it the most frequently recalled automaker in the U.S. this year. Earlier this year, the company issued a recall for Ford and Lincoln vehicles with a backup camera issue that causes the backup screen to malfunction while vehicles are moving in reverse.

That recall covered 1.4 million vehicles, including Explorer, Taurus, C-Max, Escape, Flex, Fusion, Fiesta, Mustang, Lincoln MKZ and MKT models.

The October 13 recall noting the camera issue said that images on the backup camera screen might become fuzzy, may flicker, or may go entirely black while drivers are reversing.

Owners whose vehicles are listed under the recall are advised to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the camera swapped out for free.

Ford attributed the malfunction to an unauthorized change made by a supplier producing the circuit board that reduced contact force and led to corrosion of the board's connections, according to the New York Post.

On October 17, Ford also recalled nearly 625,000 vehicles over faulty seatbelt anchor cables and camera display issues in its 2015-2017 Mustang models and 2020-2022 Super Duty trucks.

Owners can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website to input their Vehicle Identification Numbers to determine if their cars are included in any of the recalls.
Octogenarian in E China's Anhui embraces modern technology to assist with family farming

Xinhua) 09:40, October 30, 2025

Dai Shuying (L) operates a plant protection drone under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 23, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Accompanied by Wang, she also promotes and sells agricultural products such as rice and oil through live streaming, and enjoys shooting videos with him. Watching the interaction between them during the live streaming on the mobile phone is a happy time for the whole family.

Dai Shuying (R) and her grandson Wang Tiantian change the battery for a plant protection drone in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 23, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Dai Shuying walks home with picked vegetables in the fields in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 22, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Dai Shuying (R) watches short videos with her grandson Wang Tiantian in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 22, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)

Wang Tiantian (L) puts on a microphone for Dai Shuying before shooting a short video together in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 23, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)

Dai Shuying looks at her family members (not in the picture) working in the fields in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 22, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)

Dai Shuying (L) and her grandson Wang Tiantian view comments while promoting agricultural products via live streaming in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 22, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)

Dai Shuying poses for photos with a plant protection drone in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 23, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)

Dai Shuying (L) and her grandson Wang Tiantian promote agricultural products via live streaming in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 22, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Dai Shuying (R) and her grandson Wang Tiantian pose for photos with a plant protection drone in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 23, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Dai Shuying works in the fields in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 22, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Dai Shuying (L) and her grandson Wang Tiantian check the flight route of a plant protection drone on the remote control in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 23, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

A drone photo shows Dai Shuying (front) operating a plant protection drone under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 23, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Dai Shuying feeds poultry in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 22, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)

Wang Tiantian packs their own brand of rice before sending them to customers who placed orders via live streaming at their shop in Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 23, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Du Xiaoyi)

Dai Shuying (L) and her grandson Wang Tiantian promote agricultural products via live streaming in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 22, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Wang Tiantian (L) and Dai Shuying shoot a short video in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 23, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Dai Shuying (R) operates a plant protection drone under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 23, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Dai Shuying (R) and her grandson Wang Tiantian promote agricultural products via live streaming in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 22, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Dai Shuying (L) and her grandson Wang Tiantian promote agricultural products via live streaming in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 22, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Dai Shuying picks vegetables in a vegetable garden in Laomei Village of Xindu Town, Tongcheng City, east China's Anhui Province, Oct. 22, 2025. The 82-year-old Dai Shuying lives with her eldest son and grandson in Laomei Village. Although she doesn't do much farm work now, she occasionally uses a drone to help to spray pesticides and fertilizers for the corps under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

(Web editor: Huang Kechao, Liang Jun)
Youngsters are shaking up a traditional turkey Christmas dinner by having pizza, curry or pasta instead.

Pizza

They want to have simple food to avoid stressing in the kitchen, as well as time, cooking the meat, roast potatoes, stuffing, Yorkshire puddings, carrots, broccoli, and more of the festive meal additions.

According to Tesco's festive trends research, 23 per cent of Brits pick chips as their favourite side, as opposed to pigs in blankets.

Coleen Brooke, 23, from Manchester, is quoted by the Daily Star newspaper as saying: "[I like] serving up what people actually like - pizza, curry, fried chicken and cheese-loaded fries, with cheesecake and ice cream for pudding.

"I'm not sure my parents will be impressed."

However, 52 per cent of adults plan to cook a traditional turkey Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

Ashwin Prasad, Tesco boss, said: "This year, many people will be experimenting with what they'll be serving and going beyond turkey."
Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has heavily criticised Gavin Newsoms redistricting plans

Gavin Newsom is behaving just as badly as Donald Trump, Arnold Schwarzenegger has suggested.

The Terminator star, who was the last Republican governor of California, hit out at Mr Newsoms plans to redraw congressional districts to boost the Democrats in next years mid-term elections.

Mr Newsom, the current California governor, claims his hand was forced by Mr Trumps push to gerrymander seats in states such as Texas to maintain Republican control of the House of Representatives.

Schwarzenegger has become a leading figure in the campaign against Mr Newsoms plans, which will be put to a public vote known as Proposition 50 on Tuesday.

It doesnt make any sense to me that because we have to fight Trump [we] become Trump, the film star told The Wall Street Journal.

Gavin Newsom plans to redraw congressional districts to boost the Democrats in next years mid-term elections - Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

I mean, two bad behaviours dont make a right.

As governor, Schwarzenegger backed moves to transfer responsibility for Californias congressional boundaries from its politicians to an independent commission.

The policy was subsequently adopted by 10 states, including Colorado and Michigan.

In August, Mr Newsom visited his predecessor in Los Angeles to brief him on his plan to redraw the five Republican-leaning districts to favour Democrats.

Schwarzenegger said their meeting was a courtesy, because Im largely responsible [for the fact] that we have that independent commission.

Gavin Newsom is behaving just as badly as Donald Trump, Arnold Schwarzenegger has suggested - MANDEL NGAN/AFP

I said I dont agree with him on that, but lets keep it civilised, whichever way the people go, he added.

Mr Newsom has claimed his plans will defend our democracy after Mr Trump urged Republicans to secure additional seats via redistricting. His call has been taken up by states such as Texas and Missouri.

A poll by the Public Policy Institute of California showed some 56 per cent of voters planned to support Proposition 50 next week.

Despite Californias legacy of non-partisan districting, the well-funded Yes to 50 campaign has cut through by capitalising on opposition to Mr Trump in the state, where the president is broadly unpopular.

The fight has also further raised the profile of Mr Newsom, who is considered a frontrunner to claim the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination.

The California governor has deliberately played into comparisons with Mr Trump, making social media posts that ape the presidents rhetoric and echo his personal attacks on political opponents.

Currently, analysis from Princeton University shows neither party has a partisan advantage in California, which would inevitably change under Mr Newsoms plans.

Other states are heavily gerrymandered, the analysis concludes, such as Illinois, which favours the Democrats, or Florida, which is skewed towards the Republicans.
Donnacha OBrien could prove a thorn in his fathers quest for a record-breaking 29 Group One winners when Havana Anna rematches her Cheveley Park Stakes conqueror True Love in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on Friday.

Aidan OBrien stands three short of equalling his own record for top-level winners in a calendar year and has the chance to start the two-day meeting with a real bang when his exceptional daughter of No Nay Never drops back to her Royal Ascot-winning distance in Del Mar.

However, his son will play his ace card in the Del Mar feature, as he attempts to break his duck at the Breeders Cup.

I think dropping back to the five (furlongs) will suit her, were drawn a little bit wider than ideal but I think she will like the track and the trip so were hopeful of a big run, he said.

Well just have to see how the race plays out and I dont think its a track where you can take back, so wherever she jumps is where she will end up. It will just be a case of keeping it simple and leaving it up to Gavin (Ryan, jockey).

Shes got loads of speed in comparison to the other European runners. Obviously the Americans are a bit faster than us in general, but she should have enough pace to travel in behind the leaders and well see what happens after that.

I think on form shes got the best chance of the three I send over.

Joining True Love in the race from Ballydoyle is Middle Park and Cornwallis runner-up Brussels, as well as recent British Champions Day hero Mission Central, while British interest is provided by Charlie Applebys Military Code and James Owens first ever Breeders Cup runner Aspect Island, who will be one of Frankie Dettoris final rides in America.

The pace looks sure to be provided by chief US hope Schwarzenegger who bids to give Wesley Ward his fourth victory in a race he has made his own since its inception, while he could also possess the chief threat to Gstaad in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf when unleashing the exciting Outfielder, who is owned by Amo Racing and former Major League Baseball star Jayson Werth.

Gstaad sets the standard in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf (John Walton/PA)

So impressive in the Coventry Stakes, Gstaad  who has hit the crossbar in three consecutive Group Ones since  will attempt to give OBrien his fourth straight success in the one-mile contest, but Outfielders rider David Egan is backing his charge to bridge the near three-length deficit from when they clashed in the Prix Morny now locking horns again over an extra two furlongs.

Egan said: Hes an exciting horse to get on stretching out to a mile. He was only beaten three lengths in the Morny and Gstaad and the Middle Park winner Wise Approach were only narrowly in front of him and have done great things since.

Hes a horse Wesley has a lot of confidence in and he knows the Breeders Cup as well as anyone.

Hes posted a great barrier (stall) in three and he has obviously got plenty of speed, but at the same time I think stepping out to a mile can only be a plus.

Hes by Speightstown and a long-striding horse as you saw in Deauville and he wasnt stopping over a well-run six furlongs there, so I think a two-turn mile wont be a problem for him.

Ardisia has been a consistent performer for Hugo Palmer (Andrew Mathews/PA)

Also preparing to take a shot at Dewhurst runner-up Gstaad is Hugo Palmers Ardisia having narrowly failed to reel in one of Gstaads stablemates at Ascot recently.

Hes a remarkable horse and he has just got better with every run, said Palmer.

He has come out of Ascot very well and seems to be in the form of his life.

I felt that if there was another 100 metres at Ascot he would have probably won and of course its different horses and a different track in America, but that run gave us real hope that he will stay a sharp mile round Del Mar.

Hell need luck on the day, but that applies to every horse that runs at the Breeders Cup.

Precise had the wow factor at Newmarket (Joe Giddens/PA)

Arguably the best Coolmore representative on the opening night in California is facile Fillies Mile scorer Precise who searches for her third top-table success when rounding off her phenomenal campaign in the John Deere Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

It is the home team who send out the pick of the opposition, but OBrien senior  who describes Precise as looking like something we never had before  will have to be wary of his offspring once again, with eldest son Joseph OBrien saddling Group Three winner Queen Of Hawaii and Donnachas second runner of the night being Balantina.

The latter has been butting heads with some of the best two-year-old fillies around all season and her handler feels she is capable of outrunning her forecast price.

If you take out her last run on ground that was probably too slow for her, her form is really strong, said OBrien.

Balantina has some smart form (Niall Carson/PA)

I think the trip on this ground will suit her really well and Im hoping shes a filly that will run really well and certainly outrun her odds.

Also in the mix is Andrew Baldings May Hill Stakes runner-up Pacific Mission who could prove aptly named ahead of her run where the surf meets the turf.

Pacific Mission has pleased me and I thought her run in the May Hill was very good, but the main reason in coming here after being invited was how well she was working, said Balding.

Unfortunately shes drawn wide and its her first time round a bend. Precise is drawn wide as well, but I just hope its actually a true-run race and that stamina comes into play.
A Houston woman who raised more than $42,000 through GoFundMe, claiming a man threw a brick at her head, has been sentenced to 10 years of probation for theft after she spent the money on spas, restaurants, rideshares, and vacations to New York City and Jamaica.

During sentencing, Roda Osman, 35, was told to calm down repeatedly after a Harris County jury returned a guilty verdict after two and a half hours of deliberations on Wednesday.

The man she falsely accused of hitting her with a brick, Olan Douglas, told KPRC 2 News on Wednesday evening he was happy about the outcome, which includes Osman having to serve 90 days in jail and fully pay back the stolen money.

Roda Osman, 35, was found guilty of theft after claiming a man threw a brick at her head and raised $42,000 (GoFundMe)

Thats crazy, thats wonderful, Douglas said on Wednesday evening. Usually nothing happens. Im very much happy.

The case had generated so much publicity that when Osman was first charged in 2024, Douglas came forward to tell KPRC 2 News his side of the story, telling the station that he received death threats for a crime he did not commit.

Its the hardest thing to do, is to not say anything when the whole world is saying something about you, he said. It caused people who I thought really knew me to kind of betray me.

On 3 September 2023, a call was made to the police about an aggravated assault incident outside a club in Houston. When officers arrived at the scene, they found an "intoxicated, hostile and irate Osman, who was with her friend.

Osman told the cops that the man, whom she believed to have been her Uber driver, threw a brick at her head when she refused to give him her phone number.

The then 33-year-old added that after she got in the car with her driver, he tried to kidnap her, as she went on to accuse him of being involved in human trafficking, as he had a group of women in the car.

After the incident, Osman went live on Instagram speaking about being hit with a brick. The video quickly went viral.

When the detective tried to contact Osman, they discovered that the number she had provided belonged to her friend. The friend explained that she and Osman had gone to several clubs on the night in question, and they had a lot to drink.

After visiting the final club, the duo got into a car when the friend heard Osman yell, Ouch, why you hit me?

Roda Osman was found guilty of theft (Harris County Jail)

After speaking with the friend, the police called Osman, she said the man hit her in the face with a brick and did her own investigation to find his identity, accusing Doulgas of the alleged crime.

However, when the police reviewed the surveillance footage, they saw Osman, her friend, and Douglas enter the club together before leaving 20 minutes later. The trio entered a car but got out a few minutes later.

The video then shows Osman and Douglas in the middle of a verbal argument before she swung her right hand while holding an unknown object, hitting Douglas in the face.

He then responded by swinging his right hand while holding a plastic water bottle, striking her in the face.

After Osman went live on Instagram, a friend created a GoFundMe page on her behalf. About $42,000 was raised after she claimed she was attacked by a Black man when she refused to give her phone number.

During the trial, bank records revealed that all the donated money had been spent. Harris County prosecutor Keith Houston stated that the documents revealed expenditures on restaurants, spas, rideshares, and trips to Jamaica and New York.

Houston told KPRC 2 it was unclear what happened to Osmans face, but said the leading theory is she hit her head on the car door frame.

The 35-year-old was taken into custody to begin serving her 90-day sentence. She was also given a $50,000 appeal bond, and if posted, the probation sentence and conditions would be suspended until that process was complete.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker appealed to Trump administration officials overseeing federal immigration operations in Chicago, asking them to pause their activities to give children and families a break to celebrate Halloween.

Pritzker, who has been consistently pushing back against the administrations federal presence in Illinois, told reporters that he has asked Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and the Department of Homeland Security to pause all of their federal agents operations for the entirety of the Halloween weekend.

The Department of Homeland Security claims their highest priority is to protect children, so today I have to ask them, please live up to those ideals, Pritzker said in a press conference.

Your operation has sown fear and division and chaos among law-abiding residents in our communities. If you are unwilling to cease operations and leave our city, can we at least agree that our children should not be victims, especially on Halloween? Pritzker asked.

Speaking directly to Gregory Bovino, the chief Border Patrol and Customs agent overseeing operations in Chicago, Pritzker said there is no imminent threat that should disrupt the holiday for trick-or-treaters  citing recent incidents in which children were present while agents dispensed teargas.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have descended upon Chicago to carry-out Trumps mass deportation agenda, though the states governor is asking for a pause during the Halloween weekend. (Getty Images)

Border Patrol has taken an increasingly larger role in immigration operations in Chicago, some of which have been subject to scrutiny. In court filings, lawyers have accused agents of indiscriminately deploying tear gas into neighborhoods and aggressively detaining people  including protesters.

A judge had initially asked Bovino to return to court every day to provide updates and turn over body camera footage to ensure agents were complying with guidelines. However, an appeals court paused that order.

In response to Pritzker, Secretary Noem said the department was absolutely not willing to pause any enforcement, claiming it was keeping cities and children safer. She told Fox News that not only would the activities continue, but they would increase.

The fact that Governor Pritzker is asking for that is shameful and I think unfortunate that he does not recognize how important the work that we do is, Noem said.

The operation, known as Midway Blitz, is part of Trumps mass deportation agenda. Hundreds of federal agents descended upon Chicago in September to begin conducting arrests for undocumented immigrants, many of whom the administration has characterized as criminals.

Pritzker claims federal agents are stoking fear in Illinois communities by using aggressive tactics to control protests and conduct mass arrests. (REUTERS)

The administration asserts that they are removing the worst of the worst, but Pritzker and other Illinois leaders refute that.

During a Thursday press conference, Pritzker gave examples of the so-called worst of the worst including the father of a teenager battling cancer and the parents of three children who were reportedly left alone.

Pritzker asked that federal law enforcement suspend its activities from October 31 through November 2, particularly around homes, schools, hospitals, parks and other community gathering locations where Halloween celebrations are taking place.

I honestly cant even believe that I have to make this plea. This is not the America I know, Pritzker added.
The Illinois governor, JB Pritzker: Please let children be children for one holiday, free from intimidation and fear. Photograph: Rod Lamkey/AP

JB Pritzker, the governor of Illinois, has urged the Trump administration to suspend its immigration crackdown in his state from Friday to Sunday, to allow children to spend Halloween weekend without fear.

In a letter addressed to the homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, and the heads of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Pritzker said federal agents were ignoring their duty to protect the public and uphold the constitution by conducting raids and arrests in line with the US presidents mass deportation agenda. The Democrat said such raids had endangered the lives of innocent community members and traumatized children.

Pritzkers letter, which was obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times and Politico, came as a federal appeals court blocked an order which would have required a senior border patrol official to give daily briefings to a judge about immigration sweeps in Chicago.

In his appeal, Pritzker noted that border patrol agents reportedly used teargas to disrupt a Halloween parade last weekend. If this happened as reported, it would have been in direct violation of statements and directives from your administration, Pritzker said.

Related: Illinois warns immigration officers tampering with license plates is illegal

The governor wrote: Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear. No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick or treating in their own neighborhood.

He added: Illinois children should not be robbed of their innocence. Let them enjoy a time-honored American tradition safely and peacefully. Please let children be children for one holiday, free from intimidation and fear.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tricia McLaughlin, the DHS assistant secretary, later said: Once again Governor Pritzker is going out of his way to smear the law enforcement officers of DHS, who are attempting to clean up the rampant crime he facilitated. He is pushing a false narrative that DHS is targeting schools, hospitals and churches. This is false, he knows this, but he continues to push these lies.

She added: Our officers are facing mass assaults, vehicles used as weapons, violence, and only use crowd control methods as a last resort when repeated warnings have been given. Those who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear.

ABC News reported that agents from the border patrol, which is increasingly taking on a larger role in Trumps immigration crackdown, converged at a childrens Halloween parade in Irving Park, in north-west Chicago, last Saturday. ABC said it had reviewed video footage which showed agents deploying tear gas and tackling and arresting several people, including US citizens, outside homes decked out in Halloween decorations.

On Wednesday the seventh US circuit court of appeals blocked an order by US district judge Sara Ellis which ordered Gregory Bovino, a senior border patrol official leading the Trump administrations immigration crackdown in Chicago, to appear in federal court daily to report on crackdowns and arrests.

In a hearing on Tuesday, Ellis told Bovino: Kids dressed in Halloween costumes walking to a parade do not pose an immediate threat to the safety of a law enforcement officer. They just dont. And you cant use riot control weapons against them.

Over the last two months border patrol agents have carried out more arrests in Chicago than ICE, CBS News reported on Wednesday.

The government is falling well short of its targets on immigration. Earlier this year, Stephen Miller  Donald Trumps deputy chief of staff  gave ICE a target of arresting 3,000 people every day. But as of late September, the agency on average was arresting 1,178 daily, NBC reported.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
A seaside neighbourhood in Essex, part of the parliamentary constituency represented by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, has once again been named the most deprived in England.

The latest official data shows that an area of the coastal village of Jaywick, close to the town of Clacton-on-Sea in the local authority of Tendring, has been classed the most deprived neighbourhood for the fourth time in a row.

Areas of Blackpool again make up most of the rest of the top 10, along with new appearances for neighbourhoods in Hastings and Rotherham.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage giving a speech at Clacton Pier (Ian West/PA)

Thursdays data, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), presented relative levels of deprivation in areas or neighbourhoods of England in 2025.

Jaywick had previously topped the list in the 2019, 2015 and 2010 publications.

Mr Farage was elected MP for Clacton in July 2024.

Jaywick received international coverage in 2018 after it was used in a US election campaign advert, with a bleak picture of the area, showing unpaved roads and dilapidated homes, to warn voters about the consequences of not backing Donald Trump ahead of midterm elections in the US.

The latest data highlights the scale of the challenge but does not reflect the progress made since 2019 or the strength of the people who call Jaywick Sands home, according to a statement on the Tendring District Council website.

Council leader Mark Stephenson said: Jaywick Sands is a truly special place  full of heart, pride and real community spirit.

Together with local residents, weve made real progress and have a bold plan to go even further. But we cannot do this alone  we need Government to do its part.

Were calling for 100 million of national flood funding to be allocated to Jaywick Sands, and for a cross-departmental taskforce to help resolve the policy barriers that hold our community back.

Jaywick Sands deserves a future that matches its spirit  and were ready to work with residents, national government, and the new Essex Mayor from 2026, to make that happen.

MHCLG said Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Hartlepool, Kingston upon Hull and Manchester are the local authority districts with the highest proportions of neighbourhoods among the most deprived in England.

The London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Hackney were the most deprived in terms of income deprivation affecting children.

Both boroughs, as well as three other London boroughs of Newham, Islington and Southwark ranked as the most deprived regarding income deprivation affecting older people, the department said.
Vice President JD Vance was confronted at a Turning Point USA event Wednesday night as he called for a slowdown in legal immigration.

Speaking to students at the University of Mississippi on immigration, Vance said, We have to get the overall numbers way, way down.

While Vance didnt provide an exact number of legal immigrants he thinks should be admitted into the U.S., he said its far less than what weve been accepting.

One woman in the audience probed Vance on his stance on legal immigration.

And when you talk about too many immigrants here, when did you guys decide that number? Why did you sell us a dream? the woman asked.

How can you as a vice president stand there and say that We have too many of them now, and we are going to take them out to people who are here rightfully so by paying the money that you guys asked us? You gave us the path and now how can you stop it and tell us we dont belong here anymore?

Vice President JD Vance was confronted at a Turning Point USA event Wednesday night as he called for a slowdown in legal immigration (Jonathan Ernst/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Vance then shifted the focus to illegal immigration.

I can believe that we should have lower immigration levels, but if the United States passed a law and made a promise to somebody, the United States, of course, has to honor that promise. Nobodys talking about that.

Im talking about people who came in, in violation of the laws of the United States of America. And Im talking about in the future, reducing the number of people, Vance said.

The vice president later added: We cannot have an immigration policy where what was good for the country 50 or 60 years ago binds the country inevitably for the future. Theres too many people who wanna come to the United States America, and my job as vice president is not to look out for the interests of the whole world. Its to look out for the people of the United States.

The Trump administrations hardline stance on illegal immigration has been front and center as federal agents carry out President Donald Trumps mass deportation effort through ICE raids across the country. But the Trump administration has also curbed legal immigration.

In August, the State Department told the BBC it had revoked more than 6,000 international student visas, claiming it was due to violations of U.S. law and overstays, which is when immigrants stay in the U.S. longer than their visa permits. The vast majority of the alleged violations were assault, driving under the influence, burglary and "support for terrorism, the department said.
John MacKay has announced he will leave STV after more than 30 years at the company.

The veteran broadcaster, one of the best-known journalists in the country, will leave in March 2026.

Mr MacKay joined STV in 1994 as a reporter on its evening news programme and was promoted to co-anchor in 1998.

John MacKay is to step down as STV presenter after more than 30 years https://t.co/qeGxtTdqOv pic.twitter.com/VU0vSBdPTR  STV (@WeAreSTV) October 30, 2025

Mr MacKay said he would focus on his writing career following the success of his novel The Road Dance, which was adapted into a film. He said a sequel is set for production next year.

His departure comes as STV looks to cut 60 jobs and scrap its dedicated programme in the north of Scotland. It is understood about half of the total will be met voluntarily.

The announcement has been met with anger across the political spectrum over the scale of the cuts and the impact on local news.

Announcing the decision to leave, Mr MacKay said: It has been a privilege to bring Scotlands most popular news programme into so many homes for so long.

Scotland has changed dramatically over the last three decades and I am proud to have been part of the STV News teams reporting on that transformation.

Writing has always been an enjoyable diversion for me and I feel the time is now right to develop that further.

Following the success of my film The Road Dance, I have written a script for a sequel and we are hopeful of that going into production next year.

In addition, there is the possibility of a TV adaptation of another of my novels and I am researching a new book. These projects will require my full commitment.

I know I leave STV News in the capable hands of my colleagues to deliver the news programme our viewers value so much.

STV is looking to cut 60 roles (Alamy/PA)

Mr MacKay has been a mainstay on the nations televisions for years and currently presents STV News At Six, the most watched news programme in the country, alongside Kelly-Ann Woodland, as well as the current affairs programme Scotland Tonight alongside Rona Dougall.

Bobby Hain, STVs managing director of audience (news, audio and regulatory), said: John is one of Scotlands best-loved and well-known presenters and were incredibly proud that hes been part of our channel for over 30 years.

He is an exceptional presenter and journalist, with an outstanding professionalism and commitment to delivering high-quality news for viewers throughout his career.

I know that I speak on behalf of everyone at STV when I say that he will be very much missed when he leaves us next year.

Id like to thank him for his commitment to STV over the past 31 years and wish him all the best with his next chapter.

STV is looking to save 2.5 million by next year, it was announced in September, after it reported a 200,000 loss in the first half of 2025.

The company previously said the decision to make cuts was made with the aim to protect our news service.

Earlier in the week, National Union of Journalists official Nick McGowan-Lowe told the Scottish Affairs Committee that he was told by a senior member of staff at STV News that the cuts were viewed as the nuclear option.

The companys chief executive, Rufus Radcliffe, rejected that claim, saying to the Westminster committee: This is not the nuclear option  this is about protecting regional news and coming up with a news proposition for all viewers, whether they choose to watch in broadcast or in digital.
Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet is to narrate a Prime Video documentary about the Kings commitment to bring nature and humanity into harmony.

Finding Harmony: A Kings Vision, due for release in early 2026, will highlight the work of The Kings Foundation, a charity founded by Charles in 1990.

Winslet said: It is a both pleasure and a privilege to be a part of this film, which is a fascinating insight into the Kings work as an environmentalist.

Charles speaks to Kate Winslet during the Kings Foundation Awards ceremony at St Jamess Palace, London (Chris Ratcliffe/PA)

I share His Majestys passion for protecting our planet and building sustainable communities, so its been really rewarding to work with The Kings Foundation on this exciting project.

I know audiences will learn, laugh and feel inspired by whats featured in the film, and I hope the impact of Harmony will be felt in years to come.

The Titanic actress, 50, became an ambassador for The Kings Foundation earlier this year and attended the foundations awards ceremony at St Jamess Palace in June.

The TV and movie star is known for films including The Holiday (2006), The Reader (2008) and Revolutionary Road (2008)  and is also one of the stars of the forthcoming Avatar film Fire And Ash.

The documentary will focus on the Kings harmony philosophy, which sees everything in nature as interconnected, including ourselves, according to The Kings Foundation.

It will show how The Kings Foundation, which has its headquarters in Dumfries House in Ayrshire, Scotland, has embraced this approach through projects focusing on community regeneration, sustainable textiles and traditional skills.

Director Nicolas Brown said: Working with Kate Winslet on this film has been transformational.

She has the perfect blend of intellect and star power to tell this story like no one else could.

His Majesty King Charles III has lived such an incredible life, striving to bring humankind into harmony with the natural world for over half a century.

Meryl Streep, Sir David Beckham and Kate Winslet during the Kings Foundation Awards ceremony in June (Chris Ratcliffe/PA)

Its an epic tale, full of drama, and Kate has turned it into a story that any one of us will relate to. We are so fortunate to have an artist of her calibre on the team.

Kristina Murrin, chief executive of The Kings Foundation, said: Through the film we hope that viewers will gain a better understanding of His Majestys Philosophy of Harmony, which is so central to our work at The Kings Foundation.

We are thrilled that Kate is a part of this journey with us and look forward to sharing the film with the world next year.

The film, produced by Passion Planet, will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide early next year.

Amazon last year produced the series A Very Royal Scandal  a dramatised retelling of the Kings brother, Prince Andrews disastrous Newsnight interview.
King Charles statement in full as Andrew is stripped of prince title and home

King Charles is stripping Prince Andrew of his titles and honours and evicting him from his royal residence.

A formal notice has been served on Andrew to surrender his lease at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

The Kings decision comes after growing pressure to oust Prince Andrew from the lodge over his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and allegations from Epstein victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre.

Read the Kings statement in full:

His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.

Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation.

Prince Andrew pictured last month (PA)

These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.

Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.

Andrew to move to private accommodation

Its understood that Prince Andrew will move to a property on the Sandringham Estate.

Any future accommodation will be privately funded by the King.

The developments required legal and constitutional expertise and support from the wider family to bring about.

The King initiated the process and Andrew did not object, it is understood.

The Government was consulted and made it clear it supports the decision as constitutionally proper.

The move will take place as soon as practicable and Andrew will receive an appropriate private provision from the King, it is understood.

Very sad state of affairs

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said it must have been very difficult for the King to strip his brother of his titles and Royal Lodge residence.

She told LBC Radio: Ive been following this story more about a family. Its a very sad state of affairs.

I think that the King has clearly felt that this is the right decision for the royal family. It must have been a very difficult thing for him to have done. I mean, having to do that to your own brother.

But the standards and expectations in society now are very high. People expect to see the very highest levels of integrity.

And Im afraid the whole Jeffrey Epstein saga and everyone it has touched, from Prince Andrew to Peter Mandelson, has just shown that the public has no truck whatsoever with any kind of sexual abuse, sexual offences, especially of minors. And I think that thats quite right.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has backed the King in his decision to remove Andrews titles.

He said: The King is absolutely right to strip Prince Andrew of both his titles and his residence at the Royal Lodge.

Its clear that Andrews position had become totally untenable, having disgraced his office and embarrassed the country.

This is an important step towards rebuilding trust in our institutions and drawing a line under this whole sorry saga.
Brad Pitt has accused Angelina Jolie of "persistent misdirection" in the court battle over their once-shared winery.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are still in dispute over their winery

The former couple - who separated in 2016 after 12 years together - have been locked in a legal battle over the French winery since the 50-year-old actress sold her stake in Miraval in 2021 and now the F1 actor has filed documents asking a judge to shut down her demand for $33,000 and to force his ex-wife to turn over a number of private emails she has previously refused to produce.

Brad is keen to see correspondence between Angelina and her business manager, Terry Bird, her British publicists, Chloe Dalton and Arminka Helic, and two financial consultants.

In documents obtained by Us Weekly magazine, the 61-year-old star highlighted that in her own declaration, Angelina had declared it was her routine practice to engage in lengthy conversations with her non-attorney business manager Terry Bird about essentially all aspects of [her] business and professional life including discussion about legal advice and proposed strategy at issue.

He added: What Jolie is describing here are brainstorming sessions between non-lawyers. The fact that these brainstorming sessions may have followed or preceded advice from a lawyer on the same general topic or a related topic does not shield them from [being turned over].

Brad argued the Maria actress has categorically withheld such communications, including the entirety of all but one of Birds internal communications discussing the terms of the sale of her interest in Chateau Miraval to the [third party]  the key transaction at issue in this litigation.

With the emails to her publicists, Brad said no lawyers were copied in and Angelina has yet to explain why the assistance of British image consultants was reasonably necessary to receive legal advice regarding the sale of the French home and winery she owned".

And after more than three years of litigation, he believes there are many missing emails and Angelina has " still produced only one internal email that even mentions the terms of the sale at the centre of this case.

The Moneyball star claimed his ex-wife had complained about him asking her to turn over the messages voluntarily for a review in court.

He said: "It is odd that Jolie has declined to do so, given that it would presumably be the easiest way to meet her burden to show that she has redacted only privileged legal advice.

Angelina has previously argued Brad wanted to see emails discussing legal matters with others and she didn't need to turn them over. She also requested he was sanctioned by the court and he pay her $33,000 to cover the legal fees involved in fighting the email demand.

Her lawyer said: Mr. Pitts reply brief does not address our arguments and continues to rely on conjecture and speculation  all for the purpose of invading her privileged communications with her lawyers. This once again confirms that this lawsuit is the manifestation of Mr. Pitts years-long effort to harass and control Angelina. We look forward to the upcoming hearing."

The Mr. and Mrs. Smith co-stars - who married in 2014 - finally finalised their divorce in December 2024 but are still in dispute over Chateau Miraval.

After Angelina sold her stake to Tenute del Mondo, the wine division of the Stoli Group, Brad filed a lawsuit in February 2022 alleging she had made the sale despite them having an agreement that neither would do so unless the other approved.

The Maleficent actress responded with a countersuit in September of that year, arguing the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor had been "waging a vindictive war against" her since she filed for divorce.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has apologised after she admitted to breaking housing rules. (Alamy) (Imageplotter)

The letting agent that handled the rental arrangements for Rachel Reeves' family home has apologised for an "oversight" after they did not apply for a licence on her behalf, having offered to do so.

Gareth Martin, owner of London letting agents Harvey & Wheeler, said the agent handling Reeves' property had offered to apply for a selective licence required by Southwark Council to rent out homes in some of their jurisdiction.

But before the tenancy began, the property manager suddenly resigned, and the rest of the business was unaware that the offer to handle the licence had been made.

The apology appears to remove direct blame from Reeves over the issue, which was first reported by the Daily Mail on Wednesday, 29 October.

On Thursday, 30 October, the chancellor admitted to breaking the housing rules of Southwark Council.

The property in East Dulwich, south London, was let for 3,200 a month through a letting agency after the chancellor moved into 11 Downing Street following Labours election victory last summer.

In a letter to Keir Starmer, Reeves apologised and described the breach as an "inadvertent error".

An exchange of letters between Starmer and Reeves revealed they had met to discuss the matter on the evening of Wednesday, 29 October.

A day later, Reeves published emails between her husband and the agency showing that Harvey Wheeler had agreed to apply for the licence, while telling the prime minister she accepted full responsibility for the matter.

The prime minister's spokesperson said Starmer had full confidence in the chancellor. Southwark Council has suggested it is unlikely to be fined over the breach.

What is a selective licence?

A selective licensing scheme is a local council initiative designed to raise standards in the private rented sector.

Landlords must apply for and obtain a licence before renting out properties in designated areas. This involves checks on property condition, management practices and tenant safety.

Rachel Reeves said she had made an inadvertent mistake. (Reuters) (Reuters / Reuters)

In Southwark, where Reeves home is located, selective licensing applies to most private rented properties not covered by mandatory house in multiple occupation (HMO) rules.

The licence costs around 945 and is valid for five years. Failure to comply is a criminal offence.

On 30 October, Southwark Council suggested enforcement action is reserved for landlords who ignore warning letters about not having a licence or keep a property in an unsafe condition, indicating Reeves is unlikely to be fined.

They said they would not comment on individual cases but added: When we become aware of an unlicensed property, we issue a warning letter advising the landlord that they have 21 days to apply for a licence  enforcement action such as fines are reserved for those who do not apply within that time or where a property is found to be in an unsafe condition."

What has the estate agent said?

Harvey & Wheeler letting agent owner Martin said: "Our clients would have been under the impression that a licence had been applied for. Although it is not our responsibility to apply, we did offer to help with this.

"We deeply regret the issue caused to our clients as they would have been under the impression that a licence had been applied for."

This would appear to tally with the chancellor's letter to Starmer, which read: Today the letting agency and my husband have found correspondence confirming that on 17 July 2024 the letting agent said to my husband that a selective licence would be required and agreed that the agency would apply for the licence on our behalf.

Screen grab taken of a email issued by Prime Minister's Press Office of emails between Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves' husband Nicholas Joicey and the letting agency Harvey & Wheeler showing the agency had agreed to apply for the licence to rent out her south London home. (PA) (Prime Minister's Press Office/PA Wire)

They have also confirmed today that they did not take that application forward, in part due to a member of staff leaving the organisation.

Nevertheless, as I said yesterday, I accept it was our responsibility to secure the licence. I also take responsibility for not finding this information yesterday and bringing it to your attention.

As I said to you today, I am sorry about this matter and accept full responsibility for it.

What has the prime minister said?

Starmer has firmly backed Reeves, with his spokesperson saying: "The prime minister has full confidence in the chancellor."

Before the announcement of the new emails, the prime minister reportedly told Reeves he had consulted his independent ethics adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, adding: "He has advised me that in relation to your inadvertent failure to secure the appropriate licence for your rental property  and in light of your prompt action to rectify the position, including your apology  further investigation is not necessary.

"The ministerial code makes clear that in certain circumstances, an apology is a sufficient resolution. It is important that all ministers are able to acknowledge where they consider themselves to have fallen below the standards expected of them.

"I am satisfied that this matter can be drawn to a close following your apology."

Magnus may decide to open an investigation following his review of the emails that came to light on 30 October.

Will Reeves resign?

While there was mounting political pressure on Reeves before the estate agent's apology, it is now very unlikely that she will resign.

The chancellor has already referred herself to the independent parliamentary adviser on ministerial interests, but Starmers endorsement significantly improves her chances of remaining in post.

Reeves has applied retrospectively for the licence and insists the letting agent should have flagged the requirement.

Keir Starmer has backed Rachel Reeves and ruled out any investigation. (Getty) (Nicola Tree via Getty Images)

Calls for her resignation may have initially been loud, but with an upcoming budget, it is unlikely she will either quit or be sacked so close to the governments announcement on its plans for the economy in the coming months.

Despite the lettings agency involved apologising, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the chancellor should still face an ethics probe.

"It's still your duty to make sure that something has been followed. They said that they didn't chase it up, but she was made aware, the family were made aware, that they had to follow those regulations," she told LBC.

The Tories suggested section 95 of the Housing Act 2004 meant Reeves was ultimately still responsible for getting the licence.

Do you need a licence to rent out your home?

No  but it depends on your location. There is no nationwide requirement to license a standard rental property in England.

However, more than 200 local authorities operate selective licensing schemes in specific neighbourhoods, often targeting high-deprivation or problem areas.

Landlords must check their councils website or the official government postcode checker.

Additional rules apply  HMOs with five or more occupants need a mandatory licence, and all rentals require gas safety certificates, an electrical installation condition report for electrical checks (EICR), an energy performance certificate (EPC) and deposit protection.

Penalties for unlicensed renting can include fines up to 30,000, prosecution, being placed on a rogue landlord database, and tenants reclaiming rent paid during the unlicensed period.
Theroux with Bobby Vylan in the Spotify studios - Millie Chu/PA

Louis Theroux has a distinguished career to look back on as an interviewer and documentary-maker. I have personally admired his work for a long time.

He is someone who most people in the street would recognise, particularly because of his work on our public broadcaster the BBC.

But I, and many others, cannot help wondering what has happened to the man. Many Jews have been deeply disturbed by Mr Therouxs interview with the frontman of Bob Vylan, the musician who chanted Death to the IDF and complained about working for a Zionist during a Glastonbury performance broadcast by the BBC and condemned as anti-Semitic by the Prime Minister.

Mr Theroux has interviewed many people with extreme views in the past and there is nothing wrong with doing so in principle.

What is shocking is the way he interviewed Bob Vylan and most particularly what Theroux chose to say himself during the interview. Much of the reaction to the podcast so far has focused on Vylans offensive and aggressive language, but many Jewish people are far more concerned with Therouxs own words.

I think Id add to that, Theroux said, that Jewish identity in the Jewish community, as expressed in Israel, has become almost like an acceptable quote, unquote way of understanding ethno-nationalism theyre prototyping an aggressive, militarised form of ethno-nationalism which is then rolled out, whether its by people like Viktor Orban in Hungary or Trump in the US. Its become sort of this certain sense of post-Holocaust Jewish exceptionalism or Zionist exceptionalism, has become a role model on the national stage for what these white identitarians would like to do in their own countries.

To claim that Jews have inspired modern ethno-nationalism around the world is not analysis. It is inversion. It echoes the oldest anti-Semitic trope of all: that Jews are at the centre of a global conspiracy and ultimately to blame for the worlds ills.

That such words were spoken by one of Britains once most respected broadcasters marks a new low in our cultural discourse. This is how anti-Semitism becomes mainstream, not through cranks on street corners but through influential voices who dress hostility up as nuance and pseudo-intellectualism.

In response, British Airways has now paused its sponsorship of the podcast. That decision deserves praise. But the question remains: how did we reach a point in Britain where Theroux and his production company believed that these views were acceptable public discourse?

Therouxs comments do not exist in isolation. They are part of a wider cultural drift, in which hatred of Jews has become the one form of bigotry that can still be excused, rationalised, or dressed up as intellectual critique.

Across British culture, the moral boundaries that once protected Jews from vilification are eroding. Again and again, institutions and individuals who proudly parade their anti-racist credentials fall silent when the victims are Jews. In too many spaces, anti-Semitism has become the one form of hatred that still earns a hearing.

Over the past two years, Britains Jewish community has warned of a growing normalisation of anti-Semitism in mainstream culture. What was once the language of extremists is now spoken comfortably in our cultural institutions and by mainstream celebrities.

That is why this moment matters. Louis Theroux was not some anonymous podcaster courting controversy; he is a central figure in our broadcasting tradition. To hear him describe Jewish identity as a prototype for white nationalism, to see him so openly flirt with anti-Semitic conspiracy theories should frighten us all.

The question is what happens now? Will the BBC cease to work with Theroux or will they turn a blind eye because it is easier and more convenient to do so? Do BBC executives really mean it when they say that anti-Semitism in any form is unacceptable? And will Netflix, Therouxs new partner, tolerate this and proudly feature him on their platform?

No one should look away when anti-Semitism attempts to hide behind sophistication. If we stay silent when anti-Semitism arrives wrapped in apparent respectability it will not stop with podcasts. It will spread further into our classrooms, our workplaces, and on to our streets.

Danny Cohen is a former director of BBC Television
How Love is Blind has become a cultural phenomenon of finding love across the globe

While jet-setting across the globe, Netflixs Love is Blind has managed to explore love in nearly a dozen different international adaptations.

In just five years, nine seasons have premiered in the U.S., the latest being in Denver, Colorado.

The shows premise challenges traditional ideas of love by focusing on emotional connections by dividing up contestants in the mens quarters and the womens quarters and only being able to date while sitting in pods, hearing each others voices.

Each season reflects the cultural nuances of its environs  be that Dallas or Japan.

Romance aside, the show hasn't been received purely as a fairytale. It's been subject to lawsuits over treatment of contestants and fans and critics alike note that internalized biases cannot be ignored  something that often rears its head when the engaged pairs finally meet each other, as what seemed to happen with one ruptured engagement on the most recent season.

Still, with international versions in Brazil, Japan, Sweden, the U.K., Mexico, the Middle East, Germany, Argentina and France  and Italy and the Netherlands to come  the show has found a formula to showcase different cultural norms and the many types of love that exist.

The duality  local authenticity plus global relatability  has allowed Love Is Blind to not just entertain, but to subtly shape how audiences think about love across the globe, says Brandon Riegg, Netflixs vice president of nonfiction series and sports.

Culturally conscious adaptations

From the reserved dynamics of Love is Blind: Japan to the bold emotions of Love is Blind: Brazil, Riegg says each adaptation is designed to fit cultural norms and expectations.

Just as importantly were drawn to regions with rich relationship dynamics and cultural nuances, since those stories create the most compelling adaptations, Riegg says.

When Love is Blind: Habibi  an adaptation primarily filmed in Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates and featuring participants from around the Arab world  was announced, some wondered how the show would portray traditionally conservative cultures, where marriage is a family affair. Participant Safa Al Juboori says she felt the show was ultimately thoughtful in honoring the cultural values of Arab societies, including modesty, separate living arrangements, no physical intimacy and family approval.

In fact, it echoes how our grandparents met  brief conversations, one meeting, then marriage, Al Juboori said. Its a modern twist on a deeply traditional concept.

Yet the show also created space for personal choice, Al Juboori said  something that's not always guaranteed with arranged marriages  creating what she calls a respectful blend of tradition and autonomy.

Love is Blind has had nearly a dozen global adaptations (Getty Images for Netflix)

Dallas Short, 37, has been watching Love is Blind since the beginning and says the international versions  many of which feature ethnically diverse casts, too  really show how love can transcend all.

I feel like you are seeing every race or religion and you see how we can all work together and find love, Short said.

Kristen Maldonado, 35, another longtime viewer, recently began watching the version set in Japan, another more conservative society. She was surprised that participants were more closed-off about meeting each other's families on camera and that more couples chose to end the experience earlier instead of making their families sit through a wedding where they were going to say no  something she feels does not happen as much in the U.S. version.

I thought that was really respectful, Maldonado said. It was cool to see, culturally, how different it was there than here.

On the other end of the scale, she says, is Brazil  where participants are intimate from the get-go.

In the Brazil one, like its so funny whenever they meet, the people  they immediately make out and youre like, Oh wow, Maldonado says.

Diversity and representation, an ongoing debate

Since the very first season aired in 2020, the fault lines of race and ethnicity have led to tensions between families and discourse among fans. During the Minneapolis season, online discourse centered on the lack of diversity  many a meme argued that the male contestants all looked the same.

Riegg said casting is intentionally inclusive, but ultimately participants  only a fraction leave the pods engaged  choose whom they connect with, looks unseen.

Taylor Krause, who married Garrett Josemans in the Washington, D.C.-set season, waited to disclose she was half-Asian. That choice drew some backlash from those who thought she should not hide her identity, but Krause says the show's premise gave her the opportunity to set race aside for a bit and have a more authentic experience.

I am a very proud Asian American woman, but Im also aware that my identity can sometimes be fetishized or stereotyped, says Krause, adding she's glad she made that call.

Laura Crompton, 43, watched the first season, set in Atlanta, when she lived in the United Kingdom. At first, she didnt understand why the relationship between Cameron Hamilton and Lauren Speed, an interracial couple, was a huge talking point  but after moving to Los Angeles, she had a better understanding of the role racial dynamics could play in a relationship in the U.S.

But even the U.K. version has proved that certain factors like ethnicity and religion cannot be ignored. Season 2, which aired in August, saw an engagement  and marriage  between Kal Pasha, who is half-Pakistani, and Sarover Aujla, who is of Indian descent. On the show, the couple discussed at length how historical religious and geopolitical tensions could affect their relationship. While their split was ultimately attributed to other reasons, Crompton realized such tensions existed in the U.K., too.

Friendship: The truest form of love?

The friendships forged on Love is Blind often take a backseat to the romantic relationships  but since not every couple ends up at the altar, the show has recently leaned into showing the participants' journey of self-discovery and friendship, Riegg says.

Expanding the lens of love to include those experiences makes the show feel more authentic and meaningful, Riegg says.

Alina Rothbauer from Love is Blind: Germany says the unique and intense premise led to friendships that made the experience easier, especially as participants had no contact with outside friends or family while in the pods.

Some of the friendships we built behind the scenes are still strong today, says Rothbauer, who married Ilias Pappas. Those friendships helped us stay grounded during filming.

Al Juboori said she wishes Love Is Blind: Habibi showed more of the friendships, as it was one of the most underrated parts of the experience.

The friendships, among the women and men, were powerful, she says. In a space so emotionally intense, friendships became a lifeline  and sometimes the purest form of love.

Queer love is blind

As the show's success grows, fans have been advocating for a queer version of the show. Riegg said while that is not in the works at the moment, Netflix is always considering new ways to reflect the many different kinds of love people are seeking.

Although hes not sure how the logistics would work, Short  a queer man himself  thinks such a version would be an interesting season.

Krause says future seasons should reflect the many ways people experience love by casting adults who are polyamorous, disabled, neurodivergent or part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Love is not just one storyline, Krause says, and I think the show has an opportunity to highlight that.
Ruben Amorim has named an unchanged Manchester United side this afternoon (ES Composite)

Ruben Amorim has named an unchanged Premier League starting XI for the first time as Manchester United take on Nottingham Forest this afternoon.

The Red Devils arrive at the City Ground in good form having won their last three in a row, and Amorim - evidently seeing no reason to ring the changes - has kept faith with the same set-up that got off to a strong start against Brighton last week.

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS MANCHESTER UNITED LIVE!

Harry Maguire missed the meeting with the Seagulls with a knock but has been deemed fit enough to make the bench today, while Lisandro Martinez is closing in on a return to play after tearing his ACL in February and is back in full team training but is not yet ready to be included in the matchday squad.

It means Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw continue in the back three, with Amad Diallo and Diogo Dalot serving as Amorims chosen wing-backs again.

Despite growing calls from supporters for Kobbie Mainoo to be given more gametime, veteran midfielder Casemiro has kept his spot in the middle of Amorims 3-4-2-1 alongside captain Bruno Fernandes after both scoring and assisting against Brighton.

Last weekends match also saw Amorims new-look front three of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko run riot, leading to the same trio being given the nod again with Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee having to settle for substitute duty once more.

Uniteds kit in the visitors dressing room at the City Ground (Manchester United via Getty Imag)

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw, Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot, Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko

Subs: Bayindir, Dorgu, Heaven, Maguire, Mazraoui, Mainoo, Mount, Ugarte, Zirkzee

Injured: Martinez

Time and date: 3pm GMT today, Saturday November 1, 2025

Venue: City Ground, Nottingham
Uncertainty around paychecks is fueling resentment as the government shutdown exacts a heavy mental toll on the nation's military families.

Alicia Blevins, whose husband is a Marine, is among the millions of military spouses left not knowing from week to week whether a paycheck will arrive. She said she's going to see a therapist in large part because of the stress.

"I dont feel like I have the tools to deal with this, said Blevins, 33, who lives at Camp Lejeune, a Marine base near North Carolina's coast. I dont want to dump all this on my husband. Hes got men that hes in charge of. Hes got enough to deal with.

Even though the Trump administration has found ways to pay the troops twice since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, the process has been fraught with anxiety for many Americans in uniform and their loved ones. Both times, they were left hanging until the last minute.

Four days before paychecks were supposed to go out on Oct. 15, President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to use all available funds to ensure U.S. troops were paid. With the next payday approaching Friday, the White House confirmed Wednesday that it had found the money.

Jennifer Bittner holds her 6-year-old daughter Amelia at their home on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Pflugerville, Texas (AP Photo/Jack Myer)

The Trump administration plans to move around $5.3 billion from various accounts, with about $2.5 billion coming from Trumps big tax and spending cuts bill that was signed into law this summer.

But the scrounging in Washington for troop pay can only last for so long.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday on CBS' "Face the Nation that the government will soon run out of ways to compensate the military and that by Nov. 15, the troops "arent going to be able to get paid.

Were not being thought of at all'

The uncertainty has been fueling resentment among families of the roughly 2 million active duty service members, National Guard members and reservists. Theres a common refrain that the troops are being used as pawns.

But Jennifer Bittner, whose husband is an Army officer, said that gives Congress too much credit.

You have to be thought of to be used as a pawn, said Bittner, 43, of Austin, Texas. And were not being thought of at all.

Bittners 6-year-old daughter is using three inhalers right now because she has high-risk asthma, a chronic lung condition and a cold. Each device requires a $38 copay at the pharmacy. Bittners severely autistic son requires diapers that cost $200 a month, while she sometimes has to haggle with military insurance to cover the expense.

She worries about those costs as well as the mortgage and groceries for their family of five.

It is mentally and sometimes physically exhausting stressing about it, Bittner said of her husband possibly missing a paycheck, while noting that members of Congress are still getting paid.

Many active duty troops live paycheck to paycheck and survive on only one income. Even when they get paid, the shutdown is deepening the financial strain that many families face, said Delia Johnson, chief operating officer for the nonprofit Military Family Advisory Network.

The Oct. 15 paychecks arrived days after they usually do for many people with early direct deposit to their bank accounts, disrupting their ability to pay bills on time and forcing some to pay late fees or rack up debt, Johnson said. Active duty troops also may be dealing with the added expense of moving from one base to another, which she said occurs for roughly 400,000 military households each year.

And many military spouses lose their jobs because of the move or are underemployed from frequent relocations, Johnson said. Reimbursements for moving costs are paused for many during the shutdown, while not all expenses are being repaid.

Reservists are losing weekend drill pay

Monthly weekend drills for many reservists also have been canceled, eliminating a chunk of pay that can be several hundred dollars each month, military advocates said. Besides helping with mortgages and other bills, the drill money is used by some reservists to cover premiums for military health insurance, said John Hashem, executive director of the Reserve Organization of America, an advocacy group.

People rely on that money, Hashem said of the drill pay. The way that this is stretching out right now, its almost like the service is taken for granted.

The reserve organization, along with other groups, urged leaders in Congress in a letter Tuesday to pass a measure to pay National Guard members and reservists.

The financial strain exacerbated by the shutdown prompted the Military Family Advisory Network to set up an emergency grocery support program this month. The nonprofit said 50,000 military families signed up within 72 hours.

The food boxes were assembled in a Houston warehouse by the grocery and logistics company Umoja Health, said chief marketing officer Missy Hunter, and contained everything from noodles and spaghetti sauce to pancake mix and syrup.

Blevins said she and her husband received a box, which provided some peace of mind. In the meantime, she said, her husband is still working, coming home exhausted and with a long gaze in his eyes.

The couple moved to North Carolina from Camp Pendleton in California in September, drawing down their savings. They're still waiting for roughly $9,000 in reimbursement.

We're constantly checking the news," Blevins said. "And my Facebook feed is nothing but, 'It's the Democrats' fault. It's the Republicans' fault.' And Im just like, can't we just get off the blame game and get this taken care of?
Monzo has hired former Google executive Diana Layfield to lead the digital bank after announcing the departure of its chief executive.

Current chief executive TS Anil said he spotted an opportunity to bring Ms Layfield on board when searching for a new UK boss.

Its always been my belief that great leaders make way for others, he said.

Ms Layfield was a general manager at Google where she was in charge of international expansion and advancing artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities within its search engine.

Prior to Google she was boss of the Africa region at Standard Chartered bank.

Alongside her career in tech and financial services, she has also worked as a medical relief pilot in war zones in Africa having completed training with the Royal Air Force.

Ms Layfield will take up the position of group chief executive in February, and Mr Anil will move to an advisory role at the bank.

Through our conversations, it became clear to me that shed be a fantastic leader who could drive the business at the global level, into this next chapter and beyond, Mr Anil told staff.

So while it wasnt in my plan, I knew it was an opportunity I couldnt miss for Monzo.

Mr Anils departure follows a five-year tenure at the helm of the bank, having stepped into the role in 2020.

He took over running the business from its founder Tom Blomfield.

The decade-old bank is now the seventh-largest in the UK by customer numbers.

It has grown to count more than 13 million customers, from almost four million in 2020 when Mr Anil joined.

It also made its first pre-tax profit last year under Mr Anils leadership.

Ms Layfield said she has admired Monzo for many years.

Its hugely exciting to be joining them to deliver on Monzos potential in the UK and internationally, she said.
An aerial view revealing the demolition of the East Wing - Katie Harbath

Most Americans oppose Donald Trumps new White House ballroom, a poll has found.

The survey suggested 28 per cent of people surveyed support the plan, which has involved the demolition of the East Wing, while 56 per cent oppose it.

The president, who has loudly championed the extension, on Wednesday sacked all six members of the commission of fine arts, the body tasked with overseeing his building projects.

He has been loathe to accept any criticism of the planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom, which will have room for around 1,000 people.

Mr Trump said there currently only space to host 200 individuals when the White House hosts state dinners, pointing out heads of states and celebrity guests forced to sit outside under tents.

Earlier this year, Mr Trump had insisted the renovation would not interfere with the current building. He said: It wont be  it will be near it, but not touching it.

He added that it will pay total respect to the existing building, which Im the biggest fan of. Its my favourite.

Now, photos have revealed the East Wing has been completely demolished.

A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll of 2,725 adults released on Thursday found strong differences of opinion over the proposed ballroom depending on political affiliation.

A total of 62 per cent of Republicans support the project, while 88 per cent of Democrats are against it. The poll found 61 per cent of independent voters also objected to it.

Parts of the East Wing date back as far as 1902.

An artist impression of the new ballroom, which will have the capacity to host 1,000 people, according to Donald Trump

The building traditionally housed the offices of the First Lady and her staff.

A report in the Wall Street Journal said Melania Trump had privately raised concerns about tearing down that part of the White House and told associates it wasnt her project.

The ballroom is being funded by corporate donors, with Amazon, Apple, Booz Allen Hamilton, Caterpillar Inc, Google Lockheed Martin, Meta and Microsoft among them.

It has also been reported that some of the contractors involved in the project have apparently been trying to hide or downplay their involvement to avoid public criticism.
Mushroom clouds over Vegas? What Trumps nuclear weapons tests could mean for America and the world

Donald Trump has repeatedly called the proliferation of nuclear weapons the n-word, his way of warning that speaking nuclear into existence puts the world on the path of mutually assured destruction.

But 10 months into his second administration, the president is commanding officials to resume nuclear weapons testing, which would end the U.Ss 33-year moratorium and invite a global arms race in a volatile political moment.

Claiming that the United States must reach parity with weapons development in China and Russia, Trump ordered the Pentagon on October 30 to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, a process that will begin immediately, he said.

The last confirmed nuclear test by the United States was in 1992 under then-President George H.W. Bush, who established a moratorium on all nuclear testing. China has reportedly not tested a nuclear weapon since 1996, and Russias most recent tests involved delivery systems, not actual detonation of a nuclear device.

Its unclear whether Trump intends to test nuclear-capable missiles or launch full-scale explosive tests. But the worlds leading nuclear scientists and Pulitzer Prize-winning nuclear bodies are sounding the alarm.

Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to start nuclear weapons testing, which would end a decades-old embargo and fuel a global stockpile while the Doomsday clock ticks closer to midnight. (AP)

That is the kind of reckless imprecision we should not have to tolerate from the person who has the sole authority to launch U.S. nuclear weapons, according Alexandra Bell, president of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

Before Trumps announcement, the Bulletin had set the Doomsday Clock to 89 seconds to midnight, the closest it has ever been to catastrophe.

Words matter, especially to the communities in the United States and around the world that have suffered from the effects of nuclear explosive testing, Bell said in a statement to The Independent.

What does explosive testing look like?

On July 16, 1945, the United States tested a plutonium implosion device roughly 200 miles south of Los Alamos, New Mexico, home of the worlds first-ever nuclear explosion. The Trinity test released more than 18 kilotons of power, instantly vaporizing the tower that held the device and turning the surrounding asphalt and sand into green glass.

The shockwave of intense heat knocked nearby observers to the ground. Witnesses as far as 200 miles away reported seeing an immense explosion that filled the sky with fire and black smoke.

The United States did not publicly disclose what actually caused the massive fireball until after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in August 1945, which killed tens of thousands of people.

A mushroom cloud rises from a test blast at the Nevada Test Site on June 24, 1957 (AP)

The U.S. government has performed more than 1,000 tests since then, accounting for more than half of all global nuclear weapons tests in the decades that followed, according to the United Nations.

The vast majority of those tests were performed underground, with nuclear devices detonated at varying depths below the earths surface.

Underground explosions are believed to emit negligible nuclear fallout levels compared to atmospheric tests, but those explosions can produce dangerous radioactive debris if they vent to the surface, or leak into groundwater.

Until the 1990s, more than 900 U.S. tests were performed at the Nevada Test Site roughly 60 miles outside of Las Vegas. Most of those tests were performed underground, though dozens of iconic mushroom clouds from dozens of atmospheric tests performed at the site have been visible from the Vegas strip and beyond.

An atomic test produced a mushroom cloud at the Nevada Test Site on March 23, 1955. (AP)

The United States also has performed explosive tests in the Marshall Islands and Kiritimati Island in the Pacific Ocean, though several other tests have been performed across the United States, including Alaska, Colorado and Mississippi.

Most nuclear weapons testing was banned under the Partial Test Ban Treaty of 1963, except for underground tests. Underground tests werent banned until the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, which was signed by the worlds atomic powers in 1996.

But the treaty was never ratified in the United States; it was rejected by the Senate in 1999, leaving it effectively unenforced. Russia rescinded its ratification of the treaty in 2023, pointing to the United States failure to do so.

North Korea is believed to be the only country to have openly tested a nuclear weapon in this century, in 2017.

Can the U.S. resume explosive tests?

If the United States does resume explosive tests, the process could take more than a year and would require approval from Congress, according to Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project with the Federation of American Scientists.

The White House would have to direct the Department of Energy to order nuclear laboratories to start preparing, and since the United States doesnt currently have a nuke weapons test explosion program, Congress would have to appropriate the money, he wrote.

It would be expensive and take time: a simple explosion is 6-10 months, a fully instrumented test in 24-36 months, and a test to develop a new nuclear warhead is about 60 months, according to Kristensen.

Footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry October 22 shows the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile at Plesetsk testing field in northern Russia during drills of the country's nuclear forces (Russian Defence Ministry)

Any scientifically useful test would take years, according to Dylan Spaulding, senior scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists Global Security Program. Anything shorter than that would be nothing more than dangerous political showmanship and would not allow collection of useful data, he wrote.

Trump said he has ordered the Department of Defense to perform tests, but it is the National Nuclear Security Administration under the Department of Energy that is responsible.

The Pentagon, however, could perform tests of nuclear-capable missiles.

If Trump is referring to those kinds of tests, then Trumps statement appears similar to one he delivered on August 1, when he dispatched two nuclear submarines to appropriate regions in response to Russias nuclear threats, just in case these foolish and inflammatory statements are more than just that, he said at the time.

Trumps statement was provocative but meaningless, as U.S. subs are always in range of Russia, said Stephen Young, associate director for government affairs for the Union of Concerned Scientists Global Security Program.

Trumps command to restart nuclear weapons testing could trigger a global arms race, or, at least, send a reckless message to adversaries, according to experts. (AP)

During the presidents 2024 campaign, Trumps former national security adviser Robert OBrien called on his administration to resume nuclear tests for reliability and safety in the real world for the first time since 1992.

Reactivating nuke tests will maintain technical and numerical superiority to the combined Chinese and Russian nuclear stockpiles, he wrote at the time.

Nuclear weapons testing and weapon stockpiling are also key parts of the defense recommendations in Project 2025, the 900-page Heritage Foundation-backed manifesto for Trumps second term.

Project 2025 called for the rejection of current arms control treaties considered contrary to the goal of bolstering nuclear deterrence.

Those proposals, written by Trumps former defense secretary Christopher Miller, called for the acceleration of all weapons production and to prioritize nuclear development over any other security programs, including boosting supplies above treaty limits, and creating a new nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile.

How will other world powers react?

World powers possess more than 12,000 nuclear warheads, according to the Federation of American Scientists. The United States and Russia possess roughly 87 percent of the worlds nuclear weapons inventory and 83 percent of warheads available for military use.

Any actual move to return to explosive testing would set off a cascade with the other nuclear-armed states likely to follow, according to Bell with the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.

No one would benefit from that more than China, as they are currently building up their nuclear forces, but lack the extensive testing data that the United States possesses, she said.

The White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, home of the Trinity test site, where the world's first atomic bomb exploded July 16, 1945 (AFP via Getty Images)

But another key safeguard against a global arms race between the two major nuclear powers is set to expire in February.

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty has sought to limit the United States and Russia to no more than 1,550 deployed warheads on no more than 700 operational launchers, but no talks appear to be underway on another agreement.

A failure to renew an agreement risks the first major buildup of deployed U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear weapons in more than 35 years, according to Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association.

Melissa Parke, director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, said in a statement to The Independent that Trumps remarks are an unnecessary and reckless nuclear threat escalation that disregards the ongoing harm already caused over the last 80 years by nuclear detonations.

By the way, this is no way to win the Nobel Peace Prize, she said.
Myretown will limber up for the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury with a racecourse schooling session after Ayrs Saturday fixture.

The gelding won the Ultima for Lucinda Russell at the Cheltenham Festival in April, with Michael Scudamore now adding his name to the licence for the upcoming season.

In preparation for his seasonal debut Myretown will school over fences across a two-mile distance under Derek Fox, a piece of work intended to compliment previous racecourse gallops at the same track and at Perth.

Russell said: We are extremely grateful to Ayr for allowing us to school Myretown after racing on Saturday and the session will be an important part of his build-up to the Coral Gold Cup.

We would also like to thank the BHA who have approved this racecourse schooling session.

This is an example of Scottish racecourses proactively working together for the betterment of the sport north of the Border.
New evidence has been discovered to resolve a case of a mysterious dinosaur excavated in the 1940s that has long puzzled scientists.

The mysterious small skull excavated in the 1940s was thought to be a Tyrannosaurus rex. But having only the skull made it hard to tell if it belonged to a child or an adult.

Another skull and skeleton, nicknamed Jane, was added to the debate but wasnt able to settle the controversy.

A research team said it has discovered new evidence that resolves the case. The latest clue comes from a complete skeleton  first uncovered in 2006 in Montana  that scientists say identifies the mystery reptile as its own species and not a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex.

Signs pointed to a dinosaur that's a distant T. rex cousin known as Nanotyrannus lancensis, the researchers reported in a study published Thursday in the journal Nature.

The discovery rewrites decades of research on Earth's most famous predator, said study co-author Lindsay Zanno with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and North Carolina State University.

A research team said it has discovered new evidence that resolves the case (AP)

Growth rings within the bones found in Montanas Hell Creek Formation told scientists the new dinosaur was an adult about half the size of a fully-fledged T. rex. From growth comparisons to other reptiles like crocodiles, they also found that the major differences between the creature's skull and an adult T. rex's  changes in bone structure, nerve patterns and sinuses  were unlikely to form simply going through puberty.

There's now more support and evidence than there ever has been that this T. rex relative could exist, said Holly Woodward, a fossil bone expert from Oklahoma State University who had no role in the new study. But she's not yet convinced that the other mystery skeletons, like Jane, are something new.

Scientists say they identified the mystery reptile as its own species and not a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex (AP)

Other independent scientists also said the debate isn't over. The new skeleton is indeed an adult, but it could be a sister species to T. rex and not a distant relative, said vertebrate paleontologist Thomas Carr of Carthage College.

There are similarities between the shape of T. rex's skull and the mystery specimens that keep him from switching camps.

I don't think this study settles everything, he said.

Resolving this case of mistaken identity is important to understanding how T. rex grew up, said study co-author James Napoli with Stony Brook University. Another big question is whether T. rex was the main predator prowling toward the end of the age of dinosaurs 67 million years ago  or whether a tinier, but still mighty predator also roamed.

The new skeleton is dubbed Dueling Dinosaurs because it was found intertwined with the bones of a Triceratops, and is currently on display at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
Five people have been arrested in connection with the death of Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, the 19-year-old grandson of actor Robert De Niro who died of a suspected drug overdose in New York City two years ago.

Five people have been arrested in connection with the death of Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, the 19-year-old grandson of actor Robert De Niro who died of a suspected drug overdose in New York City two years ago

The five men  Grant McIver, Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barreto, John Nicolas and Roy Nicolas  have been charged with allegedly running a drug-supply ring accused of distributing counterfeit prescription pills to young people across New York, according to an indictment obtained by the Daily Mail.

Authorities allege the group provided the pills that killed three teenagers in 2023, one of whom was identified in court papers as victim 3  details that match Leandros age, death date and location.

Leandro, the only son of De Niros adopted daughter Drena De Niro and artist Carlos Rodriguez was found dead on 2 July 2023 inside a one-bedroom apartment at the Cipriani Club Residences on Wall Street.

A white powdery substance was discovered on a plate near his body.

According to the indictment, a woman identified as CC-1 supplied Leandro with a combination of fentanyl and Xanax in the days before his death.

She allegedly sourced the pills from Epperson and Barreto and sold them to the teenager despite acknowledging their danger.

She knew the pills she was providing to victim 3 were strong and warned (him) to be careful when taking the pills, the document reads.

During a text exchange on 30 June 2023, the dealer reportedly told Leandro: I dont want to kill you.

When he replied, Huh? Elaborate, she wrote: Do u rly need them Ion wanna kill you.

Leandro responded: Sorry I b mad paranoid I misinterpreted this, to which she answered: I j(ust) dont like serving them cuz they not script (prescription).

Despite the warning, Leandro purchased three fentanyl pills and two Xanax for $105, arranging for them to be delivered by car service to a friends apartment in downtown Manhattan.

The pills were dropped off around 9.15pm, and hours later, at 1.50 am on 2 July, CC-1 texted him asking, u good? He never replied.

He was found dead later that morning.

Separately, Sophia Haley Marks  known online as the Percocet Princess  was previously charged with supplying the drugs that led to Leandros death.

The teenager had been living alone in the upscale apartment for less than a year.

His buildings concierge told the Daily Mail that Leandro was a friendly young man, whod always say hello when he came and went.

Id see him every now and then, and hed always say hi, the concierge said. He just was friendly, kept to himself.

I didnt know who he was until I read the story, he added. Its a tragedy. I was just talking to my coworker that said my daughter just turned 20. You see his picture  he was a baby.

Robert De Niro said at the time: Im deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo. Were greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone.

The New York City medical examiner ruled Leandros death an accident, citing toxic effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine and cocaine.
Nigel Farage is facing calls to apologise to a group of women after he suggested they were not victims of grooming gangs.

The Reform UK leader suggested on Monday that they were victims of other types of child sexual abuse.

But in a statement to the Guardian newspaper on Wednesday, the women hit back, saying it was categorically untrue for Farage to have said they were not victims of grooming gangs.

The five women  who are part of a panel advising the government on setting up its grooming inquiry  previously came out to give their support to Home Office minister Jess Phillips, who faced calls from another group of survivors to stand back from the fledgling investigation.

Their statement read: Nigel Farage should apologise.

What he said about us is categorically untrue, saying we shouldnt be on the panel because we are watering it down and we are survivors of other abuse, not grooming gangs. We are survivors of grooming and grooming gangs.

Farages lack of knowledge and assumptions about our experiences as victims and survivors of grooming gangs proves he should not have a platform to make decisions about us or our input.

His ignorance and untrue statements about us, our experiences and the validity of our involvement, his lack of understanding or care to look into our lives to make sure what he was saying was true, has meant he has dismissed people who this inquiry is for.

Farage has been criticised for his comments (Getty)

On Monday, Mr Farage appeared at a central London press conference alongside grooming gang survivor Ellie-Ann Reynolds, where he called for a Parliament-led commission into the scandal.

Ms Reynolds was among those who quit the victims panel unhappy with how it had been set up.

At the press conference she said she had withdrawn from the panel because she felt she had been manipulated by senior people in the Home Office.

The Reform UK leader meanwhile said: Five of the grooming gang victims, those that feel insulted like Ellie have withdrawn from the inquiry, but youll be told there are five who insist that Jess Phillips stays in place and that the inquiry continues.

But heres the truth about the other five, just as I said at the start of this press conference, there are two very distinctly different groups of young people who were sexually abused and raped by adults.

And what has happened with this inquiry is the Government have quite deliberately from the very start, widened the scope out from those who were victims of Pakistani grooming gangs and brought in other women.

Mr Farage insisted he was not demeaning or diminishing how these other women had been treated, but said they were survivors of a very different kind of sexual abuse.

The five women who backed Ms Phillips also told the Guardian they thought limiting the focus of the inquiry to only street grooming would exclude those who had experience group-based exploitation which began online or via family members.
Nigel Farage said he is sad to see an area of his constituency once again named the most deprived neighbourhood in England, describing parts of it as very depressed.

The latest official data shows that an area of the coastal village of Jaywick, close to the town of Clacton-on-Sea in the local authority of Tendring in Essex, has been classed the most deprived neighbourhood for the fourth time in a row.

Areas of Blackpool again make up most of the rest of the top 10, along with new appearances for neighbourhoods in Hastings and Rotherham.

Jaywick Sands beach in East Jaywick, near Clacton, Essex (Nick Ansell/PA)

Thursdays data, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), presented relative levels of deprivation in areas or neighbourhoods of England in 2025.

Jaywick had topped the list in the three previous publications in 2019, 2015 and 2010.

The area specified takes in the Brooklands estate and the Jaywick Sands promenade.

Mr Farage, who was elected MP for Clacton in July 2024, told the PA news agency he was obviously sad that things arent improving more quickly and while he felt he had helped with investment and tourism for the area, theres a limit to what one person can do.

He expressed concern about potential gambling reforms appearing in next months budget, which he said could affect slot machines and pier amusement arcades.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged by anti-poverty campaigners and some Labour MPs to raise taxes on gambling firms, to cover the cost of lifting the two-child benefit cap.

Mr Farage added: Im worried with the budget coming up that the situation might get worse.

Describing parts of Jaywick as very depressed, he said: Everybody just feels very, very burdened these days.

Jaywick received international coverage in 2018 after it was used in a US election campaign advert, with a bleak picture of the area, showing unpaved roads and dilapidated homes, to warn voters about the consequences of not backing Donald Trump ahead of midterm elections in the US.

The latest data highlights the scale of the challenge but does not reflect the progress made since 2019 or the strength of the people who call Jaywick Sands home, according to a statement on the Tendring District Council website.

Council leader Mark Stephenson said: Jaywick Sands is a truly special place, full of heart, pride and real community spirit.

Nigel Farage on the 2024 campaign trail in Jaywick, Essex (James Manning/PA)

Together with local residents, weve made real progress and have a bold plan to go even further. But we cannot do this alone, we need Government to do its part.

Were calling for 100 million of national flood funding to be allocated to Jaywick Sands, and for a cross-departmental taskforce to help resolve the policy barriers that hold our community back.

Jaywick Sands deserves a future that matches its spirit and were ready to work with residents, national government and the new Essex mayor from 2026, to make that happen.

MHCLG said Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Hartlepool, Kingston-upon-Hull and Manchester are the local authority districts with the highest proportions of neighbourhoods among the most deprived in England.

The London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Hackney were the most deprived in terms of income deprivation affecting children.

Both boroughs, and three other London boroughs, Newham, Islington and Southwark, ranked as the most deprived regarding income deprivation affecting older people, the department said.
The Nuclear Club: The 9 countries armed with nukes as US set to resume weapons testing

The United States is to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately, Donald Trump has announced, raising fears of renewed proliferation between the worlds two biggest stockpiles of atomic weaponry.

The American president has outwardly pursued a rapprochement in US-Russian relations since returning to the White House in January, but continued provocations from Moscow have pressed Washington to change its stance.

Between them, Russia and the US maintain 87 per cent of the worlds total inventory of nuclear weapons, a hangover from the arms race of the Cold War. Many are earmarked for disassembly, though remain relatively intact.

Of the 9,614 warheads believed to be in military stockpiles around the world today, around 2,100 US, Russian, British and French warheads are on high alert and ready for use on short notice, according to the US think tank the Federation of American Scientists.

The number of operational warheads has fallen significantly from the 70,000 stationed at the height of the Cold War. But renewed nuclear sabre-rattling and Russias recent withdrawal from a non-proliferation treaty have stoked fears of a new arms race.

Nine countries currently possess nuclear weapons  informally referred to as the nuclear club. But nations generally refuse to confirm the exact numbers of weapons in their stockpiles for security reasons; exact figures are based on experts estimates and the best available information.

Which countries have the most nuclear weapons?

1. Russia

While Trump insists that the US has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country, it is generally believed that Russia has the largest arsenal in the world today.

The Federation of American Scientists, collating information on estimated global stockpiles, reported this year that Russia had around 4,459 missiles. Of these, 1,718 were deployed strategic warheads, meaning they are ready for use and already positioned for delivery by air, land or sea. The lions share, 2,591, was held in reserve or not actively deployed.

The remaining 1,150 have been retired. Both the US and Russia are still dismantling previously retired warheads, having amassed so many during the Cold War.

These figures are estimates, as exact numbers and deployments are often closely held secrets. According to the Stockholm Peace Institute, Putin had 6,255 nukes as of January 2021. But other organisations monitoring nuclear proliferation put the total between 5,977 and 6,257.

Russias nuclear armaments have fallen overall in recent years, as the country inherited 35,000 weapons when the USSR collapsed in 1991. Russia and the US both signed the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New Start), which is an arms control treaty that has been effective since 5 February 2011. The treaty limits the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads and bombs to 1,550.

In August, Russia elected to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), by which the Soviet Union and the US had agreed to reduce the number of strategic weapons held by both sides. The United States formally withdrew from the 1987 agreement in 2019, alleging breaches by Russia. Russia at the time insisted it had complied with the treaty.

It is generally believed that Russia has the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons in the world today (Reuters)

2. United States

The United States is reported to have a stockpile of 5,177 nuclear warheads, of which 1,670 are deployed, 1,930 are held in reserve or not deployed, and 1,477 have been retired.

Warheads are deployed on ballistic missiles and at bomber bases. Since the Cold War, some have also been stationed at bases across Europe.

Italy, Turkey, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands were all hosting US nuclear weapons, the Federation of American Scientists reported in 2022. Belarus was believed to host Russian nuclear weapons.

To date, the US is the only country to ever use an atomic bomb in war. On 6 August 1945, a uranium bomb was detonated over Hiroshima, Japan, which killed an estimated 140,000 people. Three days later, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing a further 74,000 people.

3. China

After the US and Russia, the number of nuclear weapons per country drops off dramatically. China is third on the list with 600 held in reserve or non-deployed warheads.

While the United States has been reducing its count, China  as well as India, Pakistan, Russia, the UK and North Korea  has been growing its stockpile.

The country first developed nuclear weapons during the Cold War and is expected to continue expanding its nuclear arsenal, having added another 30 since 2020.

The US fears Beijing could have more than 1,000 weapons by 2030.

Russias nuclear-capable Poseidon missile system, which Moscow said it had tested successfully this week (Reuters)

4. France

Frances supply of nuclear weapons comes in fourth with 290 arms, the largest number in Western Europe.

Most of those weapons are based on submarines, with the remainder on air-launched cruise missiles. The country first tested a nuclear strike capability in 1960.

France claims it maintains a policy of strict sufficiency, keeping its nuclear arsenal at the lowest level possible, strategically.

It has, however, historically stressed the importance of an independent nuclear capability.

France has also historically referenced the possibility of a nuclear warning shot, allowing for the use of a small nuclear detonation, perhaps over an uninhabited area, to be used as a deterrent.

Speaking on Frances defence policy in 2006, the then president Jacques Chirac said that while Frances policy was that under no circumstances can nuclear means be used for military purposes during a conflict, France remained willing and able to deploy nuclear weapons.

We always reserve, of course, the right to use a final warning to demonstrate our determination to protect our vital interests, he said.

Frances Emmanuel Macron presides over the fourth-largest nuclear arsenal (AP)

5. United Kingdom

The UK, a leader in nuclear power and weaponry in the aftermath of the Second World War, today has approximately 225 warheads.

Arms are sea-based and carried by Trident submarine-launched ballistic missiles purchased from the US.

Trident is operated by the Royal Navy and consists of four submarines, based at HM Naval Base Clyde in Scotland.

To date, the country has carried out 45 nuclear weapons tests, most recently in 1991.

The UK announced in 2021 that it would no longer disclose its operational stockpile. But a vote in 2016 saw the Commons approve the decision to maintain the nuclear deterrent beyond the early 2030s.

The UK is expected to build four new Dreadnought-class ballistic missile submarines for entry into service from the early 2030s.

Transition to a new warhead is expected from the late 2030s onwards.

Vanguard-class submarine HMS Vigilant, one of the UKs four nuclear warhead-carrying submarines, at HM Naval Base Clyde (PA)

6. India

With around 180 nuclear weapons, India has long been in an arms race with Pakistan.

However, recent relations with China complicate nuclear weapon production.

So, any move by India to modernise its nuclear weapons will be perceived as a threat by Pakistan, further inciting a nuclear arms race.

7. Pakistan

Pakistan has an estimated 170 nuclear weapons and rising.

The countrys strained relationship with India heavily impacts its nuclear arms production rate.

Pakistan first began testing nuclear weapons in 1988, claiming national security reasons.

North Korea is thought to have the smallest number of nuclear weapons on the list (AFP/Getty)

8. Israel

Israel is believed to have 90 nuclear weapons, though it has never officially confirmed the existence of a nuclear programme, maintaining deliberate nuclear ambiguity.

While it is believed to have held such arms since the 1960s, the country has never demonstrated its nuclear capability with a test, unlike other countries on the list.

9. North Korea

North Korea is thought to have the smallest number of nuclear weapons on the list, with 50, but it is a notoriously secretive nation.

The country agreed to a moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile testing in 2018 but resumed long-range missile tests in 2020.

Under leader Kim Jong Un, North Korea has frequently tested missiles over the Sea of Japan, raising concerns of an attack.

Kim has pledged to expand both his countrys military and its nuclear arsenal.
Several passengers were injured onboard a JetBlue flight from Mexico to New Jersey, after the aircraft suffered a flight control issue and was forced to make an emergency landing.

The Airbus 320 was heading to Newark Liberty International Airport from Cancun International Airport when it was forced to divert to Tampa, Florida, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The flight landed in Florida at around 2:20 p.m. ET Thursday.

JetBlue said the aircraft experienced a drop in altitude and the "flight was met by medical personnel who evaluated customers and crew members, and those needing additional care were transported to a local hospital."

The airline did not immediately say how many people were injured, though pilots told air traffic control that at least three people were injured with possible lacerations following the incident, ABC reported.

JetBlue said the aircraft (not pictured) experienced a drop in altitude and the flight was met by medical personnel who evaluated customers and crew members, and those needing additional care were transported to a local hospital, after it had landed in Tampa, Florida (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Conditions on the flight had been mild, and the disruption was caused by the flight control issue which the FAA is now investigating.

Following the sudden landing in Florida, the aircraft was removed from service for inspection. JetBlue said it would also conduct its own investigation into the cause of the issue.

"The safety of our customers and crew members is always our first priority, and we will work to support those involved," JetBlue said in a statement shared with Reuters.

In a statement, the FAA said: "JetBlue Airlines Flight 1230 diverted to Tampa International Airport around 2:00 p.m. local time on Oct. 30 after the crew experienced a flight control issue.

The Airbus 320 left Cancun International Airport and was headed to Newark Liberty International Airport. The FAA is investigating."

The Independent has contacted JetBlue for further information about the incident and for an update on the condition of the passengers who were injured.
Priest horrified to learn he is Himmlers grandson after recognising Nazis mistress on Wikipedia

A German priest discovered he was the grandson of Heinrich Himmler after recognising a photograph of the Holocaust architects mistress as his own grandmother.

Henrik Lenkeit, 49, was horrified to learn while trawling the internet that Hedwig Potthast, who had fed him with chocolates as a child, had an affair with the Nazi politician during the Second World War before giving birth to his mother.

Mr Lenkeit, a couples counsellor in southern Spain, recently revealed that his mother, who died in 2019, had never mentioned the connection, and that he had grown up believing Mrs Potthasts husband, Hans Staeck, was his biological grandfather.

He told German outlet Der Spiegel that he was completely shocked to learn the family connection. On Wikipedia, I suddenly found myself looking into my grandmother's face, he said. He asked his wife: Am I really the grandson of this guy?

Henrich Himmler was head of the SS and architect of the Holocaust (Getty Images)

Mr Lenkeit said he was moved to read about Himmler after watching a biographical documentary. It was only then that he found his maternal grandmother already had her own page, detailing a shady extramarital relationship with Himmler from 1938.

How could my grandmother have loved such a monster? he wondered. Himmler was the second most powerful man in the Third Reich and organised Nazi Germanys Final Solution.

If you could bring people back to life, I'd grab my grandfather and give him a good thrashing, Lenkeit reflected to Der Spiegel.

The Wikipedia entry on Mrs Potthast describes how Himmler and his private secretary confessed their love for each other at Christmas time that year. Much of the relationship remains unclear. Other sources say they began their affair in 1940.

Mr Lenkeit said he reached out to political scientist Katrin Himmler, Himmlers great niece, who was able to share more detailed research and confirmation of the connection. Some of his own family members, he said, were less forthcoming.

Henrik Lenkeit was horrified to learn he was related to Heinrich Himmler (Henrik Lenkeit / Facebook)

Letters between the pair are said to include their pet names for each other: he called her Bunny, and she called him King Heinrich.

Mr Lenkeit learned that Mrs Potthast gave birth to Helge, a son, in 1942, followed by Nanette-Dorothea, Mr Lenkeits mother, Nanette-Dorothea, in 1944. Himmler died by suicide in British custody in 1945. Mrs Potthast would go on to marry Mr Staeck in 1955.

My whole life has been a lie - 47 years of it werent true, Mr Lenkeit told The Telegraph. So yes, I am in mourning, with all the feelings of anger, sadness, depression and fear that that entails.

Since learning the connection, Mr Lenkeit has told his children. Helge Staeck, his uncle, died childless.

He said it took him a year to be able to open up about the discovery of his connection to Himmler.

He also spoke of his difficulty adjusting his view of his parents, even though he believes neither believed in the Nazi ideology.

Mr Lenkeit told The Telegraph that he remembered thinking it strange that so few people seemed to be mourning his grandmother at her funeral after she died in 1994.
The thieves who stole Frances crown jewels have been told they will receive lighter sentences if they hand themselves in and return the stolen goods.

The plea from Laure Beccuau, the Paris prosecutor, came after the arrest of a prime suspect and four other people thought to be involved in the robbery.

The jewels, priceless to France but with a monetary value of 88m (77m), have not been found 10 days after a daring daylight raid on the worlds most visited museum.

In an interview with RTL radio on Thursday, Ms Beccuau sought to encourage those in possession of the treasures to surrender them.

Obviously, the court will take into account the fact that no harm was done in this burglary, she said. Co-operation in the investigation will obviously be taken into account in determining the sentence, she stated more explicitly.

The five suspects were arrested on Wednesday evening in various locations in the centre of Paris and the citys metropolitan area.

One of them was one of the targets of the investigators; we have DNA evidence linking him to the theft. He is one of the suspects we had in our sights, Ms Beccuau added.

As for the other individuals [arrested], they may be able to provide us with information about how the burglary unfolded, she said.

However, she said the searches did not enable us to recover the stolen goods from this burglary.

Like any investigation, this investigation is like a breadcrumb trail, said Ms Beccuau, adding: My role is not to be worried [about the fate of the jewellery] but to be determined.

Two other male suspects, aged 34 and 39, who were arrested over the weekend, were charged on Wednesday with organised theft and criminal conspiracy to commit a crime and placed in pre-trial detention.

They partially admitted to the facts and were suspected of being the individuals who entered the Galerie dApollon to steal the jewellery, the prosecutor said.

Reda Ghilaci and David Bocobza, the lawyers for the 34-year-old suspect, insisted on the need for the utmost respect for the secrecy of the investigation and the inquiry in this case.

The only comment we can give you this evening is that there is a huge gap between the extraordinary nature of this case and the completely ordinary personality of our client, they told reporters.

According to Le Parisien, the main suspect who was arrested on Wednesday is one of the two motorcyclists who were present during the robbery.

The French newspaper said the man had been identified and placed under surveillance before his arrest. It was through identifying him that the police could arrest the four other suspects.

Credit: Social Media

Regarding the two suspects charged on Wednesday, Ms Beccuau told RTL that they admitted that they were involved in the burglary.

The prosecutor specified that the five new arrests were not linked to the statements made by the first two suspects, whom she said were not viewed to be at the top end of the organised crime spectrum, given their criminal records.

She added: At this stage, there is no evidence to suggest that the criminals had any accomplices within the museum.

However, we cannot rule out the possibility of a much larger group than the four criminals identified by surveillance cameras, she said.

On Wednesday, Ms Beccuau also expressed regret that the stolen jewellery was not yet in our possession.

I want to remain hopeful that it will be found and returned to the Louvre Museum and, more broadly, to the nation, she told the press.

She said the stolen gems were obviously unsellable and anyone who bought them would be guilty of receiving stolen goods. There is still time to hand them in.

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The thieves dropped a diamond and emerald-studded crown as they escaped, and police found a high-vis yellow vest several minutes away by scooter that they believed belonged to one of the culprits.

The burglars made off with eight other items of jewellery. Among them were an emerald and diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave Empress Marie-Louise, his wife, and a diadem that once belonged to the Empress Eugenie, which is dotted with nearly 2,000 diamonds.

The theft has triggered a debate in France over the security of cultural institutions. Less than 24 hours after the high-profile break-in, a museum in eastern France reported the theft of gold and silver coins after finding a smashed display case.

Laurence des Cars, the director of the Louvre, admitted last week that security cameras did not adequately cover the thieves point of entry. But she defended a multi-million-euro plan to increase security at the museum.

On Wednesday, a senatorial commission of inquiry into the thefts led to criticism of the Louvre for failing to bolster security.

Patrice Faure, the new police chief of Paris, upbraided the museum for an administrative breach of duty by failing to ask for its security cameras to be modernised. Some are still analogue.

Agnes Evren, a Right-wing Republicans senator, admitted to being appalled and very saddened by this obsolescence.

The commission revealed that 278 museums in France have no CCTV whatsoever.
The union general secretary, Stewart Little, said prison officers had been ringing me all day absolutely incandescent with rage at the magistrates ruling. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Prisons across New South Wales were plunged into lockdown and emergency managed by a skeleton staff after thousands of officers walked off the job.

But late on Thursday afternoon, after an urgent application by the state government, the Industrial Relations Commission ordered the officers to cease the strike by 6am Friday.

The spontaneous strike was triggered by a court decision on Wednesday to not extend the sentence of an inmate who was found guilty of assaulting four prison officers, Stewart Little, the general secretary of the Public Services Association, said. The four prison officers each suffered serious facial injuries.

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The magistrate gave the inmate, who is now in Goulburn correctional centre and due for parole soon, a three-year community corrections order for the assault against the officers.

Little told media before the commission made its order that assaults by inmates against staff have increased by 42% over the past three years due to a rising number of inmates on remand.

My phone has gone into meltdown, Ive had prison officers ringing me all day absolutely incandescent with rage at the signal this magistrate has sent to the community, he said.

He said about 5,000 prison officers had walked off the job, with officers in every prison across the state joining the strike.

Leon Taylor, the NSW deputy commissioner for corrective services, said the prisons were secure and safe on Thursday, despite the strike. He said a skeleton staff had provided inmates essential services while they were in lockdown.

Little said the strike would continue until there was justice for the four prison officers, who were all hospitalised. He said two will not return to work as officers again.

But the minister for corrections, Anoulack Chanthivong, said he understood prison staff were angry but a decision of the independent judiciary is not a basis for industrial action.

Chanthivong said the director of public prosecutions may choose to appeal against the magistrates decision, but that was a matter for them.

Taylor agreed the rates of inmate assaults on staff is rising.

The remand population reached a record high in June, making up 44% of the prison population, according to Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (Bocsar) data released in August.

Bocsar has said domestic violence offenders are driving that increase.

Little said: Many of these inmates have come in as a result of the governments right crackdown on domestic violence. So obviously, weve got people, not just with substance problems, but behavioural problems, and quite often theyre as a direct result of that. Weve seen an increase in assaults.

The shadow minister for corrections, Adam Crouch, said he thinks staff shortages and increased lockdowns of prisoners were also contributing to the number of assaults increasing.

Im hearing that from prison officers all the time. They feel that their only way out is to effectively take sick leave or go on stress leave because there are not enough of them dealing with the presence that we have in the corrections system at the moment.

The union had claimed the strike would also leave local, district and supreme courts unable to function.

The district court warned on Thursday that if the strike continued the sentencing for former MP and convicted rapist Gareth Ward, which is scheduled for Friday morning, could be delayed. Ward is now remanded in custody in Cessnock prison.

Chanthivong said after the commission ordered prison officers back: I will continue to talk directly with correctional officers and the Public Service Association to achieve our shared goal of keeping our correctional centres safe for staff.
Rapid Support Forces fighters celebrate in the streets of El Fasher after seizing the city, in footage released by the paramilitary group on October 26 - Rapid Support Forces/AFP/Getty Images

There is a macabre pattern to how atrocities come to light.

First come the warnings  too often ignored  that something terrible is unfolding. Then emerge fragmentary reports, describing horrors too extreme to believe. The odd witness account becomes a steady stream, its consistency impossible to dismiss. Finally, there are photographs, satellite images and, in todays world, videos shared on social media  each piece confirming the unimaginable.

So it is with the Sudanese city of El Fasher.

Contact with civilians was lost after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) stormed the city on Sunday, leaving observers to rely on satellite data and social-media posts from the attackers themselves.

It is enough.

Imagery from the first source shows blood and bodies staining the sand around the city; the second depicts countless acts of casual murder. In one clip, armed soldiers stand in a ransacked hospital ward strewn with bodies. A wounded man is shot at close range before the camera pans to a courtyard filled with corpses.

According to the World Health Organisation, 460 patients and family members were killed at El Fashers Saudi Maternity Hospital. The Sudan Doctors Union, a medical group monitoring the conflict, described the scene as a human slaughterhouse.

What happened in El Fasher is like Genghis Khans army storming a besieged city and slaughtering it, says Will Brown, an Africa analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

That contrast is starker when you remember that El Fasher is a place long familiar to Western politicians.

Colin Powell, Kofi Annan, David Cameron, Jack Straw  and, of course, George Clooney  all flew into El Fasher and visited the nearby Abu Shouk refugee camp as they condemned the genocide perpetrated by the Janjaweed, government-backed militias armed and organised under then-dictator Omar al-Bashir 20 years ago.

The Janjaweed later evolved into todays RSF.

This time, no US secretary of state or Hollywood star is flying in to stop them.

George Clooney visits the United Nations and African Mission headquarters in El Fasher in January 2008 - Sherren Zorba/AP Photo/UNAMID

In some ways, says Ahmad Soliman, a senior research fellow of international think tank Chatham House, the massacre in El Fasher is typical of the war between the RSF  which seized power after Omar al-Bashirs overthrow in 2019  and Sudans regular army.

The fighting, which began in 2023, has continued with no regard for rules of engagement, the protection of civilians or the taking of prisoners.

At another level, it is a grim echo of the genocide of the 2000s, when the Janjaweed  drawn from predominantly Arab pastoralist tribes  brutally suppressed an uprising by largely non-Arab farming communities. For that reason, it was obvious to everyone what would happen if El Fasher fell.

This is not incidental. This is not RSF troops who have got out of control. This is a systematic policy, says Shayna Lewis, a Sudan specialist at Avaaz, the US-based non-profit organisation, who had been in regular contact with civilians in El Fasher until it fell. And this mimics exactly what we saw in the Zamzam refugee camp massacre earlier this year  ethnically targeted killings, particularly of young men.

Then RSF forces, riding in pickup trucks and backed by artillery fire and drones, stormed the Zamzam refugee camp, a few miles south of El Fasher, just as the British Government convened a diplomatic summit in London aimed at ending the war in April.

During a three-day rampage, at least 400 non-Arab civilians were killed. Witnesses reported males aged 15 and over being singled out, but also described women, children and elderly men being shot. A later inquiry by a local committee investigating the massacre counted 1,500 bodies.

Several witnesses who spoke to the charity Doctors Without Borders said RSF soldiers at Zamzam spoke of plans to clean El Fasher of the Zaghawa, the main non-Arab ethnic group.

A Janjaweed fighter patrols in Sudan in April 2004  militias like these formed the roots of todays RSF - Espen Rasmussen/ AFP

But the slaughter is not solely about ethnicity, says Brown. It is a proxy war fought not between Africans, but between powerful Middle Eastern  and particularly Gulf  states.

There is no shortage of foreign involvement in Sudans war. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)  the official army, which effectively controls much of the country  enjoys backing from Egypt, Iran and Turkey, and, some observers believe, from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Russia appears to have shifted its support from the RSF  which it initially supplied with air-defence weapons via the Wagner mercenary group  to the SAF, which is offering the prospect of a Russian naval base on the Red Sea.

The biggest player of all, however, is believed to be the United Arab Emirates, though it has denied any involvement.

The United Nations described reports of Emirati support for the RSF as credible more than a year ago. On Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that two US intelligence agencies believe the Emirates has recently stepped up supplies of weaponry  including ammunition and sophisticated Chinese-made drones. It has also emerged that British equipment supplied to the UAE may have ended up in RSF hands.

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3110 Sudan SAF and the RSF map update

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Emirati supply lines running through eastern Libya, Chad and Somalia have been going gangbusters since the SAF forced the RSF out of Khartoum at the end of the last dry season in March, says Kholood Khair, a Sudanese political analyst.

That now appears to have been preparation for a major counter-offensive once the rains stopped in autumn. The storming of El Fasher may only be the first stage: RSF forces also seem to be massing for further attacks  particularly around Barah, their easternmost stronghold, towards the strategic city of El-Obeid  designed to open the way back to Khartoum.

The Emiratis have never explained the logic of their involvement, says Khair. One former Western official flippantly suggests that they may be doing it for fun, since there is no other obvious interest it serves.

It is a really, really hard thing to pin down  there are a lot of theories flowing around, says Brown.

There are, however, several rationales. On the surface, there is an ideological one: the UAEs ruling families view the SAF as a holdout of Omar al-Bashirs overthrown Islamist regime.

By that logic, the RSF serves as a bulwark against Islamist movements such as the Muslim Brotherhood, which Gulf monarchies regard as their most insidious enemy. The same reasoning has been used to justify Emirati support for Khalifa Haftar, commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army.

Mohamed Hamdan Hemeti Dagalo, the RSFs leader, is also close to the Emirates, having sent his men to fight on their behalf in Yemen and based his gold-trading business in Dubai.

Mohamed Hamdan Hemeti Dagalo, leader of the RSF, has long-standing ties to the UAE through business and past military support - Ashraf Shazly/AFP

Sudan, meanwhile, is rich in gold, oil and other raw materials.

Then there is food security, says one Sudanese diplomat: the UAE, like other Gulf states, has a growing population but very little farmland. Sudan, by contrast, is blessed with a breadbasket landscape.

The strategic thinking is that whether the war ends through a power-sharing peace deal or a de facto partition, the RSF is likely to end up close to power, says Soliman. If that includes some or all of the Red Sea coast, so much the better  but controlling a swath of the interior would do fine.

Talk of partition, dividing Sudan between an RSF-held west and an SAF-held east, has gained traction as the war has dragged on.

For now, though, the RSF and its backers seem determined to push back towards the capital, while the SAF and theirs remain loath to legitimise the idea of a rebel RSF state.

All of this, however, is part of a broader, some say almost imperial, project to build an Emirati sphere of influence. Trace the arc of alleged UAE supply lines  through the stretch of eastern Libya controlled by Haftar, across Chad, Uganda and, reportedly, parts of Somalia  and it encompasses a vast swath of north-east Africa.

And Emirati influence extends well beyond Sudans borders. By 2023, the UAE was the fourth-largest investor in Africa, after China, Europe and the United States.

Demonstrators outside Downing Street this week accuse the UAE of aiding Sudans RSF - Martin Pope/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

Last year, it emerged as the biggest single backer of new businesses on the continent, pouring in $110bn (85bn).

DP World, the Emirati port operator, has management agreements in Angola, Djibouti, Egypt, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Somalia and Tanzania, and says it is exploring further opportunities in Kenya and South Africa.

They have gone from investing very little in Africa over the past decade to being seen as the continents predominant investor. It is very strategic, says Soliman.

The drive is fuelled by competition with Turkey and Saudi Arabia for influence over the Red Sea straits and the Horn of Africa.

It is telling that the West is absent from this new dash for Africa. The world has changed: middle-sized powers are no longer as beholden to Washington or other patrons as they once were, says Khair. And even if they were, the major powers are distracted  by Gaza, Ukraine and China.

In the 1990s or 2000s, it would have been hard to imagine such a conflict unfolding without British and American leaders facing pressure in the House of Commons and the Senate over the lessons of the Srebrenica massacre and the Rwandan genocide.

Now, says Brown, theres not even a whisper of people talking about, you know, humanitarian intervention. Its just not even in the ballpark of sensible debate.

Khair argues that there is still leverage. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt are, after all, Western allies and trading partners. Britain and the US could suspend arms exports to the Emirates unless they bring their clients to heel.

Until then, the killing will continue.
Rachel Reeves is facing accusations of a cover-up over her breach of housing rules while renting out her family home in south London as the row took a dramatic twist.

The Chancellor told Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday that she did not obtain the required selective rental licence for her 3,200-a-month Dulwich home when she moved into No 11 Downing Street following the election.

She initially said that she was unaware of the requirement, but emails between her husband and the letting agency used to rent out the property published on Thursday showed he had been informed about the need for a licence.

The estate agents, Harvey & Wheeler, have taken the blame for the oversight in not applying for a licence on her behalf, despite having agreed to do so.

The Prime Minister said in a letter to Ms Reeves, published on Thursday night, that after reviewing the correspondence, "I still regard this as a case of an inadvertent failure to secure the appropriate licence, which you have apologised for and are now rectifying".

He added: "Having consulted the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards and received his clear and swift advice, with which I concur, I see no need for any further action."

An email between Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves' husband Nicholas Joicey and the letting agency Harvey & Wheeler showing the agency had agreed to apply for the licence to rent out her south London home (Prime Minister's Press Office/PA Wire)

Sir Keir said it was "regrettable" that she had not shared the information in her first letter to him about the matter on Wednesday, but said he accepted she was "acting in good faith".

"It would clearly have been better if you and your husband had conducted a full trawl through all email correspondence with the estate agency before writing to me yesterday," the Labour leader said.

The Prime Minister's independent standards adviser, Sir Laurie Magnus, told him that after seeing the emails, he still believed Ms Reeves made an "unfortunate but inadvertent error".

In a letter to Sir Keir, he said he found "no evidence of bad faith" in Ms Reeves's contradicting statements about her awareness of the need for the licence.

Sir Laurie wrote: "It is important to address the Chancellor's statement in her letter to you of 29th October that she and her husband were not aware of the need for a licence. This was a key consideration reflected in my advice to you yesterday."

However, emails identified since then, and made public today, demonstrate that the Chancellor's husband was in fact made aware of the need for a licence during the summer of 2024 and that he instructed the estate agency to obtain the licence accordingly.

"It is clear from his explanation today that the Chancellor's husband did not recall this exchange, which took place at a very busy time."

Correspondence from the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves to the Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Prime Minister's Press Office/PA Wire)

He added: "It is regrettable that information provided on successive days has generated confusion, but I find no evidence of bad faith."

In an attempt to defuse the situation, Ms Reeves published emails on Thursday between her husband and the agency showing that Harvey & Wheeler had agreed to apply for the licence, while telling the Prime Minister she took "full responsibility" for the matter.

But the Tories said the correspondence indicated Ms Reeves had been informed about a need for a licence, contradicting her earlier claim that she was unaware of the requirement.

The emails were passed to the Governments ethics adviser Laurie Magnus, Downing Street confirmed on Thursday afternoon.

The chancellors lettings agency apologised to the Chancellor for an "oversight" that led to the failure to obtain a licence they said occurred when the property manager responsible for applying for the licence on her behalf had "suddenly resigned" before the tenancy began.

Reeves' family home in Dulwich was put up for rent after Labour won the election in July 2024 for 3,200 a month (Rightmove)

Gareth Martin, owner of Harvey Wheeler, said: "We alert all our clients to the need for a licence. In an effort to be helpful our previous property manager offered to apply for a licence on these clients' behalf, as shown in the correspondence. That property manager suddenly resigned on the Friday before the tenancy began on the following Monday.

"Unfortunately, the lack of application was not picked up by us as we do not normally apply for licences on behalf of our clients; the onus is on them to apply. We have apologised to the owners for this oversight.

"At the time the tenancy began, all the relevant certificates were in place and if the licence had been applied for, we have no doubt it would have been granted.

"Our clients would have been under the impression that a licence had been applied for. Although it is not our responsibility to apply, we did offer to help with this.

"We deeply regret the issue caused to our clients as they would have been under the impression that a licence had been applied for."

 Comment: Rachel Reeves' error matters. It shows there's one rule for us, another for them

The Conservatives questioned the Chancellor's initial explanation that she had not been made aware that she was required to get a rental licence.

Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, said: This whole thing stinks. The Prime Minister needs to stop trying to cover this up, order a full investigation and, if Reeves has broken the law, grow a backbone and sack her.

A Tory party spokesperson said: Last night Rachel Reeves said 'she had not been made aware of the licensing requirement'. Today, we find out that Reeves was alerted to the need for a licence in writing by the estate agents.

Having been caught out, the Chancellor is now trying to make the estate agents take the blame, but Reeves never followed up with them to ensure that the licence had been applied for, or checked if the licence had been granted.

"Regardless, under the law, Reeves and her husband are responsible for ensuring the licence is granted. With more information coming to light every few hours, the Prime Minister needs to grow a backbone and start a proper investigation."

Sir Keir has continued to give his backing to Ms Reeves and No 10 insisted she would be delivering the Budget next month.

In a letter to the PM, Ms Reeves sincerely apologised for her inadvertent error of not obtaining the licence, which was revealed by the Daily Mail.

An exchange of letters between Sir Keir and Ms Reeves revealed they had met to discuss the matter on Wednesday evening, after it came to light.

The Chancellor told the Prime Minister that regrettably she and her family were not aware a licence was needed in their area of the Southwark borough.

Southwark Council requires people renting out their properties in certain areas to get one of the licences in advance.

The council's website states: "You can be prosecuted or fined if you're a landlord or managing agent for a property that needs a licence and do not get one."

The Prime Ministers spokesman on Thursday repeatedly declined to say whether Ms Reeves had broken the ministerial code by failing to register for a licence or whether she would resign if she received a fine from Southwark council.

"The ministerial code makes clear that in certain circumstances and in consultation with the independent adviser, an apology is sufficient resolution," he said.

Policing Minister Sarah Jones on Thursday morning insisted Ms Reeves should not stand down.

"No, she shouldn't," she told Times Radio.

"She after the election, of course, moved into 11 Downing Street, as chancellors do. She has a family home in Southwark that she rented out through a letting agency.

Now, Southwark Council has what's called a selective licensing scheme.

"Some boroughs have them, some don't ... The Chancellor wasn't aware that she had to apply for this selective licence. As soon as she became aware, she rectified the situation.

Reeves' family home in London was put up for rent after Labour won the election in July 2024 for 3,200 a month.

Initial reporting said the Chancellor was understood to have relied upon the advice of a letting agent, which said it would advise if a licence was needed.

Ms Reeves told Sir Keir: This was an inadvertent mistake. As soon as it was brought to my attention, we took immediate action and have applied for the licence.

She added: I sincerely apologise for this error and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

In his reply, the Prime Minister said he had consulted his independent adviser Sir Laurie, adding: He has advised me that in relation to your inadvertent failure to secure the appropriate licence for your rental property  and in light of your prompt action to rectify the position, including your apology  further investigation is not necessary.

The Ministerial Code makes clear that in certain circumstances, an apology is a sufficient resolution. It is important that all ministers are able to acknowledge where they consider themselves to have fallen below the standards expected of them.

I am satisfied that this matter can be drawn to a close following your apology.

The Prime Minister said it was regrettable that the appropriate licence was not sought sooner but said he believed the Chancellor was treating this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.

Sir Keirs decision to back Ms Reeves comes less than a month until the Budget, in which she is expected to have to make difficult fiscal decisions.

It also follows on the heels of several high-profile exits from Government as a result of scandals.

Among these was Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister and housing secretary, who resigned following a row about her tax affairs.

Lord Mandelson was also sacked as ambassador to Washington after details of his relationship with the dead paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein came to light.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch had earlier called on the Prime Minister to launch a full investigation into Ms Reeves error.

She added: He once said lawmakers cant be lawbreakers.

If, as it appears, the Chancellor has broken the law, then he will have to show he has the backbone to act.

A Conservative spokesperson added: "Rachel Reeves has broken the law and broken the ministerial code, but Keir Starmer is too weak to sack her.

"Keir Starmer pledged to restore integrity to politics, but now he's laughing in the face of the British public. He should grow a backbone and sack the chancellor now."

Daisy Cooper, Lib Dem deputy leader, said: The Chancellor is meant to be delivering growth but the only thing she appears to be growing is the Governments list of scandals.

Just weeks before the Budget, this risks seriously undermining confidence in this Government and its ability to focus on the urgent tasks at hand.
A No 10 spokesperson declined to say whether Rachel Reevess actions were considered a breach of the ministerial code, or if she might have broken the law. Photograph: Jordan Pettitt/PA

Downing Street has refused to say whether Keir Starmers adviser on ministerial conduct has seen any evidence to support Rachel Reevess claim she made an inadvertent mistake in failing to get a licence to rent out her south London home.

As pressure mounted on the chancellor, despite the prime minister saying an apology should end the matter, No 10 also declined to say whether Reeves contravened the ministerial code or had broken the law in breaching Southwark council rules.

In an exchange of letters with Starmer late on Wednesday, Reeves said that when she rented out the house she had not been told by the lettings agency that homes in that area needed a 945 licence before they were rented out.

In his reply, Starmer said that having consulted his independent adviser on ministerial interests, Laurie Magnus, he was satisfied the breach was inadvertent and that given her prompt action once she knew about the licence, an apology was sufficient.

Related: What has Rachel Reeves done wrong  and how serious are things for her?

Pressed repeatedly at a media briefing whether Magnus had seen any evidence to back up Reevess case or had simply taken the chancellor at her word, a Downing Street spokesperson refused to say, noting that Magnuss advice was always confidential.

The chancellor rightly acted with urgency on this matter, he said. She has set out that it was an inadvertent mistake, and as soon as it was brought to her attention, took immediate action, applying for the licence and speaking to the independent adviser on ministerial standards.

She made the prime minister aware of this issue at the earliest opportunity, at which point he immediately sought advice from the independent adviser, who has advised that in the light of the chancellors prompt action to rectify the position, including her apology, that further investigation is not necessary. The ministerial code makes clear that in certain circumstances, an apology is a sufficient resolution.

Asked again what evidence Magnus had seen, the spokesperson repeated the same lines several more times.

Asked by one reporter whether Magnus had done a stitch-up with the prime minister very quickly to avoid upsetting the markets, the spokesperson replied: I dont accept the framing of that at all, adding that Magnuss role was an independent one.

The spokesperson declined to say, when questioned, whether Reevess actions were considered a breach of the ministerial code, or if she might have broken the law.

He did indicate, however, that if Reeves was found to have broken the law she would lose her job. Asked if Starmer stood by his argument following Boris Johnsons fine for breaching Covid rules that lawbreakers cannot be lawmakers, he said: Yes.

Reevess error is all the more uncomfortable given that 10 days ago she tweeted praise for Leeds council, where she has her constituency, for extending its selective landlord licensing policy, the same policy she fell foul of in Southwark.

Speaking earlier on Thursday, the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, said it was up to Reeves to have been on top of the necessary paperwork and that she must be sacked if she had broken any laws.

I think that the more I hear about the story, the more questions there are to answer, the Conservative leader told reporters after a speech on Londons South Bank.

The rules about the licence originated in a 2004 law brought in by Labour, Badenoch said, adding that Reeves had tweeted about how it should be extended, and yet she wasnt following it herself.

Badenoch said: Its all very well blaming someone else  the lettings agent didnt do this, or that she is the chancellor. She needs to be on top of her paperwork. She was aware of this legislation. I think there should be an investigation.

But the bottom line is that Keir Starmer said again and again, that lawbreakers shouldnt be lawmakers. So if shes broken the law, then he should apply his own rules to her.

Reeves admitted having rented out her home after moving into Downing Street following the election without the licence required by Southwark after it was first disclosed by the Daily Mail.

A spokesperson said the chancellor had used a lettings agency to manage the process, and that while she should have been aware of the obligation to buy the licence, she had not been advised that she needed one.

She had not been made aware of the licensing requirement, but as soon as it was brought to her attention she took immediate action and has applied for the licence, Reevess spokesperson said.

The four-bedroom detached house had been advertised for rent at 3,200 a month last year, the Daily Mail and the BBC reported, and Reeves has noted rental income on her record of parliamentary interests since September 2024.

The controversy could be a gift to Badenoch and other opposition politicians, who were already targeting Reeves before next months budget.

Badenoch spoke to reporters in London, where she and the shadow chancellor, Mel Stride, said Reeves should be sacked if she tried to raise taxes at the budget, as is being considered.
Floyd Roger Myers Jr. has died.

Floyd Roger Meyers Jr. has died

The actor - who was best known for his brief role as the Young Will in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1992 - passed away at the age of just 42 on Wednesday (29.10.25) morning after suffering a heart attack, his mother Renee Trice confirmed to TMZ.

Renee also paid tribute to her son on Facebook, sharing a photo of him with his four children.

She wrote: "This is not suppose to be so."

Myers had previously survived three heart attacks in the last three years.

The actor made his onscreen debut as the younger version of Will Smith's character in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air before going on to play Marlon Jackson in The Jacksons: An American Dream.

The ABC limited series, which also starred Angela Bassett, Vanessa Williams, and Billy Dee Williams, chronicled the rise of the Jackson family over five decades.

At the time of his death, Myers had been out of the public eye for several decades, with his last role coming in a 2000 episode of Young Americans opposite Ian Somerhalder and Kate Bosworth.

Away from acting, he also co-founded the men's mental health non-profit Fellaship Men's group.

The organisation paid tribute to him on Instagram.

They wrote: RIP to our good brother @rocwonder one of our co founders. Gone but never will be forgotten.

The mission will continue in your honour. Next mens meeting will be one for the books like we talked about! Love you bro, rest easy, big bro will take it from here.

The actor's sister, Tyree Trice, has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his funeral expenses and remembered her sibling as a "devoted father and loving brother".

She wrote: "It is with heavy hearts that we share the unexpected passing of my beloved brother, Floyd Roger Myers Jr , who tragically left us today after a sudden heart attack. He was a devoted father, loving brother, and friend whose kindness, laughter, and warmth touched everyone he met.

"Roger leaves behind his four beautiful children  Taelyn, Kinsley, Tyler, and Knox  and our loving family is now facing the unimaginable loss of someone who meant everything to us.

"This fundraiser was created to help relieve some of the financial burden that comes with this sudden tragedy. All funds raised will go toward funeral expenses, supporting his children, and helping us navigate this difficult time as we grieve and adjust.

"No contribution is too small  every donation, share, and word of support makes a difference. Your kindness and generosity mean more to us than words can express.

"From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with our family during this painful time."
After freezing refugee admissions and cutting off funding to groups that support them, Donald Trumps administration is now drastically reducing the number of refugees admitted into the United States each year  and handing most of those limited slots to white South Africans.

White House proposals previously reported by The Independent were formally added to the federal register on Thursday.

Refugee admissions will now explicitly prioritize Afrikaners for resettlement, and the ceiling for admissions has been radically reduced from 125,000 people to only 7,500 for the next year.

The move represents a stark break from a refugee policy informed by humanitarian needs, not ideology or identity, according to refugee resettlement groups.

This decision doesnt just lower the refugee admissions ceiling. It lowers our moral standing, said Krish OMara Vignarajah, president of Global Refuge, one of the nations largest resettlement organizations.

Donald Trumps overhaul of the nations refugee admissions process explicitly prioritizes white South Africans and strands thousands of people in the resettlement process, including Afghans (AFP via Getty Images)

At a time of crisis in countries ranging from Afghanistan to Venezuela to Sudan and beyond, concentrating the vast majority of admissions on one group undermines the programs purpose as well as its credibility, she said.

Human Rights First called the move blatantly racist and a new low point in U.S. foreign policy.

Turning our back on hundreds of thousands of truly at-risk refugees fleeing religious, political, and other forms of persecution defies decades of bipartisan support for welcoming the vulnerable, from Vietnamese to Afghan allies, said the groups president Uzra Zeya.

Lets call this what it is  white supremacy disguised as refugee policy, added Guerline Jozef, director of immigration advocacy group Haitian Bridge Alliance. At a time when Black refugees from Haiti, Sudan, the Congo, and Cameroon are drowning at sea, languishing in detention, or being deported to death, the U.S. government has decided to open its arms to those who already enjoy global privilege.

The White House did not provide a reason for the drop in admissions, but the notice in the federal register states that the figure is justified by humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest.

The document does not mention any other specific groups to be admitted besides white South Africans.

Other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands will also be considered for admission into the country as refugees, but the document does not provide any detail on what that entails.

The White House is also capping refugee admissions to 7,500 within the next year, marking a sharp drop from 125,000 in the previous year (AFP via Getty Images)

The overhaul also appears to strand thousands of refugees who are being vetted for entry or have already completed extensive background checks. The number of now-stranded refugees who had already been approved to enter the United States, with confirmed travel plans to resettle in the country, is now larger than the entire refugee program.

It is egregious to exclude refugees who completed years of rigorous security checks and are currently stuck in dangerous and precarious situations, according to Sharif Aly, president of the International Refugee Assistance Project.

Americas refugee program was built to reflect our values, and the thousands of individuals weve closed our doors to represent thousands of missed opportunities of people who could have strengthened a local community or economy, Aly said.

Trump administration officials began welcoming white South Africans into the United States as refugees earlier this year, and the State Department is expecting to resettle thousands more within the coming months (AP)

Trump directed an overhaul of the nations refugee admissions program earlier this year to study whether allowing refugees into the country was even in the interest of the United States.

The president is required to notify Congress about changes to the program, but lawmakers were not consulted.

This bizarre presidential determination is not only morally indefensible, it is illegal and invalid, top Democrats on the House and Senate judiciary and immigration committees said in a joint statement.

Shortly after Trump entered office in January, the administration abruptly canceled previously arranged refugee flights.

Over the last several months, the administration has also slashed financial aid and healthcare coverage for refugees, and the presidents One Big Beautiful Bill Act restricts refugees from eligibility for Medicaid, Medicare, childrens health insurance and emergency food assistance.

In May, a group of 59 white South Africans were admitted to the United States as refugees, and the United States essentially extended citizenship to them, Trump said at the time.

The State Department is reportedly planning to resettle 2,000 Afrikaners by the end of October and then another 4,000 by the end of November.

At least 700 Afrikaners are being processed for imminent resettlement in the United States at the end of the government shutdown, following dozens of Afrikaners who were already admitted to the country as refugees earlier this year.
Nearing a return: Lisandro Martinez (Getty Images)

Manchester Uniteds meeting with Nottingham Forest on Saturday will come too soon for Lisandro Martinez, Ruben Amorim has confirmed.

Martinez has been out since tearing his ACL in February, but he has been progressing well in his recovery in recent months.

He returned to full team training this week, prompting hopes he could feature at the City Ground on Saturday, but Amorim said the centre-back needs more time.

"He (Martinez) wants to go to this one [Forest], he isn't going to this one, said the Portuguese.

He's going to need time. He has started training with us. Slowly he is going to get better.

Amorim continued, saying Martinezs return to training had livened up Uniteds sessions.

"It's really good. He gives us that edge in every training session, that is also really good for us.

On the comeback trail: Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United via Getty Imag)

While Martinezs return to fitness is a welcome boost for United, Harry Maguires injury situation remains ambiguous. The Briton missed last weekends win over Brighton with a knock, and Amorim said he was unsure whether the centre-back would be able to return.

I don't know about Harry Maguire, the rest are fit.

Looking ahead to facing Forest, who have one win in two matches under new manager Sean Dyche, Amorim said he was expecting a cagey affair.

"I watched (Forests match against Porto), I watched against Bournemouth, the style of play is similar, with different characteristics.

He can change some characteristics of the players with the talent that they have, especially with Gibbs-White, Anderson, Hudson-Odoi, very good players.

"So we need to be prepared for a different game against Brighton. We had space to play. We are not going to have that space.

You need to understand that we are not being the same team away and at home, so we need to improve the way we control the environment. Every tackle is a big moment for the opponent's fans, so we need to play better away.

"We are prepared for a very tough match."
South Park will return Friday  not Wednesday  with a new Halloween-themed episode addressing Donald Trumps recent White House demolition.

A teaser image of the long-running Comedy Central series shows Trump and Satan wearing hard hats and surveying the wreckage of the East Wing, referencing last weeks real-life moment when crews started to destroy the historic building to make room for Trumps planned $300 million ballroom.

The East Wing, which previously stood for 123 years, is being torn down after Trump, 79, initially vowed that his new venue wouldnt interfere with the original landmark. The president reportedly plans to name the ballroom after himself.

Titled The Woman in the Hat, the Halloween episode will feature the White House confronting a disruptive spirit from the East Wing, the episodes log line teases, while core character Stan worries that South Park has become too political.

The teaser trailer calls the episode terrifying. Another sneak peek at the episode shows Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi having a meeting about the spirit.

South Park is set to mock Donald Trump's White House demolition in their Halloween special episode (Comedy Central)

A demolition crew is wrecking the East Wing of the White House to make room for Trumps ballroom (Reuters)

Breaking from the shows typical biweekly release on Wednesdays, the special episode is set to air on Halloween night.

This weeks schedule change is the latest after South Parks season 27 abruptly ended following just five episodes and a weeklong delay for the sixth, despite previously announcing an order for 10 episodes. Season 28 premiered October 15 with no further explanation, but picked up right where the show left off with its ongoing storyline of Satan being pregnant with Trumps baby.

The storyline got a rise out of the White House in July, prompting them to lash out at the cartoon creators with a furious statement.

The Lefts hypocrisy truly has no end  for years they have come after South Park for what they labeled as offense content, but suddenly they are praising the show, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement to Variety at the time. Just like the creators of South Park, the Left has no authentic or original content, which is why their popularity continues to hit record lows.

Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi will be featured in the show's new Halloween special (Comedy Central)

This show hasnt been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention. President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our countrys history  and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trumps hot streak.

The White House didnt immediately return The Independents request for comment on the upcoming Halloween special. The episode will air at 10 p.m. ET on Comedy Central.
Sydney Sweeney has admitted that not everyone has been immediately taken by her looks.

In an interview with Variety published Monday, the Christy actor spoke about what it was like as she auditioned for both movies and television as a teenager living in rural Idaho.

I have very strong eyebrow muscles, she told the publication as she proved her point by furrowing her eyebrows. And I had someone tell me to fix my face or else Im not going to make it. I should get Botox. I was 16!

The Anyone But You star continued, recalling another audition horror story in which she was reading a scene and the casting director is eating a bag of chips, and Im like, Youre not paying attention at all.

Despite Sweeneys refusal to get any cosmetic injections, she still managed to gain the attention of The White Lotus creator, Mike White.

I had someone tell me to fix my face or else Im not going to make it, Sweeney said (Getty)

There was just something very unaffected by her, White told Variety about what he remembered from Sweeneys audition for season one of the hit HBO show.

She was very likable. And I thought that that would be helpful because the part is so unlikable on the page. Then in editing, you realize she just pops on-screen. Shes obviously lovely in person and photogenic. But my eyes kept going to her, no matter whos in the scene with her. Thats natural screen magnetism that is hard to quantify. She just has that. I dont know what makes somebody a star, but there is something about her that just is.

Sweeney isnt the only actor who was asked at a young age to change part of themselves. Last month, Leonardo DiCaprio revealed that when he finally landed an agent as a young actor, he was told hed need a new name.

Speaking on the New Heights podcast at the time, the Titanic actor and Benicio del Toro were asked to talk about the holy s*** moments in their illustrious careers.

DiCaprio recalled trying to get representation as a child actor, saying agencies would line people up like cattle, going down the line saying yes or no.

I remember saying to my dad, This is horrible, he said. But I went back and they did it again.

However, when DiCaprio finally got an agent when he was around 12 or 13, he recalled being told that his name was too ethnic.

I go, What do mean? Its Leonardo DiCaprio. They go, No, too ethnic. Theyre never gonna hire you. Your new name is Lenny Williams, he shared.

The new name was supposed to be both a nickname for Leonardo and a version of DiCaprios middle name, which is Wilhelm. However, his father did not appreciate the change after seeing his sons headshot with the name Lenny Williams printed on it.

My dad saw this photo, ripped it up, and he said, Over my dead body.
Some of the items stolen from the museum in Oakland, California, included a necklace, left, and ivory carving, right. Composite: Courtesy of Oakland Museum of California

Thieves stole more than 1,000 items belonging to a museum in Oakland, California, authorities said this week, including historic artifacts and jewelry.

Local officials are working with the FBI to investigate the burglary, which took place earlier this month at an off-site storage facility owned by the Oakland Museum of California.

The Oakland police department said in a statement on Wednesday that on 15 October, just before 3.30am, individuals broke into the facility and stole hundreds of items from the collection. The missing pieces included artifacts such as Native American baskets, ivory carvings and daguerreotypes, as well as laptops.

Related: Louvre suspects partially admit their role in jewel heist

The theft that occurred represents a brazen act that robs the public of our states cultural heritage, Lori Fogarty, the executive director and CEO of the Oakland Museum of California, said in a statement. Most of these objects have been given to the Museum by generous donors. We are working in close partnership with the City of Oakland, the Oakland Police Department, and the FBI to see that these objects are returned.

The San Francisco Bay Area museum first opened in 1969 and houses more than 2m objects, including seminal artworks, historical artifacts and natural specimens, according to the OMCA website, and offers programs that aim to explore and reveal the factors that shape California character and identity.

Fogarty told reporters on Wednesday that there were no staff in the off-site facility at the time it was burglarized and that workers discovered the burglary the morning of 16 October, Oaklandside reported. It appeared to be more of a crime of opportunity than a strategic strike, she said.

The police department is investigating the burglary with the FBIs art crime team, a highly specialized unit of roughly 20 agents that investigate theft, fraud and antiquities and cultural property trafficking, the Oakland police department said.

The news broke shortly after the robbery of the Louvre in Paris made headlines around the world. Authorities made additional arrests in connection with that case on Thursday.
A third of boys think womens rights are unimportant, a shocking new survey has revealed.

The research, which will be presented to parliament on Thursday, also found that a third (32 per cent) of boys might consider an AI friendship, while more than half (53 per cent) find the online world more rewarding than the real world.

Many boys were found to be turning to chatbots for emotional support, friendships and romantic relationships, with one saying, I have AI friends and girlfriends, they are always there when you feel bored, and another adding, I talk to an AI app, it makes me feel like Im not on my own.

Boys aged 11 to 15 were split between not trusting anything that is online because it is all fake, to saying that certain sexist voices are part of the new system because what they say comes true, according to the survey, with 82 per cent not trusting UK politicians either.

Some mentioned they felt that girls are celebrated, but boys were often seen as part of the problem and that feminism tended to lead to boys being blamed, with 54 per cent believing boys have it harder than girls today.

Lee Chambers, Founder and CEO of Male Allies UK, which produced the report, said the findings show that a lack of guidance and trusted information means many are struggling to understand how to process the views they see every day, which is splitting opinion on some important subjects.

The hit Netflix show Adolescence sparked conversations around the manosphere (Netflix)

Speaking of the widespread mistrust of politicians, he also warned: We need to take this mistrust seriously, because its going to affect the views that they have long into adulthood.

The survey, which involved polling 1,032 boys across 37 British schools during the last academic year, comes at a time when conversations around concepts such as toxic masculinity and the manosphere are growing, especially after the release of the hit Netflix show Adolescence, with misogynistic influencers such as Andrew Tate gaining evermore traction.

The manosphere is a network of communities that create, consume and distribute content online aimed at men and boys, which is all largely anti-feminist.

Manosphere content is promoted by various influencers on popular social media platforms, the most notable of whom is Tate, who rose to fame in 2022. He and his brother Tristan are currently under investigation in Romania for charges of rape, human trafficking and money laundering, and in the UK for rape and human trafficking.

In recent years, there have been a number of incidents of violence that have been linked to manosphere content, with these communities promoting violence or spreading harmful ideas about women and girls.

Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan are currently under investigation in Romania for charges of rape, human trafficking and money laundering, and in the UK for rape and human trafficking (AP)

This content also harms men and young boys, preying on vulnerabilities and insecurities to promote unrealistic expectations and extreme measures, which can lead to poor self-esteem, mental health problems and, in some cases, suicide.

The new Boys In Schools report highlights this, revealing boys fears of the pressures of growing up in a modern world, and showing they are vulnerable to loneliness and misguidance as they struggle with the balance of real life and online influences. Two-thirds (64 per cent) said schools could do more to prepare them.

Opinions on feminism and masculinity were mixed, suggesting that the topics are not properly explained or explored at school or at home. While 32 per cent said womens rights are not very important, the majority of boys still thought womens rights are important (45 per cent) or very important (23 per cent) in the world today.

And one in five boys reported carrying out a male allyship action in the past month and were proud to talk about it, but they said it takes courage and can sometimes be difficult to call friends out on something.

The vast majority (79 per cent) said it is not clear to them what masculinity is, with one boy saying that people always say what it should not be rather than what it is, and another boy echoing this with: Its toxic, thats all I ever hear.

Mr Chambers said: We hear a lot in the media about male toxicity and poor role models for boys, but its up to us to change that.

Theres often a tendency to leave boys to get on with it, but this report shows many of them feel frustrated at a lack of guidance and feel misunderstood.

We need to start paying more attention and tailoring support to boys needs and stop approaching it the same way we would have done 10 or 20 years ago. Listening to the boys of our future is more important now than ever before.
Three-star general pushed out after months of sustained tensions with Hegseth, report claims

Lt. Gen. Joe McGee, a three-star general working on the Pentagons Joint Staff, was forced out of his role after months of sustained tensions with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a new report alleges.

McGee left his position as the director of strategy, plans, and policy on the Joint Staff earlier this month, CNN reports, citing sources familiar with the matter. Before his latest role, McGee served as the Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

In his role, McGee had pushed back against Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine and Hegseth on several topics, including Caribbean military operations, CNNs sources said. Its also reported Caine and Hegseth were sometimes frustrated with McGee, and believed he moved too slowly, according to one of the outlets sources.

There were internal discussions earlier this year about how to push McGee out, two of CNNs sources said. One source told the outlet McGee has had a target on his back for a while now. McGee was nominated for a promotion by former President Joe Biden last year, but wasnt nominated again under President Donald Trump, the outlet reports.

Lt. Gen. Joe McGee left his position earlier this month following months of tension with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a new report claims (Joint Chiefs of Staff)

The Independent has attempted to contact McGee. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNN. The Independent has also contacted the Defense Department for comment.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell denied that McGee and Hegseth clashed, according to CNN.

General McGee is retiring, and the war department is grateful for his service, he said.

A Joint Staff spokesperson told CNN said McGee is retiring after nearly three years of outstanding leadership and service on the Joint Staff.

We are grateful for his 35 years of honorable and dedicated service to the Nation, the spokesperson said. We owe him a great debt for his service and it is regrettable anonymous sources would put the focus anywhere else.

Hegseth has pushed out more than a dozen top military officials this year, according to the outlet.

Hegseth also came under fire earlier this month after the Pentagon announced new restrictions for reporters. Dozens of major news outlets, including Hegseths former network, Fox News, declined to sign the new policy.
Rapper Tinie Tempah, entrepreneur Jenna Meek and former Apprentice star Susie Ma will all be guest dragons on the upcoming series of Dragons Den.

Former footballer Gary Neville will also return to the Den as a guest dragon for the second time.

They will join returning resident dragons Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett.

Musician Tinie Tempah, best known for hit singles Pass Out and Miami 2 Ibiza, is also the co-founder of record label Disturbing London and publishing company Imhotep.

Tinie Tempah (Ian West/PA)

In 2022 he launched soul food brand RAPS with chef Hasan Semay (Big Has) and the food incubator Kitchen Ventures, and earlier this year founded his own record label, Imhotep Records.

He said: I have a keen interest in supporting emerging entrepreneurs as well as investing in a wide-ranging portfolio of businesses, so Dragons Den was an opportunity I simply couldnt turn down.

I am ecstatic to become a guest dragon and look forward to seeing where I can help, bring value and of course invest in some of these brilliant businesses and people that step into the Den.

Ma first found fame in the 2011 series of The Apprentice when she reached the final, but even though she did not win the show, she secured investment in her company from Lord Sugar.

In 2023 she bought out Lord Sugars stake in her natural skincare company and is now the sole owner of Tropic Skincare.

She said: Its an absolute honour to join the Den as a guest dragon.

I started Tropic from a market stall at fifteen, and I know the grit, vision and belief it takes to turn a spark of an idea into something extraordinary.

Im here to back the bold  the next generation of changemakers building businesses with purpose, creativity and courage. Sitting in that iconic chair is a pinch-me moment, and Im so excited to help brilliant founders bring their dreams to life.

Beauty entrepreneur Meek is is the co-founder of REFY, one of the fastest-growing beauty brands in the UK, which is is stocked in Selfridges, Brown Thomas and Sephora across the UK, Ireland, US and Canada, and the Middle East.

She said: I am so excited to be joining Dragons Den, this has been a lifelong goal of mine. Dragons Den is the reason I became an entrepreneur, from watching it with my dad from such a young age, so it is incredible to be able to meet so many amazing entrepreneurs building businesses and pushing the boundaries.

It is such an empowering environment and I am thrilled to be a part of it. Its also incredible to be here alongside the Dragons, especially Deborah. Shes inspired me from such a young age, and I hope I can do the same for someone else.

Gary Neville (Peter Byrne/PA)

Neville, who started out as a property developer while playing for Manchester United, was one of the first guest dragons to appear on the show and will return in 2026.

Executive producer Samantha Davies said: Audiences love the powerful combination of our much-loved regular dragons and the fresh energy guest dragons bring to the Den  and this series, were going bigger than ever.

Were thrilled to welcome back Gary, alongside three formidable new business titans, all ready to uncover the next generation of bold, brilliant and disruptive entrepreneurs. Theres no better place to ignite that ambition than right here in the Den.

Dragons Den will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2026.
President Donald Trump and Chinese president Xi Jinping have started what is expected to be three to four hours of high-stakes in-person talks in hopes of lowering the temperature of a simmering trade war that has threatened to boil over and upend the global economy.

The two leaders arrived within minutes of each other Thursday morning local time at South Koreas Gimhae Air Base, a military facility on the edge of Gimhae International Airport in Busan, the second-largest city in South Korea.

Speaking during a brief media availability at the top of their summit, Trump said he and Xi would have a very successful meeting and called Xi a very tough negotiator.

We have a great understanding. We have a great relationship, weve always had a great relationship, Trump said.

A few minutes later during a second photo opportunity before the talks began, Trump said it was a great honor to be with Xi, who he called a friend of mine and very distinguished and respected.

We will be having some discussions. I think we've already agreed to a lot of things, and we'll agree to some more right now, but President Xi is a great leader of a great country, and I think we're going to have a fantastic relationship for a long period of time, Trump said.

Trump and Xi pose for reporters before their summit meeting in South Korea (REUTERS)

Xi, speaking through a translator, said it was a great pleasure to meet with Trump and said he felt very warm seeing the American leader again because its been many years.

He noted that he and Trump had spoken three times and exchanged several letters since Trumps return to the White House and said Sino-American relations had remained stable on the whole during that time.

Given our different national conditions, we do not always see eye to eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then and in the face of winds, waves and challenges, Xi said.

He added that he and Trump should stay the right course and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-US relations, and suggested that his vision for Chinas continued development goes hand in hand with Trumps vision to make America great again.

Over the years, I have stated in public many times that China and the United States should be partners and friends. This is what history has taught us and what reality demands, Xi continued.

He added later that he was ready to continue working with Trump to build a solid foundation for China-US relations and create a sound atmosphere for the development of both countries.

Trump said it was a great honor to be with Xi, who he called a friend of mine and very distinguished and respected. (Getty Images)

Trump, who traveled to the meeting site by helicopter, had referred to the long-awaited summit as the G2 in a post on Truth Social shortly before Xis plane touched down.

He also claimed in a separate post that the United States would begin the process of resuming testing of its nuclear weapons stockpile immediately, citing Beijings efforts to expand its estimated 600 nuclear warheads to at least 1,000 by 2030. But when pressed to explain the social media post by reporters, he declined to do so.

Trumps meeting with Xi is his first face-to-face interaction with the Chinese leader since he returned to power for a second, non-consecutive term in January. It follows a series of phone calls between the two leaders over the opening nine months of Trumps term.

The summit provides Trump with a chance for face-saving and deescalation between the worlds two largest economies following months of tumult caused in large part by his freewheeling use of unilaterally-imposed import taxes and Beijings use of export controls on rare earth elements to retaliate.

The tensions and turmoil brought about by the presidents ongoing trade war have often spooked global markets and left investors concerned over the possibility that the result could be an implosion of the world economy that would benefit neither nation.

But the anticipated deescalation has allowed investors and businesses to relax ahead of the meeting, with American stock markets seeing gains from investors hoping for a new framework for Sino-American trade relations coming out of the summit.

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.

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 over the proposed rare earth restrictions and threatened to impose a 100 percent tariff on all Chinese goods starting Saturday in retaliation.

Such a tariff would increase the tax rate Americans pay for Chinese imports to a whopping 157 percent, though Trump later conceded that such a high tariff is not sustainable during an interview on Fox Business earlier this month.

American officials have echoed that sentiment following preparatory meetings with their Chinese counterparts earlier this week in Kuala Lumpur, where Trump made the first stop on his three-leg swing through Asia during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations annual summit.

Beijings lead trade negotiator, Li Chenggang, said following the preliminary talks that Chinese and American officials had reached what he called a preliminary consensus, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later said they had come up with a very successful framework for the leader-to-leader talks.

Trump himself suggested he was considering lowering tariffs he imposed on Chinese imports earlier this year, supposedly over Beijings failure to curb trafficking in chemicals used to make fentanyl.

Trump suggested Wednesday he was considering lowering tariffs he imposed on Chinese imports supposedly over Beijings failure to curb trafficking in chemicals used to make fentanyl (Getty Images)

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to South Korea on Wednesday, the president said Americas relationship with China is very good.

I expect to be lowering [the tariffs] because I believe that theyre going to help us with the fentanyl situation, he said.

Despite Trumps optimism on easing the months-long trade tensions with Beijing, outstanding issues remain that could lead to a rocky road ahead for both nations.

China continues to provide support to Russias ongoing war against Ukraine, and both the U.S. and China remain in fierce competition in the manufacturing, technology and artificial intelligence sectors.

Other potential sticking points include Chinas push for influence abroad, both economic and military, and Beijings continued designs on Taiwan, the self-governing island which it considers a rogue province.

But administration officials have said Trump and Xis talks will be largely confined to matters of trade and commerce, and Trump himself has indicated that he does not plan to speak with Xi about Taiwan.
A Trident II D5 missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead is test-launched from a US ballistic missile submarine in 2018. Photograph: Reuters

Donald Trump has instructed the Pentagon to immediately start matching other nuclear powers in their testing of nuclear weapons, specifically citing Russia and China.

In a post to Truth Social, Trump said because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately.

Related: Donald Trump and Xi Jinping hold meeting in South Korea amid hopes for trade deal  live updates

The post came less than an hour before Trump met the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, in South Korea on Thursday morning in an effort to come to a trade war truce. The meeting was the first between the two since 2019.

The United States last held a full nuclear weapons test in 1992, and China and Russia are not known to have held any such tests since the same era. Trumps reference to on an equal basis left it unclear what weapons testing could take place, or whether he was referring to displays of power similar to those recently conducted by Russia.

Since 1998, no country other than North Korea is confirmed to have conducted a full explosive nuclear test. But nuclear-armed countries such as the US have subsequently carried out simulated nuclear explosions using high-powered computers, as well as related nuclear physics experiments, tests of nuclear-capable missiles, warhead mechanisms and subcritical tests of nuclear materials to ensure their arsenals remain viable.

Pentagon officials did not immediately respond to questions about the announcement from Trump.

Speaking on Air Force One after his meeting with Xi, Trump said he would like to see denuclearisation, adding that the US was talking to Russia about that.

And China would be added to that if we do something, he said, without elaborating.

On Thursday Chinas foreign ministry told a regular press conference that Beijing hoped the US would honour the non-proliferation treaty and take actions that contribute to regional peace, rather than the opposite.

We would like to emphasise that China remains committed to the path of peaceful development, pursuing defensive national security policies and friendly diplomatic policies, said a spokesperson, Guo Jiakun.

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, said on Sunday that Russia had successfully tested its unique nuclear-propelled Burevestnik cruise missile, which can carry a nuclear warhead. The Kremlin described it as part of efforts to ensure the countrys national security. Trump later described Putins announcement as not appropriate. Sergei Ryabkov, a close aide to Putin, told Russian media that Moscow had notified the US in advance about the test.

The timing of Russias Burevestnik testing is notable, coming amid the Kremlins intensified nuclear posturing and a break in US-Russia talks over the war in Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Putin said Russia had also tested a Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo that military analysts say is capable of devastating coastal regions by exploding a nuclear warhead and triggering vast radioactive ocean swells that would swamp and contaminate cities.

Trump also falsely noted in his Truth Social post that the US had more nuclear weapons than any other country, a claim he repeated during his Air Force One press conference. Russia currently has the most confirmed nuclear weapons, with more than 5,500 nuclear warheads, while the US has 5,044 nuclear weapons, according to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.

The last full nuclear test by the US, codenamed Divider, was carried out on 23 September 1992 at what is now called the Nevada National Security Site. The president at the time, George HW Bush, announced a moratorium on underground nuclear testing that same year. The US still, however, has the ability to resume tests at the Nevada National Security Site.

In response to Trumps post, the Nevada congresswoman Dina Titus posted on X: Absolutely not. Ill be introducing legislation to put a stop to this.

Despite repeated statements from both Moscow and Washington about wanting to halt the arms race, little progress has been made. The Kremlin has recently criticised Trumps push to develop a missile shield  known as the Golden Dome  which he claims would make the US impervious to attack.

During his first term, Trump reportedly sought to increase the US nuclear arsenal tenfold.

In December 2016, he tweeted: The United States must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes.

Additional reporting by Helen Davidson in Taipei and Jason Tzu Kuan Lu
Sean Combs has asked a US court to reopen his criminal case and accelerate the appeal process.

Sean Combs has asked a US court to reopen his criminal case and accelerate the appeal process

The jailed 55-year-old rappers demand follows his conviction on two felony counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.

Court documents filed on 29 October show Combs legal team has requested an expedited briefing and argument, outlining plans to challenge both the sentence and verdict, according to The Mirror US.

Combs  who has now been behind bars for more than a year  was found guilty on the prostitution-related charges after a two-month trial but was acquitted of more serious allegations of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

Combs attorney Alex Shapiro told The Mirror US: Seans appeal will challenge the unfair use of the Mann Act, an infamous statute with a sordid history, to prosecute him for sex with consenting adults.

The Mann Act, first enacted in 1910 as the White-Slave Traffic Act, prohibits the transportation of individuals across state lines for prostitution or other criminal sexual activity.

It was later renamed but has remained a controversial law.

Combs defence has argued that prosecutors misapplied the statute in his case.

According to a court filing obtained by The Mirror US, the defence stated Mr Combs has been singled out because he is a powerful Black man, and he is being prosecuted for conduct that regularly goes unpunished.

The filing continued: No other person, and certainly no white person, has ever previously been prosecuted under the White-Slave Traffic Act for hiring male escorts from another State.

Combs lawyers also alleged racial bias and misconduct by prosecutors, writing the governments handling of this case demonstrates bias and animus.

They added: It has gone out of its way to humiliate Mr Combs and to prejudice the jury pool with pretrial publicity that plays on racist tropes. It has leaked damaging (and often times false) material to the press.

The latest motion emphasised the defences belief in the need for an expedited process, noting Combs has already served approximately 14 months of his 50-month sentence (his pre-trial incarceration commenced in September 2024), and it is unclear how much additional time he will ultimately serve.

Combs attorneys added his remaining sentence could be reduced under the Residential Drug Abuse Program and the First Step Act  federal initiatives providing therapy and sentence-reduction opportunities for eligible prisoners.

Combs team has previously made multiple requests for his release, all of which have been denied.

Prosecutors and accusers in the case have repeatedly expressed concern for their safety if the musician were released, while Combs continues to deny any wrongdoing.
It comes as Putin announced that Russia had tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik missile, which can also carry nuclear payloads - AFP

Donald Trump ordered the Pentagon to immediately begin testing of the US nuclear arsenal on Thursday, hours after Russia announced it had tested a nuclear-capable underwater drone.

Mr Trump made the announcement as he travelled to his high-stakes summit with Chinas Xi Jinping.

Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis, Mr Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

That process will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Mr Trump is on the final day of a week-long trip to Asia.

He is due to meet Xi in the South Korean city of Busan on Thursday morning before flying home to Washington.

Top of their agenda will be trade tensions, but Xi is also expected to raise regional security questions and push the US to weaken its stance on protection for Taiwan.

Donald Trump will meet Xi Jinping as part of a 10-day trip to Asia on Thursday

Hours earlier, Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, announced the successful test of Poseidon.

The project was announced in 2018, as part of a package of weapons designed as a deterrent to the West.

There is nothing like this in the world in terms of the speed and the depth of the movement of this unmanned vehicle  and it is unlikely there ever will be, he said.

Poseidon is one of six super-weapons unveiled ahead of the invasion of Ukraine.

b'

Russia\'s Poseidon nuclear torpedo

'

On Sunday, Putin announced that Russia had tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik missile, which can also carry nuclear payloads.

Mr Trump slammed the test at the time, saying Russia would be better advised to work on peace in Ukraine.

On Thursday morning he went further, ordering a new nuclear stance at home.

The United States has more Nuclear Weapons than any other country, he posted.

This was accomplished, including a complete update and renovation of existing weapons, during my First Term in office.

Because of the tremendous destructive power, I HATED to do it, but had no choice! Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.
The meeting between Trump and Xi in South Korea was their first since 2019 - ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Donald Trump claimed victory in trade talks with Xi Jinping on Thursday, securing concessions on rare earths elements, soybean sales and fentanyl, as he flew out from South Korea after their summit.

In return, the American president said he was reducing tariffs and signalled that there would soon be progress on a wider deal.

It was an amazing meeting. He is a great leader, Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew home to Washington where he is due to host a Halloween party later on Thursday.

A lot of important decisions were made.

The meeting in South Korea was the first between Mr Trump and Mr Xi since 2019 and came at the end of the presidents whirlwind trip of Asia.

Chinese stocks climbed to a decade high and the yuan currency to a near one-year peak as markets responded to the leaders meeting - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Along the way, he claimed important progress on winning investment for the US, but his sternest test came with his final meeting.

Tit-for-tat export restrictions had shaken global markets all year, as the worlds two biggest economies ratcheted up tariffs.

The presidents met at Busan airport for almost two hours. The meeting was shoehorned into their busy schedules as Mr Trump prepared to fly home, and as Mr Xi flew in for a major summit of Pacific leaders.

World markets breathed a sigh of relief at its conclusion  Chinese stocks climbed to a decade high and the yuan currency to a near one-year peak.

Trump and Xi met for the first time since the US president returned to office in January - REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Mr Trump rated the meeting a 12 out of 10. The whole relationship is very, very important, he said.

A full trade deal could follow, he added.

I think pretty soon, he said. We have not too many major stumbling blocks.

He listed the previous stumbling blocks and described how they had been resolved.

China, he said, had agreed to buy tremendous amounts of soybeans; he was cutting a 20 percent tariff imposed because of fentanyl shipments to 10 percent because Beijing had said it would work to cut supplies; and an aide said China had promised not to impose export controls on rare earths for a year.

Mr Trump said he would visit Mr Xi in China in April, and that the Chinese president would come to the US soon afterwards.

Regional experts had worried that talks could get bogged down on Taiwan. Beijing wants Washington to change its ambiguous language on the autonomous island to say that it would oppose the territorys independence.

Trump and Xi during talks at the Gimhae Air Base - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

But Mr Trump said the topic never came up, although they did discuss Ukraine.

We discussed working together to see if we could get that war finished, he said, adding that China was a major buyer of Russian oil.

In a readout after the meeting, Beijing said China and the US have good prospects for cooperation in areas such as combating illegal immigration and telecom fraud, anti-money laundering, artificial intelligence, and responding to infectious diseases.

The world today faces many challenges, and China and the US can jointly demonstrate their responsibility as major powers and work together to accomplish more significant, practical, and beneficial things for both countries and the world, it added.

The meeting was over in an hour and 40 minutes but the pressure of the moment was evident in their two delegations. Prior to the talks, officials squabbled about who would stand where and when inside a building marked base operations.

President Xis car leaves the meeting with Donald Trump. The leaders of the worlds two biggest economies used the talks to reduce trade tensions - AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

Mr Xi stood impassive as his American counterpart said he believed an agreement was close.

Well have a great understanding, said Mr Trump. Weve always had a great relationship.

After posing for photographs, they sat down with their aides.

Through a translator, Mr Xi said it was not surprising that they were sometimes at odds.

We do not always see eye to eye with each other and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then, he said, before opening the door for agreement.

I always believe that Chinas development goes hand in hand with your vision to make America great again.

Mr Xi arrived in South Korea after a show of strength at home  called a plenum, a gathering of the Chinese Communist Party  where his officials put strengthening the nations manufacturing base at the heart of their five-year plan.

That marked a direct challenge to Mr Trump and his push to rebalance global trade, so that China focuses more on consumption rather than production.

For his part, Mr Trump delivered his own shows of force just before the summit.

In a Truth Social post, he appeared to order the Pentagon to resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time in three decades, saying it would put the US on an equal basis with Russia and China.

China, after the meeting between Mr Trump and Mr Xi, said that it hoped the US would earnestly abide by a nuclear weapons testing ban.
Donald Trump has described crucial trade talks with the Chinese president in South Korea as amazing, saying their dispute over the supply of rare earths had been settled and that he would visit China in April.

Xi Jinping has not commented on Thursdays discussions but noted that the economic and trade teams from both countries had reached a basic consensus on addressing our respective major concerns during recent talks in Kuala Lumpur, according to Chinese state media. That had provided the necessary conditions for their meeting on Thursday, he added.

Related: What are rare earths and critical minerals  explained in 30 seconds

According to Chinas commerce ministry, the agreement reached in Kuala Lumpur included a 10% reduction in Trumps so-called fentanyl tariff imposed on Chinese goods, along with reciprocal measures by Beijing to suspend export controls.

After their meeting, the two shook hands and Trump immediately boarded Air Force One to return to Washington. He later told reporters the Chinese leader had agreed to work very hard to prevent the production of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid drug that has caused a surge of deaths among Americans. In return, Trump said he would lower fentanyl-linked tariffs from 20% to 10%, thereby lowering overall tariffs from 57% to 47%.

Trump had suggested their discussions in the city of Busan could last three or four hours but the men parted after an hour and 40 minutes, with Xi preparing to attend the Apec leadership summit, which begins on Friday in nearby Gyeongju. Nevertheless, Trump described the meeting as a 12 on a scale of one to 10.

The US president said China would end its restrictions on rare earth exports and buy American soya beans. The rare earths agreement would last one year and be negotiated annually in the expectation that it would be renewed, he said.

China bought its first cargoes of US soya beans in several months, Reuters reported the day before the talks.

All of the rare earth has been settled, Trump said. And thats for the world, worldwide, you could say this was a worldwide situation, not just a US situation. There is no roadblock at all on rare earth. That will hopefully disappear from our vocabulary for a little while.

The US president said they had agreed to work together on Ukraine, adding that the war came up very strongly as an issue. We talked about it for a long time, and were both going to work together to see if we can get something, he said. He acknowledged China buys a lot of Russian oil but added that topic was not really discussed.

Another issue that was not discussed was Taiwan. Earlier, both men ignored a question about the self-governing democracy, amid concern in Taipei that Trump may be willing to make concessions to Xi who has vowed to reunify it with the mainland.

Shortly before the talks with Xi  their first face-to-face meeting in six years  Trump predicted he would have a successful meeting as the two men began the highly anticipated trade talks.

Speaking to the media at the start of their meeting at Gimhae airbase, Trump said: Were going to have a very successful meeting. But he added: Hes tough negotiator  thats not good, before patting the Chinese leader on the back.

Related: Trump and Xi talks could end months of global economic chaos

Likening the US-China relationship to an ocean-going vessel, Xi said the countries should stay on the right course and be partners and friends.

He added: The world is confronted by many tough problems  China and the US can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world.

As they and their delegations sat opposite each other at the negotiating table, Xi noted that he and Trump had not met for several years  their last summit was in 2019  but had spoken on the phone and exchanged letters since Trump returned to the White House.

Xi said that he and Trump dont always see eye to eye with each other, adding that it was normal for worlds two biggest economies to have frictions now and then.

He added: A few days ago  our two economic and trade teams reached basic consensus on addressing our respective major concerns and made encouraging progress. I am ready to continue working with you to build a solid foundation for China and the US.

The optimism in Busan was in stark contrast to the recent exchanges of aggressive rhetoric over trade that had threatened to set the US and Chinese on an economic collision course, with potentially disastrous consequences for the global economy.

The trade war reignited this month after Beijing proposed to dramatically expand its curbs on exports of rare earth minerals, vital components in the manufacture of everything from smartphones to fighter jets.

In response, Trump vowed to retaliate with additional 100% tariffs on Chinese exports, and with other steps including potential curbs on exports to China that are made with US software.

Trump hinted this week he would reduce US tariffs on Chinese goods in exchange for a commitment by Beijing to stem the flow of ingredients needed to make fentanyl.

Minutes before meeting Xi, Trump said in a social media post that he had ordered the Pentagon to start nuclear weapons testing on a level with China and Russia. But he did not respond to a reporters question about the decision as he and Xi began their summit.

Because of other countries testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that specifically referenced Russia and China.

Additional reporting by Helen Davidson in Taipei and Lillian Yang
MPs have debated a petition calling for higher statutory maternity and paternity pay  a topic that resonates deeply with new and expectant parents across the country. Alongside this, the government is conducting a broader review into parental leave, examining how much parents are paid, who qualifies, and how long support should last. For many families, the message is clear: change cant come soon enough.

Currently, dads in the UK are entitled to just two weeks of statutory paternity leave. Self- employed dads arent entitled to any paid leave at all, leaving mothers to manage the demands of newborn care entirely on their own  at a time when physical and mental recovery from pregnancy and birth is essential.

In England, 42% of all births are now by caesarean section compared with 29% five years ago. A caesarean requires at least six weeks of recovery. However, with dads being forced back to work so early, postpartum women are left struggling and at risk of injury, a campaign by Pregnant Then Screwed has highlighted.

For many women, physical recovery alone can take months, especially those whove had a complex delivery or required surgery, and so a system that forces partners back to work too soon is devastating, says Rachel Grocott, CEO of Pregnant Then Screwed.

Read more: Women losing out on pay after having miscarriages

Doctors warn that overexertion after a C-section can have serious consequences. New mothers are advised to avoid bending over or lifting heavy items such as car seats and prams, but for those coping alone, thats not always realistic. Pushing your physical limits too soon can lead to split stitches, bleeding and infection. Vaginal births come with their own recovery challenges, from pain to exhaustion and more.

The weeks after birth are also as challenging emotionally as they are physically, with others facing a higher risk of depression and anxiety during this time. But when fathers take meaningful paternity leave, the support can have a protective effect against postnatal depression in mums.

You then add on top the mental load of caring for a newborn, the sleepless nights, and this really is a perfect storm, says Grocott. And all thats without even mentioning the long-term impacts on things like careers, where the international evidence proves again and again that rebalancing care is the best way to support women to thrive in the workplace.

Jon Fitzmaurice, head of engagement at the Work Foundation thinktank at Lancaster University, says the current paternity leave model assumes a standard or uncomplicated birth. Yet, he points out, even women who have straightforward deliveries often find their needs overlooked.

Read more: How to keep your clients while self-employed on maternity leave

For our first child, it was a difficult birth and my wife was in a lot of pain for weeks after, he says. I remember reluctantly going back to work after two weeks, and my wife just decided to stay at home for a few days as she was in too much pain to go out with the baby on her own.

In a 2025 survey of 7,796 people by the trade union Unison, 70% of respondents whose partners took paternity leave reported that it significantly affected their recovery and wellbeing. Nine in 10 said a more generous paternity leave would have improved their experience.

Aman Navani, research and policy analyst at the Work Foundation, points out that the UKs statutory paternity leave is among the least generous in Europe. This, she explains, not only impacts womens recovery and wellbeing after childbirth but also has lasting effects on their careers and lifetime earnings.

Work Foundation research has found that 44% of employers only offer statutory paternity pay, which is currently 172.48 a week. As a result, uptake of paternity leave is low and one in two families who take paternity leave (53%) experience financial struggles, she says.

Read more: Why did shared parental leave fail in the UK?

This matters for equality in the labour market and workforce participation more widely. Parents are forced to prioritise their financial security rather than the health and wellbeing of their family, and limited paternity leave can have a knock-on effect on mothers health and employment prospects.

The current system also overlooks the fact that the majority of dads want to be more involved at home. Not only do they want more time to bond with their newborns, they want to rebalance the disproportionate burden of childcare that often falls on mothers.

Dads in the UK are entitled to just two weeks of statutory paternity leave, leaving mothers to manage the demands of newborn care entirely on their own. (Halfpoint Images via Getty Images)

George Gabriel, co-founder of the campaign group The Dad Shift, says its hard to put into words how bad it feels as a dad knowing you cant support your partner after theyve given birth.

The UKs rubbish paternity offer means over 230,000 mothers are left every year to fend for themselves and their babies during their post-operative recovery because their partners are forced back to work, he says.

Imagine an entire city the size of Peterborough or Portsmouth, thats the scale of the failure in public policy were talking about.

Read more:

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The government is organising emergency charter flights to evacuate British tourists stranded in Jamaica, as the death toll from Hurricane Melissa continues to rise.

As many as 8,000 Britons are thought to be in Jamaica, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has urged them to register their presence through the government website to receive updates on the hurricane.

While all airports on the Caribbean island were shut in preparation for the storm, the Jamaican government said it hopes to reopen them on Thursday to help in the distribution of emergency relief supplies.

A car drives through the a destroyed neighborood following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, Jamaica (AFP/Getty)

The FCDO said it is working with travel companies and commercial airlines to restore flights, as well as organising a limited number of charter flights for British nationals who are unable to fly home commercially in order to bolster capacity.

All British nationals who have registered their presence in Jamaica will automatically be contacted and provided with a link to the booking portal for flights once airports are open, the department said.

Two specialist rapid deployment teams are travelling to Jamaica to facilitate the charter flights and provide consular assistance to British nationals.

It comes after the UK announced plans to support the country with 2.5m in emergency humanitarian funding, as Sir Keir Starmer described scenes from the country as truly shocking.

The funding will go towards delivering emergency supplies such as shelter kits, water filters and blankets.

The FCDO has also set up a crisis centre to help Britons on the Caribbean island. Meanwhile, the Royal Navy ship HMS Trent is in the region on stand-by.

The prime minister told MPs on Wednesday that naval vessel HMS Trent and rapid deployment teams had been pre-positioned in the region to provide support.

In a statement on Friday, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said: The strong links between the UK and Jamaica mean many British nationals were there during the devastation of the hurricane, and we need to ensure they can get safely home, as we know how worrying and difficult the last few days will have been.

The UK government is chartering flights to bolster commercial capacity and ensure people who wish to return to the UK can do so as soon as possible.

The west of Jamaica is thought to have been particularly badly hit, including key tourist areas such as Montego Bay, while around three-quarters of the island is without power.

On Tuesday, the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami said Melissa was one of the most powerful hurricane landfalls on record in the Atlantic basin as it hit southwestern Jamaica near New Hope with sustained winds of 185mph.

The storm has since made landfall in eastern Cuba and dropped from a category 5 to a category 3 hurricane.

The National Hurricane Centre warned residents in Cuba to remain sheltered, and urged the Bahamas to make preparations for the storm, which is predicted to reach the country later on Wednesday.
Credit: TikTok / bandera_batya

Ukrainian troops have rescued a Bactrian camel used by Russian soldiers during their offensive in eastern Ukraine.

Footage shows the one-tonne animal pacing behind a white pick-up truck as Ukrainian troops work on a damaged M-113 armoured personnel carrier.

The double-humped camel was taken by Ukrainian troops after they stormed a Russian position and found it wandering around, according to reports.

Bactrian camels, also known as Mongolian camels, are from central Asia and are adapted to survive in severe weather conditions and carry heavy loads. Another camel was photographed being ridden by a Russian soldier in February.

Russia has defended the use of animals on the frontline

The Telegraph understands that the camel was found in the north-east of Ukraine, near Kharkiv, and may now be on its way to Feldman Ecopark in Lisne, just outside the city.

The park has a rehabilitation centre for animals, and runs programmes which help children and adults with disabilities. Touching the animals plays an important role in therapy sessions.

The park, which has come under Russian shelling and lost six staff members since the start of the war, has been contacted for comment.

Reports suggest that a special unit within Ukraines special forces helped with the rescue mission.

Russian soldiers have also been known to use horses and donkeys in their attacks on Ukrainian positions.

Viktor Sobolev, a member of Russias Duma defence committee, defended the practice: If some methods such as donkeys, horses, and so on are used to deliver ammunition and other supplies to the front line, this is normal.

Over the summer, the commander of the Storm unit of Russias 9th Brigade of the 51st Army, which operates in the key Donetsk region, began training horse-mounted assault teams.

Russian troops with a Bactrian camel used for frontline transport

Bactrian camels are from central Asia and adapted to survive in severe weather conditions

Footage posted on Telegram shows Russian soldiers on horseback galloping across an open field.

In some videos, two soldiers are mounted on one horse, with one concentrating on riding and the other preparing to launch an attack. They are accompanied by remote-controlled drones flying above them across the field.

Horses see well at night, dont need roads to accelerate on the final approach and their instincts can, reportedly, help them avoid mines, a Kremlin-aligned blogger wrote on his WarGonzo Telegram account.

I am sure we will soon witness the historic return of the Russian cavalry to the ranks. Lets wish Khan and his modern horde luck  with the expectation of some epic footage from the front.

Moscow has been forced to turn to low-tech solutions as its advance across Ukraine has been slowing down since August.

Credit: Telegram/WarGonzo

Last month, Moscows forces seized a total of 173 square miles from Ukraine, according to data by the Institute for the Study of War.

Russia initially made rapid progress  but that advance largely came to a halt by the end of September, with only about 12 square miles conquered between Sept 20 and Sept 30.

Their forces have been largely stalled in the Donetsk region.

Moscow gained 70 square miles there in September, one of its smallest advances in a year, and the lines have been virtually frozen since the middle of the month.

Bomb strike on power plant

On Thursday, a Russian bomb strike on a thermal power plant in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk killed two people and injured others.

Energy sites have been increasingly targeted by Moscow in drone and missile attacks as Vladimir Putin seeks to deplete Ukrainian supplies ahead of winter.

Another attack, on two energy infrastructure facilities in western Lviv, prompted Poland to scramble its aircraft as a preventative measure.

The Polish regional airports in Radom and Lublin were closed to allow the military to operate freely, the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency said.

Ukraines largest private energy company, DTEK, said a number of its power plants have been damaged.

Maxim Timchenko, its chief executive, said the strikes were a bad blow [to] our efforts to keep power flowing this winter.

Blackouts will be imposed on Friday across Ukraine to manage energy shortages.

Systematic energy terror

In his evening address, Volodymyr Zelensky described the attack in the Donetsk region as systematic energy terror.

We count on America, Europe, and the G7 countries not to ignore Moscows intent to destroy everything, Mr Zelensky said, calling for more sanctions to pressure Russia to end its invasion.

In Povrosk, the strategic hub that Russian forces have been inching towards for more than a year, Ukraine is intensifying efforts to secure evacuation routes, the top army commander said on Thursday.

Taking Pokrovsk could enable advances in the Donetsk region, which Russia aims to fully occupy.

The enemy infantry, avoiding combat, is gathering in urban areas and changing locations, so the primary task is to locate and destroy them, said Oleksandr Syrskyi, the Ukraine army chief.
Sudanese people who fled El Fasher gather at a camp in Tawila. Photograph: Muhnnad Adam/AP

Diplomats and senior UN figures speaking at the UN security council have condemned mass killings by the Rapid Support Forces in El Fasher after the Sudanese city descended into an even darker hell following the paramilitary groups takeover at the weekend.

Widespread reports of ethnically targeted killings in recent days prompted the UK, as the UN penholder on Sudan, to call an emergency session of the security council in New York on Thursday.

Related: They killed civilians in their beds: chaos and brutality reign after fall of El Fasher

The situation is simply horrifying, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, the assistant secretary general of the UN for Africa, told the meeting. In the past week, the UN human rights office has documented widespread and serious human rights violations in and around El Fasher. These include credible reports of mass killings in various locations and summary executions during house-to-house searches and as civilians have tried to flee the city.

Communications have been cut off. The situation is chaotic. In this context, it is difficult to estimate the number of civilians killed. Despite commitments to protect civilians, the reality is that no one is safe in El Fasher. There is no safe passage for civilians to leave the city.

Pobee added: External support is enabling the conflict. Weapons and fighters continue to flow into Sudan, further contributing to the already desperate situation.

Tom Fletcher, the under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, told the meeting: El Fasher, already the scene of catastrophic levels of human suffering, has descended into an even darker hell.

Fletcher condemned the reported killing of nearly 500 people at the Saudi maternity hospital and said tens of thousands were fleeing to Tawila, where civilians, mostly women and children, faced extortion, violence and abduction.

In a statement, the security council said recent developments in El Fasher had had a devastating impact on the civilian population and that council members condemned reported atrocities being perpetrated by the RSF against the civilian population, including summary executions and arbitrary detentions.

The UN session was likely to be uncomfortable for the United Arab Emirates, the RSFs key external backer, but diplomatic calls for the UN to recognise it had a responsibility to protect people from a deliberate genocide, as opposed to merely condemning a breach of international humanitarian law, were sparse.

In the UK, the Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty told MPs in the House of Commons: The reports of mass atrocities against civilians and the forced displacement caused by the RSF advances in El Fasher are both horrifying and deeply alarming.

Calum Miller, the Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson, called for a ban on all UK arms sales to the UAE until it was proven that any such previous exports had not been transferred to Sudan for use by the RSF.

The Guardian reported on Tuesday that British military equipment used by the RSF had been found on battlefields in Sudan, according to documents seen by the UN security council.

Doughty admitted UK-made military equipment had been found in Sudan but distinguished items from weaponry, telling MPs: We are aware of reports of a small number of UK-made items having been found in Sudan, but there is no evidence in the recent reporting of UK weapons or ammunition being used in Sudan.

The UAE has repeatedly denied allegations it gives military support to the RSF.

Kate Ferguson, a co-director of Protection Approaches, a UK charity working to tackle identity-based violence and mass atrocities, said: We need an emergency coalition of conscience to drive an immediate global effort to protect civilians and end the atrocities  and demonstrate to the UAE that enabling deliberate destruction of populations is not tolerated.

In the face of countless warnings, the international community has failed to uphold its collective responsibilities to protect El Fasher from genocide.

Human Rights Watch called for targeted sanctions to be imposed on the UAE leadership, while the US Democratic senator Chris Van Hollen called on his fellow senators to pass his bill banning US arms sales to the UAE.

Last month the Quad  an external group comprising the US, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE, responsible for overseeing diplomacy surrounding the conflict  outlined a roadmap for peace but it has not been implemented.

It called for an initial three-month humanitarian truce to allow for rapid aid delivery, followed by a permanent ceasefire, and concluding with a nine-month transitional period leading to an independent, civilian-led government with broad-based legitimacy and accountability.

On Thursday, the UAE said: We categorically reject any claims of providing any form of support to either warring party since the onset of the civil war, and condemn atrocities committed by both Port Sudan Authority and the RSF. The latest UN panel of experts report makes clear that there is no substantiated evidence that the UAE has provided any support to the RSF, or has any involvement in the conflict.
The King has left no room for misunderstanding and stripped his younger brother of all his titles - Toby Melville/Reuters

There will be a moment, in the near future, where the name of the Duke of York will be scrubbed out of existence.

In a humiliation visible for the history books, it will be crossed off the Peerage Roll and, along with his alter egos of Prince and His Royal Highness, will not be heard in an official capacity again in his lifetime.

Prince Andrew becomes Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, and his downfall has reached its nadir.

The word unprecedented is overused in royal reporting. This, finally, is the definition.

It has taken Buckingham Palace some time to reach the decision. A halfway house solution of allowing Mr Mountbatten Windsor to voluntarily give up using his duke title did not cut the mustard.

Public ire focused on Royal Lodge, Andrews 30-room home  on which he was paying a peppercorn rent  and the questions kept on coming.

Andrew must vacate Royal Lodge, where he and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson have lived for more than 20 years - KGC Photo Agency LLP

On Thursday night, after weeks of headlines, chat show debates and MPs demanding answers on Royal Lodge, advanced discussions at the palace reached their conclusion.

The King  who is not an unsympathetic man and has been assured by his brother of his innocence on all fronts  finally pressed the nuclear button.

Mr Mountbatten Windsor will be packing his bags, extricating himself from his cast-iron lease at his current home, and moving into a small house on the Sandringham Estate.

The decision has not been taken lightly.

Andrew, behind the scenes, has been affected by the public pressure. A duty of care to him, even after all this, has been part of discussions.

The decision has needed support from the wider family, it is said. The Prince of Wales  naturally, as heir to the throne  has been involved, as have Charles and Andrews siblings, the children of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Finally, royal sources admit, there have been serious lapses of judgment from Mr Mountbatten Windsor, even if he denies all allegations.

And finally, years after Virginia Giuffre and other victims of Jeffrey Epstein spoke out about their experiences, the King and Queen have formally acknowledged the victims and survivors of abuse.

Andrew has denied all the allegations made against him by Virginia Giuffre but the King and Queens statement formally acknowledged the victims and survivors of abuse - Emily Michot/Miami Herald

Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse, the palace said in a statement.

It will go some way, if not all the way, to answer the question of why they had not made that clear before.

That it has all got this far will pain the King. Those party to the details of discussions this week say he has been resolute, but listening to advice from all quarters.

It was not so long ago that the idea of removing Andrews titles seemed too difficult, too big a statement when he had not been convicted of anything by law.

When The Telegraph wrote that there was a mechanism to de-prince him, back in August, many cast doubt that it could, or would, ever come to pass.

Yet here we are. There is only so much, the King has signalled, that palace and public can tolerate.

For Andrew, for all his public bluster and robustness, this defenestration will sting. Few living royals put as much store by status and title as he  and now they are gone.

Andrew has now been stripped of all titles - Newspix International

Where he was once associated with Falklands war heroics, with an era as an eligible bachelor (those tabloid titles of Randy Andy and Air Miles Andy are all that is left), he will now be remembered as the most disgraced royal of his generation, and several before that.

He has not been entirely cast out of the fold. The King will privately fund his housing from now on, in an effort to keep him out of further trouble.

The Sandringham Estate, where a small house will be made available for Andrew Mountbatten Windsor - Radcliffe/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

There are plenty of technicalities still to work through  there are precedents for a prince title and the HRH style being removed, but not for all of this at once with a house move to boot.

For an institution that is mythologised as ruthless  the survival of the monarchy is all, in the popular imagination  Buckingham Palace has taken its time to act.

It has now done so, decisively, and left no room for misunderstanding.

These censures are deemed necessary, the palace said, speaking for the King.

There have been years of scandal, weeks of questions, and days of negotiations. The King will hope that this, finally, is enough.
Smeared washable paint was part of a climate protest at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC in April 2023. Photograph: Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia

Climate activists have condemned an 18-month jail term for a nonviolent protester who vandalized a display case at the National Gallery of Art as grossly disproportionate and a violation of the constitutional protected rights to free speech and peaceful protest.

Timothy Martin, along with fellow activist Joanna Smith, staged the climate protest at the Washington DC gallery in April 2023, smearing washable red and black paint on the protective glass covering Edgar Degass Little Dancer Aged Fourteen Years sculpture.

Video of the protest shows that they sat silently with their hands raised, and did not touch or damage the sculpture itself.

Martin, 55 and Smith, 54, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States and injury to a National Gallery of Art exhibit, felonies that each carry penalties of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Martin has been held without bond since being found guilty in April, and earlier this week was sentenced to 18 months by a federal judge in Washington.

Tim Martin engaged in a classic example of civil disobedience to make a political point  the authorities basically threw the book at him. Its hard to fathom how a peaceful protester can receive more prison time than many of the insurrectionists who tried to overturn an election, said Trevor Stankiewicz, researcher at Climate Rights International.

Punishing peaceful protest out of proportion has a chilling effect on free speech and basic rights  You cant imprison your way out of the climate crisis, Stankiewicz.

Smith pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and served a 60-day sentence.

She was also sentenced to 24 months of supervised release, as well as 150 hours of community service and fines totaling $4,062. Smith was barred from entering Washington, and from all museums and monuments for two years.

Martin did not accept a plea deal and was found guilty on both counts after a four-day trial.

Climate activists see the jail sentence as part of a broader judicial crackdown on climate and environmental activists in the US and across the world, as governments accused of failing to take action to curtail climate catastrophe increasingly target those protesting.

An investigation by the Guardian last year found fossil fuel lobbyists were involved in drafting US state laws to impose harsher penalties on nonviolent activists protesting against the expansion of fossil fuels.

Martin and Smith have said that the action was not intended to harm the artwork, rather to confront what they see as the US refusal to tackle the escalating climate crisis.

When I was asked to do this action, it was a no-brainer. I come from an art background and the little dancer is so beautiful and she represents the children of the world that are under major threat because of the climate emergency. So, I could not resist the opportunity to turn her beautiful, vulnerable, symbolic self into a message [against] fossil fuels, Martin said earlier this year.

This verdict sends a strong message to the thousands of people who come to DC each year to demonstrate and be heard, said Edward R Martin, a US attorney in Washington, in April. Free speech is a constitutional right. But when you take illegal action, such as causing damage to an art exhibit at the National Gallery, you are crossing a line  we will not tolerate anyone defacing our city to get attention for their cause.

Prosecutors had sought a five-year sentence for Timothy Martin.

In sentencing, Judge Amy Berman Jackson gave Martin credit for time served, and said he should be released in 12 months. He must also pay $4,250 in restitution, serve two years of supervised probation and complete 150 hours of community service  20 hours of which must involve cleaning graffiti.
JD Vance slammed for saying he hopes his Hindu wife Usha will join Christianity at Charlie Kirk event

Vice President JD Vance is facing sharp criticism after he told a group of college students in Mississippi that he hopes his Hindu wife, second lady Usha Vance, will give up her own faith and become a Christian.

The vice president was speaking at the University of Mississippi at an event sponsored by Turning Point USA, the group founded by slain Christian conservative activist Charlie Kirk, when a questioner invoked his wifes religious background.

Vance replied that his wife grew up in what was not a particularly religious Hindu family and said they had always had an open dialogue on religious matters when it comes to how they are raising their three children  two of whom attend a Christian school with all three being raised in the Christian faith.

After noting that Usha often attends church with him, he said he hopes she will someday be moved by the same things that brought him to convert to Catholicism as an adult.

I honestly do wish that because I believe in the Christian gospel, and I hope eventually, my wife comes to see it the same way, he said.

Second Lady Usha Vance is a Yale-educated attorney and practicing Hindu (AFP via Getty Images)

If she doesnt, then God says, everybody has free will, so that doesnt cause a problem for me. Thats something you work out.

Vances comments, which were broadcast on Fox News and online by Turning Point, struck a nerve with some users on X.

An Indian-American commentator named Deep Barot also weighed in, mocking Vances suggestion that his wife was once agnostic when she has admitted having been raised in the Hindu tradition.

Lol  Usha Vance is Hindu not agnostic this is not very hard for you to follow. They even had a Vedic Hindu wedding and one of his kids name is Vivek. The biggest hypocrite of them all is JD Vance, which is why he isnt going for if nominated in 2028. pic.twitter.com/0rEoibWttv  Deep Barot (@deepbarot) October 30, 2025

Usha Vance is Hindu not agnostic this is not very hard for you to follow. They even had a Vedic Hindu wedding and one of his kids name [sic] is Vivek, he said.

Barot added that Vance was the biggest hypocrite for downplaying his wifes background and would face problems in a potential 2028 presidential run as a result.

Another Indian commentator, Nirmalya Dutta, called Vance a class A hypocrite for the same reason and noted that the vice president had credited his wifes faith with reinvigorating his interest in his own.

JD is a class A hypocrite. What he said about Usha's faith in the past and now... pic.twitter.com/LTnVvkoSP2  Nirmalya Dutta (@NonsensicalNemo) October 30, 2025

Transgender activist Ari Drennen, suggested that his remarks could lead to the end of his marriage.

Hes going to be the first Vice President to get Divorced while in office, she said.For her part, Usha Vance has stated that she has no intention to abandon her familys faith in favor of her husbands.

Hes going to be the first Vice President to get Divorced while in office https://t.co/JaZH5XAfEs  Ari Drennen (@AriDrennen) October 30, 2025

In an interview with conservative commentator Meghan McCain in June, Vance said she and the vice president had a lot of conversations about faith when he was considering whether to convert to Catholicism and noted that his decision came with several important obligations, like to raise your child in the faith and all that.

She said at the time that she was not intending to convert or anything like that and told McCain that she and her husband have given her children each the choice of experiencing both of their respective religious traditions.

The kids know that Im not Catholic, and they have plenty of access to the Hindu tradition from books that we give them, to things that we show them, to the recent trip to India, and some of the religious elements of that visit, she said.
King Charles has formally stripped Prince Andrew of all royal titles and honours, Buckingham Palace has announced.

King Charles has formally stripped Prince Andrew of all royal titles and honours, Buckingham Palace has announced

The 76-year-old monarchs move follows renewed legal pressure on the Duke of York, 65  now to be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor  as campaigners pursue a private prosecution over allegations linked to the Virginia Giuffre scandal.

In a statement issued by Buckingham Palace on Thursday (30.10.25) evening, a spokesperson said: His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.

Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation.

These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him. Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.

Andrew faces a private prosecution for alleged sexual assault, corruption and misconduct in public office.

The case is being brought by campaign group Republic, which says it has instructed a law firm to examine evidence and, if justified, commence proceedings.

The groups action follows years of controversy surrounding Andrews association with the late US financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The Metropolitan Police previously reviewed claims Andrew had asked a taxpayer-funded bodyguard in 2011 to obtain personal information about Virginia, including her date of birth and social security number.

But the force did not pursue a formal investigation.

Andrew has consistently denied Virginias claims she was forced to have sex with him on three occasions when she was 17. He relinquished his Duke of York title and other honours before Giuffres memoirs were due to be published.

Virginias relatives, Sky Roberts and Amanda Roberts, have urged the Independent Office for Police Conduct to review Scotland Yards decision not to reopen the case.

Republics chief executive, Graham Smith, said: If not us, then who? Its a devastating indictment on the UKs criminal justice system, police and politicians  not to mention the King and heir  that we must resort to a private prosecution. It should be a cause for concern that so many people believe  rightly in my view  that the royals are not treated equally in law. Equality in law is a basic tenet of democracy.

I firmly believe there is strong enough evidence to justify a serious investigation. The authorities and politicians appear to want to look the other way, while minimising the accusations made against Andrew. The truth must prevail and justice must be seen to be done.

In 2022, Virginia reportedly received up to 12 million to settle her civil sexual assault case, though Andrew has maintained he never met her.

His financial arrangements and continued residence at Royal Lodge  where he has lived for over 20 years  have drawn criticism after reports of a peppercorn rent arrangement.

According to reports, Andrew and his former wife Sarah Ferguson, 66, have agreed to vacate Royal Lodge in exchange for two smaller properties.

The BBC reported Andrew hosted Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Harvey Weinstein at Royal Lodge ahead of his daughter Princess Beatrices 18th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle in 2006.

Earlier this week, King Charles was heckled as he met crowds during a visit to Lichfield Cathedral in the Midlands by a man who shouted: How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein?
Virgin Trains has had its application to share Eurostars east London train depot approved by the Office of Rail and Road, paving the way for it to launch international services through the Channel Tunnel.

The regulator has granted access to Sir Richard Branson's company to use the Temple Mills site for maintaining and storing trains.

Access to the depot is a critical requirement for an operator to launch Channel Tunnel services competing with Eurostar.

Temple Mills is the only train depot that can be accessed from High Speed 1, the line that runs between London and the tunnel.

Eurostar has held a monopoly on passenger services through the tunnel since it opened in 1994.

Virgin Trains is planning to launch competing services in 2030.

It will need to gain additional regulatory approvals covering issues such as track access and safety.

Eurostar trains at the maintenance depot in Temple Mills (PA Archive)

Sir Richard said: "The ORR's decision is the right one for consumers. It's time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route.

"Virgin is no stranger to delivering award-winning rail services, and just as we have successfully challenged incumbents in air, cruise and rail, we're ready to do it again.

"We're going to shake-up the cross-Channel route for good and give consumers the choice they deserve."

Eurostar currently runs trains from London's St Pancras station to locations such as Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.

The tunnel is only used at about 50% capacity, despite also accommodating LeShuttle vehicle-carrying trains between Folkestone in Kent and Calais in northern France.

The ORR rejected applications from Evolyn, Gemini Trains and Trenitalia to use the Temple Mills depot.

Eurostar was also unsuccessful in seeking permission to use the site's spare capacity to grow.

The ORR said: "Virgin Trains' plans were more financially and operationally robust than those of other applicants, and it provided clear evidence of investor backing and an agreement in principle to deliver the necessary and appropriate rolling stock."

Martin Jones, the regulator's deputy director for access and international, said: "With this decision we are backing customer choice and competition in international rail, unlocking up to 700 million in private sector investment and stimulating growth.

"While there is still some way to go before the first new services can run, we stand ready to work with Virgin Trains as their plans develop."

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: I am incredibly pleased on the ORRs decision to open up spare capacity at Temple Mills depot, which marks a significant step towards growth and a more competitive international rail market.

Allowing Virgin Trains to share this vital facility will give passengers greater choice, better value and improve connectivity for millions, as well as drive innovation, lower fares and promote greener connections with Europe.

While this decision is an important first step, we recognise there is significant interest in this and depot capacity should not be a barrier to greater competition and growth. We are therefore exploring plans to establish new depot capacity in the UK, supported by private investment, to meet the needs of the market and will set out further plans in due course.

We will also continue to champion the reopening Ashford and Ebbsfleet International stations as a priority to restore full connectivity, support tourism and boost growth across the region.
Im so annoyed  Emma Thompson on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Photograph: CBS

Emma Thompson has spoken of her frustration over the increasing proliferation of AI prompts when writing.

Speaking to Stephen Colbert on his late night talkshow, Thompson, who won an Oscar for her 1996 adaptation of Sense and Sensibility, spoke of her intense irritation with AI.

Clenching her fists, Thompson told Colbert that she usually writes scripts longhand due to a belief in a connection between the brain and the hands, before transferring to the script to Microsofts word-processing app.

Recently, the Word document is constantly saying, Would you like me to rewrite that for you? said Thompson said, in reference to Words AI system Copilot.

And so I end up just going, I dont need you to f*****g rewrite what Ive just written! Will you f**k off? Just f**k off! Im so annoyed.

Thompson went on to say that her run-ins with technology are not new, and that when she was finishing the Sense and Sensibility script, I came back from the loo to find that it had changed the entire script into hieroglyphs  completely gone.

She then went in her dressing gown to Stephen Frys house, where he spent eight hours recovering the script, and it came out in one long sentence.

Thompson then had to re-do it. The computer had taken it and hidden it  like it had done it on purpose.

Speaking in 2023 at a conference in Cambridge, Thompson railed against the new labelling of creative storytelling as content and said that focusing on raw honesty while writing was key to a scripts efficacy.

What is authentic, whether you like it or not, she said, is going to be meaningful to somebody. You find your audience by being completely authentic.

Related: Down Cemetery Road review  Emma Thompson is magnificent in this thriller from Slow Horses creator

Trying to produce a script according to a formula, she said, led to films that elicited unhappy results. You sit there and you watch them and you wonder why, at the end of it, you feel a bit ill.

Thompson is promoting new TV detective series Down Cemetery Road, and won rave reviews for her performance as a widow who tries to thwart kidnappers in the recent film The Dead of Winter.

Hollywood is fighting back against the rise of AI in both unauthorised use of images and in the scripting and production of movies. Over the weekend, the director Guillermo Del Toro said he would rather die than use generative AI while making films.

Im 61, he said, and I hope to be able to remain uninterested in using it at all until I croak  The other day, somebody wrote me an email, said, What is your stance on AI? And my answer was very short. I said, Id rather die.
Homemade soup is nutritious, low-cost, and surprisingly easy to make. (Getty Images) (Cris Canton via Getty Images)

The dark, wintry evenings may be upon us, but the idea of curling up with a good book or some great telly  Celebrity Traitors, anyone?  can help brighten up the shorter days.

And that scene could be made even cosier with a big bowl of warming soup that's chock full of nutritious vegetables and protein.

Sipping on a steaming bowl of soup isn't just the height of comfort; it's also a great way to get warm and toasty as the temperatures continue to drop.

The beauty of making soup from scratch is that it's an easy, affordable meal that is versatile to boot.

Scaling up a soup recipe for meal prepping is simple to do, and you can also swap out or add vegetables and proteins according to whatever you already have on hand.

Here are six super-easy soup recipes that anyone can cook.

Leek and potato soup

Leek and potato soup is a winter classic, as it makes use of seasonal leeks and is simple to make. (Getty Images) (Anne DEL SOCORRO via Getty Images)

Leeks are in season from autumn through to winter, and making leek and potato soup is the perfect way to use them.

Like onions and garlic, leeks are part of the allium family. They're inexpensive, easy to prepare and cook, and create a delicious creamy soup when blitzed with potatoes.

Try this Good Food recipe that includes:

Onion

Potatoes

Leeks

Vegetable stock

Double cream or creme fraiche

Heat vegetable oil and add the diced onions, potatoes and leeks to cook for three to four minutes until they start to soften.

Add the vegetable stock and bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

With a hand blender, whizz the soup until smooth. Heat again in the pan and stir in the cream or creme fraiche. Serve hot.

Minestrone

Minestrone soup is packed with vegetables and pasta, perfect for filling hungry bellies in the winter. (Getty Images) (arina7 via Getty Images)

If you have lots of smaller pieces of vegetables that need using up in your fridge, a chunky minestrone soup is a great way to get the most out of them.

This Italian soup is packed with beans, vegetables and pasta, all swimming in a rich tomato base that will leave you and your family feeling satisfied.

If you've got some very hungry mouths to feed, add a side of crusty bread.

Try Jamie Oliver's recipe that includes:

Garlic

Onions

Bay leaves

Carrots

Celery

Any greens you have on hand, such as cabbage, chard or kale

Vegetable stock cube

Tinned plum tomatoes

Cannellini or butter beans

Dried pasta

Finely chop the garlic and onions and cook in olive oil alongside the bay leaves. Chop your carrots, celery and the tough stalks of your leafy greens, and add to the pan to cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until soft.

Crumble the vegetable stock cube in, pour in the tinned tomatoes and refill the same tin with water, pouring that in too.

Add the beans, including any liquid they come with, and season.

Shred the leaves from your greens and add those in too, then top up with boiled water and add the dried pasta. Simmer until the pasta is cooked, then season and serve with grated parmesan if desired.

Chicken and vegetable soup

Chicken soup delivers plenty of nutrients and healthy calories while still being easy to digest. (Getty Images) (Andrei Ifrim / 500px via Getty Images)

Chicken soup is well-known for being nourishing and comforting, particularly when you're recovering from an illness.

It's a good source of protein, fibre and vitamins that are also easily digestible, which helps when you're under the weather and don't really feel like eating.

Try this recipe by The British Heart Foundation that includes:

Chicken thigh fillets

Onion

Leek

Celery

Carrots

White or brown rice

Chicken or vegetable stock cubes

Dried mixed herbs

Heat oil in a large saucepan and add the onion, leek and celery to cook for about five minutes or until softened.

Add the cubed chicken, carrots and rice and stir frequently for two to three minutes to ensure the chicken is sealed all over.

Add the herbs and season with black pepper, then add water and the stock cube. Bring to the boil, then simmer for for 20 to 25 minutes until the chicken and rice are cooked and the carrots are tender.

Butternut squash soup

Autumnal squashes and pumpkins are delicious in soups, particularly as they benefit from being cooked for a longer period of time to tenderise them. (Getty Images) (thesomegirl via Getty Images)

Squashes and pumpkins are an autumn and winter staple, and you can find butternut squash easily throughout the cold months.

Butternut squash, which is high in fibre, vitamin A and C, and potassium, lends sweetness to any dish and is particularly delicious in a cosy soup.

Try Mary Berry's recipe that includes:

Butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and cubed

Onion

Carrots

Red pepper

Honey (optional)

Ginger

Vegetable stock

Preheat your oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. While it is heating up, toss the squash, onions, carrots, red pepper, and olive oil into a large bowl, season and toss everything until they are evenly coated.

Spread the vegetables in a single layer on a large roasting tin, and roast for 40 to 45 minutes. If using the honey, drizzle it over the vegetables five minutes before the timer goes off and allow to roast for the final five minutes.

In a saucepan, add olive oil and ginger and fry for a minute, then pour in the stock and bring to the boil.

Stir in the roasted vegetables and season. Remove the pan from the heat and use a hand blender to blitz the vegetables until smooth. Serve hot.

Read more pumpkin soup recipes here.

Tomato soup

Tomato soups are one of the UK's favourite soups. (Getty Images) (MonicaNinker via Getty Images)

Tomato soup is a deeply nostalgic dish that makes use of inexpensive ingredients, which are readily available in most supermarkets.

It is healthy to boot, using very little fat and no dairy  unless you like your tomato soup with a side of cheese toastie, of course.

Some people might prefer to make croutons for texture, while others might enjoy a garnish of creme fraiche and basil, as recommended in Delia Smith's recipe.

Try Delia Smith's recipe that includes:

Ripe red tomatoes

Onion

Garlic

Potato

Vegetable stock

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Cook the onions and potatoes slowly and on a gentle heat in a pan with olive oil so they soften without browning.

Then add the tomatoes and allow to cook for a minute before adding the stock, garlic and seasoning. Allow everything to simmer for 25 minutes.

Once the soup has simmered, put everything in a blender and blitz into a smooth liquid.

ABC chicken soup

Clear brothy chicken soup is a staple in Southeast Asia. (Getty Images) (alvarez via Getty Images)

This Southeast Asian favourite is a variation on chicken and vegetable soup, but with even fewer ingredients.

Mostly popular in Malaysia, it is named ABC soup for how simple it is to make. It is usually cooked on a low heat over a long period of time, and results in a delicious, cloudy broth with chunks of potatoes, carrots and tomatoes, and very tender chicken.

Try this recipe by Spruce Eats that includes:

Bone-in chicken pieces

Carrot

Tomato

Onion

Potatoes

Crushed black peppercorns

Place the chicken pieces in a pot of clean water and bring to the boil. Discard the water and rinse the chicken under the tap  this will result in a clearer soup and helps get rid of scum and excess fat.

Fill a clean pot with water again and add the chicken, then bring to the boil again. Add the carrot, tomato, onion and peppercorns and simmer over a low heat for 1.5 hours.

Peel, cube and add the potatoes and continue to simmer the soup for another 2.5 hours over a low heat. You may wish to use a slow cooker instead.

Season to taste and serve.

Shop for soup-making essentials
La Palombe, in Kensington, is adapting its menu because of the rising cost of beef - David Rose for The Telegraph

Restaurants are taking steak off the menu and replacing it with game in response to a surge in the price of beef.

The wholesale cost of beef has risen by as much as 40pc over the last 12 months, leaving restaurant owners struggling to make a profit on everything from burgers to steaks.

In response, some establishments are now swapping the meat out for wilder alternatives. James Chiavarini, a restaurant owner in Kensington, west London, said that beef had become so expensive he was planning to change his menu.

The star dish at La Palombe, Mr Chiavarinis newest restaurant, is a Cote de Boeuf for two  but may not be for much longer. Mr Chiavarini said: You cant start charging people 140 for Cote de Boeuf. We always like to have one big sharing dish, so we might swap beef out for a nice shoulder of fallow deer.

Restaurant owners can buy deer carcasses for as little as 20 per animal. Venison is more affordable because deer are increasingly abundant across the UK. Deer levels are at their highest for 1,000 years due to the introduction of non-native species such as Chinese water deer, as well as the planting of crops that provide a year-round food source.

In Suffolk, restaurant owner Sam Carlisle has stopped buying beef entirely and has largely replaced it on his menus with wild duck and game.

He said: Last week we got through 120 portions of wild duck. It just makes us much more likely to hit the [profit] margin that we have to get to, and margins are now more important than ever because the cost of employment, and the cost of every other input has gone up so much over the last couple of years.

Mr Carlisle said the rise in employers National Insurance (NI) and the rise in minimum wage at the last Budget meant low-margin items like beef were no longer viable.

James Chiavarini, the owner of La Palombe, blames rises in National Insurance and the minimum wage for surging meat costs - David Rose

Wild duck represents great value as they have no input costs  they do not need to be fed, looked after by a vet or kept in with expensive fencing.

Mr Carlisle is also selling pheasant and partridge, which are also affordable, as thousands of game birds are shot in Suffolk every week.

Tony Goodger, of the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers, said some restaurants were switching to pork. He said: Pork is doing well because its good value and youre seeing people using beef cut terminology on pork. So youve got pork ribeye.

Georgie Greene at HG Walter, a butcher that supplies 1,400 restaurants across London and the South East said: Many chefs have had to rethink their menus and become more creative. Some are keeping those prime cuts on the menu while reducing portion sizes to keep the dish affordable for their customers.

James Runciman, a cattle farmer in Norfolk, said beef prices were soaring in part because there was very little hay to feed the cows with after a dry summer resulted in poor grass growth.

However, the national beef herd has been shrinking for years. Farmers have found it increasingly hard to make a profit following a surge in the cost of everything from feed to labour and machinery. A lack of local abattoirs also makes farming cattle unattractive as it involves a lot of haulage.

Jake Leach, co-owner of La Palombe, where the star dish is a Cote de Boeuf for two - David Rose for The Telegraph

While the recent surge in prices should theoretically encourage more farmers to get into the market, it takes years to rear cattle and involves high upfront costs.

Mr Runciman said: If a young farmer wants to come in and start a beef herd, theyve got to invest and then wait for nearly three years before they can sell a finished animal.

Pigs and sheep have a much quicker return on investment, making them more attractive. Mr Runicman said: There just arent the number of cattle out there. People have just gone out of beef farming.

Conservationists have welcomed the move from beef to venison, noting that deer, which consume up to 8pc of their body weight a day in foliage, need to be culled to allow trees and hedges to grow.
It is hoped the breath test for pancreatic cancer could be available to GPs within five years - Jeff Moore/Pancreatic Cancer UK

A new breath test for pancreatic cancer could revolutionise treatment for the disease, experts have said.

Scientists at Imperial College London are hoping the world-first test will turn the tide on the disease, which is notoriously hard to spot in its early stages.

Pancreatic Cancer UK, which is funding a study of the test, said its launch was the most significant step toward a life-saving breakthrough in 50 years.

The vague symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer, including back pain and indigestion, mean it is often not detected until it has spread to other parts of the body.

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A recent audit of pancreatic cancer found that the majority of patients are diagnosed at a late stage  62 per cent of patients in England and 65 per cent of patients in Wales are diagnosed at stage four.

Survival rates are particularly poor for this type of cancer. Some 22 per cent do not survive for 30 days after diagnosis in England and 21 per cent in Wales.

The new breath test will be tested among 6,000 patients with an unknown diagnosis across 40 sites around the country.

The breath test detects organic compounds which can give an early warning of pancreatic cancer - Jeff Moore/Pancreatic Cancer UK

If it proves effective, it is hoped it could be introduced in GP surgeries within five years, meaning patients could be diagnosed sooner when treatment may be more effective.

The trial follows a smaller study of 700 patients over two years which had promising results. The breath test is used to detect a combination of volatile organic compounds present in the breath.

Thousands of these compounds travel around the bloodstream and are filtered out when the blood reaches the lungs and are expelled out with breath, Pancreatic Cancer UK said.

Isolating unique combinations of these compounds can pinpoint whether or not a person has pancreatic cancer, with results available for GPs in just three days. Changes are evident even when the cancer is at its earliest stage.

At present, patients with suspected pancreatic cancer are referred for scans, or sent to the hospital for further investigations.

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Diana Jupp, the chief executive of Pancreatic Cancer UK  which is providing 1.1m to fund the study  said: The breath test has the potential to revolutionise the early detection of pancreatic cancer. It is, undoubtedly, the most significant step toward a lifesaving breakthrough in 50 years.

While more years of development are still needed before we can put this exciting new technology into the hands of GPs across the country, thousands of patients with an unknown diagnosis will now help refine it in the real world.

This is the first pancreatic cancer breath test to ever reach a national clinical trial of this scale. That in itself makes this a moment of real, tangible hope.

For decades the deadliest common cancer has been seen as too great a challenge to solve but we are determined to keep pushing the boundaries of whats thought possible.

Prof George Hanna, head of the department of surgery and cancer at Imperial College London, said: If our findings from the initial phase of the breath test study can be validated in a population of patients with an unknown diagnosis, it has huge potential to influence clinical practice and pancreatic cancer referral pathways.

The funding announced today means we can now move quickly to that patient validation study stage, which is a very exciting next step for us. We look forward to seeing how the test performs in this group of patients with suspected cancer.
Julia Wandelt is accused of peddling the myth that she is Madeleine and stalking Kate and Gerry McCann - Go Get Funding

A Polish woman claiming to be Madeleine McCann has accused Kate McCann of concealing information from police.

Leicester Crown Court heard that Julia Wandelt, 24, claims to have memories of her abduction and of living with the McCann family.

Ms Wandelt, from Lubin in south-west Poland, is accused of peddling the myth that she is Madeleine, while stalking Kate and Gerry McCann by sending emails, making phone calls and turning up at their address between June 2022 and February this year.

She told the jury: If my memories are wrong, why did Kate McCann hide more contact she had with me when I explained my memories? She didnt tell it in court.

If Im wrong, why did she hide the fact that most of the voicemails were about my memories?

If Im wrong, why did she hide this part? Why did she hide this, or some information that is relevant?

Prosecutor Michael Duck KC asked Ms Wandelt if she was suggesting that Mrs McCann withheld information from the jury or the investigation, and she replied: Both.

Mr Duck asked Ms Wandelt: Do you understand your advances were unwanted?

She responded: No, because at the end of the day, this is a person looking for their child, so I didnt assume this contact was not wanted.

Ms Wandelt is accused of turning up unwanted at the home of Kate McCann and husband Gerry - Andrew Winning/Reuters

The prosecutor asked: You were being ignored, werent you? to which Ms Wandelt replied: Yes, I was, by a person looking for their child.

Asked why she thought they did not respond, Ms Wandelt said: Maybe they were not allowed to. I just could not believe, and still cannot believe, the parents of a missing child dont want to follow a lead.

Ms Wandelt added: But I wasted three-and-a-half years of my life working out who I am... I think Im in the wrong place. I should not be in the witness box today.

She said she thought the reason the McCanns did not respond to her was because they had been threatened.

Ms Wandelt broke down in tears and said: Why am I standing here? I didnt do anything wrong.

The court heard Ms Wandelt sent a message to Mrs McCann saying you are corrupted and you never wanted to find Madeleine, its so sad.

Speaking about why she sent this, Ms Wandelt said: I was very sad and emotional. I just said a few more things I probably shouldnt have said because its not my belief. Thats how I felt being ignored by everyone.

I dont believe shes corrupt. It was difficult for me. I regret saying this part. I was emotional; it was too much for me to deal with.

Its a human thing to react this way after being pushed away for about two years.

Madeleine disappeared during a family holiday in Portugal in 2007, in what is now one of the most high-profile international missing person cases.

She was as frustrated as me

Ms Wandelt said that Karen Spragg, 61, her co-defendant, had been verbally aggressive towards Mrs McCann when they visited her home in December last year, adding: Sorry, Karen.

Asked if Ms Spragg had been aggressive, Ms Wandelt said: I dont want her to have any problems. She did, verbally, because of the emotions. She was as frustrated as me.

The court heard that Ms Wandelt had told Ms Spragg not to shout at Mrs McCann during their interaction with her.

Mr Duck asked: You thought it was intimidating for somebody in Mrs McCanns situation, didnt you?

Wandelt replied: Yes.

Asked about money offered to her by a friend called Steven Dempster for a DNA test, Ms Wandelt said she wanted to use it to take legal action in a family court.

She said: Thats why I came to the UK... to then have this DNA profile officially compared to the crime scene DNA and then go to court, to family court, and take legal action.

Ms Wandelt and Ms Spragg, 61, of Caerau, Cardiff, both deny one count of stalking.

The trial continues.
John Canarapen wanted to turn Marie Gauchenots childhood home into flats, the High Court heard - Champion News

A lawyer has lost a legal battle with her nephew after saying the 560,000 inheritance she gave him was a mistake.

Marie Ginette Gauchenot, an international corporate lawyer, received the six-figure sum from her mothers estate in 2021 but later signed it over to Jean-Michel Canarapen.

She hoped her once-estranged nephew would use the funds to keep her mothers 1.7m home in Fulham, west London, in the family.

But the pair became locked in a legal battle when Mr Canarapen, 50, drew up plans to sub-divide the property into flats to rent out.

Ms Gauchenot, 75, believed her nephew had reneged on his promise to use the share of her mothers estate to preserve the property as a family home, the High Court heard.

But Chancery Master Iain Pester ruled that the transfer of the inheritance did not include the right to set aside or deny the gift she made.

The house in Dancer Road, Fulham (centre, painted white), has now been sold on the open market - Champion News

The court heard Ms Gauchenot, who was responsible for administering the estate, had reconnected with Mr Canarapen at her mothers funeral in London in August 2021.

Her mother, Brigitte Maghoo, known as Mamie, handed her a third of her wealth, with the rest going to her two sisters and some of their children but not `Mr Canarapen.

After re-establishing a relationship with her nephew, Ms Gauchenot developed a considerable degree of love and affection for him.

A month later, Mr Canarapen, a property developer, texted his aunt, saying: I have got an amazing idea. I think Mamie would be proud and it will keep the house in the family forever  no one would be able to sell it, to which Ms Gauchenot replied that she was all ears.

They agreed to a deed handing her one-third share of the west London property to him in the hope he could eventually buy the rest to keep the house in the family.

The pair then fell out, with Ms Gauchenot accusing her nephew of rowing back on his intention to keep the home in the family by planning to split it into flats to rent out, and they ended up in court after her childhood home was eventually sold on the open market.

Mr Canarapen, the claimant, sought to uphold the deed handing him his aunts inheritance, whilst Ms Gauchenot attempted to get it cancelled as a mistake.

Chancery Master Pester ruled that Mr Canarapen should keep the money after agreeing that the deed handing his aunts share over to him was not dependent on his promise to preserve the house.
French CRS riot police officers walk near the glass Pyramid of the Louvre Museum, after French police arrested suspects in the Louvre heist case, in Paris, France. Photograph: Abdul Saboor/Reuters

Two men arrested on suspicion of stealing crown jewels worth an estimated 88m (76m) from the Louvre in Paris have partially admitted their role in the heist, the prosecutor has said, but police are no closer to recovering the gems.

Laure Beccuau said the pair, arrested on Sunday, would be brought before magistrates with a view to being charged with organised theft, which carries a 15-year prison sentence, and criminal conspiracy, punishable by 10 years.

Beccuau told a media conference on Wednesday, hours before the two men had to be either charged or released, that the jewels are not in our possession. But, in an apparent appeal to the thieves, she added: There is still time to give them back.

The treasures were clearly unsellable as they were, she said. Anyone who buys them would be guilty of concealment of stolen goods, she told journalists, adding she would like to hope they would be recovered for the Louvre and for the nation.

The four-man gang pulled up outside the worlds most visited museum at about 9.30am on 19 October in a stolen furniture removal truck fitted with an extending ladder and lift, in which two climbed to the ornate first-floor Apollo gallery.

Wearing hi-vis vests to resemble maintenance workers, they smashed an unsecured window and used disc cutters to slice open two glass display cases before descending in the bucket lift and fleeing on motorbikes driven by the other two men.

The heist lasted less than seven minutes, with the two who entered the gallery spending three minutes and 58 seconds inside. They dropped a diamond and emerald-studded crown but fled with eight richly gem-encrusted pieces.

The stolen jewels included an emerald and diamond necklace that Napoleon I gave to his second wife, Marie Louise, and a diadem set with 212 pearls and nearly 2,000 diamonds that had once belonged to the empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.

Beccuau said the two suspects  both of whom were arrested last Saturday night, one at Charles de Gaulle airport outside Paris, reportedly as he was trying to catch a flight to Algeria  were believed to be the men who had entered the Apollo gallery.

Their DNA had been found on a display case and a scooter used in the getaway, the prosecutor said. She added that it was possible that the gang had numbered more than four men, but there was no indication so far it had benefited from inside help.

Beccuau said one of the suspects, an Algerian national, was aged 34, had lived in France since 2010, and was known to police for road traffic offences. The second was aged 39, born in the Paris suburb of Aubervilliers, and had convictions for burglary.

The prosecutor said 100 investigators from Frances BRB organised crime squad and a unit specialising in trafficked artworks and cultural goods were working every day of the week, day and night, in an effort to identify the thieves and recover the jewels.

Investigations were continuing, she said, adding that there was still plenty of evidence to be examined. She declined to give any details about the two suspects who remain at large.

Earlier on Wednesday, police acknowledged serious shortcomings in the Louvres security. The Paris police chief, Patrice Faure, told senators that ageing systems and delays to planned upgrades meant a technological step has not been taken.

A planned 80m (70m) security improvement programme would not be completed before the end of the decade, Faure said. The museums director, Laurence des Cars, had previously acknowledged security blindspots.

Des Cars said the only external security camera installed near the Apollo gallery was pointing in the wrong direction to cover the window. The museum this week transferred some precious jewels to the Bank of France, RTL Radio reported.
The four-bedroom detached house was put on the rental market for 3,200 a month last year

Rachel Reeves has broken housing rules by letting out her family home without a licence.

The Chancellor admitted failing to obtain a rental licence for her home in Dulwich, south-east London, after moving to No 11 Downing Street following Labours election win last year.

Southwark council requires private landlords in certain parts of the borough to obtain a selective licence to rent out the property. Not doing so can lead to prosecution or a fine.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, she sincerely apologised for her inadvertent error of not obtaining the licence, first reported by the Daily Mail.

In a reply to Ms Reeves, Sir Keir said her apology was a sufficient resolution and said the matter would not be investigated further.

Sir Keir Starmers decision to back Ms Reeves comes less than a month before the autumn Budget, in which she is expected to have to make difficult fiscal decisions.

It also comes after Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister and housing secretary, was forced to resigned after a Telegraph investigation into her tax affairs.

The Chancellor, seen on Thursday, admitted failing to obtain a rental licence for her home in Dulwich - George Cracknell Wright

On Thursday, the Conservatives demanded Sir Keir grow a backbone and sack Ms Reeves as his Chancellor.

A Tory spokesman said: Rachel Reeves has broken the law and broken the ministerial code, but Keir Starmer is too weak to sack her.

While the Chancellor is planning tax hikes for millions of families across the country at the Budget, its one rule for the Chancellor and another for everyone else.

Keir Starmer pledged to restore integrity to politics, but now hes laughing in the face of the British public. He should grow a backbone and sack the Chancellor now. This is not over.

Ms Reeves put her four-bedroom detached house on the rental market for 3,200 a month last year. The Chancellors register of interests shows she has received rental income from the property since last September.

Position extremely tenuous

Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party leader, said the situation was very serious.

She added: If the Chancellor, who has spent months floating punishing tax hikes on family homes, has at the same time seemingly been profiting from illegally renting out her house, that would make her position extremely tenuous.

The Prime Minister must launch a full investigation. He once said lawmakers cant be lawbreakers. If, as it appears, the Chancellor has broken the law, then he will have to show he has the backbone to act.

Southwark council said the licences were brought in in 2021 to tackle poor standards and improve safety, security and quality for people living in private rented homes.

The licences cost 900, and landlords are required to submit documents proving their property is fit for purpose, including tenancy agreements and safety certificates.

It is a criminal offence to fail to obtain a licence when required. The offence is punishable with an unlimited fine or an order for the landlord to pay back up to 12 months rent.

Writing to the Prime Minister on Wednesday night, the Chancellor apologised for having broken council rules.

She wrote: I wanted to make you aware of a matter which has been brought to my attention regarding my family home, which we are letting out to tenants via an external lettings agency.

There are selective licensing requirements in this ward for renting out a property. Regrettably, we were not aware that a licence was necessary, and so we did not obtain the licence before letting the property out.

This was an inadvertent mistake. As soon as it was brought to my attention, we took immediate action and have applied for the licence.

The property is declared on the Members Register of Interests in line with requirements. I have today spoken to the Independent Adviser on Ministerial Standards and I have made the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards aware.

I sincerely apologise for this error and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Previous claims against Chancellor

It is not the first time the Chancellor has been accused of rule breaches.

In February, it was reported that she was previously investigated over her expenses while working as an economist at Halifax Bank of Scotland before she became an MP.

The Chancellor and two other senior managers allegedly spent hundreds of pounds on a company credit card designed for gifts to motivate other staff.

The BBC reported that a whistleblower had complained about senior managers at the bank using expenses to fund a lifestyle, including by buying Christmas presents with company money.

A spokesman said at the time that Ms Reeves was not aware of any investigation and had always complied with expenses rules.

The Chancellor was also accused of lying on her CV, after she repeatedly claimed she had spent the best part of a decade at the Bank of England, despite working there for five and a half years, including one year studying.

Further headache

The news will create a further headache for Sir Keir after a string of ethics scandals that have hit his Government.

The Prime Minister promised a government of service on entering Downing Street last year but has since lost several ministers to sleaze.

Angela Rayner was forced to resign as deputy prime minister and housing secretary last month following a Telegraph investigation into her tax affairs. She dodged 40,000 in stamp duty on the purchase of her second home in Hove, East Sussex.

Ms Rayner failed to obtain proper tax advice and Sir Laurie Magnus, the Prime Ministers independent adviser on ministers interests, said she had breached the ministerial code because she had failed to meet the highest possible standards of proper conduct.

Her departure came a day after The Telegraph revealed that a conveyancing firm she had used claimed it had been made scapegoats, and said it did not give her tax advice.

Six days later, Sir Keir was forced to sack Lord Mandelson as Britains ambassador to the US after new emails revealed the extent of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.

In November last year, Louise Haigh resigned from the Government after she admitted pleading guilty to misleading the police a decade ago. She appeared at Camberwell Green magistrates court in late 2014  six months before she was elected as an MP  after making a false report to officers that her mobile phone had been stolen.

She had said she was mugged while on a night out in 2013 and gave police a list of items she believed had been taken, including a work mobile phone.

Ms Haigh said she later found that the phone had not been lost, and was called in for questioning by the police.
Ashfield MP Lee Anderson told a Reform UK press conference that he used to 'game the system' to get people benefits payouts. (PA) (Lucy North, PA Images)

Reform MP Lee Anderson has claimed he used to "game the system" to get people benefits payouts from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Speaking at a Reform press conference on Wednesday, 29 October, Anderson  who joined Nigel Farage's party in 2024 after losing the Tory whip  said he helped fill out claim forms at the Citizens Advice Bureau.

"Before I came into politics, I worked for the Citizens Advice Bureau, the Ashfield MP said. "We used to fill the form out for clients I can tell you now, we were gaming [the] system.

He said it was a competition between the adviser and the DWP, and claimed he knew advisers at the organisation who had a 100% hit rate on benefits forms and could get the fittest man in Ashfield onto personal independence payment.

During the press conference in London, Reform UK said it wants to stop people exploiting the benefits system as part of its welfare cut proposals.

Reform UK head of policy Zia Yusuf added that young people on disability benefits are being tossed onto a scrap heap under the current system.

How hard is it to claim benefits?

Government figures suggest that as of July 31, 2025, the number of personal independence payment (PIP) claimants in England and Wales increased to 3.8 million, a 2% rise from April 2025.

To claim PIP you must apply, and then be assessed either via telephone or in person before a decision is made based on a points-based system that analyses your ability to perform daily living and mobility activities.

Speaking during the Reform UK party conference in Birmingham in September, party leader Nigel Farage said Reform would cut support for many claimants of disability benefits if it wins the next general election.

Farage said there was a need for "significant welfare cuts", focusing on those he claims do not "genuinely deserve help"  seemingly mirroring Andersons claim that many people are gaming the system.

Nigel Farage discussed disability benefits at the Reform UK party conference. (Getty Images) (Peter Nicholls via Getty Images)

Despite Andersons claim, applying for PIP can be difficult, with an average of just over half  51.63%  of people making a successful PIP claim.

If their claim is rejected, applicants have to request a mandatory reconsideration.

The last resort for applicants hoping to secure PIP is taking the DWP to tribunal. Success rates are high, with around 60-70% of cases being overturned in the applicant's favour.

New figures from July this year suggest that claiming PIP could be getting harder, with claim success rates falling.

This year, successful PIP applications have dipped to 41%, down from 46% in July 2024. There are also decreasing numbers of applicants making it past the assessment stage, with a 48% success rate compared with 53% a year ago.

Many recipients of PIP undergo planned reviews in their circumstances or DLA-to-PIP reassessments (when moving from the old disability living allowance to the PIP system).

Between the five-year period from August 2020 to July 2025, 76% planned reviews resulted in an award either at a higher or equal level.

Yet these awards seem to be dropping too, because in the quarter leading up to July 2025, just 66.47% of reviews led to the same or higher award.

For DLA to PIP reassessments, the success rate dropped from 76% to 72%, suggesting it's not only harder to receive the benefit but getting more difficult to retain too.

Charities have criticised the application process for PIP, saying the system is overly complex, confusing, difficult to navigate and often delayed and risks deterring those that may need help.

Kate Lawson, head of policy at Sense, a charity that supports people with complex disabilities, said the application process for PIP remains a complex, dehumanising experience for far too many people.

Senses research has found that half of disabled people with complex needs feel humiliated during benefits assessments, she told Yahoo UK.

Equally alarming, one in two disabled people with complex needs who receive PIP didnt get the communication support they needed during their assessment and one in four felt the assessor didnt understand their condition at all.

No disabled person should be treated with this level of disregard. It is vital that disabled people with complex needs are fully involved  and listened to  in any reviews of the PIP application process.

Who is Lee Anderson?

Lee Anderson is currently Reform UKs welfare spokesman and has been the party's chief whip since July 2024. However, the Ashfield MP has had a colourful political career  including as a member of the Labour Party and later the Conservatives  prior to joining Farage's party.

Before entering politics, Anderson volunteered at the Citizens Advice Bureau (Ashfield and Broxtowe) for around a decade.

A former coal miner who was once a member of Arthur Scargill's National Union of Mineworkers, Anderson served as a Labour councillor in the Ashfield District in 2015, also working for former Labour MP Gloria de Piero for five years.

Lee Anderson served as party chairman under former PM Rishi Sunak. (Getty Images) (Pool via Getty Images)

He was suspended by Labour in 2018 for helping to organise a protest against a traveller encampment where he allegedly moved large boulders to block access to the site.

Anderson left the party a few months later, citing disagreements with the left-wing political organisation Momentum and the leadership of the party under Jeremy Corbyn.

He chose to defect to the Conservative Party, initially serving as a Tory councillor before defeating his former boss, de Piero, in 2019  winning the Ashfield seat as part of Boris Johnsons sweep of the so-called 'red wall'.

Not afraid to court the press, Anderson famously declared that he was boycotting watching England during Euro 2020 due to players "taking the knee" in a gesture against racism. He also stated that Black Lives Matter was a "political movement" whose core principles aim to undermine our very way of life".

In 2022, Anderson was tagged with the nickname "30p Lee" after he dismissed the use of food banks and blamed food poverty on people's lack of cooking and budgeting skills.

He said people should learn to budget better and suggested nutritious meals could be easily cooked for about 30p a day, during a Commons debate.

He said: "Weve got generation after generation who cannot cook properly, they cant cook a meal from scratch, they cannot budget."

Anderson was given the job of Conservative party chairman by Rishi Sunak in 2023 but lost the Tory whip a year later after saying that "Islamists" had "got control" of London's Labour mayor Sadiq Khan.

Khan said the comments made by Anderson on GB News were "Islamophobic, anti-Muslim and racist".

In another outburst while serving as the Conservative party deputy chairman in 2023, Anderson said migrants on the Bibby Stockholm barge should "f*** off back to France".

His words in the Express were in response to reports that around 20 had been granted legal reprieve not to board the now disused boat, in Portland, Dorset, the previous year.
Ross Kemps father, John Kemp has died.

Ross Kemp's dad John Kemp has died

The EastEnders actor, 61, confirmed his father has passed away at the age of 88, describing him as his hero and role model ahead of his funeral.

On social media, Ross wrote: John Kemp 1937  2025. Served his country, served his community served his family.

My hero. Love you always Dad.

In a separate post, Ross shared a black and white image of his father serving in the army.

He added the caption: Burying my Dad, tomorrow. My hero, my role model and a great dancer!

Earlier in 2025, Ross delved into his family history for the latest series of Who Do You Think You Are?, in which he was shocked to learn the truth about his maternal great-grandfather Arthur Chalmers.

In the programme, Ross is told Arthur - who he affectionately called Pop - had been shipwrecked after his troop carrier, the Duchess of York, was bombed 300 miles off the coast of Portugal en route to Algeria in 1943.

While many died, Pop survived, and was taken 700 miles to the nearly largest port under Allied control, Casablanca.

Ross reflected: I've been on my own in the water for a period of time and its frightening - you start to hallucinate. Ive been lost at sea twice when I was diving and got separated from the boat. The second time, I spent nine hours in the water with a crispy head from the sun.

Of course, its nothing like what Pop would have gone through, with the horrors of oil in the water, flames, dead men floating around you.

Ross - who has spent weeks away from his family to film for shows like Ross Kemp in Afghanistan - also felt a deep connection to Pop, who had also lost time with his wife and daughter due to his commitment to serving his country.

The actor explained: I felt a sadness that Pop hadnt been there for his wife and daughter.

He left at the start of the Second World War in 1939 and didn't come back until 1946, because part of his job after the war ended was to load tanks back onto ships and get them back to the UK.

I've spent too much time away myself and it makes you feel slightly selfish, even though Im doing a job, as was Pop.
Donald Trump has insisted the US-backed ceasefire in Gaza is not at risk despite Israeli strikes overnight killing more than 100 people, according to health officials.

The president told reporters on Wednesday that Israel was justified in carrying out the strikes on Tuesday after Hamas allegedly killed an Israeli soldier during an exchange of gunfire in Gazas Rafah.

As I understand it, they took out an Israeli soldier, he said aboard Air Force One. So the Israelis hit back and they should hit back. When that happens, they should hit back.

Palestinians inspect the site of an overnight Israeli strike on a house, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip (Reuters)

Trump insisted that nothing was going to jeopardise the ceasefire, which has been shaken in recent days by fresh strikes in Gaza, the delayed return of hostage remains and blockages to the delivery of humanitarian aid. Gazas health ministry said Tuesdays strikes had killed 104 people.

An Israeli military official said on Wednesday that their soldier was killed by enemy fire on Tuesday afternoon, targeting his vehicle in Rafah. The official said Israeli troops in the area came under attack numerous times on Tuesday as they worked to destroy tunnels and Hamas infrastructure.

Israel identified the soldier who was killed as Master Sergeant Yona Efraim Feldbaum, 37.

Hamas denied any involvement in the deadly shooting and, in turn, accused Israel of violating the ceasefire deal.

The aftermath of Israeli strikes in Khan Yunis on Wednesday (AFP/Getty)

The violent strikes carried out by Israel across the strip [are] a blatant violation of the ceasefire deal, it said, calling on mediators to pressure Israel to stop.

The IDF said early on Wednesday that following strikes, it had begun the renewed enforcement of the ceasefire in response to Hamas violations. It said that Israeli forces had struck 30 terrorists holding command positions within the terrorist organisations operating in Gaza.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had ordered the military to conduct powerful strikes over Gaza after his office said a coffin handed over by Hamas did not contain the remains of an additional hostage, but Ofir Tzarfati, whose body was recovered in 2023.

The IDF shared footage it said showed Hamas operatives removing remains from a building and reburying them nearby to stage a false discovery for photographers.

Israel carried out strikes in Gaza on Tuesday, further straining the ceasefire (AP)

Hamas said that it would postpone a planned handover of another dead hostage due to what it called violations of the ceasefire agreement by Israel.

Israel notified the United States before launching the strikes on Tuesday, according to two US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the subject.

The Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah said that at least 10 bodies, including three women and six children, reached the hospital overnight following air strikes in the region.

The Al-Awda Hospital, also in central Gaza, said it had received 30 bodies, including 14 children.

Nasser Hospital, in the south, said that it had received 20 bodies, including two women and 13 children, following five strikes in the area.
Sir David Attenborough is championing a bid by conservationists to buy the Rothbury Estate. (PA)

Sir David Attenborough is championing a bid by conservationists to raise 30m to secure a vast estate in Northumberland which is being sold by one of the UK's most aristocratic families.

The Rothbury Estate in Northumberland has come up for sale, marking the largest single plot of land to enter the English market in 30 years.

It sits in the heart of what nature experts say could be a 40-mile wild corridor of protected landscapes, nature reserves and wildlife-focused estates stretching from the coast to Kielder and the Scottish border.

Owned for generations by the Duke of Northumberland, it is now at risk of being carved up and sold in fragments, potentially to commercial forestry operators, who have intensive shooting interests.

A Caudhole Moss in Siomonside, Northumberland, on the vast upland estate Rothbury Estate. (The Wildlife Trust/PA)

With a 30m price tag and a deadline of October 2026 to raise the funds, the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, in partnership with the national Wildlife Trusts federation, has launched a public appeal to purchase the estate in its entirety.

Already, nearly 9m has been secured through donations ranging from 5 to 5m gifts, but if the full amount isnt raised, the land could be broken apart for other uses.

Where is Rothbury?

The Rothbury Estate lies in the Northumberland National Park, centred on the market town of Rothbury and dominated by the Simonside Hills.

This rugged landscape of heather moorland, crags, ancient rock carvings and hill forts sits amid woodland, meadows, grazed fields, upland bogs and wetlands.

Historically, the estate has been owned by the Percy family, the Dukes of Northumberland, whose family seat at Alnwick Castle is just 20 miles away.

Alnwick Castle is the family seat of the Dukes of Northumberland. (Getty) (Maciej Olszewski)

The Percy family, one of Britains oldest and wealthiest aristocratic dynasties, have held vast swathes of the county since the 14th century but for the first time in generations it lies on the open market.

Originally seized by the Crown in 1095, the estate was granted to Henry Percy, 2nd Baron of Alnwick, in 1328 by Edward III.

From their seat at Alnwick Castle  the second-largest inhabited castle in England and a Harry Potter filming location  the 12th Duke, Ralph Percy, oversees Northumberland Estates, commanding around 100,000 acres across the UK and a family fortune estimated at over 500m.

Lord Max Percy with his wife Princess Nora of Oettingen-Spielberg at the wedding of Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank in October 2018. (Getty Images) (Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty Images)

It is now owned by the Dukes youngest son, Lord Max Percy.

Why is David Attenborough involved?

Attenborough has thrown his weight behind the appeal, recording a video urging the public to donate before time runs out.

He describes the estate as a huge, heart-shaped expanse of moorland, rivers, forest and upland where people already walk the ridges, listen for curlew calls, spot red squirrels and marvel at prehistoric rock art.

Attenborough warns that without action, the land could be parcelled off for uses that will not benefit nature.

An ancient rock carving at the Rothbury Estate in Northumberland. (The Wildlife Trust/PA)

He praises the Wildlife Trusts vision to work with local farmers and communities to breathe new life into its habitats and create a place where people and nature can thrive side by side.

He is calling on the nation to help close the 20m gap in the next year so the land can be bought.

What does the Wildlife Trust want to do with it?

The Wildlife Trust have had a two-year window  granted in October 2024  to buy the estate outright.

Their four pillar plan focuses on large-scale nature recovery while boosting access, jobs and sustainable food production.

Craig Bennett, the chief executive of the Wildlife Trust, told Radio 4s Today programme on Wednesday, 29 October, that people should help fundraise because this is a unique opportunity for us to do nature recovery on a massive scale, adding: Ive had enough in my lifetime of looking at nature going downwards. We want to bend the curve on that and start to bring nature back at scale.

He said: When youve got an area the size of this under one ownership the potential for us to blend approaches for example getting the natural processes going again.

Also with regenerative agricultures so that we can blend nature recovery, food production, education, recreation, jobs and investment all together into one place.

A peacock butterfly at Rothbury is among the species that the Wildlife Trust hopes to preserve. (John Millard/The Wildlife Trust/PA)

The plan includes protecting existing strongholds for rare species already present  such as red squirrels and Atlantic salmon  and restoring degraded habitats like meadows, woodland and riverbanks.

Rewilding areas by introducing animals like ponies and cattle will ultimately help wildlife like beavers and pine martens thrive, while it is hoped farmland will be regenerated, allowing more sustainable meat to be produced.

Bennett, who says another 20m is still needed to be raised, believes if the land can be bought, it can help create a 40-mile wide nature corridor with nearby landowners.

He added: That means something that brings jobs and investment to the region on the basis of nature recovery and actually giving a more prosperous future for rural communities in that area.

Well be producing more food for the local economy alongside nature recovery than is currently the case.

Click below to see the latest North East headlines
A discovery on an Australian beach has unearthed a poignant connection to the First World War.

Messages in a bottle, penned by two soldiers en route to the French battlefields, were found more than a century after they were cast into the sea.

The find was made by the Brown family on 9 October.

While on one of their regular quad bike expeditions to clear rubbish from Wharton Beach, near Esperance in Western Australia, Peter and his daughter Felicity spotted a Schweppes-brand bottle just above the waterline.

We do a lot of cleaning up on our beaches and so would never go past a piece of rubbish. So this little bottle was lying there waiting to be picked up, Deb Brown said.

Inside the clear, thick glass, cheerful letters, dated 15 August 15 1916, were found. They were written in pencil by Privates Malcolm Neville, 27, and William Harley, 37.

The Brown family found a Schweppes-brand bottle on Wharton Beach (Deb Brown)

Their troop ship, HMAT A70 Ballarat, had left the South Australia state capital, Adelaide, to the east on 12 August of that year on the long journey to the other side of the world, where its soldiers would reinforce the 48th Australian Infantry Battalion on Europes Western Front.

Mr Neville was killed in action a year later. Mr Harley was wounded twice but survived the war, dying in Adelaide in 1934 of cancer; his family says it was caused by him being gassed by the Germans in the trenches.

Mr Neville requested the bottle's finder deliver his letter to his mother, Robertina Neville, at Wilkawatt, now a virtual ghost town in South Australia.

Mr Harley, whose mother was dead by 1916, was happy for the finder to keep his note.

Mr Harley wrote, may the finder be as well as we are at present.

Mr Neville wrote that he was Somewhere at Sea (Deb Brown)

Mr Neville wrote to his mother that he was having a real good time, food is real good so far, with the exception of one meal, which we buried at sea.

The ship was heaving and rolling, but we are as happy as Larry, Mr Neville wrote.

He wrote that he and his comrades were Somewhere at Sea. Mr Harley wrote that they were Somewhere in the Bight, referring to the Great Australian Bight. That is an enormous open bay that begins east of Adelaide and extends to Esperance on the western edge.

Deb Brown suspects the bottle did not travel far. It likely spent more than a century ashore, buried in the sand dunes. Extensive erosion of the dunes caused by huge swells along Wharton Beach in recent months probably dislodged it.

The paper was wet, but the writing remained legible. Because of that, Deb Brown was able to notify both soldiers relatives of the find.

The paper was wet, but the writing was still legible (Deb Brown)

(The bottle is) is in pristine condition. It doesnt have any growth of any barnacles on it. I believe that if it had been at sea or if it had been exposed for that long, the paper wouldve disintegrated from the sun. We wouldnt have been able to read it, she said.

Mr Harley's granddaughter, Ann Turner, said her family was absolutely stunned by the find.

We just cant believe it. It really does feel like a miracle and we do very much feel like our grandfather has reached out for us from the grave, Turner told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Mr Nevilles great nephew, Herbie Neville, said his family had been brought together by the unbelievable discovery.

It sounds as though he was pretty happy to go to the war. Its just so sad what happened. Its so sad that he lost his life, Herbie Neville said.

Wow. What a man he was.
Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg speaks during a campaign rally for Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, at the Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville, Virginia, October 20, 2025. - Win McNamee/Getty Images/File

The 2025 campaign trail has become a popular stop for potential 2028 presidential hopefuls looking to help the Democratic Partys candidates for governor.

Pete Buttigieg joined Democratic nominee Rep. Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey Thursday morning to criticize President Donald Trumps threats to cancel a major commuter rail project connecting her state and New York City. In Virginia, Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona appeared with the partys nominee Abigail Spanberger to rally Latino voters before holding a similar event with Sherrill in her state this weekend.

Buttigieg and Gallegos appearances come as the off-year and midterm elections have turned into an early testing ground for 2028 presidential hopefuls  giving them a chance to sharpen their campaign skills outside of their home states and help elevate fellow Democrats.

Most of the high-profile Democratic surrogate work has played out in the gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia.

But the New York City mayoral race has drawn the progressive star power of hometown Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, an ardent backer of Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani. And in California, Gov. Gavin Newsoms Prop 50 campaign to push through mid-decade redistricting in his state has further propelled him into the national conversation.

If youre thinking about future campaigns, its smart to have a strategy thats not just about going to the primary states but also showing that youre a team player in the Democratic Party and that your message can help turn voters out, said Jared Leopold, a Democratic strategist who previously worked for the Democratic Governors Association.

On Thursday, Buttigieg, a former transportation secretary, touted his work with Sherrill to secure funding for the Gateway Tunnel project, a rail project between New Jersey and New York City that Trump said he had terminated earlier this month.

Buttigieg described the move as mob boss politics and criticized Sherrills Republican opponent Jack Ciattarelli for not having the backbone to push back on the president.

This state needs a governor who can think for herself, and someone who will put the best interest of the state first. And theres only one candidate who will do that, Buttigieg said at an event with Sherrill at a Westfield, NJ, train station.

Buttigieg was slated later Thursday to help turn out voters in Red Bank and raise money for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee. His appearances with Sherrill came one week after he headlined an event with Spanberger and Bill Nye, The Science Guy, in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Ahead of his stop with Sherrill this week, Buttigieg sent an e-mail to his fundraising list saying he was back on the campaign trail to help candidates across the country.

Gallego, who has said the Democratic Party needs to do more to win back Latino voters, is tapped this week with taking that pitch to Latino communities in Virginia and New Jersey, a state where the Latino vote could be key to picking the next governor.

Every day, all we want is to have a chance at the American Dream, to be able to build a family here, to have a chance to continue to grow this country and the beautiful vision that everyone has, Gallego said Thursday at a Latinos for Spanberger event in Alexandria, Virginia. And this is why we as Latinos have to come out and vote today and all the way until Tuesday, because the only way we get that dream is when we have friends that care about us.

Sen. Ruben Gallego visits the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa, on August 8, 2025. - Joshua Lott/The Washington Post/Getty Images

Big names out on the campaign trail for Democrats

Several sitting Democratic governors potentially eyeing higher office have descended on New Jersey and Virginia to give a boost to the women they hope will join their ranks next year. That includes Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear; Maryland Gov. Wes Moore; Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker; Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro; and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The big names youre hearing in the Democratic Party are more and more governors, said Leopold. Its especially helpful if youre running for governor to have a governor campaign with you to show the executive experience and show what a governor can do.

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker has been a frequent surrogate for Sherrill in his home state. Other high-profile Democratic surrogates who have hit the campaign trail in New Jersey or Virginia this year include Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly; Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar; California Rep. Ro Khanna and former US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, who is now a CNN commentator.

These are the type of leaders that are focused on the everyday problems, the everyday concerns of Americans, and that can be the type of leaders that re-earn the faith of the American people, Beshear, vice chair of the Democratic Governors Association, said of Sherrill and Spanberger during a virtual event with the Democratic National Committee Wednesday.

Democrats also have helped raise money for the off-year candidates. Newsom, who has said he will make a decision about 2028 after the midterms, participated in a virtual fundraiser with Sherrill for New Jerseys Democratic campaigns and state committee, a source familiar with the event said. Meanwhile, Pritzker has donated six-figures across the New Jersey and Virginia races, a source familiar with the matter said.

While 2028 hopefuls on the Democratic side have eagerly stumped during this years off-year elections, the Republican side has not drawn as much attention from presidential aspirants.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz joined Virginias Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears last week for a fundraiser. New Jerseys GOP gubernatorial nominee Ciattarelli has recently campaigned with Rep. Byron Donalds, who is running for governor in Florida in 2026. Trump also held a tele-rally for Ciattarelli this month.

Though New Jersey and Virginia have seen frequent visits from high-profile Democrats, the New York City mayoral race has not drawn as many national party figures to campaign on behalf of Mamdani, a democratic socialist.

But he has received a boost from Ocasio-Cortez and independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders  both popular figures with the progressive base who are able to draw large crowds.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, center, holds hands with Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the end of a campaign rally in the Queens borough of New York, on October 26, 2025. - Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images

Im talking to you, Donald Trump, Ocasio-Cortez declared at a rally last weekend, saying that we will work our hearts out to elect Zohran Kwame Mamdani as the next mayor of the great city of New York.

While each of these high-profile Democrats has taken a turn on the campaign stage, former President Barack Obama remains the partys most sought-after surrogate. Hes taped ads for Sherrill and Spanberger and will campaign in-person for the two Democratic candidates in their states on Saturday.

But the Democratic partys most recent leaders  former Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Joe Biden  have not appeared on this years campaign trail as Democrats still grapple with the fallout of last years election.

Harris, who has left the door open to a possible run in 2028, sent a fundraising e-mail on behalf of Sherrill this week.

Again and again, Mikie has shown that she is not afraid of a tough fight, and that she will stand up to anyone who attacks the rights, freedoms, or livelihoods of the people she serves, Harris wrote. That is exactly the kind of leadership we need right now.

Biden has not made any campaign stops since leaving office but is scheduled to appear at a political event for the Nebraska Democratic Party three days after Tuesdays elections.

In 2018, Biden was one of the Democratic Partys most active surrogates for the midterm elections, stumping for candidates in places like Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. He launched his presidential campaign the following spring.

Now, a new crop of Democrats is trying to chart its own path to the White House.

This is the start, 2025, said Leopold. And youre going to see a lot more of it in 2026.

CNNs Arit John, David Wright and Veronica Stracqualursi contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Paris  Five more people have been arrested in the investigation into the theft of crown jewels from the Louvre Museum, but the treasures remain missing, the Paris prosecutor announced Thursday.

The five were detained late Wednesday night in Paris and the Paris region, Prosecutor Laure Beccuau told RTL radio.



One is suspected of being part of the four-person team that robbed the Louvre's Apollo Gallery in broad daylight Oct. 19, the prosecutor said.

She said the DNA-linked suspect was "one of the objectives of the investigators  we had him in our sights." Others taken into custody, she said, "may be able to inform us about how the events unfolded," but she did not release their identities or other details.

Two earlier suspects, men aged 34 and 39 from Aubervilliers, north of Paris, were charged Wednesday with theft and criminal conspiracy after nearly 96 hours in custody. Beccuau said both gave "minimalist" statements and "partially admitted" their involvement.

People wait for the opening of the Louvre museum on Oct. 30, 2025 in Paris. / Credit: Emma Da Silva/AP

For now, Beccuau said, there is no evidence of insider help among Louvre staff, though investigators are not ruling out a wider network beyond the four seen on security footage.

The latest arrests still did not help uncover the stolen jewelry, Beccuau said.

It took thieves less than eight minutes to steal the jewels valued at 88 million euros, or $102 million, shocking the world. The robbers forced open a window, cut into cases with power tools and fled with eight pieces of the French crown jewels, including a diamond-and-emerald necklace that Napoleon Bonaparte gave to Empress Marie Louise as a wedding gift.

But master jeweler and Parisian gem appraiser Stephen Portier told CBS News the thieves will struggle to sell the gems.

"The whole world knows about this robbery. Dealers will have pictures of every single piece up in their offices," he said. "So if they think they're being offered diamonds from the Louvre ... they will ask some hard questions. And contact the police."

Portier said the robbers might have to recut the stolen gems, which would significantly decrease their value.

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NEED TO KNOW

Blue dogs have been spotted at the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

The dogs' fur is bright blue, per Clean Futures Fund, but the hue likely isn't due to radiation

Clean Futures Fund's affiliate Dogs of Chernobyl looks after the health and well being of the estimated 700 dogs stuck at the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

Blue dogs have been sighted at Chernobyl.

Earlier this month, a few dogs at the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in Ukraine appeared to have bright blue fur, according to an Instagram post from Dogs of Chernobyl, an affiliate of the non-profit Clean Futures Fund. On Oct. 13, the organization wrote that they were unable to catch the dogs yet, which would help them discern why exactly the animals had turned blue.

"We are on the ground catching dogs for sterilization and we came across three dogs that were completely blue," Dogs of Chernobyl wrote in the post's caption. "We are not sure exactly what is going [on]."

Clean Futures Fund via Storyful Blue dogs at Chernobyl.

On the bright side, the group wrote, the dogs seemed to be very active. Dogs of Chernobyl's theory at the time was that the dogs found their way into some kind of chemical.

CFF said it's possible the dogs got into a leaking Porta Potty, CBS News reported. It's unlikely that the bright blue hue is because of radiation or because someone spray-painted them. The group added that the dye is likely temporary.

The stray dogs living at the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone are not allowed to leave, per CFF's website, so Dogs of Chernobyl does its best to care for the dogs stuck there.

After the 1986 explosion of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, the roughly 19-mile radius around the site was evacuated. More than 120,000 evacuees "were not allowed to bring anything they couldn't carry" but were told they could return three days later for another trip, so many dogs were left behind. However, the evacuees were never allowed to return, and the dogs left at the exclusion zone were abandoned and considered strays.

Clean Futures Fund via Storyful Blue dog at Chernobyl.

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Clean Futures Fund via Storyful Blue dog at Chernobyl.

The dogs currently living in the exclusion zone  which CFF estimates to be over 700  are the descendants of the dogs left behind in 1986. They tried to find homes in remote areas in the zone, but were driven away by packs of rabid wolves, the site reads.

As a result, the dogs at Chernobyl are in desperate need of medical attention  they're malnourished and have been exposed to rabies.

Read the original article on People
Beauty trends are a funny thing. One day, we're all striving to decipher the most compatible skincare and makeup sandwiching for a picture-perfect, no-makeup makeup complexion. The next? We're finding inspiration in one of our favorite childhood dolls. This year, we've watched as Barbie and American Girl Doll glam aesthetics have ebbed and flowed on our feeds. Now, Bratz-inspired makeup is trending, and we're ready to dabble in yet another modern-day look fueled by nostalgia. You too? Grab a drink, take a seat, and keep reading to learn all about the Bratz doll makeup trend currently dominating stages, carpets, and social feeds everywhere.

Meet Our Expert

Brenda Orduno is a makeup artist and a senior product developer at Beauty Creations Cosmetics.

Jocelyne Aguila is an Oregon-based makeup artist.

What Is Bratz Doll Makeup?

Cloe, Jade, Sasha, and Yasmin have known the power of a dramatic statement eye and well-defined glossy lip since 2001. Now, 14 years later, Gen Z babes (and beauty lovers of all ages) are embracing the showy, signature aesthetic Bratz dolls have long loved. "The Bratz aesthetic is bold, edgy, and unapologetically glamthink of it as the opposite of minimalism; it's all about high-impact color, glossy lips, dramatic eyes, and an ultra-stylized wardrobe," makeup artist and Beauty Creations Cosmetics senior product developer Brenda Orduno. "What makes it so fun is that there's no hesitation. You're embracing big, exaggerated beauty moments and pairing them with fashion that feels just as playful and fearless. It's not afraid of contrast or volume, and that confidence is what makes it so instantly recognizable."



Dove Cameron, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G, and the Kardashians are all prime examples of the Bratz aesthetic brought to life. While these ladies know how to pare it back for a minimalist makeup look, they often command attention with glamorous, obviously done-up face beats. In essence, it's not about applying makeup so flawlessly that it looks like you were born with it; it's about layering and blending so well that it's clear you're a makeup maven.

"The Bratz Doll look is playful and glamorous with wide, open eyes, sultry liner, fluffy lashes, pouty lips, and rosy blush on the cheeks," makeup artist Jocelyne Aguila says. "It really gives that doll-like finish where the features are exaggerated in a beautiful, feminine way that feels both nostalgic and current."

Why Is It Trending?

Like so many modern-day fashion and beauty trends, the Bratz doll makeup craze is in large part due to our collective yearning for the simplicity of our youth. "So much of this resurgence is rooted in nostalgia and culture," Orduno says. "Many of us grew up with Bratz dolls, so seeing that aesthetic resurface taps into something familiar and comforting, but it's also being reimagined through today's lens of inclusivity and self-expression."



Let us not forget, in a world where Barbie and her friends were primarily white, Bratz set the bar with its debut of four diverse gal pals from the start. In fact, that's part of what makes the iconic beauty look so desirable today. "[Bratz doll makeup is] flattering on so many different face shapes and skin tones, and it photographs so well," Aguila says. "On social media, it really pops, which is why I think so many people are drawn to it right now."



It boils down to how head-turning the Bratz beauty beat is compared to the minimalist makeup looks of recent years. "Social media has given Y2K style a second life," Orduno explains. "The Bratz look translates so well to platforms like TikTok and Instagram because it's highly visual and instantly 'scroll-stopping.' It feels both retro and modern at the same time, which is exactly what makes it resonate with a younger audience today."

But make no mistake: Bratz doll makeup isn't only catching on with teenagers and young adults. Millennials and beyond are tapping in, too. "Bratz have always embodied individuality and attitude," Orduno says. "They were designed to stand out, and that energy is really speaking to beauty lovers right now, especially with so many celebrities embracing the vibe. Fashion and beauty fans are picking up on that unapologetic edge and saying, 'This is how I want to express myself.' It's glam with personality, and that's why it's clicking with people."

How to Wear It

Ready to bring your best Bratz beat to life? Start with an expertly-blended statement eye (doing this first will prevent fallout and smudging of your base makeup), then go in with primer, concealer, foundation (if you use it), contour, and blush. Achieve a doll-like finish with a mattifying translucent setting powder, then apply the finishing touches on your lids with sharp winged liner and full, fluffy lashes. Lastly, define your lips with liner and add an ultra-glossy tint on top. And just like that, voila! You look fresh out of the early 2000s and undeniably fitting for 2025.

One More Thing: Bratz Doll Makeup vs. Barbie Makeup

No matter which doll you preferred to play with as a kid, Barbie and Bratz dolls have both gone on to inspire grown-up beauty statements that we can totally get on board with. Determining which one is right for you is ultimately a matter of personal preference. "The two trends coexist, but they represent different flavors of femininity and self-expression," Orduno says. "Barbie feels polished and aspirational; Bratz feels bold, daring, and a little rebellious. Both have their place in today's beauty landscape, and both are shaping the way people think about play, identity, and fashion."



That said, the culture and catalyst behind each beauty trend is intriguing. "Both Barbie and Bratz have had their own cultural 'revival' moments, but they're coming from different places," Orduno says. "Barbie's resurgence between 2023 and 2024 was tied to the movie, the fashion collaborations, and this renewed conversation around diversity and reimagining an iconic brand. Bratz, on the other hand, has come back to life more organically through social media and the Y2K style wave: platform shoes, mini skirts, bold prints."



So, the question is: Which will you choose?



Read the original article on Byrdie
Nvidia GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip is displayed at the company's GTC conference in San Jose, California, U.S., March 19, 2025. REUTERS/Max A. Cherney

By Trevor Hunnicutt and Eduardo Baptista

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE/GYEONGJU (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump may have teased that he could discuss Nvidia's state-of-the-art artificial intelligence Blackwell chips with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but in the end, he said the topic did not come up.

After Thursday's meeting in South Korea, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that semiconductors had been discussed and China was "going to be talking to Nvidia and others about taking chips," but added: "We're not talking about the Blackwell."

A day earlier, Trump had praised the Blackwell chip as "super-duper", adding he might speak to Xi about it, in comments that probably helped Nvidia make history as the first company to reach a $5-trillion valuation.

THORNY TOPIC

The extent of China's access to Nvidia's chips has been a key point of friction with the United States.

Washington imposes export controls on sales of Nvidia's most advanced AI chips to China, seeking to limit its tech progress, particularly in applications that could help its military.

Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang has tried to persuade the Trump administration to loosen the controls, saying Chinese AI's dependence on U.S. hardware was good for America.

Nvidia has been working on a new chip for China based on its latest Blackwell architecture that will be less capable than the model sold outside the country but more powerful than the most advanced model it is currently allowed to sell there, the H20, sources have previously said.

But while private Chinese companies are believed to be very interested in purchasing such a chip, the government has turned cool towards Nvidia, discouraging purchases of the H20, and is instead promoting domestic chip manufacturers such as Huawei.

Huang said this week his company had not sought U.S. export licenses to send its newest chips to China because of the Chinese stance.

"They've made it very clear that they don't want Nvidia to be there right now," he said during a developers' event, adding that it needed access to the China market to fund U.S.-based research and development.

On Thursday at least, Trump did not appear to want to get into the thick of the issue.

"I said (to Xi) that's really between you and Nvidia, but we're sort of the arbitrator or the referee," he said.

Lawmakers, both Democratic and Republican, have expressed opposition to giving China more access to advanced chips like Nvidia's Blackwell.

Nvidia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

An account of the meeting published by Chinese official news agency Xinhua did not mention chips, but cited Xi as saying that both sides had good prospects for cooperation in AI.

CONTINUED UNCERTAINTY

The Trump administration initially banned exports of Nvidia's H20 chip to China in April, a decision it reversed in July, saying it had struck a deal with Nvidia to grant export licenses in exchange for 15% of China sales of the H20.

But as the U.S. loosened the screws on Nvidia, Beijing tightened them. In the past two months, its regulators have asked the U.S. chipmaker to explain whether the H20 chip posed backdoor security risks and cautioned domestic firms over purchases.

At a Citadel Securities event this month, Huang bemoaned that the tit-for-tat actions had slashed Nvidia's market share for advanced AI chips in China from 95% in 2022 to virtually zero.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, also speaking aboard Air Force One, said that after Trump's meeting with Xi, Nvidia would talk to China and see what was possible.

"There's so many chips we already sent to China, a lot of advanced chips."

But two people familiar with discussions in the Chinese market said they were skeptical that Beijing would quickly change its stance on Nvidia chips, adding that China did not want to settle for inferior chips since the H20 was far behind the Blackwell in performance and it believed that domestic rivals could catch up with the H20 soon.

One said they would still be willing to consider the downgraded version of the Blackwell chip, dubbed the B30A, if Washington greenlit its sales to China.

The sources spoke on condition of anonymity as the situation is a sensitive one.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Eduardo Baptista; Writing by Eduardo Baptista; Editing by Edwina Gibbs and Clarence Fernandez)
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited northwest Indiana Thursday.

The visit came as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is calling on the DHS director to agree a Halloween truce on ICE activity for the sake of the families and children looking to celebrate this weekend, and Illinois state lawmakers are also looking to impose restrictions on ICE activities in places like hospitals and courthouses.

Noem made it clear she has no plans of halting Operation Midway Blitz during Halloween. Meanwhile, Little Village community organizers have mobilized nearly 200 volunteers to ensure all children in this neighborhood enjoy this holiday.

Governor Pritzker and advocates for immigrants are frustrated by the continuing ICE activity that they say goes far beyond the stated mission of Operation Midway Blitz to go after the "worst of the worst." But the Trump administration is brushing off any calls for a holiday pause.

On Wednesday night, Pritzker sent a letter to Noem, requesting a pause in ICE enforcement this weekend in and around homes, schools, hospitals, parks and places of worship, so children can safely celebrate Halloween.

The governor referenced an incident in his letter that happened this past weekend in Old Irving Park, in which he says federal agents reportedly interrupted a children's Halloween parade and deployed tear gas without warning on residents peacefully celebrating the holiday.

"Illinois families deserve to spend Halloween weekend without fear. No child should be forced to inhale tear gas or other chemical agents while trick or treating in their own neighborhood," Governor Pritzker wrote. "Illinois children should not be robbed of their innocence. Let them enjoy a time-honored American tradition safely and peacefully. Please let children be children for one holiday, free from intimidation and fear."

With Operation Midway Blitz in full force, the President of the Little Village Community Council, Baltazar Enriquez, says family there, both undocumented and U.S. Citizens, have chosen to stay hidden.

"We've seen families tell us, 'no Baltazar, I don't want to put my kid at risk,'" Enriquez said. "A lot of the families have not been out of their homes because of fear. We're going to try to let the children have a day where they can enjoy, let the families take their children."

His organization gathering around 170 volunteers to stand watch and help bring families back out into the community on Halloween. They are volunteers trained to know how to respond should federal agents show up.

"It's really hard that my people don't get to enjoy their community right now," volunteer Lissette Barrera said.

Barrera, emotionally gripped by what's happened to her neighborhood, is one of the dozens who signed up to ensure children and their families can enjoy, what she says, should be an enjoyable day.

"Children are only supposed to know how to play and be happy and have their own little minds and create their own stories, but right now they're just in fear," Barrera said.

Enriquez said while he admired the governor's efforts Thursday, even if DHS agreed to the terms, his organization does not trust the Trump administration.

Gov. Pritzker is calling on DHS to pause operations over Halloween weekend.

Governor Pritzker on Thursday decried the operation that did not even consider the families in the area.

"This year the parade was interrupted and then canceled, not because of rain, but because of tear gas," Pritzker said.

DHS posted a response Thursday afternoon on social media regarding last weekend's incident in Old Irving Park, which included body-worn camera video.

Meanwhile, Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino sat down for an hours-long deposition Thursday at the Dirksen Federal Building downtown.

The meeting was linked to a lawsuit that challenges immigration enforcement tactics used by his agents in Chicago. It came a day after an appeals court halted a judge's order requiring Bovino to provide daily court briefings on his agents.

The Trump administration had argued that forcing Bovino's daily presence would disrupt and harm the government

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem gave an update on Operation Midway Blitz on Thursday during a visit to Northwest Indiana.

Speaking in Gary, Indiana, Noem rejected Governor Pritzker's request.

"We're absolutely not willing to put on pause any work that we will do to keep communities safe," Noem said. "The fact that Governor Pritzker is asking for that is shameful, and I think unfortunate that he doesn't recognize how important the work is that we do to make sure that we are bringing criminals to justice and bringing them off our streets."

Secretary Noem accused the governor of failing to recognize the importance of their work in getting dangerous criminals off the street, something she said they will continue to do to protect children.

"So don't believe it when they tell you that they're busting the worst of the worst gangs, gang members, they're attacking peaceful neighborhoods and terrorizing kids in Halloween parades," Pritzker said.

In response to Governor Pritzker, Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin: said in a statement, "Once again Governor Pritzker is going out of his way to smear the law enforcement officers of DHS, who are attempting to clean up the rampant crime he facilitated.

"He is pushing a false narrative that DHS is targeting schools, hospitals, and churches. This is false, he knows this, but he continues to push these lies.

"Our officers are facing mass assaults, vehicles used as weapons, violence and only use crowd control methods as a last resort when repeated warnings have been given.

"Those who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear. Elected officials choosing to fearmonger by distorting reality are doing a great disservice to our country and are responsible for the nearly 1,000% increase in assaults and 8,000% increase in violent threats against ICE officers."

RELATED | Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates

In Gary, Noem spoke about immigrants in the United States illegally getting commercial driver's licenses.

"Putting these foreigners in tractor trailers like the ones you see behind me becomes extremely dangerous," Noem said. "Putting them behind the wheel of these tractor trailers weighing tens of thousands of pounds loaded with explosive fuel down the highway endangers every single citizens that is on our roads."

Noem gave update on recent immigration enforcement dubbed "Operation Midway Blitz," which Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino called "wildly successful" in an interview with ABC News earlier this week.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem gives an update on immigration operations in Gary, Indiana

Noem was joined by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun in Gary along with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons, among others.

Flanked by posters of what Noem calls the "worst of worst", she commended the state of Indiana for helping the Trump administration with ICE enforcement.

"Illegal aliens have been taken off of these roads because of this work that was done under Midway Blitz with the partnership of Governor Braun and his team," Noem said.

Noem blamed Illinois and other sanctuary states for giving undocumented immigrants Commercial Drivers Licenses, known as CDLs. She says there has been a trend of accidents involving the undocumented.

"We especially don't want them behind the wheel of an 18 wheeler when they can't speak our language, they don't understand our laws, they can't follow our roadway signs," Noem said.

But, according to the Illinois Secretary of State's office, undocumented residents are not allowed to receive CDLs in Illinois.

Noem says, so far, 3,000 people have been arrested through Operation Midway Blitz. While some U.S. citizens says they have been among them. Noem denies it.

"There's no American citizens have been arrested or detained," Noem said. "We focus on those that are here illegally, and anything that you would hear or report that would be different than that is simply not true."

As ICE enforcement continues through Halloween, Sec. Noem says Operation Midway Blitz will continue until all undocumented people in the Midwest are removed from the country.

SEE ALSO | Court pauses order requiring CBP Chief Bovino to meet with judge daily on immigration operations

Noem's visit was met with some criticism from other local northwest Indiana leaders.

Gary's Mayor Eddie Melton said his office was not involved with planning the event and is not participating.

Hammond's Mayor Thomas McDermott also posted on Facebook, criticizing how the press conference was announced.

Some protesters gathered in Gary to demonstrate against Noem's presence.

Also Thursday, lawmakers pushed ahead with legislation to curb illegal ICE activity.

"The piece that I've introduced initially creates a private right of action for anyone who has been harmed, anyone whose constitutional rights have been violated by people conducting immigration actions, will be able to go to court and seek a remedy," Illinois State Senate President Don Harmon said.

The bill would also create safe spaces from ICE in courthouses, along with daycare centers and universities, as well as hospitals. The measure gained urgency after the viral video of Chicago Alderperson Jessie Fuentes being arrested in a hospital confronting ICE over agents' authority to arrest someone seeking treatment.

"This bill is a statement on behalf of the legislature to say that what ICE is doing is unacceptable," said State Sen. Celina Villanueva, who represents part of Chicago's Southwest Side.

There was some urgency to get the measure passed before the end of the night Thursday, because it is the final day of the veto session.
Actress Jeon So Min has denied recent dating reports with actor Choi Daniel, explaining that the two stars are simply close co-stars who became friendly during the shoot of their new travel variety show, "The Great Guide 2.5."

As per KBZoom, the stars of MBC "Every1's The Great Guide 2.5"  Park Myung Soo, Kim Dae Ho, Lee Mu Jin, Oh My Girl's Hyojung, and producer Woo Tak Woo  attended an online press conference on October 28 to talk about the premiere of the show.

At the event, Jeon So Min openly spoke about the rumors concerning her relationship with Choi Daniel. She replied, I thought, if not now, when would I ever get to travel with Choi Daniel? The trip was genuinely fun."

She went on, discussing how their chemistry became natural while filming. "We clicked quickly due to our similar personalities, but we only got to know each other late last year or early this year. So we're not exactly close friends yet."

READ MORE: Jeon So Min Officially Returns to 'Running Man' as Ji Ye Eun Takes Break for Health Reasons

According to The Chosun Ilbo, fellow co-star Park Myung Soo relieved the tension by quipping that the two were photographed holding hands in publicity shots. Jeon chuckled and explained, "It was just for the photo shoot purely staged."

Choi Daniel also spent a moment talking about their friendship, remembering how they first met. "So Min is very easy to get along with, so we became friendly quite fast. During the trip, she was very thoughtful and considerate," he explained. Jeon So Min smiled back and replied, "Daniel really knows how to say nice things."

Looking back on their time shooting together, Jeon explained, "I wondered if this trip would bring us closer to becoming true friends. When you travel together under tough conditions, it becomes a real test of friendship. Whether or not we become besties might be a fun part of the show for viewers to watch."

"The Great Guide 2.5" is a spin-off of the first Great Guide series, with the hosting duties courtesy of Choi Daniel and Kim Dae Ho bringing viewers on beginner-friendly adventures around the world. The show officially aired on October 28 at 8:30 p.m. KST on MBC Every1, with both adventurous sceneries and the real-life friendship among its cast members.

READ MORE: Jeon So Min Exposes Daily Insults and Abuse from a Director on Set
In the upstate of South Carolina, the city of Walhalla is the sort of place that feels handcrafted for a feelgood, smalltown story. Founded in 1850 by German immigrants under the banner of the German Colonization Society, it was envisioned as a new start far from the lowcountry heat they left behind. The name "Walhalla" comes from Norse mythology, meaning "Garden of the Gods," and the settlers thought the broad ridge and mountain backdrop here merited the title. As far as charming small towns in South Carolina go, this one is one for the books.

The German founders laid out the town in eight fouracre blocks on either side of a long and unusually wide Main Street; a design choice the society believed would shade the sidewalks in summer and help beat the heat. They purchased about 17,859 acres in late 1849 for $27,000. Walhalla became the county seat of Oconee County in 1868.

Today, that wide Main Street remains the town's cinematic backbone-tree-lined, historic buildings on either side, charming cafes, antiques shops, and local faces greeting one another. It's the kind of setting you imagine walking handinhand, scene by scene.

Things to Do in Wahalla

SeanPavonePhoto  stock.adobe.com

Walhalla is more than quaint architecture-it sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers direct access to multiple waterfalls, forest trails, and outdoor adventure. One standout: the Issaqueena Falls drops about 100 feet in a forested gorge, tied to a local Cherokee legend of a maiden who hid behind the waterfall's ledge. Nearby, the Stumphouse Tunnel stands as a partially completed Civil War-era railway tunnel that now invites visitors into its cool, storied depths (it holds a constant 50 F inside).

Kenneth Keifer  stock.adobe.com

The town's German heritage still bubbles up in celebrated ways; the annual Walhalla Oktoberfest brings music, dancing, tradition, and local food each October. The community has preserved historic homes and cultural institutions that reflect its layered story: Cherokee heritage, German settlers, mountain railroads, and more.

Why Does Walhalla Feel Like a Hallmark Movie Set?

The wide, treeshaded main street with local storefronts evokes a cozy, storybook town centre.

Historic architecture, including the 1901 grade school turned Civic Auditorium, gives depth and character.

The surrounding landscape: mountains, waterfalls, forest trails, all add natural drama and beauty.

The sense of continuity and community, shops where residents know each other, local festivals, and genuine friendliness.

Smalltown population (just over 4,000 in 2020) means lowkey pace but rich in personality.

If you're seeking a destination where you can imagine stepping into your favorite feelgood film, Walhalla checks every box: historic roots, nature at your doorstep, Main Street charm, friendly locals, and a backdrop of earlymorning mist over the Blue Ridge ridges. Now, just picture grabbing a cup of coffee at the local cafe and bumping into the love of your life, and you have the beginnings of a perfect Hallmark movie.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State's itinerary planner.
Carlos Alvarez/Getty; Carlos Alvarez/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

King Juan Carlos, the former monarch of Spain, revealed a "disagreement" with his daughter-in-law, Queen Letizia, in his upcoming memoir

The former King writes that the wife of his son and successor, King Felipe, "did not help to strengthen our family ties"

Juan Carlos' tell-all memoir, Reconciliation, is set to be published on Nov. 5 in France

King Juan Carlos, the former monarch of Spain, is telling all in his new memoir, Reconciliation.

Juan Carlos, 87, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the United Arab Emirates for the last five years after abdicating the throne in 2014, opens up his reign and his relationships in the forthcoming book, set to be published in France on Nov. 5.

In an excerpt shared by Spanish publication El Confidencial on Wednesday, Oct. 29, the former King has some harsh words for his daughter-in-law, the current Queen Letizia. Translated into English, Juan Carlos admits there is "personal disagreement" between him and the wife of his son and successor, King Felipe.

"She did not help to strengthen our family ties," he adds of Queen Letizia.

The statement marks the first time the former King has confirmed long-standing rumors of a rift within the Spanish royal family.

Carlos Alvarez/Getty Queen Letizia, King Felipe, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia on January 10, 2019

King Felipe and Queen Letizia married on May 22, 2004. They share two daughters, Princess Leonor, 19, and Princess Sofia, 18.

While the Queen was something of a controversial choice for the bride of a future king, as she had been married before and grew up working class, the royal rift likely stems from a more complicated history with the family.

Juan Carlos acceded to the Spanish throne in 1975 as the chosen successor of dictator Francisco Franco. While he was expected to continue Franco's regime, he almost immediately began working to install democracy in the country.

While initially very popular among his people, by 2013, multiple scandals  including romantic affairs, financial misappropriation and an infamous elephant hunting trip to Africa  led the King to abdicate and pass the throne to his youngest child and only son, King Felipe.

Ricardo Garcia - Pool/Getty King Juan Carlos and King Felipe of Spain on June 24, 2015

Then, in 2018, Juan Carlos' alleged spurned mistress, Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, went to the police to accuse him of corrupt business deals with Saudi Arabia. While the case was later dropped, the former King lost his public stipend from the State's General Budget as punishment from the crown, and King Felipe agreed to give up all inheritance from his father.

He was also accused of harassment by zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn, though he later won an appeal in that case.

In 2020, Juan Carlos decided to move to the UAE so as not to let public attention on him, or his ongoing financial scandals, overshadow his son's reign. His wife, Queen Sofia, remained in Spain and often attends royal events with King Felipe and his family.

To help my son, I looked for a place where journalists from my country couldnt easily find me, Juan Carlos told French newspaper Le Figaro in an interview published this week.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Juan Carlos' forthcoming book also addresses his connection to another royal family and the rumors that he seduced Princess Diana.

Rumors about the two started swirling in the late 1980s when Diana and then-Prince Charles, along with their sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, vacationed at the Marivent Palace, the Spanish royal familys summer home in Palma de Mallorca, for three consecutive summers.

Despite his reputation as a womanizer, the former King denies the affair in his memoir. In fact, he unfavorably describes Diana as cold, taciturn, distant, except in the presence of the paparazzi."



Read the original article on People
Lee Green /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Valerie Harper, Dominique Dunne and Dennis Weaver promotional photo for "The Day the Loving Died"

NEED TO KNOW

Dominique Dunne was 22 years old when she was killed by her ex-boyfriend John Sweeney

The young actress died in 1982, the same year she starred in Poltergeist

Her father, Dominick Dunne, was a crime journalist who covered the Menendez brothers' trial

In 1982, Dominique Dunne's career was on the rise, with her role in the supernatural hit, Poltergeist, but that same year, the 22-year-old was killed on the driveway of her West Hollywood home.

Over 40 years later, Dunne's family is still recovering from her death, while also keeping her legacy alive. Her brother, Griffin Dunne, recently wrote about her in his 2024 book, The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir.

The young actress was gaining fame in the early 1980s, however, her Hollywood career was cut short after her ex-boyfriend, John Sweeney, killed her on Oct. 30, 1982. The two were previously in a relationship for a year and lived together, though Sweeney often allegedly physically abused her.

After a physical fight a month before she died, Dunne broke things off for good with Sweeney. However, on Oct. 30, he came back to her home, allegedly attempting to convince her to reconcile. A fight ensued and escalated until Sweeney was strangling Dunne, leading her to lose consciousness. When police arrived, Sweeney confessed to killing her and attempting to kill himself.

A year later, in September 1983, Sweeney was acquitted of second-degree murder but was found guilty of the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter and additionally a misdemeanor assault for the September altercation with Dunne. He was sentenced to six years in prison with an additional six months for the assault charge.

Sweeney was released on parole after serving two and a half years of his six-and-a-half-month sentence. Dunne's family, including her parents, Dominick and Ellen "Lenny" Dunne, and brothers, Griffin and Alex Dunne, continued to keep her memory alive after her death.

In 2024, Dunnes case has been thrust back into the spotlight thanks to Nathan Lanes portrayal of her father, Dominick in Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. Dominick was a crime journalist and covered the Menendez brothers' trial, which occurred over a decade after his daughters death.

So what happened to Dominique Dunne? Here's everything to know about the death of the young actress and where her killer is now.

Who was Dominique Dunne?

Lee Green /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images Dominique Dunne and James Canning from the 1981 TV movie 'The Day the Loving Died'.

Dunne was an actress who got her start in 1979's Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker. She was born in Santa Monica, Calif., on Nov. 23, 1959, to Ellen, a ranching heiress, and Dominick, a writer, actor and producer in Hollywood. Dunne was also the younger sister of two brothers, Alex and Griffin.

After getting her start in 1979, Dunne went on to star in other popular 1980s shows like Lou Grant, Family, Hart to Hart and Fame. Her rise to fame came in 1982's Poltergeist, and she was set to star in the sequel as well before her death. At the time of her death, she was in the midst of filming the miniseries V, which was released the following year in her memory.

What happened to Dominique Dunne?

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images Oliver Robins, Dominique Dunne, Craig T Nelson, Heather O'Rourke and JoBeth Williams on set of the 1982 film 'Poltergeist'.

Dunne met Sweeney, who was a sous chef at a restaurant, at a party in 1981. They had a whirlwind romance and within a few weeks rented a house together.

However, the relationship quickly turned sour when Sweeney became aggressive and physically abusive. In an Aug. 27, 1982, incident, Sweeney allegedly grabbed Dunne by her hair and yanked her so hard that handfuls of locks came out from the root. Scared, Dunne left to her mother's house, where Sweeney followed her and banged on the doors and windows to be let in.

Ellen told him to leave, or she'd call the police, and he did so. Within the next few days, Dunne returned to their shared home. A month later, another domestic dispute allegedly occurred when Sweeney strangled Dunne, and a neighbor heard the gagging sounds and attempted to intervene.

Under the pretense of going to the bathroom, Dunne escaped out the window and took off in her car, which Sweeney jumped the hood of. Following that incident, Dunne called off the relationship.

However, a month later, on Oct. 30, Sweeney showed up at Dunne's house while she was running lines with an actor, David Packer. Sweeney insisted on speaking to her, so Dunne met him outside the house while Packer stayed indoors. Their conversation eventually turned violent, leading Packer to call the police after Sweeney had strangled Dunne to the point of unconsciousness. Sweeney confessed he killed Dunne to the police when they arrived, telling them, "I killed my girlfriend, and I tried to kill myself.

I f----- upI cant believe I did something that will put me behind bars foreverMan, I blew it. I killed her," he told a cop on the way to the police station. "I didnt think I choked her that hard. I just kept on choking her.

By the time Dunne arrived at the hospital, her heart had stopped beating. Though machines revived her, she was declared brain dead, and five days later, her parents consented to remove her from life support.



Where is John Sweeney now?

AP Photo/Wally Fong John Thomas Sweeney entering court on Dec. 14, 1982, for a preliminary hearing into the death of actress Dominique Dunne.

Sweeney was charged with first-degree murder, to which he pleaded not guilty. In court, Sweeney's lawyers argued that the chef had not planned to hurt Dunne and acted in the "heat of passion" after a frustrating conversation between the two in which she allegedly told him she had no plans of a future with him despite previously discussing one, Sweeney said.

The presiding judge granted Sweeney's attorney's request to change the charge to second-degree murder or manslaughter as the court lacked sufficient evidence to try him for first-degree murder since predetermination was not established.

The jury ultimately acquitted Sweeney on charges of second-degree murder, finding him guilty of voluntary manslaughter and assault for the September incident. Sweeney was sentenced to six and a half years in prison, of which he served two and a half.

Following his stint in jail, Sweeney was hired as a head chef at a highly-rated restaurant in Santa Monica, Calif. Dunne's family stood outside the restaurant in protest after hearing the news, handing out flyers that read, "The food you will eat tonight was cooked by the hands that killed Dominique Dunne," according to a 1987 interview with Griffin for The Courier.

Sweeney eventually quit, following the protests, and left Los Angeles. In the mid-1990s, a Florida man reached out to Dominick about an article he wrote regarding his daughter's death and asked if the John Sweeney engaged to his daughter was the very same who served time for Dunne's death, Dominick told The Telegraph in 2008.

Griffin quickly contacted the woman and informed her of Sweeney's past. Sweeney then changed his name.

Dominick opened up in 2007 to Slate about hiring a private investigator to track down Sweeney, who moved to the Pacific Northwest and changed his name to John Maura. However, eventually, Dominick said, he let it go.

I dont know where he is, he told the outlet. I dont want to know where he is.  Its much healthier."

Where is Dominique Dunne's family now, including her dad Dominick?

Jemal Countess/WireImage/Getty Images Griffin Dunne and Dominick Dunne at a the Broadway Opening Night of The Year of Magical Thinking.

Following his daughter's death, Dominick became committed to his career as a crime writer after being a successful Hollywood producer. During Sweeney's trial, Dominick wrote down everything he was feeling and his thoughts on the process per the advice of one of his coworkers, and published his work in an in-depth article for Vanity Fair.

He wrote this devastating piece about what a family goes through, who had no experience in the court judicial system; what we went through, Griffin told PEOPLE of his father in June 2024. It's a document that's like a handbook for what families should prepare for.

In the following decades, Dominick covered cases like the O.J. Simpson trial in 1995 and the Menendez brothers' trial in 1993. The author and producer died on Aug. 26, 2009, at 83 years old.

Dunne's mother, Ellen, turned to advocacy work after her daughter's death, starting the Justice for Homicide Victims foundation. In 1989, she was recognized by former President George H. W. Bush for her contribution. She died in 1997 at 64 years old.

Griffin, Dunne's older brother, continues to work in Hollywood and is also an author. In June 2024, he published his memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir, which reflected on his family's history as much as his own.

I loved going back to my memories of her as a little girl that Alex and I adored, he told PEOPLE of reflecting on his younger sister. She seemed to know who she was from the age of four or five and had such confidence, far more than her brothers. She would boss us around and we would do everything we could to please her.



How does Dominique Dunne's case relate to the Menendez brothers?

Iris/WireImage/Getty Images Lyle and Erik Menendez leave the courtroom in Santa Monica, Calif., on Aug. 6, 1990; Dominick Dunne during Miramax Pre-Oscar Party.

Dunne's case returned to the national spotlight when Lane portrayed Dominick in Ryan Murphy's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which was released on Netflix in September 2024.



Dominick's coverage of the trial  in which Lyle and Erik were being tried for the murder of their parents  was key to making it become the massive media sensation it was. Dominick was passionate about the stories he covered, often immersing himself in them  but he wasn't necessarily a terribly unbiased one," as Griffin told PEOPLE.

If he wrote about Phil Spector, he talked about Lana Clarkson and not as a third-rate actress, as the media continue to describe her, he said, referring to other trials his dad covered. Or during O.J., he sat with the Browns and Nicole's family  he always looked at it from the rights of the victim.



Read the original article on People
Christy Giles/Instagram; GoFundMe Christy Giles and Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola

NEED TO KNOW

David Pearce, 42, was sentenced to 146 years to life in state prison for the 2021 fentanyl overdose deaths of Christy Giles and Hilda Cabrales-Arzola

Pearce was found guilty in February 2025 of two counts of murder

"The defendant is a rapist and now he is a murderer," prosecutor Seth Carmack said during trial

A Hollywood producer who was convicted earlier this year of fatally drugging a model and her friend in 2021 was sentenced to 146 years to life in state prison on Wednesday, Oct. 29, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys office confirmed to PEOPLE.

David Brian Pearce, 42, was found guilty in February of two counts of first-degree murder in the fentanyl overdose deaths of 24-year-old model Christy Giles and her friend, Hilda Cabrales-Arzola, a 26-year-old architect. Pearce was also convicted of rape and other sexual assaults against seven other women between 2007 and 2021, per the district attorneys office.

He was charged in July 2022 in the drug-related deaths.

Deputy District Attorney Seth Carmack told jurors during Pearces trial that he drugged the women to facilitate the sexual assault," KNX News reported.

"The defendant is a rapist and now he is a murderer," Carmack said, per the outlet.

Related: Hollywood Producer David Brian Pearce Convicted of 2021 Murders of Model Christy Giles and Hilda Marcela Cabrales-Arzola

According to prosecutors, Pearce met Giles and Cabrales-Arzola at a warehouse party in East Los Angeles around 3 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2021. Around two hours later, the women accompanied Pearce and others to his Beverly Hills apartment where he provided the victims with GHB and fentanyl.

Frederick M. Brown/Daily Mail.com via AP David Brian Pearce

Prosecutors said Cabrales-Arzola called a rideshare service within 35 minutes of arriving at Pearce's apartment but never took the ride.

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.

Hours later, Pearce and his roommate, actor Brandt Osborn, dropped off the two women outside separate hospitals, according to police.

Giles was found dead from a mixture of cocaine, fentanyl, ketamine and GHB outside a hospital in Culver City.

"I was just told, 'I'm very sorry to inform you, Ms. Giles... But she was dropped off at our hospital on the outside, kind of like a bag of garbage,'" her mother Leslie Giles told CBS 48 Hours. "And, um 'She didn't make it.' And I said, 'What do you mean she didn't make it?'" adding that she was told it was a police matter before she hung up and "fell apart."

Cabrales-Arzola was found unconscious outside Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center, according to police. She was taken off life support after suffering multiple organ failure with cocaine, ecstasy and other undetermined drugs found in her system, according to KNX News.

A judge declared a mistrial for Osborn, who was charged with two counts of being an accessory, ABC7 reported. He is now awaiting a possible retrial, per the outlet.

Read the original article on People
Traffic snarled as stoplights lay among piles of debris. Once-mighty trees and power lines in ruin on streets turned to rivers. Entire communities swept away by wind and floodwater, according to satellite imagery.

Melissa left over 70% of Jamaica without power, Telecommunications and Transportation Minister Daryl Vaz said at a news conference Thursday.

At least 82 roads on the island were closed as of Thursday morning, said Robert Morgan, the countrys infrastructure minister.

"A large percentage of the Jamaican public service facilities are lying on the road, Morgan said. The contractors cannot touch those power lines without the Jamaica Public Service Company saying to us it is safe for us to do so."

Those are just some of the scenes of devastation Jamaica woke up to Thursday morning, 48 hours after Hurricane Melissa raged through the island nation as the most powerful storm in its history and one of the most potent ever recorded anywhere. The United Nations said the damage was on a level "never seen before."

All three international airports have reopened, Vaz announced Thursday.

Cuba is also calculating the cost after the storm collapsed houses and blocked roads, with 735,000 people spending the night in shelters, and the full extent of the damage is still unclear.

Residents walk Wednesday through Santa Cruz, Jamaica. (Matias Delacroix / AP)

The monster storm had winds of up to 185 mph and killed at least nine people in Jamaica and 27 more across the Caribbean this week.

The storm was making its way Thursday afternoon to Bermuda, where conditions will "rapidly deteriorate," according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center's 2 p.m. update. The storm has greatly weakened to about 105 mph, making it a still-dangerous Category 2 storm capable of inflicting major damage. Melissa may bring an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain over parts of Hispaniola and is expected to bring 1 inch of rain to Bermuda on Thursday.

By Saturday, the storm will have lost its tropical characteristics  and its name  and become a strong post-tropical cyclone over the north Atlantic, making a beeline for St. Johns.

But for Jamaica and Cuba, the task of providing aid to affected communities and rebuilding starts now.

A flooded street in Santiago de Cuba on Wednesday. (Yamil Lage / AFP via Getty Images)

The urgent humanitarian challenge has prompted immediate responses from countries around the world and nongovernmental organizations alike after more than 400,000 people in Jamaica were directly affected.

The State Department said it was sending a regional disaster assistance response team (DART) to the region, along with U.S.-based urban search-and-rescue teams.

However, one former and two current U.S. officials told NBC News on Wednesday that the response was delayed because of the government shutdown and the elimination of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Previously, the DART team would have already been on the ground in Jamaica, the sources said, but it missed the opportunity to travel ahead of the storm.

The U.S. nonprofit organization Project Dynamo is sending more than 3,000 pounds of essential aid to Jamaica in multiple aircraft, including water purification kits and medical supplies, under Operation Cool Runnings, a reference to the cult 1993 movie.

Destroyed buildings in Black River, Jamaica, on Wednesday. (Ricardo Makyn / AFP via Getty Images)

The U.N. World Food Program plans to deliver 2,000 emergency food boxes from Barbados as soon as flights to Jamaica resume, enough to feed about 6,000 people a week. This is a terrible tragedy and there is a real sense of urgency here on the ground, Brian Bogart, the WFPs director for the Caribbean, told the U.N.s news service.

The American Red Cross said it was operating ambulances across Jamaica on Thursday, responding to emergencies in shelters and taking people to hospitals.

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness was in the hard-hit community of St. James on Wednesday, posting video of homes inundated with water and mud.

"Despite the difficulties, the Jamaican spirit shines through as a strong reminder we are a resilient nation with the capacity to triumph over adversity," he said.

Video posted Wednesday on X shows the streets of Santa Cruz, Jamaica, completely covered in mud.

A video posted on social media shows swaths of trees and power lines down in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The city's airport sustained what appears to be significant damage, according to the video, with water pouring from the roof of a terminal.

Downed trees in Spurr Tree, Jamaica, on Wednesday. (Matias Delacroix / AP)

U.N. Resident Coordinator Dennis Zulu said at a news conference that Jamaica's recovery would take at least months.

"I don't think there's any single soul on this island that was not affected by Hurricane Melissa," he said.

Jamaica is accepting donations to its official Hurricane Melissa Relief fund.

Flights to Caribbean countries have been suspended for the past several days. American Airlines said in a statement that it would resume flights in Kingston, Jamaica; Holguin, Cuba; and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, on Thursday. The airline added that it is assessing damage at several other airports, including those in Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Montego Bay; and Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
Editor's note: This page summarizes Hurricane Melissa news for Thursday, Oct. 30. For the latest news on Hurricane Melissa, please visit USA TODAY's coverage for Friday, Oct. 31.

Parts of the Caribbean are conducting search and rescue operations and surveying the extensive destruction Hurricane Melissa brought to the region, leaving dozens of people dead and drawing an outpouring of support from the international community.

Melissa tore through the Caribbean as one of the most powerful storms in recorded history and made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a deadly Category 5 hurricane. By Thursday, the storm had further weakened as it moved over the southeastern Bahamas and toward Bermuda, about 500 miles off the U.S. East Coast.

The hardest-hit areas include Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, where damaging winds and severe flooding from storm surge and days of rainfall destroyed homes and tore down utility poles.

Hurricane Melissa slams the Caribbean. See the floods and impact on residents in photos A resident stands at a flooded section of Port Royal in Kingston on Oct. 27, 2025. Hurricane Melissa threatened Jamaica with potentially deadly rains after rapidly intensifying into a top-level Category 5 storm, as residents scrambled for shelter from what could be the island's most violent weather on record. Melissa has already been blamed for at least four deaths in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and was set to unleash torrential rains on parts of Jamaica in a direct hit on the Caribbean island.

Rescue and recovery operations are hampered by widespread power outages, communications failures, and blocked roads. The death toll is growing  with more than 50 deaths attributed to the storm in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic  as authorities continued to verify reported deaths.

"There are entire communities that seem to be marooned and also areas that have been flattened," said Jamaican Minister of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information Dana Dixon. "We are trying to get to the areas that have been marooned. We will get there... we are going to get to every single Jamaican and give them support.

The entire Jamaica is really broken because of what has happened, but we remain resilient," Dixon said.

Countries, including the United States, have pledged support in the form of cash, food aid, and rescue teams. On Thursday, an Urban Search and Rescue team from Fairfax, Virginia, posted photos on social media as the team flew out to Jamaica as part of the U.S. State Department's post-hurricane response to the country.

See satellite images: Hurricane Melissa's devastation in Jamaica

Over 50 deaths reported in Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic

Authorities in Haiti, which was battered with days of rain, said Thursday that at least 30 people were killed in the storm and 20 more were missing. At least 23 people, including 10 children, died due to floods in Petit-Goave, a coastal town about 40 miles west of the capital, where a river burst its banks.

In Jamaica, officials said they had dedicated a helicopter to the recovery of bodies. The country's information minister told Reuters on Thursday that at least 19 people were killed in the storm.

Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica's minister of local government and community development, acknowledged during a news briefing earlier in the day that there were casualties and the number was expected to rise. He urged the public to wait for official confirmation from local authorities.

At least two deaths were reported in the Dominican Republic, including one person who died before the storm made landfall, according to the Pan American Health Organization. Before landfall, authorities also reported the storm caused three deaths in Jamaica and three in Haiti.

No deaths were reported in Cuba as of Thursday, but authorities said the island had suffered severe damage. According to Francisco Pichon, resident coordinator for Cuba at the United Nations, more than 200 communities are entirely cut off by flooding and landslides, so more information about potential casualties would be forthcoming as responders access them.

Debris lies in an affected area on Oct. 30, 2025, two days after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Black River, Jamaica.

Power outages, widespread damage reported in hard-hit Jamaica

Over 70% of electrical customers in Jamaica remained without power as of Thursday morning, said the country's Energy Minister Daryl Vaz. Many schools remained without power or water, officials said.

Aerial footage and photos showed downed power lines strewn across the island's roadways. More than 130 roads remained blocked by trees and debris, authorities said.

Members of the Jamaica Defence Force cleared roadways on foot into isolated areas as ambulances followed close behind. One road in the hard-hit coastal town of Black River was swamped with more than four feet of sand stretching over a mile, according to officials.

In a neighborhood of the island's Montego Bay, 77-year-old Alfred Hines waded barefoot through thick mud and debris as he described his narrow escape from the rising floodwaters.

"At one stage, I see the water at my waist and (after) about 10 minutes, I see it around my neck here and I make my escape," he told Reuters. "I just want to forget it and things come back to normal."

Search and rescue teams from the United States were heading to Jamaica on Thursday to assist in recovery efforts, authorities said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. was prepared to offer "immediate humanitarian aid" to the people of Cuba.

On Oct. 30, 2025, a woman sits inside a helicopter to be taken to a hospital by members of the Jamaican Defence Force, after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Black River, Jamaica.

Delivery of relief supplies, access for emergency vehicles

Jamaican officials are using helicopters to deliver relief supplies and transfer patients to other hospitals, Dixon and others said during a news conference. In some locations, helicopters have been unable to find clear spots to land, she said.

Dixon also described grueling work being done in some locations to clear roads to allow access for emergency vehicles, such as crews using machetes to cut through bamboo plants.

Officials also described a great anxiety and uncertainty among island residents who have been unable to contact family members in some of the hardest-hit and flooded areas. Some airports were reopened on Thursday for relief flights.

Bermuda prepares for Hurricane Melissa's approach

Bermuda was preparing on Thursday for Melissa to pass nearby to its west overnight. Hurricane- and tropical storm-force winds extend far out from its center and will still reach Bermuda, the National Hurricane Center said.

Conditions are expected to "rapidly deteriorate" in Bermuda through the evening on Thursday, with strong winds, hazardous seas, and dangerous rip currents. At 11 p.m. ET, Melissa had maximum sustained winds of 100 mph and was centered about 160 miles west-southwest of Bermuda, the hurricane center said.

A hurricane warning was in effect, and forecasters warned that "preparations should be rushed to completion" before tropical storm-force winds reach Bermuda.

The country expected to close its causeway Thursday night and shutter schools and ferries on Friday "out of an abundance of caution," National Security Minister Michael Weeks said in a statement. "I implore all residents to remain vigilant while we navigate another natural threat to our way of life," he said.

An expanded and weakened Hurricane Melissa makes its way north on the afternoon of Oct. 30, about 500 miles off the U.S. coast and west of Bermuda, where strong winds and rough seas were forecast.

A statement from the Bermuda Tourism Authority emphasized the country's track record of hurricane resilience and advised tourists to follow official updates and contact travel providers with questions about any changes in operations. The Bermuda Hotel Association offers a Hurricane Guarantee for travelers that offers penalty-free cancellations when itineraries are disrupted by hurricanes, the authority stated.

Even as Bermuda battened down for its own brush with Melissa, Premier David Burt pledged the countrys support for Jamaica, which he termed a resilient country with a proud history and a strong connection to Bermuda.

The path to recovery and rebuilding will be a long process and we will continue to work with the Government and people of Jamaica to help where we can, Burt stated. We will play our part as that resilience is tested and join the regional and international effort to aid the recovery.

A 5 p.m., Oct. 30 map from the National Hurricane Center shows the projected track of a weakening Hurricane Melissa.

Melissa could graze Canada on its way out to sea

After zooming by Bermuda, Melissa will continue northeast, passing the Avalon Peninsula in Newfoundland on Saturday morning as an "extratropical" hurricane-strength storm, according to Houston-based meteorologist Matt Lanza on his blog "The Eyewall." That means it won't be classified as a hurricane.

"On the current track, forecast impacts would be mostly minor to moderate in southeast Newfoundland and the Avalon Peninsula, with the worst of the storm remaining offshore," he said. "If for some reason the storm tracks closer to Atlantic Canada, impacts would worsen in Newfoundland. As of now, this looks like a manageable storm, albeit one with the usual hazards from gusty winds to heavy rain to rough seas and high tides in Newfoundland."

US East Coast could see 'life-threatening' surf from Melissa

Despite being far out to sea, Melissa could still impact beachgoers along the U.S. East Coast.

Ocean swells generated by Melissa are "likely to reach the coast of the northeastern United States and Atlantic Canada Friday and persist into the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions," the hurricane center said.

Meteorologist: Climate change likely a factor in Melissa's rapid intensification

Melissa rapidly intensified last weekend from a tropical storm to a ferocious major hurricane in less than a day, which many scientists say is a clear signal of human-caused climate change due to the burning of fossil fuels.

Why is this? Climate change increases the rapid intensification of hurricanes by making ocean waters warmer, which provides more fuel for storms. Hurricanes gain strength as they move over warm seawater.

"Increasing the amount of heat in the ocean increases the odds of rapid intensification, with the largest increases in peak intensification rates occurring for the most extreme cases," noted meteorologist Jeff Masters on the Yale Climate Connections blog in August.

In addition, air that's warmer holds more moisture and warmer oceans reduce wind shear, allowing storms to strengthen more quickly and become more powerful.

All of this leads to a higher probability of rapid intensification and a greater number of more intense hurricanes.

One study from 2024, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, said that the worlds most intense hurricanes are growing even more intense, fueled by rising temperatures in the ocean and atmosphere.

American tourist remains stranded in Jamaica

Tourists who were unable to leave Jamaica before Melissa hit experienced the storms full force and are now stranded on the island due to flight cancellations.

Jen Eley, a teacher from Silver Spring, Maryland, was on vacation at the RIU Aquarelle resort in Falmouth, Jamaica, when the storm hit. Falmouth is in northwestern Jamaica.

"I went to Jamaica with a friend to celebrate her birthday," she said via text on Thursday. "We arrived on Thursday and were set to leave on Monday.

"Once the storm finally started, there was a lot of wind and rain. We boarded up the balcony door/window in our room with the bed's box spring, the dresser, and couch. During the storm we heard a lot of commotion in the hallways, I'm assuming from the wind and debris."

She said that at one point, everything went silent for about 90 minutes, then the wind picked up again "and we could feel the building swaying. After the rain stopped, there was a strange howling sound from the wind that was loud, constant, and all night long."

Eley said she's still not sure when she'll return to the United States  spotty cell service and internet access have made it difficult to book another return flight.

State department issues declaration of humanitarian need for Cuba after Hurricane Melissa

Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement on Thursday regarding Melissas devastation of eastern Cuba. The Trump administration stands with the brave Cuban people who continue to struggle to meet basic needs, stated Rubio, whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba in 1956.

As in neighboring communities, the state department is issuing a declaration of humanitarian need for Cuba and is prepared to provide immediate humanitarian assistance directly and via local partners who can most effectively deliver it to those in need.

Although the U.S. has an economic embargo against Cuba, there are exemptions and authorizations for private donations of food, medicine, other humanitarian supplies and disaster reply, according to the departments statement. Anyone who wants to directly support the Cuban people should contact the state department if there are questions or issues at CubaHumanitarian@state.gov.

Maricel Ramirez, 70, sweeps flood water from her home on Oct. 30, 2025, after it was damaged by Hurricane Melissa, in El Cobre, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

The strained relationship between the U.S. and Cuba for more than 60 years has produced a mixed record on offers and acceptance of aid between the two countries.

Former President George W. Bush's administration declined Cubas offer to send doctors to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

After Gustav in 2008, the US provided $100,000 in immediate emergency assistance to non-governmental organizations working in humanitarian relief in Cuba. The U.S. also committed to providing up to $5 million in relief assistance to Cuban hurricane victims. But a day after the assistance was offered, the Cuban government declined the offer. Cuba has maintained relief partnerships with other countries.

After Category 5 Hurricane Irma struck the island in 2017, the U.S. sent response teams to other Caribbean islands, but did not send a team to Cuba. That's because the smaller country had not made a required request for assistance, USA TODAY previously reported.

After Hurricane Ian in 2022, Cubas government requested emergency assistance after the entire island lost electricity. The U.S. said it would provide $2 million for emergency relief through the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Hurricane Melissa has wreaked havoc: Here's how you can help.

How you can help Caribbean nations devastated by Hurricane Melissa

Humanitarian organizations have begun mobilizing to provide immediate relief and prepare for long-term recovery after the storm.

You can help with donations and other forms of support for organizations, including American Friends of Jamaica, the American Red Cross, Americares, CARE, Global Giving, the Salvation Army, and several others. See a full list here.

Jamaican officials also launched the Support Jamaica website at https://supportjamaica.gov.jm/ where you can make a donation. The government also warned that there have been "nefarious individuals" collecting money on behalf of the government, but only sites that end in .gov.jm are official government sites.

Damaged trees and debris after Hurricane Melissa made landfall, in Black River, Jamaica, October 30, 2025. REUTERS/Octavio Jones

Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg and Samantha Neely, USA TODAY; Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane Melissa updates: Jamaica and Cuba survey deadly devastation
People across the northern Caribbean are beginning to dig out from the destruction of Hurricane Melissa, as deaths from the catastrophic storm climbed to at least 28 across Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, with Haiti reporting most of those fatalities. On Thursday, Melissa was moving away from the Bahamas and had turned toward Bermuda, where weather conditions were expected to "rapidly deteriorate" later in the day, according to the National Hurricane Center.

President Trump has directed the State Department "to mobilize support for affected communities" in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, and Turks and Caicos in the aftermath of the hurricane, the department said in an announcement on Thursday. The announcement said it would also be monitoring the situation in Bermuda.

"The State Department is collaborating with UN agencies, NGOs, and host governments to deliver food, water, medical supplies, hygiene kits, temporary shelter, and search and rescue support," the announcement said.

In Jamaica, the rumble of large machinery, whine of chainsaws and chopping of machetes echoed throughout the southeast as government workers and residents began clearing roads in a push to reach isolated communities that sustained a direct hit from one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record.

Stunned residents wandered about, some staring at their roofless homes and waterlogged belongings strewn around them.

Emergency relief flights began landing at Jamaica's main international airport, which reopened late Wednesday, as crews distributed water, food and other basic supplies.

"The devastation is enormous," Jamaican Transportation Minister Daryl Vaz said.

At a news conference Thursday morning, Vaz and other officials spoke about some of the lingering consequences of the hurricane for communities in Jamaica.

"There are people who still have not been able to make contact with their families, their loved ones, their friends, and road access is still impossible," Vaz told reporters, referencing isolated areas on the western side of the island that responders have not yet been able to reach. "So, you can imagine the deep, deep sense of worry that is widespread across Jamaica."

An aerial view of destroyed buildings following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, in Black River, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, on Oct. 29, 2025. / Credit: RICARDO MAKYN /AFP via Getty Images

Some Jamaicans wondered where they would live.



"I am now homeless, but I have to be hopeful because I have life," said Sheryl Smith, who lost the roof of her home.



Authorities said they have found at least four bodies in southwest Jamaica.



Prime Minister Andrew Holness said up to 90% of roofs in the southwest coastal community of Black River were destroyed.



"Black River is what you would describe as ground zero," he said. "The people are still coming to grips with the destruction."



More than 25,000 people remained crowded into shelters across the western half of Jamaica, with 77% of the island without power.

Dana Morris Dixon, a minister of education and information, said at a Thursday news conference that military crews and government officials were still working to access some of the western areas hit hardest by the storm. They were able to visit a handful of places by helicopter on Wednesday, but at times could not physically get to all of the locations they wanted to reach because "sometimes the helicopter could not land due to the devastation," Dixon said.

"The military is cutting their way on foot through blocked roads," the minister continued, adding that crews were in the middle of attempting to cut through an area covered with thick bamboo, a task they could not finish completely on Wednesday and resumed Thursday morning.

Haiti hard hit

Melissa also unleashed catastrophic flooding in Haiti, where at least 23 people were reported killed and 13 others missing, mostly in the country's southern region. Another 17 people suffered injuries, officials said.



Haiti's Civil Protection Agency said Hurricane Melissa killed at least 20 people in Petit-Goave, including 10 children. It also damaged more than 160 homes and destroyed 80 others.



Officials warned that 152 disabled people in Haiti's southern region required emergency food assistance. More than 11,600 people remained sheltered in Haiti because of the storm.

Girl walks through water from Hurricane Melissa in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Oct. 29, 2025. / Credit: Guerinault Louis / Anadolu via Getty Images

Cuba cleanup begins

In Cuba, people began to clear blocked roads and highways with heavy equipment and even enlisted the help of the military, which rescued people trapped in isolated communities and at risk from landslides.



No fatalities were reported after the Civil Defense evacuated more than 735,000 people across eastern Cuba. They were slowly starting to return home.



"We are cleaning the streets, clearing the way," said Yaima Almenares, a physical education teacher from the city of Santiago, as she and other neighbors swept branches and debris from sidewalks and avenues, cutting down fallen tree trunks and removing accumulated trash.



In the more rural areas outside the city of Santiago de Cuba, water remained accumulated in vulnerable homes on Wednesday night as residents returned from their shelters to save beds, mattresses, chairs, tables and fans they had elevated ahead of the storm.



A televised Civil Defense meeting chaired by President Miguel Diaz-Canel did not provide an official estimate of the damage. However, officials from the affected provinces  Santiago, Granma, Holguin, Guantanamo and Las Tunas  reported losses of roofs, power lines, fiber optic telecommunications cables, cut roads, isolated communities and losses of banana, cassava and coffee plantations.



Officials said the rain was beneficial for the reservoirs and for easing a severe drought in eastern Cuba.



Many communities were still without electricity, internet and telephone service due to downed transformers and power lines.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday in a statement that the State Department would issue a declaration of humanitarian assistance for Cuba and vowed to provide the country with that assistance "directly and via local partners who can most effectively deliver it to those in need."

"In the wake of Hurricane Melissa's devastation of eastern Cuba, the Trump Administration stands with the brave Cuban people who continue to struggle to meet basic needs," Rubio said in the statement.



When Melissa came ashore in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane with top winds of 185 mph on Tuesday, it tied strength records for Atlantic hurricanes making landfall, both in wind speed and barometric pressure. It was still a Category 3 hurricane when it made landfall again in eastern Cuba early Wednesday.

Melissa not done yet

A hurricane warning was in effect Thursday for Bermuda as Melissa began heading that way, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Bermuda was already experiencing tropical storm conditions as of late Thursday night.

Map shows the forecast path of Hurricane Melissa. / Credit: CBS News

Melissa was a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds near 100 mph. It was moving northeast at 38 mph, the center added.

On the forecast track, the center of Melissa "is expected to pass to the northwest of Bermuda tonight and pass south of the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland Friday night," the center said. "However, Melissa is expected to weaken later tonight and Friday and become a post-tropical low by Friday night."

House lawmakers told their paychecks are delayed until government reopens

What to expect from Trump meeting with Xi Jinping

Video shows massive damage in Jamaica from Hurricane Melissa
U.S. President Donald Trump greets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30, 2025. Credit - Andrew HarnikGetty Images

After their two countries teetered for months on the edge of an all-out trade war, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping said theyve reached a trade deal after meeting face-to-face in South Korea.

Trump and Xi spoke Thursday morning in Busan in a highly-anticipated meeting that lasted close to two hours. Trump was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue. Chief of Staff Cai Qi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Vice Premier He Lifeng, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, and Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission Zheng Shanjie accompanied Xi.

The deal formalizes a framework agreement between American and Chinese negotiators reached earlier this week.

I guess, on the scale from zero to 10, with 10 being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One after the meeting. You know, just the whole relationship is very, very important. I think it was very good.

He added that the U.S. and China have a deal that can likely be signed pretty soon and that can be renegotiated every year.

We have not too many stumbling blocks, Trump said.

Xi also announced that the U.S. and China reached a consensus, according to Chinese state media.

It is not yet clear whether the deal is a comprehensive agreement, but its news comes as a relief to businesses, consumers, and investors after the worlds two biggest economies ramped up levies and export controls in recent weeks. The deal scraps Trumps threat of a 100% tariff increase, immediately reduces the total tariff rate on Chinese goods, and resolves, at least for now, several of the more contentious trade issues between the U.S. and China.

Thursday was the first meeting between Trump and Xi in six years. Busan rounded off Trumps three-country tour of Asia, which included the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, Trumps first meeting with Japans new Prime Minister Sakae Takaichi in Tokyo, and the APEC summit as well as a meeting with South Koreas new President Lee Jae-myung in Gyeongju.

Trump also said he would travel to China in April and Xi would visit the U.S. later next year.

We do not always see eye-to-eye with each other, and it is normal for the two leading economies of the world to have frictions now and then, Xi said to Trump in preliminary remarks. And in the face of winds, waves and challenges, you and I, at the helm of relations, should stay the right course and ensure the steady sailing forward of the giant ship of China-U.S. relations.

Hes a very tough negotiator, thats not good, Trump said with a laugh in preliminary remarks.

The details of the agreement have yet to be released, but heres what we know so far about the deal.

Rare earths

China will suspend its rare earths licensing measures for at least a year, according to the Chinese Ministry of Commerces statement about the framework agreement. Earlier this month, China announced new licensing requirements for rare earths exports to all countries. The move prompted further hostile measures from the U.S., which had also introduced its own restrictions on China in the weeks before. Experts had speculated that rare earths would be a key piece of leverage for China in trade negotiations with the U.S., as China accounts for around 70% of the worlds supply of critical minerals, which are crucial to the U.S.s military, semiconductor and auto sectors.

That road block is gone now, Trump said, adding that the rare earth issue has been settled, and thats for the world.  This was a worldwide situation and not just a U.S. situation.

He added that the pause could be renewed after a year. That will hopefully disappear from our vocabulary for a little while, he said.

Soybean purchases, increased investments

China will also resume its purchases of American soybeans, Trump said. China, which was once the biggest buyer of U.S. soybeans, had effectively frozen new orders of the crop after Trump unveiled his tariffs earlier this year, battering farms across the country. Shortly before the meeting between Trump and Xi, China reportedly bought cargoes of U.S. soybeans in its first known purchase of this season.

Trump also said the Chinese feel very strongly about increasing investments in the U.S. and that they had congratulated him on thus far attracting huge sums of foreign investment.

Semiconductor chips

China may also be allowed to buy advanced computer chips from the U.S., which has been another sore point between the two countries. Trump said Beijing will speak with Nvidias CEO Jensen Huang with the U.S. acting as a sort of arbitrator or the referee but that discussions would not involve the most advanced Blackwell chip.

Lower tariffs on China

Chinas Commerce Ministry said in its statement about the framework agreement that the U.S. agreed to suspend Trumps 24% reciprocal tariff on China for another year. The reciprocal tariff was suspended for 90 days in May following a truce between the U.S. and China, and the suspension was subsequently extended again in multiple 90-day periods. The latest extension was set to expire on Nov. 10.

Greer told reporters on Air Force One that the U.S. will also postpone its Section 301 probe into Chinese shipbuilding which would have involved higher port fees on Chinese ships and prompted retaliatory port fees from China on American ships. Chinas Commerce Ministry said the U.S. agreed to suspend the investigation for one year, and that China will also suspend its countermeasures for one year. The Trump Administration has sought investments and partnerships with Asian allies during this trip in line with their goal to Make American Shipbuilding Great Again.

And Trump said the U.S.s 20% fentanyl-linked tariff on Chinese goods would be halved, effective immediately, bringing the total tariff on most Chinese goods down from 57% to 47%. Trump said he and Xi agreed China would take very strong measures to reduce the flow into the U.S. of precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl.

I believe hes going to work very hard to stop the death thats coming in, Trump said.

Security issues, peace talks

Trump said Xi also agreed to work together with the U.S. to end the war in Ukraine.

Were both going to work together, Trump said. We agree that the sides are locked in fighting and sometimes you have to let them fight I guess. Crazy. But hes going to help us and were going to work together on Ukraine.

In a pivot from his earlier friendly relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and rocky relationship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump has pushed countries to end ties with Russia over its continued bombardment of Ukraine, including threatening tariffs on countries that continue to purchase Russian oil. Trump said talks with Xi, however, did not center on Russian oil, but focused on cooperation to end the war. (China was the biggest buyer of Russian crude oil last year.)

In their preliminary remarks before the meeting, Xi said, China and the United States can jointly shoulder our responsibility as major countries, and work together to accomplish more great and concrete things for the good of our two countries and the whole world.

The security of Taiwan, which some had worried would be used as a concession by the U.S. in order to secure better trade terms, was not discussed, Trump said.

Chinas foreign ministry said in a readout after the meeting that China will further deepen reforms comprehensively and expand opening up. The country has opened itself up to an unprecedented level this year to tourists and immigrants, while it has sought to diversify its trade relationships and position itself as a potential global mediator.

Economic and trade relations should continue to be the ballast and engine of China-U.S. relations, not a stumbling block or point of conflict, the readout said, adding that the two sides should finalize the deal soon. Both sides should consider the bigger picture and focus on the long-term benefits of cooperation, rather than falling into a vicious cycle of mutual retaliation.

U.S. leaders did not say whether a deal for the purchase of TikToks U.S. operations, which was part of the framework agreement, was part of the deal reached Thursday.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Nathan Richardson Christophe Waggoner's Halloween costume giveaway event

NEED TO KNOW

Texas man Christophe Waggoner hosts an annual Halloween costume giveaway he calls October's Child

He shops at thrift stores throughout the year to secure costumes and accessories for children, adults and even pets

This year's event at the end of September attracted 800 to 900 people over eight hours who combed through 2,157 costumes

For as long as he can remember, Christophe Waggoner has loved Halloween  but because he lived in apartments most of his adult life, not that many trick-or-treaters stopped by.

That changed in 2016, when he moved into a house in Austin. That year, scores of revelers pulled sweets from the candy-filled stomach of a mannequin  with a missing arm and leg  that he'd purchased at a Goodwill outlet in Central Texas and dressed in a wedding gown.

One thing left him feeling unsettled though: the disappointment on the faces of children without costumes.



"You can tell that look of longing when somebody looks at somebody else's costume," Waggoner tells PEOPLE. "Like you're wearing cut-up jeans or something, and they're wearing Star Wars or a princess costume."

So Waggoner, who was grading customer service as a mystery shopper at the time, decided to start using those work trips, which required him to make purchases at the stores he visited, to buy Halloween costumes.



"That's literally how it started in my head: I'm going to get them and give them away," Waggoner remembers thinking.

Christophe Waggoner Christophe Waggoner's Halloween costumes in storage

After spending many hours scouring thrift stores for costumes and accessories, in September 2017, he hosted his first giveaway in his garage.

He promoted that event strictly through word of mouth, but he still managed to give away 60 or so costumes (it would be years before he kept an official tally).

"You kind of had to go through it like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to get to the wigs and the masks and everything on tables behind it," says Waggoner, 62.

The event has grown massively since then into a nonprofit he calls October's Child  and so has the time and money Waggoner dedicates to its success.

He now utilizes an official flyer and social media campaign to promote it  and spends roughly $5,000 a year on storage for all of the items. In addition to purchasing the costumes, he also washes, repairs and in some cases, revamps them.

Waggoner credits his late mother Mary with teaching him the skills necessary to do the repairs and revamping.

"If she was still alive, she would be helping, however she could," he says.

She taught him and his siblings, four sisters and one brother, how to sew and cook from a young age. Waggoner was 12 when he picked up both skills  and made his first pair of pants for one of his sisters.

"It was with piping and zippers and buttons," he recalls. "This was in the 70s. That piping was very popular back then."

Each time his mother got a new sewing machine, she would give him her old one  and when she died in 2005, he inherited one final machine from her. "She put a piece of tape on it with my name on it, and that tape's still there," he says.

Christophe Waggoner Christophe Waggoner uses his late mother's sewing machine

At his most recent giveaway last month, Waggoner amassed 2,157 costumes and more than 1,000 accessories  and while about 70% of the costumes were for kids, there were also some for pets and adults.

By the day's end, he had about 300 costumes leftover, the majority of which were adult pieces.

"It just makes me feel good when I can see grown-ups, kids, anybody smile," he says.

The eight-hour event, which was held at a local school, attracted 800 to 900 people, Waggoner says  and one of them, Brenda Hodgkin, 41, was both a volunteer and beneficiary.

Nathan Richardson Volunteer Brenda Guitierrez-Hodgkin at Christophe Waggoner's Halloween costume event

Hodgkin met Waggoner 20 years ago when they worked together in Austin. They kept in touch throughout the years and he told her about the giveaway when it was still in its infancy.

Last month, she traveled more than an hour from her home in Temple along with her two daughters, Christina Bennett, 8, and Kalista Hodgkin, 14.

Christina chose a ball gown with sparkly high heels, and matching accessories to dress up as Glinda from Wicked, while Kalista opted for various items to create the steampunk clown look she's going for, including black lace-up boots that Hodgkin estimates would have cost at least $60 if she had purchased them full price.

Christina also picked out two pet costumes for the family's two dogs. (Waggoner says he had 115 pet costumes this year  the highest number yet  enough for an official "pup tent.")

This was the fourth year that Hodgkin says she volunteered at and benefited from the event.



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

Hodgkin describes Waggoner as a wildly creative and gregarious person whose love of making Halloween costumes for himself and friends has grown into "a humanitarian" effort to reach a broader spectrum of people.

"This is such a perfect storm of being able to help people while still having fun and then still being able to see the smile on people's faces," she says. "And that's one thing that I noticed, is his his goal for every event is just to see all these children and parents walk away happy and with smiles."

To contact Waggoner about donations, you can email him at Christophe@octoberschild.com.



Read the original article on People
Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) - The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) has strongly condemned Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for the atrocities committed in the city El Fasher and renewed its rejection of any parallel government in the Darfur region
Holly Hill

A third-grade teacher and mom of three died two years after being served a cocktail containing industrial cleaner that left a hole in her esophagus on a date with her husband  and Oklahoma authorities are investigating.

Holly Hill, 30, said her mouth was on fire and she immediately started throwing up after being served a margarita at a Mexican restaurant in Elgin on Valentines Day 2023, her mother, Kelly Hunter, told News 9.

Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasnt right, Hunter said.

She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, started rinsing her mouth out with water, she recalled.

Holly Hill, a third-grade teacher and mother of three, died 2 years after drinking a poisoned margarita at an Oklahoma Mexican restaurant. Facebook/Holly Hill

The educator died on Thursday, from what her family said were complications related to the horrifying incident at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill.

Hill reached a confidential settlement with the restaurant after suing them over her ongoing health complications, News 9 reported.

Days before her death, Hill had another procedure, in which doctors found that the hole in her esophagus wasnt healed but it was a bit better and not as inflamed, so they were able to call in a pulmonologist to assist in stitching it up, her mother wrote on social media.

She will have to continue tube feeds for a while longer. She will have to come back in a few weeks for a swallow study with contrast to check on progress.

For the past two and a half years, while continuing to teach and care for her family, Holly faced a long and difficult medical journey, Hills obituary read.

On Friday, the Elgin Police Department, working with the Comanche County District Attorney, said it had contacted the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

The laced cocktail left a hole in Hills esophagus. Facebook/Holly Hill

Hill was dining with her husband at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar in Elgin when she drank the laced cocktail. Google Maps

State investigators will initiate an initial inquiry into this matter and will be assisted by the Elgin Police Department, Acting Police Chief Ralph Parsons said in an update Monday.

The restaurant is yet to comment publicly on the inquiry, but previously made a statement on social media in May 2023.

We are very sorry for what happened  during these 10 years we have never had a situation like this, a situation that should not have occurred in the first place, the statement read.

Hill was a beloved third-grade teacher at Elgin Public Schools, according to her obituary.

This morning I received the unimaginable call that Holly had passed away unexpectedly. Holly was a dedicated teacher, Elgin Alumni, and beloved mother and wife, Elgin Public Schools Superintendent Nate Meraz said in a statement Sunday.

A funeral for the teacher was held Tuesday morning at the Elgin Schools Performing Arts Center.
Some of the artifacts stolen from the Oakland Museum of California. (via Oakland Police Dept.)

Thieves stole more than 1,000 historic artifacts from a California museum earlier this month, according to the Oakland Police Department.

The heist occurred just before 3:30 a.m. Oct. 15 at the Oakland Museum of Californias off-site storage facility, the police department said in a statement Wednesday.

"The suspect(s) broke into the facility and stole more than 1,000 items from the Museums collection, including Native American baskets, jewelry, laptops, and other historic artifacts," it wrote, sharing photos of some stolen items.

Some of the artifacts stolen from the Oakland Museum of California. (via Oakland Police Dept.)

It is investigating the burglary with the FBI, the police department told reporters Wednesday.

"The theft that occurred represents a brazen act that robs the public of our states cultural heritage," said Lori Fogarty, the museum's executive director and CEO. "Most of these objects have been given to the museum by generous donors."

Authorities have not announced any arrests and have not disclosed the estimated value of the stolen artifacts.

News of the Oakland robbery comes after five new suspects have been arrested in connection with the Louvre heist in Paris, officials said. The jewels in that theft remain missing.

Officials urge anyone with information in the Oakland robbery to contact the OPD Burglary Section at (510) 238-3951 or the FBI Art Crime Team, either online or via phone call at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Texas officials promised to help Rochelle care for her grandkids after taking them from their parents. But the help she needed never arrived.

SAN ANTONIO  Jayden leaned against Nanas leg as she teased coconut conditioner through his wet curls with her fingers. The 2-year-old clapped his hands, looked up and said bottle in baby babble.

Not yet, sweetie, Rochelle told her grandson, giggling before she continued in a singsong voice. Almost J.D. Not yet though.

After the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services took them from their parents, this became part of the morning routine for Rochelle and her two grandbabies. In quiet moments like these, the nana focused on her grandkids instead of the challenges she faced.

State officials promised to help Rochelle, but that aid never arrived, came late, had strings attached or did not match the support given to strangers who take in foster children. As a result, Rochelle faced foreclosure on the brick suburban home in San Antonio that sheltered them. She came to fear caseworkers would remove the kids instead of helping her.

The public only knows that the children need to be protected and believes the agency tasked with such protection would also protect the family and not cause additional harm by telling them one thing and doing another thing, Rochelle wrote in a August email to a state caseworker.

Rochelle feeds her granddaughter, Briana, in her home in San Antonio, Texas, on Aug. 24, 2025.

She is among millions of Americans who are caring for young relatives, including some in state custody. Child welfare leaders declare victory when kinship families step up: Fewer children go into costly foster care and more kids stay with people they love. In truth, relatives say, child welfare agencies hand them the bill  and blame them when they cant afford it.

They put up barriers then say it wasnt their fault, Rochelle said.

In Texas, kids taken into state custody leave a kinship placement twice as often as the nationwide rate, according to a USA TODAY analysis of federal data tracking kids removed from their homes in a four-year period.

USA TODAY is using first names for Rochelles family to protect the privacy of children too young to consent to sharing sensitive private information. A reporter confirmed her story through dozens of interviews with the parents, extended family, friends and officials and by reviewing hundreds of pages of emails, text messages, contracts, court transcripts and other documents.

Texas law allows Department of Family and Protective Services and its division of Child Protective Services to keep its work with families secret.

Because we believe strongly in respecting the rights of the children and families we serve, we do not release confidential details of interactions with CPS clients, DFPS Spokeswoman Marissa Gonzales wrote in an email to USA TODAY. After a thorough review, we can confirm DFPS has followed its policies in relation to the case.

A letter from the kids pediatrician describes how Rochelle was active in their lives since birth despite navigating a career transition that had her commuting daily between San Antonio and Austin. Rochelle, in her 50s, is working toward a masters degree and ordination at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She has worked part-time as an instructional aide on campus, as a beadle for the chapel, and as a guest speaker delivering sermons at area churches.

Rochelle, a master's degree student at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, gives a sermon at First Presbyterian Church of New Braunfels, Texas on August 24, 2025. This was her second time preaching at this church.

The stability Rochelle needed to care for her grandkids began to erode as soon as the state left them in her care.

Rochelle could not afford day care, so she relied on a state assistance program. In what would become a central contention with caseworkers, red tape and low rates effectively denied her childcare in the city where she worked and studied.

Without day care in Austin, Rochelle had to commute during heavy traffic, couldnt pick up the kids promptly when they were sick and lost work hours. With her paychecks cut in half and state financial aid nowhere in sight, she couldnt show the mortgage company enough income to keep her house out of foreclosure.

After tying myself into a pretzel and losing everything Ive worked for, the kids will still go into foster care, Rochelle said days before her home was listed for public auction. The department could have prevented all this.

Mom. Nana. Seminarian.

Rochelle moved from California to Texas to save her son. She believed a fresh start in San Antonio would divert the teen from drug use.

Together, they enrolled in a family-oriented treatment program, and he graduated high school on time. She keeps his diploma and cap on display in her living room.

But then, the 19-year-old got his 17-year-old girlfriend pregnant. Jayden was born in 2023 and Briana a year later.

Rochelle knew the young couple struggled. As shed learned in the 12-step program, she practiced detaching with love. She let her son take responsibility for his decisions while doting on the little ones and playing with them at the neighborhood park.

A photo of Rochelle and her son sits in her home in San Antonio on Aug. 24. In February, state child welfare workers placed her two grandkids into her care after removing them from her son and his partner.

Around the same time, Rochelle had to decide whether to move.

She had been offered a full-ride scholarship to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary as part of a dual-degree masters program in divinity and social work.

Rochelle had been raised by her aunt and uncle, a Baptist preacher, since she found her mother dead on the couch at age 12. God sustained her through grief and then college. Faith held her steady when the man she intended to marry disappeared, leaving her a single mom. Rochelle, a lifelong poet, eventually tired of writing verses for a secular world.

Rochelle never considered ministry for a career until she crossed paths with a professor who told her to apply anyway.

My arms arent long enough to box with God, she says with a grin, describing how everything fell in place too perfectly to ignore.

Rochelle shakes hands with a churchgoer after giving a sermon at First Presbyterian Church of New Braunfels, Texas on Aug. 24, 2025. She has been juggling full-time childcare with her studies in divinity.

Still, she was a committed mother and nana. So Rochelle decided to commute to Austin rather than move.

When the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services asked her to care for her grandkids, Rochelle had one condition: day care support in Austin. She told the investigator she could not miss work or classes. Over the phone, the womans supervisor said an application would be expedited so she would have day care within five days.

With that promise, Rochelle signed a contract to become a Parental Child Safety Placement.

Aint nobody give up on me. I had people in my corner. People praying for me. People pushing me along, Rochelle later explained to her son. I wasnt going to give up on my grandchildren.

Worrying

Late on a Thursday night in February, a caseworker dropped off the infant and toddler with no shoes and no diapers. Jayden had no clothes.

Rochelle immediately went to H-E-B for essentials: yogurt, crackers, vegetables, fruit and milk. She had to teach herself how to mix the baby formula, something shed never done as a mother. She fretted over missing class the next day but had faith the state would help her keep her grandkids.

She committed to fill their lives with joy despite the crisis.

Rochelle laughs with her granddaughter Briana and grandson Jayden, in her home in San Antonio on Aug. 24.

Rochelle used silly voices when reading books to Jayden. She sang Christian rock anthems to Briana while carrying her. Rochelle was disheartened that she could see Jaydens ribs, but the former child nutritionist knew she could nurse him back to health.

Taking care of the kids was a privilege  hard work well worth it. She adapted her routine to study while they slept and sought flexibility from her professors on due dates.

Her classmates concern wore down her shield of privacy and silent shame, especially once the situation was impossible to hide. Rochelle returned to campus with two grandbabies and two bags  one filled with diapers and the other with books. Briana, fascinated with her feet, often took off her socks while Rochelle studied but never lost one because of her nanas keen eye.

Without day care in Austin, Rochelle immediately began missing work. Her $15-an-hour job as an instructional aide had been enough to scrape together her mortgage payment.

After days of emails and text messages with several caseworkers seemed to go nowhere, Rochelle broke down. Hoping to make clear how urgently she needed help, she drove to the DFPS office in San Antonio with her grandbabies. Rochelle said she would leave the kids if the state could not pay for childcare in Austin.

Sandy Amaral, the supervisor who had promised her day care over the phone, came to the parking lot. She reassured Rochelle. Again, she said it would be resolved soon.

With that, Rochelle took her grandkids home.

Why would I not believe them? she said. I thought they were supposed to help people.

Waiting

Weeks later, Rochelle still had no childcare near her school.

An invisible line between Austin and San Antonio dictates where childcare aid can be used. Rochelle lived in San Antonio, so that was where she could receive state support. Not Austin.

Rochelle believed common sense would prevail. She sent emails. And text messages. And hammered on her need for day care in Austin every time a caseworker visited her home. She called supervisors supervisors and learned how to file official complaints.

It seemed to work.

At a day care around the corner from seminary, administrators said they would work with Rochelle and the state. Day care workers did extra paperwork to become a contractor of the program's San Antonio region.

But when the state sent the contract in July, the day care declined. The state wouldnt pay enough and wanted to pay the bills a month behind.

After dozens of calls, Rochelle could not find a day care in Austin that would accept the offered terms. She could not afford to pay the difference.

In desperation, she accepted a San Antonio day care that just created different challenges.

Day care workers would not administer a nebulizer to Briana. They would not give Jayden childrens Tylenol. Kids were sent home if they had a cough. And so, Rochelle was often called for early pickup.

Even when the kids were healthy, day care hours shaped Rochelles schedule, putting her in traffic at the busiest times. Some days she spent six hours on the interstate instead of three. Rather than letting the kids play while she studied in her office, the babies stayed longer in a day care almost 70 miles away.

Pay stubs show Rochelle only managed to work half as many hours because day care was in the wrong city.

At home at night, Rochelle would feed the kids and tuck them in. Briana slept in her sons old bedroom. Jayden liked his living room crib better than the toddler bed.

Rochelle would drink a protein shake or eat leftovers if anxiety and exhaustion didnt kill her hunger. She sat at the kitchen table with her laptop to send another email to child welfare officials. She crafted them with vivid language and calls to action on moral grounds much like a sermon. She bolded key phrases, wrote numbered lists and referenced dated documents.

In hundreds of communications reviewed by USA TODAY, Rochelle described falling behind on mortgage payments, needing help finding a day care in Austin and feeling disrespected by caseworkers.

It seems like your department intends to see me struggle on purpose, sabotage me and my family on purpose, cause hardships on purpose, she wrote March 31. It feels 100% intentional, discriminatory & diabolical.

Rochelle sometimes ended emails by refocusing on the kids or expressing hope for better collaboration.

My goal is to seek the best and highest good for my grandkids in our family, she wrote. Thank you.

Jargon

Rochelle didnt know the legal jargon shaping her familys lives, but those first few weeks the state was not, technically, responsible for the kids care.

Safety plans like the one Rochelle signed are celebrated by some child welfare experts for keeping kids with extended family while working with their parents to fix concerns. The approach bypasses government taking custody of kids and parents becoming tangled in lengthy court cases.

Other researchers and family law advocates call it hidden foster care. Government still tells families where kids should live and what they must do to get their kids back. Unlike a legal case, federal officials dont track when kids change homes. Judges have no involvement. And, in most states, kinship caregivers receive no support services.

Rochelle makes food for her grandson, Jayden, in her home in San Antonio, Texas, on Aug. 24, 2025.

In Texas, Rochelle might qualify for financial assistance if a judge ordered the state to take conservatorship of her grandkids.

That happened March 19.

At 2:49 p.m., a caseworker emailed Rochelle, telling her the case had gone from a voluntary safety plan to a legal case with involuntary foster care.

It is urgent that we speak to you about the childrens placement and if they will remain in your care, Lilliana Fuentes wrote. We do need to hear from you in the next 30 minutes.

At 7:24 p.m., Fuentes texted that she was driving to Rochelles home.

We are in traffic, Rochelle replied. bc childcare is not in Austin.

Soon after she got home, Fuentes arrived. She told Rochelle she had to sign a new placement contract. If you dont, Im instructed to remove the kids, Rochelle remembers her saying.

Fuentes sat at the kitchen table while Rochelle explained her need for Austin day care and changed Brianas diaper. She asked what Fuentes could do to help as she fed Cheerios to Jayden, a quick meal that wouldnt distract her from the conversation.

After talking in circles for three hours, Rochelle scrawled her name on the paperwork, adding under duress.

The kids would stay with her, for now.

Financial assistance would not arrive for months more.

Rochelle received her first Kinship Maintenance Payment at the end of July, days after receiving a letter from her mortgage company that she was entering foreclosure.

Those federally funded payments from the state are about $360 a month for each kid. Texas pays foster parents roughly $750.

Rochelle cared for her grandkids months without aid and her requests for backdated payments were denied. She is confused why.

Texas DFPS Field Director Lindsey Van Buskirk told USA TODAY that kinship payments should start from the first day of a legal case, not the day department paperwork is finished.

A spokesperson later clarified: The process begins day one. Payments begin on the date the home study is approved.

The departments online policy manual describes required timelines. When caseworkers identify a kinship caregiver before kids are removed  like Rochelle was in January  they are supposed to complete the home study before the first court hearing, usually within two weeks of the state taking conservatorship.

Rochelle first heard the term home study in April but no one explained to her how it was different from the home assessment done by February. Department officials later told her in texts and emails that delays completing the more detailed review of Rochelles home were her fault.

If my home was good enough on February 6th for these kids to be in my home all this time then I should be good enough to receive a backdated stipend. Because Ive done the work, Rochelle said. Theyre playing semantic and linguistic games. Policy should change.

Rochelle pictured with her granddaughter Briana and grandson Jayden in her home in San Antonio on Aug. 24..

She did receive a one-time assistance payment of $1,000 after six months. Rochelle noted that equates to $136 a month for raising two kids.

In August, Rochelle told DFPS officials it didnt make sense that the state could be the legal parent but not pay a dime to meet their needs. That would make the state a negligent parent. She wondered if state workers were trying to bully her to give up her grandkids.

I have been patient, taken excellent care of the children  and cooperated with the home visits of random strangers in my home (9 different people so far), in addition to providing financially, she wrote in an email. Does anyone you work with have any common decency?

Deputy

In April, a month after the state took conservatorship of Rochelles grandkids, a new social worker  the 16th one she had talked with  visited her home.

Rochelle told Latanya Bennett that she still expected the state to place childcare in Austin  repeating the plea she had made in several text exchanges since the kinship worker joined the case a few days earlier. Rochelle described how it was straining her ability to pay the mortgage and afford basics.

Bennett followed up by texting Rochelle about a nonprofit offering free diapers. She explained that past help with things like formula were approved by the investigation supervisors but now her case was overseen by a different unit with different supervisors.

Two days later, a neighbor noticed a sheriffs deputy parked in Rochelles driveway. He called to tell her.

Rochelle, who was studying at a neighborhood library, called dispatch to ask what was going on. She was told a DFPS supervisor reported that she had not let the department see the kids in more than a month. The sheriffs office had been asked to take them.

Rochelle drove home and showed the deputy paperwork shed received from Bennett during a home visit days before.

Satisfied, he left the kids with their nana.

That next day, a different caseworker, Dylan Powell, texted Rochelle that the kids were being moved to a new home and daycare was not renewed.

Powell had been assigned to take over as the childrens caseworker three weeks earlier. He had texted Rochelle twice and talked with her once on the phone but had not yet met her in person. She had texted him to have a check for her lost wages whenever he did come to her house.

Powells message saying he was coming to take the kids arrived while Rochelle was in Monday classes. Texts from a fill-in supervisor arrived from an unfamiliar number while she was commuting. Rochelle said she didnt see the messages that day.

She learned day care was canceled Tuesday morning when workers would not allow her to drop off the kids. She took them with her to school and, once there, arranged to stay at a classmates Austin home for the week since she no longer had childcare.

In an email that evening, Rochelle asked Powell why the department would disrupt the children by taking them from her care. She told him it feels like retaliation.

The process is confusing and seems unfair, with different people telling me different things while I am doing my best and I ask for help, but instead get treated poorly and attempted to be discarded like a stranger, she wrote Powell. Let us reset. I will be calling you soon.

Powell agreed to start fresh after talking with Rochelle on the phone. At a May court hearing, he told the judge he had no concerns with Rochelles care and she was meeting the kids needs.

Powell visited her home once before a new caseworker was assigned to the family.

Community

With the San Antonio day care contract canceled, Rochelle lost the routine shed established. Just days before final exams, she scrambled.

Throughout it all, she had leaned on her faith communities to get by.

A woman from church filled four plastic totes with new clothes.

A classmate handed her H-E-B gift cards for groceries.

Another seminarian organized a rotation to watch the kids on campus while Rochelle was in class. A vice president was among those who helped.

The academic dean approved multiple extensions so Rochelle could turn in coursework late without penalty. On a letter awarding her a scholarship for academic achievement and Christian character, the dean added a handwritten note:

You are one of the strongest women I have ever met!

One spring morning, Cherri Johnson was surprised to see her friend break down in tears minutes before a group presentation. Rochelle had spent all night at the hospital with sick kids and slept less than an hour.

You could feel the hurt coming off her, Johnson said.

It seems like a grandparent  anyone from a family  who is taking over should receive support, she said. Its for the childrens well-being to have a healthy, stable home. A familiar, family home.

Despite the frequent challenges kinship families face  particularly when unaided  decades of research shows kids do better living with loved ones than with strangers in foster care or through adoption.

Theyre less likely to be abused in that new home and have fewer behavioral challenges. As adults, they are less likely to become homeless or incarcerated and more likely to work full time or attend college. They maintain a connection to their familial and cultural roots.

Fellow seminarian AJ Juraska said their experience as a foster parent was much easier than being a kinship caregiver thrown in the middle of it. Strangers who sign up to take in kids have months to prepare, receive training on how to navigate the state bureaucracy and know they are paid from the first day to cover the costs of an added child in their home. If foster parents give up out of exhaustion, its not on their own loved ones.

Rochelle prepares her grandchildren to leave after giving a sermon at First Presbyterian Church of New Braunfels on Aug. 24.

Juraska worries Rochelle is facing another challenge: discrimination.

I dont think, as a White woman, I would be treated the way Rochelle has been treated, Juraska said. It isnt to claim any individual is racist. But the system.

Texas has been repeatedly called out for Black kids being overrepresented in foster care.

In one 2011 study of Texas cases, researchers documented that White families with high-risk profiles were kept together and given support services at higher rates than Black families with similar risk profiles.

A spokesperson for the department denied in the strongest terms any discrimination in this case.

Trust

Rochelle said she never received an explanation or apology for the deputy sent to her house to steal her grandchildren. Her distrust of the department skyrocketed after the attempt to criminalize her.

She wondered if caseworkers actually wanted to help.

Looking for guidance, Rochelle reached out to Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, a nonprofit advocacy and support group.

Among other things, Mercedes Bristol, the groups founder, told Rochelle to stick with written communication when talking to the department. It was helpful to have a record of promises made and expectations set. Its hard to keep track of everyone involved in a childs case.

Dozens of state and court officials demanded Rochelles time.

She interacted with 30 DFPS workers in eight months of messages reviewed by USA TODAY. Texts, emails and calls from state workers often came while Rochelle was in class or commuting even though she had given state officials her schedule. Time stamps ranged from 3:02 a.m. to 11:58 p.m.

Rochelle also coordinated home visits with the childrens court-appointed attorney and the childrens special advocate. Her to-do list included making calls to childcare coordinators, day cares, doctors, developmental specialists, eight local nonprofits and her mortgage company. Once a week, the kids had supervised visitation with their parents.

Once a week during her commute, Rochelle listened to educational videos about prenatal health to qualify for free diapers from a San Antonio nonprofit.

She texted photos of the kids to parents and caseworkers: the grandbabies in the seat of a grocery store cart with a teddy bear; the kids with minor injuries after visiting another relatives home; the formula bottle so caseworkers knew which brand to deliver to the day care.

To brighten your day, Rochelle texted a caseworker in February after sending a photo. Briana was kicking up her feet and watching Jayden mug for the camera, chubby cheeks raised high in a smile.

Rochelle plays with her granddaughter Briana in her home in San Antonio, Texas, on Aug. 24, 2025.

Sometimes caseworkers canceled visits after Rochelle had cleared her schedule. Other times, she waited hours or days for a reply to learn department workers had been in training, had time off or had forgotten their work cell phone. Some state officials never replied.

Similarly, Rochelle sometimes took a couple days to respond when life was particularly hectic, like the week both kids had whooping cough and no one got any sleep. At least once, a text message to a caseworker didnt go through because of reception issues.

In May, Rochelles phone ran out of memory. She could not receive new text or voice messages until she replaced it.

Planning

Rochelle called her aunt for comfort on many of her commutes.

Jennie told USA TODAY that she worried about her niece trying to do it all. The girl had always been headstrong. She held herself and the people around her to high standards. She wondered if Rochelles focus on principles over practicalities could come back to bite her.

When you dealing with [the department], you got to learn: Theyre over you, Jennie said. She messes up herself with her mouth, sometimes.

Rochelle believed the state could be pushed to keep its day care promise but she was no longer planning on it by August.

The mortgage company offered her a new payment plan instead of auctioning her house, although it included adding about $40,000 in missed payments and legal fees to the loans principal. If she had not worked that out, Rochelle had been prepared to move into campus housing in Austin.

Rochelle signed up for fewer classes in her fall semester to have more time for the grandkids and all the mandatory department meetings. Between that, the course she had to drop and an incomplete internship, she would now graduate at least a year late and could not pursue the second masters degree.

She would continue working as a chapel beadle and campus newsletter editor but would not be an instructional aide. The hours did not work with her caregiving responsibilities even though the income would have helped.

And, in August, Rochelle found a day care in Kyle, a town between San Antonio and Austin, that would accept the states contract. She completed a visit and enrollment paperwork so the kids could go when the fall semester started Sept. 2.

But DFPS Program Administrator Tara Bledsoe told Rochelle on Sept. 5 that they would not approve a new day care until she met with several officials from the case.

Good afternoon, Rochelle replied. I have responded to all messages from [the scheduler], including the note she left at my home in August. Whenever I call it goes to voicemail. I have left 4 messages total including today 9/8/25@8:30am.

Back in classes, arranging speech therapy for Jayden and planning a service at the seminary chapel, Rochelle was swamped. She wasnt sure when this gathering would happen but figured a caseworker would talk about it during the next home visit.

That would have to wait at least two weeks, the caseworker said, explaining she would be out of the office.

Rochelle said she understood. She also asked for patience making an appointment as I adjust my schedule with the start of school. The department failed to fix childcare so time is very limited.

The caseworker checked in on a Wednesday after returning from her time off, asking for a date to meet. Rochelle, busy with the kids, classes and a reporter shadowing her daily life, put off a reply until a slower day.

Frankly, Rochelle was sick of it all.

Why would I want to talk to you? Youre making my life miserable.

Monday

Rochelle was looking forward to a calm September weekend with the kids.

She didnt deliver a sermon. She didnt meet with a caseworker. Instead, she caught up on dishes and decluttered the kitchen counter.

Rochelle read Trish the Fish and several other stories Jayden picked from the couch-turned-shelf in her living room. Nana was proud of how, in eight months, the boy had gone from not speaking to having a vocabulary closer to developmental guidelines.

I never tire of reading, she said, pausing. Actually, I have a six-book limit.

Rochelle reads a book with her grandson, Jayden, in her home in San Antonio, Texas, on Aug. 24, 2025.

Amid the busy start to school and continuing battles with the department, Rochelle relished quality time with her grandbabies.

I always laugh at the wonder they express, she said. Briana is strong enough to mash her toy and see the lights and hear the music. She has her little grin when she pulls her mobile side to side.

Jayden recently started calling her mama even though she only used nana.

On Monday, feeling a little more recharged, Rochelle did the usual: showered, got dressed, woke the kids, gave them baths and fed them, drove them to the San Antonio day care and  because traffic was mercifully light  made it to class in Austin just on time.

As Rochelle wrapped up chapel beadle rehearsal about 11:30 a.m., she texted the caseworker with a good time for a home visit that week. The woman did not reply.

Rochelle studied for a couple hours then got in her car for an early commute to pick up the kids from day care and diapers from a nonprofits office.

About 2 p.m. Rochelle got an avalanche of texts from her son that ping ping pinged. Moments later, her aunt called. She answered through the cars Bluetooth system.

Theyve taken the kids! Jennie said. They took the kids!

Rochelle was confused. What are you talking about?

They took them! Jennie repeated. You better call and figure out whats going on.

At 3:08 p.m., the caseworker Rochelle had texted that morning sent a reply:

Hello. I wanted to reach out to you and let you know that we have picked up the children from daycare.

Department officials would not tell USA TODAY why they removed Rochelles grandkids from her care on Sept. 22. They declined to tell Rochelle when she asked.

A spokesperson said the state would take a kid from a relatives home for three reasons: that caregivers request, reunification with the parent, or safety concerns.

The childrens court-appointed attorney had told Rochelle in August that he did not want the kids attending day care in Austin. He said the children might need to live somewhere else if she was not able to take care of" them.

Rochelles son was told his kids were taken because his mother did not talk enough with caseworkers. His partner was told Rochelle would not let caseworkers visit and she left the kids at day care too long.

Rochelle sits for a portrait after giving a sermon at First Presbyterian Church of New Braunfels, Texas on Aug. 24, 2025. She has been juggling full-time childcare with her studies in divinity, and said she is at the age where she should have been able to focus on herself.

The night of the removal, Rochelle could not quite believe the state had stolen her grandbabies. She was emotionally numb from shock.

Her heart rate spiked to 191  a figure that doctors say requires immediate medical attention.

Looking around her quiet home, Rochelle saw Jaydens push car, the one he drove with his feet.

On the living room floor, Brianas baby bouncer sat still and empty.

This article was produced as a project for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalisms 2025 Child Welfare Impact Reporting Fund.

Jayme Fraser is an investigative data reporter at USA TODAY. She can be reached by text or on Signal at (541) 362-1393 or by emailing jfraser@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Caring for Kin | Grandma raising grandkids struggled with cost of care
First it took hold at New York Fashion Week. Black feathers spilling out the front of a beige car coat at Brandon Maxwell. An Altuzarra knit two-piece that made its wearer look like they had been tarred and feathered, but beautifully rather than as some heinous ancient punishment. A strapless gown that appeared cloud-like through rows and rows of delicate white plumes at Prabal Gurung.

The London shows were in on the game too  the cascading, multi-colored plumage of a Roksanda evening gown, or feral, feather-stuffed Converse high tops at Oscar Ouyang. In Paris, designers moved with the synchronization of a swallow murmuration. Pierpaolo Piccolis proposition for Balenciaga rested on feather-work: There was the full, plume-covered maxi skirt paired with a casual T-shirt, since worn in the wild by Elle Fanning, as well as a number of boxy dresses finished with delicate feather trims.

For Chanel, Matthieu Blazy set its specialist atelier Maison Lemarie on the task of creating feather Camellias, headpieces, earrings and large skirts. At Victoria Beckham the dresses were smaller, but no less quilled. Even The Row, the cult favorite of every millennial minimalist, dipped its toe into the showy textile with mid-length skirts that were given a feathery facade. Stella McCartney, fashions stalwart eco-warrior, joined in too with the invention of the worlds first plant-based alternative to feathers.

Prabal Gurung at New York Fashion Week in September 2025. - Taylor Hill/WireImage/Getty Images

Fforme at New York Fashion Week in September 2025. - Victor Virgile/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

We saw feather-trimmed coats, earrings, skirts and headpieces at Matthieu Blazy's debut for Chanel in Paris. - Stephane Cardinale/Corbis/Getty Images

There was Big Bird Energy all over the runways this season. But how did bird feathers become a symbol of luxury in the first place?

Plumage has been in fashion since ancient Egypt, when ostrich feathers were used to decorate fans and even appeared in hieroglyphics. In Babylonian and Assyrian artworks, too, feathers are often seen covering the bodies of deities or embellishing royal crowns.

Around the mid-1500s, feathers entered the wardrobes of real people, at least in the UK. Thats when they start to be worn specifically for fashionable reasons, said Dr. Elisabeth Gernerd  a fashion historian and professor at De Montfort University in England. The ever-practical Brits worked with what they had to hand; attaching goose, chicken and egrets feathers that had been sterilized in chalk and sulfur to hats and fans. But while the material was fairly common, working people often reserved it for more everyday tools like making brooms or bedding.

Jessie Buckley, wore a feathered evening gown from Roksanda, fresh of the London Fashion Week runway, to attend the "Hamnet" screening at the BFI London Film Festival in October. - Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images

Viola Davis wore a luxurious feather-trimmed velvet gown from Gucci to the Academy Museum Gala in LA. - Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/Getty Images

18th century trend-setter Marie Antoinette popularized the style of having large, stately plumes  usually ostrich, the most prominent feather globally traded  erupting from a tower of hair. So giant were these headpieces, newspapers at the time often wrote salaciously about whose feathers caught fire from a candlelight at which ball. But it wasnt until the 19th century, as the British Empire expanded and global trade routes became more established, that the feather craze reached its peak, according to Gernerd.

Birds of paradise from islands such as New Guinea were hunted and skinned, then exported to Europe and the US, where they were sold to milliners at auctions in London, Paris and Amsterdam. Their exotic feathers became associated with a new level of luxury and access. In the 19th century, the Empire was in fashion and feathers are a way to display that fashion, said Gernerd. Youre wearing something that has travelled thousands of miles to get to you. Youre a symbol of growing Imperialism and trade.

It wasnt just the odd plume, either. Entire hummingbirds were taxidermied and mounted on circular, feathered fans in the 1870s; while larger preserved birds adorned velvet bonnets. By the 1900s, millions of birds had been killed for the feather trade, threatening the extinction of several species. Demand was so high, the millinery industry was even pricing out American ornithologists from buying specimens for scientific research. When the Titanic sank in 1912, one of the most valuable commodities onboard was a container of ostrich feathers being shipped to New York. They were insured for around $2.3 million in todays money, Gernerd said. They were worth essentially as much as diamonds.

In the late 19th century, entire bird skins were used to adorn hats. - Hulton Deutsch/Corbis/Getty Images

But the style wasnt universally accepted, and some campaigned against the mass slaughtering of the endangered animals. Harriet Hemenway and Minna B. Hall, two Boston socialites, turned against the fashion of their peers  launching a series of tea parties to attempt to dissuade other high-society women from wearing feathers. They founded the Audubon Society, an environmental conservation group, in 1905  managing to influence state laws, such as the 1910 Audubon Plumage Law which prohibited the sale or possession of feathers from protected birds in New York State. By 1918, they had their first major victory: the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, a federal law that made it illegal to hunt, capture or sell any migratory bird. In 1921, the UK passed its own anti-plumage legislation which outlawed the importing of exotic birds for fashion. But frustratingly for activists, ostrich  one of the most prominently used feathers in the fashion industry today because of their unique individual filaments and diffused softness  were exempt from conservation laws, according to Gernerd, since their feathers can technically be harvested without killing or skinning the animal.

Are feathers the new fur?

Today, many fashion designers such as Donatella Versace, John Galliano and the late Giorgio Armani, have openly rejected the use of fur after decades of animal welfare campaigns  while luxury brands such as Gucci, Chanel, Prada and Burberry have also committed to going fur-free. Earlier this year Conde Nast announced it will no longer feature new animal fur in editorial content or advertizing across its numerous publications. But could the success of the anti-fur movement be fueling a plume boom?

Fashion designers are definitely using ostrich feathers as an alternative to fur, but its an ill informed decision to do so, said Emma Hakansson, founder of ethical fashion activist group Collective Fashion Justice, in a phone interview. Because we dont want to kill animals specifically for fashion, were just replicating that same problem with a different species here. Despite the fact ostrich feathers can be harvested without slaughtering, Collective Fashion Justice published research in 2023 that found all ostrich feather production systems ultimately kill the bird.

At the recent Academy Museum Gala in LA, Elle Fanning arrived in a head-to-toe Balenciaga look  the main event being her full feathered skirt. - Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Naomi Watts, at the same event, also wore Balenciaga. This time, one of Pierpaolo Piccioli's feather-trimmed dresses. - Amy Sussman/Getty Images

It was Hakansson and her team who worked with Copenhagen Fashion Week to ban all wildlife materials on its runways in 2024, and who convinced the British Fashion Council to prohibit the use of fur and exotic animal skins later that year. Currently they are lobbying organizers at New York, Paris and Milan to commit to similar bans, and Hakansson is hopeful that their dialogue will lead to action.

But change needs innovation, as well as restriction, to stick. One of the most feather-filled shows of the Spring-Summer 2026 season came from Stella McCartney. According to the fashion house, the plant-based Fevvers used to adorn dresses are the worlds first ethical alternative to bird feathers. Inventors Nicola Woollon and James West, who have protected the technology with a strict Non Disclosure Agreement, used Stella McCartneys runway as a proof of concept. The idea, they told CNN, only took a few intense months of development.

"Fevvers" at Stella McCartney, which were inspired by ostrich plumes but made from plant-based materials by Nicola Woollen and James West. - Victor Virgile/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

With so many brands trying to move beyond animal-derived materials, it felt like the right moment to reimagine something so loaded with history and emotion, Woollen told CNN in an email. The conversation around materials has mostly focused on leather and fur. Feathers slipped through the next, and we wanted to change that, West added.

Their first foray into faux feathers took inspiration from ostrich  the final frontier animal campaigners couldnt restrict over 100 years ago. Ostrich feathers are the ones most associated with couture and cruelty in equal measure. We wanted to reclaim that form and give it new meaning, she wrote.

Despite the feather-filled runways of the latest season, its developments like Fevvers that keep Hakansson going. What I hope people come to realize is that having policies in place that make fashion more ethical and sustainable is not restrictive of creativity, she said. It actually helps to produce more of it, because you have to think outside the box a bit more.

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A host serving appetizers at a 1950s party - Tom Kelley Archive/Getty Images

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There's something so nostalgic about foods from the past. And while exciting trends like a 1950s food revival can bring some beloved classics back to life (like forgotten desserts your grandparents ate), there are also those tried and true ones that never really left. Take deviled eggs, for example. This party appetizer and backyard barbecue favorite really took off in popularity around the 1930s, with that popularity reaching a zenith in the '50s and '60s. In fact, they became so standard that special deviled egg platters were even gifted to new brides in the 1940s South.

While they can technically be traced back all the way to ancient Rome, deviled eggs as we know them (aka with a creamy filling that includes mayo) didn't emerge until about 1896. This is when Fannie Farmer's "Boston Cooking-School Cookbook" was published with a recipe that called for it. Fast-forward to the popularity of cocktail parties in the '50s, and it was hard not to find an appetizer spread that included these spiced stuffed eggs. And we're not shocked by this at all. Not only are they sized perfectly to grab and pop in your mouth between sips of your drink, but they can be made in advance and stored in the fridge until you're ready to serve them  and they're served cold, which is another advantage for a busy party.

Read more: The 20 Wildest, Weirdest And Most Delicious Recipes Of The Year

How 1950s deviled eggs got a modern upgrade

bacon topped deviled eggs - vaivirga/Shutterstock

Over the years, deviled eggs have gone through some makeovers. While the classic version of mashed yolks with some mayo and spices is still beloved, there are other recipes today that include more elevated ingredients. For example, you may find versions with bacon crumbled on top, or deviled eggs sprinkled with Old Bay seasoning for a bit of a kick. You'll see some that include ketchup or mustard, and others that swap out the mayo for some tangy sour cream. Sprinkle on some furikake and use Kewpie mayo for a Japanese touch  or crisp up some pancetta for a one-two-punch of richness and crunch.

And it's not only homemade ones that are getting the star treatment. In fact, fancy deviled eggs have been popping up in restaurants all over the map in recent years. This is all thanks to chefs becoming re-obsessed with them and the endless ways they can upgrade them. NR Restaurant in New York, for example, offers a version that's topped with sea urchin, caviar, and Japanese mustard, while over in Nashville, you can get smoked deviled eggs topped with pepper remoulade and pickled veg at The Southern Steak & Oyster. If you're in the mood for yellowfin tuna deviled eggs, those exist, too. So, thank you to the 1950s era for bringing us one of our favorite appetizers that seemingly has no end in sight.

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 Food Republic.
Parts of the Caribbean began surveying the extensive damage caused by the deadly Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in Jamaica as a powerful Category 5 hurricane on Tuesday, Oct. 28.

As the recovery efforts continue, the death toll is climbing across the region  with more than 30 deaths attributed to the storm in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic  as authorities assess the number of casualties and damage.

"We are trying to get to the areas that have been marooned. We will get there... We are going to get to every single Jamaican and give them support, said Jamaican Minister of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information Dana Dixon.

According to authorities, 24 people were killed, largely due to floods in Petit-Goave, a coastal town about 40 miles west of the capital, where a river burst its banks. Gregoire Goodstein, the United Nations' humanitarian coordinator ad interim for Haiti, said at least 17 were injured and 18 more are still missing.

"Later on, I hope we will be able to give a proper update on the number of deaths so far, Desmond McKenzie, Jamaica's minister for local government and community development, said at a news conference. There has been casualties, and we do anticipate, based on our information, that there will be more.

Satellite images of Jamaica before and after Hurricane Melissa

Before and after photos show the damaging impact of Hurricane Melissa A satellite image shows the Barnett River along Montego Bay in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, October 29, 2025.

The extensive damage caused to Jamaica can be seen from outer space, with satellite images of the island showing the near flattening of towns and the flooding of fishing villages and farmland.

The entire Jamaica is really broken because of what has happened, but we remain resilient," Dixon said.

As of Thursday afternoon, Oct. 30, Hurricane Melissa remains a Category 2 storm with 105 mph winds as it approaches Bermuda. Little change in strength is expected, but the storm is likely to weaken on Friday, Oct. 31, the National Hurricane Center said.

Contributing: Thao Nguyen, Jeanine Santucci, Doyle Rice, and Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Satellite images show damage in Jamaica caused by Hurricane Melissa
Kaufman County Sheriff's Office; Aaron Martinez/Facebook Trevor McEuen; Aaron Martinez

NEED TO KNOW

A Texas man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing his neighbor in 2023

Prosecutors said Trevor McEuen shot Aaron Martinez more than 30 times in what they called an "act of hatred"

Authorities reportedly said there were prior incidents between the two

A Texas man who fled on the first day of his scheduled murder trial and was captured a month later has been sentenced for killing his neighbor.

Trevor McEuen, 33, was sentenced to life in prison on Oct. 23 after being found guilty of capital murder in the May 2023 shooting death of 35-year-old Aaron Martinez, in rural Kaufman County, according to reports from NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, KLTV and Fox 4.

Prosecutors said in court that McEuen shot Martinez more than 30 times with a semi-automatic rifle in what they described as an "act of hatred," while McEuen, who testified in his own defense, claimed he shot his neighbor because he was scared, Fox 4 reported. Authorities reportedly said there were prior incidents between the two.

"He used deadly force because he thought it was going to be used against him," defense attorney Abigail Spain said in court, per NBC 5.

Martinez's family had asked prosecutors to charge McEuen with a hate crime, claiming that there had been ongoing issues with McEuen since Martinez moved to the area years ago, CBS News previously reported.

"He started to follow us ... [saying] 'We don't want you Spanish people in the area,'" the victim's father, Salvador Martinez, recalled to the outlet.

During the trial, McEuen's ex-girlfriend and a landscaper testified that McEuen had previously threatened them with a gun and fired shots near them, NBC 5 reported. Also, prosecutors told the jury that McEuen robbed Martinez of his phone to prevent him from calling for help, per the outlet.

The trial was initially scheduled to start on May 5 but it was delayed when McEuen did not show up to court after removing his ankle monitor, PEOPLE previously reported, citing authorities. He was believed to be armed and dangerous.

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.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, McEuen was captured on June 2 near Grand Saline, Texas, following a SWAT standoff. Fox 4 and NBC 5 reported that McEuen was found hiding under the floor of his grandparents' house.



The Kaufman County Sheriff's Office said in a social media post that they hope the verdict brings the Martinez family "some measure of peace."

After the sentencing hearing, the victim's father said, "Right now, the main thing is this guy, he stays forever [behind bars], that he makes no more damage to nobody," NBC 5 reported.



Read the original article on People
The Trump administration will limit the number of refugees it allows into the country in 2026 to just 7,500  the lowest in history  and most of those admitted will be White South Africans, according to a notice published Oct. 30 in the federal register.

Thats a precipitous decline from the 125,000 annual refugee determination set for the previous year by former President Joe Biden under a once-bipartisan U.S. Refugee Admissions Program program, which resettles people from around the world fleeing war and persecution.

President Donald Trump quickly paused the program after taking office in January. The new determination sets the lowest cap since the program began more than four decades ago, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

The memo said that it was justified by "humanitarian concerns or is otherwise in the national interest." It added that admissions would be focused on "Afrikaners from South Africa" and "other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination in their respective homelands."

First group of white South Africans arrives in U.S. under Trump's refugee plan The first group of white South African refugees step from a "people mover" upon arrival at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia, May 12, 2025.

Trump has claimed Afrikaners face persecution based on their race in the Black-majority country, allegations the South African government has denied. The administration had brought more than 130 South Africans to the U.S. by early September, Reuters reported.

The strict limits for 2026 reflect the Trump administrations larger efforts to curtail legal immigration. Last month, Trump administration officials urged other nations to roll back asylum protections.

"My honest view is that right now America, thanks in part to the Biden border invasion but also thanks in part to a lot of bad immigration policy, right now we have let in too many immigrants into the United States of America, that is just a fundamental reality," Vice President JD Vance said on Oct. 29 at a Mississippi rally, according to the Clarion-Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The new refugee limits drew criticism from refugee advocates who have been fighting to get the administration to resettle thousands of already vetted and approved refugees who remain stuck at home or in third countries since Trump paused the program.

Newly arrived South Africans wait to hear welcome statements from U.S. government officials in a hangar at Atlantic Aviation Dulles near Washington Dulles International Airport on May 12, 2025 in Dulles, Virginia.

"This determination makes it painfully clear that the Trump administration values politics over protection. By privileging Afrikaners while continuing to ban thousands of refugees who have already been vetted and approved, the administration is once again politicizing a humanitarian program," said Sharif Aly, president of the International Refugee Assistance Project.

The move also drew condemnation from advocates who have fought for years to resettle more Afghans who served alongside U.S. troops or in support of its mission during the war, including some currently stranded in countries such as Pakistan and Qatar but who fear returning home will bring retribution by the Taliban.

"This is an unprecedented dismantling of Americas refugee program and a moral collapse that abandons the very allies who stood shoulder to shoulder with our troops," said Shawn VanDiver, founder of #AfghanEvac, a coalition of veterans, nonprofits, current and former national security and intelligence members.

In another action published on the register, the White House said it would move oversight of the refugee support programs from the State Department to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump cuts 2026 US refugee admissions to historic low
President Donald Trump arrives at the Royal Court Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a welcome ceremony with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, May 13, 2025. Photo: Daniel Torok / Official White House Photo via Flickr / United States Government Work

(The Center Square)  President Donald Trump said Thursday that China will resume buying U.S. agricultural products, ease restrictions on rare earth minerals and import oil and natural gas from Alaska.

Trump's comments signaled a reduction in tensions between the leaders of the world's two largest economies after a closely watched meeting with Xi Jinping, president of the People's Republic of China. Trump said the two nations were closer to reaching a broader trade agreement.

"I had a truly great meeting with President Xi of China. There is enormous respect between our two Countries, and that will only be enhanced with what just took place. We agreed on many things, with others, even of high importance, being very close to resolved," Trump wrote in a social media post.

The U.S. president told reporters on Air Force One after the meeting that he would rate it a 12 out of 10.

"We are in agreement on so many elements," Trump said. "Large amounts, tremendous amounts of soybeans, and other farm products, are going to be purchased immediately."

On social media, Trump told U.S. farmers to buy more land.

"I was extremely honored by the fact that President Xi authorized China to begin the purchase of massive amounts of Soybeans, Sorghum, and other Farm products. Our Farmers will be very happy!," Trump wrote. "In fact, as I said once before during my first Administration, Farmers should immediately go out and buy more land and larger tractors."

Trump also said he and Xi reached a deal on rare earth minerals. Ahead of the meeting, China had tightened exports of such minerals, which are critical to advanced manufacturing in everything from fighter jets to electronics. Trump had threatened China with an additional 100% tariff on top of existing levels. Trump said those issues had been sorted.

"China has agreed to continue the flow of Rare Earth, Critical Minerals, Magnets, etc., openly and freely," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He said the agreement will be revisited in a year.

"We have a deal," Trump said aboard Air Force One. "Now in a year we'll renegotiate the deal, but I think the deal will go on for a long time."

Trump also said China would buy U.S. oil and gas.

"China also agreed that they will begin the process of purchasing American Energy," the U.S. president wrote. "In fact, a very large scale transaction may take place concerning the purchase of Oil and Gas from the Great State of Alaska."

Trump said U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports will be reduced to 47%, down 10% from before the meeting. Trump attributed the reduction to China's work to curb illicit exports of fentanyl precursors, which Trump has blamed for fueling an opioid addiction and overdose crises in the U.S. China says it has among the strictest drug laws in the world and blames Americans' seemingly insatiable appetite for illicit fentanyl.

Earlier this year, trade between the U.S. and China  the world's two largest economies  came to a standstill after each country imposed tariffs on the other exceeding 100%. In May, the two nations reached a 90-day deal to continue talks. At the time, the U.S. said it would reduce its tariffs on China from 145% to 30% while the two nations continued to talk. China announced that it would reduce its levies on U.S. imports from 125% to 10%. That truce was briefly disrupted in June over concerns about rare earth exports, but Trump later said the deal was back on track.

Economists, businesses and some publicly traded companies have warned that tariffs could raise prices on a wide range of consumer products throughout the U.S.

Trump has said wants to use tariffs to revive manufacturing jobs lost to lower-wage countries in the past, redistribute the tax burden away from U.S. families, and reduce the national debt.

A tariff is a tax on imported goods.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) hold a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

By Trevor Hunnicutt

BUSAN, South Korea (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had agreed with President Xi Jinping to trim tariffs on China in exchange for Beijing cracking down on the illicit fentanyl trade, resuming U.S. soybean purchases and keeping rare earths exports flowing.

Trump's face-to-face talks with Xi in the South Korean city of Busan, their first since 2019, marked the finale of the U.S. president's whirlwind Asia trip on which he also touted trade breakthroughs with South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asian nations.

"I thought it was an amazing meeting," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One shortly after he departed Busan, ranking the talks a "12 out of 10".

Trump said tariffs imposed on Chinese imports would be cut to 47% from 57% by halving the rate of tariffs related to trade in fentanyl precursor drugs to 10% from 20%.

Xi will work "very hard to stop the flow" of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid that is the leading cause of American overdose deaths, Trump said. The tariff was reduced "because I believe they are really taking strong action," he added.

Trading in global stocks was choppy as Trump revealed details of the deal, with major Asian indexes and European futures swinging between gains and losses. China's Shanghai Composite Index slipped from a 10-year high, while U.S. soybean futures were weaker.

"At the moment, the price action makes things seem like a lot of this was already priced in," said Kyle Rodda, senior market analyst at Capital.com in Melbourne. "Arguably the markets were hoping for the complete removal of the fentanyl tariff, so that could explain the ambivalence in the markets."

Only India and Brazil are still subject to higher tariff rates among major U.S. trading partners.

World stock markets from Wall Street to Tokyo had hit record highs leading up to the meeting on hopes of a breakthrough in a trade war between the world's two largest economies that has upended supply chains and rocked global business confidence.

The cordial meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, lasted nearly two hours.

Trump repeatedly talked up the prospect of reaching agreement with Xi since U.S. negotiators on Sunday said they had agreed a framework with China that will avoid 100% U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods and achieve a deferral of China's export curbs on rare earths, a sector it dominates.

But with both countries increasingly willing to play hardball over areas of economic and geopolitical competition, many questions remain about how long any trade detente may last.

FRICTIONS NOW AND THEN ARE NORMAL

As they sat down to begin talks at a South Korean air base on Thursday morning, Xi told Trump via a translator it was normal for the superpowers to have frictions now and then.

A few days ago, trade negotiators for both countries reached a "fundamental consensus on addressing each other's primary concerns", Xi said. "I am willing to continue working with President Trump to lay a solid foundation for China-U.S. relations," he added.

As well as trimming the fentanyl tariffs, Beijing had sought an easing of export controls on sensitive U.S. technology, and a rollback of new U.S. port fees on Chinese vessels aimed at combating China's global dominance in shipbuilding, ocean freight and logistics.

Trump made no immediate comment on U.S. concessions but said China would purchase "tremendous amounts" of U.S. soybeans and other farm products "starting immediately".

Ahead of the summit, China bought its first cargoes of U.S. soybeans in several months, Reuters reported exclusively on Wednesday.

Previous trade deals, which brought down retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. side and restarted the flow of rare earth magnets from China, are due to expire on November 10.

But Beijing dramatically expanded its controls on rare earths earlier this month, minerals used in everything from cars to fighter jets on which they have a global stranglehold.

"They're not going to impose the rare earth controls," Trump told reporters.

Trump signed various pacts with Japan and Southeast Asian nations on diversifying supplies of rare earths during his trip, though blunting China's dominance in that area may take years.

The leaders did not discuss chipmaker Nvidia's state-of-art Blackwell artificial intelligence chip, Trump said, walking back the previous day's remarks about potentially helping the company to export a scaled-down version of its current flagship GPU processor, a key component in the AI race.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in Busan, Michael Martina, David Brunnstrom, David Lawder and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington; Writing by John Geddie; Editing by Edmund Klamann and Lincoln Feast)
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The commander of Sudans paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, on Wednesday acknowledged abuses by his troops during their recent capture of El Fasher and announced the immediate formation of investigative committees
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) hold a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

By Trevor Hunnicutt

BUSAN, South Korea (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had agreed with President Xi Jinping to trim tariffs on China in exchange for Beijing cracking down on the illicit fentanyl trade, resuming U.S. soybean purchases and keeping rare earths exports flowing.

Trump's face-to-face talks with Xi in the South Korean city of Busan, their first since 2019, marked the finale of a whirlwind Asia trip on which he also touted trade breakthroughs with South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asian nations. The deal, according to Beijing, also included a U.S. pledge to delay for a year a new measure -- strongly opposed by China -- to bar thousands of Chinese firms from receiving U.S. technology if they are part-owned by a sanctioned company.

"It was an amazing meeting," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One shortly after he left South Korea, ranking the talks a "12 out of 10".

Trump said tariffs on Chinese imports would be cut to 47% from 57%, by halving to 10% the rate of tariffs related to trade in fentanyl precursor drugs.

Xi will work "very hard to stop the flow" of fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid that is the leading cause of American overdose deaths, Trump said.

China agreed to pause export controls unveiled this month on rare earths, elements with vital roles in cars, planes and weapons that have become Beijing's most potent source of leverage in its trade war with the United States.

The pause would last for a year, China's commerce ministry said in a statement.

China agreed to buy 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans through January, and to purchase 25 million tons annually for the next three years, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business Channel's "Mornings with Maria" program.

He said China had approved an agreement to bring short video app TikTok under U.S.-controlled ownership, and he expected it to move forward in coming months.

China also agreed to purchase oil and gas from the U.S., Trump said in a Truth Social post. Bessent later said Xi also unilaterally expressed interest in participating in a new U.S. pipeline being built in Alaska, but gave no details.

Washington, meanwhile, will suspend for one year new Entity List restrictions that make it harder for Chinese firms to use affiliates to buy off-limits technology, as well as suspending measures targeting China's maritime logistics and shipbuilding sector, Bessent said.

Trade experts said the agreement offered a one-year reprieve from tensions that have weighed on global growth, but cautioned that China had failed to meet its purchase agreements under the Phase 1 trade deal signed during Trump's first term, and geopolitical tensions could reignite the trade war at any time.

"The tariff cut in exchange for a promised fentanyl crackdown buys temporary calm, but its transactional relief not a structural reset," said Craig Singleton, senior China fellow at the non-partisan Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

"Each side is calibrating tension to avoid collapse while keeping escalation on the table. Nothing fundamental changed, and the cycle of coercion will resume the moment one side feels shortchanged, he said.

MUTED RESPONSE FROM GLOBAL MARKETS

Trump's meeting with Xi followed a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, where the two allies said they had finalised most details on a tariff deal they had been wrangling over for months.

The reaction to the detente was muted in global stock markets that had hit records ahead of the meeting on hopes of a breakthrough in a trade war between the world's two largest economies that has disrupted supply chains and rocked global business confidence.

Trump repeatedly talked up prospects of reaching agreement with Xi since U.S. negotiators on Sunday said they had agreed a framework with China to avoid 100% U.S. tariffs on its goods and defer China's export curbs on rare earths.

U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, in a post on X Thursday, said Trump's statements on the summit should not be believed. "Trump folded on China," he wrote.

The cordial meeting between the leaders, at a South Korean air base on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, lasted more than 1-1/2 hours.

FRICTIONS NOW AND THEN ARE NORMAL

It was normal for the two sides to have frictions now and then, Xi told Trump via a translator, as they faced each other, flanked by their delegations.

"China's development and rejuvenation are not incompatible with President Trump's goal of 'Making America Great Again,'" Xi added.

They also agreed to pause tit-for-tat port fees on shipping, designed to thwart dominance in shipbuilding, ocean freight and logistics.

China will begin the process of purchasing U.S. energy, Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Thursday, hinting at a big deal in Alaska where his administration has been touting a proposed $44-billion LNG export project.

Trump said he would travel to China in April before he receives Xi in the United States.

Chinese state media portrayed the meeting as a triumph of Xi's policymaking. "We have the confidence and capability to navigate all kinds of risks and challenges," the official news agency, Xinhua, quoted him as saying.

NO NVIDIA CHIP, TAIWAN DISCUSSIONS

The agreement broadly returns ties to their status before Trump's "Liberation Day" offensive in April triggered tit-for-tat escalation and leaves only Brazil and India facing higher tariffs among major U.S. trading partners.

But it may be no more than a fragile truce in a trade war with root causes still unresolved, analysts say.

Trump said he did not discuss Nvidia's state-of-the-art Blackwell chip with Xi, in a further blow to the firm's hopes of maintaining its presence in China's $50-billion AI market.

The contentious issue of Taiwan, the democratic island claimed by China that is a U.S. partner and high-tech powerhouse, also did not surface in the talks, Trump said.

Minutes before starting the meeting, Trump ordered the U.S. military to resume testing nuclear weapons after a gap of 33 years, pointing to the growing arsenals of Russia and China.

China's foreign ministry said on Thursday it hoped the U.S. would stick to a moratorium on nuclear testing.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in Busan, Michael Martina, David Brunnstrom, David Lawder and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington and Antoni Slodkowski, Liz Lee and Lewis Jackson in Beijing; Writing by John Geddie; Editing by Lincoln Feast, Clarence Fernandez and Chizu Nomiyama)
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping talk as they hold a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping talk as they hold a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

By Lisa Baertlein and David Lawder

LOS ANGELES/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. and China agreed on Thursday to pause tit-for-tat fees on each other's ships that became a major irritant in the broader trade war between the world's two largest economies and pushed up ocean freight costs.

The move provides a 12-month reprieve on an estimated $3.2 billion annually in fees for large Chinese-built vessels sailing to U.S. ports and was among the trade deals reached in South Korea by U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Early this year, the Trump administration announced plans to levy fees on China-linked ships to loosen the country's grip on the global maritime industry and bolster U.S. shipbuilding.

The so-called Section 301 penalties followed a U.S. probe that concluded China's domination of the global maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors was driven by unfair practices.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Fox Business Network on Thursday that the Section 301 action had been put on hold.

The U.S. Trade Representative's office did not immediately comment whether the pause covered other U.S. penalties on non-U.S. auto carriers built outside of China or on ship-to-shore port cranes built in China.

China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement that the suspension applied to Section 301 penalties "concerning China's maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors." It added that China also will suspend its on countermeasures and fees on U.S.-linked ships.

The fees reportedly have cost ship operators including China-owned COSCO and U.S.-based Matson millions of dollars and disrupted vessel schedules, driving up shipping expenses that eventually will land on consumers, maritime experts warned.

Singapore-based shipper High-Trend International Group said in a statement that the suspension offered immediate, material benefits to the company.

"The suspension removes a long-standing cost and policy overhang that had affected HTCO's maritime logistics and carbon-neutral initiatives," the High-Trend said. "This development is expected to significantly reduce cross-border shipping costs, improve cash-flow stability, and strengthen investor confidence in HTCO's growth strategy."

REDUCED ORDERS

Bessent said just the threat of the Section 301 tariffs was enough to reduce demand for China-built ships.

"Chinese shipbuilders have seen substantial diminution or decreases in their order books," Bessent said.

Orders for Chinese ships have fallen from last year as part of an overall decline this year. However, data shows that China continues to dominate ship orders.

Chinese shipyards captured 53% of all global ship orders by tonnage during the first eight months of 2025, according to a the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) analysis of S&P Global data.

(Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
President Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday, a high-stakes sit-down expected to focus on trade between the worlds two largest economies.

Between U.S. and Chinese delegates, Trump told reporters the two had already agreed to a lot of things, and well agree to some more right now, though he did not elaborate. He had previously suggested the two would discuss Nvidias artificial intelligence chips, as well as trade more broadly.

Xi told Trump that the two countries would not always see eye to eye, but argued that Chinas development went hand-in-hand with your vision to Make America Great Again.

The meeting lasted less than two hours. The two leaders emerged and appeared to have a cordial exchange before Xi got into a waiting car and Trump made his way toward Air Force One for the return flight to Washington.

Trump and Xi have spoken on the phone multiple times since Trump took office again in January, but Thursday marked their first in-person meeting since 2019.

Shortly before the two met, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had instructed the Defense Department to immediately begin testing U.S. nuclear weapons on an equal basis to China and Russia.

The president did not answer questions from reporters about soybean purchases, Taiwan or his shift on nuclear testing.

As White House officials sat across from Xi and Chinese officials, Trump also ignored a question about why he opted to resume the nuclear program less than an hour before the sit-down.

Trump has frequently spoken warmly about Xi and downplayed tensions between Washington and Beijing. But the two countries have slapped tariffs on each others imports, China has stopped buying soybeans from American farmers, and some foreign policy hawks have raised concerns about Xis relationship with autocrats such as Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Thursdays meeting was expected to focus heavily on trade negotiations. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that negotiators for the two countries had established a framework of an agreement for the two leaders to sign off on and avoid higher tariffs.

Updated Oct. 30 at 12:25 a.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.
Dan Hooker has claimed he will make Arman Tsarukyan look like an idiot in their UFC Qatar main event, simply by outperforming fans expectations.

Hooker, ranked seventh at lightweight, and No 2-ranked Tsarukyan will clash on 22 November, and a win for the latter might secure him a title shot.

Tsarukyan was one day away from challenging then-champion Islam Makhachev in January, but the Armenian withdrew from the fight due to a back injury. Makhachev submitted late replacement Renato Moicano then vacated the title in May, before Ilia Topuria claimed the vacant gold in June.

Topurias first defence of the title is up in the air, though it seems Justin Gaethje or Paddy Pimblett will be his first challenger now that Tsarukyan is booked against Hooker.

This fight excites me because they feel like Arman is a lot better than I am, Hooker told Sky Sports. Its like, anything good that I do, Arman is going to start to look more like an idiot.

He was supposed to be this super-freak athlete, title contender, the guy to beat Ilia Topuria. Theyre hiding the champion from him  this is his story.

Arman Tsarukyan (left) was slightly too slick for Charles Oliveira in April 2024 (AP)

Dan Hooker was forced out of a planned bout with Justin Gaethje in March due to a hand injury (Getty Images)

And now hes losing to Dan Hooker, the bloke from New Zealand whos lost a third of his fights. Anything that I do starts to make him look more and more human.

I feel like hes the one who has something to prove in this fight, and that is a difficult spot for a fighter to be [in]. I dont feel like I have to prove myself to everyone, Im comfortable with who I am. Im just excited to beat him, thats what excites me.

Hooker, 35, and Tsarukyan, 29, were trading barbs on social media even before their fight was announced.

"Anything good that I do, Arman is going to look more like an idiot"  Dan Hooker explains why fighting Arman Tsarukyan excites him 



"This fight excites me because they feel like Arman is a lot better than I am. Its like anything good that I do, Arman is going to look more pic.twitter.com/xSBVehuDsG  Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 30, 2025

Hooker will enter UFC Qatar on a three-fight win streak, having most recently won a split decision against Mateusz Gamrot in August 2024. He was then booked against Gaethje in March, but a hand injury forced the Kiwi out of the bout.

Meanwhile, Tsarukyan has not fought since April 2024, when he won a split decision against former champion Charles Oliveira.
German auto giant Volkswagen's (VWAGY) tariff hit in the third quarter hurt the bottom line by nearly $1 billion, with the 2025 tally ballooning to an amount that could eat heavily into full-year profits.

Volkswagen reported in its third quarter financial disclosure that US tariffs on imported vehicles stood at 800 billion euros ($925 million), with its total tariff blow through the first nine months of the year totaling 2.1 billion euros ($2.44 billion).

"Group operating margin is 5.4 percent  at first glance a respectable figure in the current economic environment. But increased trading tariffs and the resulting negative volume effects burden us by up to 5 billion EUR ($5.8 billion) on a full-year basis," Volkswagen CFO and COO Arno Antlitz said in a statement.

Antlitz said the effects and charges to units like struggling Porsche will continue to persist without new mitigation and "efficiency measures."

Read more: Live coverage of corporate earnings

Earlier this month, Volkswagen lowered its financial expectations for the year, guiding for a full-year operating return on sales (a measure of margin) of 2% to 3% and an automotive net cash flow of breakeven.

While the Porsche charge was a big one ($5.92 billion) related to changes in its EV rollout and brand goodwill, the effects of tariffs cannot be ignored.

Last year, Volkswagen's operating result (also known as EBIT  earnings before interest and taxes) stood at 21.7 billion euros ($25.10 billion), meaning $5.8 billion equates to 23% in lost profit.

In the second quarter, Volkswagen's tariff exposure was higher ($1.52 billion), but that was before the US struck a trade deal with the EU, with imports tariffed at 15% starting in August. However, 27.5% tariffs are still in place for vehicles made in Mexico.

Volkswagen Golf R on display in Noblesville, Ind. Volkswagen offers the Golf with a 2.0L TSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine. (jetcityimage via Getty Images)

Volkswagen said that while total deliveries in the first nine months of the year rose 1%, deliveries fell 8% in the US. The German automaker noted that while it makes 200,000 vehicles in the US, it still imports 240,000 units from Germany and 287,000 units from Mexico. VW's top seller, the Tiguan midsize crossover, is manufactured at the automaker's plant in Puebla, Mexico.

Wolfsburg, Germany-based VW is in talks with the US government regarding expanding vehicle production in the US, with an Audi plant a possibility.

As for VW's overall most recent results, the automaker reported Q3 revenue rose 2.3% from a year ago to 80.3 billion euros, but posted an operating loss of 1.3 billion euros versus a profit of 2.83 billion euros a year ago, with the tariffs and other one-time charges impacting its earnings.

StockStory aims to help individual investors beat the market.

Pras Subramanian is Lead Auto Reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram.

Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks

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World History Archive via Alamy ; Florida DOC/Getty Tyria Moore testifies during Wuornos' 1992 murder trial on January 16, 1992 in Daytona Beach, Florida ; Aileen Wuornos' mugshot.

NEED TO KNOW

Aileen Wuornos was a serial killer who confessed to shooting seven men while working as a prostitute

At the time of the murders, Wuornos was in a relationship with Tyria Moore

Toward the end of their relationship, Moore began to get suspicious of Wuornos and eventually got her to confess to her crimes



Although Aileen Wuornos had an allegedly difficult upbringing, she found a trusted companion and girlfriend, Tyria Moore, in adulthood.

Wuornos was a serial killer who confessed to killing seven men in Florida from 1989 to 1990 and was later sentenced to death for her crimes, per the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney. At the time of her murder spree, she was a sex worker in Florida.

She was not arrested for the murders until her girlfriend and closest confidante, Moore, urged her to confess. During her phone call confession to Moore, Wuornos claimed that she was admitting to the murders to protect her.

Wuornos later stood trial and alleged that she was acting in self-defense, per the Associated Press. However, Moore testified on behalf of the prosecution and was a key witness in their effort to convict Wuornos. The killer was subsequently found guilty of six murders and received six death sentences.

Wuornos spent a decade on death row before being executed by lethal injection on Oct. 9, 2002. Her crime spree and her relationship with Moore have since been shared in the October 2025 Netflix documentary Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers.

Although Moore has kept a low-profile life since the 1992 trial, she played a major role in convicting her ex-girlfriend.

Here's everything to know about where Aileen Wuornos' ex-girlfriend, Tyria Moore, is now and how she was involved in the serial killer's life and trial.



Who is Tyria Moore?

Daytona Beach News-Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Tyria Moore testifies during Wuornos' 1992 murder trial on January 16, 1992 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Tyria Moore was in her mid-20s and working as a motel maid in Florida when she met Wuornos. It was 1986, and the killer was 30 years old at the time, according to Joseph Reynolds' book Dead Ends.

Moore was raised in Cadiz, Ohio, by a middle-class family, per a 1991 report in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Prior to meeting Wuornos, Moore lived with friends.



How did Moore meet Wuornos?

Daytona Beach News-Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Aileen Wuornos on the witness stand during her 1992 trial for murder on January 14, 1992 in Ocala, Florida.

Moore and Wuornos met at a gay bar called Zodiac in South Daytona, Fla., in 1986, per the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Wuornos, who allegedly had an abusive childhood, had moved from Michigan to Florida for a marriage with a man who was 50 years older than her, according to the Los Angeles Times.

When she met Moore, Wuornos' marriage had been annulled after one month, and she had taken to working as a prostitute. During their meeting at Zodiac, the two quickly hit it off and moved in together. Wuornos later described Moore as "the love of my life," per the publication.

Moore also discussed their relationship and told police, per the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, "We became lovers, and it later turned into a sister-like relationship."

What was Moore's relationship with Wuornos?

Doug Engle/AP Photo Aileen Wuornos in the Marion County Judicial Center on February 22, 2001 in Ocala, Florida.

Although they fell in love, the couple reportedly began struggling with finances in their new relationship dynamic. Moore quit her job as a motel maid, while Wuornos supported them with her earnings from sex work. They moved from town to town and stayed in various trailers and motels, but Wuornos was unable to provide for both of them.

"The only reason I hustled so hard all those years was to support her," Wuornos said of Moore to police, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "I did what I had to do to pay the bills, because I didn't have another choice: I'd got warrants out for my arrest."

Wuornos added, "The problem was I wasn't supporting her as richly as she wanted. She always wanted a brand-new car or a rented one. She wanted clothes, she wanted an apartment with plush furniture. 'I've got to have my things,' she would say. I brought home about $300 every two weeks, but it wears you out, constantly talking to all those men, staying up."

Was Moore involved in any of Wuornos' crimes?

Peter Bauer-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Aileen Wuornos giving testimony during her 1992 murder trial in Daytona Beach, Florida

Wuornos committed her first known murder while she was still in a relationship with Moore in November 1989. She was eventually convicted of fatally shooting 51-year-old electronics shop owner Richard Mallory after he picked her up in Clearwater, Fla., according to the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney.

Shortly after Wuornos killed Mallory, she allegedly confided in Moore about her first murder. Moore claimed that she didn't engage in the conversation and refused to discuss the topic, per the Los Angeles Times.

However, Wuornos went on to kill six more of her alleged clients, and Moore began to get suspicious. She ended her relationship with Wuornos and moved back home with her parents. By late 1990, police suspected Wuornos of the murders and tracked down Moore to help convince Wuornos to confess.

In an unseen jailhouse tape shown in Netflix's Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers, Wuornos said of Moore, I loved her so bad. [Shes the] only reason I carried that darn gun. I wanted to make sure that I got home aliveso Id be another day breathing with her.

Moore has since denied any involvement in the crimes and was never charged in relation to Wuornos' murders.



How did Moore get Wuornos to confess to her crimes?

Acey Harper/Getty Investigators of serial murderer Aileen Wuormos Richard Vogel, Bob Kelley & Larry Horzepa & Jake Erhart; holding mug shots of Aileen Wuormos & 1st victim Richard Mallory.

Police began to hone in on Wuornos after her palm print was found in her fourth victim, Peter Siems', car in June 1990. Eyewitnesses also told authorities that they recalled seeing two women, one whom matched Wuornos' description, driving his car.

However, Siems' body was never found, so authorities needed to find another way to arrest Wuornos for his and several others' deaths. In January 1991, Wuornos was arrested for an outstanding warrant in Harbor Oaks, Fla., while they worked on persuading Moore to get her girlfriend to confess in exchange for her immunity.

Shortly after Wuornos was put behind bars, she called Moore from the prison, who told her the police were "coming after me." On Jan. 16, 1991, Wuornos told Moore the truth to protect her and admitted to killing seven men.

"Im not gonna let you go to jail. Ty, I love you. If I have to confess everything just to keep you from getting in trouble, I will," Wuornos said in the recorded phone call.

Why did Moore testify against Wuornos?

David Tucker-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Aileen Wuornos on the stand during her hearing to declare her competency on July 20, 2001 in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Moore ultimately became the key witness in Wuornos' 1992 trial for the murder of Mallory. During her testimony, she recounted the night that Wuornos came home from her first murder and confessed to her grisly crime.

"I didn't believe it," Moore said at the time, according to United Press International. "I know I didn't like to hear about her work (prostitution). So I'm sure I didn't want to hear something like that."

Although Wuornos claimed in her separate testimony that she killed Mallory out of self-defense after he raped her, Moore claimed that Wuornos never told her about the alleged assault.

"She didn't appear to be hurt or upset in any way," Moore alleged.

Moore further said that she was "scared" of Wuornos after she saw a wanted poster of her girlfriend and moved back to Ohio. She explained that she betrayed Wuornos' trust by getting a confession out of her because she wanted people to know she had "nothing to do" with the murders.



Where is Tyria Moore now?

After Moore testified against Wuornos in 1992, she has mostly stayed out of the public eye. In August of that year, Dateline released a special two-part episode titled "Damsel of Death," in which they interviewed both Moore and Wuornos.

"She was a great person and I did fall in love," Moore said at the time.

However, since then, she hasn't discussed the case in any interviews and has not made a public appearance. Although some outlets reported that she had signed a media deal to tell her story, she has not participated in any projects, including the 2003 film Monster, in which Christina Ricci played a fictional version of her.

While Moore has led a private life, her story was retold in the 2025 Netflix documentary, Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers.



Read the original article on People
Officials are still searching for missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard after they said her mother traveled out of California with the girl and then returned without her.

A school administrator first reported Melodee missing on Oct. 14 after her "prolonged absence," the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Although police initially believed the child hadn't been seen in at least a year, they later confirmed two sightings of the girl: one in August and another with her mother, Ashlee Buzzard, on Oct. 7.

However, officials said Ashlee Buzzard has not cooperated in the investigation and has not provided an explanation for her daughter's whereabouts. The FBI has also joined the investigation.

According to officials, Melodee and her mother live in Lompoc, California, which is about 50 miles northwest of Santa Barbara.

Here's the latest.

More news: Ex-deputy found guilty of murder in fatal shooting of Sonya Massey

Missing 9-year-old seen on surveillance in wig, officials say

Missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard is seen on surveillance footage, which was released by police, on Oct. 7.

On Oct. 24, police released surveillance images of Melodee Buzzard at a rental car business on Oct. 7.

In them, she is wearing a hooded sweatshirt over her head and what appears to be a wig, which investigators said may have been used to change her appearance, though Ashlee Buzzard is also known to wear wigs.

According to officials, Ashlee and Melodee Buzzard took a road trip out of California in the rental car on Oct. 7. On the three-day trip, they drove from California to Nebraska. When Ashlee Buzzard returned to California, she was without her daughter, officials said.

"Detectives are now focused on determining where Melodee was during those three days and where she may be now," Santa Barbara police said in an Oct. 24 release.

School confirms sighting of Melodee Buzzard in August

Police are searching for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard.

Melodee Buzzard and her mother were seen registering at a school in the Lompoc Unified School District in August, the district said in a statement shared with USA TODAY on Oct. 17.

"We are aware of misinformation circulating suggesting that Melodee has been missing since 2024 and that no action was taken by the District. This information is inaccurate," the statement said.

The school district said that Melodee Buzzard was enrolled in an independent study program, which requires students to pick up assignments. If they don't, school officials contact family members and then follow truancy procedures, which may include contacting law enforcement if necessary, to confirm the student's whereabouts.

The statement also commended the school staff's "procedural follow through" in Melodee Buzzard's disappearance.

Missing 9-year-old has 'the biggest smile,' aunt says

Melodee Buzzard's aunt, Lizabeth Meza, previously told USA TODAY that the girl's father died several years ago in a motorcycle accident.

Meza, whose late husband was Buzzard's paternal uncle, said she hasn't seen her in four-and-a-half years after losing contact.

Buzzard was previously homeschooled before being enrolled in public school, Meza said.

Meza said her niece has "the biggest smile" and loves to be around her family.

"We just want to see her and to make sure she's OK," Meza said. "Everything else, the police can handle that. But we just want to see her and make sure she's OK. You know, that's all that matters."

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Has Melodee Buzzard been found? Update on search for missing girl
Multiple people have now been arrested over a jewellery heist at Pariss famed Louvre Museum.

However, the lavish jewels that once adorned Frances royals are still missing.

In the days after the heist, experts warned that the jewels  which are valued at more than 88 million (77.5 million)  could be melted down or broken into parts. If that is done successfully, the smaller pieces could go up for sale as part of a new necklace or earrings without turning too many heads, some say.

You dont even have to put them on a black market, you just put them in a jewellery store, said Erin Thompson, an art crime professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York.

It could be sold down the street from the Louvre."

Ms Thompson and others said that this has become increasingly common with stolen jewels and metal goods, and is a way that thieves can try to cover their tracks.

The step would be crucial, as everyone and their sister has seen photos of the stolen artefacts over the past week  so finding a market to sell them intact would be incredibly difficult, said Christopher Marinello, a lawyer and founder of Art Recovery International.

The "parure de la reine Marie-Amelie et de la Reine Hortense" (set of jewelry of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense) displayed at Apollon's Gallery on January 14, 2020 at the Louvre museum in Paris (AFP via Getty Images)

French prosecutor Laure Beccuau made a plea on Wednesday to whoever has the jewels.

These jewels are now, of course, unsellable  Anyone who buys them would be guilty of concealment of stolen goods, she warned.

Theres still time to give them back.

The jewels may be hard to monetise

By breaking them apart, they will hide their theft, Mr Marinello said, adding that these items could become even more traceless if they are taken out of France and through jewel cutters and robust supply chains in other countries.

Still, such pieces are often sold for a fraction of the value of what was stolen, partly due to their smaller size, but also because melting or breaking down high-profile items removes the historical worth.

It isn't a simple process.

The real art in an art heist isnt the stealing, its the selling, explained Robert Wittman, former senior investigator of the FBI's art crime team.

The Louvre was closed for a time after the theft (AP)

Mr Wittman, who has since formed his own private practice, said that the individuals behind such heists are typically better criminals or thieves than they are businessmen.

Unlike others, Mr Wittman is skeptical about the thieves successfully monetising the artifacts they stole from the Louvre  which include an emerald necklace and earrings, two crowns, two brooches, a sapphire necklace and a single earring worn by 19th-century royals.

He said that the gems may still be identifiable by their clarity, for example, and gold that was refined when the pieces were made hundreds of years ago is not as pure as what is typically in demand today.

Because of what they are, theres really no point destroying them, Mr Wittman said, while pointing to the risks of selling such high-profile stolen goods.

Scott Guginsky, executive vice president of the Jewelers Security Alliance, a nonprofit trade association focused on preventing jewellery crime, also notes the age and quality of the artifacts' diamonds. He suspects they're probably not graded.

Its not something that you can move on the open market. Its nothing that can go through an auction house," said Mr Guginsky, who used to run the New York Police Departments organised theft squad.

Given the amount of preparation that the thieves likely put into this, Mr Guginsky believes they have a plan for selling the jewels, even if they might first decide to sit on the artefacts and wait out suspicion.

The jewels stolen from the Louvre

I cant see them stealing it without having an idea what they want to do, he said. Theres always a person willing to buy stolen jewellery. No matter what it is, somebody will buy it.

Sara Yood, CEO and general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, notes that most jewellery businesses implement anti-money laundering programs and look out for red flags, such as unusual orders, repeated purchases and requests for secrecy.

Still, she and others say the age of some jewels, if broken down effectively, could actually make them harder to track. Newer gemstones, for example, sometimes carry a laser inscription inside that can be evaluated in a lab.

But because these are historical pieces, its rather unlikely that it has those identifying features.

Experts like Ms Thompson say that bigger gems can be recut to a point that they are unrecognisable. A challenge is finding people who have the skill to do that and don't ask too many questions  but it's possible, she said.

Whether the people behind the heist had those contacts or certain buyers lined up is unknown. But it's important to also note that the guys who actually enter the museums are usually all hired hands, and theyre almost always caught in these cases, Ms Thompson added.

Chances of recovery look slim

She and others say that museums have increasingly faced a rash of similar thefts over recent years. Ms Thompson notes that stealing from storage can go undetected for longer: the British Museum in London, which has accused a former curator of stealing artefacts and selling them online, is still trying to recover some of the 2,000 items stolen.

Some past thieves have made ransom demands for stolen artwork overall, or wait for a potential no questions asked reward from an insurance company  which can amount to about a 10 per cent cut for some insured pieces in Europe, Ms Thompson says. The jewels stolen from the Louvre, however, were not privately insured.

Sometimes government offers of a reward for information about a high-profile heist can also quicken the investigation, although the French government has yet to publicise such an incentive. If that changes, or promising leads are uncovered from the evidence left behind at the Louvre, experts like Mr Wittman note it could increase the chances of recovering the artifacts.

Still, as more time passes, others feel that the fate of finding the historic jewels looks dim.

I think theyre going to catch the criminals, Mr Marinello said.

But I dont think theyll find them with the jewels intact.
Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in 2019 before a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKIAFP/Getty Images)

President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping just negotiated a trade deal in their first face-to-face meeting in six years, following reports of Chinas first purchase of U.S. soybeans in months.

The leaders met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Busan, South Korea. During the talks on Thursday, both leaders agreed to de-escalate trade tensions, Trump told reporters, announcing the U.S. will reduce tariffs by 10% on Chinese goods from 57% to 47%. In exchange, China pledged to bolster efforts to crack down on chemicals used to produce fentanyl, meeting a key demand from Trump.

China also promised to ease export controls of rare earths, which the U.S. relies on for military purposes and AI development.

Overall, I guess on the scale of from zero to 10, with 10 being the best, I would say the meeting was a 12, Trump told reporters on his way back to the U.S. from South Korea.

The trade negotiations come days after COFCO, Chinas largest state-owned agriculture and food business, made its first purchase of U.S. soybeans from this years harvest.

The firm plays a key role in the global supply and trade of grains, oils, and food products, with its core trading arm, COFCO International, reporting $38.5 billion in revenue last year, or 108.4 million metric tons of agricultural crops and commodities. It also just put in a purchase order for 180,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans for a December and January shipment, Reuters first reported on Tuesday, citing two oilseed traders. This marks Chinas first purchase of U.S. soybeans in months.

COFCO did not immediately respond to Fortunes request for comment.

Experts with knowledge of the transaction told Reuters that the purchase volume was small, only amounting to three cargoes, or shiploads, of soybeans, and that demand for the crop from the U.S. isnt expected to significantly increase in the near future after recent large purchases from South America.

China accounts for about 60% of the worlds soybean imports, and in 2024 China made up 51% of U.S. soybean exports. But trade tensions have driven a wedge between the U.S., which is the second-largest producer of soybeans, and Chinaone so large that China had not previously put in any orders to any of the 500,000 U.S. soybean growers. As a result, American farmers have warned of an impending economic crisis from the compounding factors of losing their top export market, falling crop prices, and high costs.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted at a de-escalation in the trade war between the countries under a deal framework he negotiated. In an interview that aired Sunday on CBS News Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, Bessent said the additional 100% tariff on China that Trump threatened earlier this month is effectively off the table.

The 100% tariff threat followed Chinas announcement of the strictest export controls to date, including a ban on any rare earths for foreign military use and a requirement for foreign entities to obtain Chinese government approval on products containing even trace amounts of Chinese-sourced rare earths.

So I would expect that the threat of the 100% has gone away, as has the threat of the immediate imposition of the Chinese initiating a worldwide export control regime, he said.

Bessent declined to give specific details to CBS about the trade agreement, but said soybean farmers will be extremely happy with this deal for this year and for the coming years, and provided a positive outlook for U.S. soybean exporters.

I believe that we have brought the market back into equilibrium, and I believe that the Chinese will be making substantial purchases again, Bessent said.

Leverage diplomacy

Babak Hafezi, adjunct professor of international business at American University, told Fortune negotiations between China and the U.S. have been marked by leverage diplomacy.

The Chinese understood that they could not renegotiate unless they had leverage, and they used rare earth minerals as a key lever, bringing the U.S. to the table, Hafezi said.

After the move in mid-October, negotiations began to move much faster, including the U.S. requirement that China purchase soybeans, he added.

This is a quid pro quo in the negotiation process and helps us stabilize relations with China more quickly, Hafezi said.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com